India captain annoyed at being asked repeatedly about the pitch rather than the players who performed on it
Karthik Krishnaswamy03-Mar-20232:19
Chappell: Getting India out cheaply in the first innings was key
India’s batters weren’t “brave” enough against Australia’s spinners during the third Border-Gavaskar Test in Indore. This was the view of Rohit Sharma after India slipped to a nine-wicket defeat inside three days on a pitch with a high degree of variable turn, pace and bounce.Rohit felt India’s batters could have been more proactive with their approach against the spinners, particularly Nathan Lyon – who bagged 11 wickets in the match including an eight-wicket haul in the second innings – and not allowed them to settle into their lengths as quickly as they did.”Look, when you’re playing on challenging pitches, you’ve got to be brave, honestly,” Rohit said during the post-match presentation. “I just felt we allowed their bowlers to bowl on one particular spot. But not taking any credit away from their bowlers, especially Nathan Lyon. He was brilliant, he kept challenging us, kept hitting that right length. So yeah, when the bowler is doing that, you’ve got to come out with your plans and try and do different things; try and be a little brave as well, which I thought we were not.”Related
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Rohit suggested that Shreyas Iyer, who scored 26 from just 27 balls in the second innings, had shown the rest of India’s batters how to bat in the circumstances.”When you’re playing on pitches like this, you need a Shreyas Iyer kind of an innings,” Rohit said at his post-match press conference. “Someone has to step up, someone has to take down the bowlers. It cannot be always that the batters will get 100 runs, 90 runs, 80 runs; you have to play cameos like that.”If one of the top batters can get a big score, that’s a plus – that’s great – but when you know the pitch [offers the bowlers something], there is a challenge. You need guys to go out there and play the way Iyer did.”8:21
Rohit Sharma: We focus too much on the pitch here in India
Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored in India’s second innings, with 59 off 142 balls. At one point during Pujara’s innings, when he was tied down by Lyon’s accuracy and 7-2 leg-side field, cameras caught Rohit gesturing in the dressing-room balcony as if to tell Pujara to stop defending and try hitting Lyon over the top instead.In that context, Rohit’s comments about a lack of bravery could be seen as directed as Pujara, but he indicated that this was not the case. At one point during his press conference, he expressed his annoyance at being asked repeatedly about the pitch rather than players who performed on it, and took Pujara’s name while doing so.”Every time we play in India, there’s only focus on the pitch,” Rohit said. “Why are people not asking me about Nathan Lyon, how well he bowled, how well Pujara batted in the second innings, how well Usman Khawaja played?”Later, he said Pujara’s approach was a case of a batter finding a method of run-scoring based on his own strengths. This, he said, was how India wanted their players to approach batting on challenging pitches.”Pujara [was] being Pujara,” Rohit said. “He loves spending time in the middle, he wants to grind it out, that’s his way of doing it. May not be the same way for a lot of the other guys.”That is something that we spoke in our group as well, find your own methods of going out there and doing your job. As long as the job gets done, we are happy as a unit. Yes, like] in the first two games as well, the runs will not come from everyone. As long as the runs come, we are happy as a unit.”
New Zealand were 164 for 5 in 18.5 overs thanks to Chapman’s unbeaten 71, before the weather intervened
Danyal Rasool20-Apr-2023
A hailstorm interrupted the fourth T20I•Getty Images
Match abandoned A hailstorm in April, of all things, resulted in the fourth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand being abandoned towards the tailend of the first innings. Mark Chapman’s unbeaten 42-ball 71 had spearheaded New Zealand’s innings after an early triple-strike from Imad Wasim put the visitors on the backfoot. The recovery had seen them post their highest total of the series with seven balls still to go, as New Zealand were 164 for 5 when the weather intervened.It was quite the intervention, too. Moments after Haris Rauf deceived Rachin Ravindra in the flight in the penultimate over to send him on his way, light drizzle began to condense on the Rawalpindi grass. The next batter would never be able to get in though, with the rain intensifying almost instantly. As the players scurried off the ground, spectators rushed for cover and groundstaff hurried onto the pitch, hailstones the size of ping-pong balls were peppering Rawalpindi, the groundstaff taking protection underneath the very covers they had hastened to bring out. With the ground bedecked in white, it was almost instantly obvious no further play would be possible.That means, somewhat remarkably, that this depleted New Zealand side stretch this five-match T20I series to the final game on Monday, where a victory would level the series. That did not appear likely when the visitors suffered two thumping defeats to start off the series, but the Pindi crowd is guaranteed a live decider when the teams reconvene on the other side of the Eid break.Pakistan had opted to field first on a surface that, in New Zealand captain Tom Latham’s words “looked a belter”, at a venue that saw stratospherically high scores in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League. But Latham’s side found themselves on the backfoot early on when Imad Wasim rocked them with three quick wickets. Latham miscued one to the boundary to be the first to fall before Will Young and Daryl Mitchell were both deceived by the pace and flight, and cleaned up soon before Imad was done with his spell. He’d bowl out straightaway, his four overs leaking just 19 runs and placing Pakistan firmly on top.That began to change when Chad Bowes hit his stride, taking on the dominant role in a fourth-wicket stand with Chapman that began to shift momentum back. Shadab came in for particular punishment in his third over, and a six off him brought up a 32-ball 50 for the opener before Shaheen Afridi returned to break through.But Chapman, the best batter for the visitors this series, had begun to crank through the gears, and was purring now. Successive boundaries off Haris Rauf helped him hit his stride before he took Zaman Khan to the cleaners, plundering 18 off his over. He’d brought up a half-century by now, and sparing no Pakistan bowler. Shaheen was carved through the offside for four, before Rauf was pummelled over deep midwicket just before the rains hit.It would all be forgotten as nature had its say, but Chapman’s form remains relevant to New Zealand’s chances of snatching an unlikely series draw.
