Opener’s 298-ball innings and the loss of 36 overs could see Kent escape with a draw
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay20-Apr-2025
Compton’s 178 is his highest score for Kent•Getty Images
Gloucestershire have reached 112 for 2 in the second innings of their Rothesay County Championship game with Kent on Sunday, a lead of 191.Ben Charlesworth was their top scorer with 58, but bad light halted play with 36 overs remaining and the forecast for tomorrow suggests a draw is probable.Earlier, Ben Compton hit his highest Kent score of 178 as the hosts made 393, a first innings deficit of 79. Kent were 318 for 7 when play began in Baltic conditions, with the lights on and in front a meagre crowd.Compton was on 144 overnight and had only moved to 148 when he flashed at Marchand de Lange and was dropped by Cameron Green at first slip. He swatted the next ball to the midwicket boundary to pass 150, but Jas Singh produced just one elegant cover drive for four before being caught behind off Matt Taylor for five.Taylor was denied a second wicket when Kashif Ali hit him straight into Miles Hammond’s chest at short leg and Kashif somehow survived for 89 balls to make 34 not out, including a six he swept off Ollie Price that sailed over cow corner.He put on a stand of 60 with Compton, who finally went when he charged down the wicket to Graeme van Buuren and was stumped by James Bracey. Nathan Gilchrist lasted just eight balls before he was lbw to the same bowler for one, leaving Kent seven short of an additional batting point.Ben Charlesworth was on 17 when he edged Jas Singh, but Chris Benjamin, keeping in place of Harry Finch who has a broken finger, put the chance down.Cameron Bancroft went lbw to Joey Evison for 22 and Jack Leaning had Charlesworthcaught by Zak Crawley at cover. Light rain then began to fall but the players stayed out until 3.50 pm when the light deteriorated to the point that the umpires called an early tea.Rainfall prevented a resumption and play was abandoned for the day at 5.18 pm.
RR’s first over-rate offence was under Riyan Parag against Chennai Super Kings last month
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Apr-20252:07
Jaffer: Quality of RR’s squad after auction is questionable
Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson has been fined INR 24 lakh after his team’s second over-rate offence in IPL 2025. Samson and his team were slapped with the fine for maintaining a slow over-rate in their game against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.As per Article 2.22 of the IPL’s code of conduct, a captain is fined INR 24 lakh for a second over-rate offence in a season, and the IPL has done away with match suspensions for a third offence. The rest of the players in the playing XII – including the Impact Player – are fined either INR 6 lakh or 25% of their match fees, whichever is lower.RR’s first over-rate offence this IPL was, however, under the captaincy of Riyan Parag when Samson was playing only as an Impact Player as he recovered from a finger injury. The first offence was against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) last month when Parag had been fined INR 12 lakh.RR’s second offence came in their third loss of the season in five games, after having won their previous two games on the bounce. They are currently placed seventh on the points table.
