أعلن مجلس إدارة نادي المقاولون العرب برئاسة محسن صلاح، تعيين مدرب الزمالك السابق مديراً فنياً بشكل رسمي لقياد الفريق خلفاً لـ محمد عودة.
وكان مجلس إدارة نادي المقاولون العرب وافق أمس الأحد، على الاستقالة المقدمة من قبل محمد عودة لعدم الاستمرار في قيادة الفريق خلال الفترة القادمة.
المقاولون العرب يحتل المركز السابع عشر (قبل الأخير) في ترتيب جدول الدوري المصري الممتاز، هذا الموسم 2023-2024، برصيد 12 نقطة من 18 مباراة، فاز في مباراتين وتعادل في 6 وخسر 10 مواجهات.
واختار مجلس إدارة المقاولون العرب، معتمد جمال مديرًا فنيًا للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي على أن يتسلم مهمته بداية من اليوم.
وعقد رئيس نادي المقاولون العرب والمهندس محمد عادل فتحي المشرف العام على الكرة وعضو مجلس الإدارة جلسة مع معتمد جمال تم فيها الاتفاق على كل التفاصيل مؤكدين ثقة مجلس الإدارة في قدرته على تصحيح مسار الفريق.
ويضم الجهاز الفني بقيادة معتمد جمال، طلعت محرم مدربًا عامًا ومديرًا للتعاقدات وحسن الشامي مدربًا وطارق سليمان مدربًا لحراسة المرمى والدكتور أيمن زين طبيبا للفريق.
وأكد محمد عادل فتحي أن معتمد جمال ليس غريبًا على الفريق ويمتلك خبرات كبيرة ومجلس الإدارة يثق في قدرته على قيادة الفريق لتحقيق نتائج إيجابية.
ومن المقرر أن يعقد معتمد جمال عدد من الاجتماعات مع الجهاز المعاون واللاعبين بحضور محمد عادل فتحي لمناقشة عدد من الملفات.
وكان معتمد جمال مديراً فنياً لنادي الزمالك بشكل مؤقت بعد رحيل الكولومبي خوان كارلوس أوسوريو لحين التعاقد مع البرتغالي جوزيه جوميز.
Leeds United continue to be linked with the same Premier League stalwart, suggesting they could be set to emulate a previous success that earned them promotion just three years ago.
Are Leeds United signing Nat Phillips?
With Phil Hay having detailed the Whites' interest in Nat Phillips back in late June, a lot has changed since then.
The 49ers' takeover has officially gone through, and Daniel Farke has been appointed as the new manager set to spearhead their push for a top-flight return.
And yet, despite all this upheaval, Leeds Live attest that they remain interested in the Liverpool defender, with Gretar Steinsson and Nick Hammond targetting the centre-back area with the "most vigour".
Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…
It is expected that the Reds will command a £10m fee for his services, which could prove to be a huge coup that improves them massively for the coming campaign.
How good is Nat Phillips?
Although not something fans will look back on with fondness, the west Yorkshire outfit do have plenty of recent experience when it comes to attempting to engineer promotion pushes.
After all, they did endure a 16-year absence the last time they were relegated from the Premier League, with Marcelo Bielsa the man to finally complete that comeback.
His tenure was a largely successful one, despite its unceremonious end, and was littered with various outstanding triumphs that helped shape the club in his image.
One such decision was tempting Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion on loan, as the defender thrived during that infamous 2019/20 term.
The 25-year-old featured in all 46 of their Championship games that year, maintaining a 7.06 average rating that made him Leeds' seventh-best performer. He became a key cog in Bielsa's system, with the ball-playing star keeping 22 clean sheets and recording an 85% pass accuracy, 2.5 interceptions and 2.7 clearances per game, via Sofascore.
White was imperious and without him, they would not have eased to the title that year.
ben-white-leeds
So, to see that the club are seeking to emulate that success by once again poaching a centre-back from a top-flight club will have supporters thrilled; especially considering the touted move would actually be a permanent one.
