All posts by n8rngtd.top

His showing against CSK turned out to be the best all-round performance in this IPL so far

ESPNcricinfo Stats Team03-Apr-2019Hardik Pandya’s brilliant all-round performance handed Mumbai Indians’ their 100th victory in the IPL. He smashed 25 off 8 deliveries to boost the total to 170 and then claimed three wickets at economy of 5 with the ball. Pandya was clearly the stand-out player of the match, but ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats puts a number to it, and shows how Pandya’s performance was even more impactful in the context of the game than his already-impressive numbers suggest.Pandya’s Smart Runs were 39, which is 14 more than what he scored. His Smart Strike rate was a whopping 487.50. Smart Stats take into account the quality of the opposition bowlers, the situation of the match and the scoring rate. Pandya arrived when the scoring rate was 6.72 and his team was four-down. His innings boosted the end-of-innings run rate to 8.50. With the ball, Pandya’s Smart Economy was just 1.75 and the Smart Runs conceded were seven, which is 13 runs less than actual 20 he gave. That turns out to be the best all-round performance in this IPL so far.ESPNcricinfo LtdIn terms of contribution to the match, Pandya’s was the highest – 20.1% – followed by Jason Behrendorff’s 14.3% and Suryakumar Yadav 12.5%. The contribution percentages are calculated by combining the batting and bowling efforts of all players in the game. That means a fifth of the total contributions by all the players in the game came from Hardik Pandya. That, in a nutshell, illustrates his impact on the match.

Dhoni, du Plessis and the bowlers were exceptional, but lapses by the likes of Watson and Raina proved costly

Shashank Kishore13-May-2019Where did they finish?Ten playoffs in ten seasons, in the final on eight of those occasions, and they fell two runs short of their fourth IPL crown, a record their conquerors – Mumbai Indians – are now proud owners of.What went right?Their bowling were exceptional. Deepak Chahar was impressive with his Powerplay performances, and on the rare occasions that he was taken apart, like in the final, Shardul Thakur put his hand up.With 26 wickets, Imran Tahir proved he was far from finished at 40. He kept the middle overs quiet, and gave MS Dhoni the control he loves to have on the slow Chepauk tracks. Not far below him were Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh, who proved he still has some gas left in the tank at 37.He may have lost the fizz in his delivery and the bounce that once made him as dangerous as Anil Kumble at home, but Harbhajan’s control and guile upfront with the new ball made him Dhoni’s go-to bowler at home.Shane Watson loses his off stump to Sam Curran•BCCIWhat went wrong?The middle order couldn’t deliver. As the tournament progressed, Ambati Rayudu was being reminded of his 3D jibe with every poor outing, Shane Watson kept eating up dot balls in the Powerplay, which reflected in an overall run rate of 6.29 during this passage, the poorest among all sides this season. Suresh Raina was a pale shadow of his former self in the yellow of Chennai, both with the bat and on the field. Because the middle order was misfiring, they had to try and slot in M Vijay and Dhruv Shorey, two top-order batsmen, lower down. This meant Mitchell Santner had to sit out, and this affected team balance.Key numbers

• The 60 wickets the Super Kings spinners picked up are the most by spinners in a single IPL season.
• Dhoni’s 245 runs were the third-most in the death overs, after Andre Russell and Hardik Pandya. He struck them at a strike rate of 185.

Star performersMS Dhoni was back to being his destructive self with the bat, especially at the death. His wicketkeeping reflexes continued to be lightning and no opponent could relax while he was around. He brought dead games back into the realms of possibility, as Royal Challengers Bangalore found out, and was always one up on the opposition with his on-field tactics. There may be murmurs over his international retirement, but there was plenty to suggest Dhoni the Super King still had enough left in him even if he kept everyone guessing with his “hopefully, yes” quip when asked about his return in 2020.Faf du Plessis reinvented the wheel and was chiefly responsible for driving the batting, allowing Dhoni a hint of breathing space before teeing off. Earlier, du Plessis often had to fight for his position or had to miss out if team balance warranted that. This year, however, he was a constant for most parts and he delivered. On the field, he was among the fast movers that stood out amid a number of “safe fielders”, as Dhoni put it.What needs immediate fix?They need to start looking for Dhoni’s successor and slowly groom some youngsters. The team looked helpless on the two occasions Dhoni missed out because of illness. They may also consider looking for strong young Indian middle-order bats who can also bring in a new dimension to the side’s fielding. This article had earlier mentioned Super Kings were seven-time finalists. This has been corrected.

