da heads bet： Already planning ahead for life without loanee Marcus Rashford, Monchi is now battling to sign an alternative option for Aston Villa in a deal that could be worth just £35m this summer.

Aston Villa keep pressure on Champions League places

da cassino online： With just three Premier League games remaining, Aston Villa ensured that they kept hold of a glimmer of hope in the race to secure Champions League qualification by defeating Fulham 1-0. Coming courtesy of Youri Tielemans’ header, those in the Midlands have kept the pressure on Chelsea and Nottingham Forest as they desperately await a crucial slip.

Manager Unai Emery had his say on what was a narrow but all-important victory at Villa Park, telling reporters: “Today we wanted to be closer to qualifying for European football so it is fantastic. If we had not won, forget it (Champions League) completely.

“The best gift we can achieve is the Champions League and we are not the favourites to get it, but we will fight for it. We must now focus on Bournemouth next weekend which is so, so difficult. Villa Park is very important and we feel so strong here. The supporters are fantastic and we can feel that it is our fortress.”

Related Aston Villa now prioritising move to sign "fantastic" Real Madrid player

The Villans could make their move…

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There remains plenty of questions to be answered away from the action as well as on the pitch in the Midlands and one of those centres around Rashford. Following an impressive loan spell at the club, Aston Villa could look to land the winger’s signature on a permanent basis. It remains to be seen whether Rashford feels the same way about Villa Park, however, leaving the club to find an alternative option.

Monchi battling to sign Hutchinson for Aston Villa

According to Caught Offside, Monchi and Aston Villa have now joined the battle to sign Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town this summer in a move that would see Villa welcome their Rashford alternative. The deal could yet be a routine one to seal too, given that the winger reportedly has a release clause of just £35m after Ipswich suffered Premier League relegation.

In a difficult campaign, the 21-year-old has only been able to show glimpses of his quality – scoring three goals and creating another two – but will be desperate to stay put in the top flight.

Despite a disappointing output, Hutchinson still found himself at the centre of praise from manager Kieran McKenna, who told reporters earlier this season: “I think its enjoyable seeing a hungry, talented, young player getting to grips with the league and trying to make his impact – discovering the things that are different, the things that are an increasing challenge for him. And also finding the things that work for him and where he can have his impact.”

A player who Aston Villa’s recruitment team ‘rate Hutchinson highly and consider him a smart investment for the future’, so he could be one to watch if the Villans fail to sign Rashford this summer.

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.

Farke is brewing a Piroe upgrade in Leeds teen with "masses of potential"

Leeds United could have a top star for the future in this highly rated youngster.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 27, 2025

Australia captain “really easy” about some of the squad arriving late, having taken time off to unwind after the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2024Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain at T20 World Cup 2024, will not bowl in the initial part of the tournament but hopes to be able to do so in the latter stages.Marsh, who was ruled out of the IPL midway due to a hamstring tear, has had a much slower recovery than initially expected. He didn’t bowl during Australia’s warm-up matches against Namibia and West Indies either.”Yeah, I won’t be bowling early on in the tournament,” Marsh said on Saturday. “And I always joke as captain – I hope I won’t bowl late in the tournament either. But yeah, I’ll progress that slowly over the next 10-12 days and hopefully be available for them at the back end of the tournament.”Related

• Australia down to nine players for T20 World Cup warm-ups

For their warm-up matches, Australia had only nine players available from their 15-member squad. At one stage, they had four substitutes on the field comprising head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Brad Hodge, fielding coach Andre Borovec and national selector George Bailey.Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis were the ones who were to join the camp late. Except for Stoinis, all the others were involved in the IPL playoffs. Marsh was asked his opinion on the players having joined the camp late. Australia play their first game against Oman in Bridgetown on June 5.”For me, it’s really easy,” he said. “We really value a bit of family time. The guys have obviously been at the IPL, which I think is great preparation for a World Cup. And then, yeah, just the value of seeing their families and getting them in their own bed for one or two nights is really important. As a whole, we’ve all bought into that and it’s really easy to do.Mitchell Marsh won’t be in action with the ball for a little while yet•Getty Images

