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Ben Mike claims key wickets as du Plooy, Roland-Jones resistance is unpicked

ECB Reporters Network02-Jul-2024

Ben Green added vital runs to lengthen Leicestershire’s lead•Getty Images

Despite missing eight senior players through injury or unavailability, Leicestershire recorded their first victory of the Division Two season and inflicted a first defeat on Middlesex as their Vitality County Championship match ended in a 123-run win for Lewis Hill’s team inside three days.After being skittled for 86 in their first innings on day one, Middlesex were left to chase an unlikely 466 – a fourth-innings total they have bettered only twice in their history – if they were to leave Grace Road with a fourth success of their campaign after Leicestershire made 372 in their second innings.In the event, they were bowled out for 342, the decisive phase coming in the half-hour after tea, when Leus Du Plooy (60) and Ryan Higgins (41), their leading runscorers this season, were out in quick succession.On a pitch carrying much less menace than it had earlier in the match, Middlesex skipper Toby Roland-Jones at least offered some late defiance, throwing caution to the wind with a 33-ball 59 that included eight sixes before he was last man out.Du Plooy had been caught by Ben Green off the bowling of Ben Mike, who were the two players who did most to influence the outcome of the match.On loan Somerset all-rounder Green hit 77 second-innings runs to go with his career-best four for 28 in Middlesex’s first innings, adding two more wickets today and taking the catch on the mid-wicket boundary that clinched the win for his temporary team-mates.Mike added 41 second-innings runs to his career-best five for 22 in the first innings, finishing with eight wickets in the match after his second-innings three for 88.Already 404 runs to the good when rain forced an early finish on day two, Leicestershire added another 61 in the dozen overs it took Middlesex to dismiss Mike and Green at the start of the day.Mike, who had clubbed leg spinner Luke Hollman for six and four in the same over, holed out to long-on after the ninth-wicket pair had put on 89.Yet Green was able to pick up another six boundaries while keeping last man Matt Salisbury away from the strike before he was caught at short third man.With a potential minimum of 186 overs remaining in the match, the required run rate for Middlesex was therefore a modest 2.5 per over.In the event, clearly keen to put pressure on the Leicestershire bowlers, openers Mark Stoneman and Sam Robson launched the pursuit at double that rate. Both, though, were out inside the first 11 overs. Robson edged behind off Mike for two. Stoneman, who got away with a difficult chance to third slip on five, numbered six boundaries in his 34-ball 30 but was caught at second slip when Green found some bounce and away movement.Du Plooy and Max Holden were relieved to reach lunch unscathed at 74 for two and were notably circumspect thereafter. On a surface that was still prone to variable bounce, it became a game of patience for both sides – one in which, by tea, Middlesex will have felt they were doing pretty well.At 167 for three, they still needed another 299 but Holden, leg before getting only half forward to an inswinging delivery from Salisbury, was their only casualty of the afternoon session, although there was concern for Du Plooy, who took a bang on the helmet when he ducked into a bouncer from Mike just before completing a 111-ball half century.Yet the pendulum swung Leicestershire’s way at the start of the final session, with the key wickets of Du Plooy and Ryan Higgins falling to Mike and Salisbury.Du Plooy, forced to take evasive action by another Mike bouncer, slapped the next delivery straight to backward point, ending what seemed like the key partnership after 78 runs. Then Higgins, dropped by Ben Cox standing up to Salisbury on 39, departed in the tall seamer’s next over as the Leicestershire wicketkeeper rapidly made amends.Josh De Caires led a somewhat charmed life against Scott Currie, who made the next breakthrough by having Jack Davies strangled down the leg side, but ultimately fell to the off spin of Louis Kimber for 36, caught at slip, a bonus wicket before the new ball, with which Green struck with the first delivery as Hollman was bowled offering no shot for 25.Mike picked up his eighth wicket of the match as Henry Brookes was leg before before Roland-Jones, as captain smarting most from the defeat, took his frustration out on the ball.

With just days until they’re forced to file their accounts for the Premier League’s PSR deadline, Aston Villa are now reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of a 16-goal star in ruthless fashion.

Aston Villa closing in on PSR deadline

It’s been a summer full of frustration for those in the Midlands thus far, but things will only get worse if they fail to comply with PSR regulations by the time that Monday arrives. As things stand, it looks as though Villa still need to sell at least one player before the deadline even if Philippe Coutinho completes his move to Vasco da Gama in that time.

It is, therefore, time to get ruthless. As the deadlines closes in, Villa Park chiefs have been desperately attempting to find a way past the rules and are even reportedly considering the sale of their women’s team – following Chelsea’s previous methods in doing so.

More question marks would arrive about PSR rules if Aston Villa managed to navigate a way past any sanctions by selling their women’s team like Chelsea decided to do not so long ago. And it wouldn’t be the first time that questions have arrived about the rules, either.

Aston Villa’s co-owner, Nassef Sawiris told reporters last year: “Some of the rules have actually resulted in cementing the status quo more than creating upward mobility and fluidity in the sport. The rules do not make sense and are not good for football.”

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No matter what Sawiris or anyone else thinks about the rules, however, Aston Villa must ensure that they comply by Monday and may need to get ruthless in attempting to do so.

Aston Villa prepared to sell Louie Barry

With the likes of Emiliano Martinez already linked with a move away, the Villans could now lose a talented gem this summer. According to Hull Live, Aston Villa are now prepared to sell Louie Barry this week in an attempt to meet PSR requirements. The young forward’s sale would count as pure profit thanks to his homegrown status and would go a long way to solving Villa’s problems as a result.

As wise as his exit would be on the PSR front, that doesn’t take away from the frustrating blow that it would deal those in the Midlands. At 22 years old, Barry is a product of Villa’s academy and showed impressive potential on loan at Stockport County last season – scoring 16 goals in all competitions.

Injury then disrupted a later loan spell at Championship side Hull City but the academy graduate more than showed his talent in the first-half of the season.

Praised for a “superb” season by scout Jacek Kulig, it looks as though Barry could be part of Aston Villa’s PSR sacrifice as Monday’s deadline looms.

