كُشف النقاب منذ قليل عن هوية الفائز بجائزة جيرد مولر لأفضل هداف في العالم لعام 2025، التابعة لجوائز مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الشهيرة، حسبما أُعلن مساء يوم الإثنين.
وتُقام مساء يوم الإثنين مراسم حفل توزيع جوائز الأفضل في العالم، المُقدمة من مجلة “فرانس فوتبول” الشهيرة، وعلى رأسها الكرة الذهبية (لمتابعة البث المباشر من هنا).
وتضم جوائز اليوم العديد من الفئات، بخلاف الكرة الذهبية لأفضل لاعب في العالم للرجال والسيدات، حيث هناك جائزة كوبا لأفضل لاعب شاب، وجائزة ياشين لأفضل حارس مرمى، جائزة كرويف لأفضل مدرب، إلى جانب جائزة أفضل نادِ للرجال والسيدات.
بخلاف ذلك، هناك جائزة جيرد مولر التي تُمنح لهداف العام، وحسبما أُعلن، فاز فيكتور جيوكيريس نجم سبورتينج لشبونة السابق وآرسنال الحالي بها كونه اللاعب الأكثر تهديفًا في الدوريات الخمس الكبرى في عام 2025.
وتمكن جيوكيريس من تسجيل 39 هدفًا في موسم الدوري البرتغالي الموسم الماضي، وهو أكثر من سجل أهدافًا على صعيد الدوريات الخمس الكبرى، ولكنه لم يفز بجائزة الحذاء الذهبي الأوروبي آنذاك والتي ذهبت إلى كيليان مبابي لاعب ريال مدريد الإسباني الذي سجل 31 هدفًا بسبب فارق النقاط الذي يختلف من دوري لآخر.
Leicestershire still in chasing pack after eighth draw in 10 Championship matches
ECB Reporters Network25-Aug-2024Peter Handscomb’s rock-sold half-century against his former club foiled a spirited last-day effort by Gloucestershire’s bowlers and earned Leicestershire a comfortable draw from their County Championship Division Two game at Bristol.The experienced Australian made 63 not out as the visitors reached 304 for 5 in their second innings from an overnight 41 without loss, a lead of 162, by the time bad light ended play with a possible 27 overs left. Rishi Patel hit 75 and Ian Holland 56.In the end the only winner was a typically placid Bristol pitch, which made it hard work for seamers and spinners alike over the course of four bat-dominated days. Gloucestershire took 16 points from the game and Leicestershire 13.It said much about the pitch that with the new ball only ten overs old at the start of play, Gloucestershire chose offspinner Ollie Price to open their attack from the Ashley Down Road End. He gained precious little more assistance than the seamers as Patel and Holland set about building on their opening partnership.There was a sense of inevitability as Patel progressed serenely to a half-century off 79 balls, with eight fours, making good use of the sweep against Price, who he lofted over long-on for six in the 33rd over.Two overs later Patel perished attempting a repeat of that shot, this time failing to clear Dom Goodman on the boundary. But the stand of 142 in 34.2 overs with first-innings centurion Holland had wiped out Gloucestershire’s sizeable lead.With 21 added, Marchant de Lange was rewarded for bending his back from the Pavilion End when Lewis Hill, on 11, could only fend a lifting a delivery to Chris Dent at short leg. By lunch, Leicestershire had reached 169 for 2, with Holland one short of his fifty.Gloucestershire hopes were briefly raised when Zaman Akhter took a brilliant catch at backward square, holding onto a pull shot from Ajinkya Rahane off de Lange. Akhter then induced an inside edge onto his stumps from Holland, who had reached a painstaking half-century off 127 balls.At 180 for 4, Leicestershire were just 38 runs in front. But Handscomb and Rehan Ahmed calmed any nerves in the visiting dressing room with a stand of 63 in 13.3 overs, ended when Rehan edged a delivery from Price through to wicketkeeper James Bracey and departed for 23.Handscomb went to an untroubled half-century off 73 balls, with seven fours, and was unbeaten at tea, with Louis Kimber 29 not out in a Leicestershire total of 286 for 5. The lead was 144 and barring a collapse, the Foxes were safe.The curtailed final session offered more of the same with Handscomb and Kimber having few alarms, despite Price getting some slow turn. At soon after 4.15pm, with the floodlights shining brightly, the umpires decided the light was too poor.Only six wickets had fallen in two days and the draw, which had long seemed the only likely outcome, was confirmed at 4.30pm with rain falling. Kimber was unbeaten on 38 at stumps.
When Liverpool last won the league, their transfer window was hardly filled with much inspiration. The most notable of arrivals saw Diogo Jota join from Wolves.
