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Kent slip six down in reply despite fifties from Feroze Khushi and Jack Leaning

ECB Reporters Network01-Jul-2024James Vince completed his fourth Vitality County Championship double-century before Hampshire’s bowlers cemented the host’s advantage on day two.Hampshire captain Vince showcased the very best of his aesthetically pleasing batting to go from 149 overnight to 211. He was able to declare on 505 for 8, following attacking duo James Fuller’s 41 and Keith Barker’s 43, before Barker, Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott chipped away with wickets.Feroze Khushi and Jack Leaning bagged contrasting fifties for the visitors but they ended the day still 299 runs behind on 206 for 6.Vince had turned the shape of day one with a mesmerising century, and came out for a swaggering encore. He reached 150 with the third ball of the day via the first of eight cover drives, each caressing the middle of the bat and whistling to the boundary.It was the kind of Vince innings which had it taken place a decade ago would have created a clamour for an England call-up. But despite 1000 runs last season and back-to-back hundreds, his Test days appear behind him.Ben Brown took his partnership with Vince to 259 – Hampshire’s all-time best against Kent for the fourth wicket – before inside edging onto his pads to loop to second slip, before Liam Dawson was bowled by Joey Evison.Despite Vince’s prowess, this was the first time since 2018 that he had scored two Championship centuries in a season, and he continued to smash the ball around Utilita Bowl. His 200 came up in 262 balls, with only Phil Mead, Gordon Greenidge and Jimmy Adams scoring more doubles for Hampshire.Vince was only quelled on 211 when the tireless Grant Stewart found a trampoline on a length to take the shoulder of the bat through to second slip.James Fuller and Keith Barker took on Vince’s mantel and further upped the run-rate with some aggressive batting either side of lunch. The pair put on an entertaining 69 with both crashing scores in the 40s to keep Kent’s bowlers in the dirt. Both were bowled before Vince called Felix Organ and Kyle Abbott in after an unbroken 35 partnership to declare on 508 for 8.Feroze Khushi, on loan from Essex, was eye-catching in reply. Whether it was the shot a ball, having the ball thrown at him by Mohammad Abbas – who was docked five penalty runs – or insisting that a ball hadn’t carried to third slip.The piece de resistance was a see-it-to-believe-it whipped six over square leg on his way to a 38-ball fifty.But wickets kept falling. Ben Compton was leg before in the third over to Barker while Abbas ended his first four overs having gone for 31 but hit back with a snorter to have Daniel Bell-Drummond caught behind in a wicket maiden.Khushi fell over a full Barker delivery, Evison edged Abbas behind before Barker picked up his third when Tawanda Muyeye dangled to Ben Brown. But throughout, Leaning bedded in and found little problem to slowly take his side away from a complete collapse. His fifty coming in 89 balls and ended the day unbeaten on 73.Harry Finch was sharply caught and bowled by Abbott off the final delivery of the day with Kent miles from avoiding the follow-on.

Leeds United appear to be falling away in the race to sign Senegal international Habib Diarra from Strasbourg during the summer transfer window.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that a move to Elland Road for the central midfielder is “unlikely” because of issues in negotiations over personal terms with the player.

Jacobs, as seen in the post above, adds that the Championship champions did put a bid in for him last week, which shows that the Whites are in the market to sign a new central midfielder for Daniel Farke this summer.

However, that new midfield signing does not look set to be Diarra, given this latest update. That means that Leeds will have to look elsewhere in that position, and that is exactly what they are doing.

Leeds eyeing move for Diarra alternative

With a move for the Strasbourg midfielder on the rocks, the 49ers are now targeting an alternative option to bolster the team in that area of the pitch.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Leeds United News, the Whites have looked at a potential deal to sign Raphael Onyedika from Belgian side Club Brugge this summer.

Reporter Graeme Bailey told Leeds United News: “I’ve been told one name who West Ham like is Onyedika at Club Brugge. Leeds have looked at him as well. They want that type of player, that physicality.

“He’s a very good player and it wouldn’t surprise me either. He’s a threat, West Ham are looking at him as a replacement for Soucek. But he’s one player Leeds are looking at, and Leeds have got loads of options.”

