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Visitors prosper after being inserted as John Simpson returns to haunt his former club

ECB Reporters Network24-May-2024

Cheteshwar Pujara made Middlesex suffer once again•Getty Images

Cheteshwar Pujara plundered runs against Middlesex’s bowling attack yet again as Sussex posted 295 for 4 after being inserted in the battle between the top two sides in Vitality County Championship Division Two.The India Test veteran, who scored 231 on Sussex’s last visit to Lord’s in 2022 – along with a century against Middlesex at Hove earlier that year – ended the opening day unbeaten on 91. Pujara’s patient knock formed part of an unbroken stand of 131 with his captain and ex-Middlesex wicketkeeper John Simpson, who struck 71 not out on his return to the county where he spent 15 seasons.Ethan Bamber claimed two wickets for the home side, with Ryan Higgins and Henry Brookes taking one apiece.Middlesex’s decision to bowl after winning the toss initially looked questionable as Tom Clark and Tom Haines bustled along at around five an over, with the latter dispatching five consecutive Bamber deliveries to the rope. Bamber was hastily switched to his preferred Nursery End and, despite Haines immediately drilling him to the cover fence once more, he had the final say by bowling the Sussex man through the gate for 40.That broke the opening partnership of 66 and slowed the scoring rate significantly as the home side claimed two more wickets before lunch, with Higgins having Clark caught behind off a bottom edge. Having also seen Tom Alsop put down off his bowling in the cordon, Higgins then pulled off a blinding catch when the left-hander edged Brookes to third slip, twisting to his left to clasp a sharp chance just above the turf.Higgins, whose first delivery to Pujara beat the bat, also tested the 36-year-old with the occasional bouncer before he settled down to make steady progress with James Coles in a partnership of 72 after lunch.Coles was eventually undone by static footwork when Bamber had him caught behind for 33 and the bowler found a consistent line against former team-mate Simpson, back at Lord’s for the first time since his switch to Hove.Despite some early playing and missing, Simpson settled down with a classy cover-driven boundary off Brookes, keeping Pujara company while he advanced beyond his half-century for the third time this season.Middlesex rotated their seam quartet, all of whom bowled from each end at some stage and it took them until three overs before tea to introduce spinners Nathan Fernandes and Luke Hollman into the attack. It looked as though that move had paid off early in the final session when Simpson, on 25, slapped a full toss from Hollman straight to Max Holden in the deep – only for the umpire to signal a no-ball.The Sussex skipper capitalised on that escape, dancing down the track to slam Hollman to the boundary and chopping him through gully for two to secure the visitors’ first batting bonus point.There was another let-off for Simpson soon after passing 50, fencing a rising delivery from Tom Helm to gully, where Hollman was unable to cling on – and the visitors continued to build a strong platform until bad light ended play with six overs unbowled.

His father, Gary, said that when Green was born there were concerns over his life expectancy

Alex Malcolm14-Dec-2023

Cameron Green has spoken for the first time about the kidney disease he was born with•ICC/Getty Images

