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Former Leeds United man David Norris believes that Paulo Gazzaniga would be a fine signing for the club if they were searching for a back-up to Illan Meslier.

Gazzaniga is set to leave Tottenham Hotspur upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the month.

He spent the second half of the season on loan at La Liga club Elche, playing eight times in the Spanish top-flight and keeping two clean sheets.

The Argentine has been with Spurs since 2017 but is set to end a four-year association with the club at the end of the month.

In total, the former Southampton ‘keeper made 37 appearances for Spurs, regularly deputising for Hugo Lloris whenever the Frenchman was injured.

He was undoubtedly the number two in the squad behind the Spurs captain, and Norris believes he could well be a fine signing for Leeds if they are in the market for a goalkeeper.

Indeed, Kiko Casilla is likely to leave the club this summer after falling out of favour under manager Marcelo Bielsa, and bringing Gazzaniga in would add depth in Meslier’s position.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “It’s always interesting with keepers because you’re either a number one or you accept that you’re a number two.

“You don’t really go, ‘I’ve done my number two, I want to be a number one now’, and they only want to be a number one. Number two keepers seem to understand that. They are the number two keeper and not many teams will have two number ones, because they’ll have two keepers that want to play all the time, it’s not going to work.

“So it depends on if he’s happy to come from being a number two at Spurs to being a number two at Leeds or whether he’s looking now to move and play somewhere and be a number one.

“Spurs, Leeds, two massive clubs, if you’re number two at Spurs and then number two at Leeds, it’s a sideways move, it’s not a drop down.”

Kent County Cricket Club completed the Second XI double when it won the Second XI Trophy today against Hampshire CCC at the Rose Bowl by five wickets

ECB Media Release10-Sep-2002Kent County Cricket Club completed the Second XI double when it won the Second XI Trophy today against Hampshire CCC at the Rose Bowl by five wickets. The win followed its victory in the Second XI Championship last week.Chasing a Hampshire total of 238 all out, opening batsman James Tredwell scored a match-winning 111 to help Kent to victory with just two balls remaining of their 50 overs.The victory capped a highly successful season in which Kent won six out of its 10 Second XI Championship games and therefore finished with a higher ‘points per game’ average than any other team (13.70).Derbyshire are confirmed as finishing second place in the Championship (points average: 13.25), with Glamorgan in third (points average: 12.55)

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts insists that the club should have signed Ruben Dias instead of Joe Rodon and Steven Bergwijn.

Spurs paid £11m to sign Rodon from Swansea City last summer, though that fee could rise to £15m if certain bonuses and add-ons are triggered.

In January of 2020, Spurs paid £27m to secure Bergwijn’s signature from PSV Eindhoven to bolster their attacking options.

Roberts believes that the defence needs to be improved in north London and he feels there was a missed opportunity to sign Dias.

Indeed, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Dias was close to joining Spurs, having agreed personal terms with the club, but he eventually moved to Manchester City instead.

City paid £65m to bring him into the club, while Nicolas Otamendi moved the other way to Benfica, but Roberts feels the money spent on both Rodon and Bergwijn should have been put towards securing Dias’ signature.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “We buy youngsters with potential. Joe Rodon, alright he plays for Wales, he does okay for Wales, he played for Swansea, but in the games I’ve seen him here, he’s at a massive club now, and he looks a bit nervous.

“Maybe in two or three years’ time, he’ll be a good player. For 11 million quid. But you’d have had Ruben Dias for 65 million.

“So if you haven’t bought Bergwijn and Rodon, you’d have got Dias and you’ve got the finished article.”

SYDNEY, Oct 7 AAP – NSW look certain to be without Australia A paceman Stuart Clark when it start its ING Cup cricket defence next weekend.

Adrian Warren07-Oct-2002SYDNEY, Oct 7 AAP – NSW look certain to be without Australia A paceman Stuart Clark when it start its ING Cup cricket defence next weekend.The right arm fast bowler tore ankle ligaments in his left ankle in the latter stages of Australia A’s recent limited overs tour of South Africa.Clark was the Blues’ most consistently economical one day bowler last season conceeding just 3.65 an over.Arguably the most improved cricketer in Australia last summer, 27-year-old Clark is also likely to miss the Blues’ opening Pura Cup match against Queensland starting in Brisbane on October 16.His place in the one day team could go to all-rounder Grant Lambert who took five wickets for NSW against Tasmania in a second XI match last week.The only other forced change to the Blues team which beat Queensland in last season’s final in Brisbane will involve prize new recruit Simon Katich.Left handed batsman Katich, who has moved from Western Australia, blasted nine sixers in an innings of 177 in a club game for Randwick-Petersham on Saturday.When the NSW team for Sunday is announced tomorrow, 27-year-old Katich should fill the vacancy left by another left hander Mark Higgs, who has moved to South Australia.Higgs and Clark apart, the NSW selectors are likely to stick with the remainder of the team which beat the Bulls in last season’s final.However, international leg spinner Stuart MacGill who was the competition’s leading wicket taker last season but was unavailable for the final, should be available despite sitting out last weekend with a hand injury.Several NSW players displayed good form in round two of Sydney grade which finished today.Red hot batsman Matthew Phelps followed up centuries in the first club round and the second XI game with 136 for Manly against Penrith today.Australian limited overs star Michael Bevan made 38 while another of Manly’s NSW representatives Shawn Bradstreet scored an unbeaten 60.Corey Richards followed up twin centuries in the second XI match with 112 for Bankstown against University of New South Wales while Michael Clarke scored 78 for Western Suburbs against Sydney University.Shane Lee, who is likely to captain the Blues in the absence of Steve Waugh made just seven for Mosman against Randwick-Petersham.Michael Slater was unlikely to force his way back into the NSW one day line-up after being dismissed for four playing for University of NSW against Bankstown.The NSW side announced tomorrow will play a practice match on Wednesday against a team made up of other squad members and the half dozen New Zealanders who are currently playing club cricket in Sydney.

