Category Uncategorized

Latest update comes following sequence of meetings between the allrounder and BCB boss Nazmul Hassan

Mohammad Isam12-Mar-2022In yet another dramatic turn of events, Shakib Al Hasan has decided to tour South Africa with the Bangladesh team. He will now fly out from Dhaka on Sunday, in time for the ODI series that begins on March 18.”I spoke to [BCB president Nazmul Hassan] Papon for the last two days, when we planned the entire year. I am available for all three formats,” Shakib said in a joint press conference with Hassan and other board members on Saturday. “The board will decide when to give me rest, that includes the South Africa series. I am available for the SA series.”Hassan explained that after the BCB had reacted to Shakib’s request for rest, because he was “physically and mentally fatigued”, by leaving him out of international cricket till April 30, the two of them met a couple of times to discuss the situation.

“Shakib is available for all the formats for the South Africa tour. If he skips a match in this series, please accept it. He wants to play. That is the most important thing”BCB president Nazmul Hassan

“After reaching Dubai [for a personal engagement], Shakib told me he would make the final decision after speaking to me. Then he told us that he didn’t want to go to South Africa,” Hassan said. “We granted him leave, which was later announced to the media (on Thursday). Then, the day before yesterday, he told me he was mentally tired. It can happen to anyone at any time.”He was having trouble making up his mind, so we supported him during this time. The board is always with them [the players].”At that point, Hassan said, Shakib decided to make himself available. “Shakib is available for all the formats for the South Africa tour. He will travel to South Africa tomorrow. If he skips a match in this series, please accept it. He wants to play. That is the most important thing.”Related

Domingo wants to do what 'no Bangladesh team has done before' in South Africa

Shakib among five Bangladesh players to be handed all-format contracts by BCB

BCB president questions Shakib Al Hasan's commitment

BCB rests Shakib from international cricket till April 30

Jaded Shakib asks for break from international cricket

The situation started to develop late last month when Hassan said, after Bangladesh’s third ODI against Afghanistan, that he had directed Shakib to tour South Africa to play both Tests and ODIs. This came in the wake of Shakib informing the BCB that he wanted to skip Tests for six months this year. After Hassan made his statement on February 28, the selectors named Shakib in both the ODI and Test squads for South Africa.Shakib subsequently said that he was mentally and physically drained, and wasn’t in a position to tour South Africa. He told the media that he had appraised Jalal Yunus, the BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman, of his decision. After that, Hassan, as well as Bangladesh men’s team director Khaled Mahmud, responded by questioning Shakib’s commitment to the Bangladesh team, and on Thursday, Yunus announced that Shakib has been rested till April 30, which meant he would miss the South Africa tour altogether as well as the Dhaka Premier League.Then, just yesterday, in perhaps a sign of things to come, Shakib, along with four other players, was handed an all-format central contract by the BCB.The series in South Africa starts on March 18 with the first of three ODIs, and will be followed by two Test matches.

