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It doesn’t take a genius to work out that the biggest weakness in Arsenal’s team this season has been in attack.

As things stand, there are three teams who have scored more goals than Mikel Arteta’s side in the Premier League, with Liverpool putting the ball in the back of the net 83 times to their 66.

So, while signing a new striker understandably seems to be the club’s top priority heading into the summer, they also have to go out and get at least one more winger to help bridge the gap to their rivals.

Fortunately, that appears to be the club’s ambition, as recent reports have touted a serial winner with a move to the Emirates, someone who’d be a massive upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli.

Arsenal's winger search

In the last few weeks, a plethora of incredibly exciting wingers, such as Nico Williams and Rodrygo, have been linked with Arsenal.

Transfer Focus

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

The former has racked up a tally of 11 goals and seven assists in 44 games this season and will be available for around £48m thanks to a release clause in his current deal with Athletic Bilbao.

Rodrygo, on the other hand, could cost up to a staggering £85m, but as he’s managed to score 13 goals and provide ten assists in just 50 games this season, there’s a valid argument to say he’d be worth the outlay.

However, Arteta and Co might want to save some money on a winger to spend more up top or elsewhere, which would help explain the situation around Leroy Sané.

According to a recent report from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, Arsenal are now a potential destination for the German international next season.

Alongside the Gunners, he revealed that the winger has been offered to Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and others in the UK.

The Bayern Munich star’s contract expires at the end of the season, so he’d be available for free and, thanks to his immense ability and experience, could represent a sensational transfer and a massive upgrade on Martinelli.

How Sané compares to Martinelli

Now, while Sané has spent much of his recent career playing off the right, he’s actually spent more time off the left since making his debut, and with Bukayo Saka being as important as he is, that’s almost certainly where he would play for Arsenal.

Therefore, his biggest competition for game time would be Martinelli, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, when it comes to their output, it’s the Bayern ace who comes out on top, as in 44 appearances this season, totalling 2348 minutes, he’s scored 13 goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.31 games, or every 123.57 minutes.

In contrast, the Brazilian has scored ten goals and provided six assists in 49 appearances, totalling 3403 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.06 games, or every 212.68 minutes.

It’s just as one-sided a comparison when we take a look at their underlying numbers as well.

The “world-class” Bayern ace, as dubbed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, comes out on top in almost all metrics, including but not limited to expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, passing accuracy, key passes, passes into the final third and penalty area, shots and shots on target, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons and more, all per 90.

Sané vs Martinelli
Statistics per 90	Sané	Martinelli
Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.86	0.47
Non-Penalty G+As	0.90	0.51
Progressive Passes	3.58	2.07
Progressive Carries	4.13	4.89
Shots	3.70	2.07
Shots on Target	1.57	0.93
Passing Accuracy	82.6%	70.8%
Key Passes	1.96	1.56
Passes into the Final Third	1.28	0.46
Passes into the Penalty Area	1.96	1.43
Live Passes	47.9	26.6
Shot-Creating Actions	4.20	2.79
Goal-Creating Actions	0.50	0.25
Successful Take-Ons	2.18	1.35
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

Finally, on top of having the better numbers in all departments, the “incredible” international, as dubbed by former manager Pep Guardiola, also knows what is needed to get over the finishing line.

On top of winning two Premier League titles with Manchester City, he’s also won four Bundesliga titles, one Champions League, and a host of other cups with FC Hollywood.

Ultimately, Martinelli could remain a valuable squad member, but it’s clear that Sané would be a massive upgrade; therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him this summer.

He'd be amazing with Rodrygo: Arsenal close in on signing £60m "monster"

The sensational talent will be a game-changer for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 16, 2025

Set to return for his second spell behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur, Fabio Paratici has reportedly set his sights on signing a Premier League-winning defender this summer.

Tottenham eyeing back-to-back wins

After defeating Bodo/Glimt to take one step into the Europa League final in midweek, Tottenham now have the chance to secure back-to-back victories in all competitions for the first time since beating Manchester United and then Ipswich Town at the end of February. In a London derby no less, Ange Postecoglou has the opportunity to keep his side in the winning habit ahead of a vital second leg in the Europa League next week.

