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Kylian Mbappe has hit back at French rapper Orelsan after being mocked in a new track over the Real Madrid star’s ownership of Caen. The French club now sit in the third tier of French football after facing relegation under Mbappe's ownership. The striker issued a fiery reply on social media, accusing the rapper of "begging" for a free stake in the club.

Mbappe fires back at French rapper Orelsan

The feud erupted hours after French rapper Orelsan dropped his new album, featuring a biting track titled “La petite voix.” In one verse, the Caen-born artist took aim at Mbappe’s record as club owner, sneering, “You’re going to sink your city like the Mbappes.” The line referenced Caen’s dramatic decline since the footballer’s family-led takeover in 2024.

Mbappe, known for rarely engaging in off-field controversies, wasted no time responding. Posting on X, he wrote: “You’re welcome to come and save the city you love so much.

“PS: The guy kept begging us to get in with 1% without paying because he doesn’t have a penny but wanted to look like the little guy from Normandy.”

The jab sparked mixed reactions. Some accused Mbappe of arrogance and deflection, while others applauded his blunt defence. The incident, however, revived scrutiny of his ill-fated venture with Caen, a club now mired in relegation, layoffs, and mounting frustration among fans who once saw him as a saviour.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMbappe’s failed Caen project

In 2024, Mbappe became one of Europe’s youngest football club owners after purchasing an 80 per cent stake in Caen through his firm, Coalition Capital, investing around €20 million. What began as a symbolic homecoming, returning to the club that once nearly signed him as a youth, quickly turned into a cautionary tale of ambition and mismanagement.

By April 2025, Caen had hit rock bottom. A crushing 0-3 defeat to Martigues mathematically confirmed their relegation from Ligue 2, sending the club into France’s third division for the first time in 41 years. Supporters stormed the pitch in protest, unfurling a banner reading: “Mbappe, SMC is not your toy.”

The fallout was immediate. Sixteen staff members were laid off in a controversial restructuring, and fan trust evaporated. Christophe Vaucelle, head of the Malherbe Normandy Kop, summed up local sentiment, saying: “The Mbappe clan bears some responsibility. They arrived, stayed invisible, and disconnected from the fans. The situation is catastrophic.”

For Mbappe, the failure cut deep. Alongside Madrid’s Champions League exit that same week, Caen’s relegation marked one of the most turbulent months of his career, both as a footballer and businessman.

AFPHow Caen collapsed under new ownership

Behind the scenes, Mbappe’s management model at Caen was built on trust and delegation. His close associate Ziad Hammoud took over as club president, while sporting operations were overseen by general manager Josselin Flamand and technical director Pascal Plancque.

Recruitment head Reda Hammache later revealed that Mbappe stayed “informed but not intrusive,” relying on regular updates rather than day-to-day control. “He’s not the type to call and demand changes,” Hammache told . “He trusts us but gives input on big decisions.”

However, reports claim the absence of a strong leadership presence at the club left a vacuum. Miscommunication, unclear sporting direction, and repeated coaching changes – from Bruno Baltazar to Michel Der Zakarian and later Maxime D’Ornano – created instability. Dressing-room tension grew, morale plummeted, and results worsened.

For many fans, the perception that Mbappe had overextended himself as he juggles between Madrid, the French national team, and a football club further cemented the narrative that Caen was a vanity project gone wrong. The financial losses from relegation and dwindling ticket sales have only deepened the crisis.

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Fame, failure, and France’s changing relationship With Mbappe

The Orelsan feud struck a cultural chord because it exposed a growing rift between Mbappe and sections of the French public. Once seen as the golden boy of football, the Madrid star now faces skepticism about his off-field ambitions. This is not the first time Mbappe has clashed with figures from France’s rap scene, his earlier feud with Booba also revolved around ego and authenticity. But this latest exchange cuts deeper, tying together fame, money and regional pride.

As Caen continue life in the National League, the club’s focus has shifted toward stability and youth development under coach D’Ornano. Meanwhile, Mbappe must navigate the fallout by balancing his image as a global superstar with the growing backlash at home.

While his performances left a lot to be desired last season, Martin Odegaard is likely to remain Arsenal’s captain for some time to come.

The Norwegian international was made the Gunners’ permanent captain by Mikel Arteta in the summer of 2022.

Able to score goals, control the tempo of games, and create chances for his teammates, the former Real Madrid wonderkid was starting to get back to his best before his latest injury and will undoubtedly be a big miss for the next month.

However, while it seems unlikely that he will lose the armband anytime soon, there are several players in the squad who could succeed him, including one young talent in particular.

Arsenal's captains in waiting

The excellent news for Arteta is that currently, his squad is full to bursting with international superstars who’d be more than capable of taking the captain’s armband if Odegaard were to relinquish it or leave the club.

