Kumar Sangakkara treated Lord’s to a fine century on the first day of the London derby but it is no exaggeration to say that Dawid Malan, Middlesex’s own classy left-hander, achieved the same standards in reply

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Lord's20-May-2017
ScorecardWhat Kumar Sangakkara achieved, Dawid Malan matched [file picture]•Getty ImagesAn 18th first class hundred for Dawid Malan, brought up in an innings that started in rain and ended in sun, paints an appropriate picture. Middlesex were in no great shakes at 50 for 2, as Surrey exploited a lively surface in the early afternoon, when Malan strode to the crease to calm them with a bit of class.Some prefer the crashing of waves, others the wails of whales. Judging by the sighs in the Pavilion, impeccable cover drives from Middlesex’s No. 4 did the trick. It is not forcing the point to say that Kumar Sangakkara’s day one century has been matched by one from Middlesex’s own classy left-hander.Maybe his teammates sought to match the Sangakkara portrait unveiled at Lord’s before the opening day by knocking up a doodle to stick on the wall of the changing room for when he returned 103 not out – bat under one arm, game under the other.But just as Sangakkara’s was a lone hand of style and substance, Malan negotiated tricky periods to steer Middlesex out of harm’s way and close to parity, with five wickets remaining. Aided with an enterprising half-century from James Franklin in the evening session – he reached the milestone off 43-deliveries with back-to-back sixes off Scott Borthwick – they are in control of what happens next. They both rest overnight with 92 unbeaten for the sixth wicket.The last nine months have been strange for Malan who, aged 29, has never been more assured of his own game but might be a tad confused by his standing in the domestic game.Last summer, he was left “speechless” by a call-up to England’s T20 side for a one-off match against Sri Lanka, though did not make the playing XI. He was then asked to captain an exciting Lions side against Pakistan A but, despite finishing the season strongly – including an England Lions List A record score of 185 not out – he was overlooked for the winter programme. It is fair to say he was miffed by the snub.That meant filling his winter how he could. Previously he would spend the part of his off-season back in South Africa, giving his game an MOT under the precise watch of Gary Kirsten. On occasion, he has had to weigh up the possibility of spending the new year in Australia on the off-chance that he might wangle a BBL gig as a late injury-replacement.Yet again, he spent time at the Bangladesh Premier League for the Barisa Bulls before winning the PSL with Peshawar Zalmi, which involved a final in Lahore. He was back in front of the selectors’ eyes during the North-South series in the UAE. Even when he returned a century in the first match, he wasn’t getting ahead of himself. He surmised that three figures, while nice, was useless if it did not bring him closer to higher honours.For the most part against Surrey, he was chanceless. There was a bit of tentativeness early on – after all, his highest score until today, in all forms, was a 50 against Glamorgan in the Royal London One-Day Cup. But, for the most part, he had a plan against all those he faced today and stuck to it brilliantly.Against Mark Footitt, who brought Malan to the crease with an exceptional delivery that pitched on middle and leg climbed into the shoulder of Nick Compton’s bat on its way through to Ben Foakes, he remained calm and picked him off when the left-armer arrowed in at the stumps. He was able to second-guess Stuart Meaker’s changes in length, rarely omitting to punish anything over-pitched.When Meaker did settle into the groove upon the wicket of Adam Voges, he was able to unsettle John Simpson with a sustained assault on about middle and leg. After a couple of strong lbw shouts against Simpson, Malan took charge and hit Meaker out of the attack with back-to-back fours: the first cut behind point, the second thumped through cover, to take him to 68. The hundred came up off his 169th ball, as he stepped into a delivery from Gareth Batty and threaded it through a staggered cover field.For the most part, Stevie Eskinazi kept him company. It speaks volumes of Eskinazi’s standing in the side that with Sam Robson’s injury, it was Compton, in his first Championship start of the season, who opened with Nick Gubbins.Eskinazi is very much Middlesex’s man at first drop: 67 was a third score above fifty this season and one that took him past 1,000 first-class runs. He bats like a man who has made more.If Middlesex were wasteful on the first morning, they were ruthless on the second day. Surrey lost their last five wickets for just 48 thanks to some incisive bowling and exceptional catching.The bigger of Franklin’s two wickets – Sangakkara, adding just one to his overnight score – owed more to Ollie Rayner, who took his second blinding catch of the match from a wideish third slip. Sangakkara cut hard, expecting four, but instead found Rayner’s sizeable right paw. The Sri Lankan’s disbelief was shared by most who bore witness.

