Move offers chance to play in Tier 1 for domestic T20 competition starting in May

Valkerie Baynes30-Apr-2025Lauren Winfield-Hill has joined Essex on loan from Yorkshire for the upcoming Women’s Vitality Blast.Winfield-Hill is captain of Yorkshire, currently competing in Tier 2 of the new women’s domestic competitions, and a move to Essex offers the chance to play in the top tier for the T20 competition starting on May 29. Essex will play their first match the following day, away to Hampshire.Winfield-Hill was part of the Northern Diamonds team which was disbanded under the move to county-based teams from this season onwards, and has been supportive of her former team-mates who had decided to move, many to Durham, to play in Tier 1 immediately.Speaking before her loan move to Essex, Winfield-Hill told ESPNcricinfo that with Yorkshire set to move into the top flight from next season, this year presented unique challenges for the club, such as balancing player development with competing under the heavy expectations of a fully professional side.Related

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“It does look a bit different for senior players in terms of the Tier 2 cricket,” Winfield-Hill told ESPNcricinfo. “I always use the analogy of revving a car. It’s not just like, ‘oh, you’re just cruisy, see what happens, it’s Tier 2’. It’s actually getting into that sweet spot of still really competing. That’s the key thing for a lot of the senior players in the group, is how we get our beans going and compete and almost play games within games sometimes.”As Essex announced her loan signing on Wednesday, Winfield-Hill said the deal “makes perfect sense”.”I want to keep testing myself by playing at the highest level possible, and this move means that I can do that in what is set to be a groundbreaking year for women’s cricket in England,” she said. “I really feel like I can bring something to the group here at Essex, and I’m excited to play in a new environment at Chelmsford, too.”Winfield-Hill has represented her country 104 times across all three formats, most recently for the T20 leg of England’s winter tour of West Indies in late 2022. She has also played in franchise leagues around the world, including the Hundred, WBBL and CPL.An ODI World Cup winner in 2017, she has 19 half-centuries in T20 cricket, with a top score of 98 off 56 balls for Northern Diamonds against Western Storm in the 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup.Winfield-Hill is also a capable wicketkeeper, having assumed the role throughout her four seasons in The Hundred to date, and from that position has claimed 38 stumpings, as well as 24 of her 91 total catches in the format.Charlotte Edwards, the new England Women’s head coach, was at Hove on Saturday to watch Yorkshire bounce back from a 114-run, first-round loss against Worcestershire with a nine-wicket thrashing of Sussex in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. Winfield-Hill scored 8 in the first game and an unbeaten 47 off 43 balls in the second.Edwards made it clear upon taking the England post that domestic cricket represented on opportunity for players to press their claims for international selection.Asked if she still saw a place for herself in that landscape, Winfield-Hill told ESPNcricinfo: “I’m obviously not retired and I’ve got a lot of cricket ahead of me. The last couple of years I’ve probably played better than I did when I was wearing an England shirt, which is ironic.”I still think my best years are ahead of me, I just don’t necessarily realistically think that’s in an England shirt. My desire to play for England will never waver, but I think at times you feel like you’ve got more hope than other times.”If that ship has sailed, that ship has sailed. If a couple of players went down and you’re sort of looking around and you’re performing well, then you’re not going to say no to playing for England ever. At the minute it’s probably not a realistic way in for me, and that’s fine, but I’m certainly not retiring, I’m not pulling curtains on my England career.”Andy Tennant, Team Director of Essex Women, was delighted to secure a player of Winfield-Hill’s experince and proven run-scoring ability.”When the chance to sign her became available, it was one that we worked really hard to complete, because we knew how much of a positive influence she is capable of bringing as a role model for our young and developing player group,” he said. “The opportunity to add Lauren’s experience and game sense is every bit as valuable as seeing her out in the middle scoring runs for Essex.”

On transfer deadline day, Liverpool’s bid for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi fell through.

The Reds and their sporting director Richard Hughes had done all that they could, but Arne Slot was steadfast in his confidence in his pre-existing defensive options.

However, that was before Giovanni Leoni was forced off against Southampton, on his Reds debut, having ruptured his ACL. Now he will spend the majority of the season recovering.

