He answered nearly every question that was thrown at him during the second ODI

Deivarayan Muthu18-Dec-2019Is KL Rahul good enough to be India’s first-choice opener in limited-overs cricket? Will he get another go at the top even after Shikhar Dhawan recovers from injury? Or will Rahul be a mere Mr. Fix it in the middle order, a role he had briefly played in the 50-over World Cup earlier this year?On the eve of the ODI series opener against West Indies in Chennai, batting coach Vikram Rathour was even pressed if Rahul could fit into the side as a frontline keeping option. Rathour, ultimately, sidestepped that question.In a must-win match for India in Visakhapatham, Rahul answered nearly every question that was thrown at him and shut out all the external noise. After he glided to his third ODI hundred – and first at home – Rahul dropped his helmet and bat, then put both his hands on his ears, gesticulating he wanted to stop all the chatter.Two balls later, Rahul carved fast bowler Alzarri Joseph to third man, and was sent off with a pat on his head from his vice-captain Rohit Sharma and a standing ovation from the crowd. Captain Virat Kohli was also impressed in the dressing room, so much that he raised his own bat by the time Rahul raised his after reaching the landmark.When you are batting with Sharma, you are often the sidekick, but on Wednesday Rahul was the lead for most part of the 227-run opening partnership.Jason Holder had settled into splice-jarring lengths with the new ball and on top of it extracted extra bounce to test Sharma. Joseph then got the ball to seam away sharply like a fast legcutter, threatening Sharma’s outside edge.Soon, Sharma got going with a shovel-pull for six over fine leg. However, he got stuck again, on 40, swallowing 12 successive dots. West Indies captain Kieron Pollard even brought back a slip at this point and sensed a way back for his team. However, it was not to be, thanks largely to Rahul.ALSO READ: Rahul 2.0 makes case for regular limited-overs selectionHe was at his fluent best, unleashing the range of strokes that has made him a white-ball monster. When Holder went too short and wide outside off, Rahul got under the ball and scythed it regally over point for six. Then, he dashed out of the crease and dumped debutant left-arm fingerspinner Khary Pierre over the wide long-on fence for six. He was the first to move to a half-century, off 46 balls with a gentle little dab to the left of extra-cover.Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri have a lot to celebrate•BCCIWith Holder getting some purchase and often tucking the batsmen up for room, Rahul simply chose to play him out. But he took more chances against Pierre and even flitted around the crease to throw the bowler off his lines and lengths. Rahul seamlessly rotated the strike in addition to finding the boundaries, affording Sharma some breathing space, when he couldn’t quite find his bearings.”Initially we give ourselves three-four overs’ time to see what the wicket’s doing and then we kind of see what the best total would be on such a wicket,” Rahul told host broadcaster Star Sports after India piled up 387 for 5. “Then, we try to pace our innings that way and whoever gets going initially continues to do that. Obviously not always does both of us get going from ball one. Today was my day and I was hitting the ball pretty well and I took my chances and fortunately it came off for me today.”[It] maybe the other way around when we play the next game. All these conversations that happen in the middle are tactical – who is feeling good, who wants to go, and who is getting comfortable against a certain bowler. We plan that and look to execute it. [I’m] happy that it came off today.”Sharma, though, overcame that tepid start and needed just 40 balls from his second fifty, having required 67 balls for his first. At the other end, Rahul showed that he could even pull off MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot, shovelling Joseph with the bottom wrist to the right of Pollard at midwicket.Moments after Sharma brought up his century, Rahul brought up one of his own. But, his role – and spot – in India’s limited-overs side has been in flux over the past few years. And after leading India to a T20I series victory in Mumbai, Rahul admitted that being on the sidelines had not been easy.”I won’t say I won’t feel it (pressure) at all,” Rahul had said after his series-winning 56-ball 91. “Obviously, going in and out of the team is never easy on any player, you take a little bit of time to get used to the international pressure and oppositions. And there are no opposition[s] where you can just walk in and score runs, so it’s always difficult and this game is all about confidence and all about being in good rhythm and being in good touch.”Rahul has been in great touch in the limited-overs games against West Indies, having produced a series-clinching contribution in the T20Is and one that led India to a massive total in the second ODI. Such a strong run might be enough to seal a spot in another team, but in this India side dripping with depth, it still remains to be seen if Rahul has done enough.

Despite initial sparse crowds and chaotic changes at CSA, the MSL had its high points.

