Fire’s left-arm quicks help to set up crushing defeat for home side
ECB Reporters Network25-Jul-2024
David Willey made the early incisions for Welsh Fire•PA Photos/Getty Images
Welsh Fire strolled to victory against Manchester Originals in record time in the Hundred, inspired by their trio of left-arm pace bowlers who derailed the home team’s batting effort before it ever got going.David Willey, David Payne and Josh Little took 6 for 46 between them from their 60 balls, reducing the Originals, without injured captain Jos Buttler, to 4 for 3, then 26 for 5 and 37 for 7.Manchester Originals had no answer to the trio – who also registered 36 dot balls amongst their 60 balls of carnage – as they consistently hit heavy lengths at good pace on a pitch that never looked easy to bat on.Jamie Overton and Scott Currie hung around with the bat for long enough to prevent Originals posting the lowest ever total in the men’s Hundred, but their eventual score of 86 for 8 was at best an exercise in saving face.Welsh Fire’s target of 87 seemed academic and it proved as such, knocked off with a record 43 balls to spare, for the loss of just Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Jonny Bairstow.It was the perfect start for Mike Hussey’s Welsh Fire and it sealed a double win for the Cardiff-based side after their women’s team’s success earlier in the day.Meerkat Match Hero David Willey said: “We wanted to start the tournament well. We talked about setting the tone and fortunately I got Salty [Phil Salt] out early on there and we got a nice start.”I guess the swinging ball [is why the left-armers are dangerous]. These balls have been a little bit inconsistent in practice, some have swung and some haven’t. I think left-armers swinging the ball back is always dangerous.”We all want to do our strengths well, and the communication between us out there is really good as well. Credit to the backroom staff, they’ve put a good squad of bowlers together and we all complement each other nicely.”Last year was great fun, probably my most enjoyable month of the year. The staff have put together a great group of guys who enjoy each other’s company off the field as well as on the field, and I think that contributes to our success.”
For much of the last few months, the conversation around transfers and Arsenal has focused on their need for a new number nine.
It’s not hard to understand why that is, as by the end of last season, Mikel Arteta’s side had scored 17 fewer goals than Liverpool and three fewer than Manchester City, despite finishing second in the Premier League.
However, while the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Ollie Watkins would all surely help the North Londoners score more goals, it would also make sense for them to bolster their winger and midfield options.
Fortunately, that appears to be what they are planning to do, as reports have now linked them with a tremendously exciting talent who has won comparisons to Bukayo Saka and Rodrygo.
Arsenal target wide talents
While a new striker is high on Arsenal’s list of priorities this summer, more wide talent appears to be just as important to Arteta and Co, as evidenced by links to players such as Noni Madueke and Rodrygo.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former could be available for around £50m, and while he won’t necessarily excite the fans, he is homegrown and familiar with the Premier League.
Rodrygo, on the other hand, is neither of those things, but with two Champions League titles to his name and a tally of 25 goal involvements in 53 appearances last season, he feels like he’s be more than worth the £85m it could cost to sign him.
With that said, another exciting talent has now entered the frame, someone who’s not only been compared to the Brazilian but also to Saka.
Yes, according to a recent report from French outlet L’Équipe, Arsenal are interested in AS Monaco gem Maghnes Akliouche.
The report has revealed that while in talks with Viktor Gyokeres’ agent, Andrea Berta also inquired about the 23-year-old, who has the same agent.
The report further explains that should the Gunners wish to pursue the French talent, they’d have to pay the Ligue 1 side around €70m, which is about £60m.
AS Monaco's MaghnesAkliouche
It would be a surprising signing, but given Akliouche’s ability and potential, Arsenal should continue exploring it, especially as he has been compared to Saka and Rodrygo.
How Akliouche compares to Saka & Rodrygo
In this instance, the primary comparisons to Saka and Rodrygo stem from FBref, which analysed players in similar positions in the Champions League this season and concluded that the Arsenal star was the fifth most similar midfielder to Akliouche, and the Real Madrid player was the tenth most similar.
