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Recent reports have claimed that Ruben Dias is set to sign a new deal at Manchester City, which would undoubtedly be a huge boost for Pep Guardiola.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, Dias will be rewarded with a new contract worth £140k-per-week after his exceptional debut season at the Etihad Stadium, a significant increase on the £80k-p/w they claim he currently earns with the Citizens.

Despite the 24-year-old signing a six-year contract when he arrived from Benfica in a deal worth £65m last year, it seems clear that City are desperate to tighten their hold on the centre-back, who won the Premier League Player of the Season award for his performances in the 2020/21 campaign.

A huge boost for Guardiola?

Although it would’ve been nearly impossible for any club in world football to prise Dias away from Manchester City this summer or anytime soon, it will be good news for the Citizens if they can tie him down to a new improved contract, which will hopefully be another step towards keeping him at the Etihad for the majority of his career.

Last season saw the Portugal international make 32 appearances in the Premier League for City, contributing one goal and averaging a solid 6.91 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

His partnership with John Stones at centre-back was key to City’s success in the Premier League, whilst he produced some exceptional displays in the Champions League to help them reach the final against Chelsea.

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After a memorable display in the semi-final second leg against PSG, where he seemed determined to block every single shot from Mauricio Pochettino’s side, talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein sang his praises, saying: “Ruben Dias, my goodness what a defender he is. Is he the best defender in the Premier League?

“I think he is. I think he’s better than Virgil van Dijk. I think he’s fantastic. This Ruben Dias is a rock. He will die for the badge.”

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Therefore, it can only be good news for Guardiola if Dias commits to a new improved deal with Manchester City. If his performances in his debut season are anything to go by, the Portugal centre-back could be a key player at the Etihad for the next decade.

In other news… Guardiola dealt cruel Man City blow over “very special” gem, fans will be gutted

England Women eased to a comprehensive 121-run trouncing of South Africa in the first ODI at Canterbury, led by a fine performance from Holly Colvin

Cricinfo staff06-Aug-2008
Scorecard
Claire Taylor swings hard during her impressive 83 © Christopher Lee
England eased to a comprehensive 121-run trouncing of South Africa in the first women’s ODI at Canterbury. Led by a fine performance from Holly Colvin, England’s slow-left-armer who took 3 for 17 in her ten overs, England dismissed South Africa for just 133 in defence of 255, winning with more than eight overs to spare.Impressive though Colvin was, the batsmen set up England’s victory. Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins put on 99 for the first wicket in good time – Taylor dominating the partnership with a brisk 56 before she chipped a return catch back to Sunette Loubser. Loubser gave further indication of the assistance available to the spinners by removing Atkins in identical fashion.England had slipped to 109 for 2, but in strode Claire Taylor and Charlotte Edwards, the captain, who put on another 99-run stand for the third wicket. Taylor was at her dominant best, cracking seven fours in a blistering 83 from 70 balls. Edwards, meanwhile, was no less urgent at the crease in her 44-ball 38, though benefited from two dropped catches and she became Ashlyn Kilowan’s first wicket when she spooned another return catch. Taylor was run out shortly afterwards as South Africa chipped away, but they faced a daunting target of 255.Katherine Brunt leaked 28 in her seven overs, but Isa Guha removed Cri-zelda Brits and Annelie Minny in quick succession. South Africa were tottering on 37 for 3, but it was the introduction of Colvin’s canny spin which did for the tourists, and she removed Alicia Smith, Shandre Fritz and Loubser during her impressively economical spell. The only batsman to stand in England’s way was the young wicketkeeper, Trisha Chetty, who was left high and dry on 33 but Edwards cleaned up the tail to record an emphatic victory.The second one-dayer gets underway on Friday at Lord’s.

