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As the Ranji Trophy hits pause after five rounds, ESPNcricinfo looks at five players who have impressed so far

Shashank Kishore20-Nov-2025

Auqib Nabi (J&K) – Wickets 29 | Average 13.27

A swing bowler with immaculate control, Nabi, 29, has been delivering standout performances in the Ranji Trophy for two seasons now. He’s not a 140kph express quick – around 125-130 kph at best – but he’s someone who can make the new ball talk, like Bhuvneshwar Kumar did.In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, Nabi averaged 13.93 for his 44 wickets – more than any seamer in the country, and overall second only to Vidarbha spinner Harsh Dubey. At the Duleep Trophy in August, he produced a moment that grabbed national attention: four wickets in four balls for North Zone against East Zone.He began the Ranji Trophy with a five-for against Mumbai, but it’s over the last few weeks that he’s truly surged. In the fourth round, Nabi’s five-wicket haul powered J&K’s first-ever win over Delhi. A week later, he took 4 for 39 against Hyderabad, helping J&K secure a first-innings lead that turned into a match-winning one. Then came the spell of the season so far: 7 for 24 against Rajasthan that earned J&K a bonus-point win.With this level of consistency and impact, how much longer before Nabi gets a call-up to the India A squad?Ravichandran Smaran has had a tremendous start to his 2025-26 Ranji season•PTI

R Smaran (Karnataka) – Runs 595 | Average 119.00

Thirteen first-class games into his career, 22-year old Smaran already has three double-centuries – two of them in this Ranji season. A left-hand, top-order batter who first made his name in T20 cricket, he got his opportunity in red-ball cricket only last year when Karnataka moved on from Manish Pandey. Smaran has ensured the transition has been seamless, slotting in with a maturity well beyond his age and experience.Both his double-tons this season have come in matches that Karnataka won comfortably. His unbeaten 220 against Kerala was on a turning surface in Mangalapuram, where he anchored a commanding first-innings total that led to an innings victory.His most recent effort – an unbeaten 227 in Hubli – was in completely different conditions: a green-tinged pitch, Karnataka wobbling at 64 for 3, with Smaran rebuilding the innings alongside Karun Nair before batting through.Smaran combines elegance with power and is confident against spin. His strength off the back foot adds another layer to a well-rounded game. Having made his mark in white-ball cricket last season, he has continued to evolve in red-ball cricket too, ensuring he is nowhere close to falling prey to the second-season syndrome.Prithvi Shaw recorded the third-fastest double century in Ranji Trophy history•PTI

Prithvi Shaw (Maharashtra) – Runs 470 runs | Average 67.14

Prithvi Shaw is outside the top ten run-scorers this season, but the impact he’s made and the circumstances of his return is noteworthy. He’s been a typically robust presence at the top, taking pressure off Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has moved to a stable role in the middle order. Shaw, 26, has scored his runs at a strike rate of 92.33 – an indication of his dominance.Having left Mumbai, his start for Maharashtra was inauspicious, with familiar failings resurfacing when he was caught in the slips for a four-ball duck on debut against Kerala. He bounced back to make a barnstorming 75 in the second innings.Shaw’s impact was felt against Chandigarh, when he made 222 off just 156 balls to help Maharashtra race to 359 for 3 in just 52 overs, setting up a target they successfully defended after it looked like the game would end in a draw. Shaw’s innings gave Maharashtra a little over four sessions to bowl Chandigarh out and secure their first outright win.Since then, Shaw has made scores of 71 and 74 against Karnataka and Punjab; the 74 coming in a bonus-point win that put them second in Group B.

Abhinav Tejrana (Goa) – Runs 651 runs |Average 93.00

A stylish left-hand batter, Tejrana, 24, found opportunities hard to come by in Delhi and made the move to Goa ahead of the 2023-24 season. After two strong years in the Under-23 circuit, he finally earned his Ranji debut this season – and announced himself in stunning fashion. On debut, he struck a match-winning double-century against Chandigarh, a knock that justified Goa’s faith in him.He backed it up with a composed half-century against Karnataka, and followed up with his second hundred of the season, this time against Punjab. And in the fifth round that ended on Wednesday, Tejrana compiled a fighting 118 against a high-quality Saurashtra attack – he was one of the few Goa batters to show resistance in an innings defeat.As the season pauses for the white-ball leg, Tejrana is in line to make his List A and T20 debuts for his adopted state.Shams Mulani has been an all-round star for Mumbai•PTI

