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New Zealand have a stellar record against India in ICC events having lost just one game since 1992

Ashish Pant21-Oct-2023

Tom Latham and Rohit Sharma: who’ll be smiling at the end of the game?•Associated Press

Big picture: Here comes India’s bogey team Ask any ardent Indian fan which is their second-favourite cricket team, and New Zealand will remain a common answer. Ask the same set of fans which team spooks them the most when it comes to ICC events: New Zealand will once again be the unanimous reply. Why you ask.Southampton 2021. Nagpur 2016 and Dubai 2021. Manchester 2019.It’s probably the memories of the last one here that has most Indian fans flinch. And as much as India would like to deny it, New Zealand have been their bogey team over the years. There are numbers to back this up. In all ICC events since 1992 (considering only the final from the WTC 2019-21 and 2021-23 cycles), India have beaten New Zealand just once in nine attempts.Which is why when these two teams meet in Dharamsala on Sunday, it won’t be group stage game: there will be a bit of history riding on it. Also the fact that at the end of the clash, one team will no longer remain unbeaten in the competition.Both New Zealand and India have been clinical in their approach and come into the game having won four out of four games. Who continues their winning streak? The answer might well depend on how the fast bowlers go.Related

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Matt Henry among the best, and has got better – the numbers show it

As much as the Dharamsala stadium is about the stunning snow-capped mountains of the Dhauladhar range in the backdrop, it is also about the altitude. And with that altitude comes the help for the quicks. Of all the venues that have so far hosted more than one game at the World Cup, Dharamsala – alongside Lucknow – has offered the fast bowlers the most amount of swing in the first ten overs of each innings.Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj become a key component in the Indian attack. They will miss Hardik Pandya, but if Mohammed Shami comes in, he is one bowler, who is certain to extract early movement with that upright seam.While India’s attack seems more well-rounded, the New Zealand unit has been equally good. Their class of 2019 is very much intact with all of Matt Henry, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson having started the tournament well. On the spin front, Mitchell Santner leads the wicket-taking charts with 11 strikes at 15.09.The batters across both sides have been in impeccable form. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Devon Conway are No. 2, 3 and 4 on the run charts, while the middle order also has been firing. Can they find a way to score big with the ball hooping around?Mohammed Siraj has been up and down at this World Cup•Pankaj Nangia/Getty

Form guide: Whose winning streak ends?India: WWWWL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
New Zealand: WWWWWIn the spotlight: Mohammed Siraj and Matt Henry Mohammed Siraj hasn’t looked at his best so far in the World Cup. In four games, Siraj has managed only five wickets at 42.40. He’s also leaked runs at 6.32 an over. But if there is one venue that will give him a chance to improve on those numbers, it is Dharamsala. Siraj is one of the few bowlers going around who can get the ball to deck both ways. In Dharamsala, though, his wobble-seam deliveries might be the ones New Zealand will have to be most careful against. Siraj has had a dream 2023 in ODIs and will hope India’s next game is where he turns his World Cup around.The Boults and the Southees often hog the limelight when the New Zealand fast bowling battery is spoken of but in the last two years, it has been Matt Henry, who has really been their shining light. No other New Zealand bowler has more wickets than Henry’s 41 in 24 ODIs since the start of 2022. But, it’s the way he has led the attack in the World Cup, which has been impressive. He’s outshone Boult and Lockie Ferguson, kept Tim Southee out of the team and picked up wickets when it’s mattered all while maintaining an economy of 4.83. He is currently fourth on the wicket-takers list with nine in four games at 18.00. A good game and he could zoom right to the top.Team news: Who comes in for Pandya?Pandya has been ruled out of the Dharamsala game after hurting his right ankle against Bangladesh on Thursday. The million-dollar question is who replaces him. Rahul Dravid wasn’t forthcoming about the changes, but talked about a few options they considered. There is a chance that India bring in Suryakumar Yadav or Ishan Kishan in place of Hardik and have Shardul Thakur tussle with Shami for the No. 8 spot.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Suryakumar Yadav/Ishan Kishan, 8 Shardul Thakur/Mohammed Shami, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Mohammed SirajMatt Henry has been excellent across all phases of the innings for New Zealand•AFP/Getty Images

With the New Zealand attack firing like they have, Southee might have to spend some more in the sheds. Kane Williamson is still out with a thumb injury, so it is unlikely New Zealand will make any changes to the team.New Zealand (probable): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Will Young, 3 Rachin Ravindra, 4 Tom Latham (capt & wk), 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Mark Chapman, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent BoultPitch and conditions: Beware the quicksThe surface looked very green on the eve of the game but a lot of that grass is likely to be shaved off before the start. Even then expect pace and carry for the fast bowlers. It was bright and sunny on the eve of the match, but it is expected to be cloudy and cooler on Sunday with the temperature likely to hover around the 18-degree mark on the Celsius scale at the start of the game.Stats and trivia: All eyes on GillThe captain winning the toss has elected to bowl in each of the seven ODIs played in Dharamsala.Shubman Gill needs 14 runs to reach the 2000 mark in ODIs. If he gets there tomorrow, in his 38th innings, he will be the quickest to 2000 runs in ODI cricket. beating Hashim Amla’s (40) record. Rohit has fallen to Boult four times in 13 ODI innings and averages just 22.25 against him.Tom Latham has five fifties and two centuries in 20 ODI innings against IndiaQuotes”It’s nice to have Ishan [Kishan] playing well, being a left hander. But Surya’s [Suryakumar Yadav] also come into some form against Australia. He played a couple of fantastic innings. Absolutely fantastic player against spin – left-arm spin, right-arm spin, any kind of spin for that matter. And the role maybe for a middle-overs role. We’re pretty clear about the kinds of roles we want to play. If we’re looking for someone who looks to be a bit of an enforcer for us in the lower-middle order, and Surya’s certainly someone who can do it. If we’re looking for someone higher up the order, we might go with Ishan.”
“India’s top order has been fantastic this tournament and again, our bowling attack has done a really good job upfront as well. That’s going to be a great contest with bat and ball and obviously vice-versa with Indian seamers and our top order. Obviously, you look at the match-ups throughout a game against both sides and there is some pretty good match-ups there.”

