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Pre-tournament expectations from the venue have taken a beating after an India-Pakistan clash that was all about pace, bounce and swing

Alex Malcolm25-Oct-2022Shan Masood had never played at the MCG until Sunday night against India. Part of his preparation for the famous ground was reading ESPNcricinfo’s piece on how to play at each of the venues hosting this T20 World Cup.But what he read, which included expert observations from Melbourne Stars coach David Hussey, and what he faced were two entirely different things.”It was completely different to the article I read from Cricinfo on the MCG,” Masood said after the match. “The MCG had the highest economy rate, so I thought yes, we’re in for a belter of a wicket. But there was grass, it was lively, it was fresh and as a batter, you don’t expect that in T20 cricket, but once you’re in the arena, you have to figure a way out.”Welcome to the MCG in October. The numbers Masood referred to were from men’s T20s since the start of 2020. Those numbers said fast bowlers had been more expensive at the MCG than anywhere else in Australia over the last two years and spin had been the handbrake.ESPNcricinfo LtdBut the caveat is that none of the 25 matches played in that timeframe were played in October. None were played in November. Only two were played in December. The rest were played in January and February, the warmest months of the year in Melbourne, and after the Boxing Day Test.Test cricket has been the priority each year for curator Matt Page ever since he took over the job following the MCG pitch’s nadir of 2017-18. The drop-ins have been rebuilt and the preparation has been completely overhauled.Leaving grass on has been his new mantra prior to Boxing Day. But once the Test is over, Page shaves the grass off to produce great run-scoring pitches in the BBL.This time last year Page was preparing a track for Sheffield Shield cricket. It had 12mm of grass on it and five batters were hit in the head on one of the liveliest MCG tracks in recent memory.Now he is trying to prepare world-class T20 tracks in one of the wettest Octobers Melbourne has seen in recent times.Herein lies the challenge for the four sides that will play there for the first time in this tournament on Wednesday. No one quite knows what to expect or how to play on a surface with more grass than normal. If Sunday’s India-Pakistan epic is any guide, swing, seam, pace and bounce will rule the roost while spin and slower balls, normally a staple at the MCG for bowling teams, could be completely neutralised.Afghanistan’s captain Mohammad Nabi has plenty of recent BBL experience at the venue, having played three games in the last three years for Melbourne Renegades. But he has never seen an MCG pitch so green.”Yes, at that time in Big Bash, it was drier,” Nabi said on Tuesday. “The ball swings early on for one or two overs, but after that it will be a little bit slower, [some] help for spinners, and the ball won’t swing that much.”But here the pitch is new and also a little bit green, as well, and also the weather is cold.”It will be a huge challenge for Afghanistan against New Zealand’s high-quality attack, who made a mess of Australia on a good batting track at the SCG last Saturday night. Trent Boult, who will play for Stars this summer in the BBL, is licking his lips having seen what Arshdeep Singh was able to produce against Pakistan.”I believe we’re on a new strip again,” Boult said. “It did look like there was a bit of pace and bounce in the surface which is always exciting as a fast bowler.”Both Afghanistan and New Zealand will have the benefit of watching what unfolds in the game prior to theirs, with Ireland facing England first up in the afternoon.Trent Boult is excited by the prospect of pace and bounce at the MCG during New Zealand’s game against Afghanistan•ICC/Getty ImagesSpare a thought for Ireland. Having handled West Indies with aplomb, they were undone by Sri Lanka’s well-rounded attack on a fresh Hobart pitch. They now have to face the likes of Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes, Sam Curran and Mark Wood on a pitch that could offer as much swing and seam as Bellerive and a lot more pace and bounce. Ireland’s coach Heinrich Malan noted what a huge challenge it would be given their inexperience in the conditions. But they had learned from the Hobart experience and from watching India-Pakistan about how to approach their batting.”I guess if you look at T20 cricket, especially in Australia, the powerplay is important, but the powerplay is not the be-all and end-all,” Malan said. “It’s what happens in that middle block. I guess it’s scoring runs but not getting out in the powerplay, which then allows you to move through that middle block.”England’s captain Jos Buttler revealed that the unknown of the conditions had reinforced the need to be adaptable.”Work out what’s happening really quickly,” Buttler said. “In Perth, it felt like the ball was swinging around. [Fazalhaq] Farooqi was getting it to move both ways, and it felt like you have to change your approach initially and give some respect to those conditions and play accordingly.”On another day, the pitch will feel great, and there won’t be any swing, and then you change your plan.”Ironically, England’s best experience to draw upon this week might be the Boxing Day Test last year where three of England’s T20I top six played and Wood bowled a handful of frightening spells in a match that lasted two-and-a-half days.India’s captain Rohit Sharma explained that the MCG track had played like a Test-match pitch on Sunday.”The first four or five overs was brilliant to watch, honestly,” Rohit said. “For a little while it felt like a Test match because of the way the ball was moving around and the carry in the pitch, as well. It was a good cricketing pitch.”As of 3pm on Tuesday, with the stinging sun shining on a 23-degree Melbourne afternoon with 77% humidity and clouds looming, the full square covers were already on the MCG playing surface.Like everything else in this World Cup so far, Wednesday at the MCG will be another case of expecting the unexpected.

