An “excellent” Premier League forward is now open to joining Crystal Palace this summer, and talks have already been held over a potential deal, according to a report.
Palace set sights on new forward amid Arsenal's Eze pursuit
After scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final, Eberechi Eze was always going to attract interest this summer, and Palace may have a battle on their hands trying to keep hold of the attacking midfielder, given that he wants to move across the capital.
Arsenal are expected to make a formal bid for Eze soon, which could amount to £52m, £8m below the England international’s previous release clause of £60m, which has now expired.
Should the 27-year-old move on this summer, the Eagles will undoubtedly need to bring in a new attacker, capable of replicating Eze’s attacking numbers, with the London-born star proving himself as a reliable source of goals and assists last season.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Premier League
34
8
8
FA Cup
5
4
1
EFL Cup
4
2
2
As such, according to a report from The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now considering a move for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, having already been informed about the winger’s situation at Stamford Bridge, with Fulham also holding talks.
West Ham United have also been offered the chance to sign Sterling, with the Blues looking to receive a fee of £20m, although the most likely scenario is the forward leaving on a loan deal.
Crucially, the 30-year-old is open to a move to Selhurst Park this summer, as he is looking to stay in London, having spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Arsenal.
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The Eagles have set their sights on a new centre-back, amid the uncertainty surrounding Marc Guehi’s future.
ByDominic Lund Aug 6, 2025 "Excellent" Sterling needs to leave Chelsea this summer
The winger clearly isn’t part of Enzo Maresca’s plans, and he failed to deliver on loan at Arsenal last season, featuring for just 496 minutes across the entire Premier League season, meaning the Chelsea ace clearly needs to move to a new club this summer.
At 30-years-old, the Englishman is by no means in the latter stages of his career, and he has proven himself as a top Premier League player in the past, picking up 131 goals and 86 assists in 339 appearances during his time with Manchester City.
Former manager Pep Guardiola has also previously singled the Jamaica-born winger out for praise saying: “For his confidence it will be massive, the first goal is brilliant, when Raheem executes without thinking he is excellent.”
As such, Sterling could be an exciting signing for the Eagles if he is able to reach his previous heights, but it is more important they keep hold of Eze, given the Palace star’s exploits last season.
Tottenham Hotspur made a big splash in the market on Thursday night when they officially confirmed the signing of Mohammed Kudus from Premier League rivals West Ham United.
The Ghana international has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Lilywhites and will be hoping to shine on the Champions League stage next season.
Thomas Frank and Daniel Levy are not done there, though, as they are also looking to bring Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White to North London.
The Guardian reports that his expected £60m transfer to the club has been delayed by Forest’s complaint that Spurs did not have permission to speak with the player, and their complaint around the confidentiality of the £60m release clause in his contract.
Nottingham Forest's MorganGibbs-Whitereacts after the match
It states that the Tricky Trees consider the deal to be off, but the feeling is that their protestations are likely to delay a transfer, rather than derail it.
However, it now remains to be seen exactly how this transfer saga is going to play out, as Spurs hope that they will be able to add him to their squad before long.
What Morgan Gibbs-White could bring to Spurs
The 25-year-old ace could add to Frank’s depth in the attacking midfield department as a player who has already proven his quality in the Premier League with Forest.
However, although it should not be completely ruled out, Spurs supporters should not be expecting a generational talent to arrive at the club in the form of Gibbs-White.
In fact, there is no guarantee that he will come in as a significant upgrade on Tottenham’s current number ten James Maddison, if they are even competing for the same place in Frank’s system.
Their respective performances in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign, despite Forest finishing higher in the Premier League, suggest that he may not be an upgrade on Maddison at all.
Appearances
34
31
xG
6.34
5.83
Goals
7
9
Big chances created
10
6
xA
4.69
5.91
Assists
8
7
Possession lost per game
12.7
10.3
As you can see in the table above, the former Norwich man’s output – goals and xA – was more impressive than Gibbs-White’s, despite playing fewer games and giving the ball away fewer times per game.