Akliouche & Saka
Statistics per 90
Akliouche
Saka
Assists
0.22
0.24
Tackles + Interceptions
2.58
2.62
Carries
29.2
27.9
Successful Take-On %
37.1%
35.0%
Attempted Long Passes
4.16
4.52
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 UCL Campaign
You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the Frenchman ranked closely to the two internationals. In the Englishman’s case, these metrics included assists, tackles plus interceptions, carries, and more, all per 90.
In the case of the Brazilian, the underlying numbers included metrics such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, goal-creating actions, progressive carries, and more, all per 90.
Akliouche & Rodrygo
Statistics per 90
Akliouche
Rodrygo
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.40
0.48
Progressive Carries
4.16
4.64
Key Passes
1.46
1.65
Goal-Creating Actions
0.45
0.41
Expected Assists
0.16
0.16
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 UCL Campaign
With that said, while sharing some key statistical similarities with two of the most exciting wingers in the game is certainly encouraging and suggests the Monaco ace has a bright future, it’s not the only argument for why the Gunners should sign him.
Another key one would be his output for last season.
In 43 appearances, totalling 3301 minutes, the brilliant 23-year-old, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig describes as having a “left foot made of gold,” scored seven goals and provided 12 assists.
That means he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 2.26 games, or every 173.73 minutes, and also means he would have been the joint fourth most productive player among Arteta’s squad.
Maghnes Akliouche for AS Monaco.
Ultimately, Akliouche might not be the most well-known player among Premier League fans, but he appears to be something truly special, and therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him this summer.
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Leeds United have seemingly made it a priority to improve their defensive options in the first phase of the summer transfer window ahead of their return to the Premier League.
The Championship champions only conceded 30 goals in their 46 matches in the second tier last season, but that has not stopped them from wanting to improve their backline.
Daniel Farke has swooped to bring in Jaka Bijol from Udinese and Sebastiaan Bornauw from Wolfsburg to add to his centre-back options, with Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Ethan Ampadu already in the building.
The German head coach has also moved quickly to replace Junior Firpo, who officially left the club at the start of this month, by signing Gabriel Gudmundsson from Lille.
Leeds have reportedly paid a fee of £10m to sign the Sweden international from the Ligue 1 outfit, and he is now in place well ahead of the season opener against Everton at Elland Road.
What Gabriel Gudmundsson could bring to Leeds
One of the main reasons why this appears to be such a sensible signing for Leeds is Gudmundsson’s readiness to hit the ground running in the Premier League.
At the age of 26, the Swedish star is in the prime years of his career and is not a young player with a lot to learn, or a veteran who is past his best and struggling physically.
Darwin Nunez in action with Lille'sGabrielGudmundsson
He also has 103 appearances in Ligue 1 for Lille and 15 caps for Sweden, which means that he is experienced at the top level and knows what it takes to play in a major European league, and for his country against the best of the best.
This suggests that Gudmundsson has the experience and quality to slot straight into the team as Firpo’s replacement for the Premier League season.
However, despite scoring two goals in Ligue 1 last term, the £10m-rated full-back may not offer much to the team as a creative threat down the left flank for Farke.
24/25 Ligue 1
Gabriel Gudmundsson
Appearances
30
Starts
20
xG
0.73
Goals
2
Big chances created
1
xA
1.97
Key passes per game
0.5
Assists
0
Dribble success rate
44%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Gudmundsson did not offer a big threat at the top end of the pitch from a left-back position for Lille in the French top-flight, with one chance created every other game on average and zero assists in 30 games.
LOSC Lille's Gabriel Gudmundsson against Atletico Madrid.
The solid full-back, who won 54% of his duels in the division, is not a Firpo like-for-like who is going to replicate the four goals and ten assists that the former Barcelona man delivered in the Championship last season.
That may be why Leeds are also reportedly interested in another left-sided option who could be a dream for Gudmundsson in the team next term.
Leeds in the race for versatile left-footed star
According to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs in the race to sign Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf this summer.
The reporter claims that Serie A side Atalanta are weighing up a move for the Senegal international, who would take up the last non-EU slot that they have available in their squad.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Longari adds that Premier League teams West Ham United and Leeds are also in the race, as they have been keeping tabs on the left-footed star for some time.
