Khushdil, Warner help Kings seal last-over thriller

Warner top-scored with 60 while Khushdil chipped in both bat and ball for Kings

Danyal Rasool21-Apr-2025

David Warner and Khushdil Shah played crucial knocks•PSL

Karachi Kings sealed a thrilling final-over two-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi in the last game at their home venue this tournament. A half-century from David Warner held the innings together through a chase of 149, but a stumble towards the end threatened to see them fall at the final hurdle. However,Khushdil Shah and Hasan Ali held their nerve at the death as a pair of boundaries in the final over sealed a morale-boosting win over Babar Azam’s side.Zalmi’s best bowler Luke Wood set the tone in defence of the target when he cleaned Tim Seifert up first ball, following it up with the removal of James Vince in his second over. Teenage quick Ali Raza picked up the baton, knocking back fellow emerging player Saad Baig’s leg stump when he tried to scoop him over fine leg. But untidiness from the bowling and a gritty innings from Warner kept Kings’ asking rate on track in the powerplay.The following five overs saw Zalmi apply the brakes; only 24 came between the seventh and 11th overs, but Kings struggled free of their shackles over the next three overs as Warner and Mohammad Nabi cut loose. Warner went after Saim Ayub and Raza, picking up four boundaries in those two overs while Nabi slapped Ayub for six over extra cover and Ariq Yaqoob for another boundary before his cameo came to an end.The equation, though, had shifted dramatically in Kings’ favour. With 44 required off six, they could afford more conservatism, at least while Warner, now unbeaten past a half-century, was still around. But when a slower delivery from Wood castled him for 60 off 47, Zalmi’s hopes were freshly renewed. Abbas Afridi and Aamer Jamal fell within three balls of each other, and the final over saw Karachi requiring an awkward nine to get with just two wickets in hand.However, Zalmi had bowled out all their specialists by now; they were reluctant to hand Ayub the final over. The part-time medium pace of Hussain Talat was trusted, but then easily dispatched by a boundary each from Khushdil and Hasan as Kings scratched out a victory that should have come much easier to them.Kings were well on top in the first innings. A stingy start brought about Ayub’s dismissal at Mir Hamza’s hands for four off eight, and Babar was in all sorts of trouble. He had been reprieved twice, once when an lbw was overturned off the second delivery, and also after Hamza put down a straightforward chance off his own bowling.Khushdil enjoyed a fruitful day with the ball, the tone set when he came back from a Tom Kohler-Cadmore six off to draw a miscue off the next ball. Babar and Mohammad Haris produced a gritty partnership that stopped the rot but didn’t especially pick up the run rate, and off the final ball of the tenth over, Khushdil struck to end Babar’s workmanlike innings. This time the review didn’t reprieve him after he was struck in front; he had faced 41 off the first 60 balls, and scored 46 of Zalmi’s 67.Haris picked up the rate but couldn’t quite produce his explosive best, and fell at a crucial time just as Zalmi were gearing up for the death. His 21-ball 28 had pushed the run rate past seven, and though a cameo from Alzarri Joseph got their side close to 150, Kings ensured they did just enough in each innings to come away with the two points they deserved.

ميدو يكشف قرار مجلس الزمالك بشأن الأزمة المالية.. وتطورات مستقبل فيريرا

كشف أحمد حسام ميدو، لاعب الزمالك السابق، عن قرار مجلس القلعة البيضاء، برئاسة حسين لبيب، بشأن الأزمة المالية التي يعاني منها النادي.

وقال ميدو، خلال برنامجه “أوضة اللبس”، على قناة النهار: “صدرت أوامر من مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك للجهاز الفني ولجميع اللاعبين والعاملين في النادي بعدم الحديث عن الأزمة المادية وهذا قرار صحيح 100%”.

طالع|مران الزمالك | انتظام الدباغ والسعيد ودونجا وتدريبات فنية وخططية استعدادا لمواجهة ديكيداها

وتابع: “المجلس بدأ يلجأ لخطة أخرى أن يحل المشكلة المادية بعيد عن أرض الزمالك بأكتوبر، حدث اجتماع بين حسين لبيب وهشام نصر وجون إدوارد والمدير الفني، وبعد الاجتماع خرج قرار باستمرار فيريرا”.

