Leeds United are looking to return to winning ways this evening as they play host to Swansea City in the Championship at Elland Road.
The Whites went into the gameweek seven points behind Ipswich Town in second place and will be hoping to gain ground on them if the Tractor Boys fail to pick up all three points against Millwall.
Daniel Farke's side head into this clash with the Swans off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw away at relegation-threatened Rotherham United last Friday.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke.
Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring with a fine finish for the Whites in the all-Yorkshire clash but a strike before half time from Hakeem Odofin secured a point for the hosts.
The German tactician could make some changes to his side after that draw and one that he could make is to finally unleash Ian Poveda, whose last start came against Birmingham in August, ahead of Daniel James on the right flank.
Dan James' performance against Rotherham in numbers
The Wales international has enjoyed a solid season so far, with four goals and four assists, but he produced a sloppy display against the Millers.
James struggled in possession as he only found a teammate with 59% of his attempted passes (16/27) and failed with all four of his attempted dribbles, to go along with zero goals and zero assists, in 70 minutes on the field.
Appearances
15
Sofascore rating
7.35
Goals
Four
Assists
Four
Big chances created
Eight
The former Swansea forward also lost all seven of his duels, including his three aerial battles, and did not make a single tackle, interception, block, or clearance to help the team out from a defensive perspective.
It was a disappointing performance from James on and off the ball and, with three games in a week, this clash with the Swans is an opportunity for Farke to rest him and unleash Poveda in his place.
Why Poveda could start against Swansea
The former Manchester City starlet caught the eye in his cameo off the bench against Rotherham and Farke revealed that he trusted the gem due to his "good" performance levels in training.
Leeds' head coach claimed that Poveda has the ability to provide a "touch of magic" with his "crazy" movements to make something happen on the ball.
Leeds forward Ian Poveda.
The former Norwich boss said that he was pleased with the young talent's display as the winger completed 100% (8/8) of his attempted passes and completed one dribble in 20 minutes.
The 23-year-old whiz has, however, yet to translate his youth team form with Manchester City to senior level and is still waiting for his breakthrough moment.
Poveda racked up 15 goals and 13 assists in 69 appearances for the Cityzens at U23 and U18 level combined but has zero goals and one assist in 27 first-team matches for Leeds.
This suggests that the 5 foot 6 winger, who predominantly plays on the right and cuts inside onto his favoured left foot, has more to offer than he has shown so far.
Whilst there is no guarantee that the English maestro can carry his academy form over to the senior game, Farke could unearth a productive and exciting forward if he can get Poveda to hit his stride in the first-team – starting with an inclusion in the XI tonight.
Rangers could be looking for new signings to aid their Scottish Premiership title push, and one player has hinted at a move to Ibrox when 2024 arrives.
Rangers-Celtic title race
The Gers have already made improvements since Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale in the Ibrox hot seat, with results and performances already better than they were previously. It is still clear that Clement's side have a huge amount of work to do in order to chase down rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race, even though the Hoops' 0-0 draw away to Hibernian on Saturday has given them more hope of wrestling the trophy away from them next year.
For that to happen, it could be that new faces are required when the January transfer window rolls around, in order to give the manager more options all over the pitch. It looks as though one intriguing move could potentially happen in 2024, following a key update regarding one player who is well-known to Gers supporters.
Helander's Rangers return
Speaking to The Daily Record, Filip Helander hinted that he could return to Rangers on a free transfer in 2024, having previously represented the club for four years:
"I’m not aware of the injury I had at all, which is great. And I think I can still achieve a lot in the game. That’s something I have in my mind. I try to set goals in terms of what I want to do.
"I’m only 30 so hopefully I have a good few years left in me. Because I was out for a long time it’s almost like I feel MORE healthy now. It’s about making up for lost time. That’s how I’m trying to look at it. I hope to have a good season here in Denmark and see what happens after that.
“I’ve only signed a one-year deal at Odense. They weren’t certain whether I’d be fit or not. So it was a good place to hopefully get game time. Could I come back to Rangers for free next summer? You never know."
Helander was an impressive performer for Rangers between 2019 and earlier this year, when he departed to join Danish side OB, proving to be a consistent performer at centre-back. A dominant figure, Helander's stats in a Gers shirt highlight the influence that he enjoyed for the Scottish giants, racking up 60 appearances in that time and also winning 21 caps for Sweden at international level, with injuries arguably preventing him from having higher tallies.
