After their first 29 outings of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, many Leeds United fans will be confident that the club can secure a return to the Premier League after a two-year absence.

The Whites, led by boss Daniel Farke, currently sit top of the table with just 17 games to go, arguably in pole position to secure the title and make amends for last season’s play-off defeat.

However, despite their impressive form, the January transfer window presents an opportunity for the hierarchy to invest further and strengthen their league standing.

As of yet, no deals have been completed, that’s despite various different rumours over players who could complete a move to Elland Road before the deadline.

A new name has recently been thrown into the mix, with Farke’s side potentially handing one player a lifeline with a move to Yorkshire over the coming days.

Leeds United make contact for Premier League star

According to The Athletic, Leeds have made contact with Newcastle United over a potential move to sign Matt Targett before Monday’s deadline.

The 29-year-old has massively struggled for game time in recent months, making just nine combined appearances over the last two seasons at St James’ Park.

The report claims that the Magpies are holding out for a fee in the region of £15m, which would see them recoup all of the fee they splashed out on his signature after his move to Tyneside in the summer of 2022.

Targett, who earns £100k-per-week in the North East, could be more likely to move to the Yorkshire outfit on loan as a result of the demanded fee and weekly wages, potentially helping Farke in his quest for promotion.

Any move for the full-back could see the Whites land themselves another version of a player who also impressed after his own temporary move to the club from a top division outfit.

Why Targett could be Leeds’ next Ben White

Defender Ben White joined Leeds on loan back in the 2019/20 season, playing a huge role in various positions during their previous promotion campaign from the Championship.

The former Brighton man often featured at right-back and centre-back during his temporary stint, featuring nearly 50 times during that one season, leading to calls for the hierarchy to land the Englishman permanently.

He’s since moved to Arsenal, starring at the very top level, but it’s safe to say the fans are still very appreciative of the 27-year-old after his temporary spell at Elland Road.

Any move for Targett could see the club land a new version of the star, with the Newcastle man able to have a similar impact during his loan move should he move to Yorkshire this month.

He’s previously impressed during a temporary spell, as seen during his move to Tyneside, making 16 appearances and becoming an integral part of Eddie Howe’s side – something which he could repeat under Farke, following in White’s footsteps.

When looking at the current options in the left-back area at the club, Sam Byram is currently starting there, in what is an unfamiliar position, with regular starter Junior Firpo struggling with injuries in recent times.

The “top-quality” Magpies talent, as dubbed by former boss Dean Smith, has produced numerous comparable stats to White did during his spell under Marcelo Bielsa, showcasing why Targett could have a similar impact.

How Targett compares to White in their respective loan spells

Statistics (per 90)

Targett (21/22)

White (19/20)

Games played

16

46

Goals & assists

2

3

Progressive passes

4.3

3.5

Shot-creating actions

2.5

0.5

Tackles entered

2.4

1.6

% of tackles won

59%

51%

Aerials won

66%

52%

Stats via FBref

Targett completed more progressive passes per 90 in 2021/22 on loan at Newcastle compared to White did with Leeds back in 2019/20, whilst also registering more shot-creating actions – highlighting his attacking threat from full-back.

He also made more tackles whilst coming out on top in more aerial battles, handing Farke that defensive solidity in the backline as the club look to secure promotion once again.

Whilst it may seem an unpopular and uninspiring addition, he’s previously shown he’s able to make a positive contribution whilst temporarily featuring for a new outfit – hopefully transferring that to any potential move.

Should he make any form of contribution similar to that of White at Elland Road, he would be a huge hit with supporters, which could play a massive role in their ambitions of returning to the top flight.

Related Their new Kalvin Phillips: Leeds keen on late move for "world-class" ace

Leeds United may be about to make a statement signing in their quest for Championship promotion.

Posts ByEthan Lamb Jan 28, 2025

Chelsea have triggered a permanent transfer option in Jadon Sancho’s loan, but they can still get out of the deal with Manchester United.

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Joined Blues on season-loan agreementObligation to buy for £25m triggeredCould still send winger back to Old TraffordFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Blues signed the England international winger on a season-long agreement during the summer window of 2024. Sancho has registered just three goals in all competitions, while half of his 10 assists have come in the Conference League.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The 25-year-old forward has struggled to convince those at Stamford Bridge that he is worth keeping around. A 2-1 derby victory over Fulham does, however, mean that a £25 million ($33m) purchase clause has kicked in.

