Match details

Afghanistan vs Bangladesh
June 24, Kingstown, 8:30pm local

Big picture – race to the semi-finals

It’s the last Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup 2024 and it’s open season as far as the fourth semi-final spot is concerned, with Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who will be out in the middle, and Australia, who can at best wait and watch, all in the fray.Here’s what will do it for each of them:

• It’s simple for Afghanistan – win and get into the semi-finals; lose and they are out, since their NRR will stay below Australia’s even with a super-over defeat.
• Australia are done with their games with a net run-rate of -0.331. They get into the semi-finals if Bangladesh win but Bangladesh’s and Afghanistan’s NRR remain below theirs.
• For Bangladesh to go through, they need to win by 62 runs (having scored 160, say) or win in 12.5 overs (chasing 160), which will take their NRR above that of the other two.
• There’s rain around, of course, and shared points do the job for Afghanistan.

But facing Afghanistan are a down-on-their-luck Bangladesh side, after two meek defeats against India and Australia.Related

• Naib flexes muscle as Afghanistan exorcise ghosts of Mumbai 2023

• Scenarios: How Afghanistan's win opens up Group 1

• Afghanistan show they are more than just their spinners

It has been another dream run for Afghanistan in a World Cup. They had fought hard in the 50-over tournament in India last year, only to finish in sixth place. This time, they have roared through the group stage, and although there were hiccups against West Indies and India, Afghanistan’s landmark win against Australia has put them right back into contention for the semi-finals.Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran complement each other, and they added their third century stand of the competition against Australia. That Afghanistan did not rely solely on their spinners in their historic win was also pleasing for them. Gulbadin Naib, who has bowled in only three out of 11 T20I matches this year, stunned Australia with a four-for, with Naveen-ul-Haq chipping in with three. This sort of performance frees up Rashid Khan from always having to deliver the knockout punches while also keeping things tight.Bangladesh’s batting has also struggled significantly at this T20 World Cup. The top order has the lowest collective average among the Super Eight teams. Their middle-order is also showing signs of wear and tear, which has led the team management to tinker with the fast-bowling line-up to bring in the extra batter.2:01

Trott: ‘Nice feeling to know what’s needed to qualify’

Form guide

Bangladesh LLWWL
Afghanistan WLLWW

In the spotlight – Gulbadin Naib and Shakib Al Hasan

Gulbadin Naib was the eighth bowler against Australia, but he ended up taking his maiden four-wicket haul in T20Is in that game. He has been around for 12 years now and only recently made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals. Needless to say, he is high on confidence.By his standards, this year’s T20 World Cup has mostly been a forgettable one for Shakib Al Hasan. He has scored one half-century, while it took him four matches to get his first wicket. Shakib became the first bowler in the tournament’s history to reach 50 wickets, but has only taken three at an average of 37 in this edition. He hasn’t batted high enough and Shakib’s bowling too hasn’t been properly utilised. Could this be Shakib’s swansong in the T20 World Cup?

Team news – Bangladesh might bring Taskin or Shoriful back

Bangladesh could go back to Taskin Ahmed or Shoriful Islam to replace Jaker Ali. Afghanistan are likely to go in unchanged at the same venue where they beat Australia.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Litton Das (wk), 3 Najmul Hosain Shanto (capt), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Jaker Ali/Taskin Ahmed/Shoriful Islam, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Mahedi Hasan, 10 Tanzim Hasan, 11 Mustafizur RahmanAfghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Azmatullah Omarzai, 4 Karim Janat, 5 Rashid Khan (capt), 6 Mohammad Nabi, 7 Gulbadin Naib, 8 Nangeyalia Kharote, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiShoriful Islam could replace Jaker Ali in Bangladesh’s XI•ICC/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions

Teams batting first have won every game in Arnos Vale, including Bangladesh defending 106 against Nepal. Afghanistan will also have a fair measure of the pitches after their 21-run win against Australia. Weather, however, may not be great as there’s some rain forecast.

Stats that matter

• Naib became the first bowler in the T20 World Cup to take a four-wicket haul after coming into the attack as the eighth bowler
• Gurbaz and Ibrahim now have three century opening stands in the T20 World Cup, the most by a pair
• Tanzim Hasan and Rishad Hossain have 11 wickets apiece, equalling Shakib’s tally from 2021 for the most wickets in an edition for Bangladesh

Quotes

“It’s a nice feeling to have that fact that we’re playing the last game as well. You will know exactly what the scenario is and then what’s needed to win. That’s always a nice feeling. But I think with cricket, so many things are thrown in and so many results can go against you or for you. So, we’ve just got to focus on our match against Bangladesh and when all the other matches are played. We’ll know what we need to do and the decisions we need to make.”
“One thing you’ve got to acknowledge is you can’t fight genetics. You have to have a genetic predisposition to power initially. But power is something that takes a lot of time. If you’re not predisposed to being strong… West Indians don’t have to find power. They’re born with power. We’re not born with power, so we have to do it a different way. We’re looking at the strength and conditioning element, we’re looking at different things of how we can do it a Bangladeshi way.”

