O Corinthians vai analisar a previsão orçamentária para 2021. O clube fechou parceria com a Falconi, empresa de consultoria em gestão que ajudará a diretoria a administração. O contrato foi assinado por um ano, mas a ideia é que a Falconi permaneça pelos próximos três anos, até o fim da gestão do presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves.
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>> Confira a tabela do Campeonato Paulista e simule os resultados
O orçamento de 2021 foi elaborado pela gestão passada, comandada pelo então presidente Andrés Sanchez. O documento ainda está sendo avaliado pelos órgãos internos do clube, mas é certo que ele será revisado.
– Vamos montar planejamento estratégico, fazer uma revisão do orçamento de 2021 e criar metas e acompanhar as metas. Não é um projeto da Falconi, é do Corinthians, mas com ajuda fundamental da Falconi, porque entendemos que não conseguiríamos fazer sozinhos e internamente – afirmou o diretor financeiro do Corinthians, Wesley Melo.
– A análise da Falconi é sempre técnica, não é aleatória. Estamos trazendo a Falconi para conseguir enxergar o todo e ela trazer oportunidade de redução de custos. Não é simplesmente pegar uma lista de folha salarial e sair cortando. Na parte de modalidade, já está sendo adotado para que cada uma seja autossustentável, para que a gente consiga encontrar um clube de equilíbrio – acrescentou o dirigente.
No orçamento para 2021, está prevista uma redução de gastos de 20%. De acordo com Wesley Melo, essa meta já está sendo cumprida nestes primeiros meses.
– O clube tem um orçamento para 2021, pode não ter sido preparado para essa gestão, mas é um documento oficial e está sendo seguido. Prevê redução de 20% e está sendo respeitado – declarou o dirigente.
Sócio da Falconi, André Paranhos explicou qual o objetivo da consultoria. A ideia é apontar despesas que possam ser reduzidas e canalizar investimentos para setores adequados.
– É uma satisfação muito grande estar nesse momento tão importante da história do Corinthians, com um cenário bastante desafiador. Acreditamos que, com boas práticas de gestão, temos tudo para estruturar a parte administrativa e gerar resultados no longo prazo – disse Paranhos.
– Nosso compromisso é sair um pouco da visão de departamentos, é ter uma visão integrada de oportunidades e problemas que vamos encontrar. Vamos realizar uma análise bem técnica para fazer as recomendações para cada um desses temas – afirmou o sócio da consultoria.
To the dread of many supporters, Manchester United return to Premier League action at home to high-flying Aston Villa later today, with Erik ten Hag's men seeking to bounce back from the dismal defeat away to West Ham United last time out.
Faced with more claret and blue, the Red Devils will be aiming to end their recent sticky spell, having now failed to score in each of their last four games in all competitions – since the convincing win over rivals Chelsea earlier this month.
3/10 is worse than Rashford in Man Utd's player ratings so far for 23/24
There’s not been too many standout performers for the Red Devils in the first-half of the season.
ByRobbie Walls Dec 25, 2023
Following the highs of last season – in which United reached two cup finals and finished third in the league – there is a sense that the current campaign is already over to some degree, with no European football to be played in the new year and with the FA Cup the only real possible route to silverware.
While the recently confirmed investment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe may spark hope of a brighter future for the long-term, in the short-term Ten Hag and co need a lift – and fast – although whether an injury-ravaged side can pull something out of the hat against Unai Emery's title hopefuls is another matter entirely.
Man Utd team news for Aston Villa
Although it cannot wholly excuse the club's dour 2023/24 campaign, injuries and absences have no doubt played a sizeable role in United's rapid decline in contrast to last term, with Ten Hag having been without a string of first-team stars over an extended period.
For today's meeting at Old Trafford, in particular, the Dutchman's options are rather limited across the park, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof all still unavailable, as are Mason Mount and Casemiro.
The former Ajax boss is also likely to again be without Anthony Martial due to illness, although in more positive news, World Cup winner Raphael Varane could be in contention to feature after missing the trip to the London Stadium.
