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June 26 was quite a special day for the Beckham family.

Sandra Beckham, the mother of the Manchester United legend and an all-time great, David, celebrated her 70th birthday and her son was quick to pay tribute to her on social media.

Beckham posted a heartfelt message on his

/BzLTmVaBQOm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” data-lasso->Instagram profile, wishing his mother all the best and saying a couple of nice words to go along with it. Naturally, this attracted a lot of attention from the rest of the footballing world.

Beckham’s ex-teammates, his friends and even his rivals took to the platform to congratulate Sandra on her landmark birthday.

The likes of Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, his long-lasting fellow Red Devils, were among the first to the scene and they smothered the comment section with emojis and best wishes.

Robbie Keane and John Terry were also among the many legends replying and congratulating the whole family.

David Beckham spent eight years at Manchester United’s senior team after progressing through their younger squads, before he left for Real Madrid in 2003.

Hosts show fighting spirit after following on but still in arrears after Luke Wells’ three-for

Paul Edwards13-Sep-2021Jack Blatherwick’s Lancashire career has had more false starts than a nervous sprinter. In truth the 23-year-old’s signing from Nottinghamshire last November hardly prompted ructions in the Rossendale valley for it was clear that the lad would have to wait for his opportunity in an Emirates Old Trafford dressing room already packed with fast-medium bowlers. But even when chances have come along this summer something has managed to ruin them. Blatherwick got the nod for the Roses match at Headingley only for the rain-wrecked affair to contain just the single Lancashire innings. Then he played in the Royal London Cup warm-up match against Cumbria at Sedbergh and took two wickets in 23 balls before injury caused him to be led from the field in such angry distress that not even the sight of the Howgill Fells could console him.So during a desperate first half of the day for Somerset’s batsmen it was easy to feel joy for Blatherwick, who took 4 for 28 in ten overs as the home side were swept away for 90 in their first innings and asked to follow on. The loyalists on Gimblett’s Hill might say with their inimitable trenchancy that their favourites’ batting was spineless. Blatherwick will not care. Analysts might observe that only two of his victims were specialist batters. Blatherwick will not give a dying duck. The coaches might point out that the game is not yet won. Blatherwick will nod in agreement but in his mind’s eye will be the quick outswinger that knocked back Roelof van der Merwe’s off stump even as the batter sought to thrash it through midwicket. Jack Blatherwick, you may take it, has had a day out.But the coaches are right. So much became clear during a wonderfully unexpected second half of the day when conditions eased and Tom Lammonby, who had made just one fifty in his previous 19 first-class innings, stroked his way to a century in 99 balls, only to become one of Luke Wells’ three victims as the game swung Lancashire’s way once again in the final hour. Perhaps Lammonby’s strategy was born of anger at his team’s earlier subsidence; perhaps there was something rather subtler and more powerful at work: a reliance on uncluttered ability.There is a narrow but vital line between simply doing something and caring so much that you are unable to do it. Lammonby batted as though unshackled from concern. He placed his trust in the attacking technique that had served him well during last season’s Bob Willis Trophy games and hit Matt Parkinson for two straight sixes. His 125-run second-wicket partnership with Azhar Ali gave Somerset supporters by far their happiest watching of the last fortnight and if Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas had not had the bright notion of replacing Parkinson with Wells at the River End they might have a great deal more fun ahead of them.As it was, though, Wells turned a legspinner into Lammonby’s back-foot defensive push and the left-hander was incontrovertibly leg before. Three balls later Tom Abell, whose batting and brain seem utterly scrambled at present, scooped a full toss to Vilas at midwicket and had thus managed to collect a pair in less than six hours. It is difficult to know what Abell’s best remedy might be. In Season Four Episode 10 of The West Wing, Will Bailey tells Toby Ziegler, the White House’s stressed-out communications chief: “You are more in need of a night in Atlantic City than any man I’ve ever met.” Perhaps Abell should try similar relaxations although it is difficult to think where he might find them in Somerset. Weston-super-Mare, perhaps, although I confess to not having visited the place in a while?Lancastrian delight was completed when Wells bowled a perfect legspinner to Azhar Ali, who was dragged forward on 50 and became Alex Davies’ second stumping of the day. James Hildreth and Lewis Goldsworthy shepherded the innings to the close but there is still much work ahead of them if Somerset are to win this match. A draw now seems the most improbable of the four outcomes.Tom Lammonby acknowledges his century•Getty Images

