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Attack leader plays down concerns about workload and past injuries after latest stellar display

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-20254:39

Bumrah: ‘Nobody is dropping catches on purpose’

Jasprit Bumrah resumed Test cricket from where he had left off in Australia with a stress reaction in the already operated-on back: carrying the India attack and looking the most threatening bowler on the park. While he was away, there was concern aplenty if Bumrah had been bowled into the ground and how well he would be able to return from the injury.While Bumrah has kept his medical status close to his and his inner circle’s chest, experts felt another such injury could prove to be the last one for his Test career. The headlines haven’t impressed Bumrah. “I can’t control what people write,” he said. “Nor am I trying to teach people what to write and what not to write about me. Everybody is free to write what they want. I understand cricket is very popular in our country, and I understand that using my name in the headline boosts the viewership. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter to me. Because if I let it get into my head, I will start believing it. I need my beliefs and my ways to dictate how I go. Not the way others want me to play.”I always wanted to play for India. I played for India on my belief. I have played every format on my belief. I have always heard ‘no’ from people. First they said ‘you won’t be able to play’; then they said ‘you will last only six months’; then they said ‘you will last only eight months’, and just like that I have spent ten years in international cricket listening to all this. I have played the IPL for 12-13 years.Related

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“Even now people keep saying this injury will be it. Keep waiting, I will not think about that. I will keep doing my work. Every three-four months there will be headlines but, let’s see, I will play till it is in my destiny. I prepare my best, and leave the rest to god. Whatever [abundance or good fortune] god has given me, I try to carry it forward, and try to take Indian cricket forward.”The last injury does seem to have changed his outlook towards how much he should push himself. He has already informed the team management he will not be available for all the Tests this series. That, he says, is why he opted out of captaincy.Given that it had been announced he would be playing only three Tests, it could increase the sense of urgency around these games – because he will have fewer days to make an impact in. Not for Bumrah. “You don’t look at what is going to happen in the future,” Bumrah said. “You are there in the ground at that moment. You have to do a job. So at that moment I’m trying to assess the wicket. I’m trying to assess what is happening, what are my options, how is the wicket behaving, who’s the batter there, what is he thinking, how do I outsmart him or what do I do? I look at all of those things at that moment. I was not thinking about what will happen or how many games I will play. At this moment, focusing on the Test match. When the match is over, think about all these permutations and combinations.”The expectations, he said, can be extra baggage, which he doesn’t want to carry. “I ask myself this question at night, did I give my absolute best?” Bumrah said. “If the answer is yes, I quietly go to sleep.”

Chelsea ran out dominant 3-0 winners against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

Enzo Maresca’s side put in a dominant second-half performance against a flailing Forest outfit to leave the City Ground with all three points.

The first 45 minutes went by without too many notable moments, but it took Chelsea just four minutes into the second half to break the deadlock. Young centre-back Josh Acheampong was the man who found the back of the net, rising highest to head a Pedro Neto cross home.

The Portuguese winger got himself on the scoresheet to double the Blues’ lead. His effort came from a set-piece, with Chelsea skipper Reece James rolling it into a path for Neto to run on to. He did just that and smashed the ball home through a packed penalty area.

Chelsea’s third came through their captain, James. He marked his 200th game for his boyhood club with a sweetly-struck first-time volley.

He latched onto a loose ball from a Chelsea corner and fired home to cap off a wonderful team effort.

It was certainly a good afternoon’s work in the East Midlands for the Blues. As well as Chelsea performed, however, a few of their players did struggle. Alejandro Garnacho was one of those.

Garnacho’s stats vs. Forest

Life at Stamford Bridge has not started in the easiest fashion for Argentine winger Garnacho. He is still yet to find the back of the net or grab an assist. His showing against Forest was a continuation of a poor start in Blue.

The former Manchester United player struggled to pose much of a threat down the left wing. Coming directly up against Neco Williams, he didn’t really drive at the Welshman enough, and his crossing certainly left a lot to be desired.

Garnacho’s stats from the game show just how much of a disappointing performance it was from the 21-year-old. He had just 18 touches and completed seven passes, without even creating a chance. The winger also failed to register a shot.

