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A look at eight Indian performances that stood out more than the others in the all-format series sweep in the Caribbean

Aishwarya Kumar in Kingston03-Sep-20191. Navdeep Saini’s 3 for 17, 1st T20I, LauderhillSaini is an easy pick on this list. In his first over in international cricket, he took out Nicholas Pooran with a short ball that took the top edge, and next ball he dismissed Shimron Hetmyer as the batsman played on. A neat spell was rounded off with the lbw of Kieron Pollard. The 26-year-old tearaway ended with 3 for 17, helping stop West Indies at 95 for 9 and set up a four-wicket win.2. Deepak Chahar’s 3 for 4, 3rd T20I, ProvidenceIt was like geometry, a medium-pace bowler forming perfect arcs with the ball in the air. First to Evin Lewis, then to Hetmyer, Chahar went outside off and then get the ball to shape in sharply, stay low, and hit the pad. On both occasions, it was plumb. Wickets two and three for Chahar, after he had dismissed Sunil Narine in the second over of the innings. He ended the match with 3-1-4-3 – Man-of-the-Match stuff, in a seven-wicket win.3. Virat Kohli’s 120 off 125 balls, 2nd ODI, Port of SpainKohli’s 42nd ODI century, celebrated with a big smile and, in case you didn’t know who he was, a lot of pointing to his name on the back of his jersey. It had sweet flicks, a few cheeky steers – and edges too – and some incredible drives. It was also the innings that took Kohli past Sourav Ganguly’s ODI run-tally, leaving him only behind Sachin Tendulkar’s mark among Indians. Not to forget his partnership with young Shreyas Iyer. The pair added 125 for the fourth wicket, with Iyer scoring a 68-ball 71 to take India to a respectable 279. Bhuvneshar Kumar’s four-for then finished West Indies off for 210.4. Shreyas Iyer’s 65 off 41 balls, 3rd ODI, Port-of-SpainKohli confessed to being reminded of his own early years when he watched Iyer bat in the third and final ODI of the series. His 41-ball 65 followed an important half-century in the second ODI, and in both games, he added century stands with Kohli. With India trying to figure out the upper-middle order in ODIs, Iyer could become a “strong contender and a regular feature,” Kohli said.Ajinkya Rahane drives down the ground•Getty Images5. Ajinkya Rahane, 102, 1st Test, AntiguaAugust 3, 2017 to August 25, 2019 – that’s how long it took Ajinkya Rahane to get from nine Test centuries to ten. The hundred in Antigua, in the second dig, was an excellent one, but it wasn’t his only contribution to India’s win. In the first innings, Rahane came out to bat with India at 25 for 3 and his patient 81 gave them solidity before a half-century from Ravindra Jadeja pushed them to 297. In the second innings, he came in at 187 for 4, with India looking to turn their 75-run lead into an insurmountable target. Rahane took 235 balls to get to the century, and finished on 102 – all the work, all the processes had finally paid off.6. Jasprit Bumrah, 5 for 7, 1st Test, AntiguaHe brought a new weapon out in the first Test, regardless of whether he was bowling to a right-hander or a left-hander. Bumrah forced the batsmen to commit to play the angle against his fast deliveries that moved appreciably. Both John Campbell and Darren Bravo, left-hand batsmen, misjudged the movement and had their stumps scattered. This, after a wide outswinger had Brathwaite edging uncertainly behind the stumps. Bumrah then went on to dismiss Shai Hope and Jason Holder with full balls around off, both swinging away from the right-hand batsmen just enough on to hit the off stump. By the time he was done with his spell, West Indies were 37 for 7 in a chase of 419 and eventually stuttered to a 318-run defeat.7. Hanuma Vihari, 111, 2nd Test, JamaicaVihari’s innings at Sabina Park was a mature one, especially for someone who had played only five Tests before this. As he had done previously in the series, he walked into a tricky situation. India were 164 for 4, having been put in to bat, and needed someone to build an innings and shepherd the lower order. That’s exactly what Vihari did, even putting up a century partnership with Ishant Sharma, who scored his first half-century in Test cricket. Thanks to Vihari and Ishant’s efforts, India, who would have been happy with 350 at one point, ended with 416.8. Jasprit Bumrah, 6 for 27, including a hat-trick 2nd Test, JamaicaA length ball swinging away from the middle stump. Darren Bravo edges it to second slip. Caught.Another length ball swings in from outside off. Shamarh Brooks looks to go across the line and is trapped in front of middle stump. Lbw.A full inswinger that raps Roston Chase above the toe, in front of middle stump. Bumrah doesn’t even appeal. Kohli yells, “There was no bat on that”. Review. Lbw. Hat-trick. Bumrah stares in disbelief, his hands on his mouth. He becomes only the third Indian bowler, after Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan, to claim a Test hat-trick.It was the ninth over of West Indies’ first innings after Vihari and Ishant had played their parts so well. Bumrah’s was the kind of effort that has Kohli screaming “what a bowler, man” from behind the stumps. What a bowler, indeed! Just 12 Test matches, a five-for in every country he has played in, a Test hat-trick, a series haul of 13 in four innings.

