KKR have lost five straight matches, while Rajasthan Royals are one loss away from crashing out of the race for the playoffs

The Preview by Vishal Dikshit24-Apr-20197:05

Tait: KKR spinners not doing well is their biggest dilemma

Big pictureOnly a few weeks ago, there was a big gap between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals on the points table. While Knight Riders were riding on one big knock after another from Andre Russell, Royals were losing one match after the other. All that has changed. They are now placed alongside each other on the table, with Knight Riders placed sixth and Royals seventh, with eight and six points respectively.Form guide (last three matches, most recent first)

Knight Riders: Lost to Sunrisers by nine wickets, lost to Royal Challengers by 10 runs, lost to Super Kings by five wickets.
Royals: Lost to Capitals by six wickets, beat Mumbai by five wickets, lost to Kings XI by 12 runs

Knight Riders’ journey has been very disappointing, chiefly because of their initial tempo. They have lost five consecutive matches now – they have failed to take early wickets, they are dropping catches, and they have leaked runs at the worst rate for any team this season (9.10). As for the reliance on Russell, his knocks of 65 off 25 balls, 45 off 21, and 50 not out off 44 have also resulted in losses, and there is a lot of back and forth about his batting position, especially after the loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. Knight Riders know they have to get their act together before the qualification train leaves them behind.Time is running out for Royals too, as it’s a must-win for them. To add to that, they have learnt that individual centuries don’t necessarily win you T20s, and their foreign contingent is shrinking rapidly, not to mention Ashton Turner’s three ducks in a row in the IPL (and five in all T20s). Royals were already without Jos Buttler, who left early because of the birth of his child, and will lose Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer too after Thursday. How they will balance the XI for their last three games is another headache, but for now they need to ensure they at least beat Knight Riders with a near full-strength squad.Royals also need to up their batting game in the death overs; they have the third-lowest scoring rate in the period this IPL and need their big hitters to step up.BCCI

In the newsStokes has been far from impressive this season, but Buttler is Royals’ second-highest scorer so far and Archer is their second-highest wicket-taker as well as their most economical bowler among those who have bowled more than five overs. Royals’ best hope will be if Stokes and Archer fire together before they are forced to change the combination.For Knight Riders, Joe Denly, a part of England’s World Cup squad, has flown back home early. He even played a one-day match after reaching England, scoring a half-century for Kent on Tuesday.Previous meeting These two teams met just over two weeks ago in Jaipur, and Knight Riders thrashed Royals – without Russell having to bat. Hosts this time, Knight Riders will draw confidence from that match as they look to notch up the wins again.Likely XIsKolkata Knight Riders: 1 Chris Lynn, 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Robin Uthappa, 4 Nitish Rana, 5 Shubman Gill, 6 Dinesh Karthik (capt & wk), 7 Andre Russell, 8 Piyush Chawla, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Harry Gurney, 11 Prasidh KrishnaRajasthan Royals: 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Ashton Turner, 6 Stuart Binny, 7 Riyan Parag, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Shreyas Gopal, 10 Jaydev Unadkat, 11 Dhawal KulkarniBCCI

