Zak Crawley hits fifty after being dropped on nought before unbroken stand condemns Middlesex
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Apr-2025
Ben Compton and Tawanda Muyeye put on a matchwinning stand•Ian Scammell
Tawanda Muyeye and Ben Compton both hit centuries as Kent coasted to an eight-wicket run win over Middlesex in the Rothesay County Championship at Canterbury on Sunday.Muyeye made a fluent unbeaten 125 and Compton a stylish 124 not out in a record-breaking partnership worth 225, after England’s Zak Crawley showed a glimpse of form with 58, having being dropped on nought.Earlier Middlesex were all out for 311, setting Kent what looked like a stiff target of 316 to win. Ben Geddes made 75 and Zafar Gohar contributed 57 down the order, but Gohar was the only visiting bowler to enjoy any success, claiming two wickets in two balls to reduce Kent to 91 for 2. That, however, was as good as it got for the visitors and Compton hit the winning single with 5.4 overs of day three remaining.Middlesex began the day in a strong position on 222 for 6 and with a 226-run lead in the bank, but they lost Geddes early when he pulled Jack Leaning to the backward square leg boundary and was caught by a tumbling Joey Evison, having added just two to his overnight score.Blake Cullen made a useful 22 and saw off eight overs of the new ball before he edged Grant Stewart to Daniel Bell-Drummond at first slip.Stewart then got Toby Roland-Jones lbw for a fifth-ball duck but the last wicket duo of Gohar and Henry Brookes milked the bowlers for 39 runs.Gohar pulled Gilchrist for a huge six to take the lead past 300 and only perished when he cut the same bowler to Jas Singh on the backward point boundary.There was an eerie silence when Crawley, on nought in the first over, edged Roland-Jones to Geddes, who dropped him at third slip. He then drove Roland-Jones for successive fours, edged one through gully, clipped a six over midwicket and looked largely unmolested on his way to the fifty he reached by sweeping Gohar to third man for four.Gohar, however, undid him in his next over, with a ball that pitched near middle and spun back to hit his off stump. Bell-Drummond went to the very next ball, bowled by a delivery that pitched outside and hit off. Yet Muyeye blocked the hat-trick ball and at tea Kent looked favourites on 164 for 2.A pitch that looked so demonic on day one seemed to have been exorcised. Gohar switched ends and switched back again. Muyeye creamed Brookes for a six over square leg that ended up in the car park and drove Gafar through mid-off to reach his hundred.Bowling at Compton’s head proved futile and he cut Gohar through point for four to reach three figures, by which stage Middlesex seemed drained of hope.Muyeye seemed in a hurry to get it done in three days, dumping Gohar into the upper deck of the Cowdrey stand for a huge six.It was the highest ever third-wicket partnership for Kent v Middlesex, eclipsing the 196 made by both Bob Wilson and Colin Cowdrey in 1954 and David Fulton and Matt Walker in 2004.Compton staked his claim for a place in Kent’s Blast side by hitting the same bowler for a maximum over long-on, for only the sixth six of his career and he had the honour of hitting the winning run when he nudged Nathan Fernandes through mid-off.
While they didn’t exactly kick off their Premier League campaign in style, Chelsea got back on track with their thumping win away to West Ham United on Friday night.
The fans will be expecting Enzo Maresca’s side to do even better than last season this year, and rightly so, as the board have more than done their part over the last few months by significantly strengthening the side.
The likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and more all look like great buys, and with a week to go until the window slams shut, the West Londoners seem intent on bringing in more talent.
One of the players who now seems almost sure to join the club is Alejandro Garnacho, although if reports are to be believed, the Blues could be set to sign another international ace who’d keep him out of the team.
Chelsea target Garnacho upgrade
Chelsea’s interest in Garnacho has been a longstanding one, with reports touting him for a move to the club back in the winter window.
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Things have significantly progressed this summer, though, with the Manchester United ace reportedly rejecting other clubs to join the Blues, so long as a deal can be worked out between the two sides.
The Madrid-born gem would undoubtedly add dynamism and more of a goal threat to Maresca’s squad, but it now looks like the West Londoners are closing in on another attacker, someone who’d surely keep him out of the team.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, which has reaffirmed Chelsea’s interest in Xavi Simons.
More than that, though, the report has claimed that, on top of already having an agreement with the player, the player will try to secure his move to the Bridge before deadline day.
In other words, the West Londoners are trying to bring the RB Leipzig star to Stamford Bridge this week, and while no price is mentioned in the story, reports from earlier this summer claim that an offer of £61m should be enough to seal the deal.
