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ESPNcricinfo picks its team of the 2014 season, with a limit of only four foreign players in the XI

Nitin Sundar02-Jun-20147:58

Agarkar, Isa Guha pick their IPL XIs

Picking the tournament XI is among the most anticipated activities at ESPNcricinfo the end of a long tournament, and IPL 2014 was no different. Fourteen members of ESPNcricinfo’s editorial team who watched the tournament closely sent in their votes, and after the numbers were tallied, we ended up with a well-balanced and dynamic XI that ticks all the boxes, even if it has more wicketkeepers than it needs.Mohit Sharma and Suresh Raina made it to the ESPNcricinfo IPL XI for the second year running•BCCISeveral names were automatic picks – a reflection of a season where some players were consistent and impactful right through the tournament. Robin Uthappa and Sunil Narine were unanimous picks. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suresh Raina came next, dropping just one vote each. So did Glenn Maxwell, whose slump in the latter half of the tournament would seem to have not impacted his popularity. Akshar Patel and Mohit Sharma were shoo-ins as well, with 12 votes each out of a possible 14. Wriddhiman Saha (9 votes), who capped an outstanding tournament with a century in the final was another straightforward choice in the middle order.ESPNcricinfo’s IPL XI from 2013

Chris Gayle, Michael Hussey, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, James Faulkner, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Dale Steyn, Mohit Sharma

The last remaining specialist bowling spot went to Lasith Malinga (6 votes), who was predictably effective for Mumbai until his departure for England. That left one more overseas slot to fill. David Warner (6 votes) beat competition from Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons to make the grade as an opener.One spot remained, and that selection proved to be the most contentious. The side needed a finisher and it had to be an Indian player, which ruled out JP Duminy and Kieron Pollard, both of whom had only one vote each in any case. It came down to Delhi Daredevils’ Kedar Jadhav and one of the usual suspects in IPL XIs – MS Dhoni. The spot eventually went to Dhoni (4 votes), whose ability to finish off games without a fuss helped Super Kings in their march to the play-offs. Dhoni’s selection gave the team it’s third wicketkeeper, but more importantly, gave it a captain.Shakib Al Hasan is the twelfth man, and a good choice since he fields well and can replace a batsman or a bowler as required. If team balance wasn’t a criterion, he would have made the starting XI. The most notable miss was David Miller, who made a strong case for a fifth overseas spot. Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag, who both showed signs of a second wind during the tournament, missed out narrowly as well, as did Sandeep Sharma.The team has six batsmen, one spinning allrounder, three seam bowlers and a mystery spinner.Team of the tournament
1. Robin Uthappa (Knight Riders) – 660 runs, average 44, strike-rate 138
2. David Warner (Sunrisers) – 528 runs, average 48, strike rate 141
3. Suresh Raina (Super Kings) – 523 runs, average 40, strike rate 146
4. Wriddhiman Saha (Kings XI) – 362 runs, average 33, strike rate 145
5. Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI) – 552 runs, average 35, strike rate 188
6. MS Dhoni (Super Kings) – 371 runs, average 74, strike rate 148
7. Akshar Patel (Kings XI) – 17 wickets, average 24, economy rate 6.13
8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers) – 20 wickets, average 18, economy rate 6.65
9. Mohit Sharma (Super Kings) – 23 wickets, average 20, economy rate 8.39
10. Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) – 16 wickets, average 16, economy rate 6.45
11. Sunil Narine (Knight Riders) – 21 wickets, average 19, economy rate 6.35
12th man: Shakib Al Hasan (Knight Riders) – 227 runs, average 30, strike rate 149; 11 wickets, average 30, economy rate 6.68

'El Piojo' will have his second experience as a national team coach, now with the 'Ticos'

Miguel Herrera was announced as the new coach of Costa Rica'Nacho' Ambriz was also a candidate'Piojo' already has experience as a national team coachWHAT HAPPENED?

Costa Rica has concluded its search for a new coach and after considering several options, and they have finally chosen Miguel Herrera to lead their process towards the 2026 World Cup.

AdvertisementGettyNEW OPPORTUNITY FOR 'PIOJO'

Through a statement, the Costa Rican Football Federation welcomed Herrera as coach, where his main task will be to lead the 'Ticos' to the 2026 World Cup after not attending Qatar 2022. He beat out his compatriot Ignacio Ambriz, who was also an option for the position.

DID YOU KNOW?

The new coach of Costa Rica already has experience as a national team manager, as 'Piojo' led Mexico between 2013 and 2015, where he managed the team in tournaments such as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Copa América, and the Gold Cup.

