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Turning their attention towards a third addition after Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol, there have now been claims that Leeds United have a “verbal agreement” in place to sign a £20m+ star.

Jaka Bijol: Leeds move "biggest of my career"

It’s been a busy summer at Elland Road thus far. To kick things off, the Yorkshire club welcomed Nmecha in a bargain deal at the end of his Wolfsburg contract and have since spent big for the first time to sign Bijol from Udinese. The defender was officially unveiled as a Leeds player earlier this week and instantly stated that it is the biggest move of his career.

The defender told the club website: “This is a big day for me, for my family and I’m happy to be here. Maybe the biggest one of my career so far, but I’m ready for it.

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Leeds United are closing in on a deal for a star who would be their best signing since Raphinha.

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“I work for it and that’s why I’m here, because it’s a big challenge for everyone. It’s a big challenge for me, for the club, and we’re getting ready for it together. I think the club and myself are ready for the Premier League.

“I can promise that I will give everything, that I will give everything in every training as well to be ready for the first game of the season and then just go from there.”

At £15m, the deal hasn’t come cheap, but it was one that the 49ers were clearly keen to get done ahead of Leeds’ return to the Premier League in the coming months.

Serie A seems to be where it’s at for the American owners too, amid claims that they’ve returned to Italy’s top flight to strike another agreement.

Leeds have "agreement" to sign £20m Krstovic

According to reports relayed by MOT Leeds, Leeds have now got an “agreement in principle” to sign Nikola Krstovic from Serie A side Lecce this summer. In a deal reportedly worth around £20m, the forward could arrive to boost the Whites’ attacking options alongside Nmecha in the coming months.

While a “verbal agreement” is reportedly in place, however, the player himself is reportedly yet to reach a decision regarding an exit away from Lecce this summer, and that decision will ultimately be final.

All involved at Leeds should, of course, be keen to receive the green light from the talented 25-year-old after he scored 12 goals in all competitions for Lecce last summer. If there were any doubts over his ability to perform at the top level then his Serie A record should have helped put those doubts to rest.

After spending big on Bijol, signing Krstovic for an equally impressive fee would send a statement of intent from the 49ers, who will be desperate to help push Leeds away from the dropzone next season.

Jos Buttler has called legspinner Adil Rashid England’s “most important player” and also lauded “class player” Jonny Bairstow for playing a “senior player’s innings”.England registered a commanding eight-wicket win in their Super Eight match against West Indies at T20 World Cup 2024 in Gros Islet. Set a challenging 181 to win, England got home with Phil Salt finishing unbeaten on 87, with Bairstow in tow with a 26-ball 48 not out. The two added 97 off 44 balls to see England home with eight wickets and 2.3 overs to spare.”That was a really good performance from us,” Buttler said at the post-match presentation. “We planned really well, we’ve been practising well and executed both with the bat and ball and deserved to win. I thought we bowled really well to restrict such a powerful batting line-up, such great six-hitters especially. [It was a] decent score, and you had to play well to chase it down.Related

• Jofra Archer on crucial West Indies over: 'One of those times when you just nail it'

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• Phil proves he is worth his Salt

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• Salt and Bairstow take West Indies down with ease

“I thought we were very smart with the bat. Guys were very calculated when they took their options on. The Bairstow and Salt partnership was so good. Jonny came in with great intent and took the momentum straight back. Salty tucked in behind him for a bit and when he got that one big over, he broke the back of it.”A lot of people say you learn when you lose, but I truly believe you learn when you win as well. [It is] important to reflect on what we did well today. We had a good performance, put that to bed and focus on the next performance.”Talking about Bairstow, Buttler said: “He is a class player, he has been for a really long time. That’s what we decided to do, you just keep backing class players. He hasn’t had many opportunities but today was an incredibly impressive innings. A really mature, senior player’s innings. With a lot of power, he scored at a great gear when the game was just in the balance.”Adil Rashid dismissed Andre Russell for 1•Getty Images

Earlier, riding on a fluent start from Brandon King, who retired hurt with a side strain, Johnson Charles and Nicholas Pooran had helped West Indies race to 72 for 0 in eight overs. But the next five overs – bowled by Rashid and Moeen Ali in tandem – saw them score just 34 for the wicket of Charles. Rashid bowled the 17th over too, for just two runs and the wicket of Andre Russell to finish with figures of 4-0-21-1.”We keep saying [Rashid] is our most important player, he really has been for a long time,” Buttler said. “He’s got so much variation and so much threat of taking wickets and also restricting runs.”

