In the days since their loss in Galle, Sri Lanka have been through an honest appraisal through their many flaws in the first Test.This is according to their coach Chris Silverwood, who highlighted fielding and bowling as particular areas for improvement.But they need to improve in “all three departments”, he said. After the loss in Galle, captain Dimuth Karunaratne had also highlighted the twin failures of Sri Lanka’s top order, after they had been 54 for 4 in the first innings, and 99 for 4 in the second.Related

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“There are certain areas that we need to improve on, fielding being one of them,” Silverwood said one day before the second Test, in Colombo (SSC). Sri Lanka missed at least three clear-cut chances in the first Test. “There’s no hiding from it – we need to improve our fielding. There’s progression in that department. We analysed the last Test match, and if we’re honest, I think we fell short in all three departments.”I think it’s part of learning as a group, we have to be honest with ourselves and reflect inwards. Without pointing fingers out we have to be honest with ourselves.”Sri Lanka have serious ambitions of playing the next final of the World Test Championship (WTC), and a loss in Galle is about as poor a start to the new WTC cycle as could have been hoped for. Despite that rough start, the desire to make a mark on the WTC remains, Silverwood said.”The motivation is there. The players know how important it is to be picking up WTC points. And they know how important it is to be winning at home as well. The pride is there to do that. The motivation’s there. We have to continually do that all the time.1:24

Decoding Abdullah Shafique’s mind-blowing catch at short leg

“The determination is there that this game they’ll come out harder. I want to see them come out of their shells and express themselves and have the confidence to show how good they are.”On the batting front, Sri Lanka will have to contend with Pakistan’s seamers – Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah – again. In the first Test, they were outstanding in the first session of the match, and returned frequently with the old ball to deliver testing spells of reverse-swing.”First of all, we have to accept that the two fast bowlers Pakistan have are very good,” Silverwood said. “They are very good at their craft and have good pace. And they don’t give many runs away. The one thing they can do is hammer a length hard, skilfully, time and time again. And their bouncers are accurate. We have to give them a lot of credit for the way they operate. I think they make life difficult for any batting line-up anywhere in the world.””We have to be ultra-positive. I’m not saying we go out to slog or anything like that. We have to make sure our footwork is positive and our decision-making is strong. And that we find a way of combating these guys.”

Nottingham Forest and Evangelos Marinakis are now eyeing a move to sign a £20 million “giant”, according to a new report.

Morgan Gibbs-White on Forest’s surprise season

No one would have expected Forest to not only be within a chance of a European spot for next season but also to be a favourite to finish in the top four with just nine games left to play in the campaign.

It has been a tremendous campaign for everyone involved at the City Ground, and with recent wins over Manchester City and Ipswich Town keeping them on track to finish in the top four, midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White believes Forest deserve to be in the position they are in, as the captain has been a key performer in helping the club achieve this unexpected glory.

Nottingham Forest and Marinakis eyeing move to sign £20m Championship star

Forest are among the Premier League teams keeping a close eye on this midfielder.

By
Brett Worthington

Mar 19, 2025

Gibbs-White told BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s been a remarkable year. Just to see where we have come from, from this time last year, is incredible. I think the Forest fans deserve that the most.

“Getting back into the Premier League was one thing. Scrambling in relegation for the two years we were in the Premier League obviously wasn’t nice. It wasn’t good; it wasn’t enjoyable, but now we have given the fans something to cheer about.

“The funny thing is that in pre-season we had belief that we could do something this season. Did we think to this level? Probably not, but we felt that we could achieve something good this season.

“With the pre-season we had under the manager, because he perfectly implemented his ideas and his man management and his belief in his players, he really got to know everyone individually, and I think that is what has helped us massively. So, did I think we would be in this position? No.

“Would I have snapped your hand off? Yes. I think we deserve to be in the situation that we are in. We work so hard, day in and day out, to achieve these goals.”

Nottingham Forest plotting move to sign new £20m "giant"

So as Forest close in on a place in next season’s elite competition, they are putting plans in place for the summer transfer window. According to TuttoSport, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are serious about signing Lorenzo Lucca, who stands at 6ft 7, from Italian side Udinese.

The report states that AC Milan see the forward as a summer target, but they face competition from the Reds as well as Napoli. 10 goals in 28 Serie A games this season have put him on the radar of a few clubs around Europe, with Milan trying to sign him in January, but a deal didn’t work out.

They remain interested in signing the 24-year-old, who has been described as “the giant from Moncalieri”, but it is believed they will find it difficult to sign him in the summer. This then leaves the door open for Forest, who could be in the market for a new striker to help Chris Wood and replace him in the long term. It is reported that a fee of €25 million, which is roughly £20 million, will be enough to complete a transfer.

