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Chelsea have just landed a seismic financial windfall after reaching the Club World Cup final, but the expectation remains that they’ll still need to sell a host of players.

Enzo Maresca’s side knocked Thiago Silva’s Fluminense out in the semi-finals on Tuesday evening, courtesy of a stunning brace from new signing Joao Pedro, who put on a sublime display in their 2-0 victory against his former side.

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Posts 2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 9, 2025

The win means that Chelsea are guaranteed to bank around £80 million from participating in the tournament, regardless of their next result, having reached the final with five wins from their total of six games played so far.

If Chelsea go on to win the whole thing, BlueCo will get a further £7.5 million – taking their total potential earnings closer to the £90 million mark.

“I am happy for the club,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s CWC prize money.

“But I don’t care, because when I prepare a game, I don’t prepare the game thinking if we win, we have more money. Because it is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season. And hopefully we can have it.”

While Maresca pays no attention to matters like this off the field, it could still prove crucial to Chelsea’s balance sheet.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season

Average match rating

Cole Palmer

7.33

Moises Caicedo

7.02

Enzo Fernández

6.95

Nicolas Jackson

6.88

Noni Madueke

6.82

via WhoScored

The club were recently slapped with a UEFA fine for breaking FFP rules, and their estimated £140 million expenditure over the summer transfer window so far means that player sales are an absolute necessity, even if their CWC earnings could provide more breathing room.

Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic are all tipped to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with uncertainty also surrounding Nicolas Jackson after Chelsea’s signings of Pedro and Liam Delap.

There is also the matter of £195,000-per-week forward Christopher Nkunku, who isn’t a key starter for Maresca, and he’s attracting notable interest from abroad.

Christopher Nkunku keen to make Germany return and leave Chelsea

According to talkSPORT, Nkunku is keen on a return to Germany with Bayern Munich, who were heavily linked in the January transfer window, and Chelsea are waiting for the Bundesliga champions to make a formal approach.

They won’t have to wait at all for an approach from Saudi Arabia, though, as it is believed that Al-Qadsiah have already made an enquiry to the Frenchman’s representatives.

Nkunku is understood to prefer remaining in Europe, so Bayern appear to be the lead contenders as things stand, but it is suggested that Chelsea could demand around £60 million as they actively seek to sell the 27-year-old.

The squad player is currently one of their highest-earners, so getting him off the books for a reasonable fee could be one of Chelsea’s most imperative exit deals of the summer.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is a man on a mission this summer. While the Blues have reached the knockout stages of the Club World Cup, thoughts are still on improving the team ahead of next season.

Maresca has already signed Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr this summer, but they won’t be the only arrivals at Stamford Bridge. That much is certain.

With the club set to compete in the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season, the former Leicester manager will be aiming to have a squad strong enough to mount a potential challenge.

As such, he is keeping an eye on developments regarding a few players. Lyon youngster Malick Fofana has been earmarked as a target. As to Xavi Simons, who is ready to make the step up from RB Leipzig this summer.

Signing some of the best young talents on the continent appears to be the philosophy that Maresca is going for, although he will need some experience mixed in along with the youngsters.

One player whom Maresca is desperate to land is Borussia Dortmund talent Jamie Gittens, having tracked him for the previous few months.

Chelsea’s interest in Jamie Gittens

Despite having a wealth of options in the final third, Maresca is looking to make some big changes this summer.

Christopher Nkunku looks destined to leave the Blues after just two seasons, while Nicolas Jackson has attracted attention from elsewhere, notably Arsenal.

If both of these players depart, then the club will be keen on adding replacements to their squad.

Bolstering his wide options is another priority for Maresca, especially considering Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk is set to face a lengthy doping ban, meaning he won’t be able to play for the club.

As such, targeting a move for another winger or two is in the club’s best interests, hence the approach for Gittens.

The Blues had a bid of £42m rejected by Dortmund at the start of June for the Englishman, as they value him at around €65m (£55.5m), which Chelsea have yet to meet.

Positive talks have been held between player and club, but until that asking price is met in the coming weeks, Gittens won’t be making the move to England.

Last season, he registered 17 goal involvements – 12 goals and five assists – across 42 games for the German side, despite falling out of favour slightly during the second half of the season under new coach Niko Kovač.

Indeed, the youngster doesn’t quite fit into the Croatian’s style of football, hence why it looks as though they are willing to let him leave this summer. Of course, this depends on whether Chelsea can meet the asking price.

Still aged only 20, Gittens has plenty of room to develop and challenging for trophies while competing in the Champions League next season will certainly aid him.

Should the Blues secure a deal for the player, he could work wonders alongside another potential signing…

Chelsea discussing move for Premier League forward

Delap won’t be the only forward to make the move to Chelsea this summer. Hugo Ekitiké has been one of the club’s main transfer targets to add depth to this position, while West Ham United player Mohammed Kudus has also been linked with a move.

Transfer Focus

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

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Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues are discussing a potential swoop for Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro.

“Let’s not forget the interest from Chelsea in Joao Pedro,” said Romano when talking on his official YouTube channel.

“He remains a player of interest, and they are having conversations because they like him and are following closely.”

Brighton are looking for a fee of around £60m in order to sanction the sale of the Brazilian.

Gittens remains a priority, but if Maresca is able to sign both the Englishman and Pedro this summer, they could make for a fantastic duo next season.

Why Joao Pedro would be unplayable with Jamie Gittens

When he is compared to his fellow peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the previous 365 days, Gittens has shone in several metrics.

His penchant for beating his marker is evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (3.57), while the winger also ranks in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.53) and in the top 7% for carries into the penalty area (3.06).

