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Aston Villa have emerged as a potential suitor for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly according to reports from Italy.

What’s the Word?

Italian outlet TMW has claimed that Premier League sides Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in the Senegal international, labelling him a “real tressure” in what would undoubtedly be a sensational signing for Villa.

The centre back is in high demand, with European heavyweights Barcelona also interested, this is despite Napoli placing a €70m (£58m) price tag on his head.

Koulibaly will turn 31 in June and a fee of this size might put a lot of teams off, especially when they may only get a couple of years out of him at his peak.

Imagine him & Konsa

Villa have been leaking goals as of late and surely a centre back is high on the list of Steven Gerrard’s priorities as he looks ahead to his first full season in charge at Villa Park.

There aren’t many defenders better than Koulibaly at the moment, with the Premier League surely being an attractive move having spent the last eight years in Serie A.

Forza Italian football editor Connor Clancy previously stated his belief that the Napoli titan “improves any team” he plays for, as well as dubbing the defender “phenomenal.” High praise for the 30-year-old.

The most important aspect that Gerrard will be looking at is to create a solid centre back pairing of both Ezri Konsa and Koulibaly.

With Konsa having a rating of 6.74 on SofaScore this season, the onus would be on the Senegal international to come in and form a solid backline with the 24-year-old English talent.

Regardless of if Gerrard actually manages to secure his services or not, it shows just how far Villa have come since promotion three years ago that they are linked with one of the finest centre backs in the world.

What a summer Villa supporters have in store.

AND in other news, Gerrard now plotting AVFC bid for £46k-p/w “phenomenon”, he’s better than Phillips

After securing their place in the Europa League round of 16 stage after their midweek clash against German giants Borussia Dortmund, Rangers are back in SPFL action this weekend with a match against Motherwell at Ibrox. 

As the reigning league champions look to secure another domestic win, it seems as though they could have one player involved that would surely delight a lot of fans. 

What’s the news? 

Speaking in his recent pre-match press conference, Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that January arrival Aaron Ramsey was involved on the training pitch yesterday after missing their previous league game against Dundee United with a minor knock which ended up being serious enough to keep him out of their midweek match. 

The Dutchman said: “Ramsey was on the pitch today and we will see his progress.”

Since arriving at Ibrox during the recent winter transfer window from Italian club Juventus on loan until the end of the season, the Welshman has played just 29 minutes of SPFL action from two substitute appearances against Hearts and Hibernian. 

Whether the midfielder will be fit enough to start his first league game for the club or just make another appearance from the bench, the fans at Ibrox would surely be ecstatic to see him out on the pitch and hopefully, keep his fitness up for the remainder of the season so he can help the club secure the title once again. 

In 469 combined senior appearances for Arsenal, Juventus and Cardiff City, the midfield maestro has managed to rack up a total of 74 goals and 74 assists in the process as well as picking up numerous trophies, highlighting the attacking capabilities and top-level winning experience he can offer Rangers.

With four appearances in a Rangers shirt under his belt, the 31-year-old has already managed to pick up his first assist for the club which came during their 3-0 win over Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup.

Moving forward, unless the midfielder is 100% fit enough to start, it could be worth Van Bronckhorst keeping him on the bench from the start but bringing him on at some point to get some more minutes under his belt.

In other news:  Forget Tavernier: £6.4k-p/w Rangers tank with 75% duels won was real star of the show…

Leeds United midfielder Adam Forshaw has made a return to training following another injury layoff, according to reliable journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Forshaw out again

The 30-year-old has suffered a nightmare with injuries in recent years, missing almost two years of action after battling a serious hip issue. Thankfully, he has made a triumphant return to the team this season, although he has been absent with a hamstring problem in recent weeks.

With Leeds returning to action away to Aston Villa on 9 February, a positive update has emerged regarding the midfielder.

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The Latest: Forshaw back in training

According to Hay in an article for The Athletic, Forshaw is back in training at Leeds, having worked alongside his colleagues over the weekend.

