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In the match of the tournament, Scotland pulled off a stunning heist in defence of 148 to defeat Netherlands by seven runs

The Report by Peter Della Penna in Abu Dhabi17-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsCon de Lange produced a telling spell to slow Netherlands’ chase•Peter Della Penna

In the match of the tournament, Scotland pulled off a stunning heist in defence of 148 to defeat Netherlands by seven runs. Only two of the first eight matches have been won by the team fielding second and on both occasions Scotland has been the one to do it, but this victory was particularly remarkable considering the positions they clawed back from in both innings.Sent in to bat, Scotland ended the first six overs at 17 for 3, the worst start in the first six by any side in this event. The middle order led the rescue effort as Richie Berrington and Calum MacLeod added 57 for the fourth wicket. Scotland were seven down though by the end of the 18th over but Netherlands failed to land the knockout punch and paid the price. Safyaan Sharif hit two sixes among the 27 runs that came off the final 12 balls, including one off the final ball of the innings.Netherlands’ batting script was almost a 180-degree flip from the Scotland innings. They raced away in the Powerplay to reach 49 after five overs. Man of the Match Josh Davey sparked Netherlands’ slide by getting Ben Cooper out pulling to deep square leg for 24 and then nailed Tobias Visee on the crease three balls later. An hour later, Davey came back to take two more – Max O’Dowd pulling a bouncer to deep midwicket and Pieter Seelaar lacing another short ball straight to point – and Netherlands were on the verge of a complete meltdown entering the final over needing ten to win with two wickets in hand. Berrington and Sharif then teamed up for run outs off back-to-back balls to seal a memorable escape for Scotland.MacLeod-Berrington déjà vuThe two middle-order batsmen put on a Scotland T20I record 127-run stand for the third wicket against Oman on Saturday. In that situation, they were piling on to the robust start provided by George Munsey and Kyle Coetzer. On Tuesday night, the scenario was far more perilous with both openers plus Matthew Cross all dismissed on 4.Paul van Meekeren had claimed Coetzer and Cross, but Berrington took him on in the 10th, cracking a four through midwicket off a no ball and then used the free hit to smash him past mid-off to spark the Scotland revival. MacLeod targeted Michael Rippon’s left-arm wrist spin, sweeping him both ways for a pair of boundaries until his innings ended in fluke fashion when he chopped the bails off the stumps going back to cut. The pair had done the dirty work to dig Scotland out of the early hole though and give them a fighting chance through the rest of the match.Con Artist Netherlands looked like they were running away with victory behind Cooper and Rippon’s opening partnership. Davey may have struck twice in the sixth to thwart the stand, but it was left-arm spinner Con de Lange’s four-over spell that turned the tide Scotland’s way. He gave up just two off his first over, then struck on the second ball of his second by inducing Wesley Barresi to drive in the air to long-off.Borren swept him in the air barely wide of short fine-leg in his third over for the only boundary he conceded but he bounced back at the start of his final over, beating Rippon’s charge down the wicket to bowl the opener for 42. De Lange never takes big hauls, but the deft brushstrokes he paints on a match canvas via clever flight and control leave a distinct impression on the opposition.Action replayTimm van der Gugten was the man on strike to begin the final over bowled by Sharif. Berrington, arguably Scotland’s best all-round fielder, was positioned at long-on. Tasked with defending ten runs, Sharif was honed in on the blockhole to near perfection.Van der Gugten dug out the first ball back down the ground and it rolled gently to the edge of the circle at mid-on. Van der Gugten was desperate to stay on strike and called Malik back for a desperate second. Berrington charged and fired to Sharif over the stumps to put Scotland one wicket away from victory.Van Meekeren replaced Malik at the non-striker’s end with nine needed off five balls. Sharif ran in again and the sequence that followed was a virtual carbon copy of the previous delivery. Full and straight, chipped down the ground, Berrington locking in like a cyborg to scoop and throw almost all in one motion, Sharif with a clean take and break of the stumps. The second decision for the umpire wasn’t nearly as close as the first as Van Meekeren’s bat got stuck in the turf while his body momentum continued forward. A theatrical tumble to the ground ensued, providing a symbolic ending to the series of Netherlands’ missteps that led to defeat.

علق أحمد حسن، نجم منتخب مصر السابق، على نتائج قرعتي دوري أبطال إفريقيا وكأس الكونفدرالية، بمشاركة 3 أندية مصرية الأهلي والزمالك وفيوتشر.

