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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

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• 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.”

Every time Karnataka have threatened to assert their might in a gripping semi-final at Eden Gardens, Vidarbha have fought back – just as they have done all season

Akshay Gopalakrishnan in Kolkata19-Dec-2017You don’t often win matches when you are three down and trailing significantly in the second innings. On Tuesday in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy, both semifinals had reached similar junctures. In Pune, Bengal had conceded a first-innings lead of 112 and lost their top three while still trailing by 77. In Kolkata, Vidarbha were 54 behind when they lost their top three.But from there, both teams took entirely different routes.Bengal crumbled to 86 all out, as Delhi stormed into the final with victory by an innings and 26 runs. Vidarbha, on the other hand, lost just one more wicket, and scrapped hard to remain in contention for their maiden Ranji final. By the time play had wound down at Eden Gardens, Vidarbha had moved into a 79-run lead – marginal but enough to keep their dream alive.This kind of mettle from Vidarbha has defined this semifinal. Throughout, Karnataka, overwhelming favourites, have tried to assert their might. But at every stage, Vidarbha have thwarted them.Karnataka made use of a fresh, green track to bundle Vidarbha out for 185 on the first day. Vidarbha fought back immediately, snuffing out three wickets for 21 runs. Then, on the second morning, CM Gautam and Karun Nair put on a 139-run fourth-wicket stand, and it seemed as though Karnataka would take full control. But Vidarbha hit back with four wickets for 38. It took a tenacious century from Nair to give Karnataka the upper hand.Now, with their openers gone early and Wasim Jaffer having wasted a start, Vidarbha are left with six wickets in hand to try and challenge Karnataka again. Critical to that pursuit is Ganesh Satish, unbeaten on 71. Ironically, Satish struck a century in the 2013-14 final to set up Karnataka’s title win. Now, he is leading the fight to knock out his former team.There aren’t too many recognised batsmen to follow. But if you are a Vidarbha supporter, there is a small sense of assurance to be found from what their lower middle and lower order has done this season. Between Nos. 5 and 7, Vidarbha’s batsmen have averaged 46.34 this season. Only Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have done better.Each time Vidarbha have been in trouble, they have found someone to rescue them. In the quarter-final against Kerala, Vidarbha recovered from 95 for 6 batting first to put up 246. Against Chhattisgarh in Nagpur, Vidarbha were 309 for 6 after conceding 489. Apoorv Wankhade, Karn Sharma and Akshay Karnewar then rallied to bring them close, but Vidarbha folded for 435.Karn and Karnewar aren’t playing this match, but in their place are Akshay Wakhare and Aditya Sarwate. Wakhare made handy contributions of 27 not out and 30 in Vidarbha’s quarterfinals. Sarwate averages close to 30 in first-class cricket and has a century and three fifties. Reasonable or not, Vidarbha will want a contribution from both of them on Wednesday.They also have the wicketkeeper Akshay Wadkar, who made twin fifties against Kerala in only his third first-class game. He is at the crease now with Satish, Vidarbha’s third-highest run-getter this season. Satish averages nearly 49 in the second innings in his first-class career, as against 42.68 in the first.On this Eden Gardens surface with spongy and occasionally variable bounce, movement and pace, a target above 150 could open up the game. Over 200 would probably shift the pressure back on Karnataka. Vidarbha might still have to bowl brilliantly, though: in the last 12 years of the tournament, the lowest successfully defended target at Eden Gardens is 214 – Bengal collapsed to 112 all out while chasing this against Andhra in 2007.None of this may happen. Vidarbha may fold inside the first session of day four. They could score in excess of 300 and still get walloped. But through sheer resolve, Vidarbha have added intrigue to what could have been a one-sided semifinal. At the very least, when they walk out on the fourth day, they will still dare to dream.

New Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini wants to add a full-back to the squad as he looks to sign Wesley from Brazilian side Flamengo.

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Gasperini interested in right-back WesleyItalian coach wants more wingers in Roma's squadJuventus also interested in the playerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Head coach Gasperini's priority at Roma is to build upon the current squad, and, as per , the Italian have identified Flamengo right-back Wesley as a priority signing for the Giallorossi. The 21-year-old has been on Gasperini's radar since his days at Atalanta.

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Wesley has played a prominent role in the Flamengo squad, winning the Copa Libertadores in 2022 and was later also named in the 2024 Brasileiro Serie A Team of the Year. With Wesley, the Roma coach plans to add more technical ability and drive on the wings, a key position in the Europa League winner's tactics. However, Juventus are also looking to bring Wesley to Turin and believe their former Brazilian stars Danilo and Alex Sandro can influence the player to join Igor Tudor's side.