Whilst Phillips might not be as young or classy on the ball, he does boast key defensive attributes that will help plug the biggest weakness that Farke has inherited.
Last season saw the Whites ship 78 goals in the league as they fell to the drop, the most in the division. The 26-year-old titan will be incensed to reduce that figure severely.
When taking into account his brief Championship stint, as he enjoyed the final six months of the 2021/22 campaign on loan with AFC Bournemouth, there is precedent to believe that the Bolton-born academy graduate could help lead a promotion charge from the back just as White did all those years ago.
The Cherries went up in second that year, whilst Phillips maintained a 7.04 average rating alongside an 82% pass accuracy, 1.5 interceptions and 4.1 clearances per game, via Sofascore.
However, Jurgen Klopp had foreseen such stellar showings on a regular basis, as he lauded the colossus back in 2021:
"In the air, he's a monster but you could see it today, he's football-wise not bad, really good".
Should the out-of-favour defender now recapture such form once again, it could prove pivotal in fixing a huge issue, shoring up the backline and emulating a success of old by looking to a top-flight club to help drag them out of their mess yet again.
Trailing 0-1, Sri Lanka will need a radical shift from their bowling plan in Galle, and will need to guard against complacency, if they are to keep the three-match series alive
The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo02-Aug-2017Match FactsAugust 3-7, 2017 Start time: 1000 local (0430GMT)2:10
Agarkar: Tough on Abhinav but he will have to make way
Big PictureFourteen overs. That’s about as long as Sri Lanka stayed in the contest in Galle. As soon as Shikhar Dhawan’s catch went down and Asela Gunaratne left the field, shoulders seemed to drop, bowlers’ lines seemed to stray, and India rampaged more or less unhindered for four days.How Sri Lanka can get themselves into this series without trying something even slightly radical, it is difficult to see. They are strengthened by the return of their captain Dinesh Chandimal, but the balance of the side has been compromised by Gunaratne’s absence. A chance then, finally, to play five frontline bowlers? The SSC pitch may be a surface that requires an extra bowler, in any case. Matches there are no longer the bad old borefests of years ago, but at least two-and-a-half days generally still go to the batsmen. In Galle, India had hit their 840 runs at a rate of 4.5 per over, for the loss of only 13 wickets. Sri Lanka can’t afford to approach this match with the same bowling strategy.India have a selection call to make at the top of their order now that KL Rahul is fit again, but are unlikely to favour Abhinav Mukund despite his good second-innings knock in Galle. There, though, lie the extent of their “problems”. Having out-batted, out-bowled and out-strategised Sri Lanka (that they out-fielded the hosts goes without saying lately), India appear almost as short of weaknesses as Sri Lanka were of ideas.Sadly for the hosts, it’s also probably too early in the tour for complacency to have begun wrapping its tentacles around India’s game. With each of the opposition’s top five having scored at least one fifty in the Galle Test, and with all the bowlers having claimed wickets, Sri Lanka need to climb a very tall, very steep, very in-form mountain.Form guideSri Lanka LWLWL (completed matches, most recent first) India WWDWLIn the spotlightWhen KL Rahul last came to Sri Lanka, he was a century or nothing batsman, hitting 7, 5, 108, 2, 2 and 2 across his six innings here in 2015. Now, his batting seems to have the opposite personality. In his seven most recent innings, Rahul has made six half-centuries, the best of which was the 90 on a spitting Bangalore track against Australia. In a country that has been notoriously unkind to openers, India have enough faith in Rahul to restore him to the XI, despite having other good options.Also coming back from illness is Dinesh Chandimal, though he has not quite recovered completely yet – having received special ICC permission to use an inhaler during the game. His has been a fraught captaincy so far. He was appointed only two days before the Zimbabwe Test last month, and is now faced with having to raise morale after what was a difficult Test in Galle. In order to properly claim his position as the captain of this side, Chandimal also needs runs.Dhananjaya de Silva could get a place in the Sri Lanka XI ahead of Lahiru Thirimanne, to fill in for Asela Gunaratne•AFP