Shams Mulani (Mumbai) – Wickets 28 wickets l Average 21.10

Mulani, 28, topped the Ranji wicket charts in 2021-22, finished second in 2022-23, and was third last season. This year, he’s once again on course to secure a top-three finish – underlining a level of consistency few spinners in the country have matched.Yet, despite this sustained excellence, he has struggled to become a regular in India A squads, largely because there is an abundance of left-arm spin allrounders. Even so, Mulani belongs in the top bracket of left-arm spinners in the country, alongside Harsh Dubey, Manav Suthar and R Sai Kishore.This season, he has been central to Mumbai’s surge to the top of Group D, influencing games with both bat and ball. In the season-opener in Srinagar, he hit a vital 41 in the second innings to stretch Mumbai’s lead to 243, before running through J&K with a match-defining 7 for 46 in a tense 35-run win.In the match against Himachal, he scored a composed half-century to help build a commanding first-innings total and set up the follow-on, after which he delivered 5 for 37 to seal Mumbai’s second successive victory.

He’s been a valuable asset in the ODI side but a lacklustre start to the World Cup has compounded England’s problems

Matt Roller16-Oct-20231:13

How did England’s bowling unit perform against Afghanistan?

There is not much difference between hard-earned trust and blind faith. As England travel to Mumbai on Monday and pick the bones out of their shock 69-run defeat to Afghanistan, they must work out which of the two they are placing in Chris Woakes.Woakes has led England’s ODI attack for eight years and has been among their most valuable players in that time. At his best, he takes wickets with the new ball before keeping things tight with the old one. He combines stability and power with the bat from No. 8, and he makes difficult chances look straightforward in the outfield.But Woakes has not been at his best in England’s first three matches at this World Cup – far from it. In all three, he has wasted one of the two new balls by feeding half-volleys to opposition openers in Devon Conway, Litton Das and, on Sunday afternoon, Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Across his three new-ball spells, his combined figures read 11-0-95-1.His opening burst against Afghanistan was a shocker from which England never fully recovered. Woakes started the day by spraying the very first ball down the leg side, and Jos Buttler’s fumble meant Afghanistan were 5 for 0 before they had faced a legitimate delivery. “I missed one: it set the tone for the first 10 overs,” Buttler said after the game.Related

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Woakes struggled again to locate a good line and length, floundering when Gurbaz put him under pressure. With a short leg-side boundary to defend, he was swung over midwicket for an early six and responded by overcorrecting, hanging the ball outside off and being driven for consecutive fours.He was unfortunate at times: his figures would have looked better with better support in the field, with Jonny Bairstow misjudging a ball at point on top of Buttler’s early error. Yet this was the third consecutive match in which the leader of England’s attack had looked impotent with the new ball.Chris Woakes has managed just two wickets in three games so far at the World Cup•Getty ImagesIt has not been hard to diagnose the problem. Far too often, Woakes has strayed from the line and length that makes his seam movement so effective. Primarily, this has been through overpitching: according to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, he has bowled 13 ‘full’ balls in the first powerplay which have cost 32 runs.Perhaps the most telling moment came in the 25th over of Afghanistan’s innings. After conceding 106 for 0 in the first 14 overs, England’s spinners – Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone – dragged things back after drinks. Across the subsequent 10 overs, Afghanistan managed 33 for 3, and Buttler sensed an opportunity to reintroduce Woakes.But, Azmatullah Omarzai, a 23-year-old allrounder batting in the top five for only the third time in his ODI career, saw things differently. The second ball of Woakes’ second spell was an attempted cutter which disappeared over the leg side for six. Two balls later, when Woakes went full and wide outside off stump, Omarzai opened the face to pick up four more through point.And that was that. Woakes was out of the attack six balls after his return and was deemed unusable for the rest of the innings. He finished with figures of 0 for 41 from his four overs. The last time he bowled so few in a full-length ODI innings was six years ago, when he strained his side in his second over.Things haven’t gone to plan for the England fast bowlers in India•Getty ImagesWoakes’ reputation as an unhappy traveller is justified by his Test record; less so in ODIs. His record overseas (96 wickets at 32.33) is not much worse than at home (69 at 27.91) and there will be surfaces in this tournament which suit him much more than Delhi did – not least the Wankhede, where England vs South Africa is the first game the stadium will host in this tournament on Saturday.Buttler was asked about Woakes in several media interactions after the game and made clear that he will continue to be backed. “He’s been a high-class leader of our attack for a long period of time,” he told the . “I always maintain huge amount of faith in him.” On , he said: “He’s been such a brilliant bowler for a very long period of time and is a class guy, so you keep backing that.”A class guy? Few would argue with the sentiment, but the comment jarred: how was it relevant to his form, or his likely retention in England’s side to play South Africa on Saturday night? Buttler called him “a class bowler” in another interview; perhaps this was a slip of the tongue, and he should be given the benefit of the doubt.Woakes was hardly the only England bowler to struggle in Delhi. Sam Curran bowled his worst ODI spell, leaking 46 runs in four wicketless overs – including 18 off the 46th, as Mujeeb Ur Rahman swung from the hip – and, like Woakes, is yet to contribute with the bat in this tournament. There is every chance David Willey will replace him against South Africa.Yet Woakes’ status as the leader of England’s attack – and Buttler’s unequivocal backing – means he is the bowler who finds himself under real pressure. He has started tournaments slowly before: just look at the 2019 ODI World Cup, when he took 6 for 57 across the semi-final and final. Unless he shows a similar improvement this time, England’s bid for back-to-back World Cups will be over before it has started.

