Sri Lanka went into the game unchanged after Dunith Wellalage re-joined the team
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Sep-2025Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bowl, as the Asia Cup Super Fours stage kicked off in Dubai. Chasing sides have a 70% win record at this venue and that played a big part in Litton Das’ decision. He also added that he was a little “confused” by how the wicket would behave.Sri Lanka are a side that prefers to chase in general, and Charith Asalanka said as much though, with this being a used pitch, he’s not too bothered by batting first.Sri Lanka have gone with an unchanged XI with Dunith Wellalage rejoining the team after leaving for home following his father’s death. Bangladesh have made two changes with Mahedi Hasan and Shoriful Islam coming back into the side. Offspinner Mahedi’s return is presumably to combat Sri Lanka’s left-hander heavy batting line-up.Related
Bereaved Dunith Wellalage rejoins SL squad in Dubai
Tait confident Mustafizur Rahman will do better against Sri Lanka
Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar during the pitch report noted that while the potential of dew means chasing might be easier, if it doesn’t come in and the pitch continues to get drier, that equation could change. In terms of ground dimensions, one square boundary is shorter than the other.Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kamil Mishara, 4 Kusal Perera, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Kamindu Mendis, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Dunith Wellalage, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Nuwan ThusharaBangladesh: 1 Saif Hassan, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman.
England spinner knows he’s not the finished article but Lions tour of Australia could be a major step in his development
Vithushan Ehantharajah14-Jan-2025The last time Shoaib Bashir was in Australia, he was turning out for Lindfield Cricket Club in the Sydney suburbs during the 2022-23 season.Two years on, he is back with the Lions as England’s first-choice spinner, embarking on a fact-finding mission ahead of next winter’s Ashes. For those familiar with Sydney’s cricket system, that alone gives an indication of Bashir’s remarkable rise.Lindfield play in the Shires Competition, which runs parallel to Sydney’s more vaunted Grade Competition. The club’s own website states that Shires First Grade “is equivalent in standard to play conducted in SCA Second Grade Cricket”. As such, there was great pride at Bashir’s ascension to Test cricket a year later. Three of his Lindfield clubmates hot-footed it to Visakhapatnam to witness his debut against India.The Lions tour culminates in Sydney with a four-day unofficial Test against Australia A, and Bashir intends to drop in to see a few old friends. “I will try and try and get down there, give the boys a bit of a surprise” he tells ESPNcricinfo from Brisbane, where the squad are based for their first two matches against a Cricket Australia XI. His fondness for the club remains strong. Even for the borrowed Saab that occasionally left him in the lurch.”There was a club car that I had and I reckon it broke down on me about five times.”One particular time, I was driving on like a dual carriageway and [the car] slowed down and down, with cars behind me and everything – it was just a nightmare. But it was good times, good memories.”It is fair to say 2024 featured no such hindrance. Bashir sat exclusively in the fast lane as he notched 15 Test caps across the year, with 49 wickets – more than any other spinner in the world – including three five-wicket hauls. He overtook Somerset team-mate Jack Leach as England’s primary spinner, despite the county plumping for the left-armer as their No.1, and clocked a staggering 524.3 overs at the top level in what was essentially his second full year as a professional. All of this emanated from a social media clip that piqued the interest of Test captain Ben Stokes.Bashir featured in four of England’s five Tests in India•BCCI”It has been pretty surreal,” says Bashir. “Obviously I’m very, very grateful for what happened.”There was not much time to dissect it all. He spent barely 10 days at home over the Christmas period between returning from New Zealand (his fifth series in 11 months) and heading back across the globe on January 3. But there was enough room for reflection.”I did go through a few memories in the old book – looking back to my cap presentation (from Leach) and that video of me getting Rohit Sharma out as my first wicket (caught around the corner at leg slip) was a massive highlight. I’ve watched that many times.”Taking my first five-for (5 for 119 in his second appearance at Ranchi). Every series, every game, every innings. Playing Test cricket for England, it doesn’t get any better than that. That’s one thing I try and remind myself is that I’m playing for England, so just enjoy every moment, you know?”Related
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Shoaib Bashir's rock-solid marathon stint shows he's here to stay
'To get Rohit as my first wicket was very, very special' – Shoaib Bashir
Shoaib Bashir 'let emotions fall out' after shock England call-up
