In what would see them get one over on their top six rivals, Manchester United are now keen to sign an attacking star who’s currently Tottenham Hoptspur’s top target this summer.
Man Utd and Spurs battling on and off the pitch
So much of Manchester United’s season has mirrored Tottenham’s. Both find themselves languishing in the bottom half, both have been left to rely on the Europa League for any chance of turning their season around and both are now in desperate need of summer reinforcements. When the summer transfer window does arrive, it would also come as little surprise if the two ‘big six’ sides found themselves operating in close quarters, either.
After admitting that nothing could turn their season around, Ruben Amorim will at least be hoping that the lure of Old Trafford is still enough to see the Red Devils secure their targets ahead of the likes of Spurs even in Manchester United’s current state.
On that front, the rumours are already coming thick and fast. According to Caught Offside, Manchester United now want to sign Antoine Semenyo in a move that would see them beat Spurs to their top target this summer. The Lilywhites are even reportedly lining up a bid worth €40m (£34m) to sign the winger Bournemouth value at £50m ahead of the transfer window.
Sold by INEOS, now outscoring Zirkzee: Man Utd must rue losing £25m "hero"
Man Utd may wish they kept hold of this star
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That doesn’t look set to discourage United, however, who caught a first-hand glimpse of Semenyo’s quality earlier this season when he scored in a stunning 3-0 victory for Bournemouth. Handing Noussair Mazraoui a torrid time, the versatile full-back ended the defeat with just five defensive actions and a 50% duel-success rate.
Semenyo, meanwhile, found himself wheeling away in celebration after scoring the final of his side’s three goals to stun Old Trafford just after the hour mark.
"Powerful" Semenyo has earned big move
Whilst there would be plenty of irony involved if Semenyo set his sights on a big move this summer and found himself at a club currently on a crash course hurtling towards a bottom half finish, Manchester United’s name still carries plenty of weight. As they look to rebuild under Amorim, picking apart sides like Bournemouth would be a good place to start.
Antoine Semenyo scores for Bournemouth
Semenyo has certainly earned a chance to move onto a top six side too, scoring nine goals and assisting another five in all competitions for the Cherries so far this season. Receiving plenty of praise as a result, analyst Ben Mattinson dubbed the winger the “perfect instant-impact winger” who also possesses “powerful ambipedal ball striking”.
Semenyo certainly looks likely to have a decision to make this summer, but whether that results in a trip to Old Trafford remains to be seen.
The club remains winless through the first 13 games of the season
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Galaxy sign Vanney to new deal
Includes upgrades to sporting staff
MLS Cup champions remain winless
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The LA Galaxy have signed head coach Greg Vanney to a multi-year contract extension, the club announced on Friday. Vanney, who led the Galaxy to last season's MLS Cup, was set to see his contract expire at the end of the season. According to GiveMeSport, both sides looked to get a deal done in the offseason, but negotiations were greatly impacted by the Galaxy's poor start to the season.
Through the first 13 matches of the season, the Galaxy remain winless, having lost 10 of those 13. Notably, the Galaxy fell, 7-0 to the New York Red Bulls on May 10. The Galaxy, however, have extended Vanney as a show of faith while also bolstering the club's soccer staff, promoting Juninho, to Senior Advisor to the General Manager and Zack Murshedi to Director of Team Administration and Player Care while hiring Rava Ramineni to a new role, Director of Quantitative Analysis.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Vanney has been with the Galaxy since 2021, having previously coached at Toronto FC. Throughout his coaching career, he's won two MLS Cups and reached four MLS Cup finals, while amassing a 16-6-2 career playoff record, level for best in league history.
However, the Galaxy have struggled mightily this season without star Riqui Puig, who suffered an ACL tear during last year's playoff run. Additionally, Joseph Paintsil missed significant time due to injury as well, while the departure of striker Dejan Jovelic due to salary cap reasons hasn't helped matters, either.
Imagn
WHAT VANNEY SAID
“I’m honored to continue this journey with a club that has meant so much to me,” said Vanney. “We know we haven’t started this season the way we intended, but we believe in the group, in the process, and in what we’re building. I’m fully committed to our players, our fans, and this organization – and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
“Greg is one of the most respected and successful coaches in MLS history, and we are excited to be continuing under his leadership,” added LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz. “While this season’s results haven’t reflected our standards, this was a decision made following our 2024 MLS Cup victory, and we remain confident in the project we are building with Greg, and we have a clear path forward to returning to an MLS champion level. Greg’s commitment to development, culture, and high standards is unwavering.”
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WHAT NEXT FOR THE GALAXY?
The Galaxy will look to earn their first win of the season this weekend when they face rivals LAFC in El Trafico.
Aston Villa hold a strong interest in a “smart” midfielder who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, according to a recent report.
Aston Villa transfer news
The Villans came from a goal down to beat Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday night, and they had January signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio to thank. Rashford grabbed two assists as he set up Asensio twice to make sure all three points stayed in the Midlands.
Aston Villa handed Marcus Rashford update as Man Utd hatch transfer plan
The loanee has performed excellently since his arrival at Villa Park.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 22, 2025
Rashford is on loan from Manchester United, and it was reported over the weekend that Villa do have an option to buy the Englishman for £40 million, but the chances of him joining the club on a permanent basis are slim.
