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With the final international break of the year now out of the way, Arsenal can get their Premier League campaign back underway.

However, with no wins in their last four games and a nine-point gap to current leaders Liverpool, things aren’t exactly going to plan for Mikel Arteta.

Moreover, the Spaniard has had to deal with an avalanche of injuries over the last few months, and while several players are now back, some are not, such as Ben White.

So, with a home game against Nottingham Forest to come this afternoon, the manager will have to make some changes to the lineup, although by handing someone their first league start, he could solve the White issue and potentially get Gabriel Martinelli firing again.

Gabriel Martinelli's season so far

It’s been a rough year and a half for Martinelli, as following the conclusion of the 22/23 season, in which he racked up a sensational haul of 21 goal involvements in 46 appearances, there was an expectation that he’d do just as well last year.

Unfortunately, that was not the case, and by the end of the campaign, he could only muster up eight goals and five assists in 44 games, meaning his average dropped from a goal involvement every 2.19 games to every 3.38 games, respectively.

Worse yet, the former Ituano gem started this season in much the same way, providing just a single assist in his first five league games.

Appearances

191

Goals

44

Assists

27

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

Fortunately, things have gotten a little better since, as he now has three goals and three assists to his name, but it’s clear that he’s still struggling somewhat, and the answer to solving that for this afternoon’s game could also provide the solution to the White problem.

The Arsenal gem who could get Martinelli firing again

So, let’s cut straight to the point: the player Arteta should hand his first Premier League start this afternoon is Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Now, there is a chance that the manager could go with Riccardo Calafiori, as in his pre-match press conference yesterday afternoon, he confirmed that the Italian has now trained with the first team, but given his injury history, it would seem unwise to rush him back into the lineup.

Moreover, in his short cameos so far, Lewis-Skelly has shown himself to be more than capable of handling big games and dealing with the same responsibility as any other first-teamer.

For example, he came on against Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City while starting in the League Cup clash against Bolton Wanderers as well.

In fact, it was his performance in that game that suggested he’d be able to get more out of Martinelli, as in the lead-up to Ethan Nwaneri’s first goal, he played a sublime ball from the middle of the park right into Raheem Sterling’s feet that made the whole thing possible.

It’s this incredible ability with the ball at his feet, and the fact he’s naturally left-footed that could help create more chances for the Brazilian, and more chances for him could be what he needs to increase his goal tally and confidence in front of goal.

Moreover, by starting the “unplayable” Hale Ender, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, on the left, Arteta can then start Jurrien Timber in place of White on the right, where he has looked substantially better and can hopefully have more of an impact on proceedings.

Ultimately, while Lewis-Skelly is still incredibly raw and probably shouldn’t be asked to start too many games, this afternoon’s encounter seems like the perfect opportunity to hand him that first start.

After all, if you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Arsenal must finally sell £32m dud who Odegaard thinks is a "great player"

The talented international is no longer needed at Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 22, 2024

Manchester United are already working on a £10 million January deal for Ruben Amorim that they are confident will get done, according to a new report.

January presents the first opportunity for INEOS to make changes to their squad under the management of Amorim. The Red Devils are not expected to be busy, but they appear to have their eye on one or two deals.

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ByBrett Worthington Nov 14, 2024 Man Utd transfer news

It has already emerged this week that United have made early transfer moves to understand where certain players lie with their future. It started with the Red Devils making an enquiry to Chelsea over the availability of Christopher Nkunku, a player who is unhappy with his situation at Stamford Bridge.

It was then claimed that United have also made an enquiry over the possibility of signing Geovany Quenda from Sporting. The 17-year-old is very highly rated and obviously has a connection to Amorim, but this may be one that waits until the summer, as Amorim made it clear he would not be signing any Sporting players in the New Year.

Now Amorim’s new side is prepared to offer Joshua Zirkzee in exchange for star striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Swede continues to impress this season, and it looks as though a move at the end of the campaign is likely, and United are trying to get ahead of the rest by offering one of their own players as part of the transfer. But it could be a £10 million transfer that is United’s first piece of business in the New Year.

Man Utd chiefs confidently working on £10m youngster deal

According to TBR Football, Manchester United are working on a deal to sign Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg in January. The 17-year-old midfielder is regarded as one of the hottest properties in football and emerged on many clubs’ radars after his performances last season.

