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Manchester United now hold the strongest interest in a “sensational” goalkeeper target, having already made contact to discuss a deal, according to a report.

Man Utd looking to replace Andre Onana

It was yet another difficult campaign for Andre Onana at Old Trafford, with former United man Nemanja Matic particularly critical of the goalkeeper prior to the Europa League quarter-final clash against Lyon.

Of course, Ruben Amorim’s side went on to progress past the French club, but after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur last month, it appears as though the manager has now set out to replace his goalkeeper.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Man United are well-placed to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez as a replacement for Onana, and there has since been a further update on their pursuit of the Argentina international.

According to a report from TyC Sports (via Sport Witness), United now hold the strongest interest in Martinez, having made contact to discuss a potential move several months ago, before ultimately deciding to stick with Onana.

Barcelona have also expressed an interest in the Villa shot-stopper, but the La Liga champions now appear to be going for Joan Garcia, which could open the door for a move to Old Trafford.

A deal could be on the expensive side, with the report revealing Unai Emery’s side are set to hold out for a large fee, although it is unclear how much they would be looking to receive.

"Sensational" Martinez could be huge Onana upgrade

Onana would’ve been hoping that a good showing in the Europa League final would give him a shot at redemption, but he ultimately put in a disappointing display, and it is clear that Amorim must bring in an upgrade this summer.

There are signs the Argentine could fit the bill, having outperformed the Cameroonian across a number of key metrics for goalkeepers per 90 minutes over the past year.

Statistic	Emiliano Martinez	Andre Onana
Goals against	1.20	1.32
Save %	72.1%	68.9%
Clean sheet %	28.3%	23.4%
Crosses stopped %	11.3%	5.5%

Jamie Smith has lauded the 32-year-old as “sensational” in the past, and he won the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award in both 2022 and 2024, once again indicating that he would be a real improvement on Onana between the sticks.

Man Utd hold secret talks to swap Sancho for "generational" £75m PL forward

The Red Devils have held discussions over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho…

By
Dominic Lund

Jun 4, 2025

It remains to be seen whether the £150k-a-week goalkeeper would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, without European football of any description on offer, but he would be a real statement signing for Man United this summer.

With Leeds United looking to solve their biggest problem this summer, one transfer target is now reportedly ready to quit his current Premier League club in favour of a move to Elland Road.

Leeds' goalkeeper problem

After winning the Championship title and sealing automatic promotion to the Premier League, Leeds still have one major problem to address this summer. And that comes courtesy of Ilian Meslier. The shot-stopper is at the centre of Leeds’ greatest weakness and very nearly derailed his side’s promotion until Daniel Farke ruthlessly replaced him with second-choice Karl Darlow.

Related Leeds enquire over signing £40m Champions League winner in club-record deal

He could be a major upgrade.

Posts 2 ByTom Cunningham May 9, 2025

However, the current No 2 is far from a permanent solution ahead of the Whites’ return to the Premier League, and the 49ers seem to be well aware of that.

Already, a number of Meslier replacements have been mentioned as the summer transfer window approaches, and Leeds will have to narrow their shortlist down if they are to finally solve their goalkeeper problem.

Two names mentioned have been Caoimhin Kelleher and Djordje Petrovic in recent reports. Both goalkeepers have endured excellent seasons, with Kelleher often called in to replace an injured Alisson Becker at Liverpool as they secured the Premier League title, and Chelsea loanee Petrovic providing some standout numbers on loan at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

Both would be instant upgrades on Meslier, whose mistakes came around more and more often at Leeds throughout the campaign. They were mistakes that went unpunished eventually, but mistakes that could ultimately cost the Yorkshire side their Premier League place if repeated next season.

After dropping his goalkeeper for Darlow in April, Farke told reporters: “Obviously he was involved in both [Swansea] goals in the last game, and it was a shame because after the penalty save he was on his way to being man of the match.

“So it was clear we had to make a decision. And we had to make it early in the week, because in that position the players need clarity, and Karl [Darlow] needs the time to prepare.”

Leeds receive Sam Johnstone boost

Meanwhile, if it’s not to be Petrovic or Kelleher this summer, then those at Elland Road could reportedly turn towards another Premier League option.

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Sam Johnstone is now ready to quit Wolverhampton Wanderers to join Leeds this summer.

The experienced shot-stopper has often found himself behind Jose Sa in the pecking order in the Midlands and could now leave the club just one summer after arriving. Wolves’ No 2 could quickly become Leeds’ No 1 as a result, with the 49ers already thought to be plotting a move to sign the former West Bromwich Albion man.

Previously praised for a “sensational” save by Gary Lineker, Johnstone will be desperate to regain a starting place away from Wolves this summer and replacing Meslier would hand him the chance to do exactly that.

At 32 years old, however, there may be some concerns around Elland Road over the goalkeeper’s ability to become a long-term solution to their biggest problem ahead of a vital Premier League campaign.

Arsenal have prepared an offer to sign a “dominant” attacking gem who’s drawn comparisons with Brazil legend Neymar, with sporting director Andrea Berta already having a fee in mind to put forward.

