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Sheffield United head into this afternoon’s clash with Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane knowing that the result of the match is largely irrelevant to them.

The Blades have already finished in third place in the Championship and will head into the play-offs with the aim of gaining promotion back to the Premier League.

Irrespective of whether or not Chris Wilder and his men achieve that goal, Sheffield United are likely to be in the market to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window, and that could be bad news for club captain Jack Robinson.

Why Sheffield United need to upgrade on Jack Robinson

The long-serving defender, who has been at the club since his move from Nottingham Forest in 2020, has been a regular starter in the Championship this term.

Robinson has started 31 of his 34 appearances in the division, but has had some struggles of late. The 31-year-old dud lost three of his four ground duels and five of his eight aerial battles in the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.

Wilder dropped him for the following game against Cardiff and it led to a 2-0 win over the Bluebirds, before he came back into the team for a 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

This suggests that Robinson, who has given away two penalties and made one error that directly led to a goal this season, is a player whom the club could improve upon in the summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

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

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It was recently reported that Sheffield United are one of the teams, alongside Middlesbrough and Norwich City, interested in a deal to sign Oxford United centre-back Ciaron Brown, who could come in as an upgrade on Robinson.

Why Ciaron Brown would be an upgrade on Jack Robinson

Wilder could finally move on from the English defender as a regular starter and ditch him from the side by swooping to sign the Oxford United star this summer.

Firstly, Brown could provide more of a goal threat from the centre-back position. The left-footed defender has scored four goals and provided three assists in 41 matches in the league this season, compared to Robinson’s zero goals and zero assists in 34 games.

The Oxford United colossus, who former manager Gary Holt claimed has “real hunger”, could also be more reliable in his defensive work, as he has not made a single error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty for the opposition this season.

24/25 Championship

Ciaron Brown

Jack Robinson

Appearances

41

34

Goals

4

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.9

1.8

Clearances per game

6.3

4.8

Ground duel success rate

66%

72%

Aerial duel success rate

67%

61%

Error led to shot, goal, or penalty

0

3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Brown has the beating of Robinson in several key defensive statistics, whilst also providing a greater goal threat from set plays, which suggests that he could prevent Michael Cooper from being worked as much by making vital clearances, tackles, and interceptions.

He is also four years younger than the Sheffield United man and could, therefore, be a longer-term option for Wilder in the left-sided centre-back role.

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Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham May 1, 2025

This is why the Blades must pursue a deal for the Oxford United brute in the summer transfer window because they could improve their play at both ends of the pitch by ditching Robinson to bring Brown into their starting XI next term, whether that is as a Premier League or a Championship club.

The Champions League is the biggest competition in club football. It is a chance for the world’s best to prove their calibre against the finest leagues and teams in Europe for the ultimate prize of ‘Old Big Ears’ come May or June every year.

As is the case with any competition, it is a marathon rather than a sprint, and Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most Champions League goals, with 141 in 183 appearances.

However, the way a club starts can often foretell their chances of glory at the end. This came to pass in the first season of the brand new league phase in 2024/25, with three of the top four clubs reaching the semi-finals.

With this in mind, Football FanCast takes a look at the top 12 goalscorers in the Champions League group stage/league phase.

Stats correct as of 14th May 2025.

Top 12 Champions League group stage/league phase goalscorers

Rank

Player

Goals

1

Lionel Messi

80

2

Cristiano Ronaldo

73

3

Robert Lewandowski

71

4

Karim Benzema

56

5

Raul

53

6

Ruud van Nistelrooy

50

=7

Thierry Henry

38

=7

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

38

9

Mohamed Salah

35

10

Antoine Griezmann

34

=11

Alessandro Del Piero

33

=11

Erling Haaland

33

12 Erling Haaland 33 goals

The newest entrant to this list has wasted little time making a name for himself, with Erling Haaland racing into the record books thanks to his incredible knack for goals.