Getty ImagesWHEN DOES HE DEBUT?

Herrera will debut on the bench of Costa Rica on Jan. 22, when they face the USMNT at the Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida in a friendly.

A part of the squad and coaching staff landed in Miami on Friday, with Josh Little, who is currently playing in the Lanka Premier League, called up

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2021Four Ireland players and a member of the support staff have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their limited-overs tours of USA and the Caribbean. Pace bowler Josh Little, who is currently playing in the Lanka Premier League, has been called up to bolster the squad.According to a Cricket Ireland release, Barry McCarthy and George Dockrell tested positive during pre-series testing and were not part of the squad that arrived in Miami on Friday. The duo are expected to link up with their team-mates in the USA soon, after completion of their isolation period and provision of a negative PCR result.Related

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Kevin O'Brien omitted from Ireland's T20I squad for USA-West Indies tour

Teenagers Jariwala, Vaghela named in USA squad for Ireland series at home

Harry Tector and Gareth Delany, already in Florida, having played in the recent US T20 Open tournament, returned positive tests for Covid-19 prior to joining with squad and have begun their 10-day in-room isolation.Craig Young, meanwhile, was identified on the eve of departure as a close contact of a positive case. The media release stated under Northern Ireland guidelines he was not permitted to travel for 10 days and must receive a negative PCR test before he can join the squad.Assistant coach Gary Wilson, too, had to delay his departure after “he received a false positive report on his pre-series Covid test. He is being re-tested, and if clear, will fly out on Sunday.” According to the statement, all players and coaches who arrived in Miami cleared their first pre-series Covid-19 tests since landing.”We are pleased to have our squad arrive in Miami and are all looking forward to the series ahead, Richard Holdsworth, high performance director for Cricket Ireland, said. “We have experienced a few last-minute complications related to COVID, but with the extended travelling squad that we have taken, and the recall of Josh Little from Sri Lanka, we don’t foresee any issues with the series proceeding as scheduled.”We have been very fortunate over the last 20 months to have had very few Covid-related issues impacting upon our international teams – and while the last few days have forced us into some last minute juggling, we are optimistic that we can minimise the impact on the USA series.”Ireland are slated to play two T20Is and three ODIs against USA, between December 22 and 31. They will then tour the Caribbean to face West Indies in three ODIs, between January 8 and 14, and a one-off T20I scheduled for January 17.

Whilst they did manage to get deals over the loan to sign Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, Liverpool were also reportedly in talks to sign another winger before their deal collapsed.

Liverpool transfer news

Aside from two late additions, Liverpool endured a quiet first transfer window under Arne Slot with their biggest moment the Martin Zubimendi saga. For a moment, it looked as though the Spaniard was on his way to provide the Reds with the solution at the base of their midfield once and for all, only to stay put at Real Sociedad.

Those at Anfield then decided that it was Zubimemdi or no one in midfield, opting instead to solve future problems with the addition of an Alisson replacement in Mamardashvili and a right-winger to compete or perhaps replace Mohamed Salah next summer in Chiesa.

After putting pen to paper at the club, Chiesa revealed his delight, telling Liverpool's official website: “I’m so happy to be a Liverpool player. When Richard Hughes called me and he said, ‘Do you want to join Liverpool?’ – and the coach called me – I said yes immediately because I know the history of this club, I know what it represents to the fans. So, I’m so happy and I can’t wait to get started.”

Liverpool must regret selling a star with more PL goals than Salah in 23/24

He’s starred away from Anfield over the last few years.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 5, 2024

As it turns out, however, there was another attacking option before they turned to the Italian. According to Pumas president Luis Raul Gonzalez Perez, as relayed by LFC Transfer Room, Liverpool were in talks to sign Cesar Huertas before the deal fell through. The Reds reportedly planned to loan the winger to Sunderland, only for the Black Cats to fail in their side of the negotiations.

Having been in such advanced talks to sign the 23-year-old that they were already planning his loan move, Huertas may well be one to watch when the January transfer window swings open in the new year.

Liverpool don't need Huertas after Chiesa

Whilst at 23 years old, Huertas would be someone for years to come, Liverpool's best depth comes on the left-hand side, which the addition of Chiesa only added to given his versatility. Alongside Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Chiesa, the chances of Huertas breaking into Slot's side were slim to none.