These statistics suggest that they are, in fact, fairly similar in what they offer at the top end of the pitch and could provide healthy competition for each other, rather than Gibbs-White, who has only been capped four times by England, coming in as an immediate upgrade.
Meanwhile, Spurs are reportedly interested in signing another English midfielder who is an even bigger talent than the Nottingham Forest attacker.
Spurs eyeing move for English midfielder
According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank has pinpointed Crystal Palace central midfielder Adam Wharton as a ‘leading target’ for the summer transfer window.
The report claims that it will be a difficult deal for the Europa League champions to pull off, but Daniel Levy has been given the ‘green light’ to make more big-money signings to bolster the squad.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It adds that Wharton is now ‘firmly’ in Frank’s sights as the Danish head coach wants to beef up his options in the middle of the park ahead of next season.
The outlet states that the English maestro is an ‘ambitious’ target for the Lilywhites, who are now weighing up whether or not to make a formal approach for the former Blackburn star.
GIVEMESPORT reveals that Palace are set to demand a fee of at least £80m for the left-footed defensive midfielder, and it remains to be seen whether or not Tottenham are willing to spend that much on him this summer.
Why Spurs should sign Adam Wharton
Tottenham should, if they have the funds, splash the cash to bring the Eagles sensation to North London in the weeks to come because he is an even bigger talent than Gibbs-White who is worth paying the extra £20m for.
The 21-year-old is four years younger than the Forest star, yet has already been capped by England and is currently valued at £20m more than him, at £80m.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
Wharton, despite his young age, has emerged as one of the hottest midfield properties in the division because of the immense quality that he provides on the pitch at both ends of the pitch.
The left-footed star is a rare talent who combines physicality, athleticism, intelligence, technical ability, and determination. In short, he has everything that you could wish to ask for from a deep-lying midfielder.
Wharton, who was highly praised by Declan Rice last year, averaged 2.7 tackles and interceptions and 5.1 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League last term, without making a single mistake that led to a shot or a goal for the opposition.
To go along with the defensive qualities that the English youngster offers in the middle of the park, the Palace star would be an upgrade on what Frank currently has in midfield from an in-possession perspective.
Adam Wharton
7.31
4.03
Rodrigo Bentancur
5.47
2.46
Yves Bissouma
4.79
1.02
Archie Gray
2.06
0.31
Pape Matar Sarr
4.14
2.12
As you can see in the table above, Wharton is significantly better at progressing play with his passes and knitting together moves that result in shots for his side than the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are, based on his form last term.
This proves that the £80m-rated metronome, who has been called “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, is a midfielder who combines defensive work with exceptional play on the ball.
Crystal Palace's AdamWhartonin action with Ipswich Town's Julio Enciso
Therefore, Wharton could arrive at Spurs this summer as an upgrade on what they currently have at their disposal, which is why they should be pushing to bring him in.
It is also further evidence that he would be an even bigger talent for the club than Gibbs-White, as a more expensive signing who could walk straight into the XI, whilst the attacking midfielder may not find it easy to take Maddison’s place.
Kudus' dream striker: £50m star now wants to join Spurs after Gibbs-White
Tottenham Hotspur have wasted no time in hunting for additional signings after agreeing a deal for Mohammed Kudus.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are now ready to join Aston Villa and Leeds United in the race to sign a £25 million “animal”, according to a recent report.
Wolves chasing more additions after Lopez signing
Wolves confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window on Friday, as attacking midfielder Fer Lopez joined the club from Spanish side Celta Vigo in a deal worth £19 million.
Lopez may be seen as the player to replace Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United earlier in this window. After signing for the club, Lopez revealed it is an “amazing opportunity for his career” and believes manager Vitor Pereira is “top”.
Offer made: Wolves make bid to sign "electric" 13-goal striker with Lopez
He could become their second signing of the window.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 17, 2025
“It’s an amazing opportunity for my career to play in the Premier League, and I’m very happy.
“[Manager] Vitor [Pereira] told me he thought I was a good fit in the squad, and when it’s a club like this, you have little to think about.
