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Former India batter Venugopal Rao will be their new director of cricket

Nagraj Gollapudi17-Oct-20246:12

Making sense of the musical chairs in DC’s ownership structure

Former India batter Hemang Badani will take over as the new head coach at Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025. Along with Badani, DC have also appointed former India batter Venugopal Rao as the director of cricket.While Badani replaces Ricky Ponting, who amicably parted ways recently after seven seasons as head coach, Rao takes over the role performed in the past few years by former India captain Sourav Ganguly. Both appointments are part of the decision taken by the DC ownership to overhaul the coaching staff and the overall running structure of the franchise which has never won the IPL. The franchise has also decided not to renew the contract with Pravin Amre, who served as assistant coach and talent scout since 2014.”With the mega auction around the corner, my job, in collaboration with the rest of our coaching staff, is cut out,” Badani said in a franchise release. “I can’t wait to get started.”ESPNcricinfo has learnt the recruitment drive to bolster the coaching bench will continue with more assistant coaches and mentor to be appointed.As part of the restructuring, the co-owners of DC – the GMR Group and JSW Sports – will swap the operational leadership roles every two years for their teams in the IPL and the WPL; it means the GMR Group will take over the men’s team for the next two seasons and JSW Sports the women’s team for 2025 and 2026. Consequently, Ganguly will take over as director of cricket in the WPL for the next two seasons. Ganguly will switch back to the IPL from 2027 when JSW Sports will be back in charge. In a media statement on Thursday, the franchise said “key decisions like auctions, captaincy, player release and retentions of both teams will be made by the Delhi Capitals’ board, and will be decided mutually by senior leadership of both groups.”Why Hemang Badani?
While the appointment of Badani, who played four Tests and 40 ODIs, is expected to arouse curiosity, the former Tamil Nadu captain has been a successful coach in the domestic T20 circuit. After being part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squads in the initial few years, Badani was the head coach at Chepauk Super Gillies, who have won four TNPL titles, one of which was shared. With them, Badani played a key role in the development of young players like R Sai Kishore, the current Tamil Nadu captain.That experience played a role in Badani joining the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) coaching staff in IPL 2022. He also has coaching experience in overseas T20 leagues: with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2023, when they won the inaugural SA20 title, and with Jaffna Kings, who won the most recent season of the Lanka Premier League. He was the head coach at Dubai Capitals (also owned by GMR Group) who finished runners-up in the ILT20 this January.Rao, who played 16 ODIs between 2005 and 2006, was part of Deccan Chargers’ IPL – winning squad in 2009 and has also been part of Dubai Capitals, first as mentor in the inaugural season and then as director of cricket.

With English cricket heading down a new path, it leaves Australia as the outlier in terms of private investment in their domestic league

Matt Roller31-Jan-2025

Australian cricket is watching the ECB’s introduction of private investment into the Hundred with interest as the Big Bash League looks to “stay ahead of the game” following a successful 2024/25 season.Hobart Hurricanes’ maiden title, on the back of Mitchell Owen’s 39-ball century, put the seal on a campaign that demonstrated the BBL’s “strong momentum and growth”, the league’s general manager Alistair Dobson told ESPNcricinfo. It has given both him and Cricket Australia the chance to think to the future after spending multiple seasons in “reset mode”.After four seasons of the Hundred, the ECB is selling 49% stakes in each of its eight teams to private investors in a process that got underway on Thursday, leaving the BBL – which is owned and run entirely by CA and its states – as an outlier. Dobson declined to comment on whether the BBL will follow suit imminently, but remains open-minded about the league’s future.Related

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“The BBL has been successful almost from the very beginning,” Dobson said. “It has been able to deliver a really strong product and return to Australian cricket, which has meant that the model we have has been really successful – hence why there has been limited momentum in changing that model historically, because it’s been so strong.”The world’s shifting, and we’re always looking at other leagues and other models around the world to make sure we still have the right one for us… Every part of the global game is evolving really quickly and we learn bits from everyone. The process that the ECB is going through with the Hundred looks like an interesting one – it’ll be fascinating to see how that unfolds.”Dobson travelled to the UK to watch several games of the Hundred’s 2023 season and has kept close tabs on the competition’s first four seasons. “We can and do learn from the Hundred around continuing to innovate, in the way that the Hundred was prepared to try something different,” he said. “We have plenty to learn from each other.”Both leagues have that philosophy of continuing to be fan-first. From the outside looking in, it appears that they’ve taken a lot of the BBL’s DNA – the colour, fun, new audiences, new brands – and have created a product that seems to have connected quite strongly with the fanbase, and is bringing new fans into the game.”The Hundred has changed the landscape of English cricket•ECB via Getty Images

