Over the last few years, Wolverhampton Wanderers have become known for their recruitment of Portuguese talents, with many having a huge impact at Molineux.

Ruben Neves undoubtedly captured the hearts of the entire fanbase, playing a pivotal role in the club’s promotion from the Championship during the 2017/18 campaign.

He caught the eye with his ability to score screamers from outside the box, whilst providing the leadership skills during their return to the Premier League.

The midfielder left the club during the summer of 2023, joining Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal for a fee in the region of £47m – ending his six-year stint in the West Midlands.

However, despite his impact, Neves hasn’t been the only Portuguese talent to succeed at Molineux over the last five years.

Pedro Neto’s time at Wolves

After joining Wolves in a £18m deal from Lazio during the summer of 2019, Pedro Neto took no time in becoming a hit with the fans, registering nine goal contributions during his opening campaign at the club.

He produced phenomenal displays at the club but massively struggled with injuries during his time at Molineux – with the 24-year-old only managing 31 league appearances between 2021 and 2023.

However, he produced his best campaign for the club last season, registering 13 goal contributions in just 24 appearances before leaving in a £54m deal to join Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

He was an excellent servant for the Old Gold, making them a huge profit in their bid to stay within the confines of the league’s PSR rules – with the club undoubtedly wishing they could’ve kept hold of the winger.

Despite his successes, the club may regret allowing one player to leave a couple of years ago after his impressive form away from the West Midlands.

Vitinha’s market value in 2024

Fellow Portuguese international Vitinha spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Wolves from Porto, making 22 appearances in all competitions.

He did manage to register a single goal, coming in the FA Cup victory over Chorley, with the now 24-year-old finding the back of the net from over 30 yards.

However, despite his squad role, the club decided against signing him permanently, moving back to Porto – before joining French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2022.

He’s taken his game to the next level in Paris, starring in the Champions League, featuring in all 12 games for Luis Enrique’s side last season – before being nominated for the Ballon d'Or earlier this week.

As a result, his market value has skyrocketed, with the "incredible" midfielder – as described by Enrique – now valued at €90m £75.8m), a figure vastly higher than that received for the departure of Neto earlier this summer.

Games played

141

Minutes played

10458

Goals scored

16

Assists

14

Yellow cards

11

Trophies won

7

Given his huge increase, the club may regret not moving to sign Vitinha on a permanent basis, with the talent undoubtedly improving the current midfield.

He could’ve also made them a huge profit, which could’ve massively helped them in their attempts to stay within the confines of PSR and possibly allowed them to keep hold of Neto.

Wolves now eyeing double deal in same position as their £4m summer signing

Wolves are already eyeing two positions to strengthen in the January transfer window.

2 ByBrett Worthington Sep 4, 2024

TalkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara has shared his verdict on one Tottenham player who he believes is “miles” off the pace, following their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the North London Derby on Sunday.

Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal as Postecoglou concedes to weakened Gunners

Given the amount of star absences in Mikel Arteta’s line-up over the weekend – with club captain Martin Odegaard, summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, Spain star Mikel Merino, Declan Rice and Oleksandr Zinchenko all missing – Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou had a real opportunity to seriously upset the club’s fierce rivals.

Ange thinks £120k-per-week ace has no Tottenham future after drop in form

The Australian is considering drastic action.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 13, 2024

The Lilywhites did dominate possession and created a host of chances throughout the 90 minutes, but Tottenham’s lack of cutting edge and set-piece weakness eventually cost them dearly.

Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal of the game, leaping above all of his opponents to guide a close-range header past the helpless Guglielmo Vicario, who had real trouble defending his six-yard box from the corner.

This was enough for Arteta’s side, who held on to their narrow lead past the hour mark to come away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with all three points, in what was a regrettable afternoon for Postecoglou and co.

Dejan Kulusevski was criticised against Arsenal for his attacking display, with the Sweden international unable to unlock Arteta’s back line on enough occasions. Meanwhile, a lot of debate has also centered around Vicario’s lack of confidence when it comes to dead balls.

