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Speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur ‘insider’ John Wenham has slammed midfielder Giovani Lo Celso and explains why he is putting Nuno Espirito Santo at a ‘huge disadvantage’.

The Lowdown: Lo Celso rusty…

The South American, signed permanently by chairman Daniel Levy in January 2020, has missed 29 matches through injury for Spurs since the beginning of 2019/2020 (Transfermarkt).

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As such, he has been unable to contribute too regularly despite showing flashes of his brilliance when able – as evident by him getting on the scoresheet in the Europa Conference League already this season.

However, Wenham believes his inability to complete a full 90 minutes for Tottenham is consistently letting the side down.

The Latest: Wenham slams Lo Celso…

The Argentine, as a result, has been slammed alongside club record signing Tanguy Ndombele for being hinderances.

“Naturally, the usual suspects faded against Chelsea,” he told Football Insider.

“It was those players who are simply unable to complete 90 minutes, they are Lo Celso and Ndombele.

“Lo Celso is replaced every single game without fail on 63 minutes and Ndombele is the same, if he even plays.

“The issue that brings is we go into games having to guarantee two of our subs. That puts the manager at a huge disadvantage.

“Lo Celso hasn’t completed 90 minutes for Tottenham since back in July of 2020 and Ndombele has only completed a few games since he joined.

“If I had to name and shame some players it would be them because as always they can’t complete 90 minutes, it’s unacceptable.”

The Verdict: Time running out?

Lo Celso, while a brilliant player on his day, needs to start completing matches far more regularly to be deemed an asset for Nuno.

The 25-year-old, if he isn’t careful, could find himself at the centre of exit links in a similar fashion to Ndombele during the summer.

Of course, when injuries take their toll, it is always difficult for players to stamp their mark and supporters will be hoping his luck changes sooner rather than later.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Our club is a parody’, ‘This can’t be real’…Many Tottenham fans flock to ’embarrassing’ update, find out more here.

England batsman Owais Shah, who was purchased by the Delhi Daredevils for US$ 275,000 in the second IPL auction, has said nothing will give him greater fulfillment than a secure career with England

Cricinfo staff07-Feb-2009
Owais Shah: “I want to play for England in the near future and with the Ashes around the corner, I want to play Test cricket” © Getty Images
England batsman Owais Shah, who was purchased by the Delhi Daredevils for US$ 275,000 in the second IPL auction, has said nothing will give him greater fulfillment than a secure career with England. Shah was speaking after he was omitted from the squad for the ongoing first Test against West Indies in Jamaica.”We all want to play Test cricket because there is pride and honour playing for your country against another nation,” Shah told . “There’s no feeling to beat it.”Shah began his England career in 2001 as an ODI specialist but has struggled to find a regular place in the side, playing 52 ODIs in that period. He had to wait another five years for his Test debut, but despite making an impression with an important 88, he has played only one more Test since.He admitted his disappointment at not making the line-up for the Jamaica Test but vowed to win his place back, with the Ashes coming up at home this summer.”The captain (Andrew Strauss) told me that it was a tough decision (to leave him out of the first Test), but that I was close and I have to keep knocking on the door,” Shah said. “I’m only 30. I want to play for England in the near future and with the Ashes around the corner, I want to play Test cricket. I’m allowed a four-week period for the IPL, then I have to be back in England. Hopefully, I’ll make the one-day squad.”He said he wasn’t entirely surprised to see his England team-mate Ravi Bopara being auctioned off for US$ 450,000 by the Kings XI Punjab – exactly three times his base price – given his worth as an allrounder. Both are relatively inexperienced at the Test level but Bopara fetched a much higher bid, despite playing 19 fewer ODIs.”His value is a lot more than mine because he is an allrounder,” Shah said. “He’s a good one-day player. He’s played for England so good luck to him.”Bopara admitted he even feared being unsold at the auctions and didn’t have too many expectations when the bidding started.”I was just hoping that someone would bid for me at the base price of US$ 150,000. I was a little worried that I might be unsold,” Bopara told the website cricketheroes.co.uk. “There was a period of ten seconds before the first bid came in but I was more than happy once that came in.”When I looked at the TV and saw this bidding war going on for me it was quite exciting but I’m not letting it go to my head.”

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha would be a “typical Wolves signing”, says Express & Star reporter Luke Hatfield.

According to Portuguese journalist Filipe Dias, Wolves are interested in signing Palhinha before the transfer window closes, though they face competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham.

Spurs’ interest in the 26-year-old complicates things. But if the Midlands club manage to get a deal over the line, then he would be joining compatriots Ruben Neves, Pedro Neto and Joao Moutinho at Molineux, adding to that Portuguese core.

