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Galle plays host to the first Test of the series which brings spin bowling to the fore again

Andrew Fidel Fernando28-Jan-20251:34

Smith on captaincy: I understand what’s needed at certain times in subcontinent

Big Picture: The Warne-Muralidaran trophy is backAustralia’s Test series in Sri Lanka often seem to have a touch of the dramatic about them. Last time Australia were in Galle, Sri Lanka saw the greatest mass protests in the country’s history, while the teams battled out a 1-1 series. In 2016, Australia had nosedived spectacularly against spin, Rangana Herath gobbling up their top order en masse.Over the years there have been series-ending fielding collisions, such as in 1999 in Kandy when Jason Gillespie broke a leg and Steve Waugh broke a nose, Shane Warne triggering one of Sri Lanka’s most painful 90s collapses to clinch victory in a game Australia were losing, and Sri Lanka producing one of their most infamously dry surfaces in Galle in 2011. Where Sri Lanka have never won a Test in Australia, these teams tend to be more evenly matched in Sri Lanka.Related

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And so it shapes up again. Australia are coming off their big Border-Gavaskar Trophy win, of course. Through their 3-1 win in that series, they also booked their World Test Championship final spot. They are missing regular captain Pat Cummins, who is on paternity leave, but have a seasoned leader in Steven Smith.Sri Lanka had had a decent Test year in 2024, until the disappointing series in South Africa to finish it off. But they will feel as if their Test team is building to something – maybe mounting a more serious campaign in the next WTC cycle, in which they appear to have a relatively easy schedule.It will likely come down to spin in Galle. This surface doesn’t appear to be the dryest one the ground has turned out, and may stay together a little longer than usual, owing to January’s cooler weather. But it is likely to take substantial turn from day three onwards. Expect plenty of sweeping and reverse-sweeping, and catchers around the bat as the match wears on.Form guideSri Lanka: LLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia: WWWDLCaptain Steven Smith, senior spinner Nathan Lyon and selector Tony Dodemaide take a look at the pitch•Getty ImagesIn the spotlight: Nathan Lyon and Prabath JayasuriyaA track that tends to start off dry, a sea breeze that helps sap what little moisture there is in the pitch, footmarks to bowl into from as early as day two sometimes – Galle is basically spin-bowling paradise. As such, how well your lead spinner goes in a Galle Test goes a long way to deciding the outcome.It is a track Nathan Lyon will know well. Not only did he get a five-wicket haul on debut here in 2011, he also took a match-winning 9 for 121 from the first game in 2022, when Australia last visited. He has 21 wickets from seven innings at this venue, with an average of 27.61. Expect this group of Sri Lanka’s batters to attempt to attack Lyon, particularly in the first innings. Sri Lanka’s easiest path to upsetting Australia’s bowling plan is to unsettle Lyon.Prabath Jayasuriya had also made his debut in Galle, and he has dominated as few spinners ever have at this venue. He’s got 71 wickets at an average of 21.78 at this venue, and the key to much of that success has been his devastating straight ball, as well as his control. With Sri Lanka’s remaining frontline spin options lacking in experience, the hosts will look to Jayasuriya to define the back half of these Tests.Pitch and conditions: Some rain aroundThere’s a little unseasonal rain around in Galle, but rare is the Galle Test that even goes into the last couple of sessions, even if there are interruptions along the way. Dhananjaya de Silva said he expected the surface to be decent for batting to begin with. Temperatures are forecast to hover around 30 degrees celsius.Prabath Jayasuriya has an incredible record at Galle•APTeam news: Who will be SL’s opener?Australia have confirmed that Travis Head will open the innings, displacing Sam Konstas from that position. They are pondering their attack though, and could go in with as many as three spinners – Todd Murphy potentially joining Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann. They will likely have Josh Inglis and Beau Webster – who bowls spin as well as seam – in the lower middle order.Australia (possible): 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Travis Head, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith (capt.), 5 Josh Inglis, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Mathew Kuhnemann, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland/ Todd MurphySri Lanka have a decision to make around their attack as well – whether their second seamer will be Vishwa Fernando or Lahiru Kumara. They also have to replace the injured Pathum Nissanka at the top of the order. Oshada Fernando is his likeliest replacement.Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Oshada Fernando, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt.), 7 Kusal Mendis (wk), 8 Prabath Jayasuriya, 9 Nishan Peiris, 10 Asitha Fernando, 11 Lahiru Kumara/Vishwa FernandoStats and trivia: Smith 10,000 watch Steve Smith is one run away from completing 10,000 in Test cricket. He’d be the fourth Australia batter to the milestone, after Alan Border, Steve Waugh, and Ricky Ponting. Prabath Jayasuriya took 12 wickets for 177 in the one Test he’d played against Australia – on debut in Galle. All up, Australia have won three of the six Tests they’ve played in Galle, losing two and drawing one.