“The team did very good when Vitor came, and I think he is top, so I’m very excited to be with him.”
The Midlands side may not have to wait long until they get their next signing through the door, as Sky Sports have reported that Wolves are showing “intent” when it comes to signing Conor Coady. The centre-back is free to leave Leicester City, but Wolves are not the only team eyeing a deal, as Russell Martin is keen to bring the experienced defender to Rangers this summer.
Wolves ready to join Aston Villa and Leeds in Raskin race
Not only do the Midlands side want to beat Rangers to the signing of Coady, but according to Record Sport, Wolves are set to enter the bidding for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
The report states that the Premier League side have been keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s performances in the last 18 months, and he is now high on their list of potential targets in this transfer window. It goes on to add that Raskin’s representatives are now also aware of the interest from Wolves.
Raskin, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by Kris Boyd in the past, still has two years remaining on his contract at Ibrox, but the Gers’ technical director Kevin Thelwell is preparing a new contract offer for the midfielder to keep him at the club. However, a new report has revealed that Raskin is “ready to quit” Rangers and could soon tell the club of his desire to leave.
Nicolas Raskin’s 24/25 Scottish Premiership stats
Apps
33
Starts
29
Goals
4
Shots per game
1.3
Assists
10
Touches per game
68.4
Big chances created
9
Key passes
1.3
Passing accuracy per game
46.8 (87%)
Tackles per game
2.8
This would not only be welcome news for Wolves, but it would also come as great delight to Aston Villa and Leeds United, who are both keen on signing the Belgium international.
Raskin’s potential arrival at Molineux would be a costly one, as it’s been claimed that Rangers would look to get around £25 million should he leave this summer.
Liverpool are making waves in the summer transfer window and could have plenty more exciting arrivals to come following an update from David Ornstein.
Liverpool closing in on Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez deals
Arne Slot has made a statement since arriving in the Anfield dugout last year and received wide acclaim from supporters after delivering the Premier League title during his debut season in charge.
Usually, there is an element of calm before the storm on the transfer front after a team wins the league. However, Liverpool already appear to be more active than most when it comes to incomings.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz andJeremieFrimpongapplaud fans with teammates after the match
Characterising the start they have made on the recruitment front, Bayer Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are poised to join the Reds and the finer details of either deal are being ironed out as the window edges closer.
Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez is also on the verge of joining Liverpool and his arrival could finally yield a long-term successor to displace Andy Robertson on the left-hand side of defence.
Milos Kerkez
In recent years, it has often felt like the Reds have been slow off the mark in the market when it comes to elite pedigree, or they simply haven’t been able to convince marquee names that Anfield is a viable destination for the long-term.
Nottingham Forest now "want to do" deal for "amazing" £50m Liverpool player
The Tricky Trees are eager to sign a Premier League gem, as they prepare for a European campaign next season.
By
Dominic Lund
May 26, 2025
Now, the feeling is that Liverpool is a destination where excellence can be achieved for the foreseeable future, adding another feather in their cap alongside being England’s most successful club.
Looking towards the summer, renowned journalist Ornstein has now given a prognosis on what could happen next at the Merseyside giants.
David Ornstein teases more Liverpool transfer activity
Speaking to NBC Sports live from Anfield on Sunday, Ornstein let loose that Liverpool could be set to bring in several more stars, including a potential replacement for striker Darwin Nunez, in what is a ‘thrilling’ period for everyone connected to the Premier League title holders.
He said after referencing negotiations involving Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez: “There is more that they’ll look to do at Anfield, maybe a striker if Darwin Nunez leaves, and various other positions because there will be some departures inevitably… it is a thrilling time here at Anfield.”
In a spree for the trio previously mentioned that could exceed £150 million, adding more assets to the melting pot that is the Anfield changing room would be a major statement of intent from FSG heading into the new season.
Napoli have held talks with Nunez’s camp over a potential swoop that could see his £140,000 per week wages cleared off the books, paving the way for arrivals while shipping out a striker who hasn’t caught fire the way he would’ve liked under Slot.
