Glasgow Rangers head coach Philippe Clement has enjoyed a terrific start to life in Scotland with six wins from his opening seven matches in charge.

The Belgian tactician, who replaced Michael Beale at the helm last month, is yet to taste defeat for the Light Blues since his move to the club.

It has been an impressive run of form from the ex-AS Monaco manager's side as he has not had the opportunity, yet, to sign his own players.

Clement has not had a transfer window to shape his squad in order to have the players that he wants to perfectly execute the style of play that he and his coaches would like to deploy.

With this in mind, the upcoming January transfer window will be the first chance for him to make a signing and the Gers boss has already been touted with interest in a Premier League player.

Rangers transfer news – Ben Godfrey

Earlier this month, 90min reported that the Light Blues are one of a number of teams interested in a possible move to sign Ben Godfrey from Everton at the start of next year.

The outlet claimed that Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are both keeping tabs on his current situation at Goodison Park as they have been long-term admirers of the former Norwich City star.

It was also stated that Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Rangers are also keen on a swoop to secure his services, which shows that there is plenty of competition for the Scottish giants to beat off.

Everton are said to be open to offers for the central defender, who has fallen down the pecking order under Sean Dyche and found minutes difficult to come by, although there is no mention of how much it would cost, or if they would be prepared to send him out on loan.

The Toffees signed the former England international from Norwich for a reported fee of £20m in the summer of 2020, after they failed to snap up Fikayo Tomori – now of AC Milan.

Rangers may not be able to compete for a permanent deal if Everton want to recoup that fee, particularly if the likes of Newcastle and Spurs are involved in a bidding war. However, a loan move to Ibrox to build up his confidence before a permanent exit next summer could suit all parties involved.

In that scenario, Clement could secure a dream upgrade on his current left-sided centre-back option Ben Davies, who arrived from Liverpool at the start of last season.

Ben Davies' performance for Rangers

The English defender was signed by Giovanni van Bronckhorst to bolster his team ahead of their 2022/23 campaign, in the Scottish Premiership and the Champions League.

However, Davies did not prove himself to be an outstanding option at either level. Domestically, the former Preston North End star made 27 league appearances and averaged 0.8 interceptions and 0.9 tackles per game for his side, which ranked him seventh and 16th within the squad.

He also struggled in Europe with a dismal Sofascore rating of 6.23 across three Champions League appearances, in which time his passing left a lot to be desired.

Davies did not rank higher than the top 52% of his positional peers in the competition for progressive passes (3.12) or progressive carries (0.69) per 90.

The central defender also, alarmingly, ranked with the bottom 8% of players in his position for his pass success rate of 79.6%, which shows that he gave the ball away far too often and did not retain possession well for the team.

He has done relatively little to improve that aspect of his performances in the Europa League, a lower standard of European football, so far this season.

Davies does not rank higher than the top 41% of his positional peers for progressive passes (four) per 90 and has not completed a single progressive carry in four appearances.

These statistics show that the left-footed enforcer has struggled to progress the team up the pitch, whether that be through his passing or dribbling, on a consistent basis.

This can be harmful to Rangers from an offensive and defensive perspective as his lack of progression could stagnate attacks and cause turnovers, from which their opponents can counter from to create opportunities of their own.

The statistics that show why Godfrey could be an upgrade on Davies

Godfrey has endured a rough couple of seasons at Everton and it would be harsh to judge him on his recent performances as the versatile ace has been played out of his natural position and had others preferred ahead of him at centre-back.

He played the majority of his minutes throughout the 2022/23 campaign as a left or right-back, instead of at the heart of the defence, which did not allow him to display the best of his abilities.

However, his form for Carlo Ancelotti, who signed him in 2020, during the 2020/21 season suggests that there is an impressive defender to be unearthed there.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.03 across 31 appearances and made 1.8 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match for the Toffees, which immediately indicates that Godfrey could provide more defensive interventions than Davies at the back to cut out opposition attacks.

That season, the English brute showcased his progressive quality with 1.02 progressive carries per 90, which placed him in the top 23% of his positional peers at Premier League level.

