Tottenham Hotspur are "still fighting" to keep Harry Kane, but Thomas Tuchel is a "crucial part of the story", and the German manager is "pushing" to get the deal over the line, claims transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Is Harry Kane leaving Tottenham Hotspur?

It hasn't taken long, but Tottenham striker Kane is once again at the centre of another protracted transfer saga.

Still, in a slight twist to the narrative, it's German giants Bayern Munich who are after the England captain and not either of the Manchester clubs.

The Bundesliga champions have already had two bids rejected by the Lilywhites, the latter being worth around €80m (£69m) plus add-ons, but that hasn't deterred them as they prepare a third offer to truly test the resolve of Daniel Levy and Co.

The club's all-time top goalscorer has just 12 months remaining on his £200,00-a-week contract, which is part of the reason for the Bavarians' comparatively low initial offers for the star striker.

However, the other reason that Thomas Tuchel's side feel so emboldened over this transfer is the belief that Kane is keen on the move himself and that if a deal can be struck between the two clubs, he would be enthusiastic about the prospect of playing for FC Hollywood next season, per Fabrizio Romano.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"From what I'm hearing, Thomas Tuchel is absolutely a crucial factor, a crucial part of the story in the Harry Kane saga. I mention saga because we know that with Tottenham, it's never easy to negotiate, and, at the moment, from Daniel Levy, it still looks like a very difficult deal to make.

"I can guarantee to you that Bayern are still working on this one. They got two bids rejected, the second was €80m (£69m) plus add-ons. It was a verbal bid, but from Tottenham the message has always been 'this is absolutely not enough to sign Harry Kane', but Tomas Tuchel is really pushing.

"He feels that Harry Kane is open to the move to Bayern, and this is why Tuchel is pushing, and pushing, and pushing internally at Bayern to make it happen.

"Bayern will try again for Harry Kane, for sure this is not over but we know how complicated it is to negotiate with Tottenham and they are still fighting to keep Harry at the club. So, not an easy one but Bayern are still there and Thomas Tuchel is crucial part of this story."

How good was Harry Kane last season?

To put it succinctly, he was astoundingly good.

Had last year been any other Premier League season in history, one without the inhuman exploits of a certain Norwegian goal machine, there would be a lot more people talking about just how brilliant Kane was for a Spurs side that were utterly dysfunctional for much of the campaign.

In his 38 league appearances, the "world-class" forward scored 30 goals, created three assists for his teammates, and averaged a match rating of 7.51, per WhoScored.

His underlying numbers are, unsurprisingly, equally outstanding.

According to Fbref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, Kane sits in the top 4% of strikers for progressive passes, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 14% for non-penalty goals, the top 16% for expected assists and goals, and the top 10% for total shots, all per 90.

If that wasn't enough, FBref have also rated the equally prolific Robert Lewandowski as the most similar player to Kane in all of Europe's top five leagues, showing that the two of them are genuinely in a league of their own when it comes to scoring goals.

If Spurs can keep a hold of their talismanic forward, they'll undoubtedly be better for it next season, but is it worth risking their greatest player ever walking away for free? Only Levy knows the answer to that one.

Celtic former player Kieran Tierney 'would love' a return to Parkhead this summer; however, there are 'major hurdles' in the way of that becoming a reality, according to journalist Anthony Joseph.

What clubs has Kieran Tierney been linked with this summer?

As per Football Insider, Newcastle United have made Tierney their top left-back target following the news that Fulham defender Antonee Robinson has signed a new five-year deal at Craven Cottage.

Tierney faces an uncertain future at Arsenal and this has enabled Newcastle United to get themselves in 'pole position' to bring in the £110k-a-week ace. Manchester City have also explored a potential swoop for the Scotland international as Pep Guardiola looks to bolster his backline.

Last month, The Scottish Sun reported that Tierney wouldn't rule out making a sensational return to boyhood club Celtic this window. However, a compromise would need to be made over his hefty pay packet and the Hoops would also need to pay a sizeable loan fee to secure his services, with a permanent deal believed to be out of the question.

Aston Villa plan to rival Newcastle United and Celtic to try and sign the 26-year-old as Unai Emery sets his sights on a reunion with Tierney, who he brought to Arsenal in a £25 million deal back in 2019.

