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Michael Ball believes Harry Kane will only move to Manchester City if he leaves Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Kane has been heavily linked with a potential move to the Etihad Stadium, having expressed a desire to leave Spurs, per Sky Sports.

The Athletic reports that City are keen on a deal to sign the England captain this summer, but any transfer would be hugely expensive given that Kane has three years left on his contract and has just won the Golden Boot in the Premier League.

Ball believes that only a handful of teams will be able to afford him, and believes that, as a result, City may well be his only option if he is to depart.

Indeed, Sky have reported that the striker wants to remain in the Premier League, with just three clubs interested; Manchester United and Chelsea have also been touted with a possible interest.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Ball said: “It was a bit of a shock but then you could understand Harry’s position.

“He’s a fantastic player, perfectly in his prime, he’s 27, Daniel Levy won’t let him go cheap. There’s not many teams who will be able to afford him, Harry looks like he wants to stay in the Premier League.

“Man City, you feel, is the number one destination for him.”

New Zealand achieved a commendable victory over Pakistan in the 3rd and final Test of the National Bank Series, which finished at Hamilton on Friday

Col (Retd) Rafi Nasim30-Mar-2001New Zealand achieved a commendable victory over Pakistan in the 3rd and final Test of the National Bank Series, which finished at Hamilton on Friday. The two teams will remember the encounter for all times to come, the Black Caps for a glorious victory and some of the records they achieved and Pakistan for a concentrated dose of humiliation they suffered during an unexpectedly short span of time. Pakistan’s unpredictable batting line crumbled twice in the game that ended well before closing time on the 4th day. Taking out the time consumed by rain, the actual play did not extend more than two and a half days, something unusual for a test match, especially one producing a result on the 4th day!New Zealand squared up the series with a glorious victory over Pakistan by an innings and 185 runs. It was their highest winning margin of victory achieved in a test, the previous being an innings and 132 runs against England in1983-84. With a thrilling and highly stimulating performance, they very gracefully took sweet revenge for a similar defeat they suffered in the 1st Test at Auckland, with the difference, the game there lasted the full length. With the One-day series already clinched and the Test series drawn, the Black Caps emerged as the proud winners. It was a result that Pakistan could not have imagined.This was perhaps the encounter that `cricket’ chose to prove its glorious uncertainties. Pakistan’s batting line up blended with youth and experience flopped in the first innings on a pitch that had no demons in it. It had a little extra pace and bounce that all cricketers playing at international level are expected to negotiate. Getting out for a meagre 104 runs was enough to indicate a disaster in the offing.This was followed by the second failure, the ineffectiveness of Pakistan’s much heralded bowling that virtually made no impact on the New Zealand batsmen. What magic? The pitch that helped New Zealand bowlers to destroy Pakistan seemed to lose its grit and energy and provide similar support to the Pakistani’s. Was this perhaps the reason the curator was showered with all the praise at the end of the match?Believing in this theory would be mere fantasy! It was in fact the stark inability of the Pakistani bowlers to penetrate through the Black Caps batting. There was a general belief that a rain-affected track helps the bowlers. Surprisingly the rain fell amidst New Zealand’s batting and against all expectations the surface invigorated the batsmen rather than lending any support to the bowlers.With a remarkable flourish the Black Caps carried their innings to 407 for 4 with the two openers, Matthew Bell (105) and Mark Richardson (106) scoring centuries plus Craig McMillan missing a well deserved ton when he was smartly caught by Waqar Younis off Fazl-e-Akbar for a scintillating 98 scored in 97 balls. In the process he had, however, created a world record by clinching 26 runs, 5 fours and a six in one over bowled by Younis Khan.Pakistan faced a deficit of 303 runs with more than a day and a half at their disposal, not to win but to save themselves from an innings defeat. Considering their performance in the 1st innings and some sort of a psychological dilemma that the team was in, it was an arduous task, beyond their power to accomplish. They started the innings carelessly and ended it as such. With a visible lack of fighting spirit, the batsmen threw away their wickets.As indicated in my previous article, the players showed complete inability to face the moving ball. Except for Inzamam (20) who was out on a sensational catch taken by Daryl Tuffey at square leg and a couple of others, seven Pakistani batsmen offered catches to the wicket keeper or fielders in the slips and gully. This is a serious flaw in Pakistan’s batting which needs immediate attention by the coach and Board.Pakistan was all out for 118 runs in the 2nd innings providing New Zealand a well deserved and glorious victory by an innings and 185 runs. Rookie wicket keeper Humayun Farhat was the highest scorer with 26 runs. Even stalwarts like Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana failed to prove their mettle just when it was required most.Though Pakistan failed to put up the required amount of resistance, the Black Caps deserve all the credit for such a remarkable victory. Franklin 4 for 26 and Tuffey 3 for 36 gave a quality exhibition of pace bowling. Their enthusiasm and the spirit to fight were remarkable. Let us hope that Pakistan learns from the defeat. The players’ attitude to the game and some serious management problems need a serious thought.