Former NZ quick suggests caution since another injury in the same spot where Bumrah has already had back surgery “could be a career-ender”
Nagraj Gollapudi11-Mar-20251:54
Bond: Transition from IPL to Tests a danger period for Bumrah
Another back injury for Jasprit Bumrah in the same spot where he had surgery “could be a career-ender” according to former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond, whose career ended prematurely due to chronic back problems.Bumrah has not played since he walked off for scans on the second afternoon of the New Year’s Test in Sydney this year. What was reported as back spasms then turned to be a stress-related injury, which forced him to miss the Champions Trophy. Bumrah is currently at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru doing rehab and there is no clarity yet on when he will be fully fit or whether he will start for Mumbai Indians (MI) at IPL 2025.This is the first time Bumrah has suffered a back injury since he had surgery in March 2023. Bond, who has worked with Bumrah in the past – he was bowling coach with MI for several years – and is currently in India as bowling coach at Rajasthan Royals, said that Bumrah’s workloads need to be managed conservatively to avoid another relapse.Related
Bumrah to miss Oval Test against England; Akash Deep likely to replace him
Shane Bond: 'If you ask any injured player if they're okay to play, they'll say yes'
“When he went off for scans, it was at Sydney, there was some messaging coming up around that he had sprains and stuff like that,” Bond told ESPNcricinfo in a wide-ranging chat* during the Champions Trophy, when he was one of the experts on the analysis show Match Day. “I worried that it wasn’t going to be a sprain, it might be a bony injury around that area [the back]. I thought he may struggle to make the Champions Trophy if it was.”Bond was probably the first fast bowler, at least this century, to undergo back surgery, which he had at 29, the same age at which Bumrah had his surgery. Despite persistent injuries Bond continued to play until he was 34 before deciding to retire, first from Tests and then from all formats in less than six months. In a chat with ESPNcricinfo in 2010, Bond said, “I broke if I played few games on the bounce” in first-class cricket and he was sick and tired of doing rehab.The “danger” zone where fast bowlers suffer injuries, according to Bond, is when they quickly transition from T20 to Test cricket. And that, Bond highlighted, would be his primary concern for Bumrah too, considering India will travel to England to play five-Test series in June barely a month after the IPL ends on May 25.”Look, I think Booms will be fine, but it’s just that [workload] management [matters],” Bond said. “Looking at the tours and the schedule going forward, where are the opportunities to give him a break, but really where are the danger periods? And often it is that the [transition from] IPL to the Test championship will be a risk.Jasprit Bumrah poses with his ICC Awards for 2024•ICC/Getty Images”Anywhere you transition from particularly T20 to a Test match, it’s challenging. If you are playing a one-day series, it’s generally not too bad. You will play three games a week, you will have a practice, you are sort of in around that 40 overs [range], that’s pretty close to a Test match week anyway. But in T20, particularly in the IPL, when you might be playing three games in a week, there’s two days of travel, you might get one training [session], you are sort of bowling 20 overs maybe if you’re lucky. That’s sort of half of a Test match load or even under a half of, which then is a big jump and you are not bowling back-to-back days. That’s a big jump when you transition out of that.”India’s schedule for the England tour is a tight one with five Tests between June 28 and August 3. Bond said that India cannot give Bumrah the kind of workload he carried during the 2024-25 Australia tour, which also comprised five Tests. Overall, Bumrah bowled 151.2 overs in nine innings including 52 in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, his most in a Test match.Going forward, Bond said, he would not want Bumrah to play more than two consecutive Tests at one go.”He’s too valuable for the next World Cup and stuff. So you’d be looking at five Tests in England, I wouldn’t want to be playing him in any more than two in a row. Coming out of the back end of the IPL into a Test match is going to be a huge risk. And so how do they manage that is going to be key.
“Looking at five Tests in England, I wouldn’t want to be playing him in any more than two in a row. Coming out of the back end of the IPL into a Test match is going to be a huge risk.”Shane Bond
“They may say, look, it’s four Test matches in total. Or three. If we can get him through the English summer and he’s fit, we can probably then go with some confidence that we can carry him across the rest of the formats. So that’s hard because he is your best bowler, but if he has another injury in the same spot, that could be a career-ender, potentially, because I’m not sure you can have surgery on that spot again.”With the Indian domestic season over, the IPL is the only competitive series Bumrah can feature in before the England tour. While Bond felt the IPL “maybe touch and go” for Bumrah, he said “there will be an element of risk depending on the intensity that he’s bowling at by the time he gets back”.Bond said that it was also Bumrah’s responsibility to work in tandem with the decision-makers in Indian cricket to chart out a safe path that would help him extend his career. “So it’s going to take some good management and just some open conversations with the player and say, look, we are doing this with your best interest in your career. Any player who’s gone through that, and having myself [gone through it], you are desperate to play, but you also understand there are some risks at certain times and you have to make some compromises.”* The full interview will be published on ESPNcricinfo later this month.