The journalist revealed: “The last Sunday of the transfer window was a typical day at Leeds United: a late-morning session of murderball featuring the usual suspects. Adam Forshaw took part, testing his injured hamstring, but a search for new faces out on the grass drew a blank.”

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The Verdict: Hugely important figure

Forshaw is a valuable player as it is, but with Kalvin Phillips sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury, the 30-year-old is going to be crucial to Leeds in the coming weeks.

He has averaged an impressive 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League this season, with only Stuart Dallas (2.9) enjoying a healthier tally among the Whites’ squad, and he has also played 0.9 key passes per match. This suggests that the ex-Middlesbrough man is a well-rounded midfielder who is adept at winning the ball and then using it to good effect.

It is vital for Leeds that Forshaw stays fit prior to Phillips’ potential return, or else the club’s failure to bring in a midfielder in January could look foolish.

In other news, an important update regarding Raphinha’s Leeds future has emerged. Read more here.

Loads of Everton fans have been left fuming over an official post that has emerged from the Goodison Park faithful on Lucas Digne.

The Toffees have now released a statement confirming his sale to Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee, but it did seem very underwhelming, with only three lines of a goodbye message and with no comments from Digne himself or those inside the Merseyside club.

The left-back made a total of 127 appearances for the Blues over the course of the last four seasons, scoring six goals and making a further 20 assists (Transfermarkt), and was a loyal servant over the years.

Thus, the statement does seem strange considering his time with them, and it is no surprise to see so many EFC supporters fuming over it.

Everton fans on Digne statement

These Evertonians were left fuming as the statement on Digne’s exit was shared on Twitter, with one Toffee even going as far as to claim that it is ‘pathetic’:

“Embarrassing to be an Evertonian these days”

Credit: @Cam_Green73

“Disgusting statement to make on the departure of a player who has captained the club on multiple occasions.”

Credit: @JamieMellor81

“Pathetic, I’ll do it for you then, thanks @LucasDigne and good luck.”

Credit: @NikolasHeyes

“No word of thanks, @Everton? Very disappointing.”

Credit: @dtaylor334

“That’s IT???!!!!…….No acknowledgment of his service??!!! You under orders, Admin?…….Poor form that, Everton. #WereBetterThanThat”

Credit: @CathyMcAlle

“Shocking statement that, The People’s Club showing it’s true colours.”

Credit: @TheEvertonEnd

In other news, find out what injury update before Norwich City has Toffees buzzing here!

Crystal Palace are among the Premier League clubs targeting Celtic teenager Mitchel Frame, The Daily Record’s Scott Burns has revealed. 

The lowdown

With a week of the January transfer window remaining, the Eagles have yet to execute any first-team business, either in or out of the club, but they have strengthened their youth ranks with a couple of additions.

Right winger Killian Phillips (19) has joined from League of Ireland outfit Drogheda United, while the Eagles have also snapped up 18-year-old goalkeeper Serine Sanneh, who was a free agent.

Frame, who will turn 16 on Tuesday, would also very much be one for the future at Selhurst Park.

The latest

According to The Daily Record, Palace could battle with their fierce rivals Brighton and Hove Albion for the signature of the Celtic teenager.

Fellow Premier League club Newcastle United are also said to be interested in a player who is ‘catching the eye in the Celtic youth squads’, as per this report.

The verdict

The Scotsman’s preferred position for now is left-back, but at his tender age, he may develop the capacity to play elsewhere over the coming years.

Tyrick Mitchell is only 22 and could potentially have the left-back spot at Selhurst Park tied down for the next decade. He is considered one of the first names on Patrick Vieira’s team sheet, having played all but eight minutes in the Premier League for the Eagles so far this season.

That’s why it might be advisable for Frame, and indeed any other left-backs who might come through the ranks at Palace, to add more strings to his bow.

