Marcelo Weigandt admits that every game that Lionel Messi graces for Inter Miami becomes “like a final” for their opponents.
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All-time great starring in the StatesRivals raise their gameHerons chasing down silverwareWHAT HAPPENED?
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains the biggest draw in MLS, with fans in the United States – including plenty of famous ones – eager to catch a glimpse of him in live action. Many domestic rivals are also desperate to test themselves against one of the all-time greats.
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Messi continues to deliver under that weight of expectation – being named MLS Player of the Month for April – but Weigandt admits that each passing fixture is a serious challenge for the Herons. The Argentine defender has said ahead of a home date with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday: “We expect them to play the same intense way. When we have Leo, every team plays against us like it were a final. And we have to play every game like it's a final to try if we want to achieve what we aspire to. But the team looks good, we're happy and we work hard throughout the week.”
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Weigandt, who has joined Inter Miami on an initial loan from Boca Juniors, added on working alongside an illustrious countryman in Florida: “Honestly it's been extraordinary, Leo is very humble and simple. He's a great person, and compliments the team well. He talks to us to inspire us. It's something so nice, that someone so important notices every detail of the group and the club, he makes us more professional. He's taught me to have my feet on the ground. He's a person you can talk to, and get advice from. He helps. One is intimidated at first, has shame, but in the day-to-day, it's incredible.”
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Messi’s exploits this season have helped Inter Miami to the top of the Eastern Conference, as they look to chase down MLS Cup glory. The mercurial South American has registered 11 goals through just 10 appearances in all competitions.
Essex’s bowlers struggled to make inroads on a cold, overcast day as Hampshire reached 303 for 4, with Northeast six runs shy of a century
Valkerie Baynes at the Ageas Bowl05-Apr-2019The sight of Rilee Rossouw cutting loose against Essex’s bowlers while team-mate Sam Northeast anchored the innings gave Hampshire a bright start to the County Championship season, despite the gloomy conditions.A small but appreciative quorum of onlookers braved the frigid temperatures and overcast skies at the Ageas Bowl, their numbers possibly boosted by fans of Liverpool FC – whose players were staying in the adjoining hotel – killing time ahead of the evening’s Premier League match against Southampton.They were warmly rewarded with a top-class display from Hampshire’s batsmen, highlighted by Rossouw’s fireworks and Northeast’s thoughtfully compiled innings while further enhanced by neat cameos from captain James Vince and last-minute import Aiden Markram.Essex may have been left ruing their decision to put the hosts in after an uncontested toss with play starting 20 minutes late due to poor light. With the help of the floodlights and a slightly brightening sky, the Hampshire batsmen got on with their job in impressive fashion.Vince’s move up the order to open, partly to cover for the retired Jimmy Adams but also to give himself the best chance of breaking back into the England Test team, was an unspectacular success in its infancy. He batted with trademark ease to reach 40 off 68 deliveries before Ravi Bopara had him out lbw in his second over on the stroke of lunch.Markram had been in the country for less than 72 hours, having flown in on Tuesday night as a late overseas signing to replace Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne. But he found his feet immediately to score an eye-catching half-century.Markram, who recently played his way back into the South African limited-overs set-up after some prolific run-scoring at domestic level, brought up his fifty with a sweet straight drive off Sam Cook. He went on to reach 63, including nine fours before Matt Quinn had him caught behind by Dan Lawrence, filling in behind the stumps for Adam Wheater, who had left the field with an injured hand.Hampshire’s first-team manager, Adrian Birrell, was pleased with Markram’s showing.”He’s only had one hit here outside since arriving, it’s been raining the rest of the time, so from having one outdoor net, he’s in form,” Birrell said. “He’s played well in South Africa but coming over here is a different game. I thought he applied himself very well and came up with good plans.”Markram’s dismissal brought another South African to the crease in Kolpak player Rossouw and he took off at an impressive clip. By tea he had added 45 off 41 deliveries.After the break, Rossouw took a liking to compatriot offspinner Simon Harmer, smacking him for two sixes in three balls, and another a while later as he moved to 76 off 66 balls. It was Harmer to whom Rossouw holed out off the bowling of Jamie Porter in a small consolation for Essex, but his knock, which included four sixes and 10 fours all up, was damaging.All the while, Northeast went about his business, although he was by no means slow and was not to be outdone on strokeplay either, carving out 12 fours and a six of his own on his way to 94 off 153 balls when bad like halted play for the day late in the evening session.”We need a guy to anchor the innings and he was that today,” Birrell said of Northeast. “I was just disappointed we couldn’t have a few more overs so he could get to his hundred but a very good day overall and we ain’t finished yet.”Joe Weatherley was the only batsman not to make the most of his time in the middle, caught by third slip Tom Westley off the bowling of Quinn for 13 early in the day. But there was no argument that Hampshire weren’t on top at the close.