In the absence of Aiden Markram, who is currently involved in the Test series against Sri Lanka, Heinrich Klaasen will lead South Africa in their home T20I series against Pakistan.Apart from Markram, several other all-format players – such as Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Tristan Stubbs – will miss the Pakistan T20Is, scheduled between December 10 and 14, with the second Test against Sri Lanka concluding on December 9. These players will, however, be a part of the ODI series against Pakistan in early 2025, which will be part of their last leg of preparations for the Champions Trophy.That apart, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi have returned to the T20I side for the first time since the T20 World Cup in June. Allrounder George Linde has also been named in the squad, after having last played a T20I in July 2021, against Ireland. He has played 14 T20Is and had an impressive performance in this season’s CSA T20 Challenge, scoring 171 runs at a strike rate of 178.12 and claiming nine wickets at an average of 18.33.”Anrich is very much in line for the Champions Trophy,” South Africa’s white-ball head coach Rob Walter said. “He has a lot of experience so playing lots of 50-over cricket is not necessary. Before that, he will be very active in the SA20 and in this series. I am not worried about him from a playing point of view. He is not a young cricketer, he understands his game. There’s enough cricket between now and then for him to be selected.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

He added that South Africa’s No. 7 is normally filled with a seaming allrounder but with Wiaan Mulder injured and Jansen unavailable, they “needed to look for a spinning allrounder and George was someone who filled that role.” South Africa do have two seam-bowling allrounders in Patrick Kruger and Andile Simelane, a 21-year-old, who has excellent potential for the future. “I’m very excited about Andile. He has got some wonderful attributes. The first ball he faced in international cricket he hit out of Kingsmead. He has got some power with the bat, he took some key wickets, he has a wonderful overall skill set that is still in its infancy. We want to keep giving him opportunities, keep growing his game.”Although South Africa qualified for June’s T20 World Cup final, they have not won a single bilateral series this year, largely because they have not had a first-choice squad available. Still, the microscope is on Walter, who was asked if he felt his position was in jeopardy. “I feel the most pressure from myself personally. I want the team to be better, expect the team to play better and that starts with me as the head coach. We are in the results business.”The squad will begin preparations with a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from December 6-8. On Sunday, they will head to Durban where the first match will be played, followed by back-to-back games in Centurion and Johannesburg on December 13 and 14, respectively.

South Africa T20I squad for Pakistan series

Heinrich Klaasen (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke*, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka*, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton*, Tabraiz Shamsi**, Andile Simelane, Rassie van der Dussen*Matthew Breetzke, Kwena Maphaka and Ryan Rickelton will join the squad following their Test commitments against Sri Lanka**Tabraiz Shamsi’s participation in the ongoing Global Super League in Guyana may affect his availability for the first T20I

MatériaMais Notícias

Autor do segundo gol do Botafogo na vitória diante do Bahiapor 2 a 1 na Fonte Nova, Tchê Tchê concedeu depois da segunda rodada do Brasileirão. O volante entrou no decorrer do segundo tempo e foi decisivo para o triunfo.

– Uma grande vitória. A concorrência é boa. Nós não temos muita vaidade. A gente torce, independentemente de quem estiver jogando. É claro que todo mundo quer jogar, mas é isso. Quando tiver as oportunidades, é entrar dentro de campo para tentar resolver. É sempre bom marcar. A gente vem forte defensivamente e estamos apresentando uma evolução do terço final. Nós estamos evoluindo, marcando mais vezes durante as partidas – declarou Tchê Tchê ao Premiere.

+Neymar na mira de clube da Premier League, Bruno Guimarães interessa a gigante europeu… O Dia do Mercado!

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O volante vinha sendo muito utilizado por Luís Castro nos últimos meses, mas acabou sendo reserva nos últimos dois jogos por conta da boa fase de Danilo Barbosa. O Glorioso está invicto há dez jogos e entra em campo novamente na próxima quinta-feira, diante Ypiranga, às 19h30, no Nilton Santos, pelo jogo de volta da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil.

The transfer window is really heating up at Rangers.

On Wednesday, the Light Blues signed not one but two new players, with Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez both arriving, the latter for a reported fee of £3.5m.

So, with the start of Champions League qualifying now less than three weeks away, Russell Martin’s mass overhaul of the squad he has inherited continues, with more new signings seemingly set to follow soon.

Rangers looking to bolster their back line

This Rangers squad requires a lot of surgery this summer, and this is no more so the case than in defence.

Transfer Focus

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

Leon Balogun has departed, joining Aris Limassol on a free transfer, while Robin Pröpper appears set to return to FC Twente too.