Tottenham in contact with "quick" target as Paratici plots first move back

Paratici has reportedly reached an agreement to return.

By
Tom Cunningham

May 3, 2025

The Australian spoke about Tottenham’s visit to the London Stadium in his pre-match press conference whilst confirming a number of injury doubts, telling reporters: “Dom is not too bad. He is still a bit sore from last night, but we don’t think it’s anything serious. Obviously, [Solanke is] a doubt for weekend. Madders, we’re a bit more concerned about.

“He was heading for a scan [on Friday]. We’re just wait to hear that outcome. Sonny is working hard. He’s out on the grass every day. We’ll see how he’s going by [next] Thursday.”

With next week’s Europa League trip in mind, it seems unlikely that any risks will be taken by Spurs even as a London derby awaits. Aside from bragging rights over their rivals, the North London club have nothing to play for as they head into their final four Premier League games in a season to forget domestically.

It’s become clearer every weeks that Spurs must welcome a number of reinforcements this summer if they are to turn thing around under Postecoglou and the return of Paratici should certainly help on that front. If reports are anything to go by too, the sporting director is wasting no time before setting his sights on key targets.

Tottenham chasing Eric Garcia deal

According to reports in Spain, Spurs now wants to sign Eric Garcia in what could be a cut-price deal given Barcelona’s financial struggles and also Paratici’s first capture back in the helm.

The former Manchester City defender has endured a mixed spell back in Spain, which included a loan spell at Girona, and could now be on his way back to the Premier League. Spurs aren’t the only side interested, however. They reportedly face competition from Girona, Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Como ahead of the summer transfer window – potentially leaving Garcia with a decision to make.

Of course, the Spaniard already knows exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level in England’s top flight after he became a Premier League champion at Manchester City. And although the Tottenham challenge would throw up different obstacles, that experience would likely go a long way in North London.

It was during his time at The Etihad that Garcia earned impressive praise from manager Pep Guardiola, who told reporters: “Incredibly clear guy, and he’s able to lead the line. He’s so clever. Played incredible attention of that and played well. He’s going to play a lot of minutes,”

Dean Huijsen’s father cheekily mocked Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City ahead of Real Madrid’s Club World Cup quarter-final.

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• Don Huijsen reposted a viral Club World Cup meme
• Barca, Atleti and City mocked in satirical bracket
• Post included fake teams like “Al-TV” and “Remote Control”

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Don Huijsen, the father of Madrid defender Dean, took a playful jab at the three clubs by reposting a satirical Club World Cup bracket on Instagram, mocking their absence from the knockout stages. The meme humorously paired them with fictional teams like "Al-Sofa" and "Remote Control" in a dig at them being made to watch the rest of the tournament from home, while Madrid gear up for a clash with Borussia Dortmund.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The post added fuel to long-standing rivalries, especially between Madrid and Barcelona, who were not involved in the tournament this year. With the Club World Cup spotlight on Los Blancos, fan banter has escalated across social platforms.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Madrid defender Huijsen is one of the team's breakout stars of the Club World Cup and has adapted quickly under new coach Xabi Alonso. His performances have drawn praise following his transfer from Bournemouth.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Los Blancos will take on Dortmund in the Club World Cup quarter-final in New York, with the winner going on to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich.

Newcastle United are thought to be showing serious interest in a player who has been likened to his team’s version of Lionel Messi, according to a new transfer report.

Newcastle preparing for vital final Premier League day

The Magpies are now so close to sealing a return to the Champions League that supporters can almost taste it, following an excellent season overall, not least the legendary EFL Cup triumph back in March.

Victory at home to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday afternoon will secure a place back at Europe’s top table for Newcastle, with Eddie Howe fully focused on getting the job done this weekend:

“We’re still in a strong position and it’s in our hands, and I think we have to look at this as a positive. I think calmness is going to be key at this moment in time. It’s a week before we play. We’ve got to be very calm, make good decisions, and train and prepare well for the game. Nothing changes. The emotion will be there in the game, I don’t think we have to spell that out to the players.”

