كشف البلجيكي توم سينتفيت المدير الفني لمنتخب مالي، عن موقف أليو ديانج مع فريق الأهلي، خلال الفترة الحالية، خاصة في عدم حجز مكان أساسي مع الفريق في المباريات الأخيرة.
وقال سينتفيت خلال تصريحات عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “أنا لا أستطيع أن أوجه له النصح سواء بالبقاء أو الرحيل، فاللاعب عليه أن يصنع قراراته الهامة في مسيرته المهنية بنفسه، والأمر يتوقف على العروض التي يتلقاها”.
وأضاف: “أعتقد أن أي مدير فني في أي مكان بالعالم يتمنى وجود لاعبا مثل أليو ديانج معه، فهو محترف في سلوكه وتفكيره وبمثابة قدوة للاعبين الآخرين”.
طالع | لاعب الأهلي مطلوب في السعودية وموقف حاسم بشأن التجديد لـ أحمد عبد القادر
وتابع: “أعتقد أن الأهلي سيكون سعيدًا ببقاء لاعب مثله في صفوفه بشرط أن يستخدمه بالطريقة الصحيحة للحصول على النجاح المأمول، أتمنى له وللأهلي كل التوفيق فهو يستحق الأفضل، والأهلي نادي كبير وأتمنى أن يحقق معا نجاحًا على قدر طموحاتهما”.
وأكمل: “ديانج لاعب جيد جدًا وتأثيره واضح سواء مع منتخب مالي أو مع فريق الأهلي، فهو دائمًا جزء من تشكيلتي المختارة لأي مباراة لمنتخب مالي، ربما هو اللاعب الذي لا يراه الجمهور ولكن بالنسبة للفريق هو عنصر في غاية الأهمية، ولكي أكون أمينًا فالحقيقة أنني تفاجأت بأن ديانج لم يلعب سوى مباراة واحدة في كاس العالم للأندية”.
وواصل: “إذا كان الأهلي يريد نتائج أفضل فعليه استغلال وجود ديانج بكل ما يملكه من جودة، فهو لاعب مهم في أي مكان يلعب فيه سواء في الأهلي أو في منتخب مالي”.
وأتم: “حينما بدأت هذه التصفيات المؤهلة لكأس العالم كان أليو ديانج قائدًا للفريق اعتبارًا من مباراة الكونغو، فهو قوي وذكي ويلعب ويتدرب بقوة وبشكل عام هو لاعب كرة قدم جيد جدًا”.
يذكر، أن بطولات كان قد كشف عن مطالبة محمود الخطيب رئيس النادي الأهلي، بحسم التجديد للاعب المالي أليو ديانج.
Following the news that James Maddison faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held fresh talks to sign a Premier League-winning replacement.
Extent of James Maddison's injury revealed
As the football calendar continues to become more and more congested, there will be no worse feeling for any player than an untimely injury. But that’s exactly what Maddison has been dealt. On what was meant to be a day centred around the emotions of Heung-min Son’s departure, the midfielder was forced off the field within 10 minutes against Newcastle United. And now, he’s been handed the worst-possible news.
Set to miss the majority of the coming campaign in a World Cup year, Maddison has an almighty battle ahead of him as he aims to at least play a small part in Tottenham’s season.
Meanwhile, those in North London must react. Their frontline was already short on goals and creativity following Son’s departure and that issue has now only become more prominent following Maddison’s untimely blow.
Premier League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Maddison
Son
Starts
21
24
Goals
9
7
Assists
7
9
Less than 10 days out from their first Premier League game of the season against Burnley, Tottenham must turn towards the transfer market and ensure that Thomas Frank’s side are set up to compete on all fronts.
To that end, names such as Jack Grealish are already reportedly on their transfer radar. The Manchester City star has looked destined to depart the Etihad since being left out of their Club World Cup squad and may now get the chance to decide between Everton and a move to Spurs.
He’s not the only Man City star on Spurs’ shortlist, however. It’s in North London that Grealish could be joined by an impressive talent.
Tottenham hold fresh talks to sign McAtee
According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Tottenham have now held fresh talks to sign James McAtee from Manchester City this summer. The young midfielder, like Grealish, is likely to depart in search of game time this month, allowing Spurs to take full advantage.