Nypan has scored seven goals and recorded seven assists in 26 Eliteserien appearances this season, as well as grabbing three assists in three Europa Conference League qualifiers. This report states that United, who have had an interest in the youngster for some time, are confident of getting a deal over the line, as Rosenborg have told him to begin choosing his next club once their season finishes in December.

Apps

58

Goals

12

Assists

11

Nypan is said to be available for £10 million this January, but the deal could go up to £20 million after add-ons are added. The Red Devils are aware of this and are set to sit down with Nypan and his representatives to discuss their options.

The Premier League side have been tracking Nypan from a young age, and coming up against him during pre-season will have allowed them to take a closer look at his ability. If United are keen to wrap up a deal, they will need to be quick, as teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Aston Villa are also interested and have made contact with his agents in recent months.

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan until the end of the season.

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Dortmund land ChukwuemekaHad identified youngster as dream January signingMidfielder will spend rest of season in BundesligaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Dortmund have confirmed the arrival of Chukwuemeka before the close of the transfer window. The Bundesliga side had identified the 21-year-old as the perfect candidate to play as a No.8 and he will now spend the rest of the season with the Bundesliga side.

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The move offers Chukwuemeka the chance to enjoy some regular football. He has made just 32 first-team appearances for Chelsea since joining in August 2022, and Dortmund do have the option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season.

WHAT CHUKWUEMEKA SAID

He told Dortmund's website: "It is very exciting for me and I am truly honoured to be part of this great club. I can't wait to play in front of the fans at Signal Iduna Park and help us all to be successful together."

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WHAT DORTMUND SAID

BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl added: "Carney is an extremely talented box-to-box player who caused a sensation in the Premier League at a young age. His dynamism, his drive to the goal and his assertiveness coupled with great footballing class make him an exciting player who has not for nothing been through all of England's youth national teams since the U17s. This development has recently stalled somewhat in London. Despite the lack of rhythm, we see a great opportunity in this constellation and hope that Carney will find his old strength again with us."

فاز فريق الجونة على الاتحاد السكندري، بهدفين دون رد، في اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين، اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقى فريقا الجونة والاتحاد السكندري، على ملعب الجونة بالغردقة، في إطار الجولة الأولى من عمر منافسات المرحلة الثانية من بطولة الدوري المصري (المجموعة الثانية المتنافسة على البقاء والهبوط في الدوري) للموسم الحالي.

وأحرز أهداف فريق الجونة، علي محمد ومحمد عماد في الدقائق 66 و80 من عمر اللقاء، ليظفر فريق الجونة بالثلاث نقاط.

وبهذا الفوز يصل فريق الجونة إلى المركز الثالث في ترتيب المجموعة الثانية المتنافسة على البقاء والهبوط برصيد 20 نقطة.

طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد انسحاب الأهلي من مباراة الزمالك

بينما على الجانب الآخر، يتواجد فريق الاتحاد السكندري في المركز الخامس بترتيب المجموعة الثانية المتنافسة على البقاء والهبوط برصيد 18 نقطة.

بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز، تقام بنظام استثنائي، حيث تم لعب مباريات الدور الأول كمرحلة أولى، ثم تم تقسم الأندية على مجموعتين، مجموعة من المركز الأول حتى التاسع للمنافسة على اللقب، وبداية من 10 حتى 18 للمنافسة على البقاء والهبوط، على أن يهبط فريقين فقط إلى دوري القسم الثاني. أهداف فوز الجونة على الاتحاد السكندري في الدوري المصري

Still looking to take Manchester United back to their best, Sir Jim Ratcliffe now reportedly wants to tap into a new market to sign an exciting future star for the Red Devils.

Man Utd transfer news

Despite so many positives in the summer transfer window, Manchester United’s season has been full to the brim with moments to forget ever since the market slammed shut. Even after arrivals such as Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte, Erik ten Hag has still failed to get the right tune out of his side, who have made the worst start to the season in the club’s Premier League history.

Making unwanted records, the pressure is on Ten Hag to turn things around after the international break when his side square off against Brentford at Old Trafford and then travel to face Jose Mourinho and Fred’s Fenerbahce in a narrative that all but writes itself.

