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Our correspondent hatches a foolproof plan to exact revenge for subcontinental dustbowls

Alan Gardner16-Mar-2021″No, has no brain, and the Tin Man no heart, English batsmen have no technique against the twirly stuff. It never hurts to remind them of that fact – an approach Sunil Gavaskar seemed to enthusiastically embrace on TV commentary.Of course, a few little explosions on a first-day surface might help give those inner demons a nudge, and England were practically spun and done from the moment the Chennai groundsman lost his watering can after the first Test. Even Root, who had been playing spin in his plimsolls for the preceding month, found his innate Englishness impossible to overcome (although at least a top score of 40 from seven innings meant we didn’t have to start having the “conversion” chat once again).Never mind that often it was the ball not spinning that caused so much damage. That just proves the diabolical lengths these foreigners go to – coming up with deliveries that look like they are designed to go around corners in the manner of a heat-seeking missile, only to mooch straight on through the yawning gap you’ve quite deliberately left in your forward defensive.Related

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Ever since dear old Bernie Bosanquet came up with the googly, the English establishment has been suspicious of using such underhand means to take wickets. More than a century on, this moralistic stance has been extended to the point where England all but refuse to produce any spinners of their own. If you can’t win wherever you go in the world with a steady diet of right-arm seam, well, that’s not for us, thanks.Fortunately for the English sense of propriety, there will be a chance to teach India a lesson or two in return when they come over to Blighty this summer. And just as England can’t play spin, everyone knows India haven’t got any fast bowlers to worry about… right?

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Far be it from us to judge, since arranging our sock drawer is a struggle, never mind a T20 tournament in a pandemic – but you can’t help feel that if the organisers of the Pakistan Super League had put as much thought into biosecurity as they did for plugging a certain brand of tea on the TV coverage (the beverage of choice for commentators, cameramen, ground staff and assorted random fans), things might have gone better. Even Sri Lanka Cricket, with its famously low bar for administrative excellence – see Briefings passim – managed to pull off hosting the Lanka Premier League, having seemingly sketched out the idea on the back of a packet of face masks a few weeks in advance. Given how long it has taken to get top-level international and franchise cricket back into Pakistan, allowing all and sundry to leave their bubbles to go for a coffee looks a fairly big oversight; and having your competition postponed due to Covid twice within a year is only “world-beating” in the Boris Johnson sense.

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“Always leave them wanting more.” That’s what they say in show business. In cricket, supply and demand can be a bit more complex – although, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good un-retirement? Shahid Afridi has made a post-playing career out of them, and it seems Chris Gayle is going to take a similar approach (particularly after the recent revelation that rather than being a 41-year-old, Afridi is actually – shock, horror – way older). Anyway, Gayle returned to the West Indies fold against Sri Lanka declaring himself ready to fill “whatever role they want me to play”. For good measure, he added: “If it’s opening, I’m ready, No. 3, No. 5 – I’m pretty much flexible. I will still be the best No. 5 in the world, best No. 3 in the world.” The words of a born showman… and after scoring 29 runs from 37 balls in three innings, West Indies might agree he certainly left them wanting more than that.

أبدى مشجعو ليفربول إعجابهم بأحد لاعبي الفريق ولقطة إنكار الذات التي تخلى فيها عن الأنانية، ليصنع تمريرة حاسمة لزميله النجم المصري محمد صلاح.

وكان محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول قد ساهم في فوز ناديه على حساب كريستال بالاس بثنائية نظيفة، وشهدت المباراة مشاركة فيدريكو كييزا كبديل في الشوط الثاني.

ونشرت “فوتبول إيطاليا” أنه على الرغم من انطلاقة الإيطالي فيدريكو كييزا البطيئة نسبيًا مع ليفربول خلال الموسم الماضي، إلا أنه أصبحت لديه شعبية كبيرة في آنفيلد خلال موسم 2025-2026.

ورغم قلة مشاركاته مع ليفربول إلا أن كييزا قد أبهر الجميع بأدائه المميز كبديل، ودخل قلوب مشجعي ليفربول بشغفه وعزيمته، ويملك هدفين وصنع تمريرة حاسمة واحدة في 11 مباراة في الدوري الإنجليزي وشارك بها كبديل.

