All posts by h716a5.icu

A dry but much needed account of Sri Lanka’s startling ascent to the summit

Daniel Brigham04-Apr-2009

Ivo Bligh captained England’s first team to play in Sri Lanka on Friday the 13th, October 1882. There was no bad luck that day – they won comfortably – but their fortune did not last: setting sail for Australia a few days later, they collided with a ship in mid-ocean and had to struggle back to Galle for repairs. Well over a century on and England – along with all other Test nations – are still leaving the island of Sri Lanka shamefaced.Sri Lanka are cricket’s biggest success story. Given Test status in 1981, they have overcome a civil war and political interference to become a top Test side, redefine one-day cricket and reach two World Cup finals, winning one.Their short acclimatisation period makes a mockery of Bangladesh’s Test status. It also makes a mockery of Kapil Dev, who captained India in Sri Lanka’s first Test win in 1985 and said: “Sri Lanka will never win a Test outside her shores.”How they got to that stage is a fascinating story that goes unheard in this country. Mahinda Wijesinghe is our guide and an internationally respected one too – he submitted the first third-umpire proposal to the ICC back in 1984.This is a mixed book of his own essays and statistics. You will surely learn a great deal – from how the locals routinely beat European settlers in early 20th-century matches to the first hero of Sri Lankan cricket – “Derrick” de Saram, who won an Oxford Blue at cricket in the 1930s but refused to tour with MCC in order to play for his own country.The fun is in the learning, not the reading – Wijesinghe prefers his prose dry. He also writes on umpiring, dissent, and his dislike of Bishan Bedi – odd in a history of Sri Lankan cricket. It turns the whole book into a bit of a vanity project and leaves one hoping that a more skilled and objective writer will one day tackle the subject of cricket’s greatest underdog story. Sri Lanka Cricket at the High Table: the amazing feats in her first 25 years
by Mahinda Wijesinghe
self-published

Newcastle United made their biggest sale in the club’s history over the summer, in perhaps the biggest Premier League transfer saga of all time.

Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from the North Eastern side for a fee of £125m, which was a British record deal.

Controversy aside, that move represented the change Newcastle have undergone over the past few seasons, since their takeover.

The Magpies more than doubled their money on the Swedish striker, having paid £60m for him. The fact that they can sign expensive talent and flip them for profit shows the positive financial state of the club.

In fact, there are a couple of other Newcastle players who could be future £100m stars, including – but not exclusive to – Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

Why Tonali & Guimaraes already are £100m stars

There is no doubt that Tonali and Guimaraes form one of the Premier League’s best midfield pivots. The Brazilian said it himself earlier this year, describing his partnership with the former AC Milan star as “one of the best midfields in the league.”

Newcastle’s number 39, Guimaraes, has already been valued at £100m by the club, and has previously had a release clause of that value.

Given his importance to the club, it’s easy to see why. The Brazil star has 21 appearances across all competitions and has ten goal involvements this term.

As for Tonali, the Italian is of equal importance to Eddie Howe’s midfield. He’s played 20 times this season, sitting at the base of their midfield and controlling the game, with Guimaraes operating just ahead of him.

Whilst there has never been an official report valuing the midfielder at £100m, it is clear he is a player worth that much.

Paul Scholes even said he is “better than Declan Rice,” with Arsenal paying £105m for the England star back in 2023. It is safe to assume Tonali can hit those heights.

However, it is not just Newcastle’s dynamic pivot who are future £100m stars at St James’ Park.

Newcastle’s latest future £100m player

Newcastle fans certainly adore the midfield, which Guimares says is among the Premier League’s elite. Tonali was lauded by one notable supporter earlier in the season as the “best” player he’s ever seen play for the Magpies.

It isn’t just Tonali, though, whom he heaped praise on. The content creator said Malick Thiaw is “a very strong contender for the best defender” he’s seen pull on that famous Black and White shirt.

Indeed, the German could easily earn a £100m price tag one day. His performances have been exceptional, as already alluded to, with scout Antonio Mango suggesting he was “one of the best signings of the summer.”

It is another example of a great investment from the Magpies, with Thiaw costing only £34.6m.

He’s cemented himself as Howe’s first-choice centre-back, playing 19 times in all competitions this term and even offering a threat from set pieces. Thiaw bagged twice against Everton in a 4-1 win last month.