“We have still got [Mitchell] Starc and Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] to arrive this morning, or lunchtime. But after that we are all here. I think for the guys to get a couple of days at home is really important for us as a group and for them personally. Obviously, it takes a few days to get here from Australia so that adds a few challenges but they’ll be ready to go come the 5th.”Did Australia learn anything from their two warm-up games, having won one and lost the other? “I think we got exactly what we needed to get out of those games,” Marsh said. “Obviously, Hodgey won’t be available for selection, not quite up to it (laughs). So that was disappointing for him, he misses out. But yeah, for the guys who have had time off at home, to come back and get a bit of game time, that’s really all I needed from those practice games. So we certainly feel like we’re ready to go now.”This is the biggest-ever T20 World Cup, comprising 20 teams. And unlike the last couple of editions, there is no qualifying round before the tournament proper starts. According to Marsh, that adds a lot of excitement to the tournament.”I think it certainly feels like a World Cup,” he said. “I got presented a Ugandan playing shirt the other day in our team hotel and that was a really special moment. And it’s things like that, it’s not just about the cricket throughout these World Cups, it’s about opportunity and teams have earned the right to be here. I think that adds a lot of excitement to the whole tournament, so it’s really special, I think.”However, he offered dead defence when asked if there should have been a longer break between the end of the IPL and the start of the T20 World Cup.”I don’t really have an answer to that question and I don’t make those decisions – so as a group we’re here to win. Things may look a little bit disjointed at the beginning and I think most teams are in the same boat with guys that are playing the IPL or coming out of the shop. But that’s the nature of the beast of international cricket these days. We come from all over to tours and we’ll get around each other the next few days and come together and kick off on the field for us.”

Alisha Lehmann has revealed how she has kept her Switzerland team-mates motivated as they prepare to host Euro 2025.

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Lehmann reveals rallying callSwitzerland are underdogs at Euro 2025Juventus star named in squadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Lehmann has urged her Switzerland team-mates to be "strong like rocks" as they prepare for Euro 2025. La Nati are hosting the tournament and have been drawn into a group with Norway, Iceland and Finland.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Switzerland are underdogs in the tournament, with the likes of Spain, England, Germany and France among the more fancied sides, but they still have quality players like Arsenal's Lia Walti and former Barcelona winger Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic in their ranks. Now, Lehmann has urged her compatriots to channel their nation's stony qualities so they can enjoy success this summer.

WHAT LEHMANN SAID

Speaking in a press conference, Lehmann revealed: "Switzerland is made out of rocks. So let's be strong like rocks."

She added: "We've prepared ourselves as best we can, both physically and tactically, and we're ready to give it our all."

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LEHMANN AND SWITZERLAND?

Switzerland will face Norway in their Euro 2025 opener on Wednesday, with Lehmann hoping to form part of Pia Sundhage's starting XI. She recently responded after her side were beaten 7-1 by FC Luzern’s Under-15 boys team in a friendly last week.

Bangladesh’s cricketers are making full use of staying at the same hotel as the Australians in Dhaka, trapping Alyssa Healy at the toaster and gathering vital information about how one of the best in the world goes about doing her business.Australia are on site for a limited-overs series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is which kicks off on Thursday and their hosts are absolutely thrilled.”They are the legends of the game so our players are looking forward to meeting them,” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana said. “Already our players are going up to them in the breakfast table. This communication is important to grow as a team. Many of our players never played against them. We see them as idols so playing with them is a huge achievement.”This is the Australia women’s first bilateral tour to Bangladesh so starting from the players to the fans and media, there’s massive interest. Sultana’s opposite number Healy said that they will be looking to learn from the Bangladesh players too, specifically about the pitches and conditions they might face on this tour and beyond considering the T20 World Cup will be taking place here later in the year.Related

• Jonassen omitted for Bangladesh tour, Vlaeminck recalled

• Powerplay: 'Brave' parents make cricket an option for women in Bangladesh

• Uncapped Farzana and 15-year-old Nishita in Bangladesh's ODI squad

“I’m really proud of this group of people, who see it as a greater responsibility to continue to grow the game,” Healy said. “That doesn’t necessarily mean going over and above but there’s always opportunities to intermingle between the sides. To talk about the game as a whole. To gain some useful experience, and not just that’s not just on their part.”That’s me asking questions about playing here in Bangladesh and playing against sides that we don’t get the opportunity to play against either. I think it goes both ways. The girls are really excited to be here and be a part of this series. Hopefully those conversations will take place. I’ve already had one conversation today around the toaster at breakfast so excited for many more to take place.”2:09

