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After a poor season in 2024/25 for Manchester City, they have made huge strides in improving their squad ahead of the new campaign. Pep Guardiola’s side have been busy in the 2025 summer transfer window, already signing six new players in a bid to improve their fortunes next season.

Two of those are goalkeepers, with James Trafford and Marcus Bettinelli signing to provide competition for Ederson. Rayan Ait-Nouri has so far been the only defensive signing, joining from Wolves, and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders moved to the Etihad Stadium from Italian giants Milan, as did young talent Sverre Nypan. In forward areas, Rayan Cherki signed from Lyon.

Now, City seem to be lining up another reinforcement at the back.

Man City’s next transfer target

There has been no messing around this season from Guardiola and his side, who seem to be getting set for a much better season, despite the poor performances in the Club World Cup. They have signed players across the pitch, with another defensive addition up next.

Transfer Focus

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

At least, that could be the case if they can pull off a move for Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento. According to a report from Dean Jones on the Transfers from Paradise podcast, via Manchester City News, they are ‘persisting with their interest’ in the England under-21 international.

This could be a tough deal to do. Jones explained that ‘Newcastle don’t want to sell the player’, although that won’t stop City from trying, and they ‘still think it might’ be possible to pull a deal off.

As for the price for Livramento, City might need to pay as much as £50m this summer.

Why Livramento would be a good signing

It has been a rapid rise to the top for London-born full-back Livramento. The 22-year-old, once described as a “sensational” player by former Magpies superstar Alan Shearer, offers an attacking threat and the ability to play on both sides of defence.

In 80 games for the club across his time in the North East, Livramento has bagged one goal and registered two assists. His versatility has been clear to see, too. He has played 42 times as a right-back and 19 times on the opposite side, offering excellent tactical flexibility.

Throughout Livramento’s time with the Magpies in the Premier League, there are some standout stats courtesy of Squawka. For example, he has created an average of 0.9 chances each game in each of the last two seasons. On top of that, he averaged 5.9 ball recoveries in 2023/24 and 6 the following season, per 90 minutes.

Chances created

0.9

0.9

Crossing accuracy

19.23%

21.15%

Forward passes

15.8

16.8

Duels won

5.6

4.5

Clearances

2.6

3

Interceptions

1.8

0.8

Ball recoveries

5.9

6

Over the summer, Livramento was a key member of England’s successful under-21 European Championship-winning squad. He made five appearances and played every minute, even grabbing an assist in the Three Lions’ first game.

If City do bring the 22-year-old to the Etihad Stadium, he will be the second under-21 Euros winner they have signed. Trafford has also lifted the trophy, back in 2023, where he made a historic late double save to win England the trophy.

There is certainly a case to be made that Guardiola’s side would be signing an even bigger English talent than Trafford in Livramento, if they bring him to the club. Notably, the former Burnley goalkeeper cost £27m, almost half of what City would need to pay for the Newcastle star.

He is also far more experienced in the top flight. The Cobham academy graduate has almost 100 Premier League appearances under his belt, making 93 already. That is far more than the number of games Trafford has played, with just 28 to his name so far.

Described as ‘an England right-back’ in the future by Newcastle star Kieran Trippier, Livramento is a player with huge potential. He could certainly be viewed as a bigger talent than City’s new number one, given the experience he has and the far costlier fee.

This could be a fantastic addition for City to help strengthen their side for now and in the future.

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ByBen Gray Jul 29, 2025

Bangladesh survived 12 overs before stumps but will have to return to face a relatively new ball on Friday

Karthik Krishnaswamy22-Aug-2024A 240-run fifth-wicket stand between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan formed the centerpiece of a dominant second day for Pakistan as they declared at 448 for 6, leaving Bangladesh to see off a tricky hour or so before stumps. Bangladesh did so, with openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan surviving 12 overs, but they will have to come back and face Pakistan’s four-pronged seam attack on day three with a ball that is still relatively new.Pakistan looked to up their scoring rate when they resumed after tea, with Rizwan announcing their intent by stepping out and clouting Shoriful Islam for a big six over long-on. The shot triggered a bout of cramps, and Rizwan continued to hobble as he collected 37 off 42 balls after tea to finish unbeaten on 171 when Pakistan declared.Pakistan’s aggressive intent after tea cost them one wicket, when Shakib Al Hasan’s guile undid Agha Salman’s attempt to hit him against the turn, bringing about a sliced catch at backward point. But it also brought quick runs, as Shaheen Shah Afridi slogged two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 29 off 24.Rizwan came out and kept wickets when Bangladesh’s innings began, but cramps forced him to leave the field after 7.3 overs, with Sarfaraz Ahmed taking over behind the stumps. In all, Rizwan was on the field for all but 4.3 overs of the day’s play.Having added 44 on day one, Shakeel and Rizwan batted on for the best part of two sessions before Bangladesh finally broke their stand, with just over 15 minutes to go for tea.The visitors’ long-awaited moment of inspiration came from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who dangled up a teasing offbreak that dragged Shakeel onto the front foot to defend, then dipped and turned sharply past his outside edge, leaving him reaching for the ball and dragging his back foot out of the crease. Litton Das completed the dismissal with lightning glovework after collecting the ball somewhere around the seventh-stump line.This was a dismissal with a margin of millimeters; the tip of Shakeel’s toe was on the crease when the bails began to flash.There had been only millimeters in it an over earlier, too, when Shakeel – who had routinely left his crease against the fast bowlers to negotiate movement – shouldered arms to Hasan Mahmud and Litton, alert to the possibility, threw down the stumps. Then, Shakeel had plonked his bat into the crease and landed a fraction of a second – a fraction too small for the frame rate of the TV cameras to capture definite proof – before the bails lit up.Litton had been involved in most of the small sprinkling of nervous moments that Shakeel and Rizwan endured during their 63.5 overs together. He had moved alertly to his left to create a diving opportunity when Rizwan lobbed up a bat-pad half-chance off Mehidy, but hadn’t been able to finish the job. He had missed an even tougher chance, down the leg side, off Rizwan’s glove when he had tried to sweep Shakib.That these moments were so infrequent, and so far from being genuine chances, reflected how well Shakeel and Rizwan batted as they brought up their respective third Test hundreds. It also reflected how much the conditions had eased up since the start of the Test match, when Bangladesh had made full use of the new ball and early moisture to reduce Pakistan to 16 for 3.Proof of the transformed conditions – though the tiredness in the Bangladesh seamers’ limbs also contributed, no doubt – came when Bangladesh took the second new ball, ten overs after lunch. Both batters had brought up their centuries by then – Rizwan going from 91 to 97 by stepping out and launching Shakib for a big six over wide long-on, then whipping him over midwicket for four to reach three figures – and they greeted the return of the fast bowlers with a series of gorgeous strokes.Rizwan eased Hasan Mahmud through cover point in the 82nd over, and in the next over Shakeel stood tall to drive Shoriful on the up through cover.The batters embraced when Shakeel played that shot, perhaps recognising the fact that it was his first boundary of the day, and his unhurried, unbothered manner while going through 123 balls without one.Shakeel made up for that in the overs that followed, pulling Shoriful and Nahid Rana disdainfully when they tried to bounce him, and whipping Rana off his hips when he veered too straight.Rana had tried the short-ball ploy in the first session too, and occasionally made both batters look awkward. But it came at a cost: his five overs in the morning went for 32 runs.Rizwan scored most of those runs, including back-to-back falling ramps over the slips off bouncers angling into his body to go from 46 to 54. In Rana’s next over, he showed more of his range against the short ball, hooking him for a six over backward square leg.Rizwan was by far the quicker scorer of the fifth-wicket pair during the first session, adding 65 off 100 balls. Shakeel had less of the strike, and made quieter use of it, scoring 32 off 77 without adding to his five boundaries from day one. By lunch, Rizwan had overtaken Shakeel having started the day 33 runs behind.Their methods may have been different, but their effect on Bangladesh was similarly dispiriting. Shakeel’s defence, in particular, looked unbreachable at times; he was beautifully balanced at all times, and invariably met the ball right under his eyes with the bat’s full face.As the day went on, Bangladesh’s spinners began to take on a greater share of the workload, and both Shakib and Mehidy put a difficult first day – they had gone for a combined 36 from their six overs – behind them and performed an admirable holding job. Much of their day-one despair had been related to Pakistan’s clinical use of the sweep. They responded by attacking the stumps far more, and bowling a touch quicker than they had earlier, with protection in the deep square on the leg side. Both used drift cleverly, and Mehidy on occasion extracted sharp turn too.