وأضاف: “فيريرا ليس الرجل الأمثل لنادي الزمالك، ولكن تم أخذ قرار بأن يستمر، ويجب على الكل أن يدعم ويقف خلف إدارة النادي الذي يمر بمرحلة صعبة”.

واختتم: “كل أولاد النادي في مشكلة أرض 6 أكتوبر معظمهم وقفوا خلف النادي ودعموا وقاموا بعمل مناشدات للدولة، ولكن في مواقف بعد ذلك تظهر من لديه أجندات وأعتقد أنهم أصبحوا مفضحوين لكل جمهور الزمالك”.

Botafogo faz provocação ao Flamengo após rodada do Brasileirão

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois da vitória diante do Cuiabá por 1 a 0 na Arena Pantanal, o perfil oficial do Botafogo decidiu fazer uma provocação ao Flamengo nas redes sociais. O rival acabou sendo goleado pelo Bragantino por 4 a 0 e se distanciou das primeiras colocações do Brasileirão.

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O clube compartilhou uma imagem da tabela atualizada do campeonato com o homem aranha alvinegro dançando. Na legenda, o Glorioso entrou no clima da Festa Junina e fez uma alusão à goleada sofrida pelo Rubro-Negro em Bragança Paulista.

+ Luís Castro no Al-Nassr? Veja nomes que já estão ou podem chegar ao futebol da Arábia Saudita

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– Climinha de Festa Junina hoje. Quem aí gosta de QUADRilha? – brincou o perfil oficial do Botafogo nas redes sociais.

O Botafogo entra em campo no próximo domingo, diante do Palmeiras, às 16h, no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão. O time de Luís Castro vai com tudo em busca de um importante resultado fora de casa.

Aston Villa: Monchi offers £17m for "fabulous" forward with advances made

Aston Villa are now making advances in their pursuit of a “fabulous” attacker, with Unai Emery keen to bolster his forward line before the September 1st transfer deadline.

Emery keen on new forward after disappointing start

The 0-0 draw against Newcastle United on the opening day wasn’t the worst result, but Emery is likely to be a little more concerned by his side’s most recent performance, succumbing to a 1-0 defeat away at Brentford on Saturday.

The Villans dominated possession throughout the match, and arguably should have at least drawn the game on the balance of play, recording an xG of 1.23, compared to Brentford’s 1.27, but they were ultimately unable to take their chances.

As such, it is no surprise that Emery wants to bring in at least one new attacker before the deadline, and Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that three forwards with Premier League experience remain on the manager’s shortlist.

However, according to a report from A Bola (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have also submitted an offer for a Liga Portugal forward, namely Sporting CP’s Geny Catamo, with a €20m (£17m) proposal being tabled.

The Villans are said to be making advances in their pursuit of Catamo, but there is set to be competition for his signature from Fenerbahce, and the most recent offer was deemed too low by Sporting.

The Portuguese club are looking to hold out for around €25m – €30m (£22m – £26m) for the forward, meaning Monchi will have to increase his offer to tempt them into a sale.

He's like Duran & Benteke: Aston Villa make £65m star their top target

Aston Villa are eyeing up a new striker who is a mix of Jhon Durán and Christian Benteke.

ByWill Miller Aug 23, 2025 Catamo could be "fabulous" Ramsey replacement

With Jacob Ramsey departing to join Newcastle United, Emery could do with bringing in another versatile midfielder, and the Sporting star certainly fits the bill in that regard, given that he is capable of playing on both wings and in attacking midfield.

Once lauded as “fabulous” by former coach Filipe Celikkaya, the 24-year-old also played a major role in Sporting CP’s back-to-back Liga Portugal title triumphs in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns, regularly chipping in with goals and assists.

Season

League appearances

Goal contributions

2023-24

27

8

2024-25

30

7

That said, it would be a risk to sign Catamo, given that he is unproven in one of Europe’s top leagues, and with Villa known to be treading a fine line PSR-wise, it may be better to only bring in Jackson, who could set them back £65m.