Chalkboard

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

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One option that would go down brilliantly with the Emirates faithful is Bukayo Saka, as not only is he truly one of their own, but he’s already worn it on multiple occasions.

Moreover, the Hale Ender is without a doubt the most talented attacker in the side and someone who clearly has the mental fortitude for that sort of pressure.

At the other end of the pitch, both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães could be excellent options.

The Frenchman is widely considered one of the most cultured defenders in the league, and with a new five-year deal signed, his commitment to the project is unquestionable.

Likewise, his Brazilian partner is a player who’d run through walls for the team, someone in the mould of Tony Adams who can get the crowd on their feet with a crunching tackle or a thundering headed goal from a corner.

Moreover, while Arsenal have been labelled pushovers and meek in the past, Saliba and Gabriel are anything but, and two of the reasons why the North Londoners are seen as so physical these days.

Finally, the name most fans would probably put forward as an immediate successor to Odegaard is Declan Rice.

The all-action midfielder wore the armband for West Ham United, and has now done the same for England and is simply one of the most reliable performers in the team.

On top of that, he’s vocal on the pitch, clearly passionate and embodies what many view as an old-school captain.

However, while all of these players could become Arsenal’s captain in the future, there is another, younger star who could be the one to take the armband off Odegaard when he’s ready to give it up.

Arsenal's future captain

One of the big positives for Arsenal last season was the emergence and development of young talents, such as Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Hale Ender made his debut for the team against Manchester City in September, was a core member of the starting lineup by the end of the campaign, and, while it might sound extreme, is someone who could take the armband from Odegaard in the future.

In fact, according to club insider Hand of Arsenal, the teenager is very much seen as a “future captain” thanks largely to him already having the “mentality of a seasoned veteran.”

Whether or not you agree that he could become the team’s leader, it’s impossible to deny that the Islington-born gem is already playing well beyond his years.

For example, he ended last season having made 39 first-team appearances, 26 of which were starts, with two of those coming in wins at home and away against Real Madrid.

Lewis-Skelly’s 24/25

Appearances

39

Starts

26

Minutes

2306′

Goals

1

Assists

2

Points per Game

1.95

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Moreover, he opened his account for the Gunners with a sensational strike against City, and then, while he received plenty of criticism for it, showed an incredible level of confidence by mocking Erling Haaland with his celebration.

As if that wasn’t enough, he then scored on his debut for England, and now has six senior caps to his name, and stands a real chance of making it to next year’s World Cup.

Ultimately, it is still very early in his career, but Lewis-Skelly is an extremely talented player and has already shown that he has the attitude to make it to the very top.

Therefore, there is every chance he could be the one to replace Odegaard as Arsenal’s captain at some point in the future.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 16, 2025

Former England opener’s 54-ball blitz set 147 but the hosts eased home with 13 balls to spare