West Ham United's search for Declan Rice's replacement continues after selling their captain to Arsenal in a British-record transfer last week.

Who will West Ham sign to replace Rice?

Rice's move to north London, reported to be worth £105m when add-ons are included, officially went through last Saturday. It is a deal that was in the offing for the best part of a month, meaning the Hammers have had plenty of time to search for a replacement – like-for-like or otherwise.

Fulham's Joao Palhinha, Denis Zakaria of Juventus and Everton's Amadou Onana have each been linked, among others, but The Guardian suggests West Ham could now move for another player.

It is claimed that Monaco ace Youssouf Fofana is on David Moyes' radar as an alternative, though the Scotsman is concerned about the 24-year-old's lack of Premier League experience.

However, the numbers suggest that the Europa Conference League winners would be signing a very talented player in ten-cap France international Fofana, whom L'Equipe reports is available for €35m (£30m) this summer – roughly three-and-a-half times cheaper than departed skipper Rice.

Who is Youssouf Fofana?

Fofana may not have Premier League experience, but he has been a regular in Ligue 1 for five seasons, the past three and a half of those with Monaco, having joined from Strasbourg in January 2020.

The Paris native played 36 times for Monaco in the French top flight last season, starting all but one of those and with each coming in central midfield, as per WhoScored.

Fofana's strengths lie in breaking up play and carrying the ball forward, ranked as he is – as per FBref – in the top 15% of all midfielders across Europe's top five leagues last season for interceptions (1.49 per 90 minutes) and top 16% for successful take-ons (1.35 per 90).

For some perspective, Rice was in the top 5% for interceptions (1.73 per 90) – going a long way to explaining his hefty price tag – but only the top 34% for successful take-ons (0.96 per 90).

Rice and Fofana are not strictly the same type of player, then, but there are plenty of similarities between the pair, who are just four days apart in terms of age. For example, Rice was involved in 0.14 goals or assists per 90 last season, compared to 0.12 for Fofana.

A similar number of their shots found the target when they did get forward (22.9% for Rice v 23.8% for Fofana); they were in the same range for pass-completion percentage (86.5 v 81.6 respectively); and were near identical in terms of tackles and interceptions per 90 combined (3.90 v 3.99).

While there are areas Fofana cannot compete with Rice, such as aerial duels won per 90 (1.02 v 0.67), the Frenchman – described as a "magnificent" player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – is clearly a well-identified target to fill in alongside Tomas Soucek or indeed another new midfielder.

Ultimately, no player Moyes brings in this summer can adequately replace Rice. But in Fofana, West Ham would be signing a now-established France international who has plenty of top-flight experience, and all for a fraction of the cost.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Michael Beale has been a busy man throughout the summer transfer window as he has attempted to improve his squad.

The English tactician is still searching for his first trophy in charge of the club after the failure to secure a piece of silverware during the 2022/23 campaign.

Who have Rangers signed this summer?

Beale has reacted to last season’s disappointing by swooping for seven new signings to date; including Sam Lammers, Abdallah Sima, Kieran Dowell, Cyriel Dessers, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling, and Jack Butland.

That may not be the end of the club’s business, however, as they still have over a month to make further additions to the team before the deadline passes.

The Light Blues have been linked with a number of centre-forward options to improve their arsenal of weapons in the final third and one name that has emerged this summer is Brandon Vazquez.

How good is Brandon Vazquez?

