An inexperienced CSK side chose to bat and limped to 133 despite only losing five wickets

Sreshth Shah15-May-2022

At the start of the season, the talk was that they were an inexperienced team without proper squad balance. Their initial wins were put down to beginners’ luck, or plain old luck. But as the league stage of IPL 2022 has chugged along, the Gujarat Titans juggernaut has rolled on, and with their tenth win in 13 games, Hardik Pandya’s side, on Sunday afternoon, became the first team to be assured of a top-two finish.The last time they met Chennai Super Kings, Titans needed David Miller and Rashid Khan to pull off a heist to take them home from a difficult position. This time, Titans bossed an underwhelming Super Kings through the whole game. Titans did not experiment with their XI, while Super Kings gave some new faces a go, and in the end, the team in form proved too hot for MS Dhoni’s inexperienced XI.A stop-start-stop innings
They lost just five wickets, but scored only 133. Dhoni said at the toss that Super Kings would bat first so that they wouldn’t have to field in the heat, but perhaps there was an adverse effect on the batters. Ruturaj Gaikwad made 53, but took 49 deliveries, failing to pull off the big shots after an initial burst in the powerplay. When he was out in the 16th over, he looked exhausted, and in partnerships with Moeen Ali and N Jagadeesan, he often seemed to settle for ones that could have been twos in less oppressive conditions.Well before Gaikwad’s dismissal, though, came a top spell with the new ball from Mohammed Shami, who came around the stumps to Devon Conway and got a ball to hold its line, causing the attempted flick to end up as an edge to the keeper. Shami’s angle from around the stumps to left-handers has been a ploy through the IPL, and brought him four left-hander wickets and an economy rate of 6.07 as against just the one wicket and an economy rate of 9.85 from over the wicket.Moeen came in at No. 3 and hit Rashid Khan for two sixes in the sixth over, but fell for a 17-ball 21 in the ninth over after misreading the pace out of left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore’s hand.Mohammed Shami picked up 2 for 19 from his four overs•BCCI

Jagadeesan faced the best of Rashid and Alzarri Joseph in the middle overs, failing to change the innings’ gears, and after Gaikwad and Shivam Dube fell in quick succession, the Super Kings innings fizzled out.They struck no boundaries in the last five overs, and picked up just 24 runs in that period, among the worst-case scenarios for a batting side with five wickets in the bag. Rashid conceded just 14 off his last three overs, Shami collected a second wicket, and Yash Dayal came back strong after a 15-run opening over.Saha leads the way
Super Kings needed an early wicket, and Mukesh Choudhary – tied with Shami at the start of the innings for the most powerplay wickets (11) – went full to Wriddhiman Saha in search of movement. Saha began with two streaky boundaries off Choudhary, and in the next over was nearly caught out off the same bowler, but survived after Gaikwad dropped him on 21.Saha did not rein in his strokeplay after the reprieve, and soon pulled Simarjeet Singh for the first six of the innings. After five overs, Titans were 45 for no loss and Shubman Gill had only scored 7 off 7.Gill eventually fell on 18 to debutant Matheesha Pathirana’s first ball in the IPL. Pathirana, a Sri Lankan seamer with a slingy action in the mould of Lasith Malinga, fired his first ball full on the stumps, and Gill failed to flick it away.Super Kings needed another quick wicket, but that did not come as Matthew Wade settled in with Saha for a handy 31-run stand. Moeen picked off Wade in the 12th over and Hardik became Pathirana’s second IPL scalp, but with only 37 runs needed in 43 balls, the Titans remained well ahead in the contest.The perfect end for the Titans would be for Saha to carry his bat, and he did just that, knocking the ball around to reach his third fifty of the season, and then hit the winning runs off the first ball of the final over to finish with 67 off 57 balls. Miller scored a sedate 20-ball 15 to chaperone the team home from the other end.

Arsenal thought they were back in the groove. The Gunners had dispatched the likes of West Ham, Sporting and Manchester United since the last international break of the year but fell short when they travelled to Fulham.

We know the Premier League isn’t easy. The way Mikel Arteta’s men have relentlessly attempted to chase down Manchester City is a testament to that.

