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The fast bowlers have dominated the series so far but it is likely to be less seam-friendly in the series decider

Alex Malcolm21-Mar-2023

Mitchell Starc celebrates trapping Suryakumar Yadav lbw•BCCI

Big picture: Can the batters fight back?Two of the best sides in the world. Two of the deepest batting line-ups in men’s ODI cricket. Yet in the first two matches of this series, the fast bowlers dominated. It is unusual to see back-to-back ODIs in India where the team batting first have failed to reach 200. India were left shell-shocked in Visakhapatnam after a shellacking from Australia to level the series at 1-1. Mitchell Starc tore through India’s top order again taking his 9th ODI five-wicket haul. Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis also took five between them as India were routed for just 117, before Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head mowed the total down in just 11 overs to hand India their largest-ever ODI defeat in terms of balls remaining.What then is in store in Chennai infront of an expected full house? Both teams will be looking for some runs at a ground that isn’t known as a high-scoring venue. There hasn’t been an ODI played at MA Chidambaram Stadium since 2019. Australia last played here in 2017 but it was a rain-affected match.Related

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For India, it is their last ODI until the tour of the Caribbean in August and they may only have three more at home before the World Cup begins. They experimented with three spinners in the line-up in Vizag but it was their batting that let them down. Whether they reshuffle the top order, particularly to avoid being so right-hand heavy when Starc is swerving missiles into their front pads, remains to be seen. Rohit Sharma noted after the second ODI that India’s batters know what to expect from Starc and simply need to handle it better.Like India, this is one of Australia’s last opportunities on Indian soil before the World Cup although they may play a warm-up series in October. They too don’t play another ODI until a tour of South Africa in late August. Their middle order hasn’t had much of a chance to settle in this series. In game one they tried to be too aggressive following Marsh’s early onslaught and in game two they were not required. The Marsh-Head opening combination has been a roaring success but David Warner’s impending return is likely to reshape the line-up.Form guideIndia LWWWW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Australia WLWWWIn the spotlight: Suryakumar Yadav and David WarnerTwo balls, two first-ball ducks. Suryakumar Yadav has had a torrid start to this ODI series with Starc pinning him lbw twice in two deliveries with searing inswingers. Rohit has stated that he wants to give the world’s No.1 T20I batter 7 to 10 games to find his feet at ODI level. Former Australia captain Aaron Finch observed that he needed to be sharper in his first few deliveries. For as good as Suryakumar has been at T20 level, he rarely has to deal with swinging conditions but with two new balls in play in ODIs it is different to T20Is. He has twice entered when the new ball has been less than three overs old in this series and Starc has still been swinging it. He has walked out to bat inside the first three overs in three of his last six T20Is, but twice he has faced a spinner first-up bowling with the new ball. Batting No.4 in ODI cricket when the ball is swinging is a different challenge.David Warner has not played since he was subbed out of the Delhi Test with concussion. He also suffered a hairline fracture of his elbow in the same innings. Marsh has made a strong statement in his absence blasting 81 and 66 not out at the top of the order. Warner and Head have been an equally devastating opening combination sharing stands of 284, 269 and 147 in three of the seven innings they have opened together. While Warner’s Test form over recent years has waned, his white-ball returns have been outstanding during the same period. He remains committed to playing in Australia’s next two World Cups across ODI (2023) and T20I (2024) cricket. He batted for around half an hour in the nets on the eve of the match in Chennai and, if in the XI, will have a point to prove to dispel any hint of a thought that Australia might be better served with Marsh and Head remaining at the top of the order.Team news: Spin to winIndia will consider three spinners again despite the conditions conspiring against them in Vizag. They may go back to the well again with the same team to give the batting group and the three-spin combination another chance in friendlier conditions in Chennai.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav/Washington Sundar, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Mohammed SirajAustralia will continue to experiment. If Warner and Glenn Maxwell are fit both are likely to return. Warner would open and Marsh could slide to either No.3 or 4 depending on how they want to structure the middle order. Marnus Labuschagne would likely miss out. Australia could trial an all-rounder-heavy line-up again. Marcus Stoinis did not bowl in the last game which may have been in part due to workloads but also because Nathan Ellis played as a fourth specialist bowler, meaning he was not needed. Ashton Agar could be a chance if the pitch looks like it will take spin with an all-rounder at No.8, two spinners and one quick an option Australia could consider.Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Alex Carey (wk), 6 Cameron Green, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Marcus Stoinis, 9 Sean Abbott/Ashton Agar/Nathan Ellis, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditionsIt rained in Chennai on Monday which interrupted Chennai Super Kings training but it is expected to clear on Wednesday. It could be hot and humid again though so there is the prospect of more swing and seam movement available, although MA Chidambaram Stadium is known to be far more spin-friendly in limited-overs cricket in recent years, especially in the IPL.Stats and trivia India and Australia played the first ODI ever at MA Chidambaram Stadium in 1987, which was a World Cup thriller where Marsh’s father Geoff Marsh starred making 110. Australia have played four ODIs in Chennai since but only once against India. Batting second has proved very beneficial in the series so far but 13 of the 22 ODIs in Chennai have been won by the side batting first. But West Indies beat India chasing in the last ODI here in 2019. KL Rahul has 1954 runs in 50 ODI innings. If he scores another 46 on Sunday, he will be the joint second-fastest Indian behind Shikhar Dhawan (48 innings) to reach the landmark. Smith is 61 short of 5000 runs in the format. If he gets there in his next innings, he will be the joint second-fastest for Australia.

