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Sarfraz Ahmed says team must forget their wins at Malahide and Lord’s and start again from scratch at Headingley

Osman Samiuddin at Headingley31-May-2018For artists of all shades, it is an eternal question: how do you follow up a masterpiece? Do you give up resigned in the knowledge that most of humanity has the capacity to produce one truly great piece of work in a life? Do you strive to replicate it, knowing that merely reproducing it might be enough to get by? Or do you struggle on, weighed down by the probability that you can’t better it but floating on the possibility that you might?Professional sport is so relentless and unforgiving that the question itself is a sign of weakness, let alone for there to exist the possibility of answers. The whole point is to be better than your last game, to win a 17th Test in a row, to follow a hundred with a double, to accept that nothing is perfect but to still reach for it.Can Pakistan be better than they were at Lord’s? Putting aside that they don’t need to be if England are even worse than they were, Lord’s was as comprehensive an away performance as Pakistan have had in a generation. They were dominant at The Oval in 2016 too, but batting conditions especially weren’t as tough as Lord’s. And the Lord’s win was built on more collective contributions.Almost all their batsmen and all the bowlers played a part. The fielding was strong throughout and there was just one flat – not poor – session.The complicated thing about asking whether and how Pakistan can be better is that not only is this a new side – there were four changes in the XI from their last Test in Dubai – it is a new of side. And because it is a new type, able to field a five-man attack with little compromise to batting depth, the question becomes one of potential. Are there areas where they can improve on Lord’s in Leeds? And the longer-term one – how much better can this side get?Go big

Conditions at Lord’s, even on the second day, were tough for batsmen. The ball continued to swing in the air and find something in the surface. Yet Pakistan’s batsmen mixed just the right amount of discipline with intent. Four of them got fifties, two of them got into the high 30s and even Mohammad Amir chipped in with an unbeaten 24.It was an excellent display, the only complaint to which can be that one of them didn’t go on (Babar Azam, potentially, could’ve). “As well as we played at Lord’s, we can still play better than that,” said their captain, Sarfraz Ahmed. “If you look at our batting, we made four fifties at Lord’s and if one of them had gone on to the big hundred that would’ve been even better.”Don’t revert to type

Pakistan’s fielding at Lord’s has rightly been lauded. And it has been, more or less, on an upward curve (though more in the shorter formats). Cricviz figures show Pakistan to have caught 80% of their Test catches since Mickey Arthur took over, behind only South Africa and New Zealand.The ground fielding too, with Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and even Imam-ul-Haq, is quicker, more athletic. But nobody should be getting carried away just yet that this is the new permanent. Malahide, where they dropped catches and were outfielded by Ireland, was only two Tests ago. They wilted in the final session on the third day at Lord’s as well.To become a truly top fielding side, they will have to replicate Lord’s day in, day out, and will have to ensure that whoever comes into the team – Usman Salahuddin on Friday for instance – is as intense.Shadab to choke

Shadab has had two good Tests back-to-back. There’s good news about his batting and even though he has six wickets in those two games, he is still clearly a developing prospect.Despite two important wickets at Lord’s, he wasn’t able to apply the kind of pressure on England that Pakistan would have wanted. It’s not fair to expect him to just yet, but imagine if his Test bowling develops to the standards that people around him think it can. Yasir Shah and Shadab together offer Pakistan unimaginable options.The surface at Headingley looks dry and it does help spin towards the back-end of games, but more than the wickets, if Shadab can keep runs in check – he went at nearly four an over at Lord’s – that would be a start.Forget Lord’s

It’s been four days since Lord’s and, given the context, it would be easy to still be swirling around in the jubilation. They cannot, as Sarfraz was at pains to insist.”We’re trying to take it match by match with this team,” he said in Leeds. “We won the first match against Ireland, then we forgot it and moved on. If we want to move ahead as a team we have to forget our wins. We did well, we enjoyed it for two days but now we’re here. And if we are to move up in the rankings we need to forget our wins and keep moving on.”

