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15Dec

Seven to watch in the Super Sixes

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Three batters, two quicks and two spinners who could light up the business end of the Under-19 World Cup

Firdose Moonda30-Jan-2024India, Australia and Pakistan have emerged as frontrunners at the men’s Under-19 World Cup in South Africa and are all unbeaten after the group stage. These three teams take maximum points into the Super Sixes (four each), with India boasting the highest net run-rate.The numbers are important for the next phase, where the teams that have advanced will each play two matches against sides who did not finish in the same position as them in the group stage. Essentially this means that, for now, India have avoided a clash with Pakistan and Australia will not have to face hosts South Africa. But there are still some marquee clashes on the cards in the Super Sixes as India take on New Zealand, Australia face off against England, Pakistan play Bangladesh, and South Africa have a showdown against Sri Lanka to determine who will compete in the final four. With new stars being born and the Super Sixes looming, here are seven of the brightest twinklers.Uday Saharan
India’s captain has made the most of his time in South Africa with a century in the pre-tournament triangular series, two half-centuries in two warm-up games and two more in India’s first two matches. He has also been part of two of India’s three match-winning century stands, has used himself briefly – and successfully – as a bowler, took a good running catch at point in the final group-stage match, and has led the side astutely. Saharan’s use of his bowlers, particularly Saumy Pandey in the powerplay, has been impressive and we can expect his all-round ability to be on display as the tournament nears its business end.Related

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Shahzaib Khan
The leading run-scorer from the group stage, Pakistan opener Shahzaib Khan has earned two player of the match performances for his century against Afghanistan and his unbeaten 86-ball 80 against New Zealand. The latter was particularly notable and came in a 10-wicket demolition job in which Pakistan chased 141 inside 26 overs. Shahzaib appears strong on the off side and square of the wicket and has shown the temperament to pace an ODI innings well. His challenge will come from Pakistan moving away from the coastal city of East London and to livelier surfaces in Potchefstroom and Benoni and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts his game.Steve Stolk smashed a 37-ball 86 against Scotland•ICC/Getty ImagesSteve Stolk
At just 17 years old, the strongly-built Steve Stolk has all the makings of a modern white-ball batter, most notably strength. He is South Africa’s second-highest run-scorer so far, with two half-centuries to his name and one significant record. Rishabh Pant’s 18-ball fifty in 2016 was the fastest in this format until Stolk smashed a half-century off 13 balls against Scotland, including 34 off one over to get South Africa off a rollicking start as they went after a table-topping win. They chased 270 in just 27 overs and leapfrogged both West Indies and England in Group B. So far, Stolk has the highest overall tournament strike rate of 158.16, (among batters who have scored more than 50 runs) and has also struck the most sixes with nine.Callum Vidler

Not only is Australia’s leading wicket-taker Callum Vidler quick but he has also found movement on a usually placid Kimberley pitch. Against Namibia, he kept his lengths full, generated late swing, shattered the stumps twice and found the edge to take four. Against Sri Lanka, he extracted good bounce for his three wickets. Having adjusted to conditions at the venue, he will be best placed to exploit them when Australia play their two Super Six matches there and the pace will keep coming. As he said in an interview with the ICC: “My job is to bowl fast and if anyone ever tells me to slow down, I don’t listen to that.”Vishwa Lahiru
Left-arm spinner Vishwa Lahiru has been a consistent threat in the group stage with at least two wickets in each of his matches. He has bowled with good pace and found turn and, with Sri Lanka using him as a wicket-taking option in the powerplay, has taken out top-order players in all three group stage matches. Of spinners who have taken at least seven wickets in the tournament so far, Lahiru’s economy rate of 2.50 is only bettered by Pandey.After he took five wickets, Matt Rowe was called upon to hit the winning runs in a nervy game against Afghanistan•ICC/Getty ImagesMatt Rowe
Another seamer enjoying South African surfaces is New Zealand’s Matt Rowe, who took 5 for 21 against Afghanistan to register one of his country’s three best hauls in the tournament’s history behind Trent Boult and Tim Southee. He also hit the winning runs in what turned into a nailbiter to show some nerve at the end. Overall, his six wickets have come at an average of 15.50 and an economy rate of 4.22. Among seamers who have taken six or more wickets at the tournament so far, only Australia’s Vidler and Mahli Beardman have been more miserly. New Zealand move to Bloemfontein for their Super Six matches where there has been some assistance on offer for the quicks early on and Rowe’s performances there could prove well worth watching.Tazeem Chaudry Ali
The most successful legspinner in the Super Sixes, England’s Tazeem Chaudry Ali has been effective in dismantling middle orders and did so against both South Africa and West Indies. His googly has proved difficult to pick and he has used it well so far. Despite missing his team’s opening match against Scotland, his six wickets make him their leading wicket-taker in the group stage and an economy rate of 3.00 is nothing to scoff at.

15Dec

Kyle Jamieson is always looking for the perfect ball, the perfect plan

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

After a tepid home summer, the New Zealand seamer is focusing on growing his game further. He talks about being the fourth prong of a highly skilled attack

Alan Gardner30-May-2022Kyle Jamieson is a man of impressive numbers. His 6ft 8in frame, for a start, puts him among the tallest sportsmen who aren’t involved in the NBA. Then there is his Test bowling record. Since making his debut just over two years ago, Jamieson has taken 66 wickets at 18.72 in 14 Tests, striking once every 43.5 balls. Few among those who have taken a minimum of 50 wickets have combined such a low average with such a lethal strike rate in Test cricket since Sydney Barnes more than 100 years ago.You might also throw in the Rs 15 crore – that is 150,000,000 rupees, just over US$2 million – paid by Royal Challengers Bangalore to acquire Jamieson’s services in the 2021 IPL auction. Although nine wickets and an economy of 9.60 for that price tag were eye-catching for the wrong reasons. For now, the IPL remains unfinished business.None of these markers mean too much to Jamieson. “No, I’m not really a stats guy,” he says, long limbs squeezed into one of the white plastic seats in front of the pavilion in Hove. The ICC’s No. 5-ranked bowler, and self-described “fourth prong” of New Zealand’s Test attack, is staring out into the gloom that has descended on Sussex’s tight little ground, rain drumming intermittently on the roof, as he considers a series of questions about just how good he is, and just how good he be.Related