With Diogo Dalot also returning from suspension – and Amad Diallo in line to make his long-awaited return from injury – there could well be notable changes made this evening, with £86m dud, Antony, among those needing to make way.
Antony's game by numbers vs West Ham
There is no denying that the Brazilian enigma should have walked away from Saturday's clash with at least one assist to his name, having teed up Alejandro Garnacho in the first half, only for the Argentine to inexplicably fire his effort straight at Alphonse Areola.
That being said, one moment of quality should not cloud what was another shoddy showing from the left footer, as he yet again frustrated with his lack of end product in the final third – at one stage firing the ball out of play with the visitors having been in a promising position on the edge of the Hammers' box.
As was evident in that instance, too frequently does the wideman spend his time apologising to teammates for an errant pass or wrong decision, having proven unable to put in a consistently strong display from the flanks throughout an entire game.
Awarded a meagre 4/10 match rating by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst for his dire outing, Antony notably lost the ball on 16 occasions as a sign of his woes, while winning only five of his 14 total duels.
Still without a goal or assist in all competitions this season, it beggars belief that the 2022 summer signing continues to be a regular pick at right-wing under Ten Hag, with the hope being that the impending return of Amad can put some pressure on his position.
As for today's fixture, however, it may be wise to utilise the Ivorian in a cameo role, with Facundo Pellistri seemingly the ideal figure to slot into that wide berth.
The reasons why Facundo Pellistri should start vs Aston Villa
There would be no real surprise if Ten Hag does rotate his attacking unit for the visit of Unai Emery's men, with Rasmus Hojlund likely to give way having been hooked before the hour mark at the weekend after making just 17 touches in total.
In his place, Marcus Rashford – who netted 30 goals last season across all fronts – entered the fray through the middle, with their no doubt wisdom in deploying the Englishman in that role from the start today, particularly with Martial still sidelined.
With Garnacho retaining his place on the left, it could then see the "spectacular" Pellistri – as previously hailed by compatriot Ronald Araujo – come in on the opposite side, with the Uruguayan deserving of a rare chance to impress from the start.
Club
Games
Goals
Assists
Penarol
37
2
4
Alaves
35
0
0
Man Utd
23
0
2
Man Utd U21
9
3
1
Total
105
5
7
Uruguay
18
0
6
Stats via Transfermarkt
While the 22-year-old has made just one league start so far this term, he does actually boast more goal involvements than his fellow South American, Antony, having registered a late assist for Bruno Fernandes in the last-gasp victory away to Fulham last month.
That involvement in the game's decisive goal showcased the diminutive winger's remarkable persistence and threat when operating down the right, possessing a real direct nature that is so often missing from Antony's play.
Such quality was memorably evident last term in the 4-1 thrashing of Real Betis in the Europa League on home soil, with Pellistri driving into the box beautifully before playing his part in the build-up to Wout Weghorst's subsequent strike.
It is moments like that which have sparked the excitement surrounding the former Penarol man, yet that has not translated into a regular run in the side under Ten Hag – even amid Antony's, and the club's, longstanding woes.
It would be a big call to unleash the 18-cap international from the start in today's late kick-off, yet in truth, something needs to give if United's recent goal drought is to come to an end.
Perhaps he and Rashford can help to spark a much-needed revival at the Theatre of Dreams…
Chelsea have reportedly made a big offer to sign a new forward for Mauricio Pochettino and have already received a response.
Chelsea eyeing new striker
It seems as if a marque attacker is at the top of the wishlist for the Blues in 2024, with Todd Boehly potentially splashing the cash at Stamford Bridge once again.
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ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024
Two attackers were brought in over the summer in Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, however, the former has struggled with injury and the latter has come in for criticism at points. Jackson appeared to be jeered by Chelsea supporters in a defeat to Wolves last month, which resulted in Pochettino defending the Senegal striker, who is now currently away on AFCON duty.
