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Shafali scored 75 off 41 balls in the fifth T20I to finish the series as the second-highest run-scorer behind Mandhana

Valkerie Baynes13-Jul-2025Shafali Verma has batted her way into the conversation surrounding India’s squad selection for the home ODI World Cup later this year.Dropped after India’s group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup last October, Shafali was recalled for the T20I series against England, which India won 3-2, and re-established herself by finishing as the second-highest run-scorer behind opening partner Smriti Mandhana.Shafali’s 176 runs at 35.20 and a strike rate of 158.55 included scores of 20, 3, 47 and 31 and a 41-ball 75. Her two highest scores came in losing causes as England clinched last-ball victories at The Oval and Edgbaston, respectively.On Saturday night, she brought up her fifty off just 23 balls, the joint-second-fastest for India Women alongside Mandhana, and behind only Richa Ghosh’s 18 balls against West Indies last year.Related

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Mandhana: 'Shafali deserves this comeback and I'm really excited to open with her again'

'One more ball, please' – The quiet rise of N Shree Charani

Dean, Wyatt-Hodge shine in England's nervy last-ball win

Having helped her side go from 19 for 2 to 167 for 7, it took the highest successful chase in women’s T20Is in England for the hosts to win it – and they only did so on the final delivery, despite a 101-run opening partnership between Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophia Dunkley.Shafali is not part of the ODI series that will start in Southampton on Wednesday, but India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar said she was “without a doubt” in contention for the ODI World Cup at home starting from September 30, although Pratika Rawal remains the incumbent.

“Shafali has been a terrific player. There’s no doubt about it that she will be in the mix. She will be amongst the core group of India”Head coach Amol Muzumdar on Shafali Verma

Rawal averages 63.80 from 11 ODIs since making her debut at home against West Indies in December. She has a highest score of 154, at home against Ireland and five half-centuries.”It just shows that we’ve got a lot of depth now in this India squad,” Muzumdar said. “Pratika Rawal, she was drafted in the month of December, so it’s almost six months, but she has left a mark, a big mark in her initial stage in her international career.”So I think there’s a lot of depth in this Indian line-up, a good headache to have as a coaching staff. And Shafali has been a terrific player. There’s no doubt about it that she will be in the mix. She will be amongst the core group of India. There’s no doubt in my mind about it. But at the moment, Pratika, she has joined the squad probably four or five days prior to the ODI. The depth is stronger, it’s getting stronger.”Pratika Rawal has had a dream start to her ODI career•BCCIWhile the ODI series will provide a better World Cup gauge for both teams, India were further encouraged by the development of left-arm spinner Shree Charani, who was named Player of the Series for the T20I leg of India’s tour.Charani was the leading wicket-taker with ten at 14.80 and an economy rate of 7.46, having only made her T20I debut in the opening match of the series, where she took 4 for 12. And while she conceded 35 runs while going wicketless in the final game, Muzumdar was pleased with her progress.”She’s been a find of the WPL,” he said. “From the WPL, we identified her and then I think her progress has been fantastic, she’s been phenomenal in this series. We were searching for a left-arm spinner and she’s fitted the bill perfectly.”Kranti Goud, the 21-year-old right-arm seamer who made her T20I debut in Birmingham, having played just once for India before, in the final against hosts Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series also involving South Africa in May, is part of the 50-over squad in England.She made a nervy start to her T20I career when she took the new ball against England. Goud sent down three wides before bookending four dot balls with two singles off the bat. Harmanpreet Kaur, her captain, kept faith for a second over on the trot, which went for six runs in all, including four to Wyatt-Hodge, powered over midwicket, and Goud finished wicketless from three overs, which went for 26.N Shree Charani was named the Player of the Series•Andy Kearns/Getty ImagesMuzumdar said he had “mixed feelings” about the fact that his side had outplayed England in three games but failed to clinch the two close ones.Had Mandhana’s shy at the stumps at the non-striker’s end after Sophie Ecclestone had pushed towards mid-on and sprinted for the single England needed for victory off the last ball, the match could have gone to a Super Over.But not only has the series result given India a maiden T20I series victory in England, it has given the visitors crucial data on what playing here for the T20 World Cup might be like 12 months from now.”We had that in our mind when we came back from Sri Lanka and we started our preparation for this tour,” Muzumdar said. “We were on the same page, all of us, including the selectors, thinking that there’s a World Cup in 2026, same place, in England, so we’ve picked the squad accordingly. We’ve started on a good note, I guess, winning the T20 series here against England 3-2, that too the first time ever. So it’s a pleasing result. The preparation has already started.”The biggest takeaways, without a doubt, have been our bowling and our fielding. The batting has been a strength for a long time. A year and a half that I’ve been in charge, we’ve played some fearless cricket as far as batting is concerned. The two departments which we wanted to take care of were bowling and fielding, and in this series, it has shown the results.”