It has the potential to be a nervy afternoon at St James’ Park, however, with everyone associated with Newcastle aware that things could go wrong, ultimately having a major detrimental impact on their summer transfer business. Hopefully, Champions League football will be achieved, though, allowing them to target elite options.

Newcastle "very serious" about signing £20m+ goalkeeper

According to Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle United are “very serious” about signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in the summer transfer window. Aston Villa, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all mentioned, too.

It is claimed that the Magpies could snap him up for as little as £12.6m if his side are relegated from La Liga this weekend, but £21m is more likely to be needed as Espanyol are two points clear of the relegation zone going into the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.

Garcia is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in Europe currently, with WhoScored pointing out that he is in the top five highest-rated players in his position this season.

Not only that, but Manolo Gonzalez has even said that Garcia’s impact at Espanyol is akin to that of Lionel Messi, in terms of being a difference-maker on the pitch time and time again:

“Joan Garcia is going to be a global reference, no doubt about it. I really hope so, because he deserves it, both for his ability and for who he is. It’s like when Barcelona had Messi. There were tough matches, and Messi would resolve them. Well, we have that in goal with Joan Garcia.”

Newcastle in huge race to sign in-demand £10,000-a-week Liverpool talent

He took centre stage at St James’ this season.

ByHenry Jackson May 19, 2025

At 24, the Spaniard is still young, especially for a goalkeeper, and Newcastle could see him as the perfect long-term replacement for Nick Pope, who can arguably be improved upon at this point in his career.

The home of Bay FC and the San Jose Earthquakes selected to host the deciding game of the NWSL season

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• 2025 NWSL Final set for San Jose
• Championship airs Nov. 22 on CBS
• Fan Fest and Skills Challenge also planned

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 2025 NWSL Championship will be hosted at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, on Nov. 22, the league announced Friday. The event marks the fifth time the final will be held on the West Coast and will air in primetime on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

  The stadium is the home ground for Bay FC, the newest local team in the Bay Area, the final will continue to highlight the region's rich women’s soccer history. PayPal Park is also the home stadium for the San Jose Earthquakes in MLS, and was opened in 2015. Championship Week will feature fan events and a Skills Challenge.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The opening round of the postseason begins the weekend of Nov. 7-9. ESPN and ABC will air two quarterfinal matches, while CBS/Paramount+ and Prime Video will each distribute one of the remaining two quarterfinals. The semifinals, set for the weekend of Nov. 14-16, will air across CBS/Paramount+ and ESPN/ABC, with each broadcast partner carrying one contest.

  The Kansas City Current and the Orlando City Pride currently sit No. 1 and 2 on the NWSL table, and could be favorites for the winter's marquee event. Last season, the Current's home ground, CPKC Stadium, hosted the final between the Pride and Washington Spirit. The Spirit currently sit third on the table.

• USA TODAY Sports
  

  WHAT NWSL SAID

  “We’re thrilled to bring the NWSL Championship back to the West Coast and to a region with as rich a history in women’s soccer as the Bay Area," Jessica Berman , NWSL Commissioner, said in a statement. "The community’s passion for the game, combined with the excitement surrounding one of our newest teams in Bay FC, makes it the perfect setting to celebrate the league’s top talent and crown our next champion."

• WHAT BRANDI CHASTAIN SAID

  “The history of women’s soccer runs deeply and strongly in the Bay Area," Chastain, Bay FC Co-Founder and USWNT Legend, said in a statement. "From the roster of the national team players born and raised here to the first-ever professional domestic league champions coming from here, our community’s fabric is woven with the greatest the game has to offer. We are thrilled to host the next set of champions in the NWSL final in the place women’s soccer calls home.”

