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The rebuild at the King Power Stadium looks set to begin following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League in May.

Leicester are looking to target former Everton defender Conor Coady as the club look to revamp their back line and potentially move on from title-winning Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans.

Leicester City transfer news – Conor Coady

The Foxes, under new manager Enzo Maresca, are said to be eyeing a move for the 30-year-old defender, per TEAMtalk.

Coady is returning to the Midlands after the Toffees decided against making his loan deal at Goodison Park a permanent one at the culmination of the season.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain, who is valued at £18m by FootballTransfers, is unlikely to feature in Julian Lopetaugi’s plans moving forward, so it is likely the centre-back will be leaving Molineux this summer.

Leicester have already lost two defenders this summer, with Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey leaving the King Power Stadium on free transfers.

Soyuncu will be joining Atletico Madrid while TEAMtalk report Amartey could reunite with former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.

Jonny Evans, meanwhile, has yet to sign a new contract at Leicester, with his current deal expiring this summer.

Will Conor Coady replace Jonny Evans at Leicester?

Leicester and Maresca will be looking at Coady’s experience with Wolves and Everton in the top-flight and how it can help guide the Foxes back to England’s top division.

Coady was a huge part of the Wolves team that gained promotion in 2018 from the Championship. The colossal defender played all 45 league games that season and his almost perfect injury record shows he can be relied on in a gruelling promotion run.

Jamie Carragher has sang the praises of the fellow Liverpool native, per Sky Sports, describing the defender as “one of the nicest lads you could meet and he has a great attitude."

“Forget football ability for one moment, if you have got those two things that gives you a great chance of going far in the game. The only way you can describe him is that he’s a manager’s dream," he added.

Coady has also featured regularly in the England international set up through his career and especially at youth level.

The former Sheffield United loanee has double-digit caps for England U17s (17) and England U19s (12). The experienced titan also has ten senior caps to his name under Gareth Southgate, having made his debut at the age of 27.

His leadership could be invaluable in a defence that struggled in the Premier League last season.

Leicester need a player at the back, one that can be relied on the play regular football, especially considering the injury record of Evans.

A calf injury kept Evans out of the Foxes team for 143 days during the 2022/23 season, with the Northern Ireland leader missing a whopping 24 games this season, per Transfermarkt.

Evans also missed 19 games last season due to a hamstring injury, and his injury record shows an inability to stay fully fit when needed.

Coady’s availability on the field, vast experience and leadership qualities could be invaluable as it will give Leicester a chance to move on from the likes of Evans this off-season, with Maresca looking to rebuild their backline and begin a charge back to the Premier League.

يظهر حكم واقعة ملعب “ميستايا”، خيل مانزانو، بين ريال مدريد وفالنسيا في الدوري الإسباني في مباراة ليفربول وسبارتا براج في دور الـ 16 من الدوري الأوروبي.

ويلتقي ليفربول وسبارتا براج غدًا، الخميس، في تمام الساعة الثامنة إلا ربع بتوقيت “القاهرة” في ملعب “epet” في العاصمة التشيكية “براج”.

وأثار مانزانو الجدل في مباراة ريال مدريد وفالنسيا قبل أيام بسبب صافرته قبل هجمة انتهت بهدف للملكي كادت أن تمنحهم النقاط الثلاث.

اقرأ أيضًا | كلوب: محمد صلاح وماني وفيرمينو كانوا يدافعون.. هم ليسوا ميسي

مما جعل هناك حالة من الغضب الشديد تنتاب مسئولي وجماهير ريال مدريد ضد الحكم بسبب القرارات التي حرمتهم من نقطتين مهمتين في سباق اللقب من وجهة نظرهم.

وظهر مانزانو في طاقم حكام مباراة ليفربول وسبارتا براج في مباراة الغد ولكن كحكم رابع مع مواطنه، خوسيه ماريا سانشيز.

سيكون الطاقم بأكمله إسباني وبالتالي، سيكون مانزانو متواجدًا مع مواطنيه بعد أيام قليلة من انتقادات كثيرة نالها في الإعلام.

Liverpool are reportedly "firm favourites" to complete the signing of Celta Vigo prodigy Gabri Veiga this summer despite heavy interest from several other top European outfits.

That's following a recent report from the Northern Echo, which claims that while Newcastle United remain interested in the Spaniard, Liverpool have the edge and could look to complete a swoop this summer following a lacklustre campaign that has underscored the need for fresh faces.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all depart the club this month upon the expiry of their contracts, and while Alexis Mac Allister has been landed from Brighton & Hove Albion for £35m, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is scouring the market for two further additions.