In further transfer news, Villa are interested in signing Samu Omorodion from FC Porto as a possible replacement for Jhon Duran, who left in January.
FC Porto's SamuOmorodioncelebrates scoring their first goal
Omorodion has been an impressive force in Portugal, and the Villans are now interested in making a deal happen, with Porto looking to get around £41 million for his services. Signing a new centre-forward will be a key priority for Unai Emery in the summer, and they would be more willing to splash out such a figure on the 20 year-old due to his age and sell on potential.
Aston Villa hold strong interest in "smart" Angel Gomes
But it is not just strikers on Villa’s radar, as according to Give Me Sport, Aston Villa are monitoring Lille midfielder Angel Gomes and have a strong interest in doing a deal in the summer.
Gomes has been with the French side since August 2020, but his time at the club appears to be coming to an end, as his contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. The 24-year-old is expected to become a free agent, and Villa are among the Premier League teams keeping an eye on his situation.
Tottenham, Bournemouth, Man United and West Ham are also interested in signing Gomes, but the report states that Villa could represent an appealing option to the player. That is because Villa may be able to offer European football in some capacity, which the others likely won’t. Furthermore, given how the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers have done under Emery at Villa, the England international may see the Midlands as somewhere he can really develop.
Apps
13
Starts
9
Goals
1
xG
1.71
Shots per game
0.7
Assists
1
xAG
1.55
Big chances created
4
Key passes
1.1
Passing accuracy per game
20.8 (82%)
Gomes, who has been described as a “smart passer” by analyst Ben Mattinson in the past, has been a key performer for Lille over a number of seasons now, and that has earned him recognition on the international stage. The midfielder may have his eye on a return to England and the Premier League to prove that he is more than capable of performing at this level, and it may improve his chances of success for England as well.
Saqlain Mushtaq and James Foster to also be part of the set-up as New Zealand plan to rotate their support staff over the next four months
Deivarayan Muthu22-Aug-2023
Stephen Fleming had previously worked with New Zealand in the lead-up to the 2021 T20 World Cup as well•BCCI
New Zealand have spruced up their support staff in the lead-up to the 2023 ODI World Cup, with Stephen Fleming and James Foster set to join the set-up. Ian Bell and Saqlain Mushtaq will also be among a rotating cast of New Zealand’s coaching staff over the next four months away from home.The appointments of Fleming and Foster are particularly significant as both bring with them IPL experience. Fleming comes on board with a decorated IPL CV – he has coached Chennai Super Kings to five titles in the league. Fleming had previously worked with New Zealand in the lead-up to the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE. He is currently coaching Southern Brave in the men’s Hundred and will then link up with the New Zealand team for the ODI series against England, which begins on September 8, three days after the end of the T20I series.”I think Flem will be great for players on that side of it and also good for the staff as well,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “He’s got [an] immense amount of knowledge in that part of the world [India] and has coached in the IPL right from the start of the competition [from 2009], so he’s coached in all those areas where we’re going to play in. So, it might just be the little one-two percenters you can get from that information that could tip the results on your side as well. If things go well you can pick up on some of those small things.”NZ coaching staff for away tours
England T20Is (Aug 30- 5 Sept) – Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell England ODIs (Sept 8-15) – Gary Stead, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell, James Foster/Stephen Fleming Bangladesh ODIs (Sept 21-26) – Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, Ian Bell ODI World Cup (Oct-Nov) – Gary Stead, Luke Ronchi, Shane Jurgensen, James Foster Bangladesh Tests (Nov 28 – 10 Dec) – Luke Ronchi, Saqlain Mushtaq, bowling coach TBC
As for Foster, he has worked with Kolkata Knight Riders as a fielding coach and assistant coach in the IPL. He is also a well-traveled coach, having had stints in the PSL, CPL, BPL, BBL and ILT20. He had previously assisted New Zealand in the Emirates in 2018. Foster will be New Zealand’s assistant coach for the England ODI series and will also be part of their coaching staff for the ODI World Cup in India.”James spent a week with us in the UAE, think about four or five years ago when he was over there,” Stead said. “He might have even been playing at the time. But it’s great that he has come back. He will come to the World Cup; he’s got a lot of experience in the IPL with the KKR side and in an assistant coach role there he’s worked with video analysts, so will give us a lot of, I think, information and knowledge for us to consider when we approach all the different venues in the World Cup.”Ian Bell to fill in for Luke RonchiFormer England batter Bell has been appointed as New Zealand’s assistant coach for the upcoming T20I series against England. He will then fill in for Luke Ronchi as the batting coach for the following ODI series against England. Ronchi will then return to take charge of the side for the three-match ODI series in Bangladesh in September – New Zealand’s last ODI assignment before the World Cup – allowing Stead a short break. Bell will assist Ronchi and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen during the ODIs in Bangladesh. Bell is currently an assistant coach at Birmingham Phoenix in the men’s Hundred.”The well-being of our players and staff is of vital importance with the sheer amount of cricket being played these days,” New Zealand manager Simon Insley said.”Following the T20 team’s departure to the UAE (Aug 12), the team will be on the road right through until December 16 when the Test team returns, ahead of a busy home summer.”Saqlain to rejoin NZ support staffStead will also take a break for the Test leg of the Bangladesh tour, which begins on November 23, with a two-day practice game, just four days after the World Cup final on November 19. Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain will rejoin the side for that Test tour, having previously worked with the white-ball sides during the Pakistan tour in April. He has been appointed as spin coach. The Test tour of Bangladesh will likely be the first task for the new bowling coach, with Jurgensen taking up the role as head coach at Wellington after the World Cup. He is set to work with Wellington from November 22, 2023 to April 2027.”Saqi is a great human being,” Stead said. “He has had experience with our guys in Pakistan and knows about spin-bowling stocks and has certainly added to that area of the game. He’s just got great knowledge. As a player himself, he was superb; he was a Test player. And going to Bangladesh, he will certainly add some skills and add some expertise in the spin-bowling area, which isn’t always an area that we cover all the time.”
