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Among the active IPL teams, LSG’s win-loss record at home is now the second-worst overall

Sidharth Monga01-Apr-20252:13

Rapid Fire: How big a concern is Pant’s form?

Yet another home team has been left frustrated by the pitch dished out by their curator. After they were beaten by eight wickets with 22 balls remaining in their first home game of the season, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan said it seemed the opposition had brought their own curator to prepare the pitch. This defeat tipped LSG’s overall win-loss ratio at home to below 1. Ironically, among the active teams in the IPL, only their opponents on the night, Punjab Kings (PBKS), hold a worse win-loss ratio at home.”What was a little disappointing for me here…” Zaheer said at the press conference. “Considering it’s a home game and in IPL you’ve seen how teams have looked at taking a little bit of home advantage, from that point of view you’ve seen the curator is not really thinking that it’s a home game. I think maybe it looked like, you know, it was Punjab curator out here.”So that’s something which we will figure. It’s a new set-up also for me, but I hope that this is the first and the last game when it comes to that. Because you are disappointing the Lucknow fans as well. They’ve come up with so much expectations of winning the first home game here.Related

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Pant 'still figuring out a lot of things for the team'

“As a team, we are confident. We accept that we’ve lost the game, and we have got to do whatever it takes to make that impact in the home leg. We still have six more games to go here, and this team has shown in the season so far, whatever little cricket is played, that we have the right outlook and the mindset to look at the IPL. What you can expect is innovation, out-of-the-box thinking, the fight, the hunger, and that sums us up as a team.”Struggling with injuries to their fast bowlers, LSG would perhaps have preferred a surface that assisted spin or at least didn’t offer help to the PBKS seam attack. LSG played only two quicks for this match, one of them a last-minute inclusion in Shardul Thakur. They have only one overseas fast bowler in their whole squad, Shamar Joseph.PBKS dominated LSG with their fast-bowling trio of Arshdeep Singh, Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen before adding two overs of Marcus Stoinis for good measure. Put together, they returned figures of 5 for 112 in 13 overs.Zaheer called for more support for the home team. Asked if they might have misread the pitch in their first home game, Zaheer said: “That’s what we are saying. We will go according to what the curator tells us. We are not using this as an excuse. We have seen during the last season that it’s not like batters don’t have to struggle here at times. All these things go on in cricket. But the way the home team should get support, everyone needs to know this is our home team that is playing in Lucknow and what can we do to help them win? Everyone’s contribution is important. We will find a way anyway to win matches…”2:11

Aaron: Bishnoi needs to take more responsibility

Even the captain Rishabh Pant suggested during the post-match presentation that they were expecting a slower pitch. They even left out seamer Prince Yadav for an extra spinner in M Siddharth. When asked about the unusual move of bowling three overs of spin in the powerplay, Pant said: “The idea was to get a slower wicket. We felt it’s a home game, it’s going to stop a little bit. I think the slower ones, when bowled into the wicket, were still sticking in but we weren’t good enough on the day. We have got to learn and move forward. It is our first home game. Still assessing the conditions.”LSG are the third team to express frustration at the home conditions after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK). KKR suggested they wanted more assistance for spin but that they didn’t have any say. CSK, the team with the best win-loss ratio at home in all IPL, said they have been struggling to get a read on home conditions for two years now.

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Enquanto vive o seu segundo dia de folga da semana, o Palmeiras vive um clima de tensão e mistério longe dos gramados, muito por conta do momento de instabilidade que o time vive e também da pressão que a torcida alviverde está fazendo por novos reforços.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Restando cerca de 15 dias para o fechamento da janela de transferências do mercado nacional, a diretoria corre para tentar reforçar o elenco para este segundo semestre e o nome que mais agita a torcida e se aproxima do clube no momento é o do volante Wendel.

Se por um lado o torcedor alviverde vive a expectativa de contar com o bom reforço do brasileiro que atua no Zenit-RUS, o palmeirense também vive a tensão da definição do capitão Gustavo Gómez, que despertou interesse do Al-Nassr, da Arábia Saudita, e que pode dar adeus ao Verdão, apesar da diretoria negar que vá deixar o xerife partir para o mundo árabe.