TELL ME MORE

Gasperini has taken charge of Roma after a nine-year spell at Atalanta. He was chosen by Ranieri, now working as an advisor to the club, and the Roma owners, with the new boss aiming to get the capital club back in the Champions League.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GASPERINI?

Beginning a new chapter at Roma with his newfound friend Ranieri, Gasperini believes his involvement in training and his hard-working attitude and ability to win over the players will help him reach new heights at Stadio Olimpico.

Andy Robertson labelled Liverpool target Florian Wirtz an "exciting talent" as the Reds aim to wrap up a deal for the exciting Germany playmaker.

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Liverpool step up Wirtz pursuitReds ready to shell out club-record feeRobertson spoke out on potential signingFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old playmaker is on the verge of joining the Reds in what could become the most expensive transfer in British football history. Although negotiations are still ongoing between Liverpool and Leverkusen, reports indicate that a deal has been struck, with only the payment structure left to finalise.

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Should the €150 million (£127m/$171m) deal be completed as expected, Wirtz’s move to Anfield would eclipse the £115m Chelsea paid for Moises Caicedo, setting a new benchmark in Premier League transfer spending. He had a sensational campaign in Germany, scoring 16 goals and assisting 15 times, spurring the Merseyside club to break the bank for the Germany international.

WHAT ROBERTSON SAID

Speaking to , Robertson shared his thoughts on the player Liverpool fans hope to soon welcome to Merseyside.

"He was excellent against us (Scotland, at Euro 2024) I do remember that," he said.

"Obviously that game was extremely tough for us, but he was excellent, he was the one causing us problems in the half-space, running in behind, he can mix it up. I haven't seen too much of him but I have played against him and that was enough to see he was going to be a top player. We played Leverkusen in the Champions League this year as well and we dominated that game a bit more as well, so it was probably a bit more difficult for him, but certainly in the German team against us he was excellent.

"We're certainly linked with him, that's for sure! You can't miss it, you can't not see it. But if we get him through then an exciting talent is through the door. We've already got a lot of exciting talent in there. He's a right good player. He'll only help us, and if he does get through the door then we'll be excited to play with him."

DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool’s triumph in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign took many by surprise. Now, with the club crowned champions once more, Robertson acknowledges the shift in expectations heading into next season.

"I think that [pressure] is something that we're going to need to deal with," Robertson said. "The lads that have been there for a while. Me, Virgil, Mo and Ali, after we won the league the last time, we were kind of used to the pressure.

"For a lot of the lads that won it for the first time this season, and the lads coming in, they'll feel the pressure for the first time. We'll be favourites and there will certainly be more expectation on us than there was at the start of last season. That kind of suited us last season, we could go under the radar, get off to a good start, and by the time people took us seriously we were probably too far ahead!"

Manchester United and INEOS regret signing an Old Trafford “imposter” and want him sold alongside Andre Onana, according to a new report.

Andre Onana ‘unsettled’ at Man Utd and set to be sold

The Red Devils and Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced plans for a brand new 100,000-capacity stadium earlier this month, however, prior to that, the co-owner hit out at recent signings by the club.

Ratcliffe said: “If you look at the players we are buying this summer, that we didn’t buy, we’re buying Antony, we’re buying Casemiro, we’re buying Onana, we’re buying Hojlund, we’re buying Sancho. These are all things from the past, whether we like it or not, we’ve inherited those things and have to sort that out.”

He added: “Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mould the squad that we are fully responsible for, and accountable for, will take time.”

Approved by Amorim: Man Utd working on deal for "phenomenal" £38m maestro

The Red Devils have identified a young midfielder as a top priority for the summer transfer window.

ByDominic Lund Mar 27, 2025

In regards to Onana, it has been claimed that Man Utd regret signing the goalkeeper, who is unsettled and has been for some time at Old Trafford.

The Cameroon international, who has been a regular under Ruben Amorim, is wanted in Saudi Arabia and looks set to be sold over the coming months. However, the club are also kicking themselves at a more recent addition who could follow Onana out of Manchester.

Man Utd also regret signing Joshua Zirkzee and want him gone

According to a report from Spain, Man Utd regret signing Joshua Zirkzee and already want him out of Old Trafford.

The forward, who signed for just over £36m from Bologna last summer and was the first addition under Ratcliffe, has struggled to make an impact in England, scoring just six goals in 44 games, something which has raised doubts for United’s coaching team and staff.