Mashrafe Mortaza has faced constant criticism for his captaincy, fitness and his place in the side for a long time now. He says he has learnt to ignore them, even though it is hard to do

Mohammad Isam10-Jul-2017Mashrafe Mortaza is used to having a question mark hang uneasily over his future. It has long been a running theme, but a renewed bout of speculation – coming not long after he led Bangladesh to a first-ever ICC semi-final – has left even the usually calm Mashrafe slightly incensed. Despite some good times with the ball, he has still had to endure this extra bit of outside pressure for nearly a year now.”After the first two matches of almost every series, the calls come for my removal,” Mashrafe told ESPNcricinfo soon after arriving home from England. “It is tough to play in this way. I know that after two matches in a series, I will hear things about my departure. It is a challenge that I have taken on.”For example, in Ireland in May, I gave away 58 runs in 6.3 overs against New Zealand. I felt I had a lack of bowling in my system so the next day I bowled more in the nets and then again bowled in front of the head coach and bowling coach Courtney Walsh. I spoke to both of them, and then through bowling to just the wicketkeeper [in nets], I corrected my problems. I am doing as much as possible but it becomes hard to play cricket in this climate.”Much of this doubting comes from an influential section within the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), though Mashrafe is not pointing fingers. There have been murmurs questioning his place in the team ever since the World T20 last year, and they persisted after the Champions Trophy this year. Interestingly, his status among fans as the most popular figure in Bangladesh cricket remains in place and most of the media hasn’t yet begun to call his captaincy or place in question. The general belief in Bangladesh is that while Mashrafe the bowler has waned in his pace, he is still essential to the team’s ODI plans.These questions usually centre around his bowling and fielding lapses but those are few and far between. The loss of pace has been compensated by his growing nous. He has proved time and again that he is the only bowler at ease with the new ball, and though he doesn’t possess the pace of Taskin Ahmed or Rubel Hossain or the variation of a Mustafizur Rahman, Mashrafe can still move the ball. The numbers back him too.He is Bangladesh’s second-highest wicket-taker since the 2015 World Cup, having picked up 42 wickets at an average under 30 and economy rate just under five.”If it is a question about someone’s cricket, one must think about his performance and fitness before anything else”•AFPWhat gets most interesting is when you look at his numbers during the period he recognised as the “pressure period”. Since the Afghanistan ODI series at home in September 2016, he has been the team’s highest wicket-taker with 28 wickets at 28.89. If he is criticised for being too loose, his economy rate answers that question too. Mashrafe is one of the two Bangladesh bowlers during this period to have conceded runs at less than five an over (having played a minimum of five games).His captaincy too has been a vital aspect of Bangladesh’s progress. Off the field, he has shown significant man-management skills to eke out the best from talented but inconsistent individuals. Under Mashrafe and coach Chandika Hathurusingha, many have found a voice on and off the field, and have been willing to express themselves.When Mashrafe is out on the field, he takes decisions based on his gut, even though sometimes the calls are not the most popular. One case in point was when he brought on Mosaddek Hossain at a crucial time of the New Zealand innings during their make-or-break Champions Trophy game.”In the second drinks break, I went out to change my spike,” Mashrafe explained. “I discussed with the coach if we can bring a spinner for an over or two. Mosaddek had troubled [Jimmy] Neesham and [Corey] Anderson previously, so after Taskin removed Ross Taylor, I thought it was a good time to bring him into the attack.”There were some who said it wasn’t a great idea. There was risk involved but I went with my gut feeling. Mosaddek gave away five runs in that over but I still felt he can be used for another over.”The part-timer went on to take three key wickets as New Zealand slid from a strong position. Though Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah ultimately were the heroes in the chase, Mashrafe’s captaincy had given the team an edge by restricting New Zealand to 265.Mashrafe Mortaza takes decisions based on his gut, even though sometimes the calls are not the most popular•Getty ImagesBut he said that the long-term effects of the constant questioning of senior players’ places is the confusion it creates within a dressing room that has several players approaching the peak of their careers.”I don’t think about [the questions]. Plain and simple. It is hard not to, but I don’t give it much time or attention. What I fear, however, is that such a thing has the potential of puzzling the dressing room. You will talk about someone’s selection when he is not up to the mark in fitness levels or fielding.”When he is not bowling well you don’t even have to talk to the player before dropping him. But sometimes I don’t find an issue. I am a player, and I am prone to making mistakes. But when you call for my removal after one or two matches, it makes playing difficult. I don’t think about it. I only focus on preparing myself.”Mashrafe can at least think about it rationally now, after years and years of hardships including multiple injuries, several heartbreaks on and off the field and family health issues. It is that more practical side of him that has rubbed off on the Bangladesh team too, especially since he took over as limited-overs captain in 2014.Having nearly given up the game after the 2011 World Cup, Mashrafe has always seen the last six years as a bonus. He considers himself “firstly a team player, a cricketer and then a captain”. But what does he do when the questioning becomes too frequent?”You asked me the question but you are the one who has to judge me. You are the best judge. There are questions and there can be, about anyone. But if it is a question about someone’s cricket, one must think about his performance and fitness before anything else.”I see that overall I am fine so it becomes a bit painful at times. But I hardly give it time. I only look out for personal attacks or when an environment is being created, which I can pick up on. I am strong in my place, and I know my job is to perform as a player.”

