All posts by h79snht.top

For all Yorkshire’s history, no Yorkshire batsman has ever made two hundreds in a Championship match. Gary Ballance has gone one better – a hundred and a double hundred – to defy Hampshire

Vithushan Ehantharajah at the Ageas Bowl24-Apr-2017
ScorecardA draw that felt like a victory. That’s how Yorkshire ranked this encounter: scoreboard pressure from the off, England’s Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow scoring 18 between them across both innings and Hampshire hellbent on knocking more county noses out of joint. Not only did Yorkshire leave with a share of the polls, but Gary Ballance’s unbeaten 203 on the final day ensured he had a few things to celebrate.With 108 in the first innings, Ballance became the first man to score twin hundreds in a match as captain of Yorkshire. A remarkable feat considering they have been led by a few who could hold a bat.It was also the second time he has brought up centuries in both innings of a first class match – the first coming against Surrey in 2013. He is now the second Yorkshire batsman to score a century and double century in the same match after Younis Khan, who just yesterday brought up 10,000 Test runs for Pakistan, did so against Hampshire in 2007.We’re just into the last week of April and Ballance already has 508 Championship runs from five innings. If he continues on this path England selection, he says, will take care of itself. Andrew Gale, gestured to the Yorkshire dressing room where Root was readying himself for the long journey north and said: “There’s a captain in there that rates him.” Ballance knew one thing for sure: he was knackered. Understandably so.The pillar of Ballance’s hundreds – the second brought up today off 210 balls; the double off 384 – was stubbornness. Yorkshire were damned if they were going to lose two games to Hampshire in three weeks.”We showed what Yorkshire cricket is about, if you can’t win, don’t get beat,” said Gale and Ballance, leading with distinction, was a shining example of that. Across both innings, he batted for 12 hours and 52 minutes, facing 582 balls. Across four days of cricket, he was only off the field for 12.3 overs. So set was Ballance as he plotted Yorkshire’s final escape route that, if anyone had removed him, they might have been made King of England.For Hampshire, it is the second home game in succession that they have ended up with the rougher part of the draw. In the last fortnight, they have had Middlesex and Yorkshire, County Championship trophies from 2014, 2015 and 2016 between them, on their knees. Both were able to escape relatively unscathed.Hampshire’s recruitment over the winter has, objectively, been excellent. To be able to tie down a bowler of Kyle Abbott’s quality, who toyed with Root and Bairstow throughout the match and removed them both in the follow-on innings, is a masterstroke. Their squad depth is impressive: soon, they will have to decide how to get Rilee Rossouw and George Bailey into their batting line-up. Reece Topley’s return, despite not much reward with figures of two for 143, can be charted as a success given he bowled with good pace and has not lost his ability to move the ball both ways. Precocious leg spinner Mason Crane has yet to play a game. But ultimately, personnel may not prove a deciding factor on how this season goes, even if they do sit third.Quite simply, they do not have the pitches to force results. Across the country, as teams convert draws to wins – and occasionally loses in pursuit of those wins – Hampshire are at risk of standing still. It feels counter-productive that, having been saved from relegation by the financial mismanagement of others and working hard to “future proof” their squad for the rigours of Division One, they may find themselves held back as individuals, as a team and as a county by docile, unresponsive wickets. Teams that do well in the Championship tend not to draw too many games.With so much resting on the new ball, Abbott and Gareth Berg performed admirably. They decimated Yorkshire in the first innings by reducing them to 19 for four. In the follow-on, they had them 20 for two. Then, with the first delivery of the second new ball, Abbott drew Bairstow forward and, with the help of a fresh seam, moved the ball off the pitch and into the hands of James Vince at third slip. But, just as they found last week, when they reduced Middlesex for 44 for three in their follow-on innings, prising out the remaining wickets was an arduous task. Over the last two days of this match, only 10 Yorkshire wickets fell across both innings.There were a couple of moments that might have Hampshire thinking: ‘what if?’ Peter Handscomb, who shared a stand of 88 with Ballance that took Yorkshire into the lead for the first time in the match, was dropped on 33 by Jimmy Adams at point, which would have made it 236 for 4 – a lead of just 12.Then, in the 91st over, when Bresnan was 10 off 29, Vince dropped a chance in the cordon off Abbott, which would have meant a lead of 58 with four more wickets to get. The hosts also had to make do without the zippy Brad Wheal, unable to bowl after injuring his side on day three, the seriousness of that not yet known.”It was a frustrating day,” said Hampshire director of cricket Giles White. “You turn up and hope things go your way and you get a win but it didn’t go our way. We knew it would be hard work, it was a good wicket and remained a good wicket all the way through.”White is almost certainly the one who could ask the groundstaff for more to work with. His players are certainly doing their bit.