New South Wales

Captain Moises Henriques
Coach Greg ShipperdSquad Sean Abbott (CA), Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins (CA), Joel Davies (R), Oliver Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood (CA), Moises Henriques, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon (CA), Blake Macdonald, Blake Nikitaras, Jack Nisbet (R), Kurtis Patterson, Ross Pawson, Will Salzmann (R), Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan Shaw (R), Steven Smith (CA), Mitchell Starc (CA), Chris Tremain, Hunar Verma (R), David Warner (CA), Adam Zampa (CA) CA = Cricket Australia contract | R = Rookie contractIn Jackson Bird, Joel Davies, Chris Green, Blake Macdonald, Ross Pawson
Out Trent Copeland, Liam Doddrell, Mickey Edwards, Lachlan Hearne, Daniel SamsHow they shape upThe only way is up after a winless campaign last season, for the first time in 84 years, which left them bottom of the table. Change was already afoot before that campaign was over with Phil Jaques sacked and captain Kurtis Patterson dropped. Greg Shipperd, a coaching doyen in Australian cricket, is back in charge while Moises Henriques is the permanent replacement for Patterson. NSW need Patterson to rediscover his run-scoring; overall there were just four centuries in the Shield last season. Jackson Bird will add experience to the attack but it’s time some of the younger players stand up to avoid further talk that the talent pipeline in the state, at least when it comes to four-day cricket, is drying up.Player to watchJason Sangha, who first made a mark when he took a century off England in just his second first-class match in 2017, is one of those young batters NSW will need to start seeing more from. At 24 he still has time on his side, but last season he averaged 28.14 with a best of 54, a significant decline on the previous season where he topped 500 runs, and after 34 matches his overall first-class return is under 30.Australia radarAs usual, there will be mass absences, compounded this season by the ODI World Cup during the first two months of the season, but NSW are used to it. However, they should see a good amount of Nathan Lyon as he returns from the calf injury that ended his Ashes tour. They will hope to get at least five Shield games out of him before the Tests. There is a chance some of the other Test players could squeeze in a game before the Pakistan series. Adam Zampa could be available in the latter part of the season.Queensland will see plenty of Usman Khawaja in the first part of the season•Getty Images

Queensland

Captain Usman Khawaja
Coach Wade SeccombeSquad Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Hugo Burdon (R), Joe Burns, Jack Clayton, Blake Edwards, Liam Guthrie, Aryan Jain, Usman Khawaja (CA), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne (CA), Ben McDermott, Michael Neser (CA), Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge (R), Matthew Renshaw, Gurinder Sandhu, Jack Sinfield (R), Mark Steketee, Bryce Street, Connor Sully, Mitch Swepson, Hugh Weibgen (R), Tom Whitney (R), Jack WildermuthIn Ben McDermott, Aryan Jain, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Whitney
Out Kane Richardson, Sam Heazlett, Sam Truloff, Matthew WillansHow they shape upThey were in touch throughout last season but were ultimately pipped in the finals race by Victoria’s surge, who handed them a costly defeat after the BBL. They have a stable squad that should again be a title contender with Ben McDermott’s arrival from Tasmania potentially adding further depth to the top order if he can bounce back from average just 18.30 last summer.Their bowling attack looks solid and one of the interesting decisions will be how they use Mitch Swepson and Matt Kuhnemann with the Gabba, especially, rarely a two-spinner venuePlayer to watchIt’s been a challenging 12 months for Mitchell Swepson after cracking into the Test side the season before. He averaged 39.66 in the Shield last summer, was selected for India but did not feature in the series then lost his CA central contract. He had a four-game stint with Glamorgan that brought 14 wickets, albeit at considerable cost but has remained around the Australia A set-up. He took eight wickets in two games in New Zealand and started with three more in Brisbane last month, before registering 0 for 119 in the second innings. Domestically he may not be an automatic pick in the Shield if Kuhnemann’s form warrants selection and Australia does not have another subcontinent tour until early 2025.Australia radarMarnus Labuschagne’s late move into the World Cup squad means he won’t be seen much in the first half of the season, but Usman Khawaja should be around ahead of the Test matches. Matt Renshaw will hope to push for David Warner’s spot at the top of the order. Michael Neser seems destined to forever be a reserve for Australia. Kuhnemann and Swepson are unlikely to be needed on home soil barring a spate of injuries.Jordan Buckingham is part of an exciting South Australia pace attack•Getty Images

