Tag Futebol

How do you beat Sunrisers Hyderabad? It may have felt like a distant memory before Saturday, but Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings showed the other teams a way early in the season: bat first, set a challenging target and expose a slightly suspect batting line-up.On Saturday, Delhi Daredevils did most of that, and put Sunrisers under plenty of pressure, but fell short at a few key moments. Having won the toss and pushed on to 95 for 1 in their first 10 overs, they only managed 68 in their last 10, as Sunrisers’ bowlers reeled them back on a slow, dry track.Still, 163 was the biggest total any team had managed against Sunrisers this season, and they didn’t always look convincing while chasing it. They profited from a couple of dropped chances, went without a boundary for 36 balls at one point, and eventually needed 14 off the last over. It could have gone either way, and Yusuf Pathan – who had been dropped on 0 by Vijay Shankar on the square-leg boundary – sealed the deal with two meaty hits off Daniel Christian: a straight six off a full-toss, and a four, swiped over short fine leg, off a short ball.Those hits may also have sealed Daredevils’ fate in the tournament. With only three wins from ten games, the playoffs are all but out of reach for them.The Shaw must go onThat’s what the big screen at the stadium said after Prithvi Shaw hit his first boundary of the match, a straight six off Sandeep Sharma. By the end of the 10th over, Shaw had made 65 off 35 balls, out of Daredevils’ 95 for 1. The other end, despite some sparkling shots from Shreyas Iyer, had only made 30 off 25.Part of the reason for Shaw’s rate of scoring was the hardness of the new ball, which made up somewhat for a slow pitch. But it also had something to do with Shaw’s range of strokes: case in point the last over of the Powerplay, delivered by Siddarth Kaul.Before this game, Kaul had conceded only 59 off 62 short and short-of-good-length balls this season. After a fullish knuckle ball that Shaw launched over the long-on boundary, Kaul pulled his length back, delivering three short or shortish balls. Two were angled into the body to try and cramp Shaw for room, and the other was only marginally outside off stump. None of them was a rank bad ball, and Shaw put all three away for four, to three different parts of the ground.The slowdownThe Shaw, however, didn’t go on past the first ball of the 11th over, an attempted sweep off Rashid Khan looping to short third man off the outside edge. Daredevils slowed down considerably after that.This was partly down to the older ball becoming difficult to hit, and mostly to Sunrisers’ bowling and tactics. Rashid bowled three of the seven overs from the 11th to the 17th, varying his pace and getting some balls to grip the surface while others hurried on; Bhuvneshwar Kumar sent down his third over in the 14th to try and keep the pressure on; and Kaul and Sandeep varied their pace excellently.The changes of pace were particularly effective against Rishabh Pant, who kept losing his shape while trying to launch himself into slower balls angling away from him. He only scored 18 off 18 before falling to Rashid in the 17th over. By that time, Daredevils were 135 for 5.They went without a boundary for 18 balls before Shankar clattered a six and a four off Bhuvneshwar in the 20th over to move Daredevils past 160.Hales v AveshThis was only Alex Hales’ second match of the season, but belatedly or not, his inclusion has given Sunrisers the top-order muscle they possibly lacked without David Warner. Today he muscled 45 off 31 balls, and 28 off 9 came off one bowler. Avesh Khan. The 21-year old kept bowling short, and kept getting hit by Hales and, occasionally, Shikhar Dhawan. There were two fours in the second over, and four sixes in the sixth.Perhaps it was a plan, for Hales miscued one pull, on 9, only for Glenn Maxwell to drop a sitter at deep square leg. That apart, it didn’t work, and the opening pair added 76 in nine overs.One piece of magic, and a pair of expensive bowlersIt took a beauty to end the opening stand, an Amit Mishra legbreak that pitched on leg, beat the outside edge, and hit the top of off, its flat trajectory rooting Hales to the crease. Dhawan played all around a full ball in Mishra’s next over and was bowled for 33 off 30, his strike rate reflecting the not necessarily straightforward batting conditions as well as a conservative, let’s-get-our-eye-in approach from all of Sunrisers’ top order barring Hales.The third-wicket stand between Kane Williamson and Manish Pandey – which featured lots of singles to deep fielders and not a lot of high-risk shots – brought only 21 runs in its first 22 balls, at which stage Sunrisers needed 57 off 32 balls. But Pandey struck a pair of fours off Christian, and Williamson followed up with an uppercut six off Avesh in the next over, suggesting these were the bowlers Sunrisers wanted to target. It was a fairly well-executed strategy. The two of them ended up conceding 84 in 6.5 overs, and the rest of Daredevils’ bowlers just 80 off 13.

