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The boundary dimensions in Adelaide mean that a bouncer ploy could prove expensive

Tristan Lavalette05-Nov-2024Pakistan’s insistence on bowling short on a fast and bouncy MCG pitch almost produced a famous heist, but the tactic may not be as successful in the second ODI at the Adelaide Oval.In a low-scoring thriller that evoked the heyday of the 50-over format, Pakistan’s pace attack led by speedster Haris Rauf troubled Australia with vicious short-pitch bowling on a surface that stayed true throughout.A sizzling spell from Rauf had the pro-Pakistan crowd in raptures and turned Australia’s chase of a modest 204 on its head before captain Pat Cummins once again calmly lifted his team over the line as the home side claimed a two-wicket victory.Related

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While the approach clearly shook up the Australian batters, with Rauf accounting for Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in consecutive deliveries as he ramped up his speed, those fireworks are unlikely to be replicated at the traditionally batting-friendly Adelaide Oval on Friday.Bouncers can prove risky on a ground renowned for its short boundaries square of the wicket in a major contrast to the vast expanses of the MCG.”We saw Pakistan’s tactics [in Melbourne] bowling pretty short,” Australia opener Matt Short told reporters on Tuesday. “But I think they may have to change that a little bit at this ground with the shorter square boundaries which are the complete opposite to the ‘G. It’s always a nice ground to bat on.”After making just one run before top-edging Shaheen Shah Afridi, Short will relish returning to his BBL home ground where he has dominated in recent seasons for Adelaide Strikers.”It’s going to feel quite comfortable down there opening the batting, that’s for sure,” Short said. “It’s my favourite ground in the world to play at, and I’ve played there quite a number of times, so I should be pretty familiar with it.”It was not the start to the series envisioned for Short, who is vying to be the permanent replacement for David Warner in the 50-over format. He had entered the series with the inside running after opening in three of the last four ODIs in England and making a match-winning 30-ball 58 in the series-decider in Bristol in a performance that showcased his big-hitting capabilities.Australia had to fend off plenty of short stuff in Melbourne•Cricket Australia via Getty Images”I came into this series with high aspirations to try to cement my spot in the team,” Short said. “I’m going to go out there and keep trying to be positive and play aggressive cricket. It should pay off at some stage.”With regular opener Travis Head on paternity leave, Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk have formed a new opening duo although both fell inside the first four overs in the first game.Fraser-McGurk, who also has his eyes set on the vacant opener’s spot, made 16 off 14 balls in a whirlwind befitting his ultra-aggressive style. While there may be some belief that Short should rein in his approach to complement his brash opening partner, Australia’s hierarchy are backing all-out attack at the top of the order”The coaching staff give us both the licence to be free and play our shots,” Short said. “Batting with Travis Head as well, if he goes [off] then I let him go and I do my thing.”It’s similar with Jake. It probably didn’t come off last night for him, like myself, but if he is seeing and hitting them well then I probably won’t say much to him and just let him go. And just focus more on myself.”The more important thing in a partnership is that if he is struggling a bit then working through whatever the issues are. It’s really exciting to bat with him…nice to watch from the other end.”

Arsenal have been graced with the presence of some of the finest attacking midfielders of the last few generations.

When Arsene Wenger first arrived in north London, he had Dennis Bergkamp at his disposal, one of the most technically gifted artists we’ve ever seen in the Premier League. So good was the Dutchman that he’s now cast in bronze outside the Emirates Stadium.

In more modern times, we’ve seen Mesut Ozil – the king of assists – feature in Arsenal red and white, while Martin Odegaard, one of the most hyped up wonderkids of this era, is stamping his authority on Mikel Arteta’s side.

Yet, with the Norwegian enduring a bit of a tricky season throughout 2024/25, suffering with an ankle injury, perhaps Andrea Berta and Co will look at signing a new creative maestro.

Arsenal looking at Dutch superstar

The biggest priority for Arsenal this summer is to sign a new centre-forward but Berta must not neglect other areas of the pitch and could strengthen in the attacking midfield spot too.