Appearances

31

Sofascore rating

7.03

Goals

Four

Pass accuracy

90%

Clearances

109

All the way back in the 2018/19 Championship season, Godfrey was able to display his ball-playing abilities in a dominant team as he won the title with Norwich and ranked within the top 21% of his peers for progressive passes (3.35) per 90 and the top 13% for progressive carries (1.17) per 90.

These statistics show that the £75k-per-week titan is very capable of being able to consistently progress the ball up the pitch for his team, particularly by carrying it forward with his pace, strength, and dribbling qualities.

Couple that with his aforementioned defensive capabilities and the potential is there for the "immense" – as he was dubbed by famous Everton fan and boxer Tony Bellew – colossus to be a dream upgrade on Davies for Clement in January if he can recapture his best form in Scotland.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Corinthians goleou o Fluminense por 5 a 0, na última quarta-feira, e já virou a chavinha para pensar no Dérbi da próxima segunda, no Allianz Parque. E a preparação para encarar o clássico começou contra o time carioca, já que o Alvinegro evitou suspensões pelo terceiro amarelo, mesmo com uma grande lista de pendurados. Vagner Mancini terá só problemas com lesionados.

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> Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão clicando aqui

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>Corinthians transforma o elenco em cartoons; veja o resultado final!

Para enfrentar o Flu, o Timão tinha oito pendurados entre os relacionados: Luan, Fagner, Gabriel, Gil, Camacho, Mateus Vital, Walter e Cássio. Cinco deles foram titulares na Neo Química Arena: Cássio, Fagner, Gabriel, Gil e Mateus Vital. Além deles, Luan e Camacho entraram no segundo tempo.

Apesar de Mancini não ter aberto mão de utilizar todos esses atletas, nenhum deles foi advertido com o terceiro cartão amarelo. O único que levou punição durante a partida foi Cantillo, que agora passou a ficar pendurado, aumentando a lista corintiana pensando nas próximas rodadas do Brasileirão-2020.

Além de ter todos esses jogadores à disposição, Mancini poderá contar novamente com Ramiro, que cumpriu suspensão diante do Flu e deve retornar ao time titular, brigando por vaga com Cantillo, que o substituiu. No entanto, o técnico do Timão terá desfalques certos como o de Otero, ainda em quarentena por conta da Covid-19, e de Lucas Piton, que passou por cirurgia.

Roni, que faz um tratamento no pé, ainda é dúvida. Caso retorne aos treinamentos, tem chance de ser relacionado. Uma possível escalação do Corinthians para o Dérbi é: Cássio; Fagner, Jemerson, Gil e Fábio Santos; Gabriel e Ramiro (Cantillo); Gustavo Silva, Cazares e Mateus Vital; Jô.

Com 42 pontos, o Timão ocupa a oitava posição na tabela do Brasileirão, e enfrenta o Palmeiras na próxima segunda-feira, às 19h, no Allianz Parque, em duelo atrasado da 28ª rodada da competição valendo a briga pelo G6.

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On the pitch, Everton have enjoyed a solid season so far under Sean Dyche with results enough to leave them in mid-table and away from the relegation zone. Consequences of actions off the pitch have dragged them back into the bottom three, however, and five points adrift of Premier League safety after their point deduction for breaching financial fair play rules.

Dyche and everyone involved at Goodison Park may be incredibly frustrated after the form they found themselves in. Nonetheless, the Toffees have been forced to save themselves once again and after transfers put them in this mess, Everton could look to the winter window and one particular target to get them out of it.

Everton transfer news

Welcoming the likes of Ashley Young, Arnuat Danjuma and Jack Harrison during the summer transfer window, Everton's reinforcements were beginning to pay dividends. And if it wasn't for their point deduction, the Toffees would be sitting on 14 points right now, five points clear of the dropzone and sitting comfortably in 15th. Now, with a busy festive period of fixtures approaching, Everton must rally and ensure that the deduction doesn't result in a change of form on the pitch. To ensure that, the Toffees could reportedly turn to the January transfer window to welcome one particular player.

Everton could sign "terrific" striker with more goals this season than DCL

This “terrific” centre-forward being linked to Everton has scored more goals than DCL this season.