The outlet quotes a price tag of around £26m, £25.6m to be precise, for the 24-year-old talent, but it remains to be seen whether West Ham or Leeds would be willing to pay that much for him.

Why Leeds should sign Raphael Onyedika

The Whites should push to beat the Hammers to his signature before the end of the summer transfer window because he would be an even better signing than Diarra.

Leeds will be battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season, given that the last six teams to come up from the Championship have come straight back down, and this means that they should be targeting players who can win duels and compete defensively in tight games.

This is why Onyedika would be a better signing in midfield for what the Whites need in the middle of the park, because he is a combative midfielder who can make tackles and win duels regularly.

Tackles won

26

13

Duels won

120

99

Duel success rate

49%

48%

Interceptions

22

13

Ball recoveries

153

90

Blocks

10

7

Aerial duel success rate

53%

43%

As you can see in the table above, the Nigeria international significantly outperformed Diarra at league level during the 2024/25 campaign when it came to their respective work out of possession.

These statistics suggest that Onyedika is far more effective defensively than the Strasbourg star, as he makes tackles, blocks, recoveries, and interceptions far more frequently than the Senegalese ace does.

This is why the 24-year-old star, who played 51 times in all competitions for Club Brugge this season, would be far more suited to playing in a team that is set to battle against the drop next term.

Therefore, Leeds should push ahead with a deal to sign Onyedika after their move for Diarra stalled, as he could be even better than the Ligue 1 gem due to his excellent defensive attributes.

Big Aaronson upgrade: Leeds close to agreeing deal for £30m "magician"

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1 ByDan Emery Jun 17, 2025

Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta is now targeting a marquee Premier League forward for Mikel Arteta, as his talks for Real Madrid star Rodrygo hit a snag.

Arsenal open talks for Rodrygo in chase for quality new winger

Last week, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg broke news that Arsenal had opened talks over a move for Rodrygo, with Berta in hot pursuit of a quality new winger who can provide them with even more goals and assists.

Club tell "popular" young forward they want to ship him back to Arsenal

A return to north London for him now beckons.

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Rodrygo shot to the “very top” of Berta’s list of transfer targets in that regard, but it is still seen as a pretty difficult deal to pull off for a multitude of reasons.

The 24-year-old, who’s bagged 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions over 50 total appearances this season, is also on around £202,000-per-week at Real. This would make Rodrygo one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players on a wage bill which is already pretty significant, with the Gunners’ annual payroll already totalling around £170 million.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

If you also factor in his £68 million rumoured price tag, a move for Rodrygo suddenly becomes a costly operation, and Arsenal need to set aside their summer funds carefully as they also target a prolific striker.

Taking all of this into account, it’s actually little surprise that negotiations are now stumbling, as reported by Plettenberg this week.

Arsenal eye Kaoru Mitoma as Rodrygo talks stall

Writing via X, the Sky journalist claims that Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma has now been identified as an alternative to the Real winger, with a move for Rodrygo proving complex as talks stall.

As Arsenal become faced with the very real possibility of having to give up on their “dream signing”, as per Plettenberg, Mitoma could prove to be a tempting option in place of Rodrygo.

The Japan star has scored 11 goals and bagged a further four assists in total throughout 24/25, enjoying yet another productive season at the Amex, but he won’t exactly be much cheaper than Rodrygo.

Reports suggest Mitoma could cost as much as £80 million to prise away from the south coast, with Brighton known to be stern negotiators when it comes to selling their star players.

The 27-year-old won’t be a signing for the ultra-long-term either as he fast approaches his prime, so this is a move which Berta will need to consider very carefully.

Liverpool owe much to Mohamed Salah, who has devoted the prime years of his illustrious career to Anfield and cemented his status as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.

Having clinched 28 goals and 18 assists in the top flight this term, Salah has been the driving force behind his side’s historic triumph, equalling Manchester United’s record of 20 English first division titles.

However, Salah is not the only star in Liverpool’s team. Virgil van Dijk has been an all-commanding titan in defence, while Alexis Mac Allister has pulled the strings in the centre.

It’s Ryan Gravenberch, though, who deserves recognition for being Liverpool’s secret weapon in this title triumph, refashioned by Arne Slot into one of Europe’s superlative number sixes.

