Just as Ruben Amorim had thought his Manchester United team had finally turned a corner, their Jekyll-and-Hyde tendencies were there for all to see again in a crushing 3-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

Indeed, as much as Red Devils supporters would have been overjoyed with their win at Arsenal in the FA Cup and with their 2-2 draw versus Liverpool in January, Amorim’s topsy-turvy side were way off the pace throughout against Fabian Hurzeler’s ruthless Seagulls to remind the Portuguese manager there’s plenty to still fix.

The former Sporting boss will surely regret keeping his faith in shot-stopper Andre Onana for this one, with the shaky 28-year-old struggling once more after conceding to basement club Southampton the match prior.

Andre Onana's performance against Brighton

There were at least some redeeming qualities to his showing against the Saints, with five strong saves tallied up in the 3-1 win, with this performance lacking any obvious positives on the contrary.

The Cameroonian didn’t make a single save during this nightmare showing, as Yankuba Minteh’s early effort beat him despite the United goalkeeper initially getting a glove on the shot, whilst the other two strikes from the Seagulls saw Onana rooted to his goalline and then fumble into the path of Georginio Rutter who made it 3-1.

With Altay Bayındır standing out in the Cup when Amorim’s side surprised Arsenal, as the reserve shot-stopper tallied up an impressive six saves across the 120-minute affair, it could be worth reinstating the Turkish goalkeeper for United’s next Premier League test over the ex-Ajax star.

He is unlikely to be the only casualty, with Noussair Mazraoui’s head also potentially on the chopping block after a fatigued showing against a full-throttle Brighton team.

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Mazraoui's performance in numbers vs Brighton

Mazraoui did have a daunting task on his hands trying to keep a slick Kaoru Mitoma quiet all afternoon, but it was still a below-par showing from the Moroccan that would have worried Amorim a lot.

Indeed, the early opener saw the Brighton number 22 completely beat his marker for pace after a long ball over the top, with Minteh then left with a simple tap-in after Mazaroui let Mitoma lay it off to his eager teammate.

Minutes played

84

Touches

45

Accurate passes

25/30 (83%)

Key pass

1

Interceptions

2

Tackles

1

Dribbled past

2

Total duels won

1/7

All-in-all, it was a dreadful day at the office for the former Bayern Munich man, who was dribbled past two times as an easy target for the Brighton attackers to exploit, alongside only winning one of his seven duels as the far brighter and switched-on visitors showed no mercy.

His creative game was also way off with just one key pass managed – after becoming known at Ajax and at the Allianz Arena for being an expansive option out from the back.

Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst voice his dissatisfaction at Mazraoui’s performance at the full-time whistle, with a 3/10 rating handed to the 27-year-old who was singled out for how much he struggled up against Mitoma.

It will now be up to Amorim to attempt to get a tune out of his worst underperformers, but in the case of both Onana and Mazraoui, their first team spots could be up for grabs now as Rangers travel to Old Trafford next in the Europa League, before a tricky away day at Craven Cottage comes into view back in the unforgiving league.

Bye-bye Garnacho: Man Utd could land "superstar" Rashford upgrade

Manchester United could land a star who’d allow Ruben Amorim to sell Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.

2 ByEthan Lamb Jan 18, 2025

He last played the tournament in 2013 and should be available for five regular-season matches

Andrew McGlashan20-Aug-2022

David Warner’s return to the BBL for the first time since 2013 has been confirmed with a two-year deal for his original club Sydney Thunder.Late last month the reported that Warner was going to request permission to play in the new ILT20 league in the UAE rather than the BBL after the cancellation of the South Africa ODI series in January opened up space for Australia’s multi-format players.That put in motion a chain of events that played out swiftly, the outcome of which will see Warner return to the club where he has played two of the three BBL matches in his career. He should be available for five regular-season matches after the final Test against South Africa in early January and then the finals if Thunder make it that far.Warner said he was aware of the bigger picture and how important a successful BBL was to the entire game in Australia.Related

