Conclusion of West Indies tour marks end of long-standing associations for back-room pair
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2024Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson, two key members of England’s white-ball backroom staff, will leave their roles at the end of the current tour of the Caribbean, in preparation for Brendon McCullum’s arrival as the new head coach across all three formats.Hopkinson, England’s long-standing fielding coach, joined the men’s set-up in 2018 and was involved in each of England’s most recent victories in ICC global events; the 50-over World Cup on home soil in 2019, and the T20 World Cup in Australia in November 2022.Dawson, who played seven Tests as an offspinner between 2001 and 2003, was head coach of the Young Lions team that reached the Under-19 World Cup final in 2022, and joined the senior coaching team ahead of the 2022 T20 World Cup.Hopkinson said: “It has been a career highlight not only to be part of the England coaching set-up for the past seven years but also to be involved in two historic World Cup victories, which is something I’ll always cherish.”After starting as National Lead Fielding coach I worked alongside Richard Dawson to help the England Men U19s reach their first World Cup final for 24 years. It has been exciting to see young players we worked with at the World Cup grow into full England internationals as well as more recently helping some of the best white-ball players in the world continue to develop.”Dawson said: “I have enjoyed every minute in the England environment and working with some of the best white-ball players in the world as well as great people in the coaching team and backroom staff from the U19s to senior team.”Being head coach of the England U19 team that reached the World Cup final was a career highlight while it has been a pleasure working with some of the top spinners in the world while also developing the strength and depth of spin bowling talent from across the country. I look forward to seeing the white-ball team continue to progress and hopefully win more trophies.”Rob Key, England Men’s managing director, said: “Hoppo and Daws are two outstanding coaches who have played important roles in the success of our white-ball teams.”In addition to their coaching expertise with our senior teams they have also developed young players through the age groups to help set up the next era of our white-ball teams. England Cricket is in a better place because of them and I wish them well in the next chapter of their careers.”
Enzo Maresca has not only led Chelsea to a stunning Club World Cup triumph this summer, but he has also significantly bolstered his first-team squad.
With the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro impressing stateside, the latter notably scoring three in three matches, plus Jamie Gittens and Estevao ready to make their mark, Maresca is brewing something special at Stamford Bridge.
While these signings could prove to be vital should Chelsea wish to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League next season, the Italian is still on the hunt for more.
His centre-forward options are far more varied now, as too are his wing options, but Maresca must be keen on adding another playmaker to his squad.
Cole Palmer is fantastic, but he can’t do everything on his own. Not only that, should the Englishman continue to shine throughout the upcoming campaign, it might be hard for the Blues to keep him next summer.
Chelsea'sColePalmercelebrates with the golden ball trophy
As such, signing another youngster who has the capability to grow is at the forefront of Maresca’s thoughts.
That certain someone could turn out to be another version of Eden Hazard. His signing in 2012 paved the way for the Belgian to become one of the finest attacking midfielders of his generation.
What made Eden Hazard so special
Chelsea’s status as Champions League winners in the summer of 2012 certainly helped in their pursuit of the best talent around.
Hazard helped Lille win Ligue 1 in the 2010/11 campaign, but it was performances the following year which caught Chelsea’s eye.
Indeed, the winger scored 20 goals and grabbed 18 assists in Ligue 1, emerging as one of the brightest talents on the continent in the process.
Hazard settled in nicely at the Blues, especially during Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club between 2013 and 2015. His 24 goal contributions in the Premier League during the 2014/15 season saw the Stamford Bridge side win their first title in five years.
It wasn’t just under Mourinho that Hazard shone. The winger was arguably the key to Antonio Conte’s system which saw the Blues win the league title in 2016/17. Even in his last season at the club, Hazard scored 21 goals and won his second Europa League trophy.
Overall, the playmaker netted 110 goals and registered 88 assists for Chelsea across 352 matches.
