Rahul in sharp touch during indoor training session

He moved his feet well and timed punches and half-drives to perfection, but did not undertake any wicketkeeping drills

S Sudarshanan07-Sep-2023After linking up with the India squad in Colombo on Tuesday, KL Rahul had his first session at the Nondescripts Cricket Club indoor nets on Thursday. Heavy rain accompanied by winds lashed the Sri Lanka capital in the morning, forcing India to have their optional training indoors.Rahul was part of a select group – Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill and Shardul Thakur were the others – that trained under the watchful eyes of head coach Rahul Dravid and batting coach Vikram Rathour. He began with a few throwdowns and batted in rotation with Iyer. There was no visible discomfort as he moved his feet well and timed the punches and half-drives to perfection.Related

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Last leg of Asia Cup matches to be played in Colombo as scheduled

Rahul, who last played an ODI in March, tore a tendon in his right thigh during the IPL and had to undergo surgery in May. He was selected in the Asia Cup squad following extensive rehab at the NCA but was ruled out of the first two matches after picking up a fresh niggle.”KL is looking good. We feel this gives us the best balance to try and do well,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said after Rahul was named in the World Cup squad earlier this week. “With KL, he was part of the camp in Bangalore. He looked really good there and has got over his niggle. He played a couple of games over the last two days. I think he kept for 50 overs and batted for around 50 overs too. So he looks good and we’re happy to have him.”Rahul then got through two sessions of throwdowns, with the second focused primarily on the left-arm over-the-wicket angle with throwdown specialist Nuwan Seneviratne feeding him deliveries. A while later, he ran a few sprints in one of the nets. Rahul, though, did not undertake wicketkeeping drills.Rahul may not have played a competitive game since the start of May, but he remains firmly in India’s plans as their wicketkeeper. With Ishan Kishan scoring a fighting half-century and helping India recover from a shaky start against Pakistan, the choice between him and the returning Rahul will be a tough one.Since the 2019 men’s World Cup, Rahul has averaged 55.64 – behind only Sanju Samson among all keepers to played at least five games in the period – and struck at 97.61 in 18 ODIs as India’s designated wicketkeeper. Agarkar did not reveal if India would leave out Kishan, who brings in the left-hand factor, for India’s Super Fours clash against Pakistan and said, “The captain-coach will sit down and decide what’s best for the team on a given day. We’re happy to have two options who will fight for a place in the team than the other way round.” Gill prepares for round two against Afridi
Rahul aside, Gill had a longish stint in nets, facing throwdowns from Seneviratne. The India opener was kept quiet by the Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah before inside-edging one off Haris Rauf for 10 off 32 balls.Gill was consciously trying to get a stride forward while playing his drives and was mindful of not falling over while playing the flick through the on side. After a stint in the nets, he looked at video footage of his session before proceeding to have another spell.

قبل حضوره الحفل المثير للجدل في كولومبيا.. لويس دياز يكتفي بكلمات عزاء تجاه جوتا

تحدث لويس دياز، لاعب فريق ليفربول، عن زميله الراحل ديوجو جوتا، الذي رحل عن عالمنا صباح يوم الخميس الماضي، في صدمة بالغة هزت الأوساط الرياضية.

وفُجعت الأوساط الرياضية بخبر وفاة ديوجو جوتا، في الساعات الأولى من صباح يوم الخميس الماضي، رفقة شقيقه إثر حادث سيارة مؤلم في إسبانيا.

وأبدت جماهير ليفربول غضبها تجاه لويس دياز، ليس فقط كونه لم يكن حاضرًا في جنازة ديوجو جوتا أمس، بل لظهوره كذلك في حفل خاص للمشاهير في كولومبيا (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

من جانبه، قال لويس دياز في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “الأمر صعب للغاية، من الواضح ذلك، من الصعب جدًا معرفة أخبار كهذه، أليس كذلك؟!”.

وأضاف: “أول ما تفعله عند الاستيقاظ هو مشاهدة الأخبار، هو أمر محزن للغاية بسبب ما حدث، بصراحة، لقد فوجئنا جميعًا، لا أعتقد أن أحدًا مستعد لذلك النوع من الأخبار”.