Team newsSri Lanka may play three spinners in this match, with Chandimal issuing strong hints that Malinda Pushpakumara may make an international debut. If they play with only four frontline bowlers, Dinesh Chandimal has hinted that Dhananjaya de Silva is more likely to enter the side ahead of Lahiru Thirimanne, who was selected in the squad 13 months after last playing for Sri Lanka. Danushka Gunathilaka is set to make way for Chandimal.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (capt.), 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 7 Dhananjaya de Silva, 8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Rangana Herath, 10 Malinda Pushpakumara, 11 Nuwan PradeepIf India believe the pitch will take a lot of turn, left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav becomes a strong contender for the XI. If he plays, Hardik Pandya is likeliest to be displaced.India: 1 KL Rahul, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), Ajinkya Rahane, 6 R Ashwin, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Mohammed ShamiPitch and conditionsThere is dead grass holding the surface together, but the SSC track looks decidedly drier than the pitch at Galle. Generally though, it takes at least three days for the ball to begin taking sharp turn at this venue. There were five centuries in the most-recent SSC Test. Isolated showers are forecast throughout the Test.Stats and trivia This will be Cheteshwar Pujara’s 50th Test. He has scored hundreds in each of the two Tests he has played in Sri Lanka so far, including at the SSC, where he made 145 not out in 2015. R Ashwin needs 50 more runs to get to 2000 Test runs. Sri Lanka’s highest scorer from Galle – Dimuth Karunaratne – is also their highest scorer for the year so far, though by a very slim margin. His 448 runs in 2017 is one more than Kusal Mendis. Both have played the same number of innings.
تحدث حكيم بن عبد الله، رئيس نادي نهضة بركان المغربي، عن أزمة مباراة فريقه أمام اتحاد العاصمة الجزائري في ذهاب الدور نصف النهائي لبطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.
وكانت المباراة التي يستضيفها اتحاد العاصمة قد شهدت أزمة كبيرة أدت لـ إلغاء اللقاء فيما لم يتحدد موقفه من جانب الاتحاد الإفريقي بعد.
طالع | بسبب أزمة القمصان.. إلغاء مباراة اتحاد العاصمة ونهضة بركان في نصف نهائي الكونفدرالية
وقال حكيم بن عبد الله في تصريحات صحفية نقلها موقع “البطولة” المغربي فور وصول بعثة الفريق للمغرب: “وفق القواعد والقوانين التي ينص عليها الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم، فور وصولنا مباشرة، تفاجأنا بممارسات غير مقبولة بتاتا، ولا تقبل النقاش، وأمرها محسوم”.
وأضاف: “الأمر المهم في الموضوع، هو تضامن الشعب المغربي من طنجة إلى الكويرة، مع نهضة بركان، وهذا الشيء منحنا حافزا وشجعنا، وأتمنى أن يحفظ الله شعبنا ووطننا”.
طالع | كاف يُصدر بيانًا رسميًا بشأن إلغاء مباراة نهضة بركان واتحاد العاصمة في الكونفدرالية
وتابع: “كان هناك قراران من قبل كاف، بخصوص هذه المواجهة، لكن المباراة لم تلعب، ولكننا نثق في الهياكل والأجهزة، من أجل إنصافنا وإنصاف كرة القدم وتطويرها بإفريقيا”.
وأتم: “الحمد لله، أقمصة نادي نهضة بركان التي تحمل خريطة وطننا من طنجة إلى الكويرة، استرجعناها في المطار بالجزائر، وهي موجودة في حقائبنا وعادت إلى المغرب”.
Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto could get 'restless' at Elland Road if he isn't sold before the Sky Bet Championship commences in early August, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Which clubs are interested in Wilfried Gnonto?
