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Tottenham are believed to be targeting a marquee defender despite already signing Radu Dragusin this month, with Spurs eager to add more signings in that area.

Spurs back Postecoglou with early January moves

Signing Timo Werner on loan from RB Leipzig and Dragusin in a £25 million deal from Genoa, with both arriving early in the window, represents the club's serious faith in manager Ange Postecoglou.

Tottenham could attempt last-gasp January bid for star after Antonio Nusa

Chairman Daniel Levy could personally decide to swoop.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 23, 2024

The Australian publicly urged Spurs to do their business in quick fashion, so that incomings have time to grow accustomed to life in north London and are able to assist the club immediately in their chase for Champions League qualification.

"If you can bring them in early, even if they don't play you can bed them into training and our style of football because it's not like we're going to sign somebody and they'll hit the ground running," said Postecoglou on Tottenham's ideal January.

"Whereas if you leave it towards the end of January, it's potentially not until mid to end of February when they get up to speed, depending where they're coming from, the league they're coming from. So there's a whole lot of moving parts. So yes, I'd love to do something early in the window but even me saying that puts a challenge on us – because other clubs know we want to do something early."

They may not be done there either, as reports suggest Spurs remain locked in talks to sign Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa and could make a late move for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.

The signing of Dragusin in particular, though, comes as a vital coup for Postecoglou's side given their serious lack of depth at centre-back for much of the campaign.

Full-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies were often forced to partner each other at the heart of Tottenham's defence when both Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero were unavailable, but Dragusin's arrival will help to ensure they are not put in a similar position again.

Following on from the Romanian's capture, it has also been reported that Spurs could still sign another defender this year. Napoli's Leo Ostigard and Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori have both been linked recently, and it is believed they remain firm admirers of Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite.

Tottenham targeting Branthwaite after Dragusin

According to a report by The Mail and journalist Simon Jones, Tottenham are targeting Branthwaite with the view of making a potential move later this year.

Spurs are keen on the 21-year-old amid his exceptional campaign at Goodison Park, and it is believed the club want to further reinforce Postecoglou's backline despite already signing Dragusin this month.

The marquee defender has a rumoured price tag of around £75 million, so they'll have to really invest or work hard to whittle down Everton's valuation.

In any case, the sky is the limit for Branthwaite following a really promising 2023/2024, with former Man United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy calling him a "complete" defender already.

Ella Toone admits she was “in love with” Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Manchester United and has a video message from the Portuguese “saved”.

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England star started out in Red Devils academyIdolised Portuguese icon at Old TraffordNow an inspirational figure in her own rightWHAT HAPPENED?

The England international started out in the Red Devils academy system before having to spread her wings at Blackburn and Manchester City. She returned to her roots, and the club that she grew up supporting, when they re-established a women’s team in 2018.

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Toone has become the first player to pass 50 appearances for United’s women’s side, as she becomes an inspirational figure in her own right, but the Euro 2022 winner concedes that she was very much a Ronaldo fan girl in her younger years.

WHAT TOONE SAID

The 24-year-old playmaker has told of idolising CR7: “I always say it. He's probably had such an impact on my career, the way that I wanted to be and that was Cristiano Ronaldo. I wore his boots. I wore the No 7 shirt. I was in love with him at Manchester United and the skills that he did and the confidence he played with.”

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Despite being an international performer herself, Toone is yet to cross paths with Ronaldo. She added: “I didn't actually get to meet him. I did see him one time, the girls were all looking through the window going: 'That's Ronaldo!' He did send me a video once and I've got that saved in the favourites!”

