Back in their favourite competition, can the sound of the Europa League anthem in Govan spark Rangers’ season into life?

Fair to say, the start of the Russell Martin era has gone, frankly, disastrously, with the Light Blues yet to win a Premiership match in five attempts, their worst start since 1978, thereby sat second bottom of the table.

They did at least beat Hibernian 2-0 in the League Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, thereby setting up a semi-final showdown with Celtic at Hampden in November, a result that will keep the universally unpopular Martin in a job, for another few days at least.

Now, the Gers will commence their Europa League campaign with a visit from Genk on Thursday night; they’ll also host Roma, Braga and Ludogorets Razgrad in the league phase, with away trips to Sturm Graz, Brann, Ferencváros and Porto on their schedule too.

Last season, Rangers finished eighth in the inaugural league phase, reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League, continuing their love affair with Thursday night European action, having got all the way to the final of course as recently as 2022.

If Martin’s team are going to make a winning start against Genk, he needs to make his best player a central pillar, but just imagine if Rangers still had one key man in their squad, sold under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Nicolas Raskin's importance to Rangers

Nicolas Raskin was Rangers’ undisputed best and most important player last season, underlined by the fact that he was named both Players’ Player of the Year as well as Supporters’ Player of the Year.

Thus, any new manager would want to build the team around the Belgian international, well, except for Martin it would seem.

The midfielder was left on the bench for Champions League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzeň and Club Brugge, not included in the matchday squad at all for games against Celtic and Hearts, the latter a 2-0 defeat, with presenter Darrell Currie perplexed why any manager would choose to leave their “best player in the stand”.

Thus, after seemingly settling their differences, Raskin returned to Martin’s lineup against Hibs at the weekend and, to the surprise of no one, made all the difference, heading home the opening goal and putting in an all-round excellent performance.

Thus, the 24-year-old has to be considered simply undroppable going forward, set to partner Mohamed Diomandé at the base of midfield on Thursday, but just imagine if Rangers still had the “left-footed Yaya Touré” to complete this trio.

What happened to the forgotten Rangers hero

Back in the summer of 2019, despite reported interest from plenty of Premier League clubs, free agent Joe Aribo decided to join Rangers, convinced to move north of the border by manager Steven Gerrard, following the expiration of his contract at Charlton Athletic.

Well, the midfielder marked his Ibrox debut with a goal against St Joseph’s in a Europa League qualifier, bagging 26 goals and 25 assists for the club in total, winning a Premiership title and the Scottish Cup.

Speaking in 2021, Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, who played alongside Aribo at the Valley, labelled him a “left-footed Yaya Touré”, adding that his “languid style [is] fairly unique”, praising his “great feet​​​​​​​” and fantastic “ability”.

Then manager Gerrard agreed, asserting that Aribo had “the world at his feet”, adding that he was “outstanding from start to finish” following a League Cup victory over East Fife in August 2019, shortly after his arrival.

The Nigerian international’s historic moment in a Rangers jersey came in the 2022 Europa League Final, breaking the deadlock against Eintracht Frankfurt at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, as the Gers were heartbreakingly beaten on penalties in Seville.

This would prove to be his last goal for the club, sold to Southampton for around £6m soon after, and his career has not quite turned out as many forecast it would.

The table below documents his season-by-season performances.

2019/20

49

9 & 8

2020/21

43

8 & 7

2021/22

57

9 & 10

2022/23

27

2 & 0

2023/24

40

4 & 1

2024/25

37

3 & 0

2025/26

Zero

Zero

First and foremost, worth acknowledging that Aribo has not played a single minute for Southampton this season, completely frozen out by manager Will Still, initially due to transfer uncertainty but, now that the window has shut, he is yet to be reintegrated.

When he has been on the field for the Saints, he has registered only nine goals and a solitary assist for the club, despite getting into double figures for combined goals and assists during each of his three seasons in Glasgow.

Thus, Aribo surely regrets moving to the South Coast back in 2022, given that Southampton have been a yo-yo club since his arrival, and just imagine if this current Rangers team had him in his prime; he would make such an enormous difference alongside the likes of Raskin.

​​​​​​​

Forget Raskin: "Glorious" star will be the best Rangers player this season

This Rangers player will be the club’s best star this season ahead of Nicolas Raskin.

