Chelsea are weighing up the possibility of an early January move for one ‘magnificent’ forward with an agreement already in place for his arrival next year.

Liam Delap succumbs to another Chelsea injury blow

Liam Delap’s Chelsea career has descended into frustrating misfortune following another significant injury setback.

The 22-year-old suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder during Saturday’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after landing awkwardly following a challenge with Marcos Senesi.

Medical staff immediately applied a makeshift sling before Delap trudged directly towards the tunnel, his arm immobilised to prevent further damage.

Enzo Maresca then delivered a concerning post-match update that confirmed initial fears.

Reports suggest Delap faces approximately six to eight weeks sidelined, which comes as another devastating blow for the young forward after he was previously out of action for weeks with a hamstring injury.

Chelsea signed Delap from relegated Ipswich in June, beating the likes of Man United and Newcastle to his signature after an impressive maiden Premier League season.

The Winchester-born striker finished as Ipswich’s leading scorer with twelve goals across thirty-seven appearances last term, accounting for thirty-three percent of their total output despite their eventual drop to the Championship.

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Delap also earned a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination and convinced Maresca – who previously managed Delap during his tenure overseeing Man City’s Elite Development Squad – that he represented an ideal target man.

However, the Englishman has since struggled to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, managing just sporadic appearances whilst failing to register a single Premier League goal for his new employers.

His only Chelsea strike this season arrived against Barcelona in the Champions League, providing brief optimism before this latest injury.

Marc Guiu replaced Delap against Bournemouth but was rusty throughout, highlighting Chelsea’s lack of alternative options, and it has led to suggestions that Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha could arrive earlier than anticipated.

Chelsea weigh early January move for Emanuel Emegha

According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea chiefs are evaluating whether to bring forward Emegha’s arrival from their sister club following Delap’s injury blow.

The Blues confirmed a deal worth around £22 million several months ago, that was scheduled to deliver Emegha to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

However, Delap’s absence has prompted internal discussions about accelerating that timeline to January.

Strasbourg initially resisted any mid-season departure for their captain, but circumstances have shifted considerably.

Argentine forward Joaquin Panichelli has emerged as Liam Rosenior’s first-choice striker, demonstrating excellent form which suggests the Ligue 1 side could accommodate Emegha’s premature exit.

The 22-year-old Netherlands international stands at a towering 6 foot 5 and recently earned his maiden senior caps for his country, establishing himself as one of France’s most promising attacking talents.

Should Chelsea trigger the January switch, they would also likely compensate Strasbourg by funding an immediate replacement through BlueCo’s multi-club network.

Emegha, who’s been called ‘magnificent’ by critics, scored 14 French top flight goals last season and ended the campaign as one of Ligue 1’s top scorers.

He’s also bagged seven goals across 11 appearances in all competitions this season, so he’s a man bang on form right now regardless of Panichelli’s rise.

It is not controversial to say that Tottenham Hotspur have struggled in the Premier League this season, though, adopting a glass-half-full mentality, it could also be suggested that Thomas Frank’s project, in its infancy, has the potential to be a success.

However, we need to see a more synergised frontline and a sharper overall build-up strategy. Spurs have struggled for stable home form and fluency in their creativity this season, and that has formed the crux of their struggles.

Many players have flattered to deceive, but Johnson’s poor performances have perhaps gone somewhat under the radar as Frank continues to hand the Wales international a second-string role.

Brennan Johnson's struggles at Spurs

In keeping with the wider narrative at Tottenham, Johnson has ebbed and flowed since joining the club from Nottingham Forest for around £47.5m in 2023. However, he will be desperate for an uptick in form after a tough start to the Frank era, peripheral after scoring 17 goals across all competitions last year.

Johnson may have an eye for goal, but Frank clearly doesn’t fancy him as a regular starting option for the Lilywhites at the moment, with the Welshman only starting three of the past 11 fixtures in the Premier League.

Despite scoring in both of Tottenham’s opening league outings, he has offered very little in regard to ball-carrying and creative metrics, clinical when afforded space in the danger area but offering very little else for an outfit desperate for more dynamism.

