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West Indies skipper praises Jomel Worrican’s work but urges his batters to be braver for the second Test

Danyal Rasool19-Jan-2025West Indian captain Kraigg Brathwaite did not ignore the elephant in the room, but did not hide behind it, either. He said straightaway that Pakistan “prepared a dry spinning pitch from day one”, while acknowledging it was their right to do so, and challenging both his batters and his bowlers to adapt to it better in the second Test.”We expect the same type of pitch in the second Test and we’ve got to come better,” Brathwaite said at the post-Test press conference. “It was a difficult pitch to bat on for sure. But it’s their decision how they want the pitch. We’ve just got to come good.”What encouraged Brathwaite was West Indies’ ability to, for the most part, match their hosts toe-to-toe. While Sajid Khan and Noman Ali found themselves in the wickets, the best bowling figures of the Test belonged to West Indian left arm spinner Jomel Warrican, whose figures of 7 for 32 in the second innings are the third best ever by a visiting bowler in a Test in Pakistan. With the bat, too, West Indies’ efforts of 137 and 123 weren’t worlds removed from Pakistan’s second innings score of 157, with a first innings fifth wicket stand of 141 between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan the sharpest point of difference.”It’s great to see. Jamal has worked extremely hard over the years and it’s good to see he got his first five-wicket haul. His hard work has paid off. He bowled well; he was consistent. I wish him all the best in his second test match.”I do think we could improve bowling wise. We gave them 50-60 runs too much in the first innings because the pitch spun from ball one and we could have created enough pressure on the batters to get more wickets. Saying that, we also didn’t bat as well as we could. I think Alick [Athanaze, whose fourth innings 55 was West Indies highest individual score] showed us today how easy it can be. You’ve got to be braver in your shot selection. But I think a better all-round performance and we could win the second Test.”Jomel Warrican took 10 for 101 in the match•AFP/Getty Images

With the pitch tricky and the Test match short, smaller differences were always going to prove decisive, and Brathwaite was keen to stress that, despite the margin of victory, he felt the disparity between the two sides was small. With Pakistan’s strategy certain – both captains effectively confirmed they expected a similar turner for the second Test – which also takes place in Multan, starting on January 25 – surprise is not something that can catch West Indies out.”I think we could be better with the ball in the first innings. We gave them 50 runs too much, and on top of that, we didn’t bat as well as we could have, especially in the first innings. Both innings the top order didn’t get any runs. So I think batting wise the top six should be able to bat at least a session.”Pakistan only batted one session in their second innings, too, and I think bowling wise once we stay consistent in bringing batters onto the front foot, we’ll have a better chance of limiting that first innings total. And we’ve got to bat better, we’ve got to find a better way.”While he didn’t commit to that strategy, perhaps judicious aggression, a measure of which West Indies began to introduce into their batting as each innings wore on, is something West Indies might look to do more of next week. Some batters found the use of reverse sweeps from outside the line a fruitful scoring option, while West Indies’ most destructive phase with the bat came when the tenth wicket partnership put on 46 in 21 balls, taking the spinners on when they flighted the ball.”The ball was ragging, so one is going to have your name on it regardless. The pitch was difficult as you could see. It was very dry before even the game started. So I’m not surprised with the game finishing early.”

The team owner and management haven’t responded to the players’ calls for updates as they await tickets for flights back home

Mohammad Isam02-Feb-2025Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players are effectively stranded in their team hotel in Dhaka after the franchise continued to miss payment deadlines. The team owner and management haven’t responded to the players’ calls for updates as they await tickets for flights back home. When this report was filed, the players were still in Dhaka.Rajshahi were eliminated from the Bangladesh Premier Leauge (BPL) on Saturday when Khulna Tigers beat Dhaka Capitals on the last day of the league stage.Mohammad Haris (Pakistan), Aftab Alam (Afghanistan), Mark Deyal (West Indies), Ryan Burl (Zimbabwe) and Miguel Cummins (West Indies) are all waiting for some portion of their payments due. A couple of them have been paid 25%, while some haven’t been paid at all. Furthermore, the players haven’t received daily allowance for the last 11 days.Related

