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da dobrowin： Everton’s transfer business is starting to ramp up after a slow start to the window. Carlos Alcaraz is set to join on a permanent basis following a loan spell last season, while defender Kenny Tete is looking like the next summer arrival.

da realbet： David Moyes is also looking at signing a new centre-forward or two during the window. Villarreal star Thierno Barry is a player who could be close to sealing a move to Everton in the coming weeks.

These players will improve the current squad, but the newest player that Moyes is showing interest in would certainly trump them all.

Everton make enquiry for Ligue 1 sensation

With Moyes eager to bolster his first-team squad ahead of Everton’s maiden season at their new stadium, a marquee arrival would signify a statement of intent.

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have now made an enquiry about Lyon starlet Malick Fofana amid Lyon’s relegation from Ligue 1.

This decision could see the French side selling off their finest talent, something the Toffees have taken into consideration. They initially wanted £42m for the winger, but this fee might be dropped due to their financial crisis.

As many as ten Premier League clubs want to sign the youngster, indicating that Moyes has plenty of competition.

By landing the Belgian starlet, Moyes could sign Everton a bigger talent than Iliman Ndiaye.

Why Everton must sign Malick Fofana

Like Fofana, Ndiaye was at a Ligue 1 club before moving to Everton last summer. During his first season in the Premier League, he scored nine times, showcasing his talents on the big stage.

When compared to his peers in the top flight, Ndiaye also ranked in the top 6% for successful take-ons (2.52) and in the top 12% for interceptions (0.74) per 90. If he can build on these statistics next term, Ndiaye will be one of the club’s finest players.

There is no doubt that Fofana could be a bigger talent, however. The 20-year-old scored 11 goals and grabbed six assists for Lyon last term, enjoying a stunning breakthrough season in France.

Hailed as a “game-changer” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Fofana was at his best in the Europa League last season.

Malick Fofana’s stats in the Europa League last season

Goals

6

Assists

1

Big chances created

1

Key passes per game

1

Goal conversion percentage

50%

Scoring frequency

86 minutes

Via Sofascore

Indeed, when he was compared to his peers in Europe’s secondary club competition, Fofana not only ranked in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (1.05) per 90, but the winger also ranked in the top 1% for both progressive carries (7.88) and for touches in the opposition penalty area (8.23) per 90 for Lyon.

These statistics prove that he is among one of the finest young wingers on the continent, hence why so many clubs are keen on signing him.

Ndiaye has shown that there is plenty of value to be had in France, impressing at the Toffees since making his switch from Ligue 1 last year.

Fofana is certainly a bigger talent than the current Everton star, especially as he has plenty of years left before he hits his peak.

Related He'd be unplayable with Barry: Everton register interest in £25m PL star

Everton are looking for midfield reinforcements next season

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jun 26, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have now made a late approach to sign a Manchester United target, who has already agreed personal terms for a move to Old Trafford, according to a report.

Tottenham pursuing new signings as Frank deal advances

It is looking increasingly likely that Thomas Frank will be the man to replace Ange Postecoglou at N17, with reporter Ben Jacobs recently revealing the terms of the deal have now been agreed.

As such, Spurs’ transfer plans may be subject to change, in order to make sure they bring in players suited to Frank’s system, although the Dane is known to be more flexible than Ange, having used several different formations during his time with the Bees.

Regardless of who Daniel Levy ends up bringing in as the new manager, it is clear that a new goalscorer would be useful, given that Brennan Johnson’s tally of 11 goals in all competitions was the highest of any player last season.

Frank may also be keen to bring in a forward that he knows very well, and a report from Caught Offside has now revealed Tottenham have held talks over a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, recently making contact with the Bees.

Tottenham pushing to sign £34m Inter Milan star with exit "increasingly close"

A Spurs player could even go the other way.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 6, 2025

Mbeumo has already agreed personal terms to join Man United this summer, and Old Trafford remains his favoured destination, but Spurs could throw a spanner in the works by getting involved in the transfer battle.

Brentford have already knocked back one offer from the Red Devils, but they could come back in with a new bid worth a total of £60m, so the north Londoners may need to move swiftly if they are going to hijack the deal.

"Deadly" Mbeumo could be exactly what Tottenham need

Despite making a success out of the season by winning the Europa League, the 2024-25 campaign was far from ideal for Tottenham, finishing 17th in the Premier League, and the lack of a consistent goalscorer was a real problem.

