The left-arm swing bowler is Maharashtra’s highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jun-2024Samad Fallah, Maharashtra’s highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy, has formally announced his retirement. The left-arm swing bowler picked up 272 Ranji wickets for Maharashtra, and 287 first-class wickets overall, in 78 matches, at an average of 28.48.Fallah also took 75 List A wickets and 62 in T20s. He was instrumental in delivering Maharashtra their only silverware at the senior level since 1940-41, picking up a match-winning four-wicket haul in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (T20) in March 2010.Fallah’s last official match was a Vijay Hazare Trophy (50-overs) game for Uttarakhand in March 2021. Having moved to Uttarakhand for the 2020-21 season, he returned to Maharashtra and made himself available for selection in all three formats, but didn’t get a chance to resume his career.Related
The free jazz of Samad Fallah's bowling
Now 39 and head coach of Nashik Titans in the Maharashtra Premier League, Fallah has made his retirement official.
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Fallah traced an unusual path to professional cricket, never playing any representative age-group cricket, and making his way into club cricket via eye-catching performances in tennis-ball tournaments. He made his Maharashtra debut at 22 and immediately made an impact, picking up a match-winning second-innings six-wicket haul against Himachal Pradesh in November 2007. He quickly established himself as the leader of Maharashtra’s attack, picking up 20-plus wickets in every Ranji season from 2007-08 to 2014-15.As he reached his peak, Maharashtra built one of the best seam attacks in Indian domestic cricket, with Fallah, Anupam Sanklecha, Domnic Muthuswami and Shrikant Mundhe combining to lead the team to the Ranji final in 2013-14 and the semi-finals in 2014-15. Fallah’s high point came in the semi-final in Indore in January 2014, when he picked up 7 for 58 on the first morning to help bowl Bengal out for 114.The unconventional trajectory of Fallah’s career found expression in his bowling too. He enjoyed long spells of nine or ten overs, and seldom marked a fixed run-up, preferring to begin his run from wherever his mood took him. He constantly varied his angle and approach to the crease too, sometimes even running in zigzag to try and unsettle batters.At the time of retirement, Fallah is the second-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy among left-arm fast bowlers, with only Jaydev Unadkat (316) above him. Hiralal Gaekwad, whose Ranji Trophy career stretched from 1941 to 1963, picked up 278 wickets, but he bowled a mixture of left-arm spin and seam.
The news everyone feared at Burnley, but ultimately expected, has now been officially confirmed, with CJ Egan-Riley taking up an opportunity at Ligue 1 giants Marseille after turning down a new Turf Moor deal.
This will be a sizeable hole to fill on the end of Scott Parker’s men, considering Egan-Riley is just fresh off a glittering Championship promotion season that saw him collect a mammoth 26 clean sheets.
CJ Egan-Riley for Burnley.
But, the Clarets have been here before and bounced back well, with both Ben Mee and James Tarkowski exiting the club once upon a time garnering this same level of dismay.
Therefore, Burnley will be hopeful they can plug Egan-Riley’s gap very soon by landing an adequate replacement.
Burnley keen to re-sign £20m defender
As per a new report from football journalist Alan Nixon, Burnley are keen to bring Taylor Harwood-Bellis back to Lancashire after his current employers, Southampton, crashed out of the Premier League last season.
It’s stated that the 23-year-old is eager to stick it out in the top-flight over heading down to the Championship with the Saints, meaning a second spell at Burnley could soon be on the cards.
Former Burnley loanee Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Nixon does reveal that West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the former Manchester City youth starlet, but a deal would only take place if a sale was made, owing to Harwood-Bellis’ reported price tag of £20m.
Therefore, the newly promoted outfit could soon race to the front of the queue to land Harwood-Bellis back on a permanent basis, with the 6-foot-2 defender a very suitable replacement for the now departed Egan-Riley.
Why Harwood-Bellis is even better than Egan-Riley
Whilst the 22-year-old is just fresh off an unbelievable campaign in the heart of the Clarets’ defence, the former Burnley number six has only collected one Premier League appearance across his career to date, meaning he might well struggle with the demands of a top-five league.