Pakistan were provided a peek into their middle order future in the absence of Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Haider Ali showed why he’s the next big thing, overcoming a slow start before springing the innings to life with a robust 39-ball 68 to set the tone for a dominant batting display. Pakistan’s 200 for 6 was more than sufficient as West Indies unravelled easily against spin. The Karachi faithful went home perhaps wishing for a more even contest.An eventful start
Babar Azam was out second ball after West Indies elected to bowl. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein got one to spin sharply to take the edge to Shai Hope, the wicketkeeper. Then, Fakhar Zaman fell to Romario Shepherd’s change of pace as he toe-ended a slog to long-on. Inside the powerplay, Pakistan were two down and sputtering like a two-stroke engine running on kerosene.Rizwan and Haider’s recovery
Mohammad Rizwan kept the runs ticking along with timely boundaries, extremely quick on the pull. His picking of lengths against pace was immaculate as he raised a 34-ball half-century. However, he had to hold his end of the bargain against spin, especially off Hosein, who finished his four overs with 1 for 19 by the 11th over. At that stage, Haider was on 12 off 14, looking for the big hits without being able to hit them clean. Then, like a flick of a switch, it all turned around.Off the 12th over, he climbed into Odean Smith’s medium pace, hitting him for three fours and six to get his innings going. It proved to be the trigger for a run-surge from there. Under his bus were debutant Dominic Drakes, who also struggled for consistency, as Haider raised his half-century with an 83-metre six. It had come off just 28 balls, with Pakistan at 140 for 2 at the 15-over mark. Off the first ball of the 16th, Rizwan was out as Odean’s running catch around the ropes at deep midwicket sent him back for 78. A 105-run third-wicket stand had been broken.Nawaz’s finish
Rizwan’s exit gave six-hitter Asif Ali the platform to launch into an inexperienced attack, but he managed just 1. With Iftikhar Ahmed too failing, Pakistan needed someone to side with Haider. As it turned out, Mohammad Nawaz did more. His three fours and two sixes blindsided the visitors, who until then were hoping to restrict Pakistan to 180. That was to change, however, as the 19th over by Romario Shepherd went for 21, thereby allowing for a massive finish.Wasim’s rip-roaring spell
First ball: a glorious cover drive on the up. Third ball: a short-arm jab for six. Enough to demoralise a rookie 20-year old wanting to impress the team management? Not Mohammad Wasim. He responded with pin-point yorker to flatten Nicholas Pooran’s off-stump as he was late on the shot. Perhaps he underestimated Wasim’s pace. Then, off the second legitimate delivery off his next over, the sixth of the innings, he struck comeback man Devon Thomas flush on his boot. Gone, he didn’t even bother reviewing. West Indies were 46 for 3 inside the Powerplay.Nawaz, Shadab apply the choke
With the target already looking beyond reach and the asking rate spiralling by the minute, Nawaz and Shadab Khan spun a web around the batters, using the crease and variations in length superbly to tie the batters down. Hope was out lbw sweeping, Shamarh Brooks bowled trying to heave into the leg side and Rovman Powell caught brilliantly by a diving Nawaz at long-on. At 88 for 7, West Indies were in danger of being bowled out well inside 20 overs. However, Odean (24 off 16) and Shepherd (21 off 16) got together to swing their bats for some powerful blows. although they merely served to reduce the margin of defeat.

Ashley Young borrowed words from Jose Mourinho's famous quote while reacting to overturned penalty decision against Manchester United.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Young quotes Mourinho on XReacted to overturned last-minute penaltyEverton and Man Utd played out a 2-2 drawFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱AFPWHAT HAPPENED?

The former United star was shoved by Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt inside the penalty box in the 93rd minute after Andre Onana saved a shot from Idrissa Gueye. The on-field referee initially awarded Everton a spot-kick but after a thorough VAR check, the decision was overturned. The Toffees eventually settled for a 2-2 draw despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

After the game, Young took to social media to share his reaction to the incident as he used former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho's quote from 11 years ago. While answering a media question back in 2014, after Chelsea's defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League, the then-Blues boss had famously told Sky Sports: "I prefer not to speak. If I speak, I am in big trouble. In big trouble. And I don’t want to be in big trouble.”

WHAT ASHLEY YOUNG SAID

Taking to X, the former England international wrote: "A point’s a point, onwards and upwards! Decisions, Angles “I prefer not to speak, if I speak I am in big trouble“ UTFT."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR EVERTON?

The Merseyside club, who are on a roll in the Premier League since David Moyes returned to Goodison Park, will be next seen in action on Wednesday as they take on Brentford in a league clash.

Sunderland have long been on the hunt for a new prolific striker to call their own, with their recent activity in the transfer market involving a centre-forward joining the ranks very mixed to say the least.

Last season, the Black Cats really struggled in the striker department as the likes of Mason Burstow and Nazariy Rusyn regularly fired blanks for the Championship club as new recruits, with the Ukranian only managing a pitiful two goals all season long in the second tier.

Now, however, Regis Le Bris will feel he’s found a solution to Sunderland’s woes up top in Wilson Isidor, who is setting the Championship alight on loan from Zenit St. Petersburg.

Isidor's form this season

The Wearside outfit had to be patient in their attempts to snap up the Frenchman in the summer transfer window, with a loan deal not agreed until near the tail-end of August.

But, their patience has more than been justified now, as their new star attacker has bagged four strikes from ten Championship appearances to date, including a wonderfully taken first-time strike rippling the back of the net against Oxford United last month.

