Ravi Shastri, the former India coach, would love to see Virat Kohli captaining India again should there be a need to step in, like there was last year when Rohit Sharma wasn’t available for the final Test of the England tour at Edgbaston.Kohli was India’s Test captain during that tour of England in the summer of 2021. But when the final Test of that series took place in the summer of 2022, after the Covid-19 outbreak within the camp postponed it by a year, Kohli had resigned as Test captain under acrimonious circumstances, with Rohit taking over.However, Rohit’s unavailability for that one-off game forced the team management to pick another captain. According to Shastri, Kohli should have been the obvious choice given he had led the team in the first four Tests, but India handed a captaincy debut to Jasprit Bumrah.Related

• Virat Kohli at RCB: Witnessing a hero in the flesh

• Shastri backs Rahane's inclusion in WTC final squad: 'In a one-off, you need your most experienced players'

“Once Rohit was injured, I thought Virat would captain,” Shastri told ESPNcricinfo on the show. “If I was still there – I’m sure Rahul [Dravid] might have done the same thing, I have not spoken to him – I would’ve recommended to the board that it’s only fair he leads because he was captain of the team that was leading 2-1 in the series and probably could have got the best [out of the team].”Kohli is currently leading Royal Challengers Bangalore as a stand-in captain at IPL 2023 as Faf du Plessis nurses a rib injury that has limited his participation only as a batter. Kohli has embraced leadership again, insisting it’s “nothing I’m not used to”.Does Shastri want Kohli to take over the top job should circumstances arise again, say for the WTC final? “If it’s for a major game like that, I want Rohit to be fit, he is the captain. But god forbid something happens under unforeseen circumstances, definitely I’ll look in that direction.”Shastri said Kohli was looking “damn chilled” and “relaxed” at IPL 2023. He currently sits second on the run charts behind du Plessis.”He’s in a very good space, enjoying his cricket,” Shastri said. “That’s the feeling I got as opposed to the last year when we were sitting and discussing does he need a break, does he not need a break. He seemed to have the burden of the whole world on his shoulders.”Now it’s refreshing. the enthusiasm, passionate energy and enjoyment have come back, which for me was the best thing to see. Runs you might or might not get but when you see someone, and the passion, enjoyment and drive is back again, it’s good.”

Plenty of Chelsea stars are featuring for their countries during the international break, with Pedro Neto and Marc Cucurella both playing in the Nations League on Thursday night and the likes of Reece James and Levi Colwill are involved in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad for England.

Cole Palmer has pulled out of the Three Lions squad, meanwhile, staying back at Cobham to recover from his injury setback, with the hope of being available for Chelsea’s first game back against Tottenham on April 3rd.

But it isn’t just the senior stars who are featuring for their countries on international duty this week, as four academy graduates all featured for England U19 this week in their 2-0 win over Wales.

Chelsea's U19 England stars

Three of Chelsea’s academy stars started in the game against Wales, with Josh Acheampong captaining the side, playing as a left-sided centre-back, which isn’t his natural position.

Kiano Dyer started in midfield alongside Newcastle star, Lewis Miley and Tyrique George started on the left.

George and Acheampong have both played multiple times for the first team this season, with the 19-year-old winger making 17 appearances this season, providing four assists and totalling 713 minutes played.

Meanwhile, Acheampong has made eight appearances, totalling 421 minutes played.

But there was a fourth Cobham star who featured against Wales in England’s U19 European Championship Qualifiers, who many fans are already very excited about, due to the high praise the youngster is already earning at such a young age.

Chelsea's own Osimhen & Aguero hybrid

Chelsea’s Shumaira Mheuka came from the bench against Wales for England U19 on Wednesday night, coming on for Manchester United’s Ethan Wheatley – who scored the other goal in England’s 2-0 victory – and netting in the 84th minute.

Mheuka has been labelled “Cobham’s Finest” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, stating the 17-year-old forward is a “jewel”.

The young striker has brilliant strength to initiate contact, often being able to ride challenges and bully defenders, even if they are slightly bigger than him. But he also has deceptive agility, especially inside the box, often crafting himself an extra half-yard of space to get shots off, much like Sergio Agüero.

This unique ability to shift the ball in tight spaces is extremely valuable for strikers in the Premier League, as they are able to create their own shooting opportunities, rather than relying on others to create chances for them, again reminiscent of Aguero, who was the master of creating his own shooting angles.

Whilst Mheuka has the ball-manipulation quality of an Aguero-type striker inside the box, he also possesses those physical traits of a Victor Osimhen, using his body to shield the ball and bully defenders inside the box. Chelsea has been linked with a move for Osimhen in recent windows, but Mheuka’s development could well save them a big chunk of change.

