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Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Sunderland are in talks with OGC Nice over a deal to sign Polish goalkeeper Marcin Bulka this summer.

The Black Cats are interested in a swoop for the former Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper to bolster Regis Le Bris’ squad, as he would come in as competition for Anthony Patterson.

If they can sign the Ligue 1 star, the Premier League side will also need to bolster the defence in front of him, but Chris Mepham is unlikely to be a part of that.

Journalist Graeme Bailey reported earlier this month that a move back to the Championship is more likely than a permanent return to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland eyeing up new centre-back

Whilst a deal for the Bournemouth central defender seems unlikely, given Bailey’s report, the Black Cats reportedly have their eye on another centre-back option.

Transfer Focus

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

According to the Sunderland Echo, Sunderland are eyeing up Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car as a potential signing to bolster their squad before the end of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Croatia international – who is valued at £6m, according to Football Transfers, has been transfer-listed by the French club, despite starting 17 of his 19 appearances in the league this season.

It adds that Lyon have been relegated to Ligue 2 following a financial audit, which could provide Black Cats with further encouragement in their pursuit of Caleta-Car, but that they are set to appeal that decision.

Why Sunderland should sign Duje Caleta-Car

The newly-promoted side should pursue a deal to sign the Croatian giant this summer because he could come in as an upgrade on Mepham, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland will need strong defenders to protect their goal, which could be guarded by Bulka, as they battle against relegation next season, and the Lyon titan’s performances in Ligue 1 suggest that he would offer more to the team than the Wales international would.

Caleta-Car, whose former boss Ralph Hasenhuttl claimed he has a “big presence” on the pitch, also caught the eye for his country recently, winning seven of his nine duels and making eight clearances combined in a 7-0 win over Gibraltar and a 5-1 win over Czechia.

Stats	Caleta-Car (24/25 Ligue 1)	Mepham (23/24 Premier League)
Appearances	19	10
Tackle + interceptions per game	2.0	1.9
Clearances per game	5.1	2.9
Dribbled past per game	0.5x	0.5x
Blocks per game	0.2	0.0
Ground duel success rate	44%	37%
Aerial duel success rate	75%	60%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Croatian star’s defensive performances in Ligue 1 this season were simply better than what Mepham produced in his last season in the Premier League.

These statistics suggest that Caleta-Car would be far more dominant defensively, particularly in aerial battles, whilst also making more interventions, with tackles, interceptions, clearances, and blocks, each game to stop attackers from troubling the goal.

The Lyon defender would also arrive with Premier League experience under his belt. He started nine matches for Southampton in the 2022/23 campaign, winning 57% of his duels and making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game.

Caleta-Car – who transfer insider Dean Jones lauded for having “major quality” – was not available enough to make a telling contribution to their season, though, and they were relegated from the top-flight that term.

Romano: Sunderland in talks to sign "superb" player loved by Luis Enrique

The Black Cats are in the hunt for a new stopper.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 26, 2025

However, his form for Lyon since returning to France suggests that he does have the quality to be an impressive performer in a major European league, particularly in comparison to Mepham.

Therefore, Sunderland should pursue a deal to sign the Croatia international after a move for Bulka this summer to improve their defensive options, whilst removing any need to bring Mepham back on a permanent transfer.

Bangladesh have Test series against Pakistan, India, South Africa and West Indies left in their 2023-25 WTC cycle

Mohammad Isam23-Jun-2024The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has lined up seven red-ball games for Bangladesh as the focus shifts from T20Is to the World Test Championship for the rest of the year. Bangladesh have Test series against Pakistan, India, South Africa and West Indies left in their 2023-25 WTC cycle.The Test cricketers will play three four-day matches in Chattogram next month. The home matches will be followed by two four-day matches against Pakistan A in Darwin from July 19 to 29. The Bangladesh A team will then travel to Pakistan in August to play two four-day matches against the same opponents. Additionally, New Zealand A are also scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August or September.Bangladesh players have also been involved in training camps since May in Chattogram and Sylhet. BCB’s cricket operations chairman Jalal Yunus said that the Test players are “progressing well” in the camps, adding that the four-day games against strong opponents will help them in the WTC matches.”We can give them the best preparation ahead of the grueling Test schedule in the coming months,” Yunus said. “The rest is up to the players. I have been following the Bangladesh Tigers camp, which is going well.”The Bangladesh’s senior men’s team is likely to travel to Pakistan on August 17 for two Tests, venues and dates for which are yet to be announced. After Pakistan, they will play two Tests against India in Chennai and Kanpur, followed by three T20Is.Bangladesh could tour India twice in three months if the BCB agree with the Afghanistan Cricket Board’s revised schedule for two white-ball series in late July. The ACB have proposed to play three ODIs and three T20Is in Greater Noida in their new itenerary. The tour was initially postponed in March keeping in mind Bangladesh’s workload in 2024, but now with the Champions Trophy also in their agenda, the BCB is considering this tour since they only have three ODIs scheduled between now and next February.ESPNcricinfo understands that the series is still in the “discussion” phase as the BCB is not too keen on playing in Noida during July due to the weather conditions.After the bilateral series in India in September, Bangladesh will host South Africa for two home Tests in October, and then tour West Indies for a full series in November and December.

