Crystal Palace have Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha decorate proceedings on a weekly basis for their impudent artistry and mercurial talent.

Prior to 2018, the Ivorian was alone in this respect as the other two were still kicking about in youth football, but the playmaking burden was placed on the shoulders of Max Meyer.

The German arrived in the capital having amassed a hugely impressive reputation in his homeland and was expected to continue his frightening trajectory in the Premier League.

However, he left England in 2021 as a forgotten man and his career has spiralled into further irrelevancy.

How did Max Meyer rise to fame?

The midfielder was catapulted into his nation’s spotlight back in 2013 as a then 17-year-old when he provided an assist on his debut against Mainz 05.

That summer, the diminutive attacker enjoyed another blissful moment of fame when he set up Julian Draxler to give the Royal Blues a 2-1 win in their UEFA Champions League play-off against POAK.

The German pass sealed qualification for Europe’s most elite competition, and it was dubbed the €20-million pass – a calculation of the amount earned for their progression into the Champions League.

The following campaign he was awarded the number seven shirt and was expected to be the new mantlepiece of Die Knappen.

The four-cap international registered 45 goal contributions in 192 appearances for the club he’d been with since 2009, but an argument with sporting director Christian Heidel led him to run down the rest of his contract and he departed.

Sky Germany reporter Max Bielefeld described the player as “really talented” and with the allure of a new league, it seemed that Meyer was to embark on a dominant European conquest.

However, in 56 appearances across three seasons with the Eagles, he failed the time and money invested in him by the club, managing a paltry five goals and assists. The prodigy was dropped to the U23s and left the club via mutual consent in January 2021.

What is Max Meyer up to now?

Since then, the former wonderkid has also plied his trade back in Germany, Turkey, Denmark, and now Switzerland with FC Luzern, where he has finally found his feet, scoring ten times and amassing five assists in 26 outings this term.

Still only 27, by this age he had been tipped for the top of European football with his close control, pinpoint passing, and tricky dribbling.

But sadly it just didn’t materialise and Meyer has to go down as one of the biggest disappointments in German sport in recent years, due to his enormous potential.

The free-scoring Palace, back under the stewardship of Roy Hodgson, have retained their top-flight status since Meyer’s exit and have not missed him in the slightest.

Jerome Jayaratne, the former seam-bowling allrounder, has been appointed the chief operating officer of Sri Lanka Cricket, the board announced through a release on Saturday

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-2016

Jerome Jayaratne, the former seam-bowling allrounder, has been appointed the chief operating officer of Sri Lanka Cricket, the board announced through a release on Saturday. Jayaratne will immediately take over in his new role, in which he will supervise several SLC divisions including human resources, marketing, media and IT.Jayaratne is a veteran in cricket administration, having coached and served in varying capacities for over a decade. His first role with SLC was in 2000, and in 2008, he was appointed the board’s head of coaching. Jayaratne had also worked with the ICC, on their global development management team in 2001.In September 2015, following Marvan Atapattu’s resignation, Jayaratne was appointed interim head coach of the Sri Lankan national team. His stint included the home series against West Indies and the tour to New Zealand in December-January. His former long-term job as head of coaching has effectively been dissolved after Simon Willis was appointed high performance manager.Jayaratne is also an accomplished player, having represented the Sri Lanka under-19, with whom he toured Australia in 1984, and Under-23 teams. He ended his first-class career with 391 runs from 22 matches to alongside 34 wickets. He played only three List A games in which he scored 27 runs and took a solitary wicket.