The 17-year-old is still developing physically, as well as technically, and if he continues to grow, adding some extra height to his advantage, his already strong base layer of physicality could become even more useful, making Mheuka a huge box presence in the Premier League.

Stat

Mheuka

Minutes

45

Touches

9

Accurate Passes

4/5

Ground Duels Won

0/1

Aerial Duels Won

0/2

The 17-year-old striker made his first full debut, starting against Copenhagen in the UEFA Conference League, before being subbed off at halftime for Christopher Nkunku. Mheuka was unable to get himself involved, barely getting any service, leading to his three lost duels and just nine touches in 45 minutes.

Mheuka has made 42 appearances for Chelsea’s academy across the U18 and U21 sides, scoring 19 goals, providing five assists and totalling 2,593 minutes played. He has also netted ten times for various England age groups, making 20 appearances from U15-U19.

Whilst he is still young and developing, many have the right to be excited about Mheuka, who has all the attributes of an excellent forward, with the physical levels required to play in the Premier League already developing nicely.

After Yamal: Chelsea can soon unleash the world's second-best wonderkid

The Chelsea youngster could emerge as a first-team option for Enzo Maresca next season.

ByDan Emery Mar 21, 2025

It will be a historic few months for David Moyes and Everton. The Toffees are all but guaranteed survival in the Premier League this season, sitting comfortably on 34 points in 15th in the table. In the long run, that will be vital.

A new era is afoot for one of England’s biggest clubs. The Merseysiders are set to leave Goodison Park and move to their new ground, Bramley Moore Dock, at the end of the campaign. The fact they will be playing top-flight football there is huge, for financial and footballing reasons.

Whilst Everton will look to build on this season in 2025/26, they might have to do so without star centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been linked with a move away.

The latest on Branthwaite's future

Toffees fans may be in for another turbulent summer when it comes to Branthwaite’s future. The defender was constantly linked with a move away in 2024, with Manchester United and Man City a reported destination, for as much as £60m.

As we now know, the England international ended up staying at Goodison Park but might not be at the club for the first season in the new stadium. Fresh reports from various outlets, including Sky Sports, suggest the defender could leave the club in 2025.

It’s stated that the defender is ‘expected to further consider his Everton future’ in the coming weeks and months. This comes after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, which could increase his chances of a departure.

Branthwaite will not be short of suitors. Sky suggests the centre-back is a target for Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Real Madrid have reportedly scouted him, and United are also believed to be interested still.

Replacing the 22-year-old won’t be easy. He’s played 90 minutes in every single one of Moyes’ games in charge so far and is a crucial part of a defense which has certainly improved under the Scot.

However, perhaps the replacement for Branthwaite is right in front of Everton’s eyes, in their academy.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The academy star who can replace Branthwaite

Everton have had plenty of success over the years from their academy. Wayne Rooney is, of course, the most famous example, but the likes of Leon Osman are also recent success stories from the Toffees’ youth system.

Well, perhaps Reece Welch will be the next in line to represent the academy in the first team. If Branthwaite departs the club, he could be the man to step into his shoes, with the young centre-back making a real impression in the youth sides.

This term, the 21-year-old has played 11 times at youth level, captaining the side in the Premier League 2 seven times, keeping two clean sheets in that time. He also spent the first half of the season on loan in Belgium, for KMSK Deinze, but played just three games.

However, the Huddersfield-born defender did enjoy a more successful loan spell last season with League 2 outfit Forest Green Rovers. Despite the struggles they endured, he played 23 times for the club and was a key part of their backline.

Indeed, the stats via Sofascore suggest that, although it was a struggle for the team, Welch more than held his own. Per 90 minutes, he completed 43.1 passes, made 3.5 tackles and interceptions and won three aerial duels per 90 minutes.

Minutes

68.5

1438

Passes

43.1

689

Long balls completed

3.3

52

Tackles and interceptions

3.5

55

Aerial duels won

3

48

Welch, who was described as a “special talent” by one tactical analyst, has already played for the Everton first team. With that being said, he only has two games and 65 minutes under his belt.

If Branthwaite did leave the club at the end of the season, Welch could be a ready-made replacement. He has already played first-team football at various levels and is a talented defender with the stats to back that theory up.

He could be the ideal option for the Toffees should their number 32 depart in the summer.

Moyes may already be staring Everton's very own Trent disaster in the face

Everton may lose one of their star players in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 26, 2025

Crystal Palace are now closely following a young forward who has been compared to Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, according to a report.