The USA international, who currently plays for FC Cincinnati, is a promising striker whose form at MLS level suggests he has the potential to be an excellent player by Beale.

His ability to score goals as well as create them could make him the ideal partner for new signing Dowell at Ibrox next term, as the former Norwich ace is a midfielder who can get on the end of an incisive pass or provide one.

Vazquez – once lauded as a "ruthless" machine by football agent Chris Smith – has scored six goals in 21 appearances throughout 2023 but his form throughout 2022 indicates that the quality is there for him to be an outstanding signing and lethal striker.

The talented gem, who has reportedly been valued at up to €10m (£8.7m), plundered 20 goals and eight assists across 37 matches last year, which included 18 strikes in 33 MLS outings.

Whereas, no Rangers striker managed more than 14 goals or five assists throughout the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign, which suggests that the USNMT star could provide a greater threat at the top end of the pitch.

His creativity, in particular, could allow him to thrive alongside Dowell. The ex-Everton prospect scored ten goals in 26 Championship starts across two separate seasons during his time at Carrow Road, whilst Malik Tillman (ten) was the only Gers midfielder to hit double figures last term.

He also created 11 'big chances' for his Canaries teammates at that level, which is more than any Rangers midfielder other than Tillman (12) – who has since returned to Bayern Munich – produced during the 2022/23 league season.

This suggests that Dowell and Vazquez could form an exceptional frontline at Ibrox as they are both capable of being outstanding scorers and creators within their respective positions if they can adapt to Scottish football, which indicates that they could set each other up in the final third.

At the age of 24, the eight-cap sensation would also be the youngest, by two years, striker within the squad and this means that he could be a superb long-term investment by Beale, whilst also having the quality to possibly make an immediate impact in Scotland.

Virat Kohli had struggled against the short ball on slow West Indian pitches, but with the series up for grabs, he overcame them to make an unbeaten 111

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-20172:28

Plan was to play fewer dot balls – Kohli

After two low scores, and perhaps more pertinently two similar dismissals, it had seemed like West Indies were zeroing in on a weakness in Virat Kohli’s game. The Indian captain fell for 3 and 11 in North Sound, fending and hooking at short balls in an attempt to take the attack to the opposition before he was settled. Such tactics might well succeed on good pitches but not so much on the slow tracks of the Caribbean where the ball does not always come onto the bat.In Kingston too, Kohli was welcomed to the crease with a few bouncers, but the conviction not to get out in the same tame manner for a third successive time helped him make his 28th ODI century – an unbeaten 111 to seal India’s chase of 206 and the series 3-1.Kohli’s celebration – a resounding roar heard around Sabina Park – as he secured his 18th hundred in a chase, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record, was an expression of joy at overcoming a challenge.”I don’t like to get out in similar fashion more often,” he said at the post-match press conference. “The reason you succeed at international cricket is that you have to stretch the gap between your mistakes and I think a couple of mistakes from me, getting out in the same manner is something that I don’t really like.”So it was more of being a little strict on myself and getting the team across the line, which I knew the victory was inevitable when I got the hundred and it was all about the satisfaction of actually planning the innings out and executing it well and that always feels nice and something that I like to be hard on myself, not getting out in the same manner too many times”So how did he go about addressing this perceived weakness? Practice in the nets? Meditation to control those natural instincts that were leading him astray? Soft, soothing music?As it turned out, the key to Kohli returning to his run-machine ways was quiet contemplation. Before the match, he had simply told himself to avoid the bouncers while getting his eye in and attack them only after “reaching 30 or 40”.”I think the planning starts from your room. You need to sit down and think positively about the shots you want to play. If there’s a bit of hesitation, then you take the route of leaving the ball on one particular shot. But if you get into a clear mindset back again and give yourself targets – after reaching 30 or 40, I’m going to start pulling the ball or I’m going to start taking on the short ball and targets become easier. You have a clearer picture as to when to take on that particular shot.”For that you need to build your mindset first, when you’re sitting all by yourself. If you don’t have a clear mind then about a particular shot, then you’ll find it difficult executing it in the game no matter how many times you practice it. You first need to have a positive intent, then you practice and then you can execute it in the game That’s what I feel and that’s the sort of pattern that I follow.”Virat Kohli told himself to play the pull shot only after ‘scoring 30 or 40 runs’•AFP