ByAdam Scully Nov 29, 2023

According to Wayne Veysey of Football Insider, Everton are keeping tabs on Leander Dendoncker ahead of a potential January move. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man has fallen out-of-favour under Unai Emery and the Villans are now reportedly willing to listen to offers for their midfielder. Dendoncker very nearly completed a move away from the Midlands in the summer, only for a proposed move to Fenerbahce to collapse on deadline day.

With Everton in the market for a defensive midfielder, they could turn to Dendoncker when the winter window opens.

"Brilliant" Dendoncker needs move

Dendoncker's stats at Aston Villa so far this season don't exactly paint a pretty picture. The Belgian is yet to start a Premier League game and has managed just seven minutes in England's top flight. His only two starts have come in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup, as Villa defeated Zrinjski Mosar 1-0 and, ironically, lost against Everton 2-1 to exit the League Cup in frustrating fashion.

Dendoncker could get the minutes that he needs at Everton, however. As things stand, Dyche has the likes of James Garner partnering Idrissa Gueye, opting to push Abdoulaye Doucoure further forward. In Dendoncker, the former Burnley boss could have an ideal and certainly more experienced partner for Gueye than Garner; a partner that could make the difference between survival and relegation.

Dendoncker's former teammate, Max Kilman, knows all about his quality despite his current role at Villa, telling The Express & Star via Molinuex News: “Leander’s performances always go under the radar. He does the job and gives you a good performance every time. I’m delighted for him to get his goal and glad that people realise how good he has played. He’s brilliant, nothing phases him. He knows his task and he doesn’t feel the pressure.”

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has unleashed an attack on Casemiro after the Red Devils drew 2-2 against Bournemouth last weekend.

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• Casemiro criticized for Bournemouth draw
• Ben Foster calls the Brazilian a 'disgrace'
• Club likely to sell Casemiro in the summer

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils were fortunate to avoid loss at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth last time out, as the Cherries were denied a late penalty, departing the south coast with a 2-2 draw. Foster was incensed with Casemiro for failing to stop Justin Kluivert's second goal for Bournemouth.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT FOSTER SAID

  Speaking on his YouTube channel, The Cycling GK, Foster said [via The Mirror]: "The second goal, Casemiro, he’s a holding midfielder. He should be that engine, that rat in the midfield, the disruptor – somebody that breaks up all the attacks, gets in people’s faces.

  "The second goal, for me, is an absolute disgrace. It’s an absolute disgrace. He’s allowed to wander into that space and get his shot off. Casemiro almost notices at the last second, meanders in, hangs a leg in there.

  "And I’m thinking, do you know what? If I was a manager of a team and my holding midfielder did that, that action there and then, I’d say that’ll do. You, come off."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Having dropped crucial points, Aston Villa's lead of 13 points has effectively ruined Man Utd's ambitions of making the top four this season. They currently sit in seventh place in the Premier League standings level on points with Newcastle. If the club drop more points than the Magpies, they will lose out on the chance to play in Europe altogether.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CASEMIRO?

  It has been heavily reported that the Red Devils under the guidance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe could move Casemiro on this summer after his dismal season under Erik Ten Hag. He will likely play a major part for the rest of the season for the club with injuries plaguing the squad.

Everton, over the years, have garnered a reputation as a club that produces high-quality youngsters spanning all the way back to when a wide-eyed Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a Toffees teenager before stardom at Manchester United materialised.

In the current Everton set-up, Jarrad Branthwaite is benefiting from the Toffees' insistence on giving youngsters time to develop and grow before being given a first-team berth – the 21-year-old a regular first-teamer under Sean Dyche this season at the back, learning the ropes of the Premier League quickly and excelling alongside experienced centre-back partner James Tarkowski.

Everton will be hoping that a current teenage phenomenon in their ranks can become a key player in the senior side further down the line, striker George Morgan appearing in the Guardian's Next Generation 2023 recently – the newspaper in question compiling the very best young talents emerging from all twenty Premier League clubs currently, 17-year-old Morgan tipped for greatness on this list.

