In a summer full of impressive arrivals, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are now reportedly at risk of losing a player of their own in reluctant fashion amid growing interest.
Arsenal still chasing Eze arrival
Even after splashing out to welcome Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera this summer, Arsenal still have unfinished business in the transfer window. Unlike in past seasons, Arteta is seemingly ready to enjoy a much-needed window of upgrades as he looks to end an increasingly concerning run without a major trophy at The Emirates.
The most important addition on that list of incomings remains Gyokeres. Arsenal’s biggest problem in recent seasons has been their inability to find the back of the net. They desperately needed a serial goalscorer last summer, but chose to invest elsewhere in a decision that Liverpool quickly made them regret.
It is not a mistake that they’ve made twice, however. Making up for lost time, the Gunners have welcomed one of the most clinical goalscorers that European football has to offer in Gyokeres.
The big task that sporting director Andrea Berta has now is finding as many reliable supply points as possible for Gyokeres to thrive. Tee the Swede up and he will score the goals that Arsenal have so desperately craved. It could really be as simply as that. And whilst the likes of Bukayo Saka will undoubtedly do just that, the addition of Eberechi Eze could take things to another level.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzeposes with the player of the match trophy
In a summer-long chase, the Crystal Palace man is still on Arsenal’s radar despite reports that his £68m release clause has now expired. Whether that forces the Gunners to pay an even greater price for his signature is now the big question.
Of course, if that does prove to be the case, then any potential sales of their own could go a long way towards funding any blockbuster move.
Arsenal deliver Kiwior transfer response
One sale that Arteta is not keen to sanction, however, is Jakub Kiwior’s. According to Fabrizio Romano, Kiwior is now considering an exit amid interest in his signature from a number of European clubs.
That said, those in North London have already rejected offers for their centre-back from Portugal last month and Arteta would prefer to keep hold of his defender this month.
Despite being praised for his “impressive” form by analyst Ben Mattinson when asked to step into the side amid defensive woes last season, Arteta’s stance on Kiwior’s exit comes as a slight surprise.
Arsenal have already signed Mosquera and have cover in the form of Riccardo Calafiori and, if needed, Ben White at the heart of their backline. Just where Kiwior fits into the pecking order as a result is difficult to say and the Gunners would be best to cash in whilst they can this summer.
Queensland have been left to rue a number of bizarre final-day dismissals, after falling to a 90-run defeat to Victoria.Resuming on day four at 58 for 3 chasing 329 for victory at the Gabba, Queensland were all out for 238 just before tea at the Gabba.Sam Elliott starred for Victoria, taking 4 for 43, while Todd Murphy also claimed 3 for 48 as he continues to push his case to be Australia’s second spinner in Sri Lanka.But the biggest challenge for Queensland came from within. The hosts looked in a position to hold on for a draw or push for a win midway through the first session, after Jack Clayton and Ben McDermott put on 59 for the fourth wicket.But their 18.3-over stand was ended when McDermott dropped a ball at his feet and took off for a quick single. Clayton gave up on the single and was run out while not pushing hard to make his crease on 43.The run out was superbly executed by bowler Xavier Crone with a back-handed flick, but still the wicket was gifted to the visitors.Crone’s run out was also his second such dismissal of the match after removing Mark Steketee in similar fashion in the first innings.Even after Clayton’s dismissal, McDermott and Jimmy Pierson put on 63 for the fifth wicket only for Pierson to be bowled for 31 trying to scoop Murphy.And from there the innings fell apart. Murphy also had McDermott caught at slip for 68, before Xavier Bartlett and Jack Wildermuth were both caught hooking Elliott at deep fine leg.Mitchell Swepson was then the last to fall, bowled by Murphy to become the offspinner’s third victim.The win leaves Victoria top of the table at the halfway mark, four points clear of Western Australia. Queensland remain last and are the only winless team after five games.