The report adds on Zirkzee that the ‘possibility of a sale is already being considered from the boardroom if an offer comes in that allows for a partial recovery of the investment made’.

Talking earlier this year, pundit Jamie O’Hara slammed the Red Devils and singled out Zirkzee for criticism, calling the forward an “imposter” and “one of the worst players” he’s seen for Man Utd.

Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

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Everton 2-2 Man Utd

5.85/10

Ipswich 1-1 Man Utd

5.91/10

Man Utd 0-2 Crystal Palace

5.97/10

Man Utd 2-1 Brentford

5.98/10

“Manchester United are absolutely terrible – they’re one of the worst teams in the Premier League at the moment. They’re awful at the back and their midfield is non-existent. Their options in attack are terrible as well – Amad Diallo is the only player who looks like he deserves to play for them.

“Joshua Zirkzee is one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in a Manchester United shirt – it’s unbelievable that he’s playing for them. He’s an absolute imposter!”

Afghanistan counterattacked in the chase but eventually fell to a 42-run loss

Madushka Balasuriya09-Feb-2024

Pathum Nissanka’s historic double ton ensured Sri Lanka withstood a spirited Afghanistan counterattack to record a 42-run victory in the first ODI at Pallekele and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.That Afghanistan even got that close was down to a record 242-run stand between Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi, the second-highest sixth-wicket stand in ODI history. Omarazai ended on a 115-ball 149, while Nabi scored 136 off 130, as Afghanistan fell short but with their heads held high.It would leave them wondering perhaps what might have been had there been more substantial contributions from their top order, but in a chase of the mammoth 382-run target set by Sri Lanka, many fell wanting in searching for a fast start.Related

Pathum Nissanka hits Sri Lanka's first double-century in ODIs

Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka's first double-centurion? Who'd have thought?

Pramod Madushan did the most damage sending three of Afghanistan’s top four packing inside the first powerplay. The right-handed Rahmanullah Gurbaz and the left-handed Hashmatullah Shahidi were both done in by in-duckers, Madushan adept at moving the ball both ways – either through the air or off the surface.In between the two he had Ibrahim Zadran caught at slip, and returned later in the game to break the stand between Nabi and Omarzai. He finished with figures of 4 for 75.With Dushmantha Chameera accounting for the scalps of Rahmat Shah and Gulbadin Naib at the other end, Afghanistan found themselves staring down the barrel of an ignominious defeat, having stumbled to 55 for 5 midway through the ninth over.But that was when the fightback began, as the pair of Omarzai and Nabi resolved early on to take the game as deep as possible.With not much batting to follow, it was clear the pair could not take undue risks, nevertheless they found boundaries to ensure the run rate never got too out of hand. That said, it wasn’t until the 36th over that their scoring rate went beyond six an over, by which point the required rate was touching 12 an over.By the 40th over the requirement was 137 needed off 60 deliveries, a tall ask but put into context by the fact that Sri Lanka had struck 120 in the same period.In the end the asking rate proved too much, especially with Sri Lanka having multiple overs available from each of their frontline bowlers.Mohammad Nabi is the oldest player to score an ODI hundred•AFP/Getty Images

It also put into perspective the batting effort put in by the Lankans, particularly the outstanding Nissanka, whose 210 had come off just 139 deliveries.Avishka Fernando, with a run-a-ball 88, was the next highest scorer, as he and Nissanka put on a 182-run opening stand – Sri Lanka’s first century opening stand in nine innings, and just the third to hit double digits in that period. But that was just the start of Afghanistan’s misery.The visitors, who had opted to go with a four-strong seam attack, were left to rue their decision to bowl first having won the toss, with conditions proving ideal for batting. After a subdued start in the opening five in which just 22 runs were scored, Nissanka began to let loose.There was a subdued period through the middle overs when Nabi was rifling through his overs, but at the start and the death the Afghan bowlers were at Nissanka’s mercy.Omarzai was the first to feel the heat, taken for back-to-back boundaries through midwicket and then cover. Two overs later Fareed Ahmad was taken for 19, inclusive of two fours and a six – the latter off a free hit. Ahmad went for a further 17 in his next over, Avishka doing the brunt of the damage on that occasion, as Sri Lanka raced to 90 by the end of the 10th over.The scoring tapered from there on, the occasional flurry of boundaries serving to keep the scoring rate hovering around the seven an over mark. It took a scorching grab from Hashmatullah Shahidi at backward point to bring an end to the opening stand, as Avishka flayed a wide one hard to his right.Kusal Mendis’ entry saw more of the same, as he scrounged around for a 31-ball 16 before skying a miscued shot after coming down the track. The entry of Sadeera Samarawickrama, midway through the 36th over, though was the catalyst for Sri Lanka to shift gears, as his ability to rotate strike and find boundaries dovetailed perfectly with Nissanka, who was beginning to see the ball bigger with every stroke.Their stand of 121 came off just 71 deliveries and scaled up in the final 10 overs. Of the 120 runs ransacked in this period Nissanka alone accounted for 76 of them.Having earlier brought up his century with a single eased to deep cover, he brought up his 150 with a double past backward point. But those milestones were surrounded by belligerence.Noor Ahmad was slog-swept twice in an over, with the wind, over deep midwicket. Fazalhaq Farooqi was clobbered down the ground, flicked over square leg, heaved over deep midwicket and paddled behind square. And when all else failed Afghanistan turned back to Fareed, but Nissanka would not err.Having failed to get away a string of wide Fareed yorkers two overs prior, Nissanka squeezed the first such attempt in the final over past backward point to bring up his double ton. Two balls later he swung one high over square leg and then he crashed a drive to deep extra cover to finish the innings.It was a knock worthy of winning any game, and so it proved in the end.