After securing a big first-innings lead the home side built steadily through the day and can bat as long as they wish
Tristan Lavalette23-Mar-2024
Hilton Cartwright brought up his second fifty of the final•Getty Images
Western Australia 347 and 221 for 3 (Cartwright 62*, Goodwin 46) lead Tasmania 186 (Jewell 45, Rocchiccioli 4-48) by 382 runsWestern Australia weathered a short-pitched assault from Tasmania’s pace attack late on day three to move into a commanding position in the Sheffield Shield final.WA reached stumps on day two at 221 for 3 with a lead of 382 runs. Hilton Cartwright overcame the bumper barrage to notch his second half-century of the match and shared in an unbroken 95-run partnership with Aaron Hardie.They batted cautiously with WA in no rush after securing the lead on first-innings bonus points. A draw is enough for them to claim a third straight title and WA’s plan will be to bat for the long haul.Related
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“I want to see a really big one [partnership] now,” WA coach Adam Voges said. “Hilton and Hards are in the 90s with this partnership and they both have the opportunity to go really big tomorrow.”After another tough day’s play, Tasmania’s bid for an outright victory to end an 11-year drought appears grim. “It’s obviously going to take something really special for us to do it,” Tasmania captain Jordan Silk said. “But there’s still some belief in that room.”After trailing on the first innings by 161 runs, Tasmania were desperate for wickets but they were unable to take them in clumps on a WACA surface that has not deteriorated. It’s been the trend all season with the surface holding up well throughout matches.Tasmania turned to a short-ball tactic in the final session, but the plan only resulted in the wicket of Jayden Goodwin for 46. Iain Carlisle, who has been their best quick in the match, and Riley Meredith delivered several blows on the bodies of the batters, but often bowled too short.Resuming on day three at 152 for 6, after losing the key wickets of Silk and Beau Webster before stumps on day two, Tasmania aimed to add another 100 runs and significantly reduce the deficit.But their hopes were rocked on the second ball of the day’s play when Jarrod Freeman was disastrously run out when he was slow to respond on a tight single and was just short of his ground.Joel Paris added another terrific catch for WA when he claimed a blinder at leg-slip off Corey Rocchiccioli to dismiss Gabe Bell with the fielding between the teams a major point of difference so far in the match.D’Arcy Short edged Beau Webster to slip but had played an important role•Getty Images
It was Rocchiccioli who fittingly finished off the innings with the wicket of Carlisle as he undoubtedly catches the attention of the national hierarchy after finishing with 4 for 48 from 28 overs. It was an indefatigable effort made more admirable with Rocchiccioli battling the flu.Tasmania desperately needed early wickets and Bell obliged with a terrific delivery to nick off first innings centurion Sam Whiteman on the last ball before lunch. But Goodwin and D’Arcy Short blunted Tasmania’s bid for further inroads as their quicks were unable to extract the same type of dangerous bounce and seam movement like their counterparts.Unlike his scratchy batting in the first innings, Short looked fluent and in command as he mixed firm defence with attractive strokes through the covers. He eyed a second half-century in the match before edging Webster to slip.But Short justified the faith of the selectors, who also were considering Teague Wyllie or elevating Goodwin up the order. It was an impressive effort considering Short had not opened at the first-class level since late 2019.Short had replaced Cameron Bancroft, who is recovering well from concussion after a bike accident last weekend. He had a batting session at the WACA nets during the day’s play.Tasmania were seemingly going through the motions and reverted to a bumper approach led by Meredith, who reached speeds of 140kph. He targeted Cartwright and Goodwin with short-pitched bowling from around the wicket, but without reward.Carlise also bent his back and was rewarded with a well-directed bouncer on leg stump that took Goodwin’s glove to be caught behind. But it’s been hard work for Tasmania even though Webster showed off his versatility after starting with spin before switching to seam.It was slow going at times in the late afternoon, but a strong crowd of 2467 were more than satisfied in the terraces with WA closing in on a title.
Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Pravin Amre provides injury update after the win against Mumbai Indians
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Apr-20242:02
Moody: ‘Fraser-McGurk’s mind in the right place’
David Warner and Ishant Sharma will need another week to regain full fitness, Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Pravin Amre said after the team’s ten-run win over Mumbai Indians in Delhi.Warner was hit on the finger while attempting a lap shot against Lucknow Super Giants on April 12. He missed DC’s next match, against Gujarat Titans, but played against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 20, where he was out for 1.Since then, he has missed two more games, including the one against MI. Meanwhile, Ishant is recovering from back spasms.Related
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“I think Warner will take one more week [to be fully fit] and so will Ishant,” Amre said. “Ishant had back spasms, which happened on the field two games ago. Warner had a hand injury, which is yet to heal. He had an MRI, which showed the injury for which he needed rest for two to three weeks. I feel they will be ready for selection when we return to Delhi.”DC’s next match is against Kolkata Knight Riders, in Kolkata, on April 29 before they return home to play against Rajasthan Royals on May 7.Against MI, Prithvi Shaw also sat out with illness. “Prithvi was not feeling well when we reached the ground,” Amre said. “So we decided that if he was not 100% fit, we would go with [Abishek] Porel.”Fraser-McGurk has that X-factor – AmreDC’s win against MI was orchestrated by Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 84 off 27 balls, which propelled them to 257 for 4. Fraser-McGurk was not part of the original squad but once Lungi Ngidi was ruled out of the tournament, DC drafted him in as a replacement player.Jake Fraser-McGurk got to his fifty off just 15 balls•BCCI
“He played three games for Dubai Capitals [in the ILT20] and our scouting team was very keen to have him [for the IPL],” Amre said. “Once we got an opportunity to have a replacement, even though we had a choice between a couple of players, we picked him.”He played just three innings [in the ILT20] before leaving to play for Australia but even in that, he played a couple of match-winning innings. Those knocks were something special. Given he is a young, exciting cricketer, we decided to back him.”Fraser-McGurk didn’t play the first five games of the season for DC, but since then has smashed 247 runs in five innings, with three half-centuries and at a strike rate of 237.50.”Yes, he had to wait for four-five games before getting a chance,” Amre said. “But even when we were watching him in the nets, he had something different, that X-factor. Even today, he just opened up the game and because of his innings we were 92 for no loss after six overs.”He is a natural. If you see his set-up, he believes in a stable base. And he has excellent hand speed. And when you are batting in the powerplay, you have only one fielder on the leg side. So that’s a good area to hit; even a mis-hit can get you a boundary.”But if you see in this game, he played smart cricket. When the bowlers bowled wide, he hit a couple of sixes on the off side also. So he has that ability too, and his shot selection is very good.”
Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been vital to their success over the last few years, cementing himself as one of the best defenders in world football.
The Dutchman, who’s out of contract at the end of the season, has won five major honours during his time at Anfield, including a Premier League and Champions League triumph.
The 33-year-old will go down in club history for his showings in Merseyside, making over 300 appearances for the first team, with many hoping he can add to his tally next season – but the hierarchy will need to sort his contract scenario out as soon as possible.
Whilst the £75m forked out for his signature back in January 2018 may have appeared to be a mammoth sum, he’s been worth every penny, catapulting the Reds to their various levels of success.
His big-money move is one of the biggest deals in the club’s history, but they could be about to land a move just as impressive in the summer, massively strengthening Arne Slot’s first-team squad in the process.
Liverpool preparing £115m bid for Premier League star
According to one Spanish outlet, Liverpool are preparing a £115m bid to land Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak this summer, but face huge interest from elsewhere.
Arsenal and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in recent times, with the Magpies massively reluctant to offload their key man this summer.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsak
The Swede has thrived this campaign, notching 24 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, including in the Carabao Cup final against Slot’s side – denying him his first trophy since taking the reins.
The report states that Eddie Howe’s side do not want to sell their star man this window, but understand the Reds’ interest is serious, with the 25-year-old potentially able to leave should they fail to achieve Champions League qualification.
Whilst it would be a club-record transfer, matching the English record in the process, a move for Isak would massively improve the current attacking department, making Slot’s side an even bigger threat in 2025/26.
How Isak compares to Liverpool’s current striker options
Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota have often shared the responsibility of leading the line for Liverpool in 2024/25, but have often struggled during key moments.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
The Portuguese striker may have notched the winning goal in the Merseyside derby last week, but has failed to deliver on a consistent basis, only scoring nine goals across his 31 appearances in all competitions.
As for Nunez, he’s also been a disappointment this campaign, evidently not being the man to take the Reds to the next level under the guidance of the Dutchman.
His tally of seven goals in his 42 appearances throughout this season, works out to just one in every 4.5 outings – a record simply not good enough if the club are to continue their dominance in the Premier League.