Palace making summer transfer plans

With 10 games left to play, Palace look set for a mid-table finish in the Premier League, but it could still be an exciting end to the campaign, with Oliver Glasner’s side just one game away from a trip to Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final.

While it would be a monumental achievement to potentially go on and win the FA Cup, Glasner will also be keen for his side to kick on and push for the European places next season, which means some additions could be required in the summer window.

With Will Hughes yet to sign a new contract, signing a midfielder may be necessary, and the Eagles are now eyeing a move to sign 20-year-old Royal Antwerp maestro Mahamadou Doumbia.

Crystal Palace offer £72,500-p/w contract to "outstanding" free signing

Palace are looking to get ahead in the race as they have submitted an offer to sign a player on a free transfer.

ByBrett Worthington Mar 6, 2025

It appears as though there could be a focus on bringing in talented youngsters this summer, as Glasner’s side have also emerged as shock contenders to sign Wolfsburg defender Konstantinos Koulierakis, who could cost around £42m.

Not only are Palace eyeing young defenders and midfielders, but they have also been closely following 18-year-old FC Nordsjaelland forward Sindre Walle Egeli, according to a report from The Boot Room.

The teenager is attracting a lot of attention from across Europe, having put in some impressive performances in Denmark, with the likes of Newcastle United, Atalanta, Liverpool and Everton also expressing an interest.

The Eagles are one of a number of Premier League clubs to have watched the youngster in action this season, and reports elsewhere have revealed Nordsjaelland could be looking for a fee of at least £21m to sanction his departure.

"Absolute star" Egeli likened to Griezmann

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has bestowed very high praise upon the young Norwegian, describing him as an “absolute star of each age category since the U-15 level”, while also likening him to Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann.

Although the right-winger is still only 18-years-old, he has emerged as a key player for Nordsjaelland, picking up six goals and four assists in the Superliga this season, recently adding to his tally with a well-taken header against Vejle BK.

Palace have done a fantastic job recruiting talented youngsters in recent times, with Adam Wharton establishing himself as a key player for Glasner, and there are plenty of indications the Nordsjaelland star could be in the same category.

قال إنزو ماريسكا مدرب تشيلسي، إنه سيتم اتخاذ قرار بشأن موقف أحد لاعبي الفريق قبل لقاء بالميراس في ربع نهائي كأس العالم للأندية.

وقد شارك روميو لافيا في مباريات تشيلسي الأربع في الولايات المتحدة لكن ماريسكا أكد أن البلجيكي تعرض لإصابة عضلية طفيفة خلال الفوز على بنفيكا وسيتم اتخاذ قرار بشأنه.

أقرأ أيضاً..سببان وراء اهتمام أرسنال بالتعاقد مع جناح تشيلسي

وقال ماريسكا في مؤتمر صحفي حول لافيا :”سنحاول، لقد عانى من مشكلة بسيطة في نهاية المباراة ضد بنفيكا، إنها مجرد مشكلة عضلية وسنرى ما إذا كان جاهزاً وإلا سنجد حلولا مختلفة”.

وأضاف حول جواو بيدرو الذي انضم لتشيلسي وأنهى إجازته الصيفية للعب مع الفريق قبل مباراة ربع النهائي:”وضع بيدرو مختلف، كان في إجازة وحتى لو كان يتدرب فالعمل بمفردك يختلف عن العمل مع الفريق”.

وواصل :”نحن سعداء جداً بجواو خلال اليومين الماضيين والذين تدرب فيهما معنا، سنرى إن كنا بحاجة له غداً وإذا أتيحت لنا فرصة منحه بعض الدقائق سنمنحه هذه الدقائق”.

وكان ماريسكا قد قام بتعديل دور كول بالمر في الملعب على الجانب الأيسر بدلاً من مركزه التقليدي خلف المهاجم وأجاب حول ذلك :”يستطيع بالمر اللعب في كلا الجانبين”.

وختم :”لعب ضد بنفيكا على الجانب الأيسر، ولعب في الأيمن بعض الأوقات، أتذكر مباراة نيوكاسل على أرضنا لعب في الجانب الأيسر”.

Jatin Kashyap has 14 days to respond to the charges, which relate to the 2022 Asia Cup Qualifiers

ESPNcricinfo staff22-May-2023

Jatin Kashyap, an Indian umpire, has been charged by the ICC with breaching two counts of the Anti-Corruption Code. Kashyap has 14 days from May 19 to respond to the charges, which relate to international games in 2022.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Kashyap, who is based in Bathinda, Punjab, was charged with attempting to corrupt players taking part in the 2022 Asia Cup Qualifiers in Oman. It is understood Kashyap is a local umpire from India and not on the ICC panel of match officials. While he was not officiating in the tournament, the ICC’s anti-corruption unit had the authority to launch an investigation because it was an international event.According to an ICC statement, Kashyap had been charged with breaching articles 2.4.6 and 2.4.7 of the code.They relate to “failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Unit’s (ACU) investigation in relation to possible Corrupt Conduct under the Code, including (without limitation) failing to provide accurately and completely any information and/or documentation requested by the ACU (whether as part of a formal Demand pursuant to Article 4.3 or otherwise) as part of such investigation” and “obstructing or delaying the ACU’s investigation in relation to possible Corrupt Conduct under the Code, including (without limitation) concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct under the Code.”

