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A round-up of the second week of matches, which included a very dodgy umpiring decision which is under BCB review

Mohammad Isam28-Mar-2022Key takeawaysPrime Bank Cricket Club and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club continue to lead the Dhaka Premier League points table with four wins each but both clubs also dropped their first points during the second week of the tournament.The main talking point this week, though, was an umpiring decision during the Abahani Limited-Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity match on March 27. Umpire Masudur Rahman gave Khelaghar’s Hasanuzzaman lbw despite the ball clearly hitting the bat. The strangest part was that the bowler Arafat Sunny and wicketkeeper Jaker Ali didn’t appeal for the lbw decision; only Hanuma Vihari at slip made an appeal. The BCB has given a showcause notice to umpire Rahman while the video clip has gone viral on social media.Best battersLegends of Rupganj’s Naeem Islam struck two centuries in the DPL’s second week, after he got out thrice in the nineties in the first week. Naeem struck 124 against Abahani and an unbeaten 114 against Rupganj Tigers.Not too far behind in the top run-getters’ chart is Anamul Haque who made 184 this week against Shinepukur Cricket Club. It is the third highest List A score in Bangladesh, while his side Prime Bank Cricket Club’s 388 for 4 became the second-highest team score in List A matches here.Among the overseas players, Rupganj’s Chirag Jani and Shinepukur’s Sikandar Raza have also been among the big runs.Best bowlersLeft-arm quick Qazi Onik leads the top wicket-takers’ chart with a tally of 13, but there are three left-arm spinners hot on his heels – Sunzamul Islam, Rakibul Hasan and Nazmul Islam.Mohammad Ashraful’s maiden five-wicket haul included him dancing in five different styles to celebrate each wicket. But Shuvagata Hom’s 5 for 25 for Mohammedan Sporting Club beat Ashraful’s Brothers Union in this game.Best matchOnik kept Dhiman Ghosh at bay in the last over to take Gazi Group Cricketers to a six-run win against Brothers Union in a high-scoring thriller at the BKSP-3 ground on March 28. Batting first, Gazi Group reached 297 for 8 with Farhad Hossain making 92 and captain Akbar Ali hitting a 23-ball 42 with four sixes.Imtiaz Hossain struck his sixth List A hundred, but Brothers Union only picked up pace when Dhiman and Sohag Gazi added 40 runs for the seventh wicket. Dhiman struck two fours in the last over, in which they took 12 when they needed 19 to win.Points to ponderCity Club remain bottom with four losses out of four, while Khelaghar beat Prime Bank to bring them their first points. Defending champions Abahani meanwhile are in sixth place with two wins.Players to watchAnamul has been the standout performer this week, particularly with his six-hitting. He has struck 20 big ones, taking a huge lead over Naeem and Raza who have hit 11 sixes each. Anamul could be Bangladesh’s answer for their demand of a six-hitting opener in T20Is.

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.

Bruno Fernandes says he is "upset" by Manchester United's inconsistency after a spirited 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Man Utd draw 2-2 at Liverpool
• Bruno "upset" at team's results
• Says United have to perform "everywhere"

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils put in one of their best performances of the season as they fought back to claim a point at Anfield on Sunday. Despite this much-improved display, exasperated United captain Fernandes lamented why his side couldn't play this way "every week" and warned that his team-mates need to maintain this "level" going forward.

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• AFP
  

  WHAT BRUNO FERNANDES SAID

  He told Sky Sports: "We have been criticised and fairly. Our position in the table says it all, we have lost too many points. Even today we can't be happy with a point. We need the points and we could've won the game at the end, but it's a fair result. Both teams played good football. I'm pretty upset. If we show this level at Liverpool, first in the league, why can't we do this everywhere? It frustrates me. Also, finally I did a proper performance. We said we need much more from ourselves to get more from this season. Being 2-1 [down] then scoring it's good to get a point but we need more. Now we have an FA Cup tie at Arsenal and it is going to be very tough but we want to get to the final again. We know how tough it is to play against Liverpool. Today we put in a real effort to the game, playing with some passion and heart is what is going to give you something from the game. You have to put in effort and that's why we took something from today. It can't stop here, We have to bring this frustration to the next game to understand this has to be the level. If we can do it an Anfield, we have to do it everywhere. It can't stop here, We have to bring this frustration to the next game to understand this has to be the level. If we can do it an Anfield, we have to do it everywhere."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United are still 13th in the Premier League and they were close to registering a fourth-straight league defeat – something they have not done since 1979. Ruben Amorim's team now need to kick on from this result but if they don't, the new head coach could be under pressure again.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  United take a break from league action next weekend when they travel to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