• BPL crisis: Rajshahi dues to be cleared by February 10, sports ministry says

• BPL gets a boost from arrival of eliminated ILT20 players

• Shaun Tait keeps it simple to find success with Chittagong Kings

• Rajshahi promise to pay local players after training boycott

• Rajshahi's overseas players sit out Sunday's game over non-payment of dues

Rajshahi have been dogged by financial problems from the start of this BPL. Anamul Haque said that the local players hadn’t received any payments prior to the start of the tournament as they are usually played 25% before the tournament starts. They boycotted a training session in Chattogram last month, while the overseas players boycotted a match. Burl and Haris eventually made themselves available to play and helped them stay in contention for a playoff finish, but they fell short on net run rate.Rajshahi owner Shafique Rahman got into trouble with the team hotel in Chattogram after failing to pay them on time. Photos of security personnel sitting outside his room went viral, while Rahman’s car was seized by the hotel authorities. Later, when the Rajshahi team returned to Dhaka, they were forced to check out of one hotel due to payment issues.Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, member-secretary of BPL’s governing council, said that the BCB didn’t vet the Rajshahi franchise properly when they were taken on board last year. “I think we didn’t judge the franchises properly. I think we didn’t verify their experience and financial strength. It has now put us in a difficult situation.”On Saturday, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Mahmud said that he spoke to Rahman, warning him of the consequences.”I spoke to the Rajshahi owner, who assured us that he will clear the payments,” Mahmud said. “I have told him clearly that if he fails to do so, we will take legal steps. No more discussions. Our fact-finding committee will be looking into how this team came to be.”

Australia captain says his rehab for an ankle injury which made him miss the Champions Trophy is going well

Andrew McGlashan26-Feb-2025Pat Cummins has returned to bowling as he prepares for the IPL next month and the build-up to the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.Cummins, Australia’s Test and ODI captain, was ruled out of the ongoing Champions Trophy due to an ankle injury he managed during the Test series against India but told ESPNcricinfo on Wednesday that he was heading for the first bowl of his rehab.”The ankle is all going strong, [have been] able to give it a good rest and then been building up slowly, which you don’t get to do when you play lots of cricket,” Cummins said. “It’s feeling as strong as it has for a fair while. Should be fine [for the IPL], that’s the plan. So have a few weeks of bowling, building back up and then hopefully don’t have to worry about it for a while.”Cummins, an ambassador for Prime who are the exclusive broadcasters for the Champions Trophy in Australia, said his ankle is something he has had to manage on an ongoing basis and it began to become a bit more of an issue during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.”It’s something that we’ve opted never to have surgery on or intervene too much, just a lot to rehab,” he explained. “Having this break meant that I could get a couple of cortisones and really rehab it well the last couple of weeks.”Cummins is confident he will be able to build his workload during the IPL and is eyeing playing a full role in the three-Test series against West Indies which follows the WTC final. There is a chance he will miss some of Australia’s white-ball matches ahead of the Ashes – there are five T20Is in West Indies then series against South Africa, New Zealand and India – before facing England from late November.Pat Cummins is watching the Champions Trophy from afar as he recovers from an ankle injury•Prime Video

“Sometimes by missing the odd tour, you actually end up playing more cricket for the whole year,” he said. “I think in the past you used to play everything, whereas now, absolutely, you try and make sure the players are at their peak for as long as you can for the year and to play as much of the important stuff each year. It’s just the way of the world. Everyone’s used to it.”Related

• Marsh cleared to play in the IPL as batter-only for LSG despite back issue

• Ankle injury and 'personal views' behind Starc's Champions Trophy absence

• ESPNcricinfo Awards 2024 Men's captain of the year: Pat Cummins

• Finch: Labuschagne's form is an 'alarming sign'

• Inglis savours 'special' innings for Australia

The absence of Cummins in Pakistan, along with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, has meant Australia’s pace attack is inexperienced. Ben Dwarshuis took three wickets against England while Nathan Ellis, who captained Hobart Hurricanes to the BBL title this season, was outstanding with 0 for 51 from his 10 overs in game where 707 runs were scored.”[Nathan] has always been so valuable in that he can bowl at any stage,” Cummins said. “He doesn’t necessarily need to take the new ball to have big impact. He can bowl through the middle and at the end.”However, the most eye-catching display from Australia’s one outing so far – their second match against South Africa was abandoned without a ball bowled – has been Josh Inglis with his stunning 120 off 86 balls to guide a huge chase. It followed his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka last month, having been picked for the prowess against spin, where he played alongside Alex Carey with the duo now featuring in the ODI team together with the keeping roles flipped between formats.2:04