See below for how Johnson’s data from the top-flight terms matches up against the form of Mohamed Kudus, and you’ll get a sense of why Frank is loath to give him a starting berth.

Matches (starts)

13 (13)

13 (6)

Goals

2

2

Assists

5

0

Touches*

52.4

17.8

Shots (on target)*

1.5 (0.5)

0.4 (0.2)

Accurate passes*

20.9 (87%)

6.7 (70%)

Chances created*

1.6

0.4

Succ. dribbles*

3.1

0.2

Ball recoveries*

5.1

0.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.9

1.1

Duels won*

6.5

1.8

This isn’t good enough. Johnson has the physicality and electric nature to provide much more. After all, he has been hailed by content creator HLTCO in the past for his “frightening” pace and directness down the flank, right or left.

But time is surely running out for him to nail down a regular starting berth. He’s unlikely to displace Kudus, and while most Lilywhites have left something to be desired this season, there’s a lot of quality there.

And there’s more still to come, with an out-on-loan star sure to be eyeing a place above Johnson in the north London pecking order next season.

The Spurs star who could replace Johnson

Analyst Ben Mattinson has described Mikey Moore as a prospect with “superstar potential”, having taken his first steps in Tottenham’s first team last season, scoring his first senior goal in the Europa League and racking up two assists besides across 19 matches in all competitions.

Moore is currently sidelined with a muscular injury, approaching one month since last playing in the Scottish Premiership, and though he struggled to impose himself throughout the early weeks of the campaign, Rangers’ abject form made it difficult for the youngster to hit the ground running.

His natural potency in the final third and underlying athleticism suggest that he might be the perfect Johnson heir, especially since he is comfortable playing across both flanks.

Spurs writer James Harris has even said that he could “bring back the old Aaron Lennon” to north London, so dangerous and dynamic when running with the ball.

Lennon racked up 364 appearances as a right winger for Tottenham, and pace and potency were staples of his game. Like Moore, he was an incredibly direct winger; though he offered far more from a creative standpoint than, say, Johnson, there’s a sense that Moore might share the retired England star’s protean threat.

Though it hasn’t been plain sailing for Moore in the highlands this season, it’s probably fair to say that the experience has toughened him up some, and that could prove instrumental in nailing down a starting spot down the line at Tottenham.

Already, he is showing that he has more in his locker than Johnson, a wider and more threatening array of skills.

Expect big things from this kid in the future, even if that comes at Johnson’s expense, it will help elevate Frank’s project.

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Manchester United could break their transfer record to sign an “amazing” midfielder, who has now emerged as one of their top targets.

Man Utd looking to sign new midfielder who could replace Casemiro

Casemiro has emerged as one of Man United’s most consistent performers this season, making 12 appearances in the Premier League, during which time he’s picked up three goals and one assist, and the Brazilian put in another eye-catching performance against Crystal Palace.

The former Real Madrid man made three interceptions and three tackles, the highest combined total of any player, as the Red Devils fought back to secure a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park, after a concerning opening 45 minutes.

Indeed, Palace went into the break a goal to the good, and it was much-deserved, having recorded an xG of 1.59, compared to 0.92 from the visitors, with Jean-Phillippe Mateta opening the scoring from the spot.

Mateta won the penalty after being played through by Adam Wharton, with the Englishman giving Casemiro the run-around in the first half.

With the Brazil international’s contract set to expire next summer, Man United are now searching for a new midfielder, and they could break their club-record transfer fee by signing Wharton, who has now been identified as a top target alongside Elliot Anderson.

That is according to a report from Manchester World, which states United view strengthening their midfield options as a priority, and INEOS are aware it will take a huge fee to sign an elite option, with Crystal Palace set to hold out for over £100m, which would smash the £89m spent on Paul Pogba.

The need to sign a new midfielder could also be exacerbated by Bruno Fernandes deciding he wants to leave next summer, while Kobbie Mainoo is now unhappy at Old Trafford due to a lack of game time.