Indeed, his stats reflect just how good a centre-back he is.

The 24-year-old averages 4.53 progressive passes and 3.81 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 17% and 15% of Premier League centre-backs, respectively.

Long pass accuracy

67.2%

92nd

Progressive passes

4.53

83rd

Progressive carries

1

85th

Ball recoveries

4.08

78th

Aerial duels won

3.81

85th

There is perhaps a case to be made that Thiaw is just as important to Howe’s side this term as Tonali and Guimaraes. He’s certainly played a similar number of games, completing 90 minutes in the Premier League ten times in a row now.

If the midfield duo are worth £100m, it is easy to see how that can be the case for Thiaw in the future.

He has all the attributes to go to the very top, and is highly rated by Newcastle fans and How alike. The German has been exceptional this season and will be hoping this form continues.

He's the next Bruno Guimaraes: Newcastle to launch move for £30m "monster"

Newcastle United could win themselves a future Bruno Guimaraes by making a move for this £30m ace.

ByKelan Sarson 3 days ago

“My cricket is in my hands, and if I just keep doing my job, as and when the opportunity comes, I will do well for India.”

Srinidhi Ramanujam15-Jan-2025Arundhati Reddy wasn’t expecting to be left out of India’s white-ball squads for the home series against West Indies and Ireland, especially after taking a career-best four-wicket haul in her most recent ODI. But the fast bowler isn’t brooding over the snub; instead, she says she’s making sure she’s only focusing on what she can control: fine-tuning her skills to become the best cricketer she can be. Along the way, she says she has learned to let go of the fear of failure, and express herself whenever she’s on the field.Reddy and Shafali Verma were the high-profile absentees from India’s limited-overs squads for the West Indies and Ireland series. Reddy, who made her ODI debut against South Africa in June last year, has played five matches, the last of which was against Australia in Perth, where she picked up 4 for 26.Related

Kashvee gets maiden call-up, regulars return for ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka

Arundhati Reddy 2.0 – stronger, calmer, ready for all formats

India drop Arundhati Reddy for West Indies series

“I am not really sure what exactly happened [after the Australia tour],” Reddy said on the sidelines of the Senior Women’s One Day Challenger Trophy final in Chennai, where her side, Team A, lost to Team C. “But then again these things are not in my hands. At the end of the day, my cricket is in my hands, and if I just keep doing my job, as and when the opportunity comes, I will do well for India.”For me, all that matters is which team I am playing for and if I am doing well for them. And every time I take the field I want to win games for whichever team I play. And that has always been the way I play my cricket.”While Shafali, who was Reddy’s captain in the Challenger Trophy, finished the tournament as the highest run-getter with 414 runs in five matches at an average of 82.80, Reddy took seven wickets in five games at 24.14.”This [Challenger Trophy] was a good challenge personally for me,” she said. “Didn’t start off that well but again I think I like pressure. Every time I am put under pressure I seem to do well. So again probably a win would have been great. But it was a great final for us.”Arundhati Reddy picked up career-best figures of 4 for 26 in her most recent ODI, against Australia in Perth•Getty ImagesThat Reddy was also overlooked for the West Indies series T20Is in December also raised eyebrows. She made her T20I debut in 2018 and was dropped in 2021 before she returned to the side in 2024 on the back of an impressive WPL performance. Last year, she featured in seven T20Is and scalped ten wickets and returned an economy rate of 6.50. This included the T20 World Cup in UAE, where she finished as India’s joint-highest wicket-taker with seven wickets in four matches.How does Reddy deal with uncertainty? She revealed that a discussion with her coach Arjun Dev at the NICE Academy in Bengaluru helped her stay focused on what’s ahead and not dwell on what could have been.”The only thing that he told me was that whether the [India] tag comes or not, or whichever team that you play for, all we wanted to focus on was being the best allrounder in the world, wherever you play,” Reddy said. “Be it a club game or an India game, the focus is to become the best allrounder. Again, it’s very hard to say whether you’ll play [for India] or won’t. It’s still difficult for you as a player because there is a lot of uncertainty that comes with it.”But what motivates me is just waking up every day and trying to be the best cricketer I can be. And that’s what I want to chase. That’s what keeps me going. And also, just having the clarity that whichever team you play for, you have to win games for that team. Doesn’t matter where it is.”But I think now I’ve become responsible enough to understand. And whichever team I play for, I’m also one of the senior players. Again, it helps me a lot. Seeing things that way. Helping the other girls. I think that also gets the best out of me. That’s what I just focus on. And genuinely, I just want to focus on helping people around me. Because that gets the best out of me. So, just the focus has been on that. Rather than thinking too much about where I should be, where I could be.”That Reddy was willing to take risks for better opportunities was evident when she quit Railways (after playing there from 2017-18 to 2022-23) to move to Kerala in the 2023-24 season. She has also worked on becoming stronger and calmer over the last few years, and she feels she now approaches every tournament with clarity.’You’ll be put under pressure. You’ll have batters that will challenge you. But there’s no fear’•BCCI”I’ve been playing domestic from the time I was 12 years old,” she said. “But it’s just the past one or two years, I have felt the best that I have ever played. Again a lot of things have changed in the past two years.”I had to take some tough decisions leading up to the season last year. I think that helped me. I just have clarity and I go into the tournament with a lot of freedom. Because I had a lot to gain, nothing to lose. That helped me a lot.”Also from the last year, I have focused more on just expressing myself. Obviously, there was a lot of fear of failure when I was young. But now it’s like I don’t care if I fail.”Reddy will next be in action for Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2025 in February. With a home ODI World Cup scheduled later this year, she has been working on becoming a more potent wicket-taker as she sets sights on another comeback.”One thing I really worked on last season was attacking the stumps all the time,” she said. “Because, obviously, only if you attack the stumps, you’re going to get wickets. So, that was the main plan. The length differs depending on the batter. But be it death [overs], initial stages or the middle overs, stumps is the way to go for me. That’s my strength. And I try to do that as much as I can. So, that’s what has been, like, because I used to not do that earlier.”It was more like fourth-stump, fifth-stump bowling and just looking good economically. But my main focus from the past two years was attacking the stumps and trying to pick a lot of wickets and not be scared of getting hit. That is one key thing which I’ve been taught, that you’ll be put under pressure. You’ll have batters that will challenge you. But there’s no fear.”You’re still going to think about the positive option. And if that means you have to take a risk, you take a risk. And, again, not having the fear of failure has really helped me a lot.”

Fifties to Matt Taylor, Chris Dent help frustrate home bowlers at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network16-Apr-2021James Bracey’s sixth first-class century led Gloucestershire to 301 for 8 in reply to Somerset’s 312 on the second day of the LV=County Championship match at the Cooper Associates County Ground.Combining solid technique, sound shot selection and a high degree of concentration, 23-year-old Bracey enhanced his England prospects by contributing 118 in an innings spanning 12 minutes short of six hours.Chris Dent made 50 and Matt Taylor a career-best 53 not out, while Craig Overton (3 for 60) was the pick of the Somerset bowling attack.Gloucestershire began the day on 13 without loss, with Dent and Kraigg Brathwaite in positive mood. They took the score to 41 before the West Indies captain was pinned lbw for 18 by a ball from Overton that nipped back off the seam.Dent struck Lewis Gregory for three successive boundaries, moving to his third half-century in as many innings, off 70 balls. But, without addition, the Gloucestershire captain aimed to work a straight ball from Marchant de Lange towards the short leg-side boundary and edged catch to wicketkeeper Steve Davies.It was de Lange’s first wicket for Somerset. He produced some pacey short balls, but Bracey and Tom Lace took Gloucestershire to 97 for 2 at lunch.The afternoon saw Somerset’s seamers, aided by some tight spin bowling from Jack Leach, exert greater control.Seeking to break loose, Lace reached to drive a wide ball from Overton and lifted a catch to Tom Banton at cover.Bracey pulled a six over fine leg off Overton. But, with the score on 119, Graeme van Buuren edged de Lange to second slip where Gregory held a diving catch.Nothing seemed to perturb Bracey, who looked increasingly assured as he reached a half-century off 115 balls. Ryan Higgins contributed 23 to a stand of 41 before edging Josh Davey to first slip.George Hankins fell lbw on the back foot to de Lange. But Bracey remained rock-like and was unbeaten on 79 at tea, taken with Gloucestershire 189 for 6.George Scott went on the attack at the start of the final session, launching a big straight six off Leach.But after helping Bracey add 26, Scott edged Gregory to second slip where Overton pouched a comfortable catch.Bracey reached a chanceless hundred by glancing Davey to the fine leg boundary. He had faced 208 deliveries and hit 14 fours and a six.Somerset took the second new ball at 217 for 7, but were frustrated as Taylor weighed in with a hugely valuable maiden first class half-century, made off 92 balls, with seven fours and a six.Bracey’s vigil finally ended when he edged Gregory to second slip. Prior to that, his only problem had been a broken bat on 107.