With rumours continuing to come thick and fast, Leeds United are now reportedly eyeing a sensational double swoop to sign a £12m midfielder and a striker who’s closing in on the Premier League’s 100 club.

Leeds set for busy summer as 49ers hunt proven top level stars

If there were any concerns that the 49ers are not aware of just how much backing a promoted side needs to avoid relegation at the first time of asking, then recent rumours should have put those worries to bed. The American owners have already reportedly set their sights on several improvements, with club chairman Paraag Marathe setting his ambitions higher than simply escaping the clutches of the dropzone.

He told reporters after the Whites secured promotion back to the Premier League recently: “Two years of getting to this point, but all that hard work and all that difficulty makes this much more rewarding and makes this so special.

Leeds have "fantastic" Man City target "on their radar" as 49ers plot move

They could pull off a shock hijack…

1

By
Tom Cunningham

May 16, 2025

“This is a journey and this is not the end. We have to keep going. This is what Leeds does. We are going to have some difficulties, but we are going to get where we want to go and we are going to be one of the best clubs in all of Europe.”

Whilst talk can sometimes be cheap, recent reports suggest that the 49ers are set to put their money where their mouth is this summer amid links with the likes of Beto, Jamie Vardy and Caoimhin Kelleher, planning to spend over £100m to strengthen the spine of the site with Premier League level talent.

Kelleher would be a particularly impressive arrival. The Irishman has been an incredibly successful deputy to Alisson Becker at Liverpool and has rarely faltered when called upon in the Brazilian’s absence. Now, however, he’s ready to become an undisputed No.1.

The same can be said for two more top flight talents, who have found themselves on Leeds’ radar after struggling to gain the consistent game time that they’ll be desperate for.

Leeds eyeing Wilson and Longstaff deals

According to The Sun, as relayed by TeamTalk, the 49ers are now plotting a double swoop to sign Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff from Newcastle United this summer. The former is set to become a free agent following the expiration of his current deal in Tyneside next month, whilst Longstaff will reportedly be available for as little as £12m in the coming months.

Both players would be excellent additions at Elland Road, given their experience at the very top level. And if Marathe wants to ensure that Leeds become more than just survival hopeful, then signing such experience will be crucial.

Wilson would be a particularly interesting option. Whilst his career has often been surrounded by injuries, the veteran striker is only 12 goals away from reaching the Premier League’s 100 club and almost guarantees goals when fit.

Callum Wilson in the Premier League	Record (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances	237
Goals	88
Assists	25

At 33 years old, Wilson could have one last Premier League move left in the tank and Leeds could certainly do a lot worse than signing the former Bournemouth star on a free this summer.

Manchester City took a gigantic step towards Champions League qualification on Tuesday night.

The Sky Blues beat top five rivals Aston Villa 2-1 at the Etihad, with Bernardo Silva breaking the deadlock early, only for Marcus Rashford to equalise from the penalty spot soon after.

Nevertheless, just as the game seemed set to fizzle out to a stalemate, Jérémy Doku’s trivela cross across the box found Matheus Nunes at the back post, and he poked home a dramatic stoppage-time winner.

This propelled Pep Guardiola’s team up to third, ahead of Sunday’s huge FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, seeking to reach a third consecutive final.

One Man City star in particular impressed on Tuesday night, suggesting he could stake a claim to be first choice next season.