Wednesday's MLB action will wrap up with a late-night interleague showdown between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, starting at 10:10 pm et.
The Dodgers won the first game of the three-game set, annihilating the Rangers by the final score of 15-2. Los Angeles is now 6-4 in its last 10 games and have extended its lead in the NL West by 7.5 games.
Are we in for another blowout tonight? Let's find out what the oddsmakers think.
Rangers vs. Dodgers Odds, Run Line, and Total
Spread
Rangers +1.5 (-126)
Dodgers -1.5 (+105)
Moneyline
Rangers +154
Dodgers -184
Total
8.5 (Over -105/Under -115)
Rangers vs. Dodgers Probable Pitchers
Texas:
Los Angeles: Walker Buehler (1-3, 4.82 ERA)
Rangers vs. Dodgers How to Watch
Date: Wednesday, June 12
Time: 10:10 p.m. EST
Venue: Dodger Stadium
How to watch (TV): BSSW
Rangers record: 31-35
Dodgers record: 42-26
Rangers vs. Dodgers Key Players to Watch
Texas Rangers
Corey Seager: If the Rangers want to win this game, they need to find ways to score runs. They may be able to do that against Walker Buehler, who's giving up 2.3 home runs per nine innings this season. Corey Seager, who is tied for the team lead in home runs with 13, has a chance to make a difference tonight.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Walker Buehler: The Dodgers' starting pitcher needs to find a way to step up. he's allowed three earned runs in five of his six starts this season and the Dodgers have lost three of those games. He continuously puts his team behind the 8 ball so getting off to a hot start tonight is key.
Rangers vs. Dodgers Prediction and Pick
The defending World Series champions are a disaster right now. Their bullpen has been one of the worst in the Majors this season, ranking 27th in bullpen ERA at 4.80. Their offense has started to match their bullpens abysmal performance over the past month.
The Rangers' OPS sits at .635 over the last 30 days, which ranks 26th in Major League Baseball over that time frame. Now, they're matched up against a Dodgers team that's third in OPS over that same time frame.
No matter who the Rangers start tonight, the Dodgers are in prime position to win in another blowout tonight.
da apostebet： Rival supporters will mock the continued lack of silverware at Arsenal, but it is hard to ignore the progress that is being made under Mikel Arteta’s watch, having notably enjoyed a thrilling Champions League run last time out.
da 888casino： Yes, it may have all ended in heartbreak, but football is a game of moments, and few have been better in the Emirates era than that night against Real Madrid, with Declan Rice coming up clutch for the Gunners.
Up against the holders and 15-time winners of the competition, Arteta’s men showed no signs of inferiority, with a collectively stunning performance epitomised by those two magic set-pieces from the club’s record signing. Who knew that the Englishman had that in his locker?
The recipient of the Gunners’ Player of the Year award – as voted for by fans – Rice is slowly but surely taking on talismanic status in north London, representing the leader without the armband in Arteta’s ranks.
While £105m looked like a sizeable investment two years ago, the 26-year-old has since backed up claims from former West Ham United boss David Moyes that he actually could have fetched more than £150m, such has been his “level of performance”.
Arsenal's Declan Rice celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates
If recent reports are to be believed, Arteta and co could be in the mix to make another similarly statement signing this time around.
Arsenal open talks for forward signing
The transfer circus is certainly in full swing, with things having reached the stage where the social media activity of a transfer target is even being scrutinised, as journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that a certain Benjamin Sesko has begun following the club on Instagram.
Read into that what you will, although it is no real secret that the Gunners are working on a deal for the Slovenian striker, albeit with an issue over the 22-year-old’s price tag still to be resolved with RB Leipzig.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel has shed light on another potential attacking reinforcement that could be on his way to north London, with the respected insider revealing on the Latte Firm YouTube Channel that work has begun on a move for West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
As Mokbel hinted, talks have seemingly begun with the Hammers amid the claim that Arsenal are among one of the Premier League’s top six who have made an “enquiry” regarding the Ghanaian forward:
“My information is that all of the top six in the Premier League have checked in on the conditions of that deal. He’s got an £85m release clause for Premier League clubs but I think West Ham would be willing to go below that.
“They wouldn’t take masses below that but they would be open to a negotiation. There is a long-term interest there and as I understand that, there has been an enquiry from the Premier League’s top six; Arsenal are one of them. That could be one to watch in the absence of getting Rodrygo or Gordon which would be difficult deals to get over the line.”
