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Crystal Palace have struggled to score goals this campaign, scoring 25 goals in 22 games so far this season, making them the joint fifth-lowest goalscorers in the Premier League.

This is despite taking 13.9 shots per game (10th most in the division) with their average xG per shot being 0.12.

With their striker options being Jean Philippe Mateta and Eddie Nketiah -who was a big-money signing in the summer – the Eagles could instead look to add goals to their squad behind the striker, aiming to replace the output of Michael Olise who left in the summer window.

Crystal Palace looking at new forwards

According to reports from Italian outlet Firenze Viola in recent days, Crystal Palace have emerged as potential suitors for Botafogo winger, Luiz Henrique.

Transfer Focus

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

Other interested clubs include Fiorentina, who made an offer of around €20m (£16.8m) to Botafogo, but the Brazilian side have not been convinced by this bid.

The reports suggest a fee of around €30m (£25m) would be needed to prise the 24-year-old winger away from the club in the January window. However, it is unknown whether Palace would be willing to meet such an asking price.

Henrique has made 55 appearances since joining Botafogo in 2024, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists.

How Henrique compares to Romain Esse

On Saturday it was confirmed by the Eagles that they had officially signed Romain Esse from Championship side Millwall.

He has made 26 appearances so far this season, scoring five goals, providing one assist and totaling 2,165 minutes played.

Esse is, of course, five years younger than Henrique, and would demand a lower fee, but you would also be gambling on him making the jump from Championship to Premier League football seamlessly. That being said, Henrique has played in LaLiga and the Brazilian Serie A, so he would also be making a change and could potentially struggle with the physicality to begin with.

Goals

0.30

0.21

Assists

0.14

0.04

xG

0.29

0.10

xAG

0.13

0.20

Progressive Carries

2.94

1.65

Progressive Passes

2.66

3.26

Shots Total

2.14

1.38

Key Passes

1.21

1.21

Shot-Creating Actions

3.52

3.13

Successful Take-Ons

2.91

2.28

When comparing the two wide player’s metrics this season, Henrique has much better output, both with goals and assists. However, Esse has shown his ability to create chances for his team, with a higher xAG (expected assisted goals) which could lead to his assist numbers being higher when surrounded by better finishers.

Henrique and Esse both average 1.21 key passes per 90, as well as over three shot-creating actions per 90, showing their ability to create chances. The 24-year-old (Henrique) does offer more potency and goal threat though, having a higher shot-volume to go alongside his higher goals per 90.

The Brazilian was labeled an “absolute sensation” by scout Jacek Kulig, when playing for Brazil in the World Cup qualifiers. The quality of Henrique is clearly huge, but the biggest challenge would be settling into one of/if not the most physical league in the world.

The aim for either one of these players if they both arrived this January would be to replace some of the assets that Palace lost in the summer, specially when one of their jewels in the crown, Michael Olise, left the club. Both players have elements to their game, adding attacking spark, but whether they can provide enough output straight away remains to be seen.

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Crystal Palace can finally land their Olise replacement with EFL star

ByConnor Holden Jan 16, 2025

Duleep Trophy returns after a three-year hiatus, to run from September 8, as the domestic season opener

Shashank Kishore08-Aug-2022In a move aimed at improving the quality of its first-class competition, the BCCI has decided to split the Ranji Trophy into two categories: Elite and Plate. The tournament is set to run from December 13, 2022, to February 20, 2023, following the conclusion of the white-ball events.Unlike earlier, where all 38 teams would compete for the same trophy, the 2022-23 domestic season will consist of two Ranji Trophy winners.This is to minimise the prospect of mismatches at the knockouts, like we saw earlier this year when Jharkhand amassed a lead of 1008 – the highest-ever in first-class history – over Plate toppers Nagaland in the pre-quarterfinals.Related

