Their contribution to ODI cricket has been rooted in identity and belief

Greg Chappell23-Oct-2025Author and Philosopher Bo Bennett once said “Success is not what you have but who you are.”In an era where cricket often bends to the whims of fleeting formats and instant gratification, two Indian giants stood tall, not just for the runs they scored but for the men they became. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two pillars of modern Indian cricket, carved their legacies through distinct journeys, both marked by immense skill, fierce preparation, and an abiding respect for the 50-over format. Their contribution to ODI cricket wasn’t accidental – it was deeply personal, rooted in identity and belief.Kohli was never just a batter, he was a movement. He arrived on the ODI scene in 2008 with raw promise, and by 2017, when he was full-time captain in the format, he had seized the reins of a side in transition and reshaped it. He brought what few dared to – a warrior’s mindset. He turned India’s ODI side into a sharp, focused and supremely fit unit that played to win, home or away.But what truly set him apart, even from the legends who came before him, was his detachment from personal statistics. While the world raved about centuries and aggregates, Kohli cared only about the outcome. He once said that he played for India, not for records – a statement that defined his leadership. Individual feats were often the focal point of India’s cricketing narrative; Kohli sought something larger. His currency was legacy, not numbers.Related

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Under his watch, India beat Australia 2-1 in an ODI series in 2018-19. They held fort at home like a colossus, dominating bilateral contests and ICC events. Kohli made chasing a priority, fielding a crop of finishers who could rattle teams even in high-pressure chases. He transformed India’s attitude from reactive to relentlessly proactive.Where Kohli’s rise was meteoric and defined by intensity, Rohit’s journey was more about a slow-burn path to greatness. For years he dazzled in limited-overs cricket; his timing, poise and flair made him a household name. But it didn’t come easy: though he made his debut in 2007, inconsistency and middle-order struggles kept him from cementing a place, especially in big tournaments.Then came 2013. Promoted to open during a home series against England, he seized the opportunity with quiet confidence. There was a double-century against Australia. Elegant hundreds, of which the first came also against Australia that year. Sudden comfort against the swinging ball. Something had changed – not just in technique but in belief. What followed was one of the most remarkable second winds in Indian cricket. Rohit didn’t just adapt to ODI cricket, he conquered it.

Where Kohli’s rise was meteoric and defined by intensity, Rohit’s journey was more about a slow-burn path to greatness

His batting, so often described as “effortless”, now carried the weight of responsibility. The short-arm pull, the nimble footwork against spin, the patience outside off stump – all made for a batter who could both grind and grace. A blistering 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 cemented his credentials as a record-breaker, while his measured leadership in the 2023 ODI World Cup showed a cricketer at peace with pressure.When Kohli stepped down as captain in 2021, it was Rohit who inherited the mantle – not by clamour but by quiet readiness. Where Kohli roared, Rohit observed. His captaincy was marked by calm decisions, clear planning, and unwavering support for younger players. He doesn’t chase the camera. He lets his cricket speak – and speak it does, fluently.Their captaincies were a study in contrasts, but both chased one of the same ends – Indian excellence in ODIs. Kohli led in 95 ODIs, winning 65 – among the top two highest by an Indian captain. His win rate of over 68% came against the best teams, in the toughest conditions. Rohit, newer in the role, led in just a little under half as many matches as Kohli and had an even better win percentage – 75%. Together they ensured that India remained an ODI superpower, not just a red-ball giant.Technically, Kohli’s game was forged in fire. His mastery of pace, particularly the searing quicks of Australia, England, and South Africa, made him a modern-day gladiator. His cover-drive became a symbol not just of class but of courage. Off the field, his dedication to fitness, diet and relentless improvement made him a trendsetter.Rohit, on the other hand, thrived on rhythm. His strokeplay is a masterclass in timing. Few play spin better; fewer still can pull like he does. He doesn’t impose himself on bowlers initially – he outsmarts them, and then dismantles them relentlessly. Mentally, both men were titans – Kohli driven by the fire of legacy, Rohit by the calmness of knowing his time would come.There were moments when they didn’t just shine, they paused the game itself. Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, in a high-pressure chase, showed he wasn’t afraid of the big stage. His leadership in the 2018-19 Australia series win remains a defining Indian cricket moment.It’s one last time into the breach in Australia for the two•ICC/Getty ImagesFor Rohit it was the 264 against Sri Lanka, the innings that declared him an ODI phenomenon. Then the five centuries at the 2019 World Cup, where he tamed global attacks with poise. And more recently, his tactical nous through the 2023 World Cup campaign as captain.But beyond individual brilliance in ODIs lay something rarer: their love of and devotion to Test cricket. Kohli wasn’t shy about it – he spoke often, and passionately, about the purity of the format. He made it cool again to care about playing in whites. Rohit, through his transformation, showed that Test cricket rewards those who respect its tempo.In an age where players often chase leagues, fame, and IPL contracts, Kohli and Rohit were naturals who became the face of their franchises for over a decade. No matter the format, they dominated. They were never trying to be viral. They were trying to be vital.Praise for them came from everywhere. Michael Vaughan was effusive in his admiration of Kohli as an ODI player, and Ravi Shastri lauded his obsession with chasing success. Ben Stokes admired Rohit’s calm control. Steve Smith admired Kohli’s competitiveness. Ajinkya Rahane said once that Rohit always made you feel like the team came first. Their team-mates loved them. Their opponents respected them. Their fans, like us, will remember them as more than just batters, as torchbearers.Now, as the cricketing world moves forward, new names will rise. New captains will lead. But this golden chapter – the Kohli-Rohit era – will remain engraved not just in record books but in the hearts of every fan who understood what they stood for. Kohli’s passion, his refusal to settle, his belief in legacy over statistics. Rohit’s elegance, his humility, and his redemption arc, which reminded us all that timing is everything – in cricket, and in life.What they gave the game can’t be fully measured in runs or centuries or wins. They gave it belief, dignity, and character – which, as Bo Bennett reminded us, is the true measure of success.