“It is always about expectation, how you manage expectation and set the expectation. If we compare Jackson to different strikers that arrive at his age to a new league, he is scoring goals when you look at his performances.
“It is not about blaming him. I think you can accept the frustration from the fans: when we don’t score, it is about the offensive players. But my advice is to blame them all together because football is a team sport, a collective sport, we cannot blame only one. But in this case, he is young, in the Premier League, the expectation is massive and we are Chelsea. At Chelsea, there is pressure to play and deliver the best job possible.”
Victor Osimhen of Napoli has emerged as a leading candidate, however, a transfer may not materialise until the summer despite the player being open to a move. The Blues have been offered up to five strikers as short-term solutions, but it looks as if they have made their move for another star striker in Viktor Gyokeres.
Chelsea make offer to sign Viktor Gyokeres
According to reports from Portugal, relayed by The Daily Mail, Chelsea have made a bid to sign Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, offering around €85m (£73m). However, in a blow for Boehly and co, Sporting Lisbon have reportedly turned Chelsea’s proposal down and appear to be holding out for the player’s €100m (£86m) release clause. Also, Gyokeres wants to remain in Portugal until the end of the season after only joining from Coventry City last summer.
Sporting CP strikerViktor Gyokeres.
You can see why the Blues are seemingly interested in Gyokeres’ services, with the Sweden international taking his game to the next level after leaving the Sky Blues.
The 25-year-old contributed to 33 Championship goals last season as Coventry narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League and has gone from strength to strength with Sporting Lisbon.
Viktor Gyokeres stats 2023/24
Appearances
24
Minutes played
1,911
Goals
20
Assists
10
As can be seen, Gyokeres, hailed as “unplayable” by former teammate Maxime Biamou, has starred during the current campaign and is currently averaging a goal contribution every 64 minutes.
The Blues appear to be just £13m short of triggering the striker’s release clause, so a return to England in 2024 with Chelsea could be one to keep an eye on.
Paul Heckingbottom's days in the Sheffield United hot seat did look to be numbered, with the 5-0 loss away at Vincent Kompany's Burnley this weekend – a Premier League relegation rival no less – judged to be the final straw for the Bramall Lane hierarchy.
Not yet officially confirmed, but rumours circulating on social media from many different media outlets point in the direction that the hapless Heckingbottom will be put out of his misery finally after a disastrous start to top-flight life as manager of the Blades – Sheffield United rooted to the foot of the table with only five points secured, conceding an embarrassing 39 goals from just 14 games played.
Former Blades icon in the dug-out Chris Wilder looks set to be Heckingbottom's immediate replacement, as per reports, the 56-year-old departing United in 2021 after completely revitalising the club during his tenure.
He successfully steered the Blades all the way up to the Premier League after the club found themselves marooned in League One, securing an unprecedented ninth placed finish too for the Blades when managing his hometown club in the top flight.
Wilder will hope his anticipated return to the Blades dug-out can re-energise this current group, breathing life back into proceedings after a dismal few months.
Here are three players that Wilder could turn to in order to provoke a revival at the club.
1 John Fleck
John Fleck
Fleck was a midfield maestro under Wilder during his first reign as Blades boss, an integral player centrally.
The Scottish midfielder was pivotal throughout Wilder's near five years at the club, Fleck amassing 44 assists over the five seasons the 56-year-old was present in the dug-out.
The 32-year-old would even score five times during the 2019/20 campaign that saw United play in the Premier League, Fleck adored by the Bramall Lane masses and his boss.
Fleck will be raring to go again upon hearing the news that Wilder is set to return as manager, the diminutive Blades presence barely featuring under Heckingbottom this campaign so far with just one start.
United's number four will no doubt start more games – after being frozen out – if Wilder does come back to the club, Fleck certainly benefitting from this potential managerial switch.
2 Oli McBurnie
McBurnie will also hope he can kickstart his faltering Blades career again under Wilder's management, alongside his fellow compatriot in Fleck.