Australia allrounder Cameron Green has revealed he was born with chronic kidney disease and at one stage had a life expectancy of just 12 but has been able to manage the issues throughout his professional cricketing career.Green, 24, was left out of Australia’s XI for the opening Test of the summer against Pakistan in Perth with Mitchell Marsh usurping him as the incumbent allrounder in the side during the Ashes series in England earlier this year.But Green, who is by nature a very shy and reserved person, revealed to Channel 7 that he has been dealing with the disease for his entire life, having hardly made it known to even team-mates or friends.”My parents got told when I was born that I had chronic kidney disease,” Green told Channel 7. “Basically, there’s no symptoms, it was just picked up through ultrasounds.”Chronic kidney disease is basically a progressive disease of your kidney’s health function. Unfortunately, mine doesn’t filter the blood as well as other kidneys. They’re at about 60% at the moment which is stage two.”I consider myself very lucky that I’m not as affected physically by chronic kidney disease as other people who are affected by the same thing.”With chronic kidney disease there’s five stages, with stage one being the least severe, and stage five being transplant or dialysis. Fortunately, I’m stage two, but if you don’t look after them enough, it goes back down.”Kidneys can’t get better. It’s irreversible. So anything you can do to slow the progression, you basically try and do.”Green’s disease was picked up when his mother Bee Tracey had her 19-week pregnancy scan. His father Gary, who has been hugely influential on Green’s cricket career, said there were initial fears he may not live past the age of 12. “At the time it was unchartered territory as such, the prognosis wasn’t great,” Gary Green said. “There were life expectancy issues that he might not expect to live past twelve years of age.”Green said he has managed the issue reasonably well throughout his career to date and has only had one concerning episode while playing for Australia in an ODI against New Zealand in Cairns last year. He made 89 not out in a successful run chase after bowling five overs and fielding the full 50 but experienced severe cramping while he batted.”I think it was pretty well documented that I had a pretty long day of bowling and a pretty long bat as well, and then had a cramping episode,” Green said. “It took me a long time to realise that it was probably my kidney function that was affecting my cramping.”I always thought I didn’t drink enough, didn’t eat enough, didn’t look after myself during the game as well as I could have, but I think over time I realised that I was doing absolutely everything right, but I was still cramping, unfortunately.”Green said it took him awhile to reveal it to his team-mates, who had wondered about his capacity to handle the all-round workload.”I have told a few guys in the cricket world. The coaching staff are all over it,” Green said. “I think all the guys in the Aussie cricket team, I’ve told. After a few cramping episodes, I probably had to come off and tell them that it’s probably more than not being professional enough because I knew in the background I was eating and drinking as much as I could to give myself the best chance.”

Arsenal are "unable to comment" after Thomas Partey was formally charged with multiple sexual offences. The Metropolitan Police have charged Partey with a total of six offences, five of them being rape and one of sexual assault. These charges are connected to allegations made by three different women.

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Partey charged with rape and assaultWill appear at Magistrates' Court next monthArsenal decline to commentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to investigators, two of the rape allegations involve one woman, while three others are tied to a second woman. The single charge of sexual assault relates to a third complainant. Police officials noted that the alleged incidents are believed to have taken place between 2021 and 2022. A police inquiry into the allegations began in February 2022, following the receipt of the first complaint.

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An Arsenal spokesperson told "The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case."

The situation has reignited concerns among parts of the club’s fanbase. The campaign group Arsenal Supporters Against Sexual Violence has held regular demonstrations calling for stricter responses to serious allegations involving professional players. Although their protests have not specifically mentioned Partey, the group has long maintained that any player facing such serious allegations should be suspended until the matter is resolved in court.

WHAT HAS PARTEY'S LAWYERS SAID

Partey has denied all accusations. In a statement shared by his legal representative, Jenny Wiltshire, the Ghana international maintained his innocence and said he looks forward to the chance to clear his name in court.

In a statement, Wiltshire said: "Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further."

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Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, expressed his department’s continued support for the women who have come forward.

"Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward," he said. "We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing [email protected]".

Wharton fifty drives hosts but low-key feel to contest after ECB points deduction

