Category Uncategorized

Human Rights Watch has called on the ICC to suspend Afghanistan’s membership and ban the Taliban-run nation from competing in international cricket.The request came via an email addressed to ICC chair Jay Shah, dated February 3 and made public on March 7, with the subject line: “Suspending the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Implementing a Human Rights Policy”.Human Rights Watch describes itself as an independent, international, non-governmental organisation that conducts research and advocacy on human rights abuses by states and non-state actors around the world.”We are writing at this time to urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend Taliban-run Afghanistan from ICC membership, and from participating in international cricket, until women and girls can once again participate in education and sport in the country,” the email said.Related

• ICC to formally support Afghan women cricketers

• Exiled Afg women players to men's team: 'Be the voice of the girls'

• Melbourne: Afg women's match a big step on a path unknown

• Shahidi bats for Afg women, but says it's something 'we can't control'

• Rashid, Nabi plead for restoration of Afg women's right to education

“We also urge the ICC to implement a human rights policy based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”We note that you have pledged ‘to allocate more resources to women’s cricket’ during your tenure at the helm of global cricket and ‘champion the ICC’s mission further by allocating more resources and attention to women’s cricket’.”However, since retaking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a long and growing list of rules and policies that bars women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including to freedom of expression and movement, many forms of employment, and education beyond sixth grade. These affect virtually all their rights, including to life, livelihood, shelter, health care, food, and water.”The email went on to say that the ICC’s anti-discrimination policy for international cricket states that it is committed to ensuring that wherever cricket is played, it can be enjoyed by all participants regardless of their respective backgrounds. It pointed out that the policy also strives to ensure all participants can enjoy sport without being subjected to intimidating conduct on the basis of – among other factors – sex, gender, marital status and/or maternity status.The email also argued that while payments to Afghanistan’s Women’s team were suspended in 2021, the country’s men’s team continues to receive financial and logistical support, apparently in contravention of the ICC’s own anti-discrimination rules.Nahida Sapan and Firooza Amiri speak to the media ahead of the Cricket Without Borders match in Melbourne in January•Getty Images

“By not allowing women and girls to play cricket, and not allowing a national team for women and girls to compete internationally, the Afghanistan Cricket Board is failing to abide by this Anti-Discrimination Policy,” Human Rights Watch said.”We note that cricket has been included as a sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, and yet the Taliban’s ban on women and girls participating in the sport is a severe violation of the Olympic Charter’s guarantee that ‘the practice of sport is a human right’.”Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women have been forced to adhere to an increasingly restrictive range of laws barring them from most areas of public life, including sport. Shortly before that, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) had agreed to contract 25 women’s players, most of whom now live in exile in Australia.In July last year, former members of the Afghanistan women’s national team, no longer recognised as such by the country’s Taliban rulers, wrote to the ICC asking to be recognised as a refugee team.Several of those players united in an Afghanistan Women’s XI for an exhibition match against a Cricket Without Borders XI at Melbourne’s Junction Oval in January.A protest outside Lord’s on the eve of the Afghanistan-England Champions Trophy match in Lahore in February•PA Photos/Getty Images

Around that time, the ECB came under pressure from a group of British MPs to boycott their recent Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan – who knocked England out of the competition – while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged the ICC to “deliver on their own rules”.England and Australia have opted not to play Afghanistan in bilateral games, while agreeing to face them at ICC events, with ECB chief executive Richard Gould calling for a “co-ordinated, ICC-led, response” rather than unilateral action from individual countries.The issues of banning or boycotting the men’s team is complex, with some of the formerly contracted Afghanistan women’s players telling ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast that they didn’t want to see their male counterparts prevented from playing because they offered hope, but they did want them to do more for the women and girls who were being denied the same rights.Afghanistan fans settle down to watch their team play England in Lahore•Getty Images

Human Rights Watch asked for a timely response from the ICC to a number of questions, including what steps the governing body is taking towards developing a human rights policy, why it hasn’t suspended the ACB from playing international cricket until women and girls have access to education and sport and, would it be prepared to recognise the Afghanistan women’s national team in exile, allowing it to train, compete and receive ICC financial support.It also asks what steps the ICC has taken or plans to take to “pressure the Afghanistan Cricket Board to include women and girl players in their competitions” and what funding or other support has been or will be provided to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.”The International Cricket Council should follow in the steps of other sport governing bodies, such as the International Olympic Committee, by calling on the Taliban to include Afghan women and girls in sport, and committing to a human rights frame work,” the email concluded.The ICC has been contacted for comment.

