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Alex Greenwood admits that the USWNT act as a source of inspiration for England, with a star-studded American side earning the right to be “arrogant”.

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United States have dominated world footballAlways responded positively to any setbacksEngland looking to learn important lessonsWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States did endure a humbling fall from grace at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, as they historically surrendered their crown with a whimper in Australia and New Zealand. They have, however, responded to such setbacks before – becoming world champions on the back of a disappointing display at the 2016 Olympic Games – and they continue to set the standard for most.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT GREENWOOD SAID ABOUT THE USWNT

Euro 2022 winner Greenwood admits as much, with the experienced England defender telling when asked if she admires rivals from the States: “For sure. I've just watched a documentary about them and I still love their mentality. I love the expectation they have of themselves. People may call them arrogant, but I think they've earned the right to have that about themselves. They walk with a swagger, like they're going to win. I think their future, like ours, is exciting. Every team goes through transitions – whether that be changes to the playing group or coaches – and that can cause disruption. It’s about how you come out the other side of it.”

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England suffered final heartache at the 2023 World Cup, before then failing to make it to the UEFA Nations League finals and book a Paris Olympics spot for Team GB, but Greenwood is looking to take positives. The Manchester City star added: “In football, if you don't have setbacks, that’s abnormal. Of course, I judge a team on how much they can win and the consistency they have. I look at our men's team here at City and how consistent they are, winning back-to-back, season after season. The USA women's team were another example when they were winning consecutive World Cups. But I think you grow from setbacks and that's when you learn about yourselves. I'm on the inside with England and I know our reaction will be positive because we're all massive winners and we have such a top-quality team. I don't see the World Cup final as a setback – we should be proud of what we achieved there – but the Nations League was because we're not going to the Olympics. That's disappointing, because we expect to be at every tournament. What it gives us is an opportunity to play other games, to grow as a team and get ready for the Euro qualifiers.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?

Greenwood is currently focused on domestic matters at City, as she looks to help them towards WSL title glory, while the formidable 30-year-old has also been named – alongside six of her England team-mates – in the FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 for 2023.

Manchester United have been linked with a surprise move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, with the defender impressing Old Trafford scouts last season.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils and Erik ten Hag have been productive so far this summer despite the ongoing takeover saga involving the Glazers in the background.

Big-money moves for midfielder Mason Mount and goalkeeper Andre Onana have been finalised, whereas centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund looks set to be the next to arrive.

United submitted a player-plus-cash offer last month, however, Atalanta have been holding out for a cash-only deal, with a package worth around €70m now agreed between the two clubs.

Hojlund has already agreed on a five-year deal in Manchester and is travelling on Tuesday to undergo a medical and finalise a transfer.

Read The Latest Man United Transfer News HERE…

After the Denmark international, it appears as if another new midfielder could be on the cards for United and Ten Hag in Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat. The 26-year-old is into the final 12 months of his contract with the Serie A side, and reports have claimed that a £26m deal is close.

Should Hojlund and Amrabat complete deals for the fees mentioned, United’s summer spend would be pushing £200m, however, it may not be the end of the club’s business.

The Daily Mail shared a transfer round-up on Monday and looked at potential defensive additions at Old Trafford. They name-checked Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo as an option but said Branthwaite is a surprise name on the Old Trafford radar.

“Everton's left-sided centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who impressed scouts while on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season, is a surprise name that has been floated.”

Who is Jarrad Branthwaite?

Branthwaite is 21 years of age and is a left-footed centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €10m Transfermarkt valuation. He made the move to Everton back in 2020 from Carlisle United and has made 13 senior appearances for the Toffees, scoring once.

During his time on Merseyside, Branthwaite has been sent out on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship and was with Dutch side PSV Eindhoven last season, turning out on 36 occasions.

The defender has been hailed as a ‘terrific footballer’ by his former Carlisle United manager Steven Pressley, who believes he will go on to play for England.

“I told people he was a future England international. Not once from when I gave him his debut did I ever consider leaving him out again, because I felt his performances had been so strong.

“And If he continues to develop, then, without doubt, he can be an England player.”

The Red Devils could well be in the market for a new centre-back before the window closes, should someone like Harry Maguire leave amid interest from West Ham.

Branthwaite may not be viewed as an immediate starter at Old Trafford, but over time, he may go from strength to strength and eventually replace one of United’s senior defenders, and by the looks of things, a transfer could be one to keep an eye on.

