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A seven-run win ended 18 years of hidings and draws; a generation of young New Zealand players and fans now know what it’s like to beat Australia, it can be done

Brydon Coverdale at the Bellerive Oval12-Dec-2011

New Zealand sides defeat Australia at rugby. Or netball. They don’t beat Australia in Test cricket. And they definitely don’t do it on Australian soil. At least, that was the way New Zealand were viewed until a quiet Monday afternoon in Hobart, when Doug Bracewell curled the ball through Australia’s middle and lower order. A seven-run win ended 18 years of hidings and draws.Before this day, New Zealand had only won in Australia when Richard Hadlee was at his peak. They hadn’t even managed it in New Zealand since March 1993. To put that in perspective, Bracewell, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult had not yet started school. The New Zealand captain who ended the drought, Ross Taylor, was eight years old.”When did we win?” Taylor said after the Hobart victory. “Oh, 1993. Can I remember it? Vaguely. Not well.”A generation of young New Zealand players and fans now know what it’s like to beat Australia. It can be done. And after Taylor’s team stayed with Australia for two days in the first Test in Brisbane, only to lose their way as the match wore on, he had one simple message for his men. Show some ticker and never give up. As a result, Taylor has the enviable record of two wins from three Tests in charge.”I’m not a very good speaker, as you can tell by now, but the only thing I try to instil in the players is fight and be proud in playing for your country,” Taylor said. “We didn’t show much fight in Brisbane but we showed a lot of guts and determination out there today. That was for the New Zealand public, an early Christmas present.”[I have] over 50 text messages on my phone – I think that’s pretty big. Rugby is our No.1 sport but any sport against Australia, winning in Australia, the New Zealand public enjoys. The New Zealand public knows that the New Zealand cricket team, when playing against Australia, is always the underdogs, but they don’t like it when we don’t show much fight. That’s what we didn’t do in Brisbane. We showed a lot of ticker today.”They needed it. On the second afternoon, when Taylor and Kane Williamson were batting with discipline, New Zealand deserved to be favourites. By the fourth morning, when David Warner was on his way to a century with a composed Usman Khawaja also in the middle, Australia were 119 runs from victory with nine wickets in hand.”We believed in ourselves, that we could win this match,” Taylor said. “We knew we had to fight. We knew we had to play a lot better than we did in Brisbane. We talked a lot about the way we bowled in Zimbabwe [during the Bulawayo Test] in the last session; about just fighting, taking our catches and bowling in the right areas, and we’ll get reward. That’s what happened.”Not that it was smooth sailing, even when Bracewell and Tim Southee started to torment the Australian batsmen with hooping swing. With 42 runs still required, Warner was joined by the No. 11, Nathan Lyon, and the pair nearly steered Australia home.New Zealand thought they had won when Lyon was given out lbw but Australia’s review indicated the ball had pitched outside the leg stump, even though the right-armer Southee was coming over the wicket. To the naked eye, it was hard to believe the Eagle-Eye verdict, as the ball appeared to strike Lyon in line. It nearly cost New Zealand the game.”It’s a G-rated programme isn’t it?” Taylor said when asked about how he felt at the time of the reviews. “There were a lot of things going through my mind. There must be something wrong with my eyes. For me personally, some of them which I thought were not out were out and vice-versa. But at the end of the day, we won the match. The emotions going through? My goal was to show a calmness, but inside I was churning.”They fought the whole way. We would have won by 40 runs out there against some teams. But the way Lyon and Warner played, I nearly had a heart attack. Warner was outstanding. To come in in only his second match and control the game the way he did … we’ll be on the wrong side of a few hidings so I can’t feel too sorry for him, but he deserves a lot of credit for the way he batted.”As it turned out, Warner was Man of the Match, ahead of the more deserving Bracewell. The award was voted for by the Australian public, watching the telecast. But it’s the New Zealand public who will have the last laugh. For the first time in a generation, they can celebrate a Test victory over Australia.

MatériaMais Notícias

O técnico Gernot Rohr fez diversos elogios à primeira adversária da Nigéria na Copa do Mundo. Ele disse nesta quarta-feira que a Croácia tem valores individuais melhores do que a equipe africana, mas fez um aviso:

– Nós admiramos o time deles, mas não viemos aqui para assisti-los jogar. Vamos lutar. Eles têm jogadores maravilhosos, que estão em grandes equipes da Europa. No papel, nos nomes, a Croácia é muito melhor que nós. Em campo, pode ser diferente. Não temos grandes estrelas, mas vamos jogar coletivamente – declarou o sincero alemão de 64 anos, que comandou treino em Yessentuki pela manhã (madrugada no Brasil).