Joe Root: Harry Brook is 'far and away the best player in the world '

England’s senior batter full of praise for team-mate after emphatic victory in Wellington

Vithushan Ehantharajah09-Dec-2024

Joe Root and Harry Brook pose together•Getty Images

Joe Root has hailed Harry Brook as “far and away the best player in the world” after Brook powered England to their first series victory in New Zealand since 2008.Both Root and Brook registered centuries in an emphatic 323-run win in the second Test against the Black Caps that confirmed an unassailable 2-0 scoreline after just three days at the Basin Reserve. It was their 35th and eighth hundreds respectively, with Brook’s 123 in tough first-innings conditions earning him the player-of-the-match award.Brooks’ opening-day effort, reaching three figures in 91 deliveries (the second-fastest of his career), came in challenging conditions, dragging England to 280 inside just 54.5 overs, having at one stage been 26 for 3. The tourists were then able to dismiss New Zealand for 125, establishing a 155-run lead that Root’s 106 would eventually lift to a mammoth 582. In reply, New Zealand could only muster 259 in just 54.2 overs.Last week, Brook moved up to No.2 on the ICC Test rankings off the back of his 171 in the first Test at Christchurch, which set up an eight-wicket win. Root sits at No.1, but England’s all-time leading run-scorer believes his Yorkshire and England team-mate is currently at the top of the modern game.”Brooky is by far and away the best player in the world at the minute,” Root said, off the back of Brook’s exploits in New Zealand.”He can absorb pressure, he can apply it. He can whack you over your head for six. He can scoop you over his head for six. He can smack spin. He can smack seam.”He’s so hard to bowl to and dovetailed with someone like Pope [174 for the fifth wicket in the first innings], who’s extremely busy and scoring in awkward areas, [which] makes it very difficult to stop the flow of runs. I think they just played exceptionally well together.”Related

Brook rises to No. 2 in Test batting rankings, closes gap with table-topper Root

Joe Root: Harry Brook's 317 is just the first of his 'monster' scores

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Brook returned the compliment to Root, who has a chance to beat his previous calendar-year best of six centuries (2021) in this Saturday’s third and final Test at Hamilton.”I’m trying to catch him, but he’s too good, isn’t he?” Brook said, when asked if he fancied taking the No. 1 tag off Root. “[He] got another hundred this week. No, he’s obviously one of the best players, if not the best player, to have ever played the game.”Though only two years into his Test career, Brook’s average of 61.62 from 23 Tests is currently third on the all-time list. Having become England’s first triple-centurion in 34 years with 317 against Pakistan, his work in New Zealand over the last two weeks has moved his average away from home to a remarkable 89.35, though he has only played in those two countries.Brook, however, insists on keeping his feet on the ground and believes he has more work to do to improve all aspects of his game.”I’ve only played 23 games, so them stats could soon come soaring down!” he said. “So I’m just trying to keep on getting as good as I can and working hard in the nets and improving areas that are uncomfortable. Just keep on going really. You can always get better everywhere.”Meanwhile, Root has been announced on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The award, to be judged by the public on who they regard as most accomplished sportsperson in 2024, has only been won by a cricketer on five occasions. Ben Stokes was the most recent, in 2019, while Stuart Board finished runner-up last year.”I didn’t expect that at all, really,” Root said of Monday’s announcement. “I guess I’m honored to be involved in it. You know, it’s been a wonderful year of sports so to even be considered is is pretty humbling, to be honest.”I wasn’t expecting at all, but it’s something I’ve watched as a kid growing up. I don’t really know how to sum it up.”England will meet up in Hamilton on Wednesday ahead of the third Test. A number of players left Wellington on Monday to explore New Zealand’s North Island and will travel separately to the inland city.

Leeds make approach for elite one-on-one dribbler praised by Ibrahimovic

Leeds United have made contact over the signing of an attacking player who is admired by none other than legendary striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, according to a new transfer update.

Leeds suffer Paixao transfer blow

There is still plenty of time for the Whites to get some important business over the line this summer, but they have suffered one big blow ahead of their Premier League return next month.

Primary transfer target Igor Paixao has reportedly chosen to move from Feyenoord to Marseille, rather than join Leeds, meaning Daniel Farke will now have to turn his attention to other attacking options instead.

