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Everything you need to know about Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka's salary numbers

Despite his still relatively tender age, Bukayo Saka has already established himself as an Arsenal legend.

Coming up the ranks in the youth team, Saka made his first team debut for the Gunners in 2018 aged 17. Since then, the winger has managed to establish himself as one of the best players in the squad and the league. He even won the PFA young player award for his performances in the 2022/23 season.

Saka’s performances for the club have earned him a handsome salary in the wage bill, making him one of the top earners at the club.

Just how much does Saka earn at Arsenal, though?

GOAL delved into the numbers with Capology and found out!

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• Bukayo Saka’s wages at Arsenal in numbers

  Saka signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners back in 2023, keeping him at the club until June 2027.

  The attacker currently earns £195,000 ($246,311) on a weekly basis, which scales up to £10 million ($12m) annually.

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Bukayo Saka	English	£195,000	$246,311	£10,140,000	$12,808,189

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Top earners at Arsenal

  Despite Saka’s importance at the Emirates, he fails to make it to the top five when it comes to the highest-paid players at the club.

  Acquiring the number one spot in the list is former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz, followed by Gabriel Jesus in second spot. 

  Club captain Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice earn similar wages at the club, while number five is Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey.

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wages in USD
  Kai Havertz	German	£280,000	$353,678	£15,560,000	$18,391,246
  Gabriel Jesus	Brazilian	£265,000	$334,731	£13,780,000	$17,406,000
  Martin Odegaard	Norwegian	£240,000	$303,152	£12,480,000	$15,763,925
  Declan Rice	English	£240,000	$303,152	£12,480,000	$15,763,925
  Thomas Partey	Ghanaian	£200,000	$252,627	£10,400,000	$13,136,604

• Top 5 earners in the Premier League

  None of the Arsenal players make it into the top-five earners list across the league.

  Manchester City’s Erling Haaland sits at the top of the list having recently signed a nine-year contract, keeping him at the Etihad up until 2034. Following Haaland is yet another City attacker in Kevin De Bruyne, while Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah makes the cut at number three.

  Player	Nationality	Weekly wages in GBP	Weekly wages in USD	Annual wages in GBP	Annual wage sin USD
  Erling Haaland	Norwegian	£525,000	$663,164	£27,300,000	$34,483,586
  Kevin De Bruyne	Belgian	£400,000	$505,254	£20,800,000	$26,273,206
  Mohamed Salah	Egyptian	£350,000	$442,097	£18,200,000	$22,989,057
  Casemiro	Brazilian	£350,000	$442,097	£18,200,000	$22,989,057
  Jack Grealish	English	£300,000	$378,941	£17,169,698	$19,704,906

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Highest paid players in the world

  Looking at the list above, it's quite obvious that the English winger would be way down the list when it comes to top-earners across the world. But how much exactly do the highest-paid players in the world earn? Let's find out!

  At the top sits all-time top goalscorer of the Champions League Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays his football for Al Nassr. He is followed by his former Real Madrid attack partner Karim Benzema.

  Player	Club	Weekly wages GBP	Weekly wages USD	Annual wages GBP	Annual wages USD
  Cristiano Ronaldo	Al Nassr	£3,846,154	$4,027,872	£200,000,000	$209,449,340
  Karim Benzema	Al Ittihad	£1,923,077	$2,013,936	£100,000,000	$104,724,670
  Riyad Mahrez	Al Ahli	£1,003,846	$1,051,275	£52,200,000	$54,666,278
  Sadio Mane	Al Nassr	£769,231	$805,574	£40,000,000	$41,889,868
  Kalidou Koulibaly	Al Hilal	£667,308	$698,836	£34,000,000	$36,339,460

It’s been a strange few years for Manchester United fans.

They’ve seen their club lift two domestic trophies but then perform so poorly in the league that Erik ten Hag was given the chop just a couple of months into this season.

However, following the announcement that Ruben Amorim is set to take the reigns at the end of this month, there is reason to be hopeful again for the United faithful.

With that said, while Ten Hag undoubtedly failed in his mission to take the club back to the top of the English game, he did get a few things right during his tenure, such as bringing through a contingent of promising youngsters who could become core members of Amorim’s next great United side, including one whose value has exploded in recent years.