There will be a concern that Isidor won’t put pen to paper on a permanent stay, however, leaving Sunderland back at square one again when it comes to lacking a potent finisher in their camp.

Arguably, Isidor has been the first bright spark up top Sunderland have managed to uncover since the exit of Ross Stewart, which hit the Black Cats hard at the time but could now be seen as a sale that was worthwhile after all.

Ross Stewart's transfer value in 2024

The Scotsman was a man possessed at points when leading the line for Sunderland, with the 28-year-old renowned for being a deadly goal machine at the Stadium of Light by the time of his departure last year.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

In total, the ex-Ross County man would bag a mightily impressive 40 goals from 80 games situated on Wearside, which included firing home the decisive winner in Sunderland’s 2-0 play-off final win over Wycombe in 2022, which saw second-tier football return to the beleaguered side.

23/24

Muscle injury

152 days

22/23

Achilles tendon surgery

282 days

22/23

Hamstring injury

93 days

19/20

Hamstring injury

62 days

As a result of his reputation growing as a clinical finisher in the EFL, Southampton purchased Stewart for £8m last summer after he bowed out from the club with ten goals during his final second-tier campaign, but injury issues also got in his way as can be seen glancing at the table above.

The Saints should have operated more cautiously when splashing the cash on the 28-year-old with hindsight on their side, with Stewart in and out of the St. Mary’s treatment room throughout his cursed time on the South Coast to date, with only four league games coming his way last season as his fitness problems began to take over.

Across nine appearances when he has been fit, he hasn’t exactly found his goalscoring mojo either, with Stewart yet to break his goalscoring duck for Southampton.

Consequently, Transfermarkt now values the one-time £8m buy in and around the £3.7m ballpark, as the Black Cats are now made to look smart for selling on their star striker when they did.

Still, Sunderland won’t take great pride in the fact their former “unbelievable” talisman – as he was once labelled by teammate Alex Pritchard – has struggled since moving to Southampton.

Rather, they’ll just hope Isidor can be the second coming of their prolific Scotsman, as promotion back up to the Premier League remains the ultimate goal for Le Bris’ men.

Sunderland had the original Chris Rigg but he ended up leaving for £0

Sunderland let their original version of Chris Rigg depart the Stadium of Light for nothing.

1 ByKelan Sarson Nov 1, 2024

Despite the amount of talent West Ham United have produced over the years, they only have one departure over the £30m mark, that, of course, being their record sale, Declan Rice who joined Arsenal last summer.

Some big names that come after Rice are Dimitri Payet, Carlos Tevez, and Rio Ferdinand, who were all sold between £21.7m and £24.5m.

West Ham’s top ten player sales

Player

Price (£)

Declan Rice

£97.5m

Dimitri Payet

£24.5m

Carlos Tevez

£24.2m

Rio Ferdinand

£21.7m

Gianluca Scamacca

£21.4m

Marko Arnautovic

£20.9m

Andre Ayew

£19m

Sebastian Haller

£18.8m

Javier Mascherano

£18.8m

Flynn Downes

£14.9m

Valuations taken from Transfermarkt

One of their top ten sales has even been compared to the great Cristiano Ronaldo…

Cristiano Ronaldo's career in numbers

Ronaldo has played 1022 competitive games in his career (not including international appearances), spread out across the likes of Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr FC.

438 of these games were for Real Madrid where he became a true icon of the game, scoring 450 goals, providing 131 assists, and totalling a mammoth 37,835 minutes played.

346 of his career games were for Manchester United, split across two spells at the club, scoring 145 goals and providing 64 assists while he made 134 appearances for Juventus, scoring 101 times and supplying 22 assists.

The 39-year-old’s other appearances have come for Sporting as a youngster where he featured on 31 occasions, scoring five goals, and providing six assists, and now, his current club, Al-Nassr, where he has has scored 66 goals out in Saudi Arabia.

So, who was West Ham’s very own Ronaldo, and what went wrong?

West Ham's very own Cristiano Ronaldo

West Ham’s sixth-highest sale of all time (£20.9m), made 65 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals, and providing 12 assists. During this time, Austrian Marko Arnautovic was converted from a wide player to more of a number nine.

It was at this time (2017) that Gary Neville compared him to the legendary Portuguese figure Ronaldo, although not in a good way, slating his terrible work rate on the field of play.

