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Four wickets in four balls to be in elite company alongside T20 superstars Lasith Malinga and Rashid Khan. Knocking off the winning runs in the chase. Scooping up the Player-of-the-Match award. Curtis Campher packed his World Cup debut with plenty of highlights as Ireland opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a resounding victory against Netherlands in Abu Dhabi.The start, however, wasn’t as rosy for Campher. After being introduced into the attack in the seventh over, Campher floated two half-trackers that were cracked to the square boundaries. He said he offered an apology to his captain Andy Balbirnie before switching ends and his own fortunes. When Campher darted a short delivery down the leg side, Colin Ackermann was late on a pull and ended up snicking behind to wicketkeeper Neil Rock. He then went full to attack the pads and stumps. Ryan ten Doeschate and Scott Edwards were both dismissed lbw, playing around their front pads. Campher completed the sequence when he had Roelof van der Merwe chopping on.Related

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• Curtis Campher snags four in four as Ireland thump Netherlands

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“To be honest, I wasn’t really thinking about it [emulating Malinga and Rashid],” Campher said at the post-match press conference. “Maybe it will set in a little bit later, but I’m just trying to do what I want to do – when Tendo walked in we knew we had to go straight to him and that worked and then just carried on to Edwards too. Both those [attacking the stumps] were plans worked out from the analyst and that kind of fit into my game, so maybe in a few hours or a few days, it might rub off. But to be honest I’m just happy with the win and that’s all that matters.”So, how did Campher manage to compose himself before the hat-trick ball?ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“My heart was racing quite high, but I just took a few deep breaths at the top of my run and just tried to make sure I manage my skills,” Campher recalled. “Obviously, I didn’t really finish the last over as well as I wanted to, but I’m learning and I’m young. I’m just trying to do the best that I can.”Campher credited fellow seamers Mark Adair and Josh Little for handcuffing Netherlands in the powerplay and making life easier for him. Adair, in particular, operated with great control, coming away with 3 for 9. Only Kevin O’Brien has conceded fewer runs in a four-over spell for Ireland in T20Is.”Personally for me, it [four in four] gives us a lot of momentum,” Campher said. “As a bowling unit when you have three guys going under six, it makes a big difference. As far as a bowling unit, we’re really good I think. On another day, I can go for 10s and 12s, but the pressure that the guys built there managed to make me get the wickets. So, listened to Mark Adair, Josh [Little], Simi [Singh], and Whitey [Ben White], we hunted as a unit and I was actually lucky to get the results.”Campher was recently on the sidelines, a shoulder injury forcing him to sit out the three-match World Cup Super league series against Zimbabwe in September. He had injured his AC joint in his shoulder while diving on the field during his T20I debut in August. Prior to that, he had undergone surgery for a long-standing ankle problem. Quite naturally, he was pleased to be back in action although he didn’t expect his World Cup bow to be as grand as this.”I might sound like a broken record, but right now I’m just really enjoying my cricket. I’m just happy to be on the park and have this opportunity,” he said. “I think people take for granted if you play [for] a long time. When I got injured – obviously no one should have injuries – but to bounce back and actually just start enjoying my cricket, just grateful to be out there, whether I get hit for 60 or 70 or don’t score a run, I’m just happy to be out there and playing for my country.”

Need to find a way to take 20 wickets more regularly to complement a strong batting unit