In a Facebook post, Shakib speaks of why he joined politics, and also says he wants to bid farewell to the game with his fans in attendance
Mohammad Isam09-Oct-2024
Shakib Al Hasan is set to play his final Test match in Dhaka later this month•AFP via Getty Images
Shakib Al Hasan has apologised for his silence during the student-led protests in Bangladesh in July, which led to several hundreds of deaths. It is the first time that Shakib acknowledged the movement that led to the fall of the longstanding Awami League-led government – in which he was a member of parliament (MP) – on August 5.”Firstly, I would like to pay my respects to all the students who sacrificed their lives, led the anti-discrimination movement, and were martyred or injured during the people’s uprising,” Shakib wrote on his Facebook page. “I extend my deepest respect and condolences to them and their families. While no sacrifice can compensate for the loss of a loved one, nothing can fill the void of losing a child or a brother, to those of you who were hurt by my silence during this critical period, I respect your feelings and sincerely apologise. If I were in your place, I too might have been upset.”Related
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Shakib was playing in the Global T20 Canada franchise league during the violence in Bangladesh in July. During one of the matches in early August, Shakib argued with a fan who had asked him about his silence on the upheaval back home.Apart from being an MP, Shakib, of course, is arguably Bangladesh’s biggest cricket star ever, a larger-than-life figure in Bangladesh, and so his silence rankled. He was named in a murder case related to the protests, along with 146 other Awami League leaders, while he was playing the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.On September 26, Shakib, who resides in the USA with his family, announced his retirement from Test cricket. He said that if the authorities could guarantee his safe entry and exit from Bangladesh, he wanted to play his last Test in Dhaka, against South Africa from October 21. He had not been in the country since the T20 World Cup in June, having linked up with the Test squad directly in Pakistan and India. BCB president Faruque Ahmed said the board could not guarantee him the security he wanted, but at the government level there were positive signals for Shakib. Sports adviser Asif Mahmud had said the government would provide him with security, but Shakib needed to explain his political stance to his fans.In his long Facebook post on Wednesday, Shakib duly spoke of why he had joined politics last year. He had got an Awami League nomination, and went on to win comfortably from the Magura-1 constituency.”I was briefly the member of parliament from the Magura-1 constituency. My political involvement was primarily driven by my desire to contribute to the development of my hometown Magura. As you know, it is difficult to directly impact the development of one’s area without a specific role in Bangladesh.”My wish to develop this area is what motivated me to become an MP. However, at the end of the day, my primary identity is as a cricketer for Bangladesh. No matter where I have been or in what position, I have always carried cricket in my heart.”Shakib concluded his post by paying tribute to his fans. “You all know that I will soon be playing my last match… I want to say goodbye with all of you around. At the moment of farewell, I want to shake hands with those whose applause compelled me to play better. I want to meet the eyes of those who cheered in joy when I played well and whose eyes welled up with tears when I did not. I believe that at this farewell moment, you will all be with me. Together, we will close the story that, in truth, stars not me, but all of you.”
Florian Wirtz’s medical is scheduled for Friday, and Liverpool supporters are surely now confident that they will get their man.
Despite all the noise regarding obscene transfer fees, Bayer Leverkusen’s Wirtz will sign for an initial £100m fee, with a further £16m achievable through add-ons.
Florian Wirtz
No doubt, Arne Slot can’t wait to bring the German playmaker into his team, adding some truly world-class quality to ensure the Premier League champions stand a great chance of defending their belt.
Of course, Liverpool need a new centre-forward to dance to the creative tune Wirtz will play from number ten. Darwin Nunez’s time on Merseyside is at an end, reported interest from Serie A rising.
Multiple names have been bandied about, but Hugo Ekitike’s has held the most weight over the past several weeks.
The latest on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool
Liverpool need a striker, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ekitike has been billed the perfect fit, not just a budding goalscorer of a high class but also a dynamic and rounded player whose strength lies in his elegance and flair.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
The 22-year-old completed his first full season in Germany last year, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists across 48 matches in all competitions.
But with a deft touch, selfless link-up play and intelligent off-the-ball movements all front and centre of Ekitike’s skillset, there’s little question that he has a “very complete offensive range”, as noted by one French reporter.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has also dubbed Ekitike “one of the best strikers out there”, but he’s not the best. That particular player lingers elusively out of reach for all who might want him this summer, but Liverpool haven’t given up hope.
Liverpool still in for Ekitike alternative
As per the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle, Liverpool are still huge admirers of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and are attentive to his situation.