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With Maddison’s injury leaving a void of creativity in Frank’s midfield, McAtee represents an ideal option for all involved in North London. In search of game time, the Premier League-winning midfielder would slot straight into Spurs’ current plans and perhaps go on to prove Pep Guardiola wrong in similar fashion to Cole Palmer.
After earning praise for a “fantastic” start to the year by scout Jacek Kulig, McAtee could yet end 2025 in a Spurs shirt as the Lilywhites continue to intensify their interest.
There’s no denying that West Ham United look a little light with the 2025/26 Premier League season just two weeks away, even after the defensive acquisitions of Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadj Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague.
Mohammed Kudus has not yet been replaced after completing a controversial £55m switch to Tottenham Hotspur, and Crysencio Summerville remains injured after sustaining a hamstring injury that ruled him out for the final 18 games of the term.
However, Lucas Paqueta’s absolution from wrongdoing in a two-year-long spot-fixing case marks a galvanising lift and potentially the catalyst for change. A turning point.
However, the Irons still need more, and no mistake. Paqueta is a high-level playmaker, but he could with a foil, someone to shoulder his burden at times.
And Potter has got the perfect young star in his sights.
West Ham lining up more attacking quality
Skipper Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s offensive linchpin, but he needs some help in the final third after a rather uninspiring 2024/25 as a collective.
West Ham United's JarrodBowencelebrates scoring their first goal
Goalscoring quality remains a pressing issue, but United averaged just 1.53 goal-creating actions per 90 last term, as per FBref, which surpassed only the three relegated sides.
As such, Potter may look to complete a move for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who is anticipated to leave Anfield this summer, having been limited for playing time under Arne Slot.
Football Insider report that the Hammers are ready to make their move, pushing ahead with plans to sign the £50m-rated midfielder.
Elliott, 22, has held talks with a number of suitors, and West Ham are joined by Newcastle United and Tottenham, among others, in their intrigue.
Why West Ham want Harvey Elliott
Though Elliott struggled for match action at Liverpool last season, he still managed to showcase his ability on numerous occasions, notably scoring in three successive Champions League fixtures.
Liverpool's HarveyElliottcelebrates
A diminutive and versatile midfielder, Elliott’s technical ability on the ball serves as the staple of his skill set, with one-time Liverpool U18s head coach Neil Critchley praising his ability to create “magic” through his passing.
As per FBref, the England U21 international ranked last season among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for goal involvements, passes attempted and progressive passes, as well as the top 15% for goal-creating actions per 90.
Thus, Elliott’s potential to become a special player for a team like West Ham is underscored, and he could even rekindle the finest form of Bowen, who still wrapped up the latest campaign with a respectable haul of 13 goals and ten assists in the Premier League.
Elliott came up trumps through the 2023/24 campaign, providing plenty of creative support as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool struggled against a slew of unfortunate injuries.
24/25
28
5
3
23/24
53
4
14
22/23
46
5
2
21/22
11
1
0
*20/21
1
0
1
19/20
8
0
1
He has the tenacity and winning mentality, inculcated in him through his years on Merseyside, to combine with Bowen, who is a spirit-lifting star in his own right.
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino once said that Bowen is “direct and he’s a bit like Salah” when discussing the complete forwards’ fast rise at the London Stadium, and this only strengthens the case for him being a dream partner for Elliott.
Bowen celebrates scoring with Antonio's shirt
Landing Elliott would be a statement signing, all right, and perhaps what West Ham need to hit their stride and return to the forefront next season.
Potter's new Bissouma: West Ham accelerate move for "outstanding" £20m star
West Ham want to sign at least one midfielder this summer
Parma CEO Federico Cherubini revealed that they had received a higher offer for Giovanni Leoni from Newcastle United before they sold the defender to Liverpool for €35 million (£30m/$40m) in the summer transfer window. The Reds were in search of a new defender earlier in the summer and after going through multiple profiles, they zeroed in on Leoni.