West Ham United's MohammedKudusin action with Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly and Leandro Trossard
As Mokbel noted, the former Ajax man – who joined the Irons on a £38m deal in 2023 – could be available for less than his £85m release clause, with the race now on for his coveted signature.
Why Kudus would be a good signing for Arsenal
As already noted, it’s fair to say that Arsenal have got their money’s worth after their previous dealing with West Ham, with that man Rice providing 36 goals and assists from just 103 games in all competitions in his new surroundings.
The man who led his former employers to Conference League glory in 2023, prior to his high-profile exit, the Three Lions mainstay has certainly kicked on from his time in east London, where he provided just 28 goal involvements in 245 games across all fronts.
At one stage a defensive-minded midfielder, or even a centre-back, at West Ham, Rice has since been unleashed under Arteta’s tutelage, with the Spaniard having found the perfect role for his statement signing in an advanced number eight berth.
Kudus’ career stats by position
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Centre-forward
51
16
3
Right winger
50
21
10
Attacking midfield
49
11
6
Central midfield
46
11
3
Left winger
19
6
3
Right midfield
3
0
2
Left midfield
2
0
0
Second striker
1
0
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
Hopefully, the former Manchester City assistant can replicate that feat with regard to Kudus, with the fleet-footed sensation in need of a settled role, after lining up on either flank, as a number ten, and even as a centre-forward during his time at the London Stadium to date.
Like Rice too, there is certainly room for growth, with the 24-year-old coming off the back of a disappointing campaign in which he provided just five goals and four assists in all competitions, as West Ham toiled under Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
Such woes should not overshadow Kudus’ undoubted talent, however, as he had previously registered 23 goals and assists in 2023/24 during Moyes’ final season in charge, having also been dubbed a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith.
With 39 goals and assists also under his belt in just 87 games in Amsterdam, the dynamic left-footer is a figure who can wreak havoc in the final third when at his best, as shown by the fact that he ranked in the top 3% of his Premier League peers for successful take-ons per 90 last season, as per FBref.
That dribbling prowess also mirrors his ability as a ball carrier, something he shares with Rice. Indeed, the pair averaged 3.41 and 2.66 carries per 90, respectively, in the top-flight in 2024/25.
Such quality, if harnessed in the right way, could well be a real asset to Arteta’s forward line, with now the time for the Accra-born speedster to finally find a consistent, settled role for himself.
Lauded by Potter for his “really good” performance against the Gunners, during West Ham’s shock 1-0 win at the Emirates earlier this year, Kudus has also been described as something of an “example” at the club by the Englishman.
It could then be the case that after poaching Rice two years ago, Arteta could return with a fresh raid for another of the Hammers’ main men this summer.
Mikel Arteta personally wants Arsenal to sign £94m forward this summer
They know the costs of what would be a marquee deal.
Sunderland supporters will be trying to hold back their excitement ahead of the new Premier League season finally kicking off.
There’s no guarantee in place that signings galore will improve your chances of staying afloat in the tricky division, with Ipswich Town picking up 14 total purchases last season and still managing to fall through the relegation trapdoor.
But, the star-studded quality of signing Sunderland is managing to attract makes being giddy quite hard to contain, with the standout £20m purchase of Enzo Le Fee getting the ball rolling this summer, whilst a £30m deal for Habib Diarra to join from Strasbourg edges ever nearer to completion.
Reinildo is also set to join the Stadium of Light ranks after allowing his Atletico Madrid contract to expire, with plenty more notable names being tipped to call Wearside their fresh home shortly.
Atletico Madrid'sReinildoMandava before the match
Transfer latest at Sunderland
Most Sunderland supporters would have been initially apprehensive about all the business being conducted in this hectic transfer window, considering the window opened with both Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson deserting the Stadium of Light.
Now, however, the mood has flipped, with the likes of Georgian superstar Georges Mikautadze being tipped to join Le Bris’ enthused ranks alongside those already named, on top of an alleged £17m bid being lodged by the Black Cats to snap up Nantes attacker Matthis Abline.
The most intriguing purchase of them all could soon come in the form of Almeria goal-machine Luis Suarez moving to England, with reports from Spain now suggesting that Sunderland have enquired about landing the explosive attacker.
Such a deal would result in the Black Cats having to fork out £21m, with the La Liga 2 side upping their transfer valuation off the back of Suarez’s impressive 2024/25 offering.
It could even be argued that snapping up the clinical Colombian would see the newly promoted side land an even bigger talent than Diarra, despite the Senegal international costing Sunderland a club-record £30m to snap up.
Why Suarez could be a bigger talent than Diarra
After all, whilst Diarra was able to boast four goals and five assists from the midfield areas last season for Liam Rosenior’s men, Suarez’s numbers up top for Almeria in another demanding European setting are an even more majestic sight to take in.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Indeed, the “crazy” South American – as he was once labelled by talent scout Jacek Kulig – would take La Liga 2 by storm with his devastating goalscoring prowess.
That was seen in him collecting 27 of his bumper 31 strikes in the second division, away from also netting four of those efforts in the challenging Copa Del Rey when facing off against opponents from La Liga.