Ten Hag's exciting youngsters

So, before we get to the youngster in question, let’s look at another of the other young talents Ten Hag helped to bed into the side during his time in Manchester, Kobbie Mainoo.

The English midfielder was given his senior debut by the Dutchman back in a January 2023 League Cup game against Charlton Athletic.

Still, it wasn’t until last season that he was finally given a run of games in the first team, and to say he took his opportunity would be a massive understatement.

The Stockport-born gem has now made 44 appearances for the Red Devils, in which he’s scored five goals and provided one assist.

He has even won ten senior caps for England and started every knockout round at the Euros this summer, including the final – talk about maturity beyond his years.

Overall, so long as he remains fit, there can be no doubt that a successful United side in the future includes Mainoo at the very heart of it. With that said, another young United star looks destined for a bright future at the Theatre of Dreams and is already worth a fortune.

The youngster worth a king's ransom

Now, if the youngster in question isn’t the incredible Mainoo, it can only be one other: Alejandro Garnacho.

The Argentine international may have been signed for a small fee of £420k under the management of Ole Gunnar Solskjær and given his debut under the watch of Ralf Rangnick in April 2022, but his development into the player he is today all happened under Ten Hag’s watch.

For example, while he made just two appearances, totalling 12 minutes during the 21/22 campaign, the Madrid-born dynamo ended up making 34 appearances, totalling 1205 minutes, the following season, in which he racked up five goals and five assists.

His importance to the team only grew last year, as he ended the season with 50 first-team appearances, ten goals and five assists to his name, despite being just 19 years old at the start.

As with the entire team, things have been a little more difficult for the former Atlético Madrid prospect this season, but even so, he has still racked up an impressive haul of seven goals and four assists in 18 appearances.

Unsurprisingly, such a rapid rise from unknown youth prospect to goalscoring “superstar”, as dubbed by BBC podcaster Gaz Drinkwater, has seen the seven-capped international’s valuations soar.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory now values him at up to €120m, which is about £99m, or a whopping 23471% increase on the fee he cost United four years ago.

Ultimately, while Ten Hag made plenty of blunders during his time in charge of United, playing and developing youngsters like Mainoo and Garnacho was not one of them, and while Amorim will have to correct some of the Dutchman’s mistakes, he should be thankful to have two outstanding young talents ready to go in his squad.

INEOS make enquiry to sign £195k-p/w "monster" star for Amorim at Man Utd

INEOS have made their first move to land an unhappy player in the January transfer window.

By
Brett Worthington

Nov 11, 2024

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Apr-2015Delhi Daredevils knew that defeat would make them holders of the longest IPL losing run (12), and gave it their all on the field•BCCIVijay was dismissed for 19, but Virender Sehwag’s aggressive 47 kept the run-rate at over seven an over•BCCIHe shared a 71-run, second-wicket stand with Wriddhiman Saha, who slammed three sixes during his 39 off 28•BCCIKings XI were 104 for 1 in the 14th over when the Daredevils spinners clawed the visitors back into the game. Saha perished after lofting JP Duminy to Nathan Coulter-Nile at deep cover•BCCISehwag fell in the very next over, and though Glenn Maxwell hit Imran Tahir for two sixes, he was bowled off a legbreak from the spinner. Tahir ended with figures of 4-0-43-3•BCCIAxar Patel and George Bailey tried to accelerate at the death, but Daredevils fought back to keep the hosts to 165. Kings XI’s innings ended with Axar’s slog safely pouched in the hands of Angelo Mathews•BCCIKings XI got an early breakthrough in their defence when Sandeep Sharma dismissed Shreyas Iyer for 6•BCCIBut Duminy was fluent, stroking his way to 21•BCCIUntil his innings ended in unfortunate fashion when he was run out after colliding with Axar•BCCIMayank Agarwal was unfazed, though, his 48-ball 68 featuring seven fours and two sixes•BCCIDaredevls’ record buy Yuvraj Singh also rose to the occasion, flicking three sixes over the leg side. He smashed 54 off 39•BCCIThe pair added 106 in 11 overs, as the visitors closed in on victory•BCCIHowever, neither batsmen could quite complete the chase, as two wickets in two balls injected gave Kings XI a glimmer. Yuvraj was the first to go, dismissed after Sandeep Sharma pulled a blinder from midwicket…•BCCI… and when Agarwal was bowled off a full toss from Anureet Singh, Daredevils were left needing seven off nine balls•BCCIMathews, though, ensured his team’s losing run wouldn’t stretch any further, sealing the win with a four down the ground with one ball remaining•BCCI

