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Non-compliance concerns centre around USAC not fulfilling governance norms set by the US Olympic body, and longstanding vacancies in top administrative posts

Nagraj Gollapudi18-Jul-2024The ICC has warned USA Cricket (USAC) it risks being “put on notice” for non-compliance with its Associate membership status, barely a month after the last game of a historic, first-ever ICC global event staged in the country. The USA was a co-host, with the West Indies, of the T20 World Cup in June, staging games at three venues as the ICC acted on its long-held ambition of breaking into North America.But the difficulty of that ambition is evident in the warning, which says USAC is potentially in breach on two counts. One concerns USAC not fulfilling the governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) necessary for it to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status, which is mandatory for all sports that were last year added to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. And on the second the ICC has hauled up USAC for not having a “fit-for purpose administrative structure”, including not filling in the vacant CEO position after it sacked the previous incumbent months into his job.”USA Cricket is currently Non-compliant with ICC Associate Member Membership Criteria 2.2(b)(i) (governance structure) and 2.2 (b)(ii) (administrative and executive structure) and is at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’,” the ICC said in an note sent recently to all its members attending the global cricket body’s AGM, which will take place on July 22 in Colombo immediately after the ICC Board meets.Titled “Associate Member Membership Update”, the five-page document, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, was sent on July 11. The ICC noted that the USOPC had “expressed serious concerns” over the governance model of USAC. “The USOPC has written to the USAC expressing serious concerns about the ongoing governance of USAC. Whilst this does not put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria, it reflects broader concerns regarding USAC’s governance.”However, USOPC have stated if USAC do not achieve NGB certification, they will be required to commence a process to recognise an alternate NGB for cricket, which could put USAC in breach of ICC Membership Criteria to be “recognized by the ICC (at its absolute discretion) as the primary governing body responsible for the administration, management and development of cricket (men’s and women’s) in its country”.This is second time this year the ICC has put USAC on alert. After its quarterly meetings in March, the ICC sent a missive to USAC hauling it up over several issues, including warning it even back then that USAC was not doing enough to become USOPC compliant. The ICC also raised the issue of not having a CEO in place ever since it released the incumbent Dr Noor Mohammad Murad, as well as not appointing an independent director on its Board.That email, sent by ICC CEO Geoff Allardice six days after the ICC Board met in Dubai, was addressed to USAC chair Venu Piske, who was elected to the position in July 2023. While the ICC Board acknowledged USA’s “importance” as a “cricket territory”, Allardice noted in the email, seen by ESPNcricinfo, it was also aware of the “long history of problems” with USAC.The ICC Board had even toyed with the idea of suspending USAC membership in March for “being in serious breach of membership obligations”, but it did not happen eventually only because Allardice said it would disrupt USA’s preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Instead, the ICC Board decided to give USAC a “last chance” to “remedy” the non-compliance issues.As a primary punitive measure though, the ICC Board did stop the annual funding USAC receives until it fulfilled all membership criteria, only allowing “controlled funding” on an “exceptional basis” between April and July “to enable cricket in the USA not to be prejudiced”. During the T20 World Cup, ICC chair Greg Barclay and Allardice once again reiterated to USAC that it was in danger of being suspended if it failed to comply with the membership criteria.Now, in the July AGM note, the ICC said the USAC continued to still be in breach and recommended stronger sanction. “USAC still does not have a fit-for purpose administrative structure. USAC do not currently have a CEO, having terminated the employment of their most recent one after only a few months in the role. A recruitment process for a replacement CEO has commenced. In April, the two remaining USAC Development staff (the Development Manager and Women’s Manager) resigned. A process to replace these staff as has not yet commenced. Currently, replacement staff are temporary and part-time contractors.”It is Management’s view that USAC has not remedied all areas of non-compliance as outlined in the ICC’s letter to USAC dated 21 March, 2024, and is therefore at risk of being placed ‘On Notice’.”In its initial response, sent on July 12, USAC is understood to have told the ICC that it had appointed an independent director – Pintoo Shah – who also took charge as the Treasurer. His appointment was ratified by the USAC Board on the same day. The delay in filling up the independent position, USAC explained, was due to it amending its constitution to fall in line with USOPC regulations.The USAC email, copied to senior USOPC officials, also said it was harsh on ICC’s part to threaten “drastic action” when it was working hard to meet compliance. USAC said it was informed of the NGB accreditation process only on January 24, so it was unfair to expect it to be compliant by March when the ICC sent the initial warning, and especially when the deadline for compliance submission to USOPC was September 30.As for the vacant CEO position, USAC said that it had received several applications when it advertised for the position this April and shortlisted names, keeping ICC Americas in the loop. The new USAC CEO, it is understood, will be appointed immediately after the ICC AGM.

Some players moved closer to Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad, others will be left wondering if they did enough

HOUSTON – The Gold Cup is over. But we won't really what it all meant for another 11 months. Sunday was the finale, yes, and it was a deflating one for the U.S. men's national team. But from the start, the Gold Cup was never really about the Gold Cup – it was a stepping stone on the ultimate journey to the 2026 World Cup.

With that target now less than a year away, a group of 26 players gathered for 40 days to play eight games all over the United States. It wasn't the strongest possible collection of players for Mauricio Pochettino and his USMNT staff, but they were the ones on the roster, those tasked with not just winning a tournament, but with setting a tone.