ECB Reporters Network03-Sep-2023

Anuj Dal was in the wickets for Derbyshire•Getty Images

Derbyshire all-rounder Anuj Dal impressed with five for 72 during a hard-fought opening day of their LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Yorkshire at Scarborough.Dal’s 20 overs of medium pace limited Yorkshire to 297 after they had been inserted in a low-key Division Two affair.While Yorkshire are bottom of Division Two and definitely out of the promotion race, Derbyshire are just about still alive. But it would take something remarkable to secure a top-two finish given they are 52 points adrift with four games remaining.Dal’s third career five-wicket haul – his second in the Championship this season – stood out during a day which saw a number of Yorkshire batters fail to make the most of encouraging starts on a pitch not as pacy as is usual at North Marine Road.James Wharton top-scored with a middle-order 58, but Fin Bean and Jonny Tattersall both fell in the forties. Derbyshire then reached close at 47 for one from 17 overs.For large parts, the cricket meandered in front of a subdued crowd in the Scarborough sunshine, interspersed by regular wickets for 27-year-old Dal.Yorkshire’s openers Bean and Adam Lyth confidently shared 59 inside 20 overs.But both left-handers were lbw stuck on the crease to Dal either side of lunch. Lyth fell for 32 and then Bean for 41.When the latter fell six balls into the afternoon, Yorkshire were 98 for three after 30 overs. Home captain, and last year’s prolific Derbyshire overseas player, Shan Masood had also been caught behind cutting at Sam Conners for eight just before lunch.After an opening half-century stand, Derbyshire did well to limit Yorkshire.Their fourth success came when the battle of the Georges was won by tall quick Scrimshaw, getting Hill feathering behind for 11 at 129 for four in the 41st over.For Yorkshire, this final month was always going to be about signs of progress ahead of next year’s promotion push after July’s 48-point deduction sunk them to the bottom of Division Two. So for someone such as 22-year-old Wharton to contribute will encourage significantly.He has reached fifty in all formats this year – his breakthrough campaign – including a blistering Vitality Blast 111 against Worcestershire in June.The pace of this innings was vastly different, but there were signs of dominance as he and Tattersall shared 71 for the fifth wicket through the afternoon.Wharton hammered a pull through midwicket off Conners and shimmied down the pitch to work off-spinner Alex Thomson wide of mid-on for four more.The latter took him to his second Championship fifty, off 102 balls. By that time, Yorkshire were closing in on 200. But when they reached that mark, Wharton fell as he edged a drive at Dal behind in the 61st.That was the first of two identical dismissals in successive Dal overs.When Matthew Revis was caught behind aiming an expansive drive like Wharton had, Yorkshire were 204 for six in the 63rd. Dal’s fifth wicket came in the first over of the evening having earlier removed Bean in the opening over of the afternoon. This time, Tattersall fell caught behind driving for 45, leaving Yorkshire 213 for seven in the 65th.Mitch Wagstaff took a stunner of a gully catch head high to help Scrimshaw remove Dom Bess shortly afterwards before Jordan Thompson and Matthew Fisher both hit sixes over long-on off Thomson’s spin to push Yorkshire up towards 300.The hosts narrowly missed out on that, but Fisher hit six leg-side fours in eight balls he faced from Scrimshaw, including four in an over, en-route to 37 not out off 22 balls.Thompson made 32 before miscuing a catch off Thomson. Scrimshaw then wrapped up the innings by getting Ben Coad caught behind.Coad then struck early in Derbyshire’s reply, but the departure of Harry Came was due to Tattersall’s brilliance behind the stumps as he completed a one-handed diving catch down leg – nought for one in the third over.Left-handed Wagstaff then confidently ensured there were no further dramas, closing with an unbeaten 32.

Defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs retained Fabian Allen, Brandon King and Raymon Reifer among others

ESPNcricinfo staff23-May-2023West Indies allrounders Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers are among eight players retained by Barbados Royals ahead of the Caribbean Premier League 2023 season.Left-arm quick Obed McCoy and allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall were also retained along with Justin Greaves, Joshua Bishop, Nyeem Young and Ramon Simmonds.Defending champions Jamaica Tallawahs retained Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Shamarh Brooks and Raymon Reifer along with the uncapped Amir Jangoo, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Kirk McKenzie and Joshua James.Royals had earlier traded in Rovman Powell from Tallawahs. Powell was the captain when Tallawahs beat Royals in the final last year.Related

CPL 2023 to be played in five Caribbean countries

Jamaica Tallawahs trade Rovman Powell to Barbados Royals

CPL 2023: Bravo reunites with captain Pollard at Trinbago Knight Riders

As part of the trade, Hayden Walsh Jr. went from Royals to Tallawahs.Royals also let Oshane Thomas move to St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.The rest of the squad will be firmed up in the CPL draft at the end of June, when teams will pick their overseas players.CPL 2023 is set to begin on August 16 and Barbados will host games for the first time since 2019. Tallawahs will kick off the tournament against Saint Lucia Kings in Gros Islet. The Royals will play their first match, also against Kings, on August 17.

Manchester United are a club that has always had a knack for bringing through and developing young players from their academy to improve their first-team.

Going back to the likes of Ryan Giggs, George Best, David Beckham, and Sir Bobby Charlton, among many others, the Red Devils have a rich history of cultivating world-class talent.

In more recent years, Carrington has birthed careers for Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, Scott McTominay, at Napoli, Anthony Elanga, at Nottingham Forest, and current first-team stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Ruben Amorim is currently tasked with bringing through the next class of talent through to the first-team at Old Trafford, and there are plenty of potential future stars for the club coming through.

Manchester United's emerging talents

Senior debuts have been handed to Chido Obi-Martin and Ayden Heaven in recent weeks, both of whom joined the academy side from Arsenal.