Arsenal targeting two wingers and a striker this summer

Berta, who’s set to work in tandem on the club’s recruitment with manager Mikel Arteta, arrives at N5 with a glowing reputation after 12 successful years at Atlético Madrid.

Arteta has "serious" wish to sign £40m star with Arsenal contact made

The Gunners boss is “huge fan”.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 16, 2025

The 53-year-old was responsible for key transfer deals at the Wanda Metropolitano, including the signings of Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente, Rodri, Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suárez, Yannick Carrasco and noteworthy names, with supporters now hoping he can replicate his excellent pieces of business in north London.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games	Date
Ipswich Town (away)	April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)	April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)	May 3rd
Liverpool (away)	May 11th
Newcastle United (home)	May 18th

Arsenal’s board are set to back Berta with a significant transfer kitty this summer, which GiveMeSport estimates could be up to £300 million on as many as seven major signings before the beginning of 2025/2026.

Three items on their agenda include the potential acquisitions of a left-winger, right-winger and striker.

Arsenal have already held talks with the representatives of Nico Williams, who’s expected to leave Athletic Bilbao this summer, while it is also believed that they’re in ongoing communication with Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman’s agents as well.

Arsenal have also been told the price for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, according to Fabrizio Romano, with Berta sent a “clear” message in recent days/weeks that the Sweden international will cost around £60 million.

It is pretty evident that a new attacker or two will be coming to the Emirates Stadium, and it is now believed Berta has his eyes firmly on a rising star in Brazil.

Arsenal prepare bid for Atlético Mineiro starlet Gabriel Veneno

According to journalist Lucas Tanaka, that man is teenage forward Gabriel Veneno, who is earning quite the reputation in South America.

The 15-year-old right-winger has even drawn comparisons to Neymar due to his dribbling ability, with Future Ballers on X also branding Veneno a “dominant force” in one-v-one situations and an exceptional dribbler.

Tanaka believes Arsenal already have an offer prepared for Veneno, but he cannot reveal the exact nature of his bid for now.

“Here’s some exclusive information on Gabriel Veneno. The jewel of Atletico is considered a jewel by the people who follow the youth team,” said Tanaka on YouTube.

“Remember he’s in the under-16s, he’ll be 16 in July. He was called up to the Brazilian national team under-16s last year. If I’m not mistaken he’s an attacking midfielder who likes to play on the right wing, pulling inside.

“Gabriel Veneno is being watched and approached by a big European club, Arsenal.

“Arsenal in England is keeping an eye on Gabriel Veneno. I already have the value of the possible offer that they’re thinking of sending in the middle of the year, but I can’t give you the value yet.”

Liverpool are believed to have sent scouts to watch a £74m-rated “leader” in action in recent days, according to an exciting new transfer claim.

Van Dijk closing in on new Liverpool deal

Mohamed Salah’s contract extension at Anfield is the biggest news to emerge this week, with the Egyptian legend signing a new deal that will keep him with the Reds until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Now, Liverpool supporters will be dreaming of Virgil van Djik doing the same as his teammate, and recent reports suggest he is also closing in on committing his future to the club he has been at since midway through the 2017/18 campaign.

The Athletic’s James Pearce is among those to claim that it is now effectively a matter of time until the Dutchman pens a new contract, with a two-year deal also expected to be coming his way.

At 33, Van Dijk is not getting any younger, but he has enjoyed a wonderful season at the heart of Liverpool’s defence, and given his style of play, there is no reason why his level should drop much over the next couple of seasons.

However, eventual successors will need to be found, and one such figure has been linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool send scouts to watch £74m "leader"

According to an update from The Boot Room, Liverpool were among the clubs who sent scouts to watch RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba last week.

His two teammates, Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko, were also thought to be watched by the Reds, with Arsenal and Chelsea

also reportedly having scouts present to eye up the trio.

Lukeba is a centre-back who could have a massive future in the game, so the idea of him coming in as Van Dijk’s partner – or eventual long-term replacement – at Liverpool is mouthwatering.

At just 22 years of age, the Frenchman is already an undisputed key man for Leipzig, making 19 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and averaging three clearances per game, and four in the Champions League.

Stat

Lukeba

Konate

Appearances

19

25

Starts

14

24

Minutes played

1217

2055

Clearances per game

3.0

3.9

Tackles per game

1.4

1.4

Aerial duel wins per game

1.1

2.6

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

2

Lukeba has been described as a “leader” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, while he has been valued at as much as £74m in some reports this year, highlighting what a top prospect he is.

Liverpool confident of winning race for "amazing" £60m+ star this summer

The Reds are in a good position to strike a deal…

2 BySean Markus Clifford Apr 12, 2025

While Van Dijk should remain Liverpool’s main man in defence for the foreseeable future, provided he signs a new deal, the Leipzig ace could be a perfect option to come in and partner Ibrahima Konate for years to come.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly been a busy man just days into his tenure as Edu Gaspar’s replacement, and it is now believed the Italian has Mikel Arteta’s side as favourites to sign a Brazil international.

