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Celtic find themselves in the hunt for more forward options this summer and have received a shot in the arm regarding their pursuit of a 25-goal striker, according to a report.

Celtic looking to sign a striker this summer

Kyogo Furuhashi departed Celtic in January and there was plenty of contention surrounding the club’s decision not to replace the Japanese marksman despite a last-gasp bid to land Danny Ings from West Ham United.

In the end, Daizen Maeda moved into a central position and Adam Idah earned more seniority through the middle, leaving inexperienced forward Johnny Kenny to plug the gaps on the odd occasion.

Ending the campaign on a respectable tally of 20 goals, Celtic striker Idah is confident he can handle the scoring burden associated with being the leading number nine at Parkhead.

He stated on international duty: “The pressure is a lot and you are expected to deliver. I think with my experience now, you have to put that behind you. You know what you are good at.

“If you don’t score for a couple of games, it is not helpful to listen to an ex-player. I am not really concerned with what he thinks – I am there to do my bit.”

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ByDan Emery Jun 3, 2025

Without question, Celtic will sign a striker this summer. They face more fixture congestion than most clubs around Europe due to their regular juggling act between domestic and European football.

Now, they may have received a boost regarding their pursuit of a reported target to help fill the Furuhashi-shaped void under Brendan Rodgers if recent developments are to be taken into account.

Celtic target Youssef El-Kachati rejects Hannover 96 move

According to Kicker, Celtic target Youssef El Kachati has rejected a move to Hannover 96 as his contract at Telstar moves closer to expiring, with a decision on his next club expected very soon.

The Moroccan striker was previously thought to have found a verbal agreement over a move to Germany with their sporting director Marcus Mann, but he is now said to prefer a switch to a side that will feature in European competition next season.

Youssef El Kachati in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

45

Goals

25

Assists

9

Austria Wien have also been mentioned in the race for his signature. Celtic have been watching El Kachati over several months and will have been aware of his exploits that saw Telstar promoted to the Eredivisie for the first time in almost half a century.

It is anticipated that a decision on his future could come sooner rather than later. At this point, top-flight football with the prospect of testing himself on the continent is a better career option than the German second-tier.

Celtic need to bolster their frontline to handle the strain of another jam-packed campaign of action and El Kachati could be a financially advantageous signing that would provide competition centrally and out wide.

Chelsea chiefs have opened club-to-club talks with officials over signing a “fantastic” player, following a transfer decision from Arsenal which will have an impact on the race for his signature.

Chelsea transfer plans amid tight Champions League race

The race for a place in the top five is set to go down to the Premier League final day, making Chelsea’s crunch clash with rivals Nottingham Forest their most important game of the season.

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ByDominic Lund May 18, 2025

Five teams – namely Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Man City and Forest – are involved in the airtight battle to confirm a place in next season’s Champions League draw, with the result of this intense race also set to have a crucial impact on BlueCo’s transfer plans for next season.

Enzo Maresca recently admitted in a press conference that qualification for Europe’s most prestigious competition will have a knock-on effect when it comes to their recruitment plans, and Chelsea wish to be ambitious in the market yet again.

As per journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea have some “big plans” they’re already working on and wish to bring in a number of new players. The plan within Stamford Bridge is to ideally seal a couple of their most desired signings before the Club World Cup begins, and they’ll have a short window to do so.

A special edition window will be open from June 1 to June 10, allowing Chelsea to register new arrivals before the CWC takes place, leaving little wonder we’re seeing reports of the Blues getting busy early doors.

Chelsea reportedly made Dean Huijsen an offer to join them from Bournemouth, but with the 20-year-old now off to Real Madrid, attention now turns to alternative defensive targets. One of them, according to multiple sources, is Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea open talks with Ajax over signing Jorrel Hato

The Netherlands international has featured at left-back throughout the 2024/2025 campaign for Ajax. However, before Francesco Farioli utilised him in a different position, the highly-rated teenager was predominantly a centre-back.

Todd Boehly is allegedly keen on Chelsea signing versatile players who can cover multiple areas (Simon Phillips), so Hato would fit the bill in that respect, and come in as a significant central defensive upgrade as well as an alternative to Marc Cucurella.

A deal for him would apparently cost somewhere in the region of £46 million, so in terms of cost, the defender could be an astute option.

That is according to CaughtOffside, who also boldly state that Chelsea have opened talks with Ajax officials over signing Hato.

While Hato is on Liverpool’s list of targets as well, they’re currently prioritising a deal for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, and Arsenal have decided to cool their interest in the player after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s excellent breakthrough campaign.

This call from the Gunners, not to mention Liverpool’s chase for Kerkez, could free up a Chelsea run at signing Hato, with CaughtOffside describing Maresca’s side as the favourites to strike a deal.

