With promotion and League One title glory well within their grasp, Birmingham City have now reportedly turned their focus towards securing a bargain deal to sign a defensive addition this summer.
Birmingham strolling towards promotion
With games in hand on second place Wrexham, Birmingham sit clear at the top of League One and look unlikely to ease their hold on the top of the tree anytime soon. With just a handful of games left to play, the Blues are also on course to secure early promotion above third place Wycombe and could even seal their Championship spot as early as April 18 when they square off against the struggling Crawley Town.
Left delighted with his side’s most recent victory against Barnsley, watching on as they soared to a 6-2 win, manager Chris Davies told reporters: “It was a big three points. To score six goals at home and win 6-2 is a wonderful day for us.
“I thought were good throughout, we had to be patient when they went down to ten men but to score six in front of the home fans is brilliant. Against ten men, it’s a mental game. You can think it’s going to be easy, but it doesn’t work like that.
“To get a sucker punch after we score, with a long throw, that frustration can build so it was really important for me at half-time that I calmed the players down and made them see the game quite clearly and what we needed to do, the positions we needed to get into and how to attack them relentlessly. If we did that, we would score the goals to win the match and we did.”
That victory only strengthened their stride towards promotion and securing an early place should only benefit Birmingham as they go in pursuit of one particular summer bargain.
Birmingham plotting bargain Harry Darling deal
According ton Wales Online, Birmingham are now plotting a move to sign Harry Darling on a free deal once his current contract comes to an end at Swansea City this summer. The defender does reportedly have an offer on the table from the Championship side but is yet to put pen to paper on an extension – opening the door for his exit in the coming months.
That said, the Blues aren’t the only side reportedly interested, with Premier League hopefuls Sheffield United also linked to the Swansea contract rebel as the summer transfer window approaches.
The interest in the 25-year-old centre-back should come as no surprise either. Former Swansea manager Luke Williams is just one of few to praise Darling in recent months, telling reporters following a hard-fought draw against West Bromwich Albion in January: “Harry was outstanding, and it is impossible to question his commitment to the football club because that an heroic performance from him.
“He is fantastic at defending the goal, competing for everything with the opposition. But he also had plenty of brilliant actions in helping us to build-up to try and score. He was brilliant, he’s an excellent player.”
The legspinner doesn’t turn the ball too much, but by bowling full and out of the reach of batsmen looking for quick runs, he has been able to get the better of them
Sidharth Monga27-Oct-2017It is Chennai, a 21-over chase, the Australian top order is gone, and Glenn Maxwell has nothing to lose. India have their two wristspinners on, and Maxwell starts unleashing his sweeps. Like Hardik Pandya did to Adam Zampa earlier in the day, Maxwell hits Kuldeep Yadav for three consecutive sixes. There are long conferences. India should have this game in the bag, but there are squeaky bums around. Three sixes can do that to you. What if he keeps coming off for another three-four overs? It is a short chase after all.On comes the other leggie. Yuzvendra Chahal does less with the ball in the air and off the pitch than Kuldeep. Yet you don’t see him chatting that much with seniors between deliveries, even when Maxwell hits the fifth ball of this over for his fourth six in two overs. Chahal has hardened himself up bowling containing legspin in IPL matches in Bengaluru, where anyway beating batsmen in the air doesn’t amount for much because mis-hits sail for sixes.Now Chahal does what only he has done to Maxwell this innings: bowl full and wide. Maxwell has to drag it for his big hit, and Chahal has him caught at long-on. He holds his arms aloft, and then points one finger to his forehead.”Whenever I bowled to Gayle [in the RCB nets] I would bowl well wide outside off, and work out that if he isn’t able to hit me then I can try this against Warner and the likes,” Chahal told ESPNcricinfo last year.