Survive those games and the Dutchman may just get the chance to turn his attention towards 2025 and welcoming further reinforcements and turn things around once and for all at Old Trafford. Whether it’s Ten Hag or another name, meanwhile, INEOS look set to shift their focus to a new area of the market.

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According to Ben Jacobs for GiveMeSport, Ratcliffe now wants to tap into the South American market to sign Kaua Elias from Fluminense ahead of Fulham and Everton in 2025. The Brazilian side reportedly value their young striker at €30m plus add ons (£25m+) in what could be the only stumbling block between a move to Old Trafford and staying put at Fluminense.

Elias would follow a long list of South American talent to complete a move to the Premier League, following in the footsteps of Gabriel Martinelli, Alexis Mac Allister, Murillo and more over the years.

"Fantastic" Elias could become Hoijlund partner

There’s no doubt that Manchester United needed to add some youthful exuberance to their frontline for some time, with the likes of Anthony Martial beginning to become detrimental to Ten Hag’s side more than anything. And Ratcliffe seemed well aware of that in the summer, welcoming Joshua Zirkzee to partner the already-signed Rasmus Hoijlund, who enjoyed a promising debut campaign.

Now, the new owner can continue that trend by signing Elias and completing a fresh attacking trio at Old Trafford. The 18-year-old has already been making his mark on senior football too, scoring six goals and assisting another two for Fluminense this season to earn the praise of South American football expert Nathan Joyes, who dubbed the teenager “fantastic”.

Tapping into a new market and one that has brought so much success around the Premier League, Manchester United look set to continue their positive strides away from the disappointing action taking place on the pitch during Ten Hag’s tenure.

Each win now worth 12 points, a draw worth four points and a tie worth six points

Nagraj Gollapudi29-Jun-2021

England play the most Tests (21) in the second WTC cycle, followed by India (19)•Getty Images

The five-match Pataudi Trophy between England and India starting August 4 will kick off the second cycle of the World Test Championship. That series along with the Ashes, in December, will be the only two series comprising five Tests in the second WTC cycle, spanning August 2021 to June 2023.Australia’s tour of India, in 2022, is the only four-Test series in WTC 2. Beyond that, there are seven three-Test series and 17 series comprising two Tests. The ICC has not yet decided the schedule and the venue for the final.Like the first WTC cycle, played between 2019 and 2021, the second edition will see each of the nine Test teams playing a total of six series: three home and three away. These bilateral series were finalised by the Full Member Boards in 2018 before the ICC locked them into the 2019-23 Future Tours Programme. None of the series that were cut short of postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the first WTC cycle, will be carried forward into the second cycle.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The big-ticket series will once again be split among the Big Three of India, England and Australia. The rest of the six countries will lock horns in series comprising two or a maximum of three Tests each.England will play the most Tests (21) in WTC 2 followed by India (19), Australia (18) and South Africa (15). The inaugural WTC winners New Zealand will play only 13 matches, similar to that of West Indies, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bangladesh are the only country among the nine contestants to play two matches in each of their six series in WTC 2.Points System – 12 for a win, 4 for draw, 6 for a tie
To ensure the discrepancy in matches does not hurt the teams’ WTC points tally, the ICC has decided to allot each match the same number of points. Under the proposed system, which is set to be ratified at the next chief executives’ committee meeting, each match in WTC 2 will be worth 12 points. A draw will be a third of that, four points. while a tie will earn each team six points. Teams will also be penalised for slow over rates – one point docked for every over they fall behind.Getty Images

In a chat with ESPNcricinfo recently, ICC’s acting chief executive officer Geoff Allardice had expanded on the change in the points system between the two cycles of the WTC.”Instead of each series being worth the same number of points, 120, irrespective of whether the series is played over two Tests or five Tests, the next cycle will see each match being worth the same number of points – a maximum of 12 per match. Teams will be ranked on the percentage of available points they won from the matches they have played. The aim was to try and simplify the points system and to allow teams to be meaningfully compared on the table at any point, though they may have played differing numbers of matches and series.”