She is excited with new partnership alongside coach Rachael Haynes, and says she feels no pressure as one of five WPL captains

S Sudarshanan03-Mar-2023

Mooney will be captain at the inaugural WPL game on Saturday•AFP/Getty Images

Having always wanted a women’s tournament on the lines of the IPL, Australia batter Beth Mooney was delighted at being picked up by Gujarat Giants at the WPL auction. But a call from former India captain Mithali Raj, Giants’ mentor, asking her to be the captain was not something Mooney expected.”When I got bid on in the auction, I was just happy to be a part of it and captaincy wasn’t something that was on my radar,” Mooney said on the eve of the WPL opener against Mumbai Indians at DY Patil Stadium. “Mithali gave me a phone call and said ‘we’d like you to do it [captaincy] and we’re happy if you want to. So just let us know’. After a couple of conversations with Rachael [Haynes, head coach] after that, we both thought that the time was right for me to challenge myself within cricket.”Related

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Mooney, who landed in India and joined the squad only on Wednesday, will be captaining at the top level for the first time. She has stood in as a skipper for Queensland Fire in the Women’s NCL and for Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, but never captained a T20 side at a higher stage. Giants also have a first-time coach in Haynes, who only retired from all formats after the previous WBBL season. Mooney, who is fresh of a player-of-the-match performance in Australia’s sixth Women’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday, said she trusted the judgement of her former Australian team-mate and was looking forward to the experience.”I know Rachael Haynes quite well [and it is good] to be able to work pretty close with her,” she said. “She is in her first ever job as a head coach. I haven’t done a lot of captaincy recently but I did a fair bit when I was younger. I have got a little bit of experience. I trust Rach and her judgement and so I was more than happy to help her out.”One of the added challenges of captaining a franchise team in the WPL for Mooney will be to know and get the best of the Indian players at Giants’ disposal. She had a run through about the squad with Haynes and had inputs from Raj. More importantly, Mooney was firm on instilling the brave and never-say-die attitude in the players that Australia, who now have won a hat-trick of T20 World Cups for the second time, are known for.Since their semi-final exit in the Women’s ODI World Cup of 2017, Australia have won the T20 World Cups in 2018, 2020 – where Mooney was the player of the tournament – and 2023, along with the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2022 and the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Teams at the WPL will play each other twice in the league stage and Mooney said that it’s maintaining momentum was important, and the fate of a team is not necessarily decided in the opening fixtures.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“It’s just about understanding that these tournaments are not won or lost in the first couple of games,” she said. “We see teams around the world and domestically back in Australia that you can lose momentum quickly if you let a couple of losses derail the group. It’s all about grabbing that momentum as well. I think only way you can do that is being calm under pressure and taking the braver option always. I’ll try and instil that in the group as much as I can.”I’d rather see someone go out and try something they have been working on in training and perhaps get out, than go back into shell especially with the bat and same with the ball. They can try a change-up or a slower ball when the game is on the line. They might miss it slightly, but they tried their skill and nearly executed it. That goes a long way into then get it right if they don’t get right at first.”Having joined the group only recently, Mooney hoped to rely on the judgement of the coaching staff for the first couple of games before really adding her flavour.Having been picked up at an auction price of INR 2 crore, she also brushed aside the added pressure of the price tag and said, “I am not sure there is much more pressure. I shouldn’t be playing if I put pressure on myself to perform. There’s nothing no one else can put on me more than I put on myself.”

