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Nathan Ake has thanked Pep Guardiola for the way the Man City boss dealt with the death of the defender's father.

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Ake praises Guardiola for supportDefender's father died in 2021Ake has turned City career aroundWHAT HAPPENED?

Ake's father tragically passed away aged 63 after a 13-year fight with prostate cancer. After the Dutchman scored in City's 6-3 Champions League win against RB Leipzig in September 2021, he learned that his dad had died during the match. Two years on, Ake has praised Guardiola for the emotional support he gave him.

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Nobody can deny that Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all time. However, critics argue that the Catalan lacks emotional connection with his players and is therefore not a good man manager. Ake's form for City has improved significantly since his father's passing, and he believes that Guardiola played a role in that.

WHAT AKE SAID

As reported by the Mirror, Ake said: "I’m grateful to Pep [Guardiola] for all he means to me on and off the pitch. When my father passed away, he was fantastic. If I needed things or wanted time off, I just had to tell him. He gave me all the time and space I needed."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AKE?

The arrival of Josko Gvardiol means that Ake is no longer the sure starter in defence he became last season. However, after penning a new four-year contract following City's treble success, he looks set to stay at the Etihad Stadium for the foreseeable future.

Isa Guha, the former England seamer, has become the first woman to be appointed to the board of the Professional Cricketers’ Association

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-2017
Isa Guha, the former England seamer, has become the first woman to be appointed to the board of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.Guha, 31, becomes a non-executive director of the players’ union.She retired from international cricket in 2012, having played a part in England’s victories in both the World Cup and the World T20 in 2009, as well as two Ashes triumphs in 2005 and 2007-08, when she took career-best match figures of 9 for 100 at Bowral.She has since gone on to forge a career in broadcasting, becoming the first female summariser on BBC Test Match Special in 2014, before co-hosting ESPN’s coverage of the 2015 World Cup in Australia.”Isa has a vast knowledge of the game from a men’s and women’s perspective,” said David Leatherdale, the PCA chief executive. “With our international women players now full members of the PCA, Isa will bring real insight to the PCA board.””I am delighted to be joining the PCA at an exciting time for the game here in England for our men and women at both domestic and international levels,” Guha said.”I look forward to working with the team at the PCA, and with all the many past and present players, as the country prepares for a number of major events, starting with the ICC Champions Trophy and the Women’s World Cup this summer.”

Cristiano Ronaldo does not boast the best record from direct free-kicks, with the Portuguese hitting an unfortunate cameraman with one of his latest.

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All-time great in Saudi Pro League actionNetted his 13th goal of the seasonMissed the target with one set-pieceWHAT HAPPENED?

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was in action for Al-Nassr against Al-Raed on Saturday. He was among the goals in that contest – with the finishing touches put to a convincing 3-1 win – but his radar was slightly off when lining up a set-piece from the edge of the box.

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With the ball placed just 19 yards from goal, and very central, Ronaldo opted to go for power when standing over a dangerous free-kick. He whipped his effort around the wall, but also sent it fizzing past the post. The camera operator working behind said goal was unable to move out of the way in time and took a fiercely-struck shot full in the face.

DID YOU KNOW?

The cameraman in question was almost knocked off his feet by Ronaldo’s wayward strike, but steadied himself in time before tumbling onto the running track on which he was working. Ronaldo delivered the image that everyone was after in the 78th minute when he added to earlier efforts from Sadio Mane and Talisca.

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Ronaldo has now scored 13 goals in just 12 games for Al-Nassr this season. He has netted plenty of spectacular free-kicks down the years, but his strike rate from dead-ball situations is surprisingly poor for a player of his record-breaking ability.

Liverpool target and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount is expected to soon "decide" whether to make the move to Anfield, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Is Mason Mount leaving Chelsea?

The Blues academy graduate has made 195 senior appearances for Mauricio Pochettino's side over the course of his career, but with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the upcoming window is his final chance to secure a big-money move elsewhere having rejected several new offers to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Sky Sports have credited the Reds with an interest in the 24-year-old but report that Premier League rivals Manchester United are the current frontrunners having displayed a strong desire to secure his services, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein further revealing that the player himself is leaning towards a switch to Old Trafford.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs claimed that the England international is “advancing” in negotiations to join Erik Ten Hag’s side which is true considering that he’s since agreed personal terms, but whilst a deal looks all but done, he still has Jurgen Klopp lurking in the background as a valid option.

Are Liverpool signing Mount?

Taking to Twitter, Plettenberg revealed that Mount is set to choose between Liverpool and Man United as his next destination with an exit from his boyhood club pretty much inevitable this summer. He wrote:

"News #Mount: Been told #MUFC is pushing a lot! Ten Hag and the bosses share the same opinion about him: They definitely want him! Within the club all are convinced of him. Understand he will decide between Man Utd or Liverpool. Price valuation at this stage: €45-50m [£38m-43m] with bonuses included."

