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كشفت تقارير صحفية ضربة قوية لنادي ليفربول فيما يخص تعرض أحد لاعبي الفريق لإصابة قوية، ستجبره على الخضوع لعملية جراحية، مما يعني ابتعاده عن الملاعب لفترة طويلة.

ويعاني ليفربول مؤخرًا من سوء النتائج، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ودوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث خسر في 3 مباريات متتالية ضد كريستال بالاس وجالطة سراي وتشيلسي.

بخلاف ذلك، هناك معاناة أخرى في صفوف ليفربول على صعيد الإصابات، حيث سبق وأن تعرض كونور برادلي وجيريمي فريمبونج لمشاكل عضلية، في حين عانى أليسون بيكر من إصابة في أوتار الركبة مؤخرًا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. روبي فاولر: ما يحدث تجاه ليفربول حاليًا يثير جنوني

بينما تعرض اللاعب الشاب جيوفاني ليوني لتمزق في الرباط الصليبي الأمامي في مشاركته الأولى مع ليفربول، ضد ساوثهامبتون في كأس كاراباو.

ولكن هناك قلق جديد في ليفربول، حسبما ذكرت شبكة “anfieldindex” الإنجليزية، حيث يعاني المهاجم الشاب جايدن دانس من إصابة خطيرة.

وتعرض جايدن دانس لإصابة على مستوى أوتار الركبة، قبل أسبوعين، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي تحت 21 عامًا بين ليفربول وإيبسويتش تاون.

وقالت الشبكة أنه بناءً على مصادر داخل ليفربول، فإن دانس يعاني من إصابة خطيرة للغاية، حيث هناك اعتقاد بكون عضلة الفخذ الخلفية قد تمزقت وانفصلت عن العظم.

وأشارت إلى إن جايدن دانس سيحتاج إلى الخضوع لعملية جراحية، ومن ثم فإن فترة غيابه ستطول.

وسيمثل ذلك الخبر ضربة قوية، سواء لفريق الشباب في ليفربول أو الفريق الأول، حيث شارك مع الأخير في 10 مباريات وسجل 3 أهداف، ولعب مباراة ساوثهامبتون في دور الـ32 من كأس كاراباو مؤخرًا.

Celtic still have plenty of time left to dip into the market to improve their squad for the 2024/26 campaign before the summer transfer window closes at the start of next month.

Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to add more quality to his options across the park in the coming weeks, particularly in the attacking areas of the pitch.

Speaking earlier this month, the Northern Irish head coach said: “The squad will hopefully look again different come the end of the window.

“I think it’s very clear. We need to improve in the front end of the pitch. The attacking department has always, and always will be, the strengths of my teams. We’ve lost important players in that area, and we need to replace players in that area.”

As you can see in the post above, Rodgers confirmed back in May that Portuguese winger Jota is set to be out of action for up to nine months with a knee injury.

This means that Celtic supporters may not see the former Benfica starlet out on the pitch in green and white again until January or February of next year.

Why Celtic need to replace Jota

The Scottish Premiership champions need to sign another left-sided attacker before the window slams shut to ‘replace’ Jota, because he could be out for more than half of the season.

Celtic’s rather drab 1-0 win over St Mirren, decided by a deflected strike from Luke McCowan, highlighted the need for attacking reinforcements to come through the door in the weeks to come.

Rodgers would surely have loved to have had Jota available to bring off the bench, or start, to add some attacking quality in the final third, after the winger delivered four goals and two assists in seven league starts in the second half of last season.

24/25 Premiership	Jota (per 90)	Percentile rank vs wingers
Goals	0.63	Top 6%
xG	0.48	Top 8%
Assists	0.32	Top 17%
xA	0.37	Top 8%
Chances created	1.89	Top 25%
Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Jota hit the ground running in the Premiership after his return to Glasgow from Rennes in January, ranking highly among his positional peers as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the left flank.

The Portuguese star is a winger who has the ability to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch on a regular basis, which is why his injury came as such a big blow for the Hoops and Rodgers, and why he has to be replaced.

