All posts by h716a5.icu

Meanwhile, the curse of Durban strikes South Africa again. They’ve now lost seven out of nine Tests there

Bharath Seervi16-Feb-20190:57

First Lara, then Perera – all the records Sri lanka broke to beat South Africa

78* – The final-wicket partnership between Kusal Perera and Vishwa Fernando – the highest-ever in a successful chase. The previous was 57 between Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mushtaq Ahmed against Australia in Karachi in 1994. The Perera-Fernando stand is also the biggest such partnership in any first-class match, going past the 77 between Thomas Leather and Ron Oxenham for Australians against Madras in 1935-36.Highest tenth-wicket partnerships in successful chases•ESPNcricinfo Ltd13 – Instances of a side winning a Test by one wicket. It was the second such win for Sri Lanka after their display in Colombo 2006, also against South Africa. The last one-wicket victory in all Tests was by India over Australia in Mohali in 2010.153* – Kusal Perera’s score – the highest by a Sri Lanka batsman in a successful chase. It is also the highest against South Africa in a successful chase beating Neil Harvey’s unbeaten 151, also in Durban, in 1949-50. Overall, Perera’s innings features in the top-10 individual scores in successful chases.304 – Successfully chasing that target made it Sri Lanka’s fourth-highest chase in Test cricket. Each of the top three had come at home, so this is their best in an away win. It was also the fifth-largest target chased by any team against South Africa.1-7 – South Africa’s win-loss record in Durban in last ten years, easily their worst at any home venue. In nine Tests played there, they have lost seven and drawn one. The only victory was against India in 2013. Their win-loss ratio is the worst among the top-eight sides at a home venue playing last five-plus matches in this period.6 (27) – Fernando’s score in the partnership with Perera for the last wicket. Four of those runs had come in overthrows. Perera scored 67 off 68 in the partnership, with five sixes and three fours.

Tenth-wicket partnership

Batsman Runs Balls SRKusan Perera 67 68 98.52Vishwa Fernando 6 27 22.222- Number of successful run-chases by Asian teams in South Africa, in 20 attempts. Before this effort by Sri Lanka, the only successful chase was by Pakistan in Port Elizabeth in 2007. Last year India lost chasing targets of 207 and 286 on their tour of South Africa.

Two teams in serious disarray are about to meet in Cardiff. One team has a lot more to lose, and that team isn’t too fond of wristspin. What could possibly go wrong?

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Cardiff14-Jun-2019While India, New Zealand and England have been sashaying their way through the World Cup, West Indies, Pakistan and Bangladesh have had their moments, and Sri Lanka have lain low, the two teams to face off in Cardiff have been outdoing each other at the crapalympics. Neither has won a game yet. Both have been rocked by off-field selection-related controversy. There have been retirement threats, injuries, press conferences that felt like interrogations, underwhelming performances galore, and a whole lot of soul-searching. South Africa and Afghanistan are ninth and tenth on the points table respectively. Their campaigns, so far, have been as miserable as the weather. Almost.The injuries – to Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Mohammad Shahzad and Rashid Khan – have been unfortunate, but neither team can say their other problems are not at least somewhat self-inflicted. AB de Villiers had attempted to waltz into the World Cup team after having devoted himself exclusively to franchise T20s over the past year, but is it any surprise that he was bold enough to make the request? Even before his retirement, he had essentially been allowed to treat South Africa commitments like offerings at a hotel buffet – dipping into some series, turning his nose up at others, little explanation given as to why or why not. On the field at the actual World Cup, meanwhile, they have played meekly – their innings rarely not in crisis, their bowlers – Kagiso Rabada excepted – some distance from their best.Afghanistan have at times appeared to be in even more serious disarray. Asghar Afghan was sacked as captain in the months leading up to the World Cup – a decision that was met with serious protest by some in the team. Then, after the team sent Shahzad home after his knee injury failed to heal, the player declared himself fit, then threatened to rage-quit the game on account of being either overlooked or sent packing from two successive World Cups. That there is some controversy surrounding Shahzad is unsurprising given his history, but nevertheless, this was Afghanistan’s top ODI run-scorer. To replace him, they had to bring in a specialist wicketkeeper against New Zealand, which in turn forced them to play with one fewer bowler.Rassie van der Dussen is bowled while attempting a reverse sweep•IDI via Getty ImagesExpectations of Afghanistan were always lower than they were of South Africa, of course, so perhaps their campaign is not threatening train-wreck territory in the same way their opposition’s is. Perhaps they haven’t imposed themselves on the tournament properly yet (though they did come close against Sri Lanka), but they have also not had the kinds of tracks they needed in order to prosper. In Bristol, Cardiff and Taunton, pitches have suited the quicks and largely neutralised their major spin threats. They are hoping Saturday’s track in Cardiff is more to Rashid and Mohammad Nabi’s liking.”In the last three games they, didn’t help the spinners,” captain Gulbadin Naib said. “It doesn’t matter if this ground is smaller – if the boundary is 50 or 60 metres. If the ball turns, Rashid and Nabi have a lot of potential on it.”Rashid is in any case Afghanistan’s most potent weapon, but against South Africa he could be especially effective. That wristspinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal devastated South Africa’s middle order a little over a week ago will have escaped no one’s notice. Not least that of South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who was bowled by legspinner Chahal in the midst of a collapse that claimed three wickets for 11 runs.”What’s clear in the world of cricket now is that you can’t call teams minnows, because they have the ability and the players in the dressing room to change a game,” du Plessis said. “You need two or three guys to stand up and win you a game. They’ve got those players. Rashid Khan is probably the standout for them. He’s proven in T20 cricket that he’s probably the best legspinner in the world.”In 50-over cricket it gives him a bit more time but you also don’t have to attack him as much. So it’s really important for us to make sure that the learnings, the players who’ve played against him in the IPL have got – that we share that knowledge in the dressing room and make sure we annihilate that threat.”If Rashid does contribute to an upset, South Africa’s misery will not only be extended, they will have sunk to a low that is almost unprecedented for a South Africa team at a World Cup – virtual no-hopers before the tournament is even halfway done. South Africa need a victory in Cardiff to overcome their inertia. So too their opponents, if maybe not quite as much.

