مرموش: أريد إظهار أن مصر لديها لاعبون عظماء للعالم

أجرى النجم المصري عمر مرموش حواراً مع الحساب الرسمي للدوري الإنجليزي وتحدث عن الكثير من الأمور خاصة فترته الحالية مع مانشستر سيتي.

وقال مرموش عن فوزه بجائزة هدف الموسم الماضي: “لا أستطيع وصف شعوري بالكلمات، كم كان هذا الشعور رائعاً، إن الفوز بجائزة هدف الموسم يجعلني فخوراً للغاية، لقد كانت لحظة مذهلة (هدفه أمام بورنموث)، كان هدفاً لا يُصدق ولحظة لا تُصدق، وضعت كل قوتي في الكرة وبمجرد أن رأيتها ترتفع عرفت أنها هدف، في الإحماء كانت لدي تسديدة مشابهة لتلك، سارت بنفس الطريقة، كانت لحظة مميزة جداً بالنسبة لي، ساعدنا ذلك كذلك في الفوز، كانت لحظة مجنونة”.

وأضاف: “تمثيل مصر في الدوري الإنجليزي؟ أحاول فعل ذلك بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، شرف لي أن أكون مصريلً وأريد أن أظهر للعالم أن مصر لديها لاعبون عظماء ومواهب حقيقية، آمل أن يرى الشباب المصريون رحلتي ويؤمنون بها، أريد منحهم الثقة للبدء في القيام بما يرغبون به”.

ومن جديد عن هدفه المذهل ضد بورنموث الموسم الماضي والذي جاء بصاروخية بعيدة المدى من مسافة 35 ياردة: “لا أعرف حقاً ما الذي دفعني للتسديد من هذه المسافة، هذا يحدث غريزياً، لحسن الحظ كان القرار صائبًا، أتمنى أن أفعل ذلك مجدداً”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. إعلان التشكيل المثالي للجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا.. ضم لاعب ليفربول

وتحدث مرموش عن هدفه الأول في الدوري الإنجليزي ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد أيضاً والذي جاء من حركة تكتيكية تم التدرب عليها مع هالاند وحارس مرمى مانشستر سيتي السابق إيدرسون.

وقال مرموش: “كان ذلك لعب مخطط له، عملنا عليه في التدريبات لكن تمريرات إيدرسون كانت مذهلة، بصراحة 80 إلى 90% من هذا الهدف يعود له”.

وأوضح: “كنا نعلم أن نيوكاسل يعتمد على الضغط العالي، كنت أنا وهالاند في المقدمة، سيكون مدافعه معه وكان عليه أن يقوم بسحبه وتتوفر مساحة أمامي، رأيت المساحة وقررت الدخول، مع العلم أن إيدرسون يمتلك الكثير من القوة في ساقه، يمكنه لعب تلك الكرة بسهولة، رأيت الكرة أمامي ونظرت إلى حارس نيوكاسل وظننت أنه يتكهن بأنها ستكون تمريرة طويلة بعض الشئ، لذلك كان خارج مرماه بالفعل، قررت التسديد بتلك الطريقة بالنظر إلى كون المدافع خلفي مباشرة، رأيت أنه الحل الأمثل”.

وأكد: “لا يمكنني إلا أن أتخيل هدفاً كهذا وفي تلك اللحظة، هي شيء كنت تحلم به منذ أن كنت طفلاً، للتسجيل في الدوري الإنجليزي، لعبت مباراتين قبل تسجيل هذا ضد نيوكاسل، كنت أنتظر هذه اللحظة فقط، وفي هذه المباراة سجلت بالفعل الهاتريك، لذلك لم أكن لأحلم ببداية أفضل للدوري الإنجليزي، وأنني أتيت إلى مثل هذا الدوري الكبير، وأن أول هاتريك لي في مسيرتي بأكملها سيكون في هذا الدوري”.

وتأقلم مرموش مع نظام بيب جوارديولا منذ انضمامه إلى مانشستر سيتي: “زملائي يسهلون كل شيء، يمنحونني الثقة للتعبير عن نفسي، حتى عندما لا تسير الأمور على ما يرام، فإن ثقافة الفريق هنا تدفعك لمحاولة القيام بالمزيد وهذا ما يجعل مانشستر سيتي قوياً، أهم شئ هو الشعور بالراحة في أسرع وقت ممكن، حتى تتمكن من النزول إلى أرض الملعب وإظهار نفسك وما لديك، أحد الأشياء الإيجابية الكبيرة لدينا هو أننا نقاتل ونحاول دائماً التسجيل، ونحاول أن نكون فعالين، حتى لو لم تكن فعالًا في بعض الأحيان أو لم ينجح الأمر، ندفع بعضنا البعض دائماً، زملائي في الفريق أو حولنا كفريق، لنمنح بعضنا البعض الثقة للمضي قدماً مرة أخرى، حتى لو أخطأت، فقط انطلق مرة أخرى”.

