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Nottingham Forest have now made an approach to sign an “unstoppable” forward, who is set to be available for a fee of £39m this summer, according to reports.

Nottingham Forest eyeing replacement for Elanga

Anthony Elanga is set to sign for Newcastle United in a £55m deal, meaning Edu Gaspar’s first task as Global Head of Football will be to find a replacement for the winger, although it may not be a quick process.

Speaking about the way in which he goes about making new additions to the Forest squad, Edu said: “You can’t just sign for the sake of signing. It has to be a process that takes weeks and weeks. Right there on my desk, I have reports with over 180 pages on a player. It’s really detailed.

“Physical, technical, and mental profiles, whether they have Premier League experience, whether they’ll be able to adapt. It’s all there. We analyse our weaknesses, where we can improve, where we can invest, and then we go looking for that new name.”

Seemingly PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko ticks a lot of boxes for Edu, as Forest have now entered talks over a deal for the winger, who is viewed as a direct replacement for Elanga.

However, the 22-year-old is not the only option on the shortlist, with the Tricky Trees also making an approach to sign Benfica winger Kerem Akturkoglu, according to an update from reporter Kutlu Akpinar on X.

Forest were the “first” team to make contact over a deal for the forward, and they were told that €45m (£39m) would be enough to get a deal done, although there could be competition for his signature.

The Turk has made it clear that the only team he wants to play for in his home country is Galatasaray, but there could be rival interest from within the Premier League, as Sunderland and Everton are also named as potential suitors.

Nottingham Forest join race to sign "fantastic" £50m+ Elanga replacement

Newcastle are still pushing to sign Elanga.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 7, 2025 "Unstoppable" Akturkoglu could be fantastic signing for Forest

Once lauded as “unstoppable” by U23 football scout Antonio Mango, the Benfica star was a regular source of goals and assists last season, picking up 22 goal contributions in the Liga Portugal alone.

With Forest set to embark on a European adventure, Nuno Espirito Santo will also be keen to bring in players with experience in the biggest competitions, and the 26-year-old also caught the eye in the 2024-25 Champions League, netting four goals.

Considering the former Galatasaray man has predominantly featured at left-wing throughout his career to date, it is unclear whether he would be viewed as a direct replacement for Elanga, but he could be a fantastic addition to the squad nonetheless.

Not only that, but Forest should be in a strong position to beat Sunderland and Everton to Akturkoglu’s signature, given that European football will be on offer at the City Ground next season.

A lot of the noise surrounding Chelsea right now is centered on who could leave Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, as BlueCo look to balance the books by selling certain players.

£52m Chelsea star could now join Barcelona, he's "no longer" unsellable

The La Liga champions have cast their eyes towards Stamford Bridge.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 10, 2025

The club landed a seismic financial windfall by reaching the Club World Cup final, where they will face off against European champions PSG in a hotly-contested clash at the MetLife Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a stunning brace from new signing Joao Pedro in their semi-final against Fluminense.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

That 2-0 win over the Brazilian minnows means Chelsea have banked around £80 million worth of prize money en route to the final, having won five of their six games so far, on top of their participation fee. If they win the whole thing, and somehow beat an imperious PSG side this weekend, Enzo Maresca’s side will bank close to £88 million.

This cash will undoubtedly ease some pressure with regard to PSR, but after being slapped with a recent UEFA fine for breaking FFP rules, Chelsea will also want to ship a plethora of unwanted players off their considerable books.

Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic are just some of the Chelsea players who could reportedly leave before deadline day on September 1, while previous mainstay striker Nicolas Jackson faces an uncertain future after the arrivals of Pedro and Liam Delap.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys and Marcus Bettinelli have already been sold for around £19 million worth of transfer fees in total, but the Chelsea hierarchy will be very keen to increase this total while drastically reducing their wage bill.

Sterling and Chilwell, who were both frozen out by Maresca last summer, are among the club’s highest earners, while Chukwuemeka is believed to be on as much as £100,000-per-week.

