Phil Foden admitted that Manchester City will come up against a "frightening" Liverpool team on Sunday, but insists his side are up to the challenge.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! đ˘đą |
Rangana Herath’s talent is no where near Muttiah Muralitharan’s genius, but his control and dependability has made him integral to Sri Lanka’s Test attack
Andrew Fernando in Galle19-Nov-2012Rangana Herath was on the field when Muttiah Muralitharan took his 800th wicket in Galle. At mid-on most likely, or short fine leg. Perhaps no one other than him remembers. He will never be the bowler that Murali was, and he is fine with that. What he has become since that day, is Sri Lanka’s unlikeliest, most unassuming star.On day three against New Zealand, he transformed a match that was set to be a nailbiter into a cakewalk in a single session, but he had already stilled the waters to move into position the previous evening. New Zealand had spoken of being positive against spin, particularly after a dour first innings, and Brendon McCullum endeavoured to remain true to those words when he rocked back to wallop Herath over deep midwicket for six, off the third ball Herath bowled in the innings.Two balls later, Herath bowled short again, but this time he gave it a little more topspin and gleaned an inch more bounce from the surface. The result was a top edge, and before New Zealand could wipe out their 26-run deficit, Herath had already removed their best batsman from the first innings – one capable of battering Sri Lanka into defence, if he had continued. His spell on day three might earn him more plaudits, but it is like Herath to do the hard work ahead of time. It is also like him to respond to a blow with a shot of his own. McCullum’s wicket was the uppercut that loosened New Zealand’s resolve for the barrage to come, and it was the second time in the match he had dismissed the batsman after being hit for six earlier in the over.Sri Lanka have now won four Tests since Murali retired, and Herath has a five-wicket haul in three of those matches, including in their maiden win in South Africa. The passage of play prior to Daniel Flynn’s dismissal illustrated just how much Herath means to this team now. Flynn was playing Herath well, before captain and bowler colluded to change the field completely. They put seven men on the leg side, three catching, and left a 150 degree arc from slip, to mid-off, completely unguarded on the off side. That Mahela Jayawardene approved a field of such audacity, showed his faith in Herath’s control, and his recognition of him as a match-winner. That Flynn did not score a single run to the off side off Herath, and was dismissed soon after, is testament to Herath’s station as such.”In terms of Sri Lankan bowlers I’ve seen, I would rate Rangana just after Murali definitely, purely because of the way he controls an innings,” Jayawardene said after the match. “That’s what we saw from Murali. Murali had various other attributes as well, but Rangana has the experience know. He knows what he is doing with the ball. He knows what the batsman is doing as well. After Murali, he is the next best thing.”With the transition after Murali retired, we would have struggled for a few years if we didn’t have Rangana. What he has done, even in South Africa to win a Test match after Murali, is something special.”Herath’s path was much lonelier than Murali’s and in many ways, more steep. Even now, anyone who watches Herath bowl will not believe he is a man bestowed with outrageous ability. There is a school of thought that he is the inventor of the carrom ball, but even he will admit he is hardly the best proponent of it. He certainly did not use many in this Test. Patience has been the grindstone at which he has perfected his craft.Murali was an anomaly, and men like Suraj Randiv, who scraped only two wickets in the match while Herath reaped 11, may not have much they can learn from one so singularly different. Herath is a disciple of subtlety and guile and even youngsters like Akila Dananjaya and Tharindu Kaushal would do well to learn from him.”The first thing they have to learn is the patience that Rangana showed,” Jayawardene said. “For ten years, he was waiting behind Murali for his opportunity, but he never gave up. He never got many opportunities, but whenever he got them he played and performed. That’s what the new generation have to do as well, in terms of learning their trade. You can have the talent, but it’s about delivering. The younger guys are doing that. They always come and speak to him at practices and work with him and we’ve got a nice little set up with the spinners’ academy, where Rangana goes and helps all the younger guys.”Sri Lanka are yet to sew up the series, but they will be soaring after such a comprehensive victory, and New Zealand dejected after their collapse. Beyond the next match, a colossal test awaits. Though he has none of the talent some of Sri Lanka’s batsmen command, Herath is the player most capable of sparking a win in Australia as well, and his side are beginning to see his immense worth. â¨Frill free, earnest and even-headed, Herath has become Sri Lanka’s working-class hero.