Manchester City planning for next season

As Kevin De Bruyne continues to wave farewell to Manchester City, he really put on a show on Tuesday night, creating six chances, the 60th time the Belgian has registered five or more chances created in a Premier League match, the most by any player since Opta records began.

However, De Bruyne is not the future of this side, having announced he will be leaving at the end of the season, and, after a difficult campaign, Guardiola is surely already making plans for the summer.

Full-back has been a problem position for Man City all throughout this season, following Kyle Walker’s sudden exit in January, while numerous players have been deployed at left-back.

Thus, as noted by Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News, the Citizens have a ‘longstanding interest’ in Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso, expecting a bid to be made this summer, with Tuttosport reporting that la Vecchia Signora value the player at around €80m (£68.5m).

However, could the emergence of one star save the Sky Blues a lot of money, as he continues to impress at right-back?

Manchester City's long-term right-back

Matheus Nunes’ last-gasp winner against Villa capped off an impressive night from the Portuguese international, as the table below outlines.

Matheus Nunes vs Aston Villa statistics
Statistics	Nunes	Match rank
Minutes played	90	=1st
Accurate passes	88%	6th
Dribble success %	100%	=1st
Ground duels contested	7	=4th
Tackles	2	=1st
Defensive actions	3	=6th
Sofascore rating	7.3	=3rd
All statistics courtesy of SofaScore

Nunes has been deployed all over the pitch this season by Guardiola, central midfield and left-wing among other positions, but has found a home at right-back, starting ten of the last 14 Premier League matches in that spot.

In his player rating piece for the Manchester Evening News, Simon Bajkowski gave Nunes a 7/10, noting that he made a ‘needless error’ for Villa’s equaliser, reflecting the fact he is still learning how to be a right-back.

Nevertheless, Guardiola has previously stated that Nunes “is one of the best players in the world today”, with Loay Mamdouh of Breaking the Lines impressed by his ‘decision-making’ as well as his ‘technical and physical attributes’.

Back in January, Graham Ruthven of Forbes asserted that Nunes ‘doesn’t have the defensive instincts of a natural full-back’, but this is offset by the fact he offers ‘plenty in possession’, with the Portuguese international having improved since then, so let’s assess how he compares to Cambiaso.

Matheus Nunes vs Andrea Cambiaso 2024/25 comparison
Statistics	Nunes	Cambiaso
Appearances	35	37
Minutes	2,320	2,532
Goals	4	2
Assists	9	3
Progressive carries	87	92
Take-on Success %	53.6%	62.5%
Pass completion %	87.5%	89.3%
Chances created	30	33
Duels Contested	219	210
Aerial Duel Success %	44.8%	37.5%
Ground Duel Success %	45.6%	53.2%
Tackles	46	47
Clearances	29	20
Interceptions	19	16
Ball Recoveries	86	134
Touches per 90	62.71	63.16
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and Squawka

As the table outlines, Nunes and Cambiaso’s statistics this season are remarkably similar, as noted by FBref.

In a near-identical number of minutes, the duo are extremely comparable when it comes to the vast majority of statistics included, with the Man City man coming out on top in terms of goals and assists, as well as duels contested, aerial duals, clearances and interceptions.

Thus, rather than spending upwards of £65m to recruit Cambiaso this summer, Guardiola should show faith in Nunes, entrusting him to be Man City’s right-back going forward.

Pep must axe 5/10 Man City dud who just proved why they need to sign Wirtz

The Man City player struggled against Aston Villa on Tuesday night

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Apr 23, 2025

Arsenal have wasted no time in drawing up plans for the summer transfer window, looking to finally end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title.

Mikel Arteta has done a superb job of transforming the squad during his near five-year spell in charge, but more work needs to be done to take them to the summit of the division.

Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a huge target for the upcoming window, with new sporting director Andrea Berta making an immediate impact in pursuing a move for his signature.

Given his goalscoring record, which has seen him score 86 times in his 93 outings in the last two seasons, it’s understandable that the Gunners are pursuing a striker to bolster their forward line.

Should he move to North London in the summer, he could be joined by another player who’s been a constant target, with a new update emerging on his potential move to the club.

Arsenal make contact to land £51m talent

According to Sun Sport, Arsenal’s director Berta has already been in contact with the representatives of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of a summer move to the Emirates.

It was reported in January that a deal was on the verge of being agreed for this upcoming window, but no news has emerged since – with this the latest update on any transfer.