Wharton could be "amazing" signing for Man Utd

Lauded as “amazing” by journalist Raj Chohan, the Palace maestro has put in some top performances in the Premier League as of late, impressing against United and picking up an assist in his side’s 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous match.

The 21-year-old ranks in the 82nd percentile for assists per 90 over the past year, having averaged 0.17, while Gareth Southgate has praised his composure, saying: “He played as he’s trained, he receives well, he’s very composed, he plays forward.

“That sounds simple but it’s not a simple thing to do. He plays a lot of one-touch football, he sees a picture when the ball arrives to him.”

Wharton clearly has what it takes to reach the very highest level, so it is exciting news that Man United could break their transfer record to get a deal done.

Arsenal are well-stocked all over the pitch and boast one of the finest squad depths in England, yet they continue to be linked with high-profile transfers ahead of January.

Arsenal overcome Brentford to go five points clear

On the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s side maintained their commanding lead at the Premier League summit with a professional 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The victory extended their unbeaten streak to an incredible 18 matches across all competitions, with Arteta seriously rotating his squad following a recent demanding triple-header against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Brentford

Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Eberechi Eze were all rested from the starting lineup, but the Gunners’ strength in depth showed with Ben White and Noni Madueke combining brilliantly down the right throughout.

The opener arrived early on when White delivered an inviting cross that found Mikel Merino, who powered a header past Caoimhin Kelleher for his fifth goal of the campaign.

The Spaniard, who Arteta never expected to be the proficient going forward, has now netted 21 times in 2025 for club and country, showcasing his remarkable goalscoring form.

Arsenal suffered a blow before the interval when Cristhian Mosquera limped off with an ankle injury, compounding their defensive concerns with both Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba already sidelined. Timber then replaced the injured defender as Arteta juggled his limited centre-back options.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews introduced Igor Thiago, Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson from the bench after an hour, while Arteta countered by bringing on Saka and Eze.

Arsenal controlled proceedings but missed several opportunities to seal the contest earlier.

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To add further injury worry after Mosquera, Arsenal’s arguable player of the season, Declan Rice, departed late with a calf problem, with Arteta now sweating over his fitness ahead of a hectic Christmas schedule and the clash with Aston Villa.

Saka finally made the points safe in stoppage time, latching onto Merino’s perfectly weighted pass before finishing past Kelleher despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the effort.

Given Arsenal’s injury curse which has plagued them since last season, sporting director Andrea Berta will be attentive to any unmissable transfer market opportunities.

Enter Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who is reportedly up for sale this winter after playing a bit-part role under Xabi Alonso.

Rodrygo expresses wish to join Arsenal as agents open talks

Arsenal have already been linked with a move for the Brazil international heading into January, following exploratory talks over a deal last summer.

The 24-year-old has managed just three La Liga starts this term, making the vast majority of his appearances off the bench, with Rodrygo believed to be in the process of finding a new club.

That is according to TEAMtalk and reporter Graeme Bailey, who also state that Rodrygo has ‘expressed a wish’ to join Arsenal among four other Premier League sides he’s also interested in.

Crucially, though, the ex-Santos star’s agents have apparently reopened talks with Arteta’s side, who also ‘pushed hardest’ to sign him in the summer window.

However, Arsenal will need a minimum £70 million to strike a deal, with a loan appearing unlikely as things stand.

Berta and co, meanwhile, are believed to be monitoring his situation closely, which isn’t hard to see why given their bad luck with injuries, not to mention the uncertainty surrounding Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

The latter wingers are both out of contract in under two years, and with no sign of an extension for either, Arsenal need to think about long-term succession planning.

Rodrygo’s £282,000-per-week salary would put him in line with Arsenal’s highest earners, so it is an expensive transfer to pull off beyond just his club fee.

That being said, Rodrygo is also a player of proven quality, having racked up 68 goals and 53 assists in under 300 appearances for Los Blancos.

Saudi Pro League chief executive Omar Mugharbel has confirmed that Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah has emerged as a transfer target amid uncertainty over his future at Anfield. Salah has sparked speculation about a potential winter move away from Anfield by giving an explosive interview in which he was critical of the club and manager Arne Slot after being benched for the third game in a row.

