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Axel Tuanzebe is open to the idea of making his loan move from Manchester United to Aston Villa permanent, according to Birmingham Live. 

The lowdown

In August, Tuanzebe his third loan move from Old Trafford to Villa Park.

He’s started three Premier League matches so far this season and may have kept his place for a fourth were he not ineligible to face his parent club last weekend.

Dean Smith has showered the defender with praise, calling him a ‘fantastic player’ with an ‘unbelievable attitude’. He even went as far as to say ‘there’s a future captain in there’.

Tuanzebe has just under two years left on his United contract and is valued at £7.2million by Transfermarkt.

The latest

A source close to the player has told the publication that Tuanzebe has ‘found his smile’ at Villa Park and is ‘loving football again’.

The 23-year-old ‘would be open to one day considering the West Midlands his home on a permanent basis’.

Smith’s recent shift to a back three has provided a ‘perfect pathway’ to the starting line-up for the Englishman.

The verdict

This move makes a great deal of sense for all parties, especially if the Villa boss intends to persist with that new shape.

Realistically, Tuanzebe is always going to be a little way down the pecking order at United, but if he shines on loan, the Red Devils can cash in.

The player himself will surely have forged a connection with the Villa faithful.

In other news, read Gregg Evans’ intriguing claim on this Villa midfielder.

West Ham United will throw the chequebook at Declan Rice in a bid to keep him at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future, according to Irons hero Frank McAvennie…

What’s the word?

During an interview with West Ham Zone this week, the former Hammers striker – who enjoyed two spells in east London – claimed the club were prepared to pay “big bucks” to tie him down for the long-term.

“Listen, from what I’m hearing the club want to keep him and they’re willing to pay big bucks.

“Now, I don’t know if he’s wanting to go somewhere. [But] I think this team [and] this squad of players, could be challenging for the Champions League for the next two or three years. I think they’ve got a decent squad, keeping everyone fit. They’ll buy more players in.

“From what I’m hearing, the owners are willing to give Declan pretty much on a par with everyone else in England, so that’s a good thing.”

Encouraging news

The 22-year-old midfielder has been continually linked with a move away in recent transfer windows, with the likes of Chelsea and both Manchester giants mooted with interest.

All three of these teams made a final of last season’s European competitions. The Blues defeating City in the Champions League, whilst United were beaten by Unai Emery’s Villarreal in the Europa League.

They can clearly offer Rice a better chance of achieving silverware sooner than West Ham can, so it would be no surprise to see him keen to join any of these teams.

During the summer, the £63m-rated star was said to have rejected fresh contract advances from the Irons’ hierarchy and according to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, this was because his salary was not in line with some of the club’s highest-earners, such as the rarely-seen Andriy Yarmolenko, who is thought to earn a whopping £115k-per–week in east London.

However, offering the England international a new deal that would see him match similar quality players in his position is certainly a positive step in the right direction, especially after Ex’s revelation.

Rice is believed to be on just £60k-per-week at the London Stadium, which is poor considering he has now amassed 26 caps for the Three Lions since his debut in March 2019, whilst he continues to be a major influence for West Ham under David Moyes.

Last season, he ranked amongst the Hammers’ four best performers and he has continued that form into the new campaign, where he has already registered two assists in seven starts and averaged a squad-high two interceptions per game, via WhoScored.

He’s also managing the best passing accuracy in the team (92.7%), by quite some margin, too.

If the club are indeed prepared to pay him what he wants and deserves, then it should leave much of the Irons faithful absolutely buzzing as there is the intention to put right their previous offers.

Whether he wants to stay or go remains to be seen, though given he is under contract until 2024, he’s likely to remain for at least the next season or so.