Left out of the side for three of England’s most recent seven Tests, veteran fast bowler works harder than ever to improve

George Dobell at Edgbaston01-Aug-2019Hold the obits; wait with the eulogies; save the send-offs: Stuart Broad isn’t done yet.Broad had been left out of the side for three of England’s most recent seven Tests and, with the team management looking at succession planning, it seemed he may be the man to make way permanently in the coming months.That’s understandable, too. James Anderson, with his skills apparently helping him defy the ageing process, is averaging 20.19 with the ball in Test cricket since the start of 2017. England don’t want to be in a position where their two opening bowlers finish at the same time and Anderson has made himself indispensable.There are younger, quicker bowlers for England to look to now. Had Jofra Archer or Mark Wood been considered fit for selection here, there is every chance Broad may have missed out. There was some thought given to selecting Olly Stone, who is a little quicker than Broad, or Sam Curran, who offers some left-arm variation, too. After many years of knowing his place in the side was secure, Broad is suddenly back in the pack, fighting for his place. And, maybe that has been key to his resurgence.Stuart Broad celebrates as Steve Smith is given out lbw, though the decision would be overturned on review•Getty ImagesBroad has had some experience of this new reality of late. He spent most of the Sri Lanka tour serving drinks to his team-mates; a task that could have proved hard to stomach for a proud man who is used to star billing. Many bowlers, with miles on the clock and legacies (and stats) to maintain, would have called it a day. It’s not as if Broad will struggle for opportunities once his playing career is over; with his looks and eloquence, it is anticipated he will join a broadcaster the moment he walks off the pitch.But Broad still loves it. And Broad still believes. So instead of moping or moaning, he used those weeks on the sidelines to tinker with his action and shorten his run-up. He reacted to the emergence of Archer by working harder than ever and showed that, even at the age of 33 and with more Test wickets behind him than any England bowler in history except Anderson, the humility and hunger to improve remained.”The crucial thing in top-level sport is to always look to improve,” he said after play on Thursday. “That’s been a philosophy of mine ever since Andrew Strauss took over as captain as he wanted his players to do that. And I felt that, aged 32 or 33, it was a good time to give my game a tweak and take it to a different level.”So I changed my run-up in Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. I wanted to shorten my delivery stride to get a bit more bounce and potentially pace. And I’ve felt in great rhythm since doing that.”But that was just the start of the change. In recent weeks, he has also taken advice from the Nottinghamshire coaching staff and, in particular, former England head coach Peter Moores.”Peter and our analyst at Notts, Kunal Manek, came to me three or four weeks ago and told me my leave percentage [deliveries batsmen were leaving off his bowling] was a bit higher than my norm,” Broad explained. “So in the last month, I’ve been challenging myself to make the batsmen play as often as possible. That’s been my No. 1 goal. I’m focusing on getting the batsmen to play every ball. And today, my leave percentage was under 15%, which is really low as my average can be between 25-26%. It’s a little thing, but it’s brilliant coaching and analyst work.”The results were obvious. A harsh (and generalised) interpretation of the characteristics of Broad’s recent displays would be a decline in pace and a propensity to squander the new ball through bowling too short. Here, though, his average speed in his first ten overs – 86.54 mph – was his quickest since 2014. And, after starting with the fullest opening over of his Test career, he maintained that length for 31% of his deliveries throughout the day; his average over the last couple of years has been 23%. So even though there was little swing – “we just couldn’t buff the ball” – and even though there are no terrors in this surface (ignore the evidence of a scoreboard that read 122 for 8 at one stage; this pitch is fine), Broad’s accuracy and seam movement created problems in a batting line-up that, Steven Smith apart, looked surprisingly fragile.Broad’s fuller length directly accounted for three wickets – two leg before and one bowled – and perhaps indirectly accounted for the other two. While Cameron Bancroft could have left the ball he poked to the slips, he had managed just two scoring shots in his first 24 deliveries. He had been drawn forward and made to play so often that he jabbed at one he may have been in a better position – physically and mentally – to leave on another day. Later, Tim Paine, beaten twice by Broad early in his innings, snatched at a rare short ball and hit it directly to the man placed for the stroke.”I was surprised by the Paine wicket,” Broad admitted. “I had a short-leg and square-leg and I was trying to run it back into off stump to bring the short-leg into play. But Moeen Ali, at mid-off, told me Joe Root had asked me to bowl a bouncer. It was quite a slow pitch, so it didn’t really get up but Rooty had moved square leg back to the boundary without me knowing and Paine whacked it straight to him. Rooty knew about that plan more than me.”Stuart Broad is left stunned after Tim Paine falls into his short-ball trap•Getty ImagesAs the day wore on – as Smith settled, the ball softened and the loss of Anderson started to show in the legs of the England attack – Broad’s figures suffered. From 4 for 34 at one point, he looked disconcertingly innocuous for a while as Smith heaved him over midwicket for six or drove him back over his head for four.But he stuck to it. And midway through his 23rd over – only the third time since June 2018 that he has delivered more than 20 overs in a Test innings – he was rewarded with the wicket of Smith that completed his first five-for since April 1, 2018 and his first against Australia since August 2015 and that remarkable day at Trent Bridge. It was also his 100th Ashes wicket.”With my family history in it, I was always desperate to play in the Ashes and to have played this many series has been special,” he said. “There is no better feeling than lifting that urn. It’s the pinnacle for an English Test cricketer. It’s an honour to have taken that many wickets, but hopefully there are a few more to come.”Have I felt squeezed out in recent times? No. There are always people after your spot; that’s international cricket. But I feel very much part of the team. It’s a brilliant culture to be around.”It would be disingenuous to suggest that Archer – and in particular, his bouncers and yorkers – was not missed. Even if Smith handled Archer with comfort, it seems reasonable to presume that Peter Siddle and Nathan Lyon may have been hurried and troubled. And even Smith can’t score runs without a partner.But Archer will need support. And, for at least the next six or seven weeks, Broad could still be one of the men to provide it. Still learning, still improving, still taking Australian wickets. Broad isn’t done just yet.