He broke Rishabh Pant’s record from 2018 with a 28-ball hundred against Tripura in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2024

File photo: Urvil Patel had hammered the second fastest List A ton by an Indian last year•GCA

Exactly a year after smashing the second-fastest 50-over century by an Indian, Gujarat opener Urvil Patel clattered a 28-ball century in the shortest format, which is the second-fastest overall in T20s and the fastest by an Indian. Urvil’s feat came against Tripura in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s domestic T20 tournament, in Indore.The record for the fastest T20 hundred belongs to Sahil Chauhan of Estonia, who got there in 27 balls against Cyprus in Episkopi, Cyprus, in June this year. The record for the fastest century by an Indian belonged to Rishabh Pant, who had reached three figures off 32 balls for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh, also in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, in January 2018.Chasing 156 against Tripura on Wednesday, Gujarat romped home in just 10.2 overs thanks to Urvil’s unbeaten 113 off 35 balls that was studded with seven fours and 12 sixes. Three of those sixes went over the covers, three in the ‘V’ down the ground, four over the midwicket region and one sailed over square leg. Four of those 12 sixes were struck against Tripura captain Mandeep Singh, who had moved from Punjab before the start of the ongoing season. Urvil clattered Mandeep for 24 runs off just five balls, Abhijit Sarkar for 26 off nine balls (four fours and a six), Sankar Paul for 17 off four and Manisankar Murasingh for 28 runs off 10 balls, with the help of one four and three sixes.On November 27 last year, Urvil had smashed a 41-ball century in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, just a day after being released by Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the 2024 auction. That had placed him second in the list of the fastest List-A hundreds by Indians, behind Yusuf Pathan’s achievement of 40 balls. Urvil had been released after not getting any games with GT in IPL 2023.Urvil’s name was in the list of the uncapped wicketkeepers for the IPL 2025 mega auction recently but he did not find any takers.

نجح الفريق الأول لكرة اليد بنادي الزمالك، في تحقيق الفوز على نظيره توباتي البرازيلي بنتيجة 26-24، في مستهل مشواره ببطولة كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد.

وتقام البطولة في مصر خلال الفترة من 26 سبتمبر وحتى 2 أكتوبر 2025، بمشاركة 9 أندية من مختلف القارات.

والتقى الزمالك مع الفريق البرازيلي ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية على صالة نادي النادي بالعاصمة الإدارية الجديدة.

طالع أيضًا.. الزمالك يستهل مشواره في كأس العالم لأندية اليد بالفوز على توباتي البرازيلي

وشهدت تلك الجولة فوز برشلونة على توباتي بنتيجة كبيرة 41-22، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم.

ويلعب فريق كرة اليد بنادي الزمالك في المجموعة الثالثة، رفقة برشلونة الإسباني وتوباتي البرازيلي.

ومن المقرر أن يتأهل متصدر كل مجموعة إلى نصف النهائي، رفقة أفضل فريق يحتل المركز الثاني، فيما تتنافس الفرق الأخرى على المراكز الشرفية. ترتيب مجموعة الزمالك في كأس العالم للأندية لكرة اليد

1- برشلونة: نقطتين.

2- الزمالك: نقطتين.

3- توباتي: بدون نقاط.

With talents such as Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri breaking onto the scene, Arsenal are primed for many years of success and excitement at the forefront of domestic and European football.

But, for now, Mikel Arteta is thinking in the present, and he knows that these prodigious youngsters must be eased onto the senior stage. That’s why he has been so focused on signing superstars to improve his Gunners squad this summer.

Arsenal have finished second across the past three Premier League terms, but there’s no question that this team has made considerable gains since the Spaniard took to the dugout five years ago.

Now, the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard need to spearhead this project toward silverware, crowning a golden era with something tangible.

The £63m acquisition of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, one of the most feared centre-forwards in Europe, has certainly inched the club that step closer, but a creative winger is sought-after too.

Arsenal lining up new winger

Arsenal are pushing to sign Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who has a £68m release clause.

A principal agreement for the base layer of that clause has been agreed, but details remain before technical director Andrea Berta steers the deal across the finish line.