Meanwhile, Max Aarons has arrived on loan from Bournemouth, with Fernandez now signing too, but Martin is certainly still seeking to improve his defensive options.

Well, as reported by Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports News, Rangers are “in talks” with Wolverhampton Wanderers as they aim to sign Nasser Djiga on a season-long loan.

This would be a straight loan, with no option or obligation to buy, for the Burkina Faso international, who only joined Wolves from Crvena zvezda for a reported fee of £10m as recently as February.

The 22 year old made just six appearances in old gold following his arrival, his sole Premier League start coming at Crystal Palace in May, when Vítor Pereira made wholesale changes, with David Irvine of the Glasgow Times noting that Wolves are keen on this loan move to Ibrox so that he can ‘gain experience’ of British football.

Thus, could Djiga be a transformational addition for Rangers?

How Nasser Djiga will improve Rangers

The young defender is certainly highly-rated, described by Serbian Football Scout as a “duel monster” who reads the game well, but is also capable of a “last-ditch tackle” when required.

Nasser Djiga

Meantime, writer Kai Watson believes he is the “ideal” centre-back for Martin’s possession-oriented style, labelling him a “strong passer” who possesses a “good understanding” of defensive play.

Before moving to Wolves, he caught the eye representing Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, helping them dump out Bodø/Glimt in the play-off round, before also enjoying league phase victories over Stuttgart and Young Boys, so let’s take a look at his statistics.

Minutes

720

1st

Completed passes

322

1st

Progressive passes

33

4th

Pass completion %

89.4%

3rd

Tackles

10

5th

% of dribblers tackled

100%

1st

Interceptions

4

5th

Blocks

7

4th

Clearances

27

2nd

Ball recoveries

28

4th

Touches

433

3rd

As the table outlines, Djiga ranks very highly in the Champions League for all statistics included, when compared to his former teammates, doing so at a very high level, considering Crvena zvezda came up against Barcelona, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Benfica, PSV, Monaco and others during the league phase.

The centre-back’s defensive metrics are universally impressive but, more notably, so are his in-possession statistics, which will make him the perfect fit for a Martin team.

So, why will he be a more impactful signing than Aarons?

Well, in short, it’s due to what Rangers really need.

Aarons has presumably joined Rangers to play regularly, having seen just 338 minutes of action last season at Bournemouth and then Valencia, which raises serious question marks over current right-back and captain James Tavernier’s future.

Meantime, the Light Blues are desperate for central defensive reinforcements, with John Souttar and new arrival Fernandez currently the only options available to face Panathinaikos in a pivotal Champions League qualifier in just 19 days’ time.

So, while Djiga is clearly a high-potential player, he is also one that Rangers desperately require, making him a welcome and much-needed addition for Martin.

Ibrox's dream Igamane replacement: Rangers working to sign £5m striker

Rangers are eyeing up a move to sign a striker who would be a dream replacement for Hamza Igamane.

ByDan Emery Jul 3, 2025

Liverpool won the Premier League last season, but Arne Slot doesn’t seem like one to rest on his laurels, and is set on making the forthcoming campaign one of an even more significant triumph.

While the Reds were incredible across the league term, they left plenty to be desired through the season’s offshoots, losing an FA Cup tie to Plymouth Argyle, who were ultimately relegated from the Championship, and falling against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final and eventual Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Not too shabby, all told. Premier League rivals Arsenal finished ten points behind Liverpool in second, after all. But there’s little question that Slot lacked depth, for the Dutch coach was hesitant in enforcing rotation to a fault, though this illustrates his frustrations regarding some of Anfield’s wider members of the first-team squad.

At the front of his issue was Darwin Nunez, who, as Liverpool’s star striker, only scored seven goals across all competitions, with Slot even stating he “can’t accept” the Uruguayan’s work-rate across a string of matches.

Though a move to Napoli fell through this week, FSG still expect to cash in on Nunez this summer, having already moved to sign his replacement.

Why Liverpool are signing Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool have stolen ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, with the French forward having submitted a transfer request to push negotiations closer toward the finish line.

Ekitike is only 23, but he’s established himself as one of Europe’s top young forwards, with journalist Graeme Bailey even coining him “the next Mbappe” for his blend of pace, physicality and potency in the final third.

However, the dynamic talent wasn’t Liverpool’s first choice. That would be Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. However, FSG’s formal efforts to prise him away from St. James’ Park proved fruitless.

It’s a shame, but Ekitike’s arrival would cushion the blow and then some, for he has the makings of a truly world-class superstar.

With suitors in the Saudi Pro League eager to snap Nunez up in the coming weeks, Ekitike’s prospective arrival will be an elating thing, having notched 40 goal involvements across a season-and-a-half with Frankfurt.