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“I care deeply about the game, and I am conscious that the conditions that I enjoy as a professional cricketer have largely come from other senior players who have come before me,” he said. “That is how the game is structured and I understand that my contribution to the future of the BBL will hopefully benefit the next generation of players long after I am retired.”It is understood that Warner’s deal will match that of the platinum players in the upcoming BBL draft – AUD340,000 – with a portion of that coming from Thunder’s salary cap and the rest from CA.Warner’s signature is a huge boost for the BBL and CA more broadly as they face a legal battle with host broadcaster Channel Seven which largely revolves around the quality of the tournament. It is also likely to be the start of Australia’s leading players being paid far more to appear in the BBL as it attempts to compete with the riches available elsewhere.Discussions around the new MoU between CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association will gather pace shortly with the BBL salary cap key parts of the negotiations due to the rapidly evolving T20 franchise landscape.It had already not gone unnoticed by Australia’s domestic cricketers how much money was being offered for overseas players – especially in the platinum category – and how it will put them well ahead of the top-paid local players such as Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh. With Warner now commanding a similar fee it is inevitable that there will be pay hikes across the board, but that is unlikely to be until next season.On a purely cricketing level, Warner’s deal with Thunder makes plenty of sense. There is the previous link to the club while they were also on the lookout for a top-order batter after Usman Khawaja moved to Brisbane Heat, although Warner will only cover part of the season. He also has strong links to Thunder coach Trevor Bayliss.”Davey’s record on the field speaks for itself and I have no doubt he already has, and will continue to, inspire many, many kids to play and love cricket,” Bayliss said.Warner’s three previous BBL appears have been spread across three seasons from 2011 to 2013. He made a century in his first appearance against Melbourne Stars at the MCG before the following season, where he played for crosstown rivals Sydney Sixers, collecting a duck against Thunder. Then, back with Thunder in 2013, he made a half-century against Sixers, sharing a century opening stand with Khawaja, in a match his team lost.Warner was one of a number of Australia’s players without a BBL deal. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne signed extensions with their clubs last week, but Steven Smith has turned down Sixers’ initial offer as he considers whether he will want to rest before the tour to India.Mitchell Starc and Test captain Pat Cummins will also rest during that window while it could be that Josh Hazlewood, the No.1-ranked men’s T20I bowler in the world, follows the same path. The chances of Cameron Green being involved will also depend on his Test workload. Scott Boland also currently does not have a BBL deal.

The 30-year-old played collegiately in the U.S., was released by New York Red Bulls and is now on brink of career-defining success

Arminia Bielefeld were supposed to have their own area to celebrate. So much for that. The third-division German team had just knocked off Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal semifinal, and the city had allocated them a separate space to take it all in.

But fans entered in droves. Soon, the team needed to escape.

It was 3 a.m. when the idea was floated to phone up a stadium employee. So, four hours after the final whistle – and long before the reality of victory had sunk in – the team returned to the SchucoArena, technically shut down for the night. The hospitality boxes were reopened. Beverages flowed. The evening dragged on.

And at the center of it all was the captain, an American journeyman, Mael Corboz. His memories of the night?

"I haven't been that drunk in a while," Corboz told GOAL.

Corboz is 30 years old, and largely anonymous in the American soccer system that shaped him. A technical midfielder, he had stints at Rutgers and Maryland before moving to Europe. Now, more than 10 years into his professional career, he is enjoying his biggest moment yet – leading the charge in one of German soccer's greatest underdog stories.

"I grew up with French parents, so European football was always present in my head. Looking back, it's like, 'Damn, did you ever think you would play against Bayer Leverkusen? Like, did you ever think you would beat them?' " Corboz says with amazement.

• Getty Images
  

  'He cherishes the challenge'

  Whether a younger version of himself believed it or not, Corboz is here. And his path has been an unusual one. Born in Alabama but raised in New Jersey, Corboz grew up in a footballing family. Both of his sisters play professional soccer in France. He was picked up by the Red Bulls academy as a youngster, and came through the system alongside USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams – training on the youth pitches while Thierry Henry was still finding the net for the first team.

