All posts by n8rngtd.top

Jamal had come for training with “804” written on his floppy hat, which is the prisoner number of the former Pakistan prime minister and captain

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2025Aamer Jamal, the Pakistan allrounder, has been fined over a million rupees (USD 4000 approx.) for displaying a slogan showing support for former prime minister and Pakistan captain, Imran Khan.Jamal turned up for a Pakistan training day during the home Test series against England in December last year with “804” written on the underside of his floppy hat. That is the prisoner number for Imran, who has been incarcerated since August 2023 and is facing multiple long-term sentences for corruption and other charges. Imran says the charges are politically motivated. The number has become a popular and identifying rallying cry among his supporters, heard at his political party PTI’s rallies and even during a couple of PSL games last year.As Jamal was in training kit and not during a match day expressing a political message, it was not an ICC violation. But the PCB’s code of conduct mirrors that of the ICC.Related

• Stats – Pakistan's T20 batting hits a low point in Christchurch

• Akram criticises PCB's social media video for leaving out Imran Khan

Jamal has been fined under clause 2.23 of that code which states:.The clause notes that players cannot “comment on any sensitive, communal, racial, sectarian, political etc” matter.The fine is thought to be an unusually large one for the breach, indicating that it could be setting an example, rather than specifically punishing a disciplinary breach.Imran was the prime minister until he was removed by a parliamentary vote of no confidence in May 2022. He and his party have been at odds with the current government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Mohsin Naqvi, the current chair of the PCB, is a key figure in the current government as the interior minister and by constitution, is an appointee to the PCB of the prime minister.Under Naqvi’s predecessor at the PCB, Zaka Ashraf, the board released a celebratory video in which Imran had been edited out of some of Pakistan’s greatest cricket achievements. After much criticism he was edited back in. There had also been speculation around the Imran Khan enclosure at Gaddafi Stadium and whether it would be renamed during the recent upgradation work, but the enclosure remains under his name.Jamal was one of a number of players fined over the winter for various disciplinary and curfew breaches.

[ad_pod ]

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

West Ham United have no interest in signing either Daniel Sturridge or Danny Welbeck on free transfers this summer, per ClaretandHugh.

What’s the word?

The two strikers are available after leaving Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

However, both players have had significant injury problems throughout their careers – Sturridge missed a total of 99 games at Liverpool, while Welbeck was absent for 123 matches at Arsenal.

And ClaretandHugh insists that the Hammers have no desire to sign two players with significant fitness woes.

History-bucking move

West Ham would have fallen hook, line and sinker for this a couple of seasons ago.

They have signed the likes of Samir Nasri, Alvaro Arbeloa, Ashley Fletcher and Jack Wilshere in recent transfer windows purely because they were available.

Now, of course, Wilshere may well turn out to be a masterstroke but the other three ranged from average to absolutely terrible.

[ad_pod ]

It could have been a similar story with either Welbeck or Sturridge.

They are both recognisable names who have played for big clubs despite having significant baggage.

Previously, the Irons would have taken them on regardless; that they are bucking the trend is a positive step ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

[ad_pod ]

Former captain’s departure may hasten new deal for Alastair Cook

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2021Ronnie Irani has stepped down from his position on the board at Essex, a move that may help to convince Alastair Cook to extend his first-class career by another season.Irani, the former chairman of the club’s Cricket Committee, has been the centre of a season-long dispute at Essex, with a number of players raising objections to his interference in club matters.Irani’s recommendation of Chris Silverwood for the role of head coach in 2015 was a key factor in the club’s recent spate of trophies, including two County Championships and the Bob Willis Trophy, as well two Division Two titles and the T20 Blast in 2019.More recently, however, he attracted the ire of the players by recommending a review into an alleged drinking culture at Essex – an inquest which may have been related to the team’s celebrations after winning the Bob Willis Trophy at Lord’s last season, when photographs of beer being poured on the head of the young batter Feroze Khushi – a non-drinker for religious reasons – were circulated to widespread condemnation.Irani is understood to have suggested such behaviour was not conducive to an elite sporting environment and may be deemed exclusive to those who do not drink. However, the insinuation of a lack of professionalism was a frustration to the club’s senior core, including Cook, 36, who was their leading run-scorer in last year’s Bob Willis Trophy, and whom Essex’s new chief executive, John Stephenson, will hope can be persuaded to extend his career by another year, following a further 611 runs and two centuries this summer.While Essex did endure a below-par start to their 2021 campaign, resulting in them missing the cut for Division One when the first half of the season was concluded in July, they finished strongly to claim the Division Two title with a two-day win over Northamptonshire – a result that Dan Lawrence, their stand-in captain, claimed they would be reluctant to celebrate given their high standards in red-ball cricket.Irani is understood to have held ambitions of becoming the next chair of Essex in the new year. But his candidature was opposed by many of the club’s grandees, including Graham Gooch and David Acfield, and he was a notable omission from Ryan ten Doeschate’s vote of thanks in his farewell speech at Chelmsford, as he officially retired after 19 years of service during Essex’s final match of the season.Essex’s chairman, John Faragher, said: “I would like to thank Ronnie for his services over the last twelve years during which time the club has achieved considerable success on the field.”Ronnie’s contribution on the Essex County Cricket Club board and as chairman of the Cricket Committee has been central to this success and we wish him well in the future.”