Hato is held in very high esteem by those within the beautiful game, with Jordan Henderson lavishing praise on the Dutchman as a tireless worker.

“It’s crazy how young he is, but obviously how mature he looks when he’s on the pitch and also off the pitch,” Henderson said.

“He’s a very mature person, works hard, fantastic player, and yeah, he has a bright future ahead of him, I’m sure. I think he just needs to continue to do what he’s he’s been doing.”

If Glasgow Rangers are going to topple their arch-nemsis next term, the new owners are going to have a job on their hands to appoint the right successor to Barry Ferguson at Ibrox.

Given their cross city rivals’ recent success, the Light Blues need to find somebody who can come in and install a playing style that will see Rangers win trophies and progress in Europe. That simply hasn’t happened in the last few years.

Steven Gerrard managed to do all those things and more during his three-and-a-half-year reign between 2018 and 2021. Could he be an option this summer for a second stint in Glasgow?

The latest on Steven Gerrard's future

According to the Daily Record over the weekend, Gretar Steinsson from the 49ers and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have reportedly narrowed down the list to the final couple of targets.

A new manager could be announced by the end of next week if all goes to plan and Gerrard could certainly be on this list.

Steven Gerrard’s stats in charge of Rangers

Season

Games

Wins

Points per game

2021/22

22

12

1.86

2020/21

56

44

2.52

2019/20

54

36

2.17

2018/19

60

32

1.9

Via Transfermarkt

The Englishman led the club to their first Premiership title since 2011 during the 2020/21 campaign, going through the league season undefeated.

Of course, it wasn’t all sunshine under Gerrard. The first two seasons saw plenty of tough defeats and post-Christmas collapses, but he would be a solid option to restore the sinking ship.

However, the 49ers must take a strategic gamble on the next manager. It looked as though Davide Ancelotti was going to get the role, but ultimately, nothing came to pass with the coach set to follow his father, Carlo, to Brazil.

The ideal alternative to Gerrard and Ancelotti

So, who could they go after instead? Well, Italian manager Francesco Farioli announced his decision to leave Ajax after just a single season in the Netherlands.

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It would certainly be a major statement of intent if the 49ers could entice him to Ibrox this summer, that’s for sure.

Farioli left after failing to win the Eredivisie for Ajax, despite leading by nine points with seven games left.

It was a dismal collapse, no doubt about that, but any hopes of the club looking to go close again next season with Farioli at the helm have been dashed as the manager announced he was leaving Amsterdam.

“Francesco also played a key role in enhancing the high-performance culture at Ajax, for which we are extremely grateful,” said director Alex Kroes. He was also dubbed “unique” by journalist Lars Jesse following the news.

The 36-year-old tends to utilise an attacking 4-3-3 system, which could be a good fit for several players at Rangers.

Across his 54 matches in charge of the Dutch side, Farioli’s side scored 115 goals – 2.1 per game – while he accumulated 2.09 points per game.

One of the most overlooked aspects was just how well the Italian improved their defence. In the 2023/24 campaign, Ajax conceded a staggering 61 goals.

This season, they conceded only 32, having the best defensive record in the top flight. It wasn’t enough to seal the title, however.

For someone aged just 36, the boss has managed 167 games across his four club sides. It would be a risk, but the way he approaches the game with an impressive attacking philosophy, plus a resolute defence, could transform the fortunes of Rangers.

While the last player to come from Dutch football in Gio van Bronckhorst ultimately ended up being given the boot, his immediate success, winning the Europa League, proves that the adaptation period from the Netherlands might not be too challenging.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington May 18, 2025

Manchester United were less than seven minutes away from disaster. Seven minutes away from essentially the end to the campaign. Then Old Trafford worked its magic…

The euphoria of Thursday’s gripping 5-4 win over Lyon has still not dissipated, with the debate raging over just where that special night ranks among the litany of magic moments in United’s European history.

Yes, it may not have been a titanic Champions League tussle with a Barcelona or a Real Madrid, yet for those chaotic, final exchanges, it certainly felt like it. Even at their lowest ebb, this United side can still conjure up memories to last a lifetime.

What this result must represent, however, is the start of something, a turning point in the Ruben Amorim regime – for the Red Devils not to go on to lift the Europa League trophy now would be a real tragedy.

Not only would success in the competition mark a fitting way to plaster over the cracks of a dismal domestic season, but it would also bring with it the potential riches that the Champions League can offer.

The difference between securing qualification or not could play a crucial role in the club’s summer transfer business…

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

Regardless of how this season finishes up for United, the Old Trafford hierarchy are likely to already be plotting just how they can improve the squad next season, with recent reports outlining their apparent interest in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo.