The Bangladesh players linked to the Indian Cricket League have stated dissatisfaction with the system as their reason to retire from international and domestic cricket

Cricinfo staff15-Sep-2008
Shahriar Nafees: “I made it to the national team after working for ten years and I know, there’s a lot of pride of playing for Bangladesh but at this moment, I don’t feel good to play cricket” © AFP
The Bangladesh players linked to the Indian Cricket League have stated dissatisfaction with the system as their reason to retire from international and domestic cricket. However, they stopped short of confirming they had signed with the ICL.Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain, said he felt let down by the team management, coach Jamie Siddons in particular. “The situation was getting difficult for me,” Bashar, who was dropped from the side for the Asia Cup, told the Dhaka-based Daily Star. “I wasn’t receiving support from anyone. Even the coach’s attitude was discouraging and I was in the middle of a lot of uncertainty and I was out of cricket for seven months.” He said this prompted him to take up the ICL offer, adding none of the players were happy with the existing structure.In his interview with Cricinfo, Siddons said Bashar was not on the top of his game and had been omitted after many opportunities. “A non-performing senior can’t really influence the game of his team-mates,” Siddons said. “We would not leave a senior player out of our young team if they had the potential to be a match-winner or be in our team come the next World Cup.”Left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain, one of those linked with the ICL, could earn up to US$200,000 from a three-year contract, and he admitted he hadn’t been enjoying his time playing cricket in the last year. “They don’t think of us, so why should we think of them,” he said.Opener Shahriar Nafees echoed Mosharraf’s views, adding that there was a lot of anger and frustration behind his decision. “I made it to the national team after working for ten years, and I know there’s a lot of pride of playing for Bangladesh but, at this moment, I don’t feel good to play cricket.” Nafees said though he had an offer from the ICL he was yet to confirm his position. “My main focus is education and I want to complete my MBA in the next one-and-a-half years.” Nafees had opted out of the tour of Australia to concentrate on his studies.Dhiman Ghosh wanted to know why he had been dropped from the side if he was the country’s No. 1 wicketkeeper. He also said there were a lot of players vying for his spot in the team.Among the others reported to have received offers from the ICL are Alok Kapali, Nazimuddin, Tapash Baisya, Manjarul Islam, Mohammad Sharif, Golam Mabud and Mahbubul Karim. The latter two are currently touring Sri Lanka with the Bangladesh Academy team. Mohammad Rafique, who has retired, is also believed to have been approached.Though ICL officials admitted talks are on with 14 Bangladesh players, nothing has been finalised.

Rangers have been linked with a move for Gary Cahill recently and former Gers defender Graham Roberts has tipped him to be a success under Steven Gerrard at Ibrox.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, Rangers are keen on adding the 35-year-old to their squad this summer, and he is available on a free transfer after leaving Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

Although Gerrard is well-stocked in the centre-back department, the former Chelsea man would add a wealth of Premier League and Champions League experience at Ibrox, and would surely be a leader both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

Roberts spoke to Football Transfer Tavern recently and suggested that Cahill could be an excellent acquisition for the Gers, saying:

“It would be a good move for him. They need a bit of experience there, he’s a free agent, so to go and play in the Scottish Premiership, he would.

“They have a young side, but if you’ve got an experienced centre-half at the back he could be the orchestrator. I think that would be a great move for him, and he would be great for the squad.”

Should Rangers sign Cahill?

It might seem strange to claim that Gerrard needs to strengthen his defence this summer after Rangers conceded just 13 goals in 38 league games last season, but signing Cahill on a free transfer looks to be a no-brainer.

Despite his age, he was a regular in Crystal Palace’s side last term, making 20 appearances in the Premier League and averaging a solid 6.57 rating from WhoScored for his performances. He ranked second for clearances and successful aerial duels per game in the Eagles’ squad, emphasising the value he brought to the team.

Although he might struggle to break up Connor Goldson and Filip Helander’s firm partnership at the back, Rangers will be looking to improve their performances in domestic cup competitions this season, and Cahill could add some serious quality in depth.

The “exceptionally good” defender, as hailed by former Palace manager Roy Hodgson, could also be signed with the view to him performing a similar role to Jermain Defoe in the future, whereby he can feature in the occasional match but play a huge part behind the scenes in terms of coaching and in the dressing room, which would surely be appreciated by Gerrard.

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Therefore, Wilson should definitely look to bring the former England defender to Ibrox this summer, as he could prove to be a very shrewd addition to Gerrard’s squad.

In other news… Rangers set to miss out on 21 y/o gem likened to Sadio Mane

Former Sheffield Wednesday player Carlton Palmer believes that Josh Sims would be a good signing for the club. 