His sublime dribbling abilities, dynamism in the final third and turning up for the big matches not only endeared Hazard to the supporters but also ensured he goes down as a modern club legend.
It can be argued that Chelsea haven’t quite had a playmaker like him since his departure in 2019 to Real Madrid. Of course, Palmer has been sensational, but Hazard’s creativity and natural talent made him a true joy to watch.
Could Maresca finally land Hazard 2.0 for the Blues in the coming weeks?
Chelsea eyeing move for Dutch sensation
Maresca has focused on bolstering his options in the final third so far this summer but with Palmer running the rule over the number ten position since joining in 2023, the club haven’t sought to add any more playmakers to the squad.
This could change soon, however, as the manager is keen on exploring a move for Xavi Simons, according to journalist Simon Phillips.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Via his Substack, Phillips discussed Chelsea’s interest in the Dutchman, first declaring that while Arsenal are interested in the midfielder, they are focusing on signing Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze instead.
Phillips continued: “Sources feel Chelsea could have come in and snapped Simons up by the time that happens anyway. So this one is certainly brewing up and all connected. Further to this, our sources have heard that Simons ‘would love to join Chelsea’ this window, so there would be no problem on the player side. Chelsea, expected to make more enquiries on Simons this week now.”
The RB Leipzig starlet has been valued by his club at a staggering £95m, according to other reports.
It’s a lot of money, sure, but if they do manage to seal his signature, Maresca might just have his very own Hazard.
Why Chelsea must sign Xavi Simons
While Hazard operated on the left flank for the majority of his career, Simons has shown plenty of similarities to the Belgian, especially regarding his displays for Leipzig, where he has played on the left and as an attacking midfielder.
Indeed, the Dutchman can count dribbling, key passes and through balls as his key strengths, according to WhoScored, while regarding his style of play, he loves to dribble and regularly gets fouled due to his attacking prowess.
This echoes the skills that Hazard used to demonstrate at Stamford Bridge during his seven years in London.
Last season, Simons scored 11 goals in all competitions for the German side, recording eight assists in the process. Once again, exuding the talents that Hazard was famed for, being clinical in the final third.
Not only that, but Simons also ranked in the top 3% for through balls (0.96) per 90 in the Bundesliga when compared to his positional peers, while he also ranked in the top 6% for progressive passes (5.86) and in the top 3% for carries into the final third (2.97) per 90 last season.
Simons’ statistics in the Bundesliga last season
Goals
10
Assists
7
Key passes per game
2
Big chances created
12
Successful dribbles per game
1.3
Shots per game
2
Via Sofascore
Still only 22, it feels as though Simons has been around forever. Last summer, respected analyst Ben Mattinson not only hailed the youngster as a “superstar”, but also declared that he could be “one of the best in the world in the future” just prior to the 2024 European Championship.
He has certainly proven his worth since then, and it is evident that a move to the Premier League would help enhance his reputation and improve him further as a player.
If Maresca can land Simons in the coming weeks, it might just be the final piece of his attacking jigsaw at Chelsea.
The comparisons with Hazard are impressive. Could he have the same sort of impact as the Belgian? Only time will tell.
A Palmer repeat: Chelsea now considering move to sign "immense" £60m star
Chelsea will try and repeat the magic of Cole Palmer’s sensational deal with this promising signing.
Fair to say, West Ham United supporters are not best pleased with their club’s transfer business so far this summer.
This is mainly due to the fact that star attacker Mohammed Kudus has been sold to fierce London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £55m, the first player to make that controversial switch since Scott Parker in 2011.
Mohammed Kudus celebrates for West Ham
In terms of arrivals, El Hadji Malick Diouf has joined from Slavia Prague for £19m, with Kyle Walker-Peters coming in on a free transfer from Southampton, both bolstering full-back options.
Nevertheless, even before Kudus’ departure, Graham Potter’s team lacked goals, thereby meaning additions will need to be made, so are the Irons closing in on a signing?
