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Karun Nair’s comeback knock went in vain as DC imploded to lose by 12 runs

Shashank Kishore13-Apr-20252:00

What was the turning point in DC’s innings?

Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched a thriller they had no business winning; not certainly after a comeback knock for the ages from Karun Nair, who smashed a 40-ball 89 in a chase of 206. But Karn Sharma, their Impact Sub, cracked open the game with a three-wicket haul, to cause an implosion that ended with a hat-trick of run outs in the penultimate over as Delhi Capitals (DC) fell short by 12 runs.It meant there are no unbeaten teams left at IPL 2025. DC would rue the two points that were stolen right from under their nose, disrupting their run of four straight wins, as their homecoming at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was met with a heartbreak no one saw coming.For MI, this was only their second win in six games, but it’s the one that will reinvigorate a campaign that threatened to turn pear-shaped less than halfway in.Nair’s comebackSeven years after his most recent IPL half-century, and three years since he played in the tournament, Nair set the pace in DC’s chase after Jake Fraser-McGurk was out first ball.Coming off a ridiculous run of rich form in the domestic season, Nair’s takedown of Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay – he picked 28 off nine deliveries, including three fours and two sixes – landed the early punches on MI.Karun Nair made his first IPL fifty in seven years•BCCI

Nair was all wrist and hand-eye coordination – whipping Bumrah off his hip with nonchalance and being equally audacious by making room and carving him inside-out over deep extra cover for two sixes. Against spin, he was quick to pick lengths and sweep, and on an occasion reverse-sweep.He went into overdrive after bringing up a 22-ball half-century and looked set to get to three figures when a magic ball from Mitchell Santner got him. Expecting the wet ball to skid through, Nair played for a straight one, only to see the ball rip square and beat his push to hit top of off.Five balls later, when Axar Patel was out to a leading edge to give Bumrah his first wicket of the season, MI had some inkling of hope. DC were 145 for 4 at the end of that over, the 13th.The ball changeIPL’s new rule change that allows teams to ask for a new ball to counter dew after 11 overs into the second innings brought MI some much needed relief at the start of the 14th.Three balls in, relief turned into elation when Tristan Stubbs toe-ended a slog to make it four wickets in four overs. When KL Rahul fell in eerily similar fashion two overs later, the 16th, after being done in the air and off the pitch to top edge a return catch, DC were in the middle of a full-blown collapse.Even so, with 42 off 24 needed and two batters – Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam who orchestrated a similar comeback against LSG – at the crease, DC still had hope that kept thinning when Trent Boult nailed five yorkers in a gun 17th over that went for just three runs.This is when Santner, who’d already bowled arguably the ball of the match to get Nair, bounced back after conceding a six and four to Nigam before deceiving him in the air to have him stumped. The relatively drier ball offered plenty of grip and turn, and Santner now had his second.Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton combined to run out Ashutosh Sharma•BCCI

The hat-trick of run outsBumrah’s figures as he ran in for his final over, the 19th of the match read 3-0-34-1. With Ashutosh still in, DC had hopes. After refusing a single off the first ball, he hit him for two consecutive fours – a reverse ramped over short third followed by a thick outside edge.With the equation down to 15 off 8, Ashutosh carved a yorker-length ball to deep point and turned for a second that proved costly. The decision to run the second wasn’t the problem; that he had to run around Bumrah as he turned around at the non-striker’s end cost him a split-second which eventually had him short of the crease.Then Kuldeep Yadav and Mohit Sharma were run out off successive deliveries as MI ended with a hat-trick of run-outs to close out the game.Tilak shines after wristspin twins strikeTilak Varma was subbed out two games ago for being unable to force the pace. In his first outing after that, he made 56 off 29 in a tall run chase against RCB last week. On Sunday, he top-scored with 59 off 43 to help MI post 205.It was his eighth IPL half-century, astonishingly his first in a winning cause. The knock provided MI a base, which Naman Dhir maximised to provide the finishing kick.A floater in the batting order, Dhir 38 off just 17; his fifth-wicket stand off 60 off 33 with Tilak helping MI recover from the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in the space of six deliveries in the middle stages.DC’s wristspin twins Kuldeep and Nigam combined to pick up 4 for 64 off eight overs, after MI threatened to take the game away when Rohit Sharma began by imperiously driving Mitchell Starc for two fours and then scooping him for a six.Suryakumar Yadav, batting at No. 3 for the first time this season, and Ryan Rickelton too got off to starts but couldn’t convert. But just when it seemed as if MI would be restricted, they found saviours in Tilak and Dhir, who gave them a total to bowl at – those extra runs at the end seemingly making a wholesome difference to the result.

Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery has been defined by sharp recruitment, shrewd coaching, and an ability to identify players who are ready to step into the limelight away from the shadows of Europe’s biggest clubs.

In Morgan Rogers, Villa found exactly that: a player once on the books at Manchester City, who needed a platform to showcase his ability.

Just 18 months on from swapping the Etihad for Villa Park, Rogers has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s brightest attacking midfielders, demonstrating the value of spotting untapped potential.

That model has become central to Villa’s approach in a summer where financial pressures have forced them to balance ambition with pragmatism.

The club has already lost academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United in a bid to meet Profit and Sustainability Regulations.

Aston Villa enter the race for Barcelona talent

As long as Emery’s side seek to compete at the highest level, their transfer strategy must be both precise and opportunistic.

It is within this context that Villa are eyeing their next move.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The profile of the target is clear: highly talented, underused at an elite club, and brimming with the potential to grow into a genuine superstar once given a consistent role.

In other words, another Rogers-style signing.

Reports via Sport Witness revealed that Aston Villa have joined Wolves and Marseille in the battle to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, a player described by “spectacular” Sergio Busquets.

The 21-year-old is valued at €30m (£25m), with Barça facing a difficult dilemma over his future, and the player has already received an offer from Villa to leave Camp Nou behind.

Casado is a La Masia graduate and a Catalonia native, factors that make the political optics of a sale complicated.

The club knows moving him on could cause friction among supporters, yet their long-standing financial problems remain unresolved.

The midfielder currently earns €10,000 a week, and Wolves are reportedly prepared to quadruple that to tempt him into a Premier League move.

Why Casado could be the next Rogers

Villa’s interest comes at a time when Emery’s squad has stumbled slightly at the start of the campaign, collecting just one point from their opening two fixtures.

With a Europa League campaign to navigate and squad depth already tested, adding quality in midfield is a priority.

Casado, who featured 23 times in La Liga last season and played ten Champions League matches, fits the bill as both a ready contributor and a long-term investment.

Wolves have been proactive in making contact, particularly as they look to rebound from a difficult start under Vítor Pereira, losing their first two league games after selling key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri.

Yet Villa possess a crucial advantage: the opportunity to offer a proven pathway of development.

Rogers’ success after leaving City is proof of what can be achieved at Villa Park.

Casado’s qualities suggest he could thrive in the same way Rogers has at Villa.

A deep-lying playmaker with the versatility to cover at right-back or centre-back, he brings both defensive solidity and creative incision.

His underlying numbers are striking.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 91st percentile compared to positionally similar players in Europe for assists per 90 (0.20), the 94th percentile for touches (86.03) and passes into the final third (7.49), while completing 90.1% of his passes – evidence of his reliability in possession.

Defensively, he averages over three tackles per game, highlighting his work rate and adaptability.

What makes Casado particularly intriguing is how his career echoes Rogers’ trajectory. Like the English midfielder at City, Casado is blocked by world-class competition at Barcelona.

Both players require a club prepared to give them consistent minutes in a competitive environment without the suffocating expectation that comes with being part of an elite, star-studded squad.

Rogers grasped that opportunity with both hands, making 54 appearances last season across competitions, scoring 12 goals and assisting 14, while playing a key role in Villa’s Champions League run.

His initial £8m transfer fee now looks like one of the bargains of the decade, and his market value has since risen to £50m.

Casado, at £25m, represents a bigger outlay, but one that could prove similarly shrewd if his development mirrors that of Rogers.

There is also the question of timing.

Casado recently left his agent and will be represented by Jorge Mendes from October, a move designed to secure his long-term future.

While he has publicly insisted it is not a step motivated by salary, Mendes’ involvement inevitably increases the likelihood of a move abroad, given his extensive Premier League connections.

For Villa, the chance to repeat the Rogers model is obvious. Casado is young, versatile, technically gifted, and already tested in both La Liga and the Champions League.

He might not yet be a guaranteed starter for Barcelona, but under Emery, he could become an essential cog in a side that thrives on midfield dynamism and tactical flexibility.

If Casado makes the move, his ceiling is immense.