Minutes

95′

Expected Goals

0.16

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.11

Assists

0

Touches

49

Passing Accuracy

17/25 (68%

Crosses (Accurate)

5 (0)

Shots on Target

1

Dribbles (Successful)

3 (1)

Duels (Won)

17 (5)

Possession Lost

20

Dribbled Past

3

Tottenham must now lick their wounds, reassess and come back stronger in their next Premier League game against Brentford on Saturday, but before that, Postecoglou’s squad travel to face Coventry City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.

Jamie O'Hara slams "miles off it" Brennan Johnson after Arsenal loss

O’Hara hasn’t held back with his criticism of Spurs after the home defeat, and one player in particular – winger Brennan Johnson.

Taking to X on Sunday, O’Hara called Johnson a “frustrating” Tottenham player to watch, and he’s since shared a further verdict on the Wales international who cost Daniel Levy around £50 million to sign from Nottingham Forest last year.

Indeed, speaking to talkSPORT, O’Hara has also claimed that Johnson is “miles off” the pace at Tottenham, with the 23-year-old proving ineffective on many occasions against Arsenal and beforehand.

“We played well but we don’t score – take your chances. We’ve brought in good players and you expect them to do the business,” said O’Hara. “But I look at it and think have we brought in top players? Solanke, one good season at Bournemouth and we signed him for £60million.

“Brennan Johnson, a good player and a young player at Nottingham Forest. We signed him for £50million and he looks miles off it. Then I look at Archie Gray who we signed from Leeds, he’s a Championship player and then we signed Odobert from Burnley.

“Daniel Levy has built this big shiny stadium and it’s only enjoyable to go to when Beyonce’s on! We’re not signing a top player from Barcelona or Atletico Madrid or someone who is actually at the level of where we want to be.”

Manchester United fans would have walked away from their side’s goalless Premier League draw with Crystal Palace this weekend very frustrated with the toothless display on offer, having seen their wasteful team notch up 15 shots in total at Selhurst Park without scoring.

Spurning five big chances in the game too, it was a polar opposite display to the one just before this frustrating stalemate, where the Red Devils tore League One Barnsley to shreds 7-0 in the EFL Cup.

Erik ten Hag would have wanted more creativity from his midfielders on the day, as the likes of Bruno Fernandes were uncharacteristically sloppy on the ball, whilst holding midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Christian Eriksen were also largely quiet.

At least the midfield options at the under-pressure manager’s disposal in the here and now are better than the ones previous Red Devils bosses have had to cope with, as Ten Hag’s fellow compatriot in Louis Van Gaal attempted to get out a tune out of Morgan Schneiderlin in 2015 to no avail.

Man Utd's signing of Schneiderlin

Schneiderlin joined the ranks at the Theatre of Dreams nine years ago as a bumper signing, joining for a fee in and around the £27m mark after leaving Southampton behind for pastures new in Manchester.

Becoming a dependable figure for the Saints around that time – with 261 appearances accumulated by the Frenchman in total at St. Mary’s across his lengthy South Coast stay – the move to the Red Devils would, unfortunately, be too much for the defensive midfielder to handle, cracking under the pressure of the big lights of Old Trafford.

The now retired midfielder would only go on to make 47 appearances for his new employers before being moved on to Everton, with just one goal and one assist managed across his forgettable stint too.

As such, United were forced to take a hit and sell Schneiderlin for £24m, just so they could get him off their roster, with the Red Devils flop more than content with moving on after never warming to his new location.

He would equally struggle for the Toffees to further expose United’s failings in the transfer department, with the Red Devils cursing their luck that they didn’t shop more effectively in the first place, as a “world class” talent – as he has been described by ex-Liverpool man Emre Can – was also available for cheap over pursuing Schneiderlin.

When United tried to sign Gundogan

According to Sky Sports back in 2015, United were ‘close’ to agreeing a stunning £21.5m deal for Ilkay Gundogan, with the then Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s contract coming to an end in the summer of the following year.