Manchester United have endured somewhat of an overhaul of the squad this summer, with Ruben Amorim splashing the cash during his first summer window at Old Trafford.
With less than a week remaining until the market slams shut, the 40-year-old has already spent around £200m – all on players within the final third of the pitch.
Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have all made the move to the Theatre of Dreams, but none of the stars have yet netted their first goal in any of the first two Premier League outings.
FFC Manchester United Sesko Mbeumo Cunha
Players such as Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans were released at the start of the summer, freeing up some of the funds to land the aforementioned trio.
However, further players are likely to be offloaded before Monday’s deadline, with numerous players touted with big-money moves away from Amorim’s side.
The latest on United’s potential departures this summer
Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as a surprise option to depart United in the coming days, after being an unused substitute in each of the club’s two opening league outings.
The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro have all been preferred over the academy graduate in recent days – casting doubt over his long-term future at Old Trafford.
As a result, the 20-year-old is now said to be open to a departure before the deadline, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea monitoring his current situation – with a £45m transfer fee being mooted.
The Englishman is not the only player touted with an exit, with bomb squad member Alejandro Garnacho edging ever closer to a departure, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist claims that the Argentine’s move to join Chelsea is now “very advanced” after the player rejected a proposal from Saudi Arabia – stating he only wants to move to Stamford Bridge.
It’s also been reported that a fee in the region of £50m with future add-ons has been agreed, with only minor details remaining before the 21-year-old departs Amorim’s side.
Why United selling £50m star would be a bigger blow than Mainoo
Mainoo has endured somewhat of a rapid rise over the last couple of years, with no supporter able to envisage the impact he would’ve had on the first-team squad.
There’s no denying that the Red Devils have fallen way below the expectations set by the fanbase, but the 20-year-old midfielder has often been a shining light – often popping up in crucial moments.
He announced himself to the supporters with a last-minute strike against Wolves back in February 2024, with his effort securing a 4-3 win for the club at Molineux.
Goals in the FA Cup and against Lyon in the Europa League have further highlighted the impact he’s made within the first-team, with the hierarchy potentially living to regret any deal that would see him depart the Theatre of Dreams.
However, a deal for Garnacho to depart could arguably be a bigger blow, losing another top youth prospect who could develop into an elite-level forward.
The Argentine made his debut for the Red Devils back in April 2022 – going on to rack up just shy of 150 appearances, and looking like the future of the club at one stage.
Despite scoring 11 times and producing 10 assists across all competitions throughout 2024/25, he was left on the bench for the Europa League final – prompting a fall-out with the manager after comments on social media.
He’s since been placed in the bomb squad at Old Trafford, but it could prove to be a decision that comes back to bite them – especially if he moves to a divisional rival.
Garnacho’s tally of 21 goal contributions last season showcases the talent he possesses within forward areas, something which the Red Devils have lacked already this campaign.
Alejandro Garnacho’s stats for United in the PL (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
36
Minutes played
2195
Goals & assists
8
Shots on target
1.2
Pass accuracy
83%
Chances created
1.5
Successful dribbles
1.1
Touches in opposition box
7.6
Fouls won
1.8
Stats via FotMob
Amorim’s side have only netted one goal in the opening two league outings, with the youngster able to help the side in their quest should they keep hold of him beyond the summer.
However, it appears as though he’s set to leave in favour of a move to Chelsea, with the Blues potentially getting themselves a bargain given his output and tender age – having the potential to explode in the capital.
There’s no denying that Amorim wants to make his own stamp on the squad – but selling star youngsters like Mainoo and Garnacho could turn ugly, especially if they can fulfil their potential away from Old Trafford in the years ahead.
He'd revive Fernandes: Man Utd chasing the "best English CM since Scholes"
Manchester United want to sign a midfielder before the end of the transfer window.