Firdose Moonda16-Dec-2019Slow start, but sell-out final Domestic cricket on free-to-air television is a rarity in South Africa and at first, it seemed fans were happy to stay home and get their fix on the small screen. Or not at all.The first two weeks of the tournament took place at the same time as the South Africa rugby team’s week-long, country-wide victory tour following their successful World Cup campaign. There was also the matter of end-of-year school and university examinations, which saw crowds in the few hundreds at some venues.The Wanderers Stadium, home to the defending champion Jozi Stars, had particularly disappointing numbers, which may also have been linked to the poor form of their team.But, as the celebrations from the rugby and the academic year ended, the supporters started turning up. The Port Elizabeth band cheered the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants through their journey, largely spent at the top of the table, and into the playoffs but it was the Paarl Rocks’ faithful who brought the best vibe.Each game brought a bigger crowd, from 5500 to 6000 and eventually a sell-out 7500 for the final. That may not sound huge, but at a small ground, it was enough. The success of the Paarl crowd also demonstrated how a tournament of this nature could be successful in the future: take the cricket to less-loved venues and the people will come.Faf du Plessis looks on•BCCIIt was like watching South Africa in the good old days The big names rolled back the years with Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel plucking wickets at will and AB de Villiers among the top run-scorers. While Morkel and de Villiers’ form has no bearing on the national side, Steyn’s performances bode well for his inclusion in next year’s T20 World Cup squad.The Kolpaks did not play as much of a role as was expected apart from David Wiese, who came into the Tshwane Spartans squad for the playoff and won the game for them with an all-round excellent performance.However, the self-proclaimed best offspinner in the world, Simon Harmer, took just four wickets in five matches and Kyle Abbott took five in six matches. Dane Vilas led the Durban Heat well and played some fine innings and Heino Kuhn looked threatening on occasions, but the most noteworthy Kolpak was Hardus Viljoen. And it was not for anything he did on the field.Viljoen married Faf du Plessis’ sister on the eve of the final pool match and had to miss the game, which provided one of the most memorable pre-match team news interviews.The Giants’ attack The Blitz and Spartans had the names but it was the Giants’ attack that proved to be the most balanced. Led by the ageless Imran Tahir, who will also end 2019 as the highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, the Giants had the ability to attack upfront, in the middle and at the death of their innings.Chris Morris was effective at the beginning and end of innings and Junior Dala enhanced his reputation as a death-bowling specialist.The three of them are all among the top seven wicket-takers of the tournament. When Dala was injured, Mthiwekhaya Nabe stepped up, while Akhona Mnyaka and Onke Nyaku also established themselves as ones to watch in future.Chris Gayle goes after the ball•MSLFaf’s still got it With South Africa’s white-ball captaincy yet to be confirmed, the MSL was an opportunity for Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock to audition for the role and on the evidence of the results, neither are ready to take over.Bavuma’s Jozi Stars finished bottom of the pile, lost seven matches and got their only points through washouts. Their team selection was questionable and they were consistently a batsman short, which put extra pressure on Bavuma to lead with the bat. He was his team’s second-highest run-scorer, but it wasn’t enough.Similarly, de Kock was the second-highest run-scorer for the Blitz but their over-reliance on their opening pair meant he always had too much to do. Though de Kock was energetic and involved in on-field strategies, he was not able to mastermind close wins and the Blitz finished in fifth place.At the other end of the points table, Faf du Plessis’ Paarl Rocks topped the table, perhaps sending a message to South Africa’s selectors not to try and fix what isn’t broken. Du Plessis led a team without many big names and one that was dogged by injury, using effective bowling changes and clever field-placings.And then there are those English (and other internationals) Alex Hales’ unbeaten 97 for the Durban Heat against the Paarl Rocks was not enough to get him into England’s T20 squad for the upcoming tour and neither was James Vince’s ninth-placed finish on the run-charts. However, Moeen Ali, Jason Roy and Tom Curran will all play against South Africa later this summer.The best performing international player wasn’t English, though, with Ben Dunk taking the honours after leading the run-scorers’ list with 415 runs in 11 matches at an average of 51.87 for the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants. Wahab Riaz was the next most impactful international, with nine wickets in seven matches for the Blitz, at 19.22, to finish ninth on the wicket-takers’ list. Roelof van der Merwe came in 10th.As for the rest of the foreigners, Chris Gayle underwhelmed, except for his explosive parting press conference in which he asked not be blamed for the Stars’ – or any other team’s – failings.Dan Christian, Asif Ali, Ravi Bopara, Mohammed Nawaz, and Ryan ten Doeschate all barely made an impact, while South African audiences got a first look at Afghan legspinner Waqar Salamkheil.

When the transfer window opens for business in the summer, Arsenal fans will be screaming at Andrea Berta to sign a new striker.

The new sporting director is only just getting his feet under the table at the Emirates Stadium but the expectation is that the Gunners will spend big, regardless of how they finish their Champions League campaign.

Arsenal’s Premier League season has been a bitter disappointment and although they are a game away from a European semi-final, spending and spending right is of utmost importance.

Bringing in a shiny new centre forward must be the first priority. Alexander Isak is everybody’s dream.