As a result of his poor showing, Garnacho was hooked off at half-time. The Chelsea number 49 certainly didn’t impress, with Goal journalist Matthew Judge giving him a 4/10 for his efforts.

The journalist noted that he was ‘unable to get into the game’ throughout.

Chalkboard

It was another below-par performance from Garnacho, who has not yet managed to show his best in a Chelsea shirt. However, there was another of Maresca’s side today who was arguably worse.

The Chelsea player who was worse than Garnacho

Maresca, who was banned from the touchline and had to watch the game from the stands, might have been disappointed with some of the showings from his side in the first 45 minutes.

That is why, for example, Garnacho was taken off at the break.

Another talented youngster who only completed the first half of the game was Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos. Operating higher up the pitch today, the 21-year-old looked a little at sea and didn’t have the creative influence he may have wanted.

Santos, who hails from Rio de Janeiro, has excelled as a number eight for Chelsea, where he can drive forward and create from slightly deeper. Today, that attacking nous was missing, and he put a golden chance wide in the first half.

Judge also seemed to think that Santos underperformed against the men in Garibaldi Red. He gave him the same rating as Garnacho, a 4/10. It was certainly a tough day at the office for the young midfielder.

The numbers suggest that he was even worse than his Argentine teammate, too.

For example, Santos had a passing accuracy of just 55% and failed to complete a dirbble.

Touches

23

18

Passes completed

6

7

Number of times ball lost

6

6

Duels won

4/7

4/5

Ball recoveries

3

2

This is a performance that Santos will want to put behind him quickly. He showed just how good he is last season on loan at Strasbourg, with 12 goals and five assists from midfield. Those are the sorts of performances he’ll be looking for next time out.

It will be fascinating to see if Maresca selects him from the start in the Blues’ next game, a Champions League clash with Ajax at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea can fix Palmer blow with star who has a "left foot made of gold"

Chelsea’s talisman has suffered an injury-hit start to the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 18, 2025

Arsenal cantered their way past Nottingham Forest at the Emirates to return to winning ways in the Premier League and put the pressure back on Liverpool.

Having fallen to a slender defeat at Anfield before the international break after Dominik Szoboszlai’s late free-kick, the Gunners knew they needed a big performance, and Mikel Arteta must be delighted with the slick and stylish showing from a side lacking the injured Bukayo Saka and with Declan Rice on the bench ahead of the midweek return to the Champions League.

That’s four defeats in a row for Ange Postecoglou against Arsenal, the Aussie coach making his bow for Forest after being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur before the summer.

But few will care of an Arsenal persuasion. This is no time for point-scoring, not in that way. With new signings starting to come together, the Londoners are gearing up for a shot at the Premier League title, having finished runners-up three years in a row.

And there’s so much to like about this side; something feels different. Arsenal are more complete, more polished and tuned in an attacking sense. Andrea Berta has overseen some impactful summer transfer business.

Arsenal's impressive summer signings

Arsenal enjoyed a spree of signings throughout the summer transfer window, and they all look to be coming together nicely.

Chalkboard

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

In particular, Martin Zubimendi’s spectacular strike got things rolling against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and he scored again but only after Viktor Gyokeres had bagged himself another after the break, making it three goals from four games in the Premier League.

Zubimendi struggled against Liverpool two weeks ago, but the midfield maestro adds such control and flair to Arsenal’s midfield. He contributes to defensive security and fluency in attack. He scored two goals.

And his controlled passing and enterprising nature on the ball fed into Noni Madueke’s latest standout performance. Saka is injured, but it hasn’t mattered too much for a side showing a new level of depth.

The former Chelsea winger won nine duels and created five key passes as he zipped up the right wing, with journalist Miguel Delaney noting that he was “shredding Morato” in the opening period, in particular.

He didn’t score, but Eberechi Eze enjoyed a fantastic full debut himself, setting up his striker’s finish and threatening throughout.

Perhaps the biggest testament that this new crop could be awarded is that they look like they have been playing under Arteta’s wing for months. Years.

