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16Dec

Tickner, Seifert, and other takeaways from the Super Smash season

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

A round-up of the 2018-19 season which shed light on New Zealand’s seam-bowling depth, Northern Districts’ riches, and the emergence of a strong fringe for the national side

Deivarayan Muthu18-Feb-2019Incredible seam-bowling depthTim Southee, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Doug Bracewell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Adam Milne (who is fit again), Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, and Kyle Jamieson. How’s that for depth in the seam attack? Mitchell McClenaghan, who had opted out of an NZC contract in 2017, was also among the wickets in the Super Smash.Central Districts’ Tickner, who was the top wicket-taker in the 2017-18 Super Smash, proved that he was no one-season wonder, following it up with 16 wickets in nine games in his side’s title-winning run this season. His rich form culminated in a maiden call-up to the New Zealand side for the third T20I against India. He impressed there as well, dismissing the big-hitting Rishabh Pant in New Zealand’s series-clinching victory in Hamilton.Canterbury’s beanpole quick Jamieson made heads turn when he exploited a bouncy Eden Park track to claim 6 for 7 – the best return by a New Zealand bowler and the third-best overall in T20s. Jamieson’s remarkable feat had former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson gushing on Twitter: “An impressive bowler who at 6ft 8in can swing it……another one to add to the @BLACKCAPS stable.”Milne, whose career has been plagued by injuries, returned to action, and sealed Central Districts’ title victory. On a two-paced Seddon Park pitch against defending champions Northern Districts, he showcased his variations, including a fast legcutter that got rid of Kuggleijn. He came away with 3 for 12 in 2.4 overs – the best figures in the final. Has he done enough to force himself back into the World Cup reckoning?Northern Districts = New Zealand?After Tim Seifert shellacked 84 off 43 balls against India in Wellington, he quipped that it felt like a Northern Districts home game. Eight out of the XI in the team were Northen District players, including captain Kane Williamson.With their core mostly away playing for New Zealand, and Anton Devcich and Chris Jordan linking up with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, Northern Districts found new heroes. Daryl Mitchell, the son of former All Black John Mitchell, and Kyle Abbott particularly excelled in the end overs with their variety of cutters and yorkers, while Brett Hampton also caught the eye with his lusty leg-side clubs. When Ish Sodhi was unavailable, Tarun Nethula claimed 6 for 23 in only 19 balls – the second-best figures in a New Zealand T20 competition.So, can you even best this side? Yes, if you’re Central Districts.Where are the overseas stars?The Super Smash ran concurrently with the more popular Big Bash League, Bangladesh Premier League and the Pakistan Super League and flew under the radar. The presence of Ben Stokes gave the tournament a massive leg-up last season, but there were no such marquee names this season.James Vince played just two games for Auckland Aces before joining the Sydney Sixers and lighting up the BBL. Jordan, too, played only two matches before heading across the Tasman Sea.And Devcich, who is among the biggest local stars, was away too, featuring in the BBL and PSL.Kent’s Daniel Bell-Drummond, who was signed as Vince’s replacement, struck 223 runs in five innings at a strike-rate of just a shade under 140, but that didn’t quite set the tournament alight.The fringe players are ready”Some of the new guys who came into the [New Zealand] team – the Tim Seiferts and Daryl Mitchells – and Tickner was very good as well. Getting a taste of international cricket and showing that they can succeed here is positive as we build towards the 2020 World Cup… If you didn’t know if he [Mitchell] was wearing a black shirt or a pink shirt, he looked like the same player.That was national coach Gary Stead’s assessment after they had clinched a 2-1 series win over India.Mitchell played a starring role for Northern Districts, cracking a chart-topping 19 sixes and often bowling the pressure overs. After being called up to the national squad, he contributed in all departments to help New Zealand topple India.Seifert, who holds the record for hitting the fastest hundred in the Super Smash, reminded Ian Smith, the commentator, and several others of Brendon McCullum during the T20Is against India. So, New Zealand’s future is in safe hands after all.

16Dec

Sri Lanka's new chapter of cricketing incomprehensible

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

How a team ringing with chaos and ranked ninth beat the top-ranked ODI behemoth on the planet