Alex Malcolm20-Sep-2021Captain Mitchell Marsh
Coach Adam Voges Fixtures
September 22: South Australia (Marsh Cup), Karen Rolton Oval
September 24-27: South Australia (Sheffield Shield), Karen Rolton Oval Winter moves
The bulk of the squad is unchanged from last year with only changes to the rookie contracts. Left-handed batter Jake Carder, who did play two matches at the end of last season, has moved to South Australia while young allrounder Brad Hope has joined Tasmania. Jayden Goodwin, son of former Zimbabwe and WA batter Murray Goodwin, has returned from his sabbatical last year but is still a development player. Squad
R=Rookie, CA=Australia contract
Ashton Agar (CA), Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly (R), Sam Fanning (R), Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin (R), Cameron Green (CA), Liam Guthrie, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, David Moody, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson (CA), Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman Last season
Western Australia only lost one match last season in the Shield but it was their last one against Tasmania which cost them a spot in the final. They only won two and had five draws. They batted superbly all season led by a sensational summer from Cameron Green (922 runs at 76.83). Green, Josh Inglis, Shaun Marsh, Cameron Bancroft, and Sam Whiteman each scored three centuries, but their bowling lacked penetration. They took 10 wickets in just six innings for the entire season and two of those innings cost more than 432. Cameron Gannon was the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps but they came at 39.58 apiece with a strike-rate of 78.9, while Matt Kelly was the only other bowler to claim 20 wickets. WA made the final in the Marsh Cup but were unable to defend their title, collapsing in a chase of 252 against New South Wales. Their batting was hot and cold in the 50-over format with three scores over 300, with Green and Shaun Marsh scoring a century each, but they were twice bowled out for under 150, including in the final. Joel Paris was the star performer with the ball taking 10 wickets in just three games. Player to watch
Josh Inglis has bolted into the Australia T20 World Cup squad but his long-form ability will also have him sharply in focus with Australia Test wicketkeeper Tim Paine recovering from neck surgery and coming to the end of his career. Inglis scored 585 runs at 73.12 last season to put pressure on Alex Carey as Paine’s first-choice successor. Inglis’ batting ability against spin and his excellent glovework will certainly put him in the frame for Australia’s three scheduled tours of the subcontinent in 2022. Australia radar
With Green already in the Test team and Inglis becoming a player of interest, WA is aiming to add more players into the Test ranks having already provided a number of Australia limited-overs players over the past 12 months. Jhye Richardson has had an interrupted pre-season but at his best, he sits alongside James Pattinson and Michael Neser as Australia’s next crop of Test fast bowlers behind the big three of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc. Mitchell Marsh has gone to a new level with his batting over the winter in the shortest form and newfound confidence won’t harm his Test chances if Australia wishes to take more allrounders to the subcontinent.

Chelsea have spent £252m on a midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Roméo Lavia, with all three joining the club during 2023.

Fernandez (who joined first in January) made 40 appearances for Chelsea last season in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing three assists while Caicedo made 48 appearances last campaign, scoring one goal and registering four assists. He also played a part in the club keeping 11 clean sheets.

Lavia spent the entire season out through injury, missing 43 fixtures through various problems including hamstring and ankle issues, only managing one appearance in the 2023/24 season which lasted 32 minutes.

It's evident the future of Chelsea's midfield looks bright, however, and in Andrey Santos they have another option to slot in before too long.

Andrey Santos' loan spell so far

Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos has returned to Strasbourg on loan for the 2024/25 campaign following a successful loan spell there for the 2023/24 season. Santos made 11 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, scoring one goal and contributing to two clean sheets.

The 20-year-old midfielder was signed from Vasco for around €20m (£16.8m) in January 2023, with the deal being agreed the month prior. The Brazilian youngster had already impressed, captaining his youth national team, and earning a senior call-up.

Impressively, Santos has scored two goals in his first two games this campaign, playing 180 minutes and proving to be a key figure in the Strasbourg side.

Santos vs Fernandez & Caicedo

Both Caicedo and Fernandez could be in trouble as Santos goes from strength to strength and offers an extremely complete midfield profile, described as a "superb" box-to-box midfielder by scout Jacek Kulig.

FBref's "similar players" feature compares Santos to Fernandez, as well as Arsenal midfielder, Declan Rice, which just shows the complete nature of this midfield profile.

So, how do they all compare? We've got the answer.

How Santos compares
Stats (per 90 mins)	Santos	Fernandez	Caicedo	Rice
Goals	1.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Progressive Carries	2.00	0.67	1.07	1.60
Progressive Passes	5.50	3.67	3.57	7.20
Shots Total	1.50	1.00	0.36	1.20
Shots on Target	1.00	0.33	0.00	0.40
Key Passes	2.50	1.00	0.36	0.80
Tackles	5.00	3.00	3.21	0.40
Blocks	1.00	0.67	1.79	0.80
Interceptions	0.50	0.00	2.14	1.20
Stats taken from FBref

These metrics are from the 2024/25 season so are based on minimal data so far. However, this really shows the strong start Santos has made in Ligue 1, coming out on top in six of the nine metrics assessed.