Where did this innings rank then, if it was the culmination of a plan coming together?”When you are not too happy with how you are getting out and then you end up convincingly scoring a century and remaining not out and taking the team across the line, I think it’s a complete package,” Kohli said.”For a batsman you can’t have an ideal scenario, when you have a chanceless knock as well, you haven’t given any half-chances either. From that point of view, I felt it was a complete knock from a personal point of view and for the team as well.”But it’s difficult to rate centuries. I would say the last one [against England] was still more special because the total was more massive and we were 63 for 4. In hindsight, when you look at those things, you understand the importance of those knocks. Maybe the 49 in Bangladesh against Pakistan [in the Asia Cup T20 2016] was the best I’ve played in the last couple of years. It was only 49, it wasn’t even 50, so I think the quality of the knock, you can think of it only later, when you play in different conditions when you understand how difficult the previous conditions were.”While a series victory – India’s seventh on the trot in bilaterals against West Indies – was cause to celebrate, there was a slight issue to address as well.The visitors’ only loss came while chasing a meager target of 190, despite MS Dhoni, one of the best finishers in ODIs, being at the crease for the better part of 50 overs. Kohli was asked if he was troubled by his wicketkeeper batsman’s form after an innings of 54 off 114 balls and he said, “I think we get too impatient after just one game or one know. That can happen to anyone. Any batsman can struggle and any batsman can get stuck on the crease. Even if you’re in top form, it can happen to you, so I don’t think there’s any issues, because if you see the knocks around it, he’s been striking the ball really well and the strike-rate is close to 100 if not over 100. So not bothered with anything at all.”I think it was only the last game where he couldn’t rotate strike. Before that he got a brilliant 70 or 80 not out, in the Champions Trophy as well, against Sri Lanka, he played a brilliant knock, and in the first game as well, he played a brilliant knock, when it wasn’t rained out and we won the game. He’s striking the ball beautifully. You don’t need to tell him anything in terms of how to play a situation or how to build an innings.”Finally, from the outside, this five-match ODI series against the ninth-ranked team was seen as a chance India might capitalise on to blood new players and perhaps assess the existing ones in more senior roles. But Kohli defended the lack of experimentation saying, “you can’t take any series lightly.”You can’t make a Hardik [Pandya] or Kedar [Jadhav] bat at No. 3 and 4 and make your top-order batsman bat lower down. It’s still international cricket and you have to be respectful towards oppositions and whatever games that you play and its very important to understand what works for you as a team and you’ve got to keep sticking to it. We keep giving them confidence and both guys are very eager to make dents, which they have in the past, and we’re very confident of their abilities and we’re actually delighted to have found two lower order batsmen who can play that explosive cricket.”Kedar’s knock, if you saw in that low-scoring game the other day, he made the difference when he came in the end, and Hardik’s knock in the Champions Trophy final and in the first game as well. So these guys can play impact innings for you. That won’t happen every now and then because of the strength we have in our batting. When they do get an opportunity, as I said they’ve been waiting for a while, they will get their opportunities, ideally we wouldn’t want them to get many opportunities early, but with 10-15 overs to go, I’m sure they’ll come up with the goods.”

