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Rangers are tracking a "Rolls Royce" player who Michael Beale wanted to sign during his time in charge at Ibrox, according to a fresh transfer update.

Rangers transfer news

Philippe Clement knows how important a productive summer transfer window will be, during a period in which several players will likely leave on free transfers, including Borna Barisic, John Lundsram and Kemar Roofe.

Rangers are one of the clubs who are believed to be monitoring Macarthur youngster Raphael Borges Rodrigues, who currently plays in the A-League in Australia. Described as a "sensation" by journalist Pete O'Rourke, the winger could be seen as one for the future at Ibrox.

Meanwhile, West Ham utility man Ben Johnson is expected to leave the London Stadium on a free transfer this summer and the Gers are reportedly in the mix to snap him up. The 24-year-old has made 14 Premier League appearances this season, although only four have been starts, highlighting why he could move on.

It could be that Rangers also seal a permanent move for Abdallah Sima, who is on loan from Brighton currently, and journalist Dean Jones has talked up that move going through: "A few other Premier League clubs have had an eye on him in the past couple of years, I think he’s a great watch. But optimism does seem to be there that Rangers are going to tie this one up at a fee that is absolutely from the bargain basement."

Now, it looks as though a move for a long-time target also isn't out of the question, following a new transfer report that has emerged.

Rangers eyeing "Rolls Royce" Beale target

According to a report from The Daily Record, Birmingham City defender Dion Sanderson is a target for Rangers chiefs this summer, having shown an interest in him under Beale's watch: "Record Sport understands Rangers have had one eye on Birmingham defender Dion Sanderson for some time.

"The 24-year-old’s name was on a list of potential targets which was drawn up way back when Beale was still in charge and Sanderson remains a person of interest where the Ibrox club is concerned."

While any mention of Beale can cause negativity with some Rangers supporters, considering his disappointing spell as manager, he was right to see Sanderson as a good option, and he could be an excellent signing this summer.

The Englishman has started 36 matches for Birmingham in the Championship this season, and while his side are on the verge of relegation to League One on Saturday, he has enjoyed a strong personal campaign, averaging 3.3 clearances and 1.8 aerial duel wins per game in the competition.

Appearances

36

Starts

36

Goals

1

Assists

0

Clearances per game

3.3

Aerial duel wins per game

1.8

Interceptions per game

1.4

Former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson once called Sanderson "an absolute Rolls Royce" of a player, highlighting his ability during their time together at the Stadium of Light, and he could come in as a great centre-back option for Rangers, adding depth and quality for Clement next season.

Manchester City will reportedly listen to offers for an "incredible" player who Pep Guardiola has publicly hailed once the summer transfer window arrives.

Man City ins and outs this summer

The reigning Premier League champions are expected to make changes to their squad in the summer, in order to retain a freshness and keep players on their toes.

Lokomotiv Moscow youngster Sergey Pinyaev has been linked with a switch to City, with the 19-year-old seen as a long-term acquisition with a high ceiling. He has seven goal contributions (three goals and four assists) in 17 Russian Premier League starts this season, primarily playing as a right-sided attacking player, but also capable of thriving on the opposite flank.

Another target who starred over the weekend is Crystal Palace star Michael Olise, having been regularly tipped to head to City in the summer, with rivals Liverpool and Manchester United also showing an interest.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong is being looked at as a potential replacement for Kyle Walker, who is now 33 years of age. The Bundesliga ace has been a key man for his side en route to them winning the title under Xabi Alonso, chipping in with eight goals and seven assists in the competition.

On the flip side, there are some huge names who could potentially leave City this summer, with Bernardo Silva arguably looking the most likely to move on to pastures new. A move to Barcelona has been mooted a number of times, with the Portuguese reportedly favouring a move to the Camp Nou instead of staying at the Etihad.

Man City open to selling "incredible" player

According to Football Insider, Manchester City could now choose to sell Jack Grealish this summer, with a "shock sale a growing possibility" once the current campaign comes to an end.

The report says that "Guardiola is not completely convinced by the winger and he is considered dispensable despite starting the majority of the team’s big games this season", suggesting that the manager has lost faith in the £300,000-a-week ace despite previously singing his praises.