Russell Martin and his Glasgow Rangers players are already hard at work in pre-season as they prepare for their European qualifier later this month.

The new Gers head coach will be looking to progress through to the next round of Champions League qualifiers, and will want the best possible squad available to him at Ibrox.

Max Aarons and Lyall Cameron have already been added to the team during the summer transfer window so far, but the Light Blues will not stop there.

According to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam, central midfielder Joe Rothwell turned down LaLiga teams to join Scottish Premiership giants on a permanent deal.

The former Bournemouth star has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Ibrox and could make his debut against Panathinaikos later this month.

What Joe Rothwell could bring to Rangers

Rothwell will bring an experienced head in the middle of the park that Rangers do not currently have. Nicolas Raskin (24), Mohamed Diomande (23), Bailey Rice (18), and Connor Barron (22) currently make up Martin’s midfield ranks.

This means that the 30-year-old maestro, who has played 204 games in the English Championship, could be a mentor to the younger players in the squad, and give valuable advice to the likes of Barron and Rice, as he has been there and done at a good level in the game.

The midfield whiz, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Leeds United, will also offer quality in possession through his impressive passing range.

Rothwell is a metronomic midfielder who likes to constantly get on the ball to progress play for his team with progressive passes and passes into the final third, helping to create chances for his teammates.

24/25 Championship

Joe Rothwell per 90

Percentile rank vs midfielders

Passes completed

63.74

Top 6%

Long passes completed

6.44

Top 2%

xA

0.22

Top 4%

Key passes

2.44

Top 1%

Progressive passes

6.64

Top 8%

Passes into the final third

7.40

Top 2%

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, the experienced star provided plenty of quality on the ball in the 2024/25 Championship campaign with Leeds, who won the title to secure promotion to the Premier League.

He played in a ball-dominant title-winning side and showcased his ability to consistently progress play and create chances in the middle of the park, which suggests that he could thrive in a ball-dominant Russell Martin team chasing the Premiership title.

Whilst Rothwell, who is also capable of scoring screamers, looks set to be a terrific addition to the squad, Rangers are eyeing another midfielder who could be an even better signing.

Rangers in the race to sign former Liverpool gem

According to Liverpool-focused outlet DaveOCKOP, Rangers are one of a number of teams in the race to sign RB Salzburg central midfielder Bobby Clark in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Liverpool could be due a sell-on clause fee as a result of the English starlet moving on from the Austrian side this summer, just a year on from his Anfield exit for a fee of £10m.

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 adds that Rangers, Leicester, West Brom, Sunderland, Koln, Eintracht Frankfurt, Hamburg, Birmingham, Leicester, and Southampton are all eyeing up a move for the midfield talent.

DaveOCKOP reveals that the former Newcastle United youth prospect is expected to look for a fresh opportunity to play elsewhere next season, and that there is a concrete chance that he will leave Salzburg.

However, it currently remains to be seen how much of the £10m that was paid for him last summer Rangers would need to pay to secure his services.

Why Rangers should sign Bobby Clark

The Scottish giants should push to win the race for the English midfielder this summer because he could be an even better signing for the club than Rothwell in the long run.

Clark is ten years younger than the signing from Bournemouth, at the age of 20, and this means that he has far more potential, both in terms of development and his viability as a long-term option for Martin in midfield.

If the Gers can land a deal for the Salzburg youngster, he could be a starting option in the middle of the park for the next decade if all goes well, whereas Rothwell is heading into the latter stages of his playing career.

Clark is not the finished article in the present, like Rothwell, though, after he only started seven of his 17 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga last season, but he did show a lot of promise in the OFB Cup, the domestic cup in Austria.

24/25 OFB Cup

Bobby Clark

Appearances (starts)

2 (2)

Touches

217

Pass accuracy

85%

Key passes

8

Dribbles completed

12

Dribble success rate

63%

Ball recoveries

22

Duels won

30

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the English midfielder thrived as a starter in the cup across two appearances in the competition, creating eight chances and winning a staggering 30 duels.

Whilst it is an incredibly small sample size, it does show the kind of quality that he could provide if Martin is able to help him take the next step in his development after failing to earn regular starts with Salzburg.

