Ahead of what could be a summer full of many changes at Old Trafford, one Manchester United player is now reportedly pleading with his agent to make a move to Real Madrid happen in the coming months.
Biggest game of Amorim's Man Utd tenure awaits
In his six months in charge, there’s no doubt that Ruben Amorim has experienced more moments to forget than moments to savour. Yet, the Europa League has consistently provided the former Sporting Club boss with a beacon of hope. Even when his side looked destined to exit the competition against Lyon in the last round, Harry Maguire’s last-gasp header in extra-time rounded off one of the most frantic affairs that Old Trafford has ever seen.
Now, one step away from the final, the Red Devils play host to Athletic Bilbao looking to complete what they started in Spain last week. After smashing the La Liga outfit 3-0, Manchester United are well and truly in the driving seat.
Amorim recently spoke about this week’s second-leg, reiterating that anything could still happen: “If you look at our team, we cannot say today what is going to happen,’ said Amorim, whose side also conceded four at Brentford on Sunday.
“Some teams, the story is going to be like this and control the narrative – we cannot do that. I feel we need to score to go to the next round. Then we use Brentford, we are near a draw then we suffer a goal and another one. We will have to suffer a bit to go to the final, and we are ready to suffer. Sometimes during the game we are one team and then we lose our mind a little bit.”
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Meanwhile, another problem at Old Trafford has seemingly emerged away from the pitch which may take place with or without a place in the Europa League final.
Yoro now desperate to leave Man Utd
According to Defensa Central in Spain, Leny Yoro is now pleading agent Jorge Mendes to make a move to Real Madrid happen after regretting his decision to join Manchester United last summer. Since arriving for a reported £52m, the central defender has been given ample opportunity, but has not been able to drag the Red Devils back towards their perch at such a young age.
Now, it seems as though he’s ready to quit the Manchester club for a side unlikely to linger in the bottom-half any time soon. Whether Florentino Perez comes calling and matches United’s asking price remains to be seen, however, especially since Yoro only arrived last summer.
Dubbed “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Manchester United should be desperate to keep hold of Yoro, who could become the future of their backline. Whether the 19-year-old shares that sentiment remains to be seen, however.
After a diabolically poor season, Tottenham Hotspur stand ready to play their biggest game in years.
Ange Postecoglou’s side might well be 17th in the Premier League, but in Europe, they’ve been sensational and, as a result, have a Europa League final to contest.
However, alongside having to get the better of Manchester United for the fourth time in a row this season, the North Londoners will also have to do without several key players, most notably Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison.
Their absence has left a hole in the midfield, which the manager will have to get creative about filling.
Tottenham Team News
As we’ve already mentioned, the most significant absences for Spurs ahead of tomorrow’s all-important final are Kulusevski, Bergvall and Maddison.
Chalkboard
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The former started the league game against Crystal Palace last week but came off with what was initially described as a “knock” in the first half, only for said knock to require knee surgery, which will keep him out until next season.
While Maddison hasn’t had surgery for the knee injury he picked up in the first leg of the semi-final against Bodo/Glimt, he too, will be out of action until next season.
Likewise, the boss confirmed that the young Swede will not feature again this season, as he injured his ankle in the training session before that first leg earlier this month.
Finally, both Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner remain out for the long term, with the former injuring his ACL and the latter his hamstring.
The Spurs star who should start in place of Kulusevski
Okay, so with Kulusevski, Bergvall and Maddison now out, Wilson Odobert hardly doing himself any favours on Friday night, and Son Heung-min not being the dynamic player he once was, there are no ideal solutions to this massive issue.
Pape Matar Sarr scores for Tottenham
However, one somewhat outside-the-box option Postecoglou could opt to go with is moving Pape Matar Sarr slightly further up the pitch and into that more attacking midfield role.
Now, before the pitchforks come out, we are well aware that this is an unfamiliar position for the Senegalese ace, but he’s an incredibly talented midfielder, and we reckon that there are some elements of his game that could make this work for a one-off match.