As well as the need to offload senior players, there are a plethora of youngsters who could help to raise cash, and one of them is young left-back Ishe Samuels-Smith.

The 19-year-old joined Chelsea from Everton in 2023 for around £4 million, and Samuels-Smith recently put pen to paper on a new contract running until 2031 – meaning the west Londoners can demand a fairly substantial fee.

Ishe Samuels-Smith in talks to join Strasbourg from Chelsea

According to L’Equipe, Chelsea’s sister club, Strasbourg, could offer them a chance to recuperate some money off the teenager.

The newspaper states that Samuels-Smith was at Strasbourg’s training facilities on Wednesday ahead of a potential move, and the Ligue 1 side are currently in talks with his representatives as Chelsea consider selling him for £5 million.

The defender is yet to make his senior debut for the club since transferring from Goodison Park, and it now appears that Chelsea are preparing to cash in on Samuels-Smith with a £1 million profit.

He captained the Under-21s side on numerous occasions last season and was a mainstay of Filipe Coelho’s backline last season, but this seemingly hasn’t been enough to convince Chelsea that he could emerge as a first-team player.

Rangers are “very keen” to sign an England international after making an approach over a transfer, according to Sky Sports.

Rangers want defenders and attackers after Cameron signing

The Gers secured the services of Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron back in February, with the 22-year-old penning a pre-contract agreement at Ibrox.

Cameron has now been pictured in a Rangers shirt and described a move to Glasgow as a “no-brainer” earlier this week.

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Posts ByDan Emery Jun 17, 2025

“It’s amazing to walk in the door, it’s a privilege really. I have been looking forward to it for a long time. It was a no-brainer as soon as Rangers came in, I was desperate to be here. It is obviously a massive club and the history and everything about it is just amazing. Being from Scotland, I know what the club stands for, so I just wanted to jump at the chance.

“It is a new project, they are looking to build, improve and win leagues again and I really wanted to be a part of it. I want to come here, make an impression, do as well as possible and get this club back to where it belongs.”

With a new midfielder though the door, Rangers and Russell Martin are now looking to bolster the defensive and attacking ranks.

In regards to specific defensive targets, Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons is a wanted man at Ibrox, and in attack, the Gers are keen on Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Rangers “very keen” to sign Leicester City’s Conor Coady after approach

As reported in Sky Sports’ live transfer blog on Tuesday evening, Rangers have made an approach to Leicester City over a deal to sign Conor Coady. The Foxes are open to selling the centre-back after their relegation from the Premier League, and those at Ibrox “are very keen” on a move.

Coady, who picks up £3.9m per year at The King Power Stadium, made 26 appearances for Leicester in all competitions last season, captaining on three occasions.

Best known for his time at Wolves, Coady has plenty of Premier League experience, has won 10 caps for England and has even played in the Europa League 12 times.

Called a player with a “real infectious personality” by Gareth Southgate, Coady is an out and out centre-back who Martin will be well aware of during his time as a player and manager in England.

Conor Coady’s 24/25 Premier League season

Games

22

Goals

1

Pass completion %

91.5%

Clearances per 90

3.1

Blocks per 90

1.1

Average WhoScored match rating

6.17/10

A move looks like one to keep an eye on, and if Coady does move north, that may see Robin Propper seal a return to FC Twente following recent rumours.

Manchester United are set for a summer of significant changes and things are starting to take shape regarding one key issue that could alter the dynamics of their engine room.

Manchester United set for midfield overhaul

Becoming an early runner in the Red Devils’ quest to rejuvenate their midfield this summer, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has been mentioned as an ambitious Old Trafford target following his return of 16 goal contributions last season.

Admittedly, there could be plenty of change on that front by the time Ruben Amorim leads his side out for the first time in the Premier League next term, and rumours are beginning to fly off the shelf regarding the scale of Manchester United’s rebuild.

