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Arsenal’s summer spending spree is seemingly set to commence.

On Saturday morning, Fabrizio Romano reported that Martín Zubimendi “has now verbally agreed” to join Arsenal, claiming that the Gunners intend to trigger his release clause, which stands at €60m (£51m).

This deal has been in the pipeline for a while, with David Ornstein of The Athletic reporting back in January that they were “pursuing a deal” to sign the Spanish international, describing him as a “long-term target”.

Nevertheless, this is set to be just the start of Mikel Arteta’s mass summer squad rebuild, so are the Gunners also close to signing another La Liga star, who’d be the club’s best value-for-money signing since Jurriën Timber?

Latest on Arsenal's transfer search

According to a report by Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Arsenal are ‘close to signing’ Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García.

As noted by James McNicholas and David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal spent all of last summer pursuing the 24-year-old, having “identified” the Spaniard as the perfect player to provide competition for his compatriot David Raya, but Espanyol were unwilling to negotiate any lower than his €30m (£25m) release clause.

The bad news for Arsenal is that the Blanquiazules are on course to avoid relegation, García’s release clause would reportedly have dropped to just £12.6m had the Catalan club finished in the bottom three, but Tom Allnutt of the Times still believes the Gunners plan to finalise this deal.

So, how will García improve Arteta’s squad, and will he be their latest bargain signing?

Arsenal's best value-for-money signings

Analyst Ben Mattinson labels García an “exciting goalkeeper”, praising his “cross claiming” and “composure on the ball”.

Meantime, Sive Vishwa of Breaking the Lines describes him as “dependable and aggressive”, forecasting that he will become “one of the best goalkeepers” of his generation.

Thus, at just £25m, García looks set to prove an absolute bargain, but who are some of Arsenal’s best value-for-money signings of the Arteta-era?

David Raya

2023

£27m

93

Jurriën Timber

2023

£34m

51

Leandro Trossard

2023

£27m

121

Jorginho

2023

£12m

78

Martin Ødegaard

2021

£30m

195

Gabriel Magalhães

2020

£27m

210

Timber in particular stands out as an excellent value-for-money signing, arriving from Ajax for just £34m two summers ago.

As outlined by Alex Howell of BBC Sport, the Dutchman is in the running to be named Arsenal’s player of the season, a remarkable achievement considering he played just 147 minutes during his first campaign in North London, suffering an ACL rupture on the opening day of the season against Nottingham Forest.

So, will García prove to be the Gunners’ latest bargain?

Well, for him to become that, he’ll need to play matches, and this won’t be easy considering current number one Raya has been “really impressive” according to Arteta, so let’s compare the two Spanish shot-stoppers.

Appearances

34

52

Minutes

3,060

4,710

Cleans sheets

7

18

Goals conceded

44

47

Shots on target faced

176

170

Saves

135

119

Save %

77.3%

74.1%

Post-shot xG – goals conceded

+9.3

+4.1

Crosses stopped %

9.6%

12.1%

Penalties faced

6

12

Penalties saved

2

2

Pass completion %

70.9%

73.9%

Long passes attempted

515

723

% of accurate long passes

39.6%

36.7%

As the table outlines, García’s statistics this season do compare favourably to Raya, made all the more impressive by the fact he is playing for an Espanyol side battling to avoid relegation from La Liga, having been promoted via the Segunda División play-offs last June.

Raya’s statistics are superior when it comes to high claims and passes completed, but García’s post-shot expected goals – goals allowed figure of +9.3, meaning he’s prevented over nine more goals than expected, is certainly eye-catching.

Across Europe’s top-five leagues, of all 204 goalkeepers who have featured this season, García ranks sixth for this metric, behind only Yehvann Diouf (Reims), Yahia Fofana (Angers), Vanja Milinković-Savić (Torino), Đorđe Petrović​​​​​​​ (Strasbourg) and Donovan Léon (Auxerre), with Raya down at 131st, according to FBref.com.

Transfer Focus

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

So, García will arrive in North London confident he can usurp his fellow Spaniard in the pecking order, suggesting he could prove to be fantastic value for money.

