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Tottenham Hotspur are eyeing a move for Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz and their chase for USA international Tyler Adams as a "replacement" could open the door.

Who will Spurs sign?

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, youngster Ashley Phillips, defender Micky van de Ven, playmaker James Maddison, winger Manor Solomon and striker Alejo Veliz have all officially joined Spurs this summer.

The north Londoners, lead by new manager Ange Postecoglou, are in full preparation for the new campaign, which begins this Sunday with a trip away to Brentford.

Despite having signed six players already this summer, the likes of Veliz and Phillips will be more players for the future, so it's imperative Tottenham continue to strengthen.

The deadline is weeks away, but Postecoglou is fairly confident his side can add another new defender to their ranks before September 1.

The Australian says it's entirely possible Spurs sign an elite centre-back after van de Ven, but admits it will largely depending on outgoings.

"We've to see what happens with outgoings," said Postecoglou.

"But, the potential is there to bring in one more centre back after van de Ven."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Meanwhile, Spurs could look to reinforce their midfield options as well, according to reports, with star midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's move to Atletico Madrid still very much on.

The club have looked at Chelsea's Conor Gallagher as one of the options, with Villa's Luiz now seemingly coming as another.

That's according to Football Insider and journalist Pete O'Rourke, who say Spurs are keen on signing the Brazilian, and Villa's pursuit of Adams from Leeds as a "replacement" could open the door for Tottenham.

Luiz would make way for Adams at Villa Park, if a deal can be completed for the American. So, the former Man City star's potential move to Spurs could be one to watch over these next few weeks.

How good is Douglas Luiz?

The 25-year-old, according to WhoScored, stood out as one of Unai Emery's key players in the top flight last season.

Indeed, Luiz racked up six goals and six assists in the league, all while ranking among Villa's top two best-performers by average match rating.

He made 37 appearances in that time, again ranking among Villa's best-performers in terms of tackles made and successful interceptions per 90.

There is little question he could do solid job under Postecoglou at Tottenham, especially considering his abilities to contribute further forwards.

Former Villa forward Gabriel Agbonlahor, speaking to Football Insider on Marvelous Nakamba's injury return in 2022, revered Luiz for the "outstanding" job he did in his stead.

“Yes, it will be a boost,” said Agbonlahor on Nakamba's return, going on to comment on Luiz.

“But the last two games Douglas Luiz has been very good. He’s flying forward and getting into the box. He’s been outstanding and transformed.

“When there’s competition for places that means everybody’s performances go up. It will definitely be very good to get Nakamba back in the side. He looks like he will be back very soon so that’s good news.”

City boss Pep Guardiola is also an admirer of Luiz, having called him a "strong" player.

Sussex fought back after Derbyshire’s openers had put on a century stand to restrict their visitors to 338 for 9

ECB Reporters Network12-Sep-2017Sussex fought back after Derbyshire’s openers had put on a century stand to restrict their visitors to 338 for 9 on the first day of their crucial Specsavers County Championship game.Playing at Hove for the first time in the Championship since June 5, Sussex put Derbyshire in then saw them reach 227 for 3 at tea.But the visitors lost six wickets in the final session with no one bettering the 51 made by Luis Reece and Billy Godleman. It later emerged that Godleman had suffered a probable broken hand after being by a beamer from Stuart Whittingham and his season is likely over.Sussex, needing to win to keep the pressure on Worcestershire in the battle for the second promotion place in Division Two, bowled disappointingly with the new ball.Reese and Ben Slater had Derbyshire’s 100 up in the 25th over as only Ollie Robinson bowled with the necessary control until left-armer George Garton, who has played more first-class games for England Lions than his county this season, picked up wickets in successive overs in his first Championship appearance of the summer.Shortly after passing 50 for the sixth time this season Reese, who had hit seven fours, was lbw playing no shot to one that nipped back then Slater mis-timed upper cut to third man when Garton dropped short.Wayne Madsen fell in similar fashion to Reese to give David Wiese the first of his four wickets but Derbyshire recovered nicely in a stand of 87 in 22 overs between Godleman and Alex Hughes for the fourth wicket.Godleman passed 7000 first-class runs on 42 and went to his sixth fifty of the summer off the first ball after tea before he fell in the next over, caught behind off Garton, having hit six fours.”I got hit by an accidental beamer from Stuart Whittingham and it looks as if I have broken my hand,” Godleman said. “I’ll know more in the next 24 hours when I see a specialist but it looks as if my season is over which is obviously frustrating.”Ben Brown, the Sussex captain, said: “I know Billy quite well and it’s a real shame for him. Stuart went in afterwards to apologise, it was just one of those unfortunate things.”His departure sparked a collapse with Wiese picking up two smart return catches to dismiss Matt Critchley and later Will Davis, a diving effort to intercept a full-blooded drive.Stiaan van Zyl ended a promising innings by Alex Hughes on 46 when he was superbly caught at fly slip by Luke Wells. The South African medium-pacer was given the new ball in a surprise move but it paid off as Hardus Viljoen padded up to a straight one.Harry Podmore was Wiese’s fourth victim off a thin edge to Brown but wicketkeeper Harvey Hosein frustrated Sussex’s efforts to wrap up the innings with an unbeaten 38 as he and 16-year-old off-spinner Hamidullah Qadri added an unbeaten 21 for the last wicket.

