The Tottenham Hotspur fans in the Transfer Tavern are not completely resigned to losing Mousa Dembele this summer, but they appreciate that there is every chance he will leave North London before the new season gets underway.

The Breakdown

The future of Mousa Dembele has been one of the most widely documented stories of Tottenham’s transfer window so far and plenty of central midfield players from across Europe have been linked with a move to the Lilywhites as a consequence. Tanguy N’Dombele has been heavily linked with a transfer in recent weeks following a thoroughly impressive season in Ligue 1 with Lyon, but another player from the French top-flight has been linked with the club recently.

According to France Football (via talkSPORT), Tottenham have joined Barcelona and Juventus in the race to sign Adrien Rabiot (valued at £45 million by Transfermarkt) from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 23-year-old midfielder is highly-regarded and considered an incredibly bright young talent, but his reputation has been tarnished somewhat by his refusal to be on Didier Deschamps’ standby list for the World Cup after he was omitted from the initial 23-man France squad.

Like Dembele, Rabiot’s best work typically arrives in the defensive and middle third of the pitch where he is able to use his anticipation to break up play and dictate proceedings from deep.

In that sense, he is an ideal replacement for Dembele, but the lack of professionalism he showed after his World Cup disappointment suggests he is a character with the potential to disrupt an apparently harmonious dressing room.

Whilst their Premier League rivals have flexed their financial muscles in the transfer market in a bid to dominate the top-flight, Spurs have spent modestly without compromising the quality of their performances on the field.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Much of their success has been due to the collective mentality installed into the club by Pochettino, but the arrival of Rabiot could threaten to disrupt the togetherness of the squad in the long-term and, for that reason, the club should turn their attention towards alternative options this summer.

Tottenham fans – thoughts? Let us know below!

Mark Ramprakash 1,000 first-class runs Photo © AllSport

Mark Ramprakash continued to distance himself from a disappointing experiment as a Test opener by becoming the first English player to reach 1,000 first-class runs this summer.The Middlesex batsman scored his fourth century in nine innings, for a total of 700 runs, since he reverted to No 4 in the county team after losing his England place.Ramprakash made a polished 120 not out in four hours at Edgbaston to give skipper Justin Langer an opportunity to apply pressure on Warwickshire with a lunchtime declaration at 380 for eight.With nearly nine hours lost in the first three days, Middlesex scented an outside chance of exploiting uncertainty in Warwickshire’s batting after five Championship games without a win.Though Mark Wagh and Dominic Ostler made some headway, they wobbled at 125 for four until David Hemp instigated a strong recovery with an unbeaten 78.The former Glamorgan left hander found his touch in only his fourth Championship half-century of the season and went on to hit 15 fours. Dougie Brown provided the necessary support in an unbroken stand of 86 as Warwickshire closed at 211 for four.Warwickshire’s progress to the NatWest Trophy final has masked a poor run in other competitions and now they have injury problems before the Lord’s meeting with holders Gloucestershire next Saturday.Opener Nick Knight may need surgery on a damaged knee and, along with fast bowler Allan Donald, he will not play in next week’s Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road.

An almost full house attended the Somerset County Cricket Club A.G.M. that was held in the Colin Atkinson Pavilion earlier on this week.President Michael Hill told those present that 2001 was undoubtedly the best season ever for the club, and the “best thing that could have happened for us allincluding the players!”Chairman Richard Parsons presented his annual report, but before he did so thanked “Peter Anderson and all the non playing staff for what they have done during the past busy year.”Mr Parsons also congratulated Phil Frost on winning the Groundsman of the Year Award for the fifth time.The chairman praised the work of Jamie Cox and Kevin Shine, who he said were, “The architects of the success.” He went on to tell the meeting,” Halfway through the season we didn’t realise what lay in store for us over the last two months,” and went on, “Winning the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy was the jewell in the crown.”Regarding the possible relocation of the club Mr Parsons told members that there had been no concrete proposals, but that they were still actively pursuing the situation in the best interests of the club, and would look at any offer that was forthcoming.The chairman reassured those present that any proposals had to be accepted by two thirds of the members who would be balloted by post.Mr Parsons also told the meeting, ” We are a long way from relocation at the moment.”Chief Executive Peter Anderson warned members that if the club did not relocate to a ground where they could host Test Match cricket and One Day Internationals all that would happen was that those clubs that did host the big matches would get all of the best players.In the absence of Hon Tresurer Rory O’Donnell, Mr Anderson presented the financial report for 2001, at the end of which the statement of accounts which showed a pre tax profit of £92,144 were approved.After some discussion the meeting approved the proposal which would bring into immediate effect any alterations to in the rules and committee structure to the club that are passed at the 2002 A.G.M.