واستدعى الاتحاد الإفريقي النجم الكبير أحمد حسن، من أجل سحب قرعة دور ربع نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وهو من قام بسحب منافس المارد الأحمر سيمبا التنزاني.

وقال أحمد حسن في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورت”: “كل التوفيق للأندية المصرية الأهلي والزمالك وفيوتشر، لم نكن نتمنى أن يتقابل فريقان مصريان (الزمالك وفيوتشر)، لكن هذه هي نتائج القرعة، كل التوفيق للفريقين واللقب يكون مصريًا إن شاء الله”.

وتابع: “منافس الأهلي؟ من وجهة نظري أنا عملت إللي عليا (ضاحكًا) الدور على اللاعبوو في الملعب، لا نُقلل من أحد، لكن أعتقد أن مواجهة سيمبا التنزاني في المتناول للنادي الأهلي”.

طالع أيضًا | نتائج قرعة دور ربع نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2023-2024.. صدام قوي ينتظر الأهلي

وأشار: “مواجهة الترجي صعبة، ومازيمبي في ملعبه صعب؛ ولذلك أعتقد أن الأمور متاحة أمام الأهلي لتحقيق اللقب الـ 12

وشدد: “الأهلي عنده ميزة، حتى وهو في أقل حالاته يستطيع أن يُحقق البطولة، واللاعبون معنوياتهم مرتفعة بعد الفوز على الزمالك في نهائي كأس مصر، وبالتأكيد نتمنى أن يتوجوا باللقب القاري”.

وعن توقعاته لنهائي البطولة، قال العميد: “الفريق الأفضل هو صن داونز، فريق يلعب كرة ممتعة ويمتلك حلول، على كل فريق أن ينظر في الخطوة القادمة الآن، وبعد ذلك يُفكر في النهائي، وأنا أعتقد إن صن داونز سيكون طرفا نهائي دوري الأبطال”.

Aston Villa could start "making offers" for players, according to journalist Dean Jones, with the club linked to £35m midfielder Manu Kone.

Are Villa interested in Kone?

One of the names hot on the lips of transfer experts everywhere is Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Manu Kone, with the young Frenchman having been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga this summer.

Even Gladbach's director of football has admitted as much, telling kicker (via 90min): "Our attitude is well-known. If there are sums involved that a club like Borussia has to think about, we will do it."

Gladbach have already lost Marcus Thuram to Inter, Ramy Bensebaini to Borussia Dortmund and Lars Stindl to Karlsruher, all on free transfers, and are expected to have to cash in on some of their saleable assets this summer.

This will likely be great news for clubs around Europe, one of whom might be Aston Villa.

According to Dean Jones, Unai Emery's side could start making offers for unsettled players, one of which could be Kone.

He told GIVEMESPORT: "There's been a lot of umming and ahing over targets like Manu Kone, and I feel like at some point Villa are just going to go in there and start making offers for these players to really give them something to think about and see if those other clubs react."

Having been frequently linked with Liverpool, although a move to Anfield is now "unlikely", Villa would have to fend off some of the world's biggest clubs to acquire the 22-year-old's signature. It would certainly be a huge statement of intent if Emery could lure him to Villa Park.

Why do Villa want Kone?

Currently at the U21 European Championship with France, Kone enjoyed an impressive season in an underperforming Borussia Monchengladbach team that slumped to 10th under Daniel Farke.

A robust defensive-midfielder, Kone, who has been hailed as a "one man army", is something of an all-rounder in the centre of park, excluding goals and assists.

Compared to other Bundesliga midfielders last season, Kone made 1.28 tackles in the defensive third per 90 (top 10%), 2.55 overall tackles per 90 (top 18%) and 1.52 blocks per 90 (top 25%), highlighting his ability to win the ball back and stop danger.

He also boasts a good passing ability, sitting in the top 9% for average passing accuracy (86.2%), and he very rarely loses the ball, being dispossessed just 1.73 times per 90.

One of his key strengths is his dribbling ability and press resistance, sitting in the top 11% per 90 for successful take-ons, carries and progressive carry distance. This would be incredibly useful for someone like Villa, given the high-intensity pressing of many Premier League teams.

