Despite an unbeaten 44 from Ellyse Perry, RCB could only muster 131 for 6
S Sudarshanan02-Mar-2024Mumbai Indians continued their rich vein of form in WPL 2024, running Royal Challengers Bangalore ragged with both bat and ball to seal a seven-wicket win. This despite missing a couple of their frontline players – Harmanpreet Kaur and Shabnim Ismail.Ismail’s replacement, Issy Wong, set the tone with the new ball, key India allrounder Pooja Vastrakar left her imprints in the middle phase with the ball, Saika Ishaque was back among the wickets after a quiet start to the competition, all while stand-in captain Nat Sciver-Brunt left her stamp on the field, with the ball and later with the bat. All these meant that RCB were kept to a mere 131 – despite an unbeaten 38-ball 44 from Ellyse Perry who returned to the XI – a total which Mumbai overhauled with little fuss.In doing so, Mumbai not just went to the top of the points table, but also maintained a clean slate in run-chases in the competition.Related
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Perry good and the not-so good
Teams batting first have had a tough time in WPL 2024. Even so, RCB are one of the two teams to have a win while defending a score. But on Saturday, they couldn’t get a strong start and lost Smriti Mandhana and S Meghana inside five overs. Which brought Perry, who was ill for the past few days, to the crease. On a brownish surface, where run-scoring was not the easiest, she took time to get going, scoring only three off her first nine balls.A shortish ball from legspinner SB Keerthana in the tenth over allowed her to score her first boundary – a pull through square leg. In fact, all of her five fours came off deliveries that were on a length or short. That the illness had sapped her energy was becoming evident as the innings progressed. Mumbai’s stand-in captain Sciver-Brunt rotated her bowlers such that no bowler bowled back-to-back overs. And they also rarely erred in lines and lengths, which handicapped Perry.Only Georgia Wareham offered a bit of support to Perry – the duo were involved in a 52-run sixth-wicket partnership – which allowed RCB to get to a respectable score. Apart from them, only Meghana and Sophie Molineux entered double digits and RCB finished their innings without a single six.
Bhatia, Matthews swift in chase
Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews began in a manner that would dispel any doubts over the tricky nature of the 132-run chase. They are one of the most prolific pairs in terms of partnership runs in the WPL – 431 runs with four fifty-plus stands – and started off in dominating fashion. Bhatia punched the first ball she faced down the ground, Matthews played a short-arm jab through midwicket off her first – both off Renuka Singh’s opening over. The left-arm spin of Molineux was greeted with a six and a four by Bhatia as Mumbai began their hunt in the fourth gear.Renuka went the distance in her second over too, the third of the innings. Matthews capitalised on an overpitched one and then on the width for two fours. Bhatia played one of the most gorgeous pick-up shots over midwicket for a six in between.Sophie Devine was called upon with Mumbai 37 for 0 in three and she struck on her fifth ball. Bhatia hit successive fours before getting a thick outside edge that was snaffled by a diving Richa Ghosh to her left. Matthews then greeted Wareham’s legspin with a six but soon fell to Shreyanka Patil for a 21-ball 26. Mumbai had already reduced 69 from their target by then.Issy Wong struck early to remove in-form Smriti Mandhana•BCCI
Sciver-Brunt, Kerr apply finish touches
In the absence of Harmanpreet, Kerr continued to bat at No. 4 and proved to be the perfect foil for Sciver-Brunt. She began with a couple of shots through the leg side off medium-pacer Simran Bahadur. The first was a pristinely-timed flick through midwicket while the other was a back-foot clip between deep square leg and deep midwicket. She also feasted of the spin of Patil and Asha Sobhana, even as Sciver-Brunt steadily accumulated the runs. Kerr and Sciver-Brunt added 49 off just 35 runs together for the third wicket.Despite not playing the fancy scoops and reverse sweeps, Kerr finished with a strike rate of 166.66, while staying unbeaten on 40 off 24, and saw Mumbai through.
da dobrowin： O Botafogo conseguiu um efeito suspensivo para os jogadores Tiquinho Soares e Marçal. A decisão foi assinada por Renata Mansur, presidente do TJD-RJ. A informação foi publicada primeiramente pelo “ge” e confirmada pelo LANCE!.
Ambos haviam sido suspensos por conta das expulsões no clássico entre Botafogo e Flamengo em Brasília. Apesar do efeito suspensivo, Tiquinho e Marçal seguem como desfalques na partida desta quarta-feira diante da Portuguesa pela última rodada da Taça Guanabara.
