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Carey feels a change in his batting technique and a shift in his approach to shot choices will hold him in good stead for the summer

Alex Malcolm18-Nov-2024

Alex Carey, 33, will play his fourth home summer as a Test player•Getty Images

The presence of a white-hot Josh Inglis in Australia’s Test squad at any point last summer might have made incumbent wicketkeeper Alex Carey nervous.But right now, Carey is arguably Australia’s most relaxed man. He enters the Test series against India as their most in-form player and looms as a potential match-winner with bat and gloves, even with Inglis in the squad for his batting.Carey, 33, is entering his fourth home summer as a Test player and says he has never felt fresher. No player in the Australian team had a longer layoff without cricket over the winter.Between his match-winning, and potentially career-saving 98 not out in Christchurch in Australia’s last Test in March, Carey went a full six months without playing a single game. He did go to Major League Cricket but did not play. That stint was part of a pre-season that international players rarely get these days.The benefits are showing. He posted ODI scores of 74 and 77 not out first up in England on his return to the side in September. He has blasted 90, 111, and 123 not out in the first two Shield matches and 44 and 42 as captain in a low-scoring win in the third. He rounded off his preparation with 75 off 63 in his last One-Day Cup game for South Australia.Related

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The time away gave him space to tinker with his batting. He credits his form, in part, to feeling fresh. But also to a small tweak in his set-up that he made without any input from anyone else.”When you play and play and play, you don’t really get a chance to work on too many things,” Carey told reporters on Monday ahead of the first Test in Perth. “Not having games coming up for a while, I’ve just mucked around a little bit with my hands and found something that felt good and sort of ran with that.”It’s only slight, but at the moment, it feels like I’m in a good position and reacting pretty well to the ball. But I think just a bit of time off and a bit of exploring gives you those opportunities.”The slight change? Simply picking his bat up a little higher in his stance. Carey had noticed in his set-up that his hands and bat were a little low, with the toe of the blade below horizontal and pointing to gully upon the bowler’s release.It was causing him to feel rushed at times on top of affecting his bat path, and his form had diminished over a period of 14 months between his only Test century in December 2022 and his 98 not out in Christchurch. During that period he averaged just 23.76 across 17 Tests, and lost his ODI place to Inglis after the first game of the 2023 World Cup.He now has his hands higher, with the toe of the blade pointing over first slip’s head. The results have been phenomenal. He has looked one of the best players in Australian domestic cricket this summer, striking the ball with power and looking like he has so much time at the crease.The technical tweak has helped his decision-making too. There were times in that 14-month lull when he was playing well but finding ways to get out through poor premeditated decision-making. He now feels less strongly about the need to premeditate.”I’m just trying to keep a really level and consistent process batting,” Carey said. “I think, at times, potentially getting out in ways with premeditation, which can happen, and trying to do too many things at once. I’m just trying to stay quite clear now and react to the ball and back yourself to make the right decision.”Like in the ODI format, there could be space for both Carey and Josh Inglis in the Test XI•Getty Images

The addition of Inglis to the Test squad, coming off two Shield centuries himself and some superb white-ball form, is of no concern to Carey either. Inglis has been picked as the spare batter, as cover for the top six rather than Carey. The pair have played ODIs together and did so as recently as in September at Lord’s.He acknowledged they could play in the same Test XI together at some stage which – as it did in the ODI team – could pave the way for Inglis to pinch his spot down the track. But Carey is pragmatic about the inferred pressure Inglis puts on his role as the No. 1 wicketkeeper.”I understand it’s a unique position to be in,” Carey said. “There’s one wicketkeeper in a team, and there’s lots of quality around the country who are trying to get that spot and I was one of those players once. You focus on your game. You control what you can control.”For me, it’s doing my job for this team, hopefully help us win games of cricket and play in this Test team as long as possible.”His long-time teammate Travis Head believes he’s never seen Carey bat better.”It’s the best form he’s been in,” Head said. “So for him, it’s trying not to overplay it and not worry about too much. I know he’s not. I think he’s in a great space. Has been for a while and now it’s starting to click for him. And once you sort of capture that form, you want to try to continue it on again. You’re never guaranteed that that happens, but I think he’s going to play a huge role in his position and in this team.”

Manchester United are honing in on targets to strengthen under Ruben Amorim and could now turn to a star with top-flight pedigree to put pressure on Andre Onana between the sticks, per a report.

Manchester United narrow down hunt for new additions

Without a doubt, news that Manchester United have narrowed down their striker shortlist to Benjamin Sesko or Ollie Watkins has sparked mass debate among supporters over who would be the best fit for their forward line.

Speaking on the Devils’ Advocate podcast, Gaz Drinkwater believes Sesko would need to prove himself at Old Trafford, albeit he also noted he is a better alternative than Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee to fill the attacking void.

He stated: “He is absolutely better than what we have got, but whether he can transfer what he has done before into the Premier League is a totally different question.

“He is young as well – maybe we need a bit more experience up front. I’m not talking about someone like Jamie Vardy, but someone with a bit more experience I would like.”

Intriguingly, Manchester United had been known admirers of Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani. However, it now appears he won’t be headed for Old Trafford after successful loan spell at Juventus.

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Either way, addressing the need for a striker isn’t the only priority Amorim has to consider, especially when factoring in Andre Onana’s precarious position at the club.

Competition for places is key if Manchester United are to have a revival season after a dismal showing last term, and they may now have identified a candidate to push the Cameroon international for a starting slot.

