Nathan Smith came in for Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-20251:27
Southee: Henry not playing the final a ‘massive loss’ for New Zealand
Matt Henry was ruled out of the Champions Trophy final against India because of the shoulder injury he picked up in the semi-final, against South Africa, on March 5 in Lahore. Nathan Smith was brought in as Henry’s replacement in the New Zealand XI.Doubts about Henry’s availability for the final emerged on Friday when Gary Stead, the New Zealand coach, said, “We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him, and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match. [But it’s] still a little bit unknown at this stage.”Henry bowled and fielded in the New Zealand training sessions on match eve, raising his team’s hopes. But, on the morning on the match, when Henry was out on the ground with the rest of the team, he turned his arm over just a few times, grimacing each time, and walked out.Related
New ball or old, Henry will make things happen
Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy leading up to the final with ten strikes, had hurt his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. He left the field but returned to bowl two overs late in the match. He was also seen diving in the field after he came back.Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, had been optimistic about Henry’s availability soon after the match against South Africa, and Stead had also sounded a positive note, saying, “I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl.”Henry had been crucial to New Zealand’s run to the final. In the only match they lost in the first round, against India – also their opponents in the final – Henry returned a five-for. That match was also played in Dubai, like the final.New Zealand opted to field allrounder Smith in Henry’s place even though they had the option of a fast bowler in Jacob Duffy. Smith played one game in the Champions Trophy, the tournament opener in Karachi against Pakistan, where he didn’t get a chance to bat and picked up one wicket in two overs with the ball as New Zealand won by 60 runs.
“We’ve been able to keep ourselves in Test matches on the back of our bowling,” Coley says ahead of Test series in Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jan-2025
The fast bowlers have usually kept West Indies in the contest, with the batters not able to back them up•CWI
“It’s a new series, a new opportunity,” West Indies Test coach Andre Coley said ahead of the two-match series in Pakistan.The last series between the two sides, in Kingston in 2021, was drawn 1-1, but West Indies have not won a Test in Pakistan since November 1990. It’s also true that there haven’t been too many of these – only seven since that game – but the best West Indies have done since that 1990 series is a draw, in Multan in November 2006.As such, the series is part of the World Test Championship cycle, but doesn’t mean much for either team in terms of context: South Africa and Australia have qualified for the final, while Pakistan and West Indies bring up the rear, eighth and ninth respectively on the nine-team table. It’s also a chance for Coley to sign off on a positive note before Daren Sammy takes over.Related
Spin-friendly Multan awaits WI as Pakistan look to continue home momentum
Jangoo earns maiden Test call-up for Pakistan tour; Motie back
Pakistan to host Bangladesh, England and WI in packed 2024-25
“Once you play a series or a match there’s an opportunity in itself,” Coley said at a press interaction on Tuesday. “It’s not about us creating history, it’s about using the learnings from 2024 and that consistency that was inserted for the last 12 months, being more set around the brand of cricket we want to play.”Different people in the squad who would have missed out on opportunities before can use this as an opportunity to do better and do it in conditions that could be different in some instances.”When you talk about Test cricket, it’s not only the opposition’s skill that provides tests, but the different conditions, different environments, and different game situations provide those tests. And that’s why you want to play at this level and in this format, to test yourself over four-five days. The game could change so rapidly.”The magical eight-run win, scripted by Shamar Joseph, against Australia in Brisbane in January was by far West Indies’ best result in Test cricket last year, but it was one of only two wins for them in the entire WTC cycle so far. And Coley pointed to the inconsistencies of the batters for the team not being able to build on the work by the bowlers.”Obviously, Jayden [Seales] back to full fitness, Shamar Joseph making his debut in 2024, Alzarri Joseph… Kemar Roach has been a standout in terms of his leadership, on and off the field, with his skill and mentorship. [Gudakesh] Motie and [Jomel] Warrican have been consistent when given an opportunity,” Coley said, counting off his main bowlers, of whom the two Josephs are not in Pakistan. Anderson Phillip is, and Kevin Sinclair is the third spinner.”We’ve seen a couple of innings where our batters have… Kavem Hodge scoring his first hundred, Alick Athanaze missing out on at least three; there have been instances where we have had significant partnerships from a batting perspective. But they haven’t really been very consistent and put ourselves in match-winning totals.”The standout has been that we’ve been able to keep ourselves in Test matches on the back of our bowling, and what the young bowlers have done. It’s time, going forward in 2025, that the batsmen now, having been given certain opportunities to test their skills, to learn and translate those into performances.”The first Test will be played in Karachi, from January 16, and the second in Multan, from January 24, with West Indies playing a three-day tour game in Islamabad from January 10 to get used to the conditions.