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Enquanto os casos não são julgados pelo tribunal pleno da casa,Renata Mansur limitou a pena de ambos os atletas por duas partidas. Sendo assim, os alvinegros estarão disponíveis para atuar no jogo do Glorioso deste fim de semana.
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Além de Tiquinho e Marçal, outros dois jogadores do Botafogo foram julgados. Lucas Perri foi inocentado por presentear um torcedor que invadiu o gramado do Mané Garrincha e Joel Carli recebeu um jogo de suspensão por ter reclamado excessivamente com Bráulio da Silva Machado.
Tiquinho Soares havia sido punido por 30 dias por ter dado uma “cabeçada no juiz” do árbitro. O time de Luís Castro espera contar com um dos seus principais jogadores na reta final do Estadual.
David Moyes has been nothing short of a revelation since returning to the Everton dugout in January after nearly 12 years away, with Saturday’s salvaged draw against West Ham United making it eight games unbeaten in the Premier League.
Everton managerDavidMoyesbefore the match
14th in the standings, relegation fears feel a long time ago, the Toffees now looking to create a base from which future successes can be achieved.
West Ham, with whom Moyes lifted the Conference League in 2022/23, changed their fortunes at the pit of the Premier League with the Scotsman in place, and The Friedkin Group will no doubt harbour early excitement that a similar rise can be achieved on Merseyside, at Bramley Moore.
Moyes has reportedly been informed he will hold the keys to the transfer chest this summer, and while there are certainly areas already in need of investment this summer, Everton already boast several stars threatening to make plenty of noise in higher spheres in the top-flight over the coming years.
Everton's most valuable players under David Moyes
Everton’s market business while controlled by Farhad Moshiri left plenty to be desired, with relegation concerns seemingly an every-year issue in recent times.
But while TFG, Moyes and incoming Director of Football Angus Kinnear herald a new era at Bramley Moore, there are of course some stars who stand out above the rest and could remain important parts of the second Moyes era.
Jarrad Branthwaite stands out chief among them.
Everton rejected a series of offers from Manchester United for their prized defender, staying firm on their £75m valuation. Top clubs will be sure to return in the future, a marker of the young Lion’s potential.
Further up the field, Iliman Ndiaye is the cream of last summer’s recruitment, joining from Marseille for £15m and scoring eight goals from 28 matches this season, including three in a row to help Moyes toward his brilliant start.
Were suitors to emerge this year, you’d bank on the Blues fielding enquiries with a far higher financial floor, if at all.
The goals may have dried up for Beto over the past few weeks, but his upswung form since January has reminded the Everton faithful of the thrill of having a powerful and prolific goalscorer.
That £26m fee paid to Udinese in August 2023 is beginning to become more understandable, with potential interest this summer likely to be turned away without some willingness to enter that ballpark.
Beto
Though he’s not properly on the books yet, Moyes might just have struck gold with another rising star, one who was picked to be a part of the fledgling project by the man himself and may become one of the most valuable members.
Moyes can strike gold with Everton's rising star
Remarkably, Moyes has transformed Everton since replacing the resigned Sean Dyche three months ago with nominal spending in the winter window, instead polishing and re-energising his existing options.
Market Movers
Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?Override
Alcaraz had had previous experience in the Premier League with Southampton in 2022/23, suffering relegation but demonstrating his budding ability after scoring four goals and laying on two assists across 13 starting appearances.
But since making his mark with a goal and assist apiece against Crystal Palace in early February, the 22-year-old has proved he is a more complete player, bringing a combative streak to match his natural danger in attacking situations.
As per Sofascore, he’s completed 60% of his dribbles, averaged 3.6 successful duels and 1.6 key passes per game while also completing 83% of his passes.
Described as a “special talent” by journalist Antonio Mango, Alcaraz’s tactical flexibility was one of the major selling points when he was welcomed in January, initially brought in on loan from Brazilian Serie A side Flamengo, with a mandatory £12m purchase clause active at the end of the campaign.
Everton midfielder Charly Alcaraz
It’s early days yet, but tying him down with such a small price tag might prove to be a bona fide bargain down the line. While still at Southampton, Alcaraz moved on loan to Juventus for the second half of the 2023/24 term, with an option to sign him for £40m.
This didn’t come to fruition, but it still stands as a yardstick for the South American’s potential, something that may even be realised in the conditions created at Everton since Moyes’ arrival.