ByDan Emery Sep 24, 2025

It hasn’t been the start to the season that Arne Slot might have hoped for at Liverpool, with a shaky start, albeit a winning start, now preceding a three-match losing run that has accentuated the flaws running through the squad.

But adversity is there to be overcome in football, and the Premier League champions have so much quality and confidence in themselves. Teething problems after a summer spending spree are to be expected, and now the onus is on returning to action after the October international break with fresh impetus and focus.

Chelsea struck late to win against the Reds on Sunday, but there’s no hiding from the lack of attacking coherence in the second half. Some fans were confused by Slot’s decision to keep Federico Chiesa on the bench.

Slot must use Federico Chiesa

Last summer, Liverpool’s only addition, purchased from Juventus for a cut-price £12.5m fee. The versatile forward has long been highly regarded for his technical quality and potency in the final third, but injuries have eaten away at his one-time prodigious potential.

But he scarcely played last year, with fitness problems and criticisms from Slot keeping him on the fringes. Excluded from Liverpool’s pre-season tour across the pond, Chiesa’s time on Merseyside looked to have wrapped up.

And yet he stayed, and yet he now plays a big role at Liverpool, one of the most dangerous and effective attacking threats across the opening months of the season.

Liverpool’s Frontline in 25/26 (all comps)

Player

Apps

Goals (assists)

Hugo Ekitike

10

5 (1)

Mohamed Salah

10

3 (3)

Federico Chiesa

6

2 (2)

Cody Gakpo

10

2 (2)

Alexander Isak

6

1 (1)

Rio Ngumoha

5

1 (0)

Data via Transfermarkt

This revival is nice to see. Will it last? Slot continues to be hesitant in giving Chiesa a star role, and given that Mohamed Salah’s eventual departure will warrant a big-money replacement, Chiesa might find his renaissance is short-lived.

Because Rio Ngumoha has already disrupted FSG’s transfer plans, and his rise to the top could come at the expense of the Italian’s game time.

Rio Ngumoha could end Chiesa's Liverpool career

Liverpool poached Ngumoha from Chelsea in 2024, and what a coup it is turning out to be. John Terry knew it, saying he was “gutted” to watch the electric winger leave for a Premier League rival.

But Chelsea’s loss is Liverpool’s gain. The 17-year-old Ngumoha showed flashes last season, starting for the seniors in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley, and now he has raised his game under Slot’s wing, having featured five times already.

His dribbling and directness have been met by promising physical growth that has not yet finished.

Ngumoha will continue to be guided through adolescence, but the coaches are very much aware they have a prodigy on their hands, with the lad’s long-time youth coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst saying, “I don’t say it lightly, he is one of the best academy talents I have come across, and I have seen some top players become superstars.”

The composure and awareness to find space and score against Newcastle in August tells of the potential, and though he predominantly plays off the left flank, Ngumoha’s bearing is such that he could play across the frontline, an art mastered by teammate Chiesa.

Chiesa, 28 this month, will play a big part at Liverpool this season, but it’s difficult to see him reach the highest level in Slot’s squad. This, however, couldn’t be further away from Ngumoha’s pathway, for the “frightening” talent – as said by reporter Lewis Bower – is viewed as a one-of-a-kind prospect.

It’s crazy to think that Ngumoha only turned 17 in August, four days after firing the winner into Nick Pope’s net. The best, surely, is still to come from this one, and as he develops into a Premier League starter, and hopes of Chiesa establishing himself in an even bigger role at Liverpool are likely to come to nought, sad as that may be.

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One of the most intriguing young players in Manchester United’s academy at the moment is 17-year-old Chido Obi.

The former Arsenal player has a superb record at academy level. He scored 32 goals in 21 official games for Arsenal’s U18s and once bagged ten goals in a 14-3 win over Liverpool U16s. It’s safe to say he knows where the net is.

The Denmark U20s striker featured eight times for the Red Devils at senior level last term, and is a graduate of their academy, having made his first-team debut for the club. Although he’s yet to score, he has certainly impressed in his few short cameos.

In the long run, perhaps he could make the perfect replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who is now thriving at Napoli on loan.

Hojlund's 2025/26 season in numbers

Since leaving United on loan in the summer, Hojlund has enjoyed great success for his new club Napoli and his international side, Denmark. In his last ten appearances for both club and country, he’s scored and assisted nine times.

That includes a fantastic run of form in the past four games.