وكاد كييزا أن يضيف تمريرة حاسمة ثانية له في مساهماته هذا الموسم مع ليفربول، حيث انطلق بأقصى سرعة في نصف ملعب الخصم واستقبل كرة طويلة من فوق المدافعين بالقرب من منطقة الجزاء، وعلى الرغم من أنه كانت لديه المساحة والوقت الكافيان للتسديد لكنه رفع رأسه ومرر كرة عرضية لصلاح بدلاً من ذلك.

اقرأ أيضاً.. سوندرز: غياب محمد صلاح في كأس أمم إفريقيا مفيد لـ ليفربول

وذكرت شبكة “Anfield Buzz” عبر منصة “إكس”: “لحظات كهذه لها أهميتها، كان بإمكان كييزا التسديد بسهولة لكنه اختار مو صلاح بدلاً من ذلك، كل الاحترام له”.

وكتب أحد المشجعين: “كييزا قادر على فعل ذلك على كلا الجناحين ويتمتع بسرعة مذهلة حتى بعد كل تلك الإصابات وقطع الرباط الصليبي، مع مشاركة مو في كأس الأمم الأفريقية، نريد أن نرى المزيد منه”.

وذكر مشجع: “لعب كييزا 15 دقيقة فقط، ولا يستحق الجلوس على مقاعد البدلاء، الآن وقد انضم صلاح لكأس امم أفريقيا، يستحق كييزا أن يبدأ أساسياً، يبدو في قمة مستواه”.

واختتم مشجع آخر: “أتيحت له فرصتان للانفراد بالكرة وهو الخيار الأفضل، لكنه فضل التمرير لإيزاك ومحمد صلاح لأنه يعلم أنهما بحاجة للمزيد، لاعب متفاني ويملك روح الفريق، ومن أفضل صفقات ليفربول في السنوات الأخيرة”.

She’s coming off a run to the T20 World Cup semi-final with West Indies and the WBBL title with Melbourne Renegades, but she says: “I still have a lot more room for improvement”

Shashank Kishore16-Dec-2024West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin had just finished a team meeting ahead of the T20I series opener against India in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, when her name came up for bidding – the very first one out of the bag – at the WPL auction. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews and the coaching staff were in the team room with her to watch the proceedings.Although “anxious”, Dottin was confident of finding a bidder. She didn’t know, however, that she would go for “such a high price” – more than three times her base price of INR 50 lakh. When the paddle came down, she had been signed by Gujarat Giants for INR 1.7 crore (USD 200,000 approx.), which was nearly three times the price she had fetched (INR 60 lakh) at the inaugural auction in February 2023.”Well, to be honest, I knew that I was one of the big ones in the mini-auction, but to be picked first, I never expected that,” Dottin told ESPNcricinfo after Sunday’s game, where her 28-ball 52 was one of the few highlights for the visitors in a big defeat.Related

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“For my calibre and how I go about my batting, I guess that being a part of WPL is a chance to explore and showcase my talents and learn a lot from other players as well, even the younger players, and also just to give feedback and share my knowledge. So, I really appreciate being a part of the WPL and for being selected by Gujarat Giants.”I’ll be honest, it felt really good to know [that multiple teams were tussling for me].”Giants staved off fierce bidding from UP Warriorz to secure Dottin’s services. The signing heralds a new chapter to the Giants-Dottin story, which began in controversial circumstances when Dottin was ruled out by the franchise days before the inaugural edition due to an “injury” which she disputed publicly through a series of social media posts.That incident, which Dottin termed as “unfortunate” upon reflection earlier this year, didn’t seem to have any bearing this time around, with the franchise going all out to get her. In between that infamous incident and being picked on Sunday, Dottin had found no takers at the auction ahead of WPL 2024.For a team that finished last in the first two editions and is in dire need of batting firepower, going for Dottin seemed an obvious choice, especially since she also lends bowling depth and is an electric fielder. This is something head coach Michael Klinger confirmed after securing Dottin, who recently won the the WBBL with Melbourne Renegades.