Eze operates across multiple attacking berths. His high-speed, fleet-footed dribbling makes him apt to star out on the left, although he has typically been played as a central midfielder with a license to roam while with the Eagles.

Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace Career by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Attacking midfield

74

25

11

Left winger

52

9

7

Central midfield

25

6

3

Right winger

3

0

0

Data via Transfermarkt

The 27-year-old might not be the out-and-out winger that Arsenal need, perhaps even bearing a skill set that could see such a player join the crew alongside him in the coming weeks.

Well, The Athletic have reported that both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who came under fire at times last term for their performances, may be sold before the summer is up.

As such, it might be wise for Berta to consider signing another left-sided forward, who could sign in Eze’s stead or indeed cohabit with the Three Lions star in the Arsenal squad.

Arsenal lining up Eze alternative

According to transfer reporter Ben Jacobs, Arsenal are still monitoring the situation of Xavi Simons, with the RB Leipzig player expected to sign for a new club this summer.

Simons, 22, is one of the best young playmakers in Europe, and he’s versatile besides. Chelsea are engaged in talks with the Bundesliga side, but Arsenal and Bayern Munich remain interested. He is expected to cost around £56m.

It won’t be an easy one to pull off. Chelsea are indeed the frontrunners to sign the Netherlands international, so the Gunners will need to get a move on if they hope to steal ahead.

Why Arsenal should sign Xavi Simons

Formerly a prospect at Paris Saint-Germain, Simons arrived in Leipzig as a loanee at the start of the 2023/24 season before signing permanently in a €50m (£42m) deal.

Across 76 appearances for the Germans, he has scored 21 goals and has supplied 23 assists, operating, like Eze, across central and wide attacking midfield roles. Last season, he was most often found out on the left flank, where he notched nine goal involvements across only 17 outings.

Hailed as a “superstar” by analyst Ben Mattinson, this diminutive Dutchman has the remarkable blend of balance, technical skill and confidence to hit the ground running in the Premier League, sure to thrive where Eze would have at the Emirates Stadium, and sure to impress ahead of the aforementioned strugglers on the left flank in north London.

League Stats 24/25 – Xavi Simons vs Ebere Eze

Stats (* per game)

Simons

Eze

Matches (starts)

25 (25)

34 (31)

Goals

10

8

Assists

7

8

Shots (on target)*

2.0 (0.9)

3.0 (0.9)

Touches*

68.0

46.6

Pass completion

83%

82%

Big chances created

12

11

Key passes

2.0

1.7

Dribbles*

1.3

2.0

Ball recoveries*

5.1

4.3

Tackles + interceptions*

1.6

1.4

Duels won*

5.4

4.8

Data via Sofascore

Eze is a little quicker, a tad more active in carrying the ball up and tracking back down. The Englishman likes to get shots off with greater consistency; however, a conversion rate of just 8% in the Premier League leaves plenty to be desired in that department.

In Simons, who has been described as a “special player” by coach Harry Brooks, Arsenal would be signing a potent and dynamic threat who would be the perfect Eze alternative, for he is both positionally and tactically similar.

Moreover, he would prove an upgrade on Arteta’s existing left wingers, who have both struggled to assert themselves thus far during Arsenal’s pre-season and will have undoubtedly provided him food for thought.

Martinelli is a talented winger, but he’s struggled to reach elite levels over the past couple of seasons, hitherto renowned as one of the most exciting up-and-coming forwards.

Across the past two Premier League seasons, he’s bagged himself 14 goals and eight assists across 68 matches. Hardly an awe-inspiring return, having drifted in and out of games and indeed the starting line-up too.

Then, with the 30-year-old Trossard, the boss might be seeking a more talented and complete winger, a fine goalscorer though Trossard may be. Last term, in fact, the Belgian missed more big chances (9) than he scored (8), as per Sofascore, which is the first time that has happened in five top-flight seasons.

It’s clear that Simons, a rising star with a point to prove, could be the perfect addition to an Arsenal side in need of some more creativity to complement Gyokeres up top.

Simons could be the perfect signing, should efforts to reel Eze over prove fruitless.

Related More exciting than Gyokeres: Arsenal have discussed signing £142m "monster"

Arsenal have looked at a wealth of options to fix their centre forward problem.