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves under a new manager in Thomas Frank and he could now pounce to bring one of his favourites to N17, according to a report.

Frank's aim to build on Tottenham Hotspur's Europa League success

Winning the Europa League was a watershed moment for Tottenham after 17 years of waiting, but the mission for all connected with the club now is to build on the foundations that Ange Postecoglou laid come next term.

Daniel Levy took exception to a poor Premier League points tally from the Australian. However, Thomas Frank now has a magnificent platform to build on, courtesy of Spurs qualifying for the Champions League off the back of their success in Bilbao.

Opting not to sugarcoat things, Chris Sutton proposed the theory that Frank will be under pressure to deliver immediately at Spurs, claiming the different expectation levels Brentford and Tottenham leave the Dane with little leeway to work with in N17.

He stated: “Thomas Frank has done a brilliant job at Brentford, but this is a whole different kettle of fish. Because of the expectation at Tottenham, Frank won’t get time to get his feet under the table. He will be under pressure from the off.”

Later, he added: “The aim for Frank will be to keep them in the Champions League, and whether that is by making the top four or five, that is not going to be easy.”

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Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa could join Tottenham, if Frank opts to go down the route of raiding his former club for talent, though it is hard to imagine the Bees letting either of their star men leave on the cheap.

Nevertheless, it appears that the 51-year-old could instead look to another of his favourites at the Gtech Community Stadium if reports are to be believed.

Tottenham preparing bid to sign Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard

According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham are preparing a bid for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard and the Denmark international is viewed as a priority addition by Frank to strengthen his engine room.

Spurs are set to submit an offer between the £17-20 million mark, though the Bees are reluctant to see the 31-year-old depart this summer and could inflate his price to ward off interest.

Christian Norgaard’s reliability under Thomas Frank

Appearances

249

Goals

18

Assists

22

Winning an extraordinary 163 duels on Premier League duty last term, the Brentford captain is someone who has an ‘exceptional’ understanding of Frank’s system, making him indispensable in West London regardless of who is in charge.

Stockpiling in key areas would be a wise idea for Spurs amid their injury crisis last season, which rarely saw Postecoglou having a full-strength side to pick from in a tumultuous campaign.

Norgaard is a symbol of reliability for Brentford, and it makes sense to recruit experience if circumstances allow for it, though the Bees may prove to be too tricky to deal with in the end.

The summer transfer window officially opens for business next month, and Leeds United are likely to be busy as they prepare for a season in the Premier League.

One player who is on the club’s radar is Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Elland Road, and the forward is reportedly open to talks over a permanent switch to West Yorkshire.

The 25-year-old attacker ended the season with ten goals and 12 assists in the Championship, and Leeds are now eyeing a new target who could be amazing for Solomon in the Premier League.

Leeds eyeing Premier League defender

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon (25/05/2025), Leeds United are eyeing a new target in the form of West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell.

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The reporter claims that Daniel Farke is lining up a move to snap up the experienced defender on a free transfer when his contract with the Hammers expires at the end of next month.

Nixon adds, however, that there is also interest from celebrity-owned Championship side Wrexham, who have just been promoted from League One, which means that there is competition for the 35-year-old star’s signature.

The journalist also reveals that Leeds would view the veteran full-back as a squad player, rather than a guaranteed starter, but that does not mean that he would not be an incredibly valuable addition, particularly for Solomon.

Why Leeds should sign Aaron Cresswell

Junior Firpo’s contract is set to expire this summer, and it still remains to be seen whether or not he will put pen to paper on an extension, which means that there is a vacant spot at left-back to be filled as it stands.

Cresswell, as Nixon’s report suggests, may not come in to start all 38 games in the Premier League next term, but he is a vastly-experienced top-flight performer who could be relied upon to deliver quality displays when called upon.

Capped three times by England, he played 312 Premier League matches for the Hammers, and 369 games in total, during his time at the London Stadium, which means that Farke would have a defender who has been there and done it at that level.

24/25 Premier League

Aaron Cresswell

Appearances

18

Starts

10

Pass accuracy

87%

Dribbled past

0.1x

Ground duel success rate

67%

Aerial duel success rate

50%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Cresswell, who played as a left-back or as a wide centre-back in a three, started ten Premier League games this season and delivered solid defensive displays.

The veteran full-back, whose ball-striking was described as “lovely” by teammate Ryan Fredericks when lauding his left foot, has shown that he still has the physicality and quality to dominate opposition defenders in duels, whilst rarely being dribbled past.

This suggests that he could be amazing for Solomon, who is a direct winger who wants to constantly attack to score and assist goals, because he is not a defensively weak left-back who needs constant support and doubling up from his forward ahead of him.

This means that the Israel international, should he sign permanently at Elland Road this summer, could love to have Cresswell behind him because his defensively solidity could allow him more freedom to stay higher up the pitch to influence games in the final third.

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Real Madrid and Barcelona often serve up a treat when they meet, with El Clásico watched around the globe by millions.

The era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be over, but this fixture always promises drama, history and often a bit of spice.

Whether these two iconic rivals are meeting in a cup final or a crunch league clash, there is no love lost between the pair, who have even met in the Champions League on eight occasions, most recently in 2011 when Messi’s Barcelona emerged victorious.

Thankfully, there is more to this fixture than the two foremost attackers from either club, with plenty of star names getting on the scoresheet since the turn of the century.

Since 2000, nearly 100 different players have had the honour of netting in the Clásico, from legends like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, to more modern stars like Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.

But who has grabbed the most goals this century in this fixture? From goalscoring defenders to lethal strikers, here is the list of El Clásico’s highest goalscorers…

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ByMark Marston May 9, 2025 11 Ronaldinho 5 goals

During the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons, Ronaldinho was a thorn in Real Madrid’s side.

In four games for Barcelona against Los Blancos, the silky Brazilian superstar scored five goals, including two in a 3-0 win in November 2005 – a game which is best remembered for being Lionel Messi’s El Clásico debut.