Yet the warmth of the reception given to Lammonby was particularly intense because it followed a morning that had revealed as much about Somerset’s bowling on the first day of this game as it did about their batting on the second. It also suggested a fair amount about the various proficiencies of a Lancashire team that even after their defeat at Trent Bridge expects to win matches. That their resolve will be tested to a degree they might not have envisaged.Indeed it was intriguing to compare the relative impotence of Vilas’ seam attack after tea with their incision during the morning and early afternoon. Tom Bailey’s second ball of the first innings tailed in a little before straightening and clipping off stump. A much better batter than Ben Green – little criticism intended – would have got a touch to it but no one could enjoy facing such a delivery before they had gauged the pace of the pitch. Lammonby and Azhar survived the next 40 minutes without ever suggesting permanence and their insecure 31-run stand was ended when Lammonby was leg before wicket to Bailey for 6. Abell lasted four balls before being brought forward by George Balderson and edging a catch to Davies.But Somerset’s skipper looked in good nick compared to James Hildreth for whom batting seemed something close to an alien pursuit this morning. On the day when he passed Peter Wight to become his county’s third-highest run scorer in first-class cricket one of its most gifted stylists faced 19 deliveries before nicking his 20th to Wells. Watching Hildreth’s first innings was like having a seat next to a dentist and being allowed to examine root canal work. Those who had seen him bat on the green and generous afternoons could take no pleasure in it. Hildreth’s two fine boundaries off Balderson deep in the evening session thereby became moments to be relished. Perhaps they were a portent.The regulars in the Colin Atkinson Stand might not have believed it but things could have been even more wretched than 46 for 4 at lunch. Graham Lloyd turned down a couple of leg-before appeals against Azhar that Vilas would have referred to DRS and even after lunch Wells twice spilled edges from Goldsworthy. It barely mattered. For Lancashire’s fielders dropping catches was a bit like missing a sale at DFS. Another opportunity was sure to come along soon.And so it did. Without adding to his 15 runs Goldsworthy played loosely at a ball from Blatherwick and Rob Jones took the catch. In the next over Steve Davies’ defence was just as porous and his namesake returned the previous day’s unwelcome compliment. The wickets of van der Merwe and a slashing Jack Brooks completed his haul. Twenty minutes later Somerset were batting again.

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to the Evening Standard, Liverpool are amongst a number of clubs interested in signing Fulham wonderkid Harvey Elliott, along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and RB Leipzig.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Cottagers are fearful that they are about to lose their precocious young talent after the 16-year-old failed to agree a new contract with the London club, who were relegated from the Premier League last term.

Elliott became the youngest Premier League player ever in May when he came off the bench away to Wolves – he was just 16 years and 30 days old.

The 5 foot 7 attacker also became Fulham’s youngest ever player when he made his debut in the Carabao Cup against Millwall last September at the age of just 15 years and 174 days old.

“It reminds me of a bus seat!” – Watch a damning verdict on Chelsea’s new kit in the video below…

Fulham will be due millions in compensation if Elliott leaves, but the figure will be a lot less if the Englishman joins a side abroad rather than another English club.

Another young star for Jurgen Klopp to get to work with

Jurgen Klopp has proven numerous times over the years that he can capture the imaginations of young players and inspire them to greatness.

It was the German who gave £58m Chelsea new boy Christian Pulisic his first taste of senior football, and the American seems wholly grateful to Klopp for that, saying: “I was obviously playing with the youth teams at Dortmund, but he was the one who gave me my first professional training session, just to give me a taste of it.

“He always accepted me and he was very kind to me, so I will always be thankful for that. I know he’s a great guy, and it’s nice to see him doing so well for Liverpool.”

It was Klopp who also thrust Mario Gotze into the limelight, a player who became the hottest prospect in Germany before a £31.5m move to Bayern Munich – having worked with both Klopp and Pep Guardiola, Gotze seems to prefer the current Liverpool boss.

Gotze said: “Of course, he taught me everything about professional football. At that time, I was just 17 and coming up from the youth team. He introduced me to everything. He let me play.” In the same interview, the attacking midfielder also said that Guardiola lacks empathy whereas Klopp does not.

Fulham teammate Tom Cairney and boss Scott Parker have both given Elliott glowing reviews, so it is fairly exciting to think about what Klopp could do with a player who is the record holder for the Premier League’s youngest ever appearance maker.

Whilst the previous examples are from Klopp’s time at former club Borussia Dortmund, another young gun is in his plans at Anfield – Rhian Brewster.

The German has already spoken highly of the 19-year-old, which bodes well for Elliott as he will be aware that chances are available to him if he can perform well should he make the move to Merseyside.

You also only need to take one glance at what Klopp has done with Trent Alexander-Arnold in just a few years to reinforce all of the above – he is very talented at developing young players, and 16-year-old Elliott could be the next one off the Klopp production line.

