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It got tight for Gujarat Titans (GT) in the end, but Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 97 ensured their first successful chase of a 200-plus total in Ahmedabad. It was also the first time Delhi Capitals (DC) ended up being unsuccessful in defending a 200-plus total.Buttler stitched partnerships of 60 with B Sai Sudharsan and 119 with Sherfane Rutherford after keeping wicket for 20 overs on a hot afternoon.Mukesh Kumar’s wide yorker dismissed Rutherford and left GT needing ten off the final over. The tension was short-lived as Starc missed the wide yorker and Rahul Tewatia slog swept the first ball of the last over over midwicket for six. He then squeezed the next ball past the keeper for four to complete the chase with four balls to spare.

Buttler takes down Starc

Buttler was hit on the groin early in his innings by a length ball from Starc, but he overcame that blow and cleared the boundaries.When Axar brought Starc back in the 15th over, hoping for reverse swing from around the wicket, there wasn’t any. The lengths were good, and the line was outside off, but Buttler scythed the ball with ease, finding gaps in front of and behind point.A change of angle made no difference. Starc went full and was driven through mid-off. A bouncer drew a top-edged pull, but it did not carry to Vipraj Nigam running in from deep backward square leg. That 20-run over brought the required rate down to nine from 11.

GT’s top order sets the platform again

GT are top heavy. Their plan is for one of the top three to bat deep into the innings, and it was Buttler’s turn today on a batting-friendly pitch.He came in early in GT’s chase of 204 after Shubman Gill had gifted his wicket looking to pinch a quick single to Karun Nair at midwicket. Buttler then set up exhibition of fours through the off side alongside Sai Sudharsan.Axar and Vipraj came on to bowl in the powerplay but did not find turn and were taken for three sixes and a four. Sai Sudharsan got boundaries off front and back foot against Mukesh Kumar as GT scored 67 in the powerplay.Kuldeep Yadav had Sai Sudharsan pulling to deep midwicket with his third ball. Rutherford then started slowly as the required rate rose.The mounting pressure was released when Rutherford sliced a drive against Kuldeep that sailed over long-off. Mohit Sharma was introduced in the 13th over to replicate the role he performed for GT in previous years. He started with two slower bouncers but they sat up and Rutherford pulled them for sixes.Buttler drilled a full ball from Mohit through mid-off to bring up his 32-ball fifty.

Capitals start well on a belter

Gill won the toss in the afternoon and put DC in to bat. With Faf du Plessis not having recovered and DC leaving out Jake Fraser-McGurk, DC paired up Abhishek Porel with Karun Nair at the top.Porel’s boundaries in the first over – drive on the up over mid-off and help-along flick behind square – showed that the bounce on the pitch was even. Porel, though, couldn’t capitalise on the start as he fell to a full toss from Arshad Khan.KL Rahul’s shift in approach then kept DC ticking. Rahul cut Siraj for four and pumped him down the ground for six. His innings, though, was cut short on 28 off 14 balls by an outswinging yorker from Prasidh Krishna. Nair fell for 31 off 18 balls when he glided Prasidh to deep third.A pristine cover drive from Tristan Stubbs off Prasidh brought up DC’s hundred in the ninth over. But he and Axar were relatively sedate after that during their 53-run stand off 36 balls. They were happy to take Rashid Khan and Ishant Sharma for ones and twos.Rashid bowled quicker and at the stumps in his first two overs. When he slowed the pace down in his third, Stubbs took him for six down the ground but then miscued a swipe across the line. Rashid ran back but couldn’t hold onto the catch near mid-on. GT reached 150 in 15 overs.

Pacers contain DC

Ishant was struggling in the heat and went off the pitch after two overs. Siraj returned and removed Stubbs, who reverse-swept a yorker and the ball lobbed to short third.GT’s death bowlers attempted a lot of yorkers with short balls peppered in between. It nearly worked at the start of the 17th over, but Rashid dropped Axar.The DC captain could not hit a boundary in his last nine balls and was out caught behind for 39 off 32 balls. He charged at Prasidh and tried to slap a length ball over cover and got an edge. Prasidh then got rid of Nigam next ball, thanks to a brilliant diving catch from Buttler.Ashutosh Sharma gave DC the finishing kick they were looking for. He scored a six and a four off Arshad early in his innings and hit two sixes off Prasidh later. R Sai Kishore – whose only over was the final one of the innings – went for just nine, but it was enough for GT to cross 200.