He played everything the fierce Wahab Riaz served up with the assurance born of being the finest and most reliable batter in the team

Daniel Brettig in Adelaide20-Mar-20151:47

Watson’s flexibility in batting order useful for Australia

Michael Clarke called it the closest Australia could go to knowing what it was like to face Mitchell Johnson at his most terrifying last summer. Wahab Riaz certainly had every member of the 35,516-strong Adelaide Oval crowd perched on the edge of their seats, not least a host of nervous Australian batsmen in the team viewing area.It was dynamite cricket, and it could have swept many a team away – last season’s victims England know that better than most. But the fact that Australia stood up to Wahab’s fire and ultimately quenched it spoke strongly for their standing as World Cup favourites. Shane Watson enjoyed a helping of luck in doing so, and later Glenn Maxwell was similarly fortunate. But there was little to wonder about Steven Smith, as he produced another innings worthy of a long-term No. 3 batsman.Australia played this match in conditions that were more or less to their measure. The Adelaide pitch was well grassed and capable of offering encouragement to pacemen, while a breezy day aided swing and also challenged batsmen to hit into it at times, a circumstance that favoured the hosts’ power. These factors were all at play when Pakistan were rounded up for 213, as Josh Hazlewood’s bounce and movement harvested four wickets and vindicated his inclusion.The only risk entailed in playing on a speedy strip is that of retaliation from an opponent capable of bringing significant firepower to bear. South Africa memorably did this to Australia in Ricky Ponting’s final Test match at the WACA Ground in Perth in late 2012, and this time Misbah-ul-Haq had Wahab to call on. Bristling at some of the comments tossed his way during a mis-adventurous tail-end innings, he would not only bring pace but also an angry, intimidatory bearing that many of the Australians would have found analogous to their own attack dog strut.England’s own version of the puffed out chest and the potty mouth had been exposed as empty in 2013-14 when they had nothing to match Johnson’s speed, but that was not the case here. Wahab’s histrionics, while extreme, recalled nothing so much as Watson’s send-off to Chris Gayle in Perth in 2009, or David Warner and Brad Haddin mimicking dogs upon Faf du Plessis’ second innings exit in Cape Town last year. Critically, they were backed up with bowling of high class and higher pace, bouncers used with precision and plenty of malice.Watson bore the brunt of all this, and struggled enormously to cope with it. Had Misbah or perhaps Younis Khan been at fine leg instead of Rahat Ali, he would not have survived the spell. But the good fortune that came his way was capitalised upon, and Watson grew gradually more secure in a further sign that his move down into the middle order was correct, even if its execution looked somewhat ham-fisted only a game after he had been dropped.Shane Watson survived a menacing spell from Wahab Riaz•Getty Images”That’s as good as I’ve faced in one-day cricket for a long time, there’s no doubt about it. It probably gave us a bit of a look at what it would be like to face Mitchell Johnson throughout the Ashes,” Clarke said of the passage. “Credit to Watto the way he hung in there, he had a bit of luck getting dropped at fine leg but the way he was able to get through that period and be there at the end shows his experience and he deserves a lot of credit for that.”But if they take that catch at fine leg who knows what could have happened, it would have been a lot tighter that’s for sure. There are certainly times throughout your innings you have to get through, sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. That’s why I say credit to the way Watto found a way to get through that spell and get us home tonight. I thought he and Steve Smith played really well.”It was Smith more than anyone who defused the situation, playing everything Wahab served up with the calm assurance of a young man who is now indisputably the finest and most reliable batsman in the team. His straight bat and impression of having time to spare was redolent of the very best players against pace bowling, and a marked contrast not only to Watson but also Clarke, who was pinned and pouched at short leg in the midst of Wahab’s spell.Smith’s move to first-drop ahead of Watson may in years to come be seen as the moment at which Australia not only found the right formula to win this World Cup, but also when the team identified that the leader of the future should also be the No. 3 batsman in the Ricky Ponting mould. Wahab simply looked half a yard slower when bowling to Smith, so assured was the younger man’s movement into line.Just as Australia’s explosive batting line-up looked like it needed a more precise helmsman in the position after their defeat in Auckland, so too did Smith appear as though he needed a new challenge following a pair of slim scores at No. 5 against England and New Zealand. He has taken on added responsibility with grace and poise, whether it be the temporary captaincy commission against India or a higher spot in the batting order. By the time Smith fell lbw, Australia’s period of danger had passed.The thought of Glenn Maxwell trying his outrageous brand of batting against Wahab at top pace with plenty of runs still required does not bear too much thinking about, but thanks to Smith no-one had to. So Australia progressed, setting up a meeting with India in Sydney.”The fact we won gives us a lot of confidence. Since the New Zealand game we’ve been slowly building and our cricket’s slowly been improving,” Clarke said. “So every win gives you momentum and confidence and this will certainly be exactly the same. India are completely different opposition to Pakistan, different strengths but different weaknesses as well. They’re playing a lot better than they were at the start of the summer, and I said that leading into the World Cup that India were going to be a tough team to beat because they’ve spent so much time in Australia.”Steve Waugh’s worry before the match was that Australia could fall out of this World Cup by presuming that in such a talented collective there would always be someone else able to step up. He would have nodded approvingly at the way Watson and Smith did not leave the task of subduing Wahab to others.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah endured a rare “invisible” performance against PSG, with the Egyptian’s damning stats including 10 zeros in key areas.