India fold for 148, suffering their third-biggest defeat in ODIs

Srinidhi Ramanujam02-Jan-2024

The Alyssa Healy era began on a high note for Australia as they completed a 3-0 ODI whitewash against India in Mumbai on Tuesday.After Phoebe Litchfield’s classy hundred and Healy’s 82 propelled the team to 338 for 7, their spinners ran through the India line-up to hand Australia a mammoth 190-run victory. This was India’s third-biggest loss in ODIs.India were never in the chase, courtesy two brilliant catches from Litchfield and Tahlia McGrath and some disciplined bowling on a dry Wankhede pitch. The collapse started with Yastika Bhatia getting cleaned up by Megan Schutt in the fifth over. Four overs later, Smriti Mandhana, who had started steadily, perished for 29 while looking to go big as Schutt struck again. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur continued her poor run of form, getting dismissed for 3, finishing with a total of 17 in the series.Richa Ghosh, India’ new No.3, survived 29 deliveries before she was bowled by Georgia Wareham in the 16th over when she mistimed a sweep. But the game swung Australia’s way when Litchfield pulled off a sensational, one-handed catch at cover to send Jemimah Rodrigues back for 25, in the 21st over. Alana King then bowled a superb legbreak, pitching on leg stump and turning away to take Pooja Vastrakar’s off stump to leave India reeling at 128 for 7. Wareham collected three wickets while King, Sutherland and Schutt accounted for two each to bowl India out for 148 in the 33rd over.After having opted to bat, Litchfield and Healy dominated proceedings, sharing 189 runs for the opening wicket – the highest partnership for any wicket for Australia against India as the visitors also notched up their highest total against this opponent in women’s ODIs.Litchfield’s clarity and crispness in her footwork were more evident in the dead rubber than in the other matches on this tour as she made 119 off 125 balls. In contrast to the 63 she scored in the second match, where she took time to settle in, her second ODI hundred had plenty of boundaries – 16 fours and one six in all. Unlike her captain and opening partner, she is not a big hitter of the ball, but Litchfield was solid, and proactive and backed her technique to dominate spin on her first tour to India.The pair kept the run rate hovering around six throughout the 29 overs they batted, with Australia eyeing 350 at one stage.Smriti Mandhana was the only India batter to cross 25•BCCI

It was an important knock for Healy – the batter and the captain. Taking over captaincy from Meg Lanning on this tour, it was also Healy’s first half-century as full-time captain. She had a lean 2023 where she did not cross fifty in ODIs even once in eight innings and had scores of 0 and 13 in the series. However, on Tuesday, she put that behind and looked positive from the outset. She found the gaps comfortably and brought in her lofted shots when players were in the ring. Her 82 is also the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper-captain in women’s ODIs.Both batters targeted debutant left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap, who replaced allrounder Sneh Rana. They hit a six and a four each as Kashyap conceded 23 off her first two overs.India needed 29 overs to break the stand, with Pooja Vastrakar ending Healy’s innings with the short ball. The dismissal slowed Australia down for a bit with Amanjot Kaur also getting her first wicket of the series by trapping Ellyse Perry lbw in the 33rd over. Shreyanka Patil, who was the star of the India bowling attack, picked up two wickets in two balls to dismiss Beth Mooney and McGrath soon after. From 189 for 0, Australia suddenly slipped to 223 for 4. Patil, playing her second ODI, varied her pace and bowled tight lines to end with figures of 3 for 57.At the other end, Amanjot added one more wicket to her name when she removed Annabel Sutherland for 23. Cameos from Gardner, Wareham and King, though, helped Australia surpass 300. King, in particular, punished Vastrakar for two sixes and a four in the 50th over to remain unbeaten on 26 off 14.India did not have a great day in the field, dropping two catches in the afternoon. In all, they have dropped ten catches in this series.With India hosting the ODI World Cup in 2025, they might have more questions than answers right now, though the series was not part of the Women’s Championship.

