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It has been a long time since the mood around Arsenal has been so jubilant.

Amazingly, it was the complete opposite just a couple of days ago, with fans having to deal with fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur closing in on Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz suffering another potentially significant injury.

Fortunately, everything changed on Wednesday evening when reports broke of the club going back in and hijacking the move for the Crystal Palace star.

With a ‘here we go’ from Fabrizio Romano and news of him completing his medical yesterday, the Gunners have finally got their hands on the potentially game-changing number ten they’ve needed for so long.

Yet, if Arsenal want to really get the most out of Eze and help him reach or surpass the numbers Liverpool’s new ten, Florian Wirtz, put up last season, they should be going in for another international they’ve been linked with this summer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Why Arsenal signed Eze

One of the primary reasons Arsenal decided to splash the cash on Eze this summer is undoubtedly his output of the last few years.

For example, across the 23/24 and 24/25 seasons, the 27-year-old “magician,” as dubbed by pundit Micah Richards, was able to score 25 goals and provide 17 assists in 79 appearances, totalling 5588 minutes.

In other words, the former QPR gem maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.88 games, or every 133.04 minutes for a mid-table side.

Appearances

36

43

Minutes

2285′

3303′

Goals

11

14

Assists

6

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

134.41′

132.12′

The second significant reason the North Londoners went all out for the Greenwich-born superstar is the fact that he can play as a ten and out on the left.

These were two of the most significant problem areas for the team last season, as Martin Odegaard was miles off his creative best and neither Gabriel Martinelli nor Leandro Trossard were able to offer enough threat out wide.

Finally, while it will take some time for the 5 foot 10 dynamo to familiarise himself with Arsenal’s style of player and Arteta’s tactical ideas, he’s Premier League-proven.

Therefore, it shouldn’t take anywhere near as long as some of the Gunners’ other signings to get up to speed.

However, while Eze looks like he could be a game-changing addition to the North Londoners’ squad, they could potentially get even more out of him and help him hit the numbers of Wirtz last season by signing another international star they’ve been linked with: Ademola Lookman.

Why Lookman can help Eze hit Wirtz numbers

Given their attacking problems last season, it’s hardly been a surprise to see the sheer number of offensive players Arsenal have been linked with this summer.

One of the most exciting and intriguing of those has been Lookman, who could be available for around £43m after his move to Inter Milan fell through, and he could help Eze hit the incredible numbers Wirtz did last season: 31 goal involvements in 45 games.

The first reason we think this is that the Nigerian international is a lean, mean output machine.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

Since moving to the Serie A side in August 2022, the “world-class” attacker, as dubbed by the BBC’s John Bennett, has scored a brilliant 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

That means the 5 foot 9 monster has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes on the continent.

Just imagine the sort of numbers the former Everton man would put up in this Arsenal side, and then the goals and assists the Palace ace could chalk up playing alongside him.

Moreover, there would be plenty of opportunities for the two to play together, as even though the Wandsworth-born game-changer spent much of last season up top, he is just as comfortable playing on either wing, as a second striker, or even in midfield.

This ability to cover practically every area of the attack also means that he could cover for the FA Cup winner when needed, ensuring he isn’t overplayed and is always near his best.

Ultimately, Eze is an excellent signing in his own right, but were Arsenal to also bring in Lookman this summer, he could help the Englishman hit the sort of numbers Wirtz did for Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Palace's "unusual" Eze demand sparked Tottenham fear before Arsenal hijack

The England international has agreed to re-join his boyhood club.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 22, 2025

Sophie Ecclestone has been left out of England’s white-ball squad for the home series against West Indies, where Issy Wong is poised to make a comeback to international ranks.Ecclestone has been unable to play domestic cricket due to a knee injury, although she turned out for Lancashire on Wednesday and scored a fifty as England’s selection panel, including newly appointed national selector Lydia Greenway, named their squads.Maia Bouchier was omitted, while Wong joined fellow Warwickshire seamer Emily Arlott in the squad for three T20Is. Arlott – yet to make her international debut – was also selected in the squad for three ODIs to follow.Wong last played for England on the tour of Ireland last September while the first-choice T20 squad was preparing for the World Cup after a difficult period struggling with her form. She impressed for England Women A in their recent tour of Australia and in her county’s opening matches.Also making returns are batters Alice Davidson-Richards and Emma Lamb, selected for the ODIs off the back of impressive performances with the bat in the Metro Bank One Day Cup domestic competition.The Blaze’s opening batter Tammy Beaumont and spinner Linsey Smith – the leading wicket-taker in the Metro Bank One Day Cup – are selected in both squads while Mahika Gaur, the 19-year-old left-arm quick who travelled to Australia for the Ashes but didn’t play as part of her return from injury, was called up for the ODIs. Beaumont returned to the T20I format last year following a two-year absence from the format although she only played the Test and ODIs in Australia.”Following her knee injury, Sophie Ecclestone is physically not quite at 100% yet,” said head coach Charlotte Edwards. “She’s been rehabbing and working hard but she’s only just got back on the park for Lancashire so she doesn’t have enough cricket under her belt to be ready for this series.”All-rounders Freya Kemp (back) and Danielle Gibson (stress fracture) are both unavailable due to injury. Lauren Filer’s return from a knee injury continues positively and she will continue to be reviewed.”Maia Bouchier misses out having been a part of the Ashes series, Maia’s talent is there for all to see and the challenge to her is to go and make consistent match-winning contributions for Hampshire in domestic cricket. It’s the same for any player who’d disappointed to not be a part of these squads.England Women T20I squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-HodgeEngland Women ODI squad: Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Alice Davidson-Richards, Emily Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Mahika Gaur, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith

Fast bowlers Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar and Titas Sadhu are injured and were not considered for selection

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Apr-2025Kashvee Gautam, N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay have been handed their maiden national call-ups in a much changed India ODI squad for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka, where South Africa are the third team.Harmanpreet Kaur is back as the captain after sitting out the previous series, against Ireland at home in January, while Sneh Rana, Yastika Bhatia, Arundhati Reddy and Amanjot Kaur have all come back. Renuka Singh, Pooja Vastrakar and Titas Sadhu, the fast bowlers, are both injured and were not considered for selection.

ODI tri-series schedule

April 27 – Sri Lanka vs India
April 29 – India vs South Africa
May 2 – Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 4 – Sri Lanka vs India
May 7 – India vs South Africa
May 9 – Sri Lanka vs South Africa
May 11 – Final

Shafali Verma, meanwhile, continued to be out of the picture despite a strong showing at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) earlier this year, when she scored 304 runs from nine innings (fourth on the table for highest run-scorers) with a strike rate of 152.76.When India hosted Ireland, and swept the series 3-0 with comprehensive wins in all three games, Smriti Mandhana was India’s captain. That squad also had Uma Chetry, Raghvi Bist, Sayali Satghare, Tanuja Kanwar, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra and Saima Thakor, who have all been left out.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Gautam, 21, was one of the star performers at the WPL this year, picking up 11 wickets – the most by an Indian – in nine games and impressive with her control. Twenty-year-old Charani, a left-arm spinner, played just two games in the WPL, for Delhi Capitals (DC), picking up four wickets. Left-arm spinner Upadhyay, meanwhile, was the third-highest wicket-taker at the Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy held in December last year. She picked up 18 wickets then at an economy rate of 3.48 and an average of 15.44 in nine innings. She was named the Player of the Tournament as her team, Madhya Pradesh, won the trophy.The series is an important one for all three teams keeping in mind the ODI World Cup later in the year – in September-October – in India.

India squad for women’s ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka

Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana (vice-capt), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia (wk), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay

حقق إيبسويتش تاون فوزه الأول في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، على حساب توتنهام، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما بملعب توتنهام الجديد بالعاصمة لندن.

10 جولات ماضية، لم يتمكن إيبسويتش تاون بقيادة سام مرسي من تحقيق أي انتصار، بعد العودة للبريمرليج، الذي غاب عنه منذ 2002.

اقرأ ايضاً.. فيديو | مهمة فان نيستلروي انتهت بنجاح.. مانشستر يونايتد يتخطى ليستر سيتي بثلاثية في الدوري الإنجليزي

شوط أول مثالي لـ إيبسويتش تاون، بعدما سجل سمودزيتش الهدف الأول في الدقيقة 31، ولم يتمكن توتنهام من تدارك ما حدث، ليجد الهدف الثاني من الهداف ليام ديلاب في الدقيقة 43.

شوط المباراة الثاني دفع أنجي بوستيكوجلو بالعديد من اللاعبين، وجاء هدف تقليص الفارق عن طريق رودريجو بينتانكور في الدقيقة 69.

بعد الهدف الثاني، دفع كيران ماكينا بالتغييرات الدفاعية، مع وجود بيسوما وفيرنر، ولكن سام مرسي وهيتشينسون تحكما في إيقاع المباراة لصالح إيبسويتش.

الشوط الثاني كان من طرف واحد، وأصحاب الأرض ظلوا يحاولون من أجل تسجيل التعادل، مع احتساب الحكم 8 دقائق وقت بدلًا من الضائع.

في الدقيقة 95، كاد سولانكي أن يسجل بعدما ألغى الحكم هدفًا له، ولكن تسديدته وجدت تعملق من الحارس موريتش، الذي نصب نفسه رجلًا للمباراة.