In his previous spell at Celtic where he won eleven domestic honours, Tierney made 170 appearances in total and registered eight goals and 37 assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Joseph thinks that although Tierney 'would love' a return to Celtic, any notion of that happening is unlikely.

Joseph stated: "I'm sure he would love to come back to Celtic. I'm sure Celtic would love to have him back as well.

"But I think there will be some major hurdles to overcome for that to actually happen now."

What has happened to Kieran Tierney?

It's not outwith the realms of possibility, though Celtic would need to shell out significant money to sign Tierney on a loan agreement, which will likely mean the Hoops pass on trying to acquire their former fan favourite.

Tierney played second fiddle to Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko for lengthy spells last term; nevertheless, he still amassed 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and laying on two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Sofascore show that Tierney was still a reliable deputy when called upon by Mikel Arteta and managed to win 72% of his ground duels across the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Progressive carries is an area where the Isle Of Man-born defender excelled in last season in comparison to his positional peers across Europe's top five divisions, completing around 2.89 per 90 minutes in the last 365 days, putting him in the top 20% for this metric.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will be keen to make a few statement signings this summer in order to keep his side at the top of the Scottish game and has a £30 million transfer budget to spend on new arrivals, as per The Scottish Sun.

In the next few weeks, we will find out more about where Celtic's recruitment priorities lie as the Hoops' boss shapes his squad ahead of 2023/24 getting underway.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are in the quest to replenish their side after making almost £80m worth of sales so far this transfer window.

Julen Lopetegui will be eager to put his spin on the squad he inherited last term from Bruno Lage, however the Spaniard could face his first howler with links to a Premier League underperformer arising.

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been linked with a move to Molineux, however the Midlands club should avoid taking the risk on a potentially expensive move.

How much is Harry Maguire worth?

Valued at €23.5m (£20m) by FootballTransfers, the Englishman’s value has crashed following a sequence of underwhelming individual campaigns.

A report this week from GIVEMESPORT claimed that United hope to sell the defender for a speculated fee of £35m this summer.

Transfer insider Dean Jones raised Wolves as a potential suitor for Maguire in his GIVEMESPORT column saying:

'… The only other Premier League clubs on the lookout for a new centre back – that could seem viable in any shape or form – this summer include Wolves, Fulham and, at a stretch, his old club Sheffield United.'

Should Wolves sign Harry Maguire?

After a trialling 2022/23 season, the Old Gold relied on Lopetegui to turn fortunes around to keep the club in the Premier League, after sitting bottom of the table on Christmas Day.

In his first full term in the Midlands, the Spaniard will aim to get the side back among the top ten, with a raise in defensive and offensive structure required over the break in play.

With the objectives clear, it would be a questionable move for Wolves to go for Maguire, who at the age of 30, has seen a disappointing decline in form attributable to a knock in confidence.

The once famed Leicester City ace – and the world's most expensive defender – started just eight Premier League games last term for United, being identified as a weak spot in the club’s back line.

Slammed by Red Devils legend Roy Keane earlier this season for having “not been good enough”, the Englishman faces an almost impossible battle in reclaiming his spot as the club’s favoured central defender, leaving him facing a potential exile.

United’s trash should not be regarded as a project for Wolves to polish and use in the bid to improve, with other central defensive options available, Lopetegui could show the club’s ambition by avoiding a move for the £190k-per-week dud.

A report from Planet Football highlighted just how detrimental the 30-year-old has been to the Manchester giants’ form, with their record both with and without him being captured between the 2021/22 campaign to January 2023.

In that time frame, the Red Devils played 42 games with Maguire, losing 14 and conceding 62 goals with a loss rate of 33.3%, however without the Englishman in the side, the loss rate decreased to 18.2%, conceding 33 goals and losing just six in 33 games.

In a season that must show progression, adding a defender famed for his frailties should not be for consideration, with the room for defensive error being considerably low in the top tier.

أكد أوناي إيمري، المدير الفني لفريق أستون فيلا، أنه يشعر بحالة من الفخر تجاه لاعبيه، بعد فوز اليوم أمام آرسنال في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث فاز أستون فيلا بهدفين دون رد.

وقال إيمري في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “أنا فخور جدًا باللاعبين، بنسبة 100 %، بالنظر إلى كيف واجهنا الخصم، وهم تنافسيين للغاية”.