South Australia

Captain Jake Lehmann
Coach Jason GillespieSquad Wes Agar, Kyle Brazell (R), Jordan Buckingham, Aidan Cahill (R), Jake Carder, Alex Carey (CA), Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, Jake Fraser-McGurk, David Grant, Travis Head (CA), Isaac Higgins (R), Henry Hunt, Thomas Kelly, Jake Lehmann, Ben Manenti, Harry Matthias (R), Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Spencer Johnson, Kelvin SmithIn Jake Fraser-McGurk, Kelvin Smith
Out Jake Weatherald (Tasmania), Bailey Capel, Ryan King, Nick WinterHow they shape upSigns of improvement last season as back-to-back wins either side of the BBL helped them finish mid-table, although the campaign closed with two defeats and a draw. Earlier this year, coach Jason Gillespie lauded his pace attack as the best in the country and the group of Spencer Johnson, Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar and Jordan Buckingham can certainly be potent, backed up by Brendan Doggett and Henry Thornton.Ben Manenti carried the spin bowling, but a lot of faith is being shown in Lloyd Pope even though he did not play a game last season. Jake Lehmann has taken on the captaincy and will need to average more than the 31.23 he managed in 2022-23.Player to watchCould easily pick out one of the impressive quicks, but it will be worth tracking Henry Hunt as he looks to bounce back from an underwhelming season. After starting with a defiant 97 not out off 326 balls to secure a draw against Victoria, he averaged 25.94 to slip down the pecking order of potential further Australia openers after three centuries in 2021-22 plus another in Sri Lanka for Australia A. He relinquished the captaincy before the end of the summer having struggled to combine his two roles and did not feature for Australia A against New Zealand A.Australia radarTravis Head and Alex Carey are part of the World Cup squad so may, at most, get one Shield outing before the Test summer. Johnson, who has returned from India with a hamstring injury, is on the selectors’ radar across all formats. It’s unlikely anyone else will be required for national duty, but Thornton, Agar, Buckingham and Nathan McSweeney have been around the A-team set-up.Caleb Jewell has impressed for Australia A•Getty Images

Tasmania

Captain Jordan Silk
Coach Jeff VaughanSquad Gabe Bell, Iain Carlisle, Nick Davis (R), Paddy Dooley, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, Jarrod Freeman, Brad Hope, Caleb Jewell, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Mitch Owen, Nivethan Radhakrishnan (R), Sam Rainbird, Jordan Silk, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac WrightIn Paddy Dooley, Jake Weatherald
Out Tom Andrews, Jackson Bird (NSW), Ben McDermott (Queensland), Peter Siddle (Victoria)How they shape upTasmania have made significant list changes as they look to rebuild their attack with Jackson Bird and Peter Siddle both departing to completely change the age profile of the squad. They only won two games last year and finished second-last having narrowly missed the final in 2021-22. Their bowling lacked penetration, as they conceded nine 300-plus scores last season, more than any other team. With their best two bowlers from last season having departed, much of the load will fall on the likes of Riley Meredith, Sam Rainbird, Gabe Bell, Lawrence Neil-Smith and Nathan Ellis, when he is not playing white-ball cricket.Billy Stanlake could also return to the first-class ranks after two years out. Left-arm orthodox white-ball specialist Paddy Dooley has been added to the squad and could play a role. The batting has been strengthened. They already possess an Australia A opening combination in Caleb Jewell and Tim Ward. Jake Weatherald joins the squad and may get an opportunity to bat in a different position having been a long-time opener for South Australia.Player to watchCaleb Jewell has made a name for himself over the last two years as a potential international player and has only enhanced his reputation with his performances for Australia A this year, including a stunning century in the recent series against New Zealand A.That has vaulted him into the conversation as a possible long-term Test match opener. Prior to the A series, he appeared to be behind Harris, Renshaw and Bancroft in the pecking order but that gap has closed. A fast start to the summer and some big scores, especially on the always challenging early-season Bellerive Oval surface, will only help his cause.Australia radarAside from Jewell, Ward is another who is popular with the selectors having played in the last two Australia A series, and could also put himself in the mix as a Test candidate. Meredith is always a player of interest to the national selectors when he is fit and he started the Marsh Cup season with a lightning spell of bowling at the Junction Oval. His red-ball bowling has long been a work in progress, but his raw pace and skill make him an attractive player to the selectors.Todd Murphy will have the chance to be the No. 1 spinner•Getty Images

Victoria

Captain Will Sutherland
Coach Chris RogersSquad Liam Blackford (R), Scott Boland (CA), Dylan Brasher (R), Ashley Chandrasinghe, Xavier Crone, Travis Dean, Sam Elliott, Matt Fotia, Peter Handscomb, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris (CA), Campbell Kellaway, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell (CA), Cameron McClure, Jono Merlo, Todd Murphy (CA), Tom O’Donnell, Fergus O’Neill, Wil Parker, Mitch Perry, Will Pucovski, Tom Rogers, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland, Douglas Warran (R)In Peter Siddle, Matt Fotia, Tom O’Donnell, Tom Rogers, Liam Blackford, Dylan Brasher, Douglas Warren
Out Aaron Finch (retired), Jake Fraser-McGurk (South Australia), Brody Couch, Zak Evans, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Tom O’ConnellHow they shape upVictoria surprised even themselves by making back-to-back finals with a young squad but they feel they are ready to take the next step. Last year they lost to Western Australia, unable to win the key moments with bat and ball in the decider. But a year older and wiser they look like they have all the pieces in place.They will play under a new captain with Will Sutherland taking over the Shield captaincy from Peter Handscomb. The return of Will Pucovski will strengthen the top-order batting significantly and the attack will be well-balanced with Scott Boland available for most of the first part of the season.They have added Peter Siddle to fill in when he is rested. Sutherland, Mitch Perry and Fergus O’Neill are all fit and ready for a full season while Todd Murphy will be a banker as their No. 1 spinner.Player to watchMarcus Harris is the player who has both the most to gain out of the first half of the season and the most to lose. He appears to be next cab off the rank to be the Test match opener whenever David Warner finishes.He does not have much to prove at domestic level but some big early scores, particularly at the WACA and the Gabba could actually put pressure on the national selectors to move Warner on earlier. Conversely, if Harris has a lean early season run, which can happen as an opening bat, the likes of Renshaw, Bancroft and Jewell will all be pressing their case to be next cab off the rank.Australia radarVictoria have a good contingent of players on the fringes off the Test team with Harris, Boland and Murphy all touring England with the Ashes squad. Handscomb did not make the Ashes squad despite playing very well on the tour of India and he is keen to prove he is not just a subcontinent specialist.Sutherland’s stocks continue to rise as both a leader and a player. Australia’s allrounder resources are flush at the moment but if Sutherland can improve his long-form batting after a maiden first-class century last season and 83 in the final, he can elevate his standing even further. Pucovski always remains a player of interest, but Australia’s selectors are set to be very patient with him and let him try and get some continuity at domestic level for a season or two.Lance Morris’ pace will put him in Australia’s planning•Getty Images

