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The spectators basking in glorious sunshine at the St. Helens ground in Swansea were treated to a feast of runs – 697 in all – and two exhilarating centuries by Colin Ingram and Darren Stevens

ECB Reporters Network14-May-2017
ScorecardDarren Stevens’ century came off 48 balls but Kent couldn’t quite hunt down a huge target•Getty Images

The spectators basking in glorious sunshine at the St. Helens ground in Swansea were treated to a feast of runs – 697 in all – and two exhilarating centuries by Colin Ingram and Darren Stevens.Ingram struck his century from 78 balls, but that was pedestrian compared to Stevens who smashed 147 from only 67 deliveries. While Stevens was at the crease, Kent were favourites, but after his dismissal, Glamorgan’s bowlers stuck to their task to win by 15 runs, with 16 balls remaining.Thirty five sixes were struck in the match which equalled the record for a List A game, set in the game at Trent Bridge between Northants and Nottinghamshire last year.After Glamorgan were asked to bat, their innings was built around Ingram and Will Bragg who put on 212 for the third wicket after they had lost two wickets in three balls. Ingram continued his outstanding form in the competition by scoring his third century – this was a second in successive games. His innings came from 98 balls, which included six fours and eight sixes, and during the eight games, the South African left hander has hit 29 sixes and 31 fours.Bragg, who achieved his career-best, gave his only chance on 88, and was six runs away from his maiden century when he chipped Calum Haggett to cover. The lower middle-order also made worthwhile contributions, with Chris Cooke hitting a rapid 36, and Andrew Salter, who struck Ivan Thomas for three successive sixes in the last over, hitting 29 from nine balls.Kent needed to score at 7.10 runs an over, and they lost Daniel Bell-Drummond in the eighth over, when he bottom-edged Marchant de Lange to the wicketkeeper. Joe Denly and Sam Northeast took the score to 75, before both were dismissed in David Lloyd’s second over.Stevens then started his ferocious attack on the Glamorgan attack, and greeted Ingram by hitting him for 32 in his two overs. He quickly moved to 50 from 28 balls, and it took the 41-year-old Stevens only 20 more balls to reach his 100, which included 10 sixes and six fours.The fourth-wicket pair had put on 131 in just 13 overs, before Sam Billings, who had contributed only 24 to the partnership, was well caught on the long leg boundary.There was no respite from Stevens who, when he struck his 14th six, recorded the most sixes hit by an opposing batsman against Glamorgan in List A games. He was eventually out, caught athletically by de Lange on the midwicket boundary, and left to a standing ovation from the sizeable crowd.The Glamorgan seamers, relieved to see the back of Stevens, then picked up three more wickets, as Alex Blake and Calum Haggett were caught by Cooke behind the wicket, and Matt Coles was run out from a direct hit by Salter.Kent required 57 from the last 10 overs, but Charlie Hartley was bowled by Lloyd, who picked up his fifth wicket, and finished with a career-best 5 for 53, before James Tredwell was run out attempting a run to the wicketkeeper.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in FC Porto striker Mehdi Taremi, as the Gunners bid to add depth to their title-challenging squad this summer.

Mikel Arteta and Edu have had a stellar transfer window so far, confirming the signing of Chelsea star Kai Havertz while Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are in the pipeline to be announced as arrivals next week.

Despite surpassing expectations last season, the north Londoners will aim to close the gap between themselves and Manchester City, with adding quality in depth essential this summer.

Is Taremi going to Arsenal?

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, relayed by football.london, Arsenal are interested in Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, who could be a valuable asset in Arteta’s bid to add strength in numbers.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United already this summer, with a separate report in Portugal valuing him at no less than €20m (£17m).

O Jogo claim that the Gunners are monitoring the striker, who is entering the final year of his contract at Porto.

How good is Mehdi Taremi?

Praised as “intelligent” by scout Antonio Mango, the 30-year-old has been an integral member of Porto’s squad, cementing himself in the top three of the side’s best performers in Liga Portugal.