Stead resigns as New Zealand white-ball coach and will take some time to consider if he wants to reapply as Test coach, with split roles an option NZC is considering

Alex Malcolm08-Apr-2025Gary Stead has stepped down as New Zealand men’s white-ball coach and will decide in the coming weeks if he wishes to reapply to lead the Test team as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) considers having split head coaches for the men’s program.Stead, 53, has been New Zealand men’s all-format coach since 2018 but his contract is set to expire in June of this year. The NZC issued a release on Tuesday where Stead confirmed he would step away from the white-ball role after leading New Zealand to the 2019 World Cup final, the 2021 T20 World Cup final and the 2024 Champions Trophy final.The news comes after Rob Walter was linked to a role with New Zealand’s team after he resigned as South Africa’s white-ball coach.Related

Stead calls time on seven-year tenure as New Zealand coach

Rob Walter linked to NZ role after quitting as SA coach

Stead will take some time over the coming weeks to decide if he wishes to reapply for the Test coaching role as advertising for the roles will commence over the next week.”I’m looking forward to getting away from touring life for a while and having a think about my future,” Stead said. “My focus has been on finishing the season strongly with a lesser experienced team.”The past six to seven months has been particularly busy with relatively non-stop cricket action since September.”I now want to evaluate my options but still feel I have coaching left in me, albeit not as head coach across all formats.”The next month will give me the opportunity to discuss the situation more with my wife, family and others.”I’ll be in a better position to know whether I want to reapply for the Test coaching position after this time of reflection.”Stead has had great success with New Zealand’s Test team leading them to the 2021 World Test Championship and the recent 3-0 series victory in India last year. He has managed his coaching duties across the three formats in recent years with the likes of his assistant Luke Ronchi taking charge for various white-ball assignments to give Stead a break.New Zealand’s chief high performance officer Bryan Stronach said Stead had earned the right to take his time with his decision and confirmed that the NZC were open to all possibilities as far as the head coaching role moving forward.”Gary’s results have been very impressive over a long period and we’re very comfortable giving him some time to collect his thoughts and mull things over,” Stronach said.”At the moment we haven’t any strong preference for either a split-coaching role or a sole appointment who covers all three formats, and we’re unlikely to be clearer on that until we see who’s putting their name forward.”

دافع يورجن كلينسمان، أسطورة كرة القدم الألمانية، عن نجم نادي ليفربول موضحًا أن اللاعب سيقدم كل ما في وسعه وأفضل ما لديه مع الريدز في حال تم منحه الوقت لذلك.

ليفربول أبرم عددا من الصفقات خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، والتي شملت صفقات كبرى كألكسندر إيزاك، وفلوريان فيرتز، وهوجو إيكتيكي، وميلوس كيركيز، وجيريمي فريمبونج.

لكن فيرتز على سبيل الخصوص لم يقدم المستوى المطلوب منه حتى هذه اللحظة رفقة ليفربول، ووقع الدولي الألماني تحت طاولة الانتقادات.

ليفربول تعاقد مع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، وذلك قادمًا من صفوف نادي باير ليفركوزن مقابل 120 مليون يورو.

أقرأ أيضًا .. ديلي ميل: ثلاثي برشلونة يقترب من العودة للعب معًا مرة أخرى

وقال كلينسمان في تصريحات لمجلة سبورتس إلوستريتد: “فلوريان يحتاج إلى وقته ليجد طريقه في شمال غرب إنجلترا وليفربول تحديدًا”.

