The batting coach said India had enough time, options and “fluidity” in their batting order to plug any weakness

Nagraj Gollapudi at Headingley16-Jul-2018India are yet to work out a “settled” middle order in ODIs and they do not have the “depth” in their lower order. With the World Cup a year away that might seem to be a matter of concern, but batting coach Sanjay Bangar said that India had enough time, options and “fluidity” in their batting order to plug any weakness.India’s middle-order woes were exposed at Lord’s on Saturday, as the second half of their innings was subdued and they stuttered to a virtual standstill in the final hour. It was the first instance since the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup that India failed hit a single six in an ODI. India didn’t score more than 10 runs in an over during in the final 15 overs, and only 42 runs came off the last 10, which is the fewest scored by India in the last decade.The lack of intent did not sit well with the Indian fans at Lord’s. They did not spare MS Dhoni, who was booed at various times during an innings where he ran out of partners and eventually lost rhythm. Although it would be easy to blame Dhoni, you could understand why he did not want to press the accelerator with the other members of India’s middle order – KL Rahul, Suresh Raina and Hardik Pandya – found wanting.Bangar said that India were not sweating because they had enough options to work out a World Cup middle order. Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey and Ajinkya Rahane could all still be viable options if the current occupants did not make an impact. Rayudu failed the yo-yo fitness test and Raina was called up as his replacement. Pandey and Rahane have been tried at different times in the past, but left behind more questions than positive impressions.Although India have not tried it yet, one way the middle order could be strengthened would involve pushing Rahul to No. 3 and having Virat Kohli bat at four. That way India can retain their authority in the top order while having their best batsman at the controls in the second half of the innings. This way Kohli would not only act as a cushion for the top order, as he showed during the T20s in Ireland and England, but also ease the pressure on Dhoni, who can play with more freedom at Nos. 5 or 6.But India are not ready yet to change the default settings. “We did change a bit [the batting order], certainly in the T20 format where KL played at three and Virat batted at four,” Bangar said in Leeds on the eve of the final match of the ODI series and the limited-overs leg of their tour. “But looking at this series and the performances that Virat has got at No. 3, especially in the last series when he scored three hundreds against South Africa in five games [we won’t alter the batting order].”Bangar, though, did not rule out a change of strategy, keeping in mind India have 21 matches before the World Cup, good enough time to figure out a solution. “We are looking at, in terms of the games remaining, where we could look at settling the middle-order slots. We will see as to players available, the fitness of the players. So a lot of spots are open. The good thing about that is the bench strength we have in a Rayudu, or a Manish Pandey or Ajinkya Rahane. There are enough spots for each and every eventuality that we might face leading up to the World Cup.”MS Dhoni buckles on his pads at India training•Getty Images

Bangar also defended Dhoni and said that there was nothing else India’s most senior and experienced batsman could have done. “When the team loses four wickets, the lower order – at least with the combination we are playing at the moment – we do not really have the depth at Nos. 8, 9, 10 wherein the batsman at Nos. 6 or 7 could play with that sort of a freedom. It was purely because of that that we kept on losing the wickets and the set batsmen could not really exploit [the situation].”He [Dhoni] was just hoping that somebody would stick with him. There was a chance when he and Suresh were batting together, we were just hoping they could bat through till the 40th over and they could take the bowlers on. But every time he looked to do that he first lost Raina and then he lost Hardik so there wasn’t too much batting to follow for him to play in the usual fashion that he does.”Bangar felt that some of the India batsmen, like Raina, who featured in just one format and have come back to international fold after a while, would need more time to settle down. Bangar said that it was also difficult for the middle-order batsmen, who were often padded up but did not have much to do as all the good work had been already done by the top order, which has played a dominant role in Indian victories in the last few years.”The way our top order is batting, generally our middle order hasn’t got the number of opportunities that you would expect because the top order does the bulk of the scoring. And at times the middle order have to straightaway walk into a game situation. Not all of the players are playing all formats of the game. You also have to give some weightage to do that – coming back straight to international cricket, and doing the kind of things that are expected of you, especially in this format. So the continuity factor also plays a part, but we are trying to balance each and everything that we could possibly do.”