Strategy Punt Royals could think of getting Ish Sodhi back in the XI. In all T20s, he has conceded only 30 runs off 29 balls against Lynn, and 17 off 23 against Karthik (including a dismissal). Make Sunil Narine open the bowling, not just the batting. He has dismissed Rahane thrice in 52 balls in T20s, while conceding only 69 runs. Despite being an occasional wristspinner himself, Steven Smith doesn’t have a great record against the breed in the IPL since 2015. He has managed only 214 runs against them off 191 balls, and been dismissed four times. Royals should look to bowl Archer to Shubman Gill as soon as the batsman comes out to bat. Four of Gill’s five dismissals this season have come against fast bowlers and he has scored only 74 runs off 73 balls against them, with a dot-ball percentage of 37.Stats that matterThe last time Royals beat Knight Riders was way back in 2015. Of course, Royals didn’t play in the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but they have lost their last four clashes against Knight Riders. Worse, they have won only one of their eight matches in Kolkata in all these years of the IPL. Karthik’s average of 16.70 is his second-worst in any IPL season and his worst since IPL 2016. It’s a steep fall after averaging nearly 50 in 2018. Rahane is 87 runs away from the 5000 mark in T20s and Stokes needs two sixes to reach 100 in the format. Gurney needs one more wicket and Sodhi needs three more to reach 150 in T20s. Steven Smith needs two more runs to get to 2000 in the IPL. Knight Riders’ next win will be their 100th in T20s. Knight Riders and Royals have leaked runs at the same rate during the middle phase (overs seven to 15) this IPL: 8.8.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a confirmação de oito casos de coronavírus no elenco do Corinthians, o técnico Vagner Mancini comandou o último treino antes do clássico contra o Palmeiras e buscou motivar os jogadores. Ele lamentou o surto de Covid-19 enfrentado pelo clube, que ainda teve outros 11 colaboradores infectados, mas destacou que os atletas disponíveis terão oportunidade.

>> Confira a tabela do Paulistão 2021 e simule os próximos jogos

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– O importante é sabermos que a dificuldade de alguns é a oportunidade de outros. Ninguém quer pegar, mas o vírus está solto no ar. Temos que ser responsáveis, porque também temos uma família atrás da gente. Infelizmente tivemos essa lista de oito jogadores, ninguém está livre de pegar, essa é a verdade. Aqueles que estão aqui são os que vão enfrentar o Palmeiras – disse Mancini ao elenco antes do treino.

O Corinthians confirmou 19 casos de Covid-19 nesta terça-feira, sendo oito são jogadores e 11 colaboradores. Entre os atletas estão os goleiros Cássio e Guilherme, o zagueiro Raul Gustavo, os laterais Fagner e Fábio Santos, os meias Gabriel e Ramiro e o atacante Cauê.

Com os desfalques, a provável escalação do Corinthians para o Dérbi tem: Matheus Donelli (Caíque França); Bruno Méndez, Jemerson, Gil e Lucas Piton; Xavier e Cantillo; Mateus VItal, Cazares e Otero; Léo Natel (Jô ou Rodrigo Varanda). O clássico será realizado nesta quarta-feira, às 19h, na Neo Química Arena, pela segunda rodada do Campeonato Paulista.

Carlos Corberan will have been given apt time to reassess his West Bromwich Albion side after their 2-0 defeat to Norwich City last weekend, with no Championship game on the agenda for the Baggies up next.

Instead, he will be begging for his players to be more up for the test of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup, a Black Country Derby match taking place this Sunday lunchtime in a potentially fierce contest at the Hawthorns.

If Corberan's Baggies are turned over by their Premier League rivals, many of the West Brom first-teamers could well be on the chopping block with the Spaniard already eyeing up a number of January additions.

Corberan wants to sign his next O'Brien

The West Midlands outfit are rumoured to be in for Birmingham City top asset Jordan James this month, as has been reported by Corriere Della Sera via Sport Witness.

Native to Italy, both Atalanta and Fiorentina are also keen on the breakout Blues star according to the report alongside further interest from the Premier League in Newcastle United, Brentford and Brighton emerging.

Corberan will hope West Brom can come out on top and win James' services despite all this fervent interest, the former Huddersfield Town boss landing his next Lewis O'Brien in the process who was so crucial to his past promotion-chasing Terriers side before both parties went their separate ways.

How Lewis O'Brien compares to Jordan James

Straight off the bat, both central midfielders unquestionably have an eye for goal.

Across his extensive Championship career to date, O'Brien has netted eight second-tier goals with all of them coming during his spell with the Terriers – helping himself to six goal contributions during the 2021/22 season that saw Corberan's men dare to dream in the Playoff Final before eventually falling short.

Lewis O'Brien's record under Carlos Corberan

Games

92

Goals

6

Assists

6

Yellow cards

15

Minutes played

7,853'

Stats via Transfermarkt.