Clark, who was hailed as “exciting” by reporter Lee Ryder, also showed a lot of promise during his time at Liverpool, with one goal and two assists in 14 first-team appearances for the Premier League giants, which earned him a £10m move to Austria.

The 20-year-old gem produced 18 goals and 11 assists in 64 games for Liverpool’s U18 and U21 sides combined, further illustrating the kind of attacking quality he can provide at his best.

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Therefore, Clark could be an even better signing than Rothwell because he could be an incredibly exciting midfield talent if Martin can unlock his immense potential as a dynamic, attack-minded, midfielder, who still has many, many, years left ahead of him to develop and improve.

Liverpool find themselves on the cusp of Premier League glory and have now turned their attention to a prolific striker on the market, per reports.

Liverpool set to cement themselves as champions ahead of busy summer

Since arriving at Anfield, Arne Slot has earned due adulation as his side canter towards a second top-flight title of the modern era, which will undoubtedly raise levels of expectation heading into next season.

Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have committed their futures to Liverpool and have played a major role in upholding standards while on Merseyside. Still, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s uncertain situation threatens to become a sizeable blow should he depart for Real Madrid.

Work has to be done in the market this summer if the Reds want to retain their impending status as Premier League champions next term. Their rivals will likely tool up in the off-season to bolster squad depth in the face of a heavy fixture schedule.

Looking to make a statement, Liverpool are confident they can beat Manchester United to Hugo Ekitike after finding out that a fee of £80 million could secure his signature from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is a known Reds target amid his rapid rise to prominence, and talks have been held with his camp over the last few weeks.

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For now, finishing the season with a flourish will be the priority before celebrations begin after Liverpool win the title. Slot and company will enjoy the moment, though there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes to ensure they aren’t knocked off their perch.

Planning for the future, the Reds boss now has a prolific marksman in his sights who could be the man to spearhead their attack come 2025/26.

Liverpool ready to strike for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are closely monitoring Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins amid fears that they could be priced out of a move for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak. Marcus Rashford moving to Villa Park on a permanent basis could free up the England international, who has dropped to the bench in recent weeks as opposed to being a regular starter.

Ollie Watkins’ key statistics in Premier League – 2024/25

Goals

14

Assists

6

Non-penalty XG

12.68

Chances created

21

Shots on target

35

Touches in opposition box

154

Labelled “terrific” by Phil Jones, Watkins has scored 165 goals in 455 career games and is firmly in his peak, which has also brought Arsenal to the table.

The outlet claim Luiz Diaz could be sold to create room for the former Brentford man on Merseyside. Liverpool may be tempted by a bid north of £60 million, with the Saudi Pro League emerging as the Colombian’s most likely destination.

Either way, there could be sizeable changes on the way at Anfield as the Reds go all out to retain their spot at the top of the English pyramid next campaign.

True to form, the 2-0 win in Pakistan came against a backdrop of strife and adversity

Mohammad Isam13-Sep-2024Najmul Hossain Shanto was on his way to the elevator. He had just finished the tour’s final press conference, after leading the side to their maiden Test series win against Pakistan. Bangladesh had completed the six-wicket victory by mid-afternoon on the fifth day. It left them a bit of a breather between arguably their greatest moment in Tests and their evening flight home.The staff and security personnel in the media centre had taken selfies with the Bangladesh captain, and he was walking, relaxed, taking in the compliments. Then the question.”Shanto, what is the secret to this 2-0 win?””One word: belief,” Shanto said, his hand on his heart.Bangladesh went to Pakistan after the T20 World Cup, where they meekly surrendered to Afghanistan in the Super Eight. Their fans turned their backs on them; the rest of the world lost interest. Bangladesh found themselves, ironically, in the kind of position that Pakistan have always prided themselves on fighting their way out of – that of the cornered tiger.Related

• Hathurusinghe: This is the most well-rounded Bangladesh team in my time

• Shanto says Bangladesh unfazed by off-field turbulence: 'We can do special things here'

• Bangladesh dig deep to find glory in a time of upheaval

• Nahid Rana: A new express finds his fame in Rawalpindi

• Litton toasts 'big achievement for Bangladesh cricket'; Mehidy dedicates win to student protestors

Bangladesh have a history of motivating themselves to rise after their worst moments. On an awful tour of England in 2005, where they were battered on the field and blasted by cricket’s greats off it, they summoned all their energy and emotion to beat mighty Australia. There was no cricketing or worldly explanation for that Cardiff game; it was one of cricket’s great miracles.Three years later, when a significant group of Bangladeshi cricketers signed up for the rebel Indian Cricket League tournament, Bangladesh cricket was in tatters. They handed debuts to a few youngsters. The public doubted whether the team could ever win again, but they did, managing to beat New Zealand in their first ODI after the exodus.This pattern has been common enough over the last 15 years or so, and it marked the Rawalpindi wins too. Bangladesh arrived in Pakistan on the back of a prolonged run of poor results, including two disastrous World Cups. In the weeks leading up to the tour, the cricketers lived through a violent revolution at home, many leaving for Pakistan after having defended their homes from dacoits and looters, and having suffered losses of various kinds. There was no cricket board to speak of; the BCB’s president and several directors went into hiding after the Awami League government resigned early in August.Shanto had his work cut out, but he had at his disposal two veterans, a couple of Test specialists, an encouraging group of fast bowlers, an able wicketkeeper, and a hungry allrounder. Off the field it was an interesting mix. Bangladesh’s head coach, Chandika Hathurusinghe, had faced criticism, and chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain had only returned to the BCB earlier in the year after a decade in administrative hiatus. At least Rabeed Imam, the experienced manager, brought a calming presence.One of the things Shanto was especially pleased about was the team-first ethos that marked the tour. He called it one of the hallmarks of the series win. Every batter who got a start made sure he capitalised, in terms of time spent at the wicket, or runs scored. The fast bowlers pounded in all day as a pack.”In the past, we have had many individual performances in the team,” Shanto told ESPNcricinfo in Rawalpindi. “This time, every player contributed to the team’s exact requirement. They thought about the team first. They were only worried about the team. Nobody looked for personal milestones.Shanto (third from right) embraces Litton Das after the win in the second Test•Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images”The way Mushfiq [Rahim] bhai played during his 191 in the first Test, you could see that he wanted to bat a little more for the team. When Mehidy [Hasan Miraz] made 78 in the second Test, he didn’t think about his century. He had gone out to bat at 26 for 6. It was clear that he wanted to take the team to a better position.”Look at how Litton [Das] batted for so long with Hasan Mahmud. Even after scoring 138, he felt like he could have given more.”Nahid Rana bowled fast all day. Hasan Mahmud held a spot all day. Taskin [Ahmed] returned after a long time – he is trying hard for the team. Everyone is supporting the bowlers. The one who drops a catch gets a pat on the back. It was a great environment. I know that winning a match always brings out positives. I know that big performances become famous. They are talked about. But these small factors were effective for the team.”A member of the touring party who requested anonymity echoed the captain’s sentiments. “Bangladesh were a treat to watch on this tour,” he said. “There’s a definite change in mindset among the younger lot. We had to take nine wickets on the fifth day [of the first Test] when Shoriful [Islam] told everyone loud and clear that we will win the game. It showed that he had the desire [and was ready to work to make it come true].”Mehidy had a huge role. He bowled beautifully, and then made those telling contributions from No 8. The way he looked hungry and eager to be in the wicket safter his half-century in the second Test, it gave a different vibe to the team. When we [came back into] the contest from 26 for 6, it added a new dimension to this team.”We don’t do these kinds of things. The incredible partnership between Litton and Mehidy suggested to the whole dressing room that we can turn the game from any situation.”