The saving grace could have been the fact that Huertas can play on the right-hand side amid doubts over Salah's long-term future. As a player who managed 12 goals and nine assists in the last campaign, the Mexican may well be one of few players in good stead to step in and complete the near-impossible task of replacing the Egyptian.

Now, that task looks likely to go the way of Chiesa, especially if Salah does depart at the end of his current contract next summer as will be the case if nothing changes in the coming months.

Pakistan will be wary of Bangladesh’s dominance at home, even though they lost the last five games in the T20 World Cup

Mohammad Isam18-Nov-2021Big PictureBangladesh and Pakistan are two sides very much on the opposite ends of the confidence scale, with a team on a roll taking on a line-up that is in transformation after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. The two teams meet in a three-match T20I series starting Friday in Dhaka.The visitors will be wary of Bangladesh’s dominance at home, even though they failed to secure a win in five games in the Super 12s in the UAE.Pakistan, who were semi-finalists in the global tournament, will be looking to carry forward their form. Their batting line-up has adjusted to most conditions and has imposed themselves on several occasions. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have led the team well as openers, while the likes of Fakhar Zaman and Shoaib Malik have contributed at crucial moments. Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are the spinning allrounders in the lower middle order, although their bowling would be more important on the slow Dhaka pitches.Related

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'Fact-finding' committee to review B'desh's T20 WC performance

Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the bowling attack and his first over spectacle will be closely followed in Dhaka. Barring his last over against Australia, he had a great tournament in the UAE, picking up seven wickets in six matches. Pakistan also have extra pace from Haris Rauf, while Hasan Ali, smarting from his dropped catch in the semi-final, will be out to prove a point.Meanwhile, Bangladesh are going in with an inexperienced side. Mushfiqur Rahim, one of the most experienced cricketers in the team, has been dropped with the chief selector Minhajul Abedin insisting that he was rested for the T20I series keeping in mind Bangladesh’s scheduling for the next two months. Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das too have lost their top-order spots.They have brought in Najmul Hossain Shanto, Saif Hassan and Yasir Ali at the top. Shanto and Saif are Test regulars with decent domestic T20 records, while Yasir has been in the Test squad throughout this year. Yasir had a decent DPL season, scoring 266 runs in 12 innings. The selectors have also included legspinner Aminul Islam, pace bowler Shahidul Islam and wicketkeeper Akbar Ali, but they are considered as backup options.The real responsibility is with captain Mahmudullah, one of their experienced cricketers left in the 16-man squad. Due to the lack of experience in the squad, his role might be changed from being a finisher to middle-order anchor. Mohammad Naim will be looking to improve his approach in the powerplay, while Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan must prove their worth after disappointing returns in the World Cup.The only thing that seems to work for the hosts is the bowling. Taskin Ahmed had a good outing in the UAE – picking up six wickets at an economy of 6.50 in six matches – challenging Mustafizur Rahman as the leader of the pack. Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed will also be crucial in Shakib Al Hasan’s absence due to a hamstring injury, particularly at home. The spin pair may hold the key for the home side. Form guide Bangladesh LLLLL
Pakistan LWWWW
Shadab Khan might be a major threat for Bangladesh, who have found legspin difficult to handle•AFP/Getty Images In the spotlight One of Bangladesh’s biggest problems this year has been catching. They dropped 11 catches during the T20 World Cup, having already been the team to have dropped the second most number of catches this year. It got the fielding coach fired, and training sessions now include more focus on catching. The dropped catches could, however, be linked to general unease within the team throughout this year.Shadab Khan almost got Pakistan to the T20 World Cup final with his four-wicket haul in the semi-final against Australia. He only gave away more than 30 runs in one of the six games in the tournament, an effort that has brought him out of a bad patch from the last two years. He will be a major threat for Bangladesh, who have found legspin difficult to handle. Team news Bangladesh may hand debuts to Saif Hassan and Yasir Ali and bring in Najmul Hossain Shanto to rejig the top order. The main concern will be finding four overs from the fifth bowler, given that they are more likely to play seven batters.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Yasir Ali, 5 Mahmudullah (capt), 6 Afif Hossain, 7 Nurul Hasan (wk), 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Taskin Ahmed.Pakistan have rested Asif Ali and Imad Wasim to give Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz a chance. There will be a toss-up between Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Hasan Ali for the third fast bowler’s slot.Pakistan (probable): 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 3 Fakhar Zaman, 4 Haider Ali, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Shaheen Shah Afridi Pitch and conditions The Mirpur pitch is the most talked about aspect ahead of the first T20I. The average score batting first has been 119 this year, although it used to be 152 in the previous ten years. There’s hope it will be better for batting after a bit of groundwork was done during the last two months. Weather holds steady, with winter setting in. Stats and trivia Bangladesh have won the last two T20Is against Pakistan at home, beating them in the one-off game in 2015 and the 2016 Asia Cup, respectively. Mahmudullah is 60 runs short of becoming the first Bangladeshi batter to reach 2000 runs in T20Is. Mohammad Rizwan’s 391 runs are the most by any batter in powerplays this year.