They haven’t. These are new players, integrated into a new system and adopting new variations to new roles. It doesn’t look that way, and the quiet pick of the bunch might actually have played at the other end of the field, with Cristhian Mosquera standing tall against the Tricky Trees’ frontline.

Mosquera looks like "one of the best signings in the PL"

Chris Wood might have fancied his chances at the Emirates. After all, William Saliba was absent after picking up that injury against Liverpool before the international break.

But Forest’s powerful striker was subdued by a collective defensive effort that has become a given for Arsenal, who have kept three clean sheets from four matches so far and have been breached only by a stunning set-piece.

Long gone are the days of fragility at the rear, and Mosquera already looks the part in what reinforces the tactical brilliance that has shaped Arsenal into a superpower once more.

Gabriel Magalhaes is one of the best centre-backs around, and he played well against Forest, but Mosquera more than held his own beside the Brazilian, maybe even putting in the better performance all told.

Minutes played

90′

90′

Goals conceded

0

0

Touches

83

93

Accurate passes

62/66 (94%)

76/83 (92%)

Key passes

0

0

Dribbles

1/1

0/0

Tackles

4

4

Interceptions

2

2

Clearances

2

2

Ground duels

5/5

2/2

Aerial duels

1/4

1/2

Arsenal only paid around £13m when bringing the 6 foot 3 defender over from Valencia in the summer, and already that looks to be a bargain.

Mosquera, 21 years old and with one cap for the Spanish national team, has even been described as “one of the best signings in the Premier League this season” by pundit Leo DaSilva, who made the comment after watching the player’s performance.

Football.london even handed the young star an 8/10 match rating for his labours, drawing attention to his defensive efforts in keeping the enemy at bay with a series of well-timed challenges and stooping headers.

Gabriel, by the way, was handed a 7/10 match score following his dependable display.

But how could we do anything other than circuit back to Mosquera’s imperiousness, and his meagre price tag, which seems a steal? Could it be that this young centre-half is quietly establishing himself as the signing of the summer in a team bearing superstars like Eze, Gyokeres and Zubimendi?

Madueke would fancy himself a shrewd purchase, even though he cost a pretty penny at £48.5m. And anyway, Madueke just played out his 71st Premier League match, whereas Mosquera completed his maiden 90 minutes in a Premier League setting.

There’s no doubt that Arteta and Arsenal have a knack for finding talented young defenders and fashioning them into stars, but they must feel all the same that they have hit the jackpot on Mosquera, who plays with such poise and power and purpose.

Arsenal were missing Saliba, you say? It didn’t feel like it. Arsenal have the tools to forge a successful campaign for themselves, with depth and dimensions to compete across multiple fronts and finally get their hands on some silverware.

Not Gyokeres: £60m Arsenal man could be a better signing than Wirtz & Isak

After Liverpool spent big on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, an “Intelligent” Arsenal signing could prove to be the Premier League’s best recruit.

Sep 12, 2025

اختتمت منافسات الجولة الخامسة من عمر منافسات بطولة الدوري السعودي، بمواجهة نيوم أمام القادسية، مساء الأحد، حيث فاز الأخير بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وبتحقيق فريق القادسية الفوز، أرتقي إلي المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي، برصيد 13 نقطة.

وكان فريق النصر واصل انتصارته في الدوري السعودي هذا الموسم، بالفوز على الفتح، بخماسية مقابل هدف، ليواصل صدراته لترتيب جدول الدوري، بدون خسارة ومحققًا الفوز الخامس على التوالي.

وكان نادي الهلال انتصر على نظيره الاتفاق، بخمسة أهداف دون رد، ضمن منافسات نفس الجولة، من بطولة الدوري السعودي.

طالع | الهلال يسحق الاتفاق بخماسية في الدوري السعودي

وكان الاتحاد بطل الدوري الموسم الماضي، تعادل إيجابيًا مساء الجمعة أمام الفيحاء 1-1، ليتراجع إلي المركز الرابع. جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي

1- النصر، 15 نقطة.

2- القادسة، 13 نقطة.

3- التعاون، 12 نقطة.

4- الهلال، 11 نقطة.

