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Half-centuries to Victoria’s Sam Harper and Tom Rogers and a superb spell from Scott Boland has Victoria in command

Alex Malcolm22-Oct-2024Sam Konstas missed an opportunity to strengthen his Test case while Steven Smith made a duck as Victoria closed in on victory over New South Wales despite a superb six-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc.Konstas made 43, after being given a life when on 23, while Smith was given out lbw not offering a shot to Scott Boland as the Blues slumped to 185 for 6 chasing 383. An unbeaten half-century from Josh Philippe has ensured the game will reach the fourth day, but the Blues need 198 runs to win with just four wickets in hand.Earlier, critical half-centuries from Sam Harper and Tom Rogers helped Victoria set the Blues a large fourth-innings chase in the face of some outstanding bowling from Starc, who finished with 6 for 81 from 17.5 overs and looks in superb shape ahead of the Test series against India.”I nearly got to 40 overs, which was probably more than the people off the field would have liked,” Starc said post-play.”Wickets aside, the rhythm was there and it felt the best I’ve felt in a while. Across the two innings it feels like it’s in a good spot at the front end of the summer.”The Blues chase got off to a horror start as they lost 4 for 35. Boland was back to his unerring best with the new ball. He had Nic Maddinson caught at slip off a no-ball before nicking him off again with a brilliant legal delivery from around the wicket that angled in and seamed away.He then trapped Smith lbw with a delivery that nipped back sharply from wide of off. Smith shouldered arms not expecting so much movement. Umpire Sam Nogajski thought it was hitting the stumps. It was a brave decision but, despite Smith’s clear displeasure, replays suggested it was highly likely to be hitting the stumps.Steven Smith was trapped lbw by Scott Boland for a duck•Getty Images”I thought it was out,” Boland said after play. “It only has to hit the stumps when you don’t use your bat like that.”Boland was pleased to get through another 11 overs in his return from injury.”Body feels really good,” Boland said. “Happy with how the knee and foot are feeling.”Just general soreness from being back bowling. As much as you try to in the nets, you can’t replicate what you get out in the middle. And I haven’t played again for six months and I can feel it a little bit. But I just think if I get through this week, I’ll be ready to go.”Moises Henriques was trapped lbw by Fergus O’Neill before Ollie Davies fell nicking a loose drive off Will Sutherland.Konstas held firm in the face of some excellent seam bowling. But he battled for fluency despite looking sound in defence. The moment he tried to expand he nearly came unstuck. On 23, he drove firmly at a Boland delivery that wasn’t as full as it appeared. A thick edge flew to Peter Handscomb’s right at second slip, but he could not reel it in at full stretch despite getting two hands to it.The drop appeared to free Konstas up. He began to accumulate, moving to 43 alongside Philippe, who continued the form he showed in his unbeaten 45 in the first innings.But having done the hard yards against the quicks, Konstas was undone but the offspin of Todd Murphy. He had mauled South Australia’s Ben Manenti in his twin centuries in the opening game of the season, but the Test offspinner was a different challenge. Konstas punched him neatly off the back foot for four through cover-point and wanted to go back-to-back skipping out early to the next delivery predicting it might be fuller. Murphy outsmarted him. Konstas was nowhere near the good length as he tried to mow it over long-on and the top edge skewed to backward point where Campbell Kellaway held the tricky chance.The Blues were 97 for 5 before Philippe and Sean Abbott steadied the innings. The two shared a 59-run stand before Abbott edged Sutherland to first slip.Philippe reached a half-century for the second time this season and looks in good touch heading into his Australia A appearance in a few weeks.Earlier in the day, Harper and Rogers produced an excellent 130-run partnership to put Victoria in a strong position before late hitting from O’Neill and Murphy pushed the game seemingly beyond the Blues reach. Harper made 72 and looked in complete control before holing out to wide fine leg when a predictable plan had been set for him.Rogers made 59, his maiden first-class half-century, and looked very assured before he lost a battle with Nathan Lyon. Australia’s No. 1 Test spinner went over the wicket to the left-hand batter for a period of time to dry him up. He fell trying to work against the spin and was caught at short leg.Starc and Abbott threatened to blow the tail away but O’Neill and Murphy made 33 and 36 respectively with some lusty hitting and some good fortune. Starc finally castled both of them to finish with six wickets.