His silky, fleet-footed movements and dogged approach in the final third have led FBref to record him as one of Isak’s most comparable players, so you can certainly see the vision.

And for a cheaper sum too. Isak would have cost upwards of £120m to bring over to Merseyside, and would that truly be tenable? With a central defender still required and maybe a winger too, perhaps not.

Though Isak would have been an incredible addition, Liverpool fans have already been bestowed one earth-shattering acquisition by the ambitious owners this summer.

And Florian Wirtz might even prove the cream of a crop that, hypothetically, contained Isak in a Liverpool shirt too.

Liverpool have already struck gold on Florian Wirtz

Wirtz doesn’t need to kick a ball in a competitive setting for Liverpool fans to know that Slot has struck gold with this signing, owing to the diligence and perseverance of sporting director Richard Hughes.

Wirtz, 22, joined Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £100m last month. If potential add-ons are met, this fee will stretch higher still and extend to £116m, past Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, the current record holder at £115m.

Despite his relative youth, the German midfielder has already established quite the résumé, having been awarded the Bundesliga Player of the Year for 2023/24, when Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen dethroned Bayern Munich as invincibles, previously rebounding with vigour from an ACL injury.

Last season yielded nothing on the trophy front, but Wirtz still maintained his world-class level, hailed as a “truly generational talent” by sports media professional Cristian Nyari, who believed the creative star was performing at a level higher even than Harry Kane in Germany’s top flight.

What about across Europe’s top five leagues? Well, as per FBref, Wirtz ranked among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers last season for goal involvements, the top 2% for passes attempted, the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

He’s a rather efficient playmaker, and with Liverpool having parted with Trent Alexander-Arnold, now Real Madrid property, it’s vital that Slot and co maintain the squad’s peerless creative levels. Wirtz has been picked as the man for that task, it appears.

24/25

Liverpool

112

23/24

Liverpool

102

22/23

Liverpool & Man City

103

21/22

Liverpool

97

20/21

Liverpool

82

You get the picture; Liverpool have signed a sensation. This marquee man’s ability is better defined, perhaps, through the lens of CIES Football Observatory’s player-valuing system.

Indeed, according to the renowned research site, Liverpool’s record signing is actually worth £150m, a stratospheric figure. Pundit Paul Robinson felt previously that this was an accurate figure when considering the player’s worth.

Isak, however, comes in at a ‘lowly’ £95m.

Of course, that is not a fair reflection of Isak’s value in the modern market, but it does serve to illustrate exactly how incredible a signing Liverpool have pulled off by signing Wirtz without breaking the British transfer record (yet).

Already, Liverpool fans have been gifted a glimpse into the playmaker’s winger footwork, seemingly fitting right in as pre-season preparations get underway.

Slot’s side is replete with high-level quality, and though Isak would have been a wonderful addition this summer, those of a Reds persuasion can take more than a measure of solace in having sealed a signing already, which may break the English transfer record.

In any case, given that Wirtz is considered to be the more valuable player, have Liverpool not hit the jackpot?

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Liverpool are making things happen in the summer transfer market.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 18, 2025

Chelsea have made a winning start to their Club World Cup campaign.

On Monday night, Enzo Maresca’s team easily swatted aside MLS outfit Los Angeles FC 2-0 in Atlanta, with Pedro Neto breaking the deadlock on the cusp of half time, before Enzo Fernández, teed up by debutant Liam Delap, made the points secure.

The major talking point was all the empty seats at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with around 22,000 in attendance, but this is not a good look in a venue that holds up to 75,000; for context, Atlanta United average around 45,000 in Major League Soccer this season.

Nevertheless, Maresca won’t care about that one jot, as his team prepare to take on Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field on Friday, after the Brazilian outfit were also 2-0 winners on Monday, beating Espérance Sportive de Tunis in Philadelphia.

Back at home, Chelsea continue to be busy in the transfer market, so are they about to land yet another wide-forward?

Chelsea's search for a new winger

Signing new forwards is clearly the order of the day for BlueCo this summer with Delap already in the door and Hugo Ekitike also touted with a move to Stamford Bridge.

Now, the Blues have another target in mind according to the latest reports.

As per David Ornstein of the Athletic, Chelsea ‘have made a verbal enquiry’ as they seek to sign Olympique Lyonnais winger Malick Fofana.

Meantime, French outlet L’Equipe add that Lyon value the forward at around £50m.

Transfer Focus

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

The 20-year-old began his senior career at Gent, before joining les Gones for a reported fee of £14.5m in January 2024, making 62 appearances for Lyon to date, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “magnificent winger prospect”, so could he be set to swap France for West London?