ذلك الفوز هو الأول منذ أبريل 2002، عندما حقق إيبسويتش تاون الانتصار على ميدلزبروه، قبل أن يهبط للدرجة الأولى في ذلك الوقت، ولم يعُد من وقتها.

بعد 22 عامًا، عاد إيبسويتش تاون، وبعد 10 جولات، وفي الجولة 11، تمكن كيران ماكينا من صنع التاريخ خارج ملعبه وفي لندن، بإسقاط توتنهام.

هذه النتيجة تجعل رصيد إيبسويتش تاون 8 نقاط في المركز 17، بينما توتنهام تراجع للمركز العاشر بعدما توقف رصيده عند 16 نقطة. أهدا ف مباراة توتنهام وإيبسويتش تاون في الدوري الإنجليزي

He was hailed as the next big thing, and persisted with through thick and thin, and now the faith invested has begun to reap results big time. Watch for Watson to be crucial at the World Cup

Brydon Coverdale12-Feb-2011Four years ago on a cruise ship docked in Grenada, Merv Hughes, part-time selector and part-time travel guide, was taking questions from his World Cup tour group when an older gentleman piped up.”Is that hugely overrated Shane Watson playing today?” the man asked in frustration.”I believe,” Merv replied, “and the other selectors believe, and Ricky Ponting believes, that Shane Watson will become Australia’s most important player within the next few years.”The answer was greeted with scepticism. Watson-bashing was a popular pastime among Australian supporters, who had seen the young allrounder spend seven years in and out of the national team – mostly out. Many Australian fans felt the selectors were so blinded by the 2005 Ashes that they wanted an Andrew Flintoff of their own, and that Watson was a poor man’s Freddie at best.Others saw him as a delicate flower, his emotions all too public. Surely anyone who cried, or a man who thought he was having a heart attack when some food disagreed with him in India, would never be hard enough for international cricket? Some liked him and wished he would live up to his promise, but were resigned to his career being cut short by injury.Whatever the fans on that cruise liner thought of Watson, few agreed with Merv’s prediction. Fast-forward to the 2011 World Cup and Hughes, now an ex-selector, has been proven right.Watson enters the tournament as the winner of the past two Allan Border Medals, the one-day team’s leading scorer of the past two years and their second-highest wicket taker in the same period.And, without question, as the team’s most important player. Among the major contenders, perhaps only Jacques Kallis is as critical to his side’s all-round success at this tournament as Watson is for Australia.His most vital role is as an opening batsman, alongside Brad Haddin. In 2007, Australia had Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist to set the tone and they did the job so well that the middle order was rarely under serious pressure. Haddin is a powerful striker but his form is moderate, and Watson is the one who should really impose himself.That’s especially significant in the current Australian outfit, where the No. 3, Ricky Ponting, is returning from injury, the No. 4, Michael Clarke, can build but won’t blast, and the reliable finisher Michael Hussey is at home in Perth nursing a tender hamstring. The situation is clear – for Australia to win their fourth consecutive World Cup, Watson have a big tournament.He’ll enjoy the slower pitches on the subcontinent, where he will have extra time for his front-foot pulls and drives, and as the Player of the Tournament in the first IPL, he is a proven performer in the conditions. He’s also shown himself to be a man for big moments: what better pedigree for a potential World Cup hero than back-to-back hundreds in a Champions Trophy semi-final and final, as Watson achieved in 2009?And his bowling in this tournament shouldn’t be underestimated. In an attack that will rely heavily on the sheer pace of Shaun Tait, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, Ponting will look to Watson for variation, reliability and reverse swing, as he is one of the few in the attack who can claim to have it mastered.

He’ll enjoy the slower pitches on the subcontinent, where he will have extra time for his front-foot pulls and drives, and as the Player of the Tournament in the first IPL, he is a proven performer in the conditions

It is to Watson’s great credit that he did not give up bowling a few years ago, when every time he ran in to deliver the ball his team-mates held their breath and hoped a muscle wouldn’t snap. He broke down 12 times in six years, and it turned out that he was brawny. With help from the sports physio Victor Popov, Watson worked out that the gym was not the answer and that other fitness options like pilates were needed to help him become more flexible.He has transformed not only his body but also his role in the game, becoming a reliable Test opener, whose major flaw is forgivable – he makes too many fifties and not enough hundreds. That hasn’t been the case in one-day cricket, and his unbeaten 161 in the series opener against England in January will go down as one of the all-time great Australian limited-overs innings.It makes for a formidable all-round package and it seems remarkable, in hindsight, that Hughes and his fellow selectors didn’t have more supporters when they persisted with Watson, year after year, injury after injury. Watson knows he didn’t help himself with some of his behaviour. Even as recently as late 2009 fans tut-tutted at his obnoxious celebration when he bowled Chris Gayle in the Perth Test, which also brought a fine from the match referee.But finally, at 29, Watson is starting to win the Australian cricket public over. The admiration has come through a maturing approach, and more importantly, piles of runs and wickets.”It was something that I really craved, with the issues that I had with my injuries and also some of the ways I carried on in the field as well really didn’t help me out as much,” Watson said this week. “Probably one of the most satisfying things that has happened over the last couple of years has been to see people really appreciate what I’m able to do.”That respect will keep growing if Watson turns it on at the World Cup. Oh, and that match in Grenada four years ago? Merv’s words were still ringing in the ears of the Australian fans as Watson belted 65 off 32 against New Zealand.