As such, the £45k-a-week Brentford star could be exactly what Spurs need, having scored 20 goals in 38 Premier League games last term, while also providing eight assists.

Scout Ben Mattinson singled out the 25-year-old for praise, describing him as “deadly”, while prospective new Tottenham boss Frank was also left impressed, hailing the Cameroonian as “unplayable” last December.

It appears as though Mbeumo still has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford, but Spurs will be hoping that Frank can convince the forward to make the move to N17 instead.

تحدث مدرب مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا بعد فوز فريقه أمام إيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، مساء اليوم السبت.

واستقبل مانشستر سيتي خصمه إيفرتون على ملعب “الاتحاد” ضمن مباريات الجولة الثامنة للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”.

وتمكن مانشستر سيتي من تحقيق الفوز بهدفين دون رد، سجلهما إيرلينج هالاند في الدقيقتين 58 و63.

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي”: “المباراة المعتادة لما بعد فترة التوقف الدولي، لم نكن حاضرين في أول 15-20 دقيقة، افتقرنا إلى الحيوية، لعبنا بشكل جيد بعد الهدف الأول”.

وأضاف: “أتيحت لنا فرص سانحة وسنستغلها، إنه أمر إيجابي للغاية للاعبين البدلاء، فالحيوية موجودة، ولكن من الأفضل التحسن مع الفوز بالمباريات”.

وواصل بيب: “إيفرتون فريق جيد، كنا نعلم ذلك، فهم يلعبون كرات طويلة، ولم يكن أداؤنا في الشوط الأول مثاليًا، تسجيل الأهداف يساعدنا على ما هو قادم وهذا هو الوقت الذي نلعب فيه بشكل أفضل”.

وعن إيرلينج هالاند، علّق جوارديولا: “أشعر بخيبة أمل لأنه لم يسجل أربعة أو خمسة أهداف، كفريق، علينا أن ندرك أنه لا يمكننا الاعتماد عليه كليًا، إنه موجود دائمًا، لكننا بحاجة إلى اللاعبين الآخرين، الأجنحة ولاعبي الوسط المهاجمين، لتسجيل الأهداف وإلا فلن نحقق ما نسعى إليه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة مانشستر سيتي وإيفرتون في الدوري الإنجليزي

وأكمل: “إيرلينج لاعب بالغ الأهمية، لكننا بحاجة إلى اللاعبين الآخرين، ولديهم الموهبة اللازمة لتحقيق ذلك، عليهم أن يسجلوا، نلعب لتزويد هالاند بالجودة والتمرير، لكن على اللاعبين الآخرين أن يُحسّنوا أداءهم، كانت الفرص سانحة، وعليهم التسجيل”.

وأكد: “في هذا المستوى، عليهم أن يُظهروا كفاءتهم، فرص سافينيو وجيريمي دوكو وتيجاني ريندرز، عليهم التسجيل، عليهم أن يُسجلوا، وإلا فلن نتمكن من تحقيق ما نُريده، إيرلينج يعيش من أجل ذلك، لقد أصبح تسليمنا للتمريرات أفضل، وإيرلينج هو لاعبنا الأساسي الآن”.

وعن نيكو أوريلي، أشار: “إنه شاب، ويلعب دقائق طويلة، أنا سعيد جدًا من أجله، إنه يتطور تدريجيًا، إنه لاعب طويل القامة، ويساعدنا في الكرات الثابتة، إنه قادر على التحرك في المساحات الصغيرة قليلاً ولكن خصوصًا في المساحات الكبيرة وقد مرر كرة مثالية إلى المرمى والباقي كان جيدًا أيضًا”.

وشدد: “حافظنا على مستوانا، منحنا دقائق لعب لأوسكار بوب وبرناردو سيلفا وريان شرقي، نحتاج عودة الجميع لأن لدينا الكثير من المباريات، المساهمة مهمة واللاعبون يدركون أهمية الاستعداد”.

وأتم: “بدأنا المباراة بصعوبة أمام توتنهام وبرايتون، لكننا استرجعنا توازننا منذ فترة التوقف الدولي الأخيرة، الفوز يساعدنا على تحقيق المزيد من الانتصارات، والآن علينا مواصلة مشوارنا في دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

West Bromwich Albion’s drawn-out search for a new manager has ended with Ryan Mason now officially in the Baggies’ hot seat.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding this appointment as the Championship side ditch the tried and tested approach of Tony Mowbray for something left-field and fresher, with the 33-year-old taking on his first ever head coach role having only once been a stand-in option at ex-employers Tottenham Hotspur.