Celtic are reportedly closing in on the signing of Albirex Niigata centre-back Hayato Inamura to bolster their options at the heart of the defence ahead of next season.

The 23-year-old defender, who can also operate as a left-back when needed, is set to undergo a medical this week before being unveiled as a new signing.

Brendan Rodgers already has Auston Trusty and Liam Scales as first-team options in the left-sided centre-back role, though, and Kieran Tierney as the first-choice left-back.

This means that Inamura, who has started 15 games in the J1 League this year, could come in as a back-up option initially, with a view to developing into a key performer in the future.

Celtic sign new striker

As well as closing in on a move for Inamura, the Scottish Premiership champions have already completed a deal to sign a new centre-forward.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Celtic have officially confirmed the arrival of Callum Osmand from Premier League side Fulham, as his contract with the Premier League team is due to expire this week.

The 19-year-old star has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the Scottish giants, and is now set to compete with Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah for a place in the side next season.

Osmand did not make a single senior appearance for Fulham during his time with the Cottagers, but did rack up an impressive haul of 20 goals in 35 matches at U21 level.

Celtic could land an even more exciting than both Osmand and Inamura, though, if they swoop to sign Peterborough United full-back Harley Mills.

Why Celtic should sign Harley Mills

With both Osmand and Inamura, the Hoops are clearly looking to pad out their squad depth with promising young players who can start as back-ups, but with the potential for them to develop into stars.

They must follow that trend by pursuing a deal for Mills, whom they reportedly made an approach for earlier this summer, as he could be an excellent addition to the team.

The 19-year-old left-back, who scored a “jaw-dropping” free-kick in the EFL Trophy final, would come in with more first-team experience than Osmand, who has not played a single senior game to date, having played 20 times for Peterborough to date.

He would also arrive with a more exciting profile than Inamura, who is a central defender who has scored one goal and provided one assist in his senior career in Japan, as a left-back who can provide quality in the final third.

24/25 EFL Trophy	Harley Mills
Appearances	6
Sofascore rating	7.25
Goals	2
Key passes per game	1.2
Big chances created	1
Tackles + interceptions per game	3.2
Duel success rate	67%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Mills produced fantastic performances for the Posh on their run to winning the EFL Trophy in the 2024/25 campaign, with 3 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in six matches, whilst winning the majority of his duels.

These statistics suggest that the teenage talent could be a left-back who can provide quality at the top end of the pitch whilst also being solid and reliable defensively, as an exciting understudy to Tierney.

Therefore, Mills could be a great addition to the squad as depth at the back for Rodgers, whilst having the potential to replace the Scotland international in the future.

Based on his performances for Peterborough at senior level, delivering in the biggest stadium in England, he would arrive with more proven quality in than Inamura and Osmand, which could make him a more exciting signing for the club if they decide to swoop for him.

Celtic have hit gold on "incredible" star who's worth way more than Nygren

Celtic have hit the jackpot with this star who is currently worth millions more than Benjamin Nygren.

2

By
Dan Emery

Jun 30, 2025

da bwin： Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto was heavily linked with an exit over the summer, and a reliable journalist has now delivered an update on him potentially signing a new long-term contract.

Wilfried Gnonto's future at Leeds

da brwin： In September 2022, Gnonto put pen to paper from FC Zurich and he’s since gone on to make a total of 38 senior appearances to date (Transfermarkt – Gnonto statistics), but during the previous transfer window, he was the subject of significant interest from one club in particular.

Premier League side Everton saw several offers rejected for the left-winger despite him agreeing personal terms to join them, and this led to the player handing in a transfer request and even refusing to play in order to force through a move to Goodison Park. The Italy international was quickly introduced back into the fold after Daniel Farke admitted that both parties had engaged in clear the air talks about his future at the club, but it’s hard to believe that he’s fully been forgiven.

The Whites boss has handed the 20-year-old six starts and four substitute outings so far this season in the Championship (WhoScored – Gnonto statistics), and if the following update is to be believed, his limited amount of minutes are the reason that he’s yet to be convinced to extend his stay at Elland Road.

Phil Hay shares contract update on Wilfried Gnonto

Writing in his column for The Athletic (via CaughtOffside), Phil Hay confirmed that Gnonto isn't close to signing fresh terms at Leeds, despite Leeds chiefs previously being optimistic that an agreement could be reached.

"There was a quiet hope at Elland Road that, after Gnonto’s agitating in the hope of a move back to the top flight with Everton in August, the young winger might smooth the waters by committing to a new contract.

"But, that possibility has not got off the ground yet and Gnonto’s modest amount of minutes this season are part of the reason transfer channels are already chattering about him and his options."