Yorkshire Live reported that Sheffield Wednesday were in talks with Sims, who is a free agent after leaving Southampton this summer.

If the winger does complete a move to Hillsborough, he would be reunited with manager Darren Moore, who he previously played under at Doncaster Rovers.

The 24-year-old winger was on loan at the Keepmoat Stadium last season and featured 30 times for the Reds, scoring three goals and providing eight assists.

Carlton Palmer believes that Sims would be a good signing for Sheffield Wednesday, exclusively telling Transfer Tavern: “If they manage to get it over the line, I think it’s a good signing. He worked with Darren at Doncaster, so the fact he’s worked with Darren, understands the way Darren works and wants to play and enjoyed it, I think it would be another good acquisition by the football club if they can get that one over the line.”

Moore has been very active so far in the summer transfer window, with no fewer than eight new faces arriving at Hillsborough. That number could soon increase, though, as football writer Ian Mitchelmore reported that George Byers is close to securing a move to the Owls.

After a busy summer, Darren Moore will be hoping that his Sheffield Wednesday side hit the ground running early in League One, with the Owls beginning their campaign on the road away to Charlton Athletic this weekend.

Afghanistan eased past Hong Kong to notch their fourth successive win in Division 4 of the World Cricket League, while Jersey walloped Fiji

Cricinfo staff08-Oct-2008
Mohammad Nabi appeals on his way to 5 for 32 © Cricket Europe/ICC
A fine all-round performance from Mohammad Nabi helped Afghanistan secure their fourth successive victory in Division 4 of the World Cricket League. Nabi took 5 for 32 before cracking 70 to lead Afghanistan to a four-wicket win over Hong Kong with just two balls to spare.Hong Kong were well placed to set Afghanistan a very challenging target, cruising to 152 for 2 from 40 overs, until Nabi tied them down to restrict their last ten overs. Zain Abbas, one of the tournament’s most consistent batsmen, top scored with 69 and, together with Roy Lamsam (35), the pair added 84 for the third wicket. Nabi had other ideas, however, rattling through Hong Kong’s middle and lower order to restrict Afghanistan’s target to 207.They began confidently, with Karim Khan slapping five fours in a 13-ball 20, but Hong Kong’s spinners – backed up by excellent fielding – tightened the screws and soon had Afghanistan stumbling on 48 for 3. Enter Nowroz Mangal who, along with Nabi, turned the match on its head with a decisive 105-run fourth-wicket partnership. Calmly nudging singles and pushing for twos, without wasting any opportunity to punish the bad ball, the pair quickly regained the upper hand – helped by a number of sloppy chances missed by a nervous Hong Kong side.Mangal fell shortly after notching his fifty, but Nabi continued unabated, cracking three fine sixes – two of which went out of the ground – in a sparkling 78-ball 70. He couldn’t see them home himself, but Samiullah Shenwari took them to victory with a blazing four over the covers.”It was a very good performance and I am very happy with our team,” Nabi said. “It was a turning track and I used the doosra effectively. It is very important for us. Our coach [Kabir Khan] told us to bat 50 overs and just concentrate on singles. He said if we succeeded in batting the full 50 overs, we would win the match and we did exactly that.”Meanwhile, Jersey got their first win of the tournament with a 79-run win over Fiji. Jersey managed to reach an impressive 228 for 4 in 40 overs, owing to the rainy conditions, with the two Gough Brothers, Jonathan (75) and Peter (41) starring in the innings. They received good support from Ryan Driver who skipped to an unbeaten 46.In reply, Fiji put up their best batting display of the tournament, but could still only muster 149 before they were bowled out. Ben Stevens, Jersey’s promising slow-left-armer, took 4 for 46.The eagerly anticipated clash between Tanzania and Italy was abandoned due to rain and will be played on Thursday. Tanzania will then play Fiji on Friday, while Hong Kong take on Jersey and Italy play Afghanistan.

