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Parade delayed by two hours after team arrived late from Delhi and rain came down in Mumbai

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-20242:11

Scenes from India’s victorious homecoming

Thousands thronged Mumbai’s Marine Drive, and the Wankhede Stadium was at full capacity on Thursday evening, in anticipation of the Indian team’s open-top bus parade and felicitation for winning the T20 World Cup. The team’s arrival in Mumbai from Delhi was delayed, though, and their bus parade in South Mumbai was further delayed by the massive crowds, which caused logistical challenges. Eventually the parade got underway two hours behind schedule, but neither the chaos of the jam-packed roads nor the rain proved to be deterrents to the fans.”The open-bus parade, which was delayed by two hours, started from the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point at 7.30pm and went till the Wankhede Stadium,” PTI reported. “The distance is covered usually in five minutes but it took more than an hour as the players savoured the evening.Indian fans congregated at Marine Drive hours ahead of the team’s open-top bus parade•AFP/Getty Images”The squad landed in the city a little after 5pm local time. As per the itinerary shared by officials, a two-hour open-bus parade [was scheduled] from 5pm to 7pm. However, it was learnt that the team could only leave New Delhi by 3.42pm.” Delhi to Mumbai is usually a 2-hour, 10-minute flight.The team had arrived in Delhi from Bridgetown, Barbados, at 6am, having flown in on a charter flight. They had had to stay put in the West Indies for longer than expected because of Hurricane Beryl, which had forced airports closed. After arriving in Delhi, the team was transferred to a hotel and later in the morning met India Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breakfast.

An excellent meeting with our Champions!

Hosted the World Cup winning team at 7, LKM and had a memorable conversation on their experiences through the tournament. pic.twitter.com/roqhyQRTnn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2024

The evening was reserved to meet and celebrate with fans, but with the thousands packing the route to the stadium, and evening showers in Mumbai adding to the logistical complications, there was a long delay before any celebrations could kick off. Eventually, the gates were closed at the Wankhede, with the stadium at capacity, and intermittent but heavy showers followed.PTI reported: “As the gates closed amid intermittent rain, extreme humidity and chaos of several thousand people arriving in the vicinity, those [who found] places inside Wankhede remained fixed to their seats even if there was scarcity of food and water.”As the fans ran in all directions … in the stands amid a heavy burst of rain, several pairs of footwear got left behind in the rush.”While the wait [went on], rain kept pelting down with breaks but it could not force the fans off their seats in the stadium.”The rain comes down on fans waiting to felicitate the Indian team at the Wankhede•AFP/Getty ImagesEventually the team arrived at the stadium around 9pm, and speeches from captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and coach Rahul Dravid followed. There was also a lap of honour.India had won their first World Cup – ODI or T20 – in 13 years when they snatched a thriller against South Africa by seven runs in Bridgetown on Saturday. Since then, Rohit, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja have announced they will not play another T20I, while this World Cup was also Dravid’s last assignment with the team.

The transfer window may be closing for six days this afternoon, but that won’t stop Arsenal from working on potential deals.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce this season, and while they managed to make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, that’ll only fuel the team’s hunger to finally get over the line next year.

The Gunners have been linked to a host of talented players in recent weeks and months, but the one who looks closest to putting pen to paper and moving to North London is Martin Zubimendi.

Yet, as brilliantly talented as the Spaniard is, there is now another international linked with Arsenal, who’d be an even more exciting signing.

Arsenal transfer news

Amazingly, the first reports linking Arsenal to Zubimendi appeared all the way back in January 2023, and while they became a little stronger last summer, they really took off this January.

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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It was at the start of this year that Sami Mokbel claimed that the Real Sociedad star would be making his way to the Emirates at some point this summer, but since then, there has been some concern among fans that Real Madrid could turn his head.

After all, there has been no shortage of publications from the midfielder’s homeland claiming that Los Blancos would convince him to turn his back on Arteta and join up with Xabi Alonso.

