She welcomes stiff competition ahead of captaincy debut at a World Cup

Shashank Kishore02-Oct-2024Since losing the T20 World Cup crown to West Indies in India in 2016, Australia have gone on a bull run to win three titles back-to-back. As they return to Asia to try to hunt down a fourth straight title, questions have been raised about their invincibility.They whitewashed New Zealand 3-0 in the T20I series at home last month, razed down Bangladesh on some tough wickets in Mirpur in April and overturned a ten-wicket hammering to beat India 2-1 at the start of the year. Upon arrival in Dubai for the T20 World Cup, they beat West Indies and England in the warm-ups.But there have been occasional blips too, like the T20I series loss to England, a defeat each against South Africa and West Indies on away tours on either side of the women’s Ashes.Related

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On Wednesday, at the captains’ pre-tournament media session, Alyssa Healy, the Australia captain, wasn’t going to understate their achievements but also gave a peek into the way the players have trained themselves to think.”You don’t come here to defend the title, that’s not what the World Cup is about, you come here to win it,” she said. “So we are here with that approach. Our pool [Group A with India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka] is quite a tricky one. We’ve got to get past these teams to have a chance of lifting the trophy. So it’s a challenge I’m very excited for.”This will be Alyssa Healy’s first World Cup as a full-time captain•Getty ImagesThat no team has played a lot of cricket in the UAE – they will all be playing in Dubai for the first time – adds to the allure of what could be the closest-ever women’s T20 World Cup.Healy stressed adaptability, even though it has not all been about training and matches. While Healy had to accommodate media commitments, the rest of the Australian team spent a day at the water park to cool off in conditions that would test the players’ fitness.”The whole tournament, in general, is about adapting the quickest,” Healy said. “That seems to be the way. If you look at the warm-up games, [it showed] you’ve got to adapt pretty quickly to what you’re given. Probably the team that does the best throughout the tournament will get the job done. We feel like we’re well placed to do that and hopefully, we can do it.”This will be Healy’s first T20 World Cup as full-time captain; she was given the role last December after Meg Lanning announced her international retirement. This was preceded by a small period where Healy had filled in for Lanning, including at last year’s Ashes, without fully knowing if Lanning would return.Did that make her feel like she didn’t have full control as captain?”I wouldn’t say I still have full control,” she said, tongue-in-cheek. “I think I approached it like I do every day in life. You take each day as it comes. Obviously, when she [Lanning] decided to step away from the game officially, there was a process in place. I put up my hand for it and got the job, and it’s been really enjoyable so far.”

“We know what the other nine are going to throw at us given the opportunity. We see it as a challenge and an opportunity to showcase a brand of cricket we like playing”

“I’m very grateful at this point in my career to have an opportunity to learn more about myself and probably more my team-mates, and as a squad on the whole as well, So it’s been good.”Healy also addressed quite candidly the challenges of matching Lanning’s legacy as a leader. She admitted it wouldn’t be easy to fill the “pretty big shoes” but it was also a matter of not overcomplicating it.”Everyone in this room knows the legacy of Meg Lanning, so there’s pretty big shoes to fill,” Healy said. “But I’m not Meg, I’m Alyssa Healy and I’ve brought that approach into this Australian team.”I’m going to do the job the way that I know how to do it and to the best of my ability and hopefully that does the job for Australia. At the moment, I’m just really enjoying the challenge of that.”In saying she has embraced the challenges of the job, Healy also welcomed stiff competition from the rest of the pack.”It feels like, without being disrespectful, we have been hunted for a long period of time,” she said. “We’re constantly being asked about that, and we’re used to it now. Teams are coming really hard at us to put us under the pump which we love.”This World Cup is going to be no different. We know what the other nine are going to throw at us given the opportunity. We see it as a challenge and an opportunity to showcase a brand of cricket we like playing.”Australia open their campaign on October 6 with an afternoon game against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. They next play New Zealand before meeting Pakistan in Dubai. They round off their league engagements with a high-voltage clash against India in Sharjah on October 13.

New South Wales

Captain Moises Henriques (Shield only)
Coach Greg ShipperdSquad Charlie Anderson (R), Sean Abbott (CA), Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins (CA), Joel Davies (R), Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood (CA), Moises Henriques, Ryan Hicks (R), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Sam Konstas, Nathan Lyon (CA), Nic Maddinson, Blake Nikitaras, Jack Nisbet, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Will Salzmann (R), Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan Shaw (R), Steven Smith (CA), Mitchell Starc (CA), Chris Tremain, Adam Zampa (CA).CA = Cricket Australia contract | R = Rookie contractIn Nic Maddinson (Victoria), Josh Philippe (WA), Sam Konstas
Out Baxter Holt (WA), Blake MacDonald, Ross Pawson, Jason Sangha (South Australia), David WarnerLast season ThirdHow they shape upThere were signs of significant improvement last season and three wins in four matches either side of the BBL had them in contention for the final having suffered two heavy losses early in the season. They have made two of the most significant off-season signings with Nic Maddinson returning to his home state and Josh Philippe coming in from Perth. Philippe has already scored a hundred in the One-Day Cup and is motivated to resurrect his red-ball career. Maddinson, meanwhile, arrives on the back of a stellar finish to last season with Victoria and more such runs could put him in the national conversation.Even though runs were tough to come by last year, they still need more from the top order: only three regulars averaged over 30 last season. Elsewhere, it’s largely familiar faces. In Chris Tremain and Jackson Bird they have a potent new-ball attack if they are able to stay fit but Tremain is set for a late start due to neck and shoulder issues. It will be hoped that legspinner Tanveer Sangha can get some first-class cricket after a run of injuries.Related