In an earlier era, you might have dismissed this as Chahal’s luck. It is not. Denying boundaries in shorter formats is a bona fide way of taking wickets
It is Pune, and India have shackled New Zealand this time, but out comes Colin de Grandhomme batting like a dream, chipping straight balls over straight midwicket ala Mark Waugh and Carl Hooper. De Grandhomme hits Chahal for a four and a six before he comes back for another spell in the 44th over. And again, Chahal bowls that wide ball – this time on a length, the widest bowled to de Grandhomme all innings. He tries the big straight hit, and the edge carries to short third man.Chahal has tried the full and wide variety to big hitters in the lower order with success. James Faulkner once offered a return catch that Chahal failed to grab. Matthew Wade was stumped. He nearly had Tom Latham caught behind in Pune when again he tested the batsman’s reach. Against his 26 wide balls pitched on a length or fuller, New Zealand have not been able to hit a single boundary. Faulkner managed a six, but that was the only boundary Australia hit when Chahal practiced this line. On an average he slips in one full and wide ball every over.In an earlier era, you might have dismissed this as Chahal’s luck. It is not. Denying boundaries in shorter formats is a bona fide way of taking wickets. As a skill too, bowling out of the reach of the batsman but within legal limits is not to be scoffed at. For starters it is an extremely difficult delivery to execute, as commentator and former India spinner Murali Kartik remarked when Chahal got de Grandhomme’s wicket. You have to control the turn. Indian pitches are changing – which is not a bad thing in ODIs because they are preventing scores of 350 from becoming routine – so you have to bowl a length that doesn’t give the ball enough time to turn away and go past the wide lines.Then you have to choose wisely when and to whom to bowl this delivery. Chahal has kept the full and wide ones for big hitters who are not in a mood to be watchful: Maxwell, Faulkner, Marcus Stoinis, de Grandhomme in the 44th over. In that whole innings off 39 off 18 in Chennai, Maxwell faced only three wide balls, all from Chahal and none scored off. It also takes shedding of the ego to not mind being a legspinner whose signature delivery is the one bowled full and wide, not turning too much, not necessarily aimed at taking wickets.Defensive bowlers are getting due recognition with the abundance of limited-overs cricket. Analysts are looking at how well a player comes back when under pressure, when the batsmen have little to lose and the freedom to swing for the hills. Of all the spinners who have bowled in this limited-overs season in India, Chahal and Mitchell Santner have shown they find answers the quickest.Perhaps that is why Chahal has been preferred to Kuldeep when there is room for only one wristspinner in the Indian XI. Kuldeep has made all the highlight reels, practicing the rare art of left-arm leg spin well enough to pick up an ODI hat-trick, but Chahal has shown that when the pressure is high, on a flat pitch, a simple wide ball can be more valuable. Not to invoke his well-documented prowess at chess, it’s the hitters’ move now.
It has been the story of Manchester United in recent seasons, with Ruben Amorim having been dealt a similar hand to his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, with regard to injuries.
Upon arriving at Old Trafford, for instance, the Portuguese coach singled out Mason Mount as a player who he was particularly looking forward to working with, praising the Englishman as a “proper footballer”. As fate would have it, the former Chelsea man was forced off just minutes into December’s Manchester Derby.
Only last month, after registering 11 goals and assists in just 20 games under the new regime, it was revealed that Amad Diallo would most likely be out for the season with an ankle ligament injury, with that setback following on from having not signed a new forward player in January.
Setbacks have continued since then, with Harry Maguire having notably been absent since the FA Cup clash with Fulham, although the latest cruel blow came in Sunday’s comfortable 3-0 win away at Leicester City, with teen sensation, Ayden Heaven, forced off early in the second half.
The latest on Ayden Heaven's injury
Having signed somewhat under the radar back in January, the ex-Arsenal starlet was surprisingly announced as a first-team signing upon his arrival in Manchester, despite having only made a solitary, ten-minute cameo for his former side at senior level.
Eyebrows were raised by the decision to parachute the 18-year-old straight into Amorim’s ranks, although that move has swiftly been vindicated, with Heaven’s £1.5m acquisition already representing a real bargain.
Having put in solid displays off the bench against both Fulham and the Gunners, the teenager subsequently sparkled on his first start for United against Real Sociedad in the Europa League, with journalist Samuel Luckhurst noting that he ‘looked a veteran’ up against the Basque side.
The youngster also started in commanding fashion against the Foxes, having produced a particularly vital tackle on Patson Daka in the first half, albeit before going down inside his own area after tangling with that man Daka just after the break.
The England youth international immediately signalled his discomfort to the United bench, before being stretchered off on the 51st minute mark, with academy graduate Toby Collyer entering the fray in his place.
The full extent of the injury has yet to be revealed, although there were encouraging signs amid reports that Heaven was able to walk after the game, albeit with his foot in a brace.
Whatever the case, it sadly looks unlikely that the teen revelation will be featuring again any time soon, leaving Amorim with a decision to make over how to replace him.
The Obvious Options Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui
Leny Yoro
Provided they can return from their own injury woes following the international break, the likely decision would be to re-introduce Leny Yoro and the aforementioned Maguire into the centre of defence, alongside potential future captain, Matthijs de Ligt.
The Red Devils do also have Victor Lindelof – who started against Leicester – to call upon, although the long-serving Swede looked shaky on Sunday, notably getting involved with what could have been a potentially costly mix-up with Andre Onana at one stage.
Amorim could also replicate the plan that he implemented at the weekend, amid the loss of Heaven, with summer signing Noussair Mazraoui comfortably slotting into a centre-back role, having started the evening at right wing-back.
That could well be the ideal solution considering Patrick Dorgu can now return from his three-game suspension, ensuring the young Dane can slot in at left-wing back, with Diogo Dalot on the opposite side.
That said, Mazraoui – who teed up Bruno Fernandes for a late chance against the Gunners – was excellent in that 1-1 draw at Old Trafford two weeks ago, when operating as a wing-back, ensuring it could instead be a straight fight between the Moroccan and Dalot on that right flank.
The Tactical Tweak Casemiro
It might be a bizarre pick, yet with Manuel Ugarte having made his return from injury at the weekend, it could be worth experimenting with Casemiro as part of the back three.