By the close of play in Barbados today, Ian Ward had batted for 32 hours for a total of 575 runs in the Busta Cup after his outstanding run of form continued with a third century in three matches

Kate Laven26-Jan-2001By the close of play in Barbados today, Ian Ward had batted for 32 hours for a total of 575 runs in the Busta Cup after his outstanding run of form continued with a third century in three matches.The England A opener put on 224 runs for the first wicket with Michael Powell and finished with an unbeaten 131 to put his side into a commanding position at the end of the first day’s play in the fourth round match against Barbados.He completed his century in just under four and a half hours making this third hundred of the tour his quickest so far. His previous two hundreds in Trinidad and Grenada took a total of 16 hours and but he has clocked up the equivalent of a day and a half at the crease since he arrived on tour.”It went very well and I feel really good,” said the weary Ward at stumps.”The runs seem to be coming easily at the moment but it helps when you have someone like Michael Powell at the other end. He played really well and it was unfortunate that he got out when he did. He plays the reverse sweep really well and had eyed up the field so he knew it was a shot that might work. But sometimes things don’t go to plan and I felt for him.”The Warwickshire captain, who learned the reverse sweep from his county coach Bob Woolmer, made a rash decision to play the shot when he was four runs short of his century but the ball rapped him on his pads, giving Barbados their first wicket of the day.Powell was upset at his failure to reach the hundred but said he was in good form and already looking forward to his next innings.”The reverse sweep is a shot I play a lot and although it was the first time I had played it in this game, I felt the way the field was set gave me an opportunity. I was not looking for four runs, just to get bat on ball but it didn’t work.”Three weeks ago I was in South Africa but now I am with England A with a 75 and 96 under my belt so I am confident the big one is just round the corner,” he commented attempting to contain his disappointment.
UsmanAfzaal
Photo Paul McGregor
Earlier, England A skipper Mark Alleyne won the toss and chose to bat first on a pitch that offered opportunities for big scores. Without Aftab Habib and Graeme Swann who were both ruled out with injury, selectors decided to recall Nottinghamshire’s Usman Afzaal with Jonathan Lewis preferred to Ryan Sidebottom and Paul Franks as third seamer to Chris Silverwood and Alex Tudor.The opening pair got off to a blistering start making 63 runs in the first hour, helped by some expensive bowling from Barbados captain Ian Bradshaw, whose four overs went for 11 runs a piece.But the introduction of 19 year-old off spinner Ryan Austin into the attack saw England A slow their scoring rate and at lunch they were 97 without loss though Powell had survived a chance while on 33 when he was dropped at short leg off Austin.Both openers completed their half-centuries soon after the interval and Ward finally lost his partner after they had recorded the highest ever opening stand since England A started touring in 1989/90 with Darren Maddy and Michael Vaughan establishing a record of 151 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 1998/99.By the close, Vikram Solanki batting ahead of John Crawley, had added 25 runs to the total leaving England A in a strong position at the end of the first day at 266 .Manager James Whitaker paid tribute to Ward and said it had been a good day for England A.”It was a pretty good day – fantastic for Ian to get another hundred. Three games in between with an 86 sandwiched in between which is outstanding and Vikram did well to go in there at the end having waited around all day. We would have settled for 266 for one going into the second day.”His powers of concentration is the thing that stands out and the discipline and solidity he provides in the opening slot has injected a lot of confidence and determination in the rest of the guys in following suit.”