“I also think that coming back in the World Cup then going over to the Big Bash, I want to do well every time I step on the field. There’s no options, there’s no fear.”Deandra Dottin

“Definitely WBBL form had a massive role,” Klinger, who also coaches Sydney Thunder at the WBBL, said. “Her power, the way she can change games in few overs with the bat, her speed and accuracy with the ball – she is a multi-dimensional player and that’s something we were after. Also, her role in West Indies making the semi-final of the T20 World Cup, we’ve seen some fantastic performances that we were after.”Dottin has had an interesting year overall. She came out of international retirement just prior to the T20 World Cup in the UAE in October, and helped West Indies reach their first semi-final since 2018. She aggregated 120 runs in the tournament, at a strike rate of 162.16, the best strike rate for any batter who faced at least 20 balls. In the WBBL that followed, she struck 148 runs at a strike rate of 151.02, her cameos often match-turning, and also picked up 10 wickets. But Dottin doesn’t believe she’s quite near her best yet.”I feel really good and I think my current form is… I don’t think it’s actually 100%, I still have a lot more room for improvement,” she said. “But I also think that coming back in the World Cup then going over to the Big Bash, I want to do well every time I step on the field. There’s no options, there’s no fear.”Every day won’t go as planned, but it’s how you actually move forward when you have bad days [which is important]. The determination and the passion and the fight I have with me, [but] I think I still have a lot more room for improvement. I’m happy with it [where my career is] at the moment and where it’s heading, but there’s still more work to be done.”

Brentford have a remarkable record when it comes to replacing their star players. Over the last six years, the Bees have continued to progress despite seeing the likes of Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma, Neal Maupay, David Raya and Ivan Toney all move on, thanks to the meticulous work of the club's recruitment department. Their latest success story is Brazilian powerhouse Igor Thiago, who has emerged as a genuine rival to Erling Haaland for the Premier League's Golden Boot during the first half of the 2025-26 campaign.

Many tipped Brentford to be fighting a relegation battle after the summer departures of talismanic attacking duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, club captain Christian Norgaard and beloved manager Thomas Frank. Keith Andrews made the step up from set-piece coach to succeed Frank, and was deemed to be lacking the necessary experience and squad depth to keep the team competitive at the highest level.

But Andrews has defied his doubters by embracing the same direct style of play as Frank and placing his trust in Thiago to lead the line. The 24-year-old has netted 11 goals in 13 Premier League games – just three shy of Haaland's tally in Manchester City colours – to propel Brentford back into the top half of the table as he almost single-handedly plugs the gap left by Mbeumo and Wissa.

Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle are all now reportedly interested in signing Thiago, and talk of a maiden Brazil call-up is growing with each passing game. He could even jump to the front of his country's No.9 queue ahead of the 2026 World Cup if he can deal a major blow to Arsenal's title hopes when Brentford make the short trip to the Emirates on Wednesday.

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  From bricklaying to Bulgaria and Brugge

  Thiago grew up in Gama, Brazil, but didn't immediately pick up the football bug. “I was eight or nine when I started playing,” he recently told Brentford's official website. “I gradually started to gain the love of football. It mostly was my brother taking me at the weekend to games. I then saw Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Manchester United and that was the biggest thing. I saw Ronaldo playing and I said, ‘I want to be like him’."

  He started honing his skills at local club Vere FC, but Thiago's journey towards the professional game was put on hold after he tragically lost his father aged just 13. He would go on to work as a grocery carrier and bricklayer to support his mother, which shaped his strong character: "It helped me as a man, and it helped me as person. It helped me to appreciate the little and big things in life, because today I look at my life and see that I'm privileged with everything I have."

  Cruzeiro eventually handed Thiago his big break as an 18-year-old, and he scored 10 goals in 64 appearances for the club, attracting attention from Europe in the process. Bulgarian outfit Ludogorets snapped him up in March 2022, and he quickly adapted to life on a new continent.

  Thiago notched a combined 32 goals and assists as Ludogorets claimed successive league titles, along with the Bulgarian Cup and Supercup. By the summer of 2023, Thiago had outgrown Ludogorets, and they sold him to Club Brugge for €8 million – a Parva Liga record fee.

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  'Big potential'

  Thiago repaid Brugge's investment tenfold in his first and only campaign in Belgium. He scored 29 goals in 55 appearances across all competitions in 2023-24, with 18 of those coming in a prolific run through December and January, as Brugge clinched the Pro League crown and reached the semi-finals of the Conference League.

  The Brazilian picked up the Young Player of the Season award in the latter competition, with former Brugge boss Ronny Deila left delighted by his impact: "Thiago brings something to the team we didn’t have before. Defenders hate playing against him. He presses non-stop, runs all the time and kicks them. Apart from that, he’s also a top bloke, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. He should be capable of playing for a top outfit."

  Brentford gave Thiago the chance to make good on that billing when breaking their transfer record to bring him to the Gtech Community Stadium that summer in a £30m ($40m) deal. Frank described it as a "proactive" move from the club after resigning himself to the exit of Toney, adding: "Thiago is a very exciting striker who fits the role in our team. He is hard-working and a very good pressing player. He is also a physical presence, very good in the box and can link the play. There is big potential."