According to Football Insider, Crystal Palace are considering a move for Gnonto this summer alongside teammate Crysencio Summerville as Roy Hodgson looks to bolster his options in the final third.
Wilfried Zaha has left Selhurst Park to join Turkish giants Galatasaray and Eagles winger Michael Olise is attracting interest from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, which has prompted Hodgson to enter the market for a winger and a striker due to dissatisfaction at his offensive options.
Everton also saw a £15 million bid turned down for Italy international Gnonto earlier this window and Leeds United are believed to be desperate to keep the £20k-a-week ace at Elland Road, as per The Daily Mail.
Aston Villa have been mentioned as another potential suitor in the hunt for Gnonto and other Premier League clubs have kept tabs on his situation.
Leeds United have already lost several key squad members in the off-season and Daniel Farke is keen to keep Gnonto around due to the fact he was a rare bright spark at the club last term.
In 2022/23, Gnonto made 28 appearances for Leeds United across all competitions, registering four goals and four assists in the process, as per Transfermarkt.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones thinks that Gnonto may become 'restless' if he is not allowed to leave Leeds United to seek a new challenge elsewhere.
Jones stated: “At the moment, it’s not impossible they both stay, but we will have to see if that remains the case as we get towards the start of the season and other clubs realise these two are still up for grabs.
“I hear that Gnonto wants to leave, I think he’ll get a bit restless if he’s playing in the Championship when it kicks off. So, let’s see how it all develops.”
What other events could occur at Leeds United this window?
Leeds United boss Farke's prime focus between now and the close of play in the market will be ensuring quality additions enter the building at Elland Road to join recent arrivals Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow.
Football Insider claim that Leeds United, Southampton and Leicester City are all competing for the signature of Swansea City striker Joel Piroe following his goalscoring exploits in 2022/23 for the Jacks.
The Sun On Sunday (30/7; page 59, print edition) via Leeds United News have revealed that Leeds United are in the race to sign Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who could be available for around £15 million.
West Ham United and Fulham are also keen to sign the England Under-21 international, who was part of the Three Lions squad that lifted the UEFA Under-21 EURO 2023 Championship earlier this summer.
German coach Farke has confirmed that he will make a decision on the future of full-back Sam Byram this week as he has been on trial at his former club, stating via Leeds Live: "We will see, so we will assess right now pre-season. We've not discussed it so far but we know what we've got. Sam has shown great attitude, experienced player, homegrown player, free agent, so then I don't find many, many arguments against them."
He then added: "There was some really good performances but yes, we'll have a closer look at this. So it's not a big, big topic and not a big issue, but we're all happy that he’s gone through this pre-season without any injuries and also, need to listen also bit to what he thinks and what he wants and then we'll come to a conclusion I think over the next week."