Internally, talk surrounding Bruno Fernandes and a potential move to Al Hilal hasn’t been pleasant for supporters. Regardless, Amorim has a gut feeling his captain could stick around despite reports to the contrary.

While fans await a resolution, it is important to note that Fernandes isn’t the only midfielder who could leave Amorim short at an early stage in the transfer window.

Kobbie Mainoo could leave Manchester United for £70 million if appropriate interest arises for his services. Ultimately, selling fan favourites won’t be something the Red Devils want to do habitually, but everyone has their price and Mainoo’s sale would count as pure profit as the club looks to align with PSR guidelines.

Matheus Cunha has arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers, offering some excitement in a period where supporters could see several first-team regulars sold off to fund a long-overdue rebuild.

Bringing the average wage down will be a priority for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, making an exit for Casemiro an obvious solution at the Red Devils amid his £350,000 per week salary.

With all that said, there has now been a significant update on the engine room front that could make Manchester United’s thinking alot clearer when it comes to the level of work needed to alter their midfield, per recent developments.

Bruno Fernandes close to agreeing Manchester United exit

Taking to social media platform X, journalist and commentator Ben Jacobs has noted that Al Hilal now believe they are ‘close’ to finding an agreement with Fernandes but have told the United star he has just this week to decide.

The journalist explained: “Al-Hilal now believe an agreement with Bruno Fernandes is close after a week of positive meetings. Fernandes is currently deliberating with his family.

“A key factor in whether Fernandes agrees will be if the move is also right for his family. It will be more than just a football decision. Hilal want a final answer by Friday. No formal approach or bid yet to Manchester United, but Hilal’s belief is a sale will be sanctioned if Fernandes asks to leave. MUFC still insist they don’t want to sell their captain.”

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Now deliberating with his family, the end of this week is believed to be the cut-off point where a decision will have to be made one way or another, creating a tense five days before a final outcome is met.

Becoming a modern-day icon at Old Trafford, Fernandes has registered 98 goals and 87 assists in 290 appearances for the Red Devils, winning an FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during his time in Manchester.

Nevertheless, he is now 31 and won’t have the luxury of being able to compete in European football next year, hence why reports suggest the Premier League giants could be tempted to sell for a fee that could reach £100 million.

Tough decisions need to be made to place Manchester United back at the top, and this one will weigh heavy on Amorim as he battles between raising funds to buy reinforcements and retaining key stars.

Arsenal are rumoured to have made an offer for one player, after Mikel Arteta personally requested his signing behind-the-scenes, with new sporting director Andrea Berta attempting to grant the manager’s transfer wish.

Arsenal play Ipswich after historic win over Real Madrid

The Gunners are now the only team in football history to beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu twice on their two visits, breaking a record which stood for 77 years, but more importantly, they find themselves in the Champions League semi-finals after their win in Spain on Wednesday.

Arsenal given 50% discount for £280k-per-week forward after opening talks

Andrea Berta could now strike a half-price deal.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 18, 2025

Arsenal made a real statement to the rest of the continent that they’re serious contenders to win this year’s Champions League title after their resounding 5-1 aggregate win over the 15-time European champions, but a tough test in PSG now awaits them.

Luis Enrique’s side are the mainstream media’s favourites to clinch this year’s competition, going by this BBC prediction piece, with former Arsenal and England defender Matthew Upson calling the Ligue 1 champions “standout” performers throughout the tournament.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
Ipswich Town (away)	April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)	April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)	May 3rd
Liverpool (away)	May 11th
Newcastle United (home)	May 18th

PSG are unbeaten in the league, winning 23 of their 28 French top flight matches so far, but Arsenal have already reigned victorious over them once this season – a 2-0 league phase win back in October, courtesy of goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.

Arteta can take encouragement for this, not to mention how Aston Villa very nearly turned their quarter-final tie with PSG on its head, but first the north Londoners must take on Ipswich and Crystal Palace in the Premier League – which could be viewed as two warm-up games ahead of the blockbuster Champions League tie.