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Jun-2019If you’re looking to make sense of Sri Lanka’s victory over England, turn back. This is not the place. You’ve come to the wrong part of town.Thank you Pakistan for your contributions to the Canon of the Cricketing Incomprehensible. You haven’t been usurped exactly. You could be, soon. But take a knee for now, because in the first six months of 2019, Sri Lanka have been in more chaos, blown through more captains, endured more infighting, had a more paranoid coach, suffered more humiliating defeats, complained about more team buses, complained about more hotels, sucked harder at Test cricket, sucked harder at one-day cricket, and yet produced a Test series upset for the ages in South Africa, and now delivered the most surprising result of the World Cup.Under very few circumstances does a team ranked ninth beat the top-ranked ODI behemoth on the planet. Under fewer circumstances does a team that has won three times as many ODIs as it has lost since 2017, go down to a side that has lost three times as many as they have won in the same period. Even if you didn’t quite follow that sentence, even if you haven’t quite followed this Sri Lanka team’s vomit-worthy ODI form over the past two years, just know that this is pretty much an inexplicable result.Against a side that broke six-hitting records versus Afghanistan, Sri Lanka stumbled like drunks to 232 for 9, at no stage appearing as if they were in control of their bodily movements, let alone the innings or the run rate. Then, they called on an ageing fast bowler for inspiration, relied on a spectacularly unqualified captain, and brought down the home-team tournament favourites.In some ways it’s no surprise that Malinga – whose weight has often been the hottest issue in Sri Lankan cricket over the past few years – remains the best player in the team. Some worry about what will happen to Sri Lanka when Malinga finally decides to call it quits. Wherever will they find another match winner like this, they wonder. But this fear is misplaced, because if there is one thing we know about Sri Lanka is that from Duleep Mendis, to Arjuna Ranatunga, to Aravinda de Silva, to late-period Muttiah Muralitharan, and more recently Rangana Herath, the island’s cricket is happiest when under the tyranny of a mid-30s chubster. When Malinga goes, surely someone else will step up, as they always seem to do.Even now, Angelo Mathews appears to be preparing wholestomachedly for this responsibility. Thisara Perera is another challenger.Getty ImagesOf skinnier stock, but almost as important to this victory as Malinga and Mathews, was Dhananjaya de Silva, whose current incarnation is as pure a product of Sri Lanka’s cricketing chaos as there could ever be. As recently as December, Dhananjaya was Sri Lanka’s Test match No. 3. In that position he averages 32.5 – not awful given the consistent treachery of Sri Lankan pitches. Even in ODIs, Dhananjaya has often batted in the top order, but weirdly, in this World Cup, he has become Sri Lanka’s premier spinner.He had top-scored in a Test series whitewash over Australia once, but such are the roilings and upheavals of Sri Lankan cricket, that he comes in at No. 8 or 9 now, and has gone from one of the most promising batsmen on the planet, to being one of the most successful spinners at this World Cup, outstripping the likes of Imran Tahir, Adil Rashid, and Yuzvendra Chahal on bowling average.Against England, he bowled a slower wide one to have Moeen Ali caught at long off – the wicket that prised open the door for Sri Lanka. Then he dismissed Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid in quick succession – the double strike that swung it wide open. He doesn’t spin the ball. He doesn’t make it dip. He barely ever drifts it. He looks at all times like he is ambling home from school towards homework he doesn’t want to and perhaps never will do.But then he plays for Sri Lanka: a team that looks listless all year, that rifles through all manner of captains until it by chance finds one that shines like a jewel, that makes heroes out of the old and pudgy, and confounds what seem like the most unconfoundable predictions.At the South Africa Tests earlier this year, and now at Headingley, Sri Lanka have turned up in turmoil, and won against juggernaut opposition. Through all of this, never have they not looked sublimely helpless. Looks, though, like form, and confidence, and skill level, and experience, can apparently be profoundly deceiving.

16Dec

Toss a large factor in game's outcome – Keshav Maharaj

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

While saying India got the best batting conditions, the South Africa spinner accepted they didn’t bowl as well as they could have

Firdose Moonda03-Oct-2019If Keshav Maharaj thought touring India would offer him ideal conditions to show off his skills, the first two days of the Test series would have made him think again. South Africa’s first-choice spinner had to bowl 34 overs before he saw any success and has described the Visakhapatnam surface as one of the most challenging he has played on, especially because he operated on it before it began to offer any assistance.Watch cricket on ESPN+

India v South Africa is available in the US on Hotstar and ESPN+. Subscribe to ESPN+ and tune in to the three Tests.