United's number nine was a reliable goalscorer under Wilder in the top flight during the 2019/20 campaign, scoring six goals from 36 appearances with two of those strikes coming in huge home victories over Chelsea and Tottenham.
The incoming Blades boss will need to put his arm around McBurnie and remind him of this goalscoring prowess, the Scottish forward frustrated and angry in recent matches which was abundantly clear in his quick double booking against Burnley with two unnecessary elbows.
The 27-year-old will want his football to do the talking again away from this petulance, hoping that Wilder can get him firing if he does come in.
3 Auston Trusty
Former Arsenal man Trusty was the only defender from the 5-0 Clarets defeat that could leave Turf Moor with his head held high somewhat, the American centre-back still winning six of his nine duels in the one-sided affair.
Trusty could well be a centre-back Wilder is a fan of, the 56-year-old is always keen to have a full-throttle option at the back who can push his team forward.
The 25-year-old had a really successful loan switch to Birmingham City last campaign before joining United – scoring four times and assisting three goals from defence – and so Wilder will want to make Trusty his main man in a leaky backline.
With 0.56 progressive passes received per 90 minutes over the last year on top of 2.50 tackles registered – as sourced by FBRef – for the Blues and the Blades, Wilder will want to harness Trusty's attacking qualities further whilst hoping he's a rock-solid figure who can begin to shore up a pitiful defence at Bramall Lane.
Nottinghamshire captain Steven Mullaney has been drafted into the England Lions squad for the limited-overs leg of their tour of India. He replaces Tom Moores, the Notts wicketkeeper, who has suffered a leg injury that will keep him out for two-to-three weeks.Mullaney, 32, made his Lions debut last year, during a tri-series involving India A and West Indies A. The allrounder has developed into one of the most reliable white-ball players in the county game, helping Notts to a 50-over and T20 double in 2017 and captaining the North to victory in the 2018 North-South series.Moores was himself only called up a week ago, having been selected alongside Surrey’s Will Jacks as replacements for Joe Clarke and Tom Kohler-Cadmore – the two former Worcestershire players who were stood down from Lions duty after courtroom revelations during the trial of Alex Hepburn about their alleged behaviour.”I’m obviously gutted for Tom,” Mullaney said. “He put in great performances for us last season and deserved his place on the tour. He comes home knowing he’s in the thoughts of the selectors ahead of the new season, which can only be good for him. For me, it’s a chance to go out to India and play some good cricket. I can’t wait to get out there now.”Especially with the 50-over competition starting so early in our season, it should actually be really good preparation for when we get started with Notts. It’s a talented squad out there. I’m looking forward to contributing and showing what I can do if selected.”The Lions are due to start a five-match series against India A – who have selected Test stars Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant – in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, followed by two four-day games in February.
Shaw’s injury disrupted India’s plans for the first Test or even beyond
The Report by Andrew McGlashan in Sydney30-Nov-2018
Mohammed Shami reacts in the field•BCCI
India’s time in the field on the third day at the SCG was dominated by the ankle injury to Prithvi Shaw which sent him to hospital and saw him return to the ground on crutches, leaving India’s opening plans for the first Test in Adelaide – and perhaps beyond – needing a rethink.It was an unconvincing performance from India, as the Cricket Australia XI reached 0 for 114 and then were able to see out the day through an unbroken stand of 122 between Aaron Hardie and Harry Nielsen, although the bowlers did improve during the afternoon session.Rusty quicksThe opening spells of Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav were poor as the Cricket Australia XI openers, D’Arcy Short and Max Bryant, cantered along at five-an-over. Virat Kohli wore the expression of a frustrated captain as he watched his quicks struggle to settle, although his main concern would soon become the well being of Shaw. However, the value of a few miles in the legs showed during the afternoon. Shami removed Short before lunch to a top-edged hook and later got one through Jake Carder – who faced 139 balls for his 38 before playing around a