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• Salah struggled to make an impact in France
• Elliott netted winner after replacing Egyptian
• Reds boast narrow lead in last-16 encounter

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Salah has remained a talismanic presence for the Reds throughout the 2024-25 campaign, helping to keep them in contention for major honours across multiple competitions. In another productive season on Merseyside, he has registered 30 goals and 22 assists.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 32-year-old did, however, barely have a kick as Liverpool completed a Champions League smash and grab job on Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter. Despite having just two shots, compared to PSG’s 27, and seeing only 30 per cent of the ball, Harvey Elliott – who replaced Salah in the 86th minute – secured a dramatic 1-0 victory for the Reds on French soil.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Salah is usually their go-to man when it comes to attacking inspiration, but he had an evening to forget in Paris. Salah’s numbers on the day saw him fail to score or assist, have no shots (meaning none on target), create zero chances, post no key passes, dribbles or accurate crosses, while also winning no duels or a single free-kick.

• WHAT NEXT FOR MOHAMED SALAH?

  Salah’s anonymous showing mattered little come the final whistle, with the Premier League leaders taking another positive step towards ultimate European glory. He will believe that a more telling contribution can be made when PSG pay a visit to Anfield on March 11.

Legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington has been called up as her replacement

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2022Australia left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20I series against India due to a hamstring injury with legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington called up as replacement.Jonassen injured her right hamstring while fielding during Australia’s nine-wicket win over India in the first T20I in Mumbai on Friday night.Australia’s physio Kate Beerworth confirmed on Sunday that Jonassen would return home to Australia to continue her recovery.”Unfortunately Jess sustained a right hamstring strain while fielding during the match on Friday,” Beerworth said.”She’s since been assessed and it’s evident that the timeframes required for a return during this series are too short.”Jess will be unavailable for the remainder of the series and will return to Brisbane to continue her rehab.”Wellington missed out on selection for the India tour despite an excellent WBBL where she was a pivotal part of Adelaide Strikers’ maiden title. Wellington is expected to arrive in Mumbai on Tuesday. The second T20I takes place on Sunday night with the third match to be played on Wednesday, all in Mumbai.

Tottenham transfer chiefs are now considering a January deal for one “class” Real Madrid player in January, who also dazzled at Euro 2024 for his country.

Spurs prepare for Galatasaray trip after 4-1 win over Aston Villa

A good last seven days for Spurs was complemented by Ange Postecoglou’s side securing a statement 4-1 win at home to Premier League top four rivals Aston Villa on Sunday, with Dominic Solanke’s brace, a late goal by James Maddison and Brennan Johnson’s equaliser putting Unai Emery to the sword.