A look back to 30 years ago, when a handful of world leaders put on whites for charity

Masud Mahdi10-Nov-2020Unique, extraordinary, and surreal – clichéd, but truly the only accurate words to describe an event I was fortunate to witness: leaders from across the world meeting on the cricket pitch in Harare, Zimbabwe.(A disclaimer before I go on – the leaders mentioned in this article may evoke strong opinions among readers. This is not a political article, so please read it only in the spirit in which it is intended – a narration from an apolitical perspective.)My father, Rafat Mahdi, now a retired career diplomat, began his career in 1970, and in January 1990 he took on his first ambassadorial assignment as Pakistan’s high commissioner to Zimbabwe. In the middle of 1991, and his team started preparations for a visit by a Pakistan delegation, led by the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, to attend a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in October in Harare.The commonwealth is an organisation mainly of former colonies and territories of the British empire. As such, cricket is popular in many commonwealth countries. Sharif, a huge cricket enthusiast and an established club player, sent a peculiar request to a few months before the summit. He wanted my father to organise a cricket match with other world leaders attending the summit. As if the stress of managing a prime minister’s visit was not enough! gauged interest from other commonwealth ambassadors stationed in Harare. There was strong interest from prime ministers John Major (UK), Bob Hawke (Australia) and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (Maldives) to take part. India would not participate, not for political reasons, but because their prime minister, Narasimha Rao, was skipping the retreat portion of the summit at Victoria Falls. found a strong partner in Mark Williams of the British High Commission in organising the event, and received logistical support from various officials in the Zimbabwe government and the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.Bob Hawke and John Major walk out to bat. Mark Williams of the British High Commission in Harare is right behind them•Masud MahdiThe world leaders were paired: Hawke and Major, Gayoom and Sharif. Each pair would bat for three overs. After the world leaders had played their innings, some famous cricketing names would continue the entertainment, including West Indies legend Clive Lloyd, Zimbabwe’s Dave Houghton, and Zimbabwe-born Graeme Hick, who had qualified and debuted for England earlier that year. Prince Edward School, where the likes of Duncan Fletcher, Hick, Houghton and Eddo Brandes were educated, was chosen over multiple contenders including my school, St John’s College, as the bowling team.The event was confirmed for the afternoon of Friday, October the 18th, and announced to the public. Outlets began hyping the event, adults and schoolchildren alike excitedly talked about it, and sponsors threw in their support for charitable purposes – each six was a Z$1000 donation, and each four a Z$500 donation (keep in mind, this was when US$ 1 was exchanged for around Z$ 4).The CHOGM began the week of October 14. As with any large gathering of world leaders, the week was packed with various events focused on global events, relationships and initiatives. The Friday afternoon match was on a tight schedule because all the leaders were flying in the evening to Victoria Falls.For Sharif, the afternoon began with the Friday prayer at a mosque. From the mosque, he, my father, and the delegation headed to the Pakistan High Commission to meet the officers and staff there. My brother, Asad, and I excitedly hitched a ride in the motorcade as well. After this meeting, Sharif changed into his cricket kit and we all headed to the Harare Sports Club.It was a typical Harare early summer afternoon. The full crowd at the Harare Sports Club was giddy in anticipation. When the motorcade arrived at the venue, led Sharif to the enclosure for dignitaries where the other leaders were waiting. Sharif, though, had other plans. “I need some net practice,” he said. So off we went to the nets!Nawaz Sharif pads up for practice. Behind him (wearing