Bangladesh were never really in the chase and limped along to 189

Mohammad Isam08-Jul-2023

Ibrahim Zadran celebrates his fourth ODI century•AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan lorded over Bangladesh in a 142-run win in the second match in Chattogram, completing their first bilateral ODI series win against this side. Rahmanullah Gurbaz blazed 145 while Ibrahim Zadran glided to 100 as they added a record opening stand of 256 runs in a powerful start.The home side were no match for the visitors’ formidable 331-9, stopped at 189 for 9 in 43.2 overs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Fazalhaq Farooqi ensured Bangladesh’s chase never took off, taking three wickets each while and Rashid Khan picked up two wickets. It is Afghanistan’s biggest win against Bangladesh in ODIs.Gurbaz and Zadran also put on Afghanistan’s highest ODI partnership for any wicket, beating the 218 put on by Karim Sadiq and Mohammad Shahzad for the second wicket against Scotland in 2010. Bangladesh’s bowlers did mount a fightback in the last 14 overs of the Afghanistan innings, taking nine wickets for 75 runs. But it was never enough after the big opening stand.Gurbaz and Zadran teed off from the word go, hitting eight boundaries in the first Powerplay. This included Gurbaz’s first sixes, off Mustafizur Rahman, a straight six over the bowler’s head, and a powerful pull, both in the eighth over. Zadran survived a tough chance in the following over when Towhid Hridoy couldn’t latch on to a tough chance running in from long-off.Another spate of eight boundaries in the next ten overs followed, as the power hitting got even more spectacular. Gurbaz hoisted Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz for three sixes during this phase. Their 100-run partnership came up in the 15th over; it was the first opening century stand against Bangladesh since the 2019 World Cup.Rashid Khan castled Towhid Hridoy with a wrong’un•AFP/Getty Images

Gurbaz pressed ahead with the big-hitting as he raced to his fourth ODI century. He got it with a single off Shakib, having already struck six of his eight sixes, and eight boundaries in the run-a-ball century. It was a long celebration from the Afghanistan wicketkeeper as he soaked up the applause of an enthralled stadium.Zadran got struck with his first six around the same time, as the pair ramped up the pressure on the Bangladesh bowlers. From the 31st over till Gurbaz got out, the pair added 69 runs in the next six overs. Gurbaz cracked Mustafizur for a four and a six, before blazing four boundaries in an Ebadot Hossain over. Gurbaz’s last six came off Najmul Hossain Shanto, before he fell to Shakib in the 37th over.The first wicket triggered Afghanistan into a batting collapse as the subsequent batters only tried big hits. Rahmat Shah, despite surviving an easy run out when Mushfiqur crashed into the stumps before completing the run-out, pulled one to Mustafizur Rahman at fine-leg, off Ebadot.Mehidy Hasan Miraz got captain Hashmatullah Shahidi bowled for two in the following over, before he removed Najibullah Zadran caught at long-on in the 44th over. Ibrahim Zadran got out shortly after reaching his century, caught top edging a pull off Mustafizur Rahman. Shakib had Rashid Khan stumped for six, before the tail caved, unable to support Mohammad Nabi who was stranded on an unbeaten 25 off 15 balls.Mustafizur, Mehidy and Shakib pulled things back really well, conceding just 41 runs in nine overs out of the last 14 overs. They also picked two wickets each. Hasan Mahmud also took two wickets while Ebadot picked up one scalp.Bangladesh’s batters hardly made any headway in that late momentum grab by their bowlers. Fazalhaq Farooqi removed both openers Litton Das and Mohammad Naim in the first nine overs. The left-arm quick cramped Litton in the fifth over, as the Bangladesh captain top edged a pull shot to Nabi at short midwicket. Naim played on to his stumps against a Farooqi short ball.In between these two wickets, Mujeeb bowled the delivery of the ODI series; the 100kph delivery zeroing on middle-stump before sharply moving to hit Shanto’s off-stump.A brief resistance followed but Rashid ended Bangladesh’s hopes with two beautiful googlies. The first was a peach that nipped through Towhid Hridoy’s forward prod. He misread the hand, ending up bowled for 16. Afif got a googly first ball, edging it to Nabi at slip.In between these two wickets, Nabi accounted for Shakib’s wicket in the 18th over. The allrounder missed an arm ball that swung into him, having made 25 off 29 balls.Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehidy added 87 runs for the seventh wicket, but once they were separated in the 37th over, the Bangladesh tail caved in quickly. Mushfiqur was the last wicket to fall, when he pulled a catch to give Farooqi his third wicket, and Afghanistan the series.