5- الاتحاد، 10 نقاط.

6- الخليج، 9 نقاط.

7- الخلود، 9 نقاط.

8- الأهلي، 9 نقاط.

9- نيوم، 9 نقاط.

10- الفيحاء، 8 نقاط.

11- الاتفاق، 7 نقاط.

12- الحزم، 5 نقاط.

13- الشباب، 5 نقاط.

14- الرياض، 3 نقاط.

15- الفتح، نقطة واحدة.

16- ضمك، نقطة واحدة.

17- الأخدود، بدون نقاط.

18- النجمة، بدون نقاط.

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب الدوري السعودي بشكل محدث باستمرار من هنا.

India’s keeper-batter admits keeping someone like Pant out of the XI comes with its own pressures, and also heaps praise on Shami

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Feb-20256:16

Rahul: Never easy to move places in batting order

KL Rahul has suggested Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma will be niggle-free and good to go in India’s last Champions Trophy group game, against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. India go into that match a week on from Shami having not bowled out against Pakistan because of trouble with his shin, and Rohit showing signs of wear in his hamstring – both players went off the field at various stages of Pakistan’s innings.”I don’t know too much but from whatever I know I think everything seems pretty okay,” Rahul said on Friday. “There’s no real concerns about anyone missing games as far as I know. We’ll probably know more in today’s training.”Yeah everyone’s been in the gym, everyone’s been at training the last time as well, so yeah [there were previously] some concerns but I don’t think it’s too much.”Related

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India, like New Zealand, go into this game knowing they have already qualified for the semi-finals. And for India, that semi-final will come two days later, on March 4. Will the short turnaround in games prompt India to rest anyone? “Luckily I am not in the leadership group to have to make that decision,” Rahul said. “But I am sure there will be some temptation and we have been in these positions before where, if there is an opportunity, you can try out the players who haven’t gotten games.”But I don’t know if that will happen in a Champions Trophy. And I don’t know if that will happen in tomorrow’s game. We only have one day’s break before the semi-finals [but] we have gotten a six-day break now. So, we probably want all of the players to play the game and get a little bit of time in the middle. This is my version. I don’t know, it might be very different tomorrow.”Rahul the batter was not needed against Pakistan, but in India’s first game, against Bangladesh, he made 41 not out off 47 from No. 6 to take the team home in a chase of 229 on a tricky Dubai track. He expects the pitch to continue to be tricky to bat on. “The wicket is slow. Going in, any new batter, he finds it very difficult to rotate the strike. The pace of the wicket is slightly different to the [preceding] England series we have played [in India]. So, it takes a little bit of time to get used to it.”But the good thing is that we have played in Dubai before. And we played on pitches like this. We had a fair understanding that when we come here, this will be the challenge. So we were mentally a little bit prepared and we came here a week early and the practice we were doing also had similar wickets. It just gave us a little bit of time to get used to it.”I think on such wickets, whoever is the set batter, the longer he plays, the better it is for the team. And that’s what gives you that extra 30-40 runs. Because if the wickets keep going, the new batters will find it a bit difficult.”KL Rahul has taken the gloves off Rishabh Pant in ODIs•MB Media/Getty Images

Rahul the keeper, meanwhile, knows he is keeping a certain Rishabh Pant out. While it does play on his mind, Rahul said it doesn’t change the way he plays his cricket. “There is [pressure] – I won’t lie. I mean, he’s obviously a very, very talented player and he’s shown all of us what he can do and how aggressive [he can be] and how quickly he can change the game.”So yes, there’s always the temptation for the team as well, whoever is the captain, the coach… There’s always that temptation to either play him or play me. There’s always that.”But yeah, for me, if I’m given the opportunity, I try and see what I can do best. I am not trying to compete with Rishabh or I am not trying to play like him. When he gets his opportunities I am sure he is not going to try to play like anybody else. He is picked on the basis of how he can play and what he can provide for the team and the same applies to me. So I try and do what I do best and try and stick to my game.”In his role as keeper, Rahul also had high praise for Shami. “Funnily, somehow, in every game he’ll make sure that I’m diving full-length,” Rahul quipped. “He gives me one or two opportunities to be brilliant behind the stumps or look stupid sometimes.”With wicketkeeping, I think [he’s] one of the few bowlers that the ball really wobbles. Him and sometimes Bumrah when he bowls in the second or third spell. So that’s been very challenging.”And yeah, [Shami is] very accurate. That’s something that not many people talk about. Everyone talks about how he’s gifted and how he can get the ball to seam in any condition and how upright his seam is. But not many people talk about how accurate he is and how sharp he is. He can surprise you with his pace. Just the other day in the nets he hit me straight in the [helmet] badge. So, all of these things make him a very difficult bowler to play against.”Really happy to have him back and I think he’s very close to his best.”

