Chelsea defender Axel Disasi has agreed terms with Aston Villa over a January transfer but talks are continuing between the two clubs.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Disasi could be about to leave ChelseaIn talks with Aston VillaPersonal terms already agreedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Diasi only arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2023, signing a six-year deal at the club, but could be on his way to Premier League rivals Aston Villa before the January transfer window closes. The defender has already agreed personal terms with the Villans but negotiations are continuing between the two clubs, according to Fabrizio Romano.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Disasi has struggled to nail down a regular place in the Chelsea starting XI since moving from Monaco and has only made four Premier League starts this season, so a move to Villa may well appeal. Unai Emery is looking for defensive reinforcements following Diego Carlos's exit and with Tyrone Mings having suffered an injury against West Ham.
DID YOU KNOW?
Villa have already splashed the cash this winter by bringing in Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund. The club are also battling to keep hold of striker Jhon Duran amid reported interest from Real Madrid, PSG and Al-Nassr.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR DISASI
Disasi will hope the two clubs can reach agreement on a transfer before the window closes on Monday, February 3. Chelsea don't play again until then when they take on West Ham, while Villa face Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday and then head to Midlands rivals Wolves on Saturday.
He says losing Delhi Capitals captaincy hasn’t changed things drastically in terms of focus on batting
Hemant Brar23-Sep-20212:28
Iyer: ‘Have to maintain same rhythm as in the first half of IPL 2021’
Playing his first game in six months, Shreyas Iyer had “a really good feeling” after scoring an unbeaten 47 off 41 balls on a pitch where the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat.Chasing 135 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, he first added 52 in 48 balls with Shikhar Dhawan and then took the side home with an unbroken 67-run stand off 42 balls with Rishabh Pant. However, Iyer wasn’t content with his performance.”I wouldn’t say I am satisfied because the hunger has gone up,” he said after the game. “The appetite keeps on increasing with every match you play. So I am not satisfied or content.”Iyer was making a comeback from the shoulder injury he suffered during the home series against England in March. He had to undergo surgery, which ruled him out of the first leg of the IPL as well as a proposed stint with Lancashire.Watch the IPL on ESPN+
Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the IPL live in the US. Match highlights of Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad available here in English, and here in Hindi (US only).
It also meant Iyer lost Capitals’ captaincy to Pant. Even after he returned for the UAE leg, the franchise decided to continue with Pant as captain. While Iyer no longer has that added responsibility, it doesn’t necessarily mean his focus on his batting has increased drastically.”When I was given the captaincy, I was in a different frame of mind,” he said. “My decision-making and the temperament level were really good and that had benefitted me in the last two years. But I respect the franchise’s decision. And if you see, Rishabh has been leading really well from the start of the season.”It hasn’t changed anything drastically for me that my focus on my batting has increased many times. When I was the captain… I like to soak in the pressure. Whenever there is pressure, there is a challenge, and I do well when there’s a challenge.”Even today when I went in, the pressure was there to win the game for the side as the wicket was a bit uneven. My mindset was the same, that being a main part of the team, I have to finish the game. Whenever I play, my mindset is to stay there till the end and see to it that I make the team win.”Iyer came in to bat with Capitals’ on 20 for 1 in the third over on a used pitch. While his wasn’t particularly a fluent knock, Iyer said his role with the bat hadn’t changed after his return.”My role is always based on the situation but my intent has always been positive. I see to it that I have that aggressive nature when I step on to the field irrespective of the situation. Even before my injury, I was in that frame of mind and I am still continuing with the same approach.”My routine and process have been on point. During my preparation, I ticked all the boxes before coming here, which tells that I am in a great state of mind. I keep backing my instincts… that’s what I have been doing. This was just the first game. It’s a long leg and hopefully, I will keep performing in the same way and see to it that we win the championship.”Related
Iyer ruled out of Lancashire county stint
Pant to continue as Delhi Capitals captain
Ponting: Iyer's return 'makes the make-up of our team look more complete'
T Natarajan in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19