Firstly, while he tends to play in central or defensive midfield, the 22-year-old “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Mitch Fretton, has a decent shot on him – much like Bergvall.
For example, he scored a brilliant long-range effort against Manchester City earlier this season and then, while it was ruled out for a dubious foul, scored another from outside the box against Chelsea.
Moreover, in 80 Premier League appearances, he has managed to amass six goals and six assists, which isn’t a terrible return and that, combined with his ability to strike a ball from range, could give United’s defence something to think about in the absence of the Swedish duo.
Furthermore, his underlying numbers from the Europa League this season only further indicate that he’s got more attacking ability than perhaps people give him credit for.
Penalty Kicks Won
0.16
Top 2%
GCA (Fouls Drawn)
0.16
Top 4%
Total Carrying Distance
261.61
Top 5%
Shots on Target %
71.4%
Top 6%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
92.8%
Top 6%
Non-Penalty Goals
0.32
Top 9%
Goals/Shot
0.29
Top 9%
Goals
0.32
Top 10%
Shots on Target
0.81
Top 11%
For example, FBref places him in the top 2% of midfielders for penalties won in the competition, the top 5% for total carrying distance, the top 6% for percentage of shots on target and medium passes completed, the top 9% for non-penalty goals and goals per shot, the top 10% for goals and more, all per 90.
Finally, unlike his captain, the former Metz gem would add even more dynamism and athleticism to the North Londoners’ midfield, which could be key to getting the better of the likes of Casemiro and Harry Maguire on the night.
Ultimately, as we’ve already said, there is no ideal solution to this problem, but starting Sarr in the more attacking midfield role might be the closest thing Postecoglou has to one that will allow the team to keep its intensity.
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Right from the moment Arne Slot got to work in his new job at Liverpool F.C., there was a sense that FSG had appointed a coach who knew his stuff.
But, perhaps, even FSG’s chiefs hadn’t expected such a startling ascension to the peak of the English pyramid; not 12 months into his role, Slot clinched the Premier League, he won it with dominance, Liverpool’s quest never really in doubt after Manchester City peeled away before a harsh winter dragged them down further still.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotcelebrates after winning the Premier League
There’s no question sweeping changes are now needed: Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving for Real Madrid on a Bosman, and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is on the verge of joining as his replacement.
Plenty more, such as a striker, since Darwin Nunez is leaving, is needed. However, numerous areas could be strengthened.
Liverpool only brought Federico Chiesa into the fold, signing the injury-prone Juventus star for a cut-price £12.5m fee. Chiesa, sadly, hasn’t kicked on, only starting one top-flight fixture.
The right-sided Chiesa was always up against it, for Mohamed Salah has just produced a talismanic campaign for the ages.
Mohamed Salah's historic season
Salah scoring goals is no new thing on the English scene. The Egyptian has been one of the most destructive forwards in European football since signing for Liverpool in 2017, leaving AS Roma for a £34m fee.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah
The 32-year-old’s season rubber-stamped his reputation as one of the finest to do it. Journalist Uri Levy has even said, “Mohamed Salah has a very good chance to go down in history as the greatest Premier League player of all time.”
And for good reason. Football is a team sport, but Salah has dragged his side toward gold. Across all competitions this season, he’s scored 33 goals and provided 23 assists across 51 matches.
His 28-goal return in the Premier League has also seen him break into the division’s top five goalscorers in history. With a two-year extension penned last month, Salah has a golden opportunity to overtake Harry Kane as the second-highest scorer of all time, behind only Alan Shearer.
1.
Alan Shearer
441
260
2.
Harry Kane
320
213
3.
Wayne Rooney
491
208
4.
Andy Cole
414
187
5.
Mohamed Salah
300
185
He’s a true great, and Liverpool will struggle to replace him. Indeed, it would take an incredible feat to find a bigger talent than the winger, but FSG might just have found such a player ahead of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool make staggering offer
Spanish outlet Sport have made something of a bombshell claim concerning Liverpool and Barcelona, the latter of whom wish to sign Luis Diaz this summer.
