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This has been a year for both the elite tactical masterminds and man-managers, but who achieved the most relative to the resources at their disposal?

So there we have it! The five champions of Europe's major leagues have all been confirmed: Liverpool, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Arne Slot, Hansi Flick, Antonio Conte, Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique all made a piece of history at those respective clubs, and each of them now holds a special place in the hearts of supporters as a result.

However, those five men were by no means the only coaches in Europe to impress over the last 12 months. Oliver Glasner, Eddie Howe, Vincenzo Italiano and Sebastian Hoeness ended agonisingly long trophy droughts for Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Bologna and Stuttgart, respectively, as the so-called lesser clubs got one over on the elite for a change in the domestic cups.

Some of the standout managers didn't even lift any silverware, they simply made fans believe again. Nuno Espirito Santo falls into that bracket after bringing Nottingham Forest back into Europe, and so too do Claudio Ranieri and Nico Kovac, who were both tasked with daunting mid-season salvage jobs and ended up exceeding all expectations.

The question is: who should go down as the best manager of the 2024-25 European season? GOAL ranks the top 10 contenders below…

Imago Images10Niko Kovac (Borussia Dortmund)

When Kovac was appointed Borussia Dortmund boss on January 29, the team had slipped to 11th in the Bundesliga table with just seven wins from 19 games, and sat 22 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Bayern Munich. His predecessor, Nuri Sahin, had overseen progress into the Champions League knockout rounds, but the first half of the season was unquestionably a disaster for a club the size of BVB.

The tide did not immediately turn under Kovac, either, as the new manager lost four of his first six league matches in the dugout and a top-four finish faded into the distance. But, crucially, the Croatian then ditched Sahin's 4-2-3-1 formation for a 3-4-3, which made Dortmund far more cohesive as a defensive unit, and results subsequently began to improve.

Changing Dortmund's setup also sparked the forward line into life, with Serhou Guirassy, in particular, going goal crazy. Dortmund won seven and drew one of their final eight Bundesliga fixtures, scoring 26 goals, and clinched fourth place ahead of Freiburg on the final day of the season.

Kovac didn't just pull the club out of a crisis, he turned Dortmund into one of the most effective transition sides in Europe, as we also saw during their run to the Champions League quarter-finals that they can still mix it with Europe's elite. Suddenly, the future looks bright again for the Yellow and Blacks, and, as resurgent BVB forward Karim Adeyemi so eloquently put it, that's all because of the "kick in the ass" Kovac provided.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport9Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest)

What a job Nuno has done at Nottingham Forest! He didn't get enough plaudits for keeping the club in the Premier League after walking into a dire situation midway through the 2023-24 campaign, and most outsiders expected another relegation battle this time around.

But Nuno had a plan for rapid growth and has executed it flawlessly. After strengthening with the summer additions of Nikola Milenkovic, Elliot Anderson and Morato, Forest quickly rose into top-four contention playing an effective brand of counter-attacking football that allowed Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White to flourish in the final third.

Forest's Champions League bid ran out of steam down the finishing stretch, but a Conference League berth for 2025-26 should not be sniffed at. The City Ground faithful hasn't seen any continental action in 30 years, and Nuno has cemented a place in Forest's Hall of Fame for bringing the team to this point so quickly – even if he ends up leaving amid reports of a breakdown in relations with controversial owner Evangelos Marinakis.

Getty Images Sport8Claudio Ranieri (Roma)

Former Leicester City manager Ranieri's reputation as a miracle-worker precedes him wherever he goes – that's what happens when you guide 1000-1 underdogs to a Premier League title. The Italian also performed the great escape with Cagliari in 2023-24 to end his career on a high, only for him to reverse his retirement decision six months later.

That's because Ranieri's beloved Roma were in dire straits, and he couldn't just sit back and do nothing. He returned to Stadio Olimpico for a third spell in charge in November, at which point the Giallorossi were down in 12th in Serie A, with both Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric paying the ultimate price for club's worst start to a season since 1979.

Bringing Ranieri back felt like an act of desperation at the time, and three losses in his first four games only fuelled that narrative. But he soon started to get the best out of Roma's biggest stars, most notably Mats Hummels, Leandro Paredes, Gianluca Mancini, and Matias Soule, and the team embarked on a thrilling 19-game unbeaten run in Serie A that ran from December 15 to May 12.

