All posts by h716a5.icu

Glasgow Rangers’ struggles this season can be attributed to a few factors. Philippe Clement clearly wasn’t the man to take the Ibrox side forward, and he failed to implement a tactical philosophy during his time in charge.

Additionally, the Gers’ performances against clubs they are expected to beat were poor, losing games against Aberdeen, Hibs, St Mirren and Motherwell, which knocked the club out of a Premiership title race.

At the time of writing, Rangers have conceded 38 goals in the league already. Indeed, this is the most the club have conceded since they won the league title during the 2020/21 campaign.

With three games left, this number could still increase. The defence has been a big part of the problem throughout the season. John Souttar has been a reliable option when fit, but he still makes the odd mistake, having made two errors leading to a shot and given away two penalties in the league this term, as per Sofascore.

Leon Balogun is arguably the finest centre-back at Ibrox, but he will be 37 by the start of next season.

Clement signed Robin Propper last summer as a replacement for Connor Goldson. With experience in the Eredivisie and being the captain of FC Twente, he was deemed to be a solid signing.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t quite worked out for him.

Why Rangers must sell Robin Propper

For a fee of just £1.5m, Propper made the move to Glasgow last August, but it soon became clear that the rough and tumble of the Scottish top flight would be a problem for him.

He struggled physically against teams that used big, bulking centre-forwards, with Propper being bullied off the ball on a constant basis, having admitted himself that he perhaps “underestimated” the Premiership.

Indeed, he ranks in the lowest 40% for duels won percentage per game (62.1%) in the Premiership while also ranking in the bottom 50% for interceptions per 90 (1.02).

It isn’t just domestically where Propper struggles. When compared to his peers in the Europa League, the Dutchman ranks in the bottom 75% for pass completion percentage (82.8%), progressive passes (2.08) and progressive carries (0.13).

On this evidence, Rangers should be looking to move him on this summer under new management, especially as they might be able to recoup nearly all that they paid.

Improving the defence will be a main priority for the new head coach when he arrives at Ibrox.

Hopefully, this means new arrivals will shortly be on their way to Glasgow.

Rangers search for a new defender

According to Foot Mercato, the Gers are expected to make a bid for Estoril defender Kevin Boma when the transfer window opens.

Boma has only been with his current club for a single season, but has impressed significantly to begin attracting interest from the continent.

FC Basel are keen on making an offer for the youngster, as are Bundesliga side Union Berlin, suggesting the Light Blues have plenty of competition for the centre-back.

Estoril value Boma at between €6m and €7m (£5.1 and £6m) should anyone attempt to make a bid for the player.

Much will depend on the money that is available to the new boss this summer, but there is no doubt that Boma fits the profile of what the club urgently require.

If a few players can be sold when the window opens, funds should be ready this summer.

Why Rangers must sign Kevin Boma

A year ago, Boma was playing in the French second tier with Rodez, making a total of 26 appearances for the club before moving to Portugal for a fee in the region of just £200k.

This certainly looks to have turned into a bargain for Estoril, especially considering they are set to make a lucrative profit on the defender.

Boma has featured 28 times for the club in all competitions, scoring once, and his performances have been impressive in the Portuguese top flight.

Metric (per90)

Boma

Propper

Tackles

1.7

1.7

Interceptions

1.5

0.8

Dribbled past

0.3

0.5

Clearances

4.1

4

Percentage of aerial duels won

67%

63%

Possession lost

6.5

8.7

Indeed, the 22-year-old ranks fourth in the first-team squad for accurate passes (34.7) and tackles (1.7) per game in the top flight, along with ranking third for clearances (4.1) and for interceptions (1.5) per match.

Boma’s physicality could be a huge asset for the club at the heart of the defence, especially as he wins 5.4 total duels per game – a success rate of 63% – in the league this season for Estoril.

Strong, quick and tall, all the qualities that the club require at the heart of the defence and Boma possesses them all.

Kai Watson, scout and analyst, profiled the defender amid the club’s recent interest in him, taking to X to say that “the 22-year-old is incredibly athletic and has caught the eye at Estoril this season.”

He may not be at his peak just yet, but with plenty of time to improve, Boma will continue to get better and better as time goes on.