South Africa’s centurion felt responsible for shortcoming in Ranchi as he set the stage for the big hitters

Firdose Moonda03-Dec-20254:14

Takeaways: Markram and SA’s middle order ace record chase

From handing India their heaviest Test defeat by runs in Guwahati to chasing down their own highest successful target away from home in Raipur, it’s fair to say South Africa’s tour is going rather well, even if Aiden Markram hasn’t quite seen all of it.Markram admitted he was “hiding at the back of the change-room” when Corbin Bosch and Keshav Maharaj completed a series-levelling win, and hoping no-one would notice his nerves. “It feels like everything’s going along smoothly, and then all of a sudden the game might change,” he said. “At the death, the run-rate can go up really quickly as well. I was biting my nails and trying not to engage with anyone.”He emerged when the winning runs were hit to tell the next batter in – injured Nandre Burger – that he was “impressed with how calm he was, because I would never have been that way”. To be fair to Markram, he was also carrying something else: pressure to perform in his primary discipline, especially after the way things went in the series opener. Chasing 350 in Ranchi on Sunday, South Africa had been 11 for 3 in the fifth over of their reply. Markram, the third man out on that occasion, felt “responsible” for that poor start and was determined to make amends. So he became the pace-setter for a similar chase in similar conditions today.He seized the initiative in his 98-ball 110, batting aggressively from the get-go when he made Harshit Rana pay for small errors in length and line in his opening over, then steadying things after the early wicket of de Kock by taking pressure off Temba Bavuma, who took some time to settle. Even as the required run-rate climbed, neither Markram nor Bavuma looked hurried with the top-order blow-out from three days earlier top of their minds. Neither did Markram seem overly fussed when his 101-run stand with Bavuma was broken, as he was well set enough to understand what he needed to do.In Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi and especially Dewald Brevis, South Africa have exciting players who bat with freedom and they want to encourage them to keep playing that way. That means, more often than not, that Markram has to drop anchor. He and Breetzke duly saw off a Kuldeep Yadav over but, given the opportunity to ramp Prasidh Krishna, charge Washington Sundar and hit Ravindra Jadeja over his head, Markram still took his chances. Though he was scoring at a rapid rate, his 88-ball century was still the slowest of the four in his ODI career and the only one he’s so far made in a chase. When he was dismissed, he did not yet know it would be in a successful cause, which was actually all that he cared about. “Runs only matter if you win games to be fair, or at least for me,” Markram said.Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke carried on the chase for South Africa•BCCISo he would have been furious when, at the end of the 30th over, he was foxed by a Harshit slower ball with South Africa 162 runs away from victory. They had seven wickets in hand, so the equation was favourable, but their most experienced batters were all out and they had to rely on the mavericks.Breetzke, with an intensity his former SA20 captain Keshav Maharaj in the past has compared to Virat Kohli’s, is fast moving out of the latter category into the former. He has seven fifties from his first 11 ODIs and the consistency of his game means South Africa have confidence in him. “He managed the situation really well today,” Markram said. “He has only played 11 games but the way he batted today, it was like this guy’s got at least 50 caps under his belt.”When Markram was caught at long-on, Breetzke had reached a run-a-ball 23 and the required run-rate was just above eight an over. He didn’t go for broke immediately. The next two overs brought only four runs and when the third seemed to be going the same way, Brevis made room for