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Jaffer said that CSK shut shop too quickly if Shivam Dube falls in chases

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-20252:46

Jaffer: ‘If top order doesn’t fire, CSK shut shop early’

Wasim Jaffer believes Chennai Super Kings (CSK) look “rattled” in IPL 2025, adding that their batting order doesn’t even “look like they’re trying” once Shivam Dube gets out. Mark Boucher, meanwhile, feels things are not “happening the way it used to before” for the side. In the 184-run chase against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Chepauk, CSK’s batters once again misfired as they suffered their third consecutive loss of the season.”They’re losing too many wickets upfront,” Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “Whether it’s form or poor shot selection, whether it’s selection alone, and maybe throwing around too many players and those players might be feeling like, ‘I don’t know if I’m in or out’, and that could be something we’re not used to when looking at a Chennai team. Usually, they’re stable, a good decision-making team and franchise. The team is like they’re a bit rattled at the moment.”With captain Ruturaj Gaikwad dropping himself to No. 3, CSK opened with Rachin Ravindra and Rahul Tripathi in the first three games. But with Tripathi making a total of just 30 runs, he was replaced by Devon Conway. The move did not pay off against DC, with the top-three batters falling inside the powerplay, which brought in Shivam Dube while they needed 143 runs at an asking rate close to ten runs an over. But after Dube fell for 18 in the tenth over, CSK found it hard to get going.Related

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KL Rahul shines as DC outclass CSK in Chennai

Stats – CSK go six years without chasing a 180-plus target

“If their top order doesn’t fire and Dube gets out, it looks like they shut shop very quickly,” Jaffer said. “They feel really, really behind the game and it doesn’t even look like they’re trying. That approach has been the most surprising to me; it’s twice in two games, where they shut shop too early. That’s a major concern for CSK.”Dube’s dismissal was followed by an 84-run stand between MS Dhoni and Vijay Shankar, but they didn’t look like they would get close to chasing down the target. They were risk-averse, scoring just three fours and a six between overs ten and 18.This was CSK’s second faltered chase at home. They suffered a 50-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where they were reduced to 26 for 3 in the fifth over after conceding 196 for 7. They also failed to chase 183 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati, falling six runs short after batting out 20 overs.They have also used 17 players this season – more than they did in the entirety of the 2015 (14) and 2021 (16) IPL editions.”Their top order is really struggling,” Boucher said. “And we talk about your lower order which has been historically very strong and finishing off games, the [Ravindra] Jadejas, the Dhonis – the Dhoni little cameos that they usually have – they’re walking in just after ten overs. So, there’s a lot left to do from just a batsmanship perspective, and that’s where they’re getting it wrong.””The players that they had picked in the auction before – they picked Ajinkya Rahane, Robin Uthappa, [Ambati] Rayudu who are way past their prime – and they came and performed,” Jaffer said. “But that is not happening with this CSK: they picked Tripathi, they picked Deepak Hooda, and even Vijay Shankar. But things are not happening the way it used to.”

Bayern Munich reportedly launched a shock summer swoop to sign Raheem Sterling but the Chelsea misfit rejected the Bavarians. The Bundesliga champions made their move late in the window, with Vincent Kompany eager to link up with his former Manchester City teammate. But despite Bayern offering the lure of trophies and Champions League nights, Sterling gave them a flat rejection.

Getty/GOALSterling part of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’

Instead of lighting up the Allianz Arena, Sterling is stuck in the dreaded "bomb squad" at Stamford Bridge; the infamous group of unwanted players frozen out of Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans. The England star is marooned alongside others who failed to secure exits, including defender Axel Disasi. For the next four months, his reality is training in the shadows until January’s window gives him another escape route.

AdvertisementFamily ties trump trophies

According to Sterling turned down Bayern not for football, but family. He wanted to stay in London, where his partner and children are settled. A nine-month stint abroad without guarantees of regular minutes held little appeal, even with the chance to compete for major silverware.

AFPLondon interest fizzles out

There was talk of a loan move within the capital, with a couple of Premier League rivals exploring possibilities. Yet nothing ever moved beyond preliminary chats. Without firm offers in London, and with Sterling refusing to uproot his family, he was left stranded at Cobham when the window slammed shut.