He may only have himself to blame for the indiscretions that seem to have cost him his career, but we can still feel a tinge of sadness for him

Andrew McGlashan26-Nov-2021Not long ago one of the pre-Ashes narratives was whether Tim Paine might get the chance to finish his Test career in an Ashes victory on his home ground in Hobart.With doubts over whether Perth could host the final Test of this season’s series due to border restrictions, the Tasmania government made a strong push for the match. It was always likely to be a long shot, but it did carry the emotional attachment of the captain’s story.Now, on the day that Pat Cummins was announced as the new Test captain, there is a very real chance that Paine has played his last game for Australia, having taken an indefinite break from cricket to manage his mental health.Related

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He made a big mistake with the explicit image he sent in 2017. Cricket Australia still has questions to answer about the initial investigations. There is a strong argument to make that Paine should not have kept the captaincy in 2018, although that point being made by the current CA board was not helpful.Paine is not victim in all this. Subsequently revealed messages from the exchange in question showed he knew he was putting himself in a situation that could unravel. After his resignation he admitted to knowing the exchange could have become public at any time over the last three years.But, regardless of where you sit with regards to this whole mess, the phrasing of the tweet from Paine’s manager James Henderson earlier today was worrying. “We are extremely concerned for his and [wife] Bonnie’s well-being,” it read.Less than 24 hours previously he had been named in Tasmania’s one-day squad to face Western Australia as he was completing his return to action from neck surgery with a four-day 2nd XI outing. He had failed twice with the bat but kept nicely. The plan was to get another day of cricket, at a higher level, before heading up to Queensland to join the Test squad.Overnight things changed and at the time the rest of the players were informed of the decision over the captaincy, they were told that Paine would not be joining them. For now it is an open-ended situation, and there was genuine warmth when Cummins spoke of hoping to welcome Paine back, but nothing about this works in Paine’s favour. Even if he feels ready to return over the next few weeks, there is no long-form cricket now that the BBL is about to start, and it would be tricky to select a new wicketkeeper and then leave them out.There was always a risk it would play out this way after the events of last Friday. Team-mates, naturally, spoke glowingly of Paine’s imminent return over the previous 24 hours – Nathan Lyon going into some detail about what made him, in his view, the best wicketkeeper in the world – but it would have been a huge challenge for Paine to walk out at the Gabba.Paine’s senior team-mates Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins have spoken in support of him•Jono Searle/Getty ImagesIf this is it for his Australia career it will have come to an end at the Gabba with last January’s defeat against India, the team’s first loss at the ground in 32 years. It meant a second series loss to India under Paine’s captaincy following one by the same 2-1 margin in 2018-19. On that occasion there was more leeway as the team rebuilt after the ball-tampering scandal, but last season’s loss was a body blow. Outside of those two India series, Paine had won every home Test – against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand – but he needed this Ashes to bolster the record.His overall record as captain reads: played 23, won 11, lost eight, drawn four. His finest hour came at Old Trafford in 2019 when Australia retained the Ashes in England for the first time in 18 years. The lead-up to that match, following Ben Stokes’ extraordinary display at Headingley, during which Australia lost their composure, was impressive in bringing the team back together. That the series ended 2-2 was another blow to a more definite legacy but to secure the urn 18 months after the debacle in South Africa was a significant achievement.Much has been said about Paine the batter and quite a lot of it is misplaced. The lack of a Test century is a hole – his best of 92, against India in Mohali, coming in his first brief incarnation as a Test cricketer in 2010 remains his top score – but over the last two seasons at home he has averaged 37.00. Early in his captaincy he saved a Test in Dubai with an unbeaten 61 alongside Usman Khawaja. He was no Adam Gilchrist, but then no one else has been. His Test average as keeper of 31.97 is comparable to Jos Buttler (29.36), Brad Haddin (32.98), Matthew Wade (28.58) and Niroshan Dickwella (33.80) to pick out a few contemporaries.To some, none of this, the numbers and statistics, not being able to end a career on his terms, or at least on the Test field, will matter. There will, understandably, be a lack of sympathy from many. But it’s also possible to acknowledge his foolishness and still feel a tinge of sadness. If Paine has played his last game of cricket, it is to be hoped that in time there is still a place for him in the sport.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are offering a loan-to-buy deal to make an international goalkeeper Rob Edwards’ first signing back in charge at Molineux.

