Former Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor has been banned from all cricket for three-and-a-half years by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit for failing to report an approach from alleged corruptors without delay. In a release on Friday, the ICC said Taylor has accepted the ban, which starts from January 28. Taylor has also accepted one charge of breaching the doping code – relating to a dope test he failed in his last international game last year. He tested positive for cocaine.The ICC release comes at the end of a week which began with Taylor’s confession on Twitter of the encounter he failed to report. Taylor revealed he had been filmed using cocaine during a meeting in India with an alleged businessmen that the ICC refers to as ‘Mr S’, who then used that video to allegedly blackmail Taylor into an agreement to spot-fix.Taylor, who will turn 36 next week, has also since admitted himself into a rehabilitation clinic.Taylor told the that he had “beaten a few” drugs tests in the past few years before eventually failing one in his final international match in September 2021. “I might have beaten a few tests in the past two-and-a-half years but it got me when I was heading for destruction,” Taylor said.Related

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• How Brendan Taylor got into a fix

• Brendan Taylor says he faces ICC ban for delay in reporting approach

The ICC release said Taylor breached the ACU code on four counts, including failing to disclose not just the approach but also receiving gifts and cash, including hospitality, from the alleged corruptors. One of the approaches to spot-fix, the charge read, was made for Zimbabwe’s tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh: “Failing to disclose to the ACU (without unnecessary delay) full details of the approach received to engage in corrupt conduct under the Code including in relation to Zimbabwe’s then upcoming series against Sri Lanka and/or Bangladesh.”Taylor was also charged with “obstructing or delaying an ACU investigation,” because he first delayed reporting the approach and then deleted messages he had exchanged with Mr S. Though his first contact with Mr S took place “in or around September 2019” according to the ICC’s published details of the case, Taylor didn’t get in touch with the ACU until March 2020.By then, Taylor had flown out to meet Mr S in India in October 2019, a meeting in which he accepted USD$ 15,000 in lieu of future payments for carrying out spot-fixes. He was also gifted a new phone, some local currency to spend, as well as new clothes. Taylor did not carry out any spot-fixing; in fact, he called the ACU to report the approach when Mr S reached out to him again in March 2020 to push him to spot-fix as Zimbabwe were touringBangladesh. Taylor has yet to return the USD$ 15,000The ICC said Taylor “chose to admit the charges” and “agreed” the sanction instead of facing an anti-corruption tribunal hearing. That, as well as his previous disciplinary record and eventual cooperation during the four interviews he had with the ACU were seen as mitigating factors in the eventual punishment he received. The fact that he took payment, which is yet to be returned, and initially agreed to engage in corrupt activity, as well as his seniority as an international cricketer, were seen as aggravating factors in the length of his ban.Doping charge
The anti-doping charge, independent of the anti-corruption charges, “resulted” after Taylor had done the in-competition test on September 8, 2021 during a match between Ireland and Zimbabwe. Taylor tested positive for a stimulant Benzoylecognine, which the ICC said is a “cocaine metabolite” and is specified as a “substance of abuse” under the anti-doping code.”This one-month suspension will run concurrently with the suspension of three-and-a-half years under the ICC Anti-Corruption Code,” the ICC said. “Mr Taylor will be free to resume his involvement in the game on 28 July 2025.”Alex Marshall, the ICC’s ACU head, said it was “disappointing” that Taylor, who played for Zimbabwe for 17 years and attended at least 13 anti-corruption and anti-doping sessions had failed to report the approach in time.”It is disappointing that a player of his experience chose not to fulfil those obligations, however he has accepted all charges, which has been reflected in the sanction,” Marshall said. “I would echo Brendan’s message to other players to report approaches as soon as they happen, so any corrupt activity can be disrupted at the earliest possible opportunity. We wish Brendan well in his rehabilitation.”

Arsenal could look to part ways with a “creative player” in the January transfer window, after he’s been left “frustrated” by manager Mikel Arteta.