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is someone who always appreciated the 30-year-old, once hailing the "great leadership" that he possesses in his game, and the fact that he would be available on a free transfer at the end of the season would make it less of a risk – Helander's contract expires next summer – in terms of the Gers bringing him back to the club.
At 30, he still has plenty to offer, as Helander himself alludes to in his comments, and having another good option at the heart of the defence can only increase Clement's side going from strength to strength, possibly making this one to watch.
Aston Villa could be rocked by a surprise twist regarding one of their summer signings following a shock update regarding his situation at Villa Park.
Aston Villa updates: Watkins for England, Tielemans in trouble
In conversation with TEAMtalk, pundit Robbie Savage has lavished praise on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins following his excellent start to the 2023/24 campaign.
The former Wales international stated: "Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa – seven goals in all competitions – and Unai Emery’s side are flying and doing exceptionally well. Emery has got them playing some fantastic football, scoring lots of goals and Watkins is right at the heart of that. He’s got a deserved call-up to the England squad off the back of that; it’s really well deserved."
Enjoying a productive week or so at Villa Park, Watkins has signed a new long-term contract at Aston Villa and also received a call-up to the England squad for their upcoming double-header against Australia and Italy.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Unai Emery has taken Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz to a new dimension at Villa Park, as he said: "Luiz is probably one of the best players in that Aston Villa team generally, but under Emery, he just seems to have gone to another level again. It’s a player that Champions League clubs have had an eye on, and you can understand why when you see the levels he's now managing to reach under Emery."
He then added: "It'll be interesting if he continues to play the way he's been playing across the course of an entire season how Villa manage to hold on to a player like this because he's so impressive and composed. It's not like it's a one-off season. He’s a player that's had this in his locker for years, and Aston Villa are making the most of how good he is. They're thriving as a result of his success"
Looking ahead, Aston Villa return to action against West Ham United on October 22nd, where they will hope to break into the top four of the Premier League table if results go their way.
Aston Villa transfer news – Youri Tielemans
According to an Aston Villa transfer update from Football Insider reporter Wayne Veysey, Belgium international Youri Tielemans is believed to be keen to leave the club in January following a major fall-out with boss Emery over a lack of first-team minutes since joining the club.
The reporter claims he's heard relations are tense between both parties and Tielemans has now told people close to him that he would like to leave in search of a new challenge at the earliest possible juncture.
Youri Tielemans in Astom Villa training
Tielemans, who has previously been labelled "top class" by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, has made 13 appearances across all competitions for Aston Villa so far; however, most of these have come from the substitutes' bench (Tielemans statistics).
Nevertheless, he looks to have a challenge on his hands before being able to unseat the likes of Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and the in-form Luiz for a first-team berth in the engine room at Villa Park.
England surged to a seven-wicket victory with 17.2 overs to spare to secure their sixth one-day series win a row
The Report by Andrew McGlashan in Christchurch09-Mar-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAfter the drama in Dunedin this was a canter in Christchurch. England surged to a seven-wicket victory with 17.2 overs to spare to secure their sixth one-day series win a row. Jonny Bairstow made mincemeat of the chase with a 58-ball century, England’s third-fastest and his second in consecutive innings, adding 155 in 20.2 overs for the first wicket alongside the recalled Alex Hales.The absence of Ross Taylor, who was ruled out on the morning of the game with the quad injury he sustained during his unbeaten 181, was too much for New Zealand to compensate for, especially with their captain Kane Williamson failing.England’s new ball pair, Chris Woakes and Mark Wood, set a superb tone and it was backed up by the spin duo of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali. At 93 for 6 it looked as though New Zealand could fold completely, but Mitchell Santner’s outstanding series with the bat continued and a stand of 84 with Henry Nicholls at least took them over 200. Although the mood England’s top-order are in, 400 may not have been enough.There was barely an alarm for England as they knocked off the runs in the sunshine. They have been tested more in this series than many of late, and have slipped occasionally, but such a comprehensive win in a decider is a feather in their cap.Bairstow and Hales, who was handed a late opportunity in the series when Jason Roy went down with a back spasm, were level-pegging for the first eight overs of the chase, then Bairstow pulled away at top speed. He took 16 off Colin de Grandhomme’s third over, went to fifty from 38 