The Bombay High Court set aside an arbitration order won by the former IPL franchise
Varun Shetty17-Jun-2021The BCCI has been relieved of paying up INR 4816 crore (USD 642 million approx) after the Bombay High Court set aside the arbitration award won by Deccan Chronicle Holdings (DCHL), the promoter of the former IPL franchise Deccan Chargers, on Wednesday.Justice GS Patel ruled that the award had “rewarded the party in unquestionable breach of its contractual obligations” and there wasn’t sufficient evidence that Deccan Chargers weren’t in breach of contract during termination.Deccan Chargers had won the award through an arbitration process initiated by the Bombay High Court after they challenged the termination of their contract in September 2012.Related
Explainer: What is the fight really about?
The termination, according to the BCCI, was on account of the franchise failing to meet a 30-day deadline to clear up player dues and other irregularities in their running.The Chargers also failed a one-month deadline set by the Bombay High Court to put up a INR 100 crore guarantee to stay the termination and the Hyderabad franchise subsequently went to Sun Network, which owns the Sunrisers Hyderabad.The Bombay High Court then appointed retired Supreme Court Judge CK Thakkar as the sole arbitrator. He found the termination of the Chargers contract both illegal and premature, and awarded the damage based on – among other things – a projected loss in profits over the span of the IPL because of the termination.The BCCI, represented by India’s solicitor general Tushar Mehta, challenged the award in court, however, and Justice GS Patel found that “the Award proceeded in places without reasons, in others by ignoring evidence, in yet others by wandering far afield from the contract, and in taking views that were not even possible.””We did not agree with the arbitration penalty and welcome the verdict from the honourable court,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah was quoted as saying in . “This comes on the back of our legal win in the WSG case.”This order is likely going to be challenged by Deccan Chargers.”The high court has set aside the arbitral tribunal’s award which means that the BCCI will not be liable to pay INR 4800 crore,” said Ashish Pyasi, associate partner Dhir & Dhir Associates, who has represented Deccan Chargers in the past. “The order passed is appealable and can be challenged in the division bench (of the Bombay High Court) under section 37.”
Sylvinho foi criticado pela torcida do Corinthians na derrota diante do Flamengo, especialmente pelas alterações feitas na etapa final. E uma das “broncas” da Fiel foi em relação ao posicionamento de Vitinho e a não-utilização de Gustavo Mantuan.
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ATUAÇÕES: Mesmo com derrota, Cássio é melhor do Corinthians contra o Fla
O camisa 43 entrou aos 23 minutos da etapa final, no lugar de Jô. Mas ele acabou atuando na faixa esquerda do gramado, empurrando Róger Guedes como o centroavante da equipe naquele momento da partida.
O técnico justificou o posicionamento de Vitinho e complementou a resposta falando sobre a ausência de um “9 clássico” no elenco para ser reserva de Jô.
-O Vitor dá suporte, é um meio-campista que dá um suporte maior pelo lado esquerdo, ajuda o Fábio, que já estava sofrendo em algum momento. E nós temos um único número 9, que é o Jô. Os demais atletas, quando o jogo não tiver condições, ou cansado ou optarmos por uma outra estratégia, obviamente nós teremos de colocar alguém no lugar ali. Foi no começo do campeonato do Luan, pode voltar a ser, já foi Róger Guedes e já foi Renato em menos partidas. E tem uma possibilidade, sim, de Mantuan, que nós estamos buscando e vendo o crescimento do atleta nos treinamentos, no dia a dia – ponderou.
VEJA TABELA E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO TIMÃO NO BRASILEIRÃO
Parte da torcida questionou o treinador por não ter utilizado Mantuan como opção no ataque Alvinegro. O técnico relembrou o histórico de lesões do atleta de 20 anos, mas disse que planeja usá-lo no futuro.
– O Mantuan vem de lesões graves e desde a nossa chegada aqui, nós sabíamos do histórico do atleta, não somente das lesões, mas também da qualidade dele. Ele tem treinado muito bem e está se reencontrando como atleta. Mecanicamente, fisicamente e tecnicamente. Um atleta que deslumbramos coisas importantes. Ele está crescendo nos treinamentos e no dia a dia – afirmou.