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-May-2025Somerset 147 for 5 (Smeed 35, Abell 29*, Majid 2-26) beat Surrey 146 for 9 (Roy 92, Henry 3-21) by five wicketsSomerset continued to hold sway over Surrey, beating their arch rivals by five wickets in an entertaining Vitality Blast curtain-raiser at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.Looking to avenge their defeat to the Cider county in last season’s semi-final, the Londoners were on the receiving end of a strong batting and bowling display as Somerset gave their short format campaign lift-off in front of a raucous sell-out crowd.Put into bat, Surrey lost wickets at regular intervals and were indebted to Jason Roy, who smashed a brilliant 92 from 54 balls, smiting six fours and seven sixes in a whirlwind knock that served to carry his side to 146 for 9. Otherwise, Somerset’s bowlers called the shots, overseas stars Matt Henry and Riley Meredith claiming 3 for 21 and 3 for 26 respectively to keep their rivals in check.Will Smeed scored 35, hit four fours and a six and shared in stands of 45 and 44 with Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore for the first and second wickets respectively, while Tom Abell contributed an assured unbeaten 29 and Ben Green a quickfire 23 not out as the home side reached their target with 13 balls to spare.Somerset boast a formidable seam bowling attack and Henry made an immediate impact from the River end, inducing Dom Sibley to chip to mid-on in the second over. Demonstrating clever variation, Craig Overton then sent down a maiden to apply further pressure.If Ollie Pope was becalmed, Roy made amends, hoisting Overton over mid-wicket for a huge six to break the shackles and then playing a back-foot force through the covers to afford the innings overdue impetus. Henry checked Surrey progress in the sixth, Pope directing a top edge to short mid-wicket and departing for a 12-ball five as the powerplay yielded an underwhelming 30 for 2.But Roy remains a potent force and he overcame a diffident start to stage a restorative stand with Sam Curran, who adopted the role of chief support in helping advance the score to 66 for 2 at halfway. Now at his fluent best, Roy went to a 31-ball 50, pulling a Meredith bouncer high over square leg for his third six of an increasingly authoritative innings.The third wicket stand was worth 57 when Curran tried his luck against Green and holed out to Thomas Rew at deep mid-wicket for 22 with the score 85 for 3 in the thirteenth. Unconstrained by his captain’s demise, Roy helped himself to sixes at the expense of Goldsworthy and Gregory as he powered towards three figures.He enjoyed a slice of good fortune on 71, holing out to backward square, only to be reprieved when Gregory was adjudged to have over-stepped. Gregory persisted and had Laurie Evans held at long-on later in the same over as Surrey slipped to 107 for 4. Overton again demonstrated safe hands to dismiss Tom Curran for nine, Henry returning at the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion end to further reduce Surrey to 119 for 5.Meredith removed Ollie Sykes, pouched on the deep mid-wicket boundary and Green had Chris Jordan caught at long-on. But the indefatigable Roy responded by twice lofting Green over mid-wicket for six to move into the nineties. He was eight runs short of a hundred when he hit Meredith high into the air and holed out to mid-off in the final over.If Somerset’s batsmen needed reassurance, Smeed and Banton provided it in an opening stand of 45 in six overs to afford the reply solid foundations. Squared up by Sam Curran, Banton skied a catch to backward point and fell for 23, but Smeed immediately picked up the cudgels, greeting Yousef Majid’s slow left arm with an imposing six over fine leg to keep the scoreboard moving.Tom Kohler-Cadmore matched Smeed blow for blow, pulling Nathan Smith for a majestic six over square leg and helping himself to a trio of fours in a violent 10-ball knock of 23, adding 44 in 3.3 overs for the second wicket before losing off stump to Tom Curran.Sam Curran bowled Smeed for a 29-ball 35 in the next over, at which point Somerset were 98 for 3, requiring a further 49 to win at less than a run a ball. Rew’s debut lasted five balls, the youngster held at long-on off the bowling of Yousef, who then removed Gregory to reduce the home side to 112 for 5 in the fourteenth and give Surrey a glimmer of hope.Abell and Green calmed any nerves, these two batting sensibly in an unbroken sixth wicket alliance of 35 to see their side over the line. Green finished with a flourish, taking Jordan for a six and four in the seventeenth over on his way to 23 not out from 16 balls.

With 323 runs in seven innings, Rahul is averaging nearly 65 in IPL 2025 and is the third-highest run-getter among Indians this season

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-20253:37

‘Axar calm and authoritative as a leader’

KL Rahul scored his third half-century in IPL 2025 on Tuesday night in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), taking his tally to 323 runs in seven innings after missing the start of the season for the birth of his child. He is DC’s highest run-getter this season and the latest innings – a match-winning 42-ball 57 – was yet another performance where his skills as one of the most dangerous Indian T20 batters was on display.He is now averaging nearly 65 in his first season with his new franchise, and Cheteshwar Pujara has credited Rahul for leaving last season’s “baggage” – the fallout with LSG – at the door and moving on.”Just move on, don’t carry any baggage from the past,” Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut, reflecting on Rahul’s IPL 2025 form. “And that’s a good thing. Look, KL is a mature player. Last couple of years, he’s been batting well across formats. He doesn’t want to think about the past and wants to enjoy his batting and be in his zone, rather than think about what went wrong when he was playing for the LSG team.Related

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“It’s good to move on, which will also help him play well for DC and even for the Indian team. Because, lately, he is someone the India team also relies on, the way he’s batting. Even as a person, he looks a lot more mature now, he understands his game very well. We have seen a different KL Rahul this season. When he started [against LSG], he didn’t look that [fluid], but still he picked it up.”On Tuesday, after LSG had put up 159 for 6, Rahul walked out with DC at 36 for 1 in the fourth over. He took his time to get going, only getting to 19 off 20 balls by the end of the tenth over, but with Abishek Porel scoring quickly at the other end, DC were still placed quite well at 80 for 1. Rahul got going after that with sixes in back-to-back overs, off Ravi Bishnoi and Aiden Markram, the spinners, and, while never frenetic, got to his fifty off 40 balls before finishing the game with his third six.Nick Knight, the former England opener, said Rahul might be thriving because he doesn’t have to shoulder the responsibility of captaincy, like he had to at LSG.”Captaincy can do funny things to you – sometimes you thrive on it, sometimes it’s a burden,” Knight said. “Whether that’s had any impact, of not being captain now, just being free and being able to play the match situation.”We’ve got this obsession in cricket that the best player has to be captain. That’s not always the case, is it? I’m not saying that’s the case with KL Rahul, or even Rishabh Pant, but he’s batting with so much freedom and looks relaxed in the crease.”1:51