Tottenham Hotspur have commenced their official search for Ange Postecoglou’s replacement after months of speculation about the Australian’s long-term future, with Spurs announcing on Friday that they’ve parted company.

Daniel Levy slammed for sacking Ange Postecoglou

It is safe to say that chairman Daniel Levy’s controversial decision to sack Postecoglou has been met with fierce criticism.

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According to The Telegraph, Spurs’ squad themselves are furious about the call to hand Postecoglou his P45, just over a fortnight after he helped to end the club’s 17-year wait for major silverware and qualify for the Champions League.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Son Heung-min called Postecoglou a Spurs legend and bid him farewell in an emotional goodbye message on Instagram, and he’s not the only Lilywhites star to come out in support of the former Celtic boss over these last few weeks.

“Always listen to the room. Pedro Porro said keeping Postecoglou would be good for the dressing room, while James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray all publicly backed him. It all links to that famous saying: if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it,” said Sky Sports journalist Sam Blitz in a critique of Postecoglou’s exit.

“Yes, Postecoglou had his faults – the league form was a shambles. But his season objectives last August would have been to get into the Champions League and win a trophy.

“He did that, albeit in a fortunate way. And he even went against his ‘Angeball’ principles to achieve it – showing he could be developing into more than the stubborn manager with one plan. In getting rid of the Australian, Levy is back to square one. And whoever he brings in faces an uphill struggle.

“If you’re Thomas Frank or Andoni Iraola, you should look at when Nuno Espírito Santo – an experienced manager who took outsiders into Europe – took the step-up to that role. He lasted 17 games.”

It is actually hard to argue with this assessment, but as Levy’s remorseless scythe swings again on the Spurs managerial merry-go-round, another tactician must now step into Postecoglou’s shoes.

Daniel Levy decides on Thomas Frank as Tottenham talks advance

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Tottenham are expected to advance in talks with Frank, who would make the serious step-up from Brentford to manage a side competing in the Champions League next season.

According to Tottenham News, Levy has now “settled” on Frank as his preferred manager to replace Postecoglou, so it appears the north Londoners are prioritising a move for him right now.

The Dane’s has led Brentford through solid campaigns on a shoe-string budget, perhaps appealing to Levy in the process, but reservations lie with his lack of top-level pedigree or trophy-winning experience.

Levy will also have to pay Brentford around £8 million to hire Frank by triggering his release clause.

While it certainly wasn’t a disaster, it would be fair to say that Arsenal’s season was something of a failure this year.

A combination of injuries, suspensions and a lack of cutting-edge coalesced to see Mikel Arteta’s side end yet another campaign without a major trophy to their name.

Yet, there were at least a few positives, most notably the continued development of Bukayo Saka.

Saka’s 24/25

Appearances

37

Minutes

2619′

Goals

12

Assists

14

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

Minutes per Goal Involvement

100.73′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, even though he missed over three months of action with a hamstring injury, the talismanic number seven was still able to amass a sensational tally of 12 goals and 14 assists in 37 appearances.

So, fans should be seriously excited about recent reports linking the club to a Premier League star who could help the Englishman become even more unplayable next season.

Arsenal looking at big-money Premier League star

With how lacklustre the rest of Arsenal’s attacking options were this season, it’s not been a surprise to see the majority of links in recent weeks concern strikers and wingers like Benjamin Sesko and Rodrygo.

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A deal to sign the former, who produced 27 goal involvements in 45 games this season, seems to be moving closer and closer now, with reports from earlier this week claiming that an agreement has been reached on the player’s side and that an offer of between £68m to £85m will be enough to tempt RB Leipzig into selling.

Regarding Rodrygo, talks reportedly took place between the Gunners and the player’s representative last month, while reports from this week claim that a fee of around £77m could be enough to secure his services, and while that is a lot of money, it would likely be worth it, as he’s managed to 14 goals and provide 11 assists in 52 appearances for Real Madrid this term.

However, while both players would help alleviate some pressure on Saka in the frontline, a new creative force in midfield would surely be the best way to help boost his numbers, which is where Morgan Rogers could come in.

Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are seriously interested in the Aston Villa star.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners have already made contact and inquired about the possibility of bringing the young Englishman to the Emirates this summer.

However, on top of potentially having to deal with competition from Chelsea, the North Londoners would also have to stump up a fee of around £90m to land the 22-year-old, who has five years left to run on his £75k-per-week contract at Villa Park.

It looks like it would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Rogers’ immense ability and potential, it is one worth fighting for, especially as he could help Saka become even more dangerous.