Previous reports have suggested that the Gunners are keen on Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers but he could cost in the region of £100m, making any deal nigh on impossible.

Instead, they could turn their attention to RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. That’s according to German publication BILD, via Sport Witness.

They reported on Thursday that Simons is attracting interest from a number of English clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s stated that the player’s brother, Faustino, has been in talks with top clubs already but the Premier League’s elite will also face competition from Barcelona.

To conclude a deal, it may take around €70m (£60m), which would mark a healthy outlay for the Gunners, considering their priorities largely lie elsewhere this summer.

How Xavi Simons could fit into Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side

While Arsenal don’t play with an out-and-out number 10 at the moment, Simons would still be a fabulous capture considering the form of Odegaard this season.

Sustaining an ankle injury during the first international break of the term, the club captain struggled to rediscover himself during a rugged old year for him in Arsenal red.

Odegaard ended the campaign with six goals and 12 assists in all competitions. Only three of those goals came in the league which is a far cry from the 15 he registered in 2022/23. That season, no midfielder scored more than him in the Premier League.

So, the Nordic playmaker needs to improve big time and the addition of a new centre-forward could well help him recapture his best form.

However, some healthy competition wouldn’t go amiss and in the shape of Simons, they could sign an Emile Smith Rowe-like figure capable of challenging Odegaard for a role as Arsenal’s chief creator.

In the latest season, the Netherlands international was sublime, scoring 11 goals and supplying eight assists, adding to the ten goals and 15 assists he registered in 2023/24. Those numbers showcase why, in the words of one data analyst, he is “one of the best 10s in the world.”

That’s fine praise and showcases precisely why Arsenal have cast their eyes in the direction of Simons. So, beyond just goals and assists from midfield, what else makes him similar to Smith Rowe?

The Hale End starlet left Arsenal behind for Fulham last summer after struggling with a succession of injuries, but on his day he was one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the top-flight.

His numbers from the 2021/22 season show precisely why.

Goals

0.42

0.47

Assists

0.25

0.09

Shots

2.09

1.88

Progressive passes

5.86

3.99

Successful take-ons

1.38

1.50

Progressive carries

3.56

3.05

Carries into final 3rd

2.97

2.07

Progressive passes received

7.74

6.53

Ball recoveries

5.36

4.93

In the metrics analysed, Simons comes out on top in nearly every category, but it’s important to note that in most areas, there isn’t a lot to separate the Dutchman and the Arsenal academy graduate.

They scored a similar number of goals per 90 minutes, arriving late into the penalty area to wreak havoc, while their carrying ability, perhaps the biggest similarity, is pretty much on par.

The duo possess this amazing low centre of gravity, a trait that helps them evade the press and weave their way past defenders with ease. It also enables them to grab the ball between the lines on a regular basis, with the pairing receiving a similar number of progressive passes every 90 minutes.

That attribute captivated the masses at the Emirates Stadium and it’s one Simons could bring back should he sign this summer.

He's more proven than Gyokeres: Arsenal in talks to sign £63m "monster"

Arsenal could sign a proven elite striker instead of Viktor Gyokeres.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 15, 2025

Leeds United clinched the Championship title with a century of points on Saturday after Manor Solomon’s stoppage-time winner against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

The Whites had already secured promotion to the Premier League and knew that a win over the Pilgrims would seal the title to go along with it.

Daniel Farke will now be preparing for a season in the Premier League, having been relegated in his only full campaign at that level with Norwich City, as Leeds aim to avoid an instant relegation back down to the Championship.

There will, obviously, be parallels drawn between Marcelo Bielsa’s title-winners, who earned promotion as recently as 2020, and the current set of players ahead of their top-flight season.

The Argentine boss had some terrific players at his disposal during his tenure at Elland Road, including iconic Spanish playmaker Pablo Hernandez, who played a critical role in the 2019/20 title success.

Why Pablo Hernandez was an icon for Leeds

The experienced attacking midfielder arrived in West Yorkshire in 2017 with a big reputation behind him, having played in LaLiga and the Premier League for Valencia and Swansea, assisting 13 goals in two top-flight seasons for the Swans.