Well, they are ahead of City this time around but the trouble is, Arsenal still only sit in third place.

Chelsea leapfrogged them courtesy of a remarkable 4-2 win over Spurs and even though Liverpool didn’t play due to adverse weather conditions, the gap between them and Arteta’s side is still six points.

So, where’s it all gone wrong so far this season? Well, three red cards certainly haven’t helped. Neither did skipper Martin Odegaard’s 12-game absence due to an ankle injury.

The bottom line, however, is that Arsenal simply haven’t been good enough for long periods of time. A lot of that can be owed to an underperforming attack.

Arsenal's underperforming attackers

Let’s get this out of the way first. When at their best, Arteta’s forward line is one of the very best in Europe. Bukayo Saka – the division’s top assister – has proven he is now one of the finest wingers on the continent and coupled with Odegaard, Arsenal have created perhaps their most dynamic duo since the days of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires.

Alas, it is the players on the opposite flank who have often let the club down in crucial moments this season.

Leandro Trossard may have found a degree of form in recent weeks, scoring against Sporting and West Ham nine days ago. Yet, there was that foolish red card at the Etihad and it was his misplaced pass that ultimately led to William Saliba’s sending off against Bournemouth.

The Belgian may have finished as the club’s second-top scorer last term on 17 goals but he simply hasn’t been at the races this term, registering just four goals in 20 games.

Gabriel Martinelli has not fared much better and his piece of play deep in the game at Craven Cottage as Arsenal drew 1-1 typified his season.

The Brazilian did incredibly well to cut inside and curl a tantalising ball to the back post where Saka headed home. It looked like Arsenal had a late winner. But wait…what’s this? It’s the dreaded VAR.

It was a “criminal” mistake in the words of Paul Merson, as Martinelli strayed offside and ruined Arsenal’s chances of narrowing the gap at the top to four points.

That being said, some of the blame should lie at the feet of another Brazilian; Gabriel Jesus.

Why it's time for Gabriel Jesus to go

Over the summer, the club finally decided to part ways with Eddie Nketiah. He had become the third choice option behind Jesus and surprisingly, Kai Havertz.

It was predominantly the German’s form as a centre-forward that provoked that sale and since then he scored four goals in his first seven league matches of 2024/25.

While the goals haven’t been quite as forthcoming in the Premier League since, he still brings a great deal to the attack with his pressing and hold up play.

Unfortunately, like Nketiah, Jesus does not offer much at all. He has scored just one league goal in 2024 to date and ruined his chance to rescue things for Arteta on Sunday afternoon.

Truth be told, it was a rough old day for Havertz who didn’t have a single shot on target in the clash. Change was needed and the more dynamic and tricky Jesus was a wise option to call upon.

His cameo was rather dire, though. The former Man City striker registered a truly awful pass success rate of 17% after he left the field and also messed up a goalscoring opportunity in bizarre fashion.

Minutes played

17

Touches

8

Accurate passes

1/6 (17%)

Shots

0

Dribbles

0

Key passes

0

Crosses

0

Duels won

1/1

Possession lost

5x

Tackles

1

The ball was lifted over the Fulham defence by Declan Rice and the 27-year-old had an ideal opportunity to tuck the ball away when one-on-one with Bernd Leno. Except Jesus didn’t actually make contact with the ball. He paused, seemingly unsure as to whether the ball would come to him and rather than being gifted with a simple chance it fell straight into Leno’s arms.

That lack of confidence, that lack of conviction typified his sorry calendar year. Perhaps rather harshly, Arsenal reporter Connor Humm noted that the £45m signing “doesn’t look like he could score in League 2.” It does feel like that at times, it must be said.

Truth be told, Jesus’ decline has been particularly sad. Yes, the Brazil international has struggled with injuries over the last 18 months or so but let us remember the immediate impact he made at the Emirates.

After signing from title rivals City in the summer of 2022, he scored five goals in his first eight league outings. That form has never been replicated since.

Unfortunately, it feels as though this could be the beginning of the end of Jesus’ time in an Arsenal shirt. They will undoubtedly recruit a new forward in 2025 and as a result, someone will have to be shipped on. He is now a prime candidate.

