All posts by h716a5.icu

Comfortable among the stars and in his own skin, the Maharashtra batsman has gained prominence in a short span of time, and is a regular in the India A set-up now

Shashank Kishore25-Sep-2019″Mahi , Andre Russell scoop paddle . Short fine leg deep square [Mahi , Andre Russell doesn’t play the scoop or the paddle. We could have removed the short fine-leg and put a deep square-leg instead].”That’s not Virat Kohli having one of his routine consultations with MS Dhoni. This was Ruturaj Gaikwad, a 21-year-old rookie top-order batsman, who did not feature in a single IPL 2019 game for Chennai Super Kings, asking his captain if he had erred by letting the Kolkata Knight Riders danger man off the hook. Each of Russell’s five fours and three sixes had come in the arc between long-off and deep square-leg, not one behind the wicket. Russell had rescued a floundering innings and remained unbeaten on 50.”Sharp cricket mind,” Dhoni told Gaikwad, who smiles as he narrates his conversation with his hero. ” plan , short fine top edge . involved [The plan was to bowl a little shorter, and the short fine-leg was for the top edge. Stay involved with the game like this].”That’s ‘Rutu’ for those who know him well, like Surendra Bhave, the former India batsman and Maharashtra coach. “A confident young man, who is comfortable carrying himself around the superstars,” Bhave tells ESPNcricinfo.But why are we talking about Gaikwad now, you might wonder. It’s because he has moved up the ranks to become an India A regular on the back of some impressive performances for Maharashtra in 2018-19. He was their leading run-getter in last year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy too, with 365 runs in eight innings at 45.62 and a strike rate of 90. While his Ranji Trophy numbers were slightly less impressive, the selectors clearly saw something in his game and decided he was primed for the step up.

I asked Mahi bhai this when I joined the CSK camp. ‘?’ He said: ‘ sign , shot [to get out] .’ You’re talented, keep scoring runs in domestic cricket

On his India A debut, however, Gaikwad was out for a golden duck, against England Lions in January 2019. It was to be, however, just a small blip in the course of a glorious summer. His scores for India A in List A cricket during the home series against Sri Lanka A and in the Caribbean against West Indies A read: 187*, 125*, 94, 84, 74, 3, 85, 20, 99. That’s 677 runs at an average of 112.83 and strike rate of 116.72. He did have three forgettable outings against South Africa A in Thiruvananthapuram after that, but Gaikwad isn’t ready to tinker with his reputation as an aggressive run-getter who likes to dominate bowling attacks. And that’s the confidence he wants to carry into this season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, which started this week.Gaikwad is somewhat in the KL Rahul mode: a tall, lanky, right-hand opener. He might not be as stylish as the Karnataka opener, but Bhave says Gaikwad has a very simple game that is compact and suitable against all bowling. “I saw him first about four years ago, and I could immediately see there was an X-factor about him. I’d heard of him scoring a double-century in an Under-19 game where Maharashtra were 250 all out. And people were talking about him, so I took a look at him and have been impressed. He’s fit. He’s an outstanding fielder, bats at a very good clip. His mindset is that of a run-scorer. At times he has to curb his aggression, but some of his shots – just wow.”***Gaikwad is from a Pune-based family that has always valued academics highly. His father is a Defence Research Development Officer and his mother a teacher at a municipal school. None of his cousins, with whom he grew up in a large joint family, played sport. But, in 2003, watching Brendon McCullum scoop Australia’s fast bowlers at Nehru Stadium in Pune got him hooked to the sport. He was just six then. Soon enough, he was playing too. At 11, he joined the Vengsarkar Academy in Kondwa, a Pune suburb, and has been training there since.Initially a middle-order batsman, Gaikwad’s breakthrough season was 2014-15, when he was the second-highest run-scorer in the Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy. In the following season, he made 875 runs at 97.22, leading to a Ranji Trophy debut against – guess who? Yes, Dhoni’s Jharkhand, in New Delhi, a game he remembers fondly, even though he made just 15.”Mahi was Jharkhand’s mentor. I wanted to impress him, but suddenly got hit by a bouncer from Varun Aaron and fractured my finger,” Gaikwad remembers. “I wanted to come off, but Kedar Jadhav told me to carry on. After a point, I just couldn’t tolerate the pain, so tried to hit out and was caught. At the lunch break, Mahi came over to talk to me and signed my bat and wrote ‘get well soon’ on my plaster.”

Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect to get picked for India A so soon, but now that it has happened, I’m only learning to take the good with the bad and be balanced about things. I try to learn as much as I can from every session

Gaikwad is replaying the moment in his mind as he speaks. “In fact, I asked Mahi this when I joined the CSK camp. ‘ [Do you remember]?’ He said: ‘ sign , shot [to get out] [Of course. Not just the sign, but the shot too]. You’re talented, keep scoring runs in domestic cricket.'”Gaikwad was among the Super Kings’ last picks at the December auction at his base price of INR 20 lakh, something he wasn’t expecting. “After the first round for uncapped players, I switched off the TV and turned on my Playstation,” he says. “My number was 80-odd, and suddenly from 75 it jumped to 110. So I thought my chance was gone.”After some time, I started getting messages. That’s how I found out about my selection. My parents were out of town and returned later that night. It was only when a friend came home with a cake that they actually believed I had been picked.”***Gaikwad hasn’t modelled his game on anyone, but likes to pick out aspects from those he has watched and followed. He talks a lot to contemporaries Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, with whom he’s spent some time at the India A set-up. He shares a good rapport with Ankit Bawne too. “We’re all close friends, we learn off each other,” he says. “The India A system is very competitive, but it’s a special place to be in because we learn from each other, even if we may directly or indirectly competing with each other.”Frankly speaking, I didn’t expect to get picked for India A so soon, but now that it has happened, I’m only learning to take the good with the bad and be balanced about things. I try to learn as much as I can from every session. Like, earlier this year, Stephen Fleming (Super Kings’ coach) told me: ‘don’t premeditate at the nets, just allow your instincts to take over, because match pressure is a different ball game.’ So from then on, I’ve tried to consciously cut out risks early and try and play out 10-15 balls.”What if there’s a bad ball? “Sehwag mantra, see-ball, hit-ball,” he laughs. “In fact, during the recent tour of West Indies, I tried to follow his of hitting a six to get to a century, but I was out caught for 99.”Gaikwad is witty and candid, and up for a laugh, even if the joke is on him. That, he says, is how he is. Not intense, but not too casual either. It is a philosophy he has followed from observing players and getting to spend time with them in the IPL and the India A set-ups. “Once I know I’m set, I know I can score quickly, I just want to dominate,” he continues. “There’s no fear. By dominating, I don’t mean playing rash shots. Rahul Dravid sir said, sometimes a good leave or a good forward defense can also show signs of a batsman’s domination. I haven’t spoken much to him one-on-one, but these words have stayed with me.”Gaikwad is aware that to be considered at the highest level, he needs to show consistency across formats. In List A cricket, he averages an impressive 53 across 41 innings. In first-class cricket, though, he’s managed just 38 in 15 matches.”In 20 first-class innings, only once or twice I’ve been out early. Mostly been getting 30 or 40, 70-80. The conversion isn’t there and I need to get better,” he agrees. “In one-dayers too, I have 15 fifties [he has 14], and have been out from 75-99 some 11 times. In first-class, if I’ve scored 70-odd in one innings, I’ve been out cheaply in the second innings. It’s not like I’m getting out on zero. I know if I iron out this and figure things out, I can get big 100s.”So, clearly, he’s one of the geeky sorts who remembers numbers. “Because it irritates me,” he says loudly. “I do all the hard work and then I get out when I know I’m capable of much more. Hopefully the coming season, I can correct this.”Bhave reckons Gaikwad could fulfil his potential if he sticks to the straight and narrow. “The best part about his batting is that it is simple. There’s no complication, no awkward back lifts, shoulder dipping and all that,” Bhave says. “If you look at all quality players, simplicity is their forte. He keeps it like that. Like to drive the ball, but has an equally good back-foot game, is a very good puller of the ball. At the international or A level you won’t get too many half-volleys to drive, so your back-foot game has to be good and he has that. I think he has a lot of upsides. The way he’s shown form at the India A level, we expect him to carry that for Maharashtra and hope he can pile on the runs. If he has a good season from here on, he’ll be right up there in contention.”

A record of good crowd attendance and a rich cricket history could make this an unlikely contender for a permanent Test venue

Varun Shetty in Indore13-Nov-2019Subtle marketing does not exist in Indore. The signboards on stores have roughly the same design language: big, bold text in red, usually in Hindi. A keysmith’s store will simply say , the Hindi word for keys. A medical store’s signage will read (medicine). If it says (learn to drive a car), you won’t find a driving school but a solitary instructor. What you see is what you get. Except, oddly, around the Holkar Stadium.There is graffiti along the walls that lead to the Narendra Hirwani Gate, with themes like satanism, sniper crosshairs, and a sustained bilingual campaign for veganism. But no posters or standees or even plain old banners to indicate that a Test is about to begin in less than 48 hours.’It’s a deep conversation’ – Kohli

Virat Kohli recently created a flutter when he suggested that India host Test cricket in only five hand-picked venues.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh in Indore – a city that might not figure in the top five but has a history of good crowds at matches – Kohli explained his argument:
“If you look at the ratio, a stadium like Indore attracted a decent crowd but a lot of others didn’t. And it can’t be that one stadium gets games and the others don’t. So I think the way we go abroad and know the grounds we’re playing in – like the MCG, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane – we know what to expect, what kind of crowd to expect, people know on what dates to expect a match. So it [my thoughts] was about creating that kind of culture.
“I think it’s a deep conversation. It’s not about criticising cities or taking away matches from them. Just a vision about how we can get together and raise Test cricket – that’s the perspective from which we’re trying to discuss this topic. T20s and ODIs should definitely be hosted, people should definitely get to watch cricket. But the situation of Test cricket now is that we’re all figuring out how to keep it at the top. So, from my point of view, that [five venues] was an option. It’s an option and we’ll see how it could be executed.”

