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Glasgow Rangers’ domestic season is all but over. Defeat in the League Cup final to Celtic ended their defence of the trophy, while the Ibrox side suffered an embarrassing loss to Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup a few weeks ago.

Now, all of Philippe Clement’s eggs will be placed in the Europa League basket as the club were drawn to play Fenerbahce in the last-16 of the competition.

It won’t be an easy task, especially away from home, but if the Light Blues play like they have done on the continent this season, they have an excellent chance of going through.

Much will depend on whether they turn up or not, however, as performances have been shaky, to say the least.

There have been very few bright sparks throughout the season. Hamza Igamane has been one, but even he has struggled since last scoring against Aberdeen on January 15.

Perhaps things might have been different if Danilo and Nedim Bajrami had both been playing to the best of their abilities, as the pair have qualities that can change games in an instant.

It hasn’t been plain sailing for either due to several reasons.

Danilo & Bajrami's struggles for Rangers this season

In Danilo’s case, injuries have largely been his downfall. Since joining the Gers in the summer of 2023, the Brazilian has missed a total of 58 matches for the club due to several injuries, including a broken cheekbone and a serious knee injury.

When he has featured this term, the centre-forward has been solid in the final third. Across 19 games, he has scored seven goals and chipped in with three assists.

His goal against Celtic in the festive Old Firm tie looked as though it could be the catalyst for Danilo to emerge as a key player under Clement. A few weeks later, he sustained a shoulder injury that once again kept him out for a few weeks.

In Bajrami’s case, injuries haven’t been a problem at all, but he has failed to live up to the £3.4m fee that the club paid to secure his services last summer.

On the surface, it appeared to be a solid signing. Not only could Bajrami play across multiple positions, but he had experience of playing in Serie A, while scoring for Albania against Italy at Euro 2024.

A goal against Malmo on his first European start was certainly a confidence boost, and he shone on the continent for the Gers.

Since the start of 2025, however, the former Sassuolo midfielder has recorded just three assists in all competitions, with two coming against non-league side Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup.

Where Are They Now

He has scored just one Premiership goal since arriving in Scotland while registering just one assist and averaging 1.2 key passes per game.

Hardly the sort of numbers that justify the transfer fee and if he doesn’t improve between now and May, Clement may look to offload the Albanian when the summer transfer window opens.

Rangers have sold their fair share of players over the years who appear to suddenly shine once they leave Ibrox. One such player is currently starring in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday this season – Josh Windass.

Josh Windass’ Rangers statistics

Windass joined the Light Blues ahead of the 2016/17 season, the club’s first back in the top flight since their financial troubles began in 2012.

Mark Warburton was trying to build a team capable of challenging Celtic for the title, but this proved to be a false dawn. The Englishman suffered a succession of injury problems during his maiden campaign, restricting him to just 27 appearances and a solitary goal.

The following year was far better for Windass. Not only did he establish himself as a key member of the starting XI, but the attacking midfielder also netted 18 goals and grabbed eight assists in all competitions throughout the campaign.

It didn’t do the team much good as they failed to win any silverware for the second season in a row since their promotion. In May 2018, Steven Gerrard took over as manager, and it resulted in a fresh start for everyone at the club.

For Windass, it was clear the former Liverpool captain didn’t take to him. During the final few weeks of the summer transfer window in 2018, Windass finally left Ibrox and joined Wigan Athletic for a transfer fee in the region of £2.5m.

This represented a solid piece of transfer business for the Gers, especially as they required funds to bolster the squad.

He only lasted a year and a half at Wigan, with his spell at the Owls being far more productive indeed…

Windass' record at Sheffield Wednesday

Across 170 matches for the Championship club, Windass has scored 50 goals while registering 21 assists in all competitions.

The 2024/25 campaign has been especially positive for the 31-year-old. Not only does he have ten league goals this term, more than Bajrami and Danilo put together, but he has even recorded three assists.

Josh Windass’ stats since leaving Rangers
Season	Games	Goals	Assists
2024/25	35	10	4
2023/24	28	7	2
2022/23	42	16	7
2021/22	12	4	2
2020/21	44	10	6
2019/20	25	7	0
2018/20	45	5	4
Via Transfermarkt

Windass has also created four big chances in the second tier for the Owls while averaging 0.6 key passes and registering 2.4 shots per game.

It appears as though the Championship is certainly his level, as he failed to truly demonstrate his best during his two-year spell in Scotland.

The Englishman was right to leave in 2018, especially considering the fee was so good for a player who wasn’t going to be in Gerrard’s plans.

The fact he has scored more league goals than Danilo and Bajrami, however, proves that the club have sold so many players over the previous few years who seem to find that extra gear at a new club.