Why Chelsea should sign Malick Fofana not Jamie Gittens

After deciding not to make Jadon Sancho’s loan from Manchester United permanent, paying a £5m penalty fee as a result, Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian reports that Chelsea are ‘prioritising’ signing a right-footed left-winger this summer.

Well, BBC Sport claimed last week that the Blues had seen a £42m rejected by Borussia Dortmund for 20-year-old Englishman Jamie Gittens, who they claim has already agreed personal terms.

But now, are the Blues turning their attention to Fofana, and who is actually the bigger prospect? Let’s find out.

Fofana vs Gittens 2024/25 comparison
Statistics	Fofana	Gittens
Appearances	41	48
Minutes	2,280	2,790
Goals	11	12
Assists	6	5
Goals – xG	+5	+6.7
Expected assists	4.4	3.5
Shots on target %	54%	40.3%
Progressive carries	157	161
Attempted take-ons	83	232
Take-on success %	39.8%	44.8%
Shot-creating actions per 90	3.43	3.57
Goal-creating actions per 90	0.61	0.45
Average SofaScore rating	7.24	7.05
Stats via Transfermarkt, FBref, Sofascore.

As the table outlines, Gittens is much more of a prolific dribbler; in fact, across Europe’s top five leagues, only six players attempted more take-ons, according to FBref.com.

However, Fofana is a significantly more of a direct goal-threat, underlined by the fact he registered more assists and a higher amount of expected assists, as well as goal-creating actions per 90 and a better shots on target percentage.

​​​​​​​

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes the Belgian international possesses “enormous potential” and has a “big future ahead”, while Brandon Liss of Total Football Analysis outlines how Fofana likes to hold width on the left side, tasked with taking on opposition full-backs, “working tirelessly” and demonstrating “excellent work rate”.

Meantime, Astorre Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines asserts that Fofana ‘has huge potential’, describing him as an ‘explosive winger​​​​​​​’ who ‘combines well with teammates’ and is a threat in front of goal.

Lyon are currently under pressure to sell and fast because they have been provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 due to financial irregularities, a situation that remains up in the air.

Thus, if Chelsea are able to take advantage of Lyon’s predicament and get a deal done, Fofana is unquestionably a top-class talent.

Maresca must sign an upgrade on 5/10 Chelsea dud who lost the ball 10 times

Chelsea beat LAFC 2-0 in their first game of the Club World Cup.

3

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 17, 2025

There wasn’t a whole lot to celebrate for Arsenal fans this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side once again failed to get over the line in the Premier League, and while they progressed further in the Champions League, there was still a feeling at full-time in Paris that they could have reached the final.

With that said, there have been some bright spots, notably the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri, who managed to rack up 11 goal involvements in 37 games, and Bukayo Saka, who produced 26 in 37 appearances despite missing almost four months of action through injury.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking the club to a Premier League star who’s been compared to both aces.

Arsenal transfer news

In the last few weeks, Arsenal have been linked with several talented players from the Premier League, like Morgan Rogers and Adam Wharton.

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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The former could cost as much as £100m, but has shown an incredible level of attacking quality this season, racking up a tally of 29 goal involvements in 54 games for Aston Villa.

The latter has a reported price tag of at least £80m, and has shown himself to be a quality young midfielder capable of breaking up play and dictating it.

However, as talented as these two are, it would be hard to describe either of them as similar to Saka and Nwaneri, unlike Mohammed Kudus.

Yes, according to a recent report from BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in the West Ham United star.

The report claims that the Gunners, Chelsea, and several other teams from the continent have all made contact about the versatile forward.

However, on top of having to deal with significant competition, the North Londoners might also have to pay an enormous fee to get their man, as his current deal includes a release clause worth an astounding £120m.

It would be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Kudus’ ability, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he’s already been compared to two of the club’s most exciting attackers.

How Kudus compares to Saka and Nwaneri

So, before getting into some of the other reasons Arsenal may want to sign Kudus this summer, it’s important to examine these comparisons to Saka and Nwaneri and where they come from.

Both cases stem from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in the Premier League and then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each.

In this instance, it was concluded that the teenager was the most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Ghanaian over the last 365 days, while the Gunners’ talismanic number seven was the third most similar midfielder.

Kudus & Nwaneri

Statistic per 90

Kudus

Nwaneri

Expected Assisted Goals

0.11

0.12

Shots

2.61

2.41

Passing Accuracy

83.6%

80.5%

Passes into the Final Third

1.60

1.72

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.52

0.61

Goal-Creating Actions

0.35

0.30

Blocks

0.83

0.81

Aerial Duels Won

0.38

0.40

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season

The best way to understand how these conclusions were reached is by looking at the underlying numbers in which the players rank closely, which, in the case of the North Londoners’ most recent wonderkid, include metrics like expected assisted goals, shots, crosses into the penalty area, passes into the final third and many, many more, all per 90.