AND in other news, Newman could become an instant hit at West Ham by signing £36m-rated “world-beater”…

The umpire referral system, due to be implemented in October, cannot come fast enough. After four days of controversy at Lord’s, in which Rudi Koertzen and Billy Doctrove have lurched from one crisis to another

Alex Brown at Lord's19-Jul-2009The umpire referral system, due to be implemented in October, cannot come fast enough. After four days of controversy at Lord’s, in which Rudi Koertzen and Billy Doctrove have lurched from one crisis to another, players and spectators were left to ponder just how “challenges” might have averted a series of situations that left two nations frustrated and a match disrupted.The Ashes will be the penultimate Test series to be played under the old system, and more is the pity. Access to television replays would have gone far to sparing the blushes of the umpires and the ire of Australians after Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes and Michael Hussey were ruled out to decisions that ranged from dubious to incorrect on Sunday.Katich’s dismissal to an Andrew Flintoff no-ball might have been difficult for the batting team to detect and challenge, but the controversy surrounding Hughes’ departure could have been avoided. Hughes’ was ruled out to an Andrew Strauss catch in which fingers, ball and turf were in close proximity to one another. A challenge would have sent the adjudication process the way of the third umpire, who presumably would have found the replays to be inconclusive – as per the universal opinion of non-partisan commentators and scribes – and offered the benefit of the doubt to the batsman.As it transpired, Koertzen and Doctrove stood accused of double standards, having declined to refer Hughes’ dismissal to Nigel Llong, the third umpire, a day after sending Nathan Hauritz’s claimed catch at mid-on upstairs. Replays of Hauritz’s effort were similarly inconclusive, and Ravi Bopara was allowed to continue his innings.Tim Nielsen, the Australian coach, refused to be dragged into an umpiring controversy, but admitted concern that Koertzen and Doctrove had not referred Strauss’s catch to Llong. “I would have liked to see it go to the third umpire from a consistency point of view, there’s no doubt about that,” he said. “In the end, we’ve all seen the replays. People will make their decisions. At the moment the scorebook says that Phillip Hughes is sitting up with me. There’s nothing much we can do about it now. Let’s play on and look forward to tomorrow.”We couldn’t afford to get angry. We were in the middle of a game. We had to be conscious of the guy who was going in next. Once the decision was made, that batsman’s impact on the game was finished. So we had to be aware of the environment we created for the next guy and the guys after him and the guy after him. You can’t afford to be angry. You’ve just got to get on with it and make sure the next bloke has the chance to play as well as he can.”Graeme Swann, for his part, said England were not upset that Hughes, under orders from Ricky Ponting at the non-strikers’ end, had stood his ground after Strauss claimed the catch. The incident prompted Koertzen to consult with Doctrove at square-leg for the third time in the match, the previous two of which have resulted in referrals to Llong.”I think it’s just accepted these days that the batsmen have a right to stand and ask if it carried,” Swann said. “The umpire saw it and said it carried, and I was at third slip and thought it carried. As far as we were concerned, there was no problem with that catch. It went straight in. Fifty years ago, it would have been down to the word of the fielder, but these days, with all the technology, I don’t think you can blame anyone for standing around.”Swann was himself party to a contentious decision when Doctrove ruled Hussey to have edged one of his deliveries to first slip. Replays showed that Hussey’s bat had struck the ground, not the ball. Had the batsman the right of appeal, the ensuing controversy would almost certainly have been avoided.”I was surprised,” Swann said of the dismissal. “As far as I was concerned it pitched, it turned, there was a big nick and it went straight to slip. If it didn’t nick his edge I feel sorry for Michael because he’s a mate of mine and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. But there were no qualms from anyone in the middle. As far as we were concerned it was a regulation nick to slip. These things sometimes happen.”

Ian Bell’s demeanour throughout his second innings here had been that of a man determined not to waste an opportunity and if he was hoping to make the right impression on England’s selectors he could not have chosen a better moment