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“For me, that stuff sort of just happens, it comes and goes, and it’ll go up and go down over the course of my career,” he says. “If I’m trying to get better and learn and grow, those things are going to take care of themselves. I think sometimes that [your average] does measure where you are at but sometimes it doesn’t necessarily reflect that. You can be getting better and grow as a person, as a player, but it’s not necessarily reflected in the numbers.”It’s easy to see why people get excited by Jamieson, numbers aside. Despite being more of a batter while growing up, he has taken giant strides – quite literally – since he moved his focus to bowling in his late teens. Able to deliver the ball from a height of 2.3m, and to generate the sort of awkward bounce that makes playing forward an act of folly, Jamieson can also swing it both ways from a fuller length than most, all while generating speeds up to 140kph/87mph. Such a formidable array of attributes has seen him described as pretty much the perfect fast bowler.He chuckles wryly at that. While his height is simply a blessing of the genes – “I can certainly thank my parents for that” – there has been plenty of hard work put in since Dayle Hadlee, older brother of Richard, spotted Jamieson’s potential as a bowler ahead of the 2014 Under-19 World Cup.”I’m just trying to grow my game and I don’t think there’s any sort of perfect fast bowler,” Jamieson says. “There’s a lot of different guys that have done it a lot of different ways and been very successful for a long period of time. I’m just trying to grab little bits from those guys and add to my game, where it’s applicable, and try and get to my definition of perfect.”What would that definition be? “There’s a few little things that I’ll probably keep to myself,” he says with a smile. “But yeah, I have a pretty clear vision in my head around the cricketer I want to be. I’m just trying to chase that as much as I can. That’s what I’ll hang my hat on in the time to come.”

Being a force across all three formats is one of the challenges that motivates him, as well as improving his returns with the bat. Jamieson has five first-class fifties, with a highest score of 67 – although some England fans might remember him flaying a 110-ball hundred against them during a tour game in 2017-18. That hints at a Ben Stokes-like ability to change games with either bat or ball, and Jamieson agrees that “genuine allrounder” is the label he aspires to.”I’m still a long way off the batter I want to be,” he says. “I’d love to be contributing more runs. I think I’m still relatively fresh in that area. How do I balance that, how do I improve? And my white-ball stuff as well – that’s probably the thing that numbers don’t necessarily always show. I know that I’m so young in my career, there’s still a long way to get to where I want to go. It’s just about trying to put in those yards around the specifics I want to improve on.”I’m a long way off that finished product but certainly that genuine allrounder is what I’m trying to strive for, and understanding that there’s a lot of time to come before I reach that point. But it certainly motivates me to keep going.”

****

After his barnstorming start to Test cricket, in particular, the last couple of months have given Jamieson a little time to “reassess where things are at, look at some of the lessons I’ve had and then plan ahead where I take my game”.Having been released by RCB less than a year after that life-changing payday, he decided against entering the 2022 IPL mega auction, prioritising instead a period at home in Auckland with his family that also allowed him to work on the fundamentals of his cricket. Time spent by the beach, playing golf, and satisfying a love of Italian food helped recharge the batteries after two years as an international cricketer that overlapped almost completely with the era of biosecure bubbles and travel restrictions brought about by Covid-19.Jamieson has dismissed Virat Kohli three times in four Tests, including twice in the World Test Championship final•Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesBoth Jamieson and New Zealand experienced a dip in form during the southern summer just past. The reigning World Test champions could only manage two 1-1 series draws, against Bangladesh and South Africa; Jamieson’s 14 wickets, meanwhile, came at a more modest 28.71. New Zealand currently sit sixth on the table for the 2021-23 WTC cycle. If they are to qualify again for the final, and have a chance to defend their title, they need to do well in the upcoming three-Test series against an England side languishing down at the bottom.For Jamieson, this is all part of the journey. Few would have tipped New Zealand to lift the inaugural WTC trophy when the concept was undergoing its tortuous genesis in the mid-2010s. And while Jamieson’s name has been mentioned in the same breath as some of New Zealand’s greats during his rapid ascent, he remains rapt just to be involved alongside Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner as arguably the best Test fast-bowling attack going.”Hundred per cent” he says, when asked if he still sees himself as the junior member of the attack. “Those guys have played, I don’t know how many Tests, but all of them have played over 50 Tests, two of them have taken over 300 Test wickets, and Waggy’s [Neil Wagner’s] not far behind. So I’m certainly the fourth prong of that attack.”Just love being a part of the group. I count myself so fortunate to come in at that time, [with] those guys at the peak of their powers and just to learn off them. Certainly a lot of the success I’ve had has been down to those guys.”Nevertheless, that success includes memorable dismissals of some of the best batters in Test cricket. Jamieson’s first two wickets, in Wellington in February 2020, were Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli; he has since removed Pujara three more times and Kohli twice, including a peach of an lbw at a crucial juncture in the WTC final in Southampton last June. That came as part of a five-wicket haul, which also included Rohit Sharma caught in the cordon.”Not so much the moments when you get wickets and stuff, it’s the team stuff I’ll cherish for as long as I live”•Kai Schwoerer/Getty ImagesAt Lord’s, a couple of weeks beforehand, he dealt with both the slope and Joe Root, England’s captain, done by perfect length off the very first ball of day. At Hagley Oval in 2021, Fawad Alam was practically guillotined by a vicious bouncer, while a personal favourite is the laser-like inswinger that sliced through Mohammad Rizwan (three dismissals in two Tests) as part of an 11-wicket haul in the same game.But rather than bask in such personal triumphs, Jamieson prefers to focus on what might be New Zealand’s special sauce: their togetherness as a group.”I think, for me, the moments tend to be more around the team stuff. I remember sitting in the change room after my first Test and just soaking up that win. Sitting in the change room after the [WTC] final and seeing a lot of the guys that have been part of the New Zealand set-up for such a long period of time and been through an immense amount of stuff to get to that position, just to see the pure joy on their faces was something I hold pretty dear. Not so much the moments when you get wickets and stuff, but it’s the team stuff I’ll cherish for as long as I live.”Predictably, Jamieson also plays down his ability to target the opposition’s best: “I think most people could look at a team sheet and know there’s a few key wickets, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the other ones aren’t key either.”But again it is the numbers that do the talking for him. While his ratio of top-order wickets – 48 of his 66 Test dismissals have been batters in the top seven – is not remarkable, the cost of those wickets is. An average of 21.13 puts him behind only Axar Patel (13.5) and Ollie Robinson (20.7), for bowlers who have taken 30-plus top-seven wickets since his debut. Restrict the sample to batters in the top five, and Jamieson is well out in front with 35 at 19.70.”I’m a long way off that finished product but certainly that genuine allrounder is what I’m trying to strive for”•Getty Images”You’re always trying to make an impact, regardless of who the batter is at the other end,” he says. “As a bowler your job is to take wickets and try to take them early in the game as much as you can, which tends to be the top-order guys. Some days it’ll fall to me, some days it’ll fall to Timmy and Trent and Wags. But it’s how do we as a collective take 20 wickets?”