Daizen Maeda is currently the only fit and available senior left winger in the first-team squad, and James Forrest, 34, was the only winger of any description on the bench at all against St Mirren.

This is why the Hoops must dip into the market to sign a player who can fill the gap left by Jota’s injury, to ensure that Rodgers is not left without adequate resources out wide until next year.

Transfer Focus

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

TEAMtalk recently reported that Brondby winger Clement Bischoff has emerged as a key target for Celtic, as they plan to bring in two more wingers before the end of the window.

The outlet claimed that the Danish youngster is available for a fee of around £6.3m, but that they could also face competition from Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Why Celtic should sign Clement Bischoff

Celtic should push to win the race for the 19-year-old talent’s signature this summer because they could finally replace the injured Jota by bringing him to Parkhead.

Bischoff could be the perfect signing to fill the specific need of this signing. He is a young player who may not expect to start every single game straight away, at the age of 19, which means that Jota’s return from injury may not cause problems in the squad.

Whereas, having Jota, Maeda, and another senior left-sided attacker who wants to start every week could cause problems and leave Rodgers in a difficult situation.

This means that Bischoff could fit the bill perfectly by coming in to play important minutes in the first half of the season, before moving to more of a back-up role when the Portuguese forward is back, learning from him to aid his own development.

The teenage whiz, who was described as a “flamboyant” and “technical dribbler” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has also shown enough quality in his time with Brondby to suggest that he can provide quality to Celtic straight away.

Extraordinarily, Bischoff has already created 24 chances and five ‘big chances’ in six games in all competitions in the 2025/26 campaign for the Danish side, playing on the left of a front three.

24/25 Superliga	Clement Bischoff
Appearances	29
Goals	2
Big chances created	9
Key passes per game	1.5
Assists	3
Dribbles completed per game	1.6
Dribble success rate	52%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the teenager only managed two goals and three assists at league level for Brondby last season, but all of his starts came as a left wing-back.

The Danish side have utilised him as a winger, instead of as a wing-back, at the start of this season and he has already produced one goal and one assist in three Superliga games.

This shows that he can provide more quality offensively when used on the wing, but it also shows that he is a versatile player who could be used in other positions down the left by Rodgers when needed.

Therefore, Bischoff could be a brilliant addition to the Celtic squad as a quality and versatile young player who could make an instant impact, whilst also having the potential to complement Jota when he is back fit and available.

Celtic could unlock Idah's full potential with swoop for "exciting" £5m gem

Celtic could help to unlock Adam Idah’s full potential by signing this reported transfer target.

1

By
Dan Emery

Aug 7, 2025

Scott Boland is the reserve fast bowler in a 13-player squad to face India in Perth

Andrew McGlashan09-Nov-20242:20

Malcolm: ‘McSweeney could be a future captain if he finds his feet’

Nathan McSweeney will open the batting for Australia in the first Test against India in Perth having won the race to partner Usman Khawaja while Josh Inglis has been included as the reserve batter in a 13-player squad.McSweeney had firmed as the favourite for the vacant role in recent weeks and though he couldn’t convert two starts against India A at the MCG – where he made 14 and 25 on a tricky pitch opening for the first time his first-class career – he has been preferred ahead of specialist openers including Marcus Harris who does not even make the squad.Related