Powell: We strayed away from our plans to Salt

Meanwhile, West Indies captain Rovman Powell felt they were 15 to 20 runs short and strayed away from their plans against Salt.”We left 15-20 runs out there as a batting group,” Powell said. “I will say that we should have put up a better display as a bowling group. We are normally very good in the last five overs, but credit has to be given to the England bowling unit. They had clear plans, and the execution was good.”After their under-par finish with the bat, they offered lives to Salt and Moeen, with wicketkeeper Pooran unable to hold on to thin deflections on both occasions.”Those chances are always difficult,” Powell said. “But credit has to be given to Phil, he seems to like playing against West Indies. Every time he plays against West Indies, he always hurts us. We strayed away a little bit from our plans to Phil. It’s just for us to look back at those plans and re-evaluate.”Our destiny is in our hands. Once we win well, it will bring us back. We are playing good cricket.”

Fresh from Europa League final heartbreak, Manchester United are now reportedly ready to make their move for one of the most wanted young talents that Serie A has to offer.

Rubem Amorim reacts to Europa League final defeat

In a game that could have saved their season, Manchester United simply had it summed up in a painful defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils had their attacking weakness on full show as they handed Spurs their first clean sheet against Premier League opposition since February, which also came against Ruben Amorim’s side, and showed their defensive frailties when Brennan Johnson scrapped home the opening and only goal of the night.

Amorim’s first six months in charge will no longer centre around victory when it mattered most to somehow find a way into the Champions League. Instead, it will centre around ultimate failure. The failure to make his mark on a Manchester United side that have fallen lower than ever in the Premier League.

The former Sporting Club boss still believes that he is the right man for the job, however, having told reporters in his post-match press conference: “I will not quit. I am confident in my job and I will not change anything. If the board or fans feel that I’m not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation… but I will not quit.”

Games

41

Wins

16

Draws

8

Defeats

17

Whilst Amorim’s record speaks for just how poorly his reign has been, he desperately needs the chance to build Manchester United in his own vision this summer.

The big question on that front, of course, will be whether INEOS are in a position to spend enough to do just that following Europa League defeat. But if they are, then United are seemingly set to make their move for a Serie A talent.

Man Utd ready to make Ndoye move

According to Tuttosport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester United are now ready to make their move for Dan Ndoye, who is one of the most sought after young talents in Italy amid further interest from both Juventus and champions-elect Napoli.

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Reportedly available for around €40m (£34m), Ndoye could become an ideal replacement for Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford more than once in the last year. At 24 years old, the Bologna star is just about to enter the peak of his powers and may soon be asked to make the impact that former teammate Joshua Zirkzee has otherwise failed to make at Manchester United.

It should come as no shock that reports are suggesting that Manchester United have been tracking Ndoye since Euro 2024 last summer, when he enjoyed what football talent scout Jacek Kulug dubbed an “excellent tournament” for Switzerland.

As Manchester United battle against Napoli and Juventus for his signature, Ndoye’s potential decision will give those at Old Trafford the first glimpse at their ability to sign such players without Champions League football this summer.

Leeds United are currently enjoying their title party and could already be set to kick that up a notch after identifying two candidates to join them on their Premier League journey, according to a report.

Leeds crowned champions after stunning win at Plymouth

Daniel Farke has endured plenty of trials and tribulations this term, but his side have been a class above and deservedly find themselves top-flight bound after a successful campaign climaxed with a last-gasp title winner from Manor Solomon at Plymouth this weekend.

Many would argue that a club of Leeds’ stature belong in the Premier League, though there is plenty of work to be done to ensure his squad are equipped to take on the challenge of surviving after promotion from the Championship.

Dipping into the market, Farke has identified Celtic attacker Daizen Maeda as a primary target at Elland Road following his freescoring campaign north of the border. The Japan international is valued at £25 million, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are among a host of clubs ready to swoop for his services.