No such deal would materialise, as the German initially stuck it out at Signal Iduna Park, but there would have been some Red Devils supporters speculating on what could have been when the experienced head finally did make the leap to England a year later with arch rivals City.

Premier League

31

8

5

Champions League

13

1

2

FA Cup

3

2

0

EFL Cup

3

0

0

Community Shield

1

0

0

Whilst United have struggled to win major honours, Gundogan has helped City become a force to be reckoned with, accumulating 60 goals and 38 assists from 308 total games, with his efforts during his side’s treble winning 2022/23 season really sticking out.

Scoring 11 goals and picking up seven assists across winning the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, his two goals in the FA Cup final that campaign will be especially hard to stomach for supporters of United, with a bolt from the blue from the exceptional German helping Pep Guardiola’s men take the lead within 13 seconds against their side.

The Red Devils would have loved to have had a talent like Gundogan on their books – knowing that the German has become a serial winner at City – but their story involves the underwhelming pick up of Schneiderlin instead.

Ten Hag must instantly drop 5/10 Man Utd ace who lost the ball 11 times

Manchester United supporters would have been tearing their hair out after watching how wasteful their side was.

ByKelan Sarson Sep 22, 2024

MatériaMais Notícias

No encerramento do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Santos não fez um bom jogo e ficou no empate em 1 a 1 com o Cuiabá, na noite desta quinta-feira, na Vila Belmiro, e terminou a competição na 10ª colocação, garantindo vaga na Copa Sul-Americana de 2022.

RelacionadasSantosCarille é confirmado por Dracena como técnico do Santos em 2022Santos10/12/2021SantosLucas Braga fala em ano difícil mas acredita em um 2022 melhor na VilaSantos10/12/2021SantosTorcida do Santos cobra diretoria após último jogo da temporadaSantos09/12/2021

O gol do Peixe na partida foi marcado pelo atacante Lucas Braga. Marlon fez o gol do visitante Cuiabá na Vila Belmiro.

O jogo

O jogo começou com o Santos buscando o ataque, com muita movimentação pelo lado esquerdo com Ângelo e Lucas Braga, mas sem conseguir criar chances de perigo.

Bem postado na defesa, o Cuiabá abriu o placar no primeiro lance de ataque. Após cobrança de escanteio da esquerdo, Marlon se antecipou aos zagueiros do Peixe e desviou no primeiro pau para vencer o goleiro João Paulo.

O Santos teve uma chance aos 21 minutos. O atacante Ângelo cruzou da esquerda, Vinícius Zanocelo apareceu entre os zagueiros e cabeceou, mas o goleiro Walter fez boa defesa.

Em contra-ataque, o Cuiabá quase fez o segundo. Felipe Marques deixou o volante Pepê na cara do gol, o jogador chutou na saída de João Paulo, mas o goleiro do Peixe fez um milagre e salvou o time.

Ainda no primeiro tempo, o Santos arriscou duas vezes de fora da área. Na primeira, aos 33 minutos, o atacante Ângelo chutou e Walter fez uma boa defesa. Aos 46, foi a vez de Lucas Braga arriscar de longe e o goleiro do Cuiabá defender com tranquilidade.

O segundo tempo começou morno, com o Santos com muita dificuldade para criar as jogadas. O técnico Fábio Carille chegou a mudar o atacante Marinho para o lado esquerdo, mas quando ele voltou para a direita fez a jogada do gol de empate. Aos 29 minutos, Marinho foi cortando para o meio e chutou da entrada da área, a bola desviou na zaga e sobrou para Lucas Braga, que dominou bem e só tocou na saída de Walter.

O Peixe quase virou o jogo no último minuto, mas o zagueiro Paulão, de peito, evitou o gol em cima da linha.