balls and then really cut loose. He hammered five sixes in eight balls against Ish Sodhi with crisp, clean striking – although none of them were taken in the crowd to win a fan 50,000 dollars.Bairstow moved to 99 with a pull behind square then dabbed a single to third man to sit behind Jos Buttler (46 balls) and Moeen Ali (53 balls) in England’s quickest centuries before smashing his own stumps trying to manufacture some width against Trent Boult. He has now made four in 16 innings as an opener and has the spot nailed down, although who his long-term partner will be is perhaps more of a debate.Roy’s injury gave Hales his first outing since announcing he would become a white-ball specialist. Although the pressure was never on in the chase, it was a good effort to play so confidently having not batted for three weeks. He went to his fifty from 67 balls but was then cut off by a fine catch from Williamson at midwicket. By then, however, the result was a formality. There was just time for Ben Stokes to finish the chase in style in the city of his birth.It is the third time in a year that New Zealand have lost a deciding ODI following reversals against South Africa at home and India away. As against South Africa at Eden Park a year ago, this was a very poor performance with everything to play for.England were able to take their preferred route when Eoin Morgan won the toss. There was a little early movement and his decision was backed up by fine opening spells from Woakes and Wood.Colin Munro had announced in the build-up that he would no longer play first-class cricket and his first day as an official white-ball specialist did not start well when he got a big a top edge against Woakes while trying to work into the leg side. Other than his 49 in Wellington, it has been a single-digit series for Munro with scores of 6, 1, 0 and 0.Mitchell Santner steps out to hit down the ground•Getty Images
Woakes has produced outstanding first spells throughout: 5-0-14-2, 5-1-18-2, 5-1-13-1, 5-2-14-1 and 6-1-13-1, Morgan giving him the extra over here after Williamson departed in the 10th. It was a smart piece of bowling from Wood to dismiss the New Zealand captain, delivered from wider on the crease and cramping him for room, taking a bottom edge into leg stump.Then, not for the first time, New Zealand stumbled against England’s spinners. Tom Latham, promoted to No. 4 ahead of Taylor’s replacement, Mark Chapman, fell to a soft shot, chipping Rashid to midwicket although it was a nicely flighted delivery which brought the error. Chapman’s stay was very brief. He played back to a delivery from Moeen Ali which straightened a touch but Chapman missed it by an alarming amount to be bowled.When Stokes held a stinging, low catch at cover to remove Martin Guptill and de Grandhomme wastefully lofted to long-on, New Zealand were in a hole. Morgan’s tactics were interesting. Having bowled both Rashid and Moeen straight through their 10 overs, the innings was deep with very little of the fifth bowler used. Joe Root was then introduced for two overs and Tom Curran did not get his first bowl until the 40th over and was used for six consecutive overs at the death.Nicholls’ fifty came from 73 balls before he skied a Curran slower ball into the off side. Santner was by far the more fluent, bringing up a 60-ball half-century and setting a new career-best for the second time in four matches before Woakes became the first England bowler to dismiss him in the series when Hales made excellent ground at deep midwicket. But if that was good, Bairstow’s grab, running around the leg-side boundary two balls later, taking it one-handed moving at full pace to remove Tim Southee, was something special. Bairstow, though, wasn’t finished there.
Everton have finally got their head above the water, and David Moyes is planning on strengthening his squad this summer to ensure Bramley Moore has a good chance of tasting more lucrative successes than Goodison Park has been treated to in recent years.
While fans will hope for a flashy new forward, a rock-sold defender with a modern twist, it’s important to remember that a couple of under-the-radar, pragmatic signings will be essential in establishing a balanced and dynamic team.
Everton managerDavidMoyescelebrates after the match
Central midfield probably needs the least amount of work, but Moyes is planning on signing a former favourite to complete his set.
Everton chasing PL midfielder
According to Wednesday’s edition of MF Dnes – via Sport Witness – Tomas Soucek has major reservations about continuing at West Ham United, given Graham Potter views him as a utility option.
Transfer Focus
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The experienced star is seemingly keen to remain loyal to his current employers, with two years left on his current deal, although he seemingly won’t accept an ‘inferior’ role under the new Potter regime.
This opens the door for Everton, with Moyes taking the Czech midfielder under his wing for the lion’s share of his Premier League career.
West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek
However, newly-promoted Leeds United are also keen, so The Friedkin Group will need to act quickly to avoid any embarrassment in securing a shrewd summer signing.
Why Moyes wants Soucek at Everton
Hailed as a “machine” by former West Ham correspondent Tom Clark, Soucek has been a regular feature for West Ham across the 20s, signed by Moyes from Slavia Prague on loan in January 2020 before his signing was wrapped up on a permanent basis for about £19m at the end of that season.
