Rollicking chase sealed with 77 balls to spare as tourists ring changes in build-up to series

Matt Roller12-Jul-2022Was this a case of mistaken identity? As England’s full-strength 50-over side capitulated to a ten-wicket defeat in south London, bowled out for 110 by India, their second-string counterparts blitzed their way to a target of 319 in just 37.1 overs against South Africa in Taunton.Somerset had made 265 for 5, the highest total in the history of English domestic T20, at this ground on Saturday night and the short boundaries are notoriously inviting. On another excellent batting pitch at their home ground, Will Smeed and Tom Banton added 113 for the first wicket in 13.4 overs – more than the ODI side had managed in 25.2 – to remove any kind of scoring pressure from the chase.Smeed eventually fell for 90 off 56 balls in what was his first senior 50-over innings, hitting seven fours and six sixes against the same South Africa attack that will be used in next week’s ODI series against England. Ben Duckett and Stephen Eskinazi added 127 for the fourth wicket in 15 overs; Duckett fell with two to win, but Eskinazi hit the winning runs by crashing Marco Jansen through point, bringing up his half-century in the process. The margin of defeat was six wickets, but with as many as 77 balls remaining, this was a genuine thrashing.South Africa were not overly concerned. “It was good for the batters to spend some time in the middle and get used to the conditions,” Janneman Malan, who top-scored with 103, said. “We always saw today as a warm-up: time in the middle for the boys, time on our feet. Their guys were prepared well for today and they played well but we saw this as a proper warm-up game and it’ll be a competitive game in two days’ time.”Keshav Maharaj, standing in as captain for the 50-over leg of this tour with Temba Bavuma absent through injury, juggled his bowlers and the tourists used 16 players with either bat or ball; Quinton de Kock, who was rested as a precaution due to a bruised finger, was the only squad member who did not play some part. Thursday’s second tour match, which has List A status, will be a better test of their standing heading into the England series.But this was still a significant result, one which reasserted the extent of England’s depth in limited-overs cricket – even if the cream of the crop were enduring a rare off-day simultaneously. Like Manchester City, Barcelona and Ajax’s football academies, England have encouraged their developmental sides to play in the same manner as the first team, as evidenced by the team that reached the Under-19 World Cup final earlier this year, and the Lions’ romp had all the hallmarks of the first team’s style. “They fell into the brand that England want to play perfectly,” Malan said. “They obviously have their structures and their blueprint. It looks like they bought into it.”Related

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• Taunton tussle awaits as South Africa take on Lions in tour opener

South Africa started cautiously, working their way to 39 for 1 after the powerplay after Kyle Verreynne had slashed Sam Cook to point. Malan and Reeza Hendricks took a liking to George Scrimshaw’s extra pace, adding 80 for the second wicket, but England’s slower bowlers dragged things back: Benny Howell, making his Lions debut at 34, restricted the scoring with his unique brand of “fast spin” and Jake Lintott, the left-arm wristspinner, had Hendricks caught behind, edging a googly through to Banton.Malan continued to accumulate, reaching a 112-ball hundred, but was one of three men to fall to Rehan Ahmed, the 17-year-old legspinner, as South Africa looked to take him down. He finished his six overs with figures of 3 for 54 as Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller attacked, but David Payne nailed his yorkers at the death, taking four late wickets to restrict South Africa to 318.Smeed and Banton, Somerset’s opening pair, were both beaten outside off stump early on but soon found their range, adding 78 inside the 10-over powerplay and taking on Anrich Nortje’s express pace. Banton reached his half-century off 43 balls and whacked his next for six off Maharaj, but then fell looking to repeat the trick as he top-edged to short third.Smeed, the 20-year-old batter, will not make his List A debut until Thursday and last played a 50-over game in club cricket, but looked like a natural after getting himself set. He generated remarkable power off the back foot against South Africa’s spinners, clubbing Maharaj for two sixes in the space of four balls before hitting a back-to-back pair off Tabraiz Shamsi to fly into the 70s.He was in no mood to slow down, reaching 90 with a hoick over midwicket off Andile Phehlukwayo, but was bowled a ball later, looking to swing him across the line once more. His innings, off 56 balls, reinforced his status as one of England’s brightest young talents; a full international debut is a matter of when, not if.Sam Hain came and went for a 17-ball 20 at No. 3 but Duckett and Eskinazi did not let up. Duckett breezed along, scooping and dinking South Africa’s seamers and accumulating at will against spin, while Eskinazi – overlooked by all eight teams in the Hundred – brought up a 36-ball half-century when he hit Jansen for the winning runs, crashing him through point. If England need reinforcements for the second ODI at Lord’s on Thursday, they will not have to look far.