Even though The Athletic’s David Ornstein claimed the 25-year-old would not be moving this summer after qualifying for the Champions League, Liverpool chiefs are looking to raise funds through the sales of existing players, and the summer is still young.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal
For their part, Newcastle categorically don’t want to sell. Isak is the cream of Eddie Howe’s crop and has been valued at more than £150m.
Why Alexander Isak would be perfect
Isak is one of the best players in the Premier League, with analyst Raj Chohan even declaring him “the best striker in the world” after his extraordinary 2024/25 campaign.
Newcastle signed the marksman from Real Sociedad three years ago in what remains a club-record £63m move, but Isak has shaken away the injury issues of seasons past to have enjoyed his finest year yet, bagging 27 goals and six assists over 42 matches in all competitions.
In the Premier League, his 23-goal return was surpassed only by that man Mohamed Salah, and with Isak missing only 18 big chances and creating 11 golden opportunities for his teammates, as per Sofascore, he’d help Liverpool’s Egyptian star and the rest in creating a layered attacking game next year.
Isak’s goalscoring is second-to-none, sure, but that’s not why Liverpool have a vested interest. Instead, it’s the player’s underlying quality, so rounded and technically impressive.
His physicality and robustness (when swerving the injury front) have established the rangy forward to become one of the best in the world, with his goal against Liverpool at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup in March underscoring his value.
Maybe that was the game that convinced FSG of this star’s prowess, for rumours of his potential cross-country summer switch have persisted ever since.
It’s hardly surprising. Liverpool clearly want a certain type of centre-forward, with FBref’s data-driven model revealing Ekitike to be one of Isak’s most statistically comparable players.
Let’s have a look at how they match up.
Alexander Isak vs Hugo Ekitike (24/25)
Stats (per 90)
Isak
Ekitike
Goals scored
0.75
0.53
Assists
0.20
0.28
Shots taken
3.10
4.00
Shot-creating actions
3.00
3.55
Touches (att pen)
6.17
6.88
Progressive passes
2.87
1.86
Progressive carries
2.71
3.27
Successful take-ons
1.37
1.83
Ball recoveries
1.80
3.06
Tackles + interceptions
0.49
0.81
All data via FBref
What’s interesting is that Ekitike is a bit more active in his ball carrying and in his recoveries, but he also unleashes strikes on goal with greater regularity, with xG (expected goals) tally reaching 0.76 per 90.
Isak’s xG tally, conversely, amounted only to 0.66 per 90, which basically means he scored more frequently than he should have from the chances he found himself at the centre of.
Ultimately, we’re not going to see both players under Slot’s wing, but one of them should suffice. Given Ekitike’s stylistic similarities to Isak, though, you could argue that he’s little more than an imitation of the Swede, pastiching his style of play but not to the same effect.
Ekitike and Isak
The 6 foot 3 star has a wealth of experience as a top striker in the Premier League, so it’s understandable that Liverpool would have to pay a premium.
Would the £150m mark be too much for the Reds? It’s likely, but then such a figure is potentially overinflated. Wirtz, it must be said, was touted at €150m (£127m), right up into Liverpool announced themselves the finances involved in a deal that leaves the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal with bigger outlays on single-player transfers at this stage.
To fork out what would likely reach the £100m ballpark once again in the same transfer window would be a big ask of FSG, but the American owners have established a self-sustainable model that has bred illustrious success, and with the right player sales, this might just be one to keep an eye on.
Their new Mo Salah: Liverpool favourites to sign "incredible" £84m striker
Liverpool are planning to sign a new number nine in the summer transfer market.
Wrexham are currently preparing for a season in the Championship after they finished second in League One to earn promotion up to the second tier.
The Red Dragons are yet to make their first signing since the end of last season, but there will be plenty of work going on behind the scenes to identify targets to improve the team.
Phil Parkinson will have to judge which of his players are ready to make the step up to the Championship after a season in League One, which means that some difficult decisions could have to be made.
Why Thomas O'Connor may be replaced
One player who could be replaced as a regular starter is left-sided central defender Thomas O’Connor, who has been at the club since they were in the National League.
The former Southampton academy graduate has never played above League One level in his career to date, and was a regular starter – starting 25 of his 31 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign – for Wrexham this season.