Reactions to Chennai Super Kings becoming champions of IPL 2018

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2018

Cannot express my feelings! It's been a wonderful season for us & a fitting finish by @ShaneRWatson33. A well constructed innings from him today & inspiring captaincy from @msdhoni right from game one takes us to our 3rd title.A big thank you to all our supporters#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/lZfWqUWi9j

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) May 27, 2018

Very proud of the way @SunRisers played in this IPL, I thank each and every member of the @SunRisers family for their efforts and support. Absolutely brilliant knock from Shane Watson and many congratulations to @ChennaiIPL on a well-deserved victory #IPLfinal2018

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 27 May 2018

Congratulations Chennai Superkings on becoming deserving champions of the biggest T20 tournament in the world. Brilliant throughout the tournament and the wonderful people from Chennai and whole of TN deserve this @ChennaiIPL . #IPL2018Final

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 27 May 2018

It’s been a wonderful journey, very proud of the way @SunRisers played all year. Tonight we lost to a remarkable innings from @ShaneRWatson33 , credit when it’s due! #OrangeArmy

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) May 27, 2018

Congratulations to @ChennaiIPL for winning the @IPL. Dominant performance by them and also well done to @SunRisers for a wonderful season.

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) 27 May 2018

Well done, @ChennaiIPL. A great display of quality cricket. Certainly the most consistent side of the tournament. A special knock from @ShaneRWatson33 in a crucial game which saw them through. #CSKvSRH #IPL2018Final pic.twitter.com/HhuaQJPbEF

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 27, 2018

Seriously good knock by @ShaneRWatson33 well done mate simply amazing to watch. Not the result @SunRisers wanted but you have to pat yourselves on the back and say well done for the way you played throughout the tournament

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) May 27, 2018

Congrats to @ChennaiIPL for this years @IPL success. This has to be one of the most amazing comeback results in our sport. Quite remarkable! Special mention to @ShaneRWatson33 who has been on some journey to be standing where he has today. Enjoy!

— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) 27 May 2018

Congratulations to @msdhoni and @ChennaiIPL for winning the 2018 @IPL the two best teams got the finals but the best team won.

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) 27 May 2018

Well done @ChennaiIPL, #vivoipl2018 champions once again. The fire and the yellow-army burn as bright as ever in MS Dhoni and his men. Well played again @DJBravo47 #CHAMPION

— ian bishop (@irbishi) 27 May 2018

Can’t see any other captain pulling off a title win like this with the limitations CSK had. It had to be Dhoni to do it.#VIVOIPL2018 #CSK

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) 27 May 2018

So happy for @ShaneRWatson33 on his special performance in the @IPL final! What a season he’s had! Weldone to @ChennaiIPL and @SPFleming7 on a brilliant comeback year

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) May 27, 2018

Wrong side of 30s is the right side of experience…#CSK has pulled off one of the most sensational season victories. From start to finish. Different heroes. Well done #WhistlePodu #IPL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) 27 May 2018

Big players perform in big moments. @ShaneRWatson33 that was memorable! #IPL2018Finals #CSKvSRH

— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) May 27, 2018

India T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 103 off 51 balls, becoming only the third woman to hit a century in the World T20

Shiva Jayaraman09-Nov-20182 Number of centuries made in the Women’s World T20 before Harmanpreet Kaur’s 103 against New Zealand. Australia’s Meg Lanning and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin are the other batsman to do so. Click here for a list of the highest scores in the Women’s World T20.97* The previous highest score by an Indian in women’s T20Is, which was made by Mithali Raj against Malaysia earlier this year. India’s highest individual score in the World T20 before this was by Harmanpreet herself; she had made 77 off 59 balls against Bangladesh in the 2014 World T20.8 Sixes hit by Harmanpreet Kaur, equaling the second-most in a women’s T20I innings. Dottin had hit nine sixes against South Africa in a T20I in 2010 which is the highest individual tally. New Zealand’s Sophie Devine had hit eight sixes against India in a T20I in 2015. The eight sixes in this innings are also the most by an Indian T20Is. Harmanpreet beat her own record of five sixes which she hit against Sri Lanka in September.201.96 Harmanpreet’s strike-rate in this innings – the third-highest in an innings of 50 or more runs in the Women’s World T20. Only Dottin has struck faster in the tournament history. Harmanpreet’s strike rate is the best by an India batsman in a score of 50 or more in all T20Is.305.88 Harmanpreet’s strike rate in the death overs; she faced 17 balls in the last five overs hitting 52 runs off them. Forty of those runs came in boundaries – four sixes and four fours. Harmanpreet had started her innings slowly, having scored just five runs in her first 13 balls before hitting the first of her eight sixes off her 14th. Harmanpreet bludgeoned 98 runs off the remaining 38 balls she faced in the innings at a strike rate of 257.89.191 for 4 The previous highest total in the Women’s World T20 – amassed by Australia against Ireland in the 2014 edition. India’s 194 for 5 in this match is also their second-highest in a T20I. They had hit 198 for 4 – their highest – against England in Mumbai in March this year.