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+ Clube de CR7 acena com interesse em Gustavo Gómez, mas Palmeiras descarta vender capitão

Lembrando que o prazo para inscrever algum atleta para as oitavas de final da Libertadores é menor, então o Verdão terá que correr ainda mais caso queira adicionar algum reforço ao plantel de Abel Ferreira para encarar o Atlético-MG.

Em relação ao plantel que disputou a fase de grupos da Libertadores, o Verdão deve ter pelo menos três mudanças para esta fase final, uma vez que os atacantes Giovani e Rafael Navarro e o meia Bruno Tabata não fazem mais parte do elenco.

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Neste clima de definição e mistério, Abel Ferreira tenta reanimar o grupo alviverde que se reapresenta nesta quarta-feira (19), visando o duelo diante do Fortaleza, no Allianz Parque, neste próximo sábado (22), pela 16ª rodada do Brasileirão 2023.

O Palmeiras necessita do triunfo frente ao seu torcedor após uma sequência negativa que já chega cinco rodadas sem saber o que é vitória, algo que não acontecia desde 2019.

U.S. international Tim Weah scored his first club goal for Olympique de Marseille, a moment he hailed as a “dream” considering it happened at Real Madrid's famed Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. However, the winger acknowledged he wished the Marseille could have found a result in the Champions League match Tuesday, which they ultimately lost 2-1.

Getty Images Sport'You dream of moments like that'

Weah reflected on the moment with one of his idols, former Arsenal star Thierry Henry. 

"Happy to score my first goal for the club, and the fans deserved it," Weah said on Paramount+. "But to leave here without a win is bittersweet. I would have preferred to win the game. It’s a pleasure. It’s a dream come true. As a kid, you dream of moments like that.

"There’s no better club to do it with, and I’m so happy to be at Marseille, and I’m so happy to give the fans something to cheer about. Super happy, and the job doesn’t stop here. I put this game behind me, and now it's time for the next."

The 25-year-old from Queens, New York admitted he didn't know if an opportunity to play at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu would happen in his career. 

"In a 100 years, I didn’t think I would play here," he said. "I grew up in Rosedale playing on a small turf pitch, so a dream come true. Definitely humble and happy to be in my position."

AdvertisementAFP'I’d fight to the death for him'

Regarding his move from Juventus to Marseille in Ligue 1, the former PSG academy product said the passion of the fans, manager Roberto De Zerbi and the fact that his father George played with the club and all factored into his decision. 

"When I got the call from Marseille, my dad was the first one [I called] and he said he loved it there," Weah said. "It’s something special playing for this club. When you watch a home game, the supporters [are special]. Even tonight, 4,000 tickets sold and almost 10,000 fans came. I’m just happy to be a part of that.

"There are some great things here, and I really want to succeed here. That’s the perfect way to pay back the support they show to us every game." 

Weah said that De Zerbi, who previously had success at Brighton, aggressively recruited him to return to France after previously playing for PSG and Lille earlier in his career. 

"He’s a player’s coach. He was one of the main reasons why I came to this club," Weah said. "He called me one late night, and he told me how much he wanted me and how he’s going to make me a better player. I believe in him and I believe in his philosophy and everything he does.

"He shows his passion, and it's great we have a coach who loves the game and makes you want to love the game too, and enjoy the game of football. Super happy to be one of his players, and I’d fight to the death for him."

AFPA man of many positions

De Zerbi has used Weah all over the pitch in his first five games for the club, ranging from fullback on both flanks and on the wings, but the American has seen the most success up top on the left – as evidenced against Madrid and previously against Paris FC. 

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Le Classique awaits

Marseille will now look ahead as they take on Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1's biggest rivalry on Sunday. 

