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Former Tottenham Hotspur captain Graham Roberts believes that Harry Kane should be the club’s skipper and claims that having the armband would have stopped the prospect of him asking to leave.

Sky Sports have reported that Kane has asked to leave the club this summer amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United and Manchester City have both been touted with an interest, as have Chelsea.

It remains to be seen, though, if he will leave the club this summer, as any deal to sign him would be hugely expensive because he has three years remaining on his current contract.

Roberts, who lifted the UEFA Cup as captain of Spurs back in the 1980s, believes that Kane should have the armband permanently instead of Hugo Lloris.

And he believes that if he were, he would not have any inclination to push for a move away from the north London club.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Roberts said: “Make him captain next year. He’s captain of England, alright we’ve got Hugo, who’s captain of France, but Harry Kane is captain of England.

“You play in England, so why is he not captain of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club? He’s a homegrown lad, he deserves to be the captain.

“If he’d have been captain now, I don’t think anything would have been said because it’s very hard for a captain to ask for a transfer.”

Shoaib Akhtar was ruled out of further participation in the first Test against New Zealand after twisting his ankle on Thursday evening while bowling at express pace

Special Representative04-May-2002Shoaib Akhtar was ruled out of further participation in the first Test against New Zealand after twisting his ankle on Thursday evening while bowling at express pace. But he was cleared to play in the second Test starting at Karachi Wednesday.Shoaib bowled only eight balls Friday and took successive wickets of Brooke Walker and Chris Martin with trademark yorkers. But didn’t come out to field when New Zealand began their second innings after being forced to follow on.The pace bowler was taken to a local hospital for precautionary X-ray which were clear much to the delight of the player and the team.”I twisted my ankle when I fell on my follow through on Thursday evening. It is swollen and I am using ice,” Shoaib said. “But there is nothing serious to worry about and I will be available for the second Test,” he added. By failing to take the field in the second innings, Shoaib missed an opportunity to attempt his first Test hat trick.

Wolves legend Steve Bull insists that the next Wolves manager has plenty to live up to following the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 47-year-old departed the Molineux club following the final game of the season, bringing to an end a four-year spell with the Midlands club.

In that time, Santo took Wolves from the Championship into the Premier League and kept them there, establishing the side as a genuine force in the top-flight.

This season, though, Wolves have struggled somewhat and limped to a 13th-placed finish in the Premier League.

Nuno was forced to blood the youngster Fabio Silva up front after the horrific head injury sustained by Raul Jimenez and Bull believes that the season actually ended in a reasonable manner because of the sheer amount of bad luck Wolves suffered through.

As a result, he feels that Nuno’s replacement faces a mighty job as he looks to fill the Portuguese’s shoes.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “Whoever comes in, I just think the club have got to get behind them.

“We’ve got a bunch of youngsters at the moment learning their trade, and whoever comes in, they’ve got a job and a half to do, because of the transformation this year.

“Nuno had players going out, young players coming in, injuries, and I don’t think we’ve had a bad season overall with what we’ve gone through.”

New doubts have been cast on Muttiah Muralitharan’s long term fitnessprospects by the fact that the Sri Lankan team manager, Chandra Schaffter,forbade questions about his star bowler’s medical condition when he appearedat a press conference at the

Ralph Dellor01-Jun-2002New doubts have been cast on Muttiah Muralitharan’s long term fitnessprospects by the fact that the Sri Lankan team manager, Chandra Schaffter,forbade questions about his star bowler’s medical condition when he appearedat a press conference at the close of play on the third day of the secondnpower Test at Edgbaston.It seemed a strange condition, bearing in mind that Murali had just bowled64 overs in the England first innings, taking five for 143. However, thebowler himself admitted that he did not expect to play in the match becausehe was not one hundred per cent fit.”When I came here I did not think I would play, but the team always comesfirst. I was bowling all right but I didn’t pick up many wickets at thestart and the same today, because today I was tired. I have not played foralmost one and a half months and I haven’t trained either and I just camehere, had two or three net sessions and then went straight into the game.”It was difficult for me to adjust to match conditions, but I think I bowledall right because the slowness of the pitch made it more difficult because Iam unable to bowl quicker than I did. I should bowl a little bit quickerthan I am bowling now.”He described the exact nature of his injury, despite the restrictionsimposed by the management. “I cannot push this left shoulder hard because itclicks. Whenever the two bones hit together, the pain starts.” The long termprognosis is not good if two bones are clicking together.Muralitharan said he felt the effects of the first day. “There was sorenessin the shoulders but you don’t think about the pain when you bowl – you justthink about how you are going to get the batsman out. It’s all mind games,so if you’re tough enough you can do anything.”Asked how long it will take him to get back to his best he said: “I don’tknow because it is a difficult decision to take whether I play the next Testor not. I can’t bat and I can’t field so it restricts me and I don’t want toplay like that. I have to consider the team and the management and find whatthey say. If the team wants me to, I will play.After admitting that the side as a whole had lacked penetration, thereforeputting added pressure on him, he still thinks that Sri Lanka can save thegame.”Although we have lost two wickets, the pitch is still very good and twobatsmen are there who got hundreds in the Lord’s Test. That was after we hadlost two early wickets so if they can put on the same type of show that theydid at Lord’s we can definitely save the match.”