Australia beat South Africa by 59 runs and have set up a knockout clash with India, a team they had already beaten in the group stages of the Women’s World Cup
The Report by Annesha Ghosh15-Jul-2017 Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEllyse Perry was at the forefront of another Australian victory•ICC/Getty Images
Prior to Saturday’s match, South Africa had never won against Australia in 13 completed ODIs. The closest they had come was in November 2016, when they managed a tie one of the five games of the series. Another had yielded a loss off the penultimate ball. That South Africa were able to bring some of that grit into their last league fixture this World Cup was largely down to legspinner Sune Luus’ fifth five-wicket haul that restricted Australia to 269, and 18-year old Laura Wolvaardt’s solid 71 that they could not capitalise on. South Africa fell 59 runs short in Taunton, allowing the defending champions to turn their attention to a semi-final clash with India on July 20.Ellyse Perry was chiefly responsible for things turning out the way they did as she combined a 58-ball 59 with figures of 2 for 47. She ran Trisha Chetty out for 37 with a sharp throw from deep midwicket, and then removed Luus and Ayabonga Khaka off successive deliveries in the 39th over to clear Australia’s path to victory.Australia’s spinners – Jess Jonassen, Asheligh Gardner and Kristen Beams – had done most of the damage, returning combined figures of 3 for 99 off 30 overs. While left-armer Jonassen took out opener Lizelle Lee in the sixth over of the chase, before adding van Niekerk to her tally of 2 for 40, Gardner and Kristen Beams ensured pressure was kept up from the other end as well.In the absence of Meg Lanning, sidelined for a second time in the tournament with a shoulder injury, stand-in captain Rachael Haynes compounded South Africa’s dismissing Mignon du Preez with her first ball in over four years. Haynes, who had last brandished her left-arm medium pace in the 2013 World Cup, also against the same opponents, dealt the more telling blow to South Africa’s innings in her next over, toppling Wolvaardt on 71. The teenaged opener backed up two half-centuries and two not-outs from five preceding games with a knock full of substance, but she just couldn’t do it alone.That South Africa were able to bring up 100 in under 22 overs was, in part, due to Australia’s sloppy fielding inside the circle. While Perry let an innocuous Wolvaardt drive, off Schutt, roll for four in the third over, Schutt dropped Chetty on 1 off Perry in the eighth, before Haynes joined in the comedy with a dive right over the ball at mid-off. Wolvaardt’s departure, however, robbed the innings of the fluency and worse, triggered a collapse as South Africa lost five wickets for 17 runs. It was only Shabnim Ismail’s 26 off 41 balls that yanked the total from 165 for 8 to 201.Australia could have enjoyed a larger margin of victory if they had been able to capitalise on a 114-run opening stand. But neither of Beth Mooney nor Nicole Bolton could press on to convert their half-centuries beyond 53 and 79 respectively. And even Perry, who struck a fifth-successive fifty – a record in World Cup cricket – was sent back just as she seemed set to dominate. Considering little was going South Africa’s way initially – by the 21st over, Dane van Niekerk had brought on a seventh bowler – Australia’s batsmen would have wanted to make a stronger statement.There was a mitigating factor though – the legspin of Luus. She got rid of Bolton and Elyse Villani in successive deliveries, and then denied Australia the firepower they needed in the slog overs by dismissing Perry in the 40th. She made sure South Africa were feeling good going into the mid-innings break. They just couldn’t hold on to the feeling long enough.
تحدث طارق مصطفى المدير الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي البنك الأهلي عن مباراة الزمالك التي أقيمت مساء اليوم ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وكان الزمالك قد نجح في تحقيق فوز صعب على البنك الأهلي بهدف دون رد في لقاء الجولة 20 من عمر الدوري المصري، والذي أقيم على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.
وقال طارق مصطفى في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس”: “الحمد لله لم نستحق الخسارة، لن أتحدث عن الفنيات، وإنما أتحدث عن الظلم الذي تعرضنا له اليوم، لم أراه من قبل”.
فيديو | زيزو يقود الزمالك لفوز مثير على البنك الأهلي في الدوري
وأضاف: “بصراحة ضربة جزاء للزمالك مشكوك فيها، التمثيل في لقطة أسامة فيصل، البنك الأهلي له اثنين مثلها، واضح من أول المباراة أننا خسرانين اللقاء ولا أعلم السبب”.
وتابع: “البنك الأهلي عليه علامات استفهام كثيرة، لعبنا كل مباريات الدور الأول خارج ملعبنا، ومباراة الزمالك أيضًا من ضمن المباريات”.
وكشف مواصلًا الحديث عن طرد أسامة فيصل: “اللعبة خطأ بشهادة الحكام وكأن لا يوجد var”.
وتابع: “فنيًا أشكر اللاعبين لأنهم لم يقصروا، رغم الطرد كنا الأفضل، وتغيبراتي كلها كانت هجومية لكي نعوض، وطبيعي أن يكون هناك هجمات مرتدة علينا واتيحت لنا أكثر”.