On the contrary, Harwood-Bellis is well versed with the challenges of the daunting Premier League now, with the Stockport-born colossus even winning himself a senior England call-up last season when battling away valiantly for basement side Southampton.
Games played
34
41
Goals scored
1
1
Assists
0
1
Touches*
74.1
80.8
Accurate passes*
55.1 (88%)
59.7 (86%)
Big chances created
3
2
Ball recoveries*
3.6
4.5
Clearances*
4.1
4.7
Total duels won*
3.2
4.2
It’s clear from the table above that Harwood-Bellis is very similar in approach to Egan-Riley, with the defensive pairing both comfortable performers with the ball at their feet, as much as they are also adept at getting stuck in when necessary.
Whilst it is obviously impressive to pick up the numbers Egan-Riley managed at the top-end of the Championship, Parker will view his new target as an upgrade for what he can offer in the league above, with Harwood-Bellis actually averaging more accurate passes per match stuck in a relegation battle than his Marseille counterpart managed in a promotion race.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis West Ham target
He was even labelled as “incredible” last season by former boss Pep Guardiola for the progress he had made away from the Etihad, with a Three Lions call-up further proof that he belongs in the big time.
On the flip side, away from his standout showings last season, Egan-Riley has only ever been exposed to a top division fully on loan with Hibernian, with just that one paltry Premier League appearance next to his name. Harwood-Bellis, despite only being one year older, boasts a hefty 34 and counting, away from his 113 outings in the taxing Championship.
Further hailed as a “warrior” by journalist Josh Bunting when shining bright previously at Turf Moor, the composed, yet dominant defender could well be an even better figure for Burnley to have at the back than Egan-Riley, especially as they transition back to the daunting reality of Premier League life.
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Newcastle United will not be signing Bryan Mbeumo this summer, as the Brentford winger has reportedly decided instead that he wants to join Manchester United, who finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
You have to say, the Red Devils’ ability to attract high-class players is very much intact, but Newcastle have some pull of their own, having finished the 2024/25 campaign as Carabao Cup winners, crossing the Champions League gateway too.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and Bruno Guimaraes celebrate after the match
There’s also a desire to retain the biggest stars. The Athletic’s David Ornstein has confirmed the Magpies will keep hold of Alexander Isak, but Anthony Gordon’s future is more uncertain.
In light of Liverpool’s resurfaced interest, Newcastle appear keen on bagging themselves a new left-sided forward.
Newcastle eyeing Mbeumo alternative
The Mbeumo situation is certainly a puzzling one. The Toon can offer Champions League football and a place in the forward line next to man of the moment, Isak.
However, the Cameroon international wants something else, and that’s fair enough. So, where will Newcastle turn to next?
Brentford's BryanMbeumolooks dejected after the match
As per Football Transfers, Newcastle have joined Tottenham and Aston Villa in the race for Manchester City’s Jack Grealish, who is expected to leave Pep Guardiola’s side this summer.
Spurs appear to have the lead, having opened communications with the Three Lions star’s representatives, but Newcastle may feel they can offer the 29-year-old an agreeable salary.
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City would be willing to cash in for a fee of around £43m, a fee far lower than the £100m it took to prise him away from Villa Park.
Why Newcastle should sign Jack Grealish
Last summer, Liverpool came knocking for Gordon when it became clear that Newcastle were fretting over compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Anthony Gordon looks dejected for Liverpool
Newcastle found alternative ways to swerve the financial bother, but fresh reports suggest that Liverpool are interested in signing the £80m-rated England star once again, with Luis Diaz being targeted by the Saudi Pro League.
Selling him and bringing in Grealish could be a shrewd move, but there’s potential for both players to operate together at the same time, especially as City’s man plays a bit like his fellow countryman, and thus could slot right into the St. James’ Park system.
FBref record the pair as similar players, with Grealish ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and progressive carries, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 8% for shot-creating actions per 90. Gordon-esque indeed.