وتحدث مرموش أيضاً عن أول هاتريك في مسيرته مع مانشستر ستي خلال مباراته الثالثة فقط: “كانت بداية رائعة، تسجيل هاتريك للنادي بهذه الطريقة، لا أستطيع طلب المزيد، أثبت أن كل الجهد الذي بذلته على مر السنوات يؤتي ثماره”.

واستأنف: “هدفي الأول أمام نيوكاسل؟ سأمنح تمريرة إيدي 5 نجوم وإنهائي 4، هدفي الثالث؟ كنت قد سجلت الثاني للتو، رأيت سافينيو يخترق مع علمي أنه أعسر ستكون التمريرة العرضية اليمنى عندما يكون على الخط في هذه المساحة، وبمجرد أن وصلت الكرة إلى قدمي، عرفت للتو أن هذا هو هدف الهاتريك لي، حدث كل شيء بسرعة كبيرة وكان رائعاً جداً، يا لها من لحظة رائعة”.

وعن تقييمه لذلك الهدف، قال: “سأمنح معظم الفضل لسافيني، كانت لحظة رائعة، أن تسجل هاتريك على أرضك وأمام الجماهير، اللعب في الاتحاد وسط هذا الحب والدعم من الجماهير أمر رائع للغاية، وخاصةً مقدار ما يدفعوننا به لإظهار صفاتنا واللعب بشكل أفضل، وليس الفوز فقط، كم أن الأجواء داخل الفريق مع زملائنا في الفريق لا تُصدق، جميعنا متعطشون للغاية، نريد تحقيق الكثير، نريد تسجيل الكثير من الأهداف، وأن نكون ناجحين بشكل عام”.

وعن هدفه الثاني ضد نيوكاسل بعد أسيست من جوندوجان، قال: “3 نجوم، لقد سقطت الكرة أمامي، كنت محظوظاً في ذلك الهدف، ولكن في النهاية يجب أن تكون لديك الجودة لإنهاء الكرة، بعد أن وصلت الكرة إلى جوندوجان، أعتقد أنه كان يحاول إنهاء الهجمة بنفسه، لم يسدد الكرة بشكل صحيح، لذلك كنت هناك في منطقة الجزاء، إحدى النقاط الرئيسية هي محاولة التواجد دائماً في منطقة الجزاء، لأن هذا هو المكان الذي تُسجل فيه معظم الأهداف، وفكرت أنه ليس لدي الكثير من الوقت للذهاب إلى الكرة ببطء، لهذا السبب، كما ترون، ذهبت بسرعة، ووضعت كل قوتي في الكرة”.

 وعن النصيحة التي يقدمها للاعبين الأصغر سناً حول التواجد في منطقة الجزاء والوصول إلى تلك المواقع الصحيحة في الوقت المناسب، قال: “يجب على اللاعبين الشباب، الأشخاص الذين يأتون، أن يعرفوا أنه يجب عليك دائماً القيام بالركض في منطقة الجزاء، وعليك دائماً أن تكون متسقاً مع زملائك ومتسقاً في تمركزك، كمهاجم، يمكنك أن تكون في منطقة الجزاء 20 مرة، ستأتي كرة واحدة وتلك الكرة ستسجلها”.

وشدد: “أحاول دائمًا إظهار شخصيتي على أرض الملعب، لدي الثقة لأحاول دائمًا، من المحتمل أن تسجل ولكنك قد تخطئ أحياناً، لكن الثقة هي أن تستمر وتحاول أن تكون فعالًا، أعتقد أن هذا شيء كبير في شخصيتي، محاولة تحمل هذه المسؤولية ومحاولة القيام بالأشياء بإبداعي وأسلوبي، ولكن في نفس الوقت الاستماع إلى ما يريده المدرب واستغلال المساحات التي ستكون متاحة في المباراة، أسرع لاعب في مانشستر سيتي؟ خوسانوف”.

وأشاد مرموش بنشأته مع نادي وادي دجلة واعتبرها مصدر إلهام له وعلق: “اللعب مع نادي صغير خفف عني ضغوط كبيرة في البداية، ساعدتني على التطور بهدوء والتعلم بوتيرتي الخاصة، لدينا في مصر ناديان أو ثلاث أندية كبيرة مع قاعدة جماهيرية كبيرة، عندما انتقلت لأوروبا أصبح هذا الهدوء أحد نقاط قوتي، لقد أستغرق الأمر عامين حتى أتعود على اللعب في أوروبا ومعرفة كل شيء حوله ونعم هذا ساعدني كثيراً، لم يكن لدي هذا الضغط حتى أتيت لأوروبا”.

Sunderland lining up centre-back signing who Van Dijk said is "outstanding"

Sunderland are reportedly among a host of Premier League clubs interested in completing the signing of a title-winning player this summer.

Sunderland push for defender but Bellingham is off

The Black Cats have been boosted in their efforts to sign Reims centre-back Cedric Kipre, with the former West Brom defender “increasingly likely” to leave his current club ahead of next season.