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge14-Aug-2009
ScorecardIan Bell: 126 in front of not one, but all four England selectors, as well as Andrew Strauss•PA PhotosIan Bell’s demeanour throughout his second innings here had been that of a man determined not to waste an opportunity and if he was hoping to make the right impression on England’s selectors he could not have chosen a better moment.While Bell, unbeaten on 92 overnight after revealing enormous depths of patience late on Thursday evening, advanced quickly to his 26th hundred on the final morning, the selection panel deliberating on the line-up for The Oval had convened a matter of yards away, in a room in the Radcliffe Road stand overlooking the field.Bell steered the first ball of the day past the slip cordon for four as Ryan Sidebottom opened proceedings at the pavilion end and moved into three figures 10 minutes later, driving Charlie Shreck roughly in the direction of the meeting room at long off.With a Test place to be clinched, having a selector present is a boon to any batsman in form but in this instance Bell had not merely one but all four — Geoff Miller, James Whitaker, Ashley Giles and Andy Flower — in attendance, as well as the England captain, Andrew Strauss. It may have been a unique occurrence.The panel dispersed after a marathon five-hour session, although there had been more to ponder upon than with whom to take on the Australians in the decisive fifth Test. Names were also to be decided for the one-day series and the Twenty20 matches.Bell’s innings lasted one hour longer, a six-hour epic encompassing 262 deliveries that ended on 126 when Andre Adams, a somewhat underrated seamer in Nottinghamshire’s high quality bowling armoury, hurried one through to trap him leg-before.Bell, who will learn within the coming hours whether his double failure at Headingley has been forgiven, looked less that thrilled, but it was probably more to do with being late on the shot than the authenticity of umpire Richard Kettleborough’s verdict. In any case, after standing at the other end as teammate Jonathan Trott, who will also be waiting for a phone call, beat him to a hundred on Thursday, it had been a good response.With nightwatchman Naqaash Tahir already gone, caught behind after an hour-long effort, Warwickshire were 355 for 5 with Bell’s departure. And when Jim Troughton, struggling for form, became a fourth victim for Adams – who was finding movement off the pitch – they were in danger of subsiding, at 370-6 and only 201 in front, to let Nottinghamshire back in with a scent of victory.But a 95-run partnership between Rikki Clarke and Tim Ambrose saw off that threat, Ambrose doing a sterling job in the defensive role as Clarke, ultimately, allowed himself licence to swing the bat — profitably, too, with a couple of big pulled sixes off Samit Patel’s spin and another fired over midwicket off Shreck.Sidebottom, meanwhile, was cutting an increasingly frustrated figure, repeatedly returning to bowl excellent spells but having no luck at all, beautifully though he bowled at times.Shreck ultimately uprooted Clarke’s middle stump, prompting a tea-time declaration at 470-7 that left Nottinghamshire, in theory, to score 302 to win from a minimum 42 overs.It was never a target they seriously chased, particularly after on-loan opener Scott Newman had been trapped on the crease by Boyd Rankin without scoring. Handshakes were exchanged with Nottinghamshire finishing on 71 for 1 after 25 overs.

Fabrizio Romano believes Tottenham Hotspur are very much still interested in Dusan Vlahovic, despite sporting director Fabio Paratici claiming otherwise…

What’s the word?

Earlier this week, the Italian supremo poured cold water on Spurs’ mooted interest in the Fiorentina talisman, claiming to Festival dello Sport (via Romano): “Dusan Vlahovic is appreciated by many clubs, it’s normal – he’s not in our plans, for now.”

However, the transfer guru has dropped a fresh claim during a recent episode of the ‘Here We Go’ podcast that seems to refute such comments.

“Vlahovic is a bit different. The feeling I have because what he [Paratici] said is that ‘he is not in our plans for now’ and in Paratici language that means he is pursuing the player,” revealed the Italian journalist.

“We know about it because last summer, Tottenham were really interested in Vlahovic. They were looking at him as [a] potential Harry Kane backup, not [a] replacement.

“Tottenham are still following this boy, as are Atletico Madrid and other English clubs, and Italian clubs, so there will be a big fight for Vlahovic. Let’s see if it’ll be January or next summer but he is leaving Fiorentina.”

Sneaky Paratici

This latest development should leave much of the Lilywhites faithful on the edge of their seats and whilst it may come as a surprise, it is well-known Paratici operates in this manner.

Harry Kane has struggled for goals in the Premier League so far this campaign, failing to find the net in five starts, but he still does not have a viable senior backup behind him, with Nuno Santo sometimes turning to 17-year-old gem Dane Scarlett in other competitions.

Vlahovic is a firm contender to fill such a void and it would certainly give the Portuguese coach another valuable option to either start alongside the England talisman or to replace him from the bench.