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Player to watchOllie Davies is one of the most exciting young batters in Australia. Last season, he found the formula to marry his tremendous ball-striking ability to the demands of red-ball cricket, finishing with three centuries and an average of 67.00 in a campaign where runs were at a premium across the country. It’s understood he was in serious consideration for the recent white-ball tour of the UK and is likely to be in the mix for Australia A honours. Having been allowed to bed in at No. 6, it may also be time for a move up the order.Australia impactNSW may see a little more of their multi-format international players than previous seasons. The big three quicks are expected to play at least one Shield match before the India series while Nathan Lyon is likely to feature in two, and perhaps three games, while he could also return late in the season after the tour of Sri Lanka. Steven Smith will also get an outing before the Test summer and there’s still interest over where he will bat although Cameron Green’s injury may have changed that dynamic. In theory, Adam Zampa will be available for a rare window of Shield cricket between the Pakistan white-ball series in November and the start of the BBL. Sean Abbott had an expensive ODI series against England but will likely remain in contention. Davies and Jack Edwards could push for the Australia A matches against India A which start late October.Marnus Labuschagne is the new Queensland captain•Getty Images

Queensland

Captain Marnus Labuschagne
Coach Johan BothaSquad Lachie Aitkin (R), Xavier Bartlett (CA), Max Bryant, Hugo Burdon, Jack Clayton, Liam Guthrie, Lachlan Guthrie, Lachie Hearne, Usman Khawaja (CA), Marnus Labuschagne (CA), Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Jem Ryan (R), Gurinder Sandhu, Jack Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker (R), Bryce Street, Connor Sully, Mitch Swepson, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Whitney (R), Jack WildermuthIn Angus Lovell, Lachlan Hearne, Callum Vidler, Lachlan Aitken, Jem Ryan, Tom Straker
Out Joe Burns, James Bazley, Blake Edwards, Aryan Jain, Matthew Kuhnemann (Tasmania), Will Prestwidge (Tasmania)Last season SixthHow they shape upIt’s a new era in Queensland with a new coach in Johan Botha and a new captain and vice-captain in Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Swepson, following a dismal last summer which saw long-time coach Wade Seccombe depart after they finished last in the Shield. Botha is not afraid to push change and has already done so with the leadership as well as asking former captain Usman Khawaja to open the batting in the Shield team after previously slotting in at No. 4. They have some injury issues in their bowling ranks with Xavier Bartlett nursing a side strain, while Gurinder Sandhu missed the first two One-Day Cup games with a calf issue. Michael Neser is returning from a calf problem in the pre-season but got through the One-Day Cup games unscathed. Queensland’s bowling was uncharacteristically lacklustre last year as they struggled to take 20 wickets and they did not have a single batter score more than 555 runs in the Shield season and only three managed 400 or more. They are looking for improvement in both areas with a particular focus on settling a young middle-order.Player to watchJack Clayton will be pivotal for Queensland with the bat. The 25-year-old left-hand batter was their leading run-scorer last year scoring two centuries at No. 4, but he was shuffled around the order through Nos. 3, 4, and 5 over the course of the season and only averaged 32.64. Queensland’s top order will be unsettled due to the possible comings and goings of Khawaja, Labuschagne and even Matt Renshaw with Australia A duty. Clayton will likely be a constant unless he gets an Australia A call-up himself. Much will rest on his shoulders as the bedrock of the Bulls’ middle-order when the Test players aren’t there.Australia impactKhawaja and Labuschagne will play the first two matches at least and Khawaja will likely play the third while Labuschagne may miss due to Australia’s ODI series with Pakistan. Labuschagne is unlikely to return until mid-March when the Champions Trophy is complete. Khawaja should be back in mid-February after Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka and might be available for the last couple of matches of the summer. Renshaw and Neser could be called into Australia A squads or even the Test squad as cover at various stages during November and December which could impact their availability, and Renshaw may be considered for Sri Lanka. Swepson is another who could be a candidate for Australia A cricket and the Sri Lanka tour. Bartlett’s return from injury is an unknown, but his progression into Australia’s white-ball ranks could see him picked for the Pakistan series in November if he is fit.Nathan McSweeney will lead South Australia•Getty Images