Agar: Inglis controlled the innings, the rest could bat around him

“He’s been on almost every Australian tour for about the last four years running drinks. So we’ve always known his quality and scoring two hundreds in different formats in the last month is amazing,” Cummins said. “He’s so dynamic. You can bat him anywhere in the order. He can take down spin. He can also finish off an innings with all his different shots. Just someone who’s coming into a real sweet spot in his career.”Inglis will be part of a tough selection debate ahead of the WTC final with Sam Konstas in the mix to return as an opener and Cameron Green expected to be available as a batter. But while Cummins is not a selector, he can see a world where Inglis retains his spot.”I think you’re open to anything at the moment,” he said. “[Inglis and Carey] are two of the most in-form guys. They’re straight into that ODI side together and it’s no issue. We’ve picked two allrounders before. Picked two keepers in Sri Lanka. I don’t see any reason why they can’t coexist if they’re both scoring runs.”After the Champions Trophy, the next major men’s white-ball event is next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka followed by the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Australia will be defending the title they won in India and Cummins still has his sights set on leading them at that event.”It comes around pretty quick, we’re already almost halfway,” he said. “That’s definitely what we’ve been speaking to. Obviously, when it’s a long way away, Test cricket and other [tournaments] take priorities. But once it gets a bit closer, that becomes a bit more of a focus.”

Former England seamer loving the challenge of getting back to shortest format with Lancashire

Andrew Miller13-Jun-2025James Anderson doesn’t have many regrets in his long and illustrious career. However, as he dives back into life at Lancashire at the age of 42, he does wish he’d had the chance to play more T20 cricket – after 11 years without a single game in the format.Anderson, who is set to feature for Lancashire against Worcestershire on Friday evening, has made a remarkable impact in his three Vitality Blast fixtures to date. He has claimed seven wickets at 10.14 and an economy-rate of 6.45, including a best of 3 for 17 in his comeback fixture against Durham at Chester-le-Street.”I’m absolutely loving it, it’s been amazing,” Anderson said at Lord’s this week, during an event for DP World.Related

• James Anderson, Rocky Flintoff earn Hundred wildcard deals

• Jason Roy handed Hundred lifeline with Southern Brave

• James Anderson stars on T20 comeback as Lancashire make it three from three

• England-India Test series to be named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

• 'Can't quite believe it' – Anderson chuffed after England-India Test series named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

“I’ve only played three games – and my opinion might change very quickly over the next couple of weeks – but I feel like I’ve missed out over the last 10 years. It is so much fun. I wouldn’t change anything in my Test career, but it would have been nice to play a little bit more [T20] over the last 10 years.”Anderson remains England’s leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket, with a tally of 269 scalps that may never be beaten. However, he claimed just 18 in his 19 T20Is, with his last match in the format coming against South Africa at Centurion in 2009.”I was really nervous before my first game, but just being around Lancashire for the last however-many years, I’ve been dipping in and out,” he said. “It has been nice to settle in and get to know the guys properly, and try to have an impact in the team and on the squad. Hopefully, I can stay fit and keep doing it for the rest of the year.”He credits his ability to adapt to the format, despite such a long absence, to his unrelenting thirst for self-improvement: a trait that was in evidence throughout his Test career, with his mastery of the wobble-seam delivery a key example of this.”I do watch a lot of cricket. I’ve been around a lot of cricket. I was with the England white-ball team in the winter, so you do kind of learn all the time, watching different things – watching The Hundred, watching the Blast over the last ten years.”I’ve always had slower balls, but it’s getting back into nailing them down. It’s something I’ve loved throughout my career, developing skills and working at them.”Even so, it has been a curious experience watching Anderson in action in the Blast, without his habitual cordon of slips to back him up, and with his breakthroughs coming in unconventional areas of the ground.”All of my wickets have been caught either in the ring or on the boundary,” he said. “But that is the nature of the game. It is a bit different to what I’m used to, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.””The game I played [against Northamptonshire], the edges I got – you don’t have a slip in – went for four. You have to deal with that, and obviously they’re trying to hit you out of the ground. I have found it really fun. I am trying to learn all the time and tap into the other guys who’ve played a lot of T20 cricket to see where it takes me.”Anderson’s desire to extend his career was shown by his entries into both the IPL auction and the Hundred draft. Though he went unselected in both, the Hundred does have the intriguing second chance of a potential wildcard pick, which are awarded to the stand-out performers in the T20 Blast.”I have no idea,” he said, on that prospect. “I haven’t heard anything. I just keep ploughing along. What I am finding out is that there is a lot of cricket in a county season, and it is tough. We have two more T20s and then two Championship games, and I want to play in those, so it’s about trying to manage your body as well. It has been great though. I have absolutely loved it.”James Anderson was speaking at a DP World Beyond Boundaries Initiative, a mission to make the game of cricket more accessible across the globe