The Blues will hope the 17-year-old follows a similar trajectory to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a young striker able to stamp his authority onto proceedings from the get-go and become a seasoned regular to rely on at Goodison Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's numbers for Everton this season

Joining in 2016 from hometown club Sheffield United for £1.5m, the then-teenage Blades sensation has developed into a mature 26-year-old and become a goalscoring hero.

Calvert-Lewin's biggest obstacle always standing in his way has been question marks around his fitness and his injury record, sidelined frequently to leave the Toffees without a dangerous striker up top – only making 17 top-flight appearances last campaign, as Everton struggled against the drop.

Still, the 6 foot 2 striker has managed to make 220 appearances in total for the Merseyside club now – scoring 64 goals along the way, with four of those strikes coming this campaign.

His last goal for the Blues came in their recent slender 1-0 win away at West Ham, turning his Hammers marker effortlessly after being found by Jack Harrison before firing into the net.

Morgan will aspire to replicate what Calvert-Lewin has managed to achieve, another teenage talent expected to make waves in the first team for Everton in the not-so-distant future.

George Morgan's numbers for Everton

Playing in the Everton U18 ranks at this moment in time, managed by ex-Toffees great Leighton Baines, Morgan is being tipped to have a big future at Goodison Park.

Labelled as a "powerful, fast centre-forward" by the Guardian, Morgan has two goals from seven appearances in the U18 Premier League to date.

Both of those strikes came versus Sunderland at the end of September, Morgan's youthful Toffees team beating the Black Cats U18s 3-0.

This has led to Morgan winning International recognition for Wales, winning four U18 caps in total and even assisting versus Scotland when pulling on the red jersey in a convincing 4-2 win over the Scots.

The 17-year-old, who models his game on Polish sharp shooter Robert Lewandowski according to the Guardian article, will continue working hard and hoping he can add to his current two goals soon for the U18s in a bid to push further on to a different age bracket.

If he can become a potent goalscorer on a regular basis in the youth ranks at Everton, Dyche could have an exciting homegrown talent on his hands ready to compete with Calvert-Lewin for a starting spot in the first team very soon.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes feels that her team is often taken for granted after their exit from the Women's FA Cup.

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Chelsea players taken for grantedHayes outlines plan for the remainder of the seasonAlive in WSL title race and Women's Champions LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues, who had won the last three editions of the Women's FA Cup, crashed out of the competition on Sunday as they went down 2-1 against Manchester United. The team have now exited two domestic cup competitions having lost to Arsenal last month in the Conti Cup final.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

However, Emma Hayes felt that people sometimes have too much expectation from her team as they are known to be serial winners in the past. The club have won four-straight WSL titles and are fighting for a seventh league trophy in the current season. The outgoing Chelsea boss – who is set to join the USWNT at the end of the 2023/24 season – also outlined the club's target for the remainder of the campaign.

WHAT EMMA HAYES SAID

Speaking to reporters, the 47-year-old manager said, "I just want the players to go out and enjoy themselves tomorrow. I want them to play in front of a fanbase that I truly hope appreciates this group of players. I believe this team over a number of years has delivered so much success for this club and to these fans, and sometimes I feel the players get taken for granted on that. So I want our fans to show appreciation.

"I care that they realise the level of success we have had is difficult to do all the time, to keep winning and winning and winning. I'm proud that we keep doing that even if it doesn't always go our way. We have to pick ourselves up and go again."

She added, "In an ideal world, you go into the summer with a medal you can take with you. Nobody wants to just go into the summer with memories. But we've done a lot of winning. It's not like we don't know what that feels like. There's still a way to go. We're still in two competitions and we have to commit to that in the same way we have with everything else. We need to show up – that's what I'm challenging the players to do. Show up in everything we're doing daily."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

The West London club will be back in action in the WSL on Wednesday as they take on Aston Villa before facing Barcelona in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final fixture on Saturday.