Free State produced a remarkable fightback to beat Eastern Province by four wickets in topsy-turvy Supersport Series Super Eight match which finished comfortably inside three days at Goodyear Park on Saturday.After being skittled for just 110 in their first innings, Free State discovered the middle of the bat as if from nowhere, and succesfully chased a target of 258 which in the circumstances had looked well beyond them.The Free State first innings was a sorry capitulation, as batsmenretreated into their shells and refused to take the attack to EP. Howdifferent it was on Saturday. Openers Andrew Gait and Kosie Venter put on162 for the first wicket, the 150 coming up in the 30th over as the devilsin the pitch were consigned to history and the batsmen took control.Gait was particularly severe on anything loose, smashing ten boundariesand four sixes before he was first out for 74. His dismissal was typical ofthe approach he brought to his knock, bowled heaving across the line at DaveCallaghan one ball after smashing him clean over the ropes.Gait’s demise signalled a mini-collapse, but no more than that, as threewickets fell within the space of just three runs. With Louis Wilkinsonproviding valuable solidity in the middle order, victory loomed into sight.Appropriately, captain Gerald Brophy was at the crease as the winning runswere scored and Free State completed a victory which means absolutelynothing in terms of the Supersport Series, but does at least allow them tofinish the season on a high.Earlier, EP must have thought they had done comfortably enough to makethe game safe, despite being dismissed for 187 in their second innings afterresuming the third morning on 129-5. Only young South African schoolscaptain Johan Botha (42)mounted any resistance, but a lead of 257 was arelative mountain for Free State to climb in the context of the match.

Luke Edwards has dropped a big claim on the potential takeover of Newcastle United as news emerged on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The Lowdown: KSA on priority watch list

As per The Athletic journalist Matt Slater, the KSA are staying on the US government’s priority watch list for Intellectual Property (IP) theft for the third straight year.

Slater claimed that this is ‘not a good look’ for the Saudis’ quest to prove they are taking digital piracy seriously, given that they want to invest in football, most notably the KSA group wanting to buy the St. James’ Park faithful off of the hands of Mike Ashley.

The Latest: Edwards reacts

Quoting the tweet from Slater, Daily Telegraph journalist Edwards has since given his reaction to the news, claiming that he does not think Ashley will win the pending arbitration case between him and the Premier League over the failed takeover in the North East by the KSA consortium.

He also claimed that the takeover ‘collapsed ten months ago’ in his opinion, in other words saying that he cannot see a way back into the Tyneside club for the Saudis.

The Verdict: Takeover not done yet

While the latest news with the KSA is alarming, it does not mean that a takeover of the Magpies can be ruled out just yet.

The result of the arbitration hearing will likely give a much clearer picture over the direction of where the potential deal is heading, and Ashley would not have pursued with the case if he was not at least somewhat confident of winning it.

Still, even if the Toon do not end up winning the case, then they still have the anti-competition lawsuit that they launched separately against the top flight to fall back on, which could present the potential takeover with a new pathway.

Nonetheless, Ashley and NUFC will not have given up hope of winning arbitration just yet, as the legal battle with the division looks set to be an intriguing one.

In other news, find out which ace Callum Wilson dubbed ‘unbelievable’ Newcastle are eyeing here!

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani must avoid an unforgivable error at Thorp Arch this summer amid calls for Marcelo Bielsa to become the new Tottenham manager.

What’s the story?

After Jose Mourinho’s sacking at Spurs in recent weeks, former Lilywhites ace Jamie O’Hara tipped Bielsa to replace the Portuguese man at the north London club.

He said: “I would say Bielsa. I think he’d be absolutely brilliant and the fans would love him. If you can try and prise him away form there it’d be unbelievable. The Leeds fans would be devastated and there would be uproar but Spurs are bigger than Leeds.”

In response, Carlton Palmer spoke exclusively to FFC about the prospect of Bielsa moving on from Elland Road, and admitted that if Spurs did come knocking for him, he would be “very surprised” if he didn’t go.

He said: “You want to better yourself. You want to get the top jobs, just like players want to go to top clubs, so it’d be a fantastic opportunity for him.

“If Spurs come knocking, that’s a different ball game. That’s a great career opportunity for him. I’d be very surprised if Tottenham came knocking and he wasn’t prepared to go.”

Radrizzani’s biggest priority

Make no mistake about it, more than any new signing they could make this summer, ensuring Bielsa remains at Elland Road for next season must be Radrizzani’s biggest priority.