His technical crispness and fleet feet certainly offer some semblance to that of Gordon, whose assertive and electric style of play has led him to declare himself “a nightmare for anyone I play against.”
Grealish has fallen from grace, somewhat, at the Etihad Stadium, only starting 17 Premier League games across the past two terms. That £100m figure paid to Aston Villa looks rather steep in hindsight, to be sure.
But there’s no denying he was incredible in his final season at Villa Park, his boyhood club, hailed as a “magician” by Premier League icon Ashley Cole. Certainly, he outperformed Gordon’s 2023/24 campaign, when the Toon talent was crowned Player of the Year after leading Howe’s troops through injury purgatory.
Matches (starts)
26 (24)
35 (34)
Goals
6
11
Assists
10
10
Shots (on target)*
1.9 (0.7)
2.3 (0.9)
Big chances missed
4
9
Pass completion
83%
82%
Big chances created
14
16
Key passes*
3.2
1.6
Dribbles*
2.5
1.5
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.8
Total duels (won)*
8.9 (61%)
5.3 (49%)
If Newcastle can eke out the same degree of quality from Grealish on Tyneside next season, they could have an incredible new weapon on their hands.
And given Howe’s masterful coaching, he’s got a great chance at achieving just that.
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Birmingham City are currently putting plans in place to attack the Championship after they were promoted as champions of League One with 111 points.
The Blues wrapped up their 111-point league title success with a 2-1 win against Cambridge United away from home on the final day of the season earlier this month.
Chris Davies and his staff, working alongside the owners, will now be working towards the goal of building a squad that can compete for promotion to the Premier League.
Ipswich Town, albeit they have been relegated from the top-flight this term, have already shown that it is possible to do back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.
Davies may have to be incredibly ruthless with who he decides should and should not come along for the ride in the Championship, after his players helped him to an incredible season in League One.
One star whose suitability for the second tier is still in question is experienced centre-forward Alfie May, who has just enjoyed a fantastic year in the third tier.
Why Alfie May could be dropped as a starter
The 31-year-old attacker started 27 matches in League One in the 2024/25 campaign, but the step up to the Championship could see him reduced to a cameo role off the bench, or even in need of looking elsewhere for game time.
May turns 32 this summer and has not played a minute of Championship football in his career, playing in League Two or League One throughout his entire professional career to date.
The English centre-forward joined Birmingham from Charlton on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window last year and enjoyed an impressive debut season at St. Andrew’s.
Appearances
44
Goals
16
Big chances missed
13
Big chances created
7
Assists
8
Ground duel success rate
43%
Aerial duel success rate
10%
As you can see in the table above, May racked up 24 goals and assists combined in 44 appearances in League One, and scored more goals than he missed ‘big chances’, which shows that the forward was an effective finisher at the top end of the pitch.
However, his lack of strength in duels, particularly in the air, may be why Championship teams have not taken a chance on him in the past, and why Birmingham could drop him as a starter heading into next season.
The Blues could swoop to sign an upgrade on him in the upcoming summer transfer window, as they have been linked with an interest in an international forward.
Birmingham eyeing deal for Serie A striker
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Birmingham City are eyeing up a deal to sign Che Adams from Serie A side Torino ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Scotland international signed for the Italian club on a free transfer from Southampton last summer, and the Blues are now hoping to tempt him back to England.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Speaking to EFL Analysis, the journalist said: “I think Che Adams is one who’s on Birmingham’s list. He does tick the boxes. Obviously, he’s been there before. Knows the club. Obviously be very expensive in the Championship. We know that. So let’s see how that one goes. But yeah, they do want another striker.
“I’m not sure how much he wants to drop to Championship. I don’t really think he’s that keen on dropping to the Championship, but there are options there. If it’s a long-term thing for Birmingham, I do think that’s an option for him certainly.”
Torino'sCheAdams
These comments from Bailey suggest that it will be a difficult deal to do for the striker, who is valued at £13m by FootballTransfers, for financial and footballing reasons.