O primeiro treinamento dos nigerianos em solo russo, na terça-feira, terminou com uma preocupação: o lateral-direito Tyronne Ebuehi precisou deixar a atividade mais cedo com um sangramento no nariz. Nesta quarta, porém, o treinador disse que o defensor não preocupa.

O jogo entre Nigéria e Croácia será no sábado, às 16h (de Brasília), em Kaliningrado.

RelacionadasCopa do MundoCroácia se prepara para a estreia e tenta espantar ‘sombra’ de 1998Copa do Mundo13/06/2018Copa do MundoAdeus à seleção depois da Rússia? Messi diz que só pensa no títuloCopa do Mundo13/06/2018Copa do MundoArgentina quase pronta para estrear: Sampaoli repete time em treinoCopa do Mundo13/06/2018

MatériaMais Notícias

O Goiás anunciou no fim da tarde desta terça-feira a contratação do zagueiro Victor Ramos. O jogador, de 29 anos, tem passagem por Palmeiras, Vitória e Chapecoense, fechou por uma temporada com o Esmeraldino.

Victor Ramos reforçará a zaga comandada por Ney Franco, que é a segunda pior vazada na temporada, com 14 gols sofridos. Junto ao atleta,Eduardo Brock, David Duarte, Edcarlos, Raphael Silva eFábio Sanches, machucado, têm a missão de arrumar a casa.

O zagueiro esteve na Chapecoense, em 2017. Nesta temporada, o atleta ainda não disputou jogos oficiais. Fora do Brasil, Victor já passou pelo futebol da Bélgica (Standard Liège) e do México (Monterrey).

RelacionadasCruzeiroTorcedor ajuda Sassá a ‘encher o tanque’ e ganha camisas do CruzeiroCruzeiro29/05/2018Botafogo‘Valentim não comentou sobre rodar ou poupar o elenco’, comenta MoisésBotafogo29/05/2018Atlético MineiroElias disputa com Gustavo Blanco vaga no time titularAtlético Mineiro29/05/2018

Com passagens por grandes clubes do Brasil, o zagueiro Victor Ramos assinou com o Verdão para o restante da temporada. Ramos tem 29 anos. HONRE O MANTO! #GoiásEC pic.twitter.com/BefgiBrCaN

— Goiás Esporte Clube (@goiasoficial) 29 de maio de 2018

Pakistan overcame a blistering spell from Ravi Rampaul and some late panic against the impressive Devendra Bishoo to secure the series against West Indies with a three-wicket victory in Barbados.

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan28-Apr-2011
ScorecardMisbah-ul-Haq showed his composure as he guided Pakistan to victory•AFP

Pakistan overcame a blistering spell from Ravi Rampaul and some late panic against the impressive Devendra Bishoo to secure the series against West Indies with a three-wicket victory in Barbados. The hosts had collapsed feebly once again, but Pakistan were jolted by Rampaul’s four strikes and needed the calm head of Misbah-ul-Haq, who remained cool as Bishoo threatened to turn the game again.It became a more compelling contest than looked likely during another insipid batting display from West Indies. Then Pakistan again appeared to be cruising at 127 for 4 after a composed stand between Misbah and Hammad Azam. However, Bishoo benefited from some poor umpiring and hot-headed strokes to leave them needing 24 when Wahab Riaz joined Misbah, but there were eventually 29 balls to spare as Wahab launched two sixes in four deliveries to hurry a conclusion.Misbah was roundly criticised for Pakistan’s World Cup semi-final exit against India when his poorly-paced innings proved costly, but in this series he has provided vital ballast in an inexperienced order. Without him here, Pakistan would have lost. This was his third unbeaten score to secure a run chase – although he could have been stumped on 20 if part-time keeper Lendl Simmons had gloved the ball – and showed a technique, and composure, that was lacking among some of his team-mates.Despite the early clatter of wickets the required rate was never an issue for Pakistan, which allowed Misbah to bed in and weather the tough passages while Rampaul was in action. This tour started on the slow, low pitch in St Lucia, where the ball barely got above knee height, but this Kensington Oval surface had far more pace and carry for the quick bowlers who were willing to bend their backs.Ahmed Shehzad, fresh from his hundred three days ago, tried to pull Rampaul’s first delivery and top-edged to a back-tracking Simmons and next delivery Asad Shafiq edged to second slip; suddenly the West Indian fans started to find their voice. Mohammad Hafeez was the next to fall to another top-edged pull, which was well taken by Bishoo, running towards deep square-leg, to leave the visitors 12 for 3.Misbah’s natural game is always to cut out risk and bat time; for Umar Akmal it is the opposite and he took the aggressive route. He struck five boundaries in a 27-ball stay before being undone by a wonderful delivery that bounced and shaved the glove as he tried to sway out of the line.Ravi Rampaul’s four wickets gave West Indies a chance but they didn’t have enough runs•AFP