Players who could leave Arsenal next year

The Gunners could part ways with a few first-team players once we reach the beginning of 2025.

Arsenal expected to hold talks for emergency loan signing of £77m forward

The Gunners need reinforcements.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Nov 26, 2024

Kieran Tierney is back from his hamstring injury, which previously kept him out since Euro 2024, and the Scotland international even featured on Arteta’s bench for their impressive 5-1 win away at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

However, the consensus is that Tierney has accepted he will be sold by Arsenal, with Arteta looking to potentially give him more game time in the build up to January so the left-back can attract suitors.

West Ham United (away)

November 30

Man United (home)

December 4

Fulham (away)

December 8

Everton (home)

December 14

Crystal Palace (away)

December 21

Poland international Jakub Kiwior is also expected to leave Arsenal in the near future, having played a bit-part role this season, while Emirates Stadium hierarchy are set to make big decisions on the long-term futures of midfield duo Jorginho and Thomas Partey.

Both players are out of contract at the end of this Premier League season, and there is a belief that Jorginho is being tempted by Besiktas with a move to the Turkish Süper Lig.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who remains well-connected in the beautiful game after 10 years working in recruitment at Old Trafford, has also cast doubt on the futures of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus.

“There are three players at the club they’d be looking to sell,” said Brown to Football Insider.

“And that’s Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney. They’re not in the manager’s plans. When it comes to sales, you have to look at who your assets are. We know there’s been interest in Saliba, for example, but I think he’s one of the last players they’d ever consider selling for any sort of money. If they feel they need to raise money, they’ve got these players who they’re far more likely to turn to. That’ll take a big chunk off of the wage bill and help them to reinvest in strengthening their squad.

“So first are foremost, these are the players I expect they’ll cash in on.“

Arsenal could decide to offload Salah-Eddine Oulad M'Hand

According to GiveMeSport, a new player in Arsenal’s ranks could be set for the mid-season exit door – highly-rated midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand.

The 21-year-old was subject to approaches in the last window, but the Gunners ultimately kept him, in the hope that he could battle his way into Arteta’s plans.

However, Oulad M’Hand has been left “frustrated” by his lack of game time under Arteta. The Dutchman has been named in just two matchday squads so far this campaign, and GMS now write that Arsenal could look to offload Oulad M’Hand in January.

The former Netherlands Under-17 international could seriously benefit from an Emirates exit to kickstart his senior career, having lauded himself as a “creative player” with plenty to offer.

“I’m a central midfielder and I like to play box to box,” said Oulad M’Hand on his ability.

“Offensively, I’m a creative player and I can play with my left or right foot. I score goals and get assist, and defensively I like to think I do my bit too, especially in the transition.”

A wealthy club are reportedly preparing to submit a “lucrative offer” for an “excellent” Everton player, with Sean Dyche a big admirer of him.

Latest Everton news

The Toffees played out another uninspiring Premier League game over the weekend, drawing 0-0 at home to a Brentford side who were playing with 10 men for most of the match. That followed the dull goalless draw away at West Ham before the international break, and while that was far from a bad result, the performance left plenty to be desired.

It means there is still a lot of pressure on Dyche to keep his job, with Everton once again in danger of entering into another relegation fight that supporters had hoped they would have seen the back of by now.

In terms of potential new signings, Everton have been linked with an ambitious move for highly rated Lille striker Jonathan David, who is arguably one of the best attacking players in Ligue 1. He has also scored 31 goals in 59 caps for Canada, further highlighting his class.

Meanwhile, Everton are leading the race to sign Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo, in what would be a controversial move because of his Liverpool past. The Brazilian is surplus to requirements at his current club and is a player with plenty of pedigree, having represented Brazil and Barcelona.

Everton could lose "excellent" player

According to Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is wanted by Qatari side Al-Duhail SC, with the club believed to be “ready to offer a lucrative contract” to him.

The deal in question is for next summer, meaning the Toffees would be losing the 35-year-old on a free transfer at the end of this season when his current deal expires.