Leeds must keep "unusual" Gnonto

Since joining Leeds, Gnonto has posted ten final third involvements (five goals and the same number of assists) at first-team level, so it’s clear to see that he’s capable of making a positive impact at the top end of the pitch, and he’s always looking to create chances for himself and his fellow teammates.

Sponsored by Puma, Farke’s £20k-per-week earner (Leeds salaries), currently ranks in the 99th percentile for most progressive carries by wingers (FBRef – Gnonto statistics), highlighting his desire to push his side as high up the field as quickly as possible.

Gnonto, who Gary Neville believes is “unusual” for how mature he is for his age, is also a versatile operator having been deployed in seven different positions over the pitch since the start of his career, including everywhere across the frontline and three roles in the midfield, so the board need to try their best to tie such a versatile and quick-footed talent down to a new contract.

The international players’ association chief, Tim May, talks about the phenomenon of the freelance cricketer, and the need for India and Pakistan to have player reps

Interview by Rob Steen02-May-2012Tim May has been fighting so many fires lately, it’s a wonder he doesn’t descend into his office by pole.Last week the chief executive of the Federation of International Players’ Associations (FICA) expressed his dismay at the failure of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, despite several requests, to pay those who made their spanking new premier league possible. April also saw him munching on a goodly number of other hot potatoes, principally the Woolf Report and Bangladesh’s on-off-on-off tour of Pakistan. He reserved the outer limits of his measured fury for Mustafa Kamal, for the BCB president’s willingness, as May sees it, to put his ICC ambitions ahead of his own players’ safety.Thanks to the wonders of virtual communication, being domiciled in Texas is no barrier to stating his convictions, offering advice to his constituents and solutions to the pressing issues of the day – issues that refuse to show the slightest inclination to go away. Even if it means being told in bristlingly brusque terms by the PCB that he should mind his own business.He’s used to it. It goes with the territory. How he must wish he was representing the stars of the NFL or NBA or Major League Baseball, confronting management emboldened by the knowledge that collective bargaining and industrial action are par for the course, and even strikes are not uncommon. Well, actually, no. Okay, maybe sometimes.Nonetheless, bemusing Poms with his artfully ripped offbreaks – Shane Warne wasn’t the only Australian spinner to have a ball in the 1993 Ashes – was a breeze next to tackling the opponents ranged against him now.We seem to be reaching crisis point in terms of relations between cricketers and boards, what with the continuing power struggle in the Caribbean and players not being paid in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Or am I exaggerating?
I am not sure that we have reached crisis point quite yet, but there is certainly room for plenty of improvement in not only those territories but some other countries as well. Athletes expect administrators to govern properly, conduct themselves professionally, act in the best interests of the game, and for them to treat the athletes with respect and fairness. The governance structure and the quality of governance in a number of territories is worrying. Cricket really needs to adopt structures and recruit expertise suited to address the issues that confront the modern game.Can FICA ever have true credibility while the Indian players stay out?
We already have credibility – we are formally recognised by the ICC as the representative for players across the majority of Full Member countries. But there is no doubt that our credibility and leverage will be enhanced further if the Indians, Pakistanis and Zimbabweans established player associations within their respective domains. To be honest, we aren’t making much ground here, which is frustrating as we believe that if there ever were countries that needed player associations, India and Pakistan would be the first cabs off the rank.It has always been our position that for a player association to be effective, the players themselves need to be instrumental and passionate regarding its establishment and maintenance – there just isn’t that level of commitment within those two groups of players at the moment. Players’ interests need to be aligned and they need to operate as an unselfish collective, rather than an every-man-for-himself mentality. Until this “collective” mindset can be obtained within these groups of players, it will be difficult to establish an effective player association.

“The BCCI simply won’t recognise any type of player representative. It basically is a policy designed to preserve the unhealthy, inequitable chasm of power that those boards exert over players from those countries”