Central midfield
74
10
5
Attacking midfield
19
4
2
Right winger
14
4
2
Centre-forward
10
2
2
Defensive midfield
9
1
0
Left winger
7
1
2
Right-back
1
0
0
His versatility is a massive plus. Alcaraz enjoyed success against the Irons on Saturday, creating three key passes, making three tackles and winning nine duels, as per Sofascore, compensating for continued injury absences as Jesper Lindstrom dropped to the bench.
Owing to his technical quality and invariably tenacious approach, the Argentina talent may still be a loanee but he’s proving the £12m investment may well be worth it, in fact proving to be a shrewd deal indeed in the future.
If he can put in the hard work, Alcaraz may even become more valuable than the lion’s share of Everton’s standout players, eclipsing the worth of those such as Beto.
Everton striker Beto
Alvarez might have missed a gilt-edged chance in the closing stages against West Ham, but his performances since joining from Brazil have suggested he has what it takes to become a high-class midfielder in the Premier League.
The Liverpool Echo’s Chris Beesley still felt it was just to hand him a healthy 7/10 match score, praising the ‘glimpses of quality’ that bespeak a potential future in some high-level conversations.
Charly Alcaraz in action for Everton
Juventus have already been interested in snapping him up for a £40m figure, and if he continues to show his skills as he has been doing, getting him down as a permanent part of this fast-changing Everton squad seems like a no-brainer.
More clinical than DCL: Everton now in huge race for "fantastic" £17m gem
Real Madrid's Rodrygo is considering leaving Los Blancos this summer and the Brazilian reportedly already has 'one foot out' of the Spanish giants.
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Rodrygo unhappy with the Los Blancos
Already has 'one foot out of Real Madrid'
Wants to talk with Xabi Alonso before deciding
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Rodrygo has been a vital part of Real Madrid's successes in recent moments, as the Brazilian has been an underrated part of Los Blancos as they have won two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles over the last half a decade. However, the 24-year-old has been losing importance at Santiago Bernabeu with the transfer of Kylian Mbappe and the rise of Jude Bellingham.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Over the last few months, reports have suggested that Rodrygo may not be happy at Real Madrid and will be considering leaving Los Blancos this summer. As per Spanish publication AS, the Brazilian is in a 'complicated moment' and already 'has one foot out of Real Madrid'.
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DID YOU KNOW?
As per the report, Rodrygo wants to wait for Xabi Alonso to officially join Real Madrid's team dynamics before he decides what to do with his future. It is understood that Los Blancos may play with two forwards next season, with Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. The 24-year-old winger would prefer to talk with Alonso before he makes his final decision.
WHAT NEXT FOR RODRYGO?
The former Santos forward has been linked with a move to the Premier League this summer, with giants Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United said to be keenly looking at the situation of the forward. Rodrygo, however, is said to be 'keeping the door open' to stay at Real Madrid.
The CWC rights-holders unveiled a star-studded advertisement for the 2025 event, featuring some of soccer's biggest names
Boxing announcer Michael Buffer headlines promoHaaland, Kane, Suarez, and Cavani featuredSet to Eric B. & Rakim track "Don't Sweat the Technique"Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowAFPWHAT HAPPENED
With less than two weeks remaining until the kickoff of the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., DAZN launched a star-filled video titled 'Undisputed' to promote its global coverage of the tournament.
The cinematic production features legendary boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer delivering his iconic "Let's get ready to rumble" catchphrase, reframed as "Who will be the undisputed champions of the world?"
The ad showcases Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Bayern Munich's Harry Kane, Inter Miami's Luis Suarez, and Boca Juniors' Edinson Cavani in a boxing-inspired setting, complete with training montages and face-offs.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup represents an expansion of the traditional seven-team tournament into a 32-club competition. DAZN is the exclusive global broadcaster for all 63 matches across the 29-day tournament.
Getty Images SportWHAT’S NEXT?