white) is Rafat Mahdi•Masud MahdiThe nets were open to all to watch. A crowd of attendees left their seats to watch Sharif warm up for the main event. After a few of Sharif’s staff took their turn at bowling, my father handed a ball to me. I was definitely not known for my bowling skills (and neither really for batting or fielding), and naturally I was very nervous, given the situation. I threw a beamer straight at Sharif’s head. It was one of the most agonising split seconds of my life. Thankfully Sharif was able to use his skill to comfortably defend it. That was a huge relief for me and for , who politely asked me not to bowl any further.I saw a couple of my school friends and handed them the ball. Random members of the crowd also bowled. Sharif impressed in the nets. My brother was the only one who managed to bowl him out, with a ripper that went around his legs. Word soon came that Major, Hawke and Gayoom were ready to get the show started. Among other political dignitaries in attendance were Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe and Bangladesh prime minister Khaleda Zia.Before I go further, a moment of reflection to capture how surreal the event was. There were no security checks that day. No barricades, no metal detectors, no bag checks, nothing. There was some crowd control where the dignitaries were seated, but people could still move around with ease. Case in point, I wandered into the area and ended up, not out of choice, sitting between Mugabe and Zia for a portion of the match.Back to the main event. Major and Hawke walked towards the pitch amid tremendous applause. The Prince Edward bowlers were instructed to bowl dollies to ensure entertainment. I cannot recall ball by ball what happened, but at least a couple of fours were hit in those three overs. They also managed a few twos and some singles, and neither was dismissed. The crowd applauded them back into the pavilion when their three overs were up.Sharif and Gayoom walked out to even greater applause, as the substantial Pakistani community in attendance cheered for their representative. Sharif confided to before walking in that he was nervous about the first ball. tried to calm him down, and encouraged him to unremarkably defend it, after which he would gain his confidence. Defend the first ball is exactly what Sharif did, a good omen.John Major and Robert Mugabe at the presentation while Nawaz Sharif and Shaharyar Khan, both padded up, look on•Masud MahdiA few balls later, he made great use of his feet, charging down the pitch and launching the ball over the boundary for a huge six, throwing the crowd into a frenzy. A couple of fours soon followed, then another six, and another a few balls later. No one expected this level of entertainment, and it was pure exhilaration for a responsive and supportive crowd. For good measure, there were some singles and doubles too, and Gayoom gave able support for whatever little of the strike he had. The pair walked back in after their three overs to a raucous ovation.There was a presentation ceremony – I do not recall whether it was before the cricket started or after – recognising the participation of the world leaders, thanking the organisers and the sponsors, and reflecting on the purpose of the event. Hands were shaken, pleasantries exchanged, and the leaders headed off to the airport.The on-pitch festivities continued into the evening. Hick walked in and subjected the bowlers – now bowling at full strength – to an endless barrage of fours and sixes. Lloyd, Houghton and others also batted, as well as Pakistani diplomat Shaharyar Khan, who later became the head of the PCB. The participants entertained, the crowd enjoyed themselves, and money was raised for charity.Coverage of the event was, unfortunately, somewhat limited. Pakistan Television (PTV) did capture footage and broadcast it on the news in Pakistan. There must certainly be a VHS tape in some PTV storage room with extended footage. What I have with me from the event are a few photos – memories of that joyous Harare afternoon etched in my mind. And a hope, perhaps too optimistic, that we will see a repeat one day.Want to be featured in Inbox? Send your articles to us here, with “Inbox” in the subject line.