For the Gunners’ mercurial number seven, the metrics in which he’s incredibly similar to the Hammers star include things like tackles won, interceptions, goals per shot and shot on target, non-penalty expected goals and successful take-on percentage per 90, suggesting he could be just as dangerous in the right setup.

Kudus & Saka

Statistic per 90

Kudus

Saka

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.24

0.31

Goals per Shot

0.07

0.08

Goals per Shot on Target

0.24

0.23

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.52

0.63

Tackles Won

0.80

0.78

Interceptions

0.14

0.16

Successful Take-On %

44.2%

45.6%

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season

However, while comparisons to some of the most talented players in Arteta’s squad should already be reason enough to chase the “generational talent,” as dubbed by journalist Gary Al-Smith, there are still others.

For example, while his haul of nine-goal involvements in 35 games this season isn’t much to get too excited about, he showed himself capable of hitting much higher heights last season when he produced 28 goal involvements in 48 appearances.

Finally, according to Sofascore, he completed the second most successful dribbles per game in the Premier League this season, which is just the kind of dynamic direct threat the Gunners could do with – not to mention that he can play all across the frontline.

Ultimately, Kudus would be an excellent signing, and if Arsenal can negotiate a price below that of his release clause, they should absolutely pay it.

Related Arsenal very close to signing £50m star who's a Saka & Rodrygo hybrid

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 6, 2025

Arsenal have proved to be a day late and a dollar short this season, with injuries and the after-effects of dithering in the transfer market leaving Mikel Arteta with another trophyless campaign.

But progress is hardly a linear thing in football, and only the blind or negligent would fail to see the immense gains the Gunners have made over the past five years. Now, though, it’s time for action.

A luckless year on the injury front might have formed the crux of the on-field issues, but careful moves over the coming months could see the north Londoners go from strength to strength, having proven their credentials with an excellent Champions League effort, defined by the two-legged thrashing of Real Madrid.

Signing an elite-level striker is a given, with more needed on the left and right wings too. Making such moves with confidence and clarity could change a lot for the outfit, especially in bringing Martin Odegaard back into the ascendancy.

How Arteta can fix Martin Odegaard

Odegaard’s form has been dissected ad nauseum this season, the Norwegian playmaker returning from injury and still searching for that elusive flame that has powered his success since signing for the club in August 2021 for £30m, having initially joined on loan earlier that year.

Context is important, and not only have Arsenal been disrupted by an overload of injuries, one of the most damaging concerned the skipper, who returned in November after several months out but has struggled to get back into gear.

There’s still a lot to like. As per FBref, Odegaard ranks among the top 1% of Premier League midfielders this season for progressive passes and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90, but his influence, decision-making and decisiveness have all left plenty to be desired.

The 25-year-old’s ‘lack of adventure’ is something he will need to rectify, but sporting director Andrea Berta can certainly help him by securing some new forwards to feed on Odegaard’s creativity.

He might not be the priority, but this one could help restore the Scandinavian superstar.

Arsenal chasing £70m forward

According to GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are in the mix for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, no doubt emboldened by the fact he’s a boyhood Gunners supporter.

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As a result of that fact, it’s alleged that the player is ‘very open’ to moving to the Emirates Stadium this summer, giving Arsenal hope that a deal could be done if they were to send in an offer.

Bournemouth are looking for a £70m fee, which is likely too tall, but the Ghanaian’s desire to move to the Emirates Stadium could help Arteta as he searches for Bukayo Saka competition on the right.

Arsenal are keeping tabs on the situation, sure, but Manchester United are also big admirers and need a right-sided forward more than the Gunners.

Why Semenyo can fix Odegaard

Semenyo has been described as a goalscorer with “deadly precision” by Opta analyst Owurako Ampofo, two-footed and thus incredibly hard to read.

He’s a maverick, the stylish and fleet-footed profile required to make a difference at Arsenal and add a dimension on which Odegaard can focus, tighten, to bring himself back into form.

Aggressive and powerful, Semenyo has been one of the main drivers for Bournemouth this season, scoring 11 goals and supplying seven assists across all competitions.

A right-sided forward might not be Arsenal’s priority, but there’s no question a player of Semenyo’s ilk would add the depth and dynamism that has been lacking this season.

Should Saka fall to injury again, for example, it’s paramount that competition is prudently sourced to combat such a possibility.

Described as a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Semenyo carries a certain likeness to Arsenal’s talisman, which could see him fit snugly into Arteta’s system.