His first Champions League strikes came for RB Salzburg in the 2019/20 season, scoring a hat-trick on his group stage debut against Genk, before scoring five more in the four matches that followed.

Continuing his hot streak for Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City – with whom he won the competition in 2023 – Haaland has already become one of the competition’s best strikers, yet he’s barely 25. If there’s one challenger to the top scorers, it’s him.

11 Alessandro Del Piero 33 goals

Known as one of the great one-club legends, Alessandro Del Piero is another whose talent perhaps deserved more than the sole winners’ medal he earned in 1996. He always favoured loyalty over glory with Juventus, but his 33 goals in the group stages of the Champions League prove his devotion was bettered by his goal-getting instinct.

In the competition’s history, Del Piero is the highest-scoring Italian, with nine goals in the knockouts bringing his total to 42 on the continental stage.

10 Antoine Griezmann 34 goals

Antoine Griezmann may not have got his hands on the Champions League trophy, but his exploits for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have ensured his place in the competition’s history.

The Frenchman came closest to the trophy in 2016, when his Atletico side were beaten on penalties by city rivals Real. Griezmann missed a penalty in normal time before Los Rojiblancos found an equaliser, though he made up for it somewhat by scoring in the shootout.

With a further nine goals outside of the group stage, he remains one of the best goalscorers that the Champions League has eluded in the modern era.

9 Mohamed Salah 35 goals

Mo Salah was pivotal to Liverpool’s sixth European triumph when his early penalty against Tottenham set Jurgen Klopp’s men on the way to victory in 2019.

On top of this, he has become the club’s top goalscorer in Europe, while across all UEFA club competitions, he holds the record for most goals scored for an English club, previously set by Thierry Henry in 2006.

In the Champions League, Salah has edged ahead of the likes of Sergio Aguero in the group stage, with his contributions for Basel, Roma and Liverpool making him a legend of the competition.

8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic 38 goals

Europe’s finest journeyman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is known on and off the pitch for his confidence and distinctive maverick personality.

In front of goal, he was a monster, and from 38 group stage goals for seven different clubs, there weren’t too many that weren’t absolutely 10/10 spectacular.

Whether it be with his head, left foot, right foot, or through a volley, rocket, or a swerving, curling strike, Zlatan could score any type of goal from any angle or range.

7 Thierry Henry 38 goals

Also on 38 goals, Thierry Henry had a long and successful time playing in the Champions League.

Before Kylian Mbappe tore up the record books, the Arsenal Invincible was the youngest Frenchman to reach the 40-goal mark, while he remains the competition’s all-time second-highest goalscorer from France with half a century – second only to the marvellous Karim Benzema.

Henry crowned his fruit-bearing European adventure in 2009 when he lifted the trophy with Barcelona after brushing Manchester United aside in the final.

6 Ruud van Nistelrooy 50 goals

50 goals in the Champions League group stage is quite the jump from 38, especially since there were only six such games each year. But perhaps even more surprising is the fact that Ruud van Nistelrooy is the only Dutchman to make the top 12.

Despite the Oranje boasting a successful bloodline of special footballers, it is the striking endeavours of the Eindhoven product turned Man United and Real Madrid superstar that stand at the very top.

The Ruud Devil, however, is another who never lifted the famous trophy. But in 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2004/05, he finished as the competition’s top goalscorer.

Remarkably, he only ever scored six goals in the knockouts, but everything adds up to an impressive overall tally of 60 Champions League goals.

5 Raúl González 53 goals

Raúl is the highest-ranking Spanish player to feature and is one of his nation’s most decorated footballers.

Raúl became the first player to score 50 Champions League goals when he scored in a 2-1 group stage win over Olympiacos in September 2005 and was also the first to make 100 appearances in the competition. He was also the first player to score in two Champions League finals since the competition’s rebrand, notching in the finals of 2000 and 2002.

