Washington Sundar returned for Gujarat Titans in place of left-arm quick Kulwant Khejroliya
ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-2025Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and opted to bowl, on a black-soil pitch, at the Ekana Stadium. Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill said that he would have preferred to bowl first as well.LSG will be without Mitchell Marsh, their second-highest run-getter in IPL 2025 and third highest overall behind Nicholas Pooran and B Sai Sudharsan, who will be in action on Saturday. Marsh missed out because his daughter is unwell, according to Pant. LSG brought in Delhi batter Himmat Singh in place of Marsh, but he was listed at No. 4 in their team sheet. Pooran was carded to open along with Aiden Markram.Himmat was among the leading scorers in the inaugural Delhi Premier League. Among LSG’s options to bring off the bench as Impact Player are Ayush Badoni, who’s been a regular fixture in their middle order this season, or South African top-order batter Matthew Breetzke, for who it will be a debut if he does get to play.GT also made one change, with offspin-bowling allrounder Washington Sundar returning in place of left-arm quick Kulwant Khejroliya. Washington shores up a spin attack that includes his Tamil Nadu team-mate R Sai Kishore and Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan.LSG bowl-first XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Nicholas Pooran, 3 Rishabh Pant (capt, wk), 4 Himmat Singh 5, David Miller, 6 Abdul Samad, 7 Shardul Thakur, 8 Akash Deep, 9 Digvesh Rathi, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Ravi BishnoiImpact subs: Ayush Badoni, Prince Yadav, Shahbaz Ahmed, Matthew Breetzke, Shamar JosephGT bat-first XI: 1 B Sai Sudharsan, 2 Shubman Gill (capt), 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Washington Sundar, 5 Sherfane Rutherford, 6 M Shahrukh Khan, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Arshad Khan, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 R Sai Kishore, 11 Mohammed SirajImpact subs: Prasidh Krishna, Mahipal Lomror, Nishant Sindhu, Anuj Rawat, Jayant Yadav
Markram hurt his right hamstring in the field against England and spent the rest of the match on the sidelines
Firdose Moonda04-Mar-2025
George Linde will join the South African camp on Tuesday evening•AFP/Getty Images
George Linde, the left-arm spin bowling allrounder, will join the South African squad as a traveling reserve as cover for Aiden Markram at the Champions Trophy. Markram injured his right hamstring in the field against England and spent the rest of the match on the sidelines. He will undergo a fitness test at training on Tuesday evening to determine his availability for the semi-final against New Zealand.Markram is the latest in a massive list of injured players. Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams – all fast bowlers – were ruled out even before the tournament started.Linde will join the South African camp on Tuesday evening but will not officially replace Markram in the squad unless he is ruled out and the ICC’s event technical committee confirms the swap. It is likely that South Africa added him to the group in the event that they qualify for a Dubai final against India, where conditions are drier and they need an extra spinner. They currently have two specialist spinners in the squad: Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, but only Maharaj has played in Pakistan. India played four spinners in their most recent match against New Zealand in Dubai.Related
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In the 2025 SA20, Linde played a key role in MI Cape Town winning their maiden title. In 11 games, Linde scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 153.33 and picked up 11 wickets at an economy of 6.29. More recently, playing for Western Province in the One-Day Challenge Division One, he scored 106 runs and took four wickets in five games.Left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is also with the squad as a traveling reserve. Meanwhile, Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have recovered from illness and will train this evening.
Other Premier League sides did more business, but Chelsea still had a busy end to the summer transfer window.
The club finally got their hands on Alejandro Garnacho, opted against signing Fermin Lopez, and made a surprise move to bring in Facundo Buonanotte on a season-long loan – without an option or obligation to buy.
Additionally, the Blues decided to cancel Marc Guiu’s loan to Sunderland following the recent injury to Liam Delap.
However, that’s a decision they might not have needed to make, as they’ve already got an incredibly talented youngster who could’ve filled in.
Chelsea's striker situation
There is plenty of optimism around Chelsea and what they could achieve this season, and rightly so, but things are currently far from ideal in the striker department.
