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Perfect fit: the summer signing each Premier League club should target

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BY JOSH WRIGHT

Arsenal: Bernardo Silva

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Signing another midfielder should be at the top of Arsenal’s list of priorities. With Granit Xhaka expected to leave, Dani Ceballos and Martin Ødegaard both back at Real Madrid, and Matteo Guendouzi out on loan, Arsenal are short even after the arrival of teenager Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht. Manuel Locatelli looks set to stay in Italy, so Arsenal should be considering alternatives. Manchester City are keen to sell Bernardo Silva to fund their own transfers but offers from abroad are unlikely given the financial climate. Mikel Arteta should take advantage of his City connection and convince the versatile Silva to move south.

Aston Villa: Leon Bailey

Aston Villa are pushing ahead with their interest in Leon Bailey and the thought of the Bayer Leverkusen winger lining up alongside Jack Grealish and Emiliano Buendia is mouthwatering. Even if Grealish ends up leaving, Bailey is the ideal replacement for the Villa captain. He is coming off his best campaign to date after finishing the Bundesliga with 18 goal involvements: nine goals and nine assists. Moreover, Bailey completed a dribble more frequently than any other player in the Bundesliga last season.

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Brentford: Hugo Siquet

After releasing Henrik Dalsgaard earlier in the summer, Brentford should be looking to sign a new right-back to ease the burden on Mads Rasmussen. Brentford go about their recruitment a little differently to most, so do not be surprised to see a leftfield move. The 19-year-old Hugo Siquet enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign for Belgian side Standard Liege. The teenager registered five assists from just 16 league appearances last season, as well as ranking in the top 10 in the division for both tackles and key passes per game.

Brighton: Adam Armstrong

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Brighton’s woes in front of goal last season were well documented. They created more clear-cut chances than Arsenal but ended up two places above relegation with fewer goals scored than Crystal Palace. Adam Armstrong finished last season with 28 goals in the Championship and has already been heavily linked with a Premier League move after Blackburn missed out on promotion. With the £50m sale of Ben White almost complete, there is money there to sign a striker.

Burnley: Nathaniel Phillips

If there is more Burnley player than Nathaniel Phillips, I am all ears. The 24-year-old did a superb job helping Liverpool during their injury crisis last season but it seems as if he does not have a future at the club. Phillips finished last season as our best rated centre-back in the Premier League (7.29), with no defender winning more aerial duels per game (5.6). There will soon come a time when the partnership between Ben Mee and James Tarkowski breaks up and Phillips is the ideal defender to come in.

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Chelsea: Danny Ings

Chelsea face are likely to fall short in their pursuit of Erling Haaland in this window but know he has a release clause next summer. It would be foolish to spend big on another striker this summer but it should not deter them completely. With 12 months left to run on his current deal, Danny Ings could be a good option. Jorginho was Chelsea’s top scorer in the league last season with seven penalties. Meanwhile, only Harry Kane (41), Mo Salah (41) and Jamie Vardy (38) have scored more goals than Ings (34) over the last two Premier League campaigns.

Crystal Palace: Youcef Atal

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Crystal Palace handed Joel Ward a new contract earlier this summer but signing a new right-back should be a priority for new boss Patrick Vieira. Palace should also be looking to capitalise on his Nice connection to pick up Youcef Atal. The 25-year-old looked destined for big things a few years back only for a knee injury to derail his progress. It’s been a slow road back for the versatile full-back but, if Palace can get him back on the right path, they not only have a hugely talented player on their hands but also someone who they can sell for an enormous profit down the line.

Everton: Téji Savanier

Rafa Benítez is keen to overhaul Everton’s midfield this summer with a big clearout planned before he can start to add his own players. Téji Savanier has flown under the radar in Europe for years. He has more assists across the last three Ligue 1 campaigns than Neymar or Kylian Mbappé, while also ranking third for most possession won in the midfield third (369) in that time. It would be fascinating to see Savanier in the Premier League.

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Leeds United: Farid Boulaya

Even though Leeds are pursuing Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, adding a creative spark to their midfield should still be a priority for Marcelo Bielsa. Their interest in Rodrigo de Paul over the last 12 months suggests they have that position in mind. After a couple of seasons warming the bench for French side Metz, 28-year-old Farid Boulaya really kicked on in 2020-21 with 14 goal involvements in 33 games. Leeds scored 15 goals from set pieces last season and Boulaya would make them even more dangerous from dead ball positions. Only three players created more chances from set pieces than Boulaya in Ligue 1 last season (32).

