Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has delivered a fresh take on Arsenal and their chances of winning the Premier League this season.

The Gunners, since tasting defeat away to Liverpool in August, have won 13 games on the trot in all competitions whilst boasting the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues.

Mikel Arteta’s imperious side also haven’t conceded a single goal in all competitions since their dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park in September, which is quite incredible considering they were without star defender William Saliba for brief periods as well.

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has performed exceptionally when called upon by Arsenal to replace Saliba at the heart of Arteta’s defence, and their exceptional resilience as a unit could well hand them a first Premier League title in 22 years.

Arsenal were already a very hard side to break down prior to this campaign, leaking the fewest goals of any top flight club in both the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, but the arrival of assistant coach Gabriel Heinze appears to have solidified them even more.

Their rock solid backline has allowed Arsenal to plough through and get results despite their plethora of attacking absentees, with Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and now Viktor Gyokeres all sidelined through injury.

This, combined with their overwhelming threat from set pieces, has made Arsenal the team to beat as we head into the festive period.

Carragher names the player who could hold Arsenal back from Premier League title glory

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher has claimed that only one man could stop Arsenal from winning the title at this point.

The pundit claims that Man City superstar Erling Haaland, who has spearheaded the Sky Blues to second almost single-handedly with 13 goals in just 10 Premier League appearances, will have a major say on whether Arsenal can end their two-decade-long wait for a domestic crown.

Given Haaland is basically a cheat code at this point, it’s hard to argue with Carragher’s assessment here.

It is still a real wonder how the Norway superstar didn’t clinch 2023’s Ballon d’Or award after firing City to a treble with 52 goals in 53 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, with Lionel Messi getting it instead following his 2022 World Cup win.

The 25-year-old is nailed on for a Ballon d’Or eventually and perhaps even Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League goalscoring record if he stays in England much longer.

Make no mistake, it would take something truly extraordinary to topple Arsenal right now, and Haaland is just that.

أعلن الهولندي آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول تشكيل فريقه لمواجهة نظيره بي إس في آيندهوفن ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويواجه ليفربول نظيره آيندهوفن الهولندي مساء اليوم، الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الحادية عشر بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.

ويستضيف ملعب “آنفيلد” المباراة بين ليفربول وآيندهوفن ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا | هامان يوجه رسالة لـ سلوت حول استبعاد محمد صلاح من تشكيل ليفربول

ويدخل ليفربول المباراة بعدما خسر خسارة مُذلة أمام نوتينجهام فورست بثلاثية نظيفة ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”.

ويحتل ليفربول المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب دوري أبطال أوروبا برصيد 9 نقاط، وفي حال تمكن من تحقيق الفوز اليوم سيكون رصيد 12 نقطة بالمركز الرابع أو السادس على أقل تقدير.

ويجلس على دكة البدلاء كلًا من: وودمان، ميسيور، جوميز، إندو، إيزاك، كييزا، روبرتسون، نيوني، نجوموها. تشكيل ليفربول اليوم أمام آيندهوفن في دوري أبطال أوروبا

في حراسة المرمى: جيورجي مامارداشفيلي.

في خط الدفاع: كيرتس جونز – فيرجيل فان دايك – إبراهيما كوناتي – ميلوس كيركيز.

في خط الوسط: ماك أليستر – ريان جرافنبيرخ – دومينيك سوبوسلاي.

في خط الهجوم: محمد صلاح – هوجو إيكتيكي – كودي جاكبو.

Legendary former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is extremely happy to see talented youngster Arda Guler getting a lot of playing under Xabi Alonso this season. While the ex-German international doesn't necessarily see Guler as his natural successor in midfield, he has absolutely no qualms about the fact that the Turkish international possesses all the tools to mark an era at the Bernabeu.

• Guler earns his place as Madrid begin the season on a high

  Since Xabi Alonso's appointment as the new head coach of Real Madrid at the end of May, things have been looking bright for Guler. After spending much of the 2024-25 season out of the starting lineup under former boss Carlo Ancelotti, Guler was handed the keys to the midfield at the Club World Cup – Alonso's first assignment after taking over Madrid's reins. The flamboyant left-footed midfielder was thoroughly impressive in the tournament in a new role which saw him played a bit deeper in central midfield as opposed to the right wing. 