However, it could be a fantastic signing for Davies and his staff if the club are able to thrash out a transfer that would bring Adams back for a second spell at Birmingham.
Why Che Adams would be an upgrade on Alfie May
The Blues could secure a big upgrade on the aforementioned Alfie May by signing the experienced centre-forward from Torino in the summer transfer window because of his proven quality at Championship level.
Adams has been there and done it in the second tier, including in a Birmingham City shirt, and has scored goals at an even higher level in the Premier League and in the Serie A.
The 28-year-old star, who manager Paolo Vanoli described as the “perfect player”, has scored nine goals in the Italian top-flight this season, and scored 25 times in the Premier League for Southampton earlier in his career.
These statistics show that Adams has already proven himself at a much higher level than the Championship, whilst May is yet to prove himself above League One.
The Torino striker has also proven his quality in the second tier in England in his last two seasons at that level with Southampton and with Birmingham back in the 2018/19 campaign.
Appearances
46
40
Starts
43
25
Goals
22
16
Big chances missed
11
11
Big chances created
6
7
Assists
4
4
As you can see in the table above, Adams proved that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis, without missing many ‘big chances’ in the Championship in those two seasons, scoring as many or more goals than May did in League One this term.
This shows that Adams has the potential to deliver even more quality in the second tier than May did in the third tier of English football, which is why he could come in as a big upgrade on the current Birmingham star.
The Torino ace has also won 36% of his aerial duels in the Serie A this term, and won 38% of them in the Championship for Southampton last season, which suggests that he could provide more physicality in the number nine role than May.
It is now down to the club to wrap up an “expensive” deal for the forward and for Davies and his staff to convince the forward to make the drop back down to the second tier with the hope that he buys into a long-term project.
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Chelsea are now showing clear interest in signing a 20-goal South American striker this summer, and negotiations could intensify in the coming weeks, according to a report.
Jackson dismissed as Blues falter in top five push
Nicolas Jackson impressed in the early stages of the Premier League campaign, which means the 23-year-old has reached the 10-goal mark, but his performance in the important clash against Newcastle United on Sunday underlined the need to bring in a new striker.
In a game that could have huge ramifications on whether the Blues qualify for the Champions League, Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman, leaving Enzo Maresca unhappy.
Speaking after the 2-0 defeat at St. James’ Park, Maresca said: “His season for us is finished. He is our nine, our striker, so we have to find a solution for the next games. Marc Guiu is our other striker, but he has been injured for three months.
“What you have to avoid is these kind of things, but it happened. Nico is now out for the season and hopefully he can learn for the future.”
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Jackson’s recent performance is unlikely to do the Senegalese forward in any favours this summer, given that the west Londoners were already thinking about bringing in a new striker, and a report from Spain has named Alaves’ Joaquin Panichelli as a target.
Chelsea are showing clear interest in signing Panichelli, given his impressive performances on loan at La Liga 2 side Mirandes this season, and talks could accelerate in the coming weeks, as there is growing interest in his signature.
Fellow BlueCo-owned club Strasbourg are also following the forward, alongside Wolverhampton Wanderers, with his entourage of the belief that a move to one of Europe’s top clubs is imminent.
Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures
Date
Manchester United (h)
May 16th
Nottingham Forest (a)
May 25th
Real Betis (n)
May 28th
Panichelli catching the eye in Spain
The Argentine enjoyed a very impressive 2024-25 campaign on loan at Mirandes, picking up 20 league goals, the second-highest number in the division, while also providing two assists.
Of course, it must be noted that the South American is unproven in a major league, with his recent exploits coming in the second tier of Spanish football, but his performances last season indicate he could be able to make the step-up to the Premier League soon.
As such, Panichelli could be an interesting signing for the Blues, but they must make sure to bring in a more proven striker alongside the 22-year-old, and they should be in a strong position to attract a top-level forward if they finish in the top five.