Tottenham Hotspur have "burst into the bidding" to sign Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie and they could hijack Serie A giants Juventus, according to reports.

Who will Spurs sign?

Alongside the possible addition of a central defender or two, which is rumoured to be a major priority for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, the north Londoners could also sign a new midfielder.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who has been a regular at Tottenham since he joined from Southampton in 2020, is realistically heading towards the exit door as Atletico Madrid push to sign him.

The La Liga side recently had a bid rejected for Hojbjerg, according to The Times (via SB Nation), but it is believed there is still confidence a deal can be struck for the Dane.

If he departs N17, Spurs will apparently scour the market for a replacement, leading to links with the likes of Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and, of course, Kessie.

The Ivorian, who only joined Barca last summer as a free agent last summer from AC Milan, has struggled for consistent starting places and there is a strong belief Xavi could let him go.

Tottenham are one of the sides to have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old who was once a San Siro star, and journalist Jordi Battle has an update on the matter.

The reporter, writing for Mundo Deportivo, claims Spurs have "burst into the bidding" for Kessie despite Italian giants Juve also making a push.

Massimiliano Allegri's side have made a proposal to the African to join them on loan with an option to buy, but Tottenham could hijack them as they storm into the race.

This comes as Barca apparently work to release Kessie this summer.

What's been said about Franck Kessie?

The former Milan star has been praised by sections of the media, including former Spurs keeper Paul Robinson, who once called Kessie an "amazing player" when commentong on his previous links to Tottenham.

"Kessie would fit the bill," said Robinson to Football Insider.

"He is strong, quick and effective at both ends of the pitch. He ticks a lot of boxes.

“There is no doubting that he is an amazing player. The question is, would he come in and command a starting spot? Hojbjerg and Bentancur have done extremely well. [Yves] Bissouma has struggled to get a look in at times.

“Would Kessie upset that midfield? Maybe but I don’t think it’s a certainty. It’s really important that Spurs sign better than what they already have."

Former Italy striker Antonio Cassano, meanwhile, showered with Kessie praise during his arguable peak years so far at Milan – even comparing the player to Man City legend and former Spurs coach Yaya Toure.

“I want Kessie in my team, he scores, he assists, he has personality," said Cassano.

"He has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he is intelligent. I’m watching him carefully, against Roma he was devastating.

“He reminds me of the Yaya Touré of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact. He is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”

Everton are still in pole position to sign Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto ahead of Napoli and need around £20m to sign the Italy international.

Are Everton signing Wilfried Gnonto?

The Toffees and Sean Dyche appear to be on the search for attacking reinforcements after making a head start on their summer business.

Ashley Young was the first to sign for the club ahead of Dyche’s first full season in charge, arriving on a free transfer, whereas Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma has put pen to paper on a season-long loan deal.

Gnonto has been one of a number of attackers who have been linked with a move to Merseyside, and reports earlier this month claimed that Everton actually have had an opening £15m offer turned down by Leeds. However, it looks as if the club only need to increase their initial bid by 33% in order to get a deal over the line.