Zimbabwe coach admits that recent developments have been disturbing for the players, but expects the team to make a big statement in the tri-series in Bangladesh

Mohammad Isam11-Sep-2019You’re the head coach of an international team. You do what you can, within your means and resources, to make the team as good as it can be, but things outside your control lead to the team being suspended from the international game. What do you do then? Lalchand Rajput, the Zimbabwe coach, has what he calls a simple motto: “Be positive, look ahead, and think about what you want to achieve. That’s it.”As things stand, the Zimbabwe men’s and women’s cricket teams are suspended by the ICC. The reason is a spat between Zimbabwe Cricket and the country’s Sports and Recreation Commission. The conflict, based on what we know, has been resolved. The ICC decision stands, but if everyone in Zimbabwe plays by the rules, that could change in the not-too-distant future.The players, of course, have been hit hard, and they have made their displeasure public. Sikandar Raza, the senior allrounder, has been dropped from the squad for the T20I tri-series in Bangladesh – with Afghanistan as the third team – because of disciplinary reasons, while Hamilton Masakadza, the captain, has announced his desire to quit after the series because “with Zimbabwe barred from [ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier in Dubai next month], I feel the time is right to shift the focus to the next generation”.It can’t be easy under the circumstances, and Rajput admits that it isn’t.ALSO READ: Brickhill – The troubled history of Zimbabwe player unions”Obviously everyone was worried, because no one knew what was going to happen. The players were disturbed because it came as a surprise. We had just landed in Netherlands [for a white-ball series], and before the first game we got the news. So everybody was worried, understandably,” Rajput told ESPNcricinfo. “It was a difficult phase, that tour. But we tried to motivate the players, we tried to … I told the players to leave these things behind, and once at the ground, focus on the job. I think we have overcome that. We want this to be a new beginning for us, I’d say, a fresh start, and I hope we move forward now.”We will, of course, miss Raza, because he has been one of our better players. But we have to move on, move forward with the players we have. Whatever team we have got, we must utilise to the best potential.”