Captain insists he has appetite to carry on after latest Ashes humiliation down under
Andrew Miller16-Jan-2022Joe Root insists he still has the hunger to carry on as England’s Test captain, despite presiding over his second thrashing in an away Ashes campaign, which was completed in humiliating fashion on Sunday with the loss of ten second-innings wickets for 56 runs in their fifth-Test defeat at Hobart.Chasing 271 for victory, England collapsed from 68 for 0 to 124 all out in barely an hour-and-a-half’s play, as Australia wrapped up the campaign with a 146-run victory. No England player in either innings scored more than 36, while Root himself – until recently the ICC’s No.1-ranked Test batter – is still waiting for his first Ashes hundred in Australia, after being bowled for 11 in the midst of the collapse.Related
England's latest Ashes wreck proof of how deep the problems run
Harrison: Ashes defeat opportunity for England to 'reset'
Cameron Green, Pat Cummins ignite under lights as Australia seal Ashes 4-0
Wood gets his rewards to give England victory shot
The result means that England have now won none and lost 13 of their last 15 Tests in Australia since 2013, of which Root himself has played in 14, and captained 10. This latest 4-0 result matched the scoreline he oversaw on his maiden tour in charge in 2017-18.No other player of the past 100 years has captained England on more than one Ashes tour, let alone to two such resounding defeats, but with their Test fortunes at “rock-bottom”, according to his predecessor, Alastair Cook, Root believes he is still the man to oversee the team’s attempts to rebuild, starting with their three-Test tour of the Caribbean in March.”I’d love the opportunity to take this team forward and to turn things around,” Root said. “At the minute, we are going through a real tough stage as a group of players, and the performances haven’t been good enough. But I’d love the opportunity to try and turn things around and for us to start finding the performances that you’d expect from an English Test team, which we’ve been lacking of late.”Given the frailties in England’s line-up, alternatives to Root are thin on the ground. Ben Stokes, his vice-captain, endured a tough campaign on his return to the team after a mental-health break last summer, while there are few other contenders who are currently sure of a regular place in the team.However, Root is adamant he wants the job for the right reasons, and not because there’s no viable successor.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
“I believe I am the right man to take this team forward, in my own eyes,” he said. “If that decision is taken out of my hands, then so be it, but I’d love the opportunity to carry that forward. And yes, I do have an appetite to carry on and to turn things around, but we’ll see how things unfold.”Root’s fate – and that of England’s head coach, Chris Silverwood – may be determined by the ECB’s review into the tour, which will be led by the director of cricket, Ashley Giles, and Mo Bobat, the performance director. Andrew Strauss, Giles’ predecessor, will then ratify the findings in his role as chairman of the cricket committee, before Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, presents them to the board.Root himself had tentatively called for a “reset” for England’s red-ball priorities in the wake of the Ashes loss at Melbourne, a sentiment that Harrison echoed during the Hobart Test. This may include aspects such as the quality and timing of red-ball cricket in the English summer, and the length and frequency of England tours, which have been particularly difficult in the Covid era.”There’s a lot of things to consider,” Root said. “Playing in these bubbles takes its toll and there are certain things that definitely need to change. We’ve got an opportunity to really prioritise Test cricket off the back of this, and I’m sure I’ll get an opportunity to express my views, and how I think we can make significant changes to the red-ball game in our country.”In the short term, however, Root knows the main focus will be on the batters within the current England set-up. Aside from Root himself, whose haul of 322 runs at 32.20 was well below his recent standards, none of the players who took part in Hobart averaged more than 30 – a figure that each of Australia’s top six in the same Test surpassed.Pat Cummins gets a handshake from Joe Rootâ˘AFP/Getty Images
“It was a really poor display today with the bat,” Root said. “We felt like we had a real opportunity to win this Test match, but there were some very poor dismissals after a very promising start, so it’s disappointing to be sat here, beaten as heavily as that.”The quality’s there ⌠the potential is, certainly,” he added. “There’s a lot of talent, we’ve just not turned it into performances, which is the bottom line in Test cricket. At this level, you’ve got to bang out performances, and we’ve not managed to do that at all on this on this trip as a batting group.”England failed to pass 300 in any one of their ten innings of the series – the first time that has happened in the Ashes since 1958-59 – and on six of those occasions, they didn’t even pass 200, a failing that left their bowlers exposed, not least Mark Wood, who put in a heroic performance on the final morning in Hobart to claim his career-best figures of 6 for 37.”Far too many times we’ve been bowled out for under 200, and we are never going to win Test matches when we don’t get runs on the board,” Root said. “I felt for our bowlers after the performance they put in in that second innings. We really missed an opportunity this week.”A lot of guys will look at themselves in the mirror and say ‘I’ve not given a very good account of myself’,” he added. “That’s a frustration. We have let ourselves down because we’ve not given a fair account of what we’re capable of.”But at the same time, it’s quite evident that Australia, at this moment in time, are a better team than us in all areas. It hurts me to say that, but it’s the reality of things. We’ve got to accept that and find a way of being better. Thankfully we’ve got four or five weeks at home, before the opportunity to go to the West Indies and start to make significant improvement as a group of players.”
