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With the transfer window set to shut on Tuesday night, it is looking increasingly likely that Manchester City won’t sign a striker, but Joleon Lescott has tipped them to sign Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

What’s the word?

Pep Guardiola’s side have already missed out on their top target to replace Sergio Aguero after Harry Kane confirmed he would remain at Tottenham Hotspur, whilst they were also pipped to the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo by Manchester United last week.

However, they have also been linked with Lewandowski earlier in the transfer window and whilst it would be remarkable if they were to match Bayern’s asking price of over £100m for the forward, who suggested he wanted a new challenge, he would certainly add immense quality to Guardiola’s attack at the Etihad.

Therefore, it is no surprise that Lescott, who played for City 160 times in his career, has suggested that his old side make a late move for the Poland international.

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He told BT Sport (via Manchester Evening News):

“In terms of City, they’ve got a stronger squad than they had last year. They’ve acquired Jack Grealish, who, for me, is proven at this level and is an exciting talent. When they lost out on Kane and Ronaldo, Pep said there are three players who can choose where they want to play.

“One of them being Messi and one being Ronaldo and there was another. For me, that can only be Lewandowski.

“He’s spoken about wanting to leave and having another challenge, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he came through the door.”

Could Man City sign Lewandowski?

With reports suggesting that the Bundesliga side want as much as £100m for the 33-year-old forward, it is difficult to see City completing a deal for Lewandowski before the window shuts.

However, it does seem risky for Guardiola to go until January without a natural striker in his squad, despite Ferran Torres’ impressive start to the season as a central forward, scoring two in three appearances.

If the Spanish manager were to be reunited with Lewandowski then it would certainly boost their hopes of retaining the Premier League title this season, considering he contributed an incredible 41 goals and seven assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances last season.

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Joachim Low dubbed Lewandowski “outstanding” after that impressive season, which saw him break Gerd Muller’s record and with those extraordinary goalscoring antics in mind, Txiki Begiristain should definitely at least test Bayern’s resolve with a bid.

It is difficult to justify spending so much on a 33-year-old but with very few natural forward in their ranks, they should risk it.

And, in other news… Forget Rodri: Man City can sign their ideal Fernandinho heir in PL beast

Virender Sehwag has said despite his success as an opener he still belongs in the middle order and would love to bat there once again if he got the chance

Cricinfo staff11-Apr-2009Despite his success as an opener, Virender Sehwag has said he still belongs in the middle order and would love to bat there if he got the chance. Sehwag said he had asked the team management to push him down the order when he felt he was out of form but had been told he would contribute better as an opener.”I was a middle-order batsman who was asked to open and luckily for me, things went really well,” Sehwag told . “In fact, till date, as an opener I am just doing a job given to me by the team management. Given a choice, I would happily slide down and play in the middle-order because that’s where I belong. But right now, I have a job entrusted to me and I love the responsibility, so no regrets at all.”In eight Tests in which he batted between No. 4 and No. 7, Sehwag averaged 41.55, with one century and two half-centuries. As an opener he averages 51.21 from 64 Tests.Sehwag also said he and his opening partner Gautam Gambhir motivated themselves by placing bets on who would score faster. “I believe that a sense of competition always helps achieve your best and so we indulge in these little games. I really teased him when I outscored him in the one-day series and he told me he would get back at me. After the Test series, he’s teasing me about how many more runs he scored than me.”Sehwag felt he was going through the best phase of his career as his performances had translated into wins for the team. “There are several factors surrounding these statistics — the dressing-room atmosphere, the team-mates, coach, captain — it’s everything you could dream of.” Sehwag has scored a triple-hundred, a double-hundred and five half-centuries in the 15 Tests since Gary Kirsten took over as coach in March 2008. India did not lose any of the matches in which he scored fifty or more.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left reacting to who Giovanni van Bronckhorst will now be bringing with him to Ibrox.

As per The Athletic journalist Jordan Campbell, the new manager will be bringing Roy Makaay as first-team coach, Arno Philips, who is a physio with the Netherlands and a former coach at Feyenoord,  and Yori Bosschaart, who was his main video analyst at both Feyenoord and in Shanghai.

There will be more staff to come, although there is not a local coach on the cards at the moment.

Given GvB’s past success as manager at Feyenoord, where he won the Dutch Cup in his first full season and their first league title in 18 years in 2017 (Rangers), bringing some of the people in that worked with him during that period is very exciting.

However, some Light Blues supporters have questioned whether other names will be coming in, like Jermain Defoe for example, who helped lead the first team while the recruitment process was still going on.

Rangers fans on van Bronckhorst news

These Teddy Bears reacted to the news as it was shared on Twitter:

“Yori Bosschaart is excellent at tactics boards”

Credit: @bobvoyage

“The future is oranje”

Credit: @BenBaker___

“Absolute scenes and limbs”

Credit: @Richard56830486

“Hopefully a place for Defoe”

Credit: @woodygers

“John Eustace would be ideal.”