Indeed, Sky Sports have revealed that United are deemed to be leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, albeit with there set to be intense competition from almost every top-six Premier League club – excluding Arsenal.

The former Bristol City man – who is said to be valued at around £70m by the Cherries – isn’t the only talent within the top-flight that Amorim is believed to be chasing, with ESPN’s Mark Ogden reporting that the Red Devils are keen on Southampton starlet, Tyler Dibling.

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According to Ogden, INEOS will step up their interest in the 19-year-old sensation this summer, provided that Amorim’s men are successful in their pursuit of Europa League glory.

As per the piece, the England youth international has reportedly been valued at around £100m by the Saints in an attempt to ward off interest, albeit with that said to be an ‘unlikely valuation’ considering their relegated status.

Turning to a player who has been part of a grim campaign at St Mary’s may appear a bizarre move, although all the signs point to Dibling proving a real superstar in the years to come.

Why Man Utd could be targeting their own Cole Palmer

It was recently revealed by United youth coach Colin Little – speaking to The Athletic – that the Red Devils had actually come close to sign boyhood fan, Cole Palmer, as a 16-year-old, albeit with the young playmaker ultimately staying put at rivals Manchester City, prior to his £40m switch to Chelsea in 2023.

Arguably the “best player in the Premier League”, prior to his recent wobble in 2025 – in the words of pundit Jamie Carragher – United will be kicking themselves at having missed the boat on such a talismanic talent.

While Dibling is far from the levels of a player who boasts 63 goals and assists in just 83 games at Stamford Bridge, he has actually been described as “like Cole Palmer” by one-time United man, Dion Dublin, due to the way he plays “free and easy”.

Palmer vs Dibling – 24/25 PL stats

Stat (per 90)

Dibling

Palmer

Non-penalty goals

0.11

0.37

Assists

0.00

0.27

Shot-creating actions

2.92

5.94

Pass completion

80.8%

76.6%

Progressive passes

3.19

6.24

Progressive carries

3.51

3.26

Successful take-ons

2.32

1.46

Progressive passes received

4.64

5.40

Touches in opposition box

2.11

4.14

Stats via FBref

Like his fellow left-footer, the Southampton sensation has that almost kid-in-a-playground quality to him, with such natural brilliance having seen former boss Russell Martin describe the teenager as “the most talented player I’ve ever seen”.

Capable of playing off the right flank, in an attacking midfield role or even as a number eight – much in a similar mould to Palmer – the silky talent memorably dazzled on his first Premier League start against United back in September, having earned a penalty for his side after being hauled down by a desperate Diogo Dalot.

Such a performance – which also saw Dibling sting the palms of Andre Onana with a fierce effort in the first-half – may well have made the Manchester side sit up and take notice, albeit with technical director Jason Wilcox seemingly fully aware of his talents, having handed the youngster his first professional contract during his previous role at Southampton.

With four goals and three assists to his name in all competitions this season, Dibling hasn’t exactly set the world alight, albeit while no doubt hampered by the fact that he is part of currently the joint-worst Premier League team ever.

Semenyo, meanwhile, has 16 goal involvements in 2024/25 thus far, albeit with the Palmer-like quality of his fellow forward ensuring it is Dibling who could represent the bigger talent.

If United are planning to build for the future under Amorim, making the 19-year-old the centrepiece of that project could certainly be an exciting move.

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Each team will have to make at least two picks during the draft and allocate their pre-signed player to a round

Andrew McGlashan30-Aug-20240:53

Josh Inglis: Would love to have Laurie Evans back at Scorchers

Adelaide StrikersPre-draft signing Ollie Pope
Retention rights Adam Hose, Jamie Overton, David Payne
Draft picks 5, 11, 20, 29Current squad
James Bazley, Jordan Buckingham, Cameron Boyce, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Chris Lynn, Lloyd Pope, Ollie Pope, Alex Ross, D’Arcy Short, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Jake WeatheraldWhat might they want in the draft?
It will be interesting to see the approach of new coach Tim Paine. Rashid Khan has not nominated this season after missing the previous one due to injury. Jamie Overton had a huge impact last year but there are concerns over his lack of bowling due to injury. “He hasn’t been bowling much at all, with some back stress fractures,” captain Matt Short said. “And then the possibility of England T20s or some other international stuff at the end of the summer, so he’s touch and go.” Short also stressed he and Paine are keen for overseas signings to be available for finals. Last season they had David Payne and a left-arm quick would add to a well-balanced attack. England left-armer Reece Topley currently has full availability.Related