Amid a busy transfer window ahead of their Championship return, Derby County have reportedly submitted their first offer to sign their seventh arrival of the summer for Paul Warne.
Derby wasted no time before getting their summer business underway, hoping to avoid Championship relegation at the first time of asking and begin their journey back into the top six following last season's promotion from League One.
So far, Warne has welcomed Jerry Yates and Ebou Adams from Swansea and Cardiff City, Kenzo Goudmijn from AZ Alkmaar, Corey Blackett-Taylor from Charlton Athletic, Ben Osborn from Sheffield United and Kayden Jackson from Premier League side Ipswich Town in a solid window. Those at Pride Park will be particularly pleased with the arrival of Adams following an impressive loan spell from Cardiff.
After officially completing a permanent move, Adams told the club's official website: "I can't describe it, to be fair. I'm just over the moon and happy that it's finally done. I think it's a long time coming. Nothing's certain in life, but I was really hoping it would go through and I'm very grateful that it has. And now I can continue smiling again and enjoy myself."
Following Adams, the Rams have now reportedly turned their attention towards the goalkeeping department. According to Sports Bladet, Derby have made their first offer to sign Jacob Widell Zetterstrom from Djurgarden this summer, but have had that first move knocked back.
Derby County submit an offer to sign 21 y/o gem with "magic in his feet"
He has interest from numerous Championship clubs.
By
Tom Coates
Jul 17, 2024
This one may be far from over, however, after Djurgarden sports director Bosse Andersson confirmed the various "interest", saying via Sports Bladet: "You can tell that the interest in Jacob has increased and there are a couple of clubs that we have been in contact with. If something really good comes up regarding Jacob, we will solve it, but it is not something that is relevant right now. But there is interest in him."
After losing Joe Wildsmith to West Bromwich Albion on a free deal earlier this summer, Derby are running out of time to find a replacement for the shot-stopper, with Zetterstrom the latest option to emerge. The Swede enjoyed an impressive season at Djurgarden, keeping seven clean sheets in 14 league games, but it remains to be seen whether the Rams will submit a suitable offer to his current club, having reportedly seen their first attempt rejected.
At 26 years old, the goalkeeper should be in the prime of his career, making now a more important time than ever to make his biggest career move yet. Derby's first game back in the Championship takes place at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers on August 9 in what they hope will become the perfect way to get their return to the second tier going.
By that stage, the Rams must ensure that they've found their replacement for Wildsmith in the summer transfer market.