The chasing pack needs England to lose all their games or one of them has to be flawless in terms of results in the final phase of the group stage

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2019Has the race for the semis been shaken up?
Not really. Though their win has brought Sri Lanka to within two points of England, they have just two wins compared to England’s four (two of Sri Lanka’s points have come from washouts). Since the first tie-breaker for teams joined on points is matches won, Sri Lanka need to go ahead of England on points. That means winning all their games or hoping England lose all of theirs. The rest of the pack are still quite far behind the top four and could be further behind once the Afghanistan v India match is over.How does the loss affect England?
England remain third on the table with eight points for the time being. But their three remaining matches are tough ones, against Australia, India and New Zealand. They need to win two of those games to guarantee a spot in the semi-finals.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhat happens if they win just one more game?
They are still fairly likely to make it through thanks to the number of wins – four – and their strong net run-rate. One more win will put them on ten points. So Sri Lanka will have to win all of their remaining games (or win two and tie one) to overtake them. Bangladesh, West Indies and Pakistan are all in the same position. They have to win all their games to reach 11 points. Even if one of the chasing pack manages to be flawless till the end of the group phase, England still have the hope that one of Australia, New Zealand or India will collapse and fail to reach 11 points.Can England get in even if they don’t win any more games?
It’s possible, but they would really need luck to go their way in terms of other results: Sri Lanka shouldn’t win more than one more game, and no one else must reach nine points. Pakistan and Bangladesh are in fairly good positions to get there, though.Where does the win leave Sri Lanka?
Their three remaining games are against South Africa, West Indies and India. Win two and they will be on ten points. They then have to hope that either England or New Zealand lose all their remaining games, or that India win just one more game, an unlikely scenario given India have five games left. The best chance for Sri Lanka is to win all of their remaining games. It still doesn’t guarantee them a place in the semi-finals as there are result permutations that would leave the current top four each on 12 points or more, but it would give them a shot.ESPNcricinfo LtdDo the rest of the chasing pack benefit in any way?
They do, but they still have a lot of work to do. The best hope for Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies is that England lose all their remaining games and that Sri Lanka win no more than one game. That would leave those two on eight points. Bangladesh then have to win two of their remaining games, which are against Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Pakistan and West Indies will have to win three games each. England losing could lead to some fun scraps as West Indies and Sri Lanka still have to play each other, as do Bangladesh and Pakistan.And what about South Africa?
This result does kind of bring them back into the mix, but they are going to need other results to go their way, while also winning all of their games. They have to hope England lose all their games and Sri Lanka win no more than one. But it still doesn’t guarantee them anything. They have also got to hope no one else reaches nine points with a better net run-rate.So who outside the top four has the best chance?
Apart from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan have benefitted most. Both have good shots of making it to nine points, if not 11. Bangladesh would have to beat Afghanistan and Pakistan or India. Pakistan would have to beat either South Africa or New Zealand and then win their last two games, against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. But remember, nine points is only enough if England lose all their games from here.

‘Build pressure and try and get wickets that way,’ says the New Zealand left-arm spinner of his plan against England in the World Cup final