Not only does this show he is a handful for defenders, but it allows him space to get into the best positions in the final third.

As such, he would be excellent at providing Pedro with chances aplenty in the Premier League and Champions League next term, no doubt about that.

The Brazilian netted ten goals in the top flight last term, grabbing six assists in the process.

Joao Pedro – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-forward

119

34

18

Left winger

40

14

0

Attacking midfield

27

11

1

Right winger

5

0

0

Data via Transfermarkt

What was most impressive is that the 23-year-old scored once every 195 minutes for Brighton while finishing the season with a goal conversion percentage of 21%.

He only missed seven big chances, too, suggesting the Brighton star is extremely clinical in the penalty area.

Combining this with Gittens’ desire to get the ball into the box as often as possible, means the pair could shine together next season.

Once hailed as “magical” by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his ability on the ball, Pedro could be the ideal replacement for the likes of Nkunku and Joao Felix, who are both expected to leave.

His Premier League experience means the striker should be ready to slot into the starting XI without the need to settle in.

A fee of £60m sounds extravagant on the surface, but with the club needing players of Pedro’s quality for their Champions League campaign, that is the price Maresca must be willing to pay.

For now, the focus is on going as far as possible in the Club World Cup, especially with $125m on offer for the winner.

The Italian is still looking to bolster his team, though, and he could make a bold statement by capturing Pedro and Gittens.

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Posts 2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025

Liverpool’s mastery in the transfer market must leave rivals hot under the collar. FSG have their drawbacks, criticised for their frugality, but who can reasonably rail against their formula?

Arne Slot, though, has exceeded expectations this season, winning the Premier League at a canter, somehow replacing the irreplaceable Jurgen Klopp.

It’s frightening to think that Liverpool are now ramping up their transfer plans, rewarding Slot with a deep-pocketed transfer chest which has already led to the signing of Jeremie Frimpong, with his Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz lined up for a reported British-record €130m (about £110m) transfer.

With a deal for Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez also in the pipeline, Liverpool fans would be forgiven for indulging in fits of excitement: Slot and the powers that be are investing in a team ready to challenge at the highest European level for many years to come.

However, more is needed in attacking areas if the Reds are to do it all over again next year and keep Mohamed Salah, who turns 33 this month, on his A-game.

How Liverpool can keep Mo Salah firing

Last season, Liverpool won the Carabao Cup and restored their place in the Champions League after a wretched 2022/23 campaign, but failed to secure the biggest prizes.

Salah promised the Liverpool faithful he would put that right, and delivered on his promise by winning the Premier League under Slot’s wing, winning the clean sweep of individual prizes in the process.

It was, all in all, a rather good campaign for the Egyptian King, but there’s no question he was overburdened with responsibility at times, dragging his profligate teammates across the finish line.

Salah no doubt misses the seamless synergy that Jurgen Klopp pieced together when creating one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever frontlines, Salah joined by Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in turning Liverpool back into a superpower over so many years.

Premier League

38

29

18

Champions League

9

3

4

Carabao Cup

5

2

1

Now, Liverpool must reward their legendary veteran with new partners in the final third who maintain clinical rates of scoring, of supplying. Whether Salah will secure teammates on the level of Firmino and Mane remains to be seen, but FSG are certainly acting with the intent of achieving just that.

Slot driving ambitious Liverpool deal

As per TEAMtalk, Liverpool are considering ‘a fresh approach’ for Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon this summer, who is valued at around £80m.

Contacts were established one year ago when Newcastle fretted over ways to circumvent PSR, having failed to qualify for Europe. Liverpool were drawn to the possibility of signing Gordon, but in the end, Eddie Howe’s side found alternative routes to go down.

Now, though, it’s become clear that Anfield’s interest has remained intact, and while the former Everton star would not force his way out of St. James’ Park, a return to Merseyside to sign for his boyhood club would be a big temptation.

Why Anthony Gordon could replicate Mane at Liverpool

Liverpool released Gordon from their academy when he was only 11 years old, leaving him adrift until washing up at Goodison Park, where he made his name.

Newcastle paid Everton a £45m fee to sign Gordon in January 2023, and this was before he made genuine headway. Now, it’s understandable that the Magpies would want to bank nearly double that figure, and if Diaz is sold, Liverpool might just be able to make it happen.

Hailed for his “unbelievable” 2023/24 campaign by teammate Bruno Guimaraes, Liverpool’s interest came after a campaign that saw Gordon post 28 goal contributions across all competitions, earning Newcastle’s Player of the Season.

Despite winning the Carabao Cup and restoring his club’s place in the Champions League, the current season hasn’t been so kind to the England international, with injuries and suspensions disrupting the second half of the term.

The 24-year-old remains one of the most talented wingers in the Premier League, though, having pronounced himself a “nightmare for anyone” he plays against.

With levels still to scale as he makes improvements, Gordon might just be Slot’s long-term solution on the left flank, maybe even becoming Liverpool’s new version of Sadio Mane, with blistering speed and a dynamic danger to his skill set.

Last August, pundit Jamie Carragher actually tipped the Three Lions man to serve as Mane’s heir over on Merseyside, claiming he could make a “frightening” impact.

A player of such physicality and athleticism with ostensibly sharper weaponry than Diaz could certainly make a positive impact, striking a stunning partnership with the evergreen Salah, who will remain at Liverpool for at least two more years.

And if Darwin Nunez is sold and replaced by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, with Liverpool locked in battle with Chelsea for the French forward, Slot might even have his own version of Firmino to complete a deadly new strike-force.