Fortunately, that all seems to be nothing more than paper talk, as respected journalist David Ornstein revealed this morning that the powers that be at the Emirates consider the move to be “done & signed.” At the same time, Real sources claim that the Spanish giants never truly pursued the player.

In yet more good news, the Gunners have now also been linked to another international star, someone who’d be a more exciting acquisition than Zubimendi: Anthony Gordon.

Yes, according to Ornstein’s latest report for The Athletic, the Gunners are now interested in the Newcastle United star.

He claims that the Toon star has his ‘admirers’ at the Emirates, a claim James McNicholas backs up in the same article.

While no price is mentioned, reports from earlier this month linking the player to Liverpool claim he could cost around £80m.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Gordon’s ability, it’s one worth fighting for.

Why Gordon will be more exciting than Zubimendi

So, the first thing to say is that when Zubimendi finally makes his way to the Emirates, he will be an incredible signing for Arsenal.

After all, we saw him put in stellar performances for Spain in the semi-final and final of the Nations League, and you don’t get chased by some of the biggest clubs in the world if you aren’t someone special.

However, when it comes down to pure excitement, there is one massive reason why Gordon would provide more of it in North London: his output.

At the end of the day, fans watch football for the goals and attacking trickery which the Newcastle United star should bring to N5 in abundance.

For example, in 48 appearances last season, totalling 3869 minutes, the former Everton star managed to score 12 goals and provide 16 assists, which came out to a superb average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 138.17 minutes.

Gordon’s recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

48

42

Minutes

3869′

2946′

Goals

12

9

Assists

16

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.38

Minutes per Goal Involvement

138.17′

184.12′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Even this year, when he’s not been at his very best, the dynamic “nightmare,” as he described himself, scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 42 appearances, totalling 2946 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.62 games, or every 184.12 minutes.

Ultimately, while Zubimendi will almost certainly help Arsenal tick and will likely help kickstart plenty of attacks from the base of midfield, it’s Gordon who’ll either finish them or help them along by taking on opposition defenders and getting the fans on their feet.

Therefore, while he won’t be cheap, the club should do all they can to sign the Newcastle star this summer, as he’d be a tremendously exciting addition to the team.

Related He's a Sesko upgrade: Arsenal stepping up pursuit of £84m "powerhouse"

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 9, 2025

Leeds United have now made an approach to sign a “fantastic” Premier League defender, who is set to be available on a free transfer, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Leeds eyeing Premier League players after promotion

It was a thrilling end to the 2024-25 campaign for Leeds, securing the Championship title with 100 points, but they are now faced with the even more difficult task of remaining in the Premier League, so it could be wise to bring in new signings who are proven in the top flight.

Micah Richards has suggested Manchester City’s James McAtee could be a fantastic signing for the Whites in the attacking midfield area, while there has also been talk of a double swoop for Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson.

Having played a role in transforming the Magpies from a relegation-threatened side into Champions League contenders and EFL Cup winners, the Newcastle duo could be exciting signings for Daniel Farke’s side, who also have their sights on another proven Premier League player.

Big Piroe upgrade: Leeds leading the race to sign "outstanding" PL star

Leeds are leading the race to sign a Premier League star who would be a big upgrade on Joel Piroe.

ByDan Emery May 18, 2025

According to Jacobs, in an interview with GiveMeSport, Leeds are interested in signing a West Ham United defender this summer, saying an approach has been made. “Vladimir Coufal may be a market opportunity as well. I’m told that Leeds and Everton are the two clubs that have enquired for him. So, there is substance to both of those links for sure and like I said a moment ago, I’m fully expecting Leeds to explore the goalkeeper market.”

The Hammers have confirmed that Coufal is set to leave the club upon the expiration of his contract this summer, which means the Championship title-winners will have the opportunity to snap him up on a free transfer.