Kipre is considered a “serious option” for Sunderland, who will know the importance of strengthening their squad significantly in the summer transfer window, looking to avoid an immediate return to the Championship in the process.

On the flip side, Regis Le Bris is going to have to make do without Jobe Bellingham moving forward, with the 19-year-old choosing to seal a move to Borussia Dortmund, as has been widely reported for some time. Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie provided the latest earlier this week.

Sunderland want to sign Liverpool hero

Now, according to a fresh claim from Empire of the Kop, Sunderland are one of eight Premier League clubs who are eyeing a move for Joe Gomez this summer.

The 28-year-old’s Reds future is up in the air currently, with the report stating that the new champions are “open” to the idea of allowing him to leave. The Black Cats are “informed as to his situation”, as are fellow promoted sides Leeds United and Burnley, and Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth.

Gomez could be perfect for Sunderland this summer, as they look to add experience to a relatively young squad, with the Englishman now a proven player at the very top level.

The 15-cap international has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Liverpool, among various other trophies, while Virgil van Dijk has described him as an “outstanding” player.

That is huge praise from one of the best defenders of his generation, and at 28, Gomez still has plenty to offer, even though he has endured some serious injury problems down the years.

He can shine at both centre-back and right-back, giving Le Bris more depth immediately – he has even slotted in at left-back at times in his career – and if Sunderland could bring both him and Jordan Henderson to the Stadium of Light, they would immediately have far more authority in their ranks.

Sunderland now looking "increasingly likely" to sign ex-PSG defender

Regis Le Bris wants to snap him up.

ByHenry Jackson Jun 3, 2025

It remains to be seen if Gomez actually wants to leave Liverpool – he still has two years left on his current deal – but the Black Cats should be viewing him as a fantastic option.

Slot has struck gold on Liverpool star worth more than Zubimendi & Frimpong

Over the years, Liverpool have signed numerous players who have had a huge impact on their squad, ultimately helping them claim Premier League glory this campaign.

Virgil van Dijk is undoubtedly the biggest example, costing £75m from Southampton back in January 2018 and being a spare head in their backline ever since.

The Dutchman, who’s now the club’s captain, has played every minute of the league season in 2024/25, helping the side keep 14 clean sheets in the process – the most of any side in the division.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk

Players like Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister have also been influential in their success, nailing their place down in various positions across the field.

However, this summer presents a fresh opportunity for Slot to add new blood to his squad, with numerous players already emerging on their shortlist ahead of the window.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new signings this summer

Martin Zubimendi is a player who’s been on Liverpool’s radar constantly over the last few years, even having an offer accepted for him last summer.

The Spaniard turned down a switch to Anfield before reemerging on their shortlist ahead of the summer, but he appears to be heading to Arsenal in a £50m move after Fabrizio Romano’s latest report.

However, the same can’t be said for right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutchman appearing to be edging ever closer to completing a switch to Anfield ahead of the summer.

It’s been confirmed that the 24-year-old is keen on a move to the club after the Reds held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for the full-back, who has a £29.5m release clause in his current deal.

However, despite the moves for the aforementioned duo, one current first-team player is already worth as much as the pair combined, highlighting the great work done by the hierarchy in recent times.

The Liverpool star who’s worth as much as Zubimendi & Frimpong

Slot’s ability to win the league title in his first season in charge is nothing short of remarkable, undoubtedly getting the best out of the players who are already at the club after his appointment.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot

Such success could lead to an exciting prospect for supporters when he’s able to spend money this summer and make his own stamp on the squad on Merseyside.

The likes of Frimpong could add further quality to the first team squad, helping his compatriot achieve the unthinkable and retain their title in 2025/26.

However, the Leverkusen star could also link up well with current midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who’s managed to hugely impress throughout this season, after getting the chance to thrive under Slot’s guidance.

After joining for £34m from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, the 22-year-old only made 12 league starts in his first season – unable to cement his place in the starting eleven.

However, his importance to the squad has been immeasurable this time around, starting all but one meeting and being a crucial cog in the midfield for his compatriot.

His underlying stats are just as impressive, completing 90% of the passes he’s attempted, allowing him to notch a tally of four assists in the Premier League this campaign.

Games played

35

Assists

4

Pass accuracy

90%

Tackles won

52%

Interceptions made

1.7

Successful dribbles

1.1

Aerials won

65%

Gravenberch has also starred without the ball, winning 52% of the tackles he’s entered, whilst making 1.7 interceptions per 90 – often being the player to break down the opposition’s threat going forward.

As a result, he’s now valued at a staggering £80m by FootballTransfers, a mammoth increase after his big-money transfer to Merseyside less than two years ago.

His subsequent value is the same as Zubimendi and Frimpong’s respective transfer fees of £50m and £30m, highlighting the progression he’s made throughout this season.

If the club are to mount a charge to maintain their title glory next season, investment will be crucial, handing the manager the funds he needs to make adequate changes.

However, the form of Gravenberch will also be imperative, with his performance levels certainly aiding their pursuit if he can replicate the success he’s enjoyed in Slot’s debut campaign.