“It’s probably one of the toughest surfaces I’ve bowled on in terms of it being a lot slower and not biting as much. You got slow turn but the ball didn’t really kick off the wicket. When the ball got softer the odd one straightened or there was a little bit of bite, but the cracks have been opening because of the heat. So there is a little bit of assistance coming through now as opposed to when we started. I’d say it’s about a day-and-a-half [before that started happening],” Maharaj said.India enjoyed prime batting conditions in the first five sessions of the match, when the pitch offered neither pace nor sharp turn and its sluggish nature tested the skills of South Africa’s spinners. Unusually, the visitors went in with three, none of whom put massive revs on the ball, so they had to rely on other methods, such as variations in speed, to try and make something happen. “With the wicket not spinning, you try and beat the batsmen through the air and go slower and try get some assistance, or maybe the odd faster ball might grip,” Maharaj said.ALSO READ: “I’d like to think if I do well I pave the way for other SA spinners” – Keshav Maharaj interviewFor 82 overs, nothing worked. That Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy lacked discipline didn’t help but Maharaj was quick to defend his team-mates and transfer credit to India’s openers. “If someone comes down the wicket and hits you, it’s not a bad ball. If you’re getting hit from the crease or cut then it’s a different story. Mayank (Agarwal) played superbly well and so did Rohit (Sharma). Everything they wanted to do paid off. I wouldn’t say they bowled badly. Sen is a batting allrounder, so I think his contribution in his first taste of international cricket went pretty well for him in tough conditions,” he said.Finally, after Rohit hit Maharaj for back-to-back boundaries which including stepping out of his crease to drive him for four, Maharaj tossed one up to invite the charge and beat Rohit with turn and flight to allow Quinton de Kock to complete the stumping. By then, India already had 317 on the board and South Africa’s bowlers knew it would be “difficult to come back from that”. They took six more wickets which Maharaj said “gave us a bit of positivity,” but understand that the thrust of the fight may be over.Keshav Maharaj celebrates a wicket•BCCIThe best batting conditions are gone, the best bowling conditions can now be enjoyed by India’s spinners. South Africa could bowl again, but their deficit of 463 runs and the threat India’s spinners have already posed to their inexperienced line-up make it unlikely they will be toiling for any reason other than to allow India to set a winning target on a deteriorating surface. Maharaj admitted the toss may have played a decisive factor but also acknowledged South Africa were not as good as they should have been. “The toss does play a role because you want the best conditions for the spinners to bowl in, but we could have been a little bit better at times. But the toss is a large factor in the outcome of the game,” he said.Arguments will be made over team selection and whether South Africa should have gone for a more incisive quick given that they have two others, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje, in their ranks. But perhaps a more critical look needs to be cast on what’s going on behind the scenes. In the post-World-Cup overhaul, spin bowling consultant Claude Henderson was among those whose contract was not renewed, despite the work he put in with Maharaj, which included long hours in the nets.The impact of that was evident over the last two days, where Maharaj carried the bulk of the bowling load, and tied his end as best he could. “I love bowling. Whether the outcome is five wickets or two wickets, I love bowling. As long as the feel [of the ball] in my hand is good then I’m on the right track. Long spells is something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s the long hours that I train alone that has given me the match fitness to bowl them,” Maharaj said.South Africa’s position aside, Maharaj may yet go on to have a memorable tour in India. He is three wickets away from 100 Test scalps which will equal Nicky Boje’s career, and is six wickets adrift of overtaking Paul Harris’ haul of 103. Once he gets there only Paul Adams (134 wickets) and Hugh Tayfield (170) will be ahead of him as South Africa’s most successful Test spinners. Given Maharaj’s age, 29 years old, his attention to his fitness and the amount of Test cricket to be played in the next few years, it’s entirely possible he will become South Africa’s leading long-format spinner. But whether he will be able to dominate in India is yet to be seen.

16Dec

How Shakib stepped up to fill a Mashrafe-sized hole

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Shakib was the trigger and the face of the players’ strike in Bangladesh, and it had to be so; his pedigree forces the BCB to take him seriously

Mohammad Isam24-Oct-2019Three ground-breaking days have ended with Shakib Al Hasan not only cementing his status as the face of Bangladesh cricket, but also, potentially, the architect of its future. He has taken the mantle of players’ leader in the strike that ended on Wednesday, a movement that has shaken up Bangladesh cricket and brought the debate over the board’s governance, functionality and performance to the fore.Even though more than 100 professional cricketers – including Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah – also joined the movement, Shakib’s presence gave it heft and credibility. There was, however, one legend-sized hole in the scenario: Mashrafe Mortaza, whose very low profile was a huge surprise given that he has always had an active role in helping the players’ causes in big and small matters.It’s a vacuum that Shakib filled capably but what made him take the lead?Truth is, he was the trigger for the strike. Three days after he signed for Rangpur Riders for the 2019-20 Bangladesh Premier League, the BCB said that the move couldn’t be endorsed since the tournament’s seventh edition comes under a new four-year cycle, and none of the franchises had signed the new deal.It was a strange decision given that the BCB’s chief executive had sent a letter months earlier to the same franchises to begin preparation for the next season. With that in mind, some franchises signed up players. Tamim and Mushfiqur had reportedly made similar moves, but now that the BCB had cut off Shakib’s deal, automatically all the other deals were off the table.