Yes, things have happened back home, but that’s not really in our control. But that’s why we have to try and be very positive, look ahead. Hopefully, there is a future, because that’s what we are here for

Fortunately for the team, their trip to Bangladesh wasn’t cancelled, and they now have a chance to make a statement in the T20Is in Dhaka before travelling to Singapore to take on the home side and Nepal in another T20I tri-series.”A lot of eyes are on Zimbabwe cricket – that’s what I have told the players. Everyone is watching us, so we have to make sure we do well; if you do well, things will change,” Rajput said. “In cricket, the bottom line is performance. It’s a good platform for us, that we are getting to play. We have got a nice mix of young and experienced players, and they are hungry. They want to perform, and this is the best platform. So, hopefully, we do well, and do well in Singapore as well.”It should help. After all, bar a 1-1 Test series in Bangladesh late last year, it’s mostly been rough going for Zimbabwe since Rajput’s appointment was confirmed, in August 2018. They swept UAE 4-0 in an ODI series at home in April this year, but have lost everything else in the format – in South Africa and Bangladesh last year and in Netherland and Ireland this year. And in T20Is, the record is one win and four losses in six matches.As things turned pear-shaped, first at home and then in the form of the ICC suspension, everything seemed to be in a state of disarray; emotions among players ran high, with questions about the team’s – and their – future uppermost in everyone’s mind.While accepting that the circumstances – “not in our control” – made things tough for him and the players, Rajput, whose last gig before joining Zimbabwe was with the Afghanistan team, said he just shifted to what was his “speciality”, man-management.”Yes, things have happened back home, but that’s not really in our control. But that’s why we have to try and be very positive, look ahead. Hopefully, there is a future, because that’s what we are here for. You can’t think about the things that have happened. You do, but you have to look ahead too. We must all think of what we are going to do next. My motto is simple: be positive, look ahead, and think about what I want to achieve.Lalchand Rajput was the coach when Afghanistan achieved Full-Member status•Getty Images”In international cricket, the mindset is the main thing. A player is judged by the nine inches above his shoulders. If you have a good head, a strong mind, you can conquer anything. Look at Steven Smith. His technique isn’t what coaches teach you, but look at the runs he has scored in England. It’s because he is mentally strong. That’s all the matters. Technique will take you only so far. After that, it’s the mindset. It’s the self-belief.”I said that to the Afghanistan players too, and that’s what I am telling the players in Zimbabwe. If you have the self-belief, that I can do it in the middle, then you can. As a coach, my job is to give them the self-belief, the confidence. I can give those inputs, what it requires to perform in the middle. After that, of course, it’s over to the players. Whatever the conditions and circumstances, you have to have the courage. If you have the courage, you can conquer anything. No backward steps.”In Bangladesh now, Zimbabwe are the lowest-ranked of the three competing teams: 14th, with the home side at No. 10 and Afghanistan three spots higher. Rajput is, however, targeting a final appearance.”The pressure is on Afghanistan and Bangladesh. We have nothing to lose, and we have to play fearlessly. We have to give our best in every game, and if we can show some self-belief, we can do anything we want on the ground,” Rajput said. “We have to reach the final, that’s the main thing. We go one game at a time, take stock after each game, and see what we need to do. In T20s, I believe there are no favourites. You do well on the day, and you win. That’s what we have seen in T20 competitions. We are as good as any other team in T20s, and if we play to our potential, we can win matches.”We have a good bunch of players coming through the ranks now, and we have the regular seniors too. This is a transition period for us, and hopefully, we will overcome it, and you’ll see a better Zimbabwe team in the near future.”Rajput has just under two years to go on his contract but Masakadza, who took over as captain across formats in February this year, won’t be a part of the remainder of Rajput’s time with the side.”He has served Zimbabwe cricket for a long, long time,” Rajput acknowledged. “He has been an ambassador for Zimbabwe cricket, he has done yeomen service for us. His performances are right up there, they speak for his skills and ability. As a coach, I have had a wonderful time working with him, and I hope he leaves on a high note. If we can win the final, that would be a perfect farewell for him. That’s what we are hoping for.”

Arsenal might be second in the Premier League and in a Champions League quarter-final, but their biggest weakness, aside from injuries, is evident: scoring goals.

Mikel Arteta’s side produced the best defence in the league last season and look set to do the same this year, but as things stand, they have scored 15 goals fewer than Liverpool and as many as Tottenham Hotspur, which is not good enough for a team who want to win it all.

So, it’s no surprise then, that since Andrea Berta was announced as the club’s new Sporting Director last week, the rumours coming out of the Emirates have all been around signing a new striker, with Viktor Gyokeres the most prominent link of the lot.

The Swedish international would be an incredible addition to the side, but one that might not have been necessary had Arteta and Co not sold their own promising forward in the past.

The strikers sold by Arteta

So, before we get to the striker in question, it’s worth going over a few of the others sold or let go during Arteta’s tenure, starting with Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun.