****

Having the right attitude paid off for the Bangladesh batters, who, more than their bowling counterparts, had had an ordinary year in all three formats. So when openers Shadman Islam and Zakir Hasan fought hard in the first innings of the series, it sent a strong message to the dressing room.New blood: Bangladesh’s exciting young fast bowler Nahid Rana•Farooq Naeem/AFP/Getty Images”The majority of the pre-tour preparation was simply focused on making better decisions consistently in the nets,” batting coach David Hemp said. “Being clear about which balls to attack, defend or leave, coupled with judging length – whether to move forward or back.”[Shadman and Zakir] approach the way they bat and their individual innings in different ways, and as such, both had their own particular areas that they were working on pre-series. However, decision-making is vital, and as a batting group we discussed the importance of time and making the opposition bowlers come back for four-plus spells. This was something that we identified after the Sri Lanka series in March.”Shadman and Zakir eked out 250 balls across their opening stands in the series, the most by a Bangladeshi opening pair in an overseas series in more than five years. It gave the middle order less to worry about and more to build on. Between Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque and Shakib Al Hasan there was just the one century and one half-century, but those three players made valuable contributions on and off the field.Thankfully, Litton and Mehidy stepped up in both Tests. Litton’s taking the attack to Naseem Shah in the first Test – off whom he scored 18 runs in an over at the end of the third day – blunted Pakistan, and then he put on that epic 165-run stand with Mehidy that changed the course of the second Test.”Litton is a very talented and experienced all-round player,” Hemp said. “What was impressive was his discipline and patience to absorb pressure, and then additionally his awareness to exert pressure the other way by attacking the bowling at key moments.”Mehidy again made significant contributions at critical moments with the bat. He is naturally an attacking player, which is a big strength, so it can be a challenge to navigate what to do in certain situations, but this series his decision-making and approach was outstanding.”Opener Zakir Hasan was, along with his partner Shadman Islam, a key contributor to Bangladesh’s series success•Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images

****

Shanto’s on-field presence was noticeable, though his batting form continued to suffer in Pakistan – even if his final innings in the series suggested it might be returning. But there was a spring in his step, and his was often the loudest voice on the field. He spoke to his bowlers regularly, and he was proactive in changing them around. He stuck to his plans and did not shy away from attacking Pakistan’s best batters. Shanto’s clever use of spinners on two occasions – the fifth day of the first Test and the first day of the second – was also impressive. Often, he kept the slip cordon intact but also employed in-and-out fields for set batters. Overall, he and Hathurusinghe read the conditions better than Pakistan.”I am in the slips for a while, then I am at mid-on or mid-off at other times,” Shanto said. “My fielding position depends on who is bowling. Sometimes it is hard to speak to Nahid Rana from the slips. I spend time next to him, to give him instructions. Once he gets it, I can field anywhere. Sometimes I have to stay there for Hasan Mahmud. I don’t have to do the same for Taskin. I thought the bowlers gave me exactly what I wanted from them.”He now possesses arguably Bangladesh’s best bowling attack in years, fast bowlers who can win him matches, and two of the world’s leading spinners. But Shanto’s future as the captain isn’t all rosy. His brief when he was handed the captaincy last November was to take Bangladesh cricket into the future. Stating it that way elides the fact that it will be a future without a golden generation of players who defined Bangladesh cricket – the likes of Shakib and Mushfiqur, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah.

****

One of the more unusual things about this tour was the lack of influences from outside the team. For years, it had been common practice for the former board president, Nazmul Hassan, and some BCB directors to travel on tours. They would sit in on team meetings and talk to players and coaching staff every now and then, in the team hotels and elsewhere.This time, however, it was different. Hassan and several board directors with political ties haven’t been seen in public since August 5. Hassan stepped down as president on August 21, and the head of cricket operations, Jalal Yunus, resigned the day before. The team left Bangladesh with the country in chaos, but once in Pakistan, the team focused on the task at hand.”In the team, everyone knew their specific roles,” said Imam, the team manager. “They knew what was expected of them. It was a very cricket-centric tour. We basically stuck to training, matches and hotel. We had our rooms side by side and on the same floor. It created an atmosphere of togetherness. They spent their spare time with each other. It was good to see that cricket was the only thought during a tour.We’ll always have Rawalpindi: old-timers Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib al Hasan seal the deal•Associated Press”News did come through but the focus never wavered. The coaches and support staff, we tried to make them comfortable. We were together all the time. There were no distractions. Rather, we received a lot of encouragement from the board and from home.”That resulted in a relaxed atmosphere, despite the new board chief’s criticism of Hathurusinghe, and Shakib being accused of a murder during the student protests.Not that things didn’t get tense in the dressing room. Rabeed, who has worked at the BCB for close to two decades, spoke of how he got to pacing when the team fell to 26 for 6 in the second Test.”I wasn’t feeling comfortable anywhere. I didn’t feel like standing or sitting anywhere. I was thinking of going towards the dugout. When I was coming down the dressing room stairs, Miraz hit a boundary. He struck one more, and then I just sat midway down the stairs. I decided to sit there throughout [Mehidy and Litton’s] 165-run partnership.

