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Newcastle United are now interested in signing a “clinical finisher” who could be available in the January transfer window, according to a report.

Newcastle transfer news

Although Eddie Howe may feel he needs to make some additions in January, in light of his side’s disappointing campaign up to this point, the manager’s transfer policy continues to be limited by the Premier League’s financial rules.

When asked about an alleged £65m bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, the manager said: “Firstly, I don’t think any bid (for Guehi) reached that level (£65m). That is far in excess of what the reality was. Secondly, with PSR, there is no pot of money that we have sitting there waiting to be spent.”

As such, Newcastle fans may be best advised not to have their expectations too high this January, despite the club’s continual links to some top players in the Premier League and beyond. The Magpies will be all too aware of Bryan Mbeumo’s abilities after his goal in the 4-2 defeat against Brentford last week, and there have been reports that a huge offer could be on the way, with Howe prioritising the signing of a right-winger.

As the uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak’s future continues to mount, the manager may also be tasked with bringing in a new striker, and there have now been reports linking Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto with a move to St. James’ Park.

According to The Boot Room, Alberto is on Newcastle’s radar, but they may face competition for his signature from a number of other Premier League clubs, with Everton and Nottingham Forest also named as potential suitors.

The forward has admitted he has a “dream” of playing in the Premier League, while also saying there is a 50/50 chance he leaves Corinthians in January, meaning he could be available sooner rather than later.

Should the Brazilian club sanction his departure this winter, they would be looking to receive a fee of around £17m, having turned down a £14m bid from West Ham United over a year ago.

Newcastle leading the race to sign £16.5m gem with a "magical" left foot

The Magpies are in pole position.

1 ByHenry Jackson Dec 9, 2024 Alberto impressing in front of goal

The Brazilian has been capped for his national side on one occasion, and he poses a very impressive goal and assist record throughout his career so far.

Club

Games played

Goals

Assists

Santos

25

3

1

Internacional

85

31

5

Zenit

15

6

4

Corinthians

148

57

18

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also been very complimentary of the 23-year-old in the past, saying he’s a “complete forward” and praising his finishing in particular.

Of course, Newcastle’s main priority should be to keep hold of Isak amid interest from a number of top clubs, but Alberto could be a brilliant acquisition this January, particularly considering he may be available for the relatively low price of just £17m.

Former India opener will explore “new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it”

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2023

M Vijay has called time on his international career to explore “new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it”.Vijay played 61 Tests, 17 ODIs and nine T20Is in an international career that began in 2008 when he replaced Gautam Gambhir in India’s XI for the final Test of the 2008-09 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Nagpur. He last turned out for India in the Perth Test in December 2018, and last played first-class and List A cricket, for Tamil Nadu, in late 2019. His last appearance in professional cricket was in the IPL, in September 2020.A classical Test opener, who, when at his peak, had a solid technique and immense patience against the new ball – his ability to leave the ball earned him great praise during India’s tour of England in 2014 – Vijay finished with 3982 Test runs in 105 innings at an average of 38.28. He made 12 centuries and 15 half-centuries, with a best of 167 against Australia in Hyderabad in 2013.Related

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The adequate artistry of M Vijay

“I am excited to announce that I will be exploring new opportunities in the world of cricket and the business side of it, where I will also continue to participate in the sport that I love and challenge myself in new and different environments,” 38-year-old Vijay said in a statement. “I believe this is the next step in my journey as a cricketer and I look forward to the new chapter in my life.”Will Vijay explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues?In June last year, speaking at an event to launch the 2022 edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Vijay had said he wanted to “play as long as possible”. While he hasn’t said if he would be pursuing opportunities in T20 leagues around the world, Vijay’s retirement note didn’t make a mention of retirement from anything apart from international cricket.Not long ago, in fact, he had hinted at playing outside India. “I am almost done with BCCI and am looking for opportunities abroad,” Vijay had told former India batter WV Raman on Wednesdays With WV, a weekly show on . “After 30 in India, it’s a taboo. I think people see us as 80-year-olds walking on street.”The media should also address it differently. I feel you are peaking in your 30s. Sitting here right now, I feel I can bat the best way I can. But, unfortunately, the opportunities were less, and I had to search for chances outside. I honestly feel as a person, you can only do what’s in your hand. You can’t control the uncontrollable. Whatever happened, happened.”M Vijay had his best years in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings, winning the title in 2010 and 2011 with them•BCCI