Sylvinho completou o argumento e disse que Mantuan pode atuar como centroavante improvisado, assim como outros atletas do Corinthians já fizeram ao longo da temporada.
– Nós temos um 9, o dia que não jogarmos com o Jô, alguém vai ter de fazer um 9, sendo que não é 9. O Mantuan é um 8,5. Pode ser sim ser um 9? Exatamente como foi o Róger ou talvez o próprio Renato, mas com características diferentes, pois eles não são 9. A gente vai ter de buscar outras alternativas caso o Jô não jogue – concluiu.
Real Madrid have confirmed that Rodrygo and two other team-mates are 'last-minute' withdrawals ahead of facing Girona.
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Rodrygo missed several games through injuryWinger a last-minute withdrawal vs GironaTwo Real Madrid team-mates also outFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian has missed several games this season with various injuries and ahead of their La Liga clash at Girona on Saturday night, Los Blancos have confirmed Rodrygo, midfielder Chema Andres, and forward Gonzalo Garcia are unavailable. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ruben Yanez has been promoted to the matchday squad.
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A club statement reads: "Real Madrid travelled to Girona to face the 16th round of the League tonight at Montilivi with the last-minute absences of Rodrygo, Gonzalo and Chema. In their place, Yáñez entered the squad."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Madrid face a tough test away to eighth-placed Girona this weekend and not having Rodrygo is a blow for Carlo Ancelotti's men. They sit second in the table, four points behind rivals Barcelona but they do have a game in hand. Los Blancos will hope the 23-year-old and his team-mates are back fit soon.
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Madrid will hope Rodyrgo isn't out for long as after the Girona game, they travel to in-form Atalanta on Tuesday in the Champions League – a competition the defending champions have been struggling in this season.
Mickey Arthur reveals mixing with England after Bristol ODI with India series due to start in a week
Matt Roller06-Jul-2021
Sri Lanka played their last game against England in Bristol on Sunday•Getty Images
Sri Lanka’s ODI squad face an anxious wait for the results of their PCR tests on returning home, following a Covid-19 outbreak in the England squad after the final match of their tour in Bristol on Sunday.England’s entire ODI squad and backroom staff were forced into self-isolation after a number of positive Covid tests, with an entirely new 18-man squad called up ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan on Thursday. Sri Lanka’s upcoming ODI series against India starts next week, on July 13, and while they returned negative lateral-flow tests on their arrival in Colombo, they were awaiting the outcome of their PCR tests on Tuesday night.”We had to divert to India because we lost fuel,” Mickey Arthur, Sri Lanka’s head coach, told talkSPORT’s Following On. podcast. “When I landed in India, I switched my phone on and I had a couple of messages from Wayne Bentley [England’s operations manager] who updated on the situation and that was a really nerve-wracking time for all of us.”We arrived here [in Colombo] and we haven’t been allowed to enter our rooms without the result of a rapid antigen test, which luckily, I think most of our squad have got through. We’ve done another PCR where the results come out tomorrow [Wednesday]. At the end of that ODI there was a fair amount of banter between the two teams – quite a lot of chat and quite a lot of talk – so it did bring about some anxious times.”I feel so desperately sorry for that England team because they’re a hell of a good cricket side at the moment. They were on a roll, they were playing really well and they just looked the part. For them to have to go and self-isolate now is really, really tough. And the cheeky part of me said, ‘jeez, why couldn’t we play against the 18 that have just come in?'”Related
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Arthur also hinted that Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka could face long-term suspensions from international cricket pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing, and admitted that the tour to England – in which Sri Lanka lost five games and had one no-result – was “one of the toughest” he had been on as a head coach.”I know there is a disciplinary panel that’s been set up and I think those players will get a severe penalty,” he said. “What that is, I don’t know. I’ve seen one year being mooted and it almost kind of reminds me of Sandpapergate, where you crash to the lowest point and then try to build it up again. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with that [but] we’re obviously keen to get [numbers] one, four and five back as soon as possible with a T20 World Cup in mind.”[It was] one of the toughest tours I’ve been on in my 12 years as an international coach, just in the sense that there was so much going on around the tour. There was obviously still the stand-off between the players and the board around contracts which hasn’t been resolved. Not wanting to make an excuse around that, there was a lot of instability there.”We took a very, very young squad that we wanted to build with for the next couple of years but the three batsmen central to that unfortunately went walkabout in Durham and we lost our number one, four and five. That didn’t help either. It was really tough.”The positives I’d take out of it, I thought Kusal Janith [Perera] led the team very, very well in very trying times and I thought our quick bowling attack was fairly good which was great. We know we’ve got the spinners but to see some of our quicks come through was really, really exciting.”