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Leeds United have the opportunity to improve the first-team squad this summer, regardless of the division they find themselves in between now and the end of the season.

The Whites remain in a solid position to claim promotion from the Championship, currently occupying second place under Daniel Farke – with the German having the chance to win his third second-tier title.

However, the last few weeks have seen the side stutter towards the finish line, winning just one of the last five matches, surrendering their lead at the top of the table.

The last clash in the league saw Farke’s men draw 2-2 with Swansea City after a 97th-minute equaliser from Zan Vipotnik secured an unlikely point for the visitors.

One player in particular failed to deliver during the clash with the Welsh outfit, leading to questions over his long-term future at Elland Road, with many unhappy with his recent showings.

Illan Meslier’s future at Leeds United

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has been Farke’s number-one option between the sticks this season but has often produced a moment of madness, costing the side all three points.

He made two separate errors against the Swans at the weekend, with his penalty save forgotten after his mistakes which handed the visitors a point in Yorkshire.

The Frenchman hasn’t been a stranger to a mistake this campaign, currently having a goals prevented xG of -2.7 – massively impacting the club’s chances of getting promoted.

Regardless of what division the club find themselves in next season, Farke must part ways with the 25-year-old if the side are to reach the next level – with his mistakes ultimately too costly.

However, the goalkeeper shouldn’t be the only player to depart the club this summer, with the manager brutally needing to part ways with one player who’s not at the level required for the top flight.

The Leeds star who wouldn’t cut it in the PL

Ahead of the summer, numerous players’ contracts are set to expire, with time running out for the hierarchy to secure an extension on players whose deals are coming to an end.

Junior Firpo is just one first-team member who could depart Elland Road this summer, with the Spaniard no closer to agreeing a new contract – with teams in Spain already registering interest in his services.

Sam Bryam is another player who could leave this window, with the club needing to avoid offering him a new deal – especially if they are to achieve promotion by the end of the year.

The 31-year-old, who’s been labelled “reliable” by one analyst, is currently in his second spell with the Whites, after rejoining on a free transfer in the summer of 2023.

The right-back has been a valuable squad member this campaign, making 30 appearances – but only 15 have come from a starting role, with the likes of Firpo and Jayden Bogle ahead of him.

However, the stats he’s produced are unfortunately not up to the level of a Premier League standard, with the 49ers needing higher quality players if they are to maintain their top-flight status if they secure promotion.

Sam Byram’s stats for Leeds United in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	30
Games started	15
Pass accuracy	83%
Touches per 90	75
Tackles won	1.2
Duels won	5.3
Aerials won	2.2
Stats via FotMob

There’s no denying he’s been a tremendous servant for the club over the years, but ultimately he’s coming to the back end of his career with Farke needing to offload him and invest in new blood.

It will be a harsh decision to part ways with him given his extended time with the Whites, but unfortunately, the club need to do what is right if they are to be more competitive in the years ahead, whether that’s in the Championship or the Premier League.

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da pinup bet： One Rangers player is on course to leave Ibrox over the coming months having recently been described as “fragile”.

Rangers manager rumours as 49ers agree takeover deal in principle

da brwin： It is promising to be a busy few months off the pitch in Glasgow, with the 49ers Enterprises agreeing a deal in principle to take charge at Ibrox. Sky Sports reported last month that talks have been ongoing for a while now and there is ‘growing confidence on all sides that it will be completed ahead of the new season’.

The 49ers will have to get straight to work as well and look ready to do so as there have been claims they are ready to back a new manager in the transfer market with a £20m+ transfer budget.

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Barry Ferguson is the current interim Rangers boss and has been impressing at times, defeating Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce in the Europa League across two legs, while also winning at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.

Ferguson is thought to be keen on the idea of taking the Rangers manager job on a permanent basis, however, other names have been mentioned as potential targets.

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin has been linked with a move to Scotland, as has Liam Rosenior who is currently in charge of Strasbourg in France.

