Tag Futebol

ECB defend “thorough and rigorous” process as sale prepares to get underway this week

Matt Roller28-Jan-2025

Oval Invincibles and London Spirit parade their trophies after the 2024 Hundred finals•ECB/Getty Images

Prospective investors in Hundred franchises have expressed their frustration with the ECB’s sales process, which will be determined by final bids in the next two weeks. Bidders fear that the efforts they have put into building relationships with potential partners over the past five months may have been wasted, with the process ultimately determined by “pure financial factors”.The ECB invited bids for 49% stakes in each of the eight Hundred teams in early September, in a sales process being run by the US-based Raine Group and Deloitte. The board said that the process has the dual aim of attracting “strategic partners” for the Hundred’s future success while ensuring the “long-term financial sustainability” of English domestic cricket.The final round of the process will start on Thursday, as ESPNcricinfo revealed, after each host venue chose a shortlist of potential partners to run their franchise as a joint-venture. The highest bidder from each shortlist will enter into a period of exclusivity following either sealed bids (if two bidders remain) or an auction (if three or more remain).Some prospective investors have raised their frustrations that the final stage of the process will be determined by a straightforward financial offer. This has come as a surprise to some bidders, who believed that host venues would consider all final-round offers and choose their preferred partner based on the extensive discussions they have held over the past five months.”It’s coming down to the highest number wins,” an associate close to a bid team told ESPNcricinfo. “If that’s been the case from the start, then such a drawn-out and confusing process could have been avoided. We, like many, have a compelling case that goes beyond pure financial factors.”The bidders in this process are very successful people both from the sporting and business worlds. But the whole thing has been unpredictable, and has changed throughout, which has been concerning. This is such a crucial moment in time for the game in England: let’s hope all things have been considered with regards to partnerships versus financial gain.”ECB defend ‘thorough and rigorous’ processThe ECB denies that the sales will simply be a case of the highest bidder winning, and defended their process as “thorough and rigorous”. They argue that the first two stages of the process saw more than 100 initial expressions of interest cut down significantly in collaboration with the eight host venues, depending on their preferences, with some lucrative offers counted out.Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, has previously dismissed criticisms of the process, describing it as investors trying to “negotiate through the media”. An ECB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo: “This has been a thorough and rigorous process, with each host venue choosing its own shortlist of potential partners based on who they would like to work with, not making purely financial decisions.”Our aims have always been to attract interest from a diverse range of parties with relevant skills and expertise to help the Hundred continue to grow, and to maximise value for the whole game. We have had a huge amount of interest and engagement from a wide range of interested parties, and we recognise that this leaves a number of disappointed parties who will not be successful.”The ECB also insisted that all remaining bidders in the process have submitted bids at each stage of the process. Several prospective investors have queried the recent emergence of a bid from a Silicon Valley tech consortium – led by Nikesh Arora and including the CEOs of Google, Microsoft and Adobe – but the board insisted there have been no late entrants since the initial first-round deadline of October 18.Another member of a bid team told ESPNcricinfo that they have found the process “complex” and that they feel miscommunication has led to “confusion” among prospective investors. But they added: “I respect what the ECB are doing. They are trying to maximise what they can get from this. They have to do everything they can on that front.”Related

Surrey to retain majority stake in Oval Invincibles as negotiations with Reliance begin

Ends justify the means for ECB as Hundred's millions prepare to roll in

Tom Brady stardust comes to cricket with Birmingham Phoenix acquisition

Mumbai Indians owners win bid for 49% stake in Oval Invincibles

Investors face live auction for in-demand Hundred franchises

Richard Thompson, the ECB chairman, referred to a minimum target of raising £350 million through the sales process in November. ECB sources have indicated this relates to an early benchmark set for the minimum value of 100% of the eight franchises. Proceeds from the 49% stakes sold will be split among the 18 first-class counties, MCC and the recreational game in England and Wales.Thompson has also ruled out an “IPL takeover” of the Hundred. The owners of at least five Indian franchises – including CVC, the private equity firm who run Gujarat Titans – are understood to be in the final round of bidding, but several US-based investors are also in contention, including Sanjay Govil, the owner of Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, and Avram Glazer, the co-chair of Manchester United.Gould said last month that the funds raised would safeguard county cricket’s finances for the next “20 to 25 years” The ECB is putting “guard-rails” in place to ensure that the counties spend the money in a sustainable way: paying off debt, building reserves or investing in long-term projects.