Incredibly, Roma went into the last day of the season knowing a top-four finish would be theirs if they beat Torino and Juventus failed to secure a win at Venezia. Ranieri's men did their job, but, in the end, so did Juve to leave the Olimpico faithful deflated. Make no mistake, though, Ranieri is still going back into retirement as a hero; at 73 years old, he defied all the odds again and reminded the entire world of his unparalleled skills as a man motivator.

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AFP7Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)

Glasner made an instant impact at Palace after replacing Roy Hodgson in February of last year, winning seven of his first 13 Premier League games to steer the team to an unlikely 10th-place finish. But then the German saw the core of his team ripped out as Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew, and Joachim Andersen all departed in the summer transfer window.

Palace were able to bring in Eddie Nketiah, Maxence Lacroix, and Ismaila Sarr to fill those positions in time for the new season, but they still plummeted to the bottom of the table after eight matches, and Glasner faced uncomfortable questions over his future. CEO Steve Parish and the rest of the Eagles board resisted the urge to pull the trigger, though, and were soon rewarded for their patience.

After the turn of the year, Palace picked up eight Premier League wins, a total matched only by champions Liverpool, to pull well clear of danger. In fact, Glasner's side weren't too far away from the European spots, which was amazing considering they also put in a herculean effort to reach the FA Cup final, despatching Fulham and Aston Villa along the way.

The Eagles then pulled off one of the competition's greatest-ever upsets in the Wembley showpiece as they downed Manchester City courtesy of a wonderful breakaway goal from Eberechi Eze. Glasner became an instant immortal for delivering Palace's first-ever major trophy, and it could be the start of something very special if he stays for their 2025-26 Europa League campaign, because his team are now a high-octane powerhouse capable of going toe-to-toe with the very best.

Tottenham Hotspur are in for a crucial summer window under Ange Postecoglou and have now set their sights on a prolific scorer to bolster the pedigree of their forward line.

Tottenham Hotspur's summer transfer plans come to light

Upon assessment, Spurs have endured a disappointing campaign littered with inconsistency, yet could still snatch a backdoor route to Champions League qualification via clinching the Europa League title in May.

Ange Postecoglou has needed to weather the storm this season and the Australian’s job security is said to be uncertain amid recent reports that Mauricio Pochettino could succeed the former Celtic boss.

Either way, he remains in position for now, and their transfer strategy this summer could begin with a move to north London for River Plate star Franco Mastantuono. Having made initial contact, the Lilywhites believe they could strike and deliver for a fee under his reported £38m release clause.

On the same token, Tottenham are in pole position for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who is under contract in the West Midlands until the summer of 2026.

Sizing up potential targets on expiring deals could be a handy strategy, especially when factoring in the amount of finance left over to strengthen in other areas of the field.

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Evaluating areas to bolster, Spurs’ forward line stands out more than most due to Dominic Solanke’s injury frustrations, which have limited the Three Lions international to 33 appearances this term.

Help could be on the way this summer, with Postecoglou now turning his attention to one of Europe’s most prolific goalscorers, as per recent reports.

Tottenham in talks to sign Lille forward Jonathan David

According to a report in France via Sport Witness, Tottenham are in active discussions to sign Lille forward Jonathan David following the Canada international’s excellent return of 23 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances during 2024/25.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also on the case, while Borussia Dortmund provide further competition for his signature from the continent. Deemed an attractive option on the market due to his impending free agent status, the 25-year-old would favour a move to England over other destinations.

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Labelled ‘magical’ by Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic, he has also been subject to a previous offer from West Ham United, but their interest has since fallen on deaf ears.

Continuing his fine spate of performances across the Channel, David also radiates a desire to bring others into play, with the forward creating 27 chances and completing 14 dribbles on league duty. Over the course of his career, he has struck 144 times in 327 outings.

In the midst of fierce competition, the onus now is on Postecoglou and Daniel Levy to sell him a project that cannot be refused even if Spurs end up heading into next season without the lure of continental football.