“For a short period of time yes, it was a great evening,” said Arteta on celebrating Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid.

“We had a lot of family and a lot of happy faces around the club, so it was a good moment, but immediately you have to switch it up, and now it’s Ipswich in the Premier League.”

Arsenal make "ambitious" offer for Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams

Away from the pitch, Berta is already planning for next season by earmarking Arsenal’s top summer targets.

One of them is widely believed to be Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams, who’s back to his very best in this latter stage of the campaign and most recently guided his side into the Europa League semi-finals with a decisive goal against Rangers.

The £170,000-per-week winger, regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting talents, has been subject to intense interest from Arsenal in recent weeks, and Berta recently held talks with Williams’ representatives.

The 22-year-old is also regarded by Arteta as a “perfect” player for Arsenal, according to Fabrizio Romano, and another update has now come to light on their pursuit of the Basque sensation.

According to a Spanish media report, as cited by Football 365, Arteta has personally requested the forward’s signing – prompting Arsenal to make an “ambitious” offer for Williams. He is believed to be increasingly tempted by the possibility of playing in England, and Arsenal see Williams as a key target – meaning they are also ready to pay his release clause of around £50 million.

The nature of this offer is currently unclear, but Arsenal are apparently taking action due to Barcelona’s “inactivity” in the race for Williams.

Crystal Palace and Steve Parish appear to be ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion in the race to sign a 6 foot 4 defender.

Crystal Palace latest as RB Leipzig eye Oliver Glasner move

The Eagles have enjoyed a solid season on the whole in what is Oliver Glasner’s first full campaign at Selhurst Park. A run to the FA Cup semi-finals has been the highlight for the Eagles, where they are preparing to take on Aston Villa at Wembley later this month.

However, there were fears Glasner’s stay in south London could be short-lived, with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig eyeing up a move for the Austrian.

It was even claimed that RB Leipzig and Red Bull chief Jurgen Klopp had made contact over a deal for Glasner. However, in a boost for Palace, it has since been added that Glasner can’t imagine leaving English football for Leipzig at this moment in time.

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Posts ByDominic Lund Apr 4, 2025

He could therefore still be at the club over the summer, preparing for the 2025/26 season, and by the looks of things, Parish and those at Selhurst Park are eyeing up new signings for the current boss.

A number of names have been linked with moves to Palace, including Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike and Liverpool winger Ben Doak.

Alongside attacking additions, deals for defensive targets are also on the agenda, and they are thought to be well-placed to sign a Ghana international.

Crystal Palace in lead to sign £5m+ Terry Yegbe

According to reports in Sweden, relayed by Sport Witness, Terry Yegbe is of interest to Crystal Palace, who are in the lead to sign the 24-year-old alongside Fulham and Championship promotion hopefuls Sheffield United.

There were rumours that rivals Brighton were on course to sign Yegbe for around €5.4m (£4.5m), however, it is stated that isn’t the case, with Palace, Fulham and the Blades best placed.

Elfsborg would want up to €6.98m (£5.9m) to sell Yegbe, who they only signed in 2024 for €550,000 from Finish side SJK Seinajoki.

Terry Yegbe FBref scouting report

Per 90

Percentile

Clearances

7.22

99th percentile

Interceptions

1.94

97th percentile

Shots blocked

1.25

95th percentile

Miscontrols

0.13

99th percentile

% of Aerials Won

68.4%

87th percentile

As can be seen, over the past 365 days, Yegbe, who stands at 6 ft 4, ranks highly in a number of defensive metrics, and he can also play as a left-back as well as a centre-back.