Bayliss: I don’t think Natarajan’s presence would have affected the result of the match Sunrisers, on the other hand, find themselves on the brink of elimination. They are also without T Natarajan for now, who tested positive for Covid-19 before the game. On Wednesday, though, it was their batters who let them down.”I don’t think it [Natarajan’s presence] would have affected the result of the match,” Trevor Bayliss, the Sunrisers’ coach, said after the game. “They [Capitals] played way too well for us tonight. Look, it was a little bit of an upset as Natarajan was going to play. But these guys are professional players, and every now and then, there’s an injury just before playing, and you have to make a late replacement. So I am sure all of the players, in a way, are used to that.”Natarajan’s absence meant Sunrisers’ Indian pace attack comprised of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sandeep Sharma and Khaleel Ahmed. Somewhat surprisingly, it was Khaleel, and not Sandeep, who shared the new ball with Bhuvneshwar. Sandeep was introduced into the attack only in the eighth over. Bayliss explained the logic behind the move.”In our practice matches, Khaleel was one of our best bowlers; he was getting the ball to move around. He’s a little bit taller [than Sandeep] and we felt the ball was sort of sticking in the wicket for tall bowlers. And he basically bowled well. It was one of those things, trying to fit three new-ball bowlers into two [slots] and today we went with Khaleel, which meant Sandy had to play a little bit different role.”
Tyrell Malacia has joined PSV Eindhoven from Manchester United on loan with an option to buy.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Malacia returns to NetherlandsJoins PSV on loanMove to Benfica collapsedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Dutch full-back was strongly linked with a move to Benfica last week as the Portuguese giants wanted Malacia on a six-month loan deal, according to . , however, reports that the youngster's move to Portugal has collapsed after Manchester United failed to reach an agreement with the club. He will instead head back to his homeland, joining PSV Eindhoven on a short-term loan deal, although the Dutch club have an option to buy.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
According to Fabrizio Romano's latest report, PSV have agreed to cover the player's full salary until the end of the season. A €10 million (£8m) buy option has been included but it is not mandatory. The Red Devils also has a 30 per cent sell-on clause included in the deal.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Netherlands international has endured a nightmare time at Old Trafford since moving from Feyenoord in 2022. The defender has been plagued by physical issues and missed all of last season through injury.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
The Premier League giants have already found Malacia's replacement as they have confirmed the arrival of 20-year-old left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce for £25m ($31m/€30m) plus £4m ($5m/€4.8m).
Renshaw also made his 13th first-class hundred as Queensland piled up 6 for 487 declared following Labuschagne’s ton on day one
Alex Malcolm28-Oct-2021Queensland captain Usman Khawaja is mounting a compelling case for an Ashes recall after scoring his second successive Sheffield Shield century while Matt Renshaw also reached three-figures as Queensland put Tasmania to the sword on day two in Townsville.Tasmania reached stumps 4 for 150, still 337 runs in arrears on the first innings after Queensland made 6 for 487 declared following centuries from Khawaja, Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne.Khawaja continued his fine form following on from his 174 against South Australia to register his 32nd first-class century. He feasted on Tasmania’s spin duo of Jarrod Freeman and Tom Andrews smacking 11 fours and four sixes. Khawaja shared a 155-run stand with Renshaw and looked well set for another score of 150 plus but he fell to Beau Webster who switched from medium pace to offspin to find the breakthrough.Webster had no such luck with Renshaw who was savage on the Tasmania captain. He too struck four sixes and 12 boundaries in his 120 not out. Renshaw’s first 50 was circumspect but he unleashed thereafter, scoring 69 from his last 62 balls. He began the 136th over of the innings on 97 and clubbed Webster for a boundary to bring up his 13th first-class century. He then smashed three sixes in four balls before Queensland declared just shy of 500.Tasmania’s top three were unable to replicate Queensland’s batters, all failing to convert starts. Tim Ward fell, hooking Gurinder Sandhu, hitting it straight down deep square’s throat.Connor Sully took a wicket with his first ball in Shield cricket, getting some steep bounce to find Caleb Jewell’s outside edge. Charlie Wakim played nicely for 34 before he was out trying to sweep Matt Kuhnemann, getting a top edge to short fine. Kuhnemann also had Jake Doran caught at short leg with a delivery that turned and bounced.Webster steadied alongside Jordan Silk to see Tasmania through to stumps. Silk played nicely for his 45 not out although he was fortunate to survive a bizarre moment when he defended a ball onto his foot only for it to pop up to silly mid-off. Renshaw, stationed in close, knocked the catch to the keeper Jimmy Peirson but the umpires could not be certain it didn’t touch the ground.