Will their suspension be lifted? What of their funding and future participation in ICC events? Here’s an explainer

Firdose Moonda11-Oct-2019The status of Zimbabwe’s Full Membership with the ICC might become clear during the board meeting of the game’s governing body in Dubai next week.Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) was suspended in July after the ICC deemed that there was government interference in the running of the board, which had been stood down by the country’s Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), a body tasked to regulate sporting organisations in the country.The suspension has left ZC without ICC funding – they were due to receive US $94 million over eight years – and their national teams are currently excluded from ICC events. However, with their status likely to be reviewed, a proper picture of their immediate future will emerge soon. Here’s a brief explainer:What are the potential outcomes for ZC?
The best case for ZC would be its reinstatement as a Full Member. If the ICC is still concerned about ZC’s governance, it could opt for a reinstatement with conditions. If the governing body deems ZC hasn’t met the requirements, it could remain suspended. The worst-case scenario remains having their membership terminated.ALSO READ: Liam Brickhill: Please don’t let this be the death of Zimbabwe CricketWhat did ZC need to do for their suspension to be lifted?
In a letter on July 24, the ICC asked ZC to “unconditionally reinstate” the board that was stood down by the SRC no later than October 8 and provide “satisfactory evidence” that ZC will “administer its affairs free of external interference and influence”.Has ZC met these requirements?
It claims to have done so.On August 8, three weeks after ZC was suspended, the SRC stated that it had lifted the suspension and that the interim manager they had put in place – former ZC chairman Dave Ellman-Brown – “would cease to be responsible for ZC’s affairs”. The board, chaired by Tavengwa Mukuhlani, has been reinstated since then, which meets the ICC’s first requirement.This is what a ZC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo: “The SRC has made an undertaking not to interfere in the affairs of ZC, and ZC has furnished this correspondence to ICC.” It’s now up to the governing body to decide if this correspondence is enough evidence to guarantee the ZC’s independence.Does this mean that ZC is now run properly?
What it mean is that an SRC-appointed board – one that included a number of names many consider to be credible – will not be running ZC. Mukuhlani’s board is back in charge, the same one that has overseen several years of financial and administrative crisis, including multiple player strikes.What will lifting the suspension mean for Zimbabwe’s cricketers?
This much is certain: it’s too late for them to participate in the T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Dubai (from October 28), where Nigeria have replaced them. They could, however, feature in the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in January-February 2020 if ZC is reinstated.Will their home series against West Indies later this month go ahead, irrespective of ICC’s decision?
No. The visit was due to take place around the time of the T20 World Cup Qualifiers, which Zimbabwe would have been a part of. So the series stands postponed and new dates are yet to be worked out.What will lifting the suspension mean for ZC as an organisation?
For starters, it will start receiving ICC funding again. For an organisation steeped in debt, in a country with a struggling economy, money is a lifeblood. It could finance the Zimbabwean domestic season, renewal of player and staff contracts, and maybe even fund an incoming tour. Whether ZC will be able to satisfactorily manage and stretch that money remains to be seen. At the non-monetary level, reinstatement will also give ZC its ICC voting rights back.