Pujara: Mukesh got reverse swing, executed yorkers

Pujara: Mukesh is ‘always looking for a wicket’Pujara liked what he saw of Mukesh Kumar on the night, especially at the back-end of the LSG innings. His 4 for 33 ensured LSG finished with a below-par 159 that DC chased down with 13 balls to spare.”He is more than capable, even within the powerplay. He is someone who can take a couple of wickets in the powerplay, which he hasn’t done, but credit to him on how he came back after being hit in the powerplay,” Pujara said. “That yorker against Mitchell Marsh was probably one of the best [deliveries] in the IPL. He got the ball to reverse swing a bit, he executed his yorkers really well. Look, he is a confidence bowler, and he’s always looking for a wicket.”Knight also gave credit to DC captain Axar Patel for his bowling changes and making the best use of his resources. Axar had taken the new ball himself against the two overseas LSG batters – Marsh and Markram – and bowled four economical overs on the trot.”Axar, actually, had a good game,” Knight said. “I thought it was innovative to open the bowling with him [Axar]. I thought he used Mitchell Starc really well. It wasn’t swinging much up front so he took Starc out. Brought him back in the eighth over [ninth over] to make an impact and he did that with the Nicholas Pooran dismissal [later in the same spell].”Then he had Kuldeep [Yadav], himself and Mitchell Starc bowling in key moments in the middle to block LSG out. I thought it was an impressive performance from the skipper.”

Manchester United are approaching post-Peter Schmeichel territory in their goalkeeping ranks, with that department having now seen so much upheaval over recent seasons.

Indeed, Andre Onana – now on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor – has certainly shown shades of Fabian Barthez during his disastrous Old Trafford stint, arriving with a notable reputation, much like the Frenchman, albeit while ultimately departing as another error-strewn maverick.

Described as “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history by Nemanja Matic ahead of the first-leg Europa League tie with Lyon last season – a game in which Onana made two notable errors – the 29-year-old failed to convince right from the outset.

First impressions are vital, with the Cameroonian’s first taste of Old Trafford seeing him caught out by an outrageous long-range effort in the pre-season clash with Lens in that summer of 2023. That was a sign of things to come.

While United were arguably right to send David De Gea on his way, recent evidence would suggest they settled on the wrong replacement. Can new man Senne Lammens fare any better?

Why Man Utd have signed Senne Lammens

The £17m signing from Royal Antwerp will have to wait to make his Red Devils debut, with Ruben Amorim confirming that Altay Bayindir will retain his place in the sticks for the Manchester derby, despite enduring a shaky start to the new campaign.

Such a decision may have alarm bells ringing already, not least amid claims that Amorim was focused on signing Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez instead, only for the financial package of that deal to prove prohibitive.

There may be a sense that the former Sporting CP boss doesn’t quite have the faith in his young new arrival as yet. Alternatively, perhaps he is merely protecting the Belgian from what would likely be a tiresome comparison with new Manchester City stopper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, at the opposite end.

Either way, at just 23, Lammens represents a player of potential rather than a ready-made, proven solution, with 2024/25 having actually been his first as a first-choice option at senior level.

What a season it was, however, with BBC Sport’s Umir Irfan noting that ‘of all goalkeepers in Europe’s top ten leagues last season, Lammens ranked first for total saves made (173) with a 77.4% save percentage.’

As per FBref too, he ranks in the top 1% of his peers for crosses stopped, in the top 7% for penalties saved and in the top 9% for save percentage. With a goals prevented record of 14.8 to boot, this is arguably a player of young De Gea quality.

That being said, his route to regular football in Manchester will not be a straightforward one – and not just because of the presence of Bayindir…

Why Radek Vitek could be the actual Onana replacement

It would be a surprise for Lammens not to have usurped the Turkish international by the end of this season, with the former Fenerbahce man so regularly underwhelming in a United shirt – his opening day calamity against Arsenal a perfect case in point.

When 2026/27 rolls around, however, there will be renewed competition amid the expected return of Radek Vitek from his loan spell at Bristol City, with the Czech giant already earning rave reviews at Ashton Gate.

The 6 foot 6 starlet – who has been part of United’s academy set-up since 2020 – made 18 appearances for Accrington Stanley at the end of the 2023/24 season, before joining Austrian side Blau-Weiss Linz last term.

Games (starts)

26

Goals conceded

35

Goals conceded*

1.3

Saves

79

Saves*

3.0

Clean sheets

6

Touches*

36.5

Error leading to goal

0

Error leading to shot

1

That season-long loan saw the 21-year-old concede just 35 goals in 26 starts in the Bundesliga, keeping six clean sheets in that time and making just a solitary error leading to a shot. There were no errors leading to a goal, as per Sofascore.

Such fine form has been replicated in his early days in the Championship, with Vitek kicking things off with a commanding debut display in the thumping 4-1 win over Sheffield United.

That was followed by “another top performance” in the 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic, as per the Daily Mail’s Nathan Salt, with the United correspondent even suggesting that his “value is about to rocket this season”.