وأضاف كلينسمان في حديثه عن فيرتز: ”ما حدث مع فيرتز من ضغوطات كثير على لاعب شاب مثله . ثم يأتي إلى فريق يضم نجومًا فقط، عليه أن يكافح ليشق طريقه خطوة بخطوة مع ليفربول وسيفعل ذلك ، لأنه مقاتل”.

فيرتز يعتبر من بين أهم اللاعبين في مركزه خلال السنوات الأخيرة، وذلك في ظل المستويات الرائعة التي قدمه مع باير ليفركوزن بالفعل وكذلك مع منتخب ألمانيا.

The loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week might have taken the shine off somewhat, but this summer has still been a brilliant one for Arsenal so far.

Mikel Arteta’s side have looked great in their other pre-season games, and Andrea Berta has been very busy in the transfer market.

The Italian has already made six first-team additions, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi undoubtedly being the most exciting of the lot.

Yet, it appears as if the Gunners aren’t done there, as they continue to be linked with Eberechi Eze, and with reports claiming that they’re now in talks to sell a peripheral player, they may soon have the money needed to sign the Englishman.

Why Arsenal want to sign Eze

Arsenal have been linked with Eze for a long time now, with some reports touting the 27-year-old for a move to the Emirates last summer.

However, it would be fair to say that the links have become far more concrete this summer.

In fact, some from last month claimed that talks with the player have gone well, and that the North Londoners are just waiting for the Crystal Palace star’s £68m release clause to expire later this month, so they have more wriggle room in negotiations.

Whatever the final price for the Eagles ace ends up being, it’s easy to see why Arteta and Co are so keen to sign him.

For example, despite playing for a mid-table side at best last season, the “superstar” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, racked up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling 3303 minutes.

Appearances

43

Minutes

3303′

Goals

14

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

In other words, the former QPR ace averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes across the campaign.

On top of that, the Greenwich-born maestro played a pivotal role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.

In all, Eze looks like he’d be a sensational signing for Arsenal, and it appears as if the club are making room for his arrival.

The Arsenal star who could be sold for Eze

While the focus of this summer for Arsenal has been the incomings, there are still several players around the first team who have been linked with possible exits.

Transfer Focus

For example, Gabriel Jesus was supposedly of interest to Brazilian side Flamengo last week, while Leandro Trossard has been linked to Borussia Dortmund on multiple occasions, and even Jakub Kiwior has been turning heads at Porto.

However, as things stand, the player who looks most likely to leave this summer is Fabio Vieira, who first moved to the Emirates three years ago for around £34m.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that German outfit VfB Stuttgart are now interested in the Portuguese midfielder and have been in talks with Arsenal over a permanent transfer.

The 25-year-old would undoubtedly leave for a loss, but even then, it is probably time Arteta and Co cut their losses, as there is no indication he’ll ever develop into the player they hoped he’d become.

After all, he was only able to amass a tally of 13 goal involvements in 49 appearances across the two seasons he’s spent with the club, and then even last season, when he was on loan with Porto, he didn’t look much more than okay.

For example, the “exceptional” midfielder, as talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed him, produced 11 goal involvements in 42 games, but eight of those came in just 26 league appearances.

Appearances

39

33

16

42

Goals

7

2

1

5

Assists

16

6

3

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.24

0.25

0.26

Ultimately, Vieira clearly has some talent, but it’s equally clear that he’s not good enough to play for Arsenal, and if his departure can make room for Eze, then the club should thank him for his efforts and send him on his way.

Saka & Rodrygo hybrid: Arsenal in contact to sign "amazing" £61m sensation

The talented international would add some real class to Arsenal’s squad.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 4, 2025

Barcelona are set to hold high-level talks with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to resolve the feud over Lamine Yamal's injury. The move follows manager Hansi Flick's public criticism of Spain for playing the teenager while he was carrying an injury, which has now ruled him out of key club fixtures including this week's Champions League clash.