Parma chief revealed Newcastle wanted Leoni
The Italian side rejected the offer
Leoni joined Liverpool in the summer
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Newcastle missed out on several of their summer transfers and had even had to sell their star striker, Alexander Isak, to Liverpool on deadline day. The Magpies eyed moves for high-profile stars like Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko, but the two strikers eventually ended up at Liverpool and Manchester United, respectively.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Now, Parma chief Cherubini has claimed that Magpies had also eyed a move for Leoni in the summer and had even submitted a massive bid for the defender, higher than the price that the Italian side had eventually got from the sale of the player to Liverpool.
WHAT CHERUBINI SAID
Speaking to Gazzetta di Parma (via ), the Parma official said: "We rejected a higher offer from Newcastle for Leoni. But plans have changed with Liverpool. This is because the offer was very attractive and because Giovanni made it clear he was very happy to join Liverpool."
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WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?
The Reds have kicked off their title defence campaign on a high, as they maintained a hundred per cent win record in their first three Premier League matches. They will be back in action on September 14 as they play Burnley away from home.
Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon for around £64m last weekend, and Mikel Arteta’s biggest issue has been solved.
97 goals and 28 assists across just 102 appearances for Os Leões is no small feat, and while the inevitable detractors will point toward the lower quality in the Liga Portugal than the Premier League will present him with, you need only look at his exploits in last year’s Champions League, with Manchester City falling to the Swedish striker’s sublime hat-trick.
Now that the 27-year-old is ready to link up with his new squad for pre-season training, Arteta and technical director Andrea Berta are ready to complete a summer of healthy spending with a creative player.
Bukayo Saka is one of the best wingers in the world and won’t be relinquishing his right-sided berth any time soon, but with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both expendable, so say The Athletic, a left-sided addition could be on the cards.
Arsenal's plans for a new winger
Someone like Rodrygo would be a welcome addition to the Emirates, and that’s selling it short. He’s been reported to be on the Emirates’ radar. But he’ll cost a pretty penny, the Brazilian.
Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon has also been linked, but £100m is laughable. Both players, it should be noted, are coming off six-goal league campaigns.
But there’s another who’s creeping closer to Arteta’s circle.
According to journalist Sebastien Vidal, Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle with Crystal Palace for the transfer of the 27-year-old Eberechi Eze, with the base layer of the financial package agreed.
Vidal claims the Gunners would pay £30m up front before meeting the remainder of the 27-year-old’s £68m release clause through instalments and clauses.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
It’s starting to feel like Arsenal will get this one over the line, and it would be a stunning acquisition. Here’s why.
Why Arsenal want Eberechi Eze
Admittedly, Eze isn’t an out-and-out winger, for he has played plenty of football in the centre of the park, thrusting forward with those electric strides, those tricky feet which outfox the steeliest of opponents.
It was Eze who scored the winning goal as Oliver Glasner’s Eagles beat Manchester City to lift the FA Cup in May, and it was Eze who scored in dominant victories over Fulham and Aston Villa in the quarters and the semi-finals, respectively, to put Palace in a position to win their first major honour ever.
Glasner has preferred to use Eze centrally, and maybe Arteta will too, but the option for wide play is there. After all, he’s as fleet-footed as they come, ranked among the top 10% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers last term for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
High-speed running and slick skills could make him the perfect counterpoint to Saka on the right. And that, in turn, would allow Gyokeres to find his free-scoring form at the front of the ship.
Premier League 24/25 – Saka & Eze
Stats (* per game)
Saka
Eze
Matches (starts)
25 (20)
34 (31)
Goals
6
8
Assists
10
8
Shots (on target)*
2.7 (0.9)
3.0 (0.9)
Touches*
43.8
46.6
Pass completion
84%
82%
Big chances created
21
11
Key passes
2.4
1.7
Dribbles*
1. 6
2.0
Ball recoveries*
2.8
4.3
Tackles + interceptions*
1.3
1.4
Duels won*
4.8
4.8
Data via Sofascore
Would it be fair to say that Saka and the £100k-per-week Eze are tactically akin? Further, they are both physical machines, not brawny for the sake of muscle but athletic and strong and powerful on the ball.
But, most importantly, they are both creative as they come, and that could play right into Gyokeres’ hands (or, rather, his feet).
Gyokeres might be 27 and yet to test his skill in one of Europe’s top divisions, but as we have already discussed, he’s hardly untested against high-level opposition, hardly lacking the clinical shooting that surely would translate to the Premier League when flanked by the likes of Eze and Saka.