Jurgen Klopp will walk out on Sunday afternoon to listen to Anfield's song from the dugout one last time, with Liverpool hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the Premier League season.

This day has been signposted right from the German's shock news back in January that he would be stepping down after taking the reins in 2015 and leading Liverpool to glory across all the different fronts. But it hurts all the same. Such things invariably do.

Klopp will take great solace and pride in his ability to recraft his team after slumping into the Europa League, banishing the sapped and past-its-sell-by midfield and replacing it with some terrific, younger, more inspiring talent.

The Reds won the Carabao Cup in February, belying a staggering injury list, but proved to be a day late and a dollar short in the other three prizes, suffering from a nosedive in form and performance to crash out of the FA Cup and Europa League and slew off-course in the Premier League late on.

Wolves will certainly not roll over to hand Klopp the fairytale final day that Anfield will pray for, though Liverpool's firepower should be enough to secure three points and finish an impressive campaign with 82 points.

After collapsing to draw 3-3 at Aston Villa last time, leggy Liverpool might find four tweaks made to the starting line-up as Klopp bows out.

1 GK – Alisson

Alisson has undoubtedly been one of the major pillars throughout Klopp's reign, signing from Roma for a record £67m fee back in 2018 and going on to win the Champions League and Premier League across his first two seasons as a Red.

He's suffered with injuries this season but the Brazilian is, as Klopp puts it, "the best goalkeeper in the world" and will, of course, be vital against the Old Gold.

2 RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold has also struggled for match fitness for portions of the season but Liverpool's vice-captain is one of the game's celestial creative players.

The right-back will be expected to play a big part in the years to come under incoming boss Arne Slot but he's out of contract at the end of next season and, with Real Madrid sniffing around, there is heightened concern that tomorrow might be his final appearance for his boyhood club.

3 CB – Jarell Quansah

The rise of Jarell Quansah has been one of the biggest success stories this season, especially considering that the imminently departing Joel Matip suffered an ACL injury against Fulham in December.

Listed as a similar player to Ibrahima Konate and Micky van de Ven by FBref's player comparison model, the new kid on the block has been immense throughout his breakthrough season, scoring his first Premier League goal last time out at Villa Park.

He earned his first Premier League start at Molineux in the reverse fixture and earned an 8/10 match rating from reporter Ian Doyle for his front-footed, commanding display.

4 CB – Virgil van Dijk

In his first campaign as Liverpool captain, Virgil van Dijk has been a rock-solid presence in the rearguard, dealing with piling injury problems inflicted upon his peers to reaffirm his position as one of the game's finest-ever centre-backs.

Wolves will have a tough task against the steely Dutchman.

5 LB – Andy Robertson

Andy Robertson has struggled with injuries this season – there's a trend here – but the 30-year-old is still one of the best in the business and has been vital in recent weeks, scoring in his last two games in the Premier League, against West Ham United and Spurs.

The Scotland captain also bagged against Wolves earlier in the campaign and his newfound Midas touch is another thing that the visitors will have to worry about tomorrow.

6 DM – Wataru Endo

Liverpool's decision to sign Wataru Endo last summer has proved to be an astute piece of business, succeeding Fabinho after the Brazilian stalwart fell by the wayside last year.

Matches played

28

36

Matches started

19

31

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

2

Pass completion

88%

89%

Touches per game

53.3

59.6

Key passes per game

0.5

0.5

Ball recoveries per game

3.6

6.0

Tackles per game

1.6

1.8

Interceptions per game

0.7

1.0

Dribbles per game

0.4 (71%)

0.2 (64%)

Duels won per game

3.9 (45%)

3.5 (50%)

All things considered, Liverpool's surprise £16m signing has been an upgrade on last season's version of Fabinho. But the 31-year-old is not the long-term solution and Liverpool's new structure must make the pursuit of a high-level No. 6 one of the first ports of call this summer.

7 CM – Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai has lost his way after a resounding start to life on Merseyside, signing from RB Leipzig for £60m last summer, but he deserves to start against Wolves.

Liverpool are, frankly, a team in need of a rest and Klopp must bench the impressive Harvey Elliott to freshen things up and give his high-profile Hungarian signing one last chance to make an impression in 2023/24.