Bangla bash: Rumana Ahmed (left) and Khadija Tul Kubra in Belgaum, on their tour of India•Annesha Ghosh/ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Beat two-time runners-up (Pakistan): check
Beat six-time winners (India): check
Qualify for maiden Asia Cup final: check
Heading into the tournament, Bangladesh were labelled underdogs likely to pull off an upset or two. On Saturday, with their 70-run rout of Malaysia in the last league game, they surpassed last edition’s runners-up Pakistan on the points table and set up their maiden appearance in an Asia Cup final, where they will take on defending champions India.On the penultimate day of what has been a momentous week for the side, in which they consigned both Pakistan and India to big-margin defeats, Bangladesh strangled hosts Malaysia to 60 for 9 in 20 in their 130-run defence. Vice-captain Rumana Ahmed starred with the ball, picking her second three-for of the tournament, after a 59-run opening stand between Player of the Match Shamima Sultana and Ayasha Rahman hoisted Bangladesh to 130 for 4.While Bangladesh have preferred to chase mostly, Salma Khatun’s decision to bat found validation in Sultana’s 54-ball 43 that complemented Rahman’s 31 off 27. After Winifred Duraisingam, the medium-pacer, separated the duo in the 10th over, Sultana stitched together a 27-run second-wicket partnership with Fargana Hoque. Duraisingam’s second strike, in the 16th over, however, ensured Hoque’s contribution was limited to seven.A huge swell of impetus to the Bangladesh innings came via the 36 runs Sanjida Islam and and Fahima Khatun added at over 10 runs per over. Sanjida smashed 15 off 12 while Khatun peppered three fours en route to her 12-ball 26.In reply, only three batsmen in the Malaysia line-up managed double-digit scores. Duraisingam top-scored with a 35-ball 17 as two run-outs, coupled with Ahmed’s 4-1-8-3 which proved too strong for the opposition to muster a fight against. Malaysia’s slow-paced surrender ended in a ninth wicket for the Bangladesh attack, in which five of the six bowlers employed returned at least one wicket each.

Australia have packed 10 days of cricket into the last three weeks, and their T20I captain hopes the team can cap a hard month on the road with a title win