Sri Lanka sail through into the Super Six stage, along with Scotland and Oman

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Jun-2023Ireland won the toss, made a double-strike in the ninth over of Sri Lanka’s innings, and took 6 for 44 in their last six overs. But so comprehensively did Sri Lanka win the other portions of this match, that they trounced Ireland by 133 runs, bowling them out for 192 after they had made 325.This means that Sri Lanka sail through into the Super Six stage of the World Cup Qualifier, along with Scotland and Oman from their group. Sri Lanka will carry forward their points from their big win against Oman. They play Scotland on Tuesday and the winner of that match will pick up two more points for the next round.Ireland, meanwhile, have been knocked out of contention for the ODI World Cup. They still have one match to play, against UAE, but both those sides have already been ruled out.For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga got his third five-wicket haul in as many matches, while Dimuth Karunaratne brought up his maiden ODI hundred, having made four successive half-centuries in the lead-up.Both players’ places in Sri Lanka’s top XI were not secure. While Hasaranga is a T20I star, he had not quite translated that into ODI glory. Karunaratne, meanwhile, had been Sri Lanka’s most consistent Test batter of the last five years but had not excelled in white-ball cricket.Wanindu Hasaranga celebrates after dismissing Gareth Delany•ICC/Getty ImagesThis recent run of half-centuries and now this run-a-ball 103 will make Karunaratne a more serious World Cup prospect, while Hasaranga’s 5 for 79 puts him at 16 wickets in the tournament – easily the top wicket-taker.Karunaratne’s contribution was arguably more instrumental to the victory. After Barry McCarthy took two wickets in two balls in the ninth over, Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama built a 168-run stand. This partnership – in which the batters largely picked up risk-free singles and twos and pounced on the loose deliveries, particularly those that were short – forged Sri Lanka’s victory. Samarawickrama was dropped on 66, at mid-on, and he went on to make 82 off 86 balls.Karunaratne and Samarawickrama came together in the ninth over; when they were parted in the 36th, with 216 on the board, a score of more than 300 seemed inevitable. Their attack, which has not conceded 200 so far in the tournament, will go into the Super Six stage as perhaps the best on show.Even if it had been too little too late – so thoroughly did Karunaratne and Samarawickrama dominate the middle overs – Ireland’s late charge with the ball did dent Sri Lanka. They could have made 20 more, Dasun Shanaka said in the after-innings interview, but the lower order was dismissed cheaply.The top order, though, had got Sri Lanka through once again, and the bowling was dominant enough to make short work of the Ireland chase. Ireland were 57 for 3 in the 11th over, 116 for 6 by the 20th, and essentially never had the measure of the chase.Aside from Hasaranga’s five, Maheesh Theekshana got two wickets, and Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara and Shanaka took one each. Curtis Campher top-scored for Ireland with 39.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta quinta-feira, o Fortaleza anunciou a chegada do atacante Pedro Rocha, que iniciou a temporada no Athletico.

O acordo foi costurado de maneira rápida e contou com a ajuda do atleta, que pertencia ao Spartak Moscou-RUS e quebrou o seu contrato na Rússia para chegar ao Leão.

De acordo com as informações do Fortaleza, o clube cearense adquiriu 20% dos direitos federativos do atleta e assinou contrato até dezembro de 2023.

Último jogo

A última partida oficial de Pedro Rocha ocorreu no dia 12 de julho, quando defendeu o Athletico diante do Bahia, em jogo da Copa do Brasil.

Ficha Técnica:

Nome: Pedro Rocha Neves
Nascimento: 01/10/1994 (27 anos)
Naturalidade: Vila Velha (ES)
Posição: Atacante
Clubes: Athletico-PR, Spartak Moscou, Flamengo, Cruzeiro, Grêmio, Juventus.

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While Trent Alexander-Arnold’s name is dominating the news at the moment, it’s important to remember that he’s not the only Liverpool player expected to leave this summer.

Though Arne Slot’s side are heading toward the Premier League title, there’s little question that the Reds need to make a series of changes to challenge across the biggest fronts in the years to come.