Tough decisions are needed to maintain a steady stream of talent and hunger at Liverpool, but the Dutchman appears to have got the balance right and Ornstein’s update is likely to fuel supporters’ appetite for further success.
Leeds United are already preparing for life back in the top-flight and are said to be making inroads in their pursuit of a prolific striker, according to reports.
Leeds ready to take on the Premier League after dramatic title win
Despite some nervy moments along the way, Leeds are once again a Premier League club from next season and optimism is high in Yorkshire over how they may fare against the elite, especially after their last-gasp win to seal the title at Plymouth on Saturday.
Undoubtedly, savvy additions will need to be made to ensure the Whites don’t end up in a relegation scrap, but the size of the club coupled with a talented existing core could be the ideal recipe for success at Elland Road.
Stepping up their ambition, Leeds are interested in a move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison. However, Everton,Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fluminense, Al Hilal and Al Shabab are also interested in the Brazil international.
Adhering to PSR regulations will become part and parcel of most clubs’ summer thinking, which may mean Leeds need to prioritise which positions are in urgent need of surgery.
On that front, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen could replace Illan Meslier between the sticks, while Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper Sam Johnstone may also add some Premier League experience if he were to join the ranks.
Farke is brewing a Piroe upgrade in Leeds teen with "masses of potential"
Leeds United could have a top star for the future in this highly rated youngster.
ByKelan Sarson Apr 27, 2025
Nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons to be excited as the Whites have another crack at the big time, even if the gap between Premier League and the rest of the football ladder is growing exponentially. Despite this, Leeds have now put themselves in contention to sign one of England’s leading marksmen in years gone by, per recent developments.
Leeds United make advances to sign Jamie Vardy
According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are pursuing a deal for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy, who is set to become a free agent once his contract at the King Power Stadium expires.
Known as one of the Premier League’s greatest modern-day heroes, the 38-year-old has scored 243 career goals for club and country and still believes he has something to offer in the top-flight, proving that with another strike against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Jamie Vardy’s 2024/25 campaign – all competitions
Appearances
34
Goals
9
Assists
3
The outlet state that Vardy’s potential destination is ‘more advanced than people may think’ and that Leeds are in the market for several options to strengthen their forward line. Burnley are also in pursuit of the former Three Lions international. Patrick Bamford could make way regardless in the coming window after emerging as a target for Wrexham.
Labelled “top-class” by Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Halifax man has still shown signs that he is a potent force in the Premier League, registering 24 shots on target this term.
Longevity probably isn’t what you’re going to get from Vardy at this stage, though his vast experience and know-how in front of goal makes him a compelling option for Farke as the Whites aim to build the foundations for a solid season.
Birmingham City are thought to be in talks with an EFL star after clinching promotion back to the Championship.
Birmingham City going for silverware after League One promotion
The Blues have had a brilliant campaign under Chris Davies and sealed promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking in midweek.
A 2-1 victory at Peterborough United sealed a guaranteed top-two spot, and the League One title could also be won if Wrexham fail to beat Wigan Athletic on Saturday lunchtime.
Birmingham are on course to comfortably clear the 100-point mark in the third tier, however, they are actually preparing for Wembley this weekend.
The Blues will once again take on Peterborough in the final of the EFL Trophy, so it could be a double celebration if things go to plan this weekend.
Birmingham eyeing free deal to sign "fantastic" Championship contract rebel
He’s yet to sign a new deal at his current club.
ByTom Cunningham Apr 8, 2025
Ahead of the summer transfer window, Tom Wagner and Tom Brady already appear to be working on St Andrew’s signings ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and one player who the Blues will face this weekend is a target.
Birmingham City in talks to sign Kwame Poku for free
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, talking to EFL Analysis, Birmingham City are in talks to sign Peterborough United star Kwame Poku.
The 23-year-old actually scored the Posh’s goal against the Blues in midweek and has enjoyed a fine season in the third tier.
However, according to Bailey, Birmingham aren’t the only side in discussions, including Premier League side Crystal Palace and Scottish giants Rangers.