****

Never mind a lab-built fast-bowling monster, Jamieson might well be something far scarier: a quick who is always thinking about his game. Although still fairly new to international cricket, at 27, he has been grafting away for several years to bring all those aforementioned attributes together in one package.Despite the obvious attractions of attempting to constantly bomb batters from the crease, Jamieson’s methods are more varied. “The short ball’s part of the plan,” he says, “as is moving the ball different directions and different angles of attack on the crease.” He describes finding the outside edge for a catch in the cordon as his most satisfying form of dismissal, and has long focused on overcoming the tall bowler’s natural aversion to pitching it up.”I think that’s something right from when I started to switch more to bowling around U-19. It was always: how do you bowl fuller but still be heavy? That’s something I’m always trying to try to work on, [to] not bowl that floaty full ball. As a tall guy your natural length’s probably more back of a length, but you’re constantly trying to find that balance between getting it up and still being heavy.”You’re always trying to just drill that stuff. You come to training, you’re trying to find what that length is, trying to be heavy; you’re asking the batter for feedback around that length – what does it feel like? Hopefully you can be in that right area for longer periods and create some pressure.”More than two-thirds of Jamieson’s Test wickets have been those of top-seven batters, at an impressive average of 21.13•ICC via GettyAs with Jamieson’s pivotal dismissal of Kohli on the third morning of the WTC final, this is a finely calibrated approach. Having realised that collectively they had bowled too short on the second day (the first having been lost to rain), it was New Zealand’s “fourth prong” who set about rectifying the situation. Six deliveries were all Jamieson required to triangulate a way through Kohli’s defences.It is this never-ending battle of wits that keeps Jamieson ticking.”You’re always thinking. That’s the process between when you bowl the ball and walking back, reflecting on what happened there. How do I feel getting to the crease, what was the outcome of that ball? Constantly doing the cycle of trying to find the right area and work towards a plan. There’s always natural variation: sometimes the ball’s a little bit fuller than what you want, a little bit shorter than what you want, but it ends up working out for you. That’s just the process of any bowler or any bowling unit. It’s constantly reflecting and trying to find that perfect ball or that perfect plan to swing the game in your favour.”However you define fast-bowling perfection, that seems a pretty good place to start.

15Dec

World Series Position-by-Position Breakdown: Do Dodgers or Blue Jays Have the Edge?

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

The 2025 World Series is set, as the defending champion Dodgers will face off with the Blue Jays in the Fall Classic.

Toronto finished the season as the top seed in the American League, but was taken to the brink of elimination in the ALCS by the Mariners. Down 3–2 in the series, the Blue Jays used home-field advantage to take the final two games and earn a trip to their first World Series since 1993.

On paper, the Dodgers are an overwhelming favorite. They are the defending champions and have four former MVPs, four legitimate aces and a $350 million payroll. But they don’t play the game on paper. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the two teams in the series. It’s worth noting the Blue Jays have rotated their lineups based on matchups and we’re not yet sure of how Bo Bichette will fit in, so this is our projection of how manager John Schneider will fill out the lineup card.

Catcher: Will Smith (Dodgers) vs. Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays)

This one will surprise people, but the game isn’t just played with the bat. Kirk is a phenomenal defensive catcher, and that ultimately gives him the advantage here. The veteran backstop had nine defensive runs saved in 2025, while his 22 fielding run value (FRV) ranked second in baseball. Smith’s FRV was -6. Smith is better on offense, but Kirk is no slouch in that regard.

2025 Stats

Slash Line

Home Runs

RBIs

wRC+

fWAR

Kirk

.282/.348/.421

116

4.7

Smith

.296/.404/.497

153

4.1

In the playoffs, Kirk has produced a .752 OPS and blasted three home runs, while Smith is at .661 with no dingers. This is close and could easily be a push, but Kirk’s superior defense and current form give him the edge.

Advantage: Blue Jays

First base: Freddie Freeman (Dodgers) vs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named the ALCS MVP. / Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Freddie Freeman is a nine-time All-Star, a two-time World Series champion, the reigning World Series MVP, has an NL MVP trophy in his case and is having a great 2025 campaign. If this were solely about the regular season, Freeman might have the edge.

2025 Stats

Slash Line

Home Runs

RBIs

wRC+

fWAR

Guerrero Jr.

.292/.381/.467

137

3.9

Freeman

.295/.367/.502

139

3.8

That’s about as close as it gets—but that hasn’t been the case in the playoffs, where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been incredible. He’s slashing .442/.510/.930 with six home runs, 12 RBIs and an absurd wRC+ of 280. Freeman has struggled a bit, slashing .231/.333/.410 with one home run, one RBI and a pedestrian wRC+ of 105. Guerrero has had an all-time great postseason and has to get the nod here.

Advantage: Blue Jays

Second base: Tommy Edman (Dodgers) vs. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Blue Jays)

This is another close one that is going to be tipped by postseason performance. Tommy Edman was a shrewd pickup by the Dodgers before the 2024 trade deadline, winning the NLCS MVP award, but he had a relatively poor regular season in 2025. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, however, was even worse while splitting time between the Pirates and Blue Jays.