How Rogers could make Saka even better

Now, while there is likely a whole array of ways in which Rogers could help Saka to get even better, from covering for him when he needs a rest, to building an even stronger understanding of one another’s game on international duty, there is one reason more important than the rest: his output.

For example, in 54 appearances for Villa this season, the “unstoppable” midfield maestro, as dubbed by Jamie Carragher, scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.86 games.

Just imagine how many more goals the Gunners’ number seven could score next season with a number ten as effective as that behind him.

Moreover, with the Villa ace being such a goal threat in his own right, there is every chance that the Hale End icon could see his own assist tally soar as well as having more space to himself with opposition defenders having to pay more attention to the Halesowen-born “machine,” as dubbed by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell.

You can also get a good idea of just how dangerous a ten the former Middlesbrough ace is by comparing him to some of the other leading attacking midfielders in the Premier League, like Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White and the North Londoners’ own Martin Odegaard.

Rogers vs Palmer vs Gibbs-White vs Odegaard

Players

Rogers

Palmer

Gibbs-White

Odegaard

Appearances

54

47

38

45

Goals

14

15

7

6

Assists

15

12

10

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.53

0.57

0.44

0.4

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Impressively, only the Chelsea ace does marginally better than the Claret and Blue star, but given how he is the talisman of that side, and almost all attacks seem to flow through him, that’s not much of a surprise.

Moreover, if you’re achieving numbers only marginally worse than a player as talented and highly rated as he is, that can only be a good thing.

Ultimately, while the focus of this summer should be on the frontline for Arsenal, they should also do what they can to sign Rogers, as he’d undoubtedly improve the midfield and help make Saka even more unplayable.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is attempting to have his say on the club’s summer recruitment plans, and the Italian has his eyes on one player in particular to reinforce a key area of the squad.

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Maresca’s side want to strengthen a number of areas before their manager’s second full season in charge at Stamford Bridge. Over the last week, Chelsea have been holding talks with Borussia Dortmund officials over Jamie Gittens, and it is believed by some that a deal could soon be done.

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

Alongside Gittens, Chelsea are reported to still be in the market for another centre-back, which perhaps indicates that at least one of Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Trevoh Chalobah, Renato Veiga or Tosin Adarabioyo could be sold.

Even after their £30 million deal for Liam Delap, there are many suggestions that Chelsea could look to sign a second new striker as well, following widely reported talks with Eintracht Frankfurt over a deal for Hugo Ekitiké.

As well as this, Chelsea could still bring in another goalkeeper. As per journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are looking to sell both Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez this summer, with a move for AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan not completely off the table despite failing to reach an agreement before the Club World Cup.

Barcelona keeper Marc-André ter Stegen has been linked in the past week too, so their hunt for a shot-stopper could still be one to keep an eye on.

Enzo Maresca asks Chelsea to sign Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa

According to journalist Christian Martin, speaking to DSports, £150,000-per-week Aston Villa number one Emiliano Martínez is now said to have major admirers at Chelsea, including Maresca.

Maresca is “asking” Chelsea to make a move for Martinez, and goalkeeping coach Willy Caballero has also given his seal of approval to the potential transfer.

“They want him as their starting goalkeeper,” said Martin.

“Enzo Maresca is asking for him, Willy Caballero, who is part of the coaching staff and trains the goalkeepers, has already given his approval. For now, Chelsea is a very reliable and precise option.”

The Argentine World Cup winner boasts both top-level quality and proven experience on the biggest stages. After becoming a leader at Villa, there is every reason to believe the 32-year-old could be tempted by the prospect of Champions League football next season and becoming Chelsea’s new number one.

Unai Emery’s side are also under pressure from PSR to sell big-name players before the start of the next football financial year, which begins on July 1, so a deal could well be had here.

As it is every year, this summer has already been incredibly busy for Chelsea.

It feels like Enzo Maresca’s men were lifting the Conference League trophy only a week ago, but in reality, they’ve already made it to the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup and have made a real splash in the transfer market.

The likes of Liam Delap, Mamadou Sarr and Dario Essugo were already through the door before the team jetted off for the United States, and now Joao Pedro is set to join up with them.

However, the Blues aren’t finished yet, and now it looks like they are set to chase another Premier League star, although this potential deal could be bad news for the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace.

Chelsea to move for Premier League star

After being linked with the club, as well as some others, for several weeks, Pedro was finally officially announced as a Chelsea player yesterday afternoon.

Transfer Focus

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

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The former Seagulls’ star completed his medical with the Blues out in the States, signed a seven-year deal, and reportedly cost the club a cool £60m, which is twice the fee Brighton paid for him only two years ago.

However, while it’s a lot of money, it would be hard to deny that his arrival makes the West Londoners stronger, as he was his former side’s joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League last season.

Yet, it now looks like the Pensioners are set to target another exciting player from the Premier League, someone who could be bad news for the Brazilian: Mohammed Kudus.