Busquets’ endorsement underlines his pedigree, while his statistical profile suggests a player capable of dictating play at the highest level.

Like Rogers, the conditions are right for him to flourish away from the glare of his current surroundings.

For Aston Villa, it is about recognising that the next superstar might not be the finished article, but a rough diamond ready to shine.

He's like Duran & Benteke: Aston Villa make £65m star their top target

Aston Villa are eyeing up a new striker who is a mix of Jhon Durán and Christian Benteke.

By
Will Miller

Aug 23, 2025

Kyle Jamieson last played international cricket a year ago. Since then, there were ten months out with a stress fracture of the back – for the second time in his career. Having been named in New Zealand’s squad for the Champions Trophy as an injury replacement for Lockie Ferguson, Jamieson feels he is in the best place ever “from a cricket point”.Jamieson last played an ODI in September 2023, against Bangladesh just before the World Cup. Looking back at his time off, Jamieson said his comeback worked out “roughly around the time-frames we looked at”.”I had a good crew around me, and the start of it was trying to put that all together around, what that’s going to look like, and how we’re going to get from where I was at the bottom of the cliff and how we’re going to get back up to the top of it,” he said after reaching Rawalpindi ahead of New Zealand’s match against Bangladesh.Related

• New dad Jamieson is keen to defuse some fireworks on the cricket field again

• Simmons wants top order 'to put things together' in the powerplay

• New Zealand aim for semi-finals; Bangladesh aim to stay alive

• Players injured and unavailable for Champions Trophy

• Glenn Phillips finds secret to his success

Jamieson has had his share of injures in a short international career so far. In June 2022, he experienced “sharp pain” in his lower back and walked off midway through his 17th over in a Test at Trent Bridge. Just ahead of the home Tests against England in early 2023, a suspected recurrence of the back injury ruled him out and he underwent surgery. It was only in August that year that Jamieson was back on the field, when he played five T20Is and three ODIs across the tours of the UAE and England. He then toured Bangladesh, where he played in two of the three ODIs.New Zealand even named Jamieson as cover for an injured Matt Henry for the World Cup in 2023, before drafting him into the squad proper. Although Jamieson didn’t get to play the tournament, he featured in both Tests on the subsequent tour of Bangladesh. However, a stiff hamstring ruled him out of the ODI series at home against the same opposition, and he also sat out of the T20Is on “medical advice”. It was after that, halfway through the home series against South Africa, that Jamieson found himself out again.”It’s been a long one. Obviously, a lot of hard work [has gone into the comeback],” he said. “I had to go back to square one, and rebuild a few things. [I had to] try and solidify the foundations so I can get back to this arena and take on the different forms of cricket again. It’s certainly been a long road, but it’s quite funny once you’re back in the mix and forget about how long it’s taken.”In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, Jamieson worked his way back by representing Canterbury in the Super Smash and Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s domestic T20 and 50-over competitions respectively. He bagged 14 wickets at an average of 18.71 to be Canterbury Magicians’ highest wicket-taker in the Super Smash, where he played in all 12 matches.”I really enjoyed being a part of a full campaign. You don’t often get a chance to be a part of long stretches of time with your domestic team,” he said. “From the cricket point of view, it was great to be back in the park and just see where your game’s at. I was always reasonably confident that part was going to be okay, but it’s just nice to obviously put it back into that arena. I guess those are some of the pressures and challenges that come with that sort of high-pressure cricket.”New Zealand face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday, after beating Pakistan comfortably in the tournament opener. They then face India on March 2 in Dubai in what is the final group fixture of the tournament.

“We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers,” says the former South Africa captain who is also part of ICC’s cricket committee