That is certainly a lot of money to spend on one player, but given Simons’ ability and potential, he’d be worth it, even if he’d keep Garnacho out of the team.
Why Simons would keep Garnacho out of the team
Unfortunately for Garnacho, while he is a versatile player who can thrive in attacking midfield and off the left, so can Simons.
RB Leipzig'sXaviSimonsreacts after the match
In fact, the Flying Dutchman has shown himself to be even more versatile than the Argentine, as on top of playing in the middle and off the left, he has spent time off the right and up top.
In other words, the United ace would almost certainly be in competition for game time with the Leipzig star, and based on the last season or so, we’d pick the latter every time.
For example, when it comes down to their raw output, there is just no competition.
In his 33 appearances for the German outfit last year, totalling 2763 minutes, the unreal “game-changer,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 11 goals and provided eight assists.
That means he was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes.
In contrast, the 21-year-old Red Devils ace scored 11 goals and provided ten assists in 58 appearances, totalling 3568 minutes, last term.
That comes out to a notably worse average of a goal involvement every 2.76 games, or every 169.90 minutes.
The comparison is just as, if not more, one-sided when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers.
Non-Penalty Goals + Assists
0.67
0.33
Progressive Passes
5.86
2.30
Progressive Carries
3.56
5.78
Key Passes
2.13
1.52
Passes into the Final Third
3.31
0.90
Passes into the Penalty Area
2.51
1.02
Shot-Creating Actions
4.52
3.40
Goal-Creating Actions
0.50
0.25
Tackles Won
0.88
0.74
Blocks
0.79
0.78
Clearances
0.79
0.45
Successful Take-Ons
1.38
1.07
Here, the former Paris Saint-Germain gem comes out comfortably ahead in most relevant metrics, such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, from their output to their underlying numbers, there is nothing that suggests Garnacho is even on the same level as Simons.
Therefore, as they play in the same positions on the pitch, it seems almost certain that the latter will keep the former out of the Chelsea team this season.
He's their next Palmer: Chelsea ace has held talks over leaving the Bridge
Chelsea really are having a summer clearout as this rising star looks set to be the next to leave.
أثنى نبيل معلول المدير الفني لـ فريق القادسية الكويتي، على أداء ومستوى اللاعب المصري محمود كهربا منذ انضمامه إلى صفوف النادي خلال الانتقالات الصيفية الماضية.
وقال نبيل معلول في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة الأهلي: “اخترنا لاعبين أجانب منهم محمود كهربا، أحب أسلوب المهاجم الذي يكون محطة ويصنع أهدافا كثيرة، كنت أتابع كهربا منذ فترة طويلة سواء عندما كان في مصر بالأهلي أو عندما احترف في الخارج”.
وأكمل: “كهربا من اليوم له في القاسية تأقلم بشكل سريع ودخل في أجواء الفريق، وهو منضبط جدًا في التدريبات ويأتي مبكرًا ويرحل آخر لاعب”.
وواصل: “أنا شخصيًا تفاجأت بانضباطه وروحه الجديدة المتواجدة منذ بداية الموسم، هو يكتشف نفسه ولديه اصرار منذ بداية التحضير للموسم لكي يعود لمستواه كما هو في الأهلي وهو لاعب كبير”.
طالع.. فيديو | بهدف وأسيست.. كهربا يشارك في فوز القادسية على الفحيحيل بخماسية بـ الدوري الكويتي
وتابع: “عندما كان محمد علي بن رمضان متواجدا في الترجي التونسي نصحته بالانتقال للأهلي قبل ما يحترف في أوروبا، الأهلي أفضل من فرق عديدة في أوروبا”.
وزاد: “تدريب الأهلي ليس صعبا، يكون سهلا إذا كانت لديك خبرة وعزيمة كبيرة وقدرة أنك تتحمل على الضغط، طالما اخترت تدرب فريق الأهلي فكل مباراة كأنها نهائي كأس، أنت كمدرب للأهلي يجب أن تفوز بكل المباريات”.
وأردف: “الإدارة برئاسة محمود الخطيب تعمل في أشياء كبيرة جدًا وتتعاقد مع صفقات قوية جدًا”.
وأشار: “كانت هناك مفاوضات من القادسية للتعاقد مع أحمد عبد القادر وكان قاب قوسين أو أدنى لضمه وكانت توجد مفاوضات متقدمة، وأنا شخصيًا تحدثت معه، لكن هو كان يريد الاستمرار في الأهلي ولديه طموح المشاركة مع الأحمر”.