Games played
41
Goals scored
27
Scoring frequency
135 mins
Assists
8
Big chances missed
27
Staggeringly, Suarez would also chip in with eight assists across his 41 La Liga 2 outings, which is three more assists than Diarra managed in the heart of Strasbourg’s midfield, with the hope that the dangerous Almeria marksman can offer up similarly deadly displays when leaping up to the Premier League.
He could instantly displace Wilson Isidor on his arrival, therefore, considering the Frenchman blew hot and cold last campaign with just 13 Championship goals next to his name, away from Suarez wreaking havoc in the Spanish second division.
On the contrary, it doesn’t feel as set in stone that Diarra would instantly dive into Le Bris’ XI – irrespective of his lofty price tag – with Dan Neil already at the Frenchman’s disposal centrally who collected five goal contributions himself last season in league action, alongside Le Bris also possessing the star-quality of Le Fee who could kick on even more up a division.
Whilst Diarra will no doubt go on to be a success story under the ex-Lorient manager’s wing if Le Fee’s trajectory is anything to go off of, it does appear as if Suarez could really burst into life even more as a terrifying goalscorer on Wearside, with his blistering introduction into the English game perhaps helping the Black Cats to maintain their fraught Premier League status.
Better signing than Diarra: Sunderland now targeting "fantastic" £18m star
Sunderland’s rapid summer business is showing no signs of slowing down as a new target now appears on their shopping list.
Sam Curran says he was a “bit gutted” to be overlooked for a Test recall in the wake of Ben Stokes’ hamstring injury this summer, but hopes that a central role on England’s white-ball tour of the Caribbean will restate his credentials across formats.Despite being named Player of the Final and Tournament during England’s T20 World Cup triumph in Australia two years ago, Curran’s international career is at something of a crossroads at the age of 26 – both because he has lacked the role clarity in white-ball cricket that has been a feature of his success on the franchise circuit, but also because he senses he doesn’t quite “fit the mould” of what England are looking for now that Brendon McCullum has taken over as head coach in all formats.Curran struggled to make an impact in England’s disappointing T20 title defence in the Caribbean earlier this year, taking three wickets at 38.33 while batting for a total of 11 balls in five matches, and he hasn’t featured in the ODI format since December 2023, having been a fall-guy for England’s doomed World Cup campaign earlier that winter.In red-ball cricket, meanwhile, Curran’s most Test appearance came against India in August 2021, meaning he hasn’t featured in any of the 30 matches to date of McCullum’s England tenure. This is despite his uncanny knack of contributing to winning causes, with 16 victories in his 24 caps to date, including seven in a row from the start of his breakthrough summer, as a 20-year-old, also against India in 2018.Partly that is a consequence of Stokes’ status as England’s senior allrounder. But Curran also suspects that his physical limitations are not helping his cause. Though his left-arm line is a point of difference, his 5ft9in medium-pacers do not chime with the zeitgeist, as shown when Leicestershire’s 20-year-old left-armer, Josh Hull (6ft7in and high-80s pace) was called up for a surprise Test debut at Curran’s home ground, the Kia Oval, last month.”The way the teams are being set up now, guys are getting picked for certain skills and a bit out of the unknown,” Curran told talkSPORT. “As a county player, it’s an interesting one, because you’ve got to hope that you fit that mould right now. And if you don’t, you’ve just got to crack on and win games for your franchise and your counties, and just hope that that call comes.”There’s actually nothing you can do about it. If you fit what they’re looking for, you’re great. But if you don’t, it actually might not be an ability thing.”That sense that Curran’s face doesn’t currently fit was exacerbated by his omission for the recent Test series against Sri Lanka. When Stokes tore his hamstring during the Hundred in early August – an injury that has also kept him out of the ongoing first Test against Pakistan in Multan – Curran allowed himself to believe his chance for a Test recall had arrived.Curran got the better of Kohli, among others, during his breakthrough Test summer in 2018•Philip Brown/Getty Images
“I’ll be totally honest, when Stokesy got injured, I did probably think that was my way back into the Test team,” he said. “A couple of weeks back, I had a meeting with Keysy [Rob Key, director of cricket] just to get a bit of understanding of where the group is, and how I see myself getting back into the Test side.”Being a young player who experienced Test cricket so young, I feel like I had an advantage to know what it’s about, to know what winning a Test match is, and the grind and the grit and attitude that you need … so I was a little bit gutted. Selection is selection, but I thought that was my way back into the side at the minute.”They’ve got their own structure at the minute, and they’re picking the guys that fit that environment, and there’s a big thing going on at the minute about extra pace and stuff like that. And I guess for 12 months’ time, and the Ashes, these are the guys they want, so you can’t question it until the plan comes to an end.”For the time being, however, England’s eight-match tour of the Caribbean offers Curran an opportunity to take centre stage – not least because the timing of the tour, between the end of the Pakistan Test series and the start of the subsequent tour of New Zealand, may give him the chance to bat up the order in the absence of several multi-format stars.”At the Oval Invincibles and Surrey, and a couple of the franchise teams, I feel like my role has been pretty nailed on, whereas with England, there’s been myself, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone … Woakesy [Chris Woakes] as well, all these allrounders at 6, 7, 8 and 9, and it can be confusing.”Sometimes you take the new ball, and then [the selectors] go to four seamers, and you’re the one to lose out, so it’s a frustrating role. My strongest role in most teams is batting in the top six and bowling, but I love playing all sorts of roles.”My goal is always to try and get back into the England sides, and there’s only one way of doing that … scoring runs, taking wickets and winning games for England or the franchises. There’s no doubt I’d love to be on an Ashes tour or in a Champions Trophy victory. I’m someone who likes to prove a point, so fingers crossed the next couple of months go well.”