Santos has scored one goal per 90, scoring two in two so far, while also recording 1.50 shots, with one of those shots on target per 90 minutes. This goal threat is far superior to any of the other midfielders here, who haven't scored yet and also aren't known for their goalscoring qualities.

An area these midfielders are known for is their progressive passing and Santos is right up there for those metrics too, averaging 5.50, bettering the numbers of the Chelsea pair, and only 1.70 less than Rice.

Rice and Caicedo are well known for their defensive abilities, and Santos is actually averaging more tackles than both, with five per 90, compared to Rice's 0.40, and Caicedo's 3.21 per 90.

Mix this defensive output with his passing progression (also making 2.50 key passes, the most of all the midfielders here), and you can see why Santos is a hybrid of Fernandez and Rice, which could spell trouble for Caicedo if his form continues.

Chelsea already had their answer to Osimhen in Mourinho's "big-game player"

Chelsea already had box dominator who was their answer to Osimhen

2

By
Connor Holden

Sep 4, 2024

‘Special’ feat by Sussex 16-year-old precedes Malan’s 103* to close gap for Yorkshire

Paul Edwards04-Jun-2021

Danial Ibrahim became the youngest cricketer to make a half-century in the 131-year history of the County Championship•Getty Images

“Youth is to all the glad season of life,” wrote Thomas Carlyle, thus presenting that fine Australian cricket writer, Ray Robinson, with the title of one of his best books. But rather less well-known are the qualifications that the grumpy 19th century polymath added to his aphorism: “but often only by what it hopes, not by what it attains, or what it escapes.” But then there are days like this at Headingley; the day when attainment matched hope; the day when Danial Ibrahim became the youngest cricketer to make a half-century in the 131-year history of the County Championship.It did not matter even one hoot that Ibrahim reached his fifty in slightly grubby fashion via an overthrow when Dom Bess failed to collect Jordan Thompson’s shy. Just over 24 hours earlier he had not even been a first-class cricketer; now here he was, the second youngest debutant in Sussex’s history with a half-century against his name and a record in a competition whose history stretches deep into the Golden Age. This is a glad season without caveat for Ibrahim; this is a golden age for him.But, of course, he did not know about the fact that he had eclipsed by 61 days the record set by Bilal Shafayat when he made 72 for Nottinghamshire against Middlesex at Trent Bridge in 2001. Ibrahim is a 16-year-old schoolboy who had no clue until last Sunday that he was about to make his Sussex debut. Now he knows what it is like to play on a Test ground against international bowlers. The record was “special” but so was everything else.Related

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“I was shocked on Sunday when I was told I was playing but I was so excited as well,” he said. “There are not many better grounds than Headingley on which to make a debut and it was just so special to be out there when Ben Brown made his century. It was really tough to bat against the new ball but Browny helped me though it and took the pressure off. I found it all tough but I just had to keep battling though and do the best I could. Ben Coad and Steve Patterson test your technique and you have to be switched on all the time you are facing them. But I enjoy a battle.”So, however, do Yorkshire’s cricketers and Ibrahim could add only five more runs to his half-century before his second ambitious drive of the day edged a catch to Harry Brook at third slip off Coad. Indeed, Ibrahim was one of five Sussex batters to be dismissed for the addition of only 46 runs on a day that was subsequently dominated by Yorkshire’s batters. The applause from the home members during an evening blessed by rich sunlight attested to that fact.Dawid Malan reached his hundred in the last over of the day•Getty Images