It has previously been reported that Slavia Prague are looking for a final fee that is close to £22m (£21.6m) in order to allow the 20-year-old talent to move away from Czechia before the summer transfer window slams shut.
El Hadji Malick Diouf playing for Senegal against England.
However, it now remains to be seen whether Atalanta, West Ham, or Leeds are prepared to spend that kind of money to snap him up in the coming weeks.
Why Diouf would be a dream for Gudmundsson at Leeds
If the Championship champions are able to win the race for Diouf’s signature this summer, the 20-year-old talent would be a dream signing for Gudmundsson at Elland Road.
The Senegal international has played as a left-back, a left wing-back, and as a left winger in his short career to date, which shows that he can operate in pretty much any role down the left flank.
El Hadji Malick Diouf in action for Slavia Prague.
This suggests that Farke could deploy him ahead of Gudmundsson as a winger, in order to provide the attacking quality that the Swedish ace lacks, but without weakening the defensive structure of the team.
Diouf could operate as a back-up left-back to the Sweden international as well, given that it is his natural position for his national team, but his attacking output for Slavia Prague last season suggests that he could have a lot to offer in front of the former Lille man.
The £22m-rated star, as shown in the post above, ranked highly among his positional peers outside the seven major leagues in a host of key attacking metrics.
Malick Diouf (24/25)
Chance Liga
Europa League
Appearances
27
8
Goals
7
0
Big chances missed
3
1
Big chances created
10
3
Key passes per game
1.3
1.6
Assists
2
1
Completed dribbles per game
0.9
1.3
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Diouf provided outstanding quality at the top end of the pitch, largely from a wing-back role, with seven goals and 13 ‘big chances’ created in 35 appearances in the Chance Liga and the Europa League combined.
The Senegalese star, who analyst Rohit Kumaran hailed as “physically dominant”, is a forward-thinking full-back who wants to get into the final third to score goals and create chances for his team, as shown by his impressive statistics in those departments.
That is why Diouf could come in as the perfect foil for Gudmundsson on the left flank for the Whites, because Farke would then have a solid and experienced defensive left-back and an attack-minded, yet defensively and physically capable, left midfielder in his starting XI.
Their respective qualities could complement each other well and help Leeds in their bid to avoid an instant relegation from the Premier League next term.
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Sides clash for third time this campaign with a final place against Welsh Fire at stake
Valkerie Baynes16-Aug-2024Oval Invincibles don’t pose too much mystery for London Spirit in the Women’s Hundred eliminator on Saturday – especially to Spirit’s star allrounder Deepti Sharma.Deepti has produced two excellent performances against the Invincibles so far this year, top-scoring for Spirit with 44 and taking 3 for 18 in a tied first encounter at Lord’s, and again with an unbeaten 46 in a losing cause on Sunday at The Oval. In the first encounter, her efforts were bettered only by Marizanne Kapp’s 47 and 4 for 11 for Invincibles.Now, with a place in Sunday’s final against Welsh Fire on the line, Deepti hopes her side can put together the sort of performance that will see them defeat their London rivals for the first time in this campaign.”Because we are going to play a third game, I’m pretty sure what we have to do and what our plans are; very clear about that,” Deepti told ESPNcricinfo. “Just keep it simple, that’s what I always think. Just keep it simple, enjoying each and every game and express myself. That’s what I’ve followed from day one.”Related