The Argentine has become a messiah at Leeds with the way in which he has transformed the club over the past few seasons, steering them back to the promised land of the Premier League and even seeing them hold their own against the division’s very best clubs in their first campaign back in the top-flight.

The fact that pundits are talking of Bielsa going to one of the Premier League’s ‘big-six’ clubs should be seen as a compliment and recognition for the incredible work he has done at Elland Road, not an insult.

But, what it does do however, is just raise questions about whether Bielsa could move to one of those clubs sooner rather than later, and the opening at Spurs has presented a very real opportunity to do so.

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It’s exactly why Radrizzani must avoid making an unforgivable howler and ensure that the Argentine stays put. Otherwise, as O’Hara says, “Leeds fans would be devastated”.

Meanwhile, Bielsa must unleash this Leeds United starlet…

Football FanCast broke the news exclusively on Wednesday evening that Everton’s priority in the upcoming transfer window was to sign a right midfielder.

With Theo Walcott and Bernard linked with the exit door, it would leave the Toffees a little short in wide areas.

With that in mind, we’ve focused upon viable solutions to Everton’s problem this summer.

Amazing Antony

One player who Everton should look to sign is dazzling Ajax winger Antony. The Brazilian became the most expensive signing in Eredivise history last year when he penned terms on a deal from Sao Paulo that was worth in the region of €28.8m (£24.9m).

South American’s sometimes struggle to make an immediate impact on European shores but he has been electric for the Dutch giants since arriving. Antony has nine goals and ten assists this season, proving to be a superb replacement for Hakim Ziyech who left for Chelsea.

There is a lot to like about the 21-year-old’s game, and if Everton does sign him, he could be game-changing for a certain Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The striker has been imperious throughout the current campaign and now has 20 goals in all competitions. A tremendous header of the ball, he could prosper from the rate at which Antony creates opportunities to score.

The Brazil youth international is a classic inside forward. Playing on the right-hand side, he takes the ball inside with his left foot before playing a deep cross towards the back post. Throughout 2020/21, Antony has completed 5.21 crosses per 90 minutes.

That ranks him as one of the best crossers in the whole of Dutch football, ranking at just over 96% out of 100. This could be an absolute dream for Calvert-Lewin, an attacker who has scored seven of his 15 league goals this season with his head.

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When it comes to chance creation, there are few inside forwards better than Antony in the Netherlands. The youngster is ranked over 96% again for key passes; 1.21 per 90 minutes.

Hailing from Brazil, you’d expect him to be a tricky winger and that’s exactly the danger with which he’d provide Carlo Ancelotti at Everton. Blessed with captivating energy and speed, he completes 4.77 dribbles per 90 minutes, which puts his percentage rank at 93.6%.

This type of attribute is duly backed up by analysis on Dutch television show Veronica Insider. Wim Kieft commented: “I think this boy is so good. He’s also very young. What I like to see about him is that he uses his speed. He often comes in where he has doubts, but if there is room and he leaves, then he cannot be stopped. It also has a time control over the speed. In addition to being talented, he also has power in his game.”

His colleague Johan Derksen added. “As a left-back you have sleepless nights if you have to play against him the next day. If he has any space, he’ll wipe you out of the game altogether. These other Ajax players only offered themselves so close to him that there really was no way to go.”

Antony is a captivating individual, someone whose key attacking attributes are some of the most impressive around. He is ranked at 95.2% out of 100 for assists per 90 and 92% for goals per 90 minutes.

He’d be perfect for Calvert-Lewin and the entire Toffees squad, and they must consider him in a few months’ time.

AND in other news, Everton must swoop for £250k-p/w gem Ancelotti dubbed “dangerous”…

Manchester City’s hopes of completing a historic quadruple are still alive as they prepare to face Everton in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Goodison Park hoping to secure a place at Wembley for the semi-finals with a win against Carlo Ancelotti’s Toffees.

The Merseyside outfit have suffered back-to-back losses against Chelsea and Burnley recently, whilst the Citizens are on an unbelievable run which has seen them win 24 of their last 25 games in all competitions, which included a 3-1 triumph at Goodison Park in February.