England coach admits his side missed Jason Roy but stresses that the opening batsman will not be rushed back from injury

George Dobell22-Jun-2019Trevor Bayliss believes complacency among England’s batsmen cost them in their World Cup match against Sri Lanka.Bayliss, the England coach, believes his side “just took it a little bit easy with the bat” when confronted by a relatively low total and a relatively lower-ranked opponent. England have so far only played one side (South Africa) in the top five of the world rankings and have been beaten by two (Pakistan and Sri Lanka) ranked between sixth and ninth. They play Australia (ranked five), India (ranked two) and New Zealand (ranked three) in their final three qualifying games knowing they may need to win two of those matches to progress.But while Bayliss admitted the team missed the injured Jason Roy, he insisted there would be no risks taken with his recovery and he would not be rushed back for Tuesday’s game against Australia at Lord’s.”What went wrong? Obviously our batting,” Bayliss said. “I thought our bowling was pretty good. It was superb.”But with the bat we weren’t as busy as we normally are. Normally, on a wicket like this one, which wasn’t the easiest to play big shots on, we’re still busy and knocking singles around into the gaps. I don’t think we did that well enough.AFP”We didn’t build those partnerships. If we’d shown the same urgency at the start of the innings as we did at the end, we would have been in a better place.”I think we just took it a little bit easy with the bat, to be honest. We thought if we just bat a bit of time we’ll put together a partnership. I think we forgot about the process we actually go through to put those partnerships together. That puts you under a bit of pressure towards the back end and that gave Sri Lanka confidence. They certainly bowled well. They hit their lengths and changed their pace.”Of course you miss someone of Jason’s ilk. He’s injured and I’m not exactly sure when he’ll be back, but we’re looking forward to him coming back.”We’re not going to risk him, that’s for sure. We’ll play each game as it comes and get the medical people to let us know whether they think he is right for the next game. If he’s not, well we’ll do the same heading into the next game.”With Roy not expected back until the India game (at Edgbaston on June 30), at least, James Vince looks set to win another opportunity at the top of the order. He has looked in good touch every time he has batted for England this summer but has failed to pass 43 in six international innings. Bayliss remains hopeful, however, that one substantial score can kick-start a career that has, to date, promised more than it has delivered.”It’s not as infuriating [for me] as it is for him,” Bayliss said. “He looks a million dollars, but then he finds a way to get out. Hopefully he’s one of those guys who can put one together and it tips him over the edge and he gets a string of big scores. He’s certainly a good player, but he’s looking to play a longer dig.”WATCH on Hotstar (India only) – England’s wickets against Sri LankaBayliss was also phlegmatic about Moeen Ali’s dismissal, caught on the long-off boundary at a time when England needed less than a run a ball to win the game.”I think he’s obviously disappointed,” Bayliss said. “I’m no more disappointed than he is with that shot. It was not a great time to play that shot after hitting a six the ball before.”But other times he goes out, hits it over the fence and we’d be yelling ‘great shot’. They’re always going to make a mistake if you’re trying things. They have a bit of a joke at times in the dressing room about hitting a single off the next ball and that being good cricket. Some of the guys have hit ‘six, six, six’ and that’s really good cricket.”Despite the setback, Bayliss says the dressing room remains full of belief. And, he believes the quality of the teams which England have to play next will ensure “minds are on the job”.”We know how good we are,” he said. “We didn’t play as well as we’d like in this game and maybe we let one slip, but we have been in this situation before and it hasn’t stopped us coming out and playing well in the next game.”I think the three teams we’ve got coming up are good teams and we know what we’re going to get. We know what we can expect from those three good teams so I think our minds will be on the job.”They will need to be. Australia will sense a chance to push England towards the brink of elimination on Tuesday and life will be no easier in the two matches to follow. While, from a global perspective, there may be some relief that the final group matches do not amount to a glut of dead games, England supporters – starved of World Cup success and knowing this is probably a one-off opportunity – may well have settled for just a little more predictability.

Juventus and USMNT star Timothy Weah enjoyed the perks off the off-season after swapping shirts with baseball star Francisco Lindor at Citi Field.

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Weah attends Major League Baseball gameMeets New York Mets' player LindorSwaps shirts ahead of LA Dodgers clashWHAT HAPPENED?

Following the conclusion of the Serie A season for Juventus, United States international Weah was back in New York to watch the New York Mets face the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday. Before the contest, which the visitors won 3-0, the 24-year-old met baseball shortstop Lindor on the Mets' hallowed turf.

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Baseball aside, Weah has had a mediocre season for Juventus. He bagged just one assist in 30 Serie A games and started just 13 matches in all competitions. The American may have to move elsewhere to play regularly and improve his form.