2025 Stats

Slash Line

Home Runs

RBIs

wRC+

fWAR

Kiner-Falefa

.262/.297/.334

0.7

Edman

.225/.274/.382

1.2

Edman has again turned his game up in that time, slashing .286/.306/.486 with two home runs and a wRC+ of 118. Kiner-Falefa, meanwhile, has been even worse with a 54 wRC+. Both are premier defenders, which is their real value, but Edman has shown he can swing a better bat in the playoffs.

Advantage: Dodgers

Shortstop: Mookie Betts (Dodgers) vs. Andrés Giménez (Blue Jays)

Mookie Betts has been a much improved fielder in his second season regularly playing shortstop for the Dodgers. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Mookie Betts has had the worst season of his career, slashing .258/.326/.406 with career lows in wRC+ (104), wOBA (.318), and fWAR for a full season (3.4). But, unlike his counterpart, he’s Mookie Betts.

We’re projecting Andrés Giménez to stick at shortstop for Toronto despite Bo Bichette’s expected return to the lineup after suffering a knee injury last month. Giménez is an outstanding defender at short, but has never had much with the bat. In 2025, he slashed .210/.285/.313 with a wRC+ of 70. He has turned things up in the postseason, but Betts has improved as well.

Betts is an eight-time All-Star and has won three World Series, an MVP and seven Silver Sluggers. He also showed this season he can play elite defense at shortstop. There’s no question which team wins this matchup.

Advantage: Dodgers

Third Base: Max Muncy (Dodgers) vs. Ernie Clement/Addison Barger (Blue Jays)

We know who Max Muncy is at this point in his career. He’s going to get walks, slug a lot, and strike out at a decent clip. He’s also going to be a minus on defense and be banged up most of the time. In 2025, all of those things came true. He played in 100 games, slashed .243/.376/.470, with 19 home runs and a wRC+ of 137. He has fallen off a bit in the postseason, as his batting average has dropped to .214, and he's only slugging .357 with a 115 wRC+.

Ernie Clement is a phenomenal defender at the hot corner who didn’t hit much during the regular season, but he’s come alive in October. During the regular season, he slashed a weak .277/.313/.398, with a below-averaged wRC+ of 98. In 11 postseason games he’s been a different guy. So far, he’s hitting .429, with an on-base percentage of .444, and is slugging .619, with an incredible 195 wRC+.

Addison Barger has also picked up his game in the playoffs, with a 149 wRC+ against 107 during the regular season. We’re gonna roll with the guys who are rolling.

Advantage: Blue Jays

Left field: Kiké Hernández (Dodgers) vs. Davis Schneider/Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays)

It has been yet another year in which Kiké Hernández has conjured the magic that turns him into a postseason superstar. The career utility guy has been huge for the Dodgers again during the playoffs, playing far above his career regular-season numbers.

In 10 playoff games this year, Hernández is slashing .306/.375/.417 with a 125 wRC+ after going .203/.255/.366 with a 70 wRC+ during the regular season. He has a career .707 regular season OPS, but in 96 games spanning 10 trips to the postseason, he’s at .863. The man plays his best when the lights shine the brightest.

Schneider and Lukes are solid, but can’t match the magic their counterpart produces. Lukes has had a nice postseason, hitting .333, with a .381 on-base percentage and a 125 wRC+, but he and Schneider simply can’t match the Kiké magic.

Advantage: Dodgers

Center field: Andy Pages (Dodgers) vs. Daulton Varsho (Blue Jays)

Pages had a breakout 2025 campaign, looking like a future cornerstone for the Dodgers. Unfortunately, he has utterly disappeared in the postseason. The 24-year-old hit 27 home runs while notching a wRC+ of 113 in the regular season, but the playoffs have been a nightmare. In 10 games, he’s slashing .086/.135/.114 with a wRC+ of -31. You read that last number right. The thing is, he’s so good defensively that the Dodgers can’t take him out of the lineup.

Varsho is also a stellar defender who turned in a career-best season, hitting 20 home runs and slugging a career-best .548, with a career high 123 wRC+. The difference is he has brought that success with him to October, slashing .273/.304/.500 with a wRC+ of 121. Pages has disappeared while Varsho has continued to be a steady presence in the lineup.

Advantage: Blue Jays

Right Field: Teoscar Hernández (Dodgers) vs. George Springer (Blue Jays)

Blue Jays right fielder George Springer hit the go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the ALCS. / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

George Springer had arguably the best season of his career in 2025 at 36 years old, and has also been incredibly clutch for the Blue Jays. Which was basically Teoscar Hernández’s story in 2024.

Springer had a career-high wRC+ of 166 while Hernández fell off after signing a three-year, $66 million deal with Los Angeles in the offseason. His wRC+ dropped to 102 from the mark of 132 he hit in 2024, and his wOBA fell to .315 from .360.

2025 Stats

Slash Line

Home Runs

RBIs

wRC+

fWAR

Springer

.309/.399/.560

166

4.8

Hernández

.247/.284/.454

102

1.5

Hernández has picked things up in the postseason, though, which makes this call more difficult. He’s slashing .268/.302/.585 with four home runs and 11 RBIs in the postseason, and his wRC+ has jumped to 142. Springer has matched him, slashing .239/.321/.690 with four homers, nine RBIs, and a 150 wRC+. Both players have won titles before, but Springer was named World Series MVP for the Astros in 2017. He’s had the better season and has history on his side.

Advantage: Blue Jays

Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) vs. Bo Bichette (Blue Jays)

Come on, really? I have to write this one out? Fine, if you insist.

Ohtani is the most singular player in the history of baseball. I could put up a bunch of numbers here to prove that, but it would be a waste of everyone’s time. I mean, the guy just turned in arguably the greatest playoff performance in sports history during Game 4 of the NLCS.

Bichette had a phenomenal season, and his return should be a huge bonus for the Blue Jays, but nothing can match what Shohei can do.

Advantage: Dodgers

Starting rotation

Dodgers starting pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, left, and Shohei Ohtani have both been excellent on the mound in the playoffs. / Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The Blue Jays have some names in their rotation, but this one isn’t even close. I mean, Shohei Ohtani is L.A.’s starter. That’s wild.

