He calls for ‘allround’ review of domestic cricket involving players and coaches

Shashank Kishore09-Mar-2024Rahul Dravid is hoping for an “all-round review involving coaches and players” to address key issues relating to the Ranji Trophy specifically and domestic cricket in general.Dravid was responding to a query on what the board can do to address concerns, like the one raised by Shardul Thakur about just three-day gaps between Ranji games leading to injuries, and hampering player recovery.”I’ve heard the same as well. I saw some of the comments Shardul [Thakur], I think, made and, in fact, some of the [new] boys who’ve come into the team [have said it] as well,” Dravid said after India’s win over England in the Dharamsala Test. “Some comment about how tough the domestic schedule is, especially in a country like India with the amount of travel involved. So yeah, we need to hear the players. That’s a very important thing in a lot of these things.Related

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“You need to hear your players because they are the ones going through the grind and putting their bodies on the line; and if there are enough voices saying that, then yeah, I think there’s some need to look at it, and see how we can manage our schedules. It’s a long season already in India. It’s tough.”The senior men’s domestic calendar began in June 2023, with the Duleep Trophy, the zonal first-class competition. The schedule has been relentless since the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic T20 competition, started in October.The Ranji Trophy that began in January has had players criss-crossing the country for matches with only three-day breaks. Ranji finalists Mumbai and Vidarbha, who play the final starting on Sunday, would have played as many as ten first-class games in just over ten weeks.Dravid’s comments came at a time when the BCCI has done away with the annual Captains and Coaches Conclave it used to organise, where several important issues – like umpiring, scheduling, format, DRS, match fees and central contracts – have come up for discussion in the past. However, since the resumption of domestic cricket post the Covid-19 pandemic, this practice of involving players and coaches has been discontinued.Among other issues has been the unavailability of top players for their domestic teams because of the schedule clash with the India A tour programme. This is something former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary had touched upon in a chat with ESPNcricinfo, as he mentioned the need for better coordination between state teams and the National Cricket Academy over player availability for shadow tours.This season, Bengal were without Abhimanyu Easwaran for much of their Ranji campaign as he was leading India A against England Lions•PTI

This season, for example, Bengal were without opener Abhimanyu Easwaran for much of their Ranji campaign as he was away leading India A against England Lions.”The Ranji Trophy is a long season,” Dravid said. “If you add a Duleep and a Deodhar on top of that – last year, if I’m not mistaken, the Duleep started in June, it was just a month after the IPL – and your problem in this situation is your best players, the guys who are pushing for selection for India, are the ones that end up playing the most cricket because they keep getting selected at the next level more and more.”And their teams are the ones probably who are playing the semi-finals and the finals, or that kind of situation. They are the ones who end up playing a lot of cricket, and you also want them to be playing for India and India A tours. So it can get quite tough on a lot of those boys, and maybe we need to hear them out.”Maybe we need to relook and see whether some of the tournaments that we are conducting are necessary in this day and age or they are not necessary. There needs to be an all-round review [involving] coaches and players, especially the guys who are part of the domestic circuit.”

West Ham United have now opened talks to sign their latest attacking target, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

West Ham transfer rumours

The Irons have had a frustrating few weeks in the transfer window since making Max Kilman their third signing of the summer, with a number of potential deals falling through. Technical director Tim Steidten has been looking to grant Julen Lopetegui’s wish of bringing in a new right-back, a centre-back and a centre-forward before the deadline next month.

As we know, teenage winger Luis Guilherme, experienced goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and centre-back Kilman have all arrived, however, moves to sign Southampton right-back Kyle Walker-Peters and AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori are thought to be off.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui also doesn’t want to join the Hammers as well as Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo.

West Ham now in talks to sign 24 y/o defender instead of Jean-Clair Todibo

Tim Steidten sees him as a genuine option.

ByCharlie Smith Jul 31, 2024

In attack, West Ham are yet to strike a deal for Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran, which led them to exploring a possible move for Borussia Dortmund forward Niclas Fullkrug, who has spent his entire playing career turning out for clubs in Germany. There has now been a new development regarding West Ham and Fullkrug after he emerged as a target.