It is no surprise, then, to learn that the Spaniard is the fifth-highest goalscorer in the competition’s history, while he is joint-fifth in terms of winning the famous trophy thanks to three triumphs with Real Madrid – the benchmark football club on the continent.

4 Karim Benzema 56 goals

Somewhat overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, in his own right, is one of the greatest out-and-out strikers of all time.

He is France’s top goalscorer in European competition with 90 goals in 140 games, and he is the first in this ranking to have won both the Champions League (five times!) and the Ballon d’Or (2022).

3 Robert Lewandowski 71 goals

Robert Lewandowski’s entire career has been enmeshed in near-misses when it comes to silverware. He should have won the Ballon d’Or in 2020, robbed by a pandemic. Yet, his record proves he’s one of the greatest number 9s ever.

Nowadays, he aims for more glory with Barcelona, even in his mid-thirties. The Poland international will hope to add to his tally group stage goals in 2025/26.

Across all stages of the Champions League, Lewandowski has 105 goals – third in the overall ranking once more.

Birmingham City ended up coasting to the League One title in style with five straight victories to close out the season seeing the Blues end on a record-breaking 111 points.

This was the first honour added to the St. Andrew’s trophy cabinet since Birmingham’s dramatic League Cup win over Arsenal in 2011, but the Tom Wagner-backed Blues will be hungry for more successes of this kind when heading up to the Championship.

Back-to-back promotions will be the dream goal for Chris Davies’ men upon their re-entry into the tricky division, with some new statement signings needed to boost their chances of immediately feeling at home in the EFL’s elite league.

One of those major buys could be Che Adams, with the hectic rumour mill suggesting Birmingham are keen on snapping up their former star to add even more firepower to their ranks.

Birmingham's hunt for Che Adams

Late last month, Football Insider broke the news that Davies and Co were eyeing up a spectacular move to tempt Adams back to the West Midlands club.

They further stated that Birmingham were looking to add the 28-year-old back to their roster in order to possess a Championship ready goal machine, with Adams boasting 49 career goals in the difficult division.

But, both Jay Stansfield and Alfie May arguably deserve a crack at the level after firing home the goals to seal promotion for their side.

Moreover, Birmingham could seal a better and more worthwhile purchase than landing Adams by signing an EFL star who might make the likes of Stansfield and May even more prolific.

Birmingham eyeing a more exciting signing than Adams

Luring Adams back to St. Andrew’s won’t be a cheap deal to get over the line, considering he once joined former employers Southampton for a reported £15m.

On the other hand, snapping up the services of Peterborough United superstar Kwame Poku could be a lot cheaper, with a compensatory fee needing to be agreed between both the Blues and Posh as the Ghanaian ace’s contract is now expired in Cambridgeshire.

Whilst Adams’ impressive goal record might well justify whatever bumper fee Torino want, Poku would come in and offer far more than just goals for Davies’ men, with the excellent delivery in the video above proving the 23-year-old’s calmness under pressure to pick out an inch-perfect pass for a teammate.

Of course, Poku’s blistering game does also focus in on his ability to fire home strikes, considering he bagged a potent 12 league goals last season for Darren Ferguson’s men.

But, he can also be unselfish and creative marauding through the centre or down the right channel, meaning the likes of Stansfield and May could have chances galore put on a plate for them if the 5 foot 10 star does finally join.

On top of that, it’s not also guaranteed that Adams would return to the Blues and be an instant rip-roaring success, considering he fired home just 12 goals during his first two seasons at the level when last donning a Birmingham strip.