PTI11-Jan-2025

Shaun Pollock, the media representative of the ICC’s cricket committee, has said that the body is “working on something” to give bowlers “bit more leeway on wides”, particularly with batters often moving around the crease in limited-overs formats.”If a batter jumps across [at the] last minute, it doesn’t really work out for me,” Pollock told PTI on the sidelines of the SA20. “I think a bowler, at the start of his run-up, needs to know where he can bowl it.”The current rule tends to suggest that if he [the batter] moves and it’s that point of delivery where the batter is, and that’s according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change. I want them to know exactly when they’re running up why or how – how can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he’s bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go.”So it’s in the pipeline, we’re all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers.”As things stand, though, the ICC’s playing conditions specify that a ball should be called a wide if it “passes wide of where the striker is standing and which also would have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal batting position”, and also, it is not a wide “if the striker, by moving, either causes the ball to pass wide of him, or brings the ball sufficiently within reach to be able to hit it by means of a normal cricket stroke”.That aside, at the IPL and the WPL in India since 2023, players – bowlers and batters – have been empowered to review wide calls by umpires using DRS.Simon Taufel, though, has not been in favour of it.”I’m really conscious around trying to turn the art of officiating into a science and seek perfection, whatever that looks like, with decision making,” Taufel had told ESPNcricinfo. “So with wides for example, and here we’re going to, potentially according to you, or according to the player or the debate, take a wide call and throw that back to the third umpire for them to judge on something that might be marginal and is still a judgement call.”Pollock hopes SA’s ‘IPL stars’ make a difference at Champions TrophyPollock said South Africa should look to leverage their players’ experience in subcontinent conditions during the upcoming Champions Trophy, which will be played in Pakistan (with the exception of matches featuring India, which will be played in Dubai).”You’ve got basically the similar players that were at that [2023 ODI] World Cup, where we got to the semi-final and lost to Australia,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of IPL stars who play for South Africa. In those situations, everything looks good. The amount of IPL players, people like [Heinrich] Klaasen, [David] Miller, even [Quinton] de Kock, all those guys who spend so much time over there, getting an understanding for conditions, that can only help South Africa.”They [have] got the ICC Test Championship [final] now as well, so it’s been some good stuff and, hopefully, some younger individuals come up. We’ve seen it starting to develop in the Test arena.”‘South African cricket needed SA20 injection’The SA20, South Africa’s pre-eminent franchise-based T20 competition, is now in its third season, and Pollock said it had “gone from strength to strength” in its short existence.”Some of the activities at the ground as well, the Catch 2 Million competition this year has been added,” he said. “I know the young kids are taught ‘you’ve got to get to the ground’, because we need some money these days with the economy the way it is. But it’s definitely gone from strength to strength.”South African cricket needed this injection – there’s no doubt about it. They needed something to create a bit of unbelievable interest in the game.”

Everton’s search for a match-winning centre-forward is heating up.

The club’s recruitment team are pushing hard to secure a signing who can both lead the line with authority and bring a clinical edge in front of goal.

The profile they are targeting is clear: a striker in the mould of Romelu Lukaku – a player who can bully defenders with physicality and convert chances at a prolific rate.

The Toffees have been crying out for a reliable forward since the Belgian’s departure in 2017.

Now, with David Moyes at the helm and a summer recruitment strategy shaped by ambition, Everton appear ready to act decisively.

Everton's looking at signing their new Lukaku

The club have already turned heads with the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City, adding star quality to their forward line.

But there is a growing acceptance that, without a proven striker to convert those chances, Everton’s attacking rebuild will be incomplete.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The latest target fits the brief, and reports suggest the Merseyside outfit are prepared to make a significant financial commitment to get their man.

According to Football Insider, Everton have submitted a £37m bid for AS Roma’s powerful Ukrainian striker, Artem Dovbyk.

Dovbyk, 28, has been the subject of widespread Premier League interest this summer, with clubs such as Leeds United, West Ham United and Sunderland all linked to him.

However, Everton appear to be leading the race, aided by the fact that Roma are also owned by the Friedkin Group.

The striker is reportedly keen on a move to England, just 18 months after joining Roma from La Liga side Girona.

His final audition came in a 1-0 pre-season win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Dovbyk featured for 80 minutes.

The Lukaku Comparison

Everton’s interest in this “elite target man”, as he’s been referred to by European football expert Zach Lowy, comes alongside other forward-thinking moves in the market.

They are keeping tabs on right-wing options such as Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, both of whom could operate alongside the Ukrainian in a new-look attack.

Dovbyk’s arrival would also provide valuable mentorship to 22-year-old French striker Thierno Barry, recently signed from Villarreal for £27.6m and boasting a similar physical style of play.

The comparison to Lukaku is an obvious one – and for good reason.

Both players stand at over 1.88 and combine their physical power with an instinctive eye for goal.

Romelu Lukaku

286

Artem Dovbyk

131

Dovbyk’s stats from his 2023/24 season with Girona underscore just how effective he can be.

The Ukrainian scored 24 goals and provided 8 assists in 36 league appearances, helping the Catalan club secure Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.

According to FBref, he ranked in the 97th percentile for goals per 90 (0.83) and the 97th percentile for expected goals per 90 (0.84), demonstrating the kind of consistency that Everton have been missing for years.