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Now that Juventus' season is over, which ended in a Coppa Italia win over Atalanta, Weah will prepare for the USMNT's upcoming friendly matches against Colombia on June 8 and Brazil on June 12 respectively.

It's important to remember that Tottenham Hotspur have made great strides in their overall performance since Ange Postecoglou was appointed in the summer, but their defeat against Manchester City in the FA Cup was a sombre reminder of the progress still to be made.

Restricted to one paltry shot on goal all night, the hosts were out-fought and out-thought by last season's champions in the cup competition, whose profligacy looked set to drag the game toward Manchester for a replay, with dynamic defender Nathan Ake thumping in a messy goal, the only goal, from a late corner.

The loss means that Postecoglou's chance of securing silverware in his first season in English football borders on infinitesimal, falling in the Carabao Cup in the second round and failing to qualify for European competition last term, eight points behind top-placed Liverpool in the Premier League.

But it's important to put things in perspective: Tottenham have conducted astute and effective business in the transfer market since the end of the 2022/23 campaign, rekindled the finest form of stars such as Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero, and absorbed and adopted an identity that bespeaks the high-class potential of Postecoglou in his bid to bring eventual major honours to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

But, as already stated, Spurs were not on par with City last night; limp in attack but defiantly resilient in defence, Postecoglou's side might have lost, but the return of Micky van de Ven is crucial heading into the business end of the campaign.

Micky van de Ven's game vs Manchester City in numbers

James Maddison returned to action off the bench having spent over two months on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury against Chelsea in November to kick off a five-match winless run, but for all his brilliance, the influential playmaker might not be the most important cog in the system.

Fellow summer signing Van de Ven, who completed a £43m transfer from VFL Wolfsburg in August, was also injured against Chelsea, but has now started two matches in succession for Tottenham and was utterly mesmerising in his defensive duties versus the Sky Blues.

As per Sofascore, the Dutchman took 76 touches and completed 97% of his passes, losing the ball only twice, and remarkably made seven clearances as he consistently thwarted City attacks and rid his zone of advances.

Also winning two of his three contested ground duels and succeeding with three out of four long balls, illustrating his laser-focussed distribution, Van de Ven is truly an exceptional star in the Tottenham rearguard, with his electric pace and elite athleticism making for a singular skill set.

To emphasise this, the £50k-per-week ace ranks among the top 9% of centre-halves across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Penning his post-match thoughts, the Evening Standard's Dan Kilpatrick bestowed the 22-year-old with an 8/10 match rating despite defeat, writing: 'Spurs' last line of defence made several important last-ditch interventions, including a block to deny Julian Alvarez a certain goal.'

It was another monstrous showing from a young gun with so much potential yet to be realised on English shores, and while Van de Ven attracted attention for his efforts, left-back Destiny Udogie deserves plaudits for his protection and energy, another big reason behind the Lilywhites' resurgence this season.

Destiny Udogie's performance vs Manchester City

Described as an "absolute brick" for his efforts down the left channel, Udogie might not have captured the awe like the Dutch defender to his right, but the 21-year-old produced yet another impressive performance against high-calibre opposition.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Dribbling

Ball retention

Passing

Crossing

Interceptions

Tackling

Source: WhoScored

His aptitude as a defensive force was on full show as is becoming pleasingly usual, and while Udogie didn't enjoy the attacking success that he might have liked, he can hold his head high as one of the best performers on a tough evening.

Winning a whopping nine duels, Udogie was indeed crucial in stifling the visitors' surging forward motions. He also took 70 touches, completed 88% of his passes, and made three clearances and tackles apiece to further underpin a noteworthy effort.

Pundit Clinton Morrison was certainly impressed, remarking during the first-half battle that Udogie "has been the best left-back in the Premier League" this season.

Spurs eyeing move for £100m "monster" who could surpass Romero

Ange Postecoglou would boast an incredible defence by securing this PL star’s signature.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 26, 2024

As was Kilpatrick, who handed the 6 foot 2 full-back an 8/10 match rating to perch alongside Van de Ven as Postecoglou's shining light, writing that he 'covered confidently behind the back four and stepped into midfield with usual poise.'