It was hardly a surprise, therefore, when the Irons decided to let him leave, swallowing up £22.4m for the ‘disruptive’ talent who moved to China.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Expand Collapse

Arnautovic is now playing for Inter Milan, having played a role in their Serie A triumph last season, scoring five goals and providing three assists in 27 Serie A appearances. He also got two goals in the Champions League, in just 192 minutes played.

Comparing the two players when Neville made this comment, it remarkably turns out that Arnautovic was more clinical at the time with his goals per shot, having a ratio of 0.14 per 90, compared to the 0.13 of Ronaldo.

Arnautovic vs Ronaldo comparison (2017/18)

Stats (per 90 mins)

Arnautovic

Ronaldo

Goals

0.40

1.09

Assists

0.29

0.18

xG

0.33

1.04

Progressive Carries

2.96

4.74

Progressive Passes

2.02

3.41

Shots Total

2.81

6.66

Shots on Target

1.24

2.68

Goals/Shot

0.14

0.13

Key Passes

1.36

1.38

Shot-Creating Actions

3.11

3.85

Aerials Won

0.86

1.46

Stats taken from FBref

Now, of course, this has a lot to do with the 6.66 shots per 90 Ronaldo was taking, as he is an extremely high-volume shooter, but maybe Neville’s comparison wasn’t too far adrift, and not just from a work-rate point of either.

Both players are on the tall side, Arnautovic standing at 6 foot 3, whilst Ronaldo stands at 6 foot 2, but has one of the biggest leaps in football.

This allows them to dominate the box, make clever movements to provide options from crosses, and provide the finishing touch for their side.

Now, of course, this comparison wasn’t meant to be taken seriously, as Neville used it as criticism, but it does have to be said, in his few years at the club, although an arrogant figure, Arnautovic did offer the Hammers a significant goal threat, and they could do with a striker of that sort right about now.

Related Lopetegui could already have his own Jhon Duran in West Ham machine

West Ham could already have their own Jhon Duran at the club.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 16, 2024

A player praised for his lightning-quick speed is said to have been in “constant contact” over potentially joining Arsenal via his representatives, with transfer chief Edu Gaspar and co casting their eyes on the January window after a productive summer.

Arsenal planning for 2025 after £100 million summer transfer window

In their bid to usurp Man City and win their first Premier League title in over two decades, Mikel Arteta’s side splashed just over £100 million on five new recruits before summer deadline day on August 30.

Arsenal in talks with "exciting" £84m player and his reps ahead of January

The Gunners have reached out for discussions.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 19, 2024

David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, Neto and Raheem Sterling all put pen to paper on moves to north London, with the latter making his debut off the bench in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Tottenham last Sunday.

Merino fractured his shoulder in training, and will have to wait for his first appearance in an Arsenal jersey. Meanwhile, Calafiori is back from a calf injury and could play against Atalanta in the Champions League this evening.

However, Arsenal’s injury crisis of late has highlighted the fact that Arteta could still do with extra bodies in key areas. The club is reportedly putting transfer plans in motion ahead of 2025 as a result, with a few interesting names linked in the past fortnight.

Lille striker Jonathan David is a target for Arsenal heading into January, as Edu contemplates a cut-price deal for the clinical forward who is out of contract next summer as things stand.

While Kai Havertz has continued to shine in a makeshift centre-forward role this season, already bagging two goals and an assist over his first four Premier League games, Arsenal continue to be linked with strikers in particular.

Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres’ agents have held talks with Arsenal, following the Swede’s electric start to 2024/2025, and the same can be said for RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko.

Benjamin Sesko in "constant contact" over joining Arsenal

As per TEAMtalk, it is believed Sesko has been in “constant contact” over joining Arsenal, via his agents, with the Slovenia international having a gentleman’s agreement to leave Leipzig next year or in 2026 (Fabrizio Romano).

The 21-year-old scored 18 goals in all competitions for Leipzig last season, attracting attention from Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United, but Sesko snubbed all of their summer proposals in favour of staying at his current club for another campaign (Fabrizio Romano).

It appears the £92,000-per-week ace chose to further his development in the Bundesliga before deciding on a possible Premier League move in future. If or when Sesko does decide the time is right to go, it looks as if Arsenal will be at the front of the queue for his services.