On Palhinha’s potential arrival, Hatfield told FFC:

“We all know what Wolves’ transfer business has been like over the past few years. It’s normally from that Portuguese market.

“Palhinha is one who’s been linked on numerous occasions with Wolves. It would be a typical Wolves signing.”

Given that Wolves have been tapping into the Portuguese market in recent years, it really would not be a surprise if Palhinha did end up at Molineux.

With a midfield spot at Tottenham potentially opening up due to the uncertainty surrounding Tanguy Ndombele’s future, though, perhaps they could make a real push for the Sporting man before the end of the month. This could be an interesting one.

Sky Sports journalist Michael Bridge revealed that Crystal Palace wanted to sign Eddie Nketiah for weeks, eventually settling on a move for Odsonne Edouard on deadline day.

Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports posted on his personal Twitter on Monday that Palace were still pushing to sign Nketiah but there was a gap in the valuation and that there was also an unnamed German club in the mix also.

BBC Sport then reported on Tuesday that Crystal Palace had agreed a deal worth £15m with Celtic to bring striker Edouard to Selhurst Park, and obviously there was an issue regarding Nketiah given Bridge believes Palace have wanted to sign the Gunners man for a number of weeks in the lead up to the 11pm deadline.

“They were in talks for weeks with Arsenal over Eddie Nketiah. They’ve said to Arsenal ‘we’re not going to go above £12million we actually think that’s probably a bit too much’, but Arsenal have said ’20, he’s out of contract at the end of the season’,” the Sky Sports reporter told Transfer Tavern.

Throughout his Arsenal career, Nketiah has featured attacker has also featured out on both the right and left-wing showing versatility to his game.

Having failed to secure a move to a Selhurst Park or elsewhere, it remains to be seen how Mikel Arteta will use Nketiah in the coming months, while the Eagles will be hoping Edouard hits the ground running with Patrick Vieira’s side struggling to find the net in the opening weeks of the campaign.

Albie and Morne Morkel have become the first brothers in 56 years to be named as South African Cricket Annual Cricketers of the Year in the same season. The Morkels won the award for 2008 along with Monde Zondeki, Johan Botha and Dillon du Preez

Cricinfo staff21-Oct-2008
Morne Morkel was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in this year’s Test series in England © Getty Images
Albie and Morne Morkel have become the first brothers in 56 years to be named as South African Cricket Annual Cricketers of the Year in the same season. The Morkels won the award for 2008 along with Monde Zondeki, Johan Botha and Dillon du Preez, who were revealed as the five recipients in Johannesburg on Monday.The last brothers to receive the honour in the same year were Athol and Eric Rowan in 1952 – the first time the awards were presented. Other sets of siblings to have been handed the title, although in different years, include Graeme and Peter Pollock, Peter and Gary Kirsten, and Peter and Robbie Muzzell.The allrounder Albie Morkel has spent much of the past season trying to establish himself in South Africa’s ODI side as a potential successor to Lance Klusener and Shaun Pollock. He also had a productive time in the IPL, where he averaged 34.41 with the bat and collected 17 wickets to help the Chennai Super Kings reach the final.His younger brother Morne Morkel has taken a more conventional path to success over the past year as he became a key member of South Africa’s Test fast-bowling attack. He was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the Test series win in England, where he collected 15 wickets at 33.46.Botha, the offspinning allrounder, was rewarded for a season during which he was a consistent contributor in South Africa’s one-day team and earned the vice-captaincy of the side for their upcoming matches. The progress was particularly pleasing for Botha after he reworked his bowling action having been reported during January 2006.Zondeki and du Preez were recognised for being the leading wicket-takers during the domestic season. du Preez eventually finished just in front with 55 wickets at 16.90 as he helped the Eagles to the SuperSport Series title.Zondeki picked up five five-wicket hauls in his collection of 54 victims for the Cape Cobras. Also a strong contributor for South Africa A, Zondeki was rewarded with call-ups in the national squad for the tours of India and England.

Former Everton star Michael Ball believes a move to sign Sander Berge could be a shrewd one for the Toffees.

The club have been linked with a potential swoop to sign the defensive midfielder after the Blades were relegated to the Championship.

Berge enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Premier League when Sheffield United finished ninth, impressing in his 14 appearances.

He has struggled with injuries, however, and missed a large chunk of the 2020/21 season as the Blades finished rock-bottom.

Since their return to the Championship, Berge has played twice, and Ball believes he was quite simply the best player on the pitch when they took on Birmingham City, even though they lost the game 1-0.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Ball made the claim that he is too good for the second-tier, saying: “It always seems to be the same clubs linked to the same players, I think Arsenal are interested in him again and also Everton but I watched his game last week and he was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch.