After enjoying a breakthrough year so far, Dunkley aims high ahead of series with NZ

Valkerie Baynes31-Aug-2021Last time Sophia Dunkley was preparing to face New Zealand, she was searching for a way to break into England’s top six, now she has her sights set on making a top-four place her own.Speaking on the eve of England’s opening T20I against New Zealand at Chelmsford, Dunkley could reflect on a breakout six months in which she has become something of a regular pick at No. 6 for England across all formats and the third-highest run-scorer in the Women’s Hundred behind international stars Dane van Niekerk and Jemimah Rodrigues. She made her Test and ODI debuts against India over the English summer, scoring an unbeaten 74 in the Test and 73 not out in just her second one-day appearance.”It’s definitely got world-class players in our top five so it’s quite a hard line-up to get into but for me it’s just trying to focus on what I’m doing and score as many runs as possible and hopefully put my hat in the ring to be in that top four down the line, which is 100 percent one of my goals,” Dunkley said. “I want to bat in the top four for England in all formats. It’s definitely something I’m aspiring to.Related

• Lea Tahuhu overcomes cancer scare to make England tour

• Jemimah Rodrigues, Dane van Niekerk and Sophia Dunkley in Women's Hundred team of the tournament

• Maia Bouchier, Charlie Dean ruled out of first T20I vs New Zealand, Emma Lamb called into England squad

• Heather Knight hails increased depth of women's game as England prepare to face New Zealand

• Amy Satterthwaite looking forward to getting the band back together

“It’s just [a case of] keep going and giving myself the best chance and if I bat a little bit lower down the order just enjoy that as well because it’s a different challenge for me but one I want to do well for the team.”With Tammy Beaumont, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver, Heather Knight and Amy Jones currently batting ahead of her, Dunkley may have to settle for a role as a middle-to-lower-order finisher – and that suits her just fine at the moment.”Whatever role I get given, if it’s going in in the middle and the back end, it’s just knowing what I do well and sticking to my strengths and giving us the best chance of getting some big scores,” Dunkley said.After playing 10 T20Is for England in 2018-19, Dunkley then spent 18 months out of the side. Since she was recalled for the last two of England’s five T20Is against West Indies a year ago, she has made 34 runs across six T20I innings with limited opportunities given the strength of the line-up ahead of her.Promoted to No. 4 in place of injured captain Heather Knight, Dunkley scored 26 as England swept their winter T20I series in New Zealand 3-0 and, over time, she says her approach to batting has changed.”It’s probably my mindset and how I’ve been thinking about things,” Dunkley said. “It’s easy to get fixated selections or games which are coming up and not thinking about what I’m doing at the time.”The more that I’ve tried to think of each game as it comes and be in the moment and try and win the game for the team, that’s where I felt I’ve been able to impact the game more. Just thinking about winning the game for the team that I’m playing for, trying to make it a bit more positive has really helped me.”At No. 3, Dunkley was pivotal to Southern Brave’s run to the inaugural Hundred final, which they lost to Oval Invincibles, and she hopes the interest in women’s cricket generated by that competition carries into the New Zealand series.”Hopefully it’s given people a good insight into women’s cricket and how good it is and the success of the Hundred hopefully will rub off on the international series,” Dunkley said. “It was an exciting competition and hopefully that’s drawn a lot more people in and we do see more crowds an the international series, which I think will be an exciting one.”Sophia Dunkley flays one over the off side•PA Images via Getty Images