Now, to give the manager credit, the sale of both Hale Enders now looks like excellent business, as since his £30m departure last summer, Nketiah has only scored five goals and provided two assists in 28 appearances for Crystal Palace, which is not what they would have been hoping for considering his price tag.

Likewise, while Balogun started life with AS Monaco well enough, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 32 appearances last season, he has since added just three goals in 12 games this year, which, again, is not the sort of output the club would have wanted from a £34m purchase.

Now, a striker who has thrived since his departure from the Emirates in the summer of 2022 is Alexandre Lacazette.

In his first season back at Lyon, the Frenchman racked up a sensational haul of 37 goal involvements in 39 games, then managed 26 in 35 last season and has so far amassed 16 goal involvements in 35 games this year.

However, while having the Lyon-born poacher in the squad over the last few seasons would have been useful, he came to the end of his contract when he left, and it was clear he wanted to return to his former club.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to see any logical reason why the striker, who could have been the Gunners’ own Gyokeres, was sold last summer.

The striker who could have been Arsenal's Gyokeres

While the most notable sale of a forward from Arsenal last summer was that of Nketiah, Arteta and Co also sanctioned the sale of Mika Biereth to Austrian outfit Sturm Graz for just £4m plus a 25% sell-on clause.

Now, there is an argument to be made that considering the Dane had never even made a competitive appearance for the club, getting a fee like that for him was good business.

However, the counter to that was the fact that he had just come off a season in which he scored 15 goals and provided nine assists across loan spells with Motherwell and Sturm Graz, suggesting he was a promising goalscoring talent.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, it appears as if the fee they got wasn’t great as in the first half of this season, the “crazy” talent, as dubbed by former GOAL reporter Robin Bairner, reached another level and scored 14 goals and provided five assists in just 25 appearances.

This incredible run of form was enough to turn heads in Ligue 1, and AS Monaco decided to sign him for just £10.8m plus £1.75m in add-ons in the winter window.

Appearances

25

14

Minutes

1971′

1026′

Goals

14

12

Assists

5

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.76

1.07

Minutes per Goal Involvements

103.73′

68.4′

Since moving to a top-five league, the Danish marksman has gotten better and has so far scored 12 goals and provided three assists in just 14 appearances.

That means the 22-year-old phenomenon has managed to rack up a sensational haul of 26 goals and eight assists in 39 appearances, totalling 2997 minutes.

In other words, he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.14 games, or even more impressively, every 88.14 minutes.

It’s this obscene rate of return, plus the fact they are both 6 foot 2 and Scandinavian, that makes the former Arsenal ace so similar to the Sporting CP star.

Ultimately, hindsight is a wonderful thing, and Gyokeres may well be just what Arsenal need in the summer.

However, had they not sold Biereth for such a small fee last year, signing a new striker might not even be a necessity.

His agents will be in London: Arsenal step up move for £58m Sesko upgrade

The “complete” striker would be incredible for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 7, 2025

It all comes down to this: Tottenham Hotspur’s season rests on their tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have endured a torrid Premier League campaign, and with them out of the FA Cup, the manager’s record of winning silverware in his second season relies on them winning the Europa League.

It would be fair to say then that tonight’s game is the most important game in the Australian’s tenure at the club, so he has to get his selection and tactics spot on, as the German outfit are no pushovers.

Therefore, while it might sound harsh and maybe even a little counterintuitive, he must take Son Heung-min out of the starting lineup.

Why Son has to be dropped

So, before people start throwing things, we recognise that on ability alone, Son is one of the better players in the Spurs squad, but unfortunately, that alone is not enough in a game like this.

Frankfurt are going to come flying out of the blocks tonight, and while it’s not his fault, the South Korean superstar is not the rapid and incredibly dynamic winger he once was.

It’s a simple fact of life that, at 32 years old, he isn’t able to play games with the same level of intensity that he once did, with research from The Athletic pointing out that wide players peak at 26 and become significantly less effective at beating their full-back once they hit 30.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Moreover, the former Bayer Leverkusen star hasn’t even been producing much either, as he’s scored just one goal in his last ten league appearances and failed to add to his tally in the Round of 16 tie against AZ Alkmaar.

Finally, according to FBref, he’s in the bottom 44% of attacking midfielders and wingers for successful take-ons in the Premier League this season, which is not what you want from your left-winger ahead of a must-win European knockout tie.

The good news is that there is someone who could step in for Son, someone with recent experience of playing in Germany.