This time around, things are vastly different. The Reds are attacking things hard and have already made a seismic statement.
Liverpool summer transfer window in 2020
In 2025, Liverpool have already spent more than that aforementioned window, firstly bringing in Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and then signing £116m man Florian Wirtz.
There’s more to come in the form of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, while Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move to Anfield. Just imagine that.
Once the Kerkez move is completed, the Reds could turn their attention towards another Premier League defender.
Liverpool seeking to bolster their defence
Frimpong has arrived to strengthen the right-hand side and before too long, Kerkez will come in to bolster the left.
The latest on that move is that Liverpool have now agreed a £40m deal to bring the Hungarian full-back to Merseyside.
AFC Bournemouth's MilosKerkez
Reports suggest that the player has already undergone his medical with the club and has been spotted at the training ground.
So, with that move wrapped up, Liverpool could now look at getting a move over the line for Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
A few days ago now it was reported that Richard Hughes and Co were preparing an offer to sign the England centre-back and a deal is now said to be moving in the right direction on the player side.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ‘very close’ to reaching an agreement with the player on personal terms.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehi
It’s widely thought that Guehi will be allowed to leave Selhurst Park this summer with only one year remaining on his current deal. The Eagles value him at £70m but due to his contract situation, they may be forced to sell for around £45m.
Liverpool face plenty of competition for the defender’s signature, notably from Newcastle United.
How Guehi could emulate Mac Allister at Anfield
Liverpool have had great success at signing players from fellow Premier League clubs. The aforementioned Jota, despite his injury history, has done a sterling job, scoring 65 goals in 182 matches.
In recent years, Alexis Mac Allister stands proud as one of their finest investments.
In the summer of 2023, the Reds needed to strengthen in the middle of the park following the exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. They did so by bringing in Mac Allister, a World Cup winner, from Brighton in a deal worth £35m.
That fee has turned out to be a bargain. The Argentine is not just one of the most consistent players in the Liverpool team but he’s also one of the most consistent figures in the entire Premier League.
His peers think so as well, with the midfielder nominated for the PFA’s Player of the Season award alongside Mohammed Salah.
That is a fine reward for the South American who enjoyed a fabulous campaign in the engine room. A natural leader, he certainly led by example with his performances, scoring seven goals and registering six assists in 49 matches across all competitions.
Vitally, Mac Allister didn’t need much time to adapt to Liverpool, largely because he’d already had great success in England with Brighton.
Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister
Guehi is a similar situation. Of course, he’s English, which will certainly help the adaptation period, but the fact he’s already starred in the Premier League will no doubt make this a truly risk-free signing for Slot and Co.
It’s in the last year that the Eagles star has really started to make a statement with his performances.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
Since coming through at Chelsea, many have tipped the defender for big things and he could realise that by making a move to Anfield this summer. He’s deserving of a move, notably heralded as “England’s best centre-back” by one content creator following his displays at last summer’s European Championships.
Since then, he’s only gone from strength to strength. Guehi, the current captain at Palace, was one of the main factors behind their recent FA Cup success, famously beating Manchester City in the final.
Key passes
Top 11%
Progressive passes
Top 31%
Through balls
Top 9%
Tackles
Top 22%
Blocks
Top 20%
Ball recoveries
Top 29%
In doing so, he kept a clean sheet, showing his ability to perform in the big games. Like Mac Allister, he’s incredibly consistent. He didn’t make a single error leading to a goal all season in the Premier League and only made two errors leading to a shot.
In fact, since he signed for Palace, he’s only made two errors leading to a goal and four errors leading to a shot in the league. In the words of football writer Stuart James, he is an “incredible” defender.
For added context, Ibrahima Konate made one error leading to a goal last season and two leading to a shot. Since moving to Liverpool, he’s made five errors leading to a goal in the top-flight. On that evidence, Guehi is a little smarter, certainly more consistent.
Like Mac Allister, he could be the risk-free bargain signing that would make Liverpool even better. If a deal can be done for £45m, it’s a no-brainer.
He could surpass Salah: Liverpool now prepared to sign another £100m star
Liverpool are in the market for a centre-forward this summer.
Leeds United are ramping up their transfer activity as the new Premier League season edges ever closer.
Former Manchester City youth starlet Lucas Nmecha has now joined the ranks from Wolfsburg to enhance the Whites’ attacking options. It’s surely only a matter of time before Jaka Bijol is announced too, after he has allegedly undergone a medical at Elland Road.
Jaka Bijol in action for Udinese.
The next logical step would be to add some reinforcements in the middle of the park, therefore, and Leeds’ wish could be granted if they were to land a former Premier League ace.
Leeds interested in deal for £25m star
Strengthening the midfield ranks is evidently a key priority for Leeds this summer with moves for the likes of Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki reportedly lined up.