West Ham open Niclas Fullkrug talks

According to Sheth, who took to X, West Ham have opened talks over a move to sign Fullkrug, who appears to be keen on moving to the Premier League, with those discussions now advancing.

Recently, the 31-year-old represented Germany at Euro 2024 and scored two goals in the competition as the hosts made the quarter-finals.

Prior to the tournament, he came in for plenty of praise from former striker Peter Crouch, who admitted he loves the Dortmund man after he enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign in 2023/24, scoring 12 goals and providing eight assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances in the 2023/24 campaign.

“I would have an outside bet at Fullkrug at Germany [for golden boot],” Crouch said. “I feel like he could be one of the players like Miroslav Klose where he just gets goals in major tournaments.

“I love him. He’s had a good season… He’ll go into it full of confidence. Germany are kind of going underneath the radar. They’re the host nation and I think he could be the main man. He’s maybe not as sexy a name as the [Kylian] Mbappes, Crisitiano Ronaldos and Harry Kanes, but I think he could go under the radar and get a good few goals.”

Meanwhile, Ally McCoist added: “I’m a fan of Niclas Fullkrug. Nothing wrong with an old-fashioned centre forward that can play. Every time I’ve seen Fullkrug, he’s impressed me. His game knowledge is good, his touch is excellent, he can finish, he’s aggressive… I think he’s a good player.”

Mikel Arteta's side struck five times in Lisbon while keeping Europe's hottest striker under wraps at the back

Arsenal bounced back from defeat last time out in the Champions League as they handed Sporting CP their first defeat of the campaign with a dominant 5-1 win on Tuesday.

Having lost to Inter on matchday four, the Gunners couldn't afford to drop anymore points as they look to secure a top-eight finish in the league phase, and they made a perfect start as Gabriel Martinelli latched onto Jurrien Timber's low cross to tap in after just seven minutes.

Mikel Arteta's side made all the running throughout the first half, and doubled their lead midway through the opening 45 minutes as Kai Havertz finished into an empty net after Bukayo Saka beat goalkeeper Franco Israel to Thomas Partey's pass over the top. Gabriel Magalhaes then made it three with the final touch before the break as he powered a close-range header home from a corner.

Sporting eventually sprang into life after half-time, and found the net within two minutes of the restart as Goncalo Inacio forced the ball home at the near post from a corner. However, their hopes of a comeback were extinguished just past the hour mark as Martin Odegaard was fouled by Ousmane Diomande inside the box and Saka converted the penalty.

Leandro Trossard added a late fifth after Mikel Merino's shot was parried into his path, as Arsenal put the rest of Europe on notice with a victory over one of the continent's most impressive teams so far this season.

GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Estadio Jose Alvalade…

AFPGoalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (7/10):

Made strong saves to deny Quenda and Morita either side of half-time, and again to keep out Hjulmand later in the game. Commanded his box well, and had no chance with Inacio's deflected goal.

Jurrien Timber (8/10):

Excellent in the first half as he combined well with Saka and Odegaard. Superb low cross created Martinelli's opener. Also strong in defence.

William Saliba (8/10):

Dealt well with Gyokeres on the rare occasion the striker came over to his side. Never looked fazed even when Sporting threatened a second-half comeback.

Gabriel Magalhaes (9/10):

Far too physical for Gyokeres as he constantly forced him away from goal and stole the ball off the striker. Scored his now trademark header from a corner, too.

Riccardo Calafiori (5/10):

Troubled on occasion by Quenda's directness and lost Inacio for Sporting's goal. Looked a little rusty.

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Declan Rice (7/10):

Was in constant motion during the first half, which allowed him to constantly pick up the ball in space and get Arsenal moving forward. Fine set-piece delivery created Gabriel's goal.

Thomas Partey (8/10):

Ran the game in the first half as he bullied the Sporting midfield and used the ball intelligently. Superb chipped ball over the top got Saka in behind for the second goal.