In a rematch of the 2024 ASG, the Liga MX All-Stars will return in July to take on the best in MLS

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2025 MLS All-Star game details announcedOpponent will be Liga MX All-StarsGame to be played in Austin, TXGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowMajor League SoccerWHAT HAPPENED?

The 2025 MLS All-Star game and All-Star Skills Challenge will be played against the Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas in late July, the league announced Monday.

The match will pit the best players in the two North American leagues go head-to-head in a winner-takes-all contest, while the Skills Challenge will test the attributes of the top footballers from each team in a unique set of drills. The events will be held on July 23 at 9 p.m. ET, exclusively available on Apple TV and MLS Season Pass, both in English and Spanish.

“We are thrilled to once again host LIGA MX at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, showcasing the best talent from our leagues,” MLS executive vice president Camilo Durana said. “It’s an exciting match-up for the first-ever professional All-Star Game played in Austin, bringing a thriving on-field rivalry to the passionate Austin community and to fans around the world watching on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.”

The match will be the second consecutive meeting of MLS and LIGA MX, and the fourth overall between the rival leagues in the MLS All-Star game.

"It is always a great honor for LIGA MX to participate in an event like the MLS All-Star Game. It fills us with excitement to return to this stage to showcase the quality of our players and continue to connect with our fans in the United States,” said Francisco Iturbide, LIGA MX director of operations. “I know that the All-Star teams of both leagues will offer a great showdown. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our sports rivalry with MLS.”

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MLS is also set to host a week of events in Austin building up to the game, including celebrations of soccer, community service initiatives, players appearances and a new Monday night edition of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game featuring some of the brightest prospects in all of MLS NEXT. The match will kickoff at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be played at Parmer Field at St. David's Performance Center.

Q2 Stadium, home of Austin FC and site of the 2025 All-Star Game, has become a hotbed for the domestic game in the heart of Texas.

Since their introduction to MLS, Austin FC have sold out every regular season and playoff match played at Q2 Stadium. The Stadium has also hosted matches for the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America.

It will be the first MLS All-Star Game in Texas since 2010, when Houston's NRG Stadium hosted Manchester United against the MLS All-Stars.

“The 2025 MLS All-Star Game will shine a global spotlight on the high-quality of the players in our league as well as the Austin community, Austin FC, and Q2 Stadium,” said Andy Loughnane, Austin FC president. “In selling out 100 percent of MLS home matches played across our venue’s history, it has proven to be one of North American soccer’s best matchday atmospheres. It is an honor for our Club to host players and fans from both MLS and LIGA MX for our city’s first-ever major league All-Star Game.”

Major League SoccerDID YOU KNOW?