Ange dealt fitness worry over Tottenham ace alongside Son and Richarlison

Spurs face Galatasaray and Ipswich Town in the coming days.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 5, 2024

The Lilywhites also knocked English champions Man City out of the Carabao Cup a few days prior, so Postecoglou will be hoping for a similar week, as the Australian looks to beat Victor Osimhen’s Galatasaray in the Europa League and newly-promoted Ipswich Town this weekend.

However, as we’ve recently seen, things are rarely straightforward where Spurs are concerned.

Their 3-2 slump at Brighton, where they squandered a two-goal lead at half-time, and defeat to lowly Crystal Palace highlights that they are still pretty vulnerable on their worst days – and that is something Postecoglou needs to rectify if they’re going to make good on his promise of silverware this season.

Off the field, Tottenham’s wider recruitment team could assist in the transition from European qualification contenders to genuine title challengers. The north Londoners reportedly have plans for January, with Espanyol winger Javi Puado among the transfer targets at Spurs as Postecoglou seeks new attackers.

Amid uncertainty surrounding Timo Werner, who has been criticised for his wasteful finishing in front of goal, there are suggestions that Tottenham are pushing their recruitment team to look at new forwards ahead of 2025.

The German scored his first goal since March in their win over City last week, which tells the entire story, with Werner consistently finding himself in good positions to score but failing more often than not.

Another attacking option or two, who could alternate with Werner, may be an option seriously worth considering in the winter.

Tottenham considering January deal for Arda Guler

According to reports out of Spain this week, Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler, who’s struggled for game time under Carlo Ancelotti, is on their agenda for January.

The Turkey international starred for his country at the Euros, helping them to an unlikely quarter-final run, and his quality hasn’t gone unnoticed at N17. It is believed Tottenham are considering a January deal for Guler, and he could join them on loan, as the Galacticos consider whether to let him go on a temporary deal to further his development.

It could be a doable transfer for Spurs, and it isn’t lost on pundits just how Guler can shine on his day. Called “exceptional” by Jose Mourinho, TNT Sports Commentator Ian Darke also weighed in recently – saying he would be a “fantastic” signing for Postecoglou.

“Guler would be a fantastic pickup for Tottenham – he’s a very good young player. He just can’t get in the Real Madrid side because they’ve got Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Mbappe,” Darke explained.

“He shone at the Euros and he’ll be frustrated that he doesn’t get on the pitch very much at all. I see Real Madrid a lot. But whether they’d let him go in January, I’m not sure. Once they clinched the title last season they gave him a run of games, and he interestingly came up with a flurry of goals. If you’re talking about signing some class, he’s definitely that.”

The left-hander narrowly missed the 2019 edition and is purely focused on a good series against England

AAP15-Nov-2022Travis Head has vowed not to let himself become distracted by a World Cup berth as he prepares to take over from Aaron Finch at the top of Australia’s ODI order.Head will open in Thursday’s one-dayer against England in Adelaide, set to partner with David Warner for the first time since Finch’s retirement in September.The match marks the first of up to 17 for Australia between now next year’s tournament, with the opening spot and fast-bowling attack among several big questions for selectors.Head has clearly emerged as the front-runner through his selection for the series against England, after making scores of 101 and 89 opening in Pakistan earlier this year. But he also knows how quick a World Cup spot can be taken away from him.Related

• Head returns to Australia ODI squad, multi-format quicks included

• Maxwell out for extended period after breaking leg in 'freak accident'

• Warner eyes Test retirement within a year

He played 42 games for his country between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, before being dropped just six months out from the 2019 tournament.”So now 12 months out from one to get my chance to be in the team is an exciting opportunity,” Head told reporters in Adelaide. “But it’s trying to not put too much pressure on myself to do something different. I have had some really good success at the top. So I don’t want to change that and my mindset around that.”I have played a lot of one-day cricket to know what is expected of me and what is expected to go out and perform. You can’t look too far ahead, there is a lot of cricket to come. I just want to start really well on Thursday and play my role as best as I can.”In replacing Finch, Head looks to fill the boots of one of the most prolific opening stands in world cricket in the past 10 years, with Warner and Finch averaging 47.94 together. The pair have also gone at a run-rate of 5.77 together, winning the 2015 World Cup and starring in 2019.Head is also ready to take the bowling on early, but with some caveats. The left-hander strikes at 93.72 in 50-over cricket for Australia, but that figure goes up to 104.9 when opening the batting and making use of the powerplay. He has previously had success with Warner, the pair adding an Australia-record 284 against Pakistan in Adelaide in 2017.”There is the opportunity to put pressure on in the first 10 overs…and I think that is when I play my best as well,” Head said. “But you have to respect the new ball, it’s still going to swing.”I’m lucky I have someone really good [in Warner] at the other end, we feed off each other when we have done it a couple of times [together].”