Interim head coach says it’s up to the new faces to find the right tempo for 50-over cricket

Cameron Ponsonby01-Nov-2024

Marcus Trescothick points the way forward for England’s new-look white-ball squad•Getty Images

Interim head coach Marcus Trescothick has defended his young ODI squad after their crushing eight-wicket defeat to the West Indies, saying the result is not reflective of English white-ball cricket.England’s loss to the West Indies was a twelfth ODI defeat in 18 matches since the start of the 2023 World Cup and gave a brutal reality check to a new-look eleven that included four debutants.On a tacky surface, England were bowled out for 209, before putting on an encouraging, but ultimately fruitless display with the ball as Windies opener Evin Lewis let loose for 94 off 69 balls.”I think it’s certainly not where England cricket is at,” Trescothick said after the game. “Because for a long period of time now you’ve not had our main team in white-ball games. You don’t really know where white-ball cricket is.”I think with the system that we’ve had and the volume of cricket that we’ve been trying to play and still look after the players, I think you could put a team together tomorrow for a World Cup, and it would probably look different to what you had this series and some of the series that we played against Australia.”So I don’t think you can judge it to say, look where white-ball cricket is at the moment. It’s been a tough period of time, there’s no doubt about it, but that’s been challenges from numerous different things.”The current series is missing several players due to the tour being sandwiched by England’s Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. But the squad picked for the Australia series was close to full strength, with Joe Root and Gus Atkinson rested but other absences such as Jos Buttler and Mark Wood missing through injury. The same could be said of the previous group to tour the Caribbean last year, when the squad picked was meant to signal a new age, while the World Cup squad was certainly first string. All this alongside uncertainty over Ben Stokes’ white-ball future.The nature of the defeat has called into question England’s absolute policy on prioritising youth, with Jordan Cox, in just his fifth List A match, walking out on debut for England at No.3, with the 21-year-old Jacob Bethell at No.4. Of the top six, only Phil Salt and Will Jacks had batted in those positions for England more than once in their careersJohn Turner, Jordan Cox, Dan Mousley and Jamie Overton made their ODI debuts in Antigua•Getty Images

“It’s probably a better question for the selectors more than anything else. It’s not my decision who comes in,” Trescothick said.”But I think you can see from the plan of the England team in the last year, probably, and maybe a little bit further back, how much we want to invest in the next generation.”Playing people who have played before would probably be going against the mantra of what we’re trying to do at the moment.”England’s innings saw five of the top six caught in the 30-yard-circle, as the balance between defence and attack eluded them to be bowled out in 45.1 overs.”We’ve got to try and bat 50 overs first and foremost,” said Trescothick. “The real skill in white-ball cricket in particular is the tempo and the balance between aggression and batting for long periods of time.”We will always be a team that is going to try and be aggressive, the pitch made it quite tricky to do that.”This is Trescothick’s last tour at the helm of the white-ball team before Brendon McCullum takes over the job in January. Placed in charge of an exceptionally inexperienced group, one of the biggest challenges, according to Trescothick, has been finding the balance between emphasising the opportunity is a ‘free hit’ to England’s youngsters, while also instilling a win-first mentality.”I am trying to get the priority right at the moment. I want to win every game and we dictate that in the dressing room. But we also want to see a few players in the environment before the structure changes and Brendon takes over. So, why not give them the opportunity to thrive in this environment?”That’s very much how we’re framing it. The opportunities are there for the guys to come in. We’ve seen four debutants in this match, we’ve got a couple other young guys in the squad who may make their debut across the next two weeks. [With the opportunity] you’re going to be further up the ladder than you were six days ago. So go out there and show what you can do.”Trescothick’s own role in the white-ball set up beyond January is undecided.”I don’t know just yet,” he said. “We’ve got a bit of a plan behind the scenes, but nothing has been confirmed as such.”I am not going to say which way it’s all going to sit, because it would probably give it away too much, but obviously Brendon’s going to come in and take control of the full show and then he will dictate what and where we are going to be and how that’s going to look.”

Tottenham have a potentially golden opportunity to sign another player after sealing a marquee deal for Mohammed Kudus, and amid the drama surrounding their Morgan Gibbs-White move, with chairman Daniel Levy thought to be prioritising a couple of more areas to reinforce.

£100k-a-week Tottenham star now wants to join elite manager at another club

Spurs need to sell players due to a key UEFA rule.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 11, 2025

Spurs announced the signing of Kudus in a £55 million deal from West Ham late last night, ending the 14-year-long wait for a transfer between the clubs, and the Ghanaian cannot wait to get started.

“It feels great to be here, I’m very happy and can’t wait to start,” he said in an interview with the club’s official channels.