وأتم: “الأهلي يعطيك مكاسب أخرى كروية ويجعلك تلعب في الصدارة وعلى البطولات، ودائمًا متواجد في كأس العالم للأندية وجميع الأنظار كلها في العالم العربي نحو الأهلي مثل ما حدث مع علي معلول، بن رمضان ما زال أمامه الوقت ومسيرة كروية كبيرة”.
Visto como uma das grandes promessas da base santista, Miguelito estava recebendo algumas oportunidades de Odair Hellmann no começo da temporada. Inclusive, ele chegou a ser relacionado para o duelo contra o Audax Italiano, pela Copa Sul-Americana, que aconteceu no Chile.
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Mas, mesmo sendo visto como uma joia, o jovem boliviano nunca chegou a se consolidar de fato no profissional do Peixe. No entanto, existe uma explicação por trás disso: o meia voltou para o Sub-20 para se manter ativo.
Neste sábado (3), inclusive, Miguelito chamou a atenção entre os Meninos da Vila. Contra a Portuguesa Santista, pelo Campeonato Paulista Sub-20, ele marcou um dos seis gols na vitória da equipe, ajudando assim a classificar o time para a próxima fase da competição.
ATUAÇÕES: Lucas Lima se destaca em empate do Santos com o Internacional pelo Brasileirão
A volta de Miguelito para a base santista teria sido uma decisão do próprio Odair Hellmann, que recentemente chegou a se manifestar sobre o assunto.
Uma das explicações seria o ‘excesso de meias’ no elenco. Além de Miguelito, que ainda apresenta pouca experiência no profissional, o elenco conta com nomes como Lucas Lima, Ed Carlos, Ivonei e Daniel Ruiz para a posição. E nesta lista, alguns são mais consolidados.
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Em entrevista para o portal ‘De Olho no Peixe’, Odair chegou a explicar os critérios utilizados para escolher quem joga ou não. Para o técnico, é preciso observar uma série de fatores, citando ‘treinamento, oportunidade e comportamento’.
– Primeiro, que nós no grupo, contamos com cinco ou seis meias. Estamos usando hoje um por inicial e quando o Daniel Ruiz inicia, usamos os dois. Ainda levo um e as vezes dois para o banco e vai ficar dois ou três fora. É escolha, tem que fazer a escolha, independente de qualquer coisa – disse.
– A outra questão é visualização de treinamento, oportunidade, comportamento. Esses fatores são importantes para que a gente possa ir dando sequência. Estou oportunizando o Ed Carlos em determinados jogos, o Ivonei vai e em outros não, e com o Miguelito é a mesmo coisa – completou.
Assim, para Miguelito não perder o ritmo e ficar ‘encostado’ no banco, voltou para as categorias de base para conseguir se manter na atividade, e de certa forma, também ganhar mais experiência. Inclusive, este é outro argumento utilizado pelo treinador para explicar como ‘gerencia’ questões como esta. A intenção também é desenvolver mais ainda o físico do jogador.
Para Odair, quando um jogador não está treinando com o time profissional, a ideia é mantê-lo em movimento no Sub-20, pensando também em ‘aumentar sua performance’. Essa justificativa também foi utilizada há alguns meses para explicar o ‘sumiço’ de Ivonei.
– Quando o jogador não está treinando com o profissional, nós estamos fazendo o movimento dele continuar fazendo os jogos pelo Sub-20, pois é importante para um jogador dessa idade que não está sendo utilizado pelo profissional tá jogando para melhorar e aumentar performance – disse sobre Miguelito.
– O cara que só viaja e não entra no jogo, ele ‘destreina’. Temos que ter essa capacidade de gerenciamento. Miguelito e Ed Carlos, neste momento, estão fazendo bons treinamentos e estão merecendo receber uma oportunidade de vir para a lista. Quem sabe até de entrar nas partidas – afirmou sobre Ivonei em abril.
Começo de ano complicado
Mesmo sendo visto como um jogador com potencial, o início do ano não foi nada fácil para o jovem boliviano de apenas 19 anos. Em janeiro, ele sofreu com a perda súbita de sua mãe. Na época, o Santos o liberou para retornar ao seu país natal e acompanhar o velório. Além disso, Miguelito estava se recuperando de problemas no joelho e se preparando para retornar aos gramados. Devido à sua idade, o futuro do meia na equipe causava preocupação no Peixe, que sempre deixou claro que daria todo o tempo necessário para o jogador se recuperar do luto.