In truth, next summer does feel like the natural time for Gueye’s time at Everton to reach its conclusion, considering he is now 35 years of age and not the force he used to be.

That’s not to say that the Senegalese isn’t an important player on his day, with Dyche previously describing him as “excellent”, also saying of him:

“I thought Gana was really strong again. I’m really pleased. I think he set the tone – we got a nice clean sheet and his work [was important]. He’s seeing the picture quickly with the ball, without the ball, he snuffs out things and then he attacks and counters.

“I thought it was just a very good performance for him – and it rubs off on people, with his experience and his knowledge of Everton Football Club – I think that rubs off on others.”

There is still time for the £80,000-a-week Gueye to enjoy an influential end to his time as an Everton player, playing a key role in them remaining in the Premier League.

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Everton surely need to ditch Calvert-Lewin and replace him with “one of the best CFs in the world”

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 24, 2024

He has started nine games in the league in 2024/25 to date, and he should continue to be a key starter between now and the end of the campaign.

Vandersay picks up 4 for 10 in 7.4 overs as hosts bowlers run rampant

Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Jan-2022Sri Lanka’s bowlers ran rampant in the early overs of Zimbabwe’s chase reducing the opposition to 20 for 3, then 31 for 5, and eventually 70 all out, decimating their hopes of chasing down 255 and claiming a series victory.Dushmantha Chameera blasted out the first two wickets, before the spinners claimed the limelight – Maheesh Theekshana squeezing one between Sean Williams’ bat and pad, Jeffrey Vandersay taking four of his own, before Ramesh Mendis also took two. Somewhere in that cascade of wickets, seamer Chamika Karunaratne struck too, to remove the dangerous Sikandar Raza.After 15 overs, Zimbabwe were 37 for 5, the required rate had crept above six, and the chase was essentially buried. Ryan Burl and Tendai Chatara fought briefly to put up 18 for the ninth wicket – the best stand of the innings. But it was all over by the 25th over, with Vandersay scything through the lower order.The collapse was particularly disappointing for Zimbabwe, because their attack had operated with such discipline to keep Sri Lanka to a manageable total. Where Zimbabwe’s own batters had put up totals in the 300 range batting first in the two previous matches, Sri Lanka lurched only to 254 for 9, with each of their top eight getting to double-figures, but only Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka managing half-centuries.Zimbabwe’s had been a collective bowling effort. Richard Ngarava claimed 2 for 46 from his nine overs while Chatara, Blessing Muzarabani, Wellington Masakadza, Ryan Burl, and Sean Williams all claimed one wicket apiece. Aside from an 80-run opening stand between Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, Zimbabwe never let another pair prosper for long, the next-best partnership coming much later in the innings, when Karunaratne and Ramesh Mendis put on 48 together.It was Chameera who precipitated Zimbabwe’s rapid downfall, in the third over. He bowled a shortish ball outside off stump to right-hander Regis Chakabva, who edged it to slip. Then, next ball, he angled one across captain Ervine, who nicked it to the keeper. When Theekshana sent a straighter one through Williams’ defences in the eighth over, Zimbabwe had lost their three best top-order batters in the series.Pathum Nissanka struck his second successive ODI half-century•AFP/Getty ImagesAfter the first powerplay, Kaitano was given out stumped off the bowling of Vandersay, although the evidence that his back foot was in the air when keeper Kusal Mendis took the bails off did not seem totally conclusive. Next over, Raza spooned a catch to cover, and all of Zimbabwe’s serious batting hopes had departed.Vandersay then took three of the five remaining wickets, and Ramesh Mendis claimed the other two. There was no substantial turn in the pitch – Sri Lanka were menacing, but not unplayable. Zimbabwe will feel they let themselves down.In the first innings, Sri Lanka had begun steadily with the bat – Nissanka and Kusal Mendis hitting only five boundaries in the powerplay, as they strode to 43 for 0 in ten overs. As has been the case right through the series, Zimbabwe’s quicks were disciplined and sharp, though they didn’t find the early wickets they had managed in the first two games.Perhaps sensing that he needed to raise the tempo if Sri Lanka were to near the 300 mark, Kusal Mendis was the first to depart, lofting the left-arm spin of Masakadza to long off. He was out for 36 off 51 balls. Nissanka brought up his second successive half-century of the series with a four through backward point, but was run out not long after that, thanks to an excellent direct hit from Zimbabwe’s substitute fielder.Asalanka struck a four through third man first ball, and provided Sri Lanka’s main thrust of the middle overs even as wickets fell around him. He was strong square of the wicket as usual, and hit five fours in his 56-ball 52. It was his second fifty of the series.Sri Lanka’s 2-1 victory pushes them up to fourth in the ODI Super League table, though they have played 18 out of their 24 games, and all other sides aside from Ireland (also 18) have played fewer. Zimbabwe are down at No. 11, on 35 points after 12 games. Only teams finishing in the top eight, effectively, gain direct qualification to next year’s ODI World Cup.