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Standing in the way of La Blaugrana’s bid is Florian Wirtz, with the Bayer Leverkusen sensation at the top of FSG’s shopping list. The report actually reveals that Liverpool have presented an ‘astronomical offer’ to Wirtz as they look to beat Bayern Munich to the 22-year-old’s signature.
Signing Wirtz won’t be easy, even though Manchester City have pulled out of the running. Firstly, Bayern consider themselves favourites to sign the player, keeping him in his homeland, while Leverkusen are also looking to fetch a sum of €150m (£126m) for their star man.
Bayer Leverkusen's FlorianWirtzreacts
For now, a waiting game, with the ball very much in the attacking midfielder’s court.
What Florian Wirtz would bring to Liverpool
Wirtz is a young and up-and-coming talent. Oh, he’s also one of the most talented and effective in the game. Former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has even called him “the best midfielder in the world.”
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
Debatable? Certainly. Unfounded? Certainly not. Wirtz might only be 22 but he’s already racked up 197 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 57 goals and providing 65 assists.
He’s not just a goal-getting machine, either (not that that’s a bad thing). As per Sofascore, Wirtz has created 29 big chances across the past two Bundesliga campaigns, with his athleticism underlined by physical metrics: he’s averaged 2.6 dribbles and 5.2 successful duels per game in 2024/25.
Given the Germany international’s skyrocketing journey to the highest echelon of European footballers, still so young, he could prove to be the best attacking player the club has seen in a very long time, maybe even eclipsing Salah.
Though ‘The Egyptian King’ has cemented himself in immortality, he was once discarded by Chelsea after failing to make his mark at Stamford Bridge. A career revival with two clubs in Italy propelled him back to the Premier League, but it wasn’t until he was 25 that Jurgen Klopp came calling.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz andJeremieFrimpongapplaud fans with teammates after the match
Moreover, Wirtz has been described by journalist Zach Lowy as a “world-class” player who “could win the Ballon d’Or one day.”
From a wider, longer lens, Wirtz’s minutes will need to be managed to ensure he doesn’t burn out toward his thirties, having featured prominently across his fledgling years and having already overcome an ACL injury.
But his startling output and indeed the staggering £126m fee that Liverpool may have to pay highlight a ceiling that might not even be there. That is to say, Wirtz’s potential is boundless; with such talent and athleticism, he truly could become one of the greatest contemporaries in the Premier League and supercharge the Slot era toward a sustained spell of dominance, both domestically and abroad.
He’s got all the tricks and plenty more flicks besides, but Wirtz is also a focused and intelligent player whose decision-making and application have led talent scout Jacek Kulig to praise his “sensational blend of flair and creativity.”
And he’s only just getting started. With Slot tinkering away at the player’s skill set, we may well see him go from strength to strength and become one of the deadliest players in Europe, if he’s not already.
It’s a high bar to reach for, but he might just prove himself an even bigger talent than Salah.
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Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy could soon find himself moving on to a new challenge and another candidate has emerged for the role, according to a report.
Strangely enough, Ruud van Nistelrooy is still in charge at the King Power Stadium and remains while the club prepare for pre-season. However, his future is anything but certain in the East Midlands.
Despite months of speculation pointing Russell Martin in the direction of Leicester City, the former Southampton boss has taken over at Scottish Premiership runners-up Rangers after their lengthy recruitment process to replace Philippe Clement.
Leicester City managerRuudvan Nistelrooy before the match
Following his appointment last November, four wins and three draws in 25 matches across all competitions have put former Netherlands international Van Nistelrooy on the brink.
However, reports suggest Leicester City fear relieving the former Manchester United star of his duties may land them another Profitability and Sustainability Rules breach, hence the delay in making a decision on his future.
Expected to kick off next term with a 12-point deduction, being on the receiving end of further financial penalties could risk their chances of promotion back to the top-flight.