Depois de quase quatro meses sem jogar, Miguelito voltou a atuar em março, pelo Brasileiro Sub-20. Em um clássico disputado contra o São Paulo, ele marcou o gol decisivo na vitória por 3 a 2.
Aaqib Javed has been named interim head coach of Pakistan’s men’s national white-ball teams till the end of the 2025 Champions Trophy, of which Pakistan are the hosts.Former Pakistan quick and UAE men’s head coach Aaqib will continue to serve as a senior member of the Pakistan men’s selection committee, and “will be assigned additional responsibilities following the conclusion” of the Champions Trophy, the PCB said in a statement on Monday.The PCB added that it “will initiate the recruitment process for a permanent white-ball head coach” with the aim of completing the appointment by the end of the Champions Trophy, which is set to run from February 19 to March 9.Speaking at a press meet at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday, Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, said, “We have temporarily asked Aaqib Javed to take over as coach until Champions Trophy. We don’t want to act too hastily in bringing in another coach who isn’t right. So this three-month gap, Aaqib will work [in that position]. He definitely wants to work on other things but we requested him to work for three months as head coach and after that we will see about the other stuff he wants to do.”It is only for [Aaqib to be only] white-ball [coach] and only [in an] interim [capacity]. We will begin the process of looking for a head coach in the next 10-15 days so we can search and find a good head coach.”Jason Gillespie, meanwhile, will continue to helm the Test side, and will join the touring party for the two-Test series in South Africa, which starts on December 26 after a T20I and ODI series. Last week, Gillespie was sounded out to perform white-ball duties until the Champions Trophy, without a change in his current contract – in effect, to take on two additional formats without being paid more for the increased scope of his role. Gillespie turned that offer down.Aaqib continuing to be on the selection committee puts the PCB’s coaching set-up in the unusual position, where the interim white-ball coach does have a say in selection across formats, while the full-time red-ball coach does not have a say in selection for the Test side.The decision to hand Aaqib white-ball coaching duties at such a critical phase of white-ball cricket for Pakistan underscores how swift the speed of Aaqib’s ascent has been. Until a few weeks ago, he was Lahore Qalandars’ long-term coach and director of cricket operations, where he had a mixed record; he led the side to consecutive PSL titles, but also saw several bottom-place finishes, including earlier this season.Jason Gillespie will continue to be Pakistan’s red-ball coach•Getty Images
When appointed a member of the selection committee, he was viewed by the PCB’s top brass as the mastermind behind the implementation of spin-friendly pitches against England to turn that series. He quit his role at Qalandars to focus on the PCB, where he was initially viewed as the favourite to be appointed director at the National Cricket Academy. He served a stint as Sri Lanka’s bowling coach earlier this year, but now begins his highest profile challenge.Pakistan haven’t had a full-time white-ball coach since Gary Kirsten resigned in late October. Gillespie had been given additional responsibilities for the ongoing white-ball tour of Australia.The tour of Australia, where Pakistan won the ODI series but lost the T20Is, ends today, and Pakistan are next slotted to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Zimbabwe (November 24 to December 5) before travelling to South Africa. In South Africa, they will first play three T20Is (December 10 to 14) and then three ODIs (December 17 to 22) before the two Tests. Pakistan then play a two-Test series at home against West Indies (January 16 to 28) before hosting New Zealand and South Africa in a short ODI tri-series just before the Champions Trophy.
There is a serious rain threat over the entire game, with bad weather forecast for the whole week
Ashish Pant15-Oct-2024Persistent and occasionally heavy rain in Bengaluru has forced the cancellation of India’s training session the day before the first Test against New Zealand at the city’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The session, originally slotted for 9.30am, was first postponed by an hour and then cancelled altogether with the rain showing no signs of relenting.New Zealand ‘s training session, slotted for 1.30pm, did take place*, but in the indoor facility at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy, also in the Chinnaswamy premises.The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast rains for the rest of the week, which could seriously affect the Test match. There is a 70% to 90% chance of rain on the first and second days of the Test, and a yellow alert has also been issued for many places in the state of Karnataka (of which Bengaluru is a part).Bengaluru has experienced a lot of rainfall for the past week. It rained on Monday as well, two days before the game, but both teams managed to finish their respective training sessions. India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma also had time to get a good look at the surface, which was followed by a long discussion with the pitch curator.There was rain in Bengaluru all through Monday night and Tuesday morning, and the covers at the Chinnaswamy stayed in place. There was some activity when the rain stopped for a bit around 1pm, and the covers were being moved a bit, but within half an hour the clouds opened up again and the covers were back in place.
