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New England Women’s head coach sees opener add unbeaten 130 to her three wickets as Lancashire crush The Blaze

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-Apr-2025England allrounder Emma Lamb delivered a match-winning performance as Lancashire opened the new era of women’s county cricket with an emphatic eight-wicket win over The Blaze in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Trent Bridge.Watched by the national team’s newly-appointed head coach, Charlotte Edwards, opening batter Lamb took three for 42 with her off-breaks as The Blaze were restricted to 234 from 50 overs after opting to bat first, before making an unbeaten 130 with the bat as Lancashire chased down their target with five overs to spare.Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce almost inevitably top-scored with 70 for the home side, Georgia Elwiss making 49 on debut. Left-arm spinner Hannah Jones also took three wickets, with England seamer Mahika Gaur picking up two.Related

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All out to the last ball of their allocated 50 overs, The Blaze total always looked under par even on a used pitch, with too many batters out to self-inflicted errors.With the ball, they could not muster the same discipline as their opponents and critically dropped centurion Lamb three times, the opener going on to hit 15 boundaries.England duo Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones – another Blaze debutant – who opened the innings, were both out to loose shots, Jones when looking well set on 30. The same malaise afflicted their middle order while even Bryce, well though she played, might consider her dismissal was avoidable.On the other hand, Lancashire’s bowlers deserved credit for creating pressure through the middle of the innings. England seamer Kate Cross sent down 39 dot balls and was unlucky to finish wicketless, two catches going down off her bowling.Beaumont – captaining in place of the injured Kirstie Gordon – was the first casualty, caught at short third chasing a wide delivery from Gaur. Bryce and Jones built nicely, but after the second-wicket pair had added 47 the England wicketkeeper perished tamely, hitting Sophie Morris’s left-arm spin straight to long-off.There seemed to be no shifting the irrepressible Bryce, who was beginning her domestic season only five days after concluding Scotland’s ICC World Cup qualifying tournament in Lahore with an unbeaten 131 in the thriller against Ireland. The all-rounder, whose half-century here came in 53 balls, has amassed a remarkable 1,786 runs in all formats since the start of 2024.With Elwiss – the former Loughborough Lightning skipper who is back in the East Midlands after a highly successful stint with Southern Vipers – she put on 82 for the third wicket before Elwiss, who had looked impressive, was bowled by a clever delivery from Hannah Jones.Nonetheless, The Blaze looked to have a platform for a big score at 146 for 3 from 32 overs but probably wasted the opportunity. Bryce, already with a boundary in the over, was caught at mid-off, Orla Prendergast at extra cover, Ella Claridge at deep mid-wicket and Georgie Boyce at midwicket, the last three seeing 191 for 4 become 197 for 7 in the space of 11 balls.Josie Groves plundered 21 after being dropped on one, but 234 looked a tricky total to defend.Needing to build pressure on their opponents from the start, The Blaze did not help themselves, with new-ball bowlers Grace Ballinger and new signing Charley Phillips, formerly with Sunrisers, each conceding wides and boundaries in their opening spells.Bryce the bowler made a breakthrough with her first delivery, inducing a return catch via a leading edge to remove ex-Central Sparks skipper Eve Jones on her Lancashire debut, but Lamb and overseas signing Katie Mack took charge, Lamb making The Blaze pay as Elwiss dropped her on 17 at midwicket and Groves on 26 at backward point – Ballinger the unlucky bowler on both occasions – by completing a 65-ball half-century with her ninth four.It took until the 31st over for the second-wicket pair to be separated, England leg-spinner Sarah Glenn bowling Australia’s Mack middle stump for 44 to end a stand worth 114.Lamb had another escape on 92, albeit to a tough caught-and-bowled chance spilled by Glenn, but kept her nerve and completed her fifth List A hundred from 114 balls, having hit 12 boundaries, then seeing her side over the line in an unbroken 86-run partnership with Seren Smale (38 not out).