West Ham's search for a number nine
As the table below outlines, trying to be a productive goal-scoring centre-forward at West Ham United has proved to be something of an enigma.
Danny Ings
2023
£15m
69
5
Niclas Füllkrug
2024
£27m
20
3
Evan Ferguson
2025
Loan
8
Zero
Gianluca Scamacca
2022
£30.5m
27
8
Sébastien Haller
2019
£45m
54
14
Albian Ajeti
2019
£8m
12
Zero
Javier Hernández
2018
£16m
63
17
Lucas Pérez
2018
£4m
19
6
Andy Carroll
2012
£15m
142
34
Jordan Hugill
2018
£10m
3
Zero
Diafra Sakho
2016
£10m
71
24
Emmanuel Emenike
2016
Loan
16
2
Enner Valencia
2014
£12m
68
10
Michail Antonio
2015
£7m
323
83
As the table outlines, aside from Michail Antonio, over the last decade or so, West Ham have signed umpteen strikers, none of whom have been a success to any sort of degree, paying huge fees for Gianluca Scamacca, Sébastien Haller and Niclas Füllkrug in particular in recent summers.
As they aim to be a bit more shrewd in the transfer market, Jack Rosser of The Sun is reporting that West Ham have made an approach to sign Callum Wilson, who is a free agent after leaving Newcastle,
Rosser states that the Hammers are “in talks” over potential move, while revealing that the striker has “long had admirers” at the club.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Wilson, now 33 years old, played just 458 minutes last season due to a back and then hamstring injury, with the Irons looking for a deal that would be “weighted towards appearances/goals”.
Despite this, West Ham aren’t the only club interested in the veteran centre-forward, with Mark Critchley and Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic reporting that Manchester United have been ‘offered the chance’ to snap him up too, but could Wilson soon be on his way to East London?
How Callum Wilson would improve West Ham
Despite the presence of Alexander Isak, Eddie Howe described Wilson’s importance to Newcastle as “incredible”, adding that his goal-scoring record while on Tyneside was “excellent”.
This was no more so the case than against West Ham, so signing him would first and foremost prevent the veteran from adding to his remarkable scoring spree against the Irons.
West Ham United
16
12
Everton
12
8
Burnley
12
7
Huddersfield Town
6
7
Brighton
14
6
Southampton
14
6
Wilson averages a goal against West Ham every 88.5 minutes, on target against them at four different venues: the Boleyn Ground, Dean Court, London Stadium and St James’ Park.
Lorihanna Balabanova of Total Football Analysis praises his ‘position and intelligence’ in the penalty area in front of goal, while the aforementioned Howe believes that his “goal-scoring ability” has always been his “biggest strength”.
Meantime, Chris Waugh of the Athletic is impressed by his ‘aggression and tactical nous’, believing his ‘experience and scoring acumen’ at Premier League level is invaluable.
Should he join West Ham, this could only benefit Jarrod Bowen, as it would allow the Hammers captain to exclusively be deployed on the right-wing, which is his best position, with Roshane Thomas of The Athletic documenting how, even when he is deployed as the lone centre-forward, Bowen tends to drift wide.
In 2023/24, for example, the Englishman scored 11 goals and registered six assists from just 20 games as a right-winger, while recording ‘just’ nine goals and four assists in 22 games as a striker, as per Transfermarkt. The need to have him deployed in his best role is certainly evident.
Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian adds that West Ham ‘have already wasted a lot of money’ in an attempt to ‘satisfy an obsession’ which is searching for the perfect centre-forward, something that has proved largely elusive.
Well, as a free agent, Wilson certainly wouldn’t prove expensive and would surely score goals, given his track record, with the added bonus of getting the best out of West Ham’s star player, Bowen.
He'd finally replace Rice: £75k-p/w "monster" is now on West Ham's "radar"
West Ham United will be looking to finally replace Declan Rice by signing this first-class midfielder.