Confidence is high that Solomon will join Leeds on a permanent deal after a fine campaign on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, with the player said to have agreed to a return next term.

Leeds "well-placed" to sign £6m+ ace who's similar to Phillips and Tanaka

He is tempted by a move to the Premier League.

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Kalvin Phillips and Tomas Soucek have been mentioned in connection with the Whites. The former hardly comes a surprise due to his links with his boyhood club, but it remains to be seen if a fairytale return is on the cards.

Scaling up ahead of their Premier League return won’t be easy for Leeds, given the level of side they are likely to come up against on a weekly basis compared to the English second-tier. Nevertheless, they now have two talented players in their sights that could make all the difference, per recent developments.

Leeds want Nicolas Kuhn and Cameron Carter-Vickers from Celtic

According to TBR, Leeds are in the mix to sign Celtic duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Nicolas Kuhn to strengthen their Premier League survival bid. The pair earn £50,000 per week between them at Parkhead and have lit up the domestic scene in Scotland, emerging as two of the best players in the top-flight, with Carter-Vickers playing a part in the Bhoys conceding only 22 goals in 34 league matches.

Cameron Carter-Vickers – key statistics in 2024/25 (Scottish Premiership)

Duels won

160

Aerial duels won

119

Recoveries

123

Dribbled past

3

Interceptions

32

Nicolas Kuhn – key statistics in 2024/25 (Scottish Premiership)

Chances created

47

Completed dribbles

55

Shots on target

24

Touches in opposition box

157

Duels won

107

On the other hand, Kuhn has notched 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions, earning plaudits for his consistent displays coming off the right flank.

Celtic’s involvement in Champions League football may be a sticking point for Leeds if negotiations were to occur, though the lure of Premier League football can be a tempting one for top performers in Scotland.

Liverpool are now keen on signing a “total footballer” in the summer transfer window, but there is set to be fierce competition from a number of rival Premier League clubs, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Reds set to continue Premier League title pursuit vs Everton

Despite Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Fulham on Tuesday, the Reds remain in a strong position to win the Premier League title, and they have the opportunity to restore their 12-point lead at the top of the table in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Having crashed out of the Champions League before going on to lose the EFL Cup final, the league title is the last remaining piece of silverware up for grabs this season, but if they manage to go all the way, it will undoubtedly still be considered a successful campaign.

One of the slight criticisms that could be made of Arne Slot’s side this season is perhaps their overreliance on Mohamed Salah, with Diogo Jota struggling with injuries while the likes of Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez haven’t exactly set the world alight.

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As such, Slot seems intent on bolstering his attacking options this summer, and Liverpool are now keen on signing RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, as reported by Romano for GiveMeSport.

There is a concrete chance Simons is on the move this summer, despite only recently signing for Leipzig permanently from Paris Saint-Germain, and several other Premier League clubs are also in the race for his signature, such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

The Dutchman could be available for a fee of around £58m – £62m, and the Premier League is one of the top destinations in his mind, particularly with Barcelona’s financial issues making it difficult for the La Liga side to compete for his signature.

"Total footballer" Simons could be destined for the top

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson is clearly a huge admirer of the 21-year-old, having lauded him as a “total footballer”, while also claiming he has “superstar potential” and the IQ to play all over the pitch.

Since then, the attacking midfielder, who can also play on the wing, has continued to impress for RB Leipzig, picking up seven goals and four assists in 19 Bundesliga outings this term, building on an impressive first season in Germany.

The Netherlands international has also been in top form for his country during the recent international break, being lauded as a “game-changer” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig after scoring against European champions Spain.

Liverpool could do with some more attacking depth if they are to compete on all fronts next season, with Jamie Carragher of the belief there are four or five players Slot doesn’t rate in his current squad, and Simons has proven he could be an excellent addition.