وأضاف: “كنا نعاني أيضًا في بعض الأحيان ولكننا كنا ننتظر اللحظة المناسبة لنا وبشكل تدريجي، كنا نسيطر على المباراة، لكن الفوز بالتأكيد على آرسنال هنا أمر صعب للغاية وكنا بحاجة إلى اللعب والتركيز بنسبة 100٪ وأن نكون متطلبين للغاية في كل شيء وأكثر تنظيمًا دفاعيًا”.

وواصل: “كنا بحاجة إلى أكبر التزام للقيام بعمل أفضل مما فعلناه ضد مانشستر سيتي، حاولنا مواجهتهم باللعب في هذا المستوى لأن هذا هو المستوى الذي أريد الوصول إليه مع لاعبينا وبالتدريج، نحن نتحسن”.

وأردف: “بالطبع عانينا على مدار 90 دقيقة، ربما إذا سجلوا هدفًا ستكون المباراة مختلفة لكننا دافعنا بشكل جيد للغاية، وكنا تنافسيين للغاية في الشوط الأول”.

واستمر: “في الشوط الثاني كنا أكثر قدرة على المنافسة مع الكرة، وحاولنا الاحتفاظ بها وحاولنا فرض سيطرتنا وإثبات موقفنا في الملعب، حاولنا إيقاف المنافس وحاولنا الفوز، حاولنا اللعب بمهاراتنا”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أرتيتا بعد السقوط أمام أستون فيلا: لا نستطيع السيطرة على مانشستر سيتي.. وعلينا الرد

وتابع: “نحن نخوض 38 مباراة، اليوم خضنا مباراتنا رقم 33، هناك صعوبة أكثر في بعض الأمور، لكن كان علينا دائمًا أن نحاول التعلم ومحاولة التحسن، ومحاولة الوصول إلى أعلى مستوى لدينا فرديًا وجماعيًا”.

واستأنف: “الآن بحاجة إلى الاستمرار والمضي قدمًا بشكل إيجابي والآن نحاول تجنب ظروف مثل ما حدث الأسبوع الماضي ضد برينتفورد على أرضنا، لكن هذا هو الدوري الإنجليزي، أصعب دوري في العالم”.

وأكد: “كان الأمر صعبًا لأن آرسنال يقدم موسمًا لا يصدق، أنا فخور جدًا بعملنا وتركيز اللاعبين، الذين يطالبون أنفسهم”.

وارتفع رصيد أستون فيلا بعد ذلك الفوز إلى 63 نقطة في المركز الرابع، بفارق 3 نقاط عن توتنهام مع العلم أن الأخير لديه مباراة مؤجلة.

وعن التأهل إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، قال: “يبدو أنها خطوة كبيرة، نعم، لكن اليوم كانت نفس النقاط الثلاث التي كنا نلعب من أجلها في نهاية الأسبوع الماضي ضد برينتفورد عندما كنا متقدمين 2-0 وتعادلنا”.

واختتم: “إنها نفس النقاط الثلاث التي سنلعب من أجلها يوم السبت المقبل، إذا لم نكن ثابتين فيمكن أن نخسر، هذا هو المستوى الذي نريد أن نكون فيه”.

Five overs, six wickets. England’s startling collapse at Lord’s

ESPNcricinfo staff29-May-20170.5 Rabada to Roy, OUT, got him, steered to slip! Amla holds on this time, low down as a thick edge lobbed off the bat… Another single-figure score for Roy, who was drawn forward by a demanding line, the ball nibbling away down the Lord’s slope and sending England’s tub-thumping opener back to the changing rooms with a whimper1.5 Parnell to Root, OUT, trapped in front! Parnell beats him past the inside edge, booming swing – and England are two down! Lovely shape on that delivery, which started outside off and curled back in as Root aimed a punch down the ground. No hesitation from Michael Gough and it looked pretty plumb3.6 Parnell to Morgan, OUT, lovely bowling, Morgan gone! Parnell is enjoying the famously moribund juicy Lord’s surface, curving the ball away and kissing the outside edge, giving a simple catch to de Kock. Morgan’s brief sally is over and England are wheezing in North Weezy4.1 Rabada to Hales, OUT, England continue to attack… and SA continue to capitalise! Pitched up in the channel, Hales drives and Amla this time tumbles to his left to snap up another catch. A second for Rabada and England are tottering like an MCC member after a day on the port. Somehow that was only Hales’ ball… One he’ll quickly want to forget4.5 Rabada to Buttler, OUT, throws the bat, thick edged to second… England are five down! Superb catch from Faf du Plessis, that went very quickly as Buttler attempted to thrash it through the covers. Not quite as quickly as England are subsiding, but still4.6 Rabada to Rashid, OUT, edged and gone – THIS IS ABSURD!!! Rashid goes for a big, booming drive from his first ball, du Plessis scoops it up low to his left this time… and Rabada is on a hat-trick! Perhaps England are trying to get their shocker out of the way before the Champions Trophy, but this is golden-era awful from a country that knows a fair bit about being rubbish at ODIs

