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Late Porter wicket cements another forceful display from table-toppers

ECB Reporters Network20-Apr-2024Tom Westley kick-started his season with an innings that helped underpin Essex’s commanding position against Lancashire in the Vitality County Championship at Chelmsford.The Essex captain chalked up 1,130 runs last season but had contributed just 56 in four innings this time around. However, his fluent 81 from 138 balls signalled a personal return to form and helped Essex construct a 231 first-innings lead against ailing Lancashire. By close of play Lancashire had lost captain Keaton Jennings while crawling to 10-1 in 10 evening overs as they battled to avoid an innings defeat.In a throwback to earlier times, there was a Cook scoring runs near the top of the Essex order, though this was the unlikely figures of Sam rather than Sir Alastair. The nightwatchman hung around for nearly two and a half hours and 126 balls for a highest first-class score that marooned him one run short of a maiden fifty.Essex had overhauled Lancashire’s first-innings total inside 36 overs for the loss of the overnight wicket of Feroze Khushi, who had laid the foundations with a half-century at a strike-rate of 160. Elgar and Cook were more circumspect, though their impact was just as demoralising for the flagging fielding side as they put on 120 in 36 overs.Cook pulled George Balderson for one consummate boundary while Elgar also pulled Balderson to the ropes and followed next ball with an angled glide to third man for another of his 10 fours.Lancashire did not help themselves when just after he had brought up the century partnership in 187 balls, Cook was dropped at third slip by George Bell on 44. He went to lunch on 49 and was back in the pavilion promptly afterwards, caught first ball at slip misdriving outside off-stump against Balderson.Elgar passed 17,000 first-class career runs during his three-and-three-quarter-hour stay, but was eventually out caught behind when wafting at Will Williams on 79, his third 50-plus score in five innings for his new county.There was no let-up with Elgar’s departure. Westley and Jordan Cox settled into a steady rhythm, Westley characteristically strong off his legs and Cox helping on its way to the boundary a Lyon ball that drifted down legside.Their partnership was worth 57 when Cox dragged Jack Blatherwick tamely to short midwicket. Matt Critchley, centurion against Kent last week, came and went quickly, Lyon finding one to turn sharply and catch the angled bat on its way into slip’s hands.The introduction of Luke Wells’s spin just before tea resulted in a flurry of scoring, his only over in the spell conceding 17 runs. Westley whipped a delivery through the covers to reach his fifty and then Michael Pepper twice lofted over long-on for a combined total of 10 runs.Pepper treated Bailey and the new ball with similar distain, hooking a six to fine leg and then driving through midwicket along the ground. But he played down the wrong line to Williams in the next over and was caught in the slips for 30 from 31 balls.Noah Thain played attractively on his first-class debut for 24 from 50 balls before being undone by one that kept low from Balderson and disturbed his middle and off stumps. Four overs later, Westley was also the victim of another low delivery from Lyon that beat his mistimed swish and hit his protruding front pad.The innings was wrapped up in the space of eight balls when Wells trapped both Shane Snater and Simon Harmer.Lancashire’s reply faltered when Jennings, a century-maker against Hampshire last week, went for his second single-figure score in the match, lbw misjudging a delivery from Jamie Porter. Nightwatchman Williams might have gone first ball but Harmer put down a routine chance at second slip.

ESPN analysts Gomez and Shaka Hislop offered contrasting perspectives on the American striker’s potential move to the Bundesliga

Hislop believes Sargent needs to become more clinicalBaffled by striker's limited USMNT appearancesGomez says relegation likely humbled SargentGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED

Shaka Hislop addressed Josh Sargent's potential transfer to Wolfsburg, questioning whether the American possesses the clinical finishing required at Bundesliga level. The former Premier League goalkeeper said that a possible return to Germany represents a step up that will demand greater efficiency.

“It's a different ask for Sargent at Wolfsburg,” Hislop said on the Futbol Americas podcast. “First of all Wolfsburg, mid-table in the Bundesliga, looking for that out-and-out striker. I still wonder if he's a clinical enough finisher because, while we're talking about numbers for Norwich City, they are good numbers without being great numbers, largely, in the Championship.

