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Boards set to discuss India-Pakistan fallout during ICC quarterly meeting

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The USA Cricket crisis and image-rights tensions between the ICC and the WCA will also be on the agenda

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Nov-2025The fallout from the Asia Cup 2025 fracas between India and Pakistan, the governance crisis at USA Cricket (USAC), and tensions between the ICC and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over player-image rights are set to dominate discussions across various forums at this week’s ICC quarterly meetings in Dubai. Cricket’s chief executives will meet on November 5, before the Board meeting – of all board heads – takes place on November 7.

Asia Cup fallout

Though the issue is not officially on the agenda, it is likely to come up at the Board meeting on November 7, and is likely to be the subject of informal discussions on the sidelines. Tensions between the BCCI and PCB have mirrored those between the governments of India and Pakistan this year, and matters came to a head during the Asia Cup, where the teams met three times. The games were marred by a no-handshakes stance instigated by the BCCI and four players – Haris Rauf, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Sahibzada Farhan – were censured by the ICC for gestures or comments deemed to be political in nature.Related

  • Rauf gets two-match ban; Suryakumar, Bumrah sanctioned after Asia Cup drama

  • USA cricket crisis worsens as USAC files for bankruptcy

  • India can come and collect Asia Cup trophy if they want it, says ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi

  • ICC suspends USA Cricket board

  • ICC and WCA could clash over player image rights for mobile game

Arguably the thorniest issue will be of the Asia Cup trophy itself. India won it, beating Pakistan in the final, but refused to come out and accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chair and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) head. The trophy has not been seen since, with reports suggesting it is in an ACC office in the UAE. Naqvi has insisted he, and only he, will hand over the trophy as ACC head.Owing to Naqvi’s political commitments (he is Pakistan’s interior minister), it isn’t clear whether he will be present in person at the meeting or if he joins it remotely.Board members are aware of the need for healthier ties between India and Pakistan because of the rivalry’s commercial impact on the global game. Some members expect a resolution to be chalked out this week.

ICC-WCA NIL rights tussle

Among the ICC’s more important strategic initiatives is its mobile game offering, for which it is looking for a partner. Plans to launch the game, compatible on mobile, PC, and games consoles, have been in the works as the ICC taps into what it believes will be a fast-growing revenue stream.While it remains optimistic about the project, the ICC has run into a potential dispute around the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rights for the game with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). The WCA recently wrote to the 600 players registered with it globally – Indian and Pakistani players are notably not its members – saying the ICC was developing the mobile game “built on your name, image, likeness (NIL), without agreeing to terms with players collectively.”At the ICC’s annual conference in July, some members suggested that the boards should deal directly with their players over image rights, a move the WCA said was a breach of an agreement it had signed with the ICC. The WCA has accused the global governing body and some member boards of wanting to own the players’ name, image and likeness (NIL) rights beyond terms already agreed. The CEC (chief executives’ committee) will hear an update from members on their progress in terms of securing those rights on Wednesday.Cricket will be part of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles•Getty Images

Medium-term strategic reset

The ICC management is aiming for a medium-term strategy refresh, including looking at ways to exploit new funding mechanisms. This includes looking at ways of leveraging the sport’s presence in an increasing number of multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth and Asian Games and the Olympics. The governing body will also be looking at ways to adopt best practices from other sports like tennis, baseball and football in terms of exploiting the properties they own.

Olympics qualification pathway

The CEC is expected to get an update on the detailed qualification model for Los Angeles 2028, where cricket will feature at the Olympics for the first time since 1900. While the ICC Board had given its nod to a continental qualification system, the CEC is likely to get a broader idea on how the qualifying teams – six each in the men’s and women’s categories – will be shortlisted. The CEC will also get operational updates on cricket’s inclusion at the 2026 Asian Games and the African Games, Pan Am Games and European Games of 2027.The CEC will likely review and approve proposed qualification pathways for four forthcoming ICC events: the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup (to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia), the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup (to be held in Australia and New Zealand), the 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy and the 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup. It will also consider a recommendation to retain the 50-overs format for the Under-19 World Cup, which would allow Associate Members to strengthen their domestic structure in the longer white-ball format.USAC is in a tight spot in its bid to secure National Governing Body status, which will allow USA to participate in the LA Olympics•ICC/Getty Images

USAC and its future

On September 23, the ICC Board took the unanimous decision to suspend USAC with immediate effect for serious “breaches” including bringing cricket and the ICC into “disrepute” as well as failing to fulfil ICC membership criteria. In the suspension letter, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, the ICC charged USAC with “reneging on the commitments it made” to the ICC Board at the annual conference in July.USAC escaped suspension in July having committed to fulfil the conditions set by the ICC Board by October 20 including holding fresh board elections. But USAC first terminated its contract with long-term commercial partner American Cricket Enterprise (ACE), and then initiated bankruptcy proceedings, which it said was part of the financial restructuring of the organisation. The ICC did not take kindly to this, especially since it had been working closely with the US Olympics and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to secure National Governing Body status for USAC (which is necessary for the USA to participate in the LA Olympics). The USOPC had already warned the ICC that it would not allot NGB status to USAC in its current form unless its governance structure was overhauled and the current board replaced with a new one.In October the ICC sent another email to USAC spelling out the steps needed for the suspension to be lifted. Among the various conditions it set, the ICC told USAC that filing for bankruptcy was a violation of membership criteria, but recommended it “exit” the proceedings in a “satisfactory” manner. It is understood that under bankruptcy law, USAC has to provide the court with a financial plan for the next six months. With the ICC suspension halting its funding, the USAC management has been talking to the ICC about a way out. The ICC has told USAC that it will only fund cricketing operations for now, and nothing else.USAC is expected to write to the ICC Board, which is expected to discuss the issue on Friday, to understand the next steps.