How Liverpool will replace Leoni

Liverpool signed Leoni from Parma in Serie A for an initial £26m fee in August. The 18-year-old had scarcely been on the senior stage in his homeland, but he had shown enough promise for a swarm of suitors to buzz overhead, and it was Liverpool who were victorious in claiming their quarry.

Leoni has been developing within the Anfield ranks over the past month, piecing together his skillset and role and on-field personality in Slot’s system.

For the young Italian to have been withdrawn in such visible agony and dismay on his first appearance for the Merseysiders was sad to see. He had impressed against Southampton, having played most of the match and looked a cut above his partner Joe Gomez, who has played little football recently and who will now be expected to raise his game as he covers Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool Debut

Stats*

#

Minutes played

81′

Touches

102

Accurate passes

88/91 (97%)

Possession lost

3x

Tackles

1

Interceptions

3

Clearances

6

Ground duels won

1/2

Aerial duels won

3/3

Data via Sofascore

Liverpool’s options at the back are suddenly sparse, and Slot may need to turn toward the academy to plug a potential gap, handing Amara Nallo more responsibility.

Nallo could be the Leoni replacement

Nallo, 18, is right at the start of his Liverpool career, and already he has made his senior debut under Slot’s wing.

However, that one ended somewhat unceremoniously, with the teenager sent off during Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Girona in the Champions League in January 2025.

Slot said Nallo “will learn” from his mistake, but there’s no question that it marks a blemish on an otherwise impressive highlight reel at this starting stage of his career.

Indeed, Nallo had previously been hailed by West Ham coach Carlton Cole as being a “Rolls-Royce of a centre-back”, physical, commanding and calm on the ball. These traits are inherent, and they could be guided toward something worthy of a regular role in Slot’s squad, given time.

Time, in this instance, isn’t on Nallo’s time; or rather, the young defender must now prepare for a potential hike in importance, with rotation limited after Leoni’s injury.

Nallo’s two-footedness suggests he could be the perfect replacement, in fairness, able to replace Van Dijk when need be or operate from the right side.

Poached from West Ham United as a youth, Nallo has already racked up 52 appearances for Liverpool’s development sides – on top of that senior bow – and he could now be ready to take the plunge and feature regularly in the place where Leoni was set to stand.

After all, Slot has already handed the youngster his professional debut, and entrusting him with opportunities this season is hardly out of the question.

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Viktor Gyokeres has discussed his recent blanks for Sweden following their dismal World Cup qualifying loss against Kosovo on Monday. The defeat led to the sacking of manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as the Swedes are virtually out of contention to qualify for the tournament in North America next summer. This was Sweden's second consecutive home loss during the October international window.

• Gyokeres and Isak's struggles continue

  Sweden started with Gyokeres and Alexander Isak up top. The signings by Arsenal and Liverpool respectively were among the most talked about transfers in the Premier League as they were picked up for a combined £185 million ($247m). However, the pair flopped spectacularly when it mattered most for their country as they fired blanks in Sweden's back-to-back World Cup qualifier losses against Switzerland and Kosovo.

  The consecutive losses mean Sweden continue to languish at the bottom of the group and their chances of making it to the World Cup next summer look extremely slim. The latest loss against Kosovo on Monday has also led to the sacking of manager Tomasson.

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  Tomasson sacked after Kosovo loss

  Denmark legend Tomasson took charge of the Sweden national team in February 2024, thereby becoming their first-ever foreign head coach. However, Tomasson's reign lasted less than two years as he was relieved of his duties on Tuesday, a day after Sweden suffered that embarrassing loss against Kosovo. Under Tomasson's tutelage, Sweden failed to win a single game in the qualifying rounds after four matches and are now on the verge of missing out on a World Cup slot.

  Confirming Tomasson's sacking, Swedish Football Association's chairman Simon Astrom said: "The decision is based on the fact the men's national team has not delivered the results we hoped for. There is still a chance of a play-off in March and our responsibility is to ensure we have as optimal conditions as possible to be able to reach a World Cup play-off. In this, we assess that a new leadership is required in the form of a new coach."

