Glasgow Rangers kick off their Europa League season with a trip away from Ibrox to take on Malmo in the first game of the league phase on Thursday night.

The Light Blues will play eight matches in the new-look format, in an attempt to qualify for the knockout stages, and their first opponents are the Swedish outfit.

Philippe Clement’s side dropped down into this competition after they lost to Dynamo Kyiv on aggregate over two legs in their Champions League qualifiers.

The Belgian head coach will now be eyeing up a strong run in the Europa League, potentially going one step further than Giovanni van Bronckhorst did by winning the tournament.

Rangers come into this game off the back of a 3-0 win over Dundee in the League Cup on Saturday and Clement may look to make some changes to his starting XI from that clash.

With that in mind, here is the predicted Gers line-up to take to the field against Malmo in Sweden on Thursday…

1 GK – Jack Butland

Jack Butland will be between the sticks, barring any late fitness issues, as he is the nailed on number one option for Clement in goal for Rangers.

The English shot-stopper has kept 30 clean sheets in 67 appearances for the club since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, and will be in search of number 31 against Malmo.

2 RB – James Tavernier

James Tavernier will captain the team at right-back and will be hoping to build on his positive performance against Dundee in the League Cup clash.

The English defender scored his first goal of the season, from the penalty spot, and assisted Cyriel Dessers to help Rangers on their way to a 3-0 win.

3 CB – John Souttar

At the heart of the backline, former Hearts colossus John Souttar deserves to maintain his place in the starting XI after helping his side to keep a clean sheet last time out.

The Scotland international has also helped his team to keep three clean sheets in five Scottish Premiership matches this season, and will hopefully provide a strong presence at the back against Malmo.

4 CB – Robin Propper

Alongside Souttar, Robin Propper should be selected once again on the left side of the defence for the Gers, as he is comfortable playing out from the back on either foot.

Rangers have kept shutouts in three of the centre-back’s last four starts in all competitions, which shows that he has been part of a strong defensive unit.

5 LB – Jefte

Ridvan Yilmaz is currently missing through injury and that has left Jefte as the only natural left-back option in the first-team squad, which is why he will keep his place in the team.

The Brazilian full-back recently caught the eye by winning six of his seven ground duels and making two tackles and two interceptions in the win over Dundee United.

6 CM – Connor Barron

At the base of the midfield, the energetic Connor Barron should be selected once again, after an impressive start to life at Ibrox following his move from Aberdeen in the summer transfer window.

The Scotland U21 international has been a combative presence in the middle of the park for the Gers in the Premiership, with 3.0 tackles and interceptions combined and 4.0 ball recoveries per game respectively in the division.

7 CM – Mohamed Diomande

Alongside the Scottish dynamo, Clement should make the first change to the starting XI by bringing Mohammed Diomande into the team to replace Dujon Sterling.

The versatile English ace started the 3-0 win over Dundee but was withdrawn from the action at half-time, Glasgow World subsequently handed him a player rating of 5/10.

Diomande should now be unleashed ahead of the former Chelsea man, due to the creativity quality that he could bring to the team in midfield.

The Ivorian magician has created three ‘big chances’ in four starts in the Premiership this season, which suggests that the left-footed whiz has the ability to unlock the Malmo defence to create quality opportunities for his teammates.

8 RW – Ross McCausland

The second change to the starting XI could come on the right side of the attack, with Ross McCausland unleashed ahead of Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny.

In a European clash away from home, the pace of the academy graduate on the flank could be a useful weapon for Clement to have in his side, as it opens up more possibilities on the counter.

Cerny’s lack of mobility restricts what he can provide when his team is sat deeper, rather than dominating the possession and playing higher up the pitch, and that could make him more useful as a substitute if Rangers are pushing for a goal late on.

Therefore, McCausland, who came on for Cerny in the 68th minute last time out, could be preferred for tactical reasons for this clash with Malmo.

9 AM – Tom Lawrence

Tom Lawrence should keep his place in the starting XI as the number ten for Rangers after a return of two goals and one assist in his last four appearances in all competitions.