Rangers progressing to the semi-finals of the Europa League will only strengthen Ferguson’s case to land the job on a full-time basis, however, whoever is in charge could lose a plethora of current Gers players in the summer.

Forward Hamza Igamane is wanted by Marseille, who have made serious moves for the Morocco international. Rangers want £20m for the attacker, however, one player who could leave for free is defender Leon Balogun.

Leon Balogun on course to leave Rangers for free

According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Rangers are set to axe Balogun from the Ibrox books this summer.

The 36-year-old, on £8,000-a-week which equates to £416,000-a-year in Glasgow, is out of contract at the end of the campaign and O’Rourke says it is unlikely he will be offered a new deal.

Balogun returned to Rangers back in 2023, a year after leaving for QPR. Since moving back to Glasgow, he has made a further 44 appearances for the club, taking his overall tally to three figures.

Talking about Balogun recently, Derek Ferguson, brother of Barry, advised Rangers to move the defender on this summer, calling him “fragile”.

Balogun’s career Rangers stats

Games

109

Goals

3

Yellow cards

12

Red cards

3

Trophies

3

“I think he’ll be off. He’s done terrifically well since coming back in, but he’s 36 and injury-prone. He’s a good player, but is he someone Rangers should be looking to tie down? No. He’s done well across two spells, but no, it’s time for Leon to look elsewhere. Rangers will need to look for a younger version of Balogun – a player with pace, power and good in the air. Leon is just too fragile.”

Arsenal are now “monitoring” an “exciting” midfielder, with a summer transfer possible if they are willing to pay at least £50m, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Gunners keen on a midfielder

The Gunners are well-known to be interested in signing a midfielder this summer, having been pursuing Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi for quite some time, but there is growing uncertainty that a deal for the Spaniard will be possible.

As such, while Mikel Arteta is still hoping to get a deal for Zubimendi over the line, alternative targets are being identified, with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios now being plotted.

The north Londoners are also in the race for Rosenborg youngster Sverre Nypan, who is considered a key signing for Arteta’s future project, but there will be competition from Liverpool, while Manchester City are also known to be interested.

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By
Dominic Lund

Mar 4, 2025

Not only will Arsenal have to do battle with Liverpool if they decide to pursue Nypan, but they are also battling the Reds for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, according to a recent update from Plettenberg on X.

Tottenham Hotspur and several other teams, including the top Bundesliga clubs, are also “monitoring” Larsson, with a summer move deemed a possibility, should any potential suitor be willing to fork out a big fee.

The German club are hoping to receive at least €60m (£50m) for the midfielder, and they are seemingly in a strong negotiating position, given that he remains contracted until the summer of 2029.

Frankfurt are expecting “concrete offers” for the 20-year-old in the summer, but it remains to be seen whether the Gunners are willing to make a bid.

"Exciting" Larsson impressing for Frankfurt

Although the Swedish maestro is still very young, he has already received eight caps for his country, having impressed at club level, establishing himself as a key player for Frankfurt since making the move from Malmo FF.

Prior to his arrival in Germany, the former Malmo man was lauded as “one of the most exciting talents in Swedish football” by freelance scout Ben Mattinson, and he has certainly lived up to the hype thus far.

The starlet has made 33 appearances in all competitions this term, and he has been on the scoresheet five times, scoring an unconventional goal with his knee to mark his 50th Bundesliga outing last month, during Frankfurt’s 3-1 victory over Holstein Kiel.

Having proven himself in the Bundesliga over the past two seasons, Larsson could be ready to take the next step in his career by signing for one of the Premier League’s top clubs, so it is exciting news Arsenal could be in the race for his signature this summer.