Another hurdle is the attitude to player associations from the BCCI largely, and to a lesser extent the PCB. The BCCI simply won’t recognise any type of player representative. They will not deal with a player agent, player lawyer or any type of player association – it basically is a policy designed to preserve the unhealthy, inequitable chasm of power that those boards exert over players from those countries.Where do you stand on the Chris Gayle saga?
FICA believes that a player has the right to choose where he plays and for whom he plays – the days of “playing for your country” as the only way you could earn a professional living as a cricketer are well and truly behind us. International cricket needs to realise that there is a competitor to their ability to contract players, and to ensure they react appropriately and progressively to these new market forces. The imposition of unenforceable regulations (such as No Objection Clauses) is obviously not the answer.International cricket bodies need to make international cricket attractive to players. These measures should include smarter programming of matches, addressing the volume-of-cricket issues, offering fair terms and conditions in contracts, meeting their agreed contractual obligations and embracing player input.Has the emergence of the “freelance” cricketer been a boon for FICA and players’ rights – or has it just made life more complex?
I am not sure it has been a boon for FICA, but I believe that it has certainly been good for the game. The emergence of T20 leagues that offer opportunities to players from all over the world, provides greater opportunities for a greater number players to earn a living from cricket – that is a real positive. If the number of employment opportunities and the ability to earn greater levels of income exist in a market, I am sure you would agree that it is a healthy development.Players have always had the ability to freelance, but previously there were few other opportunities aside from county cricket. The creation of T20 has given boards a short-time-frame format, and most importantly a popular format, that they are able to fit into their existing calendars with additional and handsome commercial returns. The relatively high salaries offered to players and the short time-period for an event to be conducted are obviously attractive to players.It has also introduced a market where there is competition for the services of players. Previously a player had no little leverage in any negotiations with his board – if he didn’t accept the contract, because of the barriers of citizenship, he couldn’t play anywhere else. Once you have a competitive employee market, you observe more friendly player terms and rights.Dinanath Ramnarine, the chief executive of the West Indies Players Association, much the most vocal of all such officials, resigned recently. He made enemies but he also appeared to have fought his players’ corner magnificently. Was he good for the cause?
Of course he was – somebody had to fight hard for the player rights down there, and Dinanath had to face significant hurdles and opposition from the WICB for a long period of time. Some critics have criticised Dinanath for constantly being in conflict with the board and have pointed the finger at him as being the major problem in these issues. They couldn’t be further from the truth.Over the past few years, of all the issues that were referred to arbitration for resolution – I think there have been about ten to date – WIPA has won every issue. I think that paints a very clear picture as to who the “good guys” and the “bad guys” are down there.Unsurprisingly the biggest problems always seem to afflict the players from poorer nations, with the ICC’s implicit disregard for the Bangladeshis’ safety in Pakistan a particularly ignoble symbol. Is there an issue you can envisage drawing the bigger boys into the ring?
“Over the past few years, of all the issues that were referred to arbitration for resolution WIPA has won every one. I think that paints a very clear picture as to who the “good guys” and the “bad guys” are down there”•Associated PressFrom time to time we have used the strength and even the resources of the bigger player associations to assist with the positions and negotiations that the more fledgling and less-resourced player associations may be experiencing. We have highlighted the ongoing need for the more established player associations to assist with operational issues faced by the more inexperienced associations – we will be using a “buddy system” whereby one experienced association will be appointed to assist with the development and issue management of a particular inexperienced or under-resourced association. This has been happening for a few years, but on a less formalised and structured basis.You’ve championed the Woolf Report. How would it benefit players’ rights?
Player rights will be better protected and respected if the game is governed responsibly and decisions are made in the wider interests of the game, rather than in the self-interests of those who sit on the board. Players want the ICC to be the best possible organisation it can – we want the ICC to grow the game, to make smart, unbiased decisions and to be free of conflicts of interest in decision-making.We strongly believe the ICC needs the ability to appoint directors who have a wide array of relevant skills and who are independent from the interests of a particular country. The executive board currently comprises people who are appointed from each Full Member country, who typically vote for what is best for their country rather than do what their duty is – that is, vote for what is in the best interests of the game.In short, the ICC needs an executive board comprising largely independent directors, comprising a wide range of relevant skills, who are free from any conflict of interests. That is just basic “good governance”.

Stats preview to the second Test between Pakistan and New Zealand in Wellington

S Rajesh02-Dec-2009Already 1-0 down after a heartbreaking loss in Dunedin, Pakistan should be buoyed by the fact that the next match is at a venue where they’ve never lost in six Tests. In fact, they won the last two convincingly – by an innings and 12 runs, and by seven wickets, in matches that were also the second Tests of the series, in 1994 and 2003.New Zealand’s results have been more mixed – 14 wins and 16 losses in all – but it’s still one of their better home venues. Among grounds where they’ve played at least five Tests, only in Hamilton do they have a better win-loss ratio. In this decade they’ve won exactly as many matches as they’ve lost, though two of those five victories came against Bangladesh.

New Zealand and Pakistan in Wellington

Team	Tests	Won	Lost	Drawn
New Zealand	49	14	16	19
Pakistan	6	2	0	4
New Zealand since 2000	14	5	5	4

Win the toss and bat or field? Records suggest captains prefer to put the opposition in – it’s happened nine times in the 14 matches since 2000. It’s generally been a good move too – six of those nine games have ended decisively, with five going the way of the team which won the toss. On the other hand, of the four games which produced a result when teams chose to bat, three were won by the side which lost the toss.The innings-wise average also suggests the pitch has a bit in it for the bowlers, and doesn’t deteriorate towards the end of the game – the fourth innings average runs per wicket is 41.26, but that’s because of successful run-chases, when teams knock off targets with the top-order batsmen still batting. The highest successful run-chase during this period belongs to Pakistan – they scored 277 for 3 to record a memorable seven-wicket win in 2003.

Runs per wicket at the Basin Reserve since 2000

1st innings	2nd innings	3rd innings	4th innings
30.56	31.54	26.42	41.26

Fast bowlers have done much better here than spinners, a fact which further explains the tendency of captains to field first. They concede about ten runs fewer than the spinners per wicket, and have taken 16 five-fors in 14 Tests since 2000. The only spinners to take five-fors during this period are Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori. Murali took 10 for 118 in a Test in 2006, but for Vettori wickets have been much harder to come by at the Basin Reserve – in 12 Tests, he has taken 30 at an average touching 40.The record of fast bowlers at this ground suggests New Zealand will sorely miss Shane Bond, who was outstanding in Dunedin. Pakistan, on the other hand, can take inspiration from the past record of their fast bowlers at this ground, which is better than any other team. In their last two Tests here, at least one bowler has stood up and delivered a match-winning performance. In 1994, Wasim Akram took 11 for 179 to ease Pakistan to an innings win; almost a decade later, Shoaib Akhtar turned the game around in astonishing fashion – New Zealand had taken a first-innings lead of 170, and were comfortably placed at 73 for 2, when Shoaib put in a devastating spell, finishing with 6 for 30 to bundle the hosts out for 103. Mohammad Yousuf, who’d scored 60 in the first innings, then finished off the game with an unbeaten 88.Among New Zealand’s fast bowlers, Chris Martin has the best figures, with 47 wickets from ten Tests. Bond took 15 in his three Tests here at 21.74, but Tim Southee, his replacement in the squad, took just two in his only Test at this ground, against India earlier this year.

Pace and spin in Wellington

	Wickets	Average	Strike rate	5WI/ 10WM
Pace since 2000	329	28.67	55.9	16/ 1
Spin since 2000	82	38.74	81.8	2/ 2
NZ fast bowlers since 2000	191	27.40	51.6	6/ 0
Pak fast bowlers – overall	83	23.89	54.7	6/ 2

Wellington is also a rare venue where batting feats haven’t completely dominated the show. In 14 Tests since 2000, there have been 18 five-fors but only 14 hundreds. Out of those 14, New Zealand have contributed just five. (Click here for more details.) Also, there have been 67 half-centuries scored here, indicating that bowlers stand a chance to take wickets even after batsmen have been in for reasonably long periods. Between them, Stephen Fleming and Mark Richardson went past fifty 11 times during this period, but not once could they convert it into a hundred.Among the New Zealand batsmen in the current squad, Ross Taylor has enjoyed these conditions the most, averaging more than 64, with a lowest of 42 in four innings. Vettori and Brendon McCullum both have averages in the late 20s. (Click here for the full list.)

استغل جمهور فريق مانشستر سيتي الفرصة خلال مباراة اليوم ضد إيبسويتش تاون، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، من أجل السخرية من جاره مانشستر يونايتد.

واستضاف ملعب “بوتمان رود” مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الثانية والعشرين من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث حقق مانشستر سيتي فوزًا كاسحًا بستة أهداف دون رد.

وارتفع رصيد مانشستر سيتي بعد ذلك الفوز إلى 38 نقطة في المركز الرابع، بينما تجمد رصيد إيبسويتش تاون عند 16 نقطة في المركز الثامن عشر.

اقرأ أيضًا | “غير مقبول ولن أتغير رغم معاناة المشجعين”.. أموريم يعلق على هزيمة مانشستر يونايتد أمام برايتون

وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “ديلي ستار” الإنجليزية، فإن جماهير مانشستر سيتي رددت هتافات ساخرة من مانشستر يونايتد خلال مباراة اليوم ضد إيبسويتش تاون.

ورددت جماهير مانشستر سيتي لـ إيبسويتش تاون: “ستهبطون مع مانشستر يونايتد”، قبل أن يغنوا بعد ذلك: “سيتي يفوز، يونايتد يخسر، لقد جعلتمونا نغني يا بلوز”.

ولم تتوقف الجماهير عند هذا الحد، بل واصلت بعدما سجل جيريمي دوكو الهدف الرابع حيث قالت: “نحن سنبقى”، في إشارة إلى كون مانشستر يونايتد مهدد بإمكانية الهبوط على العكس من مانشستر سيتي الذي يتواجد في وضع آمن.

وجاءت سخرية جماهير مانشستر سيتي بعد خسارة مانشستر يونايتد اليوم أمام برايتون بنتيجة 3/1 على ملعب “الأولد ترافورد” في الجولة نفسها.

وتجمد رصيد مانشستر يونايتد عند 26 نقطة في المركز الثاني والعشرين في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي، أي بفارق 10 نقاط فقط عن المراكز المهددة بالهبوط.

Ipswich Town continue to look Premier League bound in the Championship this season, the Tractor Boys and Leicester City making those top two spots their own with an unwavering ability to pick up wins no matter what.

Recent victories have shown Kieran McKenna's men in a different light however, not blowing teams away but rather having to dig deep in order to add another three points to their ever-increasing season tally.

An away trip to Vicarage Road on Tuesday night saw McKenna's side leave it late to get another win against Watford, Sam Morsy leading by example as captain to score in the final ten minutes to help his promotion-chasing team win 2-1 by the skin of their teeth.

Ipswich's knack of always finding the net – which has seen them score a division-best tally of 47 goals to date – has allowed them to pick up an impressive 16 wins from an action-packed 22 games.

But, one former Tractor Boys man would add even more potency and trickery into the ranks at Ipswich if he was playing in the current set-up at Portman Road.

Bersant Celina was a major fan favourite at Ipswich over two fantastic loan stints, the former Manchester City attacker playing the role of a maverick able to conjure up moments of immense magic regularly when playing for the Championship club.

Bersant Celina's statistics at Ipswich Town

Celina would garner the reputation of being an audacious showboater over two spells in Suffolk, twisting and turning defenders for fun with skill whilst making tricky first touches in tight areas look second nature.

The Kosovan midfielder would also have the necessary goals in his locker to back up his aloof presence with Ipswich, managing to find the back of the net 14 times over 73 appearances.

Six of those goals came during the 2021/22 season for the Tractor Boys, Ipswich finishing in an unsatisfactory 11th place before McKenna galvanised the entire set-up to now be on the path to back-to-back promotions.

The 5 foot 11 maverick would be a valued presence currently at Portman Road, a backup option from off the bench that the 37-year-old manager could call upon to catch a team napping with an unbelievable bit of skill or a crucial strike from nowhere.

Yet, the 27-year-old now finds himself playing in Sweden for AIK – loaned out again by parent club Dijon, after a forgettable loan switch to another EFL club in Stoke City never really got off the ground for the unpredictable midfielder.

Bersant Celina's statistics at AIK

Celina has made an impression on his new set of fans in Sweden already, however, registering three assists from his opening nine games.

But, the 27-year-old is yet to really show off his well-known free-spirited game with unorthodox tricks and skills aplenty. Instead, the new AIK recruit is being played in a more conservative central midfield role away from where he burst into life with Ipswich as a winger – playing through the middle of the park in his last two matches for AIK.

Celina excels when he is given the freedom to be a crowd-pleaser, referred to as a "showman" by East Anglian Daily Times journalist Adny Warren when recalling his time at Portman Road.

With six assists under his belt in that 2021/22 campaign, Celina is perhaps the type of attacking threat that could have added another string to McKenna's attacking bow, had he stayed put following the end of his loan spell.

In that regard, a likeness can be seen between the Kosovo international and current loan sensation, Omari Hutchinson, with the Chelsea gem offering the creative spark this term with three goals and three assists to date in all competitions – half of what Celina achieved in the whole of 2021/22.

Much like the AIK ace, Hutchinson has that magic ability to impact the game from the flanks or in a playmaking berth, with Celina notably creating two big chances in 2023, while his young counterpart has provided four big chances under McKenna's watch.

While Hutchinson has certainly made Ipswich fans forget all about Celina amid his heroics of late, it will be intriguing to see if the latter man's well-known showboating act comes to the forefront for AIK soon, keen to endear himself to another set of supporters whilst out on loan again.

Liverpool are showing genuine interest in completing the signing of a player dubbed the "most underrated player in the Premier League", according to a fresh transfer update this week.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds have looked like a completely different side to the one that toiled so badly last season, enjoying a promising start to the 2023/24 campaign. The 1-1 draw away to Manchester City was proof that Liverpool are in the mix in the Premier League title race, with new midfielders such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch making a noticeable difference.

This still isn't the near-perfect squad that Jurgen Klopp assembled a few years ago, however, with further additions needed to make it truly formidable, whether that be an out-and-out defensive midfielder, another centre-back option or a right-back deputy to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram has again emerged as a Liverpool target, according to a recent report, so it certainly seems as though Klopp may not be done with strengthening his choices in the middle of the park.

Liverpool have the funds to hijack "very dangerous" star from major suitors

The other suitors are worried about Liverpool’s interest…

ByHenry Jackson Nov 27, 2023 Liverpool want Douglas Luiz

According to a new update from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are interested in signing Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, but are not alone in showing an admiration for him.

"Aston Villa’s intentions to hold on to Douglas Luiz will be tested by interest from all of their top four rivals – Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool, TEAMtalk has learned.

"Luiz has been an outstanding performer for Villa this season as Unai Emery’s side have forced themselves into the traditional Champions League places.TEAMtalk has learned that the three clubs above them – Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool – all hold genuine levels of interest in the central midfielder. Whilst Villa’s stance is that he is not for sale, their resistance is going to be tested by the time we get to the summer window."

Luiz could be an exceptional signing by Liverpool, with the Brazilian proving to be a huge reason for Villa's outstanding season to date, as they sit fourth in the Premier League table currently. In fact, Luiz's statistics this year are way up – he has scored five goals and chipped in with two assists in 13 league appearances in 2023/24, as well as enjoying an 88.8% pass completion rate and averaging 2.3 tackles per game in the competition.

The 25-year-old has earned massive praise from Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson in recent times, too, with the Arsenal legend saying of him:

"Douglas Luiz is the most underrated player in the Premier League. No-one talks about him. He turns up for Aston Villa week in, week out. He's box to box, he scores goals and passes the ball extremely well. He's just a very good player."

Goals

5

Assists

2

Pass completion rate

88.8%

Tackles per game

2.3

Luiz could add even more brilliance to Liverpool's midfield, arguably possessing more pace and dynamism than Mac Allister in the deep-lying role, but also being capable of providing quality further up the pitch, as his numbers so far this season show.

It won't be easy for the Reds to get their man, considering the level of interest in him and the fact that Villa will be desperate to keep him, but he should be looked at as a fantastic option.

Crystal Palace are said to have a clinical new striker target on their radar as manager Roy Hodgson seeks to address that area of the squad.

Palace among Premier League's lowest scorers

The Eagles lie a lowly 13th in the Premier League table, having scored just five goals in their last five league matches with a single win to boast in that time. Palace rank among the division's lowest-scoring sides, and despite an upturn in form for Odsonne Edouard, it is believed the south Londoners are keen on signing a new striker.

Red Bull Salzburg ace Karim Konate, who has enjoyed an electric start to the Austrian season, is one name Palace are reportedly keeping tabs on.

By his own admission, Edouard also suggested that he is eyeing a move away to one of the top European clubs if he can maintain his own brilliant start to 2023/2024 – meaning Palace may have to weigh up future replacements for the Frenchman.

“I try to give the best version of myself every time I step onto a pitch," said Edouard to PSG's official website, as translated by Sport Witness.

"Making the supporters at Selhurst Park proud is my goal. It is by achieving successful performances that I could aspire to join one of the biggest European clubs. I strive to become a striker that matters on the European scene. It is therefore important to have a great season with the Eagles.”

It will be interesting to see who Palace, and by extension sporting director Dougie Freedman, could bring in to support Hodgson in the forward areas, with news now coming to light on an interesting new target.

Palace eyeing up Thijs Dallinga

Indeed, it is now believed Palace are eyeing Toulouse forward Thijs Dallinga. According to TEAMtalk, Hodgson's side are impressed by the Dutchman's performances in France and are keeping tabs on his progress ahead of a possible swoop.

Headed attempts

Offside awareness

Passing

Dallinga is also being watched by Bournemouth and Brentford with all three clubs, including Palace, searching for striking reinforcements. The 23-year-old has performed brilliantly so far this season, scoring seven goals already across his Europa League and Ligue 1 appearances.

Dallinga "terrifies opponents" with his positioning

Dallinga is continuing to earn rave reviews across the channel, with a report by The Athletic describing him as an attacker who "terrifies opponents" with his positioning. The former Excelsior star bagged 18 goals in all competitions over his debut campaign for Toulouse last term, playing a heavy hand in their eventual French Cup triumph as well.

"He has the ability to attack the spaces in behind but also come short to play the passing game," wrote journalist Ahmed Walid earlier this year (The Athletic).

"The first part is clear in Dallinga’s constant signalling for the ball to be played behind the defence, regardless of how far away he is.

"The centre-forward doesn’t get tired from making off-ball runs behind the defence, even if the pass doesn’t arrive, however, when the pass comes, he is ready."