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Deepti has enjoyed a strong return to the Hundred for the first time since she played for Spirit in 2021. She scored at least 30 in each of her five innings so far and has taken seven wickets at an average of 19.57 and economy rate of 7.14.She was Player of the Match in the final game of the regular season, with an unbeaten 37 and 1 for 19 in a seven-wicket win that knocked Northern Superchargers out of the running for the play-offs.In that match, she shared an unbroken 77-run stand for the fourth wicket with England and Spirit captain Heather Knight and, just as the opposition can keep few secrets in franchise leagues where fixtures fall regularly in a condensed schedule, the boom in those leagues – with players from different countries becoming team-mates – means the same can be said at international level.Alongside Knight, with whom she helped Western Storm to the 2019 Kia Super League title, Deepti has also linked up with former Australia captain Meg Lanning at Spirit, as well as England spin duo Sarah Glenn and Charlie Dean, having run the latter out at the non-striker’s end in an ODI at Lord’s in 2022.”I forgot everything because when you are playing in the same team, I am someone who always forgets in-the-past things,” Deepti said. “I always [try to] be in the present, watch the moment and watch the matches that are going on. They are good players and good team-mates as well, so we were just gelled up every day and we are enjoying every moment in the team room or outside the team room.”Meg is here… I was so excited because I always play against her, so I told her that I’m really excited to play in the same team. She’s very, very cool. She always supports you whether she’s batting or outside the ground. I like her nature.”It doesn’t matter if you are playing in the same team, same franchise, or you are playing for your country. It’s just about the mindset. Whether it’s the Hundred, WPL or the WBBL, it’s cricket. Cricket is cricket, so we love to play that.”Deepti has been in excellent form with the bat•Getty Images
Spirit faced a nervous wait for their place in the eliminator to be confirmed, watching Invincibles clinch victory with six balls remaining against Trent Rockets in their last regular match.”We were in the team room and we all were watching, so it was a little bit nervous,” Deepti said. “We were hoping for the best for us. We were not thinking about what will happen, just believing in ourselves that we would play the eliminator.”Spirit need that belief to hold for at least one more match – they hope two matches – if they are to win a maiden Hundred title. The Invincibles will be seeking their third crown, having had their run broken at two in a row by last year by Southern Brave, who finished bottom of the table this year.Chamari Athapaththu is unavailable for Invincibles after joining Sri Lanka in Ireland for their ODIs series, but they will have proven match-winner Kapp, who was pivotal in their win over Rockets with 26 not out and 3 for 8.Kapp has 181 runs for the campaign at an average of 60.33 and strike rate of 141.40 and has taken 10 wickets at 13.40 with an economy rate of 5.95, to the delight of Invincibles captain Lauren Winfield-Hill.”We’ve seen how good she’s with the new ball and, when she’s out in the middle in a chase, the dressing room is calm because she’s been such a crucial finisher for us with the bat, and she fields in all the hot spots,” Winfield-Hill said. “She’s absolutely the first name on any teamsheet in any competition anywhere in the world, in my opinion, closely followed by Nat Sciver-Brunt.”I just think it’s frightening. Sometimes you feel like she’s almost playing a PlayStation game, especially when she’s batting, where it’s like she’s just picking where the fifth gap is in the field and pressing X, and the shot comes off. She feels like she’s at the absolute peak of her powers and just getting better all the time.”
أعلن تشابي ألونسو، المدير الفني لنادي ريال مدريد، عن قائمة الفريق التي سوف تواجه أوليمبيك مارسيليا يوم غدًا الثلاثاء، لحساب منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ريال مدريد يستضيف أوليمبيك مارسيليا على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو، لحساب الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
ويسعى ريال مدريد للفوز على مارسيليا من أجل بداية قوية في دوري الأبطال، عقب خيبة الأمل الموسم الماضي والخروج من الدور ربع النهائي على يد آرسنال.
طالع .. ألونسو قبل مواجهة مارسيليا: أرفض الحديث عن التحكيم.. ومبابي قائد حقيقي في ريال مدريد
وشهدت قائمة ريال مدريد أنباء سعيدة بعودة جود بيلينجهام من جديد، وذلك بعدما غاب الدولي الإنجليزي لمدة قاربت الشهرين بسبب الإصابة على مستوى الكتف.
وخضع بيلينجهام لعملية جراحية في الكتف عقب نهاية بطولة كأس العالم للأندية في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية خلال شهري يونيو ويوليو الماضيين، قبل أن يتعافى مؤخرًا.
وتمثل عودة بيلينجهام مكسبًا كبيرًا لريال مدريد، حيث يعتبر اللاعب من بين أهم العناصر في تشكيلة الفريق الملكي.
كما عاد إدواردو كامافينجا للتواجد مع ريال مدريد، بعدما غاب عن الفريق الملكي في بداية هذا الموسم بسبب إصابة في الركبة.