Leicester City: Julian Brandt

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Leicester have gone about their business with great efficiency this summer and anything more at this point would certainly be a bonus. There is still room to improve in attack and that might become more pressing should James Maddison depart. Marc Albrighton is also 32 later this year and Ayoze Pérez has done little to suggest he can string a consistent run of form together. Borussia Dortmund may be willing to let Julian Brandt leave this summer and he would be a superb signing for the Foxes. He is still only 25, so there is time for Leicester to pick up a talented player for a lower fee and get him back on the right path.

Liverpool: Dani Olmo

It has been a frustrating summer for Jürgen Klopp. He has been told he must sell before he can buy and those departures are taking longer than expected. With Liverpool keen to shift Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi, another attacker will be required before the new season. Versatility will be important and for that reason Dani Olmo fits in perfectly for Liverpool. Capable of playing a variety of positions in midfield and attack, he could solve a lot of problems for the team. He has the workrate to match, ranking second in Europe’s top five leagues for most possession won in the attacking third (41).

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Manchester City: Harry Kane

Wanting Harry Kane and signing him from Tottenham are two entirely different things. It’s going to be tough to agree a deal with Daniel Levy but Manchester City need him. Sergio Agüero has gone and Gabriel Jesus has done nothing to suggest he can confidently replace him long-term. Kane finished last season with both the most goals (23) and most assists (14) in the Premier League – the first player to do so in a single campaign since Andy Cole in 1993-94. He also surpassed the 20-goal mark in the league for the fifth time in his career.

Manchester United: Wilfred Ndidi

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Nothing short of a genuine title challenge will be deemed satisfactory for Manchester United this season but it’s hard to see that happening unless Ole Gunnar Solskjær signs a defensive midfielder. A move for Wilfred Ndidi is unlikely to happen out of nowhere at this stage of the window, but he is the ideal midfield destroyer required. Ndidi averaged more tackles per game than any other player in the Premier League last season (3.7) and is one of the best in his position in the division. The arrival of Boubakary Soumaré at Leicester perhaps suggests that the Foxes know they cannot hold on to Ndidi for much longer.

Newcastle United: Joe Willock

After the impact Joe Willock made at Newcastle last season, there is simply no way the club can see out this transfer window without bringing him back. The 21-year-old scored in seven straight appearances to close out the campaign, a feat only Alan Shearer has managed for the club. Impressively, four of those goals came against Manchester City, Liverpool, Leicester and Tottenham. Despite only starting 11 league games for Newcastle, he finished as their second top scorer in the league with twice as many goals as big-money signing Joelinton.

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Norwich City: Roland Sallai

Norwich have already signed replacements for Emiliano Buendia and Oliver Skipp this summer and now they should be looking to help Teemu Pukki. The Finland international made a bright start in Norwich’s last season in the Premier League before tailing off dramatically. Norwich’s current back-up striker is Jordan Hugill, who only scored four goals in 31 league appearances last season. Norwich have used Germany as a pool to sign players a lot under Daniel Farke so that should continue here with Freiburg’s Roland Sallai. The 24-year-old has five goal involvements in seven competitive matches for Hungary in the last 12 months, notably catching the eye in the group of death at Euro 2020. Sallai is also capable of playing out wide, not restricting him to just a back-up role to Pukki.

Southampton: Brandon Williams

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Southampton have already signed French left-back Romain Perraud to replace Ryan Bertrand but they still need another option at full-back, preferably one who can play in both positions. James Ward-Prowse had to play at right-back at times last season so Southampton must be hoping they can get a loan deal over the line for Manchester United’s Brandon Williams. After a bright breakthrough at Old Trafford, Williams has shown he may not make the grade at United full-time but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a successful Premier League career elsewhere. He needs to curb his enthusiasm for a tackle, however. Last season he almost had as many bookings (four) as starts (five) for United.

Tottenham Hotspur: Cristian Romero

The sale of Toby Alderweireld has made signing a new centre-back a top priority for Tottenham and they will continue to plug away for Atalanta’s Cristian Romero. The 23-year-old is coming off a superb year in which he finish as our highest rated centre-back in both Serie A (7.14) and the Champions League (7.67), as well as winning the Copa América with Argentina earlier this summer. Tottenham’s new sporting director, Fabio Paratici, will have to use his contacts in Serie A to get a deal over the line for his new club.

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Watford: Matvey Safonov

Watford have already strengthened plenty but one area where they still look a little light is between the sticks. Ben Foster is winding down his career and he only lost the No 1 shirt to Daniel Bachmann last season because of injury. Prising Matvey Safonov from Krasnodar may prove tricky now the Russian Premier League is underway but the 22-year-old should be an option for the Hornets. Only two goalkeepers made more saves per game than Russia international last season (3.9), with an encouraging save success rate of 72.6%.