In the end, they didn't win the tournament. Mexico managed to do that – again – by overcoming an early deficit and winning, 2-1, over the USMNT. But was that tone set? The next year will provide the answer.

"I think we understand the standard now," said defender Tim Ream. "We understand what we need to do on and off the field. We understand what kind of culture is wanted for us and it took a little bit longer than it probably should have. Guys will come in and out. This group will more than likely not be the same again.

"But it's down to us players to now drive home the ideas that they want, the culture that they've created. And it's going to be important for whoever has been in camp for these five weeks to make sure this continues moving forward in every single camp."

This camp, like any other, featured the rise of some players, the fall of others. It was a measuring stick for not just those on the fringes, but also those at the top of the player pool. With just a few camps remaining until the World Cup – and nothing but friendlies ahead – this was the longest gathering before the U.S. squad is selected for next summer.

Some players moved closer to being a part of that squad with their performances in these games. Others will be left wondering if they did enough. Who stood out? Whose stock rose in this Gold Cup run, and whose fell? GOAL takes a look.

• Getty Images
  

  STOCK UP: Malik Tillman

  For the first time in his USMNT career, Malik Tillman was allowed to be a big fish in a small pond. He lived up to that label, taking control to establish himself as a bona fide starter one year out from the World Cup.

  From the start, Tillman proved he was clearly in a different class technically, so much so that it took his teammates time to realize just how little space he needed to make things happen. He continually delivered, scoring or assisting in all but two of the games in this tournament. When the U.S. generated a big chance, Tillman was often on the end of it, which went a long way towards building his confidence.

  "Malik is one, the quietest guy ever, but he's leading by example," Ream said. "You have guys who are more vocal and guys who lead by example so finding more of those and unearthing more of those within this group has been a really big positive."

  That confidence should carry over when the USMNT veterans rejoin the squad. Tillman no longer has reason to defer when with the "A team" arrive. He's comfortably part of it now. He translated his PSV successes to the national team, erasing any doubt about whether or not he could contribute at the international level.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  STOCK DOWN: Matt Turner

  It could have been a summer for Matt Turner to rebuild his confidence. Instead, it was a summer to build up a competitor for that No. 1 goalkeeper spot.

  Matt Freese, not Turner, was in goal for the U.S. all summer, leaving the Crystal Palace goalkeeper on the bench. It was his time on the sidelines at Palace that put him in this scenario, a lack of playing time that opened up a race. Now, Turner will have a lot of work to do to make up ground, as the USMNT went 5-1 with Freese as the starter in the Gold Cup run.

  Turner, to his credit, handled it fantastically. Throughout the Gold Cup, he was frequently seen tutoring Freese, who had nothing but good things to say about the veteran. Turner wasn't bitter; he was helpful, and that goes a long way.

  Still, if Turner wants to be the starter next summer the way he was back in Qatar, he'll need to play on the club level. That message was sent quite clearly by Pochettino and his staff. A move to Lyon may or may not be in the cards but, no matter where Turner does end up, all that matters is that he gets minutes. If not, the door will remain open for Freese, Zack Steffen and Patrick Schulte with the World Cup looming.

• Getty Images
  

  STOCK UP: Diego Luna

  Where to begin with the USMNT's Moon Man? He's become a cult hero and, arguably, already among this team's biggest stars. Based on this summer, he's also likely bound for the World Cup next summer, too.

  Pochettino has been enamored with him since January, and for good reason. He brings attitude, heart and fight to a team that has, at times, lacked all of those qualities. Just boiling him down to that shortchanges him, however. Luna, at his core, is also one hell of a player, one with quality and creativity.

  He sparked this team often in this tournament. He was the difference-maker against Guatemala and Costa Rica. He had two assists, one that should have been a goal, against Trinidad & Tobago in the opener, too. In the end, Luna finished with five combined goals and assists, level with Tillman in the Gold Cup. Only Panama's Ismael Diaz had more.

  Luna isn't going anywhere. The question is no longer if he can contribute to the USMNT, but whether he's made a case to start in the final few camps leading up to the World Cup.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  STOCK DOWN: Johnny Cardoso

  As with Tillman, Cardoso entered this USMNT camp with open questions. Despite all of his club successes, which have led to a reported move to Atletico Madrid, Cardoso never looked particularly good in a USMNT shirt. The hope was that this Gold Cup would change that.

  Just the opposite. Injuries limited Cardoso throughout the tournament, and he ends this Gold Cup in the same state as he began it: a question mark.

  In total, he played just 11 minutes at the tournament after putting in a downright bad 45 against Turkey and a poor 90 against Switzerland in pre-Gold Cup losses. When he was on the field, Cardoso did himself no favors – and injury issues prevented him from making up for it. It's bad fortune, for sure, for a player who has generally been pretty unlucky when representing the national team.

  Is September the window in which he figures it all out? Pochetino will hope so. He is too talented not to contribute, but this tournament was yet another without a signature Cardoso moment.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has blasted a section of the Arsenal fan base which has severely criticised Noni Madueke on social media.