Liam Brickhill in Harare07-Jul-2018With one match to go before a well-earned break, Australia captain Aaron Finch is hoping his team will cap a hard month on the road with a victory. “Hopefully leading into this final, we’re saving our best for last and then the boys will get a little break,” Finch said.Australia have packed 10 days of cricket into the last three weeks, and they’ll need the rest ahead of a busy 2018-19 season. After a trip to the UAE for Tests, ODIs and a T20I against Pakistan, the side will play South Africa, India and Sri Lanka over a summer that will also feature an expanded Big Bash League.Australia have also been coming to terms with a new era both on and off the field, with the addition of new faces to their squads bringing with it a general need for recalibration. While there’s still room for improvement, Finch thinks there have been “great developments” in the team.”Slowly we’re starting to find the right balance and a little bit more of an understanding of how each other play the game,” Finch said. “There’s a few new faces around, so as a captain I think it’s important to have more of an understanding of guys strengths and things where there’s room for improvement. There’ve been some great developments over the last few months on tour. We’ve trained hard.”But hard yakka in the nets hasn’t necessarily transmuted into success. Inconsistent results certainly aren’t down to any lapses in their training schedules: Australia have trained for an hour or more after their last two games in Harare, braving plummeting mid-winter temperatures, and several players have spoken about the effect new coach Justin Langer is having. All the same, their last few games have been marked by both record-breaking peaks and repeated blunders.”I don’t know if rusty is the right word,” Finch said. “We’re still just slightly off in our execution with the bat, ball and in the field. Putting down a couple too many chances in the field – well, one is too many. With the ball we’re probably just leaking that one over that’s a real big one. In the past we’ve been really good at, if we’re hit for a boundary early, shutting down the over and getting out of it. Lately there’s been too many 15, 16-plus overs. With the bat, anytime you have to get a new partnership going, it makes it more difficult.”It would have been nice for our in batters to make sure that we got the job done comfortably [against Zimbabwe]. A little too close for comfort, but in the end getting a win is important, leading into the final with momentum.”Finch’s personal returns have also been mixed in the tri-series, with 240 runs (and a new world record) in his first two innings followed by 19 runs from his next two. But such are the vagaries of T20 batting, Finch said, targetting another big knock in Sunday’s final.”I feel like I’m playing very well at the moment. I’m not too bothered by a couple of low scores to be honest. T20 cricket tends to be high risk at the start of the innings and as long as I’m moving well and hitting the ball in the middle of the bat I’m pretty confident. Having played a lot of T20 cricket now, I understand the highs and lows of a batter in this game so it’s just about making sure that you’re giving yourself the best chance, making the right decision under pressure, and I still feel as though I’m doing that. It just hasn’t gone my way in the last two games, but hopefully a big one in the final.”Sarfraz Ahmed and Aaron Finch at the toss•AFPFinch will be up against an attack Australia hadn’t seen much of in T20Is before their trip to Zimbabwe. Australia’s last T20I against Pakistan before the tri-series was at the World T20 in 2016, and while they have played each other in other formats, Australia have had to scramble to adapt their gameplans on a quick turnaround while in Harare.”They’ve got a lot of very dangerous players,” Finch said of Pakistan. “If you look at the stats from this series, Fakhar Zaman has been outstanding and a real thorn in our side for a couple of games. He’s also been really consistent in this format for quite a long time. Obviously [Mohammad] Amir came back and bowled really well in the last game. They’ve got a lot of left-arm options. And then Shadab Khan as well, bowling legspin and spinning it both ways is also a threat. We reviewed heavily after the game against Pakistan and came up with some really solid plans for their bowlers and batters.”The world no. 1 ranking will remain out of Australia’s grasp even if they win Sunday’s final – they needed an unbeaten run through the tri-series to snatch the position away from Pakistan – but Finch said that winning the tri-series, rather than gaining ranking points, was Australia’s goal throughout.”On this tour, there’s been no talk about ‘we have to win this tournament to become no. 1’. It’s about winning the tournament for Australia. We’ve put ourselves in a position to do that, so that’s a real positive. We haven’t played our best cricket in the last couple of games, but there’s room for improvement and come tomorrow I’ve got a real good feeling that we’ll bring our A game.”Though rankings aren’t the focus, a win in the final would mean that Australia’s T20 side would be their top-ranked men’s team in second position (their women’s side is no. 1 overall), and Finch put their climb up the tables from sixth position last year down to the increased number of T20Is on their calendar. Australia have played 17 T20Is since the last World T20 in early 2016, winning 12. Between the 2014 and 2016 World T20s, they had played just 10 games, losing six.”We’ve been really consistent over the years in T20 cricket with some great sides,” Finch said. “In the past there’s been a lot less T20 cricket played as a country outside of the world tournaments. When you’re playing one game generally per series, if that, it can be quite hard to get your ranking up there. I think over the last 18 or 24 months we’ve played a lot more T20; we’ve probably had a lot more settled side over that time as well. I think there’s merit in how we’ve moved up the rankings.”

The idea of a footballing heir is a weighty subject. It can make or break characters, whether, for instance, it be Dan Crowley's Jack Wilshere comparison at Arsenal, perhaps even Jordan Rossiter's stray Steven Gerrard comparison, or Jude Bellingham striding across the Bernabéu pitch with Zidane's infamous number five worn comfortably on his back. It's certainly a daunting hurdle that gifted youngsters approach at the highest level.