Such form could see Slot turn to Isak in the summer window, with the 25-year-old massively outperforming the aforementioned pair this year – highlighting the elite-level talent he possesses.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their second goal
The Swede, who’s been labelled “the best striker in the world” by one analyst, has massively outscored the pair, offering another dimension to the club’s forward line.
He’s also managed to complete more take-ons and also completed more passes he’s attempted, offering an all-round number nine, something which the Reds have desperately lacked in recent years.
How Isak compares to Jota & Nunez in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Isak
Jota
Nunez
Games played
26
20
25
Goals & assists
25
9
7
Shot-on-target accuracy
46%
30%
39%
Pass accuracy
74%
70%
71%
Shot-creating actions
3.3
3
2.2
Take-on success
49%
39%
38%
Progressive passes
2.8
2.6
2
Stats via FBref
Whilst the touted fee would be a mammoth investment from the hierarchy, it would be a deal that would be worth every penny – taking the side to new heights under Slot.
Although competition will be high for his signature this summer, the club’s current league standing and European qualification could give them the edge in the race – making him the biggest deal since Van Dijk and arguably the most important for their ambitions of reaching the next level.
Liverpool must boldly sell "priceless" star earning more than Diaz & Jones
Liverpool, heading for the Premier League title, are set for a summer of change.
Manchester United fell heavily by the wayside under Erik ten Hag, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before him; Jose Mourinho, previously, left hot under the collar after his progress unravelled like a spool of string in the wind.
Ruben Amorim has suffered a turbulent time at Old Trafford since replacing his hard-pressed predecessor, but he’s starting to turn a corner. His tactics are sinking in.
Just imagine how high the Portuguese tactician could reach should INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe equip him with a perfect spread of new signings this summer.
However, United have their financial difficulties and will need to sell in order to buy. Signing a striker is among the priorities for the Red Devils, but luckily, neither of Amorim’s recognised centre-forwards have proved they deserve a star role in the years to come at the Theatre of Dreams.
Man United's striking woes
United claimed a point in Sunday’s Manchester derby, which was very much emblematic of the issues presented to both neighbours right now.
Chiefly, the stalemate highlighted glaring deficiencies in attack, especially for the hosts’ part. Rasmus Hojlund toiled once again, replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the second half. The Dutchman, who was signed from Bologna last summer for £36.5m, “offers a lot more” than his teammate, according to The United Stand’s Beth Tucker.
Even so, he’s not the long-term solution as the star focal frontman.
Hojlund & Zirkzee vs Man City (0-0)
Match Stats
Hojlund
Zirkzee
Minutes played
71′
19′
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Touches
15
11
Shots (on target)
0 (0)
2 (1)
Accurate passes
7/9 (78%)
4/6 (67%)
Key passes
0
0
Dribbles
0/0
0/0
Duels won
1/4
1/2
Data via Sofascore
Hojlund, Man United’s £72m number nine, was a non-entity once again. At least Zirkzee, replacing him with just under 20 minutes left to play, sought to make things happen, sought to take some initiative.
With just three goals from 26 Premier League appearances this season, Hojlund, who is 22, is apt for sale this summer, especially when considering that he’s averaging 0.8 shots per game.
How much Man United could recoup for a player like Hojlund, who is clearly talented but has endured a torrid time of it this year, remains to be seen.
However, the Dane will need to part with his red shirt if things are going to improve. United, for that matter, have identified the perfect replacement for Hojlund, and only by selling him will they be able to pounce.
INEOS make bid for new striker
As per Spanish sources, Man United are very much in the running for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, who has been one of the most prolific players in Europe over the past couple of years.
The Athletic confirmed last week that Arsenal have bumped him up to the top of their wish-list given Newcastle United are staying firm on their £150m valuation of Alexander Isak, but INEOS will hope that Amorim’s connection with the Portugal champions could see a bid from United hold sway.
Gyokeres, 25, is the gold standard, and the Red Devils know it. In fact, the report suggests that they have already offered a €75m (£64m) figure to take him off Sporting’s hands and reunite him with his former gaffer, albeit with Chelsea in the same boat.
Why Man United should sign Viktor Gyokeres
For what it’s worth, former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart remarked that Gyokeres is “a better version of Haaland,” owing to his more complete and dynamic skill set.
Manchester City's ErlingHaalandcelebrates scoring their first goal
The data, in fairness, takes a step toward backing such an audacious claim up. As per FBref, Gyokeres ranks among the top 2% of forwards across Europe over the past year for goals scored, the top 5% for pass completion and shot-creating actions and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.
So then, you see why he’s such a covetous man right now. Given that he fronted Amorim’s system at Sporting, posted 66 goals and 23 assists across just 68 matches for the young manager, you begin to see why INEOS are so desperate to bring him over to Manchester this year.