Michael Klinger’s 55-ball 72 and Mitchell Marsh’s brutal 34 were also vital to Perth Scorchers’ sixth win over Melbourne Renegades in six matches

The Report by Will Macpherson in Melbourne29-Dec-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMichael Klinger’s love affair with Melbourne Renegades continued•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Perth Scorchers have played Melbourne Renegades six times, and won the lot. Last year, in this very fixture, they recorded the BBL’s first ever 10-wicket win. This time, they won, but it was not that simple.It required a swatted six from Ashton Agar with the game’s final ball, a full toss bowled by Aaron Finch (yes, you read that right). Scorchers required nine from the final over, and Finch dismissed the set man Mitchell Marsh, caught at long-on off another full toss, and Adam Voges, run out by a direct hit trying to pinch a single. Agar, who had faced just two balls, required three off the last, and smote high and handsome over cow corner for six. It was a remarkable conclusion.Klinging in the rain
One of the great joys of the BBL is that it has made household names of the likes of Michael Klinger, who – rightly or wrongly – has never played international cricket. Klinger, the BBL’s most prolific batsmen ever, has been the Man of the Match (with 105 then 91, both unbeaten) in the Scorchers’ last three wins over the Renegades and, with rain falling outside and the roof on, played the game’s defining hand here.His 72 was a triumph of functionality and calmness as he set Scorchers up to cruise home with overs to spare; alas, it was not that easy. He found the boundary with ease, not least when he launched Brad Hogg over long-off for a six that took him to 50 and nonchalantly flicked Nathan Rimmington over fine leg with the same result. Everyone in the stadium was surprised when his leading edge floated back to Sunil Narine with victory in sight. The Renegades had finally dismissed Klinger after 173 balls.Dwayne Bravo was stretchered off the field after injuring his hamstring near the boundary•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Why on earth was Aaron Finch bowling the final over?
The Renegades’ best laid plans went to waste when Dwayne Bravo suffered a game-ending – and perhaps worse? – hamstring injury fielding in the 11th over of the Scorchers’ chase. At that stage they were one down and needed 81 off 57. Bravo had bowled just one over; the loss of his three overs meant the misfiring Nathan Rimmington had to be bowled out (at a cost of 45) and Finch had to bowl two. Briefly, remarkably, it looked like they might have got away with it.Turner’s turn
Offspinner Ashton Turner’s name is as fine a case of nominative determinism as cricket can currently offer. Anyway, spin has historically played a big role at Docklands Stadium, and his excellent performance set the path for the rest of the game. Turner’s first over only fuelled the Renegades’ excellent start, as Marcus Harris thumped him for two fours. Adam Voges persisted with Turner, and that paid dividends when Harris top-edged a sweep to deep midwicket. After Cameron White and Callum Ferguson put on 50, back came Turner to begin the stall; his four overs cost just 25, and he had White caught at deep midwicket.Ashton Agar celebrates with Sam Whiteman after smashing a six off the last ball•Cricket Australia/Getty Images

A tale of two brothers
A fine night for Mitchell, but not so much for Shaun, as both look to hustle their way back into the Australian squad for the final Test of the summer, which will be named on Friday. Shaun has fond memories of this ground, having put on 171 with Klinger last year to seal that 10-wicket win. The pair extended their unbeaten run to 207, but Shaun struggled on Thursday. His tortuous seven took 14 balls, with just three of them resulting in runs. There was one lovely slash through point for four and drive through mid-off for two; the rest was a tale of ugly timing.Mitchell had a much better night. The allrounder kicked things off with a fine spell of bowling, hammering away at a length for four overs, and picking up a wicket – Ferguson, the man who very briefly replaced him in the Test side – with his final ball. He took two fine catches – on the fence at third man to see off Tom Cooper, and at deep square leg where he was picked out by Peter Nevill – to boot. Mitchell’s brutal knock took the Scorchers to within seven runs of a win, before he dragged himself from the field having holed out. Fortunately for him, Agar saved his blushes.

Newcastle United are getting closer and closer to bringing Sandro Tonali to the Premier League, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano revealing that talks are now in their "final stages" over a deal for the player.

How good is Sandro Tonali?

The midfielder has been an AC Milan regular over the last three seasons and has slowly established himself as a key member of their team. In the 2022/23 season, the 23-year-old was able to feature on 34 occasions for the club in Serie A and managed two goals with seven assists along the way. It was his highest total of goal contributions to date in his career and whilst Milan could only manage a fourth place finish, it was still a good season for the Italian.