Posts ByMatt Dawson Jul 28, 2025

انتهت مباراة غزل المحلة مع المقاولون العرب، بالتعادل الإيجابي بهدف لكل فريق، في لقاء مثير بين الفريقين، أقيم اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

واستضاف ملعب غزل المحلة، لقاء الفريقين، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السادسة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري للموسم الحالي 2025-2026.

وسجل هدف غزل المحلة الأول، لاعبه أحمد شوشة من ركلة جزاء في الدقيقة 60، وضعها بنجاح على يمين حارس المقاولون العرب محمود أبو السعود. هدف غزل المحلة الأول أمام المقاولون العرب في الدوري المصري

طالع | غزل المحلة: الأهلي طلب ضم لاعب الفريق.. ولا نمانع رحيله الآن

وفي الدقائق الأخيرة، وتحديدًا الدقيقة 90+6، تعادل فريق المقاولون العرب، عن طريق مصطفى جمال من ركلة جزاء أيضًا. هدف تعادل المقاولون العرب أمام غزل المحلة في الدوري

اللقاء كان قد شهد سيطرة كبيرة من جانب فريق المقاولون العرب على مجريات اللعب، وأتيح له أكثر من فرصة خلال شوطي اللقاء، لكن اصطدم بدفاعات صلبة من غزل المحلة.

وبتلك النتيجة، يحتل فريق غزل المحلة المركز السادس في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 8 نقاط، بينما على الجانب الآخر، فريق المقاولون العرب يتواجد في المركز التاسع عشر، برصيد 3 نقاط.

England sealed their domination of New Zealand via Maia Bouchier’s maiden international century and Sophie Ecclestone’s five-wicket haul to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three match ODI series.Ecclestone’s 5 for 25 from nine overs was instrumental in bowling New Zealand out for a sub-par total for the second game in a row – this time they were bundled out for 141 in 41.5 overs – and Bouchier saw England home with 25.3 overs to spare.Only four New Zealand batters, led by Amelia Kerr’s 43, reached double figures, but, as in the opening match of the series in Durham when they were all out for 156, it didn’t look like nearly enough. England’s bowlers kept New Zealand hemmed in, sending down 10 maidens between them, and Amelia faced 10 deliveries in seven overs for her last three runs.Early incisions by Kate Cross and Lauren Filer had New Zealand floundering at 10 for 2 in the sixth over.Ecclestone was introduced to the attack in the 12th over but it wasn’t until the 18th that she broke a sedate partnership of 46 in 72 balls between Sophie Devine and Amelia, her beautifully flighted delivery luring Devine well down the pitch, then dipping and turning to beat the bat as Amy Jones whipped off the bails.Maddy Green had faced 28 balls for her four runs before doubling her score by lofting the penultimate ball of Cross’ allocation to long-on. Green had reached 30 off 48 when Charlie Dean pinned her on the pad with one that turned sharply from outside off stump to end a 58-run stand with Kerr.Her dismissal brought Brooke Halliday to the crease, the standout performer with her half-century in an otherwise poor display by New Zealand’s batters in their nine-wicket defeat last Wednesday. But Halliday couldn’t repeat her innings after she was undone on 6 attempting to sweep an Ecclestone delivery, which clattered into off stump.Ecclestone made it two wickets in four balls and three for the match when, next over, she bowled Lauren Down for a duck with an excellent ball that turned past the bat and crashed into the top of middle stump. That ended Down’s first international appearance since giving birth to daughter Ruby in January before it had begun.Amelia faced 86 balls for her score, passing 2000 career ODI runs in the process, but her innings was otherwise uneventful, her dismissal via a return catch to Dean coming amid a collapse of seven wickets for 27 runs in 10.4 overs. During that time, Ecclestone also removed Izzy Gaze and Molly Penfold.It was Alice Capsey who took the last wicket when she had Jess Kerr caught slog-sweeping to deep midwicket by Nat Sciver-Brunt for 14 with only her fifth delivery of the day.Maia Bouchier celebrates after reaching her maiden international hundred•Getty Images