Manchester United plotting surprise Nick Pope move

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United could turn to Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope in the event Aaron Ramsdale moves from Southampton to St James’ Park this window.

The latter is reportedly close to swapping the South Coast for the North East, leaving Pope ‘vulnerable’ as he enters the last year of his deal under Eddie Howe.

Nick Pope’s Premier League statistics – 2024/25 (FBRef)

Save percentage

71.7%

Matches played

28

Goals against

35

Post-shot expected goals against

34.8

Earning £60,000 per week at Newcastle, the 33-year-old is said to fit the ‘profile’ needed to offer a genuine challenge to Onana. Leeds United were also keen on the England international before they opted to sign Lucas Perri from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon.

Dubbed a “top-class goalkeeper” by Howe, Pope kept nine clean sheets in 32 appearances across all competitions last term, though he has caught fire for his distribution from a section of Magpies’ supporters.

Nevertheless, the former Burnley man is likely an affordable addition for Manchester United and still has plenty to offer in the Premier League should Amorim opt to roll the dice.

Tottenham Hotspur’s ambition to strengthen the squad throughout this summer has already been evident, already making key moves within the transfer market.

Mohammed Kudus is the first major signing of the Thomas Frank era, after joining the club in a £55m deal from London rivals West Ham United earlier this month.

However, despite the big money spent on the Ghanaian’s signature, other targets are still being pursued, with the club potentially being subject to external investment.

Various areas of the pitch have been of interest in recent days, but as of yet, no other key dealings have been completed ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Numerous players have emerged on their shortlist already this window, leading to work being done behind the scenes to ensure Frank has the best chance of success in North London.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Adam Wharton has been named as one of Spurs’ biggest targets this summer, with Frank evidently wanting to improve the options within his midfield department.

However, despite their interest in the Crystal Palace star, a deal for his signature is extremely unlikely, with the Eagles currently demanding £100m for the Englishman’s signature.

The 21-year-old isn’t the only player currently in their sights within such an area of the pitch, leading to Juventus star Douglas Luiz being another target, according to Dean Jones.

He claims that internal talks have been held behind the scenes in North London over a possible deal for the Brazilian, as he looks set to depart the Italian outfit this window.

Jones also states that no serious development has been made for his signature, but the player himself wants a return to England after leaving Aston Villa 12 months ago.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be a better signing than Palhinha

Despite the recent moves within the transfer market, Spurs still hold a keen interest in landing the signature of Bayern Munich star João Palhinha this summer.

Their interest in the Portuguese midfielder has been confirmed in recent days, with the 30-year-old allowed to depart the Bundesliga champions in the coming weeks.

He only joined the club last summer in a £47m deal from Fulham, but after making just six league starts in 2024/25, it’s safe to say he’s not a player in Vincent Kompany’s plans.

Palhinha has previously excelled in England’s top-flight, making 79 appearances for the Cottagers over a two-year spell, arguably being one of the best deep-lying options within the division.

However, despite interest being registered in his services, the hierarchy should be prioritising a move for Luiz this window, with the Brazilian undoubtedly a better option.

When comparing their respective stats from the recent campaign, the former Villa star has dominated in key areas, having the tools to improve the options at Frank’s disposal as a result.

Luiz, who’s been labelled “world-class” by journalist Adam Gilks, registered more key passes and progressive passes per 90, showcasing his ability to get the ball into forward areas, something which could massively bolster the attackers’ tally as a result.

How Luiz & Palhinha compare throughout 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Luiz

Palhinha

Games played

19

17

Minutes played

529

673

Progressive passes

5.9

4.2

Progressive carries

2.7

0.4

Key passes made

2.5

0.5

% of tackles won

69%

68%

Interceptions made

0.7

0.5

Take-on success

79%

50%

Carries into final third

1.7

0.4

Recoveries made

5.3

2.2

Stats via FBref

He also completed more of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making more carries into the final third, further demonstrating his dominance with the ball at his feet.

However, defensively, the former Villa star has also impressed, winning a higher percentage of tackles, whilst also registering more interceptions per 90, arguably being the perfect deep-lying option for the Lilywhites.

It’s unclear if the side are willing to pursue a move for Luiz’s signature, but it’s evident from their stats in the recent campaign that he would be a better signing than Palhinha.

Whether he joins on a temporary or permanent basis, it would be a signing that would hand Frank the midfield talent he craves, handing him the best chance of success in his debut campaign at the helm.

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South Africa spinner says he prepares to bowl long Test spells even when playing limited overs contests

Firdose Moonda12-Aug-2024

Keshav Maharaj bowled 28 overs unchanged on day 3 in Port of Spain and followed it up with 12 more the next day•AFP/Getty Images

If you woke Keshav Maharaj up in the middle of the night and asked him to start a spell, he would immediately oblige.”My passion is spin bowling. I love it. I can wake up at two o’clock in the morning and if you ask me to bowl, I’ll bowl,” Maharaj said from Trinidad, where South Africa and West Indies drew the first Test of a two-match series. “That keeps me motivated. And also, the desire to want to do well for the team and take this team into a different direction, I’ll bowl the whole day if I need to.”He is not exaggerating. Maharaj bowled 40 overs from the Queen’s Park Media Centre End during West Indies’ first innings – albeit it was broken up by rain breaks – and delivered the second-longest spell by a bowler in men’s Test since 2001. In the absence of a second specialist spinner in the XI, Maharaj “knew there would be a lot of bowling for me to do,” and prepared for it in the months of white-ball cricket that preceded this series which included an SA20, IPL and the T20 World Cup.Related