While Edulji wants Ramesh Powar to continue, Rai appoints ad-hoc committee to shortlist new coach

Sidharth Monga and Nagraj Gollapudi 11-Dec-2018

Diana Edulji and Vinod Rai emerge from a CoA meeting•Getty Images

The question of the coach for the India women’s team, itself a highly divisive matter within the side, has become the latest flashpoint in the two-member Committee of Administrators (CoA), with Diana Edulji taking strong exception to the “unilateral” decision taken by Vinod Rai over the process of appointing a new coach.The war of words between the two surviving members of the CoA, which has been reduced from four following the resignations of two other original members, also reopened the role played by Virat Kohli in the controversial departure of Anil Kumble as the head coach of the India men’s team last year.Powar reapplies for India women coach role

Ramesh Powar, whose tenure as the interim coach of the India women’s team ended on November 30, has reapplied for the position.
“I can’t let the girls down, especially Harman, Smriti for showing the support for the hard work we put together for three months,” Powar told ESPNcricinfo. “Whatever happens next is not in my control. Their backing gives you that much satisfaction that they recognise your hard work, their own hard work, the hard work we put together to qualify [for the World T20 semi-finals] after eight years, winning 14 games in a row, no matter whether it was beating Australia A or beating Australia. I thought about it for a week, discussed it with my friends and family. I felt I should do what’s in my control – to reapply – especially to respect their support and the hard work we put in together in such a short time which took us to the semis.”

Despite Edulji’s insistence on retaining Ramesh Powar, who had been India women’s interim coach till the World T20, Rai had signed a BCCI media release, which stated that an ad-hoc committee was formed to shortlist and finalise the new coach. The panel, comprising Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shanta Rangaswamy, will conduct interviews on December 20.Rai said he was “constrained” to give the final instructions to appoint the ad-hoc committee in the “best interests” of women’s cricket. “We can’t extend uncertainty,” Rai said in an email sent to Edulji and the BCCI hierarchy, including the three office bearers.Edulji, who was disappointed with Rai’s decision, told ESPNcricinfo that “this committee has not been approved by me”. She strongly disagreed with Rai, saying he could not take “unilateral” decisions, considering the Supreme Court had given her equal authority.”As chairman he can’t take any unilateral decisions as there is no casting vote for chairman,” she said. “It is strange that in a democratic set-up of the CoA only views of one person are considered and the views expressed by other member who was also appointed by the Supreme Court along with you don’t matter.”The divide between the two CoA members surfaced as soon as the BCCI opted against renewing Powar’s contract, which had expired on November 30. Powar was appointed as the interim coach from September 1, replacing Tushar Arothe, who had to resign after senior players had told the BCCI that they did not agree with his coaching style.In a long trail of emails exchanged with Rai, which have been accessed by ESPNcricinfo, Edulji stressed that Powar should “continue” as coach because India’s T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana had requested he do so.Edulji reminded Rai that the precedent of listening to the player’s view had already been set last year during the controversial resignation of Kumble, who was told by the BCCI that Kohli had differences with his style of coaching. Edulji told Rai that he had accepted Kohli’s word despite Kumble having the backing of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), the three-member selection panel that had appointed him as coach.”The captain [Harmanpreet] and vice-captain [Mandhana] have requested their choice, so why can’t we respect their choice for this tour till we get clarity on the committee,” Edulji said in an email on Tuesday. “We can go ahead and continue with the same coach. The views of the two senior players must not be ignored.”Virat did not accede to Kumble continuing inspite of CAC saying so, then why not these two players get what they feel is best for the team.”Rehab mates: Harmanpreet and Mandhana, captain and vice-captain of India’s T20I team, spent quality time with each other while recovering from injuries at NCA•Annesha Ghosh/Annesha Ghosh/ESPNcricinfo Ltd