Averaging a match rating of 7.38, the Iranian striker registered a mammoth 29 goal contributions in 33 league appearances, scoring 22 and assisting seven in a memorable individual campaign, via Sofascore.

Adding numbers like these to his CV, there’s little surprise that the forward is attracting interest from the Premier League.

Indeed, he stacks up well compared to a certain Harry Kane too. Over the last two campaigns, the Spurs star has found the net on 59 occasions compared to Taremi's 57.

For Arsenal, a player as clinical as the Bushehr-born ace could give Arteta an added outlet for goals in attack, with a figure that could provide significant depth to the title-challenging squad.

While the Gunners have a strong attack, there’s always room for improvement, and with Gabriel Jesus netting 11 goals in 26 Premier League appearances last term, there is undoubtedly room for more goals in the front line.

The north Londoners have welcomed Folarin Balogun back from his emphatic loan spell at Reims, in which the 22-year-old scored 21 in 37 Ligue 1 appearances, giving the boss a potential headache for selection.

There has, however, been speculation that the United States international could depart this summer having made his wishes to be the leading striker for Arsenal clear, leaving a potential gap in the squad for a forward to challenge Jesus.

Taremi could be a risk-free alternative to Balogun, who has had just one imposing senior goal-scoring season in his budding career so far.

Last season wasn’t an unusual feat to record for Taremi, who has become a favourite in Porto since signing for the club in 2020 from fellow Portuguese outfit Rio Ave.

In 147 appearances in all competitions, the 30-year-old has contributed to a monstrous 129 goals scoring 80 and assisting 49 to showcase his consistent ability in the final third, via Transfermarkt.

Averaging 0.52 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, the Iranian could be a safer bet for Arteta than the 22-year-old Balogun who averaged 0.45 non-penalty goals per 90.

It could be a smart move for Edu to cash in on Balogun while his value is high, and to add a seasoned scorer to the side to compete with Jesus next campaign.

A round-up of the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifier matches in Colombo on February 19, 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2017Pakistan Women qualified for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in England despite being demolished by India Women by seven wickets at Colombo’s P Sara Oval. Ekta Bisht’s career-best returns of 5 for 8 in 10 overs toppled Pakistan for 67. India required just 22.3 overs to chase down the target, with seven wickets in hand, and finished the Super Six stage as table toppers.Before Bisht, it was Shikha Pandey, the new-ball bowler, who set the tone for Pakistan’s slide after Mithali Raj decided to bowl under overcast conditions. Pandey removed the in-form Nahida Khan and Javeria Khan for single-digit scores. Pakistan were 30 for 2 after 10 overs when Bisht struck for the first time, off her very first ball, trapping Ayesha Zafar lbw for her 50th ODI scalp. Zafar had made 19.Apart from Zafar, only Bismah Maroof got into double figures before Pakistan folded in the 44th over. Bisht had ample support. Pandey took 2 for 9 from her seven overs, while spinners Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma and Devika Vaidya picked up a wicket apiece.India’s innings began in bright fashion, with a boundary off the very first ball, but they quickly stuttered with Sana Mir and Sadia Yousuf reducing them to 23 for 2. Opening batsman Deepti Sharma then steered the chase with a 42-run third-wicket stand with Kaur, who became Yousuf’s second victim when she was caught by Zafar with just three needed. Five balls later, Veda Krishnamurthy closed out the game with a four off left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu as India’s innings ended the same way it began.Sri Lanka Women also secured their spot in the World Cup after a 42-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method in their last Super Six tie against Bangladesh Women in a rain-affected tie in Colombo. Chamari Atapattu hit 84 at the top to help Sri Lanka to 197 for 9 in their 50 overs. In reply, Bangladesh, chasing a revised target of 111, could only reach 68 for 5 in their allotted 21 overs.Atapattu walked out with Sri Lanka 39 for 1 in the 11th over and started off with a half-century stand with Hasini Perera. After Perera’s dismissal for 32, the onus fell on Atapattu to build Sri Lanka’s innings. Atapattu nearly hung around till the end of the innings, before Salma Khatun took her out in the first ball of the 49th over. Sri Lanka could only collect four runs from the 11 remaining balls as they fell short of the 200-mark.Bangaldesh used seven bowlers, six of whom were among the wickets. Khatun was the pick of the lot, striking thrice and giving away just 18 runs in nine overs.Bangladesh began poorly in the chase, with Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoka Ranaweera reducing them to 25 for 3 in the eighth over. Nigar Sultana (24) and Shaila Sharmin (21) made contributions, but a double strike from Inoshi Priyadharshani in the 15th over hurt Bangladesh and they finished well short of the target.Rain affected proceedings at the Colombo Cricket Ground too where South Africa Women came out on top by 36 runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method against Ireland Women. South Africa’s win was set up by a strong bowling performance that helped them bowl out Ireland for 166 in 49.5 overs. South Africa were 82 for 1 in 21 overs in their reply when rain stopped play. South Africa needed to be 47 for 1 at that stage, and with play never resuming, they emerged comfortable winners and secured second spot in the Super Six table.All seven of the bowlers used by South Africa chipped in with wickets as Ireland’s innings never got going. Cecilia Joyce struck 29 at the top of the order. Isobel Joyce and Gaby Lewis got off to starts with knocks of 30 and 21 respectively, but most of the rest largely failed to impress. That Ireland got to 166 was down to wicketkeeper Mary Waldron’s unbeaten 33 at No. 8, and her last-wicket partnership of 43 with Ciara Metcalfe, who contributed just 10.Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus and Dane van Niekerk took two wickets each for South Africa.Kim Garth snuffed out Lee for 14 in the third over, after which Laura Wolvaardt and Mignon du Preez got together for an unbroken second-wicket stand of 59. When the rain came down, Wolvaardt was unbeaten on 32 and du Preez was not out on 29.The four qualifying teams – India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan – will be joined by England, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies in the World Cup which begins in June in England.