The directors of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), gave a Master Plan which outlined how the WICB will manage the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies their approval over the weekend.

Derrick Nicholas12-Nov-2002The directors of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), gave a Master Plan which outlined how the WICB will manage the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies their approval over the weekend.President of the WICB, Rev. Wes Hall, indicated that the directors’ approval of the Master Plan now makes the way clear for the regional cricket authority to embark on the work that is needed to make the event very successful.”This is greatest event that these our countries together have ever attempted to host and, therefore, we will need to do a lot of negotiations and find people with business acumen and continue to work with governments and territorial boards to make the 2007 World Cup a success,” Rev. Hall told a news conference on Monday.”Chris Dehring, managing director of 2007 Windies World Cup, has spent a considerable amount of time in close contact with all event managers and people who have staged very large events like the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup, as well as the previous cricket World Cups to gather all the information we will need to be able to manage this event successfully.”Meanwhile, West Indies will be encamped from January 14 through to their departure on January 28 next year for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya.Rev. Hall indicated that the camp that will focus on fitness and fielding in the first week and cricket strategy and tactics for the remaining days. The WICB had hoped to stage the camp in South Africa, but were not able to do so.”The South African authorities have decided that none of the teams will be able to play there in the weeks prior to the World Cup,” Rev. Hall said.”As a consequence, we are looking for West Indian islands that would give us the kind of pitches that our team may encounter in South Africa, and it’s too expensive to go to Perth in Australia, but we are looking at Anguilla and/or Antigua. We are hoping to allow our team to arrive in South Africa as early as possible to get acclimatised.”West Indies face South Africa in the opening match of the 2003 World Cup on February 9 at Newlands and Rev. Hall expects the side will greatly benefit from a number of specialised coaching sessions with former West Indies players during the camp.The West Indies were World Cup champion in 1975 and 1979, and reached the final in 1983 before being beaten by India.

Ange Postecoglou wants Celtic to put their move for Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy on hold, according to Give Me Sport.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s long-standing interest

The Hoops have been keeping tabs on the central midfielder for some time after first being credited with an interest way back in November ahead of a possible pre-contract agreement.

However, as we know, a New Year deal never materialised, although reports in May suggested that Celtic were set to sign McCarthy this summer.

Postecoglou was announced as Neil Lennon’s successor earlier this month, but it seems as if he isn’t so keen on a deal for the Republic of Ireland international who Roy Hodgson labelled ‘class’ last year.

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The Latest: McCarthy latest

Give Me Sport shared a transfer story on Tuesday, claiming Postecoglou wants the Hoops to move for Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy ahead of McCarthy.

A deal for McCarthy was at an advanced stage, but Postecoglou wants to prioritise a move for Mooy over the Palace man.

The report adds that a deal for McCarthy remains tentatively in place.

The Verdict: Mooy or McCarthy?

Should Postecoglou prefer Mooy over McCarthy, then Celtic should listen to their new manager’s demands and pursue a deal for the former Brighton midfielder.

Both players have experience in the Premier League and are 30 years of age, but if Postecoglou wants Mooy, then the Hoops should certainly explore a deal after talk over a Hoops approach for the player emerged recently.

One stumbling block could be Mooy’s salary, as he is on £3m-a-year in China, but Celtic can at least give it a go and could then seal a deal for McCarthy if a move for Mooy isn’t financially possible.

In other news: Hoops considering move for Manchester City man, find out more here. 

Steven Gerrard has been handed a significant boost at Ibrox this week as Rangers star Ianis Hagi has been left out of Romania’s squad for the Olympic Games this summer, which should mean that the winger is available for the start of the new club season.

Rangers were reportedly set to prevent their player from representing his country at the Olympics in Tokyo this summer due to the clash with the Champions League qualifiers.

Whilst Gerrard’s side had no obligation to allow Hagi to leave, there was perhaps a worry among some Ger fans that it would cause a dispute between the 22-year-old and the club at a time when he is attracting interest from abroad.

The likes of Lazio and Sevilla are said to be interested in the former Genk man, who impressed in his first full season as a Rangers player, winning the club’s 2020/21 Young Player of the Season award for his performances.