Captain says the win has ‘reaffirmed’ their home success can be translated abroad and has given them a confidence boost ahead of Sri Lanka and India tours

Alex Malcolm25-Mar-2022Australia captain Pat Cummins believes his side’s rare series win in Asia has reaffirmed that their normal blueprint for success can translate abroad and will give them a major confidence boost ahead of tours of Sri Lanka and India.Australia completed a 1-0 series victory over Pakistan after claiming the third Test in Lahore thanks to five wickets from Nathan Lyon on the final day and three from Cummins, who was named player of the match after bagging eight wickets across both innings.Related

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Usman Khawaja was named player of the series for his superb performance with the bat over three Tests compiling 496 runs at 165.33, with two hundreds and two nineties, including 91 and 104 not out in Lahore.But the contributions of Australia’s fast bowlers – Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green – who combined to take 23 of Australia’s 41 wickets for the series, on slow pitches that were supposed to nullify their influence, proved that their normal method of attacking with pace bowling can succeed in Asia.”It’s probably potentially not as spinning conditions here as we might get in Sri Lanka,” Cummins said after the match. “But I think in the past Asian tours that I’ve been on, there’s a lot of talk when we leave Australia that we’ve got to change everything about our game to succeed over here.”This is a good lesson that the basics of batting or bowling that make you a good player in Australia can hold up over here. If anything, I think it’s reaffirmed that our games will hold up.”Cummins felt that his playing group could take a lot of confidence into the two-Test tour in Sri Lanka in July, particularly after some of his younger members such as Green and Alex Carey had made meaningful contributions towards just the third series victory by an Australian Test team in Pakistan.

“Winning overseas just doesn’t happen very often. It’s been a real toil for the last 25-30 days really. And to come away with a series is hugely satisfying.”Pat Cummins

“The amount of confidence we’ll get out of winning over here, not just as a team but so many individuals,” Cummins said. “Every individual had their moment and has shown that their game stands up to Asian conditions. So it’s huge for Sri Lanka later in the year, India next year. That’s awesome.”Cummins said he was immensely satisfied after becoming the first Australian captain to win a series in Asia since Michael Clarke in 2011. It was the first overseas series victory by any Australian team since New Zealand in 2016. Their best results in the interim had been drawn series in Bangladesh in 2017 and England in 2019. Australia had not travelled overseas for a Test tour since the 2019 Ashes series.”Everyone’s just totally elated,” Cummins said. “Winning overseas just doesn’t happen very often. It’s been a real toil for the last 25-30 days. We knew it was going to be totally different to normal life in Australia, under different conditions. And to come away with a series is hugely satisfying.”The team won’t get much time to celebrate together. Cummins, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will head home for a break, with Cummins, Warner, and Hazlewood then heading to the IPL soon after. The ODI and T20I squad members will remain in Lahore for the limited-overs series which begins with the first ODI on Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest had representatives in place for a Championship game on Tuesday night as they took a closer look at a promising midfielder, according to a recent report.

The Reds brought in several new faces during the summer, and that has helped them make a strong start to the Premier League season, losing just one of their opening six games. Despite the good start, it appears as though it could be a busy January for Forest as their transfer plans become a bit clearer.

Nottingham Forest ready to accept "huge" offer for "excellent" £30k-p/w ace

It would be a massive loss for the Garibaldi.

ByBen Browning Sep 29, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

The January transfer window is still quite a bit away from opening, but Forest already have their eye on what business they may like to conclude. It has recently been reported that Forest are interested in signing Luca Koleosho from Burnley.

The Reds are set to be stepping up their interest in the player, with Brighton and Wolves fighting alongside Forest to secure his signature. Forest have taken in live games of Koleosho, and they see him as a player who can add more depth to their attacking line.