Obi-Martin has made three first-team appearances for the Red Devils this year after a return of 12 goals in nine matches for the U18 side, following his exceptional haul of 32 goals in 21 games for the Gunners at U18 level during his time in London.

Heaven, meanwhile, came on for Leny Yoro at half-time against Arsenal on Sunday and impressed in the second half, with three out of five duels won, three clearances, a tackle, and an interception.

In The Pipeline

Another emerging talent who should be unleashed by Amorim in the weeks to come is 21-year-old central midfielder Toby Collyer, who could finally be unearthed as the club’s next version of Michael Carrick.

Why Man Utd must unleash Toby Collyer

Sports analyst and Man United fan Kirsty, on X, compared the Carrington talent to the former Red Devils and England midfielder, as well as comparing him to Darren Fletcher.

Back in January, she posted: “Collyer might just be that Carrick/Fletcher player we’ve been longing for. Nothing flashy, just engine, control, and routine.”

Carrick racked up 464 appearances in all competitions during his time with United as a player, earning a reputation for being a steady performer who could break up play and keep the game ticking over with his qualities in and out of possession.

Collyer has a long, long, way to go before he can be directly compared to the now-Middlesbrough manager, but he has shown a lot of very promising signs.

24/25 Premier League	Toby Collyer
Appearances (starts)	5 (0)
Pass accuracy	90%
Tackles per game	1.6
Dribbled past per game	0.2x
Ground duel success rate	81%
Aerial duel success rate	50%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the “rapid” academy graduate – as he was described by one United content creator – has yet to start a Premier League match. That said, he has impressed with his cameos off the bench, dominating players in physical battles whilst remaining composed on the ball.

Collyer, who was described as “aggressive” on and off the ball by Bruno Fernandes, has taken his chances when they have come his way off the bench, and now it is time for Amorim to finally unleash him from the start as he could emerge as the club’s next Carrick.

From the 2009/10 campaign onwards, the England international averaged 2.1 tackles per game and a pass completion rate of 87%. The current United youngster is on course for a similar output on and off the ball, despite being yet to start a match, which is a very positive sign.

Amorim has just discovered Man Utd's next big star & it's not Heaven or Obi

Manchester United have a number of exceptional young players at their disposal.

1

By
Matt Dawson

Mar 10, 2025

The Red Devils can finally find their next tempo-controlling, yet defensively aggressive, star in the middle of the park in Collyer, and it is down to Amorim to hand him the chances to showcase his quality as a starter in the coming weeks and months.

Sri Lanka’s cricketers and coaching staff provided a glowing endorsement of the country’s latest training facility in Radella, Nuwara Eliya, following a week-long training camp at the newly renovated ground.Located some 4000 feet above sea level, the Radella Cricket Ground – home to Dimbula Athletic & Cricket Club – is among the most picturesque in the world; its immediate surroundings comprise the trademark greenery and mountainscapes of Sri Lanka’s hills, with waterfalls and tea estates aplenty, ready to greet those who venture further out.But more than the scenery, it was the conditions at the ground which most pleased those in attendance. Ahead of the team’s departure to New Zealand – where they will compete in two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is – the combination of high altitude and cold weather, along with the pace, bounce and movement present at Radella, offered the players as close a facsimile to the conditions they are likely to face in the coming month.Related

• Will Sri Lanka's perfect preparation reap rewards in New Zealand?

• Sri Lanka select uncapped Madushka, Rathnayake for Test tour of New Zealand in March

• Sri Lanka on the verge of a selection committee shake-up

• SLC triples match fees for women's cricketers

“The wickets we’ve been playing on have been excellent,” Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood said on the sidelines of the training camp. “Decent pace, good bounce, little bit of movement, and obviously the climate has suited us as well as training at high altitude; very similar to what we may face in New Zealand.”The renovation work has been headed by Godrey Dabrera, Sri Lanka Cricket’s manager of international venues and facilities. Having started on the work towards the end of last year, Dabrera headed a 20-member team in relaying four centre-turf wickets as well as installing five practice wickets, all of which was completed in a span eight weeks.”The work that Godfrey and the team have done here has been absolutely fantastic, to get this place up and running, to give us the conditions and the facilities we have here,” Silverwood said. “They’ve done a great job in such a short period of time as well.”Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne echoed his coach’s thoughts, and was particularly pleased at his bowlers being afforded extra time to get used to colder climes.”I think the bowlers benefitted quite a bit. For the fast bowlers, it’s not like bowling in warm conditions; bowling in colder conditions is a little harder,” Karunaratne said. “Even for the spinners, gripping the ball can be difficult in a colder climate. So things like that were very useful. We also have a lot of young players in the squad who haven’t played in New Zealand, so this was a very useful experience.”Sri Lanka completed their training camp on Thursday, and will now head back to Colombo to continue their preparations. The tour of New Zealand begins with the first Test from March 9 in Christchurch.

Mikel Arteta was quizzed on his side’s chances in the Premier League title race, and whether he had ceded defeat. “No chance,” the Arsenal manager said. “Over my dead body.”

Still, Liverpool have an 11-point lead at the summit of the table, and they can preserve that lead at home against Newcastle United tonight, maybe even extend it given the Gunners travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest this evening.

The senior members of the Anfield cohort will know the battle is far from over, not least because Liverpool must juggle their workload across several competitions: the Reds will meet Newcastle again in next month’s Carabao Cup final while also looking to drive through the Champions League knockout rounds and toward the title.

Keeping Arsenal a distance away will allow for more rotation over the business months, and so United need to be defeated on Wednesday evening.

However, it won’t be easy, with Newcastle fearsome in attack and the hosts playing their fifth match in 15 days, with tired legs and several injuries to overcome.

Liverpool's latest injury news

Liverpool have enjoyed comparative joy on the injury front this season, owing to Arne Slot’s expert man management and the more settled style of football, still a high-pressing team but less thrash-metal than under Jurgen Klopp.

There are still some issues though: Alexis Mac Allister has a black eye after being bashed in the face during the emphatic victory over Manchester City, but Slot has confirmed “he will be okay” and trained with the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning.

Conor Bradley’s latest injury adds pressure on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s back; the right-back only returned from injury himself a few weeks ago and is being carefully managed, so don’t be surprised if Jarell Quansah enters the field in the second half as a stand-in full-back along Ibou Konate.

Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton remain long-term absentees, not expected back any time soon.

Liverpool’s backline will have a tough time dealing with Alexander Isak, one of the Premier League’s most dangerous forwards. Still, Virgil van Dijk and co will be up to the task.

Premier League 24/25 – Top Scorers

Rank

Player

Apps (starts)

Goals

Assists

1.

Mohamed Salah

27 (27)

25

16

2.

Alexander Isak

24 (24)

19

5

3.

Erling Haaland

25 (25)

19

3

4.

Chris Wood

26 (25)

18

3

5.

Bryan Mbeumo

26 (26)

15

4

Stats via Premier League

Slot may want to unleash a surprising answer to the Sweden striker though, someone who might surprise a few and lessen Mohamed Salah’s workload.

Slot's rogue answer to Isak

Darwin Nunez has been reduced to a bit-part role in his third season at Liverpool. It’s his first season without Klopp, who championed his signing and welcomed him from Benfica on a deal worth £85m – a club record.

In seasons past, the 25-year-old has been an agent of chaos, riddled with deficiencies but frenetic and lively and mercurial. However, Slot doesn’t subscribe to his style, so Nunez has only started seven times in the Premier League, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

As you will see, the £140k-per-week Nunez has actually shored up his wastefulness, albeit at the expense of the ample opportunities that invariably arrived at his doormat when playing in Klopp’s system.

Slot has triumphed in unlocking a number of Liverpool’s players: Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Dominik Szoboszlai et al., but Nunez’s lock remains unpicked.

However, he’s capable of moments, real moments, charged energy and tenacious unpredictability marking a potential fusion of attacking threads. Brentford felt his power at the Gtech in January, falling after the Urugayan’s last-gasp brace.

And so did Newcastle last season. Klopp’s rebuild was almost complete, the screws being tightened on the new midfield framework, but there was a sense of uncertainty about Liverpool, who had fallen behind at St. James’ Park in August 2023 with Van Dijk shown a first-half red card.

Up stepped Nunez, off the bench and devastating in firing a perfect brace past Nick Pope. It was a fine moment, easily recalled by the myriad of Liverpool supporters who draw their best moments from the past several years of action.

He hasn’t kicked on, but Nunez’s inclusion in the starting line-up could be worthwhile for a Liverpool side who have erected an almost impregnable lead at the top of the Premier League and must consider rotation after such a thick and unforgiving run of fixtures.

Paris Saint-Germain, indeed, await at the Parc des Princes next week, the beginning of a two-legged last 16 extravaganza on the continent. Liverpool will need to be at their rip-roaring best, and Nunez isn’t likely to start in that one so could be given a shot in this one.

He’s got a few tricks up his sleeve and could be a valuable and unlikely star for Slot, flanked by reliable goalscorers Gakpo and Salah. As per FBref, the mobile striker ranks among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for total shots taken, the top 19% for progressive carries, the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 2% for tackles per 90.

He’s willing to work hard and run through the thirds, something that Isak does emphatically for the Toon. He might not have turned into the “monster of a player” that Dwight Yorke predicted, but Nunez is certainly capable of channelling his strengths and unleashing them in moments, and you might say he already has the Magpies’ scent.

Any of Diogo Jota, Diaz or Szoboszlai could be used as number nines, but Nunez, having not started in the Premier League since Boxing Day, could do with another chance to prove himself to Slot – and who knows, perhaps his presence and desperate pursuit of a reprieve could see him thrive as Liverpool’s rogue answer to Isak.

Related Liverpool ace who Klopp sold is now outperforming Szoboszlai after leaving

He’s one of the most underrated Liverpool players in recent memory.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Feb 25, 2025

In what would see INEOS go all out, Manchester United are now reportedly willing to offer a stunning £125m deal to sign a Premier League and World Cup winner for Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd transfer news

Whilst it may seem as though they need a rebuild every two years as another managerial failure arrives, Manchester United arguably need more construction than ever under Amorim.

The former Sporting Club manager arrived to pick up the pieces of Erik ten Hag’s disastrous final few months in charge and quickly realised just how many square pegs he’ll have to work with in a system full of round holes.

Since then, he’s at least welcomed Patrick Dorgu to solve his wing-back problem but there’s still plenty of work to be done at Old Trafford. What’s more, in order to complete that work, Manchester United must sell a number of stars with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo potentially among those.

It’s only after those sales that the Red Devils can even consider reinforcements, at which point they’re reportedly setting their ambitions as high as ever in pursuit of fresh faces.

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now willing to offer a €150m (£125m) deal to sign Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid this summer – just one year on from his Manchester City departure.

After a slow start, the Argentine forward has adjusted to life in Spain and once again firing on all cylinders to attract the attention of the Red Devils. As a former Premier League champion at Manchester City, it’s fair to say that Alvarez would steal plenty of headlines by completing a move to Old Trafford this summer.

Bayern Munich in talks for "brave" Man Utd ace who cost nearly £7m per goal

The Red Devils could seal a much-needed sale…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 15, 2025

As for Amorim, he would be welcoming the perfect player for his 3-4-2-1 system, with Alvarez likely slotting straight into one of the two advanced midfield roles behind the striker, whoever that may be.

"Amazing" Alvarez could come back to haunt Man City

By joining Manchester United, Alvarez would be joining a list which includes both Carlos Tevez and Peter Schmeichel as the latest player to play for both Manchester clubs.

Somewhat breaking the trend, however, the Atletico Madrid man would be going from a City man to an Old Trafford star rather than the opposite path that Tevez and Schmeichel chose.

If Manchester United can afford such a deal, and that’s a big if at this stage, then it’s certainly one they should attempt. Not only would Alvarez finally suit Amorim, but his arrival would also be getting one over on Manchester City, who he could come back to haunt.

Earning plenty of praise from Pep Guardiola during his time at The Etihad, the Spaniard previously told TNT Sports: “Julian is amazing so he’s an extraordinary player and many things help us. Really good, so very pleased for his birthday, not just for the goals, the many things he does.”

Scoring 17 goals and assisting a further four in his debut season for Atletico Madrid, it’s fair to say that Alvarez has remained “amazing” even after leaving Manchester City.

The January transfer window officially slammed shut for business last Monday and Chelsea went through the month without any major additions to their squad.

19-year-old central midfielder Mathis Amougou joined from Saint-Etienne on a permanent deal to provide competition in the midfield positions in the second half of this season and beyond.

He was the only first-team signing of the window for the Premier League giants, however, as they opted against any moves for a new goalkeeper or number nine.