Martin Odegaard (9/10):

Absolutely outstanding, particularly in the first half. Played some outrageous passes in the final third, and then made the run that led to the penalty that eased the Gunners' second-half nerves.

AFPAttack

Bukayo Saka (8/10):

Caused Araujo plenty of problems as he constantly darted inside to threaten the Sporting goal. Pace got him in behind to create the second goal, and scored the fourth himself from the penalty spot.

Kai Havertz (7/10):

Couldn't miss for his goal, and showed some nice touches around the penalty area, especially when playing in Odegaard in the build-up to the penalty.

Gabriel Martinelli (7/10):

Tap-in got the ball rolling early on, and had a couple of nice moments thereafter, even if he was quieter than his fellow forwards.

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AFPSubs & Manager

Leandro Trossard (6/10):

Couldn't miss after Merino's saved shot came to him inside the six-yard box.

Mikel Merino (6/10):

Had a couple of loose touches, but was involved for the fifth goal.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (6/10):

Replaced Calafiori for the final 15 minutes.

Ethan Nwaneri (6/10):

Had a couple of nice touches in his short cameo.

Jakub Kiwior (N/A):

On for Gabriel in the closing stages.

Mikel Arteta (9/10):

Played Sporting at their own game and his side never looked uncomfortable. His players were disciplined out of possession and devastating in attack. A real sign of progress after some underwhelming away days in Europe.

قررت لجنة إدارة شئون التحكيم بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم إرسال طاقم تحكيم مصري لإدارة مباراة في الدوري التونسي، في إطار التعاون بين الاتحادين المصري والتونسي.

سيقوم هذا الطاقم بإدارة مباراة تجمع بين فريقي الترجي الرياضي والاتحاد المنستيري، المؤجلة من الجولة الخامسة عشرة لبطولة الرابطة الأولى المحترفة لكرة القدم التونسية، والمقرر إقامتها غدًا الأحد، في الثالثة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة. يتكون الطاقم التحكيمي المصري المُختار لمباراة الترجي والاتحاد المنستيري

محمود بسيوني: حكم ساحة (حكم رئيسي).

يوسف البساطي: حكم مساعد أول.

أحمد توفيق طلب: حكم مساعد ثانٍ.

طالع أيضًا | خاص | تعديل جديد من هاني أبو ريدة بشأن اللجنة الفنية والمنتخبات الوطنية

جاء اختيار طاقم تحكيم مصري لإدارة هذه المباراة بناءً على طلب رسمي من الاتحاد التونسي لكرة القدم، ويعكس هذا الطلب ثقة الاتحاد التونسي في مستوى التحكيم المصري وكفاءة الحكام المصريين.

تُعتبر هذه الخطوة أيضًا فرصة لتعزيز التعاون وتبادل الخبرات بين الاتحادين المصري والتونسي في مجال التحكيم.

وتُساهم هذه الخطوة في إبراز قوة ومكانة التحكيم المصري على المستوى الإقليمي والقاري، تُتيح هذه الفرصة للحكام المصريين اكتساب خبرة جديدة من خلال إدارة مباريات في دوري آخر.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has echoed Vinicius Junior's criticism regarding the 'overloaded' calendar causing the Brazilian's injury this week.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Vinicius picks up a muscular injury
• Blames injury on packed schedule
• Tebas echoes the Brazilian's complaints

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• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Vinicius picked up a muscular injury to his thigh during Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes and Los Blancos have now confirmed that the Brazilian will miss out on close to three weeks of action. Vinicius has since blamed the packed footballing calendar for his injury and the beliefs have now been echoed by Tebas, who referenced the lawsuit against FIFA over the scheduling issues.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT TEBAS SAID

  Speaking at the AFE Awards, Tebas said: “It is clear that the calendar is overloaded. There are many competitions and it causes injuries. It is an objective fact. La Liga has sued FIFA in the European Union.”

• FIFA
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The increasing load on players through the football season has become a point of issue raised by several players, clubs and leagues as the number of games continue to increase and so do the injuries related to overworking players through the season. Players' union, FIFPRO has already launched an official complaint against FIFA in accordance with top European leagues as they look to clock the expanded 2025 Club World Cup, that is set to take place at the end of the current year.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS?