The Welsh wizard did not directly contribute to a goal in the 3-0 win over Dundee on Saturday but did provide a brilliant flick to set Nedim Bajrami away for the third goal.

10 LW – Nedim Bajrami

The Light Blues signed the Albania international from Sassuolo on deadline day and he notched his first goal contribution with an assist for Dessers on Saturday.

Bajrami, who crossed from the left for the striker to convert against Dundee, will be looking to provide a creative spark on the flank on Thursday night.

فرض التعادل السلبي كلمته على مباراة فريقي زد وطلائع الجيش، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما اليوم ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري.

والتقى زد مع طلائع الجيش، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، في الجولة الثالثة من مجموعة تحديد الهابطين لمسابقة الدوري المصري.

وحاول لاعبو زد على مدار اللقاء تسجيل هدف يضمن لهم الثلاث نقاط، إلا أن الحالة الدفاعية الصلبة لفريق طلائع الجيش حالت دون ذلك.

طالع أيضاً.. الإعلان عن أولى صفقات الأهلي في انتقالات الصيف

على الجانب الآخر، فشل فريق طلائع الجيش في ترجمة أي فرصة إلى هدف، على مدار شوطي اللقاء، لتنتهي المواجهة بالتعادل السلبي.

بتلك النتيجة، ظل زد متصدراً مجموعة تحديد الهابطين لبطولة الدوري المصري برصيد 28 نقطة، بينما يتواجد طلائع الجيش بالمركز الرابع، ولديه 22 نقطة.

Stats highlights from the fourth day of the second Test between India and Australia in Brisbane

Bishen Jeswant20-Dec-20145 Number of times a team has lost a Test inside four days after making 400-plus in the first innings of the match. Australia won four of those Tests, while India won the other.4.12 The overall run rate during this match, the highest for a Test in Australia and the ninth highest ever. The run-rate during the first Test in Adelaide was 3.98, the third highest for a Test in Australia.60 The partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Umesh Yadav for the eighth wicket – the highest stand for the eighth, ninth or tenth wickets during the second innings of a Gabba Test.6 Number of consecutive Tests India have lost in Australia. Also, Australia extended their unbeaten streak in Brisbane to 26 Tests – 19 wins and seven draws.46 Number of innings Cheteshwar Pujara took to pass 2000 Test runs, the eighth fastest by an Indian. Rahul Dravid holds the Indian record – 40 innings.9 Number of consecutive Test innings where India have lost a cluster of five or more wickets for 100 runs or less. India lost five wickets for 41 runs during their second innings in this Gabba Test, going from 1 for 76 to 6 for 117.6 Number of times Shane Watson has been dismissed by Ishant Sharma in Tests – only Stuart Broad (seven) and James Anderson (eight) have dismissed Watson more times.17.10 Mitchell Johnson’s bowling average when he bowls in Tests after having made a 50-plus score. Johnson scored 88 in Australia’s first innings, and then returned figures of 4 for 61 in India’s second innings.9 Number of opening batsmen who have made 50-plus scores in both innings of a Test in Brisbane. Chris Rogers made 55 in both innings in this Test. The last Australian batsman to do this was Justin Langer, in 2006.8 Number of times MS Dhoni has been dismissed for a duck when captaining India – the most ducks in Tests by captain-keeper and the third most for any captain, after Graeme Smith (10) and Stephen Fleming (13).9 Number of catches taken by Brad Haddin in this Test, the second most by an Australian. Adam Gilchrist took ten catches against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2000. Overall, there have been 19 instances of a keeper taking nine or more catches in a Test.9 Number of players who have won a Man-of-the-Match award on captaincy debut; Steven Smith is the ninth. The others are Anil Kumble, Brendon Taylor, Greg Chappell, Imran Khan, Kevin Pietersen, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Shakib Al Hasan and Waqar Younis.