With high points that include his standout save to deny Oli McBurnie against Hull City, Vitek is very much making the most of this chance to shine in England’s second tier, with a more prominent role back at United perhaps on the cards later down the line.

Having signed a new deal prior to joining the Robins on loan, MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst has made the point that academy players who seal a loan to the Championship are often viewed as players who can one day make an impact in United’s first team. Just look at the rise of Amad following his stellar season at Sunderland.

And so, while another experienced option might well be considered next summer, alongside the possibility of Lammens cementing that position for himself, United can be safe in the knowledge that they potentially have the perfect Onana replacement already in-house.

The Stadium of Light will surely have a carnival-like atmosphere when West Ham United come to town on Saturday.

Sunderland fans will be counting down the days now until they’re able to view their beloved team in the Premier League once more, with the Black Cats last playing a top-flight fixture all the way back in May of 2017.

That season, unfortunately, ended in a demoralising relegation that saw the Wearside outfit eventually spiral down to the depressing pit of League One.

However, with signings such as Omar Alderete in through the door now bolstering his options defensively, Regis Le Bris will be hopeful his team can stay up, as even more fresh faces continue to be linked with a switch to the top-flight newcomers.

The latest transfer rumours at Sunderland

It’s fair to say the Sunderland transfer rumour mill this summer has often threatened to go into overdrive.

At the time of writing, the ambitious Black Cats have managed to secure a bumper 11 signings, with Lloyd Kelly perhaps the next defensive figure to enter the Wearside club’s ever-growing camp on a potential £17m deal from Juventus.

Some late defensive additions look to be a clear priority based on the recent wave of rumours, with Loic Bade still on the Sunderland radar allegedly, even as Bayer Leverkusen aim to push away to land his signature for a reported £30m.

Le Bris is also keeping an eye out for more eye-catching purchases to enhance his already vibrant attack.

Indeed, it’s been long established that Sunderland hold an interest in trying to snap up Bayer Leverkusen winger Amine Adli this summer, with it having been reported earlier this week that the 25-year-old is still on the Black Cats’ extensive shopping list at a £26m valuation.

Potentially forking out £26m on Adli’s services is nowhere near the riches Liverpool managed to flex when snapping up his ex-Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz for an eye-watering £116m.

Yet, the Moroccan attacker could go on to be the Frenchman’s own version of the stunning German, regardless, in offering plenty of quality and class to Sunderland’s stressful survival mission.

How Adli can be Le Bris' own Wirtz

Already, Wirtz is up and running donning his new Liverpool colours, having collected an assist during the Community Shield final against Crystal Palace.

Adli will be hopeful that he can effortlessly set the English game alight in a similar manner if he swaps the BayArena for the Stadium of Light shortly, having starred in Germany – once alongside Wirtz – for some time now.

Games played

142

197

Goals scored

23

57

Assists

24

65

Trophies

3x

3x

When glancing at the table above, it’s clear that both Adli and the new Liverpool number seven were key components to Leverkusen’s recent successes, with the £26m target even helping himself to a blistering 22 goal contributions during the Black and Reds’ triumphant Bundesliga title win at the close of the 2023/24 campaign.

His ex-£116m teammate amassed a staggering 48 contributions across the same span.

Much like Wirtz, too, the “electric” Adli – as he was labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig for his hard-to-contain burst of pace – is capable of playing as a number ten and as a centre forward, away from just lining up in his preferred spot on the pitch down the left flank.

Their similarities would come to a head most prominently when they were deemed as statistically similar performers, the same season Xabi Alonso guided Leverkusen to a shock top spot in the Bundesliga, according to FBref.

Wirtz will be beyond excited to get properly going at Anfield, as Arne Slot’s Reds aim to clinch back-to-back Premier League titles.

On the contrary, his former comrade in midfield in Germany will have his work cut out for him to be as “sensational” for his new side – as he was once labelled by U23 scout Antonio Mango – as the Black Cats likely battle against the drop all season long.

Sunderland submitted £17m+ bid to immediately sign 6ft 4 Spanish colussus

This could have been ideal for Regis Le Bris.