New day, same old troubles: India left to play catch-up despite superior show

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Small errors, non-traditional dismissals, another collapse, and India had lost another opportunity to make losing this Test improbable

Sidharth Monga12-Jul-20251:30

Manjrekar: ‘The grind’ a great facet of Jadeja’s batting evolution

For a moment if you forget the last session of the day is always longer, at drinks in the middle session of the Saturday of Lord’s we reached the halfway point of the series. Two Tests, two days and 1.5 sessions in, India had scored 2139 runs and lost 41 wickets, making it an average of 52.17 and scoring rate of 4.17 per over. They had conceded 1903 runs and taken 45 wickets at 42.29 apiece and 4.21 per over. They had kept England in the field for 513 overs and had themselves bowled just 452.5This kind of superiority is usually enough to win Test series. And it can be argued India ought to have been even more superior on these numbers because India had been better on control numbers. India’s bowlers had drawn false shots to 17.76% of the deliveries they had bowled as against England’s 12.45%.Account for regulation amounts of luck going England’s way, but you would still expect India to be ahead of England at the halfway point of the series. Instead, the series scoreline read 1-1, and the first innings of this Test was England 387 all out vs India 290 for 5. Somehow India had contrived to be only just level, playing catch-up really considering they had to bat last on what started as an aged pitch during what is among the hottest Tests played at Lord’s.Related

  • Big-game Stokes pushes his limits to keep England alive

  • 'Disappointing for both of us' – Rahul says rush for century led to Pant run-out

  • The wait is Over: Six balls and a lifetime later, Jofra Archer returns with a bang

  • Rahul, Pant and Jadeja star as Lord's Test turns into second-innings shootout

  • India's 350-plus streak in Tests, and a rare first-innings tie

The latest slip-up came after India had vowed not to gift wickets in the aftermath of the Headingley defeat where they endured collapses of 7 for 41 and 6 for 31 to bowling that didn’t call for them. They showed the corrections at Edgbaston, kept England in the field for 234 overs and levelled the series.At Lord’s, India batted with similar resolve, got into positions of strength through a 141-run partnership between KL Rahul and the injured Rishabh Pant, but found a new skittish way to let England back in.Rahul, having never scored two centuries in a series, started the last over before lunch on 97, got a short and wide ball, but cut it straight to the sweeper. Just for perspective – and not to suggest it was bothering Rahul – Kumar Sangakkara on air had just finished saying how he hated going into breaks just short of a milestone. He said he would have been looking for a boundary.Rahul’s non-striker, Pant, was more disappointed. He seemed more invested in Rahul’s century. He could be heard on stump mic: “It was a bad ball, deserved four.” Rahul said he did go for it, but found the fielder. The unspoken was spoken now. The two now had the milestone on their mind. Pant looked to manipulate a single off the next two balls, and on the second, the two just looked up at each other and set off.They had survived a whole session of the best England had to throw at them including a bouncer barrage, Rahul serenely, Pant slightly more entertainingly despite having to look after his injured digit. And then a three-way nightmare came together: a milestone jeopardy, a quick single and the Ben Stokes juju. It was such a poorly judged single that Stokes had a choice of ends to go for.Chris Woakes had Ravindra Jadeja caught down the leg side•Getty ImagesIndia had once again found a newer non-traditional way to lose a Test wicket to a Stokes-led piece. They have been doing this since Hyderabad at the start of the home series in 2023-24.Imagine playing the superior cricket through the series, and struggling to avoid trailing in the series halfway into it. When Ravindra Jadeja was joined by Nitish Kumar Reddy, India were 133 behind.Jadeja is just the man you want to see at such a time. Please don’t do a double take. He is the most old-school batter in the Indian line-up. So old-school he hasn’t changed his technique to allow for DRS. He still defends spin with bat beside the pad. He just reacts to what is bowled at him.And still for about the next half hour, India didn’t enjoy the calm Jadeja should bring to the middle. Borne mostly out of Jadeja’s propensity to take two or three steps down the pitch every time his bat touches the ball, it was another spell of skittish and frantic play that could have got India into trouble.Desperately due some luck, India miraculously avoided any run out. Not every lesson has to be as harsh as the Headingley one. Jadeja’s serenity took over. He was only the fourth batter in the Test to be in control of 100 balls or more. At a control rate of 91%, this innings was as good as any played in the match. Coming at the stage that it did, it sent a message if it needed repeating: if you are good enough, in these conditions you can thrive even if you take just what is offered.And then, with ascendency in sight, the juju struck again. There had been a period of wide and dry bowling from England, understandably so, the new ball had been seen off, and just when India might have started to think of forcing the issue, Jadeja tickled one down the leg side. Another non-traditional dismissal, another collapse, and India had lost another opportunity to make losing this Test improbable.At the end of the day’s play, India averaged 48.6 with the bat at 3.97 per over, England 42.33 and 4.19 per over. And yet, England were two ahead with all their second-innings wickets in hand in the third Test and the series 1-1. With temperatures rising both in the air and on the pitch, India will be counting the costs of their small errors here and there.