Absolutely pelting down in Bengaluru a day before the first #INDvNZ Test. India team practice delayed, and this doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/pJQEHwun52
— Ashish Pant (@ashishpant43) October 15, 2024
The weather had taken away roughly half the playing time of India’s last home Test, in Kanpur against Bangladesh just over two weeks ago, but India still managed to win the game with some quick run-scoring and fantastic bowling.New Zealand’s tour of the subcontinent has also had its share of weather woes – their first Test of the tour, a non-World Test Championship (WTC) game against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, couldn’t be played at all, though the lack of proper drainage facilities at the venue played as big a role as the weather in that case.The Chinnaswamy Stadium, however, has a world-class drainage facility. The venue has a subsurface aeration system installed, which is designed to allow play to begin within minutes of the rain ceasing.That was apparent on Tuesday when, despite rain lashing down for close to six hours, there were no signs of puddles on the outfield. The only small pool of water was around the edges of the covers. It can be assumed that on match days, if the rain relents, play won’t take much time to resume, unlike in Kanpur where a soggy outfield delayed proceedings for hours.India are coming into this Test on the back of a 2-0 win against Bangladesh while New Zealand suffered a 2-0 loss in Sri Lanka. India are perched at the top of the WTC rankings and a 3-0 series win here will go a long way towards helping them seal a third straight WTC final berth. New Zealand, currently placed sixth, are also not out of the race yet.
Arsenal are attempting to sign another player with Brentford’s Christian Norgaard and Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, with the Gunners reliably reported to be closing in on deals for the latter two.
Agbonlahor slams "very odd" Arsenal transfer decision as Berta agrees deal
The Gunners are shopping “at Asda”.
1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 27, 2025
Earlier this week, following quick-fire talks with Brentford, Arsenal agreed a fee of around £10 million, plus an additional £5 million in add-ons, to sign the Denmark international as a replacement for Thomas Partey.
Norgaard has also been allowed to undergo a medical at Arsenal before signing his contract as the north Londoners’ third signing of the summer, following the reliably reported arrivals of Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
Straight after sealing a move for the 31-year-old, sporting director Andrea Berta immediately began work on Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera too. Arsenal opened talks with the La Liga side over a deal for Mosquera on Thursday, and he could cost under £17 million given the player is entering the final 12 months of his contract.
The 21-year-old can play both as a right-back and centre-back, with Mosquera said to have already agreed personal terms over a switch to the Emirates Stadium. Amidst all of these negotiations, though, Berta is still trying to bring in a new striker for Mikel Arteta.
The Italian has been simultaneously laying groundwork on moves for both Sporting CP’s iktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, before deciding which transfer is most feasible for Arsenal to pull off (BBC).
News surrounding the centre-forwards has been more scarce than usual this week, thanks to Arsenal’s many other transfer deals, but an update has now come to light on their chances of signing Sesko.
Arsenal in ongoing talks for Benjamin Sesko who wants to join
As per Football Insider and journalist Pete O’Rourke, the Slovenia international wants to join Arteta’s side, and he’s posing absolutely no issues when it comes to agreeing personal terms, contrary to some reports that he wants high wages.
Arsenal remain in ongoing talks over a deal for Sesko, and negotiations are ongoing with both the player’s representatives and Leipzig themselves. O’Rourke’s sources insist that this potential move isn’t being held up by the 22-year-old’s demands, so the indication is it must be a club-to-club issue.
It’s an increasingly confusing situation, as while reports suggest Sesko has a release clause near £70 million, others state that Leipzig could still demand as much as £85 million to let their star striker leave.
He bagged 21 goals in all competitions last season, his best return to date since moving to Germany, and Sesko has been praised for his physicality in particular.
“Benjamin Šeško is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player,” said former Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell.
“He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m (6’4″) is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”
هنأ أحمد حسام ميدو، نجم الزمالك السابق، منتخب المغرب بعد تأهله رسميًا إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026، موجها رسالة خاصة للشعب المغربي، ورئيس الاتحاد فوزي لقجع.
وكان منتخب المغرب قد حقق فوزًا كاسحًا على النيجر بخماسية نظيفة، في اللقاء الذي أقيم مساء أمس الجمعة، على ملعب المجمع الرياضي الأمير مولاي عبد الله بالرباط، ضمن الجولة السابعة من التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لكأس العالم.