That enjoyment has been abundantly clear in this first stanza of Bashir’s international career. So, too, the talent England are investing in and the rawness of a spinner learning on the front line.Bowling England to victory with 5 for 41 against West Indies – the first spinner in 18 years to take as many at Trent Bridge – along with four on day one of the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval were nods to the former. Cues to the latter, such as a lack of control and no apparent go-to stock ball have been littered throughout. They were particularly apparent in series at home to Sri Lanka (six dismissals at 49.33) and away in Pakistan (nine at 49.55 despite spin-friendly conditions for the final two matches).The culmination of the Crowe-Thrope trophy was similarly difficult, albeit in seaming conditions. After 4 for 69 from 20 overs on the opening day of the series, he was 4 for 345 from 67 overs for the remainder.Head coach Brendon McCullum made a note of lauding the 21-year-old as a “tough kid” during his post-tour media briefing, ceding “the statistical element, it doesn’t read great”. Both he and Stokes have pushed Bashir to see beyond the stats. They will be buoyed to hear his current average of 40.16 does not bother him.”To be honest, not really,” he says when asked if that number jars. “I feel like stats played a huge part when I was growing up, and that was how you are selected. But it’s seen differently within this team.” Spoken like a player who earned his first call-up despite averaging 67 from just six first-class games.Bashir has leapfrogged Jack Leach as England’s first-choice spinner•Getty Images”I’m 21 years old, right? I’m still learning. I’ve only played professional cricket for about, what, two or three years? It’s just a work in progress.”Yet the motivation to lower that number is clear. Work around game-time – even ahead of a day’s play – has been a prominent feature of his time as a Test cricketer. Over the coming weeks, the guidance of England assistant coach Jeetan Patel will be replaced by Graeme Swann, reprising a relationship struck up on a previous Lions camp in 2023 which rubber-stamped that maiden call-up for the India tour.Bashir appreciates the need to hone his skills quickly, particularly an ability to hold up an end given England do not tour Asia again until their visit to Bangladesh in February 2027. Maintaining a threat while stemming the run flow, to allow the quicks a chance to catch their breath, is now top of the agenda. It is a trait spinners groove with experience.”I think it’s something I’ve got better at and am still working on,” he says of the job.”I’m still looking to take wickets, but that might be in the form of caught, caught at midwicket or caught at mid on instead of bowled through the gate. It’s like a game of chess, just trying to figure out what the batsman wants and shut down his options.”
“I’m that sort of guy who takes things day-by-day and tries not to worry too much about what the future holds. If it’s written, it’s written.”
Though India await for the home summer after a one-off Test with Zimbabwe, it is not lost on Bashir that being in Australia puts the focus on how he might fare in the Ashes. Even if he will not experience any of the five Test venues on this trip.When McCullum approached Bashir with the idea of touring with the Lions, he saw it as a no-brainer, agreeing “straightaway”. He already has some loose notes on what spin bowling in Australia entails.Bashir watched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with interest, initially via YouTube highlights given the start of that series ran parallel with the New Zealand tour. Nathan Lyon’s subdued role was registered, along with his own experience with the Kookaburra ball this winter.”Nathan Lyon didn’t bowl that much, but it was nice to gauge what it’s like to bowl spin out there. [Now] I’m out here playing, playing cricket as well, I just think I’m going try and find a method of bowling in the first and second innings.”I feel like the ball [Kookaburra] wears away quite quickly. We bowled with it in Pakistan and New Zealand, but I do enjoy it. I feel like when it’s harder, it’s quite easy to go over the top.”I’ve already noticed that I get a lot more bounce out here than I do anywhere else, which could play a massive factor.”Ben Stokes’ faith in Bashir has been a key factor in his rise•Getty ImagesThat ability to impart over-spin from a high release point is why Bashir was plucked from relative obscurity. Coming into a new year, the resilience the England management have seen in him so far reinforces the belief they are backing the right horse.Australia has chewed up and spat out many an English fingerspinner. Leach managed just six dismissals at 53.50 here in 2021-22, Moeen Ali just five at a grim 115.00 in 2017-18. Even Swann, one of England’s greatest, averaged 52.59 across eight appearances Down Under. Bashir, however, does not even consider the prospect he might be added to that list.”I’m that sort of guy who takes things day-by-day and tries not to worry too much about what the future holds. If it’s written, it’s written.”Even the most creative mind would have found Bashir’s 2024 too far-fetched to write – an England Test team throwing the ball to a novice spinner and letting him keep it no matter what. Now the first year of his Test career has closed, the pen is in Bashir’s hand to script an even more remarkable chapter in 2025.