Both of these wide players are able to direct their playmaking prowess to a high volume with it risking the fluidity of their overall game. They are both complete in their performances, with Eze actually being described as a “magician” by pundit Micah Richards for his technical quality.
Let’s make it clearer still: as per Sofascore, Gyokeres scored 45 goals across his Liga Portugal (winning the division for the second successive season) and Champions League campaigns, and it has been recorded that he missed only 27 big chances.
Regarded as a “physical machine” by his former Coventry City coach Adi Viveash, you’d wager that this combination of pace, power and potency would be enough to prevent him from falling by the wayside in an Arsenal shirt, at the very least.
And that’s without considering the support that Eze and Saka would provide – though, luckily, we already have.
Eze, then, is a proven star across a number of years with Palace in the Premier League. Last season, he immortalised himself in south London by leading his team to the FA Cup trophy.
Is he not ready to make the leap into the upper echelon of English and European football? Would the Three Lions star not be refined at 27 and able to bring instant effects to Arteta’s project?
Clearly, the club’s Spanish tactician believes it is so. With Gyokeres at the focal point and Saka, while younger, at a level now where he plays with the silky grace and style of a seasoned veteran, there’s surely every chance that the Gunners will take that final leap forward over the coming year and get their mitts on one of the biggest prizes.
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The sensational game-changer would be an incredible signing for Arsenal.
Celtic have plenty of new arrivals in their sights and are said to be plotting a move for a Premier League midfielder to bolster their engine room, according to reports.
Celtic look to bring in new recruits after Hayato Inamura
Hayato Inamura has flown to the UK to join Celtic and will sign on the dotted line for £250,000 after Albirex Niigata confirmed his exit, making him the Bhoys’ fifth signing of the summer after Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmand and Ross Doohan.
Despite the Bhoys’ hunt for a central defender, pundit Roger Hannah believes Inamura could head out on loan to gain experience rather than sticking around to cut his teeth at Parkhead.
He stated: “I don’t think Inamura will see the first team next season. I think the plan might be to either loan him straight back to his club in Japan or loan him to a European league.”
“It would be a huge leap for the lad to go from the level he has been playing at and straight into the Celtic first team. I think it’s too big a leap.”
Either way, Celtic have set their sights on further signings after the 23-year-old, and the Hoops could bring in Cathal O’Sullivan from Cork City despite interest from Brentford and Preston North End in his services.
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Keita Kosugi has also been mooted as a potential Celtic signing amid interest from the Scottish Premiership champions in the Djurgardens full-back, though it remains to be seen if they can push a deal over the line.
Now, a new name has come to the fore in their search for talent, and he may pique the attention of supporters due to his recent accomplishments.
Celtic prepare bid for Tyler Morton
According to reports, Celtic are preparing an offer for Liverpool midfielder Tyler Morton, who is said to be valued at around £15 million by the reigning Premier League champions.
Rodgers is an admirer of the 22-year-old and has extensive knowledge of his talents due to his connections with the Anfield club, where Morton was a youngster in the academy when the Hoops boss was in charge.
It is said that he could leave Merseyside in search of regular first-team football following the arrival of Florian Wirtz.
Tyler Morton’s senior appearances at Liverpool
Appearances
14
Goals
0
Assists
1
West Ham United, Braga, Ajax and Club Brugge are also interested in the holding midfielder, and suitors are only likely to grow due to his role in England Under-21’s claiming European Championship glory under Lee Carsley.
Labelled a “quality” player by Reds boss Arne Slot, AXA Training Centre graduate Morton maintained an 87.6% pass success rate at the tournament and could provide an adequate alternative to Callum McGregor in the six position.
Celtic’s club captain isn’t getting any younger, so it makes sense for Rodgers to put a succession plan in place to provide strength in depth for the long-term.
Over the past couple of seasons, Chelsea have signed several players who played for Manchester City’s academy. Cole Palmer was the first, and they have also brought in the likes of Tosin, Jadon Sancho on loan and Liam Delap will be the next addition who fits the trend.
Well, in the last few days, Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, who also came through City’s academy, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Indeed, reports suggest the Blues are ‘prepared to bid for him’ this summer.