  Real Madrid have not mentioned the exact timeline for Vinicius' return but it is hoped that he could be able to return to action before the end of the calendar year.

Ashley Giles has given the strongest hint yet that Alex Hales may be offered a route back into England’s white-ball set-up, almost two years after he was axed from the 2019 World Cup squad for failing two tests for recreational drugs.On Thursday Giles, England’s director of cricket, held what have been described as “positive” talks with James Cross, Hales’ agent, shortly after recording an interview for Sky Sports’ Cricket Show, in which he admitted that “the door can’t be closed forever” to a player who is regarded as one of the foremost batsmen on the T20 franchise circuit.”We all know what a good player Alex is,” Giles told Sky. “There has to be a way back in. In these times bringing someone back in – trying to reintegrate them – has been difficult to do because we’re living bubble life. But I certainly hope there are opportunities to do that this year.”Since his banishment from the England squad, Hales, 32, has carved himself a niche on the franchise circuit with a run of eye-catching performances – most recently at Australia’s Big Bash, where he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 543 runs for Sydney Thunder.And the longer his exile has gone on, the more the questions have begun to stack up for the England management – not least the captain Eoin Morgan, who accused Hales of a “complete disregard” for the team’s values in the wake of his sacking, and has repeatedly stated that that such a fundamental loss of trust can only be rebuilt over time.Last month, Hales pleaded to be given closure on the matter, one way or the other, describing himself as “desperate” to return to the England set-up after the “sickening” manner in which his career crumbled on the eve of the World Cup.He claimed to have made significant lifestyle changes since his fall from grace, including a move to a village outside Nottingham, and during the recent BBL, his coach at Sydney Thunder, Shane Bond, criticised the ECB for failing to enquire after a player who would walk into most T20I line-ups in the world.Related

• Morgan downplays prospect of Alex Hales recall

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• Morgan backs Archer after doubts about Test commitment

Though Morgan has not yet spoken to Hales in his attempts to rebuild bridges between the pair, it is understood that he could be involved in a further round of talks with Hales’ management next month.Certainly, his stance appeared to have softened a touch when he was asked about Hales’ status on the eve of the first T20I in Ahmedabad.”A lot of players who aren’t in the squads have had really good winters,” Morgan said. “Alex is one of those, as is James Vince. The truth is it’s a very difficult side to get into at the moment.”Given the challenges around Covid, what we would normally do, if it wasn’t around, is try and have players that we perceive may be a part of the future coming in and spending time around the side, maybe two days out before the game,” he added.”Given that the regulations are being eased throughout our summer, that could be an opportunity for players outside of the squads to come in and be around the team, and Alex is in that place.”Giles added: “He is a high-class player. We are lucky at the moment we are blessed with a lot of high-class players in our T20 line-up particularly, but the door can’t be closed for ever. We all know that trust is a really important thing and that has to be won back.”

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has given the green-light for his side to make a potential move for one £120,000-per-week Tottenham ace this summer.

Tottenham seal Solanke signing with Emerson leaving

It's been a busy few days at Spurs with manager Ange Postecoglou getting his top striker target through the door, while simultaneously waving goodbye to a regular of last season.

Fabrizio Romano says Tottenham are eyeing £12 million ace alongside Solanke

The Lilywhites are looking to shore up more key positions.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 8, 2024

Tottenham sealed a £65 million deal for Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, which the club announced on Saturday. The Englishman, who scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, comes in to bolster Postecoglou's forward options and replace former star Harry Kane.

"It's a magnificent club, a huge club with ambitions that match mine, so I'm delighted to start and meet all the boys and get started," Solanke told Spurs TV (via BBC).

Player

Goals scored

Son Heung min

17

Richarlison

12

Dejan Kulusevski

8

Brennan Johnson

5

Cristian Romero

5

James Maddison

4

"What excites me most about the club is how ambitious it is. A great manager, great players and I feel like [Spurs] will definitely suit my style of play as well so I can't wait to get started and do my stuff on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Postecoglou admitted that Solanke is a player he was very keen to get through the door at N17, tipping the 26-year-old to be a great fit in his Spurs side.