  Unfortunately, a cruel injury blow would prevent Thiago from unlocking that potential in what turned out to be a testing start to his life in England.

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  'Learning season'

  In his very first game for Brentford, a 5-2 pre-season win over AFC Wimbledon, Thiago suffered a meniscus injury, and immediately went under the knife. He was forced to sit out Brentford's first 11 Premier League games of 2024-25 as a result, eventually making his competitive debut in a 0-0 draw with Everton on November 23.

  The Cruziero academy graduate featured from the bench again in subsequent outings against Leicester City and Aston Villa before impressing on his first start as Brentford beat Newcastle 4-2 at the Gtech. He was then sidelined again, however, after picking up an infection in his knee, much to the frustration of Frank.

  "The risk of getting a joint infection is very, very small, but apparently it's the opposite when you are a Brentford player; instead of a two per cent chance it's a 98 per cent chance," said the Bees boss.

  Thiago did not return until early May, and was only fit enough to make cameo appearances in Brentford's final four league fixtures. From the outside, it looked like a case of a dream transfer turning into a nightmare, but remarkably, Thiago was able to find enough positives that made him confident about his future.

  "It was a big learning season for me, learning my body and how everything reacts. It was a hard season in terms of not being able to play, but a good season for learning how my body works," he said. "I thought moving to England would be harder than it was, to be honest, but everything went well."

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  Unstoppable force

  Thiago scored the first goal of the Andrews era in a pre-season clash with Gil Vicente, and finally opened his competitive account in Brentford's opening game of the new Premier League campaign, converting a penalty in a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest. He doubled his tally in a 2-1 reversal at newly-promoted Sunderland, powering a header in off the bar after stealing in between two defenders to meet a Frank Onyeka cross, but Brentford were languishing down in 17th towards the end of September with only four points amassed from a possible 15.

  The tide turned, though, when Andrews' side welcomed Manchester United to the Gtech. Brentford pulled off a thrilling 3-1 upset, and Thiago was the star of the show. He rifled a thunderbolt of a half-volley into the top corner to open the scoring before making it 2-0 with a reactive close-range finish inside the first 20 minutes, while excelling throughout the contest with his skills as a target man, bullying the United defence into submission.

  Since then, Thiago has been an unstoppable force of nature. He also scored the winning goal against Liverpool in October, and bagged two more braces in victories over Newcastle and Burnley. Even when on the periphery of games, the towering striker always poses a huge threat, as the Clarets learned to their peril on Saturday. Thiago came to life in the final 10 minutes of the match, first dispatching another penalty before smashing in the all-important second goal from a Jordan Henderson delivery, albeit with the aid of a deflection.

  Thiago has built up a good relationship with Henderson, as well as fellow attackers Dango Ouattara and Kevin Schade, which is reaping great rewards for the Bees. He is clinical when he gets a sight of goal, both on the ground and in the air, but is also a selfless centre-forward who looks to bring others into play at every opportunity.

  "Everything we stand for can be seen in abundance in Thiago," Andrews said after the Burnley win. "I just love the way he plays the game."

Allrounder Beau Webster agreed that he could be squeezed out of Australia’s XI for the first Ashes Test depending on the make-up of the batting line-up, but he feels that he can contribute in the series if given the opportunity.Webster’s role in the Australia side has been a topic of discussion despite being one of the most reliable performers over the past seven Test matches. Webster had played as the sole allrounder in the XI across all of those matches since replacing Mitchell Marsh in January.But Cameron Green’s return to bowling, after playing as a batter only at No. 3 in the last four Tests, as well as Marnus Labuschagne’s return to form and questions around the need to pick another specialist opener, have created uncertainty about the make-up of the top six for Perth.Related