Andrea Berta's first priority as new Arsenal director

While a lot of rumours are centering around Berta’s transfer activity, his reliably reported number one priority right now is tying star winger Bukayo Saka down with fresh terms.

Leroy Sane set for imminent Arsenal transfer decision after "concrete talks"

The German is set to leave on a free as things stand.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 2, 2025

The £195,000-per-week forward’s current deal expires in 2027, and Saka displayed his importance to Arsenal almost immediately after returning from a hamstring injury which sidelined him since December last year.

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

TBD

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Saka scored on his immediate return in a 2-1 Arsenal win over Fulham earlier this week, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the agreement of a new contract for him is “top” of Berta’s to-do list at the Emirates Stadium.

“I wanted to start with the top priority, which is absolutely Bukayo Saka,” said Romano on the Here We Go podcast.

“Bukayo Saka is out of contract in summer 2027, so it’s not something urgent, it’s not a worrying situation for Arsenal. But in general, Arsenal want to give a new contract to Bukayo Saka.

“So some contacts have already started. Now Bukayo and his agents will have the opportunity to meet with Andrea Berta to understand the strategy from the new director, and that’s always something important. You can start the conversation already months ago, of course, but then you need to speak to the new director to understand the view, to understand the project, and this is what’s going to happen with Bukayo Saka.”

Amid their attempts to make Saka commit, the next priority for Berta will be Arsenal’s summer transfer window.

According to some reports, Berta is considering the signing of an alternative to Saka on the right-hand side, as part of a potential seven-signing summer spree where they could spend around £300 million (GiveMeSport).

Arsenal have also been repeatedly linked with a move for Wolves star Matheus Cunha, a player who could deputise for Saka on the right given his excellent versatility.

Arsenal in "pole position" to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha

The Brazil international has starred on the right-wing, left-wing, in centre-attacking midfield, as a second-striker and at centre-forward for Wolves this season, with Cunha enjoying the season of his life.

He’s bagged 15 goals and four assists in 29 appearances this term, and Premier League sides are taking interest given the £62.5 million release clause inserted into his new contract.

According to CaughtOffside, Berta has Arsenal in “pole position” to sign Cunha as things stand, and the director’s connections with him through their time together at Atlético Madrid are tipped to play a key role in convincing the 25-year-old.

In a further boost for Arteta, the outlet reports that Wolves will sell Cunha for even less than his release clause in a potential cut-price deal – so this move is looking more and more like a no-brainer given the player’s outstanding form throughout 2024/2025.

Also: which bowler has dismissed the most centurions?

Steven Lynch30-Apr-2024RCB were all out for 221 in a recent IPL match (and lost by a single run). Was this the highest T20 total where the team was all out? asked Pradip from India

Royal Challengers’ 221 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens last week was indeed the highest all-out total in any senior T20 game. The previous highest was Surrey’s 215 against Glamorgan in the T20 Blast at The Oval in May 2015, while the best in the IPL was KKR’s 210 against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai in 2022.There have been two higher totals in one-run defeats in T20 matches: 248 for 4 by Central Districts against Otago (249 for 3) in New Plymouth in New Zealand’s Super Smash in December 2016, and India’s 244 for 4 against West Indies (245 for 6) in a T20I in Lauderhill in the United States four months earlier.Which visiting player has made the most Test hundreds in another country? asked Terry Sullivan from England

There’s a familiar name at the top of this list: Don Bradman made 11 Test centuries in England, in 19 matches, at an average of 102.84. Jack Hobbs made nine Test hundreds in Australia, while Wally Hammond had seven. Sunil Gavaskar made seven in the West Indies (in only 13 Tests), while Steve Smith and Steve Waugh have both made seven in England.Overall, Sachin Tendulkar made 29 Test centuries outside India, and Rahul Dravid 21; Jacques Kallis collected 20 outside South Africa. Only seven of Younis Khan’s 34 Test centuries were scored in Pakistan, but 11 of them came in “home” games staged in the UAE.Sachin Tendulkar has the most Test hundreds away from home – 29•Hamish Blair/Getty ImagesI noticed that when England bowled Bangladesh out for 220 in 2016, Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque put on 170. Is that the biggest proportion of an innings by one partnership? asked Ashraful Haque from Bangladesh

That partnership of 170 between Tamim Iqbal and Mominul Haque in Mirpur in October 2016 accounted for 77.27% of the total of 220. There’s only one partnership that made up a higher percentage than that in a completed Test innings: in Durban in December 2000, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene put on 168 for the third wicket but Sri Lanka were all out for 216 – so the partnership percentage was 77.78%.There have been several higher percentages in all first-class cricket. Top of the list reveals a staggering collapse: at Lord’s in 1960, Leicestershire were 196 for 0 after a splendid stand between Maurice Hallam and Willie Watson – but they were all out not long afterwards for 214 (the England fast bowler Alan Moss had a spell of 5 for 6). The opening partnership therefore accounted for 91.59% of the total.Which bowler has dismissed most centurions, in each of the three international formats? asked Ganesh Virudaghiri from India

