All posts by h716a5.icu

A club legend is back at Stamford Bridge, but while the fanbase revel in the appointment, some players have cause for concern…

In a plot twist that only the Premier League is capable of concocting, Frank Lampard SOMEHOW finds himself back in the Chelsea dugout – albeit on an interim basis.

Whether you think it's a brazen PR stunt from joint-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali as they look to appease a disgruntled fanbase, or a shrewd move to see the Blues through to the end of the season, the club legend's return is sure to make for compelling viewing.

The squad Lampard inherits is in stark contrast to the one he left behind when he was dismissed in 2021; trusted regulars of his first stint in charge such as Tammy Abraham and Jorginho have moved on and Chelsea have spent BIG, with their bloated ranks contributing to predecessor Graham Potter's eventual downfall.

There is work to be done and points to prove on and off the pitch.

Here are GOAL's winners and losers of Lampard's return to Stamford Bridge…

Getty ImagesWINNER: Mason Mount

It is remarkable that Mason Mount has gone from Chelsea's best player and a fan favourite to a scapegoat who is highly likely to move on from the club in the summer.

Mount was unfairly labelled the 'teacher's pet' during Lampard's first spell in charge after they struck up a strong rapport during his loan at Derby County, but the England international was a first-team regular back at Chelsea based on merit.

The academy graduate enjoyed a breakout campaign under Lampard in 2019-20, and has been on an upward trajectory since, with his output steadily increasing.

However, things have not gone to plan this season. Though he still has nine goal contributions in all competitions, his form has reflected his team's overall struggles.

He's become a lightning rod for criticism amid uncertainty surrounding his future as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract, with Liverpool sniffing about.

Lampard's timely return coincides with Mount's comeback from an injury layoff, and that could well give him the fresh impetus he needs to rediscover his highest level.

Who knows, he may even be convinced to stay put…

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Kepa Arrizabalaga

Poor old Kepa.

No sooner has he regained his starting place than the man who decided to replace him returns to the club.

It was Lampard who sought an alternative for the struggling Spaniard back in 2020, eventually plumping for Edouard Mendy – a shrewd move given he would go on to help the Blues on their way to winning the 2021 Champions League under his successor Thomas Tuchel.

Kepa reclaimed his first-team place under Potter earlier this season, keeping a solid 12 clean sheets in 29 appearances despite the odd characteristic lapse in concentration, but he will undoubtedly be looking over his shoulder now that Mendy is fit again and Lampard is back in the dugout.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Todd Boehly & Behdad Eghbali

This is a win-win for Chelsea's ownership.

It is difficult to understand exactly why co-owners Boehly and Eghbali have opted to bring Lampard back on a temporary basis, but one of their motivations is pretty transparent.

After what has been a farcical 11 months at the helm so far, reinstalling the club legend is an easy PR victory for a hierarchy that was supposedly stunned by the vociferous uproar in the latter days of Potter's reign.

Within the Chelsea fanbase there has been very little backlash to the appointment, which is perhaps an indictment of Potter's popularity more than anything else.

They have not committed to anything long-term, and they have bought themselves time to make the right appointment to take the club forward and recover their poor start.

Lampard can do no wrong in the fans' eyes, with his status as a club legend as secure as can be. If they are merely riding out the rest of the season, one of their favourite sons will be fully backed – whatever happens.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyLOSER: Marc Cucurella

Marc Cucurella has already faced plenty of adversity in his brief time at Stamford Bridge, and Lampard's appointment will provide another test.

The defender had only just regained the faith of former Brighton boss Potter before he was unceremoniously ditched, and now he faces an uphill battle to convince the interim head coach of his pedigree.

Lampard was in charge when Chelsea signed Ben Chilwell in 2020 and the pair formed a strong bond, with the England international one of his best performers throughout his initial tenure.

A likely switch to the coach's preferred back-four system could well see Cucurella pushed to the periphery.