Rupganj Tigers pick up the first points of the season as Abdul Mazid’s unbeaten hundred seals a last-ball thriller

Mohammad Isam20-Mar-2025

Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby picked up 5 for 18 against Partex Sporting Club•BCB

Key takeawaysAgrani Bank and Gulshan Cricket Club were the surprise packages in the second week of the Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League. Both teams won three matches each and are joint-top on the points table alongside defending champions Abahani Limited. All three have ten points each but Abahani Limited have a better net run rate.Meanwhile, Big-spending Mohammedan Sporting Club dropped points after their 65-run defeat against Gazi Group. Gulshan Cricket Club are also on eight points like Mohammedan, having won their last three matches. Agrani too have been impressive, with Shadman Islam and Imrul Kayes leading with the bat.Related

DPL week 1: Naim's 176 helps Prime Bank breach 400

Best battersGazi Group’s Anamul Haque scored an unbeaten 149 against Mohammedan in their big win at the BKSP-4 ground on March 18. He struck 12 fours and four sixes, batting through their 336 for 5 in 50 overs. He was particularly brutal against Taskin Ahmed, who conceded 107 runs in his ten overs for his three wickets, the most expensive spell in Bangladesh’s List-A history.Best bowlersLeft-arm spinner Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby took the only five-wicket haul this week but it was Agrani Bank’s Robiul Hoque whose 4 for 14 damaged Dhanmondi Sporting Club quite badly. He removed Ashiqur Rahman, Yasir Ali, Moin Khan and Hasan Murad in a miserly spell that helped Agrani Bank to a five-wicket win at the BKSP-4 ground on March 13. Robiul has been knocking on the senior team’s doors for a few years, only being held back by the plethora of fast bowlers around him.Best matchRupganj Tigers picked up their first points this season in dramatic fashion, after their last-ball win against Partex Sporting Club at the BKSP-3 ground. Batting first, Partex were bowled out for 223. Abdul Mazid held things together despite Partex keeping the chase tight. Rupganj needed ten runs in the last over, and three from the final ball. Mazid scooped the last ball for a four to win the game and bring up his first century of the season.Points to ponderWith just over halfway through the first phase, eight teams are in contention for six Super League spots. Dhanmondi Sports Club and Prime Bank Cricket Club seem to be having a hot and cold season so far. The battle for avoiding relegation is also going to be tight, with four teams – Rupganj Tigers, Partex, Brothers Union and Shinepukur Cricket Club – on two points each.Players to watchSeam-bowling allrounder Tofael Ahmed has made some telling contributions for Gazi Group with 192 runs at an average of 48.00, and seven wickets at 11.85. The Sylhet-born Tofael was instrumental in his side’s superb win against Mohammedan, taking on Taskin frequently.

Wolves’ Premier League campaign got off to a rough start after they were defeated 4-0 by Manchester City on Saturday evening.

Despite the scoreline, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira had admiration for the way his side played, saying: “We played with bravery, tried to score goals, and we had our chances to score. In the end, each time we committed a mistake they punished us with a goal.”

Wolves only had one shot on target, fewer than City, but a poor day in the office for goalkeeper Jose Sa saw him underperform his xG faced by -1.73 meaning he conceded chances that he should have saved. Sa’s performance was compounded by a defensive error from Emmanuel Agbadou that saw his misplaced pass reach City’s Oscar Bobb, who proceeded to assist Tijani Reijnders.

Agbadou’s place in the starting 11 may now be under threat as Wolves close in on a deal for a new centre-back.

Wolves' interest in Arsenal's Kiwior

Caught Offside have revealed that Wolves are one of the sides “showing interest” in signing Arsenal’s Polish defender, Jakub Kiwior.

The centre-back received a long run in the team in the back half of last season when Gabriel was injured, and during this time, his performances were labeled as “impressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, possibly where his increased interest started.

The player isn’t one that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to sell, but after already being behind William Saliba and Gabriel in the first-team pecking order and with new arrival Cristhian Mosquera also likely to start ahead of him, Kiwior is open to a move somewhere he can receive more game time.