Celtic could put up a fight, having already seen promising talents like Leo Hjelde, Liam Morrison and Josh Adam lured away in recent times, so the Eagles can expect a strong battle over the next week if they intend to win the transfer race for the Hoops’ 15-year-old prodigy.

In other news, some Palace fans were not happy with this man’s performance against Liverpool

There are two ways to look at Andrew Strauss’s optional break from international cricket, which comes to an end when he leads the side out in the first Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s on Thursday

Andrew Miller at Lord's26-May-2010There are two ways to look at Andrew Strauss’s optional break from international cricket, which comes to an end when he leads the side out in the first Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s on Thursday. On the one hand, his decision has been vindicated by the remarkable success that the squad achieved in his absence – culminating, of course, in the ICC World Twenty20 victory in the Caribbean earlier this month.On the other hand, the serenity of the team’s progress since Strauss’s last appearance, in the fourth Test at Johannesburg back in January, raises uncomfortable questions about his actual importance to the side – or at least, may threaten to do so if he is slow to rediscover the form that helped haul the team out of the doldrums that he inherited at the start of his tenure in 2009. Such is the nature of international sport. Today’s men can become yesterday’s heroes with a haste that would be unseemly in any other walk of life.On the eve of his comeback, however, Strauss did not look like a man who feared that his authority had been ebbing in his absence – far from it. With a subtle emphasis on the bigger picture, namely the twin peaks of the Ashes and the 50-over World Cup in less than 12 months’ time, he set the agenda for a tough summer of momentum-building, while repeating the mantra first uttered after the victory over Australia last summer, that every new success is just another stepping stone towards the ultimate goal of becoming the best team in the world.”I’m incredibly excited to be among the group again, especially after what they achieved in the West Indies,” said Strauss. “There’s a real vibrancy and enthusiasm about things, and it’s great to be part of it again and start putting in place some of things I’ve been thinking about while I’ve been away, and speaking to Andy Flower about what he wants to implement. It’s an important summer for us, one we really need to get a lot of our thinking and planning right, and it all starts this week.”We’ve had quite a lot of success over the last 12 months, but we’re still No. 5 in the world in Test and ODI cricket, so it’s not all about slapping each other’s backs and telling everyone how brilliant it is,” said Strauss. “It’s about continuing to do what we’ve set out in the last 12 months – and there are clearly areas we need to improve on in Test cricket. There’s huge room for improvement, and we need to do that right now.”When Bangladesh last toured the country in the spring of 2005, they encountered an England side with a similarly ruthless agenda and were bundled aside by an innings in each of their two Tests. Strauss acknowledged that a repeat of those performances was expected in conditions that are likely to favour swing and seam bowling, but insisted that his players would be judged by more stringent criteria than mere scorecards.”You can’t underestimate Bangladesh,” he said. “They’ve got some very dangerous players, but in this series it’s important we concentrate on our own game and set our standards very high. Sometimes if the conditions aren’t in our favour it’ll be hard work against them, but we’ll be marking ourselves not on whether we win or lose, but how close we get to playing the type of cricket we want to play. If we do it, I’ve no doubt we’ll win the Tests.”For all his positivity, Strauss knows that the best way to restate his credentials is to lead from the front. “You always need a big score,” he said. “That’s the way it is in international cricket, but I don’t feel any extra pressure. As a captain, it helps if you’re scoring runs as you can lead by example more, and I’ll be making every effort to do that, but mentally, I’m very hungry and that’s a pretty good starting point.”Machiavellian conspiracy theorists might suggest that Strauss’s authority will be aided by the absence of Paul Collingwood, the man who captured the Twenty20 crown, and whose stock as a leader of men never looked higher than at the moment of victory over Australia in Barbados. He has been rested for the first Test on account of a shoulder problem, but Strauss dismissed the notion that the pair would have been treading on each other’s toes.”I don’t think it makes any difference,” he said. “Paul was always an important part of the decision-making process anyway. He’s one of leaders in the team, and a good friend. We’ve had a couple of good chats since he got back, and he’s always been an incredibly loyal source of advice. I don’t think that’ll change.”The reason I didn’t make myself available for the Twenty20s is probably the very reason they went on and won it,” he added. “The first six overs are so crucial, and it’s not a massive strength of mine to be whacking the ball straight over the bowler’s head, which is why I didn’t feel myself among the best 11 Twenty20 players in the country. I had no regrets at not being there, but I had a huge amount of enjoyment and satisfaction out of seeing them doing so well and playing that way.”He’ll be satisfied, too, at the manner in which many of England’s players have developed in his absence – not least Tim Bresnan, who was a fringe squad member at the turn of the year, but has suddenly become an integral figure in all three forms of the game. “He looks very confident, at ease with his game,” said Strauss. “He’s overcome an important hurdle in Test cricket, proving he can go and take wickets consistently on flat wickets. It’s been great to see him come through as he has capabilities with bat and ball.”And then there’s Alastair Cook, Strauss’s stand-in in Bangladesh, and a player whom he feels has benefited immeasurably from the responsibility of leadership. “There’s no doubt you learn a lot about yourself and the game of cricket when you have the chance to lead a side,” he said. “Alastair has learned a lot of lessons and has come back stronger for it. He will be a very valuable source of help and advice over the summer.”