“He was obviously one I was very keen to get in," said Postecoglou on signing Solanke.

"It took a while to get it over the line but I think he will be a great fit for us in terms of the player he is and the point of his career where he is at. I think he will be a good fit. As I said, we are a bit light in that front third in terms of adding quality not just to the squad but also to our team. He certainly does that. Pleased to get him on board and we have a week and a bit to work with him.”

Amid their completed deal for Solanke, Spurs managed to trim their squad of one more player, as defender Emerson Royal finally seals his move to AC Milan from Tottenham after what felt like months of talks.

Hansi Flick green-lights Barcelona move for Sergio Reguilon

After the Brazilian, it appears another Tottenham full-back is attracting interest from an elite European club, with Sergio Reguilon on Barcelona's radar.

The £120,000-per-week ace is seemingly surplus to requirements and has been linked with a move away all summer. Reguilon spent last campaign on two half-season loan spells at Man United and Brentford respectively, with his contract also expiring next year.

Spanish news outlet Sport now have an update on his future, claiming Barcelona boss Flick has approved a swoop for Reguilon, as the Catalans turn their attention to the 27-year-old with talks to sign Joao Cancelo from Man City going nowhere.

While he has had a mixed time in the Premier League, Reguilon was voted La Liga's 2019/2020 best left-back while on loan at Sevilla, so he has proven experience in the Spanish top flight.

This may well be in Barca's thinking amid their search for a new left-back, so this transfer could be one to watch.

Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks over signing another defender this summer as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his backline ahead of the new Premier League season.

Business slow for Newcastle United

As it stands, Newcastle United will be heading into their Premier League opener against newly promoted Southampton with just four new faces in their ranks.

Two of those, goalkeeping pair John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos, are unlikely to see too much first team action barring an injury to no.1 Nick Pope, with the Greek shot-stopper having been signed as part of a deal to sell promising talent Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest.

Elsewhere, they have added free agent Lloyd Kelly from Bournemouth to bolster their backline, while William Osula has also arrived from Sheffield United in a deal worth £10m.

Though both deals may prove shrewd, they are far less than what was expected on Tyneside given the Saudi Arabian ownership of the club. They have, however, been boosted by the return of Sandro Tonali from a gambling ban, with the club's record signing available to return to action from the end of August in a move that will help ease midfield concerns for the Magpies.

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The talent could be allowed to leave his current club this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 15, 2024

Meanwhile, they are locked in talks over a deal to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, having had two bids turned down for his services so far. Earlier in the week, Palace chairman Steve Parish was bullish over his defender, who is refusing to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park.

"Nobody has got to the valuation yet. If you want a superstar player you need to pay superstar money," he explained. "It's not near the point where we have to make a decision. We love having him and would love to keep him. If someone else wants to have him they need to make it really difficult for us. He's a generational talent."

Newcastle continue to push for his signature, and have now kick started a move for another defensive target.

Magpies make contact over Ligue 1 centre-back

That comes in the 6 foot 3 shape of Toulouse centre-back Logan Costa, who Eddie Howe's side have been linked with several times this summer. The 23-year-old is down to the final two years of his £7,500 per week deal in the south of France, and has been linked with moves to West Ham, Bologna and the Magpies.

Valued at between €18m and €20m (£15.4m-£17.1m) by his club, Newcastle have now taken the first official step towards his potential arrival.

Logan Costa for Tolouse (23/24 Ligue 1)

Appearances

31

Goals

1

Assists

1

Yellow Cards

6

That comes as Bologna local media [via Sport Witness] claim that Howe's side have now made "first formal contact" over a deal for the defender as they pursue a deal – the Italian press are following the deal due to Bologna's own interest.

Any move for Costa alongside Guehi would be a strange one in the long term, with Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles all already at the club as well as new signing Kelly, despite Botman and Lascelles currently recovering from injury and expected back later in the season.