How to define Bobby Firmino? The Brazil forward was the glue which held Klopp’s iconic front three together, effortlessly brilliant and commendably selfless.

Mane and Salah were the goal-getters, but Firmino made it all tick, and given that Ekitike would join Liverpool as an up-and-coming Bundesliga talent, the similarities are clear to see, as Firmino arrived from Hoffenheim a decade ago for £29m.

Ekitike, 22, is a good goalscorer, having scored 22 times for his club this term, but he’s also so much more. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 10% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for assists and the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Such quality would give Gordon an inroad to a new level of goalscoring success, especially with Salah shaping into one of the game’s superlative wide playmakers in recent years.

Liverpool have enjoyed tremendous success in Slot’s newly-crafted system, but with such signings, they could reach even higher, giving Salah a new attacking partnership for the ages.

A new Mac Allister: Liverpool set sights on signing "dangerous" £35m star

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing a star who could be Alexis Mac Allister 2.0.

ByDan Emery Jun 1, 2025

Strikers have been iconic over the years at Liverpool football club, with different generations of attackers giving the supporters memories to last a lifetime.

Luis Suárez is just one talent who’s captured the heart of most during his spell at Anfield, registering 82 goals in his 133 appearances for the club.

The Uruguayan spent three years on Merseyside before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, leaving a huge hole at the top end of the pitch as a result.

Talents such as Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Diogo Jota have all operated at the top end of the pitch in recent years, with only one of them remaining during Arne Slot’s reign at the club.

However, the Dutchman could be about to land a player who could be his new talisman ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, looking to make it back-to-back Premier League triumphs.

An update on Liverpool’s striker situation this summer

Darwin Núñez is a player who looks set to depart Liverpool this summer after failing to deliver following his £85m transfer from Benfica back in the summer of 2022.

The Uruguayan has scored just 40 times in his 139 appearances, an average of one goal every three and a half games, leading to murmurs around his long-term future.

Atlético Madrid has been mooted as a possible destination for the 25-year-old, with the Reds demanding just £35m to sell him – resulting in a £50m loss on their investment.

However, such funds could be used to sign another star, with Benjamin Sesko the latest player touted with a summer switch to Merseyside, according to GIVEMESPORT.

The report claims that the RB Leipzig ace has a £55m release clause in his current contract, with the Reds impressed by his goalscoring tally of 20 goals in his 42 appearances throughout 2024/25.

It also states that he’s high on their shortlist, seen as an affordable alternative to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, allowing Slot to have the goalscoring striker he’s been craving.

Why Liverpool’s £55m target would be an upgrade on Nunez

It’s safe to say it’s unimaginable where Liverpool would’ve finished in 2024/25 if it wasn’t without Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian producing countless moments of magic at key points of the season.

The 32-year-old has registered a combined 56 goals and assists in his 48 appearances across all competitions, by far and away the most of any player in the first-team squad.

Luis Diaz sits as the club’s second-highest scorer in the league on 12 goals, a staggering 16 behind Salah, highlighting his importance to the side over the last few months.

Despite his new contract, he’s undoubtedly coming to the back end of his professional career, needing to land other targets in forward areas to spread the load rather than be reliant upon one player.

Sesko would provide exactly, with his goalscoring record in the Bundesliga, one that could the side to have that focal point they have often lacked despite the success they’ve endured.

When comparing his stats to those of current forward Nunez, the 21-year-old has massively outperformed him, highlighting how much he would improve the attacking department.

The Slovenian, who’s been labelled “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered more combined goals and assists than the Uruguayan, along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature.

Games played

30

26

Goals & assists

17

7

Shot-on-target accuracy

43%

37%

Take-ons completed

1.5

0.7

Take-on success

52%

38%

Aerials won

2.6

1.4

Aerial success rate

58%

35%

He’s also managed to complete more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s entered – offering the side an all-round threat in the final third.

Whilst £55m may seem a risk for a player who’s never played in England before, it’s a deal worth completing, especially when taking his dominance over Nunez into account.

Given his tender age, he has the opportunity to improve further under Slot’s guidance, potentially becoming the club’s next star attacker to lead them to consistent Premier League glory in the years ahead.

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Reportedly prepared to spend to make the deal happen, Aston Villa and NSWE have reportedly set their sights on winning the race to sign a defender worth £50m this summer.

NSWE prepared to spend despite Aston Villa PSR concern

This summer wouldn’t be the first time that those at Villa Park spent big, given how they’ve splashed the cash to improve Unai Emery’s side in recent windows. Unlike in the past, however, NSWE will reportedly have to walk a fine line if they are to avoid breaking any profit and sustainability rules in a problem that they’re already looking to solve in an unexpected way.

Whether selling stakes in the women’s team solves Villa’s problem remains to be seen, but such a possibility certainly adds pressure to the achievements that the men’s team are in pursuit of. By qualifying for the Champions League for a second consecutive campaign, Emery’s side would undoubtedly provide the entire club with some added funds.

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What will have certainly helped on that front is their 2-1 victory over top-four rivals Nottingham Forest to maintain their push to sneak into European contention. Emery was well aware of just how important the result was, telling reporters: “I’m very happy because here in Villa Park we are feeling very strong.

“We are transmitting our energy to the supporters and their energy is transmitting to us. We are, more or less, winning, responding well.

“The supporters are happy with how we are responding and getting challenges like today against Nottingham, who are having a fantastic season. We’re trying to keep going in the challenges we have: today, next Wednesday, then again in Premier League, the FA Cup semi-final in London.”