وواصل: “كان زميلي في الفريق، كان له دور أساسي في وصولي إلى ليفربول، حيث رحبت بي عائلته، ورحب بي هو كذلك، أصبحنا أصدقاءً مقربين، كانت بيننا منافسة قوية ووطيدة، كان لاعبًا مهمًا”.

وأردف: “أتمنى أن يرقد في سلام، أتمنى القوة لعائلته وزوجته وأولاده، الحقيقة أنهم يعانون بشدة من ذلك الخبر المروع، أتذكر لفتته الطيبة تجاهي، ستبقى تلك اللفتة محفورة في ذاكرتي”.

ويقصد لويس دياز ما فعله جوتا تجاهه بعدما تعرض والد ووالدة الكولومبي لعملية خطف، وسانده البرتغالي بكل قوة.

وشدد: “أود فقط أن أدعو له بالرحمة، أحمل في قلبي صديقًا عزيزًا سيظل في ذاكرة فريقه وعائلته وأصدقائه وكل من تركه خلفه”.

جاءت تصريحات لويس دياز قبل ساعات من ظهوره المثير في الحفل الراقص، الذي أثار جدلًا واسعًا بين جماهير ليفربول.

Ex-Arsenal star eyed by West Ham for surprise summer switch as £20m fee is mooted after initial talks

West Ham are considering a move for Aaron Ramsdale this summer after holding talks with the Southampton goalkeeper, per a new report.

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  • Ex-Arsenal 'keeper now at Southampton
  • Relegated to Championship with Saints
  • Hammers interested in stopper
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Per talkSPORT, West Ham have held talks with Southampton 'keeper Ramsdale over a deal to bring him to east London. The Saints have dropped into the Championship and he is keen to stay in the Premier League as he bids to nail down a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Southampton reportedly want around £20 million ($27m) if they are to allow Ramsdale to leave the club. He earns around £100,000-per-week, and it is unclear if the Hammers would be willing to match that. Lukasz Fabianski has departed the club, but Alphonse Areola remains their No.1.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Ramsdale has won five England caps but he endured a truly terrible season with the Saints as they finished rock-bottom of the Premier League. The 27-year-old made 30 appearances and only kept three clean sheets; he conceded 66 goals in total.

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    WHAT NEXT?

    Ramsdale, who played 89 times for Arsenal, will hope to complete a move to a Premier League club this summer. Whether he lands at West Ham remains to be seen.

Chelsea have struck gold on "monster" who's worth millions more than Quenda

Rightly or wrongly, it has become clear what the transfer approach now is at Chelsea under the Todd Boehly regime – youth.

Gone are the days of signing the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, the Blues now appear intent on scouring the globe for the best young talents, with the aim of achieving long-term ambitions while also enjoying short-term success.

Highest valued midfielders in the Premier League (timeless)

Remarkably, the oldest outfield player to have featured for the west London side this season is Tosin Adarabioyo, aged just 27, with it clear that the club are now prioritising potential over experience when it comes to their transfer dealings.

The Stamford Bridge outfit appear to be leading the way when it comes to planning for the future, a fact showcased by the signings of Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian in 2023 and 2024, respectively, with the South American duo set to belatedly arrive in England this summer.

It could well become the norm for Blues supporters to have to wait to see marquee acquisitions like the teenage pair in action, with that patience set to also be required following the latest capture of Geovany Quenda.

The latest on Chelsea's move for Quenda

Reports at the tail-end of the January window suggested that Manchester United were looking at signing the Portuguese sensation this summer, with Ruben Amorim keen on reuniting with his compatriot after handing the young winger his debut earlier in the campaign.

Almost out of nowhere, however, it was Boehly and co who secretly pounced to prise the 17-year-old from Sporting CP, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano breaking the story on Thursday night that Quenda is set to sign for the Blues.

As per The Athletic, the Sporting academy graduate has been signed for a fee of around €50m (£42m), although he won’t actually join Enzo Maresca’s ranks until 2026, instead remaining in Lisbon for the entirety of next season.

As per Romano, a key feature in Chelsea’s ability to win the race for his signature was the fact that they view him as an out and out forward, rather than a wing-back – a role he would likely have had to play had he reunited with Amorim at Old Trafford.

All the signs point to Quenda proving worth the wait, with the fleet-footed speedster having already been called up by his county at senior level, while registering ten goal involvements in 44 games for his current side.