A major transfer update has emerged in Ipswich’s pursuit of 22-year-old centre-back George Johnson.

What’s the talk?

In April of this year, Football Insider reported that Ipswich were interested in a deal to sign Johnston. Paul Cook was reportedly considering a swoop for the 22-year-old defender, along with Portsmouth, but Bolton have now won the race for his signature this summer.

Newly-promoted League One side Bolton have now officially confirmed the signing of Johnston from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee. Johnston has agreed a three-year contract with Bolton and will link up with his new teammates this summer and potentially face Ipswich in League One next season.

In Bolton’s announcement of the deal, manager Ian Evatt heaped praise on the “fantastic” centre-back. He told Bolton’s official website:

“George is a player with a fantastic pedigree who came through the ranks at Liverpool before moving to Feyenoord two years ago.

“That he was willing to move away and play abroad in a different league at such a young age says a lot about his character.

“He came back for the second half of last season and had a very successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic.

“He’s a very talented player for the future and we are delighted to have signed him.”

Ipswich fans will be livid

Ipswich fans should be livid that the club has missed out on a deal for Johnston. They have allowed one of their rivals to snap up a promising young defender to bolster their squad. Given the size of their club, Bolton could have aspirations to achieve back-to-back promotions next season and if things go right for them, they could be competing at the top end of the table with Ipswich in League One, which means that this move could end being pivotal if Johnston enjoys a terrific campaign.

Johnston has already proven himself to be an asset at League One level. He started 16 games as a centre-back whilst on loan to Wigan in 2021 and averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.98. Mark McGuinness and James Wilson were the only Ipswich players who averaged a WhoScored rating of higher than 6.98 in the 2020/21 League One season, showing the calibre of player Bolton have been able to bring in.

The £3.5k-per-week beast also has the potential to improve at the age of 22. This means that Ipswich not only missed out on a player who could have been a key figure for the 2021/22 season, but also a player who they could have developed and turned into a star for the future too.

Therefore, Ipswich fans must be livid that they have been beaten by Bolton to the signing of Johnston, as he could have been a terrific addition to Cook’s squad.

AND in other news, Chambers 2.0: Ipswich must seal deal for “superb” £17k-p/w beast after major update…

Kevin Brewster halted a potential batting collapse and hit a match-winning 77 as Flamingo squeezed a nail-biting two-wicket Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 over Hartley Wintney at The Holt

Mike Vimpany (as published in Daily Echo)09-Jun-2002Kevin Brewster halted a potential batting collapse and hit a match-winning 77 as Flamingo squeezed a nail-biting two-wicket Southern Electric Premier League, Division 3 over Hartley Wintney at The Holt.The Swaythling youngster arrived at the crease with Flamingo’s rocking at 11-4 after 15 overs and in need of a major upturn in fortune to overhaul Hartley Wintney’s 130 all out.But, aided by timely contributions from David Breach and Saints footballer Jason Dodd, Brewster turned the match on its head.The former Hampshire Under-17 batsman, who had earlier taken 1-24 and clung on to two fine catches, launched his rescue act after Steve Sayers (4-29) had carved major inroads into Flamingo’s top order.Brewster produced a splendid solo show, hitting 11 fours in a league-best score to swing the tide. But his demise at 116-6 prompted further panic in the camp, with Flamingo’s lurching to 125-8 before a two-wicket victory was achieved.Hartley Wintney experienced early problems too, dipping to 11-3 and 33-4 before Matt Digweed (30), Sayers (27) and Tim Lenton (23) righted the boat. Dave Wright bagged 3-27 in HW’s 130 all out.A four-wicket burst with the new ball by South African Simon Ntema and a superb unbeaten 78 by Neil Westhorpe set up Ventnor’s seven-wicket victory at Havant II.Ntema, who finished with 4-38, exploited the wet conditions and ripped out four of Havant’s top five, with captain/wicketkeeper Mark Whyte clinching on to three catches.Havant dipped to 14-4 and later 31-5 before Shaun Ferguson (22) and Simon Turner (15) began a partial fight back.Tail end resistance, which involved some lusty hitting by Phil Mist (31), lifted Havant – and their spirits – to 118 all out, with Neil Dodds (2-35) and Dave Reynolds (2-20) achieving later breakthroughs.Ventnor were rocking at 12-2 but Westhorpe, the former Northwood left-hander, took complete charge. He turned the match on its head with a rumbustious 78 and, with support from Ntema (18 not out), guided Ventnor to only their second win.The other six Premier Division 3 matches were called off due to waterlogged pitches.