Some fast-scorers and miserly bowlers will hope to make a name for themselves in the UAE over the next two weeks

Peter Della Penna17-Oct-2019Deunte Darrell (Bermuda)Deunte Darrell runs off after his six off Hayden Walsh Jr. clinched Bermuda’s spot in the T20 World Cup Qualifier•Peter Della PennaMost people have their attention focused on Sussex allrounder Delray Rawlins and Kamau Leverock, the big-hitting, fast-bowling nephew of Dwayne Leverock. But Bermuda have a string of fearless power-hitters scattered through their lineup and few come into the tournament with more confidence and form than Darrell.Ten years after last representing the nation at U-19 level in 2009, Darrell made his senior debut at the Americas Regional Final in August on home soil. The tall, lanky middle-order batsman punished USA’s Hayden Walsh Jr. for a string of sixes in an unbeaten 30 off 23 balls that clinched Bermuda’s place in the UAE at the expense of USA. He clubbed a rapid 47* off 25 balls in a warm-up match win over Nigeria on Monday and is a fantastic fielder, regularly patrolling long-on in the death overs where his safe hands also play a significant role.JP Kotze (Namibia)JP Kotze slog sweeps over midwicket for six•Peter Della PennaFew batsmen in Associate cricket are in hotter form than the burly left-hander Kotze. Utilising windy conditions to hit with the breeze in south Florida, he struck 11 fours and eight sixes – all over the leg side including two 100-metre hits that went over the roof and out of the stadium at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill – as part of his 136 off 109 balls against USA last month to record Namibia’s first ever ODI century.Against Hong Kong, another team featuring at the Qualifier in the UAE, Kotze brutalized their bowlers in scoring 148 off 86 balls at WCL Division Two in April, a win that clinched ODI status for Namibia. Kotze showed he can do it in T20I cricket too, scoring the country’s first-ever T20I ton against Botswana off just 43 balls in August.Ben Stevens (Jersey)Ben Stevens drives through cover•Peter Della PennaThe fulcrum of the Channel Islanders’ fortunes at bat and in the field, the tall left-arm spinning allrounder bats at No. 3 and is guaranteed to bowl a full quota in favorable conditions in the UAE. His value was underscored by his absence due to a medical issue in 2016 at WCL Division Four in Los Angeles. Having been a major cog in winning Division Five on home soil five months earlier, he watched from the sidelines in Los Angeles as Jersey finished in the bottom two to be relegated without him.He didn’t bowl much in the European Regional qualifier in June but came through with a key knock of 44 before taking 3 for 17 in a convincing win over Norway. Most recently, he played a vital role in Jersey’s pair of warm-up wins in Dubai leading into the start of the tournament by striking 32 off 19 balls to help seal a swift chase against Kenya before a miserly four-over spell of 1 for 14 helped bowl Singapore out for 112.Ravinderpal Singh (Canada)Ravinderpal Singh slogs a six over the leg side•Peter Della PennaComing off the Global T20 Canada for Toronto Nationals where middle-order opportunities were limited in a lineup featuring Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard, Ravinderpal became the first player to strike a T20I century on debut when he belted 101 off 48 balls – including 10 sixes – in a win over Cayman Islands at White Hill Field in Bermuda. He eliminated any doubt that he could produce against higher-class teams when he savaged USA legspinner Timil Patel on the way to striking 67 off 33 balls with eight sixes to cement Canada’s undefeated tournament at the regional qualifier in Bermuda.Ravinderpal has adjusted to conditions in the UAE comfortably too. Entering at 50 for 3 in the seventh over chasing a challenging target of 165 against Singapore on Tuesday, he smoked an unbeaten 79 off 38 balls that included another seven sixes as Canada managed to seal the chase with two overs to spare. In addition to his power-hitting, he’s also fairly dependable as a catching fielder at long-on in the final few overs.Tim David (Singapore)If you’re questioning why Nepal and Sandeep Lamichhane aren’t in the UAE this week, Tim David is the answer. The Western Australia-raised batsman used his experience from Perth Scorchers to burn the Nepal bowling unit with 77 off 43 balls in July in a performance that knocked Nepal out and clinched Singapore’s first appearance in the global qualifier.David hasn’t slowed down since. He was the leading scorer at the opening Cricket World Cup Challenge League series held in Malaysia with four fifties in five innings in September, and he took that one-day form back into T20 cricket by sparking Singapore to their maiden win over a Full Member when he made 41 off 23 balls in a four-run win over Zimbabwe on September 29.