Afghanistan 4 4 0 0 0 8 +1.183 683/181.4 469/182.0 Hong Kong 4 3 1 0 0 6 +1.586 902/191.0 598/190.4 Italy 3 2 1 0 0 4 +1.882 632/127.0 393/127.0 Jersey 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.602 538/176.0 644/176.0 Tanzania 3 1 2 0 0 2 -0.740 393/146.0 501/146.0 Fiji 4 0 4 0 0 0 -3.085 369/176.0 912/176.0

The South African domestic season began last week with the opening round of SuperSport Series matches. Cricinfo rounds-up the action from the first three matches

Cricinfo staff06-Oct-2008Alviro Petersen led from the front with twin hundreds as the Lions opened their season with a tense 37-run victory against the Warriors at Johannesburg. He hit 131 in the first innings and 120 in the second to leave the visitors a target of 251. They made a brisk start, but slumped to 81 for 4 when Ashwell Prince was caught at third slip off Cliff Deacon for 9, following two wickets in two balls for Garnett Kruger. The middle order fought hard and at 195 for 6 the game was back in the balance when Robin Peterson edged Deacon to the wicketkeeper. Andre Nel then cranked up his pace to remove Wayne Parnell before Deacon shifted the Warrior’s last major hope, Justin Kreusch, for 49. Petersen was handed the Man-of-the-Match award after a fine start to his season. His 131 formed more than half the Lions’ first innings, as they lost 8 for 75 to fall away to 255. The Warriors battled to an advantage of 61 as Kreusch ended unbeaten on 85, but that was soon wiped off by Petersen. Again, though, the Lions lost their advantage, slipping from 145 for 1 to 272 for 9, before a tenth-wicket stand of 39 between Nel and Kruger. In the final outcome, it proved the difference.The Eagles launched their SuperSport campaign with an 86-run win against the Cape Cobras in a match dominated by the seamers at Kimberley. Dillon du Preez, fresh from his county season with Leicestershire, claimed match figures of 7 for 76 as the Eagles attack out-bowled a star-studded Cobras line-up that boasted Charl Langeveldt, Monde Zondeki and Vernon Philander. Ryan Bailey’s 91, alongside 81 from Boeta Dippenaar, boosted the Eagles to 296 then the Cobras batting was ripped apart. du Preez and CJ de Villiers shared eight wickets as the Cobras collapsed to 79 for 9. Despite a last-wicket stand of 46 they still fell short of the follow-on, but Dippenaar chose not to enforce. He may have been regretting his decision as they staggered to 18 for 4, however Riley Rossouw, the Under-19 batsman, held firm with an unbeaten 63 off 133 balls to lift the lead to 300. The Cobras were always unlikely to reach the highest total of the match and couldn’t find anyone to play a major innings. Philander top-scored with 42, but the Eagles wrapped up their win with a day to spare.Imran Tahir brought his impressive form from the County Championship straight into the South African domestic season, claiming five wickets for the Titans, but their opening match against the Dolphins was severely impacted by the weather at Durban. The final day was washed out after the Dolphins earned a lead of 81, despite losing their top-order to Tahir. He claimed the first five wickets to fall, before Jon Kent (91) and Pierre de Bruyn (73) responded with a sixth-wicket stand of 157. There had also been one main stand in the Titans’ innings with Martin van Jaarsveld (58) and Gulam Bodi (62) added 101 after coming together at 13 for 3.

Lions 1 1 00 0 0 17.1 Eagles 1 1 0 0 0 016.42 Warriors 1 0 10 0 0 8.32 Dolphins 1 0 0 0 1 07.4 Titans 1 0 00 1 0 5.22 Cape Cobras 1 0 1 0 0 03

Player of the week – Alviro Petersen
After finishing the tour of England with a 4-0 hammering in the one-day series, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur said it was time to start rebuilding the limited-overs team. Alviro Petersen has had a brief taste of international cricket with five ODIs against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh between 2006 and 2008, and the way he has begun this season another chance may not be far away. The future of some senior batsmen such as Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis is uncertain so, at 27, Petersen is part of the generation Arthur will be looking at. His back-to-back centuries against the Warriors have set a high standard for his season and won’t have gone unnoticed.

Fabian Delph could leave Everton this summer, but Dean Windass has ruled out the 31-year-old returning to Leeds.

The midfielder left Manchester City to join the Toffees two years ago, but his short stay on Merseyside has been overshadowed by injuries.

