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An inability to agree on the time frame was the chief reason Cricket South Africa provided for the postponement of the independent review of the performance of its national teams. That, however, was not the only bone of contention the review panel had with South Africa’s cricket-governing body. ESPNcricinfo understands there were also disagreements over the scope, process and costs of the review.The four-person panel was led by CSA’s HR committee head Dawn Mokhobo, and included rugby World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar, former Test batsman Adam Bacher and sports physiologist Ross Tucker. The panel was appointed in April following first-round exits of the men’s and women’s teams from the World T20 in March. The group was also due to look into the failure of the Under-19s side to defend their World Cup title earlier this year.”It is most unfortunate that this review needed to be placed on hold but I would rather not proceed in circumstances where the panel members and CSA are not comfortable,” Haroon Lorgat, CSA’s CEO, said.”After speaking with Dawn Mokhobo, it became clear to me that we should not continue with this review if members of the panel were not confident that they could meet my expectations and those of the CSA Board. We need to be completely aligned on what we expect to achieve from such a review and in what time frame. I respect the fact that certain members of the review panel were not comfortable and would prefer to step down.”While announcing the formation of the panel in April, Lorgat had stressed that there was no specific time frame for the panel to abide by.”While we plan to do this as soon as practically possible, we do not intend to place a deadline on this important piece of work as we presently have capable people and contracts in place,” Lorgat said at the time.The panel held preliminary meetings at the end of April to formulate a plan for the review. In an interview with journalists before their first meeting, Pienaar explained they would initially decide “where the key focus areas will be and how we divvy up the roles”.Later, Tucker confirmed that the panel had begun work but also encountered problems. “Ultimately we couldn’t agree with CSA on issues related to scope, process, time and resources. We had an idea for what we should do and how,” Tucker said. “But we then had to make a decision about whether to continue or not, and that decision was to step down from the process.”Tucker also expressed his disappointment at not being able to complete the review because he expected the outcomes to serve as “an example to other sports of high performance review and strategy”, which could be applied to various sports.The panel informed Lorgat of its decision to step down on May 25, the same day that the South Africa squad departed for the triangular ODI series in the Caribbean. CSA’s Board was not informed of the news until it broke in the media, despite a teleconference held three days after the decision was made on May 28.The breakdown of the review process was only made public on June 1, when Tucker, in conversation with a Twitter user, posted: “We never completed the review. Never even started. Couldn’t agree terms, times and scope/process so it didn’t begin. Pity.”In explaining CSA’s reasons for postponing the review, Lorgat said he was “also concerned by the behaviour of certain panel members who were not respectful of the clear protocols that we had agreed upfront. Using media platforms to shape an exercise of this importance is not the way to work.”Apart from Tucker’s tweets, Pienaar had also done some media interviews in which he spoke generally about the importance of understanding how high-performance structures obtain success. An insider in the panel contradicted CSA’s statement and told ESPNcricinfo that all members of the panel had wanted to step down. Statements to the media from panel members were reportedly issued with the aim of maintaining transparency.Despite the postponement of this review, Lorgat stressed that CSA will still look for a way to analyse last season’s performances and may even engage with some of the panel members who did not want to be part of the initial review. “The board is still keen to conduct an independent review of the performances of our national teams with those panel members who are keen to continue,” Lorgat said. “I remain impressed by what the review panel has started to consider in this regard as it could be a wonderful blueprint for South African sport.”

Newcastle United have scarcely fired wide of the mark since the affluent PIF takeover in October 2021, and no deal encapsulates the winds of change at the club better than Bruno Guimaraes.

Signing in January 2022 from Lyon for £40m, Guimaraes joined a struggling Premier League outfit that was battling to preserve top-flight status, but his impact has exceeded expectations and then some.

Making 17 divisional appearances across the second phase of the 21/22 campaign, the 25-year-old would score five goals and register one assist, integral in ushering in a new level of performance and a new sense of belief, with manager Eddie Howe blown away by his engine's technical ability and hailing him as "magnificent" as the threat of relegation swiftly became a fleeting and poignant memory.

Recording a spectacular seasonal Sofascore rating of 7.25, complementing his direct output with an 86% pass success rate and an average of 2.6 tackles per match, the £120k-per-week gem carried his form into the new footballing year and has been the centrepiece of the outfit's resounding exploits, having reached the Carabao Cup finale and perching comfortably inside the league's top-four with just five matches to play.

How much is Bruno Guimaraes worth?