ويستمر غياب أنطونيو روديجير بجانب فيرلاند ميندي بسبب الإصابة، في حين لا يعد إندريك جاهزًا للعب حتى الآن رغم تماثله للشفاء. قائمة ريال مدريد لمواجهة مارسيليا في دوري أبطال أوروبا
يستقبل نانت ضيفه رين الفرنسي في إطار منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الفرنسي موسم 2025-2026 على ملعب “لا البوجوار”.
ويحتل نانت المركز الرابع عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري الفرنسي برصيد ثلاث نقاط خلال أربع مباريات من فوز واحد وخسارة 3 مباريات وسجل الفريق هدف وأستقبلت شباكه 3 اهداف.
ويحتل رين المركز السادس برصيد 7 نقاط من انتصارين وتعادل واحد وهزيمة واحدة وسجل الفريق 5 أهداف واستقبلت شباكه 6 أهداف.
أقرأ أيضاً.. تقييم محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وإيفرتون بـ الدوري الإنجليزي
وخسر نانت من باريس سان جيرمان في المباراة الافتتاحية للدوري الفرنسي بهدف نظيف، وخسر مرة أخرى ضد ستراسبورج بهدف،وحقق الفوز الوحيد ضد أوكسير بهدف، وعاد للهزيمة ضد نيس بهدف.
وقد أعلن لويس كاسترو مدرب نانت تشكيل فريقه والذي سيقوده المهاجم المصري مصطفى محمد والذي يلعب بشكل أساسي منذ بداية اللقاء. تشكيل نانت أمام رين في الدوري الفرنسي
At long, long, long last, Arsenal have their striker. The Gunners have arguably needed one for the last two years, but after several months of searching, the answer has arrived.
On Saturday evening, they announced the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres who put pen to paper after signing for around £64m.
It ended a saga that became rather toxic, particularly at the Sporting end. Gyokeres reportedly told his former employers that he’d never play for the club again after a breakdown in relations.
The Swede felt that the Portuguese side had broken the agreement they had that he could be sold for a particular fee.
Anyway, the attacker has finally got away from Lisbon and will now call London his home, bringing with him an abundance of goals. He scored 54 times in 52 outings throughout 2024/25.
Had that move fallen through, then Andrea Berta did have other options.
Arsenal's striker options this summer
Before Berta decided to go all in on Gyokeres, Slovenian powerhouse Benjamin Sesko was widely thought to be Arsenal’s number one choice.
They’ve been looking at the RB Leipzig striker for the best part of 18 months but things unravelled over the summer of 2025.
Indeed, according to the Athletic, it looked for all the world as though Sesko would be their first choice this summer. In March, Jason Ayton, Edu’s interim successor, was going to head to Germany in a bid to make headway on a deal. But, towards the back end of that month, the dynamic changed after Berta’s arrival at Arsenal.
That trip to Germany was canned and Gyokeres’ name came into contention with Berta a big fan of the player. With support from the owners, the club decided to explore the conditions of both deals.
Unfortunately, Sesko’s salary expectations and associated commission meant that the cost of any deal was too high. Consequently, they focused on Gyokeres and here he is.
Via The Athletic, also considered this summer was Ollie Watkins but they had reservations over his age. Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez was also on the agenda.
Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez
Indeed, the Atletico Madrid star’s name was discussed behind the scenes before they focused their attention on Gyokeres. That was probably a smart move considering some reports valued the Argentine at around £142m this year.
Still, he’d have been a remarkable signing had the club gone in that direction instead.
How Viktor Gyokeres compares to Julian Alvarez
While the Sesko move fell apart due to finances, the Gunners will be enormously content with the deal to bring Gyokeres to the Emirates Stadium.
Lavish fees have been spent in England this summer and you only need to look at the £79m fee Liverpool have paid for a project striker in Hugo Ekitike to know what Arsenal have got a better bargain here.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
The Portuguese top-flight will have its doubters but the hierarchy in north London have paid just over £60m for a player who bagged 50 plus goals last season.
Even if he scores half that number in Arsenal colours this forthcoming campaign, he will have been a good signing. After all, Mikel Arteta’s men just need goals. For the first time since the 1923/24 campaign, no player in red and white scored double figures in the league. Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz endured lengthy injury spells but it makes for grim reading nonetheless.
