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Chelsea have held talks with club owners over potentially signing a £60,000-a-week forward who's been tipped to "become a star" like Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

Chelsea still targeting new attackers after Guiu and Dewsbury-Hall deals

The west Londoners, in similar fashion to previous years under Todd Boehly, have been one of England's most busy sides in the first few weeks of this transfer window.

Chelsea expect "complete" £20m star to travel for medical in coming weeks

The Blues are set to get their man.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 1, 2024

Euro 2024 has seemingly stalled a few other clubs, who are waiting longer to conduct their business, but the tournament hasn't stopped Chelsea's recruitment team from kickstarting their summer early doors.

Chelsea hijacked Brighton's deal for Leicester City star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall most recently, despite the Seagulls scheduling a medical for the Englishman and Jakub Moder looking set to move the other way.

The Blues made an inquiry over Dewsbury-Hall, amid Brighton's attempts to get him over the line, and that was seemingly enough for Enzo Maresca to be reunited with his star Leicester midfielder at Stamford Bridge.

Negotiations accelerated over the weekend, with Chelsea eventually sealing a £30 million deal for the midfielder who bagged 12 goals and 15 assists under Maresca at the King Power Stadium last season (Fabrizio Romano).

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In recent days, Chelsea also confirmed the signings of young striker Marc Guiu in a £5 million deal from Barcelona, who penned a five-year contract, and highly-rated teenage midfielder Omari Kellyman in a £19 million move from Aston Villa.

However, Chelsea are by no means finished after this flurry of agreements. Co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, who are leading Chelsea's transfer charge, are rumoured to be targeting new star first-team attackers.

Guiu and Kellyman may be seen as ones for the future, with Chelsea prepared to bid for Napoli star Victor Osimhen, among others, as they seek upgrades for Maresca.

Chelsea hold talks with Newcastle owners over Anthony Gordon

They've been heavily linked with Isak recently as well, but his rumoured price tag of around £150 million may be too much for Boehly and co as they seek to abide by PSR regulations.

That isn't to say they couldn't raid Newcastle for another star, though, as England winger Anthony Gordon turns heads at Cobham. The 23-year-old was handed a place in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 by Gareth Southgate, coming after an electric campaign on Tyneside where he racked up 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

Journalist Simon Phillips, writing on his Substack, claims Chelsea have recently held talks with Newcastle owners over signing Gordon. Some reports claim they value him at no less than £50 million, but this may be optimistic from Chelsea's point of view.

It remains to be seen whether Eddie Howe's side are open to selling at all following the PSR deadline on June 30, but interestingly, pundits like Frank McAvennie have said Gordon, on £60,000-a-week, "could become a star like Isak".

The 28-year-old was front and centre of his club and country's triumphs last season, and the incredible role he plays has rightly been acknowledged

"The best holding midfielders don't appear on the front pages of newspapers," said Pep Guardiola in February 2021. "They hide behind the team, but when the team plays well it is because they are outstanding." The Manchester City coach was referring to Rodri, who had only been in his side for one-and-a-half seasons at the time.

Those quotes came shortly after a rare fallow period for City, who had been left way behind Liverpool in the previous season's title race and had made a poor start to the 2020-21 campaign, dropping 16 points from their first 12 games. But they had since got back to their irresistible best, securing a 10th consecutive league win by thrashing Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield. And Rodri had been a key reason why.

Guardiola valued his work, but at the time the Spaniard's influence on City was understated. Indeed, Guardiola perhaps did not fully appreciate him either, as he left the Rodri on the bench for the Champions League final defeat by Chelsea at the end of that campaign.

But fast-forward almost four years and Rodri has been on the front pages of newspapers around the world. He might not get the same level of praise as team-mates Erling Haaland or Phil Foden, but his influence on Manchester City and Spain is now universally appreciated.

He does not "hide behind the team"; he is front of centre for club and country and last season won two of the most prestigious prizes in football, the Premier League title with City and the European Championship with Spain. And on Monday he got the true recognition he deserves by winning the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

Getty Serious contender before

Rodri was a serious contender for the 2023 Ballon d'Or, and he would well have deserved it after winning the treble with City and scoring the only goal in the Champions League final over Inter, the perfect response to being benched in Porto two years previously.

But his contribution was somewhat overshadowed by Haaland's 52 goals in 53 games, meaning he was not even the highest-ranked City player, coming in fifth while the Norwegian came second.

Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d'Or instead as he was still enjoying his year-long lap of honour for winning the World Cup with Argentina. Messi's iron grip on the award is, however, finally over now, and it's Rodri who has taken the crown.

AdvertisementGetty74 games unbeaten

Rodri's contribution to the treble did not count towards this year's Ballon d'Or, which is judged on achievements in the 2023-24 season and summer tournaments. But that mattered little, as he was in even better form last season.

He ended the Premier League campaign without losing a single game, with all three of City's defeats coming when he was suspended. The last time he lost a league match was all the way back in February 2023.

Rodri also didn't lose a Champions League game last season, with City being eliminated by Real Madrid in the quarter-finals on penalties after two draws. The only match he was defeated in was the FA Cup final against Manchester United, which ended a record-breaking unbeaten run with City, lasting 74 games in all competitions and 475 days.

It did not spoil his season though, as City secured an incredible fourth-consecutive league crown, the first team to do so in 135 years of English football. Haaland was still City's top scorer and Foden was just behind him on his way to being named Premier League Player of the Season, but Rodri's contribution to this historic achievement was equally important.

Getty Increased attacking output

Rodri's game has never been about goals and assists, and yet he struck eight times over the league season, including in City's first game of the season at Burnley and in their title-clinching victory against West Ham. He set up a further nine goals, too.

He contributed to 17 Premier League goals in total, two more than Bernardo Silva and three more than Kevin De Bruyne, accounting for 17 percent of City's total output. It made him the 21st-biggest contributor to goals in the league, and we cannot stress this enough: He is a holding midfielder.

Rodri's main role was to guide City through games and he did that to perfection, running the show from the first whistle to the last. It was no coincidence that they lost all three of the matches he missed between September and October after getting sent off against Nottingham Forest for putting his hands around Morgan Gibbs-White's neck.

That game led to a very rare rebuke from Guardiola, who urged his player to learn to "control himself and his emotions". Rodri took that on board, and if there was a word to describe his effect on City over the past five years, it is 'control'.

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Getty Images'A Rolls Royce'

Take what Luton Town's captain Tom Lockyer said after facing Rodri. Luton's game with City last December would prove to be Lockyer's last before suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Bournemouth just six days later, but he spoke glowingly of coming up against the ex-Atletico Madrid man, even though City had come from behind to beat his side 2-1.

'Rodri… Honestly that guy man, it's just a joy to share the football pitch with him. You don't say that about a lot of players, but he was certainly one of them where you come off the pitch and you're like 'wow'," Lockyer told

"He's literally just a Rolls Royce, he was just controlling the midfield, he dictated everything, everything went through him. When you thought you had him pressed and you were gonna nick the ball, he was just teasing you in, so his next pass had more time on the ball. The types of games he plays, it's very rare he gets caught on the ball, he dictates everything Man City try and do."

Insists India “not complaining about anything”, but are focused on the SCG Test instead

Sidharth Monga06-Jan-20211:35

Rahane: ‘Being in quarantine definitely has its own challenges’

India are finding it challenging that life outside their hotel in Sydney is “completely normal” but the players are being asked to stay indoors during the SCG Test. That is the crux of India’s discontent, with the break between matches featuring whispers from sources in the Indian camp that they might even boycott the Brisbane Test if the restrictions on their movements remain.On the eve of the SCG Test, captain Ajinkya Rahane talked about the challenge but also said the players were focused only on the upcoming Test. “Being in quarantine definitely has its own challenges, but as a team we are focussing on the game,” Rahane said. “We know that life outside in Sydney is completely normal but players are in quarantine, which is a challenge. But we have to face it. We are not complaining about anything. We are just focussing on tomorrow’s game. And just want to start well tomorrow again.”Life in Sydney, while not completely normal, is less restrictive than the biosecure environment the players have been put in. Parts of Northern Beaches where the latest Covid-19 outbreak occurred remain in lockdown, but people are generally free to move about. However, the players have been kept in stricter restrictions because the border between New South Wales and Queensland, which will host the next Test, has been locked down as Greater Sydney is still a “hotspot”. For the teams to get an exemption to travel to Brisbane, they will have to have stayed in their hotels and the SCG throughout the duration of this Test.Related