James, who has already amassed 79 Championship appearances for Birmingham even whilst still only being 19 years of age, is only one goal off O'Brien's goal output already at the level with six of those strikes coming this season despite being in an out-of-sorts Blues team.

The teenage sensation has been a constant bright spark even when dark clouds have regularly hung over proceedings at St Andrew's by proving to be a vital member of the squad by playing in attacking midfield, defensive midfield and even on the right wing when necessary.

That same ability to be adaptable made O'Brien a fixed first-teamer under Corberan at Huddersfield, the Baggies boss seeing similarities between the current Middlesbrough loanee and the 19-year-old Birmingham midfielder – Corberan even throwing O'Brien into the deep-end as a centre-forward on one rare occasion.

Once branded as a "tremendous asset" by ex-Blues manager Lee Bowyer when first making waves with the club at just 17 years of age, this buy would really strengthen a threadbare Baggies squad with Corberan hoping James' presence can help West Brom consolidate a playoff spot.

With O'Brien falling at the final hurdle whilst playing for Huddersfield – one match away from Premier League football with Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest unfortunately spoiling the day at Wembley – the West Brom manager will hope lightning doesn't strike twice and signing the young Welshman can spearhead a glorious promotion to the top-flight.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em meio as incertezas por conta do Campeonato Paulista, o presidente do Guarani, Ricardo Moisés resolveu conceder uma entrevista de imprensa e abordou sobre diversos temas.

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O principal foi sobre os prejuízos que a paralisação do futebol pode trazer ao clube nos próximos dias. Sereno, o dirigente deu a visão do Bugre.

‘O Guarani treina normalmente, pronto para qualquer jogo que seja marcado. Estamos conversando com Federação Paulista e, a princípio, o próximo jogo do Guarani será dia 31. Não existe nenhuma previsão ainda e conversa sobre realizar jogos do Guarani em outros estados antes do dia 31. Então a conversa com o elenco é para estar pronto, preparado para jogar a qualquer momento, mas a princípio apenas dia 31’, declarou, antes de completar:

‘Você vê diversos clubes com problemas financeiros, atraso de pagamento de salários de jogadores e funcionários, então extremamente prejudicial não só para os clubes, mas para o futebol como um todo no Brasil. Você vê prejuízo também para a categoria de base, onde as competições também estão suspensas. E uma situação muito delicada e difícil. Não existe plano B caso a paralisação continue por mais tempo’, completou.

+ Conmebol define valores que vai pagar fase a fase na Libertadores 2021. Veja as quantias até o título!

Classificação

Com a paralisação do estadual, o Guarani aparece na vice-liderança da chave D, com 5 pontos conquistados. O Mirassol, líder, tem 8 pontos.

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It's safe to say that Tottenham Hotspur supporters are generally contented with the club's transfer business this month, with Ange Postecoglou welcoming two exciting new signings to boost the chances of success this season.

Spurs are fifth in the Premier League this season and lurk just three points away from third- and fourth-placed sides Arsenal and Aston Villa, having captured the awe of many an onlooker this season with the fluency and fervour of their tactical approach.

Last season, a leaky defence was the crux of the issues under Antonio Conte's management and this has largely been rectified with several influential additions since last summer, having completed the £27m transfer of Radu Dragusin earlier in January to solidify the backline's strength.

The loan capture of dynamic forward Timo Werner has added some much-needed oomph to the offence too, with the focus now shifted to the midfield. Right?

Spurs' January transfer targets

Wrong. While Spurs continue to probe for a new star in the centre of the park – The Athletic's David Ornstein believes progress could still be made this month – the signing of Club Brugge winger Antonio Nusa appears to have taken precedence down N17.

And now, according to TEAMtalk, Nusa is indeed Postecoglou's priority target heading into the final stretch of the transfer window, with the club 'confident' of sealing a late move for the teenager, valued at £25m by his Belgian outfit.

Levy will not be pleased to hear of Newcastle United's desire to hijack the deal and this only accentuates the necessity of Daniel Levy tying up talks swiftly.