FICHA TÉCNICA
SANTOS 1 X 1 CUIABÁ

Data e hora: 09 de dezembro de 2021, às 21h30 (horário de Brasília)
Local: Vila Belmiro, em Santos (SP)
Árbitro: Wagner do Nascimento Magalhaes (RJ)
Assistentes: Michael Correia (RJ) e Luiz Claudio Regazone (RJ)
Árbitro de vídeo: Rodrigo Nunes de Sa (RJ)

Gols: Marlon, 16’/1ºT (0-1), Lucas Braga, 29’/2ºT (1-1)
Cartões amarelos: Zanocelo (SAN) e Pepê (CUI)

SANTOS: João Paulo; Robson Reis (Danilo Boza, aos 15’/2ºT), Luiz Felipe e Camacho; Marcos Guilherme (Madson, aos 26’/1ºT), Sandry, Vinicius Zanocelo e Lucas Braga; Marinho (Carlos Sánchez, aos 39’/2ºT), Ângelo (Moraes, aos 15’/2ºT) e Léo Baptistão (Gabriel Pirani, aos 15’/2°T). Técnico: Fábio Carille

CUIABÁ: Walter; João Lucas, Paulão, Marlon e Uendel; Camilo, Pepê (Auremir, aos 45’/2ºT), Max, Felipe Marques (Lucas Hernandez, aos 45’/2ºT); Clayson Jonathan Cafú (Lucas Ramon, aos 37’/1ºT) e Elton (Jenison, aos 45’/2ºT). Técnico: Jorginho

It has been an explosive start to the season for Aston Villa. They have looked very much like the side that secured fourth in the Premier League last term, and have only lost one game, a hard-fought battle at home to Arsenal which they ultimately lost 2-0.

Unai Emery’s side have also shown they can handle the demands of Champions League football so far. After thrashing Swiss side Young Boys 3-0 on Tuesday, they beat Wolves 3-1 in the Premier League the following Saturday.

There have been some standout performers for the Villans so far, with the likes of Amadou Onana and Ollie Watkins finding their best form in front of goal. However, there has arguably been one standout player this season, striker Jhon Duran.

Duran’s 2023/24 campaign so far

The Villans have an embarrassment of riches at their disposal at centre-forward, Not only do they have Watkins, who has three goals and two assists in six games in all competitions this season, but Duran is one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League.

This term, the 20-year-old has four goals in five Premier League appearances and was close to a first Champions League goal, but his strike was ruled out for a handball in the buildup.

What is most remarkable about the former Chicago Fire striker is the fact he has played just 131 Premier League minutes. That means the striker averages a goal every 32.75 minutes this term, according to Statmuse. He has now scored nine Premier League goals in 719 minutes.

Duran’s Premier League career

Season

Mins

Goals

Mins per goal

2022/23

126

0

0

2023/24

462

5

92.4

2024/25

131

4

32.75

Total

719

9

79.89

Stats from Statmuse

This season in the English top flight, as per FBref, Duran averages the second-highest number of goals per game, with 2.67, and the third-highest expected goals per match with 1.4xG. He is also one of three players to have scored four Premier League goals this term, which ranks him third in the Golden Boot race.

The Colombian, who surprisingly has just one international goal, has been known to score some superb strikes, with his ball-striking ability a real standout feature of his game. That includes this sublime effort against Everton two weeks ago.

There is no doubt that Villa have a superb talent on their hands. The striker is in the form of his life and does not need to spend long on the pitch to make an impact.

Aston Villa's next best young striker

It seems certain that Duran will start against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, and could be joined by another exciting young Villa striker, Rory Wilson.

The Villans signed Scotland youth international Wilson from Scottish giants Rangers back in July 2022, when Steven Gerrard was still at the helm at Villa Park. He joined with great expectation and was even dubbed “one of the best young strikers in Europe” by Scotland U17 head coach Brian McLaughlin.

He has certainly lived up to those expectations in youth football. The youngster has played 25 games for Villa’s U18s, scoring a whopping 27 goals. That included 16 strikes in just 13 games in last season’s U18 Premier League.

The youngster has started this season impressively, too. The 18-year-old has scored two goals in four games, which included his first UEFA Youth League goal, against Young Boys, a game that finished 2-1 to the Swiss outfit.