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The contract conundrum

The elephant in the room is his mega Chelsea deal. Sterling is tied down until 2027 and stands to pocket around £30m ($40m) in wages. No player is walking away from that kind of fortune, and no club is cutting a cheque that big just to send him packing. Both parties are locked in a stalemate where a compromise looks like the only way out, but right now, no solution is on the table.

وجّه عادل مصطفى، المدرب العام السابق للنادي الأهلي، رسالة دعم وتقدير إلى عماد النحاس عقب رحيله عن تدريب الفريق الأحمر، وتعيين ييس توروب مديرًا فنيًا جديدًا خلفًا له.

وكان النادي الأهلي قد عقد مؤتمرًا صحفيًا للإعلان رسميًا عن التعاقد مع ياس توروب لقيادة الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، بعد إنهاء التعاقد مع الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو بسبب تراجع النتائج، وتولّي عماد النحاس المهمة بشكل مؤقت حتى التعاقد مع المدير الفني الجديد.

طالع أيضًا | خالد الغندور: ما فعله سوروب يؤكد شخصيته القوية.. ومسؤول الأهلي “خط أحمر”

وكتب عادل مصطفى عبر صفحته الرسمية على موقع فيس بوك رسالة مؤثرة لزميله السابق قال فيها: “المخلص والراجل والجدع طول الوقت، كنت بتحاول تقدم أحسن ما عندك، اتشرفت بالعمل معاك، وربنا يكتبلك كل الخير”.

وفي سياق متصل، أعلن نادي الزوراء العراقي تعاقده رسميًا مع عماد النحاس لتولي القيادة الفنية للفريق الأول خلال المرحلة المقبلة، في خطوة جديدة بمسيرته التدريبية.

ويُعد النحاس من أبرز المدربين أصحاب الخبرة في الدوري المصري، إذ تولّى تدريب عدة أندية منها المقاولون العرب، الاتحاد السكندري، وأسوان، إلى جانب تجربته الأخيرة مع الأهلي كمدير فني مؤقت قبل رحيله عقب تولي توروب المهمة رسميًا.

خضع لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول إلى عملية جراحية ناجحة بعد الإصابة القوية التي تعرض لها في إحدى مباريات الفريق.

وخسر ليفربول أمام جالطة سراي بهدف نظيف أحرزه المهاجم الدولي النيجيري فيكتور أوسيمين، من ركلة جزاء في المباراة التي جمعت الفريقان ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتعرض مدافع الفريق الأول لكرة القدم الإيطالي جيوفاني ليوني، لتمزق في الرباط الصليبي الأمامي خلال مباراة فريقه أمام ساوثهامبتون في كأس كاراباو.

اقرأ أيضًا | مستشهدة بأمم إفريقيا.. ديلي ميل تستعرض عجز هجوم ليفربول بدون محمد صلاح

وكان أول ظهور له بقميص ليفربول في كأس كاراباو أمام ساوثهامبتون والذي كان فيه آرن سلوت سعيدًا للغاية بالأداء الذي قدمه اللاعب الشاب.

وفقًا لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية، خضع الشاب الإيطالي ليوني لعملية جراحية ناجحة في ركبته يوم الثلاثاء الماضي.

وأفادت أنه لا يزال من المبكر جدًا مناقشة موعد تعافيه ولكن وفقًا لمصادر إيطالية، سيكون من المفاجئ عودة المدافع هذا الموسم وقد نتطلع حتى أواخر عام 2026 كموعد لعودته.

It’s almost time for Chelsea to return to action.

While most Premier League clubs are spread all across the globe preparing for the new season, Chelsea players are currently on holiday, having a well-earned break, following their exploits at the Club World Cup, beating PSG 3-0 in the final in New Jersey.

Enzo Maresca will have just two pre-season friendlies before their league campaign commences against Crystal Palace, welcoming Bayer Leverkusen to Stamford Bridge on Friday 8 August, before also taking on Internazionale at home two days later.

Before then, how many more new signings will Chelsea supporters have to get excited about?

Chelsea's search for more attackers

As the table below documents, Chelsea have plenty of attacking options in their squad; we’ve attempted to categorize all the many, many players!