West Ham United: Matheus Pereira

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West Ham’s aim should be to sign Jesse Lingard but it appears Manchester United have priced the Hammers out so David Moyes should now be looking at West Brom’s Matheus Pereira. West Brom are keen to sell after they were relegated from the Premier League and it’s a surprise no one has snapped up Pereira yet. He finished last season with 17 goal involvements for a poor Baggies side and was the only player in the Premier League to win possession at least 30 times in the defensive, middle and attacking thirds of the pitch.

Wolves: Javi Galán

Wolves may consider signing a new left-back before the window shuts given the injury woes of both Jonny and Marcal. They will not have a free run at signing Javi Galán from Huesca but they should be going all out for the 25-year-old. He was a standout performer in Spain last season, finishing the campaign in our team of the season in La Liga. Galan ranked fourth in Europe’s top five leagues for dribbles completed (121), while also completing an impressive 77.2% of his attempted tackles. – The Guardian

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Econet Victoria Falls Marathon 2023 roars into life

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BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

The 15th edition of the Econet Victoria Falls Marathon is set to roar into life today in the scenic tourism destination of Victoria Falls.

Organisers say the marathon, now widely recognized at the number one marathon in Africa, has attracted over 5 000 runners and tourists to the event this year.

Earlier on, Econet Group chief executive officer Douglas Mboweni welcomed all local and international runners to the event, and wished all participants the best in their races.

“As the headline sponsor, we proudly welcome you this great event, and wish you all the very best during your run and as you take time to enjoy this special and scenic resort of Victoria Falls with friends and family,” said Mboweni.

“We have been working closely with the race’s technical organisers, the  local authorities, tourism players, emergency services and many other stakeholders, and I am confident that we will host a successful event,” he added.

Mboweni noted that the Econet Victoria Marathon promotes physical, mental and emotional wellness and also contributes to the economy of the country, especially in the travel and tourism industry.

“The Econet Victoria Falls Marathon generates significant interest in Zimbabwe as a tourist destination, and that is something we are proud contribute to,” he said.

The marathon attracted over 4 500 runners the last year 40 countries.

Organisers expect it to attract visitors from over 50 countries this year.

“The economic benefits that this event brings – both at local and macro level – is something we are pleased to be associated with, and wish to continue being a part of,” the Econet Group CEO said.

Participants to the marathon have travelled from as far afield as the Americas, Europe, Australia and the rest of Africa.

In addition to the main 42 kilometre marathon event, there are various categories for different fitness levels, including a half-marathon (21km), the popular 7.5km family fun run, and a 10.5km half

 

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Luton promoted to Premier League after shootout victory against Coventry

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BY BEN FISHER

This time Rob Edwards could celebrate. The Luton manager had hared off down the touchline with four minutes of extra time to go to celebrate what he thought was the winning goal in front of the Luton supporters, eating up 45 yards of Wembley turf, only to retreat to his technical area ashen-faced after glancing up at the big screen confirming Joseph Taylor’s strike, which would have been his first for the club, had been disallowed for handball. Jonathan Panzo, on cold as a substitute, dawdled on the ball and Taylor, a 20-year-old on his sixth appearance, nicked it from the Coventry defender, but surged through on goal with the help of his right hand.

Edwards covered his face in embarrassment but an agonising penalty shootout followed and Fankaty Dabo missed the crucial spot-kick as Luton won promotion to the Premier League at Coventry’s expense, winning 6-5 on penalties. Up in the stands, there were tears of joy for Luton’s chief executive, among many at the club who have been on their journey from non-league until this point. Until Dabo’s miss, the penalties had been immaculate. Dabo was inconsolable.
Mark Robins, in a Coventry polo shirt, smiled wryly into the camera as the teams lined up before kick-off. This stadium was a picture, one end a shade of sky blue, the other a blanket of orange. Rob Edwards, hands on hips, swivelled to survey the scene one last time before the referee, Michael Oliver, got things under way. Luton had two first-half goals disallowed, the first inside five minutes with Gabriel Osho ruled offside after squeezing the ball in against a post; a determined Tom Lockyer had powered a header towards goal but what would have been a scruffy opener was chalked off. On 41 minutes Luton had the ball in the net once more but Elijah Adebayo was penalised for handball after Callum Doyle’s panicked clearance smacked him on the arm. Luton could have been out of sight.