O’Connor was, however, an unused substitute in five of the last seven matches and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to handle the step up to the Championship, a level that he has never played at before.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The BBC reported earlier this month that Wrexham, Norwich, Birmingham, and Sheffield United are among the teams interested in a deal to sign Harry Darling on a free transfer from Swansea City.
His contract with the Welsh side is due to expire at the end of this month, and the Red Dragons are one of the sides looking to snap him up for nothing.
Why Darling would be an upgrade on O'Connor
Parkinson must push to convince Darling to make a move across Wales rather than joining Birmingham, Norwich, or Sheffield United, as he would improve the club’s options at the back.
Despite being right-footed, the 25-year-old Englishman often plays on the left-side of a centre-back pairing and this means that he could take O’Connor’s place as the left-sided centre-back in a back three at Wrexham.
Unlike the current Red Dragons defender, Darling is an experienced Championship defender who has made 108 appearances at that level, which means that he would arrive at the Racecourse as a proven second tier star.
He would be a relatively risk-free signing as someone who has been there and done it and could immediately improve Wrexham’s team, particularly when you take his performances this season into account.
Appearances
31
39
Goals
0
5
Clearances per game
2.9
5.0
Dribbled past per game
0.5x
0.3x
Ground duel success rate
53%
66%
Aerial duel success rate
57%
64%
As you can see in the table above, Darling’s defensive work in the Championship, in terms of his success rate in duels and how often he was beaten by opposition attackers, was more impressive than O’Connor’s was at a lower level.
This suggests that the Swansea star, who was hailed as “outstanding” by former boss Luke Williams, is a big upgrade on the current Wrexham left centre-back, particularly from a defensive perspective.
Darling also, as shown in the table, scored five goals from centre-back, compared to O’Connor’s barren return in League One, and this suggests that he would offer a much greater goal threat in the 2025/26 campaign.
The English titan, who ranked in the top 31% of centre-backs in the league for progressive passes per 90 (3.70), is a ball-playing defender who has shown that he can mix technical quality and class on the ball with strength and reliable out of possession at Championship level.
Big Rathbone upgrade: Wrexham still in race to sign "outstanding" PL star
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Therefore, he would be the perfect signing, as a proven second tier star, to come in as a big upgrade on their left-sided centre-back position this summer.
Sunderland might well have closed out their regular campaign in the Championship with a worrying five league defeats on the spin, but heading into the second leg of their playoff affair with Coventry City later on, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats are firmly in the driver’s seat.
Indeed, the promotion hopefuls lead Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues 2-1 on aggregate after a confident display on their travels last time out, with a potentially bouncing Stadium of Light atmosphere tonight seeing them over the line.
Sunderland manager RegisLeBris
Le Bris will further hope he’s the boss that can consolidate Sunderland as a Premier League regular again if promotion is reached, with the Wearside outfit enjoying many a top-flight season previously when Jermain Defoe was heroically leading the line.
Jermain Defoe's heroics at Sunderland
It’s been a long time coming for Sunderland to be on the cusp of a Premier League return, with the Black Cats competing outside the luxuries of the top-flight since 2016.
The former Tottenham Hotspur star would attempt to keep his forlorn side up during the 2015/16 season against all the odds, but not even his regular heroics would be enough to keep the Wearside giants from sinking down despondently to the EFL.
The campaign prior, however, Defoe’s 15-goal haul in the tricky division would be enough for Sunderland to just about avoid relegation in 17th spot, but that same goal tally the season after would unfortunately go to waste.
In total, the firm Stadium of Light fan’s favourite would notch up a century of Sunderland appearances across three seasons, with 37 goals tallied up, definitely making him a standout purchase.
Well, it’s safe to say that as the Mackems potentially approach another campaign in the top-flight, they’ve found their best signing since the iconic Defoe.
Sunderland's best purchase since Defoe
Le Bris has managed to tempt some top-quality personnel to Sunderland since taking charge of the EFL giants, with Wilson Isidor up to 15 goals now from 50 games this season after netting in the first leg away at Coventry.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
While Isidor has certainly shone bright, it’s the remarkable coup of Enzo Le Fee who stands proud as Sunderland’s best signing in recent years.
As it happens, he had a huge role to play in his French compatriot finishing past Ben Wilson with confidence last Friday, with his defence-splitting pass giving Isidor plenty of time to compose himself before firing home.