George Hill has already had one brush with stardom, not that many will have cottoned on. He was an England sub fielder who carried out a replacement bat for Ben Stokes before he won the Ashes Test at Headingley in 2019 in one of the most inspirational innings in history. Many decades from now, if he has any sense of a good story, he will regale his grandchildren with talk of how he gently pushed the cricketing Excalibur towards Stokes and muttered: “Use this, chosen one.”Two years on, as Yorkshire are undermined by injuries and England calls, the opportunity has come for Hill, a former England Under-19, to build his own career. His latest chance has come not just a little sooner than he might have anticipated, but in a way he might not have imagined.For the first time in senior cricket, Hill was charged with opening the batting. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Will Fraine were injured; Dawid Malan absent for personal reasons. What’s more, there was no sense that his own bat had magical powers.Related

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But in only his fourth first-class game, and in a match where victory could be crucial for both these sides in gaining a top-two place, he responded with a career-best 71, averting disaster with pretty much 50% of the runs off the bat, as Northants rolled Yorkshire for 158.And, more to the point, he did it on July 4. In the USA that might mean an Independence Day BBQ, but in county cricket this summer it was the day when batting was confidently expected to descend into madness – the day on which county batters briefly revisit Championship cricket after a month of solid T20.On Friday night, Hill had made a minor T20 breakthrough that probably resonated more with him than anybody else. During a match-winning stand in the Roses match at Headingley, in which he played a secondary role to Harry Brook, he struck Lancashire’s high-class quick, Saqib Mahmood, over long-on for six and banged the bat on the ground as if to say: “I can do this.”On Sunday morning, the mental switch from T20 to four-day had to be clicked, even more so on a day in which no other Yorkshire batter made more than 22. On a slow, used pitch, offering a little seam and turn, 158 was not a totally disastrous score, but Northants moved to 61 for 2 by the close in a manner that suggested it was considerably under par. Thanks to Hill, Yorkshire remain in touch.Hill did have a moment of fortune when he was dropped at second slip by Gareth Berg, off Wayne Parnell, when 31. But he generally displayed an unflustered air and adapted to the opener’s role as if it was made for him. He stands fairly still at the crease – no huge trigger movement back onto off stump that is so on trend.”It’s a bit of a relief to be honest,” he said. “I’ve played a couple of games in the past and didn’t really feel like I did a huge amount, so it’s nice to contribute to the team. I thought, ‘I haven’t got a huge amount to lose’. I haven’t really opened before, so I thought I would go out there, give it my all and dig in.”Tom Taylor celebrates with his team-mates•Getty Images

It will be interesting to discover whether it becomes a more long-term switch. It looked like a proper approach from a proper opener. A proper knock. What was proper once, of course, is not necessarily proper now. When Kohler-Cadmore, arguably more suited to the middle order, returns, Yorkshire will need to have a proper think.Hill’s first boundary – a calm pull of Tom Taylor – set the mood for his innings. The were deft moments, such as when he guided Berg’s medium pace to the third man boundary, and brief nod to the expressive side of his game that T20 has encouraged when he skipped down the pitch to strike the left-arm spinner, Simon Kerrigan, for a straight six. Rob Keogh’s offspin snared him, lbw, pushing forward, immediately after tea.Yorkshire, second in Group Three, led Northants, a place behind, by 12 points at start of play, and with two sides qualifying for the top division in the final stages, and only two games remaining, this match could hardly be more vital. Yorkshire held off Northants by one run in early May and once again they are proving themselves redoubtable opponents.Such is the importance of the fixture that Yorkshire have signed Sam Northeast, who has left Hampshire, on a short-term loan. It would be a shame if Northeast’s county career dwindled away, at 31, amid the recognition that England will never come calling. His chance to appeal to new suitors, though, did not begin well when he made 3 from 19 balls before Tom Taylor had him caught at the wicket, belatedly trying to leave.Not that others had much to boast about. Adam Lyth had fallen early, Ben Sanderson having him caught behind. Rain forced an early lunch before Yorkshire suffered self-inflicted wounds against the let-arm spin of Kerrigan, Gary Ballance failing with a slog sweep and Brook, the leading T20 run-maker in the country, falling off that pedestal when he flogged the same bowler to mid-on.Dom Bess did get a decent ball from Berg which bounced a bit, and it may be Bess’ offspin that is most likely to salvage a difficult position. At the close though, it was the Northants stand-in skipper, Ricardo Vasconcelos, 32 not out and possessor of a deserved county cap, who was much the happier.