If Wolves want to sign Kiwior, then they will face significant Premier League opposition, as both Crystal Palace and Everton are rumored to be interested. They’ll face additional competition on the continent with Serie A sides Juventus and AC Milan, as well as Portugal’s Porto.

Kiwior won’t come cheap and is valued at more than £30 million, which would make him the most expensive defender in the club’s history, ahead of Nathan Collins and Nélson Semedo.

Wolves' formation suits Kiwior's play style

While Kiwior impressed in the back half of last season, there is a reason he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal, and that is his defensive success rate.

24/25 Premier League Stats
	Success Rate	Percentile of CBs
Tackles Won	36.4%	9.3%
Duels Won	56.3%	39.2%
Aerial Duels Won	45.8%	11.3%

These stats are pretty damning for a defender. 90% of Premier League centre-backs won a higher percentage of their attempted tackles last season, and even his best defensive attribute, which is his duels, puts 60% of centre-backs ahead of him.

However, what Kiwior lacks in defensive attributes, he makes up for in his passing ability. Last season, the Polish international registered a 91.9% pass success rate, which put him in the top 15% of players. Additionally, his long ball success rate was equally impressive, with his long balls reaching their target more than half the time, which once again put him in the top 15% of players.

Reliable passing is where Wolves went wrong for the second goal they conceded against City, and having someone with Kiwior’s distribution in that back line will make mistakes like that less frequent.

Pereira’s defensive set-up will also cover for some of Kiwior’s shortcomings as the Wolves boss likes to play three centre-backs compared to Arteta, who plays two. This means that Kiwior will always have two players with him (as well as the wing-backs tucking in and midfielders dropping back) to help pick up his defensive load, allowing him to be the main distributor forward in the back three.

Based on this, when Kiwior ways up his transfer options, he may prioritise Wolves as it’s not only somewhere where he can play but where the system suits him.

Pep Guardiola has crushed talk that Abdukodir Khusanov could be Manchester City’s permanent right-back solution, despite the youngster’s heroic display in Sunday’s derby demolition of Manchester United. The Catalan manager admitted the Uzbekistan international has the tools to cover the role, but warned the brutal intensity of City’s fixture calendar makes it impossible for the 21-year-old to handle the job on a full-time basis.

Man City continue with makeshift defence

Guardiola’s comments reignite the long-running debate about the vacancy on City’s right flank, a position that has never truly been filled since Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker both departed the Etihad over the past two seasons. In the wake of those exits, Guardiola has been forced into endless tinkering. He’s tried Matheus Nunes as an emergency defender, shifted Rico Lewis into the slot despite lingering doubts about his readiness, and rotated midfielders in to plug the gap.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGuardiola puts his foot down

Khusanov was the latest to be thrown into the fire, impressing with his pace, aerial strength and fearless tackling during the 3-0 mauling of United. Fans were quick to sing his praises, demanding Guardiola make the experiment permanent. But for the manager, one shining performance doesn’t erase the physical toll the position demands.

"We have to play every three days; no human being can do that," Guardiola explained. "I know for his physicality, he’s so fast and closed that [right] side really well. [He didn’t] lose too many balls, sometimes his energy makes him make not the right decision. [Patrick] Dorgu is so fast and he has incredible speed. Today [Khusanov] was really good."

January shopping spree looms

Guardiola’s refusal to lock Khusanov into the role suggests City could dip into the market in January or next summer. A new specialist full-back is almost certain to be on the recruitment agenda for 2026. Inter’s Denzel Dumfries has already been linked with a move to Manchester, while Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is also admired. Both would provide the athleticism and defensive quality Guardiola craves, without the risks of asking an untested youngster to fill one of the Premier League’s most demanding roles.