سيتحرك نادي ريال مدريد بكل قوة ضد حكم مباراته الأخيرة، خيل مانزانو، بسبب الخطأ الذي حدث من جانبه في لقاء فالنسيا في بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

والتقى ريال مدريد وفالنسيا على ملعب الأخير “ميستايا” في إطار الجولة السابعة والعشرين من المسابقة المحلية وانتهت النتيجة بالتعادل 2-2.

ولكن عند صافرة النهاية حدثت حالة من الفوضى بسبب غضب لاعبي ريال مدريد من الحكام الذي أنهى المباراة، والكرة في اتجاهها إلى داخل الشباك.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب فالنسيا يدافع عن حكم مباراة ريال مدريد بعد أزمة ميستايا

كان مانزانو قد أنهى المباراة بالفعل قبل عرضية وصلت إلى بيلينجهام ووضعها في الشباك، لكن لم ينتبه اللاعبون لها وحدثت اعتراضات غاضبة من قبل بيلينجهام الذي تعرض للطرد.

حالة الغضب المسيطرة على ريال مدريد بالطبع شعرت بها الإدارة بقيادة، فلورنتينو بيريز، وقرروا تقديم شكوى ضد مانزانو أمام لجنة الحكام.

والهدف من تلك الشكوى أن يتم تجميد مانزانو لعدة أسابيع كدرس على الخطأ الذي ارتكبه في مباراة فالنسيا رغم اعتقاد الجميع أن الكرة الأخيرة هدفًا.

يرى ريال مدريد أن على مانزانو دفع ثمن خطأه بالإضافة إلى الاستئناف على قرار طرد، جود بيلينجهام، بسبب الاعتراض على الحكم بعد الصافرة لتفادي إيقافه.

Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be among the clubs interested in sealing a summer move for Fiorentina star, Sofyan Amrabat, according to reports in Spain.

What's the latest on Amrabat to Tottenham?

As per Mundo Deportivo (via Sports Witness), the Lilywhites – as well as German giants Bayern Munich – are said to have joined the race for the 26-year-old's signature, with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid also eyeing said to be eyeing a move.