WHAT TRANSFER EXPERT SAID

That is because the Blues are now guaranteed to finish higher than 15th in the Premier League table. Transfer expert reports that: "Chelsea's win over Fulham means an obligation to buy Jadon Sancho of up to £25m [€29m] has now kicked in. It is triggered providing Chelsea finish above 15th, which is now mathematically guaranteed to be the case."

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Chelsea do have a way out of the big-money transfer that is being lined up. Jacobs adds that: "Chelsea can override the obligation by paying Man Utd a fee of £5m [€6m]. Decision whether to keep Sancho will be taken at the end of the season."

MatériaMais Notícias

Aprendizado constante em busca do aperfeiçoamento. É dessa forma Marcinho encara a passagem que está tendo pelo Londrina. Emprestado pelo São Joseense depois de se destacar no Paranaense, o jogador chegou ao Tubarão no final de março para disputar pela primeira vez a Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Itália x Argentina: onde assistir, escalações e horário da Finalíssima

Com participação em seis das nove partidas realizadas pelo clube na disputa do nacional, o atleta, que pode atuar tanto de volante como de lateral, analisa o que esses momentos iniciais com a camisa da equipe representam para a sua carreira.

– Evolução é a palavra que vem à minha cabeça. Evolução tanto pessoal como de toda a equipe. O trabalho está sendo bem feito e a confiança existe para que possamos estar crescendo cada vez mais na competição e atingindo os objetivos do clube na temporada – contou.

Diante de tantos desafios, Marcinho também ressalta o nível de entrega que uma competição equilibrada como é a segunda divisão do brasileiro exige visando a conquista do crescimento constante.

– A Série B é um campeonato de altíssimo nível, com jogos muito acirrados. Isso, junto ao meu dia a dia de trabalho, com os meus companheiros, e todo empenho da comissão técnica, está me ajudando a evoluir bastante – afirmou o atleta de 23 anos.

Com nove pontos conquistados, o Londrina mira a conquista de novo resultado positivo na próxima rodada do campeonato, quando visita a Chapecoense na sexta-feira. Adversário bastante conhecido por Marcinho desde os tempos em que defendia a camisa do Avaí, equipe pela qual atuou na base e despontou para o futebol profissional.

– Sabemos da dificuldade de jogar em Chapecó, mas viemos de uma bela vitória no clássico que nos dá muita confiança para buscar um bom resultado e cada vez mais subir na tabela. Tenho boas lembranças em confrontos contra a Chapecoense, então espero que consiga usar desse retrospecto para ajudar o Londrina a conquistar a vitória – concluiu.

Marcinho fez parte dos elencos do Avaí que conquistaram o Campeonato Catarinense em 2019 tanto no profissional quanto na base. Títulos vencidos, na ocasião, contra a própria Chapecoense.

Newcastle United supporters are loving life right now.

Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Bromley means the Magpies have now won eight successive matches, doing so, as a top-flight club, for the first time since March 2005.

As well as FA Cup progression, Eddie Howe’s team have climbed up to fifth in the Premier League table and are all but through to the EFL Cup Final, meaning they will aim to collect a ninth consecutive victory when Wolves visit St James’ Park on Wednesday night, a feat the club most-recently achieved in 1994.

Currently on course for Champions League qualification, Newcastle could also be busy off the field this January, seeking to enhance their forward line.

Newcastle targeting new winger

Newcastle haven’t enjoyed the transfer window recently. In 2024, they were forced to sell two incredibly talented young players in Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.

Well, fast forward to January 2025 and it looks like they’re trying to fix that situation by bringing in one of the finest young English prospects.

That’s according to The Athletic who reveal that ‘Newcastle have watched’ Southampton winger Tyler Dibling.

He is not a priority target for January and is one of a number of young forward players being looked at.

Previous reports add that the attacker is also on Manchester City’s “radar”, while Chelsea regret allowing the teenager to return to the Saints two seasons ago.

Newcastle have a long-standing interest in Dibling, he reportedly met with club staff during a visit to Tyneside in 2022, and their interest in his signature remains strong.

Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider believes Southampton value their most-prized asset at £30m, adding it is ‘inevitable’ that he will leave the Saints this year, given that the South Coast side are doomed for the drop, currently ten points from safety.

Transfer Focus

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

How Tyler Dibling would improve Newcastle

Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day, former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy said Dibling “goes past people at ease, he’s got a lovely left foot”, adding even though he’s only just come on the scene, “he’s going to be something really special”.

So where would Dibling fit in at Newcastle?