Phillip Hughes’ family have described the popular cricketer as “the light of our lives” in a touching tribute before tears were shed at the SCG on the 10th anniversary of his death.The family of Hughes, who died two days after being struck by a ball while batting in a Sheffield Shield game at the SCG, hope his exploits and character will be an inspiration for younger cricketers.”He shined bright even in the tough times,” the family said in a statement issued by Cricket Australia on Wednesday. “We loved everything about him. He was the light of our lives. Phillip had a profound love for his family and lived his life with respect to everyone around him.”At the SCG on Wednesday morning, a crowd of around 100 people observed a minute’s silence before play began on day four of a Shield game between New South Wales and Tasmania. NSW team-mates consoled paceman Sean Abbott, who began weeping during the minute’s silence.”We just tried to get around him and let him know that he wasn’t alone today, going through this,” said stand-in NSW captain Jack Edwards.Through his manager, Abbott was consulted well in advance about whether he would be comfortable with a match being scheduled on the 10-year anniversary of one of sport’s most tragic accidents.The 32-year-old has gone on to forge a successful international career, playing 46 white-ball matches for Australia, but has never spoken publicly about bowling the ball that struck Hughes.Abbott approved the fixture, as did NSW captain Moises Henriques and coach Greg Shipperd, and was always intent on playing.Abbott bowled beautifully on day four, taking three wickets in a Tasmanian batting collapse that forced the visitors into a premature declaration. Edwards lauded Abbott on his courage to line up in the game, which ended in a 55-run win for Tasmania.”The way he came out and bowled, I’m sure it was extremely emotional for him, for everyone, but in particular him,” Edwards said. “To come out and lead with the ball as he as all game, he was very brave today.”Australian internationals Ashleigh Gardner and Ellyse Perry were among those in attendance.Flags flew at half-mast and players on both sides wore black armbands at the SCG on Thursday, as they have across the country in this week’s Shield games.”He always aimed to make those around him smile and enjoy the little things in life, where his beautiful smile would come to life,” Hughes’ family said.The teams line up at the SCG to remember Phillip Hughes•Getty Images

Hughes’ father Greg, mother Virginia, sister Megan and brother Jason hope , a documentary on his journey, would further honour his life after its release on December 6.”We’d like to thank [everyone] for supporting this endeavour and each person who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for creating a celebration of Phillip’s life,” they said.”We hope we have been able to showcase that dreams really do come true and you will enjoy seeing his family, friends and teammates give more of an insight into his career from his baggy blue, baggy red, baggy green and many more moments in between.”International cricket figures paid tribute to Hughes on the anniversary of his death.”It was an incredibly sad moment for cricket,” said England Test captain Ben Stokes. “When a fellow professional has something that happened to them, you can’t help but feel sad for his family, for his teammates, for anyone who knew him.”Also for Sean Abbott as well. It would have been horrific for him.”New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham echoed Stokes’ sentiments ahead of the three-match series between the two nations.”Our thoughts are with Phil’s family on the anniversary. It puts cricket into perspective, it is just a game that we play,” he said.Hughes, aged 25 when he passed away, played 26 Tests for Australia between 2009 and 2014 and represented NSW and South Australia in first-class ranks.

Hosts pick up maximum batting points before Mohammad Abbas runs rampant to leave Worcestershire in trouble