CA’s decision to expand the BBL from 43 games to 59 (and later 61) from 2018/19 until 2022/23 brought several challenges, with attendances and TV viewership suffering. But since returning to a shorter window last season – squeezing into the school holidays – it has managed to hold its own through a “quality over quantity” approach, despite clashes with the ILT20 and SA20.”For the past three or four years, we’ve been building the competition back after some challenging years through Covid and otherwise,” Dobson said. “It’s not until the last 12 months where we’ve had the momentum to be able to look at the future… I wouldn’t comment on any specific opportunities, but the world’s moving pretty fast and it’s important that we stay ahead of the game.”The availability of the world’s best players – both from Australia and elsewhere – remains a sticking point for the BBL, with only three out of six overseas spots filled in Monday’s final and Test series against India and Sri Lanka at either end of the season. But Dobson believes that the player pool remains healthy, with competitive top-end salaries of AUD$420,000.”The global landscape is moving really fast,” he said. “We hear a lot from players that playing in front of big crowds in iconic stadiums with great wickets and facilities is still really important, so we feel like we’re in a good position on that front… The other leagues around our window have created some interesting challenges, we feel like we are in pretty good shape.”Guys like Chris Jordan for the Hurricanes and Sam Billings for the [Sydney] Thunder have become really engaged in their clubs. Combining that with the iconic players in our competition – whether that’s Glenn Maxwell, or increasingly Mitch Owen – and then when we get a glimpse of Steve Smith, or David Warner… our strength is the mix of all those player groups.”Owen earned worldwide attention in his breakthrough season – not only for his brutal hitting, but for his obvious affinity for the Hurricanes. He grew up supporting the club from the grass bank at Bellerive Oval in Hobart and described his starring role in their first trophy win, aged 23, as a “childhood dream”, underlining the BBL’s longevity compared to many T20 leagues.’You start to get kids coming through who grew up barracking for and supporting their BBL team, evolving from young fans into opening batters’•Getty Images

“It’s a great story for us,” Dobson said. “I mean that not just individually for Mitch and the Hurricanes, but also, it’s a really strong signpost for us on the maturity and evolution of our competition, where we now have kids that have grown up supporting their BBL team, and we’re old enough for those kids to see their way through to play – and win – for that team.”We see it in other codes around the world – whether that’s football or other sports – where you want to play for the team you grew up supporting… Once you get through 14 seasons, you start to get kids coming through who grew up barracking for and supporting their BBL team, evolving from young fans into opening batters. That’s a really cool place for us to be.”The BBL will again overlap with a major series next summer, with Australia’s Test players unlikely to be available until the second half of the season following the Ashes. And while the majority of boards now reserve a space for their short-form leagues in their international calendar, Dobson insisted that the BBL works best when it operates “in harmony” with headline Test series, allowing cricket to capitalise on its window in the Australian sporting calendar.”Test cricket is still the pinnacle for our fans and our players,” he said. “For the BBL to run alongside that with its own offering and its own strengths is still the right model for us… There’s always talk about whether the BBL and the Test season should be separated to allow more player availability, but there’s also an element where those two things can work in harmony to create a really strong offering.”

There has been a post doing the rounds on social media, appearing to take aim at Liverpool’s spending in recent times, namely their ability to fork out what were then record fees for Virgil van Dijk and Alisson.

That has been brought into the limelight amid the impending arrival of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz for a reported total price tag of around £126m, with that significant outlay potentially set to eclipse Chelsea’s £115m capture of Moises Caicedo – the current British record.

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2 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 5, 2025

Rival supporters should know better, however, with this a club who have certainly received bang for their buck in the FSG era, with Van Dijk and Alisson, in particular, having been central figures in securing a plethora of major honours since their arrival.

As those £75m and £67m deals showcased, respectively, the Anfield side are willing to splash out only at the right time – and for the right player – with the decision to plump for Wirtz no doubt a calculated one, rather than merely a desperate show of strength.

The Merseysiders – who have already snapped up Jeremie Frimpong to boot – appear to have sprung into action after a quiet 24 months in the transfer market, with the imminent addition of Wirtz seemingly not the last of the summer for Arne Slot’s side.