Their captain produced a fine half-century, but the Barbados Tridents kept shooting themselves in the foot against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

The Report by Alagappan Muthu19-Aug-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKieron Pollard’s measured half-century went in vain•Ashley Allen – CPL T20 / GettyAn error-strewn performance from Barbados Tridents cost them victory despite a highly mature half-century from their captain Kieron Pollard. Good as his unbeaten 63 was, it couldn’t paper over the mistakes of his top-order batsmen, and started becoming a footnote around the time his opening bowler Akeal Hosein started the chase by bowling five wides in a row.In the end, it was a happy (second) homecoming for Chris Gayle, playing his first game in Basseterre wearing a St Kitts & Nevis Patriots shirt. With rain ending a lopsided contest early, in favour of his team by 17 runs, he could even get to the party with energy to spare.The strangle
Three of the four totals above 200 in the CPL were made at Warner Park, and the pitch on Friday fostered thoughts of another. A little bit of moisture and even covering of grass ensured the ball came onto the bat. However, the Patriots denied that advantage to the Tridents by using their spinners for seven out of the first 10 overs. Samuel Badree bowled out, bowling over Dwayne Smith and Chris Barnwell in the process. Mohammad Nabi and Tabraiz Shamsi followed his lead, attacking the stumps on a fuller than good length, giving no room for the batsman to draw power from. As a result, the scoreboard reflected only 79 for 4.The power player
At the start of the 15th over, Pollard was 15 off 20 balls. He wasn’t even trying to hit the ball, with so much of his concentration in trying to stay till the end. Dinks and nudges and clips and dabs made up the first half of his knock, during a partnership of 27 off 32 balls with Shoaib Malik. Regardless of the run-rate, it was a crucial passage of play, offering the Tridents captain some sort of a foundation to take off from. A straight six, and a beastly pull, both for six, signalled the start of something special. And sure enough, Pollard’s full range of stand-and-deliver shots was put on show, with the front-foot bludgeons over long-on and midwicket hogging the limelight. Only one of the last six overs cost less than 10 runs.The many malfunctions
Earlier in the day, Kane Williamson was caught the next ball after hitting a six. Dwayne Smith committed the same mistake. Malik was half the player he usually is because he was battling a sore ankle. He could have been lbw for 9, but umpire Johan Cloete wouldn’t give in to the appeal. He could have been caught for 24, but countryman Mohammad Hafeez spilled a tough chance. He tried hard but 29 off 30 was not a good return for a batsman at No. 4.So, too, was packing 11 balls into the first over of a tight chase. Hosein, plying his left-arm spin into the hitting arc of Gayle, and perhaps told to cramp him on leg stump, kept pitching the ball too straight and watching it spin past the batsman. He was nervous. He was then hit for six. And somehow, he still found a wicket off a ball that would surely have been another wide had Evin Lewis chosen to leave it.The same script continued for the rest of the innings, with full tosses being whacked for boundaries, and simple run-out chances being missed. Gayle nudged Hosein to short fine leg and strode out of his crease thinking a single was on, and Shamar Springer at fine leg got to the ball quickly enough. But having done so, his throw was so wayward instead of going to the wicketkeeper, it wandered out to deep midwicket. The Patriots captain was on 27 at the time. He gathered 11 more runs before bad weather set in and eradicated all chances of further play.

Chelsea are believed to be preparing an offer for highly-rated Lyon youngster Rayan Cherki in the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Who is Rayan Cherki?

The 19-year-old is arguably one of the most exciting young prospects in Ligue 1 currently, bursting onto the scene at Lyon and wowing with his attacking quality, on a regular basis.

Cherki, who currently earns just £28,000 per week, scored four goals and registered six assists in the league last season, already showing that he can perform in one of Europe's top five divisions at this early stage in his career. He already has 30 goal contributions (14 goals and 16 assists) in a Lyon shirt, and he has netted five times in 12 caps for France's Under-21s, with a senior call-up surely arriving at some point in the future.

The attacking midfielder isn't out of contract at his current club until the summer of 2025, but that doesn't mean that a move away is out of the question this summer. Chelsea have been linked with a move for him in recent past, and it is a rumour that is refusing to go away.

Could Chelsea be set to bid for Rayan Cherki?

According to ESPN, Chelsea could be about to bid for Cherki imminently, as they look to bring in the attacking starlet as a replacement for Christian Pulisic:

"Chelsea are preparing to make an opening offer for Lyon wonderkid Rayan Cherki as they seek a replacement for Christian Pulisic, sources have told ESPN. Pulisic is closing in on a move to AC Milan, with the United States midfielder due to undergo a medical with the Serie A giants in the next 24 hours, ESPN reported Tuesday.