Chelsea have made some questionable additions since Todd Boehly bought the club back in May 2022, wasting a whole heap of money on players not up to the level required of the Premier League.

Mykhailo Mudryk cost the Blues £88.5m back in January 2023, with high expectations of providing added quality to the frontline of the first-team squad.

However, fast-forward two years, the Ukrainian international has only scored 10 times and hasn’t featured since December after his provisional suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.

It’s safe to say the club won’t be able to command a fee anywhere near close to what they forked out for his signature, needing to bear such dealings in mind going forward.

Mudryk is only one player in a long list of signings made during the American’s tenure at the club who have failed to deliver, with numerous still currently on the books at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s worst signings of the Boehly era

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez remains a player who continues to divide opinions amongst the fanbase, producing inconsistent displays which have often cost the Blues key points.

The Spaniard ultimately cost them a chance of claiming at least a point against Manchester City after coming off his line and being beaten by Erling Haaland, who managed to clip the ball over him into the back of the net.

Christopher Nkunku is another player who’s been unable to produce the goods on a consistent basis, registering just three Premier League goals in his 24 appearances to date.

After such a poor return, it would be a surprise to no one if he were to depart in the summer, looking to cut their losses after paying £52m for his signature from RB Leipzig back in the summer of 2023.

Any transfer would leave a desperate need for a new attacker, something which boss Enzo Maresca has desperately desired since his appointment – potentially going back in for a target they’ve previously monitored.

The former Chelsea ace who’s been like Isak since leaving

Alexander Isak was a player on Chelsea’s radar in the summer, but Newcastle United demanded a fee of over £100m for his services – which would’ve made him the third player to join the Blues for such a figure since Boehly’s arrival.

The Swede’s tally of 22 goals in all competitions will only have further increased his market value, potentially pricing Maresca’s side out of any move for him at the end of the season.

Regardless of whether Isak arrives in the summer, another attacking talent is needed in forward areas to help Maresca in his quest to take the club back to their former glory – but it’s important they don’t conduct a repeat of one signing.

Former striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang matched Nkunku in failing to deliver during his short period at the Bridge, making just 21 appearances and scoring just three times before leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2023 to join Marseille.

Since his departure, the Gabonese international has found his goalscoring form, notching 43 goals in the last two seasons, leading to FBref ranking him as a similar player to £100m target Isak.

When comparing his stats to Newcastle’s talisman in 2024/25, the now 35-year-old has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – albeit doing so in a lower quality division, currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia.

Games played

22

25

Goals & assists

13

24

Shot-on-target accuracy

49%

46%

Shots on target

1.6

1.3

Pass accuracy

75%

74%

Take-on success

56%

47%

Fouls won

0.8

0.4

The former Arsenal star, who was dubbed “horrific” during his time at the Blues by Aaron Catterson-Reid, has registered slightly fewer combined goals and assists, but has managed to achieve a higher shot-on-target rate – showcasing his clinical edge.

He’s also completed more of his attempted passes and completed more take-ons, providing an all-round option at the top of the pitch with the skillset he possesses.

There’s no denying that Aubameyang failed to produce his quality during his short stint in West London, with his transfer needing to be a stark reminder going into the transfer market this summer.

However, his goalscoring record is there for all to see, recapturing his best form away from the Blues, with his dismal spell at Chelsea now appearing as a small blip in his successful career.

Chelsea flop was sold for only £13m, now he's outscoring Palmer & Isak

Chelsea made the wrong call in allowing one player to depart Stamford Bridge.