After falling by the wayside last season and missing out on this year's edition of the Champions League, Liverpool supporters would be forgiven for a sense of consternation, but worries have been blown away.
Indeed, Liverpool top the Premier League table after 20 matches and look reborn after wholesale changes were made to the midfield during the summer transfer window.
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Jurgen Klopp's side will likely use the January transfer window to strengthen, and while the backline should receive priority following Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury last month, reinforcements could be targetted across the pitch.
Mohamed Salah, for example, is now absent for around a month as he heads off to the African Cup of Nations, and with this in mind, Liverpool are monitoring an exciting talent on the right flank.
Liverpool transfer news – Johan Bakayoko
Transfer insider Rudy Galetti reported last month that Liverpool are interested in a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko, with the journalist revealing that the 20-year-old is "strongly appreciated" by the Anfield side.
Tottenham Hotspur are also credited with an interest, with Brentford failing with a £34m approach to sign the prodigy in the summer too, but Klopp will be confident in securing the player if he chooses to advance Liverpool's interest.
While Spurs are eyeing a new winger this month, it doesn't feel likely that the Eredivisie leaders would sanction his sale at the season's midpoint.
Johan Bakayoko's style of play
Most effective down the right channel, Bakayoko is a pacy and direct winger with bundles of creativity to supercharge his teammates as they search for goals.
Described as an "essential piece of this magnificent PSV team" – who has incredibly won all 16 league games this term – Bakayoko has cemented a spot as a starring member after breaking into the senior set-up during the 2022/23 campaign, scoring five goals and supplying five assists from 17 starts in the Eredivisie.
PSV Eindhoven forwardJohan Bakayoko.
Also praised for his "electric" style, the nine-cap Belgium international has averaged 2.7 key passes and 3.3 dribbles per game this year, as per Sofascore, supplying 13 assists across all competitions.
How Bakayoko compares to Luis Diaz
Well, Bakayoko has been described as having "elements of Luis Diaz" in his game by journalist Jack Collins, and it's clear to see why such a correlation in style could be made.
Stat (per game)
21/22
23/24
Matches played
13
19
Goals
4
3
Assists
3
1
G/A Rate
0.54
0.21
Touches
51
35
Key passes
1.5
1.2
Pass completion
88%
82%
Dribble success
2.4 (63%)
1.4 (51%)
As the table delineates, it's pretty stark, with Diaz underperforming across nearly every metric this season; while he's clearly been affected by last season's knee injury and the off-field personal struggles last autumn, Klopp will be desperate to see improvements over the coming weeks.
It's only natural that these issues would hamper the Colombian's form, but there will come a point where he must rekindle his verve and prove himself as a starring member of a Liverpool side chasing silver-laden success across multiple fronts.
With the talismanic Salah's departure to play at the African Cup of Nations with Egypt – which will likely rule him out until February – now upon the Anfield side, Diaz's return to first-rate form is paramount to ensure the Reds continue to set the pacer in the Premier League title challenge.
Luis Diaz.
This said, Diaz remains a wonderful, fleet-footed winger with a penetrative style that has established him as one of the best in his position across Europe, and if Liverpool could get their hands on an ace of similar qualities it would only bode well for the chances of success over the coming years.
As per FBref, Bakayoko ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to the Dutch Eredivisie over the past year for assists, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and the top 2% for successful take-ons per 90.
With a clear prowess within his for ball-carrying and creativity, Diaz's profile could be emulated on the red half of Merseyside, with the Liverpool star called a "livewire" by journalist Peter Hall, which captures the essence of his performance – at its apex – succinctly.
Of course, Bakayoko plies his trade on the right, the alternate flank to Diaz, and thus could not really be considered a replacement; instead, perhaps the starlet could be the long-term successor to Salah's place in the frontline.
Why Bakayoko could replace Mohamed Salah
To be honest, replacing Salah, aged 31, has got to be one of the most daunting tasks of Klopp's reign on Merseyside, but whenever he does depart the club, it is a problem that will need a solution.