Now, a move to Selhurst Park could be one to keep an eye on, especially if Marc Guehi seals a Palace exit this summer amid links of a move to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

Nineteen-year-old fast bowler impressed against Australia with South Africa grooming him for the future

Firdose Moonda11-Aug-2025

Kwena Maphaka impressed with a four-wicket haul in his ninth T20I, against Australia on Sunday•Getty Images

Kwena Maphaka is the youngest player to represent South Africa but that doesn’t mean he has the least to say. Quite the opposite, in fact, which he showed when he also became the youngest bowler from a Full Member country to take a four-wicket haul in a T20I, against Australia in Darwin.Australia were off to a flying start at 71 for 4 in the powerplay when Maphaka was brought on and the left-arm quick responded with the wicket of Mitchell Owen. The danger man, Tim David, had scored 18 off the first seven balls he had faced, including two sixes, and wanted to take Maphaka on. The first ball David faced from Maphaka was short and slow and he pulled it for one. The second was shorter, strayed down leg and was called wide. And the third was better directed, at David’s chest. He could only splice it to point and at the height it came, David thought Maphaka needed to bowl it again.”He went to the umpire and he was asking about it,” Maphaka said the day after the match, which South Africa lost. He also revealed that he was having none of David’s complaints. “I just told him to let the umpires deal with umpiring the game and he must focus on batting.”Related

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David took those words to heart. He went on to score 83 runs off 52 balls, including 13 off 11 balls from Maphaka but he was the only batter to send the 19-year-old to the boundary. Maphaka’s four overs cost only 20 runs, he was the most economical bowler of the match and David was among the batters he dismissed in a career-best haul. After what he called “a few bad performances in Zimbabwe,” where Maphaka picked up three wickets for 92 runs in 10.5 overs, he showed he belongs at this level.”It feels really good, coming off a few bad performances in Zimbabwe and just building up, playing some more professional and competitive cricket in the past few months, it feels really good to put in a good performance for the team and make history while doing it,” he said.Maphaka opened the bowling in the second match South Africa played in the Zimbabwe tri-series last month and bowled two overs in the powerplay that cost 19 runs. He was used at first change in two matches after that, including the final, and both times also bowled in the powerplay. But against Australia, with Kagiso Rabada back in the South African XI after a rest, Maphaka was only called on after the fielding restrictions were lifted and that seemed to suit him better, though he was cautious not to see it as an attempt to shield him.Kwena Maphaka showed he belongs at this level•Getty Images”It may have been a tactical ploy, but I think it’s also just about giving me a little bit more freedom,” he said. “I’m a guy that likes to take wickets in the middle and I think the team understands that. It was really just a tactical ploy in terms of getting wickets through the middle rather than protecting me as a player.”With Australia going as hard as they could upfront, South Africa needed someone to slow them down. Maphaka and left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy provided that. In the four overs after the powerplay, they gave away only 17 runs and took two wickets between them, which left Australia 88 for 6 at the halfway stage.”When a team is coming out all guns blazing, there’s a few more opportunities to take wickets so it’s about being smart and understanding what you have to do when you’re faced with those situations,” Maphaka said. “Sometimes you go to a yorker, a bumper or a slower ball. It’s all about reading the game and understanding what you need to do at that moment and keeping your plans as simple as possible, really.”

“It’s not about trying to over-complicate things or make it seem like it’s a game of 20,000 deliveries. Just go to your best ball.”Kwena Maphaka