Barca to hold talks with RFEF over Yamal injury issue

Barcelona are moving to de-escalate the club-versus-country row with the RFEF over the handling of Yamal's fitness. According to , Blaugrana sporting director Deco is set to hold talks with the RFEF's technical director, Aitor Karanka, to improve communication protocols after Barca manager Hansi Flick publicly criticised the national team's management of the winger during the recent international break.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'That's not looking after the players': What Flick said about Yamal's Spain duty

The dispute erupted after Yamal, who had joined the Spain camp with a pre-existing groin issue, played significant minutes against both Bulgaria and Turkey. Flick did not hold back in his assessment of the situation, accusing Spain coach Luis de la Fuente of negligence. 

"Lamine already went to the national team in pain. He took painkillers and played with the national team in pain," Flick stated. "He had problems, and played 79 and 73 minutes. That's not looking after the players. The Spanish national team has the best players in the world, but we should be looking after the professionals. Also the young players."

Yamal ruled out of key fixtures with groin injury

The 18-year-old's pre-existing discomfort has since developed into a groin injury, causing direct consequences for his club. Yamal was ruled out of Barcelona's emphatic 6-0 La Liga victory over Valencia on Sunday and Mundo Deportivo says it will take "a miracle" for him to be fit for the Champions League opener against Newcastle after he was unable to train with his team-mates on Monday. The RFEF was reportedly aware of his condition, not least because a national team physiotherapist also works with Yamal at Barcelona.

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AFPWhat next as Barca and RFEF look to improve relations?

While both parties are now keen to consider the public controversy "settled," the focus has shifted to preventing future conflicts. The upcoming talks between Deco and Karanka are aimed at establishing clearer and more robust communication channels for managing players who report for international duty with minor ailments. The goal is to create a more collaborative approach to protect player welfare and avoid similar feuds, especially with a prodigious young talent like Yamal at the centre of the issue.

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana could be set for a move away from Old Trafford, with Turkish side Trabzonspor pushing to complete a loan deal before their window closes. However, the move is not yet guaranteed, as the Cameroon international is waiting to review the contract terms before making a final decision and Onana’s future is still uncertain.

Trabzonspor pushing for Onana loan before September 12 deadlineMove depends on goalkeeper’s approval after contract reviewUnited’s £47.9m signing has slipped down pecking order under AmorimFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Talks between Manchester United and Trabzonspor are ongoing over a season-long loan for Onana, with no fee or option to buy included in the deal. The 29-year-old has not featured in the Premier League this season and is open to a move after slipping down the pecking order. Trabzonspor are eager to register him in time for their September 14 clash with Fenerbahce, but the move still depends on the goalkeeper’s approval, as per .

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Onana has endured a difficult spell at Old Trafford since arriving from Inter Milan in July 2023 for a deal worth up to £48 million ($65m). A hamstring injury, coupled with poor form, has seen him lose his place as Manchester United moved for younger options like Senne Lammens. With Ruben Amorim planning for the long term, Onana’s situation has deteriorated and he is no longer the undisputed No. 1.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Cameroon international has only made one appearance this season, starting in the Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby, where he made costly errors in normal time but saved a penalty in the shootout. His omission from Premier League action led his representatives to ask the club about exit options, though United insisted he was still part of their plans.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ONANA?

The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 12, giving Trabzonspor a few more days to finalise an agreement. Onana will now review the contract terms before deciding whether to make the switch. If a deal does not materialise, he could remain at Old Trafford until January, but his first-team chances look slim under Amorim.

Tottenham Hotspur are set for a huge transfer window this summer, especially if they are to avoid a repeat of the 2024/25 campaign in the Premier League.

The Lilywhites ended the previous season in 15th place, an unacceptable finish given the stature of the club, resulting in Ange Postecoglou losing his job in North London.

Thomas Frank was appointed as his successor, with the board already handing him the funds for the £55m transfer of Mohammed Kudus from city rivals West Ham United.

Further ambition has already been shown by triggering Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause in his Nottingham Forest contract, but a deal now appears to be on hold at present.

Despite the aforementioned deal now not progressing, the same can’t be said for multiple other transfers, with work being conducted for further additions.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Conor Gallagher has once again emerged on Spurs’ radar this window, after previously trying to land the former Chelsea talent during last summer’s market.