• Salah facing uncertain future at Liverpool

  Salah made his unhappiness at Liverpool crystal clear when he spoke to reporters after being benched yet again for the trip to Leeds last time out in the Premier League. The club legend told reporters he felt he had been "thrown under the bus" by Liverpool and that he has been left "very, very disappointed" at being repeatedly overlooked by Slot. Salah's comments have drawn criticism from former defender Jamie Carragher, while manager Slot has admitted he does not know if the Egypt international will play for the club again. The Dutchman left Salah out of Liverpool's next game against Inter in the Champions League and there's no guarantee he will feature on Saturday against Brighton in the Premier League. Saturday's fixture represents Salah's last before he joins up with Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations squad for the 2026 tournament in Morocco.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Saudi Pro League chief reacts to Salah talk

  The saga has already fuelled speculation that Salah could depart Merseyside and make a lucrative move to the Middle East. Mugharbel has reacted to such talk at the World Football Summit in Riyadh and admitted the Liverpool forward could be heading for Saudi Arabia. He said: "Mohamed Salah is welcome in the Saudi League, but it is the clubs that are responsible for negotiating with players. For sure Salah is one of them [a target]."

• 'Absolutely convinced' – Huge Salah claim made

  Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad have already emerged as possible destinations for Salah, according to , with a source telling the newspaper they are confident the Egypt star can be tempted away from the Premier League. “We are absolutely convinced that Mo Salah will come to Saudi. No doubts about it. We don’t know if it will be January, in the next market, or next summer,” a senior figure said.

  Superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and N'Golo Kante have already been lured to the Saudi Pro League, and the hope is that Salah could be the next big name to make the switch.

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• Van Dijk shares update on Salah

  Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was quizzed on Salah's future after the team's Champions League win over Inter but admits he does not know what will happen next. He told Sky Sports: "We all know what’s going on, but I think the outside world makes it what it is, bigger than ever. We just have to deal with the fact that we had a big game tonight, that everyone had to be ready for, and we have another big game at the weekend. Whatever happens, we’ll see. Nothing more, nothing less.

  "Of course I spoke to him. [What I said is] none of anyone’s business. Of course. I’ve been with Mo for such a long time. He’s been a big part of my success that I’ve had at the club. He’s a big part of the club’s success, I’m a big part of his success. We’ve all been doing it together at Liverpool. The reality is that he’s going away on the weekend. Hopefully he has an amazing Africa Cup of Nations. In the meantime. I have no idea what will happen. [I hope he returns to play for Liverpool] 100%. But I’m not a decision-maker here. It’s a decision between the club and Mo. Whatever happens, we are friends. We’ve been through highs and lows. Let’s see. Let’s see what it brings."

South Africa have rested a number of big names with a full India tour looming, while Pakistan’s T20I blueprint remains murky

Danyal Rasool27-Oct-2025This series sees the return of a star player whose presence in the top order of any T20 squad strengthens it. It also sees the return of Babar Azam.As Pakistan and South Africa go into the home stretch ahead of next spring’s T20 World Cup, it is the presence, once more, of Quinton de Kock, back from ODI retirement and T20I exile, and Babar, back after being dropped from the shortest format, that holds the greatest point of intrigue for both sides.Related