Voll and King, stars of the WBBL, will be on show in the ODIs against India. For their part, the visitors have a top order to figure out

Srinidhi Ramanujam and Tristan Lavalette04-Dec-2024India are coming off a 2-1 win against New Zealand at home but they know they are yet to win an ODI series against Australia in Australia. These teams have met 16 times in women’s ODIs in Australia, and India have lost 12 of those games. Come Thursday, India will be keen to begin to correct that record, against a Tahlia McGrath-led Australian side, in the first of three ODIs, in Brisbane. Both teams will need to address a couple of cracks, with the 2025 ODI World Cup in India less than a year away. Here are the talking points ahead of the series.Australia turn attention to ODIs after T20 World Cup disappointmentIndicative of the increasingly crowded women’s calendar, the Australian players didn’t have much time to take stock over their shock semi-final exit at the recent T20 World Cup in the UAE, with the WBBL season starting almost immediately after.But as they’ve come together in Brisbane ahead of the India ODI series, the squad and team hierarchy debriefed over what went wrong in the UAE. Hoping to learn lessons from a rare failure, Australia are now setting their sights on 50-over cricket as they start preparations for a title defence at next year’s World Cup.This series and the subsequent tour of New Zealand will round out Australia’s ICC Women’s Championship matches.Having not played ODI cricket since a tour of Bangladesh in March, Australia will be led by McGrath who takes the captaincy reins from the injured Alyssa Healy as she did at the end of the T20 World Cup. It will be McGrath’s first full series as captain with Ash Gardner her deputy.Veteran Ellyse Perry had the role in the latter stages of the T20 World Cup, but Australia’s hierarchy is keen to further the leadership of Gardner, who has assumed the vice-captaincy a couple of times before.”I’m more of a quieter leader… lead from the front, small conversations, and I think my biggest strength in leadership is my calmness,” McGrath told reporters on Wednesday. “Midge [Healy] and I balance each other really well. I’m hoping to do the same with Ash because she has strengths of her own that complement mine.”Priya Punia is likely to open alongside Smriti Mandhana•PTI A rejigged Indian top order without ShafaliShafali Verma’s poor ODI returns of late means she has been dropped from the squad but with Yastika Bhatia – who batted at No. 3 against New Zealand – also getting injured, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co will need two players who can slot in at the top of the order.The captain backed Shafali to find form again, and said on the eve of the series that “she is a very important player for us and has done exceptionally well for the country. We are looking forward to seeing her get back into her zone and perform well for the team.”In her absence, Priya Punia might open with Smriti Mandhana. Punia has played only three ODIs since 2023 and has been in and out of the team. She made a comeback against South Africa in June this year (and made 28 from No. 3) on the back of impressive performances in domestic cricket but was dropped for the New Zealand series. However, she was part of the A tour of Australia in August, when she opened and made 76, 29 and 11 in the T20s and 6 and 1 in one-dayers.There’s no definite answer to who is India’s No. 3 in ODIs. There’s a possibility that India might ask one of Harleen Deol – whose last ODI was against Australia at home in December 2023 – or the uncapped Uma Chetry to slot in at one-drop. The second scenario will be to promote Richa Ghosh or Jemimah Rodrigues. Currently, both of them bat in the middle order but they have the experience of batting at No. 3; Ghosh was a brief experiment at one-drop against Australia last December where she even made a career-best 96. But it’s been three years since Rodrigues, who began her ODI career as an opener in 2018, was seen in the top three.By moving one of Ghosh or Rodrigues up, India would be able to accommodate Tejal Hasabnis, who made her India debut against New Zealand, in the middle order. Hasabnis played a steady innings of 42 in her debut game at No. 6 when India were in a spot of bother. She also toured Australia with the A squad and hit three fifties in as many one-dayers in Mackay.Georgia Voll finished fifth in the WBBL run charts•Getty ImagesVoll gets her chanceWhile Australia’s experienced squad brims with familiar names, 21-year-old Georgia Voll adds fresh blood having replaced Healy in the squad. She gets her chance in national colours after several eye-catching performances to start the domestic season.The powerful right-hander smashed 98 off 94 balls for Queensland against Western Australia in the WNCL before igniting the early stages of the WBBL with two scores in the 90s.It vindicated her move from Brisbane Heat to Sydney Thunder, with Voll finishing fifth overall in the runs charts with 330 at a strike rate of 144.73. Her breakout season was rewarded with selection in the WBBL Team of the Tournament.Voll looks set to open the batting alongside Phoebe Litchfield in a partnership that could foreshadow what lies ahead for Australia. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a fresh face in the side,” McGrath said of Voll. “There’s a lot of excitement. She’s been knocking down the door for a while. She’s more than ready to compete at this level.”India explore pace optionsIn-form King hoping to shrug off finger injuryAfter being benched throughout the T20 World Cup, legspinner Alana King bounced back with a standout WBBL season. She finished with the most wickets in the round-robin phase, taking 20 at an average of 13.30.But King injured the pinkie finger on her right bowling hand during Perth Scorchers’ final game of the season. She did take part in Australia’s training session on Tuesday in an encouraging development for King, who last played for Australia during the ODI series in Bangladesh earlier this year.King could be particularly relied upon when the series concludes on December 11 at the WACA. Relishing the surface’s renowned bounce, King has seemingly mastered the conditions and claimed 11 wickets at an average of just 8.37 in four WBBL matches there this season.”I’m not a tall person by any means, so having that extra bit of bounce has helped me get different modes of dismissals [at the WACA],” King told ESPNcricinfo earlier this month.Chetry as back-up keeper to GhoshGhosh has returned to the side after missing the home ODIs against New Zealand because she had to sit her board exams. Bhatia, who kept wicket against New Zealand, has been sidelined for this series due to a wrist injury, so Chetry will be the back-up wicketkeeper to Ghosh.Chetry has played four T20Is, all this year. In November, she was the second-highest run-getter in the domestic T20 Challenger Trophy with 231 runs at a strike rate of 154. She also scored 122 off 71, the only hundred in the competition. Chetry also has the experience of touring Australia, with India A side in August, though she didn’t leave a mark with the bat. In three white-ball games across formats, she accumulated 34, and made 2 and 47 in the four-day game.It should be noted that Chetry has been travelling with India’s white-ball squads on and off since July 2023, when she first earned her maiden call-up to the tour of Bangladesh.