Everton could potentially complete the signing of an “excellent” player for a cut-price fee this summer, with his price tag plummeting as his club search for a route to cash in.

Moyes speaks positively about Calvert-Lewin

The Blues begin their Premier League season with a trip to Leeds United on Monday evening, as they come up against former striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking ahead of the game, David Moyes discussed his former striker in positive fashion, saying he is happy that he has found a new challenge in his career.

“I’m pleased for Dom because I’ve had a really good relationship with him. I didn’t really get a chance to work with him. He picked up the injury – I think it was Brighton – and we only really got him back on the last day.

“I think I had one game or two games with Dom. But we found the financials too much at the time and we chose to move on. “I’m really pleased he’s got himself sorted out and gone to Leeds United and it’s a really good club.”

In terms of possible new signings for Everton between now and the end of this month, a positive update has now emerged regarding their potential pursuit of a long-time target.

Everton in the mix to sign "excellent" midfielder

According to a new report from A Bola [via Sport Witness], Everton are battling Al-Ahli for the signing of Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis this summer.

Grealish 2.0: Everton chasing late move to sign £26m star from top 4 club

Everton could stumble upon another Jack Grealish-style signing by landing this £26m star.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 17, 2025

His current club are said to be desperate to sell him, with his price tag dropping to as little as £17.2m from £25.8m in recent weeks, and a huge amount lower than his £103.5m release clause, which Benfica were quoting to teams last summer.

Luis has been a target for Everton for some time, with those high up at the club clearly rating him, so to sign him for a hugely cut-price fee before the end of the summer window could be a real coup.

The 25-year-old has matured into a dominant midfielder, winning two Primeira Liga titles for Benfica, among other trophies, as well as winning an incredible 82 caps for Portugal at international youth team level, and being called “excellent” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Portugal Under-21s

12

0

Portugal Under-20s

18

0

Portugal Under-19s

26

0

Portugal Under-17s

16

0

Portugal Under-16s

10

1

Portugal Under-15s

2

0

Moyes would surely love the idea of adding further defensive quality to his midfield, especially with Idrissa Gueye not getting any younger, so the hope is that a deal is struck for the Portuguese.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to be active in this final two weeks of the summer transfer window, as confirmed by manager Thomas Frank himself.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the Lilywhites’ opening Premier League game of the season against Burnley on Saturday, Frank was asked about the club’s transfer plans, and admitted that they could make even more signings outside the number 10 role.

The 51-year-old also praised chairman Daniel Levy, technical director Johan Lange and CEO Vinai Vinkatesham for working “night and day” on Tottenham’s recruitment plans for the last two months.

In terms of who Lange, Levy and Vinkatesham could bring through the door before deadline day on September 1, Tottenham are now in formal talks to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.

This follows James Maddison’s nightmare ACL rupture, which is expected to sideline him for a large portion of the new season, with Spurs’ pursuit of a playmaker now pushed even more to the forefront.

Tottenham were on the verge of signing Morgan Gibbs-White to complement Maddison this time last month, but Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stepped in to block the move in bizarre fashion – even threatening legal action against the north Londoners.

Since then, the 25-year-old has penned a brand-new Forest deal, and a move for Gibbs-White is now completely off the table.

Tottenham are turning their attention towards Eze instead, but he isn’t the only Premier League attacker targeted by Levy and co.