Hojlund, who wears the number 19 in Naples, has found the back of the net on six occasions in that time, chipping in with one assist, too. That record stretches across the ongoing international break too.

Although he showed flashes of his best form in that famous Red shirt, the 22-year-old struggled for consistency.

He only managed to bag 26 times in 95 games, yet strikes like this one against Viktoria Plzen showed the type of quality he possesses.

The Dane’s current form is certainly a hot streak, who never really managed to find his feet at Old Trafford. There is a chance he could join Napoli permanently next summer, with the Scudetto winners having a buy option in the deal.

If that is the case, and he departs Old Trafford, United might already have his replacement brewing and it’s not Obi or the in-form Benjamin Sesko.

Man United's in-house Hojlund replacement

At the moment, all signs point to the fact that Hojlund will leave the club next summer, given that he has a buy clause and is playing so well.

Of course, in the long run, Obi could be the man to replace him, although there is an even bigger talent than the Dane.

Without doubt, one of the most exciting talents in English football at the moment is JJ Gabriel. At just 15 years of age, he is comfortably one of the best players in the U18s Premier League, against players three or four years his senior.

Academy Scoop, who covers the Red Devils youth sides over on X, described Gabriel as the “talisman” of Darren Fletcher’s side, while as the MEN outline, some academy followers believe he is “the best talent United’s academy has ever seen.”

That is huge praise, especially when you factor in the fact that he is playing three age groups up.

The numbers behind Gabriel’s form this season show just how much of a talent he is. He’s found the back of the net seven times in six appearances, with all of those goals coming from centre-forward.

He can also operate on the left wing, but Fletcher moved him centrally, and he’s since been thriving.

Everton (a)

0-1

0

Middlesbrough (h)

5-0

2 goals

Derby (a)

0-4

3 goals

Burnley (h)

1-0

0

Wolves (a)

0-4

1 goal, 1 assist

Man City (h)

2-4

1 goal

It is easy to see why he was hailed as “one of the most exciting talents in the world” by the Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston. He is a technically superb attacker, with his strike against Manchester City at the end of September showing how quickly he can change direction, before firing home a well-struck effort.

It is certainly interesting to see Gabriel operate as a striker for the Red Devils’ academy sides. He clearly has bags of technical quality, and playing in this advanced role has shown that he has an eye for goal, too.

It will be fascinating to see when Gabriel makes his debut for the first team, with reports suggesting he will train with Amorim’s side this term.

He’s already shown great ability in the academy, and Amorim may well decide to unleash him this season, as Mikel Arteta did with Max Dowman.

He would certainly be an upgrade on Hojlund in the long run if he adapts to senior football as quickly as he did to the U18s.

Man Utd have a "£100m + footballer" who's becoming their new McTominay

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2 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 13, 2025

Who are the scariest footballers ever to play in America, at the club or international level? For Halloween, GOAL takes a look

It's spooky season. From pumpkins and scarecrows, to werewolves and Frankenstein, to candy corn and caramel apples, Halloween is a special holiday for many in United States.

It's a time for frights, scares, nerves and excitement, and that got the team at GOAL US thinking: Who are the scariest footballers to ever to play in American soccer, at either the club or international level?

Ex-U.S. international Pablo Mastroeni? What about FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga, someone who likely still haunts Diego Lainez's dreams? Not scary enough? How about Zlatan Ibrahimovic? During his time in MLS, he was utterly terrifying. Oh, and let's not forget the USMNT's own Clint Dempsey.

Whether enforcers by nature, or simply intimidating from the first step on the pitch, GOAL – in celebration of All Hallow's eve on Thursday – looks at five of the most frightening players American soccer has ever seen.

• Getty Images
  

  Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  One of the most famous players to ever step foot in MLS, Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrived and was immediately considered the most imposing figure in the league. Nicknamed , the Swede was a leader, but one who spread fear into opponents. Strong, tall, and skillful, he boasted a mentality unlike any other.

  You could try speaking to him on the field, but he would brush you aside like a tumbleweed in the wind. You could play well against him, and he would purposely act as if he didn't know who you were. The sheer amount of confidence he exuded made him unapproachable, and it struck fear into those around him.

  Speaking to ESPN in 2022 after departing the league, that confidence was put on full display: "I was too good for the whole competition. That is what I showed," the Swede said. "And I'm the best ever to play in MLS and that is not me having ego or trying to show off now."