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Ferdinand publicly defends MaduekeLaunches attack on Arsenal fans for criticising the wingerMadueke set to make move from ChelseaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Legendary Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand has come to the defence of Madueke ahead of his £52 million (€61m/$71m) move from Chelsea. Ferdinand labelled the behaviour by a section of the Arsenal fan base as an "utter disgrace" and stated that he has "never seen anything like this before" while speaking about the negative reaction of some fans on social media.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Since making a switch from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, Madueke has made 92 appearances for the Blues, scoring 20 goals. His performances have somewhat left fans wanting for more. Despite not lighting up the Premier League on a consistent basis, the 23-year-old has earned a surprise move to rivals Arsenal, joining them on a five-year contract. The move has attracted harsh criticism from a lot of Gooners, who have vilified the English international on social media. In fact, the hashtag #NoToMadueke has been trending on micro-blogging platform X (formerly Twitter). A petition to prevent Madueke from arriving at the Emirates Stadium has also been filed by the same fans.

WHAT RIO FERDINAND SAID

Taking to X, Ferdinand posted: "Noni Madueke. For a Young 23 year old English footballer to be vilified, bullied, embarrassed and totally strip down at a time when you’re meant to be celebrating a transfer worth £55 million. Yes a young kid with a dream about to secure a £55 million dream move to a club of his desire leaving a rival at that to be treated in this manner via section of the Arsenal fan base is an utter disgrace. Just put yourself in his shoes for one minute just put yourself in his parents shoes for one minute and just think of how that feeling must be. I’ll say it again, at a time as a player as a human as a family you should be celebrating. I just hope the people that are closest to him are around him and supporting him in the way that he needs right now.

"It’s fine for fans to disagree with signings or decisions made at their football club but the way some fans have publicly voiced their opinions and those who have gone a step further in publicly joining a petition for this player not to be signed by their football club is beyond me. I have never seen anything like this before, and I hope I don’t ever again. Like I said earlier just imagine this was your best friend, one of your family members, your brother, son…then tell me how would you feel if they were on the receiving end of this vulgar behaviour???

"By the way, This isn’t aimed at all Arsenal fans it’s just a small section who have become very loud unfortunately. I just hope the transfer goes through and Noni Madueke rams all of this negativity back down the throats of these impostors.

"Whatever happens from here good luck Noni."

Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR NONI MADUEKE?

According to Fabrizio Romano, Madueke has returned to England after leaving the Chelsea camp for the Club World Cup in the United States. The medicals are scheduled and it is expected that Mikel Arteta's side will announce the arrival of the Barnet-born attacker shortly.

MatériaMais Notícias

da aviator aposta： A noite desta quarta-feira (7) será muito especial para Weverton. No Palmeiras desde 2018, o goleiro completa 300 jogos pelo clube justamente na partida contra o Barcelona-EQU, que acontece nesta noite, às 21h30 (de Brasília), no Allianz Parque, pela quinta rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores.

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da prosport bet： + Palmeiras x Barcelona-EQU: onde assistir, prováveis escalações e desfalques do jogo pela Libertadores

– Quem diria, 300 jogos por esse gigante. É uma satisfação e até difícil de falar. Me lembro chegando aqui em 2018, vindo do Athletico. Cheguei como terceira opção e, com muito trabalho e respeito, entendendo como o clube funcionava, poder chegar hoje a 300 jogos e dez títulos no clube. Valeu muito a pena todo esforço, o sacrifício, a renúncia e todo o preço que paguei para chegar até aqui. Tenho certeza de que ainda tenho muito para viver, mas é uma marca fantástica e estou muito feliz e realizado com esse momento – celebrou Weverton.

Atualmente, o camisa 21 é o sétimo arqueiro com mais confrontos pelo Verdão na história e nesta quarta irá empatar com Marcos como o jogador com mais partidas pelo Palmeiras em Libertadores (no momento tem 56 contra 57 do Santo). Weverton também é o jogador com mais vitórias pelo clube na competição continental, com 40, seguido por Gustavo Gómez, com 38.

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Além disso, está a um jogo com a ‘baliza a zero’ de igualar Marcos na quarta posição na lista dos arqueiros com mais duelos sem ser vazado da história do Alviverde (tem 148 contra 149 do Santo, e ambos estão atrás de Valdir de Morais, com 156, de Velloso, com 186, e Emerson Leão, com 308).

+ Sem Ríos e Menino, Abel deve escalar Palmeiras diferente na Libertadores

Weverton é o goleiro com mais títulos da história do Palmeiras, com dez conquistas, seguido por Oberdan Cattani, que somou nove. O arqueiro palestrino foi campeão da Copa do Brasil (2020), tricampeão paulista (2020, 2022 e 2023), campeão da Recopa Sul-Americana (2022), bicampeão da Libertadores (2020 e 2021), bicampeão brasileiro (2018 e 2022) e campeão da Supercopa do Brasil (2023).

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Tudo sobre

PalmeirasWeverton

Will Leeds United be able to consolidate themselves as a Premier League-worthy outfit next season after finally breaking free of the Championship’s grip?

It will certainly be easier said than done, however, considering all three promoted teams that went up at Leeds’ expense at the end of the 2023/24 campaign are all tumbling straight back down to the EFL’s top league after a short-lived top-flight stay.

Moreover, Daniel Farke himself has a sketchy track record in the Premier League, having picked up just six career wins at the tricky level, leading to speculation surrounding his future at Elland Road that he could be let go of despite successfully guiding the Whites up to the big-time.

To help in their mission to stay afloat, one of Leeds’ tactics in the summer transfer window could be to poach some of the Championship’s cream of the crop.