There is no shortage of options for Chelsea, with Arsenal now concerned their London rivals will hijack their move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, while Maresca’s side are also ready to bid for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
After 133 years of being Everton’s distinguished home, the Toffees waved goodbye to their historic Goodison Park stadium on Sunday when Southampton travelled to the blue half of Merseyside.
It was an emotionally charged afternoon with Goodison packed to the rafters for one last time in the Premier League and – thankfully – most of the Everton players on the pitch didn’t contribute a drab ending as they comfortably got the better of an already relegated Saints side 2-0.
Iliman Ndiaye, in particular, stood out with the ex-Sheffield United attacker now donning the label of being Goodison’s last ever goalscorer.
Everton's final Goodison Park heroes
The obvious place to start is with Ndiaye who ensured the atmosphere remained electric throughout by breaking the deadlock early on.
The skilful number ten had failed to find the back of the net in Premier League action this month, leading up to the finale at Goodison, but he more than made up for any blanks being fired when curling home a fantastic solo effort after just five minutes.
He would then make sure of the three points when collecting his brace late into the second half, but there were plenty of other positive performers away from just the standout number 10.
Dwight McNeil would chip in with an assist down Ndiaye’s opposing right flank, whilst both Idrissa Gueye and Vitaly Mykolenko would see out their Goodison careers with plenty of fight on show by winning a combined 19 duels. Impressive work indeed.
Whilst all those mentioned could go on to star at Everton’s soon-to-be new home at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, others might well have played their final home games donning Toffees blue, with an underperformer now likely to be let go of.
Everton star just played his last home game
Ashley Young is a firm definite for this category, with the former Manchester United man already confirmed to be leaving at the expiry of his contract before being given 70 minutes in place of an injury-stricken Seamus Coleman.
Whilst it hasn’t been outright confirmed just yet, it does look nailed on that Abdoulaye Doucoure will soon follow Young out the door this summer, considering the 32-year-old midfielder was seemingly waving an emotional goodbye to the crowd when substituted off against the Saints.
With 165 appearances under his belt on Merseyside, it’s fair to say Doucoure has been a loyal servant to Everton through some testing times.
But, even with an impressive total of 21 goals and 14 assists being tallied up along the way, the veteran’s swansong showing at Goodison left a lot to be desired and showed why contract talks have allegedly stalled.
Minutes played
65
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
43
Accurate passes
29/31 (94%)
Shots
2
Big chances missed
1
Successful dribbles
0/1
Total duels won
3/10
Doucoure struggled in an attacking midfield capacity throughout, with the number 16 squandering one big chance to make Everton’s lead on the moving day even stronger, alongside failing to complete a single successful dribble.
But, it was also a poor day at the office for Doucoure when attempting to battle away from performing just his attacking duties, with the former Watford man winning only 30% of his duels.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure
It would be a sorrowful ending for the Senegalese midfielder at Everton, but much like the case is with Young, the removal of some experienced heads for some fresher talent could do David Moyes’ men a lot of good ahead of their major relocation.
While we say adios to Goodison, we must also say farewell to Young and Doucoure.
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It seems like one of West Ham United’s most loyal servants in recent years, Tomas Soucek, is going to leave the club this summer.
If reports from Football Insider are to be believed, the Hammers will lose the Czech Republic international to Everton, where former manager David Moyes is in charge.
The midfielder, who has been a key player for the Hammers for a number of years now, has certainly played an important role this season under Julen Lopetegui and, more recently, Graham Potter. Soucek has featured in 32 Premier League games, scoring and assisting ten goals in total.
West Ham's Tomas Soucek
If he does depart the London Stadium this summer, the Hammers will need a new midfielder. Already, they seem to have identified an early target.
West Ham’s midfield target
The Championship has always been a league from which many Premier League clubs make smart signings, with the Irons perhaps benefiting the best in recent memory, luring Jarrod Bowen away from Hull City.
Well, West Ham might well be set to acquire a similar signing this summer, if rumours of them signing Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill are to be believed.