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SA reaffirms support for women's cricket ahead of Afghanistan series

SACA added its voice of concern for the deteriorating human rights for Afghanistan women under the Taliban rule

Firdose Moonda12-Sep-2024The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has issued a statement in support of promoting the participation of women in cricket as South Africa’s men’s team prepares to play three ODIs against Afghanistan in the UAE.Afghanistan is the only ICC Full Member that does not have a women’s team, with significant restrictions imposed on women in the country under the Taliban government.This is the first bilateral series between the two countries and only the third time South Africa will play 50-over cricket against Afghanistan after meeting them at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. These fixtures are not part of the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP) and have been added to the calendar as CSA seeks more competitive opportunities for its teams. SACA welcomed these additions, and said in a statement they “respect the position of CSA in this regard as the national governing body for cricket.”However, SACA, on behalf of the players, wanted to add a voice of concern for the “deteriorating human rights for women under the Taliban rule,” and reiterate their support in promoting women’s cricket everywhere.Related

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“World Cricketers’ Association and SACA do not condone any situation in which women’s players are excluded from competing in our sport,” Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO and WCA board member, said. “Every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity which is protected by international law and set out in the Universal Declaration of Player Rights. That means each player has the right to equality of opportunity in the pursuit of sport, free of discrimination, harassment and violence. A player’s right to pursue sport cannot be limited because of his or her gender. We urge CSA to utilise the leverage available to it through this series to highlight that these rights for Afghanistan’s women’s players must be protected and respected.”CSA is not expected to comment on the statement but as an ICC Member has been part of discussions around the Afghanistan situation. Its outgoing chair, Lawson Naidoo, was on the ICC’s Afghanistan working group. Sources have told ESPNcricnfo that the ICC continues to discuss possible solutions around the lack of a women’s team in Afghanistan, including ongoing conversations around a refugee team based in Australia. The ICC is hesitant to ban the men’s team (like it did with South Africa in 1970 in a stand against racial Apartheid). The ACB, because of the Taliban’s position on women, cannot recognise a women’s team. There are fears from various quarters that forcing the issue of a women’s team on the Taliban government would put lives at risk.The ICC continues to include Afghanistan as a Full Member in its international calendar, though some countries have refused to play against them bilaterally. Australia, in consultation with their government, have postponed two series in as many years against Afghanistan. They continue to play against Afghanistan in ICC tournaments. South Africa have only previously met Afghanistan in major events, most recently at the T20 World Cup semi-final, which South Africa won.On Monday, South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter was asked whether there was any consideration not to play against Afghanistan given the current regime. He passed the onus onto Cricket South Africa, without offering any personal opinion. “To be honest, those decisions are not for me to make. Ultimately, the heads of CSA decide whether we do or don’t play and so that’s the extent of it,” he said.South Africa will play Afghanistan in three ODIs in Sharjah from next Wednesday, before facing Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs in Abu Dhabi.

Blackburn fighting QPR and Hull for "amazing" forward with 96 career goals

Blackburn Rovers have now registered their interest in signing an “amazing” striker with 96 career goals and are battling rivals Hull City and QPR, according to a report.

Blackburn set sights on new striker

Blackburn narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs this season, finishing just two points behind sixth-placed Bristol City, who ultimately proved to be no match for Sheffield United, losing 6-0 against Chris Wilder’s side on aggregate.

As such, Valerien Ismael may not have to make too many changes to his squad to turn them into promotion contenders, but one area in which the manager is clearly lacking is striker, with last season’s top scorer, Yuki Ohashi, finishing with nine league goals.

Ohashi enjoyed a solid end to the campaign, picking up goals and two assists in his final six games, but it is clear the Japan international could do with some support up front, and the Rovers have now set their sights on a new striker.

Derby now fighting Blackburn for midfielder who won 139 duels this season

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That is according to a report from Football Insider, which states Blackburn have now registered their interest in signing Swansea City striker Jerry Yates, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at fellow Championship side Derby County.

There could be fierce competition for Yates, however, with two MLS clubs keen, alongside second-tier rivals Queens Park Rangers and Hull City, who have also expressed an interest in the striker.

Derby County'sJerryYatesin action with Oxford United's Tyler Goodrham

The forward is set to return to Swansea for pre-season, but he is unlikely to stick around for too long, with a permanent move elsewhere expected this summer, and the Rovers are set to be in the mix for his signature.

"Amazing" Yates could help fuel Blackburn's promotion push

Blackburn have remained outside the Premier League for the last 13 years, having narrowly missed out on the play-offs in three of the last four Championship seasons, and it is clear they could do with some additional attacking firepower to fuel a promotion push.

Not a single Rovers player managed to break into the top 20 Championship scorers last season, with Ismael’s side scoring just 53 league goals, which may have been costly in their pursuit of the top six.

There are some signs the signing of Yates could help fuel a promotion push next season, having been lauded for his “amazing” work-rate by former Derby manager Paul Warne last season.