This wouldn’t be the first time Forest have turned to Serie A to complete a transfer, as they signed defender Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina last summer, and he has been pivotal in a defence that has conceded just 35 goals so far in the Premier League.

The latest report says that Forest could look to repeat their success in Serie A after landing Milenkovic with a move for Lucca, making this one to watch.

Everton’s time at Goodison Park has very nearly run its course with a second test event at Bramley-Moore Dock now complete.

It remains to be seen what players will be picked by David Moyes for Everton’s first competitive fixture at their fresh home, with the Scotsman having to wrestle with the futures of many of his camp now owing to their contracts running down, on top of loanees such as Jack Harrison and Jesper Linderstrom perhaps not sticking it out long-term.

Whatever does take place, the options at Moyes’ disposal on the left side of the attack look to be light with Iliman Ndiaye currently out injured and homegrown gem Anthony Gordon now way away from the grasps of Goodison at Newcastle United.

Gordon's rise at Newcastle since leaving Everton

Gordon has had to walk away from Thomas Tuchel’s England camp this international break due to his own injury difficulties, but it’s fair to say his career has come on leaps and bounds since waving goodbye to Merseyside.

Indeed, the Liverpool-born attacker is front and centre of Eddie Howe’s EFL Cup-winning side right now, with Gordon boasting an impressive nine strikes and six assists this season in all competitions, even if he did miss that Wembley showdown with the Reds through suspension.

Those numbers alone actually match his entire output from when he was in the Everton first-team picture, with Gordon only mustering up a disappointing seven goals and eight assists at the Toffees, having previously shone in many a youth side.

Still, this didn’t prove to be a setback for the now fully fledged Three Lions international who has gone on to excel past Merseyside.

On the flip side, however, a fellow former Toffees youth product hasn’t quite gone on to reach the heights once expected of him, despite bettering Gordon back in their U23s education.

The Everton academy star who was ahead of Gordon

It’s to be expected in the cruel landscape of youth football that some won’t hit the heights they believe they’re destined for, with the hype next to their name often working against them.

Nathan Broadhead is arguably a forgotten face when examining the recent crop to have come up through the youth ranks at Goodison, with the likes of Gordon stealing most of the plaudits for his heroics now at St James’ Park.

But, back in 2021, many would have been expecting Broadhead to be the star to hit the big time in the same way Gordon has, considering the Welsh starlet had a number of goal-and-assist laden campaigns under his belt playing for the U23s.

Broadhead had been in and around the U23 set-up since 2017, with Gordon still having to cut his teeth in the U18 picture initially, whilst his counterpart went on to tally up 17 goals and seven assists from 59 appearances in the highest level of youth football.

Gordon paled in comparison with his output for the U23s too – helping himself to just eight goals and five assists from a lesser 28 appearances – but only one of them would ultimately go on to forge a senior career at the club.

Despite making a name for himself in the youth circles at the club, Broadhead only made a meagre two first-team appearances for the Toffees, with the path to stardom for Gordon laid out for him when he seized his senior chances better.

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13

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He has since gone on to play in the Premier League more regularly at his current employers Ipswich Town after Kevin Thelwell sanctioned a £1.5m switch, but he has had to work hard to get back up to the level, having joined the Tractor Boys when they were marooned down in League One.

Ultimately, it’s extremely hard to predict how a youngster’s playing days will pan out, with Gordon potentially set for even dizzier heights at the Magpies, whilst Broadhead stares a relegation back to the Championship in the face.

Best signing since Branthwaite: Everton have hit gold on "dynamite" star

He may be Everton’s best player.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 23, 2025

Former Manchester United and England megastar David Beckham has received the ultimate accolade the United Kingdom can bestow.

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Beckham knighted at lastRecognised for football career Charity work also a big factorFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Beckham, OBE since 2003, was named on the King's Birthday Honours list, recognised for services to football and charity. Former England Women player Rachel Daly was awarded an MBE for services to football., while the extensive list also included MBEs for darts stars Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, as well as rugby league's first-ever knighthood, awarded to 90-year-old Billy Boston.

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Beckham played 394 games for Manchester United between 1992 and 2003, before also turning out for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain at a time when high-profile English players abroad were less common. He represented England on 115 occasions, a Three Lions record for an outfield player at the time of his retirement, and set up his own club, Inter Miami, in 2018. He has represented the very best of British football at a global level for the best part of 30 years and has worked as a UNICEF ambassador since 2005.