Blessed with an ability to swing the bat liberally and be equally care-free in the field, Ben Stokes is a bright spark for Durham who is catching the eye of England’s hierarchy

Vithushan Ehantharajah06-Aug-2013″No one needed to sit me down and tell me – you quickly realise how foolish you were,” Ben Stokes said ruefully in the Lord’s pavilion.In February, during a challenging tour of Australia as a member of the England Lions squad, Stokes, along with Kent’s Matt Coles, found himself returning home early. “Alcohol related incidents”, or some variant of was echoed throughout the press, as ECB performance director David Parsons, in charge of the tour, spoke of previous warnings going unheeded.Stokes couldn’t have timed this final misdemeanour worse. England team director Andy Flower had just stopped over in Australia, on his way to New Zealand for the Test series, as the two roommates embarked on the night out that broke the camel’s back. It is thought that Flower rubberstamped their early return home.Understandably, Stokes, the Durham allrounder, is sheepish went reflecting six months on. He has previous after he was arrested in 2011 for obstructing a police officer.”I knew what I had to do when I got back to England to make sure I got my career back on track,” Stokes said. “I know I had a lot of work to do to get the England selectors back on my side.”Selection in the Twenty20 series with New Zealand, with the majority of England’s Champions Trophy squad rested, represents a pardon of sorts. But less than a month later, it seemed he had convinced Flower of his reform and reiterated his worth.Ahead of the 2nd Investec Ashes Test, Stokes was on the Nursery Ground training with the senior side. Net work with Graham Gooch, a bowl at the top order to keep the overs ticking over and some extensive drills with Richard Halsall was tough, but the chance to reconnect with the national setup once again was welcome.”It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the one day team,” Stokes said. “It’s pretty nerve-racking if I’m honest. To be around the Test squad and to share a changing room, sitting next to some great England players gives you butterflies. But it’s nice to know that you know them and they know who I am. That settles things a bit. It’s just nice to be involved again.”This heightened sense of responsibility has extended into Stokes’ game, specifically his batting, which has helped Durham reach the quarter-finals of the Friends Life t20 as one of the two best third-placed sides.Occupying No. 5, he has a hat-trick of scores that secured three out of Durham’s final four wins to take them out of the North group. His most notable, a 72 off 48 balls against Nottinghamshire, came with his side struggling on 30 for 3 after six overs – 130 shy of their target. In the end, Durham won off the final ball.

“I was born with that desire to throw myself about. I do try and practice the most unlikely catches.”

Up against an impressive Northants outfit on Tuesday, who boast this year’s revelation and leading wicket-taker, Pakistani fast-bowler Azharullah, his form will be tested.”The way games have panned out, I think it’s given me the chance to fulfil my role as ‘finisher’,” Stokes said. “It’s one thing to take that responsibility on but you need to back it up. The game at Trent Bridge was that moment for me as it then gave me the confidence to do it. Then, with games against Derbyshire and Leicestershire coming within six days, I was able to carry that over and do the job in those matches, too.” Stokes made 46 and 41 not out as Durham finished with a flourish.Apart from his hitting, which has allowed him to clear the fence 18 times – the most by any player in this year’s competition – Stokes’ fielding borders on freakish. In the final group match against Derbyshire, he sent Dan Redfern back to the pavilion with a stunning catch at long-off, while also displaying his athleticism off his own bowling to run out Alex Hughes.But his kamikaze approach to fielding has also caused him problems, most notably against Surrey in a Yorkshire Bank 40 clash at The Oval where he was stretchered off after taking a superb diving catch to get rid of Jason Roy that had his body seemingly bent in three. Luckily, he was back the very next day for the County Championship match between the two sides, albeit playing a limited role in the field and not bowling. Typically, he saw Durham home to a five wicket win with an unbeaten 35.”I’m not too sure why I field the way I do,” he said with a grin. “I think I was born with that desire to throw myself about. I do try and practice the most unlikely catches – that way you’re ready when one comes along that needs you to do something a bit special.”Twenty20 matches are much closer than they used to be and batsmen are getting better at both setting a target and chasing one down. Any way you can shave a few runs off their total or hold them back in a chase is invaluable. You’ve got to put your body on the line.”Still without a T20 title to their name, Durham have the right blend of experience and youth to at least see them through to their second Finals Day. No one better reflects the strength and exuberance of that youth like Ben Stokes – a future star in waiting.