full delivery – then had Jonathan Merlo caught behind. Yadav, meanwhile removed Sam Whiteman when the left hander edged a booming drive. Ishant Sharma ended wicketless from 16 overs, in just his second match since the Oval Test in early September, but did beat the bat on occasions on what remained a slow pitch.”Initially we conceded a few runs with the new ball and then we realized what lengths we had to bowl and what sort of fields we need to keep,” R Ashwin said. “Practice matches are those where you are looking to get something out of it for yourself and as a bowling group when you go out there on the park.Ashwin’s roleR Ashwin’s Test numbers in Australia are not pretty – 21 wickets at 54.71 – although he may be feeling a frisson of excitement at being able to target a batting order with plenty of left handers in Adelaide. Regardless, though, of the wickets he takes he will also have a role to play in keeping a hold on the scoring rate to allow the three quicks to rotate and not exhaust themselves, in the manner Graeme Swann did on England’s successful 2010-11 tour. He was the first bowler to offer Kohli control after the rapid start by the CA XI and broke the opening stand when Bryant missed his charge. An inexperienced batting line-up was not the toughest challenge he will face, but he settled onto a steady line and length as he clocked up 24 overs in the day.”I thought the ball came out pretty well,” Ashwin said. “I haven’t played an international game for a while so it felt good the way it came out. Obviously the next four to five days I will prep up a bit more for the game.”M Vijay has been among the runs since being dropped from the Indian Test side•ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Eyes on Rahul and VijayThe news that Shaw will miss at least the Adelaide Test has thrown the spotlight back on KL Rahul and M Vijay. Rahul failed in the first innings of this match, driving tamely to mid-off, which earned a mild rebuke from batting coach Sanjay Banger. Vijay did not get a bat on the second day, but the indications were that he would have had a hit in the second innings even before Shaw’s injury. Now that gains added importance given a likely return to the Test line-up against Australia’s strong pace attack next week. Vijay was dropped after the second Test against England – where he made a pair at Lord’s – but fought his way back into contention through a spell with Essex. He was one of the Test squad players to play for India A in New Zealand recently where he made 28 and 60 in Mount Maunganui so at least has some time in the middle not too long ago.CA XI again make tourists sweatThe CA XI have more than held their own against the Indians, as they did a couple of times against England on last year’s Ashes tour. Short put aside his recent T20 struggles with some lovely timing – his 74 was higher than his current first-class best of 66 – and Bryant took the attack to India’s quicks. Whiteman, who may return to the Western Australia Shield team next week, shaped up nicely before his loose drive and when it appeared the innings could fall away Hardie, the star with the ball yesterday, and Nielsen kept India in the field as they each made composed half-centuries. They don’t have any plans to declare either, instead making India bowl them out before they can have another bat. “We’re definitely not declaring,” Short said. “We’ll bat for as long as we can, keep them out there and make them bowl to us and bowl us out.”
A Confederação Brasileira de Futebol desmembrou, nesta quarta-feira (30), mais quatro rodadas do Brasileirão 2020. Com um jogo atrasado diante do Corinthians para fazer, o Palmeiras terá um calendário ‘insano’ já no primeiro mês de 2021, inclusive com uma maratona de quatro jogos em um intervalo de nove dias.
>> Confira a tabela atualizada do Brasileirão e faça sua simulação
O jogo de ida diante do River Plate ocorrerá no dia 05 (terça-feira), e o duelo diante do Sport está marcado para o dia 09 de janeiro (sábado). No dia 12 (terça), o Palmeiras recebe o River Plate no Allianz Parque, pelo confronto de volta das semifinais da Copa Libertadores. Já no dia 15 (sexta-feira), o clube recebe o Grêmio no mesmo palco, pela 30ª rodada do Brasileirão.
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Três dias mais tarde, numa segunda-feira (18), será a vez do Verdão receber o seu maior rival, o Corinthians, também no Allianz Parque, para cumprir jogo atrasado da 28ª rodada. Logo após o Dérbi, o time de Abel Ferreira viaja para o Rio de Janeiro, onde encara o Flamengo, no dia 21 (quinta-feira), e já embarca para Ceará para enfrentar o Vozão no dia 24 (domingo).