“I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but things [like that are] as a player I cannot control,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2025Ajinkya Rahane, 37, hasn’t played a Test in two years now, but has reiterated his “hunger and passion” for the game and red-ball cricket, even though he has “got no response” from the selectors.”I still want to play Test cricket,” Rahane, currently in London, told Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton in an interview with Sky Sports. “I’m really passionate about playing Test cricket. I’m enjoying my cricket at the moment.”I’m here just for a few days. I carried my trainers and my training clothes so that I can keep myself fit. Our domestic season is starting, so preparations have just begun.”When asked about the challenges of making a comeback, particularly with the team management placing greater emphasis on younger players following the Test retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Rahane said his focus remains on “controllable things.”New captain Shubman Gill has taken over Kohli’s No. 4 spot, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant slotting in at No. 5. Of the old guard, KL Rahul appears to be the only one still firmly in the selectors’ plans. Despite the stiff competition, Rahane remains unfazed, reaffirming his dedication to domestic cricket as he works toward a comeback.Since losing his Test spot, Rahane has led Mumbai in two straight Ranji Trophy seasons, winning their 42nd title in 2023-24, while they finished runners-up in 2024-25. He was also part of Mumbai’s title-winning Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) squad.Rahane hit 467 runs in 14 innings at an average of 35.92 in the 2024-25 Ranji season, with one fifty and a hundred. He was the highest run-getter for Kolkata Knight Riders during a disappointing IPL 2025, where they finished eighth out of ten teams. Rahane hit 390 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 147.27.”For me, it’s all about focusing on the controllable things,” Rahane said. “Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but things [like that are] as a player I cannot control. I got no response. As a player all I can do is keep playing cricket, keep enjoying the game, give my best each and every time. I love playing Test cricket, love playing red-ball, it’s a passion. The love for the game keeps me going.”

Moghees Ahmed had his registrations as an agent suspended by the ECB in March

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2025England’s Cricket Regulator has handed a prominent agent a five-year ban from “any cricket-related activity” that falls under the ECB’s jurisdiction. Moghees Ahmed, who fronts the International Cricketers Association, was ruled to have made a corrupt approach to the head coach of a county and will serve a minimum of 30 months of his suspension.The Cricket Regulator ruled in March that Ahmed – who represents a number of prominent Pakistan players – had proposed an arrangement whereby a coach would receive a share of his commission in exchange for selecting certain players he represents in franchise leagues. The coach reported the approach later that day, and a tribunal was satisfied that it had been made.Ahmed was found guilty of four charges of breaching the ECB’s anti-corruption code and had his registration to act as an agent suspended. He has now been “declared ineligible” for five years from March 26, 2025, with the first 30 months served in full and the remaining 30 suspended on condition of no further offences and the completion of an anti-corruption education programme.”Moghees Ahmed sought to engage a professional county coach in a corrupt scheme which would have had serious consequences for the integrity of cricket in England and Wales and beyond,” Chris Haward, the director of the Cricket Regulator, said in a statement.”This lengthy ban rightly reflects the seriousness of the conspiracy Ahmed sought to embark upon. Offering, seeking or taking illicit financial inducements for selection is never acceptable and strikes at the heart of the integrity of our sport. Where corrupt conduct is suspected, it will be investigated and those responsible will be held to account.”This case came to light due to the courage of the coach and others who reported their concerns within moments of the corrupt offer being made. They have also greatly assisted the investigation and tribunal process and are commended for their conduct.”Ahmed told ESPNcricinfo that he “categorically denies all allegations” made against him and “rejects the decisions of the ECB tribunal”. He added that he is “considering legal options to challenge the decision”.