“Fearless” was once again the buzzword for Kusal Perera on the eve of the first T20I against England, as the Sri Lanka captain once more leaned on the mantra that he had put forth for his side upon taking over the limited-overs reins earlier this year.”We need to be able to play fearlessly,” Perera said during a virtual pre-match media briefing. “This is not something that’s going to change overnight, but if we keep playing with the same attitude, day by day, the results will eventually come.”Perera had first spoken of playing “fearless cricket” ahead of Sri Lanka’s recent tour of Bangladesh, a plan that in the end wound up being more notional than anything else as Sri Lanka’s batters floundered in all but the last game of the ODI series.Related

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That match and victory, incidentally, had come once the series had been lost, and the pressure to perform lifted. For Perera and the Sri Lanka coaching staff, getting the players to showcase their skills more consistently and, crucially, when it matters, has been the most pressing task in recent weeks.”We’ve had a lot of discussions with the coaches on how we can translate what we do in practice to competitive matches. The problem for us so far has been that in practice we perform really well, but during a match we’re unable to produce the same performances. Each player is different. So we’re trying to see how to get each individual to a point where they can take their performances from practice out into a competitive fixture.”This inability to perform consistently on the biggest stage has led to one of Sri Lanka cricket’s leanest periods in their history; dating back to the start of 2019, Sri Lanka have won just over 30% of their limited-overs games. And while in England – the top-ranked T20I side and reigning ODI world champions – Sri Lanka’s young side faces its toughest test to date, Perera is hopeful that the relative lack of expectation placed on the visitors will help free his side of the mental hang-ups that may have been holding them back.”In the situation we’re in at the moment, it’s like we have nothing to lose – we can only really gain from this series,” Perera said. “Whereas with England they have more to lose, there is always that additional pressure on them.”Under head coach Mickey Arthur, Sri Lanka’s limited-overs side has seen one of its most drastic overhauls in recent memory, with several senior players discarded in favour of younger alternatives. This has resulted in a fair bit of inexperience in the side, but on the flip side a lot of eagerness to impress fringe players.Perera is hopeful that a string of games against one of the top limited-overs sides in the world will help solidify the players’ trust and belief in the process Arthur and his coaching staff have put in place.”When we play against accomplished teams like this, a lot of our players are going to try and bring their A game. Because it’s only when you perform well against the best teams that your confidence in your ability increases.”At the moment our team is actually quite confident – but not over-confident – and we have the belief that we can make an impact here and turn things around. Our aim is to do the right things and play a good game. We believe that we can play well against this England team, and know that the results will come if we just keep doing the right things.”That said, Perera is acutely aware that Sri Lanka will need to be at the top of their game if they are to get anything out of this series.”We need to do what we know without fear. It’s of course easier said that done. We know that of the 11 players, not everyone can bring their A game every match, but whenever a player is able to reach that level, they need to be able to see the game through to the finish.”Sri Lanka will play three T20Is on June 23, 24 and 26, while the three ODIs will take place on June 29, July 1 and 4.

Big picture

Given there is a certain other tournament that happens to coincide with this four-match series, South Africa against Pakistan at the Wanderers is unlikely to have global eyeballs fixed firmly upon it. One of the few T20I series longer than three games, it must have appeared, on paper, as the perfect appetizer ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year. These are two evenly-matched sides who have produced some of the most evenly-matched cricket in recent times, with the T20I series in Pakistan earlier in the year producing three enthralling clashes that had ebbs and flows usually only associated with cricket’s longer formats.When Pakistan edged South Africa out 2-1 two months back, South Africa’s squad was severely depleted as they attempted to rest up for a then scheduled Test series against Australia that eventually never ended up taking place. However, the then visitors will have been buoyed by the performances of what was effectively a second-string XI, and must have been confident they would get their first-choice XI back in the return leg with a more seasoned side.But this series’ clash with the IPL has exacted a heavy toll on the South Africans, five of whom are in India at the moment. To make matters worse, injuries have struck a number of those waiting in the wings to replace them, with Temba Bavuma and Dwaine Pretorius – who famously took 5 for 17 in Lahore in February – both ruled out. Rassie van der Dussen is also a doubt, while Reeza Hendricks has withdrawn due to the birth of his child this week.All this gives Pakistan a clear shot at stamping their authority in a country where their T20I series-winning streak ground to a halt in 2019, with the wheels coming off the hottest T20I run since the format’s inception. Two years on, Pakistan are a shadow of that dominant unit but will fancy themselves to avenge that defeat with a squad that has no real injury issues of its own. Shadab Khan’s absence is well covered by Usman Qadir, while Fakhar Zaman’s ODI form has earned him a recall for this format. Mohammad Hafeez, one of the key absences for Pakistan in the home series in February, is also available.The Pakistan bowlers likely to feature are mostly the same personnel who did the job in the ODI series, though should the visitors wrap this series up early, there might be the possibility of younger players being handed international experience. Nineteen-year-old Mohammad Wasim was one of the most impressive PSL prospects earlier this year, and is a part of the squad. As is Arshad Iqbal, who followed up a stellar PSL season last year with another distinguished campaign this time around. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching and the opposition down to bare bones before the series even begins, Pakistan may find they have the chance to flex their bench strength in a way few sides do in South Africa.