The goal, shown below, was a superb showcase of what the Scottish youth product can do. Wilson wins the ball back well for his side, before using quick feet to burst past defenders and slide the ball past the goalkeeper.

He is certainly a talent who Villa might look to bed into the first team in the near future. The 18-year-old seems to have lots of potential and is highly rated by coaches. Perhaps he could make his first real impact in the famous claret shirt against Wycombe on Tuesday night, and lead the line alongside Duran.

Related Watkins & Rogers distracted us from how good one Aston Villa star was

Watkins and Rogers took the headlines as another Villa star shines.

Posts 1 ByConnor Holden Sep 22, 2024

Middlesex 302 for 5 (Eskinazi 130) beat Worcestershire 289 for 7 (D’Oliveira 74) by 13 runsStevie Eskinazi’s brilliant century and List A best score helped Middlesex registered their first win of the season in the Royal London Cup and inflicted a first setback – by 13 runs – on Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.Eskinazi returned to action after recovering from a groin injury and marked his first appearance of the summer in the competition by racing to three figures off just 83 balls.He went onto make 130 from 101 balls with four sixes and 11 fours as Middlesex totalled 302 for 5 in a game reduced to 41 overs per side.Brett D’Oliveira continued his fine form with a top score of 74 for the Rapids and Tom Fell and Jake Libby also hit half centuries.But Middlesex always just held the edge and there were two wickets apiece for Thilan Walallawita, James Harris and Luke Hollman as the Rapids closed on 289 for 7.Middlesex opted to bat on a used pitch and openers Max Holden and Eskinazi added 65 before the former on 39 edged Adam Finch through to keeper Gareth Roderick.Eskanazi struck Charlie Morris and Baker for sixes on his way to a 49 ball half century and he was full of improvisation.Robson was equally effective in reaching his 50 off 48 deliveries.The partnership was worth 129 in 19 overs when Robson (57) fell to a low catch by Fell at mid on off Ed Barnard.Eskinazi completed his century off 83 balls with a risky two to backward of point and Roderick was convinced he had run him out before he made his ground at full stretch.It was a near faultless innings containing four sixes and seven fours.He passed his previous best of 107 against Gloucestershire two years ago and went onto make 130 before he was caught behind off a leading edge against Leach.Martin Andersson bludgeoned 38 not out off only 11 balls to take the final total past 300 with 39 coming from the final two overs.Worcestershire openers Jack Haynes and D’Oliveira had put on a club record 243 in the previous game against Essex but this time had to be content with a modest 37 before the former on 17 went for a cut and edged James Harris through to keeper Robbie White.D’Oliveira completed a 53 ball fifty and the 100 partnership with Fell spanned 83 balls. He moved onto 74 but then was caught at long off attempting another big hit off Hollman.It ended a stand of 116 in 15 overs with Fell who reached his own 50 off 55 balls but added only eight more before he was caught off a skier at backward point off Hollman.There were useful cameos from Roderick, on 23, and Barnard, with 18, and Libby had time to complete a 44 ball fifty before he was dismissed by Harris.

Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has been issued with a Mohamed Salah warning while being advised not to return to Europe.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Ronaldo issued Salah warningAdvised not to return to EuropeIn last six months of Al-Nassr contractFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo is into the final six months of his contract at Al-Nassr and there has been talk of the Portugal icon readying himself for another new challenge, with a return to Europe being speculated on for the evergreen frontman. Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs to have been linked with Ronaldo, although that rumour has now been rebuffed.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Amid the uncertainty around Ronaldo's future, former England and Liverpool forward Emile Heskey has advised him not to return to Europe, citing Mohamed Salah's messy contract situation at Anfield as a cautionary tale. The Egyptian forward is yet to put pen to paper on a new Reds deal despite having just six months left on his current contract.