Moreover, it hands Odegaard a new forward to play with an intuitive understanding of his style of play. Of course, the fact that he’s a ball-striking machine doesn’t hurt either.

As FBref record, Semenyo ranks among the top 5% of Premier League positional peers this term for shots taken per 90 (3.57), emphasising his hunger for goals, his hunger to influence.

The Ghana international, furthermore, is not restricted to a single positional placement. In fact, his ability to make out on the left or even in a more central berth suggests Arteta could use him with Saka and Odegaard, a frightening thought for the Londoners’ opponents.

Semenyo – Bournemouth Stats by Position (24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

19

7

2

Left winger

19

3

5

Centre-forward

1

1

1

Stats via Transfermarkt

Semenyo wouldn’t be the solvent of Arsenal’s inconsistencies by himself, especially if ferried about numerous positions, but he could plug some yawning holes and latch onto Odegaard’s playmaking.

His multi-tooled style of play is further defined by his ability to score from every angle. As per Sofascore, Semenyo has scored five Premier League goals with his left foot, four with his right. He’s missed 12 big chances, so he isn’t the most accurate shooter in the business, but given the staggering number of shots he likes to get off, a slight profligacy can be forgiven.

Especially if he’s being supplied by Odegaard at the top of his game. The £240k-per-week midfielder’s return to the fore is a matter of time, make no mistake about that.

But his issues across the current year, injuries aside, are part of a wider Arsenal problem that could be solved quite simply through the acquisition of a new centre-forward, plus two wingers, one for either side.

Of course, in the Cherries winger, Arsenal get one who can compete on both flanks and has proven himself an able goalscorer either way. Having created 11 big chances and won 6.3 duels per game too, he’s very much that high-level athlete, both combative and creative, who could have a marked impact on the Arsenal resurgence, which maybe, just maybe, will see Arteta’s project reach apotheosis.

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Posts ByMatt Dawson May 18, 2025

Manchester United are preparing a big-money offer for a former Manchester City player that Ruben Amorim is desperate to bring to Old Trafford, according to a new report.

Man Utd draw at Lyon as Amorim praises Zirkzee

After a difficult start to the season, United were finally showing signs of improvement under Amorim, having enjoyed much-improved results over the past two months.

In mid-week against Lyon in the Europa League, however, their progress suffered a slight setback as they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

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He could be heading for the exit door…

1 ByTom Cunningham Apr 13, 2025

Two mistakes from goalkeeper Andre Onana cost the Red Devils, with the Cameroon international first letting a cross go directly under him in the first-half, and then fumbling a tame shot in the final minutes of the game to allow Rayan Cherki to score a last-gasp equalizer, which resulted in him being dropped against Newcastle United on Sunday. The Magpies ran riot at St James’ Park, winning 4-1 without Eddie Howe on the sidelines.

Despite the setback against Lyon, however, there were still positives to take from the display, most notably that of forward Joshua Zirkzee, who was on the scoresheet for the second time in three Europa League games, heading home Bruno Fernandes’ cross in the 88th minute.

Talking about the Dutchman, who earlier in the season was substituted after just 33 minutes in a game against Newcastle United, after the draw with Lyon, Amorim hailed his striker’s recent displays.

“Yes, he’s doing a great job. Also a very important thing was the way the fans react after that incident,” he said.

Asked about his role in Zirkzee’s turnaround, Amorim added: “I just want to help the team and then work with him. With all the work that all the staff is doing with him he’s improving, and then I put him to play. This is the only way to show confidence to the player.”

Man Utd launch £70m move for Morgan Rogers

Despite Zirkzee’s recent improvement, seven goals and three assists in all competitions still isn’t enough to help United back to competing for titles, so Amorim will no doubt be looking to bolster his forward line in the summer.

And according to a report from Spain, the Portuguese boss already knows just the man he wants: Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.

Rogers, formerly of Manchester City, has been one of the Premier League and Europe’s star players this season, helping Villa not only enjoy another solid Premier League campaign, but also reach the quarterfinals, and possibly even further, in the Champions League.

It is claimed that United and Amorim have identified the England international as one of their top targets for the summer, and are “willing to do everything possible to bring him to Old Trafford.”

The Red Devils are said to have already launched a massive £70 million bid for Rogers, however it’s thought that luring him away from Villa will be tough, with the club keen to keep hold of a player they consider one of their most important, and talented, stars.

Games

46

Goals

14

Assists

12

After netting a hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League back in January, former Villa star Stiliyan Petrov described him as a “joy to watch.”

“He was just outstanding, we saw everything from the young man. He looked like a mature player,” Petrov said. “He looked like he is going to be a star.”