In the win over Fulham on Saturday, Liam Delap started up top, and while he looked lively in the opening exchanges, he had to come off in just the 14th minute with a hamstring injury, which will keep him out of the action for eight to ten weeks.
The sudden setback for the Englishman caused the club to momentarily stop Nicolas Jackson’s loan move to Bayern Munich, only for the Senegalese striker to make it quite clear he wanted to go.
Now, Maresca does still have a fit Joao Pedro to call on, but until Cole Palmer is fit enough to come back into the side, the Brazilian is likely to continue as the team’s ten or second striker.
So, with there being minimal options on the market, the West Londoners decided that the best route to take was to cancel Guiu’s loan to Sunderland.
After all, the young Spaniard did score six goals in 16 appearances for the side last season, and had already bagged one in three games for the Black Cats.
However, while that might serve Maresca in the short term, it could limit the 19-year-old’s long-term development, and it might not have even been necessary, as there is a youngster in the academy who deserves a chance to fill in.
The Chelsea youngster who should be in the squad
Few, if any, top academies can match Cobham for the sheer number of quality players it produces, and it looks like the next success of the production line could be Shumaira Mheuka.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
It’s almost certain that fans outside of Chelsea have little to no idea who the 17-year-old gem is, but fans of the club would have seen him make several first-team appearances last season.
Maresca trusted the Birmingham-born gem to come off the bench four times in the Conference League and even once in the Premier League, at home to Southampton.
He might not have got onto the scoresheet in any of those cameos, but do not get it twisted, the youngster looks to be a lean, mean goalscoring machine.
For example, in 53 appearances for the West Londoners’ youth sides, the young ace, whom one analyst has dubbed one of the “brightest young strikers in England,” has scored 26 goals and provided six assists.
That comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.65 games, which is a more than encouraging rate of return.
It’s also better than Guiu managed in his youth team days, as in 25 games for Barcelona’s junior sides, he scored eight goals and provided four assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.08 games.
Appearances
53
25
Goals
26
8
Assists
6
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.60
0.56
Now, it would be absurd to expect the youngster to come into the side and make loads of appearances, but he could certainly fulfil the role as a backup and someone who plays in the less important games.
After all, how is he going to take the next step unless he is exposed to more senior football, and with respected talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him “the future of Chelsea and English football,” Maresca might want to get him in the squad as soon as possible, in case another team comes along and offers him just that.
Ultimately, while it would have been something of a risk, the Blues should have let Guiu remain out on loan for his own development, and used Mheuka as the backup option – he deserves a shot.
Jamie Carragher has named the Chelsea summer signing he's "not a fan" of
The Sky Sports pundit is already skeptical about one of Enzo Maresca’s new additions.
Tottenham have had a worryingly quiet summer transfer window so far, and Thomas Frank quite simply must strengthen before the start of his debut campaign in the north London dugout.
While the likes of Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea spend hundreds of millions on reinforcing their squads, ahead of what is expected to be a very competitive Premier League season, Spurs boast just three major first-team signings.
Burnley (home)
August 16
Man City (away)
August 23
Bournemouth (home)
August 30
West Ham (away)
September 13
Brighton (away)
September 20
Mohammed Kudus arrived in a £55 million deal from West Ham, and chairman Daniel Levy managed to negotiate a cut-price £30 million deal for Mathys Tel with Joao Palhinha also arriving on loan – but that is the sum of their activity.
Technically, Tottenham have spent £116 million this summer, if you count Kevin Danso’s obligation to buy deal, which was agreed in January, but Levy’s spending still doesn’t even come close to their arch rivals.
We’re less than a week away from the start of the new Premier League season and a meagre few days from Spurs’ UEFA Super Cup clash against PSG, but Frank’s new-look squad is somehow weaker than Ange Postecoglou’s.
Son Heung-min’s emotional goodbye to LAFC and James Maddison’s crippling ACL rupture, adding to Dejan Kulusevski’s long-term absence with a knee injury, leaves Frank desperately short of options.