The 28-year-old has been a consistent source of goals throughout his career, bagging a total of 96 across spells with the likes of Swansea, Derby and Blackpool, and the signing of the Englishman could relieve the goalscoring burden that currently rests on Ohashi.

KKR survive Karn scare to win by one run

With 21 runs to get off the final over, Karn nearly pulled off a miracle, but Knight Riders and Phil Salt held their nerve to effect a run-out off the last ball

Alagappan Muthu21-Apr-20241:50

Jaffer: ‘If Narine doesn’t get you, Salt will’

Mitchell Starc had 20 runs to defend and he nearly didn’t. In the course of six balls, he exemplified just how difficult it is to be a bowler in T20 cricket, and how he will always fly in the face of it. Having been hit for three sixes in the final over which reduced the equation down to 3 off 2, he went to his bread and butter. He went pace on. He went yorker. And he produced a wicket. Karn Sharma, who had brought this game back from the dead, was gone. As soon as the catch was taken – Starc himself diving low to his right in his followthrough – RCB knew there were no more miracles.Ramandeep Singh contrived to give them one. His throw from deep point was poor. It didn’t come in quick enough or straight enough. It left the wicketkeeper with a lot to do. Phil Salt, though, was fine with it. He was alert enough to step forward and shrink the distance the ball had to travel and then agile enough to fling his whole body at the stumps and break it before the No. 11 Lockie Ferguson could make his ground and trigger a Super Over. KKR had won, by one run, and maybe five inches.Related

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Plans made, plans fall apartRCB did beautifully to keep Sunil Narine quiet. While most teams do know not to give him any room, they went a step further, dropped all pretense and tried to bowl nothing but leg-stump yorkers. KKR’s biggest hitter this season needed eight balls to get off the mark. Salt came to his rescue though hitting 10 of the first 13 balls to the boundary and flirting with the fastest fifty of IPL 2024. He could have had it too but in going for another six – to a ball that was very hittable – he got caught at deep midwicket. Still, 48 off 14 with seven fours and three sixes is nothing to scoff at.The middle overs slowdownKarn bowled the first boundary-less over in the 10th. Cameron Green was keeping Rinku Singh quiet, their head-to-head for the first six balls yielding three dots and two singles. The Australian had used his height to great effect earlier, leaping up to catch a ball that was 8.1m off the ground and travelling fast, to dismiss Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Now, he was digging off-pace deliveries into the pitch and getting them to soar past Rinku’s bat swing. Even with Shreyas Iyer scoring his first IPL fifty since May 2022, RCB had the better of the middle overs (economy rate 8, from 12.5 in the powerplay). Ferguson, who conceded a boundary with every ball of his first over, gave up only one more after that in the next three. He also took a wicket, a skillful use of the knuckle ball which got big on Rinku and took away his power.Faf du Plessis fined for slow over rate

RCB captain Faf du Plessis was fined for his side maintaining a slow over rate against KKR. As it was his first such offence, he was penalised with a minimum over-rate fine of INR 12 lakh.

Small marginsAndre Russell had walked in during the 14th over. At the time of the 18th, he was still 11 off 13 with only one hit to the fence, and still, he was toying with the bowlers.Yash Dayal was desperate to keep the ball out of his hitting arc, which forced him to spray one too wide outside off and another too wide outside leg, which also beat the keeper and went for four. To make matters worse, he had overstepped.Dayal was only trying to do the right thing but it is so hard in this format. A nine-ball 17th over ended with Shreyas pinging the long-on boundary twice and yielding 22 runs. RCB trusted him to close the innings out but that over went for 16. Once again, he did the right things. Went wide yorker, but missed the mark and got hit. Took pace off, but Muscle Russell found a way. Recovered to string two yorkers and a bouncer that cost only three runs but the last ball was cleverly ramped for four by Ramandeep. KKR 222 for 6.Mohammed Siraj is distraught even as KKR celebrate their dramatic one-run win•BCCIJacks and Patidar step upAngry Virat Kohli made an appearance after a long time, disputing the technology that gave him out off a full toss that he was certain was over waist high. Faf du Plessis couldn’t stick around for long enough. RCB were in familiar dire straits once again when two of their least heralded players decided to shoot their shot.Will Jacks took down Starc in the final over of the powerplay, hitting him for three sixes and a four. The whole over was symptomatic of the way KKR had bowled to him, pace on and in the slot. A tall batter with a strong front foot game loves it there. So did the RCB fans who were sat down the ground or at midwicket.At the other end, Rajat Patidar found his rhythm. He has looked short of confidence ever since he was dropped by India during the Tests against England. A batter who relies on feel more than technique was struggling to get it back, until it all came back, and he was sitting pretty with a 21-ball fifty. He scored 16 off 8 off Narine, with two sixes, and 30 off 9 against Suyash Sharma, with three sixes and two fours.Russell goes slow, Starc goes fastRCB were 77% favourites at this point, needing 86 off 54 balls. Then on came Russell for his first over of the night and knocked over both of RCB’s half-centurions. For a guy who wants to look like a UFC fighter, he keeps sucker-punching people. Running in nice and hard. Properly powering through his action. That tree-trunk like shoulder whipping the ball down the pitch. But then the fingers do their magic, and all of a sudden, a batter prepping for 140kph is caught off guard with 115kph.Starc has not learned that lesson yet. He has found all his success – even here in the IPL when he was wearing the opposition’s colours – by trusting his pace and his accuracy. According to ESPNcricnfo ball-by-ball data, he has attempted a slower ball only 11 times this season. It is part of why he has given up 44 boundaries, the most by any bowler in IPL 2024. The opposition sets up for his thunderbolts, which in India, don’t always kiss the pitch and fly through. They sometimes sit up to be smacked.However, people under pressure trust what has worked for them in the past and the Starc yorker is still money. He went for it. It came out as a low full toss. Karn, who had already carved three sixes off near yorkers, set up to smash it down the ground. But this time he couldn’t get enough power on it. He could only bunt it and Starc was agile enough to dive to his right and come up with a blinder. That was the decisive play in a game full of them. Pace on for the win. Who knew.