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As per the new format, 32 Elite teams will be divided into four groups of eight, with the top two from each group qualifying for the quarterfinals. This gives each team at least seven matches in the league phase.In the Plate competition, six teams will play each other once, with the top four making it through to the knockouts. The bottom two teams will feature in a playoff for the fifth and sixth positions.Unlike currently, the topper of the Plate group will not cross over to play an Elite team in a pre-quarterfinal, given they will be competing in a tournament of their own.The two Plate finalists will be promoted to the Elite group for the 2023-24 season, while the bottom two teams of all the four Elite groups combined – factoring in both points and quotient – will be relegated. The return of Duleep Trophy & Irani Cup
The Duleep Trophy has been reintroduced after a three-season gap and will revert to its original format of being a zonal competition. This time, the addition of a new zone from the North-East – along with North, South, East, West and Central – will make it a six-team knockout competition that will kick off the senior men’s domestic calendar from September 8-25.That will be followed by the Irani Cup match between 2021-22 Ranji Trophy champions Madhya Pradesh and a Rest of India squad picked by the national selectors on October 1. The Irani Cup was last played in 2018-19 when Vidarbha beat Rest of India on the basis of a first-innings lead.The white-ball leg
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s domestic T20 competition, will be held from October 11-November 5, running mostly alongside the T20 World Cup. While it may not help players make a case to be included in the national team, it will remain a platform for them to impress IPL talent scouts. This T20 competition will be followed by the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy.Unlike in the Ranji Trophy where teams will vie for two separate trophies, the white-ball tournaments will not feature a separate Plate division, with the newer domestic teams sprinkled across five different groups based on pre-tournament seedings.The women’s calendar, which generally stretches into April, will now finish in February with the BCCI set to use their March-April window for the Women’s IPL•BCCIWhat is in it for women’s cricket?
Quite a lot, which is a great sign given the interest around the sport has heightened following their silver-medal finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. For the first time since BCCI took over the running of women’s cricket in 2006, they will be staging an Under-16 tournament for girls. This is a significant step towards identifying a talent pool they can groom for the Women’s Under-19 World Cup. The inaugural edition of this tournament, which has had to be pushed back twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will be played in the T20 format in January 2023 in South Africa.Equally significant is the reintroduction of the women’s zonal competition – in both T20 and 50-over format – for the seniors after five years. Then, there is also a T20 and 50-over competition for the Under-23s to ensure players who miss the bus at the Under-19s have another level to aim for.When does the women’s season begin?
With the Women’s T20 World Cup set to be staged in South Africa in February next year, the season begins with the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy from October 11-November 5. This will be followed by the Inter-zonal T20s and a Challenger Trophy, all aimed at increasing match-time for the players, which will then give selectors an opportunity to widen their choices before picking their World Cup squad.The women’s calendar, which generally stretches well into April, will now finish in February with the BCCI set to use their March-April window for the inaugural Women’s IPL, the plans for which are underway according to Sourav Ganguly. The BCCI is contemplating a five or six-team tournament, to begin with, and the matter will be discussed at the BCCI AGM in September.

Jeff Stelling believes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have created an 'intimidating Hollywood environment' for referees in Wrexham games.

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Wrexham closing in on promotionRecent win over Burton came with controversyStelling says referees 'intimidated' Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons are inching closer towards three consecutive promotions and took a big step in their quest with a win over Burton at the weekend. However, the 3-0 triumph was marred by controversy after Charlie Webster was sent off early on and Wrexham were handed a penalty to open the scoring. Former Gillette Soccer Saturday host Stelling has weighed in on the club's progress under Reynolds and McElhenney, suggesting that their Hollywood appeal has generated an "intimidating environment" for League One referees.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT STELLING SAID

Speaking to , the TV presenter said: "Wrexham have strengthened their hold on second place, but I have to say, I wonder… referees go to the Racecourse Ground, if they are intimidated by the crowd and the fact that there are Hollywood stars everywhere.

"Burton Albion went there at the weekend and Seb Stockbridge was the referee. He gave an early straight red to a Burton player that was never a red card, never a red card. But worse, Burton then held on for 70 minutes and he gave a penalty when the goalkeeper was collecting the ball and a Wrexham forward clattered into him.

"It was laughable, one of the worst decisions I’ve ever seen in football. I just wonder whether they get carried away with the whole environment."

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Wrexham's stellar home record this season speaks for itself. They have lost only twice in 21 matches and the Hollywood stars have been present on multiple occasions in Wales. There is certainly an added pressure inside the stadium not just for the referees but the opposing teams as well.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Phil Parkinson's Wrexham side can still win the League One title but require a miracle after Birmingham clinched promotion earlier in the week. With only one other automatic promotion spot up for grabs, Wrexham will need to keep their foot down as they battle to maintain their three-point gap to Wycombe in third.