The 30-year-old played a vital role in winning the Conference League and challenging in European competition across three seasons in Moyes’ system, scoring 39 goals across 240 Irons appearances, including seven in the Premier League this term.
Tomas Soucek scores for West Ham
In spite of his prolificness and strong presence in the middle of the park, Potter’s not convinced, and it seems like Everton are ready to pounce on this opportunity and sign a replacement for Doucoure, 32, who is indeed out of a deal this summer.
This is probably the right decision, given he’s the club’s top earner at £130k per week. Moreover, the well of goals, Doucoure’s trademark, has dried up, with just three Premier League goals to his name this season.
West Ham United’s All-time Top Scorers (midfield)
Rank
Player
Apps
Goals
1.
Martin Peters
355
98
2.
Sir Trevor Booking
514
81
3.
Mark Noble
550
62
4.
Billy Bonds
645
49
5.
Tomas Soucek
240
39
Data via Transfermarkt
He knows how to find the back of the net, but Soucek, once remarked to be a “revelation” at West Ham by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher, certainly isn’t a one-trick pony, with his physicality and industriousness forging a complete midfielder, perfect for Moyes’ system.
It’s no surprise the Scottish manager wants his towering 6 foot 3 general back in his fold, and with the likes of Idrissa Gueye getting on a bit, making a summer move makes sense irrespective of the Moyes factor.
West Ham might not be the most exciting team in the Premier League this season but Soucek has retained his threatening presence in the final third nonetheless, with FBref ranking him among the top 5% of centre-midfielders in the division this term for goals scored and the top 1% for touches in the box per 90.
Given that the data-driven site list Doucoure as one of Soucek’s most statistically comparable players, it feels like something of a no-brainer, not least because Moyes knows Soucek well, trusts him.
Moreover, Soucek’s scoring knack from midfield offers shades of Tim Cahill.
Tim Cahill in action for Everton
Cahill is one of Everton’s most memorable stars of the Premier League era, having scored 56 goals from 226 matches for the Toffees, predominantly from an attacking midfield standpoint.
Despite his smallish stature, Cahill was something of an aerial monster, a further similarity to Soucek, who, albeit, is much taller.
It feels important that Everton address their goalscoring issues with a wider scope this summer, not just bagging a new centre-forward but indeed signing a player such as Soucek who could add a much-needed dimension from deeper, making those effortless runs into dangerous positions to emulate Cahill and add a string to the manager’s tactical bow.
Hailed as one of Europe’s “prolific central midfielders” by esteemed analyst Michael Cox, Soucek has the qualities to step into Cahill’s boots, so to speak, fuelled further by the past connection with Moyes.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
The Malian’s offensive sharpness has waned in recent years, and Soucek could be the perfect addition to uphold Moyes’ values at Bramley Moore.
The Czech international has averaged 5.1 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore, and would freshen up the Toffees ranks for sure.
With Potter not all that enamoured, West Ham’s loss will prove to be Everton’s gain.
Moyes' biggest star since Rooney: Everton leading race to sign £38m star
Everton appear to be making moves to land a talented youngster ahead of this summer.
da dobrowin： Manchester United are eyeing a move to sign an "expensive player" who would now "love to join", according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Man Utd transfer news – defender
da dobrowin： The Red Devils were busy in the summer and made a number of new signings, splashing the cash on three big-money moves for Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund.
Man Utd's summer signings
Player
Previous club
Fee
Rasmus Hojlund
Atalanta
£72 million
Jonny Evans
Leicester City
Free transfer
Andre Onana
Inter Milan
£47.2 million
Mason Mount
Chelsea
£60 million
Sergio Reguilon
Tottenham Hotspur
Loan
Sofyan Amrabat
Fiorentina
Loan
Altay Bayindir
Fenerbache
£4.3 million
However, the club didn’t invest heavily in a new marquee centre-back and Harry Maguire ended up remaining at Old Trafford, leaving the England international to rival the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans for a starting spot.
With the January window fast approaching, though, a new defender was reportedly Man Utd's top transfer priority in 2024. The likes of Jean-Clair Todibo and Goncalo Inacio have been linked, although recent Man Utd transfer reports claimed moves for the top targets were off the table due to limited Old Trafford resources.
In a new Jean-Clair Todibo transfer update, though, Romano, relayed by United in Focus, said that the centre-back would still “love” to make a move to Old Trafford and remains a player of interest to those at the club.
