Acknowledging the hurt their fans must be feeling, Hussey suggested this was the time “where you really find out who are your true supporters”
Deivarayan Muthu11-Apr-20252:05
Is this the worst CSK have ever looked in the IPL?
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are hurting after losing five games in a row for the first time in an IPL season, but they are “not putting the white flag up” just yet. That was batting coach Mike Hussey’s reaction soon after CSK were blown away by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their IPL 2025 match at Chepauk on Friday.”Well, this one hurts a lot. I mean, it really does,” Hussey said at his post-match press conference. “The players are hurting, and the support staff are hurting. And, as I said earlier, the fans, I’m sure, are hurting with this one as well. This is a time where you really find out who are your true supporters.”We’re certainly not putting the white flag up just yet. You only have to get in to scrape into that fourth [and final playoffs] place. And in a big, long tournament like the IPL, it is about momentum. Now, certainly the momentum is not with us at the moment whatsoever. We haven’t been playing good cricket consistently. We definitely acknowledge that, put our hands up, and say that is a fact at the moment. But that’s not to say things can’t turn around and can’t turn around quickly.”Related
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Before Friday, CSK had never lost three successive games in Chennai in an IPL season, but Hussey has backed their leaders to navigate the team through the unfamiliar terrain.”I just know Stephen Fleming, obviously, he is a great coach,” Hussey said. “And MS Dhoni… he’s been a great captain for a long time as well. Ruturaj [Gaikwad] is still going to be around the team. I think they’ll really try and bring this team as tight and as close together.”They will make sure there’s no fractures, make sure we’re still sticking tight because I’m sure we’re going to cop plenty of criticism from the outside and, look, we deserve it. We haven’t performed as well as we would have liked so far in the tournament. But from an inside, internal side of things, we’ve got to stick really tight.”CSK have cycled through 18 players this season, including all their overseas players, but are still searching for a winning combination. On Friday, they hit a new low by struggling to 103 for 9 in 20 overs, their lowest IPL total at Chepauk. Even before KKR began their chase, parts of the stadium began to empty out. Hussey hoped CSK would be able to change the mood of the fans and give them some joy.”The fans we have for the Chennai Super Kings have been absolutely phenomenal ever since day one, really,” Hussey said. “We hope they continue to keep turning out and supporting us. And I know the guys will be really hurting from this and will want to turn it around for the fans as much as for the dressing room and for each other as well, but more for the fans. Because they have stuck tight with us for a lot of the good times. And we hope they stick with us now when things haven’t quite gone to plan just yet.””The guys will be really hurting from this and will want to turn it around for the fans as much as for the dressing room and for each other”•Associated Press
Hussey disagreed with the suggestion that some of CSK’s Indian players were past their prime, and hoped to bring the best out of them in the upcoming games. He pointed out that a number of players had previously enjoyed late-career T20 revivals at CSK.”I don’t agree with that,” he said. “You know, we’ve had players in the twilight of their career come and play at CSK in the past. I think of Shane Watson. I think of Ajinkya Rahane. And they’ve performed really well for CSK. So I still think that the players that we’ve got still have some good cricket in front of them and can still offer us a lot. So, I don’t necessarily agree that, you know, they’re beyond their best. I still think we can find their best and see some great performances from them.”Despite considerably low output from Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda, CSK have preferred them over IPL rookies such as Delhi’s Vansh Bedi and Tamil Nadu’s C Andre Siddarth. While Hussey acknowledged that CSK had some talented youngsters on the bench, he said the team management wouldn’t fast-track them into the team until they were ready for the challenge.”With regards to blooding youngsters, we want to pick guys when they’re ready to perform as well,” Hussey said. “We’ve got some very good players that are waiting for their chance. No question about that. But sometimes I think when teams give up the ghost and think, ‘oh well, we can’t win the tournament anymore; well, we’ll just try the youngsters now’. We’re still here to try and progress in the tournament as far as we can.”
Manchester United have made some intriguing signings this summer as they look to improve under Ruben Amorim and could soon move for an exciting star who is set to be a free agent in 2026.