Diarra seems to be a more concrete target at the moment with fresh claims suggesting that they made a bid worth £21m.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Slow progress is being made on that deal, so the Whites are seeking alternatives. Well, according to a new report from Italian outlet Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Leeds are in the picture to land former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer.
The report states that Luiz will be allowed to leave Juventus this off-season after a mediocre stint in Turin, but Leeds could well be put off by the Serie A giants and their asking price, with Igor Tudor’s men having purchased the Brazilian for a bumper £42m fee.
The move could still have legs on a loan-to-buy basis, however, with the report clarifying that such a deal would only cost Daniel Farke’s men £25m down the line. That marks a sharp decrease from Luiz’s staggering £100m valuation back in 2023.
Thus, that £25m fee feels like a reasonable fee to pay for the South American, with his reputation needing to be repaired, and that could occur back in England, where he once starred for Unai Emery’s men regularly.
Why Luiz could become Leeds' new Raphinha-like star
Luiz could come in and seriously improve Farke’s midfield options, with this deal having a similar feel to when Leeds purchased another Brazilian from Europe in the form of Raphinha for a bargain £16m, with the rest now history on the end of the Barcelona superstar.
Obviously, Raphinha didn’t have the backdrop of flopping at Rennes before he relocated to West Yorkshire, but it would have been seen as a savvy deal at the time, with Leeds only having to fork out a modest fee to win the slick winger.
The 34-time Brazil international would go on to cement himself in Leeds hearts everywhere with his skilful performances throughout his short stay, leading to the now Barca number 11 collecting 17 goals and 12 assists from 67 appearances, with his efforts as the Whites’ top goalscorer during his swansong season at Elland Road helping Leeds to just about beat the drop.
Luiz might well follow in Raphinha’s footsteps and be the energetic presence Leeds need to secure their Premier League status this coming season, with the Rio De Janeiro-born midfielder a proven top-flight performer.
Farke would love to call upon Luiz as an additional central body, therefore, with the vibrant Brazilian capable of getting stuck in when needed. Like Raphinha, who’s now a firm Ballon d’Or contender, he’s got fine pedigree, notably hailed as “one of the best 6s in the Premier League” and “one of the best [midfielders] in the world” by Sky Italia.
That’s showcased perfectly by his numbers for the Villans, where he ranked within the top 7% of midfielders in the Premier League in 2023/24 for goals, demonstrating his attacking flair to go alongside his defensive qualities.
Games played
36
33
34
37
35
Goals scored
3
0
2
6
9
Assists
2
2
3
6
5
Touches*
46.1
55.6
56.9
60.6
70.1
Accurate passes*
27.7 (83%)
36.8 (86%)
37.1 (87%)
39.6 (86%)
50.4 (89%)
Big chances created
3
4
2
7
10
Tackles*
1.3
1.5
1.7
2.0
1.7
Clearances*
1.3
1.2
0.6
0.6
0.5
Total duels won*
4.1
4.9
4.4
4.4
4.2
Luiz only got better and better the more his Premier League journey at Villa Park went on, culminating in him firing home a ridiculous nine Premier League strikes during his final season in the West Midlands.
He would even be labelled as “world-class” during his celebrated stay with the Villans by teammate John McGinn, with Raphinha once also talked about in the same glowing manner in West Yorkshire when heralded as “special” by Marcelo Bielsa.
Everything is pointing in the direction of this being a superb deal, with Luiz potentially going on to be their new Premier League saviour, just as Raphinha was once upon a time.
He's better than Diarra: Leeds now looking at deal to sign £26m "threat"
Leeds United are eyeing up a midfield star who could be even better than Habib Diarra.
Glasgow Rangers will need a new manager in the dugout at Ibrox when the 2025/26 campaign gets underway later this year, having relieved Philippe Clement of his duties in February.
Barry Ferguson came in to replace the Belgian head coach as an interim manager until the end of the season, and his side did beat Aberdeen 4-0 last time out in the league.
However, the former Rangers central midfielder has only won five of his 13 matches in charge of the club in all competitions, losing four of those games.
Ferguson’s most recent managerial experience before his current stint at Ibrox came at Alloa Athletic in the 2021/22 campaign, when he lost 17 of his 33 games at the helm.
These statistics do not suggest that the former Scotland international is the right man to lead the Light Blues back to glory in the Scottish Premiership moving forward, which is why he should not be a contender for the job.
It does appear as though Rangers are set to look externally for their new head coach this summer, as they have been linked with a move for Davide Ancelotti.
Why Davide Ancelotti could be exciting for Rangers
It was recently reported that the son of Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently part of his father’s coaching staff at Real Madrid, is closing in on the Rangers job.