South Australia

Captain Nathan McSweeney
Coach Ryan HarrisSquad Wes Agar, Kyle Brazell (R), Jordan Buckingham, Aidan Cahill (R), Alex Carey (CA), Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Travis Head (CA), Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Harry Matthias (R), Nathan McAndrew, Conor McInerney, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Campbell Thompson (R), Henry ThorntonIn Jason Sangha (NSW), Mackenzie Harvey, Conor McInerney, Campbell Thompson
Out Jake Carder, David Grant, Isaac Higgins, Kelvin SmithLast season FifthHow they shape upSouth Australia’s Shield woes led to some significant leadership changes, with Ryan Harris taking over as coach and Nathan McSweeney being appointed captain on top of changes in the high-performance department with long-time general manager Tim Nielsen departing. They have once again recruited from interstate with Jason Sangha moving across from New South Wales and Mackenzie Harvey joining the squad after a strong season of grade cricket in Victoria. The batting remains the major Achilles heel in Shield cricket while the fast-bowling stocks are strong. McSweeney will lead the batting unit at No. 3. Henry Hunt had a lean summer, except for one big century, and missed the last three games with injury so his return at the top will help. They are hoping to settle the top six after cycling through endless combinations in the recent past. Jake Fraser-McGurk is set to bat at No. 6, if selected, after an unsuccessful attempt at opening late last summer. The bowling attack will be led by Nathan McAndrew and Jordan Buckingham. Offspinner Ben Manenti was excellent with the bat last summer scoring five half-centuries but he took just 13 wickets at 64.30, albeit Adelaide Oval has been a graveyard for Shield spinners in the drop-in pitch era.Player to watchNathan McSweeney will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders but the 25-year-old is relishing the challenge of captaining and batting No. 3. He is coming off his best domestic season to date, scoring 762 runs at 40.10 last summer including three centuries. He is on the Australia selectors’ radar having captained Australia A already, but his batting record isn’t quite at the level of some of the other Test batting candidates dominating the Shield at the moment. He is keen to emulate what Cameron Bancroft has done in WA and consistently deliver big runs for his side.Australia impactTravis Head may only play one Shield game before the Border-Gavaskar series with the imminent birth of his second child limiting his availability. Alex Carey was set to play the first three but his return to form in the ODI side may complicate matters as Australia’s first ODI against Pakistan coincides with the third Shield game. Fraser-McGurk is a likely candidate to play in the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan if the Test players are rested as expected. Spencer Johnson is already unavailable through injury but if he does return to fitness by November, he may well be called away to play white-ball cricket for Australia. McAndrew, Buckingham and McSweeney are all candidates to play for Australia A in two matches against India A, which could rule them out of the third Shield game and affect their ability to play in the fourth given the short turnaround between fixtures.

Tasmania

Captain Jordan Silk
Coach Jeff VaughanSquad Gabe Bell, Iain Carlisle, Nick Davis (R), Jake Doran, Kieran Elliot, Nathan Ellis (CA), Jarrod Freeman, Brad Hope, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Kuhnemann, Rafael Macmillan (R), Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Aiden O’Connor (R), Mitch Owen, Nivethan Radhakrishnan (R), Jordan Silk, Billy Stanlake, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac WrightIn Matthew Kuhnemann (Queensland), Will Prestwidge (Queensland), Kieran Elliot, Rafael Macmillan
Out Sam Rainbird, Matthew Wade, Paddy DooleyLast season SecondHow they shape upLast season’s finalists look well-placed to be competitive again, especially with the recruitment of Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who will bolster their attack significantly. They have lost Matthew Wade, who has retired from first-class cricket. But he only played six games last year, although he scored a vital century in their record fourth-innings run chase against Queensland.The batting failed them in last summer’s final but they had a good year led by Beau Webster and Jordan Silk. Tasmania would be keen to see Caleb Jewell and Tim Ward return to their best at the top of the order.The attack remains their strong suit in home conditions especially, and Kuhnemann provides versatility when they play elsewhere. If they can get Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake fit enough to play more than the four games they managed between them last season, then that adds another dynamic. Nathan Ellis did not play a single Shield game last season but has a decent first-class record and could be available for a few games early in the season around his white-ball commitments for Australia.Player to watchIt will be hard for Beau Webster to back up last season’s heroics but if he can, he will almost certainly catch the selectors’ attention. He was the highest scorer in the Shield last season with 938 runs at 58.62 and took 30 wickets at 29.30. Sir Garfield Sobers, in 1963-64, is the only other player in Shield history to score more than 900 runs and take more than 30 wickets in the same season and only three other players have scored more than 800 and taken 20 wickets in a season. He had an excellent winter in the County Championship for Gloucestershire and started the summer with wickets in the opening two One-Day Cup games. Australia’s Test allrounders Green and Mitchell Marsh have clouds over their bowling capabilities. Webster’s bowling is more akin to Marsh’s than Green’s but his versatility and resilience could be an asset if he scores runs and takes wickets early in the season.Australia impactTasmania won’t be as affected by Australia call-ups as other states. Ellis is working his way back from a hamstring injury but will likely feature in Australia’s ODI and T20I series against Pakistan if fit. He didn’t play a Shield game last summer and isn’t central to their plans. Meredith falls in a similar category if he can recover from a side issue. Webster could play for Australia A in two games in late October/early November against India A that overlap with two Shield rounds. Jewell is another who may get called up for that series. Kuhnemann is unlikely to feature in those matches but is a great chance to go to Sri Lanka in February which could see him miss one or two games.Todd Murphy is hoping for a big summer•Getty Images