Bangladesh, batting first, got only 13 overs and made 105 for 8

Associated Press03-Jul-2022Match abandoned Persistent showers forced a premature end to the first T20I between West Indies and Bangladesh at a refurbished Windsor Park on Saturday.A wet outfield delayed the start for 100 minutes and reduced the match to 16 overs per side. After play was halted in the eighth over, the match was reduced to 14 overs per side.Related

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Bangladesh, made to bat first, got only 13 overs when a shower interrupted play again. But that was enough for officials to call a washout with the ground flooded in sunlight.Bangladesh were 105 for 8 when the game was called off. Shakib Al Hasan top-scored with 29, and every West Indies bowler got a wicket, led by Romario Shepherd’s 3 for 21.The game was the first international at Windsor Park since it was rebuilt after being severely damaged in 2017 by a hurricane.It will stage the second T20I too on Sunday. The third and last T20I is scheduled for Thursday in Providence, Guyana.

We are only in the second week of the silly season, yet the rumour mill is in full swing, especially so for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side are enduring something of a minor blip in the Premier League and look destined to exit the League Cup, so links to a whole host of attacking stars shouldn’t be all that surprising.

One of the most prominent links has been to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ star Matheus Cunha, although with talk of him signing a new deal with the Old Gold, it seems unlikely that he’ll be going anywhere.

However, there is another Premier League star that the Gunners have been linked to recently, a star who just so happens to have won comparisons to Cunha this year.

Arsenal chase superb Premier League star

According to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are interested in Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Unfortunately for any fans hoping he might join this month, Plettenberg has revealed that the Cameroon international has been placed on the Gunners’ shortlist for potential summer signings.

The report does not mention a potential price tag, but according to other stories from earlier this month, the talented attacker could be available for around £50m.

It could be a complicated and relatively costly transfer to get over the line, but given Mbeumo’s incredible ability, it’s one well worth pursuing, especially as he’s won comparisons to Cunha.

How Mbeumo compares to fellow Arsenal target Matheus Cunha

So, before we look at a couple of the reasons Arsenal should go out and sign Mbeumo this year, be that this month or in the summer, let’s examine this comparison to Cunha and where it has come from.

It primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, has concluded that the Brazilian is the seventh most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Cameroonian over the last 365 days.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, expected goals plus assists, passing accuracy, progressive, live and key passes, shot and goal-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Expected Goals + Assists

0.54

0.56

Progressive Passes

4.07

4.10

Passing Accuracy

69.5%

71.4%

Key Passes

1.86

1.85

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.45

0.42

Live Passes

31.4

30.6

Goal-Creating Actions

0.50

0.46

Shot-Creating Actions

3.81

3.98

However, aside from his similarities to the incredible Wolves talent, there are a couple of other reasons Arteta and Co should look to bring the former Troyes ace in this year.

The first is his incredible output, as in just 23 appearances across all competitions this season, the dynamic attacker, whom pundit Dan Bardell recently dubbed “one of the best players in the Premier League,” has found the back of the net on 13 occasions and provided four assists for good measure.

This means that, as things stand, the 25-year-old ace is averaging a goal involvement every 1.35 games for the Bees.

Finally, on top of bringing more goals to the team, the Avallon-born dynamo would also be the perfect player to cover for Bukayo Saka off the right – to ensure he is no longer overplayed – and he could also rival Kai Havetrz and Gabriel Jesus for the number nine role, ensuring they have to stay on their toes at all times.

Ultimately, while it wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should do what they can to bring Mbeumo to the Emirates this year, as his goalscoring abilities and positional versatility would make the team far stronger.

Their answer to Isak: Arsenal handed chance to sign £46m "world-class" star

The impressive international would make Arsenal far more dangerous.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 8, 2025

New Zealander will play two Championship games with three frontline seamers sidelined

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jun-2022Jacob Duffy, the New Zealand seamer, has signed for Kent on a short-term deal that will see him play two County Championship matches.Duffy, 27, was part of New Zealand’s enlarged squad for their ongoing Test series against England but was trimmed from the initial 20-man group ahead of the first Test at Lord’s, having played in both warm-up games.Kent have struggled with injuries to seamers throughout this season with Darren Stevens, Harry Podmore and Nathan Gilchrist all sidelined as things stand, while Jackson Bird had his early-season spell as an overseas player cut short by a shoulder injury.Matt Henry, Duffy’s compatriot, is due to return to the club after the third Test at Headingley but the club were keen to recruit an additional seamer for their upcoming County Championship fixtures against Gloucestershire and Surrey, which are interspersed with T20 Blast fixtures.Related