“Now he's a step up into the Bundesliga, a league that he knows well – and yeah, granted he left four years ago. He was 21 years old. That's a big ask for somebody that young to make any kind of a significant impact and now he's more experienced. He knows his game better… Josh Sargent though, to be a success at Wolfsburg, I think has got to be a more clinical finisher than we've seen at Norwich. He does that. I think he has an impact."

AdvertisementWHAT HERCULEZ GOMEZ SAID

Herculez Gomez suggested it would be a "a great move going back to the Bundesliga" for the American forward.

“Josh Sargent’s player development was club soccer in the United States And after a U17 World Cup, jumped to the Bundesliga and had that type of awakening," Gomez said. "And from there, he was purchased to the Premier League. And he did not do well in the Premier League, but in not doing well in the Premier League, he found time to be humbled in the correct way.

“Not that he was arrogant or anything, but it'll humble you when you get relegated. Did the right things going forward to be the man in Norwich. In the last few seasons, he's been one of their best players if not their best, clearly, their best goalscorer… while he could be more clinical at times, he's added so much to that arsenal."

However, the former national team player questioned why Sargent has struggled for the USMNT.

“For whatever reason, when the national team comes calling, he doesn’t make trip, he's injured, you get sick, whatever the case may be," he said. "He needs something if he wants a repeat of being the starting forward like he was in Qatar, if he wants another chance at a World Cup, to be a prominent player. I see the tools there and I see an open field. If you think of the nine position, there is nobody right now that has their hand raised that says ‘I'm healthy. I'm scoring goals, this position's mine and it's going to stay mine’.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Josh Sargent currently plays for Norwich City but is reportedly set to sign for Wolfsburg for a fee of €21 million – although the two parties are still, reportedly, in negotiations.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?

Sargent was not included on the USMNT's Gold Cup roster, something coach Mauricio Pochettino called a "football decision." He will be hoping to be in contention for a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster.

Como have announced the signing of teenage goalkeeping sensation Henrique Menke on loan from Brazilian outfit Internacional.

Como announce Menke signing on loanYoungster has played for the Brazil U20 sideItalian outfit have the option to buy himFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Como continue to reinforce their roster in a bid to improve on their 10th-place finish in Serie A last season, announcing on Tuesday the signing of talented young goalkeeper Henrique Menke from Brazilian side Internacional on loan with an option to buy. Menke becomes the 11th signing of the summer for head coach Fabregas, having acquired some impressive young talents such as Jacobo Ramon, Jesus Rodriguez, Nicolas Kuhn, Martin Baturina, Maximo Perrone and Alex Valle. 

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Menke, who is just 18 years old, made rapid strides in the Internacional youth academy, making as many as 17 appearances for the club's U20 side last season. What's more, he has also been capped by Brazil at the U20 level, being a part of the side that lifted the South American U20 championship. He has joined the club's first-team pre-season training in Marbella, Spain, although he will be registered with the Primavera (U19) side for the 2025-26 season. His progress will be tracked by Fabregas, who could provide him sporadic opportunities during the campaign to test his mettle. 

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

Following the transfer, Osian Roberts, Como's head of development, stated: “Our recruitment team and Davide Facchin have been doing excellent work identifying the next generation of young talents both domestically in Italy and abroad. We identified our need to recruit a high-potential young goalkeeper, and we are delighted to bring Henrique to Como 1907. He has already had international experience with his national team of Brazil. Henrique’s profile was important to us—a goalkeeper who is strong with both his hands and his feet, and of international level. He has started pre-season very well, so let’s see what he can achieve.”