Antonio Nusa's style of play

Nusa would certainly open up a new dimension to the Spurs attacking efforts. Heung-min Son is deadly; Dejan Kulusevski adroit and energetic; Richarlison revived as a goal threat after an interminable period of ineffectiveness.

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The 5 foot 11 Nusa is breakneck brilliance and awe-inspiring speed, earning acclaim for his knack at progressing the ball up the channels and into the danger area with speed and snap, annoyingly but rather aptly handed the moniker 'Norwegian Neymar' in his homeland.

While such comparisons are rarely conducive to success, Nusa does offer something that Tottenham don't really have, ranking among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across divisions similar to the Belgian Pro League for goals scored, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and successful take-ons and the top 3% for touches in the attacking box per 90, as per FBref.

In his footballing infancy at 18 years old, Nusa has been hampered by back injuries this season but has still posted three goals and two assists across six starting appearances in the Belgian top-flight, heralded for his "special" beginning by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

As per Sofascore, the four-cap Norway international has complemented his league return this season with an 81% pass success rate, an average 1.2 key passes, 2.7 dribbles, 1.1 tackles and 3.3 ball recoveries per game and success in 54% of his contested ground duels – the latter metric most impressive for a young attacking prospect.

Speaking of Tottenham's interest and the impression made on Postecoglou, journalist Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – recently revealed that Nusa is considered an essential get down N17.

The transfer insider said: "Nusa is one that I've heard a lot more about, and I know that his style of play has captivated them in recent times. What this guy can do on the ball is absolutely ridiculous, but he's also got a real work rate about him. The age that he’s at means he can still be moulded to fit what Postecoglou is going to want from someone in that front line over the coming years."

Nusa's application and drive to progress the play into the danger area could make him the perfect partner for Son, who has demonstrated his skill as a centre-forward this season to some effect.

Antonio Nusa would be perfect for Heung-min Son

Son has scored goals for fun since signing for Tottenham from German side Bayer Leverkusen in a £22m deal back in 2015, netting 157 times across 393 appearances.

With Kane signing for Bayern Munich in the summer, however, the South Korean star was called to play in a centre-forward role, away from his natural placement on the left wing, and he has done so to resounding success, clinching nine goals and two assists from 12 matches up top.

Player

Club

Apps

Chances created

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

20 (0)

17

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool

18 (1)

12

Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

20 (0)

11

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal

20 (0)

11

Kieran Trippier

Newcastle United

19 (0)

10

Source: Premier League

As can be seen from his chance creation this season, the 31-year-old is not just a goalscorer and could work in a state of flux with Nusa, should the teenager complete a move to Tottenham in 2024.

Nusa's ability to carry the ball into the final third and breeze past defenders with ease is something that could allow Son to drift into space and unleash strikes on goal with regularity, already taking 2.6 shots per match in the top-flight this term.

In turn, a player of such blistering pace would find a creative outlet such as Son something that would only enhance his prospects of success on the major stage, a guide, conduit even, allowing the precocious talent to move inexorably toward a position of power at the forefront of the global game.

علق جوزيه جوميز المدير الفني لفريق الزمالك، على فوز الأبيض اليوم أمام الشرطة الكيني في إياب دور الـ32 من الكونفدرالية، ومواجهة الأهلي المقبلة في السوبر الإفريقي.

وتأهل الزمالك لدور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، بعد الفوز على الشرطة الكيني بنتيجة 2-1 في إياب دور الـ32 للبطولة، بعد الفوز بالذهاب بهدف نظيف.

وقال جوميز في تصريحات خلال المؤتمر الصحفي: “أهدرنا فرصتين في الشوط الأول ولعبنا بعصبية، والأداء كان أفضل في الشوط الثاني وسجلنا هدفين، والزمالك كان يستحق الفوز والتأهل لدور المجموعات”.

وتابع: “أحترم أراء الجميع، وخضنا مباراة العودة بشكل أفضل من لقاء الذهاب، خاصة وأن اللاعبين واجهوا صعوبات في لقاء الذهاب بسبب نقص الأكسجين، واشتكى بعضهم في مباراة الذهاب”.