“His people are in talks with a number of clubs – and yes, one of them is Birmingham. There are others, though – Crystal Palace, Millwall, Luton and Norwich among them.
“However, the big danger is Rangers – they want him and have watched him numerous times. Talks have continued but complicated by their takeover and then new manager.”
Games
27
Goals
12
Assists
11
Minutes played
2,081
The winger has impressed Sky Sports co-commentator and pundit Don Goodman this season, who said last month that Poku appears to be ready for the step up to the Championship.
“Kwame Poku, 10 goals and six assists this season from just 20 games, 19 starts, is very impressive. It’s on the back of 11 goals and seven assists last season.
“He’s been on my radar for a couple of seasons now, along with Ephron Mason-Clarke, who is now doing really, really well at Coventry.
“So whether he’s ready for the Premier League just yet is a debate to be had, but certainly if I was a Championship club and I needed an exciting, ball-carrying winger that both scores and creates goals, he would be on my radar.”
It looks as if a move to the Midlands will be one to watch over the coming months, with Poku actually out of contract at the end of the season, meaning a transfer may not cost a penny.
He improved India across formats, in a time of transition, leaving his successor with immense shoes to fill
Karthik Krishnaswamy01-Jul-20242:23
Manjrekar: Rohit’s World Cup win a great reward for a champion cricketer
India are sent in to bat in a World Cup final. They begin with a bang. They lose a clump of wickets. They retrench. They promote an allrounder who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm spin above more obviously attacking options.All these things happened on November 19, 2023. They happened again on June 29, 2024.India lost on November 19, 2023. They came to a point on June 29, 2024, when they had, according to ESPNcricinfo’s Forecaster, a 96.65% chance of losing.On both days, Rahul Dravid sat in India’s dugout, with no way of controlling any of the events unfolding in the field, knowing that they would come to define him.Only the best teams get to the semi-finals or final of nearly every global tournament they play, but once they’re there, they’re competing with other seriously good teams. You might be better than them by any number of parameters, and might have built better records than them over many years, but none of that guarantees beating them on that day.This might be your third white-ball World Cup as head coach, and you might have got to the final of this one with a 21-3 record over those three tournaments, but you haven’t won any of them, have you? You didn’t win your one red-ball final either. And here you are now, powerless, your fate partly in the hands of other people and partly at the mercy of sheer randomness, with your opponents needing 30 off 30 balls.This was Dravid, five overs away from the end of his tenure as India’s head coach. Five overs away from world champion or serial choker.
****
If you’re of a certain generation, the sight of Dravid roaring with the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy clutched high over his head might have taken you back to another victory celebration from another time.Compare Kensington Oval, 2024…
… to Kennington Oval, 2007. Trophy-lifting technique? Same. Expression? Ditto.Dravid, contrary to popular stereotype, has never been averse to letting rip with his pent-up emotions. There is, however, a pattern to the moments he’s chosen for unleashing that side of his personality.Captaining India to their first Test series win in England in 21 years and winning a T20 World Cup as coach are massive achievements in and of themselves, as is bringing up a century in a series-turning follow-on partnership, which Dravid celebrated with an angry jab of his bat in the direction of the Eden Gardens press box.All these moments, though, had an element of Dravid proving his doubters wrong. In 2001, he answered critics who questioned his ability to negotiate Shane Warne. The 2007 England tour had come after India, under Dravid’s captaincy, had crashed out of the ODI World Cup in the first round.Barbados 2024, of course, followed Adelaide 2022, The Oval 2023 and Ahmedabad 2023.
****
Thirty to win off 30 balls. It went one way when it could have gone another way, and at some level, the only real way to make sense of it is to not try, and conclude that fate conspired to bring India this trophy. That fate brought India trophy, but also trophy for all the Indias that had experienced all the heartbreaks: Old Trafford 2019, Southampton 2021, Adelaide 2022, The Oval 2023, Ahmedabad 2023. The trophy that so many superstars had craved and fought so hard for, for so long, and had even, perhaps, deserved.Dravid fronted the media after India’s ODI World Cup final defeat in Ahmedabad•ICC/Getty ImagesDeserve is a complicated word here. You’ve got to be a good team to win trophies, but being a good team – or even a great team – doesn’t guarantee trophies. It isn’t easy for players and coaches to make peace with this, though, because much of the world understands it differently, that a team’s goodness is contingent upon the trophies it wins.And in a time of three formats and four global trophies, with roughly one prize up for grabs every year, how could India back up their claims of greatness if they didn’t have even one trophy to show for it?