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke provided an update he's heard regarding Gnonto on Wednesday morning. He stated that despite interest from Serie A champions Napoli, Everton are still leading the way to sign the forward due to the Italian side needing to raise money before they can make a move in what is a boost for Dyche and the Toffees.

An offer in the region of £20m should be enough for the Whites to accept, as the Championship side would be making a profit after spending just £4m on the forward just last summer.

Dyche believes Gnonto could be a key player for the upcoming campaign due to his versatility across the front line.

Where does Wilfried Gnonto play?

Gnonto is just 19 years of age, but he has already made over 100 senior appearances at club level, while also representing his country on 12 occasions. He has made 10 or more appearances as an attacking midfielder, right-winger, left-winger and second striker, proving that he would offer a versatile option going forward.

The youngster has caught the eye in England as well, with Gary Neville waxing lyrical over Gnonto during a Premier League match against Aston Villa earlier this year.

“To see someone so mature, so young is very unusual in that position. Sometimes you see potential and talent but watching him so closely, his understanding of where to be, his choice of pass, when to run with it, his awareness of teammates, really good honestly.”

Meanwhile, Leeds coach Michael Skubala hailed Gnonto as a "special player" and football talent scout Jacek Kulig said he is a player who has "electric pace, stature, low centre of gravity, mobility, bravery and a powerful finish".

You’d like to think that Gnonto will only improve with age as well, but despite still being a teenager, he’d arrive with a fair amount of experience. It looks as if a move could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks, and Everton may want to act fast before Napoli have the time to get the funds together to make a move of their own.

With tours by New Zealand and Zimbabwe A postponed, the board hopes the functioning of the High Performance unit will bridge the gap between the levels of cricket in Bangladesh

Mohammad Isam11-Aug-2017Training camps and tours for the High Performance unit are ensuring that Bangladesh’s fringe players stay fit in the absence of A-team cricket. Bangladesh A have been made to wait for cricket after visits from New Zealand and Zimbabwe A were postponed last month but Akram Khan, BCB’s cricket operations chairman, has said that Ireland A are likely to tour later this year.Currently, the senior men’s team are preparing for the series against Australia, while the HP unit is being run under new head coach Simon Helmot. The Under-19 squad have also begun training for the 2018 World Cup in New Zealand. The Bangladesh A team, however, have not played a series since the tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa in October 2015.Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has also highlighted the importance of A-team cricket for the country.”Since we haven’t been able to keep the Bangladesh A team active, we have instead ensured that our HP unit has been training properly and touring too,” Akram said. “They have toured Australia last month and will go to England next month to play against county second XIs. We were in talks with New Zealand and Zimbabwe for A team tours but they aren’t coming. Ireland A are supposed to come later this year.”The current HP squad includes eight international players. But some of the country’s top domestic performers over the last three seasons — Shahriar Nafees, Nasir Hossain, Tushar Imran – have been waiting for a higher standard of cricket to strengthen their push for spots in the senior team.Among the ten uncapped players who were in the Bangladesh A team during tours to India, Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2015, five have made their international debuts including Mossadek Hossain, Nurul Hasan and Kamrul Islam Rabbi. Players like Mustafizur Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Mosaddek and Taskin Ahmed have also made the senior side without much representative cricket after playing at the age-group level.Despite plenty performing players in domestic cricket, the selectors aim to pick those with the technical and mental ability to tackle the higher levels in the A side. In the previous two years in Bangladesh though, there has been a substantial gap.

Wolverhampton Wanderers may have been handed a boost in their pursuit for Fluminense midfielder Andre, according to new reports.

Julen Lopetegui is expected to bolster the middle of the park at Molineux after the departures of first-team regulars Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho this summer.

What’s the latest on Andre to Wolves?

Earlier this week, Brazilian outlet Bolavip (as relayed by Sport Witness) named Wolves as a side in the fight for Andre.

The report placed a £35m price tag on the 22-year-old gem, who is also wanted by Fulham and Liverpool.

An updated report via Record (via Sport Witness again), mentioned Sporting CP’s interest, claiming that the Portuguese side are less confident on the transfer due to the player’s desire to play in a top league.

As told by the report, Andre is believed to have told his agent Carlos Leite that he ‘now’ wants a move to a division like the Premier League, making Wolves’ claim stronger.

How good is Andre?