  He started his college career at nearby Rutgers, but transferred to Maryland in 2014. Corboz was the one who made the effort, getting in touch with the Terrapins after they had made a run to the 2013 National Championship game. Maryland head coach Sasho Cirovski told the midfielder that he couldn't guarantee a scholarship – or really any playing time. Corboz didn't care.

  "He was a great player. He played for us for two years and immediately, after one spring, became a captain," Cirvoski said.

  There were the accolades to back it up: Big Ten Conference tournament MVP in 2014, First-Team All-Big Ten in 2015, two Big Ten conference tournament wins, a Big Ten regular season title. He shared the pitch with future USMNT No. 1 goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

  Cirovski remembers a player who was both incredibly driven and remarkably ruthless. The Maryland head coach offered to sit out Corboz when he played his old school. Rutgers insisted that Corboz play. He agreed. Corboz scored in a 3-2 win. There were other moments, too, highlighted by an 85th minute free-kick to beat Indiana in the Big Ten title game.

  "He cherishes the challenge. He cherishes the moment, he wants the responsibility. And he's just, he's a great player." Cirovski said.

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• Getty
  

  'That was kind of the path'

  Corboz forwent the opportunity to enter the NCAA draft in 2015, and instead signed a homegrown contract with the Red Bulls. It was a diversion from the typical way of doing things. College soccer was still a crucial pipeline. MLS homegrown talents had not yet broken in the mainstream.

  "If you're good, it allows you to get into a good school, and you go to college and you try to do well, and if you're good enough, you go to the MLS, and that was kind of the path," Corboz said.

  And so began the kind of journeyman career that is usually forgotten about. He was waived by his boyhood club before he could kick a ball for them, and signed for the nearby Wilmington Hammerheads the following March. Corboz made 14 appearances, but the club went out of business at the end of 2016.

  And then the European offer came. MSV Duisburg provided it. One of the founding Bundesliga clubs, the North Rhine-Whesphalia based side had fallen on hard times in the mid 2010s, yo-yoing between the German second and third divisions.

  Corboz didn't manage a single league appearance in 18 months. SG Wattenscheid came next. It meant a step down in quality – SG Wattenscheid played in the German fourth tier at the time. But it also came with more minutes. He made 47 league appearances across two seasons – sufficient to earn him a move to the Netherlands, where he found his footing for Go Ahead Eagles of the second division.

  Another move, back to Germany, followed after the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent four full seasons, and became a consistent starter for FC Verl – wearing the captain's armband in his final campaign.

  Now, he finds himself at his seventh team in 12 years – and perhaps better than ever.

  "I never would have thought that this is possible," Corboz admitted. "Given how my career has gone, too, it seems quite improbable."

• Getty
  

  'I got the best of that world'

  In some ways, coming through the American system was something of a disadvantage, Corboz admitted. His teammates nowadays all come from top youth academies, and have kicked a ball competitively year round since they could walk.

  For Corboz, the reality was different. Competitive soccer was only an option for three months of the year while he was in college, the season spanning from just August to December – and practices limited in the Spring.

  "And at Maryland, trust me, in terms of how we worked, we were the top of college soccer, and so I got the best of that world, and it still couldn't compare to the youth academies that I see today," Corboz said.

  But then, there were some real advantages. The most obvious one? A college degree. The German football system is cutthroat, Corboz admitted. Many of those kids that would have kicked a ball year round get swallowed up – and have nothing to do once they retire. Corboz will never have that problem.

  "On the American system, the biggest takeaway was getting my degree and playing at a good level. Just the training is restricted. I don't think a lot of people understand that in Europe," he said.

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• Getty
  

  'Part of me can't believe it'

  The level was certainly high enough to prepare him for what has come this season. Bielefeld have endured a fallow period of late. They were in the Bundesliga as recently as 2020, but had the lowest operating budget in the league – and were entirely outclassed. Back-to-back relegations followed.

  By 2023, they had dropped down to the third tier. This season has brought about something of a remarkable turnaround. After 33 matchdays, they are second in the league, and just one point off league leaders Dynamo with five games to play.