For both Danilo and Bajrami, the next few weeks could be important indeed. That’s for sure.

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By
Ross Kilvington

Feb 21, 2025

تمكن بريان جرودا، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برايتون من إحراز الهدف الثاني لصالح فريقه أمام مانشستر سيتي بالمباراة ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ويواجه مانشستر سيتي نظيره برايتون ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “بريميرليج”.

وجمع مانشستر سيتي بقيادة بيب جوارديولا 3 نقاط من مباراتين، بعد فوز ثمين على ولفرهامبتون برباعية نظيفة، وخسارة أمام توتنهام بثنائية نظيفة على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

وجاء الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 89 من عمر اللقاء بعد تمريرة رائعة من ميتوما لينفرد جرودا بالمرمى الذي يحرسه الحارس ترافورد واستطاع أن يراوغ مراوغة رائعة ويسكن الكرة الشباك. هدف برايتون الثاني أمام مانشستر سيتي بالدوري الإنجليزي

برايتون يسجل في الوقت القاتل#الدوري_الإنجليزي_الممتاز#PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/CtHmUU9ytl — beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) August 31, 2025

 

Yet another chapter was written into the story of subcontinental cricket’s most engrossing rivalry, in which Bangladesh came away deserved winners against Sri Lanka, winning by three wickets and, crucially, 53 deliveries in Delhi. The margin of victory means Bangladesh have leapfrogged Sri Lanka on the points table on net run rate, while Bangladesh, Netherlands and Sri Lanka are all on four points and all three – and England – are still vying for the two remaining spots at the 2025 Champions Trophy.This, though, was a game where a solitary incident overshadowed all else. The now customary controversy associated with the “Naagin Derby” was this time a historic first, as Angelo Mathews was dismissed timed out – the first instance of the rare dismissal in international cricket.The incident took place midway through Sri Lanka’s innings after Mathews’ faulty helmet strap meant that it had been over two minutes since the fall of the previous wicket without the new batter being ready to take strike. Shakib Al Hasan appealed. Mathews was out.Related

• Mathews on timed-out dismissal: 'Never seen a team or a player stoop so low'

According to the tournament playing conditions: “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”An incensed Mathews was sent back, and Sri Lanka played the rest of the game with a chip on their shoulder. But to focus solely on that would take away from a solid all-round effort from Bangladesh, and from Shakib.On a belter of a batting surface, Bangladesh had sent Sri Lanka in to bat and then limited them to a sub-par 279. The pacy young Tanzim Hasan went for 80 in his ten overs, largely because of Charith Asalanka – whose 105-ball 108 would go in vain – taking the attack to him, but he picked up three wickets, including the key wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka himself.The rest of the bowlers, though, ensured Sri Lanka were not allowed to cut loose, and aided by some loose batting, they kept their opponents well in check.Then a 169-run third-wicket stand between Shakib and Najmul Hossain Shanto underpinned their chase, even as Sri Lanka became the first side this World Cup to truly struggle with the evening dew. The bowlers struggled with control, while some dropped catches didn’t help their cause either.When the partnership was eventually broken, the requirement was just 70, but Sri Lanka kept picking up wickets to make for a nervy finish. Bangladesh, however, bat deep and they kept their cool to secure a hard-fought win.2:09

How good was Charith Asalanka’s innings?

On a surface well suited to batting, Sri Lanka were largely architects of their own downfall.After yet another early exit for Kusal Perera – caught acrobatically behind the stumps by Mushfiqur Rahim – a 61-run stand between Nissanka and Kusal Mendis settled the Sri Lanka innings. An aggressive Nissanka accounted for 40 runs in that stand, frequently finding boundaries to relieve the pressure being built at the other end, while an out-of-sorts Mendis searched for form.It took 14 balls for Mendis to get off the mark, and despite finding two boundaries – a four and a six – in his 30-ball stay, he looked a pale shadow of the man that had taken the early part of the tournament by storm. A loft down the ground lacking in power brought about his eventual demise.Nissanka followed soon, chopping Tanzim on, before another solid stand threatened to pull Sri Lanka clear. It was here that Asalanka entered the fray alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama, himself new at the crease. Their left-right pairing served to make life particularly difficult for the Bangladesh bowlers, while their run-scoring was largely risk-free.This is what made Samarawickrama’s dismissal all the more jarring, as he found deep square-leg with an aerial flick, having been unflustered up until then. It was this wicket that preceded the flashpoint in the innings – and the game – as Mathews strode out, not knowing the fate that was to befall him.Angelo Mathews tells Shakib Al Hasan it’s time to go, but it was far too late to do any good to Sri Lanka•ICC/Getty Images