  After the Kosovo clash, Tomasson had refused to resign as he told reporters: "This hurts so much. It's not good enough. We're giving away easy goals and we've forgotten how to score goals. Resign? I have a contract and we're in the middle of the campaign. It's a terrible result. I don't have a good answer as to why we're not scoring goals. I don't think the players doubt the tactics, but we didn't perform well when we conceded easy goals. It's crazy that we didn't score today. We have potential, but it's a matter of decision-making. Kosovo made things difficult for us, and we have to analyse the game. We're in a very dark place right now; we won't get much sleep today. At the moment, no one is doing their job well, except me. Everyone has to improve."

• Gyokeres reacts to Sweden's latest loss

  After failing to open his account in either of the qualifying matches, Arsenal star Gyokeres was understandably frustrated, as he told : "We don't want to win the game that much, I think that was obvious; you could see from our body language that we don't want to win that much. So, it's difficult against any opponent. We're not giving our best, we're not fully focused on defence and passing. This has to do with attitude. We were unlucky against Slovenia and Switzerland, but in these two games against Kosovo, we didn't deserve anything. Of course, it's a fiasco."

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• AFP
  

  Can Sweden still qualify for the World Cup?

  Sweden can no longer qualify for the 2026 World Cup directly as Switzerland are nine points above them with two games left in the group. However, they can still catch up with Kosovo, who are on seven points, if they win their last two matches against  Switzerland and Slovenia next month. Also, Kosovo have to lose their last two ties. If they finish second in Group B, Sweden will progress to the play-offs, which will take place in March next year.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has challenged his side to back up their first win of the season with consistency after a 1-0 Europa League victory over Bologna.

Villa scored their first goal at home this season after 12 minutes when John McGinn fired into the bottom right corner from outside the area. Ollie Watkins had a second-half penalty saved by Lukasz Skorupski as he failed to open his account for the campaign.

Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot was busy in the second half as Bologna piled on the pressure and he scrambled across his goal to keep out Martin Vitik’s header in stoppage time to ensure the hosts clung on to all three points. Emery says his side now have something to build on heading into Sunday’s Premier League match with Fulham.

He told TNT Sports: “At home I felt always here, in three years since I arrived, strong and confident. Creating and building a great atmosphere with energy with the players and supporters and today I felt it again.

“Bologna played well, they demanded us a lot, but then we adapted and tried to dominate and I think we deserved the win. Today we won and it is important we have to try and keep consistent on Sunday. Different match and rival, but a lot of things tactically we have to keep on building.

“Today this win will help us to try and continue working and being positive, but each match coming is a challenge, to fight to try and prepare as best as possible, be demanding with the players. This year I am excited, positive and motivated about the Europa League, but I know how difficult it is to win.”

Watkins struggles again as Villa Park gets tense

Watkins came off the bench in the 58th minute and looked lively, but his goal drought extended to seven games with the penalty miss. Emery is confident the forward will return to form, though. He added: “He worked today like he is (confident) and this is the first step to recover confidence.

“Then he had a penalty and he created chances as well, but the most important is to recover confidence and do your tasks like he did today. Today was the first step and he did fantastic.”

Defender Ezri Konsa admits the Villa Park crowd have been “tricky” to deal with following a tough start to the season but wants to use Thursday’s win as a starting point for their season. He said:

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Tottenham manager Martin Ho has credited Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and basketball legend Michael Jordan as being two of the greatest influences on his burgeoning coaching career. Widely regarded as one of the most promising coaches in women’s football, the 35-year-old has opened up on the figures who have helped shape him, with several other sporting greats making his list.

Ho makes promising start to life as Tottenham head coach

Having been appointed as the head coach of Tottenham Women in July, Ho has made a promising start to the 2025-26 Women’s Super League season. The Liverpudlian, who joined Spurs after a two-year spell at SK Brann which saw him lead the Norwegian side to the quarter-finals of the 2023-24 Women’s Champions League, has won five of his first seven games in charge of Tottenham. Across both the WSL and the Women’s League Cup, Ho’s side have secured victories over West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa, Leicester and Brighton, with their only defeats coming in the league to title-chasing pair Manchester City and Chelsea.

AdvertisementAtletico boss Simeone hailed as a key influence

And following Spurs’ strong beginnings under Ho, he has since revealed a number of sporting icons have helped him get to where he is today. When asked by about the key influences on his career to date, he was quick to pay tribute to long-time Atletico boss Simeone, as well as former Australia and England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones.