Such a powerful, precise and imposing number nine must leave Bruno Fernandes giddy at the thought of playing with him. Man United’s skipper, the all-inspiring talisman and all-embracing leader, has been the brightest light to emerge from a dreary campaign, popping up with big moments and providing creative support and defensive relief in nearly every fixture he competes in.
The 30-year-old is so many things for his team, but his chance creation is quite literally second to none, surely something that may tempt Gyokeres to move to Old Trafford and lead the line for Amorim’s side, charged as he would be by Fernandes’ consistent playmaking.
Premier League 24/25 – Most Chances Created
Player
Apps
CC
1.
Bruno Fernandes
30
74
2.
Cole Palmer
30
71
3.
Mohamed Salah
31
70
4.
Dejan Kulusevski
27
62
5.
Enzo Fernandez
29
60
Data via StatMuse
While he wouldn’t come cheap, Gyokeres is the perfect profile for United and if signing a striker is neglected this summer, it’s hard to see how Amorim is going to close the huge gap between his team and their rivals.
There’s all the Sweden international’s clinical nature to consider. Sofascore record that he has missed 22 big chances across Liga Portugal and Champions League campaigns this season, scoring 36 goals across the two competitions.
That’s an insane level of composure and success in the ball-striking department. Truly, if such prowess can be translated to the Premier League, United could return to the forefront of the division, especially with Fernandes pulling the strings from behind.
Make no mistake, this is a player of greatness, a player who, in different circumstances, would be heralded with more effusive praises. Instead, he has remained committed to the United cause.
Fernandes has tasted a few pieces of silverware since walking through the gates, but if partnered with Gyokeres in a purring Amorim system, there’s no telling how high this club might reach.
Not just Bruno: Amorim's "key" Man Utd star just showed he’s undroppable
Liverpool are nearing the end of a terrific season under Arne Slot and could now pounce in an exciting summer transfer deal, according to reports.
Liverpool set for an exciting summer transfer window
Last week, news of Mohamed Salah’s contract renewal at Liverpool brought a feeling of jubilation to supporters ahead of their inevitable Premier League title triumph.
The Reds could be crowned champions this weekend if Arsenal lose at Ipswich Town and they defeat Leicester City. This would likely excite the general public about the possibility of talented summer arrivals at Anfield.
Liverpool managerArneSlotbefore the match
Looking to make a statement, Liverpool could strike to bring in Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman and his current employers could be open to selling him, per Christian Falk.
Furthermore, RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba is on Slot’s wishlist following a scouting mission involving the 22-year-old alongside his teammates Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko.
Arne Slot is aware that change could be afoot upon the red half of Merseyside. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is up in the air with his contract set to expire, while clubs in Saudi Arabia are keeping tabs on Luis Diaz as his deal ticks into its final two years.
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Several of Liverpool’s title competitors simply haven’t been able to keep pace this term. Come the window, many will have designs on bringing in new talent to avoid a repeat scenario next time out.
FSG have gained a mixed reception among supporters, creating a feeling that this summer may be the time to go big in their quest to keep the Reds at the top of the English pyramid for years to come. Heeding that warning, Slot and company are now planning a swoop for a Premier League star that could make headlines across the country.
Liverpool line up sizeable Kaoru Mitoma deal
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are in the mix to sign Brighton & Hove Albion star Kaoru Mitoma and the Seagulls are said to be open to selling the Japan international once the window finally opens.
Fabian Hurzeler is set to demand £80 million for the 27-year-old, who may also attract further interest from Al Nassr following their failed attempts to secure his services in January.
Kaoru Mitoma’s key statistics in 2024/25 – Premier League
Completed dribbles
48
Chances created
35
Shots on target
23
Touches in opposition penalty area
156
Goals
7
Assists
3
Labelled a “special talent” by boss Hurzeler, the tricky winger has registered eight strikes and three assists in 36 appearances across all competitions as the Seagulls look to seal continental qualification.
Financially, Mitoma would cost a pretty penny to bring to Liverpool, but having a ready-made replacement for Diaz in the event the Colombia international does move on would be a wise move for all concerned.
In a summer where the Reds are set to be one of the most appealing potential destinations for players on the market, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Oita-born man join up on Merseyside.
Wolves manager Vitor Pereira is pushing to complete the signing of a £34m midfielder in the summer transfer window, according to a new update.
Wolves eye signings to look upwards next season
It has largely been a season of struggle at Molineux, but relegation from the Premier League to the Championship has been avoided following an extremely impressive spell under Pereira. The 56-year-old has worked wonders at Wolves since replacing Gary O’Neil as manager, averaging 1.75 points per game and steering his team well clear of the drop zone.
It’s now a case of Wanderers kicking on this summer and Pereira signing the right players to suit his style, and he has discussed how he hopes the summer will pan out: “I expect to go with Wolves to the next level, the next step. This is what I’m thinking about. We don’t need a lot of money, we just need to make the right decisions and have a plan. My focus is on this team and trying to get the best results possible until the end of the season. Keeping almost all of the players (is important) because we have a very good group. I want to work for another level, I want to take the next step with this club.”