What’s more, that financial boost courtesy of European qualification could yet see Aston Villa win the race to sign an in-demand defensive reinforcement in the coming months.

Aston Villa targeting £50m Diomande

As impressive as Aston Villa’s depth has been since the January transfer window, it won’t be long before they lose loanees Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi. And that’s when they could turn towards a £50m defender.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa and NSWE are now prepared to spend to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Club, who value their talented defender at £50m ahead of this summer.

The 21-year-old has also attracted interest from Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea to form a hectic Premier League race for his signature. Whether other clubs are willing to spend like Aston Villa seemingly are remains to be seen, however.

Described as an “aggressive” and “tough tackling” defender by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Diomande would be worth every penny in a £50m deal this summer, no matter who wins the race for his signature.

“She was telling me, ‘It’s high time you get a century in T20Is, you keep getting out in the 70s, 80s and you are not doing justice to your talent’,” says Mandhana

Valkerie Baynes28-Jun-20252:22

Mandhana: The girls were really hard on me about the century

Challenge accepted, Radha Yadav. That was the message behind Smriti Mandhana’s beaming smile and pointed finger trained directly at her cheeky – but in hindsight exceptionally clever – team-mate as India’s stand-in captain raised her maiden T20I century.At the 143rd time of asking and after more than a decade waiting, Mandhana became the second India woman to reach the milestone in an innings of 112 off 62 balls, which crushed England in the opening match of India’s tour.The first was Harmanpreet Kaur, for whom Mandhana learned two hours before the start of play at Trent Bridge she would be filling in as the regular captain recovers from a head knock sustained during Wednesday’s warm-up game.Related

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Stats – A day of batting highs for Mandhana and India

Mandhana’s score was the highest for India in women’s T20Is, eclipsing Harmanpreet’s 103 against New Zealand at the 2018 World Cup. She also became the first for her team to score centuries in all three formats, joining Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney on the list.This felt like a long time coming. In her previous 12 T20I innings, Mandhana had reached 50 seven times. Over the course of her career, she has amassed 30 half-centuries. So it seems Radha had decided now was the time to give her acting skipper a little pep talk.”Three days back, me and Radha Yadav, we were having a conversation,” Mandhana said. “These girls are really hard on me sometimes. She was telling me, ‘It’s high time you get a century in T20Is, you keep getting out in the 70s, 80s and you are not doing justice to your talent’ and all of that stuff.”I was like, ‘okay, Radha, I’ll see now, this time I’ll try and get it in one of the matches in the series’.”After Mandhana brought up the milestone, off just 51 balls with back-to-back fours off Lauren Bell, she removed her helmet, smiled broadly, and pointed towards the changeroom.Smriti Mandhana gestures towards the dressing room after her hundred•Getty Images”I did not think that it would come in the first match, but the finger was towards her, that ‘see, I got it today’,” Mandhana said. “Because it’s pretty frustrating to get out in the 70s and 80s over the last ten years and when you had that opportunity to take the team through. So I’m happy that I could stay and take the team to the 19th and the 20th over.”Mandhana’s knock led India to an imposing 210 for 5, their second-highest total in T20Is, and a thumping 97-run victory over England, bowled out for 113 as debutant spinner N Shree Charani claimed 4 for 12.Smiling back at Mandhana and applauding as she soaked in the moment was Harmanpreet, who had been in doubt when she missed the pre-match press conference. Mandhana covered for her in that instance, too, and prepared for the prospect of doing so on-field by making plans with her bowlers on the eve of the game.”Harman was getting assessed over last night and this morning and there were a few scans to be done,” Mandhana said. “We had a 50-50 idea, so I had a chat with the bowlers around what the plans are and I was pretty ready last night but the confirmation came today.”As a batter, it doesn’t change a lot. You don’t think that you are captaining and you bat differently. Whenever you have the bat in hand, you have to do the job for the team regardless of the position you are in, so I’m really happy that I could contribute today.”

“We saw what she could do in the WPL a little bit. She was always looking like a really good bowler. But today the way she actually bowled was amazing, as did all the bowlers”Smriti Mandhana on N Shree Charani

Mandhana did captain very well, using her spinners to devastating effect. She capitalised on Danni Wyatt-Hodge’s struggles against fingerspin this summer – she was bowled three times in as many matches against West Indies by left-arm spinner Zaida James – and the experienced Deepti Sharma and Radha helped reduce England to 62 for 4.Then she trusted in Charani, who came into the game with just five ODIs to her name after making her international debut during the tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in April.Charani removed Alice Capsey, who spooned lamely to short third, fellow left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who made a comeback to forget with an expensive 1 for 43 at 14.33 an over before holing out to midwicket on 1.She then claimed the big wicket of Nat Sciver-Brunt, the only England batter to stand tall with 66 off 42 balls as wickets fell all around her, and took the final wicket of tailender Bell.”The way the bowlers bowled and executed the plan, it was just amazing,” Mandhana said. “That makes our job very, very easy when they bowl like that and they all were really focused, they knew their plans.Shree Charani picked up 4 for 12 on debut•Getty Images”Especially Shree, to come in the first match and bowl. We saw what she could do in the WPL a little bit. She was always looking like a really good bowler. But today the way she actually bowled was amazing, as did all the bowlers.”After a few wickets fell and Nat was on the one end, the plan was pretty clear – to try and execute our best ball to Nat and give a single to her, which they did brilliantly throughout.”One thing that didn’t quite go India’s way was Shafali Verma’s return, where she reprised her opening role with Mandhana. Shafali struggled to get going and made 20 off 22 balls, albeit in a 77-run stand with a batting partner who could do no wrong.”I’ve seen Shafali bat in the last seven-eight days amazingly well in the nets,” Mandhana said. “So I don’t see a big knock too far because of the way she’s been hitting the ball. Sometimes coming back into the Indian team and coming into the first match, of course, there are a different kind of nerves. I’m sure this match is going to take those nerves away for her.”The way she’s playing in the nets, she’s just timing the ball really well. So the only thing which I said to her was just keep timing the ball and play the ball, don’t think about anything else. I see a big knock coming in the next four matches from her.”