وواصل: “خلقنا فرص كافية لكي نؤكد أننا استحقينا الفوز بالمباراة، وهناك فرص لم نستخدمها الاستخدام الصحيح، الجيد في الأمر أننا خلقنا فرص، ولكن جعلنا المنافس يسجل هدف من ضربة حرة، وكان من السهل إبعاد الكرة وسنعمل على عدم تلقي الأهداف بهذا الشكل”.

وأكمل: “أداء الفريق يتحسن تدريجياً، ولدي ثقة في قدرات اللاعبين على تحقيق نتيجة إيجابية في لقاء السوبر الإفريقي أمام الأهلي المقرر لها يوم الجمعة المقبل”.

طالع | موعد مباراة الزمالك القادمة أمام الأهلي بعد الفوز على الشرطة في الكونفدرالية

واستطرد: “لدينا بعض المشاكل ولكن ليست في وسط الملعب ونعمل على حلها، ولدي ثقة في لاعبي فريقي كما أكدت وسنبذل قصارى جهدنا في لقاء الأهلي في مباراة السوبر الإفريقي”.

وفيما يخص الإصابات التي تعرض لها بعض لاعبي الفريق، أوضح: “جميع الإصابات التي حدثت عبارة عن كدمات بسبب طريقة لعب الفريق الكيني ولا توجد إصابات عضلية، بعض الإصابات كدمات وهذا جزء من كرة القدم”.

واختتم: “اللاعبون سيخضعون لعمليات الاستشفاء وسيكونون أفضل غدًا إن شاء الله، واللاعبون الوافدون قادرون على المشاركة ولكن سنرى إذا كانوا جاهزين لذلك أم لا”.

Liverpool have turned the calendar year in a commanding position: first-placed in the Premier League, into the Europa League round-of-16 stage and awaiting a semi-final tie against Fulham in the Carabao Cup.

Jurgen Klopp must be delighted, not least because of the transformative effect that his sweeping summer changes have had on the midfield, sparking life, energy and ferociousness back into the team.

Last season, a fifth-placed finish was the result of a terrible, wayward campaign, and while a late-season purple patch gave sanguine supporters cause for genuine optimism for the year ahead, it was a setback unlike anything previously seen during the German's illustrious reign.

But where are Liverpool now? Is Anfield impregnable to the degree of the golden years that brought silver-laden success to the city? It's getting there. But more work needs to be done to consolidate this restored position of power and, as such, 2024 will be a crucial year on the transfer front.

Liverpool transfer news – Hwang Hee-chan

The Reds will be expected to bolster this month, with much on the line in 2023/24, and Joel Matip's season-ending ACL injury in December should see Klopp move for a defensive addition.

But the ever-shrewd manager is still planning ahead, with Football Insider recently revealing that Liverpool have set their sights on Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Hwang Hee-chan, with scouts blown away by the South Korean's performances this season.

Hwang was rewarded with a new long-term contract at Molineux only weeks ago and a January transfer would be difficult to complete, but the Reds – alongside Tottenham Hotspur – will be attentive to his efforts throughout the remainder of the season ahead of a possible summer approach.

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Hwang Hae-chan's season in numbers

Recently remarked to be “oozing confidence” by one Sky Sports pundit, Hwang has reached a new level in his game and is one of the Premier League's individual success stories thus far, having been the talismanic force to ensure that Wolves have avoided the mere hint of a relegation battle over these past few months.

As per Sofascore, the £70k-per-week forward has plundered ten goals and three assists from only 17 starts in the English top-flight, having scored eight league goals across his previous two campaigns on English shores.

With Wolves currently 11th in the Premier League – 13 points clear of the drop zone – after 20 matches, Gary O'Neil's side have been fantastic, defying the odds after many considered the Old Gold to be among the relegation favourites after Julen Lopetegui's acrimonious departure right before the start of the season.

Hwang has played an instrumental role, with his league tally currently surpassing the likes of in-form forwards such as Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak (both on nine).