Up until that point, Sri Lanka’s batters could perhaps even have been accused of complacency in terms of the way they had lost wickets. But, just like that, the perceived injustice of Mathews’ dismissal instilled resolve that might have served them a lot better earlier in the tournament.Having barely strung together any partnerships of significance lower down the order all tournament, Sri Lanka suddenly found two of genuine quality. The first between Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva brought 78 – Sri Lanka’s best stand for the sixth wicket since their opening fixture against South Africa. After Dhananjaya fell, stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Asalanka stitched another stand of 45 with Maheesh Theekshana – this one easily Sri Lanka’s best seventh-wicket stand of the tournament.Asalanka scrounged together another 20 with Dushmantha Chameera, before himself holing out at deep point. It brought an end to a marvellous innings that was replete with smart strike rotation and calculated risks. However, it would be a bittersweet day for him as he was the one to drop a sharp chance off Shakib when he was on seven. Mathews was the bowler.That wicket might have been karmic retribution for Sri Lanka, but Shakib would have the last laugh. While Mathews eventually got his man – giving Shakib a send-off as well, tapping his wrist, signalling that it was “time” to go – it was not before Shakib had scored 75 more runs.Mathews wasn’t done yet, though, removing Shanto shortly after as Sri Lanka were offered a whiff of an unlikely chance. Theekshana then picked up a couple and Dilshan Madushanka added another, to go with his two scalps at the start of the chase, to take his World Cup tally to 21. But, in the end, it was a case of too little, too late as some lusty blows brought the game to a swift close.

Liverpool are set to continue their pursuit of the Premier League title when they host Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds will be expected to pick up all three points at home against relegation-threatened Wolves, who could fall into the relegation zone depending on results elsewhere this weekend.

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1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 10, 2025 Liverpool vs Wolves team news

Liverpool

Having a fully fit squad to choose from can be a major advantage in a title race, and Arne Slot is blessed to have almost all of his players available for selection, although there could be some absentees.

Defender Joe Gomez is set to miss out due to a hamstring issue, having been substituted after just 11 minutes at Plymouth and missing the draw at Everton, whereas Curtis Jones received a red card after the full-time whistle and Cody Gakpo is a fresh doubt.

Wolves

Vitor Pereira has a few injury concerns to deal with, although the only key first-team players out are strikers Jorgen Strand Larsen and Hwang Hee-Chan. Both forwards missing will leave Pereira a little light on options in attack.

Where to watch Liverpool vs Wolves on TV

In the United Kingdom, viewers will be able to tune in on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and NOW TV, with kick-off at 2pm (GMT).

Viewers in the USA can watch on USA Network.

Liverpool vs Wolves referee & VAR

The referee for the clash at Anfield is Simon Hooper, who will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Simon Long. Sam Barrott is the fourth official after officiating Leicester vs Arsenal, whereas John Brooks and Adam Nunn are on VAR and assistant VAR duty respectively.

As can be seen, Hooper is yet to give the Reds a penalty in the 12 games he’s been in the middle.

Games

12

27

Record

7W, 3D, 2L

11W, 4D, 12L

Cards received

17 Yellow, 2 Red

37 Yellow, 1 Red

Cards to opponents

26 Yellow, 1 Red

55 Yellow, 3 Red

Penalties for/against

0/1

2/2

Liverpool vs Wolves form Liverpool

The Reds suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup at the weekend, however, they fielded a weakened starting XI, and remain in good form in the Premier League.

Slot’s side are seven points clear at the summit of the Premier League table following a 2-2 draw against Everton on Wednesday night, placing them in a very strong position to secure a 20th English title.

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

Wed 12th Feb

Everton

Premier League

D 2-2

Sun 9th Feb

Plymouth

FA Cup

L 1-0

Thu 6th Feb

Tottenham (h)

EFL Cup

W 4-0

Sat 1st Feb

Bournemouth (a)

Premier League

W 0-2

Wed 29th Jan

PSV (a)

Champions League

L 3-2

Wolves

Wolves find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle, having picked up just 19 points in 24 Premier League games, but they have had some tricky fixtures since the turn of the year, succumbing to defeats against Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Arsenal.

The Old Gold’s form has started to pick up in recent weeks, however, moving out of the bottom three with a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa in their last Premier League outing, before winning by the same scoreline at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

Sun 9th Feb

Blackburn (a)

FA Cup

W 0-2

Sat 1st Feb

Aston Villa (h)

Premier League

W 2-0

Sat 25th Jan

Arsenal (h)

Premier League

L 0-1

Mon 20th Jan

Chelsea (a)

Premier League

L 3-1

Wed 15th Jan

Newcastle (a)

Premier League

L 3-0

Liverpool vs Wolves head-to-head

As you’d expect, Liverpool have a strong record against Wolves, winning the majority of the historical matches between the two sides, including 15 of the last 16 in the Premier League.