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There have also been reports that India might, instead of going to Brisbane, demand two Tests in Sydney if that allows them freer movement while they are in the city. Rahane was asked if that was the case, but he neither confirmed nor denied the reports.”As players we are just focusing on this Test match,” Rahane said. “BCCI and team management will take the other decisions. For us as players, it is all about giving our best on the field. There is a Test starting tomorrow. We are just focusing on that, do well and win the Test match.”Meanwhile, Nick Hockley, CA’s interim CEO, has maintained the BCCI has been supportive of the schedule. “We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily,” he said on Monday. “We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out.”Asked if it was annoying to be subject to fresh restrictions towards the end of a long time away from home – some India players have been in bubbles since mid-August, having played in the IPL before flying to Australia – and after they had served all quarantine requirements upon entry into the country, Rahane said: “We are not at all annoyed. There are some challenges in quarantine. Especially when life in Sydney is completely normal outside. But we are not at all annoyed. We know what our priority here is. We are here to play cricket, and we just want to do that. Starting from tomorrow, start well. As a team we are just focused on that.”However, it might appear that the stand-off has annoyed the host team’s players with Australia’s captain Tim Paine talking about how tensions are likely to rise, making mentions of India being a “power in world cricket” in light of rumblings about the venues and the restrictions on the players. Rahane was asked if he was prepared for a less friendly contest than it has been so far, but he sidestepped the question.”We just want to play some good cricket,” Rahane said. “As I said quarantine life is definitely a challenge when we know that in Australia, especially in Sydney, life is normal. And players are stuck in the room, but it’s okay. We know how to handle it. We are prepared for any kind of situation. As a team we just want to do well starting from tomorrow, be in the moment and play some good cricket.”

Celtic have opened talks to sign an £8m-rated player for Brendan Rodgers, with the target in question being praised by former Hoops striker Chris Sutton earlier this year.

Celtic transfer rumours

Those at Parkhead are yet to make their mark in the transfer window, despite reports earlier in the year suggesting that Celtic want to sign a new goalkeeper, winger and striker ahead of the 2024/25 season. Rodgers did admit shortly after the January transfer window closed that the club could be “braver” with their signings, looking to bring in “another level of player” who is “ready-made”.

“I would go with supporters thinking we could maybe be a little bit braver in terms of bringing in another level of player. But that’s up to me to try and fix that over the course of my time here. You look at the strategy here and you have to be careful because in some ways it has worked. You bring in players for a minimal fee and then they go out and make the club a lot of money.

“What I want to hopefully balance in my time here is that we can still do that, because it is an important part of the modern game. But we also want to be brave enough to hang our hat on a ready-made player.”

That may come at a cost, though, but there have been plenty of rumours when it comes to transfer targets. For example, it was mooted that Celtic had a £7m+ offer accepted for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, who represented Croatia at Euro 2024.

Celtic could land "incredible" Iwata upgrade

The Hoops were linked with an interest in the central midfielder earlier this summer.

ByDan Emery Jul 4, 2024

In attack, Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden has also been linked with a move to Glasgow, with loanee Adam Idah also “very keen” on returning to Celtic Park on a permanent basis. Now, there has been a now update regarding the Republic of Ireland international.

Celtic open Adam Idah talks

According to Sky Sports, Celtic have made an approach over a move to sign Idah on a permanent deal, however, following initial talks, the two clubs remain far apart when it comes to the forward’s valuation.

It is stated that the Hoops have offered £4m, with previous claims suggesting that the Canaries want around £8m for the striker’s services.

Whether or not Celtic go back in with an improved offer remains to be seen, but should a deal materialise for the striker, Rodgers could be a happy manager.

The 23-year-old, called “sensational” by Sutton, helped the Hoops to a league and cup double last season, scoring nine goals in 19 appearances. Rodgers praised Idah after signing him in January, saying:

“Adam, I’m really excited about having seen him play and now seeing him for a few days, working with him and speaking with him. The ability he has is incredible, really; he has every tool that you want to play at the highest level. He’s obviously doing that internationally, and it’s been a wee bit hit-and-miss for him at Norwich.

“But when I assess him, and we see him in training, we see the finishing; we see the speed, we see the touch; I’m excited by what he can bring us over these next remaining months.”

Aston Villa are battling with one of Europe's leading clubs for the signing of a 24-year-old who scored an incredible goal for his country this summer, according to a new transfer claim.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans continue to be linked with exciting transfer targets this summer, none more so than Spain international ace Nico Williams, who is currently catching the eye for his country. The 21-year-old scored a superb solo effort in their 4-1 win over Georgia in the last 16, and has been part of a devilish attack also featuring teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

As an alternative to the Athletic Bilbao star, Brajan Gruda has emerged as a reported option for Villa, with the 20-year-old an exciting young player in his own right, scoring four goals and registering three assists in the Bundesliga with Mainz last season.