The latest on Arsenal's hunt for a new striker

Last summer, Mikel Arteta wanted a striker and they set their sights on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, only for the Slovenian to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club.

The striker is a reported target again this summer but according to David Ornstein, there are two names that the recruitment team at the Emirates are more keen on; Sporting goal machine Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle’s Isak.

Transfer Focus

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

A number of the Premier League’s elite are interested in prising Isak away from the Toon, including Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, with a reported £150m asking price, a deal is likely to be incredibly difficult to complete unless the player demands an exit.

Newcastle look well set to qualify for next season’s Champions League and should they do so, getting Isak will become even harder.

So, will it by Gyokeres or Sesko instead? Time will tell.

Perhaps it could even be someone else, as Jeremie Aliadiere exclusively told Football FanCast this week.

Aliadiere is a big fan of £85m Isak alternative

FFC sat down with former Gunner Aliadiere this week to chat all things Arsenal.

The forward – who featured alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp at Highbury – certainly knows a thing or two about what Arsenal need in central areas, but the player-turned-pundit has recommended a potentially surprising Isak alternative they should sign.

When asked if there was one striker he could pick for the north Londoners to go out and buy, he said:

“I’m a big fan of Darwin Nunez. I really like Nunez, I’ve always been a fan of the guy. I love his work ethic, and I still think there’s a good goalscorer in him.”

Nunez signed for Liverpool in a whopping £85m deal during the Jurgen Klopp era but has been incredibly inconsistent at Anfield, something Aliadiere acknowledged:

“He hasn’t had the opportunity and the confidence of his coach and his club to play week-in, week-out for a long period of time. A goalscorer needs to play week-in, week-out to keep scoring goals. When you are in and out of the team all the time, confidence is hard to get. It’s so important – to score more goals, you need to be on the pitch.”

Indeed, the Uruguayan attacker has only scored seven times in 42 games this term, hardly form worthy of his transfer fee.

Still, Aliadiere hasn’t been deterred by a player who missed 27 big chances in the Premier League last term, the second-worst tally in the division behind Erling Haaland.

“I’m a massive fan of him, and if he became available, I’d love to see him at Arsenal. I love that type of player. Arsenal have been crying out for a player like him, who keeps making runs in behind, who can press with energy.”

Well, there’s no denying that Nunez brings chaos to whichever front line he’s a part of but whether Arteta could find a way to extract the potential the forward has remains to be seen.

He's like Saka & Yamal: Arsenal in talks to sign "world-class" £39m star

The incredible winger would bring so much experience and quality to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 15, 2025

Few Manchester United players in the modern era have been quite so polarising, quite so newsworthy as that of Paul Pogba, with the mercurial Frenchman enduring a turbulent six-year second spell at Old Trafford, to say the least.

Signed on an £89m deal back in the summer of 2016 – four years on from having left under Sir Alex Ferguson on a free transfer – the towering midfielder failed to truly justify that club record fee, despite scoring and assisting 87 goals in 233 games for the Red Devils in total.

Plagued by injuries in his final few seasons in Manchester, the World Cup winner was repeatedly touted for an exit by his then-agent, Mino Raiola, throughout his time at the club, while failing to build on the Carabao Cup and Europa League success from his first year back in English football.

The former Juventus man may not have been surrounded by the greatest United side of recent times, but neither has Bruno Fernandes, with the Portuguese playmaker epitomising everything that his ex-teammate could have been.

Deployed in a deep-lying role, as a number ten, or even on the flanks, Fernandes has repeatedly delivered the goods over the past five years, having now chalked up 95 goals and 82 assists in 277 games to date. There have been no excuses, no apparent desire to leave – the 30-year-old has relished the role of being United’s talisman.

Pogba, however, never took on that mantle, even despite his hefty price tag, with the Red Devils certainly needing to steer clear of any suggestion regarding a potential reunion.

The latest on Pogba's potential Man Utd return

Having been approaching the end of his contract in the climax of the 2021/22 campaign, Pogba’s United career petered out in a sorry manner as he was notably booed off by the Old Trafford faifthful during the 3-2 win over Norwich City, having then limped off just minutes into the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool away at Anfield.

That had looked like a fitting end to a disappointing chapter for the 91-cap France international, although there had been reports of late that an unwelcome homecoming was on the cards.

The 32-year-old has been out of action across the last 18 months or so due to a suspension for a doping breach, having endured a miserable return to Juve, following his United exit in 2022.

Now currently a free agent, Pogba was linked with a short-term switch back to Manchester in recent months, albeit with those claims subsequently quashed, amid the player’s own desire to join a club competing in the upcoming Club World Cup.

Forking out for the wages of a player who hasn’t played competitively since 2023 would make little sense too, with a final swansong in Saudi Arabia or MLS looking a more likely destination for the ageing star.