Plays of the day from the first day of the first Test between India and England in Ahmedabad
George Dobell in Ahmedabad15-Nov-2012Detail of the day
If anyone knows about the strengths of the England attack, it is their former coach, Duncan Fletcher. It was under Fletcher than the England team first mastered the skill of reverse swing. It helped them win the Ashes in 2005 and it has been a key part of their armoury ever since. So we should not be surprised that Fletcher, ever one to focus on details, ensured that the Ahmedabad outfield was unusually green and lush. Not only that, but there were no used pitches on the square and nothing else abrasive that may have accelerated the wear of the ball. So, instead of finding reverse swing as early as the 10th over as they did in the warm-up game against Haryana, England were forced to wait until tea before gaining any real assistance.Drop of the day
Virat Kohli was on just four when Jonathan Trott, a new face at slip, failed to cling on to a tough one-handed chance, to his left off the bowling of Graeme Swann. Kohli had endured a tough start to his innings – he did not get off the mark until he had faced 30 deliveries and, perhaps frustrated, attempted to cut but edged to Trott. The decision went to the third umpire after Trott, who lost control of the ball as he turned, allowed it to bounce and then found it in his forearms, admitting he was not sure if he had held on to it. It meant all the pressure England – and Swann and James Anderson, in particular – had built up upon Kohli was wasted.Telling moment of the day
The ball from Tim Bresnan was not that short. Nor was it that wide. But such was Virender Sehwag’s confidence on a pitch of minimal bounce that he had the time – and the power – to pull it through mid-on with an ease that bordered on the disdainful. It underlined the lack of pace and bounce in the wicket and the tiny margin for error high quality batsmen will allow in such conditions. England’s bowlers, with one or two honourable exceptions, were not up to the challenge. Sehwag hit the next ball for six back over Bresnan’s head to underline his dominance.Misjudgement of the day
Cheteshwar Pujara was on eight when he mistimed a stroke off Bresnan and saw his leading edge loop in the air towards mid-on. Anderson, sensing the chance, dashed in only to realise he had over-committed himself and the ball was dropping agonisingly out of reach behind him. He tried to backpedal but it was too late. The ball fell to ground and Pujara hardly played another false stroke on the way to stumps unbeaten on 98. Sehwag, on 80, was also dropped by Matt Prior, down the leg side off Anderson.Stroke of the day
It says much for Pujara’s abundant class that his batting bears such striking resemblance to Rahul Dravid. While only time will tell if Pujara has the defensive technique to survive against all bowlers in all conditions, he certainly has some of The Wall’s attacking flair. One drive through extra-cover bore the hallmark of real class: seizing on a fraction of extra flight from Swann, Pujara skipped down the wicket and drove beautifully between the fielders. It was a fine shot and typical of a fine innings.Debut of the day
Nick Compton has taken the scenic route to international cricket but, aged 29, he received his first cap from Graham Gooch before the start of play. Compton is just the second man, after Chris Tremlett, to follow his grandfather into the England side. Denis Compton played for England between 1937 and 1957, while Maurice Tremlett played three Tests in 1948.Milestone of the day
There was not too much to cheer about for England on the first day of this game. But at least Swann, who offered control and bite for England, finished with four wickets and overtook Jim Laker’s tally of 193 Test victims. That means Swann has taken more Test wickets than any other England offspinner. Swann went past Laker with the wicket of Sehwag, who was bowled attempting to sweep. Bearing in mind that no other England bowler has yet taken a wicket, perhaps Swann may yet surpass Laker’s more memorable record: 19 wickets in a single Test, achieved against Australia in 1956.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have made a solid start to their transfer business so far this summer, signing Tommy Doyle, Pedro Lima and Rodrigo Gomes as Gary O’Neil looks to flood his side with young talent.
The Old Gold will also have to sell a player or two in order to balance the books, but it remains to be seen who will follow Max Kilman out the exit door.
The defender joined West Ham United for a £40m transfer fee recently, yet the manager is eyeing up a replacement for the player…
According to Caught Offside, Wolves have what is described as 'strong interest' in Strahinja Pavlovic as they seek to land a replacement for the departed Kilman.
The Old Gold face some stiff competition, however, as Chelsea and Aston Villa eye a move for the Serbian centre-back, while Newcastle United and AC Milan are keen admirers too.
The asking price for the current RB Salzburg defender stands at €30m (£25m), which may prove to be a stumbling block for the Molineux outfit, despite raking in £40m from the sale of Kilman.
Pavlovic featured for Serbia at Euro 2024 and there is no doubt the defender would be an excellent signing this summer.
The 23-year-old shone at Euro 2024, although Serbia were knocked out in the group stage. Across three matches, he won 8.7 total duels per game – a success rate of 70% – made 3.7 tackles per game and recovered four balls per game.
|
Top flight statistics during 2023/24 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Metric |
Max Kilman |
Strahinja Pavlovic |
|
Goals |
2 |
3 |
|
Accurate passes per game |
51.9 |
56.5 |
|
Accurate long balls per game |
3.8 |
4.7 |
|
Total duels won per game |
4.2 |
8.8 |
|
Possession lost per game |
9.2 |
16.1 |
|
Tackles per game |
1.2 |
2.5 |
|
Ball recoveries per game |
4.7 |
7.3 |
|
Stats via Sofascore. |
||
It was hardly surprising given how impressive he was at club level last term. Defensively, he won a staggering 8.8 total duels per game while making 2.5 tackles and recovering 7.3 balls per game.
