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ScorecardWill Tavare bedded in for a six-hour century•PA Photos

Will Tavare completed a six-hour century as Gloucestershire built a strong position on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Leicestershire at Bristol.Resuming their first innings on 236 for 5, the hosts declared on 466 for 8, Tavare top-scoring with 101, well supported by Phil Mustard (72), Jack Taylor (60) and David Payne (54 not out). Gavin Griffiths finished with 4 for 101.In reply, Leicestershire slumped to 14 for 3 before a fighting stand of 102 between skipper Mark Cosgrove (48) and Mark Pettini (54). They fell in quick succession and by the close the visitors were back in trouble at 165 for 6, trailing by 301.Tavare, who missed much of last season with a knee problem, was unbeaten on 73 overnight and moved to a painstaking hundred off 271 balls. He had batted for six hours and 12 minutes when bowled by a full-length ball from Griffiths.It was Leicestershire’s only success in the morning session, despite beating the bat on numerous occasions. Mustard, unbeaten on 13 at the start, was 51 not out at lunch, having shared a stand of 89 with Tavare and helped Gloucestershire to three batting points.Mustard fell soon after the interval, bowled by Neil Dexter aiming a big hit over the leg side, having faced 159 balls and hit 7 fours.His application, allied to that of Tavare, gave Taylor and Payne licence to play positively after Craig Miles had been caught at short-leg off a lifter from Richard Jones for five to make it 378 for 7.Taylor breezed to his half-century off 65 balls, with 6 fours and a six, before being caught behind attempting to pull a ball from Griffiths.Payne needed only 48 deliveries to reach fifty, having struck eight fours and a six. He and Liam Norwell added 33 before Mustard declared, leaving the Leicestershire batsmen a tricky period before tea.Paul Horton was pinned lbw by Payne, playing across the line, for six and when Harry Dearden fell for eight to another leg-before decision upheld in Norwell’s favour off the last ball before the break the visitors were 14 for 2.That became 14 for 3 when Dexter looked to drive Payne at the start of the evening session and edged a catch to second slip where Chris Dent leapt to hold a sharp chance.Batting started the look more straightforward from the moment Cosgrove joined Pettini and they gradually led a recovery.Cosgrove was merciless on anything short from the seamers and had moved to within two of a half-century when carelessly giving a return catch to off-spinner Taylor to make the score 116 for 4.Pettini moved to his fifty off 77 balls, with 9 fours, but in the same Norwell over was caught behind attempting to leave the ball.Colin Ackermann was forced to retire hurt with a hand injury on eight with the total 146, having been hit by a delivery from Craig Miles and Ben Raine fell for a duck, caught behind off the same bowler. Ned Eckersley was 25 not out at stumps.

Australian opener says his poor showing on the tour is just a phase and he “couldn’t be hitting the ball better” amid questions about his ability in unfamiliar conditions

Brydon Coverdale21-Mar-20171:26

David Warner’s Test performances in unfamiliar conditions have come under the scanner this series