Arshdeep, Varun ran through Bangladesh’s batters before India got home with 49 balls to spare

Sidharth Monga06-Oct-20243:12

Takeaways: Mayank-Varun too hot to handle for Bangladesh

A young Indian side outgunned an experienced Bangladesh to start off the three-T20I series. Two debutants in their XI, only three men retained from the side that won the T20 World Cup earlier this year, but India were too good for Bangladesh, who wore the same look of the side from the World Cup.From the moment they lost Litton Das to a slog in the first over, Bangladesh never really looked like they had the batting for the Gwalior pitch with slightly uneven bounce and an accurate Indian attack. After Arshdeep Singh’s early strikes, Mayank Yadav started his international career with a maiden over before the returning Varun Chakravarthy scythed through the middle overs. Chasing a paltry 128, a dominant India got home with 49 balls to spare.Arshdeep on the moneyLeader of the attack, fast approaching the top of wickets chart for India, Arshdeep started on the money with just enough swing to keep the young Parvez Hossain Emon, one of the few new players tried by Bangladesh, honest. Das then opened the face for a four first ball, which led to short third going back and a fielder on the leg side coming up. He looked to play the field second ball only to be defeated by the angle of it. In his second over, Arshdeep had Parvez, who had whipped Hardik Pandya for a six, playing on. Bangladesh 14 for 2 in 2.1 overs.Pace and mysteryAlready behind the game, the combination of Mayank and Varun, high pace and mystery spin, was hardly the ideal one to force the pace against. Bangladesh’s only hope was ring rust: this was the first time Mayank was playing any competitive cricket since his injury during the IPL, and Varun was coming back to the India XI after three years. Neither of them was rusty.Varun Chakravarthy showed no ring rust on T20I return•BCCI

Varun created an opportunity second ball, but the other debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy lost the ball in the floodlights of the debuting stadium in Gwalior. Mayank bowled the last over of the powerplay, becoming the third man to start his India T20I career with a maiden. The other two are the current chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, who has fast-tracked Mayank, and Arshdeep.Soon the duo was rewarded with a wicket each. Towhid Hridoy, the beneficiary of the earlier drop, pulled Varun straight to long-on, and Mahmudullah spooned Mayank to deep point. They really didn’t have many options but to play these low-percentage shots as the runs were hardly coming.Varun continued to be incomprehensible, doing Jaker Ali in on the inside edge and Rishad Hossain on the outside.No kick at the deathCaptain Najmul Hossain Shanto was forced to play the anchor role, but even he fell to the introduction of the offspin of Washington Sundar, who denied him room and had him caught and bowled. Mehidy hasan Miraz prolonged the innings, but there was no impact to be had against the accuracy of Arshdeep, Pandya and Mayank at the death.Mehidy Hasan Miraz made 35 off 32 balls•Associated Press

None of the last seven overs yielded double figures as the wickets kept falling. Arshdeep ended the innings with the off and middle stumps splayed with a pinpoint yorker. He is now India’s fifth-most prolific T20I wicket-taker with 86 scalps, hot on the heels of the leader Yuzvendra Chahal at 96.India end it in a hurryThe hosts were not going to be satisfied with just a win. They wanted a big win. Sanju Samson, with another shot at opening the innings in the absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, got off to a great start with two boundaries driven either side of the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Abhishek Sharma was less touch and more power as he took Taskin Ahmed down for a six and two fours in the second over. Almost as though he was on an adrenalin rush, he ran himself out looking for a non-existent single.India, though, continued to leave Bangladesh helpless. Samson kept driving down the ground while Suryakumar Yadav manufactured shots behind the wicket. The result was India’s best powerplay against Bangladesh in T20Is: 71, which is just the fourth-highest they have conceded in powerplays. His dismissal in the final over of the powerplay didn’t slow India down although Samson will be disappointed he fell to a hoick the first ball of offspin he faced. Both of them scored quick 29s.Pandya, 39 off 16, continued to have his way with Bangladesh, topping the chase with a no-look ramp over the keeper’s head.