For all concerned, Pogba’s United story wisely looks to be resigned to the past, although Ruben Amorim and INEOS may be fearful of having found their next version of the 6 foot 3 hotshot among the current ranks.

Man Utd may have found Pogba 2.0

For all the criticism mentioned above – with club legend Gary Neville among those to admit that Pogba’s move “failed” – there were no doubt flashes of quality from the midfielder at times in a United shirt.

2021/22

20

1

9

2020/21

26

3

3

2019/20

16

1

3

2018/19

35

13

9

2017/18

27

6

10

2016/17

30

5

4

2011/12

3

0

0

Total

157

29

38

The elegant star notably dazzled in the 2018/19 campaign, amid Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, having scored 16 goals and registered a further 11 assists, after being pushed into a more advanced role by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba also impressed down the left flank in the early knockings of 2021/22, having memorably chalked up four assists during the 5-1 thrashing of rivals Leeds United on the opening day.

Ultimately, however, a man signed to play in a midfield two never really looked comfortable in that role, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell noting after his exit that ‘his physical stature suggested a defensive side to Pogba’s game that was not really there’.

Parallels between that signing from Serie A can certainly be made then with the relatively recent capture of Joshua Zirkzee, with the 6 foot 4 Dutchman arriving on a £36.5m deal from Bologna last summer.

Like Pogba – who registered 23 goals and assists in 2015/16 at Juve – Zirkzee had dazzled in Italy’s top-flight, having ended last term as the division’s Young Player of the Year, while even being likened to Ronaldinho by then-boss, Thiago Motta.

Much like the Frenchman, the former Bayern Munich was signed for one role but has largely been at his best elsewhere, having swiftly moved away from operating as a number nine and instead been deployed as one of Amorim’s two number tens.

That switch has proved fruitful, amid notable goals against the likes of Leicester City and Real Sociedad in recent months, although, like Pogba, the 23-year-old’s pace and physicality has been called into question, having been described as almost “admirably slow” by journalist Charlie Parrish.

As Italian football expert Mina Rzouki has also outlined, ‘it doesn’t help that Zirkzee’s physical stature suggests he ought to be a different type of striker’, again mirroring the towering Pogba, who was not, despite his appearance, a particularly dominant midfielder.

A player that seemingly “belongs to a different era”, in the words of Parrish, Zirkzee’s almost casual style also bears a resemblance to Pogba strutting his stuff in the centre of the park, with the pair both possessing that knack for gliding up the pitch with the ball at their feet. The silk is there, but is there the steel?

The Netherlands international, to his credit, has shaken off an early withdrawal against Newcastle United to earn almost cult hero status – something his midfield counterpart was never able to achieve – with there perhaps a sense that he can kick on under the Amorim regime in the coming years.

That nagging stylistic likeness to Pogba does persist, however, with the question remaining as to whether the £105k-per-week maestro can truly carve out a regular role for himself in this system, as well as whether he really is up to the task amid the rigours of the Premier League.

Man Utd can forget Mantato & Dorgu by unleashing "phenomenal" 18-year-old

Bendito Mantato won’t feature in Manchester United’s next game.

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 1, 2025

Could Liverpool striker Diogo Jota’s well-taken goal in the Merseyside derby have been more timely? He’d languished through a dreary first half in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, consigned to more misery in the final third.

But, like all great finishers, he struck hard and true when presented with a golden opportunity, securing Anfield a priceless win over Everton as Arne Slot edges closer to maiden-year glory.

Jota is a wonderful goalscorer, but he’s also been horribly out of sorts over the past few months, with his goal earlier this week breaking an 11-game duck in front of goal.

The 28-year-old, of course, will need to build on this moment, but it might just have been enough to remind FSG and Liverpool and the fans that this is a forward worth keeping on the books. Jota, after all, has been hailed for his “exceptional” scoring ability by Jurgen Klopp in the past.

However, Liverpool do need to sign a new striker this summer and ease the burden on chief talisman Mohamed Salah, 32, should the Egyptian renew his contract.

Liverpool's hunt for a striker

Darwin Nunez stoked the passions of Liverpool fans on Wednesday evening, embodying derby-day spirit as he gesticulated in front of the crowd, raising the decibels having been booked for his part in a fracas with the ever-annoying Jordan Pickford.

But Nunez’s day is almost done, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the expectation is for the Uruguay striker to be sold at the end of the season.

He will, at least, be attired in a Premier League champions’ jersey with a gold medal to match, but with just seven goals across 41 appearances for Liverpool this season, it feels certain that Nunez will be sold.

The Athletic have confirmed Liverpool’s interest in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but at £150m (or more) it’s unlikely FSG will green-light a deal. It’s unlikely anyone will green-light a deal, for that matter, least of all the Magpies.