Transfer Focus

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

On the surface, signing Propper looked like a wise move. One experienced centre-back came in to replace a player who had departed.

After a few months, it soon became clear that the Dutchman wasn’t up to the required standard for Rangers, yet Clement still persisted with him at the heart of his defence.

Changes must be made this summer, no matter how ruthless. This includes selling deadwood who are either not contributing enough or have missed too many matches through injury. In their place, young players with the capability to develop into sellable assets should arrive in Glasgow.

Boma is the ideal signing, despite the price tag. The 22-year-old has even been capped at international level by Togo, proving how impressive his displays have been this season.

First things first, the 49ers Enterprises must appoint a manager who can take the club back to the summit of Scottish football.

Forget about Cerny: Rangers could land the "next Sadio Mane" for just £1.7m

Rangers will need to sign a winger or two this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 10, 2025

Manchester United are thought to be increasingly confident of completing the signing of a “very quick” defender on a free transfer this summer, according to a new update on Sunday.

Europa League final vital for future Man Utd signings

The Red Devils’ Premier League season is effectively over, and has been for many weeks, following a hugely disappointing performance in the competition.

United can still save their campaign by winning the Europa League later this month, however, with a final meeting with Tottenham on the horizon in Bilbao on May 21st. Ruben Amorim will know the importance of winning the trophy, not only because it will add to the club’s silverware collection, but because it will also secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Returning to Europe’s biggest club competition will allow the Reds Devils to attract a higher calibre of player this summer, with Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali linked with a summer switch to Old Trafford, which wouldn’t go down well at St James’ Park.

Elsewhere, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha continues to stand out as one of United’s most likely signings before the upcoming window comes to a close, in what has the potential to be a hugely exciting piece of business.

Man Utd confident of signing Jonathan Tah

According to The Sunday Mirror [via United In Focus], Manchester United are now increasingly confident of signing Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah at the end of the season. The 29-year-old will be available on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer, and he is believed to like the idea of testing himself in the Premier League.

A new centre-back is a must for United in the summer, even though Harry Maguire has enjoyed a good spell of form and Leny Yoro looks like a player with enormous potential. Maguire isn’t getting any younger, and is flawed in terms of a lack of pace, while Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are injury-prone players.

In Tah, United have a great option to bring in, with the German winning the Bundesliga with Leverkusen last season, as well as making 400 appearances for them in total and winning 35 caps for Germany.

Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has heaped praise on him in the past too: “He’s a young player with a lot of potential. He’s physically strong and very quick. Everything is possible.”

At 29, he admittedly isn’t a young signing for United, but he is still at an age where he could easily remain in and around his peak for the next three or four years.

Man Utd readying shock £85m offer to sign "excellent" Premier League rival

They could steal plenty of headlines…

ByTom Cunningham May 11, 2025

Added competition in defence is vital for Amorim moving forward, and the fact that Tah is keen on trying his luck in the Premier League acts as a further boost to them getting their man.

Fabrizio Romano has shared an intriguing update on Arsenal and their transfer plans for the summer window, with one target set to speak to his agents about the possibility of a move to the Emirates Stadium this week.

Mikel Arteta set for talks with Arsenal co-chairman over striker plans

The Times and journalist Gary Jacob shared some very interesting news regarding Mikel Arteta and Gunners co-chair Josh Kroenke.

Arsenal: Berta now targeting £80m Premier League star as Rodrygo talks stall

They’re having problems in pursuit of the Brazilian.

ByEmilio Galantini May 26, 2025

According to their information, amid a plethora of reports linking them with a striker, Arteta and Kroenke are set for internal talks over signing a prolific centre-forward in the next few days, with Arsenal looking to solve their goalscoring problem.

Arsenal surrendered the Premier League title to Liverpool, finishing 10 points behind Arne Slot’s side, with the north Londoners failing to reach their previous heights in terms of ruthlessness in the final third.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arteta’s men drew more games than any other side in the top ten over 24/25, scoring just 69 league goals in total, which is far fewer than the 91 and 88 they managed over the previous two seasons.

There has never been a more clear indication that Arsenal are in dire need of a striker, and Arteta publicly suggested that they have every intention of solving that issue among other concerns in the squad.