New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite, who watched the Hundred from afar but was keen to be involved, agreed.”The energy and the excitement around it and the size of the crowds, it certainly looked like it was a huge success,” Satterthwaite said. “Even just the standard of cricket that was played, and probably like what you’ve seen a little bit with the WBBL in the past, you see the level of domestic cricketers coming into competitions like that and the way that they’ve performed, we’ve seen some new names that you probably hadn’t seen before, so I certainly think from a distance that it looked like it was a real success.”It’s just awesome to see the support behind women’s cricket and the number of people that are coming in to watch. We saw it in the Hundred over here so I’m really excited about the size of the crowds that we hopefully will get across this series.”Wednesday’s tour opener at Chelmsford was close to being sold out on Tuesday and is set to be Knight’s 200th match for England. Fixtures at Hove and Taunton follow before the sides hone their preparations for next year’s 50-over World Cup in New Zealand with five ODIs, starting in Bristol on September 16.

Spinner seizes vital batting point then prises out key wickets to put fate in team’s hands

George Dobell22-Sep-2021If Warwickshire do go on to clinch the LV= Insurance County Championship title in the coming days, they will owe much to Danny Briggs.Briggs had only taken four wickets in the previous two seasons at Sussex – they didn’t pick him for any first-class cricket in 2020 – but Warwickshire, looking for a replacement for Jeetan Patel, were keen to secure a spinner whom they could rely upon in all formats. They reasoned that Briggs would bowl dry in first innings, become dangerous in second innings and contribute in other ways with his improved batting and positive, calm head in the dressing room. He has delivered on all fronts. It has proved one of the signings of the year.Even before play, Warwickshire had recognised Briggs’ value. Ashley Giles, something of legend round these parts, had been asked to present him with his county cap. But Briggs confirmed his value wonderfully on the second day of this game. Having made a table-turning half-century in the morning, he then snared a couple of vital wickets on a pitch which remains flat and slow. That the first of these was claimed with an outstanding, one-handed catch only underlined his all-round worth.It looked, for a while, as if Warwickshire had made a fearful hash of their bid to gain a fourth batting bonus point. Resuming on the second morning requiring 67 more runs from 14 overs with six wickets in hand, they somehow contrived to lose five wickets in 10 overs for the addition of 35 runs.That left Warwickshire’s final pair requiring 28 more runs from 23 balls to secure the vital point. Eventually reducing that to 11 from the final over before the 110-over cut-off, Briggs struck the first ball – something of a wide half-volley if truth be told – through extra-cover for four, before late-cutting the next to the backward point boundary. When he flicked the third ball off his legs for six, he had not only performed a passable impression of Sir Viv Richards but taken his side to 350 (and that fourth bonus point) with three deliveries to spare. In all, the over (bowled by the unfortunate Jack Brooks) cost 20 and helped Briggs to a 29-ball half-century. It was his third of the season, having only twice previously reached 50 in first-class cricket.None of this meant Warwickshire were assured of the title. But it did mean their destiny was within their own hands. And it did mean that, if they win, having also taken maximum bowling points, they will be county champions.”I’ve loved my time here and the opportunities I’ve been given,” Briggs said later. “I suppose I had been pigeon-holed as a white-ball specialist at Sussex. But I always wanted to play all formats. I just want to play as much as possible. I’m too young to think about giving up a format.”We have a lot of hard work ahead of us here. But if you’d told us at the start of the season that we would be in with a chance of the trophy with only two days to go, we would have bitten your hand off.”Related

• Chris Woakes availability boosts Warwickshire ahead of County Championship deciding round

• Sam Hain leads the way as Warwickshire realise that Championship is in sight

• Essex seal unwanted Division Two title with two-day thrashing of Northamptonshire

• Nottinghamshire rue the runs that got away as Yorkshire collapse comes too late for title hopes