Few would've expected the Magpies to ascend to the front of the game as swiftly as they have done, but it is all down to manager Howe's tactical aptitude, the pinpoint success in the market alongside technical director Dan Ashworth, and the implementation on the field.

Guimaraes was the perfect signing; as per FBref, the midfield monster ranks among the top 16% of positional peers for rate of assists, the top 20% for progressive passes, the top 15% for successful take-ons and the top 15% for tackles per 90, confirming the dynamism of his trade that has left him held in such high regard.

According to a recent report stemming from Spain, Liverpool are considering attempting a swoop for the gem, with a seismic fee of €100m (£88m) being touted. Real Madrid are another who have been noted as suitors for the midfielder.

This value represents a staggering 120% increase from the fee paid for Guimaraes' signature last year, and is a testament to the Magpies' resounding success in such a short time.

Hailed as "world-class" by his teammate Dan Burn, Guimaraes will undoubtedly continue to see his value balloon over the coming months, with the Toon poised for that coveted spot in the Champions League.

And while Jurgen Klopp's Reds may hold a vested interest in the ten-cap ace, there is a feeling that Guimaraes has scarcely scratched the surface of his potential on Tyneside, and despite the lucrative fees his name is being touted at, it would be ludicrous for Howe and co to imagine anything other than a future with the Brazilian at the heart of the plans. Indeed, they truly struck gold when bringing him to the club last year.

Journalist Gabriele Marcotti has questioned why Barcelona would want to bring Lionel Messi back to the club in their current financial situation.

What's going on with Messi and Barcelona?

The Argentine superstar is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season, and reports have emerged that the 35-year-old wants to return to the Camp Nou.

Messi has 18 goals and 17 assists this season, but has been blamed in some quarters for PSG's disappointing Champions League exit.

Barcelona are currently in a tricky financial situation, as they have to lower their wage bill significantly to even register midfielder Gavi, meaning new signings may have to wait until the problems can be resolved.

Speaking on ESPN FC (1.10), Marcotti questioned why Barcelona would choose to sign Messi, who currently earns £1.1m-per-week, given their financial troubles.

"In terms of having Messi back on anything like the salary that he has now, that wouldn't be just be one step backwards, that would be 10 steps backwards," he stated.

"Given Barcelona's financial reality, given the investment that they've made in the position that Messi plays, in terms of the wingers that they have there from Dembele to Raphinha to Ferran Torres to Ansu Fati, it simply makes zero sense,"

Do Barcelona need another attacker?

Barcelona are well stocked on the wings, with two natural wingers on both sides, and midfielders Pedri and Gavi both able to play out wide.

Upfront they have veteran Robert Lewandowski, with Fati and Torres both capable of filling in through the middle. Overall, they area well stocked in attack, and given their financial situation, unless there are outgoings in this position, a return for Messi seems counter-productive.

Although Messi's output this season has been higher than any current Barcelona attacker, given his age, it may not be a viable long-term solution to tear up the squad to be able to fit him in.

An emotional return for the Barcelona legend would excite both Messi and the club's fans, but it would be a deal which could harm the club further down the line given the finances involved.

If the club decide to move one of the current attackers on, such as Raphinha, to make room for Messi, it may be a move which they regret further down the line. Xavi has so far managed to build a team which has shown a lot of promise for the future, with his side 12 points clear at the top of the table, and an expensive return for Messi could jeopardise this.

Journalist Santi Aouna says that Mohamed Salah is ‘open to leaving Liverpool’ in the summer.

The Lowdown: Conflicting reports

It was reported earlier this month that Salah remains ‘fully committed’ to Liverpool, and the Merseyside club the same to him.

This comes after links emerged over a potential move for Salah to French giants PSG this summer, amid doubts over the futures of attacking trio Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Football Insider have also previously claimed that FSG could be willing to cash in on Salah, who could attract a vast transfer fee for them, and talks have already taken place within the club over a potential big-name sale.

The Latest: Salah ‘open to leaving’

Taking to Twitter, Aouna has now reported that Salah is actually ‘open to leaving’ the Reds, and if he were to exit Anfield, he would favour a move to Spain:

“The Egyptian striker is open to leaving Liverpool this summer.

“In case of departure, Salah favours Spain.”

Expanding in his corresponding article for Foot Mercato, the journalist notes that Salah only extended his contract with Jurgen Klopp’s team last year until June 2025, and he can see himself joining another ‘major’ club in Europe, with Spain thought to be his preferred destination at this particular moment in time.