Yes, according to a recent report from Football Insider, Chelsea are one of several clubs incredibly interested in the West Ham United star.

In fact, the report claims the West Londoners are looking to make a move to sign the Ghanaian international, who is also a serious target for London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

The good news is that the Hammers are likely to accept offers below the player’s £80m release clause, with some reports from last week suggesting a fee in the region of £70m could be enough.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but Kudus could be an excellent addition to Chelsea’s squad, albeit one that could spell trouble for Pedro.

Why Kudus could be trouble for Pedro

When it really comes down to it, the reason Kudus’ joining Chelsea could be bad news for Pedro is the same reason his arrival could be considered far from ideal for Delap: competition.

As things stand, the Blues now have three out-and-out centre-forwards in the former Brighton man, the former Ipswich Town ace and Nicolas Jackson.

So, when you then also take into consideration the Kudus’ ability to play up top, among other positions, that role starts to look rather crowded.

In fact, it’s not hard to see a world in which the Brazilian has a slow start to life at the Bridge and immediately begins to see himself falling down the pecking order, potentially even behind the former Ajax gem.

We say it’s not hard to imagine, as since moving to England, the “electric” talent as dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig, has scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in 65 Premier League appearances.

That means he’s averaging a goal involvement every 2.6 league games at West Ham, despite being asked to play all over, from out wide to midfielder and then also up top.

In contrast, the former Watford poacher has scored 22 goals and provided ten assists in 89 Premier League appearances, which actually comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.78 games.

Kudus vs Pedro in the PL

Players

Kudus

Pedro

Appearances

65

89

Goals

13

22

Assists

12

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.38

0.35

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That’s already a little worrying, but becomes even more so when you consider he has played up top, as a striker in the vast majority of those games.

Ultimately, Chelsea have a talented player in Pedro, but if they also sign Kudus, and he starts to outscore him, the Brazilian’s role in the squad might start to shrink very early on.

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Two debutants in home XI while Mikyle Louis set to become first Test player from ST Kitts

Andrew Miller09-Jul-20241:59

Ehantharajah excited to see what Atkinson can offer England

Big picture: Anderson enters the end-game
It’s been an emotional week already for the grand old men of British sport. At Wimbledon on Thursday, Andy Murray unleashed the waterworks as he bade farewell to Centre Court, with a final acceptance that his flesh was now too weak to sustain his indomitable spirit.By contrast, that same afternoon at Saint Vulbas, and then at Silverstone three days after that, Mark Cavendish and Lewis Hamilton proved what a champion’s mindset can still achieve when the fates finally decree that you have suffered purgatory for long enough.Related

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From haircuts to sledging – Anderson's other 'highlights'

And now, we roll through to Lord’s on Wednesday, where another immoveable constant of the British sporting summer will begin his own five-day farewell. As with each of the three men mentioned above, James Anderson has never known when to quit, and were it not for the march of time, he’d have no reason to do so. “I’ve not really got a choice, have I?” he demurred, when asked if he was at peace with the decision to pension him off after this, his 188th Test – even after last week’s stellar haul of 7 for 35 for Lancashire at Southport.But, as Anderson himself might remember from the circumstances of his own England debut – on this very ground 21 years and a handful of weeks ago – international sport has, at some point, to return to being a young man’s game. Back then, it was Andrew Caddick who never played for his country again, even after claiming ten wickets in England’s previous Test at Sydney in January 2003. If opportunity doesn’t knock at some point for a new generation, then stagnation and frustration become the only true measures of progress.That’s not quite where England find themselves after a torrid winter tour of India. But, in the wake of their 2-2 Ashes draw and a careless share of the spoils in New Zealand in February, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum find themselves in unusually urgent need of a series win – a strange state of affairs for a team whose initial success was largely down to their disregard for the end-game.James Anderson and Ben Stokes in their Test whites•PA Photos/Getty Images