****
For a team like this, at a time like this, having Dravid on board must have helped immensely. Win or lose, few coaches are as consistent with their messaging as he is, and few coaches are as protective of their players while speaking publicly of them.Few coaches are as eager to embrace change and new ways of thinking as Dravid is, but it’s rare for someone like that to be free of the impulse to rip up what came before and start afresh. Without being an ideologue in the way of Brendon McCullum, Dravid found a way to leave a progressive imprint on the team he took over.The biggest example came right at the end of his tenure. Seven members of India’s squad at the T20 World Cup of 2024 were part of their 2021 campaign in the UAE, their last tournament before Dravid took over. Eight were part of their 2022 campaign in Australia.India exited the 2021 tournament at the group stage and suffered a thumping defeat in their semi-final in 2022. Both tournaments are remembered for India playing a style of T20 that seemed behind the times, and both ended with widespread calls for an overhaul.Rahul Dravid gets his team together in the dressing room one last time as India coach•ICC/Getty ImagesThat didn’t happen, for reasons of both philosophy and pragmatism. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are impossible to drop for public-relations reasons, they’re also impossible to drop because they’re great, adaptable cricketers. Right through Dravid’s tenure, both showed a willingness to bat differently for the sake of team balance, and contributed to a change in India’s style that was evident even in the lead-up to the 2022 T20 World Cup. Though that tournament showed that India’s transformation, as individuals and as a collective, wasn’t yet complete, there were enough signs that they were building towards something.It was no surprise, then, that Dravid’s immediate reaction to the 2024 victory was to reiterate that it was the culmination of a long process.”Honestly, this is a journey of two years,” he said. “This is not a journey from just this T20 World Cup. When I think about the construction of this team, the kind of skills we wanted, the players we wanted, those discussions started in [November] 2021.”So it’s two years of work. This is not a work of just this World Cup. I think it culminated in this World Cup. The disappointment in Australia [at the 2022 T20 World Cup] and then the one-day World Cup – there’s so much that has gone into it. This feels like a journey of not just one month, it feels like a journey of two years. What we’ve tried to build, what we have tried to create, it feels like it has all come together here on a beautiful afternoon in Barbados.”Through the two-and-a-half years of Dravid’s tenure, India have shown a clear intent to build white-ball teams with structure: line-ups with a mix of right- and left-hand options and pace- and spin-hitters, and allrounders to provide depth and allow them to play the extra spinner or seamer as dictated by the conditions. They’ve tried to tick these boxes with the players they’ve had available, but they’ve had bad luck in big tournaments. Jasprit Bumrah was out injured in 2022, and Hardik Pandya was ruled out midway through 2023, forcing them to compromise on their structure.
“Without being an ideologue in the way of Brendon McCullum and England, Dravid found a way to leave a progressive imprint on the team”
Everything came together in 2024, and India ticked nearly every box. And yet, they got to a point where they only had a 3.35% chance of victory with five overs remaining.