“Todibo is a player in the list of Manchester United already since June, July, they had very positive conversations on player side.
“From what I’m hearing still now, the ideas not changed, Todibo would love to join Manchester United. He’s really attracted by the opportunity to play in the Premier League. He’s an expensive player. He remains a player appreciated by United’s scouring department… not the only one.”
Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo.
Jean-Clair Todibo profiled
Todibo is an out-and-out centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high valuation of €30m. The France international began on the books with Toulouse but made the switch to Barcelona in 2019. (Jean-Clair Todibo profile – Transfermarkt)
However, the defender struggled to make an impact at the Nou Camp and was sent out on loan to Schalke, Benfica and Nice before making a move permanent in 2021.
Since then, the player has made more than 100 appearances for his current employers, featuring heavily in the last two seasons and also making his international debut back in September. (Jean-Clair Todibo stats – Transfermarkt)
German legend Lothar Matthaus has also hailed Todibo in the past, previously saying:
"Todibo is the best centre back I’ve seen in a long time.”
United haven’t had much luck at the back this season with injuries to the likes of Varane and Martinez, so looking at a move for Todibo appears to make sense, and with the player seemingly keen, it could be one to watch heading into the New Year.
A look at what prompted Virender Sehwag’s allegations against the DDCA
Sidharth Monga24-Aug-2009It needed a player of Virender Sehwag’s stature to take on the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA), even though all he did by threatening to leave Delhi last week was to reveal the tip of the iceberg. It needed Sehwag because everybody else is too small a fry to even raise allegations of maladministration of cricket – especially in matters of selection at various levels – in a city that runs on connections and clout.This isn’t the first time such allegations have been levelled but it is the first time they’ve had any resonance; most often no official comes out to deny those stories, no newspaper is sued. It almost seems the DDCA is not bothered about its image. This time, junior players found a voice and threatened to follow him out of Delhi. Meanwhile, Sehwag faced a barrage of counter-charges: he’d been bought over by Haryana for a plot of land, he wanted his cousin in the Delhi team. And so on.Yet Sehwag held firm and his stand, right or wrong, is important because it involves Delhi, a nursery for leading Indian cricketers over the last 10-odd years. That’s a fact the DDCA uses in its defence, but which its detractors feel has happened not because of the system but despite it. The detractors point to Delhi’s sole Ranji Trophy win in the past 18 seasons and fear the player supply, like the silverware, will dry up. “There will still be a few talented players who will be at the right place and at the right time,” says one. “Even a few of the players supported by the sports committee could be good, but that’s not how you want them to come up.”Eventually, the matter boils down to the sports committee and its alleged transgressions. Unlike other state associations, Delhi cricket is run by its sports committee, which was created in 1994 to handle the conduct of the local DDCA league and the welfare of its 112 clubs. But the sports committee has become stronger and stronger because of the indifference of the more powerful body, the executive committee, made up largely of mid-level industrialists and small-time businessmen.The executive committee’s peculiarity is that it can’t be voted out. “There is no check on them,” says a current Delhi player. “There is no opposition. You can’t stop them from doing what they want. They get voted in again and again by proxy system.” That’s another peculiarity of the DDCA – it allows members to pass on their voting rights to others, and it’s anyone’s guess what is received in exchange.The sports committee’s power lies in the fact that it proposes selectors for every single age-group team. It’s possible that the names may not be accepted, but it doesn’t usually happen. These teams are the most sought-after, given the avenues they open up, and consequently the selection process is susceptible to fraud. Sehwag was less ambiguous when he first levelled the charge of corruption. “There is too much interference and manipulation from the sports committee in selection committees,” he said. “The sports committee has got too much power. There is more interference at the under-16 and under-19 levels than the Ranji Trophy. In a squad of 15, for instance, the sports committee tries to influence the selectors and slip in one or two of ‘their own’ boys.”His message is clear: if a new Virender Sehwag is to emerge, he’d better come with connections – or be prepared to move out.As did Rahul Dewan, or Murali Kartik, Amit Mishra, Yashpal Singh and a long list of others. It’s anyone’s guess what the future holds for Dron Chhabra, a 15-year-old left-arm bowler whom Wasim Akram loved during a fast-bowlers’ camp last year and whom John Buchanan wanted in the Kolkata Knight Riders set-up – but who hasn’t made Delhi’s Under-16 side.