Hosts build on 204-run first-innings lead through fifties from Young and Williamson
Alan Gardner14-Dec-2024
Will O’Rourke dismissed Harry Brook first ball as New Zealand took control•Getty Images
Seddon Park may not be one of the more intimidating arenas in world cricket – even more so when there is a stuffed camel wearing a skipper’s cap stood at one end. But it has been a stronghold for New Zealand’s Test side and they won all the major skirmishes on day two against England, as they looked to bring an end to a run of four consecutive home defeats.It began with a ticklish last-wicket stand between Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke, which kept England in the field through the first hour of the day while they attempted to wrap up the innings. Come the close, Kane Williamson was walking off unbeaten having notched his 12th 50-plus score in Hamilton, as the hosts made solid progress in pushing on towards an impregnable position.In between, Santner and O’Rourke combined once again to rip the guts out of the England innings – that after Matt Henry had dispatched the head. O’Rourke produced a searing spell of unsettling bounce, sharp movement and 145kph/90mph pace, eliminating Nos. 3, 4 and 5 on the England card – including the top two batters in the world, according to the ICC’s rankings – in the space of eight deliveries. Santner broke the recovery stand between Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes in his first over, before Henry returned to dock the tail as England completed a grisly collapse of 8 for 66.The only member of New Zealand’s four-man attack who did not find himself in the wickets was Tim Southee, the “Sexy Camel” whose impending retirement explains the dromedary mascot. He will likely get another chance to go out on a high note, although his side’s unexpected dominance did imperil the chances of Southee reaching another landmark. With 100 Test sixes in his sights, surely someone in the New Zealand think tank will ensure he goes in to bat at some point on Monday.As England’s hopes of a 3-0 series sweep dwindled during the evening session, Young and Williamson adding 89 for the second wicket after Tom Latham had been induced into chopping on by Gus Atkinson, it appeared as if the Bazball reboot had hit another bump in the road. While they had fought their way out of difficult first-innings positions in Christchurch and Wellington to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, here they fell in a heap to concede a 204-run deficit.This time there was no blazing Harry Brook knock to bail them out. Perhaps he had used up all his luck when scoring match-turning hundreds in each of the first two Tests – but when he departed first ball in the 16th over, New Zealand surely felt the game swing decisively their way.O’Rourke was the catalyst. The 6ft 4in quick had bowled impressively without significant rewards in the series but, on the ground where he claimed a nine-wicket haul on debut earlier this year, produced a brilliant spell after lunch that left England 82 for 5 and reeling.He initially worked Jacob Bethell over with a back-of-a-length attack; when the ball was then pitched up, Bethell’s hard-handed drive flew to backward point. Brook fell to the in-ducker, perhaps a touch unlucky as he defended down into the ground, only for the ball to bounce up and flick off the leg bail. The result was the first golden duck of his career, and the first time that he had been dismissed by a New Zealand bowler for less than 50.Will Young and Tom Latham settle into New Zealand’s second innings•Getty Images
In O’Rourke’s following over, once again the combination of bounce and movement back in did for Joe Root, as his late cut flew straight to Young at backward point.A sprightly recovery stand of 52 in 13 overs between Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes followed, only for Santner to remove both within the space of three deliveries. Pope had counterpunched effectively for the third Test in a row, only to prop forward limply and divert an edge to slip. In Santner’s next over, Stokes fell lbw when missing a slog-sweep.The procession continued, as Henry returned to the attack and induced a tame lob to mid-on from Atkinson. Brydon Carse squeezed a return catch back to Santner and when Matt Potts was caught throwing the bat at Henry, England had lost their last five wickets in five overs for the addition of nine runs. A total of 143 all out was England’s lowest in the first innings since their first outing under Brendon McCullum in June 2022.Henry’s opening spell had seen him maintain his hold over Zak Crawley, dismissing him for the