It has also been claimed that the Premier League side are also looking to move players on, with Forest said to be ready to cash in on defender Murillo, but only for a big transfer fee. Murillo has been an impressive performer for Forest since joining the club, but they could be willing to sell the player next summer if they receive a huge offer. And they may already be plotting how to spend that money.

Nottingham Forest track new possible Danilo replacement

According to TBR Football, Nottingham Forest scouts were at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night to watch Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney. Boro claimed a 1-0 win over West Brom courtesy of the midfielder’s goal, and it was a chance for Forest to take a look at Hackney, who also has admirers from Aston Villa and Wolves.

Hackney has played over 70 games for Boro so far, being rather impressive since making his debut, and that hasn’t changed this season. The midfielder has now scored two goals in eight Championship games this term, and Tuesday night was another impressive display.

The 22-year-old was Middlesbrough’s best performer in the game against the Baggies, according to SofaScore’s player ratings system. Hackney completed 73 of his 84 passes in the game, which gave him an 87% pass accuracy, and eight of nine long balls completed shows he isn’t playing it safe, instead looking to break lines and start attacks. That also aligns with him making five progressive passes in Tuesday night’s game, as he looks to keep getting the ball forward.

Minutes played

90

Goals

1

Touches

105

Accurate passes

73/84

Key passes

2

Long balls (acc)

9 (8)

Big chances created

1

Ground duels (won)

7 (4)

Interceptions

2

Forest may see Hackney as a potential replacement for Danilo, who looks set to miss the rest of the season through an injury he picked up in the opening game of the Premier League season. The Brazilian has been an important player for the Reds since he joined, and Nuno Espírito Santo will be keen on finding a suitable replacement after such a terrible injury.

Tottenham Hotspur proved their breadth of quality in attack rivals any frontline across the country, dispatching West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Admittedly, the Hammers were sorely out of shape, but it was still a triumph that has set the north Londoners back on track after capitulating against Brighton & Hove Albion before the October international break.

There’s one man above all others who’s supercharging Postecoglou’s attack: Dejan Kulusevski.

Dejan Kulusevski's performance vs West Ham

Kulusevski has long been regarded as one of Tottenham’s most exciting players but he’s starting to hit his stride this season, with Postecoglou regularly unleashing the typical winger in a more central and dynamic midfield role.

It’s paying off handsomely, with Spurs still lacking fluency and defensive solidity but starting to look more refined and cohesive as a unit.

Against West Ham, this was showcased spectacularly, and Kulusevski was at the heart of his side’s football, awarded an 9/10 match rating by football.london’s Rob Guest, who hailed the Swede’s parity-restoring goal in the first half, his link-up play with skipper Heung-min Son, with his sky-high confidence threading it all together.

Minutes played

90′

Goals

1

Touches

59

Shots (on target)

4 (1)

Accurate passes

29/35 (83%)

Key passes

2

Possession lost

17x

Dribbles (completed)

6 (2)

Tackles

3

Total duels (won)

15 (8)

The 24-year-old is embracing his more talismanic role in Postecoglou’s system and, with James Maddison hooked at half-time as more purchase was sought, looks like the main man. He might even be shaping into the Lilywhites’ own version of Martin Odegaard.

Ange's own version of Odegaard

Kulusevski’s energy and application make him an indispensable member of the Tottenham team. His comparative raise in prolificness is merely a welcome bonus.

Pundit Graeme Souness once hailed Kulusevski as “De Bruyne-esque” but perhaps such praise could be more aptly attributed to that of the Arsenal captain.

FBref’s number-crunching model has revealed that Odegaard is one of Kulusevski’s most statistically similar midfielders, for both left-footers are natural goalscorers with a ball-carrying expertise and combative streak.

Odegaard has been named Arsenal’s Player of the Season for successive years and is one of the finest and most influential players in the Premier League, and it would be quite a thing for Postecoglou to fashion Kulusevski into a star of a similar ilk.

With two goals across his past three matches in the top flight, the Tottenham sensation will be hoping to sustain this searing-hot run of form and fire his outfit back into the Champions League and toward the deep end of a cup competition.

As you can see from the graphic above, Kulusevski is growing into one of Europe’s finest midfielders, and he could be a real difference-maker for his side across the coming months, perhaps rivalling Odegaard down the line for London’s finest occupant of the playmaking tag.