New Zealand were 112 for 1 in 21 overs when rain arrived
Madushka Balasuriya19-Nov-2024No Result Persistent rain in Pallekele meant the final ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was washed out, with Sri Lanka, who had won the first two games, taking the series 2-0. This is Sri Lanka’s fifth ODI series win this year.It was an anti-climactic end to a game that had begun with much promise, courtesy a fresh pitch that was expected to suit the batters as opposed to the more sluggish surfaces served up in the first two games.New Zealand, having won the toss, decided to take first lease of it and proceeded to get off to their best start of the series. The first ten overs saw them ticking along at a touch under six an over, despite not taking many risks. That was primarily down to the fact that nearly 40% of those runs had come off the wayward Dilshan Madushanka, whose two overs went for 23 runs.Related
Whisper it, but Sri Lanka may be turning a corner in ODIs
That was the last of Madushanka with the ball, but some sloppy efforts in the outfield meant it was a day to forget for the left-arm seamer who had just 12 months prior been one of the most sought-after seamers in world cricket following a stellar World Cup in India. That, though, seemed to be a lifetime ago as he struggled to maintain consistent lines and lengths. The first five boundaries of the New Zealand innings came of his bowling.At the other end though, Sri Lanka kept things relatively tight – first through seamer Mohamed Shiraz and then their bevy of spinners. The solitary wicket of the innings had in fact come courtesy Shiraz, playing just his second ODI and his first of the series, though it had also owed much to skipper Charith Asalanka who leapt high to his left at mid-off to hold on to a mistimed drive from Tim Robinson. Shiraz’s five overs went for 23 runs as both Robinson and Will Young were troubled by his late swing – 20 dot balls out of 30 legal deliveries spoke of his control.New Zealand, though, managed a scoring rate nearing six even after the powerplay, comfortably knocking the ball around despite Sri Lanka cutting off the boundary opportunities. Young and Henry Nicholls were largely untroubled, with the pair unbeaten on 56 and 46 respectively, and their partnership at a threatening 88 off 106, before rain brought play to a permanent end after just 21 overs.The abandonment of the game is a missed opportunity for both sides as they sought to test their bench strength. For the visitors, there was a debut for seamer Zakary Foulkes, who had impressed in the T20I leg, while fellow seamer Adam Milne also got his first game on the tour. They had come in for Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, made no less than five changes, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage and Asitha Fernando all making way. In came batters Nishan Madushka and Nuwanidu Fernando, seamers Madushanka and Shiraz, while there was also a debut for seam-bowling allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe – he bowled just two overs and gave away 14 runs.
Everton are now believed to be interested in completing the signing of a highly rated Spanish defender during the summer transfer window.
Moyes positive after Everton draw with Man Utd
The Blues continued their pre-season with a 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Sunday night, as they prepare for the new Premier League season. Manager David Moyes has been slightly downbeat of late, saying Everton are “not ready” as the 2025/26 campaign approaches, but he was in more positive spirits after the United game.
“I’m more pleased with tonight’s game than I was with the other games because we got something from it.” But it wasn’t so much the result, it was more the performance was much more encouraging. And look, to be fair, we weren’t probably ready in the first two games regarding players fit and available for the games.
“But we knew that tonight we were a bit closer to something which looked like an Everton team. The other games, we’ve not really looked that way. So, yes, much happier tonight.”
Everton still need new signings before the summer transfer window closes, though, and it looks as though they are targeting a player in a key area.
Everton considering offer for £13m Juanlu
According to a new report from TEAMtalk, Everton are “considering” tabling an offer for Sevilla right-back Juanlu Sanchez this summer, with his current club willing to allow him to leave.
The Spaniard is valued at around £13m, and it is claimed that Moyes is now “prioritising the signing of a new right-back following the departure of Ashley Young” at the end of last season.
Juanlu has the potential to be just what Everton are looking for at right-back this summer, having been an ageing area of the pitch in recent years, with Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman limited there. The Sevilla ace is an exciting young player who won the gold medal for Spain at last summer’s Olympics, also being lauded by Garcia Pimienta.