After back-to-back wins at The Oval and in Galle, they are third. They have tough assignments ahead but will now know those games are not unwinnable, mainly thanks to their versatile bowling

Andrew Fidel Fernando23-Sep-2024In July last year Sri Lanka began their World Test Championship cycle, and the start could barely have been more disheartening. In Galle, they ran into a Saud Shakeel double-hundred, losing by four wickets. At the SSC next up, they fell over meekly twice, though in one of those innings they had had to contend with some furious Naseem Shah reverse-swing.Fourteen months on, they are third on the WTC table, their 63-run victory in Galle over New Zealand taking them to a 50% win rate in this cycle, out of eight matches played.Where that Pakistan series had been played under the leadership of Dimuth Karunaratne, who was desperate to give up the captaincy at the time (and only captained that series because the selectors convinced him to keep going), Dhananjaya de Silva appears to have brought fresh energy to the role.Related

SL, NZ seek to make most of Galle conditions and prevent another collapse

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In 2024, they’ve won twice in Bangladesh – no mean feat these days – produced their best Test win in years at The Oval, and now have made a winning return to their own shores. They have five Tests to go in this cycle – one more, starting on Thursday in Galle, then a two-Test tour to South Africa at the end of November and start of December, plus two home Tests next year against Australia.These are all difficult assignments, but there is hope now that they are not unwinnable matches. Primarily, this is down to the depth and versatility Sri Lanka now possess on the bowling front. At The Oval, in a Test that began less than three weeks ago, a quartet of fast bowlers delivered a resounding win in seaming conditions. On a surface that was exceedingly dry even by Galle’s standards, their lead spinner Prabath Jayasuriya – not needed for The Oval – claimed nine wickets and delivered another match-winning second-innings spell.”The bowling unit has been very successful. In England they did justice to all the bowling plans we gave them. And then we came to Galle and we were probably the underprepared side. New Zealand had been in India and training for these conditions.”But Prabath adapts very quickly – that’s one of his big positives. He had a different role in England, where he was the holding bowler. Here he is back to taking wickets.”Getty ImagesWhen their second spinner Ramesh Mendis lacked for control in Galle, de Silva himself took the ball and claimed three wickets through the match, even opening the bowling on day five, when New Zealand could still have snuck through to victory.And although, from his demeanour, it would be easy to assume de Silva is a soft touch, he has an edge to him as a leader too, as this answer shows:”Ramesh Mendis occasionally bowled well, but he didn’t bowl as well as I expected – I think that’s fair of me to say. So this is why I had to take the ball. I know what my skills are and what the team needs. I had to apply them at that time. When we play in Sri Lanka I think the team gets a bit out of my bowling. So I tried to support Prabath as best as I could. I took wickets when they were coming, and tried to do the holding job at other times.”So far as captain, de Silva has batted better than his average, and now contributed meaningfully to a victory with the ball. Nothing on a cricket field has ever really seemed to phase him – leadership may be no different.Which is all to say that their results this year – four wins and two losses (plus a win against Afghanistan that was not part of the WTC programme), have given them an outside chance of charting a path to the final at Lord’s in June 2025. They will go into the second Test in Galle with serious confidence, but will not be overawed by what looms for them in South Africa, either – having won at Kingsmead and St George’s Park when they last played at those venues in 2019. If anything, their seam attack is stronger now than then. (Though – and it is worth putting this disclaimer on every sentence discussing Lankan seam bowling – they have to stay fit.)

So far as captain, de Silva has batted better than his average, and now contributed meaningfully to a victory with the ball. Nothing on a cricket field has ever really seemed to phase him – leadership may be no different.

Sri Lanka have had an easier Test Championship cycle this time: they have not had to play India or Australia away from home, which are the two toughest tours in cricket. Still, having been a modest Test team for almost a decade, even if one capable of delivering shock victories, and now have a chance to build on back-to-back wins achieved in dramatically different conditions.And it is their bowlers, primarily, who have brought them this far.