Hernandez lived up to the hype that came with him by hitting the ground running with a return of six goals and eight assists in 35 matches in the Championship in his first season at Elland Road.

Leeds opted to appoint Bielsa as their new head coach in the summer of 2018, and it was a move that resulted in Hernandez’s output at the top end of the pitch soaring to new heights.

The Argentine manager deployed a high-pressing, high-intensity, possession-based system that allowed his attacking players to flourish with plenty of touches in the final third.

Appearances

39

36

Goals

12

9

Assists

12

9

Big chances created

16

13

Key passes per game

3.0

2.3

As you can see in the table above, the Spanish magician thrived under Bielsa in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 Championship seasons, scoring 21 goals and providing 21 assists in total.

The right-footed wizard, who could play on the flank or in the middle as an attacking midfielder, was a joy to watch with his ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate. His return of 29 ‘big chances’ created in those two campaigns speaks to just how exciting he was to watch, as the maestro could consistently unlock opposition defences.

Such was the level of adoration and admiration that Leeds supporters had for Hernandez, a group of fans went out to Spain to watch him play for Castellon in 2022, leaving the midfielder in tears on the pitch as they chanted his name.

Leeds could, now, unearth their next version of the iconic wizard by swooping to sign one of their reported transfer targets ahead of their return to the Premier League.

Leeds eyeing move for Premier League attacker

According to Caught Offside, Leeds United are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Burnley, Aston Villa, Everton, and West Ham United are also keen on the England U21 international, which means that there could be plenty of competition for his signature ahead of next season.

Transfer Focus

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

It states that Leeds are ‘seriously’ eyeing the young forward up because they want to develop young players and find their next generation of first-team regulars ahead of their return to the top-flight.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke recently claimed that the attacking midfielder has a relegation release clause worth £35m, which will now be active after the Tractor Boys were relegated from the Premier League.

Leeds must act upon their serious interest in the Ipswich star and win the race for his services this summer, because he could come in as the new Pablo Hernandez for the Whites.

Why Omari Hutchinson could be the new Pablo Hernandez for Leeds

Whilst Hutchinson is not a veteran with hundreds of appearances in LaLiga and the Premier League combined, the 21-year-old star would arrive with 29 top-flight matches already under his belt.

He is also very similar to Pablo Hernandez in style. Like the former Leeds man, the English ace predominantly plays as either a right-winger or as an attacking midfielder, and likes to drift inside into central positions even when he starts out wide.

Hutchinson, as you can see in the clip above, is comfortable when taking the ball under pressure in central areas around the box, and has the quality to make things happen in those situations.

The left-footed star, who was dubbed “dazzling” by Statman Dave, has scored three goals and provided two assists in 28 appearances in the Premier League, whilst playing for a struggling team that have already been relegated to the Championship.

It was his form in the second tier for the Tractor Boys in the 2023/24 campaign, however, that suggests that he has the potential to be the next Pablo Hernandez at Elland Road.

Appearances (starts)

44 (20)

xG

5.22

Goals

10

Big chances created

7

xA

5.18

Assists

5

As you can see in the table above, Hutchinson caught the eye in the Championship last term with his ability to score and create goals from a wide or central attacking midfield role.

The 21-year-old talent produced 15 direct goal contributions in just 20 starts for Ipswich, on loan from Chelsea at the time, and this shows that he has the potential to deliver consistent quality at the top end of the pitch.

Therefore, Hutchinson is a player who has all the attributes and positional qualities to emerge as Hernandez 2.0 for Leeds under Farke next season, as a versatile attacking midfielder who can produce moments of magic to excite supporters on a regular basis.

At the age of 21, the left-footed ace would also come in as a long-term asset who could develop and improve during the course of his career at Elland Road, making it an exciting signing for the short-term and for the future.

Better signing than Solomon: Leeds lining up move for £25m "machine"

Leeds United could land an even better signing than Manor Solomon by signing this £25m star.

ByDan Emery May 2, 2025

It was another tough day at the office for Ipswich Town last Sunday but it was shaping up to be a remarkable one for the relegation candidates.