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“Whatever format I play, I always keep my workloads as if I’m preparing for Test cricket,” Maharaj said. “The only thing that changes is your lengths and sometimes your lines a little bit, but from a longevity point of view, I still bowl my long hours, regardless of whether it’s T20 or fifty-over cricket. It’s something I pride myself in. I don’t have many variations like the other types of spinners around the world so I try to rely on consistency and being able to do it for long periods of time.”On a docile pitch, Maharaj’s discipline was key to South Africa taking a 124-run first innings lead but he also found some turn on the third day. A hint of bounce meant that when South Africa declared on the fifth morning, with two sessions and 20 minutes to go, they were banking on Maharaj, to a large extent, to be able to bowl them to victory.But, batting appeared easier on the final afternoon and West Indies were able to score at a healthy enough rate to keep South Africa at bay. In the end, Maharaj thought the hours of rain across the five days also played a part in denying him.”The constant rainfall bound the wicket and made it more pleasant to bat,” he said. “If there wasn’t so much time taken away due to the rain, I think the wicket would have deteriorated the way we expected it to.”Despite foreseeing spinner-friendly conditions, South Africa opted for an XI with only Maharaj as a frontline spinner and left Dane Piedt on the bench. With Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder contributing little more than a fifth of the total overs bowled, South Africa also looked a bowler short but Maharaj believed they “we got it (selection) right in the end. Aiden (Markram) did an exceptional job as our fourth bowler, created opportunities and got that pivotal breakthrough in the morning of the West Indies first innings.”With four wickets in each innings, Keshav Maharaj was South Africa’s best bowler of the match•AFP/Getty Images

Markram’s dismissal of Jason Holder sparked a West Indian collapse of 6 for 60 in 17.1 overs which set the situation up for South Africa to push for a win. That they didn’t has been described as “disappointing,” by everyone from captain Temba Bavuma to Maharaj, especially as South Africa have only a few fixtures scheduled.In this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, they play only two-Test series. They have played five Tests and have only seven left between now and January. To give themselves a good chance of making the final, they will have to win all seven and will have to keep looking to force results in their favour.”It’s obviously disappointing not to get a result. We’re always going to play cricket to ensure that we can give ourselves the best chance, even if that process dangles the carrot with the prospect of losing a game,” he said, referring to South Africa setting West Indies a chaseable 298 in Trinidad. “Draws don’t count for much. We obviously know there’s a World Test Championship at stake, but we’re focusing on each and every game.”And in Maharaj’s case – on bowling as much as he can in each and every game. “I never want the captain to take the ball away from me in Test cricket so I’m always trying to bowl my best ball and trying to be a wily old character.”

Things are moving apace. Liverpool have already replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong and are advancing with deals for Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

Talk about a show of intent. Talk about ambition. FSG have faced their criticisms across their time at the head of the Liverpool table, but the American owners are backing Arne Slot to the hilt this summer after the Dutch coach secured a Premier League title in his first term at the helm.

With a much-anticipated move for Wirtz, which could rise to a British-record £116m, set to be finalised in the coming days, hopes are morphing into expectations that the Reds will be right there in the title battle next season, throwing the heaviest punches and swerving the blows from Arsenal, Manchester City and the like.

What, then, should be Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes’ next move in the transfer market? Well, for all Anfield’s impressive dealings, the glaring point of contention still hasn’t been addressed: Liverpool need to part with Darwin Nunez and bring in a new number nine.

Why Liverpool need to sell Darwin Nunez

As far as statement signings go, Liverpool usually hit the nail on the head. However, Nunez has proven to be a blot on the copybook, never living up to the fixed £64m fee and actually regressing under Slot’s jurisdiction.

24/25

47

7

7

23/24

54

18

15

22/23

42

15

4

Back in February, Slot stated he “can’t accept” Nunez’s work rate following a slew of games which had turned little personal reward for the Uruguayan. Previous versions of the 25-year-old invariably provided a tenacious

A maverick, Nunez is powerful and instinctive, but consistent finishing has always eluded him throughout his time on Merseyside, and if it were not for Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary 2024/25 campaign, the striker’s woes might have been hung under a brighter, more blinding light.

Salah scored 34 goals and assisted 23 more across all competitions last season. Extraordinary. The Egyptian King turned 33 this month, though, and needs a more reliable frontman to keep him performing at his peak.

Well, Liverpool are acting with ambition, hoping to sign a star who might just prove to elevate the legend. Who knows, he may even surpass Salah’s greatness.

Liverpool line up new striker

According to Ben Jacobs for GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are ready to place a record-breaking bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak this summer.

Liverpool’s current interest in the Sweden striker can be traced back to the start of March, when The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed the Reds had him at the top of their shopping list.

The Magpies, who won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League last term, would want north of £150m for Isak, but GMS claim FSG would be willing to offer £100m plus add-ons, which would eclipse the fee agreed for Wirtz.

How Isak could surpass Salah at Liverpool

Liverpool need a striker, all right, and Isak is their dream target. If sporting director Richard Hughes could pick any number nine across the globe, this is the man he’d move for.

Coming off the back of a 27-goal campaign with Newcastle, Isak, who has been hailed as “the best striker in the world” by analyst Raj Chohan, could be the most incredible addition to a Liverpool side already jam-packed with attacking quality.