Liverpool Football Club have an interesting period of time coming up off the pitch. New boss Arne Slot has made a superb start to his tenure as manager, with his side currently sitting top of the Premier League table on 18 points, one more than Manchester City and Arsenal in second and third, respectively.
Off the pitch, however, some of their biggest stars have some important decisions to make regarding their current deal.. The contracts of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are set to expire at the end of the season.
Salah and Van Dijk would be not as much of a loss given they are 32 and 33 years old respectively. However, it would be a huge blow to lose local hero, Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation
The 26-year-old England international is a product of Liverpool’s esteemed academy that has produced the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Steve McMannaman. He is the latest Merseysider off that famous production line.
Trent Alexander-Arnold for Liverpool
The Reds’ number 66 has an extraordinary record for his boyhood club. He has played 319 times for the club, scoring 19 times and registering an incredible 83 assists. He has registered ten or more assists in the Premier League in three separate seasons.
The Englishman, who has 32 caps and four goals for his country, has been a crucial player for the Reds in recent years. He was imperative to Jurgen Klopp’s dominant Liverpool side in the late 2010s, helping win their first Premier League title and sixth European Cup.
Recent reports in Spain have suggested the right-back could make a move from Anfield to the Santiago Bernabeu and join Real Madrid on a free transfer. Los Blancos can negotiate a deal with him in January and could look to wrap it up before any other side, or Liverpool, beat them to it.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Man United
It is certainly a precarious situation for the Reds, who would no doubt love to keep hold of their star man. Not only would he leave the club, but they might not make any money on the departure, given he is set to depart on a free.
Alexander-Arnold is valued at £58.4m as per Transfermarkt, although that could be more if his contract was not set to expire, perhaps even as high as £100m. Liverpool might well have another player who could reach that value, given his performances this campaign.
Liverpool’s next £100m star
The player in question here is Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. The 22-year-old has been in superb form under Slot this season and has been playing a relatively new role as a deep-lying midfielder.
This term, the Ajax academy graduate has played nine times for the Reds, completing 90 minutes in every single one of their games so far. He has been excellent from a defensive standpoint, using his long legs to win balls back with ease, before progressing play with line-breaking passes.
That is certainly something reflected in his stats from the 2024/25 Premier League season so far, courtesy of Sofascore. The midfielder has completed an average of 32.3 passes in the opposition’s half per 90 minutes and has won an impressive 4.9 ground duels each game.
Stat (per 90)
Gravenberch
Rice
Touches
84
52
Pass accuracy
89%
91%
Passes completed
60.9
33.3
Passes into opposition half
32.3
22.2
Ball recoveries
6
5
Tackles + interceptions
3.8
1.5
Ground duels won
4.9
1.5
He could be well on his way to becoming Liverpool’s own Declan Rice. The England international has emerged as one of the best number six and eight hybrids in world football and was sold to Arsenal from West Ham for £105m last summer, having been described as among the “top five” midfielders in the game by compatriot, Conor Gallagher.
The Gunners number 41 plays a similar role to that of the Dutch international now, and is of a similar profile – as FBref have noted, among midfielders operating in the Champions League this season – using his long limbs to retrieve the ball before progressive play or explosively carrying forwards.