However, fortunately for Gerrard, Hagi has now been left out of Mirel Radoi’s Romania squad, which should hopefully bring an end to any dispute between Rangers and the winger as he should now be fully focused on the season ahead at Ibrox.

The Gers kick off their Premiership title defence with a game against Livingston on 31 July, whilst their first pre-season friendly sees them take on Partick Thistle on Monday evening, so it is good news for Gerrard that Hagi will be available for selection.

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Last season saw the winger contribute an impressive eight goals and 15 assists in all competitions for the Light Blues, so his creativity will surely be key for Rangers next season if they are to retain the Premiership title and challenge in the Champions League.

Gerrard is certainly a big fan of the youngster, as he sang his praises in the 2019/20 season during his initial loan spell at Ibrox, saying: “Ianis is an outstanding talent and that stage was made for him.”

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Therefore, it is a huge boost that the Romanian will now be available for Rangers rather than travelling to Tokyo for the Olympics, and Gers fans will be hoping to see him carry over his form from last season into the new campaign.

In other news… Gerrard could be set for huge Rangers boost with “immense” Ibrox “mountain”

With the second Test match in Adelaide now into its second day, Somerset Chief Peter Anderson has once again spoken out in support of English county cricket in response to comments made by one of the games leading commentators

SOMERSET21-Nov-2002With the second Test match in Adelaide now into its second day, Somerset Chief Peter Anderson has once again spoken out in support of English county cricket in response to comments made by one of the games leading commentators.At the County Ground in Taunton this morning the Somerset boss said: "Bob Willis has once again taken a side swipe at County Cricket declaring that squealing would eminate from the first class counties if they had to provide an `A’ team to play against the tourists."Mr Anderson continued: " The decibels from the counties would be nothing compared to those that would have come from him if when he was a player he had had to play in such a match. He had no love for the county game when he was a player and definitely has no love for it now that he is a commentator."The Somerset chief went on: "The way forward for England is to improve that standard of play in county cricket and this is hard achieve when the leading England players are not available. This is why the counties opted for two overseas players, a move that of course he did not approve of."He concluded: "We who run first class cricket have to live in the real world. He lives in a fantasy world and is accountable to nobody."

The double-winning league champions of 1998 and 1999, Hungerford, were the main casualties of Southern Electric Premier League’s accreditation process, which found the Berkshire club guilty of the non-provision of colts cricket at their club

Richard Isaacs03-Dec-2002The double-winning league champions of 1998 and 1999, Hungerford, were the main casualties of Southern Electric Premier League’s accreditation process, which found the Berkshire club guilty of the non-provision of colts cricket at their club.At the leagues’ recent Annual General Meeting at the Rose Bowl in Southampton last month, the double winners were demoted, along with Winchester KS, to Division Three for their continued non-compliance of this vital accreditation ruling.They have taken their punishment, but relegated duo Rowledge and Trojans are appealing against their relegations, as they feel they should be allowed to stay in the division. However, it is under the rules of the league that the next two sides from Division Three, namely Gosport Borough and Hursley Park, replace those demoted, should their own accreditation status allow.Hursley Park certainly does, but Gosport Borough’s pitch has been the subject of same debate in the past but it’s improvement over the most recent seasons may allow them to step up with a Silver-Bronze marking.Confirmed though was Hampshire Academy’s position in the ECB Premier Division One with Burridge switching in the other direction. Southsea’s accreditation looks to be sound enough and they will join up alongside South Wilts II, replacing Redlynch & Hale and Hartley Wintney in Division Three.The fixtures for the forthcoming season have been delayed pending the appeal decision, and will appear on the site as soon as they are available.It was the only major bone of contention at an otherwise subdued meeting, but their was bad news of league chairman Alan Bundy, who has been in intensive care for nearly two months since returning with a virus from his holiday in Tenerife.`Bunders’ is making slow progress at present as the doctors keep him under close scrutiny at Southampton General Hospital. The league and all its members wish him well in his swift recovery.

Dean Windass reckons there’s almost no chance Reece James swaps Chelsea for Manchester City this summer.

Having been given his opportunity in the Blues first-team by Frank Lampard, the right-back has established himself as not only the club’s first-choice but has made his mark at international level.

James has made just one appearance for England at the European Championship, but according to The Athletic, is on Pep Guardiola’s wish-list.

City already have one of the most complete right-backs in the Premier League in Kyle Walker, whilst Joao Cancelo can play in several positions, including at full-back.

Valued at £40m by Transfermarket, the 21-year-old turned out 47 times in all competitions for Chelsea, scoring once, a stunner on the opening-day at Brighton, whilst chipping in with five assists.

James’ final club appearance of the campaign was the Champions League final against City at the end of May, but Windass exclusively told Football FanCast that the Chelsea academy graduate won’t be swapping shades of blue this window:

“I think eventually, but Kyle Walker is like a train, he has a couple of mistakes in him, but going forward he is incredible.

“I can’t see Reece leaving, I can’t see that happening just yet.”