Former spinner Robin Peterson on his new role as a franchise coach and what the transitioning South African squad needs to do to make up for its lack of experience

Firdose Moonda12-Nov-2019Robin Peterson was an unremarkable, unfortunate cricketer, a left-arm spinner in South Africa’s golden era of quicks, with a first-class batting average of 24.69 and a bowling average of 33.28. Swap those numbers and he still wouldn’t be among the first picks in your team. He didn’t have a cool hairstyle or a sleeve tattoo either, so if he has faded into obscurity in your memory, it wouldn’t be surprising. However, Peterson is trying to work his way back in, albeit in a completely different role.Like many other retirees, he has taken up coaching, but his is an unconventional approach: he is in the middle of acquiring a Masters in Sports Directorship from Manchester Metropolitan University. The degree is both shaping and being shaped by his work on the ground, in change rooms around the world.”It’s about how you manage people, so the degree goes hand in hand with what I am doing now,” Peterson said during his first match as interim coach of the Warriors, against the Cobras at Newlands. “You need to understand people to understand what’s going on in their heads before you can understand what they deliver.”Sometimes it’s not cricket that makes a cricketer. It’s a lot of other things – expectation, how do I train, is fitness really that important? These types of questions that might not have anything to do with seeing numbers on the board but leads up to that point of taking wickets and scoring runs.”ALSO READ: Lack of domestic depth leads South Africa into uncertain timesAnd so Peterson thinks mentorship, rather than technical expertise, ought to be a priority for South African cricket as it navigates its way through a transition phase made trickier by a talent drain. He says it’s not only the retirements of Dale Steyn from Tests and Hashim Amla from all formats that has changed the complexion of the current national side, but the reality that players who were expected to step into their shoes opted out even before Steyn and Amla made their exits.”We’ve lost a tier of players that probably would have graduated and played for South Africa for a long time,” Peterson said, referring to Kyle Abbott, Duanne Olivier, Rilee Rossouw, Stiaan van Zyl and others who have chosen Kolpak contracts in the last two years.”Now we are getting guys that are maybe a year or two out from being the players we would like them to be already. You need the experienced players back in the system, people that have been there and can accelerate their learning a little bit. I always found value in that.”Peterson is not the only person calling for old hands. On his return from the recent series loss in India, South Africa captain Faf du Plessis lamented the lack of experience in the domestic system. But then du Plessis himself did not play in the only round of four-day cricket he was available for.Peterson wants that attitude to change and has called on Cricket South Africa to prioritise the domestic game in order produce quality cricketers.It’s been around two years since Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock played first-class matches for their franchise•AFP”I’d like to know how many guys playing for the Proteas have won four-day matches for their franchises. How many were the guys that got the match-winning hundred, for example,” Peterson said. “I remember playing against Hashim Amla in his first season – the Dolphins chased down 280 and he was 120 not out.”Although it was more than 15 years ago, Peterson’s memory of that match is fairly accurate. He was playing for the Warriors, in a team that included Mark Boucher and Makhaya Ntini, against a Dolphins side featuring Lance Klusener and Amla, who scored 115 in a successful chase of 292. That performance helped Amla get a call-up to the Test side a month later. He played three Tests and then returned to help the Dolphins win the title (shared with the Eagles) that season, scoring 707 runs in nine games at 54.38, including two other hundreds.And Amla wasn’t the only player making a big impression at the time. “AB de Villiers also won games for the Titans, and even though we are talking about two special players now, all players need to graduate in their systems to this level, then win games at this level and bridge that gap and move to South Africa A, win games there and contribute,” Peterson said. “I don’t know if that’s happening at the moment. There is a process. We need to get back to that.”Currently South Africa’s Test players are rarely available for first-class