ByHenry Jackson Aug 12, 2025

Harry Brook, England’s vice-captain, says that his team’s hopes of combatting India’s spin bowlers in the first T20I were hampered by an unusual but familiar foe to English touring sides – a thick layer of smog hanging over the ground in Kolkata.Brook made 17 from 14 balls before being bowled by a wrong’un from India’s legspinner, Varun Chakravarthy, who then dismissed Liam Livingstone in near-identical fashion two balls later. England collapsed from 65 for 2 to 109 for 8, and ultimately 132 all out, with India’s spinners claiming five wickets in all. Abhishek Sharma’s 79 from 34 balls then condemned them to a seven-wicket defeat with a thumping 43 balls to spare.Chakravarthy was the pick of the attack with 3 for 23 in his four overs, although his fellow legspinner Ravi Bishnoi proved every bit as tough to get away as he returned figures of 0 for 22. And speaking on the eve of the second T20I in Chennai, Brook suggested there had been an atmospheric reason for England’s struggles to pick their variations.”I didn’t face Bishnoi but Chakravarthy is an exceptionally good bowler,” he said. “He’s tough to pick. I think actually with the smog the other night, it was a lot harder to pick as well. Hopefully, the air is a bit clearer here and we can see the ball a bit easier.”He’s an exceptional bowler and has got a lot of skills with extreme accuracy as well. Their spinners are their key threat, so we will look to put pressure on them, take them down, put as much pressure as we can on them, and hopefully they crumble from there.”It’s a familiar refrain from England touring sides. On their 1992-93 visit to India, England’s then-chairman of selectors, Ted Dexter, famously attributed his team’s emphatic defeat in the first Test, also at Eden Gardens, to smog. Though he was widely lampooned for his remarks, the issue has taken on a more serious aspect in recent years, with India’s Test against Sri Lanka at Delhi in 2017 having to be stopped after several players vomited due to the pollution.Related

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England are set to make at least one change to the XI in Chennai, with Brydon Carse included as a pace option in place of Gus Atkinson, who endured a night to forget with bat and ball at Kolkata. Jamie Smith has also been included in a 12-man squad, and could step in for Jacob Bethell, who missed training on Friday with illness.The emphatic loss on Wednesday marked a low-key start to Brendon McCullum’s tenure as England’s white-ball head coach, albeit he had warned “there’ll be some times we don’t quite get it right” during his pre-series comments to the media last week.Nevertheless, his appointment of Brook as Jos Buttler’s vice-captain is further proof of his desire to unite the red- and white-ball squads under a single philosophy, and with as many cross-over performers as possible. And the informal attitude that has powered the Test team’s displays in recent seasons was in evidence in the manner with which Brook was offered the deputy’s role.”We were sat in the bar the other night and Baz texted me from across the other side of the room,” he said. “He just said ‘Congrats, you’re the vice-captain’ and I just put: ‘Beautiful, thanks.’ There wasn’t really much conversation.”Obviously, I captained the ODIs in the summer so I kind of knew that it was going to happen. You don’t have to do too much as a vice-captain; Jos is extremely experienced, I’ll give him a few suggestions here and there and if he comes to me, I’ll give him my opinion but it’s up to him whether he takes it or not.”

Having gone through what went wrong at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Australia rebounded with a series clean sweep of India as they build towards a defence of their 50-over crown next year.Australia outplayed India after two comfortable victories in Brisbane before finishing the series with an 83-run win in a topsy-turvy contest in oppressive conditions at the WACA in Perth.Australia entered the ODI series with an unfamiliar bitter taste after their semi-final defeat to South Africa in the UAE. Underlining an increasingly cramped women’s cricket calendar, the team and hierarchy did not get a chance to debrief due to the WBBL starting almost immediately after.Related

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• Sutherland 110, Gardner five-for make it 3-0 for Australia

• Stats – Gardner's double, Mandhana's milestones, Sutherland's rearguard heroics

Once the WBBL ended, the squad assembled in Brisbane and had to dissect their failed bid for a fourth straight T20 World Cup title. “I think it was just a really good touch point for our group to realise the things that we weren’t doing as well as probably what we could have,” Ashleigh Gardner told reporters after the third ODI. “We reviewed that game [against South Africa] and then… we were just really positive on where this group can get to.”And I think that’s the most exciting thing, that anyone that comes into this group is excited to be here, really wants to be here, and just striving to be better every day.”Australia had numerous players step up across the series against India. Their wins in Brisbane were highlighted by debutant Georgia Voll’s spectacular performances at the top of the order, while in Perth all-round efforts from Gardner and Annabel Sutherland overcame an Indian team mustering belated fight.It was a welcome return to form for Gardner, who shrugged off her struggles in the WBBL with 50 off 64 balls after Australia had collapsed to 78 for 4. It was her first ODI half-century in almost 18 months and she backed up with the ball to claim career-best figures of 5 for 30.Ashleigh Gardner scored her first fifty of 2024•Getty Images