Agents trying to seal Tottenham transfer for Man City winger Savinho

Man City winger Savinho is also high on their to-do list, and some reports suggest that Tottenham have already had a low-ball bid rejected for the Brazilian (Jorge Nicola).

City want nearly £70 million (£67m) to green-light the 21-year-old’s late-window exit, but according to The Mail, Savinho has set his sights on a move to N17 amid his desire to become a regularly-playing star.

The former Girona winger is determined to cement his place in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Spurs appealing to the player considering he’d be guaranteed more game time than under Pep Guardiola at Eastlands.

As a result, his agents, led by chief representative Frederico Moraes, have jetted to Europe as they try to force a Tottenham move for Savinho.

The Mail add that Frank personally wants both Savinho and Eze, who’d play completely separate roles, so it isn’t a case of one or the other, as widely reported elsewhere.

Savinho bagged 13 assists in all competitions for City last season, but struggled to find the net with just three goals in that time.

At Girona, the forward was a key member of the side who challenged for a shock La Liga title in 2023/2024 – racking up an impressive 21 goal contributions – including a strike against Atlético Madrid and an assist versus Barcelona.

Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class competition has undergone major overhaul

Danyal Rasool22-Oct-2024Days after the 2024-25 Quaid-e-Azam trophy was delayed, the PCB have announced the final schedule for Pakistan’s premier domestic first-class competition. The tournament will begin on October 26, with the final on December 19.In a major overhaul, the days of parsimony when it came to the number of teams have flown out of the window. This year’s QeA will see 18 teams spread out into 16 regions take part; Lahore and Karachi have two teams each. Last year, just eight teams played the tournament, with the four years prior seeing just six participants. Karachi Whites are the defending champions.”Quaid-e-Azam Trophy is the pinnacle of domestic cricket in Pakistan as it is not just a tournament but also an event that showcases the immense talent across the country and prepares them for the challenges of international cricket,” Abdullah Niazi, the director of domestic operations, said in a statement. “As always, we will continue to provide the best possible platform for players to excel and show their capabilities on the biggest stage in domestic cricket as they will be rubbing their shoulders with the best players of the country.Related

It's October 19, and there's still no clarity on Quaid-e-Azam 2024-25 schedule

“Earlier we demonstrated a successful Champions One-Day Cup, and are fully committed to strengthening our domestic structure. The successful execution of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy remains at the heart of this commitment.”Just days ago, though, the fate of this year’s Quaid-e-Azam Trophy was uncertain. ESPNcricinfo understands the tournament was delayed, with the domestic cricket department awaiting the chairman’s sign-off for the tournament. The QeA was tentatively scheduled to start on October 20.The start date of October 26 is considerably later than usual. Just two of the last 15 years have seen the tournament begin after this date. The PCB opted to host the Champions One-Day Cup in September, Pakistan’s only meaningfully empty window until May, pushing the first-class competition deeper into the season.This means the Quaid-e-Azam trophy starts while Pakistan’s Test season – it’s busiest this century – will already be well into the fifth of seven home games. The final begins on December 19, a week out from the first Test in South Africa on December 26. Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan vice-captain Saud Shakeel suggested the first-class competition could be used to prepare for the tour of South Africa by attempting to replicate those conditions.”If you want to prepare for SENA [series in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia], you can do it during practice and first class cricket,” Shakeel said. “If there’s first-class cricket before South Africa, we could prepare those kinds of pitches there. But we should prepare pitches and conditions series-by-series, and according to the opposition.”

Half-centuries for Karunaratne, Chandimal and Dhananjaya not enough to prevent heavy Sri Lanka defeat