However, it is by no means a guarantee that they will sign him. If Rogers is off the table, then Chelsea seem to be lining up the dream alternative.
Chelsea's dream Rogers alternative
Whether or not it was planned, the Blues have certainly signed a number of players from City’s academy but if a move for Rogers doesn’t materialise, they could turn to a player from Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, instead.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, the West Londoners ‘are seriously considering an approach’ for Xavi Simons, RB Leipzig’s talented, versatile attacker. They are thought to be ‘primed to launch a formal approach’ for the Dutchman after contact with his representatives.
However, they will face tough competition from sides in the Premier League. Two of those hail from London, with rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur interested.
The other is newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool. Chelsea, or indeed any of the other interested sides, will have to pay upwards of £67m, as per another report from TEAMtalk back in March.
Why Simons is the dream Rogers alternative for Chelsea
Despite being just 22 years of age, Simons has been a key player once again for German outfit Leipzig. The versatile forward, who was born in Amsterdam, overcame injury issues to put in some excellent performances in the 2024/25 campaign, showcasing why he is “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one analyst on social media.
Xavi Simons celebrates
His numbers speak for themselves. In 33 appearances across all competitions last season, he managed 11 goals and eight assists. When you break that down further and look at his numbers in the Bundesliga, they read ten goals and seven assists, in just 25 games.
Simons’ goal and assist per game tally last term in the German top flight was impressive. In total, he averaged 0.67 goal involvements per game, showing excellent consistency throughout the campaign.
Interestingly, that is a better goals and assist ratio per game than Rogers. Last term for Villa, the England international played 37 games in the Premier League, scoring and assisting 19 times. That left him with a tally of 0.52 goals and assists per game, some way under Simons’ tally.
It is perhaps worth mentioning that the Englishman played over 20 more games than Simons last term.
He was also successful in the Champions League, a competition where the Dutchman struggled. Rogers contributed to seven goals, including a hat-trick against Celtic in the group stage.
One thing that is quite similar between the two players is their versatility. In the 2024/25 campaign, Simons played as both a number 10 and a left-winger, with Rogers slotting in the same roles, as well as playing as a right-winger and a number nine.
Interestingly, there is evidence to suggest that Simons would be a perfect alternative to Rogers when looking at the FBref underlying stats. For example, the Leipzig star averages more key passes per 90 minutes, with 2.13 to Rogers’ 1.47.
Simons v. Rogers key stats compared
Stat (per 90)
Simons
Rogers
Goals and assists
0.67
0.52
Key passes
2.13
1.47
Progressive passes
5.86
3.55
Shot-creating actions
4.52
3.04
Progressive carries
3.56
3.29
Stats from FBref
There is no doubt that SImons is a “magic” player, something Statman Dave once said about him. He would add a goal threat and creativity to this Chelsea attack, whilst being able to play in numerous different positions.
Netherlands'XaviSimonscelebrates scoring their third goal
At just 22 years of age, he will surely only get better and grow into the project at Stamford Bridge. If Rogers is unattainable this summer, then surely Simons is the perfect alternative.
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Whilst they may have fallen out of the automatic promotion places over the weekend, Leeds United’s attackers have caught the eye throughout 2024/25.
Joel Piroe still sits as the Whites’ top scorer, registering 15 goals in the Championship, playing a key role in Daniel Farke’s ambitions of securing a return to the Premier League.
Daniel James is another talent who’s thrived over the last couple of months, notching 20 combined goals and assists throughout the league campaign – the joint-best season of his professional career.
The pair have contributed to their impressive tally of 79 league goals in their 40 outings, currently boasting the best-attacking record of any side in the division.
Regardless of which division they find themselves in next season, they could be about to land a star who’d add to their already impressive record in attacking areas.
Leeds targeting move for EFL attacking star
According to Alan Nixon, Leeds are one of a number of clubs interested in a move to land West Brom’s forward Grady Diangana ahead of the summer window.
Wolves have also been credited with a keen interest in landing the 26-year-old talent, who’s registered four goals and two assists in the Championship throughout 2024/25.
The Democratic Republic of Congo international joined the Baggies for £18m back in the summer of 2022 but could be available as a free agent this summer with his deal set to expire in June.