It is no small feat, then, that for the first India-Bangladesh Test, nearly 9000 season tickets had been sold two days before the start. Just before the beginning of the day-ticket sales on Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) CEO Rohit Pandit reckoned there could be an average of up to 12,000 spectators throughout the Test – that’s three-quarters of the seats available to the public.”The stands start at Rs 150 [approx. US$ 2] for a daily ticket. The pavilions are between Rs 300 and Rs 400 [approx. US$ 4 and US$ 7]. So it’s pretty affordable. We have received reasonable support from the local spectators,” Pandit told ESPNcricinfo. “The turnout for a Test match can’t be compared to a limited-overs match. If India are batting first, then 11,000-12,000 spectators could be in the stands.”The low pricing extends to the five-day pass: They start at Rs 315 and go up to Rs 1845 [approx. US$ 25]. Student concession stands begin at Rs 362 [approx. US$5], women-only stands at Rs 420 rupees and a block for people with disabilities at half that price. The best five-day pass here is roughly the same price as a mid-level IPL ticket for one match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.”Basically, the cricket culture is quite big in this part,” Pandit said. “We see 2000 people turning up even for domestic matches. We try to keep the ticket price to a bare minimum, so there’s not much of a commercial type of approach to ticket prices. Our aim is to create a situation where there could a maximum number of spectators.”Former BCCI secretary and Madhya Pradesh cricketer Sanjay Jagdale, who began work as a cricket administrator in 1983, echoes these sentiments and is not surprised at the expected numbers.

The stadium is in the heart of the city. There’s the convenience for people to get into the stadium in say, half an hour. It’s a small stadium [capacity 27,000]. So you can get a better feel of the match when you are in the standsRohit Pandit, MPCA CEO

“Indore has a very rich tradition and cricket history. Right from the days of CK Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali and Holkar [the name of the former royal dynasty of the region, and also the name of the Ranji Trophy side representing it till the mid-1950s],” Jagdale said. “And it’s a city where a lot of cricket is played. With Hirwani, Naman Ojha and Rajesh Chauhan, there have constantly been players who are either playing for India or knocking the doors.”And they love watching cricket. That is one of the main reasons. The local people are also proud of the Holkar stadium, the Holkar traditions, the Holkar cricket. You must have been to the stadium. There’s a lot of local Holkar player names involved, right from CK Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali Pavilions to other Holkar greats. So they’re proud of that cricket tradition.”The Holkar Stadium hosted the first of its four international matches in 2006, waited ten years for its first Test – with an average spectator count of 24,000, points out Pandit – and got two limited-overs internationals in 2017. Since then, the Kings XI Punjab have occasionally used it as a second home ground. In the larger map of Indian cricket, Indore is what would count these days as a second-tier venue. With only the odd big match coming its way, the operational aspect of a five-day match is not easy. Among many challenges at the moment for the MPCA is hosting the 30-odd Bangladesh correspondents who will be joining at least twice that number of their Indian counterparts in the press box.The Indians get a feel of the Holkar Stadium•PTI But there is an unspoken opportunity here. One of the significant undercurrents of this Test is that it will be the first one since Virat Kohli sparked a conversation about India having a set number of Test venues during its home seasons. Indore is not an automatic name on a list of five venues for most people – that list is, naturally, filled with metropolitan centres – but it has quite a lot going for it. One of them is the acoustics, especially in this day and age of massive, new-age stadium being put up well outside city limits.”The stadium is in the heart of the city. There’s the convenience for people to get into the stadium in say, half an hour. It’s a small stadium [capacity 27,000],” Pandit said. “So you can get a better feel of the match when you are in the stands. In case of the big stadiums, the distance is on the higher side. And you get slightly disconnected from the on-field excitement. This is a 75-yard stadium. This, according to me, also attracts the spectators.”As the man who proposed taking the game to smaller centres during his time at the BCCI, Jagdale thinks Indore has a credible claim.”I don’t think it [empty stadiums] motivates players,” Jagdale said in relation to recent matches with low attendances. “Although a lot of people watch on TV, empty stadiums are not good for cricket. And the players also don’t enjoy. […] So why only five? It [the current system] promotes cricket in smaller centres. It motivates venues and associations to do well and come up with better infrastructure and better facilities.”Indore has good facilities, it is directly connected [planes and trains] and there are very good hotels. There’s a good stadium and a good crowd response. So why not encourage centres where the response is better and the facilities are good?”Who knows what levels Holkar Stadium could hit if a blimp said yahaan cricket dekhiye?

Manchester City have a historic summer transfer window ahead of them. The disappointing season they have endured in 2024/25 is almost over, and there is a chase to strengthen the squad in the summer, ahead of the Club World Cup and then the 2025/26 campaign.

It will be all change at the Etihad Stadium next term. Talisman Kevin De Bruyne will leave the club after a decade of success in the famous Sky Blue shirt, including the famous treble in 2022/23. He might not be the only club legend to leave on a free, given that Ilkay Gundogan’s contract is up in a few months.

It means that City will almost certainly sign a new midfielder this summer, and there has already been an update on their targets.

The latest on City's midfielder transfer plans

Well, it is going to be a crucial few months at City, and that all starts with their new director of football, Hugo Viana. The former Sporting CP director, who worked with Manchester United boss Ruben Amoirm, will take over from Txiki Begiristain at the helm in East Manchester.