He also compares well against other midfielders in Europe despite his age, which shows how well mature he is already. His 0.22 assists per 90 rate for example puts him within the top eight percent in that area and shows his capability at picking out a pass and setting up his teammates with his superb vision. His 3.11 shot-creating actions per 90 is again another testament to that.

Now, according to a report from reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the player has bagged himself a move to England. It's been evident that Newcastle have got a serious interest in adding the youngster to their ranks and it seems as if a deal is edging closer to being complete now.

Romano states that a "new" round of talks are now in their "final stages" and that a deal will see him paid up to a potential 10 million Euros a season (or £8.6m).

How much are Newcastle paying for Tonali?

The deal will also cost Dan Ashworth and PIF a €70million transfer fee (£60m). Romano said: "Newcastle and AC Milan will enter into final stages of negotiations for Sandro Tonali today. New round of talks will take place around €70m fee, add-ons and structure of deal being discussed. Contract until June 2029, €8m per season net salary plus €2m add-ons."

It's clear that he is viewed as one of the best midfield prospects in Europe right now, with football journalist Josh Bunting stating that Tonali is "elite" and is one of the "hottest prospects" in Italy to boot.

Newcastle then could be landing themselves a real talent when they do complete a deal for the player – and it would certainly help them to challenge in the Champions League next season.

أعلن الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة اليد، بشكل رسمي عن موعد بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي “رجال” بمشاركة 3 أندية مصرية.

ويشارك في بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي لكرة القدم، 4 أندية وهي الأهلي والزمالك وسبورتنج من مصر وجي اس كي من الكونغو.

وتقرر إقامة بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي لكرة اليد رجال يومي 14 و15 أبريل المقبل.

طالع | الأهلي يتمسك بصدارة دوري اليد بالفوز على سبورتنج

ومن المقرر أن تقام بطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي لكرة اليد في الجزائر.

يذكر أن الأهلي هو صاحب آخر تتويج ببطولة كأس السوبر الإفريقي لكرة اليد بعد الفوز على الزمالك في الموسم الماضي.

وتجدر الإشارة إلي أن الفائز بـ كأس السوبر الإفريقي لكرة اليد سوف يتأهل إلي كأس العالم للأندية (سوبر جلوب).

The Sydney Sixers did not appear to have made enough, but they fielded like demons and bowled in miserly fashion to beat the Perth Scorchers by seven runs

Will Macpherson at the WACA28-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIn the first WBBL final, the Sydney Sixers posted an underpar total but scrapped for their lives and took the game to the final over before losing to their crosstown rivals. This time, they again batted first – as they prefer to – and did not appear to have made enough, but they fielded like demons and bowled dry to beat the Perth Scorchers by seven runs. For much of the game the Scorchers had been cruising to victory, but the tournament’s top two teams served up a veritable classic.As Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton got the Scorchers off to another fine start, followed by Suzie Bates joining Bolton to consolidate, the Sixers’ 124 – the result of some superb strangling from the hosts, led by Anya Shrubsole – never looked enough. But an outstanding performance from Sarah Aley, the competition’s leading wicket-taker of the season (and ever), alongside some waspish fielding by Bates and Lauren Ebsary led the Sixers’ fightback.Still, the game made it to the final over as Katherine Brunt walloped a six – the first of the match – down the ground off the final ball of Aley’s spell, leaving the Scorchers needing 16. She was dropped at deep midwicket off the fourth ball of that last over, but the Scorchers could only take eight off Lauren Smith’s offspin. In brutal 38-degree conditions, Brunt fell to her knees in disappointment as the Sixers celebrated.Both teams had a chance to produce the blueprint of their semi-final success, and with the Sixers wanting to bat, and the Scorchers preferring to field, the toss suited everyone.Bates knew that the Scorchers’ best chance was to dismiss her opposite number Alyssa Healy – who was in the form of her life having made 161 runs in her previous two innings – early and, from the first ball of the match, Healy’s flick just evaded the fingers of midwicket. When she drove the next ball brilliantly through the offside for four, Bates must have wondered if the Scorchers’ chance was gone. Healy smacked down the ground, and again through cover, particularity picking on Emma King’s spin, and looked in ominous form.But her partners struggled. Shrubsole had Dane van Niekerk caught behind with her fourth ball, and her opening two overs cost just one each. Ashleigh Gardner, after a brilliant tournament, struggled badly with her timing and was bowled by Bates just before halfway. An over later Healy – feeling under pressure to push the game on – miscued Piepa Cleary into the offside. She left having made 40 of the 70 runs, but only having faced 27 of the 65 legal deliveries.The Scorchers’ stall was on, but no one told that to Marizanne Kapp, who dragged Sixers to 124. Sara McGlashan and Angela Reakes struggled for timing, but Kapp found the fence late in the innings through cover and square leg. Shrubsole returned for the final over and bowled Reakes to cap a performance that should have been enough to win the game.And as Villani drove down the ground and Bolton stroked through cover, it certainly looked that way. But Aley, who remarkably remains uncapped (although perhaps not for long) forced Villani to hit straight to long-on off the last ball of the Powerplay, and the Scorchers slowed after her dismissal. Smith then produced a brilliant run-out, diving at mid-off to dismiss Bates. Soon enough Kim Garth, the excellent Irish rookie who has shone in the second half of the tournament, had Bolton caught at mid-off and then Aley bowled Heather Graham. Next over Ebsary and Brunt found themselves at the same end as Kapp and Smith combined to run them out. Brunt, promoted to No. 4, was the last hope, but Aley’s excellent 19th over – in which she bowled Chloe Piparo and Shrubsole off consecutive balls – was just enough.The Sixers thus proved that they were the strongest and deepest squad in the tournament, given in the absence of Ellyse Perry and Lisa Sthalekar they secured a superb come-from-behind win and a well-deserved title, burying the demons of 2016 in the process.