  That is true. Standing 6-5 with a menacing stare, he was a towering figure in the attack, and if you saw him charging at you or leaping over you for a header, you were immediately on your back foot.

  He was Zlatan, after all. The world's villain, Europe's biggest footballing personality for more than a decade, then one of the most daunting players in the MLS. He knew what he was, and he played like it.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Jermaine Jones

  Jermaine Jones scored what is arguably the most stunning goal in U.S. men's national team history. However, when his name is brought up, it's not the strike or individual moments you remember. Rather, it's what he brought to the pitch.

  He was a proper workhorse. Nonstop, always fighting, always arguing, always defending the badge. During his time with the USMNT, he was the one midfielder on the pitch that truly never stopped, and if you were in trouble on the field, he would have your back.

  Unafraid of contact – or any opponent – Jones played with an intensity that few could match.

  Often carefully reckless, Jones was cocky, and played with an arrogance that he backed up with performances on the pitch. For opposing players, he was a impossible to solve. He would rile up foes, get in their heads and play mind games. For teammates, though, he was the ultimate force in the middle of the park.

  A nightmare for referees and teams at both the club and country level, Jones was a terrifying competitor.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Ozzie Alonso

  Nicknamed , Alonso is one of MLS' greatest-ever midfielders, and is arguably the best villain to ever take the pitch in the league.

  Scrappy, yet composed, Alonso ran the midfield during his time in the league with the Seattle Sounders, Atlanta United and Minnesota United. Playing the No. 6 position as a CDM, Alonso was one of the first real in the middle of the park. Someone who went into every tackle with the confidence he would win it, and if a fight came as a result of the tackle, he would win that, too.

  He never backed down from a challenge, never stepped away from an argument, and more often than not, was the instigator in both situations.

  What made him scary, though, was his mobility on the pitch. For as much as he attacked, he created just as much to draw the balance level. From goals to assists to outlandish cross-field passes, the Cuban midfielder was a creative menace in the middle of the park.

  Sounders fans will never forget his stoppage-time winner in the 2011 US Open Cup, in which he ran around an entire defense, and the opposition goalkeeper, to calmly slot home.

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• AFP
  

  Oguchi Onyewu

  Ask anybody in U.S. Soccer about Oguchi Onyewu, and you will only hear good things. Considered one of the nicest and most kind individuals to ever come through the program, to friends and colleagues, he was a giant teddybear.

  However, he was also a 6-4 defender and, on the pitch, not someone you ever wanted to cross.

  There's only one story you need to know about Onyewu: The day he almost put Zlatan in a hospital, and without teammate intervention, it could have been worse. While playing for AC Milan in 2010, during a 5v5 training session, Onyewu and Ibrahimovic clashed, as told by former teammate Alexandre Pato on the Fala, Brasólho podcast.

  "Let me tell you in detail," Pato relayed. "So we went to play a little game, like 5v5. Onyewu is a big defender. Ibra had the ball so he went to mark him, then Onyewu unintentionally hit him, 'BAM.' The thing is Ibra’s foot is huge, so it was hard to tackle without hitting it. We knew it had no malice. Onyewu was just coming from an injury and starting to train again. He controlled the ball with his back to Ibra, then Ibra went in with both feet on Onyewu, really trying to hurt him.

  “They both fell to the ground. Onyewu got up calmly. He was really nice, with a heart of gold. Ibra is more impulsive, he got up immediately and started insulting him. Ibra was cursing in Swedish, we didn’t understand what he was saying. He tried to grab Onyewu like this (by the collar), and tried to throw him to the ground.

  “What did Onyewu do? He grabbed Ibra and ‘BAM.' He threw him down instead. It was easy for Onyewu, like drinking a glass of water. Imagine Ibra, that guy is huge. But Onyewu grabbed him and threw him to the ground easily. He then jumped on top of him, pinned him down, and raised his arm.

  “When he did that, I said to him: ‘Stop, my God, stop. You’re going to kill him!' If we didn’t break it up, I don’t know what would’ve happened to Ibra.”

أعلن نادي ريال مدريد الإسباني إصابة لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بعد مباراة ليفربول التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وواجه ريال مدريد نظيره ليفربول مساء الثلاثاء الماضي، في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وخسر ريال مدريد بهدف نظيف بعد أداء سيئ ظهر به رجال ألونسو في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “آنفيلد”.

وكشف النادي الإسباني عبر موقعه الرسمي تعرض الدولي الفرنسي تشواميني إلى إصابة قوية بعد مباراة ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

اقرأ أيضًا | بعد إصابة حكيمي.. باريس سان جيرمان يرغب في التعاقد مع لاعب برشلونة

وتعرض لاعب الوسط الفرنسي لإصابة في العضلة شبه الوترية في ساقه اليسرى، ووفقًا للتقرير الطبي الصادر عن النادي، وستُبعده هذه الإصابة عن الملاعب حوالي 3 أسابيع، بحسب ما أفادت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية.

سيتسبب غياب تشواميني قلق مدربه الإسباني تشابي ألونسو إذ شارك خط الوسط الفرنسي في الـ15 مباراة التي خاضها الملكي هذا الموسم، لذلك غيابه سيكون مؤثرًا عن الفريق الفترة المقبلة.

McMullen and Leask’s contributions weren’t enough for Scotland to chase down 199

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jun-2025

Opener Michael Levitt’s breezy 90 helped Netherlands beat Scotland by 17 runs in a high-scoring contest in the T20I tri-series in Glasgow on Wednesday. His 57-ball innings lifted Netherlands to 198 for 7 after they were asked to bat. In reply, Scotland managed only 181 for 9 on the back of Brandon McMullen’s half-century and Michael Leask’s quickfire 46.Netherlands lost Max O’Dowd and Teja Nidamanuru inside the powerplay but it was the 75-run third-wicket partnership off 45 balls between Levitt and Scott Edwards that steered Netherlands to a competitive total. While Levitt, who had scored a T20I century before, smashed six fours and five sixes in his knock, Edwards chipped in with a 21-ball 31. Fast bowler Charlie Cassell broke the threatening stand, trapping Edwards lbw in the 13th over. Three overs late, Levitt was dismissed by fast bowler Jasper Davidson. There were also handy lower-order contributions from Ryan Klein and Roelof van der Merwe that ensured Netherlands had enough on the board.For Scotland, Cassell and Davidson shared four wickets among them.In the chase, Scotland stumbled early, when opener Mark Watt was run out in the third over for a 9-ball 6. However, No.3 McMullen and George Munsey revived Scotland briefly with their 50-run stand for the third wicket. Offspinner Nidamanuru gave the breakthrough by ending Musney’s stay in the eighth over and dismissed captain Richie Berrington in his next over. McMullen too fell after a 27-ball 51 leaving Scotland in trouble.While No. 6 Leask stood up with his 46 off 23 – where he struck five sixes and one four – Scotland kept losing wickets regularly on the other end. From 151 for 5, Scotland lost the next four wickets for 30 runs to eventually finish at 181 for 9. Netherlands’ left-arm spinner Van der Merwe, though leaked 44 runs in his four overs, accounted for two wickets in the 17th and 19th over to halt Scotland. Nidamanuru finished with 3 for 30 from his four overs while Aryan Dutt and Daniel Doram also scalped a wicket each.With this victory, Netherlands have moved to top of the points table with four points from three matches. They will face Nepal on Thursday Scotland are second with two points from three matches.

MatériaMais Notícias

Os torcedores do São Paulo têm mais um motivo para comemorar a conquista da Copa do Brasil. O Lance! volta às bancas na segunda-feira (25) trazendo as lembranças da conquista em uma edição especial e histórica, com uma revista pôster. Os exemplares custam R$ 10,90 e serão encontrados na cidade de São Paulo. O Lance! hoje é uma plataforma 100% digital e teve sua última edição em banca no ano de 2021, celebrando o título de campeão do Brasileirão 2020 conquistado pelo Flamengo.

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+ Lance! Betting vai sortear ingressos para a final da Libertadores no Maraca! Vem conferir!

+ Olha ele aí! Aposte R$10 e ganhe mais de R$55 com Payet e o Vasco no Brasileirão

+ Tem promoção exclusiva de boas-vindas pra você! Aposte a partir de R$10 e receba até R$200 de bônus na Lance! Betting

Além do tradicional pôster com a foto do Tricolor paulista, a revista contará a trajetória da conquista, curiosidades da campanha, depoimentos de influenciadores e torcedores. Além disso, trará QR codes com conteúdos extras, tanto no site quanto nas redes sociais do Lance!.