  And then, of course, there is the cup run. The Pokal has been a forum for upsets in recent years, most notably Bayern Munich losing to third division side Saarbrucken in 2023. But Bielefeld's run has been on another level. The draw was remarkably unkind to the third-tier side, and they have had to play four straight Bundesliga teams to battle their way into the final.

  Wins over Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen were impressive. But few would have given them a chance against Leverkusen – even at home. Xabi Alonso fielded something close to his strongest team. Bielefeld played five at the back and bunkered in.

  And when Leverkusen took the lead after 17 minutes, hopes seemed to be dashed. Still, Bielefeld batteled back. They equalized within three minutes, and got a second in first half stoppage time. Leverkusen had their chances after the break – and hit the post deep into the second half. But Bielefeld held on – completing one of German football's great upsets.

  "Part of me can't believe it," Corboz says, "and a part of me is just dying to relive that moment, because it was crazy."

  Corboz played his part, winning 100 percent of his tackles in central midfield, and creating two chances on the night.

  "Beating by Leverkusen really felt like a big upset," he said. "There were a lot of things that came together, they're the defending champs… if you look at the images after the final whistle, you realize this was a different level."

Unai Emery again dropped Ollie Watkins for Marcus Rashford in Aston Villa's trip to Manchester City, and fans think that the striker might be sold.

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Watkins dropped from Villa's starting lineupRashford starts as No.9 against Man CityEmery called out for decisionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Some Aston Villa supporters were left perplexed after they saw the team sheet featuring Marcus Rashford as No.9 in the starting lineup for their Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Tuesday. Emery picked the Manchester United loanee over Ollie Watkins, which fuelled speculation the England international might be sold in the summer.

AdvertisementWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

Fans took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to voice their opinions.

A fan named @lnvincibles04 said: "Watkins must be out the door in the summer lmao."

An X user with the handle @publad wrote: "Can’t help but feel bad for Watkins man, he really deserves a start :("

@Del_Monte20 wrote: "He’s basically putting Watkins up for sale. First Duran and now Rashford…. OW will come on but in Unai we trust."

@nffc999 added: "Dropping Watkins for Rashford is a crime. Watkins must be fuming."

@AlexMcCatty posted: "Watkins is leaving no doubt! Let's enjoy him whilst he's here and hope he comes on to break the record."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Watkins gave a furious post-match interview after Villa's 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday, in which he scored after only one minute, after being left out of Unai Emery's starting lineup for both legs against PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals.

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WHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?

The Villans will aim to get all three points against Pep Guardiola's side as they continue pushing for a top-five finish and secure a Champions League spot for a second consecutive season.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de atuarem e vencerem em seus compromissos pela Sul-Americana, Cuiabá e Internacional se enfrentam no próximo sábado (21), às 21h (de Brasília), na Arena Pantanal, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro.

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CUIABÁ

Com sete pontos conquistados e a 14ª colocação na tabela, o Dourado terá o restante da temporada com o foco único e exclusivo de subir na tabela do Brasileirão, já que está eliminado da Sul-Americana e precisará apenas cumprir tabela na próxima semana diante do Melgar, no Peru.

INTERNACIONAL

Por sua vez, o Inter quebrou um incômodo jejum de quatro duelos sem vencer com o triunfo diante do Independiente Medellín-COL e, agora, tenta trazer essa dose de confiança para o nível nacional. Com nove unidades conquistadas, a equipe de Porto Alegre está em 11° lugar e não vence desde 23 de abril quando, na estreia de Mano, a equipe bateu o Fluminense por 1 a 0, no Maracanã.

FICHA TÉCNICA DA PARTIDA
CUIABÁ x INTERNACIONAL

Local: Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá (MT)
Data e hora: 21/05/2022 – 21h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Ramon Abatti Abel (SC)
Assistentes: Éder Alexandre e Henrique Neu Ribeiro (ambos SC)
VAR: Heber Roberto Lopes (SC)
Onde assistir: Premiere

CUIABÁ (Técnico: Luiz Iubel)

Walter; João Lucas, Marllon, Paulão e Uendel; Marcão Silva, Pepê e Valdivia; Alesson, Felipe Marques e Jenison.