Menke also spoke for the first time after being presented as a new Como signing. The goalkeeper said: “This is a very important step for me, both in my life and in my career. It’s a big change, as I’m leaving not only my country but also my continent, but I’m very happy and excited about it. Before I arrived, I messaged Fellipe [Jack] to ask what it was like here, and he had only positive things to say. He helped me a lot when I arrived, and I really appreciated his support. Here at Como, there’s an excellent project: a growing team that plays good football and has a strong reputation both in Europe and in Brazil. It’s a club that’s constantly evolving, and I hope we can achieve even more together.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR COMO?

Como's next friendly is scheduled on Wednesday, August 6, against Spanish team Real Betis, before taking on Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy match on August 10. They will kick-off their campaign with a Coppa Italia first round clash against Sudtirol on August 16.

Rajat Patidar (55), Cameron Green (46), and the spin duo of Swapnil Singh (2-28) and Karn Sharma (2-36) played their part in the big win

Andrew Fidel Fernando09-May-20241:22

‘Impressive how often Kohli used the sweep against spinners’

Virat Kohli’s breakneck 92 off 47, plus his spectacular direct hit to run Shashank Singh out, were the basis of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB’s) fourth consecutive win, this time against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Dharamsala. The result kept RCB’s hopes of making the IPL 2024 playoffs alive, if only just, but knocked PBKS out of contention.RCB batted first and blasted their way to 241 for 7, with Rajat Patidar crashing 55 off 23, and Cameron Green hitting 46 off 27. Both had productive partnerships with Kohli, worth 76 off 32 and 92 off 46 respectively.In response, PBKS started strong, but RCB’s spinners – Karn Sharma and Swapnil Singh – were effective through the early middle overs, dismissing Rilee Rossouw in the ninth, Jitesh Sharma in the 11th, and Liam Livingstone in the 12th.With the required rate now high above the run rate, it was curtains for PBKS. They ended 181 all out after 17 overs.

I mean
pic.twitter.com/c71zctuKCq

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) May 9, 2024

Legendary former head coach Arrigo Sacchi revealed his thoughts on Giovanni Leoni's move to Liverpool and questioned why no Serie A side made a move.

Liverpool set to complete Leoni transfer from ParmaSacchi believes the Reds have struck gold with the teenagerEx-manager questions why bigger Serie A sides didn't make a moveFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Legendary former AC Milan head coach Sacchi provided his two cents on Leoni's imminent move to Liverpool, claiming that while the Reds are making "a great move", he was left a "little bit angry" that no big Serie A outfit competed for the Parma sensation's signing.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Liverpool have begun planning for the future, well-aware that Virgil van Dijk, now aged 34, will only decline from here on. What's more, there's immense uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate's future, too, with the Frenchman on Real Madrid's radar, having entered the final year of his contract at Anfield. The Premier League champions are eyeing a double defensive swoop with Leoni and Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. They are reportedly inching closer to reaching an agreement with Parma for Leoni, who are demanding €30 million (£26m/$35m) plus bonuses for the 18-year-old centre-back. 

WHAT ARRIGO SACCHI SAID

Sacchi provided his thoughts in a column for The Italian admitted that Premier League sides have more spending power, but still questioned the likes of Napoli, Juventus, Inter, and AC Milan for struggling to pay the fee Parma have demanded for Leoni. 

"Liverpool are reaching out for Giovanni Leoni; on the one hand, the news makes me immensely happy, but on the other, it makes me a little angry," Sacchi wrote. "Let me explain: I'm happy that an Italian player is receiving praise from a major club like Liverpool, but I'd like it to be AC Milan or Inter, Juve or Napoli competing for his transfer, and not a foreign club.

"I'm told: Italian teams don't have the same financial resources as English ones. That's very true, but I'd add: why hasn't the football product been exploited here like in England? Why is it so complicated to buy a €40 million defender for an Italian club, yet Liverpool doesn't even bother? We'll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I feel like the Reds would make a great move by securing this boy, whom I followed with curiosity and interest in the second half of last season."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Negotiations for Leoni are set to continue with Parma, with growing optimism that Liverpool will strike an agreement over the transfer fee before the transfer window deadline day. Additionally, Guehi, whose contract at Selhurst Park expires next year, could also join Arne Slot's side.