Slot’s side prevailed 2-1 at Molineux earlier this season, with Mohamed Salah providing the winner from the spot just after the hour mark, and they will be expected to pick up all three points again this Sunday if they are to go on and win the title.

Liverpool wins

62

Draws

18

Wolves wins

37

da betano casino： There’s no place better to be on a European night than Celtic’s Parkhead, and European nights don’t come much bigger than this in Glasgow’s East End.

da imperador bet： Following an impressive league phase campaign, accumulating 12 points and remaining unbeaten at home, the Celts have reached the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since 2012/13.

Now, if they’re to go any further, they must overcome six-times European champions Bayern Munich, as the Hoops aim to win a knockout stage tie in any UEFA competition for the first time since dumping Barcelona out of the UEFA Cup 21 years ago.

It goes without saying that Brendan Rodgers’ side are massive underdogs, but one Celtic superstar attacker in particular could certainly cause the Bundesliga leaders problems.

Bayern Munich's defensive vulnerability

To give Celtic supporters some hope, Vincent Kompany’s side have actually lost all three of their Champions League fixtures played outside of Germany this season, narrowly beaten at Villa Park before being battered 4-1 by Barcelona at Montjuïc and then, far more surprisingly, 3-0 by Feyenoord at De Kuip last month.

Die Rekordmeister also conceded three times at home to relegation-threatened Holstein Kiel the weekend before last, luckily they were already 4-0 up at the time, but their lack of defensive solidity has come under some scrutiny.

Total Football Analysis describes Kompany’s “high defensive line” strategy as “high risk”, adding that Bayern’s centre-backs are prone to “individual mistakes” and can be “easily outpaced… in the footrace”.

In a separate Total Football Analysis article, it’s also highlighted that “individual mistakes are becoming more frequent” for French centre-back Dayot Upamecano in particular, with errors most common in build-up and direct 1v1 duels, especially when “in pressure situations close to his own goal”.

Meantime, Manuel Veth of Forbes adds that opponents require “just a few good moments to capitalise on defensive errors”, which are guaranteed to come given that Kim Min-jae and Upamecano will be the centre-back pairing, while Michael Cox of the Athletic outlines that Bayern’s aggressive “man-marking” leaves them vulnerable to quick through-balls.

Speaking on Sky Sports Deutschland earlier this season, legendary midfielder Lothar Matthäus, who made 410 career appearances for the Bavarian juggernauts, winning 13 major honours, as well as the World Cup and the Euros, noted that “defence remains Bayern’s Achilles heel”.

So, do Celtic have just the man to exploit this clear weakness?

Chalkboard

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

Expand Collapse Celtic's main man can cause Bayern problems

Speaking on Total Soccer Show’s weekend review, Graham Ruthven stated that he is “looking forward to” seeing the “very fast” Daizen Maeda up against Bayern’s back-line.

This comes following the surprise news that the Japanese forward would be available after his two-match ban, for a red card against BSC Young Boys, had been reduced to one following appeal, which he’s already served.

On Saturday, Maeda scored a hat-trick as the Hoops hammered Raith Rovers 5-0 in the Scottish Cup, taking his tally to 50 goals for the club, 21 of which have come this season.

The forward has been earning rave reviews, with a BBC Sport report calling him “wonderful” while, speaking on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, former Hearts and Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart believes Maeda has “stepped up a level” in recent weeks, adding he has become “top class”.

During the league phase, Maeda scored against Slovan Bratislava, Borussia Dortmund and Club Brugge, now aiming to become the first Celtic player since Joe Craig in 1977/78 to score four or more goals in a single Champions League campaign.

Celtic: 3 goals in a UCL season since 1978 (excludes qualifiers)

Player

Season

Daizen Maeda

2024/25

Adam Idah

2024/25

Moussa Dembélé

2016/17

Georgios Samaras

2012/13

Kenny Miller

2006/07

Chris Sutton

2003/04

Henrik Larsson

2001/02

Mo Johnston

1986/87

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

According to FBref, Maeda’s goals – xG figure in this season’s Champions League is +1.8, with his 11 shots taken from an average of 12.5 yards from goal, underlining that he’s become more clinical.

As his goal against Rangers highlights, Maeda is a constant pest in behind, with Thomas Duncan of BBC Sport believing he has “seemingly unlimited stamina”, while Josh McCafferty of the National adds that the Japanese forward is “electric”.

Following Kyōgo Furuhashi’s departure last month, Rodgers has a decision to make at centre-forward.