With Son, Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr all returning from international duty in the coming weeks, Tottenham will feel that they boast a squad of varied talent and sufficient depth to challenge for a Champions League spot come May.

But without doubt, Udogie's fitness will be imperative in this endeavour, with the Italian signing for the club from Udinese for £15m in 2022 and spending last season back on loan with the Serie A outfit, now vital in the north London team's project, having now played 20 matches across all competitions this term, starting every time.

Tottenham's best chance of a trophy this season closed when Ake fired into Vicario's goal with minutes of normal time left, but that's okay, sting as it may.

Postecoglou is creating a dynasty, and rising stars such as Udogie are evidence of a glittering future. It's heard in the euphonious bellowing in the stands, it's felt in the manner that the players conduct themselves on the pitch.

The Australian will stick to his style and know that success will come, and Udogie and Van de Ven will indeed be right at the centre as Tottenham return to the success that it yearns for with every fibre of its being.

Jamie Smith and Jordan Thompson both shine on their Championship debuts before Yorkshire captain strikes

Paul Edwards11-Jun-2019
A day’s cricket many doubted would take place eventually featured two players who had, until last weekend, scant reason to think they would be taking any part in the match. Had not family reasons prevented David Willey representing Yorkshire Jordan Thompson may not even have travelled to Guildford; and had not a back problem confined Rory Burns to the treatment table, Jamie Smith may have been turning out for Surrey’s second team at Polo Farm, near Canterbury.Yet instead of looking forward to Pudsey St Lawrence’s match against Townville on Saturday, Thompson marked his first-class debut by taking the wickets of Mark Stoneman and Scott Borthwick. And instead of watching the groundsmen mopping up in Kent, Smith responded by making a polished 56 on his first appearance in the County Championship. “World is suddener than we fancy it,” wrote Louis MacNeice in “Snow”, “World is crazier and more of it than we think, / Incorrigibly plural.”By close of play Thompson could look back on three sessions in which he had not looked out of place. Smith, meanwhile, had helped Ben Foakes add 118 for Surrey’s fifth wicket and seemed to have given his side a sniff of building a total which would allow them to control this three-day game. Yet even as an appreciative crowd at Woodbridge Road was assessing the contributions of two cricketers taking their first steps in the competition by which their careers will be judged, a 35-year-old playing his 146th first-class match made off with their thunder.For just as it seemed this day’s honours would belong to Surrey, Steven Patterson castled Foakes, Will Jacks and Smith in the same over. Without bowling at any great pace – Jonny Tattersall stood up to him – Patterson nipped one in to defeat Foakes’s skew-whiff shot off the back foot; next ball he made Jacks looks as foolish as a batsmen will when he lets an inswinger go; and he then bowled a ball of fuller length which Smith played both over and around. The virtues of aiming at the stumps have rarely been better illustrated.But even when the spectacular intervention of one of the most unspectacular cricketers on the circuit have been considered the most remarkable feature of this day’s play may have been that it took place at all. “Try praying” suggests a poster outside St Saviour’s at the top of Wooodbridge Road and some folk may indeed have believed only divine involvement could have caused play to start on time after the deluge that soaked Guildford on Monday afternoon. The truth was more prosaic: efficient drainage through sandy soil, a few hours without rain and the fine efforts of the club’s groundsmen were quite sufficient.All the same, there was a sense of unexpected bounty among the spectators who turned up early and it was noticeable how many more Surrey supporters arrived once they realised there would actually be something to watch. They probably enjoyed what they saw as well for the first 90 minutes were dominated by their side’s openers. Dean Elgar, compact and vigilant as a man might be when he has scored 43 runs in his last seven innings, batted as if fate was likely to hoodwink him at any moment; Stoneman, more confident and assertive, drove Ben Coad’s overpitched balls through the off side and then rocked back to punch Yorkshire’s spearhead past cover.Dom Bess replaced the seamer at the Railway End for the 13th over but Yorkshire did not make their first breakthrough until 45 minutes later. Even then the bowlers had their opponents’ help as Elgar contrived to reach a wide ball from Patterson and squirted a catch to Bess at point. Ten minutes later Stoneman reached his fifty but having served a hard master, he then became Thompson’s first victim in Championship cricket.The late golf-commentator Henry Longhurst might have described Thompson as “a well set-up young fellow”; in our own rather less lyrical age we settle for “a big unit”. Either way he bowls at a fair lick and gained his reward when he speared one across Stoneman, who thin-edged a catch to Tattersall and threw his head back in anger.That left Surrey on a respectable 117 for 2 at lunch but it changed the temper of the contest. On the resumption Coad bowled seven overs for 11 runs and picked up the wicket of Ryan Patel when the Surrey batsman played clumsily across the line. At the other end, Patterson bowled with his typical parsimony; every run was begrudged as if it was an insult to his home town of Beverley. When Thompson finally replaced Coad, Borthwick drove at his first ball but was betrayed by a lack of foot movement. Adam Lyth took the catch at second slip and Surrey were 147 for 4.The next couple of hours were Surrey’s best of the day. Smith’s cover driving of both seam and spin bowlers was a delight while Foakes advanced down the pitch to Bess and hit him safely over mid-on. Surrey were 250 for 4 when Yorkshire took the new ball and had the home side survived the next hour there was every chance they would have had to bat only once in this shortened game.But when Yorkshire calls, Patterson rarely fails to answer and the skipper’s intervention has already done much to shape this match. When bad light ended pay nine overs early folk who had thought this might be another lost day could reflect on some rich entertainment. They had arrived telling tales of flooded gardens, sodden clothes and hazardous drives home amid stair-rod rain. But visiting supporters left the ground talking about a 22-year-old Loiner who looked a little as though he hadn’t taken his coat-hanger out of his shirt. Home loyalists, meanwhile, were understandably excited by the talent of Smith, an 18-year-old who was taking his A-Levels a mere 12 months ago. Further examinations await him but it is safe to say he cannot wait to sit them