Para Igor Novello, gerente de canais do Lance!, a torcida do São Paulo terá um item colecionável para sempre relembrar o título da Copa do Brasil 2023.

– Todos os dias recebemos comentários de fãs em nossas redes relembrando a época em que compravam o nosso jornal nas bancas. Estamos querendo transformar essa nostalgia em realidade. O campeão da Copa do Brasil terá uma edição comemorativa física que será distribuída nas bancas das cidades de São Paulo, já no dia seguinte ao segundo jogo da final. Será um item de colecionador, como as revistas que todos lembram, mas com uma experiência nova, por conta dos conteúdos digitais – explica Novello.

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Lance! Edição Comemorativa Copa do Brasil

Data: 25 de setembro
Onde: Bancas de SP

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“Imagine getting us five-down and Will Jacks comes out to bat?” Harry Brook had reflected on Thursday evening in Birmingham.It certainly was novel. Prior to Thursday’s first ODI against West Indies, Jacks had never previously batted in that position in List A cricket. In fact, he’d only done it once in all white-ball cricket – a couple of months ago in the IPL, a forgettable 1 off 1 for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals.His match-morphing cameo at Edgbaston – a boundary-filled 39 off 24 deliveries, in a vital stand of 98 with Jacob Bethell that put England out of reach – was an impressive hard launch in a new position, albeit in step with an attacking batter. But it was Sunday’s innings in Cardiff, a more restrained 49 off 58, that highlighted the tactical dexterity he can bring to the role.Jacks struck just two fours while soaking up 20 dot-balls, but his entire role was geared towards handing the strike to an inspired Joe Root, whose unbeaten 166 went on to win England the match and the series. Root credited Jacks for his “maturity”, “skill level” and “calmness” throughout their stand of 143.There was a bit of Freaky Friday about it all. Root is usually the one getting the hitters on strike – a point not lost on either of them. “I did actually mention that to him at one stage,” Jacks said.”He played beautifully and made it very easy for me. I think the situation just required me to build a partnership. That’s all I looked to do really – try and build a score, taking as limited risks as possible, and that ended up just being ones and twos. When a boundary was required, he did that with ease, like he does.”The origins of Jacks’ new role are intriguing enough, and it’s worth walking backwards through the reasoning. When Brook took on the white-ball captaincy, he identified the need for a few more allrounders and a wider variety of spin.Under the previous regime, Liam Livingstone had been picked to perform a similar role, with his legspin/offspin repertoire and lower-order hitting potential. However, his combined total of 93 runs in nine innings at the 50-over World Cup and Champions Trophy highlighted a series of situational blindspots, and he has since been put out to pasture.Jacks and Bethell, Brook thought, with their right and left-arm fingerspin, could provide those options – combining as the fifth bowler – while deepening the batting. After two games, that logic is playing out perfectly.Jacks’ offspin broke through to end Keacy Carty’s century•PA Photos/Getty Images

At the time of conception, both players were out at the IPL, with Jacks operating with a similar “neither here nor there” remit with Mumbai. Bowling occasionally and batting without a set position had him thinking on his feet, trying to become a more malleable cricketer.With Jacks in particular, Brook knew he had the wares to do the job. The pair have come through the ranks together, notably when Brook was Jacks’ Under-19 captain. That pre-existing relationship, as far as Jacks was concerned, made transitioning into an allrounder role that little bit easier.”I’ve known Harry for a very long time. We played Under-19s cricket together almost a decade ago. When he mentioned this role to me, it came quite comfortably, and easy. Once I knew I had that trust and it had been spoken to me, I thought a bit about how I want to play it.”At the IPL just now, I was carded at No.3 and a couple of times I ended up having to go down No.6 and 7. That’s just limited-overs cricket, you have to be ready for anything. We practice that and I think it’s just about clarity of mind. Very rarely in 50-over cricket am I going to have to go out there and try and hit my first few balls for six. You always have more time you think, it’s just about adjusting to that with clarity.”The “clarity” Jacks speaks of around 50-over cricket has been learned the hard way by this group. Of the many talking points emanating from the blowouts at the 2023 50-over World Cup and this year’s Champions Trophy was the lack of List A experience among the players. Jacks, for instance, has made 17 of his 39 appearances in the format for England.It seems, though, the offshoots of the team’s recent ODI form – these victories over West Indies ended a run of seven defeats in a row – has been a greater understanding of the rhythms of the 50-over format, and a chance to bed in for a generation reared on 30 overs less.”I think watching 50-over cricket and thinking about it over the last year or two, we all realise there’s so much time. Coming from T20, that’s not something you always have the luxury of,” Jacks said.Related