Hwang Hee-chan's style of play

Standing at 5 foot 10, Hwang is a powerful forward with bundles of energy and a slick dribbling style that allows him to find success across a range of roles for his side.

While he has often been used as a centre-forward this term, the 27-year-old is competent across the frontline and offers a two-footed ability that makes for a nightmare for defenders, who know that he could pounce from multiple angles.

Affectionately known as "The Bull" by those close to him throughout his career, Hwang can be imposing on his day through a tenacious desire to drive forward into openings, and with the goals coming his way this season, the consequent boost of confidence allows for him to be all the more destructive in key moments.

Skilful and accurate in his passing, with clever decision-making to boot, Hwang could be signed for Liverpool as the heir to Roberto Firmino's former position in the squad, with the 31-year-old ending years of servitude at Anfield in 2023.

How Hwang compares to Bobby Firmino

While Hwang plied his trade in Germany with Leipzig, he failed to reach the past heights in Austria that had led one-time teammate Erling Haaland to call him "absolutely crazy", but received praise for his style of play nonetheless.

In a profile piece on the player, the Bundesliga official website claimed that he offers similarities in playing style to Liverpool icon Firmino, highlighting his positional fluidity, partnered with fleet-footedness, intelligence and an impressive ability to exploit space.

Firmino, who made 362 appearances for Liverpool and scored 111 goals and provided 79 assists, left on a free transfer in the summer as a club legend, having been a pivotal component of a deadly strikeforce that won the full sweep of silverware under Klopp's management.

On top of his newfound prolificness, the 59-cap South Korea international ranks among the top 14% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, successful take-ons and tackles, the top 7% for interceptions and the top 2% for blocks per 90, as per FBref.

Firmino, when Liverpool won the Premier League in 2019/20, offered skills that can be compared to Hwang's current metrics, corroborating the aforementioned comparison.

PL: Roberto Firmino (19/20) vs Hwang Hee-chan (23/24)
Stat (per 90)	Firmino	Hwang
Matches played	38	20
Goals	0.27	0.62
Assists	0.24	0.19
Shot-creating actions	3.43	2.11
Progressive passes	3.34	1.68
Progressive carries	2.71	1.80
Successful take-ons	1.57	1.93
Tackles	1.11	0.87
Blocks	1.02	1.06
Interceptions	0.21	0.50
*Sourced via FBref

So what can be drawn between the respective players' statistics? Well, while Hwang is performing in a side with less offensive freedom, he has surpassed Firmino's goalscoring touch quite considerably, and though he is not as creative as the Brazilian – who has been praised for his "velvet" touches by Jamie Redknapp in the past – there is much to admire.

Especially so given that Hwang was even remarked to have once sent star Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk "out for a hot dog", weaving and sparkling magic onto Anfield's grass to score a brilliant consolation goal in the Champions League for RB Salzburg several years ago.

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Liverpool will continue to monitor Hwang – who is jetting off to compete at the Asia Cup this month – until the end of the campaign, and while Klopp boasts a formidable strikeforce, he could ice the cake ahead of a fruitful new era at Anfield.

The Premier League's winter break could not have come at a better time for Arsenal this season, as despite spending Christmas Day in first place, back-to-back league losses to West Ham United and Fulham have seen them fall to fourth, and worse still, they crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

While the attack has been getting most of the criticism, and quite fairly so, the midfield has also looked off compared to just a month ago, so it shouldn't be a huge surprise to see the Gunners being linked to players like Amadou Onana this month.

However, the latest name touted for a move to Mikel Arteta's side has been compared to one of the all-time greats and could be the perfect alternative to the Belgian: Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi.

Arsenal transfer news – Martín Zubimendi

According to Spanish reports (via The Mirror), Arsenal have maintained their interest in Sociedad's exciting young midfielder and could now be willing to pay the £50m it will take to activate his release clause.

Alongside the hefty price tag, the Gunners will have to deal with some competition, as La Liga giants Barcelona are also said to be keen on the star's signature.

However, the north Londoners might have a slight advantage given the Catalan club's well-publicised financial issues over the last few years.