The report suggests that the Morocco international 'will leave' the Serie A outfit this summer after three seasons in Florence, with the midfielder currently having just a year left to run on his existing deal.

That expiring contract has ensured that – according to the report – the Netherlands-born maestro could be available for as little as €20m (£17m), hence the growing list of high-profile suitors.

Should Tottenham sign Amrabat?

The north Londoners' apparent interest in the former Club Brugge ace comes amid reports that new boss Ange Postecoglou could be ready to move on midfield everpresent, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer, with The Sun claiming that the Danish destroyer is facing an 'uncertain' future at the club.

A further report from 90min has also suggested that the 27-year-old could be allowed to depart as he is not currently part of Postecoglou's thinking, despite having racked up 145 appearances in just three seasons at N17 since signing on a £15m deal from Southampton.

The Athletic's Charlie Eccleshare had suggested previously that Hojbjerg could be one of the potential casualties of the change in the dugout, with the respected insider stating that the one-time Bayern Munich man is not a 'natural fit for either the No 6 or No 8 role' under the ex-Celtic coach.

As Eccleshare also noted, Postecoglou likes to deploy more of a playmaking figure at the base of the midfield who 'can drop deep, collect the ball from the centre-backs and spray ambitious passes to the full-backs and wingers', with Hojbjerg arguably more of a ball-winning presence, as he ranks in the top 20% among his European peers for interceptions made.

The signing of Amrabat could prove to be the solution that the Greek-Aussie will be craving in that pivot role, with the 6 foot 1 ace possessing that ability to dictate play as he ranks in the top 8% for progressive passes and the top 5% for pass completion – with the current Spurs man ranking in just the top 21% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

Hailed as "criminally underrated" by journalist Muhammad Butt during the recent Europa Conference League meeting with West Ham United, the 48-cap rock showed his ability to 'spray' passes from deep in the build-up to his side's equaliser in that eventual showpiece defeat, having picked out teammate Nico Gonzalez with a delightful lofted pass, prior to Giacomo Bonaventura then duly dispatching the striker's knockdown.

Also described as a "monster" by journalist Carlo Garganese at the World Cup in Qatar, Amrabat would certainly be an astute addition for Postecoglou, particularly for that reported price of just £17m.

That signing would therefore mean that with Hojbjerg seemingly not the man for the job in that deep-lying role, the £100k-per-week must be ruthlessly shown the door.

Leeds United saw their three-year stint in the Premier League cut ruthlessly short on Sunday, as their 4-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur confirmed their relegation.

Wins elsewhere for Everton and Leicester City only exacerbated such failures, as they finished 19th to return to the Championship.

Having spent 16 years in the second division the last time they were demoted, the hope around Elland Road will be that they can avoid another lengthy absence and bounce back at the first time of asking.

To do that, it will require an almighty effort from the hierarchy to secure a new long-term manager and a host of new players to propel them there, amidst a potential takeover.

However, they might have some key assets who could spearhead such a charge, who are already in their squad and unlikely to leave this summer.

One such example is Darko Gyabi, who joined as a top-quality youngster from Manchester City just last summer. Despite the £5m expended, he was forced into the U21s for the majority of the campaign.

Having surely acclimatised to life at Elland Road now, next term could truly be his breakthrough one to announce himself as a star in Yorkshire.

How good is Darko Gyabi?

With all the physical assets to compete in such a taxing division, it is wholly possible that the 19-year-old could be the Championship's next top product.

After all, he has already shown himself to be at a level above his youth category, with journalist Joe Donnohue offering massive praise after one performance in particular back in March: "Darko Gyabi's performance tonight is the most complete midfield display by any LUFC player, at any level, (I've seen) this season. Passing, strength, presence, awareness, use of his body – class."

He continued by noting that he "plays with an attitude, dynamism & real vitality"; attributes that will be key to dominating midfield battles.

As such, he may already be ahead of a certain Weston McKennie, the American who endured a torrid time in Yorkshire after his half a season loan from Juventus back in January.