MI New York showed it’s possible to be successful while using USA players, but will MLC mandate their inclusion in future?

Peter Della Penna30-Jul-2023As the first year of Major League Cricket builds to a crescendo on Sunday night in Grand Prairie, Texas, the tournament final will feature an MI New York side whose stars have dominated the stats columns in the event.Nicholas Pooran enters as the leading scorer with 251 runs as well as the most sixes in the tournament with 21, while Tim David is also in the top five in runs scored with 199 at an average of 49.75 and a strike rate of 171.55 and the second most sixes in the tournament with 16. Trent Boult is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 19, eight more than the nearest bowler. There’s also a spinner in the MI New York squad who is very impressively leading an important category in T20 cricket. But it isn’t Rashid Khan.This name might not have been on the tip of the tongue of any casual fan at the start of the tournament when asked to name one of the event’s best bowlers. But left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige’s league-leading 5.58 economy rate stands out for another very important reason in this fledgling American T20 franchise league.Related

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Dallas metroplex resident Kenjige, 32, is one of just nine US-born players on MLC rosters, and one of only two to actually make anyone’s starting XI along with MI New York team-mate Steven Taylor. He has been a USA national team player since 2017, much-loved and respected within the US community for his unrivalled work ethic, yet one who was very much unheralded on the global stage before this tournament began. But the support that he and other USA players have received from MI New York management is a blueprint for promoting local players in MLC going forward.”I think you have to win and develop at the same time,” MI New York head coach Robin Peterson said during a post-match press conference at the halfway stage of the tournament when discussing his team’s selection policy regarding the visibility of USA players in their squad. “It’s not either or. That’s the job we’re here to do. Players from the Associate nations and the USA national team, they need to become used to and ingrained in the pressure of having to perform. That’s part of their development in this league. Yes, we do have a keen development angle, but at the top of our mind is always trying to win and you can learn a lot from winning.”When other franchise leaders were asked the same question during the tournament, the answer was generally that winning comes first. But MI New York has shown that it is possible to walk and chew at the same time.Heading into the tournament final, a total of ten players with USA caps have made 56 appearances in the starting XI in 18 matches. But MI New York have led the way with 21 of those selections spread across four players. Aside from Kenjige, opener Shayan Jahangir is third on the team’s runs chart behind Pooran and David with 154 at an average of 25.66. MI New York has also picked Taylor and USA captain Monank Patel for more than half the matches played. They also took three other USA players in the draft – Kyle Phillip, Jessy Singh and Saideep Ganesh – and when Phillip was ruled out of the tournament after his bowling action was reported at the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, his place was taken by another US-eligible player in Slade van Staden.Saurabh Netravalkar’s scalps this tournament have included Nicholas Pooran•SportzpicsBut most of the other franchises have fallen short when it comes to giving USA players a platform to shine. San Francisco Unicorns, who failed to make the playoffs, did not start a single capped USA player. Yet it is not just the what but the how this has come about that is of particular note.On one hand, players like Saurabh Netravalkar for Washington Freedom and Cameron Gannon for Seattle Orcas have shown that, given a chance, USA players are more than capable of holding their own. Former USA captain Netravalkar registered the tournament’s best bowling figures of 6 for 9 against Unicorns and ended with a team-best ten wickets. Dual national Gannon, who last represented USA in 2019 but on either side of that appearance has committed his time to Sheffield Shield cricket in Australia, is the joint-leading wicket-taker for the other tournament finalist Orcas with 11 wickets at an average of 14.09.On the flip side, most franchises have exploited MLC’s nebulous definition of “domestic player” to mainly pick non-USA eligible players – many of whom had a negligible impact – to fill their domestic quota. Contrary to the Global T20 Canada and the UAE’s ILT20, a pair of leagues who mandate a minimum number of three and two domestic players respectively in each starting XI – and clearly define them as someone who is eligible for or has been capped for Canada or the UAE – MLC officials determined that a player could meet that standard simply by merely pledging to “hold a ‘qualified visa’, have established their ‘primary and permanent residence’ in the US, and will continue to satisfy the ICC’s guideline regarding ten out of 12 months for three consecutive years”.It opened the door for the farcical situation of Chaitanya Bishnoi, who landed in the USA merely days before the MLC draft for domestic players in March but was taken in the fourth round for $40,000. Though not as egregious an example, former Pakistan international Mukhtar Ahmed was playing domestic cricket in Faisalabad as recently as September 2022 before being taken as a domestic player in March’s MLC draft for the second round price tag of $65,000.Bishnoi went on to make 52 runs in four innings (entering at No. 8 in three of his four innings) and bowled three overs for Unicorns. Mukhtar’s returns were perhaps even more negligible: occupying prime real estate at No. 3 in the batting order every match for Freedom, he scored 78 runs at an average of 13.00 and a strike rate of 105.40 with a best of 20.This raises pertinent questions. A: Why are players who have played internationals for other countries being regarded as locals if they have not qualified yet by ICC rules to play for USA? B: Shouldn’t a player like Mukhtar, who is currently ineligible to play for USA and has played for Pakistan previously, be regarded as overseas and have to compete for overseas slots with the likes of Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf? C: Did any such player genuinely raise the standard of the league, thereby perhaps justifying the leniency in the rules that allows such picks in place of a US-eligible player?There is another wrench in the equation of local players though. There are cases like England’s Liam Plunkett, New Zealand’s Corey Anderson and Sri Lanka’s Shehan Jayasuriya – players who married American citizens and migrated to the USA for family reasons totally unrelated to MLC.Liam Plunkett – he of 2019 World Cup England fame, now at MLC•Getty ImagesPlunkett has made considerable efforts to establish links in the local Pennsylvania sports cricket community, mainly through academy coaching, and the same is true of Anderson in the Dallas area. But Plunkett is not eligible to play for USA and few, if any, promotional media segments organised in the build-up to the tournament have attempted to identify him as anything other than one of England’s heroes from the 2019 World Cup final win. He was even introduced in his opening spell of the tournament to TV audiences around the world by MLC broadcast commentator Pommie Mbangwa as the “50-over World Cup winner from England”.It would not seem unreasonable to establish a middle-ground category for players like Plunkett who are in a type of limbo: England international career done, but now firmly entrenched in the US cricket community despite not being eligible to play for USA. Why not ensure a minimum number of US-eligible players in the XI while also making room for a few “wildcard domestic” players? At least it would go some way towards ending the charade of pretending to portray Plunkett as something he is not, nor has Plunkett ever tried to be, while also curbing the practice of declaring players “domestic” at the 11th hour.It’s also worth noting that the Global T20 Canada’s policy of three Canadian players in the starting XI was not always so. In year one, the GT20’s original rules stated that four Canada players needed to be drafted into each squad, but there was no mandate to play any of them in the starting XI, and many teams chose not to. It was only Saad bin Zafar’s magical Player-of-the-Match performance in the tournament-final win by Vancouver Knights that seemingly opened eyes to the fact that Canada players could and would shine, if only given a chance.Time will tell if MLC adjusts their roster policy for the second year of the league to mandate a minimum number of US-eligible players in the starting XI in the same way that GT20 and ILT20 do. Until that time comes, MI New York have led the way in showing that whether by force or by choice, USA players are capable of holding their own both against and alongside some of the biggest names on the global T20 franchise circuit.