Former Manchester United star Juan Mata has bought a stake in San Diego FC in MLS, a move that puts him in competition with David Beckham.
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Mata buys into San Diego FC
Will go up against Becks' Inter Miami
Spaniard still playing in Australia
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Mata has bought a stake in San Diego FC, and will subsequently go up against the might of Beckham's Inter Miami in MLS competition in the coming seasons; the club will join the Western Conference in 2025. The former Spain international is still playing, for Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia, and is the first active player to invest in the league.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
San Diego FC have a remarkable ownership structure that is headed by Egyptian businessman Sir Mohamed Mansour, who also owns the Right To Dream academy and Danish club FC Nordsjaelland, and also includes a Native American tribe by the name of Kumeyaay Nation, who live on a reservation in California. Mata has already expressed his excitement at the opportunity to "build something" in the United States.
WHAT MATA SAID
Mata said: "Joining San Diego FC as a partner is an exciting opportunity to help build something truly special in a city and league that are experiencing incredible growth.
"The commitment of both this Club and Right to Dream (a to community impact, excellence, and a vision for long-term success aligns perfectly with my own values. I look forward to contributing my experience and passion for the game and working alongside everyone here to build a Club that inspires both on and off the pitch."
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WHAT NEXT?
San Diego FC are readying themselves for their MLS debut in 2025. They will play their games at the SnapDragon Stadium in California, which hosts 35,000 fans.
Joe Root has hinted that England will opt to field an extra seamer in the first Test of their series in Sri Lanka, rather than adding a third spinner to their attack.Despite playing at Galle, a venue with a long-earned reputation for favouring spin bowling, England are set to select only two specialist spinners in Dom Bess and Jack Leach. They are likely to pick three seamers and turn to the part-time spin of Root and Dan Lawrence as required.Ahead of the tour, it had seemed likely England that would pick three spinners in each Test. Since 2016, spinners have claimed twice as many wickets as seamers in Tests at Galle – the venue for both Tests in this series – and have done so at a lower overall average, strike rate and economy rate.Related
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On England’s last tour to Sri Lanka, in late 2018, spin accounted for 100 wickets – the most ever in a three-Test series – while James Anderson and Stuart Broad claimed only one wicket between them. England used a three-man spin attack comprising Moeen Ali, Jack Leach and Adil Rashid in all three Tests, who claimed 48 wickets between them in a 3-0 win (Root’s offspin accounted for a 49th).But illness and absence have reduced their options. Moeen, England’s joint leading wicket-taker with Leach on the last tour, has been ruled out of contention having contracted Covid-19, while Rashid has limited himself to limited-overs cricket as he comes to terms with a long-term shoulder problem. Other options, such as Liam Dawson, are also unavailable through injury.That leaves England with three choices for third spinner. Although none of Matt Parkinson, Mason Crane and Amar Virdi are officially part of the Test squad at present, they are all part of the tour party as reserves and are considered to be available for selection.Only Crane has previously played Test cricket – he took 1 for 193 in Sydney at the start of 2018 – but he underwhelmed in the warm-up match (he conceded 37 from five overs, though he did dismiss Zak Crawley when he attempted to run a short ball to third man). Virdi didn’t bowl at all in that match, while Parkinson’s last first-class appearance was in September 2019. It is a situation which raises familiar questions about the lack of opportunities provided to developing spinners in the county game.England’s options have been diminished further by the likely absence of two seam-bowling allrounders. Ben Stokes has been rested for this tour, while Chris Woakes was obliged to spend the first week of it in quarantine having been deemed a close contact of Moeen. As a result, Woakes was unable to participate in the warm-up game and may be considered a little short of match fitness in conditions which are expected to be hot and humid.Sam Curran is set to play ahead of Chris Woakes or a third spinner•ECB