Edwards’ first comments after leaving Middlesbrough for Wolves

The Old Gold announced Edwards’ return as manager on Wednesday, paying Middlesbrough £3m in compensation to name him as Vitor Pereira’s long-term successor.

Talking after a deal was announced, Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “I know Rob very well and I have seen his growth in different jobs. He’s a very good person, he knows the club very well, he knows the city, the fans and he is very talented.

“When he was a youth coach here, he showed his tactical awareness, but after he took first-team jobs he started to grow his own identity, character and leadership.

“We need to refresh the whole club with a new coach’s philosophy, bringing his own identity and ideas, and we can build on that. We are at a new chapter for the club and Rob will be a key piece of that.”

Edwards has also now spoken out following his return to Molineux, releasing a statement on social media.

The new Wolves manager will now be preparing his side for a busy period of Premier League fixtures, starting at home to Crystal Palace following the international break.

The January transfer window is also just around the corner, and by the looks of things, Wolves and Edwards already have their eyes on one player.

Wolves make loan-to-buy offer for Greece goalkeeper Christos Mandas

According to reports relayed by Sport Witness, Wolves are looking into a move for goalkeeper Christos Mandas.

It is claimed that the club attempted to sign the Lazio shot-stopper in the summer and are once again eyeing a move in the New Year.

Mandas is yet to play in Serie A this season and wants to leave the Italian club, with Wolves ‘offering an initial loan deal with an option to buy’.

A package worth £8m could be enough to sign Mandas, with Lazio identifying Venezia’s Filip Stankovic as a replacement for the Greece international.

So far this season, Sam Johnstone and Jose Sa, who are both 32 years of age, have shared the Premier League load. Johnstone has made seven appearances, conceding 14 goals, whereas Sa has turned out four times, letting in 11 goals.

Wolves have the worst defensive record in the league, so making a change in goal could help Edwards’ side in 2026.

Mandas, 24, has conceded 27 goals in 32 games for Lazio, keeping 12 clean sheets, and by the looks of things, a deal is one to keep an eye on.

£55m spent & Hackney signs: Dream Wolves XI Edwards can build in January

Atletico Madrid are planning to rival Chelsea for Strasbourg's Valentin Barco but the Spanish side will face a huge hurdle to beat the Blues to the Argentine's signature. Barco came to England for a brief period after plying his trade at Boca Juniors at the start of his career. However, the youngster was soon sent out on multiple loan spells before finally joining the Ligue 1 club in the last window permanently.

• Barco's failed stint in England

  Barco, who graduated from Boca Juniors' youth system, played senior football at the club for three seasons before moving to England and joining Brighton in January 2024. At the time of his signing, the Seagulls were hopeful that the talented youngster would shine in the Premier League. After securing his signature, Brighton technical director David Weir said in a statement: "We have been aware of Valentin for a long time and have been impressed with the progress he has made at the domestic and international level. We’re delighted to welcome him to the club, and we are looking forward to seeing how he progresses and develops under Roberto. 

  "He has played predominantly on the left side, as a full-back, wing-back or winger, but also shown his versatility with Boca, playing across the midfield. He is an exciting prospect, but it’s also important we give him the time as he needs to settle and adapt to new surroundings and the Premier League."

  However, Barco's stint with the Premier League side did not last long, as at the start of the 2024-25 campaign, he was sent out on loan to Sevilla. Barco then joined Strasbourg on a second loan spell in February 2025, where he finally got to showcase his game and he then permanently signed for the French side in the last transfer window. 