The Spurs star who should start ahead of Son

While some might call for Mikey Moore to start on the left tonight, we reckon the player to come in for Son should be Mathys Tel.

Now, we know the Frenchman hasn’t exactly lit the world alight since moving to North London in the winter window, but he has shown glimpses of quality here and there, such as his consolation goal away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

However, that’s not really relevant, as the main reason he should be in from the word go tonight is that, based on his performances last season, he’s capable of bringing an abundance of energy and dynamism to the left-hand side, and in turn likely force Frankfurt to at least be more cautious of quick breaks and counter-attacks.

For example, FBref placed him in the top 9% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Bundesliga for successful take-ons last season, with an average of 3.17 per 90.

Moreover, when the “mind-blowing” prospect, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was given game time, he was simply sensational, scoring ten goals and providing six assists in just 1406 minutes across 41 appearances.

Appearances

41

Starts

10

Minutes

1406′

Goals

10

Assists

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.39

Minutes per Goal Involvement

87.87′

That means the explosive attacker averaged a goal involvement every 2.56 games, or more impressively, every 87.87 minutes.

Finally, it would also be a brilliant idea to play Tel for the first 65 minutes or so, have him run the defence ragged, and then bring Son on, who might be able to find more space and punish them with his still impressive finishing.

Ultimately, Spurs need to win this tie to save their season, and the best way of doing that is by playing with intensity and dynamism, which is something the Frenchman has in spades.

An Eriksen repeat: World-class Spurs star will be "interested" in leaving

The incredible international would be a massive loss for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 9, 2025

After Andre Onana endured yet another night to forget between the sticks for Manchester United, the Red Devils are reportedly seriously interested in signing an impressive replacement.

Onana fumbles against Matic and Lyon

Turning what was set to be a simple affair between two sides vying for a place in the Europa League’s last four into a tie with added tension, Onana stole the headlines earlier this week when he told reporters: “It’s a very good team. We know some of them but I don’t think we have to focus on them. It’s more about us, what we’re going to do. I think we are better than them, we just have to go there and show who we are.

Whilst the goalkeeper didn’t mean to create conflict with his comments, former Manchester United and current Lyon midfielder soon wasted no time in hitting back, calling Onana “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United history”.

Man Utd now increasingly confident over signing "unbelievable" £50m striker

The Red Devils now hold a concrete interest in a forward, who could be brought in instead of top target Liam Delap.

2 ByDominic Lund Apr 10, 2025

“If you’re one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s history then you need to take care of what you are talking about. If David De Gea, Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar said that I would question myself but if you are statistically one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history, he needs to show that before he says it.”

In the end, it was impossible to decipher whether the Red Devils are a better side than Lyon as the French side came from behind to rescue a draw. But that’s not to say Matic wasn’t vindicated in full, however. He watched on as Onana fumbled not once but twice to cost Manchester United a crucial advantage late on.

It’s mistakes that those at Old Trafford may not ignore for much longer, either, having reportedly set their sights on an ideal replacement for their No.1.

Man Utd seriously interested in Burnley star James Trafford

According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United are now seriously interested in signing James Trafford from Burnley this summer in what would see them jump ahead of Newcastle United and others in the race for his signature. The impressive shot-stopper has kept as many as 28 clean sheets this season, playing a vital part in one of the best defences in Championship history.

With those at Old Trafford reportedly hoping for interest to arrive from Saudi Arabia before showing Onana the door, Trafford could emerge to become Ruben Amorim’s new No.1.

Praised for an “incredible” season by football scout/writer Jacek Kulig, the England international has certainly earned a place in the Premier League whether it’s with or without Burnley.

Chelsea are set to have a busy summer on the pitch, even with the Premier League season almost at its conclusion.

Indeed, they are taking part in the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup in the United States of America, with the first game on the 16th of June against Mexican side Club Leon.

Thus, they might be looking to make some early transfers. The 2025 summer window opens for ten days at the start of June, to allow teams competing in the Club World Cup the chance to strengthen their squad beforehand.

It might well be in the Blues’ interest to sign someone in that short window, and they have actually been linked with one attacker who could even move at the start of June.

Chelsea looking to sign a new striker

It may not seem surprising that Chelsea want a new striker this summer, given they are the sixth biggest underachiever for expected goals in the Premier League, as per Understat.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, the man who could help solve those issues is Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy.

According to recent reports from Spain this week, Chelsea are one of the sides who ‘have already initiated’ a move for Guirassy this summer. There is thought to be a ‘real possibility of leaving Germany’ for the striker in the coming months.