Santos have teased Neymar's impending transfer amid Richarlison sending a hilarious message of support to his Brazilian compatriot.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Al-Hilal terminate Neymar contractSantos tease Brazilian's returnRicharlison sends message of supportFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After Al-Hilal terminated Neymar's contract this week, the 32-year-old's former club Santos have tried to sign the forward. Ahead of the Brazilian's impending arrival at the Serie B champions, Santos have dropped a big hint he is coming "home" again. And Tottenham forward Richarlison, whose full-back tattoo features Neymar, has suggested the forward is heading to Santos following a humorous social media post.

AdvertisementWHAT SANTOS AND RICHARLISON SAID

The Santos post translates to: "There is no place like home. 🏠"

And Richarlison's Instagram post reads: "Neymar returning to Santos. Me automatically:"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Neymar has had a dire 18 months or so at Al-Hilal, where he made just seven appearances in an injury-ravaged stint in the Middle East. The ex-Paris Saint-Germain star, who cost €90m (£77m/$98m) to sign, may go down as one of the biggest transfer flops in history. But for his sake, the Brazilian will hope he can resurrect his career at the club where he made his name.

(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Neymar, who bid farewell to Al-Hilal's fans this week, could be unveiled at the Brazilian giants in the coming days in what would be an emotional return for the ex-Santos star.

As they continue their unbeaten start on the pitch, Celtic have reportedly started plotting a move to seal a future star after sending their chief scout to watch him in action recently.

Celtic transfer news

How the Bhoys go about improving their current side is a difficult but positive conundrum to crack thanks to their flawless start to the current campaign. Even in the Champions League, the Bhoys remained unfazed, smashing Slovan Bratislava 5-1 to open their European season in style.

Meanwhile, in the Scottish Premiership, the champions remain on course to retain after creating a five-point gap on Old Firm rivals Rangers and instead going head-to-head with new challengers Aberdeen.

With that said, the focus for Celtic should be on the future and ensuring that they only extend their dominance rather than eventually lose out to those around Scotland. And if recent rumours are anything to go by, they intend to do exactly that in the January transfer window.

According to Fotbolldirekt – a media outlet based in Sweden – via Sport Witness, Celtic are beginning to plot a move to sign Bazoumana Toure from Hammarby IF.

Sold for £20m: Celtic struck gold selling ace who's now worth millions less

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The media there expect a big development to take place soon with Celtic positioning themselves to sign the 18-year-old winger after sending chief scout Joe Lefevre to watch him in action.

Given that Eintracht Frankfurt, Crystal Palace, Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica are all also reportedly interested in Toure, Celtic will undoubtedly have to act fast if they want to secure his signature in a deal that would have to meet Hammerby’s reported €10m (£8m) price tag. A player with plenty of potential, Toure would be joining the Scottish champions at the perfect time, as they go for yet another title.

"Superb" Toure is one for the future

At 18 years old, Toure is already making his mark at Hammerby, with six goals and three assists in just 16 appearances last season. It’s no real surprise that he has attracted such high interest from all around Europe and the Bhoys will simply be hoping to see their sales pitch convince the youngster that Celtic Park is the place to be.

Earning plenty of praise during his recent rise, Toure was dubbed “superb” by Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig.

What is interesting to note is that he can also play on both wings to hand Brendan Rodgers a versatile option within his frontline, should Celtic complete their move in 2025. With years to reach his best form too, the Ivory Coast youngster could quickly turn into an excellent coup.

