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Everton will need to further supplement their attacking ranks this summer to hit the ground running this season, with Sean Dyche setting his sights on Southampton striker Che Adams.

Who are Everton signing this summer?

According to multiple sources – including BBC Sport – the Toffees are closing on a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Youssef Chermiti, aged 19, who broke into first-team contention last term.

Ashley Young has already been signed on a free transfer while Arnaut Danjuma arrives on a one-year loan transfer, but a recognised and established centre-forward would also be well-received as Everton strive to avoid another season mired in relegation troubles.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

And so, Adams – who was relegated with Saints last season – is also being considered for transfer, with Football Insider revealing the Merseyside outfit have a genuine interest in the Scotland international, with Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers also in pursuit.

Should Everton sign Che Adams?

Adams penned a deal with the south coast club for £15m from Birmingham City in 2019, and has scored 31 goals and supplied 15 assists from 145 outings across all competitions.

Once quirkily likened to "the ketchup bottle phenomenon" by former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl for maintaining his hunger for goals despite a concerning goal drought, Adams is the tenacious and multi-skilled striker Everton could benefit from.

He suffered an injury-disrupted campaign as Southampton fell into the second tier, but still plundered five goals and three assists from 23 starts, as per Sofascore, forging 1.7 shots and 0.9 key passes per match.

To compare this to Dyche's attacking options last term, Maupay scored once, averaging 1.2 shots and 0.3 key passes per match, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin only scored twice as he fought his own fight against injury, though did average 1.8 shots and 0.5 key passes per outing.

As per FBref, Adams is interestingly considered the most comparable player to Roma striker Tammy Abraham, and given the former Chelsea ace's dynamism and variety in attacking approach, Dyche could certainly benefit from adding a similar player to the ranks.

Abraham was once described as "incredible" by former manager Frank Lampard, and has impressed during his time in Italy, scoring 36 goals and supplying 12 assists from 107 appearances, winning the Conference League in the 21/22 campaign.

The 11-cap England international averaged 1.6 shots and 0.9 key passes per game last season and as such boasts a similar profile to Adams, which would only play in Everton's favour.

There is a cautious optimism that Calvert-Lewin will play a major role in the forthcoming campaign, and has been partaking in a new summer fitness regime to build his resilience.

The 6 foot 2 focal point will be the team's main goal-grabber if he can indeed put his medical issues behind him, and Adams could prove to be the perfect partner, offering a more dynamic, multi-faceted threat.

Abrahams once claimed that Jose Mourinho's tutelage in Rome was turning him into a "monster", and perhaps Dyche can play to Adams' strengths to a similar effect.

Alex Morgan's San Diego Wave were in fine form as they returned to pre-season training in the California sunshine.

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Wave return to training with a bangAlex Morgan chest bumps team-mateUSMNT legend wins gaffer Stoney's tennis ball gameGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The squad burst out of the changing rooms under clear blues skies, announcing their return with a series of hilarious re-introductions including a mid-air chest bump from Morgan. Manager Casey Stoney kept the vibes going with a novelty tennis ball game in which Morgan showed all of her experience, as she held her nerve for a win.

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Morgan and her colleagues appear buoyant ahead of their third NWSL campaign. They've certainly had a blast so far with impressive showings in their first two seasons and making the finals of the playoffs twice.

Real Madrid are reportedly keeping tabs on Jude Bellingham's younger brother Jobe off the back of his impressive start to life at Sunderland.

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Jude Bellingham shining at MadridLos Blancos keeping tabs on JobeProgress at Sunderland not going unnoticedWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Madrid are closely monitoring Jobe, who has scored four goals in 21 games for Sunderland this season. The report states the 18-year-old's rapid growth has not gone unnoticed and there are similarities between his and Jude's playing style. Moreover, the younger brother, who is 5cm taller than the England international, is seen as more versatile than his more illustrious sibling.

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Older brother Jude has proven to be a remarkably successful signing for Madrid since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the Spanish giants in a £88 million ($110m) move, scoring 16 goals in 19 games. The 20-year-old is one of the best players in the world right now and Madrid will, perhaps, hope Jobe will follow in his brother's footsteps and secure his services along the way.

DID YOU KNOW?