It is infuriating talking to an England player at the moment. The biggest series in years is on the horizon. It’s all we’ve been speaking about for months. And rather than indulge in playground gossip like the rest of us, they’re rising above it.”We’re in New Zealand,” says Harry Brook, speaking from New Zealand. So far, so good. “I’m the white-ball captain.” Also correct. “We’ve got a game tomorrow night.” Three from three. “And that’s all I’m thinking about.” Wrong. Tell us that Josh Hazlewood is going to get sent to the moon.This is a refined Harry Brook. Wiser than the man who was once burnt after saying he was glad he could “shut up” Indian fans in 2023, then twice burnt by England fans in 2024 after saying “who cares” if someone gets caught on the boundary. Now, in 2025, he is a man who leads his country on and off the pitch. When England were given a traditional cultural welcome on Friday at the Hagley Oval, it was Brook, in his role as captain, whose responsibility it was to stand and say a few words of thanks to the local Maori leaders at the end of the ceremony. A simple, but important task that earned him a tap on the thigh from head coach Brendon McCullum.Related

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“Like I said. We’re in New Zealand now,” Brook reiterates.Through nothing other than coincidence, Brook’s development as a cricketer has been inextricably linked to the country. His Test captain, Ben Stokes, has his roots in New Zealand. The only Test head coach he’s ever known, McCullum, is one of the most famous New Zealanders of all time. His centuries in Wellington, Christchurch and Wellington again include arguably his finest knock in an England shirt. And his first tour as an England captain is to the country as well. Most recently, Gilbert Enoka, the famous mental skills coach who worked extensively with the All Blacks, has become a figure Brook turns to for advice.”He’s awesome,” Brook said of Enoka’s presence with the England team. “We’ve actually just done a session with him now for an hour or so. To have him in the ranks, just to be able to pull him for a chat for five or 10 minutes is awesome.”Unprompted, Brook, who was recently named as vice-captain of the Test side, spoke about his need to adapt both as a captain and a batter. A question about Jacob Bethell’s ability against spin segued into an answer about Brook’s recognition about the need to be flexible with a batting line-up.”I haven’t liked doing that in the past,” Brook says of switching left-and-right-handers in the order depending on what the opposition is throwing up. In his eyes, that amounts to a bending of the knee to an opponent who should be dictated to, not delegated around.”But whatever’s best for the team at that stage is vital. And like I said before, having them little chats with Gilbert with everybody heading in the same direction, knowing that things might change here and there is vital for the side.”Similarly with his batting, his quickly trademarked but almost impossible to describe roly-poly Dilscoop ramp, that he unfurled in the Hundred, sounds set for a spell on the sidelines. As a shot it is a moment of pure entertainment. But rather than being the sign of a man with unlimited confidence and limitless form, Brook saw it as a sign he was straying too far into the woods.”It’s fun when the crowd’s cheering and whatnot,” Brook told talkSPORT. “But it doesn’t necessarily work every time.”I’ve actually been quite disappointed with the way I’ve played in white-ball cricket. I feel like I’ve been premeditating a lot. And that’s one goal for me this series, just to try and play on instinct as much as possible.”Brook’s aim to move away from premeditation stems from a desire, to use a football term, to play the way he’s facing. The fact he is able to play 360 degrees, he feels, is pulling him in too many directions. Literally.”Because I’m hitting it in different areas,” Brook explained of why he wanted to scale back. “Obviously it all depends on the situation of the game and the surface, but when I’m at my best I’m hitting it straight.”Brook got engaged recently. It can be the only explanation for such clarity of thought. A man can only plan so much. And a wedding outranks deciding when to scoop Jacob Duffy.When Brook entered the international set-up in 2022, Stokes made a joke at his expense, calling him “a bit dumb”. Joe Root joined the party a couple of years later when referring (endearingly, it must be said) to Brook as an “idiot”.But the fact of the matter is that Brook is very likely to walk out at some stage across the Ashes series with the England blazer on and as captain of his country. Stokes has missed a match through injury in each of his last four Test series. And the Brook that does so, thanks to those around him, will be very different to the one who debuted just over three years ago.”I want Stokesy to play all five games,” Brook said, knocking back any suggestion he’s thought at all about the prospect of walking out on Boxing Day to call heads in front of 95,000 people. “But now we’re in New Zealand. I’m the white-ball captain, and that’s my main focus. That’s all I’m thinking about at this moment in time. We’ve got a game tomorrow night. And like I’ve said so many times, [I want to] just stay in the moment as much as possible.”Brook is only interested in speaking about New Zealand. And really, given his history here, why would he want to talk about anything else?