This sublime moment of quality on such a pressurised stage backs up how much of an outrageous coup it was that Sunderland managed to obtain Le Fee’s services on loan in January, with Defoe also seen as a statement purchase back in 2014, considering his devastating prowess in front of goal in the Premier League was clear for all to see before relocating to the Black Cats.
Le Fee has also displayed his midfield elegance in some grand settings before Sunderland came calling, with the stylish Frenchman once on the desired shopping list of Liverpool off the back of picking up 15 assists on the books of Le Bris’ ex-employers Lorient.
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Touches
43
Accurate passes
17/19 (89%)
Key passes
4
Big chances created
1
The classy 25-year-old would never manage to pull on the famed red strip of Arne Slot’s men, but he certainly looks comfortable donning the red and white of Sunderland at the moment, with the midfielder registering four key passes in total during the first leg win.
Therefore, much like Defoe managed in the Premier League when securing safety for Sunderland, the “really talented” midfielder – as he’s been labelled by his manager – could be as key to Le Bris’ men now as they attempt to leap back up to the big time.
After all, his sensational ability to produce a moment of spellbinding quality in an instant is a hugely effective weapon, particularly if a playoff final to come at Wembley is tense and in need of a game-changing spark.
Delegation travels to Sunderland amid imminent talks to sign 19 y/o
This is a worrying time for Black Cats supporters.
Manchester United’s Premier League campaign is all but over as they cannot be relegated, and they cannot push on to finish in any of the European positions.
The Red Devils, who were beaten 4-3 by Brentford on Sunday, are now 15th in the table and only have the Europa League to play for before the end of the season.
It has not been good enough for Ruben Amorim’s side on the domestic front, which could lead to some business in the summer transfer window to improve the squad.
In fact, United have already been linked with potential targets to bolster the team, including one player who currently plays in the Championship.
Man Utd target Championship star for summer move
According to The Boot Room, Manchester United are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Sunderland central midfielder Jobe Bellingham ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Sunderland'sJobeBellingham
The report claims that both the Red Devils and fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace are both eager to sign the England U21 talent in the summer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It also reveals that Borussia Dortmund are eyeing up the English midfield star and that Sunderland have set a valuation of £20m for the promising youngster.
Manchester United should now push to win the race for his signature in the summer window because he is an exciting prospect who has shades of Paul Pogba.
Jobe Bellingham has shades of Paul Pogba
The 19-year-old starlet is yet to prove himself in the Premier League, having only played in the Championship for the Black Cats so far, but he has already shown plenty of promising signs.
Analyst Ben Mattinson once stated that Jobe “carries the ball with such elegance” and that the teenage gem is a “top athlete” and “box-crasher”. Remind you of anyone?
Ryan Giggs once said that Paul Pogba was physically “immense” and that the France international had “everything” in his locker to succeed, as the midfield maestro offered a physical presence to go along with his technical qualities.
Jobe, who stands at 6 foot 2, has shades of the former United star about him as he mixes physical and technical attributes to offer an all-round presence in the middle of the park.
Jobe Bellingham
24/25 Championship
Appearances
40
xG
3.14
Goals
4
Big chances created
4
Assists
3
Duels won per game
5.9
Duel success rate
52%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the £20m-rated dynamo has provided a threat at the top end of the pitch whilst also winning almost six duels per game, and winning the majority of his physical battles, despite being just 19.
The Sunderland star, who was described as a “freak of nature” by teammate Dan Neil due to his physicality, has already shown that he can compete physically against senior professionals, which suggests that he could deal with the step up in intensity that comes with a move to the Premier League.
Like Pogba, Jobe could offer physicality, goals, assists, and drive in midfield for Manchester United and Amorim, whilst also having plenty of time left to develop and improve as a player at the age of 19.
He's more prolific than Cunha & Mbeumo: Man Utd in talks for £60m "monster"
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Whilst he may not be an instant success at Old Trafford, due to his age and room to grow, the English youth prospect could be a future star in Manchester due to the technical and physical qualities that he possesses.
Manchester United are down to the bare bones in attacking areas for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign. Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho are the only natural attacking players left for Ruben Amorim to select from this term, not counting the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, who can play as number 10s.