Reinforcing the squad with quality is an absolute non-negotiable if Levy is serious about transforming Spurs into genuine trophy contenders.
They’re set to be among the big boys in next season’s Champions League draw too – making new signings all the more important before the transfer deadline in under a month.
Fabrizio Romano has suggested that striker Richarlison could leave Tottenham as well, and if that were to be the case, Spurs could become genuine contenders for Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson with contact made.
There was another striker on their radar earlier this summer, Brentford star Yoane Wissa – a player Frank knows well from his many years at the Gtech.
Likelihood of Tottenham signing Brentford striker Yoane Wissa
Spurs were in talks for Wissa around the time of their failed move to sign playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest, but precious little has been reported about their interest since then. Now, journalist Graeme Bailey has provided an update to TBR Football.
Yoane Wissa celebrates for Brentford.
Bailey reports that Frank “specifically identified” Wissa as a target for Tottenham, and the club held talks with him, but the likelihood of Spurs doing a deal for the 29-year-old is now very unlikely as Newcastle United close in on the £40 million forward.
“Spurs did open talks with Yoane Wissa when Frank first came in,” said Bailey. “That was a player Frank specifically identified. But it looks like Wissa’s nailed on for Newcastle now. Frank made it clear from day one that he told Wissa exactly how he wanted to use him, centrally.
“I think Frank also understands the reality. Do you really pay £40 million for a 29-year-old with one year left on his deal? Tottenham are never going to do that. Newcastle look like they will, but there are other reasons behind that move.”
The Congolese bagged 20 goals in all competitions last season, with 19 of them coming in the Premier League, but that £40m could be reinvested into the signing of a proven playmaker – which Frank desperately needs.
You can see why they’ve backed out, and amid reports Jackson could leave Chelsea on loan, they do have other, cheaper options to target up front.
Leeds United are currently building a squad that has the quality to avoid being relegated from the Premier League at the first time of asking next season.
The Whites have already done plenty of business throughout the summer transfer window, signing Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lucas Perri, Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Lukas Nmecha, Sean Longstaff, and Anton Stach.
Hoffenheim'sAntonStach
You can see from the profiles of the players listed there that the Championship champions have placed a clear focus on bolstering the defensive side of the squad in the first part of the window, as Nmecha is the only attacking player among them.
Daniel Farke and his recruitment staff must shift their focus towards the attacking areas of the pitch in the coming days, though, as they need to add enough quality to score goals consistently in the top-flight.
The German head coach has to be ruthless with his squad by deciding which players in his attack are not suited to make the step up to the Premier League.
One player who the West Yorkshire outfit should be looking to replace as a starter before the end of the summer transfer window is Brenden Aaronson.
Why Leeds should replace Brenden Aaronson
Leeds should be replacing the USA international ahead of next season because he did not show enough quality in the Championship to suggest that he is ready to be a key player in the Premier League.
When Aaronson played in the top-flight for the Whites in the 2022/23 campaign, the attacking midfielder managed just one goal and three assists, underperforming his xG of 3.86.
The drop down to play in the Championship last season, after a year on loan at Union Berlin, did help him to contribute more at the top end of the pitch, and there were some impressive moments from him.
Aaronson ended the season with a return of nine goals and two assists in 46 appearances in the second tier, starting 43 of those games, which was a solid, but unspectacular haul.
However, the 24-year-old flop underperformed his xG once again in a Leeds shirt, with nine goals from 11.43 xG, and struggled badly against the top teams.
Bristol City (A)
0
0
Burnley (H)
0
0
Sunderland (A)
0
0
Sheffield United (H)
0
0
Coventry (H)
0
0
Coventry (A)
0
0
Burnley (A)
0
0
Sunderland (H)
0
0
Sheffield United (A)
0
0
Bristol City (H)
0
0
As you can see in the table above, the American midfielder did not produce a single goal or assist in any of his ten appearances against the other five teams that made up the top six in the Championship.
Supporters should, therefore, be happy to read that the club are reportedly interested in a deal to sign an attacking midfielder who would arrive as a big upgrade on Aaronson.