Alan Gardner01-Sep-2024Gus Atkinson produced his fifth performance worthy of the Lord’s honours boards in his debut summer as an England Test cricketer, adding a second-innings five-for to his maiden hundred as Sri Lanka’s resistance in the second Test was finally broken.The touring side, set an unlikely target of 483 to keep the series alive, put on a gutsy fourth-innings display in a bid to avoid a first Test defeat at Lord’s since 1991. There were valiant half-centuries for Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva, as well as more dogged lower-order resistance from Milan Rathnayake, in only his second Test. But in the end, they were well beaten, going down by 190 runs inside four days.There was only a sparse crowd in at Lord’s to appreciate the contest, but there were ripples of applause for Sri Lanka’s endeavour – followed by the latest ovation of Atkinson’s fledgling Test career, as he raised the ball aloft after removing Rathnayake to leave Sri Lanka nine down. It took his tally to 19 Test wickets at 10.94 in two Test appearances at Lord’s (three entries on the board for five wickets in an innings, one for ten in the match), to go alongside the first century of his professional career.Atkinson’s exploits also put him in select company as an allrounder, becoming only the third England Men’s player to score a hundred and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test.ESPNcricinfo LtdEngland returned on Sunday morning needing eight wickets to seal a 2-0 lead in the series – and their fifth consecutive Test win this summer. They were made to work hard for it, with Chris Woakes, Olly Stone and Shoaib Bashir contributing alongside Atkinson as Sri Lanka’s batters applied themselves to their task.If chasing 483 to win seemed unlikely, they certainly had a chance of taking the game into a fifth day. “Bat simple and bat long,” was the message, according to Dhananjaya, and Karunaratne’s first fifty of the series set the tone during the morning session as Sri Lanka lost just two wickets, one of them the “lightwatcher”, Prabath Jayasuriya.Karunaratne dug in for 129 balls for his 55, before being bounced out by Stone, then Chandimal changed gears to blitz a 43-ball fifty either side of lunch. Dhananjaya was typically cool in putting up the highest partnership of the innings alongside Rathnayake, notching his own fifty after tea; but when he played on against Atkinson with the second new ball, the end for Sri Lanka was nigh.Ollie Pope shuffled his hand regularly, trying out different combinations and tactics – although his success with the DRS did not improve, with three burned reviews taking his record as England’s stand-in captain to eight without managing to overturn a single on-field call.The review system also led to England’s one moment of palpable frustration, when Chandimal had an lbw decision reversed on the strength of the minutest of flickers on UltraEdge – “He’s not hit that,” Woakes could be seen to say on replay. But Chandimal’s skittish innings featuring 11 boundaries eventually came to an end via a bat-pad catch at short leg off Atkinson, who struck again in his next over as Kamindu Mendis flashed a drive to third slip.Dhananjaya and Rathnayake threw up another roadblock, as they had done in the first innings at Old Trafford, to extend the day into a third session. Rathnayake showed his bravery in taking on Stone’s short-ball attack and after being dropped by Joe Root at slip off Atkinson looked set to add a second fifty in as many Tests only to nick a pull behind, before Woakes’ slower ball finished the innings off, Lahiru Kumara chipping to mid-on.Dinesh Chandimal hits on the up in his energetic innings•Getty ImagesIt was a long way from an eventful start, which saw Karunaratne survive a review for lbw off the second ball of the morning – replays showing Woakes’ delivery had pitched fractionally outside leg stump. The Sri Lanka opener had another life when a slash at Atkinson evaded the diving Root, a tough, one-handed chance at slip; England then lost a second review when thought they had him caught behind off the same bowler.Woakes removed Jayasuriya after an obdurate innings of 4 from 41 balls, a thick-edged drive well held low at second slip by Harry Brook. But the fourth-wicket stand between Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews kept England at bay, with a run-out seemingly their likeliest method of a breakthrough.With just one fifty from 13 previous innings in England, Karunaratne was largely watchful in his approach, although he did take three boundaries off an over from Atkinson: a cover drive followed up with a controlled pull, before a low edge flew between slip and gully. Another steer down to deep third off Matt Potts took him to 49 before a tap to point allowed him to raise his bat for the first time on tour.Mathews looked to take on Bashir, who found some turn but was perhaps not as threatening as England would have hoped, and Pope asked Stone to go short again with lunch approaching. The move worked, Karunaratne dislodged when gloving a lifter through to Smith down the leg side.Chandimal seemed intent on counterattacking and took Woakes for back-to-back fours at the start of his spell after lunch, then hit Bashir for three boundaries in an over. A wild swipe at Woakes that flew over the slips took him to fifty, and he did the bulk of the scoring during a stand of 59 with Mathews.They were separated when Bashir tempted Mathews to try and go over the top, only to drill his shot into the hands of Woakes, going to his left at mid-off. Woakes then thought he had removed Chandimal on 55, hitting the knee roll with one coming back down the slope – only for the third umpire, Chris Gaffaney, to conclude there was bat involved, much to Woakes’ chagrin. The delay was temporary, as England closed in on a clean sweep ahead of the final Test of the summer at The Oval next week.

