Pochettino ducks Ndombele question as PSG welcome back Messi

By Sports Desk January 22, 2022

Mauricio Pochettino declared Paris Saint-Germain are ready to do business before the transfer window closes – but refused to discuss Tanguy Ndombele.

Tottenham midfielder Ndombele is thought to be a target for the Ligue 1 leaders, with reports that a loan deal is being discussed between the clubs.

Pochettino brought Ndombele to Spurs in 2019 and thinks highly of the former Lyon playmaker, but a move back to France is not yet a formality.

The Argentine head coach declined to explain PSG's apparent interest in the 25-year-old when his name was mentioned in a news conference on Saturday.

"I don't like speaking about rumours or players who are at other clubs," said Pochettino. "We have a squad with enormous quality. The club made a huge effort in the summer to put together the best possible squad with the right balance.

"The transfer window is open now. It also depends on the players who are not getting many chances here. Or for whatever reasons it is that they want to leave.

"The window is open, and the club is always open. Not just to listen but also to see what is happening in the transfer market. I am pleased with the squad that I have. We will deal with individual matters as they come up."

Lionel Messi is poised for his first appearance of the year as Pochettino's team tackle Reims on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappe also set to feature after recovering from an adductor problem.

Messi made his PSG debut as a substitute when PSG and Reims met in August, with a double from Mbappe earning a 2-0 away win amid a whirlwind of global interest in the game.

"It will definitely be a different match to the first one we played against them," Pochettino said.

Messi is fit after a brush with COVID-19, and Pochettino added: "Leo Messi has trained this week. We are pleased with how he is coming along. He is going to be in the squad tomorrow.

"It is always good news when players who have been out for a while are able to return and be back in the squad to help the team."

Mbappe scored in last weekend's 2-0 win against Brest, before a midweek medical bulletin pointed to an injury.

"We are happy to see the way that his problem has evolved," Pochettino said. "He trained with us in the last two sessions. He is going to be in the squad tomorrow. We will decide tomorrow if he starts or is on the bench."

Messi has not scored in his last five domestic matches for PSG and has just six goals across all competitions since arriving from Barcelona.

He has hit the woodwork more than anybody in the French top flight this season (six) – more times than the entire Reims squad (five).

PSG have won each of their last three meetings with Reims in Ligue 1 without conceding a goal, achieving as many clean sheets in this sequence as in the first 11 between the two clubs in the 21st century.

Reims will clearly do well to take anything from Sunday's game, having not scored in their last two Ligue 1 games and with PSG having won 12 and drawn one of their last 13 home games in the competition.

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  • High Five: Reid, Willis hit braces as Arnett Gardens hammer Humble Lion; now on five-match unbeaten run High Five: Reid, Willis hit braces as Arnett Gardens hammer Humble Lion; now on five-match unbeaten run

    Fabian Reid and Chevany Willis both scored twice, as Arnett Gardens produced one of, if not, their most dominant display of the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League (WNJPL) season in a 5-1 win over Humble Lion at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Monday.

    After a lukewarm win over Lime Hall Academy last week, Head coach Xavier Gilbert requested more from his team, particularly in the attacking third with the intent of making their South St Andrew base a fortress heading into the business end of the season. The "Junglists" responded with aplomb, as they were rampant from start to finish in extending their unbeaten run across five games.

    Though they had to come from behind after Afiba Chambers gave Humble Lion a ninth-minute lead, Arnett Gardens were comfortable in the end as Willis scored a header and a delightful freekick in the 39th and 84th, while Reid's double in the 69th and 75th were also well taken, with Jaheim Thomas (59th) in on the act of the five-star performance that gave the moderate crowd much to cheer about.

    Despite not getting on the score sheet, Rushike Kelson was also among the highlights of Arnett Gardens' classy execution, as he proved menacing to their Clarendon-based opponents’ backline with timely runs coupled with a consistent show of nippy footwork on the right channel.

    "It was good. I thought we played well, but disappointed that we conceded a goal from another set piece, and we have to defend better. But nevertheless, we rose to the occasion, and I think we dominated possession and created quite a number of opportunities in both halves, so it was a deserved win for the gentlemen tonight (Monday).

    "I thought he [Kelson] and Jaheim were good, especially in the first half and it’s unfortunate that Rushike didn't score. But Willis was a deserved man of the match with first half equaliser and that wonderful freekick at the end. So, we were a lot better offensively and it showed with the number of goals we scored," Gilbert said in a post-match interview. 