In Tests, unsurprisingly perhaps, the top wicket-taker leads the way: Muthiah Muralidaran dismissed 34 batters after they had reached 100, not far ahead of James Anderson with 32. Next come the Indians Harbhajan Singh (28) and Anil Kumble (25), with Stuart Broad and Zaheer Khan on 24.A different Indian leads the way in one-day internationals: Mohammed Shami has dismissed 15 century-makers, Mashrafe Mortaza 12, Lasith Malinga 11 and Tim Southee 10. In T20I, Lizaad Williams of South Africa (who has so far taken only 16 wickets in all) and Bangladesh’s Abdur Razzak have both dismissed two. Overall, Murali dismissed 42 century-makers in all internationals, Anderson and Harbhajan 35, Kumble 32 and Broad 31. Anderson may yet add to his total.Brian Lara scored 221 and 130 against Sri Lanka back in 2001, but still lost – was that the highest aggregate in a losing cause? asked Vidula Wijesirinarayana from Sri Lanka

The great West Indian Brian Lara amassed 351 runs in that match in Colombo in November-December 2001, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Sri Lanka winning by ten wickets. It is the record for the most runs in a Test defeat – but not by as much as you might expect: a few weeks before Lara’s feat, Andy Flower made 341 runs (142 and 199 not out) against South Africa in Harare, but Zimbabwe lost by nine wickets.The two left-handers broke the long-standing record of 303 runs, set by England’s Herbert Sutcliffe (176 and 127) in a defeat to Australia in Melbourne in 1925.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Bumble on hot tubs, mascot races, community engagement, and treading on egg-shells

David Hopps23-May-2022A familiar voice will be missing when the Vitality Blast begins its 20th year. David Lloyd, the commentator who has symbolized the tournament’s distinctive mix of deadly serious sport with a little fun on the side, will no longer play a leading role.Lloyd’s commentary career came to an abrupt end over the winter – he became collateral damage when the debate over racism and Azeem Rafiq was at its most feverish. He made some private observations about the challenges of integrating Muslim players into club cricket, pertinent yet trenchantly expressed. That confidence was broken, Rafiq bared his soul in his appearance before the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee in November and wheels began to turn. Apologies were made on all sides, understanding reached, wounds healed, but a few days before Christmas, Lloyd’s “retirement” was announced.If he is bitter about the circumstances of his departure, he is wise enough, human enough, to leaven it with good humour. He also knew deep down that the tone of cricket commentary was shifting and, as his 75th birthday loomed, it was not playing to his advantage, not even to one of the finest raconteurs the game has ever known.”I grew up with Elvis and the Stones and there was a poor man’s Elvis at the time called PJ Proby who was most famous for splitting his trousers on stage,” he mused. “He once had a No. 1 hit with a song called ‘I Apologise’. He’d make a fortune now.”I will miss working on the Blast incredibly, just as much as Test cricket, but it is a different age and you can’t get away from that fact. And it’s not my style to watch your Ps and Qs. Somebody else can do that.Related