Those draining conditions – and the lack of the usual preparation time – might persuade England not to place too many demands on individual bowlers. And with Sri Lanka’s batsmen not always looking comfortable against pace, England are likely to want one of their quicker bowlers – Olly Stone or Mark Wood – alongside the allrounder, Sam Curran, and one of Broad or Anderson.That means Root, who took his Test-best figures of 4 for 122 at Port Elizabeth at the start of 2020, may well be obliged to contribute with the ball, while Lawrence and, to a lesser extent, Dom Sibley provide further part-time options.”I’ve readied myself for it [a role with the ball],” Root said. “I’ve prepared for it in practice and it does seem to be coming out OK at the moment. If it is the case that I need to bowl longer spells than previously and take a bigger workload in this series, then I’m looking forward to that challenge. It’s certainly an option and it will come down to the balance of the side.”As you’d expect in Galle, it’s going to spin. It’s just when in the game it’s going to spin – that’s the question.”But the pitch does look very different here from memory to what it did on previous tours. I don’t think it’s going to be miles away from what you’d expect a Galle wicket to play like, but if there’s weather around in the Test match and there’s a tacky nature to the pitch and it sweats with the covers on that probably brings seam into the game a bit more than it might normally do. Everything is pointing towards it being a bowlers’ game.”While Root will wait for another look at the pitch and the weather conditions before confirming his side – Galle has been hit by unseasonable rain in recent days – he did confirm he will bat at No. 4, with Jonny Bairstow at No. 3. He also said that Zak Crawley and Dom Sibley will open, and has previously confirmed that Jos Buttler will keep wicket.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
While he acknowledged that England’s lack of preparation time – they go into the series having played just one day of warm-up cricket – is far from ideal, he knows they have to start well to have a hope of winning the two-match series. The fact that they’ve lost the first Test in five of their last six series is not lost on him.”The preparations and build-up time is not ideal,” Root said. “There’s no point hiding behind the fact: we haven’t had the ideal lead-up to this series. It’s probably the shortest lead-up we’ve ever had going into an away Test match series. But regardless, it is about making sure we start the game well. So many times in these two-match series, it’s imperative you get off to a good start.”It’s something we’re desperate to keep improving on. We’ve started series poorly, as was mentioned last summer, and if we are to keep improving as a team we can’t be behind the eight ball going into the second Test match of every series.”The way we are going to do that is by scoring big first-innings runs and controlling the game. If we can manage to do that I think we’ll have success here.”
On Tuesday morning, the Premier League revealed to the world the comprehensive fixture list for the 2024/25 campaign. Liverpool, naturally, will start their campaign with a 12:30pm kick off away against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Jurgen Klopp might have retired from his Merseyside duties but the German will be certain to shake his head when he receives this piece of information. For Arne Slot, Anfield's new head coach, the match is simply the beginning of a thrilling journey in England's top flight, and three points will be the only option.
Liverpool: Opening Premier League Fixtures 24/25
Matchweek
Fixture
Venue
23/24 Result
1.
Ipswich Town
Portman Road
N/A
2.
Brentford
Anfield
3-0 win
3.
Manchester United
Old Trafford
2-2 draw
4.
Nottingham Forest
Anfield
4-0 win
5.
Bournemouth
Anfield
2-0 win
The club's new boss will have a plethora of high-quality players to pick from but there's no denying Liverpool need to piece it all together during the summer transfer window, strengthening key areas such as central defence and out wide.
That's not to say, however, that Michael Edwards and Co won't bolster other positions if the right opening emerges. well, such an opportunity may well have materialised…
Liverpool transfer news
According to Spanish reports, Liverpool are the 'main candidates' to sign Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz, who is valued at around €30m (£25m) by the Serie A giants.
Kenan Yildiz celebrates.
Yildiz, aged 19, is a highly sought-after figure in Italy after enjoying a thrilling breakout campaign but has been consistently linked with a move away – notably, Arsenal and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in recent months.
While he's not quite the profile that the Reds have been frequently touted with – a right-sided, in cutting wide forward – Yildiz represents a unique market opportunity and Slot could make fine use of the youngster's ever-improving talents.
Kenan Yildiz's 23/24 season in numbers
Speaking of Yildiz's ability back in January, former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said: "There are very few people who can control the ball like a star player. Moreover, he rarely makes wrong decisions, and that's a natural talent. We didn't need to teach him that. I want him to do even more because he has the potential to make a difference."