The aforementioned report states that while Veiga is contracted to his LaLiga outfit until 2026, he holds a €40m (£34m) release clause, and with Chelsea and Real Madrid among the lucrative pool of suitors, Liverpool could secure one of the most coveted prospects in European football by procuring his signature.

How would Gabri Veiga perform at Liverpool?

Anfield would only benefit from signing a precocious talent in Veiga who plundered 11 goals and four assists from just 28 starts across his first full season in top-flight football, described as "dangerous" by journalist Euan McTear for his exploits.

The Sky Blues talent already ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 20% for rate of assists, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, and has been hailed as a "gem" by Romano.

He has been heralded for his aptitude at driving the ball up the field in order to wreak havoc from just behind the frontline, which is evidenced through his previously stated metrics, and he could blossom into a world-class star under Klopp's tutelage on Merseyside, boosted by a burgeoning strike-force that could play to his strengths.

Namely, he could meld seamlessly with Cody Gakpo's skill set, with the dynamic Dutch forward demonstrating his prowess since signing from PSV for an initial £35m in January despite entering the outfit at a time of much strife, plundering ten direct goal contributions from 26 matches and earning acclaim for his "stunning" feats by Alan Shearer.

With the £120k-per-week ace tipped to flourish "in the [Roberto] Firmino role" by Richard Jolly, forward-thinking midfielders such as Veiga would see their game enhanced by such a vibrant and all-encompassing talisman.

Indeed, Gakpo ranks among the top 10% of forwards for rate of assists, the top 17% for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 15% for successful take-ons per 90, which illustrates the selfless work that allows teammates to receive and increase of opportunity in attacking transition.

And with Veiga proclaimed to be "baby Kaka" by football content creator Rimedi, it's clear that the fleet-footed and adroit pair could weave between each other in intricate, sinuous patterns, with the balance and elegance of ballroom dancers and the nimble-limbed precision of a renowned sculptor.

It may well be a match made in heaven, and one that Liverpool's technical director, Jorg Schmadtke, must work tirelessly to achieve; it could be the inception of an illustrious new era on Merseyside.

Manchester United have "had conversations" with Napoli defender Kim Min-jae regarding a summer move to Old Trafford, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Who will sign Kim Min-jae?

According to Il Mattino, Kim has a €56m (£49m) release clause included in his contract, which becomes active in the summer, however there are a number of teams in the race for his signature, which could make a transfer difficult to orchestrate.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in the centre-back, with the Blues "ready to offer" a deal, with Manchester City and Newcastle United also named as potential suitors, and the latter club have been sending scouts to monitor his performances.

There have been recent reports that Man United are now set to trigger the defender's release clause, while also offering him four times his currently salary, and Romano has now provided an update on Erik ten Hag's pursuit.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the transfer guru clarified when the South Korean's release clause is set to become active, and claimed that direct contact has already been made with the player himself.

The Italian said: "The release clause of Kim Min-jae is only valid in the first few days of July. It's not valid now and it is not valid in June, so Manchester United can't proceed with that now.

"They can speak to the player side and they had conversations with the player because they have an interest."

Who is Kim Min-jae?

The 26-year-old first started to make a name for himself at Fenerbahce last season, making 31 Super Lig appearances for the Turkish side, and he excelled defensively, averaging 2.3 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per game, the highest figures in the squad.

Since then, the 6 foot 3 colossus has gone on to be a huge success with Napoli, averaging a 7.24 Sofascore rating in the Serie A this season, the third-highest figure in the squad, largely due to his stellar defensive ability.

The South Korea international has averaged 2.8 aerials and 1.2 interceptions won per game in the Serie A this season, both figures placing him first in the entire squad, while his confidence in possession is indicated by the fact he has the fourth-highest pass success rate.

Hailed as "extraordinary" by teammate Khvicha Kvartskhelia, Kim would be an excellent signing for Man United this summer, particularly considering his relatively low price tag, and they should now step up negotiations about his contract.

Liverpool are in pole position to bring Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga to the Premier League this summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Veiga to Anfield?

The Spaniard is an academy graduate of the La Liga outfit having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to become a regular feature of Carlos Carvalhal’s first-team, making 51 senior appearances to date.