Isak’s prowess, always improving, could even see him become a goalscoring machine under Slot’s wing above that of Salah, whose 34-goal season was frankly ridiculous.

24/25 – Newcastle

42

27

6

23/24 – Newcastle

40

25

2

22/23 – Newcastle

29

11

3

21/22 – Sociedad

41

10

3

20/21 – Sociedad

44

17

2

Moreover, his unique approach to the attacking game could see him reach that pedestal on which Salah perches, surmounted above the rest of the Premier League’s attacking talent.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 16% of strikers last season for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.

This protean attacking quality could see him join the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres as one of the most complete and electric number nines the Premier League has ever seen.

Would this make him a more dangerous forward than Salah? Who knows, but Isak definitely has the perfect style to dovetail into Slot’s system and bring a new level of direct goalscoring threat.

And it must be said, Liverpool have certainly felt the force of the Sweden striker’s skills, Isak having scored a stunning goal against them at St. James’ Park last year before bagging in the Carabao Cup final, a strike which proved definitive.

But it’s not just his goalscoring. Isak has the capacity to outstrip even Salah’s ridiculous goal per game rate at Liverpool (0.61), with his Newcastle average currently at 0.57.

As he continues to go from strength to strength, Isak could hit a truly staggering flow, especially given that he would be playing among some of the best in the business (including Salah, whose playmaking has hit another level over the past couple of years).

Whether Isak would finish a potential Liverpool career with a greater legacy than Salah is tantamount to splitting hairs. In all likelihood, he’d fail on that front, for Salah has transcended pure quality on the field to immortalise himself in Liverpool lore.

However, Isak’s ability to score is a special thing – pundit Alan Shearer has described him as a “world-class assassin” – and if signed to the Liverpool cause and allowed to foster relationships with Salah and Wirtz, his goalscoring record could form something not witnessed on Merseyside.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers do have a reputation for uncovering a gem in the transfer market with the deal to snap up Matheus Cunha on a permanent basis back in 2022 for £35m looking more and more like a steal by the day.

Indeed, the Brazilian superstar is a hot commodity ahead of the summer transfer window reopening, and for good reason, considering he’s amassed an explosive 15 goals and six assists in Premier League action this campaign.

Likewise, Wolves have seemingly struck gold on new defensive titan Emmanuel Agbadou, with the strong Ivorian picking up four clean sheets in the league to date since a January switch.

Therefore, the powers that be at Molineux will be hoping their gleaming track record in snapping up exciting gems continues on, with the rumour mill already linking the Old Gold to a number of new stars.

Wolves could sign Premier League midfielder

With their Premier League status now thankfully set in stone, Vitor Pereira and Co will want to kick on next season and aim for a top-half finish.

Adding in a few sprinkles of quality here and there will presumably aid this progression, with rumours already surfacing that the revitalised Old Gold are looking at snapping up the services of Atletico Madrid ace Samuel Lino.

Moreover, further speculation has seen Chelsea outcast Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall be tipped to make a switch to Molineux too, but a new, fresh report from GIVEMESPORT suggests their midfield positions could be enhanced by signing Liverpool product Harvey Elliott instead.

The report states that Wolves are likely to make an enquiry regarding the promising 22-year-old if some big-name departures are sanctioned, considering Elliott is priced around the £50m ballpark.

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Landing Elliott could see Pereira win his very own Morgan Gibbs-White, with the ex-Wolves youngster never really coming into his own at his boyhood employers, but the Reds target certainly possesses a lot of similar easy-on-the-eye traits in his game when weighed up next to the now £100m-rated gem.

How Elliott can be the next Gibbs-White

Before exploring deeper how Elliott could be Wolves’ next Gibbs-White in the making, it’s only right to look at how much the Stafford-born midfielder’s game has been advanced since stepping away from Molineux.

Amazingly, the 25-year-old would only pick up three goals and one assist from 88 senior appearances in the West Midlands. Now, however, he’s up to a stunning 16 strikes and 27 assists for the Tricky Trees from 115 overall clashes, leading to Manchester City being keen onlookers.

Whilst Elliott hasn’t quite been as front and centre for Arne Slot’s Reds this season as Gibbs-White has been for Nuno Espirito Santo’s high-flyers – seen in his 25 games in all competitions next to his counterpart’s 35 – the 22-time England U21 international has still chipped in when needed with four goals and two assists.

Again, much like the Forest number ten, the 22-year-old is also more than capable of playing as a winger away from just lining up centrally.

Indeed, his 144 appearances in the men’s side at Anfield to date – alongside a blistering loan stint with Blackburn Rovers – have seen him take to the pitch in a sizeable six different positions.

RW

103

18

22

AM

67

5

5

CM

36

4

14

LW

14

2

3

CF

3

0

1

SS

1

0

1

Previously lauded as “phenomenal” by journalist David Lynch, it will be up to Wolves to ensure they get the most out of Elliott on his arrival, with the versatile young English talent – as Gibbs-White is – surely itching to be a first-team regular in his new location.

If they do manage to get the best out of the 22-year-old, any lingering agony of losing the Englishman prematurely will be fixed by Elliott’s emergence.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would reportedly approve the signing of an all-round player who Son Heung-min thinks is “incredible”, with sporting director Andrea Berta and the Gunners boss now having one eye on the next transfer window.