ECB Reporters Network18-Sep-2024

Mohammad Abbas was in the wickets again•Getty Images

Nick Gubbins equalled his first-class best before Ethan Brookes scored a scintillating maiden Vitality County Championship century but couldn’t prevent a hefty Hampshire lead.Gubbins shone to reach 201 as Hampshire picked up maximum batting points in their improbable title charge, before Mohammad Abbas ran rampant to leave the visitors 61 for 5.Worcestershire’s Brookes and Gareth Roderick countered in a flurry of sweeps and high-quality batting to put on 196, with scores of 132 and 94 individually to confirm their side’s safety in Division One.But Liam Dawson claimed his fifth five-wicket haul of the summer to boast a 189-run first-innings lead, however Hampshire did not enforce the follow-on – instead closing the day on three without loss.Dawson and Gubbins began the day by setting a fifth-wicket partnership record for Hampshire against Worcestershire – beating the 209 between Jim Bailey and Neville Rogers in 1946.The stand reached 220 before Dawson advanced, swatted and skied Tom Taylor to Adam Hose, to begin a hair-raising 10-over spell where Hampshire attempted to reach 450, while losing regular wickets.Gubbins continued his reign and reached the second double-century of his career in 315 balls with a powerful strike through the leg side.But around him, Surrey loanee Amar Virdi took advantage of the aggression to pick up his first professional five-for since 2021.Tom Prest chipped to midwicket to give Taylor his fourth, before off-spinner Virdi got one to turn sharply to pin James Fuller, found Felix Organ slogging to deep midwicket and Kyle Abbott leg before when going back.It was left to Abbas to clip off his legs to the boundary to reach 450 and a fifth batting point before he left Gubbins unbeaten when he edged to second slip.Worcestershire’s response continued the wicket rush as Abbas produced one of his spells where he has the ball on a leash.Jake Libby was done between bat and pad to a ball that nipped in and took the top of the off stump, before Kashif Ali tried to cover his stumps but edged to first slip.The Pakistan international produced another teaser by holding one outside off stump for Rob Jones to nick off, before adding an Adam Hose lbw after lunch to leave Worcestershire 30 for 4.Dawson began his haul with a smart piece of field movement to switch Fletcha Middleton from short leg to short mid off, before some extra bounce saw Brett D’Oliveira glove one to the re-placed Middleton.Roderick had weathered the storm from his end and found a bullish Brookes keen to score quickly – his second time past fifty in 52 balls has he quickly zoomed ahead of his top-order partner’s scoring rate.With Dawson, and Felix Organ, in operation for much of the innings, Brookes took to sweeping to survive and score. He played 44 variations on the shot during his innings. It brought him 13 boundaries and 71 of his runs.His century came in 128 balls and was celebrated with great gusto on and off the field, as he and the increasingly attacking Roderick broke a 124-year record for the sixth wicket for the Pears versus Hampshire – eventually ending on 196.By getting to 250, tied with their three bowling points, Worcestershire secured their Division One status for another season.But that positivity melted into a sticky collapse – with the last five wickets falling for 16 runs.Roderick was leg before to Organ – who wrestled things back after an expensive opening few overs to only go at sixes in the face of jeers from spectators – before Dawson took over.Brookes died by the sweep when he picked out deep square, Logan van Beek and Virdi were lbw before the innings ended with Joe Leach pouched at slip.Without Roderick and Brookes’ stand, the next highest partnership was worth 31, and only D’Oliveira scored more than four runs.Hampshire’s didn’t make them go again, and Hampshire openers Middleton and Toby Albert went through six overs unscathed.

Wayne Madsen fights for Derbyshire but huge deficit still in prospect

ECB Reporters Network30-Aug-2024Sussex took control against Derbyshire at Hove as they pushed for a victory that would strengthen their promotion push in the Vitality County Championship.The second division leaders reduced the visitors to 73 for 5 after Sussex had piled up 607 for 8, their highest total against Derbyshire.Wayne Madsen held them up and was unbeaten on 79 at stumps on day 2 as he put conditions in perspective but Derbyshire are still 429 runs behind on 178 for 6.They were soon in trouble as Indian left-armer Jaydev Unadkat, who is back at Sussex for the run-in, took 3 for 19 in a skilful five-over opening spell.Opener Harry Came edged Unadkat’s third ball to first slip where Tom Alsop took a good, low catch while Brooke Guest drove lavishly at another outswinger but straight to backward point.It was 19 for 3 in the seventh over when Fynn Hudson-Prentice struck with his fifth ball, which straightened enough to pin left-hander Luis Reece, and Derbyshire lost their fourth wicket on 24 when Tom Haines took a fine diving catch low to his left to remove skipper David Lloyd, after Unadkat pushed one across his defences.Madsen and Aneurin Donald added 49 for the fifth wicket but they were parted when off-spinner Carson, who earlier made a career-best 97, nipped one through Donald’s defensive push with his fifth ball.Madsen found another ally in Anuj Dal and they put on 84 for the sixth wicket in 24 overs but Carson made another important breakthrough just before stumps when Dal (45) was caught by Alsop at short leg playing a forcing shot off he back foot.Sussex skipper Simpson had earlier led the successful charge to secure the maximum five batting bonus points – for getting to 450 inside 110 first innings overs – with an early assault on Derbyshire pacemen Daryn Dupavillon and Zak Chappell.Simpson had already taken three lovely offside fours off Dupavillon’s opening over of the day when Alsop chipped Chappell’s loosener, at the start of the second over, straight to short mid-wicket after he had added just a single to his overnight 69, his third successive fifty and seventh of the season.Alsop swished his bat in annoyance at his mistake but Simpson, who had resumed on 25, was in no mood to waste an opportunity to score quick runs.Two extra cover fours off Chappell were followed by a straight driven four off Dupavillon that took him to a 68-ball fifty and another booming straight four, this time off Chappell, to reach 60.Hudson-Prentice (8) edged Anuj Dal’s medium pace to keeper Guest but Carson brought up Sussex’s 450 in the 108th over by slamming left-arm spinner Jack Morley high past mid off for four.Carson swung Morley over the short legside boundary for the first of his three sixes, the final one a massive blow over mid-wicket off Dupavillon as he went past his previous highest score of 87.Simpson eventually holed out to long off on 121, his fourth Championship hundred of a prolific season, after facing 167 balls and hitting a six and 13 fours. He also reached 10,000 first-class career runs in the process.And Carson’s bid for a maiden first-class hundred ended when he was bowled swinging at a full ball from Dupavillon. His excellent effort came from 125 balls, with six fours besides his trio of sixes, and Sussex’s declaration immediately followed. Sussex’s total was their biggest at Hove for seven years.

