Stokes goes on an Ashes spy mission
CRISTIANO RONALDO has had an airport named after him – but his presentation ceremony was not all plain sailing yesterday. A bronze bust of the former Manchester United star was unveiled to celebrate the change of name from Madeira Airport. But the statue, right, looked JOSE MOURINHO is gearing up for a £70 million battle with former club Chelsea for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.
Despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic dropping a big hint that he will stay with Manchester United for a second season, Mourinho needs a long-term replacement for the veteran Swede and Lukaku, 23, fits the bill.
Mourinho sold the Belgian to Everton during his second spell as Chelsea manager but he now wants to take the striker to Old Trafford, along with long-term target Antoine Griezmann.
Lukaku has rejected a bumper new Everton deal as he wants to play in the Champions League and team-mate Yannick Bolasie is resigned to him leaving. He said: “I speak to Rom every day and when a man has a plan, The Head from BBC children’s TV programme Art Attack. But he said: “I’m happy and honoured. It’s something very special.” Miguel Albuquerque, the president of the regional government in Madeira, said at the ceremony that Ronaldo was “the best known Portuguese in the world and admired across all continents”. JOE ROOT wants Ben Stokes to come back from his Indian Premier League gig with the lowdown on Steve Smith’s weaknesses.
England Test vice-captain Stokes, below, has arrived in India for his £1.7million T20 stint with Rising Pune Supergiants, for whom he will play alongside Aussie captain Smith.
England skipper Root is hoping his spy in the camp will come back armed not only with cash but useful information ahead of this winter’s Ashes.
“Smith has become one of the best players in the world – in fact he is ranked as the best player in the world and is just racking up the runs for fun,” said Root. “So the one thing Stokesy can do is make sure he finds a little weakness in Smith’s armoury for us.”
Stokes joins Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler as the trio of England Test players to have secured IPL deals.
“It’s great to see English guys getting that exposure to fantastic ex-players and coaches as well as some of the best players in the world,” said Root.