“I’m a very direct winger, strong, very good in taking players on and creating chances, so there is a lot of flair in my game.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025	Average match rating
Son Heung-min	7.00
James Maddison	6.98
Pedro Porro	6.95
Dominic Solanke	6.84
Dejan Kulusevski	6.83
via WhoScored

“I like to entertain the fans as well. That’s what football is about – it’s putting a memory in the heads of the fans that they have when they go back home, and after the money they’ve spent to buy a ticket. Although there is also a lot of seriousness and competitiveness in the game, I still think it’s a sport I try to enjoy as much as I can and give the fans something to enjoy too. I hope fans are going to really enjoy what I’m going to bring to the team here.”

Kudus was set to be followed by Gibbs-White, following a round of quick-fire talks which accelerated in absolutely rapid fashion.

Surprise reports emerged on Thursday that the Lilywhites were suddenly in advanced negotiations for the England international right after Kudus, and it didn’t take long for Levy to make significant progress, with Spurs prepared to pay his £60 million release clause.

Tottenham were thought to be closing in on a sensational double deal worth £115 million after developments in the last 24 hours, with Levy making a serious statement whilst backing new manager Thomas Frank to the hilt.

However, after a stunning twist, Nottingham Forest are now ready to take legal action against Tottenham after alleged illegal conduct over the England international’s transfer – with the deal considered to be off, at least for now.

Forest are likely unable to put a complete halt to the signing (Rob Dorsett), but it’s now been significantly delayed.

Elsewhere, Spurs are planning to strengthen other areas of midfield, and they have their eyes on an intriguing option.

Douglas Luiz "very keen" to join Tottenham as Juventus green-light exit

According to journalist Graeme Bailey and TBR Football, £138,000-per-week Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz is being actively targeted by Spurs, following the Old Lady’s decision to green-light his exit this summer.

The Brazil international has found life difficult in Turin since his switch from Aston Villa last year, and he’s believed to be eyeing a return to the Premier League already, specifically to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Luiz is apparently “very keen” to join Tottenham and his representatives are pushing to get him that desired move, coming after Spurs allegedly held talks with them recently.

However, the former Man City man is just one of a few midfield targets being considered, as Levy apparently wants to sign a holding midfielder and new number six after their ambitious deals for Kudus and Gibbs-White.

The 27-year-old suffered from both injury problems and a subsequent lack of game time under Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor last term, but his final season at Villa Park demonstrates that he’s capable of seriously strengthening Frank’s options.

Luiz bagged 10 goals and 10 assists in 53 total appearances for Unai Emery’s side across 2023/2024, with the South American potentially coming as a dynamic replacement for Yves Bissouma in midfield, who’s attracting reported interest from Fenerbahce.

Arsenal have been dealt a setback in their pursuit of a top target this summer, with Andrea Berta’s move for the player becoming increasingly complex as the Gunners face missing out on his signature.

Related Arsenal could also terminate 23-year-old's contract after Takehiro Tomiyasu

He’s ready to accept an offer to leave.

Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 16, 2025

Most recently, Mikel Arteta has welcomed Chelsea winger Noni Madueke to the Emirates Stadium, following the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.

Madueke agreed personal terms with Arsenal at the start of July, and it didn’t take long for the north Londoners to shake hands on yet another club-to-club deal with Chelsea themselves – agreeing a £52 million fee to make the 23-year-old their seventh arrival from Stamford Bridge in six years.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta through deals announced (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£75m

The England international signed his five-year Arsenal contract on Wednesday morning (Fabrizio Romano), and it is only a matter of time before Madueke makes his Gunners debut.

After Madueke, Berta and Arteta are believed to hold a serious interest in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, who the club views as a potential central attacking midfield addition to complement captain Martin Odegaard – not a winger (Ben Jacobs).

Arsenal are planning to make an approach to Palace over signing Eze after talks with the 27-year-old’s camp, and talkSPORT reported earlier this week that, despite this, the north Londoners are still very keen on Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

The Brazilian, who could end up costing £80 million, remains high on Arsenal’s target list, and Rodrygo has given “positive” indications that he’d be willing to join Arteta’s side, according to the BBC’s Sami Mokbel.

However, reports in Spain now suggest that the potential deal is proving a real mountain to climb.

Arsenal unlikely to sign Rodrygo as move hits "standstill"

Cadena SER, citing their “close” Arsenal sources, state the situation between Real’s versatile forward and Arteta’s side has become “very complicated”.

While not impossible, an Arsenal move for Rodrygo is becoming increasingly unlikely, especially as they close in Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and having just signed Madueke.