True, Yorkshire lost Tom Kohler-Cadmore for 25, leg before wicket to Ibrahim – yes, him again – when the opener played clumsily across the line. Then, just at the point when Adam Lyth had appeared set for another big score, the left-hander was bowled round his legs by Jamie Atkins for 48. That left Yorkshire on 95 for 2 and their supporters anxious that the batting was about to fail again. Imagine, then, the relief when Dawid Malan and Gary Ballance took heavy toll of Sussex’s young attack with an unbroken partnership of 177 for the third wicket and Yorkshire ended the day on 272 for 2 and therefore perfectly placed to build a large advantage tomorrow.In such a context of abundance there has been something rather moving about the return of crowds to Headingley over the past two days. They may have been unavoidably late on parade – there were spectators at some grounds a fortnight ago – but the presence of 2,000 supporters at a County Championship match in Leeds still represents another act of reclamation in these strange times.Spectators are getting their first proper sight of cricketers like Jordan Thompson, who made his debut nearly twelve months ago. They are also getting their first sight of Malan in a Yorkshire shirt and the former England Test batter has done nothing to disappoint them. He and Ballance batted fluently against a tiring Sussex attack in the evening session and Malan reached his century off 153 balls with a leg glance off Tom Haines in the final over of the day. Ibrahim watched it all and perhaps he wondered if one day this might be him.

Sam Hain and Michael Burgess led Warwickshire’s recovery on an evenly contested opening day of the LV=Insurance County Championship match against Derbyshire at Derby.Hain made 77 from 161 balls and Burgess 71 off 134 after Sam Conners reduced the visitors to 105 for 4 in the Group 1 game at the Incora County Ground.The 22-year-old fast bowler ended with 4 for 45 from 16 overs and Derbyshire claimed three wickets with the second new ball to limit Warwickshire to 272 for 9 at the close.Cloud cover and a muggy atmosphere probably persuaded Billy Godleman to put Warwickshire in and he was rewarded with two wickets in the first seven overs.Conners had struck with the first ball of the match at Worcester last week and he removed Will Rhodes and Pieter Malan in consecutive overs. The Warwickshire captain miscued a pull which lobbed to mid off in the fifth over and Conners then removed Malan’s off stump with an inswinging yorker.Conners almost had a third in his sixth over when Rob Yates drove to mid on where a diving Luis Reece got both hands to the ball but could not cling on.The light was poor enough for the floodlights to be switched on and Yates and Hain needed some luck to get through to lunch at 89 for 2.Yates might have thought he had done the hard work but he was out for 37 in the fourth over of the afternoon session when Conners got some late away movement to have him caught at second slip.Matt Lamb got away with a pull that just evaded mid on but when he repeated the shot against Conners, Reece held the top edge running across behind the bowler.Hain now had to rebuild for a second time and, with Burgess, added 74 in 24 overs before he dabbed Reece to second slip.Burgess played fluently to reach 50 from 89 balls and with Tim Bresnan, took Warwickshire to a first batting point before Alex Hughes nipped one away to have Bresnan smartly caught at slip by Wayne Madsen. A second was secured before Burgess was caught behind off an inside edge driving at Michael Cohen, the first of three late wickets that earned Derbyshire maximum bowling points.

Derby County fans will be counting down the days now until Championship football is back on the menu for the Rams, with a visit to Blackburn Rovers kickstarting what many will hope is a positive campaign competing again in the second tier.

Paul Warne masterminded a return back to this promised land to the relief of everyone with connections to Derby last season, clinching that final automatic promotion place alongside Portsmouth, but all the glory of that special day will feel like a distant memory now.

Derby have gone about their business effectively in the summer transfer window to date, in order to strengthen the squad ahead of the challenges to come moving up a division, with the arrivals of Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson adding in experience and nous up top, whilst out-there signings such as Kenzo Goudmijn joining from the Netherlands shows the new pull the Rams have.

There were even murmurs that Malcolm Ebiowei could be joining Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh in through the door at Pride Park, but that looks like one signing that won't materialise.

Malcolm Ebiowei's return to Derby

The rumour mill went into overdrive when Ozoh put pen to paper on a loan switch to Derbyshire, with former Rams man Ebiowei – who is now on the books at the Eagles – wishing him well on his new adventure in the Championship on social media.