Who Leeds could sign this summer

Before looking to bring in some of the EFL’s very best, it might be a case that the Whites look at strengthening courtesy of some Premier League players.

Inevitably, rumours linking Kalvin Phillips with a return have been lingering in the background over the last few months, while last week, West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek has reportedly become a target for the club.

But, who else is on their radar?

Well, heading into the 2024/25 campaign, they were persistently linked with Sheffield United playmaker Gustavo Hamer.

Leeds would, of course, snap up Jayden Bogle from the Blades, but this other switch wouldn’t go ahead, with the ex-Coventry City attacker then going on to win the coveted prize of Championship’s Player of the Season at the EFL awards this weekend for his efforts under Chris Wilder’s wing.

Gaining such recognition could well reignite the promoted side’s interest, with Hamer now having to fight it out for a place in the Premier League next season via the playoffs.

It’s a move pundit Lee Hendrie thinks has legs too, telling Football League World: “Obviously (Leeds) were interested (in Hamer), and particularly if the Blades don’t go up, I think that is going to be the key factor, isn’t it? He’s a very good player, and he has had a lot of clubs that were sniffing around him, even before going to Sheffield United. He’s proven that he has got that x-factor, one of the better players in the Championship arguably, in that position, anyway.”

Why Hamer would be a major upgrade on Aaronson

Described as an “unbelievable” player by former teammate Oli McBurnie, signing Hamer could finally see Brenden Aaronson pushed to one side in Farke’s starting lineups.

Aaronson should be commended for slotting back into the Whites set-up this season after his time at Elland Road had become sour but that doesn’t mean an upgrade shouldn’t be sought once their Premier League return is here.

The 24-year-old was loaned out to Union Berlin for all of the 2023/24 season right after his side’s demise down to the EFL, only for the number 11 to notch up nine goals and two assists from 44 Championship appearances the following campaign back among the first-team fold.

Unfortunately for the rejuvenated USA international, he has endured a poor personal end to the season even as his side sit pretty in the league’s top two, with a mere two goal contributions falling his way in the Championship in 2025.

Whereas, Hamer – as seen via his sumptuous free-kick against Coventry back in March – has been a constant menace all campaign long for Wilder and Co, with four of his impressive 16 goal contributions in league action coming during United’s last six contests.

Championship games played

163

44

Premier League games played

36

36

Champ goals

26

9

Champ assists

31

2

PL goals

4

1

PL assists

7

3

Shades of a certain Pablo Hernandez – a goalscoring and creative midfielder, Hamer certainly blows Aaronson out of the water with his standout Premier League output.

While goals certainly haven’t been hard to come by for Leeds in 2024/25, he would be a welcome addition to Farke’s ranks if a move whirred back into motion, with Hamer more than comfortable as a number ten option to usurp his ex-Red Bull Salzburg counterpart.

Also equally as lively down the left where he’s predominantly starred this season at Bramall Lane, Hamer would potentially give Farke a whole host of options in attack ahead of the step-up in quality, with this signing one that would undoubtedly boost Leeds in their fight for instant survival.

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da 888casino： Celtic could wrap up the Scottish Premiership title this week as they prepare to travel away from Parkhead to face off against Dundee United on Saturday.

da winzada777： The Hoops head into the game off the back of a thumping 5-0 win over St. Johnstone in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup at Hampden Park on Sunday, securing their place in the final against Aberdeen.

Brendan Rodgers knows that a win against Dundee United this weekend will secure the league title for the second time in as many seasons under his leadership, and for the fourth time in as many seasons as a club.

This means that there is still a chance for Celtic to win the domestic treble this term, after they failed to do so last season, if they can win the title and go on to beat Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the final of the SFA Cup.

Focus will then turn to the summer transfer window and how the Hoops can make changes to their squad in order to continue their success next season.

Celtic are already, reportedly, fighting to keep hold of one of their players ahead of the summer, as they are attempting to tie Greg Taylor down to a new deal.

The latest on Greg Taylor's Celtic future

The Daily Record reported last week that the club are in talks with the Scotland international over the possibility of a contract extension for the full-back.

It was claimed that the Scottish giants want to tie him down to a new three-year contract to extend his stay in Glasgow, with his current deal due to expire at the end of this season.

The outlet added that the three-year deal that has been tabled for the defender would see his wages significantly increased. They currently sit at £15k-per-week, but it is not revealed what they would be increased to if he put pen to paper on this three-year extension.

Despite this, there remains uncertainty over Taylor’s future at Celtic because the report outlined that he would still have to play second-fiddle to the returning Kieran Tierney next season.

Wage Burners

Football FanCast’s Wage Burners series explores the salaries of the modern-day game.

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The Daily Record also outlined the level of interest in the left-footed star’s services. He has an offer on the table from Dinamo Zagreb and has interest from unnamed clubs in the MLS, in Italy, and in England, which suggests that he has plenty of options to pick from and would not be left without a club by leaving the Hoops.

It now remains to be seen whether or not Taylor would be happy to remain at the club to be behind Tierney in the pecking order, with the carrot of a wage increase that could see him move further up in the club’s top ten earners.

Celtic's top ten wage earners

The Scottish defender’s £15k-per-week wages at the moment place him tenth in the wage bill, as per Salary Sport, although they are yet to add Jota’s wages to their data since his move from Rennes in January.

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Callum McGregor are supposedly the joint-highest earners in the squad with wages of £37k-per-week, over £20k more per week than Taylor earns.