New signings

João Pedro

2025

3

Estêvão Willian

2025

Zero

Jamie Gittens

2025

Zero

Kendry Páez

2025

Zero

Liam Delap

2025

6

Existing squad members

Cole Palmer

2023

97

Pedro Neto

2024

51

Tyrique George

2024*

26

Marc Guiu

2024

16

Omari Kellyman

2024

Zero

Expected to leave/unavailable

Raheem Sterling

2022

81

Nicolas Jackson

2023

81

Christopher Nkunku

2023

62

Armando Broja

2020*

38

David Datro Fofana

2023

4

Mykhailo Mudryk

2023

73

*academy graduate; indicates year of senior debut

As the table outlines, Chelsea have a fair few attacking players in the squad, a contingent that’s seemingly only set to increase in size, with Xavi Simons on course to arrive from RB Leipzig for €50m (around £43m), according to James Olley of ESPN.

However, could an even more exciting attacker soon be on his way to Stamford Bridge too?

Well, as reported by journalist Ben Jacobs , Chelsea are plotting a bid to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.

Transfer Focus

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

The Argentine international finds himself in exile, told to find a new club by manager Rúben Amorim back in May, currently left behind at Carrington while the team are in the United States, part of the infamous ‘bomb squad’, alongside Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Earlier this summer, it was reported that Man United were demanding £70m for Garnacho but, given that it’s now public knowledge he is not in their plans, James Ducker of the Telegraph claims he is available for £40m, so could Chelsea secure a bargain?

How Alejandro Garnacho would improve Chelsea

As far back as early June, after they decided to pay a £5m penalty fee to not keep Sancho, Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian reported that Chelsea are ‘priori­tising the addition’ of a right-footed left-winger, with Garnacho on their shortlist.

Still only 21 years old, he has scored 26 goals and registered 22 assists in 144 appearances for a generally dysfunctional Man United side, with Statman Dave impressed by his “electric” impact.

Meantime, Andy Mitten of The Athletic notes that he has been one of the Red Devils’ ‘bright sparks’ in recent times, stating that his ‘work rate’ and finishing have both improved, while Kurosh Moghtader of Total Football Analysis labels him a ‘reliable attacking outlet’ who still has ‘room for improvement’.

So, let’s assess how he compares to Simons.

Minutes

2,195

2,157

Goals

5

10

Assists

2

7

Shots

55

33

Shots on target

30

23

Big chances missed

14

2

Chances created

37

50

Big chances created

4

12

Take-on success %

32.1%

37.1%

% of touches in the box

15%

5%

In a near-identical number of league minutes last season, it is true that Simons comes out on top when it comes to goals and assists as well as chances created and dribbling, but Garnacho is often more of a goal-threat, having more shots and taking an exponentially higher proportion of his touches in the opposition penalty area.

Across all competitions too, Garnacho finished with 21 goals and assists in all competitions, ahead of Simons’ return of 19 goal involvements back in Germany.

Two other factors work in Garnacho’s favour too.

First, he is Premier League proven; Chelsea have previous when it comes to signing highly-rated players from the Bundesliga that have not worked out, namely Christopher Nkunku and Timo Werner (both also from RB Leipzig), as well as Kai Havertz too.

Second, there is a clear position available for Garnacho, who favours playing on the left wing, so would be in direct competition with Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens for starting minutes.

Simons, on the other hand, wants to be deployed as a number ten, a spot predominantly occupied by either an untouchable Cole Palmer or the improving Enzo Fernández, so who knows where he’ll fit in, hence why Garnacho could make the bigger impact, should he arrive for a knocked-down price.

Bigger talent than Simons: Chelsea submit bid to sign "special" £61m star

With Chelsea set to sign Xavi Simons, the Blues have also had a £61m big rejected for a “special” star who might actually be even more talented.