Dale Steyn, who is fit again after two months on the sidelines with a “broken shoulder,” explained that while Test cricket presents more of a physical challenge, the shorter format takes its toll in other ways

Firdose Moonda16-Mar-2016As is always the case at major tournaments, South Africa’s mindset will be under the microscope at this World T20, and the shortest format could prove to be their toughest test yet. Dale Steyn, who is fit-again after two months on the sidelines with a “broken shoulder,” explained that while Test cricket presents more of a physical challenge, Twent20s takes its toll in other ways.”The T20 game can be quite mentally hard. Being a bowler, you’ve only got four overs. If you find the edge, it can go for four and it’s not your fault. In Test matches you’ve got five days to make up for it,” Steyn said in Mumbai, where South Africa face England on Friday. “T20 is slightly easier on the body but it might be more taxing on the mind.”Steyn believes South Africa are in a good space. Despite losing at home to Australia, their five-match winning streak over England prior to that did wonders for their self-worth. “When I walked into the side, I could see the guys were glowing with confidence,” Steyn said. “I realised how much these guys have grown as a team even in that two month gap that I had.”Now, that growth will be tested under major tournament pressure.The fast pace of a T20 game means mistakes have to be forgotten as quickly as they happen, so South Africa have worked on living in the moment. “We talk about it in our bowling meetings and our team meetings: It’s the next ball that matters,” Steyn said. “You can go for 80 runs in 3.5 overs, but when a team needs four runs to win off the last ball, and you’ve got that ball in your hand, that’s all that matters.”Steyn has experienced that first-hand, albeit not in this format. At last year’s 50-over World Cup, New Zealand needed five off runs off two balls in the semi-final. Steyn was hit for six. All that mattered was that ball, even though Steyn has banished it from his memory. “It’s a pity that everyone thinks about that ball. I think about what happened after that ball. Grant Elliot came and picked me up.”South Africa have travelled to this World T20 with largely the same squad that played in that event, which will raise questions about old scars. But, of the three players who did not play in last year’s World Cup, one has tasted success the rest can only dream of. Kagiso Rabada is an under-19 World Cup winner and has injected new life into the senior side. Steyn hinted that Rabada’s state of mind – fresh and uncluttered – could make the difference.”He is fantastic. He is really quick, but he is also unpredictable. I don’t think many teams have played against him yet, so it’s not like they can plan for him. He is surprising for us too,” Steyn said. “I will be standing down there at fine leg thinking he is going to bowl a gun bouncer and he comes up with a beautiful yorker. He has got a gut feel for himself and that’s his biggest strength right now. People don’t know what he is going to deliver.”In Steyn and Rabada, South Africa have the core of a pace pack that will be the envy of all their opponents, but on Indian pitches, they may need something else, and it’s something they still lack – a spin attack.South Africa have Imran Tahir, who is ranked third on the T20 rankings and has won matches on his own, but their only other specialist spinner is Aaron Phangiso, who they may not use at all. Phangiso travelled through the 2015 World Cup without playing a game and has just remodeled his action after it was declared illegal. JP Duminy can bowl some part-time off-spin, but South Africa will still rely on the quicks to do most of the work.After New Zealand upset India with three spinners on a dry Nagpur pitch – where South Africa will play West Indies – South Africa may be wondering whether their resources will be enough. But Steyn wants to erase any doubts from their mind with an assurance that he can fill in any gaps.”I’ve always said I can bowl on anything. I prefer the wickets that are slow and turning because the ball stops. It makes it tough for batters to hit you out of the ground,” he said. “As a seamer, I back myself to bowl fast cutters. It is really difficult to hit out when the ball is coming at 140-145 [kph], its gripping and stopping. You don’t have to worry about running in and bowling the perfect yorker. You can bowl a back of a length ball, one might bounce and skid, one might stay low, and it’s really tough to bat on those wickets.”