Manchester United's goalkeeper situation remains unresolved
Truthfully, Manchester United haven’t had an easy start to the campaign and their performances have delivered mixed results, albeit a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Burnley last weekend was a much-needed development at Old Trafford.
At the time, Amorim expressed sympathy for Altay Bayindir after his bumpy performance between the sticks, which may be his last for quite some time after Senne Lammens’ £18.2 million arrival at Old Trafford from Royal Antwerp.
He said in his post-match press conference: “Guys, they are humans. Manchester United, everything is (huge). Everybody talks about the goalkeeper. And you can see, I can change the goalkeeper in the situations that happen. We are in that moment. I think it is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment.
“But if you look at the first goal, we can defend it better. We suffered a quite similar goal against Fulham, because we don’t do the full rotation of the team when the ball is on the other side. All these small things have nothing to do with the goalkeeper.”
Andre Onana has opened talks over a move to the Saudi Pro League and could be set to move on to a new challenge, leaving the Red Devils to undergo a change of the guard in a key position at Old Trafford.
Neither Bayindir or Onana are in favour at the minute and reinforcements will be required should either leave the club, which could prompt the Red Devils to go all out for an elite stopper in 2026.
Manchester United plot showstopping move for Mike Maignan
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United will look to launch a showstopping move for Mike Maignan in 2026 once his contract expires at AC Milan, when his future will be one of the ‘headline’ deals of the next summer window.
With the Red Devils plotting to ‘kick out’ Onana, the France international is seen as a ‘masterstroke’ signing without the need to pay a transfer fee, evidenced by the fact he kept 61 clean sheets in 166 appearances for the Serie A giants.
Man Utd's most expensive signings of all time
A number of their additions haven’t lived up to expectations.
ByCharlie Smith Sep 5, 2025
Sharing the same ESN agency as Manchester United winger Mbeumo, per Transfermarkt, the Cayenne-born stopper has retained a 60% save percentage in the Italian top-flight this term, though he could now be primed for a move to Old Trafford less than a year from now.
His current employers are said to be under pressure due to his contract situation and external interest from others in his services, something that is only likely to grow the longer he refuses to put pen to paper on new terms at San Siro.
Manchester United are reportedly starting preparations to have backup plans in place in case they decide to sack Ruben Amorim before the end of the current season. According to reports, former United midfielder and current under-18 head coach Darren Fletcher has emerged as the favourite to take over the reins in an interim role if Amorim faces the axe.
Fletcher a candidate for Man Utd interim role if Amorim is fired
According to a report by , former midfielder Fletcher is high on Manchester United's shortlist to become the club's caretaker in the event current head coach Amorim is sacked before the end of the season. The Scotsman was appointed as the under-18s head coach at the end of June and has impressed the club with his managerial style, with the results speaking for themselves, too.
AdvertisementGetty Amorim feeling the heat
The notion after Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag midway through the 2024-25 season was that he needed time and a full pre-season to implement his ideas. However, despite being backed with an investment of over £200 million (€231m/$270m), United languish in 14th position on the table. Since Amorim's arrival, the Red Devils have aggregated a measly total of 34 points in 33 league games, with the ex-Sporting CP boss being criticised for being too stubborn to change his tactics and system. If he is sacked before November, United are obliged to pay him a severance package worth £12m (€14m/$16.5m).
Who have United been linked with to replace Amorim?
A number of names have been speculated to take over the reins from Amorim if he faces the sack this season. Ex-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been tipped for a return, given the way he managed to stabilise the ship following Jose Mourinho's sacking in the 2018-19 season. Michael Carrick, too, was reported to be on the club's radar for a return in an interim role, but he now has a new job as a Technical Observer for UEFA. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who has fired the Eagles to two titles in the last five months, has been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford, while former England boss Gareth Southgate and Barcelona legend Xavi's names have also made the rounds in the media.
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GettyUnited and Amorim desperate for a win against Sunderland
United's next challenge will see them welcome surprise packages and newly-promoted Sunderland at the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday. Any result other than a win against Regis Le Bris' men will mount further pressure on Amorim, who will be desperate for a turnaround in fortunes.