Nagraj Gollapudi at Lord's13-Jul-2019Mitchell Santner will be up against it at the World Cup final, where New Zealand will face the might of England; all England, really, as the stands at Lord’s are going to be rooting for Eoin Morgan’s men. And when it comes to Santner, England have hurt him in the past, and got away with it too.The left-arm spinner’s overall average against England’s top-six batsmen is 61, and his economy rate is 6. All of England’s batsmen have strong numbers against left-arm spin in the last four years, since the 2015 World Cup, and Lord’s can be unkind to spinners, especially finger spinners.But there are few players that can absorb pressure better than Santner. Two examples from the recent past. The first: on a sweltering April evening in Jaipur, on a day when even the coolest mind in cricket, MS Dhoni, lost his temper, Santner sealed victory for Chennai Super Kings with a last-ball six.ALSO READ: The serenity and resilience of being New ZealandThe second, last Wednesday, when Santner choked the Indian middle-order in a spectacular first spell. Making use of a two-paced pitch that was taking spin, Santner built pressure with his dot balls. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya had slowly started rebuilding the innings after a series of early setbacks. His first over to Pandya was a maiden. In his second, he kept Pant rooted to his crease on the first four balls. Next delivery, Pant walked out, and slogged into the hands of deep midwicket. Pandya, too, would pay the price for impatience soon. Santner’s first spell read 6-2-7-2. It was match-wining spell that not just suffocated India, but also broke their confidence and momentum. Matt Henry won the match award, but Santner got a “world-class” badge from his captain Kane Williamson and head coach Gary Stead.Now, Santner has to do it all over again. Against the most feared batting line-up, one that, seemingly, never ends. Santner’s quota is key, and New Zealand would want to bowl all of it, as that will take some of the pressure off Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme, whose medium-slow deliveries England might have identified as the weakest link.Of the 141 overs bowled at Lord’s this tournament, spinners have managed just 13 wickets, while bowling just two maidens. But Santner will gather confidence from the fact that the economy rate for spinners at Lord’s has been a good 4.97. It is closer to his own World Cup 2019 economy of 4.87 – his corresponding career number is 4.89 – which is only behind the Afghanistan pair of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi for spinners in the tournament (minimum 40 overs).Mitchell Santner has an economy rate of 4.87 at the World Cup•Getty ImagesSantner is not a big tweaker of the ball. His strength is in his smart lengths. He judges the pitch, and the best pace for each surface, as he did against India, and varies his lengths accordingly. He has a good arm ball, and if he can float it at different speeds, he might make the English batsman think twice.”Over here, there is a not a lot of spin, especially for a finger spinner, so my role through the middle is to build pressure and try and get wickets that way,” Santner told ESPNcricinfo on Friday.But, as mentioned before, the English batsmen like Santner. His most expensive figures at the World Cup came against them during the group phase, when he finished with 1 for 65, having bowled the first over of the match in which he conceded five runs.He knows England might target him, but spots an opportunity there. “It can go one or two ways. That means you are always in the game rather them trying to block it out,” he said. “It is a going to be a tough test. The role of spinner is bring your length back, bowl in to the wicket, rather than overpitch. Spinners get hurt when they overpitched, especially to Jason Roy, who can hit it 30 rows back. On smallish grounds, you have got to be real, real tough with your length.”It is not just Roy. Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Morgan, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler all play spin well, and run well. When not trying to smash it, they would look to manoeuvre the ball into the gaps and rotate strike and build pressure.It’s a bit like T20 cricket, and Santner admitted that he would make use of the experience of bowling in the IPL recently, where the pressure is constant across the 24 deliveries. “If you can build pressure, build dots in those shorter formats… the way England play it is a bit like that,” he agreed. “So if you get a couple of dots and you are thinking, ‘Hey, what’s he gonna do? Is he going to charge? What’s my best to ball to get hit for one even, rather than going for a six or a four.'”It is this understanding of not just his own game but the game itself, how to be smart in different match situations, that Stead feels makes Santner stand out. “He is a special bowler for us,” Stead said on Friday. “He has got really good control of line and length. His ability in T20 cricket helps him in 50-overs cricket as well: being able to defend himself when people come after him.”On Sunday, at Lord’s, Santner and his team-mates will get live their schoolboy dream of playing the World Cup final. Santner is not nervous. He knows his role well – honest defence; keep it tight, build pressure.

Reactions on social media after Australia retain the Ashes at Old Trafford

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2019Ashes retained. Celebration time for Australia.

IT’S COMING HOME!!!! #youbeauty!!! #ashes

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) September 8, 2019

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Ashes are coming home! Outstanding performance by the Baggy Greeners -nothing better than a winning change room!! #ashescricket2019 #proud #aussiepride #spirit #mateship @ryanpierse @gettyimages

A post shared by Steve Waugh (@stevewaugh) on Sep 9, 2019 at 12:21am PDT

You beauty!!!!

— Chris Rogers (@BuckRogers55) September 8, 2019

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Congrats Australia, well played boys & what a wonderful series it’s been ! #Ashes

A post shared by Shane Warne (@shanewarne23) on Sep 8, 2019 at 11:04am PDT

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Bloody proud Australia!! #ashes

A post shared by Aaron Finch (@aaronfinch5) on Sep 8, 2019 at 2:29pm PDT

Yeeeeeesssss Australia! #cmonaussie #youbeautyaussie

— Ryan Harris (@r_harris413) September 8, 2019

Well done Australia. Bloody beauty. This test cricket isn’t bad is it?? #retained awesome effort lads.