وكتب ميدو عبر حسابه الرسمي بمنصة “إكس”: “مبروك لـ المغرب على كل شئ.. التأهل لكأس العالم وافتتاح الملعب الجديد وعلى النهضة التي يعيشها إخواننا في المغرب في كرة القدم على كل المستويات، تطور المدربين وتصديرهم للاعبين إلى أوروبا بعد تأسيس جيد في مشاريع تحت إشراف الدولة.. مبروك لـ فوزي لقجع ولكل الشعب المغربي”.
طالع أيضًا | المنتخبات الإفريقية المتأهلة لـ كأس العالم 2026 (محدث باستمرار)
وبهذا الانتصار رفع منتخب المغرب رصيده إلى 18 نقطة في صدارة المجموعة الخامسة، متقدمين بفارق 8 نقاط عن تنزانيا صاحبة المركز الثاني، ليضمنوا بطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم الذي تستضيفه الولايات المتحدة وكندا والمكسيك.
ويقع المنتخب المغربي في المجموعة الخامسة والتي تضم منتخبات تنزانيا وزامبيا والنيجر والكونغو وإريتريا. ترتيب مجموعة المغرب في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026
It’s a good time to be a Liverpool fan. Here’s why.
Liverpool have just won the Premier League, in case you missed it, in the first season since Jurgen Klopp called it a day. FSG were ruled in the court of public opinion to have an impossible task on their hands, and few felt threatened when Feyenoord boss Arne Slot was appointed the iconic German’s successor.
But Slot is now champion of England, and he’s certainly being rewarded for his triumph in the summer transfer market.
Last week, Liverpool announced the signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, having already raided the German side for Jeremie Frimpong.
Wirtz is one of the brightest number tens in world football, and his £100m fixed fee may rise to a British-record £116m.
Now, Milos Kerkez has alighted in Merseyside as he completes the finer details of his move to Anfield. The Bournemouth left-back will sign in a move worth £40m. He is touted as Andy Robertson’s successor.
The young Hungarian has leapt at the chance to sign for Slot’s Reds, but what is it about his take on the full-back game that has prompted FSG to barrel ahead and make him the most expensive wide defender in Liverpool’s history?
Why Liverpool have signed Milos Kerkez
Robertson is a legend, but there’s no question he’s been on the decline. The 31-year-old is being targeted by Atletico Madrid, and Kerkez, a decade his junior, is the perfect heir.
AFC Bournemouth's MilosKerkez
While Kerkez, 21, has only been in the English football for two years, he came into his own under Andoni Iraola’s wing last season, starting all 38 of Bournemouth’s top-flight fixtures, scoring twice and laying on five assists.
Athletic, energetic and unrelentingly intense, he’s the real deal, having also been coveted by Manchester City and Real Madrid. Liverpool were always a step ahead, and he’ll help take this wonderful team to the next level.
In a way, Slot has hit the jackpot with the squad he inherited, but we must not forget that Liverpool had gone four years without tasting the Premier League, and he fuelled the fire that hadn’t proved quite enough over the past several seasons.
He deserves a squad fashioned in his vision, and Kerkez fits the bill. However, Liverpool still need a centre-back, and sporting director Richard Hughes has just the player in mind.
Liverpool prepare bid for new defender
According to French journalist Sébastien Vidal, Liverpool are set to table their opening bid for Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi “at the end of the week”, news which follows Fabrizio Romano’s confirmation that FSG are indeed keen after agreeing to sell Jarell Quansah to Leverkusen.
It emerged several days ago that the Merseysiders have a long-term interest in the England international, who is out of contract in one year.
They would be willing to pay £30m, but this is not expected to convince the Eagles to part ways.
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However, Guehi, who is 24, has just helped Palace to glory in the FA Cup and wants assurances over his playing time, with Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also considered suitors.
How Marc Guehi and Milos Kerkez could work in tandem
Guehi always had some degree of elite potential, having risen through the ranks at Chelsea’s Cobham academy before being sold to Palace for £18m in 2021 after two impressive loan spells with Swansea City in the Championship.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts
Now, he’s “England’s best centre-back” to some, and the online analyst who made that claim could certainly draw on data to substantiate his claim.
Indeed, Guehi won the FA Cup last year but has produced consistently quality performances over a series of years to attract Gareth Southgate’s attention, having featured prominently at Euro 2024, and now Thomas Tuchel’s too.