However, from there West Indies couldn’t force another breakthrough as Misbah continued to be a steadying presence. Azam, in his first ODI innings, showed composure and pulled a free hit from Andre Russell for six. He also did well to leave the crease so swiftly after Asoka de Silva failed to spot a huge inside edge when he gave an lbw decision in Bishoo’s favour – there is no DRS in this series.Shahid Afridi’s batting has disintegrated and, after two boundaries, it was predictable when he attempted a slog over midwicket. Mohammad Salman then showed his inexperience by not running hard when he thought the ball would reach the boundary and was bowled by a flipper that he shouldn’t have been facing. Fortunately for Salman it didn’t cost the match.But while West Indies showed spirit in the field their innings followed a depressingly familiar pattern as they lost 8 for 53 after Simmons and Darren Bravo had formed a solid platform with an 86-run stand. Once they were separated, the innings almost came to a stand-still and soon fell in a heap amid a mixture of prods, pokes and hopeless slogs.Marlon Samuels, who is struggling to adjust back to international cricket, was again culpable in the loss of momentum as he took 35 balls over his 18, while Kirk Edwards laboured until being run out by a direct hit from backward point. Aside from Simmons, and to a lesser extent Darren Bravo, there is precious little confidence in West Indies’ line up and it showed as the innings faded away with Wahab taking two in three balls.Devon Smith’s horror trot against Hafeez’s offspin had continued when he was trapped lbw first ball, the third time in a row he had fallen in such fashion. After reaching fifty from 61 balls Simmons had time to double his score, but drove a fraction too early and offered a low chance to Saeed Ajmal who took it well in his follow through.The onus was on Darren Bravo not to follow a similar path of giving away a useful innings, however, having struggled to increase the tempo, he then played across a full ball from Hafeez as the stall kicked in. Any hopes of pushing past 200 vanished in the space of three balls from Wahab as he had both Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo caught at long on. A little bit of sensible batting and this could have been West Indies’ match.

It took Surrey six games last season to record their first Championship victory. When Northamptonshire slid to 163 for 7 on the second day at The Oval, Surrey looked on the way to winning at the first attempt this time round but Andrew Hall and James Midd