“Benjamin Šeško is among the game’s top young talents and has enormous potential to become a top player,” said Leipzig technical director Christopher Vivell.

“He has all the qualities to do that. He’s extremely quick, has a great jump on him and is strong in the air. Benjamin is a real goalscorer, who despite his 1.95m (6’4″) is mobile and technically strong. His abilities make him a special player with a special profile.”

Anisa Mohammed to lead the team again in the absence of regular captain Stafanie Taylor

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2021Qiana Joseph, the 20-year-old left-arm seamer, returned to West Indies Women’s ODI squad that will face South Africa in a five-match series starting September 7. Joseph had broken into the side as a teenager back in 2017. She played two ODIs against England and was never seen in maroon again until just a few days ago, when she was brought back into the fold for the T20Is against South Africa.The West Indies selectors have confirmed a squad of 13 for the first two ODIs against South Africa, which also features the return of seam bowler Aaliyah Alleyne. She hasn’t played a one-dayer since the Covid-19 pandemic struck but was part of the T20I team that took on Dane van Niekerk’s side last week, picking up two wickets from three matches at an economy rate of 7.12.Offspinner Anisa Mohammed will lead West Indies once again with Stafanie Taylor still unavailable after it emerged that she was a close contact of a person with Covid-19. Caneisha Isaac, who was part of West Indies’ last ODI assignment, against Pakistan, has lost her place in the squad but her compatriots Shakera Selman and Rashada Williams are part of a provisional squad that CWI has named for this five-match series against South Africa.Lead selector for women’s cricket, Ann Browne-John said: “The T20I series [against South Africa] had some creditable performances and some of the young players have started to come through. Now that the CG Insurance ODI series is at hand, the players have to change their mindset and adjust to the longer format.”The captain, Stafanie Taylor, will also miss this series but it gives an opportunity for players to put up their hand and start to build on their performances as the team continues to prepare for the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifiers [which kicks off from November 21].”Squad for the first two ODIs: Anisa Mohammed (capt), Deandra Dottin (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Britney Cooper, Shamilia Connell, Shabika Gajnabi, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma RamharackProvisional squad: Anisa Mohammed (capt), Deandra Dottin (vice-capt), Aaliyah Alleyne, Reniece Boyce, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams

Record-breaking captain backs Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues to find form

Annesha Ghosh03-Jul-2021Mithali Raj has identified Sneh Rana as a key allrounder for India’s future after Rana completed a memorable comeback to the longer formats with a stunning Test debut last month and impressive returns in India’s thrilling win in the third ODI on Saturday.Rana’s cameo of 24 from 22 balls at No. 7 in Worcester was pivotal to her 50-run sixth-wicket stand with Raj as the duo helped India seal a four-wicket win in the final match of the three-game ODI leg of the multi-format series. Earlier in the day, Rana had also made an imprint with the ball, returning figures of 7-0-31-1, having opener Lauren Winfield-Hill caught for 36 to break a 67-run second-wicket partnership. She had picked up 1 for 43 in the second ODI.”Definitely, yes,” Raj said when asked about Rana, 27, emerging as a formidable choice as allrounder upon her return to international cricket after a five-year gap. “That’s a slot we’ve always looked for somebody who has the shots to clear the field – strong shots all round. And it helps to have a player there who can also bowl. So it’s good to have her in the side.”She’s definitely shown that she does have the character in her to be built into a good player. In the current era, in modern cricket, allrounders play a very important role in the composition of the team. I’m sure that she has a bigger role playing for India in the coming years.”Related

Sneh Rana enters the Commonwealth Games with a game-changing over

Mandhana: 'It's a lot of fun to bat with Shaifu'

Ramesh Powar: Players like Sneh Rana are 'what we need right now'

Mithali Raj: 'I don't seek validation from people'