Joao Felix has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Matheus Cunha if he leaves this summer, with a loan move for the Chelsea attacker mooted. The Brazilian has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, which would be a blow, as the club look to charge up the table rather than looking over their shoulder next term.
Meanwhile, Wolves have been boosted by the news that rumoured transfer target Clement Akpa could leave Auxerre this summer. The 23-year-old left-back could be seen as a replacement for Rayan Ait-Nouri, should he leave Molineux at the end of the season.
Pereira wants Wolves to sign 22 y/o Brazilian midfielder
According to a fresh claim from Coluna do Fla [via Sport Witness], Wolves are interested in signing Flamengo midfielder Evertton Araujo this summer, with Pereira leading their interest. The Wanderers boss has worked with the 22-year-old in the past at the Brazilian club and seemingly considers him a strong target, with a £34m release clause existing in his current contract.
Wolves fans could be forgiven for not knowing a huge amount about Araujo, considering he isn’t plying his trade in Europe currently, but it’s easy to see why Pereira likes him. The Brazilian has racked up 38 appearances for Flamengo to date, also enjoying plenty of success in his career, including winning the Brazilian Cup last year.
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At 22, Araujo is also still very much at the beginning of his career, with his 6 foot 1 frame hopefully helping him make a seamless switch to the Premier League, handling the pace and power of it. Predominantly a defensive midfielder, he could provide strong competition for the likes of Andre and Joao Gomes, improving Pereira’s squad depth.
It was a case of the same old for Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead against the visiting Bournemouth but ended up coming away empty-handed in a match that perfectly summed up their domestic campaign.
Moreover, while he provided an assist for Declan Rice, it was another uninspiring performance from club captain Martin Odegaard, who picked up a 5/10 match rating from GOAL’s Stephen Darwin and made a mess of marking Evanilson for the winning goal.
The Norwegian’s poor form is now a serious concern, but in positive news, the club might have found a solution in a player who could get the best back out of him, a player compared to Kylian Mbappé.
Arsenal's transfer news
While the transfer target in question is someone who could get the best back out of Odegaard in the coming seasons, the club have also been credited with interest in some players who could be seen as out-and-out replacements for the midfielder, like Florian Wirtz and Rayan Cherki.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former could reportedly be available for around £111m this summer, and while that is an outrageous sum of money, it might not be entirely unreasonable, as at just 22 years old, he has scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists in 43 games for Bayer Leverkusen this term.
Cherki, on the other hand, could cost far less at just £30m, and that does seem like a bargain considering the fact he’s already scored 12 goals and provided 19 assists in 42 games for Lyon so far this season.
Rayan Cherki
However, if the Gunners want to get the best back out of their captain, they’d be better off acting on their interest in Eintrach Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké.
According to a recent report from journalist Christian Falk, as relayed by Caught Offside, Arsenal want the French forward this summer.
However, Liverpool are also said to want the free-scoring forward, and worse yet, the German side want around €100m for their star striker, which is about £85m.
It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given his immense ability, he is one worth fighting for, especially as he’d get the best back out of Odegaard, and he’s been compared to Mbappé.
Why Ekitiké could revive Odegaard
So, before we get into the reasons why Ekitiké could revive Odegaard, it’s worth examining this comparison to Mbappé and where it comes from.
It stems from journalist Graeme Bailey, who three years ago reported that there were some in France who thought that the young forward was set to become “the new Mbappé.”
Now, it’s fair to say he hasn’t quite hit the incredible heights of the Real Madrid man, but it’s not hard to see why people would make the comparison, as the Frankfurt gem is a young, exciting and pretty free-scoring forward who, according to The Athletic’s Alex Barker, likes to “drop into wider areas” and “can create a chance for someone from absolutely nothing.”
It’s these traits that make the comparison seem more reasonable, and then when you add them to his raw output, it’s not hard to see why he could help the Gunners captain get back to his best.
For example, this season alone has seen the 22-year-old monster score 22 goals and provide 11 assists in just 46 appearances, totalling 3466 minutes of action.
Ekitiké’s 24/25
Appearances
46
Minutes
3466′
Goals
22
Assists
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.71
Minutes per Goal Involvement
105.03′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In other words, the sensational striker is averaging a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 105.03 minutes.
With a forward that prolific and creative starting ahead of him, the former Real Madrid wonderkid would undoubtedly see his goal and assist tallies soar.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Moreover, with the Reims-born star liking to drop back and drift out wide, opposition defenders would have to spend more time trying to cover him off and mark him in games, thus allowing the Drammen-born maestro more space to create.
Ultimately, while he wouldn’t be cheap, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Ekitiké this summer, as not only would he make the team more dangerous, but he could also help get Odegaard back to his imperious best.