It’s still early in the season, but Arsenal look almost unstoppable at the moment.
Mikel Arteta’s side continued their impressive form in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and now have the chance to extend their lead in the Premier League this afternoon.
However, to do so, the Gunners will have to beat an inform Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light, without Viktor Gyokeres, who scored last time out.
Fortunately, Arteta has a few ways of dealing with the Swede’s absence, and no, he doesn’t have to use Mikel Merino.
The Arsenal changes Arteta has to make
Before examining the players Arteta should bring into the team for this game, it’s worth taking a look at who is fit.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Fortunately, since Gyokeres’ injury, Arsenal have not lost anyone else to the medical room, and in even better news, Gabriel Jesus has returned to first-team training.
However, the Brazilian is unlikely to feature against Sunderland, nor are the likes of Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke or Gabriel Martinelli, with the manager telling the press that “nobody new that can join the squad.”
Even so, there are more than enough players fit for changes to be made to the team that won in Prague on Tuesday night.
The first of which should come in defence, with Riccardo Calafiori coming back in for the impressive Piero Hincapie.
Likewise, while Christian Norgaard did a good job anchoring the midfield, Martin Zubimendi, or the Gunners’ “signing of the summer,” as one analyst described him, should come in for him.
The final midfield change should see Eberechi Eze replace Ethan Nwaneri, as the 27-year-old’s creativity and playmaking ability could be crucial in breaking down the Black Cats’ low block.
Finally, while Merino did brilliantly in scoring two goals against Slavia, this might be a game for Arteta to pick someone else to lead the line.
The Arsenal player who could replace Merino
While Arteta could go rogue and opt to start Nwaneri up top for this game, the more reasonable way to go would be to start Leandro Trossard.
Now, there are certainly arguments for keeping Merino as the striker, but equally, there are reasons why the Belgian should be given a go up top, such as his technical quality.
Even though Sunderland are in fine form, the Gunners are more than likely going to face a stubborn low block at the Stadium of Light.
Therefore, it would make more sense to have someone like the 30-year-old leading the line who has the ability to pick a lock, not just with a pass, but with some quality close control.
As good as Merino has been this year, he has never shown an ability to get past a defender with the ball at his feet.
The second reason for going with the “little magician,” as Arteta dubbed him, is that, unlike last season, he seems to have rediscovered his form.
For example, in 13 appearances, totalling just 742 minutes, he has scored three goals and provided four assists.
Appearances
13
Minutes
742
Goals
3
Assists
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.53
Minutes per Goal Involvement
106′
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.85 games, or more impressively, every 106 minutes.
Finally, since he arrived at the club, the Waterschei-born dynamo has been a clutch player, someone who can and often does pop up with the all-important goal.
Moreover, as the legendary Ian Wright put it, he’s also shown himself to be the squad’s “best finisher and most clinical finisher of chances.”
Therefore, while it sounds counterproductive, Arteta might be better off starting Trossard in Gyokeres’ place this weekend.
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The international gem could end up being an even better version of Xhaka for Arsenal and Arteta.
Abatimento. Este foi o clima de Thiago Carpini e o vestiário do São Paulo após a derrota contra o Flamengo, pela segunda rodada do Brasileirão.
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Com a pressão cada vez maior e diversos nomes de treinadores sendo especulados, Carpini concedeu a entrevista coletiva no Maracanã e ressaltou que enquanto nao receber nenhum comunicado, se sente respaldado.