Chelsea have started their Club World Cup campaign with a relatively straightforward 2-0 victory over LAFC in the searing heat of Atlanta.

Enzo Maresca’s side were always expected to win, and it gave the Blues a solid start to the tournament. Next up is Brazilian side Flamengo this evening, and another win would seal a place in the knockout rounds.

The aim is to go as far as possible in the United States, especially with prize money for the winners of the competition set to reach $125m this summer.

Goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernández on Monday were enough to seal the win over the MLS side, but it was the debut of Liam Dealp that was one of the most positive aspects of the win.

The striker arrived for a reported fee of £30m from Ipswich Town a few weeks ago, and on the surface, this move could turn into a bargain for the Stamford Bridge side. Indeed, just how well did the Englishman perform during his cameo against LAFC a few days ago?

Liam Delap’s game in numbers vs LAFC

Maresca went with Nicolas Jackson as his lone centre-forward against the American side, and he performed fairly well, grabbing the assist for Neto’s opener.

After 65 minutes, the Senegal international was subbed off in place of Delap, who was given just over half an hour to demonstrate his talents.

During this time, Delap made two key passes, succeeded with 100% of his dribble attempts, and created one big chance against LAFC.

It was his assist that showed exactly what the striker can do. He delivered a fine cross from the right flank straight into the path of Fernandez, who finished easily to seal all three points.

While Delap may have been signed to provide competition for Jackson in leading the line, his cameo proves the youngster can drop deeper and generate chances for his teammates.

It will be interesting to see whether Maresca deploys him from the start against Flamengo this evening or if he will remain on the bench.

With the transfer market now in full swing, the manager appears to be keen on signing another winger or two to add something different to his squad.

Jamie Gittens has been earmarked as the main transfer target, and it remains to be seen whether the Blues will secure a deal to sign the Borussia Dortmund winger over the next few weeks. There are plenty of alternatives, however, especially those who have plenty of Premier League experience…

Chelsea’s search for a new winger

According to the Guardian, Chelsea have made Gittens a priority this summer in a bid to bolster their attacking options.

Dortmund rejected a bid of around £42m for the young English talent, and it remains to be seen just how much Maresca will have to pay to secure his signature.

The report goes on to state that the Blues have also made contact with West Ham United to sign Mohammed Kudus this summer.

West Ham rejected an initial approach from the Stamford Bridge side regarding a swoop for the former Ajax man, who has also been targeted by Manchester United and Newcastle United.

The Irons would prefer a straight sale amid Maresca’s attempts at offering players in any prospective deal, and the Ghanaian sensation has a release clause worth £85m, which is valid for Premier League sides throughout the first ten days of July.

It remains to be seen if he will cost more than a potential deal for Gittens, though. Given his Premier League credentials and ability to develop further, might he not only be a better signing, but also could Kudus work well with Delap?

Why Chelsea must sign Mohammed Kudus

Kudus was excellent during his spell with Ajax. A total of 39 goal contributions across 87 games saw West Ham pay £38m to bring the winger to the Premier League.