Warwickshire’s total – their third highest of a season in which they have failed to reach 400 – didn’t look especially impressive once Somerset started their reply. Tom Lammonby, hitting the ball with unusual power, looked especially dangerous in depositing Chris Woakes through the covers and over mid-wicket on his way to a high-class half-century. Azhar Ali, meanwhile, was all studious defence and determination. It soon became apparent that taking 20 wickets on this surface was likely to prove desperately tough.It’s worth focusing on Lammonby for a moment. He endured a horrendous start to the Championship season; he was out for three ducks in his first four innings and averaged just 13.38 in the nine matches he played in the qualifying stages of the tournament. But he looks a player of enormous talent and here, presented with a decent batting surface, underlined the positive impression he made in scoring three centuries at the end of last season. It is relevant, surely, that last season’s first-class cricket was played on relatively good batting tracks from August onwards and that he has found form again on such surfaces in 2021. On such pitches – the sort of pitches encountered at Test level, really – Lammonby looks a player of high potential.It took Briggs’ intervention to get rid of him. Luring Lammonby down the track, Briggs clung on to the sharpest of caught-and-bowled chances with his right hand as the batter drove the ball back at him. With Azhar prodding at a Tim Bresnan outswinger, Tom Abell squared up by one which straightened and Lewis Goldsworthy attempting to hit Briggs off his length and instead finding mid-on, it gave Warwickshire inroads into Somerset’s middle-order. The pitch remains flat and, judging by the experience of previous games here this season, is unlikely to deteriorate much so claiming 15 more wickets – and, perhaps, judging a declaration – will prove demanding. The new ball, available in three overs on the third morning, may prove crucial.Earlier Craig Overton won belated rewards for another excellent spell of bowling. He claimed 5 for 88 – his fourth five-for of the campaign – defeating Michael Burgess, who was also capped on the first day, with something close to an unplayable delivery which took the shoulder of the bat, and soon followed it with Woakes, driving at an outswinger, and Bresnan, who poked another outswinger back to the bowler. With Sam Hain bowled through the gate by one which nipped back without adding to his overnight score, it seemed Warwickshire had squandered their chance.But Briggs had other ideas. He has already earned a recall to England’s white-ball squads this summer – albeit he didn’t actually get a game when England were obliged to name a second-string outfit for their matches against Pakistan – and could yet finish it with a Championship winners’ medal. He will have played a huge part in the success if it does come to pass.

Our pick of the best World T20 batting performances is heavy on semi-finals and finals performances

Kanishkaa Balachandran25-Feb-2016Marlon Samuels, 78 off 56 balls, West Indies v Sri Lanka, final, Colombo, 2012
West Indies, batting first, were crawling along at 32 for 2 after ten overs. Enter Samuels, who played the innings of his life, biffing Sri Lanka’s best bowler, Lasith Malinga, for three sixes in the 13th over and for a further 18 runs when Malinga returned for a new spell. West Indies posted a seemingly modest 137, thanks to Samuels’ onslaught, but it was a winning total.Alex Hales, 116 not off 64 balls, England v Sri Lanka, Chittagong, 2014
The target was a steep 190 and England were reeling at 0 for 2 at the end of the first over. A full-strength Sri Lanka attack wasn’t good enough to silence Hales, who bludgeoned 11 fours and six sixes. Three of those sixes came off one over from Ajantha Mendis that cost 25, decisively swinging the match away from Sri Lanka. It was England’s first T20 hundred and guided them home by six wickets.Michael Hussey, 60 not out off 24 balls, Australia v Pakistan, semi-final, Gros Islet, 2010
Chasing 192 for a place in the final, Australia looked out of it when they needed 34 off the last two overs. Their hopes rested on a set Hussey, batting on 24 off 14 at that point. He proceeded to take charge against Mohammad Amir, haring 16 off the penultimate over, and then launching a brutal onslaught on Saeed Ajmal in the 20th, smacking three sixes to clinch the unlikeliest of victories.Yuvraj Singh, 70 off 30 balls, India v Australia, semi-final, Durban, 2007
Yuvraj was in red-hot form coming into the semi-final, having hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over in the previous game. He tonked another five against Australia, including one off Brett Lee over square leg that proved to be the biggest hit of the tournament. India surged in the middle overs thanks largely to Yuvraj’s 21-ball fifty. It eventually took them to 188, and a 15-run win.Shahid Afridi, 51 off 34 balls, Pakistan v South Africa, semi-final, Trent Bridge, 2009
A refreshingly mature innings from Afridi: aggressive yet methodical, featuring eight fours and no sixes. South Africa pulled things back after the Powerplay, but Afridi didn’t let the pressure build on Pakistan, finding the gaps and pushing twos. He then tore into Johan Botha, hitting four fours in an over. He put Pakistan on course for a competitive 149 and later tormented South Africa with the ball, capping a fine day for him.

Atletico Madrid have been fined and hit with a partial stadium closure for three games after crowd trouble halted their match with Real Madrid.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Madrid derby halted over crowd trouble
• Atletico hit with $50,000 fine
• Partial stadium closure for three games

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Last weekend's La Liga clash with Los Blancos was stopped for around 20 minutes in the second half after Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois complained that home fans were throwing objects onto the field. Supporters then ignored appeals when asked to desist over the stadium loudspeakers, with the game then being stopped. Now, The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have slapped Diego Simeone's team with a $50,000 fine and ruled they must close the lower south section of the Metropolitano Stadium – where the incidents occurred – for their next three home fixtures.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The RFEF have since described what happened on that day as “absolutely unacceptable and did not accept Atletico’s allegations concerning previous acts which in no way would be capable of justifying the events that followed.”