8 CM – Curtis Jones

Curtis Jones suffered an ankle injury against Brentford in February that has disrupted his flow quite considerably over the past few months, starting just two of his team's eight league games since returning to fitness.

But Alexis Mac Allister was noticeably leggy against Villa, and, with third place secured, Klopp should give the Scouse-born talent a final starting berth on Sunday.

Mac Allister was hailed as a "superstar" by Joe Cole earlier in the campaign and he has been one of Liverpool's major focal points, but his 5/10 match rating at Villa Park suggests that perhaps he has run out of gas.

9 RW – Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is the forward of Klopp's reign, scoring 211 goals and adding 89 assists across 348 outings for Liverpool. There's room for one more on this final, fated day – surely?

10 LW – Luis Diaz

Liverpool's indefatigable left winger has been in the news recently as speculation mounts over his future at Anfield but he's sure to start once again against Gary O'Neil's side, having featured from the outset in every Premier League fixture since January.

England batsman suffers recurrence of injury that caused three-month absence in 2019

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Aug-2020Ollie Pope has been ruled out for up to four months after dislocating his left shoulder during last week’s third Test against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl.The injury occurred on the fourth day of the match, when Pope slid to save a boundary off the second ball of Stuart Broad’s first over of the day and left the pitch immediately.He underwent an MRI scan in London on Wednesday and was reviewed by a consultant on Thursday. He will now have surgery on the injured shoulder in the next couple of weeks before commencing a rehabilitation programme with the Surrey and England medical teams.The injury is a cruel recurrence for Pope, given that he injured the same shoulder while playing for Surrey last summer. He was out of action for three months on that occasion, and was unavailable for selection during England’s Ashes campaign.It is possible, however, that Pope will not miss any Test cricket on this occasion, with England’s next engagements coming against Sri Lanka and India in early 2021, by which stage it is hoped that he will have recovered full fitness.Despite a tailing-off in form during the Pakistan series, Pope has been one of England’s breakthrough players of the past few months. He scored a matchwinning 135 not out against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in January, then made a crucial 91 in the series decider against West Indies in Manchester.He was also England’s top scorer in the first innings of the first Test against Pakistan, making 62 out of a total of 219, a performance that would prove vital in the team’s fightback to win on the fourth afternoon.After his previous shoulder injury, Pope told Wisden Cricket Monthly that the time away from the game had been a “blessing in disguise”, allowing him the chance to take stock and make changes to his technique.

Aaron Finch is itching to get out. More or less his final commitment after two weeks of hotel quarantine in Sydney following the IPL is to preview Australia’s ODI series against India via Zoom, the only means by which he has been able to plan for the contest with team-mates and coaches.In a way, the conclusion of quarantine so close to the start of cricketing hostilities between Australia and India is an apt reminder of the unprecedented circumstances for the summer, played out against the backdrop of Covid-19 and all its associated health and biosecurity measures. But if Finch is impatient for a few more freedoms, he is also hopeful that the national selectors will be similarly eager to get the 22-year-old Will Pucovski into their Test team this season.Much of the debate around Pucovski’s chances of usurping Joe Burns has fallen into the question of team chemistry and balance. That has ranged from head coach Justin Langer and David Warner’s thinly veiled preference for Burns to the trenchant views of Ian and Greg Chappell, insisting that Pucovski be hurled in to face Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami with the new ball. Finch, though, has one of the more valuable perspectives, having been tried and failed as a mature-age Test opener in 2018-19. Finch was handed over his Test debut during the first Test against Pakistan in Dubai in October 2018 while Warner was serving a ball-tampering ban, but was quickly discarded after just five matches, where he averaged 27.80 with a highest score of 62.In an ESPNcricinfo interview this week, Finch suggested that he wished he had got that chance at the age of 25 rather than 32, the better to learn from it and return a better player. Speaking in the context of Pucovski, Finch went further, saying it was impossible to know how you would handle the most pressing challenge in the game until you experienced it; so the sooner, the better.”When you have your first chance at 32 and you miss that trick, there’s probably not a huge amount of scope to get back into that side,” Finch said. “So I would’ve loved to have that opportunity at 25 because I think the lessons that I learned from that were crucial in my development – not just as a player but as a person [too].”I think when you’re talking about young guys – especially hugely talented guys like Will – there’s going to be ups and downs in their careers no doubt. So I think being exposed to the highest level early on, I think that might seem tough at the time if things don’t go well straightaway. But the lessons that you learn from that, the way that you approach the game – the way you approach it mentally probably more than anything – I think is some really valuable lessons, and something that can’t really be taught.”You can speak to everybody about how to go about it [and] how you’re going to feel, but until you walk out and mark centre or bowl your first ball [or] first over in Test cricket, you don’t really understand what your reaction to it is going to be.”Timely education applies as much to life as it does to cricket, epitomised by how the Australian team’s understanding of the issues around this year’s Black Lives Matter movement has been greatly enhanced in recent weeks. Their decision to form a Barefoot Circle in acknowledgement of Aboriginal Australia and racial injustice prior to Friday’s opening game against India is a signifier of the way in which Finch and others have progressed from his clumsy construction in England a few months back that “education around it is more important than the protest”.Marnus Labuschagne looks on during practice•Getty Images