The Spanish international has made 29 LaLiga appearances this campaign, featuring in all but one of their league outings, showcasing his importance and quality.

The report claims that the hierarchy are still “working hard” on a deal to land the 26-year-old this summer, with the £51m release clause not thought to be an issue.

Any move for Zubimendi could provide added quality to the middle of Arteta’s side, allowing one player to return to his former best after his recent slump in form.

Why Zubimendi could decide Odegaard at Arsenal

Midfielder Martin Odegaard has been a player so often tasked with providing the goods for Arsenal in attacking areas but ultimately has struggled to deliver in recent months.

The Norwegian had a long injury layoff with an ankle issue but hasn’t been the same player since his return – leading to huge amounts of criticism in the process.

He’s also featured in more of a deeper role, taking away his best qualities with his intricate passing able to create chances for attackers within the final third.

Zubimendi, who’s a defensive midfielder, could be able to sit in front of the backline should he move in the coming months, freeing up Odegaard to go and create carnage further up the field.

The Spaniard, who’s been labelled “superb” by the Spanish Football Podcast, has excelled out of possession, having the quality to be the ball-winning talent the side have been crying out for.

He’s won 1.3 tackles per 90 to date, along with 5.4 duels won – coming out on top of the latter on 60% of the occasions he’s entered a battle with an opposition player.

Martin Zubimendi’s stats for Sociedad in LaLiga (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

29

Goals & assists

3

Pass accuracy

85%

Tackles won

1.3

Duels won

5.4

Duel success rate

60%

Dribbles completed

70%

Stats via FotMob

However, he’s also got the passing ability to aid Odegaard in higher areas, registering an 85% pass completion rate, along with a 70% dribble success rate.

Whilst the club would have to fork out a pretty penny to secure his signature this summer, it’s evident that Zubimendi would be a player who could certainly increase the club’s title credentials.

As for Odegaard, he’s been an influential player in various title battles, with Arteta needing him to return to top form if they are to go one better next season – with the Sociedad star having a huge say in his fortunes if a deal is completed.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Apr 6, 2025

U.S. Soccer has appointed Dan Helfrich, former Chair and CEO of Deloitte Consulting LLP, as its next Chief Operating Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Helfrich will report to CEO and Secretary General JT Batson and oversee the federation’s day-to-day operations. His hiring comes shortly after his retirement from Deloitte in December 2025.

Getty Images SportExperienced leader

In announcing the hire, U.S. Soccer said Helfrich will oversee implementation of the federation’s strategic plan, known as In Service to Soccer, using the sort of operational rigor he applied at Deloitte. Helfrich arrives with nearly three decades of leadership experience guiding large, complex organizations – most recently leading a consulting practice of roughly 85,000 people and $20 billion in revenue – and will bring that scale to the federation’s commercial, competition and development operations.

 “U.S. Soccer has more than doubled in the last few years – and we know there is more work to do to reach our ambitious goals,” Batson said in a press release. “Dan brings a rare combination of deep operational expertise, curiosity, and a lifelong passion for the game. His leadership and commitment to excellence will help us move faster, work smarter, and continue building the foundation for soccer’s next chapter in the U.S.” 

AdvertisementHelfrich outlines vision for growth

Following his appointment as U.S. Soccer’s new Chief Operating Officer, Helfrich spoke about embracing the opportunity to help guide the federation during a transformative era for the sport in the United States. Emphasizing his lifelong connection to soccer, Helfrich described the moment as the right time to commit fully to the game’s nationwide development, outlining a mission centered on strengthening all 27 national teams.

 “Soccer has been a defining part of my life for more than 40 years, as a player, fan, broadcaster, volunteer, and parent,” Helfrich said in a press release. “And now is the right time for me to focus my career here during this pivotal time for the sport in our country. I’m inspired by U.S. Soccer’s mission and excited to partner with JT, our staff, and our members to strengthen the game and ensure soccer is accessible to everyone, everywhere, for generations to come.

“This means delivering results on the field through our 27 national teams while also making sure every player, coach, referee, and fan feels a deep connection to U.S. Soccer and their role in achieving our shared mission.” 

Deep roots in soccer

Prior to becoming Deloitte Consulting Chair and CEO, Helfrich held key executive roles, including Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer and leader of Deloitte’s Government and Public Services practice.