Her 3 for 18 proves too much as visitors are bundled out for 87 in rain-hit match

ECB Reporters Network27-Apr-2024

Mady Villiers made an impact for Sunrisers•Getty Images

Mady Villiers’ beguiling spin proved too much for an under-strength and out of form The Blaze as Sunrisers raced to a seven-wicket win in a rain-shortened encounter at Chelmsford.The former England white-ball international returned 3 for 18 from nine overs as the visitors, missing the likes of Tammy Beaumont, Bryce siblings Kathryn and Sarah and the injured Georgie Boyce were routed for 87 in a game reduced to 42 overs a-side.England U19 Jodi Grewcock wheeled away at the opposite end from Villiers to take 1 for 7 from eight overs, meaning the Blaze lost four wickets for four runs, collapsing from 48 for 2 to 52 for 6 before Australian seamer Nicola Hancock mopped up the tail with 3 for 20.Sunrisers suffered a couple of early setbacks, but skipper Grace Scrivens’ unbeaten 46 saw Sunrisers home in the 21st over, Villiers fittingly making the winning runs.Overnight and morning rain delayed the start until noon and under leaden skies and on a pitch with a generous covering of grass it was no surprise when Scrivens invited The Blaze, a side dismissed for 135 and 126 in their opening two defeats to bat first.Marie Kelly, out for a duck last time was given an early life when Cordelia Griffith spilt a regulation catch at slip, Hancock the unlucky bowler. Kelly, though, wouldn’t make the most of the reprieve, bowled in Hancock’s next over by one which came back through the gate.Fellow opener Teresa Graves was similarly castled by Kate Coppack eight balls later to leave The Blaze 18 for 2.Daisy Mullan and Nadine de Klerk briefly threatened a fightback, the former driving Hancock straight for four before striking another boundary over the top of mid-off.However, the introduction of spinners Villiers and Grewcock proved decisive. Villiers trapped de Klerk in front before bowling Mullan who had become frustrated, the runs having completely dried up.Grewcock chipped in by piercing wicketkeeper-batter Ella Claridge’s defences and Villiers took her figures to 3 for 3 when fellow England spinner Sarah Glenn tickled one into the gloves of Amara Carr.There would be no recovery from 52 for 6 as Hancock and Coppack returned to clean up the tail, Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon their only other player to reach double figures.Sunrisers, themselves bowled out for 150 in a heavy defeat to Thunder three days earlier, initially made hard work of the chase.Ariana Dowse was undone by one from Grace Ballinger which kept low, but their next wound was self-inflicted, Griffith setting off for a run which was never there and being run out having been sent back by her skipper.Scrivens and Grewcock calmed any nerves with an increasingly belligerent stand of 40 and though the latter departed before the end Sunrisers romped home.

Soumya Sarkar is a surprise inclusion in both the ODI and T20I squads, while Litton Das also makes a return

Mohammad Isam30-Nov-2023Najmul Hossain Shanto will lead Bangladesh in both ODIs and T20Is during their tour of New Zealand in December. Shanto is currently leading the Test side against New Zealand, in the absence of regular captain Shakib Al Hasan and his deputy Litton Das. While Shakib remains out with his finger injury, Litton returns to both the squads.According to chief selector Minhajul Abedin, Shakib sustained a fractured finger which will take longer to heal. Abedin said that the medical team will know the severity of his injury after a second x-ray on December 8. But Bangladesh have more injury concerns; Mahmudullah and Taskin have shoulder injuries, while Ebadot Hossain continues to recover from knee surgery that he underwent in September.Apart from the injured trio, Bangladesh are also without Nasum Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan from the ODI side. Taking their places are Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Rishad Hossain and newcomer Rakibul Hasan, a left-arm spinner.Soumya’s return in both ODIs and T20Is is a huge surprise. He last played ODIs in September, when he was a surprise call-up against New Zealand. He made a two-ball duck in his only innings, having returned to the side after two years. His last T20Is were in the T20 World Cup in 2022, when he made 49 runs in four innings.Apart from Soumya, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam and Tanzim Hasan have also earned call-ups to the T20I side.Bangladesh play the three ODIs on December 17, 20 and 23 in Dunedin, Nelson and Napier respectively. The three T20Is will be held on December 27, 29 and 31.IN: Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Rishad Hossain, Rakibul HasanOUT: Shakib Al Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, MahmudullahBangladesh ODI squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Anamul Haque, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Rakibul HasanIN: Soumya Sarkar, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim HasanOUT: Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin AhmedBangladesh T20I squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Litton Das, Rony Talukdar, Tawhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan

خاض النجم المصري محمد صلاح مباراة فريق ليفربول، مساء يوم الأحد، ضد خصمه آرسنال في قمة منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لذلك الموسم.