On an unusually dry Kingsmead surface, South Africa’s attack struggle to cope with their talisman’s longest-ever wicketless streak

Firdose Moonda in Durban26-Dec-20130:00

Match Point: ‘Disappointed to see Steyn bowl slower’

Dale Steyn began his fifth over the way he may have wanted to start his first. He delivered a snarling bouncer that soared towards M Vijay at almost 146 kph. Having already faced 17 balls and made some assessment of conditions, Vijay ducked under it.Dale Steyn has gone wicketless for 67 overs since this celebration of Shikhar Dhawan’s dismissal in the first innings in Johannesburg•AFPIt was as though Steyn had remembered who he was, with that ball. He followed up with another quicker one, pitched up, then one back of a length that jagged back in and hit Vijay on the arm, and then one he could leave alone on bounce. The fifth ball of Steyn’s over preyed on the uncertainty caused by the previous four: with Vijay unsure whether to go forward or back, he was struck on the front pad. Steyn aborted his appeal when he realised it was likely going down leg, but he’d made his threat clear.Why Steyn didn’t start like that is anyone’s guess. His first four overs were ordinary. His pace was down, he overpitched and he conceded 21 runs. Perhaps, like the rest of the South African attack, he was taken aback by the surface he was given. “It’s very dry and a touch on the slow side,” Morne Morkel said. “What surprised me is that after the 13th over, the ball already looked like it was 60 overs old. It’s the type of wicket that’s going to be tough to strike on.”South Africa would have known that much two days ago, when they first laid eyes on the Kingsmead pitch. Once the green mamba of the South African circuit, it has taken on subcontinent characteristics over the last few years. South Africa would not have forgotten this, even though they didn’t play a Test here in 2012. Even so, they might have been stunned by just how different this looked from what they consider home conditions.Steyn should have been the least startled because he has succeeded on decks like this before, Nagpur 2010 a case in point. Then, Steyn’s aggression coupled with the reverse swing he got buoyed South Africa and led them to an innings win. Morkel admitted South Africa had been angling for something similar today. “We were hoping the ball would reverse a little more,” he said. “We need to find a way to get reverse going.”There was some reverse swing but the Steyn factor was nowhere near what it was in Nagpur and it reflected on South Africa as a whole. Like him, they tried hard. Smith had a fine leg and a deep backward square leg waiting for the pull but it never came.Morkel was the most threatening. He set the tone with a maiden when he was brought into the attack in the seventh over. He used the short ball well and found extra lift. After Morkel’s opening, Steyn hit his rhythm.Usually, it’s the other way round and Steyn is the bowler who dictates the mood. Vernon Philander bristled when that suggestion was put to him at the Wanderers – when Steyn went wicketless in the second innings – and said it was up to every member of the attack to play their part, but you need only to think back to The Oval last year to remember the impact a firing Steyn can have.The Kallis Tracker

Jacques Kallis led the South African team onto the field in his final Test match. He was the first man down the Kingsmead steps, jogged through the customary guard of honour that was formed by the children participating in the sponsor-related activities and was then greeted with warm applause.
A little hesitantly, Kallis waved his left arm – sporting a black armband after the death of a family friend – to the crowd. Then, realising they’d want much more, he removed his hat and waved to all parts of the ground. His team-mates followed shortly and Kallis took his place at second slip.
Kallis saw action only after the first hour of play, when he bowled from the Old Fort Road End. His first delivery was a half-volley and went for three, his next was pitched up on the pads and yielded a boundary. The next three balls were on a good length outside off and Kallis did not concede again that over.
He was taken off after three overs but returned for a second spell after lunch. Vijay reached his half-century off Kallis when he slapped behind point. Kallis bowled a tidy second spell, with only ten runs coming from his four overs. His final one was a maiden. With India only one wicket down and little assistance for the seamers, the wait for his final innings continues.