Al-Ahli attacking midfielder Gabri Veiga has also been backed to become a Villa player in the summer window, as well as a potential replacement for Jacob Ramsey, who has been linked with a move away before the 2024/25 season gets underway. The young Spaniard made a name for himself at Celta Vigo before his move to Saudi Arabia, netting 11 times in 56 appearances and providing a creative spark.

It does appear as though the Villans are looking to bring in top young attacking talent currently, with teenage Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode also seen as a target for Unai Emery.

Aston Villa eyeing negotiations with 24 y/o ace

According to AS [via Sport Witness], Aston Villa and NSWE are battling with Barcelona for the signing of Uruguay international Maximiliano Araujo this summer. Nottingham Forest are also mentioned as potential suitors, with the two Premier League clubs hoping to "negotiate" in the near future.

The Villans have even made contact with the 24-year-old over a switch to the Midlands, but Barca still appear to be the favourites to get their man, seeing him as an alternative option to Williams, like Emery's side.

There may not be a huge amount known about Araujo to Villa supporters, considering he is currently plying his trade at Mexican side Deportivo Toluca rather than somewhere in Europe, but he is a proven international footballer whose best years may still be ahead of him.

Capable of playing all the way up the left flank, he is enjoying an excellent Copa America campaign with Uruguay, scoring twice and assisting once in the competition, and his goal against Panama last month was a stunning strike, outlining his quality. He now has 11 caps for his country, and that number should only rise in the coming years, considering what a key man he is proving to be currently.

Pole position: Aston Villa leading Liverpool in race to sign £40m+ gem

He’s got a “monstrous” left foot.

ByCharlie Smith Jul 5, 2024

Araujo's versatility is something that could really appeal to Emery, too, with the Uruguayan ace capable of shining left-back, left midfield or in an even more attacking wide role, giving Villa even more depth as they look to tackle life in the Champions League for the first time.

Bowling coach Daniel Vettori to miss West Indies series but will join squad in New Zealand

Mohammad Isam06-Jan-2021Jon Lewis will be Bangladesh’s new batting coach for their next two bilateral series against West Indies and New Zealand, according to BCB’s cricket operations chairman Akram Khan.Lewis replaces Neil McKenzie after he stepped down from the role in August, and although Craig McMillan was named as batting consultant for the now-postponed Sri Lanka Test series, the former New Zealand batsman didn’t take up the role subsequently following a family bereavement.”He [Lewis] is coming in a day or two, after which we will speak in person,” Akram said. “We had three or four coaches in our shortlist but we considered his experience. After discussing the shortlist among ourselves, including the head coach, we decided to select him. Due to the pandemic, nobody wants to go on a long-term contract. We will see him for a couple of series and then see if we can keep him for a longer period.”Related

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Lewis’ last high-profile appointment was with Sri Lanka from December 2018, having overseen their progress during the 2019 World Cup. He also won three trophies as Durham’s head coach between 2013 and 2016. Lewis used to be a vastly experienced county player too, having scored 16 first-class centuries in a playing career spanning nearly two decades.He had previously been linked with the current vacancy as England’s batting coach, after working with the one-day team ahead of their series against Ireland in August 2020.Lewis effectively replaces McKenzie, who was appointed as Bangladesh’s batting consultant in July 2018 under Steve Rhodes, and was one of the few survivors in the coaching staff after Bangladesh’s early exit from the 2019 World Cup. McKenzie became an effective instructor and has often been credited by many Bangladesh batsmen for their progress in ODIs and T20Is. The BCB wanted McKenzie to fulfill the role for the Test series in Sri Lanka, even though he was predominantly Bangladesh’s white-ball coach, but he pulled out, citing family reasons.Meanwhile, Akram said that Daniel Vettori, Bangladesh’s bowling coach, will continue to remain in New Zealand due to the country’s “strict and limited” Covid-19 protocols, and will only join the squad when it reaches New Zealand next month.”We have also run into trouble with Vettori, who wanted to come [for the West Indies series]. But there are a lot of difficult formalities [strict protocols] when someone returns to New Zealand. Anyone going out of the country, has to mention when he or she is returning, and then the quarantine facilities are limited. He is going to join us when we go to New Zealand next month, and in the mean time, Sohel Islam will take his place.”Bangladesh will now play three ODIs and two Tests against West Indies from January 20 to February 15, before leaving for New Zealand on February 23 to play three ODIs and three T20Is in March.