Despite still perching in the maiden stage of his promising career, the Turkey international – who featured at Euro 2024 yesterday – has established himself as a regular matchday feature for the Old Lady despite playing his football at youth level during the 2022/23 campaign.
This season, principally playing off the centre-forward for Juventus, Yildiz scored six goals and supplied two assists for his team, only starting nine matches in the Italian first division but making quite the impression.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 11% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 4% for pass completion, the top 8% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries, the top 4% for successful take-ons and the top 9% for tackles per 90.
Electric and bold, Yildiz is a first-class prospect and he could be offer the perfect addition of depth at Liverpool, with his prodigious start to life leading his former coach, Sokyan Baskar, to claim that he's "more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo".
Former Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo
This might be a tiny bit overenthusiastic from Baskar but it does start to paint a picture of how highly regarded this dynamic forward is. Yet to break free from his teenage years, the world lays at his feet.
Ronaldo, it's important to note, scored six goals and added eight assists across 40 matches during the 2003/04 season, when he was the same age as Yildiz is now. The youthful Turk cannot be expected to reach the same jaw-dropping heights as Ronaldo, one of football's all-time greats, but, again, the praise bespeaks his potential to succeed at a team like Liverpool.
How Kenan Yildiz could fit in at Liverpool
There's a good chance that Yildiz's blistering pace and silky footwork will see him bloom into a permanent wide player in the years to come, which could see him cement a spot as Luis Diaz's successor at Anfield.
The Colombian has been heavily linked with a departure in recent weeks – with Barcelona eager admirers – but Cody Gakpo, another of Slot's left wingers, is set to stay and will hope to fight for a prominent role after only starting 17 matches in the Premier League last term.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.
Among his seasonal appearances, Gakpo was deployed on the left flank 12 times but only scored three goals. While his versatility saw him moved around with regularity, he has faced criticisms for several of his displays, with The Athletic's Gregg Evans claiming that "he looks a bit short of pace and physicality".
Yildiz is certainly not lacking in such departments. He might be limber but the 6 foot 2 star is endowed with deceptive strength and an impressive athletic core. His young age also suggests that he will only keep developing over the coming years, even touted to be a consistent starter for Thiago Motta's Juventus next year by analyst Ben Mattinson, if he ends up staying in Turin.
With a still-improving skill set hinting at the kind of progressive, creative skills to place him in the upper echelon,
If Diaz is sold this summer, Yildiz may well be considered as a shrewd and exciting successor. Gakpo will hope that he has proved himself worthy of a regular starting berth on the left wing but if Yildiz is indeed signed, the Dutchman might just find himself battling a remarkable young player for a place on the wing.
Diaz sold, £216m spent: What Arne Slot's dream Liverpool XI could be
Anfield could boast quite the team come the end of the transfer window.
A £120,000-per-week member of Ange Postecoglou's squad is set to leave Tottenham this summer, with Man United targeting him for Erik ten Hag.
Postecoglou plans Spurs overhaul
Postecoglou has publicly stated that "drastic change" is needed at Spurs, and openly suggested that a number of players could be moved on as "not everyone" can be along for the ride.
Tottenham player now reaches agreement in principle to join European giants
There will be club-to-club talks this week.
ByEmilio Galantini Jul 4, 2024
Ryan Sessegnon, Japhet Tanganga, Eric Dier and Ivan Perisic all left N17 first, upon the expiry of their contracts with the club, while chairman Daniel Levy also sought to terminate Tanguy Ndombele's deal a year before it was meant to run out.
Wales international defender Joe Rodon soon followed Ndombele out of the door, with technical director Johan Lange and the recruitment team using him as an unofficial makeweight in a move for English sensation Archie Gray.
Rodon joined Leeds United in a £10 million deal, after spending the 2023/2024 season on loan at Elland Road, with Gray heading the opposite direction in a separate £40 million move (Fabrizio Romano).
Attention now turns to who could follow up Rodon and the aforementioned crop. Bryan Gil, Djed Spence, Giovani Lo Celso, Troy Parrott, Richarlison, Yves Bissouma, Manor Solomon and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are all players who could be sold by Tottenham this summer, with reports suggesting Spurs could be open to offers for all of them.