A Test match in India is no place for the faint-hearted, neither is it to be missed, for it will be among the richest experiences of these players’ lives.
Mark Nicholas02-Feb-2021Imagine for a moment that you are walking out to bat for England in Chennai. You have played a few Test matches and made a hundred along the line but you have yet to establish certain selection for every match, everywhere. In other words, your name is in the mix as a good option rather than as a convincing solution. You have worked yourself to the limit of expectation in the days preceding the match, planning especially for the Indian spinners, upon whom the narrative is so often built in these steamy parts. Chennai is incredibly hot and equally humid, which is fine for some but not for all. Virat Kohli, pretty much the most animated and gifted opponent in the world, is captain of India. An aura is around him, as are the disciples, fresh off beating the Australians at their own game in their own backyard without him. They are keen to impress.You take guard, asking the umpire for middle stump in a strong voice. You mark that guard and then cough a little to clear your throat. You are nervous – of course you are, I am nervous writing about it. You look up from the crease, spinning the bat handle in your fingers, and are aware not so much of the close fielders, whom you took in immediately on arrival, but of the way they are looking at you and of things they are saying among each other.Related
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You assume these are things about you, but you don’t know that, you just assume. There are many languages spoken but you understand none of them. Hindi leads the way, of which you have an inkling from people around the dressing rooms and hotels but by no means an understanding. The others? Forget it. Suddenly one of those fielders, the short leg, say, drops in an English phrase. It is not about you, it is about the pitch and the problems it has been causing, but you know to whom it is directed. You survey the leg side, because short leg was the first to attract your attention, seeing gaps as well as fielders. You see Kohli at midwicket and think better of looking to get off the mark in his space.He walks towards you, seeming to ask questions with his eyes. “What have you got?” “Are you frightened or just as nervous as you look?” “Can you read Ashwin? The field is up, will you risk taking him on?” “If not, who will blink first?” “You look out of your depth. We shall see… who you are, what you are, exactly what you have got.”This is the mood once referred to as mental disintegration by Steve Waugh, which became a soundtrack to the modern game and is running free in your imagination. Kohli hasn’t said a word. He is resetting the field now. The truth is that the IPL has brought players closer together. You turn away, annoyed at allowing yourself to feel such claustrophobia, such weight. It is not there, you tell yourself. But somehow it is. It is then that you realise you are asking these questions of yourself. “C’mon, get a grip and toughen up” is your response.You see a gap at cover but you remind yourself not to drive through the off side against Ashwin unless the ball is wildly overpitched, which it won’t be. You remember that Ashwin was getting the better of Steve Smith just the other day on pitches much less responsive than this one. You watch Ashwin and respect him; you don’t mess with him but neither do you bow at his feet. If the chance comes to attack him, you take it. In the meantime, you back your defence.R Ashwin, Steve Smith’s current nemesis, is not a man you want to mess with•AFP via Getty ImagesYou are talking to yourself now and your heart is pumping fast and hard, soaring to 200 and beyond. First slip says something to silly point, whereupon leg slip responds with laughter. Kohli is near you now, joining in. He pushes silly point to midwicket and promptly comes in tight there himself. He shouts something to Ashwin, who agrees. He wishes you good luck. Then he lowers himself to a crouch, aggressively claps his hands and prompts a frenzy of urgent calls to Ashwin from his team-mates.Your mouth is dry now. Sweat trickles from the back of your neck to the point of your back between, and a tad beneath, your shoulder blades. You try to scratch this point but cannot quite reach the exact spot. You can, of course, but not right now. Your mind is turning this stuff over, playing tricks with it and distracting you from the task you have long dreamt of successfully completing. You smile inwardly, thinking it almost funny that such ambition brings so much fear. Not physical but mental: the fear of failure.You need to step back for a minute and bravely you do so. Ashwin pretends to have started his approach to bowl and theatrically pulls out of his stride. The fielders turn up the volume. The India captain looks hard at you, lips tight and thin, eyes narrow. It is as if he is boring through your soul. You step away and take undemonstrative deep breaths, irritating the close fielders with your ability to hold a beat. You like that. Once again, you smile to yourself, an unseen smile that this time signifies the start of battle.You settle into your stance, eyes level, hands soft on the bat, shoulders loose. The calls for Ashwin begin again. He’s in now, a tall, strong and seemingly confident man, ready to take you down. You squint a little and then widen your eyes in a final adjustment to the yellow light of the afternoon sun, while reminding yourself to stay still and watch the ball.You first pick out that ball in his hand and follow it as if your life depended on doing so. It is released at the high point of his action and bowled “up” on a threatening line outside off stump. You see it perfectly, pick its length and move forward to defend. At the last millisecond of its journey before landing on the baked and shorn surface of the MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch, it dips just a fraction. Then it spins like a top and bounces violently into the meat of your thigh pad before flying into the air and the region of that man at short leg, who throws himself like a gymnast to clutch it centimetres from the ground. No!They all appeal, Kohli with near manic contortion. He made an extraordinary hundred earlier in the day, a great player with points to prove. Every element of his game was perfectly in tune and every moment of his time at the wicket an exhibition. They say Kane Williamson and Smith are as good. No way, you