However, the West Londoners are surely going to face stern competition for Gurassy’s signature. Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus are also interested in signing the striker, who has a £60m release clause in his contract, should anyone want to bring him in.

Why Guirassy would be a good signing

It has been an incredible season for Guirassy in 2024/25, who has excelled leaps and bounds in a Dortmund side that has struggled overall. He has 29 goals and five assists in 41 games played so far this term.

There is certainly a case to be made that the striker has done his best work in the Champions League. He’s scored an incredible 13 goals in 14 games, notching up four assists alongside those strikes.

It is perhaps not too difficult to pinpoint the best performance from the Guinean striker in Europe’s premier club competition. He scored a hat-trick in the quarter-final against Barcelona, which proved to be in vain as his side got eliminated 5-3 on aggregate. However, it was still an mightily strong performance to grab a 3-1 home win on the night.

Perhaps Guirassy could provide the goals that Nicolas Jackson has struggled to score at times in 2024/25. The Chelsea striker is talented but perhaps a little inconsistent, with nine goals and five assists in 29 games in all competitions.

When comparing the goal-to-game ratio of Jackson and Guirassy, there is a clear difference. The Dortmund number nine is currently scoring 0.7 goals per game this term, whereas Chelsea’s main man up front averages just 0.3, a stark contrast.

Indeed, one thing the “unstoppable” Dortmund star, as scout Antonio Mango once described him, has on his side is experience.

At 29 years of age, the Dortmund sensation has plenty more years in professional football than the Chelsea number 15, who is just 23 years of age. With that being said, there is still a difference in how clinical they are in front of goal.

Interestingly, a statistical comparison via FBref can be drawn between Guirassy and former Blues striker Kai Havertz, now an Arsenal player.

He scored 32 goals for the club over three years, including a winner in the Champions League final in 2021.

As for the numerical comparison between the two, there are several areas where the pair are similar. For example, Guirassy averages 0.50 goals per shot on target compared to Havertz’s 0.43 goals per shot on target each game and they link up play in a similarly strong way, with only 0.10 difference in the number of key passes they supply per 90 minutes.

Goals per shot on target

0.5

0.43

Expected goals

0.72xG

0.46xG

Key passes

0.88

0.78

Shot-creating actions

1.84

2.01

Goal-creating actions

0.28

0.15

It is hard to see a reason why Gurassy wouldn’t succeed at Stamford Bridge. The Dortmund star is deadly in front of goal, as the numbers show, and in that sense would be an upgrade on Jackson.

Chelsea fans will surely hope he can replicate what Havertz did in that famous Blue shirt. They probably wouldn’t say no to a Champions League final winner, a competition in which he has serious pedigree already.

Chelsea preparing £43m offer for "surprising" new striker target

The west Londoners have another name on their agenda.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 23, 2025

Glasgow Rangers must find a way to get back on top in Scottish football after they missed out on the Premiership title for the fourth season running.

The Light Blues will finish second once again in the top-flight and held the champions to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the last Old Firm clash of the campaign on Sunday.

Cyriel Dessers, as you can see in the clip above, scored the only goal of the game for the Light Blues, but it was not a perfect performance by the Nigeria international.

Cyriel Dessers' performance against Celtic

The experienced centre-forward did incredibly well for his goal with a good run and touch to take Mohammed Diomande’s pass in and then showed strength to hold off Liam Scales before burying his finish past Viljami Sinisalo.

Unfortunately, though, Dessers did not show that strength for much of the game, as he lost all four of his ground duels and lost four of his five aerial battles.

The former Cremonese striker also completed just 53% (7/13) of his attempted passes in the match, which means that the forward struggled out of possession and with the ball at his feet outside of his goal.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

One player who was worse than the goalscorer, though, was attacking midfielder Nedim Bajrami, who should be ruthlessly ditched by the 49ers this summer.

Why Nedim Bajrami should be sold

The Albania international, who joined the club from Sassuolo last summer, was selected to start as part of the attacking set-up against the Hoops and was even worse than Dessers.

Barry Ferguson’s number nine, at least, scored the only goal of the game for the Light Blues to make up for the rest of his disappointing display. Whereas, Bajrami made little to no impact at the top end of the pitch in his time on the field.