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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 Footballer Insider, the Hammers ‘have now been alerted to the opportunity to sign’ Brownhill from the Clarets this summer. Potter’s side are ‘keen to strengthen’ in the centre of the park, and the Burnley star could be the perfect option.
What makes this deal even more beneficial is the fact that he could be available on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old’s contract at Turf Moor expires this summer, and whilst Burnley want to agree a new deal, he could well leave for nothing. West Ham’s Premier League rivals Everton, as well as Scottish giants Celtic, are also in the race.
Why Brownhill would be a good signing
What a season it has been for Bronwhill in the Championship. He was pivotal in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League, helping them to second place in the league despite reaching a century of points.
Well, Clarets matchday commentator Phil Bird certainly believed the Manchester-born midfielder was a standout at Turf Moor this season. He described his performances as “out of this world”, which is high praise indeed.
The stats are certainly there to back up such a claim. Brownhill managed an outrageous 18 goals and six assists. Bearing in mind the fact that he most often played as a number 6 for Scott Parker’s side, those are astounding numbers.
Josh Brownhill
In the final five games of the season, Brownhill was a key contributor, helping the Clarets get over the line and seal automatic promotion.
The 29-year-old scored and assisted seven goals in those matches, including two strikes against Sheffield United in the third-last game of the campaign, which sealed a 2-1 win and confirmed their place in the Premier League next term.
Should the Hammers be able to bring Brownhill into the club this summer, he could finally be a long-term replacement for Declan Rice.
In many ways, their side has felt like it has a void in midfield since his move to Arsenal two seasons ago. After all, he is “one of the best midfielders in the world”, according to Daniel Sturridge.
The England international was exceptional for West Ham during his time at the club. He made 245 appearances, scoring and assisting 28 times.
However, he has since added goals and assists to his game, just like Brownhill has and already has 15 goals and 20 assists in an Arsenal shirt.
Interestingly, the pair are actually statistically similar when looking at the 2020/21 Premier League campaign on FBref. For example, Brownhill averaged 6.23 ball recoveries per game, compared to 7.28 ball recoveries per game for Rice that season.
Passes into penalty area
0.51
0.56
Shot-creating actions
1.89
1.84
Tackles and interceptions
3.64
3.69
Blocks
1.05
1.22
Ball recoveries
6.23
7.28
The similarities between the two are clear to see. On top of all those factors, when you consider both are leaders, with Brownhill captaining Burnley this season, he really does seem like an excellent replacement.
For a free transfer, this does not seem like a deal West Ham can miss out on. They can replace Rice’s quality in the middle of the park and his leadership skills, and sign someone with proven Premier League experience.
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Manchester United dropped more points in the Premier League on Sunday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The Red Devils needed a 96th-minute equaliser from Rasmus Hojlund to secure a point against the Cherries last time out, as he deflected the ball into the bottom corner with just a few minutes left to play.
Manchester United have, now, drawn nine and lost 15 of their 34 matches in the Premier League this season, leaving them in 14th place in the table as it stands.
That is, quite obviously, not good enough for where the club should be – competing for titles and trophies – and that is why the upcoming summer transfer window is a big one for Ruben Amorim and INEOS.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimarrives before the match
The club have to get their recruitment work spot on to build a squad that is capable of competing with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal next season.
One area of the pitch where the club could look to improve is the two number ten positions, after Alejandro Garnacho put in a disappointing display against the Cherries.
Why Manchester United should find an upgrade on Garnacho
The Red Devils academy graduate started alongside Bruno Fernandes in the two attacking midfield roles behind Hojlund in the draw down south, and failed to deliver an effective performance.
Garnacho had eight shots on goal, five of which were blocked, and missed one ‘big chance’ in the match, which shows that he was incredibly wasteful in front of goal, and the forward failed to create any ‘big chances’ for his teammates.
That has been the story of the season for the Argentina international. He has been wasteful with the chances that have been created for him, whilst not doing too much to create for his fellow attackers on a consistent basis.
Garnacho has not proven himself to be a reliable attacker, as either a scorer or a creator of goals, in the Premier League for the Red Devils this season, which is why they should attempt to bring in an upgrade on him in the summer transfer window.