Messi, 18 at the time, got the assist for Samuel Eto’o’s opener on the day.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

20th Nov 2004

La Liga (H)

W 3-0

10th Apr 2005

La Liga (A)

L 2-4

19th Nov 2005

La Liga (A)

W 3-0

1st Apr 2006

La Liga (H)

D 1-1

10 Pedro 5 goals

Many forget just how good Pedro was for Barcelona (and indeed for Chelsea later down the line).

A graduate of the club’s famous La Masia academy, the Spanish winger made 321 appearances for Barca between 2007 and 2016, scoring 99 goals.

Five of those goals came in 21 games against Real Madrid, including during their Champions League semi-final in 2011.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

10th Apr 2010

La Liga (A)

W 2-0

29th Nov 2010

La Liga (H)

W 5-0

3rd May 2011

Champions League (H)

D 1-1

25th Jan 2012

Copa del Rey (H)

D 2-2

23rd Aug 2012

Spanish Super Cup (H)

W 3-2

9 Xavi 5 goals

Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi often stepped up to the mark when Barcelona played Real Madrid.

In 42 matches against Los Merengues, La Computadora, as he was known, scored five goals and registered a further 10 assists.

The most important of those five strikes came way back in April 2004 when Xavi hit a late winner by lobbing Madrid keeper Iker Casillas with a superb acrobatic volley in a 2-1 victory for Barca at the Bernabeu.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

16th Mar 2002

La Liga (H)

D 1-1

25th Apr 2004

La Liga (A)

W 2-1

29th Nov 2010

La Liga (H)

W 5-0

10th Dec 2011

La Liga (A)

W 3-1

23rd Aug 2012

Spanish Super Cup (H)

W 3-2

8 Sergio Ramos 5 goals

Despite being a central defender, Sergio Ramos was well known for his ability to score goals for Real Madrid.

To date, the former Los Blancos captain has scored well over 100 career goals, making him one of the highest-scoring defenders the game has ever seen – and Barcelona were one of his most frequent victims.

In 49 games against the Blaugrana for Madrid between 2005 and 2021, he scored five goals, including a memorable late winner in a 2-1 win for his side in March 2013.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

10th Mar 2007

La Liga (A)

D 3-3

2nd May 2009

La Liga (H)

L 2-6

2nd Mar 2013

La Liga (H)

W 2-1

3rd Dec 2016

La Liga (A)

D 1-1

24th Oct 2020

La Liga (A)

W 3-1

7 Robert Lewandowski 5 goals

Robert Lewandowski scored a double at the Bernabeu in October 2024 to help make his way onto this list, with his first La Liga goals in El Clásico helping Barcelona to a thumping 4-0 win on their enemy’s patch.

The Pole’s other goals against Real Madrid since signing for Barcelona have been in Spanish Super Cup finals, with his penalty in the 2024/25 clash making it three years in a row of scoring in that competition against Los Blancos.

Now in his mid-thirties, one can only imagine how many he would have racked up had he been playing for Barcelona in his pomp, especially considering his goal record since arriving in 2022.

Lewandowski has been the scourge of Madrid throughout his career, netting in the Champions League against them for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich – even netting four in one game for the former back in 2013.

6 Raul 6 goals

Spanish striker Raul scored 15 goals against Barcelona during his 16-year career at Real Madrid, but just six of those came since the millennium.

Arguably the best of those goals came in May 2002. Facing off against Barca in the second leg of a Champions League semi-final tie, Raul thumped the ball into the top corner from outside the penalty area just before half-time, sending the crowd at the Bernabeu into hysterics.

The final score on the night finished 1-1, but with Madrid having won the first leg 2-0, the draw was enough to see them into the final, where they went on to beat Bayer Leverkusen.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

3rd Mar 2001

La Liga (H)

D 2-2

1st May 2002

Champions League (H)

D 1-1

10th Apr 2005

La Liga (H)

W 4-2

22nd Oct 2006

La Liga (H)

W 2-0

7th May 2008

La Liga (H)

W 4-1

5 Vinicius Junior 7 goals

Barcelona must be sick of the sight of Vinicius Junior. In just 17 games against the Catalans, the Madrid winger has scored seven goals, three of which came in last season’s Spanish Super Cup, a game which Madrid won 4-1.

He’ll have the chance to add to that total this weekend, and given that he’s already hit 8 goals in 14 games this term, don’t be surprised if he does.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

1st Mar 2020

La Liga (H)

W 2-0

12th Jan 2022

Spanish Super Cup (N)

W 3-2

5th Apr 2023

Copa del Rey (A)

W 4-0

14th Jan 2024

Spanish Super Cup (N)

W 4-1

21st Apr 2024

La Liga (H)

W 3-2

4 Luis Suarez 11 goals

Luis Suarez spent six seasons with Barcelona between 2014 and 2020, scoring 195 goals in 283 games.

During his spell in Catalonia, the Uruguayan particularly enjoyed scoring against Real Madrid, finding the net 11 times in just 15 games, averaging a strike every 120 minutes against Los Blancos.

Madrid thought they were done with Suarez after he was let go by Barcelona in August 2020. However, just a month later, he joined their city rivals Atletico, where he would again find the net against them in March 2021 as Diego Simeone’s side stormed to the title.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

22nd Mar 2015

La Liga (H)

W 2-1

21st Nov 2015

La Liga (A)

W 4-0

3rd Dec 2016

La Liga (H)

D 1-1

23rd Dec 2017

La Liga (A)

W 0-3

6th May 2018

La Liga (H)

D 2-2

28th Oct 2018

La Liga (H)

W 5-1

27th Feb 2019

Copa del Rey (A)

W 3-0

3 Karim Benzema 16 goals

2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema scored 16 goals against Barcelona during his 14-season spell in the Spanish capital.

Eight of those goals came in La Liga, four came in the Copa Del Rey, and four in the Spanish Super Cup.