In 10 games this postseason, the Dodgers’ rotation is a combined 7–1 with a 1.40 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 81 strikeouts. Those numbers all lead postseason rankings. Blake Snell has been phenomenal, going 3–0 with a 0.86 ERA and 0.52 WHIP, while Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow have combined to go 2–1 with a 1.36 ERA. Ohtani has pitched twice, both victories, and in Game 4 of the NLCS, he pitched six shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out 10. L.A.’s rotation struggled with injuries all season, but now it’s whole—and dominating.

Toronto’s starters have been really good in the postseason as well. They're a combined 5–2 with a 3.33 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Kevin Gausman has led the way in his three starts, going 2–1 with a 2.00 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Meanwhile, Shane Bieber and rookie Trey Yesavage have made big starts. Max Scherzer also turned in a huge performance in Game 4 of the ALCS. The 41-year-old turned back the clock, allowing two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings in a key spot.

While the Blue Jays have shown up and pitched well, the Dodgers have dominated. More than anything, their starting pitching is the biggest advantage in this series.

Advantage: Dodgers

Bullpen

This has been a weak spot for both teams all season. During the regular season, the Blue Jays ranked 16th in bullpen ERA (3.98), while the Dodgers were 21st (4.27). Things haven’t been much better in the playoffs as L.A.’s pen has posted a 4.88 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP, and Toronto’s group has a 5.52 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. It’s been ugly on both sides.

While the Dodgers don’t have a shutdown bullpen, Roki Sasaki has managed to solidify the back end. In seven postseason appearances, the rookie has a 1.13 ERA and 0.63 WHIP to go along with three saves. Alex Vesia has also been reliable, while Blake Treinen and Emmet Sheehan haven’t been. The one thing L.A. has going for it is that its bullpen arms are fresh thanks to some dominant outings by the team’s starters. Dodgers relievers have only thrown 27 2/3 innings this postseason as opposed to 45 2/3 for the Blue Jays.

Toronto got a great performance from its bullpen in Game 7 of the ALCS, but that has been the exception, not the rule. Closer Jeff Hoffman has logged two saves and posted a 1.23 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in six appearances, but seemingly everyone else has had at least one meltdown.

Months ago, this would have been flipped, but the Dodgers have the better of the shaky bullpens.

Advantage: Dodgers

Final Score: Dodgers, 6–5

15Dec

Revealed: Barcelona's stance on Nico Schlotterbeck transfer as Borussia Dortmund defender weighs up Real Madrid and Bayern Munich options

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Barcelona's pursuit of Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck has reportedly hit a stumbling block as the German international appears to favour a future move to Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, while internal doubts among the Catalan hierarchy have seen them hesitate to sanction a formal approach despite manager Hansi Flick's strong connection to the player.

Why Barca are hesitating

While the need for a left-sided central defender became all the more pertinent following uncertainty surrounding Ronald Araujo's fitness, Barcelona are reportedly not fully convinced that Schlotterbeck is the answer to their problems. According to reports from , although the Blaugrana have tracked the defender for some time, there are "mixed opinions" within the club's sporting department regarding his suitability for their high-line system.

Manager Hansi Flick knows the centre-back intimately, having handed him his senior international debut during his time in charge of the German national team. However, despite this existing relationship, it is understood that Flick is not actively pushing the board to prioritise the signing. The club's scouts appreciate the defender's ball-playing ability, but concerns over his consistency at the elite level have led to a "wait and see" approach, meaning he is currently viewed as an option rather than a priority target for the upcoming windows.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSchlotterbeck 'gambling' on Madrid or Munich

The hesitation from Catalonia may be mutual. The report suggests that the 26-year-old is "gambling" on a high-profile switch to either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich rather than a move to La Liga's reigning champions and current leaders. The defender is entering the prime of his career and is aware that both giants are likely to be in the market for defensive reinforcements in the summer of 2026.

Madrid are facing a potential exodus at the back, with David Alaba out of contract and the long-term future of Antonio Rudiger still undefined. Schlotterbeck views himself as a potential successor in the Spanish capital. Meanwhile, Bayern remain a looming threat; the Bavarians are currently prioritising the renewal of Dayot Upamecano, but should those talks collapse, the Dortmund star has been identified as their primary alternative. This preference for Madrid or Munich has left Barcelona on the periphery of the race.

Dortmund demand clarity by January

The situation is causing increasing anxiety at Signal Iduna Park. Schlotterbeck's current deal expires in 2027, meaning he will enter the final 12 months of his contract next summer—a scenario Dortmund are desperate to avoid. The club have reportedly tabled a lucrative extension until 2030, which would see his salary rise to approximately €8 million per season, making him one of the highest earners in the squad.

However, the player has so far refused to sign. Dortmund bosses have now reportedly set a soft deadline, demanding a clear decision from the defender by the end of January. They are unwilling to let the saga drag on into the spring, knowing that if he rejects the offer, they will be forced to sell him in the summer to recoup a significant transfer fee, rather than risking losing him for free a year later.

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AFPLiverpool lurking in the background

While the player eyes a move to Spain or Bavaria, the Premier League remains a viable alternative. Liverpool have been credited with a long-standing interest in the defender as they continue to plan for life after Virgil van Dijk. The Reds are monitoring the contract standoff closely and could test Dortmund's resolve if it becomes clear that a renewal is off the table.

For now, the ball is firmly in Schlotterbeck's court. He must decide whether to commit his prime years to Dortmund or force a move to one of Europe's elite. As for Barcelona, they appear content to keep their distance, exploring other targets unless the German international makes it clear that Catalonia is his destination of choice.