ByEthan Lamb Mar 12, 2025

David Warner, Mark Wood, Shadab Khan and Ambati Rayudu are among the major overseas players signed up for the second season of UAE’s ILT20, which will start in January next year. Warner and Wood, rivals at the Ashes recently, will team up at Dubai Capitals, while Shadab joins Pakistan team-mates Shaheen Shah Afridi and Azam Khan at Desert Vipers.Rayudu, who retired from all Indian cricket after IPL 2023 and is currently playing in the CPL, has been signed up by MI Emirates, while Martin Guptill and Maheesh Theekshana will play for Sharjah Warriors alongside Lewis Gregory.Apart from Warner and Wood, Capitals have also signed up Andrew Tye, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sam Billings. Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Ravi Bopara and David Willey have been signed up by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, while Mujeeb Ur Rahman, part of Capitals last season, has moved to defending champions Gulf Giants. Qais Ahmed, meanwhile, has moved from Giants to Warriors.Related

• Ashes stars Brook and Crawley headline BBL draft nominations but schedule crunch looms

• Warner to fulfil BBL commitments with Thunder before heading to ILT20

• Shaheen Afridi signs with Desert Vipers for three seasons

• Hales, Russell, Narine, Hetmyer among top retentions

• ILT20 2024 to kick off on January 13

Kusal Perera, Akeal Hosein and Corey Anderson have been drafted in by MI Emirates apart from Rayudu. They have also acquired up and coming Sri Lanka mystery spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar and Noshtush Kenjige have been picked by Giants and MI Emirates respectively, while Bas de Leede and Roelof van der Merwe are the two Netherlands players in the mix, as part of Vipers and Capitals respectively. Scotland team-mates Chris Sole and Mark Watt will be part of Warriors while Brandon McMullen is part of Knight Riders.The last stage of the squad-building process will involve selecting the UAE players.The second season of the ILT20 will run more or less concurrently with the second season of the SA20 league in South Africa, and will overlap with the last stages of the BBL, too. That aside, there’s England’s five-Test tour of India starting January 25, which could force players like Root and Wood to leave the ILT20 early.

The squads at this stage

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
New signings: Brandon McMullen, David Willey, Jake Lintott, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, Ravi Bopara and Sam Hain
Retentions: Ali Khan, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Joe Clarke, Sabir Ali, Sunil Narine, Marchant de Lange and Matiullah KhanDesert Vipers
New signings: Adam Hose, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Retentions: Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Colin Munro, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood, Matheesha Pathirana, Rohan Mustafa, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran and Wanindu HasarangaDubai Capitals
New signings: Andrew Tye, Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Mark Wood, Max Holden, Mohammad Mohsin, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nuwan Thushara, Roelof van der Merwe, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Sam Billings
Retentions: Dushmantha Chameera, Joe Root, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell and Sikandar RazaGulf Giants
New signings: Dominic Drakes, Jordan Cox, Karim Janat, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Saurabh Netravalkar and Jamie Smith
Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, Sanchit Sharma and Shimron HetmyerMI Emirates
New signings: Akeal Hosein, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Kusal Perera, Nosthush Kenjige, Odean Smith, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil
Retentions: Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, McKenny Clarke, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Will Smeed and Zahoor KhanSharjah Warriors
New signings: Chris Sole, Daniel Sams, Dilshan Madhushanka, James Fuller, Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Lewis Gregory, Maheesh Theekshana, Mark Watt, Martin Guptill, Sean Williams and Qais Ahmed
Retentions: Chris Woakes, Joe Denly, Junaid Siddique, Mark Deyal, Muhammad Jawadullah and Tom Kohler-Cadmore

يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، لبدء أولى مبارياته في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز للموسم الجديد 2025/2026.

وواجه ليفربول نظيره كريستال بالاس، عصر اليوم، الأحد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات كأس الدرع الخيرية، والتي انتهت بفوز كريستال بالاس 3/2 بركلات الترجيح بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي بنتيجة 2/1.

وأهدر محمد صلاح الركلة الأولى لصالح ليفربول وسددها بطريقة سيئة للغاية، أعلى القائم الأيمن لحارس مرمى كريستال بالاس الإنجليزي هيندرسون.

ولم ينجح آرني سلوت في إضافة البطولة الثانية له في مشوار المدرب الهولندي مع ليفربول بعد الفوز ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز الموسم الماضي بفارق واسع عن أقرب منافسيه آرسنال. موعد مباراة ليفربول وبورنموث في الدوري الإنجليزي

مباراة ليفربول الأولى في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ستكون يوم الجمعة المقبل، الموافق 15 من الشهر الجاري، أمام بورنموث.

وتنطلق مباراة ليفربول وبورنموث في الجولة الأولى من البريميرليج في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.