Credit: @Official_ColinW

“Could this spell the end of Jermain’s coaching? Hope not.”

Credit: @BodrumJoey

In other news, find out what official club post had Gers buzzing here!

Raphinha would be interested in joining a top-six club like Manchester United, says former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer.

According to The Independent, who say it would be a surprise if Manchester United were not in the conversation over a future transfer, the Red Devils are fans of the player.

Raphinha joined Leeds from Rennes last October before going on to enjoy a successful debut campaign at Elland Road.

In 30 league appearances, the Brazilian scored six goals and provided nine assists, proving to be arguably the Whites’ most dangerous attacker after Patrick Bamford.

It makes it no surprise that a team like Manchester United are fans of Raphinha, and Palmer believes a transfer to Leeds’ rivals would interest the 24-year-old.

“If you’re playing at a big club like Leeds United and you’re playing well, of course you’re going to be linked somewhere else,” Palmer told FFC when discussing the Raphinha to Manchester United link.

“As a player, if you get the opportunity to go play for a top-six club, you’re obviously going to be interested.”

It has been a slow start to the season for Leeds, who have taken just two points from their opening four games, but Raphinha has managed to grab his first goal of the new campaign after scoring that all-important equaliser against Everton last month.

Aston Villa are ready to meet Juventus’ demands for midfielder Weston McKennie, according to Corriere dello Sport, cited by Sports Witness.

The Lowdown: McKennie profiled

McKennie, a USA international, is a central midfielder who can also play in a defensive role or on the right-hand side.

He made his loan move to Juventus from Schalke permanent this summer in a deal worth £18.45m.

McKennie, described as a ‘leader’ by David Wagner, has made 46 appearances for the Italian giants and has turned out in a remarkable eight separate positions during his career.

The Latest: Villa bid

According to Corriere dello Sport, cited by Sports Witness, Villa are ready to satisfy Juventus’ €30m (£25.7m) valuation for McKennie.

The report added that McKennie ‘did not accept’ a move to West Ham and also ‘doesn’t like’ the sound of a Villa Park switch.

However, they finish their story by saying that might change before the end of the month, so a deal could be one to keep a close eye on.

The Verdict: Avoid

If McKennie doesn’t like the sound of a Villa Park switch, then Johan Lange and co should end Villa’s interest straight away.

The club have managed to lure the likes of Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey to the Midlands this summer, so if McKennie isn’t keen, perhaps Villa should look elsewhere.

The report claims that McKennie might have a change of heart in the final days, but it sounds as if he wants a move to Tottenham, so Villa shouldn’t wait around and play second best.

In other news: Aston Villa source: Talks opened for ‘brilliant’ ace to leave; Smith already given his blessing. 

Thilan Samaraweera, the Sri Lanka batsman, said he was delighted with his maiden double-century in Karachi

Cricinfo staff22-Feb-2009
Thilan Samaraweera is thrilled at scoring his maiden double-century © AFP
Thilan Samaraweera, the Sri Lanka batsman, said he was delighted with his maiden Test double-century against Pakistan in Karachi. Samaraweera, who scored 231 and added a record fourth-wicket stand of 437 with captain Mahela Jayawardene, said he benefitted by batting alongside someone he has been team-mates with since his school days.Both Jayawardene and Samaraweera scored double-centuries in Sri Lanka’s 644 for 7 delclared, effectively batting Pakistan out of the game. “I had one at first-class level, but I didn’t have one in Test cricket,” Samaraweera said. His previous best had been 142 against England in Colombo in 2003.”Mahela helped me a lot during my stay at the crease,” he said. “We talked to each other all the time and that helped us concentrate.”It’s easy batting with Mahela because once he gets a hundred he usually goes on to get a big one. With him around, you don’t have to be bothered about the other end. You can just go ahead and play your shots.” With Jayawardene steady at one end, Samaraweera was able to score briskly, and his 231 came at an impressive strike-rate of 72.64.”I’ve played school cricket with him and we both play for the SSC [Sinhalese Sports Club] so I really enjoy batting with him.”Pakistan’s bowlers struggled on a placid pitch, but Samaraweera was confident the Sri Lanka bowlers would be able to deal with the surface, given they have the runs behind them. “We had a long chat after the warm-up game [also in Karachi] on how to bowl on these flat pitches,” he said. “I thought we stuck to our task today and bowled really well. We conceded just 44 runs in 22 overs and got that one wicket as well. If we continue to bowl like this tomorrow, it should be a good day for us.”