“Believe me, we are on it,” said Arteta about Arsenal potentially making a signing up front.

“We will try to squeeze and think and turn every stone that we possibly can, to make this club even more successful. But I think what these boys have done, the team has done, regarding everything that has happened, I repeat myself, I think they deserve a lot of credit.”

The result of these sit-down talks with Kroenke could have a profound effect on their chances of mounting a better Premier League title challenge next season, amid serious links to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Viktor Gyokeres set to speak with agents about possible Arsenal move

The Swede ended 24/25 with 54 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, potentially signing-off on his Sporting career with a strike in the Portuguese Cup final against Benfica on Sunday.

Gyokeres is a top striker target for Arsenal, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but it remains to be seen which marksman ends up at N5.

The 26-year-old has plenty of options, including Arteta’s side, with Romano sharing an update to GiveMeSport on Gyokeres’ plans after what was potentially his last game for Sporting.

Romano reports that Gyokeres is set to speak with his agents “in the next days” and assess all new destinations, including a possible move to Arsenal, and the ex-Coventry City star will make a decision on his next club “soon”.

Gyokeres’ rumoured price tag comes in at around £63 million, which could be seen as a bargain considering his exceptional goalscoring record, and it is peculiar that he hasn’t managed to seal a big-money move until this summer.

It adds further weight to some belief that Gyokeres is “massively underrated” in terms of strikers, and while you can make a case for a lack of quality in the Primeira Liga, the forward’s haul is hugely impressive no matter what division you’re playing in.

Tottenham Hotspur could soon find themselves on the hunt for a new head coach, with chairman Daniel Levy set to communicate his all-important managerial decision to Ange Postecoglou “this week”.

Ange Postecoglou set to learn Tottenham fate imminently

Reliable club insider Paul O’Keefe has claimed that Levy has already decided whether he’s going to stick or twist with Postecoglou after a very mixed campaign, and the Australian is apparently set to learn his fate imminently.

Tottenham now hold talks over signing "real deal" MLS defender

He’s got a glowing reputation in the States.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2025

Sky Sports report that Postecoglou’s future will be resolved “this week”, with critics and supporters alike set to find out the result of what must have been a very tough call behind the scenes at Hotspur Way.

The former Celtic boss made history by guiding Spurs to their first European trophy since 1984 and first piece of silverware generally since 2008 by beating Man United 1-0 in the Europa League final, which also gifted the club a spot in next season’s Champions League draw.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

However, Tottenham’s domestic form across 2024/2025 was quite simply unacceptable, with Postecoglou’s side breaking the record for most league defeats recorded by Spurs in a single Premier League season (22).

If they hadn’t secured a narrow victory against Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils in Bilbao, there would be no debate about sacking the tactician, but the raw emotion that comes with ending Tottenham’s trophy-winning hoodoo has given Levy plenty to ponder.

Players have also spoken out in support of Postecoglou – including the likes of Pedro Porro, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray – making the decision even harder.

If Levy does opt to hand the 59-year-old his P45, £4.5 million-per-year Brentford boss Thomas Frank is tipped as a prime contender for the job.

Tottenham are said to have held “multiple meetings” with Frank over the role, with journalist Pete O’Rourke now claiming that the Dane has entered pole position to succeed Postecoglou.

Thomas Frank "emerging" as top Tottenham target to replace Postecoglou

Writing for Football Insider, the reporter states Frank is “emerging” as Tottenham’s “number one” managerial target to replace Postecoglou.

The Lilywhites are apparently “increasingly convinced” of the 51-year-old’s credentials to do a job at Spurs and lead them into the Champions League next term, following his excellent job at Brentford on a shoe-string budget compared to more elite Premier League sides.

Frank has just guided the Bees to a solid mid-table finish, despite losing star striker Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli last summer, with the Dane also steering his injury-ravaged Brentford squad clear of relegation in 2023/2024.

Brentford have also registered a net-spend of just £96 million over the last five years, with Frank’s side holding their own in Europe’s most competitive division without having to splash that much on recruitment.

This will undoubtedly be attractive to Levy, and Man City boss Pep Guardiola is on record stating that Frank is “one of the best” managers around.