According to the highly reputable David Ornstein, City’s hunt for transfer targets will “ramp up” now that Viana’s role at the Etihad Stadium is sorted. The journalist has already confirmed two of the De Bruyne replacements they are eyeing up.

City are believed to be targeting Nottingham Forest number 10 Morgan Gibbs-White and Bayer Leverkusen and Germany starlet Florian Wirtz as potential replacements for their outgoing club legend.

There is not a clear first-choice target for the Mancunian side at this stage, and more could well emerge.

However, a deal to sign Wirtz in particular could be an expensive one. Sky Germany reported at the end of March that he could cost as much as £101m if a deal was to be struck.

With that hefty price in mind, perhaps City will be put off any potential deal. This could lead to them turning to an academy star to fill the void left by De Bruyne.

Man City's in-house Wirtz and Gibbs-White solution

There is plenty of attacking talent in the City academy, as you might expect. One of the most exciting players in that group is Reigan Heskey, the son of former England striker Emile and brother of Jaden, another City academy starlet.

Said to possess “Rashford-like ability” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the 17-year-old has made a big impression this term for City’s academy. In 33 appearances across all competitions, he’s amassed an impressive goal tally of 24, as well as grabbing eight assists.

U18 Premier League

17

15

6

UEFA Youth League

8

3

0

FA Youth Cup

4

2

1

Premier League 2

3

3

1

EFL Trophy

1

1

0

It is worth noting that Heskey is, by trade, a winger rather than a number 10, like Gibbs-White and Wirtz. The latter can play in a wide area as well, but, if Pep Guardiola wanted to unleash the youngster, he could move Jack Grealish or Phil Foden into a more central role and play Heskey as a left-winger, where he truly excels.

There is no doubt that the teenager, who is an England U17 international, is an exciting talent. He is a tricky winger who excels when isolated against the full-back, thriving in one-vs-one situations. He also has a natural eye for goal, just as his father did.

Football scout Antonio Mango once said that Heskey is a player who “can’t be ignored” any longer by City. His goal involvement numbers this term across academy sides are exceptional, and it really does feel like he is ready to explode in first-team football.

With De Buryne guaranteed to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, perhaps that opens the door for Heskey’s inclusion in the first team. It certainly would be a very much-deserved opportunity.

Bigger talent than De Bruyne: Man City lead race to sign £87m "superstar"

Manchester City have a huge task in replacing Kevin De Bruyne this summer but have wasted no time in the window.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 8, 2025

Nottingham Forest have exceeded the expectations set by everyone ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season, with Champions League football firmly on the cards.

Nuno Espírito Santo has masterminded the Reds to third place in England’s top flight, boasting a five-point gap to sixth place with just seven league outings remaining.

The thought of welcoming Europe’s elite to the City Ground was a distant dream for supporters after two near-misses with relegation after promotion, but such hopes could come to fruition in the coming months.

However, if they are to be competitive in Europe and the Premier League next season, additions are desperately needed, handing Nuno the squad depth to rotate when needed.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has wasted no time in targeting reinforcements for 2025/26, with one name remerging on their shortlist after previous interest in his signature last summer.

Nottingham Forest plot move for £40m talisman this summer

According to TBR, Forest are plotting a summer move for Evanilson after his impressive debut campaign in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

The Brazilian, who joined the Cherries for £40m last summer, has scored 11 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions, sitting as their second top scorer behind Justin Kluivert.

It’s not the first time the Reds have targeted the 25-year-old, after being firmly in the race for his signature just under 12 months ago before his subsequent move to the Vitality.

The report claims that Newcastle and Aston Villa are also in the race for Evanilson’s signature, with Nuno looking for reinforcements whilst also trying to move Taiwo Awoniyi on this window.

It’s unclear whether Andoni Iraola’s side would be open to parting ways with their star striker, but he could provide an alternative to one other forward currently on Marinakis’ radar.

Why Evanilson would be the perfect Gyokeres alternative

As a result of their impressive form, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has emerged on Forest’s radar, with the Portuguese side demanding £60m to part with their star man.

The Swedish international has been in incredible goalscoring form since his move from Coventry City back in the summer of 2023, registering 87 goals in his 94 appearances.

However, despite their interest, the Reds aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 26-year-old this summer, with Arsenal and Manchester United also in the race for the forward.

Given the nature of the clubs also keen on the talisman, the Forest hierarchy could turn their attention to Evanilson in the coming months, with the Cherries attacker a more than capable alternative.

When comparing his figures with Gyokeres from the ongoing campaign, he’s managed to match or better the Swede in numerous key areas, highlighting how much of an impressive addition he would be.

Games played

25

27

Goals & assists

9

37

Shot-on-target accuracy

49%

40%

Shots on target per 90

1.5

1.3

Take-on success

32%

27%

Fouls won

2.1

1.6

Aerials won

38%

30%

The “world-class” Cherries ace, as dubbed by content creator Kirk Tovey, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists than Gyokeres, but has managed more shots on target per 90 at a higher accuracy rate – showcasing his accuracy in the final third.