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League defender turned BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Alan Hutton has reacted to a West Ham United transfer development involving Aston Villa forward Anwar El Ghazi.

The Lowdown: West Ham plotting bid…

As per Football Insider, El Ghazi is very much on the radar of Irons boss David Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman as they eye winter window additions.

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According to their information, West Ham are ‘plotting a January move’ for the 26-year-old as he struggles for consistent game time at Villa Park.

Moyes personally regards the Netherlands international as someone who can lead West Ham’s frontline through the middle despite being a natural wide player as they reportedly set their sights.

The Latest: Hutton reacts…

Reacting to this news, Hutton claims that he ‘ticks all the boxes’ as a ‘big’ powerhouse forward and is disappointed to see a player of his ‘quality’ potentially leaving the Midlands.

“Look, I really like Anwar. Not just as a guy but as a player, I think he ticks all the boxes,” the ex-Scotland international explained to FI.

“He’s a confidence player, someone that has to be playing week in, week out. You have to put your arm round him and you have to make him feel special.

“If you do that, you get the best out of them. I’ve seen it, I’ve obviously had to mark him at training. I’ve seen him there, and what he’s capable of.

“He’s a big, strong powerhouse, he can play that number nine position if he needs to, he can play out wide. A lot of managers want that versatility within a player.

“He definitely ticks all the boxes but it’s about getting the best out of him week in, week out. David Moyes has managed to do that with a lot of players.

“He seems to have the whole squad pulling in the one direction. If they can get someone like Anwar in and get the best out of him, that could be another shrewd buy.

“I don’t want to see players of that type of quality leaving Villa, I know what he’s capable of.

“But I think Villa are heavily loaded in the wide areas.”

The Verdict: Surprisingly good option?

Amid their links to Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa and Sparta Prague sensation Adam Hlozek, Villa’s winger actually doesn’t come as a bad option by comparison.

According to WhoScored, El Ghazi racked up ten goals in the Premier League last season whilst also averaging an impressive 2.3 shots at goal per 90.

By comparison to West Ham’s players this season, only Michail Antonio has racked up more attempts on average (2.8) – perhaps indicating El Ghazi could do a job as his understudy.

Given Villa want a permanent deal but could also listen to loan offers, securing him on a temporary deal until the end of this season posses little risk for West Ham and the board.

In other news: ‘Tears in my eyes’, ‘Finally’ – West Ham fans flock to ‘very exciting’ transfer news, find out more here.