Vijay was a key member of India’s Test squad for a five-year period between 2013 and 2018. From December 2013 to January 2015, when India played all their Test cricket away from home – in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia – Vijay faced the most balls and scored the second-most runs for the team. He was also one of only three players to average more than 40.Though a Test opener in the classical mould, Vijay also featured in 106 IPL games and led two franchises: Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) and Punjab Kings. However, much of his success came for Chennai Super Kings, with whom he won two IPL titles, in 2010 and 2011. The triumph in 2011 was particularly special as Vijay earned the Player-of-the-Match award for his 52-ball 95 in the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Overall, he scored 2619 runs in the IPL, with two centuries and 13 half-centuries, scoring his runs at a strike rate of 121.87.Vijay also had short stints with Essex and Somerset in the English county championship.”My journey from 2002-2018 has been the most wonderful years of my life,” he wrote in his retirement note. “It was an honour representing India at the highest level of sport. I am grateful to the opportunities provided by the BCCI, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, Chennai Super Kings and Chemplast Sanmar [the corporate that runs Jolly Rovers, Vijay’s club team in the TNCA league].”

The 21-year-old swing bowler has revelled in West Indies with one eye on T20 World Cup

Valkerie Baynes13-Dec-2022

Lauren Bell stands to embody the fearless style of play England Women are aiming to carry into next year’s T20 World Cup and beyond.Bell, the 21-year-old right-arm swing bowler, will mark six months since her international debut just after Christmas as part of a group of youngsters awarded an opportunity over the English summer by former head coach Lisa Keightley.The thing that has stood out about Bell, 20-year-old quick Issy Wong and teenage allrounders Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp since taking the step up is their apparent refusal to be intimidated by the opposition.It’s an approach new head coach Jon Lewis has doubled down on, calling for his entire England squad to stop playing safe. Lewis is also big on encouraging players to trust in the skills and talent that got them into the elite set-up as opposed to constantly telling them what to do, and Bell seems to be embracing that faith.”It’s been great to have new coaches in around the squad and John has come in and really drove us to be inspiring and entertaining for anyone who’s watching women’s cricket,” she said from Barbados on Tuesday, a day after arriving from Antigua for the remaining four fixtures in a five-match T20I series with West Indies. “It’s a really good way to view the game and it’s moving in the right direction.”The West Indies has been a good tour so far. The confidence I have from the coaches, the backing of the coaches, and the backing of Heather [Knight], the captain, it’s just put me in a really good place. I feel like I know my role in this team and I know where I where I stand. Being really valued and part of the team has played a big role in that.”Related

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Kate Cross embraces 'mindset shift' as England Women seek attacking new era

Alice Capsey suffers broken collarbone in fielding accident

Lauren Bell claims four wickets to seal series for England with a game to spare

Freya Kemp ruled out of West Indies tour due to back injury

Bell made her debut in the drawn Test against South Africa in Taunton, where she took two first-innings wickets and bowled an economical if wicketless 14 overs in the visitors’ second innings.Going into last Tuesday’s second ODI against West Indies, she had three wickets from four matches in the format before claiming a devastating 4 for 33 as England crushed the hosts by 142 runs. Then, on Sunday, in just her third T20I, she claimed 3 for 26 to set up an eight-wicket victory which leaves the home side staring down the prospect of another England clean sweep after the ODIs finished 3-0.West Indies’ batting has been poor, while Bell has revelled in the conditions producing some wonderful swinging deliveries that have left them flummoxed. And while she will come up against tougher opposition, Bell has her sights set on earning place in the squad for February’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.”That’s a big focus for us,” Bell said. “I think the next four T20s are a good chance to really put a stamp to the rest of the world about where we are with our cricket and how good a T20 squad we can be.”It will also be a good chance to play some the girls who have maybe not played so much T20 cricket and see what our different options are against different players.”Bell got her chance in T20Is when veteran seamer Katherine Brunt was rested for India’s tour of England in September – she played two of their three matches for no return. Having shared new-ball duties with the experienced Kate Cross during the ODIs in Antigua, Bell finally had the chance to open the bowling with Brunt in the first T20I.”That’s actually the first time I’ve played with Katherine in my career so that was pretty special,” Bell said. “Not many people can say they’ve done that so that was really good.”Having her around, having Crossy around in the ODIs, I think I can just learn so much. They’re really open just helping me with anything. It was a good experience.”Being on the big stage is not alien to Bell, which is another notable thing in favour of England’s youngsters. She was the second-highest wicket-taker in this year’s Women’s Hundred behind Southern Brave team-mate and Australia legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington and sixth on the list in 2021, the inaugural season of the competition, which has been credited with giving young players valuable experience against top-level opponents in front of big crowds.With Kemp and Capsey returning home from the Caribbean early due to back and collarbone injuries respectively, it is down to Bell and Wong – who was not part of the ODI squad and is yet to feature in the T20I series – to fly the flag for England’s newest crop. If they can play with what is becoming a collective trademark of freedom, it should be a breeze.