Victoria

Captain Will Sutherland
Coach Chris RogersSquad Austin Anlezark (R), Liam Blackford, Scott Boland (CA), Dylan Brasher, Josh Brown, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Xavier Crone, Harry Dixon (R), Sam Elliott, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Campbell Kellaway, Jai Lemire (R), Reiley Mark (R), Glenn Maxwell (CA), Cameron McClure, Jono Merlo, Todd Murphy (CA), Fergus O’Neill, Tyler Pearson (R), Mitch Perry, Will Pucovski, Tom Rogers, Matt Short (CA), Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland, Douglas Warran (R)In Josh Brown
Out Travis Dean, Matt Fotia, Nic Maddinson, Tom O’Donnell, Wil ParkerLast season FourthHow they shape upVictoria are hoping to bounce back after back-to-back losses at the end of the season cost them a chance at a third consecutive Shield final. But they are bullish about their chances this summer with a similar group that is another 12 months older and building experience year on year. They do lose the prolific Maddinson at the top of the order, while Will Pucovski’s likely retirement also means there’s opportunities for younger players like Ashley Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway. Pete Handscomb remains a rock at No. 4 and Matt Short, when available, has been an outstanding performer at No. 5. The attack is well balanced and they are building some depth. They will need it as Scott Boland’s availability will be limited while captain Will Sutherland is slowly building his workloads after a back injury and has already flagged that he will miss the odd game and be on restrictions when he returns. Fergus O’Neill and Peter Siddle will be bankers while a fully fit Todd Murphy balances the attack nicely after he was plagued by shoulder issues last year. The off-season development of Sam Elliott is also a positive and he will be vying for a spot alongside Mitchell Perry.Player to watchTodd Murphy performed superbly across the six Tests he played in India and England in 2023, including playing as the lone spinner in his last Test at The Oval when he took six wickets in Lyon’s absence. But his place as Australia’s No. 2 Test spinner and Lyon’s natural successor is under threat from Western Australia’s offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli after Murphy took just 17 wickets at 38 for Victoria last summer, while Rocchiccioli took 46 wickets at 27.60. Both men are vying for a spot on the Sri Lanka Test tour where Australia could play as many as three spinners in the same XI. Prior to that, though, Lyon turns 37 during the opening Test against India and although he wants to play until he is 40, his body and, more specifically his calf may have other ideas. If an opportunity arises sooner than Sri Lanka, Murphy will hope to be bowling well enough to get the call.Australia impactBoland’s management by CA will be the biggest hurdle for Victoria to navigate. He was only allowed to play six games last season despite not playing a single Test match. He will again be carefully managed coming off plantar fasciitis and a knee issue and might only play one of the first three before Australia A duties or the Test series. Short will be unavailable around Australia’s ODI and T20I series against Pakistan but also could be involved with Australia A. Marcus Harris is another who might be called into the Australia A series.Glenn Maxwell is usually assumed not to be available at all but the schedule does allow him the opportunity to play upwards of four Shield games either side of the ODI and T20I fixtures, but it seems more likely he will play one or two, if any. Sutherland could get a limited-overs call-up if fit in November while O’Neill is a chance to play for Australia A. Murphy might play one Australia A game but will almost certainly go to Sri Lanka later in the summer. Handscomb is another who might be called-up for the two-Test tour given he is one of the best middle-order players of spin in Australia.Aaron Hardie has a lot to gain this season•Getty Images

Western Australia

Captain Sam Whiteman
Coach Adam VogesSquad Cameron Bancroft, Mahli Beardman (R), Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Brody Couch, Keaton Critchell, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin, Cameron Green (CA), Sam Greer (R), Aaron Hardie (CA), Liam Haskett, Baxter Holt, Josh Inglis (CA), Bryce Jackson, Matt Kelly, Mitchell Marsh (CA), Hamish McKenzie, Lance Morris (CA), Joel Paris, Jhye Richardson (CA), Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Ashton Turner, Josh Vernon (R), Corey Wasley (R), Sam Whiteman, Teague WyllieIn Brody Couch, Keaton Critchell, Baxter Holt, Corey Wasley
Out Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Josh Philippe, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew TyeLast season FirstHow they shape upThe defending champions shape up with a very similar squad to the one that has yielded a hat-trick of titles and they will be hard to beat again. No team has won four titles in a row since the Shield became a six-team competition in 1977-78. WA has faced plenty of challenges with injuries and international departures over the last three seasons, but this campaign looks like it could be their most challenging yet. With full availability, they have an international standard team. But they will need to rely on the depth of their squad. The attack is going to rely on Joel Paris, Matt Kelly and Cameron Gannon again as Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson’s availability is going to be limited at best due to careful management. Richardson is unlikely to play Shield cricket in the first half of the summer. Offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli has been a lynchpin across the three titles having played 24 of the last 25 matches. But his success may lead to higher honours with Australia A matches and a Sri Lanka tour this summer, meaning WA will need to find another option in either Cooper Connolly or recalling the uncontracted Ashton Agar.Batting wise, WA still have the most reliable and experienced opening duo in the competition in Cameron Bancroft and Sam Whiteman, who is now the official captain having captained the last two titles as stand-in for the absent Mitchell Marsh. Hilton Cartwright and Ashton Turner will be important, ever-present figures in the middle-order because there will be a lot of international players coming and going including Marsh, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis and possible Cameron Green if fit. The likes of Jayden Goodwin, Sam Fanning, Teague Wyllie and allrounder Keaton Critchell will get plenty of opportunities at various stages when the international players are absent or managed. Philippe’s move to NSW means Baxter Holt and Joel Curtis are vying for the back-up keeper’s role, although Curtis did replace Philippe at one stage last season.Player to watchCameron Bancroft will garner a lot of attention at the start of the summer due to the injury to Green but Aaron Hardie could be the player with the most to gain. He had an excellent white-ball tour of England and has shown his talent at Shield and Australia A level with both bat and ball. If he can score heavily in the early rounds, take wickets and increase his bowling loads while staying fit, a Test opportunity may present itself a lot sooner than many would have expected for him.Australia impactWA will have a revolving door of players coming and going and Whiteman may also have to manage bowling restrictions on certain CA contracted players during games. Green’s injury means his availability is unknown but he looks unlikely to bowl regardless. Marsh and Hardie may play the early rounds as batters only. Marsh will then be rested ahead of the Tests while Hardie could have Australia A, ODI and T20I duties in November. Inglis will also be unavailable after the first two rounds for the same reasons. Bancroft and Rocchiccioli are a strong chance to play for Australia A and Rocchiccioli could go to Sri Lanka following the BBL and miss the first two rounds of the new year. Morris could also be called into Australia A and possibly limited-overs teams in November. Connolly might be part of Australia’s ODI and T20I squads against Pakistan.