That this series remains alive with one Test to play is a significant achievement for Australia. That they have reached this point without a contribution of note from David Warner is all the more remarkable. Australia’s most destructive batsman – and No.5 on the ICC’s Test rankings – has scored fewer runs in this series than any other member of Australia’s top five.Warner has made 38, 10, 33, 17, 19 and 14, for a series tally of 131 runs at 21.83. He is far from the only batsman struggling in this campaign – Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have scored fewer runs than Warner – but the slump continues a worrying trend for Warner, who dominates fast and bouncy conditions but not so much when the ball turns and stays low.Of Warner’s 18 Test centuries, 14 have been scored at home and a further three in South Africa, where the conditions typically resemble those found in Australia. The only Test hundred he has made elsewhere came against Pakistan in Dubai in 2014. He averages sub-30 in India, Sri Lanka, West Indies and New Zealand.”I feel fantastic, I couldn’t be hitting the ball any better but it’s just that the runs aren’t coming for me at the moment,” Warner told reporters in Ranchi after Australia played out a draw in the third Test. “That will come, it will turn around. I just have to keep being disciplined and making sure that my preparation is still the same – not change anything, and just go about my business as I do.”Numbers always pop up everywhere. For me it’s about putting my best foot forward and trying to put my team in a position that we can either defend or win games. That’s what that’s about. Everyone in world cricket, greats and legends of the game have had stints overseas or at home [where] they’ve had some form slumps. That’s just the game of cricket.”It is not Warner’s first slump in recent times. He scored a hundred in the first week of 2016 against West Indies in the washed-out Sydney Test, but did not manage another until the final week of the year, when he plundered 144 against Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test. Warner said the knowledge that he had emerged from that dip with hundreds in consecutive Tests – he also made one at the SCG following the Boxing Day Test – gave him confidence.”That’s where in the back of your mind you’ve got to keep telling yourself you’ve done the hard yards, you just don’t lose it overnight,” he said. “There were tough periods where I kept on thinking to myself ‘am I actually doing the work at training?’ I sort of second guessed myself.”I had a couple of words to some boys around Christmas time and they weren’t seeing any trends or anything with my dismissals, everything I was doing at training was spot on and in the normal way I go about it. Nothing’s changed, it’s still the same. I’ve just got to go out and keep backing myself and, when I’m out there, adapt to the conditions and then keep backing myself to try and keep putting the runs on the board.”At least Warner has been helping Australia to steady starts, via his opening stands with Matt Renshaw. Three of their five opening partnerships in this series have been worth at least fifty, though Warner acknowledged that such starts should be turned into more hefty platforms.”For the team’s sake we need to get off to a good start,” Warner said. “As a partnership, me and Renners have been getting off to an okay start. None for 50 over here, you need those to be none for 100. We’ve seen the Indians do it before, batting big and [making] partnerships of 200.”A notable aspect of Australia’s top-order performance during this series has been that Renshaw, aged 20 and playing in his first Test series outside Australia, has scored more runs and faced more balls than any Australian besides Steven Smith. Renshaw has made two half-centuries and averaged 37.16 in this campaign, and only Smith and Cheteshwar Pujara from either side have faced more than Renshaw’s tally of 567 deliveries.”He knuckles down. He’s got the game. He’s got the brains as well, for a 20-year-old kid,” Warner said. “I know where my mind was when I was a 20-year-old. Credit to him. To come out here and play the way he has done so far in this series is a testament to him and obviously the way he started in Australia as well.”

Manchester United remain interested in signing Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

As a potential takeover looms over Old Trafford this summer, bringing with it great uncertainty, Erik ten Hag may have to remain patient in the transfer window.

In a season that saw United finish third and win the Carabao Cup, the club's first silverware since 2017, the positive feelings that have been largely missing since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure arrived back at Old Trafford.

However, as is the way in football, things move on pretty quickly, with Ten Hag now expected to do bigger and better things next campaign. To achieve this, he will need some financial backing, but how much he will receive remains unclear.

One thing the Red Devils distinctly lacked last year was a centre-forward, a focal point. Wout Weghorst's emergency loan was far from fruitful and Anthony Martial's fitness issues kept him sidelined for far too many games.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Man United are strongly considering a big-money move for a new number nine, looking towards Atalanta and Denmark's Rasmus Hojlund as a potential solution.

"Mentioning the striker situation, two players are now being considered at Man United," declared Romano. "One is Rasmus Hojlund. I always told you about him, there is an interest on Manchester United side."

"He is represented by SEG agency, the same as Erik ten Hag, so there is this conversation about Rasmus Hojlund. But for Man United, it is crucial to understand the final price tag because at the moment Atalanta are asking around £70m for Rasmus Hojlund and Manchester United were hoping to pay less than this."

Romano adds that the Red Devils do not believe Hojlund is worth £70m and are therefore reluctant to match this valuation. As has been documented by their pursuit of Mason Mount, United are willing to stand firm this summer after years of overspending on players.

The same can be said of the club's interest in Harry Kane, which has since diminished due to the sizeable transfer fee required to sign the 29-year-old.

Is Hojlund ready for Old Trafford?

Considering Hojlund has only played 36 games at a club in a top-five league, it is understandable that United are not ready to put ridiculous sums of money on the table to sign the 20-year-old.

All of those came last season with Atalanta, with the Danish forward putting up 11 goals in those matches. Hojlund has also managed more goals than games in an admittedly small sample size at international level (six goals in five games).

The forward only arrived in Serie A in 2022, joining from Sturm Graz in Austria for just under £15m.

While United would clearly be paying for a talented youngster with an enormous potential, the riskiness of such a lucrative deal may not be worth the gamble for Ten Hag.

Aston Villa are close to signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres in a club-record transfer after making contact with the La Liga side, according to reports.

What’s the latest Aston Villa transfer news involving Torres?