Napoli coach Antonio Conte admitted he is still trying to find the right tactical measures to bring the best out of midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay. In the 2-1 win over Sporting CP, Conte tested a three man midfield in the second half following the substitution of McTominay, and he believes the system can offer him multiple solutions.
Napoli’s victory over Sporting
Rasmus Hojlund struck twice for Napoli in their clash against Sporting, with both goals coming from De Bruyne assists. The opener came when De Bruyne split Sporting’s defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, sending Hojlund charging forward on the counter to finish. Sporting later equalised from the penalty spot, but Napoli regained the lead as Hojlund rose highest to head in a De Bruyne cross. Meanwhile, last season’s Serie A Player of the Year, McTominay, endured another quiet outing. Substituted in the 69th minute after failing to influence the game, his slow start to the 2025/26 campaign continued.
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Conte's tactical alternatives
In his post-match interview, Conte reflected on his default setup of 4-1-4-1 and what it offers the team. "With four midfielders, we have more play, even if we can be less incisive. We have some room to explore with four midfielders behind the striker."
He went on to explain the tactical switch he employed in the second half and the flexibility it provides: "In the second half, we also switched to a 4-3-3. Then there's the alternative of a 4-3-3 with Lobotka, Anguissa, and McTominay [to bring more physicality] or we can increase the quality and move De Bruyne back. We're trying to implement a few things. With a 4-3-3, on the other hand, we move the full-backs into different positions; it's a year's work behind it."
Conte’s praise for De Bruyne
Tensions ran high in the Napoli dressing room after Conte substituted a visibly frustrated De Bruyne during the 2-1 loss to Milan. The situation was later resolved between the two inside the dressing room. Conte praised the Belgian’s illustrious career and professionalism, stating: "Compared to the other new arrivals, he comes from a solid background, he's played for many years at the highest level, with the right determination we can raise the bar. I can't say anything about him."
He later defended his decision to withdraw De Bruyne, emphasising that his choices are always made with victory in mind: "I understand that anyone wants to play, but there are substitutions and they have to be accepted. Criticism is part of the game. If you make changes and win, everything is fine; if you make changes and lose, all hell breaks loose. I'm the first one who wants to win, my decisions are geared towards that."
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Napoli's challenge against Genoa
Napoli will host Patrick Vieira's Genoa on Sunday, with Conte hoping to bring out the best in Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne.
Liverpool reportedly still have a chance of signing a Bayern Munich star in 2026, but his club are doing all they can to ensure he stays put there amid interest from Barcelona and PSG.
Isak gets minutes ahead of Liverpool debut
Reds supporters are having to wait patiently before they get to see Alexander Isak for the first time, with the current international break getting in the way.
The Swede could be rusty after playing so little football in recent months, however, so it would be a surprise if he started Liverpool’s trip to Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
On the plus side, though, Isak earned some key minutes for Sweden on Monday evening, coming on as a second-half substitute in his country’s 2-1 defeat away to Kosovo.
It wasn’t an ideal night for Liverpool’s record signing, but it was also a step in the right direction, ahead of what could be his debut this weekend. Now, another attacking star is being mentioned as a future option for the champions.
Liverpool could sign Bayern "magician" in 2026
Speaking to The Boot Room, journalist Graeme Bailey talked up Liverpool’s interest in signing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise in 2026, saying there is a slim chance of them getting him next summer.
“So – firstly, Rogers and Olise won’t be leaving in January, but Liverpool are very much aware of both players – they like them both, but then again, there isn’t a major club in Europe who doesn’t. In terms of Olise – along with the likes of Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, there are few more highly rated young wingers in the world.
“Olise looks a different class at the moment, he really has taken a huge leap since moving to Bayern Munich. It would take some huge money to get him – I don’t see him being available next summer, but never say never, when you are a club who can attract (Alexander) Isak and (Florian) Wirtz in one window – nobody is beyond your reach.”