Liverpool signed a “truly generational talent” in Florian Wirtz last month, as the German playmaker has been described by sports media professional Cristian Nyari.

His playmaking and flair will certainly help cover for the sale of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who now performs his talents in Real Madrid white.

Sure, the Reds have paid Bayer Leverkusen £100m up front, with the possible add-ons raising the deal to a British-record £116m, thus adding an incredible dimension to Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.

And Liverpool may yet welcome another attacking player to the fold, for rumours concerning Luis Diaz’s potential Anfield sale this summer are persisting.

Why Liverpool might need a left winger

Last month, Liverpool rejected Barcelona’s advances for Diaz, with the 28-year-old identified as the perfect piece to complete Hansi Flick’s frontline.

Slot wants to keep the 28-year-old on Merseyside, but every player has a price, and the Colombian is entering the penultimate year of his contract.

And according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Liverpool may find the perfect heir in Rodrygo, who will be allowed to leave Real Madrid this summer after playing a fringe role under Xabi Alonso at the Club World Cup.

The Brazil international has, however, been valued at a jaw-dropping €100m (£85m), so it would definitely take the big-money sale of a forward like Diaz to facilitate the deal.

Why Rodrygo would be a Luis Diaz upgrade

As per the report, Rodrygo would be open to a move to Liverpool, even if Arsenal currently lead the race for his signature, but he would only make the leap if given assurances that his place would lie on the left wing.

Luckily, Liverpool would be happy to oblige, for Diaz could be sold to get the transfer wheel spinning.

Rodrygo, 24, has routinely been fielded out on the right flank across his years at Los Blancos, but he’s long considered the alternate flank his most effective role, something that was reflected through his statistics across the 2024/25 campaign.

Described as a “world-class superstar” by his former Real teammate Luka Modric, Rodrygo could absolutely come to prove an upgrade on Diaz, should he be entrusted with a regularity of minutes in his favoured position.

Liverpool’s South American sensation did post 17 goals and eight assists last season, but Rodrygo actually hit the same number of goal involvements (25) despite his travails.

Given his junior age and incredible mastery of the grand Champions League stage, there’s every chance that Slot could hit the jackpot by signing the one-time Santos prospect. He already boasts 25 goals in just 64 games in Europe’s premier competition, while Diaz has scored just ten times in 34 outings.

Moreover, Rodrygo has demonstrated that he can match Diaz’s crisp passing and his energy. As per FBref, the Brazilian ranked among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last term for pass completion and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Ultimately, Liverpool would be selling a crucial part of the Slot project in Diaz, but Rodrygo is more than his equal and could prove to be the perfect investment to propel this team up to the next level.

Huijsen 2.0: Liverpool enquire to sign one of the 'most complete teen CBs'

Liverpool could be set to target their next centre-back sensation, in the mould of Dean Huijsen

By
Robbie Walls

Jul 10, 2025

Newcastle United are finally making headway in the summer transfer window, with their long-game efforts to sign Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga finally coming to fruition.

The Tricky Trees don’t want to sell the right-sided forward, whose pacy and creative style of play has proved so instrumental in qualifying for European football against the odds, but then Newcastle have tabled a series of offers and are getting close to sealing the deal.

Though Eddie Howe will have been delighted with his side’s Premier League campaign last term, winning the Carabao Cup besides, there’s no question that improvements are needed. Newcastle have been trying to add some depth, but have been foiled in recent weeks.

Newcastle pushing to complete deals

Newcastle have been buffeted by setbacks in recent weeks, failing to convince Chelsea-signed Joao Pedro to join them after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

The latter has signed for Manchester United, while Brentford’s talisman has expressed his desire to move to Old Trafford this summer.

However, that could all change with Elanga. Although saying that, PIF won’t want more misery, and according to Sky Sports, are exploring a move for PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko as a contingency.

Bakayoko, 22, was wanted by Liverpool in a £43m deal last summer, and bears the thrilling approach which could see Howe hit the jackpot with a right-sided signing.