Spurs thought they had Eriksen's replacement, now he plays in League One

Tottenham have had their fair share of attacking players in recent times.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 18, 2024

There were numerous significant contributions during England’s run to the tri-series final but they still have one or two issues with the World Cup looming

George Dobell in Perth02-Feb-2015The goodIn playing a settled XI in almost every game of the tri-series (Chris Jordan played ahead of James Anderson in one match), England showed they had finally decided what their best side is and gave them the opportunity to familiarise themselves with their roles. Bowlers understand when they will come on and what is required of them; fielders know where they are to be. After a few months when England have looked chaotic at times, it was a significant step forward.Anderson, returning from a knee injury, bowled consistently excellently and, in conceding an average of only 3.62 runs per over was the most economical regular bowler (12 overs or more) in the tournament. He swung the new ball and was the one England bowler to nail his yorkers in the latter stages.The fielding continued to improve. Ian Bell, effectively replacing Alastair Cook at slip, took a couple of outstanding catches and it was noticeable that the fielders hit the stumps with throws more often than in the past.Despite the pitches offering him little, Moeen Ali delivered his offspin effectively and, in conceding only 4.16 runs per over was the most economical slow bowler (who delivered more than 13 overs) in the tournament. It meant England were not obliged to play James Tredwell and, in theory, should have strengthened the batting.James Anderson’s return to form after injury was among the positives for England•Getty ImagesSteven Finn made an impressive return to the side. While he still has not regained the pace he had prior to the changes he made to his run-up and approach to the crease, he bowled well enough to take 11 wickets in the five matches including career-best figures of 5 for 33 against India. With a wicket every 25 balls, he had the fifth-best strike rate of any bowler in the tournament.After leaking wides for several months – they conceded 71 in seven ODIs in Sri Lanka – England tightened their game to the point where they did not concede more than three in any of these matches. In a format where small margins can make huge differences, it is a significant improvement.England recorded more century partnerships (four) than either of the other sides (Australia managed two and India just one). While none of the batsmen scored runs consistently, Bell, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and James Taylor all enjoyed important innings and will have gained confidence ahead of the World Cup.Stuart Broad took a few games to recover full match fitness. But, by the final in Perth, he was starting to return to something near his best. With the World Cup the focus of this trip, that bodes well.The not so goodMorgan’s 121 against Australia in Sydney was top class but his other three innings contributed just two more runs in total. He has passed 5 only once in his last seven ODI innings and the last three deliveries he has faced against Australia have dismissed him.Moeen was of only two men – Ravi Bopara was the other – not to register a half-century in the tournament. Although he looked in reasonable touch a few times, he was unable to go on and register a significant score.Ravi Bopara struggled for runs and was not asked to contribute with the ball•Getty ImagesChris Woakes was consistently the fastest member of the England attack, exceeding 90mph in Perth, and at times looked to be the solution to some of the side’s bowling issues. But, batting at No. 8, he managed only 12 runs in four innings – by comparison, James Faulkner bats at No. 8 for Australia – and in the final, when he conceded 89 runs from his 10 overs, he showed that his death bowling remains a work in progress.A broken finger ruled Gary Ballance out of contention for the tri-series tournament. While he is expected to have recovered ahead of the World Cup and will probably feature in the two warm-up games in Sydney next week, he will have had limited opportunities to find form.The downside of England’s consistent selection is that those members of the squad who were not included in the tri-series XI – Tredwell, Jordan, Ballance and Alex Hales – will go into the World Cup short of cricket.And the uglyBopara endured a poor tournament. He was entrusted with only three overs as a bowler and averaged just 14.25 with the bat. While his inclusion as the allrounder who offers security with the ball and options with the bat makes sense on paper, his performances will have to improve significantly in the World Cup to justify his continued selection.England played some encouraging cricket in defeating India, the world champions, twice. But the fact is they lost to Australia three times out of three and have now lost eight of the last nine ODIs between the sides. Bearing in mind that Australia are the opponents in the opening game of the World Cup and it does not bode well.Dismissed for 166 in the final and 234 in Sydney, England have now been bowled out within their 50 overs in 11 of their last 17 ODIs. It is not World Cup winning form.The search for a reliable death bowler continues. England conceded 46 form the final three overs in Perth with the absence of yorkers again obvious. The England camp insist that the seamers can deliver as required in the nets, but that they lack the confidence to do so in match situations. They will have to improve if England are to progress to the latter stages of the World Cup.