Even a win can’t assure New Zealand of a top-four ticket, with Pakistan having a game in hand; and rain could play a part in Bengaluru again

Madushka Balasuriya08-Nov-20234:17

Williamson: ‘We knew anybody can beat anybody and we’ve seen that’

Big picture: All to play forAnd so it comes down to this. After a month of non-stop cricket – 40 matches leading up to this one, to be precise – there’s a very good chance that it will be the weather in Bengaluru which might end up deciding which team takes up not just the last semi-final berth in this World Cup, but also the final Champions Trophy 2025 qualification spot. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us first take a quick look back at how we got here.If you’re New Zealand, you could be forgiven for scratching your head a little at your present predicament. After four wins from your first four games, and then two scores of 383 and 401 in two of your next four, you surely ought to have nailed down that top-four spot, right? Well, not if that 383 came in an agonisingly close losing chase against Australia, and that 401 preceded some classic Pakistan shenanigans courtesy Fakhar Zaman, who wasn’t even in the starting XI at the beginning of this tournament.But New Zealand’s fate is largely in their own hands. A win against Sri Lanka, and they move to ten points to almost certainly lock that fourth semi-final slot. The only caveat – Pakistan will be playing two days later, knowing precisely what they need to do against England to trump New Zealand’s net run rate (NRR). Afghanistan too could get to ten points, but their NRR is so dire that it’s all but mathematically impossible to leapfrog the sides above them.3:07

SL assistant coach: ‘Captaincy must be a burden on Kusal Mendis’

As for Sri Lanka, an underwhelming tournament, scattered with only sporadic moments of triumph, reached a pointed nadir in their comprehensive defeat to Bangladesh on Monday – a fact conveniently sidelined by the furore surrounding Angelo Mathews’ mildly contentious, not-at-all-polarising dismissal.Related

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It's a four-way battle for the last two Champions Trophy spots

The margin of that loss, coupled with England’s win over Netherlands on Wednesday, also left them in ninth place* – below the cut-off point for qualification to the next Champions Trophy – with only NRR keeping them off the bottom. There are various scenarios at play but all four teams – Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Netherlands – could still finish level on four points, with run rate the decider.Which brings us to the rain, something that would be considerably more disastrous for New Zealand than their opponents because they need the full two points. Anything less than that and Pakistan, Afghanistan or both could surpass them in the race for the semi-finals.A washout may work in Sri Lanka’s favour but then they’d be waiting on at least two of Bangladesh, England and Netherlands to lose their final match of the World Cup.As for the actual head-to-head between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, it’s been all one-way traffic in recent times. Sri Lanka’s last ODI victory against New Zealand came back in 2015.Rachin Ravindra has hit three hundreds in this World Cup•Associated Press

Recent formNew Zealand LLLLW
Sri Lanka LLLWWIn the spotlight: Rachin Ravindra and Kusal MendisRachin Ravindra has 523 runs this World Cup. He hadn’t played a single game of ODI cricket when the year began but he is now the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament. Heading into the World Cup, all of Ravindra’s first eight ODI innings came at either No. 6 or 7. But from the moment he hit a hundred to kick things off last month, he earned himself a place in that New Zealand top order and has never looked back. Of batters to have played as many games as him in the World Cup, only Virat Kohl’s ludicrous average of 108.60 trumps Ravindra’s 74.71. And one last fact, his only ODI innings against Sri Lanka saw him score 49 from 52 balls, in what was his ODI debut.Of all the mid-tournament revelations in all the World Cups. In ordinary circumstances, having been pushed out of semi-final contention, this Sri Lanka side might have been looking forward to the creature comforts of home. Here, however, they still need a win, and more importantly inspiration. Enter Kusal Mendis, the man named captain two games into this tournament, two games in which he was a whirlwind of unadulterated intent. His seven innings prior to taking up the mantle had seen him rack up six scores of fifty or more, including a 77-ball 126 against Pakistan. Since then though his form has fallen of the proverbial cliff; he has averaged 15 at a strike rate of 68.18. Sri Lanka badly need Mendis to rediscover his mojo.Team news: Ferguson and Jamieson both to play?For New Zealand, Matt Henry has been ruled out of the World Cup. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s weakness against short-pitched bowling might see the inclusion of one or both of Kyle Jamieson and Lockie Ferguson.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.), 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mark Chapman, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Ish Sodhi/Kyle Jamieson, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Tim Southee/Lockie FergusonSri Lanka badly need Kusal Mendis to rediscover his mojo•Getty Images