It’s now a case of the Whites finding an ideal alternative option to Paixao, as well as strengthening in other positions, with Galatasaray midfielder Gabriel Sara mentioned as a strong addition to come in and bolster Farke’s depth in the middle of the park.

Now, another name has been thrown into the mix for Leeds, as they look to perfect their squad before the Premier League opener at home to Everton on August 18th.

Leeds make contact over Sottil signing

According to a new report from TuttoMercatoWeb [via Sport Witness], Leeds and Farke have made contact with Fiorentina about signing winger Riccardo Sottil this summer. Serie A side Torino are also pushing hard to snap up the 26-year-old, however, potentially bringing him in on loan with an option to buy him permanently next year.

Sotill has the quality to be a big hit for Leeds, with Ibrahimovic, who serves in an advisory role for AC Milan, even speaking of his admiration when the winger was on loan there last season.

“Sottil always looks for one-on-one situations, can play on both wings, is young, and has room to grow. Our job is to help them become even stronger.”

Sottil has 15 goals and assists apiece in 138 appearances for Fiorentina, while three goals in 12 caps for Italy’s Under-21s shows that he has been a highly-rated figure since his younger days.

Better signing than Paixao: Leeds in hunt to sign "exceptional" £30m star

Leeds United are reportedly in the hunt to sign an attacking midfielder who would be a better signing than Igor Paixao.

1 ByDan Emery Jul 29, 2025

The Italian was even in the top 1% of dribblers last season when compared with positional peers in the big five leagues, further highlighting his attacking ability. He could get Leeds supporters out of their seats next term and beyond.

Aston Villa in contact with £40m+ Atletico Madrid star, Emery's a big fan

Aston Villa have made contact with the representatives of a £40 million Atletico Madrid ace who Unai Emery is a big fan of, according to a recent report.

Aston Villa make striker enquiry amid Ollie Watkins exit rumours

Villa may not have been expecting it, but so far in this transfer window, there has been a lot of talk about the future of star striker Ollie Watkins. The England international has been a key player for the Villans for a number of seasons now, but given the recent speculation, his time at the club could be coming to an end.

Aston Villa make enquiry to sign £60m star who scored in win at Villa Park

Aston Villa are among the teams interested in signing a Premier League striker.

ByBrett Worthington Jul 13, 2025

It’s been reported that Manchester United are considering a bid to sign Watkins as they continue their search for a new striker. Meanwhile, Arsenal previously opened talks over a deal to sign Watkins, which may be stopped now they are close to signing Viktor Gyokeres. But Newcastle United are another team that are interested in Watkins and have placed him on their list of potential targets.

Therefore, no one can blame the Midlands side for looking at potential replacements, and according to journalist Nabil Djellit, Villa have submitted an enquiry to sign Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea. The forward could leave Stamford Bridge this summer and is said to have a £60 million fee on his head. Villa are not alone in their pursuit of the player, as Man United have also submitted an enquiry.

Aston Villa make contact with £40m+ Atletico Madrid star

As the Premier League side assess their forward options, they also look to be in the market for a new midfielder. According to Caught Offside, Aston Villa have made contact with Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher’s representatives in a bid to bring him to Villa Park.

The report states that despite only joining the Spanish giants last summer from Chelsea, Gallagher could be open to a return to England, as he wants regular minutes. Atletico are not actively looking to sell Gallagher, but they would be open to a departure should they receive a fee in the region of €45-50 million, which is roughly £39-43 million.

This has alerted Villa, but they do face competition from teams such as Nottingham Forest and Newcastle. However, the Villans are the only team to have made contact with Gallagher’s representatives. Villa’s interest is likely being pushed by Emery, who is said to be a big fan of Gallagher’s ‘energy and Premier League experience’.

Conor Gallagher’s Atletico Madrid stats

Apps

50

Starts

28

Goals

4

Assists

6

The 25-year-old’s search for regular minutes may come as a surprise given he played 50 times in all competitions. However, the England international, once dubbed a “pressing and transition monster”, was very much in and out of the starting XI.

He started 19 games in La Liga out of 32 but started just four of the nine Champions League games he played in. Given how Emery feels about Gallagher, a return to England could see him be a regular in the Villa side.

Knott, Davies keep Vipers top of the pile

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.