Beyond his corporate career, he actively supports youth development through board and advisory roles with organizations such as Grassroots Soccer, Street Soccer USA, and the Positive Coaching Alliance. He has also captained Georgetown’s men’s soccer team and earned Academic All-American honors. Since 2005, Helfrich has also contributed as a play-by-play broadcaster for Georgetown Soccer, calling over 250 matches.

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What comes next for Helfrich and U.S. Soccer

Helfrich will relocate to Atlanta and begin integrating with U.S. Soccer’s executive team in January, charged with converting strategic plans into measurable programs and outcomes. Early priorities are likely to include operational readiness for post-World Cup growth, rolling out Next Gen Committee recommendations where applicable, and strengthening systems that support player pathways and competition delivery.

Kylian Mbappe is being backed to break Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of most goals for Real Madrid in a calendar year, but the French superstar has been told that “nobody will surpass” CR7 in the Santiago Bernabeu GOAT stakes. Mbappe is enjoying a prolific season for Los Blancos and could claim another entry in the history books before 2025 comes to a close.

Mbappe in Madrid: Goal numbers for French forward

The World Cup winner moved to the Spanish capital from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, having become a free agent when his contract at Parc des Princes expired. A productive debut campaign in Madrid delivered 44 goals across all competitions.

Mbappe has found the target on 25 occasions through 20 appearances this term, with the No.10 shirt now being filled having initially taken on the No.9 jersey that Ronaldo occupied when making his own move to the Bernabeu.

AdvertisementGettyWhat is the Ronaldo record that Mbappe is trying to break?

Portuguese icon Ronaldo hit 59 goals for Real in 2013, with Mbappe currently four efforts short of matching that achievement. Quizzed on whether the France international will raise that bar and snatch a record away from CR7, Blancos legend Guti told : “It's going to happen, no matter what. We're seeing an incredible version of Mbappe. He's above the team's level. Thanks to him, they win matches, and that makes him a leader within the team. Kylian must continue on this path to bring more players along and see Real Madrid become champions.”

Pressed on whether Mbappe could one day eclipse the achievements of Real’s all-time leading scorer Ronaldo, Guti added: “No one will ever surpass Cristiano. He's a player who has defined an era at Real Madrid and in football because of his consistency. That's the most important thing for any player who wants to dethrone Cristiano and [Lionel] Messi, whom I consider to be on the same level. It's no use having 10 good games and then not showing up when it matters. Those two always delivered. That's the challenge facing Mbappe, Lamine [Yamal], or anyone else who wants to get close to them.”

Real are considered to have become over-reliant on Mbappe this season, with collective standards dipping if he has an off day. Guti admits that is cause for concern, with the ex-Spain international saying: “It shouldn't be like this. Real Madrid has some fantastic players: Vinicius, Bellingham… They can and should score a lot of goals. It's true they contribute to the team's play, but Real Madrid shouldn't rely solely on Mbappe's goals.”

Bellingham boost: England star backed to come good

England international Jude Bellingham has endured a tough time this season, following his recovery from summer shoulder surgery. He has recorded just four goals, with the 22-year-old seeing his position tweaked slightly by new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso.

Guti expects the all-action midfielder to come good, saying of the man who has also faced questions internationally with the Three Lions: “We have to give him time; he's a fantastic player. He proved it in his first year. When he's been at 100%, he's been outstanding. I think he'll get back to that level. At Real Madrid, we'd like him back right away, but when you come back from an injury, it's always difficult.”

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GettyReal Madrid fixtures: Man City clash next up for the Blancos

Bellingham and Mbappe were left helpless in Real Madrid’s latest outing, as they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Celta Vigo. Los Blancos’ collective cause was done few favours by red cards picked up by Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras, with Alonso’s side finishing the contest with nine men.

Real have now won just one of their last five fixtures in La Liga, with an untimely wobble allowing Clasico rivals Barcelona to reclaim top spot in the table and pull four points clear at the summit.

The Champions League will provide a welcome distraction for Madrid in midweek as they ready themselves for a heavyweight clash with Premier League giants Manchester City. That fixture is one of three remaining in the calendar year for Mbappe to try to pass Ronaldo’s goal mark.