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Van Nistelrooy looks unlikely to stay at the club.
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Nevertheless, the Foxes’ pursuit of Jack Kingdon on a free transfer shows that work is ongoing regardless of who is in the dugout, even if recruitment is expected to be scaled back once again this summer.
Before the challenges that lie ahead, supporters need clarity regarding whether Van Nistelrooy will still be at the club come the start of pre-season.
From the sounds of things, that may not be the case. Leicester City are set to engulfed by change this summer and another name has now been mentioned in connection with the hotseat.
Leicester City could turn their attention to Sean Dyche
According to Graeme Bailey in conversation with EFL Analysis, Leicester City could look to approach former Everton manager Sean Dyche if Danny Rohl fades away from being a frontrunner to take over at the King Power.
The German coach is believed to be the leading contender for the role. However, he may also be tempted by a return to his homeland, which may be where Dyche comes into the conversation like a bolt from the blue.
Sean Dyche’s managerial record in 2024/25 – all competitions
Matches
21
Wins
4
Draws
8
Losses
9
Points per game in Premier League
0.89
Renowned for his ability to solidify and stabilise teams, the former Everton and Burnley boss has taken charge of 322 Premier League matches combining his exploits at both clubs, claiming 93 victories in that time. His favoured formation is 4-4-1-1, with a busy ‘second striker’ playing off of a target man.
Now on the lookout for his next position, the 53-year-old will point to establishing the Clarets as a top-flight force, claiming continental qualification at Turf Moor and stabilising the Toffees on a shoestring budget.
Should Leicester City begin next term with a points’ deduction, Dyche would be a sensible appointment to help grind out a consistent supply of points in England’s second-tier, a prize he managed to get his hands on in 2016.
Leeds United are now “one to watch” in the race for an “outstanding” Premier League midfielder, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.
Leeds need rebuild to avoid the drop next season
Ex-goalkeeper Paul Robinson has made it clear his former club will need to overhaul their squad this summer if they are to avoid an instant return to the Championship next season, saying: “Leeds are going to have to replace players.
“They came out of the Premier League with a similar squad, and players in that squad weren’t good enough. To mention two: Brenden Aaronson and Junior Firpo weren’t good enough for the Premier League.”
Firpo could now be heading for the exit door, with Kostas Tsimikas being identified as a potential replacement for the left-back, while the Whites are also looking at upgrades on Aaronson in attacking midfield, with Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia of interest.
Not only is Daniel Farke keen to bring in a new playmaker, the manager is also keen to strengthen in defensive midfield, as revealed by Jacobs in an interview with GiveMeSport, with the reporter stating Tottenham Hotspur’s Yves Bissouma is now a target.
It is unclear what sort of fee Tottenham would be looking to receive for Bissouma, who they signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for £25m back in 2022, but he has been on the north Londoners’ discard list for quite some time, indicating that a deal could be possible.
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BySean Markus Clifford Jun 2, 2025 Bissouma could be "outstanding" signing for Leeds
The 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Ange Postecoglou, often appearing as a substitute in the latter stages of the season, but his previous exploits in the Premier League indicate that he could be a solid signing for Leeds.
During his time with Brighton & Hove Albion, the Malian was lauded as “outstanding” by Statman Dave, and he has continued to impress defensively in more recent times, with the tough-tackling midfielder outperforming his positional peers across some key metrics over the past year.
Bissouma – last 365 days
Average per 90
Tackles
3.09 (91st percentile)
Interceptions
1.39 (83rd percentile)
Clearances
2.65 (92nd percentile)
Ahead of his side’s return to the Premier League, it may also be wise for Farke to bring in players who are proven in the top flight over a sustained period of time, and the Ivory Coast-born midfielder certainly ticks that box, having made 191 Premier League appearances.
It remains to be seen whether Bissouma would be willing to move to a newly-promoted side, fresh off the back of winning the Europa League with Spurs, but the prospect of receiving more game time could be appealing to the central midfielder.