5/10 Arsenal star just had his worst game all season

Arsenal were held by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon.

ByMatt Dawson Dec 8, 2024

Lionel Messi remains a fitness concern for Inter Miami ahead of their MLS return, with the Argentine icon receiving treatment after training alone.

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• Game time has been carefully managed
• Withdrew from latest Argentina squad
• All-time great is still nursing a knock

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Herons have not been in action since March 16. A break from domestic duty has been taken in while a number of star turns represent their respective nations. Javier Mascherano’s side will be playing host to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It remains to be seen whether Messi is able to play any part in that contest. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s workload has been carefully managed since the 2025 campaign got underway. He has sat out MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Messi was also forced to pull out of the latest Argentina squad, as they take in 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with the decision taken to remain in Florida alongside wife Antonela and their three children. The 37-year-old has been relaxing, but does not appear to have fully recovered.

• WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

  Messi has been working on an individual training programme in Miami. He underwent treatment on his famous leg during an open session at the start of the week. While he does not form part of the main group for now, there is still time for a muscle complaint to be shaken off before taking in minutes against the Union at Chase Stadium.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Fifa divulgou nesta quinta-feira a atualização do ranking de seleções, confirmando, assim, os potes da Copa do Mundo de 2022, que acontece entre novembro e dezembro, no Qatar. A grande novidade fica por conta da Seleção Brasileira, que ultrapassou a Bélgica e voltou à liderança.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol InternacionalSorteio da Copa do Mundo: saiba os potes de cada seleção e onde assistirFutebol Internacional30/03/2022Futebol InternacionalSeleção Brasileira é a única que pode ser sorteada com os mesmos rivais da Copa do Mundo da RússiaFutebol Internacional31/03/2022Futebol InternacionalInfantino desmente Copa do Mundo bienal: ‘Não é proposta da Fifa’Futebol Internacional31/03/2022

O Brasil não figurava no topo da lista desde 2017, quando Alemanha e Argentina completavam o top-3. Neste ano, além dos belgas, que agora estão em segundo, a França, atual campeã mundial, é quem fecha o pódio das melhores seleções do planeta.

+ Veja a tabela das Eliminatórias Europeias para a Copa do Mundo de 2022

Na dez primeiras colocações, apenas a Itália, que conquistou a Eurocopa no ano passado, é quem não disputará a Copa do Mundo. A Azzurra foi eliminada na semifinal da repescagem das Eliminatórias Europeias após derrota para a Macedônia do Norte.

VEJA AS DEZ PRIMEIRAS SELEÇÕES DO RANKING DA FIFA
1º: Brasil – 1832,69 pontos
2º: Bélgica – 1827,00pontos
3º: França – 1789,85pontos
4º: Argentina – 1765,13pontos
5º: Inglaterra – 1761,71pontos
6:º Itália – 1723,31pontos
7º: Espanha – 1709,19pontos
8º: Portugal – 1674,78pontos
9º: México – 1658,82pontos
10º: Holanda – 1658,66pontos

Brazil 🇧🇷 return to the 🔝, five years after they were last there.

The March 2022 table is not only a new chapter in rankings history, but it will be used to calculate the seeds for tomorrow's FIFA #WorldCup Qatar 2022 Final Draw.

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) March 31, 2022

México e Holanda, que estão no top-10, além da Alemanha (12ª), estarão no pote 2 do sorteio da Copa do Mundo, que acontecerá nesta sexta-feira. Isso quer dizer que uma das três poderá cair no grupo da Seleção Brasileira, que estará no pote 1. País-sede, o Qatar também será cabeça de chave.

+As arenas do Qatar: confira todos os estádios da Copa do Mundo 2022

POTES DA COPA DO MUNDO
Pote 1: Qatar, Brasil, Bélgica, França, Argentina, Inglaterra, Espanha e Portugal;

Pote 2: México,Holanda,Dinamarca,Alemanha,Uruguai,Suíça,Estados Unidos eCroácia;

Pote 3: Senegal, Irã, Japão, Marrocos, Sérvia, Polônia, Coreia do Sul, Tunísia;

Pote 4: Camarões, Canadá, Equador, Arábia Saudita, Gana, repescagem intercontinental 1,repescagem intercontinental 2 erepescagem europeia.