Afghanistan’s approach with bat and ball bore the same hallmark – a start so strong that Zimbabwe were put on the back-foot immediately. Their top order batted with purpose, their bowlers produced a five-wicket powerplay, and the result was a comprehensive win in the first T20I in Harare.Ibrahim Zadran’s measured fifty set up a strong total of 180 and allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai had a hand in both halves of the match – first providing late runs with the bat, then striking in the powerplay. Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s guile completed the job as Zimbabwe tapped out long before a chase could take shape. Afghanistan, with their 1-0 lead, have now completed their 17th win in 19 T20Is against Zimbabwe.For the hosts, the five wickets they lost inside six overs was the most they have lost in the powerplay. Sikandar Raza’s 3 for 20 and Tinotenda Maposa’s 15-ball 32 from No. 9 were their only positives. The two teams meet again on October 31 for the second game of the three-match series.

A blazing start, a brief stutter

Afghanistan scored only six runs from the first eleven balls, but not for lack of intent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim kept advancing down the pitch, determined to play off the front foot even as Zimbabwe’s seamers banged it in short.The boundaries eventually flowed – four in five balls, in fact – across the second and third overs to change the momentum. Ibrahim drilled Blessing Muzarabani through midwicket, while Gurbaz cut Richard Ngarava twice over backward point and then drove him through cover. From there, charging the seamers became routine and the pair raced away to 63 without loss by the end of the powerplay. The fifth over from Brad Evans went for 16, with Gurbaz hitting him for six straight down and twice cutting over the infield.Gurbaz eventually fell in the eighth over when he sliced Sikandar Raza to cover for 39 off 25. Ibrahim carried on briskly, and two fours off Ryan Burl in the 11th over brought up Afghanistan’s hundred and his 31-ball half-century. But Raza removed Ibrahim and Darwish Rasooli off successive balls at the start of the 12th over, leaving them 101 for 3 and at risk of losing steam.

Afghanistan wrest back momentum

A single-run, double-wicket over from Raza had pegged Afghanistan back. For the next 20 deliveries, they went without a boundary. Sediqullah Atal finally broke the drought by pulling Maposa’s short ball for six in the 15th over, but his innings ended soon after while attempting another shot across the line. Cramped by Muzarabani, he picked out deep backward square for 25. Muzarabani struck again off the next ball, jagging one back to trap Mohammad Nabi for a duck, and suddenly Afghanistan were 130 for 5 with only four overs left.Omarzai and Shahidullah though – the latter playing his first white-ball international since 2023 – arrested the collapse. Shahidullah made 22 not out off 13 balls, collecting four boundaries by using the pace on offer smartly, while Omarzai’s 27 off 21 ensured the tail wasn’t exposed. Their 32-run partnership came in just 18 balls, and Rashid Khan lifted the final ball of the innings over long-on for six to take Afghanistan to a score of 180 that looked commanding again. The last four overs went for 50.

Mujeeb’s magic, Zimbabwe’s descent

There was a possibility of an exciting chase when Brian Bennett opened with three fours in the first over off Omarzai. But that brief flourish was all Zimbabwe had to show for their powerplay. They unravelled after that.Mujeeb, a regular bowler with the new ball, struck off his second delivery in the second over. Tadiwanashe Marumani was lbw for a two-ball duck, and the next ball – a disguised carrom ball – dismissed Brendan Taylor for a golden duck as he sliced high towards the wicketkeeper.Omarzai, who had gone for 15 in his opening over, hit back in his second by removing Raza and Ryan Burl, who was Zimbabwe’s third duck in the top five. Bennett, the lone bright spot with 24 off 13, fell in the fifth over when Omarzai dug one in short and forced a mis-hit to mid-on.The game had only one result possible from there on. Abdollah Ahmadzai rattled Tony Munyonga’s stumps with a seam-up delivery and later scored a direct-hit to remove Tashinga Musekiwa. Maposa and Evans showed some resistance with a half-century stand. Maposa was the aggressor, hammering 32 off his first 14 balls, as they handled Rashid smartly and capitalised on Shahidullah’s pace-on offerings.The finish, fittingly, came from Mujeeb. Evans chipped a return catch back to him, and Maposa top-edged another carrom ball for a simple take. Those were Mujeeb’s third and fourth wickets and Ahmadzai picked up his second wicket by shattering No. 11 Muzarabani’s stumps.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has been a breath of fresh air since the club decided to bring him in as the long-term successor to Russell Martin at Ibrox.