“Eddie Jones was a big one in terms of his man-management and his delegation around management and staff and how they done things,” said Ho.

“And Diego Simeone’s a big one from Atletico Madrid. Just from the playing style and more because of his persistence over a long period of time. He’s probably the longest-serving manager in men’s football and I think to be at a club for so long and deliver so many consistent results but then deliver titles also maybe with a squad that maybe people don’t always feel have the top, elite-level players, but he gets the best out of them individually by developing them. Yeah, that kind of motivates me to know that it’s not always the finances and resources you need, it’s kind of what’s within. And if you’ve got the right people around you and the right group of players who work hard and you have the right mindset, I believe you can achieve a lot.”

Hulton ArchiveJordan and Bryant also influential figures

And Ho’s influences are not limited to football either, with the former Everton and Manchester United assistant citing basketball stars Jordan and Kobe Bryant as two people whom he has also learned a great deal from.

Continuing to name the sporting legends who have helped him develop as a coach, Ho said: “In terms of sporting icons, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant in terms of how they kind of harness a community and get people around them to be their best in terms of how they interact with the local community, how they more importantly interact with people around them. So those kind of things drive me to want to take advantage of my job, I’m in a privileged position and I want to make sure I take advantage of that.”

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Simeone widely regarded as one of the greatest of his generation

Having taken over the helm in 2011, Simeone’s work at Atletico has led to him being considered as one of the greatest managers of his generation. Competing against Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona, Simeone has continually punched above his weight with Los Rojiblancos, winning two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues and two UEFA Super Cups with the club. Simeone has also been credited with rebuilding his Atletico side over a number of years, as well as reviving the 4-4-2 formation in the modern game.

تحدث الدولي الفرنسي أوريلين تشواميني، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد عن مباراة الكلاسيكو عقب فوزه على يوفنتوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق فوز مهم على يوفنتوس، بهدف نظيف، جعله مستعدًا بقوة للقاء الكلاسيكو المقبل أمام برشلونة.

ويواجه ريال مدريد غريمه برشلونة في “كلاسيكو” الدوري الإسباني لأول مرة بقيادة تشابي ألونسو، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، في تمام الساعة السادسة والربع مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة، يوم الأحد المقبل.

وقال تشواميني، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “الكلاسيكو؟ نعم، نعلم أنه عندما نلعب ضد برشلونة علينا الفوز، لا يهم ما حدث العام الماضي، نعلم ما حدث ونحن في حالة جيدة الآن”.

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وعن الفوز على يوفنتوس: “أعتقد أننا بدأنا الموسم بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، كنا نطمح لإنهاء الموسم ضمن المراكز الثلاثة الأولى بـ9 نقاط، والآن علينا مواصلة العمل للفوز بمزيد من المباريات”.

وحول عن صعوبة اختراق دفاع يوفنتوس: “لعبنا ضد فريق جيد، لقد دافعوا بقوة وثبات وهذا ليس بالأمر السهل، كورتوا كان ممتازًا أيضًا، فوز مستحق”.

وبشأن وجود تغييرات في خط الوسط، أتم: “كل لاعب في ريال مدريد يعرف ما عليه فعله، إذا لعبت في الوسط مع أردا وجود (بيلينجهام) أعلم أنني سأبقى في الخلف لفترة أطول، ولكن إذا كان كامافينجا موجودًا، يُمكنني تدوير المركز أكثر، لدينا فريق يضم لاعبين رائعين في خط الوسط”.

Bangladesh have bowled out for under 200 for the sixth time in the last ten Test innings