“We sat down and discussed it as a group,” Finch said. “A lot of people have had some input into it and we think it’s the right way to connect with our Indigenous people. There’s obviously zero tolerance to racism in our sport, in our society, or there should be anyway. So I think this is a way we can connect with our Indigenous people that have faced a lot of adversity for a long time – for generations – so this is our way of supporting that cause.”I think it’s about education – not just for me but for our group. The more that we can educate ourselves and educate each other, I think we can go on a journey of learning a lot more about the injustices over the last 230-odd years in Australia, and I suppose to raise some awareness of issues that might not be as commonly known.”Individually, Finch has been able to use his quarantine time to recalibrate his batting also, aided by the presence of two trusted mentors in the form of Andrew McDonald and Ricky Ponting. Their training sessions have ensured that Finch, after an underwhelming IPL, will enter the ODI series with a tightened game for the 50-over format, the better to build innings of substance after some months of more combustible T20 thinking.”T20 cricket can be really difficult when you’re not quite at your very best, when you’re trying to be really aggressive at the start of an innings, take risks early in the game,” Finch said. “I think that’s a time when if it’s not going 100%, you can get into a pretty bad run quite quickly. But just a few balance things – head position in my stance and small things like that. I sometimes can forget about it when you’re focusing just on T20.”You can tend to get a bit one-paced with your training and almost focus on power-hitting rather than a few minor technical things that can help you out. It hasn’t been anything huge, it’s just a few steps that I generally go to when things haven’t been as smooth as I would’ve liked.”Australia’s balance has been altered slightly through the availability of Steven Smith – after concussion kept him out of the England series – and the absence of Mitchell Marsh due to an ankle injury which had ruled him out of the IPL. This will leave allrounder duties primarily with Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, though Marnus Labuschagne can be expected to chime in with a few overs also. Whoever comprises the fifth bowler, Finch counselled too that his top-line bowlers would be handled carefully for reasons of mental health as much as workloads.”Since the last World Cup, we’ve probably a bit more clear in how we want to structure up our team, and that’s with a couple of allrounders in there to take the load of that fifth bowler generally,” he said. “Obviously, that’ll change depending on conditions and whether you’re in the UK or India or South Africa. That’s always a floating plan of what we have. In terms of the rotation of the bowlers, I think it’s going to come down to how they’re feeling personally, whether it’s mentally or physically.”Guys are at totally different points in their preparations and workloads. Some guys are coming off quite a decent [Sheffield] Shield start to the season, some are coming off T20s.”So it’ll just be about managing that. We know in the current environment with guys being away from so long – away from families and in hubs and bubbles and things like that [and] quarantine – it’s really important to look after people’s mental health as much as anything. Whether you give them a week off or a couple of days just to get home and get in their own bed is going to be crucial.”

Chelsea have invested over £1b on new signings after the takeover by Todd Boehly back in 2022, but Mauricio Pochettino's side still look extremely poor in multiple key areas.

The signings of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández have transformed the Blues' midfield, with the duo looking worth every penny of their respective £100m+ transfer fees.

However, despite huge investment in the forward line, boss Pochettino is yet to discover a settled front three with the Argentinian often chopping and changing his attacking trio on a game-to-game basis.

Cole Palmer has been the most effective attacking player this campaign, scoring 16 times in the Premier League so far this season, with no other forward in the Chelsea squad managing to hit double figures in the league.

Despite the Blues' lack of goals, there's another area the club look poor in, with the club seriously needing reinforcements after conceding 52 goals in the league – a tally that is more than relegation-threatened Everton.

Chelsea targeting ace to solve defensive woes

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Blues have joined the race to sign Wolves' centre-back Max Kilman, as Pochettino looks to solve the club's defensive situation.

The 26-year-old has enjoyed a successful season at Molineux, starting in every Premier League game under boss Gary O'Neil and playing every single minute of the season so far.

Kilman, who is Wolves' club-captain, has scored twice in the Premier League throughout 2023/24, scoring against Everton and Manchester United with the defender a real presence at both ends of the pitch.

However, the 26-year-old is under contract under 2028, with the Blues potentially having to fork out a hefty fee to lure the centre-back away from the West Midlands in the summer.

Despite any potential fee, the Englishman would be a huge upgrade on one current Chelsea defender – certainly improving Pochettino's defence and solving their biggest issue.