Adam Idah, who scored twice in a matter of moments against Aston Villa on matchday eight, is the most obvious central striker, but we’re advocating for Maeda to be deployed down the middle, flanked by Nicolas Kühn and the returning Jota, as this could be the best way Celtic can exploit Bayern’s weakness, which is their centre-back duo.

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Bumrah and Mandhana take top awards, while R Ashwin, who retired from international cricket last year, received a special award

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Feb-2025

Sachin Tendulkar became the 31st recipient of the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award•BCCI

Sachin Tendulkar has received the Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI’s annual awards ceremony in Mumbai. Jasprit Bumrah won the Polly Umrigar Award for the best international cricketer (men) for 2023-24 in the men’s category and Smriti Mandhana the corresponding award in women’s. Mandhana was also awarded for being the highest run-getter in women’s ODIs during the 2023-24 period.Tendulkar became the 31st recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was instituted in 1994 in honour of India’s first Test captain CK Nayudu. Tendulkar retired from international cricket having played for more than two decades after debuting as a 16-year-old against Pakistan in 1989. His 200 Test and 463 ODI appearances are the highest for any player in the game’s history, as are his runs tally in both formats: 15,921 in Tests and 18,426 in ODIs. He also played one T20I, India’s first ever, against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006. Bumrah, who was also named the ICC Cricketer of the Year earlier this month, was India’s standout bowler in the awards period. He played a pivotal role in the team lifting the T20 World Cup in June, taking 15 wickets in eight games at an economy of 4.17. Apart from that, he was also instrumental in India’s Test series win against England at home.Mandhana, who was named the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2024, was India’s best woman batter across formats. Apart from scoring 149 against South Africa in the one-off Test in Chennai, she notched up 117, 136 and 90 in successive ODIs against the same opponents.Ashwin receives special awardR Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024 as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, was given a special award. Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 and played a lead role in India’s 12-year domination in the longest format at home wherein they won 18 series on the trot.Sarfaraz Khan was picked for the Best International Debut (Men) for his quickfire fifty against England in the Rajkot Test in February 2024. Among women, Asha Sobhana won it for her 4 for 21 against South Africa in the first ODI in Bengaluru in June 2024.Deepti Sharma was awarded for being the highest ODI wicket-taker among women during 2023-24.The Indian team that won the men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA last June was also felicitated for the achievement.

Ange Postecoglou cemented his legacy at Tottenham Hotspur when he led his side to glory in the Europa League last season, ending 17 years of searching for silverware down N17.

However, Spurs’ 17th-place finish in the Premier League pass judgment on Postecoglou’s tenure, ending his time in the dugout after two campaigns that were fraught with setbacks but charged by excitement.

Now, with Thomas Frank at the helm, Tottenham will hope to build on last year’s success and establish themselves as one of the most dangerous clubs in England once again, having sealed their place in the Champions League too.

Matches

76

152

Wins

31

54

Draws

11

38

Losses

34

60

Goals scored

138

228

Goals conceded

126

224

Points

104

200

PPG

1.37

1.32

Daniel Levy will no doubt be doing some soul-searching after making the contentious call, but in Frank, the Londoners have bagged a manager capable of shaping talented players into shining stars.

The Danish tactician will relish the chance to work with Tottenham’s crew, but he will need to be backed this summer, strengthening the squad with one or two attacking additions.

Spurs lining up attacking signings

Sure, Tottenham need reinforcements across the park, but with Heung-min Son entering the autumn of his career and attracting interest from suitors in the Middle East, fresh recruits are needed.

The 20-year-old Mathys Tel’s loan move has been wrapped up for £30m, which could prove a shrewd deal indeed, but there’s little question that more is needed, both out wide and as support for striker Dominic Solanke.

Looking at the flanks, West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus is available after a difficult campaign in east London, while L’Equipe have recently reported Lilywhites interest in AS Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche, who is valued at around €60m (£51m).

Bryan Mbeumo has also been at the centre of talks, and Frank would love nothing more than a reunion with his Brentford talisman. However, the prolific Cameroon international’s preference is to sign for Man United this summer.

No matter, Tottenham appear to have found their dream alternative.

Spurs make contact for Premier League star

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed that Tottenham have made an official enquiry for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. However, Daniel Levy has no intention of meeting the £70m asking price.

Man United are also keen but are in the same camp as Spurs, albeit they are leaning toward Mbeumo. With Semenyo thought to be keen on the move to north London, though, this one’s hardly dead in the water.

Saying that, the Cherries are under no pressure to sell after offloading Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez.

Why Spurs should sign Antoine Semenyo

Bournemouth signed Semenyo from Bristol City for a smart £10.5m fee in January 2023, and has since gone from strong to stronger under the wing of Andoni Iraola.