Top ten Celtic earners

24/25 season

Weekly wage

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£37k

Callum McGregor

£37k

James Forrest

£19k

Daizen Maeda

£18k

Alistair Johnston

£16k

Reo Hatate

£16k

Arne Engels

£16k

Adam Idah

£16k

Luis Palma

£16k

Greg Taylor

£15k

Wages via Salary Sport

As you can see in the table above, most of the top earners in the team are the regular starters in Rodgers’ team who have earned their place in the top ten earners, including the likes of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Arne Engels.

Luis Palma, who earns more than Taylor, however, does not fall into that category. In fact, his lack of impact in the first-team led to him joining Olympiacos on loan in the January transfer window.

Why Celtic must finally sell Luis Palma

The Hoops must finally cash in on the Honduras international when the summer transfer window opens for business because he is clearly not a part of the manager’s plans and is, therefore, bleeding the club dry with his high wages.

Olympiacos reportedly have an option to sign him permanently for £3.4m, but it has been claimed that they are not going to exercise that option. This means that Palma is due to return to Parkhead in the summer, as it stands.

Dynamo Kyiv are reportedly interested in a deal to snap up the forward ahead of next season, though, and Celtic must push to do a deal with them in the coming weeks and months, in order to finally part ways with the flop.

Luis Palma (Premiership)

23/24

24/25

Appearances (starts)

28 (18)

8 (1)

Goals

7

0

Big chances created

14

1

Assists

9

0

Key passes per game

2.4

1.5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, his game time and his performances regressed from the 2023/24 campaign to the current season, which suggests that Rodgers lost faith in the attacker – culminating in his loan exit to Olympiacos in January.

Palma has had some good moments in a Celtic shirt, including the spectacular goal in the clip above, but his lack of minutes and goal contributions this season suggests that the club are wasting significant wages on him.

Earlier this term, former Hoops striker John Hartson was not afraid to be scathing in his assessment of the winger. The Daily Record quoted him as saying: “For me I am watching him thinking ‘go, make something happen’ and it just comes to nothing. For me as a winger Palma doesn’t do enough. He is just too wasteful.”

Palma has, therefore, not impressed pundits, not impressed Rodgers, and not impressed his loan club enough to seal a permanent move to Olympiacos, with zero goals and zero assists in six Super League matches for his temporary team.

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It is now down to the board to find a suitor, whether that is Dynamo Kyiv or another club, to finally part ways with the £16k-per-week dud ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

While the mood around the club is still rather jubilant following their incredible win over Real Madrid in the Champions League this time last week, one thing remains true about Arsenal: they don’t score enough goals.

To give them credit, Mikel Arteta’s side have scored more goals than most teams in the Premier League, but that’s still not enough when the club are desperate to lift the title following what now looks like it’ll be three seasons of finishing in second place.

For example, the Gunners have put the ball in the back of the net 57 times in the league this year, which is only the fourth most, behind Tottenham Hotspur with 60, Manchester City with 62 and Liverpool, who have already scored a brilliant 74 goals so far.

Now, one of the most obvious ways to address this problem in the summer is to sign a new striker to lead the line, and while that’ll likely help, it could be just as important to add more quality wingers to the squad, although whoever they sign is unlikely to be worth anywhere near as much as one of Arteta’s key men.

The wingers Arsenal could sign

So, when it comes to wide reinforcements, there is one name that has followed Arsenal from last summer’s transfer window to this one: Nico Williams.

The Spanish international winger is one of the most exciting wingers in Europe at present, and while there will undoubtedly be plenty of competition for his signature, he does seem to be gettable thanks to a £52m release clause in his current contract.

It’s certainly a lot of money to spend on a 22-year-old, but it’d be worth it, as just this season alone, the Pamplona-born “level-raiser,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has scored ten goals and provided seven assists in 41 appearances.

However, it’s not just youngsters that the North Londoners could sign this summer, as recent reports have also touted Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman for a £39m move to the Emirates.

Now, the Frenchman hasn’t had as good of a season this year, only racking up ten goal involvements in 35 appearances, but he would bring with him an abundance of top-level experience.

For example, since making his debut for Paris Saint Germain over a decade ago, the Paris-born winger has won two league titles in France, two in Italy with Juventus and eight in Germany with Bayern Munich, where he has also scored the winning goal in a Champions League final.

In short, both players would be good additions to Arsenal’s squad this summer, but neither one would be even nearly as much as one of the team’s star players.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Williams & Coman

While they haven’t been as productive as in seasons past, Arsenal do have a few talented wingers in their squad, such as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, but when it comes to being a true leader within the team, only one attacker comes to mind: Bukayo Saka.

The Hale Ender is unquestionably the best player in Arteta’s squad, as not only has he worn the captain’s armband on occasion, but he’s also the most productive player in the entire team this year, with 24 goal improvements even though he missed over three months of action following hamstring surgery.

So, with all that said, it should come as no surprise that Transfermarkt currently values the 23-year-old at a whopping €150m, which is about £128m, or £76m more than Williams would cost and £89m more than Coman may cost.

That is an enormous difference in the three wingers’ valuations, but when you compare their output from this season, it’s hard to argue that it’s not fair.

For example, the Bilbao star has produced his 17 goal involvements in 41 appearances, totalling 2859 minutes, which comes out to an average of one every 2.41 games or every 168.17 minutes.