“He probably is too good for the Championship.”

Berge has made a total of 34 appearances for the Blades and has also won 24 caps for Norway. He is valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt.

Celtic are enduring a horrendous start to the season with life under Ange Postecoglou commencing in the worst way possible.

The primary issues surrounding last term still linger at Parkhead with the Hoops suffering back to back defeats domestically and in Europe.

Celtic are conceding goals regularly but they are yet to really hit the ground running from an offensive point of view.

Odsonne Edouard has played in three matches but rather uncharacteristically, hasn’t found the back of the net yet.

The Frenchman has been linked with an exit throughout the summer and came close to joining Leicester before they pulled the plug and signed Patson Daka instead. A potential move to Brighton could occur and if he does move away, a replacement will be required.

An audacious swoop for ex-Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been mooted with Celtic reportedly approaching the Spain international over his services.

It’s may seem like an incredibly far-fetched transfer but if it does happen, it would be a remarkable piece of business from Postecoglou.

That’s because Costa is one of the most eye-catching attacking players of the last decade. He is a bullish forward who is capable of destroying defenders not only with his technical abilities but also with his stubborn temperament.

Ex-Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers once lamented the striker for his nasty side when in charge of Liverpool: “He [Costa] is an outstanding player – he obviously has this edge to him. We see the TV incidents, the two that he had. The one with Emre Can, that was poor, I felt. He could easily hurdle over the young player but he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could have been nasty.”

Rodgers added: “And the one with Martin Skrtel – again, there’s no need to do it. That’s the sad thing. He’s a top-class player and he’s clever enough that the officials don’t see it. But it’s poor by him because he’s an outstanding player and he doesn’t need to do it.”

In that sense, the Bhoys could find their own version of Alfredo Morelos. Both of them are players with a mean streak to their game but they are very much capable of finding the net regularly.

Dubbed an “animal” by Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has been named in the La Liga and Premier League Team of the Year due to his phenomenal goal-scoring instincts.

He bagged 58 in 120 outings for Chelsea and has netted 83 in 216 outings for Atletico Madrid.

Now a free agent, it would suit Celtic if they didn’t have to pay a fee for Costa. His wages could presumably be out of Celtic’s reach but that shouldn’t stop Postecoglou from doing everything he can to convince him to join and seeing if he fancies taking a pay-cut to move to Glasgow.

Costa is a proven elite striker who could light up Parkhead.

AND in other news, Ange can finally axe Celtic’s “walking joke” by signing “very dominant” 6ft3 colossus…

Martin van Jaarsveld continued his one-man show to bring up his second century of the match to complete Kent’s come-from-behind four-wicket win against Surrey

Jenny Roesler at The Oval02-Jul-2008
Scorecard
Martin van Jaarsveld completes a memorable match with a match-winning century on the final day at The Oval © Getty Images
Martin van Jaarsveld continued his one-man show to bring up his second century of the match to complete Kent’s come-from-behind four-wicket win against Surrey. After rewriting the script on the third day to help dismiss Surrey for 130 with his first five-wicket haul, van Jaarsveld took full control of his happy ending by overseeing the chase with another effective innings which fittingly remained unbeaten.He had given a chance on the third evening and was missed again early in the morning off Saqlain Mushtaq on 74, the bat-pad pop dropped at short leg by Matthew Spriegel symptomatic of a lacklustre final-morning display from Surrey. But other than that he and Geraint Jones were content to nibble the readily-available singles and gobble up the boundaries – making a tense situation seem at times like a picnic.Together they moved Kent along in an assured sixth-wicket partnership of 71. Jones’ innings included three crisp clips off the legs and a fine pull all off the unchanged Saqlain until his drive at a wide, full one from Jade Dernbach ended with Ali Brown’s catch in the slips on 39.Jones proved Surrey’s sole scalp, their lingering hopes finally thrown away when the new batsman Yasir Arafat was missed on 2, with Abdul Razzaq’s straightforward spill at wide mid-on off Dernbach. It was left to van Jaarsveld to polish off proceedings, bringing up his second ton with a strong drive between mid-on and midwicket that was loudly applauded by a smattering of supporters.For the second day running, the plaudits belonged to van Jaarsveld who has now hit two centuries in a match three times. He achieved the feat on debut for Kent and had previously brought up the mark for Northerns against Griqualand West in 2002. This was the first time, however, he had achieved a five-wicket haul – indeed his previous best was a two-fer – and it came at a good time for Kent, his efforts completely reversing the flow when Surrey were well-placed to bring up their first win of the season.For so long in this match it had seemed that the stage was set for the beginning of a post-Twenty20 resurgence similar to last year. With that distraction out of the way, in 2007 Surrey turned their Championship campaign around and from relegation candidates stormed up the table. van Jaarsveld, however, ensured they remain winless this season, while Kent brought up their second win, helping them up a tight table where every point is precious.For the record, it was the third time a Surrey opponent has brought up two centuries and taken five wickets against them. Jack Newman did it for Hampshire in 1907 and John Human for Cambridge University in 1933 – but neither’s work was in a winning cause. van Jaarsveld’s history-making actions will be remembered for a long time, and could prove vital in the short term.