Form guide

(Last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WLWWL
South Africa LWLLLKyle Verreynne will be looking to grab a spot in South Africa’s T20I side•AFP via Getty Images

In the spotlight

Kyle Verreynne hasn’t yet played a T20I match, but already seems like he will be one of the key hopes for this depleted South Africa side. The 23-year old has long been regarded as one of the stars of the future generation and in the few ODIs he has had the chance to play, he has shown why. His most recent game – the third ODI against Pakistan – saw him drag his side from a near-certain defeat to well within contention with a 53-ball 62. It is that sort of confidence in his abilities that has sparked comparisons with some of his more decorated countrymen over the years. His domestic T20 record isn’t quite as impressive as his first-class numbers, but if he’s looking to grab a spot in this side, this is an obvious chance.Sharjeel Khan looks set to return to Pakistan colours for the first time in four years. Few selections have been as contentious or had as many points of interest as the inclusion of the left-hand opener. There have been questions about his past as well as his fitness, but despite all the baggage Sharjeel brings with him, there is a reason Pakistan’s selectors have been so keen to welcome him back. Half a decade ago, he was among the most fearsome strikers of the ball, and that hasn’t changed in all these years. A glimpse of his power was on display at the PSL, where only Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan scored more runs than him, though neither could match his strike rate of 170.94. Against this severely-depleted South Africa attack, expect Sharjeel to go in all guns blazing.

Team news

For South Africa, this squad inherently means an uncertain XI. van der Dussen’s inclusion would be a major boost for an inexperienced middle order, while Aiden Markram, Andile Phehlukwayo and Wiaan Mulder have been called up as cover.South Africa (possible): 1 Janneman Malan, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Pite van Biljon, 4 Kyle Verreynne, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (capt & wk), 6 Andile Phehlukwayo, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 George Linde, 9 Beuran Hendricks, 10 Lizaad Williams, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi/Daryn DupavillonZaman, who wasn’t a part of the original T20I squad, might slot back straight into the side, while Haider Ali might be included after being overlooked for the ODIs. It is unlikely Pakistan will line up with two spinners at the Wanderers, so Zahid Mehmood might miss out.Pakistan (possible): 1 Sharjeel Khan/Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam (capt), 3 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 4 Haider Ali, 5 Mohammad Hafeez, 6 Asif Ali, 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Hasan Ali, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Haris Rauf/Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Usman Qadir

Pitch and conditions

This should be a high-scoring game, in line with the Wanderers’ reputation. Inclement weather is unlikely to make its presence felt.

Stats and trivia

• Mohammad Hafeez will become just the sixth player to feature in 100 T20Is should he play on Saturday. One Pakistani has achieved the feat so far – Shoaib Malik.
• The Wanderers is the venue of South Africa’s heaviest T20I defeat – a 107-run thumping against Australia last year.

Quotes

“They are a quality side. It’s nice playing against them. We need to win this series to get back at them. They’ve played good cricket against us.”

Leeds United have made four additions to their first-team squad during the summer transfer window, since they failed to earn promotion to the Premier League last season.

The Whites lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley in May and are now preparing for a second season in the Championship.