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George Bailey, the chair of selectors, guaranteed Webster would be in the squad for the first Test, saying “everyone can relax.” But there is a way Webster could be squeezed out of the XI if the selectors opted to reinstate Labuschagne at No. 3, either retain Sam Konstas or pick another opener in his place to partner Usman Khawaja, and move Green back to No.6, given he is expected to be fit to bowl again despite a slight setback in his workload progression.Webster had missed the first two Sheffield Shield games of the summer due to an ankle injury, which only added to the speculation. Speaking after day one of his return for Tasmania against Victoria at Junction Oval, where he took 1 for 26 with the ball from 12 overs, Webster hoped that “I’ll be thereabouts”.”We’ve obviously got a potential hole around the top of the order there, and see who fills that,” Webster said. “If they see me as a pure middle-order [batter], then I’m probably going to get squeezed out. That is what it is. I hope I’m still in the conversation, certainly as a batter only, and if not, if it’s just the makeup of the team I’ll plug the way back in first-class cricket. There’s a there’s a lot of Test cricket coming up in the next two years. I hope I’ll be thereabouts.”Webster, 31, has done very little wrong in his first seven Tests. He has four half-centuries from 12 innings, averaging 34.63, which does not do him justice given the difficulty of the surfaces he has played on. He also has eight wickets at 23.25 with the ball, striking at 45.1, and has taken 12 catches in the field, where he has been a huge asset, especially in the slips cordon.Beau Webster has done little wrong since his Test debut•AFP/Getty Images

He said it was nice to hear Bailey guarantee his spot in the Perth squad, but he had not been given the same guarantee about being in the XI.”That depends who you ask,” Webster said. “I’d obviously love to be in the XI. I think I’ve got a lot to contribute there, and especially this Ashes series, I feel like I’m playing the best cricket of my life at the moment. So I certainly want to be there. Sometimes it’s the make-up of the team and the balance and the overs and who bats where. It feels like this series has probably got more questions over that than any before.”Webster admitted he felt some rust on return for Tasmania. He took the new ball to front end his overs having come into the game on a 16-over limit from Cricket Australia’s [CA] medical staff. He used 12 of those on day one in four spells. He picked up the wicket of former Test opener Marcus Harris with a delivery that pitched back of a length outside leg and nipped sharply across the left-hander to scratch the outside edge. Webster later took a sharp catch at slip but dropped one he would normally take.”If I could sum my day up today, a few no-balls and a drop catch at first slip, it probably felt like I was five or 10% off what I usually am,” Webster said. “I mean, that comes when you have probably three weeks of not playing. I felt like I was probably just slightly off it. But to get out there today and bowling 12 overs and get some more time in the slips is always beneficial.”Webster said the time off was helpful to freshen up mentally and also to do some strength work in the gym, having played nearly a full winter with Australia and Warwickshire in the county championship.”I think there’s some benefits, no doubt,” Webster said. “I think looking back, I did play a lot of cricket in England, and that’s by choice. I play my best cricket when I’m constantly playing. To have a three-week gap there, it was nice to get back in the gym and do some running and probably freshen the body up physically, ready to go for a big summer.”

Sussex fight back after being bowled out for 122 but face stiff chase in fourth innings

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay09-Sep-2025Hampshire took a firm grip of their Championship match against Sussex on the second day at Hove. In a low-scoring game they took a first innings lead of 104 after Sussex were bowled out for 122, losing their last seven wickets for 79.Hampshire then recovered from 89 for 7 to 173 in their second knock, with James Fuller top-scoring with 49. That set Sussex 278 and at the close they had reached 37 for the loss of Daniel Hughes. Eighteen wickets fell in the day, after 13 had gone down in the first. The losing team here will take just three points, and could be dragged into the relegation argument, but rain is forecast for the second half of the match.Sussex resumed on a precarious 42 for 3 and were almost immediately in deeper trouble. With the third ball of the morning nightwatch Sean Hunt was trapped in front of his stumps by Kyle Abbott.It was 60 for 5 six overs later when Hughes, only half-forward to a delivery from Abbott which nipped back off the seam, was also lbw. Hughes had spent 87 balls compiling 21, as if to prove that even determined application was not enough to overcome the challenging pitch. Abbott’s opening spell was 5-2-4-2. Hampshire supporters are delighted that the 38-year-old has signed a one-year extension to his contract.Tom Alsop and captain John Simpson added 31 for the sixth wicket in nine overs, slowly building hope in the Sussex supporters that their side could get somewhere near the Hampshire total.But at 91 Simpson got an edge to one down the leg side from the slow left-armer Bjorn Fortuin and Ben Brown, moving alertly to his right, took a smart catch. Jack Carson brought up the hundred in the 44th over when he swung Fortuin to leg for four. But he was bowled through the gate by a sharp nip-backer from Abbott; 104 for 7.It didn’t get any better. It was 115 for 8 when Fynn Hudson-Prentice, playing back when he should have been forward, was bowled by Fortuin for 7. Robinson made a premeditated slog-sweep to his first delivery and was lbw and the last wicket fell two overs later when Alsop, hitting out, was caught at deep midwicket for 39. So former Hampshire player Alsop had top-scored for Sussex just as former Sussex player Brown had made Hampshire’s best score the day before.When Hampshire batted again Fletcha Middleton had his off stump plucked out by Jaydev Unadkat in the second over and two balls later Nick Gubbins, trying to avoid a delivery from the same bowler, only succeeded in playing on. Robinson switched to the sea end and immediately uprooted Ali Orr’s off stump; 31 for three in the 12th.James Coles came on and after five overs the spinner’s figures read 5-1-15-4. Toby Albert was lbw, Tom Prest saw one turn past his bat and knock back his off-stump, Fortuin was caught down the leg side and Brown, after another vital innings of 30, scooped his attempted sweep up into the air. But the tail, led by Fuller, wagged to put Hampshire on top.