Hence their changing of the guard, with Bazball’s original pin-up, Jonny Bairstow, being forced to bow to the reality of his fading returns, and Ben Foakes dispatched for his inability to hit the top-notes of aggression that the team ethos demands. Stuart Broad has also sauntered off the stage, 12 months yet only one home Test ago, meaning that the future will be upon this England team almost before it has had time to take stock.What can West Indies do to knock that future off its stride? Potentially, more than many other teams might muster. For if England’s approach, in essence, has been about an overdose of good vibes, then they are coming up against a team with a proven ability to raise their own game against these particular opponents.As the current holders of the Richards-Botham Trophy, West Indies have not lost a home series to England in two decades and counting, and if the challenge that awaits them in inclement English weather is likely to be somewhat tougher, then they come armed with a core of significant senior campaigners, not least among them the returning former captain Jason Holder, and a fast-bowling contingent that would be the envy of many of their Test opponents.Either way, West Indies are not letting the sentiment of the occasion deflect them from their mission, with more than one player expressing their intention to “ruin” Anderson’s farewell. Hopefully the weather doesn’t get there first in the course of an unsettled forecast for the week ahead. There’ll be enough moisture doing the rounds at Lord’s by the time he’s bowled his last.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Form guideEngland LLLLW (last five Tests, most recent first)
West Indies WLDLLIn the spotlight: Gus Atkinson and Shamar Joseph
Yeah, yeah, so there’s really only one fast bowler on anyone’s lips right now, but seeing as Anderson loathes the spotlight, it makes sense to pass it over to two of the newest kids on the Test block.Gus Atkinson has been England’s coming man for the best part of a year already, but after drinks-carrying roles on two senior tours of India – before Christmas for that dismal World Cup campaign and after Christmas for a marginally less dispiriting 4-1 Test defeat – Lord’s will serve as the grand unveiling of a quick who has got a lot of informed onlookers very excited indeed. Over and above his smooth attributes as a 90mph fast bowler, Atkinson’s appetite for the big stage would appear to mark him out. His best displays to date have come when there’s been the most to prove, not least a high-octane duel with Jos Buttler in last year’s Hundred. Dillon Pennington and Matthew Potts are waiting in the wings for when Anderson has bowled his last, but Atkinson has been handed first dibs of the new era.Shamar Joseph prepares to bowl in the nets•Getty Images

If Atkinson can make half the impact that Shamar Joseph managed in his maiden Test series, then England will have been extraordinarily well served. After five wickets on debut in a spirited personal display in Adelaide, no performance of recent vintage came close to matching the raw, rapid raucousness with which Joseph followed up in Brisbane, as Australia were scattered to the four corners of their former fortress at the Gabba. His figures of 7 for 68 in 11.5 brutally direct overs were capped by the flattening of Josh Hazlewood’s off stump and a victory gallop for the ages. It’ll be a different level of expectation now, of course – and a wicketless one-off appearance for Lucknow in this year’s IPL was early evidence that his spells won’t all be as straightforwardly joyous. Nevertheless, he arrives as a serious prong in a serious pace attack, and England will be forewarned.Team news: England ring the changes
No Bairstow, no Foakes, no Tom Hartley, no Mark Wood. Only two of those names are likely to feature again for England as Bazball 2.0 prepares to be unleashed. Instead, re-enter Harry Brook at No. 5, back in situ after missing the India tour due to the death of his grandmother, and welcome aboard the Surrey pairing of Atkinson and Jamie Smith, whose credentials have been bigged up ever since Rob Key witnessed his astonishingly rapid hundred for England Lions in Sri Lanka two winters ago. He does not keep wicket for his county – awkwardly, the man he has replaced has that honour. But then, neither does Shoaib Bashir command a first-team place at Somerset. England are more excited about the ceiling of such players’ potentials, rather than the facts of their current professional status. Mind you, the opposite holds true for the returning Chris Woakes, the reigning Compton-Miller medallist after his heroics in last summer’s Ashes. He’s no more a long-term pick than Anderson, but he does command an average of 11.33 in five previous Tests at Lord’s. Seeing as England haven’t won a full series since 2022, getting that W on the board is still a priority.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Shoaib Bashir, 11 James AndersonThe sad absence of Kemar Roach, who sustained a knee injury on county duty with Surrey, hasn’t dented the quiet self-belief of a West Indies team that may prove to be overly reliant on Kraigg Brathwaite’s obduracy at the top, but certainly possess more than enough bowling tools to give Stokes’ batters a serious run for their money. The challenge, as so often in recent encounters, comes in the batting. With Mikyle Louis confirmed for a debut at the top of the order – the first player from St Kitts to win a Test cap for West Indies – four of the top six will have played nine Tests between them. Gudakesh Motie has edged out Kevin Sinclair for the solitary spinner’s berth, with Motie’s recent success against England’s batters in white-ball cricket potentially the clincher.Kraigg Brathwaite looks on during West Indies practice•Getty Images