****
Dravid did not become a better coach because India overturned those odds, and he would not be a worse coach if South Africa had won. But his legacy is now secure. He took over from a hugely successful predecessor, Ravi Shastri, who had helped build an all-conditions Test team and a white-ball team with a formidable overall record, and did so at a time of transition, with a number of key players entering or already in their mid-30s.As Dravid steps away now, here’s where India stand. They’re still the world’s best Test team, well into their transition with old faces phased out and future superstars taking shape. They’re also on course to contest a third successive World Test Championship final. They’re a better ODI side than they were under Shastri, with one major structural weakness – a lack of stability and know-how at Nos. 4 and 5 – sorted out and another – a lack of bowlers who can bat – still a work in progress. They’re a far better T20 side with a trophy to show for it.Rahul Dravid lifts the trophy as the team celebrates•Associated PressDravid will be the first person to tell you that much of this growth and evolution across formats has come about because India have a vast pool of extremely talented players, and that he has merely played a small role in helping them realise their own potential. But it takes a bloody good coach to be aware of the limitations of his role, to know what he can and cannot control, and to not lose sight of these things in moments of victory and defeat. It takes a bloody good coach, above all, to keep sight of the humanity of his players, to challenge them to be the best cricketers they can be while protecting them in moments of vulnerability.It was entirely characteristic of Dravid to show up for the post-match press conference when India lost the 2023 final in Ahmedabad, and let Rohit take the mic when they won the 2024 final in Bridgetown.In the aftermath of Dravid’s greatest triumph, then, it’s appropriate to go back to his words from India’s night of despair in Ahmedabad.”I’m sure the sun will come up tomorrow morning.”More than anything else, Dravid the India coach knew how to put things in perspective. Whoever succeeds him would do well to keep that in mind.
Format falling between Test and T20 priorities as defence of title looms in 2023
Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Jul-2022″Sometimes you learn more from losing games,” Moeen Ali said. After a ten-wicket defeat with 188 balls to spare in the first ODI against India, that’s a lot of homework for England to get started on.Tuesday’s evisceration at The Kia Oval was as chastening a defeat as this team has had over the last seven years. The lead actors from the 2019 World Cup win were all on deck, all but skipper Jos Buttler coming and going in an opening capitulation of 26 for five inside eight overs. With that came a reminder that the machine does not move itself.It’s worth saying England could have still ended up in that heap were Eoin Morgan still at the helm. The presence of a new leadership pair in situ, with Buttler flanked by new white-ball coach Matthew Mott, will always get fingers twitching over laptop keys when such a shellacking comes around so early in their collective tenure. But the changes to date have largely been minimal, bordering on aesthetic.Moeen, who was touted as a potential replacement for Morgan, likened Mott to Trevor Bayliss, who oversaw the seismic shift back in 2015. “He [Mott] is very relaxed and he’s good. It doesn’t look like it has affected him in any way.” Beyond the scribbles in his notepad, Mott looked as Bayliss often did during the odd collapse under his tenure: unflustered, literally and figuratively unmoved.It’s also worth noting this was England’s first defeat in nine. The problem, however, is carried in those eight victories.The run began with two easy wins over Sri Lanka at the start of last summer, then three against Pakistan before three more against the Netherlands just last month. Those last two series wins were pulled off with what were ultimately “select” XIs: the former through a Covid outbreak, the latter due to a packed schedule.”It will take a few defeats, which is fine,” Moeen said, of getting England back up to the usual standards, amid the reintroduction of the heavy-hitters who have largely been preoccupied with Test and T20 commitments.”In the past we have won a lot of games, got to a World Cup and lost those crucial games. We have lost a few games at the moment but that is good for us going forward, and closer to a World Cup we will start winning. We want to win now but you don’t want to win all games. Sometimes you learn more from losing games.”Of course, that penultimate statement is a flat-out lie, albeit the kind that makes defeat a little easier to swallow. And yet there is a sound logic that coasting would be counter-productive for an England side who need to remember, along with some fundamentals, what made them such a force in this format.Making heads or tails of English 50-over cricket is one of the more futile endeavours at the moment. The national team have only played 22 ODIs since the end of the 2019 World Cup and even the domestic iteration has broadly been rendered meaningless, which might explain why there is an underlying apathy-based confusion over where this team are at. Therefore, any conclusions drawn from this Jasprit Bumrah-inspired shellacking are loose and will probably be rendered meaningless after Thursday.Related
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But there was a quiet sense at The Oval that the muscle memory of England’s four-year body of work from 2015 might not be as reliable as first hoped. Given how many different ways England’s ideal starting XI are pulled across formats, perhaps that’s no surprise. However, it was interesting that Moeen was thinking out loud when asked to give his assessment on how Tuesday felt like an anomaly. A hallmark of the 50-over World Champions was a knack of making passable scores even after false starts. They only managed 110 this time around.”It is difficult,” he reflected. “We have played a lot more shots and sometimes it was a case of ‘do we keep going?’ But here we were 20 [26] for five and that has not happened a lot. Normally when we haven’t played well, we have been 70 for five and you can counter. But the ball was newer, they were bowling well. We knew we had to counter but it was difficult.”Moeen went on to explain adjustment to different formats isn’t specifically the issue, rather the relentless flow of matches. ” Even if they were all T20s it would have been difficult and the travelling in between. It would be difficult for most teams.”It does put the onus strongly on the next month to re-attune to the longer white-ball code. There are five games over the next 11 days, then nothing until three ODIs in March 2023 against Bangladesh. Naturally, T20 steals the focus ahead of the World Cup in Australia this October.The insistence from Moeen that things will be “fine” by the time England defend their title in 15 months time was characteristically chill of the man. And though it is too early to panic, it’s not too early to worry.