A round-up of all the thrills and spills from the Trinidad leg of CPL 2022

Deivarayan Muthu19-Sep-2022Barbados Royals storm into the playoffs
After finishing rock-bottom in CPL 2021, Barbados Royals have scripted a remarkable turnaround by becoming the first team to advance to the playoffs this season. With a 29-run victory via DLS method against Guyana Amazon Warriors, Royals not only sealed a playoffs spot but also ensured they will finish top in the league stage and get two cracks at the final.Related

Role clarity, strong powerplay and other reasons why Barbados Royals are ruling CPL 2022

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CPL 2022 week two: Unstoppable Royals, unconvincing Knight Riders

Evin Lewis returns to West Indies squad for T20 World Cup; Russell, Narine left out

However, Royals will be without their captain David Miller and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for the final leg of the tournament in Guyana as the South Africa pair will head back home to prepare for a white-ball tour of India, which begins with the first T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on September 28.The only blemish in Royals’ otherwise incredibly successful run was their six-run defeat via DLS to Jamaica Tallawahs in Port-of-Spain. On the day, the usually rapid Kyle Mayers dawdled to 1 off 17 balls, and although de Kock (74 off 43 balls) and Miller (34 off 27) teed off thereafter, Royals could manage only 146 for 6.Seamers Jason Holder and Obed McCoy made a good fist of the defence, but a six from Tallawahs captain Rovman Powell in the 17th over put them ahead of the DLS par score and snapped Royals’ winning streak.No Tim David? No problem for Kings
Despite the absence of Tim David, who has now linked up with the Australia team in India, St Lucia Kings won both their games in the Trinidad leg. Adam Hose, David’s replacement, didn’t do much, but Kings’ seniors stepped up to brush aside Patriots and then edge Trinbago Knight Riders by one run.Against Patriots, on a challenging Tarouba track that slowed down as the game progressed, Faf du Plessis and Johnson Charles were proactive enough to make use of the powerplay, helping Kings to 60 for 2 in that phase. In response, Patriots reached only 47 for 2 in the first six overs of their chase. David Wiese then delivered a double-wicket maiden and Kesrick Williams unfurled his slower variations as Patriots’ chase unravelled.In the last match of the Trinidad leg, du Plessis matched up Roston chase’s offspin with a left-hander-heavy TKR top order. Chase did his job, removing Leonardo Julien, Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran cheaply. Despite late blows from Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, Kings prevailed, with Roshun Primus defending 21 off the final over to lift Kings to second on the points table.As for TKR, they are presently fourth, with only three wins in eight games, and having already lost USA quick Ali Khan to injury, they’ve been depleted further by Jayden Seales’ absence for the remainder of CPL 2022. According to Pollard, Seales has a “fitness issue” and has been replaced by England allrounder Samit Patel.Johnson Charles has continued his sparkling form after his selection for the T20 World Cup•CPL T20 via Getty ImagesHow have the WI players who made the T20 World Cup squad via the CPL fared?
Johnson Charles celebrated his call-up for the T20 World Cup with back-to-back half-centuries. He was particularly aggressive against elite spin, taking on Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine and Akeal Hosein. During his 41-ball 61 against Patriots, Charles also surpassed Chris Gayle to become the second-highest run-getter in the history of the CPL.”He is someone who should’ve played more T20 cricket for West Indies,” Kings head coach Daren Sammy told the franchise’s YouTube channel. “He is going back to Australia; I remember the last time he was there he scored a brilliant hundred in Sydney [Melbourne] against Mitchell Johnson and co. He’s been very consistent and I’m quite happy to see him back into the line-up.”Raymon Reifer began the Trinidad leg with a scorching unbeaten 40 off 26 balls for Tallawahs but his form has cooled off since. He scored only 1 against Royals before bagging a duck against TKR. Since he is working his way back from a niggle sustained during the inaugural 6ixty, Reifer has bowled only sparingly this CPL. In all, he has bowled just 11 balls in the tournament so far.Player of the week
Holder claimed six wickets across three games in Trinidad, with his sparkling all-round effort against Amazon Warriors putting Royals in the playoffs. Holder was promoted to No.5, ahead of Azam Khan, who is also a spin-hitter, and captain Miller, and responded with an unbeaten 40 off 33 balls on a tough pitch in a rain-hit fixture. No other batter scored more than 20 runs in that game. Holder was not done yet: he tricked pinch-hitter Keemo Paul with a slower ball and came away with figures of 2-0-8-1. It was a week where Holder cemented his status as one of West Indies’ top allrounders in T20 cricket.