Manchester City are close to reaching an agreement to sign teenage defender Harrison Parker from rivals Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Man City transfer news?

Pep Guardiola has already added to his senior squad during the summer window following a fine treble-winning campaign, with midfielder Mateo Kovacic the first to arrive from Chelsea in a deal worth an initial £25m.

City lost captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona on a free transfer, with the midfielder deciding not to extend his Etihad contract, so Kovacic looks set to fill the void left by the German.

There could be more new signings to come ahead of the 2023/24 season, with another Croatia international, Josko Gvardiol, a firm target in Manchester. Talks have gone quiet recently, though, with RB Leipzig wanting around €100m plus bonuses for the centre-back, who is keen on a move to link up with Guardiola’s side.

Should Gvardiol join fellow countryman Kovacic at the Etihad, there could be room for one final big-money deal, and Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga could be that man. Manchester City have held agent talks over a move and City are one of a number of sides who think they can do a deal below the player’s €40m release clause, according to Romano.

The transfer expert has also taken to Twitter in the last 48 hours to share more news from the Etihad, with a new face on course to arrive at the academy.

Romano said that City are close to an agreement with rivals Manchester United for Parker, beating four “top clubs” to a transfer, even with United offering a record youth deal to keep the teenager at Carrington.

“Manchester City are close to reaching an agreement with Manchester United for top talented CB (16) Harrison Parker. City have beaten four top clubs to the signing — agreement is close despite Man Utd offering highest youth deal to keep Parker.”

Romano then added the teenager is set to sign a long-term deal at the Etihad.

“Harrison Parker, expected to sign long term deal at Manchester City — joining from Manchester United.”

Who is Harrison Parker?

Parker is just 16 years of age and made the move to Manchester United’s academy from Arsenal’s academy back in 2021. The right-footed defender was set to become an Old Trafford scholar this summer and has already turned out for the club’s U18 side last season on a number of occasions, showing how he could immediately turn out for City’s U18s in the 2023/24 season.

In time, we could see Parker progress into the first team plans at the Etihad, should he continue to develop, but it isn’t all good news for City and their academy plans.

That’s because Man United are set to sign Jack and Tyler Fletcher, twin sons of Darren, who are currently on the books with the Sky Blues and have shone in the club’s academy. Those at City feel that it is a “revenge” move by the Red Devils, but by the looks of things, City are set to secure Parker’s services over the coming weeks.

فاز فريق آرسنال على لوتون تاون بنتيجة 2/0، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وواجه آرسنال نظيره لوتون تاون، في إطار منافسات الجولة الـ31 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على ملعب “الامارات”.

اقرأ ايضاً.. أرتيتا يعلق على ارتباط رامسديل بمغادرة آرسنال إلى نيوكاسل

افتتح مارتن أوديجارد التسجيل لصالح آرسنال عند الدقيقة 24، بعدما تلقى تمريرة حاسمة من كاي هافيرتز.

ونجح أصحاب الأرض في تسجيل الهدف الثاني، حينما أحرز دايكي هاشيوكا هدفاً بالخطأ في مرمى فريقه لوتون تاون بحلول الدقيقة 44.

وشهد أغلب فترات الشوط الثاني، سيطرة واضحة لصالح آرسنال، لكن دون خلق فرص حقيقية على مرمى لوتون تاون، حيث وصلت نسبة الاستحواذ للجانرز إلى 55%.

وبهذا الفوز، ارتقى آرسنال إلى صدارة الترتيب العام للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز برصيد 68 نقطة مؤقتاً، فيما تجمد رصيد لوتون تاون عند النقطة 22 بالمركز الثامن عشر. اهداف مباراة ارسنال ولوتون تاون (2-0) الدوري الانجليزي

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe could be forced into making some difficult decisions with his squad in the summer transfer window.