ScorecardGeorge Garton had Dean Elgar caught behind•Getty Images

“Who the hell – what the hell – is that?” the Worcestershire member asked.Their confusion could be forgiven. George Garton is just 20 and has only played six first-class games. He’s not a first-choice pick at Sussex – though he probably should be – and he doesn’t look like a fast bowler. He is slight, not especially tall and has a whole-hearted bowling action so whippy that you fear he might snap at any moment.More than that, though, he bowls at surprising pace. Left-arm and fast, he gains sharp bounce from just back of a length and can swing the ball. It would be pushing a point to compare him to Mitchell Johnson but, on a dank day in Worcestershire, his somewhat erratic bowling was hard to pick-up for spectators and batsmen alike.”Was that a beamer?” the spectator asked again. “No, a bouncer,” his neighbour replied. It was an understandable error. The ball is hard to pick up from that wild action and Garton is a little erratic.Conditions were helpful for seamers, for sure. The pitch was described as “spicy” by Andy Flower, the Lions coach, and both Tom Helm and Liam Plunkett also caused problems with their pace and movement. Heino Kuhn and Hashim Amla, compact and patient, did well to help South Africa to stumps having lost only one wicket.But it was Garton who stood out. Dismissing Dean Elgar with one that pitched in line, drew the batsman into a stroke and then left him, he was described as “really dangerous” by Flower and “impressive” by his captain, Gary Ballance. “It’s the first time I’ve seen him,” Ballance said, “and I was impressed. It’s always good to have that pace and the ability to swing the ball.”How Garton progresses might well depend on how he is able to retain his fitness. Few fast bowlers are built like this – though Mark Wood isn’t so far away – and his bowling average (40.58), at this early stage of his career, suggests he is still learning how to apply his skills to the business of taking wickets. But there is a lot to build upon and if his potential is anywhere near fulfilled, he has an England future.With only 20 overs possible amid the rain at New Road, it was probably inevitable that conversation should turn to England’s squad for the first Test against South Africa. While most involved in this Lions side, like Garton, might have to wait a little longer for their opportunity, Ballance could be forgiven for checking his phone often on Friday evening. He must be very close to a recall.Ballance admitted he thought he would never feature for England again after the Test tour of Bangladesh. But now, after a return to Championship cricket that has seen his average in excess of a hundred, he feels he is playing the best he has in a while.”After that tough series in Bangladesh when I was left out, I did think ‘I’m never playing again’,” Ballance said. “Coming into the season, obviously I wanted to play for England but I didn’t think about it, I just tried to score as many runs as I could for Yorkshire.”People told me to change, but I tried and I couldn’t score a run. So I’ve gone back to what I’m good at. I still feel I’ve taken advice and learned and I do feel I’ve improved.”The best way to put it is probably that I’ve gone back to what I was doing originally but I’m doing it better. I haven’t changed too much. With the naked eye, you probably can’t see. I’m doing what I did when I was at my best and I feel like I’m batting the best I have in a while. I feel in good form and pretty confident.”He has the support of Flower. “Gary looks in superb form,” Flower told Sky Sports. “Even throwing at him in the nets, he looks really clear in his game plan. He has gone away and improved his game.”He looks like a mature cricketer who knows his game and knows how to score runs. We already know from his really good record in international cricket that he knows how to build innings. He’s pushing hard for an England spot.”Flower was somewhat less effusive about Haseeb Hameed. Pointing out that Hameed was the only one of the candidates for the opener’s role to fail in the Lions match against South Africa A – Hameed made 0 and 2, while Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings made half-centuries in both innings and Nick Gubbins made a half-century in the second innings – Flower suggested Hameed was still learning his trade against seam bowling, in particular. With a series against a seam-heavy South Africa followed by a winter tour to Australia, it seems a recall might not be imminent.”We had four openers in that Lions match,” Flower said. “We had Gubbins, Hameed, Jennings and Stoneman and Haseeb missed out when a few of the others scored and looked really impressive.”Haseeb is a young man who looks as if he is still discovering his game. He’s got very high potential, there’s no doubt about that, and we saw him handle himself brilliantly in the pressure-cooker situation in the Tests in India. He is a beautiful player of spin.”But he’s still working out his game a bit in facing high-quality seam. He’s still growing his game and finding out about himself and his game. The selectors have some decisions to make.”

Manchester United have been named as one of three teams who are still keen to get a deal done for Benjamin Pavard, as reported by Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

How many goals has Benjamin Pavard scored?