Despite his side’s 58-run defeat to Australia in the final of the tri-nation series in Barbados on Sunday, West Indies captain Jason Holder chose to focus on the gains made by the side, particularly performances from the top-order batsmen

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jun-2016Despite his side’s 58-run defeat to Australia in the final of the tri-nation series in Barbados on Sunday, West Indies captain Jason Holder chose to focus on the gains made by the side, particularly performances from the top order batsmen.Two of the four centuries struck in the tournament came from West Indies batsmen – Marlon Samuels scored 125 in a defeat against Australia, but Darren Bravo’s crucial 102 helped the team rally from an early slide and knock South Africa out of the tournament in the last league match in Barbados on Friday. Both batsmen, however, were dismissed for 6 in the final, as West Indies failed to chase down 271.West Indies remained at No. 8 on the ICC ODI rankings but their march to the final ensured that they opened up a five-point lead over Pakistan, who are placed ninth.”Credit must go to the whole group,” Holder said after the final. “A lot of people didn’t expect us to get this far. We’ve put up some pretty good performances leading up to this final. And still in this final, we’ve got some things to shout about. It’s just important that we keep improving. Improvement is the name of the game. We just have to keep building and moving our way up the rankings.”We asked one of the top four batsmen to put up a big hand each time and go on and get a big score for the team. We got two hundreds in this series, from Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo. Credit must go to them.”I thought Kieron Pollard coming back into the West Indies team did a really good job, not only with the bat and the ball, but his presence in the dressing room, his experience counted for a lot. Things like that, we really need around our cricket. Hopefully we can have him in the dressing room going forward.”Holder admitted that his bowlers had let Australia get away with 20 to 30 runs more than they should have after pinning them down to 156 for 5 in the 31st over. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade’s crucial 57 pushed Australia to 270 for 9 before Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood cut through West Indies’ batting, taking 3 for 32 and 5 for 50 respectively.Holder also said that fast bowler Shannon Gabriel’s absence in the end overs affected West Indies strategy. Gabriel dismissed Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell in the space of five balls in the 31st over but had to leave the field due to injury after bowling seven overs.”I felt we conceded 20-30 too many. We lost Shannon Gabriel as well, his overs at the end were crucial. With the bat, we fell away and didn’t recover after a decent start. The wickets of Smith and Maxwell changed the game; credit to Shannon.”

Derbyshire kept alive their NatWest Blast quarter-finals hopes with a 29-run victory with 13 balls to spare at Derby that ended Worcestershire’s chances of reaching the last eight

ECB Reporters Network22-Jul-2016
ScorecardHamish Rutherford’s early assault paved the way for Derbyshire•Getty ImagesDerbyshire kept alive their NatWest Blast quarter-finals hopes with a 29-run victory with 13 balls to spare at Derby that ended Worcestershire’s chances of reaching the last eight.Hamish Rutherford hammered 64 from 38 balls and Wayne Madsen made an unbeaten 50 from 30 balls as Derbyshire posted an imposing 192 for 5. Worcestershire were always struggling after losing early wickets and although Brett D’Oliveira scored 44 from 33 balls, they were all out for 163 with leg-spinner Matt Critchley claiming 3 for 36.Derbyshire had not won a T20 game this season batting first but Rutherford’s up-front fireworks provided the platform to set a challenging total. The New Zealander had already taken a century off the Worcestershire bowlers in the 50-over competition this season and he looked on course for another after pulling Joe Leach and Charlie Morris for sixes in the Powerplay.Although Wes Durston mistimed a pull to deep mid-on and Neil Broom was well caught on the run at deep midwicket, Rutherford drove D’Oliveira for a third six in an over that cost 17 as the Falcons reached 91 for 2 at the halfway stage.D’Oliveira responded to that mauling by taking two superb catches at long-on, first knocking the ball up and holding the rebound inside the rope to remove Chesney Hughes and then diving full length to end Rutherford’s explosive innings after he had launched Daryl Mitchell for his fourth six.But his exit did not slow the Falcons’ flight as Madsen improvised impressively, uppercutting Ed Barnard for the first of two sixes before Shiv Thakor dispatched the seamer high over the sightscreen in the final over as Derbyshire equalled their sixth highest T20 total.The Rapids needed a Rutherford-style start to their chase but after Leach took 12 from the first over, Tom Kohler-Cadmore was caught behind trying to pull Ben Cotton and Alexei Kervezee went the same way to Thakor.When Leach was athletically pouched by Chesney Hughes leaping at mid-on, Worcestershire were 32 for 3 but D’Oliveira hit back by driving Thakor for four and six in the final over of the Powerplay.Worcestershire moved to 77 but after Mitchell launched Durston high to long-off, they went into the last 10 overs needing 114 with much resting on D’Oliveira and Ross Whiteley. Former Derbyshire allrounder Whiteley was threatening to change the game when he pulled and drove Durston for consecutive sixes as 19 came from the 13th over but in the next, he was caught at long-on for 27 from 15 balls.Ben Cox hit Critchley for two sixes but when he skied the legspinner to long-on and D’Oliveira was caught behind cutting at the next ball, the Rapids were heading for the rocks.