As per WhoScored, being his side’s second top-performing offensive player and third overall with a match rating of 6.77, the 20-year-old has grabbed the attention of Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside, even though his target’s contract still has another three years remaining.

Spanish outlet AS previously reported that the Reds and top-flight rivals Manchester United have already both held talks regarding a deal for the talented prospect who is open to leaving his homeland at the end of the season, and a fresh update has now emerged in favour of FSG.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are “leading the chase” to sign Veiga ahead of the 2023/24 term. The Anfield side are the ones “pushing” to secure the midfielder’s services and have “cruised into pole position” to get the deal done as a result of being “willing” to pay his €40m (£35m) release clause. Klopp views his target as a “star in the making” and believes that he could significantly “develop” under his leadership.

Should Liverpool splash the cash on Veiga?

Liverpool will be aware that Veiga doesn’t have any experience playing in England so it could take him a bit of time to adapt, but having been hailed a “joy to watch” by performance analyst and content creator Jack Fawcett, the attacking midfielder would be a wonderful acquisition for the long-term future of the club.

The Gol International client has racked up 13 goal contributions (nine goals and four assists) in 32 La Liga appearances this season and ranks in the 98th percentile for shots having recorded 55 since the start of the term to be specific, which is the second-highest throughout the whole of his squad, via FBRef.

Finally, Veiga, praised by Fawcett for his "receiving of the ball under pressure and composure to beat a press", would bring wonderful versatility to the northwest. He can operate in six various positions, including four in the midfield, out wide on the right wing and even at centre-forward, so even though he’s a less high-profile name than some would expect the board to be targeting, he is a hidden gem waiting to be polished.

A staggering innings by Ashar Zaidi that defied both Middlesex, and more pertinently a tired Lord’s pitch, carried Essex to a crucial victory

Freddie Wilde28-Jul-2016
ScorecardA staggering innings by Ashar Zaidi that defied both Middlesex, and more pertinently a tired Lord’s pitch, carried Essex to a crucial victory to keep their hopes of a top four finish and a place in the quarter finals alive.Zaidi hit nine boundaries, four fours and five sixes, in just 24 balls–one fewer than Middlesex managed in their entire innings–transcending the conditions to score 59 not out and single-handedly propel Essex beyond their target of 127 in a 16-overs-a-side match.Zaidi, who has been a key player in Essex’s T20 campaign, scoring 357 runs at a strike-rate of 167 and bowling economical overs, scored 38 off the last 9 deliveries he faced to reduce an equation of 37 runs required off 18 balls to a victory with three balls remaining.The 18th and the 19th overs of the run-chase brought 14 and 20 runs respectively–the first and second most expensive overs of the match as Zaidi launched his assault. Zaidi combined raw power with intelligent sweeps to do what no other player in the match could do and find the boundary with regularity.Truth be told, Zaidi’s pyrotechnics aside this was a disappointing evening. In yet another week in which incessant debate about the structure of England’s domestic T20 tournament overshadowed the actual cricket, a frenetic finish to a tight match failed to mask the reminder that whatever the make-up of the competition if it is played on tired, tacky pitches it is unlikely to be much of a hit.Exactly a week ago for a televised match in front of a record crowd Lord’s got things so right. Seven days later, again for a televised match and in front of a near-capacity crowd, things were just a little underwhelming in a 16-over-a-side contests.Lord’s is uniquely positioned in that it hosts so much cricket that preparing consistently good pitches can be a challenge, but for the richest cricket club in the world it is a challenge that should be overcome.It is not that the cricket was not skilled – if anything playing on pitches such as this, where the ball doesn’t come onto the bat, where cross-batted shots aren’t rewarded and where edges don’t fly for six demands more of a player than truer pitches – but they are skills that you suspect a big mid-week T20 crowd, even at the Home of Cricket, find harder to appreciate.Essex, who won the toss, opted to field, possibly due to the forecast rain, which proceeded to fall shortly after the toss and delayed then shortened the match. Middlesex, having picked two spinners, said they were happy to bat first but in the end the clarity provided by a run-chase on a pitch such as this probably gave Essex the edge.It was perhaps revealing of qualities that should have caught the eye of England’s selectors that Dawid Malan was the only Middlesex player who could cope with a pitch that required more than clearing the front leg and swinging. If it wasn’t for him they may have struggled to make three figures.Essex deserve credit for bowling intelligently, especially in the Powerplay when they used the large boundary towards the Tavern Stand by bowling lines to suit and Middlesex, Malan aside, struggled to mount a response.For the twenty or so overs between the end of Middlesex’s Powerplay and Zaidi’s assault there was a similar and underwhelming theme. The pitch was slow, the bowlers bowled tight lines, cutters and slower balls as the batsmen swung too hard, too often and were rarely rewarded.The defeat for Middlesex prevents them a home quarter-final but if this pitch is anything to go by, then that should be a relief for everyone.