There are some concerns surrounding the tactical fit of Gyokeres in this Arsenal team. We’re not attempting to bash this move, he’s a great signing, but despite the Swede’s power and height – he stands at 6 foot 2 – only around 12.5% of his shots came with his head and he didn’t score a single header in the league last term.
If Gyokeres finds a way to over 20 goals next season then few will care how they come but it does explain why Arsenal were looking at other options too, notably Alvarez.
Premier League-proven, the World Cup winner has been described as a “monster” by Argentine journalist Pablo Gonzalez and remarkably as “the best forward in the world” by reporter Roy Nemer.
His stock is incredibly high and his numbers in Spain last campaign demonstrate why. While Alvarez’s goalscoring record paled in comparison to Gyokeres, he did find the net on 29 occasions and at a higher level too. He also registered eight assists in all competitions.
While concerns surround Gyokeres’ ability to translate his form in Portugal to the Premier League, there will have no such doubts about Alvarez. He’s already dazzled for Manchester City at this level.
Alvarez vs Gyokeres since 2023/24 (league only)
Stat (per 90 mins)
Alvarez
Gyokeres
Goals
0.49
1.07
Assists
0.21
0.27
Shots
2.90
3.72
Pass success %
78%
72%
Key passes
1.88
1.81
Passes into penalty area
3.38
0.79
Progressive passes
3.40
1.87
Shot-creating actions
3.94
4.50
Progressive carries
2.50
3.89
Stats via FBRef.
In 2023/24, his final campaign under Pep Guardiola, the 25-year-old netted 19 goals and assisted 14, demonstrating that he is the complete package.
He’s also been there and done it all despite his age. He’s won the English top-flight on two occasions, he’s won the FA Cup, he’s won the Champions League, he’s won Copa America twice and of course, he’s got his hands on the World Cup trophy.
Despite being 25, Alvarez has quite the CV and there is no doubt that he’d have really taken Arsenal to the next level under Arteta’s wing.
Still, with Gyokeres, a 50-goal striker arriving through the door, few can complain when the club’s main problem last term was scoring goals.
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ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2024
Luke Fletcher was a stalwart at Notts for 17 seasons•Getty Images
Luke Fletcher, Nottinghamshire’s veteran seam bowler, is to leave the club at the end of the 2024 season after a 17-year career at Trent Bridge.Fletcher, who turns 36 on Wednesday, has taken 442 first-class wickets since making his Nottinghamshire debut in 2008, as well as 93 List A, and 108 T20 wickets. After working his way through the age-group system at Trent Bridge, he was released back to club cricket at Papplewick and Linby – and even worked on the gates at the club – before earning a consistent starting spot in 2009.He became a cult hero at Trent Bridge for his wholehearted approach to the game, and played a role in six title-winning campaigns, including their County Championship triumph in 2010 and two T20 Blast titles in 2017 and 2020.”For a local lad to represent this club is an honour, and I never could have expected the career I’ve had,” Fletcher said. “My overwhelming feeling now is how grateful I am for all the years I’ve spent with Notts and the memories I have made along the way.”A place is only as good as the people within it, and I’ve had the pleasure of sharing a dressing room with so many great people, and creating relationships that I will cherish forever.”But it’s also everyone around the club – from the ticket office to the chefs, community teams, ground staff, dressing room attendants and so many more. I’ve been here for such a long time and it has all meant a great deal to me.”Whilst I am sad that my time at the club is done, I couldn’t be happier with everything I have achieved. Trent Bridge feels like home, it always has done, and it always will do.”Fletcher’s finest year at the club came in 2021, when he was named PCA County Championship Player of the Year after taking 66 wickets at an average of 14.9. That came four years after a career-threatening injury in 2017, when he was struck on the head by a Sam Hain drive in a T20 clash against Birmingham Bears – an incident from which he made a full recovery.He is one of only five men to have taken 100 T20 wickets for Nottinghamshire, while his eight fifties for the club include two career-best scores of 92.”Luke is a hugely popular character, and with good reason,” Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire’s director of cricket, said. “He has given his heart and soul to this club, forged so many friendships and played with a smile on his face.”It says a great deal that Stuart Broad – who played with some of the greatest players of his generation – deems Fletch one of ‘the best team-mates you could ever have’.”It means so much to him to have represented his home county for nearly two decades, and that loyalty has been reciprocated by members and supporters who show him great affection.”His stats and success deserve mention too – he has worked tremendously hard at his craft to be the best he can be, and that has paid dividends.”We wish him all the best wherever he goes, and whatever he does – he will always get a warm welcome and special reception at Trent Bridge.”