This is an intriguing update, with opinion likely to be split when it comes to Grealish's worth as a City player moving forward. To some, he is a key cog in the machine, keeping possession, linking with teammates and winning free-kicks, but his detractors criticise his lack of end product, with only 14 goals scored in 122 appearances for the club.

Guardiola has called the 28-year-old "incredible" in the past, so he has clearly valued him along the way, and he played his part in City's incredible treble success last season. There is an argument to say that the England international could be improved upon, however, with Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala linked with a stunning move to the Etihad this summer, and surely representing an upgrade, not to mention being seven years younger.

Man City eye move to sign £65m star who is INEOS's top target for Man Utd

It could be quite the battle for his signature this summer between the two sides.

ByBen Browning Apr 20, 2024

Grealish is contracted to City until 2027, so there is certainly no rush to sell him, but if a huge offer comes in, there is sense in at least considering accepting it.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) has agreed to reallocate £1 million of domestic prize money towards player contracts for 2020, after reaching an agreement with the ECB and the 18 first-class counties in response to the COVID-19 outbreak that has already delayed the start of the county season.Following discussions that were concluded on Wednesday, the three parties have also agreed on an initial two-month salary reduction for county players, in line with the 20 percent pay cuts already accepted by non-playing staff, with players also agreeing to being furloughed, if requested.The measures follow a donation of £500,000 by England men’s contracted players, through the Team England Player Partnership, to the ECB and selected good causes. England’s women’s players also volunteered a salary reduction in line with their coaches and support staff.”I am pleased we have reached a collective agreement between the PCA, ECB and the 18 first-class counties and I thank all parties for the collaborative spirit of these discussions particularly at this most challenging of times,” said Daryl Mitchell, the PCA chairman.ALSO READ: How the counties are reacting to Coronavirus“The understanding from our players and the willingness to help has been particularly heartening. Like many industries, cricket recognises the challenges it currently faces; the players have been alert to the need for them to play their part.”The County Championship had been due to get underway this weekend, with the first round of fixtures slated for Easter Sunday, April 12. However, the season has already been postponed to May 28, with a further delay anticipated as the UK continues to implement social distancing measures to combat the spread of the virus.”The Coronavirus pandemic will continue to put financial pressure on the game and this initial two-month agreement will support the game for the period of April and May,” Mitchell added.”We were due to start the County Championship season on Sunday and sadly for us all that will not be the case. As a group of players, we will do everything we can to ensure that when cricket does return the sport is in a position to thrive.”This prolonged period of isolation is challenging and the PCA remains committed to helping all our members through these times with our world-class welfare provisions.”

سقط ميلان في فخ التعادل بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها في مواجهة مثيرة أمام كالياري، ضمن مباريات الجولة 12 من الدوري الإيطالي للدرجة الأولى على ملعب ساردينيا.

تقدم ندير زورتيا لـ كالياري في الدقيقة الثانية بتسديدة قوية من داخل منطقة الجزاء، أشعلت مدرجات الملعب، ولكن الرد لم يتأخر كثيرًا.

جاء التعادل في الدقيقة 15، بعد تمريرة رائعة من المتألق تيجاني ريندرز، لـ رافائيل لياو الذي وضعها من فوق الحارس بطريقة أروع.

في الدقيقة 40، استلم رافائيل لياو تمريرة من فوفانا، لينطلق من وسط المدافعين، وينفرد بالمرمى ليسجل الهدف الثاني ويقلب النتيجة لصالحه.

طالع أيضًَا.. نقل موراتا إلى المستشفى بعد إصابة خطيرة في تدريبات ميلان

انتهى الشوط الأول بتقدم ميلان، المنتشي بالفوز على ريال مدريد في الجولة الأخيرة من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ورغم صناعته للهدف الثاني، لكنه أخطأ في الدقيقة 53 بتمريرة للخلف، جابرييلي زابا، ووضعها في شباك الحارس مايك ماينان.

الإثارة استمرت، بعد تبديلات المدرب فونسيكا، بدخول تامي أبراهام، الذي تمكن من متابعة تسديدة كريستيان بوليسيتش في الدقيقة 69 ووضع الكرة في الشباك.