The German manager, who left Sheffield Wednesday in the summer, has won all three of his Scottish Premiership matches in charge of the Light Blues, after they had won one of the eight games in the division prior to his arrival.

Rangers ran out 3-0 winners against Dundee at Dens Park in the Premiership on Sunday in their last match before the international break, and two players scored their first league goals for the club.

Mikey Moore, who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, opened the scoring with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box, before Djeidi Gassama scored a brilliant goal from distance in the second half.

It will be frustrating for the club that it has taken until the 11th game of the campaign for their first-choice wing pairing to score their first league goals of the season.

Moore and Gassama both need to add more consistency to their play in the final third so that they can begin to make up for the productivity that they lost when Vaclav Cerny left in the summer.

What Vaclav Cerny is up to since leaving Rangers

The Czechia international spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan with the Scottish giants from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, and caught the eye with his impressive performances on the right flank.

During his time with the Light Blues, the left-footed attacker contributed with 18 goals and nine assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he offered a consistent threat in the final third.

12 of those goals and four of those assists came in the Premiership, per Transfermarkt, and this means that Moore and Gassama both have a long way to go if they want to match his goal output this season.

After his loan spell came to an end, Rangers were either unwilling or unable to sign him permanently, and the 28-year-old forward signed for Turkish giants Besiktas for a fee of around £6m.

Since his permanent move to Turkey, the former Light Blues star, who had so much success as a loanee at Ibrox, has showcased his attacking quality in the Super Lig.

Appearances

8

xG

1.69

Goals

1

Key passes per game

1.6

Big chances created

3

Assists

4

As you can see in the table above, Cerny has been involved in five goals in eight games for Besiktas in the league so far, with an assist every other appearance on average.

These statistics suggest that the Light Blues messed up by not bringing him back to Ibrox on a permanent deal in the summer, as he is shining in Turkey, whilst the club’s current wide options have had slow starts to the 2025/26 campaign.

Gassama and Moore will need to step up their performances and provide more, in terms of goals and assists, in the coming months to prove that the Gers were right not to sign the Czechia international.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Whilst Gassama and Moore are trying to emulate Cerny’s success in the final third, there is another Rangers star who is quickly becoming this season’s version of the ex-Wolfsburg man, and he is not a winger.

The Rangers star who is becoming Ibrox's new Vaclav Cerny

The Light Blues swooped to sign Derek Cornelius on loan from Marseille during the summer transfer window, and he has been an excellent addition to the squad so far.

Like Cerny, the left-footed star is an Ibrox loanee who is shining in Scottish football. He has been particularly impressive since Rohl came through the door to replace Martin in the dugout, proving his worth at the heart of the defence.

Despite being a centre-back, Cornelius, who was branded a “monster” by international teammate Richie Laryea, has scored as many goals as Gassama and Moore in the Premiership for the Light Blues, with his one league goal.

Defensively, the Canada international has also been very impressive. Per WhoScored, he ranks first among central defenders in the squad for tackles made per game (2.1) and clearances per game (6.3), which speaks to how aggressive his defending is and how impressive his positioning is defensively.

On top of that, Cornelius has won 67% of his ground duels and 61% of his aerial duels in the Premiership so far this season, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been incredibly dominant in physical battles with opposition forwards on the deck and in the air.

Minutes

82

Tackles won

3/3

Clearances

6

Ball recoveries

4

Ground duels won

3/3

Aerial duels won

4/4

Dribbled past

0x

Pass accuracy

93%

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed centre-back was virtually faultless defensively in the 3-0 win over Dundee on Sunday in the last match before the break, as he won 100% of his duels and was not dribbled past a single time.

Cornelius has started all three of Rohl’s league games in charge, which has seen Rangers win three times and concede one goal, and he won 13 out of 20 ground duels in those matches, per Sofascore.

These statistics suggest that he is on course to become the club’s new version of Cerny because he is a loanee at Ibrox who is already an incredibly important part of the team because of his fantastic performances.

Unlike Cerny, though, Rangers confirmed that they do have an option to sign the Canadian titan on a permanent deal at the end of the season for an undisclosed fee. This means that they can snap him up permanently, without having to negotiate a new deal with Marseille, next summer.

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On current form, the Gers must surely already be thinking about exercising their option to sign him permanently next year, to avoid repeating the situation where they now look on in envy as Cerny shines elsewhere.