Crucially, Dovbyk isn’t one-dimensional. His link-up play is strong, as shown by his 82nd percentile ranking for expected assists per 90 (0.13), and he is deceptively adept with the ball at his feet, completing 68% of his take-ons.

He also wins nearly half of his aerial duels, adding to his utility as both a hold-up player and a set-piece threat.

When comparing him to Lukaku’s time at Everton, the parallels are striking.

Lukaku scored 87 goals in 166 appearances for the club, registering double figures in the league for four consecutive seasons.

His best campaign, the 2016/17 season, saw him score 25 league goals and claim six assists – earning him Everton’s Player of the Season award.

Like Dovbyk, Lukaku thrived on using his physicality to dominate defenders.

Dovbyk offers a similar promise – a striker who can be the focal point of the attack, hold off multiple defenders, and still find the back of the net with regularity.

The timing of this potential transfer could be transformative for the club.

Moyes’ side start their Premier League campaign on Monday against Leeds United and adding a striker of Dovbyk’s calibre before the window closes would give the squad a major psychological lift.

The prospect of linking him with Grealish, as well as emerging talents like Barry, hints at an Everton attack that could be both physically overwhelming and tactically versatile.

Furthermore, Everton’s recent struggles in front of goal have been as much about chance creation as finishing.

With Grealish capable of threading passes through tight defences and potential additions on the flanks to stretch play, Dovbyk could find himself in the kind of service-rich environment that allows him to replicate his Girona numbers.

For Everton, this feels like more than just another signing.

It’s a chance to reconnect with an identity that once made them a feared opponent – a team built around a powerful, relentless striker who can decide games almost single-handedly.

In Dovbyk, they may have found their next Lukaku.

Better move than Grealish: Everton looking to sign "unstoppable" £17m CF

As Everton look to bolster their forward options, with Jack Grealish potentially on his way, the Toffees could also sign an “unstoppable” £17m striker

ByBen Gray Aug 11, 2025

Bangladesh vs Scotland

Sharjah, 2pm local timeBangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha BiswasScotland squad: Kathryn Bryce (capt), Chloe Abel, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce (wk), Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Saskia Horley, Lorna Jack, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Rachel SlaterTournament form guide: In the pre-tournament warm-up games, Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka by 33 runs, and beat Pakistan by 23 runs. Scotland beat Pakistan by eight wickets, and lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets.News brief: Scotland are in a Women’s Cricket World Cup – be it 50 overs or 20 – for the first time. They got there by making the final of the Qualifier earlier this year. They have lost each of their four T20Is against Bangladesh, the last of which came in September 2022. Bangladesh, though, last won a Women’s T20 World Cup game in 2014, when they were hosts. A chance to tweak the record then, after going four editions winless.Player to watch: Nahida Akter, on 99 T20I wickets, could hold the key to Bangladesh’s progress in the competition. She is on the verge of becoming the first woman from Bangladesh – and only the third across genders, behind Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman – to 100 T20I wickets. With a plethora of right-hand batters in Scotland’s line-up, she could be licking her lips.Scotland defeated Pakistan during the warm-ups•ICC/Getty Images

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Sharjah, 6pm local timePakistan squad: Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba HassanSri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilshari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sachini Nisansala, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika KumariTournament form guide: In the pre-tournament warm-ups, Pakistan lost to Scotland by eight wickets, and lost to Bangladesh by 23 runs. Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 33 runs and Scotland by five wickets.News brief: Sadia Iqbal was named in the Pakistan squad subject to fitness. She bowled seven overs across the two warm-up games and returned two wickets against Bangladesh. That would come as relief for Pakistan because Iqbal has not just played all of Pakistan’s completed 32 T20Is since the start of 2023 but also is their leading wicket-taker in that period. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have won their last three T20I outings against Pakistan, including the semi-final of the Asia Cup this year.Player to watch: Chamari Athapaththu is used to having the spotlight firmly on her when she takes the field for Sri Lanka. For the first time though, she comes to a World Cup with her team portrayed as the tournament’s dark horse. And that could pose a challenge of a different kind – that of living up to expectations with the bat and as a leader. But when has Athapaththu ever shied away from a tough gig?

It is set to be a very busy summer for Arsenal.

After three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s team are determined to finally take the next step.

With that objective in mind, could they be about to make yet another statement signing from Spain?