The Light Blues were reported to be pushing to bring him to Ibrox to convince him to take his first role as a senior head coach, rather than going to join his dad when he becomes the Brazil manager later this year.
The Rangers-linked coach has worked with his father at Real Madrid, Everton, and Bayern Munich, and has been described as an influential figure behind the scenes.
Former Bayern midfielder Javi Martinez, as quoted by the BBC, hailed Davide’s influence on Carlo: “The evolution process never stops and it is more difficult to adapt for older coaches. Davide completes Carlo and helps him understand the evolution of football. Davide is incredible: prepared, serious, a great person, like his father.”
As you can see in the graphic above, he has learned from one of the best managers around, given the incredible number of trophies his father has won, and that illustrates why him being an influential figure on his coaching staff is a big positive ahead of a possible move to Rangers.
This is why, despite his lack of outright managerial experience, Ancelotti could be an exciting appointment for the Gers and a chance to get behind a new era at Ibrox, which could be kickstarted with an excellent signing.
Rangers make contact to sign English forward
According to The Herald, Rangers have made contact with Blackburn Rovers forward Tyrhys Dolan to remain informed on his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Gers want to keep tabs on the English attacker, who could become a free agent this summer if he does not extend his contract with the Championship side.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that Blackburn would value Dolan between £5m and £10m but they could lose him for a nominal compensation fee if he runs down his contract to sign for the Light Blues.
The report, however, adds that Premiership rivals Celtic are also monitoring the winger ahead of a possible swoop for his services in the summer window, which shows that there will be competition for the 23-year-old dynamo’s services.
Tyrhys Dolan in action for Blackburn Rovers.
This means that Rangers may have to act fast once it becomes clear that Dolan will be available to sign when his contract at Ewood Park expires at the end of June, as they will have to beat other teams to his signature.
The board should push to get a deal over the line for the Blackburn star because he could be an excellent signing to kick the Ancelotti era off with a bang, should a move to appoint the Real Madrid coach go through.
Why Rangers should sign Tyrhys Dolan
The Light Blues could kickstart the Ancelotti era in exciting fashion by signing Dolan because he is a promising young talent with the potential to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch in Scottish football.
At the age of 23, the Blackburn star would arrive with plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, which means that he could be a long-term addition to the side as well as having the quality to make an instant impact.
As you can see in the clip above, Dolan is also a player who has showcased his quality in the final third in the Championship for the English side this season.
The incredibly versatile attacker, who can play on the left, on the right, as an attacking midfielder, or as a striker, has shown that he has the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis if put in the right environment.
Dolan has only averaged 38.1 touches per game in a Blackburn team that ranked 16th in the league for xG, with 51.6 xG in 46 matches, which shows that he was not getting loads of touches in a well-coached attacking side.
Vaclav Cerny, meanwhile, has delivered 12 goals and three assists with 50.7 touches per game for Rangers on the right flank in the Premiership this season.
Appearances
31
44
Touches per game
50.7
38.1
Shots
90
51
Goals
12
7
Conversion rate
13%
14%
Big chances created
6
7
Assists
3
6
As you can see in the table above, Dolan enjoyed a better conversion rate of shots to goals than Cerny has managed so far this season in the Premiership, and created more ‘big chances’ for his side with roughly 12 fewer touches per game on average.
These statistics suggest that the English star’s output at the top end of the pitch could soar if he was put in a Rangers team that gives him plenty of touches in the final third, with more chances to take shots and create chances as an exciting wide player.
Dolan, once hailed as “outstanding” by former boss John Eustace, would also provide an exciting celebration for supporters when he scores, as shown in the clip above.
In all seriousness, though, he could be the perfect first signing of the Ancelotti era as a superb young talent who has the quality and the potential to be a star at Ibrox, with the chance to be more influential in the final third as part of a more dominant and attacking team than he has been at Blackburn.
Rangers: 49ers plotting statement signing of "very talented" £4m Brazilian
The Gers’ prospective new owners have set their sights on a midfielder.
The celebrations stretched deep into the night. Liverpool won the Premier League last weekend, in case a reminder is due, after Arne Slot’s side gave Tottenham Hotspur a hiding to clinch the club’s 20th top-flight trophy.
It was a poetic way to seal the title, the 5-1 victory a consummate showing of Liverpool’s attacking flair, their togetherness, their hunger.
Even Slot, who has been so businesslike and cool throughout his debut campaign in the dugout, allowed himself to get lost in the occasion, bellowing his predecessor’s name in the wake of his big win. A fitting tribute. Further evidence, if any more is needed, that he is the man to lead this bunch.