JOGOS DA REPESCAGEM
Costa Rica x Nova Zelândia
País de Gales x Escócia ou Ucrânia
Peru x Austrália ou Emirados Árabes

continua após a publicidade

Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone could feature in new head coach’s plans

ESPNcricinfo staff28-May-2022Brendon McCullum has suggested that he will look to reintegrate a number of England’s white-ball stars into the Test side – naming Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone as players who could be part of his future plans.McCullum was unveiled as England’s new Test coach at Lord’s on Friday, speaking at length about his hopes for reinvigorating the set-up. Although the squad named for next week’s first Test against New Zealand featured a number of conservative selections, McCullum hinted that he was keen to talk to several players who have had greater success for England in the limited-overs formats.Buttler endured a miserable Ashes tour to Australia as the Test wicketkeeper, but has rediscovered his form at the IPL, where is currently the leading run-scorer in the competition. Moeen, who retired from Test cricket last year, also enjoyed a productive IPL, as did the uncapped Livingstone; Rashid has not played a Test since the 2018-19 tour of the Caribbean, citing a desire to stay fresh for white-ball cricket.Related

Multi-format player workloads top of agenda for England's new management

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McCullum: Test appointment a 'big risk' but England's new head coach confident of success

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Sangakkara on Buttler: 'I can't remember anyone batting this well in the history of the IPL'

“Jos is one of those players you look at instantly and think how could he be so dominant in one form of the game and not quite have found his feet, other than a few fleeting performances, in Test cricket?” McCullum said.”There’s certainly guys you look at and think there’s a lot of talent that could improve the side given the right opportunity. There’s no reason why, if you’re good at T20, you can’t bring those skills into Test cricket and you look at some of the guys who have dominated the IPL in the last two months. It’s just a matter of trying to identify how they’re going to do that.”On the question of whether Moeen would be open to a Test return, McCullum said: “We’ll see. I’m sure if Mo wanted to, and was prepared to put the yards in to make it back into the side, then he’d challenge, no doubt.” The subsequently reported that Moeen had spoken to McCullum and was ready to make a comeback in whites.”I’m not sure someone like Adil would play every game every year anyway,” McCullum added. “But my mentality is, if they’re the best cricketers, why not have the conversation and see where you get to?”Livingstone was previously picked for the Test squad on the 2018 tour of New Zealand, but has since made his name on the global T20 circuit. He scored England’s fastest T20I hundred, from 42 balls, against Pakistan last summer and was a member of the team that got to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. At this year’s IPL, he had the highest strike rate of anyone to score 400 runs.”Again, a conversation needs to be had about what his appetite for Test cricket is,” McCullum said. “If he is keen on playing, then how does he see himself getting into the side?”Just because you’re a good cricketer, it doesn’t mean you automatically get selected. You’ve still got to earn the right to be able to do so. I don’t have any pre-conceived thoughts about whether he’s good enough or not good enough. I just look at him and think he’s a very good cricketer, and think it’s worth having a conversation.”Obviously you’ve got the likes of Livingstone, Moeen, Rashid. All these guys have played international cricket before, been successful in the other forms of the game and you’d think they’d be able to transition across.”I look at them and think there’ll be a time where they may get an opportunity if they’re invested enough. There’s probably been a bit of hurt at times for those guys too, because they’ve been in the team at times and then out of the team at others and there hasn’t been that persistence for them.”

A wonderful ascent in form and performance has allowed Newcastle United to bow out of 2024 with a bang.

Newcastle still have to travel to Old Trafford before the new year is ushered in, but if December is anything to go by, the visitors will be confident in their ability to leave Manchester United’s stomping ground with pockets full.

While Newcastle can approach 2025 with the renewed belief that they can throw down with the best that the Premier League has to offer, they will need to make some improvements to Eddie Howe’s squad.