His appeal is clear, but it is still just a hypothesis as we await the result of Levy’s crunch Postecoglou call.

Chelsea’s transfer activity has been leaked consistently over the last few days, with one club director now lifting the lid on a recent phone call as the Blues pursued another deal.

Chelsea targeting new attackers for Maresca after failed deadline deals

Enzo Maresca couldn’t quite get AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan or Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens through the door in time for their looming Club World Cup campaign (Sky Sports), with the pre-CWC deadline passing at 7pm on Tuesday.

"One to watch" – Chelsea could now sell popular international for just £17m

The west Londoners have plenty of players to get off the books.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 12, 2025

Chelsea also didn’t have enough time to strike what is a complex deal for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, but Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg insists that he is still one to watch, and the west Londoners remain in talks.

In the meantime, it is reported that Chelsea are prioritising a new attacker over the coming weeks, namely a left-winger, versatile attacking midfielder and second striker after Liam Delap (Simon Phillips).

Chelsea also haven’t given up hope of signing Gittens, and he could well be one they revisit later on in the window.

“The hype and briefings of bids being sent and rejected for Gittens yesterday afternoon was just all blown up and also, very delayed,” said journalist Simon Phillips in a recent Substack update.

“Chelsea walked from this way before lunchtime and the biggest offer we sent in was a £45m base fee and £10m add-ons. This was rejected and Chelsea walked. It is likely to come up again because Chelsea do rate Gittens, and it’s likely to still be a genuine pursuit for Chelsea still this summer.”

This is now being echoed by Dortmund sporting director Sebastien Kehl, who lifted the lid on their discussions with Chelsea in an interview with Tage Spiegel this week.

Sebastien Kehl reveals Chelsea phone call over signing Jamie Gittens

The Bundesliga chief shared details behind their negotiations, with Kehl also tipping Chelsea talks for Gittens to reopen.

“We spoke on the phone, in the end we did not agree, because we have different ideas about the current value of the player,” he said.

“Jamie definitely makes our team better. We are glad that he is there. We are in a good exchange and see how things are shaping in the future.

“Of course, at some point, if you take a player with it, you also have to sell. I assume that his market value will not fall. We will see to what extent we can keep it until the end of the tournament. There will be talks again.”

Dortmund and Kehl are rumoured to want as much as £55 million for Gittens, which is a steep price considering he played less of a crucial role for them towards the back end of 2024/2025.

Just three of the 20-year-old’s 12 goals last season came in this calendar year, with Gittens also registering zero assists since the turn of 2025.

While Chelsea chiefs are believed to rate him, BlueCo also must not pay over the odds for him either, even if he’s Dortmund’s most sellable asset, and they’re likely to carry on charging top dollar.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will be chasing Club World Cup glory, but he certainly isn’t taking his eye off the ball regarding potential signings.

Defender Tomas Araujo has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Elsewhere, Jamie Gittens is a major attacking target, and the Blues are keen to wrap up a deal for him sooner rather than later.

Add in the fact that Maresca has already signed Liam Delap, it suggests that the manager is plotting an overhaul this summer.

Date

Opponent

Venue

Monday, June 16

Los Angeles

Mercedes-Benz stadium

Friday, June 20

Flamengo

Lincoln Financial Field

Tuesday, June 24

Esperance

Lincoln Financial Field

Hugo Ekitiké is another key target, and with Manchester United revving up interest in the young striker, now could be the time to act.

Latest on Chelsea's pursuit Hugo Ekitiké

Despite being one of the Blues’ top transfer targets, it now appears that the Red Devils are looking to secure his signature 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.

With a reported price tag of €100m (£85m), it is a significant outlay for the Blues as they seek to bolster their attacking options.

Last season, the Frenchman scored 22 goals and grabbed 12 assists, emerging as one of the most sought-after talents on the continent.

The striker would compete with Delap and Nicolas Jackson for a role in the team should he move to London, but for the price, Maresca will be determined to use him as his main option.

That said, could he perhaps make a move for another youngster this summer instead? Especially as a player who was on the club’s radar previously looks set to leave their current club.

Why Chelsea should reignite a move for Jhon Duran

The Colombian striker was close to a move to Stamford Bridge last summer, but ultimately decided to stay with Villa.