يلتقي منتخب السودان مع توجو، في مباراة قوية تجمع بين المنتخبين، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات تصفيات إفريقيا المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.
منتخب السودان يحل ضيفًا على منتخب توجو، في إطار الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات المجموعة الثانية لـ تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويتواجد منتخبا السودان وتوجو، في المجموعة الثانية من تصفيات كأس العالم، بجانب منتخبات السنغال والكونغو الديمقراطية ومورتيانيا وجنوب السودان.
ويتصدر منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية، ترتيب المجموعة، برصيد 16 نقطة، بينما يأتي في المركز الثاني السنغال برصيد 15 نقطة، يحتل منتخب السودان المركز الثاني بـ 12 نقطة.
طالع | ترتيب مجموعة السودان في تصفيات كأس العالم بعد نهاية الجولة السابعة
وكان منتخب السودان تلقى هزيمة أمام نظيره السنغالي، بهدفين دون رد، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السابعة من عمر التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى المونديال. موعد مباراة السودان وتوجو اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
تقام مباراة السودان وتوجو، اليوم الثلاثاء 9 سبتمبر، في تمام الساعة 7 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية والسودان. القناة الناقلة لمباراة السودان وتوجو اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
تنقل مباراة السودان وتوجو، على قناة SSC 3 HD.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا
Birmingham City are back in the second tier of English football and have now entered talks to sign a striker who could aid their bid for another promotion, according to a report.
Birmingham City prepare for life in the Championship
The Blues stormed to glory in League One last season and appear primed to continue their ambitious project at St Andrews after Jeremy Dale was appointed their new chief executive after stepping into the role on an interim basis in January.
Speaking after hiring Dale permanently was confirmed, Birmingham chairman Tom Wagner stated: “As we enter an important new chapter for Birmingham City, including our return to the Championship, we’re pleased to appoint Jeremy as CEO.
“The club has made significant progress under his leadership in recent months and we are excited for his continued leadership as we maintain our focus on executing our long-term strategy and building a strong foundation for the future.”
While things are going swimmingly off the pitch, Birmingham want new additions and Demarai Gray is closing in on a return to his old stomping ground after nine years away from the West Midlands.
Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku has also been linked with a move to the Blues, though Nottingham Forest’s Lewis O’Brien appears a more likely signing for Chris Davies as he tools up for a season where he will look to exceed expectations.
Their next Adams: Birmingham City ready to sign "unbelievable" free agent
Birmingham might not need to pursue a dramatic reunion deal for Che Adams if they can land this striker instead.
1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 17, 2025
Earning automatic promotion may be a difficult task, but there is every chance the Blues could put up a serious fight for a playoff slot in light of their strong squad and positive momentum from last term.
Now, they have entered talks with a prolific goalscorer who has become an intriguing possibility on the market this summer.
Birmingham in talks to sign Kyogo Furuhashi
According to reports in France, Birmingham have entered talks to sign Rennes striker Kyogo Furuhashi despite the Japan international only joining the Ligue 1 outfit in January.
German clubs are also said to be keeping tabs on his situation after making only six appearances for his new side during the second half of last campaign, where he failed to score.
Five most similar players to Kyogo Furuhashi (FBRef)
Jamie Vardy
Free agent
Andre Ayew
Le Havre
Miguel
Leganes
Roberto Fernandez
Espanyol
Roberto Piccoli
Cagliari
£47,000 per week earner Furuhashi shot to prominence in European football at Celtic and registered 85 goals in 165 matches for the Scottish giants before his move to Rennes.
However, he is now free to leave Habib Beye’s side after failing to make a sustained impact and could now find himself linking up with former teammate Tomoki Iwata at St Andrews.
Furuhashi, previously labelled a “brilliant striker” by John Hartson, hasn’t been a prolific force in front of goal of late. Still, there is every chance Birmingham could enter the picture to secure promotion if they were able to land someone of his calibre.