The veteran Brazilian has enjoyed a positive few weeks amid his encouraging displays in both legs against Sociedad, and in the draw with Mikel Arteta’s side, with Amorim revealing that he is now “learning how to use” the 33-year-old in his 3-4-3 set-up.
Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro
With the mobility of midfield “machine” Ugarte – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – likely to be favoured moving forward, however, alongside Fernandes, Casemiro could put his ball-winning abilities to good use in the defensive trio instead.
The former Real Madrid man did lineup at centre-back under Ten Hag last season, amid the club’s injury crisis, with his aerial presence a real asset in both boxes, as shown by the fact that he has won 67% of his aerial duels in the Premier League this season.
One key issue with making that switch would be Casemiro’s lack of recovery pace, however, with pundit Jamie Carragher stating last year that it looks as if the midfielder’s “legs have gone”.
The Wildcard Pick Godwill Kukonki
Godwill Kukonki
Even after seeing Heaven withdrawn, Amorim did not hesitate to introduce further teenage talents against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, with Chido Obi and debutant Harry Amass entering the fray late on.
The former Sporting CP boss admitted he has “so much fun” with regard to unleashing young prospects, with there a case to be made for replacing Heaven with another shining starlet, in the form of Godwill Kukonki.
The 6 foot 5 titan – who only recently turned 17 – has already made his way into the matchday squad this season under Amorim, albeit having, understandably, been made to wait for a first-team bow.
With Heaven now sidelined, it could well be the perfect time for the academy sensation to finally get his chance, with analyst Ben Mattinson previously earmarking Kukonki as a perfect fit for that left centre-back berth, while describing the teenager as a “dominant” and “commanding” presence despite his youth.
Amorim already stated back in December that the then 16-year-old was “ready” to be called into action as “he’s very adult to handle the demands of the Premier League”, a positive sign amid the left-footer’s chance of earning some game time.
The England youth international has made 18 appearances this season at both centre-back and left-back, chipping in with one goal and three assists in that time, albeit having been restricted to just a solitary U21 appearance thus far.
In The Pipeline
Despite still largely operating for the U18s, Amorim evidently feels Kukonki is ready for life at senior level, with the unfortunate loss of Heaven ensuring it could now be his turn to impress.
Man Utd can axe Eriksen for 19-year-old academy star who "impressed" Amorim
Man Utd could already have the perfect replacement for Christian Eriksen brewing in the youth ranks
Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell are are set to return for Australia, but there are doubts over whether Steven Smith will be fit
Alex Malcolm06-Nov-2023Big Picture: History no guide with the semis in sightThere was a time when facing Afghanistan in a World Cup held no fears for Australia. The five-time World Champions have been nothing short of ruthless in the two previous ODI World Cup meetings. In 2015, in Perth, Australia piled up 417 for 6 with David Warner cracking 178, on their way to a 275-run win. In 2019, in Bristol, Australia romped home to a seven-wicket win with 91 balls to spare having bowled Afghanistan out for 207 before Warner again made 89 not out.But there is no chance the 2023 Australians are heading to the Wankhede Stadium assuming they will win again at a canter. Afghanistan poses an enormous threat, despite Australia’s five-game winning streak. Afghanistan have won three in a row themselves and have already taken down England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Netherlands as they push for a maiden semi-final berth. And they possess the skill to expose Australia’s major weakness, with the spin quartet of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad capable of causing Australia’s batting line-up no end of problems, while their batting throughout the tournament has been excellent. A similar attack almost upset Australia on home soil at the 2022 T20 World Cup, although it was the pace duo of Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi who did all the damage on that occasion.Related
'I enjoy watching it' – Gilchrist feels sense of deja vu watching Head cause carnage
Rahmat Shah, the odd one out in Afghanistan's band of T20 stars
One thing in Australia’s favour is that Mumbai is a far cry from the spin-friendly conditions in Chennai and Delhi where Afghanistan’s spun out Pakistan and England respectively. Wankhede has been the highest-scoring ground in first innings in the tournament so far and that plays to Australia’s strength. Spin has also had next to no impact in Mumbai in the last 10 ODIs at the venue. And while facing spin has been Australia’s weak point in ODI cricket in recent times, Australia’s batting unit do have very good individual match-up records against Afghanistan’s spinners in T20 cricket.But while history and conditions are on Australia’s side as they look to lock in their spot in the last four there is one other thing to consider. This game, like the one in last year’s T20 World Cup has a slightly different undertone for Afghanistan than it does their opponents. Cricket Australia’s decision to cancel a Test between the two nations in November 2021 and a three-match ODI series in March 2023 for political reasons remains front of mind for some of the Afghanistan players. Afghanistan has been fueled by a desire to prove a point in this World Cup, a point about their standing in global cricket, and some added motivation certainly won’t hinder them.Recent formAfghanistan – WWWLW (last five completed matches, most recent first) Australia – WWWWWIn the spotlight: Rashid Khan and Mitchell MarshSo long the talisman of Afghanistan’s attack Rashid Khan has