Kilman vs Badiashile in 2023/24

When comparing Kilman to the current Chelsea defender, the "unbelievable" talent, as described by former teammate Nathan Collins, comes out on top in multiple key areas that would help bolster the Blues' backline.

Benoit Badashile hasn't lived up to expectations at Stamford Bridge since his £32m move over a year ago, with the Frenchman only able to make 11 appearances in the league during 2023/24.

In the Premier League so far this campaign, Wolves' captain has won an average of 2.4 aerial duels per 90, a tally 0.2 higher than Badiashile, with Kilman able to win more battles than the current Blues player.

The Englishman – who boasts 120 top-flight appearances to his name – also triumphs the former Monaco man for clearances, with his tally of 4.7 per game clear of Badiashile's 4.2, as per FBref.

Aerials won

2.4

2.2

Clearances

4.7

4.2

Progressive carries

0.7

0.1

Successful take-ons

0.3

0

Interceptions

1

0.9

It's not just defensively that Kilman comes out on top, with the defender better on the ball than Badiashile, as reflected by his tallies of progressive carries and successful take-ons.

Given Chelsea's horrendous 2023/24 campaign, the club need to target another defender as a matter of urgency this summer, with Kilman needing to be the Blues' number-one target.

Stats showed that on average, the ball was only in play for 55 minutes in games last season, and that led the Premier League to take action this term.

The new initiative – which involves referees timing interruptions before restarts after a goal, substitutions, injuries and set pieces – has seen stoppage times increase dramatically throughout the leagues, with some matches even entering the 100th minute and beyond.

Football FanCast has decided to look at this year's latest goals by listing every Premier League strike scored in or after the 95th minute this season.

Every late goal in the PL this season (90+5 onwards)
Team	Goalscorer	Against	Time
Wolves	Pedro Neto	Manchester United	90+5 mins
West Ham	Edson Alvarez	Everton	90+5 mins
Brighton	Lewis Dunk	Everton	90+5 mins
Chelsea	Cole Palmer	Manchester City	90+5 mins
Arsenal	Gabriel Martinelli	Crystal Palace	90+5 mins
Liverpool	Luis Díaz	Luton Town	90+5 mins
Brighton	Evan Ferguson	Luton Town	90+5 mins
West Ham	Lucas Paquetá	Chelsea	90+5 mins
Manchester City	Erling Haaland	Fulham	90+5 mins
Crystal Palace	Michael Olise	Manchester City	90+5 mins
Tottenham	Brennan Johnson	Brighton	90+6 mins
Chelsea	Christopher Nkunku	Wolves	90+6 mins
Wolves	Matheus Cunha	Crystal Palace	90+6 mins
Arsenal	Declan Rice	Manchester United	90+6 mins
Tottenham Hotspur	Joël Matip (own goal)	Liverpool	90+6 mins
Arsenal	Takehiro Tomiyasu	Sheffield United	90+6 mins
Everton	Beto	Newcastle United	90+6 mins
Brentford	Bryan Mbeumo	Chelsea	90+6 mins
Manchester United	Kobbie Mainoo	Wolves	90+7 mins
Arsenal	Declan Rice	Luton Town	90+7 mins
Sheffield United	Oli McBurnie	Bournemouth	90+7 mins
Fulham	Alex Iwobi	Manchester United	90+7 mins
Wolves	Mario Lemina	Tottenham Hotspur	90+7 mins
Chelsea	Nicolas Jackson	Tottenham Hotspur	90+7 mins
Aston Villa	Douglas Luiz	Brighton	90+7 mins
Manchester United	Scott McTominay	Brentford	90+7 mins
Liverpool	Mohamed Salah	Everton	90+7 mins
Tottenham Hotspur	Richarlison	Sheffield United	90+8 mins
Aston Villa	Douglas Luiz	Crystal Palace	90+8 mins
Liverpool	Darwin Nunez	Nottingham Forest	90+9 mins
Sheffield United	Oliver Norwood	Wolves	90+10 mins
Tottenham Hotspur	Dejan Kulusevski	Sheffield United	90+10 mins
Aston Villa	Leon Bailey	Crystal Palace	90+11 mins
Arsenal	Gabriel Jesus	Manchester United	90+11 mins
Sheffield United	Oli McBurnie	West Ham United	90+13 mins

35

Pedro Neto v Manchester United – 90+5 mins

1st February 2024: Wolves 3-4 Manchester United

Wolves thought they had snatched themselves a point at Molineux in what has proven to be one of the games of the season with Pedro Neto's late strike.

The Portuguese winger levelled the scoring after the Red Devils had seemingly wrapped up the game early on in the first half.

Neto continues to impress for Wolves having remained at Molineux following the conclusion of the January transfer window. But if this form continues, surely his time will come in the summer to move on to bigger and better things.