Sahil Dutta at the Oval09-Apr-2011Stumps
Scorecard
It took Surrey six games to record their first Championship victory last season. When Northamptonshire slid to 163 for 7 on the second day at The Oval, Surrey looked on the way to winning at the first attempt this time round but Andrew Hall and James Middlebrook fought back with an unbroken 120-run stand to leave the game intriguingly poised.After the first day rattled along, proceedings were more meandering on another heady afternoon of London sunshine. The patience on show from both sides was in stark contrast to the flamboyance of Surrey’s batsmen but Tim Linley’s four wickets and Northamptonshire’s eighth-wicket pair demonstrated all the merits that dour discipline can still have.Linley found the perfect rhythm early on with his unflashy wicket-to-wicket medium-pace, barely venturing from back-of-a-length on off stump, to ensure Surrey might yet come away with a first-innings lead.It was his morning spell that set the tone. Nine splice-jarring overs for 11 runs and the key scalp of Steven Peters, pinned on the crease lbw for 19. Though Yasir Arafat was below his best Stuart Meaker provided useful support and – but for overstepping – would have had Rob White, who eventually top-scored with 78, out for a duck. A ball that nipped back on a lowish-surface struck White plush in front only for the no-ball to be signalled. Having grimly resisted all morning, Mal Loye suddenly ran down on at Gareth Batty on the stroke of lunch, only for a quicker ball to slide past him onto middle stump.After lunch, White made use of his no-ball reprieve by picking off the few loose offerings and when he swung an Arafat half-tracker over deep square to bring up his half-century Northamptonshire were looking comfortable. Linley then returned, this time from the Vauxhall End, with another nip-backer which, thanks to Alex Wakely’s generous leave, uprooted off stump.That sparked a mini-collapse as Northamptonshire lost three further wickets for six runs in 15 balls. First Meaker found David Sales’ edge, to make it four ducks in five Championship innings against Surrey, then Niall O’Brien squeezed a full, wide Linley delivery low to Steve Davies to fall for a duck. O’Brien felt he had jammed into the ground though and was disgusted with the decision.Chaminda Vaas fell soon after, missing an ill-advised and ambitious sweep to give Batty a second wicket and leave Northants wobbling at 163 for 7.It needed captain Hall to shore his side up. Together with Middlebrook he scrapped in the lengthening shadows and made use of a tiring attack. Hall and his Surrey counterpart, Rory Hamilton-Brown, could hardly appear more contrasting but his rugged, sensible 55 not out was every bit as crucial to Northamptonshire’s innings as Hamilton-Brown’s polished 74 was to Surrey’s.Middlebrook, ending the day unbeaten on 49, was equally accomplished and the pair batted through the entire evening session to surpass Rob Bailey and Paul Taylor’s Northamptonshire record for the highest eighth-wicket stand against Surrey. With the pitch dusting anything around 300 will be difficult to chase on the final day which leaves the game resting on Surrey’s inconsistent batsmen on day three.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could also join the race to sign a £354,000-per-week star amid the plethora of transfer rumours in recent days, according to reports.

The Lowdown: City set to be busy?

Coming after the Sky Blues’ heart-breaking defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, an arguably undeserved loss when taking into account their performances over the two legs, City could be set for a busy few months.

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Guardiola is now tasked with re-grouping his side and gearing them up for a crunch Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday as they continue to chase the title.

Following on from this season, an entertaining summer transfer window should lie in store, with City reliably believed to have already secured a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

They’re not finished there though as Guardiola and Etihad Stadium officials allegedly cast their eye on a new midfield signing after the Norwegian.

Fernandinho’s summer exit from Eastlands will prompt City chiefs to hunt for his replacement with West Ham star Declan Rice and, shockingly, Man United outcast Paul Pogba on their radar.

The Latest: Guardiola could join de Jong race…

Now, according to what has been collected by Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan, a supremely reliable source for City news, Guardiola could also ‘reignite interest’ in Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.

This comes after the former Ajax sensation was ‘close to the Etihad Stadium’ in 2019 with his family even viewing houses in the North West.

After de Jong eventually decided on a move to Barca, it is believed Guardiola could try to tempt him to Eastlands again this year.

The Verdict: No-brainer…

The £354,000-per-week star comes as a real no-brainer in terms of quality.

According to WhoScored, only forward Memphis Depay has matched de Jong in terms of La Liga Man of the Match awards for Barcelona over 2021/2022.

The Netherlands international has also played the fourth-most minutes in Spain’s top flight under Xavi, coming as a real untouchable in their first team alongside Catalan veterans Sergio Busquets, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique (WhoScored).

Averaging the same pass accuracy as City mainstay and defensive midfield star Rodri (91.4%), de Jong would come as the perfect like-for-like alternative to Guardiola’s figurehead.

Lauded as ‘phenomenal’ by former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, we believe he is a far more credible potential signing than the likes of Pogba.

In other news: Man City take pre-summer steps to sign ‘absolutely unplayable’ forward alongside Haaland! Find out more here.

Nathan McCullum’s terrific spell, in which he took 4 for 16, derailed Pakistan after the visitors had made a fiery start in pursuit of the target of 185