The 27-year-old has been a frequent member of Bayern Munich's first-team squad over the past few years, helping the side to four Bundesliga titles during his time with the club. In 2022/23, he helped them to glory again as a regular in the starting eleven and actually managed more starts for the German giants last time around than he did in the two previous campaigns.

He featured 30 times in total for Bayern – with 27 starts – and is partial to a goal or two as well, with four strikes to his name and one assist to boot. In total, the Frenchman now has well over 100 league games to his name for the Bavarians and has managed eight goals and six assists along the way.

Not only has he impressed domestically, but he also formed part of the Bayern side that won the Champions League trophy in 2019/20. He even found international glory with his country, having won the World Cup with France as well. Pavard then is proven on every possible European and World stage so far – and it means he has bags of experience, as well as the time on his side to continue performing at such a level for years to come.

Are Manchester United signing Benjamin Pavard?

However, his time at Bayern may be coming to a close this summer. According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Pavard remains keen to leave the German giants this transfer window after four seasons – and that has put three teams on alert.

It appears to be a three-way race between Premier League sides Man United and Man City, as well as Juventus, who want to bring him to Turin. The report states that nobody has made a "concrete" offer for his services yet but it does appear as though he will be finding somewhere new to play his football this summer. It's unclear also how much he could potentially cost or how much any bid would have to be worth to tempt the Bundesliga outfit into letting the defender move clubs.

Plettenberg said: "Benjamin Pavard, he still wants to leave FC Bayern this summer as he has no intention to extend his contract beyond 2024. It’s still a race between Man City, Man Utd and Juventus at this stage. Swap deal with Kyle Walker has been no hot topic in the last days. Bayern bosses are waiting for a concrete offer."

Pavard is still viewed as a really impressive talent in the game by some of the top coaches and teams around. Even new Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel has liked what he has seen of the defender so far during his time in charge, labelling the Frenchman as "underrated" and a "top team player".

It shows that whilst the 27-year-old may sometimes go under the radar, he is not undervalued for his club despite them being arguably one of the best sides in Europe. He is capable of performing to an extremely high level then, having done so at the very top in Germany. Should United manage to land his signature this summer, their backline would have an instant boost of experience and skill.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly interested in Sporting CP forward Youssef Chermiti, as Julen Lopetegui bids to end his side’s woes in front of goal.

It’s been a busy summer for the Midlands club, who have offloaded ten players ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The latest news has reported a move away for Raul Jimenez, who has been approached by Fulham where a fee has been agreed, giving Lopetegui another incentive to chase a new forward.

Could Wolves sign Youssef Chermiti?

As reported by Portuguese outlet Record last week, Wolves have had scouts present at Sporting’s recent friendly to watch Chermiti.

The 19-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of £17m, with the report claiming that the Portuguese giants expect €20m for their forward.

With a release clause of €80m (£69m) included in his contract, Lopetegui could pounce on the teenager's rumoured availability for a cut-price.

How good is Youssef Chermiti?

Rising through the ranks at Sporting, the academy graduate made a breakthrough last season, recording 22 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club.

Deployed as a traditional centre-forward, the “very interesting” teen, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, got among the goals last term, scoring three and assisting two in 16 Liga Portugal appearances, via Sofascore.

Lauded as a “superb prospect” by Kulig, Chermiti made a fast start to his senior career, scoring two and assisting once in his first three starts for the first team.

Despite only averaging 58 minutes per game in the league, the 19-year-old needed little time to make an impact, averaging 1.8 shots per game and acting as a strong presence leading the line.

For Wolves, the bright talent could be an encouraging capture this summer, as the club prepares to bid farewell to much-loved striker Jimenez.

The Mexican scored 57 goals in 166 appearances for the Old Gold, including two consecutive rich scoring streaks to get the side comfortable on their return to the Premier League.

Scoring 30 goals over his opening two campaigns in the Premier League, the 32-year-old fired Wolves to claim two consecutive seventh-place finishes to seal the club a place in the Europa League.