In response, Rai argued that although Kumble had “stepped back” due to the “differences” with Kohli, players had not sent emails to CoA or the BCCI. Rai told Edulji that a head coach could not be picked by asking for the players’ votes. “Yes- there were differences between Virat and Kumble,” Rai said. “As a consequence of that Kumble stepped back. More importantly, the team did not send emails. The team must realise that that coaches are not decided on team votes.”Edulji responded saying there was “nothing wrong” with Harmanpreet and Mandhana recording their opinions about the coach saga in emails because “they were truthful in expressing their views.” Despite earning the backing of a majority of the Indian players, Powar could not earn similar respect from the team’s senior-most player and ODI captain Mithali Raj.Raj was included in only three out of the five matches India played in the World T20 and was dropped for the semi-finals against England. In a scathing email to the BCCI management, Raj said Powar wanted to “destroy” her career. In response, Powar said Raj threatened to walk out of the WT20 and retire if she was not allowed to open.Edulji also accused Rai of keeping her away from discussions when he met Raj and Harmanpreet in Delhi recently to resolve the differences between the pair and seek their views on the appointment of coach. The next day, Powar received a shot in the arm after Harmanpreet and Mandhana had sent out separate emails urging the CoA and the BCCI to continue with Powar, who they said had a positive impact on the players. As for the differences between Powar and Raj, both players insisted these could be sorted amicably. “In my absence, you had a meeting with the two women cricket captains and when I enquired on the same; you replied saying they wanted to meet you, so you met them. Once again, you have failed to understand that I have an equal say in all matters of BCCI as CoA with equal rights not less not more.”Edulji also wanted the CAC comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman to conduct the interviews and shortlist the names for the women’s coach. The CAC members had informed the BCCI that they were not available to be present at such short notice, but given a “defined role” and adequate time they would be happy to help. Edulji suggested India could travel with Powar continuing as the interim coach for their tour of New Zealand in January, allowing CAC to do their job.However, Rai was in no mood to oblige. “We cannot now withdraw and say that we will continue with our ad-hoc coach of three months – who has been the reason for such bad blood in the team. This chapter has to be closed and the earlier the better.”Rai said that he could not understand why Edulji and the senior players were against hiring a new, experienced head coach, who could possibly help them crossover the “plateau” they keep hitting in big-ticket tournaments like the World Cup.Rai asked Edulji to instead “persuade” the Indian women players to “grow out of micro issues” and see the “macro” picture.” “What I cannot understand is why some members of the team, or any other person advising them, is against having an internationally acclaimed coach. Don’t we seek to upgrade the team from the plateau that they keep hitting in international games?

Only 18 months since their promotion to Full Membership, Afghanistan have secured a direct place in the main group stage of the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia by virtue of being in the top eight of teams in the ICC rankings at the 2018 cut-off date.Afghanistan’s progression up the T20I rankings corresponds with a slip down the order for Sri Lanka, who currently sit in ninth place on 87 points. It means the 2014 world champions will have to go through the opening round of the tournament in order to reach the “Super 12s”, where teams will be split into two groups of six for round-robin play. The 2020 format means Sri Lanka will need to finish in the top two of a four-team group in the opening round in order to advance to the Super 12s.

The 2020 T20 World Cup

Teams through to the Super 12: Pakistan, India, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan
Full Members who will have to qualify to the Super 12s: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ireland