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“I’ve been able to perform pretty consistently over the past couple of years in Shield cricket. I feel like my game is constantly getting better and improving,” McSweeney said. “I feel like I’m playing probably the best cricket I have. It’s nice to spend some time in the middle against India A in Mackay and here at the MCG and feel like my game’s ready.”McSweeney was only given the word by national selector George Bailey after the end of the second A game at the MCG. “There’s been a lot of talk about it, didn’t really know until I finally got the word, still probably hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” he said. “Getting a lot of nice messages. Very lucky and grateful for the opportunity.”One of those messages was from Marnus Labuschagne, who has been a mentor to McSweeney from his days with Queensland and with who there are often comparisons.”That was a nice phone call to Marnus last night as well. He’s super chuffed for me, and I’m thankful for his knowledge and the way he’s helped me through the start of my career,” McSweeney said. “At times I probably look similar, and I like to think I’ve got my own way of playing, but definitely using Marnus as a resource, that’s been very helpful for me.”Despite just one match at the top of the order, there is confidence McSweeney is ready for the role. “He’s a player whose growth is on a great trajectory, a very organised, composed player at the crease who has a game that will suit Test cricket,” Bailey said.For McSweeney, very little changes. “Other than walk out one position earlier than I normally do, my prep is the exact same,” he said. “I trained with the new ball batting at three, and you can be in there in the first over of the game.”As expected, Scott Boland takes his place as the back-up quick bowler behind captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the first Test at Optus Stadium which begins on November 22.The decisions taken by the selectors follows their recent mantra of picking the best six batters rather than focusing too heavily on the positions they traditionally occupy. The vacancy at the top of the order arose after the decision to move Steven Smith back to No. 4 following his four-Test stay earlier this year after the retirement of David Warner.Overall in first-class cricket McSweeney averages 38.16 with six centuries in 34 matches but over the last two years that average rises to 43.44 with all his hundreds coming during that period. In a sign of his standing among the selectors he was handed Australia A captaincy before he led his state, South Australia.Harris looked to have made a strong case for selection with a hard-fought 74 in the first innings against India A in Melbourne but it wasn’t enough to return him to the Test fold. Sam Konstas sealed victory in the match with a fine innings at No. 4 but after early-season excitement with his twin hundreds against South Australia it has been decided it is a little too early for the 19-year-old. Cameron Bancroft’s horror run of form meant he drifted well out of contention but Bailey insisted he and Harris remained in the selectors’ thoughts.”It’s a tough one because whenever the information is first given it potentially feels hollow that they’ve been overlooked again,” Bailey said. “But as I said its just to be really clear to them that not being selected is not us saying that we don’t think you aren’t a good player, we just have to make a decision on who is going to fit the role best and at the moment we think that’s Nathan.”Inglis’ selection is something of a left-field decision but rewards him for being one of the most in-form players this season with two Sheffield Shield hundreds. His credentials were lauded by New South Wales Greg Shipperd last month who said he should be in contention to open. Bailey played that down but did say he could play a role this season and that opportunity is now a step closer. He also provides wicketkeeping back-up for Alex Carey.Inglis will captain Australia for the first time later on Sunday in the deciding ODI against Pakistan and then in the three-match T20I series meaning he will link up with the Test squad after those matches are complete.Australia squad for 1st Test vs IndiaPat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc

“We know what we’re doing with him, and where we’re going. He’s comfortable,” says interim coach Trescothick

Matt Roller15-Sep-2024

Jofra Archer hasn’t played a 50-over game in 18 months•Steve Bardens/Getty Images

England will continue to take a cautious approach to Jofra Archer’s workloads during their five upcoming ODIs against Australia, after he bowled just 3.3 overs across the drawn, rain-affected T20I series.Archer has been steadily eased back into international cricket this year, playing two T20Is against Pakistan in May before featuring in all eight of England’s matches at June’s T20 World Cup. He did not play at all for Sussex in the second half of the Blast group stages and was managed carefully through the Hundred, twice being rested to the frustration of Southern Brave captain James Vince.Since the end of the Hundred, he has played two matches: one for Sussex in the quarter-final of the T20 Blast, and the other for England in their defeat at the Utilita Bowl on Wednesday night. He was rested for Friday night’s game in Cardiff and would have played in Sunday’s series decider had it not been washed out by the Manchester rain.He has proved why England have invested so heavily in him, since his comeback from the back and elbow issues that have kept him on the sidelines for so long. He was their joint-highest wicket-taker at June’s World Cup, and on Wednesday night provided a reminder of his skills at the death, clean-bowling Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett in successive balls.Related