Both Bellingham's came through Birmingham City's academy before moving on to pastures new. The Blues retired Jude's No. 22 shirt in appreciation for his contribution to the club when he signed for Dortmund in 2020.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE BELLINGHAMS?

Jude's Madrid side will take on Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday, whereas Jobe's Sunderland travel to Bristol City in the Championship on Saturday.

Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis set the agenda as West Indies withstood a chilly autumnal evening, and a spirited England fightback, to seal victory by 21 runs at Chester-le-Street

The Report by Andrew Miller16-Sep-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsChris Gayle set the agenda with a traditionally six-laden cameo, while his heir apparent, Evin Lewis, lived up to his lofty billing with 51 from 28 balls, as West Indies withstood a chilly autumnal evening, and a spirited England fightback with the ball, to seal victory by 21 runs in the one-off T20 at Chester-le-Street.On a night that could not have been further removed from the balmy, barmy circumstances of their previous T20 encounter, in the World T20 final in Kolkata 18 months ago, West Indies choked England’s ambitions, first through the spin twins of Sunil Narine and Ashley Nurse, and then through a canny spell of pace-off-the-ball from Kieron Pollard, Kesrick Williams and Carlos Brathwaite, at precisely the moment when it seemed their own resolve was about to crack in the inhospitable conditions.After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, West Indies served up the definitive innings of two halves. At the halfway mark they had rampaged to 106 for 1, with Gayle and Lewis crunching seven sixes between them in a freewheeling partnership, but they were restricted to 70 for 8 thereafter, as Liam Plunkett’s deck-hitting aggression, allied to another wily spell of legspin from Adil Rashid, looked to have kept their target well within manageable proportions.With the weather beginning to deteriorate as quickly as the temperature, the contest seemed to have swung decisively in England’s favour – the first-ball dismissal of Jason Roy notwithstanding – when Alex Hales smashed 43 from 17 balls to launch their pursuit in a fusillade of boundaries. But when, in the sixth over, Hales missed a loose drive to be bowled by a gleeful Brathwaite, England’s usually power-packed middle order could produce no adequate substitute for his sublime ball-striking.Joe Root, often so adept at working the gaps to allow his team-mates to clear the ropes, this time turned in a stodgy innings of 17 from 19 balls that came to an end with a low catch at short cover as Nurse struck with his third delivery. And spin continued to apply a tourniquet to England’s run-rate, as Eoin Morgan ducked and dived against Narine to no avail. After three consecutive dot-balls, Morgan reversed his hands for flick through backward point, but picked out the fielder to depart for 2 – his seventh consecutive single-figure score in all T20 innings.Eoin Morgan picked up another low score•Getty ImagesThe conditions were never easy for West Indies’ fielders – the cold and damp combined to create a funereal over-rate as well as regular protests about the slippery out-field. But with the umpires adamant that the show must go on – and the hardy Durham crowd certainly never lost the faith in that regard – West Indies found a second wind as England’s innings dribbled through the middle overs.If anyone was going to reignite the run-chase, it was Jos Buttler, whose mere presence was a reminder that nothing could be taken for granted. But with little pace to work with, he was unable to risk his habitual dinks over the keeper’s head for fear of holing out behind square, and he had been limited to two boundaries in a 27-ball stay when a Williams short ball induced a spliced pull to Rovman Powell at deep midwicket.Williams – who had borne the brunt of Hales’ earlier onslaught, when pace on the ball had equalled pace off the bat – then made it two in the over as a skittish Rashid gloved an attempted ramp to the keeper. Narine returned for his final over, that included the stumping off David Willey for 1, before Jonny Bairstow – England’s final, final hope – capped a collapse of 4 for 11 in 14 balls when he shovelled a Brathwaite slower ball to backward square leg.Fittingly, it was the captain Brathwaite – remember that name? – who put the seal on the victory as Plunkett missed a slog across the line with three balls of the innings remaining. England were all out for 155, done in by some canny bowling and a classy outfit who proved, as if it needed reiterating, that their World T20 triumph was no fluke.In the final analysis, however, it was West Indies’ flying start with the bat that proved the decisive difference between the sides. And fittingly, given that what little hype in the build-up to this contest had centred around the master and the apprentice at the top of West Indies’ order, it was Gayle and Lewis who shared top billing.Gayle, who got off the mark first-ball with an edged four through third man, soaked up a handful of sighters with that exaggerated caution that has so often been a feature of his game, before crunching from first gear to overdrive in the waft of a bat. His seventh ball, from Willey, was spanked over midwicket to bring up the 100th six of his T20 international career, and he celebrated that landmark in emphatic style one ball later, an arcing flog down the ground and over the sightscreen as Willey was once again punished for feeding Gayle’s strengths on a full length outside off.At the other end, Lewis – whose last act in West Indies’ colours had been a matchwinning 125 not out from 62 balls against India – slipstreamed his senior partner with poise and maturity. He avoided falling for the ego-trap that had done for Gayle (and his predecessor as opener, Johnson Charles) in the World T20 final, when Root was tossed the ball for the second over of the Powerplay for tidy over of darting offbreaks, and instead saved his change-up for the introduction of Tom Curran, whom he cracked for four, six, four, six from the first four balls he faced.West Indies finished the Powerplay on a daunting 72 for 0, but England – to their credit – found a means to claw back into the contest. The catalyst came with the introduction of Plunkett in the seventh over, as Gayle was pushed onto the back foot by a lifter outside off, and was slow to set off as Roy’s shy from backward point was sharply gathered by the bowler to pull off a tight run-out.Lewis’s half-century then came to an end as he smashed a Plunkett slower ball into the midriff of Root at mid-off, and when Plunkett followed up with two more major scalps – Marlon Samuels, caught at midwicket off a cramped pull for 10, and Pollard – expertly plucked at fine leg by a stretching Curran – England had found a means to restore their foothold in the game.Rashid, who’d been teasing out a tidy line and length in his mid-innings holding role, then dragged one down for Chadwick Walton to flog a top-edged pull out to Willey at deep midwicket, then did for Brathwaite and Narine in quick succession as an untimely rain interruption – with seven balls remaining – further disrupted West Indies’ flow. But, just as had been the case on that famous night in Kolkata, West Indies would not be denied. The prize on this occasion was rather more low-key, but with their big names back on parade after a low-key Test leg of their tour, it was a notable return to the colours nonetheless.