The Verdict: Keep him at all costs

Salah may not be having his best campaign so far in terms of numbers by his usual standards, with just 11 goals in the Premier League, but his record in terms of goals and assists outside of this season for Liverpool is simply outstanding (Transfermarkt).

The ‘Egyptian King’ as he is nicknamed by Reds fans in their beloved chant of him has played a key part in wining the club both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in recent seasons, and create a number memorable moments along the way.

Of course, the Merseysiders are in danger of missing out on the Champions League this campaign given their league position, which would make it harder to keep Salah beyond this summer, but they simply cannot afford to lose a player so key to them at this moment in time.

Nonetheless, it will no doubt be interesting to see how this story develops over the next few months or so, given the conflicting reports of Salah’s commitment, or lack of, to the club, and the fact that he will only have two years left remaining on his contract.

Everton want to bring Flamengo striker Pedro to the Premier League this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Reinforcements needed

The Merseyside outfit failed to add a single fresh face to their ranks in January so attacking reinforcements will definitely be needed in the upcoming window regardless of which division they might find themselves in.

The Brazilian’s contract at the Maracana Stadium isn’t set to expire until 2027, but being Vitor Pereira’s second top-performing offensive player, has caught the eye of Sean Dyche at Goodison Park.

The Latest: Everton eyeing Pedro

According to Spanish reports (via CaughtOffside), Everton, alongside West Ham and Aston Villa, are ‘keen on signing’ Pedro ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

It’s stated that the 25-year-old ‘could be tempted’ by a move to the English top-flight to show what he’s really capable of, so this may be one to watch in the months ahead.

The Verdict: Perfect for Dyche

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Neal Maupay and the recently returning Ellis Simms haven’t made a significant enough impact at Everton this season so Pedro would be the perfect centre-forward to come in and change Dyche’s fortunes.

The Adidas-sponsored talisman has clocked up 90 goal contributions in 159 appearances for Flamengo, where he’s currently averaging 2.2 shots per league game.

The 6 foot 1 attacker additionally ranks in the 99th percentile for four different statistics, including non-penalty expected goals plus assisted goals (FBRef).

Finally, Pedro has been hailed an ‘excellent finisher’ by BBC commentator Guy Mowbray, making him the ideal candidate to put pen to paper this summer.

Newcastle United’s Allan Saint-Maximin is not for sale, despite rumours surrounding his future on Tyneside, it has been claimed.

The Lowdown: Saint-Maximin in demand

Saint-Maximin’s future is hardly set in stone, as he has been ousted from the starting XI at St James’ Park and struggled with injury problems this term.

Meanwhile, it has been suggested that Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur could be among his potential suitors come the summer, despite the Frenchman’s contract not expiring until 2026.

However, it appears that he is very much a respected figure at Newcastle and there are currently no plans to cash in on the 25-year-old.

The Latest: Saint-Maximin ‘not for sale’ at Newcastle

Football Insider’s Fraser Fletcher, speaking on The Insider Show, has claimed that despite the speculation over Saint-Maximin’s role at Newcastle, he remains in Eddie Howe’s plans on Tyneside.

He said: “Eddie Howe has spoken about how much he likes Allan Saint-Maximin and is excited by what he brings. I think he’s great to watch because I don’t even think he knows what he’s going to do when he’s got the ball at times. But he produces sublime moments of absolute magic, but then also sometimes some frustration as well.

“But it’s clear that those in the game believe he has got the potential to go to the very, very top in terms of ability, and some of the things he does in training are absolutely outrageous. It would take a big bid to move Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle – not impossible, obviously; many clubs could look at him as an option.

“But at this point in time, he is not for sale, he’s not been transfer listed. He’s a player that’s loved and adored by the staff there and the players there. He’s seen as an exceptional talent and it would take a lot to shift him.

“Of course, there’s a long way to go until the transfer window starts and of course, things change. But at this point in time, he’s still very much in the plans for Newcastle United, still very much in the plans for Eddie Howe, and you would expect him to be there.”

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The Verdict: Win-win situation for Newcastle and PIF

We think that it would be tricky for Newcastle to lose out whichever way they decide to resolve Saint-Maximin’s future.

One scenario would be that he stays and continues to develop in the north-east, and judging by Fletcher’s comments, the club would have no qualms with him staying amid rumblings of discontent from the winger over the Magpies’ summer business.

Alternatively, Saint-Maximin could either fail to live up to expectations or demand to be let go. In these cases, Howe would arguably hold all the cards in terms of getting what he wants.