>> Hulk, Diego Costa… Veja bons atacantes que estão buscando time para 2021
No dia 27 de janeiro (quarta), o Palmeiras também recebe o Vasco no Allianz Parque, para jogo remarcado da primeira rodada do Brasileirão. Quatro dias depois, no dia 31 (domingo), o clube teria que enfrentar o Botafogo em São Paulo, mas, caso o Verdão avance para a final da Libertadores, a rodada teria que ser adiada, uma vez que a grande decisão do torneio continental está marcada para o dia 30.
Manchester United face a hectic run of fixtures before Christmas that could make or break their season depending on their success or failure in those matches.
The Old Trafford side have two vital Champions League ties against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray to come, while they also have to face Newcastle United, Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League.
If Erik ten Hag can get through this tough run, and it is a big if, it might just be the catalyst the club need to improve during the second half of the campaign and challenge for a top four spot in the table.
Having won just nine of the first 18 matches in the current season, Ten Hag may look to strengthen his faltering side during the January transfer window, especially as some of his players are attracting attention from elsewhere.
Casemiro is reportedly being targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia according to 90min and this could leave a big void in the centre of United’s midfield.
The riches offered by the Middle East could tempt the Brazilian into making the move to Asia and this may mean Ten Hag delves into the transfer market.
Man Utd transfer news
While their midfield options could be lighter with Casemiro potentially departing, Ten Hag will also be keen on strengthening his defensive options ahead of the second half of the season.
The Red Devils have conceded 30 goals in just 18 matches this season already and something needs to be done to fix this leaky defence.
According to German outlet Bild (via TEAMtalk), United are keeping tabs on young French defender Castello Lukeba ahead of the January window with hopes of luring him to England.
Castello Luekba for RB Leipzig.
The 20-year-old secured a move to RB Leipzig from Lyon in the summer, despite United showing interest in the youngster earlier this year.
Scouts from Old Trafford, according to the report, have been monitoring the centre-back this season, although a move might be deemed slightly unrealistic in the next few months given that he has only been in the Bundesliga since the summer.
He could emerge as a dream heir to Raphael Varane should he make the move to Manchester, especially as the former Real Madrid defender has been linked with a move away.
Raphael Varane’s future at Man Utd
At the beginning of November, TEAMtalk revealed that Varane was attracting attention from clubs in Saudi Arabia, and they were looking to make a move for the defender in January.
With just 18 months left on his current contract, the next transfer window could be the ideal time for Ten Hag to cash in on the 30-year-old and recoup a fee similar to the one they shelled out for him just over two years ago.
Having established himself as one of the finest centre-backs on the continent during his spell with Madrid, Varane has become more and more injury-prone since arriving in Manchester.
Indeed, since the beginning of the 2021/22 season, the Frenchman has missed 38 matches due a variety of injury issues and he as not quite been at his brilliant best, with his absences not allowing him to find his rhythm on the pitch.
This season, the 30-year-old has started just four Premier League matches while he fails to rank in the top ten in the squad for accurate passes per game in the league (30.4) along with ranking in the 15th spot for tackles per game (0.6) and 19th for interceptions per game, clearly proving that he has not been an outstanding contributor offensively or defensively.
Injury problems could be catching up with the French titan as, even when he is fit enough to feature, Varane has not been quite at the same level which saw him win four Champions League crowns with Madrid along with securing a World Cup winners medal for France in 2018.
By signing Lukeba, Ten Hag could unearth a natural heir to the United defender at the turn of the year.
Castello Lukeba’s career statistics
The young gem made his debut for Lyon during the 2021/22 season, eventually featuring 30 times in what was a breakthrough season, and his performances were widely praised.