— John Hastings (@johnhastings194) September 8, 2019

Congrats Aussies lads, well played both teams @CricketAus @ECB_cricket . Proud of all of the players and staff . Sing the song bloody loud lads . Enjoy a beer , I will be . @tdpaine36 and JL and all fans . Hats off #ashes . What a series to watch

— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) September 8, 2019

How good!!! Both @CricketAus teams bringing the Ashes home! Well done boys. Now to finish the series off with a bang! #Ashes

— Jessica Jonassen (@JJonassen21) September 8, 2019

Australia have been the better side over the four Tests. Agree?

What an effort by England today .. Great fight .. But well done Australia on retaining the #Ashes .. no point in pretending but they have been the better team .. better in all departments ..

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 8, 2019

Congratulations Australia the dominant team throughout the series!
First time #Ashes have been retained in England since 2001.
#ENGvAUS #retained

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) September 8, 2019

Congratulations to Australia on retaining the #Ashes19 Questions will be asked of @England but Smith was the difference. Whatever you feel they’ve given us some of the most sensationally thrilling days of sport of our lifetime this summer

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 8, 2019

Even Dr. in the House gave his congratulations

Huge congratulations to Australia. A heck of a thing. #Ashes19

— Hugh Laurie (@hughlaurie) September 8, 2019

Tim Paine believes his attack his still getting better despite two convincing victories

Daniel Brettig in Adelaide02-Dec-2019With these words to the host broadcaster, Australia’s coach Justin Langer referred to the fact that after battling India at home and England away in the past 12 months, he and Tim Paine are leading a hardened Test match team. Judging by their ejection of Pakistan from two Tests each won by an innings, it is only the two aforementioned teams that are currently capable of containing them, and of those perhaps only India on home soil.The final day in Adelaide unfolded with the air of inevitability that once enveloped so many Australian home Tests during their previous era of dominance between 1995 and 2008. Pakistan have been, save for a few sparkling moments in time, thoroughly outplayed and taught lessons in Test match craft that will serve some well, while being the breaking of others.Australia meanwhile have enjoyed headlining performances from David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Starc, while Nathan Lyon joined the party on the final day with his first ever five-for against Pakistan. For Paine, who nursed a stung finger through the final innings of the Test, this was the performance of a team that has grown enormously over the past 18 months, and has now recalibrated to focus upon future challenges against India at home, South Africa away and then the carrot of the world Test Championship final in mid-2021. New Zealand, ranked No. 2 in the world and disciplined to a fault, will provide a more systematic test than Pakistan have provided.”Particularly this game I thought that it was quite a professional performance, barring some catches and my stumping yesterday, I thought we were always creating chances,” Paine said. “I thought our energy and attitude in the field was really good and we kept at them, we knew that it was going to be hard toil for us during the day time, the wicket was pretty flat and the ball doesn’t give you a hell of a lot through the air.Australia celebrate taking the final wicket•AFP”But I thought the way our bowlers backed up, kept on coming, it was also really windy out there so difficult for the bowlers to bowl at one end. But I thought it was a really professional, clinical performance barring some fielding slips.”Paine was, partly due to Lyon and partly due to the rest that had already been banked for the bowlers due to Warner, Labuschagne and also Joe Burns in Brisbane, able to enforce the follow-on and thus take advantage of the vagaries of a pink-ball Test. He was rewarded not only by some more fiery spells from his pacemen but also Lyon’s best performance against Pakistan, as he steadily worked his way through the visitors in the fashion of the wisened spin bowling pro he has become.”I think he bowled really well in the first innings as well. We just let him down. Missed some chances off him,” Paine said. “But I think Lyno today turned up and did exactly what we wanted him to do particularly in the second innings and win us Test matches. And again, I don’t think people understand how difficult it can be with that pink ball, particularly during the day, and for Lyno to still be getting spin and bounce and challenging batsmen at all times and creating chances for our team is an unbelievable effort and why he’s such a great bowler.”We’re lucky not only because of how good [the quick bowlers] are but they’re great athletes as well. We knew they had that in them to be able to go again. Starcy has a bit of a cut on his big toe, he did land awkwardly at one stage yesterday but that was fine. Most of his grimacing today…I think he’s waiting the nail to come off the big toe which happens to a lot of fast bowlers and until it actually happens it can be quite painful. He’s battling a little bit with that but nothing he hasn’t gone through before.”This wear and tear will get the chance to heal over the next week before the team reconfigures in Perth for New Zealand, who have shown against England and by their consistent displays over recent years that they will likely make best use of every element of their game, where Pakistan – through inexperience and mental lapses – were unable to. Paine sees the series as another chance to further hone the skills seen in Adelaide, on three surfaces in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney that should provide some measure of contrasts.Nathan Lyon holds the ball up after his five-wicket haul•AFP”I think we’re getting better at it. I think in the second innings at the Gabba we had a big lead so we sort of tried to get a few wickets which is probably slightly different to the game plan we’ll stick with most of the time,” Paine said. “Again, that’s a product of playing really good cricket for the other four days is that we were so far ahead of that game that we could try that.”I think we’ve got a very skilful attack. We’ve got an attack with good pace, we’ve got a great spinner but at the same time when you have players that good bowling, just giving you nothing and building pressure, at some stage you’re going to break teams open. At the moment, we’re finding ways to hold the scoreboard for long periods of time and when we take wickets we tend to take them quickly because of the quality bowling we’ve got.”They’ve been awesome for a while now. I thought they were really good at the Ashes as well. I think our attack, as good as they are, is still getting better.”A contrast in teams was offered not only by Pakistan as the Adelaide Test drew to a close but also by South Australia, a team in a far deeper hole. Having threatened to complete a tough fourth innings chase against Western Australia, they subsided to lose when Adam Zampa hooked with eight balls remaining. As Langer and Paine undoubtedly know, the current “heavyweight” pitch of the Australian team’s performance can so easily slip away.