Indeed, across the past two Premier League campaigns, the versatile winger has scored 19 goals and provided nine assists, underlaying his output with sharp, dynamic movements and a tenacious defensive attitude.

His completeness suggests Semenyo could even prove an upgrade on Brennan Johnson, 24, who is one of Tottenham’s most prolific players but is guilty of drifting in and out of games, waning at points.

Two seasons into his career down N17, the Welshman posted 18 goals and seven assists last term, the most notable of which was the bundled-in winner to seal the Europa League title.

But he needs to do more across the wider game. As per Sofascore, Johnson averaged just 0.6 dribbles, 2.8 successful duels, and 0.6 key passes over last year’s top-flight season, also creating just four big chances across his 33 appearances (24 of which were starts).

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Semenyo, however, is far more complete. Not only did he score 11 goals and add five assists in the league (Johnson’s haul was as follows: 11 goals, three assists), but the forward also averaged 1.9 dribbles, 6.1 duels, and 4.3 ball recoveries per game.

This suggests that the Cherries sensation could offer more to the team with his all-round game on the flank in comparison to Johnson’s limited performances.

Described as a “duel monster” and a “workhorse off the ball” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Bournemouth man is perfectly aligned with Frank’s vision, especially when considering he plays in a similar fashion to Mbeumo.

Indeed, FBref record the Englishman to be of a statistical likeness to the Bees star, ranked as he was among the top 5% of the Premier League’s attacking midfielders and wingers last year for shots taken, the top 20% for successful take-ons and the top 8% for aerials won per 90.

Right winger

46

13

3

Left winger

29

7

5

Centre-forward

6

1

0

Semenyo’s versatility has seen him provide a potent output both on the left and the right wing for Bournemouth, with his teammate Lewis Cook hailing his “aggressive” and “clinical” qualities.

Such praise underlines the Ghana international’s suitability for a place in a Tottenham team hoping to cement themselves among Europe’s elite for years to come while challenging for major honours with a newfound taste for triumph.

Of course, Johnson is hardly allergic to playing a definitive role in sealing silverware – just hark back to the Europa League final – but across the wider span of the campaign, Tottenham supporters cannot contest the fact that there was a consistent lack of consistency and fluency that led to the lowly Premier League finish.

Semenyo would change that, dovetailing into Frank’s new Spurs system and rising to become the astute manager’s new version of Mbeumo.

This wouldn’t necessarily relegate Johnson to the backbenches, for the transfer target is competent across both wings, but there’s no doubt that he would add a dimension which his counterpart has yet to unlock in its entirety.

Much depends on whether Levy can whittle down Bournemouth’s hefty £70m fee. If the shrewd businessman can do so, he would strengthen the new Tottenham project and then some.

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The talented youngster could be a superstar at Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 20, 2025

With Hardik Pandya losing the India vice-captaincy, and set to lead T20I captain Suryakumar Kumar at the IPL, could it make for a strained relationship? Not at all, says Suryakumar

Sreshth Shah21-Jan-20251:16

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Axar Patel has been promoted to being India’s vice-captain, and Hardik Pandya is no longer this team’s deputy. Could that affect T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav’s dynamics with Hardik, who, come the IPL, will be captaining Suryakumar? Not at all, Suryakumar said on the eve of the first T20I in Kolkata. He might not have the tag of vice-captain, but his “good friend” Hardik remains a key member of India’s T20I leadership group, Suryakumar said.”The relationship with him has been really great. We’ve been playing [together] for a really long time. I still remember that from 2018, when I went back to Mumbai Indians [we first played together] and [it’s the same] till today,” Suryakumar told the media in Kolkata. “It’s just that the added responsibility that I’ve got [here]. When we go back to franchise cricket, I can get to be quiet and relax for a little bit.”But we’ve been good friends on the field and we know what we want going forward with the India team. Axar has been given that added responsibility. We saw what he did in the 2024 T20 World Cup, he’s been with the team for a very long time. At the same time, Hardik is also part of the leading group. When we sit, we decide what we want to do with the team going forward and even on the field, he is always around. We have a lot of captains on the ground.”Related

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Suryakumar – who also took his first steps towards being one of the great T20I batters of his generation under Gautam Gambhir’s captaincy at Kolkata Knight Riders – feels the working relationship he has with Gambhir is rock-solid. Since Gambhir took over as coach in mid-2024, India have T20I series wins in Sri Lanka, at home against Bangladesh, and in South Africa, losing just one game across those three series. While their Test form might be under scrutiny, in T20Is, Suryakumar believes they are moving in the “right direction” with Gambhir.”I’ve played under Gambhir for four years, so I know how he works,” Suryakumar said. “Even without speaking to him, we know what we need to do. He wasn’t there on the tour of South Africa since he was preparing with the Test team, but we are moving in the right direction with him. He gives freedom, he allows players to express. He keeps things simple, he knows what is going inside a player’s head. He keeps things light and maintains a good atmosphere.”Sanju Samson is currently India’s first-choice keeper in T20Is, Suryakumar Yadav confirmed•AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.