Journalist Josh Bunting waxed lyrical about the defender in December 2021 following a match against Metz, saying: “Castello Lukeba again impressive for Lyon at Metz , really sharp young player not just getting the goal but he’s slotting into that back 3 very well, he’s a very accurate passer of the ball,gets on it and can move it quickly. Also has a good pass selection about him. Big prospect.”
30.4
57.5
0.6
0.7
0.1
0.3
2.5
2.5
1.8
3
As you can see within the table above, Lukeba has outperformed Varane at league level this term due to the defensive impact he has had on the pitch.
Another 38 appearances followed last term before he secured his big move to Leipzig in the summer and with his recent performances in Germany, Lukeba is beginning to look like the real deal.
The 20-year-old ace has already made 16 appearances, including four in the Champions League, and is looking settled at his new club this term.
Not only does he rank second among his teammates for accurate passes per game in the Bundesliga (57.5), but the defender also ranks in the top ten for tackles (0.7) and interceptions (0.3) per game, demonstrating how impressive he has been in defence.
Not only is he adept at passing and dictating the play from the heart of the defence, but he has impressive physicality for someone so young. Lukeba has won 63% of his total duels – three per game – in the German top flight this term and his ability to get the better of opposition players in one one-on-one battles is excellent.
Castello Lukeba
The Leipzig sensation featured for the France U21 side on 14 occasions before finally making his debut against Scotland last month in a 4-1 victory, coming on with just three minutes left.
With his impressive performances this term, however, he could potentially sneak into the Euro 2024 squad next summer, and this would be the catalyst for him to really show his worth on the big stage.
Lukeba is certainly following in the footsteps of Varane and, if given continued exposure at the highest level, he may eventually reach his level.
United need another centre-back desperately and Lukeba is a fascinating prospect. While a move in the next few weeks might be out of the question, the Dutchman should be doing everything he can to lure the youngster to Manchester sooner rather than later.
ScorecardCalum MacLeod’s 58-ball century led Derbyshire to their first win in this season’s Vitality Blast with a 31-run win at Wantage Road that kept Northamptonshire winless from five matches.MacLeod’s second T20 hundred, with 12 fours and four sixes, saw Derbyshire rack up 211 for 2 – their joint-second highest T20 total – that was defended very easily after Lockie Ferguson removed Ben Duckett and Richard Levi in the Powerplay.MacLeod, the Glaswegian right-hander who was the scourge of England as they lost to Scotland in Edinburgh earlier this season, became the first Scotland player to hit an ODI hundred against England. This time he became just the third century-maker for Derbyshire in T20s after Greg Smith and Wes Durston. He finally fell for a career-best equalling 104, miscuing a drive to extra-cover.Northants skipper Alex Wakely said: “It’s a similar story for us, we’ve gone for 200 four times and you’re not going to win too many games doing that. We’re just not doing it out on the field, I’m not sure why, we’ve got bowlers who are good enough they’re just not executing and you can see how guys have got big runs against us.