West Brom are "set" to complete the signing of a "special" player before the end of deadline day, according to a new claim from reliable journalist John Percy.

West Brom transfer news

The Baggies have been linked with a host of different players throughout the January transfer window, but they know that time is now very much running out to bring in new faces. Brahima Diarra has emerged as a late transfer target for West Brom, with the Huddersfield Town midfielder seen as a potentially ideal partner for Alex Mowatt in the middle of the park. Talks are believed to be taking place over a switch to the Hawthorns coming to fruition.

Talented young Birmingham City ace Jordan James has also been backed to join Carlos Corberan's side this month, with the Englishman a midfielder with bags of end product who could have a big future in the game.

Away from those two targets, however, another name could be on his way to Hawthorns before the transfer cutoff on Thursday night, following an exciting update.

Baggies "set to sign" exciting talent

Writing on X on Thursday morning, Percy claimed that West Brom are closing in on the loan signing of Celtic attacker Mikey Johnston, having been linked with a move for him in recent days.

"Wba are set to sign Celtic winger Mikey Johnston today. Republic of Ireland international to undergo medical ahead of a loan move for remainder of the season."

This is fantastic news for West Brom, with Johnston someone with the attacking quality to help add a new dimension to Corberan's attack between now and the end of the season. The 24-year-old is a six-time capped Republic of Ireland international, having switched allegiances from Scotland after youth team age, and he has scored twice for his country for good measure.

Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has played with some great players down the years, whether it be with England or Manchester City, and he has spoken highly of Johnston in the past, saying:

"Ireland are getting someone who is potentially very special. He has a lot of ability and the kind of qualities that can lift people off their seats. I noticed that the moment I met him, but he’s been very unlucky with injuries. You have to really understand football to understand what he’s been through because they’re not your average injuries.

"People understand when you pull your hamstring and you're out for eight weeks but you come back and you're fine. Or if you break a leg. But Mikey had these little injuries that kept holding him back and stopped any sort of momentum and flow in his career. But he's very professional and is doing his best to get the best out of himself. A fully fit Mikey Johnston can impact games and he’ll get people out of their seats."

West Brom in last ditch chase to sign dream Mowatt partner

West Brom are eyeing up this last-minute swoop to bolster their midfield.