Whatever the demands, if it had Shakib Al Hasan in the front row, it would affect the BCB in a major way

The board wasn’t bothered when Tamim or Mushfiqur changed allegiance but the moment Shakib moved out of Dhaka Dynamites, the franchise owned by Beximco where three of BCB’s bigwigs are employed, they became strangely keen to redo the franchise contracts.Shakib hasn’t yet commented on how he felt with the deal falling through or the BCB announcing last month that they would run a special BPL without the franchises – a situation that heavily reduced salaries of most Bangladeshi players. This came on the back of other financial complaints on the part of domestic cricketers.Shakib and the rest of the country’s top players were always aware of these issues. The strike on October 21, however, needed someone to take the lead, and it had to be Shakib. Whatever the demands, if it had Shakib in the front row, it would affect the BCB in a major way. The players have known this for years but Shakib too needed to be convinced. As it turned out, he was already on board.Perhaps the explanation lay in Mashrafe staying away from the agitation.ALSO READ: Nazmul Hassan’s aggression leaves cricketers ‘rattled’For many years, Mashrafe had represented his team-mates with the board officials, taking forward their demands and requests and getting things done. It hardly ever made news because Mashrafe did it quietly. Repeatedly, and particularly after he became the ODI captain in 2014, Mashrafe was the players’ leader on and off the field.So this must have been the trickiest decision for the striking players to make. The only reason that could come close to an explanation is that Mashrafe’s current role as a member of parliament prevented him from taking a stance directly against the BCB, a national sports body. We still don’t know what Mashrafe would have done or said but, to his credit, he did take the players’ side, expressing his solidarity with them in a Facebook post on the evening of October 21, after news of the strike broke.Raton GomesMashrafe said that he too had wondered why the players didn’t ask him to join, but said that he not just understood their demands but was in their corner. It was also reported that on the following days, he was engaged in solving the impasse after the country’s prime minister asked him to step in. But he didn’t do anything publicly.Without Mashrafe at the forefront, Shakib was the highest-profile cricketer standing in front of the cameras on that Monday afternoon. He didn’t just read out two demands and answer two questions, his presence itself was huge. With Tamim, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur alongside him, it made a formidable team.The presence of Shakib and the rest of the top cricketers also made sure that there was no emotional reaction from any cricketer after Nazmul Hassan’s verbal attack against the players on the second day of the strike. What many felt was the BCB’s best opportunity to sort out the crisis instead became a narration of an uneasy relationship between the two parties.The rest of the players, who numbered more than a hundred when they met in a Dhaka hotel on Wednesday, seemed to fully place their trust in Shakib’s leadership. The appointment of a spokesperson, barrister Mustafizur Rahman Khan, seemed unnecessary to some, but the experienced lawyer and cricket enthusiast elucidated their stance in proper terms. He also impressed upon the players their importance in the scheme of things, as was evident in the addition of a crucial demand, that of asking for revenue sharing. If the BCB can earn a lot of money because of the cricketers’ performance, then why can’t they have a bite of that cake?

Even though more than 100 professional cricketers – including Tamim, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah – also joined the movement, Shakib’s stature gave it heft and credibility

Shakib was one of the few vocal players when they took the demands to the BCB officials, despite the latter’s aggressive stance from the very beginning. But Shakib’s pedigree forced the BCB to take him seriously.Now, though, with Shakib announcing the end of the strike, his and the others’ real work begins. They must first hold the Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh elections quickly so that their elected current players’ representative can have regular discussions with the board about their issues, many of which will be around the demands tabled.Shakib also must be aware that everything that they do from this point onwards will become ammunition for those who they have opposed. Their on-field performance, particularly against India, will be put under the microscope but, once again, it will be Shakib who could make a big difference in both the performance and attitude. He will need the full support of the rest of his team, all of whom were by his side during these three days of strike. It has the potential to galvanise the team, with Shakib being the lynchpin.

16Dec

Centuries for top four batsmen – Pakistan's rare feat in Karachi

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Also, Babar Azam’s career average has gone above 40 for the first time since 2016

S Rajesh22-Dec-20192 – Instances of the top-four batsmen scoring hundreds in a Test innings. Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam all got their milestones against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Karachi. The only previous instance of this was in 2007, when India’s top four – Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar – scored centuries against Bangladesh in the first innings of the Mirpur Test. This, though, was the first such instance of it in a second innings, where there have only been four previous instances of three centurions among the top-four batsmen.ESPNcricinfo Ltd503 – Runs added by Pakistan’s first three wickets, which is Pakistan’s fourth-highest in a Test innings. Their highest is also against Sri Lanka – 555 – in Faisalabad in 1985, when Qasim Umar and Javed Miandad both got double-hundreds and added 397 for the third wicket. The three higher aggregates were all in the team’s first innings, though; in the second innings, there are only two instances of any team adding more runs for the first three wickets. The highest is also against Sri Lanka – 615 by New Zealand in 1991 – when Martin Crowe made 299 and Andrew Jones 186.ESPNcricinfo Ltd527 – The total runs scored by Pakistan’s first four batsmen, which is the fourth-highest for them. Their highest is 535 against India in 1983, but the more memorable effort was in 1958 in Barbados, when Hanif Mohammad scored a monumental 337 to avert defeat after Pakistan were forced to follow on.42.67 – Babar’s career average. It is the first time his average has gone above 40 since his third Test in 2016. At the end of 2017, Babar averaged 23.75 after 11 Tests. In the last two years, he has upped his game significantly, scoring 1232 runs – 616 each in 2018 and 2019 – at an average of 61.60. That average is the highest among the 14 batsmen who have scored 1000-plus Test runs in the last two years.