As the Magpies head into the new campaign with no backup options to Kelly and Schar, though, it makes a lot of sense for their immediate results.

Bangladesh batting coach also wants his side to “take some risks” during run chases

Mohammad Isam25-Mar-2021According to Bangladesh’s batting coach Jon Lewis, opening himself up to play more on the leg side allowed Mohammad Mithun to play better as the batsman turned a corner with his sparkling 73* in the second ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch.Forty of Mithun’s runs came from the on side, which Lewis explained was was a natural consequence of the kind of pitches available in New Zealand. “I think the big aspect of batting overseas for Bangladeshi batsmen is dealing with quality seam bowling with the new ball and a little bit more bounce,” he said. “Tamim [Iqbal] has more experience than most of the guys. He uses his role to create foundation for the second half of the innings.Related

Mohammad Mithun wants to hit back at online trolls by scoring runs again

Early caution to late aggression, Bangladesh's well-planned innings

Tamim bemoans missed chances: 'We should've won this game'

The No. 3 problem: Bangladesh's never-ending search for an answer

“Mithun played an exceptional innings in Christchurch. He was trying to get himself closer to the line of the ball. He was trying not to look at the off side so much by keeping leg side as an option. You can do it where the ball bounces above the stumps a bit more than [in] Dhaka or Chattogram.”Mithun’s attacking approach, where he batted at a strike rate of 128.07, changed the course of the Bangladesh innings and could also turn out to be a breakthrough knock in his international career. The visitors, however, lost the game by five wickets to concede the three-match ODI series but Mithun’s innings highlighted Bangladesh’s batting turnaround after a shocking performance in the first ODI in Dunedin.Lewis, who joined the Bangladesh side earlier this year to work during the home series against West Indies and the New Zealand tour, said that the Bangladesh batsmen may have to bat at an even higher tempo if they are chasing a big total in the third ODI in Wellington on Saturday. But if they bat first, he would want them to continue with their plan in Christchurch, which was about conserving wickets at the start and going after the bowling in the back end of the innings.”If we bat first, we have to be wary of what the new ball might do,” he said. “They have Trent Boult, and if [Tim] Southee comes into the side, they are quality performers. We have to ensure they don’t do us too much damage early on. If we are chasing a high score, we have to take advantage of the powerplay – take some risks, play some shots.”But when it comes to batting first, Lewis believes Bangladesh can make up for a slow start.”I think any run we don’t get in the first ten overs, we believe we can make it up in the latter period as long as our established batsmen are not trying to rebuild the innings too much,” he said. “If we are none or one down for 30-40 runs in the first ten overs, we feel it’s okay. In Dunedin, we were two or three down [early] which allowed New Zealand to control the innings. But when we had a partnership between Tamim and Soumya [Sarkar, in the second ODI], it allowed Mithun to kick on and get us to a decent score.”Lewis mentioned that despite the 0-2 scoreline against Bangladesh, they took a “step in the right direction” in Christchurch, particularly with the way they batted coming from Dunedin.”In Christchurch there was significant improvement in the batting effort,” he said. “It didn’t go well in Dunedin, where we lost the toss and it was a decent time to bowl early. The surface in Christchurch was for a much more even contest. The guys put into practice what they had been doing during the preparation period. It wasn’t good enough because we didn’t get the result we are after, but at least there was a step in the right direction.”

Arsenal's rise over the past two seasons has been remarkable. Gone are the post-Arsene Wenger days of misery, where Champions League football was elusive, out of reach, and an outfit on the decline found shining lights in the forms of several talented youngsters.

Mikel Arteta changed everything, revolutionised the Emirates Stadium and rewrote the narrative, turned the culture on its head, for the better.

With great power comes great responsibility, or so the maxim goes. But it's true in Arsenal's case that they are no longer the exciting up-and-comers; despite falling short against Manchester City in successive Premier League title showdowns, the Gunners are one of Europe's elite.

173 points across two top-flight campaigns would say as much, as would the club-record £105m signing of Declan Rice, the rise of William Saliba, who is shaping into one of Europe's finest defenders, and the ever-evolving brilliance of Bukayo Saka, who has been hailed as "one of the best players" in England by Wayne Rooney and rightly so.