Rain in Rawalpindi may impact the Test as well with the visitors leading 1-0

Danyal Rasool29-Aug-2024

Big picture: Pakistan in perilPakistan cricket, right now, isn’t exactly going through a golden era, but few expected the bloody nose Bangladesh gave them last week.For much of that Test match, Pakistan’s chief frustration appeared to be they would end up with a draw, a draw would inhibit their efforts, which captain Shan Masood bullishly talked up in the build-up, at having a real crack at reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Five days later, Pakistan would lose, and to add insult to injury, have half-a-dozen points docked for slow over rates, placing them ever so close to the bottom of the table. A home series defeat to Bangladesh would bring its own ignominy, which has little to do with whether they’re in the race to prove themselves the best Test side in the world. Bangladesh had, until last week, won just six away Tests in a quarter century of being Full Members, two against an enfeebled West Indies in 2009, and another two against Zimbabwe.Related

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Masood suddenly finds himself in a battle for the captaincy so soon after assuming it, having lost each of the four Tests he’s been in charge. While flashes of quality against Australia over the winter meant the overall result could potentially be overlooked in favour of a long-term plan, such forgiveness will not come if Pakistan drop a home series against Bangladesh. With a busy time ahead that includes the sterner challenges of England and South Africa, ensuring they avoid handing this Test trophy over next week remains the bare minimum for this red-ball side to retain credibility with its supporters.Bangladesh played the Rawalpindi Test at their own pace and won•Associated Press

That task is complicated by the weather in Rawalpindi once more. Rain forced the cancellation of practice sessions on the eve of the game, with more forecast for the first day. It has led Pakistan to hesitate before officially confirming a spinner for the Test, naming a 12-man squad with Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza both in contention. Masood pointed out Pakistan were the more proactive side last week, and with Bangladesh only needing a draw, his side will have to find a way to repeat that while also ensuring they get a better result.And what, really, can you say about the position Bangladesh have created for themselves? Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side outplayed as well as outthought the hosts, doing the basics right. Like making sure they had spinners in case they came in handy on the final day, which they did. Or not leaving runs out by declaring early owing to ultimately unrealised concerns it might rain, which it did not. They let Pakistan’s wobbles do the rest, and the ten-wicket win was as clinical as it was merited.There are more important things going on back home, but the uncomplicated joy of last week was as welcome as it was unexpected. This, remember, is not a vintage Bangladesh side, and did not come in saddled with high expectations. They came in last week, saw an opponent making unforced errors and didn’t interrupt them. They didn’t get sucked into playing fashionably aggressive cricket, or bullied into doing anything they didn’t want to do. They had no qualms about batting at under three runs an over for large parts of the first innings, and when Pakistan turned to declaration bowling, they simply didn’t decare.It secured Bangladesh arguably their greatest Test win, but they will know they need to hold off on wild celebrations for now. With one Test on the horizon and no clear signs Pakistan will be able to produce the pitch they want, all Bangladesh may need to do is pick up where they left off in the first Test. Pakistan must make all the moves, and as Bangladesh demonstrated, they are not going to be displaced too easily.Babar Azam’s recent form has been a big concern for Pakistan•Associated Press

Form guidePakistan: LLLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first) Bangladesh: WLLLWIn the spotlight: Babar Azam and Mushfiqur RahimBabar Azam’s slump aligning perfectly with the team’s nosediving Test form has been aggravating. Pakistan are used to dry patches and players out of form, but it isn’t quite obvious why this generation’s best batter is now struggling to achieve the big scores that came so easily to him. There isn’t a particular type of bowling or kind of shot that’s ailing him nor does he have other responsibilities now that he has been relieved of the armband. Babar fell to two basic unforced errors in the first Test, a squeeze down leg side and a drive without footwork doing for him. Home runs on flat surfaces against Bangladesh seemed like a no-brainer, and he now has one more Test to try and fix that.Mushfiqur Rahim played the role of the senior pro to a tee in the first Test. He used his strong defensive technique to good effect over the course of three partnerships that allowed the batters at the other end to operate with more freedom. Shadman Islam only opened up his repertoire in a 52-run stand with Mushfiqur, while Litton Das finally showed some form, after Mushfiqur allowed him to bat his way. Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued to shine with his batting mentor, playing out 178 balls in his innings. Mushfiqur continuing this role is bad news for Pakistan.Team news: Taskin in, Nahid out?Shaheen Afridi has been omitted from the squad for the second Test, with Abrar and Hamza part of the 12-member squad Pakistan have announced.Pakistan: 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Abrar Ahmed/Mir Hamza, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Mohammad Ali, 11 Khurram ShahzadMushfiqur Rahim tunes up for the second Test against Pakistan•PCB