13 – Innings between hundreds for Azhar, who finally broke his poor run with his 118 today. In those 13 innings, going back to December 2018, Azhar had scored 162 runs at an average of 12.46. Despite that hundred, 2019 has been a lean year for him, with 11 innings fetching only 239 runs. However, it ensured that he has scored at least one Test century in each of the last six calendar years.193 – Runs conceded by Lasith Embuldeniya, which is the most by a Sri Lanka bowler while taking a maximum of one wicket in an innings. He went past Muttiah Muralitharan’s figures of 1 for 172, also against Pakistan in Karachi in 2009, also the last Test series Pakistan hosted.

15Dec

Biggest deal since Bruno: Man Utd make contact to sign "world-class" star

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

One of the few takeaways from Sunday’s drab derby was the stark reminder that Manchester United skipper, Bruno Fernandes, is a class above his teammates, with the Portuguese playmaker having again been one of the few bright sparks for Ruben Amorim’s side.

The 30-year-old was at the heart of everything that was good about the hosts at Old Trafford, be it while operating as a number ten or in a deep-lying role, having won eight duels, registered three key passes and recorded a solid 93% pass accuracy rate, as per Sofascore.

Having been the subject of an “offer” last summer – as the midfielder himself admitted – rumours are again rife over the former Sporting CP star’s future, amid claims that Real Madrid are keen on securing a £90m deal ahead of next season.

That would be a sizeable fee considering Fernandes’ age, but can his importance to the Red Devils really be valued at ‘just’ £90m? Is the man who boasts 32 goals and assists this season not arguably ‘priceless’?

Whatever happens in the future, the £300k-per-week talisman has established himself as a rare transfer success story over the last decade or so. The hope will be that such heroics can be replicated with another statement addition this time around.

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

Fernandes’ impact has, it must be said, been simply transformational ever since his £46m switch back in January 2020, with the all-action star possessing the character and quality to cement himself as a leading presence at the Theatre of Dreams.

Perhaps such a deal could be repeated this summer with the addition of a ready-made Premier League signing – something that has been few and far between at the club in recent years – with the now injury-prone Mason Mount one of the few to have been directly plucked from within the top flight for a fee.

As reported by talkSPORT, that could be set to change amid United’s apparent interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers star, Matheus Cunha, with the report claiming that Amorim’s side have joined Arsenal in the race for his signature.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The suggestion is that the Brazilian’s agent is set to fly into England soon for ‘face-to-face talks’ with interested parties, with the Red Devils said to have already made initial contact regarding a potential move.

As the piece also notes, the 25-year-old has a £62.5m release clause in his current contract which could be activated, with it looking increasingly likely that he will depart Molinuex this summer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhareacts

Man Utd's biggest deal since Fernandes

As alluded to above, the Old Trafford side have rarely been able to prise the very best that the Premier League has to offer in recent years, instead opting to scour the Dutch market, in particular, during Erik ten Hag’s time in charge.

Erik ten Hag

Since the INEOS regime got underway, the only notable signings from within the top-flight have been that of Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal, albeit with the teenage duo still largely prospects for the future.

Forking out for Cunha – who is the same age as Fernandes was when he made the switch from Sporting – could represent the club’s biggest deal in years as such, with the £60k-per-week menace proving himself to be a “world-class” asset of late, as per journalist George Lakin.

1 goal

1 assist

93 touches

86% pass accuracy

1 key pass

1 big chance created

14 total duels won

20x possession lost

5 fouls won

4/6 successful dribbles

That quality was particularly on show when Amorim’s side met Wolves in the Premier League back in December, with Cunha notably netting directly from a corner to open the scoring, before teeing up Hwang Hee-chan late on to help seal the win for the hosts.

Described as a “special player” by manager Vitor Pereira following that 2-0 win, the former Atletico Madrid man showcased the full array of his talents with his relentless, dominant display in that victory, emulating Fernandes in looking like a real talisman for his side.

Like Fernandes too, Cunha is also invaluably versatile due to his ability to feature as a number ten, a striker or even on the flanks, seemingly making him perfectly suited to one of the attacking roles in Amorim’s 3-4-3.

Indeed, the in-demand marksman has been in red-hot form this season for the Old Gold, having registered 13 goals and four assists in his 26 league outings, with no United player having even reached double figures for goals in the top-flight.

Like Fernandes – who was actually sent off in that meeting with Pereira’s side – Cunha does have a tendency to see red, amid his recent four-game suspension, although that passion and full-blooded approach could help to provide a spark to what is currently a lifeless attacking unit at Old Trafford.