Cynical gamesmanship or well-meaning attempt to improve the spirit? If it was England’s intention to improve relations between the sides when they invited their Australia counterparts for a drink at the end of the Cardiff Test, it may well have backfired

George Dobell14-Jul-20151:35

Siddle plays down ‘beergate’ row

Cynical gamesmanship or well-meaning attempt to improve the spirit in which cricket is played? The answer to that question probably depends on whether you like – or hate – England or Australia more. But if it was England’s intention to improve relations between the sides when they invited their Australia counterparts for a drink in the dressing rooms at the end of the Cardiff Test, it may well have backfired.Certainly, some in the Australian dressing room were underwhelmed by the invitation. Going in the face of modern convention – in recent times, at least, the sides would only meet for such a drink at the end of the series – it has been interpreted, coming moments after a heavy defeat, as antagonistic. Nobody likes a gloater.What is not disputed is that Alastair Cook, the England captain, invited Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, and his team into the England dressing room immediately after the game was completed. Nor is it disputed that the Australia team did not accept. Everything else is open to interpretation.James Anderson on…

Stuart Broad: “He hardly bowled a bad ball. He hasn’t bowled badly in recent months but you just sometimes forget how dangerous he can be when he snaps into that slightly fuller length. He was always trying to find the outside edge and at pace with the bounce that he gets, he can be unplayable at times. It was great to see him in that sort of form.”
England’s balanced attack: “It probably is the best balanced attack we’ve had since Flintoff retired. It’s great to have Ben Stokes at No. 6 to bring us that four seam option and with him and Mark Wood bowling so fantastically it eases the burden on me. Moeen bowled brilliantly throughout the Cardiff Test, too, which is a big help.”
England’s positive approach: “We did exactly what we talked about: we took the positive options throughout. We were in trouble a couple of times with the bat but Joe Root did what he has been doing for a year and with the ball we kept asking questions of them.”

“It was Cooky’s idea,” James Anderson confirmed. “After the New Zealand series we had a beer after each game and we found that that was quite an enjoyable thing to do. Just to chew the fat after a hard Test. It didn’t matter if we won or lost. We still did it at Headingley after we lost. So Cooky went and asked. We were all happy to do it. I don’t know why they didn’t come in.”Clarke said he discussed the idea with the Australia coach and senior players before responding. “When Cooky approached me after the game I was a little surprised, to be honest,” he said. “It hasn’t happened too many times in my career no matter who we have played after the first Test. Normally we do it after a series.”I spoke to Darren Lehmann and a few of the senior players to get their views. They were of the opinion – like me – that at the end of the series we’ll have a drink with England. If they ask us again at the end of this match, we’ll worry about it then. For us it’s not a big deal and I’m sure for England it’s not a big deal either.”The invitation comes at the same time as England embrace a new, aggressive style of cricket and after they have spoken of playing “with a smile on their face”. While they have not specifically said they will not “sledge” they were notably quieter in Cardiff this year than they had been in the earlier matches of the summer of 2014 when the Sri Lanka players were notably unimpressed by their antics.Yet now, inspired, in part at least, by the refreshing attitude of the New Zealand side, who played a hard but good-spirited brand of cricket, England have reasoned that, to appeal to a wider fan base and to engage with a general public that seemed underwhelmed by their Ashes success in 2013, they have to do more than win. Their focus has moved away from talk of fighting and battles and more to enjoyment and the expression of skills. They appear, at first glance, to have embraced the new approach with the zeal of a recent convertBut it’s not hard to understand Australia’s cynicism towards England’s new approach. Until very recently, England gave as good as they got in terms of gamesmanship and sledging. It was, after all, only a year ago that James Anderson was accused – though subsequently cleared – of “crossing the line” in an off-field incident with Ravi Jaedja. It remains to be seen if this is a passing phase – a ploy, even, to show-up Australia’s more brusque approach – or a meaningful change.Certainly Peter Siddle, who may well come into the team for the second Investec Test at Lord’s, is unconvinced. “It’s my fifth Ashes series and it’s the first time anyone has ever gone to have a drink after one Test match,” he said. “So it’s a little bit of an interesting story.”Especially coming from Jimmy Anderson. You know what Jimmy is like. After the Oval last time we had a drink and he said ‘I don’t know why we do this, I can’t stand it’.”I’ve played four Ashes series and we’ve never had a drink after a Test match until the very last one so I don’t think anything is going to change there. It’s always a hard, aggressive match and obviously after the game it’s move on to the next one and get prepared to go again. But at the end of the series, we’ll be happy to have a drink.”Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, such issues matter little. Perhaps it is more important to note that Moeen Ali, sore after his exertions in Cardiff, did not train at Lord’s on Tuesday, but is said not to be a risk for the second Test. Perhaps it is more important to note that Mitchell McClenaghan, New Zealand’s left-arm fast bowler currently playing for Middlesex, was among the net bowlers helping England prepare for the on-going challenge of facing Mitchell Johnson and, fitness permitting, Mitchell Starc.Or perhaps, after a few years where the image of the game has been tarnished by on-field posturing and childish sledging, it is refreshing that teams are beginning the reflect on their behaviour and the actions they can have on the next generation of cricket lovers. These are very early days in England’s conversion. It remains to be seen whether it takes root.