Appearances

28

41

35

Minutes

1998′

2859′

1597′

Goals

10

10

6

Assists

14

7

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.85

0.41

0.28

Minutes per Goal Involvement

83.25′

168.17′

159.7′

The Bayern dynamo has produced his ten goal involvements in 35 appearances, totalling 1597 minutes, which comes out to an average of one every 3.5 games or every 159.7.

Last but most certainly not least, the Gunners’ “future legend,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored his ten goals and provided his 14 assists in just 28 appearances, totalling 1998 minutes.

That means the 43-capped Englishman is averaging a goal involvement every 1.16 games or every 83.25, which simply has to be considered world-class.

Ultimately, signing Coman or Williams would help improve Arsenal’s squad, but it seems far-fetched to imagine either one ever reaching a valuation on par with Saka’s.

Huge upgrade on Merino: Berta wants Arsenal to sign £55m "goal machine"

Given that Mikel Merino is playing the makeshift centre-forward, Arsenal are in the market for a striker, so do they lead the race for a goal machine?

1 ByBen Gray Apr 13, 2025

Jofra Archer is now England’s rising star, but a few years ago he was sleeping on the floor at his friend’s

George Dobell10-May-2019Jofra Archer has, at times, been forced to take the scenic route to international cricket.Not so long ago, he was reduced to sleeping on a friend’s floor as his pursuit of a career in the game was threatened by a series of back injuries. Struggling to make a dent even in club cricket – his team wanted him to bowl them to league success; he could provide only a few overs before the pain became too great – he found himself representing what might best be described as a pub team with team-mates who, let’s put this delicately, probably wouldn’t challenge him in the bleep test.Jon Filby, now chairman of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, takes up the story.”I formed a team in 1985 with my good friend Gavin Bailey,” he says. “We’re called the Two Hopes who, as everyone knows, are ‘Bob’ and ‘No’. It’s social cricket, really, and every couple of years we arrange a tour of the west country. By 2015, I was 55 years old and, while there were some younger guys in the side – some good cricketers – we had no great pretensions.”Anyway, when the fixtures came through for our tour that year we had a bit of a shock. We had been scheduled to play against some pretty strong county league sides and feared a bit of a mismatch. So my son, Tom, asked a team-mate of his from Slinfold Cricket Club – the Bajan allrounder Akeem Jordan – whether he would like to come along and strengthen us. He said yes, but could he bring his friend, Jofra. ‘Great,’ we said. There was no payment, or anything like that, but we said they could stay with us.”The first thing that struck us all about Jofra was his manners. We had hired a big house in West Looe and there were about 20 of us staying there. Anyway, every morning my partner and I would cook breakfast for everyone. Jofra helped out with both the cooking and the washing-up and immediately struck up a good rapport with everyone.”Jofra Archer (front row, middle) poses with his Two Hopes CC team-mates•Jon FilbyArcher had come to England in 2014. Chris Jordan, who he had met in the nets in Barbados, had suggested to Archer that he should try to use his UK passport (his dad, Frank, had been a driver on the London Underground for many years before retiring to Liverpool) and encouraged him to come to Sussex. But while the club monitored his progress, there was no contract and very little income.In those first couple of years, he played for Middleton-on-Sea in the Sussex Cricket League. He was clearly talented, but the back injuries were persistent – as they often are in young, fast bowlers – and there were times he couldn’t bowl. In one game, Archer reduced Cuckfield to 8 for 5, taking all five wickets, but then couldn’t bowl any more. Cuckfield recovered to go on and win and, while Archer was popular, there was just a little frustration about his inability to deliver the overs his side wanted.So he found himself at a loose end and was able to join Akeem and the rest of the Two Hopes in Cornwall. With Filby deciding it probably wouldn’t be in the spirit of things to unleash two Barbadian fast bowlers on their unsuspecting opposition, it was instead decided they would bat at No. 6 and No. 7 “if required”.They were required rather sooner than might have been expected. Their opponents that day, Lanhydrock CC, soon reduced them to 26 for 4 when Archer strode out to join Filby. It soon became apparent that, however quick Archer was between the wickets, there weren’t going to be many threes run.”I have lovely memories of batting with him,” Filby says. “I think we only put on about 25 but, what I really remember is, when I was out, he put his arm round my shoulder and walked me most of the way back to the pavilion. The funny thing is, just over a year later, I saw him do exactly the same thing on Championship debut after he had added 160 for the seventh wicket with CJ [Chris Jordan]. On that occasion, Jofra was out and he and CJ walked most of the way back to the pavilion commiserating with one another.”Jofra Archer and Akeem Jordan take a breather out in the middle•Jon FilbyFilby’s dismissal brought Jordan and Archer together. And together was where they stayed for the next couple of hours, both registering centuries and adding 180 together in increasingly fluent fashion.”It’s a beautiful place to play cricket,” Filby says, “with the pitch in the grounds of a National Trust property. There was a large metal fence at one end of the ground which protects cars visiting the property from cricket balls. But in the later stages of the innings, both of them started to challenge each other to see how many balls they could hit over it. Quite a crowd developed. It was obvious we were watching something a bit special.”Neither man bowled when Lanhydrock batted, but Archer kept wicket and, in Filby’s words “did it beautifully”. The Two Hopes won by ten runs.”I was a bit worried Lanhydrock might feel we had duped them,” he says. “Some clubs might not have liked us turning up with these two young guys who were clearly a class above. But they put on a BBQ for us in the evening and were perfect hosts. Jofra and Akeem impressed everyone with their cricket and their friendliness.”At that time, Jordan was the more successful cricketer. He played as an overseas cricketer for several years in Sussex and Archer, until weeks before his breakthrough in first-class cricket, was sleeping on his floor. Filby noticed that Archer, in particular, had no money to spend and ensured his plate was always full at breakfast and tea. “I used to wonder when else he ate,” he says now. “He had things really tough for a while. It’s lovely to see things work out for him.”Roles are reversed now. Archer is already established as something of a superstar in T20 cricket and would appear to be on the brink of an exciting international career. Really, his future looks golden. Jordan, meanwhile, recently broke into the Combined Campuses and Colleges side in Caribbean regional cricket – he claimed a five-wicket haul in the semi-final of the Super 50 Cup before his side completed a shock by defeating Guyana in the final – but a first-class debut remains elusive. Even after Archer made his own Sussex debut, however, he could be seen going to watch Slinfold CC play to support his old friend.Jofra Archer receives his cap from Jon Filby•Jon FilbyIt is remarkable the role chance has played in Archer’s success, though. Not only was he fortunate to be able to utilise the UK passport he inherited from his father, he was also thankful for something of a fixture disaster which saw him handed a first-class debut that might, possibly, not have happened otherwise.Sussex, you see, were involved in a T20 match in Cardiff on July 7, 2016. There’s nothing unusual in that, you might think. But that game finished at around 10pm and, 13 hours later, they were due to play Pakistan in a first-class match at Hove. Only three men from that T20 side were included in the tour game and Archer, who had by then played a bit for Sussex 2nd XI but was still without a contract, was given his chance. He claimed two wickets in his first spell – Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood – and later added Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali. Within days, he had signed his first county contract, and the rest is history.But let’s get back to Cornwall. The day after the Lanhydrock game, the Two Hopes took on Falmouth. But there was to be no repetition of Archer’s success. Instead he was dismissed second ball but, rather than moping about his failure, he did what every could club man does: he took stints as both scorer and umpire. He remains good friends with many of those with whom he played on the tour and not so long ago turned out to support a Sussex Cricket Foundation event.”He hasn’t changed at all,” Filby says. “He’s as humble and modest as ever; the most unassuming superstar you could hope to meet.”So any chance of a recall for the Two Hopes? “He’d be very welcome,” Filby smiles. “But we think he might have bigger fish to fry these days.”