himself to hit Kuldeep for a straight six. That over went for 10 but the one after it, just three. Breetzke only got a boundary in the following over thanks to a combination of dew and a Kuldeep misfield at short third, but he let Brevis do the big-hitting, as anyone would.”Obviously Brevis hits the ball miles,” Markram said. “He takes the game on and he’s not afraid to put bowlers under pressure and stuff like that. As cricket lovers, it’s great to watch. It’s really entertaining.”Brevis reached a 33-ball fifty to overtake Breetzke and though he was out the ball after he raised his bat, his breezy innings changed the momentum. By the 40th over, South Africa’s required run-rate was under eight and when Brevis was dismissed, it had dipped to 7.5. That allowed de Zorzi and Breetzke to bat normally, and not take many risks. Even when Breetzke was trapped lbw, and de Zorzi had to limp off the field with a hamstring concern, South Africa didn’t have to panic. They bat deep, down to Maharaj at No.9, though he may not like how Markram assessed his ability. “We’ve got eight really good batters and then Kesh who can do his thing,” he said.No offence was intended. Ahead of Maharaj, South Africa have the two seam-bowling allrounders, Marco Jansen and Bosch, whom they back to hunt down big totals. “We’ve got some great hitters and great batters in the middle to lower order,” Markram said. “If you give them a chance, they can do damage.”Related

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In the first match, with South Africa 228 for 7 in the 34th over, chasing 350, Jansen and Bosch manufactured their team’s chance as they each went past their half-centuries, though they ultimately fell 17 runs short. In this one, they were given the opportunity to finish the chase off and they did. “We can do incredible things when things are set up,” Bosch told the broadcasters. “There’s always the belief that we can chase anything.”Over the last two months, on the tours in the subcontinent, South Africa have used that b-word liberally and it shows that theirs is growing, which is exactly what they want ahead of a series decider on Saturday.”To chase quite a big number, I think gives the group belief and confidence that the next time we’re in that position, we can do it again,” Markram said. “We’re playing a world-class team in their home conditions and to get a win against India in their own backyard is no easy feat.”The series finale will be played in Vizag on Saturday.

The SA allrounder’s century in the Guwahati Test marks a steady rise in his ability

Firdose Moonda23-Nov-20253:14

Philander: ‘Muthusamy deserves all the accolades coming his way’

If you’re surprised to be reading the words Senuran Muthusamy, Test centurion, don’t worry. You’re probably not the only one.Though Muthusamy has spent his domestic career labelled as a batting allrounder, he was picked at international level as more of a bowling allrounder. He was included in South Africa’s Guwahati XI at the expense of a seamer, rather than one of the frontline batters (remember Zubayr Hamza and Dewald Brevis are sitting on the sidelines). Still, he managed to do what no-one else has in the series so far: score a hundred.And he did it while demonstrating the perfect technique for these conditions, with a solid defence, the ability to play the ball late and levels of patience that Ravi Shastri called “meditative.” While Muthusamy himself often only goes as far as saying he is “just trying to do a job for the team,” as he did in Sunday’s post-match press conference, he also showed a skill set that ranged from navigating Mohammed Siraj in fading light on day one to negotiating Jasprit Bumrah and India’s spinners on day two.Muthusamy occupied the crease with monk-like discipline. In the early stages of his innings, he looked for runs only when he could steer the ball behind square. He had two nervy moments – one, when he was on 37 and edged Bumrah short of second slip; the other on 48, when he missed a sweep and was given out lbw to Jadeja.Related