"Fantastic" Coufal is proven in the Premier League

Once lauded as “fantastic” by former teammate Ben Johnson, the Czech defender has a plethora of experience in the Premier League, having made 146 appearances in the competition during his time at the London Stadium.

The 32-year-old has played more of a sporadic role this season, often being utilised as a substitute, but he has put in some impressive performances in the past, picking up seven assists in 36 league outings last term.

There may be concerns about the defender’s age, however, and some members of the media have suggested the full-back is now past his best, which is underlined by the fact West Ham are willing to let him leave for free.

That said, Leeds will require players with Premier League experience if they are to avoid an instant return to the Championship, and Coufal has that in droves, so a move would make perfect sense.

A European club now wants to make contact with a £230,000-a-week Manchester City player over a possible move this summer, according to a new report.

Kovacic confident Man City can achieve Champions League spot

The Blues had to settle for a point on Sunday afternoon against arch-rivals Manchester United, as neither side did enough to claim all three points. The Red Devils may believe they had the better of the chances as Pep Guardiola’s side struggled to gain control in the second half, but a draw was a just result.

Not just KDB: Man City must drop 4/10 star with fewer touches than Ederson

Manchester City played out a laboured 0-0 draw with arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

By
Kelan Sarson

Apr 6, 2025

The point for City leaves them in fifth spot on 52 points, a point behind Chelsea and five behind Nottingham Forest. But a Newcastle United win against Leicester City would see the Blues slip out of the top five.

Despite this, midfielder Mateo Kovacic is still confident that they can secure Champions League football for next season: “We always go for the win, but we also had to be careful not to lose it because we are in a battle for the Champions League, and we need points. We could have done more going forward and creating more, but it was tough with the small spaces. We move on to the next games.

“We have to have the same mindset for the Champions League [as going for the title] because it is important that Man City are in the competition next season.

“It will be tough until the end, because there are many teams that fight for the top four, and no game in the Premier League is easy. But we are confident that we can achieve it.”

Galatasaray want to sign Man City's İlkay Gündoğan

It is expected to be a busy summer at the Etihad after Kevin De Bruyne confirmed his departure, and according to Fanatik, relayed by Sport Witness, Galatasaray want to sign Man City’s Ilkay Gundogan this summer.

The German international rejoined the Blues last summer from Barcelona, signing a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. However, Gundogan is expected to leave the Etihad this summer, and the Turkish giants are keen on securing a deal.

It claims that Galatasaray’s president Dursun Özbek, as well as other leaders, are looking to use the help of their sponsors and bring Gundogan as well as his teammate Kevin De Bruyne to Turkey at the end of the season.

Galatasaray, 24 time league champions in Turkey, are now expected to make contact with the agent of Gundogan in the ‘coming days’ as they look to beat any other interested teams and sign the midfielder on a free transfer.

The 34-year-old, who earns £230,000 a week at the Etihad, has played 27 games in the Premier League this season, 19 of which he has started, but he has failed to have the same impact he had in front of goal in the season before he left. In fact, Gundogan’s age looks to have caught up to him, and therefore, it makes sense for Pep to consider letting the midfielder leave for a second time round.

Earlier, India’s top-order collapse brought back memories of the 2019 World Cup semi-final

ESPNcricinfo stats team02-Mar-20251:42

Kumble lauds Iyer’s ‘proactive’ innings

6.4 – Overs that New Zealand took to dismiss India’s top-three batters on Sunday. These are the fewest overs that any team has needed to dismiss India’s top-three batters in a men’s ODI since the 2019 World Cup semi-final, where New Zealand took only 3.1 overs.2 – Instances of India’s top-three of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli getting out in the first 10 overs of an ODI innings. The other instance was against Sri Lanka in 2023 at the Eden Gardens. The trio of Rohit, Gill and Kohli have been India’s top-three batters in an ODI on 29 occasions.46 for 3 – India’s total at the end of the 15th over, their second-lowest in men’s ODIs since 2020, behind 45 for 2 against South Africa in 2022. India, however, recovered significantly, by scoring 139 runs in the next 25 overs despite losing three more wickets.Related