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Brisbane HeatPre-draft signing Colin Munro
Retention rights Paul Walter, Tom Banton
Draft picks 6, 14, 19, 30Current squad
Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Callum VidlerWhat might they want in the draft?
After the loss of Josh Brown to Renegades they will probably need to bolster the top order, particularly as they will only see Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne for a handful of matches after the India series. Paul Walter became a cult figure last season and would fit the bill again for a middle-order pace-bowling allrounder to supplement a strong and well-balanced attack. He has full availability, too.Reece Topley is currently down as having full availability and as a left-armer could be sought after•Getty ImagesHobart HurricanesPre-draft signing Chris Jordan
Retention rights Corey Anderson, Sam Hain
Draft picks 4, 12, 21, 28Current squad
Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Paddy Dooley, Nathan Ellis, Peter Hatzoglou, Caleb Jewell, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Mac WrightWhat might they want in the draft?
Corey Anderson and Sam Hain were underwhelming last season so Hurricanes will likely look elsewhere. High performance general manger Salliann Beams has previously said a top-order batter and another allrounder are their targets. Adding to the spin-bowling group may be another option after Paddy Dooley and Peter Hatzoglou struggled last year.Melbourne RenegadesPre-draft signing Tim Seifert
Retention rights Joe Clarke, Jordan Cox, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Draft picks 2, 10, 23, 26Current squad
Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Gurinder Sandhu, Tim Seifert, Will Sutherland, Jon Wells, Adam ZampaWhat might they want in the draft?
Renegades have confirmed that pre-signed Tim Seifert won’t be a platinum pick so they will likely be taking a big name in the draft. Conditions at Marvel Stadium can be a challenge and another high-quality spinner could be a fit to work alongside Adam Zampa given Nathan Lyon’s limited availability. Retention option Mujeeb Ur Rahman only has a small window this season. In terms of quicks, Topley has a previous association with the club and would provide a point of difference. Genuine pace is another element the current squad is light on.Lockie Ferguson would bring high pace for the period he is available•ICC via Getty ImagesMelbourne StarsPre-draft signing Tom Curran
Retention rights Dan Lawrence, Imad Wasim, Liam Dawson, Olly Stone, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf
Draft picks 1, 9, 24, 25Current squad
Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Tom Curran, Sam Harper, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Joel Paris, Tom Rogers, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Beau WebsterWhat might they want in the draft?
The length of Stars’ retention list suggests things did not go as planned last season. In their show, coach Peter Moores speaks about the importance of full availability to bring some consistency to the team. He also talks about needing “aggression through the middle overs, certainly against spin…and trying to keep the balance of left-right handers.” They are another side probably lacking high ball speed among their current crop of quicks. Death and surge bowling numbers were highlighted as problem areas which they will hope Curran helps solves. It also feels like they also need a senior specialist spinner – they have twice tried the impossible of taking Rashid Khan off Strikers.Perth ScorchersPre-draft signing Finn Allen
Retention rights Zak Crawley, Stephen Eskinazi, Laurie Evans, Tymal Mills
Draft picks 7, 15, 18, 31Current squadAshton Agar, Finn Allen, Jason Behrendorff, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Matt Kelly, Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Ashton TurnerWhat might they want in the draft?
A very settled squad, now supplemented by the power of Finn Allen. A number of Scorchers players have talked up Laurie Evans after the huge impact he had last season and there may be value in bringing him back despite his ILT20 deal. Ashton Agar is currently the one frontline spinner so another option there could be valuable for away trips, although Ashton Turner and Cooper Connolly can both offer spin.Will a team be interested in Shadab Khan?•Getty ImagesSydney SixersPre-draft signing Akeal Hosein
Retention rights Izharulhaq Naveed, Rehan Ahmed, James Vince
Draft picks 8, 16, 17, 32Current squad
Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Akeal Hosein, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk, Steven SmithWhat might they want in the draft?
Sixers have changed their approach this season, pre-signing Akeal Hosein to fill the shoes of Steve O’Keefe. They put a lot of stock behind continuity in their squad, so retaining James Vince would come as little surprise even though he would leave before the end of the season. A young spinner has also previously been on their radar – Izharulhaq Naveed played nine games in 2022-23 then replaced Rehan Ahmed last season although did not feature – so that could be an option again, particularly as Hosein is only available for the first seven matches.Sydney ThunderPre-draft signing Sam Billings
Retention rights Alex Hales, Zaman Khan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Draft picks 3, 13, 22, 27Current squad
Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson. Nathan McAndrew, William Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, David WarnerWhat might they want in the draft?
It feels like Thunder have recruited strongly by bringing in Sam Billings, Nic Maddinson and Wes Agar and will have David Warner throughout. Another fast bowler would appear a decent fit, perhaps a death specialist after they had Zaman Khan last season. In a video produced by Thunder, Trent Copeland and the coaching staff are seen discussing the importance of an extra left hander for the middle order. “I would say we went in a batter light every game last year,” Copeland said. “So I think the best finisher or allrounder in the draft would certainly be around the top of the list.” It remains to be seen if Daniel Sams will be fit for the start of the season. The club would have been keen on Andre Russell but he hasn’t nominated.