fifth time in as many innings. England made a fast start in reply to 347, reaching 32 for 0 in fours overs as Southee was once again dealt with unceremoniously – and Crawley even succeeded in scoring his first runs of the series off Henry.But it was brief respite. From the third ball Henry bowled to him, Crawley could only manage a leading edge that was scooped up one-handed in the bowler’s follow-through. Crawley hung around for the third umpire to check but replays quickly confirmed fingers under the ball, bringing his record to five runs and five dismissals from 22 balls faced off Henry in the series. In the same over, Henry sent back Duckett with a ball that seamed in to hit his back leg in front of middle stump.That mini-session was the antithesis of what had gone before, as Santner and O’Rourke frustrated England while adding 32 runs to the overnight score in 15 largely untroubled overs. With the field spread for Santner, the pair were happy to tick along – the most excitement arguably coming via O’Rourke’s inside edge to fine leg that brought him his first boundary in 19 innings as an international cricketer.O’Rourke had been given out caught behind off Atkinson in the seventh over of the day, only for Ahsan Raza to have to overturn his decision when technology proved the ball had flicked the trouser leg. Potts eventually ended a cat-and-mouse contest with the first ball after drinks, but the tone for the day was set.
Worcestershire have received a suspended two-points deduction for the next season’s Vitality Blast, after their allrounder, Josh Cobb, was deemed to have used an illegally-sized bat in their North Group match with Durham in July.Cobb admitted a breach of ECB Directives 3.2 and 3.3 after his bat failed a bat-gauge test during the Durham match, at which stage he had not yet faced a delivery. The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) adjudicator originally imposed a straight points deduction, but this was amended on appeal to a suspended penalty, which will be imposed if Worcestershire commit a further breach of this nature.It is the second such penalty to be levelled in county cricket this summer, following the 12-point deduction that Essex were last month handed in the County Championship, following Feroz Khushi’s breach of the regulations during their opening fixture of the season, against Nottinghamshire in April.Essex issued a scathing riposte to that verdict, with Keith Fletcher, the club president, decrying it as “stupid”, not least because it wrecked the club’s hopes of challenging for the County Championship, with their final match of the season, at home to Surrey – who have already been crowned champions – taking place this week.Worcestershire were similarly aghast at the original verdict, and explained in their appeal that the loss of two points could mean the difference between reaching the knock-outs of the Vitality Blast and an early elimination.”Being docked points next year potentially/effectively puts a club of our size, with our resources, out of contention for qualification to the later rounds in 2025,” the club wrote to the adjudicator, Chris Tickle. “This has an impact on next year’s squad, coaching team, sponsors and, therefore, the club’s finances. This impact is potentially devastating to us and is disproportionate.”In his amended verdict, Tickle wrote: “Given those circumstances, I am persuaded that it is in the interests of justice to review my decision.”Dave Lewis, the interim director of the Cricket Regulator, said: “I am pleased that we were able to work with Worcestershire CCC and the Cricket Discipline Commission and that the adjudicator was able to reconsider their original decision in this case.”We also note that this is the second oversized bat case this year, and the Cricket Regulator will be working with counties, players, and officials to inform them about the issue with a view to preventing a recurrence next season.”The Cricket Regulator is the independent body which enforces the rules for domestic professional cricket as well as working to educate participants and prevent potential breaches. The Cricket Regulator investigates and prosecutes cases but does not decide on any penalties.The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) is the independent adjudication body which hears cases, rules on responsibility for breaches of rules and issues penalties to teams and participants.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has identified a priority position to strengthen this summer, according to a recent report, with the Lilywhites also growing increasingly confident they can land a key target.