been below his best in this World Cup so far. He has just seven wickets at 43.85. Only Mujeeb has a worse average of all of Afghanistan’s bowlers while Rashid’s strike rate of 57 is the worst of the group. He has been building pressure though, as he always does, conceding just 4.61 per over with the likes of Nabi and Noor benefitting at the other end at times. But he only has one three-wicket haul, and that was against England. Against Australia, whose batters know him intimately as both team-mates and opponents in the BBL, he does not loom as a major threat. They have seen all his tricks so many times they are unlikely to be beaten by what they know. His wrong ‘un has not been the weapon it once was during this World Cup and his legbreak does not seem to strike any fear. But England’s Adil Rashid was a well-known foe in Australia’s last game and he still had a huge impact taking 2 for 38 from 10 including the wickets of Steven Smith and Josh Inglis, with Smith falling to spin for the fifth time in the tournament. Rashid will need to have an impact for Afghanistan, especially as Australia’s bevy of middle-order right-handers match up well to Mujeeb and Nabi.Mitchell Marsh is back for Australia after going home for personal reasons•Getty ImagesMitchell Marsh’s innings against New Zealand and his absence against England did reveal a quirk of Australia’s batting balance. He looked lost starting against spin in the 20th over. It was his latest entry point in an ODI this year having opened in 11 of his 15 matches and batted three in the other four. The only other time he entered after the 10th over was in Bloemfontein in September, also after a century stand from Warner and Travis Head, and he was out first ball to spin. But against England, the early losses of Head and Warner left Australia without another power-hitter in the powerplay, something they want to take advantage of. But Marsh’s overall record at No. 3 in the last three years has been very poor. He’s averaging just 17.60 there in 10 innings and striking at 73.06 with a highest score of 36 compared to his extraordinary record opening. Australia look more powerful on paper with him in the line-up, but they would like him to get comfortable at No. 3 heading towards the pointy end of the tournament.Team news: Naveen or Noor, Smith or Labuschagne?Afghanistan have been pretty settled and have mainly made changes to the attack depending on conditions. The challenge against Australia is the conditions in Mumbai suggest Naveen should play ahead of Noor Ahmad, and Naveen took 3 for 21 against Australia in the T20 World Cup last year. But Australia’s kryptonite has been spin and playing four of them has to be tempting.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Ikram Alikhil (wk), 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Naveen-ul-Haq/Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiMarsh and Maxwell are expected to return. Marsh bowled and batted and measured his run up too on match eve, and Maxwell batted for a long time against some local spinners. Cameron Green has already conceded he will miss out for one of them. The big question is who is the other player to make way. Logic would suggest it’s Marnus Labuschagne but he was Australia’s top-scorer against England with 71 and has been one of Australia’s best players of offspin, legspin and left-arm wrist spin in the tournament while Steven Smith has had his troubles against offspin and legspin in the tournament, and has also been suffering from vertigo. The other consideration is Marcus Stoinis’ fitness given he has often been rested on short turnarounds between games due to his injury history. The same could be said for the three quicks given they have only had three days to recover.Australia (probable): 1 David Warner, 2 Travis Head, 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 Steven Smith/Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Marcus Stoinis, 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh HazlewoodPitch and conditionsThe Wankhede has been a batting paradise in the World Cup so far with first innings scores of 399, 382 and 357 posted already in the tournament.Mumbai is set to be very hot with temperatures touching 37 degrees, and the air quality will also be a concern.Stats and trivia The Wankhede has the highest average of sixes per match in the tournament so far. In three matches there has been an average of 18.3 sixes struck per game. Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is the next highest with 17.5. Adam Zampa already has the longest streak of taking three wickets or more in World Cup matches having done it in five consecutive games. One more bag of three or more and he will join Pakistan’s Umar Gul as the only players to have done it in six straight ODIs. David Warner is 45 runs away from 18000 across all forms of international cricket as an opener. Sanath Jayasuriya and Chris Gayle are the only others have to scored 18000 runs as openers in international cricket.
What a week it has been for Manchester United’s number nine, Rasmus Hojlund. You wait so long for a goal, and two come along in quick succession.
The Danish speedster had endured a dismal 21-game goal drought prior to finally getting on the scoresheet again on Sunday evening away at Leicester City, with the struggling striker showcasing remarkable composure to slot home on his weaker right foot against the relegation-threatened Foxes.
Just days on from that long-awaited goal, the 22-year-old leapt off the bench to clinch victory for his country against Portugal on Thursday night, the former Atalanta man condemning Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot and Cristiano Ronaldo to a 1-0 defeat in their Nations League quarter-final clash.
While a return of nine goals this season for club and country makes for grim reading for the £64m signing, he has helped to lift the pressure on his shoulders this week, not least with 17-year-old sensation, Chido Obi, waiting in the wings for a starting berth back at Old Trafford.