Ryan Gravenberch for Liverpool
Although he is worth just £33.4m, now, Gravenberch’s value as per Transfermarkt is continuing to rise thanks to his impressive performances this season, and he could well hit the £105m value of the man he is likened to, Rice, if he keeps it up.
Still only 22 years of age, the Dutchman is already looking like something of a “Rolls Royce” – as per journalist Declan Carr. If he continues these performances for the Reds this season, there is no reason why he cannot become their next player worth £100m or more.
Liverpool could unearth a bigger talent than Gravenberch in "special" teen
The Anfield star may well have another superstar on their hands.
Tottenham are reportedly in a race with Manchester City to land an exciting new forward for Ange Postecoglou in a move that would add more depth to their attacking ranks.
Dejan Kulusevski reborn under Ange
Named man of the match in Tottenham’s 4-1 thrashing of West Ham in their most recent Premier League outing, the performance was Dejan Kulusevski’s best yet in his new midfield position.
Traditionally a right-winger, he has been asked to play as a box-to-box midfielder by Postecoglou so far this season, to good effect. The 24-year-old has two goals and an assist in eight games so far, and has drawn glowing praise from his manager in the process.
“He’s got this ability to get out of tight spaces and he’s a really strong runner. He is relentless in his running capacity and he also has the quality”, the Spurs boss explained.
“In that final third, I still think we can get more goals out of him, more assists but he is constantly in those threatening areas and he’s been outstanding for us all year. Today he had to show some other facets of the game, some defensive work as well which I thought he did well but I thought the whole team did well.”
Such was his performance that traditional Spurs no.10 James Maddison was withdrawn at half time to allow the Swede to rampage further forward with more cover behind him in the shape of Pape Sarr.
Scouting complete: Spurs targeting move for star who's perfect for Solanke
Spurs could be about to add yet more firepower to their forward line.
ByEthan Lamb Oct 20, 2024
A unique player in the Tottenham squad, he has emerged as a key member of the first XI for Postecoglou, and now they are looking to add another star who has been similar to the Swede so far this season.
Spurs eyeing up cheap deal
Now, it has been reported that Tottenham are among the clubs eyeing up a move to sign breakout LaLiga star Raul Moro, who has impressed for Real Valladolid. Still just 21-years-old, the versatile forward has grabbed two goals and an assist this season, the same number as Kulusevski.
As per reports in Spain, his performances have caught the eye of Manchester City and Tottenham, with Guardiola’s side “one of the most enthusiastic clubs closely monitoring Raúl” while Tottenham are also keeping a close eye on his situation.
Named as a player similar to Kulusevski on FBRef’s statistical tool, their seasons to date have been eerily similar, with both managing similar numbers of shots on target, ball progression and even defensive numbers.
Raul Moro vs Dejan Kulusevski 24/25
Dejan Kulusevski
Raul Moro
Goals
2
2
Assists
1
1
Shots on target per 90
0.58
0.54
Shot creating actions per 90
6.84
4.29
Tackles and interceptions per 90
1.88
2
Carries into the final third
2.46
2.4
Aerial Duel % won
40%
42.9%
According to the report, Moro could be available for a figure in excess of €10m (roughly £8.5m) should either club want to make a move for the 21-year-old gem in the coming transfer windows, though increasingly strong performances could see that figure rise rapidly.
While he could provide cover and competition for Kulusevski, he would also offer Postecoglou another option in attack as he looks to deliver silverware to north London in his second season at the club, as he has managed at each of his previous clubs.