ByBen Gray Jul 27, 2025

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has issued a statement in support of promoting the participation of women in cricket as South Africa’s men’s team prepares to play three ODIs against Afghanistan in the UAE.Afghanistan is the only ICC Full Member that does not have a women’s team, with significant restrictions imposed on women in the country under the Taliban government.This is the first bilateral series between the two countries and only the third time South Africa will play 50-over cricket against Afghanistan after meeting them at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. These fixtures are not part of the 2023-2027 Future Tours Programme (FTP) and have been added to the calendar as CSA seeks more competitive opportunities for its teams. SACA welcomed these additions, and said in a statement they “respect the position of CSA in this regard as the national governing body for cricket.”However, SACA, on behalf of the players, wanted to add a voice of concern for the “deteriorating human rights for women under the Taliban rule,” and reiterate their support in promoting women’s cricket everywhere.Related

• Inexperienced SA brace for Afghanistan challenge amid loud backlash

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• South Africa add fresh faces for white-ball games against Afghanistan and Ireland

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• Afghanistan women request ICC to help set up a refugee team in Australia

“World Cricketers’ Association and SACA do not condone any situation in which women’s players are excluded from competing in our sport,” Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO and WCA board member, said. “Every athlete has the right to equality of opportunity which is protected by international law and set out in the Universal Declaration of Player Rights. That means each player has the right to equality of opportunity in the pursuit of sport, free of discrimination, harassment and violence. A player’s right to pursue sport cannot be limited because of his or her gender. We urge CSA to utilise the leverage available to it through this series to highlight that these rights for Afghanistan’s women’s players must be protected and respected.”CSA is not expected to comment on the statement but as an ICC Member has been part of discussions around the Afghanistan situation. Its outgoing chair, Lawson Naidoo, was on the ICC’s Afghanistan working group. Sources have told ESPNcricnfo that the ICC continues to discuss possible solutions around the lack of a women’s team in Afghanistan, including ongoing conversations around a refugee team based in Australia. The ICC is hesitant to ban the men’s team (like it did with South Africa in 1970 in a stand against racial Apartheid). The ACB, because of the Taliban’s position on women, cannot recognise a women’s team. There are fears from various quarters that forcing the issue of a women’s team on the Taliban government would put lives at risk.The ICC continues to include Afghanistan as a Full Member in its international calendar, though some countries have refused to play against them bilaterally. Australia, in consultation with their government, have postponed two series in as many years against Afghanistan. They continue to play against Afghanistan in ICC tournaments. South Africa have only previously met Afghanistan in major events, most recently at the T20 World Cup semi-final, which South Africa won.On Monday, South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter was asked whether there was any consideration not to play against Afghanistan given the current regime. He passed the onus onto Cricket South Africa, without offering any personal opinion. “To be honest, those decisions are not for me to make. Ultimately, the heads of CSA decide whether we do or don’t play and so that’s the extent of it,” he said.South Africa will play Afghanistan in three ODIs in Sharjah from next Wednesday, before facing Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs in Abu Dhabi.

Manchester City fans will be hoping their damaged side can get back on the horse in convincing fashion when Premier League football kicks off again in August.

The ten-time top-flight champions fell way below their lofty standards last season when finishing in third spot in the competitive division, whilst an FA Cup final slip-up to Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace further added to the lacklustre mood at the Etihad.

City have been spending big this summer to try and right the wrongs of their 2024/25 campaign coming undone, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait Nouri all coming through the door in quick succession, but this hat-trick of exciting buys still couldn’t stop the Citizens from crashing out of the Club World Cup unexpectedly to Al-Hilal.

More new purchases could be pushed onto the table, therefore, to help boost Pep Guardiola’s men even more, with a potential defensive addition around the £25m mark on the agenda.

£25m star now on Man City's agenda

Of course, it’s not just incoming signings that City will be wanting to press on with.

The dented Premier League giants will also want to get even more personnel off their books this summer – away from allowing just Kevin De Bruyne to move onto Napoli – with Jack Grealish reportedly being eyed up by many a potential suitor, including both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, as City continue with their clearout.

Transfer Focus

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

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£40m could soon enter into City’s bank account if the former Aston Villa man finally departs Manchester for good, with £25m of that potentially used to snap up Inter Milan defensive star Denzel Dumfries.

Indeed, as per a new report from Italy, the lightning-quick right-back is being eyed up by City as another first-team altering addition.

It’s claimed that City are ready to trigger that £21m release clause fee, signalling their intentions to make a bid in the not-too-distant future.

How Dumfries can be City's answer to Frimpong

Should Dumfries head to England this summer then he could well be City’s answer to Jeremie Frimpong, with the Citizens once possessing the 5-foot-8 menace during his youth days, before he moved on to Liverpool for a hefty £29.5m after a blistering Bayer Leverkusen stint.