Delph has missed 39 games across all competitions for Everton with several muscle problems preventing him from making any real impact on the pitch.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton are open to selling him this summer after making just 30 appearances in a Toffees shirt.

Following their promotion back to the Premier League 12 months ago, Leeds were plotting a move to bring Delph back to Elland Road as reported by the Daily Star to add experience to their squad.

Delph began his playing career with Leeds and made 50 appearances before he left for Aston Villa when the Yorkshire giants were still playing League One football.

But Windass exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he doesn’t expect to see the midfielder return to his former club this window.

“I don’t think he’s a Bielsa type. He’s always injured.

“The one thing about football now is all on stats, they want to see how many games you’ve played, what you’re good at, what you’re not good at. How many games has he played for Everton? So, I can’t see that.”

Nottinghamshire bowlers Paul Franks and Luke Fletcher have signed new deals that commit them to the club until the end of the 2010 season

Cricinfo staff24-Oct-2008Nottinghamshire bowlers Paul Franks and Luke Fletcher have signed new deals that commit them to the club until the end of the 2010 season.Franks played in seven County Championship matches last season and was a key member of the one-day side while Fletcher showed great promise in his first season in county cricket.”There was never any doubt that I wanted to sign a new contract and the only way I will leave Trent Bridge is if I’m ever told that the club doesn’t want me,” said Franks. “I’m still only 29 and I’m striving to improve and raise my standards. The club and the supporters have shown a lot of faith in me over the years I want to repay that. Everyone knows that I wear my heart on my sleeve and I will do everything I can to help the team until the very last ball of the very last game.”Fletcher made his debut against Northamptonshire in the Friends Provident Trophy in May and capped a solid season with selection for England Under-19s. He will spend time at the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide in January.”I’m very happy to have secured my future at Nottinghamshire and now it’s up to me to put pressure on the players that are being selected and earn a regular place in the side,” he said. “I’ve found that I’m becoming more consistent but I want to add extra pace and improve my stamina. I’m a Nottingham lad, I’ve always lived and played cricket in the area and it makes it extra special for me to represent my home town club.”

Leeds United could unearth their new Pablo Hernandez in Fulham starlet Fabio Carvalho amid a recent transfer update.

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Mail, Fulham have hit a contract impasse with the 18-year-old, whose deal at Craven Cottage expires at the end of this season.

The report adds that the likes of Leeds, West Ham, Norwich and Porto are all said to be interested in making a move for the teenager, and that “owners Shahid and Tony Khan face a difficult decision whether to cash in if they can’t reach agreement with the youngster over a new deal.”

Leeds’ new Pablo Hernandez

Speaking after he watched him score his first goal for the club against Southampton towards the back end of last season, former Fulham boss Scott Parker said: “Fabio was lively, he had great amounts of energy. All round his performance was very good for a young boy that has come into the team for his full debut.

“He showed real courage and bravery, he’s earned the right to get into this team. He’s not in this team because our season’s over, he’s in the team because he deserves it.”

Able to play absolutely anywhere across midfield and further forward too, Carvalho has been at his best for Fulham’s youth sides when playing just behind the striker, just like Hernandez at Leeds.

In 42 games in that position for the Cottagers, the England U18 international has smashed in an incredible 20 goals and provided another nine assists too, while he’s also equally effective out wide too (he’s scored seven goals and set up another eight from the right hand side).

At his best, Hernandez was similarly creative and exciting to watch, with his nimble footwork and eye for goal being a huge part of the Whites’ resurgence in the last couple of years. As per Whoscored, in the 2018/2019 campaign in which he scored 12 and set up another 12, he averaged a whopping three key passes and 2.7 shots per game in the Championship.

In 175 games for the club, the little Spaniard netted 36 goals and provided another 41 assists, a pretty impressive feat especially when you consider Hernandez was well into his 30s when he joined up at Elland Road.

Just like the former Leeds man, Carvalho is similarly small in stature standing at just 5 foot 7, but also has the craft and agility to be a real threat to opposition defences when running with the ball.

Given his similar style of play, and the fact he remains so young at just 18, Carvalho could come in and develop into Leeds’ perfect successor to Hernandez at Elland Road over the long-term.

Meanwhile, Angus Kinenar has dropped an update on Marcelo Bielsa’s future…