Leeds make approach to sign new attacking midfielder
According to GIVEMESPORT, Leeds United have made an approach to Leicester City over a potential deal to sign 21-year-old talent Bilal El Khannouss this summer.
The report claims that the Whites are pursuing a move for the Morocco international to bolster their options in midfield, and that they have made enquiries to the Championship side.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It adds that West Ham United and a number of unnamed clubs are also interested in signing the attacking midfielder, which means that Leeds will face plenty of competition to land his signature.
GIVEMESPORT also reveals that El Khannouss has a release clause in his contract with Leicester. He is available for a fee of around £22m (£22.5m), as the release clause was activated when the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League.
Leeds have now made contact to find out what the terms are to pay the release clause, and it now remains to be seen what their next move will be.
Why this is bad news for Brenden Aaronson
This latest report should come as bad news to Aaronson, because El Khannouss could arrive at Elland Road to be a big upgrade on the USA international.
As aforementioned, the current Leeds dud failed to produce enough quality on the pitch in the Premier League when he last played in the division, and his underwhelming performances in the Championship do not suggest that he is likely to make the step up.
Leicester City's BilalElKhannoussin action
El Khannouss’ performances for the Foxes, meanwhile, suggest that he could offer more to Farke’s side in the number ten position if they sign him to come in and replace Aaronson in that role.
U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that the 21-year-old’s talent is “unquestionable”, and it is not hard to see why he is held in such high esteem when you consider that he created eight ‘big chances’ in 27 Premier League starts in a team that got relegated, in his first year in England.
Non-penalty goals*
0.08
0.04
xAG*
0.19
0.16
Progressive passes*
5.28
3.26
Progressive carries*
3.01
1.63
Passes into the final third*
3.67
1.78
Through balls*
0.45
0.30
Take-on success rate
57%
34%
Miscontrols*
1.57
2.69
As you can see in the table above, the Leicester star’s output last season in the top-flight was significantly more impressive than what Aaronson produced two years ago.
These statistics suggest that the £22.5m-rated dynamo has the potential to offer more to Leeds in the final third and in build-up play, as he has the ability to progress attacks with passes and carries, whilst also being able to score and create chances more often.
El Khannouss is still a young player who is learning and developing, which also means that he could be a signing with the future in mind, as well as the here and now.
The Leeds target did only score two goals in 27 starts in the division, but those two goals came from an xG of 1.31. This suggests that Farke would need to find a way for the team to get him into more goalscoring positions throughout the season.
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Overall, though, the Moroccan magician’s creativity and dynamism could add a different dimension to the team’s attack that they lacked with Aaronson in the side in their last Premier League adventure, which is why this is bad news to the American, who may find himself on the bench more often than not.
West Ham United are now in direct negotiations over a deal to sign an “excellent” defender, with his price tag not considered an issue, according to a report.
West Ham summer transfer rumours after Kudus sale
One of West Ham’s main tasks this summer will be to bring in a replacement for Mohammed Kudus, with the forward recently sealing a controversial move across the capital to Tottenham Hotspur, but they are also keen to strengthen other areas of the squad.
With long-serving left-back Aaron Cresswell departing upon the expiration of his contract, the Hammers are now stepping up their pursuit of a left-back, with a report revealing they are on course to sign Slavia Prague’s El Hadji Malick Diouf for €22m plus add-ons.
However, there is also an eagerness to strengthen on the opposite side of the defence, with talks being opened over a deal for Celta Vigo right-back Oscar Mingueza, but the 26-year-old is not the only Spanish defender on the Irons’ shortlist.
West Ham make first enquiry to sign 11-goal striker compared to Fullkrug
He’s reportedly set to leave his current club this summer…
By
Tom Cunningham
Jul 10, 2025
According to reports from Spain (via Sport Witness), West Ham are now in direct negotiations with the agents of Girona’s Arnau Martinez, with work underway to try and convince the right-back to make the move to the London Stadium this summer.
Martinez is viewed as one of Girona’s biggest assets, which indicates the Spanish side could be reluctant to sanction a departure on the cheap, but his price tag isn’t considered a problem for the Hammers, given the money that comes from playing in the Premier League.
The Irons remain in touch with the 22-year-old’s representatives ahead of potentially making an offer, and reports from elsewhere have detailed that it could take a bid in the region of €14m (£12m) to get a deal over the line.
Martinez could be "excellent" addition to Potter's squad
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has been left impressed by the Spanish defender in the past, taking to X to suggest that he is a versatile player, also capable of playing at right centre-back in a three-at-the-back system.
At 22-years-old, the full-back is at a good age to be a long-term success at the London Stadium, and he already has a great deal of first-team experience, making a combined 86 La Liga appearances over the course of the last three campaigns.
An asking price of just £12m is very reasonable, and there are plenty of signs that Martinez could be capable of pushing for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s starting spot in the near future, while his versatility would be an added bonus for Graham Potter.
The board has compared it to the kind of review England undertook in 2015 after their group stage exit at the ODI World Cup that year
Danyal Rasool09-Sep-2024The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is set to undertake a wholesale review of all aspects of international and domestic cricket in a bid to “restore the pride and excellence” of Pakistan cricket.For the review, the opening form of which will be a meeting called a “connection camp”, the board will invite both head coaches Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie to Lahore, with chairman Mohsin Naqvi also in attendance. Several centrally contracted cricketers, including both international captains Shan Masood and Babar Azam, will attend the camp, which will be held on September 23. The goals of the camp involve a rebrand of the kind of cricket Pakistan play across formats right down to grassroots levels, with a view to reverse the steady decline in international performances from the Pakistan national side across formats of late.The formation of the camp is the idea of the PCB chairman himself. It is not understood to be designed around specific, short-term concerns such as any proposed changes to the men’s national captaincy in either format, or the squad selection for any upcoming series. Its scale, instead, is a rather more ambitious review. Privately, PCB officials have compared it to the kind of review England undertook in 2015 following their group stage exit at the ODI World Cup that year. Held as the gold standard for the speed at which the cultural reset was achieved, England went on to become the number one ranked white-ball side, and won the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup.Related
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The specifics around how they achieve that are somewhat less clear, but Naqvi believes the connection camp is the first step towards reversing the course of the national side. The PCB feels it needs the camp to set out a unified vision and shared purpose, and to understand how it is perceived by fellow cricketing nations, as well as its own fans.It is not surprising to see why the comparison with the England review appeals to the PCB. Its success was achieved at great speed, with a series against New Zealand immediately following that disastrous World Cup demonstrating how quickly a tide could be turned.One significant challenge is the quality of talent Pakistan can draw from. After their cultural reset, England were able to draw from a pool that has come to be seen as their white-ball golden generation, while just last month, Naqvi acknowledged Pakistan’s reserves of talent in domestic cricket were worryingly low, dampening the prospect of a quick reversal.The PCB has also gone all in on the domestic one-day competition, rebranded as the Champions One-Day Cup. It is set to be held in Faisalabad from September 12 to 29, a week before the start of Pakistan’s Test series against England, with the connection camp taking place on a rest day during the tournament. Naqvi expressed confidence this tournament would be able to begin restocking the domestic player pool, and with the connection camp, he believes he has the opportunity to reshape the board’s vision.There is, however, recognition that any such discussion, camp or meeting will be met with huge scepticism from the fans. The PCB is understood to accept there is a massive gulf of trust between the board and the game’s followers, who do not believe Pakistan cricket is heading in the right direction, or indeed that the right people are running it. While the camp looks to begin bridging that trust, the only tangible way to do that will involve better results on the field in international cricket.