Stat (*per game)

Record

Games

26

Goals

1

Big chances missed

4

Assists

4

Big chances created

10

Key passes*

1.9

Pass accuracy*

82%

Successful dribbles*

1.2

Possession lost*

12.6x

That said, neither Quenda – nor the likes of Estevao – will necessarily be able to just stroll into Maresca’s side on the flanks, with a certain Noni Madueke likely to have a thing or two to say about that.

Chelsea have struck gold on their attacking "monster"

It could be argued that one area of the pitch Chelsea don’t desperately need to strengthen is on the flanks, with Maresca already boasting the likes of Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Madueke, while Cole Palmer can also slot in on the right flank when required.

Market Movers

Indeed, while he is currently sidelined with injury, Madueke had largely made that right-hand side his own in the early months of the campaign, with the Englishman registering ten goals and assists in just 23 league games.

Signed from PSV Eindhoven on a £29m deal back in January 2023, the one-time Tottenham Hotspur academy star hasn’t always been the go-to man in attack, although, after a fine start to 2024/25, it had looked like he’d “pretty much nailed that position down”, according to talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy.

Also described as “one of Chelsea’s most dangerous players” by Cundy, it would be fair to say that Chelsea were dealt a blow when Madueke was struck down by injury, having now missed the last three league games.

Set to return after the international break, the 23-year-old had forced his way into the England reckoning in the Autumn due to his standout showings, offering a genuine rival to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka on the right wing.

Noni Madueke

Much like his fellow left-footer, Saka, the Chelsea man is such a menace due to his ball-carrying prowess, showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 3% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, as well as in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area, per 90.

A constant threat in the final third, it is no surprise that Madueke – who was dubbed a “mentality monster” by private coach, Saul Isaksson-Hurst – has seen his valuation soar of late, with CIES Football Observatory noting that he could now be worth as much as £77m.

That is not only a significant increase on what the Blues paid for him over two years ago, but it is also millions more than the £42m fee dished out on Quenda, a player CIES deem to be worth around £18m.

As such, while excitement will be rife over the eventual arrivals of Estevao and Quenda, the Stamford Bridge side shouldn’t ignore what the likes of Madueke are already producing under Maresca’s watch.

Chelsea already signed a bigger star than Quenda in "world-class talent"

Chelsea have reportedly pounced to sign Sporting CP sensation, Geovany Quenda, ahead of their Premier League rivals

ByRobbie Walls Mar 14, 2025

Internacional pode fechar a rodada como vice-líder do Brasileirão; veja o cenário

MatériaMais Notícias

Em bom momento sob o comando de Mano Menezes, o Internacional começa a ganhar corpo na segunda parte da temporada.

– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

Se na Sul-Americana o time está nas quartas de final, agora o foco é subir no Campeonato Brasileiro.

No momento, o time de Mano Menezes aparece na 5ª posição, com 25 pontos, um a menos que o Corinthians, 4º colocado e dois a menos que Atlético-MG e Athletico, 3º e 2º colocado respectivamente.

Para ficar com a vice-liderança do torneio nacional, o Internacional precisa fazer a sua parte e torcer pelos tropeços dos rivais. Veja o desafio de cada time:

Athletico: Goiás – fora

Atlético-MG: São Paulo – casa

Corinthians: Flamengo – casa

Internacional: América-MG – casa

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India's home season to begin on January 3 with Sri Lanka T20Is

Dates and venues announced for home series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2022

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have a busy start to 2023•Associated Press

India’s home international season is scheduled to begin on January 3 with a T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka, a week after their ongoing tour of Bangladesh ends on December 26. That will be followed by another ODI and T20I series in January, against New Zealand, followed by four Tests and three ODIs against Australia in February and March before the IPL.India host Sri Lanka for three T20Is in Mumbai (January 3), Pune (January 5) and Rajkot (January 7), and three ODIs in Guwahati (January 10), Kolkata (January 12) and Thiruvananthapuram (January 15).New Zealand’s tour of India begins three days later, on January 18, with an ODI in Hyderabad before the teams travel to Raipur for the second game on January 21, and Indore for the third match on January 24. The Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, will become India’s latest international venue when it hosts the second ODI against New Zealand. The city had previously staged home games of Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2013 and 2015.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