Kohli in Tests: Six double-tons in 18 months, and India's most successful captain

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Kohli ends his Test career with an average under 50 but was among the very best at his peak

Shiva Jayaraman12-May-20254:15

Kumble: Everyone knew if Kohli goes past 20, it’s going to be a big one

Virat Kohli finishes as the fourth-most prolific India batter in Test cricket with 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. His 30 hundreds are also the fourth highest by an India batter in Tests. Kohli’s seven double-hundreds are also the most by an India batter and the highest by any batter in Tests since his debut. Kohli is the only batter in Tests to score over 1000 runs at an average of 75 or more in two successive calendar years.Kohli’s best years in Test cricket started with the Australia tour in 2014-15, when he scored 692 runs in the series at an average of 86.50, including four hundreds. From that series to the end of Bangladesh tour of India in 2019-20, he amassed 5347 runs in Tests at an average of 63.65 and made 21 of his 30 centuries from just 90 innings.This prolific period for Kohli though was bookended by years that belie his stature as a premier Test batter of his era. Since the beginning of 2020, Kohli scored just over 2000 runs in 39 Test matches at a poor average of 30.72. Among 32 top-order batters with 50 or more innings in Tests in this period, Kohli’s average is the fourth lowest. These numbers have fallen dramatically in his last ten Tests: Kohli managed just 382 runs in 19 innings at an average of 22.47. More than a fourth of these runs came in a single in Perth last year where he made an unbeaten 100.

Kohli’s start to his career wasn’t as bad and was acceptable, if not spectacular. In his first 24 Tests before the England tour in 2014, he made 1721 runs at an average of 46.51 and hit six hundreds with a highest of 119. However, in the series in England, his indecisive footwork against the moving ball in English conditions saw him fall cheaply time and again. Kohli could score all of 134 runs in ten innings in the series. Despite this, Martin Crowe would identify him as one of the batters to watch out for in the future – one among the ‘fab four’.And Crowe would be proven right. From the beginning of the 2014-15 season to end of calendar year 2019, Kohli’s 5347 runs in Tests were only surpassed by Steven Smith and Joe Root – two of the other three batters in the fab four. Smith was the only batter to average higher than Kohli during that period among 72 batters to score 1000 or more runs.Kohli was at his absolute peak in the 18-month period between the 2016 and the 2018-19 seasons. His first double-hundred in Tests came against West Indies in North Sound in July 2016. By the end of 2017 he would add five more to that number in his next 33 innings, making it the second-most prolific run of 34 Test innings in terms of double-hundreds after Don Bradman’s. Bradman had a run of 34 innings beginning with his 254 at the Lord’s in the 1930 Ashes, when he racked up eight double-centuries in 34 innings.Getty ImagesThis was the period when Kohli was arguably the best Test batter. No one scored more runs than him and no one with at least 250 runs averaged higher than him in this period. Kohli scored more runs and averaged higher than the other three batters in the fab four.

In fact, Kohli’s most prolific run of 50 Test innings rubs shoulders with the very best in Test cricket. From the Eden Gardens Test against New Zealand in 2016-17 to the Boxing Day Tests in Melbourne in 2018-19, Kohli made 3304 runs at an average of 71.93 in 50 innings. Only six other batters have scored more runs in a stretch of 50 innings in Tests. Not surprisingly, Bradman leads this bunch with over 5000 runs that he scored between 1930 and 1946. The others above in this list are Viv Richards, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Brian Lara and and Ricky Ponting.ESPNcricinfo LtdKohli was more successful at home than away with the bat. He scored 4336 runs at an average of 55.58 in 55 Tests in India. In away Tests (excluding the two World Test Championship finals) he scored 4774 runs at an average of 41.51. However, that middling average doesn’t mean Kohli didn’t have his highs in away Tests. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014-15, he made 692 runs at an average of 86.50. Among India batters, only Gavaskar has scored more runs in an away series than Kohli in that series. Kohli’s 692 runs are also the fifth highest by an visiting batter in a series in Australia.After his disastrous first tour to England in 2014, he returned to the country in 2018 to score 593 runs at an average of 59.30, including two hundred and three fifties in ten innings. These are the second-highest runs scored by an India batter in a series in England. Only Rahul Dravid’s tally of 602 from just six innings in the 2002 series is higher.In fact, these two tours make him one of the only two visiting batters to score over 500 runs at an average of 50 or more in a series in both England and Australia, Dravid being the other batter with such a distinction.ESPNcricinfo LtdKohli is among the most prolific visiting batters in Tests in South Africa too since its readmission to Test cricket. His 891 runs scored across four series at an average of 49.50 are the fourth highest by any visiting batter in that country since 1992. Only Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Stephen Fleming scored higher than Kohli, but all of them averaged lower than him.While there are visiting batters who averaged higher than Kohli in South Africa, Kohli often had to negotiate tough pitches – like the ones in Johannesberg in 2017-18 and Centurion in 2023-24. He also often had to bat without support from the other India batters against the South Africa pacers who seemed to get more from the pitches than their India counterparts did. That reflected in the average of India batters: in innings when Kohli batted, the other India batters averaged just 18.30 per dismissal. The ratio of Kohli’s average of 2.70 to the other batters in the team is the highest for any visiting batter with at least ten innings in South Africa since 1992.

As Test captain, Kohli was one of the most prolific batters in the format, scoring 5864 runs at an average of 54.80. It helped that his captaincy stint largely coincided with his best years with the bat in Test cricket. While his runs are the fourth highest by a captain, his 20 centuries while leading India are surpassed only Graeme Smith who scored 25 hundreds as a Test captain.In matches that he led India, Kohli contributed 16.45 percent of India’s bat runs. Among 18 captains to have led in 50 or matches, Kohli’s contribution is second highest after Root’s 16.67 percent. No other captain has contributed more than 15 percent to their team’s totals among the others.

However, Kohli’s biggest contribution as a captain in Tests was arguably his eagerness to build an attack that could take 20 wickets in all conditions, by putting together a pace pack that could win matches on its own. India always had spinners who could win Tests in helpful conditions, but it was under Kohli’s captaincy that fast bowlers thrived. Under Kohli as captain, India’s fast bowlers took 591 wickets at an average of 26.00 and strike rate of 51.84. Among those who led in 50 or more Tests, the pacers’ strike rate under Kohli of 51.39 ranks second only to Viv Richards’ pace attack of the 80s.ESPNcricinfo LtdWhile there could be debate on where Kohli stands among the echelons of the best batters India has seen, with 40 wins in 68 Tests, he will indisputably sign off as the most successful India captain ever, and also among all captains in the last decade and a half.

Premier League suitors learn value of Antoine Semenyo release clause that is active in January and is LOWER next summer

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

It has been reported how much Premier League suitors have to pay to trigger Antoine Semenyo's release clause ahead of the January transfer window. Semenyo is a wanted man by a number of the division's big hitters, with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United among those keen on the Bournemouth star. The Ghanaian was linked with a recent summer move away from the south coast but penned a five-year deal with the Cherries.

  • Bournemouth keen to keep Semenyo until the summer

    However, Bournemouth expect Semenyo to leave the club in the New Year as the Cherries reluctantly accept that they may be powerless to prevent the 25-year-old from leaving the club in the January transfer window. Semenyo has made a flying start to the season under Andoni Iraola having scored six goals and provided an additional three assists for Bournemouth.

    The south coast side are keen to retain their star man's services until the end of the season as they look to build upon a fine start to the campaign. Indeed, Bournemouth are currently ninth in the table following back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Aston Villa but level on 18 points with Tottenham, Villa, Manchester United and Liverpool from fifth down to eighth.

    Semenyo has been central to that solid start to the campaign even if he has failed to directly contribute to a goal in his last four league outings, which includes a penalty miss in a 4-0 loss at Villa last weekend.

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  • Getty Images Sport

    Spurs, Utd & Liverpool keen on January Semenyo move

    Semenyo had his suitors over the summer, with Tottenham and Manchester United previously keen on the forward. However, both teams opted to pursue alternative targets, with Spurs signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham, while United acquired Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford, respectively.

    Spurs and United have again been linked with a move for Semenyo, while Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the Bournemouth star. A report this week suggested that Liverpool have sounded out a January move for Semenyo as they look to revive their stuttering title defence.

    The Reds will also lose Mohamed Salah for the Africa Cup of Nations from mid-December, and they could be without the Egypt international for up to eight matches, which would include games at north London duo Spurs and Arsenal. While Salah has struggled to match last season's expectations, scoring just four goals and providing two assists in the Premier League this season, the Reds are wary about being caught short over the hectic winter period.

    Adam Wharton has also emerged as another potential target for Liverpool as the Premier League champions weigh up a move for the Crystal Palace youngster in a bid to shore up their midfield.

  • Interested parties learn of release clause

    Prior to Semenyo's decision to sign a new deal at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth had set a £70 million ($92m)  asking price on the forward in a bid to ward off interest. However, in penning a five-year contract with Bournemouth, The Athletic writes that Semenyo now has a release clause of £65m ($86m).

    Liverpool broke their transfer record over the summer to sign Alexander Isak, while Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike also made the move to Anfield for hefty fees. Spurs and United, meanwhile, both also spent big in the off-season, and it would take a significant outlay for the Premier League pair to land Semenyo.

    However, the release clause must be activated by a set date in January in order to allow Bournemouth to acquire a replacement for Semenyo, but is available to any team. What's more, while the clause stands at £65m in January, interested parties will be able to activate it at a lower price in the summer.

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  • Getty Images Sport

    Semenyo on Ghana duty before returning to domestic action

    Semenyo was part of the Ghana side that started a 2-0 loss to Japan in a friendly on Friday and is expected to feature from the outset against South Korea on Tuesday.

    Bournemouth and Semenyo then return to domestic duties with the welcome of West Ham on Saturday afternoon. The Hammers have won back-to-back league matches at the expense of Newcastle and Burnley following a rocky start to the season.

    The Cherries round off the month with a trip to high-flying Sunderland as Iraola looks to mastermind a return to winning ways following a downturn in form.

He's becoming a Saka & Eze hybrid: Arsenal have signed an "agent of chaos"

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

It’s been an incredible week to be an Arsenal fan.

On Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s side demolished Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

And then, if that wasn’t enough, the Gunners brushed aside the excellent Bayern Munich to go top of the Champions League table.

There were sensational performances across the pitch for Arsenal, including from someone who is becoming something of a hybrid between Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka.

Eze & Saka's performances vs Bayern

While the likes of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber are getting most of the praise following Wednesday night, and rightly so, Saka also put in a performance to be proud of.

Now, it’s true that he didn’t get on the scoresheet himself, but he did provide the assist for the opening goal and was a constant threat throughout his time on the pitch.

At certain points, he had to deal with three Bayern players on his own, but still managed to create two big chances, complete three of four crosses, take one shot on target and recover the ball twice.

It’s clear that the Hale End superstar is still not quite at his very best, but even without a goal to his name, he’s impacting games in a big way.

Likewise, Eze didn’t score a fourth goal in two games, but once again showed why he is one of the best number tens around against the German giants.

It was just before the visitors scored that he helped create a chance with some tidy footwork, only for him to just overhit the pass into Saka.

Then in the second half, every time he had the ball at his feet, he was looking to do something positive.

It was this mindset that saw him play an excellent ball over the top for Gabriel Martinelli to knock around Manuel Neuer and secure all three points.

Overall, Saka and Eze weren’t necessarily the best players on the pitch against Bayern, but they put in strong performances, and now it looks like Arsenal have a player who is becoming a hybrid of both.

Arsenal's Saka & Eze hybrid

With Saka undoubtedly being Arsenal’s most important player and Eze proving to be one of their best signings from the summer, a player would have to be pretty special to be described as a hybrid of the two.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Fortunately, despite certain sections of the fanbase clearly thinking otherwise in the summer, Noni Madueke has proven himself to be just that.

Now, nobody is saying the former Chelsea ace is as good as his compatriots, but he certainly shares some similarities with them.

For example, like the former Palace star, he is someone who can make something happen from nothing.

Granted, that hasn’t necessarily translated into a goal or assist this season, but he is such a direct attacker that, with the ball at his feet, he can make opposition defenders panic.

Moreover, like the 27-year-old, given his ability to make something of nothing, Arteta seems to have given him more freedom to try things on the ball.

Arsenal writer Adam Keys perhaps put it best when, after his goal against Bayern, he described the 23-year-old as an “agent of chaos,” which is just the sort of player the North Londoners have been missing in recent years.

Expected Assists

0.26

0.27

Progressive Passes Received

12.9

12.4

Key Passes

2.29

2.21

Live Passes

32.9

33.5

Tackles Won

0.57

0.58

Successful Take-On %

42.1%

40.5%

Carries

26.9

29.5

Now, when it comes to Saka, the similarities come down to their left-footedness, their close control, and the fact that FBref ranked the Hale Ender as the sixth-most similar attacking midfielder or winger to Madueke in Europe’s top five leagues.

The best way to understand how they came to this conclusion is to look at the underlying metrics they rank closely in, metrics like expected assists, key passes, tackles won, successful take-on percentage and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while his signing was not universally celebrated across the fanbase, Madueke has proven himself to be a more than useful player for Arsenal, and the fact that he shares so many traits with Saka and Eze can only be a good thing.

As good as Rice: Arsenal star has proven he's one of the best "in the world"

The outrageous Arsenal star was as good as Declan Rice in the Champions League victory over Bayern Munich.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 27, 2025

Amorim's "modern-day Berbatov" is now already on borrowed time at Man Utd

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

It’s been a turbulent 12 years or so in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United, a period dominated by talk of ‘projects’, ‘philosophies’ and ‘transitions’.

In truth, the Red Devils have tried it all, from hiring and firing managers at will, to changing directors and CEOs, to even shaking things up at ownership level.

The result? A worst-ever Premier League finish last season, with things again hanging in the balance this time around.

So many problems, so many people to blame, although one consistent theme remains the inability to acquire a truly consistent, world-class figure to lead the line.

Not since Robin van Persie’s breathtaking debut season in 2012/13 has any United player reached 20 Premier League goals in a season, with the club veering from short-term, Edinson Cavani-shaped fixes, to long-term, expensive gambles like Rasmus Hojlund.

Season

Player

Goals

2024/25

Bruno Fernandes & Amad

8

2023/24

Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund

10

2022/23

Marcus Rashford

17

2021/22

Cristiano Ronaldo

18

2020/21

Bruno Fernandes

18

2019/20

Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial

17

2018/19

Paul Pogba

13

2017/18

Romelu Lukaku

16

2016/17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

17

2015/16

Anthony Martial

11

2014/15

Wayne Rooney

12

2013/14

Wayne Rooney

17

2012/13

Robin van Persie

26

Ruben Amorim and INEOS are crying out for that next Van Persie, or Ruud van Nistelrooy or even Dimitar Berbatov to deliver the goods, with this season again another tale of frustration.

Every Premier League Golden Boot winner at Man Utd

As already stated, it was that man Van Persie – following his controversial switch from Arsenal – who last truly hit the ground running among United centre-forwards, scoring 26 league goals to fire Ferguson to his 13th and final title, while claiming the Premier League Golden Boot as a result.

The Dutchman had also received the honour the year prior during his last campaign at the Emirates, taking the award from the 2010/11 recipients of hero turned nemesis, Carlos Tevez of Manchester City and that man Berbatov.

A maverick talent in every sense, that campaign was the balletic Bulgarian at his very best in a United shirt, scoring 20 times as United romped to the title, memorably scoring that hat-trick to sink Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Far removed from the high-press, relentless talents of the likes of Tevez before him, Berbatov was all silk and intelligence, making up for his lack of pace and power by playing the game at his own speed.

While never truly prolific, the one-time Tottenham Hotspur man remains one of just five players to have won the Golden Boot while playing for United, with that list unsurprisingly completed by Van Nistelrooy (2002/03), Cristiano Ronaldo (2007/08) and Dwight Yorke (1998/99).

Whether anyone will reach such heights again at the Theatre of Dreams remains to be seen, and while patience continues with regard to Benjamin Sesko, time is swiftly running out for Joshua Zirkzee.

Why Man Utd’s new Berbatov is on borrowed time

To defend the modern or current crop, Fergie’s great sides all had a string of forwards who could carry the burden.

For every Yorke, there was an Andy Cole. For every Van Nistelrooy, a Louis Saha. Or for every Van Persie, a great like Wayne Rooney.

That depth, that competition, is no longer there, a fact perhaps best highlighted by the lack of action afforded to Zirkzee of late, with the Dutchman merely a bystander to proceedings this season.

With Sesko the leading number nine, Amorim has also deployed Matheus Cunha through the middle for trips to Anfield and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, thus reducing Zirkzee’s hopes of featuring even further.

While the 24-year-old doesn’t appear to have been too wounded by such a status – having creditably been seen celebrating with his teammates in recent weeks – the writing does appear to be on the wall with regard to his United career.

As journalist Samuel Luckhurst put it, he was “reduced to a fleeting waterboy” against Spurs.

Once hailed as “the modern-day Berbatov” by Billy Meredith, such is his fleet of foot and deft touch, such traits have also been his undoing, with his self-proclaimed ‘nine and a half’ role seeing him become unsuited to Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.

At a time when the Portuguese coach is looking for his next Viktor Gyokeres, a powerful, pacy forward to run the channels – alla Sesko – the former Bologna man is anything but, instead better served linking play and dropping deep to kickstart attacks.

In a different side and in a different era, Zirkzee may well have thrived as a complementary talent to Rooney, Tevez and co, although in the age of one man up top, he does appear to be the face that doesn’t fit.

Indeed, it isn’t as if the Netherlands international has really made his presence felt when he has featured, scoring just seven times in 54 games for the club, only three of which have come in the Premier League.

Yet to score in 2025/26, albeit while totalling just 90 minutes, the £105k-per-week marksman appears destined to depart in 2026, be it in January or next summer.

From fighting his way back after being jeered off against Newcastle United in December, Zirkzee does appear to be up for the challenge, although such are the demands that Amorim places on his strikers, this might not be one he can win.

Unless something drastic does occur, INEOS’ £36m man will sadly be the latest victim of the post-Ferguson striking curse. Where will that next Golden Boot winner come from?

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Gill discharged from hospital but remains doubtful for Guwahati Test

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

India have a training session in Kolkata on Tuesday morning but Gill is not expected to take part in that

Sreshth Shah16-Nov-20253:39

Bangar: Sai Sudharsan should have played instead of a fourth spinner

India Test captain Shubman Gill has been discharged from the hospital where he was receiving treatment for neck spasm sustained during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He, however, remains in doubt for the second Test in Guwahati starting Saturday.India have a training session in Kolkata on Tuesday morning but Gill is not expected to take part in that. The team is expected to fly to Guwahati on Wednesday, but with commercial air travel not advised for people recovering from neck issues, Gill is unlikely to fly with the team that day.Head coach Gautam Gambhir said at the post-match press conference that Gill was “still being assessed”, with another assessment to be carried out by the physio and team soon. Gill’s absence in the fourth innings left India a batter short in their 30-run loss in a low-scoring game.Related

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“It was tough because we always knew we were one down,” Gambhir said after India were bowled out for 93 in their chase of 124. “Obviously, Shubman wasn’t there, and then losing two before lunch, we were literally three down. But we always felt that if we got those partnerships, a 50-run partnership or two 40-run partnerships, we would’ve been in the game.”If Gill is unavailable for the next Test, potential replacements are left-hand batters B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal. Sudharsan made 87 and 39 against West Indies in Delhi but had a top score of 32 in four innings for India A against South Africa A earlier this month. Padikkal, who played one Test each in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the home series against England, returned three single-digit scores and a 24 against South Africa A.If that’s the only change India make for the Guwahati Test, it would leave them with seven left-hand batters in their XI. In Kolkata, India fielded six left-hand batters for the first time. Of the eight wickets offspinner Simon Harmer took in the Kolkata Test, six were of left-hand batters, while part-time offspinner Aiden Markram also dismissed one left-hand batter.Gill was admitted to the hospital after the second day of the Kolkata Test, following the decision to retire hurt after facing only three balls in India’s first innings. On the morning of the third day, the BCCI said Gill would take no further part in the Test.Gill missed a Test against New Zealand in October 2024 due to a neck spasm too. His injury scare comes at a time when his workload has been under constant monitoring. He has played cricket non-stop across formats since IPL 2025 and was among four Test players who flew to Kolkata straight from Australia after the T20I series.

Man Utd have advantage over Chelsea in race for "midfield sensation" Assan Ouedraogo

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Manchester United are battling Chelsea over the signing of RB Leipzig’s highly-rated young midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, as Ruben Amorim eyes up new additions.

The Red Devils fell to a woeful 1-0 defeat at home to Everton on Monday evening, failing to beat a Blues side who played most of the game with ten men.

It was a big setback for Amorim, with United now going three Premier League matches without a win, and the manager bemoaned the performance of his players at Old Trafford.

It was further proof that United need to look at midfield additions, whether that be in the January or summer transfer window, and an exciting update has now dropped in that respect.

Man Utd have upper hand on Chelsea in Assan Ouedraogo race

According to Sky Germany [via Sport Witness], Manchester United are pushing ahead in their efforts to sign Ouedraogo from Leipzig in 2026. The Red Devils’ interest in the 19-year-old is “becoming more concrete” all the time, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also pushing for a deal.

United have an upper hand in that they have already had contacts with the player’s camp, pursuing him before he left Schalke in June 2024, but a “top offer” will be needed to pry him away from Leipzig given he has no release clause.

Ouedraogo is a huge young talent with so much potential, so United should be looking at him as a fantastic option to add to their midfield in the coming months.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are both in their 30s now, and struggled together against Everton, but the Leipzig star would be a long-term signing who would add much-needed fresh legs in the middle of the park.

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Ouedraogo recently scored on his debut for Germany, and he will be pushing to be one of the standout youngsters at 2026 World Cup, with scout Antonio Mango desribing him as a “midfield sensation” earlier this month.

While the German teenager is at his happiest in a central midfield role, he can also shine in a more attacking central berth, as well as on the left wing, and United beating Chelsea and others to his signature would feel like a major statement of intent.

Worse than Bruno Fernandes vs Everton: Amorim must bin Man Utd's 3/10 flop

Arrest made as Turkey claim over €300k in jewellery stolen from dressing room during Spain draw in World Cup qualifying

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Turkey’s national team reported over €300,000 worth of jewellery missing from their dressing room after the 2-2 draw against Spain in Seville, triggering a police investigation. A luxury watch and two rings vanished from La Cartuja before being recovered. At least one arrest has been made as authorities work to uncover how the theft took place.

Theft shock in Seville: Turkey report €300k jewellery missing

Turkey’s World Cup qualifying draw against Spain ended in dramatic fashion both on and off the pitch, after the Turkish federation reported the disappearance of high-value jewellery from their dressing room at La Cartuja Stadium. According to the initial complaint, a watch valued at approximately €200,000 and two rings estimated at more than €60,000 each were discovered missing shortly after full-time.

The Turkish delegation noticed the items were gone while preparing to leave the dressing room following the 2-2 draw. Stadium personnel later said they received a routine notice that “the Turkish team had left something behind in the locker room,” which at first appeared to be a common oversight. However, when staff checked, it became clear the missing belongings were not simply forgotten but potentially stolen, prompting an immediate formal report.

According to , police had launched a criminal investigation within hours, treating the incident as a suspected case of theft inside an area with restricted access. The timing of the disappearance, and the high value of the items, intensified scrutiny around the stadium’s security protocols during international fixtures.

Authorities later verified that the items were found and returned to Turkish officials, but by then the case had already escalated into a criminal probe involving multiple police units.

AdvertisementItems recovered as police confirm arrest

The report confirmed that both the watch and the two rings have been located and recovered, easing initial fears that they had been moved off-site or trafficked. However, the discovery did little to close the case, with officers emphasising that the objective now was to establish the full chain of events.

Spanish authorities stated that “the investigation is ongoing. Efforts are being made to determine exactly how the theft occurred and who is behind it.” Their remarks underscored that the recovered items do not automatically rule out internal involvement, especially given that La Cartuja’s dressing rooms are typically accessed only by players, staff, security personnel and approved stadium employees.

At least one arrest has been made, with police confirming they are analysing whether the individual had legitimate stadium access at the time. Investigators are working to determine if the detainee is a stadium employee or someone who “entered the area without permission,” a distinction that could reshape the legal penalties attached to the case.

Security review & legal process ahead

The recovery of the stolen items has eased immediate tensions, but both national federations are now awaiting the formal outcome of the ongoing police investigation. Stadium officials at La Cartuja are expected to carry out an internal security audit, especially regarding locker-room access and surveillance coverage during high-profile international fixtures.

With at least one arrest confirmed and the possibility of more to follow, Spanish authorities will continue examining whether the incident was opportunistic or part of a coordinated attempt to target high-value belongings. Further updates are expected once forensic analysis and security footage reviews are completed.

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Getty Images SportTurkey settles, while Spain bracing for biggest arena

The alleged theft cast a shadow over what had been a gripping night of football. Spain secured their place at the 2026 World Cup after a tense 2-2 draw with a spirited Turkey side, finishing atop Group E despite being pushed to the brink.

Dani Olmo opened the scoring in the fourth minute after superb wing play from Marc Cucurella, but Turkey’s Deniz Gul equalised in the 42nd minute with a finish that punctured Spain’s previously perfect defensive record in qualifying. Turkey then stunned the home crowd when Salih Özcan made it 2-1 in the 55th minute with a precise low strike following an intricate build-up.