Signing from AS Roma for £34m in 2017, the Egyptian has been the imperious focal point to spearhead the club's feats, plundering 204 goals and 88 assists over 332 fixtures.
For the current campaign, just the 18 goals and nine assists from 27 outings to turbo-power Liverpool's pursuit of the Premier League trophy, business as usual.
Bakayoko, it would seem, doesn't offer the same innate predatory instinct but that should by no means be a deterrent; the youngster is certainly not averse to scoring goals and this could be nurtured over the coming years, all the while maintaining the world-class potential in his playmaking ability.
Given that replacing Salah's goals on the wing directly is a near-impossible task, perhaps it would be wise to tweak the system and let Bakayoko supplement the frontline for years to come – something that could perhaps be beneficial to striker Darwin Nunez, given the Uruguayan's connection to Salah.
Given the relative sparseness in depth on Liverpool's offensive right side, there's no reason why Salah and Bakayoko could not thrive in the same score of players, with the PSV star knowing that eventually, he will receive his opportunity to stake a claim for first choice.
El Tri enter will head to the U.S. with sky-high expectations, but can they come close to reaching them?
If there's one thing you need to know about Mexico's national team, it's that high expectations precede everything they do. It doesn't matter the competition, the form, the situation – if there's a game being played, those that support El Tri expect them to win.
Those expectations aren't always realistic, but they are always real. There's no avoiding them. If Mexico ever falls short, punishment is always swift. That's the situation head coach Jaime Lozano faces heading into this summer's Copa America.
Mexico, though, are not among the favorites to win in the United States. There's still an aura of chaos lingering from the 2022 World Cup, with players still taking shots at former coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino. On talent alone, El Tri aren't among the top three or four teams in this competition, either.
Expectations are there, though, and if Lozano's Mexico doesn't live up to them… well, we all know what happens to Mexico managers who fall short.
But who will make Mexico's Copa America squad? Lozano named a 31-man preliminary roster on May 10, with his final 23 set to be confirmed before El Tri's tournament-opener against Jamaica on June 22…
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Luis Malagon looked set to start for El Tri this summer, with the Club America shot-stopper the heir apparent to longtime No.1 Guillermo Ochoa. However, an injury sustained by the presumptive first choice before camp leaves El Tri with few options.
Jose Rangel and Carlos Acevedo will compete for the top spot, and have just 10 combined caps between them. It's a new era of goalkeeping for the country.
Name
Club
Carlos AcevedoSantos LagunaJose RangelChivasAdvertisementGetty ImagesDEFENDERS
Mexico's defense is loaded with experience, including plenty of World Cup veterans. Players like Cesar Montes and Jorge Sanchez remain around the squad, having been regulars in the lead-up to and during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Johan Vasquez looks like a likely starter at centerback while Monterrey's Gerardo Arteaga is in the mix, too, as he pushes Gallardo for that left-back spot.
The Mexico midfield is, largely, set in stone. Edson Alvarez starts, for sure, as he remains one of the region's best players. Luis Chavez, too, is essentially a locked-in starter. Erick Sanchez, right now, seems to have the inside track on that third spot, although that could change.
There's plenty of experience here, too, with players very much in their prime. Orbelin Pinedo, Carlos Rodriguez, Luis Romo and Roberto Alvarado are all right in that age 25-28 sweet spot, and should be up for the moment in this tournament.
Name
Club
Roberto AlvaradoChivasEdson AlvarezWest HamFernando BeltranGuadalajaraLuis Chavez Dynamo MoscowErick GutierrezGuadalajaraAndres MontanoMazatlanOrbelin PinedaAEK AthensCarlos RodriguezCruz AzulLuis RomoMonterreyErick SanchezPachucaENJOYED THIS STORY?
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If Mexico are to enjoy a deep run this summer, it'll come down to Santi Gimenez continuing his ascendency into superstardom. The striker is the closest thing El Tri have to a breakout star thanks to his rise at Feyenoord.
Out wide, Mexico have Julian Quinones and Uriel Antuna to call upon. Quinones recently joined up with El Tri, having made his debut in the fall after becoming a naturalized Mexican citizen.