He had played just four T20 innings before this and is the latest unknown entity from MI’s scouting stable

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Mar-2024

Naman Dhir scored a quick 20 off 10 balls in his debut IPL game•BCCI

Mumbai Indians have played some of the most iconic T20 batters at No. 3 over the years, from Suryakumar Yadav to Rohit Sharma to Cameron Green. On Sunday night against Gujarat Titans, out walked Naman Dhir at No. 3 when Ishan Kishan fell in the first over of the chase of 169.It was just the sixth T20 game of Dhir’s professional career and he is yet to play a 50-over game in domestic cricket. What was he doing in the IPL then for the five-time champions?Bought for INR 20 lakh at the last auction, Dhir is the latest unknown entity from MI’s scouting stable. He is 24, a hard-hitting batter from Punjab. Known for hitting big sixes down the ground, his four T20 innings before this had earned him just 39 runs since his T20 debut a few months ago in November, with a high score of 17. For Punjab too, he has mostly batted at No. 3 in his fledgling career so far. In the Ranji Trophy, he has two centuries from 20 innings – both from last season – from 14 games for an average of 30.21.Related

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It was in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cup – a state T20 league organised by the Punjab Cricket Association – in August last year that he made himself noticed with his hitting exploits. In 12 innings in that tournament, Dhir smashed 466 runs (second-highest) at a strike rate of 192.56 while averaging 42.36. He scored two centuries along the way – 127 off 56 and 105 off 44 – which included a total of 30 sixes.On Sunday, he smoked three back-to-back fours against Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and a six in the same over. Dhir lofted the first ball of the third over over mid-off, the second over midwicket and the third (after a wide) for a one-bounce four to the square-leg boundary. A dot ball later, Dhir clobbered a half-volley over long-off for an 86-meter six. Omarzai, however, fought back on the last ball of the over by trapping Dhir lbw with the help of a review.”He came out and he was very expressive. Again that lofted shot, you have got to be excited about these things,” Kieron Pollard, Mumbai batting coach, said after the match. “I thought he had a lot more to offer, his calmness even when we lost that first wicket, to continue that intent is a good start for him. This is only the start, at the end of it he scored 20 odd, let’s give him that space, let him enjoy the moment, it’s a big occasion for these guys. As a franchise we’ll continue to unearth new talent. In the future we can continue with continuity as we go along.”Kudos to the scouts, all the guys who work behind the scenes to unearth these sorts of talent within in India. He was one on our radar. He has been in the Mumbai setup over the last couple of months, going to England on a developmental tour. So, it’s something we would’ve seen in that guy.”Mumbai would have thought Dhir did his job with a 10-ball 20, but they eventually fell short by just six runs in the end.