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Archer is in England’s 15-man squad for the five-match ODI series which starts in Nottingham on Thursday, though may be rested for one or two of them. He has not played a 50-over game in the last 18 months and while he retains long-term ambitions to play red-ball cricket, he has not played a first-class match since May 2021.”Jofra will have to be managed throughout the series,” Jos Buttler told Sky Sports on Sunday. “He’s played a really good stint now of T20 cricket, but obviously you can only bowl four overs in there. There’s a jump in intensity getting loads up to taking full part in an ODI – and of course, as an England fan, to push those loads up hopefully to get back into the Test arena as well.”Marcus Trescothick, England’s interim coach, said that Archer was “comfortable” with the ECB’s long-term plan to manage his workload. “He knows the plan,” Trescothick said. “It’s discussed long in advance of picking the team on each day. We know what we’re doing with him, and where we’re going. He’s comfortable: he knows what he’s doing.”That’s a bigger structure, in terms of what we’re trying to do with Jofra. You come into the series knowing what we’ve got and what we can do with him. That’s an agreed plan between the coaches, directors, physios and all the different people. We’ll still be managing him [in the ODIs] – exactly the same thing.”Trescothick will be part of all three of England’s tours pre-Christmas, as an assistant coach for the Test series in Pakistan and New Zealand, and continuing to deputise for Brendon McCullum during the white-ball tour of the Caribbean in November. “It’s going to be slightly abbreviated, but I’ll be popping into all of them,” he said.He said that his manner as a coach has been informed by his experience working with McCullum, which he hopes will allow for a smooth transition when McCullum takes charge across formats from January. “I’m directing it in a way that I know will be very similar to when he comes in,” Trescothick said. “He’ll talk the same way, manage in the same fashion, and debrief in the same way.”We’ve spent two-and-a-half years together coaching… It’s not copying it, because I’m putting my own stamp on it, but it’s done in a very similar sort of fashion involving the very similar people in terms of the coaches we have around it. It’s the start of what’s going to go on, and it’ll carry on pretty seamlessly when he takes over in January.”

With a deal advancing to sign Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United and INEOS have now reportedly made contact with a Paris Saint-Germain superstar over a potential summer move.

What INEOS have planned after Mbeumo

With Matheus Cunha already signed and delivered and Mbeumo now awaiting approval to undergo a medical, Manchester United are set to see their attacking problems solved at long last. Moving on from the struggling Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund, Ruben Amorim is likely to have two more clinical goalscorers at his disposal next season.

If Mbeumo does sign on the dotted line in the coming weeks then INEOS would have spent in the region of £120m to start a frantic summer at Old Trafford. But after boosting Amorim’s attack, what’s next on their list of priorities?

Top of the list seems to be signing a replacement for Andre Onana. The goalkeeper has struggled ever since becoming United’s No.1, in truth, and could now be replaced by Emiliano Martinez or Diogo Costa among other options.

Meanwhile, Sir Jim Ratcliffe still has his sights set on signing a midfielder. According to recent reports, the Red Devils are interested in signing Club Brugge star Ardon Jashari to provide Amorim with another key upgrade.

There is also still reportedly space in the budget for another blockbuster deal this summer, with reports suggesting that United could yet hijack Arsenal’s move to sign Real Madrid’s Rodrygo in what would make quite the statement.

The Brazilian won’t come cheap at £85m, however, and Arsenal’s interest may force the Red Devils to turn towards Champions League holders PSG this summer.

Man Utd make contact with Zaire-Emery

As reported by TeamTalk, Manchester United have now made preliminary contact with Warren Zaire-Emery over a potential move from PSG this summer. The talented 19-year-old would be a sensational acquisition as one of the best young talents that European football has to offer, but there will be question marks over United’s willingness to match his €100m (£85m) price tag.

The subject of high praise, Zaire-Emery was described as “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, who also claimed that the young midfielder is as talented as Kylian Mbappe was during his time at AS Monaco.

Alisson and I are the only two goalkeepers who accomplished this, now Man Utd want me

He could replace Onana.

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Since that praise, the 19-year-old has only reached new levels and played his part in PSG’s Champions League success with 13 appearances. Already a three-time league winner and now a Champions League holder, Zaire-Emery is a player destined for an incredible career. Whether that comes at Old Trafford remains to be seen, however.

So much change has occurred at West Bromwich Albion in such a short space of time.