The update does also claim that Bayern are “hoping” to sort a new deal for Olise with a “huge pay rise”, not wanting to lose him to Liverpool at this point in his career, or to Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain for that matter.
Olise, who cost £50m from Crystal Palace, stands out as possibly the most exciting right-sided and left-footed option to be Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement at Liverpool, with the Frenchman a dazzling footballer who has been hailed by Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano.
“He’s a magician. His technical level is very high. He can do everything. He can score, set up, and even defend.”
Michael Olise’s 2024/25 Bundesliga stats
Total
Appearances
34
Starts
28
Minutes played
2348
Goals
12
Assists
15
Key passes per game
2.7
Shots per game
2.5
Dribbles per game
2.1
Tackles per game
1.1
In truth, it is a move that could be difficult to get done, given Bayern’s stance, but the fact that the Reds signed both Isak and Florian Wirtz for record transfer fees this summer will make them feel that any business is possible.
O São Paulo realizou mais um treinamento na manhã desta terça-feira (11), visando o clássico contra o Palmeiras, na quinta-feira (13), às 20h, no Allianz Parque, pela volta das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. O técnico Dorival Júnior comandou um treinamento com trabalhos táticos e de bola parada.
+ Veja tabela e as próximas rodadas do Brasileirão
Uma dupla que anima a comissão técnica e deve jogar desde o início no Allianz é Luciano e Calleri. Os dois atacantes se recuperaram bem de dores na panturrilha direita e dores nas costas, respectivamente, e treinaram normalmente junto com os companheiros.
Para os tricolores paulistas apaixonados: produtos a partir de R$39,90 na FutFanatics!
Em contrapartida, a defesa segue sendo uma ‘preocupação’ para Dorival. O zagueiro Beraldo, com lesão ligamentar no tornozelo esquerdo, foi mais uma vez ao gramado para exercícios com a fisioterapia e não treinou com o restante do elenco. Já Alan Franco, que tem dores na perna direita, ficou em tratamento na parte interna do CT da Barra Funda. A tendência é que os dois sejam desfalques.
Sendo assim, um provável São Paulo para o confronto decisivo tem: Rafael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Diego Costa e Caio Paulista; Pablo Maia, Gabriel Neves, Wellington Rato e Rodrigo Nestor; Luciano e Calleri.
Como foi o treino?
O dia começou com um vídeo exibido pela comissão técnica aos atletas. No gramado, após o aquecimento, Dorival Júnior e seus auxiliares aplicaram um exercício de confronto, com situações de um contra um e dois contra dois.
Na sequência, laterais e zagueiros permaneceram em um gramado para um trabalho tático posicional apenas para os defensores. Em um outro campo, Dorival comandou um trabalho de construção de jogadas e finalizações para o restante do elenco.
Em seguida, houve um trabalho tático de 11 contra 11 seguido de repetições de bolas paradas.