The MLS All-Star Roster will consist of 12 players selected by a fan vote, 12 players selected by MLS All-Star head coach Nico Estevez of Austin FC, and two players selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

The LIGA MX All-Star roster, meanwhile, will also consist of 26 total players. More details around the selection process will be announced in the near future.

Major League SoccerWHAT NEXT FOR MLS AND LIGA MX?

MLS Matchday 5 arrives next weekend, with the Vancouver Whitecaps currently atop the MLS Supporters' Shield standings. Liga MX, meanwhile, is 12 matches into the Clausura campaign, with Club America atop the standings at 27 points.

The two leagues will overlap in the Leagues Cup this summer, in addition to the CONCACAF Champions Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and MLS All-Star game.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor provided an update on Sam Kerr's injury status and revealed when she could return to the pitch.

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Bompastor's update on Kerr's conditionHas not played competitive football in more than a yearChelsea face Man City in WSL on SundayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱@samanthakerr20WHAT HAPPENED?

Kerr suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while training in Morocco during a Chelsea mid-season camp in January 2024. Since then, the 31-year-old striker has been out of competitive football. The Matildas star returned to individual training in January 2025, but she is yet to attain full fitness to feature in a competitive game.

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Blues boss Sonia Bompastor has provided an update on the striker's condition as she hinted that Kerr could return to the pitch only after the upcoming international. The reigning Women's Super League champions will play two Premier League and one Women's Champions League games before going into the break.

WHAT SONIA BOMPASTOR SAID

Speaking to reporters, the French manager said: "We go week by week, and maybe after the international break we'll have a better idea when she will come back with us."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

The West London side, who remain unbeaten in the WSL 2024-25 campaign, will next face Manchester City away from home on Sunday.

Former Australia player says he looking forward “to helping ensure that the Spirit are challenging for the trophy”

Matt Roller12-Dec-2022Ashley Noffke, the former Australia allrounder, has won the race to become women’s head coach at London Spirit in the Hundred for the 2023 season.Noffke, who played three limited-overs internationals in 2007-08, has a burgeoning reputation after recent success coaching Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire to the 2019-20 Women’s BBL and 2020-21 Women’s National Cricket League titles respectively.He was among the contenders to replace Lisa Keightley as England women’s coach and is understood to have been interviewed for that position, but was beaten to it by Jon Lewis, the former Gloucestershire fast bowler.”I am delighted to be appointed as head coach of the London Spirit Women’s team,” Noffke said. “I have been attracted by the explosive nature of the competition and look forward to helping ensure that the Spirit are challenging for the trophy at the end of August.”Lord’s is a very special place for me, having played for Middlesex for two seasons in 2002 and 2003, and I can’t wait to get back to the Home of Cricket next summer.”Noffke replaces Trevor Griffin in the role, who was invited to re-apply for his job by Spirit after a disappointing 2022 season which saw them win only two of their six games. Heather Knight, their captain, missed the whole competition through injury.Fraser Stewart, the team’s general manager, said: “We are delighted to have obtained Ashley as our new women’s head coach. He was the outstanding candidate from a list of very impressive applicants, showing the strength and allure of the Hundred and the women’s game.”We look forward to seeing the impact he can have on our talented squad, both developing players and delivering results on the field.”The entire London Spirit organisation would also like to place on record our thanks to Trevor Griffin for all his work over the last two years.”Trevor led the team to a fourth-placed finish in the first edition of the Hundred, only missing out on a place in the Eliminator on Net Run Rate and has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the team. We are extremely grateful for all his hard work.”Meanwhile, Spirit have confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that Trevor Bayliss is due to return in 2023 as men’s coach. Bayliss replaced the late Shane Warne in the job ahead of last season and helped Spirit reach the eliminator.

Manchester City have been in contact with a £50m Premier League star, however, he wants to join rivals Liverpool instead.

Man City chasing numerous January signings

The Citizens have had a tough 2024/25 Premier League campaign by their high standards under Pep Guardiola, with the midweek draw at Brentford the latest setback after holding a two-goal advantage in the second half.

It looks as if those behind the scenes at the Etihad are unusually willing to splash the cash in January as a result. Talking at the start of the month, Guardiola admitted City have to be “wise” in the winter window when it comes to new signings.

“I don’t know right now, it’s not easy. It will not be easy. Maybe we sign, maybe we don’t sign anyone. The club has to be wise. Don’t do it just to do it.

“We want to add players for the situation that we have because the players have consistent injuries many times. Club has to do it but I’m not sure if it will be possible.”

Man City could sign "world-class" Rodri replacement by raiding Real Madrid

Ever since Rodri ruptured his ACL in September, Manchester City have required midfield reinforcements, to could they make a “world class” signing?

ByBen Gray Jan 16, 2025

It looks as if three main targets have been identified in Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush and Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.

Deals have reportedly been agreed to sign Khusanov and Reis, whereas Txiki Begiristain leading the pursuit is leading the City pursuit to sign Marmoush. Should City sign all three targets, their spending at the beginning of 2025 will quickly go above £100m, however, they don’t seem to be stopping there.

Man City are also thought to be in pole position to sign Real Valladolid defender Juma Bah, and another target at the back is Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

However, City, despite holding talks to sign the Premier League star, may find it tough to secure a deal going off a recent update.

Man City in contact with £50m Kerkez

According to The i, Man City have been in contact with the representatives of Kerkez to hold talks over a potential move to the Etihad.

The Cherries value the Hungary international at £50m, however, Kerkez wants a move to Liverpool over either Man City or Man Utd at this stage.

Average SofaScore rating

7.10/10

Key passes per game

1.1

Interceptions per game

1.1

Tackles per game

1.4

Pass accuracy

82%

Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes was the man who brought Kerkez to England during his time at the Vitality Stadium, something which is playing a part in his current preference over a move to Anfield.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form for Bournemouth this season and is being dubbed as the next Andy Robertson by The i, however, if City have their way, they will manage to persuade him to move to Manchester over Merseyside, something that doesn’t look likely at this stage.

Leeds United are reportedly targeting FC Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen as a possible replacement for error-prone goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

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Meslier tipped to leave Leeds UnitedPromoted side look for new keeperLinked with Bundesliga stopperFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to SportBild, via Sport Witness, Leeds are keen on Augsburg keeper Dahmen, and a move to the Premier League could help catch the attention of England boss Thomas Tuchel. The 27-year-old is eligible to represent England and if he moved to Daniel Farke's side, who have just been promoted from the Championship, that could give him a chance of a Three Lions call-up.

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Leeds managed to return to the Premier League after two years away last week, arguably, in spite of Meslier's performances in goal. The Frenchman made a string of mistakes this season but was only dropped by Farke earlier this month and with Karl Darlow taking his starting spot, the 25-year-old seems to be heading for an Elland Road exit. Signing a new number one will be a priority for Leeds over the summer, and perhaps Dahmen is the solution to their problems.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dahmen has been with Augsburg since 2023 after joining from Mainz 05. He played for Germany from under-15 to under-21 level and is eligible to play for England because his mother is English.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

The report does not state how concrete Leeds' interest in Dahmen is but with the summer transfer window not long away, it may not be long before fans find out if this transfer rumour is genuine.

England keep repeating the same errors without learning or suffering the consequences

George Dobell in Sydney04-Jan-20181:45

Should Bairstow have called for a nightwatchman?

A day that had promised much for England was suddenly rendered “a massive disappointment,” in the words of their assistant coach, Paul Farbrace.Facing the prospect of reaching stumps with just three wickets down, two set batsmen at the crease and with realistic expectations of a total in excess of 400, England lost two men in the final seven deliveries of the day to leave them facing a battle to reach even 300. And, on a surface on which Dawid Malan reckoned 450 might be around par, that is likely to be deeply insufficient.England’s problem is not just the loss of late wickets. It is not just the sense that they squandered a day of hard work with a loose final few moments.It is the knowledge that, when the second day starts, their diplodocus-length tail – Tom Curran is so high at No. 8 you wonder if he needs the help of oxygen and a Sherpa – is protected only by Malan, who continues to bat with calm and class, and Moeen Ali, who looks horribly short of form and confidence. There is a real danger that 228 for 3 – the score before Joe Root was out – could become 275 all out.There will, no doubt, be talk of Jonny Bairstow’s decision not to utilise a nightwatchman. And it is true that Malan admitted to being “surprised” when Bairstow walked out to bat with nine deliveries left in the day’s play. He had been offered the option of a nightwatchman and Mason Crane, on debut, was padded up and ready to go.”I’d always have a nightwatchman,” Malan said. “Good on Bairstow for backing himself. It takes guts to go against what normal people normally do.”But that decision is a red herring. England’s issue is not the decision to forgo a nightwatchman – that might be considered the responsible, brave and logical thing to do – but the fact that their batsmen continue to make the same errors without either learning or suffering the consequence.Mark Stoneman, for example, was caught as he fenced at one he need not have played. James Vince, who had looked a fine player, was caught behind moments after a drinks’ break and Root failed to turn an excellent start into a match-defining innings. All those descriptions could be prefaced with word “again.” England aren’t learning; they are repeating.Josh Hazlewood removed Jonny Bairstow with the final ball of the day•Getty ImagesSo it wasn’t Bairstow’s decision to bat ahead of Crane that was the problem. After all, Crane has a top first-class score of just 29 and would have been confronted by a high-class, high-speed attack armed with a new ball. It was Bairstow’s decision to attempt to push firmly at a ball – a new ball – in the final over of the day.It was a fine delivery that drew the stroke – Josh Hazlewood went wide of the crease and persuaded the ball to leave the batsman just a fraction – but Test bowlers will bowl fine deliveries. Sometimes they can be defended rather than batsmen feeling they need to demonstrate their positivity.”It sort of sums up where we’ve been on this tour,” Malan said. “We’ve been on top, then we make mistakes and let them back in.”While the England camp have tended to overplay the extent to which they have dominated sessions of play – they could have been asked to follow-on in Adelaide, for example, and they were pulverised in Perth – it is true that there have been moments when they have shown they can compete.But the fact is, England’s top-four have just one century between them in the series. Two of the top three average under 30 in the series and, midway through their 12th and eighth Tests respectively, Vince and Stoneman have averages of 22.94 and 29.33 respectively. Vince has made two half-centuries in 19 innings and Stoneman has a top-score of 56 in 13. They are desperately fortune to be playing in this age of patient selectors.

Nothing that happened on the first day in Sydney should surprise anyone. And that is a damning indictment

It is true that both have, at times, shown glimpses of the class to suggest they can thrive. But glimpses won’t do and nor will half-centuries. Ultimately, players have to be judged by how their performances shape and define games and both Vince and Stoneman are doing just enough to survive but nowhere near enough to help their team win. Like visiting a casino, they offer just enough wins to keep you gambling but nowhere near enough to challenge the truism: the house also wins.Despite that, it seems both men will be selected for the New Zealand Tests. And it is true that continuity of selection is hugely preferable to the panic-driven selections of the 1980s. There aren’t obviously compelling alternatives for the top-order positions, either.But it also seems to be true that, by continuing to select such players with such records, England are accepting mediocrity. Twelve Tests is not a small sample size; an average of 22 is not good enough for a No. 3. England are losing anyway and, in the shape of Haseeb Hameed, Liam Livingstone, Dan Lawrence and Joe Clarke, they have other options.Nothing that happened on the first day in Sydney should surprise anyone. And that is a damning indictment of the lack of improvement and development within this England team. It is increasingly hard to avoid the conclusion that, for all their glimpses of snatches of promise, they’re going nowhere.

Dean Huijsen could snub Real Madrid, with the defender setting a transfer decision deadline amid Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United's interest.

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Huijsen is not short of suitorsSeveral PL giants are queuing upDefender set to decide his future soonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Huijsen’s standout performances have caught the attention of multiple English heavyweights. Chelsea, Liverpool, United, and Tottenham have all expressed a serious desire to bring in the Spain international. Each of these clubs is reportedly willing to activate the €58 million release (£50m/$63m) clause in his contract – a figure that is well within reach for clubs of their financial stature.

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According to Huijsen is eager to continue in the Premier League amid Real Madrid's interest in the player. The defender previously spent time in their youth academy, and returning to the Spanish giants is a dream he is believed to still hold. Despite their interest, however, Madrid’s top brass remain undecided on whether to make a move this summer. The club is reportedly hesitant to spend big on a centre-back who, while promising, has only just emerged at the top level. With their focus potentially elsewhere in the transfer market, the €58m price tag could therefore be seen as too steep.

DID YOU KNOW?