So then, alternatives. Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has been reported by Spanish sources to be on Liverpool’s radar, while Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez is also admired by Liverpool’s hierarchy.

1.

Mohamed Salah

27

17

44

2.

Harry Kane

22

9

31

2=

Omar Marmoush

20

11

31

4.

Robert Lewandowski

25

2

27

5.

Mateo Retegui

22

4

26

5=

Ousmane Dembele

21

5

26

Both deals, speaking truthfully, feel improbable, with Kane’s release clause not active until January 2026 and Alvarez only arriving in Madrid last summer, thus touted at a rather ridiculous £142m figure.

FSG love a bargain, however, and it may be that they can sign two for the price of one in a talented centre-forward who is waiting for his big break.

Statistical analysis shows he has properties that reflect strengths in both Kane and Alvarez’s skill sets, so perhaps it’s worth a punt.

FSG open talks with bargain striker

According to Empire of the Kop, Liverpool have opened talks with Jonathan David’s representatives ahead of a potential summer signing. David’s contract with LOSC Lille is almost up and he could be signed on a Bosman.

The 25-year-old has thrived in France over the past five years but feels the time is right for a fresh challenge, and the Premier League could be the perfect platform to take his career to new heights.

Liverpool, should they sell Nunez, will need a new centre-forward, but with work to be completed across a vast range of positions, this could be a shrewd deal indeed to add a new level of incisiveness to the bow of the ship.

What Jonathan David would bring to Liverpool

Now, all this might sound a little anti-climactic, but please refer to the myriad deals struck under FSG’s influence that have since proved to be blinders.

David might not be the most prominent name on the sphere (yet), but he’s well regarded by those who know his qualities. Canadian football expert Tony Marinaro has actually pronounced his countryman to be “one of the best strikers in the world.”

His incremental progress in France is evidenced through an increased goal threat and a blooming playmaking quality to match. Goals are great and all, but David has laid on 27 assists across five campaigns for Lille, 19 of which have been posted since the start of last season.

Not only creative, David is one of the most technically crisp number nines on the block, ranking among the top 18% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 17% for carries made per 90 and, crucially, the top 1% for pass completion, as per FBref.

Not only does this align perfectly with Slot’s style of play – Nunez is incongruous in the system, ranking among the bottom 37% for pass completion – but it has led FBref to draw both Kane and Alvarez against the Canada international, technical distinctions marking them among his most comparable players.

Kane might be a deadly goalscorer, but he’s also one of the most creative and influential forwards in the game, with David Ginola once commenting on his elite-level dynamism, saying: “Harry Kane the playmaker, number 10, he’s like Maradona now!”

Likewise, Alvarez has been in fine scoring fettle this season, bagging 23 goals from 46 appearances in all competitions. However, he too is multi-dimensional, ranking among the top 6% of forwards for passes attempted, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 12% for tackles per 90.

If David – who has been described as a “world-class player” by journalist Arash Madani – truly bears a likeness to such players, he might be the perfect option to add to Slot’s brood.

Liverpool need to make a range of signings this summer, and while a more illustrious name will be desired by fans, he’s got what it takes to take the Premier League – and indeed Europe – by storm as Liverpool’s focal frontman.

Slot's hit gold on "special" Liverpool star who's worth more than Frimpong

He’s come on leaps and bounds in Arne Slot’s Liverpool system this season.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 4, 2025

In what is a frustrating blow for those at the Stadium of Light, one Sunderland star could now miss the rest of the season – including the play-offs – after already missing the Norwich City game.

Le Bris provides Sunderland injury update

Whilst the play-offs are already well within their grasp, Sunderland would have still been left frustrated by their 0-0 draw against Norwich City in midweek. The Black Cats are in the type of form that many expected to continue against the inconsistent Canaries, having lost just once in their last five Championship games. Nonetheless Regis Le Bris’ side were forced to settle for a frustrating point.

The Sunderland boss delivered his verdict on the 0-0 draw in his post-match press conference, telling reporters: “It was a tough first half. We defended well and we expected a strong team in possession with many threats. We did well without pressure, which was probably the main problem.

“The first half was a little bit too reserved. The tactical set-up was clear, so now it was a case of taking risks. It’s easier when you are on the bench, but after 30 minutes, it was a little bit better.

Scouts love him: Sunderland plotting move to sign experienced 13-goal star

The Black Cats have turned their focus towards the summer transfer window.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 9, 2025

“At half time, we spoke about the boldness we needed to have against a strong team. Things were better in the second half – we had good possession and the four subs helped. These games against West Brom and Norwich are really interesting because they are strong in possession with many threats. The fact that we can manage these games and keep a clean sheet says a lot about our efficiency.”

Le Bris was also able to provide an update on Jobe Bellingham’s injury, revealing that the midfielder missed the draw through a minor recurring ankle injury in what should see him make a swift return. The same can’t be said for another Sunderland star, however, following a recurrence of his own injury.