The centre-back also demonstrated his forward-thinking abilities, as when compared to his positional peers, Pavlovic ranked in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90 (0.73), along with ranking in the top 9% for progressive carries per 90 (1.28) in leagues similar to the Austrian Bundesliga.
In comparison, Kilman failed to rank in the to 30% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90 when compared to his own positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, showing that Pavlovic is a clear upgrade in terms of bursting forward from defence.
With regard to defensive stats, Kilman averaged 4.2 total duels won per game, made 1.2 tackles and recovered 4.7 balls per game in the Premier League last season.
Comparing both defenders, there is only one winner. Pavlovic would be an ideal signing to fill the void left behind by the Englishman, and it is something O’Neil really has to consider.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig described him as an “old school CB” during the 2022 World Cup as Serbia came up against Cameroon, Brazil and Switzerland.
£25m may prove to be a lot on the surface, but if Wolves are aiming for a top-half finish in the league next season, a player of Pavlovic’s ability is a must.
Another Nunes situation: Wolves at risk of losing ÂŁ50m "warrior"
Gary O’Neil will be looking to prevent one of his star players from leaving this summer…
1
By
Ross Kilvington
Jul 13, 2024
James Anderson and Stuart Broad set to return in Adelaide while Jhye Richardson comes in for the injured Josh Hazlewood
Alex Malcolm15-Dec-2021
England have not won an Ashes series in Australia after losing the first Test since 1954-55 and they enter Adelaide with hopes of matching that feat. But the first step in rectifying that record will be winning a Test match full stop, something they haven’t done in their last 11 Tests down under.History and form are against England and much has been pinned on the pink-ball Tests of Adelaide and Hobart to help the visitors even the ledger. The only problem is Australia have won eight out of eight pink-ball Tests, including five in Adelaide, while England have won just one and lost three having been hammered by 10 wickets in their most recent day-night fixture in India earlier this year. India themselves capitulated to Australia in last year’s day-night Test in Adelaide, folding for 36 in their second innings in blazing sunshine.Related
Anderson replaces Wood for Adelaide Test; Leach retained in squad
Jhye Richardson to replace Hazlewood for second Test; Warner to play despite damaged rib
Stronger, bulkier Richardson awaits stage to level up
Root faces 'tricky decisions' around bowling combination
Ten losses, one draw – Running the rule over England's decade of Ashes desperation
England need a bowling performance of equal measure to fight their way back into this series and look set to welcome James Anderson and Stuart Broad back after both were strangely left out of the Gabba Test. But their bowling is just one half of the equation as their batting is of major concern despite Joe Root being within reach of breaking the all-time record for the most Test runs scored in a calendar year. The skipper will need some help if England are to get back into the series.Australia will want to keep the momentum rolling after a dominant win in Brisbane. They have lost Josh Hazlewood to a side strain, with Jhye Richardson to replace him while there are fitness concerns over David Warner due to his bruised ribs. Neither Pat Cummins nor Mitchell Starc were forced to bowl more than 35 overs in Brisbane while three of Australia’s top six are coming off significant scores. But Australia did fail to score 200 in last year’s pink-ball Test against India despite winning by eight wickets, and England rolled them for just 138 in the second innings in Adelaide four years ago.
(last five Tests, most recent first)
Australia WLDLWEngland LLWLD
Marcus Harris entered the series with the full backing of Australia’s selectors, but the spotlight will now be on him after Travis Head erased any concerns over his place following his 152 in Brisbane. Harris deserves an extended run at the top of the order but if he can’t get a score in Adelaide then questions will start to mount heading to Melbourne. Harris faced 17 balls in the first innings in Brisbane, none of which would have hit the stumps, and his decision-making was less than convincing as he edged to slip for just 3. With Warner set to be impeded by his bruised ribs, Harris will be needed to make a significant contribution to set the game up for Australia’s middle order.Marcus Harris fell early in the first innings in Brisbaneâ˘AFP/Getty Images
England need more from Jos Buttler with the bat. In 2021 he has played 12 Test innings, averaging 29, for just one half-century but has passed 20 nine times including twice in Brisbane. His rearguard in England’s first-innings proved he can do some damage to Australia if he gets going but 20s and 30s don’t win Test matches. Root needs support and with Ben Stokes underdone, Buttler is the next most experienced player in the top seven and the man most capable of taking a game away from Australia in the manner Head did to England.