Australia and New Zealand have reconfirmed their support for John Howard, the former Australia prime minister, as the ICC’s next vice-president following doubts raised by senior officials over his suitability for the role

Peter English21-Apr-2010Australia and New Zealand have reconfirmed their support for John Howard, the former Australia prime minister, as the ICC’s next vice-president following doubts raised by senior officials over his suitability for the role. The nomination of Howard, who led the country from 1996 to 2007, was expected to be passed by the ICC board in Dubai this week but was deferred without being formally discussed.It is understood the issue of a politician being appointed instead of a cricket administrator was introduced outside the meeting by South Africa, which has close links with Zimbabwe, and it gained some momentum. Howard was critical of the Zimbabwe regime under Robert Mugabe and banned Australia from touring there in 2007. The process of Howard’s selection for the post was also raised, along with his lack of cricket credentials.However, there was no formal debate, mainly because the meeting was dominated by contingency plans for getting all the teams to the West Indies for the World Twenty20 if the flight ban over Europe continued. The vice-presidency item was deferred until June, when it will be discussed along with the possible move of the ICC headquarters.Jack Clarke, the Cricket Australia chairman, and his New Zealand counterpart Alan Isaac, have since written a letter outlining their backing for Howard. “Australia and New Zealand have confirmed that our chairmen and boards fully endorse the exhaustive process for the joint nomination and fully support the nomination,” a Cricket Australia spokesman told Cricinfo. “That is now understood by all ICC directors.”There is a feeling the issue wouldn’t have developed had David Morgan, the ICC president, been at the meeting – he was held up in the United Kingdom because of the flight ban. Under the current regulations, the vice-president is selected by a region, in this case Australasia, and there is no other avenue for the ICC but to accept the nomination.Howard was recommended for the role by Australia and New Zealand last month following a drawn-out process that included the forming of a committee to break the deadlock over the candidates. New Zealand had originally wanted Sir John Anderson, its long-standing cricket administrator, but eventually supported the findings.Howard’s supporters believe that after running a country he will be more than capable of guiding the ICC. They also point to his long-standing association with the game, which includes stepping in with touring advice for Australia’s teams during his time in office, over-seeing the annual Prime Minister’s XI fixture and delivering the Bradman Oration.After serving as vice-president for two years, Howard is due to assume the presidency of the ICC in 2012. He is in line to succeed India’s Sharad Pawar, who is also the country’s federal agriculture minister.

With Afghanistan, Ireland and Bangladesh unable to produce an upset in their opening World Twenty20 matches it is now down to Zimbabwe to shake up the established order