Scorecard and ball by ball detailsFile Photo – Gerrie Snyman got to his fifty off 24 balls•Peter Della Penna

Gerrie Snyman’s 43-ball 82 and Stephan Baard’s unbeaten 61 guided Namibia to a nine-wicket win in their World T20 Qualifier Group A game against Jersey in Dublin. The opening pair added 121 runs to set the foundation for Namibia’s 162-run chase.Namibia got off to a blazing start, racing to 67 in 6 overs. Snyman was largely responsible, taking 17 runs off Rhys Palmer and Nat Watkins in the fourth and sixth overs, and had raced to his fifty by the end of the sixth over, getting there with a six off 24 balls. The partnership motored along to 118 in 12 overs, before Snyman was dismissed for 82 by Anthony Kay, after striking five sixes and eight fours . Namibia’s second-wicket pair of Baard and Raymond van Schoor kept the chase on track and Baard, who reached his fifty off 39 deliveries, closed the game out with a couple of boundaries.That Jersey were able to post a score of 161 for 4 after being put in to bat was largely due to Jonty Jenner’s unbeaten 52-ball 90. Their openers were dismissed by the fourth over with the score on 25 and they were soon struggling at 85 for 4 in the 13th over. Jenner and Watkins then lifted Jersey with an unbeaten 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping the side accumulate 58 runs off the last five overs. Jenner was the dominant partner – he was batting on 42 off 28 deliveries when Ben Stevens was dismissed in the 13th over. Jenner scored his next 48 runs off 24 deliveries, to finish with eight fours and four sixes in his 90, while Watkins was unbeaten on 27 off 24 balls.