Adam Voges became the oldest man to score a century on Test debut as Australia took control on the second day in Dominica

The Report by Brydon Coverdale04-Jun-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAdam Voges played patiently for his debut hundred•Getty ImagesAdam Voges became the oldest man to score a century on Test debut as Australia took control on the second day in Dominica. It was a day of frustration and missed opportunities for West Indies, who had the chance to run through Australia but allowed the tail to wag and found themselves facing a 170-run first-innings deficit. They then lost both their openers cheaply late in the afternoon.Smart stats

1 Australian batsmen who have scored a century on Test debut when batting at No. 5 – Adam Voges is the first.
35 Voges’ age (35y, 242d), making him the oldest batsmen to score a century on Test debut, going past Zimbabwe’s Dave Houghton (35y 117d), versus India in 1992.
6-80 Devendra Bishoo’s figures, the best ever by a West Indies legspinner in Tests, and the first five-for against Australia.
50 Test wickets for Bishoo, the second most by a West Indies legspinner, one behind David Holford who has 51.
201 Keeper dismissals effected by Denesh Ramdin, making him the third West Indies wicketkeeper to go past the 200-mark after Jeff Dujon (270) and Ridley Jacobs (219). Across countries, 16 keepers have achieved this feat.

Devendra Bishoo had given West Indies the perfect start by spinning out three batsmen before lunch and he finished with 6 for 80, but Voges remained a calm presence at the crease throughout Australia’s innings. The 97-run stand that he and Josh Hazlewood compiled for the last wicket could prove to be the difference, although Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon also provided useful support.By stumps, West Indies were in an even bigger hole. Shai Hope edged Johnson to second slip and was sharply taken by Michael Clarke, and next ball Mitchell Starc swung one in to rattle the stumps of Kraigg Brathwaite. It left West Indies on 25 for 2 at stumps, still 145 runs behind, with Darren Bravo on 3 and Shane Dowrich on 1. A mountain of work remained for them on day three.For Australia, it was a day to celebrate the achievement of Voges, who at 35 replaced Zimbabwe’s David Houghton as Test cricket’s oldest debut centurion. Patience is no problem for Voges – he has had to wait 160 first-class matches for this opportunity – and he displayed impressive concentration throughout this innings, bringing up his hundred from his 187th delivery.Having made a brisk start on the first afternoon, Voges took a more steady approach on the second day, waiting for his opportunities to work runs through gaps and taking few risks. Rarely did he play a loose shot, although just after reaching his half-century he pulled Marlon Samuels and a diving Jermaine Blackwood at midwicket put down a tough chance.It was an example of the difference in fielding between the two sides: Australia grasped nearly everything in West Indies’ first innings, but West Indies let opportunities slip. Voges received another life on 104 when Hope dropped one at gully off Taylor, and Hazlewood was put down on 33 as the afternoon wore on.West Indies seemed unable to find the intensity they needed to finish the Australians off: the seventh-, ninth- and tenth-wicket partnerships were Australia’s best of the innings. They were six down when Voges nudged them past West Indies’ total of 148 but Johnson, Lyon and then Hazlewood all offered vital support to Voges, who never looked flustered as wickets fell.For a while it looked like Voges might be denied the chance to reach his hundred: he was on 77 when Hazlewood joined him at the wicket. But Hazlewood proved himself a worthy partner, defending capably as Voges kept the scoreboard ticking along and then moved to 98 with a six slammed down the ground off Jerome Taylor.Voges was still there on 130 when Hazlewood was bowled by Marlon Samuels for 39, completing