Lack of big names continue to affect attendance at the Bangladesh Premier League

Mohammad Isam05-Jan-2020Rajshahi, Chattogram confirm playoff berths
Rajshahi Royals’ convincing wins over Rangpur Rangers and Sylhet helped them book a place in the playoffs with six days in hand, while Chattogram Challengers, with their six-wicket win over Khulna Tigers, also cemented their spot in the final four.Andre Russell’s fitness situation, however, should worry Rajshahi – he has missed their last two games because of an injury. Chattogram, too, have their captain Mahmudullah on the injury list, but both of them are likely to return to action in Dhaka after January 7.Who will join Chattogram and Rajshahi in the playoffs is the question now. Dhaka Platoon are in third place and look primed to get there, but Khulna losing their last two games has given Cumilla Warriors, whose fourth win was after the Super Over against Sylhet, some hope. Rangpur are also not out of the race completely – they must win their remaining games and hope for other results to go their way.Where are the promised legspinners?
Alok Kapali’s six wickets at an average of 21.83 is the best by a legspinner in the BPL so far. That speaks volume of the veteran’s fitness and desire, but is also a comment on the BCB’s stance of leggies.Months ahead of this year’s BPL, board president Nazmul Hassan had stressed that all teams must field legspinners, as well as genuine fast bowlers. The BCB had also spoken about promoting young legspinners Aminul Islam, Rishad Hossain and Minhajul Abedin Afridi, while Jubair Hossain, who last played for Bangladesh five years ago, was also given a BPL team. But of them, only Aminul has picked up any wickets – two – taken two wickets while Afridi and Rishad have bowled three overs between them; Jubair hasn’t played a single game yet.Ebadot Hossain sends off a batsman•Raton Gomes/BCBBatsman of the week
Afif Hossain and Liton Das have formed the BPL’s most prolific partnership this season, putting together six 50-plus opening partnerships for Rajshahi. They are by far the best batting pair, with the next best – Khulna’s Mushfiqur Rahim and Rilee Rossouw – 152 runs behind them.Afif and Liton have added 432 runs in nine innings so far, both looking in prime form. Afif in particular has looked like someone the Bangladesh selectors can bank on in the upcoming T20Is against Pakistan.Bowler of the week
Hasan Mahmud became the fourth Bangladeshi pace bowler to pick up a four-wicket haul in this season’s BPL as his 4 for 32 worked through Khulna in Sylhet. It was a superb bowling performance from the youngster who is touted for big things by many scouts and coaches in Bangladesh.The highlights of the 20-year-old performance against Khulna were the deliveries to remove Rossouw and Robbie Frylinck. Against the left-handed Rossouw, Mahmud got the ball to jump off a fullish length and catch the outside edge. He then got the ball to swerve in quickly to bowl Frylinck. The four-for was in the bag when he took the prized wicket of Mushfiqur with a low full-toss.

Andrew Strauss’s axing of England’s veteran pairing is a message to the entire Test set-up

Andrew Miller08-Feb-2022And there we were all thinking, the response to another Ashes train-wreck had been just a little bit … meh.At no stage of the winter just gone had there been any sense that an alternative narrative was there to be grasped; from the moment that Rory Burns’ stumps were splattered at Brisbane, there was not even a fleeting flicker of hope that England had any residual control over their destiny.And so, after just another bog-standard beating in Australia, out the ECB had trotted with a seemingly bog-standard response: the sacking of a coach who had been thrown in over his head, and the execution of the executive who had set him up for that failure. A cigar-chewing assistant then made it a trio of sacrifices in as many days – and that, quite conceivably, could have been that. A sufficiency of blood-letting to meet the needs of the news cycle, then swiftly onwards to the next big date in England’s never-relenting diary.It turns out that Andrew Strauss had alternative plans, and not for the first time in his iron-fisted role as England’s maker-of-stuff-to-happen. “Red-ball reset”, you say? Coming right up – here comes the only man at the ECB with the spine to stand up his platitudes, and this time he’s delivered with the most extraordinary bonfire of vanities this side of the central contracts era.It’s hard to recall a more ruthless cull of England’s red-ball ranks since the turn of the millennium. The fall-out from the 2013-14 Ashes was every bit as gory, of course, though less startling, given that the dismantling of a great England team had already taken place on the field, rather than in the selection committee. Aside from the thorny issue of Kevin Pietersen, there wasn’t much left to be decided where the likes of Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann were concerned, let alone Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin.This time, however, you’d arguably have to rewind to Graham Gooch’s legendary tour of the Caribbean in 1989-90 for a comparable headline shock – the binning-off of two all-time England legends (for James Anderson and Stuart Broad now, read David Gower and Ian Botham then), and the investment in a gang of impressionable rookies, charged with nothing more complicated than looking to the example of their captain for clues as to how to seed their own revivals.Related