Sussex struggle for inroads without Robinson after choosing to bowl first

ECB Reporters Network12-Apr-2024

Rishi Patel muscles the ball leg side•Getty Images

Having lost the toss, Leicestershire will be the more satisfied with the position of the match after finishing on 326 for eight on day one of their Division Two match against Sussex in the Vitality County Championship.Three Leicestershire batters made half-centuries, 2023 county player-of-the-year Rishi Patel hitting 12 fours and two sixes in a fluid 87. Australia’s Peter Handscomb contributed a steady 51 while all-rounder Liam Trevaskis is 82 not out on his county debut.Sussex had the home side 63 for three midway through the morning session on a green-tinged pitch but were not able to press home their advantage.They used eight different bowlers, although not their England quick Ollie Robinson, who is being rested for this round. Fynn Hudson-Prentice (three for 50) was the pick of them.Patel, who hit 1,075 Championship runs last summer, might be considered unlucky not to have earned an England Lions call-up for the tour of India at the start of this year. The right-hander is a pleasing player to watch, an elegant shot-maker but with an aggressive mindset, just the kind of qualities the senior England set-up have been keen to promote.On a pitch that did not appear to be offering as much to the bowlers as Sussex might have anticipated when they opted to bowl first, he wasted little time in making his presence felt, rattling off seven boundaries in the opening 10 overs against the new Kookaburra as he and Marcus Harris put on 59 in 61 deliveries before Sussex achieved their first breakthrough.His own half-century, which he reached with six over long-on off the medium pace of Tom Haines, came from 59 deliveries. In another burst of boundaries as he and Leicestershire’s other Australian, Peter Handscomb, added 78 for the fourth wicket, he greeted the introduction of left-arm spinner James Coles with a second six down the ground.Patel converted half of his fifties to hundreds last season and will doubtless feel he should have made this one count for more. He fell five overs after lunch when, having been frustrated by a sequence of tidy overs, he was tempted by a short ball from Danny Lamb and gloved a relatively easy leg-side catch to John Simpson behind the stumps.Sussex’s three morning successes with the ball had come in a cluster. Ari Karvelas, in for Robinson, found just enough off the pitch to have Harris caught behind. Two overs later, Fynn Hudson-Prentice marked his entry into the attack by taking wickets with his second and third balls, bringing one back to uproot Louis Kimber’s off stump and then bowling Lewis Hill with a delivery that seemed to keep quite low.Patel’s demise ushered in Trevaskis for his debut innings. The left-handed all-rounder moved to Grace Road over the winter in search of more red-ball game time after his opportunities with Durham dried up, so he has something of a point to prove.In that context he made a good first impression, providing solid support for Handscomb in a stand that added 65 for the fifth wicket, and helping Ben Cox rebuild after the Australian was bowled by off-spinner Jack Carson, beaten in the flight attempting to slog-sweep.Trevaskis helped eke out a further 49 with Cox before the latter, driving lavishly, bottom-edged into his stumps, and 43 with Ben Mike, who was caught-and-bowled off a leading edge after the second new ball had been taken. Tom Scriven was well caught at midwicket as Hudson-Prentice picked up a third wicket inside the last four overs of the day.Cox’s demise provided a wicket for Tom Clark, the opening bat, who had not previously bowled his medium pace since September 2022 because of injury.With no Rehan Ahmed in this match – the leg-spinning all-rounder is understood to be undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca – and fast bowler Chris Wright again missing for personal reasons, Leicestershire will hope left-arm spinner Trevaskis can also prove his value with the ball.

Everton picked up an important point at home against Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime, drawing 1-1 with Mikel Arteta’s side. In the final clash between the two English heavyweights at Goodison Park, the Gunners took a first-half lead thanks to a goal from Leandro Trossard.

However, a second-half penalty from attacking midfielder Iliman Ndiaye equalised for the Toffees. It was a controversial decision, too. Myles Lewis-Skelly tumbled into Jack Harrison and brought him down in the box, which was deemed a foul. Ndiaye stepped up and coolly slotted home into the bottom right corner.

It was not a game in which centre-forwards thrived, with Beto not registering a shot and Trossard just three, as per Sofascore. Indeed, a former striker of both clubs, Francis Jeffers, might not have fared better.

Jeffers’ time at Everton

Everton manager David Moyes is now into his second spell as Everton manager, after an 11-year stint between 2002 and 2013. In that time, he worked with some talented attacking players, including the likes of Wayne Rooney, to whom he gave his first team debut.

However, none may be as polarising as Jeffers. The Liverpool-born striker turned into something of a journeyman throughout his career after breaking through at Goodison Park. He impressed in his first few seasons for the club, scoring 18 goals, prompting Arsenal to buy him in 2001 for £10m, including add-ons.

However, for an Arsenal side looking to compete on all fronts, Jeffers struggled, scoring eight times in 39 appearances across two full seasons. Everton brought him back to the club on loan in 2003/04 under Moyes, but it didn’t quite work out.