(All of you have black hair), quipped Sarfraz Ahmed as he sat alongside Rohit Sharma, Angelo Mathews, Mashrafe Mortaza, Asghar Afghan and Anshy Rath at the captains’ press conference to unveil the Asia Cup in Dubai on Friday. It elicited laughter among the audience.Sarfraz was just getting started with his wisecracks. All six men were asked of the Asia Cup’s importance looking at next year’s World Cup. Mathews spoke of Sri Lanka’s drive to improve fitness, Rohit talked of the opportunity to identify missing chinks in their batting and Mashrafe mentioned lessons learnt from their Caribbean tour. Sarfraz just laughed and said “Rohit has answered for me. Same thing.” Then when a question was posed to Mathews about the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka rivalry and the infamous Naagin dance episode, Sarfraz and Rohit whispered into each other’s ears and had a quiet laugh. This was the other side of a hard-nosed competitor, one who is often in the ears of his bowlers and fielders, one who shrieks in frustration if a plan fails. Here he was calm and unflustered.And so was his team. The 42-degree heat must now feel like nothing to Pakistan, so much that even as all the other captains admitted to “not feeling too pleasant”, Sarfraz laughed it off like he was totally comfortable in the furnace. After all, they live and train here for close to six months in a year – and that is besides the work they do in the PSL.Pakistan spent 90 minutes just doing fitness drills on their first day on tour, before diving into specifics. Sandwiched between the two was a small drinks break, where the joker in Sarfraz emerged. There was generous pulling of legs, banter and jokes on how six-footer Shaheen Afridi “second floor se bowling karta hai” (bowls as if from the second floor).In amidst it, Sarfraz was also serious in directing training sessions, often in constant touch with the support staff. They welcomed a new member in Grant Bradburn, the fielding coach, who for the last four years has heralded Scotland’s rise. Grant Flower is almost like a local, nodding at all the chatter, even if it’s in Urdu, while Mickey Arthur, a stern man at the best of times, is relaxed and amused by the mood in the camp.These are signs of a confident team that is aware of what they’re out to achieve. These are signs of a team as relaxed as they can possibly be. The infamous rifts and team harmony issues that have been troublesome in the past are at an arm’s length. There’s purpose, there’s intent to their training.Sarfraz knows he’s perhaps at the peak of his powers. It was only last June, after the Champions Trophy loss to India in the group game, that he fired Pakistan up with some “harsh words” and took them all the way to the title. In Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfraz had seen a statesman lead his team through thick and thin. While their personalities are very different, the captaincy traits have been similar.One of the first things Sarfraz admits to have told the selectors was not to “be influenced by short-term results”. Pakistan went on to beat India in the Champions Trophy final, and by the end of the campaign, talks of rift and not all being well within the camp had moved over to the Indian team, when it emerged that captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble had a falling out. Sarfraz looks back at that win – heralded by Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Amir – as a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s limited-overs fortunes in recent times. Not long prior to that, they were ranked eighth in the world, with Sarfraz insisting they had nothing to lose. Heck, they had barely managed to qualify for the Champions Trophy, one they held aloft at The Oval.Sarfraz Ahmed promoted himself up the order to make a crisp 89 off 49 balls•Peter Della Penna

“When I became the captain before Champions Trophy, we had a very young team. Our job was to give confidence to the youngsters,” he said. “The way we won the tournament was a big boost for us. After that we had a meeting with the selectors and coaching staff and we went with the same team. We didn’t make many changes. Young players like Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf have responded well. They are getting better day by day. That’s why our one-day cricket has improved.”Sarfraz has backed his young players. Shadab, for example, has been allowed to carve an identity even with senior legspinner Yasir Shah still around. Faheem has been empowered to be the lower-order hitter Pakistan are looking for after Shahid Afridi’s retirement. Fakhar has been told to play his game and not be influenced by a few failures. Imam-ul-Haq’s position has always attracted a few sniggers because of his famous uncle Inzamam, who also happens to be chief selector. And so when Imam says “it’s not my fault who my uncle is” and “I want to show the Zimbabwe series isn’t a one off”, he doesn’t come across as arrogant. The confidence stems from being told he isn’t under trial. After all, he has four ODI centuries in nine matches. It’s not Imam’s fault that three of those were in Zimbabwe.The Champions Trophy win was followed by victories in UAE across formats against Sri Lanka. They had a shocker of a New Zealand tour, but which team travels well these days? They returned to winning ways by shellacking Zimbabwe and while they were hardly challenged on tour, it provided young players game time. In the absence of A tours – they rarely happen for Pakistan – for logistical reasons and expensive overhead costs to schedule them in UAE, exposure is key, even if on low-key tours. And they’ve grabbed it with both hands.Sarfraz is clear this is their launch pad to next year’s World Cup, but doesn’t want his team to be consumed by the thought of playing under pressure because of that. He wants them to embody the same spirit they showed during the Champions Trophy; the spirit that made win a tournament many thought they wouldn’t even qualify for.