Sri Lanka don’t have any fresh injury concerns and are likely to stick with the same side which lost to Bangladesh.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kusal Mendis (capt, wk) 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Dhananjaya de Silva, 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Kasun Rajitha, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Dilshan MadushankaPitch and conditions: Runs or rain?New Zealand as whole might not have fond memories of the Chinnaswamy stadium, but their batters might, having plundered 401 against Pakistan. Sri Lanka too will remember fondly their win against England here. Now if only the rain will keep away.Stats and trivia: A one-sided contest Rachin Ravindra is currently tied with Sachin Tendulkar for most runs at a World Cup before turning 25. He can go free and clear of an all-time great tomorrow. Dilshan Madushanka is seven wickets away from becoming the all-time highest wicket-taker in a single edition of a World Cup. Sri Lanka have won just three of their last 20 ODIs against New Zealand; they’ve lost seven of their last eight, with one game abandoned. Two of the three games at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in this World Cup have seen the side batting first score above 350, with only England – against Sri Lanka – failing to do so.Quotes”We knew the talent was there, but to come out be one of the players of the tournament so far – not only with the bat, but he’s also making really valuable contributions with the ball. Yeah, very, very special player, and great that he’s on our side.”
*November 9 – This was updated to correct the permutations for Champions Trophy qualification

Micah Richards surprised David Beckham and his celebrity guests during an episode of the Manchester United and England great's show on Paramount+.

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• Richards crashed Beckham's watch-along with Hollywood guests
• Guy Ritchie and Stanley Tucci were hosted in the studio
• Richards had fans laughing during surprise appearance

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Micah Richards left fans in stitches of laughter when he gatecrashed the Paramount+ plus show 'David Beckham & Friends' to gift the former Manchester United and England midfielder with a jar of homemade jam as a belated birthday present.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Beckham was hosting Hollywood royalty in Stanley Tucci and Guy Ritchie alongside presenter Kate Scott in a watch-along of Tuesday night's enthralling meeting between Inter and Barcelona in the Champions League, ex-Manchester City defender Richards popped in to introduce himself and even plonked himself on Beckham's lap at one point.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Viewers were left shocked and laughing by Richards' surprise appearance, with one social media user calling it "incredible" and another admitting they were "in tears" at actor Tucci's reaction.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR RICHARDS AND BECKHAM?

  Richards is bound to provide more viral moments during CBS' coverage of the latter stages of the Champions League, starting with Arsenal's crucial trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night. Beckham, meanwhile, recently celebrated his 50th birthday with a lavish party, where the likes of Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas were in attendance.

The Blues are dominant in England but are on the brink of a third-straight semi-final loss to the Catalans in Europe – so how do they bridge the gap?

Chelsea fans could be forgiven for thinking this would be their year in the Women's Champions League. After Emma Hayes led the Blues further than they'd ever been in this competition, reaching the 2021 final, Sonia Bompastor was appointed as her successor in the summer, having lifted the trophy as both a player and a manager.

With the experience of five-time winner Lucy Bronze following her to the club, and a January spending spree that included the arrivals of Keira Walsh and Naomi Girma, Chelsea were certainly pushing to go to that next level. Yet, if that elusive title is to make its way to Stamford Bridge, it will surely not be this year.

On Sunday, Bompastor's side lost the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Barcelona by a devastating 4-1 scoreline. It's the third time these two have clashed at this stage in three years – and for the third season in a row, the Catalans look set to emerge victorious.

Back in England, things are as rosy as they can be for Chelsea. In pole position to win a sixth-successive Women's Super League title, they've already lifted the League Cup and are into next month's FA Cup final. Domestic dominance, then, is continuing as usual – but how do the Blues translate that into European success?