He'd make Saliba & Gabriel unplayable: Arsenal to make bid for £25m star
Arsenal are wasting no time in making reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid and Barcelona often serve up a treat when they meet, with El Clásico watched around the globe by millions.
The era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may be over, but this fixture always promises drama, history and often a bit of spice.
Whether these two iconic rivals are meeting in a cup final or a crunch league clash, there is no love lost between the pair, who have even met in the Champions League on eight occasions, most recently in 2011 when Messi’s Barcelona emerged victorious.
Thankfully, there is more to this fixture than the two foremost attackers from either club, with plenty of star names getting on the scoresheet since the turn of the century.
Since 2000, nearly 100 different players have had the honour of netting in the Clásico, from legends like Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry, to more modern stars like Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
But who has grabbed the most goals this century in this fixture? From goalscoring defenders to lethal strikers, here is the list of El Clásico’s highest goalscorers…
The last 15 players to score on their El Clásico debut
FFC takes a look at the last 15 players to score in their first Clásico. Can anyone follow in Jude Bellingham’s footsteps?
ByMark Marston May 9, 2025 11 Ronaldinho 5 goals
During the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons, Ronaldinho was a thorn in Real Madrid’s side.
In four games for Barcelona against Los Blancos, the silky Brazilian superstar scored five goals, including two in a 3-0 win in November 2005 – a game which is best remembered for being Lionel Messi’s El Clásico debut.
Messi, 18 at the time, got the assist for Samuel Eto’o’s opener on the day.
Ronaldinho’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
20th Nov 2004
La Liga (H)
W 3-0
2
10th Apr 2005
La Liga (A)
L 2-4
3, 4
19th Nov 2005
La Liga (A)
W 3-0
5
1st Apr 2006
La Liga (H)
D 1-1
10 Pedro 5 goals
Many forget just how good Pedro was for Barcelona (and indeed for Chelsea later down the line).
A graduate of the club’s famous La Masia academy, the Spanish winger made 321 appearances for Barca between 2007 and 2016, scoring 99 goals.
Five of those goals came in 21 games against Real Madrid, including during their Champions League semi-final in 2011.
Pedro’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
10th Apr 2010
La Liga (A)
W 2-0
2
29th Nov 2010
La Liga (H)
W 5-0
3
3rd May 2011
Champions League (H)
D 1-1
4
25th Jan 2012
Copa del Rey (H)
D 2-2
5
23rd Aug 2012
Spanish Super Cup (H)
W 3-2
9 Xavi 5 goals
Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, Xavi often stepped up to the mark when Barcelona played Real Madrid.
In 42 matches against Los Merengues, La Computadora, as he was known, scored five goals and registered a further 10 assists.
The most important of those five strikes came way back in April 2004 when Xavi hit a late winner by lobbing Madrid keeper Iker Casillas with a superb acrobatic volley in a 2-1 victory for Barca at the Bernabeu.
Xavi’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
16th Mar 2002
La Liga (H)
D 1-1
2
25th Apr 2004
La Liga (A)
W 2-1
3
29th Nov 2010
La Liga (H)
W 5-0
4
10th Dec 2011
La Liga (A)
W 3-1
5
23rd Aug 2012
Spanish Super Cup (H)
W 3-2
8 Sergio Ramos 5 goals
Despite being a central defender, Sergio Ramos was well known for his ability to score goals for Real Madrid.
To date, the former Los Blancos captain has scored well over 100 career goals, making him one of the highest-scoring defenders the game has ever seen – and Barcelona were one of his most frequent victims.
In 49 games against the Blaugrana for Madrid between 2005 and 2021, he scored five goals, including a memorable late winner in a 2-1 win for his side in March 2013.
Sergio Ramos’ El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
10th Mar 2007
La Liga (A)
D 3-3
2
2nd May 2009
La Liga (H)
L 2-6
3
2nd Mar 2013
La Liga (H)
W 2-1
4
3rd Dec 2016
La Liga (A)
D 1-1
5
24th Oct 2020
La Liga (A)
W 3-1
7 Robert Lewandowski 5 goals
Robert Lewandowski scored a double at the Bernabeu in October 2024 to help make his way onto this list, with his first La Liga goals in El Clásico helping Barcelona to a thumping 4-0 win on their enemy’s patch.
The Pole’s other goals against Real Madrid since signing for Barcelona have been in Spanish Super Cup finals, with his penalty in the 2024/25 clash making it three years in a row of scoring in that competition against Los Blancos.
Now in his mid-thirties, one can only imagine how many he would have racked up had he been playing for Barcelona in his pomp, especially considering his goal record since arriving in 2022.
Lewandowski has been the scourge of Madrid throughout his career, netting in the Champions League against them for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich – even netting four in one game for the former back in 2013.