Amorim’s ranks are crying out for another Fernandes-like figure who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck and create something out of nothing, with Cunha – who memorably scored a stunner at Anfield from range – seemingly possessing such traits.

With United’s latest outing marking the 12th time they have failed to score in the league this season, something surely has to change this summer.

INEOS can hit gold by selling Man Utd star who's earned over £55m in wages

Ruben Amorim is hoping to overhaul Manchester United’s struggling squad.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 8, 2025

15Dec

Emery has already unearthed Aston Villa's new Duran & it's not Rashford

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Aston Villa got back to winning ways with their 3-0 win against already relegated Southampton in the Premier League, having lost 3-1 at the Parc des Princes during the week in the Champions League.

Unai Emery’s side struggled to find the breakthrough against the Saints, with Ollie Watkins finding the net after 73 minutes, which opened the floodgates, as Donyell Malen and John McGinn added a second and third despite Marco Asensio’s duo of missed penalties.

It was a deserved victory for the Villans, keeping 60% possession, generating 3.03 xG in the match, creating six big chances and taking 25 shots.

But, Villa’s January window continues to steal the headlines, as their business during this period seems to have paid off in dividends, providing Emery with the necessary reinforcement to finish the season strong.

Indeed, it’s ensured that Jhon Duran hasn’t been missed in Villa colours…

How Duran is performing in Saudi Arabia

Jhon Duran was sold in the January window, as the 21-year-old striker joined Al Nassr for a fee of around £65m.

Duran made 78 appearances in his time at Villa, netting 20 goals, providing one assist and totaling 2,275 minutes played.

The young forward made a name for himself, coming from the bench to devastating effect, scoring four goals in the opening five Premier League games of the season, all of which came from the bench in just 131 minutes.

Since surprisingly departing, he has been on fire in Saudi, scoring seven goals in 11 games for his new outfit.

Back in the Midlands, many expected the signing of Marcus Rashford to fill the void of the Colombian’s goals, but as good as he’s been, Villa managed to pick up another super sub in the winter transfer window, who’s taken to Duran’s role like a duck to water.

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Emery's new Jhon Duran

Alongside the huge loan signings of Rashford and Marco Asensio in January, Villa also made a permanent signing to their attacking line, signing Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of around £19m with £2.5m in add-ons.

Since joining the club, it’s been a topsy turvy period for the 26-year-old who was disappointingly omitted from the club’s Champions League squad list for the knock-out stages.

Despite that setback, he has caught the eye across his 11 appearances for the Villans, netting three times in 340 minutes played. Malen can play all across the front line, on both wings and as a centre-forward, something he has already shown under Emery since arriving.

Minutes

Goals

Touches

Accurate Passes

6/7

Key Passes

Shots Total

Ground Duels Won

1/2

And over the weekend, Malen netted another goal coming from the bench – his second in recent weeks – playing just 24 minutes against Southampton, taking one shot and converting it into a goal for his side.

The Dutch forward only had 13 touches in the match, making six of his seven passes but made his most important touch count in front of the goal, much like Duran often did.

Having an effective player to come from the bench with fresh legs is something that worked well for Emery earlier in the season with Duran, and having a player like Malen who can do this, but also play in multiple positions across the front line gives Emery even more flexibility.

With Villa gaining £65m from the sale of Duran and bringing Malen in for nearly a third of that fee, it could be argued that as good as the former is at such a young age, the business wasn’t bad for the Midlands club, using the funds effectively to strengthen their squad.

Emery struck gold on Aston Villa star worth more than Doue & Kvaratskhelia

Aston Villa made a brilliant investment with this player

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 11, 2025

15Dec

Tottenham: £10m manager would be "very" keen to replace Ange Postecoglou

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Tottenham Hotspur are actively doing their due-diligence on a potential replacement for Ange Postecoglou, according to various reports, following a lacklustre domestic campaign where Spurs are on course for their worst ever Premier League season.

Tottenham's shortlist of managerial candidates

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been linked with the potential hires of numerous head coaches, with credible media sources like The Telegraph’s Matt Law reporting that Postecoglou could leave regardless of success in Europe.

Tottenham hold internal talks over hiring ex-Liverpool manager worth £39m

It would be quite the move.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 26, 2025

Even if Postecoglou delivers Tottenham’s first piece of major silverware since 2008 by winning the Europa League, his exit is seen as a real possiblity, and there are no shortage of replacements under rumoured consideration in N17.

Domestically, Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Marco Silva (Fulham), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Scott Parker (Burnley) have all found their way on to Tottenham’s managerial shortlist, while there are also more illustrious names thought of further abroad.

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, who now has an agreement in principle with Brazil (Fabrizio Romano), Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and even ex-Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp have all been internally discussed as options to succeed Postecoglou, according to GiveMeSport.

Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer JuergenKloppduring a press conference

Reports in Germany last week also claimed that Tottenham have contacted Borussia Dortmund’s Niko Kovac, and we can expect many more manager links until Postecoglou’s dismissal is rebuffed or confirmed.

The link to Parker is an intriguing one, as the former Spurs midfielder knows the club well, and has just guided Burnley back to the English top flight at the first time of asking.

Pundits like Jamie O’Hara believe Parker wouldn’t be a bad appointment for Tottenham, despite the 44-year-old’s inexperience at such an elite side with high expectations.

Scott Parker would be "very" keen to manage Tottenham

Speaking to Tottenham News, former Lilywhites scout and ex-Levy employee, Bryan King, expressed his belief that Parker would be “very interested” in replacing Postecoglou at Spurs – provided they pay a “small” compensation fee of £10 million.

“Parker has worked at clubs where the budgets haven’t been large,” King said.

“He is a young up-and-coming manager, so why not look to him? It can’t be any worse than what we have had. He is an ex-Tottenham player. Therefore, I’d imagine he would be very interested in the job if it were offered to him.

“Tottenham will have to pay a compensation fee, probably around £10million. However, in today’s football market, that is a small price to pay.”

The ex-England man’s managerial career has been subject to highs and lows, with a failed stint at Belgian Jupiler Pro League side Club Brugge coming in-between Championship promotions at Fulham, Bournemouth and Burnley.

Parker was sacked by Bournemouth just four games into the 2022/2023 season after a 9-0 loss to Liverpool, and it remains to be seen if he enjoys greater top flight success at Burnley, given the massive gulf between England’s first and second tiers right now.

That being said, Parker has received glowing endorsements from the likes of Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who called him an “innovative” manager.

15Dec

The next Cole Palmer: Chelsea in contact to sign "generational" £60m talent

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Chelsea stand on the brink of yet more European glory having reached the final of the Conference League in midweek.

If the Blues do go on to defeat Real Betis in the final at the end of the month, they will become the first club to win the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup and the Conference League.

It would ensure Enzo Maresca ends his debut season with a trophy, the club’s first since 2021.

The Italian will be hoping his side can finish the Premier League campaign well, securing a top five finish which would see them qualify for the Champions League next term.

With games to come against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, Chelsea have an extremely tough final three fixtures.

If the promised land is to be reached, Maresca will be hoping his key players are firing over the next couple of weeks.

Cole Palmer may not have lived up to his extraordinary debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, but he has still registered 25 goal contributions – 15 goals and ten assists – across 42 games for the Blues so far this season.

Why Chelsea must keep hold of Cole Palmer

The attacking midfielder progressed through the academy at Manchester City before going on to make a total of 41 appearances for the club.

Despite winning the treble during the 2022/23 season and scoring twice for City at the start of the following campaign, Palmer ended up joining Chelsea for just £40m that summer.

Chelsea'sColePalmerreacts

This has turned out to be one of the finest signings the club have made in their recent history. Indeed, across Palmer’s 87 games for the Stamford Bridge side, he has scored 40 goals while recording 25 assists in all competitions.

This works out as a goal involvement every 1.3 games and if it weren’t for his ability in the final third, Chelsea certainly wouldn’t find themselves chasing a Champions League spot, that’s for sure.

Just in the top flight this season, the Englishman has created a staggering 21 big chances, averaged 2.5 key passes and succeeds with 1.5 dribbles per game for the Blues.

While Maresca has brought in plenty of new players via the transfer market, he has also given chances to several Cobham graduates, most notably Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong and Shumaira Mheuka in recent months.

All three could have a bright future in London, but could the manager turn to the transfer market in order to find his next Palmer? As the club are showing interest in someone who could be set for an exit from his current club…

Chelsea plotting move for Premier League sensation

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea are in the market for a new left-winger this summer and have narrowed the search down to three players.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Nico Williams and Alejandro Garnacho are the three standout candidates for the role as Maresca aims to strengthen this area of his team.

Interest in Garnacho dates back to the January transfer window, where Chelsea first began to show their interest, although no move materialised.

Now, according to Bailey, the Blues have tracked the Argentinian winger since then and are still in contact with his agents.

With the Red Devils closing in on a move for Matheus Cunha, this could see Garnacho departing Old Trafford in the summer.

Their asking price remains around the £60m mark and with Maresca keen on moving a few players on during the window, funds should be available for a few new additions.

Garnacho was trained in a Manchester academy and is a highly-rated young talent ready to fulfil his potential.

Just like Palmer was when he left City two years ago.

Why Chelsea must sign Alejandro Garnacho

Maresca has a few options to use on the left wing, although it is clear that this position needs to be bolstered ahead of next season.

Jadon Sancho arrived on loan from United, but has managed to record just 14 goal contributions across 39 games for the Blues.