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“Even going in the other day [first ODI], I came in during the 41st over – there was still so much time to go. That was on my mind [in the second ODI], and that was what we spoke about… even at 7-and-a-half, 8-an-over it got up to, there was no urgency. We know we can chase that with ease. It was just about staying calm, staying in control, and taking it as deep as possible.”Jacks’ experience of building into a T20 innings as an opening batter translates well for his new gig. Though he does have limited experience at the death – of his 202 T20 innings, he has only batted in the last four overs 11 times – he still strikes at 221.87 at an average of 53.25 in this period.This is still something of a make-over for Jacks. Despite 42 caps across all formats, including two Tests in Pakistan in 2022, he has never quite belonged to any of England’s three sides. A series of disappointments have punctuated the last two years, including missing out on the first tranch of multi-year central contracts in 2023 – despite being told he would be one of the 26 – before missing out on the Champions Trophy squad earlier this year.Though he has scratched his competitive itch with high-profile franchise gigs in the IPL and SA20, being back in the national reckoning clearly nourishes him. Particularly as he feels he snatched at the first part of his white-ball career.”I do,” Jacks answered immediately, when if he thought this was a new chapter. “I’ve come into it with a really fresh mindset, which has helped. Having that break… obviously I’d have loved to play every game, but that’s life. And I think it’s allowed me to reset.”I think my first time in the team I was just loving playing for England, and probably not performing how I wanted. I was ‘over-trying’ to get the results I wanted, whereas now I feel comfortable in myself, in the role and I think that’s really helped.”

India’s bowling coach also talked up Nitish Kumar Reddy’s ability to chip in with the ball

Shashank Kishore11-Jun-20253:42

Morkel: Reddy can ‘bowl that magical ball’

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has been “blown away” by Jasprit Bumrah’s rhythm and intensity in the three sessions the team have had so far on their tour of England, but reiterated that the management would be “smart” in managing him through the summer.Prior to departure, head coach Gautam Gambhir said it was likely Bumrah would play in just three of the five Tests, as part of his workload management given his history of back injuries. But India are yet to take on call on which Tests he’ll play – that will depend on the state of the series and how Bumrah is holding up.Related

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“Bumrah knows how to get himself ready, he knows how to prepare,” Morkel said on Wednesday. “I was blown away to see the energy on the ball the last three days. That’s very exciting to see. I’m happy his body is in good shape at the moment.”We’ll manage him with that. We’ll be smart with him because he’s obviously key for us, but in terms of the first three net sessions, lot to be excited watching him bowl with the Dukes ball.”The Indians will tune up for the series-opener at Headingley in Leeds from June 20 by playing a three-day intra-squad fixture from June 6 in Beckenham. The match is expected to be a closed-doors affair, with the teams drawn from players in the Test squad as well as those from the India A team that played two four-day matches against the England Lions.The make-up of India’s bowling attack will be a key focus area in the lead-up to the first Test. Apart from Bumrah, India have Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep as their frontline pace options, with Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy as the seam-bowling allrounders.Jasprit Bumrah prepares to bowl at the nets in Beckenham•Bipin PatelIt remains to be seen if India will prefer Thakur or Reddy as their fourth seamer, if they are inclined to include a seam-bowling allrounder instead of a specialist fourth quick or a second spinner. Thakur and Reddy looked rusty in both India A games, and neither seems certain to start at Leeds.Morkel, though, has high expectations from Reddy.”The more bowling options we can have, that’s great. He’s skillful. He’s a guy that can bowl that magical ball, so for him it’s about creating that consistency, it’s something we want to work on, it’s important for his game as well,” Morkel said of Reddy. “I’ve had conversations where I’ve challenged him to bowl a bit more.”I want to see the ball more in his hands, we all know what he can do with the bat. For a team, if we can have the bowling options especially in these conditions, I think he’ll be exciting and can complement this bowling attack.”Morkel believes the key for India to start well will be for their bowlers to hit the ground running immediately against an aggressive England line-up that will look to take toll of errors ruthlessly.”England – the brand of cricket they play, we need to be on top of our game,” he said. “We can’t afford to find our feet in this series. That’s one of the things that has impressed me so much in the two days, the few sessions we’ve had.”The guys have stepped up by themselves, they’ve taken the ownership and responsibility, they’ve realised it’s going to be a tough tour. That’s the pleasing thing for us as coaches, to see guys taking that leadership and ownership at practice.”