In that match, Steyn made it obvious he was irritated. He hung onto the boundary boards in what seemed like discomfort and was spotted engaged in animated conversation with bowling coach Allan Donald. This time too, Donald was on the sidelines offering advice but Steyn was not as heated up as he can be. He jokingly signed a blow-up doll, did his fielding duties, and slowly cranked it up.After Morkel’s first over, Steyn operated in the right channel for the rest of the day. He delivered 12 more overs at speed, with better lengths, and gave away just 28 runs. An unhelpful surface, confident driving from the Indian batsmen and the impenetrable new wall that is Cheteshwar Pujara meant that the intent did not bring success this time. Not for Steyn and not for anyone else.”We were guilty of maybe attacking a little bit too much. We didn’t get balls in the right areas, we were a touch too straight as we searched for wickets,” Morkel said. It did not help South Africa that, again, their spinner failed to play his part. Robin Peterson offered a first ball that looked like it could have come from Imran Tahir. It was a full toss.He didn’t get much better as the day wore on, leaving South Africa with what may become a more pressing problem in the future. If their spinner cannot take wickets, he should at least be able to dry up an end. Neither Tahir nor Peterson has looked like doing that in this series but Morkel stressed the attack as whole needed to be econimical. “If we are not getting wickets, we have to make sure they are not scoring,” he said.Frustration, South Africa hope, will bring some reward and there will be some crossed fingers hoping the fortunes swing Steyn’s way. He last took a wicket 67 overs ago, in the first innings of the Wanderers Test. It is the longest Steyn has gone without a scalp.

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been charged by the FA after his furious reaction to being sent off against Newcastle.

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Duran charged by the FAReacted angrily to red card against NewcastleCurrently serving a three-match suspensionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Colombian striker was sent off just past the half-hour mark in Villa's 3-0 defeat at St James' Park after referee Antony Taylor punished him for an apparent stamp on Fabian Schar, though replays suggested the decision was harsh. Duran was left fuming after the red card as he kicked a water bottle while on his way off the pitch.

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The 21-year-old ace was already serving a three-match suspension for the straight red card but on Tuesday, the Football Association charged him for allegedly acting in an "improper manner" and he could now face further punishment. Duran has until January 3 to provide a response to the FA's charge.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

The official statement from the FA read: "Jhon Duran has been charged following the Premier League fixture between Newcastle United and Aston Villa on Thursday 26 December 2024. It’s alleged that the Aston Villa forward acted in an improper manner in the 32nd minute of the fixture, after being sent off. Duran has until January 3 to provide a response."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

While Duran continues to serve his initial suspension, the Unai Emery's team will be back in action on Saturday as they take on Leicester City in the Premier League at Villa Park.

The exit of a £200,000-a-week Manchester United player is now not expected to happen this summer, according to a fresh update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Latest on Man Utd exits on deadline day

The future of Jadon Sancho has dominated deadline day from a Red Devils perspective, as he potentially looks to seal a move away from Old Trafford.

The Englishman has never got going in a United shirt since completing a big-money move from Borussia Dortmund back in 2021, even being loaned back to the Bundesliga side last season. Chelsea are believed to be making late efforts to sign the 24-year-old, as the Blues look to seal yet another signing.

However, Erik ten Hag provided an update on Sancho's future during his pre-Liverpool press conference on Friday, saying he expects him to remain at United: "As far as I know, I expect him to stay, yeah. We are happy with him. We need a good squad. We have to play many games until January. After the break we play every third day so we need options."

Away from all things Sancho, a key update has now emerged regarding the future of another Old Trafford ace.

£200,000-a-week Man Utd winger set to stay

According to Romano on X, Antony is expected to stay at Manchester United this summer, with a loan move to Real Betis off the table after the player decided he wants to stay and fight for his place at Old Trafford.

There is no question that Antony has been a disappointing signing for United overall, with a lack of end product from his right-sided attacking role something that he has received plenty of credit for. The £200,000-a-week Brazilian has only bagged 11 goals and five assists in 83 appearances for United, which compared to the likes of rivals Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka in his position, is simply not good enough for the Red Devils to close the gap.

That being said, Antony does still possess quality and is only 24 years of age, with Rio Ferdinand describing him as a "threat" and Danny Murphy also praising him last season: "Antony was running in behind and making different types of runs today. There’s been a lot of discontent with him in the first couple of games, but his end product, picking passes better, he was much more decisive in his play today."

There is plenty of competition for places in wide areas at United now, including Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, so now is the time for Antony to find another gear, or the calls for him to move on next summer are only likely to become more deafening.

He's like Pogba: Man Utd in late talks to sign another CM after Ugarte

Manchester United could sign two midfielders on deadline day.