الدقيقة 89 تأتي، ولكن جابرييلي زابا، أطلق صاروخية وسجل أفضل أهداف المباراة على الطائر، لتهتز المدرجات مثلما كانت شباك الحارس الفرنسي.

تعادل فرضه كالياري، ليستمر الكالشيو في تقديم مباريات ممتعة ومثيرة هذا الموسم، بينما ميلان فقد تأثر بلعنة الفوز على ريال مدريد، وسقط في ساردينيا بفخ التعادل.

هذا الفوز رفع رصيد كالياري للنقطة العاشرة في المركز السادس عشر، بينما ميلان، فقد استمر في المركز السابع برصيد 18 نقطة. أهداف مباراة ميلان وكالياري اليوم في الدوري الإيطالي

Only Sydney Thunder have had worse luck, losing 19 in a row in the Big Bash’s early years

The Report by Daniel Brettig12-Jan-2020Jonathan Wells and Matthew Short set up Adelaide Strikers for a commanding victory over the winless and aimless Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval to allow the hosts to keep pace with the top teams in the Big Bash League, while pushing the visitors closer to a summary elimination from the tournament.With the finals series expanded to five teams this summer, the Renegades are still a mathematical chance of qualifying, but their current streak of nine consecutive losses after winning last year’s title is now the second-worst after Sydney Thunder’s 19 in a row in the competition’s early years.After a rapid start, the Strikers were in danger of losing their way before Wells and Short piled on 80 in 52 balls to ensure they set a target well beyond the reach of the Renegades. Peter Siddle, Rashid Khan and Travis Head all claimed multiple victims as the Strikers held all their catches.Strikers’ early powerOn a pristine Sunday afternoon, Head took little time choosing to bat on the same surface that had allowed Rashid to claim a hat-trick against the Sydney Sixers. With it expected to slow down and spin, the Renegades named three spinners and used two in tandem with the new ball, but Phil Salt and Jake Weatherald were still able to get away to a flying start, finding the boundary with enough frequency to rush the Strikers to 50 inside five overs.Even with the departures of Salt and Weatherald, both trying to force the pace perhaps a fraction too much, the hosts were still able to post 59 from the Powerplay, enough of a start to allow a rest through the middle overs, even as the Renegades bounded back into the contest with a couple of wickets. Head and Harry Nielsen, into the team in place of the absent Alex Carey, fell to Cameron Boyce and Samit Patel respectively, leaving the need for a middle order recovery.All’s well that ends with WellsFortunately for the Strikers, they have long possessed a strong middle order insurance policy in the form of the slightly built Wells, who has made it a signature to ensure that his team will be able to at least reach 150 on most occasions, even if the earlier overs have not been kind to him. Summoning the help of Short, Wells calmly allowed the run rate to drop from its early innings heights of beyond 10 an over to less than seven with six overs remaining, before launching a final assault.As demonstrated by Glenn Maxwell elsewhere, this taking of a little extra “set-up” time to weigh up the pace, bounce and spin of a surface can result in spectacular results, and so it was to prove at Adelaide Oval. Returns of 10, 10, 10 and 11 from overs 15, 16, 17 and 18 were followed by a gluttonish 18 and 17 from the 19th and 20th, as the Renegades saw their target balloon from a likely 150 to 174. Short’s 41 from 28 balls featured a trio of sixes, while Wells lasted until the penultimate ball of the innings for a priceless 58 from 38.They miss, you hitA chase of 174 against Rashid and company would have been difficult for a confident side, let alone the winless Renegades. And the early exchanges of the pursuit were to follow as expected. Marcus Harris, for a long time a curiously ineffective Twenty20 batsman, lifted Head for one boundary over cover, but was bowled when he tried to do it again. Siddle amiably greeted his Victoria squad mate Sam Harper with a friendly pat, but next over nailed a yorker to pluck out the opener’s middle stump.As Webster and a scratchy Shaun Marsh sought to build some sort of chasing platform, the Strikers did not lose patience, and the calling of the strategic time out for the end of the ninth over brought a re-affirmation that, even though Michael Neser’s first over went for an unsightly 19, the hosts needed to keep targeting the stumps of an anxious and unsuccessful opponent. As if on cue, Head’s second ball of the 10th over was well flighted and dipped enough of Marsh to have him yorking himself as he tried to raise the rate. Three bowled out of three, and the Strikers were on their way.No Webster, no RenegadesA strong, intelligent innings by Beau Webster was to go completely to waste as the combination of Strikers pressure, Renegades anxiety and a slowing pitch all conspired to see a dramatically swift end to a game that had, for some of its distance, had some pretensions towards an actual contest. That was largely due to Webster, and even when he was partnered by Mohammad Nabi the visitors still had a chance, albeit mathematical.However the poise of Rashid, Siddle and Head, plus a staunch fielding display from the Strikers that saw every catch taken, meant that the remainder of the Renegades innings melted away as if they were late for the plane home to Melbourne. In all, the final seven wickets went down for 24 in five overs as the Strikers’ adoring Adelaide Oval crowd – this time comprising 28,188 spectators – continued having fun.The Strikers, then, got the win they needed to keep in touch with the top of the table, and the Renegades stretched their streak to nine.