Says he would have suggested Kohli’s name as captain when Rohit was unavailable for the fifth Test against England last year

Shashank Kishore28-Apr-20235:02

Shastri: Would love to see Kohli captain India one last time

Ravi Shastri, the former India coach, would love to see Virat Kohli captaining India again should there be a need to step in, like there was last year when Rohit Sharma wasn’t available for the final Test of the England tour at Edgbaston.Kohli was India’s Test captain during that tour of England in the summer of 2021. But when the final Test of that series took place in the summer of 2022, after the Covid-19 outbreak within the camp postponed it by a year, Kohli had resigned as Test captain under acrimonious circumstances, with Rohit taking over.However, Rohit’s unavailability for that one-off game forced the team management to pick another captain. According to Shastri, Kohli should have been the obvious choice given he had led the team in the first four Tests, but India handed a captaincy debut to Jasprit Bumrah.Related

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“Once Rohit was injured, I thought Virat would captain,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo on the show. “If I was still there – I’m sure Rahul [Dravid] might have done the same thing, I have not spoken to him – I would’ve recommended to the board that it’s only fair he leads because he was captain of the team that was leading 2-1 in the series and probably could have got the best [out of the team].”Kohli is currently leading Royal Challengers Bangalore as a stand-in captain at IPL 2023 as Faf du Plessis nurses a rib injury that has limited his participation only as a batter. Kohli has embraced leadership again, insisting it’s “nothing I’m not used to”.Does Shastri want Kohli to take over the top job should circumstances arise again, say for the WTC final? “If it’s for a major game like that, I want Rohit to be fit, he is the captain. But god forbid something happens under unforeseen circumstances, definitely I’ll look in that direction.”Shastri said Kohli was looking “damn chilled” and “relaxed” at IPL 2023. He currently sits second on the run charts behind du Plessis.”He’s in a very good space, enjoying his cricket,” Shastri said. “That’s the feeling I got as opposed to the last year when we were sitting and discussing does he need a break, does he not need a break. He seemed to have the burden of the whole world on his shoulders.”Now it’s refreshing. the enthusiasm, passionate energy and enjoyment have come back, which for me was the best thing to see. Runs you might or might not get but when you see someone, and the passion, enjoyment and drive is back again, it’s good.”

As rumours continue to come thick and fast regarding Alexander Isak’s potential suitors, Newcastle United have reportedly joined the race to sign a 10-goal Premier League star.

Newcastle set sights on possible Isak replacements

The interest in Isak should come as no surprise. The Swede has been among the Premier League’s best forwards once again this season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. But whilst his form hasn’t slowed down, Newcastle have.

The Magpies have so far been unable to match their Champions League ambitions and are set to miss out for a second consecutive season as things stand, doing them no favours in pursuit of keeping hold of their star man.

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It’s been a nightmare time for the forward…

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With or without those in Tyneside, Isak deserves to be playing among Europe’s best and that could hand Newcastle an instant problem if the likes of Liverpool come calling this summer. It is at least a potential exit that PIF seem to be preparing for, however, amid recent links to the likes of Hugo Ekitike, who could finally complete a move to St James’ Park following the Magpies’ long-standing interest.

If it’s not to be the Eintracht Frankfurt forward, meanwhile, then it may well be a candidate slightly closer to home that replaces Isak. According to The Boot Room, Newcastle are now plotting a summer move to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town following the forward’s excellent debut campaign for The Tractor Boys.

What should instantly make negotiations easier is the fact that Delap is under the same agency as James Trafford, who has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Newcastle ahead of a potential summer switch.

Having already successfully negotiated one deal between them, Newcastle and Trafford’s representatives could be set for further talks regarding another client in the form of Delap. The 22-year-old is certainly one to watch, especially if Newcastle are forced to find a replacement for Isak this summer.

"Phenomenal" Delap is a rising star

Joining a growing list of former Manchester City academy stars to find success elsewhere, Delap looks destined to make his way back to the top of English football, which could yet feature a move to St James’ Park this summer. Even as Ipswich have struggled, he has been at the centre of praise from the likes of football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who dubbed him “phenomenal”.