All of those variations were on display as Maphaka was also given the job of bowling the penultimate over, where he took two wickets and mixed up his lengths well. He had David caught off a full delivery and dismissed Adam Zampa with a short ball and backed his skills to limit Australia to 178 at the end.”It’s not about trying to over-complicate things or make it seem like it’s a game of 20,000 deliveries,” he said. “Just go to your best ball at a particular moment in time and back your plans. Belief is a massive part in performance, and I think I might have been a little bit short on belief in Zimbabwe, so that’s probably one of the big takeaways from that series.”Before the Zimbabwe series, Maphaka had played five T20Is, two ODIs and a Test for South Africa, all before he had turned 19. Though his returns had been relatively modest, he would have had no doubt that South Africa see him as a key player in their future. Already, he has learnt how to manage that expectation.”The most important part is just really accepting the fact that you’re going to have bad days, you’re going to have good days, and it’s just sticking to your game plan and sticking to whatever you do best. I’m not going to be the best player in the world overnight, and I understand that,” Maphaka said. “It’s all about growing as a player day by day, and just keeping focused on the grind and what I have to do to make myself better on a daily basis.”He has also learnt not to shy away from speaking about his aims to fulfil every ounce of his potential. “I’ve always been pretty confident and a real competitor,” he said. “I never like losing. I always want to come out on top of the fight. It’s something that’s been instilled in me since I was really young.”Some would say, he still is.

Spinner’s non-stop schedule epitomises the nature of the T20 franchise circuit

Matt Roller31-Jul-2023Rashid Khan looked tired. There were bags under his eyes as he sat in a hotel room in North Carolina and logged onto a Microsoft Teams call. No wonder.In the last eight months, Rashid has played 69 games for eight different teams in eight different countries, across innings lasting 10, 20 and 50 overs. Since the start of the Covid pandemic, he has played 199 games with full T20 status, the most of any player in the world – and it’s not even close.Two weeks ago, Rashid played a T20I in Sylhet, Bangladesh one day, and in Major League Cricket in Dallas, Texas the next. “Straightaway, from the ground, I went to the airport then flew from Sylhet to Dhaka, Dhaka to Qatar, Qatar to here,” he explained. “I reached the hotel, I took a shower and changed in 15 minutes, went to the meeting, then straightaway to the game.”Such is the life of a T20 globetrotter who, at 24, has already played more than 500 professional games. “It was very hard,” Rashid reflected, “but mentally it was a good preparation. That was a flight of more than 20 hours and still I was feeling very fresh, like I’m ready to go and can deliver for my team.”That team was MI New York, one of the three Mumbai Indians affiliates – along with MI Cape Town and MI Emirates – who have been formed in the last 12 months. Rashid has played for all of them; in between times, he played against Mumbai Indians themselves three times in IPL 2023, taking 2 for 33 to help knock them out in the second qualifier.Rashid played a key role in MI New York’s victory in the MLC•SportzpicsIt is unsustainable, a scenario which sums up why franchises are increasingly keen to tie players to year-round contracts. “Sometimes you are in the same team; next, you are in the opposite side,” Rashid said. “It’s the same with the national team: playing with them, then tomorrow in the leagues, you’re playing against them. That’s what T20 is all about. It’s a great franchise to be part of.”Rashid was speaking as part of the launch of KP Snacks’ community cricket pitches initiative, which will fund 100 new pitches over the next three years. It is part of a tie-in with the Hundred, where he was due to represent the defending champions Trent Rockets on Tuesday night – another quick turnaround, having claimed 3 for 9 to help win the inaugural MLC final late on Sunday night. Related