Gay hits 261, Sales maiden hundred in Northants run-fest

Emilio Gay and James Sales both set new landmarks as Northamptonshire continued to dominate on day two of their Vitality County Championship clash with Middlesex at Wantage Road.First-day centurion Gay forged on to post 261 – the highest-ever individual Championship score for the county against Middlesex – while Sales, brought back into the side for this game, made his maiden first-class hundred with his father David and mum Abigail in attendance to mark the moment. The pair set a new fifth-wicket record against the Seaxes of 181 before the hosts declared on 552 for 6.For Middlesex, who conceded 620 in the first innings against Glamorgan last week, it was another case of much leather chasing, Toby-Roland-Jones their only bowler to take more than one wicket (2 for 81).There was still time in the evening session for two young debutants to make an impression, Raphael Weatherall capturing his maiden first-class wicket, while Middlesex teenager Nathan Fernandes reached an impressive half-century before stumps were drawn with the visitors 128 for 1, still 424 in arrears.As they did on the opening day, Middlesex made an early breakthrough, Roland-Jones trapping Rob Keogh, the batter risking censure by taking his time to drag himself away from the crease, shaking his head as he went, a point noted by the two umpires. However, as on day one, the wicket proved a false dawn for Middlesex as Gay and Sales embarked on their record stand.Gay timed the ball exquisitely, straight driving first Ethan Bamber, then Roland-Jones to the fence as he eclipsed Stephen Peters’ record score against Middlesex at Wantage Road, 183 set in 2010.It wasn’t long before he flicked a loose one from Tom Helm to the fine leg fence to reach his first double-hundred and take Peters’ record of the highest-ever score against Middlesex of 199 made in that same summer 14 years ago.Josh De Caires would give him a reprieve almost immediately afterwards, failing to hold onto a tough caught and bowled opportunity. In De Caires’ defence he probably saved four not to mention himself being decapitated by the blow.Sales meanwhile got underway with a four through midwicket and later took heavy toll of a De Caires over, clubbing one just beyond the grasp of mid-on before driving a better shot straight in the same over on his way to 50 from 109 balls. The hundred stand was raised by lunch as Middlesex rattled through 22 overs in the second hour’s play to rectify a previously negative over rate.Gay was granted a second life soon after the resumption when Bamber failed to hold an even tougher caught-and-bowled close to the ground and celebrated the reprieve by hoisting De Caires back over his head for the day’s first six on route to 250.The record fifth wicket stand against Middlesex of 131 between David Capel and Nigel Felton set at Lord’s in 1989 was soon eclipsed and it was a surprise when Gay’s innings was ended via a run-out.Saif Zaib sparkled briefly, striking one six out of the ground, before all eyes fell on Sales. Already having surpassed his career-best, the 21-year-old right-hander banished any thoughts of the nervous 90s with a huge six of his own before a scampered single took him to the century to a great reception from an albeit sparse crowd.The declaration came soon afterwards and while Middlesex openers Mark Stoneman and Fernandes survived a testing 35 minutes before tea, Weatherall’s golden moment came soon afterwards. The youngster, who played in the England U19 Test on this ground last September took just eight balls to find the edge of Stoneman’s bat, the tickle carrying comfortably through to McManus.That one stuck for McManus but he grassed another when Fernandes was on 24, so denying Weatherall a second victim from his opening burst.The left-hander made the most of the reprieve, to reach a 50 including seven fours, while Max Holden survived a drop at short leg on 35 to be 40 not out at the close.

Arsenal have struck gold on "monster" who's their best signing since Rice

Since taking the job as Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has made his fair share of dire signings.

The likes of Pablo Mari, Willian, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira are some examples of players who either failed to live up to expectations or were just poor when they played.

However, for all the bad, Arteta has also overseen plenty of sensational signings, with Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and David Raya and perhaps the best of the lot, Declan Rice, joining the club under his stewardship.