Appearances
33
Starts
22
xG
7.06
Goals
5
Big chances missed
13
Big chances created
3
Key passes per game
0.9
Assists
1
As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old dynamo has underperformed in front of goal, missing a whopping 13 ‘big chances’, and created less than one chance per appearance in the division on average.
Garnacho is capable of the spectacular, as evidenced by the incredible goal against Everton in the video above, but he has not performed consistently enough in the final third to be relied upon week-in-week-out.
This is why the latest news on Manchester United’s interest in signing a new attacking talent should be welcomed by Amorim, who needs more quality from his squad in the final third.
Man Utd plotting talks to sign Serie A forward
According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are one of a number of teams interested in a deal to sign Ademola Lookman from Atalanta in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that fellow Premier League teams Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Chelsea are also keen on a swoop for the Nigeria international, who previously played for the likes of Fulham and Everton in the English top-flight.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It states that Atalanta are looking for a fee of up to £55m in order to part ways with the impressive forward. That price tag is said to have made it difficult for Barcelona and Juventus, who are also interested in Lookman, due to their respective financial situations.
CaughtOffside adds that the Premier League clubs interested in the winger, including Manchester United, are planning to hold talks over a deal to bring him back to England this summer.
Atalanta's AdemolaLookmanin action
INEOS must, now, push to win the race for the 27-year-old Atalanta star because he could come in as a big upgrade on Garnacho to improve Amorim’s options at the top end of the pitch.
Why Ademola Lookman would be a big upgrade on Alejandro Garncho
As aforementioned, the current Manchester United forward has proven himself to be unreliable in the final third with his wasteful finishing and lack of creativity in the Premier League.
Lookman, on the other hand, has excelled as both a scorer and a creator for Atalanta in the past three seasons, since his move to the club in the summer of 2022.
As you can see in the chart above, the Nigerian superstar has vastly outperformed Garnacho across a host of key attacking metrics over the past 365 days of league and European action, averaging more non-penalty goals, Expected Assisted Goals, shot-creating actions, and assists per 90.
This, immediately, suggests that Lookman, who Gian Pero Gasperini dubbed “extraordinary”, could come in as an upgrade on Garnacho next season, by providing a greater threat in the final third.
The Atalanta star’s form over the past 365 days is not a flash in the pan, either, because he has been remarkably consistent in the Serie A over the past three seasons.
Appearances
31
31
28
xG
9.08
9.21
9.75
Goals
13
11
13
Big chances missed
7
8
13
Big chances created
10
10
10
Key passes per game
1.3
1.6
2.0
Assists
6
7
5
As you can see in the table above, Lookman is the picture of consistency with his contributions as both a scorer and a creator of goals, consistently creating and scoring goals at an impressive rate.
The £55m-rated star has proven that he has the quality to make the most of chances that come his way, outperforming his xG in all three seasons, and he has hit double figures for ‘big chances’ created each time as well.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in action with AC Milan'sEmersonRoyal
These statistics suggest that Lookman would be a fantastic signing for Manchester United because he could offer more to the team than Garnacho, as both a scorer and a creator, to give the team a greater chance of winning matches by contributing to more goals.
This is why the Red Devils must work hard to beat off competition from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal to convince the Atalanta star to make the move to Old Trafford this summer.
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Manchester United are still alive in their quest to win silverware under Ruben Amorim this season and are now said to be leading the race to sign an imposing star who could help to rectify a problem position, per reports.
Manchester United's transfer activity hinges on Europa League outcome
Football fans around the world would’ve tuned in to witness events from Old Trafford earlier in the week, in a match between Manchester United and Lyon that will be remembered for years to come. Despite retaining a man advantage, the Red Devils inexplicably found themselves two goals down on the night before an epic comeback, courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire.
Ruben Amorim will now prepare his side to face Athletic Club over two legs alongside handling their remaining Premier League duties in a domestic campaign that is rapidly petering out.