The teenager has been deployed both wide-right and centrally for Southampton, but would likely be signed to usurp the in-form Jacob Murphy as Newcastle’s first-choice option on the right-flank, so let’s see how the duo compare.

Appearances

23

19

Minutes

1,471

1,152

Goals

4

3

Assists

2

7

Shots

28

25

Shots on target %

39.3%

24%

Pass completion %

77.8%

70.5%

Progressive carries

50

30

Shot-creating actions

37

39

Attempted take-ons

73

23

% of successful take-ons

35.6%

34.8%

Before analysing the statistics, it’s worth stating up front that Murphy is playing for the most in-form team in the Premier League, a side he is, in fairness, a key member of, while Dibling’s Southampton are on course to break Derby’s worst-ever points tally of 11, set in 2007/08.

That caveat aside, Dibling’s numbers are even more impressive, emphasising he is much more of a direct winger than Murphy, hence why he’s accumulated more shots, a higher % of which hit the target, while the teenager has attempted more than three times as many take-ons.

In fact, across the entire Premier League, only 11 players have registered more take-ons, while he ranks joint 35th for progressive carries, which may not sound overly impressive, but it certainly is considering the Saints are rock-bottom of the table, having won only one game all season, so just imagine how effective Dibling could be in a top side.

Murphy is certainly underrated, playing magnificently well for Newcastle right now, but if the Magpies want to go to the next level, they need a game-changing right-winger.

Dibling could be the man they’re looking for; alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, he would certainly form a frightening attacking trident.

Newcastle could make Isak even better by signing "unstoppable" £68m star

Newcastle are eyeing up an ambitious move this month

ByRoss Kilvington Jan 13, 2025

أدلى دين هندرسون، حارس الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي كريستال بالاس، بتصريحات صحفية عقب فوز فريقه أمام مانشستر سيتي في منافسات كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

وفاز كريستال بالاس بنتيجة 1-0 على خصمه مانشستر سيتي، في نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، على ملعب “ويمبلي” (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وبهذه النتيجة، تمكن كريستال بالاس من الفوز باللقب الأول له في تاريخه بمسابقة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

وقال دين هندرسون في تصريحات لقناة “BBC SPORTS”: “شعرنا أن اليوم سيكون يومنا، وضع المدرب خطة لعب ونفذناها، نستحق هذا الفوز بجدارة”.

وعن تصديه لركلة الجزاء، أوضح هندرسون : “لكي نكون منصفين، كان بإمكان هالاند أن يتقدم، لقد أعطاها لـ عمر مرموش وكنت أعرف إلى أين سيذهب، وإلى أين سيسدد”.

وعن قرار حكم الفيديو المساعد بشأن لمس الكرة خارج منطقة الجزاء: “دخلت الكرة إلى منطقة الجزاء وعرفت أن الأمر على ما يرام – من يهتم؟”.

وعن إهداء المباراة لوالده، أكد قائلاً: “لقد فقدت والدي في بداية الموسم، لكنه كان معي اليوم، كان معي في كل ركلة من المباراة، وأهدي هذا الفوز له”.

There are rumours that Everton could be re-signing Richarlison right at the end of the January transfer window.

Everton transfer news

It looks as though the Blues will complete the permanent signing of Carlos Alcaraz from Brazilian side Flamengo before deadline day reached its conclusion, with Fabrizio Romano taking to X to report the news.

“Everton are completing all details of Charly Alcaraz deal from Flamengo, it will get done tonight. €15m plus add-ons on loan with obligation to buy to be activated only in case of high number of starts.”

Everton also made a move to sign West Brom midfielder Tom Fellows on Monday, bidding £15m for his services. The Baggies have held firm, however, not wanting to allow one of their most influential players to leave midway through the season. The 21-year-old could now be a summer target instead, but he is going nowhere for now.

The Blues were also thought to be pursuing a move for Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi, seeing him as a player who could give David Moyes more attacking quality in the Premier League, but that ship appears to have sailed.

Sky man drops Richarlison to Everton reaction

Writing in response to a fan on X on Monday evening, Alan Myers claimed that “anything is possible” when quizzed about rumours of Richarlison joining Everton at the eleventh hour.

It goes without saying that it is unlikely that Richarlison will be back at Everton late in the day, but it is interesting to see Myers fail to completely rule it out. With Tottenham suffering huge injury problems all over the pitch this season, it would make little sense allowing the Brazilian to move on, weakening their squad further.