Romaine Mundle suffers injury blow

After the winger missed the Norwich game through injury, Le Bris revealed that Mundle could now be out for the rest of the season. The Sunderland boss told reporters: “Romaine has a hamstring injury, but we don’t yet know the timeline. We need to seek some further advice from some specialists and so we will have to wait a little bit.

“It’s possible [that his season could be over], we’ll have to make a decision about the situation. It’s not up to us really, we need specific advice before we can make a specific decision.”

The latest piece of bad news continues a frustrating campaign for Mundle, who already missed 16 Championship games through the same injury frustration earlier this season. Having scored five goals in all competitions despite the disruption, it’s clear that Sunderland will miss the winger if that is to be it for him this season.

Dubbed “brilliant” by captain Dan Neil in the past, Mundle will be desperate to put his struggles behind him as soon as possible and look forward towards a comeback which may have to wait until next season.

Liverpool have reached the business end of the 2024/25 campaign and are sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, 12 points clear of second-place Arsenal.

It would take a Herculean effort from the Gunners to topple Arne Slot’s side, and even perfection likely wouldn’t be enough, with the Reds in need of just four wins from eight remaining matches to seal the title.

A sensational campaign under the Dutch coach, who replaced Jurgen Klopp last summer, took its first bruising blows before the March international break, when successive games against Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain resulted in exits from the Carabao Cup and the Champions League.

However, few – if any – foresaw such performances from the Anfield side this term, such consistency, such confidence. Now, FSG need to repay Slot’s slick tactics and firm coaching to inculcate in Klopp’s squad a winning mentality that is going to result in gold.

The forthcoming summer transfer window, for sure, is going to be a busy one for Liverpool.

Liverpool's transfer priorities

In regard to the upcoming season, it feels like sorting out the contractual issues down Anfield Road marks the first port of call as far as sporting director Richard Hughes is concerned.

Hope lingers that the 32-year-old Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk, 33, will renew their Liverpool vows and stay put for the next couple of years, though there are complexities aplenty and fears are rising.

However, multiple sources have confirmed that the Reds are going to target a striker – Newcastle’s Alexander Isak is the golden choice, albeit unlikely to leave St. James’ Park this year.

An alternative option may be pursued, but, in any case, it appears to be the end of the line for Darwin Nunez, who is reaching the end of his third campaign after a club-record £85m deal and has just 25 Premier League goals to his name.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold set to leave at the end of his contract this summer, Liverpool will surely need to target a replacement, even though Conor Bradley will look to stake his claim.

It’s not just Liverpool but the Premier League, too, whose future will lack some of the awe-inspiring creativity it’s been treated to over the past few years. In fact, with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne also leaving the division in a few months, a residency for a new playmaking superstar has opened up.

He’s not a right-back, and it’s not Liverpool’s transfer priority, but Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed that FSG are in the running for one of the most exciting number ten prospects in the business.

Liverpool lining up star signing

When Romano speaks on a transfer rumour, you know it carries substance. Discussing the potential summer deals on his YouTube channel earlier this week, the esteemed transfer insider revealed Liverpool are in the running for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

While Leipzig could demand as much as €75m (roughly £63m) for the sale of the attacking midfielder, who is 21, it’s understood that Liverpool have kept themselves informed on the situation, albeit Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are keen too.

The Bundesliga club disappointingly sit in sixth this season and may be forced to cash in if they fail to qualify for Europe – something they are not averse to given the huge profit they could turn on a player signed from PSG for £42m.

What Xavi Simons would bring to Liverpool

Data analyst Ben Mattinson has described Simons as an “artist” in the past, and it’s clear to see why.

A diminutive player at 5 foot 6, Simons nestles into spaces in the attacking third and wreaks havoc using a number of different tools, ranking among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 10% for progressive passes and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

The data-driven site reveals that Premier League maestros Bruno Fernandes and Martin Odegaard are among Simons’ most comparable players, but it’s actually De Bruyne that he could emulate by ending his time in Germany and moving to the Premier League.

De Bruyne, hailed as “one of the greatest” by his Man City manager Pep Guardiola, failed to cut the mustard as an up-and-comer at Chelsea before moving to Wolfsburg, where he went from strength to strength and earned a return to English soil in 2015, for a club-record £55m fee.

Now 33, he’s about to leave the Sky Blues but does so having immortalised his name as a Premier League hall-of-famer, having won all the biggest prizes, the Champions League, and six league titles.

Premier League – All-time Assist Leaders

#

Player

Assists

1.

Ryan Giggs

162

2.

Kevin De Bruyne

118

3.

Cesc Fabregas

111

4.

Wayne Rooney

103

5.