Sri Lanka’s selectors now strongly considering handing the ODI reins to Karunaratne for the World Cup
Andrew Fidel Fernando18-Mar-2019Dimuth Karunaratne’s forthcoming stint with the Hampshire county side may be cancelled, with Sri Lanka’s selectors now strongly considering handing the ODI reins to Karunaratne for the World Cup.Hampshire had signed Karunaratne as their overseas player in February, but Karunaratne has now been asked to remain in Sri Lanka through April, in order to play the provincial one-day tournament, during which the selectors will assess his suitability for the Sri Lanka one-day side.Karunaratne has not played an ODI since the last World Cup, and has been pigeon-holed as a Test batsman, partly owing to poor returns in the one-day format – his average is 15.83 after 17 matches.But as Lasith Malinga’s one-day captaincy is yet to yield a victory for Sri Lanka in nine matches, the selectors are considering a left-field move.”The selectors haven’t confirmed anything, but they’ve told me to keep in mind there’s a possibility I could become one-day captain,” Karunaratne told ESPNcricinfo. “They’ve asked me to stay back for the provincial tournament. If I get picked for the World Cup squad, there will be camps and training after that as well, so I might not be able to go to Hampshire in those months.”Although Karunaratne does not generally score as quickly as your standard ODI batsman, there is now a hope he will be able to hold Sri Lanka’s innings together. In recent years, Sri Lanka has frequently lost early wickets. They were unable to last the full fifty overs in any of the four full ODIs they just played in South Africa.The selectors have also been impressed with Karunaratne’s ability to band the team together in tough situations. Sri Lanka’s recent historic upset against South Africa in Tests was partly credited to the manner in which Karunaratne was able to coax the best from a group of inexperienced players. Several of the stars of that series have since paid tribute to Karunaratne’s leadership.In an interview with , chief selector Ashantha de Mel said his committee wants “to see what Dimuth did for the Test team, with the ODI team”. Angelo Mathews, de Mel said, was also in the frame for the captaincy, because Mathews was “someone who has been accepted by everyone in the team”.”But we are also looking at Dimuth,” he said.Through all this, it is still not clear if Malinga will lose his job – the selectors have not ruled out his captaincy for the World Cup either. Essentially, at present, there are three possible choices for captaincy, each with its drawbacks. Karunaratne is not thought of as a one-day player; Mathews is often injured, and although Malinga is both an automatic choice in the one-day XI, and has been fit over the past few months, the selectors do not believe he has the full support of the dressing room.In any case, Karunaratne has not done his chances any harm by hitting 109 off 115 balls for Sinhalese Sports Club in the semi-final of the Premier Limited Over tournament on Sunday.
Sheffield Wednesday are believed to be interested in signing an "exciting" player currently on the books of a Premier League club, according to journalist Alex Miller.
Sheff Wed survival hopes & transfer news
The Owls made a dire start amid their return to the Championship earlier in the season, with life under Xisco Munoz going disastrously and a swift return to League One looking likely. But Wednesday have been revitalised since the impressive Danny Rohl came in as manager, with survival now feeling more possible by the week.
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Rohl's side have won three of their last five league games, jumping to 22nd place in the table in the process, and they are now only three points adrift of Huddersfield Town directly above them.
While things are going swimmingly for the Owls all of a sudden, there is still plenty of work to do in the relegation fight, and new faces during the January transfer window could give the manager the added depth and quality that he craves.
Wednesday have been linked with a move for Birmingham City striker Scott Hogan, with the 31-year-old struggling for playing time at his current club, only starting nine matches in the Championship so far this season. Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden is also reportedly seen as an ambitious transfer target – one that could bolster Rohl's choices in the middle of the park greatly.
Sheff Wed want Conor Coventry
Taking to X on Friday, Miller claimed that Sheffield Wednesday are keen on the idea of snapping up West Ham ace Conor Coventry this month, though they aren't the favourites to snap him up.
"Understand Wednesday are admirers of 23yo West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry. Lots of interest in the ROI youth international who could leave this month – Owls not believed to be front-runners at this stage."
Coventry could be a really astute signing by Wednesday if they can strike a deal for him, and the fact that West Ham seem willing to sell him in January does act as a boost for Rohl.
The 23-year-old is currently out on loan at Rotherham United, who sit bottom of the Championship at the moment, but a return to the London Stadium could happen if a permanent move is on the cards.
Coventry is someone who has been hailed as an "exciting talent" by journalist Roshane Thomas in the past, while David Moyes has also praised him, saying:
"He is doing great and we like him a lot. He had a chance to go out in the summer, and he had a couple of good clubs [interested], but we like having him because he’s such a good boy."