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is back fit, and should replace Nahid Rana. Having secured one of their greatest Test wins, Bangladesh are unlikely to make further changes.Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Litton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Taskin AhmedPitch and conditions: Rain on the radarPakistan have made no secret of their desire for a pace-friendly wicket, though achieving it proved difficult in the first Test. There will be more than a tinge of grass on this new pitch, but monsoon rain lashed the city in the days since the end of the first Test. More rain is forecast during the game.Stats and trivia: Babar’s slump Mushfiqur, who was named Player of the Match in the first Test, is the only Bangladesh player to have taken part in all seven of his nation’s away Test wins Since the start of 2023, Babar averages 21.15 in 13 Test innings with a highest score of 41Quotes”We’re loathe to make a decision [on who to play] purely on over rates. Our over rates were poor in the first Test and unacceptable. We need to be better and get through our overs quicker. Our opposition like to call for gloves and drinks at very regular intervals so we need to be mindful of that but we can’t control that. What we can control is our energy levels and making sure we’re getting through our overs as quickly as possible.”

Manchester United are believed to be in pole position to sign a £4m+ striker who has also been targeted by Real Madrid in 2025.

Man Utd looking at more transfers after Cunha

The Red Devils are preparing for their first summer transfer window under the co-ownership of INEOS and manager Ruben Amorim, and there is plenty of work to be done following a disastrous 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

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A plethora of incomings and outgoings are expected at Old Trafford, and the first arrival ahead of Amorim’s first full season in charge is set to be Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha. Man Utd are set to trigger Cunha’s £62.5m release clause and give the Brazilian a five year deal at Old Trafford.

However, after Cunha, Man Utd are looking to make more additions to their squad, with Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo a serious target who could end up playing alongside the Brazilian behind a striker under Amorim.

At the back, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford has been linked as a replacement for Andre Onana, and in midfield, Atalanta star Ederson is a man in demand with the Red Devils making contact over a transfer.

As shown over the last 12 months in deals for Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi and Patrick Dorgu, Man Utd are looking to build for the future by signing some of the best youngsters around, and they are now looking to sign a new teenage talent.

Man Utd in pole position to sign £4m+ striker who Real Madrid wanted

According to reports in Spain, relayed by Sport Witness, Man Utd are in pole position to sign Albacete forward Christian Kofane this summer.

It is claimed that the Red Devils, alongside AS Monaco and Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen are leading the chase for the 18-year-old forward, who has a release clause of just €5m (£4.2m), following his ‘explosion’ at the Segunda Division side.

Interestingly, Kofane has also been targeted by Real Madrid after bursting onto the scene in 24/25 for Albacete, with ‘half of Europe’ keeping an eye on the Cameroon-born striker.

Games

19

Goals

8

Assists

1

Minutes played

1,175

As can be seen, the teenager has made quite an impact in Spain after scoring on his La Liga 2 debut back in November, and by the looks of things, a move to Old Trafford could be one to keep an eye on over the coming months.

Aston Villa now want to sign an “incredible” Barcelona player this summer, with Unai Emery believed to be a big fan, according to a report.

Villa eyeing new striker amid Watkins uncertainty

Ollie Watkins has been one of Villa’s key players for quite some time, with the England international reaching the 15-goal mark for the third campaign on the spin this season, underlining his importance to the side.

Season

Premier League appearances

Goals

2022-23

37

15

2024-24

37

19

2024-25

37

16

However, given the level of Watkins’ performances, the striker is attracting attention from some rival Premier League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, with the likes of Chelsea and long-term admirers Arsenal being named as potential suitors.

The 29-year-old has also had issues with Emery at times this season, admitting he was furious about being largely uninvolved in both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain, saying: “I am not going to lie, I was fuming that I wasn’t playing – I let him [Unai Emery] know that.”

Watkins has since returned to the team, suggesting the pair have settled their differences, but a new report has now revealed that Aston Villa still want to sign a striker this summer, emerging as potential suitors for Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.

Emery is a big fan of Torres, who joined Barca for €55m (£46m) back in 2021, and there has been a long-standing belief that the forward would be a good fit for the Villans’ style of play.

That said, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has suggested the 25-year-old is unlikely to leave the La Liga champions this summer, having featured regularly throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

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ByBrett Worthington May 19, 2025 "Incredible" Torres impressing for Barcelona

It is no surprise the forward may be tempted to remain at the Camp Nou beyond this summer, fresh off the back of winning the La Liga title, as he was very impressive right the way through the 2024-25 season, during which he predominantly featured in the role of striker.