  Since the start of the 2025-26 season, Guler's star has only improved. He has earned an increasingly prominent role in the midfield and has become a shoo-in in Alonso's setup, despite the presence of more established figures such as Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. He won La Liga's Under-23 Player of the Month award in September, and has played in each of the 16 games Madrid have played this season, 14 of those as a starter.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kroos confident Guler will 'make his mark' at Madrid

  Madrid are lacking experienced figures in the midfield, with Kroos retiring from the sport in 2024 and Luka Modric leaving as a free agent to join AC Milan earlier this year. However, the 35-year-old is glad to see Guler, his former team-mate, get more minutes under his belt this season.

  "I'm happy that he's getting significantly more playing time this year for the first time, because he deserves it based on his footballing ability and he's a lad we can count on in the future," the ex-German international told . 

  However, Kroos believes that comparing Guler to him is not the right thing to do, with the former insisting that the latter is much more effective a bit higher up the field.

  "But I don't believe in comparisons," he added. "Arda is also a different type of player than me. His best position is much more attacking than mine, so it's not about me succeeding him at all. But I'm generally pleased because he's a good lad. I've played alongside him. He has a really delicate touch, which he's already used very effectively for Real this season. That's why I hope he continues to get consistent playing time, because that's the only way to improve. Then I'm sure he can make his mark at Real for many years to come."

• Alonso will continue to bank on Guler's talents

  Speaking to reporters after the 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League last month, Los Blancos manager Alonso had words of praise for Guler, signalling that he remains fully determined to develop the 20-year-old despite obvious room for improvement. 

  “Arda is in the process of improving everything," he said. "He’s 20 years old and has already played a few games for Madrid. With his age and quality, we have to support him. He needs to improve his decision-making and pressing, but he has a lot of good qualities. He gives great meaning to the game. When he’s involved, we have a better team dynamic. Where? It depends on what’s around him or what the game demands. I’m very happy with his progress, but we want more. He really enjoys playing football. He wants to find the pass, take the free kick… Wirtz was like that at Leverkusen. He’s young, but he’s a great player. He’s in the process, but at a high level.”

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  Guler-Mbappe symbiosis would be key to Madrid's success

  Guler has shown immense promise ever since he was moved to a deeper position on the field. His on-field partnership with Kylian Mbappe has drawn parallels to the chemistry Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo shared during their time at the club. “I like the comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil and Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler," he said recently. "They’ve achieved great things, but significant success is always achieved by a team, never just two players."

  Mbappe has been in breathtaking form this season, scoring 18 goals in all competitions. He has scored 12 non-penalty goals, of which six have been assisted by Guler. On days when they have linked beautifully, Madrid have been a treat to watch. It's fair to say that the duo will be extremely crucial to Madrid's chances of lifting major silverware at the end of the season.

KSCA is looking at alternative venues, including its own facility in Alur as well as the Wadeyar Ground in Mysuru

Shashank Kishore01-Aug-2025The Bengaluru police is yet to give clearance to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to host the Maharaja T20, the state’s franchise-based T20 competition, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tournament is scheduled from August 11 to 27.The non-clearance by police is primarily due to the ongoing investigation into the June 4 stampede around the Chinnaswamy premises during RCB’s IPL victory celebrations. An independent state police crime branch investigation into the incident, which resulted in 11 deaths and over 50 injuries, is ongoing.Anticipating potential hurdles, the KSCA had announced on July 11 that the Maharaja T20 would be played behind closed doors. The association is now looking at alternative venues, including its own facility in Alur on the outskirts of Bengaluru, as well as the Wadeyar Ground in Mysuru. While Alur has excellent drainage and infrastructure, the absence of floodlights and spectator seating is an issue, especially for broadcasters and franchises.Related

Venkatesh Prasad: 'Want to bring cricket back to Chinnaswamy'

Karnataka government holds RCB accountable for stampede

Deaths, injuries to fans mar RCB's homecoming

Probe deems Chinnaswamy 'unsafe' for large events

As things stand, Alur is set to host the group matches of the six-day women’s competition – the Maharani T20 – from August 4. The KSCA was considering the idea of hosting the women’s final at the Chinnaswamy, but that seems unlikely with police approvals yet to come.While the KSCA grapples with the possibility of a late venue switch, the franchises have voiced frustration and concern about the financial losses they now face. They have already made hotel bookings for players and staff on the understanding that the entire tournament would be held in central Bengaluru (Chinnaswamy).The issue puts the KSCA in a tough spot. Bengaluru is also the venue for the opening game of the women’s ODI World Cup, as well as one semi-final and possibly the final. India play Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on September 30. The Chinnaswamy is also set to host two warm-up games ahead of the competition.Last week, a one-man committee appointed by the Karnataka government to investigate the stampede deemed the Chinnaswamy “unsafe” for large-scale events. The commission “strongly recommended” that large-scale events be relocated to venues that are “better suited” to handle significant crowds.India’s domestic season-opening Duleep Trophy will be played entirely at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The board had earlier considered hosting the final at the Chinnaswamy, but those plans were cancelled owing to preparations at the venue for the women’s World Cup.