Unfortunately for this article's subject, this player finds himself on the Crowley and Rossiter end of the spectrum when it comes to fulfilling his potential as the next Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium.

Who was the next Fabregas?

After consistent world-class showings for both club and country, Cesc Fabregas' Arsenal spell ended with a transfer to Barcelona in 2011. The World Cup winner's figurative shoes were likely a size too big to fill on the face of it. A size that would make the average player innumerate, given the midfielder's growth into one of the finest playmakers around.

You don't replace a Fabregas with a snap of the fingers. You don't replace him with a youth player either – unless that star quality is glaringly bright, lapping at the heels of the first team.

Yet, while Arsene Wenger looked over a group of players under his employ, a glint caught his seasoned eye. It danced in the shadowed slot where Fabregas, as well as an also-departing Samir Nasri, once lived. That spec of light was Gedion Zelalem.

How did Gedion Zelalem come onto the scene?

Zelalem seemed like a gifted footballer who developed exponentially despite a certain time of adversity. Born in Berlin to Ethiopian parents, the tragedy of his mother's death saw him and his father move to the United States in 2006.

He made the transatlantic trip at just nine years old. However, he played football from the age of five. Plus, education in the Hertha Berlin academy, meant that his skill transferred to Washington's suburbs with ease.

The humble beginnings of MSC United and Bethesda SC progressed to the elite side at Olney Rangers in 2011. Two years was enough, the youngster was noticed by Arsenal's North American scout, Danny Karbassiyoon.

It's been said that there are many American youth players are talented enough to bridge the Anglo-American divide, but they aren't permitted to travel. Yet, as Zelalem was born in Germany, his EU passport was a green light for Arsenal who signed him after a two-week trial in 2013.

“I saw Gedion in a training session. Technically he was very, very gifted, he rarely looks like he’s under pressure and always has a way out. I hadn’t seen that in players in the US, his intelligence and awareness were on another level.” (Karbassiyoon, 2016)

From fledgling Fabregas to the Eerst Divisie: Where is Zelalem now?

Zelalem's ascent continued on arrival at London Colney as onlookers continued awe-struck. The gifted talent flew through the ranks. U16, U18, the reserves. Then, all of a sudden he was cropping up in senior sessions.

This brought inclusion in the 24-man squad for Arsenal's Asia Tour. Performances against an Indonesia Dream Team, Vietnam, and Japan's Nagoya Grampus saw him quickly become a favourite. It was after this, that the praise grew and the lofty media comparisons flowed. "Arsenal's next Fabregas?" the Guardian questioned.

Alas, no. It seemed Zelalem's "great talent" as Wenger had labelled, had prematurely peaked.

Where positives like 2014's full Arsenal debut and fruitful Rangers loan the following year duly arrived – there was also mediocrity. Where Wenger had mentioned a potentially great player, in the same breath he also underlined a need for mental strength as well as physical conditioning. In a somewhat foreboding fashion, the Frenchman spoke of Zelalem's progress:

"If he manages to develop his physique and keep his qualities, he can be a very important player. Let's hope he will do it. (…) Today it is too early for him to play for us, but I would say in one year we will know more about him." (Wenger, 2014)

He got more than a year. Yet, he didn't emerge as a talent befitting of Arsenal, let alone fulfilling Cesc Fabregas' legacy. In 2017, after a poor showing at VVV Venlo on loan – making only eight appearances – Arsenal decided it was enough and let him return to America for free.

Stints at Sporting Kansas City and New York City FC subsequently came and went for the American.

Since January of 2023, Den Bosch of the Dutch second division come as Zelalem's newest club. Time is still on his side though for the 26-year-old. Maybe that "important player" is deep down in there somewhere, just waiting to emerge.