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Mano Menezes)

Daniel; Heitor, Vitão, Mercado e Moisés; Dourado, Edenilson, Carlos de Pena e Alan Patrick; Pedro Henrique e David.

تحدث تيدي شيرنجهام نجم مانشستر يونايتد وتوتنهام والمنتخب الإنجليزي السابق، في حوار مع برنامج “رقم 10” على القناة الأولى.

وعلّق شيرنجهام على تتتويج ليفربول بالدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وتجديده لعقد محمد صلاح، ورؤيته لعمر مرموش لاعب مانشستر سيتي.

كما تحدث عن منافسات كأس العالم للأندية التي تقام في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، شهر يونيو المقبل.

وقال شيرنجهام: “ليفربول يُقدم أداءً رائعًا تحت قيادة آرني سلوت، يؤدي بشكل جيد ومُذهل، يورجن كلوب وضع الأساس وسلوت أجاد الاستمرارية، والريدز يستحق التتويج بالدوري الإنجليزي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | برناردو سيلفا: لا أعلم لماذا سدد مرموش ركلة الجزاء.. وحزين على دي بروين

وأضاف: “محمد صلاح يواجه كل الصعوبات في إنجلترا، وتفجرت موهبته، هذا الأمر يتطلب شخصية قوية، وصلاح لاعب رائع، فهو أفضل من يُسجل الأهداف في فريقه وفي الدوري بشكل عام”.

وواصل: “تفاجأت بتجديد تعاقده مع ليفربول، كنت أخشى من تركيزه مع أندية أخرى، لكني أتشوق لرؤيته في الموسم الجديد، وأعتقد أن أمامه 3 أو 4 سنوات قادمة ليقدم نفس المستوى الرائع”.

وانتقل للحديث عن عمر مرموش، قائلاً: “أتطلع لرؤية النسحة الأفضل لـ مرموش في السنوات القادمة مع مانشستر سيتي”.

وأتم الحديث بشأن منافسات كأس العالم للأندية: “ستكون بطولة مهمة ولسوء الحظ ميسي لن يكون موجودًا في المباراة الافتتاحية وسأحضر البطولة من أمريكا، سأشجع النادي الأهلي في البطولة، فهو أفضل فريق مصري لديكم”.

“I have to [keep my emotions in check] because I can’t come with emotion on the cricket field – my character is ruthless”

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-2022From Lord’s to Eden Gardens, Jhulan Goswami’s immense contribution to world cricket in her career at the highest level for over two decades was celebrated with gusto on Saturday, the day of her farewell appearance for India. At Lord’s, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur brought Goswami out with her for the toss ahead of the final ODI, and there were tearful scenes at the team huddle. While across at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Goswami’s home venue, plans to name a stand after her were unveiled.Goswami has had a good finish to her long international career, which started in January 2002, as she bowled tight spells in the first two ODIs, both of which India won to seal the series with the match on Saturday left to play. The last time India won an ODI series in England was in 1999.Related

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'That is one regret' – Goswami on not winning a World Cup