The Club World Cup begins on June 15. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage beginning July 1. All 63 matches will be streamed live and free globally on DAZN, culminating in the final on July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Australia’s World Test Championship and ODI World Cup defences will be shown exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.The streaming platform has secured the broadcast rights in Australia for all men’s and women’s International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments.Foxtel/Kayo broadcast the entire recent ODI World Cup, while the Nine Network screened Australia’s games and a handful of others. But under this new deal there will be no free-to-air element.In Australia men’s home Tests and all women’s internationals remain on free-to-air with Seven, but men’s white-ball internationals are with Foxtel. Men’s away Ashes series in 2027 and 2031 will be shown on the Nine Network.The move comes just days after the federal government reaffirmed its commitment to sport anti-siphoning measures.Communications minister Michelle Rowland last week introduced laws to parliament updating anti-siphoning measures that would require free-to-air services to be offered first refusal for important sporting events.”All Australians regardless of where they live, or what they earn, should have the opportunity to enjoy free TV coverage of iconic sporting events,” Rowland said.ICC boss Geoff Allardice welcomed the partnership with Amazon.”We are very excited to be entering a new four-year partnership with Prime Video for ICC cricket rights in Australia,” he said in a statement. “The recently concluded men’s World Cup has highlighted the interest and passion for ICC events across the globe, and especially in Australia where cricket fans have enjoyed the recent success of their men’s and women’s teams.”We look forward to working with Prime Video Australia to provide an innovative coverage of world class cricket to more fans in Australia.”The new partnership between the ICC and Amazon, who also broadcast New Zealand’s home internationals into India, will begin in January with the men’s Under-19 World Cup with the first senior tournament being the men’s T20 World Cup in West Indies and the USA. Later in the year, Australia’s women will be involved in their T20 World Cup in Bangladesh during September and October.Meanwhile, Amazon also confirmed a third season of the documentary would be released in 2024 which will cover this year’s Ashes series in England which finished 2-2.”As a cricket fan, I couldn’t wait to see what happened when the unstoppable force of ‘BazBall’ batting came up against the best test bowling lineup in the world. The 2023 Ashes were the most closely contested and memorable of recent times, and I am delighted to be able to relive them along with our customers in Australia and around the world,” said Hushidar Kharas, head of Prime Video Australia and New Zealand.The first season of the followed the fallout of the 2019 ball-tampering scandal, while the second released last year followed the 2021-22 men’s Ashes and tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Ireland, who haven’t played a Test since the summer of 2023, are yet to register a win in the format
Danyal Rasool27-Feb-2024
Afghanistan are coming off a 10-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in Colombo•AFP/Getty Images
Big picture – A rare Test for Afghanistan and IrelandSix-and-a-half years ago, these two sides were awarded Full Member status, but aside from the financial perks that brings, that promotion for Ireland and Afghanistan has seemed little more than theoretical. Neither side is part of the World Test Championship; none of them have even played a three-match Test series. The two have combined for 15 Tests, nearly all of them stand-alone, one-off games tacked on like afterthoughts to a white-ball series.The Test these two play in Abu Dhabi this week is no different, one five-day game followed by three ODIs and three T20Is. Afghanistan are coming off a Test in Colombo that Sri Lanka won at a canter, but at least that means they have some red-ball experience they can leverage. Much of the squad is similar to the one they picked for that game, and while Rashid Khan moves closer to a return, Afghanistan remain without him for now.Related
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Ireland, meanwhile, last played a Test in the summer of 2023, though they did play four Tests that year, a number Afghanistan would have to go back to 2021 to equal. Unlike the three Tests Afghanistan have won, though, Ireland are yet to break their duck, finishing second best in all seven. That is mitigated by the relatively tougher opposition they have played, and the one match these sides played against each other before was also officially a “home” Test for Afghanistan, played in Dehradun. Afghanistan would ease to a seven-wicket win.Form guideAfghanistan LLWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first) Ireland LLLLLIn the spotlight – Gurbaz and TuckerWicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz is one of Afghanistan’s brightest stars for his prowess with the bat and behind the stumps in the white-ball game, but is yet to make his Test debut. That looks almost certain to change with his inclusion to this squad. While data on his red-ball style of play is difficult to reliably source, the 12 first-class games he’s played have seen him average