Groups and schedule

• Group A: Australia (1), New Zealand (4), England (6) and Bangladesh (7)

• Group B: India (2), Pakistan (8), Sri Lanka (5) and South Africa (3)

• June 1 – Eng v Ban, The Oval

• June 2 – Aus v NZ, Edgbaston

• June 3 – SL v SA, The Oval

• June 4 – Ind v Pak, Edgbaston

• June 5 – Aus v Ban, The Oval

• June 6 – Eng v NZ, Cardiff

• June 7 – Pak v SA, Edgbaston

• June 8 – Ind v SL, The Oval

• June 9 – NZ v Ban, Cardiff

• June 10 – Eng v Aus, Edgbaston

• June 11 – Ind v SA, The Oval

• June 12 – SL v Pak, Cardiff

• June 14 – Semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff

• June 15 – Semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston

• June 18 – Final, The Oval

• June 19 – Reserve day

Two of cricket’s traditional rivalries will be on show in the 2017 Champions Trophy, with hosts England and Australia in Group A, and India and Pakistan in Group B. Group A also contains New Zealand, which means a trans-Tasman clash as well in the first round.The opening game of the tournament is between England and Bangladesh on June 1. Cardiff, The Oval and Edgbaston are the venues for the event, which comprises 15 matches in 18 days, with the final at The Oval on June 18.The ticket ballot opens on September 1 and closes on September 30. The remaining tickets will go on sale in October.The top eight sides in the ICC ODI rankings as of September 30, 2015 qualified for the event, with West Indies and Zimbabwe being the two Full Member countries that failed to make the cut. The top two sides from each group will qualify for the semi-finals in Cardiff and Edgbaston on June 14 and 15.India and Pakistan have met in the group stage of every ICC tournament – five of them – since the 2011 World Cup, where they had met in the semi-final. When asked if this was a coincidence, the ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said it wasn’t. “It’s no coincidence. The match schedule is done in consultation with the broadcasters. The bottom line is that a significant portion of the cricket world want to see that fixture. Time and time again, it is the biggest fixture in all our events. I don’t think it affects the competition’s integrity. Not as long as the groups are equal in strengths. It’s silly just to avoid it when you can fairly cater for it.”He added: “The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is not just an ODI competition, it carries a great deal of value since it is being played just three months before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 qualification cut-off date. As such, every point earned here could be crucial.”England are hosting the Champions Trophy for the third time; they made the finals of both the previous tournaments at home, losing to West Indies in 2004 and to India in 2013.

Crystal Palace youngster Michael Olise is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window, according to a worrying new report.

How is Olise doing at Crystal Palace?

The Eagles have managed to pull away from the relegation zone since the arrival of Roy Hodgson, but it has still proved to be a disappointing season overall, with bigger things expected under Patrick Vieira.

Someone who continues to catch the eye is Olise, however, with the 21-year-old's technical ability up there with the best at Selhurst Park currently. He has registered nine assists in the Premier League in 2022/23 to date, highlighting his creativity, and he has also scored twice, including a stunning last-gast free-kick at home to Manchester United.

The Englishman's quality means that other clubs are sure to be interested in making a move for him this summer, although his current Palace doesn't expire until 2026, which does at least put them in a strong bargaining position. It looks as though one of Europe's biggest teams are eyeing up a move, following a fresh update.

Could Olise be off to PSG this summer?

According to L'Equipe, PSG see Olise as a potential summer target, as they look to change up their approach in the transfer market and bring in young talent. Lionel Messi will leave at the end of the season and supporters also want Neymar to move on, and the Palace starlet is an option to come in.

It remains to be seen if a formal offer is tabled for the attacking midfielder, but all this does is highlight what a special prospect the Eagles have in their ranks. As mentioned, his current contract situation does at least mean that Palace can demand a huge amount of money for Olise's services, but losing him at this point in his career would be a massive blow, with so much more hopefully come from him in south London.

He has been hailed as a "special" player by Vieira in the past, with his wand of a left foot capable of changing a game with a moment of magic, as shown by his aforementioned free-kick against United, which earned Palace a 1-1 draw back in January.