Contacts have taken place between Premier League clubs and the 24-year-old’s agents, but as of now, everything is apparently at a “standstill”. Real actually view Rodrygo as one of the top 10 strikers in world football, with the former Santos sensation able to play as a centre-forward as well as on either flank, so they’re refusing to drop his price tag.

Liverpool apparently remain interested in him as an alternative to Alexander Isak or Hugo Ekitiké, but for now, Xabi Alonso’s side are not considering his departure. Los Blancos could now leave any exit discussions for August, with the player’s future set to be a talking point for some time yet.

Rodrygo was scarcely used at the Club World Cup by Alonso, and it remains to be seen how the attacker fits into his plans, despite the obvious quality.

“For me he’s probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad,” said Jude Bellingham about Rodrygo.

“The things he can do with the football – we’ll be messing around and he’ll flick the ball up somehow, and you’re like, ‘How do you do that?’. I’m trying to do it, twisting up my ankles and everything like that. He’s a pleasure to play with.”

Chelsea are through to the last 16 of the Club World Cup and remain in contention to win the tournament, but off the field, BlueCo are making plans to reinforce Enzo Maresca’s squad further ahead of his second season in charge.

Chelsea make approach for £103k-a-week Barcelona legend who Man United want

The Blues face competition from both Manchester clubs.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 24, 2025

New signing Liam Delap scored his first goal for the club during their 3-0 win over ES Tunis this morning, with their opponents failing to register a single shot on target as Tosin Adarabioyo and Tyrique George also rounded off a routine victory for the Blues.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Chelsea will now face Portuguese heavyweights Benfica in the first knockout round, and there is every possibility that Maresca’s side can go on to lift the trophy whilst securing a massive £97 million financial windfall for the club.

“The performance, for me, was good,” said Maresca after Chelsea’s win over ES Tunis.

“It was not easy and until we scored the first goal, it was difficult to break their defensive line down. We were quite patient, and when we scored the first goal, the game became a little more open and a little easier for us.

“It’s impossible not to rotate players because playing every three days in these conditions means it’s not possible for them to play every game. The ones that played were good, and we’ve given some rest to Moi, Trev, Levi, Cucu, Cole, Pedro, many players. It’s important to recover the energy and try to win the next game.”

Chelsea have been plying their trade in near unplayable weather conditions, with the American heat causing major issues for Maresca’s side and other teams competing at the CWC.

To help lighten the load, Chelsea could take advantage of a unique player registration period. From June 27 to July 3, Chelsea are allowed to add players to their CWV roster, including new signings, on the condition they haven’t already featured for another team at the tournament.

This would rule out Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, who is reliably believed to be closing in on a move to Chelsea, but Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande could link up with the squad if they advance on a deal for the Ivorian.

Chelsea looking to negotiate cut-price Ousmane Diomande move

TEAMtalk reported in the last few days that Maresca is a “huge fan” of Diomande and has him near the top of Chelsea’s target list for defenders.

The 21-year-old’s contract includes a £68 million release clause too, but according to an update from CaughtOffside, the west Londoners don’t fancy paying this fee.

Indeed, it is believed that Chelsea are “looking to negotiate” a lower fee with Sporting to sign Diomande, and they reiterate how convinced Maresca is by the African defender’s quality.

They’re said to be “very” keen on signing the Primeira Liga starlet, and Sporting are open to considering a bid slightly beneath his clause. However, amid interest from Newcastle United and Real Madrid, Maresca faces stiff competition for one of his top targets.

Ahead of Vitor Pereira’s first summer in charge, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly moving to seal their move to sign a South American talent at their manager’s request.

Pereira already requesting Wolves incomings

With Matheus Cunha reportedly on his way to Manchester United this summer, it should come as no surprise that Pereira has requested attacking reinforcements in the coming months. Recent rumours have indicated that the Portuguese manager is a particular fan of Corinthians forward Yuri Alberto and has now asked Wolves to make a reunion happen between himself and his former star.

Yuri Alberto in 24/25	Record (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances	34
Goals	13
Assists	1

Having worked with the Brazilian before, Pereira will already know all about Alberto’s potential. At 24 years old, he has shown consistent promise at Corinthians over the years and only added to his goal tally this season – scoring 13 in 34 games.

The Portuguese manager also knows just how important it is to get recruitment right at Wolves in the coming months, having told reporters when asked about the summer transfer window back in April: “I expect to go with Wolves to the next level, the next step. This is what I’m thinking about.

“We don’t need a lot of money, we just need to make the right decisions and have a plan. My focus is on this team and trying to get the best results possible until the end of the season.

“Keeping almost all of the players (is important) because we have a very good group. I want to work for another level, I want to take the next step with this club.”