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Assim como foi na derrota contra o Fortaleza, a diretoria do São Paulo optou pelo silêncio e não se pronunciou sobre o futuro de Carpini. A única interação no vestiário foi cumprimentar os atletas e comissão técnica.
continua após a publicidade
Vestiario de derrota, chateação. Conversa nenhuma, nao conversei com o presidente, executivo. Eles estiverem no vestiario, cumprimentando a mim e aos atletas, como sempre fazem. Nenhuma conversa fora disso. Se algo acontecer, nao era o momento para essa conversa. O ambiente foi de chateação por mais uma derrota do São Paulo – disse Carpini.
➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão
Com a derrota no Maracanã, o São Paulo perdeu as duas primeiras rodadas no Brasileirão, algo que não acontecia desde 1990. Caso nenhuma movimentação seja anunciada, Carpini segue como treinador para o duelo do Tricolor contra o Atlético-GO, pelo Brasileirão.
Shohei Ohtani has had another incredible season at the plate as he hit more than 50 home runs for the second straight year with the Dodgers. He is also leading the National League in on-base percentage and slugging for the third straight season.
Ohtani has worked incredibly hard to hone his craft and it shows. Los Angeles found out just how hard Ohtani works very quickly. When their prize free agent showed up two years ago he told them there was one thing in their clubhouse that was not sufficient.
The batting cage.
According Dodgers executive vice president Lon Rosen, Ohtani pointed out that one batting cage was not enough. So they built a whole new clubhouse with two.
"We also built a new clubhouse last year because when we were signing Shohei, one of the things he noticed was we only had one batting cage," said Rosen. "So we rebuilt."
After adding the second cage Ohtani had the best season of his career with Los Angeles. And apparently that's when he explained why the second cage was so important.
"In the offseason Shohei came into the office and you know he went 50 for 50 and won the MVP and Stan [Kasten] says to him And he answers ."
No wonder Ohtani has plans to construct a "small hitting and pitching facility" at his new home in Hawaii. More importantly for the Dodgers, it's no wonder he's having another MVP-caliber season.
Plenty has changed since we last discussed the American League and National League Most Valuable Player races.
While Shohei Ohtani maintains his reign over the National League, still a clear-cut favorite to lock down his fourth MVP award in five years, the American League is much less set in stone. That's due to an injury sustained by Aaron Judge and the Yankees star's subsequent struggles in his return to the lineup. Additionally, Mariners star Cal Raleigh has found his power stroke again lately after a prolonged cold spell, tightening what should be a memorable AL MVP battle.
There's still over a month to go, so plenty can still change as teams begin to make their final push for the postseason.
Let's take a look at how the MVP races are currently shaking up:
National League MVP Race1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win NL MVP. / Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Ohtani has continued to dominate for the Dodgers, and he's been excellent on the mound since being given the green light to pitch again. While he's not pitching deep into games, that's all part of the plan as he continues to stretch out after not toeing the rubber since 2023.
Serving as L.A.'s leadoff hitter, Ohtani is slashing .284/.389/.624 with 42 home runs, 78 RBIs, 17 steals and an MLB-leading 112 runs, which is 20 more than the league's next highest run scorer. On the mound, he's pitched 19 innings across eight appearances and boasts a 2.37 ERA with 25 strikeouts.
Ohtani was nearly a lock to win NL MVP before he got back onto the mound. Now that he's pitching, and doing so at a high level, there's not much that can be done to catch him.
2. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter
Kyle Schwarber leads the National League with 42 home runs in 2025. / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Kyle Schwarber has been enjoying his best season yet at age 32, and he's taken his game to a new level in the second half of the season. Schwarber has 12 home runs in his last 22 games, and owns a 1.109 OPS in that same span. On the year, he's launched 42 home runs, and he's well within reach of surpassing his previous career high of 47. The slugger has now hit 40 or more homers in three of the last four years.