Enzo Maresca has explained his decision to drop Enzo Fernandez from his starting line-up at Chelsea ahead of facing Manchester United.

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Fernandez out of favour at ChelseaMaresca explains selection issuesLavia and Caicedo currently preferredFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Fernandez captained the side at the start of the season following Maresca's arrival at Stamford Bridge but has since fallen out of favour. The Argentina international was benched for Premier League games against Liverpool and Newcastle and his only recent starts have come in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup. Maresca has favoured Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo instead in midfield and has explained his thinking ahead of his team's next Premier League game against United on Sunday.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT MARESCA SAID

He told reporters: "I still trust Enzo. There is not any reason in the world I can lose confidence in him. The reason why he is not playing in the Premier League is because at this moment I take a different decision. My confidence is 100 per cent with Enzo. In this moment, I know you are looking for some different reasons for Enzo [not starting], but it’s very simple. He’s not playing in this moment, we have so many games, he’s going to play for sure in the future. And it doesn’t mean Romeo and Moi are always going to play. At the moment one of them drops [their levels], probably we will change it.

"It’s a matter of balance. Romeo and Moi give us physicality and strength in the middle. This is why we found the option of Malo [Gusto] in the pocket. Otherwise, when we play with Enzo it has to be with one of Moi or Romeo, and Enzo moves forward we struggle in the middle for physicality. At the moment that’s something Moi and Romeo give us, but it doesn’t mean for one game we can’t play with Joao [Felix] and Cole [Palmer] in the pocket. It depends on the game."

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Fernandez has endured a difficult few months at Chelsea. He made headlines for all the wrong headlines in the summer after being filmed singing a racist chant during Argentina's Copa America celebrations. Fernandez apologised to his team-mates, amid reports of a rift, and did face disciplinary action from Chelsea. The midfielder was also banned from driving for six months in September and has recently separated from his wife.

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GOALWHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDEZ

Chelsea's big-money buy now has his work cut out convincing Maresca he deserves a place back in his starting XI, particularly with the Blues boss working with a large squad at Stamford Bridge. Fernandez may have to settle for a place on the bench again at Old Trafford on Sunday but could be handed a start on Thursday against Noah in the Conference League.

After a remarkable campaign saw them achieve promotion to the Premier League last season, Ipswich Town now look ready to make a big money offer for a new striker for Kieran McKenna's squad.

The Tractor Boys target a new striker this summer

Whilst few faults can be found in the Ipswich side that finished second in the Championship last season, one area of the squad that needed improving this summer was arguably in the striker department.

Ipswich could get over Philogene rejection by signing "elite" star

Ipswich Town could now seek out improvements away from pursuing Jaden Philogene-Bidace.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 22, 2024

Throughout the course of the previous campaign, much of the scoring burden fell on the shoulders of wingers like Nathan Broadhead or individuals like Conor Chaplin who is arguably better suited to playing just behind a traditional number nine. The campaign saw numerous players take up the mantle of being the Tractor Boys' striker often to varying levels of success.

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Ali Al Hamadi

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With the transfer window now in full swing, Ipswich have already got a new striker through the door at Portman Road in the form of Liam Delap. The 21-year-old has joined the Tractor Boys in a £20million switch from the Premier League champions Manchester City.

Not content with Delap as their only new striker, Ipswich are also said to be interested in agreeing a deal for free agent Kelechi Iheanacho. The Nigerian forward would not cost the Tractor Boys a penny after he left Leicester City upon the expiration of his contract last month.

With McKenna's sights still set on a new centre forward, Ipswich are now said to be weighing up a move for a highly-rated attacking option.

Ipswich have Croatian striker on their radar

As first reported by TEAMtalk, Ipswich are among a number of Premier League clubs weighing up moves for MLS star Petar Musa. The outlet claims that the Croatian forward, 26, is on the Tractor Boys' target list off the back of a series of impressive performances for FC Dallas and that they are readying a big-money bid.