Christian Pulisic may be lined up for a new position at AC Milan, with the Rossoneri considering an experiment to make the USMNT star “better”.

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American hit 15 goals last seasonSpent much of his time on the right flankMay be asked to fill central playmaking roleGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international posted a personal-best on the goal front last season, with the target found on 15 occasions through 50 appearances in all competitions. An immediate impact has been made at San Siro, with Pulisic being billed as an “MVP” for Serie A heavyweights.

AdvertisementWHAT FONSECA SAID

Most of his best work was carried out on the right flank, despite spending much of his career to date on the left, and new Milan boss Paulo Fonseca admits the 25-year-old could be moved into a central playmaking post. He has said during a tour of the US: “I don’t know if in our structure we can speak about a No. 10, but [Pulisic] can play in that position. We have other players who can play, [Ruben Loftus-Cheek] can play in that position. But yes, Christian has characteristics to play in this part of the pitch.”

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Milan were delighted with Pulisic’s contribution in 2023-24, but Fonseca believes the American can take his game to even greater heights. He added: “It’s not easy for a foreigner to arrive in their first year and perform like Christian did because it’s difficult for a player like him to find space in Italy. So if he did so well in the first year, I believe he can do better in the second year.”

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WHAT NEXT?

Pulisic figured off the bench for Milan in their friendly win over Premier League champions Manchester City at Yankee Stadium in New York, while rubbing shoulders with pop superstar Rihanna. More minutes will be seen in upcoming meetings with La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Bournemouth had struck a permanent deal to sign Luis Sinisterra from Leeds United. Sinisterra had initially joined the Cherries on a season-long loan with an option to buy, but Andoni Iraola's side were clearly delighted by what they saw from the Colombian and acted early to tie him up long-term for a fee of £20m. Leeds have now lost two players to the south coast outfit in the space of a season after Tyler Adams made the same move last summer, but they're satisfied that they've avoided a loss on the man they signed from Feyenoord.

Another player who left Leeds on 2023 was centre-back Diego Llorente, who joined Serie A side Roma. The key difference, though, was that Llorente made his move in January, agreeing to an initial 18-month spell, and there's believed to be a clause in the agreement whereby Roma have an obligation to buy the Spaniard if certain conditions are met.

Llorente now closes in on Leeds exit

Now, according to Il Romanista, Roma are "one step away" from signing Leeds man Llorente in a permanent deal. The Italian outfit are determined to reinforce their defence for next season and view Llorente as a key piece.

He will automatically join if he continues to play as nears the aformentioned criteria, and there's a feeling that "only the official confirmation" is missing at this stage. The move, then, looks like an inevitability.

£18m Llorente may not be last loanee to say goodbye

Leeds paid around £18m to sign Llorente from Real Sociedad in 2020 following their promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa. In a campaign that was affected by three separate injuries, he played 15 top-flight games and helped the Whites finish in ninth place. The year after, he appeared 28 times in a successful survival bid, but he slipped down the pecking order under Jesse Marsch in the first half of 2022/23 before departing.

Appearances

21

6th

Starts

20

=4th

Minutes played

1,585

6th

Minutes per match

75

9th

% of team minutes played

73.4

6th

As you can see in the table above, Llorente has been a key player for Roma this season as the Giallorossi battle to finish in the top four in Serie A and avenge their defeat in last season's Europa League final. In addition to playing in 21 of their 24 league games, he's started five of their six matches in UEFA competition up to this point.

Leeds must rue selling their homegrown talent who's now better than Firpo

This howler will still sting from a Leeds United perspective.

ByKelan Sarson Feb 15, 2024

With Llorente set to follow Sinisterra out the door, it remains to be seen which other loanees have played their final game for Championship promotion-chasers Leeds. Robin Koch has already said goodbye to Daniel Farke's side after agreeing pre-contract terms with Eintracht Frankfurt ahead of the expiry of his Whites deal this summer, while Jack Harrison could go too if Everton decide to activate his release clause.

There may have been sections of the Tottenham Hotspur support who were scratching their head at the news of the club's interest in former Chelsea flop, Timo Werner, with the German speedster having hardly been the most exciting capture on the surface.

The 27-year-old – who has signed on an initial loan deal from RB Leipzig – had previously faltered in the Premier League during his time at Stamford Bridge, scoring just ten top-flight goals across two full seasons, prior to being sent back to the Bundesliga.

That return to his homeland had also failed to pan out as the one-time Stuttgart man netted just twice in the first half of 2023/24 – and yet, the early evidence would suggest that Ange Postecoglou has pulled off something of a masterstroke, such has been Werner's fine start to life in Lilywhite.

Rather than being tasked with trying to emulate the likes of Harry Kane through the middle, the versatile asset has instead found a home for himself on the left flank in his embryonic Tottenham career, registering two assists across his first three league outings.

That early impact has led to praise from pundit Jamie O'Hara, with the former Spurs midfielder stating that Werner has been a "good signing" for the club and that Postecoglou can "get the best out of him", despite his prior woes in west London.

With Heung-min Son soon set to return from the Asian Cup later this month, the former Celtic boss now has real competition on the flanks in the form of the South Korean star, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Werner – a pool of talent that could help fire them toward a Champions League berth.

That strength in depth, however, should prove bad news for one promising talent at N17, with Bryan Gil seemingly needing to find a new home over the summer, despite opting to stay put in the winter window.

January interest in Bryan Gil

It is telling of Gil's woes that in the previous two January windows he has been shipped out on loan back to his native Spain, with that epitomising just what a dismal deal it has been for all concerned since his arrival from Sevilla back in 2021.

That £25m capture – which also saw Erik Lamela head in the other direction – looks to be a real costly mistake as far as Spurs are concerned, with the playmaker having quickly been sent back to La Liga to join Valencia in 2022, prior to making a return to Andalusia a year later.

As pundit Noel Whelan stated, sending the youngster back to a league that he has already impressed in appeared "utterly pointless", hence the intrigue regarding a potential move within the Premier League last month.

The suggestion late in the window was that Brighton and Hove Albion were keen to sign the 22-year-old on loan until the end of the season, with the two clubs having even held talks regarding that potential temporary switch.

"Very exciting" Spurs player now told to find new club after Ange decision

There many clubs now circling for him.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 26, 2024

As it proved, however, the four-cap international reportedly shunned that interest amid his desire to stay in north London, although it remains to be seen how much game time he will go on to get this season, particularly amid the signing of Werner.

Bryan Gil's season by numbers

Since turning down the Seagulls' advances, Gil has been described as a "fantastic young player" by his manager, with Postecoglou hinting that the 5 foot 9 dynamo has largely not been helped due to injuries this season.

That being said, when the £40k-per-week talent has featured of late he hasn't exactly done much to impress, with Sky Sport pundit Jamie Carragher brutally stating that the winger "looked like a boy playing in a man’s game", after he was hooked at half time in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

That outing at the Etihad was one of just two league starts that the left-footer has earned so far this season, having also struggled to make an impact off the bench with no goals or assists in 11 games in all competitions.