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keen to revive their interest in Roma star, Paulo Dybala, with the World Cup-winning gem potentially in line for an exit from the Italian outfit this summer.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

According to Correire dello Sport – via Sports Witness – the Lilywhites, as well as both Chelsea and Manchester United, are believed to be following the 29-year-old 'with great attention', amid the uncertainty regarding his long-term future at the Stadio Olimpico.

As per the report, despite having only signed for the Serie A outfit on a free transfer from rivals Juventus last term, the 38-cap Argentina international could be on his way ahead of next season, with his current deal including a bargain €12m (£10m) release clause that can be triggered by foreign clubs.

That minimal fee has evidently caught the interest of the north Londoners who have long held an interest in the 5 foot 10 playmaker, having attempted to sign the one-time Palermo man back in the summer of 2019.

How good is Paulo Dybala?

Former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho – who is now in charge of the Rome giants – will no doubt be ruing the presence of that buy-out clause in Dybala's contract, with the experienced ace having established himself as a leading figure for I Giallorossi during his debut season at the club last time out.

The left-footed dynamo did have his struggles with injury during the 2022/23 campaign, although was still able to rack up 18 goals and eight assists in 38 games in all competitions, leading the charge to the Europa League final with five goals in 11 games in that continental competition.

That standout form led Roma legend Francesco Totti to hail the marksman as "special" as well as describing him as a "phenomenon", with the club evidently keen to ensure that their prize asset does not seek to secure a swift exit over the coming weeks.

As for Spurs, the signing of Dybala could represent a perfect deal for manager Ange Postecoglou, with the £116k-per-week ace said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities with the club's recent summer signing, James Maddison – according to FBref.

That likeness between the Argentine and Maddison – who contributed ten goals and nine assists in the Premier League last term – is apparent due to their creative brilliance, with Dybala ranking in the top 7% among those in his position in Europe's top five leagues for shot-creating actions, while the Englishman ranks in the top 13% in that regard.

In Serie A last term, Mourinho's main man notably created 12 big chances and averaged 2.1 key passes per game from his 25 league appearances as a sign of ability to provide quality service to the front line, with Maddison enjoying a remarkable similar record after also creating 12 big chances from his 30 league outings, while averaging 2.3 key passes per game.

Although Dybala has typically been deployed as a second striker of late, there may be a desire for Postecoglou to utilise his talents in an advanced midfield berth in his preferred 4-3-3 system, with the former Leicester City ace taking on that other playmaking role in the centre of the park.

To have two real dynamic weapons at his disposal would be a mouthwatering prospect for the ex-Celtic boss, with it seemingly hard to turn down the chance to land such a classy and experienced figure on the cheap.

West Ham United are now preparing an offer for Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka, with Thomas Tuchel willing to let the midfielder leave the Allianz Arena for around €50m (£43m) this summer, according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.

What's the latest West Ham transfer news?

West Ham are searching for an heir to Declan Rice, and they have been heavily linked with a move for Fulham's Joao Palhinha, however The Athletic now report that a £45m offer for the Portugal international was knocked back by the Cottagers.

As such, the Hammers are not expected to go back in for the 28-year-old, and they will instead pursue other targets, having expressed their interest in signing Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez, with the Dutch side holding out for around £35m – £40m.

Other targets include James Ward-Prowse, Harvey Barnes and Alex Scott, however they are yet to make offers for any of those midfielders, and the Irons have now stepped up their interest in another new player.