India also play three T20Is against New Zealand in Ranchi, Lucknow and Ahmedabad on January 27 and 29 and February 1. This will be India’s second limited-overs series at home against New Zealand in the last 14 months; they had visited immediately after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the UAE in November 2021. India had also toured New Zealand for T20Is and ODIs in November this year, immediately after the end of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.A week after the end of the home series against New Zealand, India will take on Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy – the marquee event of India’s home season. Nagpur will host the first Test from February 9; Delhi is the venue for the second Test starting on February 17; Dharamsala will stage the third match from March 1; and Ahmedabad will host the series finale from March 9. India are the current holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the 2020-21 series 2-1 in Australia. The series is also crucial for India’s qualification for the World Test Championship final.The four Tests against Australia will be followed by three ODIs in Mumbai (March 17), Visakhapatnam (March 19) and Chennai (March 22). It will mean that India play nine ODIs at home before the IPL, a crucial part of their build up towards the ODI World Cup at home in October and November next year.

Crystal Palace now on red alert in race to sign "fantastic" PL midfielder

In a move that could see them add to the arrival of Romain Esse, Crystal Palace are now reportedly on red alert in the race to sign one particular Premier League midfielder for Oliver Glasner.

Crystal Palace transfer news

The Eagles have already seen just how much of an instant impact January arrivals can make after Esse scored with his first touch in a Crystal Palace shirt last time out. Despite eventual defeat at the hands of Brentford, there’s no denying that the young midfielder has enjoyed an excellent start at Selhurst Park.

He may not be the only debutant that those in South London have the chance to witness in the coming weeks, however, with the rumours coming thick and fast towards the end of the summer transfer window. Names such as Ben Chilwell have been among those to be mentioned in recent headlines, as the Chelsea left-back looks to end what has become a nightmare at Stamford Bridge.

Barrow's Dean Campbell in action with Chelsea's BenChilwell

With Tyrick Mitchell yet to put pen to paper on a new deal and, therefore, heading for the exit door this summer, signing an experienced replacement certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Chilwell may not be the only Premier League ace to arrive either. According to GiveMeSport, Crystal Palace are now on red alert in the race to sign James McAtee from Manchester City this month after Bayer Leverkusen opted out of chasing the midfielder’s signature.

Instead opting to sign Emiliano Buendia on loan from Aston Villa, Leverkusen’s choice has left the door ajar for Crystal Palace to make their move in the coming days and secure another impressive young talent.

Crystal Palace join big race to sign "wonderful" star club may have to sell

The Eagles face plenty of competition…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 29, 2025

The question that remains is whether Manchester City will be willing to show McAtee the door following an impressive spell of form amid their growing injury problems. Whether the Eagles push for an answer to that question before Monday’s deadline remains to be seen.

"Fantastic" McAtee needs prominent role

Just as Cole Palmer did and the likes of Jadon Sancho and Romeo Lavia did before him, McAtee needs a starting role that he is unlikely to get at Manchester City. If Crystal Palace or others come calling, then the 22-year-old would be wise to follow in Palmer’s path in pursuit of stardom.

Praised by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for a “fantastic” start to 2025 after scoring a hat-trick in an 8-0 thrashing of Salford in the FA Cup, McAtee is rapidly becoming a player to watch at The Etihad amid growing questions over his immediate future at the club.

As Kulig reiterated, there’s no doubt that McAtee has the talent to become a key starter at a number of Premier League sides with Crystal Palace certainly among those.

Yorkshire block for survival as Roses rivalry takes on an autumnal feel

Pragmatic refusal of risky chase annoys Lancashire but improves survival prospects