كشف هوارد ويب، رئيس لجنة التحكيم في إنجلترا، مدى صحة قرار عدم احتساب ضربة جزاء في الوقت القاتل لصالح ليفربول أمام مانشستر سيتي، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في وقت سابق من هذا الشهر على ملعب “الأنفيلد” حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله.

وطالب ليفربول بضربة جزاء في اللحظات الأخيرة من عمر المباراة بعدما تدخل جيريمي دوكو ضد ماك أليستر داخل المنطقة.

وقال هوارد ويب في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “مترو” الإنجليزية: “هناك حالة من انقسام الرأي، أليس كذلك؟ أعتقد أنها حالة لو كان الحكم قد أصدر قراره بشأنها على أرض الملعب، لكان من الممكن أن يتم التحقق منها بواسطة تقنية الفيديو”.

وأضاف: “ولكن نظرًا إلى عدم قيام الحكم بذلك، فإن الأمر بمثابة (تم التحقق) من تقنية الفيديو، يمكنك سماع مايكل أوليفر (حكم المباراة) وهو يقول إن الكرة كانت في المنتصف، الكرة منخفضة جدًا بحيث لا يمكن الوصول إليها بالرأس، رفع دوكو قدمه للعب الكرة، وحاول لمسها”.

وواصل: “نحن نعلم أن هناك بعض الالتحام مع ماك أليستر أيضًا، كما أن أليستر لم يلعب الكرة أيضًا، لذلك هناك انقسام في الرأي هنا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | بين ليفربول وآرسنال ومانشستر سيتي.. مايكل أوين يتوقع الفائز بلقب الدوري الإنجليزي

وتابع: “عدم الرغبة في إعادة النظر في المواقف غير الواضحة، وهو ما نعتقد أن تقنية الفيديو مخصصة للاستخدام في تلك الحالة، يبقى الفار بعيدًا عن الأمر (إذا لم يكن واضحًا)، أعتقد أن هذا هو ما كنا نتوقعه”.

وأردف: “في بعض الأحيان لا يكون لديك كل المعلومات تمامًا وتريد هذا اليقين في هذه اللحظات الكبيرة، من الواضح أن أوليفر لم يكن لديه ذلك (الرؤية الواضحة) في هذا الموقف”.

واستكمل: “ثم ينظر حكم تقنية الفيديو إلى الأمر ولا يرى موقفًا واضحًا وصريحًا، ترى شيئًا ذاتيًا جدًا وبالتالي يبقى بعيدًا عن صلاحياته، والتعليقات التي تلقيناها من الأشخاص داخل اللعبة هي أن هذا موقف شخصي جدًا، وهو رأي منقسم”.

وأكد: “لذلك وعلى هذا الأساس، فإن نظام تقنية الفيديو، الذي يعمل على هذا المستوى العالي من الحد الأدنى، اتبع المسار الصحيح بعدم التدخل”.

Liverpool are in the process of rebuilding their midfield after a disappointing campaign last season and now a new update has emerged on a huge transfer target that could revolutionise the centre of the pitch at Anfield.