West Ham United are now eyeing Marco Silva to replace David Moyes as manager at the end of the season, according to a recent report from The Daily Mail.

What's the latest West Ham manager news?

According to a report from The Telegraph, Moyes could end up staying on as West Ham boss, should he win the Europa Conference League, however it is also detailed that they are set to check on recently-sacked Chelsea boss Graham Potter.

There have been a plethora of names linked with taking over at the London Stadium, with Rayo Vallecano boss Andoni Iraola recently being touted as a potential option, although there will be stiff competition from Sevilla.

Irons chiefs have been alerted to Will Still, who has family ties to the club, after his impressive season at the helm of Reims, while a move for former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez also cannot be discounted.

According to a report from The Daily Mail, West Ham are now eyeing a Silva as a successor to Moyes, but his current club, Fulham, remain confident they will be able to tie him down to a new contract.

However, the Hammers are not the only Premier League club that could be in for the 45-year-old, as Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and Leeds United are also named as potential suitors.

Although the Portuguese tactician seems happy to remain at Craven Cottage at the moment, if he does decide he wants to leave, the Irons would have to fork out £6m to release him from his current deal.

Should West Ham appoint Marco Silva?

Hailed as "outstanding" by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, the Fulham boss has done a cracking job this season, with his side currently tenth in the Premier League table, having only been promoted back to the top flight last year.

The former Sporting CP boss has won four trophies in his managerial career up to this point, and he now has a great deal of Premier League experience under his belt, having had spells with Hull City, Everton and Watford.

That said, West Ham may not even need to replace Moyes at the end of the season, as while they have underperformed in the Premier League, they are in a strong position to win the Europa Conference League.

The Scot is tasked with overcoming AZ Alkmaar, before facing either Basel or Fiorentina in the final, and it would be a very harsh move to sack him if he wins a major trophy, and secures Europa League football for the 2023/24 season.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to bolster their defensive options in the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Min-jae Kim to Newcastle?

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, via his CaughtOffside daily briefing, the Magpies have been sending scouts to track Napoli central defender Min-jae Kim.

The reporter has claimed that sporting director Dan Ashworth could challenge Manchester United to the South Korean international's signature ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

It is stated that the enforcer has a release clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for €47m (£41m) but the Serie A giants could attempt to pin him to fresh terms in order to increase that fee.

How has Min-jae Kim performed this season?

The 26-year-old has produced phenomenal form in the Italian top-flight and has been a crucial part of Napoli's title-winning side with his impressive displays at the back.

In the 2022/23 Serie A, Kim has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.24 across 33 matches in the division and only two players (Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mario Rui) have recorded higher ratings for the club, which shows that the centre-back has been one of their top performers.

His performances in Italy have not gone unnoticed by Newcastle and Ashworth could now land an upgrade on current central defender Fabian Schar, who turns 32 later this year, by swooping for the tank this summer.

In the Premier League this season, Schar has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.12 across 33 appearances and made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per match with a duel success rate of 64%.

Kim, who was described as a "monster" by journalist Jason Lee, has had similar success in his defensive actions as the South Korean international has made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per outing and won 62% of his battles in the Serie A.

Whilst there is not much between them in the way of their ability to keep the opposition at bay, the Napoli star's quality in possession could improve the way that Eddie Howe's side plays out from the back.

The £55k-per-week colossus, who was also dubbed an "iron barrel" by Kvaratskhelia, has averaged 6.01 progressive passes and carries combined per 90 over the last 365 days of action and this is better than Schar's 4.76 per 90 for Newcastle, which indicates that he is able to pass the ball on to his teammates in more dangerous positions by getting closer to the opposition's goal.