There aren’t many Redmen who need to leave this summer, but you’d have to say that Darwin Nunez is one of them.

Darwin Nunez has reached the end

When Nunez arrived at Liverpool in the balmy summer of 2022, anticipation was rife. Nearly three years on, there’s an overwhelming sense of resignation as Nunez reaches the end of his time at Anfield.

Across 136 appearances, the 25-year-old has scored 40 goals and provided 24 assists, which isn’t a bad tally unto itself, but when considering £85m was forked out for Nunez’s signature, it makes for grim reading.

Moreover, he’s missed 53 big chances in the Premier League since his debut, a staggering number, made worse by the fact he’s only bagged 25 goals in the division, as per Sofascore.

Having come close to leaving for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in January, the £140k-per-week striker’s day may be done sooner rather than later, especially with Liverpool getting ready to sign a new number nine.

Nunez’s day is done, sadly. However, he’s not the only member of Slot’s frontline who’s in the firing line this summer.

Slot must cash in on struggling Liverpool star

As Liverpool settle into the Slot era, it’s time for changes to be made. Federico Chiesa is the only player to be welcomed through Anfield’s gates so far, and he was a cut-price, low-risk addition at that.

Nunez has been reduced to a bit-part role this year and patently needs a change of scenery to scramble back into the limelight, but he’s not the only one toiling.

Indeed, Mohamed Salah can only carry so much, and Diogo Jota’s long-standing injury issues appear to have finally caught up with him, for he has endured a torrid run of form over the past several months.

The Portugal international, 28, is typically an elite-standard marksman, breathtaking in the consistency of his finishing. But his skill has deserted him. In fact, Jota has gone 11 matches in all competitions without scoring a single goal.

Below, take a look at Liverpool’s highest earners in a table which excludes the ‘big three’ who are all out of contract this summer.

1.

Andy Robertson

31

£160k-per-week

2.

Alisson Becker

32

£150k-per-week

2=

Alexis Mac Allister

26

£150k-per-week

2=

Ryan Gravenberch

22

£150k-per-week

2=

Federico Chiesa

27

£150k-per-week

6.

Darwin Nunez

25

£140k-per-week

6=

Diogo Jota

28

£140k-per-week

Nestled at the bottom, Jota and Nunez. The former has been a staple of Liverpool’s journey over the past several years, signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £45m in 2020, right after Premier League and Champions League titles had been conquered.

Earning £140k per week, Jota has actually raked in over £30m – and cost £75m in total – since joining Liverpool and while he’s deserved his pay packet, it’s not exactly small. If he can no longer produce the goods to his former level, it becomes unjustifiable.

Indeed, Sky Germany reported at the start of the month that Jota has been made expendable by FSG, joining Nunez on that list. BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan has acknowledged Jota has a “deadly” strike, but that it has sadly abandoned him right now.

Though it seems improbable that Liverpool will make sweeping changes across the frontline, selling Nunez and Jota would free up ample room for investment, perhaps freshening the ranks with two additions who could fire Slot’s project even further into the ascendancy.

Better than Kerkez: Liverpool join the race for "world-class" £50m LB

Liverpool are ready to spend big in the transfer market this summer.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Mar 28, 2025

India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan and a few other contracted players will check into the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru next week for strength and conditioning related work ahead of the full tour against West Indies. India will play two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is against West Indies starting July 12, for which Rohit Sharma’s team is slated to depart on July 3.Normally, when there is a gap between two international series, the centrally-contracted and targeted players, who are not a part of any domestic tournaments, are called at the NCA to have an update on their fitness status.With the Duleep Trophy scheduled to be held entirely in Bengaluru from June 28 and the final to be played from July 12-16, Kishan had opted out of the season-opening domestic red-ball tournament.Related

• Shastri wants two left-handers in India's top six for the ODI World Cup

• Rishabh Pant's recovery progressing faster than expected

• India to begin next WTC cycle with two-match series in Caribbean

• Duleep Trophy: Tilak, Rinku, Mukesh among players to watch out for

With East Zone taking on Central Zone in the first quarter-final at Alur in Bengaluru, the 24-year-old had the opportunity to play one game with the red ball before the Indian team’s departure for the Caribbean. The one-off game would have given Kishan a chance to push his case for selection in the Test team, especially when the incumbent KS Bharat is struggling to make a mark with the bat. But Kishan had opted out of the Duleep Trophy a couple of days ago.Kishan’s last competitive match was in the IPL for Mumbai Indians on May 26, and if he is not selected in the playing XI for Tests, his next game will be the ODI series opener against West Indies on July 27 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.