The report from Nixon states that the former West Ham youngster is hoping Farke’s side show concrete interest this summer, potentially favouring a move to Elland Road.
Whilst it’s unclear if a deal will be completed this summer, he would be a superb addition – potentially allowing the hierarchy to forget about a permanent move for one player.
Why Diangana would be a superb Solomon alternative
Manor Solomon joined Leeds on loan from Tottenham Hotspur last summer, looking to kickstart his career after a stop-start period with injuries and lack of first-team action.
The Israeli international made an immediate impact in Yorkshire, notching 14 combined goals and assists up until the start of February – including a goal and two assists in the 4-0 win over Oxford United.
Leeds United'sManorSolomoncelebrates scoring their first goal
However, he’s now gone eight games with a single contribution, leading to doubts among the fanbase over a permanent transfer for the 25-year-old this summer.
Such concerns could see the hierarchy target a move for Diangana as a result, with the West Brom star a safe option given his potential move on a free transfer.
When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the Championship this campaign, the West Brom winger has managed to match or better Solomon in numerous key areas, highlighting how impressive a deal to land him this summer would be.
Diangana, who’s previously been labelled “unbelievable” by teammate Jed Wallace, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has registered a higher pass accuracy and completed more through balls – showcasing his talent in attacking areas.
How Diangana compares to Solomon in the Championship (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Diangana
Solomon
Games played
30
33
Goals & assists
6
14
Progressive passes
4.3
3.7
Pass accuracy
80%
79%
Aerials won
0.9
0.3
Fouls won
2.3
1.6
Through balls
0.9
0.2
Stats via FBref
He’s also won more aerials and been fouled more per 90, highlighting his all-round nature with and without the ball, making him a threat at either end of the pitch if required.
Solomon could still be a viable option for the club this summer regardless of promotion, but after his recent lack of form, it’s understandable that there are doubts over his future.
As for transfer target Diangana, he’s proved that he’s an impressive talent, with any deal to land him this summer incredible business, especially considering the fee paid for his signature a couple of years ago.
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CSK have looked out of their depth in IPL 2025 with key players out of form and no quality on the bench
Deivarayan Muthu23-May-20253:10
Which big player will CSK release after IPL 2025?
At around 8.45pm on April 11, there were unprecedented scenes at Chepauk.As MS Dhoni walked out to bat at No. 9, with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 72 for 7 in the 15th over against Kolkata Knight Riders, several fans began to leave the stadium. CSK’s devoted followers have sworn by their but those exiting had realised that even he couldn’t save this team this season. Having taken over the captaincy after five games in in IPL 2025, the magnitude of the miracle required was beyond his ageing capabilities.At around 10.30 pm, Fortress Chepauk crumbled. It was the first time CSK had lost three consecutive home games. They went on to lose their next two in Chennai as well, and for the first time, CSK will finish last in an IPL season.After finishing fifth last year, CSK have also failed to make the playoffs in two consecutive seasons for the first time – an indicator that their trusted methods, with which they have won five titles, may now be outdated in the IPL.Related
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Their problems began with squad formation. Their bets on old CSK players – like Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra – didn’t come off. Their punts on buying players who had struggled for other franchises in recent seasons – Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tripathi – fell flat too. There was no revival for them like Robin Uthappa, Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube had enjoyed at CSK.They splurged INR 9.75 crore for 38-year old R Ashwin, who played for CSK last in 2015, at a time when other teams are barely picking players whose primary skill is offspin. That reunion hasn’t been productive either: seven wickets in nine matches with an economy rate of 9.12, his highest in an IPL season.Barely a month into the season, the first four players CSK had bought at the mega auction for a total of INR 23.4 crore last November – Conway, Tripathi, Ashwin and Rachin – were all on the bench.1:26
Bangar: If I was Dhoni I would say ‘enough’