Cameroon could be banned from international tournaments if Wilfried Nathan Doualla is proven guilty of 'age cheating'.

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• 62 players suspended by Cameroon's football federation
• Doualla was in Cameroon AFCON squad
• Indomitable Lions face potential international ban

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Cameroon's participation in international football tournaments hangs in the balance following allegations of age fraud involving Doualla. The Cameroonian Federation, known as FECAFOOT, has taken decisive action by suspending 62 other players including Doualla – who was the youngest member of the squad for January's Africa Cup of Nations.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 17-year-old midfielder from Victoria United was a surprising addition to Rigobert Song's squad for the tournament held in Ivory Coast. However, FECAFOOT alleges that Doualla misrepresented his age, leading to his disqualification from participating in the Elite League's play-off games. Doualla's true age still remains undisclosed, adding to the controversy surrounding the issue.

• WHAT VICTORIA UNITED SAID

  Meanwhile, Victoria United has vehemently denied allegations of double identities involving Doualla and his teammate Nji Richmond.

  "We believe that this might be an error from the Fecafoot," a club statement read. "We call on our supporters to remain calm as we have submitted the necessary documents to justify that the players do not have a double identity."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  This is not the first time Cameroon have faced scrutiny over age-related issues. In fact, it marks the third consecutive year that the nation has been embroiled in controversy surrounding age fraud. The regulations set by the Nations Cup stipulate severe consequences for such violations. If fraud or forgery is proven, the national association in question faces suspension from participating in the following two editions of AFCON. If due to an administrative error, however, the suspension will be applicable just for one edition.

Rohit Sharma struck an unbeaten hundred and Hardik Pandya then finished the chase, to follow 4 for 38 with the ball

The Report by Sidharth Monga08-Jul-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA long tour of England can bring contingencies, and India responded gloriously to the first of those to maintain their clean sheet in T20I bilateral series of three matches. Central to India’s win was a man who might yet have to play a big part in the rest of the summer: allrounder Hardik Pandya stepped up with India missing two of their first-choice quicks to injury and dropping Kuldeep Yadav, who had taken five wickets two matches ago, because of the small straight boundaries.Pandya bowled smartly, not giving England anything to drive and changing his pace often in his personal best analysis of 4 for 38, reducing a marauding England batting to 198 when they had looked good for 225. He was there with centurion Rohit Sharma when India needed to pull themselves out of a brief slowdown when the 15th and 16th over produced seven runs and the wicket of Virat Kohli. Pandya’s 33 off 14 took off any pressure that might have been on his Mumbai Indians’ team-mate as India chased the target down with more than an over to spare.Rohit Sharma lifts one over covers•Getty Images