Why Newcastle want Johan Bakayoko

Though Elanga has established himself as one of the most exciting young wingers in the Premier League, he’s only scored 11 times across 82 matches for Nottingham Forest, assisting 21 further goals.

In Bakayoko, Newcastle could sign themselves a player of greater sharpness in the final third, one who could yet reach a much higher level.

The Belgium international has made 131 appearances for PSV since graduating from the club’s youth academy, scoring 33 goals and supplying 22 assists for his teammates.

His recent Eredivisie campaign left something to be desired, but he has still demonstrated over the past couple of years an aptitude that puts him up there with the world’s most exciting prospects.

Matches (starts)

33 (29)

30 (17)

Goals

12

9

Assists

9

1

Shots (on target)*

2.9 (1.0)

2.0 (0.9)

Big chances missed

7

6

Pass completion

87%

86%

Big chances created

12

4

Key passes*

2.1

1.2

Dribbles*

2.8

1.6

Ball recoveries*

3.4

2.0

Tackles + interceptions*

1.3

0.9

Duels won*

4.7

2.8

Bakayoko’s development might have been stunted somewhat over the past year, but there’s no doubt that he’s one of the most exciting young wingers around, with a prolific potential which could see him eclipse Elanga, who is a talented player in his own right.

One theme across both Bakayoko’s league terms has been his keen-edged striking skills, with journalist Antonio Mango singling out his “clinical” qualities.

Partner this with his athleticism and playmaking and you’ve got yourself a winger who could become one of the finest in the business, worldwide.

Praised for an “insane” amount of talent by analyst Ben Mattinson, Bakayoko might be an unpolished gem but he is still a diamond of a prospect, one who could prove to be an upgrade on Elanga in the long run.

After all, he ranked among the top 6% of positional peers in the Netherlands’ top flight last year for goals scored, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 7% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

With Jacob Murphy playing so industriously for Howe, this might be the perfect move to make, adding depth and competition with a player who could skyrocket over the coming years.

Howe's next Tonali: Newcastle preparing bid for £43m "monster"

Newcastle may need to sign a midfielder this summer.

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New Zealand batter fell for 92 just eight balls into the final morning, before Jayasuriya bagged five in the second innings

Madushka Balasuriya23-Sep-2024

Sri Lanka didn’t need long on the final morning in Galle to wrap things up, taking just 15 minutes to grab the final two New Zealand wickets and secure a 63-run win in the first Test. The result means Sri Lanka go 1-0 up in the two-match series, while also leapfrogging New Zealand up to third place in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.Prabath Jayasuriya was at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s charge, finishing with figures of 5 for 68 – his eighth five-wicket haul, and his seventh in Galle. He ended with match figures of 9 for 204, taking home the Player-of-the-Match award.After having fought so hard the previous day, Rachin Ravindra lasted just eight deliveries into the first session of the final morning as Jayasuriya trapped him in front with an arm ball for 92 off 168 balls. Coming around the wicket, Jayasuriya tossed one up on leg as Ravindra was caught in the crease playing down the wrong line. He reviewed, but once it was confirmed to be pitching in line, there would be no saving him.And any lingering hopes of a famous rearguard were then swiftly quashed, as Will O’Rourke kept out just five deliveries before the sixth slipped past his forward defence and on to off stump to hand Jayasuriya his fifth wicket of the innings.O’Rourke wouldn’t quite be satisfied with how the game ended after an impressive showing in the game as he finished with eight wickets to his name – the second-most across the Test, and the same as Ajaz Patel.In terms of how this result impacts the WTC, it keeps Sri Lanka’s outside hopes of a berth in the final alive. But for New Zealand, it makes their task considerably tougher, with an away series against India and a home series England coming up in the next few months.There will be no time to dwell on this result for either team, with just a two-day break before the second Test gets underway on Thursday – also in Galle.

Teenage sensation Chloe Ainsworth continued her scintillating start to the WBBL, helping Perth Scorchers to a 74-wicket win over the ladder-leading Sydney Thunder.Ainsworth claimed figures of 2 for 15 at Drummoyne Oval on Tuesday night, as Thunder were all out for 97 in the 20th over in pursuit of Scorchers’ 171 for 7. The seamer set the win up for Scorchers, taking 2 for 4 from her opening two overs.The result ended the Thunder’s four-match winning streak and helped heavyweights Scorchers climb from fifth to second on the WBBL ladder.It came amid some drama, with one of Drummoyne Oval’s light towers going out early in Thunder’s chase. Umpires stopped play to ask if both teams were happy to continue, before Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield opted to stay on with the bat.”I don’t think I would like to be batting out there with Ainsworth out there firing, but that’s the umpire’s call,” Thunder coach Lisa Keightley said on afterwards. “And they gave it to the players, so that is interesting.”Already behind in the chase after Ainsworth’s wickets, Litchfield and Heather Knight offered the Thunder a brief hope with a 32-run third-wicket stand. But when Litchfield was caught off Amy Edgar the innings unravelled.Earlier, Sophie Devine helped set up the victory with 48 from 34 balls, turning around her run of two straight ducks before Tuesday night, alongside India’s Dayalan Hemalatha who made brisk 41 off 26 balls after not passing 13 in her first five innings.Devine pulled Sammy-Jo Johnson for one six, cut her for four the next ball and provided a deft late-cut to send Shabnim Ismail to the deep-third boundary. She was bowled by Ismail later in the same over, but with the assistance of Mikayla Hinkley Scorchers’ win had been set up.Devine has been one of the world’s best batters for more than a decade, but Ainsworth showed on Tuesday night why she could soon enter Australian calculations.The 19-year-old had last year’s WBBL MVP Chamari Athapaththu caught in the first over, before removing her opening partner Georgia Voll in her next over. She also should have had Hannah Darlington caught in the deep late, only for the chance to be dropped by Lilly Mills.Ainsworth’s wickets saw her add the duo to a high-profile list of victims this season, including Meg Lanning, Annabel Sutherland, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Alice Capsey. She has now taken nine wickets at 12.88 this season, after taking 15 at 19.66 in her rookie campaign last year.