Why Nigar Sultana Joty is happy to see Asian sides play top nations

Fatigue is a subject Healy touched on considering some of Australia’s players are coming off the back of the recently concluded WPL in India, before which they had been busy with national commitments. “I think there’s some differing levels of battery power around our group at the moment,” she said. “I think that’s part of the modern game. That’s exactly what is going to start happening moving forward. Playing right around the world 12 months of the year and managing those expectations are going to be a real challenge.”Fortunately for us, I feel we’ve got some great perspective within our group. We have Tayla Vlaeminck back in our in our squad for the first time for a long time. Sophie Molineux is back around the group. There’s enough perspective in there that if you’re feeling a little bit tired, there are players that are absolutely busting their gut to be here playing for Australia. That’s a nice reminder for each and every one of us. The group is really excited to be here and excited to pull on the yellow and play for Australia again, which I think tips it.”Sultana, meanwhile, has pointed out her team’s bowling as their strength. She also pointed out the bigger picture of playing against Australia at home. Bangladesh have been quite impressive in the last 12 months, particularly after they ran India close in the two white-ball series. They also beat Pakistan in 2-1 in a T20I series and an ODI series at home, and won two matches in South Africa too.Both Sultana and Healy welcomed the huge media presence at the pre-match press conference. “When we were playing against India,” Sultana said, “the journalists’ questions were very different. Whether we can win or not, you asked. I think it is a huge success for my team that you aren’t asking me these questions. The questions this time are about winning and doing better. I think it is a kind of a success.”We really want to do well against Australia. They are a big side. They get facilities that are equal to their men’s team. We are still a way from that, but the BCB is trying. They got us a team sponsor this time. There’s a lot of media attention this time, which wasn’t the case before. The word will spread more about women’s cricket. When girls will know that they have a professional future in this sport, they will be more interested to play cricket.”

The former Australia opener has confirmed his brother passed away earlier this year

ESPNcricinfo staff28-May-2024

Former Australia batter Joe Burns has revealed a tribute to his brother who passed away earlier this year as he embarks on a new chapter to his career by playing for Italy.Burns, 34, was dropped by Queensland last season and did not earn a place on their 2024-25 contract list. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Burns went public about the death of his brother, which occurred in February, alongside an image of his Italy shirt bearing the number 85 which was his brother’s in club cricket.”This isn’t just a number and this isn’t just a jersey. This is for the people who I know will be looking down proudly from above,” he wrote.”In February of this year my brother sadly passed away. 85 was his number in the last team he played (and his birth year) for the mighty Northern Federals in sub-districts.”The days, weeks and months since my brother’s death have been the toughest I could ever imagine. I’m not too proud to admit that it’s been a daily battle that I often lose.”While a part of my soul feels like it will always be missing, I know this shirt will carry on his spirit and give me strength.”It’s the hours playing as kids and connection with him that taught me to love this game.” Burns qualifies for Italy through his mother’s heritage and is now set to feature in the sub regional qualifiers as part of the pathway to the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. Italy are grouped with France, Isle of Man, Luxembourg and Turkey in group one with matches to take place between June 9-16 in Rome.”I often reflect on the bravery and commitment it must have taken my Grandparents when they left Italy to start a new life in Australia,” he wrote. “They found a way to make it work through adversity and this has always given me solace through life’s lessons. I’m so proud to represent Italy on our path to the 2026 World Cup.”Burns was averaging 37.16 in the Sheffield Shield when he was dropped by Queensland – in what overall was a challenging season for batters – but is now without any professional deals in Australia with his Melbourne Stars contract having also expired.In 23 Tests he made four centuries, averaging 36.97, with his last appearance coming against India in late 2020.

عزز الفرنسي كيليان مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد، رصيد أهدافه في جدول ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني، بعدما أحرز هدفًا في شباك إسبانيول.

وواجه ريال مدريد خصمه إسبانيول على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة للدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.

وسجل مبابي الهدف الثاني لريال مدريد بشباك إسبانيول في الدقيقة 47 مع بداية شوط المباراة الثاني، بعد تمريرة من فينيسيوس جونيور.

ورفع فيران توريس رصيده في ترتيب الهدافين حيث أحرز هدفين لصالح برشلونة أمام خيتافي، بمنافسات الجولة ذاتها في الدوري الإسباني. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني

1. كيليان مبابي، ريال مدريد، 5 أهداف.

2. فيران توريس، برشلونة، 4 أهداف.

3. فيدات موريكي، مايوركا، 4 أهداف.

4. إيتا إيونج، ليفانتي، 3 أهداف.

5. رافينها، برشلونة، 3 أهداف.