Schwarber remains a long shot to truly challenge Ohtani for the MVP, but he's been putting on a show for the Phillies faithful. He's already registered a 4.0 bWAR in 118 games, the best mark of his career, and can build on that during the remaining weeks of the season.
3. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs outfielder
Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong has the second highest bWAR in MLB. / David Banks-Imagn Images
Pete Crow-Armstrong has been outstanding for the Cubs, and he ranks second in all of MLB with a 6.0 bWAR, trailing only Aaron Judge. At the plate, Crow-Armstrong has a .822 OPS with 27 home runs and 78 RBIs. He's leading the National League with 31 doubles, too. On the base paths, he's been elite. The 23-year-old has 30 steals on 35 attempts, making him one of just three players in MLB to steal 30 or more bases and get thrown out five or less times.
Defensively, he's been equally remarkable in center field. He ranks third in MLB with 18 outs above average, per Statcast, and is the only outfielder in baseball with more than 15 OAA. He's prevented 17 runs on the year, often covering tremendous distances in the outfield in order to chase down a fly ball. He's emerged as a true star on both sides in 2025 and while an MVP doesn't seem likely, there's no denying how impressive he's been.
Honorable mentions: Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, Padres third baseman Manny Machado, Cubs outfielder Kyle TuckerAmerican League MVP Race1. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh has emerged as an AL MVP favorite / Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Has Raleigh finally overtaken Aaron Judge in the AL MVP race? Raleigh went cold for a brief spell after the All-Star break, but has since bounced back and continued his historic season. The league-leader in home runs is now up to 45 on the year after going yard in three consecutive games over the weekend, and he's on the verge of setting the record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season.
Raleigh is slashing .247/.354/.593 with 45 home runs, 98 RBIs and and incredible 168 OPS+. He's also been a contributor on the base paths, with 13 steals on 16 attempts. Defensively, he's been sound as ever. After winning the Platinum Glove in 2024, Raleigh has been an elite backstop for the Mariners' top-tier pitching staff, while also throwing out 16 runners on the base paths, second most in MLB.
2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
New York Yankees designated hitter Aaron Judge has struggled since returning from the IL. / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Judge's elbow injury cost him some time on the field, and he hasn't looked like his usual self since being reinserted back into the lineup. Judge has 37 home runs and a 1.131 OPS on the year, truly remarkable numbers, but he's struggled over the last month. In his last 13 games, the star outfielder has a .620 OPS with just two home runs and six RBIs. He's also struck out 17 times in that span.
With Judge still not looking quite right after his IL stint, he may be falling behind Raleigh in the MVP race. It's tight, however, and he could just as easily regain his place atop the ladder if both he and the Yankees are able to return to form.
3. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal is both a Cy Young and MVP candidate. / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
It's a rare feat for a pitcher to win the MVP. That doesn't seem a likely outcome in 2025, but Tarik Skubal is certainly making a case for himself to win the award. Skubal seems like a lock to win the American League Cy Young award, and his dominance on the mound deserves at least some consideration in the MVP discussion, even if it is as an outside contender.
Skubal ranks third in MLB with 187 strikeouts in 145 1/3 innings. He boasts an ERA of 2.35, second only to Paul Skenes among qualified starters. Skubal's ability to mow down hitters and avoid giving out free passes has been crucial to his success. He's walked just 21 batters, the fewest among qualified starters, and has a pristine 0.86 WHIP on the year.
Honorable mentions: Guardians third baseman José Ramírez, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz
Tottenham are looking to sell a Spurs regular who Thomas Frank no longer wants with the January transfer window looming, according to a new report today.
Tottenham's rumoured plans for the January transfer window
If there’s one thing the last month has taught us, it is that the Lilywhites are still far from the finished article.
Tepid London derby defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea in the last few weeks, where Spurs barely managed to threaten in either encounter, significantly highlight the need for more firepower in particular.
Striker Dominic Solanke remains out with an ankle injury that required minor surgery, while star playmakers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are still working to come back from their respective long-term problems.