Selection debateThere was consternation from certain quarters when Kuldeep was left out for debutant swing bowler Deepak Chahar. The pitch looked green, and the straight boundaries were short. India reasoned they wanted a team for the day and not based on history. A few experts said you pick your best bowlers no matter the conditions. To add to India’s woes, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had a stiff back. Jasprit Bumrah was already ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the tour. This is an Indian side confident of taking a punt and going along with it. Their confidence was about to be tested.England get stuck into inexperienced attackThe pace of the three right-arm quicks posed Jos Buttler and Jason Roy no challenge. The Powerplay of 73 for 0 was the best in T20Is in England, and the home side’s second-best effort anywhere. In a knock that didn’t even last half of England’s innings, Roy equalled the England record for most sixes: seven. Pandya was among those taken apart, for 22 in his first over, his most expensive over in T20Is.Two wickets fell in the next seven overs but the runs kept coming. That Yuzvendra Chahal bowled four overs for just 30 when the going rate was higher than 10 might have raised doubts in the Indian minds. They were looking at seven overs of quick bowling with no swing available and small boundaries to defend with 132 already on the board.Pandya strikes, and keeps strikingPandya, who had come back with a two-run second over, showed he had learned from his mistake early on. He wasn’t bowling as short as he had done earlier but still didn’t give England the length to drive or to slog. He rolled his fingers on the ball to good effect, too. Eoin Morgan top-edged a slog, was dropped, but repeated it next ball for MS Dhoni to take one of his world-record five catches in the innings. Alex Hales looked to late-cut him and got the top edge. Pandya came back in the 18th over to thwart another surge from England, this time taking out Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. That England fell 25 short was down entirely to these wickets.Rohit exits a slumpComing into this match, Rohit had averaged 26.08 at a strike rate of 104.1 in all T20 cricket since February 17 this year. Those were surprising numbers for a batsman of his ability in limited-overs cricket, which is probably why not many questioned his place in a line-up overflowing with batting talent. Rohit showed why by dismantling the England bowling with 11 fours and five sixes. Most of the big hitting was done down the ground because of the boundaries but when England went short, he was equal to it with his pulls. For support he had KL Rahul during a 41-run second-wicket stand and Kohli in an 81-run association for the third wicket.How ineffective the bowling, how short England were of a par score, was all evident in how all the three wickets fell to exceptional catches. the pick of the lot was the third one as Chris Jordan hung on a Kohli shot drilled back at him in his follow-through. That wicket and the consequent quiet, with Pandya promoted ahead of MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina, left India 44 to get in four overs.Pandya, Rohit end itJust then, though, Pandya hit the first two balls of the 17th over for fours, and India were back on track. Rohit duly reached his hundred, and Pandya provided the exclamation mark with a six off the fourth ball of the 19th over.

Lionel Messi is pretty reliable over free-kicks, but one of his latest strikes for Inter Miami appeared to hit an unsuspecting toddler in the crowd.

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Argentine icon bagged brace in 'Clasico'Had chance to complete treble late onRadar from set-piece was a little offWHAT HAPPENED?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was in action for the Herons against Florida neighbours Orlando City on Saturday. He bagged a brace in that contest and was looking to complete a ‘Clasico’ hat-trick when lining up a set-piece in the closing stages.

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Messi’s effort did not miss by much, but he did send it curling narrowly over the crossbar. Those in the stands had little time to react as the 20-yard effort came sailing their way, with spectators sat close to the pitch finding themselves very much in the firing line.

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

A young supporter, sporting a black Inter Miami kit, appeared to be struck by the ball as it ended up stuck on her seat. The youngster in question avoided any injury, but they were a little shaken and tears flowed as the game continued around her.

Nottinghamshire are closing in on the signing of Derbyshire’s Ben Slater.Slater, the 26-year-old opening batsman, is in the middle of a productive season for Derbyshire – he is averaging 43 in the Championship – and was understood to have attracted the interest of several counties. Only three men in Division Two of the County Championship have scored more runs this season.Nottinghamshire have lost several top-order batsmen – the likes of Greg Smith, Michael Lumb, James Taylor and, from red-ball cricket, at least, Alex Hales – over the last year or two. While Slater is solid in the red-ball game, he also has a fine record in List A cricket where he averages in excess of 50 and recently made a century against a strong Yorkshire attack.Meanwhile, Kent are understood to have shown strong interest in Nottinghamshire’s Matt Milnes and Leicestershire’s Neil Dexter.

Aston Villa enjoyed a successful summer in the transfer window, as Unai Emery and Monchi navigated the direction of the funds to welcome five new faces to Villa Park.

The Spanish duo broke the club’s record transfer fee in the process, securing their primary target in Moussa Diaby for a price of £51.9m from Bayer Leverkusen.

Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres, Nicolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet also made the Midlands their new homes, with all five of Villa’s acquisitions having the potential to make a significant improvement to the squad.

Despite capturing the signatures of the new arrivals, Emery and Monchi were linked with a host of other names, with some deals not prevailing that could have made the side even better.

From Jadon Sancho to Ansu Fati, the Villans were named as a club interested in some of the best talents in Europe, with one player signing for an alternative Premier League side in a deal that has seen him flourish in his new surroundings.