almost 50 with a strike rate over 72. There is little reason why his obvious talent should not translate to the longest format, and if he hits his stride, it will be as watchable as it is effective.Vice-captain Lorcan Tucker is one of Ireland’s nailed-on starters, though much of the past three months have seen him warm substitute benches in South Africa and Pakistan. He was with the Paarl Royals in the SA20, but wouldn’t end up getting a game, and played as wicketkeeper for Lahore Qalandars in their opening fixture before being benched for the next two. But Ireland require him to hit the ground running in Abu Dhabi, and relied on him for his contributions in the middle order in all four Tests in 2023. He was their leading Test run-scorer for the year, his 351 runs coming at 43.87, an average none of his countrymen matched.The first one – the Afghanistan players celebrate their maiden Test win after beating Ireland in Dehradun, in 2019•AFP
Team newsAfghanistan’s biggest challenge concerns papering over Rashid’s absence. Left-arm wristspinner Zahir Khan is back in the squad after missing out against Sri Lanka, and uncapped legspinner Khalil Gurbaz has also been drafted in.Afghanistan: 1 Ibrahim Zadran 2 Noor Ali Zadran 3 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) 4 Rahmat Shah 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt) 6 Ikram Alikhil 7 Nasir Jamal 8 Zia ur Rehman 9 Nijat Masood 10 Naveed Zadram 11 Zahir KhanLeft-arm spinner Theo van Woerkom, who switched allegiances from New Zealand to Ireland and made his white-ball debut last year, looks set to play his first Test in a line-up that otherwise looks similar to Ireland’s recent Test starting XIs.Ireland: 1 James McCollom 2 Peter Moor 3 Andrew Balbirnie (capt) 4 Harry Tector 5 Paul Stirling 6 Curtis Campher 7 Lorcan Tucker (wk) 8 Mark Adair 9 Andy McBrine 10 Theo van Woerkom 11 Craig YoungPitch and conditionsThere was a late change of venue for this Test match. Originally scheduled for the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, the game will now be played at the Tolerance Oval adjacent to the bigger ground. A press release later confirmed that the change was because the Sheikh Zayed Stadium will instead be hosting the Abu Dhabi Schools Sports Championship, between March 1 and 3.Ireland, who selected their initial squad on the assumption the Sheikh Zayed Stadium doesn’t take too much red-ball turn, only learned of the change after arriving in the UAE. With this being the first Test at the Oval, conditions are a bit of a mystery, though weather is not expected to play spoilsport.Stats and trivia The Tolerance Oval will be the 122nd venue to host Test match cricket. Afghanistan’s dependence on Rashid reflects in the wickets charts. The legspinner has taken 34 in five matches, 16 clear of his closest compatriot, Amir Hamza, who has 18. Should Ireland register a win in either of their next three Tests, they will pip Zimbabwe, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and New Zealand in the number of matches taken to register their first Test win
When West Bromwich Albion handed Tony Mowbray the reins for his second spell at the Baggies, another promotion, one that the impressive Carlos Corberan failed to deliver, was being dreamt of.
Indeed, Mowbray has been here before when guiding West Brom triumphantly to the Championship title back in 2008, with his task in the here and now to steer the West Midlands outfit to a playoff finish.
Part of that great side were players like Graham Dorrans, James Morrison, Robert Koren and, of course, Jonas Olsson.
Perhaps Mowbray has found his next version of the big Swede in 2025.
Jonas Olsson's time at West Brom
Last time the current manager took West Brom up to the promised land of English football, Mowbray did, unfortunately send his side straight back down.
But, the dismal relegation that did occur at the end of the 2008/09 season – which ultimately cost the manager his job – didn’t mean it was all doom and gloom at the Hawthorns, with Olsson sticking out as a formidable performer even as the Premier League slipped out of his new team’s grasp.
In total, the Swedish powerhouse tallied up 261 appearances donning a Baggies strip, with this unfortunate relegation blot on his resume not deterring him from going on to amass eight goals and six assists in the Premier League from 201 clashes.
Often using his towering 6 foot 5 frame to resiliently battle and grind out important wins, there’s one player in Mowbray’s current camp who bares similarities to the modern West Brom icon by displaying equal amounts of grit.
West Brom's new version of Olsson
The second-tier promotion chasers were very proactive in the busy January market, with the likes of EFL sharpshooter Adam Armstrong joining the ranks on loan, alongside Tammer Bany joining from Scandinavia in a surprise switch.
Amazingly, this isn’t the only pursuit from this neck of the woods that West Brom have signed off on in recent times, as tough defensive battler Torbjørn Heggem joined from Swedish top-flight side IF Brommapojkarna for a modest £500k last summer.
Heggem has managed to instantly fit in – much like Olsson after his move in 2008 – with a header being powered home back in December eerily similar to the many goals the Swede scored in crucial moments.
Moreover, the ex-Brommapojkarna titan has managed to shore up Mowbray’s side like the memorable number 4 before him, seen in Heggem winning a high five duels on average per Championship clash.