The Bulletin by Andrew Fernando at Seddon Park28-Dec-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Martin Guptill gave New Zealand an aggressive start to the second Twenty20•Getty ImagesNew Zealand performances have often been noted for being greater than the sum of their parts, and all the parts were on display at Seddon Park, where the hosts sealed the series with a dominant all-round display. Martin Guptill, James Franklin, Scott Styris and Ross Taylor all contributed with the bat, but Peter McGlashan stole the show with a 10-ball 26 that featured some scintillating stroke play. Nathan McCullum then produced a tight spell to asphyxiate the Pakistan chase, with support from Luke Woodcock, and he finished with 4 for 16. Kyle Mills, Tim Southee and Ian Butler were also among the wickets as Pakistan fell 39 runs short of New Zealand’s 185.Pakistan were in no mood to wait as Mohammad Hafeez lofted Franklin over cover for four off the first ball of the innings before hitting him over square leg two balls later – this time for six. Kyle Mills was welcomed into the attack with two sixes, but took the wicket of Shahid Afridi as the batsman made room, only to watch his middle stump cartwheel after missing a slower full toss.Hafeez wasn’t about to ease up, though, finding boundaries with regularity and scampering between the wickets with Ahmed Shehzad, as they stayed in touch with the required-rate with. They rode their luck too: Ross Taylor dropped a sitter off Hafeez on 44, and aerial mis-hits found their way into vacant areas more than once.Shehzad was dismissed attempting an ambitious inside-out wallop, as Styris ran around the extra-cover boundary to complete a running catch, and when Hafeez and Younis Khan were dismissed soon after, Pakistan looked poised for a trademark capitulation.But it was the choke, not the collapse, that did for Pakistan as New Zealand applied the squeeze through McCullum and Woodcock. Umar Akmal’s slog over midwicket in the 13th over, an oddity in an otherwise docile period replete with singles and dot-balls as the asking-rate rose steadily. The strangle brought wickets for the hosts, as Asad Shafiq perished attempting to hit out, and the pressure was increased when Abdul Razzaq departed for 14. Umar Gul attempted to launch his first delivery off McCullum over the longest boundary of the ground, but was caught on the line. Akmal was left to perform a miracle with the tail, the required run-rate already tipping 20 and three wickets remaining.Tim Southee almost had two hat-tricks in two games as Akmal and Riaz were dismissed off consecutive deliveries in the final over, but the game was long over by that stage.New Zealand’s strong total was set up by Guptill, who had lost none of his form and panache from his innings in the first Twenty20. He set about taking apart the Pakistan attack following the early loss of Jesse Ryder. Guptill pulled, glanced, drove and slogged for 44, building a 91-run partnership for the second wicket with James Franklin, who made 39 after being promoted to No. 3. Afridi brought on the spinners to apply the brakes and the move paid dividends momentarily, as wickets fell at regular intervals. His wayward seamers, however, could not stem the flow of runs for extended periods of time. Scott Styris exploited Gul to swipe his way to a 14-ball 34, and Taylor once again provided stability in the middle. But it was Peter McGlashan’s dazzling cameo that took New Zealand from a good total to an excellent one as Gul’s third over was dispatched for plenty.Twice McGlashan swept over fine leg, dragging balls from well outside off stump and manipulating the wrists to get the desired elevation and direction, before Afridi was forced to make the field change. Putting a fine leg out meant bringing the third man in, and McGlashan was quick to adapt. A drive past cover brought up the third consecutive four, but the next two deliveries were met by two jaw-dropping reverse pulls, both of which sailed over the ropes to complete a stunning five-ball burst in which 24 runs were plundered. Taylor took control after McGlashan’s departure and ensured that New Zealand finished strongly.

Johan Botha, who will take over as Twenty20 captain from Graeme Smith, is not taking Zimbabwe lightly

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2010

South Africa’s Twenty20 game against Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein marks the start of the international cricket season in the country and captain Johan Botha, who will take over as Twenty20 leader from Graeme Smith, is not taking his opponents lightly. Friday’s contest will be the first Twenty20 fixture between the two teams. Zimbabwe have won just three of their 12 Twenty20 internationals thus far, the biggest scalp being the victory against Australia in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007.”We’re definitely taking Zimbabwe seriously. It’s officially the start of our summer and this is no warm-up game,” Botha said on the eve of the match. “They’re an international side and have beaten some big teams in the past, so we’ll still have to play pretty well.”When teams are regarded as underdogs, they are dangerous. If one guy gets 80 off 50 balls or if one of their bowlers takes three or four wickets, it puts us under pressure.”Botha has led South Africa in eight ODIs and five Twenty20 internationals. Graeme Smith’s decision to step down from Twenty20 captaincy in August paved the way for Botha to assume the role on a full-time basis, and both will feature in Friday’s contest. “Graeme obviously has a lot of experience and it’s nice to have someone like that in your team,” Botha said. “If things get tough, he’s always available for me, so as far as I’m concerned it’s a good thing he didn’t just stop and go away.”As captain, I’ll just try to be myself, do things on the field as I see it and hopefully make the right decisions. In T20 cricket, you want to stay one step ahead, so that’s what I’ll try and do.”The teams play two Twenty20 internationals and three ODIs in the series.