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De Kock never officially walked away from T20I cricket, but he hadn’t played for South Africa since their loss in last year’s T20 World Cup final, until his return against Namibia earlier this month. Having recommitted to both white-ball international formats, he strengthens a South Africa side that has kept much of its powder dry for this T20I series, resting a number of their premier batters.Babar’s return for Pakistan is somewhat more complicated; less T20 megastar strolling back into the side, more polarising figure returning to plug a vacancy that other candidates have failed to adequately fill. He is yet to play any T20 cricket since the end of the PSL in May, around the time his omission from Pakistan’s shortest-form squad began. At the time, coach Mike Hesson had said he needed to work on some aspects of his game and suggested the BBL as a pathway back into the team. Recently, though, some goalposts appear to have been shifted, with Babar, almost by default, finding his way back in without playing any competitive cricket to suggest those issues have been fixed.Pakistan have prioritised the return of their traditional core back into the T20I fold, with Shaheen Shah Afridi retaining his place and Naseem Shah also making his way back in. There is a surprising level of squad turnover from what was viewed as a largely successful Asia Cup campaign, in which Pakistan came to within one over of walking away with the title. Four of the men who started that final are out of the squad altogether; Sufiyan Muqeem and Hasan Ali, who travelled with that team, have also been discarded.There is an inherent danger with assuming any squad Pakistan select is indicative of what they are trying to do, what they might do next, or what they might do in the next big tournament they are building towards. Under Hesson, Pakistan have claimed to aspire towards a more progressive approach to T20 cricket. It is, perhaps, what has led to the recall of Abdul Samad as well as the belligerent but so far rarely effective Usman Khan. Hasan Nawaz keeps his place in the squad despite being overlooked for the business end of the Asia Cup for the more circumspect Hussain Talat, who drops out altogether.Babar Azam hasn’t played any T20 cricket since the PSL in May•AFP/Getty ImagesAt the same time, with Babar’s return, and under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, it remains to be seen how precisely Pakistan wish to build a T20 innings. In the Asia Cup they suffered on one Sunday by anchoring too much against India, and the following Sunday by ineffective attacking that got them bundled out on the cheap. There may be deeper reasons behind Haris Rauf’s omission, though it is hard not to suspect the bulk of the weight of that decision was borne by one poor death-overs spell in the Asia Cup final.For South Africa, this feels more like a straight bilateral series than a build-up towards a global tournament given the names missing from the squad. Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs were rested while David Miller withdrew with injury. Donovan Ferreira, who has played nine intermittent T20Is, has been handed the captaincy, while, with an all-format India tour looming, Keshav Maharaj has also been rested.The bowling attack features a mix of the inexperienced and the second-string. Gerald Coetzee’s injury means Lungi Ngidi is the only senior established fast bowler in the squad. Corbin Bosch and Nandre Burger bring pace, and George Linde brings experience. Ottneil Baartman, Lizaad Williams and Andile Simelane are the other seam options, while the budding legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter gets a chance for more game time.South Africa know what it’s like to play against Pakistan with a line-up that is decidedly not first-string. They have had to cope with it in just about every bilateral series between the sides over the past half-decade, either because of squad management or commitments elsewhere. Their depth of talent, combined with Pakistan’s tendency to play up or down to the strengths of the opposition, has generally guaranteed competitive cricket, and that is unlikely to change.Despite this series being treated as build-up towards the T20 World Cup, there is too much cricket to be played, and too many opportunities for teams to be further tweaked, for the upcoming three games to feel like they have much resonance for that tournament. But if two flawed and incomplete sides vying for a bilateral trophy is your thing, the next few days should be an entertaining if consequence-free watch.

On track to become Australia’s first fast-bowling debutant for four years in wake of Hazlewood injury

Alex Malcolm17-Nov-20252:17

How important is the first Ashes Test for England?

Last Wednesday, Brendan Doggett was shivering in a freezing cold Bellerive dressing room in Hobart with his pads on when Travis Head leaned in and said something that sent his mind racing.Doggett was nervously waiting to bat. South Australia were 40 runs from victory against Tasmania with only three wickets in hand, one of which was Doggett.Head decided that was the perfect moment to inform Doggett that Josh Hazlewood had injured his hamstring in Sydney and that he’d “better get ready for the first Test in Perth”.”He was winding me up a bit,” Doggett told reporters in Perth on Monday. “It’s not really what I needed at the time.”Related