As Rangers look to commence their summer business, the 49ers are now reportedly chasing a deal to sign an international defender for a bargain price in the coming months.
Rangers could rehire Steven Gerrard
Top of the 49ers’ list of priorities at Ibrox will undoubtedly be finding the next Rangers manager. With the Scottish Premiership season now over, the Gers will be desperate to put an end to any speculation and appoint what they hope to be a long-term appointment. A number of names on that front have already been mentioned too, but it’s Davide Ancelotti and Steven Gerrard who are seemingly the leading candidates.
What is quite the indication that Ancelotti is among the candidates is the fact that he hasn’t joined his father, Carlo Ancelotti, at the Brazil national team as he looks to get his own managerial career underway.
Meanwhile, Gerrard needs no introduction. The Liverpool legend ended Rangers’ long wait for another league title in 2021, but then jumped ship to join Premier League side Aston Villa. Since then, however, things have only gone downhill. Sacked by Villa, who have gone on to become a side battling for European football, Gerrard then joined Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq only to face the same fate that he suffered in the Midlands.
A free agent once more, Gerrard could now have the opportunity to head back to Ibrox and make up for leaving four years ago. Whether the Scottish giants are in the mood to offer a shot at redemption is the big question, however.
It’s an appointment that Rangers cannot get wrong after Philippe Clement, but one that they must conclude sooner rather than later. What the appointment of Gerrard would at least do is hand the Gers a potential advantage in the race to sign one of their summer targets.
Rangers chasing £1m George Bello deal
According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Rangers are now chasing a deal to sign George Bello from Austrian club LASK this summer. The USA international is reportedly valued at just £1m and represents the type of deal that the Gers could afford in the coming months.
George Bello during his time at Arminia Bielefeld.
What’s more, Bello is represented by the same agency as Gerrard, John Souttar and Danilo, which could hand the 49ers an unexpected opportunity to simplify any potential contract negotiations this summer.
The left-back would certainly be an interesting addition. Having initially come through the Atlanta academy, Bello decided to join Arminia Bielefeld in 2022 before struggling to adapt in Germany. But he didn’t give up his stint in Europe from there, opting to join LASK in 2023 and getting back to his best level ever since.
A new left-back would be no bad thing for Rangers, either, with Neraysho Kasanwirjo set to return to parent club Feyenoord this summer and Jefte in need of competition down that side.
Whilst appointing a new manager – be it Gerrard, Ancelotti or another name – will be Rangers’ priority in the coming weeks, players like Bello will be ones to keep an eye on this summer.
The race to finish inside the coveted Champions League spaces in the Premier League is really starting to heat up with Chelsea staring down the barrel of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Sunday.
Thankfully for the Blues supporters who made the short journey over to Craven Cottage, their side managed to dramatically fight back to pick up a crucial three points.
That was thanks to 19-year-old sensation Tyrique George making himself an instant hero off the bench with the equaliser before Pedro Neto thumped home the last-gasp winner.
Chelsea fans packed into Fulham’s home ground would have been largely impressed with the showing of Cole Palmer too, away from Neto and George stealing the limelight, with the ex-Manchester City attacker guilty of putting in some rather subdued displays prior to this 2-1 victory being clinched.
Chelsea's Palmer problem
Amazingly, the once unplayable 22-year-old is now without a Chelsea goal since netting versus AFC Bournemouth all the way back in January.
But, he was still lively in spurts versus Fulham to show Maresca that he warrants a first team spot, with Palmer involved in the slick passing move that resulted in the 20-year-old forward grabbing his side’s much-needed equaliser.
Moreover, the hot-and-cold number 20 would trudge off the Craven Cottage turf at the close of the dramatic victory with only six misplaced passes, alongside firing two efforts of his own at Bernd Leno’s goal to try and guide his team to a less nervy win.
Of course, Palmer is stil some way off the blistering best that has seen him tally up a stunning 14 goals and eight assists overall this season in league action, but there is enough on show to indicate that other underperformers are costing Enzo Maresca more dearly.