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The ex-Atletico Madrid chief is expected to be very busy in the coming weeks, and a major squad overhaul has already been mooted by sections of the press.

Berta could even orchestrate a summer spend worth up to £300 million on seven signings across the squad, according to GiveMeSport, and it is highly anticipated that forwards will arrive at Arsenal among them.

Arsenal’s final Premier League games

Date

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

Injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have seriously debilitated Arteta’s forward options and exposed their lack of a potent goalscorer to lead their line, while there are also precious few options on the right-wing behind star man Bukayo Saka.

Some uncertainty also surrounds the long-term futures of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, who’ve been sporadically linked with potential exits from N5, so Arsenal’s forward line could be looking significantly different by the time next season commences.

Arsenal could sign a striker, left-winger and right-winger this summer (GiveMeSport), but Arsenal will only have so much money to spend on high-profile stars and competition is set to be rife for their signatures.

However, one man who could cover a lot of bases in the attacking areas, and a player they’re now believed to be interested in, comes in the form of versatile PSG ace Lee Kang-in.

A report from The Sun claimed earlier this week that Berta personally wants Lee at Arsenal, and PSG are prepared to sell the South Korea international who can play as an attacking midfielder, on the right, on the left and even as a striker when required.

Mikel Arteta would "welcome" Lee Kang-in signing at Arsenal

Berta was apparently driving a move for Lee when he was at Atlético, only for the Italian to miss out on his signature to PSG.

Following on from these claims, a Spanish media source now states that Arteta would “welcome” the signing of Lee at Arsenal as well, so it appears both the manager and sporting director are in agreement over his quality.

The 24-year-old has bagged six goals and six assists in all competitions this term, across 44 total appearances, but a fair portion of his minutes have come off the bench.

Enrique, who called Lee a “complete” player, has found real use of him as a utility man at the Parc des Princes, and judging by praise from international teammate Son, he could end up being a very useful addition for Arsenal, even if reports late last year claimed PSG could demand £51 million to let him go.

“Kang-in Lee’s talent is incredible,” Son told Sungmo Lee in 2023.

“I believe he could grow even further. We have to help him not to get too much pressure.”

Newcastle United have already ensured that they will play European football in some form in the 2025/26 campaign after they won the League Cup before the international break.

The Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley in the final last month and that victory secured them a place in the Conference League, as well as their first piece of silverware in 70 years.

Eddie Howe’s side can move up in the European pecking order before the end of the current campaign, though, as they compete for a place in the Europa League or the Champions League by finishing higher up in their domestic division.

The Magpies are currently sixth in the Premier League table and sit two points behind Chelsea in fourth place, with ten matches left to be played and one game in hand over the two teams above them.

Newcastle can take another step towards a top four finish in the division this evening when they welcome Brentford to St. James’ Park, with the chance to move above Chelsea – who do not play until Thursday – with a win.

Despite flying down to South America to play for Brazil during the international break and racking up plenty of miles, Bruno Guimaraes should be one of the first names on the teammsheet against the Bees.

Why Bruno Guimaraes is a guaranteed starter for Newcastle

The Brazil international, who played one game for his country – against Colombia – at the end of last month, has started all 28 of his appearances in the Premier League for the Magpies this season.

In fact, Guimaraes has started all 97 of his Premier League games for the club since the start of the 2022/23 campaign, having started 11 of his 17 outings in the second half of the 2021/22 season after joining from Lyon.

This shows that the Brazilian maestro, ignoring the very early stage of his career in England, starts whenever he is available and that is why the midfielder should be in the starting line-up this evening.

Assists

0.22

Top 11%

Expected Assisted Goals

0.19

Top 18%

Passes into final third

5.05

Top 19%

Passes into penalty area

1.97

Top 8%

Progressive passes

7.32

Top 8%

Key passes

1.32

Top 32%

Shot-creating actions

3.38

Top 34%

As you can see in the table above, Guimaraes has been among the best passers in the Premier League as a midfielder this term, ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of key passing and creative metrics.

One Magpies player who does not rank as favourably in those metrics, however, is Italy international Sandro Tonali, who has had an up-and-down time at St. James’ Park.

Why Sandro Tonali can be a liability in possession

The former AC Milan star is, essentially, in his first full season on Tyneside after returning from his ban and has started 18 of his 26 appearances in the Premier League this term.

Tonali offers plenty of grit and hard work in the middle of the park, winning 53% of his duels and making 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game, but his use of the ball has left a bit to be desired.

The Italian ace ranks within the bottom 49% or lower of midfielders in the Premier League for pass accuracy (83%), progressive passes per 90 (4.11), Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.03), and shot-creating actions per 90 (2.19).

This suggests that Tonali has struggled with the ball at his feet in the top-flight this season, by failing to find his teammates at an efficient rate without creating much for the team.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The 24-year-old battler played the full 90 minutes against Liverpool in the League Cup final and lost six of his seven duels, whilst completing just 67% of his attempted passes.

In front of their home support this evening, Newcastle may want more quality in possession to put themselves on the front foot against Brentford and that is why Tonali should be ruthlessly axed from the starting line-up by Howe, who should replace him by finally unleashing Lewis Miley from the start.

Why Lewis Miley should finally be unleashed

The 18-year-old dynamo has had an injury-disrupted campaign, missing nine matches with a foot injury, and has only started one of his eight appearances in the Premier League this term.

Miley did, however, start 14 of his 17 outings in the division last season, in what was his breakthrough year at senior level, and that showed that he does have the capability to play week-in-week-out as a starter in the top-flight.