Signing South American talents seems to be the manager’s chosen route towards that next step, too, with another promising talent now reportedly on Wolves’ radar ahead of the summer window.

Wolves moving to seal Araujo deal

According to reports in Brazil, as relayed by Sport Witness, Wolves are now moving to seal their deal to sign Evertton Araujo, who has a release clause worth as much as €40m (£34m) at Flamengo. Whilst such a price may seem steep, reports suggest that Pereira has requested the arrival of the midfielder and the Midlands club have already made contact over a potential deal.

Pereira’s request should come as no shock and Wolves, themselves, are no strangers when it comes to signing Brazilian talents after welcoming Andre last summer.

Wolves now eyeing £14m Argentinian prodigy who's already met with Arsenal

He’s a wanted man.

By
Tom Cunningham

May 22, 2025

Described as “strong” and “composed” as well as “aggressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Araujo could go on and make the same impact as Andre if he followed him to the Midlands in the coming months. Wolves’ transfer strategy has seemingly taken them towards Brazil once again and that should be seen as no bad thing.

Last night was not the game or result Arsenal would’ve been hoping for ahead of their Champions League semi-final next week.

Mikel Arteta’s side lined up against Crystal Palace, who happen to have an FA Cup semi-final this weekend, and put in one of their most lacklustre and underwhelming performances of the entire season, which saw them pick up their 13th Premier League draw of the campaign – the second most in the competition.

From David Raya between the sticks to Raheem Sterling in attack, there were dire displays across the pitch for the Gunners.

However, there was at least one player who put in yet another impressive showing, a player who has made himself undroppable and is starting to resemble Granit Xhaka in certain ways.

The story of Xhaka's redemption at Arsenal

Arsenal paid Borussia Mönchengladbach around £30m for Xhaka in the summer of 2016, and while he wasn’t particularly poor, it would probably be fair to say he underwhelmed for the first few seasons of his career in North London.

However, it was clear from the get-go that he was a passionate player and that, combined with his seniority, saw him handed the captaincy by former manager Unai Emery in September 2019 following a vote from his teammates.

Unfortunately, the team’s results nosedived soon after and, following an unsavoury episode in which he swore and goaded a jeering Emirates before throwing the shirt and armband to the floor, he had the captaincy stripped from him less than two months after receiving it.

The Swiss international would later reveal that at that point, he was set on leaving the club but eventually decided to stay and fight for his reputation after being convinced to do so by the recently appointed Arteta.

While it took some time, the Basel-born titan eventually started to win the fans back onside, and finally, after three years of graft, he was handed the armband again by Arteta in the absence of Martin Odegaard away to Brentford in September 2022, a game that also saw the fans begin to sing his name again, much to his appreciation.

That season would be his best in red and white as he racked up a brilliant tally of nine goals – two of which came in his final game – and seven assists in 47 appearances from central midfield.

Xhaka left the club that summer, but instead of doing so under a cloud of controversy as it seemed he would just a few years earlier, he left as a cult hero and with a rapturous Emirates Stadium singing his name.

Now it looks like a player in the current squad could be crafting something of a cult status for himself this year.

16/17

46

4

3

2

17/18

48

3

8

0

18/19

40

4

5

0

19/20

41

1

2

0

20/21

45

1

2

1

21/22

30

1

2

2

22/23

47

9

7

0

The current Arsenal star with shades of Xhaka

There are probably some of you thinking that the player in question is Mikel Merino, as, after all, the Spaniard is positionally similar to Xhaka and has seen his stock skyrocket among Arsenal fans in recent months, but you’d be wrong.

Chalkboard

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

Instead, the current Gunners star who is starting to have shades of the Swiss international about him is none other than Jakub Kiwior.

Okay, so we know the pair couldn’t be more different in terms of position and, therefore, playstyle, but where they play has practically nothing to do with this comparison, as it’s based on their standing within the fanbase more than anything else.

For example, just a few months ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan who’d had a particularly strong feeling towards the Polish international, as while he’s stepped in here and there, he’s never really looked like a first-team quality player.

In fact, it was only in December that Arsenal podcaster Phil Costa branded the former Spezia ace “shocking,” claiming that “he hasn’t kicked on at all since joining” and that, at the end of the day, “he isn’t good enough.”

Now, in his defence, it wasn’t an uncommon opinion, with content creator and fan Alexander Moneypenny describing the international as “shakey” following his underwhelming performance vs Bayern Munich last season.