Latest on Liverpool's business after Wirtz

The signing of the German sensation appears to be a matter of when and not if, with the Premier League champions having fended off rival interest from the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich to get their man.

At a time when the Bundesliga’s best talents typically ended up in Bavaria, there has been an element of surprise at Wirtz’s decision to leave his homeland behind, albeit with that perhaps showcasing the strength of the project on offer at Anfield.

Indeed, a third exciting signing of the summer could also be on the way in the form of Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, with the Hungarian full-back seemingly edging ever closer to making the switch.

Transfer Focus

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

As revealed by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano – writing in his GIVEMESPORT newsletter – there is set to be a final round of talks amid the hope of striking a deal with the Cherries, with the player himself having already agreed to the move.

It is said that the 21-year-old will be ‘next’ after Wirtz’s acquisition, with previous reports outlining that the rampaging left-back will command a fee of around £45m, should a deal be agreed.

Part of an exciting Bournemouth side last term, Kerkez could be a dream ‘consolation’ after the Reds missed out on his in-demand teammate, Dean Huijsen.

Why Kerkez could be as exciting as Huijsen

It may appear strange to say for a team that only just stormed to Premier League title glory, although there does appear to be surgery needed at Anfield, particularly with regard to the backline.

Indeed, the controversial exit of Trent Alexander-Arnold has sparked Frimpong’s acquisition, while Kerkez could be a ready-made replacement for Andy Robertson, with just a year remaining on the 31-year-old’s contract.

There has also been talk regarding the signing of a new centre-back, not least with uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konate’s own contract extension, with recent months seeing Liverpool emerge as a leading suitor for the aforementioned Huijsen.

Available for £50m due to a release clause in his Bournemouth contract, the 20-year-old Spaniard caught the eye following what has proved to be a solitary season on the south coast, with Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid ultimately winning the race for his signature.

Huijsen – who Jamie Redknapp described as looking “effortless” on the pitch – was the star attraction of Andoni Iraola’s high-flying side, but Kerkez is a standout talent in his own right, having been hailed as a “revelation” by Jamie Carragher.

Federico Dimarco

13

Rayan Ait-Nouri

11

Robin Gosens

10

Nathaniel Brown

10

Alejandro Grimaldo

10

Antonee Robinson

10

Maximilian Mittlestadt

9

Milos Kerkez

8

Emanuel Valeri

8

Sergi Cardona

8

A young and high-potential defender, much like Huijsen, the £45m man started all 38 league games in 2024/25, having chipped in with two goals and five assists in that time from his left-sided berth.

It is that attacking quality that stands out regarding the Hungary international, as he also created eight ‘big chances’ and averaged one key pass per game in the top-flight. Huijsen too is also a real threat in the opposition box, having registered five goals and assists of his own from centre-back.

What is most impressive about their pair, however, is that such forward-thinking quality is backed up by their defensive strength, with Huijsen averaging 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game while being dribbled past just 0.3 times. Kerkez, meanwhile, averaged 2.6 tackles and interceptions, while having been dribbled past on just 0.4 occasions.

For context, the long-serving Robertson averaged just 1.8 and 0.6 for those same two metrics, respectively, having also only registered one assist, showcasing the potential upgrade that could be acquired.

Yes, Huijsen may have been the name on everybody’s lips at the Vitality Stadium of late, although Kerkez – who Opta’s Matt Furniss claimed is ‘on his way to being one of Europe’s best full-backs’ – is equally as exciting.

Dream Huijsen alternative: Liverpool enter race to sign £50m Van Dijk heir

With a deal for Florian Wirtz all but signed, Liverpool are considering a swoop for a centre-back.

3 ByAngus Sinclair Jun 11, 2025

Chasing 185, Bangladesh need another 143 with all ten wickets intact

Ashish Pant02-Sep-2024Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana combined to pick up nine wickets as Bangladesh took a big stride in their quest towards a 2-0 series sweep over Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test in Rawalpindi.Mahmud, who picked two wickets at the fag end of the third day, added three more to his tally on the fourth afternoon to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, finishing with 5 for 43 in 10.4 overs in his third Test. Rana also registered his best Test figures – 4 for 44 – as Pakistan were bowled out for 172 in their second innings, setting up a target of 185. With Taskin Ahmed taking the other wicket, this was the first time in Bangladesh’s Test history that all ten wickets were picked up by fast bowlers.Zakir Hasan then came out with a positive intent and scored 31 not out off 23 balls with two fours and two sixes as Bangladesh wiped 42 runs off the target in just seven overs. He had Shadman Islam for company on 9 when bad light and then rain forced an early finish to the day shortly after tea. Bangladesh require another 143 runs on the final day to secure just their third overseas Test series victory and first since their 1-0 win in Zimbabwe in 2021.Related