[Only] if people come and vote can you convince them of the need to change things. Everybody adds to the corruption. I hate to say this, but there are people sitting there, who get these proxies by pleasing clubs, by giving somebody a local manager’s job, a coach’s job, by playing somebody’s son or nephewManinder Singh, former India left-arm spinner
Two years ago, when the 2006-07 season ended, Delhi faced a rebellion similar to the one at hand. Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Mithun Manhas, Aakash Chopra and Ashish Nehra were all gravitating away from the state, fed up with the political interference and selectorial conspiracies. They stayed on, though, and the team played with unity and flair and were a treat to watch. They went on to win the Ranji Trophy. Vijay Dahiya, the coach, said the crucial – and the most challenging – part of his job then was to take all that stuff off the players’ minds and make sure that when they walked out on the field, they were in a mental state conducive to them giving their best.That championship didn’t change things off the field, however. Officials still took the players for granted – [all you’ll play is Ranji Trophy], they were told – and till date Delhi still doesn’t have a single indoor training facility nor have other financial issues been sorted out. The limit on outstation players in Ranji cricket inhibited players’ movement and left them feeling shackled.Former players feel badly about the situation but say it is too big a cultural shock to try and make a change. “I feel so sad that I have played for Delhi and can’t do anything about it,” says Maninder Singh, the former India left-arm spinner. “You just can’t go there and mix with people who are playing politics all the time. Bishan [Bishan Bedi] has been trying for a number of years, but you can’t beat them because it is a proxy system. [Only] if people come and vote can you convince them of the need to change things. Everybody adds to the corruption. I hate to say this, but there are people sitting there, who get these proxies by pleasing clubs, by giving somebody a local manager’s job, a coach’s job, by playing somebody’s son or nephew. As far as I am concerned, I can’t join them.”It’s not as if no other player has protested before but they have made little difference. There is reason to feel that Sehwag might succeed. He meets Arun Jaitley, the DDCA president, on Tuesday to try and end the impasse. There are reports that a compromise has already been worked out. But if Delhi cricket is to turn for the better, Sehwag will have to go the whole hog. Else his protest will just be a reference point for the next time another top player raises his voice.
S Rajesh18-Jul-2009Australia have had a tradition of producing some outstanding fast bowlers, but few will rank higher than Dennis Lillee, who has turned 60 today. For many, he is the perfect definition of the ultimate fast bowler: he was fast, aggressive, and possessed the complete armoury, with the ability to swing and seam the ball both ways, and bowl long spells.He also saved his best for Australia’s oldest rivals, taking 167 wickets in only 29 Ashes Tests, an average of 5.76 wickets per match, which was better than his overall stats of 5.07 wickets per match. Lillee is second in the wicket-takers’ list, next only to Shane Warne, who, in seven more Tests, took 28 extra wickets. Both took five wickets in an innings 11 times and ten in a match four times; the latter is a record, with Fred Spofforth and Tom Richardson the only other bowlers to achieve it.The top three are all Australians, with Glenn McGrath in third place. The most wickets taken by an Englishman in Ashes is Ian Botham’s 148, but he needed 36 Tests for that tally, an average of 4.11 wickets per match. (Click here for the complete list.)
Most wickets in Ashes Tests
Bowler
Tests
Wickets
Average
Strike rate
5WI/ 10WM
Shane Warne
36
195
23.25
55.1
11/ 4
Dennis Lillee
29
167
21.00
50.9
11/ 4
Glenn McGrath
30
157
20.92
46.3
10/ 0
Ian Botham
36
148
27.65
57.2
9/ 2
Hugh Trumble
31
141
20.88
55.9
9/ 3
Bob Willis
35
128
26.14
56.9
7/ 0
Monty Noble
39
115
24.86
59.9
9/ 2
Ray Lindwall
29
114
22.44
59.0
6/ 0
Wilfred Rhodes
41
109
24.00
53.1
6/ 1
Sydney Barnes
20
106
21.58
54.2
12/ 1
Clarrie Grimmett
22
106
32.44
86.4
11/ 2
Overall, too, Lillee was one of the most feared bowlers for England’s batsmen, though a fair number of West Indian bowlers also make the list of most successful bowlers against them. Curtly Ambrose and Malcolm Marshall both averaged around 19 against them, which is slightly lesser than Lillee’s 21.Almost half his 355 wickets came against traditional rivals England, a team which brought out the best in Lillee. In only 29 Tests against them he took 167 wickets – that’s an average 5.76 per Test – at an excellent average of 21. Only Warne has taken more wickets against them, while both have taken exactly the same number of five- and ten-wicket hauls.The list is dominated by Australian and West Indians, the two teams who have played England most often. Eighty-three of Lillee’s wickets against England came in the 12 Tests that Australia won against them, at an outstanding average of 17.68. The only bowler in the top ten not from Australia or West Indies is Muttiah Muralitharan, who, in only 16 matches, has racked up 112 wickets against England.