With 10 goals to his name in the Premier League this season, Delap looks unlikely to let Ipswich drop down to the Championship without putting up a fight. The forward has certainly done his job and now has 10 games left to drag The Tractor Boys to safety against the odds.

Meanwhile, as relegation looms for Kieran McKenna’s side, Newcastle are seemingly among those waiting to pounce and ensure that Delap maintains his own place in England’s top flight.

Cristiano Ronaldo has appeared to announce he will be leaving Al-Nassr but has ruled out retirement for now.

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Ronaldo scores in final Al-Nassr game of seasonAppears to confirm exit from Saudi side40-year-old rules out retirement for nowFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Less than an hour after Ronaldo scored in Al-Nassr's final game of the Saudi Pro League season, the 40-year-old said "this chapter is over" in a social media post – hinting he won't play for his current side again. He did not say what his next move would be, though, amid links with Major League Soccer and his first club, Sporting CP.

AdvertisementWHAT RONALDO SAID

He wrote on Instagram on Monday night: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ronaldo – who said he won't retire until he hits 1,000 goals – is set to become a free agent this summer after talks over a new Al-Nassr deal stalled in recent weeks. The Saudi side finished 13 points behind league champions Al-Ittihad, and in his two and a half seasons at the club, Al-Nassr failed to win a trophy. The Portuguese forward, who is approaching the 940-goal mark, clearly wants to keep playing, but where he goes next remains to be seen.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Ronaldo, who scored 99 goals in 111 games for Al-Nassr, will have a short break before preparing for Portugal's Nations League semi-final against Germany on June 4. The former Real Madrid ace is likely to provide an update on his future in the coming weeks.

Manchester United are now tracking a “ridiculous” £125 million forward in what could be the signing of the summer at Old Trafford, according to a new report.

Amorim eyes midfield reinforcements this summer

There are a number of positions that United and Ruben Amorim are expected to prioritise in the summer, and it certainly appears that midfield could be one. Christian Eriksen looks set to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the campaign, while Casemiro is also expected to depart should the Red Devils get their way.

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That would leave Amorim’s options light in the middle of the park, and according to a recent report from Italy, United are readying a move to sign Ardon Jashari from Belgian side Club Brugge. They are said to value the midfielder at around £29 million, but don’t have a free run at the player as Juventus, AS Roma and Atalanta are also keen on signing Jashari.

As well as looking at Jashari, Stretty News reports that United and Amorim are serious about signing Morten Hjulmand, who the Man United boss obviously knows very well. Sporting CP are said to value the midfielder at around the £67 million mark, but the Premier League side believe and are hopeful they can secure a deal for around the £50 million mark.

Man Utd join Arsenal in Alexander Isak race

As the Red Devils scour the market for midfield options, they are also in the market for a new centre-forward. According to The Mirror, Man United are now keeping a close eye on Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report states that United, as well as Arsenal and Liverpool, are admirers of the Sweden international, but it us considered unlikely that he will leave Newcastle this summer. He is under contract until the summer of 2028 and the Magpies are not interested in selling, meaning it would take an “astronomical” move to sign Isak.

The 25-year-old, who has been dubbed “ridiculous” by parts of the media in the past 12 months, has been in sensational form for Newcastle this season, scoring 19 goals in 25 league games. Isak has also netted in the FA Cup as well as scoring three times in the Carabao Cup as they went on to lift their first trophy in 70 years.

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Isak would be an exceptional addition for United, as he’s already proven how good he is in the Premier League. Amorim is desperate to find a clinical number nine, and Isak is certainly that, but it is nowhere near an easy deal to complete.

It’s been recently reported that it could take a fee in the region of £125 million for the Magpies to even consider selling Isak, which is a sum of money that United are unlikely to be able to afford at this moment in time.

Luka Modric confirmed he is in talks with AC Milan but refused to announce his next move following his Real Madrid exit.