How Rahane slots into their XI, and how 36-year-olds Narine and Russell perform, could make or break their season

Sreshth Shah15-Mar-20255:11

Chopra: Rahane could face ‘captain-batter conflict’

Where they finished last year

Champions. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) topped the league table with nine wins, three losses and two points from washouts. They beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 and then, with Mitchell Starc rampant with the new ball, won the final and sealed their third IPL title.

What’s new in 2025?

Ajinkya Rahane, the new captain, will slot into one of the spaces left open by the outgoing Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana, while new buy Quinton de Kock is a quality replacement for Phil Salt. The overseas bench looks strong with Rahmanullah Gurbaz as the back-up opener and fresh picks Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell bringing power and versatility.Related

• Angkrish Raghuvanshi: 'Cricket is what I go to sleep wanting to do and what I wake up wanting to do'

• KKR vs RCB rivalry: Exciting, intense and dramatic encounters over the years

• Chetan Sakariya replaces the injured Umran Malik at KKR

• Ottis Gibson takes charge as KKR assistant coach

• Why KKR made Rahane, and not Venkatesh, their captain

Starc has a like-for-like replacement, at least in terms of bowling role, in Australia left-arm swing bowler Spencer Johnson, who made his IPL debut with Gujarat Titans last season. Anrich Nortje is a more experienced candidate for the overseas seamer’s spot.Off the field, too, there’s a new look. Gautam Gambhir’s crew is gone, and mentor Dwayne Bravo and assistant coach Ottis Gibson are the new additions. Rahane joins hands with Chandrakant Pandit, his former coach in domestic cricket.With Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh and Andre Russell in the lower middle order, KKR remain among the most dangerous death-overs teams and they would expect Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana to build on from their recent international form with the ball.

Likely best XII

1 Sunil Narine*, 2 Quinton de Kock* (wk), 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt), 4 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 5 Venkatesh Iyer, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Andre Russell*, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Spencer Johnson/Anrich Nortje*, 11 Varun Chakravarthy, 12 Vaibhav Arora
Full KKR squad</aCould Luvnith Sisodia be a wildcard for KKR this season?•kkr.in

Big Question

Watch out for

Can Ajinkya Rahane carry forward his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy form from December? His ranking as the tournament’s top scorer was impressive and his strike-rate of 164.56 stood out too. In IPL 2023, he was a brilliant bridge between the openers and middle order at Chennai Super Kings, and KKR would want that version of Rahane this season.Sunil Narine and Andre Russell come into the tournament not in the best of form, with below-par performances with the bat in the ILT20 in January-February. Narine has also gone wicketless in six of his last ten T20s, although he conceded more than 24 only four times. KKR retained the two high-impact 36-year-olds and trust the pair to turn up in the big moments, but can they keep doing it season after season?Luvnith Sisodia, the wicketkeeper-batter from Karnataka, could also be a left-field option up top. That could make space for Moeen or Powell. KKR have taken their chances with young, exciting domestic cricketers in their past, and Sisodia had a terrific Maharaja T20 Trophy run with semi-finalists Gulbarga Mystics.

Key stats

• Andre Russell was a star with the ball last season, with 19 wickets in only 29.2 overs for a strike rate of 9.2. But in T20s after IPL 2024, in the 66.5 overs he has bowled, Russell has taken only 17 wickets with a strike rate of 23.5. With Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora as their main Indian quick bowlers, Spencer Johnson not quite experienced enough, and Anrich Nortje returning from injury, Russell will need to do a lot.
• KKR had the best spin attack by far in IPL 2024, and they have retained it for 2025. Their 38 wickets last season was eight ahead of the second-best team and their average (23.18) was the best by a distance too, with their economy rate (7.68) behind that of only Chennai Super Kings’ spinners.
• Quinton de Kock has scored 500-plus runs in three IPL seasons, and his team has gone into the playoffs each time, with Mumbai Indians winning twice in 2019 and 2020. But IPL 2024 was his worst since 2014, bringing him only 250 runs in 11 outings for Lucknow Super Giants at an average of 22.72.

Who’s out or in doubt?

A fully-fit Nortje can hit the high 140s (kph), but he has only just recovered from a back injury. He missed the SA20 and Champions Trophy competitions, and last played a game in December 2024.Another quick, Umran Malik was ruled out with a hip injury, and he’s been replaced with Chetan Sakariya.