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Getty Images SportPressure builds on Pep

For all their dominance in the derby, City know defensive cracks could haunt them deeper into the season. Khusanov’s energy and youthful exuberance thrilled the supporters, but Pep’s reality check highlighted the brutal demands of playing week in and out in an unnatural position in the Premier League. City may have brushed United aside with ease, but unless Guardiola gets the right man through the door, the right-hand side of his defence will remain a nagging weak spot for the Cityzens.

Dele Alli’s hopes of securing a lifeline move to Wrexham appear over, with manager Phil Parkinson hinting that his final squad spot will instead go to returning star Ollie Rathbone. The former Tottenham and England midfielder, recently released by Como, had been linked with the Hollywood-owned club but now looks set to continue his uncertain search for a new home.

Dele’s Wrexham transfer hopes appear to be overParkinson expects Rathbone to take final squad spotEx-Spurs star must continue search for new clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dele has been released by Serie A side Como after his contract was terminated by mutual consent. The 29-year-old, once a Premier League star at Tottenham, has since been linked with potential moves to West Brom, Birmingham, and Wrexham. However, rumours of a North Wales switch have now been dampened.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham boss Parkinson has suggested that Rathbone, last season’s Player of the Year for the Red Dragons, will fill the club’s 25th squad slot once he returns from injury. Rathbone has been sidelined with an ankle problem but is close to fitness after impressing during pre-season. His return appears to rule out a move for Dele.

Getty Images SportWHAT PARKINSON SAID

Speaking to the media, Parkinson said: "I think Ollie is closing in. I just wanted to make sure Ollie got through this week in training and the signs are looking positive, and he'll be back in a couple of weeks. We need Ollie back, he's a key player for us. He was instrumental for us last year.

"He's a player who has played in the Championship; first year did well, second one was a difficult one at Rotherham because they had a very weak squad. But he's played at this level and when he signed for us, he was determined to get back into the Championship.

"His start to the season has been curtailed but obviously he's a very naturally fit player and the sooner we get him back involved in football, the better. His energy and his quality, I can't wait to get Ollie back out with us."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

With Rathbone set to be reintegrated, Dele will have to look elsewhere as he continues his search for a club. Birmingham and West Brom remain linked, but his options are shrinking. For Wrexham, the focus now shifts to Rathbone’s comeback and life in the Championship.

Uncontracted trio of Behrendorff, Agar and Tye also named, while Ellis and Meredith won’t play for Tasmania next week

Alex Malcolm19-Sep-2024Injury-prone Cricket Australia contracted pace duo of Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are set for domestic white-ball returns. Both quicks have been named in Western Australia’s 14-man squad for their opening One-Day Cup matches against New South Wales and South Australia, on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, at Cricket Central in Sydney.Morris has not played cricket at any level since suffering a side strain in February during what was his second ODI, with the injury ending his season. Routine scans during the off-season showed a hot spot in his back despite not feeling any pain. Morris was ruled out of playing in the Major League Cricket, and was also not considered for Australia’s limited-overs tour of the UK.He will begin a slow build back towards a red-ball return, and will likely only play one of the two 50-over matches next week, with WA naming six fast bowlers in their squad. That includes the uncontracted veteran duo Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye.Related

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Richardson, meanwhile, did play over the winter after coming off a horror run of hamstring and shoulder injuries in recent seasons. He played one game in the IPL for Delhi Capitals, and then three matches for Perth Scorchers in the Top End T20 Series in Darwin in August.Richardson’s return to domestic 50-over cricket is another step forward for him, but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to return to first-class cricket with the Sheffield Shield in October.Uncontracted left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has also been named in WA’s squad, alongside Behrendorff and Tye after also opting to become a freelance cricketer.Cameron Bancroft looks set to keep wicket for WA, with Josh Inglis away on national duty. Former WA back-up wicketkeeper-batter and 50-over opener Josh Philippe is set to face his old side on Sunday for the first time after moving to New South Wales. Philippe was a key part of WA’s hat-trick of One-Day Cup titles, having played in all three and been Player of the Tournament in 2022-23.WA are looking to become the first men’s side in Australian One-Day domestic history to claim four consecutive titles, even as they have won five of the last seven.Elsewhere, Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith won’t play in Tasmania’s opening two One-Day Cup matches against Victoria and Queensland in Melbourne, on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.Ellis is still recovering from the hamstring injury that saw him ruled out of Australia’s limited-overs tour of the UK, while Meredith only arrived back in Australia this week and is set for another scan on the side he injured in the opening match of the tour against Scotland. Ellis did not play in any of Australia’s next four T20I matches due to side soreness before returning home, and his recovery time is still to be determined.