England moved within touching distance of unprecedented World Cup qualifying history after a composed 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley maintained their flawless defensive record. With Thomas Tuchel's side yet to concede in the campaign, a clean sheet against Albania would make them the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game qualifying cycle without letting in a single goal.

• England beat Serbia in penultimate qualifier

  England cruised to another victory as they defeated Serbia 2-0 at Wembley on Thursday, stretching their perfect record in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a crisp volley, before Eberechi Eze came off the bench to curl home a superb late finish and seal a seventh straight win.

  The match followed a familiar pattern in this qualifying cycle, with England asserting dominance early and forcing Serbia to defend deep for long spells. Harry Kane’s movement, Saka’s incisiveness and Declan Rice’s control ensured Serbia were rarely able to build sustained attacks, while England’s defence remained largely untroubled aside from isolated counterattacks.

  England’s clean sheet was also significant, extending their run to seven games without conceding, already a rare feat in UEFA World Cup qualifying. Serbia created a handful of half-chances but were kept at bay through Jordan Pickford’s alert positioning and the strong recovery defending of Ezri Konsa and John Stones. With the win, England closed in on a piece of history never before achieved in a European qualifying group of eight matches.

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  Three Lions closing in on a World Cup qualifying record

  The victory places England on the brink of an unprecedented defensive milestone, one that would underline the transformative impact Tuchel has had since taking charge. Should the Three Lions avoid conceding in their final qualifier against Albania, they would become the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game World Cup qualifying campaign without letting in a goal. It would surpass even the great England side of 1990, which finished a six-game campaign without conceding.

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  Tuchel's side maintain flawless campaign

  Beyond the clean sheet streak, England’s qualifying journey has showcased the depth and discipline required to thrive under Tuchel’s demanding standards. Pickford has now kept ten consecutive competitive clean sheets, supported by a defensive line that has remained calm under pressure and excelled at denying opponents high-value opportunities. Stones, Konsa and Rice have all played crucial roles in sustaining England’s impeccable defensive record.

  This campaign has also highlighted Tuchel’s insistence on competition for places, with no player guaranteed a starting role regardless of club form or reputation. Tuchel has repeatedly stressed that his focus is on building collective unity, and England’s ability to rotate without losing fluidity underscores how deeply the squad has bought into his approach.

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• Albania trip last up in qualifying

  England now travel to Tirana for their final World Cup qualifier to take on Albania, where the chance to make history may serve as a major motivational factor despite the game being a dead rubber. Top spot in the group is already secured and Albania are locked into second place.

  Should England secure the clean sheet, they will step into the 2026 World Cup not only as qualifying history-makers but also as one of the tournament’s most tactically complete and defensively formidable sides.

Daniele De Rossi has been officially appointed as Genoa’s new head coach, replacing Patrick Vieira after the club’s difficult start to the Serie A campaign. However, the Roma and Italy legend will not be on the bench for his first match against Fiorentina. A suspension from his final game in charge of Roma, ironically also against Genoa, still needs to be served, meaning his return begins from the stands.

De Rossi appointed to lead Genoa revival

Genoa have confirmed the appointment of De Rossi as their new head coach following the dismissal of Vieira after a winless opening run. The Frenchman’s tenure produced three draws and six defeats, leaving the club rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table. Domenico Criscito and Roberto Murgita oversaw the team’s 2-1 win away to Sassuolo at the weekend, which lifted Genoa to 18th place, level on points with 17th-placed Pisa. But Genoa’s board moved quickly to secure a long-term managerial solution, turning to the former Roma captain for a new direction.