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Modric admits AC Milan contact in presserFocused on the national team for nowDecision likely after World Cup qualifiersFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Madrid hero Modric has confirmed there have been contacts with Milan after his emotional exit from the Los Blancos. Speaking ahead of Croatia's clash with the Czech Republic at a press conference, the 39-year-old admitted he's yet to make a final decision on his future but didn't deny a move to Milan is on the cards. Reports indicate a one-year deal with an option for a second season is in place, with medicals potentially scheduled for the coming week.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Rossoneri are in urgent need of midfield reinforcements amid Tijjani Reijnders’ imminent move to Manchester City. Signing the Ballon d'Or winning midfielder would bring leadership, elite experience, and a stopgap solution as the club transitions into a new era. The Croatian legend, despite his age, remains in top physical condition, having played 57 matches in the 2024–25 season.

WHAT LUKA MODRIC SAID

In a press conference Modric was asked directly about rumours linking him to Milan. While he stopped short of confirming a move, the Bernabeu legend acknowledged ongoing talks with the the San Siro side, however, insisted his full attention remains on national duty and his current club.

“I can’t say anything about this," he said. "There have been calls, there have been contacts, but I’ve put everything aside because I want to focus on the national team and what awaits me with Real. I haven’t made a decision yet and I don’t know when I will make it.”

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR MODRIC?

With Modric staying tight-lipped and focused on Croatia for now, a final decision is expected shortly after the international window. Should everything proceed smoothly, medical tests could take place within the week, marking the end of a legendary Madrid era and the start of a new Milan chapter.

England batter says days like Ashes opener are ‘what we live for’ after lengthy injury lay-off

Andrew Miller16-Jun-2023Jonny Bairstow admitted that the occasion and atmosphere at Edgbaston are “what we live for” as professional cricketers, after marking his first innings for England in nearly ten months with a run-a-ball 78 on a frenetic opening day of the 2023 Ashes.Though Bairstow made his return to the Test team against Ireland at Lord’s earlier this month, his innings on Friday was his first visit to the crease for England since breaking his leg in a freak golfing accident in September last year.He arrived at a critical juncture too, with England wobbling on 176 for 5 following the dismissal of Ben Stokes. However, he instigated another wave of attack in a 121-run partnership with his fellow Yorkshireman, Joe Root, and by the time he was stumped off Nathan Lyon, he had shown more than just a glimpse of his stellar form from 2022 than had made his recall non-negotiable.”It was great fun being back out there, to be honest,” Bairstow told Sky Sports. “It took a little bit of time to just get my rhythm, just to get my hands and my feet going. But I think when you come in off a lay-off like I have, that’s going to take a bit of time. But when you’re ready, you try and give it your best shot and, if it’s there to hit, you try and give it a whack.””Giving it a whack” was very much the order of another extraordinary day of England’s new-look Test approach. The tone was set by Zak Crawley’s blazing drive for four off Pat Cummins’ first ball of the series, and continued at such a chaotic rate that Stokes was able declare the innings at 393 for 8 after 78 overs, leaving Australia four overs to survive before the close.”Over the last 12 months, I don’t think that’s a change to what it’s been like, to be honest with you,” Bairstow said. “If the ball has been there to hit, the lads have tried to hit it. Sometimes you nick it, sometimes you miss it, sometimes you middle there. It’s part and parcel of the game that we’re fortunate to play.”The intent that the lads showed – from, obviously, Zak’s shot first ball of the day … I just heard it. I was like, wow, it’s like a cannon … it’s a stark contrast to when we were Down Under the last time.”So it’s been a good day. The crowd’s been amazing, the lads have been on good form, really enjoying it, and that’s exactly what we spoke about leading into the game.Related

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'Thumped on the up through cover-point!'