Highest wicket-takers against England
Bowler
Tests
Wickets
Average
Strike rate
5WI/ 10WM
Shane Warne
36
195
23.25
55.1
11/ 4
Dennis Lillee
29
167
21.00
50.9
11/ 4
Curtly Ambrose
34
164
18.79
50.5
8/ 2
Glenn McGrath
30
157
20.92
46.3
10/ 0
Courtney Walsh
36
145
25.40
60.8
5/ 1
Hugh Trumble
31
141
20.88
55.9
9/ 3
Malcolm Marshall
26
127
19.18
45.5
6/ 1
Monty Noble
39
115
24.86
59.9
9/ 2
Ray Lindwall
29
114
22.44
59.0
6/ 0
Muttiah Muralitharan
16
112
20.06
59.0
8/ 4
Overall, Lillee was one of Australia’s most effective matchwinners. In the 31 Tests that Australia won with Lillee in the team, he took 203 wickets at a fantastic average of 18.27, with 17 five-wicket hauls. Among Australian bowlers with at least 100 wickets in wins, only Clarrie Grimmett, the legspinner who played in the 1920s and 30s, had a better average. Clearly, Lillee’s performances went a long way in determining his team’s fortunes – in Tests that Australia lost he averaged 29.49, and in draws he averaged 32.73 per wicket.In Ashes Tests too, he was one of the biggest matchwinners, with 83 wickets in a mere 12 Tests at an outstanding average of 17.68. Lillee ranks fourth in terms of wickets taken in Ashes wins, and among bowlers who took at least 50 wickets in such games, his average is sixth best, but the greatest since 1940. He also took a whopping 6.92 wickets per Test in these games, a stat bettered only by two bowlers in this list – Fred Spofforth and Bill O’Reilly.
Biggest matchwinners in Ashes Tests (Qual: 50 wickets in wins)
Bowler
Tests
Wickets
Average
Strike rate
5WI/ 10WM
Wkts per Test
George Lohmann (Eng)
12
59
11.96
37.2
4/ 2
4.92
Fred Spofforth (Aus)
6
51
13.11
30.4
6/ 3
8.50
Robert Peel (Eng)
12
77
14.85
46.7
5/ 1
6.42
Bill O’Reilly (Aus)
7
54
15.53
47.4
6/ 3
7.71
John Briggs (Eng)
17
63
15.74
39.1
7/ 3
3.71
Dennis Lillee (Aus)
12
83
17.68
41.6
8/ 3
6.92
Keith Miller (Aus)
13
50
17.74
52.1
3/ 1
3.85
Monty Noble (Aus)
19
84
17.78
44.8
8/ 2
4.42
Hugh Trumble (Aus)
14
77
18.00
52.0
4/ 1
5.50
Terry Alderman (Aus)
8
53
19.28
41.9
7/ 1
6.63
Overall, Lillee was involved in seven Test series against England, plus two centenary Tests, one each in Australia and England. Australia won four of those series (though Lillee didn’t have much of a role to play in 1982-83, playing just one Test), lost two and drew one. His most successful series, in terms of averages, were in 1972, in England, and in 1979-80 at home, when Australia won 3-0. In terms of wickets, though, Lillee’s best was in the historic 1981 series in England, when he took 39 in six Tests and yet couldn’t prevent an Australian defeat.
There has been a sense of unfulfilled promise about Suresh Raina for more than two years now, and his last two innings are perhaps signs of a coming of age
The Liverpool and Manchester City duopoly in the Premier League continues. Arne Slot has taken the title from Pep Guardiola, ending four years of dominance and doing so in his first season at the helm.
As all of a Liverpool persuasion will be aware, it’s gearing up to be a significant summer for the Anfield side, with sporting director Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, FSG’s chief executive of football operations, planning for a wave of first-team investment.
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot
Last year, City enjoyed their record-breaking fourth Premier League title in succession, and most thought that they would retain their throne once more. Or, otherwise, fall against an Arsenal side that has been on the rise for several years now.