Frank Lampard

102

Stats via Premier League

Simons wouldn’t be expected to reach the same inimitable heights, but if anyone’s going to emerge as the leader of this new wave of attacking talent, it might just be the Dutchman.

Sofascore record that he has notched 12 goal involvements from 19 Bundesliga matches this season, averaging 2.2 key passes and 5.3 successful duels per game.

It’s quite the impressive haul, not least because he’s indeed still only 21. Simons, so versatile, so capable across every angle of the frontline, might just be the perfect piece to fit into Liverpool’s midfield, giving it a new-found creative sheen and setting him up to take De Bruyne’s mantle.

Simons boasts creative ingenuity à la De Bruyne. He’s ferocious in his ranged attacking ability and he’s tenacious besides. Simons’ spirited performances against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season highlight a penchant for the big occasion, and there’s every chance that he would thrive in the Premier League, as the division’s replacement for the Belgian wizard.

Under the wing of Slot, his countryman, Simons could become a true superstar for Liverpool, drilling the spark into a team set to lose its chief inventive source and looking to make his name as one of the standout attacking midfielders, perhaps achieving that feat now that De Bruyne is set to drape the curtain on his career in English football.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Apr 5, 2025

Ipswich Town have signed a versatile teenager in an out-of-window move, according to a new update.

Ipswich Town looking to summer with Premier League relegation on the cards

The Tractor Boys are on course for an immediate return to the Championship after just one season in the Premier League.

Kieran McKenna’s side are currently 14 points away from safety with just six games to go and look destined to drop back to the second tier alongside fellow promoted sides Southampton and Leicester City despite spending big across the 2024/25 season.

Omari Hutchinson

Chelsea

€23.5m

Jacob Greaves

Hull City

€21.5m

Liam Delap

Man City

€17.85m

Jack Clarke

Sunderland

€17.7m

Dara O’Shea

Burnley

€14.2m

Sammie Szmodics

Blackburn Rovers

€10.6m

Arijanet Muric

Burnley

€9.55m

Chiedozie Ogbene

Luton Town

€9.5m

Jens Cajuste

Napoli

Loan

Conor Townsend

West Brom

€590,000

Ben Johnson

West Ham

Free

Kalvin Phillips

Man City

Loan

Jaden Philogene

Aston Villa

€23.7m

Alex Palmer

West Brom

€2.4m

Julio Enciso

Brighton

Loan

Ben Godfrey

Atalanta

Loan

Relegation looks set to result in a busy summer of departures from Portman Road, with Liam Delap attracting interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. Approaches have been made by both clubs for Delap, who will be available for £30m if Ipswich go down.

Talking about Delap’s future, McKenna said before the 2-2 draw at Chelsea: “It’s not something that’s been discussed loads internally at because everyone’s focus, honestly, has been on Bournemouth, on Wolves, now on Chelsea. But if you ask me, is that a possibility? I think it’s certainly a possibility. Liam’s a young striker. He’s developing really, really well at the football club.

“He’s happy and he’s improving every week and we’re enjoying working with him. I’m sure there’s lots of different possibilities. But Liam’s an Ipswich player. He enjoys being an Ipswich player and that’s where his full focus is.”

A replacement could soon be needed for the star striker, with both Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland and Sheffield United teenager Ryan One both mooted as transfer targets to come in for Delap.

Targeting youth with a move for One shows that Ipswich appear to be looking long-term at potential signings, and they have now agreed a deal to sign another teenage talent.

Ipswich Town sign versatile youngster Corbin Mthunzi

As reported by The East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich Town have signed 17-year-old Corbin Mthunzi following a successful trial.

Previously of Brighton & Hove Albion, Mthunzi has penned a two-year professional contract at Portman Road after turning out twice for Ipswich’s U21s last month.

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Mthunzi played as a centre-back in the fixtures against QPR and Chelsea, however, the teenager can also turn out as a midfielder if required.

He’ll now be looking to break into McKenna’s first team plans over the coming years, so Mthunzi’s progress at Portman Road will be one to watch.

Last night might have been a real reprieve for Tottenham Hotspur, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that this season has been a difficult one for the fans.

Ange Postecoglou’s side crashed out of both domestic cups and have lost 17 games in the Premier League.

While injuries have undoubtedly played their part, it would also be fair to say that the team have simply not performed to the required level.

So, it’s not surprising to see Daniel Levy and Co working to find new recruits ahead of the summer, with recent reports touting a standout striker for a move to the club, someone who could be a dream upgrade on Dominic Solanke.

Tottenham Hotspur transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other attacking stars that Tottenham are reportedly interested in, such as Tyler Dibling.

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The Southampton gem could be available for around £35m in the coming months, and while that might seem like a lot for someone who is still just 19 years old, it’s because a lot is expected of him in the coming years, with the Saints’ academy manager Andy Goldie dubbing him a “world-class talent.”