On Saturday, the celebrations started around the time of the toss. The outgoing England team coach Lisa Keightley presented Goswami with a shirt signed by the England players. Harmanpreet allowed Goswami to be captain, in a fashion, for a while. And then there were lots of photographs.”When I debuted, that time she was the captain,” Harmanpreet would say at the post-match presentation. “Even in the huddle before the game, I told her when I was going through the best time, many people were around me and supporting me but in my rough times, she was the only one who was backing and supporting me and I just wanted to say thank you to her. I know it was her last game but she will always be with us and she is just a call away when we need her. She is my go-to person. In my low phase, I always call her and discuss what I have to do. She is someone who [always] guided me.”Harmanpreet Kaur played her part by letting Jhulan Goswami go out for the toss•ECB via Getty ImagesGoswami said on the official broadcast: “Thanks to BCCI and Cricket Association of Bengal [CAB], my family, coaches, captains, thanks for this opportunity. It’s a special moment. I started in 2002 against England [in India] and ending in England. Most important thing is we are 2-0 up in the series.”Each and every moment has a lot of emotions. In 2017 [ODI] World Cup, we came back and fought, nobody initially thought we would get into the final, the way we played that tournament was something different. From there, women’s cricket in India slowly, gradually it picked up, and now we have our own path and we can motivate young girls to play sports and have a career in cricket.”I have to [keep my emotions in check] because I can’t come with emotion on the cricket field. My character is ruthless; you have to play hard cricket and give your best. A lot of team-mates, people like Harman and Smriti [Mandhana], have seen me, with ups and downs, we’ve fought and stayed together through ups and downs. It’s good that the emotions come out early and after we can come back fresh for the game. I’m happy to see the way Harman and Smriti have carried this team. The way Harman’s batting has been great. She’s different, on her day it’s difficult to get her out. Some days, it’s difficult for me to get her. I’m glad with the way players like Yastika [Bhatia] and Harleen [Deol] are coming. Hope they come well in the future.”Not long after that, CAB, Goswami’s home cricket association in India, announced their own honour for the star bowler. CAB had earlier arranged a screening of the farewell match at an auditorium in the city, with young women cricketers and CAB officials and members in attendance.”We are planning to name a stand after Jhulan Goswami at Eden Gardens. She is a special cricketer and deserves to be with the legends,” Avishek Dalmiya, the CAB president, said. “We will approach the army [the owners of the stadium] for the necessary permission. We are also planning a special felicitation for her on the annual day.”At CAB we give equal importance to women’s cricket and hence we see so many talented cricketers. They are of course inspired by Jhulan’s achievements. Though she has retired from international cricket we would love her to play in the woman’s IPL [which is expected to start next year].”Snehasish Ganguly, the CAB secretary, added: “We have made her the mentor of the Bengal women’s cricket as we want to get her valuable advice. We have plans to involve her in development of women’s cricket. We also want her to play domestic cricket if she wants.”Jhulan Goswami knocks over Kate Cross in her final game•Getty ImagesA day after her final international match, Goswami took to social media to put out an official statement about her retirement, thanking a number of people who had played a part in her long cricketing journey. “Like every journey has an end, my cricket journey of over 20 years ends today as I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket,” she wrote. “As Ernest Hemingway said, ‘It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end’. For me this journey has been the most satisfying. It has been exhilarating, thrilling to say the least adventurous.”Cricket has given me several gifts over the years, the greatest and the best without doubt, has been the people I have met along this journey. The friends I made, my competitors, team-mates, the journalists I interacted with, match officials, board administrators and people who loved watching me play.”I have always been honest as a cricketer and hope, I have been able to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket in India and the world,” she wrote. “I hope I have been successful in inspiring the next generation of girls to play this beautiful game. Ever since watching the Women’s World Cup final at Eden Gardens back in 1997, it was my dream to play for India, and I am thankful to the BCCI, CAB, Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI) and Air India officials for reposing faith in me and giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream.”I want to thank the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for taking care of my injuries and keeping me fit as a fiddle over the years. I am grateful to all the coaches, trainers, physios, and ground staff who have been an integral part of this journey. A huge shout out to all the captains I have played under. Their faith in my abilities helped build my confidence.”I want to take a moment to thank my family (my parents, siblings) who stood by me in every situation. Not to forget my friends, who have been my best critics and biggest supporters. Last but not the least, I want to thank my childhood coach for having backed me in my endeavour. I also want to express my gratitude towards my fans, journalists, broadcasters for backing me and giving wings to women’s cricket.”

Enzo Maresca has only been at Chelsea for nearly seven months, already implementing a very clear system on the pitch, which had seen relative success for the first six months.

However, in the past month, things have taken a slight turn, with the Blues struggling to pick up points, now sitting sixth in the Premier League after 23 games played.

The midfield configuration has been extremely important for Maresca this season, utilising the likes of Moises Caicedo, Roméo Lavia and Enzo Fernández in different ways, using inverted fullbacks to platform his high-value midfielders in the best way.