WHAT DAVID BECKHAM SAID

"Growing up in east London with parents and grandparents who were so patriotic and proud to be British, I never could have imagined I would receive such a truly humbling honour," said Beckham.

"It will take a little while for the news to sink in but I'm immensely proud and it's such an emotional moment for me to share with my family. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Britain around the world and work with incredible organisations that are supporting communities in need and inspiring the next generation. I'm so lucky to be able to do the work that I do and I'm grateful to be recognised for work that gives me so much fulfilment."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Beckham was first nominated for a knighthood in 2011, two years before he'd actually hung up his boots. In 2017, leaked emails published by several newspapers purported to show the former England captain criticising the honours system and committee. They were denounced as "doctored" by his camp. The ex-midfielder joins the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish on the list of football figures to have been knighted.

Victoria Beckham has shared a loving tribute to her husband David, after the news broke that the former England captain receives knighthood.

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• Posh to be known as Lady Victoria Beckham
• Becks recognised for services to football and charity
• Leaked announcement threatened Golden Balls' gong

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The artist formerly known as Posh Spice, now officially Lady Victoria Beckham, took to Instagram to congratulate her hubby for his honour. The 51-year-old said Golden Balls had "always been her knight in shining armour" and that she "couldn't be prouder" of the former England captain.

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• WHAT VICTORIA SAID

  She posted: "You’ve always been my knight in shining armour, but now it’s official. Sir @davidbeckham!!! What an honour, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Your dedication to the things that matter most — your country, your work, your passion, and most of all, your family — has never wavered. The way you’ve touched so many lives over the years with kindness and humility speaks volumes about the man you are and continues to inspire us everyday. But above all else, I’m so, so proud to call you mine. I love you so much xxxx."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Beckham has been knighted for his services to sport and charity. The news of his gong had been leaked last week, which potentially jeopardised the announcement, as Buckingham Palace are fiercely protective of the Honours List before its official release.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Beckham joins an exclusive group of British citizens, and Pele, that have been knighted for their services to the game. The list contains legends of the game with which Beckham is already linked: his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Sir Bobby Charlton. Beckham's middle name, Robert, is a tribute to the World Cup winner, his father's favourite player.

Arsenal and England star Leah Williamson enjoyed sunshine, laughs and paddle boarding during a romantic holiday with girlfriend Elle Smith.

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England captain recharging before EurosSoaked up sunshine in the MediterraneanLooking to add to Champions League titleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lionesses captain Williamson is – after gruelling domestic, continental and international campaigns in 2024-25 – readying herself for a European Championship title defence on Swiss soil this summer.

AdvertisementTHE GOSSIP

Before another bid for Euros glory gets underway, the 28-year-old has jetted off to Majorca with model partner Smith for some rest and relaxation. Williamson was able to unwind by the pool, while also padding out to sea.

DID YOU KNOW?

Williamson and Smith had a private pool at their luxury apartment, while plenty of laughs were had when heading out in the evenings for some food. American journalist Smith has since headed to Hamburg.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LEAH WILLIAMSON & ENGLAND?

Williamson has been in trophy-winning mood of late, helping Arsenal to a memorable Champions League triumph, and will see England’s Euro 2025 campaign get underway against France on July 5.

Manchester City won their first Premier League title in 2011, thanks to Sergio Aguero’s 94th-minute goal, snatching the title away from rivals Manchester United in the final seconds. Since then, the Citizens have won seven more Premier League titles, dominating English football for the past decade.

Along the way, City have invested a lot of money in buying some of the best talent on offer, leading them towards this success, along with the appointment of Pep Guardiola in 2016, which has seen them become the real powerhouse of English football.

Record signing Jack Grealish played a huge part in Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign, Kevin De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles with the club, and Rodri has even won the Ballon d’Or for his performances in the 2023/24 season.

But perhaps one of their best signings of all time, doesn’t even land in their top ten most expensive list, as City signed Erling Haaland back in 2022, paying £51m for the Norwegian striker.

Erling Haaland's impact at Man City

The 24-year-old has already made 137 appearances for the club since joining from Borussia Dortmund, scoring 119 goals, providing 18 assists and totalling 11,253 minutes played. To go along with that, Haaland has made 39 appearances for his country, already scoring 38 goals for them.

The 6 foot 4 forward became the quickest player to reach 100 Premier League goal involvements, doing so in just 94 games played, with only 16 of these 100 goal involvements being assists.

Haaland also now holds the Premier League scoring record, netting 36 goals in a single season, beating the previous record shared by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole (34 goals).

The Norway international has already proven to be worth his weight in gold, but City have added some extra quality around him in recent years, one of which could be considered their best signing since Haaland joined the club, and one who could be at Manchester City for a very long time.