    With the win, Arnett Gardens provisionally moved up to third on 45 points, same as second-placed Portmore United and Cavalier, with goal difference separating the three. Cavalier who started the Matchweek in second, slipped to fourth after their 0-1 loss to Portmore United in the curtain-raiser at the venue. 

    Reigning champions Mount Pleasant (49 points), with Tivoli Gardens (42 points) and Dunbeholden FC (34 points), occupying the other playoff positions.

    Given the close nature of business in the top half of the standings, Gilbert is well aware of the quality that their rivals possess but backs his team to remain competitive going forward.

    “Our chance is as good as everybody it’s going to be tough, we know it’s not going to be easy, so we just have to maximise on our potential and the opportunities that we create, as well as tighten up on areas that needs strengthening. So that is what we are going to focus on in the next couple of weeks leading up to the playoffs,” Gilbert noted.

    It was a frantic start to the contest for Arnett Gardens, who signalled intentions in the sixth minute, when Thomas rifled a right-footed effort into the upright. But it was Humble Lion that broke the deadlock three minutes later when Chambers applied an acrobatic finish to an Andrew Vanzie corner.

    Instead of riding the momentum from the goal, Humble Lion were forced on the defensive as Arnett Gardens applied consistent pressure through Reid and Kelson, who tested Hasani Barnes on a few occasions, but the Humble Lion custodian proved equal to the task.

    The “Junglists” thought they were back on level terms in the 32nd when Kelson again showed nippy footwork to dismiss two defenders, but his intended shot caught the arm of Reid on its way in and the goal was disallowed by referee Oshane Nation.

    However, they inevitably pulled one seven minutes later when Willis rose highest to head home a weighted cross from Joel Jones. They should have gone to the break in front, but Thomas’s stinging right-footer from deep inside the 18-yard box, was tipped unto the crossbar by Barnes, who ensured the score remained 1-1 at the break.

    Still, Arnett Gardens were in no mood to relent, as they maintained their momentum on the resumption with Thomas getting another effort from the top of the 18-yard box on target, but Barnes again did well to parry.

    Given the marauding nature in which Arnett Gardens were attacking, it was only a matter of time before they found lead, which they eventually did when Kelson provided a pass for 20-year-old Thomas to fire past Barnes.

    Kelson went close a few minutes later, but his effort was kept out by Barnes. From there, it was time for the Reid show, as the veteran striker went on a break and fired past the advancing Barnes in the 69th, and later registered his ninth goal of the season when he sidewined his way past a defender to create space for a thumping finish to put Arnett Gardens 4-0 up at that point.

    The fact that he opened the scoring for Arnett Gardens, it was only fitting that Willis capped the win, and he did so in dazzling fashion when he drove one of his trademark free kicks from just over 30 yards out past Barnes, who was beaten all ends up.

    Linval Wilson, who took the reins from Vassell Reynolds at Humble Lion felt the team’s loss was a result of poor defending.

    “When you make those mistakes playing Arnett Gardens at home you are going to get punished and that’s what happens. When you look at the goals, they were just some simple errors in crucial areas, so when you’re playing against a class team this is what happens, we just lapsed in concentration,” Wilson said.

    Results

    Portmore United 1, Cavalier 0

    Arnett Gardens 5, Humble Lion 1

  • Hallgrimsson to rethink CNL strategy as Cadamarteri opts for England U19s over senior Reggae Boyz Hallgrimsson to rethink CNL strategy as Cadamarteri opts for England U19s over senior Reggae Boyz

    Senior Reggae Boyz Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson is now left to rethink strategy as young Sheffield Wednesday striker Bailey Cadamarteri has opted to represent England Under-19s instead of taking up his spot in Jamaica's team for their Concacaf Nations League semi-final clash with United States on Thursday. 

    After naming Cadamarteri in his 23-man squad, Hallgrimsson praised the attributes of the rising star, who he believed could add value to the senior Reggae Boyz setup. However, shortly after Hallgrimsson's announcement, England released its youth squad which also included Cadamarteri.

    Despite having his Jamaican passport, the 18-year-old Cadamarteri placed the senior Reggae Boyz option on hold for the time being and will be hoping to get his first runout in England colours this week when the Under-19s play Morocco and the United States in North Africa.