Joshua Zirkzee picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend against Newcastle United and could miss the rest of the season. Meanwhile, winger Amad has now been out for some time with an ankle injury.
This will surely bear weight in the transfer window, with United needing to add reinforcements in attack to avoid situations where they are thin on the ground in terms of depth. In fact, they have been linked with one player who could do just that.
Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward
If there is one player who is wanted by a multitude of Premier League clubs during the 2025 summer transfer window, it is Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. Well, United are certainly one of the sides interested in signing him 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.
In fact, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the Red Devils have had ‘a major breakthrough’ in their pursuit of the England under-21 star. Their sources suggest United’s ‘package is far more solid’ than any other side in pursuit, with the Old Trafford outfit having moved ahead in the race.
The main competitor to Amorim’s side for Delap’s signature is reportedly Chelsea, as well as their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapreacts
Whichever side wins the race for Delap, they would have to pay just £30m due to a relegation release clause in his contract at Portman Road.
Why Delap would be a good signing
Despite the Tractor Boys’ struggles in the Premier League this term, it has been a season to remember for the former Manchester City academy star Delap. Football statistician Statman Dave believes he is “going straight to the very top”, and there is certainly evidence of that this term.
Liam Delap
The 22-year-old has 12 goals and two assists in 31 top-flight appearances this term. That is even more impressive when you consider Kieran McKenna’s side have scored just 33 times in the top flight, with Delap’s 12 an impressive 36% of their goals.
Another thing to note about the England under-21 striker is his ability to score against some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League. This season, he scored twice at home in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa and also has goals against Spurs and Chelsea.
Should the Red Devils bring Delap to the club this summer, he could prove to be the perfect upgrade on Marcus Rashford. The England international is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where he has an impressive three goals and six assists in 15 games, including this exceptional assist against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Villans boss Unai Emery said it “depends on the circumstances” as to whether he will stay at the club from United. Delap – who has been dubbed a “monster” by teammate Alex Palmer – has enjoyed a more successful campaign in the Premier League than the deadly attacker, who has just five goals and four assists for United and Villa.
So, from a goals and assists point of view, the Ipswich star would arguably improve United’s squad, although Rashford offers lots outside of goal involvements. However, Delap is outscoring Hojlund this term, who has just three top-flight goals.
Not only that, his underlying numbers are better across the board than the United number nine. For example, as per Squawka, he averages 1.2 shots on target and has a 24.49% conversion rate per 90 minutes, compared to Hojlund’s 0.6 shots on target and 17.65% conversion rate each game.
Shots on target
1.2
0.6
Goals
0.5
0.2
Conversion rate
24.49%
17.65%
Chances created
0.8
0.8
Take-ons completed
1.5
0.4
Aerial duels won
2.1
1.2
A deal to sign Delap seems like a perfect move for United. Not only is he cost-efficient, but he is proven in the Premier League and is outperforming some of their biggest stars, including Rashford, when it comes to goals and assists.
This seems like a dream market opportunity for Amorim’s side, who can elevate the squad and make them even more deadly in front of goal.
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Also: what’s the highest fourth-innings total in a ten-wicket Test win?