As Postecoglou noted, injuries have been a factor in derailing his progress, although there is a nagging feeling that Gil simply struggles to impact games, having created zero 'big chances' and averaged just 0.3 key passes per game in the league in 2023/24.

Part of a group of players whom writer Mitch Fretton described as "unwanted" at the club last summer, the peripheral figure also averages just 0.4 tackles and interceptions per game, with the defensive part of his game also lacking.

How Bryan Gil compares to Timo Werner

It is quite remarkable that in just four appearances for Spurs to date, Werner has already matched Gil's record of two assists – despite the fact that the Spaniard has now played 42 games for the club.

While there have been stints out on loan, in over three years at N17, Gil has also failed to score so far in all competitions, with the north Londoners having hardly seen any return on their rather sizeable £25m investment.

It is not as if the Brighton target has particularly ripped it up during his time in Spain either, his best returns seeing him score four goals and contribute four assists in 29 games for Eibar, while providing just nine goal contributions in 45 games for Sevilla.

Werner, meanwhile, chalked up 160 goals and assists in just 213 games across two spells at Leipzig, while also actually boasting a solid record for the Blues with 44 goal involvements in just 89 games.

Werner

Gil

0.27

0.12

0.21

0.18

2.99

2.62

2.46

2.80

3.95

3.15

1.23

1.98

6.04

3.38

9.73

9.39

The Champions League winner's superior threat can also be seen by the fact that he ranks in the top 11% among his European peers for touches in attacking penalty area per 90, while Gil, by contrast, ranks in just the bottom 34% in that regard.

With Werner already making an immediate impact under Postecoglou, it is hard to see young Gil being able to replicate such a resurgence over the coming months, with the eventual outcome likely to be a much-needed exit this summer.

Smith was almost never troubled by the short ball during his 319-ball stay for 211 runs

Daniel Brettig in Manchester05-Sep-2019Given how often he has tormented England’s bowlers while forming the bulwark of so many vast Australian first innings, Steven Smith’s revelation about how much stem guards had irked him was somewhat surprising. For so hard wearing has Smith become at adapting to the many and varied challenges thrown his way by opponents, the fact that he revealed a tendency – prior to his heavy hit by Jofra Archer at Lord’s that ruled him out of Headingley – to cast away the guard without much in the way of persistence felt out of step.But now that he has successfully added a stem guard to his protective measures, in addition to an arm guard in response to a blow he also suffered from Archer a little earlier in the same innings, it looks very much as though Smith is now even more impervious to opposition attacks than previously. That will be an ominous thought for bowlers, not only in England but all over the world, as Smith continues his pursuit of team victories and batting records.”I noticed it a couple of times. I guess I got used to it pretty quick,” Smith said of the stem guard. “I never really gave it a chance in the nets. I’d wear it for 10 balls and if I got out or something I’d say, ‘nah this isn’t working’ and get rid of it. For me it was just giving it a chance and wearing it for a while and you get used to it.”I walked in and I told the doc – I’m pretty superstitious with different things – I said the stem guards are good to stay now and my arm guard’s probably good to stay as well that I wore this game. I got a bit of a laugh from the boys out of that because they know how strange I am.”Also read: Team-mates finally turn up to Steve Smith’s partyAs for the short ball, which Smith was almost never troubled by during his 319-ball stay, the memories of Lord’s had faded beneath a more familiar sense of security, not only in terms of dealing with bouncers, but also knowing that the challenge of dealing with a moving Dukes ball is counterbalanced by bowlers intent on banging it in their own half of the pitch.”I was just watching the ball and playing the ball. I’ve faced a lot of short pitched bowling in my life and haven’t had too many issues with it,” Smith said. “For a day-one, day-two wicket, then bowling up there, I said it before the game, means they can’t hit me on the pad or nick me off. And it softens their ball up as well. It played into our hands I think, and enabled that ball to get soft pretty quickly and for us to score some big first-innings runs.”Lord’s was a tough wicket. His angle wasn’t very easy with the wicket being up-and-down. That was hard work and I said before the game that if they bowl a lot at my head then they’re not bowling at my stumps and trying to get me out lbw and caught behind the wicket. And I think that perhaps played into our favour a little bit in this innings.”I think we saw when Stuart Broad came on with the new ball, he bowled some really nice lengths and beat my bat on the outside a couple of times and I got an inside edge to fine leg. He was quite challenging when he hit that length. For them to go as short as they did and as early as they did with the new ball, softened that ball up and played into our hands.”Having missed the Leeds Test, Smith had a little more time to think about the approaches England were taking to him, and in the wake of his 211, a third Ashes double century, he offered an insight into how he thought his way through the traps laid for him. “I think and visualise before I play where people are likely to bowl to me and where I am likely to score and try to picture fields that are set and play things over in my mind, where I am going to get runs and how they are looking to get me out,” Smith said.”Then out in the middle you have to adapt to whatever is thrown at you. You might have noticed when Overton was bowling really wide to me and I was just going a mile across and staying almost front on and felt like I was playing a bit of French cricket for a bit, just covering my stumps. If they got straight I was going to score, if not I was waiting on a half volley or a short one to put away, and just tried to stay patient.”If you look at the best players around the world, they sum up what people are trying to do and adapt to it and are willing to change and have the confidence to change what they are doing to get the right outcome.”This was an innings not without good fortune, Archer dropping a return catch in the second over of the morning, then Jack Leach dismissing Smith off a no-ball shortly after he made made his century. “I think you always need some luck when you score big runs. It fell my way today,” Smith said. “I lost a bit of concentration for around 20 minutes or so when Leach was bowling. I tried to hit one into next week and landed safely and obviously got a nick from a ball that spun and bounced a little bit, but probably didn’t need to play it the way I did.”After I got caught off the no-ball I switched myself back on and got back in to where I needed to be. Generally when you score runs people try a few different tactics to you so you have to be switched on and adapt to those tactics that they’re throwing at you and get through them so I would say it changes throughout your innings.”