An unbeaten 126 by Douglas Lockhart, supported by Qasim Sheikh’s 92, took Scotland to a commanding position at 286 for 3 against Canada in King City

Cricinfo staff17-Jul-2008
Scorecard
Douglas lockhart celebrates reaching his hundred © Eddie Norfolk
An unbeaten 126 by Douglas Lockhart, supported by Qasim Sheikh’s 92, took Scotland to a commanding position of 286 for 3 on the first day of their Intercontinental Cup game against Canada in King City. It was a bad toss to lose for the home side as their bowlers toiled on a flat pitch at the Maple Leaf North-East Ground.Scotland batted comfortably despite having less than a day to acclimatise themselves to local conditions after their arrival was delayed because of a hurricane in Bermuda, where they had played their previous game.Canada tasted early success when Fraser Watts was trapped lbw by Eion Katchay with the score on 21, before Lockhart and Sheikh took control till tea. Qaiser Ali, the Canada captain, used eight bowlers to force a breakthrough but to no avail. The pair scored five boundaries each before reaching their half-centuries, with Lockhart reaching the mark first.Scotland proceeded to 168 at tea before Sheikh unfortunately fell eight short of a ton shortly after the interval. They had added 173 in 57.1 overs. Debutant Sami Faridi, the chinaman bowler, who was the receiving end of a real pasting by the pair, broke through with one which turned across Sheikh, who edged to the wicketkeeper while attempting to work it to the leg side. Sheikh faced 194 balls and hung around for as many minutes, hitting 11 fours.Canada struck again with the wicket of Richard Berrington but the mainstay, Lockhart, remained till stumps with Neil McCallum. Lockhart faced 211 balls to reach three figures and ensured the advantage remained with Scotland despite the fall of a couple of wickets in the final session.

MatériaMais Notícias

Contra o Defensa y Justicia (ARG) nesta quarta-feira em Buenos Aires, o São Paulo não conseguiu impor o jogo de posse de bola e troca de passes que está acostumado. A falta de produtividade ofensiva culminou no empate por 0 a 0. E uma das justificativas do técnico Rogério Ceni foi o estado do gramado do La Fortaleza, do Lanús, onde a partida foi realizada.

– O empate foi justo, acho que foi um jogo muito truncado e marcado como é jogo sul-americano. Uma pena o gramado estar muito seco, não deu para dar velocidade, depois que ficamos com um jogador a menos ainda tivemos uma boa chance com o Nem. Mas foi um jogo atípico, sem tanta posse de bola, jogamos com dois jogadores mais pesados e o Nem fazendo esse gancho. Esse resultado não foi de todo mal, a partida foi regular – disse Ceni.

– Pedimos que fosse molhado o campo, mas não foi possível. Isso dificulta para nós que gostamos de passar a bola com velocidade, dá insegurança para sair jogando, a bola quica muito mais. Jogo atipico, chutamos muita bola para frente, tentamos no 3 contra 3 com Nem, Pratto e Chavez, que levaram muita vantagem na bola aérea no primeiro tempo. Perdemos duas boas chances. Fomos bem abaixo do que estávamos apresentando no Paulista, mas dos males o menor, saímos com zero e vamos decidir no Morumbi – completou o treinador.

Ceni concluiu dizendo que não gostou do estilo apresentado pelo time, apesar da ponderação do gramado, e disse que no Morumbi será diferente. O duelo de volta da primeira fase da Sul-Americana está marcado para o dia 11 de maio.

– Foi um resultado justo, para mim não foi bom, porque não gosto de jogar dessa maneira. Quero jogar diferente no Morumbi – declarou.

O São Paulo pegou avião de volta ao Brasil logo após o embate, já que nesta quinta-feira haverá greve geral na Argentina e o time não conseguiria embarcar. O Tricolor volta a campo no próximo sábado, no Morumbi, para o segundo jogo das quartas de final do Paulista. Tem a vantagem de perder até por um gol de diferença por ter vencido a ida por 2 a 0.

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