ByKelan Sarson Jan 31, 2024

Hart's comments are enough to leave West Brom fans hugely buoyed by what Johnstone could offer their side until the summer, and he could be champing at the bit to get started, having been limited to only three starts and nine appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Sri Lanka have had their moments in this World Cup. Can they sign-off on a high?

The Preview by Deivarayan Muthu05-Jul-20192:42

Agarkar: Pant should’ve got more chances earlier

Big PictureDeath, taxes… India v Sri Lanka. India are set for their fourth ODI in ten days, but with their ticket to the semi-finals booked and Sri Lanka knocked out, there is a bilateral series feel to the penultimate round-robin game this World Cup. There is nothing on the line and India are purring again after the Edgbaston stutter against England last week. But, as always, count Sri Lanka out at your own peril.It was Dimuth Karunaratne’s men who had raised the World Cup from its stupor with their believe-it-or-not win over England. It was Angelo Mathews’ crazy ball that added some excitement to a similar dead rubber against West Indies. And you couldn’t have forgotten Champions Trophy 2017, when Sri Lanka hunted down 322 against India.Saturday’s match could well be Lasith Malinga’s last in World Cups. He has whipped up everything – whirling yorkers, steep bouncers (slow and fast) and cunning dippers – and will leave as the third-highest wicket-taker in World Cups. Can he rouse himself to produce another vintage performance and help Sri Lanka sign off with their heads held high?

'He's much better at than I am at ' @HKane x @imVkohli = pic.twitter.com/LEeRaiLRcQ

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 5, 2019

As for India, this is another chance for their rickety middle-order to tune up for the crunch game(s). The team management had spun the wheel again against Bangladesh, recalling Dinesh Karthik at the expense of Kedar Jadhav, who has struck at 80.80 and has bowled just six overs in six matches this tournament. Should they give Karthik another go and see if he can finish the innings better than Jadhav or MS Dhoni?Rishabh Pant has made 30-plus scores in his two outings at No. 4 and now has the vote of confidence from the team management. KL Rahul, too, has had pretty starts upfront, and India would ideally want both of them to kick on to bigger scores to ease the load on captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma.Form guide(Last five completed matches, most recent first)
India WLWWW
Sri Lanka: WLLWL
That Indian middle-order needs to get its act together before the semi-finals•Getty ImagesIn the spotlightKL Rahul wasn’t in India’s first-choice XI in the lead-up to the World Cup. After an injury scare to the designated No. 4 Vijay Shankar, Rahul moved into that spot and cracked a century against Bangladesh in the warm-ups. And later, after first-choice opener Shikhar Dhawan was sidelined from the tournament, Rahul was bumped to the top alongside Rohit and he responded with 57 against Pakistan. He followed it up with scores of 30, 48, 0, and 77. Where’s that big ‘un? Perhaps, it’s just around the corner, as Rahul himself had put it.His ravishing strokeplay had Kumar Sangakkara gushing in the commentary box and his maiden ton had Mahela Jayawardene tweeting: “Well played young man.. Brilliant 100!! Something special from Avishka.” Twenty-one-year-old Avishka Fernando has played only three games in this World Cup, but has made more runs (183 in three matches) than the likes of Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva. Can he stand up to the best attack in the tournament as well?Team newsHeadingley offered slow turn for Afghanistan’s spin trio on Thursday, and it could tempt India into reuniting the wristspinners. Who will miss the cut in such a scenario: Mohammed Shami or Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Jasprit Bumrah (if they want to rest him)?India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Rishabh Pant, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav/Dinesh Karthik, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar/Mohammed Shami, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Jasprit Bumrah3:46