A round-up from the latest Championship matches as Peter Moores returns to Sussex with Lancashire

Cricinfo staff21-Apr-2009Division OneEd Joyce marked his Sussex Championship debut with a vital innings as he held his new side together against Lancashire at Hove. He ended the opening day on 89 after James Anderson had threatened to give the visitors control with three wickets in an impressive display of pace and accuracy. Anderson, in his one Championship outing before the Tests start, made the first breakthrough when Chris Nash was superbly caught off an inside edge, then returned to remove a stubborn Michael Yardy after lunch. Glen Chapple claimed two key scalps as Murray Goodwin was held low at third slip and Matt Prior edged a drive to first, but Joyce held firm throughout the setbacks. Although Luke Wright didn’t last long, well held by Anderson off his own bowling after an inside edge ballooned into the off side, Robin Martin-Jenkins provided solid support until the close. He reached his half century in the final over of the day after dominating an unbroken stand of 87.Adam Voges and Samit Patel both fell agonisingly short of centuries, but Nottinghamshire still enjoyed a profitable day against Worcestershire at Trent Bridge as they finished on 334 for 5. Voges was caught down the leg side for 99 after a 224-ball innings while Patel, given one life when dropped at slip, was run out for 95 when he chanced a single to Vikram Solanki. Patel has to prove himself all over again at the start of the season after he was dropped by England for being unfit and he played fluently in front of selector James Whitaker during his 137-ball innings until the misjudgement. Nottinghamshire’s openers departed early as the visitors’ patch-up pace attack – at least boosted by Ashley Noffke’s arrival – made inroads, but Voges and Patel combined to add 140. Voges and Chris Read then added 114 until Michael Mason struck late to shift Voges. Read ended the day on 69 and Nottinghamshire, with Stuart Broad in next, have plenty of batting left.Division TwoBowlers ruled the opening day at Bristol with 13 wickets falling as Essex slipped to 60 for 3 in reply to Gloucestershire’s disappointing 155. Ryan ten Doeschate claimed 5 for 62 after the top order was dispatched by David Masters and Chris Wright. When ten Doeschate opened his haul with Chris Taylor, the home side were 38 for 4 before a New Zealand alliance brought some stability. Hamish Marshall and James Franklin added 55 and Marshall top-scored with 64 off 149 balls as ten Doeschate wrapped up the innings. Gloucestershire, though, hit back with the ball and Franklin led the way by trapping both Essex openers leg before.For a full report from the opening day between Kent and Northamptonshire click here.

Ex-professional footballer Nigel Jemson believes it’s a very difficult decision for Xherdan Shaqiri to make this summer, which is whether or not to leave Liverpool.

L’Equipe have previously reported that Shaqiri has agreed personal terms with Lyon but the clubs need to find an agreement on a price. Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Lyon’s offer was €6m, but Liverpool want €8m for their player.

The 29-year-old featured in 63 games in total, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists, and Jemson believes it’s a difficult decision for him to leave the club but understands due to him not featuring a lot of late.

In an exclusive interview with the Transfer Tavern, Jemson said: “I think it’s very difficult, I mean you look at Liverpool, massive, massive club.

“They’ve got a great squad together. I think that they’ve got to look at it from the players point of view, he’s not played the greatest amount of football in the last couple of years, he impressed in the Euros for Switzerland, but I think at some point, he’s going to turn around and say I need to be playing, you know, it is a short career.”

Whist it appears that Shaqiri will possibly leave Liverpool this summer, he has had a successful spell with the club, having won the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

David Warner made one of the most memorable international debuts imaginable as he lit up the MCG with 89 from 43 balls to set up Australia’s 52-run win over South Africa