West Indies 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Mikyle Louis, 3 Kirk McKenzie, 4 Alick Athanaze, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Joshua da Silva (wk), 8 Gudakesh Motie, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Shamar Joseph, 11 Jayden Seales.Pitch and conditions: Cold and damp is the order of the dayThe weather promises to be cold, intermittently showery and distinctly underwhelming. All of which augurs pretty well for the quick bowlers on display, given the old cliché of Lord’s being a venue where you look up, not down. Even by the old ground’s flat-decked reputation, however, this season has been taking the Michael – as Glamorgan’s Sam Northeast can attest after overhauling Graham Gooch’s legendary 333 in April, the previous highest score ever made in NW8. Jayden Seales had a similarly brutal run-out for Sussex against Middlesex at Lord’s in May, when a total of 18 wickets fell in four days.Stats and trivia: Anderson eyeing his final place in history Anderson, currently on 700 Test wickets, needs nine in the match to overhaul Shane Warne’s mark of 708, and move into second place on the all-time Test wicket-taker’s list, behind Muthiah Muralidaran (800). Stokes, who is expected to be back to full bowling fitness after undergoing knee surgery in November, needs two more wickets to reach 200 in Tests, after spending 17 Tests and nigh on two years in the 190s. Joshua da Silva, West Indies’ keeper, needs eight more runs to reach 1000 in Tests. Despite being the current holders of the Richards-Botham Trophy, West Indies have lost each of their last seven Test series in England, dating back to 2000, and have not won a series in the country since 1988. In the past decade, however, the rivalry has been especially intense at home and away. Since 2015, both teams have won six and lost six out of 15 matches, with a win apiece on their last two visits to England in 2017 and 2020.Quotes”This week will all be about Jimmy, and rightly so. But I can tell you that his main focus is about going out there, taking wickets and trying to win this game for England. I’m sure when we’re done here this week, that’s when everything else will take over. But he’s desperate to go out there and put in a winning performance for England.”
Ben Stokes on Anderson’s swansong“It’s a young group, especially the batsmen, they have a lot of time to learn because obviously playing Test cricket it takes a while to really understand. You’re always learning on the job, but it’s a very decent team, for sure.”

Arsenal are one of this summer’s busiest Premier League clubs after a fairly slow start, with sporting director Andrea Berta’s slightly scattergun approach now beginning to yield serious results.

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ByEmilio Galantini Jul 2, 2025

Berta is known for holding talks with numerous targets, before ultimately deciding which one to pursue, in any given position – and that philosophy has been made crystal clear by the Italian’s simultaneous work on deals for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.

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

While Arsenal’s striker pursuit remains an ongoing situation, and most likely will do for the foreseeable future, Berta could be about to welcome a total of four new signings across an array of different areas.

Arsenal confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on Tuesday and may soon announce Martin Zubimendi’s arrival too, with Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard expected to undergo a medical this week (The Athletic).

Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera is also in talks to join Arsenal, so if all goes to plan, Mikel Arteta’s squad is poised to be significantly reinforced just under two months before transfer deadline day on September 1.

Rodrygo to issue Real Madrid transfer demand after Arsenal talks

Following the aforementioned quartet, it is widely anticipated that a new attacking midfielder/winger will make the move to north London as well.

According to reports, one top target is £206,000-per-week Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.

As per reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Arsenal have already held “exploratory talks” with the Brazil international dating back to May, amid an impressive season at the Bernabeu where he’s managed 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions – including his contributions at the Club World Cup.

Now, according to another update from Graeme Bailey, the 24-year-old will make clear his desire to leave Real this summer, and Rodrygo is “quickly emerging” as a “dream” signing for Arsenal.

“I think Rodrygo is quickly emerging as Arsenal’s dream target,” Bailey told TBR Football.

“From what I’m hearing, from people close to the situation, once Real Madrid get back from the Club World Cup, Rodrygo is going to make it clear that he wants to leave.

“I think everything points towards Rodrygo leaving and my belief is that Arsenal will be towards the top of his desired places to go. Arsenal know what kind of fee it will take to sign Rodrygo, around £75m, they know about his wages, and that hasn’t scared them off one bit.

“It would be a huge feather in Berta’s cap to sign Rodrygo, and there’s a genuine belief within the Arsenal camp that the Brazilian would be an outstanding fit.

“But that doesn’t stop Arsenal from bringing in two wide players, I think there is a real possibility that they do that.”

Rodrygo could be joined by Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, who reportedly held “positive” talks over a move to Arsenal last weekend (GiveMeSport).

While it remains to be seen whether Berta can complete either of those ambitious moves, Arsenal are showing serious intent ahead of another Premier League title challenge.

Time was, FSG were routinely criticised for their purportedly hesitant approach to first-team strengthening. Who’s railing against Liverpool’s owners now?

Certainly not those of a Reds persuasion, but there’s no question that many of Liverpool’s rivals have watched on and groaned at the ruthless attack on the market, pulling in not just numbers but players who have the potential to win Arne Slot more silverware over the coming years.

Liverpool will enter the 2025/26 campaign as the defending Premier League champions, having won last year’s title at a canter. It will be a new season carrying all the newfound permutations and curveballs, but while pre-season predictions often fall flat, many will expect the Reds to be right up there in the thick of the title battle.

While fans have become acquainted with a trio of thrilling additions over the past few weeks, Liverpool still remain keen on a host of players.

Alexander Isak is the name on everyone’s lips, as Liverpool need a new striker, but it doesn’t seem that likely that Slot will get his mitts on the Sweden star.

The latest on Liverpool's striker search

Liverpool are trying to offload Darwin Nunez, who has been the focus of negotiations between the Reds and Serie A champions Napoli, but the two clubs are struggling to find common financial ground.