Steven Lynch02-Apr-2024Kamindu Mendis had a Test average of 109 after three innings. What’s the highest average at that point of a career?asked Sa-aadat Parker from South Africa
In what was only his second Test, Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis hit 102 and 164 against Bangladesh in Sylhet recently. As he’d scored 61 in his only other Test, against Australia in Galle in July 2022, this gave him an average of 109 after three innings.This is not terribly exceptional: Mendis lies 29th of the 43 batters who had an average of 100 or more after three Test innings. Top of the list is England’s Ian Bell, who averaged 297 after three innings (70, 65 not out and 162 not out). Faf du Plessis averaged 266 (78, 110 not out and 78 not out), and Frank Worrell 256 (97, 28 not out, 131 not out). As those scores suggest, many of these averages were boosted by not-outs: Mendis actually has the highest average of anyone who was dismissed in all three innings.To answer another question, Mendis was the first to score twin centuries in a Test after coming in at No. 7 or lower in both innings. And his partner in two big stands in Sylhet, Dhananjaya de Silva, was only the third to score two from No. 6, after Allan Border (Australia vs Pakistan in Lahore in 1979-80) and another Sri Lankan in
Tillakaratne Dilshan (against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2008-09).Who has hit the most sixes in an IPL season?asked Sadanand Patel from India
Chris Gayle leads the way here, with 59 sixes for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2012. He’s also third on the list, with 51 in 2013, and fifth with 44 in 2011. In between come Andre Russell, with 52 sixes for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2019, and Jos Buttler, with 45 for Rajasthan Royals in 2022.Overall, Gayle still leads the way, despite not having featured in the IPL since 2021. He hit 357 sixes in all in the IPL, and is still nearly 100 ahead of the next man, Rohit Sharma.What’s the highest total made in the fourth innings of a Test to win by ten wickets?asked Laurie McKenzie from England
The highest to win a Test by ten wickets is Australia’s 173 for 0 against England in Brisbane in 2017-18, when David Warner made 87 and Cameron Bancroft 82. That just eclipsed Australia’s 172 for 0 to beat West Indies in Adelaide in 1930-31, when Bill Ponsford scored 92 and Archie Jackson 70.There is one higher fourth-innings total in a draw: West Indies ran up 250 for 0 against Australia in Georgetown in 1983-84 (Gordon Greenidge 120, Desmond Haynes 103) after being set 323 to win in 260 minutes. For a list, click here.The highest to win a men’s ODI by ten wickets is South Africa’s 282 for 0 (Quinton de Kock 168, Hashim Amla 110) against Bangladesh in Kimberley in 2017-18, while the T20I record is Pakistan’s 203 for 0 (Babar Azam 110, Mohammad Rizwan 88) against England in Karachi in 2022-23.In women’s ODIs, Australia made 221 for 0 (Annabel Sutherland 109, Phoebe Litchfield 106) to beat Ireland in Dublin in 2023, while in T20Is Sri Lanka scored 143 for 0 (Chamari Athapaththu 80, Harshitha Samarawickrama 49) to beat New Zealand in Colombo in 2023.Cameron Bancroft and David Warner starred in Australia’s ten-wicket win against England in 2017, cobbling together an unbeaten 173 for the fourth innings•Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty ImagesWho was the youngest Test cricketer to die? And who holds this sad record in one-day and T20 internationals?asked Zaheer Ahmed from the United States
The holder of this mournful record is the Bangladesh allrounder Manzural Islam Rana, who played six Test matches during 2004 but was only 22 when he was killed in a road accident in Khulna in March 2007. Next comes someone who, coincidentally, was mentioned in the previous answer: the brilliant Australian batter Archie Jackson hit 164 on his Test debut, against England in Adelaide in 1928-29, when only 19, but died of tuberculosis four years later.Manzurul is also the youngest male ODI player to die; next is the Sri Lankan seamer Stanley de Silva, who was 23 when he was killed – also in a road accident – in 1980. The youngest T20 international player to pass away was Australia’s Phillip Hughes, who was just short of his 26th birthday when he succumbed to injury after being hit in a match in November 2014.I noticed that despite playing 277 international matches in all, Jonny Bairstow has never bowled a single delivery. Is there anyone who has played more and never bowled?asked Nair Ottappalam from India
Jonny Bairstow turns out to come in surprisingly low on this particular list: his 277 matches without bowling places him only 12th. Leading the way is Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh: the second Test against Sri Lanka in Chattogram was his 462nd international match, and he didn’t bowl in the first 461.Next come Adam Gilchrist, who played in 396 international matches without ever bowling, and the first non-wicketkeeper in Eoin Morgan (379).Bairstow is only the fourth player to appear in 100 Tests without bowling at all: Ian Healy leads the way with 119, Stephen Fleming played 111, and Andrew Strauss also 100.Kumar Sangakkara played 404 one-day internationals without ever bowling, Mark Boucher 295, Gilchrist 287, and Mushfiqur 271 so far. Two non-wicketkeepers lead the way in T20 internationals: the South African David Miller has so far appeared in 116 without bowling, while Morgan played 115.Alyssa Healy has so far played 153 women’s T20Is without bowling, Smriti Mandhana 128, and Tammy Beaumont 102. To date Healy has played 263 internationals in all formats without being called upon to bowl, Beaumont 220 and Mandhana 216.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions