Pakistan captain says lack of rhythm upfront with the bat, and then again in the middle overs, cost his side against India
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-20241:47
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Babar Azam reckoned not utilising the batting powerplay well enough and then playing too many dot balls in the middle overs were the main reasons behind Pakistan not being able to chase down 120 in their T20 World Cup 2024 match against India in New York.”In our mind, we wanted to play normally, utilise the first six overs in the batting and [if we had done that] we win,” Babar said after Pakistan’s six-run defeat. “But one wicket down and we were not up to the mark in the first six overs. We were targeting like 40 to 45 runs in the first six overs, but we did not capitalise properly and yes after the ten overs also we made the same mistake.”Related
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Having restricted India to 119, Pakistan did not lose too many wickets upfront but also did not score many runs. They managed 35 for 1 in the powerplay and then moved 72 for 2 in 12 overs. Then, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya orchestrated a collapse. Hardik got rid of Fakhar Zaman with an excellent short of a length ball, before Bumrah breached Mohammad Rizwan’s stumps with the first ball of his second spell.
In the middle overs (6.1 to 15.6), Pakistan played 29 dot balls and scored 50 runs while losing three wickets.”We bowled well after ten overs and we would have taken 120. It’s a better total here. In the batting, we went run-a-ball but unfortunately, but we lost back-to-back wickets and then there were too many dot balls,” Babar said. “Tactics were simple, play normally, just rotate the strike and just try and play one boundary and be normal…get five or six an over. But in that period we had too much dot balls, the pressure was on us. And we lost back-to-back two to three wickets.”Having suffered back-to-back defeats to start this World Cup, Pakistan now find themselves struggling to make it out of the first round. Babar said they will just look to win their last two Group A games, and then take it from there.”Obviously we have to win the last two matches. We will sit and discuss our mistakes but we are looking forward to the next two matches.”Pakistan play Canada on June 11 at this venue and then finish the group stage against Ireland on June 16 in Lauderhill.
Manchester United have made ‘first formal contact’ over a move to sign a star who wants to move to Old Trafford rather than Barcelona.
Man Utd looking to upgrade on Hojlund and Onana
It is shaping up to be a frantic few months in the transfer window for the Red Devils, with a major squad overhaul potentially on the cards ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first full season in charge.
A plethora of players such as Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho have returned from loan spells and could be moved on permanently, whereas Matheus Cunha became United’s first summer signing.
More attacking additions are on the cards, with a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund being mentioned. The Denmark international has struggled for goals at Old Trafford and has been linked with a return to Serie A.
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In fact, Amorim has reportedly made it clear that Hojlund doesn’t feature in his long-term Man Utd plans, with the club looking to sell the forward on a permanent basis, although an initial loan offer which includes an obligation to buy may also be considered.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres are just two strikers who United have spoken about to solve their number nine issues.
Meanwhile, someone who has been heavily linked to replace Andre Onana is World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez.
Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now, there have been recent claims that the Aston Villa star wants to make the move to Old Trafford over the coming months. Now, a promising development has emerged regarding Man Utd and Martinez.
Man Utd make first contact for Emiliano Martinez
According to reports abroad, relayed by Sport Witness, Man Utd have now made ‘first formal contact’ to sign Martinez from Aston Villa.
It is reported that the Red Devils have approached Martinez’s agent over a deal as they want to make him first choice at Old Trafford over Onana.
They back up reports that Martinez is keen to stay in England despite interest from Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and Galatasaray, who have also been in touch. However, with Martinez willing to snub a move to Spain and Turkey, it is added that this ‘further paves the way’ for Martinez to join United.
On £150,000-a-week at Villa Park which works out at £7.8m per season, Martinez’s last trip to Old Trafford was extremely eventful.
The Argentine received a red card on the final day of the 24/25 season as Villa failed to to qualify for the Champions League, and despite no European football being on offer at Old Trafford for now, he seems to be keen on a move to Manchester.
Everton are in the market for a forward this summer and could now be narrowing down their options to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he leaves the club, according to a report.
The Toffees are settling into life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but there is still a question mark hanging over whether a couple of their established stars will be at the club beyond this summer.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of contract at Everton and looks poised to leave the club despite the offer of a new deal being on the table, which could spell the end to his long-standing status as their number one striker.
Everton's DominicCalvert-Lewinin action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha
71 goals in 273 matches is a respectable record considering the Toffees’ close brushes with relegation over the past few years, with the Three Lions international becoming a reliable focal point due to his hold-up play and instinctual nature.
However, injury struggles and a stalemate in negotiations over Calvert-Lewin’s wages have made him a prime candidate to move on unless an immediate agreement can be found.
In turn, David Moyes has begun his search for a new striker to fill the void, and Villarreal forward Thierno Barry could join Everton for £34 million amid reports they are ready to meet his release clause.
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Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is also on the Toffees’ radar, albeit West Ham United, Brentford, Lens, RC Strasbourg, Lille, and Stade Rennais are also tracking him.
Competition will be high for targets on the market this summer, meaning Everton need to harness their appeal in light of a new dawn for the blue half of Merseyside.
Scouring the market, they have now found a Premier League striker who could be available to make a switch that would create nationwide headlines.
Everton enter the conversation for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson
According to The Irish Times, Everton are interested in Brighton & Hove Albion forward Evan Ferguson and he may be allowed to leave the South Coast on a permanent deal this summer.
Once valued at around £55 million, an unfortunate period of injury has seen the Republic of Ireland striker’s stock fall; however, he is still only 20 years of age and remains highly regarded among his peers.
Evan Ferguson’s Premier League record – could Everton reignite his fortunes?
Appearances
68
Goals
13
Assists
3
Labelled an “amazing player” by Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, he was most recently on loan at West Ham United and failed to register a goal in eight appearances.
Nevertheless, he was found on the periphery in East London, so it is hard to judge his impact based on the fact that he only completed 151 minutes of football under Graham Potter.
Continuous game time is critical for Ferguson to find his mojo again, and Everton could be the perfect environment in light of their need for depth in the forward areas.
The Premier League has had some of the best passers in recent history, such as Paul Scholes, Xabi Alonso and David Beckham.
Pass completion percentage is now a big part of the modern day’s data-driven analysis, with possession-based styles being adopted by more and more managers.
But who was statistically the best passer in England’s top flight during the 2024/25 season? Using data from football analytics site FBref, we’ve listed the top 10 Premier League players by pass completion rate. (Note: players have to have played at least 30 minutes per match to be counted.)
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Data correct as of 25th May 2025
Rank
Player
Club
PL pass%
1
William Saliba
Arsenal
94.3%
2
Manuel Akanji
Man City
93.6%
3
Ruben Dias
Man City
93.5%
4
Curtis Jones
Liverpool
93.1%
=5
Andre
Wolves
92.9%
=5
Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa
92.9%
7
Jan Bednarek
Southampton
92.7%
8
Mateo Kovacic
Man City
92.6%
9
Leny Yoro
Man Utd
92.4%
10
Jack Stephens
Southampton
92%
Here's a detailed look at the top 10 Premier League passers in 2024/25… 10 Jack Stephens (Southampton) 92% pass completion
Southampton defender Jack Stephens, though the centre-back had an injury-impacted campaign as he only started 17 times.
He still scraped into the top 10 come the end of the season, squeezing ahead of Premier League-winning captain Virgil van Dijk in the process.
9 Leny Yoro (Man Utd) 92.4% pass completion
Manchester United may have endured a dreadful season, but one of the brighter elements of the campaign perhaps came in the form of Leny Yoro’s emergence in the first team.
The Frenchman took time to make his mark at Old Trafford after getting injured soon after signing, but ended the season as one of their most reliable players – made all the more remarkable given his age of 19.
Interestingly, another new signing was United’s next-best passer – Matthijs de Ligt clocked an average of 89.9% successful passes throughout 2024/25.
8 Mateo Kovacic (Man City) 92.6% pass completion
With numerous injuries at the Etihad Stadium, Mateo Kovacic was able to get more game time with Man City than he was perhaps expecting last season. He took his opportunity, whether that be in the form of scoring goals or his general all-round play.
As to be expected in a Guardiola side, Kovacic is tidy on the ball played a big role in the absence of Rodri.
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ByBarney Lane Oct 28, 2024 7 Jan Bednarek (Southampton) 92.7% pass completion
Southampton’s possession-based style saw Saints centre-back Jan Bednarek end up in the top 10.
The Saints may not have got anywhere near enough points on the board, but Bednarek’s pass completion rate was a rare positive sign at St Mary’s.
6 Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) 92.9% pass completion
Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has been a regular under Unai Emery and offers the versatility of being able to play at right-back and centre-back.
The Englishman has now made over 200 appearances for Villa and is clearly comfortable on the ball.
5 Andre (Wolves) 92.9% pass completion
Arguably a surprise name on the list is Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Andre.
The Brazilian midfielder arrived from Fluminense ahead of the 2024/25 season but wasn’t a nailed-on starter under Gary O’Neil. He had been in and out of the starting lineup, but started more regularly under Vitor Pereira, showing his true worth to the Old Gold during this time.
4 Curtis Jones (Liverpool) 93.1% pass completion
Liverpool star Curtis Jones celebrates
One of the players who starred under Arne Slot during his first season as Liverpool manager was midfielder Curtis Jones.
Jones had the best pass completion rate of any Reds star and started 19 games last term as his rise in the first team continues.
3 Ruben Dias (Man City) 93.5% pass completion
Another Man City star on the list is Ruben Dias, with the Portugal international a mainstay in the Man City side.
Dias has found himself in the opposition half for plenty of City’s Premier League games due to their dominance, and he’s kept possession most of the time when on the ball. In fact, both of City’s centre-backs were exceptional last term…
2 Manuel Akanji (Man City) 93.6% pass completion
The top Man City passer last season was Manuel Akanji, who also occasionally chipped in at right-back as injuries bit hard at the Etihad Stadium.
The Switzerland international has seemingly nailed down a centre-back role under Pep Guardiola, becoming a trustworthy player in the absence of John Stones and Nathan Ake – particularly on the ball, if these stats are anything to go by.
1 William Saliba (Arsenal) 94.3% pass completion
Arsenal centre-back William Saliba
Topping the charts this season is Arsenal star William Saliba, reaching over 94%.
A guaranteed starter for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta, Saliba’s place at the top of the game for some time is all but assured. Part of the reason for that is his calmness in possession, as evidenced by his high pass success rate.
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Glasgow Rangers have enjoyed the services of several loan players over the years, with the majority being overwhelmingly successful.
Ryan Kent spent the 2018/19 campaign at Ibrox on loan from Liverpool under the watch of Steven Gerrard, and he was excellent at times.
The English forward excited the Ibrox support with his quality at the top end of the pitch, as the forward registered 15 goal contributions – six goals and nine assists.
A few years later, Malik Tillman used his spell at Rangers to seal a move to PSV Eindhoven. The youngster may have struggled at times with the physicality in Scotland, but that didn’t stop him scoring 12 goals and grabbing five assists at Ibrox.
Former Rangers midfielder Malik Tillman.
This theme continued last term when Abdallah Sima, on loan from Brighton, showcased his abilities on the left wing regularly for the Light Blues during his temporary spell, with 16 goals in all competitions.
Vaclav Cerny was the annual loan signing last summer, and he produced better numbers than all of those who preceded him at the club, that’s for sure.
Vaclav Cerny has been one of Rangers’ best signings this season
Philippe Clement secured the services of the winger on loan from Wolfsburg last summer, and it looked like a shrewd move.
He scored five times for the German side in just 25 appearances last term and even netted against Celtic back during his days at Ajax. It may have taken a few weeks for him to get out of second gear, but when he did, the Ibrox faithful were in for a treat.
Indeed, across his 51 matches for Rangers, the Czech forward has scored 18 goals and registered nine assists across all competitions.
Comparing Cerny with other Rangers’ loan signings in the Premiership
Metric
Cerny
Tillman
Sima
Goals
12
10
11
Assists
4
4
2
Big chances created
7
12
2
Key passes per game
2.4
1.6
0.8
Successful dribbles per game
1.5
1.5
1.2
Shots per game
2.9
1.7
2.9
Stats via Sofascore
Wonderful numbers, yet it looks as though he will return to his parent club when the season finishes, as it is unlikely Rangers can afford him.
In the January transfer window, Wolfsburg claimed that they would be expecting to recoup the majority of the £8m that they had paid for him should the Gers seek a permanent move.
Even with the 49ers Enterprises closing in on their takeover, a move to sign the winger this summer looks unlikely, especially as a new manager has yet to be appointed.
Rumours are circling that Davide Ancelotti – Carlo’s son – is the frontrunner to take charge at Ibrox ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Despite the lack of a full-time manager, the club are still looking ahead to the transfer window as they seek to strengthen.
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Rangers are in the market for several attacking players this summer, which has seen them turn to League One in England for potential signings.
Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku has been on the radar since late last year as the club plan ahead for the future.
His contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign, which opens the door for Rangers. Birmingham City are also keen, but the Scottish club have the advantage as they will only have to pay the cross-border compensation fee and this doesn’t apply to English sides.
“Celtic and Rangers have been at most of our games this season, but I don’t believe Kwame will go to Scotland.” Said Barry Fry recently, and it will be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks.
Much will depend on just who takes over as the new manager of the Gers, but if it is Ancelotti, then Poku may prove to be a solid signing who could make the club forget about Cerny once his loan is over.
Why Kwame Poku can shine under Davide Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti may have won everything there has to be won in the game, especially during his time with Real Madrid, but Davide has played a huge role tactically in his second spell at the club.
Judging by the way Madrid have set up, Ancelotti would likely utilise a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-3 system, which could work well with those in the squad.
He would certainly start his teams on the foot, enabling the starting XI to attack high up the pitch. Working under his dad, however, will ensure he can be flexible with his playing style, depending on who the opponent is.
An attacking philosophy could suit someone like Poku, who thrives when his team are attacking in the final third.
This season, the Ghana winger has scored 12 goals and contributed 11 assists across just 31 matches for the Posh. Of course, it may be League One, but it still proves how effective he is in the final third, whether it is scoring or generating chances for his teammates, and shows that he could deliver as much as Cerny at Ibrox.
His manager at the Posh has lauded Poku previously for his starring role in their 2024/25 campaign, saying: “The boy is unplayable at the moment, he’s just so good. He deserves all the plaudits and all the credit.”
It looks as though he is now ready to leave the club and a move to Rangers could be perfect as he seeks to take the next step in his development.
Not only will he challenge for domestic trophies, but Poku will get the chance to play in Europe for the first time.
Across 27 games in the English third tier, Poku has averaged 2.4 shots per game, along with recording a goal conversion percentage of 19%, created nine big chances and averages 1.2 key passes per match for his club.
These are impressive statistics regardless of the league he is playing in, and Poku could be an excellent option for Ancelotti to call upon next season, should he become the new manager.
The next few weeks are extremely important for the club. If Ancelotti is the man set to take charge, he will have to be backed significantly.
While he hasn’t managed before, his ability to think on his feet and help power Madrid to plenty of titles has drawn plaudits. Could he do the same at Rangers?
Only time will tell.
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Liverpool will sign Jeremie Frimpong in the coming weeks (perhaps even sooner). The Bayer Leverkusen star was swiftly identified by FSG as the perfect player to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will join Real Madrid when his contract expires next month.
Though some fans will point toward Frimpong’s advanced role in Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side and reserve judgment until a personal gauge on his defensive ability can be delivered, there’s no question he’s an exciting profile, different to Trent but still a “monster in the final third,” as said by The United Stand’s Beth Tucker.
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong
With the balanced Conor Bradley already making headway in Arne Slot’s team, this contrast of profiles on the right could work a treat for the Merseysiders as they look to defend their Premier League title and challenge for silverware across other fronts.
But it stings that Liverpool have been forced into replacing Alexander-Arnold all the same, with the atmosphere around the vice-captain souring since he intimated his decision to the world earlier this month.
Trent and Carragher
Especially when Los Blancos constantly prove to be the scourge of the Anfield side, with their success in signing Dean Huijsen proving a double whammy.
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Liverpool have two of the finest defenders kicking about today in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but the skipper is nearing the twilight of his Premier League career and the latter has just one year remaining on his current deal.
And you can bet your bottom dollar Real Madrid have a vested interest in bringing him to the Spanish capital.
Huijsen was one of Liverpool’s top targets for the summer, but the Bournemouth centre-back has indeed agreed to join Alonso’s new crew, so will partner with Trent in the Madrid backline.
Slot’s side were thought to have had the lead in the young Spaniard, whose breakout campaign in England has drawn plenty of praise, talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing his “extraordinary rise.”
Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen.
The prototypical modern centre-half, Huijsen’s technical control, rangy physique and natural intelligence make him the perfect player to slot right into the Liverpool project – and he’s left-footed besides.
However, this one’s done, and FSG need to turn their attention elsewhere. Luckily, sporting director Richard Hughes is on the case.
Liverpool make new CB a top target
Liverpool need to sign a centre-back, to be sure. Konate’s actually the last senior signing in that area, arriving from RB Leipzig for £36m four years ago.
Slot needs a rising star, and he might just find one in Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, with the 23-year-old understood by Spanish sources to be the Premier League champions’ favourite now that Huijsen’s out of reach.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
The defender still has four years left on his current deal and is a player of significant potential, with Chelsea quoted at £59m when asking about the Ecuadorian’s availability back in January.
What Piero Hincapie would bring to Liverpool
Hincapie has made 164 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring seven goals, assisting five more, winning an invincible domestic double last season.
Described as a “prodigy” by journalist Jose de Jesus Ortiz two years ago, Hincapie has made incremental progress in Germany, signing from Argentine club CA Talleres as a 19-year-old in 2021.
Piero Hincapie’s Leverkusen Stats by Season (all comps)
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
Titles
24/25
45
3
2
1x
23/24
43
1
1
2x
22/23
43
1
1
0x
21/22
33
2
1
0x
Data via Transfermarkt
With Van Dijk set to stay for the next couple of seasons, Hincapie could make a shrewd career move by moving to Merseyside and serving as the defensive great’s understudy before ascending to superstardom himself.
He certainly has the attributes to make his mark. As per FBref, the 6 footer ranks among the top 15% of centre-backs across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal involvements, the top 16% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, the top 17% for progressive passes and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.
Piero Hincapie in action for Bayer Leverkusen
As you can see, he’s got the skill and gifted approach to make a real difference in Slot’s squad, capable even of becoming an even better player than Huijsen.
Also hailed as an “absolute beast” who “can become one of the world’s best centre-backs” by journalist Antonio Mango, Hincapie might have even outperformed Bournemouth’s star defender this term.
League Stats 24/25 – Dean Huijsen vs Piero Hincapie
Stats (* per game)
Huijsen
Hincapie
Matches (starts)
30 (25)
32 (28)
Goals
3
2
Assists
1
2
Touches*
64.4
78.5
Pass completion
84%
89%
Key passes*
0.5
0.5
Ball recoveries*
3.4
3.1
Tackles + interceptions*
2.9
2.6
Clearances*
6.0
3.3
Duels (won)*
3.8 (57%)
5.2 (62%)
Stats via Sofascore
Left-footed, he’d also be a suitable successor for skipper Van Dijk, who has renewed his Liverpool contract by two years but turns 34 this summer.
There’s indeed a case to be made that Hincapie is playing at a superior level to Huijsen right now. That’s not to discredit Los Blancos’ new recruit, who already coats himself with the trappings of something special, world-class, but rather, highlights the quality of Leverkusen’s rising star, whose dynamism and athleticism have even permitted him to play on the left flank 11 times this term.
Hincapie is more active in the duel and more accurate too, with several years more experience that have tuned his completeness to a degree that would see him thrive alongside Van Dijk before finally taking his place.
If Liverpool are able to engineer a deal for a figure not too far north of Huijsen’s £50m release clause, something they were willing to meet, this could prove to be an exceptional deal for the Reds.
Having proven himself and then some as one of the best young defenders in the game, Hincapie could veritably explode under Slot’s wing in the Premier League.
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Liverpool are looking to make sweeping changes in the summer transfer market.
Right throughout Todd Boehly’s reign as owner, Chelsea have not held back on signing elite young talents.
It has been a clear transfer strategy at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues looking to bring players to the club regarded as some of the hottest prospects in world football.
Perhaps the best example of this is Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, who will join Chelsea for £29m this summer. He was described as a “wonderkid” showing all the “signs of a top player” by football scout Antonio Mango. He is just one of the young talents the Blues have signed under Boehly’s ownership.
Young Brazilian star Estevao Willian
This summer, Chelsea could add Ajax defender Jorrel Hato to that list, if recent reports are to be believed.
The latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of Hato
It would be an excellent signing if Chelsea can bring Hato to Stamford Bridge this summer. According to a recent report from Sky Sports, the Blues are ‘seriously considering making a move’ for the Dutchman this summer, and have ‘longstanding’ interest in signing him.
However, they will face competition from two Premier League giants, with Sky Sports also suggesting that newly-crowned champions Liverpool, and Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal are also interested.
In reality, it is not hard to see why the West Londoners are so keen to bring Hato to the club. At just 19 years of age, he is a full international with the Netherlands and has played 108 times for Ajax already.
Described as a “magnificent talent” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Hato has played 28 times in the Eredivisie this season, scoring twice and grabbing six assists. He has also captained the club three times, a superb achievement at 19.
Chelsea do not have a clear path to signing Hato, and will face stiff competition from Liverpool and Arsenal if they are to do a deal.
However, if they are not able to sign the Dutchman, then an alternative may be hiding in plain sight in the academy.
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Chelsea's in-house Hato alternative
If the Blues can’t sign Hato himself, then why not promote their very own “Hato alternative” from the academy? At least, that is what football analyst Ben Mattinson has coined Chelsea’s young defender Ishe Samuels-Smith.
The West Londoners poached Samuels-Smith from Premier League rivals Everton, for a reported £4m two seasons ago. The highly-rated youngster has recently renewed his deal at Stamford Bridge until 2031.
At just 18 years of age, Samuels-Smith is yet to have any kind of first-team involvement on the pitch. Yet, he has featured on the bench three times this term under Enzo Maresca, which included two games in the Premier League back in February.
For the U21s, the youngster has had a key role to play. Skippering the side on five different occasions, Samuels-Smith has featured 23 times this term, scoring two goals and grabbing four assists from full back.
In fact, that is one of the standout features of his game. Just like Hato, the Manchester-born defender can play anywhere across the back line, even slotting in a right-back this term despite being left-footed. He has also played further forward as a wing-back.
The 18-year-old has impressed in the EFL Trophy this season for the Blues, as the stats on Sofascore reflect. In three games in the competition, he put in 3.7 tackles, made two interceptions and won two aerial duels per game.
Samuels-Smith stats in EFL Trophy 2025
Stat
Per 90
Total
Passes completed
46
138
Long balls completed
2.7
8
Key passes
1.3
4
Tackles
3.7
11
Interceptions
2
6
Aerial duels won
2
6
Stats from Sofascore
It surely does not seem like a first-team debut for Samuels-Smith can be too far away. The Blues academy skipper is clearly a talented player, putting in some excellent performances this term and showing great versatility.
If they miss out on signing Hato, then there might not be a better alternative to the Dutchman than their talented academy star.
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Tottenham Hotspur face Nottingham Forest tonight, looking to build on their tremendous victory in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.
Ange Postecoglou’s side booked their place in the semi-finals, setting up a clash with Norwegian outfit Bodo Glimt, with the majority of their attention on such a fixture.
However, the Lilywhites will look to end their Premier League campaign on a high, in what has been a hugely disappointing one by their usual high standards.
They have the opportunity to dent Forest’s ambitions of securing a Champions League place, led by former boss Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked in North London after just 17 games in all competitions.
If Ange’s side are to claim all three points this evening, he will have to drop one player who’s failed to deliver when handed the opportunity from the start in recent weeks.
Why Ange should drop Johnson against Nottingham Forest
Welsh winger Brennan Johnson has failed to match his early-season form, which saw him register a goal in six consecutive games across all competitions.
The 23-year-old has only found the back of the net twice since the end of February, with his showing against Frankfurt in midweek certainly one to forget despite the victory.
He featured for 85 minutes of the contest, completing just 69% of the passes he attempted, whilst winning just two of the six duels he entered – often being dominated in the final third.
His total of just 22 touches, an average of one every 3.8 minutes, showcased his lack of impact when on the ball, needing to be replaced as a result of his poor showing.
With little to nothing left to play for other than pride in the league, Ange could take the clash with the Reds to experiment with his first-team, potentially handing a rare start to one other first-team member.