It doesn’t feel too long ago since Carlos Corberan was still situated in the Baggies dug-out, with Tony Mowbray going on to face the wrath of the Hawthorns hierarchy after the much-loved Spaniard departed for Valencia.

Fast forward to this summer and Ryan Mason is now tasked with attempting to put West Brom back on the map by guiding them up to the Premier League.

This will be no easy feat for a manager still learning the ropes – but unlike Mowbray – he should have a fully fit Josh Maja at his disposal from the second football gets back underway, which is a definite boost for a team attempting to accelerate out of the traps.

Maja's explosive form for West Brom

Despite only lining up for a mere two league games in total during an injury-ravaged 2025, the former Sunderland marksman would still be crowned West Brom’s top goalscorer of the season when the dust had settled.

Maja bagged a deadly 12 strikes from only 26 clashes, with a clinical brace picked up against Preston North End on New Year’s Day his final meaningful contributions during an up-and-down campaign.

When performing at the peak of his powers, the explosive Maja would constantly be linking up with assist king Tom Fellows to terrorise Championship defences, culminating in the homegrown winger registering a colossal 14 assists.

Mikey Johnston was the second most effective assist maker for the Baggies with a lesser five next to his name, with the addition of a new, entertaining attacker perhaps getting even more out of Maja in the long run when considering their previous blistering exploits in the EFL’s top division.

The "fabulous" talent who could be a dream partner for Maja

Of course, as Fellows became more well-known for being a creative menace, the pressure significantly ramped up on his shoulders.

Consequently, the exciting Hawthorns prodigy would only pick up two goals and three assists across his last eight Championship appearances of the season. To add more context, it would only take Fellows three games right at the start of the season to reach the same assists tally.

This is where former Derby County ace Tom Lawrence could come to the rescue in lessening the burden on Fellows to solely create, with a recent report by TEAMtalk suggesting that Mason and Co. are keen to add the free agent to their ranks this summer, alongside competitors to his signature in Wrexham and Coventry City.

Maja will already be raring to go ahead of next season as he pushes his injury issues hopefully to one side.

But, if he knows he also has Lawrence as a potential teammate feeding him chances, alongside Fellows and many other stars at Mason’s disposal, the potent number 29 will be aiming for an even heavier goal return than the 12 he just managed.

Lawrence’s G/A numbers for Derby

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

21/22

39

11

5

20/21

23

3

2

19/20

40

10

5

18/19

38

7

5

17/18

42

6

8

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Whilst his celebrated stint with the Rams did see him score plenty of audacious strikes – as seen in his 37 goals from 185 appearances – the ex-Derby captain would also go on to amass a healthy 25 assists at Pride Park across five memorable campaigns.

More specifically, 22 big chances would be created on the end of the Wrexham-born forward across his five Championship seasons in Derbyshire, with the potential here for Lawrence to recapture this previous EFL best if he moves to West Brom shortly.

With a thunderous effort like this one up his sleeve also, the “fabulous” midfielder – as he was once labelled by ex-Rams boss Gary Rowett – could even compete with Maja at the top of the goalscoring charts, with Mason fancying his team’s chances at promotion even more if the free agent was to relocate to the Hawthorns.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Jun 16, 2025

Nottingham Forest and Evangelos Marinakis could now imminently swoop to hijack Inter Milan’s deal for an in-form forward, according to reports in the last 48 hours.

Nottingham Forest in Champions League race as crucial summer looms

Despite wins for both Chelsea and Aston Villa on Friday night, which dealt a blow to Nuno Espirito Santo and their chances of a top-five finish, Forest remain outside contenders to qualify for next season’s Champions League draw.

Nottingham Forest want to sign 23 y/o captain with same agent as Gibbs-White

He could be their first signing of the summer.

ByTom Cunningham May 13, 2025

A win against West Ham on Sunday is absolutely non-negotiable, but three points from their clash with the Hammers will set up a mouth-watering final day tie at home to Chelsea, where victory over Enzo Maresca’s side could pay dividends if results elsewhere go Nuno’s way.