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Resuming on 9 for 2 with a lead of 21, it was shaping up to be a good morning for Pakistan, with Shan Masood and Saim Ayub looking positive. Masood began by punching Taskin down the ground before Ayub clipped the pace bowler off his pads. There were a few plays and misses, and tight leaves, but the duo largely looked untroubled as they collected 34 runs in the first 6.2 overs of the day.But soon after that came a loose drive from Ayub and Bangladesh came galloping back. Taskin bowled one full outside off stump and Ayub went for a drive on the up only to find Najmul Hossain Shanto at mid-off. Babar Azam started with a cracking a square cut off Taskin but was far from his usual self. He missed a straight ball from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and was hit on the pad. Bangladesh reviewed the on-field decision of not out, but replays suggested the ball was missing the leg stump.Nahid was brought into the attack in the 17th over, and it took him all of three balls to strike. He sent back Masood, whose half-hearted attempt at a drive only found the outside edge for a simple catch to the wicketkeeper. Nahid then had Babar edging to first slip with a good-length ball that bounced a touch more than what the batter expected. He should have dismissed Mohammad Rizwan first ball but Shadman, who had taken a catch the previous delivery, spilled an almost identical chance.Zakir Hasan stared briskly in a chase of 185•AFP/Getty ImagesEven when he was not taking wickets, Nahid caused plenty of trouble. He consistently bowled over 140kph and generated awkward bounce with his high-arm action. He threatened both edges and even hit Rizwan on the helmet with a nasty bouncer. Rizwan, visibly shaken, called the physio a few times but carried on.Nahid picked up his third wicket when Saud Shakeel hung his bat out, offering a simple catch to Litton Das as Pakistan slipped from 47 for 2 to 81 for 6. Rizwan and Salman Agha, though, made sure Pakistan did not lose another wicket till lunch while extending the lead to 129.With Rizwan still feeling fuzzy and looking for quick runs, Bangladesh stuck to their plan, making sure there were no easy runs. Mahmud, who wasn’t as incisive in the first session, stuck to the channel outside off stump. That brought about a false shot from Rizwan, playing away from his body and getting a thin edge to the wicketkeeper. The very next ball, Mahmud had Mohammad Ali edging to first slip.While the hat-trick was averted, Abrar Ahmed lasted only 12 balls and became Rana’s fourth victim with the scoreboard reading 145 for 9. But a swift end to the innings was delayed by Agha, who added vital runs with the lower order for the second time in the match. He stitched a 27-run stand with Mir Hamza before Mahmud claimed his fifth wicket. It came via an inside edge onto the pad with the ball lobbing to Mehidy at second slip. Mahmud bowed to the turf before leading the team off the field with the ball raised high.Pakistan needed early wickets but their hopes were quashed by Zakir, who was on the move early. He was aggressive with his footwork, often charging at the bowlers early. He clipped Khurram Shahzad for a six over long leg before pulling him for another six, this time over deep-backward square leg as Bangladesh moved 37 for no loss in six overs at tea.Only one over was possible after the break before it got too dark for play to continue.

Jos Buttler has been ruled out of the Hundred with a calf injury, after missing Manchester Originals’ first three matches.Buttler, who has been backed to continue as England’s white-ball captain by managing director Rob Key, took a short break from the game after the T20 World Cup and is understood to have sustained the injury while preparing for the Hundred. An initial scan was inconclusive, raising hopes he would be available towards the end of the competition, but his withdrawal was confirmed on Saturday.Key confirmed earlier this week that Buttler would continue as captain after Matthew Mott lost his job as England’s white-ball coach, with Marcus Trescothick due to fill that role on an interim basis during September’s series against Australia. At this stage, he appears likely to be fit in time for the first T20I on September 11.Related

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“Gutted to be missing the Hundred this year,” Buttler wrote on his Instagram story. “Best of luck to the Manchester Originals for the rest of the campaign. Working hard to be 100% fit asap [as soon as possible].”Buttler has suffered several calf injuries in recent years, including a strain two years ago which ruled him out of England’s seven T20Is in Pakistan and briefly threatened his participation in the T20 World Cup 2022.The Originals were losing finalists in the last two editions of the men’s Hundred but are winless this year in Buttler’s absence. Phil Salt, his opening partner, has deputised as captain but has managed only 23 runs in three innings, and their batting line-up has looked noticeably short at the start of the season.Simon Katich, the Originals’ coach, had initially lined up Keaton Jennings, Lancashire’s club captain, as a replacement but the move stalled amid confusion over Buttler’s status, and Jennings has since signed for London Spirit. The Originals are yet to confirm a new replacement ahead of Sunday’s match against Northern Superchargers.