That said, with FFP reportedly a concern for Arsenal as well, it would likely be one or the other between Onana and Zubimendi, in which case, the latter would arguably be a better option.

The stats to show why Zubimendi could be the perfect alternative to Onana

Now, as a young midfielder, there are few comparisons more flattering than Toni Kroos.

The modern-day Real Madrid legend has won all there is to win in the game and done so while playing some of the most aesthetically pleasing football of the last decade.

However, the German great is precisely who football talent scout Jacek Kulig chose to compare the Sociedad ace with, citing his impressive vision, tactical intelligence, passing, and technique as key reasons.

Kulig isn't alone in seeing the similarities either, as the CIES Football Observatory put both players in their list of the top ten holding midfielders in Europe for 2023.

One player who did not feature in their list was one of Arsenal's other midfield targets: Everton's Onana.

Now, that isn't to say that the Belgian isn't a great player – you only have to watch him to see is potential – but it does show that there is a level of expectation around Zubimendi that he could well go on to become one of the greats.

Moreover, when you compare the pair's underlying numbers, it's hard not to favour the "heart of La Real's midfield", as dubbed by Kulig.

Stats per 90

Zubimendi

Onana

Progressive Passes

4.80

4.73

Progressive Carries

1.40

0.96

Shots on Target

0.45

0.27

Goals per Shot on Target

0.50

0.25

Passing Accuracy

85.0%

84.0%

Tackles Won

0.89

1.71

Blocks

1.06

0.89

Interceptions

1.17

0.62

Clearances

1.90

1.03

All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season

The "incredible" Spaniard, as described by U23 scout Antonio Mango, produces more progressive passes and carries per 90, is far more of a goal threat with his accurate shooting, is a more reliable passer, and in every defensive metric bar tackles won, he comes out ahead of Onana.

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At the end of the day, both players would be fantastic additions to the Arsenal team, but the ceiling with Zubimendi seems to be just that bit higher, and his performances over the last two seasons match that.

“This won’t be as fun as when I was playing,” quipped Brad Haddin as he dropped into the chair that was set up in front of cameras and journalists in the Ageas Bowl indoor school ahead of Australia’s warm-up match against England.Whether it was fun or not, it was hardly surprising that Haddin’s first press conference for Australia ahead of the Men’s World Cup was punctuated by questions surrounding Australia’s much-vaunted change in team culture and the team’s likely reception by English fans. The former vice-captain was renowned as one of Australia’s most combative players, particularly towards the end of his career, a period which has come under scrutiny in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal.Barmy Army songs? Heckling from the crowd? All welcome, insisted the current fielding coach.”I’d be disappointed if the England crowd weren’t involved in the game,” Haddin said. “One of the pleasures I had in my career was the theatre of touring to England and when the Barmy Army come out to Australia and what it brings to the game.”The one thing I have noticed is that they still respect good cricket. They’ll still have their songs and their fun, but I have never known an English crowd not respect a good hundred or a five-for or a good performance in the field. It’s something for me, personally, it was great part of coming to England. It was fun. We don’t get a lot of that sort of crowd in Australia so the guys are very excited.”Haddin brushed aside questions about his own conduct around the 2015 final against New Zealand, during which he was memorably involved in ‘send-offs’ to Grant Elliott and Martin Guptill, and his joking comments that “they deserved it”, pointing out that no charges were made by the ICC.When one journalist suggested Haddin was well-known for his sledging abilities, he laughed in response.”Beg your pardon?” he replied, with a hint of self-deprecating incredulity.”You want a contest out there, that doesn’t have to be verbalised. That’s the way you present yourself with your body, the way you create that environment, you can create that environment with the presence you set. All anyone wants is a fair contest and I think every time Australia play England, we all know we’re going to get one hell of a great contest.”I know the guys are excited about the World Cup and we will play the cricket we always play. There’ll be a contest out in the field. But as we know probably better than anyone else, there are places you can go and places that you can’t. I hope they are smiling. It’s a huge event the World Cup and if they are not smiling it will be disappointing. We’ll be encouraging them to smile and compete.”Along with Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer’s choice of Haddin as assistant and fielding coach gives the players in the side a wealth of World Cup experience upon which to draw, and they have taken advantage of that fact.”Yeah it’s been good, just informally,” Haddin said. “We’ve had a pretty big lead into this whether it’s just over a coffee – you’ve got a lot of time on the team bus in the UK to get around with the players. You’ve got obviously Ricky’s experience, I think he’s been to five and I myself have been to three, but there’s also that we all played different roles.”I remember my first World Cup I had the time of my life in 2007, didn’t play a game but that still felt just as good as it did when I played in 2015. So it’s just sharing those experiences and the boys are as clear as they possibly can be. If they have got any questions, no question is too silly. Leading into that first game [it’s important] they’ve got a really clear mind of the expectations of a World Cup.”