Arsenal's incoming transfer business

By early next week, with Tuesday being the start of July, expect a few of Arsenal’s transfer targets to be unveiled.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Kepa Arrizabalaga will arrive from Chelsea for a reported fee of £5m, to be the back-up to David Raya, while, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic, Arsenal are ‘finalising’ a deal to sign Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard for £9.3m.

The Dane, however, is not the only central midfielder heading to North London, given that Martín Zubimendi is set to be unveiled next week, after the Gunners paid his £51m Real Sociedad release clause.

Nevertheless, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both departing on free transfers, this is an area of the team they do require multiple reinforcements, so are seemingly not done yet.

That’s because, according to reports in Spain, the Gunners are ‘preparing an offer’ of around £35m to Barcelona, as they attempt to sign Marc Casadó.

They also claim that Arteta believes the 21-year-old ‘fits his style of play’ perfectly, hence why the la Másia graduate ‘has become a priority’ for Arsenal.

Given Barcelona’s ongoing financial crisis, they have not ruled out sanctioning a departure, especially one that facilitates Nico Williams’ arrival from Athletic Club which, as Pol Ballús of the Athletic outlines, still faces financial obstacles.

How Marc Casadó would improve Arsenal

As alluded to earlier, Casadó joined Barcelona’s academy as a 13-year-old, making his senior debut for the first team during a Champions League dead rubber against Viktoria Plzeň in November 2022.

Since then, he has accumulated 41 appearances for Barça, but only establishing himself as a key figure this season, a regular starter before suffering a ligament injury in March, as the table below outlines.

As the table outlines, Casadó ranked very highly for every metric included at Barcelona this season, including both passing, as well as defensive statistics, namely tackles, interceptions and ball recoveries, underlining that he is an all-rounder.

Following his international debut against Denmark in Copenhagen, in which he came off the bench to replace Zubimendi, teammate Bryan Zaragoza described the midfielder as “barbaric”, adding “I don’t even know what to say about how he played​​​​​​​…. he’s an animal”.

Meantime, Domagoj Kostanjšak of Total Football Analysis believes he is the heir to Sergio Busquets’ throne, stating that Casadó is ‘mostly a ball-recycler’, praising his ‘crisp close control and great decision-making in possession’.

Meantime, Price of Breaking the Lines outlines how the youngster ‘always wants to make progressive passes’, noting that he is almost never dispossessed​​​​​​​ and has the ability to ‘dominate’ any midfield battle he is involved in.

So, we all already know what Zubimendi is all about, with Ogunniyi Abayomi of Breaking the Lines stating that he too is ‘capable of making line-breaking passes​​​​​​​’ as well as dictating the tempo from the base of midfield.

Thus, together, the Spanish duo – both potentially arriving from LaLiga – could form an unstoppable partnership, finally ending Arsenal’s interminable 22-year wait for the Premier League title.

£70m star wants to join Arsenal after Norgaard and Mosquera, talks ongoing

The north Londoners mean business this summer.

2

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 28, 2025

During Burnley’s heyday in the Premier League under Sean Dyche, the Clarets were well-known for being an attritional side defensively.

Indeed, come the end of the memorable 2017/18 campaign that saw Burnley finish in an unbelievable seventh spot, Dyche’s brave troops had only shipped a slim 39 goals in total. To add more context, Arsenal would amazingly ship 12 more strikes, despite finishing in fifth.

This could well mean Parker’s camp in the here and now stand a fighting chance at Premier League survival, having only just leaked a remarkably low 16 goals themselves on the way to sealing automatic promotion in the Championship.

But, all the publicity surrounding Burnley’s rock-solid defence has come back to bite them, with valiant Clarets centre-back CJ Egan-Riley now heading for the exit door.

Egan-Riley's situation at Burnley

Egan-Riley was a key component of the Clarets’ formidable defence in 2024/25, culminating in the former Manchester City defender picking up a bumper 26 clean sheets from 41 Championship ties.

Unfortunately, his contract situation at Turf Moor has become Burnley’s own undoing, with the 22-year-old’s current deal at the club expiring later this month, leading to him seeking out other employers in the form of RC Strasbourg and West Ham United.

This would be a disorienting loss for the Clarets to come to terms with, considering his crucial spot in the promotion-winning side under Parker, but they could win themselves a dream replacement by securing the services of an experienced Premier League centre-back.