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10 – Consecutive tosses lost by Rohit Sharma in ODIs. Brian Lara (12 between 1998 and 1999) and Peter Borren (11 between 2011 and 2013) are the only other captains to lose 10 or more successive tosses in men’s ODIs.India have extended their world record streak of not winning a toss in ODIs to 13 matches, courtesy of Rohit’s luck with the coin. India went past Netherlands’ record of 11 consecutive tosses lost in their previous game against Pakistan.5 for 42 – Matt Henry’s figures against India are the second-best for New Zealand at the Champions Trophy, behind Jacob Oram’s 5 for 36 against USA in 2004.Henry also became the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul against India in the Champions Trophy.75 – Balls that Shreyas Iyer took to complete his fifty, the slowest of his ODI career. His previous slowest was off 74 balls against West Indies in Ahmedabad in 2022.563 – Runs scored by Iyer against New Zealand in ODIs are the most he has scored against any opponent. Iyer has scored two centuries and four fifties in the eight ODI innings against New Zealand.He has been dismissed by pace bowlers in all eight innings against New Zealand, although he has also scored 394 runs against them and struck at 102.60. However, against spinners, he has scored 169 runs off 175 balls without being dismissed.16 – Runs conceded by Kyle Jamieson in his first seven overs. As many as 29 balls in those seven overs were dot balls, and the Indian batters failed to hit a boundary in those overs. However, his eighth over went for 15 runs, with Hardik Pandya hitting 4, 4 and 6 off consecutive balls.9 – Wickets bagged by the Indian spinners on Sunday, the joint-most they have taken in a men’s ODI. The Indian spin bowlers have previously shared nine wickets in an ODI on four occasions.The nine wickets are also the joint-most that New Zealand lost to spinners in a men’s ODI. They lost nine wickets against the Sri Lanka spinners in an ODI in 1998 and 2001.3 – Varun Chakravarthy is only the third Indian to take a five-wicket haul in the Champions Trophy, after Ravindra Jadeja, who took 5 for 36 against West Indies in 2013 and Mohammed Shami, who took 5 for 53 against Bangladesh earlier in this edition.Varun, who was playing in the Champions Trophy for the first time on Sunday, also became only the third bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in his debut match of the competition, after Josh Hazlewood, who took 6 for 52 against New Zealand in 2017 and Shami in this tournament.It took only two matches for Varun to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs, the quickest for any Indian in this format. Stuart Binny taking a six-wicket haul in his third match was the previous earliest.7 – Indians to have featured in 300-plus ODIs, including Kohli, who joined the list on Sunday. Kohli is now part of 22 players who have appeared in 300-plus ODIs.

Australia have shown an indication to bowl, while England, too, love a run chase. Could we be in for a bowl-first Ashes?

Andrew McGlashan12-Jun-20231:40

Test mace in the bag, Ashes up next

It did not look good for Rohit Sharma when Australia finished the opening day of the World Test Championship final on 327 for 3 having been put in to bat. But he had been badly let down by his bowlers, as Pat Cummins confirmed he would have done the same and bowled first.In fact, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald called The Oval surface “a clear bowl-first wicket” given the covering of grass and cloudy skies, although that had burned off by early after when Travis Head and Steven Smith took charge.There is a quote attributed to WG Grace about bowling first: “When you win the toss, bat. If you are in doubt, think about it, then bat. If you have very big doubts, consult a colleague, then bat.”Clearly the game has moved on since Grace’s time, but by and large Test cricket has remained led by the bat-first mantra unless conditions are hugely persuasive the other way. One notable exception came at The Oval in 1998 when Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, knowing that Muthiah Muralidaran was his trump card and not wanting the prospect of the follow-on which wouldn’t have allowed Muralidaran a break, stuck England in. They made 445. Sri Lanka made 591 and Muralidaran bowled them to victory.Related