Total of ten wickets fall in four days as batters on both sides fill their boots

ECB Reporters Network15-May-2022

Matthew Lamb piled on the runs for Warwickshire•Getty Images

Warwickshire and Northamptonshire meandered their way to the inevitable LV=Insurance County Championship draw at Edgbaston where the match concluded with just ten wickets having fallen in four days.The final instalment of stultifying stalemate saw the home side, in reply to Northamptonshire’s 597 for six take their first innings to 568 for four.Sam Hain (202 from 494 balls, 16 fours, one six) and Matt Lamb (155 from 230 balls with 16 fours) extended their partnership to an unbroken 254, a Warwickshire fifth-wicket record against Northamptonshire.Against a toiling attack on a flat pitch, Hain and Lamb gently filled their boots during a final day which, like the three which preceded it, presented a less than compelling spectacle. The batting dominance was not entirely due to the pitch as both bowling attacks, missing spearheads Liam Norwell and Ben Sanderson respectively, persevered nobly but lacked potency.After Warwickshire resumed on 394 for four on the final morning, Hain and Lamb batted serenely to take the total to 483 at lunch. Hain reached 150 from 378 balls while Lamb, having scored briskly the previous evening, settled for quiet accumulation. He advanced to 98 at lunch and reached his ton (163 balls) shortly after.There was little that visiting skipper Ricardo Vasconcelos could do except rotate his bowlers, though he did not exercise that option very much at one end. Former England spinner Simon Kerrigan bowled unchanged at the Pavilion End from 2.55pm on the third day until lunchtime on the fourth – a gruelling saga of 37 overs, delivered with not a shred of assistance from the pitch.The left-armer stuck to his task heroically but could have been forgiven, when he returned home with figures of 52-4-174-0, for seriously considering the removal of the captain from his Christmas card list.It was the little-seen medium pace of Emilio Gay to which Vasconcelos turned for the last hour and, from this bowler, Hain clipped the leg-side single which moved him to 200 from 489 balls, 473 of which he had not struck for four.Hands were shaken at 4.40pm and this match had, for most onlookers, slipped from memory by 4.45pm.

Wayne Rooney will remain one of the best talents to ever come out of Everton, after bursting onto the scene as a 16-year-old back in 2002.

It was unheard of for a player of that age to make such an impact on the first team, scoring his first professional goal against Arsenal – in spectacular fashion too.

His first spell at Goodison Park saw him make 35 appearances, scoring eight goals – prompting big interest from multiple sides in the Premier League.

Rooney eventually joined Manchester United for a fee in the region of £25.6m during the summer of 2004, going on to become the Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer in a glittering stint at Old Trafford.

20 years on from his departure from Goodison, the Merseysiders have the opportunity to sign a star who could be the biggest talent at the club since the former England international.

Everton's search for a striker

As reported by earlier this week, Everton have been offered the chance to sign Borussia Dortmund’s talented youngster Youssoufa Moukoko this summer, with the German wanting more consistent first-team minutes.

The 19-year-old managed to score five goals in his 20 appearances, but only managed to start four Bundesliga matches – featuring for a total of 614 minutes.

As a result, he’s been subject to interest, with Marseille looking the most likely destination at one stage, but a move collapsed with the Toffees handed a huge chance to sign the talent.

It has previously been reported that he could be allowed to depart Signal Iduna Park if a club takes him on loan with an obligation to buy for €15m (£13m) next summer.

Although he’s still a young talent with a huge future in the game, it could be a risk for the Toffees but one that they would reap the rewards of further down the line.

Why Moukoko could be the biggest talent since Rooney

When comparing Rooney to Moukoko, the pair have a few similarities – with both players making their first-team debut at the age of just 16.

The current Dortmund ace made huge waves during his time at youth level, scoring 141 goals in his 88 appearances – many of which were at levels way above his age category.

He still holds the record for the youngster ever Champions League appearance maker, featuring in his first European game at the age of just 16 years and 18 days – coming off the bench against Zenit back in the 2020/21 season.

However, he’s not exploded onto the first-team scene as many anticipated, struggling for consistent minutes, but he still managed to produce some impressive numbers last season which would hugely benefit the Toffees.

The “incredibly prolific” ace, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, was impressive with the ball at his feet, averaging 2.2 progressive passes and 2.3 progressive carries per 90 – allowing for more opportunities in the Premier League for the likes of new addition Iliman Ndiaye.