A bigger prospect than Rodrygo: Arsenal in talks to sign £50m "nightmare"

After another season of failing to pick up any silverware, Arsenal need a massive summer.

Mikel Arteta has done a brilliant job taking the team from midtable mediocrity back in 2019 to perennial challengers today, but to make that final step up, the board must back him with some serious signings.

Fortunately, that seems to be what’s happening, as the last few weeks have seen the club linked with a number of incredible internationals, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo perhaps being the most exciting of all.

However, if recent reports are to be believed, Arteta might be going down a different route with a player who might just be a bigger prospect than the Brazilian.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the star in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other truly exciting players Arsenal have been linked with in recent weeks, such as Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could cost up to £100m this summer, but with a tally of 14 goals and 15 assists in 53 appearances from midfield and out wide, it would be hard to argue that’s not a fair valuation.

Likewise, while £68m is a lot of money, Eze has proven that he’d be more than worth the investment, as in 42 games for Crystal Palace this season, he has scored 14 goals, provided 11 assists and won the FA Cup.

Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup

However, for a signing to be considered a ‘bigger prospect’ than Rodrygo, they’ll have to be someone younger and with immense potential, someone like Nico Williams.

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Athletic Bilbao ace.

The report has revealed that Arteta has now held personal talks with the Spanish international, and while Chelsea are also keen to sign him, these talks appear to have made the Gunners the current frontrunners for his signature.

To complete the deal, the North Londoners will still have to activate the winger’s release clause, which currently stands at about £50m, but even then, it would be more than worth it to sign a player who’s arguably a bigger prospect than Rodrygo.

Why Williams is a bigger prospect than Rodrygo

So, the first thing to say is that Rodrygo is a simply sensational footballer, and if Arsenal signed him, then we’re sure he’d do a brilliant job for them.

However, given their tendency to focus on younger players in the past, the Gunners might opt instead to sign Williams, and while that could upset some fans, we’d argue that they’re simply going with the bigger prospect in this scenario.

The first argument for this viewpoint is that the Bilbao ace is two years the Real star’s junior, and yet he’s already established himself as a key man for one of Spain’s biggest clubs and the national team for that matter.

Moreover, while he’s not been as prolific as the Brazilian this term, he was near enough unstoppable last season, which might be an indication of how he’d fare in a better team, such as Arsenal.

For example, in just 37 appearances, totalling 2729 minutes, the 22-year-old “nightmare for defenders,” as analyst Ben Mattinson described him, scored eight goals and provided 18 assists, which came out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.42 games, or every 104.96 minutes.

Athletic Bilbao'sNicoWilliamscelebrates scoring their third goal

In contrast, the Osasco-born ace scored 18 goals and provided nine assists in 52 appearances, totalling 3777 minutes, which came out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.92 games, or every 139.88 minutes.

Moreover, and this may surprise some people when we compare their underlying numbers from the start of last season to today, it’s the Spaniard who actually comes out on top despite playing in a weaker team and being younger.

Williams vs Rodrygo

Statistic

Williams

Rodrygo

Non-Penalty G+As

0.65

0.59

Progressive Passes

2.99

3.81

Progressive Passes Received

11.6

10.5

Progressive Carries

5.70

5.17

Shots on Target

0.94

1.24

Goal per Shot on Target

0.32

0.30

Passing Accuracy

71.3%

86.7%

Key Passes

2.02

1.85

Expected Assists

0.24

0.17

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.73

1.26

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.62

0.12

Shot-Creating Actions

5.08

4.22

Goal-Creating Actions

0.74

0.48

Tackles

1.09

0.92

Successful Take-Ons

3.30

2.06

Ball Recoveries

4.64

2.68

Aerial Duels Won

0.38

0.30

All Stats via FBref for 23/24 to 24/25

For example, he comes out ahead in metrics such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, key passes and passes into the penalty area, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, goals per shot on target and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, signing either player would make a massive difference to Arsenal’s attack this season.

Still, based on their ages and performances over the last two campaigns, it looks like Williams is the bigger prospect.

He's like Isak: Arsenal plan talks to sign £105m Gyokeres alternative

The free-scoring forward would be perfect for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 22, 2025

Ange can fix Kulu & Bergvall blow by unleashing Spurs "monster" in new role

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

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

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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