The Ivory Coast international made his mark in his debut for Charlotte, with two goal-contributions in a shutout victory

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Charlotte FC defeat Atlanta United 2-0Wilfried Zaha scores and assistsCLT undefeated through two gamesGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?

Wilfried Zaha had an MLS debut to remember with the winger playing a role in both goals scored for Charlotte FC on Saturday as they defeated Atlanta United 2-0 in MLS action.

The Ivory Coast international missed Week 1 due to the birth of his newborn child, but he left his mark with a goal and an assist in the second half in his first MLS game.

CLT took their initial lead through Spaniard Pep Biel, who was fed by Zaha from close-range in the 49th minute. Six minutes later, Zaha doubled the lead himself, smashing home a low-driven volley after an initial attempt from U.S. international Patrick Agyemang was parried away by Brad Guzan.

Courtesy of Zaha's heroics, CLT took all three points in their first home match of the year, and remain undefeated through two weeks after drawing the Seattle Sounders 2-2 on Matchday 1.

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Zaha joined Charlotte on loan from Turkish side Galatasaray until January 2026 with an option to extend the loan through June 2026 earlier this year.

Zaha is largely noted for playing for a decade in the English Premier League with Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Cardiff City where he scored 68 goals in 305 appearances.

With CLT, he joins a budding franchise being led by former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith.

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Charlotte return to action next weekend for MLS Matchday 3, where they will take on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

Looking to defeat their Premier League rivals on and off the pitch, Aston Villa and sporting director Monchi are now reportedly battling to sign an in-demand defender for Unai Emery’s side.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans are once again competing for a place in the Premier League’s top four, hoping to make it back-to-back qualification for the Champions League. Meanwhile, they’ve already secured one impressive upset among Europe’s elite this season, defeating Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich at Villa Park. Emery’s project is one of the most attractive around, sparking several transfer rumours before 2025 is even underway.

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The Villa striker has excelled this season

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Names such as Pedro Goncalves and Tyler Dibling have already been linked to the Midlands club in two deals that would add instant depth within Emery’s frontline next year. Dibling is especially one to watch. Amid Southampton’s struggles, the young winger has been a real standout to light a spark in an otherwise dim season for the Saints.

The Midlands would certainly be wise route to take for such a young player and, more specifically, Villa Park whilst Emery’s side continue to thrive. And Dibling’s not the only one who could take that path next year.

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Monchi is now battling to sign Bright Osayi-Samuel ahead of both Everton and Crystal Palace for Aston Villa. The Fenerbahce right-back is out of contract at the end of the season and is set to depart despite Jose Mourinho’s attempts to tie him down to a fresh deal in Turkey.

Potentially returning to English football for the first time since leaving Queens Park Rangers in 2021, Osayi-Samuel would offer Emery instant competition for Matty Cash down the right-hand side to match the depth that the Spaniard has on the opposite flank courtesy of Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen.