Australian had a huge impact on the game in England, and the teams he played with there

Valkerie Baynes15-May-2022

As Kent and Surrey players lined up on the boundary in front of the Beckenham pavilion to observe a minute’s silence to honour Andrew Symonds, they represented two clubs which had been touched by his “magic” more than most.It was on this suburban out-ground in South London that Matt Walker, the Kent head coach, can remember Symonds whacking a Hampshire attack featuring the likes of Wasim Akram and Alan Mullally into the adjoining training facilities of the Crystal Palace football club. Indeed his unbeaten 96 off 37 balls against Hampshire in the first season of the Twenty20 Cup in 2003 remains a pivotal innings in Symonds’ career.Another innings Walker shared with Symonds was arguably more of a trailblazing one, even if the true significance of it was somewhat lost at the time in an air of puzzlement about the feat and the format itself, which was still very much in its infancy. A good distance from Beckenham, deep into Kent at Maidstone, was where Symonds struck his world-record 34-ball hundred in 37 minutes against Middlesex the following season. It was the fastest T20 hundred until Chris Gayle reached the mark off 30 balls in 2013. Symonds went on to reach 112 off 43 deliveries as Kent won the rain-affected match by seven wickets with 29 balls to spare.”It was almost surreal, because it was so early on in T20,” Walker says. “No one really then knew how to play the game. It sounds really strange but those first couple of years it was so far removed from anything we’d done as cricketers. This new form of cricket came in which I think everyone was scratching their heads about how they go, some people would try the slog first, it didn’t really work out, and the game sort of passed us by and no one really quite got it. But he got it.”Surrey and Kent players observe a minute’s silence for Andrew Symonds•Kent CCC

Symonds clubbed 18 fours and three sixes in that knock, Walker came in a No. 4 with his powerfully built team-mate all guns blazing and ended unbeaten on 12.”Looking back I can’t remember a shot he played because it was so long ago, but what I do remember is there was such shellshock around the ground, especially from the Middlesex players, they couldn’t quite believe what was going on,” he says. “It was almost a sense of this is like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”Now it happens quite a bit, doesn’t it? We see it most weeks in the IPL or in our Blast and it’s quite commonplace, but bearing in mind when that was, I don’t think anyone could quite believe what they’re seeing.”It just felt like he was playing in the back garden with his kids, how easy it was, with how much power he gained, how hard he hit the ball. We just were left a bit sort of bewildered by it really. But Symo being Symo sort of walked off, bat under his arm and, ‘whatever, no big deal’.”It was Symonds’ ability to combine a larger-than-life physical presence with a down-to-earth, humble, honest persona which swept people along with him – made them feel special – that Walker remembers most from the Australian’s time with Kent from 1999 to 2004.”He was a force of nature and an incredibly talented athlete that probably could have played any sport he wanted to if he chose, and he was magic, he really was absolutely magic,” Walker says. “It was the presence he had everywhere he went… you felt unbeatable with that sort of bloke in your presence.”He made it a great place to be for those years and that period was one of the happiest I think I’ve been playing cricket, with that group of players and him in it.”Andrew Symonds on his way to 112 for Kent against Middlesex•Getty Images

During his time with the county, Symonds made 49 first-class appearances, scoring 12 centuries and amassing 3,526 runs at an average of 45.20. He also contributed 65 red-ball wickets with his right-arm seam and off-spin.Symonds also made 62 List A appearances for Kent and scored 1,690 one-day runs at an average of 30.17. His highest one-day total of 146 came against Lancashire at Tunbridge Wells in 2004 and he took 69 wickets at 21.53, including two five-wicket hauls. In 2020, he was voted Kent Spitfires’ Greatest Overseas Player by the club’s members and supporters.Speaking about Symonds’ death, just hours after the news broke late on Saturday night UK time, Walker is almost overcome with emotion initially before the memories flow and he returns to his usually verbose self.”He’ll be hugely missed,” he says. “I know that for a fact. And I can say that when he was with us at Kent, it was an amazing period of time of cricket. We won a lot of games. We were one of the best sides in the country. We won a couple of things and he was a massive part of that and my thoughts are so much with the family and especially the Australian group of players that have had such a horrible time of it.”Related