Depth across a series of positions is still required, and one of the pressing concerns of the 2023/24 term was the lack of prolificness up front. One report suggests that that could be about to change.

Arsenal transfer news

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are preparing to tussle with Liverpool for the signing of Donyell Malen, who has enjoyed a clinical season with Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

A former Hale End member, Malen was sold to PSV Eindhoven when he was 18, turning down offers from Chelsea and Manchester United to complete the transfer.

Now 25, Malen has impressed for Dortmund over the past few years and is expected to extend his contract, but the Bundesliga team would still listen to offers of €40m (£34m), should they be put forth.

Sources believe that the Dutchman's preference, should he leave the Yellow Wall, is to return to his former stomping ground, hence why the north Londoners feel that they are leading the race.

Why Arsenal should re-sign Donyell Malen

Malen, who has 36 international caps (and nine goals) for the Netherlands, would add some invaluable depth to Arteta's thriving outfit, with his dynamic properties allowing him to flourish across the frontline, albeit more clinical when placed on the right wing, for he is two-footed.

Donyell Malen: Career Stats by Position
Position	Apps	Goals	Assists
Centre-forward	140	70	28
Left winger	83	18	14
Right winger	64	30	12
Attacking midfield	5	1	0
Stats via Transfermarkt

With rumours swirling around Reiss Nelson's future in north London, it does seem like signing Malen would be a wise move, especially since Saka started 45 matches for his club last season before featuring prominently for the Three Lions at Euro 2024 this summer.

Arsenal were fortuitous on the injury front last year but such imperious levels of fitness cannot be taken for granted each season, and Malen, who differs in style of play to that of Saka, would be a wonderful addition.

As per FBref, the 5 foot 10 talent ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 3% for shots taken per 90. Moreover, 2014 World Cup Germany hero Mario Gotze has proclaimed him to be "extremely fast and very dangerous".

After all, last season, the dynamo scored 15 goals and supplied five further assists across 38 matches – and that's despite ten of such appearances coming from the bench.

Injuries have tugged at the £97k-per-week ace throughout his career but he would join a rich frontline filled with talent at Arsenal and could grow into his skin in a manner not dissimilar to that of Leandro Trossard, with the Belgian marksman considered a comparable player to Malen by FBref's statistical model.

Furthermore, so is Joao Felix, and as Aston Villa fight to sign the Portuguese ace, Arsenal could stay ahead of the curve by signing a similar player of, perhaps, more fitting quality.

Arteta's own Joao Felix

Felix is one of the highest-profile forwards on the continent, rising to fame after an exciting start to his professional career with Benfica and joining Atletico Madrid in a £113m deal in 2019, aged 19.

La Liga Journalist Jose Delgado claimed after Atleti's signing: "Since Ronaldo, we [Spain] have not had a player so exciting and young like him until now." However, such claims would not stand the test of time anymore.

Like Malen, Felix performed deceptively well for Barcelona last season, ranking among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues for goals scored and the top 4% for shots taken per 90, with his silky-smooth dribbling and playmaking acumen also making him a 'dangerous' outlet.

Malen, too, isn't just a sharpshooter, averaging 1.6 dribbles per game in the German Bundesliga last season and 2.3 per outing with Oranje at the European Championship. He also created nine big chances for his peers in the league.

Dubbed "the football artist" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Felix would be a credit to Unai Emery's Villan project, and given that Arsenal have been reported – as relayed by Mundo Deportivo – to be among the outfits interested in striking a deal this summer, perhaps it's wise to move for a player of a similar profile in Malen.

Who knows, Dortmund's versatile attacking talent could prove to be the better pick; he's been more clinical across the duration of his career and his propensity for stirring up danger could give Arteta the edge in the pursuit of silverware and success of a higher level, with Kulig claiming that he is "simply unstoppable" when fit and firing.

Forget Merino: Arsenal enter talks for "incredible" £147k-p/w alternative

The “incredible” international would be an excellent signing.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 27, 2024