West Ham United signed James Ward-Prowse after weeks of speculation over his future and now that the Englishman has made a fast start to life in the capital, Emery will be dwelling on the player he could have had.

Did Aston Villa nearly sign James Ward-Prowse?

Following Southampton’s relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, the future of Ward-Prowse became one of the main talking points of the transfer window.

Back in May, prior to the opening of the window, the Daily Mail reported that the former Saints captain did not have a relegation release clause embedded into his contract, with Villa named as one of the clubs eyeing his movements.

It wasn’t the first time that the Midlands side had hoped to sign the midfielder, with Dean Smith having a £25m bid rejected for the set-piece specialist back in the summer of 2021.

It was West Ham who sealed the deal for the 28-year-old, paying a fee of £30m to Southampton just weeks after walking away from negotiations, signing the Saints star on a four-year contract to end his 20-year association at St Mary’s.

This summer was the moment for Villa to step up and capture the signature of Ward-Prowse, however, it just wasn’t meant to be as the Villans took on fellow relegation-suffering star Youri Tielemans from Leicester City.

What is James Ward-Prowse’s market value?

There was a lot of talk surrounding Ward-Prowse’s next destination after the Mail reported that Saints had put a mammoth £50m price tag on the Englishman’s head this summer.

At the point of such talk, Football Transfers recorded the Portsmouth-born ace’s expected transfer value (xTV) at €39.3m (£34m), making the south coast club’s valuation of their captain a little high for interested clubs to consider without discussion.

Taking into consideration the importance of the individual to Saints at the time, along with the fact he signed a five-year extension with the club in 2021, it’s clear to see why Southampton placed such a price on the midfielder at that moment.

£30m was the price that the Hammers managed to haggle the Englishman for, in what was a superb deal considering that his market value was an accurate measure of the figure paid at the time.

Fast forward to now, and the Irons maestro has a current xTV of €31.1m (£26.9m), highlighting that David Moyes got his man at the right time for the right price this summer.

How many goals has James Ward-Prowse scored?

It’s clear to see why Villa, among other clubs, were interested in Ward-Prowse following Southampton’s relegation, with the 28-year-old being a seasoned professional in the Premier League and a consistently high-performer at St Mary’s.

While at Saints, the midfielder accumulated 343 Premier League appearances, showing experience in the English top flight that rarely can be bought, with the adaptation period typically difficult for midfielders from abroad.

James Ward-Prowse's previous five Premier League seasons (via Transfermarkt)

2019/20

Southampton

38

5

3

2020/21

Southampton

38

8

7

2021/22

Southampton

36

10

5

2022/23

Southampton

38

9

4

2023/24 so far

West Ham United

4

2

3

Throughout his career with the south coast side, the academy graduate turned captain scored a total of 55 goals in all competitions, as well as registering 54 assists in that time.

When Saints were low on inspiration, the Englishman was almost always there to shed some excellence on proceedings, dubbed as “incredible” by current Southampton manager Russell Martin with reference to his time at the club.

While Ward-Prowse’s contributions in the midfield as well as in the final third are admirable, his dead-ball excellence is never overlooked, as he is currently just one direct free-kick away from equalling the Premier League record.

Treble-winner Pep Guardiola previously lauded the 11-cap England international as being “the best free-kick taker” he had “ever seen”, which is praise indeed from a figure that has managed the likes of Lionel Messi.

David Beckham’s record stands at 18, with the Hammers genius just one behind with 17 and considering his track record, the 28-year-old is in good stead to rewrite history in that aspect.

What could James Ward-Prowse have offered to Villa?

Aside from his set-piece theatrics, what West Ham secured was a competent and commanding asset in the middle of the park.

The treasure that the Irons collected was the sparkle that was missed by Villa, who could have had a far stronger set-up in midfield if they had pushed to secure his signature.