ByMatt Dawson Aug 30, 2024

The natural ability is there for all to see, in terms of his classy left foot and quick dribbling, but it is now a case of him adding that all-important substance to his game, scoring and assisting at a far greater rate.

Julen Lopetegui has been backed. West Ham United parted ways with David Moyes at the end of the 2023/24 season after his dynasty entered a solemn twilight stage, and now there is fresh hope that success can be found once again.

Two years on from winning the Conference League, West Ham will not play European football for the first time in three seasons, but this at least gives the new era a singular focus on the domestic front.

The Premier League side have employed a free-spending approach this summer, with technical director strengthening across the park, and while improvements have been made, there may yet be another incoming as the window enters the final fortnight…

West Ham eyeing another midfielder

According to the Daily Mail, West Ham have enquired about the availability of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Carlos Soler as Steidten gears up for a ninth (yes, ninth) signing of the summer.

The experienced Guido Rodriguez has been landed to add some mettle to the engine room but Soler would bring a more dynamic outlook.

The Spaniard is valued at around €20m (£17m) by the Ligue 1 champions, and while the Irons' spending has hit the £120m mark this summer, this could ice the cake nicely indeed.

What Carlos Soler would bring to West Ham

Soler is a technical footballer with a sharp eye for a pass. His innate understanding of tempo allows him to maximise this ball-playing ability and influence attacking sequences effectively.

Goals scored

0.17

Top 13%

Assists made

0.17

Top 19%

Passes attempted

63.51

Top 19%

Progressive passes

6.10

Top 24%

Touches (att pen)

2.59

Top 7%

He signed for PSG from Valencia for €20m (£17m) in 2022, and while he's now completed 63 appearances – scoring eight goals and assisting eight more – he's struggled to secure a starring role in the talent-congested team and would do well to move to an outfit that could see him perform as one of the standouts.

West Ham could offer such a platform. At 27 years old, Soler is in his ostensible prime and must now make good on praise that he is the "complete midfielder", as said by one-time Valencia player Curro Torres, and showcases his skills in the Premier League.

He has the ability. FBref's player comparison model even marks Arsenal's Martin Odegaard as one of his most similar players across Europe's top five leagues – and we all know how well the Norwegian maestro has done on English soil.

Arsenal have fallen a whisker short against Manchester City in the past two top-flight title challenges, though Mikel Arteta deserves all the plaudits after transforming the Gunners into one of the continent's elite outfits. Odegaard has been the fulcrum of such success.

Across the past two years, the all-seeing playmaker has posted 26 goals and 18 assists, awarded the club's Player of the Season for 2023/24 after a magnificent season of the highest influence.

Indeed, as per FBref, he ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 3% for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 2% for progressive passes and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90.

Odegaard is clearly operating at a higher level than Soler, but the PSG man's ability to score and assist with equal consistency speaks of his dynamic attacking skill. Moreover, he's a progressive passer and that is something that could see him emulate Arsenal's superstar.

West Ham keen on £40m striker who could challenge Fullkrug immediately

West Ham could return for striker target even after Fullkrug addition

1 ByConnor Holden Aug 15, 2024

USMNT star Antonee Robinson admitted he has attracted interest from top Premier League clubs as he hinted he could consider leaving Fulham.

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Robinson admitted to transfer interest from top clubsHinted he could leave FulhamProvided two assists against LiverpoolFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The United States men's national team defender has had an impressive campaign with Fulham in the 2024/25 season having contributed with six assists in 16 league outings for the club. In their latest meeting against league leaders Liverpool last Saturday, Robinson provided both assists as the Cottagers held the Reds to a 2-2 draw at Anfield. With that, he became only the second American international after Roy Wegerle in 1993 to provide multiple assists in a Premier League game.

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Robinson's stellar run of form has caught the attention of several top English giants including, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, and the player is aware of their interest. The 27-year-old event hinted that he is prepared to leave Fulham if the right offer arrives. The full-back's current deal is valid until 2028.

WHAT ANTONEE ROBINSON SAID

Speaking to , the USMNT player said: "I'm very happy here. The fact that there is interest from other teams is great. Obviously, it all comes down to whether someone wants me enough to pay what Fulham would ask. So, if the club sees it as a good idea, I would leave."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ANTONEE ROBINSON?

It remains to be seen if any of the top Premier League clubs come up with a sizable offer for Robinson in the upcoming January transfer window. For now, he will be next seen in action on Sunday as Marco Silva's side take on Southampton.