Truthfully, there is only one competition Manchester United fans will be tuned into with keen eyes. In turn, the outcome of their Europa League endeavours will most certainly influence their summer transfer budget.
Manchester United’s potential Europa League prize money
Round of 16
£1.47 million banked
Quarter-final
£2.11 million banked
Semi-finals
£3.54 million for winning sides
Runner-up
£5.90 million available
Europa League winner
£10.95 million
Combined total based on Europa League accumulations and subsequent Champions League qualification
Manchester United could earn £85.8 million *minimum*, per The Athletic
Even then, squad planning can’t be contingent on circumstance. The Red Devils’ hierarchy are already hard at work and contact has been made over Jonathan David regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.
Financial prudency will be expected should they fail to secure a backdoor route to the Champions League. Conversely, recent developments indicate there could be a change in tact on that front.
Manchester United leading the race to sign Antoine Semenyo
According to Sky Sports, Manchester United are frontrunners to sign Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo after the Ghana international was identified by Amorim as a candidate to lead a new-look attack next campaign.
The former Sporting boss is said to be a huge admirer of the forward, who could cost £70 million to bring to Old Trafford, which could also work with a lower fee and fixed add-ons depending on negotiations.
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Intriguingly, every club in the top-six bar Arsenal have put their name in the hat for Semenyo, while Tottenham Hotspur are another interested party.
Labelled a “powerful lad” by Lewis Cook, the 25-year-old has registered ten goals and six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Bournemouth, excelling either through the middle or on the flank.
Rasmus Hojlund has struggled in front of goal for Manchester United, heightening their need for a striker. Similarly, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are set for exits, paving the way for a statement move to be made for Semenyo to address a frontline that is thin on the ground.
Crystal Palace are now in the race to sign an “explosive” forward, who is set to be targeted by a number of Premier League clubs this summer, according to a report.
Palace keen to bolster attacking options
Prior to the surprise 1-1 draw at Southampton, Palace had been on a five-game winning streak in all competitions, having really managed to kick on under the helm of Oliver Glasner after a slow start to the campaign.
However, given the level of the Eagles’ performances, a number of key players are being linked with moves away in the summer, which means a rebuilding job may be necessary, with a move for Lyon striker Georges Mikautadze being lined up.
Mikautadze could be brought in as a replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta, amid rumoured interest from Manchester United, while Glasner is also keen to bolster his options out wide.
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FC Nordsjaelland winger Sindre Walle Egeli has been closely followed this season, ahead of a potential summer transfer swoop, however, there is also an alternative option from much closer to home.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace are now in the race to sign Liverpool winger Ben Doak, but there may be stiff competition for the winger’s signature, with Everton and AFC Bournemouth also keen.
Having impressed on loan at Middlesbrough this season, the Championship side could also make a move for Doak this summer, should they achieve their aim of promotion to the Premier League.
The Reds value the 19-year-old at £25m – £30m, and he is highly regarded at Anfield, but a departure could be possible this summer, given that the youngster will find it very difficult to usurp Mohamed Salah at right-wing.
"Explosive" Doak impressing in the Championship
Understandably, it is very difficult to challenge for Salah’s starting spot, which means the Scot has spent the current season out on loan at Middlesbrough, where he looked very impressive up until picking up a thigh injury.
The teenager picked up three goals and seven assists in the second tier for Boro, indicating he could soon be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League, while he also places highly on some key attacking metrics over the past year, most notably excelling at dribbling.
Statistic
Average per 90
Assists
0.35 (90th percentile)
Progressive carries
6.78 (99th percentile)
Touches (Att Pen)
6.12 (95th percentile)
Not only that, but the forward has received high praise from former Liverpool man Danny Murphy, who said: “He is a super quick, explosive winger,”
“He gives you something so different because of his pace. He’s got amazing, explosive pace which could cause teams problems off the bench.”
Having excelled in the second tier, the next logical step is for Doak to sign for a Premier League club, and there is every indication he could be a success at Selhurst Park.