This has left Spurs starved of attacking quality at times, with summer signing Xavi Simons largely failing to impress bar a player of the match display at home to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
xG
11.0
17th
Non-penalty xG
11.0
16th
Progressive passes
413
12th
Shots
110
19th
Shots on target
40
15th
Average shot distance
15.6 yards
17th
A silver lining for the north Londoners was Randal Kolo Muani’s exceptional outing against parent club PSG in Europe on Wednesday, where the Frenchman bagged a brace and an assist during the thrilling eight-goal thriller in Paris.
However, amid Solanke’s injury problems and the uncertainty surrounding Kolo Muani’s long-term future, considering he is only on a dry loan, reports suggest that Tottenham could look to sign a striker in January.
Co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange are also targeting a winger, with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo on their radar.
Semenyo, who has stood out as one of the Premier League’s finest attacking players this season, could leave for just £65 million during the early stages of January due to a release clause in his contract.
Ex-club chief now tips Tottenham to sign Man City star for £50m in January
A deal is apparently there to be done.
ByEmilio Galantini Nov 28, 2025
Some media sources claim that Tottenham are prepared to shatter their winter transfer record by signing both Semenyo and FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa, with the latter in excellent goalscoring form right now.
To fund such a big investment, player sales may be needed, and one man believed to be on the chopping block is striker Richarlison.
Tottenham looking to offload Richarlison in January
According to recent reports, despite selecting him 20 times this season, whether that be in the starting eleven or from the bench, Frank views Richarlison as ‘expendable’ heading into 2026.
Now, journalist Pete O’Rourke has told Football Insider that Tottenham are looking to sell Richarlison in January.
Amid concerns surrounding inconsistent form and the fact his contract expires in 2027, it is clear to see why.
The Brazil international has actually scored six goals and bagged a further two assists this term, including two stunning goal of the season contenders against Burnley and Arsenal respectively.
However, Richarlison has still come under criticism this season, and January represents an opportunity to offload for a significant fee before it is too late.
The 28-year-old cost £60 million to sign from Everton, and reports suggest that Richarlison could return to Goodison Park as one mooted destination.
Glasgow Rangers officially confirmed that both CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell left their roles at Ibrox on Monday after the club’s underwhelming start under the new ownership.
Chairman Andrew Cavenagh revealed that the ownership believes that they need different people in those roles in order to bring success back to Ibrox in the months and years to come.
Thelwell was let go by the Gers after he played a key role, as sporting director, in the appointment and firing of Russell Martin, as well as the signings throughout the summer transfer window.
The former Everton chief was given the funds to retool the squad for the head coach in the summer, but after that appointment and the signings he made, Rangers won one of their first eight Scottish Premiership matches.
However, Thelwell would be far from the first sporting director to make some mistakes in the transfer market. Former Gers technical director Nils Koppen, for example, made his fair share.
One signing that officially went through in the summer but was sanctioned before Thelwell’s arrival was the permanent addition of Oscar Cortes.
Why Oscar Cortes has been a waste of money for Rangers so far
The 21-year-old forward initially joined on loan from Lens for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, and produced one goal and one assist in six games in the Premiership, per Sofascore.
That convinced the Scottish giants to sign him on a season-long loan with an obligation to make it permanent at the end of the season in the summer of 2024, which led to him signing for £4.5m earlier this year.
He is currently the ninth-most expensive signing in the history of the club, with that £4.5m move from Lens, and the Gers have simply not got enough back from him on the pitch to justify that expense.
In the 2024/25 season, the Colombian winger made ten appearances in the Premiership without delivering a single goal or assist for the team, whilst he also missed out on 22 matchday squads and was an unused substitute on six occasions, per Transfermarkt.
Despite his dismal form last term, Rangers had to sign him permanently for a hefty fee of £4.5m because it was an obligation that was put in place in the previous summer. That led to him leaving on loan to Sporting Gijon this season.
LaLiga 2
Oscar Cortes
Appearances
5
Starts
1
Unused sub
6
Goals
0
Key passes per game
0.0
Big chances created
0
Assists
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Cortes has struggled badly in Spain since his temporary switch to the second division outfit, with more games left sat on the bench than appearances in LaLiga 2.