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“When Heady told me, of course your brain’s going a million miles an hour, and you’re sort of thinking what might happen.”It hasn’t been confirmed to Doggett yet, but what is likely to happen on Friday is he will become Australia’s 472nd Test cricketer. He will have that Test number for life, regardless of whether Jake Weatherald also debuts.It will be a significant moment for several reasons, both cricketing and cultural. On the cricket front, he will be the first fast bowler to make his Test debut for Australia since Scott Boland in December 2021.Such has been the durability of Australia’s big three in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood, Boland has been the only replacement needed since December 2022, which was the last time Cummins and Hazlewood missed a Test together in a SENA country. Remarkably, Boland has never played a Test in Perth, with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood playing all five Tests together at Perth’s Optus Stadium between 2018 and 2024.The last time two of the big three did not play in Australia, it was Michael Neser who played alongside Boland, having debuted one Test before Boland did in the 2021-22 Ashes. But Neser was not initially named in Australia’s squad for Perth and has only been added since both Hazlewood and Sean Abbott were ruled out. He was not even in Perth when Australia trained for the first time on Monday. Doggett is all but certain to play barring injury.Brendan Doggett looks set for a debut in Perth•Getty Images

Despite being careful not to make any assumptions, Doggett is well aware of the large shoes he is likely to have to try and fill on Friday, providing some dry humour when asked what he does differently to them.”I probably don’t take as many wickets as them,” Doggett joked. “They’re tall quicks. They get a lot of bounce. I’m obviously just a little bit skiddier, but try and move the ball off the wicket both ways and try to swing the ball away from a right-hander.”I try and emulate them as much as I can. Hopefully a little bit of a point of difference for me might help. But we’ll wait and see.”This is the doomsday scenario Australia’s hierarchy had hoped to hold off until after the Ashes. The age of their big four has been well documented. Item one on the agenda of the annual planning meetings back in May between the coaching, medical and sports science staff was how to keep those four fit through to the end of the Ashes.Two have fallen over at the start and the unknowns around Australia’s pace bowling depth will be unveiled in Perth. But it may only be a one-off.The sight of Pat Cummins steaming in and bowling a sublime spell in blistering 34 degree heat on the juicy Perth Stadium nets raised eyebrows among all who saw it.He got through eight overs with ease, backing up the eight overs he bowled in Sydney last week, making every Australian batter he bowled to look uncomfortable with hostile pace, nip and bounce. It fulfilled the prophecy of coach Andrew McDonald, who had said weeks ago on record to journalists that they will see Cummins bowl in Perth and wonder why he’s not playing.Brisbane is a distinct possibility for the skipper. Hazlewood will likely need longer to recover from his hamstring strain. But Doggett has earned his chance.Doggett took 5 for 66 in last week’s contest in Hobart•Getty Images

At 31, with 50 first-class games to his name, he’s in the form of his life. In his last 13 matches dating back to October last year he has 63 wickets at 20.12, striking at 38.6, for South Australia, Australia A and Durham. In those 13 matches he has claimed seven five-wicket hauls, four of which have been six-fors, including two bags in his only two Shield games this summer since returning from a minor hamstring injury.”I don’t know how ready you can be for Test cricket, I guess,” Doggett said. “But the last 18 months to two years for me has easily been the most successful I’ve been in terms of numbers, but also just confidence in my body, confidence in my game.”Boland is a nice blueprint for Doggett to follow. Boland had toiled in first-class cricket for a decade before stepping seamlessly into Test cricket.”Obviously you don’t want to be missing two great players like Josh and Pat,” Boland said on Monday. “But I think our bowling stocks have been really strong for quite a while, but no one’s been able to break in with the resilience, with Starcy, Pat, Josh and myself.”It’s going to be exciting time, because a new guy or two will get a look in.”But they’re not inexperienced guys. Like Brendan’s coming in. He’s 31 years old. He’s played a lot of first-class cricket.”I think he brings real skill. He’s a fast outswing bowler, and he’s someone who can bowl really long spells. Bowls a lot of overs when he’s playing for South Australia. He’s someone who’s tremendously fit, and if he gets the nod it’ll be exciting to see him play.”It will be a significant cultural moment too in Australian cricket. In 2018, Boland and Doggett opened the bowling together for an Aboriginal XI that celebrated the 150th anniversary of an Australian indigenous tour to England in 1868.Australia has only had two men with indigenous heritage play Test cricket, in Boland and Jason Gillespie. On Friday, indigenous Australians will have two representatives in the same men’s XI.”It’ll obviously be really special for him and his family and the Australian Indigenous community,” Boland said.”I think this gives a real pathway. They can see that there’s two guys playing, and hopefully they want to take that step into playing cricket.”