Instead, there is a bigger problem right now at the Bridge…
4/10 Chelsea star is becoming a problem
The Champions League chasers haven’t been the most front foot team in recent matches, considering Maresca’s side have only bagged five Premier League strikes across April to date.
Nicolas Jackson, unfortunately, finds himself deep in a barren spell up top, with the low-on-confidence forward now up to 13 games without a goal after firing even more blanks away at Fulham. Considering they rely on him so much to find the net, one could argue that he’s becoming a bigger problem than the aforementioned Palmer.
Jackson vs Fulham
Stat
Jackson
Minutes played
78
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
21
Accurate passes
12/16 (75%)
Shots
1
Big chances missed
1
Total duels won
1/4
Stats by Sofascore
Jackson just never looked confident leading the line for the Blues against Silva’s tricky hosts, with the Senegalese attacker failing to find the back of the net again by mustering up just one effort all contest.
He was also anonymous in large patches in an attacking capacity when attempting to find openings, with just 12 accurate passes accumulated, alongside weakly winning just one of his four duels.
Amazingly, within five minutes of the number 15 coming off the pitch, the Blues would celebrate hitting the back of the net through the aforementioned George, leaving Maresca with an almighty conundrum as to who he should select here moving forward.
Of course – much like Palmer – Jackson has displayed his class in the not so distant past at Stamford Bridge with nine goals powered home this campaign alone, but the scathing post-match reaction to his shoddy showing says it all, with London Evening Standard journalist Malik Ouzia dishing out a low 4/10 rating to the striker who he labelled as a “shadow” of his former lethal self.
There were jubilant celebrations at the final whistle as Chelsea picked up their 16th league victory of the season, but if they are serious about cementing a spot inside the top five, blindly sticking by a wasteful Jackson might prove to be a costly call.
Worth way more than Huijsen: Chelsea have struck gold on "superb" talent
Chelsea have already hit the jackpot on one player who’s starred at Stamford Bridge.
There are still a couple of months of the season left to play, and following Tuesday night’s sensational result in the Champions League, we aren’t sure many Arsenal fans will be thinking about the transfer window.
However, the club certainly are, and they seem intent on improving the first team to make sure Mikel Arteta’s side have a far more successful Premier League campaign next year.
Moreover, while signing a new striker will undoubtedly be one of the club’s key objectives, there are other areas of the team that need reinforcing.
Recent reports suggest this is an opinion shared by the board, as the latest player touted for a move to the N5 is a winger who’d not only improve the starting lineup but also help the incredible Myles Lewis-Skelly reach another level.
Arsenal transfer news
On top of playing them off the park, reports have come out in recent weeks claiming that Arsenal are keen on signing Real Madrid’s Arda Güler.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The North Londoners are supposedly keen on paying around €30m for the Turkish prospect, which is about £26m, and considering he’s racked up a tally of ten goal involvements in just 1170 minutes, that might prove to be great value.
Another young talent the club are said to be interested in is German wonderkid, Florian Wirtz.
The Bayer Leverkusen star has scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists in just 39 games this season, but would cost around £112m, making it a transfer that seems rather unlikely, which might not be the case regarding Nico Williams.
Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, the Gunners are planning to ‘secure the signing’ of the Spain international this summer.
Athletic Bilbao'sNicoWilliamscelebrates scoring their third goal
The report further reveals that the bid for the Athletic Bilbao star is now ‘underway.’
However, to ensure they get their man, the North Londoners will have to stump up enough cash to activate his €60m release clause, which converts to around £52m.
It would be an expensive deal to get over the line, but given Williams’ ability and potential, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he’d help Lewis-Skelly reach another level.
Why Williams would help Lewis-Skelly
So, if Arsenal are able to get their man in the coming weeks, there are two fundamental and intertwined reasons why Williams would be great for Lewis-Skelly, and the first is his output.