One season is all it takes for this brilliant coach, but he and his players will be desperate to consolidate this new chapter with more silverware in the coming years. That means signings are needed.
Federico Chiesa, whose impact has been minimal, remains the only first-team addition since August 2023, and while this is a balanced squad of ample depth, Andy Robertson, 31, looks a mite blunter than before, with the growing interest in Milos Kerkez evidence that left-back is a priority position for FSG.
Liverpool's pursuit of Milos Kerkez
Let’s remember from the off: Richard Hughes was the man who engineered Bournemouth’s signing of Kerkez two years ago, bringing the prospect, 19 at the time, in from AZ Alkmaar for a reported £15m fee.
The Cherries have most certainly got bang for their buck, but could strike richer still by selling him this summer. Kerkez feels destined for a transfer away to a team competing in the Champions League.
However, Liverpool are no bullies and won’t push for a deal until Andoni Iraola’s quest for a Europe-qualifying finish is wrapped up, one way or another.
The Times reported in March that Liverpool were actively pursuing the 21-year-old, who is valued at £45m. This is steep. Moreover, Sky Sports News have revealed that Manchester City and Real Madrid have now registered interest of their own.
Each party will be confident in the chips in front of them, but honestly, it’s too early to determine the likelihood of Kerkez’s direction until one or all show their hand.
However, though Liverpool admire the Premier League “revelation,” they know how it goes in the market and appear to have centred on an alternative, just in case.
Interestingly, though, this fallback may prove to be an even better signing than the Vitality Stadium man.
Liverpool eyeing Kerkez alternative
According to Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas, Liverpool are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers star Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Molineux are growing resigned to the fact that Ait-Nouri has earned the right to search for the next step in his career, should a suitable bid be received, having been one of their standout performers over the past several years.
Wolves player Rayan Ait-Nouri
The 23-year-old wouldn’t come cheap; in fact, with a supposed value of £51m, he’d cost FSG more than if they were to move for Kerkez. However, Ait-Nouri has the tactical grasp to slot right into Liverpool’s high-flying system.
Why Ait-Nouri would be perfect for Slot
Ait-Nouri might have made 131 appearances in the Premier League but he’s still so young, still has so much potential to tap into.
The Algeria international, born in France, was described as an “incredible talent” by ex-Old Gold boss Gary O’Neil, with his performances this season leading to four goals and seven assists across 33 Premier League outings. He also bagged against Bristol City in the FA Cup.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' RayanAit-Nouriin action
His eye for goal, both directly and through a playmaking lens, is something to behold, but it’s only one part of a completeness that few full-backs can harness.
Underscoring that point, he ranks among the top 6% of Premier League full-backs this season for goal involvements and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, emphasising that robust athleticism and attacking quality.
It’s worth noting Robertson has yet to score or assist in the Premier League this term, having typically been an unceasing source of output under Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool's AndrewRobertsoncelebrates after the match
He’s still an experienced and valued part of the team, not least because of his deep-rooted connection with Virgil van Dijk, but Kostas Tsimikas has never managed to make the berth his own and will likely be sold to make way for one of Ait-Nouri or Kerkez this summer.
Looking more closely at the transfer targets in question, the case could be made that, yes, Ait-Nouri is the player to go for.
Matches (starts)
33 (33)
34 (34)
Goals
4
2
Assists
7
5
Touches*
61.8
59.1
Pass completion
86%
80%
Big chances created
8
7
Key passes*
1.1
1.0
Dribbles*
1.6
0.6
Ball recoveries*
4.0
4.5
Tackles + interceptions*
3.2
2.6
Clearances*
1.8
2.8
Duels (won)*
5.8 (54%)
4.1 (53%)
There’s a lot to unpack in that table, but you can clearly see Ait-Nouri is more energetic and active than his Bournemouth counterpart, edging him in creative metrics too.
If the Anfield test serves as an audition for potential targets, Ait-Nouri passed with flying colours back in February, subduing Mohamed Salah as Liverpool scraped their way to a nail-biting victory.
The Algerian won five duels, made two dribbles and made two further key passes, also making three clearances as he contributed toward a second half in which the Reds failed to attempt a single shot.
WolverhamptonWanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri celebrates scoring their first goal
Kerkez has been one of the emerging success stories in the English top division this year, but Ait-Nouri has the sweeping skills to make a real difference in Slot’s team, combative and determined in defence with an offensive dimension that is singular in its residence on the left flank of the field.