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On the flip side, a year earlier in 1997, Mark Taylor made what is regarded as one of his best calls at a toss when he batted first on a damp Old Trafford pitch knowing it would help Shane Warne later on. Steve Waugh made twin hundreds. Warne bowled Australia to victory.Waugh’s great side of the 1999-2001 era went through a period of bowling first reasonably regularly including four times in 2001 which all brought victories. Of course the game is littered with times it hasn’t worked. One of Australia’s most famous occasions when it went wrong was 2005 at Edgbaston, the venue for the first Test on Friday, when Ricky Ponting said “we’ll bowl” after Glenn McGrath rolled his ankle. England rollicked to 407 in 79 overs (there’s a word for that) and it changed the Ashes.To bring things back to the current time there is a chance we could be in for a bowl-first Ashes this year. Ben Stokes loves a run chase, already stating when the coin goes up that’s the way he wants to shape the game. Meanwhile, Australia have shown an inclination to bowl in recent times, doing it on three occasions in the last WTC cycle including in consecutive Tests last season against South Africa in Brisbane and Melbourne. Had the coin fallen Cummins’ way at The Oval, it would have been four.An area that Australia are better stocked than England for the Ashes, is the strength of their spinner•Getty Images”We’ve been more prepared to bowl in recent times and don’t think that is going to change,” McDonald said.Whereas Stokes might fancy a chase, McDonald said the key factor is wicket-taking. “Think you consider how difficult 10 wickets will be in the fourth innings verses what happens up front.”Cummins, a rare fast-bowling captain, believes the view around putting the opposition in has changed. “If there’s a bit in it on day one and you feel like you’re going to take 10 wickets, you just go for it,” he said. “I think the stigma around bowling first and not bowling them out [cheaply] has gone a bit as opposed to in the past.”However, something always in Australia’s mind, and an area they are clearly better stocked than England for the Ashes, is the strength of their spinner.”Is the wicket going to deteriorate, will reverse swing come into it, will spin come into? That’s the other thing to recognise,” McDonald said. “We’ve got an all-time great spinner in Nathan Lyon and the fourth innings is when he gets the work and conditions are in his favour.”Regardless, though, of what stage the Australians are bowling, they are prepared for England’s batters to come after them and that may require a shift in attitude.Who’s the No. 1 team in Test cricket currently? The ICC rankings might not quite say it, but Nathan Lyon knows the answer•Getty ImagesAgainst India, Australia conceded 3.97 runs per over across the game, equalling the rate Sri Lanka scored against them at Galle in the first Test last year as the most expensive they have been since 2016. It was a likely a taste of what is to come, although England will try to add a run-an-over to that.”We felt that both batting groups did an incredible job to prosper on the wicket that had enough in it for the bowling units,” McDonald said. “But every time you missed it was a boundary so one thing that we’ve got to factor into England is how we deny them those boundaries. There’s a couple of things that we can potentially tidy up and take from this game into the next one.”Most of our bowlers went at above what they’d usually go, and we’ve just got to get our heads around that the tempo will be slightly different. We’re a team that usually goes at that high two runs per over, here we’ve got to get our heads around the fact that we could go at four runs an over.”Another element that Australia have been putting a lot of work into is their field placements and it may be those, rather than specific bowling plans, where the most obvious changes are noticed in the Ashes.”Their batters hit balls in different areas so our planning and prep will take that into consideration,” McDonald said. “You saw even today [Sunday against India], some people may have been critiquing our sweepers out, [but] we wanted to control the tempo of the game. Think in England that’s something most teams do. Think England will employ similar tactics when wickets are flat, and we’ll do the same.”

Also, will someone spare a thought for poor Geoffrey Boycott?