Kevin Roberts has emerged as a prospective replacement for the Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, after taking the lateral step of resigning from the board of directors to join the executive management team.A former New South Wales batsman, Roberts was one of three independent directors added to the CA board in late 2012 as part of sweeping governance reform, but he has now turned his attention to a full-time role as executive general manager one team, strategy and people, directly reportable to Sutherland.Roberts was chosen as the man to replace Alex Wyatt, a club cricket colleague of Sutherland’s who had an eventful 18-month term in the role. Wyatt had been touted as a potential successor for Sutherland, who last year moved from the contracted role he had held since 2001 to a rolling employment deal that allows both him and CA more flexibility to part ways at a time of mutual choosing.Instead, Wyatt has resigned to return his focus to renewable energy and emerging technology. It was in these areas that he made his name and career, working extensively in Asia before taking on the CA role in early 2014.Since finishing his time with the Blues, Roberts has developed a strong corporate footprint, spending time with Adidas in Europe and also being charged with salvaging the fortunes of the stricken outdoors brand Colorado in Australia.More recently, Roberts has shared his CA board responsibility with a role as chief executive of the Australian-based sports apparel firm 2XU. He will be joining the executive management team around the same time as another independent director, David Peever, replaces Wally Edwards as chairman of the board.”Kevin is an experienced business leader,” Sutherland said, “with an outstanding track record in achieving alignment, managing change and building values-based work forces with a sharp focus on growth and high performance, which aligns with Cricket Australia’s vision to be Australia’s Favourite Sport – A Sport For All Australians.”In addition to his most recent role at 2XU, Kevin spent a number of years with the Adidas Group in Germany, rising to the role of Global Senior Vice President. Either side of his tenure at Adidas, Kevin led business transformations at Colorado Group/Fusion Retail Brands and Canterbury International.”Kevin brings with him a strong cricket pedigree and deep relationships within the game at club, state and national level. Kevin played youth cricket for Australia and first-class cricket for NSW, in addition to managing a former commercial partner of CA and being a CA Director over the last three years.”I am very excited about Kevin’s appointment – it is an extremely important role for Australian cricket and I firmly believe that Kevin’s experience, capability and passion will complement and further support cricket’s leadership, particularly across CA’s Executive Team, Leadership Team and our State and Territory CEOs.”Wyatt, who had shown combustible tendencies in a selection of on-field confrontations as a cricketer in England and Australia, was responsible for a broad area of responsibility after taking a role designed to replace those of Marianne Roux (now self-employed) and Andrew Jones (Cricket NSW chief executive).His major contribution was to push forward a “one team” strategy for the whole of Australian cricket that will be part of Roberts’ remit, an approach that urges all states to work as closely as possible with CA and each other. However there was also the publicised step of looking to create a more competitive market for international matches, leading to headlines suggesting that the MCG was in danger of losing the Boxing Day Test – a claim stridently denied by CA at the time.”I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Alex for his tenure,” Sutherland said. “During his time with Australian cricket, Alex has played an important role leading a number of key projects, including our work with State and Territory Associations around a unified working concept, entitled One Team. That process has and continues to bring about important discussion and debate on how cricket will best deliver on its vision and strategy.”Sutherland’s long tenure has led to speculation about who his replacement might be, with Wyatt once touted as a potential successor due to his business verve and desire to be an agent of change. The team performance manager Pat Howard has been mentioned as a man capable of taking after Sutherland, while Ben Amarfio, the head of communications, digital and marketing, is also thought to have ambitions to lead CA.However Roberts’ decision to vacate his board post – a position he was due to give up in 2016 – leaves him ideally placed to press for the role should he choose to. Like Sutherland, he has first-class playing experience in addition to his strong business record. For all its changes over the past 15 years, CA and its directors still appreciate a cricket pedigree, as evidenced by the tenure of a former Test cricketer in Wally Edwards as chairman and the ascension of Peever, who once faced the likes of Craig McDermott and Carl Rackemann as an opening batsman in Brisbane club cricket.

Pubudu Dassanayake has stepped down as Nepal coach, reportedly citing personal reasons. His last assignment with the side will be the WCL Championship matches against Papua New Guinea in November 16 and 18 in the UAE.The contract that had been offered to Dassanayake last year expired on June 15, 2015. However, the World T20 Qualifier in July, followed by the World Cricket League Championship led the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) to extend his contract until January 15, 2016.”It’s unfortunate. I have received an email from the coach stating that he has submitted a resignation letter to the general secretary and will continue till the WCL in Dubai [sic Abu Dhabi],” Bhawana Ghimire, CEO of Cricket Association of Nepal, said.Dassanayake’s decision will bring an end to his four-year tenure as Nepal coach, the highlight of which was the side’s maiden World T20 appearance at the 2014 edition.His stint with Nepal, however, has not been controversy free, with the Cricket Association of Nepal facing numerous administrative issues of its own including an investigation into the activities of some of its members.In March 2014, CAN had said that Dassanayake would get a year’s extension. However, due to the board being under investigation, he was only given an additional three months, which ran out in June, after which he left the country. In August, Dassanayake returned to Nepal after being invited by the government and was reappointed in September.