matches, and even when they are, the selection criteria, heavily based on transformation targets, mean not all of them can play.ALSO READ: ‘I want to be a World Cup winning coach for SA’ – PetersonThe Titans, for example, could have theoretically fielded du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, and Heinrich Klaasen (and Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, if they hadn’t been injured) in the match against the Knights last month in Bloemfontein, but all five players are white, and picking them would have required a complete rejig of the team. As it turned out, only Klaasen played. de Kock has not played a first-class game for the Titans since September 2017 and du Plessis has played only one more match since. Du Plessis, who is a proven match-winner (or, you could argue, match-saver) is not around to set an example for the next generation, and de Kock, who is among the most experienced of the current Test line-up, does not have a track record of winning matches at first-class level.Then there’s the other problem of promising players being pushed up prematurely to a level they are not ready to step up to. “I am not a fan of picking guys from Under-19 to go straight through to South Africa A or higher. I believe they need to learn their trade here at franchise level,” Peterson said.An example is fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who played only nine first-class games – only four at the franchise level – before making his Test debut.”The only way you can get better and learn is by going through a bit of pain as a spinner”•Getty ImagesThat’s why Peterson wants to be particularly careful with the young players under his watch, specifically a trio identified as part of the next generation. Batsmen Matthew Breetzke (21 first-class matches) and Sinethemba Qeshile (17), who also keeps wicket, and fast bowler Lutho Sipamla (24) are all from South Africa’s U-19 set-up and are being primed for higher honours. Peterson, who worked with them at age-group level, was careful not to talk them up too much, speaking instead of what they need to do next.”They are good players but they’ve still got a lot to learn,” he said. “It’s Qeshile’s second season now and he’s got a bit of runs, but it hasn’t quite gone his way, so he needs to learn to deal with failure and to be a little bit resilient too. That’s what’s makes you as a cricketer. You get dropped, you come back – these are skills you need to acquire if you are going to be successful.”Breetzke is a real talent. If you watch him in the nets, you’d think he is already playing international cricket, but he needs time. Sipamla has all the tools. He will develop as he gets a bit stronger and understands how to bowl in different conditions.”Peterson got Amla to attend a net session to talk to Breetzke and Sipamla, and got the youngsters to face some of the Warriors bowlers, so he could provide them with feedback. Over the course of the summer, Peterson intends to get other former players involved, including Ntini, Mfuneko Ngam and Meyrick Pringle, who are all based in the Eastern Cape, like the Warriors.Doesn’t Peterson want to see South Africa shed their spinner-averse reputation and produce a player who will be remembered more than himself was? He believes South Africa are well on their way to doing so, provided they don’t continue to negate left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj on seamer-friendly surfaces and start searching for his successor right away.”Playing last season on so many green wickets, and Maharaj not getting an opportunity – that had an impact on his career. It affects you. Nathan Lyon went through the same thing. He got dropped and Australia were looking at Ashton Agar. Then they went back to Lyon, because they realised ‘We need to invest in this guy’, and now they are reaping the rewards. We can’t just chop and change and chop and change. We know Keshav is the guy. Now we need to see who’s next in line and work with him.”Peterson even thinks that spinner could be someone like offspinner Dane Piedt, who had a woeful tour of India, or allrounder Senuran Muthusamy, who was more impressive with bat than ball in the series.”You can’t just throw them away, because they are the best in the country at the moment. You’ve got to develop them. They’ve got to play. The only way you can get better and learn is by going through a bit of pain as a spinner. You get smashed, then you come up with plans and you try and get better and then people get used to you again and then you get smashed and then you come back a better bowler.”If there’s anyone who understands that journey, it’s Peterson.

Manchester City are now ready to make a big offer for a “spectacular” forward, but there could be fierce competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Man City set for summer rebuild

Pep Guardiola is tasked with revolutionising his aging squad this summer, and perhaps one of the manager’s most difficult tasks will be finding a suitable replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, whose 10-year stay at the Etihad Stadium is set to come to an end.

Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison has reportedly been identified as an heir to De Bruyne, with City willing to make a £60m bid for the England international, while they are also in talks over a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.

Attacking midfield is not the only area in which Guardiola is looking to strengthen, however, with the manager also keen on strengthening his wide options, and FC Barcelona star Lamine Yamal is among the more audacious targets.

Man City have a "quality" striker to replace Haaland & it's not Marmoush

With Erling Haaland sidelined for a while, Pep Guardiola must entrust Man City “quality” striker to deputise, and it is not Omar Marmoush.

By
Ben Gray

Apr 14, 2025

That said, it may be difficult to prise Yamal away from Barcelona, given that he is protected by a £850m release clause, so the Sky Blues may be forced to move on to other options.

According to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), Man City are now ready to make a big offer for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, whose future in Italy is uncertain, amid interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Manchester United and Chelsea are also ready to make approaches for the 19-year-old, so there could be fierce competition for his signature this summer, at which point Juventus are worried they may struggle to keep hold of the teenager.

With the Serie A side at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification, Yildiz could be on the move, but he will not come cheap, with previous reports detailing Juventus could hold out for over £75m.

"Spectacular" Yildiz impressing in Italy

Despite his age, the Turkey international has managed to establish himself as a key player for Juventus this season, making 31 appearances in the Serie A, during which time he has amassed six goals and three assists.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has singled the starlet out for praise too, claiming he has “high on-the-ball bravery to make spectacular solo runs”, while also suggesting he is “almost perfectly two-footed”.

Yildiz could be an excellent signing for Man City, and at 19-years-old he is at the right age to be a long-term success at the Etihad Stadium.

However, finding a suitable replacement for De Bruyne should be City’s number one priority for the summer, rather than bringing in a new winger, given that it will be an extremely difficult task to find an heir for the Belgian.

One of Aston Villa’s standout players could still be on the move this summer, despite both the club and the player reportedly being “happy” with the current situation, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Villa thump Magpies to boost Champions League hopes

Aston Villa kept their Champions League hopes alive in emphatic fashion over the weekend with a dominant 4-1 win over high-flying Newcastle United at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsen, and Amadou Onana all found the net for Unai Emery’s side, while Magpies defender Dan Burn added to their tally with an own goal.

Forget Watkins & Rogers: 9/10 star is becoming Aston Villa's best player

Aston Villa secured a vital 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 20, 2025

The result moved Villa within just two points of Newcastle. They’re also now just one point behind Manchester City and level with Chelsea, making the race for a top-four finish incredibly tight with only a handful of games remaining.

Next up is a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to face City on Tuesday, a fixture that could prove decisive in the push for Champions League qualification. Speaking after the weekend’s win, Emery stressed the importance of maintaining momentum.

“We can’t stop. We are involved in the key moment of the season. Through the Premier League, we are trying to reach our first objective,” he said.

On Watkins – whose goal drew him level with Gabriel Agbonlahor as Villa’s all-time top Premier League scorer – Emery added: “I’m so happy with how he’s performing and progressing under our management. His individual goal is important—for him, for us, for the club, and for our overall development. Hopefully, we can keep helping him to achieve more and more.”

Watkins could leave Villa Park this summer

While Unai Emery is clearly thrilled with Watkins—who has scored 15 Premier League goals this season—his future at Villa Park isn’t entirely secure. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Watkins could still leave the club this summer if the right offer arrives. Writing in his exclusive GIVEMESPORT newsletter, Romano noted that both Villa and the player are happy with the current situation, but didn’t rule out a move.

“They’re happy with Watkins and he’s happy at the club,” Romano wrote. “Then if a proposal comes, never say never – as it was the case in January.”

Watkins was reportedly the subject of a £40 million bid from Arsenal during the winter transfer window, though Villa ultimately chose to reject the offer.

Having already seen Jhon Durán depart for the Saudi Pro League in January, losing Watkins this summer would represent a major blow for Aston Villa – particularly if they’re unable to secure the permanent signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.

That said, Villa have shown a knack in recent seasons for replacing outgoing talent with even stronger additions, so it wouldn’t be wise to bet against them pulling off something similar again if Watkins does move on.

Chelsea are now looking at signing a Netherlands international, who Arsenal have watched since he was 16, with Enzo Maresca’s side threatening to snatch a very long-term Gunners transfer target.

Chelsea targeting new defenders this summer

A new defender or two is reported to be high on BlueCo’s transfer agenda this summer, and a few high-profile names are already being mentioned ahead of the first window’s opening on June 1st.

Chelsea will now sell player who Maresca is "crazy" about for just £30m

It could be very unpopular with their manager.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 17, 2025

The Premier League confirmed that 2025 will have two summer windows (one open from June 1st to June 10th, and the other from June 16th to September 1st), which allows the likes of Chelsea and Man City to bring in new players before the Club World Cup.

According to reliable Stamford Bridge journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are expected to invest significantly in a new centre-back, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and Bournemouth sensation Dean Huijsen both mentioned as top targets.

Guehi is entering the final 12 months of his Palace contract, and Chelsea are believed to be seriously considering the prospect of re-signing the Cobham academy graduate, who departed for Selhurst Park in 2021 (The Mirror).

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Huijsen is expected to depart the Vitality Stadium this summer, with his £50 million release clause attracting attention from a host of top Premier League sides, including Chelsea.

As reported by David Ornstein, Chelsea have held talks with Huijsen’s representatives, alongside the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal, as England’s elite bid to battle for the Spaniard’s in-demand signature. However, there is also competition from abroad, as Vincent Kompany reportedly tells Bayern Munich to move for Huijsen as well (Football Insider).

Amidst their hot pursuit of the 20-year-old, Maresca’s side may also bolster their full-back options.

Jules Koundé was mentioned as a Chelsea target this week, according to reports in Spain, but they’ve also got their eyes on Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea eye Ajax defender and long-term Arsenal target Jorrel Hato

As per The Mail, Chelsea are now considering a move for Hato, who has become a mainstay for the Eredivisie side and one of the Netherlands’ rising stars.

The 19-year-old has been scouted by London rivals Arsenal since he was 16, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, so he has a big admirer in Arteta.

“Jorrel Hato is still a player they love – they’ve done all the work on him for years – they’ve been following him since he was 16,” said Bailey to The Boot Room recently.

“Liverpool like him as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hato came to England this year.”

The price of his signature, according to other reports, sits at around £40 million – which could be a bargain where Chelsea are concerned.

The versatile teenager can play at both left-back and as a left-sided centre-back when required, plugging two different gaps for Maresca, and there is a reason that no Ajax player has been handed more league minutes than Hato this season (WhoScored).

It’s been coming. Liverpool have enjoyed the most incredible of campaigns, FSG hitting the jackpot with their appointment of Arne Slot, but in keeping with the yearly routine, the season has produced a bitter pill for the fanbase to swallow.

Last year, it was a tired Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down after nearly nine illustrious years at the helm. 12 months earlier, Liverpool waved goodbye to Bobby Firmino, with the core of Anfield’s midfield all departing too.

Now, Trent Alexander-Arnold has decided to leave Liverpool at the end of his contract this summer, and while it hasn’t been set in stone, he will sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Why Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool journey has been synonymous with the club’s ascension under Klopp’s wing. The German gaffer birthed Trent onto the senior stage, handing him his debut across every competition for the Reds.

He’s won it all, but the 26-year-old’s decision to leave Liverpool and the peak of their (and his) powers is something that many fans aren’t going to be able to accept.

FSG did everything in their power to keep him on the books, reportedly offered him a healthy upgrade on his £180k-per-week contract, showcased an ambitious plan led by Slot, whose tactical grasp Trent has been dazzled by.

In the end, he just wanted to leave.

We could pick at it all day but the truth is that Alexander-Arnold feels he has given two decades of his life to his football club and won the lot. He believes that this is the right time for a change, and Real Madrid usually get what they want.

Sky Sports have even suggested that playing in Los Blancos white is something of a lifelong ambition for the England international, whose sights have likely been set on a move for a few years now, in one way or another.

Sporting director Richard Hughes will take his time in working with Slot and deciding on the best route forward at right-back. For now, though, he is looking to sign another defender nice and swiftly.

Liverpool lining up new defender

The Premier League champions are gearing up for a big summer, and the perfect way to put Alexander-Arnold’s decision in the background would be to win the race for Dean Huijsen.

Bournemouth’s star centre-back has been one of the breakthrough stars of the season, thriving on the South Coast. He has a £50m release clause in his contract and is being pursued by all of England’s heaviest hitters.

Certain reports have suggested Chelsea have the edge but according to Fabrizio Romano, the race is very much on, and Liverpool are in need of a new up-and-coming defensive star.

Why Dean Huijsen could be a bigger talent than Trent

Huijsen hasn’t been in the Premier League for long, but he’s already being head-hunted by the best of the best and this is all down to his performances on the pitch.

How Juventus must regret their decision to sell the 20-year-old to Bournemouth in a £15m deal last summer, for he has featured prominently in a Cherries side chasing Europe, with journalist Henry Winter even noting that he “shackled [Alexander] Isak on ground and in the air” back in January.

Sofascore record that Huijsen has won 61% of his aerial battles in the Premier League this season, also averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game, so it’s clear he’s able to produce the goods against the best of the best with consistency. One analyst has already declared that he’s going to be “world-class” in the coming years.

His latest showstopping game, a 2-1 win over Arsenal away from home, highlighted many of the qualities that have piqued the interest of so many clubs, notably scoring the equalising goal.

It was a statement display, not just the architect of the Emirates fall through his headed goal, but an all-round display that negated much of the Gunners’ attacking play.

A big-game player, dynamic as they come, Huijsen is already demonstrating an ability that could see him slot right into Liverpool’s starting line-up, fostering his talents over the coming years to eventually become an even bigger star than Alexander-Arnold.

With some suggesting that he has everything he needs to become “the ultimate modern-day centre back,” Huijsen could actually rise to an even higher level than Alexander-Arnold, should he make the move to Liverpool.

That’s not actually to detract from the Three Lions star’s skill set: Trent is a one-of-a-kind player, with a celestial range of passing that has been so important across a sustained period of success at Anfield.

But Huijsen, too, is showing himself to be a unique player. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 7% of defenders in the Premier League this season for goal contributions, the top 16% for progressive passes, the top 13% for progressive carries, the top 6% for shot-creating actions and the top 4% for blocks and clearances per 90.

It’s not difficult to see why Liverpool (and all the rest) have a vested interest in securing his services as he steps toward footballing maturity.

Surpassing Alexander-Arnold’s legacy would take quite an effort from a young Spaniard like Huijsen (born in the Netherlands), but the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have already arrived as foreigners and established themselves as heroes for the ages.

Huijsen could repeat the trick, outstripping Alexander-Arnold in doing so.

Better than Rogers: Liverpool could see £65m bid accepted for 18-goal star

Liverpool are in the market for new forwards this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 5, 2025

Rangers are now eyeing a move for a “tactically astute” manager who plays “really good football” as a replacement for interim boss Barry Ferguson, according to a report.

Gers' manager search continues

Initially, there were some suggestions that Ferguson could be handed the manager’s job on a permanent basis, but it is now looking increasingly likely the new boss will be an outside here, with a number of potential options on the shortlist.

A major update has suggested that Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti could now be rising up the shortlist, with the Gers submitting an offer for the Italian, who is the son of legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Steven Gerrard also remains a contender for the job, alongside Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl, while Rafa Benitez and Marco Rose have previously been named as potential targets, so there is no shortage of options on the shortlist.

Rangers have sent scouts to watch 19 y/o attacker with tiny release clause

He could be seen as one for the future for the Gers.

By
Henry Jackson

May 11, 2025

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Rangers are also eyeing a move for former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil alongside Ancelotti, with the board looking to bring in a progressive coach, capable of implementing a modern, attacking style of play.

The 49ers are looking to get a new era underway at Ibrox, which means a move for Gerrard may not be likely, although the former Liverpool man is still under consideration, alongside O’Neil, given the tactical work on show during his time with Wolves.

The 41-year-old is seen as an innovative coach, who would fit the bill for the Gers, given that he would be capable of implementing a clear style of play at Ibrox, and while he would prefer to remain in England, the opportunity to manage a big club in Europe could be tempting.

"Tactically astute" O'Neil could be solid appointment

While the Englishman was ultimately dismissed by Wolves earlier this season, there were some promising signs during his stint at Molineux, having received high praise from Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, who described him as “tactically astute.”

The ex-Wolves boss was also lauded for the style of play he implemented by former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who said: “The way he has come in and galvanised the club with Shaun Derry and everything behind the scenes, it’s been great with what they have done and they’re playing some really good football.”

The London-born manager, who prefers to utilise a 3-4-2-1 formation, led Wolves to safety in his first season in charge, while also securing survival for AFC Bournemouth in the 2022-23 Premier League campaign.

O’Neil’s experience in the English top flight could serve him well in the Rangers dugout, but he is yet to manage a top club competing in the upper echelons of the table, so there may be some reservations about his appointment.