“He has played as an inside midfielder [before], we were short on space in midfield due to Saul [Niguez]’s suspension and [Albert Sambi] Lokonga’s injury. I spoke to him, I knew he could do well in that position. Juanlu has an incredible present and a better future.”
Juanlu has already won four caps for Spain, scoring once for his country in that time, while 74 appearances for Sevilla by the age of 21 is already an impressive return, showing that he can shine in one of Europe’s top leagues.
The youngster would add defensive nous and attacking quality to Everton’s side, giving Moyes much-needed youth at right-back into the future, with his peak still likely to be a number of years away, too.
Aston Villa are now strong contenders in the race for a “phenomenal” player, having recently opened talks, and they are confident he would be keen on a move.
Villa eyeing midfielder with Barrenechea set for exit
With Villa looking to raise funds for their own summer transfer business, amid concerns over PSR, they have now decided to cash-in on midfielder Enzo Barrenechea, who is very close to sealing an exit.
There have also been widespread suggestions that John McGinn’s future is in doubt, amid interest from the likes of Everton, while Ross Barkley is arguably yet to set the world alight at Villa Park, given his patchy injury record ever since leaving Chelsea.
Ross Barkley
Injury
Games missed
2020-21
Hamstring
9
2023-24
Hamstring
5
2024-25
Unknown
3
2024-25
Calf
19
Consequently, it would make sense for Unai Emery to bring in another midfielder this summer, and the Villans are now stepping up their pursuit of a Premier League player…
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Aston Villa have now emerged as strong contenders for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, having now opened talks over a deal, and there is a belief he would be keen on sealing a move to Villa Park.
That is despite rival interest from West Ham United, with Graham Potter also pushing to sign Elliott, although Europa League football being on offer with the Villans next season could give them the edge in negotiations.
Aston Villa now set to make move for £17m ace, keen to finalise deal quickly
The Villans are “ready” to finalise a move for a defender…
ByDominic Lund Jul 15, 2025
Liverpool are not actively trying to find the attacking midfielder a new club, but they are open to bids, and there is a feeling that an offer of £35m could be enough to tempt them into a sale.
"Phenomenal" Elliott could excel at Villa Park
While the Englishman is still young at 22-years-old, he is still yet to receive a senior cap, which indicates he may need to leave Liverpool for the good of his career this summer, and Aston Villa could be a perfect fit.
The London-born midfielder has become accustomed to playing in Europe during his time with the Reds, scoring a stoppage-time winner in his side’s 1-0 smash-and-grab away against Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s Champions League.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
As such, the former Fulham man is likely to want to play for a club set to take part in a European competition next season, and Villa fit the bill, despite being in the Europa League.
Lauded as “phenomenal” by journalist David Lynch, the England U21 star also caught the eye at the U21 Euros this summer, scoring five goals throughout the tournament, including one in the 3-2 victory over Germany in the final.
Elliott is ready to be a regular starter for one of England’s top clubs, and with Villa very much back in that bracket nowadays, a move could make perfect sense.
أعلن حسام حسن المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، التشكيل الأساسي للفراعنة في مباراته أمام بوركينا فاسو، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم 2026.
وتقام المباراة بين مصر وبوركينا فاسو على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من تصفيات كأس العالم.
ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، رفقة بوركينا فاسو وإثيوبيا وجيبوتي وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.
ويخوض منتخب مصر اللقاء متصدراً ترتيب المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، برصيد 19 نقطة، بعد خوض 7 مواجهات، فاز في 6 وتعادل في لقاء.
بدلاء منتخب مصر أمام بوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم
وكان منتخب مصر قد فاز في مباراته الماضية على إثيوبيا بهدفين دون رد، في اللقاء الذي أقيم بينهما على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي. تشكيل منتخب مصر اليوم أمام بوركينا فاسو
حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.