Australia have made just one change with Richardson replacing the injured Hazlewood. Richardson has been in outstanding form for Western Australia in Sheffield Shield cricket this season and made his Test debut in a pink-ball Test in 2019. There were concerns over Warner’s fitness as his bruised ribs continue to cause him discomfort but Australia skipper Pat Cummins confirmed he would play through the pain.Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Marcus Harris, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Jhye Richardson, 11 Nathan LyonEngland have named their 12 with Anderson and Broad included and Mark Wood rested. But England have a problem trying to balance their attack. They will be tempted to drop Jack Leach and play four seamers but Adelaide Oval curator Damien Hough cautioned against that despite very few spinners having success in pink-ball Tests in Adelaide. Over-rates are also a concern after England were docked 100% of their match fees for a glacial rate in Brisbane.England 1 Rory Burns, 2 Haseeb Hameed, 3 Dawid Malan, 4 Joe Root (capt), 5 Ben Stokes, 6 Ollie Pope, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Stuart Broad/Jack Leach, 11 James Anderson
Adelaide Oval curator Hough is hoping to roll out another good surface. Pat Cummins said, “you could set your clock to this wicket every year” since the surface has become a drop-in with plenty of grass coverage offering pace, bounce, sideways movement and some spin. There has been warm weather in the lead-up to the Test and the first couple of days set to be over 30 degrees before cooling down over the weekend.
“It’s not going to get any harder than that first day in Brisbane. Especially for guys who have not experienced what an Ashes series is like in Australia. We know it’s not going to get more difficult than that, so in that respect, there’s no excuses.””It went perfectly for us [in Brisbane], no doubt that’s not going to happen every game and certainly won’t happen this series I’m sure. We couldn’t be happier with the start but know it’s one match in a five match series.”
What happens when retired athletes become owners? GOAL looks at positives, negatives of two NFL legends representing EFL clubs
Celebrity ownership in any sport is a complicated thing – especially when it comes to former athletes. On one side, the competitive juices that come with being elites of any given game can be invaluable. There is usually a real desire to win. On the other, it can come across with an air of complacency, particularly when from athletes who know little about the sport they're investing in.
Such is the case with J.J. Watt's stake in Burnley, and Tom Brady's in Birmingham. Neither are majority owners for their respective clubs, and their genuine involvement in the day-to-day decision making. Instead, this is more about vibes and influence. Both are expert representatives, recognizable faces, and provide a direct connection to fans in the United States.
But with that comes good and bad. What happens when retired athletes invest in football clubs? GOAL looks to address that question by examining two specific examples – Brady and Watt, and the positives and negatives of NFL legends representing EFL clubs.
One of the many special things about Manchester United Football Club is the legendary centre-backs they have had at the club. Throughout the Premier League era, and before, there have been some truly iconic central defenders at the Old Trafford club, who have all played a huge part in their successes.
At the start of the Premier League era, Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister were the go-to pairing for Sir Alex Ferguson. Bruce played 398 games for the Red Devils, with Pallister notching up 424 games for the legendary club. They played 307 games at the heart of United’s defence together.
Jaap Stam was a pivotal figure for the Red Devils in their remarkable treble-winning campaign of 1999. He featured 127 times for United in total and helped his side to win three consecutive Premier League titles which included the treble.
Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic formed a legendary partnership for United playing 197 times together. Ferdinand pulled on that famous red shirt 455 times, and Vidic made 300 appearances for United, as they won multiple Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Recently, United have been linked with another centre-back who could end up being the next iconic name on that illustrious list.
The player in question here is Bayern Munich and the Netherlands international defender Matthijs de Ligt. The 24-year-old former Ajax man has struggled to settle in at Bayern since joining the club two years ago and could leave Bavaria this summer, with Old Trafford a potential destination.