Atletico Madrid intend to price Enzo Fernandez away from Chelsea this summer and want to use their Argentinian players to do the club a favour.

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Atletico eyeing Fernandez for a summer moveWant Argentine players in the squad to work as agentsChelsea midfielder also linked to Real MadridFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report from (h/t Football Espana), Atletico Madrid are determined to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez and have devised a "mission" to make it happen. The club's Argentine players have been tasked with convincing Fernandez to make the move to Spain this summer.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

During the ongoing international break, club officials have enlisted the help of several of Fernandez’s Argentina teammates — Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Giuliano Simeone, Angel Correa, and Julian Alvarez — to convince the midfielder to consider a transfer to the Metropolitano. What could also work in Los Rojiblancos' favour is the fact that head coach Diego Simeone is also from Argentina.

Atletico want to do everything in their power to ensure that they lure Fernandez to the Metropolitano, with reports in recent weeks revealing that the Colchoneros' cross-city rivals Real Madrid are also interested in acquiring the Argentine international's signature.

DID YOU KNOW?

Fernandez is perhaps enjoying his best season with the Blues ever since he arrived for a club-record fee of £106 million in January 2023. Amid growing interest from two of Spain's biggest clubs, Chelsea are adamant on keeping the player. The report from however, mentions that the 2021 Champions League winners would consider offloading their vice captain for a fee of at least €80 million.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ENZO FERNANDEZ?

Argentina will be hoping for Fernandez to carry his club form into international colours as the Albiceleste are set to take on Uruguay (Saturday, March 22) and Brazil (Wednesday, March 26) in two monumental 2026 World Cup qualifying games.

South Africa’s confidence is crushed. The well-being present two years ago when Graeme Smith took one last picture on the outfield with Jacques Kallis is hard to find