"Cherki is keen to join Chelsea, sources have told ESPN. Born in Lyon and a product of the club's youth system, he is valued at around €40 million and is under contract until June 2025 after an automatic one year extension was triggered in April when he reached 15 Ligue 1 starts."

Cherki looks like a serious prospect with a massive future in the game, so he could be considered a hugely exciting signing for Chelsea this summer, as new manager Mauricio Pochettino looks to acquire the services of young talent and rebuild the Blues' squad after a bitterly disappointing 2022/23 season.

He could come in as a strong squad option from the off, although not necessarily a definite starter, given his age, before maturing into something truly formidable over time. The fact that Kylian Mbappe has expressed his admiration for him in the past says a lot about his ability, while Laurent Blanc has lauded him as "very talented" and "exceptional".

Predominantly used as a central attacking midfielder, Cherki could help make up for the loss of Mason Mount to Manchester United, linking the midfield and attack at Stamford Bridge, but he has also taken up a left-sided role for Lyon at times, and this versatility is an extra attribute that could further appeal to Pochettino.

Victoria were ahead by 160 runs and had nine second-innings wickets in hand at the WACA

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2018
Chris Tremain sends down a delivery•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesFast bowler Chris Tremain’s first seven-wicket haul in first-class cricket gave Victoria the ascendency on day two against Western Australia at the WACA.Tremain had five of his seven victims caught behind the wicket in an outstanding display of fast bowling on a surface that offered bounce and seam movement.Josh Philippe made a brisk 62 at the top of the order before he edged Tremain to first slip, while Ashton Turner was the unluckiest victim, strangled down the leg side for 44. Wicketkeeper Sam Harper took four catches while Dan Christian took two of his three catches at first slip, as the Warriors conceded a 90-run first innings lead.The Bushrangers lost Travis Dean late in the day after a 61-run opening stand with Marcus Harris. Peter Siddle kept out eight balls as the nightwatchman to give the visitors a 160-run lead heading into day three.

Renato Sanches has appeared to remove all links to Roma from his Instagram bio after being left out of the squad to face Napoli on Saturday.

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Sanches left out of Roma squadMourinho's side beat Napoli 2-0Roma references removed from Instagram bioWHAT HAPPENED?

Following Sanches' snub by manager Jose Mourinho for the Napoli game, the Paris Saint-Germain loanee no longer has Roma references in his Instagram bio. His profile picture is relatively blank, the text beneath that merely states 'gamer', but he still has photos from his stint with the Italian side.

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Sanches' spell with Roma has not been a particularly happy one. The 26-year-old has played just nine times this season, although a hamstring issue has restricted his game time, too. The Portuguese international has been repeatedly criticised by manager Mourinho, who apologised just a week ago for taking the substitute off after just 18 minutes during the 2-0 loss to Bologna. His future at the club after this latest move may be more uncertain now.

DID YOU KNOW?

In Sanches' breakthrough season in 2015-16 at Benfica, he helped them them win the league and cup double, and was awarded the division's breakthrough player and the Golden Boy award in the process. He then joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2016 for £30 million.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Sanches will return to Serie A action on December 30 away to title chasers Juventus. The January transfer window opens in just over a week and it remains to be seen if Sanches will stay with Roma for the second half of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be stepping up their search to find a suitable successor to Harry Kane, amid reports that the Lilywhites have held talks regarding a deal for Gent starlet, Gift Orban.

What's the latest on Orban to Tottenham?

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the north London outfit are said to have made "contact" with the Belgian side amid their interest in the Nigerian marksman, with Ange Postecoglou and co seemingly ready to fork out around €30m (£26m) for the 21-year-old sensation.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "#Tottenham in contact with #KAAGent for Gift Orban! #Spurs could go as high as €30M (including bonuses) according to the latest oral discussions undertaken with their Belgian counterparts. The profile of the Nigerian striker has been validated by Ange Postecoglou.

"The green light to send the written offer is obviously linked to the Harry Kane affair. The English are anticipating the market by paying €30m in 2023 than have to offer the double once Orban has exploded in an intermediate league… Wait&See."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

As Tavolieri noted, a deal for the former Stabaek ace is likely to be tied to the future of Kane, with talks continuing regarding the Englishman's potential move to Bayern Munich, despite the German giants having seen their latest £86m offer rebuffed.