خط الدفاع: محمد هاني- رامي ربيعة- خالد صبحي- محمد حمدي-أحمد عيد.
خط الوسط: مروان عطية- أحمد نبيل كوكا- محمود تريزيجيه.
Chelsea are not short of quality options in their midfield. Enzo Maresca has some excellent players at his disposal in the centre of the park, including the £100m plus duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. The pair have been integral to the Chelsea side this term.
Former Blues winger Joe Cole recently claimed that Caicedo is an “outstanding” player and picked him for the most improved player in the entire Premier League.
With 38 games, he has played more times in the top flight this season than any other Chelsea player. As for Fernandez, he’s featured 36 times, also highlighting his importance to the Blues.
Remarkably, Chelsea appear to be looking to bolster their midfield depth by adding a title-winning midfielder to their squad this summer.
Chelsea’s midfield target
Adding a new midfielder to this squad would certainly be a statement for Chelsea, given the star power they have. Let’s not forget that Romeo Lavia is also an option for Maresca. However, as all sides with top aspirations should, they are looking to improve their options in midfield.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to a report from Italian news outlet Gazzetta, the West London side have made ‘an important offer’ for Napoli midfielder Frank Zambo Anguissa. There are question marks about whether the newly-crowned Scudetto winners can convince him to remain in Naples.
Indeed, it is thought that ‘a clause in his contract allows him to evaluate this option independently’. This could leave the door open for Chelsea to bring him back to West London; the midfielder was formerly on the books at Fulham.
If he does leave, a price has not yet been clarified, but Napoli paid the Cottagers a reported £15m back in 2022, according to The Athletic.
Why Anguissa would be a good signing
For Chelsea’s project under Maresca, it seems like they are about to enter phase two. With Champions League qualification secured, the Blues will surely want to become a permanent fixture in the top four once again, and, eventually, push for a Premier League title.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for Napoli.
Well, who better to help with that than a two-time Italian champion like Anguissa? He has played a pivotal role in Napoli’s success under a former title-winning manager at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte.
He played 35 Serie A games this season, notching up 2858 minutes in total, the equivalent of 31 full 90-minute games. One reason why he was pivotal in the middle of the park is his tendency to pop up with a key goal or assist. Anguissa found the back of the net six times and provided five goals for his teammates.
If the Blues agree a deal for Anguissa, perhaps he will bring some of the qualities Declan Rice possesses in the midfield for Arsenal. Of course, the England international was once a Chelsea academy player, years before he broke through into first-team football with West Ham United.
Just like Anguissa, the 26-year-old is an all-action midfielder, known for his hard work off the ball and his quality in possession. In fact, he has similar goal involvement numbers to the Cameroon international, with four goals and seven assists in the Premier League in 2024/25.
The pair are also noted as similar players among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref, when looking at their underlying statistics.
For example, the pair are both hard workers off the ball, with the Napoli midfielder averaging 5.4 duels won per 90 minutes compared to 3.9 duels won each game for Rice.
Open play passes completed
39.2
39.9
Forward passes
12
11.6
Take-ons completed
0.8
0.5
Duels won
5.4
3.9
Ball recoveries
4.8
5
As writer Zach Lowy has stated, Anguissa is “one of the most underrated midfielders in Europe”, which the stats certainly back up. There is no doubt that the Blues would want a Rice-type player in their midfield, and he certainly tricks the boxes, given his impressive carrying skills, numbers out of possession and amount of goal contributions.
Whilst a fee is not clear, Chelsea have seemingly made contact with Anguissa already, so this could be a deal that moves swiftly. If they do manage to bring him to the Blue side of West London, he could be an excellent addition to an already star-studded midfield.
Maresca's next Vardy: Chelsea confident of winning race for "monster" CF
Chelsea are looking to sign a new striker before the Club World Cup
Chelsea are not short of attacking options in their current squad.
Enzo Maresca has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal in the forward areas, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson all key players at Stamford Bridge.