The former West Ham United captain has been sensational for the Gunners since his club-record move in the summer of 2023, and now it would probably be fair to say one of the manager’s signings from last summer has proven to be his best since the Englishman.

How Arsenal's summer signings are getting on

So, it would be fair to say that overall, the campaign has been a mixed one for the signings made last summer, so before we get to the player in question, it’s worth going over how the others have fared, starting with the worst of the lot: Raheem Sterling.

The Kingston-born star joined the club on a season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day, and while he told the fans they would “see the best” of him, the complete opposite has been true so far.

For example, in 24 appearances, the former Manchester City monster has scored just a single goal, which came against League One Bolton Wanderers, and provided five assists, meaning he’s averaging a goal involvement every four games.

Appearances

13

6

1

4

Minutes

352′

297′

80′

270′

Goals

0

0

0

1

Assists

2

2

0

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.15

0.33

0.00

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

176′

148.5′

N/A

135′

It’s been a more positive year for fellow summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, who joined the club from Bologna for around £42m, as when he’s played, he’s looked good and has an impressive tally – for a defender – of three goals and two assists in 26 appearances so far.

However, there has been one significant problem, which is his fitness.

So far, the Roma-born international has missed a whopping 24 games for club and country thanks to three knee injuries, one muscle injury and one calf injury, allowing Myles Lewis-Skelly to come in and make the left-back position his own.

Aside from David Raya, who initially joined the club on loan in 2023, and Neto, who barely played, there was one more senior signing made in the summer, a signing that might be Arteta’s best since Rice.

Chalkboard

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

Arsenal's best signing since Rice

So, with all the other signings from last summer covered above, it should be no surprise that Mikel Merino is the addition in question.

The Spanish international joined Arsenal for around £31.6m in late August after what felt like a particularly protracted transfer saga, but things did not start out well.

In cosmically poor luck, the European champion fractured his shoulder in his first training session with the club and remained out of action until the Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on the first of October.

Unfortunately, his luck didn’t improve much over the coming months as he struggled to assert himself in the team and, as a result, found himself constantly in and out of the starting lineup, which understandably made it hard for him to establish any sort of rhythm or consistency.

However, things took a turn for the unexpected in February, as injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left the Gunners without a recognized number nine, so after a rather paltry first 70 minutes of goalless action away to Leicester City, the Spaniard was thrown on to lead the line.

Somehow, even though he had admitted to never playing there before, the former Real Sociedad ace looked right at home, scoring a brilliant header and then slotting home another to secure the North Londoners all three points.

Since then, the 28-year-old “mentality monster,” as dubbed by podcaster Matt Kendala, has scored another four goals to add to his two assists, and following his exceptional strike against Real Madrid, it’s hard to imagine that the club are still officially without a fit centre-forward in the team.

The Pamplona-born game-changer has been hearing his song sung by the fans more and more in recent weeks, and if he keeps on producing in the way he is, Kendala’s claim that he’s “approaching cult status” will undoubtedly be proven correct.

Ultimately, while he’s not on the same level as the Englishman, it would be hard to deny that, thanks to his performances of late, Merino is unquestionably Arteta’s best signing since Rice in 2023.

He's like Saka & Yamal: Arsenal in talks to sign "world-class" £39m star

The incredible winger would bring so much experience and quality to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 15, 2025

Rahul Dravid: 'We haven't played any fearful cricket in this final'

Indian coach lauds “exceptional leader” Rohit Sharma for “giving so much of his time and energy in the dressing room to the boys”

Yash Jha19-Nov-20235:24

Dravid: ‘We gave it everything we had’

India fell “30-40 runs short” of a good total in the final, but it wasn’t because of a safety-first approach in the middle overs – that’s the line Rahul Dravid took in the wake of his team’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Cup title bout in Ahmedabad.”I won’t agree that we played with fear. We had 80 runs in ten overs. We had lost wickets, and when you lose wickets you have to change your strategy,” Dravid said at the post-match press conference.Rohit Sharma’s 31-ball 47 had set India on their way, with the team reaching 80 at the end of the first powerplay. But they only managed four boundaries in the rest of their innings to eventually finish on 240. Dravid attributed the slowdown to the loss of wickets at regular intervals, and not a lack of intent.Related

Rohit: 'It was not so easy to just move on' from World Cup final defeat

India's heartbreak is most poignant in the dashed hopes of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid

India lost to the conditions, but could they have been braver with the bat?

How Australia silenced 90,000 voices

Rohit Sharma: 'We were not good enough today'

“We haven’t played any fearful cricket in this final. In the middle overs, they bowled really well and we had lost three wickets. So a period of consolidation was needed, and every time we thought we could get on the attack, we would lose a wicket,” he said. “If you lose wickets, you have to rebuild. We didn’t set out to play defensively.”While Australia eventually coasted to the target with seven overs to spare and six wickets in hand, Dravid reckoned the game would have played out differently had India got 30-40 more runs on a surface he believed was tougher to bat on in the afternoon.”Just felt like the ball was stopping in the afternoon a little bit more than it did in the evening,” he said. “It felt like the ball came on to the bat a lot better in the evening. There was that period where the ball was stopping and we weren’t able to get boundaries. We were able to rotate the strike but we weren’t able to get those boundaries.”If we had got to 280-290 and they were 60 for 3 then it might have been a very different game. But 240, I think they were always one partnership away from getting there.”