Rajat Patidar, batting on 42, will be the key on the third day

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2025Despite Abhimanyu Easwaran’s half-century, Vidarbha’s bowlers put their side on top on the second day in the Irani Cup match against Rest of India. At stumps, Rest of India were 142 for 5, trailing Vidarbha’s first-innings total of 342 by 200. Rajat Patidar, batting on 42, will be the key going into the third day.Vidarbha resumed the day on 280 for 5 with Atharva Taide batting on 118. But their innings did not last long. Yash Thakur and Harsh Dubey fell in successive overs to leave them on 295 for 7.Darshan Nalkande hung around with Taide and the two added a crucial 37 to take the side to 332. Gurnoor Brar broke the stand by having Nalkande caught behind for 20. The end was swift as Saransh Jain picked the remaining two wickets in one over. He bowled Taide for 143 and, two balls later, had Aditya Thakare caught off Ruturaj Gaikwad.Abhimanyu and Aryan Juyal gave Rest of India a steady start of 52 before Nalkande trapped Juyal lbw. Yash Dhull came out with an attacking intent and hit two fours off Dubey, the second of those via an outside edge. But it was Dubey who had the last laugh when he had Dhull stumped for 11.Abhimanyu and Patidar took the side past 100. Abhimanyu brought up a half-century via an inside-edged four off Parth Rekhade before getting lbw in the same over. That triggered a mini-collapse. Gaikwad hit Thakur for back-to-back fours but was caught at deep-backward point off the following delivery. Ishan Kishan did not last long either, Rekhade having him lbw for 1.That left Rest of India at 124 for 5. Patidar and Manav Suthar, though, ensured there were no more setbacks till stumps.

South Africa coach says, “the only context I ever intended it to be was that we wanted India to spend a lot of time in the field”

Firdose Moonda06-Dec-2025South Africa coach Shukri Conrad has clarified that he did not intend “to cause any malice,” when he said his team wanted to make India “grovel” during the Guwahati Test.Speaking to the media for the first time since he made that statement, Conrad stopped short of an apology but indicated he regretted his choice of words as South Africa worked their way to a 2-0 Test sweep.”On reflection, it was never my intention to cause any malice or not be humble about anything. I could have chosen a better word because it left it open for people to put their own context to it,” Conrad said after South Africa’s 2-1 ODI series loss in Visakhapatnam. “The only context I ever intended it to be was that we wanted India to spend a lot of time in the field and make it really tough for them. I’ve got to be careful what word I use here now because context could be attached to that as well.”Related

• 'Wanted them to really grovel' – SA coach Shukri Conrad on keeping India on the field

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Conrad had made the comment after the fourth day’s play of the second Test, when South Africa batted deep into their second innings and set India a target of 549. When asked why they didn’t declare earlier, Conrad had said: “We wanted the Indians to spend as much time on their feet out in the field, we wanted them to really grovel, to steal a phrase, bat them completely out the game, and then say to them, ‘come and survive on the last day and an hour this evening.'”South Africa won the match on day five to hand India their heaviest home defeat and complete a first series win in India in 25 years. But Conrad’s use of the word “grovel,” which was heavily loaded because it was used by Tony Greig when referring to the West Indies team in 1976, spoilt some of South Africa’s victory. Conrad was criticised by former Indian and South African players, including Sunil Gavaskar and visiting commentator Dale Steyn.Conrad made no public comment since then but Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma twice fielded questions about the use of the word. On both occasions, Bavuma said it was an issue for Conrad to address. Meanwhile, Conrad was in communication with a “network of people that I trust, family back home, and people on our staff,” and concluded he had done some damage, which he needed to repair.”It’s really a pity. Maybe what it did do was spice up the ODI series, and especially with India winning that now, the T20 series becomes even more so,” Conrad said. “The unfortunate thing is, with all the noise that that word caused, I still think it’s a perfectly good English word, but I just left it open to too many interpretations. What it did was take away the gloss of what was a really special win for our Test team. It’s unfortunate, but there was definitely no malice intended.”In his nearly three years as Test coach and almost six months as all-format coach, Conrad has emerged as a popular, witty figure who does not mince his words. Notably, he asked his team to “show-off more” a few months ago as they put out strong performances on the world stage, but has based his philosophy on the opposite of that and expects humility from everyone including himself.”Being humble is a cornerstone of our Test team and all our teams for that matter,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that the noise and the talk became around the coach. People shouldn’t really even know who the coach is. It should be about the players. That’s the unfortunate bit, and I’d like to think that it’s going to be put to bed now.”ESPNcricinfo understands Cricket South Africa was not amused by Conrad’s use of the word “grovel,” not least because they maintain a strong relationship with Indian cricket, but left it up to him to decide if or when he wanted to address the issue. CSA has made no comment or statement about the coach’s choice of language.