The teenage sensation’s only start in the Premier League so far this term came in a 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest back in February, as he started alongside Guimaraes and Joe Willock.

Minutes

90

Goals

1

Pass accuracy

81%

Key passes

1

Duels won

6/11

Tackles + interceptions

4

Dribbled past

0x

As you can see in the table above, the England U19 international made the most of his chance to impress, by scoring a goal and catching the eye with his defensive work.

Miley, as shown in the highlights above, scored Newcastle’s first goal in the match with a terrific touch and finish inside the box to make it 1-1, as he showcased his quality and composure in the opposition’s third.

The Magpies academy graduate has not played enough minutes to qualify for ranking this season, but he did rank within the top 15% of midfielders in the Premier League last term for assists (0.22) per 90 – with three assists in 14 starts.

Miley, who was described as “very special” by journalist Mark Carruthers, is a midfield player with the potential to offer a threat at the top end of the pitch with his goalscoring touch, as shown in his only start this season in the league, as well as his creative ability, as evidenced by his form last term.

This means that the 18-year-old ace could be the perfect player to come in and partner Guimaraes in midfield, as they both have on-ball qualities that Tonali has failed to show consistently during his time on the pitch this season.

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It is now down to Howe to ruthlessly ditch the Italy international from the starting line-up in order to finally unleash Miley alongside Guimaraes, as the pair could be fun to watch with their respective qualities in possession.

Varun took a beating while Arora ran drinks when 262 were chased down against KKR; little did anyone envisage the duo to lead their playoffs push next game

Shashank Kishore30-Apr-20242:27

Review: Varun, Arora or Salt, who was KKR’s biggest star?

The Eden Gardens has given bowlers a million reasons to stop believing. What’s even the point when you’re simply being carted around like in Stick Cricket for ridiculous scores? Three nights ago, Kolkata Knight Riders failed to defend 262.While Varun Chakravarthy was walloped for 46 in three wicketless overs by Jonny Bairstow and Shashank Singh, Vaibhav Arora ran the drinks. You couldn’t have faulted Arora even if he thought he was lucky to have been spared. You also couldn’t have envisaged the two coming together in the next game to have a serious impact on KKR’s push to the playoffs.Arora set the tempo with his powerplay salvo and Varun did what many expected of him when he was one of their big-ticket retentions: befuddle Delhi Capitals batters with turn and fox them through subtle variations in length on an Eden Gardens surface that offered just a little more than it did against the Kings.

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Arora was swinging it from left to right, something even Mitchell Starc hadn’t quite managed to do this IPL. This was his first opportunity in two weeks, and in his first over, he laid down the marker when he bowled the perfect bouncer aimed at Shai Hope’s head. Hope was surprised by the zip off the pitch and was momentarily thrown off guard as he tried to get inside the line. But he was fortuitous as the ball flew off the top edge over fine leg for six.Related

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You almost heard Arora wonder aloud if there was any justice left in the game for the bowlers. But he quickly came back with a ball every fast bowler manifests. It swerved in to hit the perfect length and straightened to square up Hope. As the off stump was knocked over, Arora belted out a roar and took off on a celebratory run.Arora’s magic was spread across these two deliveries. Maybe the bumper caused a split-second indecision in Hope’s footwork; enough for the ball to do its thing. It left DC 37 for 3 inside four overs; their top-three of Jake Fraser-McGurk, owner of two 15-ball half-centuries, Prithvi Shaw, who edged Arora down leg, and Hope were all back.Vaibhav Arora roars after making a mess of Shai Hope’s stumps•BCCIIt was Arora’s seventh powerplay wicket that took him to the top of the charts jointly during that phase, with Khaleel Ahmed and Trent Boult. It was a joyous return against a side that he had dented with a three-for when they last met.”My strength is to bowl with the new ball,” Arora said later when asked to look back at Hope’s dismissal. “I hit an outswinger, it cut away. I felt I executed well. I landed a perfect length and got the wicket.”At his best, Arora can swing the ball prodigiously, but unlike a Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Sandeep Sharma, he also has the ability to rush batters, like it was against Hope. This extra pace may have added a little bit of oomph to his bowling that was non-existent until a few years ago.Arora featured in only five games for KKR last year and has had a handful this season. But compelling performances like these will keep him in the fray for more opportunities heading into the business end of the competition.