WHAT EMILE HESKEY SAID

Speaking to , Heskey said: "I can't see him coming back to Europe unless someone thinks it’s more of a commercial deal than anything else. Coming back to Europe, players who are 30 and doing really well are struggling to get new contracts, Mo Salah being the biggest name, so I don't think he'll come back to Europe. But I still think he could do a job, absolutely."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

The ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United forward will be back in action for Al-Nassr on Thursday after the short winter break as the Saudi giants take on Al-Akhdoud in a league clash.

Batter caps breakthrough week with second winning performance of the day

ECB Reporters Network16-Jul-2021

Hampshire 184 for 4 (Vince 102*) beat Sussex 183 for 6 (Bopara 62, Wright 54) by six wicketsA James Vince-inspired Hampshire chased down an imposing total of 184 to beat Sussex Sharks and seal a memorable Vitality Blast double at the Ageas Bowl.Vince, who hit a maiden ODI century for England last week against Pakistan, scored 102 from 59 balls, after earlier scoring 62 to help his side beat Essex.In the first match of the double header in Southampton, the Hawks beat the Eagles by 18 runs, before beating second-placed Sussex’s powerful line-up, led by Luke Wright and Ravi Bopara who led the way to an imposing score of 183 for 6.But Vince and Short put on 51 inside the powerplay and continued to take the Sharks bowlers to task, reaching 100 for 0 after 10 overs with the Hawks skipper looking in glorious touch.Will Beer finally broke the 120-run partnership when he bowled D’Arcy Short for 35 then dismissed Tom Prest for six as Hampshire found themselves 138 for 2 with six overs remaining.Vince was simply disdainful at times, smashing Delray Rawlins for successive sixes and then hitting Rashid Khan over the rope in the very next over on his way to reaching three figures from 56 balls.Colin de Grandhomme looked in good touch scoring 12, but a mix-up with Vince saw the New Zealand all-rounder run out by Bopara.Vince finally fell 14 balls from the close when he hit his own wicket following an Ollie Robinson delivery.But despite the loss of their skipper, Lewis McManus and Joe Weatherley guided their side over the line with four balls to spare to chalk up a fourth successive victory and kept alive Hampshire’s flickering quarter-final hopes.The Hawks, who also fielded second against the Eagles, were asked to do so again by Sharks skipper Wright after he won the toss.The former England all-rounder then steadied the ship for his side following the early dismissal of in-form opener Phil Salt to Liam Dawson from the second ball of the match.Wright put on 102 for the second wicket with Bopara before finally being removed for 54 when Vince held on to a towering catch from a Scott Currie slower ball.Bopara continued to target the Hampshire bowlers, along with Bermudan-born big-hitter Rawlins, who belted two sixes and a four from 11 balls before being deceived by Dawson and chipped straight to Vince at mid-on to reduce Sussex to 134 for 3.Bopara showed scant respect to the off-breaks of D’Arcy Short, belting 17 off four balls before holing out to Prest for 62.David Weise fell to Currie for 7, which was then followed by a late cameo of 26 from Rashid from just 13 deliveries.”You don’t often have weeks like this, but it has been a great one,” Vince said afterwards. “I can’t put my finger on why that is, perhaps it is confidence being part of it. I am just running with the form and I hope it continues.”

Defending meagre total at Old Trafford, Yorkshire choose not to run out cramping Croft