If you were to ask Chelsea fans which position of the team is the weakest, a good number would point to the defence.

After all, Enzo Maresca’s side have scored the second most goals in the Premier League this season, but six teams have conceded fewer goals.

However, to be more specific, the issue is not with the club’s world-class full-back options, but at centre-back, where the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah have underwhelmed.

It seems the board are also dissatisfied with the work of their centre-backs, as reports have linked Chelsea with an international icon who could outright replace both of them by next season.

Chelsea target Tosin & Chalobah upgrade

With the transfer window starting to come back into view, more and more reports are linking Chelsea with potential signings.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The likes of the in-form Marcus Rashford and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton have been touted for moves to West London in the last week or so.

However, while the pair of them would certainly improve Maresca’s squad, they wouldn’t be upgrades on Tosin or Chalobah, unlike Antonio Rüdiger.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are interested in signing their former defender, who left the club for Real Madrid in 2022.

More than that, the report has revealed that the Blues have already made an offer of around €8m, which is about £7m.

However, while Los Blancos are open to the German leaving as soon as January, they have turned down the offer, deeming it to be too low.

Fortunately, as the 32-year-old’s contract is set to expire in the summer, there is a good chance the two sides will be able to come to a reasonable agreement.

It would be a surprising move, but one Chelsea should follow through with, even if Rüdiger’s return would likely be bad news for Tosin and Chalobah.

Why Rüdiger would spell the end for Tosin and Chalobah

So the first thing to say is that neither Tosin nor Chalobah is a bad defender. In fact, the pair of them are more than serviceable Premier League players who have the track record to prove it.

However, while that might make them perfect players for sides like Fulham, Crystal Palace or even Everton, it’s not enough to see them start regularly for a club the size of Chelsea.

Playing for the Blues means every little mistake, misplaced pass, lapse in concentration is magnified tenfold and can be particularly costly in the pursuit of titles and trophies.

This is why Maresca needs a player like Rüdiger in his squad and why he would ultimately spell the end for the pair of them, as he is a centre-back who has been there, done it and won practically all there is to win.

During his time in West London, for example, he started ten of the club’s 12 games in their triumphant Champions League campaign in 20/21, and just a few years before that was just as vital in their FA Cup victory.

Since then, he has won another UCL title with Real, a La Liga title and a Copa Del Rey, while being called “the best defender in the world” by former teammate Mesut Özil.

Moreover, while he’s barely played this season, that is mostly down to injury, as across all competitions last year, he made 55 appearances, totalling 4539 minutes.

The Berlin-born titan is also still an important part of the national team, amassing 81 senior caps, in which he’s even scored three goals and provided five assists.

Rüdiger’s 24/25

Appearances

55

Starts

50

Minutes

4539′

Goals

3

Assists

1

Points per Game

2.11

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Finally, another important reason the 6 foot 3 monster would be an excellent signing for the Blues is that he’d be an incredible mentor for both Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong.

In other words, the former Chelsea star could come back and help create the club’s future centre-back partnership.

Ultimately, if Rüdiger returns to Stamford Bridge in January, it would be brilliant for the club, but it would likely signal the end of both Chalobah and Tosin’s time getting regular minutes.

Related Chelsea have signed an "alien of a talent" who could usurp Estevao & Palmer

The incredible talent could become a bigger star for Chelsea than Estevao and Palmer.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 19, 2025

Ruben Amorim is reportedly set to call on Eric Cantona, David Beckham and four other Manchester United legends in a bid to take his squad rebuild to the next level. The Red Devils endured a nightmare 2024-25 campaign but have shown signs of improvement in the first half of the new season, and sit seventh in the Premier League table after winning three and drawing two of their last five matches.

Amorim wants club legends to motivate youngsters

Amorim was given the funds to start his squad rebuild in the summer transfer window, and he bolstered his attack by signing Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. He also replaced underperforming goalkeeper Andre Onana with Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp.

United started slowly, but won three matches in a row in October against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton before playing out two 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. 

Amorim wants to keep the team on an upward curve, and is set to bring in club legends Cantona, Beckham, Paul Scholes, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke for additional help.

AdvertisementAFP'Deep admiration and appreciation'

A source close to Amorim has told that the Portuguese coach has "a deep admiration and appreciation" for those six United icons and wants them to offer some advice to the younger members of his squad.