“He gave me a few words in terms of how the wicket would play… He read the wicket to the tee.”

Mohammad Isam23-Oct-2024Keshav Maharaj said that he benefited from Tamim Iqbal’s advice about the Dhaka pitch. The left-arm spinner has taken six wickets in the opening Test match against Bangladesh at the Shere Bangla National Stadium so far, bowling almost the perfect line and length in conditions that have assisted both seamers and the spinners. South Africa are in a good position in the game, needing three more wickets to bowl Bangladesh out in their second innings with the hosts leading by 81 runs.”I just sent Tamim a message,” Maharaj said. “I have got a good relationship with him. Obviously we played in the BPL. I just asked for some advice based on conditions and how to go about the business. He gave me a few words in terms of how the wicket would play. It wasn’t wrong. He read the wicket to the tee.”Maharaj played under Tamim for Fortune Barishal in BPL 2024. He took three wickets in three matches, but all of them were at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Maharaj is playing his first match in Dhaka and so he did what other overseas bowlers visiting the subcontinent do. In 1998, Shane Warne got in touch with Bishen Singh Bedi so that he could be better informed about how to bowl to Sachin Tendulkar.South Africa began the third day’s play with three wickets in the first 30 minutes before Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali put on 138 runs for the seventh wicket. Maharaj bowled 37 overs, taking 3 for 105.Related

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“It’s nice to get a marathon spell out of the belt,” he said. “I love bowling. We should get a little bit less [square] cut balls at the start of the spell, but I think I settled in quite nicely. When the ball got a little bit older, there wasn’t much reaction from the wicket so I tried to keep it as tight as possible.”Maharaj’s discipline allows him to play both attacking and defensives roles based on the match situation. He helped keep the pressure up from the other end when Kagiso Rabada was running hot in the first session and then later South Africa looked to him to pose as the primary threat, which he did to break a big partnership and pick up Jaker’s wicket.”We have a four-bowler line-up in our attack,” Maharaj said. “My job, apart from trying to create opportunity, was to hold up an end. I think this morning when I bowled in tandem with KG [Rabada], you could see that his tail was up and got the ball to do a little bit.”So my job at that stage was to try and hold up an end, and then when the switch came, I posed a little bit more when the ball started to spin. I think as a spinner you want to allow yourself to settle in and get those long spells on a wicket like this, knowing that there is a ball that will turn and be in your favour. Luckily enough, towards the back end in the middle of my spell, I got some reward from that.”Maharaj gave credit to Mehidy and Jaker for putting up the rearguard action. He said that South Africa tried really hard to remove the pair, but couldn’t do it for a long period. “I think yesterday was probably the day that we went a little bit searching (for wickets), if I’m honest. And then we got the three wickets, and I think Mehidy and Jaker Ali played really well.”We threw everything at them, and I don’t think it was a case of us taking our foot off the gas. I think they played really well, and you must give credit towards the batters in that situation,” he said.

Looking to deal Crystal Palace a major blow, AC Milan are now reportedly taking initial steps towards signing a Selhurst Park star this summer.

Crystal Palace could still lose Eze

Whilst they have at least managed to sign Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa, it’s fair to say that Crystal Palace have endured a frustrating summer so far. And things could yet get worse for those in South London. Rumours are continuing to arrive regarding Eberechi Eze’s future and reports suggest that both Chelsea and Arsenal have set their sights on the talented attacker.

His exit wouldn’t be the only bad news that Palace have received this summer, either. The Eagles were recently dealt a harsh blow when UEFA confirmed their relegation from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League after John Textor’s involvement with Lyon and Palace broke multi-club ownership rules.

Steve Parish has since had his say on the matter, confirming that Palace will be appealing UEFA’s decision: “We are still fighting. There’s an appeal process, so we go to CAS which is the court for arbitration and, you know, we’re very hopeful. We think we’ve got great legal arguments.

“We don’t think this is the right decision by any means. We know unequivocally that John didn’t have decisive influence over the club. We know we proved that beyond all reasonable doubt, because it’s a fact.”

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Whether UEFA’s decision will play a part in players’ immediate futures remains to be seen, but it looks as though AC Milan are willing to put that theory to the test this summer.

AC Milan make first moves in Mateta race

Whilst there will be plenty of concern about Eze’s future, another one of Oliver Glasner’s key players could yet be heading for the exit door. According to L’Equipe, AC Milan are now making initial moves to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is open to completing a summer switch to the Italian giants.