David Hopps17-Jul-2021Those in charge of recording Roses folklore, pens and pads to the ready please. Joe Root, as a stand-in Yorkshire captain, was at the centre of one of the most debatable acts of sportsmanship (now there’s a word that needs some urgent gender-neutral consideration) in Roses history. If it is not read about a hundred years from now then either the chroniclers have not done their job or county cricket has collapsed without trace.Lancashire needed to win their final North Group tie to join Yorkshire in the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast, but do not believe that Yorkshire were soft-pedalling because their place in the knockout stages was already secured. They were tigerishly defending their inadequate 128 for 7 with Lancashire five down, 15 needed from 18 balls and enough tension to ensure that the result was not quite the formality it sounds.Matthew Waite’s delivery to Luke Wells was worked into the off-side with a single on offer, only for Steven Croft to hesitate and collapse in mid-pitch, clutching his hamstring as if he would never play again. Yorkshire chose not to run him out, it turned out to be cramp and he was able not only to resume, but celebrate a four-wicket victory with an over to spare as if he had drunk from the elixir of life in the meantime.Not since Marcelo Bielsa ordered Leeds United deliberately to concede a goal against Aston Villa two years ago will Yorkshire have debated an act of sporting integrity with such passion. The point is that it mattered. It took its place in history. Tell that to advocates of the Hundred.It’s probably worth reflecting that the three players involved in the immediate decision had a combined age of 68 and have not actually played much professional cricket. The bowler, Waite, the fielder Jordan Thompson, the keeper Harry Duke. Integrity or largely confusion? It would be no surprise to find that some on Yorkshire’s coaching staff disagreed with their humanitarian stance (this is not often presented as a prime feature of Yorkshire cricket) and for the sake of history perhaps they should put their views on the record.Root, impressively, seeking unity, and protecting all concerned, was a master of diplomacy. “As a side we made a very difficult decision under pressure,” he said. “It looked very serious at first glance. In many ways it was a relief it was nothing serious. I am sure there will be many different opinions. Many people would have handled it differently.”The umpires called a dead ball, although it is not sure at what point – and why not a dot ball? Yorkshire appear to have suffered twice over.That umpires’ decision appeared to be pragmatic, designed to negotiate a settlement that protected everybody’s interest. There was no right or wrong. There were no obvious arguments on the field. There was just half a second when three young players wondered what to do and opted for righteousness. It is not clear whether Root, a captain, who whether he likes it or not has become the moral conscience of England cricket, uttered an instruction. He was right to suggest that players should be free to do as they choose. But there was a strong argument for breaking the wicket and asking questions afterwards.But what of Croft, Lancashire’s Lazarus? “Two games in two days at 36 and a bit of sun has done me,” he told . “I put the brakes on, they worked, and my legs just cramped up. I didn’t know where the ball had gone. They could have taken the bails off and credit to them that they didn’t.”Related

Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali star as spinners help England to series-levelling win

Another run-fest on the cards as Pakistan look to surprise England again

Hundred: Players and staff told to avoid shops and pubs

Recurrence of ACL injury rules Donald out of another summer

Stokes reveals playing through 'ridiculous' finger pain

Just don’t get cramp in the final, you’ve had your chance, might have been Yorkshire’s suitable rejoinder.There was little need to ask Croft how he was. His unbeaten 26 from 29 balls had concluded with a sprinted two and an uninhibited pull against Matt Fisher, with six needed from eight balls, that was almost intercepted, left-handed, by Thompson on the midwicket boundary only for him to fall into the boundary advertising and the ball to roll for four. He struck the next ball slightly squarer for the winning hit. He had the decency to curb his celebrations.All this meant that Lancashire extended a winning sequence against Yorkshire in the Old Trafford Roses T20 that began in 2015. Simply put, but accurate for all that, they won it on the Powerplay. On a grabby, used Old Trafford pitch, this is where runs are most easily made. Yorkshire made 27 for 2, restricted by an entire top five (with the exception of Adam Lyth who got out early) which seemed to want to play the controlling role. Lancashire, by contrast, returned 57 for 3.Lancashire understood the Old Trafford pitch and bought into the nature of what they had to do, no more so than the New Zealander Finn Allen, who made 22 from eight balls, easefully striking Lyth’s fill-in offspin for two successive leg-side sixes in the second over before he was bowled in what has become a very predictable fashion – careering outside off stump against the seam bowling of Fisher to leave his leg stump exposed.And Lancashire had a champion with the ball up front, who would have deserved a headline on many other nights. Luke Wood’s left-arm pace is always full of verve and on this occasion his length, his change-ups, his concentration, was also on the money. He returned a career-best 4 for 20 and to rub it in for Yorkshire he was born in Sheffield. He more than anyone left Yorkshire at least 20 runs short.Luke Wood claimed four wickets•Getty ImagesHe had Lyth brilliantly caught down the leg side by Dane Vilas, who sprang athletically to his right to hold a pukka leg glance, and left Mark Stoneman uncertain with changes of length and pace before nipping one back into his off stump. Stoneman’s loan from Surrey, despite a half-century, has not been a success.Root and Harry Brook, brought together after 2.5 overs, both wanted to play the long game before expanding. Root, the Test England captain, whose game is built upon it; Brook, the leading scorer in the Blast, whose success has been built upon a low-risk start. Wood had shaken Yorkshire and by the time both were dismissed (Root cutting, Brook bowled by the workaday legspin of Wells) Yorkshire had used more than half their overs in making 59.There followed panic. Here’s one for the data analysts: what is the record number of balls in a second half of a T20 innings where batsmen swing above the ball without making contact? Yorkshire must be up there. Somehow, Gary Ballance, desperation etched on his face, emerged with a highly creditable 31 from 21 before Wood’s on-a-length cutter defeated his leg-side swipe.At 64 for 5 off 7.2 overs, Lancashire could have lost the game. They should have reined in their aggression with three down, instead they adjusted with five lost as Croft and Wells (who survived a stone-dead lbw appeal from Thompson on 11) remedied matters. They had probably just about won it when Croft, innocently enough, collapsed in mid-pitch. But it is a rare Roses match that proves to be straightforward.