نشر الحساب الرسمي لنادي اتحاد جدة توقعات نجوم العالمي للفريق المتوج بلقب كأس العالم 2022 في قطر.

وتوقع هارون كمارا مهاجم العميد فوز منتخب هولندا باللقب، بينما رجح أحمد بامسعود وأحمد شراحيلي بجانب الثلاثي البرازيلي رومارينيو دا سيلفا وبرونو هنريكي ومارسيلو جروهي تتويج منتخب السيليساو البرازيلي بالبطولة.

ويرى هيلدر كوستا لاعب الاتحاد أن رفاق كريستيانو رونالدو هما أبرز المرشحين للتويج باللقب.

اقرأ أيضًا | مدرب منتخب السعودية يثير غضب جماهير اتحاد جدة قبل كأس العالم 2022

ويتواجد منتخب السعودية في كأس العالم 2022 في المجموعة الثالثة التي تضم منتخبات الأرجنتين والمكسيك وبولندا، وذلك في البطولة التي تنطلق خلال الفترة من 20 نوفمبر حتى 18 ديسمبر المُقبل.

مباراة الأرجنتين والسعودية في بداية مشوار الأخضر في كأس العالم 2022، تقام على ملعب لوسيل يوم الثلاثاء 22 نوفمبر في الواحدة ظهرًا بتوقيت السعودية، الثانية عشر ظهرًا بتوقيت مصر، ضمن مباريات المجموعة الثالثة.

ويلعب منتخب السعودية أمام بولندا في الجولة الثانية يوم 26 نوفمبر في الرابعة عصرًا بتوقيت السعودية، الثالثة عصرًا بتوقيت مصر ثم المكسيك يوم 30 نوفمبر في العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت السعودية، التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر. ترشيحات نجوم اتحاد جدة لبطل كأس العالم 2022

المونديال بتوقعات المونديالية 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/75kSgaG7mq

— نادي الاتحاد السعودي (@ittihad) November 17, 2022

Jesse Marsch should attempt to lure Sergino Dest from Barcelona to Leeds United, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

The lowdown

In the words of ESPN senior writer Tom Hamilton, the 48-year-old has become ‘the most successful American coach in Europe’ and a ‘pioneer’ for his country.

He led Red Bull Salzburg to two league titles and two Austrian cups before earning a move to RB Leipzig, who were Champions League semi-finalists in 2020. The former New York Red Bulls coach is now taking on the Premier League with Leeds, having succeeded Marcelo Bielsa at the end of February.

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Leeds are reportedly looking at 21-year-old Dest, with 17 caps for the United States, in addition to compatriot Brenden Aaronson, and the Whites believe that the former would be an ‘excellent addition’.

He is represented by ICM Stellar Sports, whose clients also include Elland Road duo Patrick Bamford and Dan James.

The latest

Jones told GiveMeSport that Leeds face some pretty daunting competition for Dest, who made a ‘dream’ move to Barcelona in 2020, but he thinks that Marsch may be able to exert some pulling power.

The journalist claimed: “Sergino Dest has much bigger clubs interested in him right now. He’s got huge ambition and doesn’t even want to leave Barcelona because it was his dream move.

“But if Jesse Marsch has got any pull over him, then he should give it a go.”

The verdict

Dest started 10 of Barcelona’s first 11 La Liga matches this season, but since Xavi took over in November, the American has only been named in five starting line-ups. Injury problems have played a part, but his place looks considerably less secure than it did under Ronald Koeman.

If Marsch could tempt the £16.2m-rated wide man and Leeds could make an offer to Barcelona’s satisfaction, then there would be cause for celebration at Elland Road.

Dest, who can operate in both full-back positions and as a winger, was Ajax’s Talent of the Year in 2020 and also featured in the IFFHS Under-20 Team of the Year alongside the likes of Alphonso Davies, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Ansu Fati, so his potential is huge.

Indeed, Barcelona team-mate Dani Alves declared that ‘he has everything to be one of football’s greats’, so if Marsch does have any sway over possibly enticing the 21-year-old to Leeds, he absolutely must utilise it.

In other news, this Leeds man could leave the club after Marsch spoke to him about his behaviour.