• Getty
  

  Barca & Lyon dominance

  England's WSL is widely regarded as the best and most competitive women's league in Europe. Indeed, Aitana Bonmati, Barcelona's two-time Ballon d'Or winner, praised it highly last summer for the investment across the board. "I would say that England is an example off the field. Barca as a club is the same, but I would say England as a country," she said in an interview with . "England are investing a lot in women's football since the Euros – I cannot say the same about here in Spain."

  But while that might seem like a good league for Chelsea to be dominating, as it should prepare them for the difficult challenges of facing teams such as Barca and eight-time European champions Lyon, it's not quite panning out that way. Instead, despite not playing in the best domestic divisions, it is the Spanish and French champions who continue to have a stranglehold on the Champions League. Barca have reached five of the last six finals, winning three of them, while OL have made seven of the last nine, winning six.

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• Getty Images
  

  More experience needed

  Why is that? Bompastor is well-placed to answer, having played for Lyon for six years then coached them for three. In that time, she led OL to victory over Barca in the Champions League final too, back in 2022.

  "When you talk about Lyon, they have won the Champions League eight times and Barcelona already three times. I think this experience is difficult to make the gap shorter between the teams," she said this week. "I think it's about keeping our ambitions, keeping our mentality to want to reach high expectations, ambitions and goals. I think one day we'll get there, hopefully this season. But if not this season, we will work hard to make sure we just close the gap between these two teams and the English teams."

• Getty Images
  

  Work to do

  Bompastor has a point, as there was certainly an experience gap on Sunday. Looking at those who featured for Chelsea in the 4-1 loss, Millie Bright, Erin Cuthbert and Guro Reiten all played in the final against the Catalans in 2021, while Bronze, Walsh and Catarina Macario are all previous winners of the competition. But that was it. Sophie Ingle and Sam Kerr, both starters in the 2021 final, haven't played all season due to injury, with Kadeisha Buchanan, another previous UWCL winner, has been sidelined since November.

  Plenty of others in this Chelsea squad has some decent level of experience, of course. Every player is a senior international and most have represented their countries at major tournaments, as well as playing in finals and games of a similar stature at club level. But when it comes to experience of the Champions League and of getting over the line, the Blues pale in comparison to the likes of Barca and Lyon.

  That's not something the club hasn't tried to address. After all, ex-Barca duo Bronze and Walsh were signings made just this season. But a club can't just sign a whole squad of Champions League experts; some of that has to be developed, which is an ongoing process, and perhaps the most difficult step to complete.

• Getty Images
  

  Lacking match-winners

  However, if there is one other area where it feels Chelsea really come up short right now when compared to Barca or Lyon, it is in their lack of top-level match-winners. Looking back at that 2021 final, the Blues had those players all over the park. With a front three of Kerr, Fran Kirby and Pernille Harder, a midfield that included Ji So-yun and a bench that featured Reiten and Bethany England, these were the kind of names who could pop up with a match-winning moment. The problem on that occasion was that the team didn't have a lot of European experience – and that Barca were just far too good, of course.

  While the experience has come along a little more in the time since, albeit still not to the necessary level, Chelsea just don't have the match-winners this year when it comes to a stage like the Champions League semis. That's why, though they kept the first leg tight for the most part on Sunday, it never felt like they had the weapons to really hurt Barca.

  After all, Kerr and Lauren James are injured, Reiten is just coming back from time on the sidelines and Macario has struggled for starts. Of those available, Mayra Ramirez is still a little unpolished and, thus, inconsistent, while Aggie Beever-Jones is only 21 years old and developing.