A T20 merry-go-round, and a jelly-bean investigation

The first T20 season

A history lesson with David Lloyd

David Lloyd announces retirement from commentary after 22 years with Sky Sports

“My first T20 game was down at Hove with Charles Colvile. It reminded me so much of how 40-over cricket had taken county cricket by storm a generation earlier. The counties backed it up with gimmicks and at that particular one there was a fun fair. Charlie was always saying ‘all the fun of the fair’, it was one of his fall-back lines, and he said to me ‘I see the screamer’s here’. I said: ‘Is she really? I’ve not seen her for ages’. Imagine doing that now.”The hot tubs stay in my memory. The Worcester one was full of models and I had to go and chat to them. At Leicester they made it a more mature hot tub and it was bubbling up to which I said ‘Is that a machine or is it you?’ Different times.”Lloyd tells how the pressure on commentators used to be the reverse.”When Mark Nicholas went to Channel 9 years ago, he thought he was doing fine. Then the call came through on the red phone, a direct line to Kerry Packer. The big boss. The man who caused the explosion in one-day cricket. Mark thought that he was doing great and was summoned to see him. ‘I want you to entertain me,’ said Packer. ‘You’re boring me rigid.'”Anything went and that has been unbelievably reined in. You were encouraged then to take it to the limit. Take a risk. Now you have to be PC. I was on egg-shells a bit by the end. There was more of a danger of a call from upstairs.”Lloyd’s love affair with cricket remains as strong as ever. He is as proud a Lancastrian as ever, and is excited to be part of Lancashire’s in-house coverage, Lancs TV, this summer, but he now lives in North Yorkshire on the other side of the Pennines. The rural life suits him.He has made a miniature cricket ground in his back garden, big enough to stage an U-13 game, complete with old-fashioned pull roller, groundsman’s hut and a wooden bench where he can tell old stories till the end of time. “I’m getting some tins for the scoreboard,” he said, with a relish that is impossible to resist. There has always been a touch of eccentricity in Bumble. It is what gives him his life force.Consider this for an eccentric notion. David Lloyd – with the weight behind him of 407 first-class matches and 288 List A games, over 21 seasons, spells as a first-class umpire and England coach, and rounded off with a 22-year commentary stint that made him one of the most loved figures in English cricket – thinks the Blast is a better T20 tournament than the IPL.No wonder he often used to go to the pub in disguise.”I think the Blast is the best T20 competition in the world – not for its quality necessarily, but for its longevity, the joy that it brings to spectators in the UK culminating in one of the greatest days in the cricket calendar – Finals Day – which I used to dread. Fourteen hours, full on, with a mascot race when I didn’t have a clue what they were doing and the Hollies Stand where they don’t know what day it is from 10 o’clock in the morning.Performing as Johnny Cash, alongside Andrew Flintoff’s Elvis, during Finals Day at Edgbaston in 2017•Getty Images”I have worked on the IPL, but it is a private enterprise and benefiting already wealthy people. The T20 Blast is for the people and bringing money into the game. That’s a major factor for me in saying it is the best. The IPL fits an Indian audience because the players are Gods out there, but it is deadly serious. If I am doing a T20 game I’ll have a hoot. Blokes messing up and having a laugh, although serious enough that everyone cares about the outcome. I embraced the competition straightaway and could see that it is fun and entertainment.”Now the Blast is under pressure, part of a county game that feels under siege. Attendances were at record levels before the disruption caused by Covid, but since then the Hundred has been heavily marketed and a few county officials are looking at advance Blast ticket sales this summer with a little concern. The future of the professional game in England is impossible to predict.”The Hundred is fun and has brought new interest. But the problem is it doesn’t fit, it messes up too many other things. If you look at the three main players – ECB, Sky, BBC – ECB like it because it brings a shed-full of money, Sky’s viewing figures are high, and it gets the BBC into the game, a game that is short and that fits their schedules. But it kills county cricket.”Lloyd’s fondest memory of the Blast is the climax to the 2010 final when Hampshire’s Dan Christian called for a runner then inadvertently ran a leg-bye off the last ball himself. Somerset’s fielders could have pulled off a run-out, but nobody wised up to it and if the umpires hadn’t eventually called dead ball, the players might still have been out there, 12 years later.”I am commentating but, in my head, I am umpiring as well. Somerset look demoralised and eventually the umpire had to call dead ball because they didn’t appeal for the run-out. It reminded me of a similar occurrence at Derby when Ole Mortensen did exactly the same. Pete Willey was umpiring and he told a fielder to throw the ball to the keeper, and take the bails off. There was a matter-of-fact appeal. That’s out. ‘What?’ said Ole. He could swear a bit. ‘I’m in, he’s in, he’s in, we’re all in.’ ‘Yeah, but you should be in at that end.’Michael Vaughan is interviewed by Lloyd as he takes part in the mascot race•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesChat to Bumble about cricket and, in between a torrent of old tales from his playing days – Ken Higgs never having a shower, and David Steele nipping off the field during a South Africa tour because he had just spotted a mate in the crowd he hadn’t seen for years were among those that spilled into his mind on this occasion – it is not long before his bugbear about the pace of the game gets an airing.”When they started T20, the players themselves were unsure about it so it was a bit of a softly-softly approach and it was seen as a bit of a giggle. But it was a quick game. You had to be out there quickly as a batsman. Now the players have just said they’ll take as long as they want because there is no punishment, they’ll just swan around.”It was a better game when you had to get in to bat. You should have a ticking clock and if they don’t get to the crease in time, just bowl. The Laws of the Game say that when the bowler gets to the end of his run the batsman has to be ready. I’d add to that, if you’re not ready, just bowl.”I am perplexed that players don’t understand that the game needs pace. Everything has improved out of sight except the pace of the game. I’d implore players to put it right. I would think that umpires are told to cajole and try to move things on, but there is no comeback when they don’t. There are many reasons why cricket isn’t on terrestrial TV, but one of the reasons is the length of time it takes – they can’t schedule it. It has to finish on time.”There was still a chance to nudge him gently away from a string of tales of an old Derrick Robins tour of South Africa, and back to the Blast.One of his wishes is to see a Roses T20 match at Scarborough – although it will only happen if he volunteers to stump up the fall in revenue as a result. “That’s my favourite cricket ground in the world. I used to love the barracking when I played there for Lancashire. ‘Get back over’t bloody Pennines!’ Bluey Bairstow would march into our dressing room, telling us what pubs we’d be going to afterwards and how we’d all finish up in the chip shop.”A more feasible wish is simply for the counties to fill the grounds. He is influenced by too many low-key Blast nights at the more quiescent counties, where building up an atmosphere on commentary has been a thankless task. He watches non-league football at York City these days, but he also cares deeply for his home-town club, Accrington Stanley, one of the most famous names in football history, where the chairman, Andy Holt, “does community”. And, for Bumble, community matters.”People rubbish the Hundred and defend the Blast but, having done matches at Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northants, there are 3,000 there. Market it better. Get your bars and hospitality working, have a fan zone before the game: £2.50 a pint, two live bands, if we win it’s a £1 a pint – just like we do at Accrington Stanley. Fill your ground, somehow. Your players deserve it. Get them into the ground. It’s a great night.”ESPNcricinfo LtdBumble picks his ‘Entertainers XI’1. Alex Hales
“An assassin, made for T20. Big levers and hits it a long way.”2. Luke Wright
“Reminds me of the old comedian Norman Wisdom, and he comes from Sussex as well. Little cheekie chappie, fantastic longevity.”3. Aaron Finch
“He once hit two simultaneous sixes at Old Trafford and hit the top of The Point. Extraordinary. A happy-go-lucky, powerful cricketer.”4. Samit Patel
“Never far away from a disaster. Great watching him. And he has lovely touch, power and supreme confidence with bat or ball.”5. Liam Livingstone
“He is from Cumbria. A tough lad. If there’s any bother he’ll sort it out.”6. Moeen Ali (captain)
“One of my favourite cricketers. He makes me chuckle. He reminds me of a league cricketer – he gives it a tonk, he bowls a bit and enjoys what he’s done. He is a terrific human being.”7. Andrew Flintoff
“I’m not leaving him out. More comebacks than Frank Sinatra. And one of the great crowd pleasers.”8. Shahid Afridi
“Another one to fill grounds. He thinks every ball should be hit for 10.”9. Phil Mustard (wicketkeeper)
“Got to have ‘The Colonel’ behind the stumps. I think he comes from a foreign country. Pick him up on the stump mic and you hadn’t a clue what he was saying.”10. Mark Wood
“There’s little more exciting than an ability to bowl at 150kph. And he’s a tee-totaller: just imagine how quick he’d be if he had a drink.”11. Luke Fletcher
“Epitomises county cricket. A complete throwback to when I played. Sweating and kicking, and looks like he gets a bit thirsty, but knows what he’s doing.”