6. تاجون بوكانان، فياريال، 3 أهداف.

7. أدريان ليسو، خيتافي، 3 أهداف.

8. مير، إلتشي، 3 أهداف.

9. روميرو، ليفانتي، 3 أهداف.

10. لامين يامال، برشلونة، هدفان.

11. فينيسيوس جونيور، ريال مدريد، هدفان.

ويمكنك متابعة ترتيب هدافي الدوري الإسباني بشكل محدث من هنا.

If the captain isn’t the best man to open the innings, who is?

Shiva Jayaraman15-Apr-2018T20 is more of a team game than cricket’s longer formats. Teams only have 120 balls to play with, and are required to optimise the use of resources (read: batsmen) to give themselves the best chance of maximising totals. Teams run out of deliveries more often than they run out of wickets: on an average, only six wickets are lost in a T20 innings. Consequently, batsmen who play the anchor – a valued role in the longer formats – are redundant more often than not. There is less premium placed on the ability of the batsmen to play a long, steady innings in T20s.Rajasthan Royals are facing this unique problem, with their captain Ajinkya Rahane using up deliveries for minimal returns, thus pulling down the rest of the batting unit. ESPNcricinfo examines the issue and prescribes possible solutions.
How do Royals make the best use of Rahane?That is where Royals seem to have got their tactics wrong. In playing Rahane at the top of the order, they are not making the best use of the batsmen in their team. In fact, Royals are perhaps over-valuing Rahane’s contribution as an anchor, given the composition of their squad. Six out of Royals’ top-seven batsmen, excluding Rahane, are capable of batting out an entire T20 innings on their own based on current form. The following table lists the strike rates and average balls per dismissal for the seven top-order batsmen that Royals fielded in their previous match.

The combined dismissal rate is such that they could be expected to bat through most of the 20 overs in an innings on a given day: the balls per dismissal of the other batsmen add up to 117 deliveries. So, on an average, Royals just need Rahane to bat those three extra deliveries out of the 20 overs. Why does it have to be Rahane and not someone else? That is because Rahane has the lowest strike-rate of the seven batsmen, and so the team would be best-placed to maximise their score if all the other batsmen have a go ahead of him.Rahane costs Royals five runs on an averageWith Rahane opening for them, Royals stand to lose five runs per innings on an average. Here’s how: the combined strike-rate of Royals’ top order, excluding Rahane, works out to 140, which is nearly 20 more than the rate Rahane strikes at. In other words, the other six batsmen in the Royals top order score 20 runs per 100 balls more than Rahane. So, the additional 24 balls he faces on an average (given Rahane gets dismissed once in 27 deliveries) by batting at the top costs Royals five runs per match. In matches where the gap between Rahane’s strike rate and others’ tends to be higher, the cost to the team will only increase.That is not to say that Rahane has no value as a batsman in the team. But, unless he finds ways to score faster, he contributes only on the odd occasion when there’s a collapse, or the playing conditions are tough enough to reduce the gap between Rahane’s scoring rate, compared to the rest. But, given that T20 favours the batsman, those occasions will be too few.Whom should Royals open with?If not Rahane, who is best-suited to open for Royals? They have a range of options. The compulsion to make the best use of their captain has led to them not opening with Rahul Tripathi.Tripathi made some impactful contributions opening for Rising Pune Supergiant in the previous season. Numbers vouch for the soundness of that strategy. ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats show that Tripathi is Royals’ best option to bat in the Powerplay. Tripathi’s Smart Strike Rate of 201.82 is the best out of the five opening batsmen in Royals’ team. D’arcy Short comes second, so these are the two batsmen Royals should look to bat in the Powerplay to maximise their scoring potential.

Moreover, Tripathi’s Smart Strike Rate after the Powerplay, which is only marginally better than Rahane’s, indicates that he should not be one of Royals’ options to bat through the middle and slog overs. Smart Strike Rate numbers of Royals’ batsmen in the middle and death overs tell us that they should look to send Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson, in that order, to maximise scoring after the Powerplay. This will change if they lose early wickets, in which case Samson could be their No. 3.

In T20s, the position at which a player bats is dictated by how the team can make the most of the 120 balls that are available, and not by where that batsman can be made use of best. Royals will need to rethink their strategy of opening with their captain, and shuffle their batting order to give themselves the best chance. For his part, Rahane will have to find ways to score fast, and pull his own weight in Royals’ batting line-up.