Since taking the job at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has generally gotten it right when it comes to the transfer market.
For example, while he’s overseen the arrival of his fair share of duds like Willian, Raheem Sterling and Nuno Tavares, he’s also helped sign some special talents like Declan Rice, Gabriel Magahele, David Raya and Jurrien Timber.
However, there is one player who divides opinion perhaps more than any other: Kai Havertz.
To some, the German is an underrated lynchpin without which the attack falters, while others view him as an overpriced makeshift forward who can’t be trusted to finish his chances in the moments that matter.
Yet, it might not matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on next season, as recent reports have heavily linked the club with someone who’d likely be a massive upgrade.
Arsenal's striker search
Given Arsenal’s lacklustre form in front of goal this season, it’s hardly been a surprise to see the club linked with a host of talented strikers in recent weeks, from the well-known Benjamin Sesko to the more under-the-radar Nick Woltemade.
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The former has been heavily linked with a £67m move to the Emirates for some time now, and while that is a hefty outlay, there is a lot to like about the 6 foot 5 speedster, like his tally of 27 goal involvements in 45 games this season.
Woltemade, on the other hand, would only cost the club £42m this summer, and while he produced just 20 goal involvements this year, he did so in just 33 games across all competitions.
Stuttgart's Nick Woltemade
Yet, while both players would likely help the Gunners’ frontline next season, they both feel like players for the coming years, not someone who’d be an instant and sizable upgrade like Viktor Gyokeres.
Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are still very much in the race for the Sporting CP star.
Bailey revealed that not only are the Gunners still interested in the Swedish international, but they also held direct talks with his camp on Wednesday.
A price is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from this week have claimed that the former Coventry City striker could be available for around £67m.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal
While that is undoubtedly a lot of money, this is a deal Arsenal should be going all out to complete, as Gyokeres would be a monumental upgrade on Havertz.
How Gyokeres compares to Havertz
So, if Arsenal are able to get Gyokeres this summer and, in turn, spend the sort of money it reportedly cost to do so, then it seems incredibly unlikely that he’d be coming in to sit on the bench.
Therefore, the Sporting star would be in competition with Havertz for a starting berth in the team, and based on how they stack up against one another, we think it’s a competition he’d win with ease.
For example, in 52 appearances this season, totalling 4248 minutes, the Stockholm-born “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored a simply sensational 54 goals and provided 13 assists, which works out to an average of 1.28 goal involvements every game, or every 63.40 minutes.
In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances, totalling 2809 minutes, which comes out to a decent but far less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.8 games, or every 140.45 minutes.
Unfortunately for the former Chelsea ace, the comparison is just as one-sided when we take a look under the hood at their respective underlying numbers.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.88
0.58
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
1.17
0.61
Progressive Passes
2.11
2.95
Progressive Passes Received
10.5
5.79
Progressive Carries
4.27
1.44
Shots
4.11
2.80
Shot on Target
2.10
1.11
Key Passes
2.06
1.11
Passes into the Penalty Area
1.00
0.52
Shot-Creating Actions
4.75
2.25
Goal-Creating Actions
0.84
0.15
Successful Take-Ons
1.79
0.48
For example, the 27-year-old comes out way ahead in the vast majority of relevant metrics, including but not limited to expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, key passes and passes into the penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, Havertz is a great player and someone who’ll be an incredibly useful asset to the squad next season, but from every angle, it’s clear that Gyokeres is the vastly superior goalscoring number nine.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him this summer.
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Everton have now reportedly enquired about the availability of a Premier League star in the summer transfer window, with David Moyes an admirer of the player in question.
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The Blues appear to be pushing hard to complete some exciting summer transfer business, with the Merseysiders reportedly in talks with the agents of Fred over a move to Bramley Moore Dock.
The former Manchester United midfielder could be a shrewd and experienced addition who has proven himself in the Premier League in the past, making 139 appearances in the competition. Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho is keen on keeping hold of the Brazilian, though.
Fred in action for Fenerbache.