The French striker was never able to find the net against Barca in the Champions League, drawing a blank in each of the three games he faced off against them in Europe – all of which came during his time at Lyon.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

17th Aug 2011

Spanish Super Cup (A)

L 2-3

10th Dec 2011

La Liga (H)

L 1-3

25th Jan 2012

Copa del Rey (A)

D 2-2

2nd Mar 2013

La Liga (H)

W 2-1

23rd Mar 2014

La Liga (H)

L 3-4

25th Oct 2014

La Liga (H)

W 3-1

2nd Apr 2016

La Liga (A)

W 2-1

16th Aug 2017

Spanish Super Cup (H)

W 2-0

10th Apr 2021

La Liga (H)

W 2-1

12th Jan 2022

Spanish Super Cup (N)

W 3-2

16th Oct 2022

La Liga (H)

W 3-1

15th Jan 2023

Spanish Super Cup (N)

L 1-3

5th Apr 2023

Copa del Rey (A)

W 4-0

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1 ByBarney Lane Oct 23, 2024 2 Cristiano Ronaldo 18 goals

Following his then-record £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009, it took Cristiano Ronaldo a while to get going in El Clásico.

He was unable to find the net in his first three games against Barcelona, with Madrid coming out on the losing end every time.

However, when the Portuguese star did get going, there wasn’t much anyone could do to stop him. Between April 2011 and August 2017, he scored 18 goals against Barca, four of which were winning goals, including an extra-time strike in the final of the 2011 Copa del Rey.

Goal(s)

Date

Competition

Result

16th Apr 2011

La Liga (H)

D 1-1

20th Apr 2011

Copa del Rey (N)

W 1-0

17th Aug 2011

Spanish Super Cup (A)

L 2-3

18th Jan 2012

Copa del Rey (H)

L 1-2

25th Jan 2012

Copa del Rey (A)

D 2-2

21st Apr 2012

La Liga (A)

W 2-1

23rd Aug 2012

Spanish Super Cup (A)

L 2-3

29th Aug 2012

Spanish Super Cup (H)

W 2-1

7th Oct 2012

La Liga (A)

D 2-2

26th Feb 2013

Copa del Rey (A)

W 3-1

23rd Mar 2014

La Liga (H)

L 3-4

25th Oct 2014

La Liga (H)

W 3-1

22nd Mar 2015

La Liga (A)

L 1-2

2nd Apr 2016

La Liga (A)

W 2-1

13th Aug 2017

Spanish Super Cup (A)

W 3-1

6th May 2018

La Liga (A)

D 2-2

Whenever Manchester City have lifted the Premier League title aloft during Pep Guardiola’s glittering reign to date, these major title wins have always been won on the basis of a stern defence, alongside possessing some top-notch attackers.

Indeed, City’s sizeable points haul of 98 come the end of the 2018/19 season saw just 23 goals given up. On the contrary, when fast forwarding to today’s choppy campaign, the usually stern champions have leaked a far higher 43 with three fixtures still left to play.

This could culminate in Guardiola changing up his defensive options soon to prepare for next season, with a fresh goalkeeper one target that’s surely on his mind.

Man City's pursuit of a new goalkeeper

The Spaniard has already been tinkering with his defensive set-up away from the potential of more new signings entering through the door, with faces such as Nico O’Reilly becoming a regular in the back four as an attack-focused full-back.

But, he won’t be done there when it comes to freshening up his XI, with goalkeeper targets such as Porto shot-stopper Diogo Costa reportedly on the agenda.

A move for Costa hasn’t got off the ground by all accounts, leaving City looking for other stoppers who could do a job over the expected departee of Ederson, with Paris St Germain star Gianluigi Donnarumma now listed as one of their main targets in between the sticks.

Indeed, reports from Italy suggest that Guardiola and Co are keen admirers of the 6 foot 5 ‘keeper who is just fresh off helping Luis Enrique’s men reach a Champions League final at the expense of Arsenal.

He could well be locking horns with the Gunners again very soon if a move to the Etihad comes to fruition, with City hopeful that a new presence in goal can work wonders, much like Vincent Kompany managed in defence over many celebrated years after joining way back in 2008.

Why Donnarumma could be the best defensive buy since Kompany

Obviously, it goes without saying that the Belgian centre-back is royalty in the light blue contingent of Manchester, with the now-retired defender a stalwart of many a successful City side even before Guardiola’s inspired arrival.

In total, the 89-time Belgium international would notch up a colossal 360 appearances for the Citizens, with a mammoth 167 wins also coming his way in the Premier League from 265 clashes.

A classy performer that was just designed for the big occasion, as is seen in his wonder goal versus Leicester City clinching his fourth and final top-flight success – Kompany also offered some much-needed defensive solidity in spades, with a bumper 94 clean sheets tallied up in Premier League action.

Donnarumma will hope he can walk into the building and be as transformative for City’s fortunes, with Ederson only keeping a weak ten clean sheets this campaign from 34 overall contests.

Donnarumma’s career numbers

Club/country

Games

Goals conceded

Clean sheets

PSG

152

151

50

AC Milan

251

265

88

Italy

72

63

29

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Whereas, the Italy captain – away from his heroics against Mikel Arteta’s men – has managed to pick up one more clean sheet than his City counterpart lining up for PSG, adding to his ever-growing career clean sheet total of 167 subsequently.

Once heralded as “world class” when starring for his nation by commentator Matteo Bonetti, Donnarumma’s addition to the ranks could also help City reclaim their authority as serial trophy winners, with the 26-year-old currently six trophies deep into his stay in the French capital, away from terrorising England during Italy’s 2021 Euro success.

Lauded further by Enrique as “one of the best goalkeepers in the world”, City would really show they mean business if they landed the alert ‘keeper.

Just remember the trophy-winning difference Alisson made at Liverpool; Donnarumma could be their equivalent in the present day, boosting Pep’s defence just as Kompany did all those years ago.

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Despite beating Real Madrid 3-0 on Tuesday night, it was another game that highlighted why Arsenal need a striker in the summer.

Mikel Arteta’s men were sensational on the night, but prior to Declan Rice’s first free-kick, there were multiple opportunities that a seasoned poacher would have likely put away.

The clearest was when Bukayo Saka played an inch-perfect ball across the Spaniards’ penalty area, and nobody was there to poke it in the back of the net.