He will want to get down to business soon in the transfer market to begin to leave a lasting mark on his new side, with plenty of signings rumoured to be entering the building alongside the fresh-faced manager.

West Brom locked into talks with new striker

Mason could utilise those Spurs connections when adding to his Baggies squad, with North London prodigy Mikey Moore already being tipped to make a loan move to the EFL to expand his horizons, away from previous links suggesting Jamie Donley could call the West Midlands home shortly.

Further, it looks as if West Brom could win themselves a new deadly marksman in the form of Hearts’ goal machine Lawrence Shankland.

Journalist Mark Hendry has now revealed that West Brom are locked in talks about bringing the prolific 29-year-old to the Hawthorns, as the Hearts captain increasingly looks more and more likely to walk away from the Edinburgh giants on a free transfer.

But, the Championship promotion hopefuls aren’t alone in their interest, with Hendry surprisingly adding that both Al-Ettifaq and Al-Wedha are sniffing around from Saudi Arabia.

How Shankland could be West Brom's best striker since Maja

If West Brom were to pip these outfits to the coveted signature of the Scotsman, they could be about to seal their best striker signing since Josh Maja’s addition, with the equally lethal attacker going on to be a golden purchase up top himself, considering he joined the ranks in 2023 on a free transfer as well.

Maja has endured difficult periods at the Hawthorns, however, with a mammoth 44 games missed through injury over the last two seasons.

But, when he’s fit, there’s a real lack of strikers in the Championship that possess the same clinical edge the Nigerian has in abundance, with the devastatingly effective number nine picking up 12 goals last campaign, despite only being fit enough to line up for 26 league clashes.

Shankland has also displayed a “ruthless” cutting edge – in the words of pundit Chris Sutton – throughout his celebrated spell on the books of Hearts, with this last-gasp goal against arch rivals Hibernian just one of many crucial strikes the Glasgow-born attacker has powered home for Derek McInnes’ men.

Having played up and down the various Scottish leagues across his goal-laden career to date, it does feel like the time is right for Shankland to test himself in a new and challenging environment, with the 6 foot 1 menace hopeful he can take to the pressures of the Hawthorns in his stride, much like Maja did when taking the plunge two years ago.

24/25

43

9

11

23/24

47

31

8

22/23

47

28

4

After all, before his return to England, the ex-Sunderland forward had begun to garner his own reputation for being a reliable source of goals when leading the line for Bordeaux, with 29 goals tallied up from 93 appearances.

Therefore, when assessing Shankland’s monstrous total of 68 strikes from 137 contests for Hearts, he should find his shooting boots are an equally uncomplicated find in the EFL’s elite league.

Mason would love to welcome in Shankland then as one of his first signings, with the 33-year-old no doubt crying out for a potent forward line to help his new side instantly gun for promotion.

Mason can sign West Brom's next Fellows in young star who's like "Neymar"

Ryan Mason would love to welcome this stunning star to this brand-new West Bromwich Albion squad.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 4, 2025