Australia’s innings at 318. It was a wonderful recovery after Bishoo threatened to skittle them cheaply. During the morning, he turned the ball sharply but also varied his degree of spin, and found enough drift to deceive the batsmen.In the morning session, Bishoo claimed the three key wickets of Steven Smith, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, and after the break he added Johnson and Starc. Smith (25) added eight to his overnight score before he was hoodwinked by Bishoo, advancing down the pitch only to see the ball drop short of him, spin past his edge and Denesh Ramdin complete the stumping.If it is rare for Smith to be outflighted by a spinner, it is not so uncommon for Watson, who on 11 drove hard and had his thick edge well caught at second slip by Jason Holder. Haddin showed some intent by launching a Bishoo wrong’un back over the bowler’s head for six, but Bishoo had his revenge by bowling Haddin for 8.It was a beautiful piece of legspin that fittingly came 22 years to the day after Shane Warne’s ball of the century tricked Mike Gatting. Bishoo similarly drifted the ball in and pitched it on leg stump, turning it perfectly past Haddin’s bat to clip the top of off stump.Johnson’s 52-run stand with Voges ended when Johnson top-edged a sweep and was caught at short fine leg for 20. Starc lasted only two balls, bowled for a duck when he tried to slog Bishoo, and a quick finish appeared possible. However, Bishoo had to go off for some treatment to his hand, and Lyon’s temperament was what Voges needed at the other end, quiet and unperturbed.Lyon managed 22 from 50 balls before he walked across his stumps and was trapped lbw by Shannon Gabriel, but Hazlewood was able to offer even greater support. Bishoo looked like having a seven-for when he trapped Voges lbw on 127, but a review suggested the ball would have turned past off stump and Voges was reprieved. It was just one more frustration on a disappointing day for West Indies.

Juan Roman Riquelme was “lucky” enough to play alongside Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, making it inevitable that he will be asked GOAT questions.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Boca legend started out alongside 1986 World Cup winnerAlso played with eight-time Ballon d'Or winnerFinds it impossible to pick between two icons of the game

WHAT HAPPENED?

The former Argentina international stepped out of the famous youth system at Boca Juniors while 1986 World Cup winner Maradona was still on the club’s books. He would then go on to represent his country alongside eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi when a precocious young talent burst onto the senior scene.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWHAT RIQUELME SAID

While forming part of an exclusive club of players that have been team-mates of both Maradona and Messi, Riquelme is reluctant to pick between the pair when it comes to the greatest of all-time title. He has told when presented with that poser: “Maradona? He’s the greatest I saw on a football pitch when I was a child. Now when I grew up, the greatest is Messi. I was lucky to play with both of them, for me it was a very big dream.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Maradona inspired his country to global glory on Mexican soil, delivering the famous ‘Hand of God’ goal and a remarkable individual strike against England along the way. Messi emulated the efforts of his illustrious countryman when inspiring the Albiceleste to a World Cup crown at Qatar 2022.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Messi is still going strong at international level, while starring for MLS side Inter Miami domestically, with the iconic 36-year-old rewriting the history books with 180 caps and 106 goals to his name. He will form part of a Copa America title defence in 2024, but it is yet to be determined whether he will grace the 2026 World Cup finals that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