The club clearly think the same, as there has been a near-constant stream of stories touting some of the continent’s most exciting centre-forwards for a move to the Emirates this summer, with Viktor Gyokeres perhaps the most consistent in recent weeks, although if he does join the Gunners, he’ll have to hit the ground running to see his valuation surpass one of his competitors for game time.

The latest on Gyokeres to Arsenal

Arsenal’s interest in the Sporting CP star has been relatively long held at this point, with reports coming out about it last summer and then again in the winter window, but it certainly seems to have stepped up a gear in recent weeks.

For example, it was late last month when a story claimed that the Gunners were planning to hold talks with the Swedish poacher and that he could be allowed to leave Sporting for up to £58m.

Then, earlier this week, more reports emerged revealing that the North Londoners were now the frontrunners for the 26-year-old and prepared to offer him a five-year contract worth about £192k-per-week.

Now, this is certainly a lot of money to spend on a player from the Portuguese league, but based on his performances over the last couple of seasons, it could prove to be worth it and then some.

For example, since moving to Lisbon, the Stockholm-born monster has scored 87 goals and provided 26 assists in 94 appearances, which comes out to an average of 1.2 goal involvements per appearance.

Appearances

94

Starts

83

Minutes

7689′

Goals

87

Asssists

26

Points per Game

2.23

Goal Involvements per Match

1.2

Minutes per Goal Involvement

68.04′

However, even if the Gunners get their man, they already have a forward, signed by Arteta, in the side worth considerably more than him.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Gyokeres

So, when we say Arsenal already have a forward signed by Arteta in the squad who is worth millions more than Gyokeres, that might not be an entirely accurate way of describing the situation, as Kai Havertz was initially signed as a midfielder.

Yes, the player in question is the ace who divides opinion perhaps more than anyone else in the Gunners’ squad, but he is still worth an enormous sum of money.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory prices the German international at €130.1m, which converts to about £112m or £54m more than Gyokeres could cost this summer.

Now, there will undoubtedly be many scoffing at such a valuation, and while it is on the high side, it reflects the fact that the former Chelsea star is an important part of Arteta’s squad.

For example, while his overall record of 29 goals and 12 assists in 85 appearances for the North Londoners is reasonably impressive, it becomes much more so when we look at just the games he’s played up top.

Appearances

85

47

Goals

29

19

Assists

12

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.48

0.65

In those 47 games, totalling 3974 minutes, the “sensational” talent, as dubbed by Mikel Arteta, has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists.

That means the 25-year-old has averaged a goal involvement every 1.51 games, or every 128.19 minutes when leading the line, which for a Premier League forward are not numbers to be sniffed at.

Ultimately, while Gyokeres would undoubtedly replace Havertz as Arsenal’s number nine were he to sign in the summer, the German would surely remain an important player in the squad, regardless of how some perceive him.

Better than Nico Williams: Arsenal plotting to sign "unstoppable" £86m star

The sensational player would make Arsenal far more dangerous.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 10, 2025

Series has been marked by Sri Lanka fightbacks, but only because of catastrophic top five

Vithushan Ehantharajah30-Aug-20240:59

Kamindu Mendis hasn’t given up hope of Test fightback

Milan Rathnayake dropped his hands, crouched, swayed and did not turn his back on the ball. And yet having done pretty much everything right, he still ended up wearing Olly Stone’s bouncer flush on the grille.Stone, closely followed by the rest of the England team, checked to see if he was okay before the Sri Lanka physio ran on for a more thorough assessment. Once the concussion protocols were administered – and passed – Rathnayake shaped up again. Stone bumped him again. This time he ducked, turned his head, closed his eyes and prayed as the ball cannoned into his gloves.The bowling allrounder lasted just two more balls, eventually walking back up to the away dressing-room in the Lord’s pavilion, to which Sri Lanka’s top six had already returned the best part of 10 overs beforehand. This is Rathnayake’s second Test, and so the experience probably still fresh, new and exciting. But he would have been within his rights to throw his arms in the air once he got back to his senior batters and ask, “lads – any chance?”Sri Lanka’s first innings was only 29 overs old with his dismissal, but they were already seven-down and trailing by 309 runs. Rathanayake had arrived at six-down, with just 87 on the board. Though he was unable to do as he had done in last week’s first Test, Kamindu Mendis, their second-innings hero in Manchester, mustered 74 to provide the faint silver lining on this particular mushroom cloud of a batting performance. That England did not enforce the follow-on with a lead of 231 was out of comfort for their bowlers rather than convenience.Nothing, though, was ever going to cover for yet another top-order failure. One that looks a whole lot worse when you win the toss and decide to bowl in pristine batting conditions, asking an attack who had never previously toured England before to take ten wickets when the sun is out and the cloud spotless. Oh – and having dropped the only bloke with any previous experience on these shores. The least you could do in that situation is give them a bit of time off and get somewhere near 400. That was the whole point of asking the hosts to go first, right?Dimuth Karunaratne was out chopping on, for 7•Getty ImagesThe small crumb of comfort for Dhananjaya de Silva , who made that call at 10:30am on Thursday morning, was that at least his dismissal for a four-ball duck was one of the more excusable. Even so, as the skipper was squared up by Matthew Potts on the downward slope, you did wonder if he had to commit as much as he did to an attempted push into the leg side. Some of his fellow experienced batters, however, warrant further scrutiny.Dimuth Karunaratne, an opener regarded as one of the steadiest accumulators in the game, has been collecting only regrets these last two weeks. The latest being diverting a delivery from outside off onto his own stumps when it was always going across him, with lunch due at the end of the over. Angelo Mathews, while brilliantly picked off by Potts, had been too accommodating to the Durham quick. Four of the seven dot-balls he faced, before the knockout blow that squared him up to clip the top of off, could have been worked away for singles, either through cover or off the legs. Something – anything – to elicit a change in length. As for Dinesh Chandimal, only a note on his pillow last night would have offered him more notice than Ollie Pope waving Dan Lawrence into a catching position just behind square leg.That trio were not the only ones deserving of criticism. Pathum Nissanka was also guilty of failing to clock a field shift, working the ball so confidently to leg slip that he even added a little flick of the wrist as a flourish. But Karunaratne, Mathews and Chandimal are all on their third tour of England. And while you can talk about gaining experience in county cricket, playing more warm-up matches and addressing financial inequality, sometimes it’s just about doing better because you really should know better.Even with only one match against a mish-mashed England Lions – which they lost, by the way – the squad has had a decent build-up to this series, with some in situ as early as August 6. Other decisions also warrant an explanation. It’s one thing to give Nishan Madushka the gloves – even if he is only the third-best keeper in the squad – but persisting with him as an opener, despite the fact Nissanka is better equipped to do so outright, was a tad confusing. When Madushka walked out at 12:18pm to start the reply to England’s 427, having kept for 102 overs, it looked like an elaborate joke.Milan Rathnayake ducks into a short delivery from Olly Stone•AFP/Getty ImagesEven as you are reading this, there is probably some pen-pusher at Sri Lanka Cricket’s head office, inside the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, who has been ordered to fire up his computer and open that file labelled “Guys, what the hell? – Bad Tour Review Template, DO NOT DELETE.doc”. A few of those columns have probably already been filled.Sri Lanka’s top five are currently boasting a combined average of 19.26, the third-lowest for a visiting side to England in 50 years. In that same period, across first innings alone, only Bangladesh’s top five in 2005 have averaged less than Sri Lanka’s 11.80 in 2024. Unsurprisingly, this is the worst first-innings performance from a Sri Lanka top five in any series of two Tests or more.We are only halfway through this series, even if it feels like this second Test – and series – has just one more meaningful day to go. And there is a world where Sri Lanka fight back in their second innings as they did last week.But just as was the case then, they probably won’t as far as the result is concerned because of how badly their most trusted batters have botched the first.