Andrew Fidel Fernando31-Oct-2020The Briefing Look, it’s fine if it’s crap
While the IPL has been showing off with its obnoxious dramatic finishes, Super Duper overs, and redemption stories, Sri Lanka Cricket has been trying to get their own T20 tournament – creatively titled the Lanka Premier League (LPL) – together. They got as far as putting on a wonderfully shambolic draft in which barely anyone seemed to know the rules, but despite which some squads were put together, before five foreign players pulled out. This seems like a setback for the league, but does it have to be so bad? Keep your head up, SLC. You can still do it. We’ve all lowered our standards in 2020. A captain runs out of bowlers mid-game because too many players have withdrawn? Just bring on a bowling machine. The league is short of big-name batsmen? Just have cardboard cutouts of famous foreign players take guard at the crease. We just want to see some cricket. Any cricket. And no one – and I cannot stress this enough – is expecting competence.The death of quality
For decades, the fearless, outspoken, and unblinkingly honest, not to mention fearless Geoffrey Boycott walked the cricketing earth being able to say almost anything he wanted. But upon his exit from the BBC’s team due to health reasons, he lamented this was no longer the case. “[the BBC] have sacrificed quality for equality,” he said to the in September. “It is now all about political correctness, about gender and race. When you work for them you are wary and frightened of saying anything.” Appalling. Which reasonable person would take umbrage at a man who in June said that women cricketers were unfit to give expert opinions on the men’s game, and three years ago suggested he should “black up” to stand a better chance of becoming a knight of the empire, which as we all know is an honour famously monopolised by black people? (Thankfully, in 2019, sense prevailed and the UK government stopped viewing Boycott’s skin colour as an impediment.) Banish the thought, but what if Boycott is right and things persist on their current trajectory? What kind of world would it be if future generations of white men are not even able to make abrasive comments under the guise of forthright opinion on a multitude of media platforms until the age of 80?Turmoil superstars
Everybody knows the South Africa men’s team as one of the most dramatic around. Dropping a bat mid-pitch when all that was required was to run, going into crisis mode after every World Cup, a superstar retiring because he is “tired” then asking to be let back into the team… we’ve come to expect this. Now their board is joining the fray. Why? Like a high catch at an Eden Park semi-final, it’s hard to track exactly (belated trigger warning, SA fans). Cricket South Africa’s CEO was sacked months ago over alleged financial impropriety, the government has stepped in to take control of the board, and the board has now resigned en masse. In a year in which cricket is in phenomenal upheaval, South Africa are on track to being champions of the trash heap. There is a choking jab to be made here but I will stop.Shastri corner
Ravi Shastri, patron saint of the Briefing, has blessed us again. Such is his benevolence that this bounty is unlike any previously bestowed. Last month the Moustachioed One launched a men’s grooming line named 23 Yards. Why 23 yards? Is it the minimum distance his voice is allowed to carry? The maximum distance Virat Kohli should be from him at all times? (If you’re thinking of a leash here, whose neck the collar is on is up to your own imagination.) No. It is because a cricket pitch is 22 yards, and Shastri “truly believe[s] that you can be a champion too. Question is, are you willing to go ?” Okay, but somebody please tell actual World Cup champion and infamous mankading candidate Jos Buttler.The return
Shakib Al Hasan is poised to return to the Bangladesh team after serving a one-year ban over a corrupt approach. Given the seriousness of the offence, and the fact that Shakib can be said to have got off lightly given cricket had largely ceased for a substantial chunk of his suspension, surely the team will go about his reintegration soberly and perhaps a little bit of sheepishness? Nope. Signs are he’s getting a hero’s welcome.Next month in the Briefing– To make up for further player withdrawals, SLC has freshly out-of-work South African administrators play in the LPL.- Shady bookies around the world admit they would have approached players way more brazenly if they’d known there was going to be barely any cricket in 2020 anyway.