Dilshan: Classy Avishka could go a long way for SL

Sri Lanka might consider bringing back Thisara Perera for some bowling back-up in place of Lahiru Thirimanne. Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay was expensive against West Indies, but he provides a more attacking option than Jeevan Mendis or Malinda Siriwardana.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), 2 Kusal Perera (wk), 3 Avishka Fernando, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Lahiru Thirimanne/Thisara Perera, 7 Dhananjaya de Silva, 8 Isuru Udana, 9 Lasith Malinga, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Jeffrey VandersayPitch and conditionsThe Headingley track is likely to be flat and slow, with some assistance for the spinners. The forecast is for a bright, sunny day in Leeds.Strategy punt Sri Lanka would do well to pick Thisara and ask him to target Dhoni’s body with hard lengths and enough cover at midwicket and square leg. Thisara has dismissed Dhoni six times in 12 ODI innings while conceding 144 runs off 142 balls. Don’t give Hardik Pandya pace and, instead, ask him to manufacture it for himself in the end overs. He has been dismissed four times by slower balls in six innings.Stats and trivia Dhananjaya has taken five wickets in 37 overs at an economy rate of 4.7 this World Cup. The other Sri Lanka spinners have combined for one wicket in 20.1 overs while conceding 6.9 runs an over. Bumrah needs one wicket to get to 100 ODI wickets. Should he get there in his this match – his 57th – he will be the second-fastest Indian to the landmark after Shami. Rohit has already hit four centuries this tournament, matching Sangakkara’s achievement in 2015; no batsman has scored more hundreds in a single edition of the World Cup.

Tyler Adams has explained what success looks like for the USMNT at Copa America, with no “crazy goals” being set for a tournament on home soil.

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Nations League crown claimed in 2024Ready for major event on home soilIntention is to reach the knockout stagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States are in a winning habit for 2024, with another CONCACAF Nations League crown being secured. They boast plenty of ability and experience in their squad and intend to put on a show at Copa, event that will be taking place on American soil.

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Gregg Berhalter and his coaching team are, however, working towards more long-term targets – with the World Cup also heading to the Americas in 2026. With that in mind, the USMNT are not fixated on competing with the likes of Argentina and Brazil for ultimate Copa glory.

WHAT ADAMS SAID

Adams, who captained his country at the 2022 World Cup, has told the podcast of collective ambition heading into another major event: “Everyone has to understand that this is another stepping stone towards the World Cup. It’s obviously easy to put out crazy goals and say the goal is to win the tournament. Everyone’s goal that reaches the tournament is to win – you don’t want to lose and go home early, you want to lift a trophy at the end of the tournament. Although we have won the Nations League multiple times now, we know the feeling of lifting a trophy and we know the joy that it brings us and how it brings the fans closer together. But the biggest test for me is navigating through the group stage again. When it comes to knockout time, how do we handle ourselves and conduct ourselves in those moments? In those games do we stay composed and understand our roles, understand the tactics of the team we are playing against? We understand that we have to compete and that is a quality and a trait of every USMNT and American. Getting out of the group is going to be important, but we know if we do that we are going to play Colombia or Brazil. How do we match up against those teams, two of the best in CONMEBOL, and really find our way to advance on?”

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

The USMNT did not match up particularly well against Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly game, as they suffered a humbling 5-1 defeat. A meeting with Brazil is next on the agenda, at AT&T Stadium in Texas, before opening a Copa quest against Bolivia on June 23.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has taken responsibility for two mistakes that led to goals as Ukraine began Euro 2024 with defeat to Romania.

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Lunin speaks after Ukraine defeatReal Madrid goalkeeper made errorsAdmits mistakes were costlyWHAT HAPPENED?

Lunin held his hands up following the surprise 3-0 loss against a team 24 places lower in FIFA's world rankings, taking questions about the game from reporters in the mixed zone.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Lunin, so good for Madrid during the club season, was at fault for Romania's 29th minute opener, guilty of a poor attempted clearance that went straight to Dennis Man, who immediately found goalscorer Nicolae Stanciu. Then, after half-time, he should have done far better to stop Razvan Marin's Romania second, which snuck underneath his hands despite appearing to have done enough to comfortably stop the shot.

WHAT LUNIN SAID

Speakng to Spanish radio station afterwards, Lunin said: "I apologise to my team-mates, my mistake complicated the game. All I can say is sorry and get back up for the next game."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LUNIN & UKRAINE?

Slovakia's shock win over Belgium only compounded Ukraine's defeat, meaning the two sides they would have expected to take points against have started with victories. Next up is Slovakia on Friday, followed by Belgium on June 26. Given how the group has started, three points is unlikely to be enough to get through.