Erasmus and Wiese have learned at this World Cup that Namibia belong at the highest level

Firdose Moonda08-Nov-20213:50

Morkel: ‘Namibia have exceeded expectations at T20 World Cup; players have become national heroes’

Gerhard Erasmus had a choice. After breaking the ring finger on his right hand in a “freak accident” in Namibia’s final warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup, he could go home, have surgery and heal up or numb the pain, play on and risk more damage. For him, the decision was easy.”The immediate diagnosis was that I should fly back and get an operation but that wasn’t an option. I just had to get some injections and play,” Erasmus tells ESPNcricinfo.He remembers the incident in graphic detail.Related

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“It was during the latter part of our fielding innings against Scotland. The ball was thrown at the wrong end of the stumps and I tried to collect it so there wouldn’t be overthrows. I tripped over the stumps and the ball hit me from the front here,” he says, holding up his finger to the camera. It’s swollen, a little skew, and the nail bed is bloodied from a subungual hematoma. It looks painful but most of the time it isn’t. “I take numbing injections so I don’t have feeling in that part of the hand.”But it does present him with a more technical challenge. “I had to reinvent my grip on the bat and use the other fingers a bit more to really get some power out of there. Mentally I’ve had to be strong and not let it get to me. Physically, I can’t feel it so I don’t have pain when I am batting or fielding but cricket is very much a touch game and obviously you have to have control.”That’s one of the more unusual lessons Erasmus has learnt from this tournament, which has, most importantly, taught Namibia that they belong at the highest level. For a country that did not have ODI status until two years ago, it’s understandable that Namibia had doubts about how well they would match up.”It’s just about the unknown because obviously things at the associate level operate a little below this level,” David Wiese, Namibia’s highest-profile player, who qualified to represent them through ancestry, said. “Here, you get guys bowling 145+ and spinners who do something different. In the Associate teams, you don’t get exposed to that much so when you do it for the first time, you feel like you don’t belong.”Gerhard Erasmus has been playing with “numbing injections” so he doesn’t feel the pain in “that part of the hand”•AFP/Getty ImagesThat was an attitude that needed to be changed if Namibia planned to progress to the Super 12s and it was up to Wiese to drive that process. His status as a former international for South Africa and a PSL superstar helped, as well his ability to take on a senior role and run with it.”He was so essential in making us believe and blending us into a big tournament like this,” Erasmus says. “He soaks up a lot of pressure but also he just allows the guys to free up their minds. He says to us, ‘You are on this big stage because you belong here and we are going to (do it) this here on the field with Babar and with Shaheen Shah Afridi.”Erasmus’ use of Afrikaans colloquialisms reveals a small splice of Namibia’s storied history. A former British and German colony, Namibia used to be called South West Africa and was under South African rule until 1990. In that time, it was considered a province of the Apartheid state. The same rules of segregation that existed in South Africa, were in place in Namibia, creating a white elite who enjoyed the best resources in the country, and an underclass of people of colour. You don’t have to look much further than the cricket team to see the legacy of that policy.Namibia’s 15-man squad includes only three players of colour – Pikky Ya France, Zane Green and Ben Shikongo. Their wider 18-man group includes a fourth player of colour, Mauritius Ngupita, and Erasmus is aware that transformation is a topic that must be touched on.”As a captain and a guy who has been involved with Cricket Nambia from age 16 it’s been so inspirational to see a guy like Pikky Ya France,” he says. “He has carried the mantle for so long and then we’ve had two youngsters came through over the last two years – Ben and Mauritius – those are the guys who are heroes for the people back home.”We need to continuously have players like that so we can create a brand for people to connect to. That’s what we try to do in our culture. If we create a brand of cricket that people love and follow, you will get more people playing cricket and if we will get a lot more cricketers, then cricket won’t be a white man’s sport, it will be a Namibian sport.”For that to happen, Namibia need to build infrastructure, especially outside of their capital city, Windhoek. That’s where the national team play all their matches and where four of the five domestic clubs in the country are based. Erasmus would like to see cricket facilities elsewhere, specifically in the densely populated (as densely as a country of 2.5 million people can be populated) northern Owambo region.Building a ground will take money, something which Cricket Namibia has in limited supply, although that is changing. By attaining ODI status in 2019, Namibia qualified for ICC funding and now, by making it to the Super 12s, they are also attracting sponsors. Immediately after qualifying, an Indian company, Ebco, signed on as the national men’s team’s main sponsor. And that is not the only opportunity that may come their way through performances at this tournament.For all they have achieved as a unit, Namibia’s players are also hoping for some individual glory, if they catch the eye of T20 franchise teams. “That’s the beauty of us playing against teams like Pakistan or India,” Wiese says. “As a player, if you have a big performance there, you never know. All it takes is one innings from anybody here and your life can be changed forever.”Essentially, that’s what happened to Wiese. “I signed Kolpak [in 2017] with the intention of playing in these franchise tournaments and I went through my first year and I didn’t get picked up anywhere. Nothing came along. That was a bit of a wake-up call. At the end of my second year, I got a replacement gig with Lahore Qalandars when Carlos Brathwaite got called up to the West Indies.”I played my first game in Sharjah and me and AB [de Villiers] had a partnership and I had the six off the last ball to win the game and that was a massive turning point in my career. After that, things started clicking. I got a T10 deal, and BPL and from there it snowballed.”