Moreover, some players need to be sold. On that note, let’s have a look at the worst signings of the largely successful Howe era.

Eddie Howe's worst Newcastle signings

Regarding the current squad, Kieran Trippier is sure to be one of the first players out the door when the new year comes around, with Football Insider revealing that the 34-year-old is up for sale this January.

2024/25

10 (4)

0

0

2023/24

28 (26)

1

10

2022/23

38 (38)

1

7

2021/22

6 (5)

2

0

However, Trippier has been an incredible leader since signing for about £12m in January 2022, leaving Atletico Madrid to spearhead the PIF project on Tyneside. Father Time has simply crept up on him like the end of another year.

Looking at the genuinely bad signings, you’d have to pick Chris Wood out pretty quickly. The heavyset striker might be thriving for Nottingham Forest right now, but he was woeful for the Toon, costing £25m to prise away from Burnley in January 2022 and only scoring five times across 39 matches.

Matt Targett has also become a peripheral figure at St. James’ Park after showing initial promise when joining from Aston Villa for £15m in 2022. Really though, United have hit the jackpot more often than not.

There is a more recent signing who needs to be sold. Indeed, Odisseas Vlachodimos might just be the biggest flop of the lot.

Why Newcastle need to sell Odisseas Vlachodimos

Newcastle seemed to foster an urge for goalkeepers – and lots of them – this summer, bolstering their ranks with veteran John Ruddy and Nottingham Forest’s Vlachodimos, who was purchased for a curious £20m fee as Elliot Anderson headed the other way.

Nick Pope, Mark Gillespie and Martin Dubravka already occupied spaces in the Magpies’ senior set-up, and still do, with the bloated shot-stopping department raising the question: Why was Vlachodimos signed in the first place?

Vlachodimos, 30, has only played 45 minutes of senior football for Newcastle, replacing the injured Martin Dubravka at the interval against third-tier AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup.

Oh sure, he’s made the Premier League bench on six occasions, but still he has not graced the top-flight pitch in black and white, featuring five times for the Tricky Trees last term.

The one-time Benfica shot-stopper has Champions League pedigree but can’t buy a minute under Howe’s wing. Nick Pope is sidelined for the foreseeable but Dubravka is deputising.

In fact, as per Transfermarkt, Vlachodimos’ £6m market value is even less than Trippier’s (roughly £7m) who is further into the aged stage of his career and approaching the end of his bumper contract.

Newcastle retain a long-term interest in Burnley’s James Trafford and this could be a move that is realised in the coming months. Vlachodimos – who was reportedly told he could leave as early as August – was clearly a PSR-related transfer and his future is sure to be set elsewhere.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

It might have been a deal for PIF to placate financial worries, but he’s still a flop on the field and must be sold.

Howe must finally sell Newcastle flop who is earning 3x more than Murphy

This Newcastle flop needs to be sold at the end of the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 24, 2024

On Joe Root’s threat, the fast bowler says New Zealand have “had some conversations about how we want to attack him”