The source added: "Throughout his own career, Ruben always loved when former players and legends of the clubs he played for would interact with the team — sharing knowledge, stories, and advice about what it means to represent the club. Coming from Benfica, he understands what real pressure feels like and how to use it to grow — as a man, a player, and now as a leader. He believes these exchanges can help the players make the most of their time at United, both on and off the pitch."

Cantona claims Ratcliffe rejected his help

Earlier this month, in his stage show, An Evening with Eric The King Cantona, the Frenchman claimed that he previously offered his services to United, but was turned down by part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. "I have many other passions and projects, but I thought that for two or three years I could maybe put those to the side and try to give something to this club, which has given everything to me.," he said. "But [Ratcliffe] didn’t seem interested. I did what I had to do, so I don’t feel guilty anymore. I tried my best. Sir Alex Ferguson created a style of beautiful attacking football, which the new owners should have used. Instead, they destroyed it."

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Getty ImagesUnited looking to add a new midfielder

After bolstering the team's attack, Amorim now plans to add a new midfielder in the January transfer window. He has reportedly prepared a six-man shortlist of potential midfield options, which includes names like Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Joao Gomes. The Red Devils next face Everton in the Premier League on November 24 at Old Trafford. 

The 27-year-old Canada international has been out since the goalless draw in the Champions League play-off at home to Kazakhstan side Kairat Almaty on August 20, missing nine games in all competitions.

Johnston returned to training during the international break and ahead of the trip to Dundee in the William Hill Premiership on Sunday, Rodgers told Celtic TV: “It’s obviously a big blow having someone of that quality out.

“But young Colby Donovan has come in and done very, very well, Tony Ralston is always a very capable player for the club and an international player, so it has given those guys a chance to get games.

“But there’s no doubt Ali’s been a real pivotal part of the team for a number of years now.

“His power and the balance he gives both offensively and defensively is very important for the team.

“So it’s great to have him back on the pitch and seeing that strength and power back in training.”

Rodgers excited by Celtic fixture run

After a “reset” during this international break, Rodgers is looking for his players to embrace the tough tasks they face in the seven games before domestic football takes another rest in November.

Amid a busy upcoming schedule, Celtic, who trail William Hill Premiership leaders Hearts by two points, have Europa League games against Sturm Graz and Midtjylland, a trip to Tynecastle in the league and a Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park.

The former Liverpool and Leicester boss said: “Let’s embrace all the challenges that come our way, both domestically and in Europe.

“It’s a really exciting period. It’s what Celtic is all about, playing these games and playing in the big games. And for us, that collective, being together, is always the attitude that we want to show.

“We’re excited by these games that are coming up and we want to go in and embrace the challenges. Everyone together fighting for the same cause is what Celtic is about.”

أعلن رونالد كومان مدرب منتخب هولندا قائمة الطواحين التي تستعد لمواجهتي بولندا وليتوانيا في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

ويلتقي منتخب هولندا ضد بولندا بقيادة مهاجمه روبرت ليفاندوفسكي يوم الجمعة 14 نوفمبر، ثم يواجه منتخب ليتوانيا يوم الإثنين 17 نوفمبر.

وتمتلك هولندا موقفًا قويًا لحسم تأهلها لكأس العالم بفضل تفوقها في فارق الأهداف، وقد قرر كومان استدعاء لوتشيانو فالنتي لاعب فينورد لأول مرة بعد أدائه الرائع مع النادي بجانب ماتياس دي ليخت وتم استبعاد ستيفان دي فري وتيون كوبمينيرز.

أقرأ أيضاً.. توخيل: لاعب منتخب إنجلترا ليس لديه عذر.. ولا أفكر في عقدي قائمة منتخب هولندا في التوقف الدولي القادم:

Presenting our squad for the final World Cup Qualifiers! 🌟🇳🇱

Welcome, Luciano! 🆕#NothingLikeOranje #POLNED #NEDLTU pic.twitter.com/ZNTRmbnxOg — OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 7, 2025

فليكين، روفز، فيربورجن، آكي، فيرجيل فان دايك، دينزل دومفريس، كودي جاكبو، جيرترويدا، هارتمان، فان هيكي، فرينكي دي يونج، جاستن كلويفرت، لانج، ماتياس دي ليخت، مالين، ممفيس ديباي، تيجاني ريندرز، شوتن، سيمونز، جورين تيمبر، كونتين تيمبر، فالنتي، دي فين، فيجورست.