Over the course of his first 23 appearances in the MLS, Musa has found the back of the net on 13 occasions, contributing two assists as well for good measure. Speaking when he first arrived in the United States, Dallas technical director Andre Zanotta spoke very highly of Musa:

"We've secured a world-class attacker in the prime of his career in Petar. His versatility and proven skills against top-level opponents makes him a formidable addition to our team. Petar's signing marks a historic moment for us."

The forward joined Dallas in a club record £11million move from Portuguese outfit Benfica. The report by TEAMtalk attests that Dallas do not want to lose the player this summer but Ipswich are said to be readying a big-money offer that could force their hand.

With a striker still a priority for Ipswich this summer, Musa could be an interesting option for the Tractor Boys to pursue before the window slams shut on August 30th.

The Sydney Sixers batsman is among the leading scorers in the second phase of fielding restrictions

Andrew McGlashan01-Feb-2021Jordan Silk hopes the Power Surge is here to stay in the BBL after benefiting from the new fielding restrictions which allow the batting side to call a two-over Powerplay after the 10th over.Silk wasn’t needed by Sydney Sixers in the Qualifier final as they cantered to a nine-wicket victory against Perth Scorchers, but he has been a vital component of the defending champions who are now a win away from back-to-back titles.And it’s partly the new phase of the game, which saw two of the traditional Powerplay overs moved to the latter half of the innings, where he has made his mark.Related

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He sits third on the list of runs scored in Power Surge behind Ben Cutting and Jimmy Peirson with 79 off 45 balls – a strike-rate of 175.55 – as part of an overall tally of 365 runs at 36.50 and a strike-rate of 144.26. That latter figure puts him comfortably on top of those to have batted at No. 5 or below in this BBL edition.”It’s definitely brought the middle-order batter into the game a bit more, giving us an opportunity to bat when there’s only two fielders outside the ring as opposed to having five out and not getting a reprieve,” he said.”It’s been a nice change and also just being able to face a few balls before going into it has been really critical to my season. Very different if I’m, say, opening the batting and straight into a Powerplay than having 10-12 balls under my belt.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”That’s probably where I’ve had most of my success in it, when I’ve actually been able to apply myself beforehand, get used to the pace of the wicket then target areas from there. You can look at the numbers and say it’s certainly a rule change I’ve benefited from this year and I’m hoping it stays in.”His Power Surge impact included the display against Melbourne Renegades early in the competition where he took five fours in an over off Kane Richardson. All of them came through the off side without the need for any major invention in the strokeplay and Silk has found sticking to the fundamentals has served him well.”I think the bowlers are under the most pressure to execute, that’s what we’ve seen throughout the tournament, I know that going into it so I’m just trying to give myself the best possible base to be able to play a shot to any ball,” he said. “Regardless of where the fielders are I still think if I can hit it hard enough or place it well enough I can get four anyway.”I haven’t tried to be giving myself room and hit an area where there aren’t fielders, just play the best possible shot I can to that ball and I know if I do that there’s a good chance it can go for a boundary anyway.”Silk has played in three BBL finals, suffering two defeats at the hands of the Scorchers (who could be the opponents this year) before playing a vital hand of 27 off 15 balls in last season’s decider against the Melbourne Stars at the SCG. Having not played at home yet this season due to Covid-19 border restrictions, the Sixers will get a chance to defend the title on their own patch.”We had a little taste of what a home crowd is like with a few Sixers fans travelling to Manuka,” Silk said. “We are really buoyed by the fact we could have 19-20,000 people at the SCG on Saturday.”

Kylian Mbappe played padel with ex-PSG colleagues Achraf Hakimi and Arnau Tenas as he returned to Paris despite being left out of the France squad.

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Mbappe returned to ParisCaught up with Hakimi and TenasLeft out of France squad once againFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After missing national team duties in October due to injuries, Mbappe has been once again overlooked by Didier Deschamps as he has been left out of the French national team for their upcoming Nations League fixtures. Despite the national team snub, Mbappe returned to Paris during the international break and caught up with old friends.

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The Real Madrid star met old Paris Saint-Germain team-mates Hakimi and Tenas in the French capital. The trio played Padel and then spent some quality time playing video games. The 25-year-old shared some photographs from the get-together on social media.

WHAT KYLIAN MBAPPE SAID

In the caption of his Instagram post, Mbappe wrote: "Padel & Friends….The perfect Mix. TEAM Blue."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KYLIAN MBAPPE?

After a break in his homeland, the ex-PSG star will be back in action for Los Blancos on November 24 as they take on Leganes in an away fixture in La Liga.