Daniel Farke swooped to bring in Joe Rodon on a permanent deal from Tottenham Hotspur after his spell on loan at Elland Road during the 2023/24 campaign, with Archie Gray going to Spurs in a separate deal.

Leeds then signed Alex Cairns to provide back-up to Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow, central midfielder Joe Rothwell joined on a season-long loan move from Bournemouth, and Jayden Bogle has been snapped up from Sheffield United.

Farke may want to make additions to his attacking options over the coming weeks, though, after his side struggled badly in front of goal in the second tier.

The West Yorkshire side racked up 82 goals from a whopping 94.57 xG in the Championship, which shows that the manager's side missed far too many high-quality chances.

Leeds' finishing struggles last season

The Whites underperformed against their xG by a significant amount as a number of their players endured frustrating seasons when it came to finishing off high xG opportunities.

Three of Leeds' four first-team striker options were within the top five Leeds players who underperformed against their xG, which illustrates a clear issue within the squad.

Georgino Rutter

16.05

7

-9.05

Patrick Bamford

11.11

8

-3.11

Joe Rodon

2.51

0

-2.51

Ethan Ampadu

2.3

0

-2.3

Mateo Joseph

2.43

1

-1.43

As you can see in the table above, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford combined for an xG differential of -11.16. This was a staggering underperformance and may have been costly in the race for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

Leeds finished third in the table and could have broken into the top two ahead of Ipswich Town or Leicester City, if they had matched their xG total, or even overperformed.

These statistics, therefore, suggest that Farke needs to bring in higher-quality finishers to bolster his squad in order to make the most of the high-quality opportunities that his team can create on a consistent basis.

With this in mind, Leeds must take notice of Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony's plea for the club to sign Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics, to guarantee promotion to the top-tier.

The Ireland international could come in as a dream signing for Rutter at the top end of the pitch, to make the most of the Frenchman's creativity.

Georginio Rutter's creative genius

The former Hoffenheim whiz is a fantastic creative talent who can consistently split open opposition defences to create chances for his teammates in the final third.

In fact, Rutter ranked within the top 2% of forwards in the Championship for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.29) and the top 2% for assists per 90 (0.39), which shows that he was one of the best players in his position when it came to creating for others.

Not many forwards in the division created high-quality opportunities as regularly as the left-footed sensation did for Leeds during the 2023/24 campaign.

Appearances

45

Goals

6

Assists

15

Big chances created

22

Key passes per game

1.9

As you can see in the table above, his teammates did not make the most of the 'big chances' he created as they only scored 15 times from 22 of them.

His remarkable ability to spot and play a pass that cuts through the heart of a defence makes him a constant menace to opposition teams, who have to find ways to isolate him in matches. But, as you can see in his statistics, defenders rarely manage to keep him quiet in the second tier.

This suggests that Rutter could benefit from having a striker alongside him who knows how to finish at an exceptional rate, as Bamford and Joseph – as shown by their xG underperformance – are yet to prove that they are that player.

However, Szmodics could be that player if you take into account his performances for Blackburn during the 2023/24 campaign, as he proved himself to be a lethal finisher.

Why Sammie Szmodics could be a dream signing for Georginio Rutter

The Irish forward racked up a staggering 33 goals in 48 matches in all competitions for Rovers, despite the majority of his appearances coming as an attacking midfielder.

This immediately suggests that the Blackburn star is a terrific attacker who can find the back of the net on a regular basis whilst playing for a Championship club.

In fact, Szmodics ranked within the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the division for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.62), which speaks to how frequently he found the target compared to his positional peers.

At the age of 28, Leeds would be signing a player who is in the prime years of his career and could come in to hit the ground running for them next season, rather than gambling on a young prospect or a striker from abroad who has no experience in the Championship.

Appearances

44

xG

22.36

Goals

27

Minutes per goal

145

Conversion rate

19%

Big chances created

7

Duel success rate

42%

As you can see in the table above, Szmodics scored 27 goals from 22.36 xG in the league and that is a staggering overperformance of more than four goals.

This shows that the Irishman, who was hailed as "incredible" by ex-boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, has the finishing acumen to make the most of the high-quality chances that his team are able to create for him week-in-week-out.

Therefore, he could be the dream signing to play alongside Rutter as the French magician could provide him with ample supply to be a lethal goalscorer for Leeds moving forward.

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