The PNG captain also called Kiplin Doriga’s lower-order rearguard ‘the blueprint of what we expect from him’
Mohammad Isam21-Oct-2021Papua New Guinea will understandably leave Muscat crestfallen, after bowing out winless from the T20 World Cup. After their 84-run loss to Bangladesh, their captain Assad Vala embodied their frustrations and spoke about where they will need to improve when they are back home.”I am proud that we are here but I wouldn’t say we achieved,” Vala said. “We wanted to win games here. Not to make up the numbers. Losing all three games is pretty disappointing. If we could play our best cricket, we would have given ourselves the chance. We were up and down. We have to find out how to get the best out of ourselves.”When asked what the team would leave the T20 World Cup with, Vala picked their fielding out as a positive but said there was a lot of room for improvement with bat and ball.Watch highlights on ESPN+
If you’re in the USA, watch the Bangladesh vs PNG highlights in English here and in Hindi here
“We need to be better,” he said. “Batsmen need to score consistently. Bowlers have to execute well under pressure. Fielding improved in the three games but we can be better there as well.”There’s a lot of learnings but we were not good enough. I think especially our batting really let us down. No one put their hands up, especially myself and the senior players.”On Thursday, PNG bowled contained Bangladesh to 113 for 4 over their first 15 overs, but leaked 68 runs in the last five. Then their chase of 182 fell apart from the start – they stumbled to 29 for 7 before being bowled out for 97.”We believed we could win if we had a good start. It has been costing us,” Vala said. “We have been losing too many wickets in the powerplay. It is hard to come back from it.”I think we haven’t played a complete match. We started well in this match, but we went for 63 in the last five overs. Our bowlers couldn’t perform under pressure.”Kiplin Doriga’s unbeaten 46 got PNG up to their eventual total of 97, and ensured they batted on until midway through the final over. “I think he played really well,” Vala said. “He pulled us out and got us to 97 runs.”He has been really good in the last two games. We need him to keep working hard and be more consistent. It is the blueprint of what we expect from him.”Vala said the legacy of this side, the first from PNG to play in a World Cup, would be the influx of more children into the game.”There are a lot of kids playing these days. If we can have more juniors coming through the system, we will have more depth. I am really proud of the effort of the boys, but the best is yet to come. We have learned a lot from this tournament.”
There remains a worrying lack of maturity about a wonderfully talented team that could prevent them from winning a major trophy
At St. James' Park on Wednesday evening, Newcastle gave Arsenal a taste of their own medicine – and the Gunners didn't like it one bit. In a surprisingly straightforward Carabao Cup semi-final, the home side pressed Arsenal relentlessly, they bullied them physically, they got in their faces constantly, they wasted time remorselessly and, then, to top it all off, they took the p*ss out of them mercilessly.
While the home crowd continued to sing "Mikel Arteta, it's not the ball!" as they exited the ground after completing a 4-0 aggregate win courtesy of a 2-0 victory on the night, goalscorer Anthony Gordon told in his post-match interview, "It's important for us to stay humble now."
'Stay humble' – Arsenal are more than familiar with the expression but appear to have absolutely no idea what it involves.
Getty Images SportWhere it all began
Erling Haaland stands accused of starting all this, of course.
The Norwegian completely lost his cool during Manchester City's 2-2 draw with a 10-man Arsenal at the Etihad back in September, bouncing the ball off Gabriel Magalhaes' head after John Stones' late leveller before then clashing with Arteta, Gabriel Jesus and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the centre circle after the full-time whistle had blown.
It was a pathetic petulance from Haaland and Arsenal should never have responded to it – even belatedly.
They should have been pleased with the precious point they'd picked up but Haaland's pathetic display clearly bothered them, so they bided their time and decided to respond in kind at the Emirates on Sunday.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportArsenal make something out of nothing
First, Gabriel needlessly roared in Haaland's face after Arsenal's opening goal. Later, Lewis-Skelly trolled the Norwegian by imitating his 'Zen' celebration after putting his team 3-1 ahead.
It evoked memories of a group of Paris Saint-Germain players also renowned for bottling big games by mocking Haaland in precisely the same manner after a win over Borussia Dortmund in 2020 – and there was simply no need for it, especially not on a day that the Gunners sent a clear message to Liverpool that they won't be giving up this season's Premier League title without a fight.
Obviously, nobody wants to take the needle or fun out of football and it's absolutely ludicrous the Football Association (FA) are genuinely considering sanctioning celebrations that they feel cross a line "over into mockery or criticism".
It shouldn't even be a debate right now. But Arsenal have made it one – and that's the point there.