That sparked rumours that the ex-Derby youth product could be making a dramatic return on loan, but football journalist Alan Nixon set the record straight, by confirming that no such reunion was in store, with no contact ever occurring between the two parties in the first place.

Oxford United have since snapped up the Palace man on a season-long loan, with Derby setting their sights elsewhere when it comes to further additions to boost the attack Warne has at his disposal.

The newly promoted outfit have been linked with this skilful ace in the past, who lit up League One with his magical displays for Blackpool just campaign, with a hunger perhaps coming from this winger now to show he can equally strut his stuff up a division with Warne's side.

Derby could land "magic" Ebiowei alternative

Earlier this month, it was reported that Derby were keen on adding current Brest attacker Karamoko Dembele to their squad, as per journalist Darren Witcoop.

No such move has really accelerated into motion just yet, but with Oxford – who were promoted up to the Championship with Derby – winning the services of Ebiowei, that could make the Rams want to push ahead and sign Dembele away from putting in just one bid, in order to gain an upper-hand over a team who could be a relegation rival.

Stat – per 90 mins*

Dembele

Games played

39

Goals scored

8

Assists

13

Shots*

1.3

Key passes*

2.0

Big chances missed

0

Big chances created

15

The ex-Celtic youngster would even be described as possessing "magic in his feet" by Tangerines boss Neil Critchley based on his dynamite season in the third tier, with a mightily impressive 15 big chances created across his impactful 39 games.

To add context, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing created just five more for the promotion winners, with Dembele potentially adding to the Rams' flair in attack next season if signed.

Ebiowei, on the other hand, has never quite come alive in the men's game in a similar way to Dembele, with his time at Derby in the first-team seeing him pick up just one goal and two assists in the Championship, across two campaigns, while he also provided no goals and only one assist for Belgian side RWD Molenbeek last season.

That early Rams form would still win him a major move to Palace, with the talk surrounding Ebiowei returning to Derby potentially sparked by the fact the 20-year-old perhaps felt as if he had unfinished business at Pride Park to attend to, after leaving somewhat prematurely in 2022.

Alas, it is at the Kassam Stadium where his short-term future lies.

Still, if Derby can win Dembele this window – who scored strikes like the one above for the Tangerines on a regular basis last season – Ebiowei will simply just be forgotten about again.

Derby plotting swoop for "fantastic" star to repeat Lawrence success

Derby County could win themselves a brand new star if this swoop gets over the line.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 25, 2024

The former Canada men's and women's international manager announced his resignation, effective immediately

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Herdman resigns from Toronto FCCanada Soccer drone investigation still lingeringBecomes 12th MLS manager to leave club in 2024Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After 44 matches in charge of MLS side Toronto FC, John Herdman has resigned from his post as manager of the club. TFC missed the postseason in 2023 and 2024, with a record of 16-6-22 across all competitions.

He was named the club's permanent head coach in August 2023 and led them to a Canadian Championship final under his tenure. As a result of him leaving his post, he becomes the 12th MLS manager to leave their role in 2024.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Herdman has been wrapped in the spotlight of an investigation into Canada Soccer after a staffer with the women's team was found spying on an opponent with a drone at the 2024 Paris Olympics. CWNT head coach Bev Priestman was fired after a review into the scandal, but Herdman's previous stints as both head coach of the men's and women's programs have him in the midst of an ongoing investigation, too.

However, he had adamantly denied any wrongdoing.

"I can again clarify that at a FIFA World Cup, pinnacle event, Olympic Games, at a Youth World Cup, those activities have not been undertaken," he said in July. "And I've got nothing else to say on that matter."

No particular reason was given for Herdman's resignation from TFC, but in a club press release, he thanked the MLS side and wished them well.

“Personally, I have made the difficult decision that it’s the right time for me to step away from the club, as the organization defines its vision for the future,” said Herdman. “It has been an honour to wear the Toronto FC crest and contribute to the growth of the club. Working with this dedicated group of players and staff has been a true privilege. I want to thank Keith Pelley and MLSE ownership for the opportunity, and I also want to thank the incredible fans for the support they’ve shown me both on and off the pitch. I wish the organization success going forward, and I look forward to the next chapter in my career.”