15Dec

Finch: Head at No. 5 best fit for pink-ball Test

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Michael Clarke expects Usman Khawaja to be in the XI for Brisbane providing he is fit

Andrew McGlashan26-Nov-2025Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes Travis Head remains best suited to batting at No. 5 in the day-night Test at the Gabba despite his barnstorming century opening in Perth, while both he and Michael Clarke are convinced that Nathan Lyon has to play as the home side weigh up the best balance of side to face England after their demolition job in the opening match of the Ashes.Usman Khawaja’s spot has come under scrutiny after Head’s spectacular century at the top when he was promoted after Khawaja suffered further back spasms on the second day, having also been unable to take his usual spot in the first innings with England collapsing so quickly he couldn’t make up enough time on the field.Related

Head adds to career catalogue of mind-blowing knocks on the biggest stage

Switch Hit: Travball 1-0 Bazball

The world where Lyon doesn't play at the Gabba

Hazlewood returns to training, Cummins arms himself with pink ball

However, Finch said that the pink-ball factor of the second Test adds another layer on how Australia may structure their side and argued that in this case having Head in the middle was the favoured option.”If this wasn’t a pink-ball test match coming up at the Gabba, I would tend to agree and say, you know what, maybe it is time to throw him [Head] up there and you just launch into it from day one of a Test,” Finch told ESPN’s .”But I just feel as though the fact that it is a pink-ball test, the impact that that brand new ball can have and the impact that Travis Head can have batting at No. 5 when the pink ball does go a bit soft and the game can sort of, the wicket can flatten out. I like him at five still, just to be that real explosive player through the middle order.”Khawaja batted at No. 4 on the first day in Perth and gloved a rising delivery from Brydon Carse. His form was a talking point ahead of the Ashes after making one Test century in his last 44 innings prior to the series.Brisbane would be a home Test for Khawaja – where he is the leading run-scorer in day-night first-class cricket at the Gabba with 502 runs at 50.02 – and Clarke does not see Australia shifting from the original plan for now.Usman Khawaja’s position is being debate after Travis Head’s stunning success as an opener•AFP/Getty Images”I think he plays. I think if he’s fit, they give him another chance,” Clarke said. “I think a few days and Uzzie will be sweet. He hasn’t had this back problem that many times throughout his career, so I think he will be fit.”Meanwhile, both Clarke and Finch agreed that Lyon should be a lock for Brisbane despite only sending down two overs in Perth and having been left out of the day-night Test in Jamaica earlier this year.”He’s in for sure,” Clarke, who was Lyon’s first Test captain, said. “He’s in my XI every Test match. Unless it’s an absolute raging green seamer. Like even Perth, the wicket certainly didn’t look that bad. I’m still picking a spinner in my team.”Finch added: “The impact that Nathan Lyon has in that side is huge. We saw him not selected for the Test in Jamaica…and they were extreme conditions. So Australia decided that they probably weren’t going to use a spinner at all. I can see from that point of view why it happened in Jamaica. At the Gabba, 100%, it should not ever be talked about, Nathan Lyon not being in an Australian XI.”The other decision that will need to be made will be around the fitness of Pat Cummins who is pushing for a return in Brisbane. He bowled with the pink ball in Sydney on Tuesday and speaking during the Perth Test gave himself “half a chance” of being ready for the Gabba.”I think Australia will stick to the plan,” Finch said. “If he’s 100% fit, he plays. If he’s 95% fit, he doesn’t play. I think that’s the way that they’ll go. They’ve been really consistent with how they’ve picked squads, how they’ve picked the XI. And for me, it’s a long series. You don’t want to rush it.”

15Dec

The Best 15 Midfielders in World Football Ranked (2025)

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Some of the best players in the world are in football’s engine room, possessing an array of qualities, whether that be protecting their defence, dictating the flow of the play or creating goalscoring opportunities for teammates.

With such a range of playing styles across the midfield spectrum, working out the best in this position can be an unenviable task. But we have given it a go anyway, with plenty of star power in this list of the top 15 midfielders in the world today.

Ranking factors

To help rank the players in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their teams’ performances Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others say about them

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

Pedri

Barcelona

Spain

Jude Bellingham

Real Madrid

England

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea

Ecuador

Declan Rice

Arsenal

England

Vitinha

PSG

Portugal

Rodri

Man City

Spain

Jamal Musiala

Bayern Munich

Germany

Federico Valverde

Real Madrid

Uruguay

Dominik Szoboszlai

Liverpool

Hungary

Joao Neves

PSG

Portugal

Scott McTominay

Napoli

Scotland

Bruno Fernandes

Man Utd

Portugal

Kevin De Bruyne

Napoli

Belgium

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal

Norway

Florian Wirtz

Liverpool

Germany

15 Florian Wirtz Liverpool and Germany

Florian Wirtz had a magical couple of seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, which resulted in Liverpool spending an initial £100m on his services in 2025.

Despite often playing behind the main strikers, Wirtz is still a goal machine in attacking midfield. Still a youngster at 22, it is frightening to think where Wirtz could go if he can stay injury-free and adapt to the demands of English football.

However, so far, he has struggled in the Premier League, showing signs of brilliance in the Champions League.

14 Martin Odegaard Arsenal and Norway

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has had to battle back from numerous injury setbacks over the last 12 months.

In a way, his temporary unavailability to Mikel Arteta’s side only served to prove how vital he is to the Gunners, who suffered creatively during his absence in attacking midfield.

Labelled as “world class” by Paul Merson, the Arsenal star possessed the maturity and level of talent that handed him the captaincy, and could yet be the man to lead the Gunners to their next trophy under Arteta having continued to improve at the Emirates Stadium.

13 Kevin De Bruyne Napoli and Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne may well be past his peak, but he is still showing his world-class ability after leaving Man City for Serie A champions Napoli.

The 34-year-old still has what it takes to be a leading figure, whether that be at club or international level, and has already scored numerous goals and registered assists for his new employers.

12 Bruno Fernandes Man Utd and Portugal

Bruno Fernandes has been Man Utd’s shining light in recent memory, with the Portugal international arguably the only world-class player on the books at Old Trafford.

At his best in an attacking midfield role, Pep Guardiola has even called Fernandes one of the best creative players he has ever seen.

11 Scott McTominay Napoli and Scotland

Scott McTominay has shown Man Utd what they have been missing after leaving Old Trafford for Napoli in 2024.

The Scotland international starred in his first season in Italy, being named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player after helping Napoli to the title. His displays were even recognised at the 2025 Ballon d’Or, where he finished 18th and his sensational bicycle kick helped Scotland reach the World Cup.