Leeds United maintained their place in the top six in the Championship with a hard-fought 1-1 draw away against Norwich City on Tuesday night.

The Whites went 1-0 down in the first half, thanks to a penalty from Josh Sargent, and lost central midfielder Ilia Gruev to an injury, just days after captain Ethan Ampadu suffered a knee injury.

Daniel Farke’s side reacted well to that setback, though, and clawed it back to 1-1 in the 60th minute. Largie Ramazani raced onto a through ball from Wilfried Gnonto to find the bottom corner and his second goal for the club since joining from Almeria.

The West Yorkshire outfit are aiming to secure promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking, after they lost 1-0 in the play-off final against Southampton at Wembley last term.

Leeds finished third in the Championship during the regular season and that meant they missed out on automatic promotion to the top-flight, with Ipswich Town and Leicester City going straight up.

The Whites were relegated from the Premier League in 2023 after a string of poor signings, including Luis Sinisterra, left them struggling under Jesse Marsch.

Luis Sinisterra's time at Leeds

In the summer of 2022, former Leeds head coach Marsch wanted to bolster his attacking options and opted to swoop for Feyenoord winger Sinisterra.

It was reported that the West Yorkshire outfit splashed out a fee of £22.3m to sign the Colombia international, after he had produced 12 goals and seven assists in the Eredivisie and six goals and four assists in the Europa Conference League during the 2021/22 campaign.

Unfortunately, Sinisterra’s debut season with the Whites was full of injury issues and underwhelming performances on the pitch in the Premier League, as the team were relegated down to the Championship and had Marsch, Javi Gracia, and Sam Allardyce in charge at various points.

Appearances

19

Goals

5

Big chances created

0

Assists

0

Key passes per game

0.5

Duel success rate

47%

As you can see in the table above, the Colombian forward did score five goals in 19 matches, which was not a dismal return, but his lack of creativity is clear to see.

The winger did not do much to create for his teammates, with less than one key pass per game and zero ‘big chances’ created overall, to go alongside his goal threat.

Sinisterra also missed a whopping 16 matches through injury, with ankle, muscle, and foot issues, and that limited his involvement during the season.

The former Feyenoord star did not hang around for the Championship campaign, though, as he moved to Bournemouth on loan for the 2023/24 term, before joining them on a permanent deal for £20m.

This meant that Leeds made a loss, albeit of only £2m, on the 25-year-old whiz, who did not do enough to help them avoid relegation in the 2022/23 season.

Things could have been different, though, if Victor Orta had been able to sign one of his alternative targets for the left wing position that summer – Cody Gakpo.

Leeds' interest in Cody Gakpo

Marsch confirmed that Leeds wanted to sign the Netherlands international during the summer of 2022 and claimed that Orta had been to meet the family after agreeing personal terms.

The saga dragged on throughout the window, however, and the Whites moved to sign Sinisterra out wide in July, before continuing to pursue Gakpo, who was once described as a “towering” presence by U23 scout Antonio Mango.

Unfortunately, though, the West Yorkshire outfit were never able to get a deal over the line for the PSV star, and it was later revealed that it was because of a hat-trick from the Eredivisie sensation.

In his documentary, Gakpo revealed that he had three options on the table; stay at PSV, move to Southampton, or move to Leeds, on the eve of a clash with Volendam.

The impressive forward told himself that he would have signed for the Saints if he scored once or Leeds if he landed a brace. Instead, he scored a hat-trick to stay with the Dutch side.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.

This means that, if the attacker was true to his word, the Whites were within one goal of him deciding to make the move to Elland Road in 2022. Instead, Sinisterra was the only left-sided forward added in the window and Gakpo went on to shine for PSV before joining Liverpool.

Cody Gakpo's current market value

At the time of writing (03/10/2024), the Reds winger now has a current market value of a whopping €55m (£46m) by Transfermarkt, having been in England since the start of last year.