وواجه ليفربول خصمه آرسنال على ملعب “الأنفيلد” في قمة منافسات الجولة الثالثة من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26، حيث فاز حامل اللقب بهدف دون رد.

وشارك محمد صلاح في تلك المباراة كأساسي، وخاضها حتى النهاية، ولكن لم يسجل أو يصنع. ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وآرسنال

وشتت دفاع آرسنال فرصة هجومية محتملة لـ محمد صلاح، في الدقيقة 12، حيث تصدى جابرييل برأسه للكرة قبل وصولها إلى المصري، وأبعدها عن منطقة الخطورة.

وطالب محمد صلاح بالحصول على خطأ لصالحه، في الدقيقة 20، بعد تدخل من لاعب آرسنال كالافيوري، ولكن دون أي قرار من جانب الحكم، ليستمر اللقاء كما هو.

وتحصل محمد صلاح على خطأ لصالحه، في الدقيقة 42، بعد تدخل جابرييل لاعب آرسنال ضده، حيث سقط المصري على أرض الملعب، وسط اعتراض شديد من جانبه.

وانطلق محمد صلاح بالكرة من الناحية اليمنى للمنطقة، في الدقيقة 57، في تشكيل خطورة على آرسنال، وحاول تمرير الكرة داخل منطقة الجزاء، ولكن الضغط الدفاعي حال دون ذلك.

وسدد محمد صلاح كرة خطيرة من الناحية اليمنى للمنطقة، بقدمه اليسرى، في الدقيقة 68، ولكن ديفيد رايا ارتقى وأمسك بالكرة.

وبعد ذلك بدقيقة، سدد محمد صلاح كرة ضعيفة وصلت سهلة إلى ديفيد رايا، حارس آرسنال، كما تصدى ديكلان رايس لتسديدته في الدقيقة 73.

وطالت الكرة على محمد صلاح في الدقيقة 95، لتتحول إلى رمية تماس لصالح آرسنال.

He countered Vidarbha’s bowlers with a 37-ball half-century, and then struck with the new ball along with Dhawal Kulkarni

Deivarayan Muthu10-Mar-2024
Shardul Thakur rescued Mumbai with the bat for the second game in a row after their middle order had collapsed either side of lunch on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final at the Wankhede Stadium. Fast bowler Yash Thakur and rookie left-arm fingerspinner Harsh Dubey had set Mumbai up for that collapse by sharing six wickets on a grassy surface.Captain Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer fell for 7 each, but Mumbai waded past that passage of play and finished with a respectable 224, thanks to Shardul’s 37-ball half-century. When Shardul was lining up Vidarbha’s spinners, just like he had done against Tamil Nadu’s in the semi-final, Mumbai were in with a chance of posting a 250-plus total. But Umesh Yadav eventually had him holing out for 75 off 69 balls to restrict them as Shardul was the last Mumbai batter out.Shardul then struck with the new ball, as did Dhawal Kulkarni, who was playing his farewell game for Mumbai in place of the injured Mohit Avasthi, to leave the final dangling on a razor’s edge. Vidarbha were 31 for 3 at stumps, with Atharva Taide unbeaten on 21 and nightwatcher Aditya Thakare unbeaten on 0. Kulkarni, in fact, had struck twice to dismiss Aman Mokhade (8) and Karun Nair (0). Taide could have also been dismissed on 8 had Shardul latched onto a difficult one-handed return catch in the seventh over.Kulkarni, 35, pushed the ball too wide of off in the early exchanges against the left-hander Taide, but had both right-handers Mokhade and Nair nicking behind with perfectly-pitched deliveries.Earlier, after having opted to bowl, Vidarbha didn’t glean as much movement with the new ball. Umesh and Thakare offered Prithvi Shaw and Bhupen Lalwani freebies, allowing them to settle in. Shaw was particularly severe on anything that was remotely full from the quicks, while Lalwani was more circumspect was the other end.Mumbai were 75 for 0 at the first drinks break, but Yash struck soon after the resumption, having Lalwani tickling one behind, with Akshay Wadkar pulling off a spectacular one-handed grab inches from the turf. Shaw then tried to slog-sweep Dubey against the turn and ended up seeing his off stump knocked back for 46 off 63 balls. Dubey had got it to drift in, dip, and then break away past the bat-swing of Shaw.Umesh Yadav got two wickets, including that of Shreyas Iyer•PTI