Jimenez was the leader of all things positive at Molineux on their return to the top tier, however, the former Benfica forward had his career halted by a life-threatening skull fracture sustained in 2020.

Missing the remainder of that season impacted the Mexico international, who was lucky to play again, however, his form was unable to be recaptured, with him netting just ten goals since his return.

A goalless campaign last term suggests that the 32-year-old’s departure comes at the best time for club and player, with Chermiti posing as a strong candidate to take his throne.

Described as a ‘pure striker’ by The Scouting App, the teenager has had his strengths identified through his ‘physicality, explosiveness, sense of goal and eccentricity’ by the scouting site, making him the perfect fit to replenish Lopetegui’s side in front of goal.

Still very early into his career, the teenager could be given the chance to shine as the leading man at Molineux, in a move that could ease the sadness of Jimenez’s pending departure.

قال حسام عبد المجيد مدافع نادي الزمالك، أن الفريق يركز جيدًا على تحقيق الفوز في مباراته أمام دريمز الغاني المقرر إقامته غدًا الأحد، موضحًا سبب ابتعاده عن تسجيل الأهداف في الفترة الأخيرة.

ويلتقي الزمالك مع دريمز الغاني، مساء غد الأحد، في مباراة الذهاب لدور نصف النهائي من بطولة الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، على أن تكون مواجهة الإياب في غانا الأحد المقبل الموافق 28 أبريل.

وقال عبد المجيد في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي قبل المباراة: “الزمالك أغلق ملف مباراة الأهلي الأخيرة في الدوري ويركز حاليا في لقاء دريمز الغاني من أجل تحقيق الفوز بنتيجة مريحة قبل لقاء العودة”.

وأضاف: “الجماهير تدعم الفريق باستمرار وتكون هي اللاعب رقم 12، والفريق يتطلع لتحقيق الفوز لإسعادهم في لقاء الغد”.

طالع | استبعاد لاعب الزمالك من قائمة مباراة دريمز الغاني في الكونفدرالية

وأوضح أن عدم مساعدته للفريق في تسجيل أهداف خلال الفترة الأخيرة يرجع لعدم التوفيق، وشدد على أنه من الأهم عدم استقبال الزمالك لأهداف في لقاء الغد أما دريمز”.

وأتم: “ألتزم بتعليمات المدير الفني للفريق في الفترة الماضية، الجهاز الفني منحني الثقة الكاملة، وسأبذل قصارى جهدي للظهور بأفضل صورة في المباراة”.

يذكر أن الفائز من مباراة الزمالك ودريمز، سيلاقي المتأهل من اتحاد العاصمة الجزائري ونهضة بركان المغربي في نهائي بطولة الكونفدرالية.

A new possible transfer target has emerged for German head coach Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool during the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

According to Foot Mercato, the Reds are one of the teams named as a potential suitor for Zenit attacker Malcom ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that the Premier League side 'appreciates his profile' and that the Brazilian forward is expected to move on from the Russian club over the coming months.

French giants Paris Saint-Germain were interested in signing the 26-year-old dynamo during the January transfer window and the player is said to be hoping that they come back in for his services this time around.

Liverpool have made two additions to their squad so far this summer as Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have arrived to bolster their options in midfield, with this latest rumour suggesting that the attack could also be strengthened.

What happened to Malcom at Barcelona?

The Zenit winger joined Barcelona for an initial fee of €41m (£35m) in 2018 and only made six LaLiga starts, in which he plundered one goal to go along with two assists, as the exciting attacker failed to nail down a regular starting berth.

His disappointing debut campaign with the Spanish giants led to him joining his current club in the summer of 2019, where the two-cap Brazil international has been able to thrive on the pitch.

Malcom's incredible form for Zenit last season suggests that the potential is there for him, as a left-footed right winger, to be a dream alternative to Mohamed Salah for Klopp at Anfield.

There is no doubt that the Egypt international is the manager's star attacker as the former Chelsea man registered 19 goals and 12 assists in 37 Premier League starts, with no other Liverpool player able to match his tally in either statistic.