When the Uruguayan does take his leave, Liverpool will need to sign a replacement, especially as Slot was left wanting after a season of inconsistency and disappointment from his central strikers: Nunez and Diogo Jota.

Alexander Isak would be the dream, but at £200m the Newcastle United talisman is quite simply too expensive. That’s why alternative names have bobbed up, with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike both of a vested interest to the Anfield side.

Liverpool will need to get it right, bagging themselves a goalscorer capable of leading the line toward title-winning endeavours for many years. But it will have to be within financial parameters; FSG will want bang for their buck.

All this said, Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a British-record £116m fee, and the German should have enough about him to elevate any number nine Liverpool bring in.

However, there’s another man whose name hasn’t been discussed with the same intensity as the aforementioned, but who is very much in the race and could prove to be Liverpool’s most exciting capture of the summer window.

Liverpool shortlist Isak alternative

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have shortlisted Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as they prepare for Nunez’s potential sale.

Though it is the Naples side that want Liverpool’s number nine, any dealings between the two clubs will be separate. Osimhen is expected to leave after returning from a loan spell with Galatasaray, relationships having previously broken down.

The 26-year-old might have his faults, but he’s an elite-level goalscorer who would come at a cheaper price than the likes of Ekitike and Isak, also on the shortlist, with previous reports suggesting a figure in the £64m ballpark.

What Victor Osimhen would bring to Liverpool

Osimhen might not have envisaged a move to Turkey for the 2024/25 campaign, but he passed his stop-gap test with flying colours, notching 37 goals across 41 matches in all competitions, winning the Super Lig title.

Remarked to be “the best striker on the market” by Statman Dave, Osimhen hasn’t exactly struggled to prove himself on other stages, either, so destructive and deadly in Serie A, and with nine goals and an assist across just 17 Champions League outings too.

He’s also a proven trophy winner, leading I Partenopei to the league title in 2022/23 before an injury-hit follow-up year. Such exploits established the Nigerian international’s “world-class status”, as has been said by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley.

24/25 – Galatasaray

41

37

8

23/24 – Napoli

32

17

4

22/23 – Napoli

39

31

5

21/22 – Napoli

32

18

6

20/21 – Napoli

30

10

3

While Liverpool were sent into a frenzy when they captured Wirtz, one of the most sought-after players in the world, replacing Nunez with Osimhen could work out to be an even more exciting deal.

Indeed, adding such an out-and-out striker to the ranks might just prove the difference-maker as Liverpool chase down hordes of trophies next season and beyond.

The disparity couldn’t be much greater. Since arriving at Liverpool for a towering £64m fee, Nunez has only scored 25 times in the Premier League, playing 95 matches in total.

Osimhen would bring a wholly different style, and a clinical shooting quality too. He scored 26 league goals for Galatasaray and only missed 25 big chances, as per Sofascore.

Furthermore, Arsenal and Manchester United have both been locked in talks with the African sensation as they look to shore up their own frontlines, underscoring Osimhen’s attractiveness on the market.

When considering the partnership that could be forged between the striker and Liverpool’s new maestro Wirtz, fans will no doubt find themselves awash with excitement, but it’s Osimhen’s prowess in the final third which might elicit the loudest roars.

He’s hardly a static frontman, either, ranked last season among the top 18% of forwards across Europe for progressive carries and the top 4% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

Liverpool need a striker, and while the overload of quality Slot has at his disposal suggests that a fair few marksmen worth their salt could play a prize-winning role for the outfit, Osimhen is a cut above and might prove to outperform even Wirtz if finally given a chance to shine in the Premier League.

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Leeds United know that they will need to make key additions across the pitch to improve their squad after they were promoted to the Premier League at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Leeds United's goalkeeper priority this summer

A new goalkeeper is high up on the list of transfer priorities for the Championship champions during the summer transfer window, after veteran shot-stopper Karl Darlow had to end the season between the sticks.

Illan Meslier’s high-profile errors were hard for Daniel Farke to ignore, and the Frenchman had to sit on the bench for the final seven matches of the campaign.

The Whites are now reportedly eyeing up a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who was omitted from their squad for the Club World Cup in America this summer.

He spent the 2024/25 campaign and caught the eye with his impressive performances in Ligue 1, preventing 7.91 goals and avoiding any errors that directly led to a goal in 31 matches in the French top-flight.

Petrovic, who is a Serbia international, could come in to solve Farke’s problem in the number one position at Elland Road, if they can convince the Chelsea stopper to make the switch to West Yorkshire.

Leeds will also need strong defenders in front of their goalkeeper to prevent them from being overworked, though, and the club are reportedly closing in on a new centre-back.

Leeds United agree terms with new centre-back signing

According to LeedsLive reporter Isaac Johnson, Udinese defender Jaka Bijol has ‘agreed’ terms over a move to Elland Road in the summer transfer window, which is also backed up by reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness.