In a move that would instantly replace Mohammed Kudus, West Ham United are now reportedly in contact to sign a Premier League-winning attacker who Graham Potter wants at the London Stadium.

Potter "very pleased" to sign Diouf

It may have taken the sale of Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for them to get going on the transfer front, but get going West Ham have. The Hammers announced the arrival of El Hadji Malick Diouf to welcome their first big signing of the summer and Potter instantly expressed his delight.

Now that they’ve got going with their spending, West Ham may not stop there. Reports are now indicating that those at the London Stadium have made their first move to sign the £300,000-a-week attacker on loan.

West Ham make contact to sign Grealish

According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, West Ham have now made their first approach to sign Jack Grealish, who has been shown the door at Manchester City this summer. Potter is reportedly a fan of the £300,000-a-week international and the Hammers could yet welcome his arrival in what would be an excellent addition.

West Ham have experienced Grealish’s quality first-hand more times than they’ll care to admit and the London Stadium even saw him find the back of the net for Man City in a frantic 2-2 in the 2021/22 campaign.

Although Grealish has struggled in the last 12 months at Manchester City, he is still very much a player capable of making all the difference when at his best.

Even as he has continued to fall down the pecking order at The Etihad, Pep Guardiola has been full of praise for the West Ham target. The Spaniard previously told reporters last season: “I’m pleased for Jack.

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“Jack has the sense of the street, a player from the street. Most of the players, for our fault – the manager – are so academic. Jack is one of those players that came to fight in these stadiums when the people shout; he is a fighter.”

Newcastle United await Champions League football next season, with the fifth-place Premier League finish in 2024/25 proving huge in the efforts to drive St. James’ Park to the forefront of domestic and European football.

Financially and from a sporting standpoint too, United are in a fantastic position, positioned to sign high-profile targets while keeping their prized assets on Tyneside.

The Times have reported that PIF are willing to make Alexander Isak the highest-paid player in Newcastle’s history to fend off interest from suitors like Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, and if they succeed, Eddie Howe can turn with greater security toward the wide flanks.

Newcastle open talks for Elanga alternative

While Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga might be the talk of the Toon right now after a £45m offer was rejected earlier this week, the Magpies have actually been reported to have established contacts with an exciting alternative.

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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As per TEAMtalk, Newcastle have been in contact with the representatives of Malick Fofana as they look to cover themselves if unsuccessful in their bid to sign Elanga.

The talented Belgian winger is set to leave Lyon this summer after his side’s relegation to Ligue 2 due to financial difficulties, and a host of suitors, including Chelsea and Liverpool, have emerged.

Fofana is valued at around €50m (£43m), although Lyon’s imperilled position may work to Newcastle’s advantage in building a cheaper package.

Why Newcastle should sign Malick Fofana

While only 20, Fofana has already proved his potential on the major stage, becoming an important player for Lyon – who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last year – after joining from KAA Gent in January 2024.

His return of 11 goals and six assists across the 2024/25 campaign certainly underscores his potential as a high-level winger, especially as he notched nine goal contributions from only 16 starts in the league. Moreover, Fofana played a big role during Lyon’s Europa League campaign, scoring six goals.

Principally left-sided, Fofana scored twice from just two matches as a right winger, also laying on one assist. Given his pace and such fledgling potency, this suggests he could prove an even better signing than Elanga, especially since Forest are looking for something in the region of £60m for the Sweden international.