The English boss will be looking to further bolster his side after securing Champions League football courtesy of a fourth-placed Premier League finish last season, with Sandro Tonali arriving from AC Milan as the first major addition of the off-season.

Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes is also reportedly closing in on a move to St. James' Park for a fee in the region of £35m, following his team's relegation to the Championship.

Bringing in new signings could open the door for Howe to brutally ditch members of his current team and one player who may be on the chopping block is Allan Saint-Maximin, as Serie A side Atalanta have been linked with a swoop for the French attacker.

How much was Allan Saint-Maximin?

Newcastle signed the exciting forward for a fee within the region of £16.5m from Nice in 2019 and the Daily Mail reported last year that the club would have been willing to listen to offers of around £50m for his services.

It remains to be seen how much they would value the 26-year-old ace at now but Howe could cash in on the former Ligue 1 wizard and secure an exciting replacement in the form of San Jose Earthquakes starlet Cade Cowell.

The Magpies have been touted with interest in the 19-year-old maestro this year. The player is valued at €4.4m (£3.8m) by FootballTransfers.

How many goals does Cade Cowell have so far?

Despite his young age, Cowell is an experienced MLS performer with 11 goals and over 100 senior appearances for his current club.

He has racked up nine goals and 12 assists in 93 league games to date, whilst Saint-Maximin has managed 12 goals to go along with 19 assists across 111 Premier League matches.

This suggests that the pair produce end product at a similar rate, with the Newcastle man boasting a slightly better average of a goal involvement every 3.80 outings, in comparison to the teenager's 4.43. The different being, however, that while Saint-Maximin is a seasoned pro, the man who could replace him is still very much in the infancy of his career.

Cowell, who was once described as "exciting" and a "wonderful" talent by scout Jacek Kulig, also caught the eye for the USA national team in the Gold Cup last month.

The 6-foot wizard averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.60 across three appearances as he bagged one goal and created three 'big chances' for his teammates.

This came after the talented youngster scored three goals and registered two 'big chances' at the U20 World Cup earlier this year.

Cowell would arrive at Newcastle as a player with potential Howe could work with over the course of the next few years to help him make the most of his talent.

The 19-year-old magician could, therefore, be an exciting replacement for Saint-Maximin as the Magpies would be bringing in someone with the scope to offer a similar level of attacking threat while also being seven years younger with room to develop.

Andrew Ellis, who finished seventh and eighth on the list of leading run-scorers and wicket-takers respectively in the Plunket Shield, won the accolade for the second time in three years

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Apr-2017

Canterbury captain Andrew Ellis has been named New Zealand Cricket’s Domestic Player of the Year for the second time in three years. The 35-year-old allrounder pipped Todd Astle, Scott Kuggeleijn and George Worker to the accolade, having already bagged two of the three men’s domestic trophies – the Plunket Shield and the Ford Trophy – this season.Ellis’ tally of 652 runs, from ten rounds, at an average of 40.75 earned him a place among the country’s top seven run-scorers in first-class cricket this season. He also finished in the top eight on the list of leading wicket-takers, with 27 wickets at 24.59. His match figures of 8 for 92 helped Canterbury defeat Otago by an innings and 119 runs in what was the biggest margin of victory in New Zealand’s first-class summer.Selector Gavin Larsen said the jury particularly took in account Ellis’ role as a “leader in pressure situations.””In addition to his significant performances with bat and ball, we considered Andrew Ellis’ role as a leader in pressure situations – a season in which he led by example both on and off the field,” Larsen said.”Todd Astle [Canterbury], Scott Kuggeleijn [Northern Districts] and George Worker [Central Stags] would all have been a worthy winner, and the panel would like to acknowledge their excellent individual seasons.”

انتقد أسطورة منتخب إنجلترا ونادي مانشستر يونايتد، ريو فرديناند، أداء مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي باريس سان جيرمان، كيليان مبابي، أمام برشلونة في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ولم يظهر مبابي بالمستوى المعهود عنه أمام برشلونة وفشل في تسجيل أي هدف لصالح باريس سان جيرمان من أجل تفادي الخسارة.