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This outlines the pedigree that Coventry has, considering he has played in the Europa League for the Hammers, and he is someone who could come straight in as an important player, especially with Barry Bannan not getting any younger, and the likes of George Byers and Will Vaulks often in and out of the team through injury.
Jude Bellingham's dad copied his son's iconic celebration at Santiago Bernabeu ahead of Real Madrid's thrashing of Alaves.
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Bellingham's dad copies son's celebrationMadrid star laughs inside Santiago BernabeuFamily watch Los Blancos thrash AlavesWHAT HAPPENED?
Before Bellingham scored in Madrid's 5-0 rout of Alaves on Tuesday night, his father Mark Bellingham and brother and Sunderland star Jobe were seen in the stands ahead of kick-off. It was clear all parties were happy to see one another in the iconic ground, with the trio all smiles.
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Jude's dad can be seen with Jobe high up in Santiago Bernabeu while the Madrid star was on the pitch. The camera shows Mark copying the 20-year-old's celebration, something the England international found amusing.
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Bellingham has been a revelation for Madrid this season. Following his £88 million ($111m) move from Borussia Dortmund last summer, he has scored 23 goals and bagged 12 assists in all competitions. The former Birmingham City star has helped them to La Liga success and now just one game away from lifting the Champions League for a record-extending 15th time. And much of this would not be possible without the support of his family, celebrations and all.
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Bellingham's Madrid side are next in action on Sunday away to Villarreal before rounding off their La Liga season on May 25 at home to Real Betis. A week later, they take on former side Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley.
Christian Pulisic provided an assist as AC Milan failed to send Stefano Pioli and Olivier Giroud off with a win over Salernitana.
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Pulisic provides assistMilan draw 3-3Final match for Pioli and GiroudGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Rafael Leao's opener will be among the easiest of his career, as the Portuguese star was handed Milan's first goal of the game. Salernitana goalkeeper Vincenzo Fiorillo fumbled a looping ball straight into the path of Leao, leaving the AC Milan winger with a totally open net to tap into to seize the lead 22 minutes in.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0. Olivier Giroud, playing his final game for Milan before joining LAFC this summer, fired home an Alessandro Florenzi corner kick, netting his team-leading 15th goal of the Serie A season.
Salernitana, who finished the season in last place, did pull one back on a 64th-minute finish from Simy, but Pulisic teed up Davide Calabria to restore Milan's two-goal advantage. It wasn't enough, though, as Junior Sambia scored to make it 3-2 before a Simi equalizer earned the underdogs a 3-3 draw.
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Nothing was really at stake for either team, with both locked into their specific places on the table.
With the win, Milan pick up a point points but remain second in Serie A to close the season. The Rossoneri finished on 75 points, with title-winners Inter running away with the league with 93 points and still one match to play.
The match was Stefano Pioli's last in charge of Milan, with the club announcing prior to the match that the manager's tenure would come to an end after Saturday's game. Following Leao's opener, the entire Milan team ran to celebrate with Pioli, who leaves Milan after five years, having led the club to a Serie A title in 2022.
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Pulisic concluded the Serie A campaign with his 36th appearance, having started 32 of those games. Although he didn't score in the season finale, he did provide an assist, his eighth of the season. It was a fantastic campaign for the American, who scored 12 goals in his first run through Serie A.
His U.S. men's national team teammate, Yunus Musah, was named to the bench for Saturday's season finale. Musah appeared in 30 Serie A matches this season, his first in Milan.
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Christian Pulisic (8/10):
A fantastic assist from the American star, although Calabria's finish was also lovely. A good exclamation point on a standout season from the American, even though his side's collapses ensured that season wouldn't end with a win.