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Many Leeds United fans aren’t impressed after Jordan Hugill was named as the club’s latest transfer target.

According to The Sun’s Alan Nixon on Twitter, Leeds along with Preston, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan are looking at signing the West Ham forward.

Whites supporters are understandably quite concerned about these links.

Leeds had a lot of trouble finding the back of the net last season. Their conversion rate was the worst in the division, and Hugill doesn’t look like the solution to that problem.

The 27-year-old scored just six goals last season, and fans on social media have been blasting his playing ability.

One supporter said that he would prefer if Jay-Roy Grot was brought back into the fold, while another claimed that Hugill is just as bad as Patrick Bamford.

It remains to be seen whether the striker will become a United player this summer, but if he does it certainly won’t be a popular signing.

Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on Twitter…

Younis Khan talks about bouncing back from adversity, and the self-belief that has helped him overcome his limitations as a batsman

Rehan Ulhaq24-Oct-2015This article was first published in the November issue of magazine, which went to press early in OctoberPakistan cricket fans took to T20 like fish to water. After losing the inaugural World T20 final to arch-rivals India in 2007, victory in the 2009 edition captured the imagination of the entire country and the short format became prevalent faster in Pakistan than anywhere else on the planet. While other countries initially didn’t take T20 too seriously, Pakistan adopted it as their very own format – it was love at first sight.All of which meant that when their T20 captain, Younis Khan, described it as “fun” cricket when his side were on the verge of elimination in 2009, the media lashed out at him, painting him as public enemy numero uno. Pakistan went on to fight back from the brink and defeat Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s to be crowned world champions. For neither the first nor last time in his career, Younis had defied his critics. His life in cricket has been that of a warrior, fighting his way through barricades and proving his worth even though his sensational record means he should never have to.”If someone writes something good about me in the papers, I just read it once,” Younis tells . “But if someone writes something against me, I keep a cutting of that paper with me, I keep it in front of me all the time and instead of getting dispirited by it, I get motivated and tell myself that I am going to prove this wrong, and I start putting all my effort and focus into trying to come out victorious.”When it comes to cricket, Pakistanis are obsessed with aesthetics, flair, swagger and everything that sounds better in words than in actions. For such a country, Younis Khan is an outlier. In the labyrinth that is Pakistan cricket, he has emerged triumphant – with scars and bruises of course – through sheer determination and professionalism. Tales of Younis’ relentless work ethic have almost mythical status in Pakistan. One such story shared amongst journalists is of a young Younis running around a cricket field trying to be fitter than his colleagues while onlookers laughed at him and told him that he would never make it to the top – an urban legend, perhaps, but he is undoubtedly revered by his team-mates for his insatiable appetite for hard work. “As a sportsman, Younis Khan is my ideal,” says Pakistan’s Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq. “He is the first one into training and the last one out.”

“If someone writes something against me, I keep a cutting of that paper with me, I keep it in front of me all the time and instead of getting dispirited by it, I get motivated”