According to Plettenberg, Goretzka is now emerging as a target for a number of clubs in England, saying: "Leon Goretzka is definitely a candidate whose situation is being watched very closely by the English, because they didn’t miss the fact that Goretzka was allowed to leave Bayern.

"Bayern is currently considering a fee of €40m to €50m. Tuchel would definitely let him go because Tuchel wants to create space in the squad. Tuchel would like to sign a player who, in his perception, has the profile of Declan Rice," (via Sport Witness).

The story, which originally comes from Sky Sports Germany, goes as far to say that West Ham are now preparing an offer for the German, but they may have to fend off interest from Manchester United, who are also vying for his signature.

Is Leon Goretzka signing for West Ham?

At the moment, it does not seem likely that the 28-year-old will be moving to the London Stadium, as Plettenberg has now stated the Bayern Munich midfielder has no intention of leaving the German champions this summer.

The Germany international remains a "dream target" for the Hammers, however, which indicates they could still be willing to make a move for him at some stage in the transfer window, if the player changes his stance.

Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has previously lauded the maestro, saying: "Leon is one of the best box-to-box players in Europe. He has incredible goal threat and knows when to bomb forward."

With Rice recently completing a move to Arsenal, it could be essential to replace the England international with someone also capable of playing in a box-to-box role, and Goretzka could be an excellent signing.

There are indications the Bayern star could be an improvement on Rice in some areas, given that he has averaged considerably more non-penalty goals and assists per 90 than the 24-year-old over the past year.

For now, the central midfielder is unwilling to leave, but if he does become available at some point this summer, West Ham should undoubtedly pursue a move.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore has been released from his Worcestershire contract and will join Yorkshire immediately.ESPNcricinfo revealed a week ago that Kohler-Cadmore, who was out of contract at the end of the season, had agreed to join Yorkshire for 2018. When he informed Worcestershire of his plans, their director of cricket, Steve Rhodes, was furious and threatened not to select him in first- or second-team games for the rest of the season.Rhodes has now partially relented and allowed Kohler-Cadmore to move on. It is understood he will, initially at least, play in Yorkshire’ssecond XI. He is thought unlikely to be selected in the Yorkshire side for the Royal London Cup play-off.”Worcestershire County Cricket Club have mutually agreed with Tom Kohler-Cadmore and his representative of the immediate release from his contract with the club,” Tom Scott, the Worcestershire CEO said. “We would like to thank Tom for the contribution he has made at New Road and wish him continued success in the future.”The timing of the news may unsettle Worcestershire supporters. The club is due to play in the semi-final of the Royal London Cup(possibly against Yorkshire) in little more than a week – their first semi-final appearance for 13-years – and Kohler-Cadmore was an important part of their white-ball team.It is understood that neither the player or Yorkshire sought an early release from his contract. Indeed, Kohler-Cadmore is understood to bedistressed that a happy spell at New Road has ended in sour circumstances. There is no suggestion that Yorkshire in any way actedinappropriately.While Kohler-Cadmore graduated through the Worcestershire academy – he was attracted to the area by a sixth-form cricket scholarship at nearby Malvern College – he had, until then, developed through the Yorkshire system and is understood to value a return to the north of England.Aged 22, he is a fine prospect. He scored the fastest century of the English domestic season, off 43 balls, in 2016 and made the onlycentury of the Worcestershire campaign – against Yorkshire – to help the county top the North Group in this season’s Royal London Cup. He also averaged 48.40 as the club won their first four Championship matches of the season.Since the news of his departure broke and he was dropped from the side, Worcestershire subsided to an innings defeat against Sussex.”Producing players who are qualified for England and could go on to play for England is what we’re all about,” Rhodes told ESPNcricinfo.”That won’t change.”It’s a delight to watch guys you’ve seen from the age of 13 play first-team cricket and enjoy success together. We’ll carry on trying to produce players and our aim will be to keep them, too.”We’ve a semi-final coming up and everyone here is very excited by that. Hopefully it shows you can play here, enjoy success and furtheryour career.”