Talking T20 Podcast
Dan Norcross and David Hopps desperately try to recall the latest news from 18 counties Listen on ESPN radio Follow on iTunes
“But the nature of T20, sometimes you just have to say well played and Calum played brilliantly. They then had three guys bowling 85 mph plus, every ball was hip height and above and they made it very difficult for us.”MacLeod began by driving Rory Kleinveldt past cover point and then over backward point, before cutting and sweeping Josh Cobb for further boundaries.A viscous lofted cover-drive was parried for six by a diving Ben Sanderson before a steer past short-third man brought him four more en route to fifty in 33 balls.His hitting set a good platform at 136 for 1 after 14 overs and MacLeod then heaved Brett Hutton over extra-cover for six, turned a high full-toss over long leg for another maximum and slammed his 10th four past mid-off as 22 came from the over. Luke Procter was slapped wide of mid-on before a drive past point brought up MacLeod’s century.MacLeod shared a stand of 126 with Wayen Madsen – a record second-wicket stand for anyone against Northants. Madsen, as ever, played a clever innings with excellent running between the wickets.He reverse-swept Seekkuge Prasanna for his first boundary and twice steered fours past point before heaving Procter onto the pavilion balcony. A slower ball from Kleinveldt was driven past extra-cover and he reached a half-century in 32 balls in the final over that yielded 16.Derbyshire, having been sent in, scored 75 runs in the final six overs. But in the first six, they were given a bright start from Billy Godleman, playing his first T20 this season. He skipped down to the first ball of the innings to lift Sanderson for four before hoisting Hutton for six over long-on. He pulled Kleinveldt for two fours but having got to 29, drove Procter to deep cover.The Northants chase never got into gear. Ferguson, introduced in the third over, produced a spell to put the game beyond doubt. He removed Duckett first ball with one that nipped away, took the edge and was wonderfully held down low at first slip by MacLeod, before a spearing yorker cannoned Levi’s off stump.Kyle Coetzer, playing his first match for Northants since 2015, went to uppercut Hardus Viljoen and was caught at short-third man for a fourth-ball duck as the Powerplay ended at 48 for 3. Cobb was then caught at extra-cover trying to drive Alex Hughes’ first delivery and the same bowler got a slower ball through Alex Wakely to bowl him for 10. Hughes finished with 4 for 42 – his final over being struck for 22.It was part of a brief flurry from Kleinveldt, who blasted four sixes in his 36 from 14 balls. He and Prasanna, with 29 in 14 balls, kept the home support entertained but the lower order were left with far too much to do.
Pundit Frank McAvennie has U-turned over a "wonderful" West Ham United player, after originally calling his signing a "stupid" one by manager David Moyes.
West Ham fixtures and results
The east Londoners, over a mixed start to this new Premier League season, have sealed impressive results against the likes of in-form Brighton and big-spending Chelsea but appeared to fall by the wayside in their most recent domestic encounter against Aston Villa. Moyes' 4-1 defeat away to Unai Emery attracted real criticism, especially given the hapless nature of West Ham's defending at times.
Overall, West Ham have won four, lost three and drawn two in the league. However, they've only reigned victorious once in their last five games domestically. That is a record Moyes will be keen to rectify and very quickly, as he seeks to build upon the club's historic Europa Conference League triumph at the back end of last term.
That being said, there are certain members of the Hammers starting eleven which have stood out as real success stories so far. Jarrod Bowen, who recently signed a new contract at West Ham, has been absolutely excellent alongside summer signing James Ward-Prowse. The latter has been called one of the bargains of the summer, with Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards praising the "amazing" midfielder recently:
“I’ve banged on about Ward-Prowse now for so long and nobody was taking me seriously," said the Sky pundit.
"I was literally saying, he’s in a struggling team that don’t have a style of play and once he goes somewhere where he can express himself more, he’s got more than just taking free-kicks. He’s a comfortable footballer.
“When he’s played for England he’s not really took his chance so everyone sort of questions is he good enough for the highest level. But he is. He’s an amazing player."
There's also been praise for Lucas Paqueta by McAvennie, but the former West Ham striker has now moved to admit he was very wrong about one player who hasn't even started that many games for Moyes this season.
McAvennie U-turns over "wonderful" Benrahma
Irons midfielder Said Benrahma, who's made seven league appearances for West Ham, but mostly off the bench, possesses just one assist to show for his efforts so far this season. The Algeria international, signed from Brentford in 2020, has racked up over 140 appearances all competitions over his spell at the London Stadium, scoring more than 20 goals and bagging nearly as many assists.
Said-Benrahma-in-action
A tricky dribbler, the ex-Brentford star can be easy on the eye when at his very best, with McAvennie praising Benrahma for his contribution overall – admitting he was wrong to call his signing "stupid".
“At the time I thought it was stupid because there was a young player everyone was raving about in the exact same position, and they sold him and brought in Benrahma and I’m thinking really," said the pundit to West Ham Zone.
“But he proved me wrong, he’s a great talent, a wonderful, wonderful talent. So it just shows you David Moyes knows what he’s doing.”