Leeds United are showing ‘concrete interest’ in signing Club Brugge forward Noa Lang this summer, according to a report which has emerged on Saturday morning.

The Lowdown: Lang linked with Leeds switch

Marcelo Bielsa could be a busy man during the next transfer window, making quality additions to a squad that has just finished ninth in the Premier League.

Lang is a player who has been linked with a move to Leeds a number of times, having caught the eye for Brugge, scoring 16 goals and registering seven assists in the Jupiler Pro League last season.

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The Latest: Fresh update provided

The Whites’ interest continues to look strong, with Football Insider now claiming that they are intensifying their efforts to sign the 21-year-old.

It is stated that Lang is one of six signings Leeds hope to bring in this summer, with the youngster seen as someone who could slot straight into the first-team.

A Leeds source has told the outlet the Whites will ‘step up’ their interest in the youngster, but do face competition to secure a deal.

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The Verdict: Ideal summer signing?

Lang looks an exciting prospect with great potential and a player who could add quality and depth to Leeds’ squad.

He has been described as the ‘best player’ in the Jupiler Pro League by analyst Filip Joos.

One of the keys to Bielsa’s team going up another level is having even more options throughout the squad, and the Dutchman would provide competition for places in attacking areas.

His end product speaks for itself and his average of 1.8 key passes per game in the league last season was only bettered at Leeds by Raphinha (2.1), so he could bring some extra creativity to Elland Road.

In other news, Leeds have reportedly lost interest in signing one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur are lining up moves for Inter Milan duo Stefan de Vrij and Marcelo Brozovic, according to Inter Live.

The lowdown

Netherlands international De Vrij made 30 Serie A starts for the champions in 2020/21, while central midfielder Brozovic featured in 33 matches, scoring twice and providing six assists.

He’s a well-rounded option in the middle of the park, recording 1.6 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 1.4 key passes per 90 minutes (via WhoScored).

Both players are currently in action at the European Championships, with Brozovic starting for Croatia in their 1-0 defeat against England on Sunday.

Inter reportedly need to raise around €80million through sales this summer to address their financial difficulties.

The latest

The report states that Spurs are willing to spend a combined €47million (£40.5million) on the two transfers.

€25million would be committed to landing Brozovic, with €22million made available for the De Vrij move.

Fabio Paratici, who will take up his post as Spurs’ managing director of football in July, is hopeful that his good relationship with Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta will work in his favour.

The pair were previously colleagues at Juventus.

The verdict

Of the two signings, there’s a more pressing need for De Vrij, or at least a player of his calibre – Spurs’ defence is due a revamp.

The 29-year-old is probably in the bracket below the very best in his position, but he would still help to solidify the backline based on his performances this season.

The centre-back averaged two successful aerial duels, 2.9 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per match (via WhoScored).

There’s no doubting Brozovic’s ability, but Spurs already look fairly well-stocked in the middle of the park, particularly after adding Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to their ranks last summer.

The most encouraging detail here, perhaps, is that Paratici may be able to utilise his vast network of contacts to tap into Serie A’s excellent talent pool.

In other news, Alasdair Gold has revealed what Paulo Fonseca is discussing with Spurs. 

“West Indian batting sensation Brian Lara has agreed to turn out for theLashings Rest of the World XI which takes on a Gloucestershire XI in two 20over clashes on Sunday 11 August at Nevil Road

Gloucestershire CCC Media Release05-Aug-2002″West Indian batting sensation Brian Lara has agreed to turn out for theLashings Rest of the World XI which takes on a Gloucestershire XI in two 20over clashes on Sunday 11 August at Nevil Road.GCCC are looking to add to their own squad for this match and plan to playIndian stars Mohammed Kaif (a century versus England in the final of theNatWest Trophy at Lords) and Dinshan Mongia as well as the mighty DavidTerbrugge from South Africa.For advanced tickets contact 0117 – 9108013 or 9108010.”

Essex captain Ronnie Irani has been granted a benefit by Essex for 2003

Essex CCC Media Release29-Aug-2002Essex captain Ronnie Irani has been granted a benefit by Essex for 2003.Essex Chief Executive David East commented: