Glasgow Rangers are now looking to sign a £10m star who Ibrox boss Russell Martin was in talks for just last year, according to a reliable reporter.
Rangers targeting attackers with five Ibrox signings made
The Gers and the 49ers Enterprises have been busy over the last seven days when it comes to bolstering Martin’s squad with new Ibrox signings.
Ahead of Rangers’ Champions League qualifier with Panathinaikos, Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez and Thelo Aasgaard have all been brought in.
More could be on the way as well, with Martin recently sharing the type of profile he wants to bring in at Ibrox ahead of the 2025/26 season.
With new defenders and midfielders already signed, attention appears to be turning to adding to the final third, with the likes of Jamie Vardy mentioned as a striker target in Glasgow.
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New wingers will also be on the radar with Martin currently having just Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo and Ross McCausland as options currently, and by the looks of things, a former target of the Rangers boss is wanted.
Rangers chasing deal for £10m Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon of The Scottish Sun, Rangers are “chasing” a move to sign Jesurun Rak-Sakyi of Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old has returned to Selhurst Park following a loan spell at Sheffield United last season, with Rangers looking at a temporary or permanent move.
Palace would want £10m to sell Rak-Sakyi, however, ‘Ibrox bosses could also attempt to get him on a permanent deal for a lower fee’.
Interestingly, Martin was in talks to sign the right-winger 12 months ago after taking Southampton to the Premier League, however, a move failed to go through.
Games
36
Goals
7
Assists
2
Minutes played
1,812
Rak-Sakyi would go on to contribute to nine Championship goals for the Blades as they narrowly missed out on promotion with a playoff final defeat to Sunderland.
Now, it looks as if a move to Scotland could be on the cards for the Englishman, making this one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.
Everton have looked to make reinforcements in attack this summer. After it was confirmed that Dominic Calvert-Lewin would not be signing a new deal with the club, they needed to sign a new striker, so Thierno Barry signed for the Toffees from La Liga side Villarreal for a reported fee of £27m.
The Frenchman, who played at the recent under-21 European Championships, adds to the Toffees’ attacking ranks that include Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Beto. They will certainly be hoping to improve on the 42 goals they scored last term, which, as per Understat, was only better than the three relegated sides.
To help enhance that attacking output, the Toffees could make a move for one of the stars of those relegated teams.
Everton’s latest attacking target
There is no doubt that the Toffees’ fortunes in front of goal could be far better. Thus, after signing Barry to help with putting the ball in the back of the net, they have seemingly turned their attention to helping create chances for him.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to a report from talkSPORT, the Merseysiders are one of the sides showing interest in Leicester City and Morocco international Bilal El Khannouss. They have reportedly ‘made checks’ about the attacking midfielder’s situation this summer, suggesting contact has already been made.
However, this is by no means a straightforward deal, because several other sides are interested in the 21-year-old. Premier League rivals Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are in the race, as are Ligue 1 side AS Monaco and Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
Everton, or indeed any interested club, will need to pay his £22.5m relegation release clause.
Why El Khannouss would be a good signing
The 2024/25 campaign was a poor one for Leicester City. Despite changing manager halfway through the campaign, they were unable to stay up. However, one positive from an ultimately grim season was the performances of El Khannouss.
The Morocco international, who is an academy product of Belgian side Genk, made 36 appearances in his first season with the Foxes. In that time, he managed to score three goals and grab five assists, playing mainly as a number ten, but at times as a left winger.
If there is one thing that the youngster will add to this Everton side, it is attacking flair in the final third. Football scout Antonio Mango described him as “technically superb”, and assists like this for Jamie Vardy last season highlight exactly that. The one-two round the corner to Luke Thomas and the perfectly weighted cross is mesmerising to watch.
Should El Kahnnouss make the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium next season, Everton fans will be hoping he can be the second coming of Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegal star is another player with masses of technical quality, and was described as a “magician” by football analyst and writer Tactically Matt over on X.
The 25-year-old was phenomenal in his first campaign as an Everton player. He bagged 11 goals in 37 appearances, including nine in the Premier League. Arguably, the best of those strikes was this effort against Tottenham Hotspur, with quick feet and a thumping finish showing just how good he is.
The stats on FBref for 2024/25 suggest that El Khannouss has the ability to become the second coming of Ndiaye. He created more chances on average than the Toffees’ number 10, with 1.72 compared to 0.67 per 90 minutes.
The ball carrying numbers are close, too, with Leicester’s Moroccan star averaging 2.92 progressive carries compared to Ndiaye’s 3.19 each game.
El Khannouss and Ndiaye key stats compared
Stat (per 90)
El Khannouss
Ndiaye
Goals and assists
0.24
0.33
Key passes
1.72
0.67
Progressive passes
5.36
2.19
Shot-creating actions
3.16
2.41
Take-ons completed
1.36
2.52
Progressive carries
2.92
3.19
Stats from FBref
For a fee of just £22.5m, this could be one of the bargains of the summer. Ndiaye is already a handful for Premier League sides, so adding El Khannouss and his bags of technical quality to the firepower in attacking areas is hugely exciting for Toffees fans. As analyst Ben Mattinson noted, he is a “sensational prospect”.
Leicester City's BilalElKhannoussin action
If Everton do complete this deal, it certainly feels like a big step towards their attacking output and technical quality increasing.
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David Moyes wants to add some more attacking quality at Everton this summer.
Newcastle United will play football with Alexander Isak at the front next season. It’s a wonderful thought, and it’s very much set to happen, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein stating there’s “no chance” the Sweden striker leaves St. James’ Park this summer.
That’s because the Carabao Cup champions sealed their place in next year’s Champions League on the final game of the Premier League season, clinching fifth place.
However, the future of Callum Wilson is less clear, out of contract at the end of the month, but offered fresh, reduced terms.
Perhaps Newcastle should move to sign a new centre-forward instead, with talks being held for an exciting Premier League star.
Newcastle meet with Premier League striker
As per NUFC Blog, Newcastle met with Rodrigo Muniz’s camp last month to ascertain whether the Fulham forward would be interested in a move to Tyneside this summer.
He would, with the player’s representatives exploring different avenues ahead of a potential summer transfer, heading into the final year of his Cottagers deal (albeit the club have the option to extend terms by an additional 12 months).
It’s thought the prolific Brazilian could cost as much as £50m.
What Rodrigo Muniz would bring to Newcastle
Muniz signed for Fulham from Brazilian club Flamengo, aged 20, in 2021, making remarkable progress across the past two seasons in the Premier League for Marco Silva’s side, having previously completed a difficult loan spell in the Championship with Middlesbrough, scoring twice across 17 fixtures.
But having found his shooting sense with Fulham over the past two years, Silva has hailed him as a “proper quality striker”, with pundit Alan Shearer backing such effusions up by calling him “horrible to play against.”
His potential was perfectly illustrated by a rich burst of form last season in the Premier League, scoring seven goals from as many matches across spring.
This year, Muniz hasn’t been provided the same regularity of minutes, but he’s still managed to bag himself a goal when afforded a chance.
This innate clinical quality is actually something that could see him replace Wilson at St. James’ Park, with his scoring leading FBref to draw him against the Newcastle man during the 2023/24 season, given both retain their attacking fluency even if not featuring week in, week out.
Wilson, reduced to scraps this season due to injury problems, is typically an invariably deadly finisher, scoring 27 goals across 30 Premier League starts over the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns.
Matches (starts)
26 (18)
31 (8)
Goals
9
8
Assists
1
1
Shots (on target)*
2.8 (1.0)
1.3 (0.6)
Big chances missed
4
5
Pass completion
62%
66%
Key passes*
0.7
0.2
Dribbles*
0.2
0.2
Tackles + interceptions*
0.5
0.5
Duels (won)*
4.6 (39%)
3.7 (52%)
He’s a target man, and no mistake. It’s interesting, though, that Muniz has enjoyed such clinical shooting success across the past two years in the English top flight, also demonstrating a tenacious attitude in the duel, if not through his passing, his creativity.
As per FBref, he actually ranked among the top 3% of Premier League forwards this term for non-penalty goals scored per 90 (0.75), so prolific and fluent when afforded the chance to impress.
His failure to earn regular starts at Craven Cottage likely came from his overall game, which may not be kitted out with the completeness of other strikers. But that’s okay; in that way, he can be Howe’s next version of Wilson.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson
Muniz doesn’t need to bring a protean attacking arsenal to the fold when Isak’s staying put, but his keen-edged shooting could certainly add the perfect dimension to ensure attacking success across the whole campaign, across a variety of fronts.
Newcastle line up "magical" £59m CF who's like Cunha & Mbeumo
Newcastle are plotting to sign a few new forwards this summer.
Arsenal have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race to sign a “unique” target this summer, after sporting director Andrea Berta’s talks with his representatives.
Arsenal identify transfer targets ahead of crucial summer window
Mikel Arteta and Berta appear very likely to orchestrate a major rebuild in the off-season, and they’ve reportedly sealed their first signing of the window already.
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ByJack Salveson Holmes May 12, 2025
After months of talks, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has reached an agreement to join Arsenal, and the Spaniard appears set to arrive at N5 with Fabrizio Romano even giving his famous ‘here we go’ to the deal.
With Arteta’s side set to formalise Zubimendi’s move by triggering his £51 million release clause, Berta has a key Arsenal item ticked off his agenda nice and early.
2. Arsenal
68
3. Newcastle United
66
4. Man City
65
5. Chelsea
63
6. Aston Villa
63
7. Nottingham Forest
62
However, there is still plenty of work to do for the Italian, as it is reliably believed the Gunners are actively scouring for new forwards. Arsenal are looking at signing a new right-winger, left-winger and striker, with Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams thought to be a top target.
The £170,000-per-week wide player is one of Europe’s most exciting talents, racking up an incredible 19 assists in all competitions last season and helping Spain to glory at Euro 2024.
Williams endured a slow start to the 24/25 campaign but picked up his form over the second half of the season, and his departure from Bilbao is highly anticipated.
In one of his “first acts” as sporting director, Berta held talks with Williams’ camp over a summer switch to Arsenal, according to The Guardian’s Ed Aarons.
Arsenal ahead of Liverpool in race to sign Nico Williams
He would arguably come as the perfect alternative to Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard on the left-hand side, and Williams’ contract includes a tantalising £49 million release clause.
As per journalist Graeme Bailey and The Boot Room, following Berta’s widely reported contact with the 22-year-old’s agents, it is believed that Arsenal remain frontrunners to sign Williams this summer, alongside Chelsea.
While Liverpool, Man City and Newcastle United have also contacted his camp, it is believed Arsenal and Enzo Maresca’s side are ahead of their Premier League rival trio as things stand.
Arteta and Berta appear to have the upper hand, but there is an aspect of caution to this transfer, as reports suggest Williams is set to demand a marquee salary to join any interested suitor – with The Mail even claiming that he wants around £400,000-per-week.
There can be no doubt in anyone’s mind over Williams’ obvious quality at this point, with legendary manager Jose Mourinho calling him a “unique” attacker, but the major obstacle could prove to be financial.
Burnley are now in a transfer battle with Leeds United as they both want to sign a “unique” Ipswich Town star, according to a recent report.
Burnley begin transfer plans as they eye midfield reinforcements
The Clarets only confirmed their promotion to the Premier League on Monday evening, but already Scott Parker and club chiefs are working on transfer business ahead of the summer transfer window opening.
Burnley want to sign Fulham ace who previously won promotion under Parker
Burnley are now looking to sign a player who has worked with their manager before.
By
Brett Worthington
Apr 24, 2025
It’s been claimed by EFL pundit Lee Hendrie that Jonjo Shelvey will likely not be at Turf Moor next season. The midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the campaign, and it is likely that he will not be offered a new deal, according to Hendrie.
That might be because Burnley already have his replacement in mind, as according to Give Me Sport, the Clarets are now interested in signing Harrison Reed from Fulham, a player who Parker knows well from his time working at Craven Cottage.
Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed.
Fulham are said to be looking to strengthen their midfield this summer, and Reed could be allowed to leave should they receive the right offer. This has alerted Burnley, who are looking to strike a deal as the Clarets try to bring Premier League experience to their team.
Burnley in transfer battle for Ipswich star Hirst
But it is not just the midfield that the Clarets are looking to strengthen, as according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Burnley are interested in signing George Hirst from Ipswich this summer.
O’Rourke states that as well as the Lancashire side holding an interest in Hirst, Championship rivals Leeds are also keen on securing a deal for the striker, as the Tractor Boys look set to return to the second tier in English football.
However, while both sides can offer Premier League football, Ipswich are not willing to let Hirst just leave, as O’Rourke states that the Tractor Boys are desperately looking to tie the striker down to a new contract to ward off the interest, with Liam Delap expected to leave Portman Road this summer.
Hirst currently earns £27,500 a week at Ipswich, so the interested parties may have to stump up a significant increase to better whatever his current employers are offering.
George Hirst’s Ipswich Town stats
Apps
76
Goals
18
Assists
11
The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed “unique” by Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna, has had to be very patient this season, starting just three of the 21 Premier League games he’s played. Hirst has scored two goals in the process, his latest coming in the 4-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest in March.
The Scotland international is still under contract until 2027, so Ipswich still have time on their hands, but Burnley and Leeds can both offer the forward another chance of playing in the Premier League, and this may be too hard for Hirst to turn down.
The Madhya Pradesh offspinning allrounder has impressed in domestic cricket over the last couple of years. Another good season could catapult him onto the biggest stage of them all
Rajan Raj10-Oct-2024After a superb Ranji Trophy debut in 2014, Saransh Jain, an offspinning allrounder, had flown to Australia with a club team from Madhya Pradesh to play a five-match series. Despite it being his first overseas tour, calls back home were short, with his family claiming to be “a little occupied”. This bothered Jain but not too much, because of his focus was on the series at hand, one his team would go on to win 3-0.After he returned home from that tour, though, Jain was shocked with what he saw. His father was lying on his bed, having undergone a surgery on his face. There was despair on everyone else’s face. Jain sought answers but did not get a satisfactory one, till his father asked for a paper and a pen. “I am fine now, son,” he wrote. “If you just play better, I will get well sooner.” He had been diagnosed with cancer.
****
Jain still has that note from his father, the former Madhya Pradesh Ranji player Subodh Jain. And it is essentially the secret of Jain’s success. That piece of paper pushed him in his journey to become a Ranji Trophy champion with Madhya Pradesh in 2021-22, and win the Lala Amarnath Award for the best allrounder in the Ranji Trophy in 2022-23. That season he scored 360 runs and picked up 35 wickets for MP. This earned him a call-up to the India A side to play England Lions, where he scored half-centuries in both innings of the only match he played.Related
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Making the most of any given opportunity is Jain’s USP. In MP’s title-winning Ranji Trophy campaign in 2021-22, he played only three matches: the quarter-final, semi-final and the final. He returned 13 wickets and also scored a half-century.Last season, he scored 432 runs and picked up 27 wickets and he wants to maintain this momentum in the upcoming season. He has started well in that quest by picking up six wickets in the Irani Cup match against Mumbai. He was also part of the Duleep Trophy and he returned 14 wickets combined from the two red-ball competitions.Knowing fully the demands of a sport that is evolving rapidly, Saransh Jain has worked a lot on his batting too•MPCA”I performed well last season, but it is important that I perform well again and try to do something good whenever I get a chance,” Jain says. “The only lesson I have learned in my career is to try to learn something new every day. Only then can something good happen in the future. I feel good with the way I have performed recently but I am not completely satisfied. I will get that satisfaction only after wearing the [India] blue jersey, for which I have to consistently work hard.”With the game always evolving, Jain, the offspinner, is aware of the importance of contributing with the bat. His recent scores show that.”According to me, a good player should try to adapt to the circumstances,” Jain says. “I am an offspinner, and my primary task to take wickets. But in our first meeting itself, [MP head coach] Chandrakant [Pandit] sir told me that I should think like a bowler when I bowl and think like a batter and try to score as many runs as possible when I bat. This is the simple strategy that I follow.”I know how much I have to work on my batting being [primarily] an offspinner. That is important, but my first task is to take wickets. I often watch R Ashwin ; I get inspired by him. I want to pursue my cricket with the same dedication as him.”Pandit – who also won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders last season – taking over as MP coach ahead of the 2019-20 season worked wonders for Jain. “Chandrakant sir coming to our team as the coach has been one of the best events in my life,” Jain says. “Perhaps he taught me to believe in myself. His presence in the team inspires me a lot and I want to do something good with him this season. His presence in the team gives me a different kind of confidence.”Consistent performances over the past couple of years have put Jain on the national selectors’ radar. He is one of the best offspinning allrounders in the country and form is currently on his side. This season, can he show the consistency needed to complete his journey to that blue jersey?
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 IPL auction
Deivarayan Muthu22-Dec-2022When is the IPL auction 2023 taking place, and where? It’s in Kochi on December 23 from 2.30pm IST. It’s a regular auction this time, as opposed to the mega version last held ahead of the 2022 season, when the ten franchises had to rebuild their squads virtually from scratch.Okay, who has the most money to spend this time? And who has the least? Sunrisers Hyderabad, who released as many as ten players ahead of the auction, have the largest purse – INR 42.25 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders also made wholesale changes to their squad by letting go of ten players, but they were active during the trading window. Having traded in Shardul Thakur from Delhi Capitals, and Lockie Ferguson and Rahmanullah Gurbaz from Gujarat Titans, Knight Riders now have the smallest purse to spend – only INR 7.05 crore.Follow the 2023 IPL auction LIVE
You can watch the auction live in India on Star Sports, and follow live analysis with Tom Moody, Ian Bishop, Wasim Jaffer and Stuart Binny right here on ESPNcricinfo.
How many players are in the auction? The longlist originally included 991 players, the final list has 405: 273 from India and 132 from overseas, including four from Associate nations. A maximum of 87 players, of which 30 can be from overseas, can be bought at the auction because of the limited slots available.IPL 2023 auction – key numbers before the action begins•ESPNcricinfo LtdTell me about player availability. The Australian and English players will be available for the entire IPL season, despite the Ashes scheduled to begin in mid-June. West Indies and New Zealand players will also be available for the entire season. However, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka players will likely miss a chunk of the tournament because of international commitments.There is plenty of buzz around Sam Curran. What are the chances of him fetching the highest bid in IPL auction history? In 2021, South Africa allrounder Chris Morris became the most expensive player when Rajasthan Royals snapped him up for INR 16.25 crore. The chances of Curran breaking that record are fairly high.The left-hander can bat anywhere in the XI and is capable of pulling off those super-specialist roles, like disrupting a spinner’s work in the middle overs or even finishing an innings. With the ball, Curran fronts up during the tough overs in the powerplay and at the death. After having recovered from a stress fracture, Curran has transformed himself, becoming England’s designated death bowler at the 2022 T20 World Cup. He did such a good job that he won the Player-of-the-Tournament award.Fellow England allrounder Ben Stokes and Australia’s Cameron Green are also part of the high-profile Set 2 at this auction, but expect Curran to be in greater demand because he is only 24, can perform any role, and is more likely to pay off as a long-term investment.Amit Mishra is 40, had gone unsold at the last auction, but remains the fourth-highest wicket-taker in IPL history•Delhi CapitalsAny less-known Indian names I must keep an eye out for? Well, quite a few. Punjab allrounder Sanvir Singh could be in demand, given his ability to smash big sixes and bowl handy medium-pace. Sanvir is also a good player of spin, thanks largely to his stints in Chennai’s first division league. With many franchises on the lookout for an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Tamil Nadu’s N Jagadeesan, who reeled off a record five successive hundreds in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, could also cause a stir.Vidarbha fast bowler Yash Thakur, Himachal Pradesh finisher Akash Vasisht, and his team-mate Vaibhav Arora, who can swing the ball both ways, are the others you should watch out for. Then there are a bunch of young quicks from Jammu & Kashmir, including Sharukh Dar and Mujtaba Yousuf.Who are the major attractions from outside the top-tier cricket-playing countries? Well, there’s Ireland left-arm quick Josh Little, who claimed a hat-trick against New Zealand in the recent T20 World Cup. He has already had a small taste of the IPL, having been a net bowler with Chennai Super Kings during their camp in Surat in 2022. Has he done enough for Super Kings to bring him into their main squad?UAE legspinner Karthik Meiyappan, who had also bagged a hat-trick during the T20 World Cup and was more recently picked by Sharjah Warriors for the inaugural ILT20, could pique the interest of franchises. Karthik is a modern wristspinner and has the experience of having been a net bowler for CSK and Royal Challengers Bangalore.Who are the youngest and oldest players at this auction? Fifteen-year-old Afghanistan mystery spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is the youngest. Ghazanfar has played three T20s so far but has impressed the franchise scouts so much that he has made it to the IPL auction shortlist. Ghazanfar was also part of Australia’s BBL draft but didn’t find any takers there.Former India legspinner Amit Mishra, who turned 40 last month, is the oldest player in this auction. He was unsold at the 2022 auction, but considering the recent dearth of Indian wristspinners, he might work his way back into the IPL.Any prominent players that aren’t part of this auction? IPL stalwarts Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard have retired from the league to become coaches at CSK and Mumbai Indians respectively. England allrounder Chris Woakes has pulled out of the IPL for a crack at the Ashes through county cricket. The Australian trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Steven Smith have decided to skip the auction as well, as has Sam Billings who withdrew from his deal with Knight Riders. West Indies opening batter Evin Lewis, who was part of Lucknow Super Giants last season, and Tim Seifert, the New Zealand and Trinbago Knight Riders wicketkeeper-batter, are also missing from the IPL auction.Some major international players have opted out of the auction•Getty ImagesWill there be any left-field picks from the SA20 player pool? It can’t be ruled out as franchises are looking to maximise their global presence and grow players within their set-up. Titans’ wicketkeeper-batter Donovan Ferreira, who was picked up by Johannesburg Super Kings, and Dolphins’ yorker specialist Ottniel Baartman, who was among Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s first signings, might be on the wishlist of their IPL teams as well.Tell me about the accelerated process of bidding at the auction After the first 86 names have been presented for bidding, the “accelerated process” will enable franchises to nominate a set number of players from the remaining ones. Players from the unsold list can also enter the accelerated round, subject to the franchises’ request.Will the introduction of the Impact Player impact the auction? In the 2023 season, the IPL will introduce a tactical sub – the Impact Player – which it says will add a new dimension to tactics. Details of how the new rule will work were made public only on December 21. It’s all very new, and it remains to be seen whether franchises factor the Impact Player into their auction strategies.Is there a stipulation on squad strength? Each franchise can have a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 25. The number of overseas players in the squads has been capped at eight.
On the day he took his 500th Test wicket, he evoked memories of the great Curtly Ambrose
Andrew Miller28-Jul-2020″It does get a little frustrating,” Buzz Aldrin once said of a lifetime of being known as the second man on the moon. When you’ve travelled approximately 240,000 miles further than all but an infinitesimally small proportion of humanity, it is a bit harsh to be judged in perpetuity against the only man to go one step beyond.But then again, Stuart Broad isn’t the first mighty bowler whose achievements are destined to be remembered in the context of a double act. And far from diminishing Curtly Ambrose, or Waqar Younis, or Glenn McGrath – all of whom shared a stage with a partner who outstripped them in the wickets column – the stature of their sidekick in fact offers a secondary route to immortality; an opportunity to be remembered, quite literally, as more than just the sum of some very considerable parts.For when you stop to think of Broad in full flow, do you really have to doublethink and factor in Anderson’s presence at the other end? Or do you simply marvel, as we all have done this week, at the spring-heeled malevolence that he still carries with him to the crease after all these years, with an action of such biomechanical purity that – barring a few notable tweaks to his wrist position – it has barely altered since his earliest stirrings as a teenage prodigy for Leicestershire in the summer of 2005.ALSO READ: Stuart Broad at 500: Topping the finest, triggering collapses and getting better with ageFor there comes a point in the accumulation of such towering statistics that context becomes irrelevant, and the sheer scale of the achievement takes over as the defining attribute. Broad’s critics (and my word, they are legion – more of which later…) would argue he remains a bowler of great spells rather than a great bowler in his own right, but when the list of those spells – 18 five-fors now, and barely a dud among them – becomes longer than the careers of many of the men he’s outlasted, well, you start to run out of caveats.Stuart Broad roars in celebration•Getty ImagesBack in 1964, Fred Trueman declared that anyone who sought to extend his then world-record of 300 would be “bloody tired”, and 30 years later, Kapil Dev epitomised that prediction as he flapped and gasped his way past Richard Hadlee’s extended mark of 431, before retiring exhausted one match later. Even the mighty Courtney Walsh had lost a measure of his indefatigability by the spring of 2001, when he became the first seamer to 500 in his final home series against South Africa.But Broad, right here right now, is performing with the fury of the slighted, and the confidence of the blessed. All angles and attitude, the spring of a lamb and the snap of a crocodile, that evoke nothing less than Ambrose in his pomp. “Sacrilege!” some might argue, but really, who else could compare?After all, both men have thrived on a scent of blood in the water, a whiff of cordite in the nostrils. A threat to their hegemony, or an insult to be avenged. And at the given moment, almost invariably with a series on the line, both men’s knees would start pumping, their torsos bouncing to the crease like an out-of-body experience, preternaturally excited about what this next delivery might bring.”I’m always amazed at how he gets on a spell and just blows people away,” Anderson told Sky Sports before the start of play, an Ambrosian trait if ever there was one. And sure enough, in seven overs spanning the end of the West Indies’ first innings at Old Trafford and the start of their second, Broad returned the remarkable figures of 6 for 22, before capping his rampage with a full-length pad-thwacker to pin Kraigg Brathwaite lbw. The 500th breakthrough was every bit as irresistible as the fare that had gone before it.Fans surround Curtly Ambrose•Graham Chadwick/PA Photos/Getty ImagesIf there’s been a frustration in the course of Broad’s career, it’s been that those spells – the truly extraordinary spells, when he’s pitched the ball right up to the bat and kicked it off a length like a mule – have been so irresistible that you begin to wonder why he’s not done it every day of his career. Both he and even Anderson have often been guilty in years gone by of dragging their lengths back to avoid being driven, but according to Cricviz, Broad’s length since the start of 2018 has been 41cm fuller than any previous stage of his career, as if he’s realised that now’s the time in his life to hang the reticence, and chase every last scalp available.But the mechanics are one thing, it’s the moods that are quite something else. Broad’s reading of a situation and his ability to strike accordingly has been second to none throughout the course of his career, right from the moment, as a 21-year-old, he was pitched into the fray in the winter of 2007-08 and lauded by Michael Vaughan as “the most intelligent bowler I’ve ever worked with”.For Broad’s