The 21-year-old scored a whopping 21 goals in 37 appearances in the Serie A side last season and has continued such form into the new campaign, where he has found the net a further six times in just eight matches, as per Transfermarkt.

La Viola’s goal machine has been compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which is hardly a surprise given his 6 foot 3 slender frame, whilst former Italy international Christian Vieri believes he’s the strongest young forward in Europe, behind Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Dubbed a “complete number nine” by Italian football expert Conor Clancy to This is Futbol, Vlahovic could well be in Spurs’ sights despite Paratici trying to throw off the scent and that ultimately should leave many supporters thrilled.

AND in other news, Nuno may have his own Varane in “talented” 18 y/o gem who can help Spurs save millions…

Andrew Flintoff has admitted there is a chance he may never play at the highest level again after his latest knee surgery ,but is aiming for a comeback in February 2010

Cricinfo staff30-Aug-2009Andrew Flintoff has admitted there is a chance he may never play at the highest level again after his latest knee surgery but is aiming for a comeback in February 2010. Flintoff underwent routine arthroscopy and micro-fracture to two small areas in his right knee a day after England regained the Ashes, and was expected to be on crutches for a minimum of six weeks.”There is a possibility I may not play again,” Flintoff told . “It’s something I’m going to have to be prepared for in case the operation is not as successful as I hope. There will be a question mark in my mind about whether I have played my last game until I know how the operation has turned out. I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind, but the success rate for an operation like this is pretty good. The bottom line is that if it doesn’t work, there’s nothing I can do about it.”After playing through pain during the Ashes, Flintoff retired from Tests following England’s 2-1 victory against Australia but said that he intended to continue playing one-day and Twenty20 internationals for England. He said he didn’t want his career “to end like this” and hoped to be fit for the tour to Bangladesh in February-March 2010.”My Test career ended with a high by England winning the Ashes and I’d like to finish my one-day career by winning the World Cup. The next few weeks are quite crucial in the recovery and I’m not supposed to put any weight on my knee.”I will see the specialist in a couple of weeks and then have another eight-week check-up. It’s only then we’ll know the extent of where I’m up to. I have set myself a target of returning for the tour to Bangladesh, which is from mid-February to the middle of March, but whether that’s realistic or not, I’m not sure.”

Following a difficult start to the Premier League this season, Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa will have some ruthless calls to make over some of his under-performing players.

Rodrigo has arguably been the biggest disappointment of the lot given his considerable price tag and the extensive experience he brings to the table with his time in Spain playing European football year-in, year-out.

The Spaniard has yet to score or assist in nine games in all competitions this term, and what has been particularly disappointing is that he has been given a runout as the sole centre-forward in Patrick Bamford’s absence.

If the criticism was that his below-par displays might have been because he was asked to play in a more withdrawn role when Bamford was in the side, then there cannot be any excuses for how he’s been performing in recent weeks.

It was no surprise that numerous Leeds fans slammed the Spain international for his performance against Manchester United in the opening game of the season, while he was equally ineffective against Liverpool too.

Against Jurgen Klopp’s side last month, he had no successful dribbles, just one shot on goal with which he really should have done better, completed only ten passes and and lost the ball on seven occasions before he was taken off at the break.

Last time out against Southampton, he arguably delivered his worst performance in a Leeds shirt. Writing in his post-match player ratings for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Graham Smyth gave him a measly two, saying: “Completely ineffective. Offered next to nothing, took heavy touches or picked wrong options. No focal point for Leeds’ attack.”

Today’s game against Wolves marks a crucial opportunity for Bielsa’s side to get things right and finally get a bit of momentum into their sails.

Dropping the £100k-a-week earning Rodrigo would be the kind of ruthless move which could reignite the team.

Meanwhile, Leeds could sign a huge Dan James upgrade in this star…

Manchester United extended their winless run in the Premier League to four games in dramatic fashion over the weekend after they were thrashed 5-0 by fierce rivals Liverpool.

The Red Devils were picked apart by their far superior opponents during a dreadful 90 minutes, increasing the pressure on under-fire manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Naby Keita opened the scoring after just five minutes at Old Trafford after the visitors ruthlessly exposed the gaping holes in United’s defence, and it was a sign of things to come.