Six months after Leeds were unable to secure a deal to sign the attacker from PSV at the end of the summer transfer window in 2022, Liverpool snapped him up for a fee of at least £35m in January 2023 to bolster Jurgen Klopp’s forward options.

Gakpo produced a staggering nine goals and 12 assists in 14 Eredivisie matches during the first half of that season and hit the ground running in England, with seven goals and three assists in 21 Premier League appearances.

This meant that the Dutchman racked up five more goal contributions than Sinisterra did for Leeds during the 2022/23 Premier League season, despite not moving to the country until the January transfer window.

He followed that up with 16 goals and six assists in all competitions last term for Liverpool, which included eight goals and five assists in the top-flight, which shows that the talented gem can be a reliable scorer in English football.

The 25-year-old, who has been capped 32 times by the Netherlands, was valued at €30m (£22m) by Transfermarkt in 2022 when Leeds were interested in him.

This shows that he has soared in value since the Whites missed out on him, as the forward is now worth over twice as much, and that is why he is one that got away for Orta and Marsch.

Sinisterra was the only left winger they landed instead and the club ultimately made a loss on the Colombian, who was outperformed by Gakpo in the Premier League that season.

80% duels lost: Farke must drop Leeds star to unleash teen titan instead

The Whites central defender endured a difficult night against Norwich City.

1 ByDan Emery Oct 2, 2024

While it hasn’t been disastrous, it has been a challenging start to the campaign for Arsenal this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have done reasonably well considering the calibre of opposition they have already faced in the Premier League, but injuries are starting to become a serious problem.

The North Londoners were without Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard against Liverpool, and before the game finished, they also saw Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber come off.

The small saving grace was that Bukayo Saka seems to be back to full fitness, but given his age, workload and incredible importance to the team, Edu Gaspar and Co must find another right-winger to come in and provide him with competition, which, based on recent reports, might happen next year.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Football Insider, Arsenal are interested in Brentford’s goalscoring dynamo, Bryan Mbeumo.

Former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur scout Mick Brown told the outlet that the Gunners “have been looking” at the winger and that there is a real “possibility” that they go in for his signature next year, akin to their move for Leandro Trossard in January 2023.

No price is mentioned in the story, but reports from earlier this year have suggested that the Cameroonian international could be available for a fee in the region of £50m, which would make sense due to his contract expiring in under two years.

It wouldn’t be a cheap transfer to get over the line, but given Mbeumo’s impressive form in recent months, it is worth pursuing, especially as it would also help Saka.

Why signing Mbeumo would be great for Saka

So, before looking at Mbeumo’s impressive form in the last couple of seasons, let’s examine the significant reason why his arrival would be excellent news for Saka: rest.

Yes, while fans, and Arteta for that matter, would likely love for the Englishman to play every minute of every game for the next few years, that just isn’t possible, and worse yet, it would almost certainly have a negative impact on his long-term future.

For example, the 23-year-old has already played an incredible 18289 minutes of first-team football, and by the end of his sixth full season, had played more than former wonderkids Michael Owen and Dele Alli played at the same points in their careers, and according to research from the people at OLBG, the Hale Ender could see his career go down a similar path if the manager continues to play him into the ground.

The research in question has concluded, based on the careers of other top stars and when they had to hang up their boots, that there is a chance he has already played around 53% of his projected career minutes, and while it’s obviously not a hard science, it would be foolhardy to believe the 42-capped Englishman would be immune to the eventual burnout that so many other stars have had to contend with.

So, with all of that said, it’s clear that the Gunners need another high-quality right-winger who can not only come in for games in the Englishman’s stead but also consistently push and challenge him throughout future campaigns, which is where the Brentford man comes in.

For example, the “criminally underrated” attacker, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, was sensational for the Bees last season, racking up nine goals and six assists in just 27 appearances, equating to a goal involvement once every 1.8 games.

Moreover, if a campaign like that isn’t enough to convince people, then perhaps the fact he’s already scored eight goals in ten matches this season will be.

Appearances

210

Goals

58

Assists

42

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

Ultimately, if Mbeumo were to join Arsenal next year, he would be doing so knowing that he’d mostly be a backup to Saka.

However, given how well he has played in recent years, there is no reason he couldn’t still play a significant role throughout a full season, and the fact he’d allow the Englishman to play fewer games could be a game-changer for the club in the long run.