Across his two seasons so far with the Irons, Kudus has scored 14 and five goals respectively, attracting attention from the likes of Chelsea and Man United.

Comparing Kudus to Chelsea’s right-wingers last season (PL stats)
Metric	Kudus	Neto	Madueke
Goals	5	4	7
Assists	4	6	3
Successful dribbles per game	2.9	1	1.4
Shots per game	2.3	1.7	2.5
Big chances created	3	11	6
Total duels won per game	6.4	2.9	3.3

The Ghanaian international has been hailed as a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith when he is at his free-flowing best.

While he shone throughout his debut campaign, the 2024/25 season saw his goal output drop rather sharply.

While this may be a worry, Kudus still shone across a range of attacking metrics. Indeed, when compared with his positional peers in the top flight, the 24-year-old ranked in the top 17% for crosses into the opposition penalty area (0.52) per 90, while also ranking in the top 2% for take-ons attempted (7.23) and in the top 3% for successful take-ons (3.2) per 90 last season.

These attributes regularly see the winger beat his man to deliver balls into the box. Given Delap scored 11 of his 12 goals from inside the penalty area, he will usually be well-placed to tuck away chances created by Kudus.

Despite a fairly underwhelming season last term, throughout 2023/24, Kudus not only managed to create five big chances for West Ham in the Premier League, but also succeeded with an impressive 3.2 dribbles per game – a success rate of 62% – and averaged 0.8 key passes per match.

A move to Chelsea may reinvigorate the former Ajax starlet, especially as he will return to the Champions League, a competition he has previously starred in.

Indeed, the winger scored four goals and grabbed two assists in just six matches for the Dutch giants. With the Blues returning to Europe’s premier club competition next term, having someone like Kudus at his disposal could make Maresca’s job much easier.

Much will depend on the fee that can be agreed between the two clubs, but a potential deal for the 24-year-old could be a shrewd one for the club.

There is plenty of time left in the window, but with other clubs circling, Maresca may need to act swiftly.

A better move than Gittens: Chelsea make contact to sign "insane" £70m ace

Chelsea are searching for Jamie Gittens alternatives in the transfer window.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 20, 2025

Fulham are the club pushing the hardest to sign an “outstanding” midfielder, with Marco Silva set to be backed in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Cottagers set to back Silva amid uncertain future

Having been at Craven Cottage for just under four years, Silva is now among the longest-serving managers in the Premier League, but there is widespread interest in the Portuguese coach, with Juventus becoming the latest club to express an interest.

With Tottenham Hotspur and clubs from the Saudi Pro League also keen on the 47-year-old, it could be difficult for the board to retain his services, but they have now displayed a willingness to back the manager in the summer transfer window.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states Silva has been promised money to improve his squad, while also revealing the Cottagers have now set their sights on a new midfielder.

Fulham are said to be the club pushing the hardest to sign Mainz attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri, who is set to leave the German club this summer, having attracted widespread interest from the Premier League.

New target: Fulham now ready to pounce for 23-goal striker available for £0

The Cottagers have joined the race for a forward, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer.

ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025

Amiri has already turned down a move to Leeds United, while Crystal Palace have identified him as a potential target, but the west Londoners appear to be more determined to get a move over the line.

A deal would not break the bank either, with the 28-year-old expected to be allowed to leave for a fee of around £15m, and he could be brought in to replace Tom Cairney, amid interest from Wrexham, while fellow midfielder Harrison Reed is also set to depart.

"Outstanding" Amiri enjoyed impressive 2024-25 campaign

The Mainz star has been particularly impressive going forward as of late, picking up seven goals and five assists in 30 Bundesliga outings, and his displays at club level have led to a return to the German national side.

Upon selecting the central midfielder, manager Julian Nagelsmann said: “Nadiem is having an outstanding season. He’s a very good example of how you can take a step back to push your career forward.”

The German maestro had been uninvolved with his national side since 2020, but fought hard to regain his place, saying: “After I received a call from Julian Nagelsmann on Tuesday, I was in tears. It was my dream for so long to be able to play for the national team again. I worked hard, trying to improve every day”

Not only does Amiri have international experience, but he also has 10 Champions League appearances to his name, which could stand him in good stead to be a success at Craven Cottage, and a fee of £15m seems like a bargain for a player of his quality.