The midfielder did little to weave his way into the hearts of those at Elland Road during his six-month stint, as he travelled home to Turin this week with zero goals and just one assist to show for his efforts.

On the flip side, with Gyabi amassing five goal contributions from 17 Premier League 2 games, his offensive input cannot be understated alongside his other impressive attributes. This has culminated in just three senior appearances, which should be vastly expanded upon next season with more game time likely forthcoming.

Gyabi's work in the U20 World Cup serves to offer further proof as to just how remarkable he is for his age, as the teenage sensation has recorded a 7.07 average rating thus far, maintaining an 88% pass accuracy alongside, one interception, 2.7 tackles and 2.7 successful dribbles per game, via Sofascore.

This tough-tackling mindset blended with elegance on the ball makes him a technical marvel, who already stands at a whopping 6 foot 5 to only emphasise his stature as someone capable of making the step up.

He has everything needed to shine at senior level, and it could be argued that a run of games in the Premier League might have even been merited. But with huge changes set to occur this summer once McKennie and co depart, Gyabi should offer some clarity for the new boss, as a nailed-on starter for their new adventure in the Championship.

Match facts

Sunday, August 28, 2016
Start time 1430 local (0900 GMT)Tillakaratne Dilshan needs 158 or more in his final innings to finish among the top 10 ODI run-scorers of all time•AFP

Big Picture

Three days ago, there was no reason to expect that this third ODI would be particularly headline-grabbing – at least, not beyond Dambulla hosting day-night cricket for the first time in six years. Then, Tillakaratne Dilshan announced his impending retirement, Steven Smith flew home and handed Australia’s captaincy to David Warner, and, suddenly, there was more than your average amount of interest in the match. It will also be an important game in determining the outcome of the series – the winner will move 2-1 up with two to play.But for Sri Lankan fans, the attention will all be on Dilshan, the former captain, who is set to play his 330th and final one-day international. It will not be Dilshan’s last international appearance, for he is due to play in the T20s that follow this series, but it is the beginning of a farewell to a Sri Lankan favourite, and one of the last remaining international cricketers who made his debut in the 1990s.Much of the attention will also centre on Australia’s stand-in captain. The decision to fly Smith home to rest ahead of a busy upcoming schedule has been met with plenty of criticism. It does, though, provide an opportunity to test the leadership credentials of Warner, who has never captained Australia in any format. In fact, Warner’s only previous captaincy experience has come in Twenty20, so this is new for him on more than one level.

Form guide

Australia: LWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka: WLLLL

In the spotlight

At 39, Tillakaratne Dilshan has certainly been there and done that. And now, he’s doing it for the last time – in ODI cricket, at least. Barring a monumental knock of 158 or more in his final innings (which would see him overtake Brian Lara), Dilshan will bow out as ODI cricket’s 11th highest scorer of all time. His record against Australia might not be the strongest – he has averaged 26.33 against them in 43 ODIs – but this is one last chance to make a big score against the No.1 team in the world.David Warner will become the 23rd man to captain Australia in ODIs, and while he has never led a team in 50-over cricket, his record as a captain in Twenty20 cricket makes for remarkable reading. Warner has led teams in 34 T20s for 19 wins, but even more impressive is his personal figures as skipper: he averages 53.79 and has five scores of 90 and above. His most recent captaincy experience came in the 2016 IPL, where he led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the title and was second only to Virat Kohli on the tournament’s run charts. Australia’s powers that be will hope Warner continues to lead by example – at least, in terms of his run-making.