Pakistan’s chances of finishing in the top two of the points table have taken a massive hit

S Rajesh12-Dec-2022After these two defeats against England, do Pakistan have any chance of making it to the WTC final?
The two home defeats have badly dented Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the final. With only three Tests left in this cycle (one against England in Karachi and two home games against New Zealand), the maximum that they can finish on is 54.76%. It is very likely that at least two teams will finish with higher percentages.For example, Australia, currently table-toppers on 75%, need only 20 points from their remaining seven Tests to ensure that they end up higher than 54.76; they can get those points with a win and two draws. India, who are on 52.08% with six Tests to play, need 44 more points, which they can get with three wins and two draws.South Africa, currently second on the WTC table at 60%, need 28 more points (two wins and a draw) from their five remaining Tests to stay above Pakistan. Sri Lanka have a tough assignment in New Zealand coming up, but a 1-0 series win will ensure they can finish with a higher percentage than 54.76.It is highly likely that at least two of these four teams will get the points required to push Pakistan out of contention.What do India need to do to ensure qualification?
India are currently fourth on the points table, but if they win each of their remaining six Tests – two against Bangladesh and four against Australia – then their percentage will rise to 68.06, which will surely be enough for a top-two finish (Australia’s numbers will drop if they lose four to India).ESPNcricinfo LtdIf India finish with a 5-1 win-loss record, their percentage will be a healthy 62.5, which will still ensure qualification as both Australia and South Africa can’t go past that number. However, if they lose two, their percentage will drop to 56.94, which will leave them relying on other results.Have Australia already qualified?
Australia are comfortably on top of the table at 75%, but they still have some work to do before they are certain of qualifying: if they lose each of their remaining seven matches in this cycle, their percentage will drop to 47.37.That said, Australia do have an opportunity to seal their qualification before they embark on what could be a potentially difficult tour of India: if they win all three home Tests against South Africa, they will finish with a minimum percentage of 63.16 even if they lose all four against India. That will ensure a top-two finish, as only India can finish higher.What are South Africa’s chances of qualifying?
South Africa are currently second on the points table, with two series to play – three Tests in Australia, and two at home against West Indies next year. If they win their home Tests but lose all of their away Tests, they will drop to 53.33. Hence, they need at least one win in Australia: a 1-2 series defeat followed by a 2-0 series win will lift them to 60%, which will keep them in contention.Are Sri Lanka still in it?
Sri Lanka are currently on 53.33%, with just two away Tests in New Zealand to go in this cycle. If they win both, their score will rise to 61.11; if the series finishes 1-1, it will drop marginally to 52.78. Thus they will probably need two wins to stay in contention.What about England, West Indies, New Zealand?
Despite England’s fantastic run under Ben Stokes, with eight wins in their last nine Tests, England are not in the race. They only have one Test remaining in the current cycle, and even if they win that, they will end up on 46.97%. That’s because they had a wretched first half of a campaign: in their first 12 Tests of this cycle, they lost seven, drew four, and won only one.West Indies can finish with a maximum of 50%, while the New Zealand can go up to 48.72% if they win their last four Tests.

Five tricky selection calls that India will ponder before the Boxing Day Test at the MCG

Nagraj Gollapudi24-Dec-2020Drop or retain Prithvi Shaw?From his backlift to his footwork, experts have picked holes in Shaw’s technique after the opener, playing only his first Test in Australia, was bowled twice in Adelaide in the space of six balls. Shaw has already made two ducks in the six innings he has batted in so far on this tour if you include the two warm-up matches the Indians played against Australia A. Still, Shaw would want to be judged after a longer trial. Should he get that?Pros: Shaw’s strength is the blistering pace at which he scores once he gets a start. A first-class average of 51.43 and strike rate of 80.96 and a century on Test debut support the idea that the 21-year-old Shaw is that rare talent that experts from around the world believe he is. Although Melbourne also has a drop-in pitch like Adelaide, the strip has tended to play quite flat in recent years, which could make life easier for Shaw. If he gets going he can help India set a strong platform quickly, and ease the burden on the middle order.Cons: Former India opener and captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Shaw plays too many shots too early and with hard hands. Dissecting his technique further on 7 Cricket, both Gavaskar and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting pointed out the yawning gap Shaw leaves between his bat and pad early against the new ball as well as the lateness of his front foot movement – he is often yet to plant his foot before he plays the ball. These are areas an expert Australia attack could continue to exploit relentlessly.Related