Player
Games
Goals
Assists
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
53
29
10
Romelu Lukaku
96
42
12
Odion Ighalo
23
5
1
Edinson Cavani
59
19
6
Cristiano Ronaldo (2nd spell)
54
27
5
Wout Weghorst
31
2
3
Anthony Martial
317
90
46
Rasmus Hojlund
82
24
4
That youthful pairing are currently vying to be Ruben Amorim’s main man through the middle, with the Portuguese coach still no doubt looking to find his next goalscoring talisman, in the mould of Sporting CP’s, Viktor Gyokeres.
Man Utd's interest in Viktor Gyokeres
There is an argument to be made that Amorim has found his new attacking, Gyokeres-like figurehead in the form of Bruno Fernandes, although for all the playmaker’s brilliance, there is still a need for United to acquire a reliable, prolific presence to lead the line.
Indeed, in 82 games for the Red Devils to date, Hojlund has scored just 24 goals, while young Obi is still waiting to break his first-team duck, albeit while having made just four senior appearances. Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, has scored just six times in his new surroundings.
With that in mind, it is then no surprise that the signing of a new centre-forward appears high on the agenda, with journalist Florian Plettenberg only recently naming the aforementioned Gyokeres among a raft of targets that Amorim and co are looking at.
The Swedish goal machine has been a revelation in Portugal since arriving from Coventry City for just £17m back in 2023, having notably scored 66 goals in just 68 games under Amorim’s watch.
Unsurprisingly, ever since the new United boss made the move to England, there has been talk of a reunion. However, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell reported back in February that while Sporting could cash in for around €70m (£59m), it is ‘unlikely’ that the 26-year-old follows his former boss to Manchester.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates after the match
As per Whitwell, the one-time Brighton and Hove Albion man is likely to want to join a team competing in the Champions League – something United, currently, won’t be able to offer – while the club themselves may have reservations, amid the pursuit of ‘younger signings’.
While there may be frustration at not handing Amorim the perfect attacking tool in Gyokeres, perhaps the Red Devils are already brewing the next version of the Swede…
Man Utd's own Gyokeres
As two towering, Scandinavian marksmen like Gyokeres, it could be argued that both Hojlund and Obi are primed to evolve into that type of figure for Amorim, provided they are given time to develop.
That said, there could well be another, more suitable option in the equation, in the form of academy star, Ethan Wheatley, with the 19-year-old also a “clinical finisher”, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson.
As per Mattinson, the promising Englishman possesses a lot of the “typical hold-up, link-up and channel running” that Gyokeres has shown at Sporting, while he is also deemed to be a “closer fit” to the former Coventry man than fellow youth star, Gabriele Biancheri.
Currently out on loan at League Two highflyers Walsall – for whom he has actually made just three appearances since arriving in January – Wheatley has previously dazzled in the youth set-up at United, scoring ten times in just 22 U21 outings.
The Stockport native – who, like Gyokeres, stands at 6 foot 2 – was also previously the star of the U18 side, after netting 14 goals in 28 games at that age group.
While it hasn’t worked out so far during Wheatley’s temporary stint away from Old Trafford, he did score for England’s U19 side against Wales in midweek, having also been awarded a new long-term contract with United earlier this month.
That show of faith by the club has indicated how highly regarded the teenager is at Carrington, with the rising star already making four first-team appearances for his parent club, including a late cameo in the 4-2 win over Leicester in the EFL Cup back in October.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
With Amorim having already shown his willingness to utilise the academy in recent weeks, amid the emergence of Obi and Harry Amass, United’s 250th graduate may still have hope of forcing his way into the senior reckoning next season.
Who knows, Wheatley could even prove himself to be the 40-year-old’s next Gyokeres.
Amorim's next Gyokeres: Man Utd plotting move to sign "the new Haaland"
Manchester United are still targeting a striker to hand Ruben Amorim with the firepower he craves.
Defending champions Adelaide Strikers struggled to find top gear with the bat
Tristan Lavalette27-Oct-2023
Elyse Villani ensured Hobart Hurricanes completed the chase in relative comfort•Getty Images
Captain Elyse Villani powered Hobart Hurricanes to their first win of the WBBL season with an upset over defending champions Adelaide Strikers in a truncated match at a bleak Allan Border Field.Restricted to an eight overs per side contest, Villani bludgeoned an unbeaten 39 from 24 balls as Hurricanes chased down the target of 75 with an over to spare.It was an impressive bounce back from Hurricanes, who suffered two big losses against Perth Scorchers to start the season.Strikers were left to rue Danielle Gibson dropping Villani with a regulation chance at midwicket on the second ball of the innings. Villani made them pay instantly with a couple of boundaries off legspinner Anesu Mushangwe.It wasn’t long before opener Lizelle Lee found her range with a trio of sixes in the space of four deliveries. Her purple patch ended when Lee was bowled by offspinner Georgia Adams, but Villani was in command as Hurricanes inched closer.They lost Bryony Smith and Heather Graham, but consecutive boundaries off thick outside edges from Ruth Johnston got the Hurricanes over the line.There were fears of a washout with rain persistent throughout the day in Brisbane, but the match finally got underway almost two hours after schedule.Hurricanes elected to bowl in the gloomy conditions and were confronted by an aggressive Katie Mack, who was looking to bludgeon almost every delivery to the boundary.She succeeded in whacking offspinner Molly Strano for successive boundaries in the opening over, but it wasn’t easy with the ball coming off the wicket slowly and the outfield wet.Hurricanes started disastrously when legspinner Amy Smith dropped a return catch when opener Laura Wolvaardt was on six. After a slow start, tied down by Smith’s looping leg breaks, Wolvaardt smashed a six over deep midwicket to ignite Strikers.After struggling to hit boundaries square of the wicket, the openers sought an inventive approach with Wolvaardt clearing her leg to conjure several effective slogs as they plundered 26 runs across the fifth and sixth overs.Just when Strikers had the momentum, they were shackled at the death with quick Shabnim Ismail cleverly changing her pace and bowling into the wicket. A desperate Strikers went for broke with Mack run-out after turning back for an unlikely second run.They finished on a high with a Wolvaardt boundary but the total ultimately was not enough, with the last two overs bringing just 15, as Strikers’ title defence has started with two defeats from their opening four games.
The fans were ecstatic when the goal-scoring icon bought the club in September 2018 but now they can't wait for him to leave
After a dramatic but draining draw with European rivals Inter on Wednesday night, Barcelona return to domestic action this weekend when they take on Real Valladolid on Saturday evening. Victory is imperative for La Liga's leaders, who are starting to feel the effects of playing nearly every four days since the start of the season, as they look to maintain their four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid going into a crucial Clasico at Montjuic on May 11.
However, Barcelona really couldn't have picked a better team to play in the middle of an already-epic Champions League semi-final tie with Inter. Real Valladolid aren't just bad; they're historically bad, having been relegated from the Spanish top flight with a record-breaking five rounds remaining. They're also a club in complete crisis. Indeed, things are going so badly on the field because the situation is so dire off it.
It wasn't meant to be like this, of course, not with a footballing icon for a president. Ronaldo promised to have Valladolid fighting for Champions League qualification by now; instead, they're once again heading back to the second division. Consequently, the calls for the Brazilian to "go home" have only intensified the longer the season has gone on and another mass protest is expected at the Jose Zorrilla on Saturday.
So, how did it come to this? How did one of the game's most beloved characters become such a figure of hate at Valladolid? GOAL explains all below…
'Ronaldo puts Valladolid on the map'
"Today begins a new era for Real Valladolid," then-president Carlos Suarez said on September 3, 2018 – and it certainly felt that way at the time.
Suarez had just sold his 52 percent stake in the club to Ronaldo, a living legend respected and revered throughout the footballing world for his sensational exploits as a player with the likes of Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid and Brazil.
So, when he said that the World Cup winner's arrival at the Zorrilla "puts Valladolid on the map", he had a point. Unfortunately for Suarez, his faith in Ronaldo's ability to help "the club take a leap forward in quality" proved sadly misguided.
Advertisement
AFP
'Football is a passion for me'
In fairness to Suarez, Ronaldo talked a good game. He initially appeared fully committed to his new business venture.
"I assure you that you will find me to be a lover of Castilla-Leon, Valladolid and Real Valladolid," he told reporters immediately after his €30 million (£26m/$34m) takeover.
"We want to consolidate the club in the top flight and continue building from there. Indeed, [the project] will not stop because we want to grow as much as we can possibly imagine.
"This new management will be defined by four words: competitiveness, transparency, revolution and social. I have gone through many stages in my training in football to prepare for this, and football is a passion for me."
Over the past couple of years, though, Ronaldo seems to have lost nearly all interest in Valladolid.
Getty Images Sport
Questions over competency and commitment
The early signs had been encouraging. Ronaldo met with various local groups and organisations, while he even broke bread with supporter groups.
The feeling was during those first couple of years that Ronaldo wanted to establish a close connection with not just the club but also the community.
He wasn't merely relying on his time as a player to get by in the world of football administration either. Ronaldo had studied sports management and sports marketing after bringing the curtain down on his illustrious playing career, while he had already made several other relatively successful forays into entertainment, property, marketing, motorsports and even esports.
Consequently, he was supremely confident in his ability to turn Valladolid into one of the best teams in Spain.
“If we can establish ourselves in the Primera Division, restructure the club and make all the investments we’re planning, in five years the normal thing would be for us to be battling for Champions League qualification,” Ronaldo said at the World Football Summit in September 2019. "That might be scary at the moment, but why not think big?"
However, Valladolid remained a yo-yo club, bobbing between Spain's first and second divisions, and, after they were relegated for a second time in three seasons on Ronaldo's watch, in 2023, legitimate questions were being asked about his business acumen, as well as the competency and commitment of those he had entrusted with the responsibility of running the club.