For the first hour on day three, despite the heat and the largely unhelpful pitch, India’s fast bowlers showed a level of intensity and penetration rarely seen from them; in the second hour, things mostly reverted to type

Sidharth Monga at the Gabba19-Dec-20144:53

Agarkar: No point trying to blow tail-enders away these days

Sixty-three minutes of pressure. Not one boundary ball, not one loose ball, not one down leg, not one short and wide, not one half-volley. Good hustle with two bowlers bowling quicker than 140kmph, and one not much slower than 140. Three boundaries are hit in this period – an edge, a good shot and a bit of an improvisation. Two wickets fall. Only 39 runs are scored. There is discipline, intensity, perseverance, and aggression. It is hard to remember India quicks under MS Dhoni bowling better as a unit for an hour. Unfortunately, what followed over 57 minutes after that – 14 boundaries and 91 runs for no wicket – is easy to remember. You can take your pick of reference points for a mini session where India lose control of a match.The first 63 minutes, though, can bear retelling, if only because they are a massive improvement from Adelaide. India fast bowlers have taken more wickets in less time previously, but mostly through magic balls on pitches that are assisting them. On hot days, on good pitches with nice even bounce, when there isn’t much seam movement on offer, you usually have at least one bowler releasing the pressure. Not on this hot day. Not in the first 63 minutes at least.It is 32 degrees by the time India come out of their huddle at 10am. Add five degrees to that because of the cauldron of the Gabba and the humidity. India have made yet another change to their slip cordon. Virat Kohli has moved in, and M Vijay has gone to mid-off. Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron begin. Both are outside off, neither is too full nor too short. Steven Smith scores four runs through good shots, but Aaron beats Mithcell Marsh with one that holds its line outside off.For the next three overs, pressure builds. Eleven runs have come off the first 4.5 overs. Slips are around, a gully is there. You can hear the Indian fielders on the stumps mic. They sense they are closing in. It’s important they don’t release the pressure. Ishant doesn’t. He pitches just short of a length, around a set of stumps outside off. Marsh leaves it alone on length. It doesn’t bounce as much as expected. The top of off is hit. You bowl this well, you push the batsman back, you give yourself the best chance to make use of misbehaviour in the surface.Brad Haddin – average under 11 since the last Ashes – is the new man in. India are at Australia again. Smith feels the pressure. He looks to drive off the back foot. The ball is not close to him. He gets an edge, which goes safely through gully for four. It is important to not lose the plot here. Dhoni takes the game a notch higher. Aaron goes round the wicket, gets a short leg in, and a short square leg right behind him. Aaron bowls two good short balls. One at the body, one just outside off.This is a crucial time. On the last trip to Australia, India had Australia down at 5 for 205 in Melbourne when Haddin walked out. He saw another wicket fall immediately. He began his innings with a long-on and deep midwicket in place. Dhoni seems to have learnt his lesson. He has looked a better, more proactive captain all match. Also Haddin is going through a lean phase. Most of all, though, his bowlers have been accurate. He continues attacking. Gets two short legs in. Ishant bowls full and nearly has Haddin lbw. Aaron goes round the wicket and aims for the ribs. Haddin gets one boundary through leg gully, but that gap is plugged.Ishant takes a breather after his first spell of 4-1-9-1, and Umesh begins with a maiden to Smith. When he bowls one short and wide, it is not put away. The batsmen just haven’t been in scoring mode. Dhoni has a chat with Aaron, who gets another over. He goes round the wicket with a short leg and a leg gully in place. This is short, this is quick, headed for the ribs from that angle. Haddin tries to get himself inside its line but the ball follows. He doesn’t fancy a hit in the ribs so he just raises his bat meekly. Short leg takes an easy catch. Mark Nicholas on air is reminded of Mitchell Johnson to Jonathan Trott last season.Johnson was Johnson because he had Ryan Harris building the pressure at the other end. India are looking dangerous with their pace because they haven’t bowled a loose ball all morning.Johnson hasn’t been Johnson this Test. He hasn’t taken a wicket. Rohit Sharma reminds him of that as he walks in to bat with Australia 161 behind. The Indian fielders, it seems, have been given free rein. They have been in the ear of the batsmen. Rohit has had a finger-pointing chat with umpire Ian Gould. India are looking to ape Australia in every way.Johnson gets a short leg and a leg gully first up. India are going to bounce him. They have let him know too. This is life in the fast lane. It can unravel fast. It didn’t at Lord’s. It worked at Lord’s. So India go to the bouncer after one double bluff – a full ball, which Johnson times through mid-on for three. Smith, meanwhile, has ramped a bouncer over slip.Ishant comes back to replace Aaron, who has gone off to get his left shoulder some attention. He has dived badly at the end of his spell of 5-0-26-1. He has bowled better than the figures suggest. Ishant comes back, and wants to continue what Aaron has been doing. What he himself did at Lord’s. Bowl bouncers. He bowls one at 133kmph, it is about chest high, and Johnson scorches it along the ground through square leg for four. This is not just four runs. This should be a message. Johnson can pull. He is going to pull. Use it sparingly. Ishant bowls another. No sting in that bouncer again. Four through midwicket. All of a sudden the partnership is reading 24 off 14.The next bouncer from Ishant is higher than the shoulder, but Johnson manages to keep it down. In the next over Umesh tries to bounce him. The ball is pulled down into the ground again. In the next over Ishant looks to bounce him, and is ramped over slips. In the next, when Umesh pitches it up, Johnson is beaten. Surely there is a message in there?Ian Healy on commentary says Johnson has a tendency of missing full and straight balls. India are not bowling that. They are going at his throat, and going for runs. Johnson is 26 off 20, and has played only three scoring shots in the off side. One of them a ramp to the bouncer. Seventeen of these 20 balls have been either short or short of a length. He’s loving it.Can’t be sure if it is ego or bad planning, but India keep persisting with the short ball. They have even started giving Smith the easy single. So now they have begun to try getting only one man out, and are going about it the wrong way. The rest of the unravelling is mere details, but the figures say it all: the last four added 258 in just 48.3 overs, the top six got 247 in 61.1 overs.It should have been 210 for the last four wickets, but Dhoni doesn’t go for a catch an arm’s length to his left. The ball dies in front of first slip, and Josh Hazlewood adds 32 unbeaten runs to his nought at the time. That’s the finishing touch every self-respecting Indian unravelling in the field yearns for.