The former England international played 22 times under the legendary Scottish boss but only managed to score twice, neither of which came in the Premier League. In fact, Jeffers’ two goals both came against Fulham, in the FA Cup fourth round and the resulting replay, which the Toffees lost.

Sadly, Jeffers’ move back to Goodison Park did not go to plan, and he never regained the form he showed in his early career. There is certainly an argument to be made that Moyes is seeing a repeat of that loan move in his current Everton side.

The Everton star who is Moyes’ new Jeffers

Everton signed Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea on deadline day last summer. It was a last-gasp deal for the Albanian striker, who seemed destined to join Ipswich Town before the Toffees snapped him up. However, just as Jeffers struggled on loan at Everton from a ‘big six’ club, Broja has also not had an easy time of things.

In truth, things have not really worked out for the exciting youngster at Goodison Park. He has unfortunately struggled with injuries as an Everton player, suffering from an Achilles tendon issue and an ankle problem.

During his time at the club so far, the 23-year-old has managed just nine appearances, with just two of those coming from the start. He has also played just three games under Moyes so far, but with his return to fitness, he could well be in line for his first start under the Scot before too long.

In top-flight football, Broja has shown that he can be clinical in front of goal. Described as a “complete forward” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, the Albania international has scored eight goals in the Premier League and ten strikes for Vitesse in the Eredivisie during a loan spell four years ago.

Broja record per season in top-flight football

Club

Competition (season)

Games

Goals

Minutes

Chelsea

Premier League (2019/20)

1

0

4

Vitesse

Eredivise (2020/21)

30

10

1875

Southampton

Premier League (2021/22)

32

6

1981

Chelsea

Premier League (2022/23)

12

1

287

Chelsea

Premier League (2023/24)

13

1

453

Fulham

Premier League (2023/24)

8

0

81

Everton

Premier League (2024/25)

8

0

205

Stats from Transfermarkt

As the video below from his time at Southampton shows, the 23-year-old is a composed finisher in the penalty box, capable of scoring from all different angles. He is also a true goal-poacher and is able to sniff out chances from nowhere.

It has not worked out for Broja at Everton yet due to the injuries from which he has suffered. However, if he can rediscover his best form towards the end of the season, they could have a deadly striker on their hands.

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Liverpool are eyeing up a move for a “world-class” Bayern Munich player in the summer transfer window, according to an intriguing new update.

Salah signs Liverpool deal and Van Dijk should be next

It has been a positive week at Anfield, with Mohamed Salah finally putting pen to paper on a new contract that will see him remain a Reds player until the end of the 2026/27 season.

There is no guarantee that Salah will leave Liverpool at that point, but he will be about to turn 35 years of age when that time arrives, and will have spent a decade at the club, becoming one of the greatest players in their history.

It’s now a case of the Reds trying to tie down Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk to new deals as well, with the pair both out of contract this summer. For the former, a move to Real Madrid does feel more likely than him staying, but the hope is that he realises he can’t leave his boyhood club.

As for Van Dijk, recent claims have suggested that it is only a matter of time until Liverpool’s captain does the same as Salah, which would be another massive boost for Arne Slot.

Liverpool eyeing move for "world-class" winger

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are eyeing a summer move for Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, seeing him as a strong option to bolster their attack:

“Liverpool are actually interested in him. He’s on the shortlist. It’s not to the point where there are negotiations or offers yet, but they’re monitoring his situation, especially after he’s Bayern’s number one sales candidate. Not because they don’t appreciate him, but because they can see him bringing in money.”

While Coman’s injuries are “one of the considerations” for Liverpool to think about, Falk added that “he would fit in really well” at Anfield.

The £284,000-a-week Frenchman could be such an exciting addition, possessing so much attacking threat and experience at the highest level.

Coman scored the only goal in the 2020 Champions League final for Bayern, edging them past Paris Saint-Germain, and former manager Julian Nagelsmann was a big admirer of the winger, saying:

“One of the keys today was Kingsley Coman’s world-class defensive interception at the start of the game. He’s had an incredible energetic performance. Hats off! King opened the door for us.”

At 28, Coman isn’t necessarily getting any younger, however, so Liverpool may be wiser to look at younger alternatives, especially given his wages.