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• AFP
  

  Atletico Madrid want Barco

  According to , Spanish side Atletico Madrid are keen on signing Barco, who is also wanted by Premier League giants Chelsea. Atletico, who have a tradition of signing Argentine players and already have a host of stars from the South American nation, including Juan Musso, Thiago Almada and Nico Gonzalez, alongside Julian Alvarez.

  Chelsea were interested in signing him in the summer, while Bayern Munich have also been making checks, per the report. Atletico are also attempting to secure his signature but face an uphill battle, as the French club will resist most attempts to extricate him. 

• Advantage Chelsea in Barco transfer race?

  The Caughtoffside report adds that, while Atletico's interest in the midfielder is contract, they have to cross a major hurdle to beat the Blues in the race. Given Strasbourg's connection with the Blues as their sister club, the English side will naturally enjoy an advantage in the negotiations. The player will not come for cheap anyways, considering he is just 21 and has been impressive for Strasbourg this season.

  However, Los Colchoneros could still beat Chelsea if they could convince the player with their existing Argentine contingent in the squad. Even the club's manager, Diego Simeone played for La Albiceleste with distinction. 

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• AFP
  

  Another Ligue 1 midfielder on Chelsea's radar

  Alongside their pursuit of Barco, Chelsea are also exploring other options and have their eyes on another Ligue 1 youngster Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille. As per , the Blues, along with Arsenal have emerged as leading contenders in the growing race to sign Lille midfielder Bouaddi, whose reputation has soared after breaking through as one of Ligue 1’s most exciting young talents. Lille, though, are determined to extend the teenager’s contract and protect a fee that could soar past €50 million (£43.6m/$58.2m) next summer.

  Enzo Maresca's side will be back in action during the midweek as they take on Atalanta in a difficult Champions League away fixture in Italy on December 9.

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Já com rumores de uma possível saída do Cruzeiro em 2026, Gabigol fechou sua temporada pela equipe mineira errando um pênalti decisivo contra o Corinthians na Neo Química Arena.

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Especialista em penalidades máximas, o camisa 9 da Raposa teve a chance de fechar a decisão e colocar a equipe na final, mas bateu fraco no canto esquerdo, e Hugo Souza fez a defesa. Contra o Corinthians, o atacante entrou justamente para bater a penalidade máxima, no lugar de Kaio Jorge.

Vestindo a camisa do Cruzeiro, Gabigol disputou 48 partidas, com 13 gols marcados e quatro assistências. Contratado para ser o principal nome do time, ele perdeu seu lugar na equipe titular para Kaio Jorge, artilheiro do Campeonato Brasileiro.

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Em toda sua carreira, Gabriel Barbosa perdeu apenas nove pênaltis no tempo normal, convertendo 53 de 62 penalidades. Pelo Cruzeiro, este foi o terceiro perdido de oito que cobrou.

➡️Tudo sobre o Cabuloso agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Cruzeiro

Corinthians x Cruzeiro

Cruzeiro e Corinthians fizeram uma semifinal eletrizante neste domingo (14). Na Neo Química Arena, o time mineiro dominou a partida até o início do segundo tempo, abriu 2 a 0 no placar, dois gols de Arroyo, mas viu o Corinthians diminuir com Matheus Bidu na etapa final. O 2 a 1 levou a decisão para os pênaltis.

continua após a publicidade

Precisando de dois gols para sair de São Paulo classificado, o Cruzeiro tomou a iniciativa. Controlava o jogo, tentava construir jogadas ofensivas, mas esbarrava na marcação alvinegra. No fim do primeiro tempo, os visitantes abriram o placar com Keny Arroyo.

No início da segunda etapa, o camisa 99 voltou a marcar e colocou o Cabuloso na frente. Entretanto, apenas cinco minutos depois, Matheus Bidu marcou e recolocou o Timão no jogo.

Nas penalidades máximas, Cássio defendeu o primeiro pênalti, cobrado por Yuri Alberto. Gabigol teve a chance de fechar as cobranças, mas perdeu sua cobrança. Nas alternadas, Walace também errou e o Corinthians garantiu sua vaga na decisão.

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Arne Slot is determined to put things right at Liverpool. Because it’s all gone very wrong this season, the champions 12th in the Premier League standings after losing five of their past six matches.

There is more than enough time for the Dutch coach to turn things around, but improvements are needed quickly if Slot is to repel rising noises regarding the security of his position in the hot seat.