FC Barcelona's Marc Casado in action with Athletic Bilbao'sNicoWilliams
Since the start of last season, the Spain international has proven himself to be “one of the best wingers on the market” in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson. He’s been a reliable source of goals and assists for Bilbao, scoring 17 of the former and providing 25 of the latter in just 76 appearances.
That means that despite still being just 22 years old, the Pamplona-born “level-raiser,” as Mattinson dubbed him, is averaging a goal involvement every 1.80 games.
Appearances
37
39
Minutes
2729′
2752′
Goals
8
9
Assists
18
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
0.41
Goal Involvements per Minute
104.96′
172′
Now, just imagine how a consistent level of output like that from the winger in front of the Hale Ender would improve his own, be that from getting on the end of passes and slotting home the ball himself or playing a perfect ball over the opposite full-back for the winger to get on the end of and finish a move.
Lewis-Skelly has already proven himself a fantastic progresser of the football and the idea of him playing alongside such a dazzling winger on the left is a tantalising one. Ranking in the top 14% of positionally similar players in the top-flight for passes into the final third, Williams would know he’s going to receive plenty of service, and exceptional service at that.
Having such a frightening winger may well also free up extra room for the teenage superstar to operate in. Lewis-Skelly attracts and glides through opponents like a knife through butter as it is but with Williams in tandem, the left side of Arsenal’s attack would be truly menacing.
Spain'sNicoWilliamsin action with Netherlands' Jeremie Frimpong and Donyell Male
Ultimately, signing Williams would be good for the whole Arsenal team, but having him start ahead of Lewis-Skelly could help get so much more out of the already incredible teenager.
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The incredible talent looks destined for greatness with Arsenal.
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Sruthi Ravindranath18-Mar-20253:17
Chopra: Maxwell, Stoinis could thrive under Ponting
Where they finished last yearWith five wins in 14 games, Punjab Kings (PBKS) finished second last in the league.What’s new in 2025PBKS have a new captain in Shreyas Iyer, who won the IPL title with Kolkata Knight Riders last year, and a new head coach in Ricky Ponting, who worked with Delhi Capitals until last season. From the previous edition, they retained only Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh and bought back fast bowler Arshdeep Singh via the right-to-match card for INR 18 crore at the mega auction.Related
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Who is Priyansh Arya, Punjab Kings' new INR 3.8-crore buy?
Introducing Suryansh Shedge, clear thinker and ace T20 finisher
Another familiar face in the side is Glenn Maxwell, who had previously played for them between 2014 and 2017 and again in 2020. Apart from Maxwell, they signed four more Australians at the auction: Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett.An allrounder-heavy side, they also have overseas options in Azmatullah Omarzai and Marco Jansen alongside Maxwell, Stoinis and Hardie in that department. New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is one of their new recruits and they also have experienced India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, as well as Kuldeep Sen and Yash Thakur, who have decent IPL experience.PBKS have perennially underperformed, with their last top-four finish coming in 2014. But with a new-look squad, which has several big names and looks well-rounded in all departments, they will hope to change things.Can Shreyas Iyer take his IPL-winning aura from KKR to PBKS?•BCCILikely best XII1 Prabhsimran Singh/Priyansh Arya, 2 Josh Inglis*, 3 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell*, 5 Azmatullah Omarzai/Marcus Stoinis*, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Nehal Wadhera/Suryansh Shedge, 8 Marco Jansen*, 9 Harpreet Brar, 10 Yash Thakur, 11 Arshdeep Singh, 12 Yuzvendra Chahal Full PBKS squadBig questionWatch out forPriyansh Arya first grabbed eyeballs when he hit six sixes in an over to smash 120 off 50 balls in the Delhi Premier League. That feat led to a bidding war at the auction where PBKS eventually landed him for INR 3.8 crore. The opening batter, who is particularly strong down the ground, showed off his big hits in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy late last