A "top class" attacking player from Tottenham Hotspur has just sealed an out-of-window move to Europe, as news comes directly out of N17 in the last 24 hours.

Spurs offload host of players in Postecoglou's summer rebuild

The north Londoners agreed to sell or loan out many players over the summer transfer window, with 14 departing in total as chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange seriously trimmed Ange Postecolgou's squad.

Tottenham offered Europa League's 2021 top goalscorer on free transfer

He’s also yet to reach the prime of his career.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 5, 2024

Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier, Japhet Tanganga, Alejo Veliz, Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Rodon, Emerson Royal, Oliver Skipp, Ashley Phillips and Dane Scarlett all left Spurs on permanent or temporary deals, bringing in around £46 million in total, as the majority were free transfers or loans.

Hojbjerg's exit to Marseille will land Tottenham a further £17 million, as the Ligue 1 side have an obligation to buy the Denmark international next summer after his initial loan move. Skipp's switch to Leicester City comes as Levy's most profitable sale of the summer, with the Englishman joining them in a £20 million deal, plus a further £5 million in potential add-ons.

Tottenham also saved plenty of cash on their wage bill in the process, freeing up space for Timo Werner, Archie Gray, Dominic Solanke and Wilson Odobert to join Postecoglou, as the quartet of major signings look to help Spurs compete at the top-end this season.

While the UK transfer window is officially closed, with deadline day this time last week, there is still time for Levy and Lange to facilitate more exits from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Greek and Turkish windows remain open until the end of next week, so it is believed out-of-favour defender Sergio Reguilon could still leave Spurs as Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce register a rumoured interest in the Spaniard.

Regulion has been training with the first team, but is yet to be included in a matchday squad by Postecoglou in the Premier League this season. The Lilywhites could also look to loan out some of their most promising youngsters to further their development, with highly-rated attacking midfielder Alfie Devine now doing just that.

Alfie Devine seals Westerlo switch as Tottenham confirm loan deal

Indeed, Tottenham have now officially confirmed that Devine has joined Westerlo on loan for the remainder of 2024/2025.

The 20-year-old, who Spurs signed from Wigan Athletic four years ago, has made just two senior appearances for the club in that time – with the bulk of his cameos coming for Tottenham's Under-23s.

Devine has enjoyed productive loan spells at Plymouth Argyle and Port Vale as well, but Westerlo will pose a different test for the England Under-20 international who is set to try his hand at top flight European football.

"Watched Alfie for a couple years & he’s top class," said Sky pundit Jamie Carragher after Tottenham first signed Devine in 2020.

"Just gutted Wigan couldn’t keep hold of him after the great work they’ve put into developing him & all their other prospects. Absolute disgrace what them owners have done."