AFPA lot of big talk but no titles
There's too much noise around Arsenal right now, so the last thing they should be doing is contributing to it by taking wholly unnecessary shots at opponents – particularly when there's a widespread perception that their players are in absolutely no position to do so.
The Gunners are becoming renowned – and ridiculed – for a lot big talk but an embarrassing lack of major titles.
So, while people can disagree over whether Arsenal's conduct on Sunday was undignified, it was unquestionably unnecessary – and also utterly unhelpful.
Arsenal are under enough pressure as it is to finally deliver the title they've been threatening for two years.
The presumption was that when time finally caught up with Pep Guardiola's ageing Manchester City squad, up-and-coming Arsenal would be the team to take over. Instead, it's Liverpool who are leading the way this season.
Consequently, we're now in this rather remarkable position where it's the side in second place that's under more media scrutiny than the table-toppers who suffered a spectacular collapse less than a year ago.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP'Just leave it'
Arteta, then, really could have done without his own players producing yet another rod with which to beat Arsenal, and it's significant that he didn't even want to be drawn on Lewis-Skelly's celebration in his post-match press conference.
"I haven't seen it and there’s nothing that I want to discuss about it," the Spaniard told reporters. "[It's] down to the players. But they know my view on it and we have to focus on us.
"We have to leave anything that happens on the pitch. It’s part of the game and whatever happens on the pitch, I think we’ve been in football a long time, just leave it."
Harry Maguire admitted that Manchester United were "nowhere near good enough" and slammed their "slow" start against Leicester in the FA Cup.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
United were trailing until the 68th minuteZirkzee & Maguire sealed a 2-1 comeback winDefender criticised his team's first-half performanceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Maguire found the net in stoppage time to seal United’s place in the last 16 of the FA Cup. However, it was a controversial strike, as there were questions regarding whether he was offside when Bruno Fernandes delivered the cross. With no VAR in the FA Cup, the goal was allowed to stand despite heated debates.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Earlier in the match, United fell behind four minutes before halftime after Bobby De Cordova-Reid put Leicester ahead. The hosts struggled to break through the Foxes’ defence until the second half when Joshua Zirkzee equalised in the 68th minute. With extra time looming, Maguire’s late goal proved decisive, securing United’s progression in the competition.
WHAT MAGUIRE SAID
United’s lacklustre first half prompted changes from Ruben Amorim, with Garnacho and Zirkzee coming off the bench to inject much-needed energy into the attack. The manager later complained of a lack of energy in the first half and Maguire echoed the same sentiment.
“(It was a) great finish to the game,” Maguire said. “The second half we played a lot better. The first half was nowhere near good enough, we played at a slow tempo and we didn’t really get going. He (Garnacho) made a big impact. He always does that when he comes off the bench, so credit to him, he’s ready, he’s focused.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
DID YOU KNOW?
The victory marked a historic first for Manchester United, as it was the third time they had beaten the same team at Old Trafford in a single season. The Red Devils previously triumphed 5-2 in the League Cup and 3-0 in the Premier League against Leicester, making this a rare feat in the club’s history.