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• Why it's not time to give up on Prithvi Shaw yet

• Overseas debuts: Saini, Siraj better placed than their predecessors

Time to give Shubman Gill a Test debut?Shaw’s teammate in the Under-19 World Cup two years ago, Gill has been restless to make his Test debut ever since he got a maiden call-up to the squad around a year ago. If Shaw is dropped, Gill can open or bat in the middle order as a replacement for Kohli.Pros: Gill’s biggest strength is his classical technique and preference to play along the ground. Coaches who have worked with him point out that Gill has that extra time to play his shots, which is a key strength on fast and bouncy pitches. He also has a quiet temperament. Gill has tall first-class scores playing for India A overseas and at home including double centuries in the West Indies and New Zealand. Gill got good starts in the second warm-up match in Sydney against Australia A, scoring 43 and 65.Cons: Having started on a low note, will India be taking a risk by blooding an inexperienced batsman against a ruthless opponent at one of the most daunting cauldrons in cricket?Ravindra Jadeja would be extremely useful as a fifth bowler, but can he hold his own as a No. 6 batsman?•Associated PressCan KL Rahul take Kohli’s spot?Rahul is the most experienced batsman among the reserves to take the middle-order slot at No. 6 if Rahane and Hanuma Vihari move one spot higher than their regular positions in Kohli’s absence. A confidence player, Rahul came to Australia wearing the Orange Cap for the most runs this IPL season, which was played in the UAE.Pros: He knows Australian conditions and bowlers very well with this being his third tour. In 2014-15, he stroked a wonderful 110 in Sydney.Cons: The lack of first-class cricket. Rahul did not play in any of the two warm-up matches in Sydney, and his last Test was on the 2019 tour of the West Indies where he struggled to provide starts as an opener. He was subsequently dropped from the home Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh and not included for the two-Test series in New Zealand in February. Rahul’s struggles an opener have been longstanding. Having failed in England in 2018, he struggled once again in Australia later that year, opening, with a highest of 44 in three Tests.Should India play five bowlers?This would mean playing a second spinner in Ravindra Jadeja as an allrounder along with three fast bowlers and R Ashwin as the primary spinner.Pros: This would reduce the workload of a pace attack that is likely to include one debutant in either Mohammed Siraj or Navdeep Saini. Jadeja can provide plenty of control, as he showed while taking five wickets at the MCG on the 2018 tour, and play a holding role if need be. The other significant advantage of playing Jadeja is his experience and skill with the bat, with an improved defensive game to complement his ability to counterattack. Since the start of 2018, his average of 53.30 in Tests is the second-best among all India batsmen, and in this period he has scored six half-centuries – three of them away from home – and a maiden hundred against West Indies in Rajkot.Cons: It isn’t yet clear whether Jadeja has completely recovered from the hamstring injury that he picked up during the T20I leg of the tour, which ruled him out of the first Test. The other argument against Jadeja would be that a specialist batsman might be the need of India’s hour, given how brittle their batting proved during the first Test, and given the absence of Kohli.Is it time for India to add Rishabh Pant’s aggression to their lower middle order?•EPAShould Pant replace Saha?While Wriddhiman Saha battled injuries over the last two years, Rishabh Pant grabbed the opportunity with an impish smile, a motor mouth and let’s not forget his robust batting. After an eventful debut series in England, which included a fourth-innings hundred in the final Test at the Oval, Pant was an ever-present during India’s 2-1 triumph in Australia in 2018-19. He got starts in every innings and finished the tour hammering 159 in Sydney.Pros: In the absence of Kohli India will need solidity and big runs from at least one batsman in the lower order. Pant’s biggest strength is his intent to dominate, which Kohli said was missing when India folded inside an hour in the second innings in Adelaide last Friday. Overlooked in the white-ball segment of this tour, Pant hit a 73-ball 103 in the second innings of the second warm-up match the Indians played under lights.Cons: Before this tour, Saha was seen as India’s first-choice keeper in spin-friendly home conditions, and Pant as the preferred option away from home, where his prowess with the bat was seen as making up for any deficiencies he may have with the big gloves. But though Pant made a hundred in the warm-up game, Saha, who made two ducks and a half-century in those matches, was still preferred in Adelaide, suggesting India might see Pant’s glovework as a work-in-progress.

When asked whether Manchester United had seen the best of him yet, £74m man Benjamin Sesko had the perfect response – “there’s loads to come”.

Speaking after netting his first Old Trafford goal in the Premier League win over Sunderland prior to the international break, the Slovenian striker didn’t appear to be getting carried away, despite having scored in two games in succession.