Match facts

Thursday, October 8, 2015
Start time 1900 local (1330GMT)

Big picture

A show whose credits have already rolled has come to the biggest theatre in town and Eden Gardens could be forgiven for thinking it has received a raw deal. This is the only match the venue will host on South Africa’s marathon tour, and its result will have no impact on the series.The trophy is already in the visitors’ hands and the sting was taken out of the contest when crowd trouble in the form of a bottle-throwing incident interrupted the second match in Cuttack. By then, however, South Africa’s superiority was confirmed. They had skittled India out for their lowest T20 total at home and their second-lowest overall, and were well on their way to chasing down the target. At least, Kolkata can hope for a better performance from the home side.India have a lot of work to do before the World T20 but MS Dhoni does not seem to be panicking. He understands his batsmen need to take more responsibility and his bowlers need to show more initiative. They should need no more motivation than salvaging pride, especially as South Africa will be eyeing a clean sweep. Although it would be easy for South Africa to switch off, in search of a few days break ahead of the ODIs, the appeal of a whitewash against India in India does not only speak to a rise up the rankings but is also the perfect preparation ahead of the World T20. Expect them to come out fighting.

Form guide

(last five completed games, most recent first)
India LLLWL
South Africa WWLWW

In the spotlight

India’s middle-order has marshmallowed in both matches, first squandering a strong start in Dharamsala and then completely collapsing in Cuttack. In terms of reputation, they have names to produce better numbers and MS Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu are due a few more runs. The captain has looked uninspired so far and, given the impact he can have on his charges, if he ups his game, the rest may follow.They were supposed to be flummoxed by conditions but South Africa’s seamers have adapted well so far and will want to continue proving coach Russell Domingo – who said they would be the difference for the side – correct. Kagiso Rabada has managed to mix aggression with change of pace, Kyle Abbott has been accurate at the death and Albie Morkel’s return to the highest level after 18 months in Cuttack was promising. Can they produce an encore in Kolkata?

Team news

India have reasons to make changes and the most anticipated one could be Amit Mishra’s recall in place of either Axar Patel or Harbhajan Singh. Shikhar Dhawan’s dual failure at the top could result in a shuffling of the batting line-up or the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane.India: (probable) 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 MS Dhoni (capt, wk), 6 Ambati Rayudu, 7 R Ashwin, 8 & 9 Axar Patel/Amit Mishra/Harbhajan Singh, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Mohit Sharma/S AravindWith the series already won, South Africa could consider giving an opportunity to legspinner Eddie Leie and perhaps uncapped batsman Khaya Zondo. They will also ponder reintroducing Quinton de Kock into international cricket perhaps to give Hashim Amla some time off on a long tour and think of bringing back Marchant de Lange to bowl at a venue he knows well.South Africa: (probable) 1 AB de Villiers (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt), 4 JP Duminy, 5 Khaya Zondo, 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 Chris Morris, 8 Albie Morkel, 8 Marchant de Lange/Kagiso Rabada, 9 Kyle Abbott, 10, 11 Imran Tahir/Eddie Leie

Pitch and conditions

Both Sourav Ganguly, who is now joint secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal, and Eden Gardens’ groundsman Prabir Mukherjee have promised a batsman-friendly pitch, but, with India having conceded the series, a full house may not be on the cards. Still, at least 40,000 people could pile in to the iconic venue. Another hot, humid day is forecast with temperatures at 31 degrees, humidity over 80% and the possibility of some showers.

Stats and trivia

• South Africa have won two of their last three T20 series, both in the subcontinent. They drew the other won against New Zealand at home and have not lost a T20 series since defeat to Australia last November.
• India’s total of 92 in their previous game is the lowest T20 total by a Test-playing nation this year. They have not won a bilateral T20 ‘series’ since their one-off victory over Australia in October 2013.
• R Ashwin has dismissed AB de Villiers five times in T20s, the most by any bowler. Two of those dismissals have come in this series.

Quotes

That’s what has been the quality of this team. They have stuck to the players they believe can win the game and that’s what we need to do as a team – reunite ourselves and give our best performance.