Key tailend innings puts Lancashire on back foot before legspinner seals contest

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-May-2025 Northamptonshire 238 (McManus 53, Balderson 4-55) and 273 (Sanderson 65, Zaib 50) beat Lancashire 276 (Harris 121, Hurst 59, Conway 3-48, Procter 3-70) and 165 (Harrison 4-32) by 70 runs Legspinner Calvin Harrison turned the game with a decisive spell of four for 32 as Northamptonshire fought back to seal their first Rothesay County Championship win of the season against Lancashire.Harrison, on a short-term loan from Nottinghamshire, dismissed Marcus Harris and Josh Bohannon in quick succession after the pair had guided the Red Rose county to 116 for two – almost halfway to their 236 victory target at Wantage Road.That triggered a rapid collapse, with seven wickets falling for 28 to leave Lancashire, pre-season favourites for promotion, winless and bottom of the Division Two table.Earlier, tailender Ben Sanderson blazed a remarkable 65 from 28 balls – his maiden half-century and the second fastest in the county’s red-ball history – sharing a ninth-wicket stand of 81 with Liam Guthrie as Northamptonshire rallied to post 273 in their second innings.With their overnight lead at 102 and four wickets intact, the home side adopted a positive approach from the start as Saif Zaib hammered Anderson Phillip through the covers for successive fours.Harrison took his cue from Zaib, hitting three boundaries as they built a partnership of 49 and the left-hander advanced to his half-century, having spent almost three hours at the crease overall.When Tom Bailey slanted one across to have Zaib caught at slip, just two balls after Harrison had fallen lbw to Will Williams, Lancashire might have begun mentally preparing for the run chase – but Sanderson had other ideas.Having survived a sharp chance to gully with just four to his name, Sanderson went on the offensive with a combination of straight drives, square cuts and slashes over the slips, as well as flaying Williams past long-on for six.He also heaved Bailey over the rope to lift Northamptonshire’s advantage beyond 200 and a flurry of four boundaries from a single Bailey over brought up the 36-year-old’s maiden 50 in his 112th game of first-class cricket.A miscued pull off Phillip that looped to deep square leg eventually sent Sanderson back to the dressing-room, accompanied by warm applause before Guthrie holed out for 16 in the bowler’s next over.That left the visitors to chase 236 and Keaton Jennings seemed in a rush, hitting a trio of leg-side fours in the first over after lunch only to be fall victim to a smart catch by James Sales at square leg off Guthrie.Opening partner George Bell soon followed, snapped up at short midwicket by Zaib and, with over 200 still required, Bohannon and Harris had to maintain their composure and regroup.Harris, who had top-scored with a hundred in the first innings, looked well set for another big score as he lifted Lancashire’s total into three figures with a clinical cover-driven four off Sanderson.The pair added 83 but Northamptonshire’s decision to bring Harrison on before tea paid dividends as the leg-spinner prised out both the set batters, with Harris (43) lured down the track for a stumping and Bohannon (41) leg before pushing forward uncertainly.Those dismissals sandwiched that of Matty Hurst, who lost his off stump to a beauty from Harry Conway – and Harrison struck again in the first over after the interval, turning one to bowl Luke Wells through the gate.Conway and Sanderson collected a wicket apiece and Phillip’s top edge provided Harrison with a routine return catch for his fourth scalp before Guthrie (three for 34) had Williams caught behind to end Lancashire’s late resistance.

وجه الدولي البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور رسالة إلى زميله الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، في الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد بعد الفوز على فالنسيا ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وحقق ريال مدريد فوزًا مهمًا على حساب نظيره فالنسيا برباعية نظيفة في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة الفريقين التي خاضاها ضمن منافسات الجولة الحادية عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

وكان فينيسيوس جونيور قد أضاع ركلة جزاء بعدما طلب من مبابي ذلك باعتبار المنفذ الأول لها لكنه سدد الكرة بشكل خاطئ وأهدرها.

وكشف تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني لريال مدريد، حقيقة انزعاجه من تنفيذ فينيسيوس لركلة الجزاء خاصةً بعد الشكل الغاضب الذي ظهر به حينما أهدرها الجناح البرازيلي (للمزيد من التفاصيل اضغط هنا).

ونشر فينيسيوس صورة له رفقة كيليان مبابي من المباراة على موقع التواصل الاجتماعي “إنستجرام” وكتب عليها: “سهلة عليك”، في رسالة شكر منه عى تنفيذ ركلة الجزاء بدلًا من مبابي.

وتألق كيليان مبابي في المباراة واستطاع أن يسجل هدفين في اللقاء أحدهما من ركلة جزاء، إذ أنه لو كان سدد الركلة بدلًا من فينيسيوس وتمكن من تسجيلها سيحرز “هاتريك” في المباراة.