The player who Ange must start against Nottingham Forest
Injuries have massively plagued Ange throughout the majority of this season, hugely preventing any chance of rising up the table – having to often utilise players out of position.
Tottenham Hotspur manager AngePostecoglou
The likes of Archie Gray and Ben Davies have often had to fill the void at the heart of the defence, with numerous forwards missing, leaving Johnson with very little competition in the process.
Wilson Odobert is just one player who’s spent an extended period on the sidelines throughout 2024/25, restricting him from making an impact after his £25m move from Burnley last summer.
The Frenchman has only featured in 14 games across all competitions, most of which have come from the substitutes bench, but it hasn’t prevented him from making a huge impact.
In one of his most recent starts for the Lilywhites, he scored twice in the Europa League triumph over AZ Alkmaar – only making one start since his impressive showing nearly six weeks ago.
Whilst he was an unused substitute in the win on Thursday night, it could be an opportunity for Postecoglou to shuffle his pack and hand the 20-year-old just his sixth league start.
He’s completed 1.8 dribbles per 90 in the league to date, whilst also registering the same amount of efforts on goal, having the attacking threat to add to the front line.
Wilson Odobert’s PL stats for Spurs (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
10
Minutes played
448
Pass accuracy
86%
Successful dribbles
1.8
Shots taken
1.8
Duels won
4.3
Touches in opposition box
5.8
Stats via FotMob
Odobert, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Jacob Horsfall, has the drive and threat with the ball at his feet that could cause the opposition backline no end of trouble tonight.
It’s the perfect opportunity for the youngster to impress, potentially staking his claim for a starting role in the Europa League, having a massive part to play in their quest for a first trophy since 2008.
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Manchester United’s season is not over, not just yet. Even at their lowest ebb, the Red Devils somehow managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat on Thursday evening to squeeze into the last four of the Europa League.
In need of a performance to keep the campaign alive, proceedings started in relatively routine fashion as the hosts led by two goals at the break, courtesy of Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot, before a Lyon fightback sparked understandable nerves inside Old Trafford.
The spirited visitors – who had been pegged back just before the end of normal time following Corentin Tolisso’s dismissal – looked to have then completed a remarkable turnaround in extra-time, with Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette sending United crashing toward humiliation.
Bruno Fernandes
But then. In just over seven minutes of heaven, the season – for now – was saved, with the ever-reliable Bruno Fernandes converting from the penalty spot, prior to an expertly placed finish from substitute Kobbie Mainoo.
A nightmare night was totally flipped on its head at the Theatre of Dreams right at the death, as the oft-maligned Harry Maguire showcased his centre-forward instincts with a crucial backpost header. Cue delirium.
A far from vintage side produced a vintage result in the end, with Ruben Amorim now left with the unenviable task of trying to make sense of that glorious chaos.
Harry Maguire's performance vs Lyon
There’s only one place to start and that’s with that man Maguire, with the Englishman proving an unlikely hero once again this season, having notably scored the winner against Ipswich Town in the Premier League and against Leicester City in the FA Cup.
Harry Maguire
The 31-year-old had set the tone for proceedings early on with a crunching challenge on the lively Cherki on the halfway line, while also playing his part in Dalot’s first-half strike, after lofting the ball over the top of the Lyon defence to find the Portuguese full-back.
It was then the turn of Maguire himself to provide that cutting edge in the final third, with the Three Lions star thrust into a makeshift number nine berth as the home side chased the game, as Amorim later admitted that he is the “only one capable of scoring with his head”.
Such a switch paid off handsomely as Casemiro picked out the 6 foot 4 giant in stoppage time, with Maguire duly guiding the ball into the opposite corner to cap a magnificent night of entertainment in Manchester.
It would be fair to say that the £80m defender has endured a rocky road as a Manchester United player, not least after being stripped of the captaincy by Erik ten Hag, but Thursday showcased once again just why he is an asset to this squad and this starting XI. As Amorim himself previously stated, the experienced ace is “perfect” for this 3-4-3 set-up.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The same looked to be the case for Patrick Dorgu amid his arrival from Lecce in January, albeit with Thursday marking another shaky showing from the Dane at wing-back.
The Man Utd star who may need to be dropped
The 20-year-old hasn’t endured a smooth ride since his move to the Premier League, having notably been sent off in the 3-2 win over Ipswich, albeit while having particularly impressed against Real Sociedad after winning a penalty in that 4-1, second-leg thrashing.