He’s also completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst also winning more of the aerial duels he’s contested, offering a more all-round centre-forward option than the Sporting star.

Whilst the Swedish international undoubtedly remains as many of the supporter’s first-choice attacking signing this summer, a deal for Evanilson would be just as impressive as seen by the numbers procured this year.

Investment will be needed in various areas of the first-team squad throughout the upcoming window, with funds needed elsewhere, potentially leading the Reds to pursue a move for the Brazilian sensation.

£25m release clause: Nottingham Forest join hectic race for "superb" star

They could trigger his release clause.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 7, 2025

2025 is likely to be a big year of change at Tottenham Hotspur.

Manager Ange Postecoglou himself admits that the ‘general sentiment’ is that he’ll be sacked, even if Spurs win the Europa League, set to face Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals, after ousting Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

So, with the club currently 15th in the Premier League table, Daniel Levy could be searching for a new manager come the summer, while the first-team squad may require a mass rebuild too.

So, do Tottenham lead the chase to sign a highly-rated youngster?

Tottenham's teenaged transfer target

According to a report by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are one of many top European clubs ‘tracking’ Gambian ‘sensation’ Gibril Sima, with Levy said to be ‘ready to pay big’ get a deal over the line.

Considering the 17-year-old plays for Gambian Dutch Lions FC in his native country, very little is known about him, but Pete O’Rourke describes him as “the next big talent to emerge from Gambia”, adding that both Internazionale and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in securing his signature.

A report by Ebrima KB Sonko of Gambiana praises Sima’s ‘standout performances’, labelling him a ‘highly-rated young talent’, while also noting that he has signed a two-year contract extension with his club, thereby protecting his transfer value.

Transfer Focus

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

So, could he be on his way to North London this summer?

Tottenham's transfer strategy

As outlined by Jay Harris of the Athletic, Tottenham’s transfer strategy last summer was clear; sign young players, as the table below illustrates.

Lucas Bergvall

19

£8.5m

43

Archie Gray

19

£40m

40

Dominic Solanke

27

£65m

38

Wilson Odobert

20

£25m

14

Yang Min-hyeok

18

£3m

Zero

Antonín Kinský

22

£12.5m

8

Kevin Danso

26

£21m*

8

Mathys Tel

19

£60m*

12

*loan with an obligation to buy included

As the table presents, of the eight players Spurs have recruited throughout this season, six are aged 22 or under, with Dominic Solanke the oldest at 27.

This though, is nothing new, and Sima’s potential arrival, coming in from a lower level with very little known about him, is reminiscent of a recent Spurs legend.

Dele Alli signed for Tottenham in January 2015 from Milton Keynes Dons for a reported fee of £5m, still only 18 years old at the time, having made just 88 senior appearances at League One level, scoring 24 goals and providing ten assists for MK.

Well, fair to say this was money well spent, considering Dele would go on to make 269 appearances for Spurs, registering 67 goals and 59 assists, a key member of the Spurs side that regularly finished in the top four and reached a Champions League Final.

Even after his powers began to wane, then-manager José Mourinho described Dele as “very, very important for Tottenham”, having become the youngest Englishman to score 50 Premier League goals, as noted by Charlie Eccleshare, Tom Worville and Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Athletic.

In his prime, Dele was comparable to the best Premier League midfielders of all time, simply now seeking to resurrect his career in Italy, having joined Serie A side Como in January.

Nevertheless, Dele proves that a club can find a gem in the transfer market at a low fee and turn them into a star; given that Tottenham might not be in European competition next season, this has to be the strategy, and Sima seemingly fits the bill.

As another young rising star – having even earned comparisons to Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, as per O’Rourke – it certainly bodes well for the impact that the Gambian make, should he be plucked from obscurity.

Solanke upgrade: Spurs scout "one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga"

The goalscoring machine would be an excellent addition to Spurs’ squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 18, 2025

Manchester United are now in pole position to sign one of European football’s most in-demand players after holding positive initial talks, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

United falter once more against Wolves

After what has already been one of the most dismal campaigns in the club’s history, Manchester United’s season hit a new low on Sunday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford. A spectacular free-kick from Pablo Sarabia proved the difference, taking Wolves’ winning streak to five and moving them level on points with United in the Premier League table.

The loss also confirmed a grim milestone for the Red Devils: even if they win all of their remaining five matches, they will still end the season with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally – unable to surpass the 58-point finish recorded under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick in 2021/22.

Speaking after the defeat, Amorim reflected on United’s struggles, telling BBC Match of the Day: “This season is going to end like this, so we need to take the positives and work on what we need to improve.”

The Portuguese manager also hinted at significant changes ahead during the summer transfer window, indicating that recruitment will be a key focus.

Amorim must axe Man Utd dud who makes them look like they’re playing with 10

Manchester United fell to yet another Premier League defeat against Wolves this afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 20, 2025

“We have to look at everything — our squad, what we have to do in the market. We will see,” he said. “We talk every day about next season, and with time, we will get what we need to improve the team.”

United lead race for Wolves star Cunha

One player who could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer is Wolves’ very-own Matheus Cunha. While the Brazilian didn’t find the net in Wolves’ win over United at the weekend, he’s been the standout performer at Molineux this season. His 14 Premier League goals — many of them stunning long-range efforts — along with four assists, have been instrumental in keeping Wolves clear of relegation trouble.