• DID YOU KNOW?

  According to reports, Atletico, who sit fourth in La Liga in an unbeaten start to the season, have said they have already identified one supporter over this matter and subsequently banned them.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Atletico travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday night in La Liga, before having their first home match under the partial stadium closure after the international break when they entertain Leganes on October 20 in the league.

The former Arsenal midfielder is reportedly among the favorites to take over the MLS Eastern Conference side

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Patrick Viera a finalist for Atlanta job
• Coached NYCFC in MLS for to start career
• Was linked with vacant USMNT job

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After four months without employment, Patrick Viera is back in consideration for a MLS job. The Arsenal legend is among the finalists for Atlanta's coaching role, according to Tom Bogert. He last coached at Strasbourg in Ligue 1, and was briefly linked with the USMNT job last summer after Gregg Berhalter was removed following a group stage exit at Copa America.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Atlanta appears to be facing a transitional offseason. The 2018 MLS Cup Champions sold three of their biggest names last summer, raising $42 million with the departures of Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Caleb Wiley.

  There was also change in higher positions, with manager Gonzalo Pineda removed from in early June. Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra also left the club shortly after.

  Viera, for his part, is no stranger to MLS. The Frenchman coached NYCFC for more than two seasons in his first managerial job.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Viera has coached in three countries, having spent time in MLS, England and France over the course of a nearly 10 year managerial career. His tenure at NYCFC was marked by success, as he guided the expansion franchise to an MLS Eastern Conference semifinal appearance in his first season, and subsequent top four finishes over the next two campaigns.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR VIERA?

  The Frenchman appears to be in contention for his next job in management – although it would seem that Atlanta are unlikely to appoint a full time coach until the end of the campaign.

As a dramatic Scottish Premiership nears its crescendo, Rangers have reportedly turned their attention towards Philippe Clement's first summer transfer window in charge and landing a fresh face to buff up his defensive ranks.

Rangers transfer news

With or without the Scottish Premiership to celebrate, Rangers are set to endure a busy summer, starting with a number of departures. As things stand, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram, Borna Barisic and Leon Balogun, among others, are set to leave the club as free agents upon the expiry of their current contracts at Ibrox.

Clement must finally ditch Rangers star who's cost £169k per start in 23/24

Philippe Clement must undergo a massive clear-out of his squad this summer

By
Ross Kilvington

May 9, 2024

Leaving plenty of space behind them, the Gers will undoubtedly turn their attention towards reinforcements, with links already emerging over a permanent move to sign Lens loanee Oscar Cortes. The winger had his loan spell disrupted by injury, but could now get a second chance to form a consistent run and show his best form in Scotland.

The same can be said for Abdallah Sima, who may also leave for Scotland on a permanent basis from Brighton & Hove Albion. But, that said, it's not just familiar faces who the Gers have been linked with ahead of the transfer window.

According to El Marcador TV, Rangers are eyeing a move to sign Jose Cordoba from Levski Sofia in a deal worth just €3m (£2.5m) this summer. The 22-year-old has impressed in Bulgaria's first division, with journalist Jose Miguel Dominguez describing him as the "best defender in his league" this season in what is high, but deserved praise.

Now, it is Rangers who could be left benefitting, though they're not alone in their interest. Alongside Rangers, clubs in France and Turkey are also reportedly interested in Cordoba to create a tight battle for his signature. Reports suggest that Rangers' European exploits will be a big factor in the process, however, and could help their pitch to sign the defender this summer.

Defensive reinforcements needed at Rangers

Rangers are walking a fine line when it comes to departures this summer. As much as things could work out, they must make replacing their defensive depth a priority in the coming months, starting with Cordoba. The Panama international will have the task of stepping into the boots of Balogun and the task of replacing such experience won't be lost on those at Ibrox.

Clement previously praised the veteran centre-back following his injury earlier this season, saying via Planet Radio: "He is a warrior and he is somebody with experience who already had things like that (face injury) in the past. He believes he can be back fast with a mask so I hope that is the case. It is the medical staff who need to decide that."