After realising that CSK things weren’t working for them this season, they did some un-CSK things. Like cycling through 22 players, the most they have used in an IPL season since 2010; promoting Ravindra Jadeja to No.4 though his struggles against spin is well known; pushing Shivam Dube down the order and exposing him to high pace when his strength is hitting spin; and handing the new ball to Jamie Overton, who is a middle-and-death overs specialist for England and various franchises around the world.The spate of defeats and the weakness of their bench forced CSK to blood young, inexperienced players, something they rarely do. Two of their mid-season replacements, Dewald Brevis and 17-year old Ayush Mhatre, their youngest player ever, have been successful and could be part of CSK’s plans for 2026.But with or without Brevis and Mhatre, the batting looks fragile and uncompetitive, lagging far behind in terms of explosiveness or inventiveness. Against RCB in Bengaluru, CSK needed 35 off 18 balls, but Jadeja and Dhoni were unable to finish a game they would have won more often than not a few years ago. Their inability to exploit scoring areas behind the wicket was amplified as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yash Dayal shackled them with several full tosses.Which brings us to one of the biggest talking points of CSK’s season. Dhoni, who will turn 44 in July, is functioning at reduced capacity because of his knees. He can’t play long innings any more, and in this age of match-ups teams simply throw the ball to a spinner when he walks in. Rajasthan Royals even gave part-time offspinner Riyan Parag the 16th over because Dhoni was batting.Since IPL 2020, Dhoni has a strike rate of 95.88 against spin – the lowest among batters who have faced 250 balls of spin in this period. CSK’s other problem is that Jadeja is third on this list with a strike rate of 101.68 against spin, making it too simple for opponents to slow them down when these two are in the middle. Sometimes they don’t even look as if they are trying to attack spin.Jadeja has had problems with his left-arm spin too. He has trouble against left-handers and doesn’t usually bowl in the powerplay; these limitations have resulted in him completing his four-over quota only once in 13 matches. Jadeja has eight wickets with an economy of 8.81 and 280 runs at a strike rate of 137.25 this season.R Ashwin has not had a happy homecoming on the field this season•PTI Jadeja and Dhoni, retained for INR 18 crore and 4 crore respectively, don’t play any T20 cricket between IPL seasons. Dhoni’s future remains unclear but if he wants to play IPL 2026, can CSK afford to keep both of them?Yes, according to former SRH and PBKS coach Tom Moody who has vast experience in constructing and reconstructing T20 teams around the world, and especially if Dube rediscovers his explosive power and CSK bring in an overseas power-hitter.”Well, Dube has to fire and he, historically, has been a brilliant finisher for them,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “His form has been a concern, along with obviously the clock ticking on Dhoni’s career. It doesn’t get easier when you’re older. It gets harder and harder.”Jadeja has never ever been a strong finisher. He’s a very fine player, but do you see him as a player with 15 or 20 balls to go, as your impact player? Probably not. Therefore, you go back to the auction and look at ‘did we get it wrong’ or maybe we needed to get an overseas finisher to support what we already have.”While CSK’s head coach Stephen Fleming has kept emphasising the importance of experience, they may not have many options to pick from at the next mini-auction. And the really good players will be in high demand and go for hefty prices.”If you’re needing to release funds, the obvious one would be Ashwin because I think it was about 10 crore,” Moody said. “That’s a lot of money for someone that’s not guaranteed a place in the XI. So, that’s going to be a hard conversation that the management has to have with him.”I think they need more of a batting powerhouse at No.5 or 6. They’ve got enough allrounders in their set-up – Rachin, Sam Curran, Jadeja. To me, they need a specialist impact player that can take games away a bit like your Livingstone, Tim David and Hetmyer – these types of players they have to find and target. They may do that through trade. You never know someone like Ashwin might find himself traded.”The return of Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose IPL 2025 was cut short by injury, may remedy some top-order issues but the CSK management has been working behind the scenes on scouting and developing new talent. Other teams have already got tremendous value from less-known players – Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, Digvesh Rathi to name just a few – plucked out of various T20 leagues around the country.The fact remains, though, that a long and successful era may have run its course, and that rebuilding a team in the second season after a mega-auction will pose challenges. Tough questions and decisions await CSK, and it could begin with Dhoni and his knees.