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jun-2022

Losing one close game does not mean New Zealand are a poor side. Losing a fourth Test out of seven since becoming world Test champions, though? Two losses in one home summer, after just one loss in the previous five?A bit of a rough patch probably covers that, though two days out from the second Test with England at Trent Bridge, there is still no reason to panic according to Kyle Jamieson.Jamieson was the outstanding New Zealand bowler at Lord’s, the one most likely to bring England down in their chase of a daunting 277. And even if it is possible to argue that this New Zealand attack should have defended that target, the bowling still feels the more settled component of their team.Those results in some part are a result of a period that has acquired a transitory feel. The retirements of Ross Taylor and BJ Watling, as well as the injury-enforced absence – and then underwhelming return – of Kane Williamson have all had a hand in disrupting what has been, for years, a pretty tight batting unit.”It’s not just that game or those series,” Jamieson said recalling last year’s summer in England when New Zealand won the bilateral series as well as the WTC final. “This team has done such a good job over a long period of time, we’re not going to panic after just one game.”We certainly know there were moments in that game we could’ve seized and been better in. We know if we do that it will go a long way in trying to win this game and this series.”Seizing those moments – such as Colin de Grandhomme bowling Ben Stokes off a no-ball – but also finding a way past Joe Root. It’s not as if Root has a poor record against New Zealand. But of the teams he’s played at least 10 Tests against, he averages less than 50 against only two: Australia and New Zealand.”He certainly batted pretty well,” Jamieson said. “He was probably the difference in the game in the end. We’ll certainly go away and make some plans. We’ve already had some conversations about how we want to attack him but also attack the rest of the batting as well. It’s not about focusing on just him, you know, we’ll try and take 10 wickets, take 20 wickets, we’ll just go about trying to do that.”Jamieson’s six wickets at Lord’s continued a sterling start to his career, cemented by a rise to third place in the ICC’s Test bowlers’ rankings. He’s now the highest-ranking of four New Zealand fast bowlers in the top 13. Not that it matters much.”No, not a huge amount to be honest,” he said. “I’m just trying to learn and grow as a cricketer and whatever those numbers spit out, they do. I’m just happy to be part of the side. Trying to play my part and just win Tests for this team. I think for me that’s the main driver, the main focus and whatever that ends up as, it does.”I’m reasonably realistic about where I am with my game. I don’t necessarily think that numbers always give you the correct indication of where you’re at, at a certain point in time. I’m just trying to grow, trying to get better, trying to improve my game, contribute to wins for the side. Those rankings will come out as they do.”

Wrexham forward Jay Rodriguez has been accused of diving after scoring a winning penalty against Exeter last weekend.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Rodriguez accused of simulation
• Earned and scored a penalty against Exeter
• Wrexham beat Exeter 2-0

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Wrexham continue to push for a third consecutive promotion to the Championship after they comfortably beat Exeter 2-0 in a League One clash on Saturday. Oliver Rathbone handed the Red Dragons the lead in the 23rd minute, and Rodriguez then doubled the lead on the hour mark from the penalty spot. The English striker went down inside the box after a challenge from opposition defender Jack McMillan.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Former Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Keith Hackett raised his doubts over the referee's decision as he accused Rodriguez of simulation while claiming the match official should have booked the player instead of awarding a spot-kick.

• WHAT KEITH HACKETT SAID

  Speaking to , Hackett said: "They go to ground so easily, you cannot see definitely that there’s contact. [It’s an] act of simulation, no penalty kick, the player’s dived [in an] act of simulation. Should’ve got a caution not a penalty kick, the referee’s been conned."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Phil Parkinson's side will next face Cambridge United on Tuesday before a clash with Burton Albion on Saturday. Both sides are currently in the bottom four of League One.

Wolves edged their way deeper into the Premier League relegation zone, losing 2-1 to Ipswich at the Molineux, in their huge relegation six-pointer.

Ipswich took an early lead with a Matt Doherty own goal, before Matheus Cunha equalised in the 72nd minute, only for their hard work to be undone with yet another set-piece goal conceded, this one coming in the 94th minute to hand Ipswich all three points.

It all boiled over after the final whistle, with Rayan Ait-Nouri topping off a poor Wolves performance by being awarded a second yellow card after the whistle.

All of this culminated in Gary O’Neil’s dismissal, which a few Wolves players in particular may feel responsible for.

Ait-Nouri's performance against Ipswich

Ait-Nouri is largely seen as one of Wolves’ most important players, and his performance before the Ipswich winner had shown why. The 23-year-old won eight of his ten ground duels, made four tackles in the game, completed his only dribble attempt and made one key pass.

However, after tempers flared at the full-time whistle, he will now serve a suspension for their next game, which will prove to be another hurdle for Wolves to manage as they now also have to hunt for a new manager in the time being.

With the Old Gold already missing defenders such as Yerson Mosquera through injury, their defence needs a rejig in order to solve this Ait-Nouri suspension issue.

Luckily for them, they signed an extremely talented young and dynamic defender this summer, who could finally be unleashed in the Premier League.

Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri replacement

Wolves signed 17-year-old Brazilian defender, Pedro Lima, for a fee of around £8.5m from Sport Recife in the summer transfer window, beating Chelsea to the signing who also held interest in the youngster.