“It is a bit disappointing that we have not been able to ensure a direct Super 12s berth but I’m confident that we will do well in the tournament,” Sri Lanka T20I captain, Lasith Malinga, told the ICC. “Having played three finals and winning once, it is natural that everyone expected us to finish in the top-eight but we have to take the opportunity in the extra matches of the group stage and prepare well for the knock-out matches.”The 2020 tournament will mark the first time that Afghanistan won’t have to go through a qualifying round in order to reach the main phase of the T20 World Cup, now dubbed the “Super 12s”. They went a perfect seven-for-seven in T20Is in 2018, including a 3-0 sweep of Bangladesh, to move up to eighth on the rankings table, five points clear of Sri Lanka in ninth and 15 points above Bangladesh in 10th.This left Shakib Al Hasan saying: “We have not secured a direct Super 12s berth but I’m confident that we will do well in the tournament by going through the group stage.”We are a side capable of beating the best on our day and I see no reason why we can’t go far in the tournament. There is still some time and we will use it to be at our best for the T20 World Cup.”Afghanistan qualified for the first time in the West Indies in 2010 after beating Ireland in the final of the T20 World Cup Qualifier in UAE earlier that year. They subsequently qualified again in 2012 for a then 12-team event and also reached the opening round of the 2014 tournament but finished below both Nepal and eventual opening-round group winners Bangladesh.After finishing fifth in the qualifying tournament in 2015, they went 3-0 in the opening round of the 2016 tournament in India, including a resounding win over Zimbabwe, to advance to the Super 10s main draw. They knocked off eventual champions West Indies for their second win over a Full Member at the event and have continued a gradual rise up the T20I rankings since.Afghanistan’s progression also means that Zimbabwe will have to go into the T20 Global Qualifier for the first time just to earn a spot in the opening round of the T20 World Cup. Along with Ireland, it will also mark the first time that Full Members are a part of the qualifying tournament.It follows a new approach from the ICC in which Full Members are no longer guaranteed a spot in World Cups by virtue of membership status. The 2018 ODI World Cup Qualifier also featured Full Members for the first time as West Indies, Ireland, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe had to compete against six Associates in order to secure a spot in England. West Indies and Afghanistan clinched the only two berths available, meaning Ireland and Zimbabwe will become the first two Full Members to not take part in a World Cup in 2019.In addition to Ireland and Zimbabwe, four Associates have been fast-tracked into the T20 Global Qualifier by virtue of their participation in the opening round of the 2016 T20 World Cup: Scotland, Netherlands, Hong Kong and Oman. They will be joined by eight other Associates who will advance from five regional qualification finals (Africa, Americas, Asia, East Asia-Pacific, Europe) to take place in the first half of 2019.The 14-team T20 Global Qualifier is expected to take place in October or November this year at a venue yet to be determined. The top six teams at that tournament will join Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the opening round in Australia.

West Ham United continued their stunning European form in midweek by securing a 1-0 win against TSC in the Europa League, which now affords them the luxury of resting key players for the final match of the group stage.

Since the start of the 2021/22 season, West Ham have won a total of 22 European matches, reaching a semi-final and winning the Europa Conference League in that time, while equalling Real Madrid’s win total in the process.

David Moyes could lead them on another stunning run in the continent after Christmas, but until their knockout stage matches, the focus will be on the Premier League.

They face Crystal Palace on Sunday and having won their previous four games; they head into the tie full of confidence.

The Scot will freshen things up against the Eagles and we at Football FanCast predict that he will make five changes from the 1-0 win during midweek – while also deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation.

1 GK – Alphonse Areola

The first change will be a rotation of the goalkeepers, with the Frenchman replacing Lukasz Fabianski between the posts.

The Pole has played in four European ties so far this season, conceding just two goals in the process, yet has still to make an appearance in the Premier League.

Areola has started all league ties this season, but he will be aiming to secure just his second clean sheet against Palace.

2 RB – Ben Johnson

The Englishman will retain his place from the European clash due to doubts over Vladimir Coufal’s fitness.

The defender was left behind for the midweek tie alongside Mohammed Kudus due to them having “flu-like symptoms”, according to Moyes.

This means Johnson will play twice in four days and Moyes will be hoping this doesn’t come at a cost.

3 CB – Kurt Zouma

Moyes will drop Konstantinos Mavropanos in place of the returning Kurt Zouma for the Premier League clash on Sunday.

The Frenchman was rested against TSC and therefore should be fresh to play a starring role as West Ham go looking for another three points in the league.

Zouma has captained the club in all but two of their domestic ties this term and will take the armband once again.

4 CB – Nayef Aguerd

The Moroccan international has become the preferred partner for Zouma at the heart of the West Ham defence, and they have starred on numerous occasions this season.

He joined the club for £30m in the summer of 2022 and, despite injury problems disrupting his debut season in London, he has become a key figure this term.

5 LB – Emerson Palmieri

Aaron Cresswell started the victory against TSC, yet Emerson will come back into the starting XI for the tie at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The Italian defender has featured in all but two of West Ham’s matches this season, chipping in with two assists and Moyes will be hoping he is at his attacking best against Palace.

6 CM – Edson Alvarez

Moyes signed the Mexican international during the summer transfer window for £35m and it looks like a shrewd piece of business.

Hailed as “tenacious” and a “superb tackler” by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his displays at Ajax, Edson Alvarez has enjoyed a solid start to his West Ham career.