Andrew McGlashan in Providence02-May-2010With Afghanistan, Ireland and Bangladesh unable to produce an upset in their opening World Twenty20 matches it is now down to Zimbabwe to shake up the established order. And if they do Sri Lanka, one of the favourites for the title and last year’s finalists, will be on an early plane home or trying to find somewhere to hang around before the series against New Zealand in Florida.The idea of Zimbabwe beating Sri Lanka isn’t as outlandish as it may sound. They have laid their maker during the warm-up matches with victories over Australia and Pakistan to reinforce the feeling that their game is on an upward curve, even if that graph does remain on a gentle gradient. Coupled with that there is the pressure on Sri Lanka, who know it’s win or bust for them.They were in a very different situation last year when they moved to the final unbeaten, and the defeat against New Zealand was clearly tough to stomach for Kumar Sangakkara. There were a number of stages when they were taking control in the opening match; as Mahela Jayawardene and debutant Dinesh Chandimal were adding 69 for third wicket, when Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya struck in quick succession and when Jacob Oram was bowled.But unlike the side in England they just couldn’t quite find that way to win. Lasith Malinga was unable to defend 10 off the last over as his length, for once, deserted him, and the lack of momentum at the start of their batting effort proved costly. One innings does not change Tillakaratne Dilshan’s stats as one of the pre-eminent Twenty20 batsmen, but it continued his poor form from the IPL.”We were a bit slow in the first six overs, which put us under a lot of pressure,” Sangakkara said. “We probably lost a bit of momentum in the first six overs and that was vital to try and kick on and keep the momentum going.”Sri Lanka were one of the most active nations at the IPL with eight of this squad involved for various franchises. It can be a double-edged sword which was shown no more clearly than by the performances of Jayawardene and Dilshan against New Zealand. Jayawardene enjoyed a productive tournament and his form prompted a change in tactics from Sri Lanka who promoted him to open in place of Jayasuriya – someone who played in Twenty20 style before the game was invented.There was something incongruous seeing a Sri Lanka score of 135 for 6 with Jayasuriya nought not out without facing a ball having come in at No. 7, with youngsters Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedera and Angelo Mathews preferred ahead of him during the final overs. Jayasuriya is no spring chicken and was almost invisible during the IPL as he played just four matches for Mumbai Indians, but in this team he is being picked almost purely for his left-arm spin.Still, Sri Lanka have a team that should still be masters of this format especially with their depth of spin bowling on these slow West Indian surfaces. Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan were the pick against New Zealand, while Ajantha Mendis’ performance showed how quickly fortunes can change in Twenty20. When he removed Scott Styris he looked to have struck a match-winning blow, but Oram put the next two balls over the rope and it was game on again.There is a thought that batsmen are starting to work out Mendis after the astonishing start he made to international cricket. Like Jayasuriya he was barely used in the IPL – just two matches for Kolkata – and he does appear to have lost a little of that zip which made him so lethal. Coupled with Dilshan’s struggles it means Sri Lanka’s two x-factor players are not the force they were last year. They should still beat Zimbabwe, but will need their flamboyance to progress further.The tournament will be worse off if Sri Lanka aren’t in the Super Eights, but first they must earn the right to be there.

Surrey’s pre-season preparations begin with a trip to Dubai for the Emirates Twenty20 tournament

Cricinfo staff15-Mar-2010Surrey’s pre-season preparations begin with a trip to Dubai for the Emirates Twenty20 tournament, where the county will take on a Fly Emirates XI featuring Shahid Afridi, Sussex and a Cape Cobras development XI. The tour will also be Rory Hamilton-Brown’s first in charge of the side following his move from Sussex.After a winter of fitness conditioning, the players reported for official pre-season training on March 10 and will be leaving for Dubai on March 17. The Twenty20 tournament takes place on March 19 and 20, and following those games Surrey will play 40-over matches against Cape Cobras on March 22 and United Arab Emirates on March 25.The nine-day trip is likely to see a Surrey debut for pace bowler Chris Tremlett and a return for offspinner Gareth Batty, who last represented the county in 2001.”All the boys are very excited about the prospect of getting out to Dubai, feeling a bit of sun on our backs and playing some competitive cricket,” said Hamilton-Brown. “The three other teams in the tournament look very strong so I am sure there will some tough cricket played, which is exactly what we need to get ahead of what will be a long season.”On a personal note, I have very much enjoyed my first taste of Club captaincy over the last three months and am hungry to make a difference on the field as well as in the dressing room.””We have made some big changes and some exciting signings over the off-season and it is a great feeling to finally be able to play some competitive cricket,” added Chris Adams, Surrey’s professional cricket manager.”This tour will be a great opportunity for the squad to further come together as a cohesive unit and I am very much looking forward to seeing them in action on the field. On a separate note, I was in Dubai recently and I congratulate Emirates on a fantastic achievement to have successfully built ‘7he Sevens’ ground in such a short time.”Surrey squad Rory Hamilton-Brown (Capt), Usman Afzaal, Laurie Evans, Chris Jordan, Tim Linley, Gareth Batty, Simon King, Jade Dernbach, Stuart Meaker, Gary Wilson, Michael Brown, Arun Harinath, Stewart Walters, Matthew Spriegel, Chris Schofield, Chris Tremlett, Mark Ramprakash