natural length on that maiden winter in Sri Lanka and New Zealand was short and shorter. Remarkably, given his stick-insect frame and baby-faced looks, his first proper role in the team was as an “enforcer”, the man to shove a series of batsmen back into the crease so that Ryan Sidebottom and Anderson himself could draw them forward again and get them to nick off to the slips.The ploy worked too. England were terrified they might wreck Broad in a solitary outing, when he replaced Anderson on a dead deck in Colombo and made an arduous debut in stifling heat, but the following March, his recall alongside Anderson in Wellington would prove to be one of the most pivotal selections in a generation. It was certainly the boldest of Peter Moores’ ill-starred time as England coach. With the team 1-0 down after a terrible loss in Hamilton, the Ashes heroes, Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison, were put out to pasture, and a nascent alliance was trusted to turn the tide back to England with a pair of back-to-back wins.Stuart Broad and James Anderson discuss bowling plans•Getty ImagesAnd in spite of England’s attempts to clean out the stables once more, and move on from another pair of established heroes in good time for the 2021-22 Ashes, Broad in particular is digging his heels in with admirable truculence, and showcasing the stubborn spirit he will need to have one last stab at his favourite foes in two winter’s time.For Broad surely ranks as England’s most consistently competitive Ashes combatant since Ian Botham – a man best remembered for his 8 for 15 at Trent Bridge, no doubt, but whose first great dent on the records came six years earlier at The Oval, where his spell of 12-1-37-5 was the first time in three consecutive home Ashes that he’d deliver the series-sealing haymaker.But that Aussie-baiting nature has revealed itself in a myriad of guises. Not least the rhino-skin thickness of his hide, for few men have been moulded who can soak up the sort of vitriol that has been sprayed his way down the years, and remain so gloriously, and supercilously, inured to such criticism.The most famous example came on the 2013-14 whitewash tour, where his refusal to walk for one of the most blatant edges imaginable during the previous summer’s victory at Trent Bridge caused one Australian newspaper to drop their bundle and start a personal vendetta against him. Not only did Broad claim a five-wicket haul on the first day of the Test, and walk into the press conference with a copy of said paper under his arm, he later found himself, on a night out with his mum in Melbourne, giving directions to the pub to a man wearing one of the summer’s must-have accessories, a “Stuart Broad is a shit bloke” T-shirt.Composite: Stuart Broad banners in Australia•Getty ImagesPerhaps there’s the fact that he’s the son of an ICC match referee – and not just any old referee at that, but the ultimate poacher-turned-gamekeeper – a stump-kicking, umpire-dissing, curse-uttering competitor, whose entire career was a byword of bad behaviour.Perhaps it’s the fact that he has the body and looks of an Aryan wet dream, or that his idiosyncratic mode of lbw appeal has led to an entirely new addition to cricket’s lexicon, which one irate feedbacker on ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary described thus during the day four rain-delay at Old Trafford:”You call it celebrappeal. I call it the worst acts of cheating cricket has seen. Charging to the off side to celebrate before the ump has even considered his decision. No wonder we in Australia hate Stuart Broad. Celebrating in front of the batsman without even looking at the ump … a*****e … pathetic … bring on 2021-22 … [message truncated].”Had Broad been born in the era of Bodyline, he wouldn’t simply have been an enthusiastic advocate of Douglas Jardine’s leg theory, banging the ball in halfway down the wicket with a cordon of vultures under the ribs. He’d have donned a cravat and harlequin cap between overs, and sauntered down to fine leg to wind up precisely those types who profess to this day to loathe him.Who’d want to take the field without such a competitor in their ranks?
Bruno Fernandes has been accused of playing out of his usual position because he wants to do "too much" as Manchester United captain. Former United defender Patrice Evra said Fernandes had carried United on his back in recent years with the numbers of goals and assists he has contributed to the Red Devils but he believes he could do with exerting more control on the team.
Fernandes having mixed season with Man Utd
Fernandes rejected a highly-lucrative offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the summer to stay at United but has experienced mixed fortunes in a hit-and-miss season for the Red Devils. Fernandes has contributed to 10 of the team's 26 goals in the Premier League, scoring twice and getting an assist in their last game against Wolves.