Tammy Beaumont survived New Zealand’s review when she was adjudged not out lbw on the first ball of the run-chase, Jess striking the pad with one that moved in but was shown to be tracking down the leg side.As in Durham, Beaumont and Bouchier broke the back of the target, this time via a 73-run partnership in 80 balls. Bouchier took charge here, even more so once Beaumont was run-out by the finest of margins for 28. Bouchier struck Amelia to cover, where Suzie Bates gathered and threw the ball back to the bowler to catch Beaumont short despite the dive.Bouchier was on 42 at the time but unfurled five boundaries in eight balls in the aftermath of Beaumont’s dismissal, four of them off one Devine over. She smashed another off Amelia through the leg side moments before Heather Knight despatched Halliday for the only six of the match, over deep square leg. Knight perished on 9, spooning Halliday straight to Amelia at midwicket.Bouchier was on 92 when she was given not out attempting to pull a Jess delivery, which rapped the back pad low down and New Zealand’s review was turned down on umpire’s call, keeping the century on the table.Bouchier skied the next ball and it dropped short of long-off as she and Sciver-Brunt scampered two and two singles took her past her previous best, 95, scored in the third ODI against Sri Lanka last September.With four more runs needed to win, Sciver-Brunt blocked the remaining four balls of Penfold’s over – one of them a full toss – to give Bouchier the strike. Bouchier tucked Jess’ first delivery to backward square leg and ran two more. Then, after a dot ball prodded towards point, Bouchier struck the next into the space through midwicket and took off for the two runs she needed to reach her ton and complete England’s victory.

Sophie Ecclestone took 3 for 18 before a vital stand with Seren Smale to chase 152

ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2024

Sophie Ecclestone was among the wickets for Thunder•Getty Images

Kate Cross hit a six and a four in the final over to deliver a thrilling last over five-wicket victory for the Thunder against Sunrisers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at Blackpool.The result leaves the Thunder in fifth place, four points behind Central Sparks who occupy the fourth qualifying spot but Sunrisers, who remain on 8 points, now face an uphill task to qualify for the playoffs.It was an exciting finale after Sunrisers had posted 151 for 9 after winning the toss, one run shy of their best total in this season’s competition, led by Lissy Macleod’s 60, while Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the Thunder bowlers with 3 for 18.Seren Smale was the batting hero for Thunder holding the middle of the innings together with an unbeaten 39, her best score in this competition, and late runs from Ecclestone and Cross were vital in clinching the win for the hosts who finished on 155 for 5.The Thunder started their run chase brightly, Fi Morris driving Nicola Hancock for six and striking three fours before she was run out for 25 off 11 balls. That was the first of two wickets falling for four runs after sub fielder Kate Coppack took a good diving catch off Sophie Munro to send back Emma Lamb for 14 with Thunder 43 for 2 in the seventh over.Katie Mack and Smale steered Thunder to 69 at halfway and Aussie overseas player Mack had just upped the tempo with three fours when she was run out for 28 by a superb direct hit from long-on by Jo Gardner, with Thunder 93 for 3 in the 13th over needing 59 off 46 balls.That looked to be a crucial blow, especially when Eva Gray bowled Ellie Threlkeld for two but Ecclestone and Smale kept Thunder in the hunt before play was halted by rain with the hosts on 123 for 4 needing 29 off 18 balls.After a 25-minute delay, Ecclestone departed for 23 but Smale and Cross reduced the target to nine off the last over from Grace Scrivens.Cross then delivered to clinch victory with three balls to spare.Earlier, Mady Villiers hit the first ball she faced for six over midwicket off Tara Norris but perished for 11 in the second over when repeating the shot off Cross but instead finding Dani Collins on the deep midwicket fence.Gardner and Macleod rebuilt swiftly with a 33-run partnership off 23 balls before the former was bowled for 14 after attempting an ambitious leg side scoop from Ecclestone’s third delivery.It was the introduction of spin slowed the Sunrisers progress, Morris (2 for 24) trapping both Scrivens (11) and Flo Miller (1) lbw in the same over to leave the visitors 72 for 4 at the halfway stage of the innings.When Ecclestone struck again in the following over after Jodi Grewcock pulled her first ball into the hands of Emma Lamb at midwicket, Sunrisers had lost three wickets for three runs in nine balls.It was Macleod who held the innings together hitting seven fours in reaching her fifty from just 33 balls. And she received great support from Amu Surenkumar who made a sprightly 31 off 23 balls as the pair hit out effectively to add 60 in exactly seven overs.Thunder hit back by taking three wickets in three chaotic balls in the 18th over with MacLeod and Surenkumar both run out and Gray lbw first ball to Ecclestone. The visitors scrambled to get themselves past the 150-mark but it proved to be in vein.