Poku’s league numbers (24/25) vs Stansfield & May

Stat – per 90 mins*

Poku

Stansfield

May

Games played

27

37

44

Goals scored

12

19

16

Assists

8

3

8

Touches*

46.3

29.0

21.9

Shots*

2.4

2.7

1.6

Scoring frequency

172 mins

142 mins

148 mins

Accurate passes*

20.3 (80%)

8.1 (69%)

10.9 (79%)

Big chances missed

3

13

13

Big chances created

9

6

7

Stats by Sofascore

Whereas, looking at the table above, it appears that Poku, Stansfield and May could become a terrifying trio for Championship defences to contain, with the “top drawer” talent – as he’s been lauded by Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony – chomping at the bit to prove himself as an attacking force in the far tougher league.

Also, reunions often just don’t go to plan either. Whereas, if Poku’s League One numbers are anything to go by, he could be the exact fresh blood Birmingham need to become an more formidable outfit stepping back up a division.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson May 18, 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta “loves” one Barcelona star and believes he’d be a cracking addition to the Gunners squad, according to reports, but he faces competition from a direct Premier League rival in pursuit of the player.

Josh Kroenke promises Arsenal investment this summer

Before their 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday, co-chair Josh Kroenke addressed supporters on the disappointment of finishing second in the Premier League yet again.

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Posts ByDominic Lund May 19, 2025

In quotes taken from Arsenal’s matchday programme, Kroenke also promised fans that there will be investment into the squad this summer, as the north Londoners look to end their 22-year wait for a domestic top flight crown.

“We all want to win it,” said Kroenke.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

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

“We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season. Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We’re as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club.”

That pledge is already being answered, as Arsenal are widely believed to have agreed a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with reports from both abroad and England strongly suggesting that Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres could be Andrea Berta’s second summer capture after the Spain midfielder.

Arsenal are apparently keen to strengthen across the board, particularly in the attacking areas, with Berta and co targeting a right-winger, left-winger and striker (GiveMeSport).

Mikel Arteta "loves" Ferran Torres and wants him at Arsenal

One man who can play out wide and through the middle as a centre-forward is ex-Man City starlet Ferran Torres. The £161,000-per-week Barça attacker boasts 19 goals from 45 appearances in all competitions under Hansi Flick this season, leaving little wonder both Arteta and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery are particularly keen.

That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who told The Boot Room that Arteta is a big fan of Torres and ideally wants him at Arsenal.

“Firstly, with Ferran Torres’ situation — Mikel Arteta loves Torres from his time at City, and he knows how City highly rated him,” said Bailey.

“Arteta knows what Torres could bring to Arsenal, but he’s not the only manager who likes him. Villa like Torres and so does Unai Emery.

“But my information is that Torres still has no intention of leaving Barcelona. Hansi Flick has used him quite a bit this season, but even when he hasn’t been playing in the past, he didn’t want to leave Barcelona.”

The 25-year-old appears more likely than not to remain at the Camp Nou, which is a crying shame when factoring in just how much he could reinforce Arsenal’s ranks.

Arteta is known to value versatility in any player, and Torres has featured on both the right and left-hand side whilst also operating as an out-and-out striker when required across 2024/2025.

Sunderland are now “increasingly likely” to complete the signing of a defender in the summer transfer window, according to a promising transfer update.

Le Bris bullish about Sunderland's summer

The Black Cats are still basking in the glory of being promoted back to the Premier League from the Championship amid joyous scenes at Wembley last month. Regis Le Bris made it clear that he is already focusing on new signings, however, saying how he expects the summer to pan out at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have been linked with a move for young Liverpool striker Jayden Danns, with talks even reportedly held over a move to the club. The Englishman joined the Black Cats on loan in January, but a back injury put paid to his chances of even playing a single minute.

Elsewhere, former defender Wes Brown has also talked up Sunderland’s chances of bringing Jordan Henderson back to his old club: “Going back to Sunderland would make sense. He’d understand that he might not play every week, but when needed, definitely show the heart.”

Sunderland "increasingly likely" to sign defender

According to Africa Foot [via Sport Witness], Sunderland are now “increasingly likely” to have a chance of signing Reims defender Cedric Kipre, as he expects to leave his current club this summer. Le Bris is thought to consider the 28-year-old a “serious option” for his side, no doubt knowing that he needs to bolster his defence ahead of the return to the Premier League.