Manchester City made it five Premier League games unbeaten yesterday, as Pep Guardiola’s men secured a 2-0 triumph over Everton at the Etihad.

The result keeps the Citizens just a couple of points off current leaders Arsenal, even moving ahead of Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

However, it was yet another superb showing in England’s top-flight, with Guardiola’s men limiting the opposition to minimal chances whilst taking advantage of the ones that fell their way.

Stats such as 71% possession with seven shots on target further highlight the dominance in the North West – something which has been extremely common during the manager’s tenure.

He will certainly have one player to thank for the success against the Toffees, with his performance against David Moyes’ men nothing short of breathtaking.

Erling Haaland’s excellence against Everton

When you think of a clinical goalscorer, the first name that springs to mind is Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian taking his career to new heights after joining Man City in 2022.

He’s now featured 155 times for the Citizens, scoring a staggering 136 times – subsequently adding multiple to his tally during the win at the Etihad yesterday.

The 25-year-old netted his two efforts within just five second-half minutes – taking his tally to 11 despite featuring in just eight league outings throughout 2025/26.

He was also the most fouled player on the pitch during the triumph, whilst also registering 38% of his entire touches in the game within the opposition box.

Haaland also won 75% of the ground duels he entered, along with a staggering four shots on target – once again being Guardiola’s most threatening option in attacking areas.

Despite the showing of the centre-forward, one other first-team member showcased his worth and is rapidly becoming as undroppable as the City talisman.

The City star who’s becoming as undroppable as Haaland

After missing out on the Premier League title last season, Guardiola and City dipped into the transfer market to try and bolster numerous key areas of the squad.

The goalkeeping department has had a huge overhaul in recent times, with James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma both making the move to the Etihad, with Ederson moving on to join Galatasaray.

The latter of the new duo has cemented his place within the starting eleven, already keeping three clean sheets within his first five league outings for the Citizens.

However, it wasn’t the only area of the pitch that was bolstered, with the hierarchy spending big money on Tijjani Reijnders from Serie A side AC Milan.

The Dutchman made an immediate impact on his debut, registering a goal and an assist in the 4-0 battering of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

He’s since started every game for the club in the Premier League, with his showing against the Toffees evidence of the quality that he possesses in the middle of the park.

The 27-year-old may have been unable to register a goal or an assist, but his underlying stats from the victory are evidence of the star quality he has in his arsenal.

Reijnders may have only featured for 59 minutes at the Etihad, but he still managed to thrive at both ends of the pitch – undoubtedly playing a key role in the triumph.

He completed 93% of the passes he attempted, whilst also achieving a 100% dribble success rate – highlighting the threat he posed when having the ball at his feet.

However, without the ball, the Dutch star also managed to thrive, as seen by his superb tallies of 100% tackles won, one recovery made and three ground duels won.

Other stats, such as two chances created and 100% long balls completed, further showcase his all-round quality – which is rapidly making him one of the club’s most crucial players.

As a result of his performance, Reijnders was handed an impressive 7/10 match rating by One Football – further highlighting his superb showing at the Etihad.

After such a showing, Guardiola simply can’t drop the midfielder from his starting eleven, with his addition already looking like an excellent one just eight games into the campaign.

There’s little disputing that Haaland is the club’s most important player at present, but there’s no reason why Reijnders can’t join him in such a category in the months or years ahead.

Pep already sold Man City's next Rodri & he's "better" than Declan Rice

Man City could do with this Premier League star in his prime right now.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 18, 2025

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy was left to rue missed chances after his team lost 2-1 to Hearts at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership in his first game in the dugout.

Speaking after the match, in the clip below, the French boss blamed a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and a lack of combination play in the final third after a bright first-half showing.

With the January transfer window just around the corner, the former MLS boss may already be thinking about the areas of his squad that he wants to improve ahead of the second half of the season.