Just as jostling for places has made England’s batting line-up a force, the bowlers are now having to lift their game

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2019Jofra Archer’s arrival has injected a healthy boost in competition among England’s bowling ranks, according to Chris Woakes.Woakes said jostling for places in England’s batting line-up over recent years had led to a situation where they now make mammoth targets appear infinitely achievable. Just look at their second-highest successful run chase to win the third ODI against Pakistan without their best white-ball batsman – the resting Jos Buttler – on Tuesday. And he believed the same could be said of the bowlers now that Archer had entered the mix.”The batters have obviously set the benchmark over the last few years, there’s always been competition for places there – more so maybe than the bowling – and this, I suppose, has done the same for the bowlers,” Woakes said. “It’s always good to have competition, at international level, that’s always going to be the case, so yeah, I think it’s been a good thing.”Archer was not named in England’s preliminary World Cup squad but, having been rested after just one T20I and two ODI performances against Ireland and Pakistan – earmarked by selectors as auditions for the West Indies-born fast bowler since he qualified to represent England – indications are that they have seen enough to justify his late inclusion.When asked previously, Woakes’ attitude towards Archer coming into the World Cup squad at the expense of a player who had helped England become the No. 1 one-day side could perhaps best be described as pragmatic.”Fair probably is not the right word,” Woakes told the BBC in April on the eve of Archer’s inclusion in the squads to face Ireland and Pakistan. “It probably wouldn’t be fair morally, but at the same time it’s the nature of international sport.”Chris Woakes celebrates an early breakthrough•Getty Images

Woakes’ performance against Pakistan in Bristol was a timely reminder of his credentials ahead of the selectors finalising England’s World Cup squad next week. Until his 4 for 67 off 10 overs on Tuesday, Woakes’ only multiple-wicket hauls during his comeback from knee tendinitis were 2 for 59 in the Caribbean in February and 3 for 47 in a Royal London Cup game for Warwickshire.”I felt better with the new ball today [Tuesday] in particular, so hopefully that’s a good sign,” Woakes said.Asked after the match if he felt that his own World Cup place was safe, however, Woakes replied: “Safe, safe is probably not the word, but you always feel like you need to put in performances and I’m pleased I managed to put in a good performance today. You hope you are safe, but I suppose until that squad’s selected you’re not. Hopefully I am, but we’ll see.”Nor was the talk among the other fast bowlers that Archer’s spot was safe.”I don’t know. We don’t sit down and pick our 15. We are here to do a job. That’s what we’ve done so far in this series,” Woakes said. “Everyone’s getting on with their work, trying to improve, as they always have done.”Today was a pretty good bowling performance. I think at one stage, when guys were set in, a score close to 400 was looking on. I think that’s the situation we will find ourselves in – we all know that every time we get a chance to perform, we try to take that with both hands and I think everyone’s feeling that same pressure.”The selectors, thankfully, have got the tough task of making the call. Someone, unfortunately, will miss out but we don’t sit in the dressing room talking about, ‘is it going to be me?’, ‘is it going to be you?’ I think everyone knows it’s there and it’s creating a good competitive edge to the team but we don’t talk about who is going to miss out and who is going to be selected.”