2. Arsenal

68

3. Newcastle United

66

4. Chelsea

66

5. Aston Villa

66

6. Man City

65

7. Nottingham Forest

62

Their race for Europe will have a pivotal knock-on effect when it comes to their summer recruitment plans, as the financial windfalls received from Champions League qualification could help Forest splash the cash without having to worry so much about FFP and PSR.

“FFP and PSR plays a big part in the daily talk at Nottingham Forest,” said journalist Pete O’Rourke to Football Insider this week.

“Without Champions League football, it could be difficult for them to hold on to their best players. If somebody comes in with a big bid, and they’re not in the Champions League, it’s going to be very difficult for Nottingham Forest.

“They’ve got an owner who is financially sustainable and very willing to compete at the top. If players like Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo were to leave the club, their recruitment is going to have to be good, and they’re going to have to pump some money in.

“They’ve got to toe the line with FFP and PSR rules. Gibbs-White may just fall foul of that, and he has been hand-picked by bigger and better clubs across Europe, not just in England.”

Nottingham Forest could "soon" move for Marseille star Luis Henrique

Amid the threat of a sell-to-buy summer, Marinakis and co are on the hunt for astute, quality potential new additions, and Marseille forward Luis Henrique certainly falls into that bracket.

The Brazilian has racked up nine goals and 10 assists under Roberto De Zerbi this season, and it is believed he’d cost around £25 million, which is affordable from the perspective of a Premier League side.

While Inter Milan have been in talks with Marseille over a move, the Champions League finalists are currently falling below Henrique’s price tag in terms of offers, leaving the door open for Forest.

That is according to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, who reported on X that Forest could “soon” move for Henrique and hijack Inter’s deal.

Called a “complete player” by De Zerbi, the 23-year-old Henrique is exactly the calibre of star required by Forest to keep competing at the very top.

Regardless of whether Chelsea qualify for the Champions League next season, this summer is huge for Enzo Maresca if he is to continue his progression in the role.

The Italian joined from Leicester City back in June 2024, but has still had his doubters despite the possibility of a top five finish in the Premier League in the next few weeks.

The hierarchy may once again need to get the chequebook out during the off-season, with it being reported that a striker is top of their shopping list.

Such a decision is no surprise given their hunt for a new talisman over the previous couple of windows since the 45-year-old’s appointment nearly 12 months ago.

However, another position has emerged as an area for improvement during the upcoming window, with one player already appearing on their radar once again.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new centre-back

Over the last couple of days, it emerged that Chelsea were back in the race for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi after previously wanting to sign him in January.

The 24-year-old was once on the books of the Blues, but sold him to the Eagles for £18m in 2021 – a decision that looks to be a huge mistake given their interest in his signature.

It was also reported that the club are willing to part ways with either Trevoh Chalobah or Tosin Adarabioyo to raise funds to secure a return for the England international.

However, he’s not the only centre-back to emerge on their radar, with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen the latest star touted with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues aren’t alone in their hunt for his signature, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid also in the race to land the Spanish international during the off-season.

According to Simon Phillips, the Blues have held another round of positive talks with his representatives, advancing a deal that could see them trigger his £50m release clause in the summer.

Why the £50m star would be a better signing than Guehi

Guehi’s rise away from his boyhood club has been nothing short of sensational, exceeding beyond all imagination during his near four-year spell at Selhurst Park.

The 24-year-old has taken the responsibility of taking the captain’s armband under Oliver Glasner’s guidance, with his subsequent showings cementing his place in the England national team setup.

He was a key member of Gareth Southgate’s side at Euro 2024, missing just one game and starting in the 2-1 final defeat against Spain back in July of last year.

However, despite his glittering rise to stardom, fellow transfer target Huijsen would undoubtedly be a better signing given the fact he’s five years younger, whilst also producing numerous better stats in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.

The Spaniard, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has registered more progressive carries and completed more of his passes – highlighting his excellent ability with the ball at his feet.

Games played

26

30

Goals & assists

3

5

Progressive carries

1.4

0.7

Progressive passes

4.3

4.1

Pass accuracy

84%

83%

Tackles won

1.1

0.9

Interceptions made

2.1

0.7

Aerials won

60%

58%

He’s also dominated defensively, winning more tackles per 90 and making more interceptions per game – offering Maresca that added defensive quality he’s desperately desired.