Kim has also completed 90.1% of his attempted passes in that time in comparison to the Switzerland international's 76.9% and this means that the gem is more efficient on the ball whilst also being able to provide greater penetration in his passing.

Therefore, Newcastle could land a dream upgrade on Schar by signing a younger defender with similar defensive qualities and more progression in their play with the ball at their feet.

حقق توتنهام فوزًا مثيرًا على نظيره برينتفورد، 3-2، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن الجولة 22 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على ملعب توتنهام الجديد في لندن.

تقدم نيل موباي لـ برينتفورد في مرمى أصحاب الأرض بعد ربع ساعة من بداية المباراة، لينتهي الشوط الأول بتقدم الضيوف عن طريق الأرجنتيني.

في الشوط الثاني، تعادل ديستني أودودجي في الدقيقة 48 لـ توتنهام، وفي ظرف دقيقة واحدة سجل البديل برينان جونسون ليقلب ديوك العاصمة الطاولة على نحلة برينتفورد.

طالع أيضًا.. أبو تريكة عن رحيل كلوب من ليفربول: سيكون مثل مغادرة رونالدو الدوري الإسباني

البداية المثالية للشوط الثاني، استمرت بالهدف الثالث الذي سجله البرازيلي ريتشارليسون، لينفجر ملعب الديوك احتفالًا بالهدف.

في الدقيقة 67، رفض برينتفورد الاستسلام من خلال تسجيل إيفان توني العائد من الإيقاف الهدف الثاني.

ظل برينتفورد يحاول من أجل تسجيل التعادل، من خلال تغييرات المدرب توماس فرانك، ولكن أنجي بوستيكوجلو، حافظ على فارق الهدف وخرج بفوز صعب للغاية على ملعبه.

بهذه النتيجة يصبح رصيد توتنهام 43 نقطة في المركز الرابع، بينما برينتفورد يتجمد رصيده عند 22 نقطة في المركز الخامس عشر. أهداف مباراة توتنهام وبرينتفورد في الدوري الإنجليزي

Glasgow Rangers boss Michael Beale is still thought to be keen on signing Swansea City attacker Morgan Whittaker this summer.

What’s the latest Rangers transfer news involving Whittaker?

The Gers appear to be targeting a number of English-based players under Beale, with Todd Cantwell making the move to Scotland back in January. Whittaker was linked with a move to Glasgow alongside Cantwell earlier in the year, with Beale labelling the pair as “excellent” players.

The likes of Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland and Kieran Dowell could soon be completing moves north on free transfers, and it appears as if Whittaker, who the club missed out on, could still be on Beale’s transfer wishlist.

Reliable reporter Scott Burns shared a Rangers transfer update for The Daily Record in the last 48 hours. He name-checked Sterling, Butland and Dowell as potential arrivals, saying that up to 12 new signings could be made ahead of Beale’s first full season.

Burns claimed that Honduran winger Luis Palma is not on Beale’s radar despite speculation of a move to Scotland but said the manager is still keen to land Whittaker, if the two clubs can strike a deal.

Who is Morgan Whittaker?

Whittaker is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or as a second striker if required. The left-footed forward impressed out on loan at Plymouth Argyle in the first half of the 2022/23 season, contributing to 16 goals in 31 games. He played his part in helping The Pilgrims win the League One title, showing his final third quality in a range of attacking positions.

Therefore, with the likes of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos out of contract at Rangers in the coming weeks, a player like Whittaker could prove to be a shrewd addition.

You’d expect he still has time to improve on his game ahead of hitting his prime, and with Beale clearly a big fan, this could be one to keep an eye on over the summer.