Groundsman Mohammad Russell has filed a general diary with Rajpara police station in Rajshahi against Mahmood Jamal, the Rajshahi official who had allegedly assaulted him. According to acting officer-in-charge Raihan, Russell mentioned in the GD that Jamal had threatened him before kicking him out of the stadium on the first day of the Rajshahi-Barisal NCL match.The GD is a recording of a major incident within the jurisdiction of a police station and was filed at around 3:00pm in the afternoon. An investigating officer has been put in charge to file a report on the incident, which sparked outrage within the cricket fraternity in Bangladesh. Jamal, a former BCB director, denied the incident while the board has summoned Russell to Dhaka for his security.Akram Khan, the board’s tournament committee chairman, said that the NCL’s final-round match has been taken away from the Rajshahi venue. He was informed formally by the board’s security head and confirmed of the GD being filed.”The sixth round of the NCL will not be played in Rajshahi,” Akram told TV channel . “We will definitely take a decision after discussing the matter with the board president after he returns to the country. Cricket is not just about a player or an official. It has reached a stage where the wicket is a huge factor so we cannot misbehave with the groundstaff who make a contribution every day. I feel that they are a part of cricket’s progress and saving them is the board’s responsibility. We must give them security.”Our security head sent me an email regarding the incident and we have also registered a general diary against him. We want to decide on this in the next board meeting. This is not a good practice. Bangladesh cricket has reached a stage where such things shouldn’t happen. The match referee is in charge of the game while there are umpires too.”Akram said that since Jamal’s complaint against Russell was about water being sprayed on the pitch, the claim should have been referred to the match referee rather than allegedly assaulting the worker. He said that the board’s past record of stern discipline will serve as a precedent for this incident.”If the wicket wasn’t good enough, the start of the match would have definitely been delayed. The match started on time. One team made a score of 300-plus. One can blame the wicket but he should have talked to the match referee and umpires. But he cannot physically abuse a groundstaff. We have taken disciplinary actions in the past so I am sure we will take another strong decision on this matter.”

England’s last game was a real end of the season affair. England withnothing to gain but more humiliation won easily in the end, defeatingNepal by 64 runs.But there was time for a couple of scares along the way and Nepal’stotal, their highest of the tournament will have raised some eyebrows.England who won the toss and elected to bat were reduced to 39-3 whenJohn Maunders (6), Jimmy Adams(13) and Ian Bell (13) all fell cheaply.However a fine 116 run partnership between Ian Pattison and theirrepressible Gary Pratt rescued the potentially embarrassingsituation and took control of the game. Gary Pratt (51) has been theone highlight of this tour and this was his third fifty. Pattison’s97 today being the only other one of the tour.The final total of 260 was always likely to be too many for anextremely weak, but highly enthusiastic Nepalese side. England triedtheir best to assist Nepal and make a game of it by gifting them with36 wides – 50 extras in total.Nepal had progressed to 71-1 before Graeme Bridge and Tim Phillipsinitiated a stunning collapse. Nepal folded to 95-7. However theNepalese, who have always been admired for their resilience, are atenacious bunch and refused to give up. A fine eighth wicketpartnership between Aamir Akhtar and Paras Luniva of 57 was followedwith a ninth wicket partnership of 39. Nepal was finally bowled outfor 196.