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da wazamba： Tendo marcado um dos três gols do Palmeiras na vitória diante do Fortaleza por 3 a 1 no último sábado (22), Breno Lopes vive uma verdadeira montanha-russa no Verdão. Apesar de ser atualmente reserva da equipe de Abel Ferreira, o atacante é o segundo jogador do time que precisa de menos minutos para ter uma participação em gol, estando atrás apenas de Raphael Veiga.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras pode lucrar com negociação de zagueiro para o futebol da TurquiaPalmeiras24/07/2023PalmeirasTorcida do Palmeiras vibra com estreia brilhante de Ary e Bia Zaneratto na Copa do MundoPalmeiras24/07/2023PalmeirasRichard Ríos dedica gol a ex-companheiro de Palmeiras que se contundiu gravemente em estreia no novo clubePalmeiras24/07/2023

da fezbet： + Palmeiras pode lucrar com negociação de zagueiro para o futebol da Turquia

Breno Lopes precisa de 129 minutos para ter participação em gol, estando à frente de jogadores titulares e que recebem mais oportunidades como Rony (151), Artur (172), Dudu (324) e Endrick (181). Veiga lidera a estatística, precisando apenas de 114.

Contra o Leão do Pici, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, o camisa 19 voltou a aparecer após um tempo sem muito destaque, o que rendeu elogios de Abel na entrevista coletiva após o duelo. O treinador português disse que Breno Lopes é um dos jogadores que ele mais ‘prejudica’, visto que é um dos que menos joga e mais produz.

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Ainda, Abel afirmou gostar muito do atacante e revelou que pediu a Anderson Barros, diretor de futebol do Palmeiras, para que não o vendesse nesta janela de transferências, já que vários clubes queriam a contratação do camisa 19.

– O Breno talvez seja um dos jogadores que eu mais prejudico e que mais rendimento tem. Acredito que seja um dos jogadores que temos aqui que menos joga e que mais produz. Ele entrou, teve três ou quatro oportunidades para marcar, isso é o normal dele. Eu particularmente gosto muito dele, é outro jogador que também todo mundo queria, e eu disse ao Barros “não, eu quero esse jogador, eu gosto dele”. Parabéns para ele que fez o gol – disse Abel Ferreira.

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+ Torcida do Palmeiras vibra com estreia brilhante de Ary e Bia Zaneratto na Copa do Mundo

Mesmo sendo o ‘herói’ da Libertadores de 2020, tendo marcado o gol do título diante do Santos nos acréscimos da decisão, Breno Lopes divide opiniões entre os palmeirenses. Apesar das constantes críticas, o atacante vem se mostrando que pode ser uma peça importante, especialmente nos minutos finais.

Praticamente metade dos gols marcados pelo camisa 19 desde que ele chegou ao Palmeiras, em outubro de 2020, foram justamente nos acréscimos. Nove das 20 bolas na rede de Breno Lopes entraram depois dos 45 minutos do segundo tempo. Neste ano, já foram dois gols anotados no tempo adicional – contra Fortaleza (Brasileirão) e Bragantino (Paulistão).

Nesta temporada, Breno Lopes participou de 37 jogos e totalizou 1034 minutos em campo, entrando na maioria das partidas vindo do banco de reservas. Além disso, já balançou a rede quatro vezes e distribuiu quatro assistências. Logo, não tendo nenhum pênalti sofrido, o camisa 19 já teve participação direta em oito gols em 2023.

Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

Positivity has been a short-lived thing at Manchester United in recent times, although the past week has provided reason for optimism, following a pivotal few days off the field.

With manager Ruben Amorim confirming his future at the club ahead of the final game of the season against Aston Villa – which ended in a rare victory – the Red Devils were further boosted by the news on Tuesday that his compatriot and captain, Bruno Fernandes, has turned down a move to Al-Hilal.