Birmingham Bears picked up a second win in three days to keep their place among the North Group contenders with a seven-wicket Vitality Blast victory over Derbyshire Falcons at the Incora County Ground.On a used pitch that yielded runs only reluctantly, the visitors restricted Derbyshire to 133 for 7, left-arm spinner Danny Briggs taking 2 for 23 with David Lloyd scoring 50 and Brooke Guest an unbeaten 38. Richard Gleeson took two wickets in the powerplay but it was the Bears spinners largely responsible for tying down Falcons.Derbyshire’s spinners threatened to do a similar job but Dan Mousley and Sam Hain (43) showed considerable patience and eventually reaped the rewards, their 93-run partnership across 13.3 overs effectively winning the match, Mousley closing it out with his seventh four with seven balls to spare.Having opted to bat first, Derbyshire suffered a setback when the in-form Aneurin Donald fell for just 2 but seemed to be heading for a satisfactory start until Gleeson removed Cam Fletcher and Wayne Madsen in the space of three balls in the last over of the powerplay to give Bears an early advantage.A boundary apiece from Guest and Lloyd off Jake Lintott’s opening over hinted at acceleration but Falcons’ progress was unspectacular at 65 for 3 from 10. Lloyd drove a soaring straight six off Lintott and repeated the blow against Briggs to complete a 36-ball half-century but was then caught aiming to clear the midwicket boundary.Samit Patel perished cheaply, pouched at backward point when he skied one from Briggs as the competition’s all-time leading wicket-taker on 229 dismissed his closest rival. At 103 for 5 from 16, Derbyshire had been properly strangled by Bears’ spinners. Mousley’s offspin was wicketless but conceded only 16 in his allocation.Ross Whiteley lifted Chris Woakes into the car park on the leg side but once the ball had been found Woakes promptly bowled him with a full delivery off an inside edge. The over cost 13 runs but was one of only three across the innings to yield a tally in double figures and, after Zak Chappell was run out in the last over, 133 looked too little.Daryn Dupavillon, the South African quick, angled one in to bowl Rob Yates with his fourth delivery. Mousley picked up three quick boundaries but Alex Davies, having uppercut Dupavillon for four and lifted Pat Brown for an audacious six on the leg side was caught at midwicket as Brown exacted instant revenge. Mousley slog-swept Madsen for six and the Bears were 50 for 2 from six.Patel and fellow spinner Mitch Wagstaff applied the brakes, conceding just 29 in six overs bowling in tandem, but with 55 needed after 12 overs, and eight wickets in hand, the Bears were still favourites, more so after Mousley and Hain plundered 21 from the next two before Mousley swept Patel to go to fifty from 42 balls.The requirement was down to six from 17 balls by the time Brown bowled Hain after a 42-ball innings containing only one boundary. Mousley cut Chappell for his seventh four to complete the win.

Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri joined joined Manchester City from Wolves ahead of the Club World Cup. In just his second game under Pep Guardiola, the 24-year-old has sent fans into frenzy with a wonderful assist against Juventus in the Citizens' final group game of the tournament, which has fans calling him the 'best footballer in the world'.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Ait-Nouri wows fans with Man City
• Grabs wonderful assist against Juve
• Fans claim he is the 'best in the world'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ait-Nouri provided a wonderful assist to Jeremy Doku for Manchester City's opener in the final Club World Cup Group G game. The Algerian left-back has also had a great showing through the first half of the clash and their previous match, which helped the eight-time Premier League champions secure qualification to the knockout stages. Fans are now in awe at the 24-year-old's capabilities and are excited about the prospect of his talents under Guardiola.

Advertisement

• Manchester City
  

  WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  X user @MCIOusmane wrote: "Bro Ait-Nouri is the best footballer in the world what the HELL am I watching."

  City fan @StevenMcinerney added: "Ait-Nouri really is the one."

  @umirf1 wrote: "Ait-Nouri has been a revelation for us. Incredible footballer. That slide pass is proper David Silva stuff. Can get separation. Cross well. Great dribbling. He's just so good."

  @propsMCFC also added: "Ait-Nouri is absolutely incredible man."

  @radhoo12 concluded: "We absolutely robbed Wolves for Ait-Nouri. Unreal player."

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Manchester City struck a deal with Wolves earlier this month for Ait-Nouri for a £31 million transfer. His signing came under priority as the side had been struggling with options at left-back, with Josko Gvardiol having to be utilised as a makeshift.

• WHAT NEXT FOR AIT-NOURI?

  The 24-year-old will likely be a starter for Manchester City in their upcoming Club World Cup Round of 16. However, who they will play against remains under question, with Group H still being wide open between Real Madrid, RB Salzburg and Al-Hilal.

Retiring Jharkhand stalwart hopes to realise his dream of winning the Ranji Trophy by “helping the team from the outside”

Rajan Raj20-Feb-2024A day before the start of the Jharkhand vs Haryana Ranji Trophy fixture at Jamshedpur’s Keenan Stadium, while the local Jharkhand boys were training, a young boy strolled out to the turf. When a securityman stopped him, he teared up and said he only wanted a selfie with Saurabh . Saurabh Tiwary wasn’t around at the time, but the fans didn’t know that. After the boy, a few others attempted to get into the ground to try and meet him.Tiwary’s popularity in the Jharkhand cricket circles has to be seen to be believed. Plus, of course, a few days earlier, it had become known that Tiwary would retire at the end of Jharkhand’s run in the ongoing season, which came on February 19, also at the Keenan, as Jharkhand beat Rajasthan to finish their Ranji Trophy campaign. When Tiwary went out to bat a second time in that game, the opposition players lined up to give him a guard of honour.”Saying farewell to your favourite thing isn’t easy, my friend,” Tiwary, now 34, said afterwards. “When I left the dressing room and was entering the ground, it was very emotional. My whole journey, from the time I was a kid to now, flashed before my eyes. I started my career here [at Keenan Stadium] and am finishing here too. My favourite people, including my coach [Kajal Das] had come to be part of the occasion. Sometimes, it’s difficult to express the feeling.”Related