Mohammad Isam20-Apr-2025

Zimbabwe dealt an early blow on Bangladesh, after they bowled out the home side for 191 runs on the first day of the Sylhet Test. Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani led the charge with three wickets each while Victor Nyauchi and Wessly Madhevere provided impressive support with their two wickets apiece.The visitors finished the day on a good note too, as their openers Ben Curran and Brian Bennett saw off the 14.1 overs unscathed, with 67 runs on the board. Zimbabwe couldn’t have asked for a better start in a venue where they also beat Bangladesh seven years ago. Bangladesh’s batting woes continued despite a five-month break from Test cricket. They have now been bowled out for under 200 for the sixth time in their last ten Test innings.Bangladesh’s top order once again didn’t provide them the start. The middle order collapsed too, from 98 for 2, to lose four wickets for 48 runs, after a bit of recovery. Mominul Haque top-scored with 56 while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto made 40, but neither converting to big scores after making starts.It was Nyauchi who provided Zimbabwe with their first pair of breakthroughs in the first hour. He broke Bangladesh’s opening stand with his fourth ball, when Shadman Islam edged Nyauchi’s wide delivery to gully. Brian Bennett took a splendid catch diving forward. Nyauchi removed Mahmudul Hasan Joy in his next over, bowling an impeccable line, to get the right-hander caught behind for 14.At the other end, Mominul was dropped before opening his account. Wicketkeeper Nyasha Mayavo couldn’t hold on to the chance that came off Mominul’s bat when he tried to avoid Muzarabani’s short ball. Bangladesh still went to lunch on 84 for 2, after seeing off Zimbabwe’s threat with the new ball.The visitors however weren’t done yet. Muzarabani peppered Shanto with plenty of short deliveries after lunch. The break lasted an extra thirty minutes due to rain. Shanto, having struck six fours in his knock, couldn’t keep another Muzarabani short ball down, giving Wessly Madhevere a simple catch at point.Still there was hope for Bangladesh’s two most experienced batters – Mushfiqur Rahim and Mominul – to steady the ship. Instead, their dismissals sparked a collapse.Mushfiqur followed the captain back to the pavilion after making four, when he gave Mazakadza a gift of a wicket in his first over. Mushfiqur couldn’t quite believe it when he struck Masakadza to short midwicket where Bennett completed the catch.Mominul was next to go, swiping Masakadza to short midwicket after making 56. It was perhaps Mominul’s push for quicker runs that prompted the shot, but it looked too soft in the circumstance. Muzarabani brought back his short-ball prescription for Mehidy Hasan Miraz, knocking him out almost with a brute of a delivery. Mehidy was caught napping in his fourth ball, awkwardly gloving the ball to wicketkeeper Mayavo for a simple catch.The tail caved in quickly with Jaker Ali on the other end. Taijul Islam was caught behind down the leg-side giving Masakadza his third wicket. Muzarabani clean bowled Hasan Mahmud, before Madhevere removed Jaker and Nahid Rana in the same over to bowl out Bangladesh in the 61st over.

On transfer deadline day, Liverpool celebrated the record-breaking acquisition of Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, ending weeks of speculation and animosity over his future.

Isak had been desperate to sign for the Anfield side, and he has got his wish at the final hour. Liverpool have got themselves a gem, with pundit Alan Shearer remarking earlier in 2025, “Everything about his game is of the highest quality.”

However, it didn’t all go the Reds’ way, with their protracted summer pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi ultimately leaving them empty-handed.

It all looked like it was ready to be green-lit, with the Three Lions star having completed his medical with the Premier League champions, but external issues have left the 25-year-old stranded at Selhurst Park.

Why Liverpool wanted Marc Guehi

With Ibrahima Konate having entered the final year of his contract at Liverpool and skipper Virgil van Dijk having turned 34 in July, thus edging closer to the twilight of his career, it was crucial that fresh defensive faces were welcomed.

And sporting director Richard Hughes came ever-so close to making that arrival Guehi, having tracked the England international all summer and respectfully awaited the green light from Eagles chairman Steve Parish, which never quite came following Oliver Glasner frustration at having not signed a suitable replacement.

Remarked to have been “England’s best player” during the 2024 European Championship by analyst Ben Mattinson, Guehi’s cool and collected defensive presence merges with an effortless ball-playing game that suggests he would dovetail right into Slot’s Liverpool squad – or indeed any elite team worth their salt.

Though FSG will retain confidence in their rearguard options, Guehi would have added icing on the cake, especially with Slot looking to defend his Premier League title while challenging for silverware across further fronts too.

Leoni is a top talent, and the hope is that he will one day stand where Van Dijk stood as a long-term star at Liverpool. However, he’s not the only teenage prospect the club boast, with an existing member of Slot’s squad perhaps ready to cover for the gap where Guehi should be.

Liverpool have already got their own Guehi

Make no mistake, Leoni is one of the most exciting defensive prospects in the business, and, only 18, has so much room for improvement over the next few years.