“If I don’t get a chance in PBKS, then MI or CSK are good options. I like both those teams very much,” Jitesh says of the IPL mega auction

Rajan Raj06-Nov-2024Jitesh Sharma could well have been the next big thing for India in T20I cricket, till IPL 2024, where there was little sign of the exhilarating run-scorer from the two previous seasons. From the outside, it feels like he has slipped down the pecking order, though the T20Is in South Africa give him a chance to recover lost ground.Part of the problem for his dry run, he says, is that he had “started thinking too far ahead” after IPL 2023 and his international debut and was “thinking of the [2024] T20 World Cup team”. He has course-corrected but, as he says, there were other reasons for his turn in fortunes too.”I know I play very high-risk cricket. There are a lot of risks in my shot selection,” Jitesh told ESPNcricinfo. “My batting number also kept changing… though that is not that important in T20 cricket. However, apart from all this, I had started thinking too far ahead. About IPL 2024, and the T20 World Cup team. Before that, I never used to think that far ahead. I used to think about one match at a time, and now I have started doing that again.”Related

• India call up Ramandeep, Vyshak, Dayal for SA T20I tour

• Rinku and Jitesh in a race to be India's World Cup finisher

Jitesh took his time coming into prominence, but when he did, after prolific back-to-back IPL seasons for Punjab Kings in 2022 (234 runs at a strike rate of 163.64) and 2023 (309 runs at a strike rate of 156.06), he made it count. He was in the India T20I side for the tour of Sri Lanka, and though he didn’t get a game there, he did at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and then in bilateral series at home against Australia and Afghanistan, and away against South Africa.Then came that period when he got ahead of himself, as he put it, and IPL 2024 came and went without much from his bat. All Punjab Kings, who finished ninth on the table, got from their vice-captain was 187 runs in 12 innings, and the strike rate had dipped to 131.69. He isn’t wrong about his batting position – he went out everywhere from Nos. 4, 5, 6 and even 7.”In T20s, as a batsman, you cannot say you will play only at four or five or whatever. You can assume that in a match, if there is a very good partnership between the openers and they bat for 16 overs, then the next batsman to come will definitely be a finisher,” Jitesh said. “In T20s, the overs remaining are more important than a batsman’s batting position. If wickets fall in the third, fourth or fifth over itself, then you go with the normal order. But if wickets fall late, then you go with the finisher.”However, I can definitely say this about myself, or any batsman, that if I know after how many overs I have to go to bat and I am given good clarity about my role, then it is better.”In the seven T20I innings he did play, between October 2023 and January 2024, Jitesh scored quickly, at 147.05, but aggregated just 100 runs. He understands that he didn’t do enough when he got his chance.