But it wasn’t to be. Liverpool, still bruised from Jurgen Klopp’s decision to step down from his long-held seat in the Anfield dugout, have been head-and-shoulders above their rivals since the early knockings.
Candidly, clinching the title has almost looked a formality since January, with the Darwin Nunez-inspired victory at Brentford lifting the Reds six points clear of second-place Arsenal, and with a game in hand at that.
But there’s been something missing. Nunez isn’t good enough and will be sold this summer, while various concerns relating to defence will call for change there too. However, Liverpool will jump on a new centre-midfielder if an opportunity presents itself.
The missing piece in Liverpool's midfield
In fairness, Liverpool’s midfield doesn’t need to undergo major surgery. Klopp’s dramatic rebuild of 2023 has proved a bona fide success, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch starting the lion’s share of Liverpool’s Premier League fixtures and Wataru Endo earning cult status for his combative cameos.
Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool
Curtis Jones, 24, has also enjoyed the outstanding season of his career thus far, starting 17 league games and earning praise from his manager for his “complete” take on the midfield game.
It’s remarkable that these players have stepped up and delivered England’s prized trophy after FSG failed to convince Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to leave the Basque Country and join this new project.
Liverpool opted against signing a different deep-lying midfielder and were met with frustration from supporters, derision from rivals. Gravenberch’s incredible rise from a previously middling role has been the core of Liverpool’s successful season.
Matches (starts)
26 (12)
34 (34)
Goals
1
0
Assists
0
4
Touches*
28.8
67.3
Pass completion
83%
89%
Key passes*
0.6
0.7
Dribbles*
0.9
1.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
5.3
Tackles + interceptions*
1.5
3.6
Duels (won)*
2.8 (47%)
5.0 (58%)
Indeed, the owners’ decision has been vindicated now that Slot has sealed the club’s record-equalling 20th top-flight trophy.
There have been times when the engine room has looked a little tired of late, namely during costly defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
Arne Slot celebrates Liverpool's Premier League triumph
If the right player comes along, Liverpool will pounce, with one of the Premier League’s finest very much on Hughes’ radar.
Liverpool learn conditions for PL star
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool have learned that it will take a mammoth fee of £80m to convince Crystal Palace to part with Adam Wharton this summer.
Liverpool are keen admirers of the deep-lying playmaker, who has been a revelation since joining the Eagles from Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last year for a £18m fee.
The 21-year-old is also on Man United’s radar, but given that he fits the profile to jockey with Gravenberch for that number six spot, it might be the perfect move for Slot’s fluid system.
Why Adam Wharton is perfect for Slot
Liverpool’s current midfielders have cemented their legacies and then some, joining the illustrious names of old: Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton
Wharton has the talent to add his name too, hailed as an “unbelievable talent” by BBC analyst Raj Chohan after his incredible start to life in Oliver Glasner’s Palace team last season.
This term, despite injuries, he has played a big part for his London-based side, actually earning praise from respected journalist Henry Winter for being a “passing machine” as Aston Villa were comprehensively defeated in the FA Cup semi-final, also hailing him as “the best player on the pitch.” Big-game quality, confirmed.
As per FBref, he actually ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for both progressive passes and ball recoveries, the top 12% for shot-creating actions and the top 15% for assists per 90, perfectly illustrating his passing prowess and an athleticism that Slot seems to desire so greatly.
Wharton still has much to learn, but with such exciting ball-playing skills, he could take the shape of a former Liverpool star like Alonso, slotting into a similar role for the Reds’ flourishing coach.
Alonso might be one of the most esteemed managers at present, leading Bayer Leverkusen to an invincible domestic double last year and now the firm favourite to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, but he was once a superstar of a midfielder.
A Spanish maestro, Alonso starred across, winning the Champions League and FA Cup across five campaigns before walking that well-trodden path from Anfield to the Spanish capital, sold to Madrid in a £30m package back in 2009.
Xabi Alonso in action for Liverpool.
Gerrard once claimed that Alonso was his “favourite partner for club and country,” with the 43-year-old’s silky and cerebral approach to the midfield game something that opened up new lanes from which the robust Three Lions star could travel.
Wharton boasts a similarly high footballing IQ and could take the likes of Mac Allister and Gravenberch to the next level.
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Adding Wharton to the fold would certainly serve to elevate Slot’s existing midfield options, with the young playmaker operating in a deep-set role to influence and advance fluency in a similar vein to a former Liverpool hero named Alonso.
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