Pakistan’s national team has been to hell and back in the last decade but Younis remains the constant amongst infinite variables. No one deals with adversity the way he does; his resolve to prove people wrong and unflinching perserverence are the attributes that mark him out as a batsman, and as a person.Whenever there are question marks about him or his team, he rises from the ashes – his entire career has been about emerging from the darkness into light. He remembers the death of former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, on March 18, 2007, as the darkest moment of his career. “That 2007 World Cup in the West Indies was a nightmare. We lost to Ireland but winning and losing is part of the game, what happened next was something I couldn’t fathom. Bob Woolmer passed away and the next few days we spent there were some of the darkest days of my life. Bob wasn’t just a coach to me, he was like a father. What saddened me most was that our own coach was no longer with us and we were all treated as suspects, being questioned about his death. At that point I thought to myself, ‘Why are we even playing for Pakistan?’ I can never ever forget the way we were treated back then.”After the lowest moment in his career, Younis went on to score three Test hundreds in his next four matches. Two years later, when he led Pakistan to the World T20 title, he dedicated the win to Woolmer. “This final must go to Bob Woolmer,” he said. “He was doing good things with us in 2005 and especially my cricket. I would be very proud if he was alive and sitting with me because he’s a very nice guy and was a father figure for us. Why I am captain is because in 2005 – at that time I was not a regular player for Pakistan – he was the guy who all the time was chatting with the chairman and the selectors that Younis will be the next captain. So because of him I have become a captain. I dedicate this final to Bob Woolmer.””Bob [Woolmer] wasn’t just a coach to me, he was like a father”•AFPPerhaps the one blemish on Younis’ career is his ODI record but he remembers his one-day debut against Sri Lanka in 2000 as one of the highlights of his career. “My cricket changed when I played my first ODI in Karachi,” he recalls. “The situation was quite difficult for me. I was supposed to bat up the order but wasn’t given the opportunity to do so. I was sent in at No. 7 and the match was getting out of hand. It was a grim situation and I scored a quick 46. That innings showed my character to everyone. When I wasn’t sent in at my number, I stood up and told them I wanted to play, every time a wicket fell, I wanted to be the next to bat. I kept telling everyone to let me take the responsibility, I told them I could pull it off. It is very tough for a young player making his debut to keep asking for responsibility and believing that you can deliver but when I scored 46, despite losing the match, I knew and my team-mates knew that I belonged at this level. It gave me belief and my team-mates started to have faith in in me.”Younis is arguably the best third- and fourth-innings batsman of his generation and one of the greatest of all time in getting his team out of jail. This isn’t just a fluke, it again stems from that unparalleled perseverance and fortitude which was palpable in his very first Test match, against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. Pakistan had conceded a first-innings lead of 171 and were five down in their second innings, still trailing by two runs, when a 22-year-old Younis walked out to bat. His rearguard of 107 from 250 deliveries helped set Sri Lanka a target of 220 and so nearly resulted in Pakistan snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, the hosts eventually losing by two wickets. “We were in dire straits when I came out to bat. I had a very good partnership with Wasim Akram of 145 [for the ninth wicket] and that brought us back into the match. Although we didn’t end up winning, that innings is a highlight of my career.”Younis is not a man blessed with a great array of shots or natural talent and yet he has gone on to become statistically Pakistan’s best Test batsman. It’s a point he is aware of. “When you have self-belief and faith even a player like me with a limited skillset can deliver. I have 30 Test centuries despite not being very naturally gifted and having limited resources at my disposal. But because I have so much belief, God helps me to do things I don’t think I am even capable of. For example, I won the World T20, not in Pakistan, not in India, but in England and with a team comprising mostly players who were new at international level and some who were making their debuts.”

“When you have self-belief and faith even a player like me with a limited skillset can deliver. I have 30 Test centuries despite not being very naturally gifted”

That self-awareness has proven to be one of Younis’ greatest virtues in his run-filled career. It not only sets him apart as a character, it has also informed his batting style and allowed him to squeeze out every ounce of potential – something that’s been evident in each and every one of his most special innings.”In 2001-02, I was making my comeback after being dropped and I scored 91 and 141 in the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland. That again showed my character to the selectors, management and my team-mates. There are two or three other innings that I remember fondly which put my name on the world map. The 267 I scored in Bangalore and the ODI century I scored at the Rose Bowl are very special to me.”But perhaps the two ODI hundreds I scored against India in 2008 and 2009 emphasised my determination the most. One was at Karachi in the last Asia Cup played in Pakistan; we had already lost to India once and we were chasing a total in excess of 300, I scored a hundred and we won that match comfortably. The other one was in Bangladesh in the final of the 2008 Kitply Cup. I had scored two consecutive ducks, we were playing the final against India and I had to prove my critics wrong. I scored a hundred and we ended up winning the match.”Misbah on Younis: “Younis Khan is my ideal. He is the first one into training and the last one out”•AFPDespite these achievements, Younis still doesn’t get nearly enough acknowledgement in Pakistan, perhaps due to the fact that it’s a country that gives more weight to T20 and ODI cricket. It’s not something that keeps Younis up at night, though.”I get more love from the fans than I could ever have imagined. Even now fans from all over come to support me and shout my name. I see them and I am proud of myself, it is a great achievement for me. Perhaps my greatest achievement is when Pakistanis walk up to me while I am on tours or travelling and tell me that they are proud of me. I don’t care one bit if I don’t get commercials or have my picture up on billboards, I don’t care when people say he isn’t that special because I am telling you myself that I am a player with very little and limited skill.”The term “cornered tigers” was first used to describe Pakistan during their unexpected World Cup triumph in 1992 and Younis has been the poster boy for that famous unbreakable spirit in more recent times. Time and time again he has been at the heart of the most unlikely victories. Perhaps his greatest moment in the sun was the 2014 Test series against Australia in the UAE when he destroyed records left, right and centre. For those familiar with Younis’ career it came as little surprise. After all, he had a relatively modest record against Australia that needed rectifying and Pakistan had been whitewashed in the ODIs and T20s prior to the Test series.All Out Cricket”The way we lost against Australia in the T20 and then the ODIs was very hard for me to digest. In fact one of the ODIs we lost was beyond the realms of logic. I didn’t feature in those series but I was part of the Test squad so I was motivated and pumped up to be the difference between the two teams in the Test series. When the team is losing, I want to be the man to change it, to be the catalyst for a change in fortune. My biggest motivation is my love for this country and in fact I give 100% for every team I play in, be it my department team, my region or my club. I take great pride in being competitive.”Younis’ outspoken, straight-talking attitude has got him in hot water in the past, most notably when he was slapped with an indefinite ban by the PCB in 2010 for ill-discipline, as well a well-documented mutiny against him when he was captain for allegedly being excessively tough and demanding too much from his players. He remains unapologetic for saying it as he sees it. It’s part of his DNA. “I belong to the Pathan tribe,” he says. “We are straightforward people, both my parents are simple people who never discouraged us to speak up about our opinions.”With the series against England imminent, Younis is in the headlines once again. Firstly there was an overhyped supposed feud with Misbah when Younis said in a TV interview that his captain couldn’t be compared to him. Then certain sections of the media in Pakistan put him forward as the next Test captain while the rest reminded everyone of the mutiny in his first stint at the helm. More recently, when Younis wasn’t present at the launch ceremony of the Pakistan Super League, claims were made that he hadn’t been invited, only for the PCB to issue an official statement insisting that he was.The cherry on top was Younis’ reply to Wasim Akram after the former left-arm quick suggested he concentrate on Test cricket and forget about ODIs. Younis politely said that, while he respected the opinion of Wasim, he didn’t need anyone’s advice at this point in his career. You can be sure that any frustration felt by Younis at the latest media circus will be meted out on England in this series. magazine, available either in print or as a digital magazine. See what all the fuss is about here.