Tottenham's best-performing players in the Premier League last season
Average match rating (WhoScored)
Son Heung-min
7.30
James Maddison
7.17
Pedro Porro
7.05
Cristian Romero
7.04
Dejan Kulusevski
7.03
AC Milan are currently trying to sign Emerson Royal from Spurs after getting the Brazilian's green-light, while Hojbjerg is keen to leave Tottenham as Borussia Dortmund consider a deal.
There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of left-back Sergio Reguilon, who spent 23/24 on two half-season loan spells at Man United and Brentford.
Reguilon set to leave Tottenham as Man United eye move for ten Hag
The Red Devils have just shown their commitment to ten Hag by agreeing a new contract for the Dutchman, and it appears they're keen to support their manager by bringing Reguilon back to Old Trafford.
Manchester United's loan defender Sergio Reguilon.
That is according to Diario AS, who claim Reguilon is set to pack his bags and leave Tottenham this summer. The 27-year-old, who was signed from Sevilla by Jose Mourinho in 2020, apparently has no future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Alongside United, it is believed another big European club in Juventus are interested, as well as London rivals West Ham. On a reported £120,000-per-week (The Mirror), it would be a long way back for Reguilon under Postecoglou, given the stellar form of left-back Destiny Udogie last season.
The best solution for both parties is to amicably part company, and perhaps United could well facilitate that over the coming weeks.
Erik ten Hag’s future as manager of Manchester United is finally secure. It has taken weeks for INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe to come to a conclusion following their end-of-season review, but, as reputable journalist David Ornstein confirmed earlier this week, they have finally decided to keep the Dutchman in his post.
This was a decision that went down well with Ten Hag. During a punditry stint on Dutch TV for England’s Euro 2024 clash against Serbia, he explained that he was aware they spoke to the likes of Thomas Tuchel. However, following those conversations, club bosses decided that “they already have the best manager”.
This now gives Ten Hag a chance to build on what was a disappointing second season in charge. Despite victory in the FA Cup final over Manchester City, the Dutchman saw his side to a disastrous eigth-place finish, only managing to qualify through Europe due to their triumph at Wembley against Manchester City.
There is no doubt that his side will need to recruit in the summer transfer window in order to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season. Already, they have been linked with one man who could help bolster their ranks in the middle of the park.
Man Utd target Premier League midfielder
The player in question here is Everton and Belgium international midfielder Amadou Onana. It has been an impressive season for the former Lille man, which has led to him being linked with a whole host of clubs in the Premier League and abroad.
Indeed, one of those clubs is United, as reported by one Spanish news outlet, strengthening the Red Devils’ links to Onana this week. They explain that the 22-year-old is a player who has “attracted interest” from the Old Trafford club, as they hope to strengthen their midfield options. Sofyan Amrabat is likely to leave given his loan is expiring, although in theory, the club could activate the buy option in his contract.
Amadou Onana for Everton
However, United will not be the only side who are in contention to sign Onana this summer. Premier League runners-up for the second consecutive season, Arsenal, are also hopeful of adding the midfielder to their squad, with Newcastle United and Spanish giants Barcelona interested.
Although a price for Onana is not mentioned, the Liverpool Echo explains that the Toffees would “be seeking at least £50m” to sign the Belgian this summer.
How Onana fits in at Man Utd
The 22-year-old Belgium international was a key player for Sean Dyche’s Everton last season. He featured in 30 of the 38 Premier League games, and missed games only due to injury, notably a calf problem. He managed to get himself on the scoresheet twice in the top flight last season.
Football scout Antonio Mango explained in a post on X that Onana is a “dream to watch” thanks to his “size and physique”, and this is certainly something that stands out in his game. Standing at roughly 6 foot 3, the Belgian is a true powerhouse in the middle of the park and a key part of the physicality of the Everton side.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
This is also reflected in his stats. The Evertonian is superb in the air and is able to win headers with ease due to his aforementioned large frame. In the Premier League last season, he averaged 2.24 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, which was a win rate of 74.3% as per Fbref. This places him in the top 5% and 1% of Premier League midfielders respectively.