“The lads are out there with a smile on their face,” he added. “You can see that at the start of the day, whether it’s in the warm-ups, or that first ball, and right to the end.”International cricket is completely different to county cricket, and the occasion and everything is what we live for. And when your beans are going and your hands are going, that’s exactly what I love. That’s what it’s all about.”England’s typically high tempo of 5.03 runs per over meant that, for the fourth time in his captaincy, Stokes was able to declare England’s first innings inside 100 overs. However, with Root unbeaten on 118 and looking good for several more on a true wicket, it was arguably the most contentious closure yet. Bairstow, however, insisted the faith that this team has in each other’s roles means that they are confident that the bowlers will get stuck in on day two.”It was a bold call, it was a good call,” Bairstow said. “There will be conversations around it, but no-one likes going out there with 20 minutes and four overs, when you’ve got Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson running in at the end of a day that has been a bit of a toil.”The biggest thing is being patient and relentless on a length,” he added. “They’re going hit the middle of the bat because they’re good players. But we’re able to build pressure through our fields, through the ruthless lengths that we’re able to hold, with the three guys [Broad, Robinson and James Anderson] that have got such a wealth of experience behind them.”Whether the pitch is flat, whether it’s swinging, whether it’s seaming, I’ve no doubt that the guys will be able to call upon all those experiences, and all those times that it has potentially been flat. We will turn up in the morning and we’ll see again. They had to start tonight, and they’ve got to start again, and it does take a couple of balls to get in.”With 11 wins in their last 13 Tests, however, England are riding a rare high in Test cricket, and Bairstow admitted that the confidence that that breeds could be critical for the rest of the contest.”There’s different pressures, but when you go in on the back of wins, and of people in some form, there’s a huge amount of trust within each other to go out and do their own jobs individually, which then collectively comes together as a unit.”Throughout the whole last 12 months, that’s exactly what it’s been about. It’s about trust in each individual to go out and play their individual way.”Such are the reasons why Moeen Ali was tempted back to Test cricket after an absence of 21 months. His first innings back was a predictably hard-swinging knock of 18 from 17 with two fours and a big six down the ground. And, on a dry pitch that has already earned Lyon four first-innings wickets, his most important role could yet be to come.”That’s the brilliant thing about Mo,” Bairstow said. “He comes in with that freedom and the thought process of, right, let’s go and try and change the game. Let’s go and try and win a game.”That’s the whole ethos of this team. How can we have those individual performances that enable you to go and win games? Not just go and compete, but go and actually take the game on, in order to put you and the team into a position that you can potentially force a result.”

The hosts will be looking to pick themselves up after the shocks they suffered at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe

Karthik Krishnaswamy26-Jul-20233:53

Samson or Kishan? Jadeja or Axar? Kuldeep or Chahal?

Big pictureIndia are gearing up for a home World Cup, fine-tuning their combination with just over two months to go for the big event. West Indies will play no part in it.While ODIs will be the most keenly followed format of international cricket over the coming weeks, West Indies may wonder what exactly they’re trying to achieve when they play their 50-overs cricket. They’ll want to pick themselves up, of course, after the shocks they suffered at the Qualifier in Zimbabwe, but pick themselves up to do what?With no World Cup to prepare for, there’s no wider context to ODI cricket for West Indies for now. There are no World Cup Super League points to win, and there’s no threat just yet that they’ll fail to make the 2027 World Cup, which will feature 14 teams who will qualify based on their ODI rankings.West Indies’ fans, however, would do well not to mistake the lack of a wider context for a lack of purpose. While it would be easy to look at the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup as a sign of their unstoppable decline as a cricketing force, the reality isn’t quite so abject. The top Associate teams have made white-ball cricket more competitive now than it ever has been, and the gap between the world’s ninth-best and 13th-best ODI teams has never been narrower. It just so happens that the sport is growing when its World Cup has shrunk.West Indies will do well, then, to put the Qualifier behind them, put the World Cup out of their minds, and stop worrying about history. Shai Hope and Brandon King shouldn’t have to feel worse about missing out on the World Cup than Brandon McMullen or Harry Tector do just because they happen to play for a team that once featured Clive Lloyd and Viv Richards.The future of West Indies cricket is too tangled up in the sport’s economics and geopolitics for one set of players to have any real influence on it. What they can do in this series, however, is stay in the present, pay attention to the next ball, and then the one after it, and let their opponents worry about things like World Cups.Form guideWest Indies LWLTL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
India LLWWWIn the spotlightHe has five ODI hundreds, including two against India, and has a 35-plus average and a 100-plus strike rate after 47 games. There aren’t too many cricketing reasons for Shimron Hetmyer not having played a 50-overs game for West Indies since July 2021; he’ll hope this fresh start will rejuvenate his career in maroon.8:32

Runorder: What should India’s pace attack look like in the World Cup?