Once branded as a “top-class” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, the Brazilian machine has impressed in his home country in the Serie A for Fluminense.

The youngster showcased his innate strengths in the engine room, providing a strong outlet for a pass in the midfield as well as being strong in his defensive duties.

Such attributes have seen him dubbed “the orchestrator” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, making him a positive acquisition for Wolves to chase, should their finances allow it.

The high praise received by the midfielder is supported by his numbers obtained in the Brazilian Serie A in 2023, showcasing just how much of a valuable addition he could be to any of the sides interested in his services.

As per FBref, the Fluminense general averaged an impeccable pass completion rate of 93.2%, completing an average of 70.68 passes per 90 for his side to highlight his assured and keen presence in possession.

With an eye for progressive play, the 22-year-old averaged an impressive 5.53 progressive passes and 6.31 passes into the final third per 90, suggesting the impact he could have if integrated at Wolves.

Current defensive midfielder Mario Lemina was captured by Lopetegui in January from Nice and was immediately given a key role in the midfield, making 19 appearances in the Premier League following his arrival.

While the Gabon international is a reliable figure at Molineux, the 29-year-old could see his place in the side threatened by Andre, who at seven years young, could be the ideal heir to the former Fulham man.

Averaging 2.63 tackles and 0.93 interceptions per 90 for the Old Gold, Lemina could be usurped by the Brazilian, who mirrored the defensive averages of the Wolves man, with an average of 2.10 tackles and 1.56 interceptions per 90 in Brazil.

The 22-year-old could exert a more rounded talent to the midfield in Wolverhampton, with the Gabonese ace being way behind in terms of providing an outlet as strong as Andre.

Recording an average of 2.15 passes into the final third and 2.91 progressive passes per 90 in the Premier League last season, Lemina’s place in the starting XI could be tarnished should Lopetegui capture the Fluminense powerhouse, who is the perfect example of an engine room all-rounder and one that could thrive under Lopetegui.

The Sri Lanka captain said his team expected the pitch to be good for batting from before the game began, and wanted it to be so, but failed to execute their plans

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Galle29-Jul-20173:15

Maharoof: SL selectors need to make serious decisions

Sri Lanka had specifically ordered the unusual batting-friendly Galle deck, on which India achieved their biggest ever victory in terms of runs. Rangana Herath did not reveal why such a request should be made when facing a team who have an outstanding top order. Instead, he laid the blame on his team’s execution of what he felt was a good strategy.Where India made 840 runs at a run rate better than 4.5 an over across the match, losing only 13 wickets in the process, Sri Lanka mustered just 536. They were without Asela Gunaratne in both innings, however.”I think we made this pitch because we had a plan,” Herath said. “I said before the match that it will be a track that’s good for batting. We should take the main responsibility for the nature of the pitch. We didn’t bat or bowl well on it. We shouldn’t blame anyone else. We have to resolve our own issues.”Chief among those issues, Herath felt, was the batting. Three India batsmen made hundreds in the match, including two – Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara – who passed 150. Sri Lanka’s top score, meanwhile, was Dimuth Karunaratne’s 97. Dilruwan Perera also hit 92 not out in the first innings.”A few of our batsmen got close to three figures and got out, but the Indian batsmen not only got their hundreds, they went further. That was a big difference too in the game, and an area that we have to work on.”Herath also felt Sri Lanka gave a poor account of themselves with the ball. This was the first time since March 2013 that Sri Lanka conceded 600 runs or more in an innings – the last occasion having been against Bangladesh in a high-scoring draw in 2013. They have since given away 524 for 5 in New Zealand and 575 for 9 in England, but have generally been more penetrative at home.”We are a better team than this,” Herath said. “We really are. I felt that it was after a long time that a team scored 600 runs against us. We should have bowled better.”Sri Lanka’s worst bowling in the match perhaps came on the first day, when Shikhar Dhawan hit 190 off 168 balls. Only Herath maintained an economy rate of below four in the first innings.”At that point, we had a few plans for Shikhar Dhawan, but we failed to execute them,” Herath said. “For example, we allowed him too much width. In the first session of the match itself the game started slipping away from us. We bounced back well but he had by then got off to a terrific start.”Unusually for a Galle track, the quicks outperformed the spinners on what is traditionally one of the most spin-friendly tracks in the world. Of the 31 wickets to fall in this match 16 fell to seam bowlers – 10 of those breakthroughs shared between the two Sri Lanka quicks. This was the first occasion since 2014 in which fast bowlers were more successful at the venue. And where the track typically begins to offer drastic turn on days four and five, this pitch had remained relatively good for batting throughout.”I thought that on the fourth or fifth day there would be something for the spinners,” Herath said. “But there wasn’t as much help for the spinners as I expected at those late stages.”The seamer-friendly conditions allowed Nuwan Pradeep to become the first Sri Lanka bowler to claim a six-wicket haul at home since Chaminda Vaas, in 2005. His 6 for 132 in the first innings was also a personal best for Pradeep, who had never previously taken five wickets in an innings.”I think it was after a long time a fast bowler has taken a five-wicket haul in Galle,” Herath said. “There’s so much pressure on spinners when we play in Sri Lanka, and Pradeep bowling so well and taking so many wickets will be a huge plus point for us moving forward. He was outstanding in this game and his effort was fantastic. That was one of the positives.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the second Test between England and South Africa at Trent Bridge