Jurgen Klopp admits that news of Mohamed Salah picking up an injury on AFCON duty came as an unwelcome “shock” to those back at Liverpool.

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Reds forward away on international dutyLimped out of latest appearanceSet to undergo further medical testsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Egyptian forward is currently away with his country chasing down continental glory at the Africa Cup of Nations. He lasted less than 45 minutes in his latest outing at that event, with the 31-year-old winger limping off in a 2-2 draw with Ghana.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT KLOPP SAID ABOUT SALAH

Egypt boss Rui Vitoria says the problem is not “dangerous”, but Salah is due to undergo medical tests. Klopp has told reporters of learning that a talismanic part of his plans at Anfeld is nursing a knock: “We don't know anything about Mo. I spoke last night with him and (asked) how it is with his injuries. With these injuries they need further assessment, that's what they are doing now and we will know more. In that moment (it happened), it was a shock. I couldn't see it was like he was hit by something high intense and then go down. You can have these hamstring injuries in different ways, be he still felt it. We all know how rarely Mo goes off or needs to go off so it is definitely something, so we will see. There will be ultrasound and MRI and then we will see what Egypt plan. But it's too early.”

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Salah has missed Liverpool’s last two games, and could be absent for five in total. The Reds will not have any of their walking wounded back for a Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Sunday – despite seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold put his knee injury to the test during a visit to the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show in Milan – with Klopp adding: “Obviously he can walk on the catwalk! He is not ready but all are going in the right direction and getting closer. Some of them might be part of team training next week. I don't expect anybody back before then. If nobody else is out before, after Bournemouth and maybe for Fulham, we will see how the boys do but they are all close. Trent is close, Dom (Szoboszlai) is close, Robbo (Andy Robertson) is close. All are going in the right direction.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Alexander-Arnold could be back for the second leg of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Fulham next Wednesday, but the Reds will have to cope without Salah for some time yet as they look to remain in contention for major silverware on four fronts in 2024.