Two very exciting words have been shared in a report regarding the 49ers’ plans for the next Rangers manager.

Rangers rescue draw at Aberdeen to deny Celtic title

The Gers made several changes to their starting XI on Sunday, as interim manager Barry Ferguson prioritises the Europa League, with a huge second-leg clash away at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday and the tie evenly poised at 0-0.

Related As bad as McCausland: Ferguson must instantly drop £5m Rangers man

Rangers fought back from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Pittodrie against Aberdeen, but one flop in particular came in for scathing criticism.

Posts ByBen Gray Apr 13, 2025

The various changes affected Rangers deeply, as they found themselves 2-0 down and a man down at half-time. But goals from Hamza Igamane and Ianis Hagi claimed a point for the Gers and put a hold on Celtic’s title celebrations, albeit for just a short time.

Despite the fact there wasn’t much on the game for Rangers, Ferguson was happy with his side’s comeback and the fact they got a point: “After going down to 10 men and 2-0 down, you’ve got to be pretty happy with coming back into the game and getting a point. [Character] is one thing I’ve tried to drill into them. They’ll dig deep for me. They never give in. They kept going until the end. But we don’t help ourselves.”

Barry Ferguson’s managerial record at Rangers

Games

9

Won

4

Drawn

2

Lost

3

Points per game

1.56

The match on Sunday saw Rangers and Ferguson go up against Jimmy Thelin, who has emerged on Rangers’ radar in recent weeks, but the inconsistent form Aberdeen have shown has now likely ruled him out of the running.

Update shared about the 49ers plans for the next Rangers manager

Thelin being ruled out of the race comes in a report from Football Insider, who also interestingly state that the 49ers are planning on appointing a “big name” to become the new Rangers manager.

Rangers chiefs are planning to cover all areas and look further afield than just Scotland, as they want someone to come in and lead the club forward for years to come. The report doesn’t state who Rangers are actually considering appointing, but several names have been linked to the post in recent weeks, with Ferguson also not out of the running – his best chance of securing the job is of course to win the Europa League.

Since Philippe Clement was sacked by the Gers, several “big names” have been linked – former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was the first name in the ring, while former Gers boss Steven Gerrard has been mentioned with a sensational return to the club. A recent report has also claimed that the 49ers want to use their Red Bull links and hire Marco Rose, who has just left RB Leipzig.

But a big-name manager doesn’t come much bigger than José Mourinho, who before Fenerbahçe’s clash with the Gers last month, claimed that he would be open to managing Rangers one day.

“People can say that the Scottish league is a league of two teams, but it’s a league of passion. It’s a league of passion. And for me, passion in football is everything. And Celtic and Rangers, they are big clubs with big fanbases, with big emotions, big responsibilities, and big expectations. Why not?”

The big debate at Leeds United currently concerns the number one position at Elland Road amid questions over Illan Meslier’s suitability for the team this season.

Daniel Farke has already confirmed that Karl Darlow will be between the sticks when the Whites face off against Luton Town in the Championship this weekend, which will be a huge chance for the former Newcastle United man to nail down a place in the side.

The West Yorkshire outfit are currently competing for promotion to the Premier League – sat in second place as it stands – and the Wales international now has an opportunity to play a key role in an ascension to the top-flight.

Darlow has yet to make a Championship appearance for Leeds this season, but has kept two clean sheets in three Nations League matches for Wales, and it remains to be seen if he can be an upgrade on the French stopper.

Meslier’s form for the Whites throughout the 2024/25 campaign has been a concern, though, and it seems like the right call for Farke to take him out of the firing line this weekend.

Why Leeds are right to drop Illan Meslier

The former Lorient goalkeeper was in the spotlight once again when Leeds were held to a 2-2 draw by Swansea last weekend after he fumbled a cross to allow Harry Darling to score and let a shot from Zan Vipotnik squirm under him at the near post – undoing the good work he did to save a penalty.

He has started all 39 of the club’s matches in the Championship so far this term and that clash with the Swans was far from the first time that he has let the side down.