Youssoufa Moukoko's stats per 90 in the Bundesliga (2023/24)
Statistics	Tally
Games played	20
Goals scored	5
Pass accuracy	81%
Progressive passes	2.2
Progressive carries	2.3
Shots taken	2
Shot-on-target accuracy	50%
Stats via FBref

He also managed a goal every 122 minutes, averaging a 50% shot-on-target rate, backing up Kulig’s claims about the 19-year-old – who was once dubbed the "biggest talent in the world" by ex-teammate Erling Haaland – being a prolific option when given the chance to thrive.

The club’s recruitment so far this summer has seen some excellent additions, with huge potential to impress at Goodison Park.

Given his tender age, Moukoko could be the next youngster to move to Merseyside, potentially being the greatest talent since Rooney and excelling in the Premier League if given consistent first-team minutes.

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Ethan Lamb

Aug 15, 2024

Ipswich Town fans would have filtered out of Portman Road extremely proud of their side's efforts against Liverpool, battling away valiantly with Arne Slot's Reds for the most part, before the away team's eventual class shone through.

A killer pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold deep into the second 45 minutes would allow Mohamed Salah the freedom to pick out Diogo Jota for the opening strike before the Egyptian star took over proceedings himself and sealed the three points by cooly slotting home for 2-0.

Still, there will be plenty of positive takeaways for Kieran McKenna's men to latch onto, even if their display going forward lacked bite, with a paltry two shots on target managed.

Therefore, even more firepower could soon enter through the door at Portman Road, to complement the likes of Sammie Szmodics.

Ipswich targeting swoop for Premier League attacker

Reports emerged from journalist Stuart Watson last week that Ipswich are keen on adding Armando Broja to their Premier League attacking arsenal this transfer window after barely threatening Allisson's goal in the 2-0 defeat.

Linked with various different clubs this summer, including the likes of Gary O'Neil's Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich will hope they can race to the front of the queue to pick up the Albania international, especially when you cast an eye over Liam Delap's forgettable debut up top.

What Broja can offer Ipswich

Only managing to register 21 touches of the ball against the Reds, Delap's place could be threatened by the arrival of the 6 foot 3 attacker, who was even out with his underdog nation at the Euros recently.

Valued at £30m, this would likely be a loan switch initially – according to Watson – with money already lavishly spent at Portman Road this window, in the form of Sammie Szmodics and other major new recruits.

If Szmodics can worm his way into McKenna's main XI, in front of first-team stalwart Conor Chaplin, he could well strike up a terrifying attacking duo with Broja, who will want to get back to his best in Suffolk.

Ipswich won't want to take too much notice of Broja's last loan spell in the top division, with the towering 22-year-old routinely firing blanks for Fulham last campaign, managing zero goals from just eight games at Craven Cottage.

Instead, McKenna and Co will hope he can get back to firing on all cylinders like he has managed in the past for Southampton and Vitesse away from Stamford Bridge, with nine strikes registered from 38 clashes in all competitions for the Saints, when they were in the top-flight during the 2021/22 season.

Games played

32

44

Goals scored

6

27

Assists

0

4

Shots per game

1.4

3.3

Big chances missed

5

17

Big chances created

2

7

Away from obviously offering Ipswich more of a goal threat in the top league, with a golden boot next to his name in the Championship off his exploits last season, Szmodics could also turn Broja into more of a clinical finisher in the process.

With seven big chances and four assists created last campaign, the Republic of Ireland international might well take a back-seat in the Premier League as the main source of goals (he scored 27 last season) for the Tractor Boys and become a bigger creative spark.

He'll know he doesn't have to step up and be the sole hero anymore, away from an environment where Blackburn Rovers were going through desperate times.

The likes of George Hirst, who only bagged seven strikes last campaign amidst an injury-ravaged time in the 25-year-old's career, shone without ever being that deadly centre-forward, which could see Broja equally come into his own as a result, linking up with faces such as ex-Chelsea teammate Omari Hutchinson.

Labelled as "unique" in the past by football scout Antonio Mango, it's make-or-break time for the Albanian in terms of his stuttering career, with McKenna potentially the perfect manager to raise his confidence again.