Captain’s knock enables home side to take 169-run lead
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay05-Apr-2025Gloucestershire 222 and 128 for 3 (Charlesworth 77*) trail Derbyshire 391 (Madsen 118, Came 83, Jewell 61) by 41 runsDerbyshire captain Wayne Madsen again left his mark on Gloucestershire with the 40th first-class century of his career on the second day of the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at Derby.The 41-year-old’s hundred was his sixth against Gloucestershire and put his side in a commanding position with support from Harry Came who scored 83 and shared a third wicket stand of 177.Madsen also completed 16,000 first-class runs during his 118 and with Zak Chappell adding a breezy 61 from 67 balls, Derbyshire reached 391, a lead of 169.Marchant de Lange with 3 for 31 was the pick of the bowlers for Gloucestershire who closed on 128 for 3, still 41 runs behind, with Ben Charlesworth unbeaten on 77.Gloucestershire went into day two well aware of the damage Madsen could do and under another cloudless sky, he made the most of some very accommodating bowling.The visitors’ attack, with the notable exception of de Lange, lacked the discipline and consistency to put Madsen and Came under pressure, serving up far too many short and wide balls that could be dispatched to the ropes.Madsen welcomed Zaman Akhter by upper-cutting the seamer for six before Came reached his 50, which contained nine fours, from 80 balls.Derbyshire cruised along serenely with 68 runs coming in the first hour with Madsen reaching an inevitable half-century and the 89th of his first-class career off 81 balls.Gloucestershire’s miserable morning got worse when Came on 64 edged Matt Taylor to second slip where Ollie Price fumbled the chance. Price made amends with the penultimate ball of the session, trapping Came lbw as he went back to work the ball to leg but at lunch, Derbyshire were 49 ahead with Madsen eight away from another hundred.Whatever was said in the visitors dressing room clearly made an impression because they had their best spell of the match after the interval. De Lange quickly had Brooke Guest caught behind and in his next over tempted Luis Reeve into a drive which Ollie Price pouched at second slip.When Anuj Dal was trapped on the crease by Tom Price, Derbyshire had lost four wickets in 26 balls for 10 runs and the Price brothers combined two overs later to remove Martin Andersson.As the wickets tumbled around him, Madsen went to his hundred, the 39th first-class for Derbyshire, from 144 balls, and although Ollie Price dropped him four runs later, the offspinner finally removed him when he missed a reverse sweep.But Chappell crushed any hopes Gloucestershire entertained of wrapping up the innings quickly by dispatching Ollie Price for two big sixes on his way to a 60-ball 50.Taylor returned to bowl Chappell and have Jack Morley caught behind but Derbyshire had reasserted their authority leaving Gloucestershire with a lot of batting to do.They started badly, losing Chris Dent cheaply when he got an inside edge into his stumps going half forward to Chappell in the seventh over. But Charlesworth and Ollie Price played with increasing authority to add 70 from 98 balls before Derbyshire set a trap which snared Price.Pat Brown posted a leg gully for Price who turned a ball off his hip into the waiting hands of Andersson and Reece struck another blow when Miles Hammond moved across his stumps and was lbw.Charlesworth and James Bracey negotiated the last five overs but they will need to bat for a long time tomorrow to keep Gloucestershire in the contest.
The fringe and the future of Australian fast bowling was on display on day one of the Sheffield Shield final with Brendan Doggett taking six wickets to roll Queensland for 95 before 19-year-old Callum Vidler took four to ensure South Australia did not run away with the game on a dramatic day at Karen Rolton Oval where 16 wickets fell.Doggett tore through Queensland’s line-up to bowl them out for the lowest first innings total in Shield final history. He took his best ever figures in Shield cricket of 6 for 31 and his second five-wicket haul in a final, having done it previously for Queensland in the 2017-18 decider. He also became the 10th bowler to take multiple five-wicket hauls in a final. Queensland’s total was also the third-lowest in Shield history in any innings.Related
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Ironman Doggett has Shield glory in sights after career resurgence
From rock-bottom to title favourites: How South Australia learned to believe again
Vidler then responded with a stunning display that was reminiscent of Pat Cummins’ breakout performance in a Shield final as a 17-year-old in 2011. Vidler showcased high pace, swing and accuracy in just his third first-class game to claim 4 for 33, including Test batters Alex Carey and Nathan McSweeney.But when Vidler ran out of gas late in the day, Jake Lehmann continued his phenomenal form to finish 42 not out at stumps, sharing an unbeaten 45-run stand with Ben Manenti, who finished 36 not out to push the hosts to 158 for 6 and a priceless lead of 63 that had been earned by some hard work from opener Conor McInerney who made a vital 38 against the new ball.Doggett made the most of some excellent morning bowling conditions after McSweeney made the unusual decision to bowl first at Karen Rolton Oval given the surface looked far more seam-friendly than usual. The ball swung consistently with Queensland’s batters unable to handle it.Nathan McAndrew celebrates the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne•Getty Images
Doggett made the first breakthrough after coming on first change, removing Usman Khawaja for a tortured 2 off 28 deliveries when he pulled a short ball down fine leg’s throat. But Khawaja should not have survived that long.Nathan McAndrew had him dropped twice in the slips. He edged the third ball of the match to Manenti at second and he failed to hold onto the low chance. In the seventh over, McAndrew’s fourth, Khawaja edged a near identical delivery that angled in and swung away. It floated waist high to McSweeney at first slip and he grassed the simple chance.The weight of the 29-year Shield drought looked heavy on the entire team at that point. But the tide quickly shifted after Khawaja holed out.McAndrew endured more bad luck when Marnus Labuschagne defended a ball onto his heel and it rolled into leg stump at speed but did not knock off the leg bail. However, McAndrew’s frustration turned to elation next ball when Labuschagne glanced a catch to Lehmann at a well-placed leg gully to fall for a seven-ball duck.The next delivery Jack Clayton made a bizarre call. He defended a ball into the offside and took off for a single that was never. Opener Angus Lovell, who was a late inclusion for Queensland after Matthew Renshaw had to fly home for the birth of his second child, rightly sent Clayton back. Liam Scott swooped having been stationed very close at mid-off to prevent the single and produced a direct hit before Clayton could scramble back.