Nonetheless, the Gers are set to go out with the old and in with the new this summer if they can land a deal to sign Cordoba in the coming months of the transfer window.

Chelsea are heading towards another trophyless season as Mauricio Pochettino has failed to lead the team to silverware in his first year with the club.

The Argentine boss did take his men to the final of the League Cup, only to lose to Liverpool on penalties, but failed to make the final of the FA Cup and his side are currently ninth in the Premier League table.

They still have an opportunity to ensure that they have European football for the 2024/25 campaign, though, if they have a strong end to the season to climb the division, with five matches left to play.

Attention will then fully turn to the summer transfer window and what the club can do to bolster their playing squad to compete on all fronts next term.

Worth is reportedly already underway on that front, though, as the Blues are looking to sign a new centre-forward to lead the line for Pochettino.

Chelsea's interest in Bundesliga marksman

According to journalist Simon Phillips' Substack column, via Chelsea News, Chelsea have five strikers they are looking at ahead of the next transfer window.

The player who looks likely to be the club's top target in that position is RB Leipzig centre-forward Benjamin Sesko, who has a £42m release clause in his current contract.

Phillips claims that the Slovenia international has already been approached by the Blues, via his representatives, ahead of a possible move to Stamford Bridge in the coming months.

However, the reporter does not reveal whether or not the 20-year-old starlet is prepared to ditch the German club to make a move to England this summer.

He also does not state whether or not the London-based outfit are willing to pay his £42m release clause in full or if they will try to negotiate a lower fee.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Brentford's Ivan Toney are also mentioned by Phillips, who adds that Roma ace and ex-Chelsea man Tammy Abraham and Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic are also options for them if they fail to land their top targets.

This latest update suggests that plenty of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure that they have a long list of options to pursue this summer to secure a new number nine to lead the line at Stamford Bridge next season.

Sesko is possibly the priority at this moment in time, given that the club have approached him over a possible deal to bring him to England, and he could be a dream signing to partner with Cole Palmer moving forward.

Cole Palmer's form for Chelsea this season

Signed from Manchester City on a permanent move last summer, the left-footed magician has enjoyed a sensational first season with the Blues this term.

The 21-year-old wizard has showcased his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from an attacking midfield or wide position in the Premier League this season.

He had racked up six goals and two assists in 41 first-team matches for Pep Guardiola before his switch to London last year, which did not suggest that the young gem was guaranteed to hit the ground running with Chelsea this term.

That is exactly what the talented star has done, though, with his almost constant stream of goals and assists for Pochettino's side throughout the campaign.

As you can see in the table above, Palmer has averaged a direct goal contribution every match on average in the Premier League with a return of 29 goals and assists in 29 matches.

His goalscoring exploits, with 20 strikes from just 15.56 xG, have caught the eye but his creativity for his teammates has also been sensational in the top-flight.

The England international currently ranks within the top 6% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.34), the top 7% for assists per 90 (0.37), and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90 (5.38).

These statistics show that Palmer is one of the best players in his position in the division at creating high-quality opportunities for his fellow attackers.

This is why Chelsea signing a high-quality striker would be a dream for the English phenom, as he would have a teammate who can make the most of his outstanding chance creation.

Why Chelsea should sign Benjamin Sesko

The Blues should complete a deal to sign Sesko this summer as he has the potential to be the dream signing to partner with Palmer next season, and beyond.

Once dubbed a "machine" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 20-year-old sensation joined RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2023 after a sublime return of 29 goals and 11 assists in 79 matches for the Austrian side as a teenager.

He initially arrived as a back-up option for the German outfit but has earned himself a place in the starting XI and has showcased his lethal nature in front of goal.

As you can see in the table above, Sesko has been clinical in the final third with 11 goals from 7.23 xG, whilst current Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has fewer goals from more than double the Slovenian star's xG.

This suggests that the Leipzig ace is a significantly better finisher than the Senegal international, as he has overperformed his xG and missed less than half as many 'big chances' as the Blues forward.

In fact, Sesko ranks within the top 10% of strikers in the Men's Big 5 Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.67), which speaks to how impressive the centre-forward has been as a goalscorer in Germany.

Chelsea now front of queue to sign £205k-a-week starlet loved by Ancelotti

He could be another new young addition at Stamford Bridge this summer.

By
Ben Browning

Apr 29, 2024

Therefore, the 20-year-old Chelsea target could be a dream for Palmer as his statistics suggest that he is far more likely to make the most of the Englishman's creativity than Jackson, whose finishing has left a lot to be desired.