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That said, if a scenario occurred where the France international came in as an upgrade on Luis Diaz, for example, he could be an excellent signing, having bagged 69 goals and assists apiece in 329 appearances for Bayern.

Liverpool are believed to be interested in signing an “extraordinary” attacking talent this summer, but it would be a seriously controversial piece of business.

Liverpool one win from Premier League title glory

The Reds are now just one victory away from being crowned Premier League champions for the second time, following Sunday’s 1-0 win away to Leicester City.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s second-half strike proved to be the difference between the two teams, with Liverpool’s vice-captain coming off the substitutes’ bench to fire home the winner, celebrating in style in the process.

Some Reds supporters feel hopeful that the passionate nature of Alexander-Arnold’s celebration means he is staying put this summer, but he remained coy in his post-match interview, suggesting that a move to Real Madrid still feels most likely at the end of the season.

Liverpool can actually be confirmed as champions without playing this week, but only if Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening. If that doesn’t happen, glory can be secured against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Now, a transfer rumoured has dropped that could cause a huge stir in the summer window.

Liverpool linked with "extraordinary" former Manchester United attacker

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are interested in signing former Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood this summer and are ‘willing to launch a multi-million-pound offensive’.

The 23-year-old is now plying his trade at Ligue 1 side Marseille after some serious off-field issues saw United dispose of him. The Reds are reportedly willing to pay as much as £68.5m for his services.

Greenwood has enjoyed a good season with Marseille, scoring 18 goals in 28 starts in the league, being praised by journalist Daniel Riolo: “Greenwood, in terms of pure qualities, over the first three games, is perhaps the best player in Ligue 1. We know his history but we’re going to talk about the pitch and on the pitch he’s extraordinary. He’s almost above Ligue 1.”

Despite the clear ability that Greenwood possesses, however, having burst onto the scene as a talented youngster at United, this is a move that surely cannot happen at Liverpool for various reasons.

For starters, the Englishman’s aforementioned off-field troubles led to the Red Devils selling him, so for the Reds to snap him up would be a bad look for the image of the club, which has generally been squeaky clean under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot.

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There is also the small matter of Greenwood being a former United player, which would also be controversial in its own right, so frankly, it is a transfer that Liverpool shouldn’t even be considering this summer.

While it’s impossible to deny that for large parts of this season, Arsenal haven’t performed to the standards they’ve set in previous years, they have also been quite unlucky regarding injuries.

Specifically, in late December, Mikel Arteta lost his best player and talisman to a severe hamstring injury that kept him out of the side for almost four months: Bukayo Saka.

The best way to demonstrate what a difference having the Hale Ender in the side could have made in that period is to look at his outrageous output, as despite missing so much football this season, he’s still managed to score 11 goals and provided 14 assists in 33 games, at an average of a goal involvement every 1.32 games.

So, with the Englishman unquestionably being the Gunners’ most important player, it would make sense to sign players who would make great teammates for him, which, based on recent reports, seems to be the opinion of Andrea Berta and Co.

Arsenal transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it is worth looking at some of the other stars Arsenal are looking at who could help Saka reach that next level by improving the left-hand side, such as Jamie Gittens and Raphinha.

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The former has recently popped up as a target for the Gunners and could be available for around £51m, which for a youngster who’s scored at the Bernabeu and has racked up a haul of 17 goal involvements this season and could prove a worthwhile investment.

Likewise, while the reported price tag of £77m for the Barcelona star is indeed steep, he would undoubtedly be worth it, as in just 52 games this season, he has managed to rack up an unreal haul of 57 goal involvements.

Yet, what would likely help Saka more than anything else is signing a new striker, which is where Liam Delap enters the fray.

According to a recent report from Football Transfers, Arsenal are now incredibly interested in the Ipswich Town striker, with Andrea Berta particularly keen.

Furthermore, it’s moved beyond just an interest, with the report revealing that the club have now made an offer for the Englishman, who has a £30m release clause in his deal following the confirmation of the Tractor Boys’ relegation.

He might not be the biggest of names, but given how well he’s performed this season and his potential, Delap is someone worth signing, especially as he’d be a dream for Saka.

Why Delap would be a dream for Saka

Now, there are a few reasons why Delap would be a dream signing for Saka this summer, but they ultimately boil down to his ability in front of goal, as the Arsenal winger would surely thrive with a more clinical striker to his left.