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“[The players] have the best possible example right there with them in the dressing room in Joe Root, in terms of what world-class performance looks like,” Strauss said at Lord’s last week, in perhaps the first real attempt to frame Root’s otherwise questionable leadership credentials in unequivocally positive terms. “That has to be their ambition, to reach that level of performance.”Strauss has previous in this regard of course – specifically where the two most totemic men in his sights are concerned. Back in the spring of 2015, in his first incarnation as director of cricket, Strauss followed up his dismissal of Peter Moores as head coach by backing the incumbent captain, Eoin Morgan, and sanctioning an ODI squad to face New Zealand that had neither Anderson nor Broad in its ranks … nor Gary Ballance, Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell, to name the other men who never played in coloured clothes again after that winter’s abject World Cup showing.It just so happens that the white-ball squad never looked back after that – and that’s a precedent that won’t have been lost on Strauss either, as he banks on a similar shock to the red-ball system providing equally tangible short-term gains.When asked last week about the message that Silverwood’s sacking would send, Strauss had hinted that he was only just getting started on the unleashing of ructions within the squad. Throughout the Ashes, England’s previous management had been broadly protective of their team’s on-field failings, citing bubble fatigue and rain-wrecked build-ups, rather than address the huge technical shortcomings that had allowed Australia to run riot in the key moments, and prevent their opponents from reaching 300 in any one of their ten innings of the series.Stuart Broad and James Anderson discuss bowling plans•Getty Images”You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see performances have been poor for the last 12 months,” Strauss said. “Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves. The players have to … get better. International cricket is a tough old gig and you have to have resilience, toughness, you have to want it.”And so, the question has been posed to every man in the squad – directly through the ditching of eight men who featured in the Ashes, and indirectly through the retention of a select few whose places will now be challenged by the likes of Alex Lees and Saqib Mahmood. Do you want it? Genuinely?On the face of it, Strauss appears to have asked the right question of the wrong two people. Of all the myriad failures during the Ashes, the contributions of two veteran seamers who averaged 23 and 26 respectively would appear to be low on the list. And yet, there was a sense in the course of the Ashes – most particularly after the Adelaide defeat, when Root complained publicly about the defensive lengths that his senior pairing had bowled, but again at Sydney, when Broad’s refreshing but condemnatory monologue laid the squad’s failings straight back at the door of the batters – that the captain’s view of the campaign didn’t entirely chime with the views of his key lieutenants.Either way, the irony of the situation will not be lost on Anderson and Broad, for their pre-eminence as a pairing has scarcely been challenged for 14 mighty years – ever since the famous moment at Wellington in 2008, when the same question was posed to their own new-ball forebears, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard.It’s already been made clear by the ECB that this does not need to be the end of the line for either man. Indeed, history shows that that moment of baton-passing at the Basin Reserve was not the final sign-off for Harmison – he flitted about the margins for another 18 months before bowing out in glory with England’s Ashes recapture at The Oval. Hoggard, however, never played again, despite having seemed the only seamer still at the races on that Ashes whitewash the previous winter. The end for elite sportsmen, just like politicians, tends to be swift, surprising and distinctly unglamorous compared to the status they had previously taken for granted.So, here we go then, with the question that may come to define the summer of 2022, and by proxy, England’s fortunes therein. Do England’s most garlanded fast bowlers genuinely retain the hunger to redouble their efforts in the early weeks of the English season, and rip back that shirt that has been so unjustly swiped from them? Or is this a cunning display of bluff-calling from Strauss – a team-mate who went through his own moment of reckoning on that quietly seminal New Zealand tour, and a captain who knows better than anyone what this pairing’s pomp was truly like, as they led the push to England’s No.1 Test ranking way back in 2011.The easy option would be to retire and soak up the plaudits for two of cricket’s most remarkable careers, but that of course is precisely the point. If anyone is expecting to be able to take the easy option for England, at this abject juncture of their Test-match story, then there’s no point in coming on board.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have now joined the race for a “top” player who legendary striker Didier Drogba is a huge fan of, but there could be competition for his signature from a number of rival Premier League clubs, according to a report.

Wolves' summer transfer plans

At one stage in the campaign, relegation from the Premier League was a very real threat, but Vitor Pereira has managed to steer Wolves clear of the bottom three, with the gap widening to 12 points after the 2-1 victory at Ipswich Town last time out.

The job may not be done mathematically, but Pereira can now start to look ahead to the summer transfer window, and the manager will be aiming to bring in players capable of helping his side push much further up the table next season.