His lack of goal contributions for the Spanish side means that he still has not provided a goal or an assist since registering one of each in a 5-0 win over Hearts in February 2024.
With over three years left on his contract at Ibrox, it remains to be seen whether or not the 21-year-old whiz will make a success of his Rangers career or not, but it is not looking good on current evidence.
With his form for the Gers and out on loan, Cortes currently looks like a big waste of money for the significant fee that the club agreed to pay Lens for him, unfortunately.
Whilst Thelwell did not have any say in that move, it was going through irrespective of anything he did after becoming sporting director in April, one of his own summer signings looks to be an even bigger waste of money than Cortes.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
The former Light Blues chief opted to splash the cash on Portugal U21 international Youssef Chermiti, and the early signs from his Ibrox career are far from promising.
Why Rangers should not have signed Youssef Chermiti
Thelwell agreed a deal with his former club Everton to sign the striker for a fee of £8m. That made him the most expensive signing made by the Gers since they signed Tore Andre Flo for £12m in 2000.
When signing a player for that kind of outlay at Ibrox, it is fair to expect that they should be able to make a relatively immediate impact for Rangers, even if they are not the finished product, because Chermiti is their most expensive signing in 25 years.
Unfortunately, though, the Portuguese marksman has failed to prove his worth to the Light Blues on the pitch with his performances so far in the 2025/26 campaign, with just one goal to his name so far.
The former Premier League flop has produced one goal and one assist in 13 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, per Sofascore, which shows that he has not offered a regular threat at the top end of the pitch.
Chermiti’s form in the Premiership, in particular, has left quite a bit to be desired for a player who is the club’s most expensive signing in 25 years.
25/26 Premiership
Youssef Chermiti
Rangers rank
FotMob rating
6.48
16th
Goals
1
Joint-3rd
xG
0.3
14th
xA
0.2
15th
Dribbles per 90
0.4
14th
Dribble success rate
16.7%
14th
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the Portugal U21 international ranks poorly in the Gers squad in a host of key metrics, and the only reason that he ranks highly for goals is that only two players in the squad have scored more than one league goal.
Chermiti, who was described as a “nothing player” by Portuguese journalist Kevin Fernandes, has simply not done enough with the game time that he has been given, domestically or on the European stage.
The ex-Everton striker was signed for almost twice as much as Cortes and appears to be heading in the same direction as the winger, as another expensive flop who is unable to make a significant impact on the pitch for Rangers.
Therefore, Chermiti looks on course to be an even bigger waste of money than the Colombian forward because he cost £3.5m more and has been just as underwhelming at the start of his Ibrox career.
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Directors from USAC called for “immediate and decisive intervention not to punish, but to rebuild what has been broken”
ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2025Directors from an embattled USA Cricket (USAC) board have called for the ICC’s immediate intervention to remove a rival group of directors, including the chair Venu Pisike, as the fallout and divide from the board’s suspension continues to deepen. They have also asked the ICC to conduct an investigation into the organisation’s “collapse.”In a statement issued on Tuesday by two current directors, Arjun Rao Gona and Kuljit Singh Nijjar, and Patricia Whittaker, who was removed by USAC last year as an independent director (she is legally contesting the termination), have also asked the ICC to conduct a forensic audit of USAC dealings and make the findings public. Gona and Nijjar are elected directors.”We call for immediate and decisive intervention not to punish, but to rebuild what has been broken,” the trio said in the statement. “This is no longer a crisis of management; it is a test of integrity and courage.” The directors’ statement follows USAC’s media release last week, where the board complained it could not “comprehend” the ICC’s decision on September 23 to suspend it.Related
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Pisike chaired a USAC Board meeting on October 1, after which USAC said it was filing for bankruptcy as part of a financial restructure. That decision was taken by five directors, including Pisike, Srini Salver, David Haubert, Pintoo Shah and Anj Balusu (USAC currently has nine directors after Whittaker’s exit). Four directors at that meeting – Gona, Nijjar, Nadia Gruny and Atul Rai – exited in protest.In a statement of his own issued on Tuesday, Rai said USAC’s public statement to its members on Friday was “not authorised by the Board” while alleging it was “clearly an abuse of power and authority.”The ICC Board decided to suspend USAC, citing “repeated and continued breaches of its obligation” as a member. The ICC’s major concern will be if the cycle of events