The curious case of Alexander Isak. Liverpool’s record-breaking striker has flattered to deceive since joining from Newcastle United for £125m this summer, and getting him up to speed is paramount if the Reds are to fire on all cylinders going forward.

And with Mohamed Salah struggling and the Anfield side altogether imbalanced up front, FSG appear to be turning toward the transfer market once again.

Liverpool lining up new forward

Salah, 33, is waning. Then again, Liverpool have malfunctioned this season and the Egyptian superstar will surely rekindle his form after a lifetime of genius on Merseyside.

But, regardless, Liverpool need to draw up a succession plan, and they appear to have done exactly that after earmarking a former Premier League sensation to take his berth on the right wing.

As per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool view Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise as a “future dream target” to replace Salah, who extended his stay on Merseyside until the end of the 2026/27 season in April.

Olise would cost a pretty penny, though, having been priced by Die Roten at a staggering €140m (about £122m).

Still, FSG have shown they will do business for such a fee in recent times.

Why Michael Olise would be perfect for Alexander Isak

Olise was immense throughout his debut season in Germany last season, steering Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title and earning acclaim for his dynamic attacking displays.

The 23-year-old has gone up a gear this term, posting nine goals and ten assists from 18 matches in all competitions, and TNT Sports pundit Owen Hargreaves said that he “could be as good as anyone” after one Champions League performance.

Whether Olise winds up at Liverpool remains to be seen, but his remarkable physical traits and natural playmaking qualities make him a tailor-made winger to accommodate Isak and Hugo Ekitike at number nine.

One thing’s for sure: he would provide a huge upgrade on this current version of Salah, whose wastefulness in front of goal is being matched by an inability to influence as he usually does across other areas.

Michael Olise vs Mohamed Salah (League Stats 25/26)

Stats (per 90)

Olise

Salah

Goals scored

0.63

0.34

Assists

0.63

0.17

Shots taken

4.62

2.43

Shot-creating actions

6.82

3.27

Touches (att pen)

7.55

6.21

Pass completion (%)

81.6

68.1

Progressive passes

6.40

4.19

Progressive carries

5.45

3.94

Successful take-ons

2.31

0.92

Ball recoveries

4.72

2.77

Tackles + interceptions

1.36

0.34

Data via FBref

Isak is one of the best strikers in the world, but he needs service. The Sweden international darts upfield and finds space in between the lines. Olise could help activate this area of his skillset at Liverpool, averaging over six progressive passes per Bundesliga game this term.

Olise is also less focused on goalscoring side of the game. That’s not to say he’s not capable of show-stopping strikes, as has been seen numerous times in the Premier League, but serve as evidence that he could be the perfect counterweight in Liverpool’s attacking system to give rise to Isak’s striking ability.

Such an athletic and hungry wide forward with a proven pedigree in the Premier League could prove the key to success at Liverpool, whose forwards are toiling and surely need some fresh inspiration to lift them back into the ascendancy.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 25, 2025

Nottingham Forest’s Arnaud Kalimuendo has now entered fresh talks to join a new club in January, having failed to establish himself in the starting XI since arriving in the summer.

Kalimuendo arrived at the City Ground with a good reputation, having received high praise from scout Ben Mattinson courtesy of his performances for Rennes last season.

However, the 23-year-old has been unable to make an impact since getting his move to the Premier League, failing to score in nine outings across all competitions, albeit the majority of those came as a substitute.

Last month, it was revealed that Forest were already thinking about offloading the striker, with AS Roma being named as potential suitors, and now a new club have joined the race for his signature.

Stuttgart enter talks with Arnaud Kalimuendo's agent

According to a report from Sky Sports Germany (via Bulinews), Stuttgart are keen on signing Kalimuendo this winter, having expressed concrete interest in getting a deal done, and talks have already been held with the Frenchman’s agent.

The £60k-a-week striker’s move to the City Ground hasn’t worked out, having appeared for a total of just 66 minutes in the Premier League, meaning the door could be open for the German club to get a deal over the line in January.

It seems a little early to consider sanctioning a departure, considering Sean Dyche’s other strikers haven’t exactly been prolific in front of goal either, with Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi yet to score a goal between them in the Premier League this season.

Jesus was particularly poor in the 3-1 victory against Leeds United at the weekend, receiving a 5.8 SofaScore match rating, the lowest of any player on the pitch, before being replaced by Awoniyi just before the hour mark.