Western Australia

Captain Mitchell Marsh
Coach Adam VogesSquad Ashton Agar (CA), Cameron Bancroft, Mahli Beardman (R), Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly, Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin (R), Cameron Green (CA), Sam Greer (R), Aaron Hardie, Liam Haskett, Josh Inglis (CA), Bryce Jackson, Matt Kelly, Mitchell Marsh (CA), Hamish McKenzie, Lance Morris (CA), Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson (CA), Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Marcus Stoinis (CA), Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Josh Vernon (R), Sam Whiteman, Teague WyllieIn Liam Haskett, Mahli Beardman, Josh Vernon
Out Shaun Marsh (retired), David MoodyHow they shape upWA are chasing a rare Shield hat-trick. It has only happened three times since 1977-78 when it became a six-team competition. They are in strong shape to do it with the squad hardly changing from last season. Shaun Marsh has retired but he only managed to play one game last season. WA’s major challenge will be managing their fast bowling and the coming and going of international players.Jhye Richardson’s availability is going to be limited early in the season coming off hamstring surgery. Lance Morris will also be carefully managed and could be involved in the Test squad at times. Joel Paris tweaked his hamstring playing for Australia A while Hilton Cartwright is coming off knee surgery. But the core of the group remains strong with a new young left-arm quick Liam Haskett set to be an exciting addition.Player to watchAll eyes will be on Cameron Bancroft at the start of the summer. He appears to be a few positions back in the queue in the race to be Australia’s next Test opener. He missed out in the recent Australia A series with Jewell throwing his hat in the ring alongside established candidates Harris and Renshaw. But Bancroft has scored more Shield hundreds (six) than any of them in the last 18 months. If he adds more in the first six rounds he can put a lot of pressure on Australia’s selectors for a recall.Australia radarAside from Bancroft, Morris is the one that looms largest on Australia’s radar. He will be carefully managed through the first six rounds of the Shield season to ensure he is fully fit for the Pakistan Test series, as he may be in line for a Test debut if any of Australia’s established Test quicks get injured at the World Cup.Richardson will be monitored closely. If he can get back up and running and play consistently without injury, then Australia’s selectors will come calling. Josh Inglis is the other one who can push his Test credentials if he can ever play a game for WA when he’s not with Australia’s white-ball teams.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has a rebuilding job on his hands this summer and has now thrown his hat in the ring for an exciting star who continues to crop up on the radar of Premier League clubs, per a report.

Tottenham Hotspur look to navigate transitional moment

Daniel Levy has come under scrutiny from sections of the Tottenham support this season, and his rule over the club is never too far away from the headlines. However, there can be no doubt he has financially backed Postecoglou in the last couple of transfer windows.

Spending around £147.6 million on the likes of Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, optimism was fairly high in North London that the Lilywhites would kick on under the Australian’s stewardship. Fast forward to March, they lie 14th in the Premier League table with very little to show for their efforts.

Despite fighting the fire of an injury crisis over the last few months, Postecoglou is under pressure at Tottenham and Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly been lined up to replace the under-fire manager.

Even if that is the case, Spurs have already made a start on summer targets with Viktor Gyokeres high on their wishlist. Given Sporting CP are regulars in Europe’s premier competition, it feels like the only way he would be enticed by the prospect of a move to N17 is if they snatch a backdoor route to Champions League qualification by claiming the Europa League title.

On the same token, Rayan Ait-Nouri could be part of Tottenham’s rebuild for a sum of £40 million, though he is also in the sights of Liverpool and West Ham United.

Tottenham’s next five fixtures – all competitions

Chelsea (A)

Premier League

Southampton (H)

Premier League

Eintracht Frankfurt (H)

Europa League

Wolverhampton Wanderers (A)

Premier League

Eintracht Frankfurt (A)

Europa League

One thing is for certain, there are changes on the way that Postecoglou is set to head up. The former Celtic boss has now turned his attention to a talented young star viewed as one of the best talents in his country below the top flight.

Tottenham Hotspur enter the race to sign Hayden Hackney

According to Football Insider, Tottenham want to bring in Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney after approving plans to sell Yves Bissouma this summer.

The England Under-21 cap is widely thought of as one of the best midfielders in England outside of the Premier League and is said to be valued at around £20 million at the Riverside Stadium.

Labelled “an exciting player” by Carlton Palmer, the 22-year-old has registered five goals and two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25.

Aston Villa and Crystal Palace will provide stiff competition for the rising star, who has created 47 chances in the English second-tier from the engine room.

Tottenham now making moves to sign “magical” star with 144 career goals

Ange Postecoglou could make a statement signing in the off-season.