Arsenal are now readying a £30m bid for an attacking midfielder, who plays for one of their Premier League rivals, and there is a feeling it could be accepted, according to a report.

Gunners looking to strengthen in attack

As we edge closer to the end of the Premier League season, it is becoming more apparent the Gunners need to bring in reinforcements in attacking areas this summer, with Mikel Arteta once again having to make do without a striker yesterday afternoon.

Arteta’s side dropped another two points in the Premier League title race at Goodison Park, although Leandro Trossard did manage to get on the scoresheet in the 1-1 draw against Everton, which left them 11 points behind Liverpool.

A new striker is of particular interest to Arteta, and three centre-forwards continue to be linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium, namely Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko.

Berta now convinced £48m star wants to join Arsenal after recent meeting

The Italian thinks he’s “hugely attracted”.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 5, 2025

However, with Bukayo Saka’s absence exposing the lack of depth in the squad earlier this season, a winger could also be brought in by new sporting director Andrea Berta, with Athletic Bilbao star Nico Williams now thought to be interested in making the move to north London.

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal and Berta may want to bring in another attacking midfielder and are readying a €35m (£30m) bid for Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss.

El Khannouss could be set to leave Leicester at the end of the season, with his side now looking very likely to be relegated from the Premier League, and the Gunners have seemingly offered him an escape route.

The north Londoners believe the Moroccan has great potential, and there is a feeling Leicester could be willing to cash in, given their difficult financial situation amid impending relegation to the Championship.

"Special" El Khannouss needs to leave this summer

It hasn’t been the best of debut campaigns in the Premier League for the 20-year-old, having picked up just two goals and one assist, however, it was always going to be a tall order to stand out in such a poor side.

With the Foxes set to be relegated, the Belgian-born starlet needs to move on this summer, and there are indications he could be a solid signing for Arsenal, having been lauded as a “special” player by some members of the media.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson also speaks very highly of the attacking midfielder, which suggests his attacking numbers could increase dramatically if he played in a better side.

A new striker should be Arsenal’s priority for the summer, but it is promising news that El Khannouss is also being targeted, given the lack of depth in attacking areas.

Manchester City certainly don’t do things the easy way. After just 21 minutes of their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday, they trailed 2-0.

In the 33rd minute, Kevin De Bruyne grabbed the bull by the horns and curled home City’s first goal of the afternoon. An hour later, they had five and had secured all three points to remain firmly in the mix for Champions League football.

The performance showed Pep Guardiola’s men at their scintillating best, especially throughout the second half, netting three unanswered goals.

While De Bruyne ran the show, January signing Omar Marmoush was also excellent, scoring their equaliser before the interval.

Omar Marmoush’s game in numbers vs Crystal Palace

Since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt, Marmoush has settled into the City side with ease. Across 12 games for the club, he has already racked up seven goals, including a stunning treble against Newcastle United.