Paul Edwards08-Sep-2022
The 277th Roses match ended at Emirates Old Trafford this evening when rain interrupted Yorkshire’s studious non-pursuit of 302 in 84 overs to beat Lancashire. Rarely can a county have shown so little interest in a target. When the players came off the field for the final time, the visitors were 102 for 3 after 63.2 overs with Tom Kohler-Cadmore on 34 not out after resisting 159 balls and Will Fraine unbeaten on 18 after blocking to death 83 deliveries. It was a low-key conclusion to a match that had been significantly interrupted on its first three days and played on a sleepy pitch whose lifelessness was only truly transcended by the brilliance of Luke Wells on the third afternoon.However, context is all and Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson was quick to defend his side after a result that keeps them in sixth place in Division One, 25 points ahead of eleventh-placed Warwickshire with both teams having three games to play. In other words, Gibson’s team are not yet safe from relegation but they are a damn sight safer than they would have been if they had risked a dart at the target with an under-strength batting order and cocked the job up. Did the fourth innings of this game make for tough watching at times? Certainly. Did it make tactical sense in the context of a six-month season. Yes to that, too.Understandably, perhaps, Lancashire’s head coach, Glen Chapple took a different view. “We set them 302 in 84 overs which for me is 50-50 game,” he said. “I don’t know what more you can do. It was a flat enough pitch to block if you wanted to but that was a fair target. We’d have got 300 on that no problem, but we can’t judge how positive teams are going to be.””I’m proud of the lads with the way we batted today,” Gibson responded. “Another team could have capitulated today.”But maybe we could all profit in these fervid times from celebrating a game that is comfortable with contrasting tempi and diverse formats. “It is on T20 nights like these where…the true Roses match increasingly resides,” wrote my colleague David Hopps in June as he reviewed Lancashire’s four-run victory in the Vitality Blast. Perhaps so, but maybe the indefinite article would have been a wiser word-choice.For while the Roses match does, indeed, have a secure home on those hot summer nights, it also belongs to this late afternoon in early September with Championship points at stake, rain threatening and spinners like Tom Hartley and Matt Parkinson probing like malevolent dentists. Blast or Champo? It is not a binary choice. Help yourself to both and let us hope the current integrity of both competitions is not polluted by unnecessary reform, well-meaning or otherwise.And the crowd at Emirates Old Trafford did have some biff and bang to amuse them on this high-clouded Mancunian day. That was on offer when Lancashire scored 77 runs in ten overs before the declaration this morning for the loss of Dane Vilas, bowled by Dom Bess for 28, and George Lavelle, caught by Will Fraine off Jonny Tattersall for a single. However, the home side’s batting order has had a vaguely Hanoverian aspect of late, so George Balderson succeeded Lavelle on a day that had already seen Vilas shovel the ball directly behind him and Tattersall take the second – and last? – first-class wicket of his career.The random eccentricities continued when Lyth was dropped at short-leg by Josh Bohannon off the first ball of Yorkshire’s innings but neither the suffering bowler, Tom Bailey, nor Will Williams could make any immediate breakthroughs with the new ball. Indeed, it was the 12th over before Lyth’s careless drive nicked a catch to Lavelle and Lancashire’s morning got much better twenty minutes later when George Hill edged Tom Hartley to second slip, where Vilas took a sharp catch.In retrospect, though, Yorkshire’s lunch score of 30 for two represented their weakest moment of the day. For over an hour in the afternoon session Fin Bean batted with perfect composure to make 25 in two hours and it took a ball that bounced high out of the rough from Tom Hartley to bring about his downfall, George Lavelle taking the catch to complete a dismissal that heartened the watching Simon Sutcliffe, the former Warwickshire bowler who coached both Hartley and Lavelle at Merchant Taylor’s School, Crosby.”I think Fin’s had a very good debut,” said Gibson. “Even though he didn’t go on and get a hundred or a fifty, he faced a lot of balls and spent a lot of time in the middle. Those innings will do the world for him going forwards into the rest of the season.”Bean did indeed bat well twice in this match and his innings on the final afternoon set the tone for Kohler-Cadmore and Fraine’s stroke-starved siege. When their opponents were 81 for 3 after 48 overs, Lancashire asked for the ball to be changed but that is generally a certain sign that the fielding side does not like the shape of the game. Yorkshire were 84 for 3 at tea, at which point Kohler-Cadmore and Fraine’s stand had yielded 17 runs in 19 overs. On the resumption another 18 were scored in 10.2 overs before a shower of rain interrupted play and, as we soon discovered, ended the whole shebang.

WATCH: USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino hammers Golden Spike ahead of Atlanta United’s home clash against New England Revolution

The Argentine participated in Atlanta United's iconic Golden Spike tradition before their home game against the Revolution

Pochettino hammers the Golden Spike at Mercedes-Benz StadiumUSMNT coach receives warm welcome from Atlanta United supportersArgentine latest in a long line of celebrities to strike the Golden SpikeGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowAFPWHAT HAPPENED

Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the U.S. Men's National Team, took part in Atlanta United's pre-match Golden Spike ceremony before their game against New England Revolution at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Pochettino was introduced to the crowd and was serenaded by chants of "USA, USA, USA" as he walked up the podium to hammer the spike. Post that, the Argentine signed a few autographs and took photos with fans as he walked off the podium and back into the stands.