So, while there wasn’t the same vitriol that there was surrounding Xhaka’s fall, there was a similar desire from plenty of fans to move the Tychy-born star on and find someone better as soon as possible, which in turn led to some serious concern over how he’d cope covering for Gabriel Magalhães following the Brazilian’s hamstring surgery.

However, instead of becoming a weak spot in the team, the “extraordinary” defender, as dubbed by Robert Lewandowski, has stepped up in a massive way.

For example, aside from a minor mistake early on in the first leg against Real Madrid, he was simply sensational. Moreover, after William Saliba’s mistake that led to a goal in the second leg, there is a strong argument that he was the better centre-back of the pair.

Then again, last night, while the Frenchman made a costly mistake, he was near-enough faultless, scoring a goal, making some impressive tackles and earning himself an 8/10 match rating from journalist Tom Canton, which was more than justified by his statistics.

For example, in 98 minutes of action, he scored, made six clearances, won 100% of his duels, blocked two shots, made one tackle, lost the ball just seven times despite taking 135 touches, completed 115 passes, was accurate with two of three long balls, and was even successful in 100% of his dribbles.

Minutes

98′

Expected Goals

0.04

Goals

1

Clearances

6

Blocked Shos

2

Tackles

1

Dribbled Past

0

Duels (Won)

2 (2)

Lost Possession

7

Touches

135

Passing Accuracy

115/120 (96%)

Long Balls (Accurate)

3 (2)

Shots on Target

1

Dribbles (Successful)

1 (1)

Fouls

0

Ultimately, Kiwior has transformed from a player fans were worried about starting into one who’s outshining Saliba and becoming an increasing fan favourite for the no-nonsense way he’s going about his job – if that doesn’t remind you of Xhaka’s transformation, we don’t know what will.

Worse than Saliba: 3/10 "passenger" must never start for Arsenal again

Arsenal suffered yet another draw as they slipped up against Crystal Palace.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 24, 2025

The contract situation of players at Liverpool has been the main focus over recent weeks, especially after the rumours over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at the club.

It emerged over the international break that he had agreed a move to join Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of the season, ending his 21-year association with his boyhood side.

Whilst nothing has been confirmed, it looks increasingly likely that the 26-year-old will depart Anfield with just a couple of months remaining on his current deal.

The news of his potential move has angered the majority of the supporters, leaving a hole at right-back for Arne Slot to fill this summer should he complete his deal with the LaLiga giants.

Conor Bradley is undoubtedly a readymade replacement given his rise in recent months, but the hierarchy have wasted no time in targeting reinforcements to replace the Englishman.

Liverpool plotting move for Trent replacement this summer

According to TBR, Liverpool are working on a deal to land Freiburg right-back Kiliann Sildillia this summer, but face competition for his signature from other Premier League outfits.

Manchester City, Brighton and Aston Villa have also registered interest in the 22-year-old, who looks set to leave the Bundesliga outfit given the interest.

Sildillia, who is a France U21 international, can also play at centre-back but is known for his marauding and athletic full-back play on the right side of the backline.

The report claims that the Reds have already checked in on the youngster ahead of a summer move, but no formal offer has yet been made for the defender.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal would set the hierarchy back, he would be a phenomenal option, providing a better alternative to another player already on their shortlist.

Why Sildillia would be better than Frimpong for Liverpool

Over the last couple of weeks, Liverpool have been linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong this summer as a replacement for Alexander-Arnold should he depart this summer.

The Dutchman has caught the eye in recent months for his flying, attacking play down the right-hand side, registering nine combined goals and assists in his 27 Bundesliga outings this campaign.

The 24-year-old’s agents have already been in contact with the Reds’ hierarchy as the club plans for life without Trent if he decides upon a move to Spain in the next few weeks.

However, Sildillia would be a better option than Frimpong for Slot’s side, outperforming the Dutchman in various key areas in the Bundesliga throughout the current campaign.

The Freiburg star, who’s previously been labelled “complete” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has completed more take-ons – highlighting the threat he possesses in attacking areas.

Games played

16

27

Goals & assists

2

9

Progressive passes

3.2

2.2

Tackles won

1.2

1

Interceptions made

1.2

0.4

Take-on success

67%

30%

Aerials won

50%

34%

However, he’s also dominated defensively, winning more tackles per 90, along with more interceptions – offering the quality on defensive areas that Trent has often struggled to do in recent years.

His all-round ability makes him perfect for the Reds’ current system on Merseyside, with Sildillia also offering a younger option than Frimpong, potentially making the role his own for many years to come.

Whilst it’s unclear how much the pair would set the club back, it’s evident that the Freiburg star is a quality player and one that the club desperately need to pursue over the next couple of weeks.