Solid as an ox and deceptively elegant on the ball, Guehi has the perfect style for ‘Slotball’, protecting Alisson Becker’s goal while subscribing to the ball-playing focus the coach expects.
It’s definitely a stylistic approach that could see him thrive with Kerkez, who has already proven himself invaluable alongside a ball-playing defender in Dean Huijsen, who Liverpool wanted before he signed for Real Madrid for £50m earlier this summer.
Guehi, as it goes, was recorded by data-focused site FBref to be one of the rising Spaniard’s most comparable players in the Premier League last season, ranked as he was among the top 11% of positional peers for goal involvements, the top 9% for through balls, and the top 21% for ball recoveries per 90.
It hasn’t just been a flash in the pan, though, with Guehi also standing out under Roy Hodgson’s wizened wing, injuries limiting his game in 2023/24 when Oliver Glasner first took the helm.
Matches (starts)
25 (23)
34 (34)
Goals
0
3
Assists
1
2
Touches*
61.6
64.9
Pass completion
87%
84%
Key passes*
0.3
0.5
Ball recoveries*
4.8
4.3
Dribbles*
0.3
0.4
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
2.6
Clearances*
3.5
4.6
Duels (won)*
3.6 (60%)
4.9 (59%)
He’s a top player, praised for his “incredible” footballing ability by teammate Eberechi Eze, and with a clear emphasis on progressing play through dribbling upfield or picking out calculated forward passes, Kerkez could find the dream long-term partner on the left side of defence.
Of course, Virgil van Dijk holds down the fort rather well in that area, but the skipper turns 34 next month as he entered the penultimate year of his Liverpool career, and, as analyst Ben Mattinson so neatly puts it, he’s “one of those versatile CB’s who can play both sides equally as comfortably.”
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehicelebrates after the match
With such striking completeness and a blooming title-winning taste, Guehi would be a worthy addition to the Liverpool cause and the perfect left-sided partner for Kerkez to go from strength to strength under Slot’s watchful guidance.
The next Torres: Liverpool preparing huge bid to sign "frightening" striker
Liverpool aren’t messing around in the transfer market this summer.
Could Steven Gerrard be poised to return as Rangers manager?
Well, according to widespread reports, including from Martin McMillan of the Glasgow Times, the Liverpool legend is amongst the front-runners to be re-appointed this summer.
Gerrard has been out of work since being sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq in January, with Jamie Braidwood of the Independent noting that he was regularly ‘met with boos and jeers’ by the club’s supporters for many months before his dismissal.
Nevertheless, the Englishman is significantly more popular in Govan, having been in charge for 192 matches between July 2018 and November 2021, winning 124 of them, leading the Gers to their only Premiership title since 2011.
With 49ers Enterprises, led by Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe, set to complete their 51% takeover of Rangers this summer, this is certainly an attractive job for someone to take on, and the investors, who plan to ‘inject additional capital’ into the club, could tempt Gerrard to return.
Next season will start early for Rangers, considering they will commence Champions League qualifying on 22/23 July, hence why they’ll be determined to get their managerial appointment and summer signings done early, so here is a potential dream lineup, should Gerrard choose to return.
1 GK – Liam Kelly
Up until very recently, Jack Butland had been Rangers’ undisputed number one goalkeeper, starting 88 of 94 Premiership or European matches between August 2024 and last month.
However, after a string of high-profile errors, Butland has been dropped to the bench by Barry Ferguson, with Liam Kelly getting the nod for the last four matches, including both legs of the Europa League tie against Athletic Club, notably brilliantly saving Álex Berenguer’s penalty at Ibrox.
At previous club Motherwell, for whom he made 154 appearances, Kelly proved he is a top-class goalkeeper, stating back in December that he fulfilled a lifetime’s ambition by making his Rangers debut, and the 29-year-old has done nothing so far to suggest he is not capable of donning the gloves long-term.
2 RB – James Tavernier
James Tavernier is unquestionably a Rangers legend, having now made 509 appearances for the Light Blues, only ten men have ever appeared more for the club, scoring 130 goals and providing 141 assists, remarkable statistics considering he is a full-back.
The captain has come in for widespread criticism this season, with Rangers legend Kris Boyd noting that “everybody goes on about the captain”, before refusing to blame Tavernier for the club’s miserable season.
So, potentially set to be reunited with Gerrard, for whom he starred, we believe now is not the time to move on Tavernier.
3 CB – John Souttar
John Souttar
Few players have been as unlucky when it comes to injuries as John Souttar, but this has certainly been his best campaign in a Rangers jersey, both in terms of availability and performance, notably missing only two of 14 UEFA competition fixtures.