Burnley's "outstanding" Egan-Riley replacement

Burnley will be well aware that adding in experience here and there could be vital in boosting their survival chances, with the Clarets of old relying on seasoned heads such as Ben Mee and James Tarkowski to get them out of sticky situations.

Joe Gomez could come in and offer that same level of protection, with a recent report from the Empire of the Kop revealing that amid interest from Leeds and the Clarets, Liverpool wouldn’t stand in the way of the 28-year-old if he did fancy leaving Anfield behind this summer, having now placed a £25m price-tag above his head.

Whilst the London-born centre-back has been troubled by recurring injury issues in recent seasons – as seen in him missing a combined 29 games across the last two campaigns – he has shown in the past for the Reds that he can be an imposing presence at an elite level.

This is evident in Gomez only leaking 106 goals from 149 Premier League contests and counting, with the Liverpool number two’s calm and composed presence potentially critical in easing Burnley’s nerves up a division with Egan-Riley no longer around.

Games played

149

Goals conceded

106

Tackles

211

Tackles won

72%

Recoveries

720

Duels won

590

Aerial battles won

253

Passes per match

53.79

Wins

99

Clean sheets

47

When glancing at the table above, it’s even clearer that Gomez would be a welcome addition to Parker’s ranks to replace Egan-Riley.

Indeed, the “outstanding” defender, as he was once praised by Reds teammate Virgil Van Dijk, averages a 72% tackle success rate across his wealth of top-flight experience.

Moreover, he didn’t look out of place either last season when thrown into the deep-end by Arne Slot, with a high 89% pass rate averaged across his nine league contests. Egan-Riley, despite being front and centre of the Clarets’ defence all season long, only averaged an 86% pass rate on the contrary.

Of course, Gomez has been helped on Merseyside by the exceptional calibre of the teammates around him.

But, to try and immediately plug the hole left behind by Egan-Riley, Burnley could do far worse than snapping up the consistent Liverpool number two in their efforts to try and secure survival.

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In what would be quite the move, Everton are now reportedly plotting a late hijack to sign an Argentina international ahead of Crystal Palace, having already held talks.

Moyes "will relish" transfer control

Following Kevin Thelwell’s move to become Rangers’ new sporting director, Everton are yet to appoint a replacement and that could yet leave David Moyes pulling the strings on the transfer front. That’s at least according to Keith Wyness, who worked closely with the manager during his first stint at the club as CEO.

Wynnes told Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast: “I’m still concerned about the recruitment team. We still haven’t got the whole team in place, and Thelwell and Purdy have moved on.

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“But in a funny way, this will play right into Moyes’s hands. Having worked with him for so many years, I know he will relish the ability to have control over most of the signings and he does know what he’s doing.

“There’s no doubt about it, he understands players. But the thing is, with the demands of a modern-day manager, does he have the time he used to, to be able to go out and see those players? He loves to do it.”

Whether Moyes’ role is a help or hindrance for the Toffees remains to be seen, but it certainly hasn’t stopped recent rumours from arriving. Everton have been linked with moves for the likes of Jack Grealish and Vladimir Coufal in recent weeks in two deals that would hand those in Merseyside an ideal start to their summer business.

Coufal would particularly make sense given that he worked so well under Moyes during their time together at West Ham United. Now a free agent, Everton could make their move and add vital depth to their side.

It’s in Merseyside that Coufal could also be joined by an Argentina international, as Everton look to launch a last-gasp move to sign an experienced shot-stopper ahead of Crystal Palace.

Everton plotting late Benitez hijack

Whilst the last Benitez didn’t enjoy the best spell in the blue half of Merseyside, it could be second time lucky for the Toffees. According to Eindhovens Dagblad, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have now held talks in an attempt to sign Walter Benitez ahead of Crystal Palace, who have held a meeting in London with the goalkeeper.

A free agent after leaving PSV Eindhoven at the end of the season, Benitez has quite the decision to make this summer. Although he is unlikely to have a starting role at his next club now that he is 32 years old, there’s no doubt that the Argentine still has a wealth of experience to offer.

Everton could certainly do with a backup for Jordan Pickford too. As things stand, both Asmir Begovic and Joao Virginia are set to depart at the end of their current deals this month, opening the door for another shot-stopper to arrive.

As backups go, signing a player who is still part of Argentina’s plans wouldn’t exactly be a bad piece of business by all involved at Everton, having earned his first cap last year.

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.

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.

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.

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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