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale at the MCG11-Jan-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
David Warner launched six sixes, including a couple of monsters over midwicket © PA Photos
David Warner made one of the most memorable international debuts imaginable as he lit up the MCG with 89 from 43 balls to set up Australia’s 52-run win over South Africa. Not even a superb 78 from JP Duminy could rescue South Africa’s chase and he watched his partners fall around him as they fizzled out for 130 in the 18th over.The crowd appreciated Duminy’s brilliance, particularly when he scooped a Shaun Tait half-volley over the wicketkeeper’s head for six, but it was Warner who was undeniably the star of the show. It was an incredible situation for a man previously so unknown that the scoreboard operators didn’t have a photo of him when the teams were displayed.Warner, 22, had already created history by simply playing the match; he was the first man to debut for Australia in any format without first-class experience since 1877. It’s a fair bet he might get a game for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield after this performance.His innings featured six sixes, including a paddle over fine-leg off Dale Steyn and Warner’s personal favourite, a baseball-style slog over midwicket off the same bowler. What made the strikes even more impressive was that they were the first two deliveries Warner faced from Steyn, the man who caused Australia so much trouble in the Test series.Warner raced to his half-century from 19 deliveries and it was the second-fastest in Twenty20 internationals, behind the brutal 12-ball effort of Yuvraj Singh when he put Stuart Broad away for six sixes in an over. The previous quickest for Australia was a comparatively unhurried 25-ball display from Andrew Symonds two years ago.South Africa’s bowlers simply didn’t know where to bowl to Warner. A tiny man at 170 centimetres, he was so strong on the leg-side that one six off Jacques Kallis more resembled a home run as it threatened to reach the second tier of the Ponsford Stand before falling just short. It was a sight that must have pleased the IPL Delhi Daredevils, who signed Warner last month on the strength of a couple of blitzes at state level.When the fast men tried to force him to play through the off side he demonstrated equal proficiency there. One cut for four off Kallis was so finely placed that Warner, who could hardly see daylight between the men at point and backward point, managed to split them. He also demonstrated his cricket brain by driving twos regularly when the field was back.His breathtaking effort finally came to a close when he holed out to long-on off Makhaya Ntini, who had been on the wrong end of two consecutive sixes from Warner in the third over of the match. In the end South Africa did well to keep Australia relatively quiet following Warner’s departure.David Hussey (19) and Luke Ronchi, who made 11, were caught before they could reach full flight, and Ntini and Albie Morkel chipped in for two wickets each before Steyn finished things off with 3 for 38. Fortunately for Australia, South Africa’s effort was just as uneven.Apart from Duminy’s effort, their chase never quite got back on track following the second over of the innings, a particularly nasty one from Tait in his first international match in nearly a year. No delivery in his first over was slower than 150kph. His first ball was a vicious 152kph bouncer that whacked Kallis on the shoulder but worse was to come for AB de Villiers.Tait dug in a 155.4kph delivery short of a length, de Villiers looked to pull and bottom-edged the ball onto his hip. As he folded in pain, he lowered his bat in the follow-through and crashed it into his stumps. Hit wicket is an unfortunate dismissal at any time but it was a particularly embarrassing exit for de Villiers as he hobbled off clearly in pain with a bruised hip, although South Africa were hopeful of him making a quick recovery.Nathan Bracken, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes and David Hussey all chipped in for wickets and the scorecard was so lopsided that besides Duminy, no batsman passed 12. Duminy was outstanding and, apart from his six off Tait, he played much more typical cricket strokes than Warner.A cover-driven four off Tait proved to Duminy’s team-mates that the fastest man in the match was playable, and a straight-drive to the boundary off Hilfenhaus would on most days have been the shot of the match. His half-century took 35 deliveries but as the required run-rate ballooned, so did his risk-taking increase, until he was lbw to Hussey trying a lavish reverse-sweep.The finish came when Tait rattled the stumps of Lonwabo Tsotsobe with 12 balls remaining. Tait’s fiery 2 for 36 was just as impressive a sign for Australia as Warner’s display. Australia retained their unbeaten record in Twenty20 internationals at home, and will look to continue their dominance when the teams meet again at the Gabba on Tuesday.

Despite kicking off the new Premier League season with a 3-1 defeat against Everton on Saturday, it seems as if Southampton are planning on making just one more signing this summer after Ralph Hasenhuttl shared the club’s transfer plans.

What’s the word?

According to Hampshire Live, Hasenhuttl is planning for just one more new addition to his squad before the transfer window shuts – a centre-back to replace Jannik Vestergaard, after his move to Leicester City earlier this month.

Journalist Tom Leach wrote in a recent piece for Hampshire Live, that:

“Southampton have just one piece on transfer business to do between now and the end of the month, with a central defender who can play as a number six (defensive midfield) considered to be the ideal target.”

Do Southampton need more signings?

Southampton have signed six players so far this window, with Theo Walcott, Romain Perraud, Dynel Simeu, Tino Livramento and Adam Armstrong joining on permanent deals, whilst Armando Broja has arrived on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Of those, only Walcott is over the age of 24, which suggests that Hasenhuttl is sticking to his transfer plans of signing younger players, although you could argue that the Saints now have a very inexperienced squad, especially when considering the departures of Ryan Bertrand and Vestergaard.

Last season saw the Saints struggle immensely due to injury problems and a serious lack of squad depth and you worry that could be the case once again this season, especially when considering the options Hasenhuttl has in defence.

Only new signing Perraud is a natural left-back, with Moussa Djenepo featuring there regularly in pre-season, which seems a very risky move by the Austrian, and Saints fans would be less than happy if the Malian was forced to play there in the Premier League should the Frenchman be missing.

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Although signing a quality centre-back, who can also play defensive-midfield, would undoubtedly improve the squad, you feel that Southampton need more than one new addition to the squad if they are to comfortably avoid relegation this season.

And, in other news… Semmens should seal Southampton swoop for centre-back tipped to “explode”