Goals from Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson ultimately secured all three points for the Tricky Trees, who managed to turn the game on its head after Lukas Nmecha opened the scoring inside 15 minutes.

However, Dyche may be concerned about his options at striker, given that Chris Wood also wasn’t at his best prior to suffering a knee injury, having failed to score since the opening day victory against Brentford.

As such, with Jesus and Awoniyi struggling, it could be worth giving Kalimuendo a chance to prove himself, considering it is very difficult to make an impact as a substitute.

However, the former Rennes man clearly isn’t doing enough in training to impress Dyche, so it may be worth cashing-in if he doesn’t improve ahead of the January transfer window.

Nottingham Forest eyeing move for FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa Nottingham Forest now eyeing £87m "powerhouse" striker with eight goals in 25/26

Evangelos Marinakis clearly means business, with the Tricky Trees joining the race for a new centre-forward.

ByDominic Lund Oct 26, 2025

Manchester City's free-scoring forward Erling Haaland has fired an ominous warning to Premier League champions Liverpool ahead of their crunch clash at the Etihad Stadium, claiming he is showing the "best version of himself." Haaland has 18 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions for City this season and now he has Arne Slot's side in his sights.

• High-pressure match at the Etihad

  Both teams endured slow starts to the season, with a mix of new talent taking time to integrate into their new sides, a number of injury worries and indifferent form allowing Arsenal to establish an early lead in the title race. And the Etihad showdown takes on extra significance after Mikel Arteta's side drew away at Sunderland, giving City the chance to cut the gap on the Gunners to four points heading into the international break. 

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  Haaland flying high again

  Haaland is in phenomenal form, netting 27 goals in just 17 matches for club and country and the 13 Premier League goals in 10 games puts him at the top of the Golden Boot rankings. He also became the fastest player to reach 50 Champions League goals in 49 games earlier this season – by comparison it took Argentina maestro Lionel Messi 66 games to achieve the same feat. Understandably, Haaland is feeling well.

  The Norwegian international said: "I feel this is the best version of myself – I’ve never felt better than now. To keep sharp, I keep my mind in the right place, recover well, do the right things at home, eat the right things, connect when I have to on the pitch and when I am at home, relax as much as possible to stay balanced and in the zone."

• 'They are such a good and complete side'

  City clash with a Liverpool team aiming to prove their recent wobble is over under Slot. The Reds were on a woeful run, losing six matches in seven in recent weeks, but home wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid have given the Anfield faithful hope they've turned a corner. And Haaland has heaped praise on City's opponents. 

  He added: "I think they are a really solid team – they are Premier League champions – so they are a fantastic team, and they have got so many good players. I don’t think they have many weaknesses – they've had their struggles here and there – but they are such a good and complete side and that makes them one of the favourites to win the Premier League again. They are the champions, they are playing with the gold badge on their sleeve, so it’s going to be a difficult game. They spent a lot of money in the summer so what can you say? I don’t think they have many weaknesses."

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  Haaland analyses City's title hopes

  Despite a slow start, City are still very much in the hunt for the Premier League title, which they surrendered last season to their opposition from Merseyside. Pep Guardiola's side finished trophy-less last term, prompting a squad revamp. Haaland has spoken about his team’s title hopes and has urged his team-mates to stay focused on themselves, rather than obsess about the form of other teams.

  He said: "We shouldn’t think much about anyone else and just focus on ourselves. Getting better on the pitch together as a team and each individual improving (is best for us) and in the end, just try and win on a game by game basis."

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Bahia por 1 a 0 no Allianz Parque, em jogo válido pela 30ª rodada do Brasileirão. O gol do Verdão foi marcado ainda no primeiro tempo por Raphael Veiga, que se tornou o quinto maior artilheiro do clube na história do Brasileirão. Apesar da vitória, o time de Abel Ferreira teve bastante dificuldade para criar, já que o adversário estava bem posicionado na defesa.

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+ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Com este resultado, o Palmeiras ultrapassa o Bragantino e passa a ocupar, de maneira provisória, a vice-liderança do Brasileirão, com 53 pontos conquistados. Por outro lado, o Bahia segue próximo à zona do rebaixamento, na 15ª posição da tabela, com 34 pontos.

+ Veja a classificação e simule os jogos do Verdão no Brasileirão

CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA

>!FORÇA! O zagueiro Raul Gustavo sentiu a coxa direita e deixou o campo machucado. No banco de reservas, foi possível ver o defensor chorando após a substituição.