Huijsen has managed to thrive in the air too, winning more of his aerial battles to date, having the potential to improve further given his tender age.

Whilst £50m may appear to be a huge fee for a 19-year-old, it’s evident from the stats he’s produced this campaign that he possesses serious quality, such that it is way beyond his teenage years.

Elite-level defenders are extremely hard to come by in the modern game, with Huijsen the perfect player to solve their issues at the back, ending a chance of a fairytale reunion with Guehi in the process.

Best signing since Palmer: Chelsea now favourites to sign £85m "diamond"

Chelsea can seal their best signing since Palmer with this “English diamond”

ByConnor Holden Apr 17, 2025

Amid a babble of storylines emerges the narrative of Archer playing his first international game in Barbados

Melinda Farrell04-Jun-2024Yes, this is the start of the defending champions’ campaign. Yes, this is the first time England and Scotland will meet in a T20I. Yes, the last time these two sides met, in an ODI, Scotland humbled England with a six-run victory. Yes, the fact that it was six years ago, when they share a common border, is both astonishing and pretty sad.A babble of storylines demands attention in the Barbados fixture and yet the narrative of Jofra Archer’s first international match in the country where he was born and raised will surely be front and centre at the Kensington Oval.Sport loves personal connections, whether a curious coincidence or deeper links, and a homecoming tale has always captured attention, from Lassie to E.T.Related

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In Archer’s case, the connection is pronounced; a child of Barbados who took England to the top of the world in a Super Over in 2019. A Bajan export who bowled one of Test cricket’s most memorable and thrilling spells in an Ashes series, the contest that looms largest in English cricket lore.His story has been oft told, his English father, his Barbadian mother, his move across the Atlantic after drifting out of the local system, his accelerated rise through the ranks of Sussex to the glories of the summer of 2019.The interest in Archer is not purely inspired by the romance of his tale. It’s always been about what he is rather than where he is from; a sleek and mesmerising human catapult equally capable of felling the best batters in the world or zeroing in on their stumps.For a while, his plot veered into the what-could-have-been genre, as the injuries mounted and kept him off the field for lengthy periods; the elbow stress-fracture chapter of 2020, its recurrence in 2021 along with a bio-bubble breach and a freak fish-tank-cleaning hand injury, the lower-back stress fracture that struck the following year, more elbow woes in 2023.His latest comeback had checkpoints in the two countries that have moulded him: a match-winning performance for the Wildey Club in Barbados in early April followed by a six-over spell in a Sussex second XI match in May. The subsequent series against Pakistan was merely an appetiser; this T20 World Cup 2024 is the highly-anticipated main course.Beach bums: Both Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan were born in Barbados•Getty ImagesBut while the focus has often been on his past, Archer’s future path is far fuzzier. He chose a two-year deal over a three-year central contract. His reasonings remain as enigmatic as the man himself; might he feel his value will increase, as Ben Stokes does? Perhaps, more likely is the suspicion that next summer, with India’s tour of England, and a shot at the Ashes in Australia might prove to be his last Test hurrahs before the troublesome elbow claims him as its victim. A world of lucrative T20 offers awaits. Perhaps Archer already knows where he is heading. Perhaps he doesn’t.Archer’s past and future may be background noise for England’s opening match, but his importance to the present campaign will take the spotlight as soon as he takes the ball. His breathtaking pace and ability to create uncertainty for the batter and break sides apart will be key to England’s chances.Throughout Barbados, there are metaphors for his attributes. The brooding intensity of the oppressive humidity echoes the menace he builds with each delivery. The storms that strike suddenly trigger relief and dismay as sweaty tourists find respite from the clammy heat but have their sunbathing sessions ruined; whether you are overjoyed or disconsolate by an Archer blow depends on which side you’re supporting.The morning traffic that snakes along the azure coastline summons the frustration of those lengthy layoffs; the chill of the locals in dealing with them reflects Archer’s own laid-back demeanour.And one wonders if a young Archer honed his skills at any of the nondescript cricket grounds passed on the way to the Kensington Oval, where he will run in from the top of his mark in England colours for the very first time.The occasion will undoubtedly be poignant for Archer and those who are there to support him; many here still claim him as one of their own. His past will be present but the present is everything in England’s mission.His own future? It remains a mystery.