وقامت الصحافة الفرنسية خلال الساعات القليلة الماضية بمهاجمة اللاعب وانضم فرديناند خلال حواره مع شبكة “TNT Sports”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بيدري يوضح ما طلبه منه تشافي أمام باريس سان جيرمان

وقال الإنجليزي فرديناند: “باريس سان جيرمان لم يخرج بعد من البطولة، ولكن يجب أن يحسن مبابي من أدائه، يجب أن يظهر بصورة أفضل بكثير في مباراة الإياب”.

واستمر: “اللاعب الذي نتحدث عنه، من وجهة نظري هو أفضل لاعب في العالم، لكنه لم يقدم أي شيء أمام برشلونة”.

وأتم: “عندما لا يقدم مبابي أي شيء مع باريس سان جيرمان، ففريقه لا يحقق النتائج الإيجابية”.

With a host of New Zealand’s key players still at the IPL, the start of the tri-series offers a chance for some new – and recalled – faces to impress the selectors

The Preview by Nikhil Kalro13-May-2017Match factsMay 14, 2017
Start time 10.45am local (0945 GMT)Neil Wagner has excelled in whites and now could get his chance in coloured clothes•AFP

Big pictureNew Zealand have faced Ireland just twice in their 721 ODIs. The last time was nine years ago, in 2008, in Aberdeen. Back then, Brendon McCullum strutted with blonde hair, James Marshall was his opening partner and Daniel Vettori was in charge of New Zealand. McCullum and Marshall’s massive tons led New Zealand to 402 for 2, their only 400-plus score to date. The only surviving member of that team in this squad is Ross Taylor.New Zealand will be without key personnel at least for the start of this series with Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenaghan, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Adam Milne and Colin de Grandhomme on duty at the IPL although some may filter over to Ireland as their IPL campaigns conclude. That means New Zealand have the opportunity to test the depth of their reserves in all departments.Bowling allrounders Seth Rance and Scott Kuggeleijn haven’t played an ODI. George Worker has played just two games. Stand-in captain Tom Latham, Neil Broom, James Neesham, Colin Munro and Henry Nicholls have all struggled for fluency in the format. What better way to show your mettle than perform in tough batting conditions.Ireland began the tri-series with discipline and accuracy, before rain scuppered their chances of springing an upset on Bangladesh. As has often been the case, Ireland didn’t find the penetration they needed to sustain pressure over a considerable period, letting Bangladesh recover from 70 for 4. Still, they’ll find that the experience of having played games like those against international teams will hold them in good stead.Form guide(last five completed matches, most recent first)Ireland LLLWW
New Zealand LWLWLIn the spotlightPaul Stirling is in the midst of a productive run in ODIs: his last eight innings have been 48, 20, 51, 28, 99, 95, 68 and 41. With an impressive strike rate in excess of 90, Stirling, more often than not, gets Ireland off to strong starts with the field restrictions. Against a relatively inexperienced bowling attack, Stirling’s attacking approach could put Ireland ahead of the game early.Ross Taylor found form in New Zealand’s home summer against Australia and South Africa. He struck two hundreds and a fifty in taxing batting conditions. Dublin’s overhead and underfoot conditions won’t suit batting much either. After recovering from the calf strain which kept him out of the last two Tests against South Africa, will he tune-up for the Champions Trophy by continuing to score tough runs?Team newsThe signs from Ireland’s bowlers were promising in the 31.1 overs possible in the first ODI. Their seamers were accurate and had Bangladesh stuttering at 70 for 4 at one point. That means Ireland are unlikely to tinker with their bowling combination. If Ed Joyce recovers from the back problem that kept him out of the series opener, he’ll slot back in for Stuart Thompson.Ireland (probable) 1 Ed Joyce/Stuart Thompson, 2 Paul Stirling, 3 William Porterfield (capt), 4 Andy Balbirnie, 5 Niall O’Brien (wk), 6 Gary Wilson, 7 Kevin O’Brien, 8 George Dockrell, 9 Barry McCarthy, 10 Tim Murtagh, 11 Peter ChaseThe New Zealand selectors have shown faith not just in Tom Latham’s sound technique, but also his leadership. He will be able to turn to Taylor for experience but elsewhere there will be a new-look to the side. Neil Wagner could make his ODI debut after 32 Test appearances and Hamish Bennett is in line for his first appearance since 2014. The pitch was very green for the Bangladesh game which could mean legspinner Ish Sodhi misses out. Luke Ronchi is set for another chance as openerNew Zealand (probable) 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Luke Ronchi (wk), 3 George Worker, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Neil Broom, 6 James Neesham, 7 Colin Munro, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Neil Wagner, 10 Seth Rance, 11 Hamish BennettPitch and conditionsThe series opener was played on a seamer-friendly, green pitch, under cloudy skies with a high chance of rain. Those conditions are unlikely to change. Rain is forecast at 2pm, around the turn of the innings.Stats and trivia Only three players who were part of the previous encounter between these two sides are in either squad – Ross Taylor, Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson Kevin O’Brien is still three wickets away from becoming the first Ireland bowler to take 100 ODI scalps.