Team news

Sri Lanka have added 19-year-old right-arm pacer Lahiru Kumara for the remainder of the series, in place of allrounder Milinda Siriwardana. Like 18-year old batsman Avishka Fernando, who was named in the squad at the start of the series, Kumara has played no senior cricket at all. However, given their success in the previous match, there is every chance Sri Lanka will go in with an unchanged side.Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Kusal Perera, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Seekkuge Prasanna, 10 Dilruwan Perera, 11 Amila Aponso.Smith’s departure will force at least one change to the top order, with either Shaun Marsh or Usman Khawaja coming into the XI. The selectors might also be tempted to strengthen the attack after Australia’s combined “fifth bowler” – Moises Henriques and Travis Head – leaked runs at an alarming rate in the second game. Henriques has struggled for form on this tour, and dropping him would allow Head – who has one-day scores of 202 and 175 in the past year – to move into the top-six.Australia (possible) 1 David Warner (capt), 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh/Usman Khawaja, 4 George Bailey, 5 Matthew Wade (wk), 6 Travis Head, 7 James Faulkner, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan Lyon.

Pitch and conditions

Although pace bowlers have a strong record of wicket-taking in Dambulla, the Australians anticipate that the pitch will still offer plenty for the spinners.

Stats and trivia

• This will be the first day-night ODI in Dambulla since 2010, when the floodlights were deemed to be of inadequate strength. They have now been upgraded
• Australia have played only two matches – in any format – in Dambulla. Both were ODIs played in 2004. They won one and lost one
• The departure of Smith deprives Australia not only of their captain, but also of the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket worldwide over the past year

Quotes

“I think he deserves a break, whether or not it was during the series or before the series. It is going to be very, very tough with the scheduling these days to play all three forms and every single game possible.”

تأهل مانشستر يونايتد إلى دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، بالفوز 4-2 على نظيره نيوبورت كاونتي، ضمن منافسات الدور 32 من المسابقة الأقدم في إنجلترا.

تقدم مانشستر يونايتد في الربع ساعة الأولى عن طريق برونو فرنانديز في الدقيقة 7، قبل أن يعزز النتيجة كوبي ماينو في الدقيقة 13.

وقبل نهاية الشوط الأول، قلص الفارق براين موريس، قبل أن يسجل أصحاب الأرض الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 47 مع بداية الشوط الثاني، عن طريق ويل إيفانز ليعادل النتيجة.

طالع أيضًا.. تين هاج معلقًا على مستقبله مع مانشستر يونايتد: لا يمكنني الخوض في التفاصيل

سيطر مانشستر يونايتد على المباراة، وحاول كثيرًا ليجني ثمار محاولاته عن طريق أنتوني البرازيلي الذي يسجل الهدف الثالث للشياطين الحمر في الدقيقة 68.

وأجرى تين هاج العديد من التغييرات، بدخول ماكتوميناي والثنائي الشاب كامبوالا وفورسون، بدلًا من كاسيميرو ولوك شاو وأنتوني.

مع إقحام هاري ماجواير بدلًا من ليساندرو مارتينيز في الدقيقة 89، لينهي المباراة راسموس هويلاند بالهدف الرابع، ويقود مانشستر يونايتد لدور الـ16.

القرعة كانت أجريت في وقت سابق من هذا اليوم لدور الـ16 من كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، وأسفرت عن مواجهة مانشستر يونايتد للفائز من مواجهة بريستول سيتي ونوتينجهام فورست.

Wolverhampton Wanderers swooped to sign giant centre-forward Sasa Kalajdzic from German side Stuttgart last summer and the attacker has been restricted to one Premier League appearance this season.

The gem suffered a long-term knee injury on his debut and is currently projected to be out of action until June, having missed 37 matches in all competitions to date.

Julen Lopetegui should be looking forward to the 25-year-old's return next season as the Austrian international's form in Germany prior to arriving in England indicates that he has the potential to be an excellent player for the club.

Kalajdzic scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in 51 Bundesliga appearances for Stuttgart and this suggests that the striker has the quality to provide goal contributions on a regular basis at the top level.

However, the forward will need adequate service to find the back of the net and teammates with enough quality to finish off the chances that he creates.

Lopetegui could provide the Austrian with the partner of his dreams on the pitch by securing a summer deal to sign Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, who is reportedly a target for Wolves heading into the off-season.

How has Ansu Fati performed for Barcelona?

The £237k-per-week prodigy, who could command a fee in the region of €70m (£62m), has racked up 104 appearances for the Spanish giants before his 21st birthday and produced 26 goals and nine assists along the way.