Meanwhile, Everton have reportedly reached a verbal agreement over the signing of Kenny Tete from Fulham, with the right-back out of contract in west London at the end of this month.
The Dutchman could come in as an upgrade on the likes of Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman, bringing a mix of defensive solidity and attacking thrust to Moyes’ team, and the fact that it would be on a free transfer is an added bonus.
Everton enquire about Premier League "fighter"
According to a new claim from Give Me Sport, Everton have enquired to Manchester City about the potential signing of Jack Grealish this summer.
Newcastle United and Napoli are also believed to be in the mix to sign the 29-year-old, who is expected to leave the Etihad after four years there, joining for £100m from Aston Villa back in 2021. However, the Toffees may find a transfer hard to complete as Grealish is looking to play in the Champions League next season.
Grealish’s stock has fallen over the past year or two, with a lack of end product under Pep Guardiola, but it could simply be that he needs a new challenge and regular game time.
Guardiola has described the Englishman as a “fighter”, often being relentlessly kicked and fouled during games, while Moyes heaped huge praise on him back in 2021, saying:
“He is a really good player and probably the best player in the Premier League at this time. He has done such a big job at that club (Villa) and is probably the best player in the league right now.”
There are definite risks in Everton signing Grealish, not least because he turns 30 this year and would demand big wages, but he possesses the swagger and unpredictable style to be a hit among Blues supporters.
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He may love the idea of being given more freedom to express himself in the final third, compared to Guardiola’s precise tactics, so it is a signing that could be worth the gamble, although it may be tricky to seal.
“Surya and Hardik’s partnership was very critical for us right at that point in time,” Rohit Sharma says
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-20241:18
Manjrekar: SKY showed his value on a tricky pitch
Rohit Sharma lauded Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya’s “critical” partnership for helping India ride through some choppy waters in the middle overs and set up a 47-run win over Afghanistan to begin their Super Eight campaign at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.Suryakumar and Hardik added 60 runs off 37 balls for the fifth wicket after coming together when Shivam Dube was dismissed, leaving India 90 for 4 in the 11th over. Three of those wickets were picked up by Rashid Khan.”Surya and Hardik’s partnership was very critical for us right at that point in time,” Rohit said on the host broadcast after the game. “We kept losing wickets there, so we needed somebody to bat little deep. Surya did that well along with Hardik.Related
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“Over the last two years, we’ve come here [to the West Indies] and played some T20 cricket, so we understand the conditions a little bit, and we planned [the innings] around what the conditions offer and based our game plan accordingly. Getting 180 [181] was a great effort from our batters. We knew the class of the bowling we have to come and defend that, and they did that perfectly.”Suryakumar, who was named Player of the Match for his 28-ball 53, said that the decision to take the bowling on – Rashid in particular – was deliberate, keeping in mind the slowness of the surface.”When Hardik came into bat, I told him we need to bat with the same intent, let’s not leave it too much till the end,” he said. “It would’ve been difficult with the ball reversing. I just told him let’s keep pressing the pedal and see where we are at the end of 16 overs. Glad we got to 180.”Suryakumar hit Rashid for 16 runs off six deliveries, with two fours and a ferocious slog sweep for six.
“I started chewing my gum even harder when he [Kohli] got out. But I knew I’ve played this phase before, and with the left-handers coming in, it became a little easier”Suryakumar Yadav
“When I play, I’m very clear in my mind what I want to do,” Suryakumar said. “When he [Rashid] bowls, it’s very difficult to pick him. I know what shots to play when I am inside. He’s the best bowler in the world, you can’t let him dominate. You have to be a step ahead.”Suryakumar’s contribution – it was his second successive half-century of the T20 World Cup – came at a strike rate of almost 190. He came in to bat at the end of the seventh over and soon saw Virat Kohli hole out to long-off to leave India 62 for 3 in the ninth.”I’ve practiced that [batting in the middle overs] and have played a lot there,” Suryakumar said. “I enjoy batting in that phase, between overs seven to 15, that’s where teams try and control the game.”I started chewing my gum even harder when he [Kohli] got out. But I knew I’ve played this phase before, and with the left-handers coming in, it became a little easier. But I just backed my game, backed my instincts, and most importantly my intent [which] should have been good at that time.”