Enzo Maresca has enjoyed a solid start to life as Chelsea boss, only losing twice in their first 11 matches of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

The Blues have only tasted defeat against Manchester City and Liverpool, sitting third in the table on 19 points – but remain nine points off Arne Slot’s side, who occupy the top spot after the third international break.

After another summer of transfer arrivals, the new talents have wasted no time in making an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge, undoubtedly boosting their chances of finishing within the top four come the end of May.

Pedro Neto arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a deal in the region of £54m, but has already showcased his talents, scoring his first league strike against Arsenal last time out, securing a point for the Blues against their London rivals.

Big-money additions have become a regular occurrence after the takeover of Todd Boehly in 2022, but the club have often had to balance the books as a result.

The club are no stranger to a big-money departure, recouping a lorryload of money over the years from player departures.

Chelsea’s record departures from Stamford Bridge

Winger Eden Hazard was undoubtedly a fan-favourite during his time in West London, scoring 110 times within his seven years as a player at the Bridge.

The Belgian captured the hearts of the fanbase with his mazy dribbling ability, helping the side get out of numerous close encounters and cagey affairs.

However, despite their Europa League triumph at the end of the 2018/19 season, Hazard departed the Blues for a deal in the region of £130m – joining Spanish giants Real Madrid in a club-record departure for Chelsea.

Kai Havertz joined the Blues in a £75m deal back in the summer of 2020, making himself an instant hero at the club during his debut campaign in England.

The German international scored nine times during his opening year in the capital, only finding the net once in Europe, but that would be his biggest goal during his time at Chelsea, scoring the only goal in the Champions League final against Manchester City back at the end of 2020/21.

However, a handful of years on, he now plays his trade for London rivals Arsenal, after joining the Gunners in a £65m deal last summer – aiming to bolster Mikel Arteta’s ranks.

The transfer makes him the second most expensive departure in Chelsea history, but the club may currently have their own version of a £100m star who was of interest to Maresca this summer.

1) Eden Hazard

2019/20

£130m

2) Kai Havertz

2023/24

£65m

3) Mason Mount

2023/24

£60m

4) Diego Costa

2017/18

£57m

5) Oscar

2016/17

£52m

Chelsea’s £100m star in the making

Over the summer, Chelsea were on the lookout for a new striker, which led to Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak being linked with a transfer to the Bridge.

However, despite the interest, the £100m valuation from Eddie Howe’s side put the Blues off a potential move for the Swede, with the Italian sticking with Nicolas Jackson as his primary option in the final third.

It’s a decision that appears to have been a blessing in disguise, with the Senegalese international enjoying his spell as a regular starter this campaign – being ranked as a similar player to Isak by FBref after his displays in the Premier League.

The “extraordinary” Jackson, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has outscored the Magpies’ talent, whilst achieving a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate than his fellow striker.

Games played

11

9

Goals & assists

9

6

Shot-on-target accuracy

56%

39%

Shots on target per game

1.5

1.2

Pass accuracy

74%

74%

Take-ons completed

45%

25%

Jackson has also completed more take-ons whilst also matching Isak for his pass accuracy, showcasing how much his all-round game has developed this season – undoubtedly benefiting from the faith shown in him by Maresca this season.

At the age of just 23, the former Villarreal ace has the opportunity to develop even further and become a real crucial player in the Maresca era at the Bridge, possibly preventing any big-money additions in the centre-forward position.

Many fans craved that big-money signing over the summer, but Jackson has proven that he has the skill set to be a success in England’s top flight and be the main man for the club as a focal point.