since then could affect USAC securing NGB (National Governing Body) status from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), necessary for all sports that are part of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.The ICC’s Normalisation Committee drew up a six-step roadmap for that, starting with an organisational revamp of USAC where three new independent directors replace the existing Board, which would step down and pave the way for fresh elections. The ICC would simultaneously carry out a comprehensive review of the USAC constitution to bring governance and structural reforms to a body enmeshed in controversies since 2019 when it was awarded Associate status.Gona, Nijjar and Whittaker want the Normalisation Committee to take control of USAC immediately and “go beyond administrative control and conduct a full, independent investigation into the root causes of USA Cricket’s collapse, identifying every act of constitutional breach, misuse of authority, and conflict of interest.”The three have also suggested appointing five new independent directors once the USAC constitution has been amended.”Conduct a full forensic audit of all financial transactions, contracts, appointments, and legal decisions taken under the current regime, and publish the findings to the public to restore trust, confidence and transparency.”Safeguard players, competitions, and development programs during this transition, ensuring that athletes and fans do not suffer for failures of leadership.”
The final international break of the year has finally come to an end, and Chelsea are back in Premier League action.
Enzo Maresca’s side resume their campaign with a trip to newly promoted Burnley, in what could be something of a banana skin fixture.
What will make things even more difficult for the West Londoners is their ever-growing injury list, which has decimated their backline.
However, arguably more concerning than that, Cole Palmer has picked up another knock, although there is someone in the squad who could stand in for him, and no, it’s not Estevao.
The latest on Cole Palmer
After an impressive Club World Cup campaign and strong pre-season performances, it felt like Palmer was set for another exceptional year in West London.
Chalkboard
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However, after playing the first game against Crystal Palace, he missed the next two due to a groin problem, and while he returned for the following couple of matches, he was again forced off against Manchester United with another groin problem.
The Englishman hasn’t featured for the side since then, although it did look like he would be back in the squad after the international break.
However, it would appear Maresca and Co can’t catch a break this season, as reports yesterday morning revealed that the former Manchester City prospect had broken his toe in an accident at home.
In his press conference a few hours later, the manager confirmed the injury and said his star player “is not available for this week and next week.”
That means that, on top of today’s game, the 23-year-old is definitely going to miss the Champions League clash with Barcelona and the London derby with Arsenal.
It’s undoubtedly a massive blow for Chelsea, but the silver lining is that, alongside Estevao, they have another young talent who could step in for Palmer.
Chelsea's Palmer replacement
While Estevao should start on the right for the upcoming games, Maresca could get some of what Palmer would provide in the ten by starting Facundo Buonanotte there.
Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, nobody is arguing that the Argentine is as good a player as the Englishman; that would be absurd.
However, he is a highly talented young player who, based on his performances last season and what those in the know say about him, could replicate the 23-year-old’s capabilities.
For example, despite playing for a truly poor Leicester City side last season and being just 19 at the start of it, he was able to put in some impressive performances.
In 35 appearances, totalling 1701 minutes, the attacking midfielder, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “one of the most exciting South American talents to have moved to Europe in recent years,” scored six goals and provided three assists.
Appearances
31
2
2
Goals
5
1
0
Assists
2
1
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.22
1.00
0.00
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.88 games, or every 189 minutes, which is not a bad rate of return considering the circumstances.
Moreover, the promising ace with a “left foot made of gold,” per Jacek Kulig, has also earned comparisons to some Argentine football legends.
For example, Premier League great Carlos Tevez told the press that the youngster “reminds me of Messi” a few years ago.
Finally, away from the numbers and appraisals, when the twice-capped international was in full flow last season, he looked like the sort of mercurial talent who, with the proper coaching and chance, could create game-winning moments for his side.
Ultimately, while he isn’t on the level of Palmer at the moment, Buonanotte is an undeniably talented youngster, and for the next few games, could provide cover for the Englishman.
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