Kipre is a player who already has a wealth of experience in British football, having racked up a total of 206 appearances in the Championship and Scottish Premiership combined after leaving PSG’s academy, during spells with the likes of Wigan Athletic, West Brom, Cardiff City and Motherwell.

He won the Baggies Supporters’ Player of the Season award in 2023/24, starting all 46 matches in the Championship and averaging 3.6 clearances and 2.3 aerial duel wins per game in the competition that year.

This all highlights what a strong option Kipre could be for Sunderland, even though he hasn’t yet played in the Premier League, with his experience of Ligue 1 no doubt helping him.

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Jun 1, 2025

The Ivorian could provide great competition for minutes to the likes of Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien, potentially even being a starter from the off, and the fact that his exit from Reims looks likely could only be a good thing for the Black Cats.

Celtic could potentially look to seal a stunning reunion with a former player this summer, according to a new update from journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Celtic could seal surprise signing of defender

The Hoops have been linked with plenty of potential new signings of late, but one surprise target has emerged in Albirex Niigata defender Hayato Inamura.

The 23-year-old is a left-sided centre-back who could add balance and depth to Brendan Rodgers’ squad, adding to the list of Japanese signings that Celtic have made in recent years.

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Posts 1 ByHenry Jackson Jun 16, 2025

Inamura is far from the only possible fresh face arriving at Parkhead in the summer transfer window, however, with Royal Antwerp star Michel-Ange Balikwisha also mentioned as a target.

The 24-year-old has 29 goals and 17 assists for his current club, as well as being capped for Belgium in five different age groups, and he could add real quality to Celtic’s attack. Now, a shock move regarding the Hoops has been mooted.

Journalist makes claim on Kyogo sealing Celtic return

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke talked up the idea of Celtic re-signing Kyogo Furuhashi this summer, even though the Japanese only departed for Rennes back in January, saying it would be a “popular signing amongst the club’s fans”.

“It would definitely be a popular signing amongst the club’s fans. It hasn’t really worked out for him, that move to Rennes. He was brought in by Jorge Sampaoli and he then left the club and Kyogo found himself cut out. That’s fuelled speculation that he could be moving on. Celtic never really replaced Kyogo when they let him go in January, they decided not to bring in another striker.

“So what better man to replace Kyogo than Kyogo himself in that respect? It’ll depend on what the player wants to do, if he would be interested in a move back to Celtic then potentially something could happen. I don’t think Celtic will be willing to pay anywhere near the £10million they received from Rennes to sell Kyogo in January, it will have to be on much reduced terms. If there’s a willingness from Rennes to sell him and the player to return, a move could happen. Celtic have a long list of target they’ve looked at as replacements for Kyogo. So let’s wait and see.”

While Celtic fans were clearly disappointed in Kyogo that he wanted to leave the club, many would still love the idea of seeing him back at Parkhead.

The 30-year-old produced so much quality in the final third during his four-year stint at the Scottish Premiership giants, scoring 85 goals in just 185 appearances, as well as receiving plenty of adoration from Rodgers.

“His finish was sublime. He is clever, he’s very cute in the game. He’s an elite player in terms of his movement and his runs. And he played the offside really well.”

Kyogo managed only one start for Rennes in Ligue 1 last season, in what has been a frustrating period for him, so a return to Celtic could be perfect for all parties.