Games played

26

Goals

14

Assists

4

Progressive carries

95

Progressive passes

119

Pass accuracy

71%

Take-ons completed

55

Despite signing a new deal with the club back in February, Cunha’s eye-catching form has put him firmly on the radar of several top-flight clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest. According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, however, it’s United who currently lead the chase for his signature.

Writing on X on Monday, Romano revealed that initial talks between Cunha and United have been positive, with personal terms already being discussed. He also noted that United are fully aware of growing interest from other clubs — as well as Cunha’s £62.5 million release clause.

Speaking about Cunha back in November, former Premier League defender turned pundit Micah Richards described him as “absolutely sensational”.

Manchester United lost for the 16th time in the Premier League this season when they were beaten 4-3 by Brentford away from home at the weekend.

The Red Devils have endured a dismal domestic campaign, under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, and are just two points ahead of 17th in the table.

There is the mitigation of their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League, though, and that may have had an impact on the manager’s team selection for this match, as the likes of Chido Obi Martin, Tyler Fredricson, and Harry Amass were named in the starting XI.

Obi Martin, 17, made his full Premier League debut and was given the full 90 minutes by Amorim, but was, unfortunately, unable to find the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Brentford’s forwards, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade, and Bryan Mbeumo caught the eye in an excellent win for the Bees against Manchester United on Sunday.

Mbeumo, in particular, is a player who is reportedly of interest to the club. It was recently claimed that the Brentford star and Wolves forward Matheus Cunha are both targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Why Mbeumo and Cunha are attractive targets for Manchester United

The headline is that both Mbeumo and Cunha are proven Premier League performers who have shown that they can contribute with goals and assists at that level on a consistent basis.

This suggests that they would be more likely to hit the ground running and be successful signings for Manchester United compared to a signing from abroad with no prior experience of the English top-flight.

Mbeumo has produced 18 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions for Brentford so far this season, which speaks to the goal threat that he can provide at the top end of the pitch.

The Cameroon international has scored eight or more goals in each of the past four seasons in all competitions since the Bees were promoted to the top-flight.

Meanwhile, Cunha has caught the eye with his performances for Wolves in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, as he has showcased his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate.

Appearances

30

2

1

xG

7.94

N/A

N/A

Goals

15

2

0

Big chances created

12

2

0

Key passes per game

1.8

2.5

0

Assists

6

0

0

As you can see in the table above, the Brazil international has racked up 17 goals and six assists for the Old Gold, including 15 goals in the Premier League.

These statistics show why Cunha and Mbeumo are both attractive options for United this summer because they have both provided their respective teams with plenty of goals and assists this season.

However, the Red Devils are also reportedly interested in an even more prolific forward from abroad who could come in to bolster the club’s attacking options.

Manchester United in regular contact over deal for Bundesliga star

According to The Boot Room, Manchester United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move for RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea are also keeping tabs on the Slovenian marksman, and that they had scouts in attendance to watch him score against Bayern Munich at the weekend.

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It states that a move to England to play in the Premier League is the most ‘likely’ outcome for the Leipzig sensation this summer, as his representatives are currently in talks with multiple clubs.

The Boot Room adds that Manchester United and Newcastle United are in regular contact with the player’s agents ahead of a potential swoop for his services in the coming months.

INEOS must push to win the race for Sesko, who is reportedly valued at £60m by Leipzig, because he is even more prolific than Cunha and Mbeumo and could be an excellent addition to Amorim’s squad.

Why Manchester United should sign Benjamin Sesko

Firstly, the Slovenia international is only 21 and would come in as a long-term option for the Portuguese head coach, as a player who has plenty of time left to develop and improve.

He is four years younger than both Mbeumo and Cunha, who are both 25, and this suggests that he has more scope to grow and progress as a footballer during his time at Old Trafford, whilst also having the quality to provide goals in the short-term.

The 21-year-old marksman has also outscored the Brentford and Wolves forwards with a return of 21 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig this season, which shows that he is more prolific in the final third.

Sesko, who was once dubbed a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been in fine form for Leipzig in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, showcasing his lethal finishing at the top level.

Appearances

31

8

xG

9.87

3.57

Goals

13

4

Big chances created

5

0

Assists

5

0

As you can see in the table above, the £60m-rated ‘monster’ has been incredibly clinical in those two competitions, with 17 goals from between 13 and 14 Expected Goals.

Sesko has proven that he knows how to find the back of the net on the European stage and in one of Europe’s major leagues, as well as scoring four goals in the DFB Pokal, and this suggests that United would be signing a striker who is in-form and able to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

Of course, he has not played in the Premier League, or in England at all, and that could make him a riskier addition than Mbeumo or Cunha, who are currently thriving in the division.

But his goalscoring record across all competitions and his age profile suggest that it would be a high-risk, high-reward, signing for the Red Devils, which is why they should take a gamble on him and attempt to win the race for the impressive young forward in the summer transfer window.

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Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal Premier League campaign continued on Sunday when they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Crystal Palace in front of their own supporters.