ECB Reporters Network04-May-2019Lancashire missed out on a chance to secure qualification from the Royal London Cup group stage following a five-wicket Duckworth-Lewis-Stern defeat to Warwickshire. The Red Rose, having finished their campaign, need other results to go their way on Monday after the home side chased down a DLS target of 255 in 45 overs with two balls to spare.Lancashire amassed 277 for 7 thanks to skipper Dane Vilas’s 83 from 79 ball, supported by a series of small contributions. Alex Thomson continued his fine tournament with List A-best figures of 10-1-27-3, including a burst of three wickets in 12 balls.The home side then recovered from a superb opening spell of 8-2-15-3 from James Anderson to time their pursuit to perfection to the delight of a bumper Community Fun Day crowd at Edgbaston. Liam Banks struck 61 before Sam Hain saw the job through with consummate skill, his unbeaten 84, raising further his remarkable List A career-average of 58.Put in, Lancashire lost Haseeb Hameed to the eighth ball of the innings, lbw to an Olly Hannon-Dalby inswinger. But after a slow start, just six runs from the first five overs, they accelerated through a succession of solid partnerships.Keaton Jennings and Steven Croft added 56 in 12 overs and, after Jennings was bowled by Jeetan Patel, Croft and Vilas added 40 in seven before Croft played on to George Panayi.Vilas and Jake Lehmann kept the scoreboard ticking over with 80 in 15 overs but Thomson applied a brake with two wickets in three balls. Lehmann drove to mid-off and Rob Jones reverse-swept his second ball to gully. When Vilas missed a cut at Thomson and was bowled, Lancashire were 192 for 6 and in danger of coming in short, but Josh Bohannon and Saqib Mahmood added 83 in 12 overs to get the total up around par.Warwickshire’s reply started briskly but was pegged back by a high-class spell from Anderson. He bowled Dominic Sibley off an inside edge then produced perfect offcutters to force fatal edges to wicketkeeper Vilas from Ed Pollock and Will Rhodes.Hain and Banks retrenched with a stand, twice interrupted by rain, of 111 in 22 overs. They posted their half-centuries from successive deliveries, from 73 and 59 balls respectively, Hain achieving the unusual feat of reaching 50 without hitting a four.After another rain break altered the target again, Warwickshire resumed needing 96 from 11 overs and soon lost Banks who lifted Graham Onions to deep extra cover. But Hain, now batting with a runner after hurting a knee scrambling for a single, added 40 in five overs with Woakes and then Alex Mellor arrived to inject the required impetus with two sixes in a Matt Parkinson over.
Celtic are fielding interest in one of their young talents this month, with Serie A side Bologna keen on 18-year-old midfielder Rocco Vata. Fabrizio Romano reported earlier this week that talks would be taking place amid a 'growing' clamour for his signature.
Intriguingly, though, Celtic themselves are admirers of one of Bologna's players – striker Sydney van Hooijdonk, the son of 1990s Hoops forward Pierre van Hooijdonk. Reports in Italy have stated that the Scottish Premiership leaders have been scouting the frontman and have listed him as a target. And now there's been a further development, with an exit potentially imminent.
Van Hooijdonk exit appears a certainty
According to newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (via 67 Hail Hail), Celtic-linked Van Hooijdonk will leave Bologna this month. The plan is to sign Santiago Castro from Velez Sarsfield in Argentina and then let the Dutchman depart, although he will be needed against Cagliari on Sunday.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.
After that, he should be given the green light to leave, and the paper thinks that he'll be joining Celtic amid Bologna's interest in Vata. That, they say, will make the negotiations easier.
Devastating Eredivisie form catches Rodgers' eye
23-year-old striker Van Hooijdonk is a product of the NAC Breda academy, and has been on Bologna's books since 2021. He spent 18 months back on loan in his homeland with Heerenveen and returned to Italy in the summer, where he hoped to maintain his "prolific" goalscoring form (in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig).
Having netted 23 times in his first 70 senior matches with Breda, he scored 26 in 54 for Heerenveen, a strike rate of almost exactly one in two. His haul of 16 in the Eredivisie last season was enough to rank him third in the scoring charts, and he only required one penalty to reach that figure. His xG of 14 makes for encouraging reading too – his movement was good enough to generate a high-volume of quality chances, but he didn't overperform at an unsustainable rate.
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While he hasn't been able to find the net for Bologna this season, that certainly shouldn't count against him given that he's only played 129 league minutes, which is less than one and a half matches overall. He's unfortunately suffered from the form of compatriot and fellow number nine Joshua Zirkzee, who's scored eight goals and provided four assists in all competitions to very much make the spot his own.
After tying up a deal or wide man Nicolas Kuhn, Brendan Rodgers wants to add a new number nine to his squad, and Van Hooijdonk's track record in the Netherlands suggests he could provide excellent cover and competition for Kyogo Furuhashi. He'd have to go some way to match the output of his father mind, who bagged a whopping 44 goals in 69 league appearances for the Hoops.