He was even hailed as “one of the Premier League’s best players in 2024” by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley. And you could change the four to five in that quote; Ait-Nouri has only gone from strength to strength under Vitor Pereira’s wing, instrumental in Wolves’ ongoing six-game winning run, striking a goal-and-assist performance against Spurs and assisting again during the recent 3-0 win over doomed Leicester City.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Either left-back would be a welcome and worthy addition to Slot’s project. But if we’re being pedantic – and you best believe Liverpool’s data-driven analysts are among the most scrupulous in the business – Ait-Nouri is the one to go for.
The new Gravenberch: Liverpool ready bid for "one of the best in the world"
Liverpool are set to make a bid for a talent who could be Arne Slot’s next Ryan Gravenberch.
England and India served up a treat at Lord’s, leaving the series delicately poised. Alan Gardner was joined by Sid Monga and Vish Ehantharajah to discuss what went down
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jul-2025England and India served up a Test match for the ages at Lord’s, one that was eventually won by 22 runs deep into the final day as the hosts took a 2-1 lead with two to play. With the dust still settling on the closest contest of the series, Alan Gardner was joined by Sidharth Monga and Vithushan Ehantharajah to pick through all the goodness – from honours board appearances for Joe Root, Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, to Jofra Archer’s comeback, Ravindra Jadeja’s herocis, Ben Stokes’ juju and the welcome return of on-field needle as the tour reaches its pointy end.
Afghanistan just about avoided the ignominy of being dismissed for their lowest-ever ODI total
Sampath Bandarupalli22-Aug-202359 Afghanistan’s total in the first ODI against Pakistan is the lowest by any team against Pakistan in the men’s ODIs. The previous lowest was 64 all out by New Zealand in 1986 in Sharjah.1 Number of ODI totals by Afghanistan lower than the 59 all out in Hambantota. Their lowest remains 58 all out against Zimbabwe at the start of 2016 in Sharjah. Afghanistan’s previous lowest ODI total since becoming a Full-Member nation also came in Hambantota when they were bowled out for 116 against Sri Lanka earlier in June this year.142 Pakistan’s margin of victory in the first ODI is the highest for any team in men’s ODIs, with a total of 201 or less while batting first. The previous biggest win was by South Africa, who defeated Zimbabwe by 120 runs despite being bowled out for 198 in the Bloemfontein ODI in 2017.14.33 Bowling average in the Hambantota ODI is the lowest for a men’s ODI in Sri Lanka, where 15 or more wickets fell. Afghanistan and Pakistan bowlers shared 18 wickets in the first ODI for 258 runs. The previous lowest was 14.7 in the 1986 Colombo ODI, between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, where all 20 wickets went to the bowlers for 294 runs.5 for 18 Haris Rauf’s bowling figures in the game, the second best for Pakistan in men’s ODIs in Sri Lanka. Shahid Afridi has the best figures – he took 5 for 16 against Kenya in the 2011 World Cup, also in Hambantota.61 Imam-ul-Haq’s score in the first ODI is the joint-fourth lowest individual score to outscore the opposition’s total in a men’s ODI. Darren Lehmann and Andrew Symonds scored 50 and 59 during the 2003 World Cup game against Namibia, who were bowled out for only 45, while AB de Villiers (52) outscored Sri Lanka’s 43 all out in 2012 by nine runs. Jacques Rudolph’s unbeaten 61 was enough to outscore West Indies’ 54 all out in 2004.8 Wickets taken by Afghanistan’s spinners in this match. It is only the sixth instance where Pakistan lost eight or more wickets to spinners in a men’s ODI game. Only once have Pakistan lost more than eight wickets to spinners – nine against Bangladesh in 2011 in Chattogram.