Minutes

66

Ground duels won

2/2

Aerial duels won

1/1

Pass accuracy

72%

Crosses completed

0/2

Shots

0

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

As you can see in the table above, the Albanian forward did not create any chances or take any shots as Sinisalo’s goal, but did show some good fight to win all three of his duels.

This shows that he was even worse than Dessers because the Nigeria international made a telling contribution in front of goal and created one chance for the team, whilst the ex-Serie B ace offered nothing in that respect.

Ultimately, Bajrami is an attacking player who should be in the team to make things happen in the final third, and he has not done that consistently enough this season.

The 26-year-old flop has scored three goals and provided one assist in 38 appearances in the Premiership and the Europa League combined this term, including just two goals in 27 league matches for the club.

It is now down to the incoming owners and the new manager to ruthlessly move Bajrami on in the summer transfer window, after what has been an underwhelming debut season at Ibrox, because he has not proven that the quality is there for him to be a key player moving forward.

Their own Arne Engels: Rangers could land a "really exciting" signing

As Rangers look to strengthen this summer, could they make a loan move for a player who is being compared to Celtic’s Arne Engels?

ByBen Gray May 4, 2025

Leeds United have the opportunity to cement their place in the Premier League next season, ending their two-year exile from the top-flight after promotion from the Championship.

The Whites will need to invest heavily in the playing squad to hand Daniel Farke the chance to consolidate next year, in what’s likely to be an extremely difficult campaign.

The last six teams who have achieved promotion to such a division have all been relegated the following year, with the German aiming to be the man to buck such a trend.

However, if he is to achieve such a feat, he will need to be brutal with his squad, cutting players out and signing top-level talents to boost his ambitions of achieving his goal.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, the manager and the hierarchy have already wasted no time in identifying players who could bolster the side at Elland Road.

Leeds’ pursuit of new signings this summer

Even though the transfer window isn’t officially open yet, Leeds have already made moves for multiple players to try and provide needed talent and depth to key areas of the squad.

It was reported in recent days that they had made contact to sign Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters this summer, with the 28-year-old’s deal at St Mary’s set to expire at the end of June.

However, the opposite side of the pitch has also been one of interest, with the Whites earmarking Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas as a summer target, according to the Daily Mail.

The report claims that the Reds are open to allowing the 29-year-old Greek international to depart this summer, potentially moving in a double deal with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher during the off-season.

It also states that he may want to leave Anfield this summer to gain valuable first-team minutes elsewhere after starting just eight league games under Arne Slot in 2024/25.

Why Leeds’ target would be the dream Firpo replacement

Junior Firpo has set the Championship alight this campaign, playing a vital role at both ends of the pitch in the club’s success and ability to claim promotion.

The Dominican international featured in 32 league matches this season, registering 14 combined goals and assists, a simply staggering tally for a left-back.

However, the 28-year-old’s future looks up in the air this summer, with his contract set to expire at the end of June, with no new deal appearing on the horizon.

He’s since been touted with a return to former club Real Betis this summer, which could see his four-year spell in Yorkshire conclude in the coming weeks.

However, whilst supporters would be devastated, they shouldn’t worry, with a deal for the £17m-rated Tsimikas allowing them to forget about the departing full-back.

When comparing the pair’s respective figures from the recent campaign, the Liverpool star has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas – offering Farke the added quality he’s been searching for in the defensive department.

The Greek star, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one journalist, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered more progressive passes and more passes into the final third – highlighting the threat he poses with the ball at his feet.

Games played

18

32

Goals & assists

1

14

Progressive passes

8.6

5.4

Shot-on-target accuracy

50%

35%

Pass accuracy

84%

80%

Passes into the final third

4.9

6.5

Tackles won

2.2

1.1

Interceptions made

1.3

1.2

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted and registered a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – still handing Farke an excellent attacking option.

However, defensively, Tsimikas has dominated, winning more tackles per 90 and making more interceptions – offering added defensive quality to a backline which will come under huge pressure in the Premier League.

Any deal for the Liverpool ace would be one that could allow for an excellent option at full-back for the manager, also offering him the needed top-flight experience within the squad.

Whilst a new deal for Firpo is something which most supporters want, the 29-year-old offers a superb alternative should the Dominican depart Elland Road this summer.

Perfect for James: 49ers want to sign "outstanding" PL star for Leeds

Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be perfect for Dan James.

ByDan Emery May 14, 2025

16th in the Premier League table. A 17th top-flight loss of the season. As manager Ruben Amorim put it, Manchester United are now “losing the feeling of [being] a massive club”.