League Stats 24/25 – Malick Fofana vs Anthony Elanga

Stats (* per game)

Fofana

Elanga

Matches (starts)

29 (16)

38 (31)

Goals

5

6

Assists

4

11

Shots (on target)*

1.1 (0.5)

1.2 (0.6)

Big chances missed

4

6

Pass completion

84%

78%

Big chances created

6

9

Key passes*

0.9

1.3

Dribbles*

0.8

0.7

Tackles*

1.1

0.5

Duels won*

2.9

3.0

Stats via Sofascore

Neither player has perhaps maximised their potential across ball-carrying and creative metrics. Elanga, for example, has named himself “one of the fastest players in the Premier League”, while Fofana ranked among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

He also ranked among the top 10% for non-penalty goals scored per 90, emphasising an innate scoring ability that is backed up by a steady stream of creativity.

Elanga, 23, is probably the more polished man, but Fofana’s ceiling stretches higher, and he’s already demonstrated that he has a fleet-footed nature to match.

This two-sided winger could prove a stunning acquisition for a Newcastle side already complete and rounded, just in need of some more depth.

Already noted to be a “game-changer” by journalist Antonio Mango, Fofana is the real deal, and with interest in his services swelling now that Lyon have been relegated from France’s top division, Howe will want to get such a deal done promptly.

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Getting one over on their rivals and putting their Champions League place to good use, Newcastle United could now reportedly beat Aston Villa to one Ligue 1 defender this summer.

UCL qualification key for Newcastle this summer

From easing their PSR concerns to helping to keep hold of key players and attracting just as important upgrades, to say that Champions League qualification will prove to be vital for Newcastle this summer would be an understatement. The Magpies didn’t do it the easy way, but their place among Europe’s elite was secured on the final day of the Premier League season nonetheless.

Liverpool (C)

84

45

Arsenal

74

35

Man City

71

28

Chelsea

69

21

Newcastle

66

21

Aston Villa

66

7

Nottingham Forest

65

12

Edging past Aston Villa on goal difference despite losing to Everton on the final day, the feeling around St James’ Park at full-time last weekend would have been major relief combined with the job of what awaits next season.

Eddie Howe had his say on the impact that Champions League qualification is likely to make on Newcastle’s summer transfer window, telling reporters: “Difficult to say on numbers, but I do think it’s a window that we have to be active in and I’m sure we will be.

“We haven’t recruited strongly in three windows and I think eventually, that can catch up with you in the end if you continue not to change because change is an important part of the squad dynamic.

“I think we feel that and I think we potentially felt that last summer as well, so I think that’s why the players have done so well to carry the success through. Yes, it is going to be a big transfer window.”

When Newcastle’s recruitment will get underway with that said remains to be seen, but reports have already been coming thick and fast as to who could arrive this summer.

Newcastle could hijack Aston Villa's Murillo move

According to El Marcador’s José Miguel Domínguez, as relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle could now hijack Aston Villa’s attempts to sign Amir Murillo from Marseille with an offer of their own, using their Champions League qualification as a major advantage, a competition Murillo wants to play in next season.

The Villans have already reportedly seen offers rejected for the right-back, which could allow the Magpies to come swooping in and match Marseille’s reported €25m (£21m) valuation.

The journalist said that the defender is keen to remain at Marseille due to Champions League football being on offer, but that is something that Newcastle can also provide and are expected to make a bid.

“The player’s desire, as of today, is to continue at Marseille because he plays in the Champions League. However, a siren call and a formal offer from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, who were very close to playing in the Champions League and will be playing in the Europa League. Another team, Newcastle, is expected to submit a formal offer for him in the coming days. Be careful, because they do play in the Champions League.”

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It is a valuation that Marseille are in a strong position to demand too, after Murillo put pen to paper on a new which could keep him at the club until 2028 back in March. It was then that manager Roberto De Zerbi was full of praise for his defender, telling reporters whilst also acknowledging Murillo’s injury: “Yes, first of all, I am very happy about the extension of his contract, because he has earned it.