At a time when Afghanistan is in the world’s political focus again, the first pan-subcontinental star offers a respite from all that heavy context
Osman Samiuddin14-Jun-2021There’s been something slightly disorienting about watching Rashid Khan, Afghan superstar, in the Pakistan Super League, although that feeling is also entirely appropriate. Though this is a debut in the league for him in body, in spirit it feels like a homecoming. This is a league run by the country he grew up in, possibly spent his formative cricket years in; where his cricket hero is from; where a large segment of the population are kindred to him in soul, mind and spirit – a tie that can never be erased or confined by material irrelevances like passports or borders.Said league, as it happens, is being played in a country Khan now resides in for convenience, because it allows him to travel easily. Said country is also the birthplace of said league, so Rashid Khan, a 24×7 on-the-road athlete, is, in many roundabout ways, home.He has been a life-affirming figure at this PSL, not least because it plays out at a time when that dreaded, wholly inadequate, hyphenated term “Af-Pak” is (with capital I) Important again. The TL;DR is that the US is pulling the last of its troops out of Afghanistan, 20 years after 9/11 and that has (capital I again) Implications for neighbouring Pakistan because there have been implications forever since the British drew a line in the sand in 1893 and divided one people into two.In a tiny but undeniable way Khan’s participation is significant in this connection – to say that yes, there is some very real life to sort out, but in the meantime here’s a slice of life that is also real and infinitely less exhausting. What is being played out here, an Afghan icon starring in Pakistan’s biggest event, is both a refuge from all that geopolitical context but also a reminder that the context need not be something to always take refuge from.Related
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And at some level, to Pakistanis specifically, it should be challenging. Millions of Afghans fled Afghanistan to seek refuge in Pakistan after the Soviet invasion of their country in 1979. But in a metropolis like Karachi, far from being seen as fellow sufferers – let alone citizens, because a majority have not been allowed to become citizens – they are seen by Pakistanis as troublesome, and worse, deleterious to society at large.More directly, hopefully, by dint of Khan’s participation in the PSL, through simple familiarity it can work away at the complications of cricket ties between the two countries, tied up within the broader complications of that hyphen. Khan’s celebration of the dismissal of Asif Ali in the 2018 Asia Cup is part of the friction, the clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan fans in Leeds in the 2019 World Cup a result of it.Imagine, though, the power of him bowling as he did last Thursday against Peshawar Zalmi but doing it in front of a full house at Gaddafi Stadium, the home of his team? Better yet, at some point, imagine him playing in Peshawar, once – maybe forever – a home, in front of thousands of his people? There’s not enough wattage in the world to measure the electricity of such an occasion.In a way, prolonged participation in the PSL should also complete the uniqueness of his stature. Here is a player whose home is Afghanistan, who has grown up in Pakistan, who is not only a star in India but plays his “home” internationals there. He plays those for a country that is central to a geo-strategic proxy war – bragging rights, in plainer words – between the other two.He is at home right across these three countries. He is freely able to play in front of their crowds. He is freely able to play alongside their best players and against them. To varying degrees, each of the three can claim a bit of him, and Pakistan more once he has played more of the PSL. To that end, speaking publicly in Urdu post-match has been a nice touch. It may appear a small touch but, given that until as recently as the 2019 World Cup, Afghanistan’s team was reportedly under instructions by its board to not speak Urdu publicly, it is not that small.
Imagine him playing in Peshawar, once – maybe forever – a home, in front of thousands of his people? There’s not enough wattage in the world to measure the electricity of such an occasion
That could make him potentially the first true pan-subcontinent star. Nobody, not Hanif, not Mankad, not Gavaskar, not Kapil, not Imran, not Javed, not Wasim, not Sachin, not Kohli, not Babar – none can claim to have cut through the jingoism and blind hatred that blights cricket fandom in these countries. In the adulation and respect he inspires in these countries Khan might have quietly accrued a status that sets him apart from nationalities. He’s a country of one, and equally one of all countries. It seems unnecessary to state that how big he is in Australia too.There’s so much going on here, and after it all there is still his cricket. Of which, it’s safe to say that he has equalled his hero in some respects. “He is one player who has fans all over the world,” Khan told the a couple of years ago. “You don’t get such players every day. Check his record, he doesn’t have many centuries, but whenever he arrived, he would hit four-five-six sixes, entertain and leave. That is why he had fans. You to become his fan.”Aside from the detail of the batting, this could be about Khan himself. He, of course, was talking about Shahid Afridi, whose gravitational force he himself now comfortably channels, and which demands you’re pinned down for every single ball he’s involved in. Plus, he creates these moments, it seems, far more consistently. The other night, against Islamabad United, he stole a win with the bat in all of five balls, which in totality was a very Afridi thing to do but in its execution was far more ruthless. Although, just as Afridi would tell himself walking to the crease, Khan told himself to not play big shots. But when it came to the crunch, like Afridi again, he couldn’t hold himself back.By now everyone knows everything about the genius in his bowling, not that this knowledge helps batsmen any. Each ball is delivered as an expression of the same superiority and certainty as has been done by the true masters – the Marshalls or McGraths or Akrams.A special word for the googly, though. Fittingly for the nature of the delivery, Khan’s googly works in the opposite way to most others. The more he bowls it the it is understood, like the best magic, or undoubtedly for some people, maths.This is a great league for showing off googlies in. For a long while, it was a Pakistani delivery and in Imran Tahir at the Multan Sultans, there is a direct descendent of the Abdul Qadir lineage. At the same franchise there is also Qadir’s blood, and perhaps the beginnings of a theory that the googly can be inherited genetically. Khan’s googly though stands apart from all of them. And in doing so, it still feels right at home.
The summer transfer window has given way to a greater obstacle: the 2025/26 campaign. Newcastle United have it all to do in the Premier League after away-day blues have left Eddie Howe’s side 14th as the November international break trundles along.