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Kieran McKenna is continuing to strengthen his Ipswich Town side ahead of the Premier League kicking off.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 16, 2024

Incumbent Test opener Marcus Harris has moved to shore up his Ashes place with a grinding century against New South Wales alongside Victoria captain Peter Handscomb on a bizarre third day at Drummoyne Over which featured slow scoring in hot windy conditions.Harris scored one of the slowest of his 19 first-class centuries making 137 from 361 balls with nine fours and a six, while Handcomb struck just nine boundaries in his 115 from 292 balls, as the pair scored at only 2.5 runs per over before declaring late in the day to set New South Wales a chase of 339 off 111 overs.The Blues finished at 1 for 33 at stumps having lost Daniel Hughes trapped lbw to the part-time offspin of Matt Short. Matt Gilkes remained 11 not out alongside nightwatchman Harry Conway.Earlier, neither Harris nor Handscomb showed any great urgency to press on the accelerator to establish a bigger lead as the Blues’ bowlers set relatively defensive fields on a surface that got slower and lower as the day wore on. The wind was so strong that the teams played without bails for much of the day.Harris played patiently although he did have another huge slice of luck. He sliced a ball to gully on 66 and Gilkes grassed the simple chance. He had already edged a ball between first and second slip on the second afternoon off Nathan Lyon.Related

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The left-hander played with more positivity against Lyon lofting him down the ground for six. He didn’t panic as he spent an eternity in the 90s just before tea, reaching his century with a quick single just before the break. Handscomb reached his 16th first-class century after tea with a rare boundary. The pair shared a 259-run stand in nearly 113 overs before Harris holed out uppercutting Sean Abbott to deep backward point. Handscomb was cleaned bowled by Abbott not long after.Victoria declared with 14 overs remaining in the day, giving New South Wales plenty of time to chase the target. Hughes and Gilkes looked comfortable against the quicks but Hughes missed a ball that didn’t spin from Matt Short and was adjudged lbw late in the day.

Stats highlights from the third ODI of the tri-series between Sri Lanka and India

Shiva Jayaraman03-Jul-2013 Sri Lanka’s innings was the first occasion in 3382 ODIs that a team finished its full quota of overs batting first for the loss of just one wicket or less. Upul Tharanga made his highest score in ODIs, beating his previous best of 133 against Zimbabwe in Pallekele during the 2011 World Cup. Tharanga’s unbeaten 174 in this match is Sri Lanka’s second highest individual score; four of Sri Lanka’s top five individuals scores in ODIs have come against India.Tharanga’s 174 is also the highest individual score at Sabina Park, beating the previous highest of 160 by Pakistan’s Imran Nazir, against Zimbabwe. Tharanga’s score is the third highest against India in ODIs. Sri Lanka’s opening stand was the seventh 200-plus partnership involving Tharanga. The only other player to achieve this feat is Ricky Ponting. Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar are next in the list with six 200-plus partnerships each. The 213-run opening partnership between Mahela Jayawardene and Tharanga is Sri Lanka’s best against India. It is also the second-highest partnership for Sri Lanka against India, for any wicket. Tharanga has been part of seven of Sri Lanka’s nine 200-run opening partnerships in ODIs – the most times a batsman has been a part of 200-run partnerships for the first wicket. When Tharanga edged Ishant Sharma through the slips for a couple of runs in the tenth over, he passed 5000 ODI runs, in 164 innings. He is the ninth Sri Lankan player, and the 64th overall, to achieve this landmark. The centuries for Jayawardene and Tharanga made it the seventh occasion – in 621 ODIs – when both the Sri Lanka openers scored a hundred in an ODI. Sri Lanka moved ahead of Pakistan, whose openers have scored a century each in the same innings on six occasions. There have been 25 such instances in ODIs. Sri Lanka’s performance was only the fourth time that their batsmen put up a 100-run partnership for both the first and second wickets. Their score of 348 for 1 is their highest against India at neutral venues in ODIs, beating their previous best of 320 at Hobart, last year. Sri Lanka’s score in this match fell one run short of the highest score at this venue. Jayawardene’s century was his first in 50 ODI innings. The last time Jayawardene scored a hundred was against England at Leeds in July 2011. R Ashwin conceded 67 runs from his ten overs in this match; these are the second-most expensive figures of his ODI career (55 matches). India suffered their worst defeat in ODIs in terms of runs after having sent in the opposition to bat. Their worst before this was the 135-run loss to West Indies in Vijayawada in 2002.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta now appears set to promote one very highly-rated teenager to the first team, as a senior member of the Spaniard's squad faces a fresh injury setback.

Arsenal prepare to face Wolves in opening Premier League game

Following their two month-plus break from action, Arsenal are now gearing up for the new Premier League season and another opportunity to loosen Man City's stranglehold on the title.

Talks ongoing: Arsenal believe they'll sign £55m ace soon, he wants to join

The Gunners are still trying to make their third signing of the window.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 13, 2024

The Gunners have fell just short of City in the last two campaigns, pushing Pep Guardiola all the way to the final day last term, but not quite possessing enough to leapfrog their arch rivals.

After signing Italy international defender Riccardo Calafiori, and potentially Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino soon (Pete O'Rourke), Arsenal chiefs will be hoping Arteta's side can go that one step further and usurp City as the champions of England come next May.