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Foi realizado na noite de segunda-feira (18) o sorteio da fase de grupos da Libertadores, que definiu os adversários dos sete brasileiros que disputam o torneio. Dentre às tantas peculiaridades da competição, a distância percorrida com viagens é sempre uma preocupação das equipes envolvidas. Neste ano, Botafogo e Flamengo terão de lidar com os maiores deslocamentos, enquanto Grêmio e Palmeiras têm missões mais “tranquilas”.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Equipe brasileira que tem o maior caminho a percorrer nesta Libertadores, o Glorioso está no Grupo D e encara LDU, do Equador, Junior Barranquilla, da Colômbia, e Universitario, do Peru. Assim, o Botafogo irá percorrer, contanto idas e voltas, 26.874 quilômetros em viagens.

Rival do Alvinegro, o Flamengo vem logo atrás, com 20.350 quilômetros de deslocamento para partidas da competição continental. O Rubro-Negro está no Grupo E, junto de Bolívar, da Bolívia, Millonarios, da Colômbia, e Palestino, do Chile.

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Por outro lado, o Grêmio é o time brasileiro que terá menos há percorrer nesta Libertadores. No Grupo C, o Imortal tem pela frente quilômetros de viagem e enfrenta Estudiantes, da Argentina, The Strongest, da Bolívia, e Huachipato, do Chile.

➡️Com R$100, você pode faturar R$2000 na Lance! Betting com o futuro campeão da Libertadores 2024!

➡️ Confira o calendário de jogos da Libertadores 2024; Flamengo e Palmeiras estreiam fora de casa

Confira abaixo o ranking de deslocamento dos sete brasileiros na Libertadores de 2024:

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Atlético-MGBotafogoFlamengoFluminenseGrêmioLibertadoresPalmeirasSão Paulo

Manchester United are now back in talks to sign highly-rated Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in 2026.

The Red Devils’ midfield needs to be a key area of focus next summer, due to Casemiro being out of contract at Old Trafford when the season ends.

The Brazilian has enjoyed a resurgence of late, scoring in United’s 2-2 draw away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last weekend, however, he still isn’t the player he was and will soon need to be replaced by a younger model.

Baleba emerged as one of the front-runners to join the Red Devils in the summer transfer window, but in the end, he stayed put for the time being, with no defensive midfielders added to Ruben Amorim’s squad.

The 21-year-old Seagulls ace is sure to have plenty of suitors moving forward, though, with a switch to United still very much on the cards, following a new update.

Man Utd willing to pay £90m for Baleba

According to reports relayed by Caught Offside, Manchester United are once again negotiating over the signing of Baleba from Brighton, and INEOS would be willing to pay as much as £90m for his signature.

An official bid is expected to be incoming for the Cameroonian, as the Red Devils look to complete a significant piece of business next year.

Baleba may not have hit top form yet this season, with his focus arguably affected by the level of interest in him from various clubs, but he has all the tools to enjoy a fantastic career.

He is a force both in and out of possession, averaging 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League last term, as well as scoring three goals, and Alan Shearer has hailed him as “absolutely wonderful” on Match of the Day.

As mentioned, Casemiro is not the player he once was, no longer being to cover so much ground at pace, but Baleba could bring that to United’s team, suddenly making them far harder to run through.

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BySean Markus Clifford Nov 3, 2025

He has so much time to improve further as a player, and while his age means that some inconsistency may be a part of his game to begin with, he feels like a leading option for Amorim, as the Red Devils look to bring in the perfect addition to a vital area of the pitch.

Casemiro isn't the only Man Utd star who has saved his career under Amorim

The Madhya Pradesh offspinning allrounder has impressed in domestic cricket over the last couple of years. Another good season could catapult him onto the biggest stage of them all

Rajan Raj10-Oct-2024After a superb Ranji Trophy debut in 2014, Saransh Jain, an offspinning allrounder, had flown to Australia with a club team from Madhya Pradesh to play a five-match series. Despite it being his first overseas tour, calls back home were short, with his family claiming to be “a little occupied”. This bothered Jain but not too much, because of his focus was on the series at hand, one his team would go on to win 3-0.After he returned home from that tour, though, Jain was shocked with what he saw. His father was lying on his bed, having undergone a surgery on his face. There was despair on everyone else’s face. Jain sought answers but did not get a satisfactory one, till his father asked for a paper and a pen. “I am fine now, son,” he wrote. “If you just play better, I will get well sooner.” He had been diagnosed with cancer.