With all of his players back fit, Guardiola is likely to rotate from the side which beat Borussia Monchengladbach in midweek, although he will still obviously want a strong side out to continue City’s impressive form in the FA Cup in recent years.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects the manager to line his side up on Saturday, with five changes from the side which started in Hungary…

Although Zack Steffen featured in earlier rounds, it seems likely that Ederson will keep his place in goal ahead of the American for a game of this importance for City.

There are two changes in defence, as Oleksandr Zinchenko comes in for Kyle Walker, with Joao Cancelo moving to right-back after featuring on the left in midweek. John Stones is handed a rest with Aymeric Laporte replacing him at centre-back alongside Ruben Dias.

Fernandinho has shown his qualities in recent months and deserves a start ahead of Rodri in midfield, where he is partnered by Ilkay Gundogan.

Riyad Mahrez starred on City’s last trip to Goodison Park so he keeps his place on the right-hand side, with Bernardo Silva, who reportedly earns £150,000 per week at City, dropping out to welcome Raheem Sterling back in on the left.

Finally, Gabriel Jesus replaces Phil Foden and offers City a more natural centre-forward option up front, although the Brazilian has the added pressure of a fit Sergio Aguero waiting in the wings to replace him, so hopefully he can start scoring goals on a more regular basis.

In other news… Forget Haaland: Txiki should swoop for “outstanding” £100m-rated maestro

تُجري اليوم الجمعة قرعة الدور التمهيدي لبطولة كأس امم أفريقيا 2023 المقرر إقامتها في كوت ديفوار.

وتشهد الجولة التمهيدية مشاركة 12 منتخبَا، وسيتم تقسيمها إلى مستويين.

ستلعب الفرق الستة ذات التصنيف الأعلى ضد الفرق الستة الأقل تصنيفًا (ستقام مباراة الذهاب على أرض الفرق ذات التصنيف الأدنى).

طالع أيضًا.. مواعيد مباريات دور الـ16 من كأس أمم إفريقيا 2021

كما سينضم الفائزون الستة في مجموع المباراتين إلى 42 فريقًا المصنفين في مرحلة المجموعات من التصفيات.

المستوى 1: ليسوتو، إيسواتيني، بوتسوانا، جامبيا، جنوب السودان، موريشيوس.

المستوى 2: تشاد، ساو تومي وبرينسيبي، جيبوتي، الصومال، سيشيل، إريتريا. موعد قرعة الدوري التمهيدي لـ أمم أفريقيا

وستنطلق القرعة اليوم في تمام 5:30 مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت السعودية.

طالع أيضًا.. مباشر بالفيديو | قرعة الدور التمهيدي من تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023 القناة الناقلة لقرعة الدور التمهيدي لـ كأس أمم أفريقيا

أعلن الاتحاد الأفريقي عن إذاعة القرعة عبر منصات كاف الرقمية ومن بينها قناته الرسمية على موقع يوتيوب.

وتُذاع القرعة أيضًا عبر قناة بي إن سبورتس الأخبارية.

يمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنا.

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Roberto Firmino to leave this summer, having been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian has been a wonderful player for the Reds, becoming one of the poster boys of the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield and winning both the Champions League and Premier League.

Firmino leads the line in his own unique way, pressing relentlessly off the ball and proving to be selfless on it, dropping deep and allowing Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane space in behind.

The 29-year-old may have contributed a huge amount for Liverpool down the years, but he hasn’t been himself for a sustained period now.

Firmino’s performances have dropped off for around a year, and for the first time, there are now real question marks about his place in the team, especially with Diogo Jota now such an influential member of the squad.

According to El Gol Digital [via TEAMtalk], Atletico are eyeing up a move for the Liverpool star, potentially viewing him as a replacement for Luis Suarez.

Liverpool fans call for Firmino to leave

These Reds supporters took to Twitter to talk up the idea of Firmino leaving, with many now believing it is time for him to move on.

“Swap deal for Felix + £40M-£65M”

Credit: @Umin01253591

“Yessssssss Suarez is coming home”

Credit: @paulo060802

“Sell him please”

Credit: @kieranfn18

“Swap for Felix”

Credit: @skratzz

“Please I beg”

Credit: @MDHanif_7

“Atletico Madrid interested in Firmino, $71M should be good deal imo”

Credit: @LFCSai7

In other news, Liverpool have been tipped to make a double signing this summer – find out more here.