Despite admitting to having held talks with the Saudi side, the 30-year-old outlined that he remained committed to the Old Trafford outfit, with the club seemingly only intending to cash in had the playmaker requested to leave.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, United have also confirmed that an agreement has been reached for the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, with that £62.5m deal looking set to be followed by the capture of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.

The latest on Mbeumo's move to Man Utd

Much to the irritation of rival supporters, a United side who finished 15th in the Premier League last season still appear to have some of the old magic left, having been able to convince Cunha into sealing a move, despite the lack of European football next term.

The same looks to be true in the case of Mbeumo, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein breaking the news on Monday evening that the Cameroon international wants to join the Red Devils, with club-to-club talks set to take place with the Bees.

Ornstein revealed that despite rival interest from the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur – all of whom have qualified for the Champions League – the 25-year-old’s preference is to move to Manchester, should a deal be agreed.

While a stumbling block could emerge amid reports from The Times that the winger is set to demand a wage increase to £250k-per-week, it would be a surprise not to see the former Troyes man lining up under Amorim next season.

With Cunha and perhaps Mbeumo in the bag, United could now turn their attention to another Premier League star in the bid to bolster the forward line.

Man Utd keeping tabs on Premier League forward

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell – writing in the Transfer Deal Sheet – noted that the ‘priority’ for United this summer is ‘adding goals to the team’, with the top-flight strugglers netting just 44 times in total in the league. For context, Cunha and Mbeumo alone scored 35 league goals between them.

Transfer Focus

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

That search for more firepower has led to INEOS turning their attention toward Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, with Whitwell outlining that the Ghanaian is a player being ‘looked at’ by the club.

This follows prior reports which indicated that United were actually leading the race for the 25-year-old’s signature, albeit with it yet to be seen if they would be willing to meet the Cherries’ reported £60m asking price.

Having already missed out on Chelsea-bound striker, Liam Delap, moving for another Premier League-proven talent like Semenyo could be the perfect solution for Amorim this summer.

Why Semenyo can thrive with Mbeumo

While there will be the question of whether Mbeumo will be able to replicate his recent heroics amid the pressures that come with playing for the Red Devils, there will also be an intrigue as to whether he can thrive without his current partner-in-crime, Yoane Wissa.

Indeed, under Thomas Frank’s guidance in 2024/25, the United target scored 20 goals in the top-flight, with the 28-year-old Wissa registering a remarkable tally of 19 league goals of his own.

That deadly and fluid combination saw the in-form pairing dovetail beautifully as the spearheads of Brentford’s frontline, with the duo both able to operate on the flanks or in a central role.

It could be argued that bringing Semenyo into the fold could allow Mbeumo to find his new Wissa in the process, with the former Bristol City man also a highly flexible and versatile asset who can thrive out wide, through the middle or even in a wing-back role.

Described as “almost unplayable on his day” by journalist Ed Aarons, Semenyo enjoyed a positive season of his own at the Vitality Stadium, having registered 11 goals and five assists in the Premier League, after previously racking up eight goals in 2023/24.

The beauty of the 6 foot 1 sensation is just how two-footed he is, with the record above outlining his similarity to Wissa, with regard to his ability to score with either foot, thus making him a particularly dangerous proposition.

What is particularly key regarding the Wissa-Mbeumo combination has been their speed on the counter-attack, something that pundit Danny Murphy noted last year, after highlighting the “width and pace with Wissa and Mbeumo, two players playing with confidence with a real threat.”

Non-penalty goals

0.31

Top 24%

Assists

3.51

Top 5%

Shots

0.14

Bottom 43%

Shot-creating actions

3.71

Top 34%

Pass completion

73.4%

Bottom 35%

Progressive carries

3.06

Bottom 42%

Progressive passes

3.93

Top 29%

Successful take-ons

1.94

Top 20%

Tackles

1.55

Top 40%

Aerial duels won

1.85

Top 8%

*compared to attacking mid/wingers in PL

Those attributes are certainly shared by the Bournemouth man, his former Bristol boss Nigel Pearson having described him as “very difficult to play against” due to his “power and pace”.

Semenyo’s ability to thrive in tandem with his fellow forwards is also showcased by the fact that he created 11 ‘big chances’ in 2024/25, while averaging 1.2 key passes per game, thus ensuring that Mbeumo would again have quality service to thrive off.

While not an orthodox striker by trade, having Semenyo operating through the middle could then allow Mbeumo to flourish alongside him, with that final attacking berth taken up by the aforementioned Cunha.

Having so often witnessed a limp attacking unit at the Theatre of Dreams of late, what a mouthwatering prospect that trio would be.