Midfield isn’t the main priority for the Reds, heading into the summer transfer window, but FSG might have identified a shrewd way to make Gravenberch even better.

Liverpool chasing new midfielder

According to Spanish reports, Liverpool are looking to take advantage of Frenkie De Jong’s situation at Barcelona, out of contract in little over a year, and will test the La Liga giant’s resolve with a €40m (£34m) bid this summer.

The piece outlines that there is believed to be a ‘willingness’ at Camp Nou to potentially listen to offers for the former Ajax man, albeit with the Reds set to be joined by Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for his signature.

De Jong has avoided injuries for most of the campaign but hasn’t always found his name on the starting teamsheet under Hansi Flick, and given Liverpool’s pedigree and strong Dutch contingent, could be enticed by making the move to Merseyside.

Why Liverpool want Frenkie De Jong

De Jong, 27, has played 253 games for Barcelona since leaving Amsterdam as an illustrious prodigy in 2019 for a £65m fee.

Fitness problems have been the bane of his career in Spain, but there’s no question De Jong is an elite-standard player, with his former boss Xavi calling him “one of the best midfielders in the world.”

However, his La Blaugrana journey under Flick’s wing has been stunted despite improvements on the injury front, and a move to Liverpool could prove the fresh start he needs at this stage of his career, joining Gravenberch in Slot’s midfield.

Gravenberch’s rise from prospect to superstar has been an extraordinary thing this year, and while De Jong is older than his 22-year-old compatriot, he will feel that Slot’s fluid ball-playing football could have a similar effect on his game.

Ryan Gravenberch in the Premier League

Stats (* per game)

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

26 (12)

34 (34)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

4

Touches*

28.8

67.3

Pass completion

83%

89%

Key passes*

0.6

0.7

Dribbles*

0.9

1.0

Ball recoveries*

2.8

5.3

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

3.6

Duels (won)*

2.8 (47%)

5.0 (58%)

Stats via Sofascore

Looking at how Slot managed to get a melodic tune out of Gravenberch this season, you’d be confident that he could elevate a fully-fit De Jong back to his best at Liverpool too.

The Dutch international might be somewhat on the margins at Barcelona right now, but he’s still managed to showcase his quality to a good degree, especially important in the Champions League.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of centre-midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 4% for passes attempted and the top 7% for progressive passes per 90.

Such passing quality could play perfectly into Gravenberch’s strengths, striking an exciting connection in Liverpool’s engine room next term as Slot looks to go again, defend his Premier League title and challenge across other fronts.

Gravenberch likes to drive the ball forward and covers a lot of ground in the middle of the park, and having a more rooted deep-lying playmaker beside him could prove a confluence of styles to make this Liverpool side even better, easing the workload that Mac Allister has had to carry.

Liverpool already have enough depth in midfield that this could prove an astute piece of business, and Slot’s coaching success on his countrymen this term suggests it might be worthwhile.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair May 3, 2025

You can never write off an Australian side at a global tournament, but the make up of the bowling pack is a cause for concern

Andrew McGlashan15-Feb-20252:01

Finch: Big three absence a chance for Ellis to lead attack

How do they look

The current ODI World Cup holders will have a significantly different make up than the side that surged to the title in India in 2023. Five players have become unavailable in the weeks leading into the Champions Trophy: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh are injured, Mitchell Starc has withdrawn for personal reasons, and Marcus Stoinis announced a shock retirement having been named in the original 15.The absences are more a hit to the bowling than the batting with Travis Head, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell forming a strong, experienced core with plenty of 50-over pedigree. Josh Inglis is also a very versatile player, while Matt Short, who is vying to be David Warner’s long-term replacement, has regularly shown his power on the domestic T20 scene, though he has yet to click at this level.ESPNcricinfo LtdWith the big three quicks scrubbed, it will be a glimpse into the depth of the pace attack. Nathan Ellis should play a key role. Spencer Johnson brings plenty of elements of Starc to the side, albeit he remains raw in the 50-over format, but that can be said of plenty of players in the current generation. Much will rest on the experience of legspinner Adam Zampa and how he counters what looks like high-scoring conditions in Pakistan.You can never write off an Australian side at a global tournament, but it feels as though the batting will have to do a lot of the heavy lifting if they are to go deep and claim another piece of silverware.

Who are their first-round opponents

Feb 22 – Australia vs England, Lahore
Feb 25 – Australia vs South Africa, Rawalpindi
Feb 28 – Australia vs Afghanistan, Lahore

Best XI

1 Travis Head, 2 Matt Short, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Alex Carey, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Aaron Hardie, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Nathan Ellis, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Spencer Johnson
Rest of the squad: Marnus Labuschagne, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Ben Dwarshuis, Tanveer SanghaSteven Smith and Glenn Maxwell bring a lot of experience and class to Australia’s batting line-up•Getty Images

Players to watch

Alex Carey is enjoying a resurgence in his ODI career after losing his place one game into the 2023 World Cup when he was swapped out for Inglis. Now there is a chance they can both feature in the same XI with Carey having returned with impressive results in last year’s series against England. He also brings the advantage of another left-hand batter to the batting order. Both in front of and behind the stumps, he is in career-best form.It’s hard to know how many of Australia’s more experienced players will reach the 2027 ODI World Cup. Glenn Maxwell has recently said he hopes to have at least another couple of years in him, but things can change. You only have to recall Maxwell’s unbelievable feats against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup to know what he can bring to the 50-over game. His bowling, where he may again be the second spinner behind Zampa, is also key to the balance of Australia’s side. He’s a generational cricketer. Enjoy him while you can.2:37

Ferguson: Carey on the way to being one of our best ever

Key stats

• Australia have not won a match at a Champions Trophy since 2009.
• Since the 2023 World Cup, Australia have used 25 players in the 50-over format.
• There has only been one century in that time: Head’s 154 not out against England.

Recent ODI form

Australia go into the tournament on the back of two heavy defeats in a two-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, where they were twice bowled out for under 200. Prior to that they lost to Pakistan at home in November having earlier in the year beaten England 3-2. Overall, since winning the 2023 World Cup, they have played 13 matches in the format with seven wins and six losses. They have often used the format to rest players ahead of key Test series.

Champions Trophy history

Australia were back-to-back winners in 2006 – when Damien Martyn was keen to usher the BCCI president off stage during the presentation – and 2009 but did not get out of the group stage in 2013 and 2017, though in the latter of those, two of their games were abandoned.

High-quality fast bowling, some sloppy fielding – this innings was almost the late 1990s for Pakistan

Andrew Fidel Fernando02-Sep-20232:21

Uthappa: Shaheen showed he has worked on his variations

Squint a little, and this innings was almost the late 1990s for Pakistan. From one end, a masterful left-arm quick, bowling with sublime control, moving the ball off the seam. From the other end a right-armer generating serious heat from an explosive bowling action. As first-change, the fastest bowler of the bunch, delivering the most intense overs of the innings.It’s been years since Pakistan had a seam attack quite this dynamic. On a slippery Pallekele deck, they blasted out one of the best top orders going, then ripped through the tail.Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered the first breakthroughs, predictably. Setting Rohit Sharma up with a ball that went across him, Afridi slipped in that killer inswinger – the ball shooting between bat and pad to smash off stump. To Virat Kohli, Afridi needed only two balls. The first was a dot, left alone outside off. The second was a length ball outside off that Kohli attempted to deflect to deep third – one of his most productive one-day shots. Maybe this one sat in the pitch a fraction longer than Kohli expected. He was early into the shot.Haris Rauf then took the wicket-taking baton, getting Shreyas Iyer who couldn’t clear midwicket with a well-struck pull shot, then Shubman Gill, bowled off the inside edge. His most impressive deliveries were arguably those that India’s batters could not make contact with at all. Right through his spells, Rauf was breaching 145kph, and at times touching 150. The Afridi first over is always unmissable. Rauf’s first spell wasn’t far behind.ESPNcricinfo LtdNaseem Shah didn’t get his first wicket till the 45th over, but then he is becoming increasingly adept at wiping out the lower order. (This is not to under-sell his new-ball spell which though wicketless, was tight.) He had Shardul Thakur caught off a leading edge, then took down Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah with short deliveries in the 49th over.Others played their roles too. As with 90s Pakistan, the fielding was modest. A difficult catch was dropped at square leg to deny Afridi his customary first-over wicket. Others let balls slip through their fingers, sometimes into the boundary.India played a souped-up version of their 90s selves as well, prospering against spin and wilting against high-quality fast bowling.It would have taken Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and co. bowling on this Pallekele pitch to put the Pakistani quicks’ performances into context. And the generally slower decks in Colombo will perhaps be a greater test of their wits. But as far as anyone could tell, the Pakistan quicks lived up to their billing.

Players need role clarity and a chance to fail, and IPL performances must be seen in the right context

Gaurav Sundararaman09-Nov-20213:39

India’s roadmap for T20Is

India entered the 2021 T20 World Cup as one of the favourites but failed to make the semi-finals thanks to a combination of a flawed team and poor luck. The next T20 World Cup gets underway in less than a year, in Australia, and India will have a new captain and a new coach. Here is a roadmap of sorts for what they need to do to be strong contenders at the next World Cup.Role clarity and security

T20 cricket can look simple if players are given clear roles and are allowed to perform those roles – repeatedly – without the fear of failure. Kieron Pollard did not become one of the world’s best finishers overnight. He got there by performing the same task repeatedly across conditions and situations.Related

• Ind vs NZ T20Is: Rohit to lead; Kohli, Bumrah, Hardik absent

• Luck went against India, but so did their T20 template

• 'We can afford to field different teams for different formats'

• Shastri: India 'one of the great teams in history'

To believe that one can defend ten runs from the last over or score 30 runs in the last two overs requires a player to have performed that role repeatedly. If a player has been selected to maximise the powerplay, or be a defensive bowler, or bowl yorker after yorker in the death, he needs to fail in that role for ten-odd matches before being axed.The new decision-makers in Indian cricket need to provide that space to the players. The management needs to identify the right players and their back-ups, define the roles well, and stick to that plan till the end of the World Cup.Contextualise IPL performances
The IPL is a great place for young cricketers to show what they are capable of, especially under pressure. But, if somebody does well as an opener in the IPL, it does not necessarily follow that he will do well in the middle order in international cricket. Numbers in the IPL should not be the sole criteria for selection to the national team. The roles they play, the conditions, and the quality of opposition vary. If a player performs the same role for both his IPL team and the national team, his chances of success are much higher. It is also a good idea to give talented young cricketers a second year in the IPL to see how they cope against better plans by the opposition, which they will no doubt face in international cricket.Study conditions and trends in advance

Unlike Test series or ODI World Cups, the T20 World Cup does not offer one too many opportunities to come back after a loss. And the packed international calendar does not have room for too many days to get ready specifically for a World Cup either. While a lot of non-Indian players get to play in T20 leagues across the world, Indian players play only in the IPL (apart from domestic tournaments, like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy). As a result, the conditions can surprise them during a World Cup.This is a bit left field, but to avoid such challenges, the management could look to send scouts and analysts to study the conditions in Australia this summer during the Big Bash League and international fixtures, and understand the specific skills required to succeed. This information could prove to be valuable in terms of team selection and readiness for the big tournament.Every player needs to fail in a particular role for ten-odd matches before being axed•ICC via GettyRespect the bubble and workload
Outgoing coach Ravi Shastri has said that bubble fatigue was one of the main reasons India didn’t turn up for the two big matches at the World Cup.Needless to say, bubble fatigue is a big challenge that the board needs to handle smartly. The schedule for the next two years is known. Now the stakeholders need to sit and chalk out who plays what – there must be rotation. As such, all the key players must be available for the IPL and the Test tours, but India need to find a way to rotate them so that everyone is fresh come the World Cup. The BCCI needs to ensure enough compensation and security for players who are rested.Give the format its due
A five-year gap between the last two World Cups – plus Covid-19-related issues – made it difficult for teams to plan for this one in advance, but they can start preparing for the next one immediately. In India’s case, this starts from November 17 against New Zealand in Jaipur.India could go the England way by looking at resting multi-format players from Tests and ODIs and play them only in the T20Is, or they could look to go the West Indies way, playing two different teams for red-ball and white-ball games. Both have their merits and demerits, and it is up to Rahul Dravid, the new captain, and the selectors to decide on the approach.India’s toughest Test assignments in the next 12 months are the matches in South Africa and the final game in England. This means they can focus strongly on the World Cup.

After a turbulent summer, the Yankees are officially returning to the postseason.

In a season filled with ups and downs, the Bronx Bombers officially punched their ticket back to the playoffs on Tuesday night with a 3–2 walk-off win against the White Sox. Pinch hitter José Caballero came through as he looped a Brandon Eisert breaking ball into center field, scoring star Aaron Judge from second base.

At 89–68, New York has officially clinched a wild-card berth. But the Yankees still have a shot to potentially win a hotly contested American League East. The Red Sox beat the first-place Blue Jays 4–1 on Tuesday night, and the second-place Yankees now reside just one game behind Toronto in the division. The Red Sox have yet to clinch a postseason berth officially, but are on the cusp at 86–71 on the season and four games back in the division race.

The Yankees would love to earn another opportunity to represent the American League in the World Series, and took another step towards that goal on Tuesday.

Arsenal’s worst performance of the Mikel Arteta era to date? Quite possibly.

This season has been a brilliant one for the Gunners so far but as Wolves came to town, the team at the bottom of the Premier League table, Arteta’s side didn’t look up to the task.

They struggled to create much of note, relying on two own goals to win 2-1. Their defence was also well below-par. Since Gabriel Magalhaes got injured, they have not been the same side.

Fortunately, though, Arsenal found a hero in the form of Bukayo Saka.

The winger put the team on his back, swinging in the corner that led to Sam Johnstone’s own goal. Then, with the clock running down and Wolves looking like they’d rescued a point, Saka popped up again.

This time it was from open play. He got the ball on the right, put in an inch-perfect delivery, and it was headed into his own net by Yerson Mosquera.

So what went wrong?

Why Arsenal struggled to beat Wolves

As poor as Arsenal were at the Emirates on Sunday, you have to credit Wolves.

The Old Gold have been dire this term but they headed to the capital and played with a renewed sense of organisation, a new sense of grit and fight.

The fact that they scored what they thought was a goal to win them a point said it all. Out of nowhere, Tolu Arokadare headed the ball home with only injury time remaining.

This was a battle for Arsenal and that goal proved it. For that strike, their defending was notably poor. Arteta acknowledged that.

Speaking at full-time, he said that his team showed “horrible defensive habits” before the Wolves goal, suggesting that it was “unacceptable”. Quite.

Chalkboard

That said, they were also abject in the final third. Arsenal created just two big chances, only forced the goalkeeper into one save and had two shots on target.

Against a side who have amassed two points all season, to quote Arteta, that is unacceptable.

What didn’t help, once again, was the performance of a certain Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede scored 54 times in 2024/25 but has really struggled since coming back to England. He now looks like he’s suffering from a lack of confidence.

The three performances he’s put in since returning from injury have been really worrying. He didn’t have a single shot in his 45-minute cameo a week ago against Aston Villa and then after being given a start against Club Brugge in Europe, left the pitch after the hour mark having managed just four passes. He only had one shot of note, too.

Against Wolves, he was just as bad. He struggled to get on the end of chances and barely saw any of the action, completing just three passes. If Arteta’s side are to win the league, then they need far more from their marquee summer signing.

Arsenal star was as bad as Gyokeres vs Wolves

For Arsenal’s forward line this has been a puzzling season to date. In the early months of the campaign, the team were accused of relying on set-pieces. Yet, over the last month, they’ve not scored a single goal from a set play in the league.

Their open play threat has improved significantly. That was until Wolves came to town.

The attacking threat on this occasion, Saka aside, was virtually non-existent. The fact that Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli all failed to last 90 minutes said it all.

While Gyokeres will take a lot of the blame for the bluntness in attack, Martinelli must also take some criticism.

Having scored a brilliant goal in midweek, curling the ball in from range, he was back to his usual inconsistencies on Saturday.