The journalist claims that the Whites are ‘growing in confidence’ that they can reach an agreement with the Serie A side over a deal to sign the Slovenia international, who has already given the transfer a green light.

Johnson adds that a fee of around £17m should be enough to get the move over the line, and that talks are ongoing between the two clubs over the fee.

Meanwhile, Italian outlet TuttoUdinese reports that negotiations are ongoing and that the Premier League side have already had a bid of £14m turned down, with an improved offer of £15m said to be inching the two clubs closer towards an agreement.

TuttoUdinese backs up Johnson’s claim that the player wants to sign for Leeds, as they reveal that Bijol has opened the door to a move to Elland Road, and that is now down to the teams to agree a fee.

24/25 league stats (per 90)	Jaka Bijol (Serie A)	Japhet Tanganga (Championship)
Pass accuracy	84%	77%
Progressive passes	2.98	2.10
Tackles + interceptions	2.46	2.33
Blocks	1.15	0.99
Clearances	5.53	5.57
Aerial duels won	3.31	3.07
Stats via FBref

Leeds have also been linked with an interest in Millwall centre-back Japhet Tanganga, but the statistics in the table above suggest that the Serie A star, dubbed “aerially dominant” by writer Kyle Newbould, would be the better option out of the two.

Bijol has proven that he can deliver quality performances in one of Europe’s major leagues, in Italy, and he could arrive in West Yorkshire as a strong signing for Farke’s team, as a centre-back who could protect the goalkeeper who is eventually signed to replace Meslier.

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By
Kelan Sarson

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The 2025/26 season that’s soon on the horizon for Newcastle United looks to be another exciting one.

Eddie Howe’s Toon will find themselves back amongst Europe’s elite in the Champions League, with the hope they can compete for more silverware too after breaking their trophy hoodoo last season when lifting the EFL Cup at Liverpool’s expense.

To boost their chances of a similarly successful 25/26, therefore, Howe will know he needs to be backed in the chaotic transfer market, with this attacking star one potential addition that would surely enliven the St James’ masses ahead of the action kicking off.

Newcastle remain interested in move for Premier League winger

The Toon have been lining up a number of attackers this summer with talks reportedly due to take place to sign Joao Pedro from Brighton.

Another target is Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford, who after an impressive loan spell at Aston Villa, is now set to leave Old Trafford behind permanently.

However, to put that move to one side, as per a report from TEAMTalk, Newcastle remain interested in adding Nottingham Forest ace Anthony Elanga to their camp this summer, with a shock swap deal even potentially on the cards.

Indeed, the report elaborates that with the Magpies ‘stepping up their interest’ in the winger, they could be set to offer Harvey Barnes to Forest to smooth over proceedings.

Barnes’ inclusion in the deal would bring down the £50m valuation of the ex-Manchester United forward’s price tag.

Elanga could also be tempted to make the switch with the allure of Champions League football presumably a pull, with Howe also desperate to land the Sweden international as he hunts down pacey, new options to enhance his attacking personnel.

Why Elanga would be a better buy than Rashford

Snapping up the services of Elanga would surely mean the Magpies wouldn’t have to go back in for another of their attacking targets like Rashford, considering the 23-year-old is now surely viewed as an upgrade on his former Red Devils teammate after his blistering couple of campaigns at the City Ground, compared to Rashford’s up-and-down time of things.

After all, if it’s pace Howe wants in abundance, he will strike gold by picking up Elanga, with this unbelievable breakaway goal last season seeing him leave many a United shirt in the dust, before punishing his former employers even more with a clinical finish.

For good measure, he was one of the quickest players in the top flight of English football last season too.

The fastest & slowest players in the Premier League (2024/25)

Off the back of such counter-attacking magic, Elanga would rightfully describe himself as “one of the fastest players in the PL”, with the standout Swede thankfully backing up these rampaging forays more often than not with a meaningful strike or an assist.

Games played

38

25

Goals scored

6

6

Assists

11

3

Big chances missed

6

5

Big chances created

9

8

Whilst Rashford did shine away from Old Trafford last season on the temporary books of Villa, it’s also clear from the numbers that Elanga would be the better pick-up, with the 5-foot-10 winger far less jaded by the top-flight than the United outcast, registering a far greater goal contribution number of 17 last season, next to Rashford’s lesser nine.

On top of that, Elanga also has the added boost of 14 more goals and assists donning Forest red from the season before, as Rashford’s spell at the Swede’s former employers began to fall apart.

Moreover, unlike Rashford who is predominantly an out-and-out left winger, the Forest speedster would be able to offer Howe an option down either flank if needed, with the £50m-rated target up to 63 career games now as a right winger, on top of also tallying up 55 down the left.

Further lauded as “special” by Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, this could well be the platform the winger desires now to strut his stuff in the Champions League and beyond.

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