Hopefully, Olise's head won't be turned by PSG's rumoured interest and he will continue to ply his trade at Palace for as long as possible, but a player of his calibre may not be content to stay put for too much longer unless things improve, which should act as an incentive for everyone at the club.

It would appear that Liverpool are currently preparing themselves for something of a midfield clearout this summer, with the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all out of contract in just a few weeks' time.

Outside of that trio, the Reds do appear to be in need of something of an evolution in the centre of the park with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson all in and around their 30s, with manager Jurgen Klopp potentially needing to have a succession plan in place to be able to build a new team for the future.

In the case of Henderson, in particular, the former Borussia Dortmund boss could already have a dream heir to the long-serving skipper in the academy ranks, with 19-year-old, Luca Stephenson – who also joined the club from Sunderland back in 2018 – having the potential credentials to step into the Englishman's shoes.

Who is Luca Stephenson?

The teenage sensation has drawn obvious comparisons to the Liverpool skipper after making the move from the Stadium of Light just under five years ago, with Henderson having previously made the switch from the Black Cats to his current side on a £16m deal back in 2011.

The likeness between the two midfielders goes beyond those Wearside connections, however, with Stephenson also a real relentless midfield presence after averaging 1.3 tackles and winning 86% of his ground duels during his three EFL Trophy outings earlier in the campaign.

That combative nature is undoubtedly alike to that of Henderson, with the 32-year-old having been described as somebody "you want with you in the trenches", in the words of club legend, Graeme Souness.

Stephenson is not merely just a hard worker, however, having also been hailed as a 'creative player' by the club's official website, with that again furthering the comparisons to that man Henderson, whose ability to create is showcased by the fact he ranks in the top 4% among his European peers for progressive passes.

The teen gem – who was previously lauded as "superb" by journalist Andy Kelly back in October – has enjoyed a promising campaign thus far at youth level to date, with the £760-per-week maestro scoring once and providing two assists in 26 games across all fronts.

A chance to shine in the first team has yet to emerge for the precocious talent to date, although with the impending departures on Merseyside this season in the midfield ranks, there could be an opportunity for Stephenson to stake his claim sooner rather than later.

While his compatriot Henderson won't be ready to relinquish his regular role any time soon, it is pleasing to note that Liverpool do have a possible heir to the experienced asset already on their books.

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has a new personal ‘favourite’ to replace Antonio Conte as news emerges on Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

The Lowdown: Spurs target new managers…

Nearly a week after Conte’s infamous post-Southampton rant, no official decision has been made on the Italian’s future in north London despite a plethora of reports.

The 53-year-old had been linked with a move away from Spurs even before the controversy, with his contract running out and set to expire in June.

Spurs were believed to be highly unlikely to trigger the 12-month extension option in his deal before Southampton and it’s safe to say that proposition is now dubious at best.

Sporting director Fabio Paratici has drawn up a shortlist of candidates to succeed Conte, ranging from former boss Mauricio Pochettino to more outside contenders like Frank (Sky).

The Dane has been doing a brilliant job at Brentford in the Premier League with his side currently still contending for a place in Europe next season.

The Latest: Frank becomes Levy ‘favourite’…

According to a report by Scottish news outlet The Daily Record, sharing news from ‘well-placed sources down south’, Levy is believed to have a new ‘early favourite’ for the Spurs job in Frank.

The Lilywhites chairman is apparently believed to view Brentford’s boss as the main contender to replace Conte but other candidates, like Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou, are still in the mix.

This report adds that the 49-year-old has been a ‘smash hit’ for the Bees and Levy’s track record of appointing proven winners is a poor one, leading him to consider more ‘project’ managers like Frank.

The Verdict: Fantastic coach…

Taking charge at Brentford almost five years ago, Frank has lead the club to their first ever stint in the Premier League and could secure an historic European qualification place if things go well.

The Dane has operated on fairly limited resources compared to other European contenders, like Man United or Newcastle for instance, and we believe he could be considered a perfect ‘project’ manager.

Frank has been endorsed by both members of the media and rival top flight bosses for his work at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to the media, had this to say on Brentford’s tactician – claiming:

“The football they play is incredible and the organisation is incredible so Thomas and Brentford is doing an incredible job. They show even with less money you can create something really special.”

Meanwhile, presenter TV and Radio presenter Adam Smith has called him ‘one of the most underrated’ managers in England.