For a while, it looked as if Kieran McKenna’s side would come away from their game against Chelsea with all three points and close the gap on survival.

Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson had given the Tractor Boys hope of pulling off a remarkable league double against the Blues but an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe and a strike from Jadon Sancho meant they had to settle for a point.

Consequently, it now is really starting to look like next season will see the Suffolk side return to the Championship.

However, they certainly have the players to bounce right back, and if they are forced to sell, they’ll make a pretty penny, especially off one star who’s been compared to an international ace valued at over £100m.

Ipswich's biggest sales

So, before talking about the player who could easily become Ipswich’s biggest-ever sale, it’s worth examining those who currently make up the list, such as Tyrone Mings.

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The Aston Villa star joined the club for just £10k from non-league Chippenham Town in 2013 and would go on to make 63 appearances for the Tractor Boys, scoring once and providing eight assists.

Then, in the summer of 2015, Bournemouth paid a whopping £8m for his services, which equates to a massive 79900% increase on what he originally cost the Suffolk side – talk about wheeling and dealing.

One of the other most expensive sales in the club’s history was of striker Connor Wickham.

The Englishman was an academy product and, after making his first team debut in the 08/09 season, went on to score 15 goals and provide four assists in 72 appearances.

Wickham’s Ipswich career

Appearances

72

Minutes

4165′

Goals

15

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.26

Minutes per Goal Involvement

219.21′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

It was in the summer of 2011 that Sunderland paid an initial fee of around £8.1m for the centre-forward’s services, which, again, netted the Blues a hefty profit.

However, if the club are forced to sell some of their stars this summer, then there is one who, thanks to his form and comparisons to other top players, could net them a fortune.

The star who could be Ipswich's biggest sale

While there are several top-quality players in Ipswich’s squad, it will likely come as no surprise that the one we are talking about is Liam Delap.

While he didn’t start the game against the Blues due a lack of training in midweek, one does wonder what the result may have been had he begun the game, notably scoring against Enzo Maresca’s side in the reverse fixtures.

The former Manchester City star joined the club for around £20m in the summer and has since racked up a sensational haul of 12 goals and two assists in just 30 Premier League games.

Such a brilliant rate of return has not only caught the interest of other top sides, like Manchester United, but also seen the 22-year-old “wrecking-ball,” as dubbed by Sky Sports reporter Lewis Jones, compared to another of Europe’s most exciting strikers, Benjamin Sesko.

The comparison stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this instance, has concluded that the Slovenian is the ninth most similar striker to the Englishman.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, crosses, goal-creating actions, ball recoveries and more, all per 90.

Delap & Sesko

Statistics per 90

Delap

Sesko

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.36

0.40

Shots on Target

1.01

1.13

Key Passes

0.78

0.72

Expected Assists

0.05

0.06

Crosses

0.16

0.14

Goal-Creating Actions

0.27

0.36

Ball Recoveries

2.13

2.49

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

However, while the comparison to a Champions League striker is nice in and of itself, it’s also encouraging regarding Delap’s value.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory values the former RB Salzburg star at a whopping €116.6m, which converts to about £100m, and if the Blues’ ace is so statistically similar, why shouldn’t his price tag be?

Ultimately, while going down and losing their best player is far from ideal, Ipswich can at least rest assured that if they sell Delap this summer, he will undoubtedly become their most expensive departure of all time.

Related McKenna could be brewing his next Hutchinson in “special” Ipswich star

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Apr 7, 2025

Combining consistency with destructiveness, he wrote a new template for T20 batting

Sampath Bandarupalli16-Sep-2024The England series is likely to be the last T20I assignment for Travis Head in 2024, a year that marked his resurgence in the format. Here’s a look at the numbers that show how he combined consistency with destructiveness.182.07 Head’s strike rate across all T20s in 2024, the second-highest among batters with 1000-plus runs in a calendar year, marginally behind Andre Russell’s 182.12 in 2019.2 Players who scored 1000-plus runs in a calendar year in men’s T20s while averaging 40-plus and striking at 175-plus. Suryakumar Yadav in 2022 is the other one.