We take at look at all eight women’s squads ahead of the second edition of the competition

Alan Gardner and Matt Roller10-Aug-2022Phoenix produced a group effort to reach the eliminator•Getty ImagesBirmingham PhoenixLast season: Eliminator
Coach: Ben Sawyer
Captain: Sophie Devine
Overseas players: Devine, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Deepti SharmaKey player: Sophie Devine takes the reins from Amy Jones after missing the first season and is one of the competition’s biggest drawcards. She was the second-highest run-scorer at the Commonwealth Games, marshalling New Zealand to a surprise bronze medal, and should have the licence to attack from the start in a Phoenix side with a long batting line-up and no shortage of all-round ability.One to watch: Phoenix’s signing of 15-year-old batter Davina Perrin was significant, and not just because she will be the youngest player involved in the tournament. Perrin has been involved with the African Caribbean Engagement programme in the west midlands and is already highly rated, featuring for Central Sparks in this year’s T20 and 50-over competitions.Verdict: Phoenix scraped into the knockouts last year with a late charge but should finish in the top three more comfortably this year, with a strong domestic core now supplemented by some of the biggest stars in the global game. Ellyse Perry will have a point to prove after losing her place in Australia’s best side. Matt RollerPossible XI: 1 Sophie Devine (capt), 2 Eve Jones, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Amy Jones (wk), 5 Deepti Sharma/Sophie Molineux, 6 Gwen Davies, 7 Georgia Elwiss, 8 Issy Wong, 9 Emily Arlott, 10 Kirstie Gordon, 11 Abtaha MaqsoodLondon Spirit will need their domestic players to stand up•Getty ImagesLondon SpiritLast season: 4th
Coach: Trevor Griffin
Captain: Charlie Dean
Overseas players: Amelia Kerr, Jess Kerr, Beth Mooney, Megan SchuttKey player: Beth Mooney has been a constant source of runs at the top of the Australia order in T20 internationals for a number of years and her 61 off 41 balls in the Commonwealth Games final proved to be a match-winning innings. Spirit have lost their three highest run-scorers from last year in Heather Knight (injured), Tammy Beaumont (Welsh Fire) and Deandra Dottin (Manchester Originals) so will need their big new signing to fire.One to watch: Allrounder Grace Scrivens did not bat or bowl in her two appearances last season but has had an impressive domestic season for Sunrisers and should play a bigger role in 2022. She is only 18 but has already been involved with the England A set-up, and the fact she bats left-handed marks her out as a player with an unusual skillset in the domestic women’s game.Verdict: Knight’s withdrawal due to injury is a significant blow and Spirit will have to rely heavily on their overseas players if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. Charlie Dean, her replacement as captain, and Freya Davies will use the tournament as an opportunity to show England they deserve more regular T20 opportunities. MRPossible XI: 1 Beth Mooney (wk), 2 Naomi Dattani, 3 Sophie Luff, 4 Amelia Kerr, 5 Grace Scrivens, 6 Dani Gibson, 7 Charlie Dean (capt), 8 Amara Carr, 9 Megan Schutt, 10 Freya Davies, 11 Grace BallingerLizelle Lee is back in black with Originals•Getty ImagesManchester OriginalsLast season: 5th
Coach: Paul Shaw
Captain: Kate Cross
Overseas players: Deandra Dottin, Lizelle Lee, Amy Satterthwaite, Lea TahuhuKey player: Lizelle Lee retired from international cricket in controversial circumstances last month, alleging that she feared CSA would deny her a No-Objection Certificate for the Hundred unless she lost weight. As a result, she has a point to prove and will hope for more support from the middle order, after carrying Originals’ batting line-up last summer.One to watch: Emma Lamb struggled to make an impact last year, making 135 runs across her seven innings, but has flourished in an England shirt this year in 50-over cricket. She was surplus to requirements for the T20 squad at the Commonwealth Games and can stake a case for inclusion through the Hundred – while her offbreaks will come in useful on spinning pitches at Emirates Old Trafford.Verdict: Originals should be in contention for the play-off spots but their batting line-up looks top-heavy and they will be hugely reliant on their top three for runs. They struggled to adapt to conditions at home last year and will need to use Old Trafford’s slow pitches and huge boundaries to their advantage. MRPossible XI: 1 Lizelle Lee, 2 Emma Lamb, 3 Deandra Dottin, 4 Cordelia Griffith, 5 Georgie Boyce, 6 Sophie Ecclestone, 7 Kate Cross (capt), 8 Lea Tahuhu, 9 Ellie Threlkeld (wk), 10 Phoebe Graham, 11 Hannah JonesJemimah Rodrigues returns for Northern Superchargers•Getty ImagesNorthern SuperchargersLast season: 6th
Coach: Dani Hazell
Captain: Hollie Armitage
Overseas players: Alyssa Healy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura WolvaardtKey player: Alyssa Healy has had a horror run in T20Is over the last 18 months, making 100 runs with an average of 9.09 and a strike rate of 72.99 since the start of 2021. But she remains one of the most destructive white-ball openers in the world on her day, and will be looking to hit her way back into form in the Hundred – not least at Headingley, one of the fastest-scoring grounds in the country.One to watch: Katie Levick was the leading wicket-taker in the Charlotte Edwards Cup this year and had a solid first season in the competition as part of a spin-heavy Superchargers bowling attack. At 31, she is a veteran of English domestic cricket and will look to play a leadership role in support of new captain Hollie Armitage after Lauren Winfield-Hill’s departure to Oval Invincibles.Verdict: Superchargers started the Hundred with three wins and a no-result last year but tailed off badly to miss out on the knockout stages. Their all-overseas top three is among the best in the competition but they will need their domestic players to step up if they are to be in contention by the end of the group stages. MRPossible XI: 1 Alyssa Healy (wk), 2 Laura Wolvaardt, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Hollie Armitage (capt), 5 Alice Davidson-Richards, 6 Bess Heath, 7 Jenny Gunn, 8 Beth Langston, 9 Linsey Smith, 10 Kalea Moore, 11 Katie LevickMarizanne Kapp was Invincibles’ match-winner in the 2021 final•Getty ImagesOval InvinciblesLast season: Winners