Fati has scored 19 goals and provided four assists in 31 LaLiga starts for Barcelona in his career to date, whilst the dynamo has also shown promise in the Champions League with three goals and two assists in six starts in the competition since breaking into the first-team in 2019/20.

The 20-year-old, who was once lauded as a "generational" talent by Xavi, also ranks in the top 3% of players in his position for non-penalty xG per 90 in Europe's top five leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days.

This shows that the youngster has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and Kalajdzic, who had provided 11 assists at Stuttgart, could benefit from having a winger who is able to take up great positions in the box.

Fati has shown plenty of promise as a goalscorer and a creator in his limited starts for Barcelona in recent years and joining Wolves to become a regular starter could help the Spaniard to unlock his full potential out wide.

Kalajdzic and the seven-cap Spain international could, therefore, form a dream pairing at the top end of the pitch for Wolves with their respective quality in the final third, as both of them have the ability to score and assist goals at the top level if they can find their best form in England.

Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount can become a key player under Mauricio Pochettino if both end up crossing paths at Stamford Bridge, journalist Dean Jones has suggested.

What's the latest news involving Mason Mount and Mauricio Pochettino?

As per The Mirror, Chelsea caretaker boss Frank Lampard recently spoke to media over the future of Mount in a press conference, stating when asked if he'd played his last game for the club:

"I don’t know the answer to that, it’s a conversation between Mason and the club, so I don’t know. It’s not final at this point and we’ll have to see because those conversations are ongoing.

"It’s a shame for me personally because I think everyone knows how I feel about working with Mason and I like to think he feels the same about me, and we could have done with him in the games we’ve played already this season. But the bigger picture is something that’s going to become clearer in the next weeks and months, and that will be the club and Mason together having conversations."

The Evening Standard have revealed that the £80k-a-week ace has resumed contract talks with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly over extending his terms at the club, which are set to run out in the summer of 2024.

The report also states that the Blues have slapped a £70 million price tag on the Portsmouth-born man to ward off interest in his services from Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Manchester United.

Of course, there is a strong possibility that if Mount chooses to stay, he could find himself linking up with ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Pochettino, who is in 'advanced talks' to permanently succeed Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge, as per BBC Sport.

Writing in his column on GIVEMESPORT, Jones thinks that Mount is a player that would suit Pochettino's tactical methods down to the ground.

Jones suggested to GMS: "Of all the players Poch is set to inherit in the new job, perhaps none seem more likely to thrive under him than 24-year-old Mount. A typical Pochettino Premier League line-up could see Mount play an advanced role in a 4-2-3-1 formation and as the counter-pressing figure in that team his levels from past Chelsea seasons could quickly re-emerge."

How key could Mason Mount become under Mauricio Pochettino's stewardship?

Given that Pochettino does prefer to operate in a high-pressing system, there is real potential that Mount could be used as the linchpin to initiate pressure on opposition backlines in advanced areas of the pitch.

The Argentinian coach operated a similar structure to his side involving Christian Eriksen when he was at Tottenham, despite the Danish midfielder initially struggling to adapt to his role in the side, eventually leading him to become one of Spurs' key men in forcing turnovers during that period and gaining his team possession in dangerous offensive pockets.

In light of his inconsistent form this term, there will also be question marks over how to get Mount back to putting up impressive goal contribution numbers. In 2022/23, the England international has registered just three goals and six assists in 35 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

Compared to 2021/22, Mount lodged 13 goals and 16 assists in 53 outings, as per the same outlet, showing that there is some work to do in order to get him back to his best at Stamford Bridge.

FBRef show that Mount ranks in the top 1% of midfielders for touches in the attacking penalty area across Europe's top five divisions, managing to complete 3.97 per 90 minutes across the last 365 days at the time of writing, showing that Pochettino would have a lot to work with if he could convince the Cobham graduate to stay in west London beyond the summer.

It'll be an interesting few months ahead as we wait to find out what the future will hold for Mount come the start of next season.