Losing Declan Rice was a big blow in the summer, but the 26-year-old already looks like an ideal heir for the Arsenal gem. He has missed only two league ties so far and will be thrust into the squad after being rested against TSC.

7 CM – James Ward-Prowse

The former Southampton starlet has been arguably the best summer signing by Moyes, especially with his attacking output.

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The midfielder has already registered ten assists and scored twice in 19 matches in all competitions and these numbers will continue to get better.

He will form a central midfield partnership alongside Alvarez and Moyes will be hoping their respective qualities can help the club to another three points.

8 RW – Pablo Fornals

With Kudus missing the game against TSC due to illness, Moyes will retain the services of Pablo Fornals on the right wing and avoid taking a gamble with the former Ajax gem.

Fornals played the full 90 minutes in midweek and put on a decent showing. The winger made one key pass, delivered one successful cross and won two of his three dribble attempts.

The Spaniard has started just once in the Premier League all season, but he will be unleashed from the first whistle by Moyes against the Eagles as he won't want to rush Kudus back to action.

9 AM – Tomas Soucek

The Czech midfielder has enjoyed a decent goalscoring run this season, scoring seven times across all competitions, and Moyes will continue to utilise him in an attacking midfield role.

Although primarily operating slightly deeper, Soucek has netted in his previous two Premier League ties whilst playing in an advanced role and Moyes will be hoping for more of the same against Palace.

10 LW – Lucas Paqueta

Said Benrahma started against TSC on the left of a three-man attack, yet failed to showcase his true abilities and this opens the door for Lucas Paqueta to come back into the starting XI.

Five goals and an assist in 18 games is a decent record, but Moyes will be hoping for more from the Brazilian on the left-hand side, especially with his potential to cause chaos against opposition defences.

A member of the English press has shared the "only" managerial name he's heard who could end up replacing David Moyes at West Ham.

Moyes likely to leave West Ham in 2024

The Scotsman's contract is due to expire in 2024, coming after many years of success in east London. Moyes, who came in when West Ham were battling relegation in 2020, has since guided them to three European campaigns. Reaching the Europa League semis in 2022 and winning the Conference League last season, supporters have witnessed unprecedented achievements during the 60-year-old's reign.

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Few could've envisaged the progress made by West Ham over the last couple of seasons, but last term also saw the Irons seriously underachieve in the Premier League. West Ham finished 14th in 2022/2023 and appear to be a mixed bag so far this campaign, with reports suggesting Moyes is "unlikely" to be offered a new contract to remain past next year.

West Ham doing due-diligence for Moyes successor

As such, there are already rumours over who could succeed Moyes at the London Stadium. Journalist Toby Cudworth, speaking to Talking Transfers last month, said West Ham are doing due-diligence on finding a new manager for next season.

“Our understanding is that West Ham have been looking at future replacements for him," said Cudworth.

"He won the Conference League in June, has one year left on his contract, but there’s been no engagement over a new contract Our understanding is that West Ham are in no hurry to replace him despite the indifferent Premier League results… David Sullivan doesn’t really see an available candidate who offers substantially more than David Moyes.

“While West Ham are picking up results and getting the odd win, and maintaining a decent position while doing well in Europe, there’s no real appetite to make that change. Likewise there’s no real appetite to extend his contract."

Journalist shares "only name" he's heard to replace Moyes

Writing in a Q&A for The Daily Mail, journalist Kieran Gil has shared the "only name" he's heard as a candidate to replace Moyes at West Ham next year. According to the reporter, that name is former Wolves and Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui.

The 57-year-old is a free agent after leaving Molineux and ready-available for hire. His experience both in England and winning trophies abroad also makes him a pretty enticing option, but Gil also says the picture could "totally change" come the end of the season.

2019/2020 Europa League

Sevilla

2011/2012 European Under-19 Championship

Spain

2012/2013 European Under-21 Championship

Spain

“It’s too early to say. Managers who are available now may not be in the summer," said the Mail journalist.

“The only name that’s been mentioned to me is Julen Lopetegui, who we know wants to return to the Premier League. But that picture could totally change closer to the end of the season.”