Now, that past regret will be far easier to process if Dumfries soon joins Guardiola’s ever-growing camp to be City’s up-to-date answer to their ex-academy talent.

After all, City have licked their wounds in this department before, with Guardiola and Co. still managing to finish above Chelsea last season, even as their former homegrown product Cole Palmer terrorised Premier League defences at will.

Now, they will be hoping to overshadow another of their top-flight rivals in Arne Slot’s Reds by landing their own version of Frimpong, with both right-backs in question loving a speedy dart forward, as much as they love to battle away at the back for their team’s cause.

Last season in the intense environment of the Serie A, Dumfries would dazzle as a gung-ho option on the right, with a sublime seven of his 11 goals for the campaign coming in Italian top-flight action, which included a fantastic breakaway move being finished off by the direct 29-year-old.

Frimpong bettered Dumfries’ hefty amount, but not by much, with the pacey Amsterdam-born defender chipping in with a bumper nine efforts himself in the Bundesliga.

Dumfries’ FBref numbers over the last year vs Frimpong’s

Stat – per 90 mins

Dumfries

Frimpong

Total shots

1.52

1.36

Shot-creating actions

2.32

2.67

Attempted passes

38.68

35.80

Progressive passes

2.25

2.00

Progressive carries

2.51

4.11

Touches in attacking penalty area

0.76

0.90

Tackles

1.49

1.13

Blocks

1.46

0.98

Aerial duels won

2.60

0.43

Stats by FBref

The similarities don’t just end with their shared prowess for gallivanting forward with pace, however, as seen when glancing at the table above, with both defenders willing to get stuck in for the cause, too.

If anything, City might be winning themselves a better signing by landing Dumfries for a lesser £25m, with the Dutchman winning more tackles and aerial duels over the last year than Frimpong, according to FBref, away from just being known as a “monster” in the words of journalist Alan Rzepa.

A fascinating battle might well ensue at the top of the division next season between City and Liverpool, with the Citizens hopeful they can return to the Premier League summit after experiencing a blip of a season by securing more and more new stars, such as Dumfries.

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Already impressed by his performance at the Club World Cup, Ruben Amorim could now reportedly urge INEOS to sign a midfield star for Manchester United who has a release clause worth a hefty £85m.

Man Utd discover brutal first 5 Premier League games

As the transfer window rumbles on, the big talking point this week has come away from potential incomings and to next season’s Premier League fixtures. Officially announced Wednesday morning, Manchester United have now discovered their fate alongside the rest of their rivals and, for the Red Devils, that fate may well be a start full of frustration.

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On paper, Amorim’s side have the toughest Premier League start, but that could quickly turn into a positive if they manage to navigate what would be an excellent start.

The pressure will certainly be on Amorim to finally get the best out of his side too. INEOS have already backed him by signing Matheus Cunha and it looks as though they’re likely to do the same by signing Bryan Mbuemo. But even then, the incomings may be far from over.

The likes of Hugo Ekitike have also found themselves in the headlines as of late. The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United already this summer and he could yet have a crucial decision to make.

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Manchester United appear to be making moves towards a new centre-forward this summer.

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Whilst Frankfurt value the Frenchman at around €100m (£85m), recent reports have claimed that United are open to finding a way past this price tag by offering Joshua Zirkzee or Rasmus Hojlund in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

Landing Ekitike for a cheaper transfer fee could then open the door for another fresh face and this time a midfielder who is already impressing on the big stage this summer.

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ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025 Amorim could urge Man Utd to sign Richard Rios

According to GiveMeSport, Amorim could now urge Manchester United chiefs to sign Richard Rios this summer after being left impressed by his Club World Cup form. The Red Devils have already sent scouts to watch the Palmeiras midfielder and are continuing to track his progress ahead of a potential move in the coming months.

The deal, like Ekitike, Cunha and Mbeumo, won’t come cheap, however, amid reports that Rios has a release clause worth as much as £85m in his current Palmeiras deal.

A player who analyst Ben Mattinson described as a “ball-carrying machine” in 2023, Rios has only improved ever since and is now ready for the European move that Manchester United could offer him this summer.