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He was locked in to play three games for Rockets this season before flying to Pakistan for a three-match ODI series, as Afghanistan ramp up their preparation for the Asia Cup and the World Cup beyond – but, on the eve of the opening game, he pulled out of the tournament at the 11th hour due to an unspecified injury.Even before his withdrawal, Rashid conceded that he could use a break. He missed two ODIs against Sri Lanka last month with a back injury that he says is “still to be fully recovered” and his upcoming schedule is relentless. “There is so much cricket,” he said. “Asia Cup is there, World Cup is there. We have 20-21 ODIs in the next two or three months. It’s a big task.”So why does he do it? “You just need to look after yourself, and try your best to make sure you enjoy your skills,” he explained. “That’s what I have been doing. Every day is the best chance for me to entertain the crowd, entertain the fans all around the world and that is something which gives me the motivation and makes me prepared for the next game.”Trent Rockets won the 2022 Men’s Hundred, despite Rashid’s limited involvement•ECB via Getty ImagesWherever Rashid goes, Afghanistan fans follow. “It gives me so much energy on the field when I see my own flag and the people in the stands cheering for me. That is so beautiful – even here in the US as well. It’s the same in the UK. It’s a positive energy for me when I see them in the ground. I just try my best to give something to make them smile.”Rashid was the only Afghan player due to be involved in the Hundred this season, and hopes that will change in future. “As the T20 captain of Afghanistan, I feel if we get more batters in the Hundred and they get the opportunity to get better and better, it’s going to be a massive help – and also great for the fans in the UK, where they come to see the best players.”[Rahmanullah] Gurbaz has been playing around the world. Ibrahim [Zadran] has been delivering so well so far. There is lots of young talent as well in the Under-19s… Hazrat Zazai is there as well. Good talent is there but it’s just about the opportunity. I feel like the best opportunity for them is now the Asia Cup and the World Cup where they show their talent and everyone is watching.”This will be Rashid’s – and Afghanistan’s – second 50-over World Cup, but he is still chasing his first win. “It’s the best conditions you can ask for, as a team who has a very good spin attack,” he says. “We have been contributing in the World Cups, but we don’t have many wins.”This year, we are not just going to be part of the World Cup. We are going to be a team which win games – and not only one or two. If you see the schedule, we have most games on good tracks where it spins as well. I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for us where we can beat the teams and we can create history.”KP Snacks are funding 100 new community cricket pitches over the next three years. To find out more and search for a pitch visit: www.everyonein.co.uk/pitchfinder

Will the team management risk playing Hardik Pandya as a specialist batter?

Nagraj Gollapudi19-Oct-2021

Big picture

The T20 World Cup will be Virat Kohli’s last in the format as India captain, and also the farewell campaign for Ravi Shastri as the head coach. The BCCI has already pencilled in Rahul Dravid as the next head coach, but before starting on the succession planning, there’s a World Cup to be won.The seriousness on that front can be seen in the appointment of MS Dhoni as the mentor of the team exclusively for the tournament. In a briefing this week, Kohli welcomed Dhoni’s presence, saying that it would not only boost the morale in dressing room but also have tangible benefits for players, since Dhoni can help with “intricate details of where the game is going” and that everyone can, as a result, “improve by that 1 or 2%”. Dhoni will, therefore, be a part of the think tank, work on the tactics board with Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shastri.Related

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One clear advantage for India, though, is that all the players are accustomed to the conditions in the UAE – last year’s IPL was played there in its entirety, while the second half of the 2021 edition was here there between September and October too. Many of the members of the squad, like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja and quite a few others have played key roles for their franchises in the UAE in this period, and there is a lot of class all around – the quick men are Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, and there is the quality of R Ashwin and the mystery of Varun Chakravarthy in the spin department.Kohli would want to end his stint as T20I – even T20, for that matter – leader by winning a global tournament. He remains the team’s best batter. He has expressed his pride in creating a legacy that he feels will last long. Now to add some big-time success to that legacy.

Recent form

Since losing the home series against Australia 2-0 before the 2019 ODI World Cup, India were unbeaten in eight series in a row, till the run came to an end in July when a second-string – and Covid-19-hit – India lost 2-1 in Sri Lanka. But that series allowed India to test their bench strength, which has swelled since 2016, when the last T20 World Cup was played. Since that World Cup, India have played 72 matches and won 45, for a win percentage of 66 – an indicator of their dominance.Is Hardik Pandya good enough to make the XI if he can’t bowl?•BCCI

Batting

Acceleration in the middle overs is something has been proven to be vital in T20 cricket. Since 2019, England’s run rate in the middle overs has been the best at 8.72 followed by New Zealand (8.62), South Africa (8.25) and Pakistan (8.12). India, who are fifth on this list, have scored at 7.93 in this phase. On paper Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, potentially the middle order that will line up, are high-impact batters, but they were far from fluent during the IPL.But with Kohli deciding to bat at No. 3, India will likely have Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul at the top and will hope they provide robust beginnings. These are their three best batters, so expect one of them to aim to play deep into the innings. If they are able to set the pace, then the middle order gets going, followed by Ravindra Jadeja, who will combine with Pandya as the finisher, this is a line-up that can cause severe damage.This batting line-up can also cover-up for any lack of depth, in case India decide to field three spinners.