Another defeat would put Afghanistan on brink of elimination, while victory for Australia would set them up beautifully for a semi-final spot

Deivarayan Muthu22-Jun-20241:09

Maxwell: Hopefully a few mental scars from the double century

Match detailsAfghanistan vs Australia
Kingstown, 8.30pm local time
Big Picture: All eyes on Glenn MaxwellThe last time Australia faced Afghanistan, history was made. A cramping Glenn Maxwell was writhing in pain – he could barely walk, let alone run – but pulled off a miracle in Mumbai. They were struggling at 91 for 7 in pursuit of 293, but Maxwell’s epic double-hundred put Australia back on track for another world title and left Afghanistan on the brink of elimination.Maxwell then endured a difficult IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he even took a break. He started the T20 World Cup with a duck against Oman and then laboured to 28 off 25 balls against England. He was bowled cheaply by a ripper from Mark Watt in the chase against Scotland, but in the chase against Bangladesh, he showed signs of his best, though he faced only six balls in a rain-hit fixture. He swatted legspinner Rishad Hossain over long-on and crunched Mustafizur Rahman through the covers. Maxwell finished with 14 off six balls at a strike rate of 233.33. Australia will hope that Maxwell, the spin-hitter, can produce an even bigger impact against Rashid Khan and co. on a Kingstown pitch that has been conducive to spin.Related

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Though Maxwell is yet to hit full tilt, Australia’s middle order (between Nos. 4-7) has struck at 168.09, the best among all 20 teams in this T20 World Cup. In contrast, Afghanistan’s middle order has struck at less than 100 – the lowest among all Full-Member teams in this tournament. Adam Zampa and potentially Ashton Agar could make life even more difficult for the Afghanistan middle-order batters in Kingstown.This game will be played in the backdrop of some tension between the two boards. Cricket Australia has refused to play Afghanistan in bilateral series in the recent past because of political reasons. Australia’s decision to pull out of multiple bilateral series against Afghanistan has met fierce condemnation, including a threat from Rashid Khan to pull out of the BBL. Afghanistan’s players will be out to prove a point about their standing in the global game when they take Australia on in a third World Cup game in three years.Form guideAfghanistan LLWWW
Australia WWWWW1:44

Rashid Khan: Middle-order batting needs to improve

In the spotlight: Naveen-ul-Haq and Tim DavidNaveen-ul-Haq has taken some pasting in the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup, but he is Afghanistan’s best bet to counter Australia’s power-packed line-up at the death. He can bowl yorkers from a slingy action and has several slower variations, including the knuckle ball, tailor-made for the low bounce in St Vincent. Naveen has a chance to add to those variations by working with Dwayne Bravo at Afghanistan and Texas Super Kings in the upcoming MLC.Naveen, though, will have to be wary of Tim David, who has taken him for 50 off 38 balls in T20 cricket being dismissed. David also has a good head-to-head record against Rashid – 62 off 45 balls with just two dismissals – and has been working on his own spin bowling though Australia haven’t needed his secondary skill in the T20 World Cup proper. If David doesn’t get you, Marcus Stoinis will. If Stoinis doesn’t get you, Maxwell will.Team news: Will Australia bring back Agar?Hazratullah Zazai fell cheaply against India, but Afghanistan will likely give him another go.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Hazratullah Zazai, 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Gulbadin Naib, 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Najibullah Zadran, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Naveen-ul-Haq, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiConsidering the slow, turning tracks in Kingstown and Afghanistan’s right-hand heavy line-up, Australia might bring back left-arm fingerspinner Agar, instead of one of the three frontline quicks, and pair him up with Zampa and Maxwell.Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Josh Hazlewood/Ashton Agar, 11 Adam ZampaPitch and conditions: Spin to winSpinners have thrived in Kingstown, picking up 22 wickets at an economy rate of 5.64 in six innings this tournament. Expect more of the same when two of the world’s best T20 wristspinners Rashid and Zampa will be in action on Saturday night. Chances of rain are low on Saturday evening.Stats and trivia: Farooqi dominates powerplay Agar has dismissed Nabi twice in ten balls while conceding just four runs in T20 cricket. He is one wicket away from becoming the second Australia spinner, after Zampa, to 50 T20I wickets. Farooqi has bagged 15 wickets in this T20 World Cup at an economy rate of 5.45. Eight of those 15 wickets have come in the powerplay, the most by a bowler during this phase in the tournament. Travis Head, David and Stoinis have hit 129 sixes among them in T20 cricket this year.Quotes”I think there are a few players who are very early in their international careers and they will learn from it. And World Cup is always the biggest stage when you’re playing against the biggest team as well.”