At the end of the second week, Patriots were the only team without a win and they’ve also lost Linde to concussion
Rvel Zahid28-Aug-2023
Irshad-Amir duo hogs the limelight
Salman Irshad gave Jamaica Tallawahs an early advantage by picking up three wickets in an over and nearly got a hat-trick against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. He also registered his career-best figures of 4 for 27 in T20s. First, he got Andre Fletcher poking at a snorter outside off to the keeper and then dismissed Corbin Bosch, who spooned the ball to backward point. Irshad then dismissed Ambati Rayudu for a duck in his first CPL innings. His final wicket came off a teasing delivery that lured Joshua Da Silva into playing a false shot.Mohammad Amir was among the wickets too, giving Tallawahs a rich Pakistan flavour along with Imad Wasim who smashed 63 off 36 balls against in Tallawahs’ next game against Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Warriors open account
After their first match was washed out, Amazon Warriors started the week with a bang against Patriots, with Saim Ayub scoring a breezy 31. His no-look shot lit up the PSL, but he got out to that shot in the CPL as he exposed his leg stump a bit too much and saw his stumps getting flattened. Shai Hope then laid the foundation for an above-par score with a fluent fifty. Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Romario Shepherd all pitched in with cameos to lift Amazon Warriors to 197 for 7.Related
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In the second innings, it was Amazon Warriors’ spin duo of Gudakesh Motie and Imran Tahir who inflicted the most damage. Tahir picked up two wickets, including that of Sherfane Rutherford, to help Amazon Warriors dismiss Patriots for 132. The 44-year-old South African is still so good. He must have some sort of deal in place with his telomeres to slow down the ageing process.In the same game, George Linde suffered a collision after colliding with Andre Fletcher, with Kofi James coming in as a concussion sub. James could only manage seven off four balls in the chase. Patriots also have to deal with another change, with Rutherford taking over as captain from Evin Lewis.
Former Knight Rider Pierre spins out Knight Riders
Faf du Plessis slammed an authoritative half-century for St Lucia Kings against Trinbago Knight Riders. Once he fell, Sikandar Raza, who will succeed du Plessis as captain, didn’t let the scoring rate decelerate much and raced to 32 to help Kings post 167 on a two-paced track that had plenty of assistance for the spinners. In reply, Knight Riders lost Martin Guptill, Chadwick Walton and Nicholas Pooran in the powerplay. Kieron Pollard briefly rescused the chase, but Knight Riders folded for 113 inside 15 overs, with former Knight Rider Khary Pierre taking four wickets. Overall, Kings’ spinners combined to take nine wickets which is the most by a team’s spinners in a CPL match.George Linde suffered a concussion after colliding with Andre Fletcher•CPL T20 via Getty Images
Patriots yet to get off the mark
Patriots’ Fletcher clobbered some mighty hits in the powerplay against Barbados Royals but he was not comfortable against Qais Ahmad. The Afghanistan legspinner turned the ball sharply and ended with excellent figures of 4-0-16-2. Nyeem Young bowled well until he was shouldered with the responsibility of the last over, in which he conceded 34 runs before he was taken out of the attack for bowling two no-balls. Bosch and Drakes stitched together an unbroken 54 off 18 balls for the seventh wicket to take Patriots to 197.The chase started with Rahkeem Cornwall hitting a 15-ball 38 which set the template for the team. Royals lost some wickets in the middle but Rovman Powell’s unbeaten 67 and his 74-run partnership off just 35 balls with Alick Athanaze put them back on the path to victory.Patriots also lost their next match to Knight Riders on Sunday, registering their fourth successive defeat in six games. They are only team without a win this season.
Hetmyer, Paul, Shepherd sparkle
On Sunday, Amazon Warriors roared back into the contest against Tallawahs, after being three down in four overs, thanks to Keemo Paul and Shimron Hetmyer. Paul went berserk, notching up his fifty in 23 balls and putting on a 99-run partnership while Hetmyer top-scored with 60 off 45. The duo took the total to 210 – the second most runs scored after the fall of the third wicket in a CPL innings.Tallawahs also had a shaky start, losing their top four for 13 runs. Wasim breathed some life into the chase with 63 off 36 while Fabian Allen hit 47 off 25. However, despite the late blows, irreparable damage had already been done.Romario Shepherd was the pick of the bowlers, snaring three vital wickets for seven runs in his three overs. Junior Sinclair chipped in with two wickets in his three overs. It was the first time 300-plus runs were scored by the players batting at No.5 and lower, the highest for any T20 game. The match also witnessed more than 350 runs being scored after the fall of the third wicket – the highest for a T20 match.