However, the Italy international will also need time to develop his skills over the next few years, ultimately reaching a level that will see him thrive as a regular starter.

With Joe Gomez having stayed put despite transfer interest from elsewhere on deadline day, his experience will help Leoni ease into the way of things, and the same could be said for fellow teenager Amara Nallo.

Nallo hasn’t had a flawless start to life in Slot’s senior side, it must be said. In January, Nallo was sent off on his professional debut, entering the fray in the closing stages and hacking down Johan Bakayoko. It was unfortunate, but Slot said post-game that the youngster “will learn” from his mistake.

Though that remains Nallo’s sole senior showing for Liverpool, he sat three further first-team games on the bench across the 2024/25 season, and given his obvious quality in emerging from the academy, so strong and powerful and technically adept for one of his level, he could prove to be Liverpool’s own version of Guehi.

Admittedly, getting sent off on your big bow isn’t very Guehi-like, but the Palace man received an indirect card suspension himself last season, showing that he too has the capacity to make a blunder.

And Nallo won’t let a simple mistake define him, having been described by West Ham coach Carlton Cole in the past as being a “Rolls-Royce of a centre-back”.

Curiously, Nallo is two-footed and so could conceivably cover for Van Dijk and Konate across the course of the campaign. The England U19 international has also racked up 53 appearances for Liverpool’s youth sides across the two years he has been on Merseyside.

Liverpool wanted to sign Guehi for his quality and experience at the highest level, of course, but perhaps his ability on both sides of the central defence also captured Hughes’ attention. After all, the England star was described as “one of those versatile CBs who can play both sides equally as comfortably” by the aforementioned analyst Mattinson.

While Liverpool’s failed attempt to sign Guehi will have frustrated the Reds fanbase, who came so close to seeing the defender wearing red, the likes of Leoni and Nallo will perhaps have given a silent cheer as they find themselves with a clearer pathway toward playing time over the months ahead.

Nallo might be something of a forgotten man at the moment, but he was entrusted with a first-team role on the big stage last season, and there’s every chance he could now take that next step.

In The Pipeline

Given his Guehi-like tactical tendacies, perhaps this is the big opportunity he needs to take that leap and prove himself worthy of a long-term role in Liverpool’s first team.

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A “sensational” Manchester United star’s future is now in doubt, following a direct transfer approach from Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.

Man Utd's rebuild continues despite transfer window ending

Man United managed to get a number of unwanted players off the books in the summer, namely Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund, and there could now be another departure in the very near future.

There have been widespread reports that Andre Onana is closing in on a move to Trabzonspor, which may be a relief for Ruben Amorim, given that the goalkeeper has received his fair share of criticism.

Perhaps most memorably, Nemanja Matic responded to Onana’s comments that United were “way better” than Lyon, saying: “If you are one of the worst keepers in Manchester United history, you need to take care.

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“If David de Gea, Peter Schmeichel or Edwin van der Sar said that, I would question myself. But if, statistically, you are one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United’s modern history, he needs to show that before he says.”

As such, it seems unlikely that United fans will be too disappointed to see Onana leave, but another potential departure that could be on the cards may be a lot more divisive.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Bruno Fernandes’ future at Old Trafford is in doubt, amid widespread interest from the Saudi Pro League, with Ronaldo even making a direct approach to convince his international teammate to join Al-Nassr in the summer.

Fernandes ultimately opted to remain at Old Trafford, but there is a feeling the attacking midfielder’s future could change soon, and a departure could happen as soon as the January transfer window.

The Red Devils could choose to cash-in on the £300k-a-week attacker, given that they are running out of time to raise serious money from a sale, with unnamed clubs in the MLS and Europe also keen.

"Sensational" Fernandes may be necessary sale for Man Utd

There is no doubt that Fernandes is one of the best signings since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Portugal international now just one goal away from 100 in a United shirt, while also picking up 86 assists in 294 games.

However, Paul Scholes has stated the 31-year-old doesn’t fit into Amorim’s system, saying: “Fernandes for me, he’s someone who fills in as a midfielder, he might get away with it for one, two or three games. He’s not got the discipline to be a central midfield player.”

The former Sporting CP man remained a key player under Amorim last season, being singled out for high praise by journalist Nizaar Kinsella back in May.