The 31-year-old superstar also topped the charts for league goals (23) and assists (13) for the Reds during the 2021/22 campaign, which highlights his importance to the side as their main attacking threat.

Malcom, whose season was described as "sensational" by journalist Graeme Bailey, showcased his quality with a staggering 23 goals and seven assists in 27 Premier Liga appearances last term.

The 26-year-old averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.95, which would have placed him top of the Liverpool squad, and created 2.3 chances per match for his teammates – a tally on Trent Alexander-Arnold (2.8) bettered for Klopp's men, which indicates that the former Bordeaux gem could be a terrific rotational player for the English giants.

Therefore, the £108k-per-week phenomenon has been a prolific scorer and creator for the Russian outfit, whilst also being able to deliver consistently exceptional performances from the right wing.

Given his struggles with Barcelona, it is hard to judge whether or not Malcom is capable of replicating his exceptional displays in a major European league. Although, the goalscoring whiz is five years older than he was at the time of the move to Spain, which could mean that the maturity is there for him to handle another big transfer this time around.

His outstanding contributions for Zenit in recent seasons suggest that the potential is there for him to be a delightful alternative option to Salah, for Klopp to use in cup competitions or as a rotation option in the Premier League, as a left-footed right winger who can score and create chances on a regular basis.

This is why Liverpool must take a calculated gamble on the former Barcelona prospect this summer with the hope that his performances translate to success in England.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to be given a 'longer contract' at the Emirates Stadium and both parties are 'very relaxed' about the situation, according to journalist Paul Brown.

How long is Martin Odegaard tied to Arsenal?

According to Capology, Norway international Odegaard is tied to Arsenal until the summer of 2025 and earns around £115,000 per week on his current terms at the Emirates.

Earlier this year, 90min reported that Arsenal would sit down with the 24-year-old to discuss a new contract at the club to reflect his importance to the side.

Odegaard, who is club captain at the Gunners, would be in line for a 'significant' pay increase and his representatives are happy to sit down and talk through the conditions of extending his time in north London.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter back in May to reveal that Arsenal have an option to extend his present deal until 2026, stating: "Arsenal have an option to extend Martin Ødegaard’s current contract until June 2026 — but negotiations will take place soon over new long term deal. Ødegaard loves the club and Arsenal want Martin to be part of their long term project."

Contract renewals for big stars at the club have recently been commonplace as Mikel Arteta's side have now tied down William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale, as per Sky Sports.

On their official website, Arsenal confirmed that Reiss Nelson has also been granted a new long-term deal at the club as Spaniard Arteta looks to build a squad for many years to come.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks that Odegaard could be the next to follow and commit his future to the Gunners for the next few years.

Brown told FFC: "I think Arsenal are definitely keen to get Odegaard on a longer contract and reward what he's done on the pitch there, by giving him a significant pay rise. I do think that is on the agenda, they do have an option in his contract to extend it for a year, I believe, so there isn't any great hurry in this. Every time Odegaard has spoken about the situation, he's always seemed very relaxed. I don't think there's anything really to worry about here from Arsenal's situation."

Should Arsenal be giving Martin Odegaard a new contract?

By any means necessary, given that Odegaard is arguably the most important player at the club and factoring in that he is also the Gunners' captain.

Quite simply, Arteta can't afford to lose the services of Odegaard any time soon. Paris Saint-Germain were reported to be keen on the Norwegian midfielder, as cited by The Daily Mail back in May, making the renewal of his contract a key priority for the club in the near future.

Last season, Odegaard led from the front in Arsenal's Premier League title challenge, amassing 15 goals and eight assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Fotmob detail that the 24-year-old also created the fifth-most big chances out of any player in the English top flight in 2022/23, managing to lay on 76 in total over the course of the campaign.

Odegaard will be a key player once again for Arsenal in 2023/24 and his boss Arteta will be desperate to nail him down on a long-term deal as he continues to build his project at the Emirates.