However, despite moving to Atlético Madrid less than a year ago, he could once again be on the move, as contact has been made between the Lilywhites and the Spanish club.

He’s not the only player who’s currently on the club’s shortlist this window, with Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi also under consideration, according to journalist Duncan Castles.

He claims that Frank’s side have already made a club-record bid for the Ukrainian centre-back, who made 36 appearances in the Premier League last campaign.

However, Castles also confirmed that PSG are also firmly in the race for the 22-year-old’s signature, which could spark a potential bidding war for his services in the near future.

Why Spurs’ latest target is a bigger talent than Vuskovic

Over the last couple of years, Spurs have put a real focus on investing in youth talent to try and keep one eye on future success as well as their current ambitions within the Premier League.

One player who they’ve recruited in such a focus is centre-back Luca Vuskovic, after he agreed to move to Spurs back in September 2023 for a reported £12m from Hajduk Split before two loan spells at Radomiak Radom and Westerlo.

He spent the 2024/25 season on loan at the latter, starring in Belgium, registering seven goals across all competitions before returning to the Lilywhites for pre-season this summer.

He’s already wasted no time in making his mark in Frank’s side, notching a goal and an assist in the victory over League One side Reading on Saturday afternoon.

It remains unclear whether he will stay in North London for 2025/26 or if he will be sent out on loan again, but he may struggle to get into the side should the hierarchy complete a deal for Zabarnyi.

When comparing their respective figures from the recent season, the Cherries star has dominated the youngster, undoubtedly making him a bigger talent for the club in the immediate future.

Zabarnyi, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by journalist Josh Wyatt, has completed more passes and completed more passes into the final third per 90, having the tools to play out from the back if needed.

Games played

36

28

Minutes played

3109

2474

Pass accuracy

85%

84%

Passes into final third

4.9

4.8

Take-on success

67%

65%

Tackles won

1.1

0.5

Interceptions made

1.2

0.9

Clearances made

6.6

5.2

He also won more tackles per 90, along with more interceptions made 90, handing the side the defensive quality needed to strengthen the backline in 2025/26.

The youngster’s dominance across all areas of the pitch is further highlighted in his tally of take-ons completed, and more clearances made – with his all-round talents fitting perfectly into Frank’s ethos.

£60m may appear to be a mammoth figure for Zabarnyi’s services, it’s one that could prove to be worth every penny should he carry his talents over from the south coast.

Whilst Vuskovic is evidently a hugely talented player, he may have to wait his time to make an impact in North London, especially if a deal is completed for the Ukrainian’s services this window.

Their answer to Simons: Spurs preparing big offer to sign "world-class" CM

Spurs could sign their answer to Xavi Simons this summer.

3 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 21, 2025

Nottingham Forest were one of the standout sides of the Premier League last season. The East Midlands club, under the tutelage of Nuno Espirito Santo, qualified for the UEFA Conference League after they finished seventh in the top flight. For much of the campaign, they were in the race for a Champions League spot.

Unsurprisingly, with all that success, there has been plenty of interest in some of their key players. Anthony Elanga is one man who has been linked with a move away, with reports suggesting a £50m bid from Newcastle United would be enough for the deal to go through.

If that move does happen, Forest will need a replacement and have been linked with a player who is, in many ways, a hybrid between Elanga and right-back Ola Aina.

Nottingham Forest’s latest transfer target

It would certainly be a huge blow if Elanga was to depart the City Ground. The relationship he has formed with Aina down that right-hand side has been formidable. The East Midlands side must get his potential replacement right.

Well, perhaps the man they could bring into the club is AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers. According to a report from TEAMtalk, the club ‘have held talks’ with the Serie A giants over a potential move for the Belgian this summer.

This is a longstanding interest; Forest have reportedly been ‘in contact with the Belgian international’s entourage for over a year’. The two teams are apart in valuation at the moment, with Milan demanding £21m, just over £4m more than what Forest want to pay.

However, the fact that they’ve been interested in the winger for so long might suggest a deal can be completed.