Which one of the spinning Sinclairs does it better? #CPL22 #CricketPlayedLouder #BiggestPartyInSport pic.twitter.com/tHfmodSEve

— CPL T20 (@CPL) September 18, 2022

Celebration of the week
In only his second official T20 game, offspinner Junior Sinclair collected 2 for 12 in his four overs. After having Mayers hole out, Sinclair celebrated with a gravity-defying somersault, which reminded Caribbean fans of the other Sinclair’s – Kevin – signature celebration. Disclaimer: Don’t try this at home.

A look at which players from each team will probably make it to their XIs for the first matches

Aakash Chopra15-Sep-2020The former India, KKR and Rajasthan Royals batsman runs his eye over the IPL squads, picking ideal starting XIs for each teamDefending champions the Mumbai Indians were perhaps the only team who had all the bases covered before the auction earlier this year. Still, in addition to the strong squad they already had, they took Trent Boult and Sherfane Rutherford from Delhi, and also acquired Chris Lynn and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Mumbai have always had depth in all departments and this season isn’t going to be any different, save perhaps for the inexperience in spin bowling, given the conditions in the UAE. Lasith Malinga pulling out late presented an opportunity to add a spinner to their ranks but they chose to further bolster their fast bowling with the addition of James Pattinson.ESPNcricinfo LtdIf it takes experience to do well in a tournament like the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings have plenty. When the CSK 2.0 squad was announced a couple of years ago, the critics had a field day. The common perception was that such an old squad wasn’t likely to last more than a season, and besides, injuries and form could be a major concern throughout. There was also the fact that a lot of the CSK players weren’t playing competitive cricket through the year, which seemed like a potential weakness, at least in the initial stages of a tournament. But two successful seasons in a row proved everyone wrong. The same concerns are being voiced again, but in hushed tones now. The absence of Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh has limited MS Dhoni’s options, which means CSK can’t really afford both a major loss of form or injury to any of their remaining key players.ESPNcricinfo LtdThough death bowling and finishing with the bat are still concerns for the Royal Challengers Bangalore, they might be slightly less grave than in previous years. That the grounds are going to be a lot bigger and pitches less batsman-friendly should work in their favour. Also, the likes of Shivam Dubey, Washington Sundar and Navdeep Saini are no longer new kids on the block – all of them have started appearing for India in T20Is regularly, so it’s fair to expect bigger contributions from them. While Moeen Ali, Chris Morris, Dubey and Sundar don’t make the best lower order in T20 cricket, it’s not as bad as some RCB lower orders of previous years.ESPNcricinfo LtdKolkata Knight Riders have the distinct advantage of their front-line overseas players coming into the IPL with some competitive cricket under their belts. And the fitness concerns around some of their young Indian fast bowlers seem to be a thing of the past. This IPL also presents an opportunity for Shubman Gill to not just cement a place at the top of the order but to take significant strides in using this platform to further his India dreams. With Piyush Chawla no longer around, the burden of spin bowling will rest on Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav. I have a strong feeling that Yadav will do well in the UAE.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Sunrisers Hyderabad were top-heavy last year, and they are top-heavy this year too. Though they have tried to address the problem somewhat, things might not really change unless one of their young Indian batsmen simply explodes lower down the order this year. The pitches in the UAE and the lack of batting depth tempt you to play Kane Williamson, who is too good a player to be warming the bench, but that’s not really feasible if Jonny Bairstow partners David Warner at the top, since Rashid Khan is a shoo-in. It’ll be interesting to see if they manage to give Mitchell Marsh a lot of games, for that would mean not playing Mohammad Nabi, who has been very impressive with both bat and ball in the recently concluded CPL.ESPNcricinfo LtdOne team that can happily play only three overseas players if they wished is the Delhi Capitals. The depth in Indian batting options might mean their latest acquisition, Ajinkya Rahane, sits out. Their spin department, comprising R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Sandeep Lamichhane and Amit Mishra is at par with CSK’s; any three of those four could play every single game. Last year they had a slight problem with an inexperienced lower-middle order, but with the addition of Alex Carey, Shimron Hetmeyer and Marcus Stoinis, that has been taken care of. If this team plays to its full potential, they have a real chance of winning their first ever IPL title.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Kings XI Punjab have a history of changing captains and coaches, and this season is no different. KL Rahul is in his first assignment as an IPL captain, and Anil Kumble is the new head coach. They do have a few runaway match-winners in Rahul, Nicholas Pooran and Glenn Maxwell, but they also have gaps to fill. The way Mayank Agarwal has progressed as a batsman in the last 12 months, this should be a breakthrough year for him as an opener alongside his friend and state-mate Rahul. But that would mean no place for Chris Gayle in the starting XI. Punjab’s bowling seems a little thin in both spin and pace departments, and that could cost them a place in the final four this season.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Rajasthan Royals will ink four of their overseas players – Jos Buttler, Steven Smith, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer – in for every game. If they are fit and available, even a slight dip in form for any of those four doesn’t warrant them being replaced. But that also means that the Royals’ combination can’t change too much, and the lesser-fancied Indian players must fit into the other slots. Their bowling is heavy on quantity but a little low on quality, barring Archer and Shreyas Gopal. For RR to have a good season, their big four must win the majority of games on their own.ESPNcricinfo Ltd06:48:31 GMT, September 15, 2020: The Chennai Super Kings XI was modified to include Faf du Plessis in place of M Vijay