The love, loss and comeback of Sneh Rana

While Rana’s form was one of the bright spots for India in their 1-2 loss in the ODI segment of the seven-match series, ODI vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s underwhelming batting form on the tour so far hasn’t been ideal for the visitors. Kaur made 16, 19, and 1 in the three ODIs and 4 and 8 in the drawn Test in Bristol last month.Raj, however, backed Kaur to regain form as the tour enters its T20I leg, the first of the three matches on July 9 in Northampton.”It does happen with any player,” Raj said of Kaur’s lean patch. “Sometimes you’re just not in form. But as a team and as a unit we back players who have been match-winners. We also know that single-handedly she has won games for us with her innings. This time around she needs the support of the team to back her.”It’s just a matter of one innings for a batter like her to get [back] her rhythm and timing.I’m sure with the T20 format, a format that suits her game, I really hope she will be back among the runs.”That India are far from settled as far as their No. 3 goes was borne out in them giving Jemimah Rodrigues a go in that position in the second and third ODIs after Punam Raut’s slow scoring in the first ODI played a part in parching India of urgency. Rodrigues, however, laboured to just 8 and 4 in the two innings.”A young player – obviously, she (Rodrigues) will take some time,” Raj said. “It’s just matter of experience and exposure for players like her. When a player goes through bad form, as [fellow] players, seniors, and team management we can give her the confidence and the backing, but it boils down to the player herself to have that belief to come out of the [bad] form. Again, for a batter, it’s just a matter of one innings to get the timing right and hope that as a young player she should get back in form.”As far as the composition, right now we are going with five bowlers but something we are looking at is to have another allrounder in the side. But, then again, it cuts down a purist – whether a batter or a bowler. We are throwing some ideas. By the next series, we should see what sort of a pool of players we look at and get into the team.”Sneh Rana celebrates a wicket•Getty ImagesRaj revealed that aside from Raut and Rodrigues, other batters were also in contention to be tried in the No. 3 slot.”Now the series is over, but we do have a few names and players in our mind,” Raj said. “Again, it’s important that we need to see how they fit into the team. Purists are very few in the modern era of cricket. We need to look at the allrounders also and how the composition of the team will come is very crucial. But that’s also an area we are looking at, No. 3 and even No. 6 and No. 7.”Though Raj retired from T20I cricket in 2019, India’s performance in the third ODI, she said, would boost the confidence of the Kaur-led T20I team on whom the onus rests to add to India’s four points gained so far in the multi-format series as opposed to England’s six.”Yes, it is [a confidence-booster],” Raj said, “because that’s what I told the girls, I said – we’re still in the series. Winning a game like this puts pressure on them. Getting into the T20s, the entire unit should be confident. If they go on to win the first two games and then the last would be a decider and clearly the series will be excitedly placed. Yes, I’m sure that the girls will do well in the T20 format.”

Amid a busy transfer deadline day, Leeds United are reportedly ready to table an offer for one final reinforcement after agreeing a deal to sign Isaac Schmidt.

Leeds transfer news

Leeds started their deadline day by signing Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf in a move that could replace both Glen Kamara and Georginio Rutter to kill two birds with one stone late on in the summer. They've not waited around to admire their new man for long, however, instead turning their focus straight towards full-back Schmidt.

Related Championship record move: Leeds looked at signing amazing Hamer alternative

Leeds United reportedly attempted to get this top gem in through the door.

Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Aug 30, 2024

According to reports, the St. Gallen left-back is on his way to Elland Road to complete a medical before sealing the move. His ability to play both left and right-back should prove to be invaluable for Daniel Farke, as will his ability to step into defensive midfield.

Even after Schmidt, however, those in Yorkshire may not be done with a busy deadline day. According to Maghrebactu, Leeds are ready to table a €6m (£5m) bid to sign Bachir Belloumi from Portuguese side Farense in the final stages of the summer transfer window.

The right-winger would complete the Whites' attacking rebuild alongside the likes of Largie Ramazani and Manor Solomon. Lining up with a new look frontline, Daniel Farke's side will have their sights on reaching promotion from the Championship at the second time of asking.

Belloumi would play a large part in that too. The 22-year-old Algerian winger, who can play on the left, right and in attacking midfield, is undoubtedly one to keep an eye on this season.

"Exciting" Belloumi would complete new Leeds attack

Losing Summerville and Rutter was an undoubted blow but since adding Solomon, Tanaka, Ramazani and perhaps even Belloumi should be seen as a solid comeback on the attacking depth front at Elland Road. Of course, there's still plenty of steps to take before Belloumi is a Leeds player, but given that they're reportedly ready to launch their bid, things could move quickly.