think, not after what I saw today. Now he is pleading for your wicket, first ball.A time for thoughts and prayers•AFPNot out, says the umpire.What!Not out.Kohli immediately reviews.Your heart sinks.The third umpire takes an age, even checks for the lbw. The minutes tick by. Your hands are increasingly clammy. Your partner says you didn’t hit it. You say you know that but will the third umpire?The big screen is ready. Your heart arrives in your mouth – a mouth now so dry, you can barely speak. Your heart is fighting to break free from your chest.The decision is given.Not out.Momentary silence. You close your eyes and exhale. Your heart speeds up and then with a single further deep breath, slows down to manageable.Everybody returns to their position, at which point the Indian players up the ante. You wonder what this would be like with a crowd. You thank your lucky stars there isn’t one. You figure one against 11 is a better chance than one against 50,000. On the other hand, you wouldn’t mind knowing what it felt like, to have that many people turned against you in such a cauldron. This whole thing is so damn intense as it is… But add the atmosphere, that cacophony of sound, and imagine it then.You remember that Tony Greig played to the crowd, just loved it, and told the Indian umpires they were the best in the world. No fool, that Greigy. Right now, you too think the Indian umpires are the best in the world. You remember that David Gower charmed his way round the country having first ridden out various political storms and that Alastair Cook won over India with the resilience in his batting and the sheer brilliance of Kevin Pietersen alongside him. You are reminded that all things are possible.Tony Greig plays to the gallery in 1977•Patrick Eagar/Getty ImagesYou settle back into your stance. Ashwin approaches but then stutters at the crease, like the old VHS tapes that caught between play and pause. It is a trick he uses to unsettle the batsman’s trigger movement. You are ready for this; you have prepared. He releases the ball an iota late and it drops short. In one swift, sweet move you step back and thrash it to the cover boundary for four. The shot is replayed on the big screen. Perfect: 10,000 hours and now perfect. Oh my days.Game on, against one of the great Indian teams, on their patch.Commentating on the denouement of the 1977 Centenary Test in Melbourne, as Dennis Lillee was tearing in to clean up the England tail, John Arlott said something like, “The seagulls are as vultures, recruited by Lillee to feast on the corpse of the English batting.” And that is exactly what the England batsmen will feel when surrounded by close fielders on a turning pitch in Chennai or Ahmedabad.A Test match in India is no place for the faint-hearted, neither is it to be missed, for it will be among the richest experiences of these players’ lives. Three times in the last 45 years England have won series there and those responsible still look back in wonder.Greig did so in 1976-77 with plenty of chutzpah, the swinging ball – yes, John Lever took 26 wickets alongside Derek Underwood’s 29 – and the huge amount of self-belief that came from an innings win in the first match, in Delhi. His lads, good pros all, won the next two as well to go three-up before India had woken up. For what it’s worth, at the press conference on arrival, Greig did indeed loudly proclaim that India had the best umpires in the world.Gower was, of course, splendidly calm under pressure and there was a lot of it in 1984-85 – not least surrounding the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the prime minister, and Percy Norris, the British High Commissioner. The first thought was that the tour would be called off, but England stayed and won. Mike Gatting made even more runs than Cook in 2012-13 – 575 to 562 – as England eventually unravelled Laxman Sivaramakrishan.Cook plays down his role in the fabulous series win that came from being one down after one. The fact is, he played out of his skin, as did Pietersen. Their partnership in Mumbai was as good as it gets, maybe as good as it has ever got among England performances abroad. After which two really good spinners, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, went to work alongside that fellow Jimmy Anderson, who belied the notion that he was all about English conditions – a game he is still playing.Follow the leaders: Cook and Pietersen set the template in 2012•BCCIIt is well documented that the team that bats best in the first innings in India tends to go on and win, especially if the pitch is spinning. So there is a simple formula: steel yourself to go big first up. Each has his own way but a clear plan is important, for these are not innings to be played off the cuff. Defending against spin is a technical skill requiring precision. Attacking spin is all about commitment. Go half-hearted and you go home; go all the way and you have a good chance. The Cook-Pietersen partnership is the template.Of course, England do not have the quality of spinner that took them to victory on previous tours. Joe Root will need to be crafty and flexible and all of them will need to stick to the rule book when bowling at Kohli. This man is a fantastic batsman, among the finest there has been, and he is hungry, having missed the best bits of the tour to Australia. You just have to bowl at a fourth stump, even a fifth – hang it out there and try his patience.It is doubtful that even one of the Sri Lankan players would get into the Indian team, which sums up the size of the task – maybe Lasith Embuldeniya, now that Ravindra Jadeja is injured, or Angelo Mathews at No. 6, but only maybe.Without crowds and with the biosecure restrictions on daily life, a tour of India will lose something of its magic. The sterile environment will make it a more demanding experience than it would be otherwise, and therefore, the perspective and collective spirit of union we saw in Sri Lanka will be tested. Anyone and everyone can play their part in that by constantly reminding one another that, whatever the circumstances, India is a truly wonderful country and its people their fans. It is an achievement even to be touring at this time. The players are the lucky ones, for these are the days of their lives.It is a series to savour, played by two likeable and talented teams. The match-ups are a story in themselves – Kohli vs Root, Bumrah vs Archer, Pant vs Buttler/Bairstow/Foakes, Ashwin and co vs Stokes, Rohit and Shubman vs Anderson and/or Broad. Lovely, bring it on.