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Symonds’ death in a single-car crash in north Queensland at the age of 46 follows the deaths of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh in March. Their loss has been felt around the sporting world, and other corners of English county cricket who were moved deeply by Australian cricket’s latest loss, including Surrey, whose players stood shoulder to shoulder with Kent’s under Sunday’s leaden skies which ultimately contrived to end their Championship contest in a washed-out draw.Symonds joined Surrey for the Friends Provident T20 campaign of 2010 and Gareth Batty, then Symonds’ team-mate now Surrey’s head coach, vividly remembers the Australian’s classy response to a then 19-year-old Jason Roy scoring his maiden T20 hundred to propel their side to victory against Kent at Beckenham that season.”Andy Symonds is someone that we knew personally, we had him for a period of time at Surrey nearer the end of his career and he was very big around the group,” Batty says. “I remember Jason getting his first hundred in a T20 game and he was the one, fresh into the group, that said, ‘hang on a minute, we’ve got a young fella here, we hang around for 20 minutes and we bask in his glory with him.'”I certainly think Jason will remember that to this day. I certainly remember it and I still try and aspire to be as good a team man as he certainly was throughout his life. He’ll be sadly missed.”Symonds also played stints with Gloucestershire, where he scored 254 not out against Glamorgan in 1995, including a then first-class record of 16 sixes, and at Lancashire in 2005.”He was a brilliant, three-dimensional player but he was also very driven and asked a lot of his team-mates,” Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket.”We caught him at a time in his career when he was flying and he seemed to affect every game in which he played. He was a cricketer who imposed himself on the opposition in a competitive way but without crossing the line. You felt his presence and he had a massive impact on what we were trying to create.”

“After that I got clear ideas, those things really helped me in the last two-three games,” says India’s vice-captain, who struck a century in the warm-ups

Sruthi Ravindranath02-Mar-20221:38

Harmanpreet: ‘More comfortable batting at No. 4 than No. 5’

India vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur has admitted she was “going into my shell” when she was struggling with form, and that speaking to Dr Mugdha Bavare, the mental-health conditioning coach who is traveling with the team, helped her get “clear ideas” ahead of the World Cup. Harmanpreet echoed her captain Mithali Raj’s words, stressing on the importance of having a mental-health professional around, especially before big tournaments.The senior batter had been enduring a rough patch in ODIs in the last few years, making 444 runs in 21 matches since 2019, averaging 31.71 with just two fifties. During the recent series against hosts New Zealand leading up to the World Cup, she made scores of 10, 10 and 13 before scoring a 66-ball 63 in India’s only win in the series in the fifth ODI. She followed it up with a 104 off 114 in the warm-up match against South Africa and did not take part in the next warm-up against West Indies with sore wrists.Related

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Mithali Raj welcomes having sports psychologist on board

“Mugdha ma’am is traveling with us, she has been helping us a lot,” Harmanpreet said during a press conference on Wednesday. “Especially during the last four games which we played against New Zealand when even my performance wasn’t going too well and I was going into my shell. The World Cup was coming up and it is very important, as we all know. After that, she spoke to me and as the talks were happening I realised that I was also looking forward to talking to her. I got the solutions from the talks we had.”There wasn’t a lot of awareness about it before and there was a lot of pressure to put up performances, things were happening around. After that I got clear ideas, those things really helped me in the last two-three games. I think the rest of the players are also getting help because I can see she’s continuously talking to all the players, which is important and that will really help us.”Harmanpreet to bat at No. 5 in the World Cup

Harmanpreet Kaur will bat at No. 5 in the upcoming World Cup despite expressing she preferred the No. 4 spot, a position which captain Mithali Raj now occupies. Harmanpreet has better ODI numbers at No. 4, where she batted until recently; she averages 40.45 there for her 1618 runs in 48 innings with a strike rate of 70.22, whereas at No. 5 she averages 26.84 in 38 innings while striking at 66.12. Even her recent half-century against New Zealand came in at No. 4.

“I’m more comfortable at No. 4 than No. 5, but we need to play according to the team’s demands,” she said. “We did discuss on that but as of now I’m going to play at No. 5 only, maybe in the future we can [make changes] according to the match situation but right now I don’t think I’ll be playing at No. 4, No. 5 will be my number.”