It would have been easy for a captain to burn through his key bowlers too early, but Rohit Sharma got the balance spot on

Sidharth Monga10-Jun-20241:17

Kumble: ‘Pant has been the best player in India’s line-up’

“You can’t defend this total. You have to get them out.”Falser words have hardly ever been spoken about low scores in T20s. If India, playing their third match at a particular ground, get bowled out for a low total, there’s a high chance that particular ground is not conducive to a bigger score. There is a higher chance they might end up with a below-par total at a high-scoring venue than at a low-scoring one. So if the ball is seaming and bouncing unevenly, you don’t really need to bowl them out.There are a few IPL captains in this India team. They have all been at either end of such low defences, albeit on a slow, turning tracks. The principle is the same: unlike in ODIs, T20s are a short enough period for you to be able to defend. In fact, it pays to not go searching and offering the opposition easy scoring opportunities in the process.Related

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Bumrah spearheads India's defence of 119; Pakistan on brink of elimination

Rohit on Bumrah: 'He's a genius with the ball'

Old debate, simple answer: Pakistan's batting just not very good

T20 is a highly-strung game. It doesn’t react well to high variance in conditions. You cannot score much higher than a run a ball if the ball does as much as it has done on Long Island. If you try to, you take a big risk.Rohit Sharma has been part of four successful defences of low totals (between 129 and 149) in IPL finals alone, one as a player for Deccan Chargers and three as Mumbai Indians captain. Only one of these wins came through early wickets; in the other three, Rohit’s team hung in for long enough.All that experience came into use in defending 119 against Pakistan. Rohit didn’t want to burn through Jasprit Bumrah’s overs looking for wickets. Even when Pakistan had partnerships going for the second and the third wicket, he didn’t become desperate for wickets. He just wanted to stay in the game long enough.Strike bowler and captain: the experience of Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma combined•AFPOn such pitches and outfields, you can set fields relatively easily. Even though the ball seamed less for India, it did enough to keep the other bowlers in it. When the opposition are 72 for 2 chasing 120, it is easy to make it a final roll of the dice and bring back your No. 1 bowler too early. Rohit didn’t. Perhaps on a flatter pitch, he might need to.”Even when there is help, you can be desperate, and you can try to go fuller and try to pull that magic delivery,” Bumrah said. “I tried not to do that but when we came, the swing and seam had reduced. So, we had to be accurate because if we go for magic deliveries and try to be too desperate, run-making becomes easy and they know the target. So, we had to be very mindful of not overdoing it and, yes, add up pressure, use the big boundaries, try to use things to our advantage. That is what we were doing. So, in that we created pressure and everybody got wickets.”India were helped in part by some docile batting from Pakistan. Take the 16th over, for example. This was going to be the last over of spin, and they had a left-hand batter on strike with a small leg-side boundary facing a left-arm spinner. Imad Wasim even had the wind going for him. Axar Patel bowled wide first ball, fully expecting Imad to shuffle across and try to hit to leg. Imad, though, tried only the late-cut and the cut, which could get him only singles on this outfield. If connected, that is. Axar bowled that over for just two runs, leaving Pakistan 35 to get in four overs.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhen Naseem Shah ramped Arshdeep Singh in the 20th over, it was the first unconventional shot Pakistan had played. Again, in conditions that allow bowlers to set fields for conventional shots, you have to play the unconventional ones.Not for nothing is Rishabh Pant the most successful batter in the New York leg of matches. He knows it is difficult to time the ball when going against its force. He knows the outfield is not his friend. So he has been hitting in areas where the bowlers don’t expect the ball to go. India won by six runs; they scored 12 more than Pakistan in ramps and reverse-sweeps. In the field, India were allowed to do what they wanted whereas Pakistan were put under higher pressure.Once the thought leaders of T20 cricket, among the early acceptors of the format, Pakistan are now playing T20 cricket from an era gone by. Not long ago, you could speak of Babar Azam and Virat Kohli the T20 batters in the same breath. Kohli, though, has gone on to work on his game, started slogging left-arm spinners, puts a lower price on his wicket, and has stayed relevant. Babar is stuck in a time warp. Awkward as it may be for him, Rohit has started playing the reverse-sweep. Pant and Suryakumar Yadav have been encouraged by the system.Given the limited scoring options the Pakistan batters have, at no stage did they look like the favourites to complete the chase. That Pakistan are being left behind is possibly down to their T20 isolation and also the stubbornness of their senior batters. Either way it is a waste of bowling talent.It might not have shown in the end because the toss advantage reduced the difference between the sides, but the difference between the sides was vast. Also, while they might have lost wickets at wrong times, India kept putting themselves in a position to get to a total that could bat Pakistan out of the game. That is something you can’t always say that of them: since 2014, the only teams India had defended successfully against in T20 World Cups were Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Netherlands and Zimbabwe.