Firdose Moonda in Durban30-Dec-2015A man with a beard marched onto the Durban outfield as though he owned it. Behind him bounced a toddler with the giddy gait of someone who may one day own the place himselfThat man could easily have been Hashim Amla and his son Abdullah. Instead, it was Moeen Ali carrying on like the king of Kingsmead with his crown prince, Abu Bakr. South Africa were nowhere to be seen.About 45 minutes later, the embattled opening pair of Dean Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl trudged across from the Friendship Pavilion to the changerooms. Their legs were a little less heavy than they had been for the last five days but their expressions were still worn. The mingling they had done did not change the reality that this defeat had demoralised them.Even Elgar, who was “the positive light” in his captain’s words, did not really have a reason to feel good about himself. Although his century provided some cheer – it was only the second scored in a Test by a South African this year – he lacked support. It is difficult for personal satisfaction to show in that sort of space and that applies to his team-mates too.As individuals, the South Africans have had their confidence crushed. Even those with considerable reputations like Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy don’t seem to have the same self-belief that was so central to their match-winning and match-saving efforts in the past. The captain himself is the most affected.Amla is carrying the leadership like a lead balloon. He can’t focus on it while his own form remains an issue and he can’t fix his own form while the team keeps failing. “Not getting runs has been the most disappointing for me. It’s more of a confidence thing and the thing about it is that you only get confident once you get the runs,” he admitted. “You can be doing everything well in the nets and putting the work in behind the scenes but it’s got to materialise to runs on the board in the big games. Hopefully that will happen for me.”With the seniors understandably self-absorbed, the rest of the line-up are not getting the guidance they need to make the step-up. They look suitably lost, as does their overall strategy.South Africa are refusing to pick an opener to open and insist makeshift players have earned the right to be retained. They don’t want to dispense with anyone in their misfiring middle-order because they expect them soon to turn what Amla hopes is a “short corner”.All the delight was England’s at Durban•Getty Images”We know we’ve got quality there. The key is for us to get that quality firing,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach said. “It can just take Hashim Amla to hit two or three great drives and off he goes or Faf du Plessis to hit a couple of good shots and everything just clicks into gear.”They can’t settle on a spinner and they keep getting out to the opposition’s. Dane Piedt’s five-for showed he has the potential to become the first-choice but compare his economy rate to Moeen Ali’s and you wonder how South Africa will hold an end.The part-timers can deliver a few decent overs but that’s not how it should be. The batsmen shouldn’t have to bowl and the bowlers shouldn’t have to be taught to bat better as is the case now. Lance Klusener was specifically called in to work with South Africa’s lower-order before this Test, a match in which van Zyl and Elgar bowled eight balls less than Morne Morkel in the second innings. Granted, Dale Steyn’s injury gave them more to do but they still had to do it and they may have to again given the frequency with which Steyn breaks down.Compare England, who have the luxury of four seamers and who can allow James Anderson the time he needs to recover because, “it’s not about whether he can get through, it’s about can he give the best account of himself,” as Alastair Cook explained.South Africa will be happy with Steyn just getting through. They showed as much in India when they took last-minute calls in each of the three Tests after he was injured in the hope he would be able to play. Each time, they must have known they were cutting it too fine but they also knew they did not have too many other choices. They will do the same before the second Test, where they will again run the risk of Amla having only 10-men, something he is struggling to manage.Hashim Amla has a huge task ahead•Getty Images”Immediately, it changes things in the game. The options are very limited not having Dale Steyn, who you would consider one of your banker bowlers, who you can rely on,” Amla said. “But things like this happen. Guys get injured and you’ve just got to deal with it and use some of your other resources. It puts a lot of workload on the other seamers in the team, which you have to manage, especially having two days turnaround for the next Test but you have to deal with it.”That is essentially how South Africa are playing. They are dealing with things, not dominating. The only consolation they can take is that, as a collective, they are clinging on. South Africa’s attack has kept them in the game even as it is being depleted but there is a distinct feeling that any more disruptions will send them into free-fall. “There’s been a lot of talk about the batting, about AB’s retirement, about Dale’s injury, about everything. It’s important for us to stick together as a team and shut out the noise,” Russell Domingo, the head coach, said.Perhaps it was always coming. Although it seems like yesterday that Graeme Smith, sans barbe, with a little one in tow was galloping onto the pitch to take a final picture as a team-mate of Jacques Kallis, that was actually two years ago.Since then, South Africa have only played 11 Tests, won four, lost four and drawn three. They are now at a tipping point. When we see who jogs jauntily across the Newlands outfield in a week’s time at the end of the second Test we may know whether they have finally tumbled or if they have managed to turn things around.

Tottenham Hotspur could sign a high-earning forward in 2025, with a U-turn done behind-the-scenes after a decision by manager Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs preparing for Europa League clash against Roma on Thursday

Spurs are fresh off the back of an imperious 4-0 win over Man City at the Etihad Stadium, so Postecoglou’s side will be in very good spirits as they prepare to make a return to Europa League action.

Tottenham ask about signing Netherlands international in bargain transfer

He’s been excellent this so far this season.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Nov 27, 2024

The north Londoners lost their last European encounter, a damning 3-2 defeat away to Turkish champions Galatasaray, where they displayed hapless defending throughout and could’ve conceded even more goals on the night.

Tottenham vs Fulham

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Postecoglou will be looking to put that performance behind them against a Roma side who are seriously under-performing in their Serie A campaign, winning just three league games all season so far, with Claudio Ranieri’s side languishing just three points above the relegation zone.

Timo Werner, who’s been a real point of discussion among Spurs supporters this season, missed their clash with Galatasaray due to a hip injury – but the German has since returned to action and even provided an assist against City.

The forward, who pockets £200,000-per-week when bonuses are triggered, has been criticised throughout 2024/2025 for his wasteful finishing in front of goal.

“He is definitely down in confidence you can see that,” said Postecoglou on Werner’s form after Spurs beat AZ Alkmaar 1-0 in late October.