“There was a lot of emotions in that dressing room. It was tough to see as a coach, because I know how hard these guys have worked, what they’ve put in, the sacrifices they’ve made. But that’s sport. It can happen”Rahul Dravid

Sunday’s loss extended India’s run of near-misses at global events; in the last 13 months alone, they have faced a semi-final exit at the T20 World Cup, lost the World Test Championship final, and now the ODI World Cup final.”I’ve been involved in three… and I think we haven’t played really well on the day,” Dravid said. “I thought we were a bit short in Adelaide, in the semi-final [of the T20 World Cup, against England]. We lost the first day in the World Test Championship [final]. We didn’t bowl particularly well after Australia were three down. And here we didn’t bat well enough.”There’s not one particular reason you can pin it down to. I didn’t feel at any stage going into this game that there were any nerves or the guys were intimidated by the game. I thought the energy and the mental space the boys were in leading into this particular game was spot on.”Dravid, whose two-year contract as head coach runs out this month, heaped praise on Rohit for his leadership and his batting throughout the World Cup.”I think he has been an exceptional leader, always felt he’s led this team fantastically well,” Dravid said. “He’s given so much of his time and energy in the dressing room to the boys. There’s been a lot of planning, a lot of strategy, he’s always committed to those things.2:06

Should one of Kohli or Rahul have taken charge?

“His batting as well, I thought it was fantastic the way he set the tone for us. We knew that we wanted to play a certain way, we wanted to play a positive, attacking brand of cricket, and he was very committed to doing that. He wanted to lead by example, and I thought right throughout the tournament he was superb. Can’t speak more highly of him, as a person and a leader.”Dravid, who had made the walk towards the press-conference room even as Australia were being handed their winners’ medals, admitted that emotions were running high in the Indian dressing room.”There was a lot of emotions in that dressing room. It was tough to see as a coach, because I know how hard these guys have worked, what they’ve put in, the sacrifices they’ve made,” he said. “But that’s sport. That happens. It can happen. And the better team won on the day. I’m sure the sun will come up tomorrow morning.”We’ll learn from it, we’ll reflect, and we’ll move on. That’s what you do as sportsmen. You have some great highs in sport, and you have some lows in sport. And you keep moving on. You don’t stop.”

AC Milan make £33m bid for Chelsea star; confident deal will be done

AC Milan have now submitted a £33m offer for a “fantastic” Chelsea player, having identified him as a major target, and they are confident that a deal will be done, according to a new report.

Chelsea's summer transfer plans

The Blues have developed a reputation for stockpiling talented young players, and they are showing no signs of slowing down, having completed an out-of-window double swoop for Sporting CP’s Dario Essugo and Geovany Quenda.

It seems like the west Londoners have no plans to stop there, either, having already made an enquiry over a move for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, while they are also looking at AFC Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen.

As such, in order to fund their own transfer business, Enzo Maresca’s side may be forced to cash-in on some players during the summer window, and the manager is willing to sanction the permanent departure of Aston Villa loanee Axel Disasi.

Maresca's fed up: Blues boss now set to axe "amazing" £52m Chelsea star

Enzo Maresca isn’t messing about at Stamford Bridge…

BySean Markus Clifford Mar 23, 2025

Maresca is also ready to let Arsenal loanee Raheem Sterling leave on a permanent basis, with Juventus eyeing the 30-year-old, and he is not the only winger being targeted by one of Italy’s biggest clubs.

According to a report from Spain, AC Milan have now made a €40m (£33m) bid for Noni Madueke, having identified the 23-year-old as one of their main targets for the summer transfer window.

Chelsea's NoniMaduekein action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Tariq Lamptey

Milan are eyeing replacements for Rafael Leao, who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and they believe Madueke could be the perfect candidate.

The Italian giants are confident that a deal will be done for a fee of around £33m, and the huge competition for places at Stamford Bridge could make the move more likely.

"Fantastic" Madueke enjoying impressive campaign

It would be a shame to see the former PSV Eindhoven man leave this summer, given that the current campaign has been his best to date in a Chelsea shirt, picking up seven goals and three assists in the Premier League.

Maresca has also been impressed by the attacker’s contributions going forward, despite admitting there are still plenty of things he could improve.

The Blues are blessed with a lot of attacking options, but the forward was among their most consistent players prior to his recent hamstring injury, and he has admitted striking up a good relationship with Cole Palmer.

“He is cold and I am fire, so it mixes well. He has always got the ability to play the right pass at the right time, so it’s brilliant.”

As such, Chelsea should knock back the alleged bid from AC Milan, given that it doesn’t reflect Madueke’s value to the team.

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