“I felt it’s one of those things… you feel really confident in the nets but then it doesn’t replicate in the middle,” Gardner said. “For me, I knew that I just had to spend a little bit of time out in the middle and I came in at a pretty tough time.”I just love batting with Bells [Sutherland]. It’s always really positive, just keep each other going in those moments and knowing that if we just got through that tough little phase… it would be fine. And I guess that’s the messaging that I just tried to keep telling myself.”With Alyssa Healy on the sidelines for the entire series due to injury, Tahlia McGrath took the captaincy reins with the 27-year-old Gardner as her deputy. “I think T-Mac [McGrath] and I work really well together,” she said. “We’re obviously very different personalities, but I think we complement each other in that way as well.”She’s a very cool, calm person. And I guess what I challenged her with was to try and think outside the box. What I tried to throw to her was just different ideas at different points to get her mind ticking over.”Australia, however, did not submit a flawless performance in Perth having endured a ragged effort in the field marked by five dropped catches. It is an area they will hope to brush up quickly ahead of the three-match ODI series in New Zealand starting on December 19.”We want to be the best fielding team in the world and that certainly wasn’t on show tonight,” Gardner said. “I think there were glimpses of brilliance, but then there’s just those little moments where maybe it’s a lapse of concentration.”We do train really hard on our fielding but maybe it’s just training under pressure more, and try to do some different drills.”Australia took precautions ahead of the New Zealand tour with Voll and Sophie Molineux leaving the field after diving efforts left them feeling ginger, while the fitness of Healy will continue to be monitored.”Healy’s coming away with us, we’ll see how she goes. But she’s progressing well, which is really pleasing,” Gardner said. “I’m sure she’ll be chomping at the bit to play that first game in New Zealand.”The group’s just really excited. It’s a really cool little period. We’re only over there for ten days before the Christmas break. I think it’s going to really spur the team on to finish off what we’ve done here in this series.”I think this group’s in a really good place at the moment. We’ve been really successful in 50-over cricket. So it’s just kind of going on to the next progression and that’s obviously looking forward to the World Cup.”

Enzo Maresca has not only led Chelsea to a stunning Club World Cup triumph this summer, but he has also significantly bolstered his first-team squad.

With the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro impressing stateside, the latter notably scoring three in three matches, plus Jamie Gittens and Estevao ready to make their mark, Maresca is brewing something special at Stamford Bridge.

While these signings could prove to be vital should Chelsea wish to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League next season, the Italian is still on the hunt for more.

His centre-forward options are far more varied now, as too are his wing options, but Maresca must be keen on adding another playmaker to his squad.

Cole Palmer is fantastic, but he can’t do everything on his own. Not only that, should the Englishman continue to shine throughout the upcoming campaign, it might be hard for the Blues to keep him next summer.

As such, signing another youngster who has the capability to grow is at the forefront of Maresca’s thoughts.

That certain someone could turn out to be another version of Eden Hazard. His signing in 2012 paved the way for the Belgian to become one of the finest attacking midfielders of his generation.

What made Eden Hazard so special

Chelsea’s status as Champions League winners in the summer of 2012 certainly helped in their pursuit of the best talent around.

Hazard helped Lille win Ligue 1 in the 2010/11 campaign, but it was performances the following year which caught Chelsea’s eye.

Indeed, the winger scored 20 goals and grabbed 18 assists in Ligue 1, emerging as one of the brightest talents on the continent in the process.

Hazard settled in nicely at the Blues, especially during Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club between 2013 and 2015. His 24 goal contributions in the Premier League during the 2014/15 season saw the Stamford Bridge side win their first title in five years.

It wasn’t just under Mourinho that Hazard shone. The winger was arguably the key to Antonio Conte’s system which saw the Blues win the league title in 2016/17. Even in his last season at the club, Hazard scored 21 goals and won his second Europa League trophy.

Overall, the playmaker netted 110 goals and registered 88 assists for Chelsea across 352 matches.

His sublime dribbling abilities, dynamism in the final third and turning up for the big matches not only endeared Hazard to the supporters but also ensured he goes down as a modern club legend.

It can be argued that Chelsea haven’t quite had a playmaker like him since his departure in 2019 to Real Madrid. Of course, Palmer has been sensational, but Hazard’s creativity and natural talent made him a true joy to watch.

Could Maresca finally land Hazard 2.0 for the Blues in the coming weeks?

Chelsea eyeing move for Dutch sensation

Maresca has focused on bolstering his options in the final third so far this summer but with Palmer running the rule over the number ten position since joining in 2023, the club haven’t sought to add any more playmakers to the squad.

This could change soon, however, as the manager is keen on exploring a move for Xavi Simons, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Transfer Focus

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

Via his Substack, Phillips discussed Chelsea’s interest in the Dutchman, first declaring that while Arsenal are interested in the midfielder, they are focusing on signing Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze instead.

Phillips continued: “Sources feel Chelsea could have come in and snapped Simons up by the time that happens anyway. So this one is certainly brewing up and all connected. Further to this, our sources have heard that Simons ‘would love to join Chelsea’ this window, so there would be no problem on the player side. Chelsea, expected to make more enquiries on Simons this week now.”

The RB Leipzig starlet has been valued by his club at a staggering £95m, according to other reports.

It’s a lot of money, sure, but if they do manage to seal his signature, Maresca might just have his very own Hazard.

Why Chelsea must sign Xavi Simons

While Hazard operated on the left flank for the majority of his career, Simons has shown plenty of similarities to the Belgian, especially regarding his displays for Leipzig, where he has played on the left and as an attacking midfielder.