He's outscored Mbeumo: Man Utd weighing up bid for £40m Delap upgrade

Manchester United are preparing a move for a star who could thrive at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 4, 2025

كشف الإعلامي أحمد شوبير عن تطورات ملف المدير الفني الأجنبي الجديد للنادي الأهلي، مؤكدًا أن عماد النحاس يقترب من الاستمرار في الفترة المقبلة لوقت أطول.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات إذاعية عبر “أون سبورت إف إم”: “منذ البداية، الحقيقة، أخبرتكم أن وليد صلاح قال لي علانية وعلى الهواء إن عماد النحاس سيكمل الخمس مباريات، وبقيت له مباراة واحدة”.

وأوضح: “كلما فاز عماد النحاس بمباراة، كلما أصبحت الأمور أفضل، ويقترب من تثبيت قدميه قليلاً، واستعادة ثقة الجماهير، وهو يتمتع بقبول كبير لدى جمهور النادي الأهلي، فالأمور مستقرة معه ومع الجمهور، فترتفع النغمة بأنه يجب أن يكمل عماد ويستمر”.

وواصل: “أما ملف المدرب الأجنبي فقد وصل ثلاث مرات، ويقترب الأهلي من انهاء الأمر مع مدرب دون أن يكمله، آخرها الرجل الدنماركي (يقصد توماس توماسبيرج)، وعلى فكرة، الذين اجتهدوا لم يخطئوا، لأنه كان على وشك التوقيع مع النادي الأهلي، إذ بقيت له ساعات قليلة فقط، لكن جاءه العرض البولندي فذهب إليه”.

واستطرد: “الأهلي قرر أن يتريث خطوة أو خطوات في موضوع المدير الفني؛ سيهدأون قليلاً الآن، غير مستعجلين، وقالوا لأسامة هلال انتظر، ولا تتعجل وإذا مدربًا يليق بالنادي الأهلي، مليون مرحبًا به، وإذا لم تجد اصبر قليلا وليس هو الوحيد الذي يعمل على هذا الملف”.

وأضاف: “ليس سرًا أن النادي الأهلي نظر قليلاً إلى المدرب التركي فاتح تيريم، رغم أن عمر 73 عامًا، لكن مساعده حمزة أوغلو،  درب جالطة سراي من قبل وفاز معهم بالبطولات، ولكنه يعود لمساعدته حتى بعد أن أصبح مديرًا فنيًا”.

طالع | بينهم سيد عبد الحفيظ.. تفاصيل مهام أعضاء قائمة الخطيب في انتخابات الأهلي

وزاد: “الأهلي نظر قليلاً إلى فاتح تيريم وعلى حمزة أوغلو، ونظر قليلاً إلى برونو لاج البرتغالي وقال لهم عن طلباته، وقد أخبرتكم أن النادي الأهلي ينتظر؛ ولكن الرجل الآن ينتظر موافقة الأهلي”.

وأردف: “برونو لاج وضع شروطا وطلبات لا يحتاجها الأهلي مثل أن الشرط الجزائي كاملاً مدة العقد كاملاً، وهو ما رفضه النادي خوفا من تكرار سيناريو كولر”.

وتابع: ” الأهلي قرر تأجيل ملف المدرب الأجنبي لإشعار آخر حتى يروا ما سيحدث، وكيف ستكون القصة، خاصة أن هناك توقفا دوليا خلال أكتوبر الجاري، وبعد ذلك سيعودون ليلعبوا مباراتين، ثم يعود توقف آخر، وهو توقف طويل بسبب كأس العرب، وأمم إفريقيا”.

وأتم: “من الممكن أنه حتى التوقف خلال نوفمبر أيضًا لا يكون هناك مدرب للنادي الأهلي؛ هنا أقول لكم كيف يفكر الأهلي، لكن كل شيء قد يتغير إذا ظهر مدرب مثالي تمامًا، وقال (أريد تدريب الأهلي)، فسيقولون له (أهلاً وسهلاً)”.

da pinup bet： Before the Ange Postecoglou era, the permanent manager of Tottenham Hotspur was none other than Antonio Conte.

da leao： Now, it would be fair to say that for all of his success with other teams, the Italian icon didn’t fare too well in North London, as while he secured Champions League football for the club in his first season, he didn’t even make it to the end of his second one in charge.

The former Chelsea boss was infamous for playing a pragmatic, boarding-on-tedious style of football that couldn’t be any more different to the one Spurs try to play today.