It was a testing summer, and no mistake. United staked their stance regarding Alexander Isak, but then Liverpool thrashed against that post throughout August, and the Sweden striker ended up completing a British-record move to last season’s deposed Carabao Cup holders.
Nick Woltemade has been in emphatic form for club and country this season. The club-record signing has smoothly replaced Isak at number nine, but too many Magpie forwards are flattering to deceive around him.
And this struggle falls onto Howe’s desk. The tactician needs to find a solution, no matter the issues across the off-season months.
Should Newcastle fail to improve, noise concerning Howe’s future will only intensify.
Why Howe's future is a hot topic
Newcastle are in a rut, but they can certainly climb out of it. Let’s not forget that United were beaten 4-2 at Brentford a week into December 2024, and that result had the Toon down in 12th, with five wins from 15.
But this doesn’t change the fact that Newcastle need to improve. PIF are lenient when it comes to the man who has given this club glory, but that will only stretch so far after much investment.
The crux of the matter centres on the away form. Newcastle have only won once on the road all term, and that was against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.
Newcastle’s Form in 25/26 (all comps)
Home
Stat
Away
10
Games
7
7
Wins
1
0
Draws
3
3
Losses
3
20
Goals scored
7
9
Goals conceded
8
2.1
PPG
1.16
The thought of another coach in the dugout hardly bears thinking about, but Howe’s a pragmatic man, and he will know that he needs to find a solution. Tweaks are not enough here; Newcastle are in need of a reset.
Should that end up stretching over to the managerial berth, technical director Ross Wilson is bound to consider a Premier League rival who has been riding the crest of a wave.
Newcastle's dream Howe replacement
It’s important to stress that Newcastle are not actively looking to oust Howe from the hot seat. This is one of the greatest managers in the club’s history, and the struggles of recent months hardly negate the immortal 2024/25 campaign.
If Newcastle do need to bring someone new to St. James’ Park, they couldn’t do much better than Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, someone described as a “top five manager in the world” by one Premier League content creator.
Last week, the Mirror revealed that the Austrian coach is one of four names possibly available to PIF if they decide to commit to a mid-season reshuffle.
Glasner has achieved illustrious success with Palace, winning last season’s FA Cup and then beating Liverpool to lift the Community Shield in August. He is leading the Londoners through the Conference League campaign.
Hailed by analyst Pythagoras in Boots as being an “underappreciated” and “Champions League-level manager”, Glasner has done nothing over the past several years to suggest the contrary.
This is a shrewd and attractive tactician, whose typical 3-4-2-1 formation underscores an outside-the-box methodology that has only been on the money since he set foot onto English shores.
His slick attacking play could be exactly what Newcastle need. Moreover, this could give rise to Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon finding their footing once again, both wingers having toiled this term and yet to score or assist in the Premier League.
But the appointment would have the greatest effect on Woltemade, with the 23-year-old already clinical, already dangerous. Just look at Jean-Phillippe Mateta, who holds the joint-highest appearance tally at Glasner’s Palace, having scored 38 goals from 78 outings.
The Frenchman’s newfound fluency in the final third owes to the creative impetus. Indeed, Chelsea are the only side in the Premier League to have created more xG than the Selhurst Park side this season.
Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders
Club
Position
xG
1. Chelsea
3rd
20.4
2. Crystal Palace
2nd
19.3
3. Man City
10th
19.0
4. Arsenal
1st
18.8
5. Man United
7th
18.2
12. Newcastle
14th
12.8
Data via FBref
It is not unfair to surmise that a large degree of Newcastle’s issues in the Premier League centre around creativity.
Therefore, Woltemade’s emphatic start to life as the club’s central striker is made all the more impressive, and that’s without even considering the injury to fellow newbie Yoane Wissa, Prem-proven and yet to kick a ball in black and white.
Woltemade has already established his goal threat, six goals for Newcastle since completing a £69m move from Stuttgart in August. The 6 foot 6 striker has bagged four goals from three recent caps with Germany.
This is not to suggest that Howe doesn’t have the capacity to unlock the highest levels of Woltemade’s potential, but Glasner prioritises aggressive wide play that loops into the middle of the area, with a focus on much running and high intensity.
Woltemade is only completing one dribble every two Premier League fixtures, but his Sofascore heat map underscores a mobility that escapes many other centre-forwards.
But FBref shows that Woltemade ranks among the top 18% of positional peers in the division for progressive passes and the top 8% for carries made per 90, emphasising his technical skill and his willingness to move about.
In this, the German could be the perfect head of a new tactical system at Newcastle. We all hope that Howe finds a solution and Newcastle do not need to undergo any drastic transformation, but Glasner is worth his weight in gold and could be a fantastic and uplifting appointment for the Tynesiders.
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