"Blistering" Osayi-Samuel has unfinished business in English football

Since swapping QPR for Fenerbahce three years ago, Osayi-Samuel has risen up the ranks to become an important player for the Turkish giants – starting the four Super Lig games that he’s been available for this season. Whilst injury has disrupted his current campaign, the 26-year-old is now back to full fitness and ready to take Mourinho’s side by storm again.

The Premier League was given a taste of what the full-back is capable of earlier this season thanks to Manchester United’s Europa League exploits, which saw the Red Devils earn a point against Fenerbahce. Now, Osayi-Samuel, himself, could get the chance to complete unfinished business in English football courtesy of a free move to Aston Villa.

Last time he was in England, the defender earned high praise from former QPR boss Mark Warburton, who told the Brent & Kilburn Times after victory over Cardiff City in 2020: “I thought he was very, very good. If you remember Bristol City away earlier in the season he gave the full-back a torrid time.

“He’s been very good in spells in games but today he was consistent from the first whistle to the 75th minute. I’m not sure many teams have that blistering pace. As long as he knows how to use it and that’s the key for him learning the game.”

Neymar has been told he must score 15 goals for Santos if Barcelona are to mull a potentially sensational return to Camp Nou, per a new report.

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• Neymar has returned to Santos
• Reports Barca are considering re-signing him
• Target has been set for Brazil star

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per , Barca are monitoring Neymar's situation ahead of a potentially sensational return to Camp Nou for the 33-year-old. He moved to Santos from Al-Hilal in January, but there is already said to be a plan afoot to spirit him back to Barcelona.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Per the report, Barcelona have made it clear to Neymar that he must score 15 goals for Santos this season if they are to consider a move to bring him back to Spain. His deal with Santos only runs until June. The Catalan want the 33-year-old to prove he can get back to his pre-injury best before they will entertain the idea of adding him to Hansi Flick's team.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 33-year-old won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015 but departed in 2017 to join Paris Saint-Germain. He did not manage to win the Champions League again, but he may well have another chance if he is able to return to Europe. Neymar is reportedly eager to make the return to the Catalan club, where he enjoyed the happiest days of his career.

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  Santos play Vasco da Gama at the end of the month, in what could be Neymar's next outing for the Brazilian club.

Manchester United are prepared to offer a £105,000-per-week ace in exchange for a £50 million “top striker,” according to a new report. The Red Devils appear to be getting their plans in order ahead of the January and summer transfer windows, as INEOS will be looking to back their new head coach as he tries to get the club back to the top of the table.

£120k-p/w Man Utd ace offered to new club before even playing under Amorim

A player who has been at Old Trafford for over five years could be on his way out.

By
Brett Worthington

Nov 14, 2024

Man Utd transfer news

In the week when Ruben Amorim arrived in Manchester and got his role as United’s new head coach underway, the Premier League side have been linked with several new arrivals.

The left-back role at Old Trafford is an area that does need addressing, and in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, it will become even more important that it is sorted, as Luke Shaw continues to have injury issues. United are exploring a deal to re-sign Alvaro Carreras, who they allowed to leave to join Benfica in the summer.

The Premier League side have a £16 million buy-back option in his contract, and he could be someone they can turn to if signing a left-back is a priority. Meanwhile, United are also interested in signing Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, keeping a close eye on him, and they are ready “to act fast” to sign the Hungarian international, as the Cherries are braced for approaches.

But a left back is not the only position United are looking to strengthen, as they are now prepared to sacrifice one of their own to sign a new striker.

Man Utd prepared to offer £105k-p/w ace in exchange for £50m striker

According to The Daily Briefing relayed by Caught Offside, Manchester United are prepared to offer Joshua Zirkzee in exchange for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres. Ever since Amorim was announced as United’s new head coach, Gyokeres has been someone constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford, as his impressive scoring rate in Portugal makes him a player in demand.