However, no player should be shoehorned into a system, so it may be the right time to cash-in on Fernandes, particularly if Man United are able to raise big money from a sale to Saudi Arabia.

Being the massive club they are, Arsenal have had some genuine world-class stars play for them over the years.

Most fans will go straight to the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pirès, but there is another who perhaps deserves more respect: Cesc Fàbregas.

The Spaniard certainly tarnished his reputation in the way he left and then joined Chelsea, but during his time in North London, he was utterly incredible, racking up a tally of 57 goals and 95 assists in 303 appearances.

Arsenal have had their fair share of unreal midfielders since, but there is one player in Mikel Arteta’s current squad who could be on his way to emulating Fabregas at his very best this season.

Ranking Arsenal's best midfielders since Fabregas

A name that springs to mind when thinking about some of the best offensive midfielders Arsenal have had since Fabregas left is Aaron Ramsey.

The Welsh international was never on the same level as the Spaniard, but there were points in his tenure at the club when he was near enough unplayable.

For example, in the 13/14 season, the Cardiff-born monster scored 16 goals and provided nine assists in 34 appearances, and while he left for free in 2019, he did so with three FA Cups to his name, and as something of an Emiratés icon.

Another icon of the Emirartes era and one who arguably was as talented as the Como manager, but supremely unlucky with injuries, was Santi Cazorla.

The 40-year-old magician joined the club for under £15m in the summer of 2012 and went on to score 29 goals and provide 44 assists in 180 games before leaving in 2018.

However, the numbers alone don’t do the Lugo de Llanera-born star justice, as, at his best, watching him play football was breathtaking. He could use both feet with ease, could spot a pass way before anyone else and had sensational close control.

The firm fan favourite is perhaps one of the best examples of a ‘what if’ player, as at his best, he could do whatever he wanted.

Finally, when it comes to superstar midfielders in the years after Fabregas, you cannot ignore Mesut Ozil.

Yes, his last couple of years at the club were nothing short of a disaster, but for a significant period of his time in North London, he had a fair chance of being the best ten in the Premier League.

Appearances

254

Starts

237

Minutes

20816′

Goals

44

Assists

77

Goal Involvements per Match

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

172.03′

Points per Game

1.89

By the time he left the club, the former Real Madrid star had made 254 appearances, in which he scored 44 goals, provided 77 assists and won four FA Cups.

And now, it looks like one of Arteta’s signings could reach the levels Fabregas did this season.

The Arsenal star who could reach Fabregas levels

There is plenty of excitement around the potential of Ethan Nwaneri, and the arrival of Eberechi Eze has bolstered Arteta’s midfield options.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, in this instance, the player who could potentially reach the level of a prime Fabregas this season is Martin Odegaard.

Now, it’s undoubtedly true that last season was the Norwegian’s worst in an Arsenal shirt, and led many to consider whether he was good enough to lead the club.

However, it’s essential to remember that he suffered an ankle injury early on, and in the two previous campaigns, the “world-class” talent, as dubbed by ex-Arsenal star Paul Merson, was named the club’s Player of the Year.

Moreover, based on his performance in the last two games, he looks to be getting back to his very best, if not surpassing it.

For example, once he came off the bench against Newcastle United, his passing was perfect, and he got the ball to Declan Rice for him to cross to Mikel Merino for the equaliser.

Then, on Wednesday night, he started against Olympiacos and delivered what might be his most impressive performance in years, living up to the billing that he is “more complete than Bergkamp and Ozil” in the words of fellow Norwegian John Arne Riise.

The manager seemed to give him more license to roam, and so, instead of sticking to the right-hand side, he was popping up here, there and everywhere, and it was difficult to keep track of every brilliant pass through the Greek side’s backline he played.

While he did finally get his assist courtesy of a Bukayo Saka finish towards the end, on another night, he could have ended up with two or three.

Now, when you combine this renewed “sensational” passing ability, as one content creator put it, with the fact he’s being allowed to play more of a central midfield role and roam, it doesn’t feel absurd to suggest he could start putting in the sort of performances Fabregas once did at his prime.

Ultimately, there is still so much of the season to go, so if this is just the start of a fully fit Odegaard, then Arteta and Arsenal could have an incredible campaign with him pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

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