Bowling

By picking four frontline spinners alongside three fast men, India have made it clear that they feel the slower bowlers would make the difference. And it is a good mix too. There is a wristspinner (Rahul Chahar), two experienced fingerspinners (Ashwin and Jadeja), and a mystery spinner (Chakravarthy). Will India be bold enough to adopt a three-spinner strategy then? Unlikely, unless the conditions are like in Sharjah during the latest IPL. Playing three spinners also shrinks India’s batting depth, so Chakravarthy might well be the top pick alongside Jadeja, especially for the middle overs.The other question is, who will be India’s second specialist fast man, with Bumrah the No. 1. Bhuvneshwar has vast experience and skills, but fitness and form have not been his friends. Shami has been one of the most improved seamers in recent years, especially at the death. It could be a happy headache for India.Ravindra Jadeja has been spectacular for India, with ball and bat•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Player to watch

Since 2020, Jadeja has an average of 55.71 and a strike rate of 207.44 with the bat in the death overs in all T20s. Measured in terms of average (at least 150 deliveries in this period), Jadeja’s average is one point behind David Miller (56). In terms of strike rate, Jadeja is behind only AB de Villiers (226.01), Kieron Pollard (223.46) and Andre Russell (208.16). While the power-hitting pair of Pant and Hardik Pandya have struggled for consistency, Jadeja has been a high-impact finisher.

Key question

Can Hardik play purely as a batter? He struggled with a back niggle during the second half of the IPL this year, and it is understood that the problem surfaced after he pushed himself hard in training prior to the tournament. Consequently, he missed Mumbai Indians’ first two matches in the second leg and did not bowl for the second IPL in a row. Even with the bat, he had a rough time.While he has retained his spot in India’s 15, will the team management back him to perform as a specialist batter? Not to forget, Hardik did play as a batter last December in Australia and won the Player of the Series award.

Likely XI

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (capt), Suryakumar Yadav/Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami/Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The New York Yankees lost at home to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night. It was a nightmare game for the Yankees who saw Red Sox rookie Roman Anthony excel in his first game at Yankee Stadium.

Of course, Anthony couldn't have done it without some help and that's just what the Yankees gave him. Anthony's thrilling home run in the ninth was set up by a Yankees' error that extended the inning. They also committed three more errors in the second inning which resulted in the Red Sox's first run of the game.

And if the errors weren't enough, Yankees pitchers walked nine batters with starter Luis Gil issuing five of those.

If that sounds bad, that's because it is. Historically bad even.

It turns out the Yankees haven't committed four errors and walked nine batters in a home game in more than a century.

So what exactly happened on May 11, 1912? Well, the Detroit Tigers beat the New York Highlanders 9-5 at Hilltop Park. Cozy Dolan, Birdie Cree, George McConnell and Ed Sweeney were responsible for the four errors.

Hippo Vaughn, who would go to lead the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts in 1918 with the Cubs, particularly struggled out of the bullpen. Vaughn walked four batters, gave up three earned runs and failed to record an out. Maybe home plate umpire Silk O'Loughlin was squeezing him, but without ABS we may never know.

With the loss the '12 Highlanders were off to a 5-13 start. They would go on to finish 50-102 which remains the worst record in franchise history. Things were so bad that they closed Hilltop Park after the season and changed the team's name to the Yankees ahead of the 1913 season. The stadium, which had just opened in 1903, was demolished in 1914.

The last place where the Yankees committed more than four errors and walked more than nine batters is now the site of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Consider Yankee Stadium on notice.