Newcastle United could well be set to lose Alexander Isak this summer after the striker appears to be exploring other options.
The Swedish centre-forward has been with the Magpies since the summer of 2022, going on to score 62 goals in just 109 matches for the club. This works out as a goal every 1.7 matches, and if he does leave, Eddie Howe will have a massive void to fill.
In the past, the Toon have enjoyed the services of several top class forwards. Going as far back to the days of Hughie Gallacher, who scored over 100 goals and helped Newcastle win the First Division in the 1920s, to Jackie Milburn, who won three FA Cups as a player and was the club’s highest ever scorer – until a certain Alan Shearer rocked up at St James’ Park.
Before Shearer, however, the likes of Malcolm Macdonald and Andy Cole flexed their goalscoring prowess for the club during the 1970s and 1990s, but it was the former Southampton and Blackburn hitman who would eclipse everything his predecessors achieved.
Alan Shearer’s Newcastle heroics
By the time Shearer made the move from Blackburn to Newcastle in the summer of 1996 for a world record fee of £15m, he was already established as arguably the finest centre-forward in the Premier League.
He led Blackburn to the 1994/95 top-flight title and ended his spell with the club having scored 130 goals during his stint at Ewood Park.
Throughout the next decade, the Englishman would shatter records at the Magpies and come close to glory on several occasions. The Toon reached the FA Cup final in both 1998 and 1999, yet lost both to Arsenal and Manchester United.
A move to United in 1996 might have seen Shearer enhance his medal collection, but nothing was going to stop him from moving to his hometown team.
Shearer could do it all. Not only potent in the penalty box, the striker loved scoring incredible goals. Who can forget his stunning volley against Everton in 2002, or his excellent free-kick against Wimbledon in his first ever match for the Magpies.
Alan Shearer’s Newcastle stats
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2005/06
41
14
4
2004/05
42
19
4
2003/04
52
28
6
2002/03
48
25
6
2001/02
46
27
6
2000/01
23
7
2
1999/00
50
30
13
1998/99
40
21
7
1997/98
23
7
1
1996/97
40
28
9
Via Transfermarkt
All of this added up to the 63-cap centre-forward eventually breaking Milburn’s all-time scoring record during a game against Portsmouth towards the tail end of the 205/06 season.
Racing onto a flick from Shola Ameobi, Shearer powered home a trademark finish in front of the Gallowgate End to score goal number 201 for the club.
Despite having players such as Isak, Andy Carroll, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Obafemi Martins lead the line at one stage or another since Shearer retired, none have come close to matching the legendary striker and his achievements.
Perhaps if Isak remains for the next few years, he could have a chance at breaking the goal record, but it looks as though he won’t be staying at St James’ Park for long.
As such, Howe must be looking at alternatives to bolster his attacking department. Could he target a move for someone who has shades of Shearer?
Newcastle’s search for a striker
Howe has been working hard to bring in another striker this summer. Players such as Yoane Wissa, Julian Alvarez and Mike Biereth have all been targeted in recent weeks.
Yoane Wissa
All three would certainly make an impact at Newcastle, no doubt about it, but it is their pursuit of another striker that could take the club to the next level.
Journalist Graeme Bailey shared an update on X regarding Howe eyeing a move for Benjamin Sesko, saying that the Magpies “have engaged in talks” with the striker “to try and convince him to move to St James’ Park.”
Bailey added that “Newcastle would be prepared to break their transfer record to land him.”
Benjamin Sesko 2024-25 stats (timeless)
According to The Times, it could take a fee of around £70m in order to land Sesko this summer, which would see Newcastle break their club-record transfer fee, eclipsing the £63m spent on Isak.