Player retentions for eight teams confirmed ahead of draft in March

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Feb-2024Jason Roy, Dawid Malan and Amy Jones are among the England players who will on the block in next month’s draft for the 2024 Hundred, after player retentions for the eight teams were confirmed.Roy was one of the most high-profile names among those released, having helped Oval Invincibles to win the men’s competition last year. Roy averaged 17.11 with a strike rate of 128.33 and his expected involvement in Major League Cricket – which will clash with the Hundred in 2024 – is likely to have been a factor. Invincibles also opted not to retain two of their overseas players, Sunil Narine and Heinrich Klaasen, both of whom featured in the first edition of MLC.There will, however, be an overlap of talent at the Hundred and MLC, with Rashid Khan (Trent Rockets), Finn Allen (Southern Brave), Haris Rauf (Welsh Fire), Adam Zampa and Spencer Johnson (both Oval Invincibles) all retained for this summer despite their involvement in the US, and other names likely to appear in the final draft list, which will be confirmed on Monday.Related

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Malan and Tom Kohler-Cadmore were among the top earners at Trent Rockets but both will go back into the pool, as will Tom Banton, who was not retained by Northern Superchargers. Ollie Pope, who has an ECB red-ball central contract, was not retained by Welsh Fire.In the women’s competition, where the three highest pay bands have received a significant boost, there will be seven spots to fill in the top £50,000 bracket. Jones, England’s first-choice wicketkeeper, was let go by Birmingham Phoenix, while the retirements of Katherine Sciver-Brunt and Anya Shrubsole have opened up spaces at Rockets and Southern Brave respectively.Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine (both Phoenix), Marizanne Kapp (Invincibles), Phoebe Litchfield (Superchargers), Hayley Matthews and Shabnim Ismail (both Fire) are among the overseas players who will be coming back.In all, 137 players have been retained – men’s teams could retain up to 10 players, women’s teams eight – with 75 spots to be filled via the draft on the March 20. Northern Superchargers, who finished last in 2023, will have the first pick in the men’s draft, with Birmingham Phoenix starting things off in the women’s.Teams will each have one Right-to-Match card at their disposal, allowing them to re-sign a player who was in their squad last year, as long as they match the salary band of the rival team bidding in the draft.The Hundred will get going on July 23 with a double-header at The Oval and run for four weeks, with the finals to be held at Lord’s on August 18.