When Eddie Howe reflected on Newcastle United’s form at the start of the November international break, he would have felt the weight of back-to-back Premier League defeats against Brentford and West Ham United.
He also would have known the significance of a big performance against Manchester City at St. James’ Park when club football returned, and so it was momentous to have battled to victory against Manchester City on Saturday evening, recovering ground in the race for European football.
The season’s still young, and there is optimism regarding the Magpies’ hopes of finding success once again this year, but Howe and technical director Ross Wilson will already be looking toward the future, and they have earmarked Elliot Anderson as the perfect player to take this project to the next level.
The latest on Anderson to Newcastle
As far as Newcastle are concerned, the Anderson situation is twofold: they will absolutely be in the thick of any upcoming battles to bring their academy graduate back home, and they will surely need to make concessions of some description, given the Tricky Trees are set to demand in excess of £100m for their prized player, who is also being chased by Manchester United
Anderson, 23, was sold to Forest in 2024 for a fee in the region of £35m. This was signed off by PIF officials bearing gritted teeth, having felt forced into cashing in for the homegrown talent in order to balance the books and placate PSR.
Ruefulness has since shifted to regret. Anderson has been described as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” by England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has designated the star as a regular starter alongside Declan Rice as the 2026 World Cup looms large.
While Newcastle’s vested interest could lead to an exciting and concerted bid – Howe said at the start of October that he “would love him to” come back home – but it’s not as if the Toon engine room is lacking without him.
That said, Joelinton appears to be winding down after years of tireless and robust service. Anderson would surely dovetail into a trio with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
If Newcastle have to shuffle a few things, so be it, and there’s one rather brazen sale PIF could permit to ensure the club have the finances to pull a bid off next year.
The Newcastle superstar PIF could sell
It may well be a controversial move, but Newcastle have floated the possibility of selling Anthony Gordon about for some time, with Liverpool interest in their one-time academy talent in 2024, before United opted instead to cash in on Anderson.
Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton for around £45m in January 2023 and, after a testing start to life on Tyneside, made significant progress across the 2023/24 campaign, winning the club’s Player of the Year after recording 21 goal contributions in the Premier League and serving as a talisman as Howe’s side battled through an injury-hit year.
But last season, as Newcastle went from strength to strength, returning to the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup, Gordon regressed, only scoring six Premier League goals all year.
Though his playing style has put him in a promising position to beat the likes of Marcus Rashford to a regular starting berth at next year’s World Cup, more is needed from a player of his calibre, whose once untouchable place on Howe’s left wing is looking far more apt for replacement at this stage, especially with injuries and suspensions contributing toward his poor form this year.
Then, of course, we have Harvey Barnes, whose brace against City underscored his worth in this system. That’s three goals in two Premier League matches for the former Leicester winger, whose incisiveness from the wing works well against Nick Woltemade’s unique striking game, willing to drop deep and influence play while also playing the part of a powerful target man.
Gordon’s blistering speed and ability to stick to the flank or weave inside to wreak chaos are two brilliant aspects of his game, but he needs to offer more, and his inability to do this could see Howe sell him to fund a move for Anderson, perhaps making a shrewd winger signing to complement Barnes besides.
Because frankly, Gordon’s form in front of goal hasn’t been good enough for a while. The Three Lions star was said to have entered “Gabriel Obertan territory” after the loss at West Ham, which, for one of the most prominent wingers in England, self-proclaimed as a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, is not good enough.
25/26
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24/25
34
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Should Gordon fail to establish prolific form before the end of the season, there will be more than just a few questions placed by his name. Given that Liverpool have expressed an interest over the past couple of years, not dissuaded by Newcastle’s £100m valuation, could there be regret that he was not sold sooner?
Barnes, after all, is beginning to find goalscoring form, and Gordon has failed with 60% of his dribbles in the top flight this term, also missing big chances while failing to break his duck.
Gordon at full speed and potency in the final third and up and down the touchline is a dangerous adversary for even the finest of defenders. But his declaration of a nightmarish playing style can only go so far if he is unable to produce clinical results at the end.
We need only look at the Alexander Isak saga and the potential that Woltemade offers in the box to understand that selling Gordon for the right price would not be detrimental for Howe’s longer-term plans.
And if those funds are used to bring Anderson back home, thus completing what may well become the best central midfield in the whole country, then it would surely be a worthwhile move.
Newcastle have already got a bigger talent than Barnes who's "like Mbappe"
Newcastle United have a bigger talent than Harvey Barnes in an 18-year-old who is similar to Kylian Mbappe.