Everton are interested in signing Union SG striker Victor Boniface during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update regarding his future.

Who is Victor Boniface?

The Nigerian is making a name for himself in Belgium currently, standing out as one of Union's most influential players and catching the eye with his relentless end product in recent times. He enjoyed a hugely productive 2022/23 season, not only scoring nine goals in the Belgian Pro League, but also netting six times in just nine appearances in the Europa League.

Boniface is yet to win a cap for Nigeria at international level, but he appears to be pushing all the time and has been hailed for being one of a number of Nigerian attackers who have been "on fire" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, including Napoli star Victor Osimhen and former Everton attacker Ademola Lookman, who is now at Serie A side Atalanta.

The Merseysiders have been linked with a summer move for the 22-year-old in recent days, as they look to solve an attacking issue on show throughout last season, in terms of a lack of goal threat. They scored only 34 goals in 38 Premier League matches and it played a massive role in them almost going down to the Championship, although they eventually stayed up on the final day.

Now, another update has emerged that further suggests Everton see Boniface as a primary attacking target.

Could Everton sign Victor Boniface?

According to La Covina de Nervion [via Sport Witness], Everton are the "most interested" suitor when it comes to the race to sign Boniface this summer. It is stated that Sevilla are no longer interested in making a move for the Union star, however, with the Belgian side demanding €15m (£13m) for his services.

Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverksuen are also mentioned as potential suitors in the update, so the Blues certainly won't have it all their own way, in terms of their pursuit for the striker during the current transfer window.

Everton's attack is so badly in need of an injection of youth and quality this summer, so Boniface has to be considered an exciting option to bring in, given his aforementioned scoring feats last season. At 22, he is still admittedly a raw player learning his trade, however, so signing a more experience alongside him could make the most sense.

It is hard for Sean Dyche to rely on Dominic Calvert-Lewin to consistently lead the line, such are his injury problems, while Neal Maupay has done nowhere near enough since arriving from Brighton last summer, scoring and assisting just once apiece in a total of 29 appearances, which is a scarcely believable return.

Whether Boniface is ready to be starting striker every week for a Premier League club is up for debate – he has only represented Bodo/Glimt and Union to date – but he is an exciting talent who has long-term potential in his boots, and Dyche could feel he could get the best out of him over time.

Leigh Kasperek last played an ODI in February 2016 and suffered multiple injuries after that but returned with figures of 10-6-17-3 when she got a chance to play West Indies on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2017