The 14th April 2024 could go down as a poignant one for both Arsenal Football Club and Granit Xhaka.

Both kicking off a 4.30pm, the Gunners had the chance to cement their own title ambitions against Aston Villa.

They had seen fellow challengers Liverpool tast defeat against Crystal Palace just a few hours prior but the form book was ripped up, sending Manchester City top of the pile.

While Arsenal suffered a crippling 2-0 loss to Unai Emery's men, Xhaka was in no mood to be despondent.

Scoring just his second goal in Bayer Leverkusen colours, he helped Xabi Alonso's men to their first-ever Bundesliga title win, smacking Werder Bremen 5-0.

Many questioned the sale of the Swiss, but the midfielder has enjoyed a life of luxury since moving back to Germany, with Leverkusen remarkably unbeaten across all competitions this season.

Granit Xhaka's season in numbers

Xhaka's departure from the Emirates Stadium last summer came as a real shock. The former Gunners man had revived his career in some style, moving from much-hated club captain to a real club icon.

Why? Well, his form as a left-sided 8 under Arteta was nothing short of remarkable in his final term in London.

Surging forward from the centre of the pitch and ghosting into the penalty box like a prime Frank Lampard, the 31-year-old contributed nine goals and seven assists, capturing the hearts of many at Emirates Stadium.

This term has been a great deal different for Xhaka. He has found the net twice and only has one assist for his troubles.

That doesn't mean the Bundesliga champion has underperformed though, far from it.

As per FBref, he ranks in the very best 1% of midfielders in Germany's top flight this term for progressive passes, overall passes, passes into the final third, touches, carries and passes received.

He has been a real focal point of Alonso's team, also sitting among the best 11% for shot-creating actions and top 2% for pass completion rate. It's safe to say he's been pretty damn good.

Why did Arsenal let him go, therefore? Well, it was their last chance to cash in and a certain Kai Havertz was right around the corner.

Considering it took him until November to score from open play, there may well be a tinge of regret around Xhaka's departure. He has been nothing short of a sensation in 2023/24.

That said, he isn't the only Bundesliga star the club could look back upon wondering 'what if?'.

Arsenal will regret selling another Bundesliga star

We have to go back further in time for this tale, one which doesn't quite have the same sweet taste as Xhaka's fabled story.

This time, Serge Gnabry is the focus, scorer of a goal at the Emirates Stadium last week in the Champions League.

Most supporters will be familiar with the fact he once played for the Gunners but he remains probably their biggest mistake when it comes to player departures.

The German had made his breakthrough ten years ago, during the 2013/14 campaign, notably scoring his first league goal against Swansea.

However, the young winger at the time didn't sign a new contract and eventually took his leave, departing London for a fee of just £4m, signing for Werder Bremen after only 18 Arsenal appearances.

Speaking about his exit, the now 28-year-old said: "I was still confident I could've got in the team but I didn't want to wait. I didn't want to be fourth or fifth choice any longer. It was the hardest decision I had to make in football, leaving a club like Arsenal – the fans, the players – but to keep playing I had to take a step back and it was the right decision."