There were eight minutes of first-half stoppage time, much of which was because of a freakish incident. Lockyer appeared to collapse when back-pedalling to read an early Coventry attack. Lockyer received five minutes of treatment and was carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask. Luton later confirmed the Wales defender was taken to hospital for further tests. Luton’s supporters shielded their eyes from the sun and Edwards pulled his concerned players away from Lockyer to give them an impromptu on-pitch team talk. Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, whose first game for Luton was in non-league 10 years ago, took the armband. Both teams were unchanged from their last match
The incident did not disrupt Luton’s flow and they scored on 23 minutes. Fifteen yards or so from the Luton goalline Alfie Doughty, the Hattters’ left wing-back, sent a long ball upfield towards Adebayo. Kyle McFadzean was one-on-one with the striker and Adebayo’s twists and turns led the Coventry centre-back a merry dance. Clark’s run was not tracked and after Adebayo chopped inside one last time he located his teammate on the edge of Coventry’s 18-yard box. The Luton midfielder took a brilliant first touch with his right boot and lashed in with his left with his next touch.

Luton’s centre-forwards, Carlton Morris and Adebayo, caused Coventry’s three-man central defence no end of problems. Coventry were rattled and Luke McNally shanked a routine pass out to his right straight out for a throw-in on halfway. Morris bullied Doyle, the defender on loan from Manchester City, and his knockdown laid the ball on neatly for Mpanzu but his shot was tame and comfortably gathered by Ben Wilson in the Coventry goal. Coventry were frozen for much of the first half and did not fashion a meaningful attack until minutes before the interval. The bustling Gustavo Hamer met Jake Bidwell’s hanging cross at the back post but sent his shot over.Coventry roused before half-time but nevertheless it was no surprise Robins changed shape. Matt Godden, a striker, replaced Jamie Allen, the midfielder who had failed to bring Viktor Gyökeres into the game. Liam Kelly, the Coventry captain and only player in the starting lineups to play in this fixture when they were in League Two five years ago, skied a shot after a neat move on the edge of the box. The Arsenal loanee Brooke Norton-Cuffy went on a rampaging run in the first half and his willing was a positive for Coventry to cling on to. Ten minutes into the second half Norton-Cuffy sent a devilish cross in from the right but Amari’i Bell was on hand to clear.

Coventry were a different beast now and levelled on 66 minutes after Gyokeres and Hamer dovetailed to devastating effect. Gyokeres gladly took a bump from Osho to help Coventry retain possession inside their own half and then was fed in down the left channel. He drove forward and calmly spied the advancing Hamer to his right. Hamer side-footed the ball in first time and pandemonium followed in one half of the ground. McFadzean endeavoured to have a quiet word with Robins pitchside. The Coventry fans made sure that was a tricky task.

No sooner were the Coventry supporters swooning over Hamer than the midfielder was forced off with injury after landing awkwardly. Hamer attempted to carry on but was grounded and then replaced by Kasey Palmer, a substitute when Huddersfield won promotion here on penalties six years ago. Hamer’s afternoon ended with an ice pack strapped around his right ankle and Palmer back on the bench, with Robins substituting the substitute in extra time.

It seemed the biggest talking point of added time arrived when Clark was deemed to have dived after Wilson rushed from his goal. Up in the stands Howard Webb, the head of the PGMOL, bit his nails. That was nothing compared with the intoxicating drama that would follow. SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

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Victoria Falls hosts chess championship games

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BY NOTHANDO DUBE 

Chess, the newly embraced game in Zimbabwean Schools has taken Matabeleland North Province by storm, with many schools taking it up.

The brain game has gained popularity with players from Early Childhood  Development to Secondary Schools.

This year, the Zimbabwe Chess Federation has introduced a National Chess League to be played across the provinces throughout the country, under the Crystal Candy National Schools league banner.

 The first League games took  place this Saturday and the second will be played on June 24 where each school will field one team each, made up of ten players, five males and five females. 

In Matabeleland North,  Mosi-oa-Tunya Hihh School is host the primary schools while Grace Mission Secondary takes care of  the  secondary schools.

Eight primary schools have set themselves for the battle meant to decided on the  two teams who will proceed to the second league games in June. 

The participating primary schools are Chinotimba, Mother Touch, Baobab, Happy Hearts, Kings and Grace Mission.

 A total of eighty players will make up the primary schools competitors while five  schools will make up the secondary schools competitors

The league fixtures for secondary school are made up of David Livingstone, Grace Mission, Higher Learning Centre, EATC and Matetsi.

 The age groups for primary will be Under 10 Junior and Under 14 Seniors, whilst secondary school learners will play under age groups under 16 and Under 20. 

Last term, on March 23 and and 24, a total of 203 secondary school chess players gathered at Lupane’s Mabhikwa High school for  Provincial Chess Tournament, making it the highest number so far in the history of Provincial games. 

Chess is game of the brain which teaches players to balance their emotions and also to make informed decisions. The calculative nature of its moves improve learners’ mathematical skills. 

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