A more developed star Spurs are also keen to sign in the summer is Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who could be available for a fee of about £70m.

Now, while that is an enormous sum of money, it might well be worth it, as even though he’s playing for an upper mid-table side in the Cherries, the Ghana international has still been able to amass a total of ten goals and six assists in 36 appearances this term.

However, when it comes to potentially replacing Solanke, the North Londoners will want someone even more prolific, which is where Jonathan Burkardt comes in.

According to journalist Christian Falk’s Daily Briefing via Caught Offside, Spurs are one of several sides interested in the Mainz striker.

Alongside the North Londoners, Falk has revealed that Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion have all scouted the German international.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Burkardt’s goalscoring ability, it is worth pursuing, especially as he could be a dream Solanke upgrade.

How Burkardt compares to Solanke

So, if Spurs are to get their man this summer and bring Burkardt to North London, his main competition for game time would be Solanke, but who would come out on top?

Well, when it comes down to their raw output, which is what matters most for a striker, it’s the German international who comes out ahead, and by quite some way at that.

For example, in just 24 league appearances, totalling 1679 minutes, he’s scored 15 goals and provided three assists, equating to a goal involvement every 1.38 games or every 93.27 minutes.

In contrast, the former Cherries star has scored just seven goals and provided three assists in 23 league appearances, totalling 2033 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.3 games, or every 203.3 minutes.

What about their underlying numbers, then? Is it just as one-sided a comparison when we take a look under the hood? Unfortunately, for the Lilywhites’ record signing, it most certainly is.

Burkardt vs Solanke

Statistics per 90

Burkardt

Solanke

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.76

0.57

Actual Non-Penalty G+As

0.86

0.44

Progressive Passes

1.95

2.00

Progressive Passes Received

6.86

3.78

Progressive Carries

1.35

1.29

Shots

2.76

2.49

Shots on Target

1.19

0.98

Key Passes

0.81

0.62

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.81

0.40

Live Passes

21.0

13.4

Shot-Creating Actions

2.05

1.64

Goal-Creating Actions

0.32

0.36

Ball Recoveries

3.24

1.56

Aerial Duels Won

0.97

1.82

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

For example, in almost every metric, the Darmstadt-born ace, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed “one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga”, comes out on top, including but not limited to expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, key passes and passes into the penalty area, shots and shots on target, shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, Solanke is a good striker, but he hasn’t been prolific this term and from output to underlying numbers, Burkardt looks to be the better player, so Levy and Co should do all they can to sign him this summer.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 18, 2025

Manchester United are now seriously considering a move for an “incredible” former player, as they are starting to realise it was a mistake to let him leave, according to a report.

Summer of change needed at Old Trafford

A slight improvement in form, coupled with the announcement of the new stadium plans, gave Man United fans cause for some excitement prior to the international break, but they were immediately brought back down to earth after the 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

The loss against the Tricky Trees once again underlined the need for Ruben Amorim to strengthen his squad during his first summer transfer window as United boss, and the manager has set out to replace a number of underperforming players.

With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling, the Red Devils are looking to bring in a new striker, with the likes of Sporting CP’s VIktor Gyokeres and FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa among the potential targets, alongside Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.

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There have also been suggestions Andre Onana could be replaced in the summer, and talks over a deal for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan are believed to be progressing, with the Frenchman said to be Amorim’s top target.

However, a new report from Spain has thrown another interesting name into the mix, stating Man United are seriously considering a move for former goalkeeper David De Gea, given the Spaniard’s return to form since signing for Fiorentina.

The United hierarchy are said to have acknowledged they made a mistake by letting De Gea leave at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, and they are now aiming to bring him back to Old Trafford, which could lead to negotiations over a deal.

With Onana costing Amorim’s side valuable points this season, it is looking increasingly likely a replacement will be brought in this summer.

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The Spanish goalkeeper spent 12 seasons at Old Trafford, winning the Premier League Golden Glove award two times, including during his final season with United, but he was ultimately replaced with Onana, given the Cameroonian’s ability with his feet.

However, the 29-year-old has struggled this season, making three errors leading to goals in the Premier League, while De Gea has started to reignite his career in Italy, putting in a number of impressive performances for Fiorentina.

Journalist Josh Bunting lauded the £36k-per-week former United man for his “incredible goalkeeping” earlier this season, and he has outperformed Onana on a number of key goalkeeping metrics over the past year.

Average per 90

David De Gea

Andre Onana

Goals against

1.0

1.47

Save percentage

75.2%

71.2%

Clean sheet percentage

37%

21.3%

That said, given that De Gea is now 34-years-old, and Man United have already cut ties with him on one occasion, it is probably wise to move for a younger goalkeeper to replace Onana, and Maignan could be available at a 50% discount this summer.