While England seems to be the most likely destination, a few notable European giants are also monitoring Huijsen’s situation. Bayern Munich, on the lookout for a promising young central defender, have shown interest, though financial constraints may limit their ability to compete with Premier League offers. Paris Saint-Germain are another club keen on strengthening their backline. Known for their financial firepower, PSG would have no issue meeting Bournemouth’s valuation. However, the allure of English football and the competitive nature of the Premier League may give English clubs an edge.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR HUIJSEN?

While Huijsen has made it clear he appreciates everything Bournemouth has done for him, his time on the south coast appears to be nearing its conclusion. He will likely take a call on his future next month as the Spain international now looks ready for the next challenge in his career.

The Reds endured a nervy afternoon at Anfield, but their captain rose highest in the closing stages to secure victory over the Irons

Liverpool got back to winning ways and moved to within six points of securing the Premier League title as Virgil van Dijk scored late to secure a 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday.

Arne Slot's side started the game on top, and took a deserved lead when Mohamed Salah, who was playing for the first time since signing a new two-year deal, left Ollie Scarles for dead before providing an inch-perfect ball across the penalty area for Diaz to tap home. That seemed to spark West Ham into life, however, as Alisson Becker had to be alert to shut down Carlos Soler before racing back to tip Mohamed Kudus' curling effort onto the crossbar.

Liverpool hit the woodwork themselves early in the second half as Alexis Mac Allister hit the bar with a free-kick, before he again went close when Alphonse Areola tipped his shot from wide of the penalty area over the top. However, nerves began to set in among the home crowd, and Alisson had to be at his best to keep out Jarrod Bowen and Kudus before a mix up between Van Dijk and Andrew Robertson led to the latter putting through his own goal with four minutes left on the clock.

The scores weren't level for long, however, as Van Dijk rose highest from a corner to send the Kop into raptures, and while there was still time for Niclas Fullkrug to hit the bar with a late header, Liverpool held on.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

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Alisson Becker (8/10):

Reacted well to deny Soler and Kudus in quick succession midway through the first half, and then again when keeping out Bowen after the break. Brilliant stop low to his left kept Kudus from equalising, too.

Conor Bradley (7/10):

Returned from injury and combined well with Salah at times down the right. Solid defensively, as always.

Ibrahima Konate (6/10):

Got Salah in behind on a couple of occasions with balls over the top and did well in possession. Solid enough after a sloppy few weeks at the back, too.

Virgil van Dijk (6/10):

Was well short of his best at the back. Guilty of some poor touches and lack of concentration, which eventually led to his role in the own goal. Redeemed himself moments later with the winner, however.

Kostas Tsimikas (6/10):

Worked hard down the left during his hour on the pitch. Put in some testing set-pieces before making way for Robertson.

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Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):

His best game for some time as he worked his way out of tight areas to launch Liverpool attacks and performed his defensive duties well. Encouraging after a rough month or so.

Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):

Industrious at the heart of the Reds' midfield while showing glimpses of his quality. Unlucky not to score twice early in the second half.

Curtis Jones (6/10):

Knitted things together effectively back in a more familiar midfield role, but couldn't create anything of note before going off midway through the second period.

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Mohamed Salah (7/10):

Celebrated his new contract with a superb assist as he toyed with the inexperienced Scarles during the first half. Not everything he tried paid off while he faded a little after the break, but he still produced the game-breaking moment.

Diogo Jota (5/10):

Linked up play at times, but struggled to make much of an impact in the final third before being replaced by Gakpo on the hour mark.

Luis Diaz (8/10):

Electric from the very first minute and deserved his goal after previously testing Areola. Never stopped running even after being moved centrally as he caused West Ham numerous headaches.

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Cody Gakpo (6/10):

Caused some problems with his direct dribbling down the left.

Andy Robertson (5/10):

Continues to struggle with the pace of these games, though was a little unlucky with the own goal.

Jarell Quansah (5/10):

Lost Wan-Bissaka for the West Ham goal after coming on for Bradley.

Dominik Szoboszlai (5/10):

Couldn't offer much of note in his 20 minutes on the pitch.

Wataru Endo (N/A):

On for Salah late on.

Arne Slot (5/10):

His team still look far from their best, but the job is now almost done. Direct style did pay dividends in the first half, but he needs to fire his players up again to get over the line without further alarm.