The first day of the second Test was mostly about one outstanding individual performance: Virender Sehwag destroyed the West Indian attack with his magnificent 180 which put India on course for a huge first-innings total

On the Ball with S Rajesh10-Jun-2006The first day of the second Test was mostly about one outstanding individual performance: Virender Sehwag destroyed the West Indian attack with his magnificent 180 which put India on course for a huge first-innings total. Though Pedro Collins pulled it back somewhat with a wholehearted bowling effort, taking 4 for 75 and getting to 100 Test wickets in the process, India still ended the day well on top.On a pitch which was expected to assist the fast bowlers early, Sehwag completely snatched the initiative at the start with his aggression. It wasn’t just mindless hitting either: when Wasim Jaffer was going strong at the other end en route to their 159-run first-wicket stand – beating India’s previous highest in the West Indies, 136 between Sunil Gavaskar and Anshuman Gaekwad at Kingston in 1975-76 – Sehwag went hard at the bowling, taking advantage of the close-in fielders and the large gaps in the outfield. He scored 99 off 75 balls in the first session, missing by a whisker the opportunity to become the fifth batsman to score a century in the first session of a Test. When India lost Jaffer and VVS Laxman in the second session, he slowed down considerably, before picking up again in the final session when Rahul Dravid assured him of solidity at the other end.

Morning 75 99 15/ 2 Afternoon 72 43 4/ 0 Evening 43 38 1/ 0 The point and cover region were again the most prolific regions, but 40 of those 68 runs came before lunch, when there were more gaps in the field. As Lara packed the off side after lunch, Sehwag was good enough to work the balls on leg side for his runs.And as usual, Sehwag again proved that what’s a good length to most batsmen is a good run-scoring length for him – he scored at 5.45 per over off good-length deliveries, only marginally lower than his scoring rate off the balls which were too full or too short. The bowler who felt the Sehwag effect the most was Dwayne Bravo – he disappeared for 51 from the 37 balls be bowled to Sehwag; 28 of those deliveries were on a good length, and yet they cost him 37.The only West Indian who came out of the day’s play with his reputation enhanced was Collins, who became the 17th bowler from the region to get to 100 Test wickets. The most impressive aspect of his performance was his control: 110 out of 120 balls reached the batsman on or outside off stump; with Lara putting most of his fielders in a cordon around point and cover, that was the perfect channel to bowl.

What the stats have to say about the Australia-West Indies Champions Trophy final

S Rajesh04-Nov-2006

Brian Lara: an average of 26.20 in his last ten ODIs against Australia © Getty Images
Australia have unquestionably been the dominant team over the last few years, but West Indies will fancy their chances in the final of the Champions Trophy. For one, the final will be played at the Brabourne Stadium, the venue of West Indies’ ten-run win in the group stage of the tournament. Also, they have put it across Australia twice in their last three ODIs. In the last three-and-a-half years, though, Australia hold an 8-5 edge. Winning the toss is usually an advantage, but that clearly hasn’t been the case in this tournament – in 20 matches so far, on 14 occasions the team losing the toss has gone on to win. In the four Champions Trophy matches at the Brabourne Stadium, the team winning the toss has won just once. (That, incidentally, was the game in which West Indies beat Australia by ten runs.) West Indies’ batting fortunes will probably depend considerably on how Brian Lara and Chris Gayle perform. Gayle has been sparkling form in this tournament, but his stats against Australia aren’t so impressive – an average of 32.37 from 16 matches. Lara made a crucial 71 in their win against Australia in this tournament, but his recent form against Australia has been disappointing – he averages just 26.20 in his last ten games against them. Ramnaresh Sarwan, too, has struggled against the Australians. Shivnarine Chanderpaul bucks that trend, though – his average of 37.94 against Australia is marginally higher than his career average. If Lara has disappointed against Australia recently, then the same can be said for Ricky Ponting’s last few performances against West Indies – in his last seven completed innings against them, on five occasions Ponting has failed to get into double digits. Adam Gilchrist hasn’t enjoyed much success against West Indies either, but Damien Martyn clearly relishes the Caribbean attack – in 14 matches he averages 53.62. Glenn McGrath has had plenty of success against the West Indians in Tests, but in 28 ODIs against them he has only managed 31 wickets at more than 28 runs per wicket. The bowler who has had their number in ODIs has been Brett Lee, with 32 wickets from 14 games at less than 17 apiece.