الزمالك يعلن تفاصيل إصابة الزناري ومصطفى شلبي
وواصل: “لأنني عشت أكثر من تجربة تدربيبة سواء في السعودية أو الإمارات أو المغرب، عندما يلعب الوداد أو الرجاء لا يوجد فارق بينهما وبين الفريق الذي يواجهون، أتمنى لو يوجد عدل في الكرة المصرية سواء لي أو علي”.
وأتم: “غيابي عن الفريق للحصول على رخصة تدريبية لم يؤثر على اللاعبين نهائيًا، وأشكر إدارة النادي لأنهم سمحوا لي بالسفر، هذا شيء جيد لنا كمدربين”.
Sofyan Amrabat has turned down offers from Saudi Arabia as his priority is a switch to Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano
The Moroccan midfielder looks set to depart Fiorentina this summer.
What is the latest Sofyan Amrabat news?
It seems the midfielder has made his decision on his future.
According to a report from L'Equipe, the Fiorentina player was a target for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, who wanted to add him to their squad which includes new signings Edouard Mendy, Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Allan Saint-Maximin. The report also stated that the Moroccan was set to make his decision on his preferred destination in the following days, and that his current club had resigned themselves to the fact that he was to depart this summer.
United have been long time admirers of Amrabat, having tried to bring in the midfielder back in the January window following his impressive performances during the World Cup that saw him get named in the World Cup Team of the Tournament.
The deal never happened and Amrabat remained with Fiorentina for the rest of the season, which was a campaign that saw him lose out in both the Coppa Italia final and the Europa Conference League final. Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag previously worked with the defensive midfielder at Utrecht, and is pushing for the club to complete the transfer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that Amrabat had turned down the offer from Saudi Arabia, as he is focused on completing a switch to the Red Devils. The Italian journalist also stated that United are waiting on the sales for Fred and Van de Beek to fund the transfer.
"Sofyan Amrabat, rumoured as potential target for Al Ahli last week, from what I understand, he does not want to negotiate with Al Ahli, but also all Saudi clubs as his priority now is Europe. Sofyan Amrabat wants to go to Man United, so he rejected very important financial approaches from Saudi because he wants to wait for Man United.
"As I always told you, there is no official bid to Fiorentina as they have to sell Fred, and it’s not going to be to Galatasaray from what I’m told, so other clubs are keen on Fred. But also, Donny Van de Beek, the conversation with Real Sociedad is ongoing, so Man United wait to sell one between Van de Beek and Fred before proceeding, but both will leave guys by the end of the summer, and then they will proceed with a bid for Amrabat, that is the plan at the moment."
Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…
Who do Man United have to sell for Amrabat?
There are two midfielders who could depart Old Trafford this summer to create the space for Amrabat.
One name Romano mentioned was Fred. The 30-year-old has seen his role reduced at United under ten Hag, and with the arrival of Mason Mount as well as the potential signing of Amrabat, opportunities would be even further limited for the Brazilian.
According to a report from 90min, Galatasaray have seen an offer rejected that fell below the asking price of £20m set by Man United, and have since pulled away according to Fabrizio Romano. Saudi clubs remain interested in the midfielder, and Fulham could reignite the interest they showed earlier on in the summer.
Fred
The other name mentioned by Romano was Van de Beek. The Dutch international has had a disappointing career at Old Trafford following his £39m switch from Ajax in 2020, having only made 60 appearances for the club during a three-year spell blighted by injury problems that have forced him to miss 52 games.
According to reports, Real Sociedad have opened talks regarding the midfielder despite concerns about the player's injury problems, with the asking price set to be £25m.