However, while it didn’t quite work out for Conte, he did leave the club with a points per game average of 1.78 and now looks on track to win Serie A with Napoli, so recent news linking the Lilywhites with another manager who could easily be compared to the 55-year-old should excite fans.

Tottenham's manager search

Before getting to the manager in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other managers linked with the Tottenham job in recent weeks, like Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

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The former has done an exemplary job in West London, taking the Bees from a Championship side and turning them into one of the most entertaining sides in the Premier League, who still score goals for fun, even in the absence of former star striker Ivan Toney.

In a similar vein, Iraola took charge of the Cherries when they looked destined to return to the second tier last season and has transformed them into a team now fighting for a place in Europe next year.

However, a club like Spurs requires someone who can do more than improve the fortunes of smaller teams, which helps to explain their interest in Simone Inzaghi.

According to reports from Italy, the idea of the Italian coach moving to North London in the summer is ‘gaining traction’ and could soon develop ‘into something concrete.’

The report claims that a combination of a Premier League salary and his project at Inter coming to an end could convince the talented manager to move to N17 at the end of the season.

While it could be a challenging deal to get over the line, Spurs must do all they can to secure Inzaghi’s services. Not only would he be a monumental upgrade on Postecoglou, but he could be a more successful Conte 2.0.

How Inzaghi compares to Postecoglou

Okay, so before we compare Inzaghi to Postecoglou, why could his arrival be described as Conte 2.0?

Well, simply put, he’d be joining Tottenham from Inter Milan, a fellow Italian and, crucially, while he’s not quite as defensively minded as the former Spurs boss, he can be just as pragmatic.

Moreover, and this is one of the big advantages he has over Ange, the 49-year-old is a proven winner in a top-five league, having led Lazio to the Coppa Italia in 18/19 and then winning another two with Inter Milan, as well as leading them to the Scudetto last season.

In contrast, all the Australian’s successes have come in smaller leagues, be that in Scotland, Japan or Australia, and while that is not meant to demean his achievements, it is undeniable that the pressure to succeed in those leagues is far less intense than it is here or in Italy, for example.

Moreover, when we compare the two managers’ records at their current sides, it’s abundantly clear who is doing the better job.

Inzaghi vs Postecoglou current clubs

Manager

Inzaghi

Postecoglou

Games

212

96

Wins

138

45

Draws

40

14

Losses

34

37

Points per Game

2.14

1.55

All Stats via Sofascore

For example, since taking the job at the San Siro, the “phenomenal” Italian, as dubbed by Felipe Salvador Caicedo, has overseen 138 wins, 40 draws and 34 losses, which comes out to an average of 2.14 points per game.

In contrast, the former Celtic boss has overseen 45 wins, 14 draws and 37 losses since taking charge of the North Londoners, which comes out to a rather paltry 1.55 points per game.

Ultimately, Inzaghi has shown himself to be tactically flexible, has won major trophies and has far more experience in a top-five league than Postecoglou, so if Spurs can hire him this summer, they should.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 6, 2025

He eases the ball over the rope with minimum fuss and a lack of warning about what is coming

Sambit Bal08-Jul-2019So you think the ball has come out all right, the way you visualised it in your run-up – not full enough to be driven, not short enough to cut or pull, not on the legs to be clipped way, not wide enough for the batsman to free his arms. At best he can bunt or dab it for a single, but the percentages favour it being a dot ball, and that’s what it looks like when you’re in your follow-through. The batsman hasn’t moved much, no intent at all, the bat is coming down straight – a pat down the wicket mostly, and you are thinking about your next ball.And Rohit Sharma has hit you for a six. Maybe over your head. Maybe over long-off. Maybe over extra cover. Wherever the mood has taken him. Ask Mustafizur Rahman. Ask Pat Cummins. Ask Dhananjaya de Silva. Left-arm wobbler, right-arm fast, offspinner – when Rohit chooses the moment, the ball travels. Minimum fuss, maximum impact. He doesn’t savage you, he chaperones you over the ropes in the manner of an aristocrat.At worst, it’s a masterful con job – he has deceived you into believing all is well, before extracting maximum value. At best, it’s a work of art, a wonder of wonders, and if you were as generous a soul and as besotted with the game as Bishan Bedi, you would follow the arc of the ball till it finished its descent, and turn back to applaud. You know you have played your part in something quite divine. It’s no humiliation, it’s a moment of grace.