'Satisfied' Shahbaz Nadeem retires from all cricket in India

Vidarbha's Faiz Fazal retires from professional cricket

Varun Aaron to wrap up red-ball career after Ranji season

Once the farewell match got over, Tiwary walked over the pitch, tears in his eyes, bent down and kissed the turf. Das, who has also coached the Jharkhand team in the past, was in attendance, and recalled an old story that gives you a glimpse into Tiwary the person.”He must have been 15 or 16, and a ball hit his head during training. He needed some stitches. He went to the hospital and came right back to me. I told him to pad up and go bat in the nets [and he did so] – I wanted to see if he was scared and wanted to test him,” Das said. “I have never had a student as dedicated as Saurabh. His keenness to be at the ground and his hunger for runs is unmatched.”Tiwary wore the India cap – in three ODIs, in late 2010 – and had a lengthy run in the IPL, playing 93 matches across 11 seasons between 2008 and 2021, missing out only in 2014, 2018 and 2019. The only time Jharkhand won a domestic tournament, the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2010-11, Tiwary was the captain. Add to that 8076 first-class runs, 4050 in List A cricket, 3454 in T20s… one dream, however, remained unfulfilled.”Cricket has taught me two things. One is that you have to fight for everything, and the second is that you need to understand you won’t get everything in life. Some things will remain out of reach,” Tiwary said. “I had a dream that we will win the Ranji Trophy but I couldn’t achieve it. That takes us back to the thing about fighting for everything. I will now try to play my part in helping the team win the Ranji Trophy, but from the outside. And I will do whatever I can to make it happen.”

Millwall have emerged as a late contender to snatch a Championship playoff slot and could now strike in the summer window to secure a talented youngster.

Millwall's late bid for promotion to the Premier League

Four victories in the last six under Alex Neil have put Millwall five points behind sixth in the race for a playoff berth, giving the Lions an outside chance of stumping their rivals for a shot at promotion to the Premier League.

Admittedly, they will need to string together a near impeccable run of results to pull off such a feat, beginning with their clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon. Holding previous experience of winning promotion with Sunderland and Norwich, you wouldn’t bet against Neil doing the trick again should his side manage to upset the odds over the next few weeks.

Casper De Norre has urged fans to get behind Millwall’s late bid to reach the top six, stating ahead of their clash against Boro: “It is going to be very important to have the support. It is a huge game.

“Now you need that extra fire from the fans – that extra support – to give you that five per cent extra or to help make that one final sprint to block a ball or try to score a goal.”

Millwall’s Championship run-in

Middlesbrough (H)

The Den

Blackburn Rovers (A)

Ewood Park

Norwich City (H)

The Den

Swansea City (H)

The Den

Burnley (A)

Turf Moor

Regardless, the Londoners appear to be active ahead of the summer window. The Lions are reportedly keen on Cheltenham Town winger Jordan Thomas after identifying the 23-year-old as a replacement for Romain Esse, who is now on the books at Crystal Palace.

Now, they also have a free deal in their sights alongside one of their Championship rivals, according to recent developments.

Millwall leading race to sign Charlton star Thierry Small

According to Football Insider, Millwall are leading the race to sign Thierry Small from Charlton, making an approach to register their interest in the 20-year-old’s services for when his contract expires this summer.

Preston are interested as well, and the Addicks have also offered a new contract to the defender, who has notched two goals and five assists in 42 appearances across all competitions this season.

Millwall leading race to sign "excellent" winger to finally replace Esse

He’s enjoyed an impressive season…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 27, 2025

Potentially available on a free transfer this summer, former Everton man Small is predominantly a left-back, though he has also featured on the right flank under Nathan Jones. Labelled a “fantastic guy” by Ralph Hasenhuttl, he has also spent time out on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren and Port Vale, building his portfolio of first-team experience.