Getty Images Sport
Ronaldo vs The Radicals
The decision to change the club's crest certainly suggested that Ronaldo and his right-hand men were completely out of touch with the feelings of the fans.
Ronaldo argued that it was just "a few hundred radicals who were refusing to change, evolution, and a look toward the future" and that "every time they chant to return to the old crest, the vast majority of the stadium boos them."
"Valladolid's fans are much larger than hundreds of radicals who make a lot of noise," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by in June 2023. "But if you look at the overall situation, we have a 91% approval rating, and I don't see any disaffection with the fans or the city. Every time I come here, I walk through the streets and feel the affection and respect of the city's fans, and this gives me more and more strength.
"It's true that in today's world there are radicals for all kinds of causes, but we operate by listening to the people, by engaging in dialogue.
"Also, the same radicals ask us for money to buy flags, to buy things to finance their activities in the stands. And many times when we say no, there's a reaction in the form of criticism. So, it's not because we've changed the crest that they're protesting; it's because they may not have the benefits they had before.
"But we don't have to think about a group of radicals. We have to think about all the fans."
However, it really wasn't just the radicals or ultras that were upset; the vast majority of the club's fans were against the move, and losing faith in Ronaldo as a result.
It was clear from the start that his purchase hadn't been motivated by any deep love for the club – Ronaldo had explored the possibility of buying a team in England or the United States before focusing on Spain because it was the "more affordable option".
The fans nonetheless felt he didn't put enough people in senior roles that at least had an understanding of Valladolid and La Liga in general, with the former Ballon d'Or winner preferring instead to hire people with whom he had either previously played or worked.
England captain enjoying extended Lightning stint despite scratchy recent form
ECB Reporters Network05-Jun-2023From the bright lights of the IPL to the ‘Kiss Me Quick’ hats of Blackpool, Jos Buttler is set for quite the scenery change on Wednesday when he plays his first home match of the summer for Lancashire in the Vitality Blast against Worcestershire at Stanley Park.England men’s limited-overs captain Buttler is in the early stages of a 10-group game run in Lightning colours. His first was Thursday’s Roses defeat at Headingley, and he will feature in five home games between now and July 2 – the other four at Emirates Old Trafford.Buttler, fresh from two months at the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, has been with Lancashire for the past week and a half, training at Chester Boughton Hall before away matches at Yorkshire, Durham and Notts.”It’s been so nice to go and train at Chester after being in the IPL with all the razzmatazz and pressure, to almost go back to where you started your career,” he said. “Club cricket has been such a big part of my development, it makes you feel quite comfortable and for it to just be about the cricket.Related
Buttler's Lancashire homecoming not going to plan as Durham prevail
Get Carter! Spinner bounces back to extend Lancashire's losing run
“Being able to take some of our games to outgrounds such as Blackpool, it’s great for the county. It will be a bit different [than the last couple of months at the IPL]. But if it was the same every time, you’d get bored of it maybe. I’m really looking forward it.”After Thursday’s Roses game, in which Buttler scored 1 opening the batting, Yorkshire captain Shan Masood said Lancashire’s team for the Blast “could be an international side”. Buttler is joined in the squad by Colin de Grandhomme, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Daryl Mitchell, Matthew Parkinson, Phil Salt and Luke Wood.It begs the question of how the Red Rose compare to an IPL team?”It’s a tough question,” Buttler said. “There are limitations in terms of county cricket compared to IPL. You get the four overseas players over there, for example. But I certainly think we have a very strong team for this competition.”There’s lots of international experience and some really talented guys who are on the cusp of pushing. We also have some experienced guys from around the franchise world. We have a nice blend of guys, and we should go well in the competition.”It is amazing to think that this coming September it will be 10 years since Buttler signed for Lancashire from home county Somerset in search of greater opportunities. At the time, Craig Kieswetter was preferred behind the stumps at Taunton.”That makes me feel a bit old,” smiled the 32-year-old. “It is a long time, but it feels like it’s gone very fast. You look back at 10 years and my evolution as a player, the constant desire to improve and get better.”There have obviously been different parts of that, trying to make the best of it in red-ball cricket and Test matches. Very much now, I’d say there’s a big focus on white-ball cricket and being captain of the [England] white-ball team.”It’s been a great journey and a development of my game over time. There’s still some very similar bits in there, but hopefully there’s plenty more to come. I came here with ambitions to really push on and kick-start an international career. It’s been a fantastic journey, and the club have been so supportive.”I’ve been in and out and not been around as much, but the support has been fantastic. I’ve had a brilliant time at the club, and I’m really looking forward to playing a nice block of games and be part of a really strong side. Hopefully we can have a good competition.”Given the strength of Lancashire’s team across the two decades of Blast cricket, it is a huge surprise that the county have only won the title once – in 2015, when Buttler was in the team. The likes of Andrew Flintoff have played, Muttiah Muralitharan, the late Andrew Symonds, Stuart Law – the list goes on.Buttler is one of those who can’t really believe that statistic: “No, not really – for the strength of the squads and teams we’ve had and the stature of the club,” he added. “Teams such as Lancashire should be competing and winning. Overall, we’ve won the most T20 games [in England]. But it’s about winning the finals.”We’ve got a good team again this year, and – as I say – I expect us to push hard for that trophy.”