His talent is reflected in the number of sides interested in his signature, with the board needing to act quickly to avoid a league rival getting ahead of them and landing his services.

Slot could boldly axe "special" Liverpool star who's the new James Milner

Who will stay and who will go in the transfer market for Liverpool this summer?

1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 1, 2025

Their batting template remains in the spotlight, after failing even in conditions where it might have been expected to bear fruit

Sidharth Monga16-Jun-20241:31

Mumtaz on Babar’s innings – ‘Bizarre and baffling’

This space is not going to give into the exceptionalism that Pakistan cricket is more prone to this kind of a thing than any other cricket, but they have ended this disappointing campaign on a tragicomic note. It was like the middle order was hell bent on vindicating the RizBar way of playing white-ball cricket, and in these conditions it might well have been. And yet, in the end, even the RizBar way needed some fearless hitting from Shaheen Shah Afridi to relieve the pressure. It leaves you none the wiser about the course Pakistan should take.If we were to be left with Pakistan cricket’s improvisation on the chicken-and-egg situation of whether RizBar are so regressive because of a weak middle order or whether the middle order is so ordinary because RizBar don’t let them play at all in flat conditions, did we really need Pakistan to play the World Cup? To be fair to him, Babar Azam took the demotion, pushed up a more attacking left-hand opener, and still the results haven’t been great.In their final match, where the best they could achieve was a consolation win, Pakistan were staring at embarrassment when Babar showed his class, his ability to bat at a run a ball on a difficult surface, but eventually it wasn’t enough. It took Afridi’s sixes to settle the nerves.Related

Wahab and Razzaq sacked from PCB selection committee

Haris Rauf on confrontation video: 'When it comes to family, I will not hesitate to respond accordingly'

Old debate, simple answer: Pakistan's batting just not very good

When will Pakistan get serious about winning trophies?

Imad: Pakistan have 'moved back' in T20 cricket, need to get rid of fear of failure

Afridi provided glimpses of what might have been: back to taking wickets in his first over, back to setting the game up for what can be a menacing pace attack. Of all the World Cups, this one had conditions where Babar and Mohammad Rizwan might have been justified in playing the way they do, but Rizwan cracked under the asking-rate pressure against India when the game was his to take home.A day before this match, Imad Wasim spoke about the mindset needed to play while-ball cricket at par with other excellent modern teams. He spoke about how Pakistan used to rule T20 cricket before they became a regressive unit. He spoke of the need to get rid of the fear of failure.When asked if it is insecurity from the decision-makers or the highly emotional reaction of the fans that nurtures this fear, Babar pointed at perhaps a question of quality. He said the selections have been consistent, that in fact there has hardly been much churn when he has been captain. In 85 matches that Babar has captained, 27 players have batted from Nos. 3 to 7, including Babar himself and Rizwan. By comparison, in 96 matches since the start of 2020, India have tried 32 players from Nos. 3 to 7.Babar Azam had to anchor the chase with wickets falling at the other end•AFP/Getty Images”I think we are playing the same eight-nine players for the last four years,” Babar said. “They should not fear on that front. They are being backed. They are being given opportunities. But as a player, you have to step up a little. Look, the mindset should be how you want to play. Now you can’t hit every ball, you can’t hit a six on every ball, you can’t even get a wicket on every ball. You need to assess the conditions, what’s required here.”Tell me how many matches have been played here [in the USA] and has there been any outstanding batting? There’s been a struggle, but you need to be proactive about what’s required here. You need partnerships, you need to bowl at good, hard length. It’s not that you come with a set mindset and follow just that.”I am not denying that we have to think out of the box. Every player has to think. It’s not that one person has to do it. Every player has to think because cricket has become very fast. We have to move with the times. With modern cricket, you must have game awareness. You know that you have to take it deep here, you have to take a bit of load. You know no matter how much you do, you can’t score at 150 here. You try to build the innings. I think it’s more game awareness and common sense that is required here.”That sounds like an acceptance that in other, more standard, T20 conditions, Pakistan need to move with the times. If this failure results in course correction, this World Cup could yet be an important event in Pakistan cricket.However, it will rankle them that they failed to make it out of round one in conditions that suited their style of cricket. There can be some allowance made for the USA defeat because they got put in and the scoring trend through the match suggests that only the first five-six overs were difficult, which is a significant portion of the game. Against India, though, they won the toss, they got the best of the conditions, and the one batter who got in neither killed the chase nor took it deep.It might also be time to crack the whip a little because the job security Babar mentioned hasn’t seemed to work for the top order or the middle order.