The young Algerian has earned plenty of praise during his time in Portugal, with analyst Ben Mattinson dubbing him an "exciting RW in the mould of Zhegrova" back in April.

If Belloumi does complete a late move, he'll be looking to pick up where he left off in Portugal at Elland Road, having scored seven goals and assisted a further five in all competitions for Farense last season. Only time will tell whether he gets the chance to replicate those numbers in Yorkshire, however.

Two games down and two wins in the bag; the performances haven't been perfect, but Arsenal have started their Premier League campaign in the best way possible.

Mikel Arteta's side were made to fight for them, but they left Villa Park on Saturday evening with all three points in hand, in no small part thanks to the incredible display of David Raya in goal and the decisive decisions of Leandro Trossard off the left.

The Belgian started on the bench for the second game running, although based on his performance and that of Gabriel Martinelli, it seems almost certain that against his old side on Saturday, the 29-year-old will make his first start of the campaign.

However, this development begs the question. Does Trossard need a new rival on the wing? The answer may well be yes, and fortunately, recent reports have touted a brilliant international with a move to the Emirates this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal are still in the race for Federico Chiesa's signature this summer.

The report claims that while the winger is leaning towards a move to Barcelona at present, the Gunners are still interested in his services, and should something prevent his move to Spain, his agent will consider the North Londoners as an option once more.

Now, while the report claims that cross-city rivals Chelsea are in the same boat as the Premier League runners-up, the good news is that signing the Italian international shouldn't cost very much. A recent report from The Athletic claims that Juventus value him at just €15m, which converts to about £13m, due to his contract expiring next summer.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given the bargain price and Chiesa's undeniable ability, it's one well worth pursuing, especially as he could be the dream rival for Trossard this season.

How Chiesa compares to Trossard

Okay, so one of the first things to point out, and one of the main benefits to signing Chiesa as well, is that while right-wing is his most played position, he's made plenty of appearances all over the pitch, including 69 as a second striker, 61 at left-wing, 37 in right midfield, 17 at centre-forward, 11 in left midfield and even two in attacking midfield.

However, while this ability to play in plenty of areas of the pitch is undoubtedly something Arteta will appreciate, it's on the left where he'd probably have his best chance of playing more regular football, as we aren't sure there is a player on earth that the manager would start over Saka now.

With that said, if his best chance at first-team football is off the left, how does he stack up against Trossard, as it appears the Belgian would be his main rival at the moment?

Well, when it comes to their raw output from last season, the Arsenal man comes out ahead, but it is perhaps closer than some may have imagined.

For example, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace scored 17 goals and provided two assists in 46 appearances, equating to an impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.42 games.

In contrast, the Juventus ace scored ten goals and provided three assists in 37 matches, meaning he maintained a slightly worse but nonetheless impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.84 games.

Okay, what about their underlying numbers, then? Is it another slim victory for the 29-year-old when we examine what's happening under the hood?

Interestingly, the tables turn with their underlying numbers, and while it's still a closely fought thing, it's the "world-class" Italian, as described by journalist Zach Lowy, who just about comes out on top.

For example, the 26-year-old dynamo comes out ahead in several relevant metrics, including, but not limited to progressive carries, key passes, passes and crosses into the penalty area, passes into the final third, shot and goal-creating actions and successful take-ons, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists

0.49

0.58

Progressive Passes

2.87

4.15

Progressive Carries

4.55

3.61

Shots

3.03

3.27

Shots on Target

1.02

1.20

Passing Accuracy

69.9%

73.4%

Key Passes

2.21

1.31

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.84

1.58

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.74

0.22

Passes into the Final Third

1.72

1.53

Shot-Creating Actions

4.79

3.55

Goal-Creating Actions

0.37

0.33

Successful Take-Ons

1.43

1.37

Carries

26.4

32.3

Ultimately, while it might take some real effort to displace Trossard from the Gunners' starting lineup going forward, it looks like Chiesa could give him a run for his money while also providing cover in other positions across the pitch.

Therefore, Edu and Co must do what they can to bring the Juve ace to the Emirates this summer, as he could be the perfect winger to rival the Belgian this summer, and at the reported price, this feels like a no-brainer.

He'd solve their Saka problem: Arsenal want to secure late £59m signing

The incredible attacker would add so much quality to the Gunners’ squad.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 27, 2024