As things stand, however, the Frenchman’s valuation remains a major obstacle and potential saving grace for Crystal Palace. The Italians have reportedly been put off by Crystal Palace’s asking price, which stands at over €30m (£26m).

Alas, the Eagles’ demand should not be a surprise to Milan or any other interested parties. The £50,000-a-week forward enjoyed another excellent campaign last time out – scoring 17 goals in all competitions – and earned high praise from Glasner.

The Crystal Palace manager told reporters: “We don’t always talk because he knows what we demand of him. With his two goals today, he is amazing in the box.

“He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many runs where he doesn’t get the ball. You need to suffer as a striker because you make so many runs where you don’t get the ball. He gets the reward and it decides the game for us.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Mesmo com a presidente do Palmeiras, Leila Pereira, tendo exposto divergências com a diretoria do Flamengo em discussões referentes a Libra, não há possibilidade de migração do clube alviverde à Liga Forte Futebol neste momento. A mandatária palmeirense é uma das principais engajadas na Libra desde as primeiras conversas para criação do movimento e não pensa em abrir mão disso.

A ideia de Leila, na verdade, é usar da sua influência, que é grande, para se aproximar das equipes que integram a Forte e unir forças em busca de juntar os projetos e torná-los somente um.

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Porém, para isso acontecer, existe uma pressão para a diminuição da desigualdade na distribuição das receitas da Liga Brasileira entre os times de maior e menor torcida, o que é feito na Forte. Já há algum tempo que a representante do Verdão se convenceu disso e se posiciona a favor de que o modelo do estatuto da Libra precisa ser revisto, Porém, isso esbarra no Flamengo, que é contrário e se escora na regra de que qualquer mudança só poderia acontecer se for unânime. Leila Pereira, então, tenta mudar para que as decisões sejam tomadas através de votações e as escolhas por meio de uma maioria qualificada – superior a metade mais um dos votos.

Nos bastidores, o incômodo dos palmeirenses, especialmente através da presidente do clube, em relação às posturas dos flamenguistas nas discussões referentes à Libra já existem há algum tempo, mas ficou mais explícito e até mesmo acalorado nas últimas reuniões do movimento. Isso levou às declarações fortes de Leila Pereira na última sexta-feira (14) contra as posturas da direção da equipe carioca, classificadas como soberba pela mandatária do Alviverde.

O interesse de aproximação da maioria dos clubes da Libra com os da Forte é por conta, principalmente, de duas questões:

– Receio de que com dois projetos a ideia de liga independente no Brasil possa ‘engasgar’ e não sair do papel;

– Financeiro, já que a LFF tem por trás um fundo de investimentos norte-americano, surpreendendo os times que integram a Libra, que no início não colocavam fé na sustentabilidade do outro projeto.

A ideia dos clubes que defendem a união entre Libra e Forte é unificar a capacidade de investimento e diminuir a diferença entre eles. O Flamengo, por sua vez, acredita que precisa ficar com a maior fatia na divisão das receitas por ter a maior torcida e, consequentemente, maiores audiências. As cotas referentes aos direitos de transmissão são as principais fontes de entrada financeira dessas ligas no início.

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Tottenham Hotspur are now in contact to sign a £70m Premier League “superstar”, who is keen to leave his club this summer, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed.

Spurs set sights on new forward

It appears as though Son Heung-min is set to remain at N17 for at least one more season, although former scout Mick Brown has suggested Tottenham could look at replacing the forward in the near future, given that he is no longer the player he once was.

Brown said: “You look at his stats last year, they were nowhere near as good as they were the year before, but you know what type of player you’re getting.

“With just one year left on his contract, there’s more value in keeping him for a Champions League and Premier League campaign rather than selling him now. You don’t really want to lose that type of player and what Sonny can offer you.”

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Consequently, it may be time for Thomas Frank to start running the rule over potential long-term replacements for Son, and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling has recently been identified as a potential option.

However, Spurs are also targeting a current Premier League player, according to Bailey, who recently told The Boot Room: “Alejandro Garnacho wants to stay in England, and there are only so many options. Chelsea, we know, like him, whilst Tottenham have maintained contact.”

There may also be rival interest from Aston Villa, with Unai Emery’s side making contact over Garnacho, who is valued at around £70m, and Bailey states the winger would be open to a move to Villa Park.

One thing that is clear is that the Man United forward is likely to be on the move this summer, having already informed his current employers that he wants to leave.

"Superstar" Garnacho could reignite career at Tottenham

At 21-years-old, the United ace is still very young, with plenty of time to fulfill his lofty potential, and journalist Liam Canning believes the youngster is already a “superstar”.

The 2024-25 season was, of course, very difficult for the Red Devils, with Spurs ultimately coming out on top in the Europa League final, but the Argentina international still managed to impress at times, amassing 21 goal contributions in all competitions.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

36

6

2

Europa League

15

1

4

FA Cup

3

0

1

EFL Cup

3

3

3

Community Shield

1

1

0

Ruben Amorim was also left impressed by the starlet, praising him for his performance in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal: “I think Garnacho made a really complete game. He was upset last Thursday and today, he was amazing.”

As such, United’s loss could be Tottenham’s gain this summer, and Garnacho’s ability to play on the left-wing could make him a solid long-term replacement for Son.