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“We’re delighted to be able to secure Jacob’s services for our next two Championship matches,” Paul Downton, Kent’s director of cricket, said. “It’s a very busy part of the season with Championship matches intermingled with the Vitality Blast and Jacob will strengthen our seam attack at this crucial stage of our Championship campaign.”Duffy will be Kent’s second overseas player for the Championship alongside the South African allrounder George Linde, who is available across formats. Qais Ahmad, the Afghan legspinner, is at the club for the T20 Blast but is not expected to play in the Championship.Kent have endured a difficult start to the season and are ninth in the 10-team top division of the Championship, with four draws and two losses from their six games so far. They have also struggled in the Blast despite their status as defending champions, finally picking up their first win in their sixth group game against Middlesex on Sunday.Elsewhere, Durham have announced that Keegan Petersen has returned to South Africa ahead of schedule due to personal reasons. Nic Maddinson, the Australian batter, is expected to replace him after Australia A’s ongoing tour to Sri Lanka.

Rio Ferdinand mocked ex-Manchester United team-mate Nani by showing an old photograph of the Portuguese crying after a foul by Jamie Carragher.

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Ferdinand mocked Nani on his podcastShowed an image of Portuguese crying after Carragher's challengeStill friends from Man Utd daysFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ferdinand invited Nani on the and before starting a conversation with his former colleague, the ex-England star asked for questions in a WhatsApp group shared between old United stalwarts. Ferdinand then showed a photograph of the Portuguese winger crying during a Premier League defeat at Liverpool following a rough challenge from Jamie Carragher.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT RIO FERDINAND SAID

Speaking on his podcast, Ferdinand said, "You know what I put in the group, Nani. Nani, I put the picture of you at Anfield when you were crying. Youngy [Ashley Young] just text back, 'Why did Nani cry?'"

Ferdinand then burst into laughter, while Nani also saw the funny side of the story.

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Last December, Nani decided to hang up his boots as the 38-year-old made an emotional retirement announcement by releasing a video on social media. The former Portugal international joined the Red Devils in 2007 and went on to represent them for eight years, where he won several major titles, including four Premier Leagues and one Champions League. In the summer of 2024, Nani returned to his hometown and joined Portuguese second-division club Estrela da Amadora.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

The United of the present day will be back in action in the Premier League on Tuesday as they take on third-placed Nottingham Forest.

A major shake-up of the women’s game in England could reportedly lead to the League Cup competition being scrapped and removed from the calendar.

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Chelsea lifted the trophy in 2025Arsenal are seven-time winnersRevamp of calendar is plannedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The competition has formed part of the domestic schedule since 2011, as it was introduced alongside the launch of the Women's Super League. Prior to that, top-flight sides had been challenging for major silverware in the Women’s Premier League Cup.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The current format of the tournament is now in doubt as reports that "the Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd, the organisation responsible for the Women’s Super League and Championship, explores possible league expansion and reviews competition structures".

DID YOU KNOW?

Title sponsors Subway have a two-year deal in place, but the "WPLL has been extremely transparent with the company as it explores changes to the game". The WPLL “will consult clubs, the Football Association, fans and players on all alternatives under consideration”.

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Chelsea savoured League Cup glory for a third time when seeing off Manchester City in the 2025 final. Across 14 stagings of the competition, only Chelsea, City and Arsenal have emerged triumphant – with the Gunners lifting the trophy on a record-setting seven occasions.

Leeds United made it nine home wins in a row on Saturday, claiming a 4-0 victory over newly promoted Oxford United at Elland Road.

The win keeps Daniel Farke’s side within touching distance of current Championship leaders Sheffield United, who maintained the two-point cushion after their own victory against Cardiff City on Saturday.

Yesterday was also the ninth consecutive match on home soil in which the Whites registered two or more goals, a run that has seen the club boast the best home record of any side in the division to date.

Such a record could be pivotal come the end of the campaign as the club look to secure a return to the Premier League after a two-year absence from England’s top flight.

If they are to achieve such a feat, the upcoming January transfer window may be crucial, with numerous players already touted with a move to Yorkshire.

Leeds’ January move for PL star

The January transfer window is always a difficult period to conduct transfer business, with no side wanting to part ways with any of their star players given the lack of time to identify a replacement.