How a drawn final is decided
In the event the Sheffield Shield final ends in a draw, the title will be decided on first-innings bonus points which are accrued across the first 100 overs.
Batting teams earn 0.01 of a bonus point for every run scored over 200 in the initial 100 overs; bowling sides get 0.1 of a bonus point for every wicket in the first 100 overs. For example, the batting side scores 350 all out in 90 overs they earn 1.5 points and the bowling side 1 point.
Should bonus points be tied and the match drawn, SA will win the Shield given they finished top of the ladder and earned hosting rights for the final.
Queensland quickly slumped from 16 for 3 to 22 for 5. Lovell had survived two very close lbw shouts and having hit the pad with a sharp offcutter, Doggett found Lovell’s outside edge with a perfect outswinger to have him caught behind.Three overs later Ben McDermott chipped a poorly executed drive back to Jordan Buckingham who held on with two bites. Replays were needed to examine if Buckingham had overstepped the front line but the inconclusive evidence meant McDermott was given out.Michael Neser and Jimmy Peirson dug in just as they had done a week ago when they rescued Queensland from 86 for 5 to ensure a draw that got them into the final. Neser struck six boundaries in an excellent counterattack given the ball was still swinging consistently. But after a 46-run stand that got Queensland past lunch, Doggett struck twice in two overs.Peirson shuffled across too far to a ball that thundered into his front pad and was adjudged lbw. Neser had played and missed a few times in between playing some glorious drives but finally nicked a lovely outswinger from Doggett to McSweeney at first slip who let out a sigh of relief after holding on.McAndrew claimed a richly-deserved second when he lured Jack Wildermuth into a leaden-footed drive to have him caught behind.Doggett completed his five-wicket haul by cleaning up Mitchell Swepson and closed out the innings when Mark Steketee clubbed to deep mid-onNineteen-year-old Callum Vidler was outstanding with the new ball•Getty Images
Vidler, 19, then copied the Doggett blueprint to keep Queensland in the game, showing that high-pace outswing is a method for success on this surface. Playing just his third first-class game, he was trusted to open the bowling ahead of Steketee and did not let his captain down.He bowled 11 straight deliveries at opener Henry Hunt without letting him score, although one ran off the pad for four leg byes. Off the 12th, in Vidler’s third over, Hunt’s eyes lit up at a fuller length but some late shape at pace caught the edge and Lovell held the sharp chance at third slip.He bowled 12 deliveries to McSweeney without letting him get off the mark before scratching his outside edge with an even better delivery. Vidler went slightly wider of the crease, angled in and shaped away as McSweeney tried to defend on the crease. It wasn’t going to carry to first slip and Peirson took a blinder diving full length to his right with one glove. At that point, Vidler had bowled five overs, four maidens and had 2 for 2.But the scoreboard was moving at the other end thanks to McInerney. There was some luck involved. He edged Steketee on 14 but McDermott failed to lay a hand on the sharp chance and Steketee’s poor luck continued when Jason Sangha offered a similar edge high to Lovell’s left.Ben Manenti added valuable lower-order runs•Getty Images
Sangha edged a wide half volley from Neser to leave SA vulnerable at 41 for 3, but Carey and McInerney learnt from the mistakes of their team-mates and went on the offensive.Carey struck two fours and a six to put pressure back on Queensland’s attack. McInerney gloved an attempted pull down the leg side off Wildermuth to leave SA 65 for 4.But Lehmann and Carey kept the pedal down. Lehmann created width at every opportunity carving several balls from a fourth stump line behind point. He also benefited from some strange captaincy from Labuschagne who bowled part-time medium pace and gave up 18 runs in four overs, including three boundaries and a six.Vidler returned from the other end to wreak more havoc. Carey chopped on for 24, hurried by the extra pace trying to pull. Liam Scott was also done for pace, gloving a short ball down the leg side.But Vidler understandably tired at the back end of a second six-over spell. Manenti clubbed a pull shot for six to get himself going before he and Lehmann cashed in on some slower and more wayward offerings from and under par Neser and Wildermuth to put South Australia in a strong position at stumps.