Why Saelemaekers would be a good signing

The versatile Belgian star spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Milan’s Serie A rivals Roma. Whilst he struggled with an ankle injury at the beginning of the season, he enjoyed a strong second half to his spell in the Italian capital.

Saelemaekers played 31 games for Roma last season, grabbing an impressive 13 goals and assists in that time. Of those goal involvements, seven goals and three assists came in just 22 Serie A appearances.

One of the standout features about Saelemaekers’ game last season was, without doubt, his versatility. The 25-year-old played on both flanks and as a number 10, seeing success in all of those positions.

This is where the Elanga and Aina hybrid idea comes in. Not only is Saelemaekers able to play as a right-winger, thus replacing Elanga directly, but he can also slot in as a right-back.

As per Transfermarkt, he has played that role 14 times in his career, as well as featuring at right wing-back.

Replacing Elanga next season, if he leaves, will not be easy. The Sweden international was a standout player in Garibaldi Red last term, with six goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League games, mainly operating on the right-hand side. However, Saelemaekers certainly has the ability to do so.

The similarities between the duo are clear to see. Both are right-footed wingers operating on the right and had a hand in a healthy number of goals.

In fact, both of them averaged 0.61 goal involvements per 90 minutes, as per FBref, with Saelemaekers playing more progressive passes than Elanga each game, with 3.48 to 2.27.

Goals and assists

0.61

0.61

Key passes

1.59

1.8

Progressive passes

3.48

2.27

Shot-creating actions

3.9

3.67

Ball recoveries

4.82

3.2

Saelemaekers can certainly be an apt Elanga replacement, and will be hoping he can form a deadly partnership with Aina, just as the Swede has done. They have played 57 times together, even combining for a goal away to West Ham United in 2022/23, in what ended as a 3-2 loss.

He could also provide cover, or even competition as a flying full-back, for a player Jamie Carragher said “could play for a team who expects to be in the Champions League every season”.

There is no doubt that Saelemaekers could be a fantastic member of the squad at the City Ground. He is a player with reams of “quality” as football talent scout Jacek Kulig said, and with the abilities he possesses, can surely be considered a hybrid of Elanga and Aina, two of Forest’s most important players.

Better than Jesus: Nottingham Forest still targeting "unbelievable" PL star

Nottingham Forest could land an even brighter talent than Igor Jesus by signing this unbelievable attacker.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 5, 2025

Aston Villa are now among the Premier League teams monitoring Manchester United outcast ahead of potentially making a loan offer, according to a recent report.

Aston Villa chasing multiple Premier League players

Since Unai Emery joined the club, the Villans have been busy in every transfer window, and that is unlikely to change this summer, but there will be a lot of caution given the PSR problems they currently face. Villa have been quiet in the early part of the window, but that could be about to change as they hold an interest in multiple Premier League players.

Related He's scored at Villa Park: Aston Villa racing to sign "fantastic" £42m star

Only Jacob Murphy, Mohamed Salah and Anthony Elanga assisted more goals than him last season…

Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Jun 12, 2025

It was reported by TEAMtalk earlier this week that Villa are now the team to watch when it comes to who signs Jack Grealish from Manchester City. Emery is a big fan of the England international, and with Grealish being left out of City’s Club World Cup squad, he is now expected to leave the Etihad. However, they do face competition, as the likes of Newcastle United and Everton are also interested in a deal.

Villa also want to strengthen their midfield options and are in the race to sign Mikkel Damsgaard from Brentford. Several Premier League teams are interested in signing the Dane, and with Brentford valuing him at around £42 million, there could be a deal to be done.

But out of these stories, the most exciting piece of transfer news for Villa is that they are reportedly set to enter the race to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Man United, and he is not the only Old Trafford attacker on their radar.

Aston Villa monitoring Sancho loan bid

According to The Sun, Aston Villa are keeping a close eye on Jadon Sancho and are interested in a potential loan deal.

Sancho is set to return to Old Trafford after Chelsea decided not to take up the £25 million buy option they had and instead paid £5 million to end the agreement. Despite a change in manager, his situation at United hasn’t changed, as Ruben Amorim doesn’t plan on bringing him back into the fold.