Celtic plotting move to sign Premier League player

In fact, the Scottish Premiership champions are already looking at a possible move for a player who could be a dream first signing for Nancy at Parkhead.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Football Insider, Celtic are plotting a move to sign Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega to be their long-term replacement for Kasper Schmeichel.

The report claims that the Hoops are looking at the £90k-per-week shot-stopper because he could be available with his contract expiring at the end of the season, which could make him an option in January for a cut-price fee or on a free next summer.

It adds that the Scottish giants are in the process of identifying a replacement for Schmeichel because the 38-year-old veteran’s deal is also due to expire next year.

Football Insider states that there are also immediate concerns about the Dane’s current performance levels, which is why Ortega could be a dream first signing for Nancy.

Why Celtic should sign Stefan Ortega in January

Instead of waiting to sign him on a free transfer in the summer, Celtic should push to land the Manchester City outcast on a cut-price deal in January, as he is currently behind both Gianluigi Donnarumma and James Trafford in the pecking order at The Etihad.

As Football Insider outlined, Schmeichel’s performance level has not been particularly high for the Hoops this season. Per FotMob, the experienced stopper has conceded 1.34 more goals than expected in the Premiership and 0.50 more than expected in the Europa League.

This suggests that the Denmark international has not been up to scratch as a shot-stopper in domestic or European action for Celtic, which is why signing the City goalkeeper immediately could be a shrewd move.

Ortega, who once left Guardiola on the floor with a save against Tottenham Hotspur, may only be a third-choice option in England, but he is playing for serial Premier League winners and has proven his quality in the English top-flight in seasons gone by.

Whilst Schmeichel has struggled as a shot-stopper for Celtic this season, the German star has largely been an excellent shot-stopper in the Premier League and the Bundesliga in the past five years.

As you can see in the table above, the 33-year-old has conceded 12.3 fewer goals than expected across his top-flight career to date, which is an exceptional statistic that highlights how impressive his shot-stopping is.

Ortega, who was hailed as an “exceptional goalkeeper”, has shown that he can be a reliable shot-stopper at the top level, whilst journalist Pete O’Rourke noted that he is “very effective” with the ball and would “fit” the style that Nancy wants to implement at Parkhead.

His ability on the ball, which is a prerequisite to playing in goal in a Guardiola side, means that he will suit a team like Celtic, who are expected to dominate possession and play out from the back, making him a good stylistic fit for the club.

Ortega, though, also has, as evidenced by his statistics in Germany and England, the shot-stopping quality on top of that to ensure that the Hoops do not concede cheap goals with the few shots that they do give away.

Worse than Maeda: Nancy must drop Celtic flop who lost the ball 23 times

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy must drop this flop who was even worse than Daizen Maeda against Hearts.

By
Dan Emery

Dec 8, 2025

Therefore, the board must back Nancy by making a move for Ortega in January, instead of the summer, because a player of his quality could immediately improve the team and improve their chances of enjoying a successful end to the 2025/26 campaign, making him a dream first signing.

The Chicago White Sox appear to be heading towards new ownership, but not for a while.

On Tuesday, the team announced a “long-term investment agreement” had been made between owner Jerry Reinsdorf and billionaire Justin Ishbia that “establishes a framework" for Ishbia to take a controlling share of the franchise down the road.

Per the team’s statement:

Ishbia, brother to and co-investor with Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia, is already a minority investor in the White Sox, but now looks to potentially see his share of the franchise increase into a controlling interest.

Ishbia had previously been connected to potentially purchasing the Minnesota Twins, but has since refocused, and apparently come to terms, on a deal of sorts with the White Sox.

“Having the incredible opportunity to own the Chicago White Sox and be part of Major League Baseball for nearly 50 years has been a life-changing experience,” said Reinsdorf in the team’s announcement. “I have always expressed my intent to operate the White Sox as long as I am able and remain committed to returning this franchise to the level of on-field success we all expect and desire.”