Real Madrid's defensive crisis has escalated into a full-blown emergency for manager Xabi Alonso after Sunday's chaotic 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo, where star centre-back Eder Militao suffered a serious hamstring injury and defenders Fran García and Alvaro Carreras were both sent off, leaving Los Blancos decimated ahead of their critical Champions League clash against Manchester City.

• Bernabeu nightmare: Militao injury and red cards spark panic

  The 2-0 scoreline against Celta Vigo was a difficult result for Madrid, but a major talking point was the injury suffered by star centre-back Militao. The Brazilian pulled up clutching his hamstring midway through the first half, confirming an increasingly alarming situation at the heart of Madrid's defence. He could be out for around four months with a torn biceps femoris muscle in his left leg, according to , and the blow comes as a significant setback, coming just as Alonso needed his most dependable defenders available for a demanding run of fixtures.

  Militao’s importance to the side cannot be overstated. His pace, aerial dominance, and recovery skills are central to how Madrid defend, allowing the full-backs and midfield to operate higher up the pitch. His early departure immediately unsettled the side, a fragility only compounded later in the game by the rash decisions that led to red cards for both Garcia and Carreras. This trio of incidents has exposed a severe lack of cover and discipline, turning a potential speed bump into a major crisis of availability. As the team look ahead to crucial La Liga and Champions League clashes, the loss of Militao changes the entire complexion of their defensive strategy.

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  An unprecedented shortage: Key defenders simultaneously sidelined

  Militao’s hamstring issue adds him to a treatment room already overflowing with world-class talent. Trent Alexander-Arnold, the high-profile summer arrival who was meant to revolutionise the right flank, remains sidelined with a persistent thigh injury that has severely disrupted his debut season. Veteran leader Dani Carvajal is out for the long term following knee surgery, removing a vital voice from the dressing room. Meanwhile, David Alaba remains a major doubt as he battles recurring muscle problems that have kept him out for weeks.

  The depth options are equally ravaged. Ferland Mendy is unavailable with his own fitness concerns, and young centre-back Dean Huijsen is struggling with a muscle strain picked up in training. When you factor in the suspensions of García and Carreras, the manager is left with Antonio Rudiger as his sole fit, senior centre-back. It is a defensive crisis that leaves the squad bare bones exposed, forcing the club to look at emergency measures just to field a starting XI.

• Alonso must move midfielders into defence

  The manager now faces the most difficult puzzle of his career so far. With no natural partners for Rudiger, Alonso must improvise radically against elite opposition. The balance of the entire team is now at risk.

  The most likely solution involves dropping a midfielder into the heart of the defence. Aurelien Tchouameni has filled the role before, but moving him out of the engine room deprives Madrid of their primary ball-winner. The Frenchman is uncomfortable with the positional nuances of the last line, and exposing him there is a significant risk. Alternatively, Alonso could deploy Federico Valverde in a deeper right-back or centre-back role, but this sacrifices the Uruguayan's relentless energy and goal threat further up the pitch.