“It is a difficult thing to get out of sometimes. It can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. All we can do is try to support him and keep trying to get him to a place where he feels a little bit more confident with certain things.

He scored his first goal since March in their 2-1 win over City in the Carabao Cup recently, and reports in the last few weeks have suggested that Werner is set to rejoin Leipzig at the end of his loan spell – with Tottenham electing not to trigger the £8.5 million buy option in his contract.

GMS reported that Werner was on track to leave Spurs after this campaign, but that same outlet has now suggested that Daniel Levy, Postecooglou and co are performing a U-turn.

Tottenham refuse to rule out permanent Timo Werner deal

According to their information, Tottenham are nw refusing to rule out a permanent deal for Werner, following Postecoglou’s own decision not to cut his loan spell short in January.

While they’re still in the market for wide forwards, with Andreas Skov Olsen among the names being monitored to provide competition for Werner, it is believed the former Chelsea forward could now stay beyond 24/25.

No final decision has been made just yet, as key figures are holding off on the call until later in the campaign, but it appears those within Tottenham are having a change of heart – as it looked far more likely that Werner was set to go back to the Bundesliga.

Arsenal have made an approach to sign an exciting player, who their legendary former boss, Arsène Wenger, tried to tempt with a move there nearly 10 years ago.

Arsenal make transfer plans without Edu Gaspar

The departure of Edu Gaspar as sporting director is widely viewed as a real blow for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, with the Brazilian playing an influential part in the club’s on-field transformation since his employment in 2019.

Conte and Napoli planning January bid for "extraordinary" Arsenal player

The ex-Tottenham boss could raid his former north London rivals.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 12, 2024

The ex-Gunner and Invincible formed a key part of the recruitment team which saw Arsenal complete a bargain £30 million deal for club captain Martin Odegaard, as well as the likes of William Saliba, club-record signing Declan Rice, Ben White and other pivotal first teamers.

Edu also helped to appoint Arteta as the club’s manager, so this team we’re seeing right now has the 46-year-old’s fingerprints all over it. News of his exit last Monday was met with real shock, given the announcement’s very sudden nature, and there have understandably been questions about Arsenal’s transfer plans moving forward.

Nottingham Forest (home)

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Assistant director Jason Ayto, who worked under Edu for 12 months prior to his resignation, will take the role on an interim basis. That is according to journalist Charles Watts, who also says Ayto will be present at Arsenal’s meeting in the USA to discuss transfer plans for next year.

Ayto, Arteta, managing director Richard Garlick, director Tim Lewis and the Kroenkes will be present at this sit-down, and who knows what the topics of discussion will be in regard to potential transfer targets.

Reports in the last few months suggest that they could well bring up the possibility of moving to sign a new number nine next year.

Arsenal had an offer rejected by Benjamin Sesko in the summer, with the Slovenian instead deciding to remain in the Bundesliga for a further season or more. Edu and co opted to end their pursuit of a new striker then and there, it would seem, but media sources believe they could return to the market for a centre-forward.

Many have been linked in the last few weeks, including Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres. A name less regularly-mentioned than the Swede is Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen, who is on loan at the Turkish champions from Napoli.

Arsenal make contact with Napoli over signing Osimhen

According to Turkish newspaper Sabah, Arsenal have been in contact with Napoli over signing Osimhen, which is intriguing when you take into account the break-clause in his Galatasaray deal.

This would reportedly allow clubs to move for the £160,000-per-week Nigerian in January, cutting his Galatasaray spell short, but it is unclear whether Arsenal are planning to do that or wait until next summer. The 25-year-old, who has unsurprisingly been on fire in Turkey, has long been on Arsenal’s radar – even during the Wenger years.

“I spoke with Arsene Wenger after the tournament ended, and he wanted me to come to Arsenal,” Osimhen told the Independent in 2020, talking about the U17 World Cup in 2015 (via The Mirror). “I had a lot of options. Barcelona; Inter Milan; Atletico Madrid; Juventus and the rest.

“Arsenal was a good option, but it wasn’t the best at the time, I wanted to start playing as soon as I turned 18. I wanted to go to a place where I had time to invest in my game and improve physically. Wolfsburg showed me that possibility.”