The Swedish international, who has been described as a “top striker,” has got 16 goals in 11 Liga Portugal games this season, form that has him on the radar of a number of clubs in the Premier League and abroad.

This report states that United are now preparing a transfer offer for Gyokeres, which will see them offer Zirkzee, who earns £105,000 a week at Old Trafford, in exchange for the Sporting striker, presumably with some cash heading to Portugal in the deal as well, albeit unclear how much. The Dutchman has struggled since joining the Red Devils, and his future at the club could already be in doubt.

Viktor Gyokeres’ Sporting CP stats
Apps	68
Goals	66
Assists	19

If this deal is to happen for United, they will have to wait until the summer, as Amorim made it clear before leaving Sporting that he wouldn’t be returning to the Portuguese club for any of their players in January.

But signing Gyokeres at the end of the season may be too hard for Amorim to ignore, given the forward was exceptional under his management. It could be a cheaper deal for United than they may have expected, as while Gyokeres does have an £83 million release clause, it has been reported that he could be allowed to leave for £50 million in the summer, while including Zirkzee would take more of that figure off.

Yet again in the Scottish Premiership, it looks to be Celtic’s title to lose following what has been another imperious start to the campaign, with Brendan Rodgers’ side still unbeaten in the top flight following Wednesday’s win over Aberdeen.

The Dons had been the only side to take points off the Old Firm giants this season, although, at the end of another hard-fought contest, it was the Hoops who claimed the victory at Pittodrie, thus widening their gap at the summit.

Reo Hatate’s late strike – which was beautifully teed up by substitute Greg Taylor – sealed a 1-0 win on the road for the Glasgow outfit, ensuring their lead now rests at seven points with a game in hand on their closest rivals.

Rangers, meanwhile, remain 11 points behind amid what has been a dismal domestic season for Philippe Clement and co.

Despite that healthy advantage, there is no room for complacency for the champions, with Rodgers likely to be somewhat concerned by the displays of a few key individuals, including young Alex Valle.

Alex Valle's game in numbers vs Aberdeen

There’s certainly been a lot to like about the Barcelona loanee since his arrival at Parkhead over the summer, with the 20-year-old full-back already chalking up four assists from just 12 appearances in all competitions.

The former Levante ace was particularly impressive off the bench during the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge a week ago, having teed up Daizen Maeda’s equaliser just minutes after entering the fray.

Now looking like being Celtic’s new loan superstar – in the mould of Jota – the aim will now be for the youngster to achieve consistency under Rodgers’ watch, having been taught something of a lesson on Wednesday night.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Up against the lively Duk, Valle struggled to assert himself down the left flank, having notably been caught out early on by a lofted ball over the top which allowed his opposite number to get an attempt on goal.

In all, the promising Spaniard won just three of his 11 total duels and lost possession on 16 occasions from just 55 touches, having also failed to complete any of his five dribble attempts, as per Sofascore.

Having also picked up an undoubtedly soft yellow card just after the 30-minute mark, the defender was then replaced at the break, with the arrival of Taylor ultimately paying dividends due to his involvement in Hatate’s decisive effort.

A bad day at the office for Valle then, although he certainly wasn’t alone in failing to deliver for the visitors, with one first-team star having arguably been worse on the day…

Celtic's worst performer vs Aberdeen

The caveat to this is that Kyogo Furuhashi is not a striker who seeks to get involved in the build-up, offering a pure poaching presence, rather than that Harry Kane-like playmaking style.

Stat

Ange Postecoglou

Brendan Rodgers

Games

83

69

Starts

71

57

Goals

54

26

Assists

10

8

Yellow cards

6

2

Minutes per goal

100

177

Minutes played

5383

4589

That is all well and good, not least when the Japanese star is finding the back of the net – having scored 80 goals in 151 games for the club to date – yet when the goals aren’t forthcoming, it leaves little to fall back on. Valle may be a young kid learning his trade, yet Furuhashi is an experienced figure who should well be offering much more.