Before half-time, a Diogo Jota tap in and a Mohamed Salah brace had already put Jurgen Klopp’s charges out of sight, but things got even worse following the interval.

The Eygpt international completed his hat-trick on the 50-minute mark, and Paul Pogba’s red card ten minutes later rounded off a humiliating afternoon for the 20-time English champions.

It’s a result and performance that ultimately puts Solskjaer’s position in the dugout under intense scrutiny, but the players on the pitch also have to take a share of the blame.

And arguably nobody was more underwhelming on Sunday than club captain Harry Maguire. He clumsily collided with left-back Luke Shaw for the second goal – who also had a nightmare against the Reds – and was unable to prevent the onslaught as he failed to lay a glove on Liverpool’s ruthless attack.

The England international was slow to react to almost every situation throughout the 90 minutes and was outwitted by Roberto Firmino on numerous occasions.

As a result of his below-par display, Maguire was awarded a match rating of just 4.8 out of 10 by FotMob, the lowest total received by any outfield player.

And when looking at his underlying numbers, it’s easy to see why. The 28-year-old attempted just one tackle which he lost, failed to block a single shot or make an interception, and made just two clearances, highlighting his hugely ineffective performance.

Since returning from a calf injury following the international break, the usually dependable centre-back has put in three calamitous showings against Leicester City, Atalanta and Liverpool, and Solskjaer will be hoping his leader can return to form as soon as possible.

And, in other news…Forget De Gea: Man Utd liability who lost possession 13x had a shocker against LFC

Herschelle Gibbs will represent Cape Cobras in the Champions League, and not the Deccan Chargers, with whom he won the IPL

Cricinfo staff18-Aug-2009Herschelle Gibbs will represent Cape Cobras in the Champions League, and not the Deccan Chargers, with whom he won the IPL. Gibbs was earlier quoted as saying that he had opted for Deccan ahead of Cobras. However, he was named in the 20-man Cobras squad named Tuesday.”The Chargers confirmed over the weekend that Herschelle would not be in their squad and we are thrilled that a player of his pedigree will now be in the team,” Andre Odendaal, Cobras’ CEO said. It also means that Cobras will lose out on the $200,000 they would have got as compensation had Gibbs opted for Deccan. “It means a loss of potential income, but our first priority has always been to go to India to win.”Deccan will lose out on what was a key component in their IPL triumph earlier this year. Gibbs was the second highest run-getter for them (behind captain Adam Gilchrist) with 371 runs at a strike-rate of 112.08, including four half-centuries, in 14 matches. When contacted, PK Iyer, the managing director of Deccan Chargers’ parent company, refused to comment.Cobras’ Champions League campaign will be led by the South Africa captain, Graeme Smith. They will play the first match of the tournament, against Royal Challengers Bangalore on October 8.Cape Cobras squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Derek Brand, Ryan Canning, Henry Davids, JP Duminy, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Herschelle Gibbs, Claude Henderson, Rory Kleinveldt, Charl Langeveldt, Richard Levi, Carl Nieuwoudt, Justin Ontong, Vernon Philander, Francois Plaatjies, Andrew Puttick, Gurshwin Rabie, Leonard van Wyk, Stiaan van Zyl, Monde Zondeki

Lancashire have announced that Mal Loye has decided to rejoin Northamptonshire, the county he first played for before moving to Old Trafford seven seasons ago

Cricinfo staff30-Sep-2009Lancashire have announced that Mal Loye has decided to rejoin Northamptonshire, the county he first played for before moving to Old Trafford seven seasons ago.Since arriving at Lancashire in 2003, 37-year-old Loye scored 10,603 runs in all competitions and was awarded a benefit in 2008.Speaking about Loye’s departure, former manager and now Lancashire cricket director Mike Watkinson said: “Contractual discussions have been ongoing throughout the season. It became apparent that irrespective of the terms or length of our contract offer to Mal; his decision to move on had been made. Mal has made great contributions for Lancashire both on and off the field and I wish him well for the years ahead.”