    This means Hallgrimsson, will not only have to wait to get the six-foot tall player in Jamaica's colours, but will also have to call up a replacement of equal or better quality.

    “Firstly, he's like Kaheim Dixon (another young Jamaican attacker). He has got goals written all over him...in his youth career, he’s scored a lot of goals. But for me, as a striker what catches my eye is that he’s really hard working, he’s got constant running in behind defences, and he’s a good link up player," Hallgrimsson said of Cadamarteri in a recent press conference. 

    “He’s clever using spaces and his technique is really good, so I think he has all the attributes that a good striker should have - but he’s still young, like Kaheim Dixon," he added.

    Cadamarteri is believed to be very open to the idea of playing for Jamaica in the future, something that won’t be affected by turning out for the Three Lions at youth level.

    Cadamarteri, who earns his Jamaican stripes through father Danny, a former Everton stalwart in the 1990s and early 2000s, also qualifies to represent Italy through heritage.

    By virtue of the FIFA ruling regarding youth caps, Cadamarteri still has the option to switch his senior international allegiance from England.

    Hallgrimsson is expected to address the issue during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

  • Paul Gallacher backing Hearts duo Zander Clark and Craig Gordon for Euro 2024 Paul Gallacher backing Hearts duo Zander Clark and Craig Gordon for Euro 2024

    Paul Gallacher revealed how Zander Clark and Craig Gordon are pushing each other to new heights as he backed the two Hearts goalkeepers to go to Euro 2024 with Scotland.

    Clark and Gordon are both currently with Steve Clarke’s squad preparing for friendlies against Netherlands and Northern Ireland, alongside fellow goalkeepers Angus Gunn of Norwich and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly.

    The Scotland boss has said that – barring injury – three of those four will go to the Euros, and Hearts goalkeeping coach Gallacher would be “immensely proud” if he is waving both of his main men off to Germany this summer.

    “They’ve both worked ever so hard to get to where they are, both for different reasons,” the former Scotland goalkeeper told the PA news agency.

    “It’s a privilege to work with the two of them and I truly hope they both go to the Euros.”

    Gordon, 41, was the undisputed number one for both Scotland and Hearts prior to sustaining a career-threatening double leg break 15 months ago.

    Clark took the gloves at Tynecastle after Gordon’s injury and has held on to them since the veteran returned to contention in December.

    The 31-year-old former St Johnstone keeper has kept 14 clean sheets in 30 league matches this term and also won his first three Scotland caps in the first half of the season.

    Gallacher has been impressed with how both men have dealt with their respective challenges over the past year and a bit.

    “Craig’s back, he’s absolutely back,” said the goalie coach. “You see him make saves every day in training and you just go ‘yep, that’s him back’.

    “He’s got himself into a fantastic condition, he’s back to where he was before the injury. He’s top-notch, he’s world class at times, he really is.

    “Obviously he’s not getting any younger but he keeps on pushing, and I think that’s pushing Zander on as well. You can see the level Zander’s hit. From where he was to where he is now is night and day.

    “He was a good goalkeeper when he first came to the club but he has kicked on under severe pressure.

    “Not a lot of folk could cope with that pressure of coming in to replace Craig Gordon, a Hearts legend, but he’s stood up and done it, which is no easy feat. That cannot be underestimated.

    “There has been pressure on both of them but they’ve dealt with it brilliantly.”

    Gunn appears to have become Scotland’s first-choice keeper since Gordon’s injury, but Gallacher is adamant both Hearts goalies would be perfectly equipped mentally and physically to play against Group A opponents Germany, Hungary or Switzerland in June if required.

    “I know from working closely with them how the two of them can handle occasions,” said Gallacher, who won eight Scotland caps between 2002 and 2004.

    “Zander, the way he’s playing, could handle it no problem at all. And Craig, with the number of caps he’s got (74), could be pitched in no problem at all.

    “I know it might come across as biased but I’d have no qualms at all about either of them being in that starting line-up.”

    Gallacher laughed off any notion that their mutual determination to play for club and country might have had a detrimental effect on the relationship between Gordon and Clark, who has been restricted to just three Scottish Cup outings since his rival’s return.

    “They’re brilliant, honestly, there is no animosity whatsoever,” he said. “They’re great guys, brilliant to be around.

    “But when they’re on that pitch, they push each other. They’re all about trying to improve and striving to be the number one for this football club.

    “We are truly blessed to have two guys of that calibre battling for the number one jersey at Hearts.”

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