How good is Gift Orban?

As the Independent's Miguel Delaney previously suggested, it is unlikely that Spurs will look for a direct replacement for Kane this summer, with the likelihood being that Postecoglou will instead seek to establish a more 'fluid' forward line instead.

Young Orban could represent the figurehead of that new-look attacking unit, with the 5 foot 10 speedster having proven his goalscoring credentials during his time in Norway and Belgium to date, after bagging 41 goals in just 48 club career games in total.

Undoubtedly something of a "poacher" – according to talent scout Jacek Kulig – a further benefit of the Gent ace is his devastating speed and threat in behind, having been hailed for his "electric pace & acceleration" by Kulig.

The Benue State-born marksman could well be joined in the frontline by another dynamic, pacy asset in the form of fellow Tottenham target, Brennan Johnson, with the latter man – who has been valued at around £50m by current club Nottingham Forest – having seemingly caught the eye of Postecoglou and co.

As his compatriot Joe Allen previously stated, Johnson's pace is simply "frightening", with that natural gift having made him a real weapon for Steve Cooper in the Premier League last season, as he scored eight goals and provided three assists to help Forest stave off the drop.

A real goal threat like Orban, the 22-year-old also boasts the benefit of his ability to drive forward with the ball at his feet as he ranks in the top 10% among forwards in Europe's top five leagues for progressive carries, ensuring he could easily stretch the pitch for Spurs in a rapid breakaway – with his Nigerian counterpart also a "counter-attacking threat", according to Kulig.

As Johnson also proved during the 2021/22 campaign in the Championship, he could be the man to deliver quality service to Orban in the final third, with the Wales international creating 15 'big chances' and racking up ten assists to fire the Tricky Trees to promotion.

That creative prowess could ensure that the Nottingham native is able to regularly tee up Orban over the coming years at N17, with the latter man likely to be able to continue his remarkable goalscoring exploits.

Mauricio Pochettino admits Chelsea could dip into the transfer market after losing Christopher Nkunku to a fresh injury worry.

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Chelsea could replace Nkunku in transfer marketPochettino worried by latest injury setbackBlues lack centre-forward optionsWHAT HAPPENED?

Having previously suggested it wasn't necessary to sign another forward this month, Pochettino was asked if Nkunku's hip injury has changed Chelsea's view with regard to a possible transfer hunt. He replied that, depending on the severity, it may now do.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT POCHETTINO SAID

"It's true that now in the next few days, we are going to see the situation. That's why I told you that I am a little worried," the Chelsea boss told reporters ahead of Saturday's game against Fulham.

"I still don't have all the information about whether [Nkunku] is going to be available or not for a small initial period. We need to be very clinical to take some decisions to think and see how we fix the problem.

"All of these situations make our job a little more difficult. I told you before that it is an exciting project but situations like this make it more difficult to change the situation and grow at a different pace."

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Nkunku was signed for £53 million ($67m) last June, a deal thought to have been agreed at least six months earlier. But Chelsea fans have barely seen the player who scored 58 goals in 88 appearances in his final two seasons at RB Leipzig, due to a pre-season knee injury that required surgery and delayed the Frenchman's debut until December. He had only played four times in all competitions by the time he was sidelined again with a hip problem suffered in early January. Pochettino had earlier admitted he is 'worried' by the injury and another absence.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea need to assess just how long Nkunku will be ruled out for and then need to make a decision on whether they need to reinforce while the January transfer window is open. Although the Blues have Cole Palmer and several wingers, Armando Broja is the only available striker in the first-team squad while Nicolas Jackson is on Senegal duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

He has bowled 334.5 overs across formats in 2017, playing all four of Australia’s most recent Tests and acting head coach David Saker was not averse to the possibility of rotating him out of the XI during the limited-overs series in India