With De Bruyne operating in an advanced role through the middle, the 26-year-old offered plenty from the left wing. Indeed, he created a big chance, made two key passes and attempted four dribbles (succeeding with two) against the Eagles.

He may have lost possession 14 times and won only three of his seven total contested duels, but Marmoush looks the real deal at City.

There is no doubt he will have a big part to play next season and bringing him in during the winter window was perhaps Guardiola’s finest decision this season.

It was the performance of another winter arrival yesterday, however, that proves he is now as undroppable as the Egyptian talent – Nico Gonzalez.

Why Nico Gonzalez is now undroppable for Man City

The Spaniard has started seven of City’s eight league games since he made the move from Porto to Manchester, impressing at the heart of the midfield.

Against Palace, not only did the midfielder take 100 touches, controlling the play, but he also succeeded with 95% of his passes – 83 out of 87 – and won seven of his 11 total contested duels throughout the game.

Add in the fact that he made four tackles and lost possession only six times for City. Gonzalez is certainly proving to be an excellent signing, no doubt about that.

Like the Marmoush deal, bringing in the 23-year-old midway through the season will allow him to almost acclimatise to the demands of the Premier League – that might just be a strategy which pays off next season.

Simon Bajkowski, Manchester Evening News journalist, gave the youngster a match rating of 6/10 for his performance, stating that he ‘made some important interceptions’ throughout the game, although he could have avoided his yellow card in the first half.

January was spent bringing in five new faces to the club. On the basis of the performances by Marmoush and Gonzalez, Guardiola’s side will be hoping to end the season on a high note, thus heightening their ambitions that they can reclaim the title next term.

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Regardless of whether Chelsea qualify for the Champions League next season, this summer is huge for Enzo Maresca if he is to continue his progression in the role.

The Italian joined from Leicester City back in June 2024, but has still had his doubters despite the possibility of a top five finish in the Premier League in the next few weeks.

The hierarchy may once again need to get the chequebook out during the off-season, with it being reported that a striker is top of their shopping list.

Such a decision is no surprise given their hunt for a new talisman over the previous couple of windows since the 45-year-old’s appointment nearly 12 months ago.

However, another position has emerged as an area for improvement during the upcoming window, with one player already appearing on their radar once again.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new centre-back

Over the last couple of days, it emerged that Chelsea were back in the race for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi after previously wanting to sign him in January.

The 24-year-old was once on the books of the Blues, but sold him to the Eagles for £18m in 2021 – a decision that looks to be a huge mistake given their interest in his signature.

It was also reported that the club are willing to part ways with either Trevoh Chalobah or Tosin Adarabioyo to raise funds to secure a return for the England international.

However, he’s not the only centre-back to emerge on their radar, with Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen the latest star touted with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues aren’t alone in their hunt for his signature, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid also in the race to land the Spanish international during the off-season.

According to Simon Phillips, the Blues have held another round of positive talks with his representatives, advancing a deal that could see them trigger his £50m release clause in the summer.

Why the £50m star would be a better signing than Guehi

Guehi’s rise away from his boyhood club has been nothing short of sensational, exceeding beyond all imagination during his near four-year spell at Selhurst Park.

The 24-year-old has taken the responsibility of taking the captain’s armband under Oliver Glasner’s guidance, with his subsequent showings cementing his place in the England national team setup.

He was a key member of Gareth Southgate’s side at Euro 2024, missing just one game and starting in the 2-1 final defeat against Spain back in July of last year.

However, despite his glittering rise to stardom, fellow transfer target Huijsen would undoubtedly be a better signing given the fact he’s five years younger, whilst also producing numerous better stats in the Premier League throughout 2024/25.

The Spaniard, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has registered more progressive carries and completed more of his passes – highlighting his excellent ability with the ball at his feet.

He’s also dominated defensively, winning more tackles per 90 and making more interceptions per game – offering Maresca that added defensive quality he’s desperately desired.

Huijsen has managed to thrive in the air too, winning more of his aerial battles to date, having the potential to improve further given his tender age.

Whilst £50m may appear to be a huge fee for a 19-year-old, it’s evident from the stats he’s produced this campaign that he possesses serious quality, such that it is way beyond his teenage years.

Elite-level defenders are extremely hard to come by in the modern game, with Huijsen the perfect player to solve their issues at the back, ending a chance of a fairytale reunion with Guehi in the process.

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