The Dodgers captured their second consecutive World Series title on Saturday night after a thrilling 11-inning Game 7 vs. the Blue Jays.
Los Angeles has grown its roster in the past few years to build the powerful championship team it has become. Two players who are new to the team are starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow (joined in 2024) and Blake Snell (joined in ‘25). Glasnow now has two World Series titles (he didn’t compete in the postseason last year due to injury), while the two-time Cy Young award winning Snell just secured his first one.
Funny enough, the two pitchers were teammates on the Rays in 2020 when Tampa Bay faced the Dodgers in the World Series, which Los Angeles ended up winning. They both ended up in Los Angeles and now have World Series rings of their own after failing with Tampa Bay.
While celebrating in the locker room at Rogers Centre on Saturday, Glasnow dropped a hilarious, but somewhat cringey, line about players who have lost to the Dodgers in any previous World Series.
“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, baby!” Glasnow said, followed by high-fiving Snell.
Both pitchers made relief appearances in Game 7. Glasnow pitched 2.1 innings, throwing two strikeouts and giving up three hits and one run. Snell appeared in the eighth and ninth, striking out two batters and giving up one walk and one hit. The Dodgers went on to win 5-4 in the 11th inning.
The Championship side have confirmed that a supporter has tragically died following a medical emergency at The Valley on Saturday afternoon. The fixture between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth was halted in the 12th minute while staff dealt with the incident. After a delay, referee Matthew Donohue told the players to return to the dressing rooms, and the match was later called off.
Charlton issue statement
Charlton issued the following statement: "The club are devastated to report that a Charlton Athletic supporter has died following a medical emergency during today’s game at The Valley against Portsmouth. The match was halted in the 12th minute while the supporter received treatment and was subsequently postponed. The club would like to thank the Charlton staff and first responders who did everything they could, but sadly the supporter later passed away in hospital. The club are grateful to supporters in attendance and the Portsmouth players and staff for their patience and understanding as this tragedy unfolded. Everyone at the club sends their heartfelt condolences to the supporter’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time."
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Game abandoned following incident
The contest was put on hold early in the game when the medical emergency took place, reports . The players initially waited on the pitch while emergency staff tended to the situation before they went back to their respective team dressing rooms. The goalless game was eventually called off nearly an hour after the initial events unfolded. This fixture will now take place at a later date.
Portsmouth offer condolences
In a statement of their own, Portsmouth, who are 22nd in the table, wrote: "Pompey are devastated to learn that the Charlton supporter taken ill at today’s game has passed away. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their family and friends at this difficult time."
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Messages of support sent to Charlton
Other message of support have been sent to Charlton following Saturday's tragic events at The Valley.
Millwall posted on X: "Everyone at Millwall is deeply saddened by this news. Our love and condolences are with the supporter’s family and friends, as well as everybody at Charlton Athletic."
The EFL added: "Our deepest condolences go out to the supporter's family, friends and all @CAFCofficial at this incredibly difficult time."