Stars slip to heavy defeat as Davies rips through old side’s batting lineup
ECB Reporters Network10-Jul-2024Freya Davies’ impeccable four-for set up Southern Vipers’ no-nonsense seven-wicket bonus point victory over South East Stars to cement their place at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table.Former Stars fast bowler Davies hadn’t taken four in an innings since taking 4 for 23 in a T20 for England against New Zealand in March 2021, and last haul of four or more in 50-over cricket was a six-for for Sussex Women in 2018.But she extracted great pace to take 4 for 14 at Falkland Cricket Club, to restrict Stars to 120, with local star Ava Lee and Charli Knott both grabbing two wickets apiece.Knott – on her penultimate appearance – then made sure the chase was straightforward with a classy 57, as holders Vipers avenged their Charlotte Edwards Cup semi-final defeat to Stars in style.Vipers chose to bowl, and after a rain delay which knocked the overs down to 46 a side, they ruthlessly sliced through the Stars’ batting.Mary Taylor made the initial breakthrough when she found Tash Farrant edging a drive behind to Megan Sturge, who was keeping wicket for the first time due to a finger injury to Rhianna Southby.But Davies was the bigger danger in dumping the visitors to 22 for 4 with her swing bamboozling Bryony Smith, Alexa Stonehouse and Kalea Moore.The ball to bowl Smith and the one which Moore gloved behind were particular snorters in an often unplayable first seven-over spell of 3 for 10.Alice Davidson-Richards and Bethan Miles recovered things somewhat by putting on 35 but another collapse of 25 for 4 stymied Stars.This time it was the Vipers’ spin which took hold as Miles and Aylish Cranstone were undone by Knott’s smart offbreaks, before the Australian turned Elastigirl to incredibly catch Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones in the leg-side deep.It was the start of two wickets in an over for Lee – playing on the ground she began playing on at Under-11s for Falkland – as the England Under-19s spinner had Davidson-Richards caught behind.Chloe Hill and Ryana Macdonald Gay held things up with a patient 34-run partnership for the ninth wicket before Hill was run out at the non-striker’s end and Dani Gregory was Davies’ fourth victim and Sturge’s third.The reply was emphatic from Vipers. Where Stars had only scored six boundaries in their entire innings, Vipers, led by Knott, had equalled that inside 14 overs.Stars were also not helped by an apparent hamstring injury suffered by Farrant in the first over, which forced her to leave the field.Knott and Ella McCaughan put on 46 for the first wicket inside eight overs before the latter was outfoxed by a big turning offie from Moore.Georgia Adams, after a 43-run alliance with Knott, and Emily Windsor fell but Knott was graceful in dispatching width to reach a 56-ball fifty, her third half-century and fifth score over 40 for the Vipers.It was only right that Knott would cut the winning runs as Vipers romped to the target in 23 overs.
Lamine Yamal this, Lamine Yamal that. Arsenal have their very own budding wonderkid in the effervescent Ethan Nwaneri.
Making his Premier League debut in 2022 at the age of just 15, making him the top-flight’s youngest-ever player, Nwaneri has now become a household, truly bursting onto the scene in 2024/25.
The teenager is now 18 and has cemented himself as one of the best young players in Europe, having scored nine goals in his 37 senior appearances last season.
He scored in the Champions League, he scored against Manchester City and now he’s rivalling teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly for the PFA Young Player of the Season award.
Nwaneri then crowned his campaign off by winning the U21 European Championships with Lee Carsley’s England a week ago.
So, surely he’ll go on to become a modern-day Arsenal great, right? Well, he could actually leave.
The latest on Ethan Nwaneri's future at Arsenal
Cast your mind back to the summer of 2023, before Nwaneri signed his first professional deal at the Emirates Stadium, and there were rumours that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City could land the talented youngster.