Unai Emery couldn’t turn down an offer of around £65m for the talented hitman, however, and he made his move to the Middle East in January.

According to reports from Saudi Arabia (as per the Metro), Duran could be set to leave Al-Nassr in the summer, with the chance there for Chelsea – among other suitors – to reignite a move for the player. It is said that unnamed clubs have expressed interest in signing him on loan, should the chance of an exit emerge.

While Ekitiké shone in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt last term, is there a case to be made that Duran is the bigger talent?

When comparing the two strikers via FBref, Duran not only registered more shots per 90 (4.26 vs 4) than Ekitiké last term, but he also recorded more shots on target (1.92 vs 1.55) per 90 and won a higher percentage of aerial duels (50% vs 46.8%) domestically last season.

Given the fact he is younger and has a potentially higher ceiling for growth, Duran – who already scored 12 goals in 55 Premier League games – could perhaps turn out to be the better striker for the club.

Following his excellent first half of the 2024/25 season at Villa, football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as a “monster in the making” and with 12 goals in 18 games for his new club, he is living up to that statement.

Maresca must be on high alert in the coming weeks if Duran is available, especially if he costs less than the £85m that has been demanded for Ekitike.

He may be a “maverick”, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, although unlike Ekitike, he has already proven himself in England’s top flight.

Free agent defender now "close to finalising" Chelsea move after talks

The west Londoners are pushing.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

Liverpool recently completed what may end up being the biggest transfer of the summer when they confirmed the signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Reds have smashed the British transfer record to sign the Germany international in a deal that is worth up to £116.5m, moving above the transfer that took Moises Caicedo from Brighton to Chelsea.

Liverpool, as shown in the graphic above, had never touched the £100m mark for a transfer fee for a player, which shows how much faith they have that Wirtz will be a hugely influential star for the club.

The attacking midfielder is the second signing to come in from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, after Jeremie Frimpong, and the first addition from the Bundesliga has had some very kind words to say about his new, yet old, teammate.

Liverpool’s Dutch full-back described the German star as a “very, very, very special player”, and Reds supporters should be excited by the prospect of watching him play next season.

Why Florian Wirtz is a big signing for Liverpool

The 22-year-old attacker’s form in the Bundesliga in the last two seasons suggests that he has the potential to be a difference-maker for the Premier League champions on a regular basis.

He is a number ten who has the ability to consistently deliver both goals and assists at the top end of the pitch, which means that he could be a joy to watch in the final third.

Wirtz ended the 2024/25 season with a return of 16 goals and 14 assists in 45 matches in all competitions, after a haul of 18 goals and 19 assists in 49 appearances for Leverkusen in the previous campaign.

This means that the Germany international has plundered 34 goals and 33 assists in all competitions in the past two seasons, which shows that he offers a constant threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals from an attacking midfield position.

Non-penalty goals

0.59

Top 6%

Expected Assisted Goals

0.20

Top 20%

npxG + xAG

0.60

Top 18%

Shot-creating actions

5.10

Top 11%

Progressive passes

6.28

Top 8%

Passes made

55.26

Top 6%

As you can see in the table above, Wirtz was impressive in the Champions League this season, ranking highly among his positional peers as both a scorer and a creator of goals, which shows that he can perform at the very top level.

Therefore, the £116.5m-rated star could be a big signing as an attacking star who has proven himself in Germany, and they could be about to repeat that move already.

Liverpool eyeing Bundesliga striker

According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool are interested in a deal to sign Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Premier League champions are ‘seriously’ eyeing up a move for the France U21 international, as they look at possible replacements for Darwin Nunez.

Transfer Focus

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

Plettenberg reports that Napoli are in talks with Liverpool over a deal to sign the Uruguay international, and that the Reds would not stand in his way if he wants to move to the Serie A champions this summer.

The journalist adds that the Reds believe that they have a “good chance” to sign Ekitike as a possible replacement for Nunez, despite facing competition from both Chelsea and Manchester United in the race for his services.

Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly value the young number nine at a whopping £85m, as they look to keep hold of their star man, and it remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool are willing to go that high for him.