Galatasaray are tasked with replacing long-serving goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and had hoped to tempt Alisson from Liverpool.

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• Galatasaray want Muslera replacement
• Enquiry made over Alisson
• Liverpool star keen to stay

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Galatasaray made a "concrete enquiry" earlier in the summer about signing Alisson from Liverpool. But the Brazilian turned down the opportunity to leave. That means Galatasaray – without Muslera next season for the first time in 14 years – are still "actively searching for a top goalkeeper".

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Caoimhin Kelleher has given up the battle and joined Brentford, but Alisson faces fresh competition for his place this season. Giorgi Mamardashvilli, Georgia’s Euro 2024 hero, will finally link up with the Reds in pre-season after his transfer from Valencia included staying in Spain for an extra year. The Brazilian, while by no means old for a goalkeeper, will also turn 33 in October. But he has two more seasons left on his Liverpool contract.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Mamardashvili has already vowed to do everything he can once he arrives: "I'll go to Liverpool and give my all, just like I did at Valencia. I'll work hard every single day, training with Alisson will help me."

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The initial expectation is that Mamardashvili, while ultimately positioned as the long-term successor to Alisson, will replace Kelleher as the understudy rather than compete for the No.1 spot. But pre-season, which begins for Liverpool from the week commencing July 7, should provide more insight.

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace have largely been in excellent form since the start of 2025, only losing three times in their last 11 Premier League matches, keeping eight clean sheets in all competitions this calendar year and earning themselves a spot in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Eagles didn’t start the campaign at 100mph. After losing the likes of Michael Olise and Joachim Anderson in the summer, Palace had to reassemble their tools, find ways to recruit and replace those players and then begin to build.

After the first ten matches of the season, Palace found themselves 17th, only picking up seven points in that time.

But due to their excellent form since then, Palace now find themselves in mid-table in the Premier League, with the top seven not too far out of reach.

So why did it take a while at the start of the season, and how much did Glasner’s side miss Olise?

Michael Olise's creative burden

Olise was sold to Bayern Munich in the summer, joining the German giants for a fee of around £50m. Since joining Bayern, Olise has been in sublime form, making 43 appearances, scoring 13 goals, and providing 16 assists.

But, the Frenchman was key in his time at Palace, making 90 appearances in his three years at the club, netting 16 times, providing 25 assists and totaling 5,782 minutes played.

Having Olise on the right and Eberechi Eze on the left made it tough for teams to contain the Eagles, with the duo often combining to create chances out of nothing.

With Olise gone, more focus being solely on Eze and a right-hand side that had to be re-invented, it was always going to take some time to find the best way to replace the French wingers’ presence.

That being said, Glasner has certainly found a way to do it.

Chalkboard

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

Glasner's "spectacular" duo have replaced Olise

Crystal Palace signed Ismaila Sarr from Marseille in the summer, joining for a fee of around £12.6m. The 27-year-old was the clear signing destined to take the spot of Olise on that right-hand side, but the difference in overall quality is clear, and therefore, a new dynamic on that side would be needed.

Daniel Munoz, working in tandem with Sarr on the right, has been Glasner’s key weapon to replacing Olise’s output, with both players proving to be very direct, making clever runs in behind and stretching play for their teammates. This right side has proven to be a key outlet for Palace this season.

Goals

0.17

0.29

Assists

0.14

0.11

xG

0.15

0.33

xAG

0.14

0.26

Progressive Carries

1.51

2.52

Progressive Passes

2.44

2.91

Shots Total

1.04

1.93

Key Passes

1.22

1.41

Passes into Pen Area

0.72

1.41

Shot-Creating Actions

2.29

3.85

Successful Take-Ons

0.61

0.60

When looking at the pair’s underlying metrics this season, you can see how their combined effort has helped to replace the French star, both getting forward and getting shots off, both putting balls into the box, chipping in with output and contributing in build up.

Munoz was described as “spectacular” by Jefferson Lerma and that is certainly one way to describe the pair down that right-hand side, working in tandem to attack in a direct fashion and create chances for the team.

Whilst Olise will never fully be replaceable, losing a world-class talent is always tough to replace, even more so when you are a mid-table Premier League side.

Therefore, Palace fans must be fairly happy with their right-side rebrand, with Glasner proving he can make it work.

Contact made: Crystal Palace make move to sign "Pique-esque" £5m defender

The Eagles have made an approach for a defender, who is also attracting interest from West Ham United.

ByDominic Lund Apr 10, 2025