The winner of the 2023 Puskas Award has now been revealed, so Football FanCast has taken a look at all of the winners, dating back to 2009 – the edition's inaugural year.

It's been a difficult list to rank, with so many goals worthy of placing higher up, but we've tried our best.

Without further ado, here are our selections!

15 Mohamed Salah v Everton 2018

Mohamed Salah enjoyed an electrifying start to his Anfield career after making a £34.3m switch from Serie A side Roma in the summer of 2017.

His debut season saw him net a whopping 32 times in the Premier League, but it was his sublime effort against Everton in the Merseyside derby that was the pick of the bunch.

The Liverpool wideman received the ball from Joe Gomez on the right-hand side of the penalty area before shrugging off his marker, gliding past the second onrushing defender, and shaping up to perfectly curl the ball home past the helpless Jordan Pickford in goal.

As the snow fell, Salah wheeled away in celebration, lifting his hands aloft with a relatively emotionless face, personifying a cool figure, befitting of the English weather!

A stunner, but was it really the best goal scored that year?

14 Wendell Lira v Atlético Clube Goianiense 2015

Wendell Lira was involved in the slick build-up play prior to his first-time bicycle kick finish – which he had to adapt brilliantly to, turning in a 360-degree motion.

Lira's marvellous goal beat stiff competition that year in the form of Lionel Messi, who came runner-up to the right-winger.

Messi's magnificent solo goal against Athletic Bilbao wasn't enough to overthrow the Brazillian's effort, evincing just how ridiculous it was.

13 James Rodriguez v Uruguay 2014

Next up is James Rodriguez's iconic World Cup goal against Uruguay. The Colombian enjoyed a magnificent campaign at the 2014 tournament, scoring six goals and collecting the Golden Boot award.

His Puskas-winning goal was out of this world, as he controlled the ball on his chest before pivoting to release a dipping left-footed volley that struck the crossbar on its way in.

From an aesthetic viewpoint, seeing the ball hit the bar before bouncing down and back up into the roof of the net made the goal that extra bit special and certainly one worthy of winning the prestigious award.