The former Manchester City man picked up 19 goals and seven assists across a total of 45 matches in all competitions, while placing in the top 1% for assists per 90 over the past year, when compared to other forwards.

The Spain international has also impressed at international level in the past, scoring 21 goals for his country, including one en-route to his side’s Euro 2024 triumph last summer.

Once lauded as “incredible” by former manager Pep Guardiola, Torres could be a top signing for almost any Premier League side, but it may be difficult for Villa to prise him away from Barcelona, given his importance to Hansi Flick’s side last season.

This summer transfer window is a huge one for Tottenham Hotspur if they are to rise up the Premier League next season, making amends for the dismal campaign endured in 2024/25.

The club’s bottom-half standing has led to questions being asked about Ange Postecoglou’s future at the club, with it unclear whether he’ll be in charge for 2025/26.

However, their progression into the Europa League semi-final against Bodo Glimt may save his career in North London – potentially able to end their 17-year wait for a trophy.

If the Aussie does manage to pull off such a feat over the next couple of weeks, he will need to be backed in the market by the owner to allow him to take the side to the next level.

It appears no time has been wasted ahead of the summer transfer window, already making serious moves to strengthen the side in numerous key areas.

The latest on Spurs’ pursuit for new attackers this summer

Over recent days, Spurs have been targeting reinforcements within the final third, leading to huge rumours over a move for Wolves’ star Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian only signed a new contract in recent months, but has stated his desire to leave, with any side wanting to land him needing to trigger his £62.5m release clause inserted within his new deal.

The Lilywhites aren’t alone in their hunt for the 25-year-old, with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal also touted with a big-money move for his signature.

The likes of Tyler Dibling and Liam Delap have also been mentioned as potential targets, but not to the extent of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who’s been hugely mentioned as a summer target.

According to one Spanish outlet, Spurs are preparing a £50m bid for the Cherries attacker, who’s reportedly a supporter of North London rivals Arsenal.

Why the £50m target would be the perfect Son replacement

Winger Heung-min Son has been a tremendous servant to Spurs over the last decade, often being the shining light in their side after moving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015.

The South Korean international has racked up a staggering 448 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring on 173 occasions, putting himself fifth in the club’s all-time scoring charts.

However, with the attacker being 33 come the start of next season, it’s safe to say he’s entering the final years of his career as a professional, with a plan needing to be put in place to replace him.

He’s also started to pick up more frequent injury issues, currently being sidelined with a foot issue, missing the Europa League triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt and being ruled out of Monday’s clash with Forest.

As a result, Postecoglou could turn to Semenyo as a summer target, with the Ghanaian certainly the perfect replacement for the fan-favourite during the off-season.

When comparing his stats to Son from the Premier League in 2024/25, the 25-year-old has massively outperformed him in numerous key areas, showcasing how much of a superb addition he would be.

Semenyo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by The Athletic’s Richard Amofa, has registered more goals in the league to date, whilst also managing more shots on target per game, highlighting his threat within attacking areas.

Games played

32

28

Goals scored

8

7

Shots taken

3.7

2.4

Shots on target

1.2

1

Tackles & Interceptions

1.9

1

Take-ons completed

2.1

1.3

Aerials won

1.9

0.3

He’s also completed more take-ons per 90, along with more aerials won, offering Ange an all-round presence in the final third, playing a massive role in their potential success next campaign.

£50m may be a huge investment from the hierarchy, but it’s needed should the side return to the heights they’ve set for themselves in numerous seasons in North London.

Semenyo has demonstrated the qualities he possesses this season, with a big move needed, opening the door for a transfer to Spurs, and giving him a great platform to take his own career to the next level.

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Aston Villa could win the race for an “incredible” £100m forward, whose club may now be willing to cash-in this summer, according to a report.

Villa's summer transfer plans

It was a valiant effort against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, with Villa overturning a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 on the night, but the result wasn’t enough for Unai Emery’s side to progress to the Champions League semi-finals.

Having had their first taste of Champions League football in quite some time, however, Villa will be eager to have more special nights in Europe in the future, and they could go even deeper in the competition if they strengthen their squad this summer.

After selling Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr back in January, the Villans are keen on bringing in a new striker, and they are now ready to spend £75m on Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha.

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Not only are Emery’s side pursuing an out-and-out striker, but they are also keen to bolster their wide options, and they remain in a strong position to complete the permanent signing of Marcus Rashford.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Aston Villa could also win the race for Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, with Pep Guardiola’s side giving indications they could be willing to cash-in on the Englishman this summer.