However, journalist John Percy claimed earlier this week that Farke’s men could return to a deal for Nottingham Forest centre-back Andrew Omobamidele after previously targeting a move in the summer.

The Republic of Ireland international, who joined the Reds for £11m from Norwich City last January, has found minutes hard to come by in 2024/25, featuring for just 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle back in August.

He’s found it difficult to dislodge either of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic from the heart of Nuno Espírito Santo’s backline, with the aforementioned duo helping to their record of the joint-third-lowest goals conceded in the Premier League.

As a result, the 22-year-old could be allowed to depart the City Ground on a temporary basis in the coming weeks, potentially being an upgrade on one player currently plying his trade in Yorkshire.

Transfer Focus

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

Why Omobamidele would be an upgrade on Struijk

Centre-back Pascal Struijk has been an influential figure within the Leeds backline over recent months, starting in 21 matches this campaign, but was an unused substitute during yesterday’s win against Oxford.

The Dutchman has recently been touted with a move to join top-flight sides Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur ahead of January, which could bring an end to his near five-year spell at the club.

Undoubtedly, it would take a huge fee to prise the 25-year-old away from Farke’s side given his importance to the squad in recent months, but should the worst come to fruition, Omobamidele would be a superb temporary fix in their quest for promotion.

The former Norwich ace made his name under Farke during their time together at Carrow Road, potentially rekindling their partnership whilst providing an upgrade on current star Struijk.

When comparing their respective stats from the previous campaign, the Irishman has bettered the former Ajax star in numerous key areas, doing so in a higher division after his spell as a starter towards the back end of last season for Forest.

Games played

13

23

Goals & assists

0

3

Pass accuracy

90%

90%

Tackles won in defensive third

1

0.7

Blocks made

1.5

1.1

Interceptions

1.6

0.9

Clearances

4.8

3.5

The “unbelievable” talent, as dubbed by international teammate Gavin Bazunu, may have contributed with fewer goals, but defensively, he outclassed the wanted Leeds man, winning more tackles in the defensive third and making more blocks per 90.

Omobamidele also completed more interceptions and made more clearances, playing a crucial role in maintaining the Reds’ top-flight status for another season.

He mainly operated in a right-side centre-back role during his previous time working under Farke, which could result in Joe Rodon operating on the left, allowing the pair to strike up a solid partnership at the heart of the defence.

However, regardless of which side the German would utilise him in, it’s evident that he would be a superb addition to the current squad, further strengthening their ambitions of returning to the Premier League come the end of May.

As well as Solomon: 122-touch Leeds star was Farke's unsung hero

The Leeds United central midfielder played a crucial role for Daniel Farke.

ByDan Emery Dec 21, 2024

Political uncertainty forced the relocation, with the ODIs expected to start at 4pm

Umar Farooq30-May-2022Pakistan have relocated their home series against West Indies from Rawalpindi to Multan. The decision has been taken in light of political uncertainty in Islamabad – the country’s capital, adjacent to Rawalpindi. The fixtures and schedule, however, remain unchanged, with the three ODIs, which are a part of the Cricket World Cup Super League to be played on June 8, 10 and 12.The games were originally slated for Rawalpindi, but the PCB had kept Multan as a back-up option, with former Prime Minister Imran Khan potentially planning protest rallies in the capital over the coming days. The original protest rally took place on May 25, but there remains a significant possibility of further such rallies over the coming days.Multan remained the only viable option, with Lahore and Karachi’s pitches being relaid, and the Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar undergoing renovation work.Multan is situated in southern Punjab, and among the hottest cities in the country, with temperatures in the high 40s expected on matchdays. Pakistan has never hosted elite cricket at this time of year due to the summer heat, with nearly all high-level competitions including domestic season played during the winter and spring months between September and April.During the summer months, the PCB has mostly held its training camps in northern side of the country mostly in Abbottabad, which is located in the hilly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and experiences relatively milder weather. Last year, the PCB had made an attempt to host women cricketers camp in Multan but had to call off the camp due to extreme heat.The games will start at 4pm in the afternoon to mitigate the weather conditions. Pakistan will carry out their training camp in Lahore from June 1-4, before the squad moves to Multan on June 5. West Indies will arrive in Islamabad as planned on June 6 and will travel to Multan on a charter flight. The ODIs have been carried over from the series scheduled last December, when only the three T20Is took place, a Covid outbreak in the West Indies camp forcing the postponement of the ODIs. There will be no biosecure bubble for the series.