John McGinn has shone since Emery’s arrival, however, the Scotsman is not as strong a performer as Ward-Prowse, who could have provided an upgrade to the 28-year-old in the Spaniard’s free-flowing formation.

As per FBref, last season in the Premier League, the former Saints hero averaged 0.18 non-penalty goals per 90, as well as 3.39 shot-creating actions per 90 to showcase the threat he could pose on goal, despite being in a team short of desire.

McGinn fell short in such areas for Villa last term, showing far less of a presence in the final third with an average of 0.03 non-penalty goals per 90, and 2.67 shot-creating actions.

When it came to passing in the 2022/23 campaign, the Villans midfielder ranked lower than their reported summer target in terms of his ability to get the ball into advanced areas, averaging 4.68 progressive passes and just 0.60 key passes per 90.

Ward-Prowse recorded a superior average of 1.98 key passes per 90 during Saints’ bottom-of-the-table season, as well as averaging 5.05 progressive passes per 90 to convey his presence in the midfield, via FBref.

Having contributed to five goals in four fixtures already this campaign for the Irons, the £30m man is already looking to be a bargain, having scored two and assisted three in his opening moments as a Hammer.

Emery has been shown early days just what he could have had in his side if the club had pushed to sign the Englishman, however, the Spaniard will have to find peace in what has prevailed to be a smart piece of business by the east Londoners.

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has recently entered talks regarding a new long-term contract, and a reliable journalist has now revealed the time frame in which it’s likely to be signed.

How old is Alexander-Arnold and how many matches has he played?

Alexander-Arnold is now 24 years of age and has been at the club ever since his childhood days having graduated from the academy in 2016 to become a regular feature of the first-team, where he’s so far made a total of 277 senior appearances to date.

The England international has recently been rewarded for his service by being named vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp, and his leadership qualities alongside his high standard of performances have seen him attracting interest from high-profile clubs overseas.

According to 90min, Barcelona and Real Madrid are admirers of the right-back, and it’s this outside attention that has forced FSG into taking the necessary steps to secure his long-term future on Merseyside which is exactly what they have done.

Football Insider have claimed that the two parties have reached an agreement in principle for their homegrown talent to extend his stay in the Premier League, and a club correspondent has now delivered an update as to when supporters could see the deal getting finalised.

Is Trent Alexander-Arnold signing a new contract at Liverpool?

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside’s Daily Briefing, Liverpool reporter Neil Jones confirmed that Liverpool are aiming to announce Alexander-Arnold's new contract by the end of December. He said:

“I would expect Liverpool to get Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contract situation sorted by the end of the year. He is into the final two years of his current deal, and there is absolutely no doubting his importance to Liverpool’s long-term plans.

"He is already the creative fulcrum of the side, and his promotion to vice-captain in the summer tells you everything you need to know about his standing off the pitch. He’s one of the club’s key players, and one who has huge significance given he’s come through the academy.

“I don’t expect any hiccups in negotiations. Alexander-Arnold wants to stay and Liverpool want to keep him. There will be a lot of clubs hoping something goes wrong, but I don’t see it. Trent’s future lies at Anfield.”

How many assists does Alexander-Arnold have?

During his 277 senior appearances for Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold has posted 89 goal contributions (73 assists and 16 goals), showing how much he loves using his pace to burst down the flank, dribble past his marker and create chances for himself and his teammates in the final third.

The PLG client, who already earns £180k-per-week, has carried that impressive form into this season as he’s so far whipped a total of 16 crosses into the opposition’s box, which is the third-highest total throughout the squad, behind Andrew Robertson who is top on 38 and Dominik Szoboszlai in second on 17, via FBRef.

Klopp’s “genius”, as hailed by Jones himself, has also played a huge part in the club’s success over the years having helped to secure seven trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League, so Alexander-Arnold signing an improved deal would be nothing less than he deserves.