ScorecardSean Dickson buckled down to the job•Getty Images

It was a day for the purists in Royal Tunbridge Wells where bowlers toiled in the heat and dirt while Kent’s batsmen played the ball on its merits to reach 310 for 3 on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship clash with neighbours Sussex.A sluggish, two-paced pitch coupled with an outfield at The Nevill Ground that could do with a good mowing ensured an honest battle between bat and ball and, with great joy, the introduction of leg-spin before lunch as the visitors vied for a second breakthrough.Kent certainly won the cat-and-mouse tussle of day one courtesy of a second-wicket stand worth 162 in 57.2 overs between Joe Denly (78) and Sean Dickson (81) who could only muster 12 boundaries between them.Dickson, Kent’s top-scorer on a hard-working day, said: “Joe Denly and I had a chat when we were batting and we came to the conclusion that the pitch was two-paced and seemed a bit quicker from the bowlers from the Pavilion End.”Whittingham bowled me a bouncer earlier that over and, if I’m honest, I didn’t play it that well. I knew in the back of my mind he’s probably bowl me a second bouncer but I never really got into a good enough position to deal with it. I was caught between the steer and leaving it alone and did neither. I should have just ducked out of the way.”Dickson added: “I’ve been getting decent starts of late without going on beyond 50. Okay, I didn’t bat on to reach three-figures today but, looking at the bigger picture, I’ve at least helped set us up nicely for a big total.”In these conditions the pitch will only get dryer and start to break up. So the prospect for Sussex, of facing Kagiso Rabada and our two spinners on a dry wicket, isn’t going to be an inviting one.”Batting first after winning the toss, Kent lost their makeshift opener Adam Ball to the 10th ball of the match. Standing in for Daniel Bell-Drummond who is away on England Lions duty together with Sam Billings, Ball drove at his fourth ball of the day from Chris Jordan to edge to Ross Taylor at first slip and depart without scoring.Denly and Dickson saw off the new ball pairing of Steve Magoffin and Jordan, then Stu Whittingham’s first delivery of the game proved eventful, a beamer, it flew over Joe Denly’s head for six no balls leading to an official warning from umpire Nick Cook.The hosts re-grouped either side of lunch through Denly and Dickson who set out their stall to bat time. Playing back, the South Africa-born player in two minds against a short delivery and only succeeded in spooning it to Will Beer positioned in the gully.After batting over four hours Denly was also guilty of giving up his own wicket. Aiming to pull a length ball from Whittingham, he skied a top-edge to Taylor at mid-wicket to make it 199 for three. It proved to be the last success of the day for Sussex.Northeast and Stevens dug in through to stumps, Northeast passing his 50 in 77 balls while Stevens posted his first-half century since mid-May from 75 deliveries and with six fours and six.

Manchester United have reportedly made new direct contact over a summer move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils appear to be making transfer plans despite the ongoing takeover saga at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag seemingly wants to bolster his squad with midfield and attacking additions, with Rabiot a long-term target.

A move last summer was on the cards with a deal even agreed between the two clubs. However, as we know, a transfer failed to materialise, but it looks as if United, and specifically Ten Hag, are still keen on sealing a deal, with Rabiot set to become a free agent over the coming months when his contract expires.

Italian outlet CalcioMercato provided an update regarding Rabiot in the last 48 hours, saying that sides from the Premier League are making concrete moves for the Frenchman. One of those is from Old Trafford, with officials making new direct contact. Newcastle are also name-checked with an interest alongside German giants Bayern Munich.

Who is Adrien Rabiot?

Rabiot is 28 years of age and is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in a holding role or out on the left. The France international, sponsored by Adidas, has won 24 major honours during his career and has made exactly 450 senior appearances for club and country, contributing to more than 70 goals.

He has been on the books with Juventus since 2019 and has been a regular this season, turning out on 45 occasions in all competitions.

David Trezeguet appears to be a fan of the midfielder, labelling Rabiot as “world-class” back in December during the World Cup and describing his contract situation as a problem for Juventus.

"[With Rabiot] we are talking about a problem for Juventus because in Italy, he may have been targeted for criticism, but in France, it's completely different.

"He is world-class, an extraordinary player. Now, he will evaluate his options and will go back to being the important player he always was.”

Therefore, Juventus’ possible pending loss could be United’s gain, and with Rabiot’s experience and versatility, a free transfer for the €30m-rated midfielder could be an extremely shrewd move, similar to the one the club made for Christian Eriksen last season.

It looks as if the club are pushing to make a move possible, and who knows, should United finish in the top four, it could increase their chances of securing the player's services.