India’s T20 team is building towards a home World Cup – hosting rights for the tournament in February-March 2026 are split with Sri Lanka – where they will be defending champions. But Suryakumar doesn’t want to think that far ahead for now and instead “enjoy the journey”.”For me it is important that the T20 World Cup is one year away but I don’t want to think about that,” he said. “We want to enjoy the journey to that event instead. We want to make a team, understand which batters work well in which position, which bowlers can win you games single-handedly.”It’s important for a group to play lots of games in the lead up. That’s what Gauti and I will think about. We want to play with this group until the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.”

No Pant in India’s T20I plans?Neither Rishabh Pant nor KL Rahul is part of this T20I squad, with Sanju Samson – who scored three T20I centuries and maintained a strike rate of 180.16 in 2024 – the incumbent gloveman and Dhruv Jurel his understudy. Suryakumar said that’s a position which is sealed for now.”Currently, there’s no question mark on the wicketkeepers,” he said. “Sanju has done really well in the last 7-10 games and has shown what he’s capable of. It’s what we want from all our players, not just the wicketkeepers but from everyone – to keep the team first. He’s got that opportunity, he’s made full use of it. And I’m happy for him.”Generally, the atmosphere is great. We had a team dinner yesterday. This group has been together for 2-3 series now. The boys know what their team-mates like and don’t like. This camaraderie will reflect on the field as well.”

South Africa’s batter embraces the pressure of series-decider at The Oval

Firdose Moonda05-Sep-2022Batting in England, according to Sarel Erwee, can feel like being at the top of a slide you’ve been down many times before. You know your head will spin when you survey the journey below, your stomach will turn as it begins, your ears will pop somewhere en route and you will scream, probably all the way. Even though intellectually you know to expect all these things, when they’re actually happening they will surprise you. Then you will steel yourself and want to go through it all again.”In these conditions, the ball moves and swings and nips and you know it’s going to do that,” Erwee told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s almost like going to India where the ball turns and you know it’s going to turn. When you see a lot of movement, sometimes that plays on your mind a little bit. The challenge is to stay in the moment and not let the one or two balls that swing a lot play on your mind.”Erwee talks from some experience. Although this is his first tour to England as an international, he has spent several seasons at Weybridge Cricket Club, playing in the Surrey Premier League, where he faced the moving ball. It may have caused him some difficulty then but it’s definitely asking much more of him now. “The English attack – just two of them [James Anderson and Stuart Broad] – have got over 1,000 wickets between them and it’s quite nice to face experienced bowlers in bowler-friendly conditions,” Erwee said.For the record Anderson and Broad together have 1,223 Test wickets and while Erwee is in awe, he is not intimidated. “It’s tricky but you wouldn’t want it any other way as an opening batter,” he added. “This is where you learn your Test cricket and what you’re about. To face these guys in their conditions is tricky but a nice experience. It’s something we will take with us into many more series to come, or even just to franchise cricket when we go back home. It’s all a learning curve really.”The issue is that South Africa’s batters have been in the knowledge-seeking phase for what seems like too long. In the last three years, only West Indies and Bangladesh have a top six that averages lower than their figure of 30.84, and they have only scored seven centuries between them, more than only Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.Erwee is one of those century-makers, and one of only two South African batters to have scored a Test hundred this year – Kyle Verreynne is the other – but he doesn’t see the individual numbers as the most important statistic right now. “The key thing for us is partnerships,” he said. “Everyone wants to score runs and hundreds but when you face tricky conditions it’s all about fighting for the next ball and fighting for your partner. That’s a focus.”Erwee’s partnership with Dean Elgar has been one of the highlights of South Africa’s recent batting•AFPOn that metric, Erwee has had done everything right so far. His partnership with Dean Elgar, though still in its infancy, is South Africa’s most successful in average terms since Graeme Smith and Neil Mckenzie in 2008-09.Smith and McKenzie shared in five hundred and eight fifty stands in 27 innings together; Erwee and Elgar have had two hundred and three fifty stands in 11 innings. They average 47.09, which suggests they are giving the middle-order something to build on. The real dilemma stems from them not always being able to, but Erwee has faith in players he has spent more than a decade playing alongside and against in domestic competitions.”They are excellent,” he said. “Watching them in domestic cricket and watching them train here, facing our bowlers – we’re talking about our four seamers who are world-class – for us to be facing them and watching these guys train against them, they are definitely the future of this batting line-up. I’m sure these guys are close to getting onto a good run and I look forward to watching that in years to come. Once I am done playing, I am sure they’ll still be playing. They are class players.”For someone only six matches into a Test career, and 32 years old, talking about no longer playing seems too soon but it’s part of Erwee’s ideology of not looking too far ahead. “I haven’t really thought of [my] long-term prospects. I just try and play my best game so that I have a good foot to stand on in the following game,” he said. “If I score the runs, I’ll stay.”