Already closing in on Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United have now reportedly submitted an opening offer to the representatives of an ex-Manchester City defender who is desperate for a move this summer.

Man Utd closing in on Mbeumo as INEOS ramp up summer plans

Despite finishing closer to the relegation zone than any European place and compiling their misery by suffering defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United remain an attractive club. Already, their name has carried enough weight to lure Matheus Cunha to the club and it looks as though Mbeumo is set to follow suit.

Recent reports even suggested that those at Old Trafford are ready to offer the Brentford star a stunning contract worth as much as £13m-a-year to complete a move to Manchester United this summer. If there was a collective belief that the Red Devils were entering this summer with financial limits, then that has already been put to bed somewhat.

INEOS may not be done there, either. They will be well aware that two arrivals won’t do the trick for Ruben Amorim’s side. The former Sporting Club boss needs an overhaul, not just Cunha and Mbeumo. The attacking duo represent the perfect start, however.

Related INEOS readying strategic £25m bid to sign "unique" Ligue 1 ace for Man Utd

He could join Cunha at Old Trafford.

Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Jun 6, 2025

With that said, Sir Jim Ratcliffe could yet set his sights on defensive additions now that United’s attack is about to be handed the injection of talent that it so desperately needed. And if that does prove to be the case, then Manchester United may even reportedly seal a deal to sign a former Manchester City star.

Man Utd open talks to sign Laporte

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United have now opened talks to sign Aymeric Laporte, making a bid to the defender’s representatives. The centre-back is reportedly desperate to leave Saudi Arabia for European football once again and has been public with his complaints about life at Al-Nassr in the past – sparking exit rumours.

As ever, though, the deal won’t come cheap. Al-Nassr are reportedly keen to recoup the €27m (£23m) that they initially paid out to secure Laporte’s signature in 2023, whilst the defender himself reportedly earns as much as €15m-a-year (£13m-a-year) at the Saudi club.

Whether Manchester United deem that price affordable remains to be seen. However, in terms of quality and experience, Laporte would certainly offer Amorim a much-needed upgrade within his backline. The Spaniard played a huge role in Manchester City’s historic treble in the 2022/23 campaign and could now come back to haunt the Citizens, years after signing for what was then their club record of £57m.

Described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola in 2022, Laporte could yet return to the Premier League and earn similar praise at the home of his former club’s biggest rivals. The move would be full of controversy, there’s no doubt about that. But it would also hand Manchester United an instant upgrade.

The representative of a “complete player” is actively pushing for his client to join Chelsea, according to reports, with a deal also being worked on behind-the-scenes.

Chelsea eye new defender for Enzo Maresca this summer

While their qualification for the Champions League is set to have a big impact on their summer plans, that hasn’t stopped BlueCo from laying the groundwork for potential transfers.

Related £60m star tempted to re-join Chelsea as BlueCo eye potential reunion

The ex-Blue is contemplating a return to Stamford Bridge.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 6, 2025

Chelsea are competing in the Club World Cup this summer as well, and will have the chance to sign new players before the tournament kicks off, thanks to a special edition window, which will be open from June 1st to June 10th.

Chelsea’s final four Premier League fixtures

Date

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

The first window is therefore just weeks away from opening, and Chelsea are reliably believed to be eyeing a centre-back as one of the main priorities on their agenda.

They’ve already been linked with a host of new defenders, including Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Ajax sensation Jorrel Hato, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Burnley ace Maxine Esteve, but one name who keeps being mentioned is Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen.

The Spain international is set to be one of the Premier League’s most sought-after defensive targets this summer, amid reports of a £50 million release clause written into his contract following a very impressive debut campaign in the English top flight.

Ali Barat pushing Dean Huijsen to join Chelsea

Chelsea have held productive talks with Huijsen’s camp in recent weeks, according to journalist Simon Phillips, and the reporter now claims that his agent, Ali Barat, is determined for him to seal a west London move.

Phillips claims Barat is pushing for Huijsen to join Chelsea as he actively works on a deal, even if the player’s father, Don, would prefer it if he joined Liverpool.

“Agent Ali Barat is working on the deal and is pushing Huijsen towards Chelsea,” said Phillips, via his Substack.