We feel comfortable calling the Englishman more clinical than the Gunners’ current options up top, as it’s a statement more than backed up by the numbers.

For example, Understat has worked out that his 12 league goals this season have come from an expected goals figure of just 11.85, which, in other words, means he’s actually outperforming his underlying numbers.

Delap vs Havertz vs Jesus

Players

xGoals

Goals

Delap

11.85

12

Havertz

11.76

9

Jesus

3.38

3

All Stats via Understat

In contrast, prior to his injury, Kai Havertz scored his nine league goals from an expected goals figure of 11.76, and Gabriel Jesus scored his three goals from an expected figure of 3.38.

On top of being better at putting away his chances, of which he’d be provided plenty from the Hale Ender, the 22-year-old marksman is more than capable of creating his own chances.

For example, FBref places the “complete” forward, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, in the top 8% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons, the top 9% for shot-creating actions from successful take-ons, the top 10 % for carries into the final third and more, all per 90.

So not only would he help boost the Arsenal ace’s assist tally, but the attacking “monster” – in the words of Ipswich podcast Mark Heath – would almost certainly boost his goal output as well.

Ultimately, from price to goals and his ability to get the ball into dangerous areas, Delap seems like an ideal signing for Arsenal and, just as importantly, someone who’d be a sensational teammate for Saka.

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Manchester City will stop at nothing this summer to build a side which is capable of winning both the Champions League and Premier League once again.

Pep Guardiola will be losing Kevin De Bruyne when the season finishes, but he is already eyeing up a move for Florian Wirtz or Morgan Gibbs-White to replace him.

Elsewhere, several ageing City stars could find their positions in the squad under threat when the transfer window opens as a summer overhaul is needed.

Could the manager turn to Spain in order to further bolster his team?

Man City now want to sign Real Madrid superstar

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid could be willing to sell Rodrygo, but only if the price is right. If a club bids €100m (£85m), then it appears Los Blancos will cash in on the Brazilian, and he isn’t short of admirers.

Indeed, City, Liverpool and PSG are all keen on snapping up the forward this summer in a bid to improve their own squads.

Despite having a contract until 2028, the expected arrival of Xabi Alonso as manager could see Rodrygo moving away from the Spanish capital.

Bringing in a new forward or two could certainly help Guardiola revitalise this area of his team. Omar Marmoush may have only joined in January, but Rodrygo could be an instant upgrade for him.

Why Man City must sign Rodrygo this summer

Since making the move to Spain from Brazil in 2019, the 24-year-old has been a consistent figure for Madrid over the previous six years.

During that time, he has registered 118 goal contributions – 68 goals and 50 assists – across 267 games. His performances have helped the club win two La Liga crowns as well as winning the Champions League in 2022 and 2024.

Rodrygo’s stats for Real Madrid this season

Metric

Champions League

La Liga

Goals

5

6

Shots per game

2.1

1.8

Assists

2

5

Big chances created

2

5

Successful dribbles per game

1.5

1.6

Via Sofascore

Fluid across the front three, Rodrygo is perhaps best on the right flank, but he could also offer plenty on the left or through the middle.

Lauded as “world-class” by Luka Modric, the former Gremio man could be an instant upgrade on Marmoush for Guardiola heading into next season. As indicated above, he has repeatedly delivered the goods at the elite level for a number of years now, while it was just under two years ago that Marmoush was allowed to walk out of Wolfsburg for nothing.

Indeed, in domestic and European competitions this season, Rodrygo has registered more touches in the attacking third (1161 vs 870) than Marmoush, while also registering a higher percentage of successful take-ons (47.2% vs 39.5%) and more carries into the final third (124 vs 82).

The Egyptian might have scored more goals this season, with Rodrygo not hitting the heights of the previous few campaigns. But perhaps a fresh start is required, especially as Madrid have largely underperformed as a whole throughout 2024/25.

By signing the Brazilian star, Guardiola would be bringing in a player who has seen and done it all on the club scene. He would help revive Erling Haaland, especially if operating in a wide position, which could be another bonus for the manager.

Transfer Focus

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

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Spending £85m on one target might not be ideal. But for that price, City might have a great chance of claiming back the Premier League title.

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