Come the summer, the ex-France U21 international would still have three years left on his deal and has shown flashes of brilliance this season – not least in last week’s defeat to Liverpool. Therefore, there is surely no reason Newcastle would not be able to sell at a premium.

And given PIF’s riches, you would imagine that there will be no desperation for funds, even when taking Financial Fair Play considerations into account.

As a result, we struggle to see how, as it stands, Newcastle come out of this situation worse off.

Newcastle United welcome West Ham United to St James’ Park in the Premier League this evening, with a victory strengthening the Magpies’ new-found standing within Champions League contention under Eddie Howe’s management.

Currently third in the table with 39 points and just one solitary defeat across the first 20 matches of the top-flight campaign, Howe’s system could not be more fluid, and his well-oiled high-octane team have emerged as genuine contenders for Champions League qualification.

Victory over West Ham – who in contrast have plummeted from prominence under David Moyes this seasonm winning just five league matches and only one point above the relegation zone – would be another step towards a top-four finish, potentially stretching six points above Tottenham Hotspur in fifth, who face Manchester City on Sunday.

However, Newcastle have been beset with several injuries of late, with Bruno Guimaraes’ suspension after his red card against Southampton in midweek hardly helping matters. Nonetheless, Howe will maintain his belief that this high-flying outfit can overcome adversity and continue to ride towards a monumental finish this season.

Here’s the starting line-up that we expect from the Magpies, with two changes from Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup win over the Saints.

Predicted Newcastle starting XI – Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton; Gordon, Wilson, Saint-Maximin

Nick Pope will hold his untouchable place in goal, having kept clean sheets across his past six Premier League matches in succession.

The established back-four will likely also remain unchanged, with Howe seeking to maintain the cohesive resilience which has formed the bedrock of his team’s endeavours. Newcastle have the best defensive record in the top flight, shipping only 11 goals up to this point.

Guimaraes picked up a late red card in the midweek Carabao Cup win and will consequently miss the next three matches; in his stead, Joelinton could move into midfield alongside Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock.

Having signed from Everton for £45m earlier this week, the “frightening” Anthony Gordon – as dubbed by Paddy Kenny – might be in line to make his Newcastle debut, with Allan Saint-Maximin returning on the other flank.

That means the impressive Miguel Almiron could be relegated to the bench after failing to score across his past seven appearances, having netted seven goals in as many league matches during the autumn.

Up front, Alexander Isak was forced off against the Saints after experiencing dizziness, with the 23-year-old having been struck on the head by a fierce James Ward-Prowse free-kick. As such, Callum Wilson could look to add to his six goals this season in the centre-forward role.

Greg O’Keeffe has slammed Farhad Moshiri’s managerial choices at Everton after the club were linked to Marcelo Bielsa.

The Lowdown: Bielsa the number-one target

It was reported pretty soon after Frank Lampard was sacked as Everton manager that the club were keen to appoint Bielsa as the Englishman’s successor, although could now be under threat.

Reports started to emerge about Bielsa having concerns over the squad and if they would be good enough and physically up to the standard his tactics required, something O’Keeffe hinted at last night.

Bielsa famously brought about very intense and gruelling training and pre-season sessions during his time at Leeds United when he was very big on ‘murderball’ – something that some Everton players may struggle if the injury records of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Yerry Mina and Seamus Coleman are anything to go by.

The Latest: Another Moshiri mistake waiting to happen

Perhaps in light of this, having also expressed doubts over Bielsa’s character, O’Keeffe stated his belief on the All Together Now podcast that people at Everton and the Argentine may not be able to thrive together, but felt it was exactly the kind of wrong fit Moshiri would bring to the club.

He said: “I have to say I’m not convinced by the idea. I think it sounds like the sort of thing that Farhad Moshiri playing Football Manager would try – who’s available, who’s got a big reputation and is a name – so he might swing his neck towards Bielsa.

“I have got a lot of respect for what Bielsa achieved in getting Leeds out of the Championship and then making them a competitive unit in the season before last. Obviously, a great manager elsewhere, but I just don’t think he’s a fit for Everton – certainly not at the moment.

“If he comes in, the chances of him being able to come in and bring any of his own players in time with the window ticking down – Everton are struggling to do any business in it, anyway – would be slim.

“If you look at the current squad, it’s not a fit for him. How are any of these players going to pick up the sort of intense fitness, the man-marking and the very, very onerously technical side of the way he wants to play football? They struggled to play a 4-3-3 under Lampard and low-block sometimes as well in different ways. I just don’t think it works.”