If they manage to sign the RB Leipzig frontman, it would signify a major statement of intent by Newcastle ahead of next season.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
Sesko has plenty of traits similar to Shearer, meaning he could be the ideal player to lead the club’s charge in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Why Newcastle must sign Benjamin Sesko
The 22-year-old has an excellent goalscoring record for someone so young. Indeed, across 210 senior matches, the Slovenian has found the back of the net 90 times.
Sesko has scored 39 of those at Leipzig, with several being stunners. Against Bayern Munich last season, he netted a sublime strike with the outside of his foot from around 25 yards out to open the scoring.
He loves powerful efforts from outside the penalty area, just like Shearer in his pomp, with the former England skipper renowned for his ability to fire home from all angles and any distance – and with venom at that.
Much like Shearer was the main man at St James’ Park, Sesko has become a focal point of Leipzig’s attack since joining them in the summer of 2023. He is a “monster” of a striker, in the words of by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Shearer himself likes what he sees, having also noted comparisons between the Leipzig man and a certain Erling Haaland:
“He has the same frame. He is as quick as he is. He can certainly travel with the ball like he can. “He is very good at scoring goals. He is very good at bringing people into the game, so I get the comparison.
“I like him a lot. I know he is very young – he is only 21 years of age so he’s got a lot of learning to do – but without doubt there is a top-class footballer in there.”
Hailed as “phenomenal” by scout Antonio Mango, Sesko shone for his club last season. He finished the campaign with 13 league goals and a goal conversion percentage of 19% in the Bundesliga.
Furthermore, the player also created five big chances and recorded five assists, while succeeding with 55% of his dribble attempts.
It was yet another excellent season for the young striker and it is evident he is going from strength to strength.
Leipzig missed out on Champions League qualification, meaning Sesko will surely be seeking a move to a club where he can showcase his talents on the biggest stage in club football.
Newcastle would certainly provide the stage for the Slovenian, that’s for sure. If Isak does leave, Sesko would have some pretty big boots to fill.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates
Given his displays on the continent over the previous few years, the youngster wouldn’t be fazed at this prospect.
In the process, he could turn out to be one of the club’s finest strikers since Shearer. No pressure, eh?
PIF set sights on signing 13-goal star for Newcastle after Isak bombshell
The Magpies have instantly turned towards potential replacements.
Lions will now face Markhors in the second Eliminator on Friday
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-2024
Khushdil Shah picked up 3 for 40•PCB
An all-round show from Ahmed Daniyal and a three-wicket haul from Khushdil Shah helped Lions keep their campaign alive, as they held on for a 12-run victory in the Champions One-Day Cup Eliminator against Stallions in Faisalabad. Lions will now face Markhors in the second Eliminator on Friday, with the winner facing Panthers in Sunday’s final.Opting to bat, Lions were in a spot of bother at 43 for 3, before Sharoon Siraj (38) and Mohammad Taha revived the innings with a 77-run partnership. However, Stallions kept chipping away, resulting in another slide for Lions, who went from 120 for 3 to 140 for 7 in the space of five overs. With Lions staring at the possibility of a sub-200 total, Daniyal and Aamer Yamin launched a counterattack, their 81-run eighth-wicket stand eventually guiding the team to 263 for 9. While Yamin was run out for 46, Daniyal remained unbeaten on 65 off 59 balls, with two fours and five sixes. For Stallions, seamer Ubaid Shah was the pick of the bowlers, ending with 3 for 46.Stallions began their 264 chase well, courtesy an opening stand of 64 between Yasir Khan (39) and Maaz Sadaqat (27). However, three wickets in successive overs saw the team stumble to 68 for 3, with Khushil accounting for both Sadaqat and Adil Amin. Another threatening partnership – 69 for the fourth wicket between Tayyab Tahir and Hussain Talat – appeared to give Stallions a way back into the game, but Daniyal broke through to halt their momentum in the 30th over.Stallions captain Mohammad Haris and Jahanad Khan provided a late surge, but Lions stayed ahead with regular wickets. Stallions needed 23 off the last two overs, but they only had two wickets in hand, and Lions finally bundled them out for 251. Khushdil finished with 3 for 40 while Daniyal took 3 for 59.