Finch said they were just “tinkering” with the line-up ahead of the T20 World Cup, but was it something more than that?

Alex Malcolm05-Oct-2022When Australia’s team sheet dropped at the toss during the first T20I against West Indies no one could quite believe it.”That must be a mistake,” Mark Waugh said on commentary for Fox Sports.It was no mistake. Six games and less than two weeks out from defending their title on home soil, Australia listed their captain, and their most prolific T20I opener of all-time, Aaron Finch at No.4. Cameron Green, who is not in the World Cup squad, remained at the top of the order alongside the returning David Warner, while Steven Smith was squeezed out of the XI.Related

Australia rest frontline attack from Perth trip, Ellis and Swepson called up

Injured Marcus Stoinis ruled out of West Indies T20I series

Australia's balance rests on bowling fitness of Marsh and Stoinis

Wade and Finch secure untidy narrow win for Australia

Mayers' stunning back-foot cover drive – the Shot Heard 'Round the World

Just 24 hours after Finch had declared that there was almost no chance that Green could find his way into the World Cup squad with Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis expected to be fit, suddenly there was further evidence to the contrary.With Marsh unavailable to bowl, and Stoinis ruled out of the T20Is against West Indies, Green had to play to balance the attack. That it was Finch who batted in a position he never had previously in T20I cricket, rather than Green, left more questions than answers about both Australia’s final World Cup 15 and their best XI.Finch played the somewhat foreign role perfectly making 58 off 53 to help guide Australia through a tricky, untidy chase alongside the irrepressible and currently irreplaceable Matthew Wade. It was a match situation tailor-made for Smith, but he instead ran the drinks in a sign that he might be surplus to requirements despite being embedded in the World Cup squad.Finch explained the reasoning at the post-match presentation.”We felt as though with Greeny batting well at the top of the order we might be a little bit light on for experience in that No. 5 and 6 at international level if we went [Tim] David and Greeny together there,” Finch told . “So it was just something different. We’ll probably swap it around again next game and keep trying a few things.”We’re going to keep tinkering with things just to try and make sure that we’ve got all bases covered going into the World Cup.”The structure makes some sense given the injury issues. Green’s bowling is vital without Marsh and Stoinis if Australia are to play seven batters. The importance of the middle-order roles, as Wade continues to prove, and Green’s success opening makes Finch’s move to the middle all the more sound. There are numbers to back it up. Finch has batted at No. 4 or lower 42 times in his T20 career including twice in last season’s BBL. He also has a remarkable record in T20I cricket batting in the middle order, albeit from a small sample size. In six innings batting from Nos. 4-6 he’s made 200 runs and tonight was the first time he had been dismissed. It was his second half-century and he strikes at 151.51.It is the second time this year Finch has moved out of his traditional opening slot to allow Australia to tinker with their structure after Ashton Agar opened in a pair of games against Sri Lanka in February in the midst of Finch’s form slump.Cameron Green has been a valuable addition in the Australia T20I side•AFP/Getty ImagesFinch’s T20I form since then has been solid, scoring 287 runs in eight innings striking at 140 with three half centuries. But his poor ODI form, which led to his retirement from the format, has in some ways created noise around his position ahead of the World Cup.To those on the outside, he still looks like the elephant in the room. But on the inside, that has now become Green. His incredible batting form aside, Australia’s attack looks even stronger with Green in it as he brings a lot more firepower on home surfaces compared to what Marsh and Stoinis can offer, despite his limited experience.It was proven again on Wednesday. Although he was walloped for two stunning sixes, he did deliver eight dots balls in two overs and picked up the wicket of Raymon Reifer with steep bounce, which is an asset Pat Cummins thought would be extremely valuable in the World Cup.”I think especially here if you look around the World Cup venues, big square [boundaries], you’ve got bounce, having a tall fourth quick bowler is I think really beneficial,” Cummins said. “He hasn’t bowled a lot really in T20 so I think he will just keep getting better and better.”Cummins also noted how Green’s presence allowed Finch to spread his resources more evenly across the innings and keep overs up his sleeve for his senior bowlers to bowl at the death without having to over attack with them through the middle.”I think it does,” Cummins said. “He can bowl in the first six and be a real wicket-taking option through the middle if we need someone to be aggressive. He can do that. I think at times we’ve had Stoin [Stoinis] or Mitch Marsh if there’s a swinging ball, maybe bowl one or two upfront. But yeah, it’s a huge asset.”Australia will continue to tinker with their team structure over the next four games against West Indies and England, and Green will remain the elephant in the room with injuries still a concern.What Australia’s team sheet looks like for their opening match of the World Cup remains to be seen.