Those explosive words came amid a noteworthy post-match press conference from the Portuguese coach, following United’s dour 2-0 defeat to a struggling West Ham United side at Old Trafford.

While attention is now focused on next week’s Europa League final, the ex-Sporting CP boss appears furious with the manner in which his side are throwing in the towel domestically, having seemingly demanded a club-wide reaction to the team’s current malaise.

The only saving grace from this wretched league run is that Amorim has been afforded the time to figure out just who he wants to have onboard for next term, with work seemingly already underway in the background, ahead of the looming summer window.

Indeed, by all accounts, the Red Devils could be close to wrapping up a first deal, in the form of Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha.

The latest on Cunha's move to Man Utd

While much of United’s summer business may depend on securing Champions League qualification, via Europa League glory, Amorim has already stated that no player who “only wants” the Champions League will be moving to Manchester – as he outlined in relation to reports surrounding Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Thankfully, as far as the 40-year-old is concerned, it would appear that Cunha is willing to move to the Theatre of Dreams regardless of what happens next week, with talks for the Brazilian forward already said to be advanced.

Indeed, reports last week even claimed that personal terms had been agreed with the 26-year-old, with the former Atletico Madrid man in line to depart Molineux in the coming months, provided any suitor matches his £62.5m release clause.

While there is rival interest from the likes of Arsenal, the suggestion remains that United are the side who are leading the race at present, with Cunha deemed to be the perfect fit for one of Amorim’s number ten berths.

A player with that Eric Cantona-esque edge to his game, the fiery forward has backed up his temperamental displays with a string of standout performances this season, having chalked up 15 goals and six assists in the Premier League to date.

Mo Salah

28

18

36

Alexander Isak

23

6

33

Erling Haaland

21

3

29

Chris Wood

20

3

34

Bryan Mbeumo

18

7

36

Yoane Wissa

18

3

33

Ollie Watkins

16

7

36

Cole Palmer

15

8

35

Matheus Cunha

15

6

31

Jean-Philippe Mateta

14

2

35

The in-form marksman has been a real star of 2024/25, albeit while having actually been outperformed by a figure of United’s recent past, across all competitions…

The Man Utd "disappointment" who's outperforming Cunha

United supporters are wise enough not to be getting too carried away over the prospect of Cunha joining the club this summer, having seen far too many marquee moves go south in recent years.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

As club legend Gary Neville stated, Bruno Fernandes is the “only” player in the last decade to have lived up to expectations, after arriving at Old Trafford, with the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era having been littered with high-profile transfer mistakes – not least under former CEO, Ed Woodward’s watch.

Arguably the “biggest disappointment” in that period, as per Neville, was the capture of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid on a £59m deal, with the Argentine sensation joining just a matter of months on from his Man of the Match display in the 2014 Champions League final.

As the player himself later admitted, however, he never wanted to make the move to Manchester in the first place, having also described then-boss Louis van Gaal as the “worst boss I ever had”, following the dour nature of his time at the club.

There were flashes of quality, namely the playmaker’s delightful dink against Leicester City, although such moments were few and far between, with the mercurial left-footer swiftly departing for Paris Saint-Germain after just a solitary season, as Woodward and co cashed in for around £44.3m.

The now-veteran playmaker – who did rack up 15 goal involvements in 34 games for United – went on to register 212 goals and assists in Paris, prior to joining Juventus and then current side Benfica in recent years.

Back at the club where he made his name between 2007 and 2010, before moving to Madrid, the 37-year-old remains a central figure for the Lisbon outfit, amid their battle for the title.

Having re-signed in 2023, Di Maria has particularly impressed in the current campaign, after chalking up 15 goals and nine assists across 38 games in all competitions.

That return of 24 goal contributions actually places the ageing star ahead of that man Cunha, with the wantaway Wolves star registering 23 goal contributions for the Old Gold in 2024/25.

In truth, that return highlights the quality that United saw only too briefly during Di Maria’s time in Manchester, with the hope now that Cunha doesn’t follow suit, should he make his own statement switch in the near future.

Amorim’s side no doubt need a maverick, expressive talent like Cunha, although as Van Gaal found with Di Maria, the question remains as to how that individual asset will shine as part of the collective.

As Di Maria swiftly found out, no player is bigger than the club…

Man Utd willing to pay £38m for star who scored at Old Trafford this season

He could be exactly what Ruben Amorim is looking for.

ByHenry Jackson May 12, 2025