Why Liverpool should sign Hugo Ekitike

The Premier League giants should swoop to sign the French striker from the German club before the end of the window, particularly if Nunez moves on from Anfield, because he could be a Wirtz repeat.

As aforementioned, Liverpool have landed a Bundesliga star who could be a difference-maker at the top end of the pitch on a regular basis by signing the Germany international.

Ekitike would arrive on Merseyside as a very similar signing, as a Bundesliga striker who has the potential to make a big impact in the final third next season.

The former Paris Saint-Germain talent ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances in all competitions for Frankfurt, which meant that he registered four more goal contributions than Wirtz did for Leverkusen.

Ekitike’s performances in the Bundesliga, specifically, suggest that he has the quality to come through the door as a significant upgrade on Nunez, should he complete a transfer to Napoli in the coming weeks.

Appearances

33

30

Goals

15

5

Minutes per goal

172

227

Big chances created

12

3

Key passes per game

1.3

0.5

Assists

8

2

As you can see in the table above, the French talent could offer a bigger threat in front of goal as both a scorer and a creator for Liverpool, based off their respective form in the 2024/25 season.

The Frankfurt star, who was once described as the “next Mbappe” by journalist Graeme Bailey, also still has plenty of years left ahead of him to develop and improve even further, at the age of 23.

Like Wirtz, the young forward could be a staple of Arne Slot’s attack for many years to come. They are both forwards who have proven that they can deliver quality in the here and now, whilst they also both have the potential to get even better in the future.

He'd be unplayable with Gordon: Liverpool submit bid to sign £64m forward

Liverpool are planning to sign a new striker this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 24, 2025

It is now down to the club to agree a deal with Frankfurt to bring the promising young centre-forward to Anfield to combine with Wirtz in the final third next season.

USA captain feels beating Pakistan in the World Cup is “going to open many doors for us”

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jun-20242:08

Rapid Fire Review: Where does this rank among the greatest upsets?

After their win over Pakistan, USA captain Monank Patel said they should have finished the game in the regular time instead of taking it to the Super Over.Chasing 160, USA needed 56 from the last seven overs with Monank and Andries Gous well set. But Monank got out on the very next ball, allowing Pakistan to make a comeback and tie the game.”When I got out, we were still in the game,” Monank said after the match, “and I thought we should have finished the game and we should have never gone to Super Over. But the way we kept our nerves and in the Super Over particularly, scoring 18 runs itself gave us a big upper hand to defend the target.”Related

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Apart from those last few overs, everything else went as per the plan for USA, right from winning the toss.”The plan was to win the toss and bowl first,” Monank said. “And we knew initially first half an hour it would help pace bowlers and the way we kept them quiet and took the crucial wickets in the powerplay, it helped really well. And yeah, 160 on this wicket with one side short boundary, I felt we were always in the game.”For the Super Over, USA went with left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar instead of Ali Khan, who is arguably more used to bowling at the death. It proved to be the right choice as Netravalkar conceded only 13.”The plan was we wanted to make sure that we utilise the conditions,” Monank said. “And the condition was a left-arm bowler bowling cutters and wide yorkers with left-arm over angle going out. Ali Khan usually attacks the stumps, but we wanted to make sure that we make them play outside off stump. And for a left-armer, the angle helps. Saurabh had had a good day, and I backed him.”1:05

Monank Patel praises USA bowlers for historic win over Pakistan

Before the World Cup, USA had beaten Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match home T20I series. In the World Cup opener, they beat Canada and now have two wins in two games. Their remaining matches are against India and Ireland. One more victory will put them in contention for the Super 8. But Monank is not thinking too far ahead.”We know what we have worked and what capability we have,” he said. “And we just focus on the particular game. And we don’t want to keep our emotions too high or low. We’ll make sure that whatever the win today is, we’ll enjoy it and make sure that next day we come fresh.”We want to focus on one game at a time. And our focus would be on playing against India now. We don’t even want to think about the Ireland right now. Super 8 is far ahead.”But Monank agreed beating Pakistan was a big achievement that could open many doors for them.”I am happy with the win, playing against Pakistan for the first time in the World Cup and beating them it was an unbelievable performance from our side,” he said. “So yeah, I would say it’s a big day for Team USA and for the USA cricket community too.”Of course, beating Pakistan in the World Cup is going to open many doors for us. Obviously hosting the World Cup in USA and performing here as a team, it helps us to grow the cricket in USA.”