What's Gnabry doing now? Well, despite Bayern failing to win the league title for the first time in 11 years, the £310k-per-week earner has still been shining, showing Arsenal what they're missing.

It's been an injury-hit campaign for the Germany international but he's still found the net five times in 17 outings. Last term was far more productive, however, bagging 17 times and assisting 12 strikes. To put those numbers into context, they were both better than Bukayo Saka's tally of 15 goals and 11 assists in 2022/23.

So, even though they've had the Englishman breakthrough with some aplomb, there would surely still be room for Gnabry in a modern-day Arsenal side.

His numbers for Bayern have been extraordinarily consistent. Hailed as "world-class" by writer Cristian Nyari, the 45-cap German has found the net on 86 occasions in 235 matches.

To lose a player who was once valued at over £50m for just £4m will be a sickener. His market value – as per Football Transfers – may have now fallen just £29m after a period on the sidelines, but he is still an exceptional talent. Arsenal must rue not being able to convince him to stay in England, perhaps even more so than a certain Xhaka.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

The NWSL club is filing the grievance as they believe Zambia didn't provide adequate care for their midfielder following an injury

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Chanda is out for the season following an Olympics
• Pride say Chanda was asked to play and train after injury.
• Not the only issue being pointed at Zambia.

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Orlando Pride General Manager and Vice President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter has filed a grievance with FIFA against the Football Association of Zambia on behalf of new signing and midfielder Grace Chanda, according to reports.

  The NWSL is filing the grievance due to "failure to provide a reasonable standard of care for player health and safety," according to African media outlet Bolanews.

  Chanda signed with Orlando on May 30 and was set to make her first appearance with the club following the Olympics. With the 27-year-old suffering a ruptured quadriceps tendon against the U.S. in Zambia's opening match, she is out for the season.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chanda's injury robs the first-place Pride of an addition they were counting to build upon an impressive season. Chanda has scored 19 goals in 31 appearances with the national team.

  "[Chanda was asked] to continue training and play in the opening match post-injury," Carter posted on X.

  Carter also added the following via a statement earlier this month to ESPN: "We are incredibly disappointed for Grace at this injury and how it occurred….Fortunately, she is under the best possible care with our medical and performance teams here at the club and through Orlando Health. While her debut in purple will be later than planned, it's imperative we prioritize her health and welfare through a safe and responsible return to the pitch."

• ZAMBIA'S ISSUES

  This isn't the only controversy Zambia is accused of. Zambia's football operations were already being investigated due to allegations of misconduct involving head coach Bruce Mwape.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR CHANDA AND ORLANDO?

  Chanda is now on the season-ending injury list and will continue treatment. Orlando hope to march forward when they host Gotham FC on Sept. 1

The 2023 summer transfer window was a busy time for Chelsea Football Club. Since Todd Boehly bought the club for a fee of £4.25bn, they have had plenty of incomings and outgoings, and last summer was no different.

The Blues spent around £400m last summer on some major incomings, including a British transfer record fee of £115m on Moises Caicedo of Brighton, the £40m signing of Cole Palmer from Manchester City, and Romeo Lavia for £58m from Southampton.

Their outgoings also saw some major movement, with Chelsea making around £230m from player sales and loan fees. Some of the most notable outgoings from Stamford Bridge included Kai Havertz joining London Rivals Arsenal for a fee of £65m, and Mateo Kovacic joining Manchester City for £25m.

However, there was one particular outgoing which sent shockwaves through Stamford Bridge, as a Chelsea academy product decided against signing a new contract, in favour of making the move to one of Chelsea’s biggest Premier League rivals.

Mason Mount's transfer value after leaving Chelsea

The transfer in question here is one of the jewels of Chelsea’s famous Cobham academy in recent years; Mason Mount.

The 25-year-old midfielder left Chelsea to join Manchester United for a fee of £60m, a decision which proved to be the correct one for Chelsea.

Last season, Mount had just one year left on his deal at Stamford Bridge and did not seem like he would be signing a new one. Thus, Chelsea decided to move him on, with United snapping up the England international.

Since the move to Old Trafford, Mount’s transfer value has plummeted. Now, the midfielder is valued at just £17m, according to CIES Football Observatory, with nine United players more highly valued.

It certainly seems as though Chelsea’s decision to offload Mount last summer was the right one, with the Portsmouth-born midfielder struggling to make an impact thanks to two injury issues he has suffered, and a lack of game time under manager Erik ten Hag.

Thanks to injuries, Mount has only managed 17 appearances for the Red Devils so far. It seems the correct decision from Chelsea, all things considered.