You don’t want to run away from pressure. You want to go towards it. If you run towards it, when pressure does hit, it becomes easier to face

So far, so good. Erwee is currently the only South African batter with more than 100 runs in the ongoing series and the only one with a half-century. But the expectation on him in an inexperienced line up – which will only get more inexperienced now that Rassie van der Dussen has been ruled out with a broken finger and one of Ryan Rickelton (two Test caps) or Khaya Zondo (one) will replace him – is immense. Asked how he copes with the scrutiny, Erwee offered a philosophical answer: “It’s Michael Jordan who said something about he has failed so many times but he has still become successful,” he said.The exact Jordan quote is: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games, 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” and the message holds: success is not only measured in numbers but in the someone responds in tough times.”You don’t want to run away from pressure. You want to go towards it. If you run towards it, when pressure does hit, it becomes easier to face,” Erwee said. “I don’t really feel I am under pressure every game. I’ve just got to enjoy and make the most of each game that I have, I try to embrace it as much as possible.”The attitude of in-the-moment living comes from the work Erwee has done on his mental health, which hit a low that almost led him to quit cricket, and has now seen him to commit to having as much fun as he can, while he can.And it shows. When he dropped Ollie Pope at slip in England’s first innings at Lord’s, juggling and then falling as he tried to take what should have been a routine catch, he brushed it off as ‘one of those things’ and then saw the lighter side of juggling and taking the catch that ended Joe Root’s innings in the second Test. “When I dropped the first one, I heard the crowd play up a bit. I was like, ‘oh my word, this is crazy’,” Erwee remembered, with a laugh. “But luckily I held on to the second one because that could have been another interesting reaction from the crowd.”Related

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In all seriousness, fielding in the slips is not as straightforward as it may seem in these conditions, for exactly the same reason batting is challenging. “It’s quite tricky with the ball that wobbles a bit once it’s past the bat. It’s not something I’ve experienced before,” Erwee said. “We train our slip catching quite intensely. You’ve just got to train it over and over again to get used to the wobble of the ball once it comes past the bat. It’s just about keeping your body as relaxed as possible and your head nice and still so that if something happens you can move quickly.”South Africa routinely do their fielding sessions last in training, when the players are already quite fatigued, to challenge their concentration levels in the same way a Test match might. It’s about forcing them to be as present as possible. “You’ve always got to be switched on. I have really enjoyed the challenge of that,” Erwee said.And that means that, even if he knows exactly what to expect on the field, he is also always ready for a few surprises.

Fonseka adds half-century as Rossouw takes five to keep South Africa in contention

ECB Reporters Network04-Feb-2025England U19s 251 for 8 (Sawant 83*, Fonseka 52, Roussouw 5-62) lead South Africa U19s 224 (James 84, Hansen 63, Jack 3-42) by 27 runsAaryan Sawant guided England Men U19s into a first-innings lead with a patient unbeaten 83 on day two of the second Youth Test against South Africa Men U19s in Cape Town.The Middlesex right-hander batted for over five hours, with the support of a Kesh Fonseka half-century, as the Young Lions reached 251 for eight at stumps.Left-arm finger spinner Nathan Rossouw impressed with five for 62 on a spin-friendly surface, but Sawant remained to usher his side into a 27-run lead.Sawant joined Foneska at 52 for two after Rossouw, who sent down 36 overs today after opening the bowling last night, removed openers Archie Vaughan (24) and Ben Dawkins (22). The pair added 70 for the third wicket with Fonseka crunching leg-spinner Chad Mason for six over cover before bringing up his fifty with a straight four from the spin of Jason Rowles.Fonseka was run out by a Bandile Mbatha direct hit as he went back for a second – the only wicket of the day not to fall to spin. The Young Lions then lost four for 16 as Rossouw reached his five-wicket haul which threatened to give the hosts a first-innings lead.Sawant steadied matters and reached the close having hit five fours and a six in his 228-ball stay, while Yorkshire debutant Alexander Wade was also unbeaten on seven from 58 balls.