10 Joao Neves PSG and Portugal

Joao Neves’ first full season at the Parc des Princes couldn’t have gone any better, playing regularly under Luis Enrique and lifting all there was to be won, including the Champions League.

The ball-playing midfielder was key to PSG’s success in Europe and has continued to star in the French capital, making his initial £50m move from Benfica look a real bargain.

9 Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool and Hungary

As part of a relentless Liverpool side, Dominik Szoboszlai has become a giant in the Reds midfield. The Hungarian improved on his goal threat from his first season at Anfield, coming amid a slight change in position, showcasing his versatility in a more advanced role under Arne Slot.

Now looking right at home in England, Szoboszlai is on the path to greatness on Merseyside, with his manager labelling him as “unbelievable” amid his role in Liverpool comfortably sauntering to the Premier League title.

8 Federico Valverde Real Madrid and Uruguay

A versatile and clinical technician, Federico Valverde hardly looks out of place among the best in the game following his recent performances for Real Madrid.

An almost guaranteed starter for one of the best teams in the world, there’s little to suggest there is anything other than the highest respect from his manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

In fact, the Italian has dubbed the Uruguayan as “the most complete player in football”. As of now, it is difficult to picture a Real Madrid side succeeding without him, as displayed through his vital winner against Athletic Club as the team’s title bid looked set to fall flat.

7 Jamal Musiala Bayern Munich and Germany

Jamal Musiala’s rise to stardom in Germany has been a rapid one, while his prominence in a Bayern Munich side, of all sides, is an illustration of his current status in the game.

Being able to dominate games for the Bavarians or on the international stage for Die Mannschaft is a sign of his rightful place at the elite level.

Statistically one of the best chance creators in the league from midfield, Musiala will hope to continue to blossom under the wing of Vincent Kompany, having worked his way up to the top in a short space of time.

6 Rodri Man City and Spain

2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has unfortunately suffered some injury issues, but he is perhaps the epitome of someone who shapes how his team plays and performs, as illustrated by his long unbeaten run when starting for Manchester City, which came to an end after the 2024 FA Cup final.

Man City’s form – and season – fell apart following the Spaniard’s layoff, and there is arguably no player as good as he is in his position of defensive midfield. But having been out for so long, he perhaps relies on returning to top form to reclaim his place as the best midfielder in the game.

15Dec

رسميًا | عضو أجنبي جديد ينضم لجهاز الزمالك بقيادة عبدالرؤوف

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

أعلن مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، برئاسة حسين لبيب، عن انضمام عضو جديد للجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالقلعة البيضاء، بقيادة أحمد عبدالرؤوف.

وقرر مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، بالتنسيق مع جون إدوارد المدير الرياضي، تعيين البرتغالي فابيو نونو محللًا للأداء بالجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم.

طالع|خاص | أقرب الراحلين عن الزمالك من الصفقات الجديدة في يناير المقبل

وبدأ فابيو نونو مهام عمله مع الجهاز الفني للفريق الأبيض خلال الفترة الحالية.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة زيسكو في الجولة الأولى لمباريات دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية، في التاسعة مساء غدٍ الأحد على استاد القاهرة الدولي.

ويتواجد الزمالك على رأس المجموعة الرابعة ببطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، والتي تضم معه أندية المصري وكايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي وزيسكو يونايتد الزامبي.

15Dec

Carreras 2.0: INEOS have signed an LWB who can end Dalot's Man Utd career

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Just a matter of weeks ago Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim cut a forlorn figure.

He looked ready to give up. The Red Devils were a sinking ship and Amorim was being engulfed by the stress and pressures of being the top man at Old Trafford.

Yet, he has turned a corner and all of a sudden, United look in the hunt for a top four berth, pouncing on the inconsistencies of the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in recent weeks.

United have now only lost one of their last six matches and have only dropped points in one of their last four outings. It’s an amazing run of form considering how the Amorim era has played out to date.

The Portuguese’s side still have room for improvement, of course they do, but it’s impossible to deny that he isn’t a good coach. He has, after all, managed to revive the careers of Luke Shaw and in-form midfielder Casemiro.

Yet, while the Brazilian has now found the net in successive matches, his companion in defence, Diogo Dalot continues to struggle. United have improved but they still have issues.

Why Dalot has become a big problem for Manchester United

When Amorim was first given the job, he came to English football with a clear style and philosophy. He traditionally plays with a three-man defence, utilising wing-backs to provide the width.

That area of the field is a pivotal one for the manager and it beggars belief that they haven’t strengthened more there.

Amad Diallo has found a home at right wing-back, notably scoring in the draw with Nottingham Forest and striking up a fine partnership with Bryan Mbeumo down the flanks.

Sadly, the left flank continues to be a big problem. Patrick Dorgu is the only senior wing-back that INEOS have signed since Amorim was appointed but the young Dane has not covered himself in much glory since joining.

As a result, alternative solutions have been sought, one of which has been Dalot.

The Portugal international has featured at left-back of left wing-back on 34 occasions in Man United colours but it’s safe to say he’s far more competent on the right.

Dalot was particularly poor at The City Ground a few days ago with the Manchester Evening News’ Steven Railston handing the defender a 3/10 rating, writing that ‘there are always question marks around Dalot when he plays on the left side and he was exposed at various stages of the contest.’

Minutes played

Touches

Accurate passes

21/24 (88%)

Key passes

Accurate crosses

0/2

Shots

Possession lost

12x

Tackles

Interceptions

Clearances

Dorgu has by no means been much better on the left but he is at least more natural in that position and will give Amorim the rampaging style of play he prefers from his wing-backs.

So, what’s the solution? Well, perhaps there’s one lying in wait at Carrington.

Identifying Man United's Diogo Dalot solution

The most obvious solution here is to exclusively field the 26-year-old on the right, but with Amad having made that position his own in 2025/26, it really does feel as though Dalot is on borrowed time at Old Trafford.

Couple that with some of the young talent United have coming through and the future certainly looks bleak for Dalot.

One talent coming through is Diego Leon and they must start to hand him more minutes before they risk an Alvaro Carreras repeat.