However, it is not just there that Onana excels defensively. The 22-year-old also has superb ball recovery stats, which is largely thanks to his long legs which he uses to hook the ball away from opponents. Last season in the Premier League, he was one of the best midfielders when it came to ball recoveries. The Belgian averaged 6.89 ball recoveries per 90, which ranks him in the top 9% of midfielders.
Onana’s 1.64 tackles won per 90, and 3.96 tackles and interceptions made per 90 is an excellent reflection of his ability in duels, another place his physicality can stand him in good stead. The midfielder ranks in the top 19% and 20% for each respective category.
Onana defensive stats 2023/24 Premier League
Stat (per 90)
Number
Percentile among CMs
Aerial duels won
2.24
95th
Aerial duel win %
74.3%
99th
Ball recoveries
6.89
91st
Tackles won
1.64
81st
Tackles & interceptions
3.96
80th
Stats from Fbref
These defensive numbers would make the Belgian an excellent partner for exciting young United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. It has been a phenomenal debut season for the 19-year-old, who has played a couple of different roles in the Red Devils’ midfield. At times, the teenager has been sitting as the deepest player, operating as a loan six at times.
However, whilst he can do this job to a high level, Mainoo plays his best football as an advanced eight. He is a true all-phase midfielder and contributed with goal involvements for United last season. He played 32 times in all competitions for United, registering one assist and scoring five goals, including a stunner against Liverpool in the Premier League and, crucially, the winner against Man City in United’s incredible FA Cup final triumph.
The midfielder is a superb carrier of the ball, a player able to receive possession on the half-turn in the first phase, before coasting away and taking it through opposition lines to help progress United forward. The England international, who made his competitive debut against Serbia at Euro 2024, makes it look easy at times.
According to Fbref, the youngster's 2.70 attempted take-ons per 90 and resulting 1.46 completed take-ons places him amongst Europe’s elite. He ranks in the 9% and 8% for each respective metric, an impressive stat for someone so new to professional football.
With Onana, such a proficient number six, playing behind Mainoo, it could become a dream partnership for United. The Belgian can free Mainoo of his more defensive shackles, reducing his responsibility off the ball and allowing him to venture forward more often. Mango explained that the 22-year-old “has all attributes to become a real midfield powerhouse”, and we could see the best of him in a duo with Mainoo.
Onana is already a Red Devil for his country, perhaps we could see him a Red Devil for his club next season, too.
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Inter Miami manager Tata Martino was fuming postgame after midfielder Yannick Bright was brought down in the box
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Inter Miami draw NYCFC 1-1Herons concede last-gasp equalizerTata Martino blasts referee over callWHAT HAPPENED?
The Herons conceded a last-gasp equalizer in their 1-1 draw with NYCFC Saturday, when Pigeons' midfielder James Sands leapt into the air to smash home a header off a corner kick. It was the U.S. international's first-ever MLS goal, and sent Yankee Stadium into a frenzy, with the final whistle coming seconds after the restart.
However, defender Thiago Martins appeared to shove Miami's Yannick Bright during the play, and despite a VAR review, the goal was deemed good. Miami manager Tata Martino vehemently disagreed, saying the match "lacked a good referee" and that Miami should have earned three points.
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"The team didn't lack anything, but the match lacked a good referee," Martino said in his postgame news conference.
The Herons had five yellow cards handed to players on the pitch throughout the contest, and a pair of yellows – resulting in a red card and immediate ejection – to a staff member sitting close to Tata Martino in the 66th minute.
Miami scored through forward Leonardo Campana shortly after that frenzy, with the Ecuadorian bagging an effort in the 75th minute, but Sands' late header resulted in the two sides each walking away with a point.
"We had a good game, we should've won," Martino added. "If the referee would've called the foul committed against Yannick Bright, we would've won the game 1-0."
DID YOU KNOW?
Miami are still sitting first in the race for the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield, despite stumbles in back-to-back matches in which they earned draws by conceding late equalizers.
Martino believes Miami will be "fine" as long as they look at how they have played over the course of the summer, minus their performance against FC Cincinnati in July, and the two draws this week.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
The Herons are back in action next Saturday against Charlotte FC before a potentially season-defining match against the Columbus Crew on Oct. 2.
The Crew are the only MLS Supporters' Shield contender with two games in-hand, and as a result they can mathematically catch the Herons in the race for the regular season title if they win-out the remainder of their season.