“I am looking forward to doing well in the longer format of the game as well. I know that if I am used with good strategy in this format, I can perform. If I get a chance in the middle order or lower-middle order, perhaps I can prove useful”Jitesh Sharma

“A lot has changed since joining the Indian team,” Jitesh said. “I’m trying to be more calm than before. By watching the senior players of the team, I always try to learn how to keep myself calm. Now I feel more humble and grounded than before. I am taking each of my practice sessions more seriously than before. In the end, there is no substitute for hard work, and that applies to everyone. Whatever you try to achieve, hard work is the only way that will take you forward.”Maybe I have made it to the Indian team, maybe one of my dreams has come true, but it is very important to stay grounded. Making a place in the team is a different thing but to remain in the team, three things are very important: stay humble, stay grounded, and work harder than ever.”There was no Jitesh in the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, but he came back soon after, for the T20I series against Bangladesh. But he did not get a game. The way the team management treated Sanju Samson, though, has given him confidence.”It feels good to see the way the team has backed him [Samson],” Jitesh said. Samson scored 29 and 10 in the first two T20Is, and then hit 111 in 47 balls in the final game, to perhaps buy himself a long rope in the T20I line-up. “The message from Gauti sir [Gautam Gambhir, the head coach] and Surya [Suryakumar Yadav, the T20I captain] is quite clear. They tell us clearly what they expect from any player in the team.”If a player is being backed today, then it is certain that in the future, when my chance comes, I will also be backed in the same way.”Jitesh Sharma wouldn’t mind being part of CSK or MI if he got the chance, he said•BCCI

… and there is an IPL auction to think about

Jitesh would very likely have been one of the players retained by Punjab Kings if the mega auction had come a year before. After IPL 2024, though, he has been offloaded – which is not to say the franchise won’t want to get him back – with Punjab Kings retaining only Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh from their previous roster.Again, though, Jitesh isn’t looking too far ahead.”It is a mega auction, so nothing can be said,” he said. “A player must be ready to go to any team. But if I don’t get a chance in PBKS, then MI [Mumbai Indians] or CSK [Chennai Super Kings] are good options. I like both those teams very much.”After his impressive run in 2022 and 2023, Jitesh was made vice-captain in 2024, and led in a couple of matches too. He wouldn’t mind giving it another go if he is asked to.”I like this kind of responsibility very much,” he said. “I have always loved captaincy and am always ready for it. I feel like when I have this pressure on me, I am able to read the match better. If I get this opportunity, I am completely ready for it.”

A T20I specialist’s red-ball ambitions

For someone who made his first-class debut in 2015, just 18 games in the format suggests a lack of quality against the red ball.He has played just one game in either of the last two Ranji Trophy seasons for Vidarbha, with a 69 against Gujarat in January 2023 his best effort in these. It was a great effort, to be fair. The top score for his team in the second innings in a match they went on to win by just 18 runs. Opportunities have been scarce, though, and it’s not because he hasn’t been available. When it comes to the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy or the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, he has been more of a regular for Vidarbha.”Like every season, this season is also very important for me. If I get a chance, I will definitely try my best to prove my worth in the Ranji Trophy also,” he said. “I am looking forward to doing well in the longer format of the game as well. I know that if I am used with good strategy in this format, I can perform. If I get a chance in the middle order or lower-middle order, perhaps I can prove useful.”

Birmingham City have revealed new images of their planned 62,000-seater stadium but the designs have been brutally mocked by rival fans. The Championship side unveiled their proposal during a launch event on Thursday and despite the Blues being very excited about this initiative, social media has shown no mercy in mocking them from pillar to post.

Birmingham unveil new stadium plan

Ever since Knighthead took over Birmingham in 2023, the club has tried to flex its muscles, both with transfers and its lofty goals. And that was plain to see on Thursday with their potential ground in Bordesley Green in East Birmingham, which, they hope, could seat 62,000 fans. The images of the proposed design were released at Digbeth Loc Film Studios in Birmingham, coinciding with the Blues' 150th anniversary celebrations.

Chairman and co-owner Tom Wagner said the club "could not be more excited" over these plans, which are to be developed by Heatherwick Studio and MANICA Architecture.

He told the club's website: "This is a huge milestone for Birmingham City Football Club, creating a home for the club that reflects our ambition to compete at the highest level. More than that, the iconic design is a statement of intent for the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands, testament to a region that is on the rise. The stadium draws upon the proud heritage of the West Midlands – a heritage of industry, ingenuity and growth. I believe those same qualities can create a new era of success on and off the field and prosperity for local communities that have been starved of opportunities for too long."

AdvertisementThe reaction on social media

Naturally, many fans of rival club, Aston Villa, poked fun at these designs on social media.

@HarryUTV_ wrote on X: "It looks like an upside down table built in Minecraft lads."

@PhilKeenan11 tweeted: "The fact you’ve given it large for months about us being obsessed and you’ve gone and designed that agahahahahaha."

@danielhavfc mused: "It looks like Willy Wonka designed a power plant."

@MisterMashingto commented: "Oh my days. It's a bouncy castle haha!"

And @VillaWaffle added: "When you let a group of nursery kids design your stadium. That’s absolutely honking."