With the league stage reaching its business end, the objective for most teams is simple – win. Four points separate first from sixth and every result involving those sides count

The Preview by Nikhil Kalro13-May-2015Match factsThursday, May 14, 2015
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)Big pictureWith the league stage reaching its business end, the objective for most teams is simple – win. Four points separate first from sixth and every result involving those sides count.Kolkata Knight Riders will be assured of a spot in the playoffs if they win against Mumbai Indians, who in turn could climb into a three-way tie for third or fourth place if they overcome Knight Riders. While Mumbai’s five-match unbeaten streak was ended by a batting masterclass from AB de Villiers, Knight Riders initiated a decent run of their own, winning four of their last five games.Mumbai will be banking on home advantage and their international talent to manufacture a win. The strength of the coaching staff in the Mumbai camp has been a source of amusement in the IPL, but sound management decisions could make a difference in this crucial encounter. A loss against Knight Riders could put to waste a remarkable turnaround to their season.Knight Riders have struggled on the road this season – three of their four losses have been away from home. They will also have to contemplate the balance of the team, now that they are playing away from Kolkata. But if Shakib Al Hasan, who has joined the side, is available, a straight swap with Johan Botha could be the most plausible solution.Though Mumbai have beaten Knight Riders 10 times in 15 matches since the inception of the IPL, Knight Riders have won their previous three meetings, including a comfortable seven-wicket victory in a roller-coaster opening game to this season.Form guideMumbai Indians LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Kolkata Knight Riders WWWLWWatch out forRohit Sharma, by his standards, has been off colour since the first game of the season, when he scored an unbeaten 98 against Knight Riders. Given the success of Mumbai’s opening partnership, Rohit batting at No. 3 irrespective of the situation, would not be a bad move.In 11 matches, Knight Riders’ opening pair of Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir have put up stands of over 30 in eight games. A lot of quality exists between the pair not to carry on from that platform and lay the foundation for a brutal assault from the middle order.Stats and trivia Rohit Sharma has scored 473 runs in 15 matches at an average of 43.00 against Knight Riders. Only Suresh Raina has scored more(482). Andre Russell’s strike-rate of 179.79 is the best in the IPL, among batsmen who have played a minimum of 125 balls.Quotes”I have been watching Chris Gayle and after playing with him for the national side, I consider him my idol.”

Tottenham are reportedly set to be left empty-handed by Dele Alli's transfer to Everton, with that deal depreciating from £40 million to nothing.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Midfielder moved to Goodison in 2022Struggled for a sparkHeading towards free agency in 2024WHAT HAPPENED?

The ex-England international bid farewell to north London in January 2022, with a professional spark already in danger of fizzling out at that point. Dele hoped that a change of scenery would help to get him back on track, but a spell on Merseyside has turned into a disaster.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Dele has endured issues on and off the field, preventing him from recapturing the form that once made him one of the most exciting talents in English football. He has, having spent part of last season on loan at Turkish side Besiktas, taken in just 13 appearances for the Toffees.

DID YOU KNOW?

His last appearance of any kind came on February 26, 2023, with injury issues holding him back. The 27-year-old was forced to undergo groin surgery in January. He may not grace an Everton shirt again, with his contract due to expire at the end of the current campaign.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

According to , Spurs are set to miss out on any kind of fee for Dele. His move to Everton could have been worth as much as £40m ($50m), while Tottenham would have been due £10m ($13m) once he reaches 20 appearances for the Toffees. They did try to restructure that agreement in December 2023, but were unable to do so and are now watching on helplessly as Dele heads towards free agency.

While the two great No.10s have made history with the Albiceleste, the nation has been blessed with a host of incredible talents over the years

With two World Cup wins and a further three final appearances, Argentina are up there amongst the elite of international football.