Should FSG cash out on Mount?

Liverpool are clearly long-term admirers of Mount and the fact that he’ll be out of contract this time next year means that a cut-price deal is available with the price range mentioned above, so FSG should certainly consider tabling a bid in an attempt to wrap up this bargain of a deal.

Chelsea’s “mad” attacking midfielder, as lauded by BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand, missed 12 top-flight games last season through injury but still managed to clock up nine goal contributions (six assists and three goals) across all competitions, showing how much of an instant impact he can make when available to play.

The Champions League winner, who knows what it takes to compete and be successful at the highest level having secured three senior trophies in SW6, is also a versatile operator having been fielded in seven various positions across the pitch since first emerging onto the scene, including in the midfield and the frontline, so he is a well-rounded player that would slot perfectly into the centre for Klopp.

Sri Lanka A took a lead of 72 as Dimuth Karunaratne scored a patient 131

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-2016
ScorecardFile photo – Dimuth Karunaratne scored a patient 131 to keep Sri Lanka A ahead•AFPSri Lanka A’s commanding start to the innings – Test batsmen Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera put on 167 for the first wicket – ensured they finished the second day against West Indies A in a strong position.The left-handed opening pair scored at 4.57 per over, with Perera especially going after a West Indian bowling that might have looked even more pedestrian had it not been for Leeward Islands offspinner Rahkeem Cornwall, who ended the day with 6 for 87, his third five-wicket haul in a row in first-class cricket. Cornwall has taken 42 wickets in his last ten innings.Cornwall broke the opening stand and further damaged Sri Lanka A’s momentum as he picked up Lahiru Thirimanne and Roshan Silva shortly after. However, Karunaratne dug in and scored 131, setting up a fifth-wicket stand of 85 with Niroshan Dickwella, who scored 59. Cornwall then returned to take three wickets for no runs as Sri Lanka A slipped to 337 for 8.They finished on 348 for 8, 72 ahead of West Indies A.

William Perkins has been suspended for the remainder of the CPL for handing his Players/Match Official Access pass to a third party for the side’s league game against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Lauderhill

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Aug-2016

Trinbago Knight Riders batsman William Perkins has been suspended for the remainder of the CPL for handing his Players/Match Official Access pass to a third party for the side’s league game against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in Lauderhill on Sunday.Perkins accepted the charges for breaching the ICC’s Minimum Standards for Players and clauses 10.1.1 and 10.1.2 of the player contract. Members of the CPL security team along with ICC Anti-Corruption manager Richard Reynolds had obtained Perkins’ pass, resulting in his immediate suspension. Perkins played four CPL games this season and scored 75 runs at an average of 18.75.Knight Riders face St Lucia Zouks in the second playoff match in Basseterre on Thursday.

Sheldon Cottrell went to Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, while Narsingh Deonarine was picked by Windward Islands Volcanoes in the player draft for the 2016-17 WICB Professional Cricket League

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jun-2016Jamaican fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell was picked by Trinidad & Tobago, while Windward Islands chose Narsingh Deonarine, the left-hand batsman, in the player draft for the 2016-17 WICB Professional Cricket League in Barbados on Friday.Cottrell, who has played two Tests, two ODIs and six T20Is for West Indies, was part of the Jamaica squad in the 2015-16 season. He played only four first-class matches in the four-day tournament, taking seven wickets, including a first-class best of 5 for 38. Deonarine played for Trinidad & Tobago and was their second-highest scorer with 494 runs in nine matches at 35.28.Defending champions Guyana picked five players in the draft of which only 21-year-old Vikash Mohan was from outside the home territory. Barbados had two such players in their list of new picks – Kissoondath Magram (from T&T) and 21-year-old uncapped fast bowler Preston McSween from Windward Islands.The draft system has been in place since 2014, when the WICB revamped its domestic structure to combine the selection of players for the regional four-day tournament and the Nagico Super50, and packaged it as the WICB Professional Cricket League.As per the draft rules, each of the six franchises can select from the talent pool available in both tournaments. Each franchise has to enlist a minimum of 15 players, of whom 10 are pre-selected from the home territory, while the remaining five go through the draft system. Of the five spots that are filled through the draft picks, a minimum of two players need to be from outside the home territory. Each franchise is also allowed to have one international player.The draft is conducted over five rounds and each franchise is allowed one pick that must be made within two minutes. In the event of a franchise failing to make a selection within the allotted time, they will have to pass up their turn and wait for the other franchises to finish making their selections in that round, before picking.Full squads (new picks in italics; for players chosen from outside the franchise’s home territory, the region is mentioned in brackets.)Barbados: , Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Ashley Nurse, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute, Jomel WarricanGuyana: , Christopher Barnwell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer (Barbados), Vishaul Singh, Veerasammy PermaulJamaica: , Nikita Miller, Damion Jacobs, Devon Thomas (Leeward Islands), Chadwick Walton, Andre McCarthy, John Campbell, Rovman Powell, Paul Palmer Jr, Brandon King, Marquino MindleyLeeward Islands: , Quinton Boatswain, Nkrumah Bonner (Jamaica), Kacey Carty, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jahmar Hamilton, Montcin Hodge, Alzarri Joseph, Jeremiahn Louis, Kieran Powell, Hayden Walsh JrTrinidad & Tobago: , Yannic Cariah, Kyle Hope (Barbados), Jon-Russ Jagessar, Stephen Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Yannick Ottley, Marlon Richards, Jeremy SolozanoWindward Islands: , Sunil Ambris, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Mervin Matthew, Kyle Mayers (Barbados), Kenroy Peters, Liam Sebastien, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith, Tyrone Theophile