  Reports suggest the coaching staff may even be forced to field a "Frankenstein" back four, potentially utilising academy product Raul Asencio alongside Rudiger. The lack of cohesion is the primary fear; a defensive line that has never played together relies on communication that simply has not been built yet. In the high-pressure environment of La Liga and Europe, one misstep or miscommunication between strangers at the back usually results in a goal.

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  Can Los Blancos survive the Man City test?

  The timing of this crisis is merciless. Real Madrid are staring down the barrel of a pivotal Champions League clash against Manchester City. The prospect of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden running at a patched-up Madrid defence is enough to keep any supporter awake at night. Guardiola will undoubtedly instruct his team to press the inexperienced or out-of-position defenders, looking to force errors in the build-up. Without Militao’s recovery speed or Carvajal’s experience, the Blancos backline will be vulnerable to City's rapid transitions.

  Alonso will at least have Carreras and Garcia available for selection against the English club, but his options remain depleted and both players will be out for their next La Liga match, causing further concern for a side sitting four points behind Barcelona in the Spanish top-flight.

Liverpool have been hit by more problems after suffering yet another defeat, going down 4-1 to PSV at Anfield in the Champions League. The loss continues a dreadful run of form for Arne Slot's side and will raise more questions about the Dutchman's position at the club. Slot also lost one of his new signings to injury on another difficult night for the Reds.

Another Liverpool horror show

PSV took home all three points from Anfield to hand Liverpool a ninth defeat from their last 12 matches in all competitions. Their Premier League form has been dreadful but they had been faring better in Europe until Wednesday's loss to the Eredivisie side. Goals from Ivan Perisic, Guus Til and a Couhaib Driouech brace made it another wretched night for the Merseysiders which has dropped the team into 13th place in the Champions League standings. The result also piles more pressure on Slot, with fans now wondering how the manager can turn around his team's dismal form.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportEkitike injury hands Slot yet another problem

Slot also lost summer signing Hugo Ekitike to injury during the match. The France international, who has scored six times for his new club so far this season in all competitions, was forced off just after the hour mark in a worrying development for Slot and was replaced by Alexander Isak, who had started the game on the bench. Slot revealed before kick-off why he'd left Isak out of his XI, telling TNT Sports: "Alex, I think in the last four weeks, he played 30 minutes. Then he played with us for 70 minutes in a game that wasn't so intense, I would say, because we dominated ball possession so much. But I think I could see that it wasn't easy for him to manage himself through those 70 minutes. So then, if you have another number nine also, who is very good, then it makes sense to play the other one, and that's Hugo [Ekitike] tonight."

The Sweden striker has endured a poor start to his career at Anfield following his big-money move from Newcastle United and once again failed to find the back of the net against PSV. Isak has now failed to score in nine Premier League and Champions League outings, with his only goal for the Merseysiders coming against Southampton in the League Cup.

Slot reacts to PSV defeat

Slot spoke to TNT Sports after the match and admits it's a tough result to take. He said: "I want to be positive about the players after we went 1-0 down. We came back into the game and had enough chances to go 2-1 up and at half-time I don't think anyone would have expected us to lose 4-1. After conceding to make it 2-1, we had chances to make it 2-2, and then we conceded another goal. It's hard to take. The only way to go is go through now. We have to face what we're in and fight really hard."

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Liverpool legend blasts defence

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has shared his thoughts on the team's current struggles and feel the backline is a problem. He said on TNT Sports: "They’re conceding too many goals, they’re wide open in transition, look very vulnerable and unstable as soon as the ball turns over. Anfield tells the story, the seats were empty with 10 minutes to go, as soon as the third went in the game was over. PSV were excellent, by the way, and totally deserved the victory. Liverpool’s problems become deeper, the pressure intensifies even more and there needs to be a lot of soul searching tonight, for sure. They need to stop the bleeding, they’re conceding too many chances They look wide open.

"The personnel’s not right in the back four. It’s going to be like deja vu for Arne Slot tonight because he’s going to watch it back and go: 'Yeah we had periods of control, we looked okay at times'. But individual mistakes again, wide open on transition, wide open for counter-attacks and conceding too many goals."