Yorkshire celebrated a County Championship victory for the first time in 14 months when they beat Derbyshire by three wickets on the final morning of the match at Chesterfield.Shan Masood played the leading role against his former county with an unbeaten 95 off 112 balls while a run-a-ball 41 not out from Dom Bess helped see the visitors home after Dawid Malan had fallen to the first ball of the day.Yorkshire needed 65 when Mark Watt removed Malan but Masood and Bess played with composure to share an eighth-wicket stand of 68 from 82 balls to win a gripping contest on 215 for 7The odds had shifted in Derbyshire’s favour when Watt struck with the first ball of the morning. Malan tried to paddle sweep the left-arm spinner but only succeeded in lobbing a simple catch to Matt Lamb at short leg.Given the situation, it was a poor shot by a player of Malan’s quality and experience and put even more responsibility on the shoulders of Masood.With balls keeping low,, there was little margin for error but Bess eased some of the tension by sweeping Watt behind square for four before Masood stroked Alex Thomson to the cover boundary.There were more cheers from the Yorkshire dressing room when Bess cut Watt for four and clipped him through midwicket for three but there was an anxious moment for the visitors in the same over.Masood was on 76 when he missed a sweep at Watt and umpire Chris Watts appeared to uphold the appeal but was only signalling to the bowler to get off the pitch.Bess drove Thomson through the covers for another four and when Zak Chappell replaced Watt at the Pavilion end, Masood turned him behind square to the ropes.Watt switched to the Lake end but the target was now under 20 and Masood swept him to the midwicket boundary to move into the nineties.With 14 required, Thomson replaced Chappell but Bess skipped down the pitch to whip him through midwicket for four and in the next over, he swept Watt for another boundary to take Yorkshire to within touching distance of the finishing line.With everyone around the bat, Bess turned Watt through midwicket for three and struck the winning blow by pulling a Thomson full toss to the boundary shortly before midday to finally end Yorkshire’s 17-game wait for a red-ball victory.

The home side has a potentially fragile batting line-up and it is to be seen how long they can persist with their attacking outlook in the face of adversity

Ian Chappell03-Jun-2023Yet another Ashes series is looming, a continuation of the long-running cricket rivalry between Australia and England but this time with a difference.While this Ashes series will see five hard-fought Tests played again, they are crammed into just six weeks with an unusual July finish. This is physically and mentally demanding for all players but especially the faster bowlers. As the bulk of England’s genuine pace bowlers are suffering injury, it is a schedule that favours Australia.If, as expected, England bat ultra-aggressively, the question is whether they will continue to play in this manner if they experience failure. This is a fascinating proposition, because England will face fast bowlers who are difficult to attack if Australia are able to select their best trio.A fully fit Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are accustomed to opposition batters wanting to attack. Their vast experience will place a lot of pressure on an English batting line-up that can be fragile, especially at the top of the order. If England collapse early, will they have the nerve to maintain their attacking philosophy?Related

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Equally, if the English method pays dividends and they win convincingly, will Australia be tempted to retaliate? If England were to win a match or two convincingly, it would present Cummins, the Australia captain, with a big decision. It’s unlikely he will be stampeded into a drastic change of tactics, but the possibility makes for an interesting encounter.Australia play their best cricket when the team is purposefully aggressive. This policy worked spectacularly in the last Ashes series and over the long haul has proved superior to England’s more conservative methods. However, Ben Stokes’ attacking captaincy and England’s drastic change of batting tactics in recent times adds drama to an already potentially spicy series.If Australia hold their nerve, they have fewer questions to answer than England.England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, tend to be either brilliant or brittle. Facing a strong Australian pace attack, they are in danger of being the latter, which would place enormous pressure on Joe Root. Ollie Pope is a good player but if he is in early, it will benefit Australia.

If the attacking English method pays dividends and they win convincingly, will Australia be tempted to retaliate? It’s unlikely Cummins will be stampeded into a drastic change of tactics, but the possibility makes for an interesting encounter