WHAT TFC SAID

“On behalf of the entire organization, I thank John for his commitment to Toronto FC and for the important strides for the club during his time as Head Coach,” said MLSE President & CEO Keith Pelley. “John’s passion for the game and dedication is evident to all those he has worked with and we wish him and his family the very best. The organization will begin the search for Toronto FC’s next Head Coach immediately.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR TORONTO?

The club's search for their next permanent head coach is now underway, as they look to prepare for the 2025 season. The 2017 MLS Cup winners will look to re-establish themselves at the top after a few up-and-down seasons.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Casemiro have been slammed by Red Devils legend Gary Neville for their 'unprofessional' United States trips.

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Casemiro and Rashford travel to the U.S.Neville criticises their 'unprofessional' tripsBelieves jet lag may hinder performancesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Rashford was present at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks NBA game as he was left out of England's squad for the international break yet again. Meanwhile, Casemiro also jetted off to the States to Orlando for a family holiday at Disney World, as seen on his Instagram.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Manchester United legend and Sky Sports pundit Neville has now ripped into the duo for their 'unprofessional' trips to the United States as they continue to struggle for form and overall fitness. The duo returned to training on Monday as they joined up with new boss Ruben Amorim, who has been working at Carrington since the start of the international break.

AFPWHAT NEVILLE SAID

Speaking on the Sky Bet's Stick To Football podcast, Neville said: “The professionalism, looking after your body and making sure you’re best prepared for the next training session is critical to every decision you make during the season.

"He has got a mental break, he’s got to get away and has got to rest with friends – then you talk about the choice of venue. How far do you fly? What’s the time difference? Is that going to give a jet lag issue Is that going to give a stiffness issue from being on a flight for 12 hours?

“This is on Casemiro more than Rashford, but if I’m 30 years old and I’m looking after my body – and he’s won five Champions Leagues and is an unbelievable player – but if he was away with Brazil for 10 days, we would say he would struggle this weekend because he’s been away."

Neville continued: "They [Casemiro and Marcus Rashford] have chosen that international break. If you're talking about the minor details in being as professional as you can be and as prepared you can be for a training session on a Monday night, that isn’t the best choice of venue.

“I’m not that wound up about Rashford and Casemiro going over to the United States, but what I’m asking is, if you’ve got a four-day break, Portland is a 12-hour flight and an eight-hour time difference, your jet lag is bad, and you feel a bit [rough].

“They went to Portland, and I’m asking the question based on professionalism – you’re playing badly, the team are losing, you're 13th in the league, and there's a new manager coming in – would you choose that trip as a break to recharge your batteries? That’s not a recharging trip. It’s not right that.”

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WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

Rashford and Casemiro may both be starters for Amorim's Manchester United debut on Sunday, November 24 when the Red Devils take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Enzo Maresca is approaching his first Premier League campaign, as he looks to take Chelsea back into the Champions League places, having finished 6th last season, five points off of fourth place Aston Villa.

Chelsea are scouring the transfer market, looking to bolster their squad and give new manager Maresca the tools necessary, already bringing Leicester City POTY Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to the club, along with Tosin Adarabioyo. Renato Veiga, Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, and Caleb Wiley.

But it doesn't look like the business is going to stop there for the Blues, as they continue to be linked with players from all over, in multiple positions, with many suggesting this window could be based on opportunistic signings for Chelsea.

Chelsea transfer news

According to reports from Spanish reporter Roberto Gomez, via Sport Witness, Chelsea have become the latest club to show interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. Chelsea are said to be "very interested" along with Arsenal, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

The report suggests Merino could be available for around €30-35m, which would be around £23m-£27m. But the 28-year-old still has one year left on his current deal, and hasn't accepted a new deal, leaving Real Sociedad in the position of wanting to "cash in".

Analyst Ben Mattinson has described Merino as a "duel monster" when describing his 6 foot 3 frame, and aerial prowess, as well as his composure and press resistance on the ball. As a result, he could be a valuable addition to the centre of Maresca's side.