Now, it remains to be seen if Millwall can see off competition from Preston to land his signature. Securing promotion would give them a major advantage over any rival suitors, offering Small a chance to ply his trade in the top-flight as he continues to develop.

Either way, supporters can take encouragement from the fact that transfer cogs appear to be turning in South London ahead of the summer.

The tournament favourites are cruising but their middle order could be tested if England set them a stiff target

Sambit Bal at Edgbaston30-Jun-20191:48

Dhoni watches over Pant during India net session

India v England was meant to be something else. Mainly a sussing-out between the two pre-tournament favourites in anticipation of a real contest later, when something significant – like a World Cup – was on the line. That encounter may yet come about, but for England the moment is here and now. They might still have another shot in a few days but that would be leaving their fate to the mercy of factors beyond their control.The summer has truly arrived. The sun is glorious, the sales are on, the tan lotion is out, the parks are full of baby strollers and picnickers. Saturday was the hottest day of the season in Birmingham, and at Edgbaston a fresh pitch, bald and brown, is baking in the sun. Another age, another day, this would have been manna to India, but today it’s the answer to England’s prayers. They have been edgy, antsy and nervy, complaining about their own weather, conditions and former players. They will turn up at the match hoping that there is no deception here, and that the pitch is the kind of belter they have built their batting artillery for.What of India, then? Their semi-final berth isn’t sealed yet, but as the only unbeaten team in the tournament, and with the most games in hand of any side, they can afford a loss or two. Their World Cup campaign has chugged along without catching fire. They have lost one of their opening batsmen, a champion performer in ICC tournaments, and one of their opening bowlers; and their captain and best batsman hasn’t hit peak form. But there has been no panic yet. They have been stretched on a couple of occasions, but they have held on quite comfortably in the end.ALSO READ: England face India’s might as campaign nears point of no returnThere has been no swagger, but there has been a quiet confidence in how they have gone about their business. There has been no fixed formula to their success and they have found different ways to win. A tricky, potential banana-skin chase on a lively pitch against South Africa; top-order-driven big first-innings scores against Australia and Pakistan; the composed defence of a small total against Afghanistan; and blowing away West Indies after putting up a modest score. There have been different performers in different matches, and they have won the moments when games have been on the line.But England, if things go their way, can provide India with the challenge they haven’t encountered yet: having to chase a big total. Rarely can a score of over 350 be chased down without big contributions from three or four batsmen; India would have to look beyond Rohit Sharma to pull one off. Put another way, England have the opportunity to expose India’s soft centre.Remarkably, India’s strengths have been so enormous as to protect a weak spot that might have sunk other teams. Their top three, runs and impact combined, are perhaps the greatest in the history of Indian cricket. In the list of combined annual batting averages, they feature four times in the top five best years. They are easily the best in the world in the last two years.ALSO READ: Chopra: What India need to do against England’s key playersBut the worry for India is what happens when they have an off day. The last time they managed to score over 300 without a 50-plus score from any one of the top three was in January 2017. And an even more revealing statistic is the fact that only five times since 2017 have India managed to go past 300 without the top three contributing more than 50 per cent of the runs.In the past two years, India have tried 14 different batsmen for Nos 4-6 – more than any other team apart from Sri Lanka and West Indies – to settle for a combination that appears to be the weakest in their recent history, and certainly their weakest in a World Cup in this century.It is not Vijay Shankar’s fault that he has been thrust into the unfamiliar role of No. 4, a position occupied by Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar in two of the last three World Cups. He is yet to score an ODI half-century in any position, and throughout his brief career for India, he has seemed to be in search of his ideal game.Kedar Jadhav, a late bloomer, began spunkily, but recurring injuries have meant a stop-start international career, and he has never quite managed to replicate the match-winning performances of his debut series.Which brings the spotlight to MS Dhoni. Irrespective of what happens here, his ODI career will be remembered for the finishes he engineered. The value he brings to Kohli on the field is apparent. Equally apparent, though, are his recent struggles. Just as almost every India chase during his heyday had Dhoni as the pivot, in recent times – as was evident against Afghanistan and West Indies – he has been part of nearly every Indian deceleration.MS Dhoni is a pale shadow of his former self, but he has the backing of his captain•Associated PressThe numbers bear this out. On the 37 occasions he has been required to bat more than 25 balls since the last World Cup, his strike rate in the first 25 balls has been 64.75, and only in 12 of those instances has he managed to catch up with the innings run rate. So, let alone propelling the innings ahead in the second half of the innings, in 25 of those 37 cases he scored at a lower rate that the innings run rate.But he has Kohli’s backing. One of the strengths of this Indian team has been how they insulate themselves from the noise outside, and how they assess what their wonderful bowling attack, easily the best in their history – and arguably the best in this World Cup – can defend.Speaking ahead of the game, Kohli re-emphasised that philosophy. “We’re not looking at entertainment out there in the middle,” he said when asked about the middle order. “We’re not looking at playing cricket which is looking flashy. We want to be calculated. We want to play percentage cricket, because, as I said, the team that handles pressure well is going to win the games that are hanging in the balance.”ALSO READ: ‘Dhoni’s experience has come good eight times out of ten’ – KohliOn Dhoni specifically, he repeated what has been said before. “He knows exactly what he needs to do. I don’t think he’s ever been a cricketer that’s had to be told what exactly he needs to do.”After the last game, he went into the nets. He worked hard. He put in a performance and got us to a winning total, and we won the game. We’re very, very happy and comfortable with where we stand as a team and how the batting is going at the moment.”Practice was optional on Saturday, but Dhoni – with Jadhav and Rishabh Pant, who is yet to play a match, alongside – was in the nets. He batted the longest, and a lot against spinners. One of the shots he practised repeatedly was the sweep, a stroke that he employs rarely. Like most of his strokes, it was his version, played wide of square leg.England will play two spinners tomorrow. And if India happen to be chasing a big score, the middle overs need to be productive. So far India have played the World Cup at their pace. To win it, though, they must be ready and equipped to match the tempo of their opponents when the occasion demands.For England, losing is barely an option. For India, it could be the opportunity to find some answers. Can they chase big? And how weak is their weakest link?