Arsenal haven’t had the rip-roaring start to the summer transfer window that their fans perhaps wanted, but the cogs are starting to churn as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta plan to make improvements.

Across the past three Premier League seasons, the Gunners have finished second each time. Some might ridicule Arteta for failing to reach that final level, but were Arsenal not toiling in the pits before they arrived? And have they not rediscovered themselves as a European superpower?

We’re just lacking that special… something. The Emirates side have endured their share of frustration through recent transfer windows, and another disappointing finish this summer could derail a lot of progress.

Time was, Arsenal were defined by their incredible focal frontmen, but that now needs to change. It’s often futile to pinpoint exactitudes in regard to a club’s transfer strategy, but it’s clear that Arsenal’s problems could be halved through the signing of a new centre-forward.

The latest on Arsenal's striker search

Arsenal are planning to sign a new striker this summer. It’s their principal priority. There’s just cause for excitement in regard to Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke, but such bids won’t be in lieu of a new number nine.

But we can’t deny that it’s taking its time. The summer saga has centred on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, who is expected to leave Sporting Lisbon but has been left dismayed by his outfit’s stance on his leaving fee.

BBC Sport understand Arsenal have yet to find a breakthrough with Sesko or Leipzig, while the 27-year-old Gyokeres might indeed prove too expensive.

Advancements with either forward may well occur in the coming weeks, but the Gunners may well turn to an alternative option ahead of the beginning of pre-season.

He’s come close to north London before.

Arsenal open talks for new striker

According to GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal have joined Manchester United in the race for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with both clubs making contact with their Premier League counterpart.

Transfer Focus

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Arsenal saw a £40m offer rejected for the England international back in January, but could now return as they look to seal a new striker sooner rather than later.

It’s thought that the Villans value the 29-year-old at £60m, a figure that the north Londoners were unwilling to pay earlier in the year.

If the package can be reduced, there’s every chance a figure could be tabled.

Why Arsenal want Ollie Watkins

The issue with both Sesko and Gyokeres is that neither boasts experience in the Premier League – and that’s an important part of determining who’s the right pick.

In Watkins, Arsenal would sign a player who is proven at the very highest level, having scored 75 goals and provided 36 assists across 184 Premier League matches, who bears the stylistic qualities befitting a Gunners talisman – indeed, skills found in the game of both Sesko and Gyokeres.

But the same could be said for a former star in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who signed for Arsenal in January 2018 for £60m – level with Villa’s asking price for Watkins – and went on to score 92 goals and provide 21 assists across 163 appearances, a remarkable run of prolific performances that led to triumph in the FA Cup too.

In his pomp, the Gabonese icon was electric, intelligent and as clinical as you like. The right-footer also found success when peeling off the left, which is a role Watkins has played many a time for Unai Emery’s side.

The Three Lions star might be a goalscorer first and foremost, but he’s also a well-rounded forward, having ranked among the top 3% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues in 2024/25 for assists and the top 19% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Moreover, he’s something of a veteran at 29, which is similarly the case with Aubameyang, who joined the Premier League aged 28 and hit the ground running, calling upon all his experience and athleticism to post ten goals and four assists over his opening 13 matches in the division.

While Watkins is coming off the back of a campaign that left something to be desired, he still scored 17 goals and chalked up 14 more assists across all competitions, with his exploits rightly seeing podcaster Rohan Jivan name him “one of the best CFs in Europe.”

This is certainly underscored by his impressive track record (across all competitions) against the Premier League’s historic ‘big six’, having notably bagged six times over 11 matches against Arsenal, a statistic that will no doubt dredge up some off-putting memories for the club’s fanbase.

They say that if you can’t beat them, join them, but in Arsenal’s case, if they can’t stop Watkins from scoring, why not just sign him?

There is, of course, more to it than that, but Watkins’ goalscoring record against high-level opposition does underscore his suitability.

That and a consistent goalscoring record that would see Arsenal return to the striking success of old, when Aubameyang last plied his trade in an Arsenal shirt.