Farhan Ahmed, the England Under-19 offspinner and younger brother of Rehan Ahmed, has signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Nottinghamshire, his first senior contract with the county.Farhan, 16, is the second Academy product to sign permanent terms with the club in recent months, after Freddie McCann joined the playing staff in November, and comes after a run of appearances for the club’s Second XI, in between his academic studies, over the past two seasons.”There is no doubt that this is an exciting time for Farhan and the club,” Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire’s head coach, said. “He is a player with bags of talent and a high ceiling in the game. He’s a grounded individual, though, and he knows the work starts now for him to fulfil that potential in the years ahead.”He’s focused on forging his own path in the game, and he’ll have our full support as he begins to do that.”Like his elder brother Rehan – who was England’s youngest Test debutant, aged 18 years and 126 days, when he played at Karachi in December 2022 – Farhan was just 15 when he featured in England’s Under-19 World Cup campaign in South Africa in January.”I’m obviously very happy and excited to have signed this contract – it is something I’ve been working towards since I started playing cricket,” Farhan said. “For it to be for my home county is a dream come true, too. The history of the club is clear, and to be part of it myself is something I am looking forward to.”I’ve seen other players make that step from the Academy onto the pro staff then play first-team cricket, which gives me confidence that I can do the same in the years ahead.”Equally, I don’t want to look too far ahead. I’ll do my best to take every chance I’m given and keep improving as a player in all aspects, while I hope I can help put Nottinghamshire in winning positions when I get the opportunities.”Farhan joined Nottinghamshore’s academy in 2022, having taken 86 wickets in 57 games for the county’s Under-18s.”Farhan has been with us for seven years now, and his talent has been obvious across that time,” Matt Wood, the Elite Pathway Manager, said. “He is a clever bowler – he’s very mature in that sense – and his trajectory over the last couple of years has been exceptional.”It’ll be another step up for him to play regularly with the senior squad, but his focus and attitude is second to none, and that’ll help him in that transition.”
Will Wolverhampton Wanderers require a major summer rebuild?
Wolves were in the relegation zone when Vítor Pereira was appointed in December, but he managed to win ten of his 22 Premier League fixtures in charge, including leading the club to their first six-match winning streak in the top division since October 1970.
This saw the Old Gold finish 16th, 17 points clear of the drop zone, but, with many of their key assets coveted by other clubs, it is set to be a busy summer at Molineux.
That has all started with Matheus Cunha’s departure.
Why Matheus Cunha was a wanted man
On Sunday afternoon, it was officially announced that Cunha had joined Manchester United, the Red Devils paying his reported £62.5m release clause.
This is obviously a blow for Wolves because, as Matt Furniss of Opta’s the Analyst outlines, he has been Wolves’ ‘most influential player’ across the last two seasons, describing Cunha as a ‘revelation’ and praising his consistent ability to over-perform his xG statistics.
Meantime, Steve Madeley of the Athletic notes that the Brazilian has undoubtedly been ‘Wolves’ player of the season’, adding that very rarely is an entire campaign linked ‘so intrinsically to one player’, with Cunha always the main character, ‘for better and worse’.
Since making him move from Atlético Madrid permanent for £44m two summers ago, Cunha has scored 31 goals in 72 appearances for the club, numbers that are going to be difficult for anyone to replicate.
However, is a current member of the Wolverhampton Wanderers squad primed and ready to become the main man?
Wolves' unsung hero ready to step-up after Cunha
When Wolves signed Jørgen Strand Larsen last summer from Celta Vigo, initially on loan but with a £23m obligation to buy, there was very little fanfare, it is fair to say.
Thus, the Norwegian striker certainly surpassed all expectations, scoring 14 Premier League goals, meaning only nine players across the entire division managed more.
The Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer Alan Shearer praised Strand Larsen’s performance during a vital 2-1 victory at Ipswich in April, saying “his hold-up play was excellent… his touch and his control were superb”, adding “I actually think they’ve looked a better team” without Cunha during his four-match suspension.
Meantime, manager Pereira described his form as “fantastic”, adding “he helped the team” a lot.
Nevertheless, the key question remains: does Strand Larsen have the quality to be Wolves’ main man for goals now that Cunha has departed?
Well, let’s compare the duo in an attempt to answer this question.