Tamim Iqbal’s expected return could give visitors batting lift; Victory will help South Africa leapfrog India in ODI rankings

The Preview by Firdose Moonda17-Oct-2017Big PictureBangladesh’s tour is one match away from derailing. After losing by big margins in the Tests, they were expected to be more competitive in the 50-over format. But South Africa strolled to the biggest 10-wicket win in the series opener.Bangladesh haven’t been undone by pace and bounce or fire and fury, but by themselves and a South African side that has stuck to simple game plans. Therefore, it isn’t impossible to find a way out of this mess.In the Tests, Bangladesh didn’t help their cause by bowling first on batsmen-friendly surfaces. In the first ODI in Kimberley, their bowling let them down. Not only did they fail to take a wicket, they also couldn’t apply the slightest hint of pressure on Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock. With an inexperienced seam-bowling group that isn’t getting the kind of assistance they would’ve liked, discipline should be their best option.Bangladesh’s batting is getting better and Mushfiqur Rahim’s hundred in Kimberley provided a much-needed highlight, but they can’t rely on him alone.For South Africa, things have come too easy, perhaps why it’s also difficult to judge their performances. They’d like to be pushed ahead of challenging assignments against India and Australia. New coach Ottis Gibson couldn’t have asked for a gentler landing. He may as well enjoy it while it lasts.Form guideSouth Africa: WLLWL (completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LLWLWIn the spotlightTamim wary of injured thigh

Even while he prepares to play on Wednesday, Tamim Iqbal is aware that his left thigh is vulnerable: another strain to the muscle could rule him out for at least two months, he said on Tuesday.
“If my fitness test goes well today, I don’t see why I can’t play tomorrow,” Tamim said. “[But] injuries need time. This is not my last match, nor is it Bangladesh’s last tour. If I get injured again [in the same spot], then I will be out for two months which I hope the team management doesn’t want and neither do I.”
He did not play the Kimberley ODI because the physio, Thihan Chandramohan, had advanced him not to, Tamim said. “I was excited to play the last but since there was pain, I took the expert’s advice. I have probably had three batting sessions in the last 15 days, which is not ideal. I am trying to get prepared mentally. But I think I am ready for it, depending on my fitness test.”

AB de Villiers was not needed with the bat and had a barely-there showing in the field on his international return after five months. He’ll be itching to get involved. More pressingly, observers will be anxious to see the effects of him giving up captaincy.Bangladesh’s bowling has been underwhelming all tour, but they can salvage something still. Success in South Africa could do wonders for someone like young Taskin Ahmed . He’s delivered in the past, against India, England and Sri Lanka. Now, it’s just a question of finding the right lengths and bringing in some consistency.Team newsSouth Africa could delay experimenting, considering the series hasn’t been won yet. That means allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who was withdrawn from a first-class game to replace the injured Wayne Parnell, Temba Bavuma and Farhaan Behardien may all have to wait their turn. South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt) 4 AB de Villiers, 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Dane Paterson, 9 Dwaine Pretorius, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Imran TahirBangladesh are hoping Tamim Iqbal, who couldn’t recover in time for the series opener due to a muscle strain, is fit and available. He could displace Imrul Kayes at the top of the order. However, Imrul may yet be needed if Mushfiqur Rahim, who tweaked a hamstring while scoring his hundred on Sunday, is rested. Shafiul Islam will join the side as cover for Mustafizur Rahman whose twisted ankle is likely to keep him out.Bangladesh: 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Liton Das (wk), 3 Shakib al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim/Imrul Kayes, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Nasir Hossain, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Mohammad Saifuddin, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Taskin AhmedPitch and conditionsWith only 10 ODIs played at this venue, it is one of the lesser-known grounds for teams touring South Africa. The surface tends to play slowly and occasionally takes turn. But, like Kimberley, it should hold no demons.Boland Park, the designated home venue for Stellenbosch Kings in The T20 Global League franchise, was revamped in anticipation of the now-postponed tournament. Though the new lights won’t be put to use just yet, the new stands are expected to be packed. After a drizzly build-up, match day should be fine and clear.Stats and Trivia: South Africa could go ahead of India on the ODI rankings with a 2-0 series lead. Boland Park has not hosted an ODI in more than four years. New Zealand was the last oveseas side to play here, in January 2013. The average score batting first is 258. Only two teams have scored more than 300 here: India and South Africa against Kenya and Sri Lanka respectively.Quotes”The bowlers haven’t fulfilled expectations on this tour but it doesn’t mean they can’t do it tomorrow.”
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal