Leicester City are preparing for life back in the Championship and could now land a bargain signing as they begin to build for next season and beyond, according to a report.
Leicester City begin to build for life after relegation
Relegation is hardly a death sentence, but this season is something Foxes supporters will be keen to forget about as they return to England’s second-tier under Ruud van Nistelrooy or indeed a new boss. The former Netherlands international is under scrutiny at the King Power Stadium and may be at risk of the axe despite securing a rare Premier League victory over Southampton last weekend.
LeicesterCitymanager Ruud van Nistelrooy and James Justin
With Leicester’s managerial position potentially up for grabs, Bristol City boss Liam Manning could replace Van Nistelrooy in the dugout after leading the Robins to the Championship playoffs this campaign.
Russell Martin and Danny Rohl are other reported Foxes candidates, which could cause a temporary hold-up when it comes to transfer dealings as their hierarchy decide whether to stick or twist. Earning promotion at the first attempt is never easy. Still, the theory of clubs in receipt of parachute payments standing a better chance has proven to be true over recent years.
Leicester City eye move for new 40 y/o manager who has same agent as Vardy
He’s been in the Championship before.
ByCharlie Smith Apr 9, 2025
If anything, there is still encouragement for Leicester in the face of some dark recent times. Jamie Vardy’s departure signals the end of an era, but a new one can begin provided the club make some savvy additions in the next few months.
Pre-season will breed optimism that they can return to the top-flight, and supporters could now have another reason to be excited following recent developments.
Leicester City ready to strike for Manchester United's Jack Kingdon
According to EFL Analysis, Leicester are one of four clubs circling for Manchester United youngster Jack Kingdon, who is set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the month.
The former Scotland Under-19 international is also on the radar of Wrexham, Millwall and Derby County following an impressive spell on loan at Rochdale.
Jack Kingdon’s combined statistics in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
25
Goals
0
Assists
1
Only Southampton have conceded more goals than the Foxes in the Premier League this season, which may have prompted Van Nistelrooy and company to seek reinforcements to counter inevitable outgoings this summer. Realistically, Kingdon is unlikely to be a first-team starter straight away at 19 years of age, though his availability on a free transfer and potential to develop could be worth taking a chance on.
Lausanne Sport tried to sign the central defender in January and have been mooted as another potential destination amid Manchester United’s decision not to offer the Bolton-born man fresh terms.
Kingdon is likely to have the pick of several exciting destinations this summer, and Leicester will hope to convince the prodigious talent that there is a place for him to learn and develop at the King Power.
Aston Villa have four games left to save their season. It has been a frustrating few weeks after they were knocked out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, leaving themselves without a chance to win a trophy.
The Villans, however, can still clinch a successful campaign by finishing in the top five in the Premier League to secure a place in the Champions League for the 2025/26 campaign.
Unai Emery’s side, who were narrowly beaten by PSG in the quarter-finals of the competitions this term, are looking to climb at least two places in the Premier League table to land a spot in Europe’s premier cup competition.
The Villans are currently seventh in the top-flight, three points behind Chelsea in fifth spot, and this means that there is still plenty to play for heading into the final four games of the campaign.
David Ornstein reported earlier this week that Marcus Rashford, however, is unlikely to play any part in those four matches after sustaining a hamstring injury that looks set to end his season.
One of the club’s other loan stars, Marco Asensio, could step up to be a difference-maker in the remaining games to make up for the English star’s absence.
Why Marco Asensio's Aston Villa move has been a big success
The Villans swooped to sign the Spain international from PSG in the January transfer window on loan until the end of the season, without an option to make the deal permanent.
Asensio was, essentially, brought in to provide the team with an instant boost, and that is exactly what the 29-year-old dynamo has done over the past three months or so.
The Spanish star has scored eight goals and provided one assist in all competitions for Villa to date, including two goals in one game against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
These statistics show that Asensio has succeeded in making an instant impact at Villa Park with his contributions at the top end of the pitch, which has also been the case in the Premier League specifically.
24/25 Premier League
Marco Asensio
Appearances (starts)
9 (5)
xG
4.18
Goals
3
Key passes per game
1.3
Assists
1
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the PSG loanee has been directly involved in four goals in five starts in the top-flight, despite missing two penalties in one match against Southampton earlier this month.
The loan move has, therefore, been a big success so far because he has made the desired impact in the final third since joining on a temporary basis from the French giants.
Marco Asensio celebrates for Aston Villa
It was reported by TEAMtalk in March that Villa have opened talks over a possible deal to sign the winger on a permanent basis for a fee of £18m in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Instead of splashing £18m on the 29-year-old attacker, however, Emery could find a perfect replacement for Asensio by bringing Emiliano Buendia back into the first-team fold, after his loan at Bayer Leverkusen expires.
The former Norwich City winger could return to take the Spanish gem’s place in the squad next season, saving the club £18m in the process.
Why Emi Buendia could be Marco Asensio's replacement
It is fair to say that Buendia has not lived up to the hype that came alongside his, at the time, club-record £33m move from the Canaries in the summer of 2021.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The Argentina international produced nine goals and nine assists in 78 appearances in all competitions in his first two seasons at Villa Park, which is a decent, but unspectacular, return, for an attacking midfielder.
The diminutive talent arrived at the club off the back of a haul of 15 goals and 16 assists in the Championship for Norwich in the 2020/21 campaign, but failed to immediately translate that kind of form over to the top-flight with Villa.
Unfortunately, Buendia then suffered an ACL injury ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and missed a whopping 56 competitive matches, and 328 days of action, before his return in the summer of 2024.
This disrupted his development at Villa and caused him to fall down the pecking order by the time he returned to the team at the start of this season.
Buendia played just 124 minutes of football across 12 substitute appearances in the Premier League during the first half of the current campaign, along with one goal – against Wycombe Wanderers – in two starts in the League Cup.
His lack of minutes on the pitch during the first half of the season led to him being sent out on loan to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen until the end of the campaign.
The 28-year-old star, who was once described as a “little warrior” by Steven Gerrard, has scored two goals and created two ‘big chances’ in nine appearances and two starts in the Bundesliga to date, most recently impressing against Augsburg last weekend.
Vs Augsburg (H)
Emi Buendia
Minutes
64
xG
0.09
Goals
1
Key passes
1
Dribbles completed
1/1
Ground duels won
4/6
Aerial duels won
2/2
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Buendia put in a fantastic all-round display for Leverkusen on the wing, winning his duels, creating a chance, and scoring a goal from a low xG chance.
It further illustrates how good the Argentine star, who once provided an unbelievable assist for Norwich in the clip above, can be on his day at the top level.
Buendia is yet to justify his £33m price tag at Aston Villa but his form since joining Leverkusen and his incredible performances for the Canaries in the past suggest that is worth giving him one more chance to impress in pre-season to save his Villa career.
Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa.
The right-footed wizard has the potential to come back as the perfect replacement for Asensio as an attacking midfielder who can provide goals and assists, if he can finally hit his stride in the Midlands, and that means that he could save the club £18m by preventing them from needing to sign the Spaniard permanently.
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Aston Villa have hit the jackpot on someone who was signed in 2024
ByRoss Kilvington Apr 29, 2025
It is now down to Emery to provide the former Norwich maestro with a chance, in pre-season, to show that his loan spell with Leverkusen has helped him to rediscover his best form.
Using Evangelos Marinakis’ extensive portfolio of clubs to their advantage, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly willing to meet one target’s price-tag this summer in pursuit of boosting their attacking options.
Nottingham Forest plotting statement summer
With just six games to go in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest sit third and four points clear of Manchester City in sixth, who are on course to miss out on Champions League football. And whilst there will still be some nerves around the City Ground, the fact that fifth will still be enough to secure a place among Europe’s elite should give them more than enough of a safety net.
Nuno Espirito Santo recently delivered his verdict on the positive Champions League news, albeit whilst reiterating that it will not change the approach that Nottingham Forest take.
The manager told reporters in the build-up to his side’s game against Everton: “It’s in our hands. It opens one more space so there is more contenders but for us it doesn’t change anything. Our approach will be the same. I think we have a great opportunity to achieve something great.”
Bringing European football back to the City Ground would leave Espirito Santo’s name cemented in the history books, but this season’s success may yet just be the start of a special era.
He's outscored Wood: Nottingham Forest now plotting move to sign £80m star
He’s a wanted man…
ByTom Cunningham Apr 11, 2025
Qualification for next season’s Champions League would mean that a place in Nottingham Forest’s squad would suddenly be among the most attractive in the Premier League and that has already seen a number of targets lined up ahead of the summer transfer window.
Names as big as Victor Osimhen have even been mentioned on Forest’s radar, whilst they could also look towards South America for incomings.
Nottingham Forest willing to meet Clayton's valuation
According to Record, as relayed by Sports Witness, Nottingham Forest are now willing to spend in the race to sign Clayton this summer. The impressive centre-forward is currently on loan from Vasco da Gama at Rio Ave – a club also owned by Marinakis – in a deal that is expected to become permanent when the summer transfer window arrives.
Of course, if that does prove to be the case then Forest’s pursuit should become far easier thanks to Marinakis. The Greek owner could use his place at both sides to help connect any potential deal this summer, which would reportedly be worth around €10m (£9m) – a price Nottingham Forest are willing to pay.
Clayton celebrates scoring for Rio Ave.
26 years old and at the peak of his powers having scored 17 goals and assisted a further two in all competitions so far this season, Clayton could quickly turn into the bargain of the summer if he carried over his form from Portugal to the Midlands.
Given that Chris Wood is now 33 years old and Taiwo Awoniyi remains unconvincing too, Nottingham Forest could make their move to sign the forward at the perfect time.
Fresh from having been narrowly defeated by Nottingham Forest earlier this week, Manchester United are now gearing up for Sunday’s Manchester Derby – just under five months on from clinching victory in dramatic circumstances at the Etihad.
Having been trailing 1-0 heading into the final knockings of the game, an Amad Diallo-inspired comeback flipped the match on its head, with the Ivorian first winning a penalty following a clumsy foul from Matheus Nunes, before sealing the win in stoppage time with an expertly taken finish from the angle.
That euphoric finale ensured it was a fitting way for Ruben Amorim to seal his first win in the fixture, albeit – as is often the way at United – it was matters off the field that dominated the headlines both pre and post-match.
Indeed, the Portuguese coach had taken the bold decision to leave both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford out of the matchday squad for the meeting with Pep Guardiola’s side, with the 40-year-old stressing that the pair had been omitted due to a “selection” choice, rather than due to illness or injury.
In the case of Garnacho, the 20-year-old has since forced his way back into Amorim’s good books, having notably scored in the recent win over Leicester City, although as for Rashford, the England international hasn’t been seen in a United shirt since, having subsequently moved on loan to Aston Villa in February.
From scoring the winning goal in the derby back in March 2016, the same fixture at the Etihad perhaps marked the beginning of the end for the 27-year-old’s time with the Red Devils, with a permanent exit looking almost inevitable this summer.
Marcus Rashford's rise at Man Utd in 2016
Three goals in a week have ensured that Rashford is again the talk of the town at Villa Park, with the United academy graduate having shaken off his Amorim-led exile to kickstart his stuttering career under Unai Emery.
Having spoken of his desire for a “new challenge” back in December, the high-profile star – who could join the Villans on a £40m deal this summer – appears keen to leave life at Old Trafford behind, ending his lengthy association with the Red Devils.
In truth, it looks set to be a sad end to a story that started so spectacularly back in February 2016, with Rashford soaring from unknown teenager to household name overnight, following his brace against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
That stunning display on debut – which had come amid a remarkable injury crisis in Louis van Gaal’s centre-forward ranks – was followed by another double just a few days later on his first Premier League appearance against Arsenal, with the 18-year-old cementing his status as the new poster boy at the Theatre of Dreams.
In all, the promising striker would end that 2015/16 campaign with eight goals to his name from just 18 senior outings, albeit with few having been quite as memorable as his winner against City on the road.
On what was just his fourth league appearance for United, Rashford proved the hero after surging past the ageing Martin Demichelis, before expertly slotting the ball past compatriot, Joe Hart, and sending the travelling fans into a frenzy.
Just under a decade on, the Red Devils head into a derby without their 138-goal graduate – who has scored six times against City – to call upon. Could Amorim, however, have the next Rashford ready to be unleashed instead?
Man Utd could be brewing the next Rashford
It is easy to forget just what an incredible story it was at the time of Rashford’s emergence onto the scene at first-team level, with the local hero even going on to end 2015/16 as part of England’s squad for the European Championships in France.
That journey was somewhat mirrored last season as Kobbie Mainoo – who was handed his first league start in November 2023 – subsequently played a vital role in the Three Lions’ surge to the Euro 2024 final, having also netted what proved to be the clincher in the FA Cup showpiece in May.
The midfield maestro is unlikely to feature this weekend, however, as the 19-year-old steps up his return from his latest injury setback, albeit with there the potential for another teenage talent to make his mark in the fixture, in the form of Chido Obi.
FA Youth Cup top scorers – 24/25
Player
Club
Goals
Chido Obi
Man Utd
7
Tom Wingate
Fulham
5
Amin Nabizada
Watford
5
Mason Cotcher
Aston Villa
5
Shim Mhueka
Chelsa
4
Finlay Gorman
Man City
4
Emmerson Sutton
QPR
4
Cruz Allen
Derby
4
Matty Warhurst
Man City
4
Stats via Transfermarkt
On Tuesday evening at the City Ground, Amorim’s men failed to score for the 11th time in the league this season, with the ex-Sporting CP boss resorting to throwing on Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker at the death.
With Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund having scored just six top-flight goals between them in 2024/25, a change needs to be made one way or another, with it perhaps an opportunity for Obi to have his own Rashford-like derby moment.
Described as a “goal machine” at academy level by data analyst Ben Mattinson, the Danish starlet was absent from the midweek defeat after starting in the U18s FA Youth Cup loss to Villa on Monday night, with Adam Lawrence’s side crashing out on penalties.
Obi had scored seven times in just three appearances in the competition prior to that, with his total tally at that age group for United standing at 12 goals from just ten outings thus far.
Signed from Arsenal last summer, the 17-year-old hasn’t quite emulated Rashford yet after failing to score in any of his four substitute appearances at senior level, albeit while certainly coming close in the FA Cup clash with Fulham, after being denied by Bernd Leno from the angle.
With United’s priority for the remainder of the season now the Europa League, Amorim may deem it wise to rest the likes of Hojlund and Zirkzee regardless, ahead of Thursday’s quarter-final, first-leg tie with Lyon.
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That could then allow Obi – who is ineligible to feature in Europe – the chance to secure a first start for Amorim’s side this weekend, with there perhaps no better time for the youngster to get off the mark.
Rashford, unfortunately, now looks to be at the end of a fruitful journey at Old Trafford. For his potential successor, however, hopefully, the adventure is just beginning.
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Manchester United’s stalemate against neighbours Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon solemnly underlined the issues Ruben Amorim is dealing with.
The Portugal tactician inherited a mess and is trying his best, but he’s not going to reach the heights that INEOS will have envisaged when appointing him unless surgery is undertaken in the transfer market this summer.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimlooks dejected at half time
However, the Red Devils are in a fragile financial state and know that they must trim the blubber from their first-team ranks if they are to make real headway in the transfer market this summer.
Man Utd need to fix their wage bill
Pep Guardiola’s Citizens are the only Premier League club to have a higher reported wage bill than Manchester United. Capology record that Old Trafford is drained some £181m per annum on first-team salaries.
Luckily, a sizeable chunk is all but confirmed to be sliced this summer. Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are all into the final months of their deals, which will free a combined £335k per week from the books.
The resurgent Casemiro was widely expected to be sold this summer but he’s been in fine fettle of late and may play a role in the year to come. Albeit, the 33-year-old pockets a bigger pay packet than anyone else of a Man United persuasion.
Chopping away at such players to create room for exciting incomings is the way forward. It’s a daunting task, to be sure, but one that could will Old Trafford back into shape if handled correctly.
Another top earner, Antony, is out on loan at Real Betis, in fairness, and is not expected to return to Amorim’s brood. Freeing up his financial space will be a significant step in the right direction.
The same can be said for United’s other high-earning star currently out on loan.
Man Utd must axe their high earner
Since signing for Aston Villa on loan in January, Marcus Rashford has scored three goals and provided four assists across 12 fixtures.
He has been crucial in driving Unai Emery’s side into the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League last eight, also pushing for a top-four (or five) finish in the Premier League.
However, he was described as a “major problem” by journalist Liam Canning, with performances toward the end of his time under the wing of Amorim proving to be “nothing short of shocking.”
This divorce of positivity and withdrawal of commitment was unacceptable for a player earning a gigantic wage at £300k per week.
But in truth, Rashford’s displays for his boyhood club had petered out over a number of years, with his brilliance over the 2022/23 campaign sadly standing as an outlier now.
Marcus Rashford – Man Utd Stats by Season (last 6 years)
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
24/25
24
7
3
23/24
43
8
6
22/23
56
30
11
21/22
32
5
2
20/21
57
21
14
19/20
44
22
9
Stats via Transfermarkt
Villa have a buy option in their loan deal for the England international, which stands at £40m. Amorim wasn’t happy with him and deserves a clean slate to kickstart his project – of course, given that Rashford has earned north of £55m since making his professional debut, the argument for his permanent sale is only reinforced.
While Rashford has shown in the past that he can be a “goal machine” for Man United, as has been remarked by Statman Dave, there was a real sense of disconnect through the final days of his time at the club, there in the flesh.
He might be thriving at Villa Park, but for a player who has earned such vast sums as a Red Devil and ultimately lost his way, maybe cashing in and starting anew wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Sweeping changes, at the start of a new INEOS and Amorim era, might just end up bearing fruit.
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Man United need to make a range of impactful signings in the transfer market this summer.
Returning to the SA fold for the first time since March, he says the time away has left him clearer about the next phase of his career
Firdose Moonda08-Dec-2025
David Miller last played for South Africa in the Champions Trophy semi-final in March•Associated Press
South Africa’s serious stuff, in the form of back-to-back Test series in the subcontinent, is over. Their experimental stuff, over the course of an ODI series that began preparations for the home World Cup in 2027, is also over. Now, it’s time for the fun stuff, with a T20 carnival that will last for the next three months.There’s five against India, a month of the SA20 over the holiday season, three against West Indies and then the big one: the T20 World Cup, where South Africa are aiming to go one better than they did in 2024. There, they went on a magnificent eight-match unbeaten run to reach the final and had one hand on the trophy before a spectacular collapse saw India claim a sensational win. David Miller, who was dismissed as the final over began with 16 runs to get, was among the most distraught as South Africa watched another trophy slip away.Post-tournament, he has only played 10 white-ball internationals out of a possible 54. His last appearance for South Africa was in the Champions Trophy semi-final in March, where he scored a hundred in a losing cause. Since then, South Africa have had a change of white-ball coach, gone on to win the World Test Championship final and have played in some entertaining series everywhere from Zimbabwe to India.Miller, who is halfway to 37, may have raised questions about his future through his absence but it’s explainable. He was given special dispensation to miss the Australia series to play in the Hundred. He then picked up a hamstring injury that sidelined him for several months. Now, he is fully fit and raring to go as South Africa begin the quest to complete unfinished business.Related
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“It’s just great to be back. It’s been great watching the guys back at home even though I always feel I want to be there, but the guys have been doing so well, and it’s been lovely to watch,” Miller said from Cuttack, where the series against India will begin on Tuesday. “It’s been an interesting couple of months for me, just being at home and reflecting on a few things was really cool. I moved into a different space by trying out different things with my body and tapping into a few different training regimes. It was actually a really good time away. I enjoyed it. You’ve got to take the positives from what’s negative so it was really good. I’m feeling strong. I’m feeling fit and I’m feeling ready to go.”Is the possibility of trying for another World Cup title what keeps Miller going? Maybe, because he seems to suggest South Africa are getting closer. “I’ve spoken to a lot of different people and teams that have been very successful over the years with league trophies and World Cups and I don’t think there’s really one recipe to win a World Cup. It takes a team effort, it takes a group effort, management and players included. And it’s about standing up when the moments matter,” he said.”Looking back on that previous World Cup where we got to the final, there were some very, very close games throughout that World Cup and we got over the line, so you build confidence as you go along. We’re going to need some of that moving forward. In terms of players, there’s a huge group and pool of players that are putting up their hands so it’s going to be tough for the selectors. We’re really in a good space.”In personnel terms, South Africa have welcomed back two of their standout performers from the last T20 World Cup in Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje. Though Heinrich Klaasen has retired from international cricket, and Bjorn Fortuin and Gerald Coetzee were not chosen, they have Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch and George Linde while only Kagiso Rabada (who has a rib injury) is missing from a first-choice squad. They also have a different support staff to the one that oversaw the last T20 World Cup after Rob Walter’s resignation. Shukri Conrad has taken over the all-format coaching duties, with a support staff that includes batting coach Ashwell Prince, bowling coach Piet Botha and fielding coach Kruger van Wyk.It will be Miller’s first time working closely with Conrad. With the success Conrad has had with the Test, Miller is looking forward to the interaction. “I’ve dealt with Shukri very briefly in the past, in the one-off series against England a couple of years ago (January-February 2023) in South Africa where he was an interim coach and then a couple of A-side games in the past quite a few years ago. I’ve not had a lot of dealing with Shukri, but obviously over the years you always see each other and we get on really well,” Miller said. “He’s done superbly well, so it’s good to be on the train.”Along the way, Miller will also begin to have discussions with Conrad about his ODI role, as South Africa build to the home World Cup in 2027. “I haven’t had good chats yet with Shukri but now that I am back in the mix, we’ll be opening up those conversations and seeing where we’re at,” Miller said. “The ODI World Cup is just under two years away, there’s a lot of new players that have come through and a big pool of players now that are doing really well. I feel like I can add something with my experience. In terms of selection, you’re never guaranteed with certain things in life so it’s a conversation that will unfold as the months go on and see where we’re at.”Given the choice, Miller would opt in as South Africa’s stocks seem to keep rising and the fun, just beginning. “Obviously, I would love to play a part for South Africa as long as I can, but it’s just being real with certain conversations and time,” he said. “I’m 36 now and I’m feeling that I do have to step up off the field. I’m being a lot more diligent and a lot more consistent in training and being as fit as I can is something that I’m going to focus on a lot. I’m also a lot more in control with my emotions and pressure. I’m a lot clearer in my thinking, making better decisions under pressure and understanding the match situation.”
Jadeja attributes his success with the bat to having a set position at No. 6
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-20252:08
Chopra: Jadeja’s game against fast bowling ‘has improved leaps and bounds’
Shubman Gill has hailed India’s “near-perfect game” after they kicked off their home season with an innings-and-140-run win against West Indies inside three days in Ahmedabad.”Three centurions in the game and I think we fielded really well in both the innings, so honestly don’t really have any complaints,” Gill told the host broadcaster after India’s win. “I’ve lost six tosses in a row, but as long as we keep winning the matches, it doesn’t matter for us. I’m very happy with the win.”India had bowled out West Indies for 162 on the opening day with Mohammed Siraj leading the way with 4 for 40. Then, KL Rahul (100), Dhruv Jurel (125) and Ravindra Jadeja (104*) scored centuries before India declared on 448 for 5, with a lead of 286. It took India less than two sessions on the third day to wrap up the game with Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar sharing seven wickets between them in West Indies’ second innings.Related
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“When you’ve got quality spinners like them, it’s difficult to be able to rotate,” Gill said. “But it’s good to have an option of too many rather than not having any. But that’s the challenge and that’s the fun of playing in India. There would always be someone who would be out there ready to get the job done.”Gill has enjoyed a productive start to his stint as Test captain. After India drew the five-match Test series in England 2-2, they started their home season with a bang.”It’s hard to pin down to one or two things that I learned, but I think over a period of two years, how we bonded as a team and how we got ourselves out from tough situations and difficult situations,” Gill said. “That was really pleasing for me to see. We are still a learning side and I think as long as we keep learning from our experiences that we have, I think we’re going to be on the positive side of the match.”Jadeja, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten century and his match haul of 4 for 69, has said that working on his fitness and skills during the off season at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru has paid off. Jadeja has been one of India’s premier spinners at home for a long time and has also stepped up with the bat. He was the fourth-highest run-getter in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with 516 runs in ten innings at an average of 86 and has carried his form into the home season.”I’ve been batting at No. 9, No. 8 a few years ago, but now I’ve got my number… No. 6,” Jadeja said. “So I have time to prepare myself and I can pace my innings. I don’t need to hurry. I don’t need to rush [and play] unnecessary shots. I just, I can go out there and take my time and just pace my innings.”Jadeja was also excited about playing on a red-soil surface in Ahmedabad, which offers more bounce and grip for spinners and is equally good for the batters.”Playing on a red soil [pitch], it’s fun because as a spinner, you get more turn and bounce,” he said. “As a spinner, you always want that. I was enjoying and as I got to know that we are playing on a red soil wicket, I thought, okay, for batting as well and for bowling as well. If the wicket is flat, you can score runs. If the ball is turning, then you can enjoy bowling on the red soil [pitch].”India are currently third on the World Test Championship table and will next face West Indies in the second Test in Delhi, which gets underway on October 10.
It’s been a great week for Chelsea, and an even better one for Estevao.
Enzo Maresca handed the Brazilian a start in the club’s Champions League game against Barcelona, his third on the bounce in the competition, and to say he shone would be an understatement.
The Catalan side couldn’t live with him, and thanks to some brilliant close control, he was rewarded with a goal early in the second half.
The teenage sensation looks destined to be a world-beater, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea with a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.
Chelsea target a dream signing for Estevao
While he has been billed as one of the next big talents for over a year now, nobody would have expected Estevao to have had the start to the season he has.
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Across all competitions so far, the youngster has made 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, in which he has scored five goals and provided one assist.
Moreover, three of those goals have come in the UCL, while his only Premier League goal came against Liverpool.
In other words, the Franca-born gem has already proven that he’s more than capable of performing in the biggest games for the Blues, and that might explain why the club are now targeting a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has claimed Chelsea are interested in Samu Aghehowa.
In fact, the report has revealed that the West Londoners are plotting to swoop for a couple of promising young stars in January, one of whom is the Porto star.
However, the Blues are not the only ones keen on the Spaniard, with reports from earlier this week linking Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur with a £79m move.
In all, it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Samu’s immense ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he’d be a dream teammate for Estevao.
Why Samu would be a dream signing for Estevao
The first reason, and the most crucial reason Samu would be an excellent signing for Estevao and Chelsea overall, is that he’s a proven and reliable output machine.
For example, across all competitions last season, the Spanish international made 45 appearances, totalling 3400 minutes, in which he scored 27 goals and provided three assists.
In other words, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 113.33 minutes, which is all the more impressive given that it was his first campaign in Portugal.
Fortunately, that level of output does not look like an outlier, as so far this season, the Melilla-born monster has been even more dangerous.
For example, in 15 appearances, totalling 885 minutes, he has scored nine goals and provided one assist, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or more impressivley, every 88.5 minutes, which is a rate of return that lends to journalist Zach Lowy’s description of him as “one of the best STs in Europe.”
Samu’s recent form
Season
24/25
25/26
Appearances
45
15
Minutes
3,400′
885′
Goals
27
9
Assists
3
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.66
0.43
Minutes per Goal Involvement
113.33′
115.57′
Points per Game
1.67
2.53
Stats via Sofascore
Now, on top of utterly bossing it in Portugal, the 6 foot 4 titan has also got some decent experience in a top-five league, as he spent the 23/24 season on loan with Deportivo Alavés, where he made 34 appearances in La Liga, totalling 1924 minutes, in which he scored eight goals and provided one assist.
Finally, on top of being someone who could help bolster Estevao’s assist tally with his impressive finishing, the four-capped international is still relatively young at just 21 years old.
This means that he could develop alongside the Brazilian and, over the coming years, create a potentially game-changing partnership with him.
Ultimately, given his ability and potential, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Samu in January, as he’d make the team far more dangerous and could be a perfect teammate for Estevao.
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