A double from England international Eberechi Eze, who scored either side of half-time, wrapped up the three points for the away side, who could have had even more.

Ange Postecoglou did, however, make a host of changes to his starting line-up, possibly to rest players ahead of the Europa League final later this month, but not many of those coming in advanced their claims for more minutes.

There were plenty of players who failed to step up and are now in danger of losing their place in the team, or of not getting another chance to impress in the coming weeks.

On the flip side, however, one player who has improved his chances of breaking into the starting line-up moving forward is goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, after his impressive display against the Eagles.

Why Antonin Kinsky has created a problem for next season

The Czechia youth international was brought into the side to give the number one, Guglielmo Vicario, a rest ahead of the Europa League final.

Signed from Sparta Prague in January, the shot-stopper already knows that he will not be in the team that faces Manchester United because he was not included in the squad for the Europa League for the knockout stages.

However, his performance against Crystal Palace showed that he has the quality to create a problem for Postecoglou next season, because he is good enough to challenge for the number one position in the Premier League.

Kinsky made eight saves and prevented 1.32 xG in the defeat to Palace, which shows that he prevented an absolute drubbing by the Eagles, and the youngster may feel like he did enough to at least make the manager think about him moving forward.

Sofascore rating

8.9

Touches

50

Pass accuracy

68%

Saves

8

Goals prevented

1.32

Run-outs completed

1/1

High claims

2

Error led to shot or goal

0

As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old star kept the scoreline down with a string of important saves, whilst also coming out to deal with balls in behind and crosses into the box, without making any errors.

Whereas, Vicario has made two errors that have led to shots and one error that has led to a goal in his last five appearances in all competitions, which shows that he has not been a reliable presence between the sticks of late.

This suggests that Kinsky has done enough to at least create doubt in Postecoglou’s mind for that position, as he could turn out to be a more reliable goalkeeper than the Italian heading into next season, which means that he could seriously challenge for the number one role.

On the flip side of that, Rodrigo Bentancur, who took even fewer touches (17) than Kinsky, was hooked at half-time in the defeat to Palace, and he should be ruthlessly ditched from the team by the Australian head coach.

Why Rodrigo Bentancur should be dropped

The former Juventus star was named in the starting XI after being left as an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the last Premier League game, although he did feature from the start away at Bodo/Glimt.

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Bentancur, however, failed to strengthen his case for a starting berth against Manchester United in the Europa League final as he put in a dismal first-half display that might put some doubt in the manager’s mind when it comes to selecting that vital line-up.

Minutes

45

Touches

17

Pass accuracy

71%

Shots

0

Key passes

0

Tackles + interceptions

0

Duels won

1/4

As you can see in the table above, the Uruguay international lost 75% of his duels and only completed 71% of his passes, which shows that he was loose in his use of the ball and struggled to keep up with the pace and physicality of the game out of possession.

Postecoglou opted to withdraw him from the match at the break, replaced by Yves Bissouma, and it is hard to argue with that decision when you look at what Bentancur did, or did not, offer in the opening 45.

The former Serie A star should, now, be ruthlessly ditched by Postecoglou for the trip to Aston Villa next time out in the Premier League, which will be the last match before the Europa League final.

That would then provide Bissouma with an opportunity to prove to the manager that he deserves to be in the starting XI for the final ahead of Bentancur.

The Mali international completed 87% of his passes and won three of his seven duels in the second half against Palace, which shows that he offered more in and out of possession than his teammate did in the opening 45.

Bissouma has greater athleticism in comparison to Bentancur and has the mobility to cover more ground and win more duels in the final against United, which is why Postecoglou should be concerned by the Uruguayan losing 75% of his duels against Palace.

As you can see in the clip against Brentford above, the former Brighton ace can start attacks with his ability to make recovery runs to win possession back for his side.

Appearances

26

24

Tackles per game

1.8

1.6

Dribbled past per game

0.6x

0.8x

Ground duels won per game

2.8

2.3

Ground duel success rate

51%

42%

As shown in the statistics above, Bissouma is better than Bentancur when it comes to being dominant in duels on the deck, as the ex-Juventus man has lost the majority of his ground duels in the Premier League.

It has also been an issue in the Europa League because Bentancur has been dribbled past 1.3 times per game on average, compared to Bissouma’s 0.3 times per match. This suggests that opposition midfielders find it harder to get by the Mali international, due to his strength in duels.

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Therefore, Postecoglou should drop the Uruguay international from the team for the clash with Villa to provide his midfield teammate with a chance to impress ahead of the final.

Tottenham Hotspur are first in line for a highly-rated player this summer, thanks to a special agreement struck by chairman Daniel Levy, with the man in question set for the final say on a move to north London.

Tottenham break record for most Premier League losses in a season

On Sunday, a brace from Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze doomed Spurs to a 2-0 defeat at home and subsequently handed Ange Postecoglou an unwanted record.

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Following the loss to Oliver Glasner’s side, Tottenham have now broken their all-time record for most defeats in a single Premier League campaign, with the Lilywhites chalking up a miserable 20 top-flight losses on Postecoglou’s watch.