“You have to recognise the work of people who do good things. At the moment, he is having a very good season, and we are all really happy for him. But yes, it is a problem, because Murillo has unique characteristics.”

Wolverhampton Wanderers have had a strong end to the 2024/25 campaign. Although they have lost the two most recent outings, Vitor Pereira’s side have managed to get themselves up to 14th in the Premier League, after they were certain relegation candidates at one stage in the season.

Even though they were mathematically safe a while ago, they have now reached the magical 40-point tally, which is usually enough to guarantee a spot in the top flight for another year. It certainly gives the Midlands club something to build on for next season.

The upcoming summer transfer window will be key for the Old Gold, and they have been linked with one player who could enhance the quality of their midfield.

Wolves could sign new midfielder

One of the areas in their squad where Wolves are strongest is in midfield. The West Midlands outfit have plenty of options in the middle of the park, but could look to add to that this summer, if recent reports are true.

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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Journalist Graeme Bailey alluded to the fact that Wolves could reignite their old interest in Chelsea midfielder Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall. He claimed that the Chelsea star, who has struggled for regular game-time this term, is someone who ‘quite possibly’ fits the profile Pereira is looking to add to his midfield.

Indeed, Bailey referenced that there is ‘historic interest’ in the player from Wolves, meaning a deal to bring him to Molineux could be on this summer. The price isn’t clear at this stage, but he cost the Blues £30m last summer from Leicester City.

Where Dewsbury-Hall would fit into Wolves' midfield

It has not really been the debut season at Stamford Bridge that Dewsbury-Hall may have hoped for. He has struggled to break into the team in the Premier League after following former Foxes manager Enzo Maresca to West London.

The 26-year-old has featured in just 29 games for the Blues across all competitions, with only 12 of those appearances coming in the Premier League. Incredibly, he has played 254 top-flight minutes, the equivalent of 2.8 full 90-minute games.

However, in Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League run, Dewsbury-Hall has had a more substantial role to play. He’s played 12 games in their run to the final, scoring four times and grabbing two assists. He bagged the only goal of the game in his side’s 1-0 home win over FC Copenhagen in the last 16 second leg.

Despite his struggles in 2024/25, Dewsbury-Hall is a “top talent” in the words of data analyst Statman Dave. He really showed just how good he is in 2023/24, the season Leicester won the Championship. That season, he managed 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 games from midfield.

The 26-year-old has impressive underlying stats from that campaign, too, courtesy of FBref. For example, he averaged 2.7 key passes and 0.77 goal-creating actions per game, which ranked him in the top 2% and 1% of Championship midfielders that season.

Dewsbury-Hall key stats vs midfielders in 2023/24 Championship

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile

Goals and assists

0.64

98th

Key passes

2.7

98th

Progressive passes

6.73

92nd

Shot-creating actions

5

96th

Goal-creating actions

0.77

99th

Stats from FBref

Given the attacking impact he could have on this Wolves side, it could mean Dewsbury-Hall partners well with Joao Gomes. The Brazil international has been a key player for the Old Gold this season, featuring in all but two of their Premier League games so far.

A superb ball-winner, he could be someone who sits behind the potential new Wolves midfielder and does the dirty work off the ball while allowing Dewsbury-Hall to thrive further forward.

Indeed, as per FBref, he averages 4.12 tackles and interceptions per game and 130 in total this season, which is the most in their squad.

It seems like a match made in heaven. Gomes can just sit at the base of the Old Gold midfield and look to break up play. With his excellent defensive output, it certainly takes the responsibility off Dewsbury-Hall somewhat.

A price is not confirmed yet, but this seems like the dream deal for the Old Gold. He could form an excellent partnership in midfield with Gomes, and add to the quality in attacking areas that Wolves have. This could be the perfect way to kick-start their summer.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington May 12, 2025