De Rossi has already arrived at the Signorini Sports Centre and has taken his first session with the squad, and he is expected to be presented officially in a joint press conference alongside Chief of Football Diego Lopez, where he will outline his plans to stabilise the club and rebuild confidence. The announcement statement read: "Genoa CFC announces that Daniele De Rossi has been appointed head coach of the first team. The new coach has already met with the players and will lead the afternoon training session scheduled at the Signorini Sports Center.”

AdvertisementTouchline ban from Roma days carries over

Despite being officially unveiled and immediately beginning work, De Rossi will not be physically present on the bench for Genoa’s upcoming match against Fiorentina. The reason traces back to his final match in charge of Roma in September 2024, a 1-1 draw against Genoa at the Ferraris. During that match, De Rossi was sent off for protesting against refereeing decisions and subsequently received a suspension.

Since he was dismissed shortly afterwards and had not taken up another coaching role until now, that suspension was never served. Regulations require him to complete the ban in his next official match as a head coach, which happens to be this weekend. The irony of missing his debut due to an incident that occurred at the same stadium and against the same opponent only deepens the narrative of his return.

De Rossi will still prepare the team, lead training and select the match squad, but assistant staff will handle in-game touchline duties.

New chapter begins following turbulent end at Roma

De Rossi’s appointment marks the start of his second major coaching role. After replacing Jose Mourinho early in 2024, he guided Roma to sixth place and reached the Europa League semi-finals, achievements that initially earned him a contract renewal until 2027. However, a poor start to the 2024-25 season led to his dismissal just months later. That final 1-1 draw at Genoa symbolised the end of his tenure, and now becomes the context of his new beginning.

De Rossi’s managerial career mirrors his identity as a player, emotional, determined, and deeply tied to the fabric of Italian football. Genoa provides him an opportunity to rebuild his reputation at a club with proud tradition but immediate survival priorities.

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Getty Images SportFiorentina clash opens his new era

Genoa’s next match, at home against Fiorentina, will serve as De Rossi’s touchline debut in spirit if not in presence. Fiorentina themselves are in turmoil, having recently dismissed Stefano Pioli after a winless start of their own. Both clubs find themselves desperate for stability as they attempt to climb away from the relegation zone.

Genoa will expect De Rossi to bring structure and identity to a squad that has lacked both, and his experience with Roma in stabilising a troubled dressing room could prove decisive as the team heads into a critical run of fixtures. Beyond survival, the club hopes his long-term leadership will spark steady progress. The official restart is underway, even if the first match begins from the stands.

Bayern Munich have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Hoffenheim striker Fisnik Asllani, one of the Bundesliga’s breakout stars this season. The 23-year-old’s rise has attracted widespread interest across Europe, with both Bayern and Barca viewing him as a long-term successor to their current No.9s, Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.

Bayern step up interest in Hoffenheim's breakout striker

Bayern are actively monitoring Asllani, the Hoffenheim striker who has burst onto the Bundesliga scene with a string of impressive performances. According to reports from , the Bavarians have already gathered details about the 23-year-old’s release clause as they seek a capable backup and eventual successor to Kane.

Asllani has been one of the standout players of the season so far, scoring six goals and providing two assists in nine competitive matches, building on an exceptional loan spell at SV Elversberg, where he tallied 19 goals and 10 assists in 39 appearances. His quick feet, sharp movement, and clinical finishing have caught the attention of scouts across Europe.

Bayern view him as an ideal fit for their future plans – a young, technically gifted forward capable of complementing Kane now and replacing him in the long term. With Nicolas Jackson’s future at the Allianz Arena uncertain, the German champions are preparing for possible changes in their attacking depth heading into 2025.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBarcelona also in the mix for Asllani

The Catalan giants have been tracking Asllani for months, identifying him as a possible successor to Robert Lewandowski, whose contract runs until 2026. Barcelona have sent scouts to multiple Hoffenheim matches and maintain strong data analysis files on the Kosovo international.

For Barca, Asllani represents an affordable and forward-thinking option – a player who fits the club’s tactical blueprint of mobility, technical ability, and intelligence in tight spaces. However, Bayern’s entry into the race threatens to complicate their pursuit, especially given the Bavarian giants’ financial advantage and Bundesliga familiarity.