Not only that, but players like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Gabriel Batistuta to name just three have become icons of the game, instantly recognisable the world ever. 

But who is the greatest of all? Here, Goal ranks the top 20 to have ever worn the famous Albiceleste jersey…

ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP/Getty Images20Hernan Crespo

Hernan Crespo was, at one point, the world's most expensive football player, a title that, among his compatriots, only Diego Maradona has held in the modern game.

A striker of impossible elegance and potency, he became a firm favourite thanks to his exploits with Parma, Lazio, Milan, Inter and Chelsea among others.

A veteran of three World Cups, Crespo also became the first man to score in the Champions League with five different teams, while helping Inter to three Scudetti in as many years from 2006 to 2009.

He is sometimes overlooked when putting together lists of football's best strikers but, at his most deadly, few could resist the Argentine when bearing down on goal.

AdvertisementGetty19Ricardo Bochini

You know you are not just another run of the mill player when someone of Diego Maradona's stature insists you are picked for a World Cup.

A living legend at Independiente, Ricardo Bochini was the archetype of the languid, supremely gifted Argentina No.10, playing his entire career at the Avellaneda club and helping them to four Primera titles, five Copas Libertadores and two Intercontinental Cup victories in what proved to be their most successful spell in history.

Bochini's time in the national team was understandably curtailed by the emergence of Maradona, who was nevertheless a great friend to his older team-mate.

“Come over, maestro, we've been waiting for you”, Argentina's captain famously said to him when he entered in the 1986 World Cup against Belgium for the last five minutes, his only experience of football's most-coveted trophy.

18Roberto Ayala

When it comes to Argentine football, the list of heroes is dominated by creative geniuses and prolific forwards. It is testament, then, to Roberto Ayala's supreme abilities that the former Valencia favourite is remembered among the nation's elite.

Ayala was a formidable defender in his day, playing 115 times for his nation in a career that spanned three World Cups.

He was also an integral part of Valencia's all-conquering team of the early 2000s, winning two La Liga titles as well as the UEFA Cup in Los Che's most successful spell since the 1940s.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Gabriel Rossi17Sergio Aguero

While Sergio Aguero has often been criticised for struggling to replicate his club form on the international stage, there is no doubting his brilliance in front of the net.

Ever since he burst onto the scene as a 15-year-old wonderkid for Independiente great things have been expected from 'El Kun', and he has certainly delivered in England.

With two Premier League titles and more than 200 goals for Manchester City, fans at the Etihad Stadium at least have taken Aguero to their hearts as one of the club's all-time greats.

And, at 30, there is still plenty of time for the striker to show Argentina fans exactly what he can do at the highest level.

Even as Ireland were hunting down West Indies in Nelson, in a quiet corner of quiet Manuka Oval in quiet Canberra, Bangladesh were going through a three-hour intense training session

Abhishek Purohit in Canberra16-Feb-2015Even as Ireland were hunting down West Indies in Nelson, in a quiet corner of quiet Manuka Oval in quiet Canberra, Bangladesh were going through a three-hour intense training session. Bangladesh lost both their World Cup warm-up games, one of them to Ireland, and their first opponents in the tournament are Afghanistan, who beat them in the Asia Cup last March in the only previous ODI between the two sides.Bangladesh have not played an international game for two-and-a-half months now, but going by this afternoon’s workout, they are putting in the effort in training. Barring Tamim Iqbal, who is feeling his way back from a knee injury and only faced throwdowns and some offbreaks, the other Bangladesh batsmen had long stints in the side nets just outside Manuka Oval against both pace and spin. The fast bowlers ran in hard in the heat and tested their team-mates’ techniques.The injury-prone Mashrafe Mortaza eased into his spell, bowling off a few paces at the start, and clutching his right shoulder on a few occasions as he loosened up. He was soon sprinting in from his usual run-up, although he was the slowest of the four Bangladesh pace bowlers. He also bowled the shortest spell among the four, choosing to have a short batting stint after that.’I’m challenging you, coach’