In an interview with a local news channel, Umar struck a defiant yet conciliatory tone, promising to come back stronger and apologising to his fans for his poor fitness

Danyal Rasool24-May-2017

Umar Akmal has had more than his fair share of controversy in his career so far, and it appears he has learned to take all of it in his stride. In an interview with – his first since being sent home from the Champions Trophy owing to two failed fitness tests – Umar struck a defiant yet conciliatory tone, promising to come back stronger and apologising to his fans.”I want to ask forgiveness of all fans who have been hurt by my conduct,” Akmal said. “I am ready to commit to cricket. I still have a lot of cricket left in me and I aim to make another international comeback. I am even more focused on cricket now. My role model is Younis Khan, and even when he faced difficulties, he became even more determined. In the same way, I am now determined to come back more than ever.”Firstly, I want to wish [his replacement] Haris Sohail best of luck,” Umar said. “I also want to thank Inzi [Inzamam] for conducting a fitness Test in Pakistan. I was also appointed captain of the Punjab team in the Pakistan Cup. Cricket is my bread and butter, and therefore I will try and fulfil whatever requirements the PCB has to allow me to return. Regardless of whether I’m with the team or not, my best wishes will always be with them.”Umar has frustrated Pakistan fans ever since he broke into the national side almost eight years ago as a 19-year-old. He made a blazing start to international cricket, scoring a century in just his third ODI and another one on Test debut. But lingering periods where his concentration appeared to go haywire, as well as several incidents off the pitch that have landed him in trouble, have left most resigned to the idea that he will be a talent unfulfilled.Umar was asked to return from England after he failed two fitness tests in two days, ahead of the Champions Trophy next month. He had been recalled to the ODI squad for the Champions Trophy, after being dropped from the team that toured the West Indies in April. He had initially been excluded from that squad as well, after he was the only player, among 31, to fail the fitness test during the camp held at the NCA in March. However, he proved his fitness during the Pakistan Cup in Rawalpindi.Fitness has become a priority for Pakistan in the recent past, with the PCB backing the selectors and the team management to enforce strict policies. “We had a set a fitness standard which isn’t really a tough one to start with,” chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said. “But he still didn’t meet the average level. So whoever the player is, whatever his performance is like, we could not select him. Akmal being dropped is a reprimand and it’s a major blow for any player. He is a good player, we needed him, but we had to take a decision.”In an annual assessment earlier this year, Umar had weighed 91kgs with a fat-level reading of 115.6. A measurement in excess of 100 is considered high.

Captain Virat Kohli has clarified that the Indian team offers its suggestions to the BCCI only when asked, as the board continues to look for a new coach after Anil Kumble’s resignation 10 days ago. Kumble had stated his partnership with Kohli had become “untenable”, even though Kohli had said at the beginning of the Champions Trophy that there were “no issues whatsoever” between the two.Kumble later said in his resignation that he was informed by the BCCI that Kohli “had reservations with my style and about my continuing as head coach”.”From a personal point of view I can’t pinpoint anything or give details,” Kohli said a day before the third ODI against West Indies in Antigua. “We as a team, contrary to a lot of perceptions, only voice our opinions when asked by the BCCI for suggestions. So that is something we have always gone through as a process and that’s something we respect as a team. It’s been asked together, it’s not like segregation of anything so we respect that process and that same procedure, if and when it takes place, we’ll give our suggestions to the BCCI.”The suggestions are given to the board who handle the procedure and there’s no point saying anything out in the open because that is for us as a team to convey to the board as and when we are asked, and it’s something I’ve mentioned before.”It became clear in Kumble’s resignation that there were “misunderstandings” between him and Kohli and ESPNcricinfo had reported a month ago that the captain, and possibly a few other senior players, had expressed a lack of confidence in their coach. Kohli has hardly opened up on the issue since then, mainly saying he has “total respect” for Kumble as a cricketer, and did not want to divulge details to “maintain the sanctity of the change room”.Kohli stated on Thursday that the team was a “very closely-knit unit” and the players got along with each “really well”. He also said their focus right now was on the ongoing ODI series against West Indies, which the visitors lead 1-0 after the first match was washed out.”Right now we have a series at hand and this is what we are focused on,” Kohli said. “The process [of selecting the coach] is taking place and that is something that is in control of the BCCI and the process has always been in place. We, as a team, are focusing on this series right now and we are not focused on anything else at the moment. Our priority is coming here and winning this series, and preparing for the games that lie ahead of us.”Once Kumble resigned, the BCCI decided to invite more applications for the position of the coach, extending the deadline to July 9. Among the newer applicants is Ravi Shastri, who had applied for the position last year too but lost out after the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman, picked Kumble for one year.