Daniel Brettig14-Sep-2017In 2013, Australia played India in an ODI series before a home Ashes encounter – same again in 2017. In 2013, Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann skipped the tour in order to prepare for the England challenge – same again in 2017. In 2013, Mitchell Johnson played a key role as the ODI spearhead before flying home early to prepare for England – Pat Cummins is in that boat in 2017.Further strengthening the case for Cummins to be spared from full duty in India is the fact that both Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are currently recovering from injury in the hope that they will be fit to take part in a trio of Sheffield Shield matches that prelude the Ashes. Given his high pace and steep bounce, Cummins stands some chance of having the sort of impact Johnson did four years ago, provided he is well looked after. He has bowled 334.5 overs across formats in 2017, playing all four of Australia’s most recent Tests, and the IPL as well.David Saker, the assistant coach responsible for the pacemen who is deputising for Lehmann in India, did not shy away from the prospect of Cummins being rested at some point during the limited-overs series due to begin on September 17.”At this stage we’re planning for him to play all the games,” Saker said. “We’ll look at [resting him], it’s obviously been brought up between all of us. We know that his workloads are up there, but we know it’s an important series. It’s Australia v India, you don’t get any bigger than that. He’s really determined to play well over here. It’ll be game-by-game basis, we’ll play it by ear.”In discussing Hazlewood and Starc, Saker revealed there was uncertainty about exactly when the pair would be ready to play for New South Wales, with the former recuperating from a side strain while the latter is in the final stages of his own recovery from a foot problem that reared its head during the India Tests earlier this year.”We’re hoping they’ll be ready before the first Shield game or second Shield game and that will give them good preparation,” Saker said. “We’ve probably got a bit of a blessing that we’ve got three Shield games before the first Test of the Ashes and it’s probably as good a build-up as you’d want for an Ashes.”So in that sense as long as they’re ready to go by the first Test in Brisbane [on November 23] and ready to play and perform, I’ll be really happy. This time last year, we were in South Africa and it was the same thing, Hazlewood and Starc were rested for that tour. And they got through a really heavy workload in the summer, got through all the Tests. It’s not such a bad thing that they’re not here, as long as they’re ready to go for that first Test in Brisbane.”The bowlers subbing in during the ODI series in India are Nathan Coulter-Nile – himself an unused Ashes squad member in 2013-14 – and Kane Richardson. Other pace bowling options are provided by the allrounders James Faulkner and Marcus Stoinis, who are among the players in contention to occupy the No. 6 spot in the batting order during the Ashes.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been linked with a Portuguese starlet ahead of the transfer window, as Julen Lopetegui prepares for his first summer in charge at Molineux.

It will be a window far from simple for the Spaniard following the revelation of Wolves’ FFP issues, however, with sales expected to be made, there may still be a chance for improvement despite the financial burden.

The latest news reveals the Midlands club’s interest in an 18-year-old starlet from Portugal, who could be the heir to Ruben Neves in more ways than one.

What’s the latest on Joao Neves to Wolves?

As reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola (via Sport Witness), Wolves have emerged as a potential buyer for Benfica youngster Joao Neves.

The report states that the Midlands side are joined by Bayern Munich in displaying interest in the 18-year-old, who has a €60m (£52m) release clause that the Portuguese champions are aiming to raise.

What could Joao Neves bring to Wolves?

Described as being a member of a “highly talented” group of Benfica teens by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager could flourish under Lopetegui.

Wolves have enjoyed showcasing a Portuguese core since their promotion from the Championship, with Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho providing the perfect midfield pairing at Molineux.

This summer marks the end of an era, with Moutinho confirmed to be departing and Neves being the centre of an ongoing transfer saga to depart for bigger things.

While the duo are irreplaceable in their experience, having made a combined 465 appearances for the club in all competitions, reinforcements can be hired to replicate the baseline of their quality.

At just 18, Wolves target Joao Neves could be a strong shout to be a suitable successor to his namesake at Molineux, as suggested by their playing styles.

Playing as a deep midfielder on 17 occasions for Benfica this term in the league, Neves has been identified as having strengths in his passing ability and guarding of the ball as per WhoScored, with the Wolves captain possessing similar strengths.

As per Sofascore, the teen displays an array of strengths over a season average comparable to the 26-year-old.

The Tavira-born youngster averages a passing accuracy of 87% to the Wolves skipper’s 84%, as well as displaying a strong presence in the defensive areas of the engine room, winning 57% of his total duels to the Premier League ace’s 53%.

While the 26-year-old averages 2.3 tackles per game to the youngster's 1.5, it’s expected that the seasoned midfielder scores higher in some areas than the prodigy, with their numbers displaying the levels that the Benfica ace is already reaching.

Neves adds a direct threat in the final third for Wolves, which could be replicated by the club's summer target who is identified as being an indirect threat in set pieces, and a handful on the ball, as signified through being fouled an average of 1.3 times per game – as per Sofascore.

The signs are all green for the young talent to potentially thrive at Molineux and follow in Neves’ footsteps, with the only potential gripe being his price tag, which may prove too costly for Lopetegui should Wolves fail to solve their financial woes.