Amid doubts over Matheus Cunha’s future, bringing in a new goal threat may be of key significance to Pereira, and a move for FC Twente attacking midfielder Sem Steijn is now being plotted, with the 23-year-old scoring a remarkable 27 goals this season.

£10m Wolves player who Pereira has praised now wants to leave Molineux

He could be on the way out.

By
Charlie Smith

Apr 9, 2025

Not only could the Old Gold look to bolster their attacking options, but there are now suggestions they could bring in a new goalkeeper, with a report from Football Insider revealing they are now checking on Angers’ Yahia Fofana.

Fofana is said to be viewed as one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe, given his impressive performances in Ligue 1 this season, which have led to interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United and Brentford also keen.

Not only that, but former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is a big fan of the goalkeeper, having previously convinced him to play internationally for the Ivory Coast, rather than France, the country of his birth.

Despite the level of his performances this season, the 24-year-old could be available for the bargain fee of just £15m this summer, potentially making the goalkeeper an even more attractive option for Wolves.

Fofana lauded as a "top" goalkeeper

Drogba is not the only person who admires the Angers shot-stopper, with football scout Ben Mattinson singling him out for praise back in February.

Despite his side losing 1-0 against Paris Saint-Germain last time out, the 6 foot 4 colossus was one of the best players on the pitch, preventing 1.64 goals and making two big saves to keep his side in the game.

Jose Sa has received heavy criticism at times this season, with Jamie Carragher particularly scathing in his review of the 32-year-old’s performances, and Fofana’s displays in Ligue 1 indicate he could be a fantastic long-term replacement.

Nottingham Forest strengthened their case to secure a spot in the Champions League for next season by beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Monday night.

The Tricky Trees picked up all three points to move up to third in the division, above the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, thanks to goals from Elliot Anderson and Chris Wood.

Whilst the usual stars were performing for Nuno Espirito Santo, including the two goalscorers, there was a surprise performance from the rarely-seen Harry Toffolo at left-back.

Harry Toffolo's surprise performance against Spurs

The English defender was named in the starting XI for the first time in the Premier League this season, having mainly been an unused substitute, and stepped up to produce a fantastic display in a huge match.

Toffolo’s best moment of the game came in the second half when his mind-boggling clearance off the line prevented what looked like a certain goal for Dejan Kulusevski, which would have brought Spurs back in the game with plenty of time still to play.

The former Norwich full-back also made two blocks, three tackles, and one interception down the left flank to keep the home team at bay, and secure a big win for Forest.

He has seemingly revived his career at the City Ground, given his complete lack of starts prior to the game, and Nuno could repeat the blinder he just played with Toffolo by reviving Ramon Sosa’s career at the club.

Why Santo should unleash Ramon Sosa

The forward played one minute off the bench against Spurs in his 16th cameo of the season, coming off the bench in 16 of his 17 appearances in the division.

Sosa, who Ross Wilson described as a “coveted” player last summer, could make a surprise impact in the final few games of the season, reviving his career at the club in the process, if the manager is willing to hit the jackpot by unleashing from the start in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old attacker joined from Talleres last year after a run of impressive performances in the Copa de la Liga Profesional during the first half of 2024.

As you can see in the table above, Sosa displayed his quality at the top end of the pitch with goals, assists, ‘big chances’ created, and by constantly dribbling past opposition players.

That quality was also on display in a rare start in the FA Cup against Luton, when the forward scored and produced an assist, creating one ‘big chance’, in a 2-1 win back in January, which shows that he does have the potential to translate his form over to English football.

It is now down to Nuno to provide Sosa with enough opportunities on the pitch in the coming weeks to make him his secret weapon in the push for the Champions League places, reviving the attacker’s career at the City Ground and hitting gold in the process.

Nottingham Forest star who "defied physics" was even better than Elanga

The Nottingham Forest star who was even better than Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 22, 2025

Everton boss David Moyes will no doubt have one eye on the summer transfer window as the 2024/25 campaign reaches the last knockings.

Though a deep-rooted defensive understanding remained, Everton were almost formless in the final days of Sean Dyche’s tenure, rudderless.

But a now snapped nine-match unbeaten run in the league and some signs of exciting attacking play, togetherness, highlight the turning of a corner, threaded together by the uplifting completion of The Friedkin Group’s takeover from erstwhile chairman Farhad Moshiri.