Arsenal host Gary O'Neil's Wolves on Saturday in their bid to make the best possible start, with an array of tricky fixtures awaiting Arteta soon afterwards.

Team

Date

Wolves (home)

August 17

Aston Villa (away)

August 24

Brighton (home)

August 31

Tottenham (away)

September 15

Man City (away)

September 22

Arsenal will also be hoping for a near-fully fit squad for their clash at the Emirates this weekend, but it is believed versatile £100,000-per-week defender Takehiro Tomiyasu could well be on the treatment table.

Arteta set to promote Myles Lewis-Skelly after Tomiyasu injury at Arsenal

According to Football Transfers, Tomiyasu is facing a fresh injury setback which will keep him out for another month, resulting in a potential opportunity for 17-year-old academy gem Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The young midfielder, who featured often in pre-season preparations, could come in to replace Tomiyasu in the matchday squad. Indeed, Arteta is apparently expected promote Lewis-Skelly to the Arsenal first team following Tomiyasu's recent problem, where he will hopefully have a chance to impress.

The Englishman, who is yet to make his professional senior debut for Arsenal, is very highly rated at the club.

“You know when you see a player and you think, ‘yeah, you’re just a little bit different’," said journalist Charles Watts on his YouTube channel last year, after Lewis-Skelly's excellent performance against Man City in their FA Youth Cup semi-final win (via TBR).

“That’s the kind of impression you get when you sit there and watch Lewis-Skelly. His close control, his ability to get himself out of tight situations, the way he runs with the ball. Just his presence on the pitch, he’s got something special.

“You can see why there’s so much excitement about him at Arsenal. If anyone at Arsenal was going to get the winner last night, and deserved to get the headlines, it was probably him, as he was very good.”

Meanwhile, former Arsenal midfielder and Hale End academy coach Jack Wilshere has tipped the teenager for a very bright future at the club.

“We give him the tools he needs to develop, but you see certain moments that are not coachable," said Wilshere on Lewis-Skelly.

"Certain players can’t do that, only certain players can but there’s much more that comes with it like how he lives. He’s a top kid but he has to manage that going forward when he gets a bit more attention. He comes from a great family which is massive, and I know that they’ll steer his journey and be present throughout that, a bit like me with my dad and family. That’s so important.”

In what could be their biggest move of the summer transfer window so far, Nottingham Forest have reportedly been offered the chance to sign a former Real Madrid star for free.

Nottingham Forest transfer news

The Reds have kept themselves busy this summer with additions such as Elliott Anderson and, most recently, Nikola Milenkovic as they look to hand Nuno Espirito Santo the chance to move his side away from Premier League relegation trouble and into the comforts of mid-table. Milenkovic's arrival is particularly impressive, with the former Fiorentina man coming in to replace Moussa Niakhate, who swapped Forest for Lyon this summer.

After welcoming the central defender, Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson told Forest's official website: “We are excited to welcome Nikola to Nottingham Forest today. He is a key part of our squad planning this summer and I know how enthusiastic he has been to join the club.

“We have long admired his performances with the Serbian national team, and in Serie A and European competitions for Fiorentina. We are delighted that he will bring his experience and qualities to Nottingham Forest.”

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ByBen Browning Jul 23, 2024

It looks as though experience could be the way forward too. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest have been offered the chance to sign James Rodriguez after the former Real Madrid star rescinded his contract at Sao Paulo. Now a free agent, Forest as well as the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa have been approached by Rodriguez's reps for the opportunity to seal a deal that could certainly steal plenty of headlines.

Rodriguez proved that he can still perform on the biggest stage this summer when he helped Colombia reach the Copa America final, where they eventually lost out to Argentina.

"Outstanding" Rodriguez could still be a difference-maker

A player who has played at the very top for both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, Forest have quite the opportunity to sign an instant difference-maker in Rodriguez, who has proved in the past that he can also steal the show in the Premier League.

Appearances

26

Goals

6

Assists

4

During his time at Everton, the playmaker earned plenty of praise from then-manager Carlo Ancelotti, who said via the Liverpool Echo: "It's football, the pitch is the same everywhere. But he has to adapt to his new team-mates and know their movements and his team-mates have to adapt to know his quality better. He did four days of training and his performance was outstanding. This is what he can do on the pitch."

The sheer thought of Rodriguez combining with Morgan Gibbs-White is enough to get behind the idea of Forest welcoming such a talent before the summer window slams shut at the end of the month. But, given how many clubs have been offered the same opportunity to sign one of the best free agents in the market right now, those at the City Ground may find it difficult to secure Rodriguez's signature.