A return to Goodison Park would likely be met with some positivity from many Everton supporters, however, considering he was a popular figure during his first stint there, scoring 53 goals in 152 appearances – an impressive return in a team that was often struggling in the Premier League.

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the leading managers of his generation and he was always an admirer of the 27-year-old during his time in charge at Goodison Park, saying: “He is a modern and complete forward, not very sharp on his feet but coordinated and with great synchronization in the area. He is also strong with his head, although he is not a giant. For me, he is among the best forwards.”

Everton make late £15m move to sign "unbelievable" player on deadline day

A bid has been tabled and they’ve received a response.

1 ByHenry Jackson Feb 3, 2025

In Alcaraz, Everton look set to make an exciting signing, with the 22-year-old a long-term addition who could add quality and energy in the middle of the park, and bringing back Richarlison would be a surprise bonus but perhaps a move to look forward to in the summer.

Quinn takes six in fast-forwarded contest, but Kent leave door ajar with second-innings slump

ECB Reporters Network20-Sep-2022

Ben Compton’s broad bat gave Kent the edge on the first day•Getty Images

Hampshire were skittled for 57 in 87 minutes by Kent in a serious dent to their hopes of winning the LV= Insurance County Championship title for the first time since 1973.Matt Quinn claimed six for 23 to rout Hampshire for the lowest first-class score at the Ageas Bowl and their worst total since 1984 – where they were bowled out for 56 against Kent at Canterbury in a set-up match.Hampshire’s fast bowling trident of Mohammad Abbas, Kyle Abbott and Keith Barker had all combined to see off Kent for 165 on a green pitch which offered some, but not excessive, movement – but still conceded a 108-run first-innings deficit.Kent struggled again in their second innings, reaching 20 for three at the close, but Hampshire – who started the round eight points adrift of leaders Surrey – knew that their dreams of a third pennant were fading, despite gaining a point on Surrey during the day.Quinn reflected: “That has been an eventful day on a very bowler-friendly wicket. It was a hell of a partnership between Compton and Evison. It just shows how well Compton batted today on that surface. He has been phenomenal all year and we really needed him to stand up today. The way he batted showed how good he is.”It was a wicket where if you put the ball in the right area then it does plenty. There was constant nip. On some wickets you get the odd ball that nips but in this game it seemed to have five balls out of six which moved.”I like to think I’ve bowled well all year and finally I have been rewarded. To get some wickets is a big relief. Bowling a side out for 57 is special and all the bowlers will be rejoicing after a tough season. We have been dreaming all year of knocking over a team like this all year.James Vince had chosen to stick Kent in and reduced them 32 for five before Ben Compton ground 63 off 161 balls, to provide a backbone in tricky circumstances.What followed was cricketing chaos.Felix Organ was caught at second slip in the fifth over, Joe Weatherley unconvincingly chopped onto his own stumps and Nick Gubbins followed one that angled across him behind.Quinn had picked up Weatherley from the Rod Bransgrove Pavilion End but swapped to the Hilton End to remove Vince, Hampshire’s top scorer with 19, and Ian Holland in the same over – the former caught off the inside edge and the latter pushing to first slip.Ben Brown was bowled by a Nathan Gilchrist beauty, before the last four wickets fell for just three runs – Barker chipping to mid-off, Aneurin Donald playing on, Abbott caught at second slip and Abbas castled.It was the joint 45th lowest total in Hampshire’s history, as they only managed to see out 101 deliveries.To go with Quinn’s six-for, Gilchrist and Harry Podmore both posted two-fors.Earlier, a Kent side shorn of Sam Billings, Jordan Cox, Matt Milnes, Grant Stewart, Zak Crawley and Joe Denly for all manner of injury, international and paternity reasons, battled to what appeared a below-par 165.Tawanda Muyeye lasted only five balls into the match when he was leg before to Barker and it took Abbas took just as long to take a wicket at the other end as Daniel Bell-Drummond edged behind to Donald – who continued to take the gloves despite Brown’s return to the XI.Jack Leaning stemmed the wicket-taking with a turgid eight off 57 balls but was bowled by Abbott attempting to work the ball into the leg side.It began a spell of aggressive bowling by the South African fast bowler – backed up by Holland bowling six straight maidens at the other end – which saw Ollie Robinson play on and Harry Finch lbw in consecutive balls.Amongst the tumble was the unflinching Compton, who never knowingly played at a ball not heading for his stumps in his 161-ball vigil. He had been in single figures for 36 balls and was happily stuck on 18 for 36 dot balls as he allowed the ball to go soft.Compton had started the season with three straight hundreds but had endured a demanding recent spell in which he had failed to reach double figures in his last six Championship innings.He reached his first half-century since early June in 141 balls during strong partnerships of 68 and 45 with Royal London Cup final hero Joey Evison and Harry Podmore.Hampshire’s attack chipped away and broke through at regular intervals thereafter with Abbott returning four for 46, Barker passing 50 wickets for the season with three for 30 and Abbas three for 29.In Kent’s second innings, Compton was caught at first slip and night watcher Conor McKerr caught behind, both to Abbas, and second night watcher Podmore was bowled by Holland. It meant 23 wickets had fallen on a dizzying day.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Internacional derrotou o Red Bull Bragantino por 2 a 0, na noite deste domingo, no estádio Nabi Abi Chedid, pela nona rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Os gols do triunfo, marcados porJohnny e Carlos de Pena, saíram já nos acréscimos.