Robert Lewandowski’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
15th Jan 2023
Spanish Super Cup (N)
W 3-1
2
14th Jan 2024
Spanish Super Cup (N)
L 1-4
3, 4
26th October 2024
La Liga (A)
W 4-0
5
12th January 2025
Spanish Super Cup (N)
W 5-2
6 Raul 6 goals
Spanish striker Raul scored 15 goals against Barcelona during his 16-year career at Real Madrid, but just six of those came since the millennium.
Arguably the best of those goals came in May 2002. Facing off against Barca in the second leg of a Champions League semi-final tie, Raul thumped the ball into the top corner from outside the penalty area just before half-time, sending the crowd at the Bernabeu into hysterics.
The final score on the night finished 1-1, but with Madrid having won the first leg 2-0, the draw was enough to see them into the final, where they went on to beat Bayer Leverkusen.
Raul’s El Clásico goals (since 2000)
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1, 2
3rd Mar 2001
La Liga (H)
D 2-2
3
1st May 2002
Champions League (H)
D 1-1
4
10th Apr 2005
La Liga (H)
W 4-2
5
22nd Oct 2006
La Liga (H)
W 2-0
6
7th May 2008
La Liga (H)
W 4-1
5 Vinicius Junior 7 goals
Barcelona must be sick of the sight of Vinicius Junior. In just 17 games against the Catalans, the Madrid winger has scored seven goals, three of which came in last season’s Spanish Super Cup, a game which Madrid won 4-1.
He’ll have the chance to add to that total this weekend, and given that he’s already hit 8 goals in 14 games this term, don’t be surprised if he does.
Vinicius Junior’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
1st Mar 2020
La Liga (H)
W 2-0
2
12th Jan 2022
Spanish Super Cup (N)
W 3-2
3
5th Apr 2023
Copa del Rey (A)
W 4-0
4, 5, 6
14th Jan 2024
Spanish Super Cup (N)
W 4-1
7
21st Apr 2024
La Liga (H)
W 3-2
4 Luis Suarez 11 goals
Luis Suarez spent six seasons with Barcelona between 2014 and 2020, scoring 195 goals in 283 games.
During his spell in Catalonia, the Uruguayan particularly enjoyed scoring against Real Madrid, finding the net 11 times in just 15 games, averaging a strike every 120 minutes against Los Blancos.
Madrid thought they were done with Suarez after he was let go by Barcelona in August 2020. However, just a month later, he joined their city rivals Atletico, where he would again find the net against them in March 2021 as Diego Simeone’s side stormed to the title.
Luis Suarez’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
22nd Mar 2015
La Liga (H)
W 2-1
2, 3
21st Nov 2015
La Liga (A)
W 4-0
4
3rd Dec 2016
La Liga (H)
D 1-1
5
23rd Dec 2017
La Liga (A)
W 0-3
6
6th May 2018
La Liga (H)
D 2-2
7, 8, 9
28th Oct 2018
La Liga (H)
W 5-1
10, 11
27th Feb 2019
Copa del Rey (A)
W 3-0
3 Karim Benzema 16 goals
2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema scored 16 goals against Barcelona during his 14-season spell in the Spanish capital.
Eight of those goals came in La Liga, four came in the Copa Del Rey, and four in the Spanish Super Cup.
The French striker was never able to find the net against Barca in the Champions League, drawing a blank in each of the three games he faced off against them in Europe – all of which came during his time at Lyon.
Karim Benzema’s El Clásico goals
Goal(s)
Date
Competition
Result
1
17th Aug 2011
Spanish Super Cup (A)
L 2-3
2
10th Dec 2011
La Liga (H)
L 1-3
3
25th Jan 2012
Copa del Rey (A)
D 2-2
4
2nd Mar 2013
La Liga (H)
W 2-1
5, 6
23rd Mar 2014
La Liga (H)
L 3-4
7
25th Oct 2014
La Liga (H)
W 3-1
8
2nd Apr 2016
La Liga (A)
W 2-1
9
16th Aug 2017
Spanish Super Cup (H)
W 2-0
10
10th Apr 2021
La Liga (H)
W 2-1
11
12th Jan 2022
Spanish Super Cup (N)
W 3-2
12
16th Oct 2022
La Liga (H)
W 3-1
13
15th Jan 2023
Spanish Super Cup (N)
L 1-3
14, 15, 16
5th Apr 2023
Copa del Rey (A)
W 4-0
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1 ByBarney Lane Oct 23, 2024 2 Cristiano Ronaldo 18 goals
Following his then-record £80 million move to Real Madrid in 2009, it took Cristiano Ronaldo a while to get going in El Clásico.
He was unable to find the net in his first three games against Barcelona, with Madrid coming out on the losing end every time.
However, when the Portuguese star did get going, there wasn’t much anyone could do to stop him. Between April 2011 and August 2017, he scored 18 goals against Barca, four of which were winning goals, including an extra-time strike in the final of the 2011 Copa del Rey.