The captain, however, has been blamed for United's inconsistent results such as losing at home to 10-man Everton and failing to beat a poor West Ham side in the last three weeks, having pulled off impressive wins over the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
And former United left-back Evra said Fernandes' tendency to play all over the pitch rather than focus on his central midfield role is preventing him from controlling the team's play as he should.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportEvra: Hard to tell where Fernandes is playing
Evra told GOAL, via : "It’s always sensitive to talk about Bruno. It depends what people call a real captain. With a captain, sometimes you can have someone like Roy Keane or a different one. Bruno is giving assists and scoring goals, this has never been the issue. The issue for me is for him to control the team and the tempo when he gets the ball.
"You couldn't tell me where he's playing because he's everywhere. So sometimes maybe as a captain, you want to do extra, you want to do too much. And at the end, you're not even at your right position. But United wouldn't be where they are in the table if Bruno wasn't playing."
Evra: Maguire a better player since losing captaincy
Evra said he has no issues with Fernandes being United's skipper. But he noted how Harry Maguire had a burden lifted from him when he had the captaincy taken off him by Erik ten Hag in 2023. Maguire – who is currently out injured – has changed the narrative around him in the last two seasons with much-improved performances in defence, proving well-suited to Amorim's back three.
He has scored six goals since the start of last season, including handing United their first victory at Anfield in 10 seasons and grabbing the famous last-gasp winner against Lyon in the Europa League.
Evra explained: "I don't question the fact about Bruno being a captain – he deserves to be captain because Amorim has chosen him. Look at what's happening to Maguire. They got rid of the armband and he now plays like a United player. You saw how people were bullying him on social media or whatever. But he said, I'm staying here."
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(C)Getty ImagesUnited can't afford to not return to UCL
United climbed into sixth place in the Premier League after beating Wolves and the challenge is to move into the top four and return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. Evra said United should have no excuse for not qualifying for Europe's top competition, which they did in all but one of his nine seasons at Old Trafford as a player.
"Under the previous manager, we won the FA Cup and EFL Cup, but you lose a lot by not being in the Champions League," Evra said. "It’s going to be tough. You’ve got Arsenal, City, Chelsea and Aston Villa giving it a real go. If United do not finish in the top four then it’ll be a massive disappointment – a failure.
"When I played for United, the goal was winning four trophies per season and now we’re talking about qualifying for the Champions League. Our wages went down by 30 per cent if we didn’t qualify for the Champions League, but we never had that issue."
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca face their sternest examination yet when Premier League leaders Arsenal visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Maresca’s side enter the London derby riding a wave of confidence following their stunning 3-0 Champions League demolition of Barcelona on Tuesday night.
The emphatic victory showcased Chelsea’s evolution from early-season inconsistency into genuine contenders, with teenage sensation Estevao’s spectacular solo goal providing a potential glimpse of the exciting future being built in west London.
However, Arsenal represent an entirely different proposition.
Mikel Arteta’s men arrive at the Bridge unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Chelsea, not to mention 16 games unbeaten overall since losing to Liverpool in August.
The Blues currently trail Arsenal by six points in the Premier League table, meaning Sunday’s clash carries enormous significance for their title ambitions.
Victory would reduce that deficit to three points and encourage realistic title hopes, while defeat would establish a potentially irrecoverable nine-point gap to the leaders with barely a third of the season completed.
Chelsea have already signed "the next Cristiano Ronaldo" for half of his release clause
He could be their next Estevao-esque talent.
ByEmilio Galantini Nov 27, 2025
Chelsea have done well to cope without their superstar player, but reports have suggested that Palmer could be in contention to face Arsenal after breaking his toe recently.
The England international has been out since Chelsea’s defeat to Man United at Old Trafford in September, first being kept out by a niggling groin problem before then suffering that toe injury earlier this month.
It’s been a nightmare start to 25/26 for Palmer personally, with the Englishman desperate to get back on the field.
Enzo Maresca provides Cole Palmer update ahead of Arsenal clash
Now, in some good news for the Blues, Maresca has confirmed that Palmer is ready to start against Arsenal this weekend.
In more good news, Maresca also confirmed that midfielder and summer signing Dario Essugo also took part in a training session this morning.
Palmer’s availability for Sunday’s clash provides Chelsea with their most potent weapon against the Premier League leaders, coming as a big boost for Maresca.
The 23-year-old has been instrumental in Chelsea’s transformation under Maresca, providing the sheer quality that elevates their attacking play.
The former Man City star racked up 18 goals and 14 assists last term, spearheading Chelsea to the Conference League, Club World Cup and a top four Premier League finish.
His composure in decisive moments separates him from Chelsea’s other attacking options, and against high-pressure opponents like Arsenal, Palmer’s calmness on the ball and intelligent decision-making will prove invaluable.
Suddenly, Chelsea’s chances of upsetting Arteta have just increased tenfold.