The Preview by Alan Gardner13-Jul-2017Match FactsJuly 14-18, 2017
Start time 11am local (1000 GMT)Big PictureAs far as Test captaincy debuts go, it’s fair to say Joe Root got off to a flyer. An important toss won, a statement innings provided (with a little luck along the way), and an emphatic victory secured. Things may never seem this easy again.South Africa will certainly looking to make the challenge a little tougher, now that they have their permanent captain back at the helm. Faf du Plessis is the sort of player who sprinkles hard knocks over his cereals in the morning and will be out to inspire a reaction from his wounded side; South Africa have not lost a Test series in England in almost 20 years and the battle to preserve that record will now intensify.The wounds are mostly figurative, although Kagiso Rabada has absented himself from the second Test after a salty outburst at Lord’s led to him accumulating a fourth demerit point. South Africa’s problems in defeat were largely of the batting (and catching) variety, however, which has led to JP Duminy being dropped for what may be the final time.England, meanwhile, have only good options to mull over. Moeen Ali claimed his first Test ten-wicket haul but will happily play the second spinner’s fiddle, while Root will look for more from Mark Wood and Ben Stokes on a ground where both played a key role with the ball when England regained the Ashes in 2015.Wood knows England have the likes of Chris Woakes and Jake Ball returning to fitness, which will put his place under pressure later in the series. But for now, England have settled quickly under their new captain and it is South Africa who need to summon a response.Joe Root enjoyed a dream start in his first Test as captain•Getty ImagesForm guideEngland WLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa LDWDWIn the spotlightGary Ballance received words of praise from captain and coach for stubborn innings of 20 and 34 on his latest comeback. The latter was particularly valuable in retrospect, as he and Alastair Cook pushed England into a much stronger position than was immediately apparent on the third evening, before the clatter of wickets the following day. But it will only be hundreds and (to an extent) fifties that determine how long Ballance remains in the team. The fact Morne Morkel dismissed him twice bowling round the wicket at Lord’s ensures he will be tested there again.He is only one match into his Test career but already Heino Kuhn will be acquainted with the gauntlet of life in South Africa’s top order. Kuhn faced 42 balls for two single-figure scores at Lord’s, undone by a perfect Stuart Broad delivery in the first innings and perhaps a little unlucky to edge James Anderson down the leg side second time out. He came into this series in good form, having made two centuries (including 200 not out) on the South Africa A tour of England, but will want to spend longer in the middle in Nottingham to start feeling comfortable about life as a Test opener.Team newsHaving stuck with the same 12-man squad, England named an unchanged team – meaning Toby Roland-Jones continues to wait for a Test debut. With Moeen Ali now considered a “batsman who bowls a bit” and Liam Dawson in the side as the main spinner, they appear a balanced side.England 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Keaton Jennings, 3 Gary Ballance, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Liam Dawson, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James AndersonThe suspension of Rabada and dropping of Duminy, as well as du Plessis’ return, means South Africa have some rejigging to do. Duanne Olivier has been confirmed as Rabada’s replacement but they still have a decision to make over whether to stick with Theunis de Bruyn or bring in Chris Morris to further strengthen the bowling.South Africa (probable) 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Heino Kuhn, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Faf du Plessis (capt), 5 Temba Bavuma, 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Chris Morris, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Duanne Olivier, 11 Morne MorkelPitch and conditionsThe pitch being used is the same as that for the 2015 Ashes. Yes, Broad’s 8 for 15 and all that. Trent Bridge usually aids swings and seam, which might actually be to South Africa’s liking after a surprise trial by spin at Lord’s. The forecast is generally clear throughout the Test, although temperatures may be on the cooler side.Stats and trivia South Africa last played a Test at Trent Bridge in 2003, when they lost to a James Kirtley-inspired England. The 1998 match on the ground is best remembered for Allan Donald’s duel with Mike Atherton as England levelled the series. Alastair Cook is 45 runs behind Allan Border, who lies ninth on the Test run-scorer list. Hashim Amla needs just eight more runs to become the third South African to 8000 in Tests.Quotes”I’m still desperate to make an impact with runs and get another win out of the lads. They performed brilliantly last week and it’s important we keep that hunger and really drive forward as a team and keep improving as a side.”
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Crystal Palace could be in for a busy few weeks ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign as they are potentially forced to seek a replacement for in-demand Marc Guehi.