The wing-back has gone around the houses to reach Real Madrid, going via Preston North End and suffering from Erik ten Hag’s rejection before ending up at the world’s most famous football club.

Ten Hag never played him. In fact, Carreras never featured in a single competitive game for United before leaving. That said, he’s been able to thrive away from Manchester and is now seriously catching the eye for Madrid after leaving Benfica behind in a deal worth a whopping £43m.

The fact he left United for just £5m must now leave a seriously bad taste in the mouth of those at Old Trafford.

Carreras has been in the news of late after scoring his first Real goal just last week, belting the ball home in quite some fashion.

The 22-year-old has become a mainstay in Xabi Alonso’s side this season, starting every LaLiga game and playing more minutes (981) than any outfield player in the Bernabeu ranks.

As some have suggested on social media, he is now regarded as “one of the best full-backs in the world”, notably ranking inside the top 2% of wide defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes per 90 minutes and among the best 9% for interceptions per 90, according to FBRef.

What might have been for United, eh, but perhaps they have another version of Carreras in the academy?

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Step forward Leon, signed from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno for just £3.3m in the summer. An exciting wing-back, he is yet to feature competitively for United but looks like he has the potential to thrive in the Premier League before too long.

For the U23s this season, the 18-year-old has played just three times but he’s already found the back of the net. Like Carreras’ goal for Madrid, it was a remarkable effort too.

The teenager has been in the matchday squad in the Premier League on three occasions and it is surely only a matter of time before we see him in action. After all, Dalot’s position is under threat and Dorgu is yet to convince many.

So, what’s so exciting about the young Paraguayan? Well, as analyst Ben Mattinson outlines, he is a “powerhouse”.

Revealing more about the wing-back, Mattinson noted that “the standout trait of Leon is his physicality”, adding that “with a broad, compact build he’s able to dominate duels with real aggression despite his young age.”

But, Leon isn’t just about winning duels, something that is vital in the English top-flight. The defender is also strong going forward. Mattinson further commented that Leon “is a powerful runner who takes on players with explosiveness and directness.”

So, he’s got the powerful running style that Dorgu possesses but pivotally, he also looks like a very strong defender.

Whisper it quietly but the teen looks as though he’s got all the raw attributes needed to be a success in English football. Watch out Dalot and Dorgu, Leon is coming for your place.

15Dec

فيديو | بمشاركة بن رمضان ومعلول والجزيري.. تونس تتعادل مع موريتانيا استعدادًا لكأس أمم إفريقيا

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

تعادل منتخب تونس الأول لكرة القدم مع نظيره الموريتاني، بهدف لكل فريق، في المباراة الودية التي جمعت بينهما اليوم الأبعاء، استعدادًا لكأس أمم إفريقيا.

واستقبل منتخب تونس نظيره الموريتاني، في لقاء ودي أقيم على الملعب الأولمبي حمادي العقربي في رادس، اليوم الأربعاء.

وسجل هدف تونس اللاعب فراس شواط في الدقيقة 38، وتعادلت موريتانيا في الدقيقة 50 عن طريق محمد سار.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة تونس بعد نهاية تصفيات كأس العالم

ويخوض منتخب تونس 3 مباريات ودية خلال معسكر نوفمبر الجاري أمام موريتانيا والأردن والبرازيل.

وشارك محمد علي بن رمضان لاعب وسط الأهلي أساسيًا ضد موريتانيا، وكذلك علي معلول لاعب الأهلي السابق والصفاقسي الحالي، بعد غياب طويل عن نسور قرطاج، كما حل سيف الدين الجزيري لاعب الزمالك بديلا في الدقيقة 77 بدلا من فراس شواط.

ويستعد منتخب تونس للمشاركة في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025 والمقرر إقامتها في المغرب خلال الفترة بين 21 ديسمبر حتى 18 يناير، ويتواجد في المجموعة الثالثة بجوار نيجيريا وأوغندا وتنزانيا. أهداف مباراة تونس وموريتانيا اليوم

15Dec

Chelsea ready to open agent talks to sign "spectacular" £61m Arsenal target

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Chelsea are now ready to open agent talks to sign a “spectacular” forward, who is also being targeted by Premier League rivals Arsenal.

Blues keen on new winger amid slow start for Gittens

Jamie Gittens arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £51.5m deal back in July, but it would be fair to say the winger has made a slow start to life in west London, having failed to record a goal or an assist in his opening four Premier League games.

After struggling against Brentford, touching the ball just 17 times, the 21-year-old has been rested for the last two matches, with Enzo Maresca opting not to call upon the left-winger at Old Trafford, despite the Blues trailing for most of the game.

Gittens still has plenty of time to prove himself ahead of the January transfer window, but the west Londoners have now set their sights on a new winger, who could push for a starting spot on the left-wing.

Chelsea now set to open talks to sign "baller", Maresca thinks he's ideal

The Blues are planning to enter discussions to sign a new midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Sep 21, 2025

That is according to a report from Bianconera News (via Sport Witness), which states Chelsea have ‘come knocking’ for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, who is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League, with Arsenal and Manchester United also keen.

Such is the Blues’ level of interest, they are now ready to open talks with his agents over a deal, but it could be difficult to prise Yildaz away from Juventus, given that the Italian club are reluctant to sanction a departure, and have started working on a new contract.

The report doesn’t state how much the Serie A side are looking to receive, but it may take a huge bid to get a deal over the line, with Maresca’s side having a £61m offer knocked back during the summer transfer window.

"Spectacular" Yildiz could be Gittens upgrade

The 20-year-old has made a flying start to the new Serie A campaign, picking up four goal contributions in his opening four games, while also finding the back of the net against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Scout Jacek Kulig has also lauded the youngster for his ability to make “spectacular solo runs”, and he has outperformed Gittens across a number of key attacking metrics over the past year.

Average per 90

Jamie Gittens

Kenan Yildiz

Assists

0.10

0.21

Progressive passes

4.36

3.47

Shot-creating actions

4.36

2.04

As such, Yildiz could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea, but it may take a huge offer to get a deal done, given that a £61m bid was knocked back during the summer, and the Turk is yet to prove himself over a long enough time period to justify paying that sort of fee.

✖

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