Tottenham target new winger amid Son Heung-min uncertainty
A plethora of reports in the last fortnight have indicated that a new winger sits top of Frank, chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange’s summer to-do list as they prepare for Spurs’ first campaign back in the Champions League for two years.
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ByEmilio Galantini Jun 24, 2025
Tottenham have been boosted in their summer recruitment drive by winning the Europa League last month and subsequently sealing a place in Europe’s most elite competition next term, but they may not have it all of their own way.
The Lilywhites’ shortlist of potential wide targets includes West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus, Man City outcast Jack Grealish, Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, Southampton sensation Tyler Dibling and Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, but all these names will command huge fees.
Son Heung-min
7.00
James Maddison
6.98
Pedro Porro
6.95
Dominic Solanke
6.84
Dejan Kulusevski
6.83
via WhoScored
West Ham want £65 million for Kudus amid Tottenham’s interest, while Grealish’s £300,000-per-week salary proves a major roadblock for any potential suitor, including Frank’s side, who’d have to shatter their salary structure.
Semenyo’s price tag is set at around £70 million, with Bournemouth unlikely to be keen on losing yet another star player. Dibling, meanwhile, could also cost around £51 million, despite Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
Mbeumo is being targeted by Man United as well, and although Spurs have held initial talks, it is believed that the Red Devils are attempting to strike a deal with Brentford by submitting a new and improved £60 million bid.
The need for another wide man is exemplified by Son Heung-min’s uncertain future, with reports suggesting the South Korean could move to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Signing a proven Son replacement won’t be easy, or cheap, and Tottenham may well turn to cheaper options abroad, like the £25 million-rated Lazio winger Gustav Isaksen, who Frank reportedly rates quite highly.
However, if the north Londoners want to make a statement attacking signing, then they can look no further than Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
Tottenham convinced Eberechi Eze would be keen to join Spurs
As per The Mirror and journalist John Cross, Tottenham are getting “encouraging noises” about the England international’s stance on making the move across London to N17.
The Lilywhites are apparently convinced that Eze would be keen to join Spurs as a result, and Palace would be powerless to stop it if Levy opts to trigger his £68 million release clause.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
The Mirror reiterates that Frank is prioritising a new wide player amid the very real prospect of losing Son, and Eze’s £100,000-per-week wages potentially make this transfer doable in terms of salary, unlike other reported targets like Grealish.
The 26-year-old bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last term, with one of his strikes coming in a 1-0 FA Cup final win over Man City which ended Palace’s history-long wait for a piece of major silverware.
Able to play out wide and through the middle as a CAM, there is little denying he’d be a truly excellent addition for Frank.
Celtic are looking to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window in order to bring even more trophies back to Parkhead in the 2025/26 campaign.
The Hoops have already officially confirmed their first signing of the window, with Kieran Tierney due to return to Glasgow after his contract with Arsenal expires at the end of this month.
The Scotland international will join the club on a free transfer to compete for a spot at left-back in Brendan Rodgers’ team next season, whilst Greg Taylor is out of contract this summer and looks to be on his way out of Parkhead.
Tierney will not be the only player to come through the doors before the window slams shut, though, as the Hoops are also reportedly closing in on a new striker.
Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reports that Fulham centre-forward Callum Osmand has agreed terms to join the Scottish Premiership champions from the Premier League side, and the English team will be due compensation for the 19-year-old attacker.
What Callum Osmand could bring to Celtic
It was reported earlier this week that the teenage attacker is set to be a part of the first-team set-up because Rodgers rates him and wants to provide the youngster with an opportunity to stake a claim for a spot in the squad next season.
That is despite the fact that Osmand has yet to make a single senior appearance in his career to date. He has not been out on loan and has not been selected in the first-team by Marco Silva in Fulham, as he has had Carlos Vinicius, Rodrigo Muniz, and Raul Jimenez ahead of him, three seasoned Premier League number nines.
Rodgers has clearly seen something in the young striker, as he did when Moussa Dembele arrived from the Cottagers in a similar deal back in 2016, and Osmand’s statistics at youth level may explain what the manager has seen in him.