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Jain still has that note from his father, the former Madhya Pradesh Ranji player Subodh Jain. And it is essentially the secret of Jain’s success. That piece of paper pushed him in his journey to become a Ranji Trophy champion with Madhya Pradesh in 2021-22, and win the Lala Amarnath Award for the best allrounder in the Ranji Trophy in 2022-23. That season he scored 360 runs and picked up 35 wickets for MP. This earned him a call-up to the India A side to play England Lions, where he scored half-centuries in both innings of the only match he played.Related

• Aryan Juyal ready for new challenge as Uttar Pradesh captain

• How Shashank Singh stopped being hard on himself

• Bihar finalise squad after late court intervention

• Ranji Trophy: Kishan to captain Jharkhand in first two games

• All you need to know about the two-phased season

Making the most of any given opportunity is Jain’s USP. In MP’s title-winning Ranji Trophy campaign in 2021-22, he played only three matches: the quarter-final, semi-final and the final. He returned 13 wickets and also scored a half-century.Last season, he scored 432 runs and picked up 27 wickets and he wants to maintain this momentum in the upcoming season. He has started well in that quest by picking up six wickets in the Irani Cup match against Mumbai. He was also part of the Duleep Trophy and he returned 14 wickets combined from the two red-ball competitions.Knowing fully the demands of a sport that is evolving rapidly, Saransh Jain has worked a lot on his batting too•MPCA”I performed well last season, but it is important that I perform well again and try to do something good whenever I get a chance,” Jain says. “The only lesson I have learned in my career is to try to learn something new every day. Only then can something good happen in the future. I feel good with the way I have performed recently but I am not completely satisfied. I will get that satisfaction only after wearing the [India] blue jersey, for which I have to consistently work hard.”With the game always evolving, Jain, the offspinner, is aware of the importance of contributing with the bat. His recent scores show that.”According to me, a good player should try to adapt to the circumstances,” Jain says. “I am an offspinner, and my primary task to take wickets. But in our first meeting itself, [MP head coach] Chandrakant [Pandit] sir told me that I should think like a bowler when I bowl and think like a batter and try to score as many runs as possible when I bat. This is the simple strategy that I follow.”I know how much I have to work on my batting being [primarily] an offspinner. That is important, but my first task is to take wickets. I often watch R Ashwin ; I get inspired by him. I want to pursue my cricket with the same dedication as him.”Pandit – who also won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders last season – taking over as MP coach ahead of the 2019-20 season worked wonders for Jain. “Chandrakant sir coming to our team as the coach has been one of the best events in my life,” Jain says. “Perhaps he taught me to believe in myself. His presence in the team inspires me a lot and I want to do something good with him this season. His presence in the team gives me a different kind of confidence.”Consistent performances over the past couple of years have put Jain on the national selectors’ radar. He is one of the best offspinning allrounders in the country and form is currently on his side. This season, can he show the consistency needed to complete his journey to that blue jersey?

There is a lot to be delighted about for Arsenal fans at the moment.

In the Champions League, they have won all four of their games; in the League Cup, they’re through to the quarter-finals, and in the Premier League, they’re top of the table.

Moreover, they’re defensively out of this world, unstoppable at set-pieces and have once again introduced another world-class prospect to the squad in Max Dowman.

The 15-year-old looks destined for greatness, and now Hale End appears to be brewing another supreme talent for Arsenal, who could be Bukayo Saka 2.0.

Dowman's rapid rise

There is no getting away from the fact that, for Arsenal, this season is primarily about finally getting over the line in the Premier League.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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However, one of the secondary stories has been that of Dowman’s rapid rise from 15-year-old academy gem to semi-regular first-teamer.

The Chelmsford-born gem was first introduced to the fans during pre-season, where his eye-catching performances led respected analyst Ben Mattinson to claim he was “humiliating Premier League players.”

The youngster was then given his first taste of competitive football against Leeds United, where he once again ran senior defenders ragged and won his side a penalty.

The next step was his first start in the League Cup against Brighton, a game in which he completed the most dribbles of anyone on the pitch and officially became the youngest player to start for Arsenal.