His glittering performances at the World Cup prompted La Liga giants Real Madrid to outlay £71m to sign him from AS Monaco, adding to their star-studded squad of Galacticos.

12 Hamit Altıntop v Kazakhstan 2010

Hamit Altıntop was known for his long-range shooting ability, but even by his standards, the Turkey international must've surprised himself when he powered home a thunderous 20-yard volley against Kazakhstan back in 2010.

Though, his fairly muted celebration – considering the quality of the goal – would suggest it's nothing wildly out of the ordinary for him, just another wonder-strike to add to his growing dossier.

Even his comments after winning the esteemed award appeared nonchalant: "It's not that bad to write a bit of history," Altıntop said.

11 Son Heung-min v Burnley 2020

Just missing out on the top 10 is Son Heung-min's 70-yard solo run that ended with a cool and composed finish. Had it not been for the poor Burnley defending, this goal would've placed much higher.

Notwithstanding that, it still took a tremendous amount of close control whilst running at speed with the ball, gliding past several opposition players.

And to have the composure to steady himself before stroking the ball past the imposing 6-foot-6 presence of Nick Pope was extraordinary.

It is certainly a goal that will live long in the memories of Spurs fans.

10 Erik Lamela v Arsenal 2021

Erik Lamela's jaw-dropping 'rabona' goal in the north London derby a few years back left Sergio Reguilon in complete amazement.

His reaction to the Argentinian's strike was almost as good as the goal itself as he immediately put his hands on his head in utter disbelief.

Lamela could hardly believe it either, though his euphoria quickly turned to red mist later in the game after receiving a second yellow card for catching Kieran Tierney in the face with his arm.

Nevertheless, a terrific bit of imagination from the wide player to flick the ball with his 'wrong foot' through the legs of Thomas Partey and into the back of the net.

9 Guilherme Madruga vs Novorizontino 2023

Guilherme Madruga took the prize for the 2023 award with his stunning overhead kick from around 25 yards out. Playing for Botafogo-SP in the Brazilian second tier, the midfielder scored the goal in a victory against Novorizontino.

Surrounded by defenders and with his back to goal, Madruga was forced to produce a moment of creativity that left many in disbelief as his looping overhead kick dipped under the bar to beat the goalkeeper.

And it was apparent even the player himself was left stunned by what he had done as he spoke about the sensational goal which saw him beat the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion's Julio Enciso to the award:

“After the game, I watched the video of the goal again and only then did I realise what I’d done,” Madruga said.

8 Mohd Faiz Subri v Pahang 2016

Mohd Faiz Subri struck a long-range free-kick effort against fellow Malaysian side Pahang in 2015 that had the most incredible amount of unpredictable swerve on it.

In fact, it's the type of strike that when described to you, sounds inconceivable, but thankfully, the wondergoal was captured on film for the world to marvel at.

The opposing goalkeeper stood helplessly, watching the ball fly into the top corner, as the home fans were sent into raptures at the Bandaraya Pulau Pinang Stadium.

7 Miroslav Stoch v Gençlerbirliği S.K. 2012

Outside-of-the-area volleys are always special, but this one is even more so. The technique Miroslav Stoch went for is unequivocally more difficult than a typical 'laces through the ball' strike.

The Slovakian wideman beautifully struck the ball into the reverse corner, leaving the goalkeeper with absolutely no chance. The assist is certainly worth noting, too, as the ball was perfectly flighted from corner taker Alex onto the right boot of Stoch.

He was quick to give credit to the Brazilian in his winning speech: "But, first of all, I would say big credit for our ex-captain Alex (de Souza), who took the corner. He played me a perfect ball."

6 Cristiano Ronaldo v Porto 2009

Cristiano Ronaldo – during his final season at Manchester United – produced an absolute showstopper in the Champions League quarter-finals to silence the boos that rung around Porto's imposing Estadio do Dragao.

The Portuguese superstar, on his return to his home nation, leathered the ball from 39.6 yards out into the top corner, with the strike clocking in at a remarkable 64.2mph. To put that into context, the speed of his shot would exceed the speed limit on a single carriageway in England…

It also turned out to be the winning goal as United progressed through to the semi-finals of the competition.