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Varun is more seasoned than Arora and knows all too well the spotlight can draw you out very quickly from superstardom. He was seen as the mystery element in India’s T20 World Cup squad in 2021, but finds himself out of conversations even as the squad selection for this year’s edition is upon us.When he was retained, Varun was expected to do a job Sunil Narine had shouldered for over eight seasons. In some ways, the move may have been perceived from the outside as the passing over of the baton. But here he was, in the middle of 2024, a little low on confidence, going at an economy of 9.72 while having picked just eight wickets in as many games.On Friday night, Narine bowled his four overs for 24. With a bit more support from the other end, Kings may have failed to get over the line. Varun revealed he was hurting and needed to bounce back quickly.Varun Chakravarthy finished with 3 for 16•AFP/Getty ImagesDC’s decision to bat first played into KKR’s hands. All told, this wasn’t a surface straight out of their blueprint from 2012-2014, where spin to win was an unwritten rule under Gautam Gambhir. Back then, Gambhir had a peak Narine whose four overs were almost a write off for teams, but on Monday, there was enough help for the spinners who knew where to land the ball.Varun bowled 15 off his 24 deliveries on a length on the stumps or just outside off, hardly allowing batters to get underneath the flight. The bite off the pitch was considerable, which he could’ve profited from first ball had Harshit Rana not let off Rishabh Pant’s miscued slog at short third. But Varun had the last laugh in the next over when he had Pant miscuing another slog, this time to Shreyas Iyer at cover.The fizz of his release seemed all too evident, as was the confidence. He was landing those back-of-the-hand leg-cutters to the T, and Tristan Stubbs fell to one of them as he misread the length and nicked behind attempting a cut. When he dismissed Kumar Kushagra with a skiddy wrong’un, the entire range of his repertoire was on display. He ended with 3 for 16 off his four overs, quite a turnaround from three nights ago when he was taken to the cleaners.”The last game was a hard pill to swallow,” Varun said. “This pitch was holding a bit, as the game progressed it was turning more. The ball I bowled to Pant [which was dropped] was a better ball than the one that got him out, but I liked the Stubbs wicket a lot more.”What did he do between the previous game and this?”Shah Rukh [ Khan, team owner] came up to me and had a chat,” Varun said at the press conference. “He said, ‘don’t take this [attack on the bowlers this IPL] personally. Don’t have self-doubts’. The last game hurt, so this was a good performance from my side.”Was there a quiet chat somewhere with Narine? “Just silence,” Varun laughed.With a spell like that, probably even the most animated character in the dugout would’ve been at a loss of words. There couldn’t have been a better example than this of ‘allowing the ball to do all the talking’.

The highs and lows of a remarkable ODI career for England

Andrew Miller18-Jul-2022Ben Stokes enjoyed his time at the WACA in 2013-14•Getty Images

First stirrings

70 and 4-38 vs Australia, Perth, 2013-14For the first three years of his international career, it’s fair to say that England had no idea what to make of the combative, erratic talent in their midst. Stokes debuted as a 20-year-old in the summer of 2011, as part of the rebuild after that year’s World Cup, but in an era when England’s instincts were still to build steadily then slog in the final ten overs, he found himself pigeon-holed in the lower-middle order – often as low as No. 8 – while the likes of Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott were trusted with the proper batting. He had a top-score of 27 in 12 appearances when, almost out of desperation at the end of a miserable Ashes whitewash, Stokes found himself propelled up to No. 3 midway through the subsequent one-day series. At the second time of asking, he was reunited with the WACA wicket where he’d belted a sublime maiden Test century earlier on the tour, and responded to the new responsibility with an unrecognisably mature innings of 70 from 84 balls. Duly emboldened, Stokes then sealed the deal with the ball, claiming 4 for 38 to deliver England’s first victory of the tour, and send a message that – in spite of the rough edges that had led to his expulsion from England’s Lions tour the previous winter – here was a player crying out to be trusted.Ben Stokes had a few slip-ups on England’s tour of the Caribbean in 2014•AFP

Locker-room blues

West Indies tour, 2014Stokes’ progress wasn’t entirely linear thereafter, however, and few setbacks were more ‘crushing’ than his tour of the Caribbean two months after the Ashes. Despite being retained in the top-order for the three-match ODI series, he returned scores of 5, 4 and 0, which – following on from scores of 0 and 5 in his final two innings in Australia – sent his form into a tail-spin. A week later in Barbados, this would culminate in the infamous punched-locker incident, and a broken wrist that would rule him out of the subsequent World T20 in Bangladesh. Moreover, it ended the management’s experiment with Stokes as a top-order option. This attitude bled into the Test team too, where he was picked to bat at No. 8 and responded with three consecutive ducks against India, and by the end of the year – notwithstanding the knowledge of what he’d previously achieved on bouncy decks Down Under – his form more or less precluded him from the following year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.Ben Stokes’s all-guns-blazing approach got England’s full approval in 2015•Getty Images

New beginnings

New Zealand series, 2015England’s old-school ODI approach duly received its comeuppance in a dismal World Cup campaign, and so, when the new home season got underway two months later, the opportunity was there for a brand new attitude to take root. The visit of Brendon McCullum’s New Zealand would prove epochal, but the role of England’s interim head coach Paul Farbrace is not to be under-estimated either. He offered Stokes as blank a slate as English cricket as a whole, recalling him to the Test team at No. 6, from where he made an 85-ball hundred in the first Test – the fastest ever made at Lord’s – and trusting him to be the heartbeat in a reconfigured one-day side. Overall, his returns were not his most stellar, but in scoring 142 runs from 104 balls all told, he was able to score at more than a run a ball across an entire series for the first time in his ODI career. And, in the series decider at Chester-le-Street, his priceless ability to prise out well-set batters earned him the key wickets of New Zealand’s top scorers, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson, in a classic three-wicket win.Ben Stokes was brutal against Australia in the 2017 Champions Trophy•Getty Images