NFL legend Tom Brady is eyeing an ambitious transfer swoop as he bids to see his Birmingham City side promoted to the Premier League.
Birmingham aiming for the Premier LeagueTargeting ambitious signingsHave made unbeaten start to seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Birmingham were promoted to the Championship last season after beating Wrexham to the League One title and are now just one rung below the dreamland of the Premier League. The Blues have now made a move to bring Premier League experience to the club in the shape of former Liverpool and Arsenal star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to the . The midfielder is currently still with Turkish side Besiktas but is open to a return to English football.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Oxlade-Chamberlain has already been tipped to leave Besiktas this summer on a free transfer as he is not part of the club's plans for the future. Leeds United have also been linked with a move for the 32-year-old, following their return to the Premier League, but Birmingham may also be a tempting choice for the former England international as they bid to return to the top flight.
DID YOU KNOW?
Birmingham have already been busy this summer in the transfer market, bringing in a host of players including Demarai Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi and Marvin Ducksch.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM?
Birmingham have opened up with four points from six at the start of the Championship season. The Blues are back in action on Saturday against Oxford United.
First and foremost, Newcastle United have no pressing concerns relating to finances and the ever-ominous profit and sustainability rules in the Premier League.
Furthermore, technical director Ross Wilson is now settled into his chair in the St. James’ Park offices, and have formed a good early relationship with Eddie Howe as they look to tackle key areas of the squad.
Now is the time for action. It’s been a wobbly start to the season after a summer of upheaval, but United are beginning to show green shoots in their bid to cement themselves as Champions League contenders and a multi-trophy-winning outfit.
Defensive positions are being examined, but with Joelinton’s form lacking in stages this season, Howe wants a new midfielder.
The question on everyone’s lips: Will it be Elliot Anderson?
Newcastle chasing elite midfielder
Howe spoke at the start of October about his desire to bring Anderson back home. The 23-year-old was sold to Nottingham Forest in 2024 and he has since become a top-class midfielder. It was not a happy sale for the Magpies, whose hand was forced by PSR.
Now, United want him back. The problem? Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen, and the Tricky Trees have priced their gem in excess of £100m.
This is a superstar in the making. Already, he is ranking favourably against the likes of Sandro Tonali in the Newcastle midfield; the Italian is widely regarded as one of the best in the Premier League.
If Newcastle are fruitless in their bid to sign Anderson, they could do worse than fall back on Scott McTominay, who was named the Serie A MVP last season after leading Napoli to the Scudetto.
As per Chronicle Live, McTominay is reportedly unsettled in Naples and is considering a return to the Premier League. Newcastle would be right there, offering the Scotland star a chance to take his career to the next level.
Valued at £70m, McTominay, 28, will not be short of suitors in 2026, but sources close to the player suggest that he would be open to moving to Tyneside and working under Howe’s stewardship.
What McTominay would offer Newcastle
It’s a testament to McTominay’s meteoric rise in Italy that had Newcastle signed him from Manchester United, it would have been a move met with indifference.
But now, he is revered as a hero for both club and country, 18th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings and regarded as a “true superstar of European and world football”, as said by content creator Adam Joseph.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær, his former boss at Old Trafford, also hailed him as a “physical monster” once, and this is why McTominay could be such an interesting Anderson alternative.
He is capable of show-stopping moments, but the Tartan Army hero also has the athleticism and defensive attributes to dovetail right into Howe’s engine room.
His high duel success bespeaks his tenacity, and his eye for goal makes him an intriguing option to place just ahead of Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, both elegant and combative players with excellent passing ranges, sure to pick out the Napoli star’s surges into the danger area.
Matches (starts)
37 (33)
34 (33)
Goals
2
12
Assists
6
4
Touches*
54.2
43.1
Accurate passes*
28.7 (82%)
22.7 (85%)
Chances created*
1.0
0.8
Dribbles*
1.0
1.1
Ball recoveries*
5.6
4.2
Tackles + interceptions*
2.5
2.0
Duels (won)*
6.5
6.1
Anderson has since raised his level, but McTominay has hardly regressed himself, instrumental in a title-defending Napoli team that trail first-placed AC Milan this season by only a single point.
There is a winning mentality about McTominay that Newcastle need to take their project to the next level, and while the 23-year-old Anderson would be a fantastic addition, this would provide Howe with the instant effect he and his team need.
Newcastle need a new midfielder, and that won’t change. Either of these stars would mark stunning acquisitions.
He wants to leave: PIF must sell Newcastle's "poor man's Haaland"
Newcastle United must cash in on this player who reportedly wants to move on from the club in January.