In his next over, Dubey pinned Musheer Khan lbw for 6 with an arm ball from wide of the crease. Dubey also had Rahane slicing a catch to mid-off to vindicate his selection, ahead of veteran offspinner Akshay Wakhare, against a right-hander heavy Mumbai line-up. Dubey, 21, is playing only his eighth first-class game, but has been a consistent performer for Vidarbha in age-group cricket. He also has exposure outside of Nagpur, having worked with India spinner R Ashwin in club cricket in Chennai.”I enjoyed dismissing Rahane,” Dubey said after the first day’s play. “I had thought before the game that I would dismiss him. I was determined to do it and it was one of my best dismissals in Ranji Trophy. I tried to get him to drive since the ball was coming off slower at that length and I was successful in what I had planned.”Soon after, Umesh bested Iyer with a brute of a delivery – a length ball that reared up and seamed away to hit the outside edge near the shoulder of the bat. A crease-bound Iyer simply hung his bat out to give Nair slip-catching practice. Thakare also probed away outside off and was rewarded with the wicket of Hardik Tamore (5).When Shardul walked out to bat, Mumbai had lost six wickets for a mere 30 runs, but that didn’t stop him from stepping out to his third ball and pumping Dubey to the left of Dhruv Shorey at wide long-off. Shardul then crashed Dubey to the square-leg boundary, and Aditya Sarwate over long-on for six. Shardul had similarly dismantled R Sai Kishore and S Ajith Ram with vicious slog-sweeps and down-the-track lofts in the semi-final.Yash, though, tested Shardul more with hard lengths and extra bounce outside off, but Shardul kept slashing him through or over gully. Yash even drew a leading edge from Shardul in the 50th over, but it eluded the reach of Dubey at mid-off. Yash worked his way around Shardul and got rid of Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian.Umesh, the leader of the pack, then returned to apply the finishing touches. He stuck out his right boot in his follow-through, and deflected the ball on to the non-striker’s end to catch Tushar Deshpande short in the 63rd over. In his next over, Umesh banged the ball into the pitch and had Shardul splicing a pull.But Shardul wasn’t done yet. He trapped Shorey lbw for a duck with an inducker, and saved the day for Mumbai once again, along with Kulkarni.

da dobrowin： Liverpool, despite being on course to secure the Premier League title this season, have had an issue in the centre-forward position under Arne Slot.

da 888： The Dutch head coach has not found a reliable and consistent option in that role in his 4-3-3 system, with right winger Mo Salah carrying the load at the top end of the pitch with his 27 league strikes.

Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota have all been utilised in the centre-forward role at various points throughout the 2024/25 campaign so far, with none of them able to really nail it down as their own.

Liverpool’s top goalscorers

24/25 Premier League

xG

Goals

xG differential

Mo Salah

22.98

27

+4.02

Luis Diaz

9.18

9

-0.18

Cody Gakpo

6.35

8

+1.65

Darwin Nunez

5.28

5

-0.28

Diogo Jota

7.21

5

-2.21

Dominik Szoboszlai

6.17

5

-1.17

Stats via WhoScored

As you can see in the table above, all three of those players have been average, or poor, in front of goal considering the quality of chances that the team have created for them.

They have all, also, failed to hit double figures for goals in the division by this point, with Salah sitting on a whopping 18 goals ahead of anyone else in the squad.

Their respective struggles at the top end of the pitch this season may be why Liverpool have been linked with a move for Argentine forward Julian Alvarez.