Coach: Jonathan Batty
Captain: Dane van Niekerk
Overseas players: Suzie Bates, Shabnim Ismael, Marizanne Kapp, van NiekerkKey player: Dane van Niekerk was the tournament MVP in its opening season, leading the run-scoring charts and bowling plenty of sets, too. She has not played competitively since November, missing South Africa’s tour of England and the Commonwealth Games as she recovered from a fractured ankle, and Invincibles’ defence may hinge on her fitness.One to watch: If you somehow missed her last year, Alice Capsey is still the teen sensation to keep an eye on in the women’s game. Capsey will turn 18 on the first day of the tournament – when Invincibles take on Northern Superchargers – and has already been capped by England, as well as scored her first international fifty. Will get stuck in with bat and ball.Verdict: Invincibles have lost five players who were virtually ever-present last season – two to rivals Southern Brave – and will once again lean heavily on their South African contingent. The absence of Tash Farrant, due to a back stress fracture, could be most significant. Alan GardnerPossible XI: 1 Lauren Winfield-Hill (wk), 2 Dane van Niekerk (capt), 3 Alice Capsey, 4 Marizanne Kapp, 5 Aylish Cranstone, 6 Grace Gibbs, 7 Mady Villiers, 8 Danielle Gregory, 9 Sophia Smale, 10 Eva Gray/Ryana McDonald-Gay, 11 Shabnim IsmailCharlotte Edwards will be aiming for Southern Brave to go one better this year•Getty ImagesSouthern BraveLast season: Runners-up
Coach: Charlotte Edwards
Captain: Anya Shrubsole
Overseas players: Smriti Mandhana, Tahlia McGrath, Molly Strano, Amanda-Jade WellingtonKey player: Australia allrounder Tahlia McGrath has been on the scene for several years, but has recently taken her game to another level – particularly in the shortest format. She made her T20I debut in October and currently averages 93.75 with the bat and 13.66 with the ball. So good has McGrath been that Ellyse Perry has barely had a look in.One to watch: One of two 17-year-olds to make a positive impression on England’s Commonwealth Games (the other being Capsey), left-arm seamer Freya Kemp has the skill – and variations – to thrive on the Hundred stage. Claimed nine wickets at 17.66 for champions Southern Vipers in this year’s Charlotte Edwards Cup.Verdict: The standout side during the group stage last year, Brave fell at the final hurdle – but they will again be the team to beat after coming back with what looks like an even stronger squad. McGrath more than covers for the loss of Stafanie Taylor, while Kemp is a bright talent and the likes of Georgia Adams, Jo Gardner and Paige Scholfield add to their considerable depth. AGPossible XI: 1 Danni Wyatt, 2 Smriti Mandhana, 3 Sophia Dunkley, 4 Tahlia McGrath, 5 Maia Bouchier, 6 Amanda-Jade Wellington, 7 Anya Shrubsole (capt), 8 Carla Rudd (wk), 9 Tara Norris, 10 Lauren Bell, 11 Freya KempKatherine Brunt will look to fire up Rockets again•Getty ImagesTrent RocketsLast season: 7th
Coach: Salliann Beams
Captain: Nat Sciver
Overseas players: Mignon du Preez, Alana King, Elyse Villani, Kim GarthKey player: The loss of Meg Lanning, who has opted to take a break from cricket on the eve of the tournament, will only increase the demands on Nat Sciver. England’s star allrounder led the Rockets’ run-scoring in 2021 and helps balance a slightly lop-sided XI, while Rockets have also added Kim Garth, the Australia-based former Ireland allrounder, to their squad.One to watch: Alana King was an uncapped legspinner at the start of the year, but has enjoyed a meteoric rise: Australia debuts in all three formats, a 50-over World Cup winner’s medal, gold at the Commonwealths – where she claimed 4 for 8 against Barbados but was denied a hat-trick by Lanning’s drop at slip.Verdict: Rockets were among the sides worst hit by withdrawals in the inaugural campaign and have been hit again by Lanning’s late withdrawal. They still look strong in paper, and should be a good bet for the knockouts – particularly if Katherine Brunt continues to rage against the dying of the light. AGPossible XI: 1 Bryony Smith, 2 Elyse Villani, 3 Nat Sciver (capt), 4 Mignon du Preez, 5 Katherine Brunt, 6 Sarah Glenn, 7 Abbey Freeborn, 8 Kathryn Bryce, 9 Alana King, 10 Georgia Davis, 11 Sophie Munro/Alex StonehouseHayley Matthews was Fire’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in 2021•PA Images/GettyWelsh FireLast season: 8th
Coach: Gareth Breese
Captain: Tammy Beaumont
Overseas players: Nicola Carey, Rachael Haynes, Hayley Matthews, Annabel SutherlandKey player: Welsh Fire sometimes seemed a one-woman team in 2021, which might account for why they ended up bottom. But Hayley Matthews, the West Indies allrounder, could not be faulted for her efforts after scoring 221 runs and taking 11 wickets – well above her team-mates in both disciplines.One to watch: Katie George was capped by England at 18 but, four years on, has not added to a handful of limited-overs appearances. Injuries have played a part, and the left-arm seamer did not bowl a ball in last year’s Hundred despite playing all eight games; an innings of 74 off 43 balls in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last month hints at allrounder potential.Verdict: Fire appear to have recruited well, despite losing Bryony Smith and Sarah Taylor (who took up a coaching role in the men’s Hundred). New captain Tammy Beaumont has a point to prove after being left out of England’s Commonwealth Games squad, while Fran Wilson was a title-winner with Invincibles. Expectations will be low but they could spring a few surprises. AGPossible XI: 1 Tammy Beaumont (capt), 2 Hayley Matthews, 3 Fran Wilson, 4 Rachael Haynes, 5 Fi Morris, 6 Nicola Carey, 7 Georgia Hennessy, 8 Katie George, 9 Sarah Bryce (wk), 10 Alex Hartley, 11 Nicole Harvey