£25m profit: Arsenal hit gold selling PL star now worth millions less

Arsenal have become much better sellers in recent years.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 29, 2024

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola will replace Rodri by promoting two current Etihad stars to bigger roles as well as a potential January signing, according to a recent report.

Rodri injury update from Man City

The Spaniard, who has been such an influential member of City’s squad in recent years, suffered a serious injury during the 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Rodri needed to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic after going down under a challenge from Thomas Partey at a corner, and it looks as if damage sustained to his right knee could be season-ending for the £220,000-a-week star.

Speaking earlier in the week, Guardiola said: “Still, we don’t have the definitive. He’ll be out for a long time, a while, but there is some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expect.

“Unfortunately he was injured. Right now, still, I cannot tell you [how long] because we’re waiting the last phone calls from him and the doctors to know exactly what, definitely, he has and the type of surgery that he has to get.”

Since then a Man City statement has read: “Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the injury and expected prognosis. Everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.”

After initial tests in Manchester, Rodri has travelled to Spain for further assessments, but in the meantime, City will have to deal without the star midfielder, with Guardiola’s plans already being shared.

Man City identify Rodri replacements

According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Guardiola is planning to use Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes in central midfield to replace Rodri throughout the season.

The injured star may not return for the rest of the campaign, and it is added that Ilkay Gundogan’s return is seen as a boost to those at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, O’Rourke also claimed that ‘Man City are also expected to evaluate the transfer market during the upcoming January window to see if there are any possible options to bolster Guardiola’s options’.

TEAMtalk goes one step further and names four potential transfer targets for City officials. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who was wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool over the summer, is thought to be one possible option.

Txiki considering £83m Man City bid to sign "exceptional" big name player

Ilkay Gundogan wants Pep Guardiola to sign him.

By
Henry Jackson

Sep 23, 2024

Meanwhile, Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella has been a player City have watched for a number of years but commands a price tag of at least £70m. Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who has previously been linked with Liverpool and Manchester United, is the third player listed, with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton the fourth and final midfielder mentioned.

Wharton’s ‘age and profile are attractive for the club and he is seen as a player who could not only fill in for Rodri but become his replacement over time’, so those four names are ones to watch in 2025, but for now, it’ll be down to Lewis and Nunes to impress in midfield, starting this weekend against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

PGMOL issue statement in response to threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver after Myles Lewis-Skelly's controversial red card.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Michael Oliver criticised for Lewis-Skelly red card
• Referee and his family sent threats on social media
• PGMOL release statement and open investigation

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Premier League referee Oliver has been the target of abuse and threats on social media after the 39-year-old made the controversial decision to show a straight red card to Arsenal defender Lewis-Skelly in the first half of the Gunners' 1-0 win over Wolves. The sending-off came for “serious foul play” after the full-back caught Matt Doherty as he started a counter after Arsenal's failed corner.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal's players were upset with the decision as Lewis-Skelly's challenge appeared to be innocuous, while manager Mikel Arteta said he was "absolutely fuming" after the game. It has now been revealed that Oliver was subjected to threats and abuse in the aftermath of the game as the PGMOL, the body responsible for referees in England, has issued a statement.

• WHAT THE PGMOL'S STATEMENT READ

  The PGMOL released a statement on Sunday evening which read: “We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal fixture.

  “No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let alone the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours.

  “The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.

  “Sadly, this is not the first time a match official has been forced to deal with threats in recent times. We will continue to support all investigations.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR OLIVER?

  Arsenal are expected to appeal the red card and will hope Lewis-Skelly can avoid a ban. In the meantime, the Gunners face Girona next in the Champions League and then take on Manchester City in the Premier League.