****

Given the side has eight Tests from August through December, the BCB sent the high-performance team to Australia and the Bangladesh A team to Pakistan in advance to prepare. Several of the Test squad members, like Mushfiqur and Mominul, played for the A team in Islamabad ahead of the first Test. The Test team ultimately had to rely on six days of practice in Lahore and Rawalpindi, but they were well prepared and acclimated to the conditions.Shanto: “I think such a moment has never come in Bangladesh team’s history. Cricketers look for references. Now we have one”•Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty ImagesIf Shanto felt vindicated after winning the first Test he looked relieved and content after the second, posting a photo of himself asleep next to the trophy. He reflected later that no matter what direction the team took from there on, they will always have this 2-0 result in Pakistan.”It feels great when you are winning. It is important to enjoy these moments. I think such a moment has never come in Bangladesh team’s history. Cricketers look for references. Now we have one. We know that we have the ability to win abroad.”The next time we play, I don’t know about the result, but we will surely have the belief that we can win. I said the same thing in the press conference on the first day [when asked about Bangladesh’s dismal record in Pakistan] that records are meant to be broken.”It was from my belief after seeing how hard the players worked. The way they showed hunger for the team, it gave me the belief. Results can vary in these situations. If we can stick to this process, work hard, we can do even better.”Bangladesh have had many false dawns. In fact, the win in the first Test of this series seemed like one. But they followed it up with another great effort in the second, a first overseas clean sweep, 15 years after their last. But unlike that 2-0 win against a depleted West Indies side, Rawalpindi has provided them with a blueprint for overseas success.They have a reference. And they also now have the belief.

South Africa, the Test team, are at a fork in the road – here’s what they need to address to revive their results and reputation

Firdose Moonda09-Jan-2023At least it is over. South Africa’s first series defeat in Australia since 2005-06 ended with a glimmer of hope after they resisted being swept 3-0 in Sydney. But even as they saved face, they were forced to confront the uncomfortable truth that they have fallen behind the top Test teams.”It’s important for us to be honest with ourselves in terms of where we are,” interim coach Malibongwe Maketa said. “As a country, we want to be competing against the top three [teams], but we don’t have the Test caps that they have at the moment. We’ve done well against them in the past, and unfortunately now they are slightly better than us. We brought the best team that we had, and we didn’t compete.”Some of South Africa’s problems are structural – thanks to a first-class system with not enough fixtures and players who cannot successfully step up to international cricket – and others are just plain bad luck. After beating India at home this time last year, they have had one first-choice batter sit out of every tour since due to illness or injury, which has meant that their best line-up has not been able to play together.Related

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You could argue that even if Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma were all fit and firing at the same time, none of them even has a Test average above 35; you would be right in wondering if it would have made that much of a difference at all. The reality is that the deep-seated issues – lack of confidence, tough pitches, a weak domestic competition, and a scant Test schedule in the next cycle – cannot be solved by any one, or even three people, alone.It needs, as Maketa put it, a full-scale “reassessment”, and “the right processes in place”. It needs change. This is South African red-ball cricket’s fork-in-the-road moment, and there are some key areas they need to put in the spotlight to resurrect their Test fortunes.The coach: two to succeed Mark Boucher
The change will start at the top with CSA due to appoint new coaches by mid-January following Mark Boucher’s resignation last year. The role will be split in two, with the Test coach also playing an overseeing role in the domestic first-class set-up, and a white-ball coach to head the ODI and T20I teams.Mark Boucher resigned as South Africa coach last year•Getty ImagesMaketa was shortlisted alongside Adi Birrell, Shukri Conrad, Rob Walter, Lance Klusener and Richard Pybus. Interviews were conducted three weeks ago, and ESPNcricinfo understands a decision will be made in the next ten days, with Conrad and Klusener understood to be the front-runners for the roles of Test and white-ball coach, respectively. At least two of the candidates listed have other offers or jobs elsewhere, and would need CSA to make them an offer in the next few days if they are to accept.There were no international names on the shortlist, which already says something about how attractive the job of coaching South Africa is (not very), and the kind of money on offer (not much compared with other countries).Once head coaches are appointed, CSA can turn its attention to a technically-strong support staff. Currently, South Africa have Justin Sammons, Charl Langeveldt, and Justin Ontong as batting, bowling and fielding coaches, respectively, but other former players such as Vernon Philander and Hashim Amla may also come into contention. CSA will also need to find a High Performance head, as Vincent Barnes will be retiring later this year.The captaincy: time to give Dean Elgar, the batter, some space?
Dean Elgar has been in charge for Tests for less than two years, after taking over in complicated times when the Quinton de Kock experiment failed. Though he is South Africa’s most experienced Test player, was the obvious choice at the time and did a good rallying job upfront, the leadership appears to be taking its toll on his primary job: batting. Since being appointed full-time captain in March 2021, Elgar has not scored a single hundred, and averages 28.40, a serious drop from his average of nearly 41 when not playing as captain.Apart from his form, there are other concerns with Elgar’s leadership: from his knack of talking a much better game than he plays, to the way he manages his bowlers and field placings. Ian Chappell specifically dissected where Elgar went wrong in Australia, and it provides much food for thought about how Elgar has handled situations in other series.Temba Bavuma has been a poor choice as T20I captain, while leadership appears to be taking a toll on Dean Elgar’s batting•AFP/Getty ImagesOn the England tour in mid-2022, a stand-out blunder – though it was not Elgar’s alone – happened on the morning of the second Test in Manchester, when South Africa changed their winning combination from Lord’s to select a second spinner which turned out to be a complete misjudgement. Their team composition then forced them to bat first on a seamer’s surface, and the rest is history.South Africa’s entire leadership structure needs a relook, with Bavuma a poor choice as T20I captain – and even as a player in the format – and better suited to longer-format leadership. It is plausible that Bavuma could be moved to lead the Test side – although it’s also worth remembering that he has not scored a second Test century since his first one came in January 2016 – while someone like David Miller could take over both the short-format teams. That would free Elgar up to do what he does best: score runs.The top six: proactivity needed in the era of Bazball
If Elgar and Bavuma are to be retained for now, the only other batter that should be part of future plans is Kyle Verreynne. He is the only member of the top six that is under the age of 30, and has shown glimpses of the talent that sees him boast a first-class average of over 50. Verreynne is a modern batter who is aggressive against the short ball as also against spin, and is fearless in playing his strokes, qualities which the rest of South Africa’s top six lack.They are made up of slow starters, steady blockers and those with a defensive mindset which may have worked in Test cricket a decade ago, but is simply not the way the game is being played at the moment. If South Africa are to keep up with the pace of Test cricket and join the Bazball-style revolution, they need batters who can score runs at a higher tempo, take risks and advance the game.CSA said Ryan Rickelton “has an ankle injury that forced him to be overlooked by national selectors, but allows him to be picked by his domestic team”•Lee Warren/Gallo ImagesOf course, the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brewis need to rack up some numbers in first-class cricket before they can be fast-tracked into the national set up; but already, Tony de Zorzi, Jordan Hermann, Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton should be looked at.And speaking of Rickelton, our next point…Communication: CSA falling behind in this game
Perhaps even weaker than South Africa’s batting is CSA’s lack of clear communication, and Rickelton is a case in point. After debuting – without shooting the lights out – at home against Bangladesh, Rickelton picked up an ankle injury after the England tour that requires surgery but can be managed for now. He opted to delay going under the knife, in the hope he could play this summer: in Australia, at the SA20 and against West Indies. He was wrong.When CSA found out about the injury, it opted not to take him to Australia for fear that if it worsened, it would not be able to fly a replacement out in time. So far, so good. Except that in a baffling press statement, CSA said that Rickelton “has an ankle injury that forced him to be overlooked by the national selectors, but allows him to still be picked by his domestic team”.At best, that is clumsily worded. At worst, it is a way of deflecting from revealing the full story – something the board did with Lizelle Lee’s retirement, and which it routinely does with selections that are made with transformation targets in mind – and creates a culture of distrust among players and fans. And it blew up badly for CSA when Rickelton then went on to score four hundreds – two each in first-class and List A cricket – across five matches. He may not be the saviour the Test team needs, but having him at home just looked bad.The players are understood to be frustrated by a lack of clarity in the communication, and have – through their association – asked for improvement. That includes a relook at the first-class structure, because they all recognise it is not fit for purpose.Interim coach Malibongwe Maketa is among those who has advocated for less-hostile domestic pitches•ESPNcricinfo Ltd/Sidharth MongaThe pitches: less spice for more reward
It is a well-worn trope that South African surfaces are some of the toughest – if not the toughest – to bat on in the world, and have bred a generation of batters who cannot play free-flowing and high-octane cricket. And so there have been calls for that to change. Maketa is among those who has advocated for less-hostile domestic pitches to produce better international batters.”With the younger batters, do we expose them to better wickets to get enough runs to perform at this level, or do we say that we are a team that’s going to win at home and we make it difficult for people coming?” Maketa said.”We come here, and on good wickets, our control is going to be challenged. If we are comfortable to win at home, we can leave it the way it is, but we want to be successful all around the world. To win the World Test Championship, you have to come here [in Australia] and win; you have to go to India and win. We don’t want to be a team that only wins at home.”CSA has recognised this, and is making a concerted effort to make domestic pitches less spicy to encourage more run-scoring. The number of hundreds produced in the first-half of the four-day competition this season – 16 – shows it is paying off. But it is only the start. It will likely take several seasons for this change to bear fruit.