Raza jubilant as gripping one-run win makes the case for cricket’s marginalised teams

Tristan Lavalette27-Oct-20223:56

Flower heaps praise on Ervine’s captaincy and Evans’ composure

On the eve of his first match at Perth’s Optus Stadium, known as a paradise for quicks, Zimbabwe allrounder Sikandar Raza was pensive.He struggled to get to sleep, as his thoughts wandered towards curbing Pakistan’s menacing pace attack led by speedster Haris Rauf who was seemingly tailormade for the bounce and pace conjured from the ground’s green-tinged pitch.”I made a few notes and I was reading them and I was going over it again and again and again,” Raza said about his restlessness. “This is my first game at Perth, so a lot of my learning and a lot of Zimbabwe’s learning is actually on the day of the game.”We don’t get to play top nations a lot,” he noted. The last of Zimbabwe’s five previous visits to Perth, an ODI against India in 2003-04, had come just months after Matthew Hayden whacked them for a world-record 380 at the WACA.Raza’s apprehension was seemingly justified when he was roughed up during an initiation at the crease by Rauf before being bounced out by a slower ball from Mohammad Wasim, whose inclusion at that stage appeared a masterstroke from a pace-heavy Pakistan.Zimbabwe scrambled to 130 for 8, which they knew was under par but there was quiet confidence within a team which had impressively emerged from the first round in Hobart.”I personally thought…we were 15 or 20 runs short,” Raza said. “But I really truly believe in this group. We knew if we could field well, take all our chances and cut those important twos, we could really win this game.”His confidence was justified when Zimbabwe’s quicks tore through Pakistan’s top order to leave them at 36 for 3 in the eighth over. But Shan Masood and Shadab Khan steadied the ship with a half-century partnership as Pakistan appeared to be cruising to a bounce-back victory after their MCG heartbreak against India.Perth’s 60,000-seat stadium hosted a small crowd of 8,000, but even some of those had started to scurry home as the clock ticked towards 10pm on a working night. But Zimbabwe knew that a single wicket could expose Pakistan’s susceptible middle-lower order after they had left out Asif Ali for Wasim, and perhaps prod at scars still raw from four days ago.Zimbabwe’s players take a victory lap around the ground•ICC via Getty ImagesSo in the 14th over, with Pakistan needing just 51 runs, they turned back to their talisman, albeit that Raza’s previous two overs – 0 for 11 – had been negotiated without incident to help cement the ground’s tough reputation for spinners.Sure enough, his third legal delivery, an overpitched carrom ball, was launched down the ground for six by Shadab, and with 43 now needed from 39 balls with seven wickets in hand, the end of the ball game appeared in sightBut an overconfident Shadab tried to repeat the dose only to hole out one ball later, and Zimbabwe knew they were back with a fighting chance.A pumped-up Raza then immediately trapped Haider Ali plumb lbw, briefly delayed by the batter reviewing in a Hail Mary, and he added another in his next over with the key wicket of Masood, who was brilliantly stumped by keeper Regis Chakabva.”I try to work hard on batting and bowling,” Raza said. “If one department doesn’t fire, it doesn’t really bring me down. It kind of gives me that extra push that I have to make sure my other department fires.”But with his match-turning spell over, the wickets dried up and Pakistan inched closer with Mohammad Nawaz attempting to go from villain to hero. Two overs suddenly remained and Pakistan needed 22 runs off 12 balls with four wickets in hand.Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine wasn’t sure who to turn for the crucial penultimate over – Richard Ngarava, the spearhead who had overcome an ankle injury sustained against South Africa in Hobart’s wet conditions, or Brad Evans, who had been included in the team for just his fifth T20I.

What a day for Zimbabwe!

Fans at Harare Sports Club celebrate their famous win against Pakistan #PAKvZIM #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Otg8NDFDFf

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 27, 2022