Merino and Caicedo as a partnership

Merino made 45 appearances last season for Real Sociedad in all competitions, scoring eight goals, providing five assists, and totalling 3,601 minutes. Caicedo made 48 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last campaign, scoring one goal, providing four assists, and totalling 3,899 minutes.

Instantly, the pair's durability shines through, Caicedo only missed two games through injury/illness last season, and Merino also only missed two games due to injury. This is an important factor due to the injury issues of Roméo Lavia last season, missing 43 games last season due to various injuries.

Merino would also offer that extra height in midfield alongside Caicedo, and give that aerial presence needed in central midfield, averaging 5.99 aerials won per 90, which is in the top 1% of midfielders in the top five leagues.

Merino vs Caicedo comparison

Stat (per 90 mins)

Merino

Caicedo

Aerials Won

5.99

0.94

Non-Penalty Goals

0.20

0.03

Passes Completed

38.52

59.88

Tackles

2.66

2.86

Interceptions

0.58

1.16

Stats from FBref

The balance of this midfield pairing would be excellent, offering different levels and versions of physicality, more height enthused with Merino, and more ground covering with Caicedo. Both players are top-end tacklers, ranking in the top 20% for midfielders on the continent.

Caicedo tends to have more responsibility on the ball, averaging more passes completed per game, whilst Merino can surge forwards more, adding goals and assists, getting in and around the box, and looking to make his impact slightly higher up the pitch.

Merino is also 28-years-old, entering his prime and has previous Premier League experience playing for Newcastle back in the 2017/18 season. This would add much-needed experience to the Chelsea ranks, along with that much-needed height and physicality boost, something many were calling for last campaign around the club.

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Newcastle United's move to land their second signing of the summer could reportedly "happen very quckly" if they present an "exceptional offer" in the coming weeks.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have already announced Eddie Howe's first arrival of the summer in the form of Lloyd Kelly and have already been linked with more incomings. Kelly represents wise business from those at St James' Park, given that the defender arrived for free following the expiry of his Bournemouth contract at the end of the season. Handing Howe some much-needed defensive cover, Kelly could quickly become an important part of his squad.

Away from Kelly's arrival, Newcastle have been linked with moves for the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Michael Olise in two deals that would offer them instant upgrades on Miguel Almiron, whose Tyneside future has been in doubt in recent months.

As the Magpies look to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, he could be among those sacrificed.

If that is to be the case, Howe will need a replacement, and if it's not Olise or Summerville, another name could enter St James' Park. According to Bild, via Sport Witness, an "exceptional bid" from Newcastle could see a transfer "happen very quickly" to sign Brajan Gruda from Mainz this summer.

The Premier League side are reportedly wooing the Bundesliga man alongside Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Stuttgart, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.

A dream for Botman: Newcastle in talks to sign £50m defender

He’s massively caught the eye in 2023/24.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 20, 2024

A man in demand, Mainz would only accept an "exceptional offer" for their winger in what could see things move very quickly. That said, it's currently unsure whether Newcastle are willing to submit such an offer this summer.

"Superb" Gruda could replace Almiron

Almiron, now 30 years old, is a player Newcastle must think about replacing with a younger model. And Gruda is exactly that. The Mainz ace showed plenty of glimpses of his quality for Mainz last season and whilst he may be far from the finished product, Howe would have plenty to work with if the Magpies welcomed the young German this summer.

Goals

4

3

Assists

3

1

Expected Goals

3.5

4.5

Key Passes

43

24

Despite lacking the same experience as Almiron, Gruda outperformed Almiron in a number of attacking areas last season in a potential sign of things to come this summer. What's most promising is the fact that Gruda outperformed his expected goals and made almost double the amount of key passes that Almiron managed, which would instantly benefit the likes of Alexander Isak.

It's no shock that the German earned such high praise as a result of his performances last season, with Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig dubbing his run of form in April "superb". Now, if Newcastle match Mainz's "exceptional offer" demand, they could be the side benefitting from a player with plenty more to come in the next few years.