Harmanpreet has been copping criticism for not making a mark with big scores since her scintillating 171* against Australia in the semi-final of the 2017 World Cup, most recently from former India captain Diana Edulji who had said that Harmanpreet can’t survive in the Indian team just on that knock. Since that iconic innings, she has averaged just 28.75 with the bat. While she is well aware of the criticism coming her way, Harmanpreet feels it’s because she has set the standard of being a big-knock player and that her smaller match-winning efforts aren’t being highlighted as a result.”I know people talk more about my 171 knock,” she said. “I think I set myself a standard with that knock, I know I can play that kind of cricket. Maybe that’s why my smaller crucial knocks of 30, 40, 50 – for whichever team [I play] are not getting enough importance. I don’t think I judge myself with numbers. For me, what is important is, irrespective of how much ever I score it should be enough for my team, irrespective of whether it is 100 runs or 10 runs. Numbers don’t matter to me, what matters is whenever the team needs me I should be there.”She also expressed her disappointment in not being able to find form in the last few years, calling it “painful” to not being able to make runs despite trying her best.”What’s painful is when I don’t make runs. As a cricketer, you are always looking for runs. Nothing is more painful than getting on the field and you’re trying to give your 200% and unfortunately you’re not able to deliver at that level, as you are expecting from yourself, forget about people who have hopes on me. I think more painful is not getting runs more than other things.”It’s not about a big player or small player feeling – it’s the same for every player. I think when these things happened, Mugdha played a very big role when I was not getting runs. She came to me, she spoke to me about what’s happening and how I can find a way out and my family was supporting me, they were continuously talking to me. Those things helped me a lot.”

West Ham United have achieved unthinkable things over the past couple of years, making numerous memories that the fanbase will never forget.

The obvious feat will be the Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina during the 2022/23 campaign, ending the club’s 58-year wait for a more European title.

Whilst the move to the London Stadium was frowned upon given the historical nature of the Boleyn Ground, it’s allowed the club to reach the next level and compete with Europe’s elite whilst boasting one of the most impressive stadiums in England.

New boss Julen Lopetegui will be hoping to lead the club to further European success whilst also competing in the Premier League and aiming to push the club further up the table in order to replicate their recent success.

They’ve achieved all these feats without one player who was once a key player in East London, but left in a controversial manner following his time with the Hammers.

Marko Arnautovic’s time at West Ham

Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic moved to West Ham in the summer of 2017 for £24m – a deal that broke the club’s transfer record in the process.

The seemed a hefty one at the time given the fact he was joining from Stoke City, but in hindsight, the deal was great business, with the attacker producing some excellent numbers during his time at the London Stadium.

Arnautovic registered 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions for the Hammers, as he helped the club register a 13th-placed Premier League finish during his debut campaign in the capital.

He would go on to register the same number of goals in the 2018/19 season, but couldn’t match his assist tally – however, it did contribute to the Hammers registering a top half finish for the first time in three seasons.

However, it would be his final contribution for the Hammers, departing the club in a controversial manner following months of speculation.

Arnautovic’s move away from West Ham

The striker was subject to a £35m bid from an unnamed Chinese League side during the January transfer window back in 2019, but the club’s hierarchy would reject the offer for the former Stoke ace.

He would demonstrate his displeasure at the club’s decision to prevent the move, expressing his desire to leave the London outfit and even refusing to feature for the Hammers after their failure to accept a bid for his services.

After months of discontent and speculation around his future at the club, West Ham decided to honour his request in the summer window of 2019, accepting a £23m bid from Chinese side Shanghai SIPG, ending his two-year stay with the Hammers.

He left the club amassing a tally of 22 goals in his 65 appearances – an average of one goal every 2.9 matches he featured – whilst near enough breaking even on the fee paid for his signature just two years prior.

Given his rapid decline in market value since his move away from the club five years ago, the club’s hierarchy made the right call in allowing him to make the big-money move away from the London Stadium.

Arnautovic’s market value in 2024

Five years on from his move away from West Ham, his market value has continued to plummet, with the now 35-year-old currently plying his trade for European giants Inter Milan.