Indeed, the Dutchman can count dribbling, key passes and through balls as his key strengths, according to WhoScored, while regarding his style of play, he loves to dribble and regularly gets fouled due to his attacking prowess.

This echoes the skills that Hazard used to demonstrate at Stamford Bridge during his seven years in London.

Last season, Simons scored 11 goals in all competitions for the German side, recording eight assists in the process. Once again, exuding the talents that Hazard was famed for, being clinical in the final third.

Not only that, but Simons also ranked in the top 3% for through balls (0.96) per 90 in the Bundesliga when compared to his positional peers, while he also ranked in the top 6% for progressive passes (5.86) and in the top 3% for carries into the final third (2.97) per 90 last season.

Goals

10

Assists

7

Key passes per game

2

Big chances created

12

Successful dribbles per game

1.3

Shots per game

2

Still only 22, it feels as though Simons has been around forever. Last summer, respected analyst Ben Mattinson not only hailed the youngster as a “superstar”, but also declared that he could be “one of the best in the world in the future” just prior to the 2024 European Championship.

He has certainly proven his worth since then, and it is evident that a move to the Premier League would help enhance his reputation and improve him further as a player.

If Maresca can land Simons in the coming weeks, it might just be the final piece of his attacking jigsaw at Chelsea.

The comparisons with Hazard are impressive. Could he have the same sort of impact as the Belgian? Only time will tell.

A Palmer repeat: Chelsea now considering move to sign "immense" £60m star

Chelsea will try and repeat the magic of Cole Palmer’s sensational deal with this promising signing.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 21, 2025

The transfer window may be closing for six days this afternoon, but that won’t stop Arsenal from working on potential deals.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the Premier League for the third time on the bounce this season, and while they managed to make it to the semi-finals of the Champions League, that’ll only fuel the team’s hunger to finally get over the line next year.

The Gunners have been linked to a host of talented players in recent weeks and months, but the one who looks closest to putting pen to paper and moving to North London is Martin Zubimendi.

Yet, as brilliantly talented as the Spaniard is, there is now another international linked with Arsenal, who’d be an even more exciting signing.

Arsenal transfer news

Amazingly, the first reports linking Arsenal to Zubimendi appeared all the way back in January 2023, and while they became a little stronger last summer, they really took off this January.

Transfer Focus

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

It was at the start of this year that Sami Mokbel claimed that the Real Sociedad star would be making his way to the Emirates at some point this summer, but since then, there has been some concern among fans that Real Madrid could turn his head.

After all, there has been no shortage of publications from the midfielder’s homeland claiming that Los Blancos would convince him to turn his back on Arteta and join up with Xabi Alonso.

Fortunately, that all seems to be nothing more than paper talk, as respected journalist David Ornstein revealed this morning that the powers that be at the Emirates consider the move to be “done & signed.” At the same time, Real sources claim that the Spanish giants never truly pursued the player.

In yet more good news, the Gunners have now also been linked to another international star, someone who’d be a more exciting acquisition than Zubimendi: Anthony Gordon.

Yes, according to Ornstein’s latest report for The Athletic, the Gunners are now interested in the Newcastle United star.

He claims that the Toon star has his ‘admirers’ at the Emirates, a claim James McNicholas backs up in the same article.

While no price is mentioned, reports from earlier this month linking the player to Liverpool claim he could cost around £80m.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Gordon’s ability, it’s one worth fighting for.

Why Gordon will be more exciting than Zubimendi

So, the first thing to say is that when Zubimendi finally makes his way to the Emirates, he will be an incredible signing for Arsenal.

After all, we saw him put in stellar performances for Spain in the semi-final and final of the Nations League, and you don’t get chased by some of the biggest clubs in the world if you aren’t someone special.

However, when it comes down to pure excitement, there is one massive reason why Gordon would provide more of it in North London: his output.

At the end of the day, fans watch football for the goals and attacking trickery which the Newcastle United star should bring to N5 in abundance.

For example, in 48 appearances last season, totalling 3869 minutes, the former Everton star managed to score 12 goals and provide 16 assists, which came out to a superb average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 138.17 minutes.

Even this year, when he’s not been at his very best, the dynamic “nightmare,” as he described himself, scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 42 appearances, totalling 2946 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.62 games, or every 184.12 minutes.

Ultimately, while Zubimendi will almost certainly help Arsenal tick and will likely help kickstart plenty of attacks from the base of midfield, it’s Gordon who’ll either finish them or help them along by taking on opposition defenders and getting the fans on their feet.

Therefore, while he won’t be cheap, the club should do all they can to sign the Newcastle star this summer, as he’d be a tremendously exciting addition to the team.

He's a Sesko upgrade: Arsenal stepping up pursuit of £84m "powerhouse"

The incredible goalscorer would be a serious threat at Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 9, 2025