With a lionised figure back in the dugout, the club’s identity has been restored. However, not every player has proved themselves worthy of a place at Bramley Moore next season. Some ties need to be cut.

The Everton players who need to go

You could field a starting line-up and leave four men on the bench, with the number of Everton players approaching the end of their contracts.

Some are more expendable than others. For example, centre-back Michael Keane, who reportedly earns £80k per week, is being shown the exit, having featured nominally in recent seasons and impressed less still. Replacements are already being lined up.

Abdoulaye Doucoure still plays an important part, but he’s Everton’s highest-paid player and, aged 32, is no longer justifying his keep.

The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Idrissa Gueye could still be key figures under Moyes’ wing next season, with Gueye, who has been in fine fettle, touted for a renewal, but there are two other mainstays who have to be swiftly sold.

Everton's misfiring duo are now finished

Neither of the players in question is a permanent resident at Everton, but Jesper Lindstrom, on loan from Napoli, and Leeds United’s Jack Harrison have both played regular roles at the club this season.

However, Everton have been a tad blunt in attack and both players have been culpable of poor showings in front of goal, both directly and as more creative outlets.

Combined, the disappointing duo make up £140k of Everton’s weekly wage bill, with Harrison earning £90k per week, Lindstrom £50k.

Given that Harrison has just one goal and one assist apiece in the Premier League this term, across 28 appearances, while Lindstrom has yet to break his duck in England’s top flight, it’s hard to say either has coated themselves in glory, or even sufficiency.

This isn’t to completely discredit their value. Both wingers are industrious and have performed dutifully across the campaign. Both have shown signs of improvement since Moyes replaced Dyche.

But Everton are stepping into a new era, need shinier parts. With Dwight McNeil fit once again, you could argue that the ball specialist and Iliman Ndiaye both deserve starting berths, with one shifting onto the right flank.

Given that Doucoure or Charly Alcaraz will want to play centrally, and indeed Everton will invest further in attacking midfielders during the summer, the respective loanees may well be staring down the barrel on Merseyside.

Moyes is prepared to be ruthless this summer, but getting rid of Harrison and Lindstrom after such underwhelming campaigns would hardly be a brazen move.

With McNeil fit again, the loanees might find themselves further into the sliding morass as their final hour beckons.

Not just DCL: Everton's £55k-p/w "warrior" is finished & won't start again

Everton are set to undergo a series of changes in the transfer market this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 21, 2025

Rangers’ season continues to peter out.

On Saturday, after Celtic were officially crowned champions at Tannadice earlier in the day, the Gers were held to a 2-2 draw by St Mirren, with Cyriel Dessers and then Nicolas Raskin on target in Paisley.

This means, since the split was first introduced in 2000, the Light Blues have still never won all five post-split fixtures, but it matters not this time round, given that they are 17 points adrift the champions, out of all other competitions too, ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm derby at Ibrox.

So, the primary concern for Rangers supporters is who is going to be their new manager, especially considering next season will start early, given that they’ll enter the Champions League second qualifying round on 22/23 July, so could the new 49ers ownership group hire a “brilliant” boss?

Steven Gerrard's potential return to Rangers

As widely reported by Mark Pirie of the Daily Record, and many others, Steven Gerrard remains amongst the front-runners to return as Rangers manager this summer.

The Englishman has been out of work since being sacked by Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq in January, enduring a pretty underwhelming 18 months in the Middle East, winning only 19 of 55 matches.

Nevertheless, Gerrard’s record during his first spell in Glasgow is very impressive, as the table below outlines.

As the table outlines, Steven Gerrard is both Rangers’ longest-serving manager and also their only boss to deliver a top division league title since the legendary Walter Smith, departing with an impressive 65% win ratio after almost 200 matches.

Andrew Slaven of the Scottish Football Show believes it would be the populist appointment to re-hire Gerrard, but also posits whether or not Michael Beale could return as his assistant, having himself been, as described by former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, Rangers’ “worst ever” manager.

So, the new 49ers ownership group may choose to look elsewhere, so could they hire a soon-to-be out-of-work manager?

Rangers' potential new manager

On Easter Monday, following a 6-0 demolition of Stoke City, Leeds United were promoted back to the Premier League.