Mason Mount’s season so far with Manchester United

With the business end of the season fast approaching, United’s marquee summer signing from 2023 will be hoping he can stay injury-free and get more minutes. The Red Devils are still pushing for a European spot in the Premier League and are in the FA Cup semi-final, where they face Coventry on Sunday.

Sadly for Mount, the move has not necessarily worked out how he or anyone else envisaged last summer, because his whole campaign has been derailed by injury. His 17 appearances for United have yielded just one goal and one assist so far for the 25-year-old.

Out of Mount’s 17 United appearances so far, the England international has played just 673 minutes in total, which equates to seven full 90s. Frustratingly, he has missed 27 games through injury, with the main issue being a calf injury he picked up in November, which kept him out until March.

The big question during Mount’s time at Old Trafford so far that has not been answered is how he fits into the side. He has mainly operated in the centre of midfield under Ten Hag, a direct replacement for Christian Eriksen, who has fallen out of favour. However, Mount has also played on the left wing and in attacking midfield at times too.

Where Mount’s biggest strengths in possession lie is with his superb passing and vision. He is one of the most progressive players in United’s squad, though, crucially, looks after the ball very well, which United have struggled with in 2023/24.

Last season in the Premier League, Mount averaged 6.25 progressive passes per 90 minutes, which placed him in the top 7% of midfielders in Europe, and 2.32 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 3% of midfielders on the content, according to Fbref. There is no denying Mount’s obvious progressive quality, and what that adds to United's midfield.

Off the ball, he is an energetic presser, who works hard to win the ball back for his side. This is reflected in his 0.53 final third tackles per 90 minutes last season, which ranks him in the top 4%.

He is able to cover lots of ground across 90 minutes, which United have missed this term. The likes of Eriksen and Casemiro are struggling to be able to cover ground like they used to, so the relentless engine mount brings in midfield could be pivotal for United.

With that being said, perhaps his best role is in a pivot next to United’s new superstar Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo is a wonderful ball carrier, and he would complement Mount very well, being able to receive off the centre-backs before finding Mount, who can launch attacks forward.

However, the lack of a defensive-minded destroyer in midfield may prove to cost United, and having a profile like that of Casemiro could be crucial for beating the top sides in the Premier League, considering the physical nature they have in midfield.

Alternatively, we could see Mount take up a more advanced position. Mount is impressive in the final third, in particular putting up good numbers in 2021/22 for Chelsea. He managed 11 goals and ten assists in 32 Premier League games, playing mainly as a number 10.

The issue is if he played as a 10 for United, they would likely have to drop club captain, and talisman Bruno Fernandes. He is a crucial player for the Red Devils, and it does not seem likely this is something they would look to do.

Additionally, the 5 foot 11 summer signing could slot into the team out wide, and his first United goal came from the left wing. However, they have other options there too, namely Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, so it is not clear if Mount would get regular minutes there.

Alas, this is not Chelsea’s problem. They sold Mount for £60m before seeing his value plummet to just £17m after he was shackled by injuries all season.

All things considered, it is surely a deal which most Chelsea fans will look upon favourably, especially considering Mount would have left for free this summer. It is perhaps the best bit of business completed in the entire duration of Boehly’s reign over the club.

Chelsea must rue selling star whose value has risen by 900% after leaving

He left Stamford Bridge back in 2017.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 17, 2024

Pep Guardiola compared Erling Haaland to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after seeing the Manchester City striker score in a 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Man City beat Chelsea to open season
• Haaland scores 91st goal for Man City
• Guardiola compares him with Ronaldo and Messi

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite not enjoying their usual dominance in the first half at Stamford Bridge, Manchester City took the lead thanks to Haaland's quick footwork under pressure and ruthless finishing as he dinked the ball past Robert Sanchez from close range. The Norwegian has now scored 91 goals in all competitions for the eight-time Premier League champions and Guardiola believes that Haaland is now matching the scoring exploits of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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• Getty
  

  WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Speaking to the media after the 2-0 win over Chelsea, Guardiola said: "He has the numbers for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who controlled the last decade, 15 years, absolutely everything. In terms of numbers, it is that level. So, I don't know how he does it, but in 100 games scoring 91 goals is something in the Premier League, in this country, is unbelievable."

  The City boss added: "I had a feeling that he feels better than last season at this stage. After travel last season, he felt a bit 'mmm-mmm' [so-so] or felt he was tired. This season, I think for the Euros unfortunately Norway was not there, there was more rest and yeah, he feels good.