What's the latest on Liverpool's move for Federico Valverde?

According to reports coming out of Spain, Liverpool are preparing a €90m (£77m) bid to sign Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, an offer that Madrid will find very difficult to reject.

As per the report, Jurgen Klopp has been a huge admirer of the player for a while and there are now doubts surrounding Valverde's future at the Santiago Bernabéu due to the competition that exists in the centre of the pitch.

Will Liverpool sign Federico Valverde this summer?

There is no doubt that a refresh in midfield is needed following the departures of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita and the club has already secured a £35m deal for World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.

Many of the remaining midfield options available to Klopp are reaching the latter stages of their careers with Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara well into their 30s at this point, whilst Fabinho will turn 30 before the turn of the year – so there is a real opportunity to build the next generation of success at Anfield.

As a result, the ambitious move for Valverde would be warmly welcomed as the 24-year-old would not only inject high energy, youth and a strong winning mentality into the heart of the team, but could finally replace Georginio Wijnaldum's deadly press and unrivalled work rate in midfield.

Before leaving the Merseyside giants in 2020 upon the expiration of his contract, Wijnaldum played a vital role in the success that Liverpool have experienced both in domestic competition and on the European stage, providing huge game-changing moments like his semi-final brace against Barcelona to lead the team to their first Champions League trophy since 2005.

Now Klopp could land his next game-changer with Valverde also a big game player who adopts the winning mentality and work ethic that is crucial to earn multiple accolades across several competitions.

The Uruguayan star – hailed "untouchable" by Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti – is an extremely attacking-minded talent who ranks in the top 16% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for non-penalty goals, shots in total, pass completion and progressive carries.

Wijnaldum, by comparison, ranks in the top 8% for non-penalty goals and the best 12% for shots to outline their similar attacking threat.

In comparison to Valverde's positional peers on Merseyside, neither Jordan Henderson nor Harvey Elliott were able to complete more progressive carries (70), goal contributions (11), shot-creating actions (81) or completed passes (1427) than Valverde in the Premier League last season, as per FBref.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Liverpool to acquire the services of Valverde this summer as he could have a huge impact on improving performances next season and become the much-needed game-changer that the team has been crying out for in midfield since Wijnaldum departed.

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has remained coy about the possibility of signing Harry Kane, but did claim he has an "amazing" relationship with the striker.

What did Mauricio Pochettino say about Harry Kane?

The Argentine has just arrived at Stamford Bridge and has the rest of the summer to shape his team before Premier League football kicks off again.

After the club's poor efforts last campaign, the expectation will be for Pochettino to quickly have the club heading back in the right direction.

One way he could achieve this is with an exciting new goalscorer leading the line, hence their links with some big names such as Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen over the past few months.

However, with ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino now calling the shots, it's no surprise that he's been asked about the possibility of signing one of his former players.

Indeed, he spoke about the England captain recently during a press conference – as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

However, the new Chelsea boss seemed fairly coy about the club's chances of signing Kane, even though he did outline just how much he respects the striker.

He said: “I don’t like to talk about players in another club, but you are talking about one of the greatest strikers in the world."

Pochettino also added: “It’s not fair to talk, it’s not fair to say nothing. My relationship with Harry has always been amazing”.

How many goals did Kane score for Pochettino?

Now 29 years old, Kane spent some of his peak years under Pochettino with Tottenham, even if they weren't able to ever turn that into any major silverware.

The Englishman played 242 games for the Argentine – which is the most he's played for any manager in his career. In that time, he scored 169 goals and proved 30 assists.

With stats like that, it's not hard to see why Chelsea and Pochettino could be keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

What's more, the 51-year-old even admitted in the same press conference that the club were trying to improve Chelsea's situation in front of goal.

Indeed, he explained (via football.london: "We are working on that and still we have to time to work. I think for sure we are going to add players that can score and then we are going to try to find the best way to play to score not only with the offensive players – if not midfielders and players in different positions.

"We’ll see. It depends on the situation and the circumstances. We are working. Football is really dynamic. What we have today maybe disappears tomorrow. We need to be ready to …. [if] we need more or not. Or maybe we go to the pre-season and we realise that maybe we need to improve in different positions or to add more players that can score. Or we have enough. It’s really dynamic and we are going to assess every day the situation."

All in all, with Kane's future "up in the air" this summer, perhaps he could be tempted to work with his former manager if a big enough offer was to arrive.

Don't rule it out just yet…