A 4-0 drubbing of Bristol City on Monday night took the Yorkshire giants’ points tally to 97, the most they’ve ever accumulated in a single season, and victory at almost already-relegated Plymouth Argyle on Saturday will see them clinch the EFL Championship title.

So why is this relevant to Rangers?

Well, despite achieving promotion, a report by Matt Hughes of the Guardian has suggested that Leeds are considering sacking manager Daniel Farke, due to concerns over his previous record in the Premier League. There are now whispers – perhaps unsurprisingly considering the 49ers’ link – that Farke could end up in the Ibrox hotseat instead.

So, let’s assess the German’s managerial record.

As the table shows, Daniel Farke is a bit of a Championship promotion specialist, possibly set to win the title for a third time, but his Premier League record is miserable, winning only six of 49 matches, holding the unwanted record of most successive Premier League defeats suffered by any manager, which is 15.

Nevertheless, Neil Warnock believes it would be ridiculous to sack Farke given that he has done a “brilliant job” this season, while Beren Cross of The Athletic notes that Leeds’ ‘senior players praised’ the manager’s style, giving them the ‘freedom’ to play.

Even Pep Guardiola described him as an “exceptional manager” during his time at Carrow Road.

Nevertheless, should he be dismissed, this is where Rangers come in.

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe is poised to become the new majority stakeholder at Rangers, so already has a working relationship with Farke, making any appointment potentially straightforward.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

What Farke has proved is that, when he’s in charge of one of the top teams in a division, he has thrived, possibly making him a more exciting appointment for Rangers than any potential Gerrard return.

Steinsson could hire 4-4-2 boss for Rangers who's a "level above Gerrard"

Rangers are looking for a new manager to take over this summer

By
Ross Kilvington

Apr 29, 2025

A recent report suggested that there are just four players deemed to be unsellable this summer at Manchester United, with almost the entire squad at risk of being shown the door, should a suitable offer arrive.

Unsurprisingly – despite recent interest from Saudi Arabia – talismanic captain, Bruno Fernandes is among that select quartet, with the 30-year-old only recently lauded as “one of the top players in the world” by compatriot, Ruben Amorim.

20-year-old wing-back Patrick Dorgu was also named, having only joined the club from Lecce in January, while man of the moment Harry Maguire appears to be another set to stay put, having been described as “perfect” for the 3-4-3 system by his manager.

The final name mentioned on that list was a player who only recently signed a new bumper contract extension, with Amad Diallo committing his future to the club until the summer of 2030.

Previously something of a bit-part player in previous regimes, the returning Ivorian now looks set to be front and centre under Amorim – and deservedly so.

Amad's record under Ten Hag vs under Amorim

There was a feeling that Amad’s chance would never come at Old Trafford, with the former Atalanta wonderkid having actually signed as far back as October 2020, before eventually arriving just a few months.

An inventive header against AC Milan on debut showcased a mere glimpse of why United had forked out an initial fee of £19m, albeit with the then-teenager going on to play just eight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s watch.

Sent out on loan to Rangers and then Sunderland, Amad’s subsequent return to the first-team squad was halted by injury on the pre-season tour in 2023, with Erik ten Hag seemingly hesitant to unleash the forward even when he was back to full fitness for the start of 2024.

While last season ended on a high with his first Premier League goal against Newcastle United, having netted the winner in the FA Cup thriller against Liverpool, he never seemingly earned the faith of the Dutchman, having again slipped behind Antony in the attacking pecking order prior to Ten Hag’s dismissal.

Reinvigorated during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell, which yielded two goals, the £120k-per-week winger has also been a shining light following Amorim’s arrival, having chalked up an assist from wing-back for the first goal of the Portuguese’s tenure against Ipswich Town.

High-profile goals have since followed against the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, alongside a blistering hat-trick against Southampton, with Sunday’s consolation strike against Brentford marking his 13th goal involvement in just 22 outings under the new boss.

Injury had hampered his progress between February and April, but fit and firing again, Amad will be crucial over the coming weeks, and potentially years.

That said, it is exciting to suggest that an even bigger attacking talent could be on their way to Manchester this summer…

Man Utd could sign an even bigger talent than Amad

The last year or so has marked a real rise for Amad in a United shirt, having stepped into the limelight and stayed there, seemingly unburdened by the pressures that have shackled far too many before him.

A refreshingly positive and front-foot player, the diminutive wideman is a talent that gets the crowd off their feet. The next challenge, however, is to find real consistency, particularly on the Premier League front.

That is a quality that reported summer target, Bryan Mbeumo has showcased in abundance, with the Cameroon international having enjoyed a simply stunning campaign for the Bees in 2024/25.

Recent reports have claimed that the Red Devils are eyeing a potential move for the £60m-rated sensation this summer, with interest also being shown in another shining top-flight talent, Matheus Cunha.

It is Mbeumo, however, who has eclipsed both Cunha and Amad – as indicated below – with the France-born speedster racking up 18 goals and six assists in the league this season. To put that into perspective, not even Marcus Rashford has reached 18 goals in a Premier League campaign in his career so far.

That record of 16 ‘big chances’ created also outlines just what a weapon Mbeumo has been under Thomas Frank, with not even United’s creative hub, Fernandes, able to better that tally (14), as per Sofascore.

There’s no denying that this has been by far Mbeumo’s best season since Brentford’s promotion, although that’s not to say he hasn’t impressed previously, having registered 67 goals and assists in 140 appearances in the competition – including 18 goals in 2022/23 and 2023/24 combined.

Amad, meanwhile, has just eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League to date – albeit from only 35 games – with Mbeumo something of the benchmark when it comes to the very best that the division has to offer.

Simply “unplayable” on his day, in the words of Frank, the former Troyes man would be a worthy option as a number nine, a number ten or even in a wing-back berth, with the potential there for him to emerge as United’s new attacking figurehead.

Dream for Bruno: Man Utd ready bid for £60m star who's "similar to Isak"

Man Utd could be set to supply Bruno Fernandes with an elite-level striker

By
Robbie Walls

May 7, 2025

Chelsea chiefs are expected to undergo another hectic summer window of incomings and outgoings, with many players set to be put on the transfer list by BlueCo and face uncertain futures.

Players expected to leave Chelsea this summer

It is perhaps a given that, barring any U-turns from Enzo Maresca, a plethora of loaned-out senior players in the form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Renato Veiga, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are all but set to quit Stamford Bridge.

£60m Premier League forward has spoken to friends about joining Chelsea

He’s apparently interested.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 21, 2025

BlueCo’s mountainous task ahead of June 1 is beginning to find new homes for all the surplus to requirement, out-of-favour members of Chelsea’s full to the brim squad list.

As things stand, they’re all set to return to Chelsea once their temporary spells elsewhere conclude, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell both commanding huge salaries and proving a drain on the club’s wage bill.

Chelsea will be especially keen to find new homes for the England international duo, and the same can be said for summer flop Joao Felix.

The Portuguese returned to west London in 2024 for around £45 million, with Cobham academy graduate Conor Gallagher heading the other way to Atlético Madrid in a separate deal.

However, since that ‘sort of’ swap deal was agreed, both players’ fortunes have contrasted significantly. While Gallagher has gone on to become a mainstay under Diego Simeone, making 46 appearances in all competitions and racking up nine goal contributions, Maresca has already deemed Felix an unwanted man just one season into his stay.

Felix was shipped off on loan to AC Milan in January, failing to impress at the San Siro, with the Rossoneri deciding long ago that they’re not interested in keeping the 24-year-old beyond this season (Fabrizio Romano).

Benfica working to re-sign Joao Felix from Chelsea

It seems pretty inevitable that Chelsea will attempt to rid themselves of Felix’s £130,000-per-week wages once he returns to Cobham.

This is echoed by Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo, and their journalist Manuel Pedrero, who provides an update on Felix’s precarious situation.

He writes that Felix is aware he’ll need to pack his bags and quit Chelsea this summer, and he could have a golden chance to return to his former club. Benfica are said to be working on bringing the attacking midfielder back home, with the Portuguese heavyweights viewed as his most credible next destination as things stand.

In an alternate universe, and one where Aston Villa had the financial capabilities to match his demands, Felix would be working under Unai Emery right now. The ex-Arsenal boss once confirmed that he couldn’t quite get him over the line at Villa Park before Chelsea swooped in, but does rate the forward very highly.

“He’s a special player and it was not totally impossible for us (to sign him), but he wanted to play for a team in the Champions League,” Emery said last year.

“We are realistic about how we can improve and how we can add players to improve our squad. He has a high salary and Chelsea paid a lot of money for that.

“I like him, but we were never really in the running for him. He can assist, score goals, drop deep to build up and he can play in the small spaces and drive into the box. He’s special.”