Whilst he’s still featuring at the top level despite coming to the back end of his professional career, his market value has dropped dramatically – further showcasing why the club made the right call to allow him to leave back in 2019.

According to Transfermarkt, Arnautovic is now only valued at £3.3m – a drop of nearly £20m from the fee that they sold him for less than five years ago – an excellent decision in hindsight.

June 2019

£35m

June 2020

£8.2m

June 2021

£6.3m

June 2022

£5m

June 2023

£4.2m

June 2024

£3.3m

Whilst he was a success during his time at the London Stadium, his actions towards the end of his tenure gave the club no option but to offload him.

His decline in value demonstrates that although his impact at the top end of the pitch was sorely missed, they made the right call in selling him whilst his value was at its peak.

Lopetegui needs to axe West Ham ace who earns more than Soler & Todibo

He’s not been at the races this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 24, 2024

Liverpool’s academy has become renowned for being the home of some of the very best talents in English football, producing endless stars who either have an effect on the first team or make the club a hefty fee.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly the best modern-day example – a local lad who developed rapidly before securing his place under former boss Jürgen Klopp.

The 25-year-old has made 313 appearances for the Reds in all competitions since his debut at the start of the 2016/17 campaign, producing numerous moments of magic in the process.

Arguably, his most iconic moment came in the Champions League semi-final comeback against Barcelona back in 2019, where the full-back played a quick corner into the path of Divock Origi, who slammed the ball home to complete an unlikely 3-0 deficit from the first-leg.

However, despite early promise in the club’s first-team, one academy graduate decided to jump ship in favour of a move to a Premier League rival – to the disappointment of many within the fanbase.

Raheem Sterling’s time at Liverpool

After joining the club as a 15-year-old from Queens Park Rangers, winger Raheem Sterling quickly progressed through the club’s youth setup before making his debut for the first team at the age of just 17.

He would become a full senior team member during the 2012/13 campaign, making 36 appearances in all competitions – registering five goal contributions in the process.

Whilst he didn’t set the world alight during his debut campaign, it would be the following campaign where Sterling announced himself to the world, producing ten goals and five assists in a campaign where the club narrowly missed out on their maiden Premier League title.

The winger continued on his upward trajectory in 2014/15, this time registering 20 combined goal contributions – but it would be his final season at Anfield after a contract dispute which saw the club cash in on the talent.

Then manager Brendan Rodgers grew frustrated with the antics between Sterling and his representatives – resulting in the attacker moving to Manchester City in a £49m deal – a record for an English player at the time.

However, despite the disappointment in his departure, Liverpool legend John Aldridge believed the club had a player who could follow in the footsteps of the departing talent, but unfortunately for both parties, his career never went to plan.

The player who was meant to be the next Sterling

Winger Jordon Ibe joined Liverpool in the same way Sterling, a compensation fee as a teenager, but after his compatriot’s move to City, it opened the door for him to secure a regular first-team role.

He made 58 appearances for the Reds, with 41 coming in the year of Sterling’s big-money move, with Aldridge writing at the time that Ibe has 'got as much if not more potential than Raheem and will go on to be a better player'.

As it proved, however, it would be his only full campaign of regular first-team action, as he was sold to Bournemouth for £15m during the summer of 2016.

In hindsight, the price tag was an excellent one for Liverpool, with Ibe never reaching the heights he once was predicted to, only scoring five times in 92 appearances for the Cherries.

His departure on a free transfer in 2020 would start a downward spiral for the forward, having temporary stints with Derby County and Turkish side Adanaspor – all whilst in a battle with his own mental health.

Ibe joined non-league side Ebbsfleet United last year in an attempt to kick-start his career, but after only three appearances, he was released at the end of last season and found himself without a club at the age of just 28.

It’s a real shame to see a player with such promise failing to live up to his potential, with Ibe – who Aldridge dubbed a 'terrific player' – having all the attacking qualities to thrive in the Premier League for the Reds.

Hopefully, he can find his feet sooner rather than later at a new club.

Liverpool may regret selling talent who outscored Szoboszlai last season

He’s got all the skills to succeed at the top of the game…

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 11, 2024