“The player’s father has so far been keen for him to join Liverpool. The player has always said that he won’t make a decision until the season ends, but Chelsea continue to work on it, as do Liverpool.”

The 20-year-old has been outstanding this term, and is now an undroppable member of Andoni Iraola’s starting eleven, prompting members of the media to call Huijsen a perfect modern-day defender.

“He is so cool, so composed, so chill, as he said,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“He just makes the game look so easy and so effortless. For a 20-year-old to be playing at this level and doing what he is, that’s why he’s coveted by pretty much everyone in Europe.

“If you’re creating a footballer, the modern-day centre-back, you’ve got a bit of the influence from the Netherlands, the influence from Spain, where they come out with the ball and all the great defenders they’ve had.

“And then you’ve got that Italian mark on it as well so the journey, the mixture that he’s got, is pretty perfect, and now he’s found himself in the Premier League. The elements are good, everything is right for him. You have to get all the right ingredients to be a top player.

“He’s a complete player, this young man.”

In one of the dullest Manchester Derbies in recent memory, Manchester United were held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester City at a sunny Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. Neither side had many chances of note, both opting for a more passive approach, helping them to earn a point each.

There were not many chances of note across the game. Omar Marmoush forced United goalkeeper Andre Onana into a couple of saves in the second half, first with a free kick, followed by a superbly struck volley.

For United, it was probably second-half substitute Joshua Zirkzee who came closest to finding the back of the net. He looked to hook Patrick Dorgu’s cross into the back of the City net, but Ederson made a sharp save from close range.

The stats from Sofascore reflect just how drab of an affair it was. United had 13 shots, but just two on target, and had an expected goals tally of 0.92xG. As for City, they had just nine shots but got five of those on target and had a 0.49xG.

It was not a classic, as far as Manchester Derbies go. However, there was still a standout player on the pitch, who looked a class above anyone else. That man was United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes’ stats vs. Man City

As you might expect, Fernandes was the one player on the pitch who looked like he would make something happen. The man who is lovingly dubbed “Portuguese Magnifico” by United fans continued his excellent form at Old Trafford.

If there was one word to sum up that Fernandes performance, it would be influential. The Red Devils captain had 70 touches and completed 93% of his passes, and created three chances, more than any other player on the pitch.

He was everywhere, starting the game as a number ten before dropping into the more familiar number eight role that he has played in recent weeks. Yet, there was not one part of the game that Fernandes did not feel involved.

Samuel Luckhurst, United correspondent for The Manchester Evening News, rated Fernandes’ performance highly. He gave the Red Devils skipper a 7/10 and explained that he was ‘as reliably creative as ever’. Classic Fernandes.

It was a memorable performance for United’s number eight in an otherwise forgettable Manchester Derby. However, he was not the only United player who impressed against their cross-city rivals.

The Man Utd star who's making himself undroppable

What an impressive performance it was from Leny Yoro against the reigning Premier League champions. The young French defender was calm and composed at the back, helping to keep City’s attackers at bay.

Yoro’s stats from the game show just how well he performed in his first Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. The Frenchman had 54 touches of the ball, completing 89% of his passes. He also showed excellent reading of the game, making three interceptions.

Yoro stats vs. Man City

Stat

Number

Minutes

90

Touches

54

Pass accuracy

89%

Passes completed

39/44

Interceptions

3

Clearances

1

Accuract long balls

1

Stats from Sofascore

Luckhurst was certainly impressed with the United number 15’s day at the office. Just as he did with Fernandes, the journalist gave Yoro a 7/10 for his efforts, explaining he ‘had little trouble from City’ on the left of United’s back three.

This performance was really a continuation of excellent form from the youngster. According to Statman Dave, he has now gone 12 games in all competitions without being dribbled past, showing just how tough he is to get past.

In many ways, Yoro has become undroppable for Ruben Amorim, and was described as a “key” member of the United side by Dev Bajwa, football content creator and United fan. He is making that left centre-back role his own and has clearly become a problem for many attackers, as the stats show.

It is certainly encouraging for the Red Devils that Yoro is establishing himself as a certain starter in this side. His recent form is something to get excited about, and he will surely have a vital role to play in the remainder of United’s season.

Related Imagine him & Bruno: Man Utd make "best ST on the market" their top target

Man Utd are on the search for a striker this summer

Posts 1 ByJoe Nuttall Apr 6, 2025