Tottenham Hotspur are unlikely to appoint Graham Potter as their new manager, according to journalist Paul Brown, who recently spoke to GiveMeSport.

What's the latest Tottenham manager news?

It is clear that Potter is thought of in high regard by the Tottenham board, with Brown previously telling GiveMeSport they "went for him in quite a big way" while he was manager of Brighton & Hove Albion. The 47-year-old rebuffed Spurs' advances, as he instead wanted to move to a "top tier club", with Football Insider also reporting that he was unwilling to work with chairman Daniel Levy, who has become a controversial figure.

After previously being rejected by the former Brighton boss, Brown does not believe the Lilywhites will make a fresh attempt to appoint him, particularly considering his very poor spell at Chelsea, which is said to have damaged his reputation.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, the journalist said: "I'd be surprised if Daniel Levy went in for him, having been snubbed the way he was before and when you look at how badly it went for him really at Chelsea, his stock has fallen through the floor. It would be a surprise if Potter ended up at Spurs."

Should Tottenham appoint Graham Potter?

It is probably a wise move for Spurs to avoid appointing the Englishman, despite the fact he did a fantastic job at Brighton, leaving the Seagulls in their highest ever position before leaving to join Chelsea. During his time with the Blues, the tactician won just 11 out of the 28 league games he took charge of, recording the worst points-per game tally of any Blues manager in the Premier League era.

That said, it could be argued he was not given the necessary time to embed his chosen play style, with former Wolverhamtpon Wanderers player Karl Henry stating: "It takes time to change the culture, create cohesion and ultimately, implement your footballing philosophy at a new club."

Henry also lauded the former Chelsea boss as a "top-level coach", which indicates he could be a success at Tottenham, if he is given the opportunity to build his squad and bring in the players he wants.

Given his recent sacking, Levy should still avoid Potter for the time being, but it would not be a surprise to see him go on to be a successful Premier League manager, regardless of his recent spell at Stamford Bridge.

Bangladesh’s captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz and coach Mizanur Rahman were wary of the threat posed by West Indies’ quicks, but backed the hosts’ top order to come good

Mohammad Isam in Mirpur10-Feb-2016

The day before the two sides first met this year, a member of Bangladesh’s coaching staff was looking at the West Indies pace bowlers quite intently during practice at the National Cricket Academy ground. Exactly a month later, on the eve of the Under-19 World Cup semi-final between the two teams, the focus still remains on pace bowling.West Indies’ new-ball attack has been one of the highlights of this tournament, particularly the sight of the beanpole Alzarri Joseph steaming in and consistently hitting high speeds. He has also generated movement to trouble the opposition. Joseph and Chemar Holder, the injured Obed McCoy’s replacement, put Pakistan under early pressure in the quarter-final, which West Indies won by five wickets.Apart from Joseph and Chemar, West Indies also have Keemo Paul, Odean Smith, Ryan John and Shamar Springer as pace options in their squad.Bangladesh crushed West Indies 3-0 last month, but they need to have a second look at their bowling attack and sharpen up during training sessions. Much of it has revolved around tackling the short balls, which have been regularly directed at the throat by the net bowlers.Bangladesh coach Mizanur Rahman was wary of the threat posed by Joseph, but believed that a solid top-order platform could help his side post a good total.”[Alzarri] Joseph is one of the best bowlers of this tournament,” Mizanur said. “But we have plan against all their bowlers. We hope the video session we had will work in our favour. We know him [Joseph] quite well having played against them in three matches before the U-19 World Cup. We are prepared to face him.””Their strength is the pace attack so if our top order does their job, it becomes easier for the middle and lower-order batsmen. If we can make around 230 to 250 or even more, it will be defendable.”West Indies captain Shimron Hetmyer, meanwhile, has drawn confidence from having the fastest bowler in the tournament, especially in conditions that offer little help to the quicks.”It is a good feeling to be in a team with express pacers in the last two years,” Hetmyer said. “I think we had one pacer in the last World Cup that really went all the way through the tournament, and there was [Kagiso] Rabada from South Africa who was the fastest bowler in the tournament.”This year being in the team with the fastest bowler is a big boost for us. Playing in the sub-continent, which people don’t really with pace pitches and so far the pacers have done well for us.”Joseph has turned heads back home, in the Caribbean, as well with veteran commentator and writer Tony Cozier earmarking him a special talent. Joseph hails from the All Saints Village in Antigua, and has been trained by former West Indies pacer Winston Benjamin in addition to taking tips from the legendary Andy Roberts.Alzarri Joseph has impressed in the Under-19 World Cup by moving the ball at speeds north of 140kph•International Cricket Council