Do we need another format? Why not, as long as it has the power to change perceptions and move the dial

Mark Nicholas25-Jul-2020Eulogies for cricket are much in vogue, at least here in England, where the perception of something gone persists. By assuming a groundswell of opinion around the marginalising of county cricket and the appearance of the Hundred, they suggest something pessimistic or gloomy. Truth be told, English cricket is in pretty good shape, though more needs to be done to encourage the young. The England team interprets Test cricket with bright spirit and an eye for entertainment; the one-day team are the world champions and the T20 side not far from it, but still the idea is spun that county cricket is the embodiment of all that we English are and that the Hundred is all that we are not. It beats me, as it did when T20 got a cold reception all those years ago. Remarkably few people watch county cricket live and the sense remains that those who do have little else in the diary. This is not a criticism – actually, it is rather charming – but it is close to fact.I loved playing the county game and greatly appreciated the loyalists who followed our cause with enthusiasm and warmth – so much so that many became friends. I was surprised at the travelling they did and the long hours spent on days where others might have been stoking the home fire. I remember a game that trimmed the back of April and the first days of May when it snowed. It was Malcolm Marshall’s first for Hampshire (I think) and we took him shopping to buy woollen jumpers, thick socks and shoes. The sight of him wrapped around the lone dressing-room radiator lives in the memory as if it were yesterday. Incredibly, there were spectators there too, waiting for an announcement. About tobogganing?I thought of the 1970s and ’80s as a golden age but down the track, others will reflect on eras of their own as star-spangled. That the game suits the time in which it finds itself might be its most extraordinary gift, a point best illustrated by World Series Cricket in 1978 and the IPL in 2008. Of course, if we have known and loved what has gone before, we take time to adapt. Some of us never do. In the main, though, cricket simply reflects the zeitgeist.There are so many crickets – single-wicket, double-wicket/pairs, T10, T20, 40 overs, 50 overs, 55 overs, 60 overs, 65 overs, three-day, four-day, five-day. There is declaration cricket, French cricket, cricket, indoor cricket, Kwik cricket, cage cricket, tape-ball cricket, continuous cricket, Last Man Stands, and more, much more. Don’t worry about cricket, it is just fine: even Test cricket, which inhabits an untouchable space. Indeed, the game may prefer to avoid nostalgia. After all, the past is far from perfect. Cricket has long been embroiled in controversy – amateur and professional for a start; then racism, class and coercion. No, it is better to look forward than back. To see a future and set fair for its advantages.ALSO READ: 3TC – what worked, what didn’t, and the AB de Villiers questionWhat’s the trick to getting it right? Off the field: kindness and opportunity for all. On the field: bat and ball. Get that balance right and you have a game. You can weight them one way or the other but you can’t exclude one from the other.Last Saturday, the first game of another incarnation was played in South Africa. 3 Team Cricket is the brainchild of Paul Harris – not the left-arm spinner but the former chairman of FNB and now head honcho at Rain, the South African mobile-data company. Harris loves and knows cricket, and while playing cards with his family during the early days of lockdown, began to wonder how the game could reboot itself for kids. Yes, T20 is doing okay but outside of the subcontinent, the game doesn’t burn in the hearts of children as it once did. Harris called Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher and they loved his idea for three teams of eight players each competing in the same match. Initially, the eight players was a Covid-19 thing, as the six fielders could do their bit in zones – cut like slices of pizza around the outfield – and therefore maintain the biosecure environment that was required to emerge from lockdown. Harris wanted cricket to lead the way with something fresh and innovative, something that might catch the attention of the young.He called me and for three hours made his case and I loved it. I just can’t see the downside in the search for something new. Sure, I would prefer Test cricket to remain pre-eminent for ever and a day but it won’t, maybe it already isn’t. If young people are to fall head over heels for cricket, the game must keep evolving until that silver bullet is identified. My enthusiasm for the Hundred was tempered only by the suspicion that the ECB hadn’t gone far enough. In truth, it is T20 shortened and then shoehorned with some different references and punctuation. But it’s the same game. It will now take another year for us to find out if that is to its advantage or not.Get the balance between bat and ball right and you have a game in you hands•AFP via Getty Images3 Team Cricket is a different game, albeit driven by the same aim: to make more runs than the opposition. Or in this case, oppositions. Having two opponents to consider makes the game more cerebral, inviting the exploration of how best to use your own resources against each of two opponents. If England were playing India and South Africa, for example, would you bowl the quicks against India and the spinners against South Africa? And if you do, in which half? And if the answer is the first half and it goes wrong, are you left exposed? Imagine the jeopardy. While two teams to slog it out against one another, the third team can creep up to spring a surprise.Like all limited-overs cricket, 3TC is a one-innings-per-side contest – in this case, of 12 overs per team – but spread across two periods of six overs either side of half-time. The 36-over version, as played at Supersport Park in Centurion, takes a little less time