More than a year on from her enforced international retirement, Charlotte Edwards is at peace with leaving behind the professional game she helped to build
Raf Nicholson01-Sep-2017
Charlotte Edwards is preparing for life after playing•Peter Della Penna
Fifteen months ago, Charlotte Edwards had not just the England captaincy removed from her, but her chances of playing at the 2017 World Cup – a long-cherished ambition – ignominiously snatched away.In front of a roomful of press at Lord’s, she shed tears as she spoke about new coach Mark Robinson’s decision: “[He] spoke to me honestly that he saw the next series as an important series for him to develop players and take the team in a new direction…there isn’t a place for me in the team.”Here, on the day that she finally announced her retirement from professional cricket, there was no such distress – just the happy contentment of someone who, having led Vipers to two consecutive KSL finals, knows that the time is right, now, for the next generation to take over the mantle.It was not – quite – the fairytale ending for English women’s cricket’s greatest servant. Ultimately, it was Western Storm who triumphed in the final of the 2017 Kia Super League at Hove – Vipers’ title gone begging amidst an onslaught of runs from Rachel Priest, Stafanie Taylor and Sophie Luff. Nonetheless, Edwards’ last innings in a Vipers shirt did not disappoint: a quickfire 20 not out from eight balls, including four glorious boundaries, fittingly made with firm friend and former England team-mate Arran Brindle looking on from the other end.”I just wanted to enjoy today, and I have,” Edwards said afterwards, ruefully conceding that Vipers had simply been outplayed by their opponents. In any case, her decision had already been made, long before tonight’s final. “I kind of knew at the start of the season,” she said. “It just felt right.”This was a very different Edwards to the one of last summer. During last year’s inaugural KSL it was obvious to everyone, not least herself, that she had something to prove. Still England’s leading run-scorer, it was her 24 off 18 balls that laid the foundations for Southern Vipers’ successful run chase in the 2016 final. “It’s been an emotional tournament. I’ve had to deal with quite a lot this summer,” she said after raising the trophy aloft. “But I kept backing myself.”Two weeks later she was celebrating the unique achievement of the “treble”, as the county she had represented for 16 years – Kent – took home both the T20 Cup and the 2016 Women’s County Championship crown. Asked about her plans for the future, she was unequivocal that she was going nowhere: “I’m playing next year. Why wouldn’t you?”She was, it seemed, determined to declare to the world that she had damn well still got it.Plenty has changed, for Edwards and for England women, in the past 15 months. Six weeks ago, England triumphed over India at Lord’s in a memorable World Cup final, built on the back of performances from those – not least Player of the Tournament Tammy Beaumont – who under Edwards had struggled to step up. It was a win that seemed, in many eyes, to vindicate Robinson’s decision.Nonetheless one would not have begrudged Edwards had she felt, watching the final from the Sky commentary box, a trace of bitterness, or regret, that she was not out there in the middle. But of either emotion there was no trace. Nor had there been as, in her role as World Cup ambassador, she headed up the pre-tournament Trophy Tour, accompanying the World Cup around the country and into schools to lead coaching sessions and assemblies. Edwards was simply tireless as ever in her promotion of the women’s game.Indeed, interviewing her during the tournament for a piece on women’s cricket commentary, it was noticeable how relaxed and content she seemed. Asked whether there was any lingering sense of resentment, she replied: “None.” It seemed that a winter Down Under, and some time to reflect, had done its magic.”Probably about a year ago I’d have said, watching the World Cup and not playing in it is going to be difficult,” she said. “But after the winter I spent away in Australia, I came back and now there’s not one bit of me that wants to be playing for England now.”I just genuinely am enjoying watching the cricket and am excited about how the game is evolving. I feel like I’m in the best place.”There will be those who will suggest that she will come to rue not going at the end of last season, instead of now, with Vipers having failed to defend their KSL title. The numbers from this year’s competition do not exactly cover her in glory. Last year she sat atop the Vipers batting order; this time around she has been relegated to No. 7, and before the final she had batted just once, and was promptly sent back for a five-ball duck.But those people may be missing the point. Edwards has taken back for herself what she was denied last year: the retirement of her own choosing. The numbers reflect the fact that the hunger to constantly drive herself on to new heights – the very thing that ensured she remained England’s premier batsman for the whole of her career – had disappeared, replaced with that newfound sense of contentment. That is no bad thing.Charlotte Edwards lifts the 2016 Kia Super League trophy•Getty Images