Like for Isak, a £100m price tag will surely soon be coming his way…

Sanchez & Jackson axed for £124m signings: Chelsea's dream XI after January

Chelsea could replace Sanchez with a £58m signing in their dream starting XI after January.

ByConnor Holden Nov 21, 2024

Jose Mourinho huddled up to a steward during the Europa League tie between Anderlecht and Fenerbahce that was marred by fighting in the stands.

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• Fenerbahce vs Anderlecht paused due to fighting
• Mourinho wrapped his arm around a steward
• Turkish side into last 16

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The game in Belgium was paused for 15 minutes due to scrapping between fans but it was all love for Mourinho, who was later seen with his arm around a steward and seemed relaxed before half-time.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Mourinho's good mood might have had something to do with the way the match was panning out, with his side cruising into the last 16 of the Europa League. Fenerbahce earned a 3-0 aggregate lead in the first leg last week and a 2-2 draw at Anderlecht was enough to seal comfortable qualification.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The crowd trouble was cleared up after a 15-minute delay, when the players were sent inside into the dressing rooms having initially attempted to reason with the fighting fans themselves. Fenerbahce's Bright Osayi-Samuel was seen demanding that security staff break up the incident but was dragged away by team-mates.

• WHAT NEXT FOR FENERBAHCE?

  Fenerbahce led 1-0 when the game was stopped, the eventual 2-2 draw suiting them nicely. They now progress to the last 16, where they will take on Rangers or Olympiakos.

Plays of the day for the match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad in Ahmedabad

Abhishek Purohit08-May-2014The comical run-out
As far as comedies go, this one would make the hall of fame. Amit Mishra was given two lives and eventually dismissed. Off the same delivery. He tried to sneak a bye after missing off James Faulkner, and the first reprieve came from the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, whose throw missed with Mishra halfway down the crease. Mishra turned back slowly even as Faulker grabbed the ball. He was so still far out he had given up trying to get back, and was walking expecting the worst. But it was Faulkner’s turn to miss. Mishra still continued to amble towards the crease, and even looked accusingly back at the non-striker Irfan Pathan. Mishra was inches short now, but Samson wasn’t letting him have a third life.The direct hit
Samson and Faulkner may have needed multiple attempts, but David Warner hit his target right away. After Stuart Binny and Steven Smith had stemmed the fall of wickets, Smith tucked one wide of deep midwicket. Warner raced forward, picked up the ball and fired it flat. It crashed into the non-striker’s stumps on the bounce, and Binny was way short.The elongated hat-trick
Shane Watson brought himself on for the fourth over of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s innings, and bowled Shikhar Dhawan with the last ball. He took himself off after that and did not return till the 17th over. Moises Henriques slammed the first ball straight to long-off. Karn Sharma got one leaving him and feathered it to the keeper. There were 72 legitimate deliveries from others in between, but it was a hat-trick alright for the Rajasthan Royals captain.The set-ups
Pravin Tambe usually does not give the ball too much air. To Warner, though, he tossed one up high. Warner slogged assuming it would turn in, but it didn’t, and he was fortunate the toe-ended skier fell in a vacant area. Tambe was encouraged. In his next over, he tossed it up higher. Warner charged out and had a heave. It was another googly, and turned past to give Samson a straightforward stumping.The shot
Young Samson went up against the best fast bowler in the world, and won the contest. Third ball he faced from Dale Steyn, he was beaten by a late outswinger. The fourth moved away as well, but Samson leaned forward to chip it over mid-off for four. He was not completely in control, but he was in Steyn’s next over. Steyn pitched it up at 146 kph, Samson leaned forward again and lofted it so cleanly, it sailed way over the boundary.

West Ham United have struggled to make a huge impact in the Premier League so far this season, winning just three of their opening ten meetings in 2024/25.

Julen Lopetegui’s suffered yet another defeat on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground after Edson Alvarez saw red for the second time in just a few weeks after a second bookable offence.

As a result, the Hammers currently sit 14th in the table, just six points clear of the relegation zone, with the Spaniard struggling to make the immediate impact many fans would’ve hoped for.

Only three sides have shipped more goals since the beginning of the season, with their tally of 19 goals conceded making it difficult to come away from any matches with any tangible reward – often needing multiple goals to secure just a point.

Given their recent struggles, many must wish they had the calibre of one former player who caught the eye during his stint as a player in East London.