“Yeah, it was nice to get out there and hit a couple, but I’ve said it pretty consistently. I felt pretty good throughout the whole tournament.”

Aston Villa only have a limited time to raise funds in their battle to avoid PSR sanctions, with the footballing financial deadline for 2024/2025 looming on June 30.

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Posts 1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

Unai Emery’s side can only register a loss of around £15 million for the year just gone, according to a recent report by The Athletic, with Premier League clubs only permitted losses of around £105m over a rolling three-year period.

Villa are forecast to be over this limit as things stand, prompting NSWE to explore the possibility of selling their women’s team in a bid to comply with PSR and swerve breaches.

Emery falling just short of qualifying for the Champions League at the end of 24/25 cost them dearly both on and off the field, and there is every possibility that Villa could look to secure a big-name exit in the next two days to raise funds.

Their marquee sales of Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby to Saudi Arabia have really helped in this regard, but they could require at least one more as the PSR deadline looms.

Atletico Madrid held talks with Lucas Digne over a switch to La Liga recently, according to Football Insider, and the 52-cap Frenchman, with just one year remaining on his £120,000-per-week contract, could be a prime contender for the exit door.

Emiliano Martínez, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana are other players named as potential candidates to leave, while clubs are expressing a serious interest in Villa sensation Morgan Rogers as well.

The clock is ticking for Villa to agree a significant departure, and they could be handed a chance to make some money off Kosta Nedeljkovic’s talks to join RB Leipzig permanently (Sky Germany).

However, according to journalist Wayne Veysey, Villa have also alerted representatives to their stance over selling star striker Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa tell agents they're ready to sell Ollie Watkins

Emery’s side rejected a low-ball £40 million bid from Arsenal for Watkins in January, but the Gunners haven’t followed that up with any formal approach so far this summer.

Writing for Football Insider, Veysey states Villa have told “senior agents” that they’re ready to sell Watkins by Monday, but they’re yet to find a buyer for the talismanic forward, who bagged 17 goals and 14 assists in all competitions last term.

The 29-year-old, who’ll turn 30 in December, also became the club’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer at the back end of 24/25, surpassing Gabriel Agbonlahor, but Villa have apparently made it clear they’re willing to do a deal.

Emery may not be a fan of this decision, or supporters for that matter, considering they already let Duran go earlier this year – and it would be an almighty task to replace Watkins’ influence up front.

“He deserves it completely because he is a hard worker,” said Emery about Watkins, after the ex-Brentford star broke Agbonlahor’s Premier League goalscoring record for Villa.

“He is committed with Aston Villa. His courage has been fantastic and to achieve it is very fantastic. I am so, so grateful to have a player like him.”

The global player union has also established the Tim May medal for “outstanding service to the players’ association movement in cricket”

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2024

‘The name change to the World Cricketers’ Association reflects our desire to simply state and reflect our role in the game at global level’ – WCA CEO Tom Moffat•PA Photos/Getty Images

Cricket global players’ union has undergone a rebrand, with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) to now be known as the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). The decision was made following a board meeting and 25th anniversary celebration in New York, held concurrently with the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.WCA has also established the Tim May Medal, named after the former Australia offspinner who was the first CEO of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) and who went on to become the first full-time CEO of FICA in 2005. The medal will be awarded to “recipients who have provided outstanding service to the players’ association movement in cricket.”May himself and Richard Bevan were announced as the inaugural winners of the award. Bevan was the CEO of the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the player union for English cricketers, from 2003 to 2007.”There has never been a more important time for players to be collectively represented in their own countries, and at global level,” WCA CEO Tom Moffat said. “The vast majority of the best men’s and women’s players in the world are now affiliated to WCA, and irrespective of fragmentation in the game, the players will always be the talent and its biggest asset.”The name change to the World Cricketers’ Association reflects our desire to simply state and reflect our role in the game at global level.”In changing our name we acknowledge all of those who have contributed to and built FICA. Throughout its short history it has achieved a significant amount for players, their associations, and the game. We reflect on our first 25 years and the legacy of those who have built it, and look to the future of our game and collective player representation within it with optimism.”