There is also a chance Jadon Sancho joins the club permanently this summer, with his buy clause activating over the weekend. He has made a real impression over the past few weeks, as has Tyrique George, who has broken into the first team from the academy, notably scoring his first top-flight goal last weekend at Craven Cottage.
Jadon Sancho for Chelsea
Yet, the Blues want more in forward areas. It seems like they will look to sign a new winger in the 2025 summer window, and have been linked with someone who could further elevate their attacking options.
Chelsea's attacking shortlist this summer
With Jackson now on a run of 13 games without a goal it will come as no surprise that Chelsea are hoping to add a striker to their ranks this summer.
One name that stands out is Newcastle’s Alexander Isak while a cheaper alternative could be Ipswich Town striker, Liam Delap, according to reports.
Well, not just content with bolstering their central areas, they could also sign a winger from Barcelona.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
One of the most exciting teams to watch this season has been Hansi Flick’s Barca side. Their front three has been dominant, with Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal two key players, alongside Raphinha.
Well, according to TBR Football, it is the Brazilian who Chelsea are interested in signing over the summer. They have reportedly been told there is a chance to sign him this summer, and are thought to be ‘huge admirers’ of the winger.
FC Barcelona'sRaphinhacelebrates scoring their fourth goal
However, there will be competition for his signature if there is a chance the Blues can sign Raphinha. Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool are also ‘being kept informed about his situation’. It is reported that intermediaries have told the three English clubs that an £80m offer could be enough.
Why Raphinha would be a good signing
It has been a sensational season for Raphinha in 2024/25. He has been the spearhead of a Barca attack that has dominated Europe. They had amassed 100 goals in just 32 games by February, and have now far exceeded that number.
FC Barcelona'sRaphinhacelebrates scoring their third goal
As for the former Leeds star, he has an extraordinary 30 goals and 23 assists in 48 appearances so far this season. In La Liga, he’s notched up an impressive tally of 26 goal involvements in 30 appearances.
However, it is the Champions League where he has really thrived. The “unplayable” star, as Statman Dave called him, has 19 goals and assists this term, more than any other player, including a hat-trick against Flick’s former side, Bayern Munich.
Raphinha’s performances this season have been so good that Owen Hargreaves, former Manchester United midfielder, thinks he is a “revelation”. Hargreaves also said on TNT Sport that he thinks the Brazilian is “in the lead for the Ballon d’Or” at the end of the year.
The underlying stats via FBref from Raphinha’s incredible campaign show just how well he has played. For example, the former Leeds United star averages 1.11 goals and assists and 0.84 goal-creating actions per game. They rank him in the top 2% and 4% of attackers in Europe’s top five leagues, respectively.
Goals and assists
1.11
98th
Goals per shot on target
0.45
88th
Key passes
2.98
96th
Shot-creating actions
5.36
91st
Goal-creating actions
0.84
96th
Thus, should the Blues bring Raphinha to the club, there is every chance he could end up becoming their best attacker since Eden Hazard.
Has there ever been a better forward in Chelsea history than Hazard? Well, that comes down to personal preference, but former Blues player turned pundit Pat Nevin called him a “world-class” operator back in 2019. Since his exit, no wide player at Stamford Bridge has scored more than his 16-goal Premier League haul from 2018/19 and Raphinha is streets ahead of that already in Catalonia.
Hazard was certainly unbelievable in that famous Blue shirt, scoring 110 goals and assisting a further 85 in 310 appearances for the club.
A sensational dribbler, he could often be seen running rings around opposition defenders before bearing down on goal or finding a teammate, as the video shows.
If Raphinha could replicate what Hazard did at Stamford Bridge, he’d be an instant success. The quality is there, of that there is no doubt, and his pure goals and assist numbers are sensational this season.
It would be some coup for Chelsea, and if they could bring the Brazil international back to the Premier League, it would be a real statement signing ahead of 2025/26.
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