Chalkboard

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

Now 18-years-old, Lima has only made two appearances since joining the club, both in cup competitions, yet to make his Premier League debut.

But with Ait-Nouri now set to miss the Leicester City game through suspension, Wolves will have to rejig their back line, giving them the perfect opportunity to finally unleash their teenage sensation in the Premier League, adding that extra technical quality to the side.

Goals

0.19

0.13

Assists

0.19

0.13

Progressive Carries

1.84

1.02

Progressive Passes

3.49

3.06

Shots Total

1.07

1.01

Key Passes

0.92

1.02

Shot-Creating Actions

2.30

1.84

Tackles

2.57

2.04

Interceptions

1.01

1.01

The metrics this season show the creative impact Wolves full-backs have on the game, with both players contributing over one shot per 90, more than four shot-creating actions between them per 90, and both displaying good progressive numbers for their position, being involved in all phases for the side.

Lima would need to replicate this, being able to get forward and provide creativity in the attacking third, but also, working back and getting involved on the defensive end, something he has shown signs of already in his two appearances for Wolves this season in the EFL Cup.

With Ait-Nouri gathering a lot of interest from the top six clubs, such as Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, this would be a perfect opportunity to unleash Lima to see how he fares with the rest of his side. It would also give them a chance to see if Doherty on the left works effectively enough long term, should Ait-Nouri ever leave.

With the Molineux side working on a deal to hire Vitor Pereira, this must be something he trials out immediately should he walk through the door.

Mourinho upgrade: Wolves can land 3-5-2 boss who Fergie called "fantastic"

Wolves may make a managerial change soon

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 13, 2024

Pep Guardiola has enjoyed an incredible reign as Manchester City manager despite the club’s recent downturn in form.

Having arrived at the club in 2016, Guardiola has managed 495 games for City averaging an incredible 2.31 points per match.

His trophy cabinet is not bad either. Guardiola has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and ended Man City’s long wait for a Champions League back in 2023.

Guardiola has overseen many squad overhauls during his time at the Etihad and seems to have a knack for moving players on at the right time.

Manchester City's biggest sales

A major part of Manchester City’s recent success on the pitch has been their ability to be proactive and decision-making off the pitch. None more so than recruitment in the transfer market, selling their assets at the right time and most importantly for the right price.

Arguably, barring Cole Palmer who left very early on in his City career, none of the players on that list ever reached the heights they achieved whilst playing at the Etihad Stadium.

It shows that Manchester City not only recruit well but know when to cash in on a player and make a tidy profit. This summer for example, City were around £96m in profit after their expenditure and sales.

One of their best pieces of business throughout the last few years happened to be Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, who despite once being labelled by Guardiola as ‘incredible’, earned Man City an eye-watering profit after joining the club for just £1.7m back in 2016.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko sale makes 1782% profit increase

Mikel Arteta lauded Oleksandr Zinchenko as an ‘exceptional footballer’ upon signing the defender in the summer of 2022. Zinchenko made an exceptional start to his Arsenal career and was seen as a ‘level raiser’ that propelled Arsenal to finishing second in the league during his first season (22/23).

The Citizens sold Zinchenko for £32m, making an incredible £30.3m profit on the Ukrainian. It could be argued that City enjoyed Zinchenko’s best years too.

The defender made 128 appearances for the Citizens, scoring twice and creating twelve more. He also won four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and an FA Cup in his time there.

Since joining the Gunners, Zinchenko is yet to win a trophy and is now struggling to make it into Arteta’s first XI. His performance metrics are down too from when he played under Guardiola at Man City.

From the table, it is clear that Zinchenko peaked in form during his last season at Manchester City. He produced more assists than his current season, more progressive carries and passes and kept the ball better with a higher pass completion.

Defensively, Zinchenko was also more sound at City, with a higher tackle completion and over five times more ball recoveries.

It seems that Manchester City have a knack of knowing when to sell an asset on, in the Ukranian’s case, it was on to a league rival that made the club a huge amount of profit to improve other areas of their side.

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By
Joe Nuttall

Dec 8, 2024