The result extended Spain’s unbeaten run in qualifiers to 31 matches, maintaining a streak of World Cup qualifications dating back to 1978. Turkey, meanwhile, settled for a playoff position, having needed a near-impossible seven-goal margin to top the group.

Karthik arrives at the SA20, to 'showcase skills' and 'help young SA players'

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

He also believes his presence will open the door for the other Indian players to come to the SA20

Firdose Moonda10-Jan-2025Nineteen years ago, a young Dinesh Karthik played his first T20 match – an international – against South Africa at the Wanderers. Chasing 127, he came in to bat with India on 71 for 3 in the 12th over. These days, we’d call an easy win for the batting side. Then, it was nervy. It took until the penultimate ball for Karthik to hit the winning runs in a player-of-the-match performance. A year later, Karthik was part of the Indian squad that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa, a triumph that he believes paved the way for how the world game looks today.”Some of my best memories have come from South Africa, like winning the T20 World Cup and being part of something so special and that also started a very big trend in Indian cricket. It’s called the IPL today,” he said at the Paarl Royals pre-tournament press conference. “Things like that originated because of what happened in South Africa. So, I have very fond memories and I like the place in general.”He especially likes the place he finds himself in now: the picturesque Cape Winelands, where Paarl Royals have their base. “I’ve gone as far as to convince my family to come over as well. They weren’t planning to come, but they’re going to come because I said you don’t get more beautiful places than this.”Related

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But Karthik is on more than just a nostalgia and nature-gazing trip. He is the first Indian player to feature in the SA20 and was sought after as both a cricketer and an ambassador: someone who could talk the tournament up in the subcontinent. And he is doing that already.Asked if he thinks his presence will open the door for the other Indian players to come to the SA20, it was a firm yes. “Anybody who’s done with playing IPL will always look at SA20 because it’s the strongest comp. You get the best of players.”For this edition, that includes him. Karthik is here as a senior player for Paarl Royals, who finished third on the points table twice but are yet to make the final and have three of the youngest players in the tournament in their squad. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka are just 18 years old and Dewan Marais is 19 and Karthik sees his role as key to their development.Dinesh Karthik is set to become the first Indian to play in the SA20•BCCI”One of the reasons why I’ve been picked here is not only just to come and showcase my skills as a batter or a keeper, but also help in the growth of young South African players to become the best version of themselves. So whenever I’ve had the opportunity, I’ve had chats with them,” he said. “I always feel knowledge learned is one side of it, but knowledge shared is a lot more fruitful. So in my experience, whenever a youngster comes and speaks to me about the sport, I’m happy to share my experiences. That is the least I could do.”Karthik will have a particular role to play with Pretorius, who is also a wicketkeeper-batter. While Paarl Royals will start with Karthik as keeper, “there could be opportunities that he (Pretorius) could be keeping and I could be fielding,” Karthik said. “In the practice matches, we shared the load where we kept 10 overs each in one game. In the other game, I ended up keeping the whole time.”That means Karthik will keep to Maphaka, who he identified as “one of those bona fide superstars”. Maphaka also accompanied him to the pre-tournament press conference.”I watched him bowl in the U19 World Cup and it almost felt like when you play against South Africa, you need to get past that first spell. That’s a feeling not many bowlers can give,” Karthik said. “He’s handled pressure, he’s come with expectations, and it’s great to see him grow into not only a good domestic cricketer, but today he’s playing for South Africa in all three formats. If I was him, SA20 would be a great opportunity to show my skills at the T20 level but also be the person who can win matches for the team. He’s a special player. He’s got the skill sets to be the superstar that I expect him to be. In Kwena, South Africa has found a gem, and they need to protect him.Dinesh Karthik said South Africa need to “protect” Kwena Maphaka•AFP/Getty Images”He needs to learn how to take care of his body. The one thing that will happen as he grows is he could drop pace, and he doesn’t want to do that,” Karthik said. “So how he takes care of his body and mentally, every time he gets on the park, it should be about winning the game for that team.”Maphaka sat bashful next to Karthik as the praise poured out and confirmed he would “watch my bowling loads and make sure that I’m stretching and keeping my body in tip-top shape,” after his “crazy” last 12 months. From the under-19 World Cup last January, to an IPL gig to a T20 debut in the Caribbean and his ODI and Test bow in the space of two weeks, Maphaka has barely had time to catch his breath.”It’s crazy to see how quickly things have moved and how quickly my life has changed,” he said. “But I’m just trying to keep my feet on the ground and continue being the player that I am, keep learning and keep striving for success, really.”That’s where the likes of Karthik will come in: where younger players are in danger of being swept off their feet by the speed of events, to help them hit pause and remember they are part of something bigger.”This team is a good blend of experience and some seriously prodigious talent. We speak about Kwena and Lhuan-dre but on the other hand, we have players like David Miller, Joe Root, who’ve been stalwarts for their countries over a period of time,” Karthik said. “My role is to make sure that I’m there for the tough moments, and when the game is on the line, that I’m doing something very special to help the team. I really wish that this experience and youthful exuberance meet somewhere in the middle and something special is created.”Paarl Royals will kick off their campaign against two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Saturday.

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