The Blues, who were dumped out of the FA Cup by Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend, will now have to aim for a successful end to the campaign with largely the same squad that they had in the first half.

Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League and competing to win the Conference League, which means that there is still plenty to play for in the months to come.

One player who could have a big role to play in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign is forward Christopher Nkunku, who was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.

Christopher Nkunku's failed January exit

Football Insider recently reported that Enzo Maresca has attempted to appease the France international after the attacker remained in London after the deadline passed.

Chalkboard

Expand Collapse

The 27-year-old forward’s future was up in the air throughout the window as he was linked with an exit away from Chelsea amid interest from multiple other European sides.

It revealed that the former RB Leipzig star was a target for Manchester United in the closing stages of the window, as Ruben Amorim’s side looked to bolster their attacking options. They were in talks with the Blues over a deal for the striker, but they failed to reach an agreement before the deadline.

Football Insider added that Chelsea also explored a swap-deal with Bayern Munich that would have seen Nkunku join the Bundesliga giants in exchange for Mathys Tel making the move to Stamford Bridge in the opposite direction.

The young attacker, however, completed a move on loan to Tottenham Hotspur, with an option to make it permanent in the summer, and that ended any chance of a swap deal for Nkunku.

Last week, Maresca claimed that they had always planned to retain his services, saying: “We planned since December to keep Christopher Nkunku. It was our intention. For sure now he will have bigger role. He played half an hour vs West Ham. Hopefully he can get more minutes and help us.”

Football Insider’s report suggests that Chelsea did explore multiple avenues to part ways with the forward, though, and his form in the Premier League to date suggests that they were right to look at the possibility of moving him on.

Christopher Nkunku's struggles at Chelsea

The Blues officially completed the signing of the French attacker from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of £52m, after his impressive form in the Bundesliga.

Nkunku racked up 70 goals and 54 assists in 172 appearances in all competitions for the German side, which suggested that he had the potential to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch at Stamford Bridge.

The issue facing Chelsea upon his arrival, though, was about where he was going to play. Nkunku played in a front two for Leipzig and the Blues only play with one striker – Nicolas Jackson.

He has featured in a multitude of positions throughout his career, in midfield, on the right or left flank, as a number ten, as a second striker, and as a centre-forward, without nailing down one.

The majority of his appearances for Chelsea, to date, have come as a striker, with 24 outings in that role, but he has also played 11 times as a number ten and played eight games as a winger.

Christopher Nkunku (Premier League)

23/24

24/25

Appearances

11

20

xG

2.30

3.96

Goals

3

2

Big chances missed

3

5

Assists

0

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Nkunku has failed to offer much in the way of quality in any of those positions in the Premier League over the last 18 months, with just six goal contributions in 31 games.

Chelsea, however, may already have a player who could be the end of the Frenchman in the form of Estevao Willian, who is due to link up with the squad in the summer.

Why Estevao could be the end of Nkunku

The Premier League giants agreed a £29m deal to sign the 17-year-old Brazilian forward last summer, but he will not be able to officially join the club until his 18th birthday in April of this year.

Analyst Ben Mattinson previously described him as a “superstar” who could be a “future Ballon d’Or winner” and went as far as to say that he is on the same level as “early Santos Neymar”, which speaks to how impressive the youngster has been in his home country.

The teenage attacker primarily plays on the right flank and his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the summer would provide Maresca with another attacking option to finally ditch Nkunku by unleashing the teenage sensation.

Chelsea would have the likes of Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho, Estevao, Cole Palmer, and Nicolas Jackson to compete in the positions that Nkunku can play in, which suggests that there would be plenty of cover available to part ways with the French forward.

2024 Brasileirao

Estevao Willian

Appearances

31

xG

10.54

Goals

13

Big chances created

11

Assists

9

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the 17-year-old lit up the Brasileirao in the 2024 campaign with his ability to score and assist goals on a regular basis for Palmeiras.

He has showcased his quality in the Brazilian top-flight week-in-week-out at the age of just 17 and Chelsea will be hoping that he can translate that form over to the Premier League next season.

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Posts ByConnor Holden Feb 10, 2025

If Estevao can hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge and emerge as an immediate first-team option for Maresca then his arrival could be the end for Nkunku, who has struggled for game time and form as it is.