Indeed, the former Vissel Kobe man averages just 13.2 touches per game in the Premiership in 2024/25, having only registered 11 touches at Pittodrie, before being hooked just after the hour mark.

Having been rested for the weekend win over Ross County, the 29-year-old hardly made the most of that well-earned break amid his limp showing against the Dons, having also lost the ball on six occasions, while recording a pass accuracy rate of just 56%.

With the Hoops’ number eight also failing to win a single duel, while not even registering a single attempt on goal, it was a frankly anonymous display in attack, with the introduction of Adam Idah providing a far more effective focal point in the closing stages – as indicated below.

There is now perhaps a real decision to make over who should be Rodgers’ leading marksman moving forward, with Idah having scored eight times across all fronts this season, while Kyogo has just seven strikes to his name.

Equally, there may be a case to be made that the 6 foot 3 Idah represents a better fit for these battling away trips, emulating the role that Giorgos Giakoumakis often used to take on under Ange Postecoglou.

It is encouraging, at least, that Rodgers does have two quality options to choose from, with that depth of firepower set to be needed to maintain this rampant title charge.

159 touches, 100% duels won: Celtic colossus was even better than Hatate

The Celtic titan was the real hero for Brendan Rodgers against Aberdeen.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 5, 2024

Soon-to-retire New Zealand batter Ross Taylor will turn out for New Zealand XI against the Netherlands in Napier next week to get some game time before his final ODI series starting at the end of the month.Taylor was ruled out of the Plunket Shield round that started on Friday, for Central Districts, for being a Covid-19 “household contact”, but he will feature in the second warm-up match on March 19 as well as the only T20I against the Netherlands on March 21, both in Napier.”I’m looking forward to getting down to Napier and playing on one of my favourite grounds in McLean Park,” Taylor said. “It’s a great opportunity to get some time in the middle after missing the latest round of the Plunket Shield, and it will also be useful to have a look at the touring team ahead of the ODI series.

New Zealand players to feature in IPL 2022

Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee

“I’m looking forward to sharing the dressing room with some new and younger faces who I hope I can help by passing on some knowledge.”The Netherlands are an ever-improving side and they’ll be relishing the chance to take on a Test-playing nation. They have a few familiar players from the New Zealand domestic scene who I’m sure will be valuable to them in terms of understanding the conditions.”Taylor was in fine form when he featured in the Ford Trophy – New Zealand’s domestic one-day competition – recently, finishing as Central Districts’ top-scorer with 279 runs at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 137.43. He struck two half-centuries and a 49-ball century, in a rain-curtailed match against Wellington.The New Zealand XI will be led by Wellington captain Michael Bracewell. Bracewell, Dane Cleaver and Ben Sears will be among the contenders to make it to the white-ball squads for the international games as 12 regular New Zealand internationals will be unavailable because of their departure for the IPL.Sears has already had a taste of international cricket by playing two T20Is in Bangladesh last September. Bracewell had to turn down his maiden New Zealand call-up on the same tour because he awaited the birth of his first child, and Cleaver is yet to be included in a New Zealand squad.Paul Wiseman will lead the coaching staff and will be joined by Auckland pace bowling coach Azhar Abbas and former New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling. Watling has been working in the Northern Districts coaching network for the last couple of seasons and was the head coach for their A squad this season and assisted the Northern Brave men during their recent Super Smash campaign.The two warm-up games against the Netherlands will be played behind closed doors at McLean Park on March 17 and 19, followed by a one-off T20I on March 21. Netherlands will then take on New Zealand in a T20I on March 25, followed by the ODIs on March 29, April 2 and 4.New Zealand XI squad: Michael Bracewell (capt), Matt Bacon, Matt Boyle, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk), James Hartshorn, Mitch Hay, Jayden Lennox, Angus McKenzie, Jock McKenzie, Tim Pringle, Ben Sears, Jesse Tashkoff (game 1), Ross Taylor (games 2 and 3)