Leigh Kasperek had played all of nine ODIs – the last one in February 2016 – until Thursday and only against three oppositions – India, Sri Lanka and Australia. She made her debut nearly two years ago, but Kasperek had suffered multiple finger fractures recently and missed almost the entire international 2016-17 season in the New Zealand summer.Once the World Cup started, New Zealand decided to play two legspinners – Erin Bermingham and Amelia Kerr – for their first few matches. But Kasperek got her chance against West Indies on Thursday because Bermingham picked up a niggle. Kasperek was now without much match practice, against an unfamiliar team, and the captain Suzie Bates even decided to open the bowling with her, along with pace spearhead Lea Tahuhu. And what happened? Kasperek’s offspin fetched her the wickets of Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin (for a golden duck) and Merissa Aguilleira.”She knew she was going to go for little runs and take wickets,” Bates joked about Kasperek’s magical figures of 10-6-17-3. “Before the game she said she didn’t know much about the West Indies, we’ve played Australia so much and she knows the plan. She said, ‘I don’t really know too much about them’, so when players like Dottin and Taylor come out, she just bowls.”After opting to bowl with hopes of some “juice in the wicket”, New Zealand were planning to start the match with Tahuhu and Holly Huddleston. But Bates saw a left-handed Kycia Knight, coming in the squad as an injury replacement, walk out with Hayley Matthews and the captain changed her plan to hand the second over to Kasperek.The offspinner started with two maidens and conceded only a run in her third over with control, flight and fuller lengths. Once Tahuhu got rid of the openers from the other end, Bates brought on the medium-pacers and Kasperek returned to bowl alongside Kerr in the 17th over to dismiss Taylor and Dottin with her first two deliveries, strikes that went a long way in contributing towards New Zealand’s eight-wicket win. Aguilleira survived the hat-trick ball but was eventually stumped off Kasperek 10 overs later, trying to up the run rate.Kasperek was quick make her mark but was happy to pass the question about bowling in the first Powerplay to Bates, saying, “you take it”, prompting a few laughs around.It was just after Kasperek had been sidelined with her first injury of the 2016-17 season that 16-year-old Kerr made a memorable start with 3 for 16 in a T20I against Pakistan. And when Kasperek was injured again four months later, she was replaced by Kerr in the squad to play against Australia. On Thursday, the two spinners bowled in tandem – for the first time in international cricket – to stifle the West Indies middle and lower order.”We thought it was an opportunity with Amelia Kerr still in the side to add Leigh, and it just shows that we’ve got real competition in three world-class spinners,” Bates said of the spin combination. “So it’s going to be a tough team to pick and hopefully in Derby (against England on July 12) where the wicket’s a bit slow, our spinners will come into play.”Kasperek barely spoke at the post-match conference, only saying she was “stoked to be back playing” and felt “good to get a couple of wickets”. Bates, also her captain at Otago, teased Kasperek, quipping: “She would have liked to bat today as well, though.”

Manchester United won't just be trying to sign a host of players during the current transfer window, but also trying to move on some deadwood in order to free up the wage budget.

David de Gea and Phil Jones have already departed Old Trafford, leaving on the expiration of their contracts following 12 years in Manchester and Erik ten Hag will be keen on moving a few more players out the door.

Does Fred have a future at Manchester United?

The Brazilian has just one year left on his current deal at United and this summer could represent the final opportunity for Ten Hag to secure a decent fee for the midfielder.

Fellow Premier League side Fulham are interested in Fred and with the Dutchman looking at signing younger players, it could be the perfect time to offload the 30-year-old, who started just 23 games across all competitions last term.

With the Red Devils eyeing a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka during the transfer window, it could Ten Hag the licence to move Fred on and get some sort of transfer fee for him before potentially losing him for free next year.

Could Manchester United sign Leon Goretzka?

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, United are still “monitoring” the Bayern star ahead of a potential move, despite him making it clear that he doesn’t want to leave the Bundesliga side this summer.

This could perhaps make any future swoop tricky to pull off and with the German giants valuing Goretzka at just €40m (£35m), it may be an opportunity missed.

Nevertheless, Ten Hag could still look to persuade him to make the move to England, and he’d be an instant upgrade on Fred.

Not only did the 28-year-old create more big chances (seven to four) in the league last season than Fred, but he also took more shots per game (1.5 to 0.7), demonstrating his attacking attributes from the centre of midfield.

It isn’t only his attacking qualities which allowed him to shine for Bayern. The midfielder also offers an aerial presence, ranking in the top 9% across Europe’s big five leagues for aerials won per 90 (2.04), while also making 2.04 blocks per 90, good enough to rank him in the top 3% as he demonstrated his defensive abilities.

Fred did make more blocks per 90 (2.53), yet he clearly doesn’t have as much of a presence in air compared to Goretzka, winning just 0.76 aerials per 90 and this ability to generate more chances for his teammates, alongside a strong physical presence suggests the 28-year-old would be a much better option for Ten Hag next season.

His fellow compatriot, Manuel Neuer, hailed the former Schalke gem “cold as ice” and given the fact he has scored 65 goals throughout his whole career for club and country, it indicates that the midfielder fails to buckle under pressure.

Signing Goretzka would be a shrewd move for Ten Hag, especially given his performances over the previous 12 months and in order to seriously challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title, continuing to play the likes of Fred simply won’t work.