  "The goal was magnificent. His contribution is in many things. He had two or three chances and always I had the feeling there is a gap to improve as a football player."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Haaland has won the Premier League Golden Boot for the last two seasons and despite the insane numbers he has posted since his move to Manchester City in 2022, one thing he has always been targeted for has been his lack of involvement in general play. Guardiola has even recognised that weakness, and Haaland has revealed that he is going to keep aiming to improve in all departments other than just goalscoring.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

  Manchester City will play their first home game of the Premier League season when they take on newly promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday, August 24 as they will look to make it two wins from two.

Glasgow Rangers suffered a big blow in their bid to win the Scottish Premiership title as they were beaten 3-2 away at Ross County on Sunday.

The Light Blues were lethargic and lacking in quality at both ends of the pitch against the Staggies, and the hosts took advantage to great effect.

A first half own goal from Jack Baldwin had the Gers in front at the break but two goals inside the opening four minutes of the second half put County ahead, and they went on to add a third before James Tavernier's consolation from the penalty spot.

Philippe Clement's side now sit four points behind Celtic in the league table, with a game in hand away at Dundee on Wednesday to come, and have a lot of work to do if they want to secure the title this season.

There were a number of poor performers on the day for the Light Blues, including John Lundstram in the middle of the park, but the player who must finally be binned from the starting XI is Cyriel Dessers after his horrorshow.

John Lundstram's performance against Ross County in numbers

The English midfielder set the tone for Rangers' lacklustre display in the middle of the park with his lethargy in possession throughout the game.

Despite having a whopping 108 touches of the ball over the course of the 90 minutes, Lundstram only made one key pass and did not create any 'big chances' for his teammates, which speaks to how little he progressed play to create for his side.

His slow play on the ball translated to his work defensively for Ross County's second goal as he failed to track George Harmon at the back post. Lundstram checked his shoulder at least twice to see the attacker yet opted to almost stand still in the box and allow him to follow up on Jack Butland's save to find the back of the net.

As you can see in the table above, Lundstram did win the majority of his physical battles on the day, helping him to win three tackles, to cut out attacks.

This shows that there were some good aspects to his performance, even if his lack of intensity on the ball and his error for the second goal meant that it was a poor display overall.

Cyriel Dessers' Ross County horrorshow

The Nigeria international had a nightmare against the Staggies with a number of misses in front of goal that ultimately cost his side three points, or even one point, on the day.

He did not do enough in the final third with the chances that his teammates created for him throughout the afternoon, the best of which represented a 0.68 xG (Expected Goals) opportunity.

That particular opportunity saw the forward's touch bounce the ball up to him with only the goalkeeper to beat but his tentative effort gave the shot-stopper a chance to flick it wide for a corner, when it appeared as though any effort to either side of Laidlaw would have resulted in a goal.

Dessers' finishing ability also left a lot to be desired towards the start of the second half when the ball fell kindly for him into the box but instead of lifting the ball into the empty far corner of the net, his low drive hit the Ross County defender already laying down on the ground.

His work out of possession was also incredibly questionable. The experienced forward, signed from Cremonese last summer, lost 80% (4/5) of his duels throughout the match, including all four of his battles on the deck.

This shows that the opposition centre-backs found it far too easy to get the better of the Gers number nine, who did not do enough to impose himself on them to hold the ball up or win possession back for his team.

These statistics and the context of his missed shots, with zero goals from four efforts, show that the Nigerian striker was worse than Lundstram, who at least won the physical battle of the game whilst the forward was poor on and off the ball.

Dessers, who completed 65% of his attempted passes, must now be brutally ditched from the starting XI and Kemar Roofe, or an attacking midfielder or wide player as a false nine, should be given an opportunity to impress in his place.

Cyriel Dessers' mixed success this season for Rangers

The 29-year-old forward has had mixed success in the Premiership throughout the campaign since his move to Ibrox on a permanent deal under Michael Beale last summer.

He has, in fairness to him, scored 13 goals in 29 appearances and averaged a goal every 141 minutes of league action, which is more than one every other full 90 on average.

However, his decent goal tally has been a result of the exceptional level of chance creation that his teammates have produced over the course of the season.

As you can see in the table above, no Rangers player has underperformed their xG by more than Dessers in the Premiership this term, with just 13 goals from an xG of 17.17.

The former Serie A marksman has missed a staggering 22 'big chances' in just 22 league starts for the Light Blues – one per start on average – and that illustrates how wasteful he has been at the top end of the pitch.

His work off the ball has also been questionable throughout the season as Dessers has lost a whopping 68% of his duels in the Premiership, which includes 73% of his battles on the ground.

These statistics suggest that the Rangers number nine has not been good enough as a finisher and has not been strong enough to get the better of defenders.

This all contributes to why Clement should finally ditch the striker, who has not been on the bench in the league since the 28th of February, from the XI against Dundee on Wednesday.