Big-money transfers certainly haven’t been alien to Manchester United in recent seasons, with the hierarchy forking out a pretty penny on players in the transfer market.

The Red Devils’ transfer record currently sits at £89m, with such a fee being forked out for the signature of Paul Pogba back in the summer of 2016.

However, the club have previously come close to breaking such a record, especially after forking out a deal with £86m for Antony’s signature just a couple of years ago.

The hierarchy have seen first hand that spending big on such players doesn’t equal Premier League success, especially with the Brazilian leaving for just £19m last summer.

That hasn’t stopped the board from wanting to replicate such deals in the upcoming window, with numerous big-money deals touted ahead of the January market.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions in January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have ramped up their efforts to land Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the Red Devils even entering talks to land the Englishman.

However, a deal would likely be another expensive one, with Sean Dyche’s currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m for his signature in the coming months.

Ruben Amorim’s men aren’t alone in the pursuit for Anderson’s services, as rivals Manchester City have stormed into the race to land the 23-year-old in the near future.

He’s not the only big-money player currently in the Red Devils’ sights, as the hierarchy have identified Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior as a potential transfer target.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men are currently preparing a club-record €150m (£131m) bid for the Brazilian, with the forward having just over 18 months left on his deal at the Bernabeu.

They also state that the player himself could be tempted by a move to the Premier League, especially given his recent fall-out with manager Xabi Alonso.

Why United’s £131m target would be Amorim’s next Garnacho

Not all of United’s stars have joined in massive transfers, as seen with winger Alejandro Garnacho, who joined for a minimal fee from Atlético Madrid as a teenager.

The Argentine managed to force himself into the first-team reckoning a couple of years ago, with the youngster registering nine combined goals and assists in his first season as a professional.

His next two seasons with the Red Devils would follow in a similar vein, as the 21-year-old scored 21 times and registered 15 assists – one of the best returns in the first-team squad.

However, it wouldn’t be enough to maintain his future at Old Trafford, as Amorim constantly made an example of him for his attitude issues which resulted in him being frozen out of the squad.

Garnacho would depart the club during the summer, joining Premier League rivals Chelsea in a deal worth a reported £40m – a decent fee given his failures in Manchester.

Despite the sale, Amorim could get his next version of the Argentine in January, especially if the hierarchy sanction a club-record move to land Vinicius.

As previously mentioned, he’s constantly had his own disciplinary issues, with it all coming to a head in the meeting with Barcelona, as the Brazilian reacted furiously to being substituted.

Such issues could lead to his exit from the Bernabeu, potentially leading to a switch to England and finally getting a taste of the greatest division in the world.

However, despite his struggles, he’s managed to impress on the pitch in recent times, with his numbers leading to Thierry Henry labelling him the “best in the world”.

Games played

13

Goals & assists

9

Progressive carries

8.9

Progressive passes

4.8

Pass accuracy

80%

Key passes

2.9

Passes into final third

1.9

Take-on success

38%

Carries into final third

2.9

Vinicius has already registered nine combined goals and assists in LaLiga this campaign, a tally that would make him the most effective player in Amorim’s current side.

Tallies such as 8.9 progressive carries and his 38% take-one success further highlight the talent he possesses with the ball, potentially having the creative nature to provide those around him with opportunities.

His passing stats also make for excellent reading, with the Brazilian making 2.9 key passes per 90, 1.9 of which going into the final third – arguably making him the perfect all-round attacker.

£131m would be a massive statement of intent from the board, but it’s a deal that would no doubt hand the first-team yet another world-class attacking option.

However, his attitude will certainly need to be watched, especially given the recent decline of Garnacho, with Amorim needing to keep the attackers’ feet firmly on the ground.

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