Ruben Amorim will face the biggest challenge of his professional management career next season, as he looks to take Manchester United back to their former glory.

The 40-year-old was appointed back in November last year, but was unable to transform their fortunes as they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

However, he largely had to work with the players already at his disposal, with only Patrick Dorgu arriving as a senior first-team signing back in January.

This summer presents him with the opportunity to make the additions he wants to improve the current situation at Old Trafford, handing him the best possible chance of being a success in the role.

With the transfer window now in full swing, the hierarchy have wasted no time in backing Amorim in his quest, targeting numerous players in various areas of the pitch.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Hayden Hackney has been one of the main midfield targets for United throughout the course of the summer window, with it being revealed that the club have been seen scouting him in recent weeks at the U21 Euros.

As for the attacking department, Hugo Ekitiké is a player who was of keen interest a couple of weeks ago, but a deal has gone quiet ever since his asking price of £84m was revealed.

However, the backline looks set to be the next department to be added to, with the Red Devils making progress in a deal to sign Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo, according to a report in Spain via Football365.

It states that Amorim’s side have already made an offer for the Uruguayan defender, who’s currently valued at a bargain fee of just £38m by the LaLiga giants.

They also claim that Bayern Munich and Juventus are also looking to take advantage of the fee mentioned, with Hansi Flick looking to raise sales to sign Nico Williams this window.

Why United’s £38m target would be a more important addition than Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo has been a player firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of weeks, with multiple offers being made for the Brentford talisman.

The first offer of £55m was swiftly rejected, but the second bid of £60m is still being considered, with only minor details needing to be ironed out before he can negotiate with Amorim’s side.

It’s been reported that the 25-year-old appears set to have his medical at the Red Devils next week, potentially becoming the club’s second addition of the window after Matheus Cunha.

There’s no doubt that given his tally of 20 league goals this season would improve the options at the manager’s disposal in the final third, offering him the attacking threat he’s craved in the role.

However, a move for Araujo this window would arguably be a more important one for the club, landing a star that would massively bolster another area of the pitch.

It was confirmed that Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof would be leaving the club at the end of their current contracts, leaving a lack of depth within the defensive unit.

Additions to the defence are certainly needed if the Red Devils are to make the jump, with injuries showing how light the club was even before the aforementioned duo departed.

When delving into the Uruguayan’s stats from this season, he’s demonstrated the qualities he possesses with and without the ball, handing Amorim an elite-level option in his pursuit of glory.

Araujo, who’s been labelled a “monster” by teammate Eric Garcia, completed 92% of the passes he attempted, with 3.1 per 90 being into the final third – stats that could offer the club an opportunity to play out from the back when needed.

Ronald Araujo’s stats for Barcelona in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

12

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

92%

Passes into final third

3.1

Tackle success rate

75%

Aerial won

3.9

Interceptions made

1.2

Stats via FotMob

Without the ball, he’s been just as impressive, coming out on top of 75% of the tackles he’s entered, alongside 3.9 aerials won per 90, subsequently adding a quality option to the manager in such an area.

£38m for a 26-year-old entering the prime years of his career could prove to be an excellent signing for the Red Devils, bolstering their chances of success as a result.

Given the interest from elsewhere this summer, they will have to work tirelessly to avoid missing out on his signature, with his addition potentially proving to be more important than Mbeumo’s.

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