Fifteen months ago I wrote that no one had done more for women’s cricket in the whole of its history than Edwards. That remains the case. She led England into the professional era. She captained her country over 200 times: more than anyone else is ever likely to. She won two World Cups and five Ashes series. Above all else, she fought for the opportunities that future generations will enjoy. She may not have been out there in the middle, but that World Cup win, that sellout final at Lord’s, was made on the backs of Edwards and players like her.There is no doubt that she will continue to work for the women’s game. “Women’s cricket is my passion,” she told me recently. There is always more to do. Appointed to the Hampshire board last September, she has this season overseen promotion for Hampshire Women to Division One of the Women’s County Championship, and she made it clear tonight that she will continue playing county cricket. As mentor and coach, her work with Southern Vipers will also continue.But for the first female cricketer of the modern era to become a household name, other lucrative opportunities will no doubt abound, in England and around the world – not least up in the commentary box. Perhaps now, as she puts her bat back in her kitbag after her long service to English women’s cricket, is finally the time for Edwards to take something back.Nobody, surely, could begrudge her that.
Liverpool will play Chelsea in their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge this weekend, but the competition between the two clubs has now spilled into the transfer market this week.
The Reds are battling with the West London club to secure the signing of Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo and Southampton prospect Romeo Lavia, with offers made by Liverpool and Chelsea for both over the transfer window so far.
How much did Liverpool offer for Romeo Lavia?
Liverpool have made multiple bids for the former Manchester City youth academy graduate, however, Southampton have stood strong on their valuation of £50m and are unwilling to move on their expectations.
In their most recent bid, the Merseyside giants offered £45m to the south coast club to secure the services of Lavia, the third bid to be rejected in the last month.Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…
Now Chelsea are looking to hijack the move and have reportedly submitted a £48m bid to sign Lavia, which follows Liverpool's record-breaking £111m bid for Caicedo.
It remains to be seen whether the powerbrokers at Anfield will go back in to match or bid higher for the defensive midfielder, due to their ongoing situation with Caicedo where nothing has been finalised.
Who are Liverpool's transfer targets?
There is no doubt that Liverpool are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements this summer, especially after Jordan Henderson and Fabinho unexpectedly departed earlier this month.
The Saudi Pro League pair followed Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the door this summer, which has left Jurgen Klopp with little depth in the centre of the pitch for the season ahead, not to mention a lack of quality and experience.
This week, Liverpool have been again linked with a move for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, a player who could relieve a lot of pressure on the German coach by injecting his winning mentality and game-changing attributes into the side.
Reports coming out of Spain have revealed that Liverpool made an offer of €60m (£52m) to sign the Los Blancos mainstay, however, it is claimed that Florentino Perez is only interested in offers over €80m (£69m).
Whilst Lavia is more of a defensive presence in midfield, Valverde's presence would undoubtedly make a huge impact at Anfield and could potentially eclipse what the Saints talent could offer.
The Uruguay international – branded "untouchable" by Carlo Ancelotti – is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the top five European leagues – ranking in the top 10% of his positional peers per 90 minutes played for non-penalty goals, shots in total, progressive carries and progressive passes received, as well a ranking in the top 20% for shot-creating actions and pass completion too, as per FBref.
When comparing Valverde's output with Lavia's last season, the 25-year-old comfortably outperformed the Saints ace in a number of key midfield attributes including pass completion rate (87% v 86.2%), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.91 v 1.66), goal-creating actions per 90 (0.50 v 0.12), percentage of dribblers tackled (50% v 39.6%), successful take-ons (70.5% v 56%) and aerial duels won (73.8% v 41.2%).
With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Liverpool to secure Valverde's services this summer as he could be incredibly influential for Liverpool in the centre of the pitch alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.