Dimitri Payet’s stats at West Ham

French midfielder Dimitri Payet arrived in the summer of 2015 for their final season at the Boleyn Ground, looking to make a huge impact on the club’s first team.

However, no one could have envisaged his impact with the Hammers, taking everyone by surprise during his 18-month stint in the Premier League.

His debut year at the club saw him notch 12 goals and 14 assists in all competitions – which included a memorable free-kick in the meeting with Crystal Palace.

However, after registering nine goal contributions during the first few months of the 2016/17 campaign, Payet’s time in England would come to an abrupt end after the Frenchman submitted a transfer request and ended up rejoining former side Marseille.

No fan can begrudge the midfielder for wanting to return to his homeland, but there’s no denying his impact has been hugely missed – with his ability to create a moment of magic out of nothing something which Lopetegui’s side desperately lack.

However, at one point, many people thought that the Hammers had secured a deal for one talent who could’ve followed in the footsteps of Payet and been the perfect replacement for the attacking midfielder.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

The man who was meant to be the next Payet

The summer of 2018 gave West Ham the opportunity to strengthen their squad and finally replace Payet nearly 18 months after his return to Ligue 1.

As a result, the hierarchy turned their attention to Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson, securing a £36m deal to sign him from Italian side Lazio – breaking the club’s record transfer in the process.

However, the excitement over the deal would be short-lived given his lack of impact at the London Stadium, making just a total of 73 appearances over a three-year spell in the Premier League, scoring just 12 times with ten of his goals coming in his debut campaign.

He would receive praise from teammate Aaron Cresswell, with the left-back stating:

Anderson would rapidly fall down the pecking order in the 2020/21 season, featuring just five times under David Moyes, resulting in a loan move to join Portuguese side Porto.

The move would fail to catapult him back into the Scotsman’s plans at West Ham, subsequently re-joining former side Lazio in the summer of 2021, three years after leaving, for a fee in the region of just £2.5m.

2018/19

40

10

5

2019/20

28

1

6

2020/21

5

1

2

Total:

73

12

13

Such a transfer saw the club losing £33.5m in just three years, a shocking deal all-round, with the club still yet to find the perfect replacement for Payet in 2024.

Given the fee and hype around such a transfer, it’s such a shame that the move never lived up to expectations – setting the club back millions and delaying their ambitions of filling the void left by the Frenchman.

Unfortunately for both parties, Anderson simply wasn’t cut out for the demands of the Premier League, as demonstrated by his rapid decline which now sees him feature for Palmeiras back in his homeland.

He's like Rice: West Ham should brutally ditch Alvarez & sign £17m star

West Ham could replace Declan Rice by signing a new midfielder to replace Alvarez.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 5, 2024

Lionesses star Chloe Kelly made her second Arsenal debut on Sunday against Tottenham – with the span between her two spells almost record-breaking.

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Kelly made deadline day loan switch to ArsenalEarned second debut for the club on SundayTime between Gunners appearances nearly historicFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Kelly got a raucous reception at the Emirates Stadium when she was introduced as a substitute in the 61st minute of the north London derby, with the Gunners 4-0 up in the Women's Super League clash thanks to goals from Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum and Alessia Russo, plus an own goal by Clare Hunt.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Kelly came through the Arsenal academy and made 16 appearances in all competitions before joining Everton for a loan spell that would eventually become permanent. She's carved out most of her club career in the north west of England, moving to Manchester City after five years with the Toffees, but is now back in London for the time being after struggling for game time with the Cityzens, on loan at Arsenal until the end of the season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Sunday's second debut was almost historic, then, as it marked 2,815 days since she last played in the WSL for Arsenal. However, that is actually only the second-longest gap between appearances for the same club in the competition. Toni Duggan, who played 79 times for England, holds that record after a gap of 2,897 days between appearances for Everton. Duggan came through at the club, left in 2013 for spells with Man City, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, then returned in 2021 for the final chapter of a career she called time on in September 2024.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KELLY?

Kelly will hope to make plenty more appearances in Arsenal colours before the season is out, having been left out of the England squad by Sarina Wiegman earlier this week due to her lack of minutes. With less than five months until the European Championships get underway in Switzerland, the winger will be desperate to get back into the Lionesses picture.