“[If] I’m out [again], I’m out. I’ll go away. I’m serious. I’m challenging you, coach.” Tamim Iqbal had just been bowled by a yorker from the sidearm device operated by Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
Tamim had stayed away from the nets at Manuka Oval while his team-mates sweated it out. He sauntered in quite late and sat down to have a long chat with Nasir Hossain. Finally, he prepared to face throwdowns from Hathurusingha.
And he was bowled early on. The proud batsman’s ego had been hurt. Hathurusingha tried to gently talk Tamim out of such potentially distracting challenges but the batsman was adamant.
And for the remainder of his stint, Tamim was not getting out. The faster Hathurusingha slung them in, the faster they went. Cover drives, straight drives, on-drives, pulls, cuts. “Good shots,” the coach acknowledged in the end and went on to advise the batsman about mindset and switching on and off during an innings.

Rubel Hossain seemed the quickest, sending Mahmudullah’s leg stump out of the ground with a sharp yorker. He also found some swing, while the two young ones, Taskin Ahmed and Al-Amin Hossain hit the surface hard and generated rapid bounce. The well-built Taskin, especially, was quite a sight when viewed from just behind the batsman as he pounded in.Rubel and Al-Amin bowled in tandem, while Mortaza and Taskin took charge in another net. Spinners operated in the remaining two practice nets. Team manager and former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud sent down a handful of his mediums as well, even going past the outside edge a couple of times.Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Soumya Sarkar and Mahmudullah comprised the first batch of batsmen while Shakib Al Hasan, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman and Mortaza formed the second. Anamul Haque came on in the final batch along with some of the bowlers.After some initial discomfort in tackling the pace and bounce of a couple of the strongly-built local net bowlers, the short Mominul went on to play some solid pulls, picking up the lengths early and moving quickly into position.Watched by the odd group of children returning from school, Mushfiqur batted the longest, in the net just adjacent to the pavement. There were some instinctive punches on the up off the middle of the bat along with some top-edged hooks. Soon, he started batting in mock situations. Twelve needed off four balls. Fine leg up, called out Taskin before starting to run in. Mushfiqur calmly walked across and connected on the scoop off a full delivery. He did it against Mortaza too. With two needed off one, however, Taskin fired in a yorker, which Mushfiqur missed. Bangladesh will be hoping all the work prevents another misfire against Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka Cricket is in the early stages of planning a upgrade to training facilities at the Premadasa Stadium, with indoor nets, a swimming pool and a dormitory for the cricket academy all being considered

Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Sep-2014Sri Lanka Cricket is in the early stages of planning a substantial upgrade to the training facilities at the Premadasa Stadium, with indoor nets, a swimming pool and a dormitory for the cricket academy all being considered, CEO Ashley de Silva has said. The project is presently in the design stage, and is expected to cost around 100 million rupees (approx. USD $770,000).”We hope to embark on preliminary work before the end of this year” de Silva told . “Hopefully we can put the plan together so that it will be ratified either in the next executive committee meeting or the one after that.”Players and coaches have felt that a swimming pool has been overdue for some time at the Premadasa Stadium, which is the primary site for the national team training ahead of any tour. At present, the team largely carries out its nets and gym sessions at the Premadasa stadium, and those who require swimming-pool training do so a few kilometres away at either Nondescripts Cricket Club or Sinhalese Cricket Club. On wet days, both the Sri Lanka team and touring sides normally head to the indoor nets at NCC.The Premadasa stadium is also the epicentre for SLC’s Max Cricket Academy, and a dormitory which will house around 30 players is part of the proposed upgrade. On-site living quarters are largely expected to benefit cricketers from outside Colombo, who have become increasingly central to the nation’s top teams. A dormitory will allow those players to attend training from a convenient location, and prevent the need for frequent trips to their home towns.SLC does not yet have a concrete timeline for the project, with the executive committee expected to decide the exact nature of the upgrade.