1 BySean Markus Clifford Mar 22, 2025

Making advances ahead of the summer, it remains to be seen whether Tottenham can convince Hackney that enough minutes will be on offer in North London to continue his rapid development.

Simone Inzaghi reportedly told Inter bosses he no longer had the energy to continue after their crushing Champions League final loss.

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Inzaghi leaves Inter after four yearsItalian won six trophies with Serie A clubSet for massive Al-Hilal contractFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , the Inter boss met with club’s top management on Tuesday following their 5-0 Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. During that meeting, Inzaghi reportedly admitted he no longer had the energy to continue leading the team, despite having a contract until 2026.

AdvertisementWHAT INZAGHI SAID

Inzaghi reportedly said: "I can't go on any longer, I'm tired, I think my cycle here has come to an end."

The Inter boss met with club president Beppe Marotta, sporting director Piero Ausilio and deputy Dario Baccin in a private meeting, telling the trio he no longer had the energy to continue at the helm.

"I no longer have the energy to continue."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Inzaghi’s departure marks the end of a successful four-year spell at Inter, where he delivered six trophies, including a Serie A title and two Coppa Italia crowns. He also guided the team to two Champions League finals in three years, though both ended in defeat. The Nerazzurri were chasing a European and domestic treble but ended the season trophyless after losing in two finals and seeing Napoli take the Scudetto on the last day of the season.

The 49-year-old coach is now in talks with Saudi club Al-Hilal and is reportedly finalising a lucrative two-year contract.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR INZAGHI AND INTER?

Inzaghi is set to take over Al-Hilal and could debut in their Club World Cup opener against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Inter are actively searching for a new head coach, with names like Roberto De Zerbi and Cesc Fabregas reportedly on the shortlist.

A report has shared exactly how new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is planning to tempt Wolves forward Matheus Cunha with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Andrea Berta tipped to sign Matheus Cunha for Arsenal

The arrival of Berta has brought plenty of speculation linking the Italian with a summer swoop for Cunha.

Related Arsenal open talks to sign £50m player with Berta expected to launch bid

The new Gunners sporting director already has targets in place.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Mar 12, 2025

Wolves’ versatile star striker, who’s racked up 15 goals in all competitions for Vitor Pereira’s side this term, is set to be available for £62.5 million this summer, after the Brazilian put pen to paper on a new four-year contract in early February.

Arsenal’s next five Premier League games

Date

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

Fulham (home)

April 1st

Everton (away)

April 5th

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

That price comes in the form of a new release clause penned into his fresh terms, which allows clubs to trigger the option and bypass negotiations with Wolves if they’re prepared to pay the fee.

This will of course attract elite-level sides considering Cunha’s exceptional 2024/2025 campaign, where he starred for Wolves in a variety of attacking positions, and manager Mikel Arteta is widely rumoured to favour versatility when it comes to signing new players.

Berta also has a connection to Cunha through their time together at Atlético Madrid, with Arsenal’s new transfer chief signing the 25-year-old from Hertha Berlin to back Diego Simeone in 2021.

The forward scored seven goals and eight assists for Atlético in all competitions before departing for Wolves, where he has since gone on to shine at Molineux, and reports have claimed that Berta has told Arsenal he wishes to sign Cunha this summer (The Boot Room).

Former Gunners striker Jeremie Aliadiere also predicted that Berta could help Arsenal to strike a deal for Cunha, almost immediately after reports surfaced that the 53-year-old was closing in on the sporting director’s job.

“Berta knows Cunha from their time at Atlético Madrid, and it could be a deal that goes through,” said Aliadiere.

“He’s having a great season in a team that’s struggling to fight relegation. That shows you how good he is and how quickly he’s adapted to the Premier League. He could be a good signing too.”

How Andrea Berta is planning to sign Matheus Cunha for Arsenal

Now, a report has shared how Berta is plotting to lure the Olympic gold medalist to N5 this summer.

Indeed, a Spanish media source claims that Berta wants to “leverage his bond” with Cunha to sign him for Arsenal, and the official has made it “clear” behind the scenes that Wolves’ attacking sensation should be his first major signing.

Their strong relationship apparently developed at Atlético, where Berta was “instrumental” in his transfer from Hertha, and later his departure to England. Interestingly, previous interim director Jason Ayto and the Arsenal recruitment team also expressed an interest in Cunha during the last transfer window, but a bid ultimately didn’t materialise for the player.

However, Cunha’s new release clause presents a golden opportunity for Arsenal to seal an agreement this summer instead, and Berta could prove to be key.

“He is a special player. He can do things that can make the difference in small details,” said Wolves boss Pereira about Cunha.

“Cunha is a player, in my opinion, who can reach high standards in this league. I hope not [elsewhere] because we need him.”

West Ham United recorded their first win since January 14th, having lost three and drawn one in between. Graham Potter’s side beat 2nd-placed Arsenal 1-0, despite only having 32% possession, taking five shots, creating just one “big chance” and generating 1.20 xG.

The Hammers managed to frustrate Arsenal, sitting in a compact mid-block defensively, only allowing the Gunners to create one “big chance” from their 20 shots in the game, as Mikel Arteta’s side only generated 1.23 xG in the match.

Whilst performances have been improving under Potter since his arrival, the results hadn’t quite followed until now, but this sort of victory against their London rivals could be exactly what his side needs to really kick on for the back end of the season.

And it was the goal from Jarrod Bowen that secured all three points for Potter’s side, earning them a huge London Derby victory at the Emirates.

Jarrod Bowen's performance vs Arsenal

Bowen has made 23 appearances for the Hammers so far this season, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in all competitions.

Performance in Numbers

Not only playing as a right-winger but also filling in as a centre-forward at times, Bowen is a crucial part of the team’s success.