Games played
39
Games started
39
Goals scored
1
Assists
2
Touches*
67.8
Accurate passes*
44.5 (88%)
Ball recoveries*
3.3
Clearances*
4.9
Total duels won*
5.0
Clean sheets
12
The “outstanding” summer recruit – as he’s been lauded by pundit Carlton Palmer for his Baggies heroics – has also managed to collect 12 clean sheets from his 39 second-tier appearances, resulting in Heggem cementing himself as a regular by missing zero Championship games this season.
Heggem would love to round off his stunning debut season in England with a promotion in hand, as the 26-year-old no-nonsense defender potentially becomes more and more like West Brom’s next Olsson if he passes any upcoming hurdles in front of him with flying colours.
Best signing since Pereira: West Brom have struck gold on "special" star
West Bromwich Albion struck gold when snapping up this lethal attacker.
da supremo： Ask an Arsenal fan what the positives to come out of this season have been, and we’d bet their only answer would be the development of their youth talent.
da 888casino： For example, the player who’s been on everyone’s lips over the last couple of weeks has been Hale End’s own Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The incredible talent was named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, and on top of starting both games, he scored on his debut, sending his stock stratospheric.
The good news is that Hale End’s conveyor belt of talent is showing no signs of slowing down either, and one youngster looks like he could be the club’s next Martin Odegaard, and no, it’s not Ethan Nwaneri.
Nwaneri's rapid rise
The first glimpse fans got of Nwaneri in the first team came all the way back in September 2022, when Mikel Arteta sent him on in the dying embers of a 3-0 Premier League win away to Brentford.
The Hale End sensation was just 15 years and 181 days old at the time, making him the competition’s youngest player ever, and while he made another short cameo away to West Ham United the following campaign, he had to wait until this season to truly get his chance in the first team.
However, while he was likely clamouring to get on the pitch earlier, it appears as if Arteta and Co played it perfectly, as not only is the 18-year-old now regularly starting games but he’s also been arguably the team’s most dangerous attacker since Bukayo Saka suffered his hamstring injury in December.
Nwaneri’s 24/25
Appearances
29
Starts
12
Minutes
1087′
Goals
8
Assists
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.31
Minutes per Goal Involvement
120.77′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in just 29 appearances, totalling 1087 minutes, the “unplayable” teen, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, has scored eight goals and provided one assist, meaning he’s averaging a goal involvement every 3.22 appearances, or, far more impressively, every 120.77 minutes.
So, with this rapid rise from academy gem to first-team star, why is the Enfield-born ace the club’s ‘next Odegaard?’
Well, simply put, it seems like Nwaneri’s best position, at least for the time being, is on the wing, and when he does play in midfield, he is far more aggressive than the Norwegian and far more intent on scoring himself than playing an intricate passing game and laying the ball off for someone else to finish.
Moreover, there is another young star in Hale End who very much could be the next iteration of the captain.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Arsenal's next Odegaard
This season has been quite remarkable in terms of youth players like Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly coming straight into and thriving in the first team for Arsenal, but the same thing could happen with Dan Casey next year.
The incredible 17-year-old prospect has been in sensational form for the youth sides this term and could be the academy gem who eventually takes Odegaard’s place in the first team set up a few years from now.
With that said, what makes the Hale Ender a potential candidate to replace the Norwegian in the long term?
Casey’s positional versatility
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Attacking Midfield
8
9
2
Central Midfield
6
2
0
Centre-Forward
5
4
0
Defensive Midfield
2
3
0
Right-Winger
1
1
0
Left-Winger
1
0
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Well, the first thing is that he is far more positionally similar to the 26-year-old than Nwaneri, for example, as while he can play out wide and has even spent some time up top, his two most played positions are attacking and central midfield.
So, this would indicate that, like the former Real Madrid ace, he can be an incredibly effective outlet in the final third, but also has the game intelligence and technical ability to play in deeper areas and bring the ball out from the back when needed.
The second reason he could follow in the Drammen-born star’s footsteps is that he simply has the raw talent to do so.
For example, in 24 appearances this season, totalling 1589 minutes, the “box-crashing” midfielder, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has put the ball in the back of the net 17 times and provided two assists to boot.
Casey’s 24/25
Appearances
24
Minutes
1589
Goals
17
Assists
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.79
Minutes per Goal Involvement
83.63′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That means the “very talented” 17-year-old, as dubbed by Hale End expert Jeorge Bird, is averaging a goal involvement every 1.26 appearances, or every 83.63 minutes.
Ultimately, Arsenal have seen a couple of potential superstars come out of the academy this season, and with Casey, it looks like it could happen again next year.
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