than T20 and marginally more than a Hundred match. The 90-over version of 30 overs per side may be the more suitable format for the best players.I loved the idea so much, I joined the board of 3TC – a board formed to protect IP but which worked pro bono on the development of the game – and had a hand in devising the rules and the format of the Solidarity Cup match that raised three million rand for the South African Hardship Fund.Do we need another format? Why not, so long as bat and ball stay in harmony. In streets, playgrounds, parks and on beaches, I have played ten-minute games and ten-hour games that have been anything from one a side to 12 a side. They all worked wonderfully well. Our search is for the format that grabs and holds the attention of children in a way that relates to their fascination with the world in which they live.We believe that 3TC can do great things for the development of the game; can help the Associate ICC members spread their gospel; can provide an alternative for clubs that struggle to raise teams; can work for pick-up matches; and can thrill children who may not be top dog in an 11-member team but who can play their part in a team of eight, where every little counts. We believe that shared facilities can allow two schools or clubs with limited facilities to benefit from a better-equipped third club. And we believe that 3TC can be cricket’s vehicle into the Olympic Games, the surest sign that global recognition has come the game’s way. Most immediately we plan to review the match and format and then to spread the 3 Team Cricket wings.ALSO READ: Black Lives Matter – South Africa’s cricket elite shows united face in moving Centurion tributeAs for Saturday in Centurion, well… Reeza Hendricks’ Kingfishers dropped AB de Villiers at the start of his comeback innings. This was costly. AB’s Eagles soared ahead, courtesy the maestro himself and a brilliant display of stroke-making from Aiden Markram. After their partnership, the Kingfishers and Temba Bavuma’s Kites were left to play catch-up, which was beyond them, and to battle for second placeIt is worth saying that this was a beta test. Beta minus, in fact, given the lack of any form of pilot, trial or even the necessary preparation time. It went well enough and the players say they enjoyed the originality of the format. The media, in the main, greeted the occasion with warmth, if finding a grumble in the length of the gap between the six-over batting periods. Fair enough. This was deliberately created to allow television to showcase the charities that were to benefit from the sponsorships. In general, 3TC is a fast game with the rotation of batting, bowling and dugout time being managed for its efficiency.The biggest problem, especially for a new format, was the empty stadium. Even the Premier League in England has struggled with the lack of any atmosphere, to the point where matches televised from partisan venues such as Anfield and Old Trafford still feel like pre-season friendlies. Imagine a 3 Team Cricket match that goes to the wire in front of a full house of three sets of supporters. Imagine the commercial opportunities that come with three seats of fans watching on television in different locations at home or around the world.Of course, six fielders made life too easy for the batsmen, and on the slow winter’s pitch, wickets were hard to come by. The reason for six fielders, or eight-man teams, was the agreement made with the government to support the rules of a biosecure environment and ensure the fewest number of people on site as possible. At a high level of the game, both in the 36-over and 90-over version, 3TC will have nine fielders in support of bowler and wicketkeeper. At lower levels, those in charge of matches can agree upon any number of fielders between six and nine, and if necessary, “borrow” from the dugout team, whose interest in knocking over the batting team will be as strong as that of the fielding side.This has the potential to be a game of tactics, patience, nuance and surprise, its unpredictability a trump card. At the end of each match, three captains stand on the podium – one with gold, one with silver and one with bronze. Each of their players will have had a say. Like the Hundred next year, T20 17 years ago, and one-day cricket back in the mists of time, 3 Team Cricket has the power to change perceptions and move the dial. County cricket as we know it, or four-day cricket around the world – though still admirable and essential as the breeding ground for our Test match heroes – will not do that. We must keep looking forward.

The best team in baseball is loading up for a World Series push.

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan. It will be a one-for-one deal, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, with the Guardians receiving pitching prospect Khal Stephen in return.

Bieber holds a career 3.22 ERA across seven seasons, and is nearing a return from rehabilitiation following Tommy John surgery that he underwent in April of 2024. He has shown well in limited rehab outings in the minor leagues this season.

If he continues to pitch well in his return from injury, the Blue Jays will certainly rely upon him in their playoff rotation.

Sheffield Wednesday have now reportedly expressed interest in signing a young Premier League gem on loan in the January transfer window.

Sheffield Wednesday narrow down takeover candidates

Despite the fact that they’ve now passed their initial soft deadline of December 5, Sheffield Wednesday are yet to name their new owners. In a long, detailed process, the Owls are seemingly keen to ensure that they find the right candidate for the job rather than simply the highest bidder.

Joint-administrator Kris Wigfield released a statement when the club passed their first deadline at the beginning of December, claiming that takeover talks have gained “momentum”.

According to The Star’s Alex Miller, Wednesday have now shortened their list of candidates in a move that should at least push takeover talks forward.