Thankfully for those of an Arsenal persuasion, Nwaneri stayed to develop under Mikel Arteta’s watchful eyes.
However, his first pro deal actually expires in a year’s time and according to Fabrizio Romano, he wants assurances over game time before committing his future to the club.
It’s a worrying development for the Gunners, particularly as Romano actually reveals that Chelsea have been showing interest in the player and could move if he fails to agree a new deal in north London.
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Well, with assurances over playing time in mind, perhaps signing another creative midfielder might not be the best idea if they want to keep him.
Arsenal targeting move for a new no.10
One of the club’s main targets this summer has been Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Some reports suggest that personal terms have already been agreed but club-to-club talks are yet to take place.
A potential alternative could be RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. That’s according to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, who has revealed that Andrea Berta is ‘working to deliver another coup’ for Arsenal.
He reveals that ‘talks are ongoing’ with Leipzig over a deal and although no fee has been mentioned, previous reports have indicated it may take £68.8m to prise him away from the Bundesliga.
Why Xavi Simons is bad news for Ethan Nwaneri
While a certain Emmanuel Eboue isn’t always the voice of football, he has delivered one statement that reveals why Arsenal need to do all they can to keep hold of Nwaneri.
“I think Ethan can be better than Yamal if he works hard and respects the game,” the former Arsenal defender once commented.
Whether or not you believe that remark, it shows the considerable amount of hype the teen has been generating.
“The touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” Joe Cole also once said.
Losing him, therefore, would be a colossal blow. So, Arsenal need to present him with game time. Where is that most likely? Well, at the moment, he’s done a mighty fine job playing second fiddle to Saka on the right wing but he’s an attacking midfielder by trade, a central player blessed with close-touch control and a goalscoring ability.
During the 2023/24 season, his final as an academy player, Nwaneri played 18 times as a no.10 and scored 13 goals in the process. His best position is clearly there but he has to get past Martin Odegaard first.
Attacking midfield
45
20
7
Right wing
20
4
2
Centre-forward
9
11
2
Left wing
1
0
1
Despite scoring just three Premier League goals last term, the club captain isn’t going to be moved aside very easily. Thus, if the Gunners sign Simons too, Nwaneri surely isn’t going to get much of a look in his favoured role.
That isn’t to say the Dutchman wouldn’t be a good signing though. Born out of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, Simons was once a wonderkid with the world at his feet, just like Nwaneri.
Xavi Simons celebrates
However, after never making the grade as a senior pro at Barca and struggling for game time at PSG after moving to France, he’s gone the long way round to find a home in senior football at Leipzig.
During his time with the German outfit, the 22-year-old has cemented himself as “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one data analyst.
Why? Well, he’s not only a brilliant creator, but he’s also full of goals. In 2023/24, the young Netherlands international scored ten and supplied 15 goals. In 2024/25, he found the net on 11 occasions and registered eight assists.
Goals
0.42
0.40
Assists
0.40
0.20
Shots
2.09
2.42
Key passes
2.13
1.62
Progressive passes
5.86
3.33
Shot-creating actions
4.52
2.93
Progressive carries
3.56
4.65
Successful take-ons
1.38
3.74
On that evidence, he is the ideal player to provide competition for an out-of-form Odegaard.
Now, while he would certainly add an undoubted amount of extra quality to the Arsenal side, Arteta and Berta must weigh up what this move means for Nwaneri, particularly with Chelsea registering an interest.
The Gunners feel like they’re in a win the title at all costs scenario, but they must think of the long-term here too. Either way, it’s not as though Nwaneri, one of England’s best young prospects, couldn’t help them win a title now either.
Xavi Simons for RB Leipzig
Just look at Lewis-Skelly. Also aged 18, he is now a regular starter and starred in the Bernabeu as Arteta’s men defeated Real Madrid.
This will be an intriguing dilemma should Arsenal decide to further their interest in Simons.
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