The Eagles are interested in signing Torino's Perr Schuurs, according to the Evening Standard, and journalist Dean Jones believes he could be the perfect player to replace Guehi at Selhurst Park.

What is the latest with Marc Guehi?

Football Insider reports that Liverpool are ready to battle it out with Premier League rivals Newcastle United for Guehi, who is valued in the region of around £60m by Palace.

That fee would allow Roy Hodgson's side to bring in a high-quality replacement, and Jones is not surprised Schuurs is wanted by so many of Europe's elite clubs.

Speaking to FootballFanCast, the reporter said:

"If Guehi was to leave, and they got the money in for him that they want, they'll have to scout around quickly to find a talent as good – and Schuurs is a big talent.

"He's got a great ability to read the game, so no surprise at all that he's been on the radar of the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool – he has a profile that fits those sides well."

Schuurs is under contract with Torino for another three years, with the option of another, meaning the Serie A side are under no real pressure to cash in unless their reported €40m (£34.2m) valuation is met.

How good is Torino defender Perr Schuurs?

Schuurs joined Torino from Ajax last August and played 30 times in 2022-23 for a side boasting the fifth-best defensive record in the Italian top flight.

The Netherlands U21 international rated particularly highly in metrics such as possession won and aerial duels won, with The Analyst ranking him in the top 7% and 23% respectively among defenders across Europe's top five leagues.

For comparison, Guehi – eight months younger than Schuurs at 22 – was among the top 10% for possession won and in the bottom 45% for aerial duels won.

The youngster's strengths do not necessarily lie in winning the ball in the air, but he was also outperformed by Schuurs in terms of defensive actions – tackles, interceptions and blocks – as he was in the bottom 19 percentile and the latter in the bottom 37.

That is not to say Guehi is necessarily a worse player than Schuurs – his huge valuation says as much – but the Dutchman appears a more-than-adequate option to come in for half the price.

Indeed, Schuurs also came out on top last season in areas such as passing accuracy (88.1% v 85.3%), take-on success rate (71.4% v 66.7%) and direct goal involvement (0.08 goals or assists per 90, compared to 0.03 for Guehi), which is always a handy bonus for a centre-back.

In an ideal world, Palace would have Schuurs and Guehi lining up alongside each other in one of the most talented partnerships in Europe next season. But if the former Ajax player is instead bought solely as a replacement, then he would be close to the ideal successor for the Eagles.