While they have faced plenty of flak for it in recent years, is it time to admit Chelsea might be onto something with their transfer strategy?
Since their takeover, the Blues have clearly focused on signing young, exciting talents with high ceilings and either integrating them into the side or selling them for profit.
The likes of Cole Palmer and Estevao fit into the latter category, while Noni Madueke and Lesley Ugochukwu fit into the former.
However, while the club have made an enormous amount of money this summer, there is one player they probably should have kept hold of, someone compared to Alexander Isak.
Chelsea's best sales this summer
As we’ve mentioned, most of Chelsea’s sales this summer have been quite impressive, with Madueke being a prime example of their strategy working.
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.
They signed the Englishman from PSV Eindhoven for around £29m in January 2023.
Then, over the next two and a bit years, he made 92 appearances for the club, scored 20 goals, provided nine assists and was then sold to Arsenal for £52m, netting the club a tidy £33m profit.
Another great sale, from a financial perspective anyway, was that of Renato Veiga.
The Portuguese international cost the Blues around £12m last summer, and then joined Villarreal for £26m last month, after spending the 24/25 season out on loan.
Juventus'RenatoVeigareacts
Finally, Djordje Petrovic moved to Stamford Bridge for around £14m in August 2023 and was sold to Bournemouth for £25m this summer, which made him the tenth most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time.
Overall, you’d have to say that Chelsea did a great job with their departures this summer, apart from one, that is, a player who has been compared to Isak.
Chelsea's own Isak
From looking at the list of players who left Stamford Bridge over the last few months, it shouldn’t be too surprising to learnt that the player in question is Nicolas Jackson.
The Senegalese striker joined Bayern Munich on a season-long loan for £14.25m that includes an obligation to buy at £56.25m should certain conditions be met.
Now, there are some who would be happy to sell the dynamic forward, and that is fair enough; he wasn’t always the most clinical of strikers.
However, he is clearly a talented international, and one who has won comparisons to perhaps the best number nine in the world: Isak.
Yes, according to FBref, the Swedish monster was the number one most similar forward to the Blues star in the entire Premier League last season.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.67
0.70
Shots
3.08
3.10
Shots on Target
1.38
1.34
Passing Accuracy
75.9%
75.3%
Goal-Creating Actions
0.41
0.46
Aerial Duels Won
0.85
0.85
That might sound unbelievable to some, but to gain a better understanding of how this conclusion was reached, we can examine some of the underlying numbers in which they ranked so closely.
In this instance, those metrics included non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots and shots on target, goal-creating actions, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
In other words, the “unbelievable” star, as dubbed by Peter Crouch, might not be as clinical as the new Liverpool man, but he’s just as creative and in the right situation could cause as much chaos for opposition defenders.
Ultimately, while moving on Jackson might end up being a good idea, we can help but think Todd Boehly and Co may have made a mistake, especially given the comparisons to Isak.
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