“That’s the beauty of us playing against teams like Pakistan or India. All it takes is one innings from anybody here, and your life can be changed forever”David Wiese

It’s a chapter that has included a second stint at international cricket, five years after Wiese thought that was behind him, for a country he considers a second home. “When I was a child, in the holidays, we went to Namibia quite often. My family was in Henties Bay and there was a big holiday home down there. As we got older and we had cricket weeks, we couldn’t really go there as much but I’ve still got a lot of family in Namibia, aunts and uncles and cousins.”He is also contracted to play there until at the least the end of 2022, which is how long Namibia will retain their ODI status. Though Wiese is committed to the T10 and the PSL, he will play in as many of Namibia’s ODIs as possible, and is aiming for the 2022 T20 World Cup, which they have automatically qualified for.By then, Namibia would have had another year of cricket under their belts and Wiese expects them to be even more competitive. “We beat Scotland and cemented ourselves as the best Associate in this tournament. And to see how the guys have grown, playing against better oppositions and realising they can compete. This tour has been a massive success.”That victory also earned them a mention from their President, Dr Hage G Geingob, who predicted they would also beat Afghanistan. They didn’t, and in fact put in their worst performance of the Super 12s there, but they have since pushed other teams harder. For Erasmus, their performance against Pakistan was stand-out.”The Pakistan game for me as a whole was one of the greatest moments on this tour. We were in the battle for 30 of the 40 overs. The way we held them in the powerplay and until over 10 or 11, gave my bowlers the sense that we belong. Then with the bat, we really had a crack at them at one stage. We were probably not in the chase all the way, but it still gave us a sense of belonging. After that match, I could look into my players eyes and see that these guys now feel like they can dance with the best.”After that match, members of the Pakistan team went into the Namibian dressing room to congratulate them on their journey. While most of the Namibian squad were taken by surprise, Wiese knew what Pakistan had planned. “The Pakistan team manager is also involved with Lahore and he mentioned that a couple of the guys really want to come and congratulate our team.”It was such a special moment to see the mutual respect they showed us and to spend a little bit of time with them. It was invaluable to see our [players] speaking to Mohammad Hafeez and Shaheen Shah Afridi. It’s moments like that that you can’t take for granted because they don’t go into every team’s changeroom. You have to earn a bit of respect from the opposition to come in and applaud you. That’s a moment the guys should hold onto and be proud of.”Erasmus certainly is. “As a captain, it’s awesome to see my guys learning and getting exposure at the highest level because I know that will make everyone better individually, and that makes a better team. Many knock on effects will come from this because we have been exposed to the greatest of players around in the T20 circuit and some of the best teams.”David Wiese believes victory against Scotland cemented Namibia as the best Associate team in the T20 World Cup•ICC via GettyAnd they have also had the better of some of them. Among the many history-making moments at this tournament, Namibia also collected their first win against a Full Member, when they beat Ireland to progress to the Super 12s. That victory was Wiese’s moment of the tournament. He was named Player of the Match for his 2 for 22 and unbeaten 28 off 14 balls, but dedicated his award to Erasmus, who scored 53 not out in the chase.”He is the heart and the backbone of this team. I have been really impressed with him,” Wiese says. “He is only 26 and his maturity as a leader has been phenomenal. The guys look up to him. He leads by example in everything that he does. And that does not even take into account that he is a fantastic player, probably the best associate batter around.”At this tournament, Erasmus is second only to Wiese in the Namibian run-scoring charts. And he has been doing all this with a broken finger. Every time the ball is hit Erasmus’ way in the field, he could suffer another break and he may not even be able to feel how bad it is.”That’s the risk I have been taking. I had to put it in my mind that it’s already broken and it’s just what I have to do. I do have respect for my own body but there is grace in the situation in that I am playing in the World Cup and it’s a special journey and these kind of chances don’t come everyday. I just have to fix it after this. I will probably go for surgery next week, but I don’t know what the specialist will say. I don’t
know how long I will be out for. I don’t think I will lose the finger.”Fingers crossed. Except, as Erasmus reminded us, he can’t do that quite yet.