According to a report from highly reputable journalist David Ornstein, INEOS are 'seriously considering' a move for De Ligt, who is thought to have been 'on the Old Trafford radar' since he broke through at Ajax, and again when he moved to Juventus in the summer of 2019.
As per the report from Ornstein, United’s interest in De Ligt is 'matched by that of manager Erik ten Hag', who previously coached him at Ajax, when the defender first broke through as a teenage prodigy. Ornstein explains that Ten Hag 'would welcome a reunion with his former captain.
According to a prior report from Sky Germany, Bayern would want a transfer fee of £42m, which seems reasonable given he still has three years left on his current contract, as Ornstein points out in his report.
The Dutch international is a player who is highly thought of by Ten Hag. During an interview in 2019, he claimed his Ajax team played such courageous and creative football “because De Ligt is our captain”, high praise for a 19-year-old leading his boyhood club out. He was a player Ten Hag brought through and enjoyed a fantastic time under United’s manager with the Dutch giants.
|
De Ligt record under Ten Hag |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Competition |
Games |
Minutes |
|
Eredivisie |
48 |
4320 |
|
Champions League |
11 |
990 |
|
Champions League qualifiers |
6 |
540 |
|
TOTO KNVB Beker |
5 |
380 |
|
Total |
70 |
6230 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
||
Indeed, it is that leadership element of his game that United could add more of to their side. The likes of Vidic are few and far between in the squad now, from both a leadership and defending point of view, but it is something that De Ligt could bring back to Old Trafford.
For Ten Hag to make the Bayern Munich defender his captain at Ajax aged just 19 years old, speaks volumes about just how highly he rates him. In fact, this can be linked to praise Vidic has received in the past, from legendary midfielder Paul Scholes. The former United number 18 explained that Vidic was a “natural for the role of captain”, before explaining that he is superb at “leading from the front”, similar praise to what De Ligt received from Ten Hag.
However, it is not just here where the similarities between the two end. Both players have received high praise about their defending in the past from former managers. On De Ligt, Ten Hag explained how he “loves the art of defending”, with Sir Alex Ferguson posing the question “how many centre-halves can you name who actually like defending?”, before explaining that “Vidic liked it”.
Indeed, there are similarities between the two as defenders. They are both 6 foot 2 centre-backs who are not afraid of a crunching tackle and are both superb in the air. Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard called him a "monster" for a reason. In fact, as per FBref, De Ligt wins an average of 2.47 aerial duels per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 28% of defenders across Europe.
On the ball, De Ligt is a progressive defender, who ranks in the top 10% for progressive passes per 90 minutes, with 5.57. Not only that, the 24-year-old’s pass completion rate of 93.1% is among the best, ranking him in the top 4% of defenders.
The Dutchman, who earns £260k-per-week, as per Capology, did not feature much feature much for Bayern last season, under former manager Thomas Tuchel. He played just 30 times in all competitions, with 22 of those games coming in the Bundesliga.
He helped to keep seven clean sheets in the German top flight, in what proved to be a disastrous season for the German giants. Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time in a decade, famously losing out to one of the all-time great German sides, an invincible Bayer Leverkusen managed by Bayern legend Xabi Alonso.
Another concerning factor for United should they sign De Ligt is the constant injury issues he has endured. It is no secret that the Red Devils suffered injuries right throughout the squad all of last season, and De Ligt himself missed 20 games, mainly with a recurring knee ligament injury. That is certainly something United must be careful of.
However, on the face of things, this seems like a smart signing. They would add experience and leadership to a squad largely devoid of it, as well as a classic defender who loves to get stuck into the opposition; in many ways, they would finally be replacing the legendary Serbian defender Vidic.
For a reported fee of just £42m, it could be an excellent piece of business for the Red Devils and INEOS this summer, and one that sets them up for a big season under Ten Hag.
Man Utd plot concrete move for their own Van Dijk in ÂŁ42m talent
Erik ten Hag is a huge admirer of the Dutch international.
By
Tom Lever
Jun 28, 2024
Bayern legend Lothar Matthaus has revealed that Salihamidzic and Flick had an argument regarding the signing of Wirtz in 2021.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
| Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! đ˘đą |