The left-footed dud has conceded 2.73 more goals than expected, based on the xG of the shots against his goal, which suggests that the Frenchman has been well below average as a shot-stopper.

Meslier has also made three errors that have directly led to goals for the opposition this season, the most famous of which may well be the one against Sunderland in the last minute at the Stadium of Light.

All of this suggests that Farke is right to finally take the 25-year-old liability out of the starting line-up because he has underperformed as a shot-stopper and made too many errors to gift goals to the opposition.

Meslier’s poor form this season has also caused some supporters to look back at former goalkeepers who have been let go during the French flop’s time at Elland Road, including Italian stopper Elia Caprile.

Leeds United's error with Elia Caprile

The young goalkeeper spent two-and-a-half years with the club’s academy, keeping five clean sheets in 19 U21 matches, and was sent out on loan to the third tier of Italian football in the 2021/22 campaign.

Caprile kept 12 clean sheets in 36 Serie C matches in that season, whilst Meslier had started all 38 of the club’s Premier League games under Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch combined.

At that point, it did not seem realistic that the Italian would overtake the Frenchman because he had just played third tier football, whilst the Leeds number one was playing week-in-week-out in the top-flight.

That led to Victor Orta and Marsch sanctioning a deal to send Caprile to Serie B side Bari on a permanent deal, which turned out to be an error on the club’s part as he went on to join Napoli one year later.

Elia Caprile (Serie A)

23/24 (Empoli)

24/25 (Cagliari)

Appearances

23

15

Goals conceded per game

1.2

0.9

Save success rate

75%

77%

Goals prevented

+0.96

+5.84

Saves made

80

43

Error led to goal

1

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, he has spent the last two seasons on loan at Empoli and Cagliari in the Serie A and caught the eye with his impressive shot-stopping skills.

This suggests that Leeds messed up with Caprile, because he is currently outperforming Meslier whilst playing in a major league, but it was difficult for the club to predict that rise after he had played in the third tier in Italy.

A bigger blunder by Leeds was their decision to allow Joel Robles to leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, as he could have been a dream replacement for the French dud.

Why Joel Robles was the perfect Illan Meslier replacement

The experienced Spaniard played four times in the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 campaign under Sam Allardyce, who dropped Meslier, before the club released him that summer.

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That has turned out to be an even bigger mistake than the decision to move Caprile on because the former Wigan Athletic man was a veteran presence between the sticks with top-flight experience, whilst the Italian was an inexperienced and young prospect who had yet to prove himself when the Whites let him leave.

Meslier had just conceded a staggering 12.4 more goals than expected based on the post-shot xG against him in the Premier League, which meant that he was heading into the Championship in poor form.

The 25-year-old dud has now gone on to concede 7.22 more goals than expected and made four errors that have directly led to goals in the second tier since the start of last term, which shows that he has continued to be a liability between the sticks.

Robles, who was hailed as an “incredible” teacher by Marc Roca, should have been kept as an experienced pair of hands to step in for Meslier once it was clear that his poor form had followed him to the Championship, as he has gone on to prove his quality in Portugal with Estoril.

24/25 season

Meslier (Championship)

Robles (Liga Portugal)

Appearances

39

24

Saves made

65

77

Saves from inside the box

35

57

Save success rate

71%

68%

Goals prevented

-2.73

+6.84

Error led to goal

3

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Spanish titan currently plays for Estoril and has significantly outperformed Meslier whilst playing in a top division.

Robles has consistently bailed his team out, almost preventing seven goals, and these statistics suggest that Leeds would have conceded far fewer goals if they had a goalkeeper of his shot-stopping ability between the sticks instead of their current number one.

Therefore, Leeds already let a perfect upgrade on Meslier leave for £0 when they released the former Wigan and Everton man on a free transfer back in the summer of 2023.

The 34-year-old colossus is proving that age is just a number as he continues to shine in a top European league for Estoril, whilst his former teammate continues to struggle in the Championship.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Mar 26, 2025

Leeds could have more points on the board right now if they had a reliable shot-stopper who could consistently prevent goals, like Robles, as they may not have dropped points against Sunderland or Swansea away – for example – without Meslier’s errors.