Getty Images SportBellingham in Birmingham launch video

When this became public, academy product Jude Bellingham, along with minority owner Tom Brady, were part of the launch. The American icon added that NFL games would also take place at this ground – dubbed the 'Birmingham City Powerhouse – in the future.

Incidentally, Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio, said: "Too often, stadiums feel like spaceships that could have landed anywhere, sterilising the surrounding area. This stadium grows from Birmingham itself – from its brickworks, its thousand trades, and the craft at its core. It's also a wholehearted place for the community. The stadium will truly come alive where it meets the ground; a place for play, gathering, and everyday life. The goal is to capture the spirit of the city and give it back to Birmingham."

And David Manica, president and owner of MANICA Architecture, added: "Birmingham is a resilient and passionate community, so the design of this new stadium needed to embody the grit and passion of its people. The Powerhouse’s design is both intentional and meticulous, paying homage to a passionate fanbase while laying the foundation for the Bluenoses of tomorrow."

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What comes next for Birmingham?

Birmingham added that Knighthead have commenced a period of engagement and consultation with locals, fans, political representatives, and planning officers before submitting a planning application next year. The goal is to open the stadium for the 2030/31 season. 

On the club's website, they boldly state: "The new stadium will anchor the Birmingham Sports Quarter in East Birmingham, a once in a generation opportunity to catalyse growth and transform the lives and livelihoods of people across East Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. The Sports Quarter will provide transformative investment into the area, driving new economic growth in East Birmingham and across the region. It will include a mix of new facilities – from leisure and entertainment to retail and wellbeing – as well as dedicated spaces for the community. It will also bring better transport links, new housing and jobs at every level."

Tottenham striker Richarlison faces an uncertain future in N17, with his contract expiring in under two years as he struggles to deliver a consistent return.

The Brazil international, who will have one eye on a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, got off to a flyer at the start of this campaign.

His early goal of the season contender, a bicycle kick against Premier League newcomers Burnley on the opening day, was seen as a hopeful sign of things to come, with Richarlison bagging two against Scott Parker’s side that day.

However, since then, his contributions have been few and far between despite the 28-year-old’s best efforts.

Thomas Frank started Richarlison for the first time in four domestic games against Newcastle on Wednesday evening, with the striker failing to get on the end of a whizzed ball across the box in the first half.

He also had a decent attempt at the near post saved by Aaron Ramsdale in the second period, but it was another tough evening for Richarlison, who couldn’t quite get on the scoresheet.

Once Dominic Solanke returns to full fitness and removes himself from Spurs’ rather long injury list, the jury is out on whether Frank will continue to select Richarlison on a regular basis.

Tottenham absentee list	Problem	Estimated return date
Dejan Kulusevski	Knee	22/11/2025
James Maddison	ACL	01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin	Knee	22/11/2025
Ben Davies	Thigh	23/11/2025
Kota Takai	Ankle/Foot	08/11/2025
Yves Bissouma	Ankle/Foot	08/11/2025
Wilson Odobert	Abdominal	01/11/2025
Cristian Romero	Groin	01/11/2025
Destiny Udogie	Knee	08/11/2025
Dominic Solanke	Ankle	08/11/2025
Archie Gray	Calf/Shin/Heel	06/11/2025
via Premier Injuries

Tottenham are also believed to be weighing up a new striker ahead of January, with the likes of Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli) and Dušan Vlahović (Juventus) reportedly attracting their interest.

This could spell more trouble for Richarlison, so a winter exit could be on the cards amid serious interest from Everton.

Tottenham stance on selling Richarlison as exit hinges on key factor

According to TEAMtalk, the striker is very keen to return to Everton and “would jump at the chance” to re-join his former club.

However, Tottenham’s willingness to let Richarlison leave in the January transfer window depends heavily on securing a replacement striker. The key sticking point for Spurs is finding the right forward to fill the void left by his departure.

After a mixed spell at Tottenham, Richarlison sees Everton as the ideal destination to reignite his career.

The Toffees remain an attractive option for the South American, where he previously enjoyed success and a strong rapport with the club and fans. A return would give him the platform to regain form and confidence in familiar surroundings.

However, despite Richarlison’s own desire to move, Frank’s side are not prepared to let him go without first addressing their own striking options.

The club is keenly aware that selling him without bringing in a suitable replacement could weaken their frontline and disrupt their season’s momentum, with Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange determined to not leave Tottenham’s manager short.

Described by TT as a player who “always gives 100 per cent”, his return simply just hasn’t been up to the standard since arriving from Everton over three years ago for £60 million.

Despite a brief purple patch under Ange Postecoglou midway through the Australian’s debut season at Tottenham, that is as good as it’s got for Richarlison scoring-wise, so perhaps a move back to Goodison Park will suit all parties.

By the time January comes around, Richarlison will have just under a year and a half left on his contract, so it will be interesting to see just how much Paratici and Lange could demand for the forward’s signature.

Alongside the likes of Toney and Vlahovic, Spurs are believed to be weighing up other blockbuster number nines.

Tottenham hold discussions to sign "elite" £87m striker who Paratici loves