Andre Onana was once seen as a huge signing for Manchester United, having the potential to offer an upgrade on David de Gea after the Spaniard was released back in 2023.

The Red Devils forked out a fee in the region of £47.2m to sign him from Inter Milan back in the same summer, with the deal seen as an astute piece of business at the time.

However, nearly two years on from his big-money move to Old Trafford, the Cameroonian has failed to deliver, producing numerous howlers that have cost Ruben Amorim’s side in key moments.

He’s registered eight errors leading to goals this season, undoubtedly being at fault for conceding Brennan Johnson’s effort, which ultimately saw them suffer defeat in the Europa League final.

It’s a surprise to no one to see other targets being considered during the summer transfer window, with a new shot-stopper desperately needed if the club are to take the next step in the years ahead.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new goalkeeper

Earlier this summer, Burnley ‘keeper James Trafford was seen as a viable option for United, with his tally of 29 clean sheets this season catching the eye – but no deal has yet progressed for the former Manchester City youngster.

Champions League winner Gianluigi Donnarumma was also seen as a potential addition, but their quest for his signature has been foiled after the Italian stated his desire to remain at PSG.

As a result, the Red Devils have had to take their efforts elsewhere, appearing to be heading in the right direction over a move to sign Lille star Lucas Chevalier, according to TEAMtalk.

Their report claims that Amorim’s side has opened talks with the 23-year-old’s agents as they bid to sign a player who kept 11 clean sheets in his 34 Ligue 1 outings throughout 2024/25.

It also states they face competition from fellow English side Aston Villa, with the French outfit demanding a fee in the region of £50m to part ways with the promising talent this window.

Why Cheavlier would be a better signing than Martinez for United

As previously mentioned, United have been working hard to identify a new goalkeeper for Amorim in recent weeks, subsequently turning their attention to Villa’s Emiliano Martínez in recent days.

The Argentine has been one of Europe’s most impressive shot-stoppers in recent seasons, claiming the Goalkeeper of the Year award twice in the last three years.

This season has been no different, winning the league’s Save of the Season award, but looks set to depart Unai Emery’s side, with sales needed to avoid a PSR breach.

It’s been reported that they are demanding £40m for the 32-year-old this summer, with the player himself said to be keen on a switch to join the Red Devils.

However, the club should look past Martinez in the coming months and put their focus onto Chevalier, with the Frenchman providing a better option for Amorim’s side.

At only 23, he has the potential to grow into one of Europe’s leading talents in such a position, even outperforming Martinez in numerous key areas this campaign – subsequently highlighting the talent he possesses.

The Lille number one, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by one analyst, has conceded fewer goals and kept more clean sheets in 2024/25 – handing United the quality they’ve been lacking between the sticks.

Games played

34

37

Goals conceded

36

45

Clean sheets

11

8

Save percentage

75%

69%

Saves made per 90

2.8

2.7

Pass accuracy

80%

78%

Errors leading to goals

0

1

He’s also achieved a better save percentage and made more saves per 90, highlighting why he would be a better and higher-quality addition despite his tender age.

Chevalier has starred with the ball at his feet, completing more passes and registering fewer errors that lead to goals, offering Amorim the option to play out from the back should he want it.

Whilst £50m may appear to be a hefty figure for a young ‘keeper, the Lille star has demonstrated that he’s a competent option that’s only going to get better in the years to come.

Martinez would likely be a solid short-term solution to the current issue, but Chevalier could easily be the club’s number one for the next decade, with the hierarchy needing to prioritise a move for his signature over the Argentine this summer.

He's perfect for Mbeumo: Wilcox opens talks to sign £35m star for Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to make a move for another young gem this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 25, 2025