+ Confira a classificação do Brasileirão e simule os resultados

Com o resultado, o Colorado chegou aos 14 pontos e assumiu a 7ª colocação, colocando fim à uma sequência de cinco empates empates e aliviando a crise ocorrida durante a semana, que teve greve de jogadores por atraso no pagamento de direitos de imagem. Enquanto isso, o Massa Bruta segue em má fase e aparece no 14° lugar.

Agora, os dois times voltam a campo pela competição já na próxima quarta-feira (8). Às 20h30, o RB Bragantino recebe o Flamengo. Mais tarde, às 21h30, o Internacional visita o Santos na Vila Belmiro.

TRAVE SALVA O INTER!

Precisando do resultado para colocar fim à má fase, o Bragantino começou o jogo com tudo e quase abriu o placar nos primeiros minutos. Natan obrigou Daniel a fazer um milagre, enquanto Raul acertou a trave.

Mesmo diminuindo um pouco o ritmo ao longo da etapa, o Bragantino continuou sendo mais perigoso e novamente parou na trave com Helinho. Na sua melhor chegada, o Inter viu o chute de Alan Patrick ir para fora. Assim, o duelo foi para o intervalo zerado.

POUCAS CHANCES ATÉ QUE…

Na volta para o segundo tempo, o cenário se inverteu. Fora de casa, o Internacional teve mais o controle da bola, mas não conseguiu criar muitas chances. A primeira boa chegada foi do Bragantino, quando Luan Cândido parou em defesa de Daniel.

As melhores oportunidades do Colorado se deram já na reta final do confronto. A primeira delas foi com Wanderson, que bateu no cantinho e Cleiton voou para defender. Já nos acréscimos, Maurício recebeu cruzamento na área e ajeitou para Johnny. O volante soltou o pé e abriu o placar.

Ainda antes do fim, Alemão foi derrubado por Andrés Hurtado na área e o pênalti foi marcado. Na cobrança, De Pena deslocou Cleiton e fechou o placar.

FICHA TÉCNICA
RB BRAGANTINO 0 X 2 INTERNACIONAL
​​​​​​
Local: Nabi Abi Chedid, em Bragança Paulista (SP)
Data e hora: 05/06/2022 – 19h (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Wagner do Nascimento Magalhaes (RJ)
Assistentes:Michael Correia (RJ) eDaniel do Espirito Santo Parro (RJ)
​Cartões amarelos: Wanderson, Bruno Méndez, Taison (Internacional), Kevin Lomonaco, Praxedes, Andrés Hurtado (RB Bragantino)
Cartões vermelhos: –

GOLS: Johnny (46’/2°T) (1-0) e Carlos de Pena (53’/2°T) (2-0)

RB BRAGANTINO (Técnico: Maurício Barbieri)
​​
Cleiton; Aderlan (Andrés Hurtado, aos 28’/2°T), Kevin Lomonaco, Natan e Luan Cândido; Raul, Lucas Evangelista e Praxedes (Alerrandro, aos 36’/2°T); Artur (Bruno Tubarão, aos 23’/2°T), Helinho (Sorriso, aos 28’/2°T) e Ytalo (Jan Hurtado, aos 23’/2°T).

INTERNACIONAL (Técnico: Mano Menezes)
​
Daniel; Bustos, Vitão, Mercado e Renê; Rodrigo Dourado (Carlos de Pena, aos 26’/2°T), Gabriel, Edenilson (Johnny, aos 43’/2°T) e Alan Patrick (Taison, aos 36’/2°T); David (Alemão, aos 26’/2°T) e Wanderson (Maurício, aos 43’/2°T).