Then this week, he broke another record, becoming the youngest player to ever make an appearance in the Champions League, coming on in the 72nd minute and once again looking right at home.

After the match, Arteta was full of praise for the youngster, saying: “What he’s done on the pitch – he comes in, the first ball he takes is he takes people on, he starts to dribble and gets a foul. That’s personality, that’s courage – and you cannot teach that.”

It wasn’t just the Gunners’ boss who was impressed, though, as Slavia Prague’s David Zima went so far as to call him “a miracle player.”

In all, Dowman appears to be on track to reach the very top with Arsenal, and now there is another young talent making waves in the academy who could be the next Saka.

Arsenal's new Saka

There are more than a handful of exciting talents coming through Hale End at the moment, with Brando Bailey-Joseph being one of them.

The 17-year-old only signed scholarship terms with the club a few months ago, but due to his impressive performances, he put pen to paper on a professional deal last month.

There is a chance he could be a future Saka-esque player for the club, as, like the talismanic number seven, he has shown an ability to play on both sides of the attack.

In fact, like the Hale End icon, he has also played deeper, on both the right and left of the midfield.

Moreover, while he’s not as prolific as Dowman, he’s shown an ability to score and assist goals.

Bailey-Joseph’s 25/26

Appearances

13

Minutes

901′

Goals

4

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.61

Minutes per Goal Involvement

112.62′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 13 appearances this season, totalling 901 minutes, he has put the ball in the back of the net four times and provided four assists for good measure.

In other words, the “explosive” attacker, as dubbed by Hale End expert Will Balsam, is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.62 games, or every 112.62 minutes, which is seriously impressive for a winger.

Moreover, what makes him such a “menace” for opposition defenders is, per Balsam, his “quickness & sharp cuts” with the ball at his feet.

Finally, according to Mattinson, what makes the youngster such an exciting prospect is his “good ball manipulation” and the fact that he “releases shots quickly in and around the box.”

Ultimately, he has a long way to go to become the next Saka, but as things stand, Bailey-Joseph appears to have all the raw materials necessary to succeed.

Related Forget Merino: Arsenal star who's "like Wilshere" can fix Gyokeres blow

The incredible talent could be the perfect solution to Arsenal’s Gyokeres problem.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 6, 2025

Liverpool's star forward Alexander Isak has reportedly splashed out a whopping £30,000 on a guard dog to protect his family after receiving death threats online in the wake of Sweden's dismal World Cup qualifying campaign and his controversial transfer from Newcastle United in the summer. Isak went on strike and forced a move away from St James' Park during the last transfer window after the Reds broke the British transfer record to secure the move.

Isak buys guard dog following death threats

According to , Isak will welcome a highly-trained Doberman to protect him and his family off the pitch as he looks to settle into life in Merseyside following his controversial move from Newcastle. He spent a massive £30,000 on the guard dog after receiving death threats on social media along with the entire Sweden national team. The players have faced abuse after finishing at the bottom of the group in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

AdvertisementGetty Images'He wants to get settled off the pitch'

A source told : "Alexander has had a very high profile summer thanks to the drawn-out transfer to ­Liverpool and the high price the club paid for him. He wants to get settled off the pitch and getting a protection dog is an essential part of that."

The source also described the Doberman as "beautiful inside and out" and a "fabulous beast".

Top Premier League stars worried about security

Isak is not the only Premier League player who is spending heavily to increase security. Earlier this month, it was reported that several Premier League footballers are turning to former MMA fighters to provide security for their homes after a series of robberies in Cheshire’s ‘Golden Triangle’. A number of players and celebrities living in Alderley Edge, Wilmslow and Prestbury have been targets of theft and arson, leading to a number of players seeking greater protection.

Everton defender Jake O'Brien also invested in a protection dog and later explained his decision by saying: "I think as a high-profile person, security is very important. Not just for you but for your family, knowing that if I’m away for whatever reason, my family are safe at home. As we love dogs, it was a no-brainer to get Knox. He’s very loyal and would act as the first line of protection if anything were to happen. I personally chose Chaperone K9 from word of mouth from fellow team-mates. I came across their social media page. Seeing who they’ve provided dogs for, and the professionalism and care they have for their dogs they train made my mind up fast."

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Getty Images SportIsak aims to regain form

Isak's fitness and form have been a concern for Liverpool as the Swedish striker is yet to live up to the hype since his move to Merseyside. The 26-year-old, who played a key role in Newcastle United winning the Carabao Cup last season and finishing fifth in the Premier League to secure a Champions League berth, has scored just one goal at Anfield in eight appearances and has spent a considerable amount of time off the pitch due to injuries.