However, due to the injury issues of Lavia, Maresca hasn’t had much choice to be flexible with his midfield, which has presented some injury scares for the likes of Fernandez and Caicedo, as the Blues now look a little light in this department, as they aren’t looking to bring back loanees in this area.

Therefore, could the Blues look at adding a different type of midfield profile alongside the likes of Caicedo and Fernandez, who is more of a natural number six, brings some extra physical attributes but can still suit Maresca’s style of play.

Chelsea's search for a midfielder

According to reports from TEAMtalk, Chelsea have a real interest in Brighton midfielder, Carlos Baleba, who is being monitored closely for what would likely be a summer move.

Transfer Focus

The Blues, according to the report, sounded out the availability and valuation of Baleba earlier this month. The suggestion is that they would have to ‘massive overpay’ in order to get their man before the looming deadline, although it is hinted that such a move is not entirely out of the question.

The 21-year-old arrived from Lille for a fee of around £23.2m in 2023, replacing Caicedo who joined Chelsea that summer. But could he follow a similar path, with the Blues landing the midfielder for a large fee?

Baleba has made 23 appearances for Brighton this campaign under new manager, Fabian Hurzeler, scoring three goals, providing two assists, contributing to six clean sheets and totalling 1,770 minutes played.

How Baleba compares to Caicedo

Caicedo has made 25 appearances for Maresca’s side this season, scoring one goal, providing two assists, contributing to five clean sheets and totalling 2,149 minutes played.

The 23-year-old has become absolutely key under Maresca, with the Italian stating: “He’s very humble, everything we ask he is there to do it. I’m loving his performances”.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Baleba

Caicedo

Goals + Assists

0.26

0.13

Progressive Carries

1.60

0.97

Progressive Passes

4.50

5.31

Pass Completion %

88.4%

88.7%

Passes into Final Third

4.32

6.55

Tackles

2.90

2.92

Blocks

1.54

1.28

Interceptions

1.89

1.46

Ball Recoveries

6.75

6.06

Aerial Duels Won

1.36

1.06

When comparing the two midfielders’ underlying numbers this season, you can see how good Baleba has been, with Caicedo being widely praised as one of the best performers in the league this season.

Baleba is averaging more defensive actions per 90, winning more aerial duels, recovering the ball more frequently and even adding goals and assists for his side at a higher rate.

Charlie Adam, the former Liverpool man, has praised Baleba already this season, stating the youngster brings “something that’s different from what’s been in the Premier League”.

Many believe if his form continues, he will be the next big-money move from Brighton to a top-six club, with analyst Ben Mattinson dubbing him “one of the best midfielders in the league” at present.

Adding Baleba to Chelsea’s midfield ranks would allow Maresca to unleash Caicedo a little bit further forwards, pressing higher up the pitch as he did with Brighton, but also impacting the game more on the ball in the final third with his passing quality.

Having seen the success of landing the Ecuadorian from the Amex, repeating the trick with his heir apparent could prove a real masterstroke for the Blues.

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West Ham United chiefs have held discussions with a forward and his club, putting a January bid on the table as they push for his signing before deadline day.

West Ham target new forward for Graham Potter

Graham Potter is very short in the attacking areas, especially up front, with both Michail Antonio and summer signing Niclas Füllkrug out through long-term injuries.

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This has left West Ham’s new manager with just Danny Ings as his natural striker option, and while star winger Jarrod Bowen is capable of playing there in a makeshift role, the England international is also unavailable through injury after fracturing his foot against Liverpool.

“He’s doing everything he can to get on the pitch as soon as possible,” said Potter on Bowen’s injury mid-way through this month.

“We just need to make sure it’s in a safe way, and it’s a good way for him because we want to get him back, and we want him to stay back. Jarrod wants to be out there, he wants to play, and we’re trying to pull the reins on him rather than the other way around.”

As Potter waits for Bowen to make a return, he’s forced to be much more patient with the likes of Fullkrug and Antonio, meaning West Ham are in the market for attacking reinforcements who can come in and make an immediate impact.