Aston Villa entered the season with high expectations after last year’s sixth-place finish, but their early form has left much to be desired.

They secured only their first league win of the campaign against Fulham last weekend, a result that at least lifted them away from the bottom three.

Currently sat 16th in the Premier League with a goal difference of -2, Villa’s league form has been a stark contrast to their performances in Europe.

In the Europa League, they look far more assured, sitting third in their league phase after victories over Bologna and Feyenoord.

The European stage seems to suit Unai Emery’s side, who benefit from his tactical nous in knockout football.

Yet domestically, inconsistency has plagued them. It is in moments like these that clubs look back on players who define stability, leadership and consistency.

These are the traits Villa fans fondly remember in one of their greatest-ever servants, Gareth Barry.

The need for a player like Gareth Barry

For over a decade, Barry embodied everything Aston Villa aspired to be: steady, disciplined, and adaptable.

After joining Villa’s youth system from Brighton, he went on to make 439 appearances, scoring 52 goals and providing 47 assists.

His versatility made him indispensable – capable of anchoring midfield, dictating play from deep, or even filling in at left-back when required.

Barry’s crowning trait was composure.

Rarely one for spectacular moments, his intelligence and positional discipline allowed his sides to control games.

He was central to Villa’s push for Europe in the mid-2000s and started in their 2000 FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

His consistency also earned him 53 England caps, including a place in the 2010 World Cup squad.

Liverpool made multiple attempts to sign him in pursuit of Champions League experience, but he eventually joined Manchester City in 2009 for £12m, where he became part of the early foundations of their modern dominance.

Barry’s style was defined by calmness under pressure.

He was not the quickest, but his stamina, strength in duels, and tactical intelligence allowed him to excel against more naturally gifted players.

By keeping things simple – short passes, smart diagonals, and constant recycling of possession – he gave Villa stability and ensured that more adventurous teammates could thrive.

Villa’s current side, struggling for rhythm in the league, need someone of that profile: a midfielder who combines defensive resilience with technical composure, someone who dictates tempo while protecting the back line.

That responsibility now falls to Boubacar Kamara.

Aston Villa's new Gareth Barry

Signed on a free transfer from Marseille in 2022, Kamara has quickly grown into one of Villa’s most important players.

The 25-year-old French international, valued at around £35m, operates primarily as a defensive midfielder but can also cover at centre-back when needed.

His arrival was seen as a coup at the time, with former manager Steven Gerrard instrumental in convincing him to join.

Since then, this “jewel” of a footballer, as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has made 104 appearances, scoring twice and providing four assists.

While those numbers may not leap off the page, his influence lies elsewhere.

Villa are undeniably a different side when he plays, providing structure, control, and balance.

His absence last season was felt keenly whenever injuries sidelined him, underlining just how integral he has become.

The statistics reinforce his importance.

Kamara ranks in the 80th percentile for pass completion (88.2%), showing his reliability in possession.

Defensively, he is in the 86th percentile for clearances (2.34 per 90) and 83rd percentile for aerial duels won (1.6 per 90).

On his return to the starting XI against Feyenoord, Kamara marked the occasion with an assist, further proof of his ability to influence both phases of play.

Like Barry before him, he is not a headline-grabber like the goalscoring John McGinn, but rather the glue that holds the team together. For Emery, keeping Kamara fit will be vital.

He provides the shield in front of the defence, allowing creative players like Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendía – as well as McGinn – to flourish higher up the pitch.

Without him, Villa lack both the balance and the resilience required to compete on both domestic and European fronts.

Just as Barry once quietly dictated Villa’s tempo, Kamara represents the modern equivalent: disciplined, technical, and reliable.

If Aston Villa are to climb the league table and turn their European promise into genuine success, their fortunes may rest on whether Kamara can stay fit and continue to step up as their present-day answer to a club legend.

Fewer touches than Bizot: Emery must now drop 6/10 Aston Villa man

Aston Villa picked up another win in the Champions League on their travels to Feyenoord.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 3, 2025