Those mixed fortunes – which also saw the £30m man underwhelm in the defeat to Nottingham Forest – were on full display against the Ligue 1 outfit, with Dorgu putting in a somewhat frustrating performance down the left flank.
As journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted, the attack-minded asset looks like he is “creating a chance in almost every game”, although that willingness to get forward can come at a cost, as he lost the ball on ten occasions from just 48 touches – or every 4.8 touches.
Dorgu’s game in numbers vs Lyon
100 minutes
48 touches
2 shots off target
88% pass accuracy
0 key passes
0 crosses completed
0 long balls completed
0 dribbles completed
10x possession lost
5/9 ground duels won
1/1 aerial duels won
Stats via Sofascore
Prior to being replaced by teenage sensation, Harry Amass, in the early stages of extra-time, Dorgu had also failed to complete a single cross nor provide a single key pass, having also skewed two efforts off target.
Those woes – which saw the left-footer also fail to successfully complete a single dribble – were added to by his shortcomings defensively as the new man was outmuscled at the backpost in the build-up to Tolisso’s strike.
That shaky defensive display led to GOAL journalist Richard Martin handing him just a 4/10 match rating while describing the new addition as a ‘weak link’, with there perhaps an argument that the 18-year-old Amass should now be handed a run of games in that wide berth.
Yes, Dorgu deserves a consistent period in the side himself in order to get up to speed in his new surroundings, although his starting berth certainly shouldn’t be guaranteed.
It is, of course, time to revel in the euphoria of Thursday’s victory, although it’s worth remembering that United were minutes away from yet more embarrassment. This team is still in need of drastic improvement…
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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has held talks with the agents of a “dream” target for manager Mikel Arteta, and the Gunners know exactly what is required to convince the player to make a move to the Emirates Stadium.
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The Italian was officially announced as Arsenal’s new director in late March, with Arteta since tipping Berta to have a “big” first summer transfer window at N5.
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Arteta candidly expressed his excitement over Berta’s appointment, and the 53-year-old could even orchestrate a summer spend of up to £300 million on seven key signings, according to GiveMeSport.
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games
Date
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
The north Londoners are plotting serious changes to Arteta’s squad across the board, defensively, in midfield and further forward, with Berta expected to target a new back-up keeper, full-back, midfielders, a left-winger, an alternative to Bukayo Saka and, of course, a goalscoring number nine (GMS).
The wide positions will be a key area of improvement, with uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Leandro Trossard as the Belgian begins to enter the final 12 months of his contract.
Leandro Trossard scores for Arsenal
Saka was a dear miss when the England star was sidelined through injury, which undoubtedly played a role in Arsenal falling miles behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, and Arsenal could move to bring in a proven back-up.
According to credible recent reports, that man could be Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams, who’s capable of playing both on the right and on the left. Arsenal have also held very recent talks with Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane over signing as a free agent, but as things stand, the German favours remaining under Vincent Kompany.
With a move for Sane looking less likely, and Williams expected to push for a Bilbao exit, it is believed that Berta reached out for talks with the 22-year-old’s representatives last week.
The Spain international’s contract contains a tempting £48 million release clause, but the real issue will lie in his wages.
Nico Williams makes £250k-per-week demand to join Arsenal
Following talks with Berta last week, it has now been revealed by GiveMeSport that Williams will demand a salary of around £250,000-per-week to join Arsenal or any other interested club, which would make him the club’s third-highest earner behind just Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
Arsenal’s wage bill is currently massive, and Berta will be eager to avoid skyrocketing it even further amid PSR and FFP regulations.
That being said, Williams is definitely worth the effort to prise away from Bilbao, if Arsenal can reach a compromise on his pay packet expectations. He bagged 19 assists in all competitions last term and played a starring role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, leaving little surprise that GMS have also reported the winger is a “dream” target for Arteta.
“Nico is unique, wonderful,” said José Mourinho recently.
“During the European Championship, people were focused on Lamine Yamal, who is obviously another wonderful kid, but personally, I prefer Nico. He’s a fantastic player, and you can’t think that a Turkish club could sign him. I hope he ends up with Real Madrid.”