Adding to the intrigue, Asllani himself has spoken openly about his admiration for the champions of La Liga. "FC Barcelona has always been my dream club," he said in a recent interview, further fuelling speculation of a potential move to Spain.

Even so, the Kraichgauers' willingness to negotiate may ultimately hinge on who meets his release clause, expected to be active in the summer of 2026. With several Premier League clubs also keeping tabs, the race for his signature is expected to intensify.

Bayern's transfer strategy and tactical vision

For Bayern, the pursuit of Asllani underlines their long-term planning and emphasis on developing depth behind Kane. The English striker has been prolific since his move from Tottenham but will turn 33 next summer, prompting the club to seek a forward who can rotate effectively while learning under one of the world’s best.

Asllani’s profile, a mobile, pressing-oriented striker who thrives in link-up play aligns with Die Roten's attacking identity under Vincent Kompany. His experience in the Bundesliga also makes him an attractive, low-risk investment compared to recruiting from abroad.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim are bracing for offers, aware that Asllani’s rapid progress and international exposure with Kosovo have made him one of the most in-demand young forwards in Europe. His contract runs until 2029, but the player’s camp reportedly plans for a summer exit, aiming for a step up to Champions League football.

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Getty Images SportFuture battle brewing for Asllani's signature

With Bayern, Barca, and several Premier League sides monitoring developments, the striker's next move could define his career trajectory. Asllani's form has turned him into one of the Bundesliga’s hottest properties, and his ambitions suggest he will not remain at Hoffenheim for long.

The 2026 summer transfer window is expected to be decisive, as his release clause becomes active and clubs formalise offers. Die Roten are believed to have a slight edge due to their domestic advantage, but Barcelona’s long-term admiration and Asllani’s personal preference could still swing the decision.

Regardless of where he ends up, Asllani looks destined for the top tier of European football. Whether he becomes Kane’s heir at Bayern or Lewandowski’s successor at Barca, the young striker’s next chapter promises to be one of the most fascinating transfer stories of 2025.

Glasgow Rangers are eyeing a “tremendous” young manager as Russell Martin’s successor at Ibrox, with the free agent coach now seen as an option alongside the heavily linked former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl.

Rohl emerges as early Ibrox candidate

The Gers are on the lookout for their next boss, following the sacking of Martin over the weekend, in a decision that felt like it had been coming for a while.

The 39-year-old simply didn’t perform to the level many Rangers fans expected when he was appointed during the summer, with Sunday’s 1-1 draw away to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership leaving them 11 points adrift of leaders Hearts, and eighth in the table.

Unsurprisingly, plenty of names are already being thrown around as possible replacements for Martin, including the former Sheffield Wednesday manager, who is currently without a club. Rohl is reportedly admired by those high up at Rangers, but would be another gamble on a young, inexperienced boss.

In terms of a more experienced head, Sean Dyche has also been linked with the now vacant Ibrox dugout, with the ex-Everton boss proving himself in the Premier League for many years, and he’s not the only Englishman in the mix.

Rangers keen on Gerrard after McCoist show of support

According to a report from talkSPORT, Rangers are eyeing a potential reunion with Steven Gerrard alongside their admiration for Rohl, seeing the Liverpool legend as an alternative option to the German. The 45-year-old famously won the Scottish Premiership title with the Gers back in 2020/21, instantly making him a hero, although his exit to Aston Villa didn’t go down too well at the time.

Gerrard is represented by the Wasserman group, who manage top coaches like Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe. And a move back to Rangers certainly feels like a good option, with the former Liverpool midfielder already knowing the club well, not to mention delivering success.

His former assistant at Al-Ettifaq, Dean Holden, even revealed he would “pay” to work under the 45 year-old because of how he sees the game: “Steven Gerrard sees the game differently, as his assistant I learned so much. He empowered me to be creative and come up with ideas, to challenge him. He’s a really generous guy and I am grateful for the opportunity – I felt like I got five years of experience from him in a year.

“In any other industry, you would pay for the experiences I had. If you were a doctor, you’d pay to go and observe the best brain surgeon in the world.”

Granted, his managerial career hasn’t necessarily progressed hugely since that spell in Saudi Arabia, but former Gers hero Ally McCoist lauded him after the aforementioned title win four years ago.

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Rangers fans are sure to be divided over who they want to see come in, but whatever happens, those high up at the club cannot afford to rush that person and bring in the wrong person. Philippe Clement struggled in charge and Martin was even more disappointing, and the Gers must avoid past errors when it comes to hiring.