AdvertisementWHAT ATLANTA UNITED POSTEDTHE BIGGER PICTURE

This season Atlanta United has invited Hollywood star David Harbour, Khori Louis, Mia Tuaniga and Merritt Beason from the Atlanta Vibe, Linda Cardellini, Zaytoven and Trinidad James to strike the spike. It has become an iconic Atlanta tradition since 2017 where a pre-selected ATLien is given a hammer that was signed by the club's faithful supporters and strikes a spike placed near the home stand.

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Getty Images SportWHAT’s NEXT?

Following their 1-0 home loss to the New England Revolution, Atlanta United drop to 11th place on the Eastern Conference table with just 9 points after 8 league games. They sit well behind Conference leaders Charlotte FC (16) and face Philadelphia Union next on the road on April 19. After that, go back on the road to face Orlando City on April 26.

Aston Villa chasing move for "unstoppable" £25m Jhon Duran replacement

Aston Villa fans will be hoping that January is a far more straightforward month for their side in terms of wins being collected, with December proving to be a topsy-turvy period for those with connections to the Villans.

Whilst there were impressive victories over the likes of Manchester City, Unai Emery’s men were also on the receiving end of a bruising defeat here and there, seen in two 3-0 defeats at the hands of Chelsea and Newcastle United.

Therefore, a priority in this transfer window could be to strengthen at the back to ensure more depressing losses don’t come their way, but Villa look to be on the hunt for even more explosive firepower up top.

Aston Villa reignite interest in "unstoppable" attacker

As per a report by the Daily Mail, Villa look set to rekindle their interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Donyell Malen this January, with the Dutchman valued in and around the £25m mark.

The report goes on to state that the Premier League side are looking at around three new additions to attempt to boost morale, with the West Midlands outfit lingering in a below-par ninth spot in the division currently.

Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen celebrates

The 25-year-old’s arrival on the scene would no doubt raise the entertainment levels up a notch at Villa Park, having once been described as “unstoppable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig when making a name for himself as a goal machine playing in his native country.

This interest being reignited in Malen could signal a potential departure for Jhon Duran, which would be a devastating blow for Emery and Co to take, but one that would be softened by the Dortmund ace entering the building.

What Malen could offer Aston Villa

Much like the enthralling Duran, Malen has a reputation for being a deadlier finisher wherever he’s been across his career to date.

Indeed, the former Arsenal youth player was a hit at PSV Eindhoven before a major move to the Bundesliga opened up for him, with 55 strikes buried from 116 total contests.

Not all of those goals were typical striker-like finishes, however, as can be seen from an outrageous strike for PSV back in 2020, which must have caught Dortmund’s eye.

He has since picked up an impressive 39 goals and 20 assists playing for the German giants, with Dortmund getting a lot of joy out of the 25-year-old when playing him as a winger over lining up him as a traditional centre-forward, which shows off a versatility Emery will likely be a fan of.

Malen’s career numbers by position

Position played

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

`CF

138

70

26

LW

88

19

14

RW

77

34

13

AM

5

1

0

SS

4

0

2

Sourced by Transfermarkt

Looking at the table above, Malen is an extremely adaptable figure in attack, with his game not too dissimilar to Luiz Diaz – another versatile figure – according to FBref’s similar player’s tool.

Across the last year, the Dutchman matches his Colombian counterpart in many different areas with both players boasting similar shot numbers per game at 3.30 and 3.17 respectively, alongside always being able to receive a ball and make something happen with 9.96 progressive passes being received by Malen over the last year next to Diaz’s 10.16.

Donyell Malen for Borussia Dortmund.

Whilst it doesn’t feel a top priority for Emery to recruit more entertaining forward players, Villa will have to be prepared that a team could soon wildly come in for Duran, considering his excellent 12-goal return this season.

Therefore, Malen could be the answer, offering the top-flight side a contingency plan if Duran does surprisingly depart, and further gifting them even more options down either wing.

Aston Villa could save millions by unleashing teen who's outscoring Rogers

Unai Emery will love the look of this Aston Villa starlet.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jan 1, 2025

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