Therefore, the 25-year-old is looking for a new club, and Villa, as well as Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, are all keeping an eye on his situation. The Villans are willing to strike another loan agreement with the Red Devils, following the one they did involving Marcus Rashford, but United prefer to sell Sancho on a permanent basis.

Jadon Sancho’s Premier League stats

Apps

89

Goals

12

Assists

11

It was an up-and-down spell at Stamford Bridge, as the England international scored three goals in the Premier League and a further two in the Europa Conference League, as Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca labelled Sancho a “special player” at the start of the campaign.

“He needs to continue in the same way; work hard, every day,” Maresca told the press.

“As I’ve said before, for sure he is going to help us. We really believe that he is a special player. But the only way for him to confirm that is by working hard every day and never be happy and always be ambitious. He needs to want more and more and more.”

Aston Villa missed out on Champions League football for next season with a controversial 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday.

Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen’s goals in the second half secured the win for Ruben Amorim’s side, confining Unai Emery’s men to Europa League football.

The Villans were handed an uphill task after goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was given a straight red card after taking out Rasmus Hojlund after Matty Cash’s under-hit back pass.

However, the result could’ve been different for Emery’s men, after Morgan Rogers was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, leading to the club making a complaint to the Premier League over the officiating decisions.

Despite the defeat and the questionable decisions made by the officials, numerous players failed to deliver, leaving the club with some big decisions to make during the off-season.

Aston Villa’s poor performers against Man Utd

As previously mentioned, goalkeeper Martinez made a huge mistake that handed Villa a tricky task to try and claim all three points against the Red Devils.

The Argentine has been linked with a move away from the West Midlands in recent weeks, meaning that his disappointing display at Old Trafford may be his last for the club.

However, he wasn’t alone in producing a disappointing display, with left-back Ian Maatsen struggling to impress, even giving away the penalty for Eriksen’s goal.

His poor showing didn’t stop there, losing possession a staggering 13 times, whilst also losing 100% of the ground duels he entered, looking way off the pace and contributing to the defeat.

Both will likely be frustrated with their lack of impact, but despite their respective outings, one other player massively struggled, with Emery needing to make a bold decision on his future.

The 5/10 Villa star who needs to be sold this summer

After missing out on the Champions League, Villa now have a huge summer ahead of themselves to prevent breaking the Premier League’s strict PSR rules.

The club have had to make sales over the last couple of summers, with this one likely to follow in the same vein given the failure to secure a place in Europe’s biggest competition.

Martinez is just one player touted with a move away from Villa Park, with midfielder Rogers another star who could see his future lie away from the club.

However, Emery must boldly sell fellow first-team member Ollie Watkins this summer, needing to cash in on the 29-year-old whilst his stock is at its highest.

He was subject to interest from Arsenal during the January transfer window, but the hierarchy rejected offers for their talisman, enabling him to play a key role in their Champions League aspirations.

However, his showing at Old Trafford was nothing short of a disappointment, failing to deliver the goods and once again going missing in a key encounter.

The England international featured for the entirety of the contest, registering just 21 touches – the fewest of any player who started the game – highlighting his lack of impact.

Minutes played

90

Touches

21

Shots taken

0

Dribbles completed

1/2 (50%)

Duels won

5/15

Passes completed

6/15 (40%)

Possession lost

12x

He also failed to register a single effort on goal and only completed 50% of his dribbles, further highlighting how poor he was when the ball fell his way.

Watkins’ disappointing showing didn’t end there, only winning five of the 15 duels he entered, often being dominated by the Red Devils’ backline in the defeat.

As a result, the striker was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by Birmingham World’s Charlie Haffenden – further demonstrating how poor he was yesterday.

After such a showing, the manager should look to offload him during the off-season, handing the opportunity for another player to thrive at the top end of the pitch.

Given the current financial situation, the hierarchy will face over the coming months, Watkins should be the first player sacrificed, offering Emery the chance to mount another Champions League push next season.

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ByRoss Kilvington May 25, 2025