The Scotland international is out of contract in the summer, with talks ‘on hold’ due to the club’s impending ownership change, but Souttar himself says that he hopes this is resolved soon, and his displays certainly merit an extension.
4 CB – Hjalmar Ekdal: new signing
Alongside, given that Leon Balogun is 36-years-old, Robin Pröpper has been very underwhelming and neither Clinton Nsiala nor Rafael Fernandes have offered very much, Rangers require a new signing at centre-back.
Well, according to a report by Anel Avdić of SportExpressen, this could be Burnley’s Hjalmar Ekdal. After not seeing a single minute of EFL Championship action for the Clarets, unable to displace either CJ Egan-Riley or Maxime Estève, the 26-year-old joined Groningen on loan in January, for whom he has impressed, starting their last ten Eredivisie matches.
Considering he’ll want to get back into Sweden’s squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup, Ekdal will likely be seeking a permanent move away from Burnley, so a switch to Glasgow, potentially linking up with Gerrard, would surely be appealing.
5 LB – Rıdvan Yılmaz
Ridvan Yilmaz
Summer signings Rıdvan Yılmaz and Jefté have seemingly been under a timeshare agreement for Rangers’ left-back spot this season but, of the two, it’s certainly the Turkish international who has impressed the most.
Before being appointed interim manager, Ferguson stated that the “little man has made a huge impression”, particularly impressed by Yılmaz’s output in the final third.
During Gerrard’s first spell, much of his success revolved around the attacking quality of full-backs Tavernier and the now departed Borna Barišić, meaning Yılmaz certainly fits the profile of what Gerrard would be searching for.
6 CM – Nicolas Raskin
Raskin
Nicolas Raskin has been named both Rangers’ Player of the Year as well as the Players’ Player of the Year, stating that these individual accolades “mean the world” to him, fully deserving of this recognition, having been the club’s standout performer.
The 24-year-old has been a stalwart for the Light Blues this season, making 44 appearances, scoring during the win at Parkhead in March, and then becoming a full Belgian international a week later, debuting against Ukraine.
In an otherwise bleak campaign, Raskin has been one of Rangers’ best players, so they should certainly build around him.
7 CM – Mohamed Diomandé
Mohamed Diomande
Mohamed Diomandé and Raskin have formed quite a formidable partnership, with the Côte d’Ivoire international making 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring six goals and registering eight assists.
Ivory Coast manager Emerse Faé praised the 23-year-old’s “great season” in Glasgow, hence why he featured in both of les Éléphants’World Cup qualifiers last month, so this midfield duo should certainly remain at the heart of Rangers’ rebuild.
8 RW – Václav Černý
Vaclav Cerny
Rangers’ most-productive attacker this season has been summer signing Václav Černý, scoring 17 goals and registering seven assists, netting six times in the Europa League, a tally only bettered by Kasper Høgh of Bodø/Glimt and Olympiacos’ Ayoub El-Kaabi.
The only problem for Rangers is the fact that Černý is only on loan from Wolfsburg, so they may have to spend big just to keep the Czech international in Govan.
Well, according to a report by Mark Walker of the National, the Bundesliga side would be willing to sell for £6.75m, which is obviously a lot of money for Rangers, but the 27-year-old has proved he is more than worth it.
9 CAM – Gio Reyna: new signing
During his two-year spell at Rangers, USA international Claudio Reyna played alongside future Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and would actually go on to name his son after the Dutch full-back.
Well, fast-forward 22 years and that son Gio Reyna is also a U.S. international, but one searching for a new club, having seen a miserly 603 minutes of action for Borussia Dortmund this season, out of contract with die Schwarzgelben in 12 months or so.
Well, according to recent reports, Gio – who is valued at £12m by Football Transfers – could follow in his father’s footsteps by moving to Ibrox, available for a cut-price deal, as Dortmund seek to move on the injury-prone forward.
Reyna’s creativity and attacking output could be exactly what Gerrard is looking for from a player in this position, while the American needs to join a club where he’ll be the main man, so this move could work for all parties.
10 LW – Ianis Hagi
Another injury-prone, mercurial attacker with a famous father, already at Rangers is Ianis Hagi, scoring five goals and providing seven assists since being reintegrated into the first team following a long-term injury in November.
Hagi, like Souttar, is out of contract in June, but he unquestionably played his best football in a Rangers jersey under Gerrard, so could his return convince both the club and the Romanian international himself to stay?