Man City's best signing since Haaland

Man City signed Josko Gvardiol from Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig, for a fee of around £77.6m back in 2023. Since joining, the 23-year-old has made 83 appearances for the club, scoring ten goals, providing four assists and totalling 6,912 minutes played.

When comparing the Croatian international’s first season and second season, you can see a gradual improvement across most metrics, improving his progressive qualities, getting himself into more high-value positions (xG and xAG increase) and improving his passing accuracy.

Gvardiol was labelled “one of the best defenders” at the World Cup in 2022, with Jacek Kulig tagging the Croatian as an “elite talent”.

Coming through as a central defender, Gvardiol has now shown his versatility, often playing as a left-back for Guardiola, giving him tactical flexibility due to the defenders’ ability to fill in both in advanced areas and in defensive zones.

Having scored five goals in the Premier League this season, Gvardiol has shown his importance not only as a defender with exceptional recovery pace, but also as an attacking outlet, often finding himself in and around the box, providing the final touches and making the difference in matches.

It is for that raft of attributes that the flying full-back can earn the status of the Etihad side’s best signing since Haaland.

Forget Khusanov & Reis: Man City can unleash "academy version of Gvardiol"

Man City’s academy could once again prove to be worth its weight in gold

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Feb 18, 2025

Chelsea may have a lot of work to do in the upcoming summer transfer window to build a squad that is ready to compete for the biggest trophies on offer.

The Blues only have the Conference League left to play for in the current campaign, after being knocked out of the League Cup and the EFL Cup, but they are on course to seal a place in the Champions League with a top four or top five finish.

Enzo Maresca may look to streamline the squad and move on from some of the players who either have not contributed enough on the pitch, or who have been out on loan and not done enough to earn a place in the side for the 2025/26 campaign.

Moving some of the highest earners and biggest underperformers on from Stamford Bridge in the summer could create space at the club for new signings to come in and improve the Italian coach’s team.

Chelsea's highest wage earners

The top three earners in the squad, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Christopher Nkunku have only started 30 of a possible 87 matches in the Premier League this season.

James is reportedly the highest earner at the club on £250k-per-week, per Capology, followed by Fofana on £215k-per-week, and Nkunku on £195k-per-week, and there may have to be decisions to be made on how much value for money the club are getting out of them.

Reece James

£250k

Wesley Fofana

£215k

Christopher Nkunku

£195k

Enzo Fernandez

£180k

Marc Cucurella

£175k

Pedro Neto

£160k

Moises Caicedo

£150k

Cole Palmer

£130k

Tosin Adarabioyo

£100k

Nicolas Jackson

£100k

What you cannot see in that list of the top ten earners at the club, however, is that Chelsea are still reportedly paying £75k-per-week to Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is on loan at Bournemouth.

Why Chelsea must finally sell Kepa Arrizabalaga

Maresca must, now, finally cash in on the Spain international in the summer transfer window because the club have sent millions down the drain on the shot-stopper to date.

Chelsea reportedly smashed their club-record transfer fee to make him the most expensive goalkeeper in history with a £71m deal with Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018, and he penned a contract worth roughly £150k-per-week.

Kepa reportedly earned £39.1m in wages across his first four seasons at Cobham, conceding 175 goals in 163 appearances for the club in that time, which takes the total spent on him to £110.1m prior to this season.

The Spaniard, whose wages were covered by Real Madrid on loan last term, will have earned £3.9m in wages from the Blues – thanks to a 50% split with Bournemouth – this season and that takes the overall spend on him to £114m.

Kepa’s performances on the pitch for Chelsea when he was a regular in the first team did not provide good value for that amount of money.

Not only was there that ridiculous incident where he refused to be substituted but he conceded 8.9 more goals than the average goalkeeper would have been expected to based on the post-shot xG of the efforts against him in the Premier League in 109 matches.

Gary Neville heaped criticism on the £71m goalkeeper back in 2020 over his constant concession of long-range goals – 19 at the time – as he described his shot-stopping performances as a “sorry story” for a player of that value.

This shows that the 30-year-old flop, who did not win a Premier League title with the Blues, underperformed on the biggest job a goalkeeper has – saving shots.

Kepa’s contract at Stamford Bridges expires in the summer of 2026 and Maresca must push the board to cash in on him this year, to avoid losing him for nothing and to, hopefully, recoup a small amount of the £114m that has been wasted on the dud so far.

Chelsea have signed a "one-man army" who could be their next Makelele

Chelsea have signed a young star who could be their next Claude Makelele.

ByDan Emery Mar 20, 2025