24/25

Kai Havertz

9

23/24

Bukayo Saka

16

22/23

Martin Odegaard

15

21/22

Bukayo Saka

11

20/21

Alexandre Lacazette

13

19/20

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

22

Arsenal are one of the best teams in Europe, but they lack the deadly goalscorer of their domestic and continental rivals. Bukayo Saka is world-class, but he’s not an out-and-out striker.

And though Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been out injured for a while, neither boasts the true clinical edge needed.

Watkins is a veteran, but so was Aubameyang when the mobile, high-speed star came over way back when. Imagine Auba in this current Gunners team? Such dreams may be realised if Watkins signs this summer.

He's a lot like Saka: Arsenal "working on" signing £50m star – Ornstein

The international attacker could add some more flair to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 3, 2025

Classy centuries take centre stage at Sedbergh alongside Ackermann and de Leede

ECB Reporters Network24-Jul-2024Durham 344 for 4 (Lees 111, de Leede 72, Ackermann 59) beat Lancashire 287 (Bohannon 147, de Leede 3-33, Ackermann 3-37) by 57 runsCaptain Alex Lees starred with a superb 111 added to impressive all-round contributions from Dutch internationals Bas de Leede and Colin Ackermann as Durham claimed an opening day Metro Bank One-Day Cup win over Lancashire at Sedbergh School.Opener Lees cleanly struck eight fours and a six in a 126-ball innings which underpinned 344 for four – Durham’s sixth highest List A total. De Leede contributed 72 off 63 and Ackermann 59 off 33.In ideal batting conditions, and in front of approximately 2,000 spectators, Lancashire’s task of chasing was tall. Josh Bohannon top-scored with an excellent career best 147 off 119 balls, an even better innings than Lees’s. But Ackermann and de Leede equally shared six wickets in 287 all out – a Durham win by 57 runs.Lees made the most of his decision to bat first, hitting all of his boundaries on the leg-side and driving George Balderson’s seam over long-off for his only six.Every Durham batter contributed. Fellow Under 19s international Ben McKinney opened with a pleasing 43 – he shared 87 with Lees – before Scotland international Michael Jones added a late 41 off 21 against his birth county.Durham paced their innings beautifully against a Red Rose attack who failed to gain control. Only Balderson – one for 57 from 10 overs – went at less than six in over in a six-man attack.Lees and de Leede shared 129 inside 20 overs for the second wicket, advancing from 87 for one in the 20th. It was a Durham partnership record for the second wicket in List A matches against Lancashire.Lees reached a 117-ball century but didn’t last much longer.He followed de Leede’s departure, the skipper caught at long-off against Harry Singh’s off-spin – 250 for three in the 44th over.After that, 81 came from the last six overs as Ackermann and Jones set about a thrilling acceleration.New ball seamer Tom Bailey conceded 27 off the 47th – 308 for three. Jones hit a six and four and Ackermann two sixes and a four.Lancashire’s reply started well despite George Bell’s early departure. He cut Paul Coughlin to backward point.At 91 for one in the 16th over, their hopes would have been high as captain Keaton Jennings and Bohannon both approached fifties.But their second-wicket partnership was cut short at 72 when the former was run out for 44 at the non-striker’s end going for a third to deep midwicket, sparking a match-defining collapse of four wickets for 46 – Lancashire now 137 for five in the 23rd.Ackermann’s off-spin (three for 37 from six overs) accounted for three of them, bowling Balderson and Tom Bruce added to George Lavelle caught at backward point. The latter two fell in as many deliveries in the 23rd over.Bohannon shared a calming 61 for the sixth wicket with Singh, but the latter was one of two wickets to fall in the 34th to de Leede’s seam, leaving the hosts 202 for seven.Singh pulled to deep midwicket for 25 and Tom Aspinwall was bowled.De Leede (three for 33 from eight) bowled Bailey shortly afterwards before Bohannon reached a second List A century off 93 balls.But a win was the prize he craved. Unfortunately for him, that ship had long sailed as no team-mate could support him until it was too late.He also shared 62 for the ninth wicket with Will Williams, who fell to Jonathan Bushnell’s seam.The same man completed the visiting success when he bowled Bohannon in the 45th over after the England Lions captain had struck 13 fours and half a dozen sixes.