West Ham are in talks with RB Leipzig over Andre Silva, as confirmed by ExWHUemployee, but he isn’t their only target.

“We had continued our talks with Andre Silva over a loan move to the summer,” said Ex (via West Ham Way).

“The loan deal would potentially have an option at the end of it to make the deal permanent. Talks will continue today but at the moment other options are being considered as well. As I’ve been saying for a while now, I think this is the easiest deal to complete, and one we may chose to do as a temporary measure that could turn out to be a bargain.”

One of the other options being looked at, as per De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij on Friday, is Ajax sensation Brian Brobbey.

West Ham make offer to sign Ajax forward Brian Brobbey on loan

As per the Dutch reporter, West Ham are making a “serious attempt” to sign Brobbey, and have submitted an offer for the Netherlands international.

It is believed their proposal is a six-month loan with an obligation to buy him in the summer. Ajax would want around £30 million for Brobbey – made up of an initial £25 million fee plus £5 million in easily achievable bonuses – but West Ham have approached both the Eredivisie giants and Brobbey’s representatives in a bid to make the transfer happen.

Verweij adds that Ajax already snubbed a £21 million offer from Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille earlier this window. It remains to be seen if West Ham prove more successful in prising away the 22-year-old who’s scored three goals and registered seven assists in all competitions so far.

It was Arshdeep Singh’s first ball in a World Cup of any format, against Pakistan at a packed MCG, and he was on the money straightaway. Babar Azam, one of the best in the world, was trapped in front with one that swung in.It didn’t end there for Arshdeep. He ended the night with 3 for 32, with Mohammad Rizwan and Asif Ali both falling to the well-directed short ball.”He’s a young lad – only 21-22 [23] – and in the last three years, what I’ve seen is he’s transformed into a very mature bowler,” Anil Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out programme. “And he can handle the pressure; his temperament is brilliant, we saw that. Even when that catch was put down in the Asia Cup, he came back and bowled really well.”Related

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The dropped catch Kumble was referring to came against Pakistan in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup last month, when Arshdeep put Asif down in the 18th over, with Pakistan still requiring another 31 from 16 balls. Asif was yet to score at that stage, and went on to bring the equation down to seven off six deliveries. Arshdeep was called upon to bowl the final over, and took the game until the penultimate ball, including dismissing Asif off the fourth delivery. But Pakistan won a tight contest.”To have a wicket off your first ball [at the MCG] – that too of Babar Azam – was fantastic,” Kumble said. “He got three main batters of Pakistan – Rizwan, Azam and Asif. I thought it was brilliant, the way he bowled and he held his nerve.”Stephen Fleming also said that he was “really impressed with Arshdeep’s temperament”.Arshdeep Singh picked up 3 for 32 at the MCG on his World Cup debut•Associated Press

“Hundred-thousand people at the MCG, and you come in with your first ball right on the money,” Fleming said. “It was a great start for him and for India. So his temperament – I’ve witnessed it first hand in the IPL – [and] his ability to absorb pressure at the death… today it was right at the start.”Kumble, who has been Arshdeep’s coach and seen his development at Punjab Kings in the IPL, also spoke about how he has added new weapons to his arsenal.”Initially, he had lost the ball coming back in [to the right-hander],” Kumble said. “I thought Damien Wright, who was the bowling coach [at Kings], worked on him. He [Wright] had worked with Trent Boult as well when he was the New Zealand coach, and I’m really happy that Arshdeep is not just getting the ball back into the right-hander, but also taking the ball away. If you see it, it’s not just the angle, but he’s also swinging the ball away, which is a real bonus for Arshdeep.”Pakistan’s innings against India ended at 159, and Arshdeep said before India began their chase – which went up to the final ball before India earned the win – that he just wanted to make his World Cup debut a memorable one.”I just wanted to enjoy the moment. I guess it’ll never come again, so I just wanted to enjoy myself and have fun,” he said on Star Sports. “We wanted to make use of the long square boundaries, so the plan was to hit the wickets and the pads. I guess we’ll do our best and chase this down.”