The Wales youth international scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 22 games for the Premier League side’s academy teams during the 2024/25 campaign, and he has been prolific throughout his youth career.
Callum Osmand’s U18 & U21 form for Fulham
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
24/25
22
11
4
23/24
29
21
6
22/23
21
11
2
21/22
1
0
0
Total
73
43
12
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Osmand has been a reliable goalscorer at youth level for Fulham for several years, and now he is set to have an opportunity to showcase his quality at first-team level in Scotland.
This means that he could bring a goal threat off the bench for Celtic, as a back-up to the likes of Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda, if he can adapt to senior football.
Meanwhile, though, the Hoops are also eyeing up a deal for another player from England who could be an even more exciting addition for Rodgers.
Celtic in the running to sign Championship wing wizard
Pink Un journalist Connor Southwell has revealed that Celtic are one of a number of clubs in the running to land Blackburn Rovers winger Tyrhys Dolan in the summer transfer window.
In the Pink Un’s Q&A, a Norwich City supporter asked reporters if the English attacker was an option for the Canaries this summer, and was met with an unfortunate response.
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Southwell answered: “One they like. But so does most of the Championship and the big two in Scotland. I think the level of competition around him has made that a very unlikely prospect, if I’m being honest.”
The journalist stated that Liam Manning’s team are unlikely to sign the 23-year-old winger, whose contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month, due to the level of interest from elsewhere.
Celtic and Rangers, along with a host of other teams in the English Championship, are in the running to land the winger, and their interest looks set to end Norwich’s chances of signing him.
Why Dolan would be more exciting than Osmand
Whilst Osmand looks set to be an exciting addition to the club due to his academy record, the young Fulham striker is very much an unknown quantity due to his lack of senior experience in football.
Dolan, on the other hand, has played 210 matches for Blackburn by the age of 23. This means that he is an incredibly experienced operator, despite his relatively young age, and that Celtic would know what they are getting from him.
The English wing wizard, who was hailed as “terrific” by journalist Elliott Jackson, has been there and done it at a good level in the Championship in England, which is why he would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand.
Dolan’s performances in the second tier for Blackburn were very promising in the 2024/25 campaign, and suggest that he could make a big impact at the top end of the pitch for the Hoops immediately if they were to sign him this summer.
24/25 Championship
Tyrhys Dolan
Appearances
44
Touches per game
38.1
Goals
7
Conversion rate
14%
Big chances created
7
Key passes
44
Assists
6
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Dolan racked up 14 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined for Rovers this season, and that is despite them not being one of the top teams in the division.
Blackburn only averaged 49.1% per game in the Championship, compared to Celtic’s 75.1% possession per match in the Premiership. This suggests that the winger would have more chances to showcase his quality in the final third due to the share of the ball that the Hoops have week-in-week-out.
Tyrhys Dolan in action for Blackburn Rovers.
Now, imagine what Dolan could do in a dominant and front-footed team after he has already proven that he can deliver goals and assists in a midtable team in the Championship. That is an exciting thought!
That thought is also why the Blackburn star would be an even more exciting signing than Osmand, who is yet to prove himself at senior level, as he could hit the ground running by making an instant impact in the Premiership next season.
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Celtic are eyeing up a deal for a winger who could be their next Scott Sinclair.
The Premier League fixtures were announced this week and Liverpool will kick start their reign as champions by welcoming Bournemouth on Friday August 15, but who will make their starting XI?
The Reds face the Cherries, a trip to Newcastle and a home clash with Arsenal in their first few fixtures, and have already been very busy in the transfer market in preparation for the new season.
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Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are expected to follow Jeremie Frimpong through the Anfield door, so Arne Slot’s side could have a totally new look to it come August, as the club’s leadership opt to attack from a position of strength this summer.
But with plenty of new faces and the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and possibly Andy Robertson departing, what will the manager’s first team of the season look like? We’ve asked Grok, the AI tool on X, to find out, as it set the Reds up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
AI predicts Liverpool's starting XI vs Bournemouth Defence: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez
There are few surprises in the prediction for Liverpool’s defensive set-up, with all signs pointing towards Kerkez being the next new face through the door.