Central Zone comfortably beat East Zone by seven wickets in theCricInfo Rani Jhansi tournament at the SRMC ground in Chennaitoday. After knocking over East for just 93 in the 45th over, Centralcoasted home with their reply revolving around an unbeaten 40 (65balls) from keeper Arundhati Kirkire. She also effected threedismissals behind the sticks besides completing two run outs andsurely must be a cinch to be selected in the World Cupprobables. Bindeshwari Goyal’s spell of 3-11 had created the openingfor Central in the first place. And spare a thought for SabariMukherjee who took two stunning catches, off her own bowling, thatwould have done Jonty Rhodes proud.East won the toss and elected to bat with captain Pratima Chakrabortiand Neetu Singh opening the innings. Things began brightly for them asNeetu straight drove Varsha to the boundary in the second over of theday. The score had mounted steadily to 15 in the fifth over beforeCentral captain Leena Muley bowled Neetu with one that took the top ofoff stump as she played inside the line.Chandrabarti Paul arrived at the crease and immediately found the gapson either side of the wicket for a couple of twos. But in the verynext over, a dreadful mixup with Pratima saw her depart withoutfurther addition. Pratima played to point, both ran, both stopped, andthen continued on their way. Ranjana Gupta fired in a good throw tothe keeper, finding Chandrabarti short of her ground. With thefielders at mid on, mid off, covers and mid wicket on the edge of thecircle, Pratima and Kavita Roy were able to take singles to theseregions without discomfort.But disaster was lurking round the corner when Pratima pulled one tosquare leg, who was a little closer. Bindeshwari’s throw was too goodfor Kavita as the batswomen scrambled frantically for a run. Two ballslater, without any addition to the score, Pratima swept one into thehands of Bharati Verma at squareleg to make it 29/4 in the 12th over.Two new players, Geeta Samanta Ray and Rashmita Mohanty, were nowfacing a Central attack with their tails up.Both lived dangerously with Rashmita hitting the ball uppishly into nowoman’s land between square leg and midwicket and Geeta being droppedby Priyanka at mid on off Bindeshwari. Rahul Singh’s left arm tweakersdid the job for Central Zone, trapping Rashmita lbw on the backfootwhen she tried to pull one that was a bit too full for the stroke.The score was now 37/5 and in the next over (the 18th) it became 38/6as Geeta tamely drove a half volley straight back to the bowlerBindeshwari.Just seven runs came in the following nine overs, as Saswati Mukherjeeand Rumeli Dhar treated the bowling with utmost respect, and Centralbroke through again in the 27th over when left arm spinner PreetiDimri trapped Saswati leg before. The 50 mark came up in the 28th overand Rumeli then proceeded to beef up the score with some cleanstriking that fetched boundaries to long on and midwicket off Varsha.The promising 16-year-old medium pacer Jhulan Goswami was stumped offa wide from Varsha in the 35th over and the innings was finallyterminated with Ranjana Gupta’s first legal delivery, from whichSabari Chatterjee was also stumped. Rumeli had run out of partnersafter making a valiant 33 (82 balls). Six bowlers got amongst thewickets for Central Zone but Bindeshwari was far and away the best andher figures of 10-3-11-3 reflected it.Central openers Bharati Varma and Priyanka Sailey quickly took chargeand guided the score to 16 in the fourth over before an out of theworld catch by Sabari Chatterjee prematurely ended Bharati’sinnings. Bharati got a top edge as she tried to work Sabari away onthe onside and the bowler ran around the non striker who was in herway and dived full length to complete the catch. Umpire Sumathi Iyerhad to consult the square leg umpire before raising the finger.In the next over Jhulan Goswami surprised Priyanka with an off cutterthat went through her defences and disturbed the off stump. Centralwere in just a spot of bother at 22/2 but Chitra Bajpai and ArundhatiKirkire guided them out of the woods with a fluently compiled thirdwicket stand. Sabari had been taken off after her sixth over went for11, including three wides and a trademark Chitra heave over thefielder at midwicket for four.Arundhati was in even better nick and cut Jhulan to the square thirdman fence for her first boundary. Off break bowler Saswati Mukherjeefailed to latch on to a return catch that Arundhati offered in herfirst over but off the very next ball she made up for thatdisappointment by dislodging Chitra’s off bail when the latter triedto repeat the same shot.Ranjana Gupta, playing her first match of the tournament, joinedArundhati with the score at 66/3 and pottered around for a whilebefore Sabari took a second astonishing catch in almost similarfashion. Ranjana sliced a full toss in the air in the direction ofmid on and Sabari once more took the c&b at a 180 degree angle to theground. Rahul Singh arrived with 19 more needed and survived a loudappeal for a catch by the keeper as she swung across the line andmissed. But Arundhati was in full cry now and ensured that no moremishaps occurred on the way. Two boundaries off Saswati in the 30thover closed out Central’s second win in three matches.