The latest on Liverpool's interest in Julian Alvarez

Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown has revealed that Liverpool have “looked” at the former Manchester City number nine ahead of the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Football Insider, the scout explained that the Reds want to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch but the Atletico Madrid man may not be a viable option.

Brown said: “I’ve heard talk about a potential move to Liverpool, but just a year after he left City I’m not convinced that one’s likely to happen. I think he’s one they’ve looked at to see whether he might be an option, but it’s not gone any further.

“He’s settled and happy where he is at the moment, I don’t think he’s looking to move. Plus, Atletico Madrid are not going to want to sell, it would have to be a huge deal.”

He added: “Liverpool do want to strengthen up front, but they’ll have to look elsewhere.”

These comments suggest that Michael Edwards will not be able to strike a deal for the 2022 World Cup winner when the summer transfer window opens, which is a shame when you consider the kind of quality that he could provide at Anfield.

How Julian Alvarez could improve Liverpool's team

The 25-year-old sensation’s performances for Atletico Madrid across all competitions this season suggest that he has the ability to come in and solve Slot’s problems in the number nine position.

Alvarez, who scored 17 goals for Manchester City in the 2022/23 campaign, has racked up 23 goals and five assists in 44 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish giants this term.

He has proven himself to be a ruthless forward who can make a big impact in the final third in both LaLiga and the Champions League for Diego Simeone’s side, thanks to his lethal finishing when chances come his way.

Julian Alvarez (24/25)

LaLiga

Champions League

Starts

22

10

xG

8.86

2.38

Goals

11

7

Minutes per goal

166

113

Big chances missed

5

1

Conversion rate

21%

32%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Alvarez has outperformed his xG, by some distance, across both competitions and rarely passed up a ‘big chance’ to find the back of the net.

These statistics suggest that the Argentina international is the kind of centre-forward that Slot has been missing from his Liverpool squad in the Premier League in the current campaign.

The Dutch manager, however, may have his own version of Alvarez brewing at Anfield in the form of young marksman Jayden Danns, who is currently out on loan at Sunderland.

Why Jayden Danns could make the breakthrough at Liverpool

The England U18 international signed for the Championship side on loan in the January transfer window but has yet to make an appearance for the Black Cats due to a back issue.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Danns, despite not having any estimated return date yet, is expected to play a part in their promotion push before the end of the season, though, and that could give him an opportunity to impress Slot before pre-season.

The 19-year-old starlet has, already, shown plenty of promise at youth and senior level in his career so far, however, as he has made nine appearances for Liverpool’s first-team.

Danns has scored three goals in his nine matches for the senior side, scoring two goals against Southampton and one against Accrington Stanley.

As you can see in the clip above, the teenage sensation showed fantastic movement and composure in front of goal to score an excellent goal against the Saints last term.

Danns was once described as “unplayable” by U23 scout Antonio Mango and analyst Ben Mattinson claimed that the striker is “a better finisher than (Darwin) Nunez”, which shows that he has caught the eye of unbiased onlookers.

Jayden Danns

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

3

0

0

Premier League 2

9

3

2

U18 Premier League

27

18

4

FA Cup

2

3

0

FA Youth Cup

6

6

0

Champions League

1

0

0

UEFA Youth League

2

1

0

Stats via Transfemarkt

As you can see in the table above, the Liverpool youngster has already shown a clinical and ruthless edge at academy level with his goalscoring exploits in the U18 Premier League and the FA Youth Cup.

It is now down to him to show that he can translate those performances over to the senior versions of those competitions, in the Premier League and the Champions League specifically.

His return of three goals in two FA Cup matches for the first-team is a promising sign and shows that he does have the ability to make an impact against senior teams, with his aforementioned goal against Southampton showcasing his composure and quality in front of goal.

It is now down to him to return from injury and enjoy a strong end to the campaign with Sunderland to prove to Slot that he is ready to return to Anfield to compete for a place in the squad next season.

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If he can do that then Edwards can forget all about Alvarez and the club’s unlikely pursuit of the Atletico star as Liverpool could have their own version of the clinical number nine in Danns, who seemingly has the potential to be the consistent scorer that the Reds have lacked in that position this season.