An international teammate of Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian star’s father all but confirmed the move this week, and Bournemouth have already signed his replacement in the shape of Adrien Truffert.
Milos Kerkez
On the other side, Konate is flanked by Frimpong, who’s incredible goal threat from a wide position should go some way to filling the void left by Alexander-Arnold – the flying Dutchman registered five goals and five assists in 33 Bundesliga games last season.
Defensive midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister
Again we see the beauty of building off the back of a stunning title-winning season, as there is plenty of consistency through the spine of Liverpool’s predicted set-up.
Ryan Gravenberch was crowned the top flight’s young player of the season last term, starting 37 of his side’s 38 league matches, and will look to continue his development alongside World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister.
Attacking midfield: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo
If fans were worried about the creativity lost by their vice-captain’s departure, then the arrival of Wirtz to slot in alongside Salah should ease those concerns. The Germany international and the Egyptian King were the only two players across Europe’s big five leagues to score ten or more goals and assist ten or more goals across the last two seasons.
Goals
29
10
Assists
18
12
Shot-creating actions
169
148
Successful take-ons
58
82
Crosses
79
101
On the left the nod goes to Gakpo, perhaps lending credence to the idea that Luis Diaz will depart the club amid links to Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League.
Striker: Alexander Isak
With Darwin Nunez expected to leave Merseyside this summer and join a club in Serie A, there is plenty of speculation about who takes the number nine role under Slot, and Grok predicts it will be Newcastle superstar Alexander Isak.
The 25 year-old is thought to hold a price tag of £150m with his current employers, which would smash the top flight record and Liverpool’s own top signing, which will soon be Wirtz at £116m.
Could anyone stop Liverpool’s newfound domestic dominance if they added Isak to their already illustrious attacking options?
It’s no secret that Manchester United have fallen way below the high standards they’ve set for themselves this season, currently occupying a place in the bottom half of the Premier League.
The Red Devils are set for their lowest ever points tally and league finish of the Premier League era, with boss Ruben Amorim desperately needing to make changes next year if he’s to be a success at Old Trafford.
The forward line has certainly contributed to their recent failures, netting just 42 goals in their 36 outings, with Bruno Fernandes their current top scorer on just eight goals.
Strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have only managed to find the back of the net seven times between them, highlighting the lack of attacking threat within the current squad.
However, the upcoming transfer window hands boss Amorim the perfect opportunity to improve the situation, with a new talisman needing to be at the top of his list this summer.
United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
With the transfer window rapidly on the horizon, United have already wasted no time in pursuing potential targets to strengthen the options at the manager’s disposal.
The likes of Liam Delap, Matheus Cunha and Victor Osimhen have all been touted with a summer switch to Old Trafford, but no deals have yet been completed for any of the aforementioned trio.
However, another name has entered the frame in the form of Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, with a potential reunion on the cards with Amorim, according to CaughtOffside.
The report claims that the Red Devils are preparing an offer for the 26-year-old Swedish international, who’s managed to register a staggering 52 goals in his 50 appearances throughout 2024/25.
It also confirms that Arsenal and Liverpool are in the race for his signature this window, with the hierarchy needing to work tirelessly to avoid missing out on him to a divisional rival.
Why United’s latest target would be perfect alongside Amad
The Europa League final next week hands United a golden opportunity to end the season on a high, whilst also securing their place in the Champions League for 2025/26.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimarrives before the match
Amorim’s side must be fully focused on such an occasion, especially considering there is no longer anything to play for in the Premier League.
If they are to go beat Tottenham Hotspur for the first time this season and claim European glory, Amad Diallo will be a key reason, with his success this campaign nothing short of remarkable.
He’s registered 18 combined goals and assists across all competitions despite missing a large chunk of the year through an ankle issue, which required surgery.
However, he’s back and ready for action, with a fully fit 22-year-old a prospect to fear for any opposition, as seen by his contributions throughout 2024/25.
Such figures could fall perfectly into the hands of Gyokeres should he make the switch to Old Trafford, with his goalscoring tally undoubtedly improving the situation Amorim has on his hands.