Elsewhere, Mykhailo Mudryk is currently suspended from playing after testing positive for Meldonium, which is a banned substance, last year. He hasn’t played for Chelsea since November.

Goals

Assists

Big chances created

Successful dribbles per game

0.8

1.4

Key passes per game

1.5

These factors heighten the need for a new left-sided forward and Garnacho could be an ideal signing.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the Red Devils during the 2021/22 campaign and has since made over 100 competitive appearances for the club.

A tally of 26 goals and 22 assists is solid enough, but this season, he has struggled under Ruben Amorim. He has scored just three Premier League goals since the former Sporting CP manager took charge of the club in November 2024.

Indeed, he has created just four big chances while averaging one key pass per game in the top flight this term. Compared to last season – six big chances created and 1.3 key passes per game – there is a drop-off in output.

Might a fresh start be required for the youngster this summer? It appears so.

Hailed as “generational” talent by Statman Dave during the 2023/24 campaign, Garnacho has talent in abundance. That’s for sure. He now needs a consistent platform to demonstrate it.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the Argentinian currently ranks in the top 4% for progressive carries (5.87), in the top 2% for total shots (3.7) and in the top 6% for touches in the opposition penalty area (7.58) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

Chelsea could be signing their next Palmer should a move for the United wonderkid go through this summer.

Garnacho

If so, they will have a wonderful option on the left wing who is equally able to create and score at the highest level, while he is superb at moving the ball into key areas in the final third.

A fee of £60m could turn out to be a bargain. Especially if he can replicate Palmer’s impact at the Blues.

Shields pushing Chelsea to sign £90m Villa star amid belief price may drop

The Stamford Bridge recruiter is very keen.

ByEmilio Galantini May 10, 2025

15Dec

Leeds can seal stunning Solomon repeat by signing £30m Premier League star

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Leeds United supporters are in dreamland at the moment as Daniel Farke’s men – who notoriously make things hard for themselves – managed to lift the Championship title on the final day.

The true character and resolve of Farke’s men was on full display away at Plymouth Argyle, with a last-gasp goal from Manor Solomon managing to turn the tie around to gift Leeds that much-needed victory to be crowned champions.

Solomon’s memorable impact upon proceedings surely means he’s up there as one of Leeds’ best buys from last summer, with the Tottenham Hotspur loanee’s constant class a big plus during his team’s successful pursuit of Premier League football.

Solomon's promotion-winning heroics

Snapping up Solomon’s services, albeit on a temporary basis, would have been viewed as somewhat of a risk last August, considering the 25-year-old attacker’s injury-prone status back at his parent employers.

Indeed, across both the 2022/23 season for Fulham and the following campaign for Spurs, the dimunitive forward would miss a substantial 50 clashes owing to injury, which adds up to 425 days missing from action.

However, it’s fair to say he’s made up for all that lost time whilst on the books of Leeds, with Solomon uttered in the same breath as Elland Road legend Pablo Hernandez now when picking up a blistering 22 goals and assists this season from 39 league outings.

Leeds would love to hold onto their silky number 14 for good, with a potential now for one of Solomon’s teammates in North London to link up with the on-fire attacker in West Yorkshire.

Leeds could seal Solomon repeat with £30m "nuisance"

Of course, not every risky move in the transfer market pays off like Solomon’s did.

But, Leeds could be about to try and a seal repeat of the 25-year-old’s golden deal anyway with a new striker purchase, with The Boy Hotspur now reporting that the newly promoted side are just one suitor intrigued by a potential deal for Spurs attacker Richarlison.

Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also named as keen onlookers, but Leeds will hope they can advance to the front of the queue for the Brazilian’s services, knowing full well he can be a lethal finisher of chances in the Premier League when on his A-game.

Unfortunately, much like Solomon, the South American is prone to a spell on the sidelines due to injury, but his superb goal record at the level when injury-free really does speak for itself.

24/25

23/24

22/23

21/22

20/21

19/20

18/19

17/18

Looking at the table above, the former Everton hero has managed to amass a sturdy 64 Premier League strikes from 241 total appearances in the competition.

Four of those have come about this season even whilst Richarlison has wrestled with various different injury issues, meaning he could kick on and be the star Farke desires up top next campaign when the treatment room is hopefully left behind.

Previously praised as a “constant nuisance for defenders” by current boss Ange Postecoglou, the £30m-rated forward’s arrival on the scene could just be what Leeds need to become clinical up a level.

Yet, splashing out such a high amount on an injury-heavy presence might well be deemed too risky, but as was seen in Solomon’s success story, hazardous deals are sometimes worth signing off on.

Pablo Hernandez 2.0: Leeds seriously eyeing move for "dazzling" £35m star

Leeds are interested in signing a Premier League star who could be the club’s new Pablo Hernandez.

ByDan Emery May 4, 2025

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