Villa Park officials have kick-started their summer transfer business by securing an agreement with Youri Tielemans ahead of a free transfer from Leicester City.

Attention now seems to be turning towards defensive reinforcements, with Torres a long-term target for Unai Emery at Villa Park. Shortly after Emery arrived in the Midlands, he was linked with a move for Torres, and speculation hasn’t gone away since then.

It now looks as if the manager is going to get his wish ahead of his first full season in charge, with owners NSWE previously willing to smash the transfer record at Villa Park this summer.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are closing in on signing Torres after making progress with the La Liga side during talks.

It is believed that Villarreal want a £40million-plus fee for the defender, a figure which would break the current transfer record in the Midlands which stands at €38.4m (£32.7m) in the deal that brought Emiliano Buendia to Villa Park from Norwich City.

The report adds that Emery made Torres his top summer target, with new sporting director Monchi also a fan, and the pair think he could also be used as an option at left-back if required.

Who is Pau Torres?

Torres is primarily an out-and-out left-footed centre-back and has progressed through Villarreal’s academy. Now 26 years of age, Torres is valued at €45m by Transfermarkt and has just 12 months remaining on his current contract.

He has made 173 senior appearances for Villarreal, 105 of which have come under Emery. Torres even scored 10 of his 12 goals under the Villa manager as well, and it appears as if a reunion is on the cards.

As per WhoScored, Torres averaged a match rating of 6.80/10 last season, a higher score than any Villa defender, showing how he could be a shrewd signing as Emery looks to take Villa to the next level.

The Spaniard, who Luis Enrique called "sensational", also ranks in the 99th percentile for progressive carries, 97th for successful take-ons and 96th for progressive passes, which highlights his ability on the ball, as per FBref, and it looks as if Villa are closing in on what would be a marquee deal.

اتخذ مارسيل كولر المدير الفني لفريق الكرة الأول بالنادي الأهلي، قرارًا بشأن قائمة لاعبيه لمباراة المارد الأحمر المقبلة.

ويخوض الأهلي مباراة مرتقبة أمام بلدية المحلة مساء غد الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز “النيل”.

مران الأهلي | كولر يحاضر اللاعبين فنيًا.. وفقرات بدنية استعدادًا لمباراة بلدية المحلة

وعلم “بطولات” أن كولر قرر استبعاد لاعب الفريق محمود عبد المنعم كهربا من قائمة الفريق لأسباب فنية.

الجدير بالذكر أن كهربا قد غاب عن قائمة الفريق في المباراة الماضية أمام ميدياما الغاني بسبب حضوره لزفاف شقيقته.

ويحتل الأهلي المركز العاشر في سلم ترتيب بطولة الدوري برصيد 14 نقطة حصدهم من 6 مباريات، ويتبقى له 8 مؤجلات.

يستعد فريق مانشستر سيتي لملاقاة نظيره تشيلسي، يوم السبت المقبل في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويدخل مانشستر سيتي المباراة بعد انتصار أمام كوبنهاجن بثلاثية لهدف، في ذهاب دور الـ16 من دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقد تشهد المباراة أمام تشيلسي غياب أربعة لاعبين عن صفوف مانشستر سيتي، بحسب التقارير الواردة.

وكان بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي، أعلن إصابة جاك جريليش وبرناردو سيلفا وجفارديول، عقب مواجهة كوبنهاجن.

واضطر جريليش إلى مغادرة الملعب خلال مباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا أمام كوبنهاجن بسبب مشكلة في الفخذ.

وقال بيب جوارديولا: “لقد أراد جريليش الاستمرار لكننا لم نرغب في زيادة الضرر، سنجري الاختبارات”.

كما تعرض برناردو سيلفا لضربة في الكاحل وقد تكون هناك شكوك حول مشاركته في مباراة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز يوم السبت مع تشيلسي بحسب ما أفادت شبكة “فوتبول لندن”.

ويوضح التقرير أن كل من جفارديول وماتيو كوفاسيتش يعانيان من كدمات وهناك شكوك حول جاهزيتهما لمباراة تشيلسي.

وأشار التقرير إلى أن جفارديول سيغيب لمدة تتراوح بين أسبوعين وثلاثة أسابيع بسبب إصابة في الكاحل.

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a sensational summer swoop for Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar in the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the latest on Neymar to Chelsea?

According to recent reports from France, the Brazilian is looking increasingly likely to leave Paris at the end of the season.

The Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has been described as 'extremely keen' on bringing a star-studded talent to Stamford Bridge and he could find his man in Neymar.

Speculation surrounding the 31-year-old’s departure has been fuelled by his deteriorating relationship with the Parisian fanbase. Supporters recently gathered outside the star’s house and began chanting 'Neymar get lost' as in over five years at the club, he has been unable to deliver a first coveted European title.

As well as Chelsea's interest, Manchester United are also rumoured to be preparing a move for the attacker, but the Red Devils would prefer a loan move.

However, a move to the capital has gained momentum due to the impending appointment of former PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, which would lead to a reunion between the pair for a potential price tag of €60m (£52m).

Should Chelsea sign Neymar?

The playmaker hasn’t featured since February after having to undergo ankle surgery, but his statistics still translate into extremely impressive reading – registering 35 goal contributions in 29 outings in all competitions to underline his status as one of the world’s most scintillating players.

His current manager Christophe Galtier has labelled Brazil’s joint-record scorer as an "artist" and he could definitely bring an injection of creativity, trickery, and dynamism into an underperforming Chelsea frontline.

The Blues’ attack has only mustered 36 goals in as many games and has desperately lacked potency and invention for months.

Therefore, the former Barcelona man could be the answer to all their woes, perhaps proving to be Boehly's most stunning signing yet given Neymar's calibre in the game.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola has previously lauded his magisterial elegance and said: “I remember watching clips of Neymar there and then thinking this is the king of Santos.

“If Neymar had stayed at Barcelona, they would have won two or three Champions League more. Him, Messi and Suarez were the best up front. I am an admirer. He makes football a pleasure.”

A player of his personality, calibre, and character would certainly add to the soap-opera feeling in west London and who knows how it will affect the already disrupted cohesion in the dressing room.

But, what is undeniable is Neymar’s extraordinary gift, and when we look back at his glittering legacy when upon his eventual retirement, we would most likely ridicule any club that would pass up the unmissable opportunity to have this magician in their ranks.

Aston Villa have enjoyed a season of surprise under Unai Emery, who took charge of the club back in November in his return to the Premier League.

In just over six months in charge, the Spaniard has taken the Villans from being a team looming towards the bottom three, to one fully charged and two games away from confirming European football next season.

With their form and the pending added influence of FC Barcelona Director of Football Mateu Alemany, Villa are on the path to special things ahead.

Despite their success so far, Emery’s side are reportedly already looking towards the summer transfer window in order to strengthen at the end of the campaign, with several targets reportedly identified.

The 51-year-old has been linked with a number of his former players from LaLiga, and recent news has revealed yet another individual to follow this pattern.

What’s the latest on Giovani Lo Celso to Aston Villa?

As reported by renowned transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Villa are said to have “concrete interest” in Giovani Lo Celso.

Romano added that the player would be “keen” on the move, depending on the movements in the managerial role of his parent club Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

The current Villarreal midfielder is contracted by the Lilywhites until 2025, with a market value in the region of €20.1m (£17m), as per FootballTransfers.

What can Giovani Lo Celso bring to Aston Villa?

The £100k-per-week midfielder, once praised by Emery as being “great” and “versatile”, has worked with the Spaniard on two occasions before, at both Paris Saint-Germain and Villareal.

At 27-years-old, the creative Argentinian has maintained an impressive Sofascore match rating of 7.10 in LaLiga this season, ranking him as the club’s third-highest performer.

The attacking midfielder has contributed to four goals in 18 appearances this term, having assisted three and scored one goal so far.

Notable for his passing abilities, the Rosario-born playmaker averages a passing accuracy of 86% per game, as well as being strong in the middle of the park winning 58% of his ground duels (4.1 per game) – as per Sofascore.

The Argentinian maestro could offer a lot to Emery’s style, having worked under the Spaniard before, their relationship could continue at Villa Park with lots to offer in the squad’s midfield areas.

He has even been likened to Kevin De Bruyne in terms of statistical profile by FBref, the midfielder ranks in the top 1% of Europe’s top five leagues for expected assists, averaging 0.26 per 90. Lo Celso also ranks highly for progressive passes, averaging 7.70 per 90, placing him in the top 11% of those in his position.

In signing the 27-year-old, Alemany could land Emery his very own De Bruyne, given his ball-playing and pinpoint passing ability from a deeper-lying role, in what could be a move to inspire those already in Emery’s set up in the Midlands.