The 2021 edition will kick off on Thursday and will include 29 matches over 10 days.

Barny Read27-Jan-2021The Abu Dhabi T10 League kicks off on Thursday, with the fourth edition looking to further establish a proof of concept and longer-term legacy for the format, even as its suitability to spearhead cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympics Games continues to be discussed.With the Covid-19 pandemic still far from gone, this year’s tournament has gone to extraordinary lengths to try and conduct the 29 matches over 10 days of cricket – January 28 to February 6 – that will have over 100 players travelling in to the UAE. The playing pool does have a slightly different look and feel this season, but there remains an exciting cast.Chris Gayle still has enormous star power, and Shahid Afridi leads the list of returning Pakistan players after last year’s issues with the PCB were resolved. Among others, the likes of Tom Banton, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Chadwick Walton and Imran Tahir should make for entertaining viewing. There are also four Indian players – led by the evergreen Pravin Tambe – in the mix, while both Lalchand Rajput and Robin Singh are head coaches of teams, which certainly aren’t insignificant appointments considering the BCCI’s policy when it comes to franchise cricket beyond India’s shores.Related

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There have been challenges in the lead-up of the tournament. Players remained in quarantine slightly longer than hoped, Bangla Tigers’ 21-year-old icon player Afif Hossain was stuck at the border, and nearly an entire new broadcast team had to be sourced when the emirates placed a travel ban on South Africa days before the start. Some of the billed players are yet to arrive, but the majority of the last-minute issues have been resolved and the IPL’s visit to Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium during IPL 2020 has ultimately served as the perfect precursor for the far more condensed staging of the T10 league.”We were very, very lucky to have worked with the gold standard of bio-security measures that is the BCCI medical team, and that has driven everything forward now in terms of Abu Dhabi T10,” Matt Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket, told ESPNcricinfo. “Those same medical protocols are what we have used to base the Abu Dhabi T10 bio-security regulations on.”

“What we need to do is showcase this format, to show its attractiveness, to show its capability, to grow it and to show its relevance to multi-sport events like the Olympics”Haroon Lorgat

That translates to developing bluetooth track-and-trace systems, implementing bio-secure bubbles and keeping teams separated as part of an enormous undertaking. At the time of writing, the organisers are waiting for a final decision on their application to allow fans in the south stand at 30% capacity – this, incidentally, a week on from the UFC opening its doors to 2000 fans in the UAE capital.”We’re reviewing the UFC Fight Island spectator capacity and are hopeful in the latter stages of Abu Dhabi T10 to embrace some low percentage of fans into the event,” Boucher said. “That’s most likely to be vaccinated residents and frontline residents.”It’s anticipated that nearly one billion people will watch the event on TV after the league struck landmark deals in key territories, such as with Fox Sports in Australia. It represents a major win for the shortest professional format, which – since inception in 2017 – has frequently touted its potential for globalisation and suitability as a vehicle for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics.The Maratha Arabians are the defending champions, having beaten Deccan Gladiators in the 2019 final•Abu Dhabi CricketDuring the inaugural run in Sharjah, England’s Eoin Morgan was the first to suggest T10 as an Olympic product and since then there’s been a procession of players supporting it. Gayle and Kumar Sangakkara joined the chorus in the lead-up to this year’s edition and with the ICC also expressing an interest, there’s genuine hope the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could see cricket feature – in its T10 avatar.”It’s now a professional outfit and the product is certainly a lot more sharper,” league director for strategy and development Haroon Lorgat told ESPNcricinfo. “From where it started in Sharjah back in 2017 to what we will see at this upcoming season is tremendous growth.”We’re still cementing this as a product for the long-term. What we need to do is showcase this format, to show its attractiveness, to show its capability, to grow it and to show its relevance to multi-sport events like the Olympics. Then it’s up to the federations to take it and run with it.”The ambition to produce drop-in T10 tournaments around the world is another well-trodden path for the past three years, with the USA one market it has its sights firmly set upon. That and a women’s T10 league.”It will come in different forms,” Lorgat explained. “There may well be a T10 league played in one part of the world that’s for women cricketers, there may be a T10 league played in another part of the world that’s for Under-19s, and then there would be what we’re seeing in Abu Dhabi with the best men’s cricketers in the world playing.”Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, is entering the second of a five-year agreement and long-term, it sees the T10 as a crucial tourism commodity. “In terms of legacy, we have our own academy here and we have our own aspirations to bring cricket back to the top of the Abu Dhabi sports portfolio,” Boucher said. “That’s what we hope the Abu Dhabi T10 will do.”