Isak will now aim to regain his long-lost form soon as Liverpool continue to struggle in the defence of their title campaign. The forward's form is of utmost importance for the Reds to get back to winning ways and remain in the race to successfully defend their title. Arne Slot's side are back in action after the international break on Saturday as they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. 

Harry Brook and Corbin Bosch have been the first casualties in this game of cricket chicken, and no one is safe

Alan Gardner16-Apr-2025It’s Trade Wars Szn, apparently, and while cricket won’t register high on the import/export ledger in either China or the US, that doesn’t mean the game is short on geopolitical posturing. Witness the PSL opting to go toe-to-toe with the IPL during the global T20 circuit’s premium window.What does it all mean, apart from a brightly coloured smorgasboard of short-form frippery swamping the airwaves just when the County Championship is looking to remind everyone it still exists? Inevitably there are clashes and conflicts, although the legal shemozzle threatened by the ECB, attempting to limit the global supply of James Vince, was resolved amicably enough in the end.Others have not been so fortunate. The T20 ecosystem is now so complex that we’re seeing the introduction of what economists call non-tariff barriers (Pakistan players might suggest these have existed, at least where the IPL is concerned, for some time). Hence Corbin Bosch, having broken an agreement with Peshawar Zalmi in order to run the drinks for Mumbai Indians, can now expect to be impounded on the spot should he step into Pakistan at any point over the next 12 months.Related

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James Anderson to sit out April but refuses to bow out yet

This, of course, mirrors the sanction imposed by the IPL on those players who bail out of lucrative contracts at short notice. (Who are these ingrates? Do they think they have free will?) Although you suspect that if, say, new England white-ball captain Harry Brook were to triumphantly lift the T20 World Cup at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium early next year, his two-year ban would be rescinded as quickly as the first team owner could say “Hey, maybe this guy can play spin after all…”Because if the Light Roller has learned anything about trade wars, it’s that they boil down to strategy, brinkmanship and holding your nerve. That and rewriting the regulations whenever is convenient, which the BCCI surely has in its locker.

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Could the man to unite the warring parties be TikTok teddy bear David Warner? Australia’s former attack dog is now off the leash, negotiating the gig economy as a T20 freelancer. And while he found himself surplus to requirements in the IPL mega auction, he landed safely in the arms of the PSL, picked in the platinum category and given the Karachi Kings captaincy to boot. He has already showcased his diplomatic skills by playing down the idea that he has received any stick from Indian fans after crossing the aisle – though this might be business savvy as much as his innate feel for subcontinental relations. With his 2min 50sec cameo in Tollywood flick he stands to be one of the few cricketers to be putting bums on seats in both India and Pakistan over the next few weeks.Scowl’s honour: Jimmy Anderson would be playing till the cows come home if it wasn’t for the damned calf•Getty Images

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James Anderson may have been rejected by the IPL, but that has not dimmed his enthusiasm for a 24th English domestic season with Lancashire. By which we mean he turned up to the team’s media day in Manchester looking moodier than Tom Moody in a muu-muu morosely mooching around Morrisons in search of a mango mousse on a mizzly Monday morning, before declaring himself fitter than he’s ever been (but also injured and unavailable to play for the first month). England, of course, decided to pension Anderson off last season, and he’s all set to be given a knighthood – but nothing could keep him from the county grind. Except a dodgy calf.

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Speaking of heritage cricketers, it has come to the Light Roller’s attention that MS Dhoni is still playing at the highest level – almost five years since we last made a joke about the ongoing circus around his retirement. You can understand why CSK are clinging on. Dhoni has won games for them purely on his aura, or at least a well-judged wink at the right opposition bowler. Which is fine, but being able to run might also help. “His knees aren’t what they used to be,” admitted Stephen Fleming, in tones that are usually reserved for discussing grandpa’s trips to the supermarket. One day, no doubt, there’ll be a statue of Dhoni up at Chepauk, but for now it sounds like the Whistle Podu crew are having to make do with a still life.

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Fan engagement, that’s what every sporting organisation wants to drive these days. Although perhaps not of the kind that Khushdil Shah attempted during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand. Khushdil had to be held back by security after two spectators, allegedly Afghans, started shouting “anti-Pakistan slogans” – something you’d think the Pakistan players might have to start preparing for back home after being beaten by a combined 7-1 scoreline across white-ball formats. Still, it could have been worse. At least no one called Khushdil a potato.