Reinvented as an opener, Russell dominates 159-run stand with Tom Kohler-Cadmore
Aadam Patel04-Dec-2021Once he gets going, there is quite simply no stopping him. Dynamic, powerful and with the ability to hit sixes at will; a revolutionary, a game-changer. Andre Russell has helped to redefine the scope of short-format batting in and of itself, with his ability to fuse his natural strength with the sheer level of skill that he has developed over time.With an astonishing 90 not out off 32 deliveries, ‘Dre Russ’ saved his very best till last to secure a first-ever Abu Dhabi T10 title for the Deccan Gladiators in devastating style, as they thrashed the Delhi Bulls in the tournament’s final.Alongside Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who smashed 59 not out off 28 himself, the pair put up 159 without loss in their ten overs, with an exhibition-like batting display. There could have been no better moment to score the highest total of the T10 season, as they battered the ball all around the Zayed Cricket Ground.Related
Drakes four-for helps ensure Team Abu Dhabi wait goes on
Kohler-Cadmore, Hasaranga have Gladiators dreaming of T10 title
Hasaranga five-for seals win after Kohler-Cadmore fireworks
Drakes: 'I don't want to look back and say I had a better 2021 than 2022. I don't want to be stagnant'
Wahab: 'I'm playing all around the world, but my country comes first'
For the second successive day and the fourth time in the tournament, the Bulls fell short against a Gladiators outfit, led expertly by Wahab Riaz. Dwayne Bravo’s side’s wait for a first T10 title continues after another final defeat, to add to their loss in February.For much of his career, Russell has played the finisher role better than anyone else. It took the Gladiators until the last game of the league phase of the Abu Dhabi T10 to recognise that the nature of the 10-over format meant that leaving Russell in the middle order risked wasting their single most valuable resource.For nine of the ten games, Russell came in to bat at No. 3 or below. Yes, the Gladiators were winning, but their prized asset and his qualities were yet to be truly exploited. After 43 not out in the first game, scores of 0, 9*, 4, 3, 3*, 4*, 22 and 4 indicated of a man that wasn’t really getting the chance to get going and do what he had done in franchise leagues all around the world.On Wednesday against the Bangla Tigers, knowing that qualification into the play-offs was secured, they sent him in to open alongside Kohler-Cadmore. Together, the pair put on 128 but it was Kohler-Cadmore who took centre stage with 96. Russell played an uncharacteristic back-up role with 26 not out but Wahab hailed his attacking intent.”It was about giving much more time and opportunity to someone like Andre [Russell],” he explained. “He’s shown across the world that he’s not just a batter who bats the last three or four overs. He may not have got many runs but his intent was there and at the end of the day, he puts pressure on the bowler because he is Andre Russell.”Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Andre Russell were in fine form•Abu Dhabi T10That fact alone was the difference on Saturday night in Abu Dhabi, as Russell epitomised exactly why he is revered across the cricketing world and exactly why the Kolkata Knight Riders chose to retain him ahead of the IPL auction.On Friday night against the Bulls, with a place in the final on the line, Russell blitzed 39 off 14, before dismissing both Eoin Morgan and Dwayne Bravo to seal their place in the final. On Saturday, he went one better with a ruthless clinic of hitting, smashing nine fours and seven sixes.There was no hint of mercy, not least for his fellow West Indians. Each of Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Dominic Drakes and Romario Shepherd were sent all over the park; Drakes went into the final as the joint highest wicket-taker, but went wicketless and was ultimately dispatched for 33 off his two overs.Instead, Wanindu Hasaranga took home the prize for most wickets, after picking up the prized scalps of Morgan and a well-set Chandrapaul Hemraj. That was after Odean Smith had made early inroads, getting rid of the in-form Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sherfane Rutherford in his first over.Smith is a 25-year-old who possesses Russell-like traits with his ruthless six-hitting ability, his knack of striking with the ball and not least, his Jamaican heritage. Tymal Mills was brought on by Wahab to perform the last rites and with the dismissal of Drakes and Bravo, he finished with figures of two wickets for just four runs in his two overs.It was fitting that the man of the night, would have the final say. With a searing yorker off the last-ball of the Bulls chase, Russell cleaned up the stumps of Shepherd to start the party for the Gladiators. He roared with delight and his first embrace was a jubilant one with his captain Wahab, before he was lofted up joyously by his fellow teammates. “In a relaxed environment, you get to be you and express yourself,” Russell said. Express himself, he did.Michael Atherton once wrote that “if you were constructing a perfect prototype of a Twenty20 cricketer in a laboratory, Andre Russell, the Jamaican allrounder, would serve as an ideal template. He is physically imposing, a brutal hitter of the ball, a bowler of waspish pace and a brilliant all-round fielder”. His finishing act to conclude Season 5 of the Abu Dhabi T10 certified his standing in the game as one of the all-time greats.