The 28-year-old winger scored his goal, took two shots in the game (one on target), completed six out of seven accurate passes and won two of his six ground duels in the match. Despite not being overly involved, only having 17 touches, it was his important touch that secured all three points.

But it wasn’t just Bowen who helped West Ham to this huge victory, as the man of the match went to another individual was crucial in that first-half clincher…

West Ham's standout star vs Arsenal

A man of the match display from Aaron Wan-Bissaka included a lovely assist for Bowen’s goal, a 75% aerial duel win rate, a 75% successful dribbles rate and two key passes from his 48 touches, showing his creative essence for the side, alongside his usual defensive dominance.

Stat

Wan-Bissaka

Minutes

90

Assists

1

Touches

48

Clearances

6

Blocked Shots

1

Tackles

1

Ground Duels Won

6/10

Aerial Duels Won

3/4

Key Passes

2

Successful Dribbles

3/4

Wan-Bissaka has made 27 appearances so far this season for the Hammers, scoring two goals and providing two assists, showing he can play as a nominal right-back under Julen Lopetegui, but also showing something slightly different under Potter.

The Mail’s James Sharpe described Wan-Bissaka as a “rampaging” wingback after his display against Arsenal, stating that he never knew he had it in him. The 27-year-old is largely seen as a “frequent source of genuine excitement” within the fanbase, despite the poor season they are having.

Potter will be hoping Wan-Bissaka can continue in this fine form, as he looks to climb the table with West Ham, dragging them as far away from the relegation zone as possible, and perhaps mounting a top-half charge in the final third of the season.

As for the former Manchester United man, it looks as if the Hammers have well and truly hit the jackpot with his bargain £15m capture.

West Ham player "in talks" to leave with February transfer expected

He’s keen on a new challenge.

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Leeds United went through the January transfer window, which closed for business at the start of this month, without making an addition to their first-team squad.

The Whites were reportedly looking at potential signings to come in and bolster their squad, however, as they were said to be interested in a deal to sign Emiliano Buendia on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa.

Bayer Leverkusen eventually swooped in to sign the Argentina international on loan from the Villans, which ended Daniel Farke’s chances of a reunion with the former Norwich playmaker.

Farke and his team have been flying without any extra help, from Buendia or anyone else, as they smashed Watford 4-0 away from home in their last match in the Championship.

The West Yorkshire outfit are now five points clear of Burnley in third place, and two ahead of Sheffield United in second, as they aim to secure automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

Despite there still being plenty of football left to be played, Leeds are reportedly looking ahead to the summer transfer window and who they could bring in to bolster their squad for a season in the top-flight.

Leeds eyeing German forward

The recruitment team at Thorp Arch are already hard at work to identify targets who could come in to improve Farke’s options across the pitch to deal with the step up to Premier League football.

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are now one of a number of clubs eyeing up Celtic forward Nicolas Kuhn ahead of a potential swoop for his services at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The report claims that Premier League sides Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion have both sent scouts to watch the left-footed forward in action this season, whilst other unnamed teams in England and abroad are interested in the attacker.

TEAMtalk adds that the Whites have a long-standing interest in the former Bayern Munich academy star and that they will have a chance to secure his signature if they win promotion out of the Championship this season.

The outlet reveals, though, that Celtic are not going to let the German dynamo leave without a fight and that they want a club-record fee of £26m from any team looking to sign Kuhn in the summer transfer window.

Transfer Focus

It also states that Leeds have an interest in Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer, Manchester City playmaker James McAtee, and Krasnodar star Eduard Spertsyan, which shows that they have plenty of targets that they are ready to pursue upon promotion later this year.

Leeds are fully aware of how difficult the jump from the Championship to the Premier League is, which is why they will need to get their recruitment spot on, and current star Dan James is a great example of the difference between the two divisions.

The duality of Dan James

The Wales international’s career at Leeds is the perfect example of how big the gap between the Championship and the Premier League is, if you look at his production at the top end of the pitch.

James joined the Whites from Manchester United on a permanent deal in the summer of 2021 and ended his first season with a return of four goals and four assists in 34 appearances in the top-flight.

The 27-year-old flop was then sent out on loan to Fulham for the 2022/23 campaign and only managed a haul of two goals and one assist for the Cottagers, before returning to Elland Road to play in the Championship.

Appearances

58

66

Goals

6

23

Big chances created

8

26

Assists

5

13

As you can see in the table above, James has been incredibly more productive at the top end of the pitch at Championship level in comparison to his form in the Premier League with Leeds and Fulham.

These statistics suggest that he is more suited to second division football and that, despite his impressive form this season, he could be one of the players who Farke needs to sign an upgrade on in the summer transfer window.

Why Nicolas Kuhn could be a Dan James

Signing Kuhn from Celtic could ensure that the German head coach has the upgrade that he needs on the right flank, as his form in Scotland this season suggests that he has the potential to offer more than the Welshman.

The left-footed wizard has racked up an eye-catching return of 17 goals and 12 assists in 34 matches in all competitions for the Scottish giants so far this term.

That is particularly impressive when you consider that Leeds’ top-scorer, Joel Piroe, has only managed 14 goals and six assists in 34 matches for the Whites this season.

This illustrates how big of a threat Kuhn could be for the Whites at the top end of the pitch as both a scorer and a creator of goals, in comparison to both Piroe and James.

There could be questions raised about the quality of the Scottish Premiership compared to the Premier League, but the German winger has also excelled in the Champions League for Brendan Rodgers this term – playing against the likes of Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa, and RB Leipzig.