The 29-year-old joined City in a £100m deal back in August 2021, but he has fallen down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium, which could open the door for a return to Villa Park.

However, there is widespread interest in Grealish’s signature, with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United also in the picture, while Serie A giants AC Milan headline the interest from abroad.

"Incredible" Grealish may need to leave City

The former Villa man probably has no regrets about joining Man City, given that he played a major role in their treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, but there are signs he may need to leave this summer for the good of his career.

Theo Walcott has particularly scrutinised the impact Guardiola’s coaching methods have had on the “incredible” winger’s ability to express himself on the pitch.

The Birmingham-born forward has amassed just two goal contributions in the Premier League this season, although he has impressed on some other key metrics over the past year, most notably ranking in the top 1% for progressive carries, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Progressive carries

8.08 (99th percentile)

Pass completion %

88.1% (99th percentile)

Progressive passes

5.75 (86th percentile)

A move back to Villa Park could be exactly what Grealish needs to reignite his career, and Emery should definitely consider making a move, should he be available for a suitable fee.

Manchester City are now considering a move for a “sensational” £50m midfielder to replace Kevin De Bruyne this summer, according to a report from David Ornstein for The Athletic.

Pep pays tribute to De Bruyne

De Bruyne has played a pivotal role in Man City’s success during the Pep Guardiola era, and the manager has paid tribute to the Belgian for his contributions, saying: “We’ve always had a special relationship. Kevin is a special person and player.”

The attacking midfielder is the last player remaining from the squad Guardiola inherited in 2015-16, but the Spaniard will now have to bring in a replacement this summer, with the 33-year-old set to leave upon the expiration of his contract.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz has regularly been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, and there has now been a positive update on City’s pursuit of the German, with it being revealed they are now leading the race for his signature.

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Bringing in a young attacking midfielder from the Bundesliga has shades of the Sky Blues’ original move for De Bruyne, who arrived from Wolfsburg, but they could also choose to bring in an established Premier League player.

That is according to a report from The Athletic, with Ornstein stating Man City are now considering a move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White as a replacement for De Bruyne.

A number of targets are being considered, including Wirtz, with a move unlikely to be made until Hugo Viana is fully underway as director of football, although City could also select Phil Foden as a direct successor to the Belgium international.

Should Gibbs-White be chosen, however, there is a feeling the Nottingham Forest star could command a fee of around £50m.

"Sensational" Gibbs-White enjoying impressive campaign

The attacking midfielder made an instant impact for Forest in the Premier League, amassing five goals and eight assists in his debut campaign with the Tricky Trees, but the current campaign is on course to be his best to date.

With seven games left to play, the Englishman has 14 goal contributions to his name, playing an integral role for Nuno’s side, who are still on course to unexpectedly qualify for the Champions League.

Lauded as “sensational” by members of the media, there are clear signs Gibbs-White could now be entering his prime, although there are doubts over whether he would be a suitable replacement for De Bruyne, given that he remains unproven at the very highest level.

Wirtz, on the other hand, experienced winning the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen last season, while he has also impressed in the Champions League this term, with six goals and one assist to his name in nine matches.

While Joe Root and Kane Williamson have been in splendid form, the stats for the two others – Virat Kohli and Steven Smith – have dipped significantly

S Rajesh03-Sep-20241:35

Root stands tall after twin tons

Through much of second part of the 2010s, Test-match batting was dominated by the Fab Four, and with good reason: they all reached great heights in the period between 2014-19, averaging over 50. In fact, they all had a four or five-year period when they maintained an average of over 57 in more than 40 Tests.Five years later, the picture looks quite different. While Kane Williamson and Joe Root have been in sparkling form – underscored most recently by Root’s splendid twin-hundreds against Sri Lanka at Lord’s – Smith and Kohli have struggled to replicate those golden years. In fact, Root scored as many Test hundreds at Lord’s last week as Kohli has in the entire period from 2020 to 2024.Here’s a look at all the key numbers on the Fab Four which illustrate just how varied their returns have been in the last five years.All about the averagesLet’s start with the period between 2014 and 2019. The only batter who could stay with them in this period was David Warner. Smith had an incredible 24 hundreds from 56 Tests, while Williamson and Kohli both averaged fewer than three Tests per century. Root wasn’t as sharp, but still averaged over 50, and there was a clear five-run gap between Root and the next-best.