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>!QUE FRIEZA! Gustavo Gómez lançou Endrick que dominou e partiu para cima da defesa do Bahia. O jovem foi empurrado e sofreu falta, mas o árbitro deu vantagem e a bola sobrou com Raphael Veiga, que finalizou da entrada da área, no cantinho, para abrir o placar do jogo.

>!ANIMAL! Como gol marcado diante do Bahia, Raphael Veiga superou Edmundo e se tornou, de forma isolada, o 5º maior artilheiro do Palmeiras na história do Campeonato Brasileiro, com 35 gols. Ídolo demais!

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>!FOI POR POUCO! Rony começou a jogada pelo lado esquerdo e cruzou rasteiro, em direção a Artur. O atacante desviou e Marcos Felipe fez grande defesa. Na sobra, Marcos Rocha encheu o pé mas isolou a bola. Quase o segundo do Verdão!

>!FORA! Nicolás Acevedo fez uma falta dura sobre Artur e recebeu cartão amarelo, o segundo, e foi expulso aos 45 minutos da segunda etapa.

COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO?
O Palmeiras teve a posse de bola por mais tempo, mas pouco incomodou o Bahia, que estava muito fechado. O sistema tático implantado por Rogério Ceni, com três zagueiros, igualou o jogo em todos os setores e tirou as opções de passe do Verdão pelo meio e pelas pontas. O gol de Raphael Veiga foi mais resultado da qualidade dos jogadores do que uma jogada pensada e construída.

E A ETAPA FINAL?
Se na primeira etapa o Palmeiras tinha controle do jogo mas pouco criava, tudo mudou no segundo tempo, especialmente com as trocas de Rogério Ceni, que foi soltando o time na busca pelo empate. Luis Guilherme, Artur e Rony entraram bem e deixaram o Verdão mais criativo. Vale destacar: a defesa do Palmeiras praticamente não foi exigida na segunda etapa.

+ Clique aqui e confira mais detalhes da partida

OS NÚMEROS DA PARTIDA

O QUE VEM POR AÍ
Na próxima rodada o Palmeiras vai ao Rio de Janeiro enfrentar o líder Botafogo, no jogo que pode definir se o Palmeiras ainda briga ou não pelo título do Brasileirão em 2023. O jogo acontece no dia 1º (quarta-feira), às 21h30 (hora de Brasília) no Estádio Nilton Santos. O Bahia, por sua vez, recebe o Fluminense, na terça-feira (31) às 19 horas (hora de Brasília), naquele ques será o último jogo do clube carioca antes da final da Libertadores.

FICHA TÉCNICA
PALMEIRAS 1 x 0 BAHIA
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 30ª RODADA

Local: Allianz Parque, em São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora: 28/10/2023 (sábado), às 19 horas (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro: Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima (PE)
Assistentes: Rodrigo Figueiredo Henrique Correa (Fifa/RJ) e Francisco Chaves Bezerra Junior (PE)
VAR: Wagner Reway (VAR-Fifa/PB)
Público e renda: 33.747 pessoas e R$ 2.226.993,59.
Cartões amarelos: Fabinho (5’/2ºT), para o Palmeiras; Nicolás Acevedo (9’/1ºT), Kanu (48’/1ºT), Everaldo (31’/2ºT) e Nicolás Acevedo (aos 45’/2ºT) para o Bahia.
Cartões vermelhos: Nicolás Acevedo (45’/2ºT, após receber o segundo cartão amarelo)
Gols: Raphael Veiga (38’/1ºT) (1-0)

PALMEIRAS:Weverton; Luan, Gustavo Gómez e Murilo; Mayke (Marcos Rocha, aos 36’/2ºT), Fabinho (Jailson, aos 25’/2ºT), Richard Ríos e Joaquin Piquerez; Raphael Veiga (Artur, aos 18’/2ºT), Breno Lopes (Rony, aos 36’/2ºT) e Endrick (Luis Guilherme, aos 18’/2ºT);Técnico:Abel Ferreira

BAHIA:Marcos Felipe; Gabriel Xavier, Kanu e Raul Gustavo (Diego Rosa, aos 18’/1ºT); Cicinho, Nicolás Acevedo, Rezende e Matheus Bahia (Lucas Mugni, no intervalo); Ademir (Biel, aos 16’/2ºT), Luciano Juba (Camilo Cándido, aos 16’/2ºT) e Vinícius Mingotti (Everaldo, aos 16’/2ºT); Técnico:Rogério Ceni

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