Retained players

Birmingham Phoenix Women: Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Issy Wong, Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Sterre Kalis, Charis PavelyBirmingham Phoenix Men: Chris Woakes, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Ben Duckett, Benny Howell, Adam Milne, Jamie Smith, Will Smeed, Tom Helm, Jacob BethellLondon Spirit Women: Heather Knight, Grace Harris, Danielle Gibson, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Georgia Redmayne, Sophie Munro, Tara NorrisLondon Spirit Men: Zak Crawley, Nathan Ellis, Dan Lawrence, Dan Worrall, Liam Dawson, Adam Rossington, Olly Stone, Matt Critchley, Daniel Bell-DrummondManchester Originals Women: Sophie Ecclestone, Laura Wolvaardt, Emma Lamb, Mahika Gaur, Fi Morris, Kathryn Bryce, Ellie Threlkeld, Liberty HeapManchester Originals Men: Jos Buttler, Jamie Overton, Phil Salt, Paul Walter, Tom Hartley, Usama Mir, Wayne Madsen, Josh Tongue, Max Holden, Fred Klaassen, Mitchell StanleyNorthern Superchargers Women: Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross, Bess Heath, Linsey Smith, Alice Davidson-Richards, Hollie Armitage, Marie KellyNorthern Superchargers Men: Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Harry Brook, Reece Topley, Matthew Short, Brydon Carse, Adam Hose, Matthew Potts, Callum Parkinson, Ollie RobinsonOval Invincibles Women: Marizanne Kapp, Alice Capsey, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Tash Farrant, Mady Villiers, Paige Schofield, Sophia Smale, Ryana MacDonald-GayOval Invincibles Men: Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Will Jacks, Adam Zampa, Jordan Cox, Gus Atkinson, Sam Billings, Saqib Mahmood, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Sowter, Tawanda MuyeyeSouthern Brave Women: Danni Wyatt, Chloe Tryon, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Freya Kemp, Georgia Adams, Rhianna Southby, Mary TaylorSouthern Brave Men: Jofra Archer, James Vince, Chris Jordan, Tymal Mills, Leus Du Plooy, Rehan Ahmed, Craig Overton, Finn Allen, George Garton, Alex DaviesTrent Rockets Women: Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alana King, Bryony Smith, Kirstie Gordon, Alexa Stonehouse, Grace PottsTrent Rockets Men: Joe Root, Rashid Khan, Alex Hales, Lewis Gregory, Luke Wood, John Turner, Sam Hain, Sam CookWelsh Fire Women: Hayley Matthews, Sophia Dunkley, Shabnim Ismail, Tammy Beaumont, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Bryce, Freya Davies, Emily WindsorWelsh Fire Men: Jonny Bairstow, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Haris Rauf, Tom Abell, David Payne, Glenn Phillips, Luke Wells, Roelof Van der Merwe, Stephen Eskinazi, Chris Cook

da supremo： Sheffield United were agonisingly close to a win to really flex their muscles at the top of the Championship table last time out, only for Liam Manning’s Bristol City to spoil the mood.

da lvbet： Indeed, the Blades were heading to the top of the summit in style courtesy of Tyrese Campbell’s golden contribution, but the Robins had other ideas late on as the final scoreline ended 1-1.

Chris Wilder will be chewing over what changes to make to his first team personnel ahead of a nerve-wracking Steel City Derby on Sunday lunchtime, with Callum O’Hare perhaps surprisingly dropped for the nail-biting showdown at Hillsborough after a quiet showing at Bramall Lane.

O'Hare's performance vs Bristol City

Nobody can say they’ve been underwhelmed by the addition of O’Hare, considering the ex-Coventry City man boasts two goals and six assists in Championship action this season.

But, even the cream of the crop are prone to off-days, with O’Hare finding it hard to leave his mark on the 1-1 draw as nothing came off for him.

O’Hare’s performance in numbers

Stat

O’Hare

Minutes played

54

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

25

Accurate passes

14/19 (74%)

Key pass

1

Shots on goal

0

Successful dribbles

0

Total duels won

0/2

Stats by Sofascore

Across the course of his forgettable 54 minutes on the pitch, O’Hare failed to complete a single successful dribble, win a single duel or register a shot on the Robins net, leaving Wilder irked enough on the sideline to haul him off with barely an hour down on the clock.

Having started all but one of his 36 second-tier matches this campaign, it would be bold for Wilder to completely axe the ex-Sky Blues man from the next XI, but he could still be prepared to alter his team.

Chalkboard

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

Expand Collapse Wilder's best O'Hare replacement

Looking at Wilder’s substitutes bench during the home game against the visitors from Bristol, it’s clear the 57-year-old is blessed with some top options, with Kieffer Moore an experienced EFL striker who got a run-out late on.

Another face who was gifted a chance off the bench in the same game was ex-Liverpool youngster Rhian Brewster, who might now replace O’Hare for the full-blooded clash at Hillsborough judging by his recent promising cameos.

Within a matter of minutes of being introduced, the reinvigorated 24-year-old poked the ball through to Campbell to slot home the opener, on top of also finishing off his brief spell on the pitch with an attempted shot at Max O’Leary’s busy goal.

This isn’t the only time the “amazing” attacker – as he was labelled by Wilder earlier this season – has left his impact on an unfolding clash across the 2024/25 campaign, with Brewster also helping himself to an assist against Portsmouth back in February from just 18 minutes.

The £35k-per-week earner could end up being the difference-maker when Wilder’s men make the short trip to face off against Rohl’s Wednesday, with a further two league goals next to his name this season making him a threat the Owls will have to contain whatever length of time he is handed on the Hillsborough turf.

United’s last loss in the usually fierce Steel City Derby was all the way back in 2012, with another victory tightening up their firm grip on the automatic promotion spots. But, a loss might well be the almighty kick in the teeth that sees United fall out of the top two.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Mar 3, 2025