The Swede, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in Europe” by Fabrizio Romano, has also managed to register 4.4 shots per 90, with 2.5 of which going on target – showcasing his clinical nature in the final third.
Viktor Gyokeres
32
38
8
46
Harry Kane
30
25
9
34
Omar Marmoush
31
21
12
33
Kylian Mbappé
32
28
3
31
Mateo Retegui
34
24
7
31
Victor Osimhen
28
24
5
29
He’s also created 2.1 chances per 90 to date, along with a 52% aerial success rate, handing the side an all-round option at the top end of the pitch, which could allow Amad to increase his own tallies.
It’s unclear how much the Red Devils are set to bid for his services this summer, but it would be a phenomenal piece of business that would see the talisman link up with his former boss.
Given the interest elsewhere, the hierarchy will have to jump ahead of the opposition and make him their number one target, with Gyokeres having the tools to thrive in the Premier League and take the club back to where they belong.
He'd be amazing with Cunha: Man Utd prepare £65m bid for "sensational" star
Manchester United could land a star who would be perfect alongside Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford.
Liverpool’s summer transfer window will be crucial if they are to build on the success endured by Arne Slot in his first season in charge of the side at Anfield.
The Dutchman looks set to claim the Premier League title at the first attempt, but additions will be needed if he is to replicate such a feat in 2025/26.
Numerous players are expected to depart the Reds during the off-season, needing to provide added depth to the squad, whilst also upgrading players who remain on Merseyside.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Darwin Núñez and Harvey Elliott have both already been touted with a summer move, with any deals likely to hand the manager added funds to make improvements to his side.
It appears as though he’s wasted no time in targeting reinforcements, with one player emerging as a huge target ahead of the opening of the summer transfer window.
Liverpool make contact to land £50m PL star
According to The Athletic, Liverpool have made contact with Bournemouth ahead of a summer deal to land centre-back Dean Huijsen, but face serious competition for his signature.
Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Newcastle United are all in the race to land the 19-year-old who’s massively impressed for the Cherries in 2024/25.
He’s notched 25 Premier League appearances to date, registering two goals and one assist, playing a vital role in their ambitions of securing European football under Andoni Iraola.
The report claims that the Reds’ hierarchy have already held meetings with the defender’s representatives over a move to Merseyside, with the Spaniard having a £50m release clause in his current contract.
Whilst it may seem a hefty sum for such a young talent, it would be a worthwhile investment, allowing Slot to land a player who could star at the heart of the backline for many years to come.
Why Huijsen would be a better signing than Kerkez for Liverpool
Over the last few weeks, Huijsen hasn’t been the only Bournemouth player touted with a move to join Liverpool, with Milos Kerkez strongly linked with a move to Slot’s side.
The Hungarian left-back has been subject to interest over £40m move to join the Reds, but it remains to be seen whether a deal will be completed this summer.
His talent is there for all to see, scoring twice and registering five assists in the Premier League this campaign, being a key part of the Cherries’ success under Iraola this year.
However, a move for Huijsen would undeniably be a better signing than Kerkez, especially considering the other sides also in the race for his services this window.
The Spanish international would be a perfect partner to current centre-back Virgil van Dijk, with any move allowing him to learn off the Dutchman and become the club’s leading defensive star down the line.
AFC Bournemouth's DeanHuijsenduring the warm up before the match
He’s already showcased his talent on the South Coast, outperforming Van Dijk in numerous key areas, further highlighting why he would be a better addition than the full-back.
Huijsen, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has registered more progressive carries per 90 – showcasing his impressive ability on the ball, subsequently being able to fit into Slot’s possession-based system.
Games played
25
31
Goals & assists
3
2
Progressive carries
1.5
0.5
Tackles won
1.1
0.5
Blocks made
1.5
0.7
Interceptions made
2.2
1.6
Clearances made
6.9
5.1
The youngster has also thrived defensively, winning more tackles per 90, along with more interceptions – outperforming Van Dijk despite his tender age, highlighting how much of an impressive addition he would be.