Dress rehearsal

vs Australia, Edgbaston, 2017 Champions TrophyCome the Champions Trophy in 2017, England were on the crest of a very obvious wave. Against all expectations, they’d reached the final of the previous ICC tournament, the World T20 in Kolkata in 2016, and though the treatment meted out to Stokes in that galling final over had taken some of the gloss off their efforts, it was clear they were becoming a white-ball force to be reckoned with, and most particularly across 50 overs, with 10 wins in their previous 11 matches leading up to a crunch clash with Australia at Edgbaston. An England victory would send the Aussies crashing out early, but at 35 for 3 chasing 278, a familiar story appeared to be taking shape. Stokes, however, was in no mood to yield, as he and Eoin Morgan bedded into a fourth-wicket stand of 159 that had put the contest beyond reasonable doubt long before the pair were separated by a run-out with 84 still needed from 109 balls. Stokes duly pressed on, bringing up his century from the penultimate ball before the ever-dank weather closed in, with England already 40 runs to the good on Duckworth-Lewis. It was another critical display of proactivity, even in the midst of apparent adversity. The pity for England was that they mislaid that method in their very next game, the semi-final in Cardiff, when Stokes himself made 34 from 64 balls while seemingly clinging on for dear life on an abrasive deck and against a fired-up and reverse-swinging Pakistan attack. Even that, however, would prove to be a lesson stored up for future use.Ben Stokes was charged with affray in 2017 but was later acquitted•Getty Images

Brush with oblivion

vs West Indies, Bristol, 2017A match that ought to be remembered for Moeen Ali’s astonishing century, 102 from 57 balls all told, with seven fours and eight sixes, is instead recalled as the reason why Stokes happened to be in Bristol in the small hours of September 25, 2017 – the night on which he was arrested and charged with affray following an incident outside a club. He would be acquitted the following August at the end of a high-profile trial at Bristol Crown Court, but two separate but related truths emerged from the chaos of that episode. Firstly, that England without Stokes was a team without balance or drive, as emphatically shown in that winter’s 4-0 Ashes loss. But also, that his brush with career oblivion would tip Stokes’ own insatiable work ethic into overdrive. Amid a huge media buzz on his comeback tour in New Zealand in February 2018, Stokes would claim a Player-of-the-Match award in his second match of the series, and come the tour of Sri Lanka the following winter, England’s coach Trevor Bayliss had to step in to implore his man to tone down his training, so determined was he to prove he would never let his team-mates down again.The catch that should not be: Ben Stokes takes a stunner•IDI via Getty Images

Capturing the moment

vs South Africa, World Cup opening match, The Oval, 2019After four years of build-up, the stage was set for England’s world-beaters elect. Stokes’ own journey had mirrored that of the team around him, and the preceding months had been spent embracing the unfamiliarity of their favourites’ tag. And part of that process was about taking responsibility of the clutch moments – quite literally in Stokes’ case, with arguably the moment of genius that ignited England’s entire campaign. In isolation, the sight of South Africa’s No. 8 holing out to deep midwicket might count for little, especially with England already in command of the game. But as he back-pedalled towards the rope, reverse-cupping his right hand to pluck a fast, flat thwack out of the sky, and in the process, all but end any prospect of a fightback, Stokes created a moment that captivated the Oval crowd, and probably settled a few butterflies (though they’d be back soon enough). The fact that he’d also top-scored with 89 from 79 balls in England’s 311 for 8 was quickly an afterthought.Zen warrior with his prize in 2019•Getty Images

Final reckoning

vs New Zealand, World Cup final, Lord’s, 2019The stand-out feature of Stokes’ World Cup-winning heroics was his calmness amid the chaos. The hot-head who’d self-destructed at key moments of his early career had been replaced by a zen warrior whose self-knowledge was such that, if he was still there, there was still hope. He’d shown this already in a quietly formidable run of mid-tournament form – with consecutive scores of 82 not out, 89 and 79 against Sri Lanka, Australia and India. And even though England had lost two of those three games to leave their tournament in jeopardy, in the first he’d been left high and dry with 20 runs needed from three unused overs, and in the second, it had required the ball of the tournament from Mitchell Starc to dislodge him.And so the message was clear as England’s chase began to flounder against New Zealand in the final. Stick it out, and we will prevail. Sure he needed two strokes of huge fortune – Trent Boult’s step on the rope at long-on, and that deflection off the bat to the boundary. But Stokes’ composure in the clutch moments was something to behold – not least his realisation that keeping that final ball from Boult on the ground and accepting the Super Over if needs be was preferable to swinging for glory and risking it all, a lesson he learnt from watching Bangladesh implode with 1 needed from three balls against India at the 2016 T20 World Cup. And then, of course, he trotted straight back out to do it all again, eight vital runs out of 15 setting the stage for Jofra Archer – a bowler whom he was able to lend wise counsel given his own crushing experience in Kolkata three years earlier.Ben Stokes and his team swept Pakistan 3-0 in July 2021•Getty Images

Ben’s Babes

Pakistan ODIs, 2021It is only with hindsight that we now know quite how deep Stokes was forced to dig in July 2021 when, while recuperating from a badly broken finger sustained at the IPL, he took a call from the ECB informing him that England’s entire ODI squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan had been put into isolation following a Covid-19 outbreak, and would he mind awfully putting aside his R&R, and leading a scratch side with 48 hours’ notice? The upshot was astonishing. England cavorted to a 3-0 series win, playing with the same liberation of their seniors, and though Stokes’ role was akin to that of an old-school non-playing captain – 54 runs in two innings and five wicketless overs – his authority was unquestionable and in many ways afforded his team on-field permission to puff their chests out and play as though they were first-choices. Barely a fortnight later, however – and in an ominous precursor to today’s decision – Stokes had declared he would be taking an indefinite break from all cricket to manage his mental health. By the time he steps away from the format for good on Tuesday, Stokes will have played just ten ODIs for England in the three years since his crowning glory.