Perhaps it was for the best that the two thousand schoolchildren invited to watch today’s cricket at Emirates Old Trafford had gone home by three o’clock. They might well have been puzzled why a succession of Lancashire players were walking out to the middle of the lovely green field with bats when it seemed inevitable that they would have to walk back again only a few minutes later having not used them. After all, the other team’s batters had stayed there for simply ages in the morning and had kept hitting that hard ball very hard indeed.As tea-time summaries go, it would not have been too shabby. More experienced, although not necessarily more intelligent, observers might have paid tributes to the powerful striking of Essex’s Shane Snater before offering even warmer compliments to the new-ball bowling of Sam Cook and Jamie Porter, whose combined figures at tea read: 13-3-24-4. Neither had conceded a boundary or bowled a mediocre delivery. Before the Essex pair got to work, we thought this was a flattish pitch. It still is, but with Lancashire 32 for 5 in reply to Essex’s 391, the value of the new ball was being extolled even as the evening rain set in.Yet the child’s assessment is just as valid and at the risk of giving that drum a bit more hammer, the best thing to happen at Old Trafford today was that primary-school pupils watched the morning’s cricket. I say “watched” but a fair few probably divided their attention between Snater, their phones and their friends. Nevertheless, Matt Parkinson was mobbed during a break for rain and Hasan Ali happily acknowledged the hundreds of youngsters who were waving to him from the Brian Statham End.If one per cent of those enjoying their first taste of the game today have been inspired to take their interest further at a local club, the annual Schools Open Day has been a success and Lancashire’s Cricket Foundation should be warmly applauded for laying it on. Moreover, the news that Kings Rise Academy had joined with Warwickshire’s Cricket Board to deliver the largest cricket lesson in history to 650 children aged 4-11 at Edgbaston offered a further reminder of the valuable work done by the first-class counties that rarely gets much notice.That said, perhaps Dane Vilas’s players took the educational theme a little too far. “Could have done better” might have been the Old Trafford coaches’ assessment on the end of Essex’s innings, and “Couldn’t have done worse” their damning view on the start of Lancashire’s reply.Dane Vilas leads Lancashire through a guard of schoolchildren on the second day at Old Trafford•Getty Images

Certainly the visitors had the better of a rain-interrupted first session, scoring 61 runs in 12 overs for the loss of Dan Lawrence. However, it wasn’t much of a morning for Lawrence either. In addition to being caught at midwicket by James Anderson off Luke Wood for 120, he suffered a recurrence of the hamstring injury that had prevented him either playing for Essex or being selected for England.Yet by the time Lawrence limped away from this game and towards the land of scans and specialists, Snater was already coping easily with the home attack. If Tom Bailey or Luke Wood pitched the ball up Essex’s bowling all-rounder – it’s hardly a flattering term on this evidence – hit through the line. When they dug it in, he occasionally heaved it away and even collected a six over the long-stop boundary when a top edge flew many yards above Phil Salt’s head.Snater continued in similar fashion after lunch and was only seven short of the career-best 79 he made against Northamptonshire last month when he was nailed plumb in front by a good ball from Hasan. Josh Bohannon’s magnificent pick-up and direct hit from midwicket ran out Porter and thereby ended the innings three balls later but Snater’s innings had given Essex the psychological advantage.Less than an hour later, such abstract superiority had been made flesh and dwelt amongst us. Its conduits were Cook and Porter, whose use of the new ball was sixpence and spit away from perfect. Keaton Jennings came half forward to Cook in the fifth over; Peter Hartley didn’t need to think for long. Bohannon played across the line to Porter in the eighth and Steve O’Shaughnessy was similarly swift. (Thus one alumnus of Bolton’s Harper Green High School sent a fellow alumnus on his way.) Steven Croft edged the next ball low to Alastair Cook’s left at first slip. It was eminently droppable but Cook has caught those in bigger matches than this. 8 for 3.While partners came and went, Luke Wells had been defending grimly and notching singles plus a luxurious two. Then he played no shot to a ball from Cook that tailed back in. Snater replaced Porter and Vilas tried to take the bat away from his fourth ball. Instead, he inside-edged it onto the stumps. Simon Harmer came on to bowl a bit of off-spin from the Brian Statham End and Salt hit him for the first boundaries of the innings, thus sparking congas in the 1864 Suite. Well, it was either that or the case of Gewurztraminer.Salt and Wood strolled in for tea with Lancashire’s coaches perhaps reflecting that this might not have been the time to go into a game a batsman light. The umpires came in, went out and immediately came in again, not to return until the morrow. There were 46 overs to be bowled and they have trod the path to dusty death. But Essex rule the table and might even consider this game child’s play. But cricket is not that important. Either way, they’ll be whooping it up in Wormingford tonight.