year, where he also struck 102 off just 43 balls, hitting 10 sixes and five fours, against Uttar Pradesh. He also topped the run-scoring charts for Delhi.Another talent who’s made a name in the domestic circuit, Suryansh Shedge displayed his finishing skills in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Arriving to bat mostly in tricky situations, the 22-year old allrounder helped Mumbai wrap up games, and he did the job for them in the final as well, clattering three sixes and three fours in his 15-ball stay to help them to the title. He could be an Impact Player option and bolster their lower order, a role Ashutosh Sharma performed for PBKS last season.Ricky Ponting will hope Yuzvendra Chahal can solve PBKS’ long-running spin-bowling issues•Punjab KingsKey statsPBKS have won just two out of 14 home games – played across Mohali, Mullanpur and Dharamsala – in the last two seasons – the worst for any side in the IPL in this period. This year, they will be playing only in Mullanpur and Dharamsala. Finding a way to make their home conditions work for them could be crucial to their bid to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Iyer has been part of five title wins since March 2024: The IPL win with KKR aside, he won the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, the 2024-25 Irani Cup and the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy titles with Mumbai. He was also a key member of India’s title-winning Champions Trophy team, and comes into the IPL on the back of a superb run of form.Though he finished with 19 wickets, Arshdeep Singh wasn’t at his best in the IPL last year as he struggled with his accuracy. He eventually turned his year around and finished as 2024’s top T20I wicket-taker with 36 wickets at an average of 15.31. He also recently leapfrogged Chahal to become India’s highest wicket-taker in the format.Who’s out or in doubt?Lockie Ferguson missed the Champions Trophy for New Zealand after picking up a hamstring injury while playing in the ILT20. His availability for the upcoming IPL season is unclear.IPL 2025 will also be Musheer Khan’s first tournament since he sustained a neck injury after a car crash in September 2024. Musheer, who was picked for INR 30 lakh at the auction, had recently started training with the squad.
Najmul Hossain Shanto joined an exclusive list for Bangladesh with his twin tons in Mirpur
Sampath Bandarupalli17-Jun-2023546 Bangladesh’s win margin by runs in Mirpur is the third biggest in the history of Test cricket. England defeated Australia by 675 runs in 1928 at the Gabba, the biggest win by runs in Tests. England were on the receiving end six years later, losing to Australia by 562 runs at The Oval.661 Bangladesh’s second-innings lead against Afghanistan. Only seven times did any team have a higher lead at the end of their second innings in a Test match. It is also the highest second-innings lead for any team in a five-day Test, bettering New Zealand’s 659-run lead against Sri Lanka in the 2018 Christchurch Test.14 Wickets for Bangladesh pacers in Mirpur are the most for them in a Test match, surpassing the 13 scalps shared against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui at the start of 2022. The Bangladesh quick bowlers claimed eight wickets in Afghanistan’s first innings, the most by them in a Test innings at home.Related
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2 Batters with centuries in both innings of a Test match for Bangladesh, including Najmul Hossain Shanto in Mirpur. Mominul Haque was the first batter from Bangladesh with twin hundreds in a Test match, a feat he achieved against Sri Lanka in 2018 in Chattogram. Shanto’s 270 runs against Afghanistan are also the second-most runs in a Test match for Bangladesh, behind Mominul’s 281 against Sri Lanka.82.82 Shanto’s batting strike rate in this match is the fourth-highest for any batter when scoring hundreds in both innings of a Test match (where balls-faced data is available). The highest is 90.90 for David Warner during his 135 and 145 against South Africa in the 2014 Cape Town Test.261 Runs aggregated by Afghanistan in this Test are the lowest for any team in a match against Bangladesh while being bowled out twice. The previous lowest was 354 runs by West Indies in 2018, also in Mirpur. Afghanistan’s 261 runs are also the third lowest for a team in a Test match in Bangladesh.151 Test wickets for Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He is only the third bowler to complete the milestone for Bangladesh, after Shakib Al Hasan (233) and Taijul Islam (177).