da imperador bet： Stepping up their summer plans, Manchester United are now reportedly expected to submit an opening offer to sign a Serie A midfielder who dominated former Old Trafford star Scott McTominay this season.

INEOS preparing for big summer

da fazobetai： Ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first full season in charge, in which he will be forced to operate underneath an even greater spotlight, it’s fair to say that INEOS must get things right on the transfer front.

The Red Devils desperately need to show the door to several stars and are even more desperate for fresh faces to arrive and make their mark at Old Trafford.

Amorim is keen to ensure that his side waste no time before finally turning things around at the club, despite questions around a long-term task.

The former Sporting CP boss told reporters earlier this month: “I understand, but I’m not naïve. I don’t want to think we need a lot of years to be competitive. I can’t think like that, I cannot manage that, it’s not in me. That’s why I’m putting pressure on myself.

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“I know we won’t be the biggest challengers in the next year or two years. We are changing a lot of things inside the club and we know it will take a lot of time, but I will not say I need a lot of years. Next year is our goal. I’m not saying we’re going to win the title in the next year, I’m not crazy.”

What would certainly help accelerate Manchester United’s turnaround is an impressive transfer window – something that INEOS are seemingly planning for.

Already, names such as Liam Delap and James Trafford have been mentioned among those who could yet be on their way to Amorim’s side, but it’s a Serie A midfielder who may well be most likely.

Man Utd expected to submit offer for Ederson

According to TuttomercatoWeb, Manchester United are now expected to submit an official offer to sign Ederson from Atalanta in the coming weeks. The Serie A side reportedly value their midfielder at around €60m (£52m), but it remains to be seen whether United’s pending offer will reach that mark and satisfy the Italians’ requirements.

It should come as no surprise that Atalanta are demanding such a high price, however. If Manchester United kept an eye on academy graduate, turned Napoli star, Scott McTominay, they would have seen Ederson’s quality for themselves earlier this season. The Brazilian dominated the Napoli midfielder in a resounding 3-0 victory.

By the end of the 3-0 thrashing, the Atalanta star had made eight passes into the final third, won 100% of his tackles and completed as many as 10 recoveries. McTominay, meanwhile, was limited to the least amount of touches of any outfield player on the day and won just 50% of his tackles, according to FotMob.

Described as “strong” by South American football expert Tim Vickery, Ederson is exactly the type of combative midfielder that Amorim needs alongside Manuel Ugarte if he is to turn Manchester United around once and for all.

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