What summed up the Brazilian’s performance was his header from one of Declan Rice’s first-half corners. A deep ball to the back post found Martinelli and standing a matter of yards out from the goal, he somehow headed the ball off target.

Minutes played

57

Touches

33

Accurate passes

12/18 (67%)

Shots

4

Shots on target

0

Big chances missed

1

Key passes

0

Accurate crosses

0/1

Successful dribbles

1/2

Possession lost

11x

Ground duels won

4/6

Aerial duels won

0/2

Truth be told, the winger struggled to get the better of an ageing Matt Doherty on Wolves’ right flank. Martinelli only completed one dribble and succeeded with a dire 67% of his passes.

While the 24-year-old did have four shots, not a single one of them was on target. Not great at all.

In the words of GOAL’s Charles Watts, he was largely “disappointing”. It was a performance way below what we’ve come to expect from him this season.

In the Champions League, the Brazilian has scored in five consecutive games but domestically, he’s leaving a lot to be desired.

When Arsenal face Everton next week, Arteta must ensure that Martinelli is back on the bench with Leandro Trossard – arguably the club’s best forward this season – selected ahead of him.

Only 3 passes all game vs Wolves: Arsenal star must now be dropped

Arsenal struggled to beat basement club Wolves on Saturday night.

ByMatt Dawson 1 day ago

There’s no denying that Chelsea employed a scattergun spending approach in the early days of BlueCo’s ownership, but that has since been streamlined over the past few years, with Enzo Maresca proving the perfect man for the job.

Sunday’s Premier League clash is a big one, with Stamford Bridge playing host to a top-of-the-table clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. The second-place Blues will narrow the deficit to just three points with a win.

This is a team building toward a period of sustained success, and the tactical readings suggest that Chelsea are already one of the most exciting attacking outfits in the division, even if there is a sense that there are several levels still to be scaled.

Chelsea

2nd

22.1

Man City

3rd

21.8

Arsenal

1st

20.7

Crystal Palace

5th

20.2

Man Utd

10th

19.9

However, a question mark lingers over number nine, with Liam Delap yet to prove he is the answer. Could Chelsea be looking to sign an upgrade?

Why Chelsea are searching for a striker

In fairness, Delap has spent a sizeable portion of his first months in west London in the infirmary. Still, since returning from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for much of the autumn, the English striker has started twice in the Premier League and failed to break his duck on both counts.

That said, he did net his first goal of the campaign for the Blues against Barcelona in midweek, coming off the bench and coolly converting to seal the 3-0 win after neat interplay between Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.

However, the £30m summer signing from Ipswich Town has yet to prove he has what it takes to nail down a berth at the front of Maresca’s system, and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are searching for a potential upgrade.

They may have found one. According to Sky Germany, Chelsea are among the outfits to have been informed that Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy is worth about €50m (£44m), applicable for a number of top European outfits.

Chelsea are in the mix, and though Delap and Joao Pedro make up a dynamic central strike force in west London, Guirassy’s clinical record suggests he could add an interesting dimension to a title-challenging side.

What Guirassy would bring to Chelsea

Guirassy, 29, might not fit the age profile Chelsea have focused on targeting in recent years, but his experience and maturity in the final third would serve as a neat counterpoint to the younger generation.

Delap caught the eye for Ipswich last season, a shining light as he scored 12 goals across 37 Premier League outings. Kieran McKenna’s side were relegated, but so many teams swarmed for Delap’s signature, and Chelsea won the race.

The 22-year-old has a future at Stamford Bridge, but Maresca’s side need someone in the now who can maintain a fight against Arsenal, while pushing deep into the Champions League too.

Guirassy is “one of the best strikers in Europe”, according to German legend Lothar Matthaus, and he ranks among the top 11% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref.

25/26

10

5 + 1

24/25

30

21 + 2

23/24

28

28 + 2

22/23

22

11 + 0

He’s hardly just a mindless poacher, with silky footwork and intelligent positioning that allows him to roam around the attacking half and link up with teammates.

But, at his core, Guirassy is indeed a goalscorer, and Chelsea may find that Delap earns fewer minutes with the Guinean striker in the mix.

It’s a tough one, but given the promising position Maresca’s side have placed themselves into, it might just be the move to make.

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