Both experts on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out also felt that Pakistan’s bowlers erred in judgement in the last two overs

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Oct-20222:25

Kumble: ‘Nawaz bowling two wides in the final over inexcusable’

According to Anil Kumble and Stephen Fleming, the unbeaten 82 from Virat Kohli that sunk Pakistan in Melbourne had two standout characteristics. One, the ability to find boundaries at will in the second half and, two, the display of high fitness levels that are crucial to maximising run-scoring at a ground of MCG’s size.At one stage, Kohli was 15 off 23 balls. He would smack 67 runs off his next 30 deliveries, 36 runs off his last 11. He finished on an unbeaten 82 of 53, which included six fours and four sixes, to help India put behind them the ghosts of 2021 when Pakistan defeated them at the T20 World Cup by ten wickets.”What Virat has changed in the last two years, to what we are seeing him do now, is that change in his mind in terms of when to get those boundaries towards the second half of his game and that’s exactly what he did,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo’s T20 Time Out post-match analysis show. “He did that to Shadab [Khan], he did that to [Mohammad] Nawaz, he hit a six after Hardik [Pandya] had hit a six.”He realised that that over [12th over from Nawaz that went for 20 runs] had to be a big over and that’s where the momentum shifted [for him].”While Kohli called his own innings his “best in T20Is” after the match, Kumble called it a “perfect innings”. He also said that the presence of Hardik Pandya at the other end in their 113-run partnership, complemented Kohli’s playing style. Hardik finished with 40 off 37 balls, falling at the start of the 20th over.”I thought it [the innings] was to perfection because Hardik was at the other end and Hardik took all the pressure in those middle overs, hitting key boundaries, especially to the spinners,” Kumble said. “That had been sort of his bane a couple of years ago. Especially in the middle overs, hitting boundaries, hitting sixes to spinners.”Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya stitched together a match-winning 113-run partnership•ICC via Getty ImagesFrom the time Kohli and Hardik got together in the seventh over with the score reading 31 for 4, to the time R Ashwin hit the winning runs off the game’s final delivery, Kohli participated in running 39 singles, eight twos (including two runs run off a wide delivery) and one three (the free-hit that hit his stumps in the 20th over). Since the start of the 11th over, Kohli would play only four dots.”The fitness in their running between the wickets was superb,” Fleming, the former New Zealand captain and current head coach at Chennai Super Kings, said. “He’s getting a little bit older, but to be able to maintain that intensity, he’s always had an intensity around him, but the running between the wickets was vital.”Those are the little things you don’t see and they upped the ante with that and they snuck quite a few runs putting the Pakistan players under pressure. That intensity is what I like about Virat Kohli. It’s not just the the magical shots like the six that he had [against Rauf], it’s the stuff in between, and that’s gamesmanship, it’s experience and it’s greatness.”Both experts also felt that Pakistan made errors with the ball at the back end when they were looking to close out the game. Kumble felt that Nawaz moved away from bowling his classical left-arm orthodox spin in the 20th over while Fleming felt that Haris Rauf – who conceded 12 off his last two deliveries in the penultimate over – missed a trick by not going for the time-tested death-overs plan of bowling the wide yorker.”When you bowl those kind of overs, you sort of take the spin away from [the batter],” Kumble said. “Nawaz never looked to bowl the classical left-arm spin. He sort of bowled an arm ball – and then you know Hardik looked to hit through midwicket – but never ever looked to hit the deck with spin, which he did really well in the first three overs that he bowled. I guess that’s the beauty of the game. That’s the nerves telling on you and also some baggage of what had happened in the previous game against India when he bowled that last over in the Asia Cup.””I talk about the wide yorker because when you’re needing a boundary or sixes it’s very hard to hit the wide yorker if you can deliver it [right]. And I’ve seen him do it on big wide boundaries which can be protected,” Fleming said of Rauf. “It was a tactic that wasn’t used by either side which surprised me. Especially when you get in front of the game and Pakistan were in front of the game. They were bossing that game.”India needed to hit sixes to get back into the game and win it. So you bowl the best ball and the method of being right [in these conditions] was back of a length, but still use the wide yorker… at no stage did they go wide. Haris Rauf, I thought he could have been a little bit more proactive with that and we might have seen a better result [for him]. But look, this is all in hindsight, he had brought a wonderful spell.”

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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