34

Edson Alvarez v Everton – 90+5 mins

2nd March 2024: Everton 1-3 West Ham United

Everton found themselves pushing for a late equaliser against West Ham at Goodison Park, but Edson Alvarez raced up the field to put the finishing touches on an impressive performance from the Hammers.

That's two really consistent performances now by Alvarez as he continues to make the defensive midfield position his own.

33

Lewis Dunk v Everton – 90+5 mins

24th February 2024: Brighton 1-1 Everton

It was a game in which Brighton dominated proceedings with 23 shots to Everton's six, but the Seagulls just couldn't find the target, and ended up paying for their lack of composure in the final third, as Jarrad Branthwaite made them pay.

Lewis Dunk left it late to snatch an equaliser against an Everton side who were desperate to pick up three points, as he headed the ball past a helpless Jordan Pickford.

The Englishman has taken his tally to four goals in all competitions, with three coming in the Premier League this season.

32

Cole Palmer v Manchester City – 90+5 mins

12th November 2023: Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City

Chelsea struck late to earn a dramatic point against the reigning Premier League champions in one of the most entertaining games this season.

Rúben Dias hauled down Armando Broja in the box, resulting in a penalty kick, which former City winger Cole Palmer cooly converted in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Palmer has impressed in West London since his £42.5m move in the summer and was awarded a first senior call-up to the England squad this month.

His 95th-minute penalty was his fourth league goal of the season.

31

Gabriel Martinelli v Crystal Palace – 90+5 mins

20th January 2024: Arsenal 5-0 Crystal Palace

After a difficult run of four games without a win, the Gunners put three points firmly on the board with an emphatic win over their fellow Londoners, Crystal Palace.

And it was a return to the scoresheet for Gabriel Martinelli who has had his own issues for Arsenal this season as he struggles to match the standards he set for himself last season.

Arsenal's title push has certainly taken a hit over the last few weeks, but the win against the Eagles kept them within arms length of the leaders Liverpool.

30

Luis Díaz v Luton Town – 90+5 mins

5th November 2023: Luton Town 1-1 Liverpool

Luton opened the scoring in the 80th minute of their clash with Liverpool after former Manchester United winger Tahith Chong completed a wonderfully worked counterattack with a sliding finish.

The Hatters seemed to be moments away from a monumental result in their history as fans geared up to celebrate a joyous victory against England's most trophy-laden club.

But Luis Díaz's 95th-minute leveller denied those celebrations, though most football fans would've been happy to see the Colombian on the scoresheet with the current circumstances surrounding his father.

A point for the visitors moved them above Arsenal into third whilst the hosts lifted themselves out of the drop zone.

29

Evan Ferguson v Luton Town – 90+5 mins

12th August 2023: Brighton and Hove Albion 4-1 Luton Town

Luton's first match back in the top flight after a 31-year absence ended in a heavy defeat to the high-flying Seagulls.

Solly March opened the scoring in the 36th minute before João Pedro and Simon Adingra added a second and third to seal the three points.

Though Albion weren't finished there, as Evan Ferguson netted a fourth goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The Republic of Ireland international turned in Pervis Estupiñán's cross to open up his Premier League account for the season.

It capped off a wonderful performance from Roberto De Zerbi's men, who will be eager to better last year's sixth-placed finish.

28

Lucas Paqueta v Chelsea – 90+5 mins

20th August 2023: West Ham United 3-1 Chelsea

Matchweek 2 saw another late stoppage-time goal as Lucas Paqueta scored West Ham's third in the fifth minute of added time.

The Brazilian netted a coolly-taken penalty to secure the victory against London rivals Chelsea as his side rose to sixth in the league table, whilst the Blues sunk to 15th without a win in their opening two games.

The fourth official indicated a minimum of six added minutes in this fixture.

27

Erling Haaland v Fulham – 90+5 mins

2nd September 2023: Manchester City 5-1 Fulham

The treble-winners demolished the travelling Cottagers before the international break, and yet again, another goal was scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time. It's almost becoming the norm!

The new initiative will be the catalyst for plenty of stoppage-time goals this term, and quite remarkably, a goal in the 95th minute may not be the last kick of the game nowadays as it has been in previous years.

This instance saw Erling Haaland score a very late goal to complete his second-half hat-trick and send his team back to the summit of the table, two points clear of their closest challengers.

26

Michael Olise v Manchester City – 90+5 mins

16th December 2023: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace pulled off an almighty comeback against the defending champions at the weekend, as they came from 2-0 down to level the tie at 2-2.

Jean-Philippe Mateta won a penalty in the dying embers of the game, which was slotted away calmly by Michael Olise after a rather nervy VAR check.

The Eagles currently sit in 15th position on 17 points, which seems them now eight points above the drop zone.