After sacking Liam Manning, Norwich City have reportedly conducted an interview with former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil and set a managerial deadline.

The Canaries made the decision to sack Manning after 15 Championship games in charge. The former Bristol City manager arrived off the back of an excellent campaign with the Robins, in which they secured a playoff place, but was unable to replicate that form in charge of Norwich.

Instead of the top six, the Canaries have found themselves in the bottom two courtesy of Manning and only above Sheffield Wednesday, who were hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration.

After two wins in 15 league games, Manning’s tenure suddenly makes former manager Johannes Hoff Thorup’s time at the club look rather promising, on reflection. Whether there’s some regret that those at Carrow Road didn’t give the latter more time is up for debate, however.

Sporting director Ben Knapper released a statement after sacking Manning, telling fans that they “tried absolutely everything possible” to turn things around under the former Bristol City boss.

Meanwhile, the search for a new manager is very much underway with reports going as far as to claim that the Canaries have already interviewed two candidates for the job.

Norwich interview Gary O'Neil

As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Norwich have now interviewed O’Neil for their vacant managerial role and are keen to make an official appointment in the next 10 days.

The ex-Premeir League manager was recently linked with a second stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but turned his former club down. Now, he could be on his way to Carrow Road.

Former Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has also reportedly been interviewed, but O’Neil’s Premier League experience should make him Norwich’s number one choice.

Dubbed “fantastic” by former Wolves winger Jordan Graham during his time in the Midlands, O’Neil has all the credentials needed to finally turn things around at Norwich, who sit four points adrift of safety in the Championship.

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Jamie Carragher has delivered his verdict on Arsenal and their Premier League title challenge after their dramatic 2-1 loss at Aston Villa.

Arsenal suffer first defeat in 18 games as five-point lead slips

Arsenal’s agonising defeat at Villa has ended the Gunners’ 18-game unbeaten streak whilst threatening their title aspirations, with Man City’s subsequent 3-0 dismantling of Sunderland now reducing the gap to just two points.

Emiliano Buendia’s 95th minute winner highlighted familiar weaknesses that have plagued previous title challenges.

Mikel Arteta’s makeshift defence, deprived of William Saliba and Gabriel through injury, conceded soft goals that championship-winning teams simply cannot afford.

Matty Cash’s thunderous opener exploited Eberechi Eze’s defensive negligence, whilst Buendia’s late intervention punished Arsenal’s inability to clear.

Leandro Trossard’s second-half equaliser briefly sparked hope of a hard-fought victory in the Midlands, yet Arsenal ultimately succumbed to Villa’s relentless pressure.

Related Arteta a big fan: Arsenal "could make a move" for "world-class" £65m forward

The Gunners are looking to bolster their attacking options.

Posts ByDominic Lund Dec 8, 2025

While Arsenal have only lost twice this campaign, Arteta will be hoping Saturday’s defeat doesn’t sap his squad’s confidence given the manner of their slip up.

Cristhian Mosquera’s ankle injury compounds their current defensive crisis, forcing 16-year-old Marli Salmon onto the bench against Villa.

Man City ruthlessly capitalised on Arsenal’s hiccup, delivering their arguable most complete performance this season against an in-form Sunderland side.

Rúben Dias opened the scoring with a spectacular 25-yard thunderbolt before Josko Gvardiol doubled the advantage through a towering header from Phil Foden’s corner.

Foden completed the scoring after 65 minutes, converting Rayan Cherki’s outrageous rabona cross for a serious highlight reel moment.

Pep Guardiola praised it as potentially City’s finest 95-minute display this season, emphasising how it is consistency rather than individual results that determines success.

The title race has dramatically intensified, with Aston Villa themselves now genuine contenders sitting third, merely three points behind Arsenal following seven consecutive wins in all competitions.

Make no mistake, it is all to play for, and Carragher is convinced that Arsenal have a ‘huge problem’ in the form of Foden.

Jamie Carragher says Phil Foden is a 'huge problem' for Arsenal

Speaking on Monday Night Football, Carragher insists that the England international, alongside Erling Haaland, poses a massive threat to Arsenal’s quest to win a first Premier League title in 22 years.

After a difficult 2024/2025, Arsenal have every right to be concerned, as Foden is now back to his imperious best.

Foden has emerged as City’s most potent attacking threat bar Haaland during their resurgent title challenge, scoring nine goals across all competitions so far this term.

The 25-year-old has also notched six Premier League goals in thirteen appearances, averaging 0.51 goals per ninety minutes whilst contributing two assists.

His recent purple patch has been particularly devastating, with five goals scored in his last three league games. His goal involvement rate of 0.69 per ninety minutes highlights his constant influence in the final third, with Guardiola praising his exceptional qualities following Saturday’s performance.

Foden already surpassed his career milestone of 100 City goals during the summer’s Club World Cup, cementing his status amongst the club’s elite scorers.

His personal renaissance couldn’t have come at a worse time for Arsenal, but luckily for Arteta, the title is still theirs to lose.