And rightly so, considering the nature of his price tag, with the ex-RB Leipzig sensation still having plenty to prove following his summer arrival from Germany, albeit with the recent signs having certainly been more promising.

Amid a post-Sir Alex Ferguson era that has been littered with short-term, problematic fixes in that centre-forward berth, alongside expensive gambles such as Rasmus Hojlund, the Red Devils simply need Sesko to deliver the goods over the next few years.

Thankfully, there is at least a new wave of talent brewing in the academy to potentially rival the 22-year-old moving forward, with the club’s new number nine in waiting already shining at Carrington.

Ranking Man Utd's best No.9's of the Premier League era

While it may not carry the same weight as United’s famed number seven, there is still a level of pressure and scrutiny that comes with being the club’s number nine – a jersey that started the Premier League era in the hands of cult hero, Brian McClair.

The selfless Scotsman – who scored 101 goals in all competitions during his 11-year stay at the Theatre of Dreams – notably relinquished that status to marquee signing, Andy Cole in 1995, following the free-scoring Englishman’s arrival from Newcastle United.

In truth, it is hard to look past Cole as the best of the lot, with the one-time Arsenal man memorably forging that partnership with Dwight Yorke, helping to spearhead Alex Ferguson’s side to treble glory in 1999.

The successor to Cole then came a few years after his 2001 exit, in the form of Louis Saha, with the Frenchman lauded by Gary Neville as among the most underrated players in Premier League history, having previously “destroyed” him during his Fulham days.

Craven Cottage would prove to be the destination for United’s next number nine, Dimitar Berbatov, with the fleet-footed Bulgarian eventually departing for west London in 2012, following four fruitful years in Manchester that included claiming the Golden Boot in 2010/11.

The less said about the next recipient, Radamel Falcao, the better, considering his forgotten, one-season stint, while Anthony Martial’s two spells with the jersey showcased a mix of genius but also frustrating inconsistency.

The Frenchman had seen that status initially removed in 2016 following the statement signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the enigmatic Swede scoring 28 times during his solitary full campaign in red, despite having arrived at the age of 34.

Romelu Lukaku, by contrast, didn’t quite live up to the billing, departing after just two turbulent years that did at least yield 42 goals in 96 games, before the number nine returned to Martial.

The most recipient was of course Hojlund, who initially arrived as the new number 11, although last term saw the Dane score just ten times in all competitions, before being shipped off to Napoli.

Ranking Man Utd’s PL No.9s
1 – Andy Cole
2 – Dimitar Berbatov
3 – Louis Saha
4 – Brian McClair
5 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
6 – Anthony Martial
7 – Romelu Lukaku
8 – Rasmus Hojlund
9 – Radamel Falcao

Sesko, hopefully, will far exceed Hojlund’s impact in Manchester, although he might not be the future number nine…

Man Utd's next number nine in waiting

Having arrived with Hojlund still on the books, Sesko unsurprisingly opted for the vacant number 30 shirt, having previously worn it for both Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg during his stints in Germany and Austria.

With number 11 also what the new United man wears for his country, perhaps he is gunning for Joshua Zirkzee’s jersey instead, rather than the now vacant number nine.

Perhaps, if things go to plan, the successor to Hojlund could well emerge in the form of academy sensation, Chido Obi, with the 17-year-old having already made a fine impact at Carrington since his arrival from Arsenal last summer.

Described as a “goalscoring machine” at the Gunners’ Hale End academy by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Obi has translated such form to Manchester over the past 12 months or so, scoring 12 times in just ten U18 games, alongside netting five goals in 11 outings in the U21 setup, as per Transfermarkt.

Not set to turn 18 until next month, the teen marksman had previously scored 32 goals in just 21 recorded games for Arsenal’s U18s, with United having pulled off a real coup by prising him from their top-flight rivals.

While chances have yet to come at first team level this season, the Denmark U20 international did make eight senior appearances in 2024/25 under Amorim, namely producing a lively cameo in the FA Cup against Fulham.

On another day, the £4m-rated starlet – who has scored three goals so far this term – may well have walked away with a goal during that night at Old Trafford, having been denied from the angle by a fine save from Bernd Leno.

Subsequent appearances showcased that the raw forward still has plenty of work to do to establish himself in the senior side, although he did score twice against Hong Kong during the post-season tour.

Hopefully, with Hojlund out of the equation – and with Joshua Zirkzee looking more suited to a number ten berth – Obi can begin to challenge Sesko more directly in the months and years to come, with Amorim certainly needing competition at the top end of the pitch.

Currently the club’s number 32 – albeit while wearing the nine in the U21 ranks – the former Gunners gem will be pushing to secure a promotion in the years to come.