Son Heung-min

7.05

Pedro Porro

6.98

James Maddison

6.98

Dominic Solanke

6.88

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“Yeah, look, I get it and people are banging the drum about this record with defeats, but if people don’t see there is a correlation between the two, I am not going to sit here and…it’s not exactly Pythagoras’ theorem,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s unwanted record of defeats and their looming European final.

“It’s quite simple to understand we would have had much better results if we didn’t have to navigate this. So, either you understand or you don’t and beat us over the head, I get it.

“I am not happy with the way we performed today, so that’s what I look at.”

While Spurs find themselves in the Europa League final, and could well save their tepid season with a first piece of major silverware in 17 years, not to mention qualification for the Champions League next season, 20 defeats in the league is simply inexcusable for a big six side.

Tottenham’s manager was forced to deal with a historically bad injury crisis midway through the campaign, which undoubtedly crippled his chances of success, but some reports suggest Postecoglou is set to leave Spurs at the end of the season – regardless of their success in the Europa League.

Whoever Levy lands on to succeed the Australian, it is crystal clear that the north Londoners are in dire need of strength in depth, even if the club face a challenging transfer window where they could be forced to adopt a sell-to-buy policy (The Telegraph).

Competition is set to be rife for the continent’s most in-demand targets, with Tottenham among the contenders to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who is attracting serious interest from all of their elite Premier League rivals and Europe’s top sides.

Johnny Cardoso set for decision over joining Tottenham after £21m agreement

However, one player who Spurs have the upper hand for, over any other side, is Real Betis star Johnny Cardoso.

Last summer, as part of the deal which saw Giovani Lo Celso join Betis, Levy struck a first-option agreement to sign Cardoso this summer for around £21 million – which they can choose to activate or not.

However, while this puts Postecoglou’s side in pole position above their competitors, his potential transfer to N17 isn’t as cut and dry as the clause.

As per El Desmarque, while this first option becomes valid next month, Cardoso is set for the “last word” over joining Tottenham, so he’s set for a crunch decision as the 23-year-old remains uncertain over his future.

Man United and Atlético Madrid could also come in with offers of their own, while Cardoso’s entourage apparently state he’s very happy in his current surroundings.

He would undoubtedly bolster Tottenham’s midfield given his impressive La Liga performances, but they’re dependent on Cardoso’s last say if a move is to materialise.

Burnley will be playing Premier League football once again next season after they finished second in the Championship to secure promotion back to the big time.

The Clarets finished on a staggering 100 points in the second tier, somehow only finishing second to Leeds United, and are now preparing to build a squad that can avoid an instant relegation from the top-flight.

Scott Parker will need to make some big and tough decisions on players who will leave Turf Moore, and ones who will come in, and one star whose future is uncertain at the moment is Ashley Barnes.

Why Ashley Barnes could be released this summer

The veteran striker signed for the club from Norwich City in the January transfer window and put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season, which means that his current contract is due to expire at the end of next month.

Speaking ahead of the final game of the season, Parker was asked if a decision had been made on the striker: “Not at the moment, no.

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“We’ve not really discussed in great detail next year or certainly how it would look in terms of players’ contracts. We’ve got one game left and that’s been the main focus.

“But Ashley Barnes has been incredible since he’s come in and there’s an opportunity for him at the weekend as well, depending on the decision I make.”

In the weeks since those comments, there has still not been any official confirmation of his release or a new contract, but his limited impact on the pitch could mean that they look elsewhere ahead of a Premier League season.

Barnes ended the campaign with one goal in 21 appearances, including two starts, in the Championship, and the Clarets have been linked with a striker who could be the next version of the veteran forward, George Hirst.

Why George Hirst could be the next Ashley Barnes

Burnley and Leeds are both reportedly interested in signing the Ipswich Town centre-forward after their relegation from the Premier League has already been confirmed, and he could be Barnes 2.0

Barnes joined the Clarets from Brighton at the age of 25, having come up through the lower leagues in League One and the Championship, and went on to score 42 goals in 200 Premier League games for the club.

Like the Burnley icon, Hirst has worked his way up the EFL. He played in League One for Portsmouth and Ipswich and the Championship with Blackburn Rovers and the Tractor Boys, before his first taste of regular top-flight football at the age of 25/26 this season.

Appearances

25

23

Minutes per game

24

35

Goals

3

1

Assists

1

0

Ground duel success rate

33%

34%

Aerial duel success rate

59%

44%

As you can see in the table above, Hirst’s form for Ipswich this season in the Premier League has been more impressive than Barnes’ last outing in the top-flight with the Clarets in the 2021/22 campaign.

These statistics also show that the striker, who was described as “unique” by Kieran McKenna, has the physical attributes to be a Barnes-esque figure for Burnley, particularly with his strength in the air to win flick ons and compete with opposition defenders.

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Hirst, who has scored three goals from 2.13 xG, has the potential to combine physical and technical attributes to be an effective centre-forward at Premier League level if he can kick on with regular minutes, as he only averaged 24 minutes a game behind Liam Delap.

That is why Parker could unearth Burnley’s next Ashley Barnes by signing the experienced striker, who has done the hard work in the lower leagues and could now be given a chance to really show his quality at the top level.