The Verdict: Moshiri must make a sensible appointment

Given the high turnover of managers at Goodison Park under Moshiri, we can totally understand O’Keeffe’s scepticism ahead of his latest appointment – particularly as Everton’s top-flight status is on the line and looking even more precarious than it did a year ago before Frank Lampard was brought in.

There has rarely been stability in the dugout since Moshiri became majority shareholder at Everton in February 2016. Then-manager Roberto Martinez was sacked just months later, bringing an end to a three-season reign.

However, no one since has lasted as much as half that length of time, with Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti each scraping to around 17 months in charge.

And with managers ranging from those with European-winning pedigree in Ancelotti and the relative inexperience of ex-Chelsea and Derby County boss Lampard, there appears to be a lack of identity at the club, leading to a mismatch of players being brought in at the expense of some €700m (£618m) and subsequent Financial Fair Play constraints.

The one constant in that time has been Moshiri, and you can see how replacing Lampard with Bielsa would have those connected to the club, such as O’Keeffe, worried about what the consequences of such a decision could be.

Newcastle need to sign a holding midfielder in the January transfer window, Pete O’Rourke has claimed.

What’s the word?

The Magpies have had a stunning first half of the season, and look set to contend for a top-four spot, but may need some more squad depth to do so.

A lot of Eddie Howe’s signings have been successful, such as Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes, and the club could further increase the quality of the squad in the January transfer window.

Speaking exclusively to Football Fancast, O’Rourke claimed that a defensive midfielder should be the priority in the window, and that the club need extra bodies in the middle of the park.

“I think we need two midfielders in there, if I’m honest with you, but I think getting one holding midfielder in is crucial,” he stated of Newcastle.

“I think I think it would be a real mistake if they weren’t to add someone, and I don’t mean like a young kid coming through, like what they’re trying to do at right-back. I think they need to add someone with experience and then I think I think they know that.”

Necessary depth

With Jonjo Shelvey injured and Joelinton currently occupying a role on the left wing, Newcastle’s options in the middle of the park are fairly limited.

Bruno Guimaraes has been excellent as the deepest midfielder, but additional cover for him could help boost their chances as they hunt down a European spot, and a January signing could give Howe’s side an extra boost for the rest of the season.

Edson Alvarez has been linked, and if a natural defensive midfielder were to come in, they could even play alongside Guimaraes as well as providing cover for him.

An update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur and their pursuit of a new right wing-back ahead of the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

According to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, sporting director Fabio Paratici has a number of wing-backs on his radar and wants to bring in a player in that position to bolster Antonio Conte’s squad.

The report claims that AS Monaco dynamo Vanderson is one of the players on the Italian’s shortlist as he is a fan of the young full-back, although they are also looking at Pedro Porro, of Sporting CP, Denzel Dumfries, of Inter, and Lyon’s Malo Gusto.

Back in September, it was reported that the Ligue 1 outfit wanted €60m (£53m) and this latest report does not add a new figure into the mix.

Big Matt Doherty upgrade

Matt Doherty has played nine times in the Premier League this season and started the club’s most recent clash in the division in the 2-2 draw with Brentford on Boxing Day.

The Republic of Ireland international has, however, failed to impress as he has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.79 and made 1.8 tackles and interceptions per match, whilst creating 0.4 chances per outing.

He also turns 31 in January and the upcoming transfer window provides Spurs with the opportunity to sign an upgrade on the defender, which could then open the door for them to move him on to another club heading into the second half of the season.

Vanderson could be the player to replace Doherty as he has shown plenty of promise in Ligue 1 this season. The Brazilian has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.86 and made 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and this suggests that he would offer more to Spurs from a defensive perspective.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously described the “complete” full-back as a “similar” player to former Inter Milan and Brazil full-back “Maicon”, who won the Champions League and was capped 76 times by country.

The Monaco man has shown off his well-rounded game by being in the 84th and 89th percentile respective amongst his positional peers for progressive passes and dribbles completed per 90 in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days. Doherty, meanwhile, is in the 10th and 29th percentile in those particular statistics and does not offer much in terms of quality in possession.

Therefore, Vanderson would be a big upgrade on the Irishman, who is nine years his senior, at right wing-back. The 21-year-old’s statistics indicate that he would improve Conte’s team in and out of possession and Paratici must now work hard to complete a deal for the dynamo.