Despite all the competition he faces in the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav has been a constant in India’s ODI attack this year, playing eight of their nine games and picking up 15 wickets at an average of 21.13. He has an excellent record in the West Indies, where he has 11 wickets in seven games at 20.00 – among the countries and regions he has played ODIs in, he has a better average only in South Africa (13.88). Another good series here will keep him clear of Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s premier 50-overs wristspin option.Team newsWith Hetmyer and Oshane Thomas back after long absences, Gudakesh Motie, Yannic Cariah and Jayden Seales back from injury, and Jason Holder, Nicholas Pooran and Keemo Paul unavailable, West Indies will field a new-look combination as they try to make a new beginning as an ODI side.West Indies: 1 Brandon King, 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Keacy Carty, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Kevin Sinclair, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Gudakesh Motie/Yannic Cariah/Oshane Thomas, 11 Jayden SealesIndia have lately adopted an ODI combination that features three allrounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and either Axar Patel or Shardul Thakur depending on whether they want to play an extra spinner or seamer. They’ll likely have that choice to make in Bridgetown, as well as two others, with Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson competing for the wicketkeeper’s spot and a possible three-way battle for the two seamers’ spots with Mohammed Siraj rested for the ODIs.India: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Sanju Samson/Ishan Kishan, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel/Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Umran Malik, 11 Jaydev Unadkat/Mukesh KumarPitch and conditionsKensington Oval hosted all three matches during West Indies’ ODI series against New Zealand in August 2022. The surfaces for that series produced first-innings totals of 190, 212 and 301, and had something in them for both seamers and spinners. While the top three wicket-takers were fast bowlers Trent Boult, Jason Holder and Tim Southee, the fingerspinners were hard to get away, with Kevin Sinclair, Akeal Hosein and Mitchell Santner finishing with economy rates below five.That series, however, featured day-night games. All three ODIs in this series will be day games, with Indian TV audiences in mind. The weather could affect the first ODI, with a 20% chance of rain on Thursday. The forecast for the second ODI on Saturday, however, is grimmer, with a 50% chance of rain.Stats and trivia India have won their last eight ODIs against West Indies. Their last defeat came in Chennai back in December 2019. Mohammed Siraj (20.72) has the best average of any India bowler to have taken at least 40 ODI wickets. Hope is 171 runs away from becoming the 11th West Indies batter to the 5000 mark in ODIs. Rovman Powell (975) and Brandon King (969), meanwhile, are nearing the 1000 mark. Jadeja needs nine wickets to become the seventh India bowler to reach the 200 mark in ODIs. If he gets there, he’ll become the first India player since Kapil Dev (3783 runs and 253 wickets) to complete the 2000 runs and 200 wickets double in ODIs.

Trent Alexander-Arnold shows off his impressive Spanish skills during his Real Madrid unveiling after leaving Liverpool.

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Alexander-Arnold presented at Real Madrid CityFull-back delivered his opening speech in SpanishWill wear No.12 at the Santiago BernabeuFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

A video montage showcasing Alexander-Arnold’s decorated career at Liverpool kicked off the unveiling ceremony, which took place at Real Madrid City, the club’s state-of-the-art training facility. It was followed by a glowing tribute from Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who hailed the defender as one of the finest footballers in the world and emphasised his potential impact at the club.

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As the applause faded, Alexander-Arnold took to the stage to address those in attendance and what followed took many by surprise. Instead of speaking in English, the Liverpool academy graduate delivered his entire speech in polished Spanish, instantly winning over Madrid fans.

WHAT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

“Thank you all for this opportunity,” he began, confidently addressing the crowd in Spanish.

"Signing for Madrid doesn't happen every day. It's a dream come true. I'm really looking forward to showing my game to the Real Madrid fans. I'm aware of the responsibility that comes with playing here. I'm going to give it my all to show off my game and win lots of titles. Thank you very much, and hala Madrid!"

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DID YOU KNOW?

Although Alexander-Arnold has long been associated with the No.66 shirt at Liverpool, La Liga regulations prevent players from wearing numbers higher than 25. As a result, the England international will sport the No.12 shirt at his new club. The number is steeped in Madridista history. Brazilian legend Marcelo donned the No.12 during a glittering spell that saw him lift the Champions League five times, establishing himself as one of the club’s most decorated defenders. Most recently, Eduardo Camavinga briefly wore the number.