Appearances

9

xG

0.88

Goals

2

Big chances created

4

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, Kuhn has produced six goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in nine appearances in Europe’s premier cup competition for the Hoops this season.

The 25-year-old star, who was once hailed as “magical” by Rodgers, is also unfortunate not to be on three goals in the Champions League, as he had a strike chalked off because of Adam Idah being ‘involved’ with play in an offside position against Bayern Munich.

Overall, Kuhn has shown that he has the quality to make a difference at the top end of the pitch against some of Europe’s best teams, whilst he has also been on fire across all competitions for Celtic, as shown by his return of 29 goals and assists.

The left-footed wizard has the potential to come in as a big upgrade on Dan James, who has consistently struggled against high-quality opposition in the Premier League, and as a bigger goal threat than Piroe, who he has outscored in all competitions this season.

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Therefore, Farke should push for the recruitment team to win the race for the former Bayern starlet’s signature if Leeds secure promotion to the top-flight ahead of the summer.

This week is supposed to be a special homecoming for Cameron Green, with the allrounder set to play his first Test match in his hometown of Perth against West Indies starting Wednesday.Green, who debuted in Test cricket in December of 2020, has not missed any of Australia’s 14 Tests since, but bizarrely not yet played at home, as Perth has not hosted a Test match since 2019.His homecoming has been the centerpiece of the marketing and media campaign to attract some locals through the gates this week. But Green admits he’s not really feeling the comforts of home. Staggeringly, he has played more first-class matches at Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka than he has at Perth Stadium.He has played just one Sheffield Shield match there in 2018, when he was playing as a bowler for Western Australia and batting at No. 8 behind Ashton Agar. The majority of his first-class cricket in Perth at the WACA. He has played in eight T20s at Perth Stadium, but only one since January 2020.Related

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Instead of being a fountain of local knowledge to his teammates as the only WA-based player in the playing XI, he is trying to extract as much information as he can from his interstate-based teammates who have more experience playing there than he does.”It definitely feels weird that you’re playing a home game and not at your home,” Green said. “Everyone expects you to do well and be used to the conditions but I kind of feel like maybe some of the other boys are more used to it than I am. It’ll be a challenge.”I’m asking questions of like Marnus [Labuschagne] who batted well there a few years ago about how he found it. It’s a bit weird when you’re asking guys what it’s like in your home conditions.”Green isn’t even staying in his own bed this week. He enjoyed a rare week at home in the lead-up to the Test matches after leaving Australia’s ODI series against England early to be managed ahead of the Test summer. But this week he has opted to stay at the team hotel, having stayed at home for his only international match to-date in Perth, a T20I against England in October where he felt he relaxed too much in the build-up.1:02

Warner on Green: Nineteen weeks straight in India will get you cooked

Green is quickly learning about life as a three-format player on the run, just as he learned about Test cricket on the run over the last two years.Ahead of his first home Test summer in 2020-21 against India Green played eight first-class matches, piling up three hundreds, and bowled in four of them.Before his second home summer in 2021-22, Green played five first-class matches for WA, making a century and three half-centuries, and took wickets in every game in preparation for the Ashes.Prior to a five-Test home summer against West Indies and South Africa in 2022-23, Green has not played a single red-ball game. His last first-class fixture was the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July. He has played six ODIs and seven T20Is since the end of August having become a permanent member of the ODI team, and a fringe member of the T20I side.He was preparing to play Shield cricket in mid-October and was literally facing red balls in the nets when he was told he was going to join the T20 World Cup squad following the freak injury to Josh Inglis, having left them only days earlier following the T20I series against England.Green is trying to come to terms with short lead-ins to Test matches. “That’s the unfortunate nature of playing three formats,” he said. “You don’t really get much preparation, which I’m not too used to. I’m used to like a good month or so leading into a Test series. It’s something that I’ll have to get used to and I’ve got a lot of added respect for the guys that do it.”Unlike David Warner, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood, Green doesn’t have one discipline to prepare for, he has two.Green has played 14 Tests, but none at his hometown•Getty Images

Learning how to manage his time and prioritise his practice sessions is all part of his education. Green would prefer to put his time exclusively into his batting. He was the last man left out in the middle of the WACA at Australia’s compulsory three-hour centre-wicket session on Monday. He was only outlasted by Smith who was still in the nets when Green pulled his pads off as he tried to get used to the rhythms of Test-match batting after three months of white-ball bashing.”It’s basically trying to learn how to leave the ball again,” Green said. “I think in white-ball cricket, you’re trying to hit the ball and your contact point is well in front of your eyes, basically trying and get a full swing at it. So I think it’s learning to rein it back to be able to defend under your eyes. Because it feels like a different game at times.”But he also needs to work on his bowling. Three months of white-ball cricket has meant he has not got his bowling loads to the optimal level ahead of five back-to-back Test matches, although he has edged closer in the past week.His history of stress-related back injuries remains at the forefront of Australia’s minds, but his overs and his bowling skill remain vitally important to the balance of Australia’s attack. He no longer has the technical counsel of Matt Mason, the former WA bowling coach who has since joined England’s women’s team after leaving Perth last summer. But Green continues to use his technical advice as he tries to remain fit and healthy throughout another big summer campaign.”Matt Mason left me in a really good place,” Green said. “I think he had two really simple focuses that I have towards my bowling, basically jumping straight and not trying to jump too much. Trying to keep as balanced as I can at the crease. A couple of really nice clear checkpoints to kind of check in every so often and I’ve had two or three good sessions with them this week.”Green will have to continue to manage himself through an unrelenting schedule over the next 12 months, which will only be exacerbated if he adds the IPL to tours of India, England and the World Cup in 2023.Perth itself may become as foreign to him by the end of it as Perth Stadium is this week.