Bangladesh captain Mehedi Hasan Miraz, however, has played down the pace threat, saying the hosts were more comfortable against pace, something that they thrived on while playing in South Africa last year.”We like playing fast bowlers,” Miraz said. “Playing against less pace, there’s a chance of mistiming the ball. We are always confident facing pace. We have done well in South Africa, and also against West Indies. We haven’t faced a really pacy bowling attack yet in this tournament, which has caused problems for our openers.”The second semi-final will also be Bangladesh’s first match against a Full Member since the tournament opener against South Africa on January 27. Miraz took confidence from Bangladesh’s hard-fought win against Nepal, and the manner in which his team bounced back against Sri Lanka in the Youth ODI series last year. Bangladesh rebounded from 2-0 down to seal that series 3-2.”We have the belief to turn around from any situation,” Miraz said.” We don’t think negatively. I enjoy playing in the situation that we faced in the last game [against Nepal]. We won three games on the bounce after losing the first two in Sri Lanka last year. Having taken that much pressure in those conditions, has only done good for our confidence.”West Indies coach Graeme West, too, was not short of confidence ahead of the big game. He has said that West Indies were encouraged by how the Sri Lankan seamers zipped the ball around to test India’s top order in the first semi-final on Tuesday.”We watched the game yesterday and we’re encouraged to see the ball get through,” West said. “The seamers both sides were effective in the first 10 overs. Anyone that would have watched the Pakistan game, will see where one of our strengths lies with the new ball attack. And we got to look to that to really make early inroads into the Bangladesh batting.”West also said that the next challenge for Joseph would be to continue bowling with control, instead of focusing too much on pace.”He’s been very successful and he’s bowled really well,” West said. “We need to make sure that he continues to perform at that level, not to get too carried away. If he starts looking at how fast he’s bowling as opposed to where he’s looking to land the ball, then he might lose some of his potential.”

Tottenham Hotspur are the main contenders to sign Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, according to Rai journalist Ciro Venerato.

The Lowdown: Spurs look for Lloris replacement…

Spurs are reliably believed to be on the look out for an heir to long-serving shot-stopper Hugo Lloris with the France international currently injured and suffering a decline in form this season.

Antonio Conte’s side are currently relying on Fraser Forster as their number one in Lloris’ absence, and as the 36-year-old’s contract runs down, Fabio Paratici and co are thinking about the future.

The Premier League top-four hopefuls have been linked with many names heading into the summer window and Meret is said to be one of them.

The Latest: Tottenham main contenders for Meret…

According to Venerato, speaking on live radio to ‘1 Football Club’ (via Calcio Napoli 24), Tottenham have ‘above all’ expressed their interest in signing the 25-year-old.

He explained:

“Napoli would like to continue with Meret, and in this sense we will have to sit down at the negotiating table and await developments.

“There are some Premier League clubs that have however registered an interest in the Frulian, Tottenham above all.”

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The Verdict: Get it done?

Meret’s current deal at Napoli expires in the summer of 2024, and if he doesn’t put pen to paper on fresh terms, he could represent both a quality and financially attainable target for Spurs.

The Italian, capped three times by his national team, has been a mainstay for the Serie A league leaders this season – playing more top flight minutes than anyone in Luciano Spalletti’s squad (WhoScored).

One admirer of the 6 foot 3 keeper in past seasons has been none other than Spurs boss Conte, with agent Federico Pastorello revealing back in 2017 that he was ‘really impressed’ with Meret after scouting him out.

Meret has also been revered by members of the press for his performances in between Napoli’s sticks, with reporter Roberto Rojas calling him a ‘stellar goalkeeper’.

Paratici and co will be watching his contract situation closely as a real candidate to succeed Lloris could soon become available.