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino： A vitória de 2 a 1 do Ypiranga sobre o Remo, segunda-feira passada, pela Série C do Campeonato Brasileiro, levou o time de Erechim para o sétimo lugar na tabela de classificação, com 12 pontos ganhos.A entrada do time no G8, zona de classificação para a segunda fase, deixou o lateral-esquerdo Vitinho animado para a sequência.

– O campeonato está muito equilibrado. Prova disso é que do terceiro ao oitavo lugar todos os times têm 12 pontos. Quem conseguir uma sequência de bons resultados pula na frente e fica com mais tranquilidade para trabalhar – disse Vitinho.

Revelado pelo Grêmio, Vitinho é uma das promessas da base do Tricolor Gaúcho e vem sendo um dos destaques do Ypiranga na Série C. Titular após a saída de Diego Porfirio, que foi para o Coritiba, ele projeta um jogo complicado contra Altos, domingo, às 15h, no Piauí.

– Nosso adversário está na lanterna e vai querer se recuperar em casa a todo custo. Vamos precisar fazer um jogo com inteligência e focado durante os 90 minutos para voltarmos com os três pontos – finalizou.

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A little more conversation – between players, the board and the WIPA – could have averted the sorry end to the West Indies tour of India

Swaroop Mamidipudi27-Oct-2014People in the Caribbean have said, time and again, that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is corrupt. Others have suggested nepotism. And some more talk of abuse of power. While these remain, to this day, unproven rumours, there is no question that the WICB, especially in its dealing with its players, is inefficient and short-sighted.Disputes have flared up, time and again, over payments, over sponsorships, over contracts. A few years back, the entire first team sat out and watched a second-string team get butchered at home by Bangladesh. Somehow, under the hardworking and honest Darren Sammy, the team seemed to bridge some of that gap with the administration. The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) played a positive role in fire-fighting and making sure the players did not feel shortchanged. Yes, its star batsman, Gayle, sat out for almost a year and a half, murdering only T20 club bowlers around the world. But that was an exception; not the rule.In this context, the events surrounding the curtailed tour of India are bizarre. The players claim that a certain payment issue was not discussed with WIPA office-bearers, although the WIPA claims it was. The players have lost trust in their own association, and the board, cunning as ever, has said it will only negotiate with the WIPA. This is like school kids arguing about who lost the ball.In the mid-90s, when the West Indian team began its free-fall, the board should have realized that the only way to keep promising cricketers — their most valuable asset — in the game was to treat them well. On many occasions, the board failed on this front. It promised too little and didn’t deliver on even those promises. The players felt deceived, their performance suffered. Worse, the board operated mysteriously and opaquely. Jerome Taylor is a classic case in point. For years, he had been claiming that he was fit. The board never picked him, claiming, dubiously, that he wasn’t.The issue that rankled players the most, though, was the low salaries. The stars of the earlier generation made their money mostly playing abroad — many of them made England their second home. However, by the mid-90s, there weren’t so many of those contracts anymore. Playing domestic cricket in the West Indies was never a profitable plan. This, cyclically, led to a decline in the quality of cricket in the Caribbean.In the last five years or so, there’s been money flowing into the coffers of the West Indian cricketers again through T20 leagues all over the world. Coincidentally (or consequently), the West Indies team seems to be stronger than it has been in the last fifteen years. Shouldn’t the players complain less about pay now? Shouldn’t they play as much top-flight cricket as they can and not pull out of tours?The present issue deals with a reduction in player salaries to the senior team in favour of contracts for an additional 90 first-class cricketers. It is, at least on the surface, a noble move. The issue, however, is not on the merits of this move. The players claim this was never discussed with them by the WIPA. Shouldn’t the WIPA, a players association, inspire confidence in the players? Shouldn’t it keep them informed of every decision it takes?From the days of George Headley, the West Indies brand of cricket revolved around individual brilliance. Of course, in the 70s and the 80s, Clive Lloyd and his immediate successors managed to unearth, nurture and feature a galaxy of stars in one line-up. Each one could turn the match in a matter of a session or two. The present side has at least seven such players — Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, the Bravos, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor and Sunil Narine. This is a side that could give any team a run for its money at the World Cup.The least the WIPA can do is actually be a association and represent the cricketers. The least the board can do is listen to the players and not ride on technicalities. The least the players could do is be open for discussion. An air of mistrust and off-field distractions will only ruin the cricket, and boy, when on song, don’t these guys play some cracking cricket?If you have a submission for Inbox, send it to us here, with “Inbox” in the subject line