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Liverpool have a strong collection of midfield players but their options extend beyond those who are currently available to Jurgen Klopp.

On the chalkboard

The arrival of both Naby Keita and Fabinho in the summer added an extra dimension to an already fantastic set of midfield options.

The double signing effectively made Marko Grujic surplus to requirements at this stage in his career, and he completed a loan move to Hertha Berlin as a consequence.

A series of impressive performances on loan at Cardiff City last season hinted that he had the potential to make a step up this season, and that’s exactly what he’s done.

Glowing performances in the Bundesliga hint that he could be ready to fight for his place in the starting eleven at Liverpool next season.

According to SportBild (via Sport Witness), however, Klopp is eager to loan him out once again in the 2019/20 season to a club playing in either the Europa League or the Champions League.

Grujic could be a ready-made Henderson replacement

Well, Klopp may not be short of options but the club’s stance on Grujic could deprive him of a long-term replacement for Henderson.

Forcing Grujic to embark on another loan move could force the 22-year-old to consider his future and instead search for a permanent move to give his career some much-needed stability.

Hertha’s head coach, Pal Dardai, labelled him as the best midfielder he has seen at the club during a 22-year period, per Bundesliga.com – an admission which suggests the physically commanding Croatian is destined to play at the top level.

Henderson may well be captain at Liverpool but he has struggled to convince the supporters that he is worthy of that responsibility during his time with the club, and he is not of the standard which the club require to consistently challenge for the Premier League title.

Grujic is not yet ready to step into Henderson’s shoes, but the form he has showcased in Germany this season combined with Dardai’s comments hint that he has the quality to replace him in the long-term.

Marco Silva is surely fighting for his future as Everton manager following a dismal run of form in the Premier League.

Expectations were high in the summer when the Portuguese was announced as Sam Allardyce’s successor. Working alongside new director of football, Marcel Brands, Silva secured plenty of promising transfers that had the Goodison faithful hopeful of a strong campaign. However, after a decent start, their form has curtailed since the Merseyside derby defeat at Anfield.

The former Watford boss is now fighting for his future as further poor showings in the remainder of the campaign could force owner Farhad Moshiri to find a new gaffer. Should Silva manage to save his job, he simply must attempt to solve Everton’s leaky defence. The Toffees have conceded far too many poor goals during the current campaign which cannot go on.

One man Silva should turn to is Real Betis rock – Marc Bartra. Valued at £19.8m by Transfermarkt, the former Barcelona man returned to Spain following a forgettable spell with Borussia Dortmund in January 2018 and was named Betis’ player of the year despite playing just half a season. The 28-year-old has once again been a pivotal player for his side and one of the most consistent performers in La Liga.

The former Spain international loves to get stuck in, averaging an impressive 2.6 tackles per game, but also reads the game expertly, allowing him to make 1.7 interceptions on average. Bartra is also decent in the air, winning 2.2 aerial duels per game, making him the ideal man to solve Everton’s defensive woes. As well as his defensive abilities, the Spaniard also thrives with the ball at his feet, completing 89% of his passes in La Liga meaning he is ideal for Silva’s system on Merseyside (WhoScored).

If Everton want to secure a return to Europe next season, splashing the cash on Bartra would be a wise move.

Everton fans, thoughts?