Also heralded as a “magnificent player” by Sevilla president Jose Castro, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder could continue his impressive form under Emery at Villa Park in a reunion that would surely delight many at the club.

Tottenham Hotspur manager candidate Julian Nagelsmann could bring a long-term vision to Spurs similar to that of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and Erik Ten Hag at Manchester United, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest news involving Julian Nagelsmann?

As per The Daily Mail, Tottenham are keen on recruiting Brentford's technical director Lee Dykes as their new sporting director following Fabio Paratici's resignation from the role.

The report states that Nagelsmann wants a new sporting director in place before choosing whether to join the north London outfit as manager while Johannes Spors is also another name in the frame for the position.

Nagelsmann is still technically on gardening leave at Bayern Munich, meaning Spurs could be forced to pay a hefty compensation fee of over £10 million to bring him to The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, according to The Telegraph.

Furthermore, the 35-year-old will want clarity over the future of Tottenham talisman Harry Kane, who is out of contract at the club in 2024 and is a target for Manchester United.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Nagelsmann could replicate what Arteta and Ten Hag have achieved at their respective clubs by setting out a long-term vision for the future.

Jones told FFC: "I think if you look at what Arteta and Ten Hag have done for their clubs is they've brought in a vision and started to implicate it very quickly and show success in doing so. I think in terms of replicating that, then Tottenham would look for Nagelsmann to be another version of that for sure. I mean, he's got a very exciting philosophy and style that he looks to put in place. You know, he wasn't totally able to implement it in his time at Bayern Munich, but the potential was there for him to do it, so I can still understand why they gave him that job. That was a very high pressured job and situation, but I guess he just fell short of expectations in that role."

Who else has been linked with the Tottenham Hotspur vacancy?

Several other contenders have been linked with the Tottenham role, such as Luis Enrique, Vincent Kompany, Arne Slot, Brendan Rodgers, Roberto De Zerbi and Ange Postecoglou.

All of these coaches possess different expertise. However, it shows that Spurs have made sure to cover all bases as they look to finally replace Conte in the dugout.

Nevertheless, Nagelsmann looks to be the clear frontrunner for the position and the Bundesliga champion would be a high-profile name to steady the ship following a turbulent period on and off the pitch for the Lilywhites.

For now, at least, all attention at Tottenham will be on trying to finish the season with a flourish under interim Ryan Mason. It looks unlikely at this point that a top-four spot will be in reach; nevertheless, securing continental qualification in the form of the Europa League or Europa Conference League is a real possibility as they seek to end 2022/23 on a positive note.

Former Aston Villa forward and pundit Gabby Agbonlahor has been reacting to the club’s reported interest in Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

What’s Agbonlahor had to say on Villa possibly signing Phillips?

Villa have seemingly been long-term admirers of Phillips which dates back to 2019 when he was with Leeds United in the Championship. Those at Villa Park were even looking at a move for the England international last summer, but as we know, he ended up moving to the Etihad Stadium.

Things haven’t exactly gone to plan for Phillips in Manchester, though, with the player yet to start a Premier League match this season. That has led to rumours of an exit this summer, with Villa once again showing a strong interest in a possible club record £45m transfer. It is thought that Unai Emery is after a “top-class signing capable of running the midfield”, and the Spaniard feels the 27-year-old fits the bill.

However, talking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor feels that Phillips would struggle to get into Emery’s first-choice XI, believing Boubacar Kamara “is a better player”.

“To be honest, I don’t think he starts. I think Kamara is a better player. “We’ve also got Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn. I think Villa are ok in central midfield, I really do.

“I don’t think Phillips starts in our midfield. With the price Man City would want for him, £45million – I just can’t see Villa being interested and following through with a deal.”

Should Villa look elsewhere?

As Agbonlahor mentions, Villa currently have a number of solid midfield options, players which Emery is getting the best out of which has resulted in a late push for European football.

NSWE are ready to back the manager with a “huge” budget which could involve the club record for a transfer being smashed, but writing a big cheque for Phillips could be a gamble given he has played just 390 minutes all season.

A new versatile midfielder could be of use to bolster Emery's ranks, with Valencia’s Andre Almeida another who has been linked with a move to the Midlands. The 22-year-old would provide a more attacking option over Phillips, with the Portuguese ace primarily a central midfielder who can turn out further forward or on the right.

However, a move for Phillips looks like it will once again be one to keep an eye on in what could be a busy few months ahead of Emery’s first full season.