Appearances
35
33
Minutes
2,603
2,603
Goals
14
15
Assists
4
6
Shots
54
110
Shots on target %
61.1%
40%
Goals – xG
+3.7
+6.4
Big chances missed
13
2
Big chances created
6
13
Shot-creating actions
42
132
Goal-creating actions
6
16
Aerial duels won
67
13
Touches per 90
26
54
% of touches in opposition box
15%
8%
As the table outlines, Cunha’s statistics are largely more impressive, which shouldn’t be too surprising, given that he’s the one who has just earned a big-money move to Manchester United.
However, what the table also crystallises is the fact that they are very different types of centre-forward.
Ryan Benson of Opta’s the Analyst labelled Strand Larsen a ‘fox in the box’, documenting how he is a classic target man whose ‘presence alone keeps centre-backs occupied’, an assertion that is supported by the data, with 15% of his touches coming in the opposition penalty area, nearly double the ratio of Cunha.
While the Brazilian ranked second in the Premier League this season for non-penalty goals – xG, his teammate was not too far behind, sat seventh for the same metric.
Strand Larsen also ranked sixth for aerial duels won amongst strikers, albeit his big chances missed tally of 13 leaves room for improvement.
Nevertheless, still only 25 years old, the Norwegian has all the attributes to be a successful centre-forward in this league, so is well-equipped to fill the massive void vacated by the outgoing Cunha.
Romano: Wolves make approach to sign "highly rated" gem wanted in Europe
Rangers and the 49ers Enterprises’ “dream” manager target is now the “favourite” for the Ibrox job, according to a new update.
Rangers manager rumours as Ferguson vows to make club “better”
Barry Ferguson has been the man tasked with leading the Gers on an interim basis until the end of the season after Philippe Clement was dismissed back in February.
He has had some impressive wins away at Fenerbahce and Celtic, however, there have also been some disappointing Ibrox defeats in the Scottish Premiership to Motherwell and Hibernian.
Asked in recent weeks about taking the Rangers job on a permanent basis, Ferguson said he would “make my club a better club” if given the opportunity by the 49ers Enterprises.
“I enjoyed my role at Rangers before, and if that’s not going to be managing, then hopefully I’ll just go back to that and enjoy what I was doing. If I get the job, I will make my club a better club. If I don’t get the job I will still support the club.
“I know what this club needs. I want what’s best for Rangers Football Club. I got an opportunity I never thought I would get, and I’ve enjoyed every single second of it. Some of the results I’ve not enjoyed, they have hurt me. I enjoy the challenge of it, because it is a big challenge.
“I always will back myself. I might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I know I can do the job alongside the staff that I’ve brought in, but we just need to wait and see.”
Rangers likely to sell £16k-a-week ace as billionaire-owned club eye deal
Would this be the right decision by the Gers?
ByHenry Jackson May 2, 2025
However, the 49ers have a number of manager targets in mind, with Steven Gerrard, Marco Rose and Sean Dyche all heavily linked with moves to Glasgow.
Now, an update has emerged on one of the aforementioned trio regarding the Rangers job.
Steven Gerrard “favourite” to be next Rangers manger
According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, Gerrard is now in pole position and the leading contender to take over at Rangers. The former Gers boss is “favourite” ahead of the likes of Rose to arrive in Glasgow this summer, with the 49ers making Gerrard their top target.
Nathan Patterson, Steven Gerrard
In fact, it was reported back in February that Gerrard was Rangers and the 49ers’ “dream appointment”, and the 44-year-old has been out of work since January after leaving Al-Ettifaq.
Should Gerrard return to Rangers, it will be a decision which former right-back Alan Hutton can get on board with. When recently asked if Gerrard coming back to Rangers would excite him, Hutton said: “Yeah, yeah, I think it does. “I mean, does a manager coming back for the second time, does it always work?
“Possibly not, but I think he knows the club, what it’s all about, what the fans are like, the expectation, he knows everything. He’s won the league there, and that’s the be-all and end-all, so he knows how to get it done.”
Games
192
Wins
124
Draws
41
Losses
27
Players used
65
Titles
1
A video of Gerrard declaring his love for Rangers has also gone viral recently, and by the looks of things, a return to Ibrox ahead of the 2025/26 season is well and truly on the cards.