Juventus are ready to cash in on talented teenager Kenan Yildiz, with a handful of Premier League clubs interested in the Turkish winger's services.

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• Juve could part ways with Yildiz
• Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Turkish player
• Yildiz keen on staying in Turin

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  With a potential finish outside the top four looming, Juventus are ready to offset the financial loss from missing out on Champions League qualification by cashing in on star player Kenan Yildiz. Juventus football director Cristiano Giuntoli is prepared to make sacrifices in order to ensure they remain financially stable during the 2025-26 season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That comes from a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport (via Il Bianconero), who state that Juventus are set to leverage Yildiz's development into one of the best young players in the world and sell him for a figure close to €80-90 million.

  The 19-year-old recently signed an extension with the Bianconeri, which will see him remain in Turin until 2029. Yildiz is eager to remain with the Old Lady to follow in the footsteps of Alessandro Del Piero, his idol. However, Juve are strategically positioning themselves to generate funds, fully aware that Yildiz is their most valuable asset.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Jorge Mendes' recent trip to Turin, including meetings with Giuntoli and Yildiz's parents, has raised eyebrows. Although no offers have been made — given that he is not the Turk's official agent — Mendes has informed Giuntoli about interest in Yildiz from Premier League clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR KENAN YILDIZ?

  Following Juventus' elimination from the pre-Round of 16 Champions League knockouts at the hands of PSV, Yildiz and his team-mates will be fully focused on ensuring they help Thiago Motta secure a top-four finish in Serie A. They have won four of their last five league games and are currently positioned in fourth place, 10 points behind league leaders Napoli.