Ben Coad’s joyous season came up Roses as he demolished Lancashire at Headingley with career-best figures

Paul Edwards at Headingley02-Jun-2017
ScorecardThe first day of the Roses match began late, ended early and saw 216 runs scored, most of which had to be chiselled like flakes of granite from the rock face of the Yorkshire attack. A few followers of county cricket may view such a rate of progress in 69.2 overs as suggestive of slightly turgid cricket; yet to those schooled in the tempo and ethos of these encounters, such stately progress is familiar and almost reassuring. And for Ben Coad the afternoon’s play could scarcely have been more exciting, for it saw him pick up a career-best 6 for 25, thus setting a seal on an early season which has been overflowing with delights.Bowling from the Football Stand End, Coad removed the heart of Lancashire’s batting in a seven-over spell during which he took 4 for 16, at one stage taking three wickets in seven balls. When he had Stephen Parry, Lancashire’s joint top-scorer with 30, caught by Adam Lyth to end the innings, he joined Hampshire’s Kyle Abbott as the leading wicket-taker in Division One with 29 victims. No one has taken more than his 32 wickets in all first-class cricket this season.Coad is a remarkable young talent; he effervesces with slightly abashed enthusiasm and there are Test cricketers in this Yorkshire side who should yield their places to him should Andrew Gale and Gary Ballance ever have a full-strength squad from which to select.Coad is 6ft 3ins and still willowy; he has achieved his success by bowling a yard quicker than he managed last season and so straight that he rather deserved the leg side strangle to Andy Hodd that caused the dismissal of Dane Vilas. Much more typical of his virtues was the ball that nipped away yet caught the edge of Haseeb Hameed’s bat when the opener had laboured to good purpose for an hour over nine runs. Equally incisive was the lifting delivery on off stump which took the edge of Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s bat and gave a comfortable catch to Peter Handscomb at fourth slip.He nipped one back off the pitch to have Steven Croft leg before on 16 and later returned from the Kirkstall Lane End to lull Tom Bailey into chipping a catch to midwicket before that final dismissal of Parry was the prelude to as warm a standing ovation for a young cricketer as Headingley has seen in its recent summers of glory.”We couldn’t have asked for anything more today and I think that’s the best I’ve bowled this season,” said Coad. “Obviously the pitch has benefited me massively and the overhead conditions helped me out but I’m very happy with that. It’s a great feeling to be bowling as I am at the moment and I do know there are times when it’s going to be tough, so I’m just loving cricket at the minute.”Ben Coad rocked Lancashire with four wickets in 18 balls•Getty ImagesAnd Yorkshire supporters in their turn are warm in their appreciation of Coad, no one more so than the county’s former president, Dickie Bird, who said yesterday that he would select him for next month’s first Test against South Africa. That Bird should express such a view is hardly astonishing; he would also have Ballance in Joe Root’s eleven, yet those who might mock his partisanship should not overlook his passion, his loyalty, his service. And after all, who was selecting Haseeb Hameed for the tour of India at this time last year?For Lancashire’s cricketers this was a desperately disappointing day. Parry and Ryan McLaren offered as much stern resistance as they could manage but McLaren eventually became Ryan Sidebottom’s third victim, the left-arm seamer having confirmed his return to full efficacy by removing Alex Davies and Luke Procter with successive deliveries in the seventh over of the day.Yet as Lancashire’s innings disintegrated before them, travelling supporters may have been wondering why their captain had chosen to bat when Yorkshire officials had been insisting all week that there would be “a bit in the pitch”. Perhaps coach Glen Chapple and captain Steven Croft were relying on the 12th axiom of Harry Makepeace to the effect that when a Yorkshireman says one thing about a Roses wicket, it’s a good idea to believe the opposite. If so, they were grievously in error and should have trusted the evidence of their eyes, not least the cloud cover and the moisture left in the atmosphere after the rain which had wiped out the morning’s cricket.Yorkshire’s pursuit of Lancashire’s poor total lasted 25.4 overs before rain returned. In that time Alex Lees batted very skittishly to make five and Handscomb played some lovely strokes before an ugly cut edged a catch to Davies off Procter. Lancashire had to be happy with such scraps of consolation, just as Hameed had to be content with the calmness and composure he showed in batting an hour against the Yorkshire’s pack of slavering seamers.Immense comfort settles on an opening batsman when he lets the ball go and ponders the energy expended by the panting bowler. Hameed reconnected with his strengths on the first day of this game, albeit in an innings of only nine runs. All the same, his innings in the Rajkot and Mohali Tests must seem distant memories for him just as this season is still fresh as paint for the immensely likeable Coad.The day’s cricket ended with Adam Lyth, another opener, making 40 not out, his best first-class score of the season, and some Lancashire supporters doubting whether the game would last beyond Sunday. They were not prophesying an away victory