Then there’s Harry Brook. So far Brook has excelled in Test cricket but Australia could challenge him with some accurate short-pitched deliveries. The inclusion of Jonny Bairstow ahead of Ben Foakes as keeper is an indirect admission that England prefer an aggressor in the middle-order.The concerns over Stokes’ bowling are a major worry for England in view of the devastating loss of Jofra Archer’s pace and skill. Without Archer, England will rely heavily on the fitness and speed of a willing but injury-prone Mark Wood, and possibly the inexperienced Josh Tongue.An attack of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson is viable in English conditions. However, age issues and a similarity of style among those three bowlers will encourage Australia to plan on playing long first innings against such an attack.The Australian batting line-up has a more settled look than England’s but it still relies on Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to amass big scores. Travis Head, and to a lesser extent Usman Khawaja, have to establish their English credentials, while Cameron Green faces a tough test in the conditions.The big unknown, and the player who, if he succeeds, could tip the balance in Australia’s favour is David Warner. Despite his struggles in England in the past, Warner is a dangerous batter because of his tendency to score quickly. If he succeeds, Australia will be boosted but if Broad continues to have the edge over Warner, the series is wide open.Nathan Lyon is a superior spin bowler to Jack Leach and if England are unable to dominate Lyon, he will provide excellent variety to Australia’s powerful pace attack.In normal circumstances the odds slightly favour an Australia series victory. However, this is not a normal Ashes and the fact that the Tests are crammed close together, plus England’s desire to bat dynamically, make this a tantalising series.

Rangers are expected to be extremely busy during this summer’s transfer market.

New Ibrox manager Russell Martin has a big job on his hands, needing to rebuild an underperforming and, in parts, dysfunctional Rangers squad, so plenty of ins and outs are forecast.

On Wednesday, the Gers will learn the identity of their first opponents of the Martin era, preparing to for their Champions League second qualifying round, coming up as soon as 22/23 July.

Before then, could the Gers secure the services of a “magnificent” new goalkeeper?

Rangers' goalkeeping dilemma

After joining the club two years ago, Jack Butland was Rangers’ undisputed number one, starting 102 of his first 111 matches at the club, described by then-manager Philippe Clement as a “top goalkeeper”, even touted with a potential England recall.

However, Butland made a string of high-profile errors throughout the season, most notably at Old Trafford against Manchester United in January, indicating that the Gers can no longer rely on their shot-stopper.

Thus, following the appointment of Barry Ferguson as interim manager, Butland was eventually dropped, with Liam Kelly given the nod for the Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Club, memorably saving Álex Berenguer’s penalty during the first leg goalless draw at Ibrox.

Nevertheless, the table below underlines that perhaps neither are equipped to be Rangers’ first choice going forward.

Goals against per 90

1.11

3rd

1

2nd

Save %

65.5%

17th

67.9%

11th

Clean sheet %

35.7%

5th

40%

4th

Butland and Kelly’s respective lowly save percentages in the Scottish Premiership this season are the most alarming statistics included in the table above, underlining that Martin should be in the market for a new goalkeeper, so could they land a statement new number one?

Rangers targeting a new goalkeeper

As previously reported by Sports Boom earlier this month, Rangers ‘have entered the race’ to sign Aaron Ramsdale this summer, with Martin hoping to be reunited with the goalkeeper he managed at Southampton just last season.

Ramsdale joined the Saints from Arsenal last summer, having fallen below David Raya in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, for a reported fee of £25m, but is likely to be on the move again, after Southampton’s catastrophic relegation back to the EFL Championship.

A report in the Times claims that West Ham are targeting a move for Ramsdale this summer, valued at around £20m by the Saints, although his £100,000-per-week salary could see him only move on loan, which is where Rangers could enter the conversation.

So, would Ramsdale be a significant upgrade on Butland? Let’s find out.

Appearances

44

32

Clean sheets

14

4

Goals conceded

51

68

Saves

84

120

Save %

65.3%

66.8%

Post-shot xG – goals conceded

-0.4

-2.5

% of crosses stopped

4.2

5.5

Accurate passes

600

646

Average Sofascore rating

6.98

7.13

Worth noting that Ramsdale’s statistics are particularly impressive considering he was playing for a historically terrible Southampton side, hence why only Mark Flekken made more saves in this season’s Premier League than he did.

Importantly, his save % is better and he also stops a higher % of crosses, showing he’s more confident in the air.

Journalist Charles Watts labelled Ramsdale’s performances for Arsenal as “magnificent”, with Arteta describing him as “exceptional”, following a man of the match performance at Anfield two seasons ago, words that simply highlight his pedigree.

Thus, it is clear that the England international would be a massive coup for Rangers, if they can bring this deal to life.

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