The deadline has come and gone, with questions left to ponder as to quite what to make of the transfer window from a Celtic perspective.

Yes, the headline may have been the glorious return of former hero Jota – who marked the start of his second spell by sealing the win at Motherwell at the weekend – but has that £8m switch somewhat blinded from an otherwise poor period of business?

There’s no denying the delight at seeing Celtic’s new number seven back at Parkhead, ready to rip Premiership defences to shreds once again, as he did so successfully under Ange Postecoglou.

And yet, there is an argument that the Hoops squad is now weaker than when the window started, having allowed 85-goal sensation, Kyogo Furuhashi, to join struggling Ligue 1 side, Rennes, on a £10m deal.

That mid-season exit would have been swallowed had an adequate replacement been brought in, yet Brendan Rodgers has been left empty-handed, forced to rely on £9.5m man Adam Idah for the remainder of the season – a player who boasts just six Premiership goals this term.

Kieran Tierney is, of course, set to make his own emotional homecoming in the near future, yet with a January loan switch having been ruled out for the Scotsman, the Hoops were forced to settle for another Premier League talent instead…

What Jeffrey Schlupp brings to Celtic

Jeffrey Schlupp signing on loan from Crystal Palace in the last knockings of deadline day was unlikely to have been on anyone’s transfer bingo card, with the versatile 32-year-old joining on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

A former Premier League winner at Leicester City, the veteran asset does provide a wealth of experience for Rodgers’ side, albeit while having failed to start a single game in all competitions in 2024/25 to date.

As Rodgers stated, Schlupp is “a fantastic guy, someone with real high-level experience and with great attributes including power, pace and versatility”, yet after the excitement surrounding a potential early return for Tierney, this last-gasp move feels like something of a let down.

Not that the Ghanaian should be judged before he’s taken to the field, however, while his ability to operate at left-back or in a more advanced role should certainly make him a useful asset.

With Alex Valle having unfortunately returned to parent club Barcelona to subsequently sign for Cesc Fabregas’ Como, it will likely then be a straight battle between Schlupp and Greg Taylor on the left flank, ahead of Tierney’s return this summer.

Greg Taylor's market value at Celtic

Something of a marmite figure at Parkhead, Taylor now resides in a precarious position in Glasgow.

Market Movers

Currently the first-choice left-back, the 27-year-old will seemingly be aware that he will likely lose that crown in just a matter of months, when Tierney officially signs on a free transfer.

It is perhaps no surprise then that the Scotland international is seemingly contemplating a free transfer switch of his own, having yet to extend his contract which expires in June.

Rodgers did previously hint that getting the full-back to agree terms was a “priority”, albeit while then admitting in December that he is aware that it is one of Taylor’s “last big contracts”, such is the point in his career.

A straight swap then could occur, in essence, if Tierney arrives and Taylor walks out the door, although it would be of frustration to lose the latter man for nothing, particularly considering his current market value.

19 games

0 goals

5 assists

7 big chances created

1.4 key passes*

88% pass accuracy*

1.7 tackles*

0.6 interceptions*

53% total duels won*

14.4x possession lost*

As per Transfermarkt, the former Kilmarnock man – who signed on a £3m deal back in 2019 as Tierney’s replacement – is worth €7m (£6m), thus placing him ahead of even new man, Schlupp, who is deemed to be worth €6m (£5m) at present.

There is perhaps a world in which Rodgers and co should’ve cashed in on Taylor either in January or last summer, in order to try and earn a profit on their initial investment, yet having seen Valle depart and allowed Alexandro Bernabei to move on permanently, the situation is now as it is.

A player capable of whipping in an assist as he did for Luke McCowan against Dundee, while also guilty of lapses like his errant pass in the League Cup final, the £15k-per-week asset remains an enigma.

If he does choose to move on at the end of the campaign, he can look back on his part in a glittering period of domestic dominance under both Postecoglou and Rodgers. As for the club itself, however, they may regret not cashing in on such a servant when they potentially had the chance.

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Wesley Sneijder dismissed Declan Rice's free-kick double against Real Madrid as "very easy" as the midfielder helped Arsenal to a 3-0 win on Tuesday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Rice scored two free-kicks in win against Madrid
• Sneijder downplayed the midfielder's strikes
• Blamed Courtois and defensive wall for 'easy goals'

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rice sent the ball curling past Madrid's wall and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to give Arsenal the lead just before the hour mark in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final tie. Twelve minutes later, he blasted into the top corner to double their lead before Mikel Merino secured a 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

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• AFP
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rice revealed the initial plan was to whip in a cross, but said that he saw the goalkeeper's position before Bukayo Saka told him to have a go if he 'felt it' as he blasted into the net. Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta described the England international's goals as "magic moments", but ex-Madrid and Ajax star Sneijder dismissed the hype.

• WHAT SNEIJDER SAID

  "That wall wasn’t positioned properly for that first goal. [Courtois] assumes that Saka will take it, he is a left-footer," Sneijder said on . "Then he can move the wall a bit more to the right, so that he can take his own corner. A right-footed player should never be able to shoot around the wall from that angle. That’s not allowed. It seems a bit crazy what I’m going to say now. This seems very difficult, but for a right-footed player this is very easy. If you have a good strike then this is a very easy ball. When you are on the pitch, you see that the ball has to go around the wall on that side. The wall was too far to the left."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arsenal face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday before heading to the Spanish capital for the return fixture against Carlo Ancelotti's men on April 16.