Wigfield has kept the names of candidates close to his chest, but reports have claimed that Mike Ashley has been among those attempting to buy the club.

The former Newcastle United owner reportedly saw his first bid turned away, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll return with an improved offer.

When it comes to the football, meanwhile, the Owls have set their sights on some much-needed January additions now that they can sign free agents or players on loan and that could see Everton’s Reece Welch arrive.

Sheffield Wednesday express interest in signing Reece Welch

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Sheffield Wednesday have now expressed interest in signing Welch on loan from Everton in the January transfer window. The Toffees reportedly believe that a loan move for the 22-year-old would be an ideal next step for his development next month.

Those at Hillsborough are no strangers to welcoming Premier League talent on loan, either. Harry Amass has thrived on loan from Manchester United this season, even as off-pitch chaos has engulfed the club, and the Owls could now repeat their transfer genius by signing Welch next month.

The young central defender also has just over six months remaining on his current Everton contract, which means that Sheffield Wednesday could look to land a free deal if he arrives on loan and impresses.

Sheffield Wednesday candidates now considering shock move to complete takeover

The Owls are approaching their initial deadline.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 3, 2025

On paper, joining Sheffield Wednesday won’t be the most attractive option for young players, but the Owls can at least guarantee the game time that the likes of Welch so desperately need.

Billionaire takeover candidate makes Sheffield Wednesday decision as deadline nears

The 2025/26 campaign promised a new dawn for Tottenham Hotspur and their supporters.

Before too long, Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy had both been replaced. Thomas Frank was the new manager and Fabio Paratici had even returned for a second bite of the cherry.

Yet, rather like it did with Ange, things have unravelled all too quickly for Frank. There’s one word for it: Spursy.

The North Londoners began the season brilliantly. Their new Danish manager had engineered more security and better organisation at the back.

From the remarkably high line of Ange-ball to the more sedate Frank ball, excusing the Super Cup defeat to PSG, Spurs kept five clean sheets in their opening seven games of the Frank regime. How times change, eh?

Tottenham have now won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions and have shipped 18 goals in that time.

While Spurs may not be in 17th place, the position Postecoglou steered them to, a number of players have regressed.

The biggest issues of Thomas Frank's reign

The Dane moved from west to north London over the summer and while his appointment did not garner the level of fanfare a certain Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho attracted, it was viewed as a smart appointment.

From Championship to the top half of the Premier League, what Frank achieved with Brentford was first-class.

Yet, he is no longer with the Bees and Spurs fans demand more. They demand good football, they demand that they challenge for honours.

Well, despite Postecoglou’s tenure now a thing of the past, Spurs look no closer to achieving their goals under Frank.

The defence improved for a limited amount of time but the biggest issues have emerged in attack.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Brennan Johnson ended last season as Spurs’ top scorer with 18 strikes to his name but he has put in a number of abject performances of late. The Welshman has found the net just once across his last 12 matches, a dire run that’s caused frustration.

Up top, Dominic Solanke has rarely been seen due to injury and the same can be said of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Without them, Spurs have a creativity problem. According to FBref, their expected goals tally sits at just 11.9, the fourth-worst record in the division. That’s hardly a surprise considering that they rank 18th in the Premier League for key passes (88), and 16th for expected assists (8.1) across the campaign so far.

That’s even with marquee signing Xavi Simons in the team. Their failure to sign Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze is well documented and how Frank must wish they’d secured a Premier League-proven creative midfielder instead.

That said, their full-backs are not offering enough either. Pedro Porro, usually so creative and dangerous, particularly over a dead ball, has only carved out 1.39 key passes per 90 minutes, down on last season’s tally of 1.97 per 90.

His partner in crime on the left isn’t faring much better either. In fact, his drop off has been somewhat reminiscent of Dele Alli.

Spurs star is heading down the Dele Alli path

When analysing the right back position at Spurs, it’s clear that improvement is needed. Perhaps Archie Gray or Djed Spence could profit from Porro’s lack of form.

Likewise at left-back, Destiny Udogie is enduring a tough season. He spent early parts of the term out injured but is now back in action. However, he’s largely disappointing.

It was only a few years ago that the young Italian was described as “one of the best left-backs” in the league by pundit Clinton Morrison but that now couldn’t be further from the truth.

In many senses, Udogie’s rise and fall mirror that of someone like Dele, like a Tanguy Ndombele. He’s got all the talent in the world, all the raw attributes to thrive at this level.

We’ve already seen that. In 2023/24, the wing-back collected two goals and three assists. Not jaw-dropping numbers sure, but this was a player well on his way to cementing himself as a future hero in these parts. He’d get into “nearly every team in the world” remarked journalist Hunter Godson.

Sadly for the 23-year-old, he’s regressed big time under Frank, much like the aforementioned Dele did under Mourinho. While Frank hasn’t called Udogie “lazy”, which was the criticism the ‘Special One’ handed to the England international, his performances have begun to decline.

Like Dele, this was a player with the world at his feet. He looked like a world beater, one of the best young talents in England. Now, however, it’s all gone pear-shaped.

Udogie’s last two performances, in particular, have proven to be a problem. In the defeat to Fulham last weekend, Football.London’s Alasdair Gold noted how the defender ‘didn’t offer too much going forward’ and made an untimely slip when Harry Wilson found the net.

His display against Newcastle United on Tuesday, a 2-2 draw, left plenty to be desired too.

Udogie vs Newcastle
Minutes played	90
Touches	52
Accurate passes	30/36 (83%)
Key passes	0
Accurate crosses	0/2
Successful dribbles	0/1
Shots	0
Tackles won	1
Interceptions	0
Ground duels won	2/7
Aerial duels won	0/2
Stats via Sofascore.

The aforementioned Gold slated the Italian for having a few ‘sloppy moments’ while flagging that Newcastle got a lot of joy down the Tottenham flanks.

Safe to say his numbers don’t particularly paint a very vivid picture either. Udogie won just two of his nine duels and failed to register a single shot, supply a key pass or successfully complete a dribble.

All in all, it was a poor day at the office for the Italy international and he must improve moving forward.

He’s a talented player, one of the best young talents we’ve seen in the division across the last few years. Under Frank, however, it’s heading in the same way as Dele under Mourinho. Both had immense potential, but their talents could go to waste.

Thomas Frank may have just found Spurs' new Mousa Dembele vs Newcastle

Tottenham battled back to claim a draw against Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

3

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 3, 2025