Considering his sky high potential, he looks destined to be United’s next number nine.

Man Utd already sold Hojlund 2.0 who's "one of the best ST's in the world"

Selling a striker who’s now flourishing in Serie A? Manchester United know all about that…

By
Robbie Walls

Oct 15, 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a happy man after his side swept past Club Brugge in the Champions League, extending their 100 per cent record in Europe.

Arsenal cruise to 3-0 win over Club Brugge

The Gunners have now secured maximum points from their opening six fixtures, establishing a three-point cushion at the summit of the league phase standings.

Goals from Noni Madueke (2) and Gabriel Martinelli ensured Arsenal maintained their remarkable momentum in Europe’s elite competition, having already beaten the likes of Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid this season.

Madueke opened the scoring with a spectacular 25-yard thunderbolt midway through the first half, with the England international then doubling his tally just two minutes after the restart.

Martinelli added further gloss to the scoreline eleven minutes later, curling a delightful effort from the edge of the penalty area into the corner.

Standout attacker 'will soon sign' for Arsenal with talks in 'full swing'

He’s been in fine form this season.

ByEmilio Galantini 5 days ago

The Brazilian winger has been in sensational form throughout the European campaign, becoming the first Arsenal player to find the net in five consecutive Champions League matches.

Mikel Arteta fielded a makeshift defensive partnership of Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera all unavailable through injury.

Despite the enforced reshuffle at the back, Arsenal barely looked troubled defensively.

David Raya registered his fifth clean sheet of the competition, with the Spanish goalkeeper proving instrumental throughout Arsenal’s unbeaten European run.

The victory represented a perfect response to Saturday’s disappointing defeat against Aston Villa, which ended an 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Arsenal looked sharp from the opening whistle and never allowed their Belgian opponents any genuine attacking rhythm.

To make the evening that much better, Wednesday night marked an emotional return to the field for £265,000-per-week striker Gabriel Jesus.

Jesus made his first Arsenal appearance in 332 days after being sidelined for 11 months with an ACL injury, entering as a substitute and nearly capping his comeback with a goal.

The Brazilian struck the crossbar late on after receiving a clever pass from Ethan Nwaneri, but Jesus was ultimately denied what would have been a fairytale moment for him.

Mikel Arteta praises 'special' Gabriel Jesus and makes Arsenal prediction

Speaking in a post-match press conference after Arsenal’s routine win, Arteta reserved special praise for Jesus.

The Spaniard predicts that he will have a crucial role to play in their quest to win a first league title in 22 years, claiming that Jesus brings ‘something else’ to his Arsenal team and has a ‘really special’ quality.

Arteta also suggests that Jesus has been seriously impressing in training.

The 28-year-old was heavily linked with a return to Brazil, potentially in January, but Jesus himself has denied reports of a potential winter exit.

The former Man City striker has confirmed that he wants to return to Palmeiras one day, though it makes ‘no sense’ to leave N5 right now.

It will be interesting to see how Arteta fits Jesus into a side absolutely stocked full of attacking talent, but Arteta is thrilled to have him back in contention.

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are facing competition from a number of clubs to sign one of the greatest young talents in European football.

Tottenham and Liverpool set for busy January window

Both sides are expected to be busy in the January transfer window after sluggish starts to the season, with Thomas Frank confirming as much from Tottenham’s perspective this week.

“More or less after the window shut in September we had the first formal meeting and it is an ongoing process that,” Frank explained ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

“I, of course, also get to know more and more the squad and players, so one thing is the daily interaction and also I have seen a lot of games live. Watched them back and you see all the small good habits and bad habits from the players.

“What can you affect? Or that will be tricky? Or how the relationship is? So, that knowledge gets us closer and closer to knowing what we want.

“We will definitely be in the market, no doubt about that. We want them as early as possible, like every other time and let’s see if we can have them before the 31st of January.”

Arne Slot meanwhile will certainly be on the lookout for reinforcements after admitting he is glad his Liverpool side are out of the Carabao Cup due to injuries within the squad.

While both sides are expected to consider defensive reinforcements – with Marc Guehi still top of Liverpool’s list – they are also strongly linked with a potential superstar up front in the shape of RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.

Liverpool are said to be in talks over a move while Spurs’ negotiations are believed to be advanced, but Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg has shared an updated on the 19 year-old this week.

The two clubs will meet in North London on Saturday December 20, and given Liverpool’s history of lining up swift winter deals in the final days of the year, there could be more clarity on the forward’s future by then.

Their new Son: Spurs have held advanced talks to sign a future £100m player

Tottenham are looking to add fresh quality to their attacking flanks in 2026.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 8, 2025