£50m would be a huge fee for such a young star, but in his short spell in England’s top flight, he’s shown how impressive he’s been, having all of the tools to improve further.
Given the vast amount of interest in his signature, the club’s hierarchy will have to work quickly to avoid missing out on him, undoubtedly making a huge mistake if they don’t pursue his services.
Liverpool ready mega offer to sign an amazing hybrid of Trent & Van Dijk
Liverpool could be about to make another huge investment to partner Virgil van Dijk next season.
After their gritty performance in Manchester, here’s looking back at some other recent efforts from India that secured draws from perilous positions
Omkar Mankame and Harigovind S28-Jul-2025Gqeberha 2001-02 Blown away in 62 overs by Shaun Pollock, Nantie Hayward and Makhaya Ntini in the first innings, India began the final day at 28 for 1 in pursuit of 395. On a decent batting strip, Deep Dasgupta (63 off 281 balls) and Rahul Dravid (87 from 241) put up a stoic second-wicket stand that stretched for more than 80 overs. The duo fell in succession, but bad light spared India further trouble. The grit on display, though, was soon overshadowed by the furore around match referee Mike Denness.Nottingham 2002 The prequel to the Manchester escape. India posted 357, England replied with 617, and then India’s top-order crumbled – they were two down within the first two overs. India needed their middle order to deliver, and it did. Dravid (115), Sachin Tendulkar (92), and Sourav Ganguly (99) batted India to safety. But it still took a an unbeaten 19 in 84 minutes from 17-year-old Parthiv Patel to seal the draw.Related
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Kolkata 2002-03 On the fourth morning, West Indies’ 139-run first-innings lead seemed modest on a good pitch – until India, in their second innings, collapsed to 49 for 3 before lunch, and 87 for 4 soon after. In stepped Tendulkar with a masterful 176, balancing caution with command. At the other end was VVS Laxman, back at the scene of his epic 281 from a year ago. He batted through the day for an unbeaten 154 off 396 balls as the game ended in a draw.MS Dhoni’s 76 not out at Lord’s in 2007 took India to safety•Nick Potts/PA Photos/Getty ImagesLord’s 2007 Rain came to India’s rescue as they drew the Test with just one wicket remaining. Last batter S Sreesanth had survived a huge appeal for lbw off Monty Panesar, and MS Dhoni had gone about saving the match in unique style – launching ten boundaries en route to 76 not out – when Steve Bucknor and Simon Taufel agreed it had become too dark thanks to the rain, which arrived five minutes before tea.Napier 2008-09 Asked to follow-on with a 314-run deficit, and with six-and-a-half sessions of play left, India were cornered. But Gautam Gambhir dug in with a marathon 137 off 436 balls across 643 minutes. Dravid and Tendulkar chipped in with solid fifties, while Laxman stood firm with an unbeaten 124. India batted out 180 overs – their longest second-innings batting effort this century.Ahmedabad 2010-11 The Test had drifted for three days and a session, with over 900 runs scored for just 15 wickets. Then Chris Martin sparked a stunning collapse – India slid to 15 for 5, and then 65 for 6. Enter Laxman, India’s crisis man, and Harbhajan Singh, who raced to his maiden Test ton. Their 54-over stand pulled India from the brink and secured a hard-fought draw.An injured R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari helped India draw in Sydney in 2020-21•AFP via Getty ImagesSydney 2014-15 Three wickets needed for Australia, a wearing SCG pitch, the light fading, and India trying to cling on for a draw – it could have been the 2007-08 finish at the same venue all over again. But Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar held their nerve. India’s chances of saving the Test seemed gone when they lost their sixth wicket with 20 overs to be bowled, but Rahane showed his mettle by soaking up 88 balls for 38 not out.Sydney 2020-21 A bruised and battered India line-up couldn’t run between the wickets for a session. They had a player with a fractured thumb waiting to bat next. They copped one body blow after another. And yet, against all odds, R Ashwin (39* off 128 balls) and Hanuma Vihari (23* from 161) produced one of the most dramatic displays of patient batting to pull off a draw that hardly anyone saw coming.