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South Africa had just crossed 300 at the time, and his partnership with Kyle Verreynne was worth 57. Muthusamy later told the broadcasters he was so “emotional and disappointed” at losing his wicket that he just reviewed, not knowing whether there was anything that could save him. While he waited for the replays and chatted to Verreynne, Muthusamy said he realised there was the possibility the ball brushed his glove, although he didn’t feel it. When the smallest of spikes resulted in Rod Tucker’s on-field out decision being overturned, neither the Indian fielders nor Muthusamy could believe it, but that’s sport. There’s often some luck involved.Muthusamy capitalised on his, and later, revealed his improved hand-eye coordination was down to a stint with a South African sports scientist, Dr Sheryll Calder, who founded EyeGym – an organisation that works with ordinary people and athletes to sharpen motor responses.Senuran Muthusamy had an answer to everything the Indians threw at him•AFP/Getty ImagesThere was a point when Muthusamy “wasn’t sure if I’d ever play Test cricket again, and certainly not in India.” For four years after his debut in Visakhapatnam, he just went into what he called “the wilderness,” of domestic cricket, where he took 76 wickets in 24 matches at 25.15. He was looked at again when Shukri Conrad took over as head coach. Even then, Muthusamy played just one game in 2023, against West Indies in Centurion, where South Africa went all-pace but with the security of someone who could bowl spin. He only bowled eight overs in the match.Since then, Muthusamy has played six of South Africa’s 21 Tests but only appeared in consecutive matches once, in Pakistan last month where conditions called for an extra spinner. That he can bat is a bonus (especially for a coach like Conrad who places significant store in allrounders), and it’s proved more than handy in Guwahati.And let’s not forget that Muthusamy definitely can bat. His game awareness, especially of his own scoring strengths – which is something South Africa have been working on – was exemplary, and he even ventured out of his crease as his innings progressed. When he was on 68 and had seen Marco Jansen clear the ropes, Muthusamy decided he could also show aggression. Washington Sundar tossed the ball up and Muthusamy slogged it over long-on for his first six. Jansen would go on to hit six more sixes during what Muthusamy called a “sublime knock,” helping South Africa race past 400.Muthusamy and Verreynne managed just 28 runs in the first hour of play and scored at a rate of 2.23 per over, but when that partnership was broken and Jansen came in, the run-rate jumped to 5.49. Several factors, including an older ball and a flat pitch, contributed to the difference. But mostly it was Jansen.5:06

‘Extremely tactical’ hitting from Jansen

“He’s got fantastic levers, he’s a clean striker of the ball, and he really showed his skills today,” Muthusamy said. “That was a treat to watch from the other end. It was really attritional cricket out there until Marco came in and really played his shots beautifully. It was a good challenge and then awesome to just build those partnerships and really extend our first innings.”After bettering his previous career-best of 84 with a swing over midwicket, Jansen was on track for a first Test hundred, and furious with himself when he bottom-edged Kuldeep Yadav onto his stumps on 93. But South Africa could still be satisfied with their highest score in India, since the 558 for 6 declared in Nagpur in 2010. The next step is figuring out how to take wickets a surface that is still excellent for batting.Muthusamy seems to be banking on the collective experience of the South African attack more than the prospect of the surface deteriorating and taking turn as the team goes in search of a series win. “We’ll adjust accordingly to the conditions. Simon (Harmer), Kesh(av Maharaj), and myself have got a lot of experience,” he said. “Simon’s got over 1,000 first-class wickets and Kesh has over 200 international wickets, so there’s a vast amount of experience, and I look forward to seeing how things unfold.”Don’t forget Muthusamy has 277 first-class wickets, including 11 in the Lahore Test last month, which contributed to him earning the Player-of-the-Series award. He also scored 89* in the Rawalpindi game, giving South Africa a match-winning lead, and showing the full range of what he offers. Perhaps he shouldn’t be categorised as either a batting allrounder or a bowling allrounder, but rather what he thinks he is. “I see myself as an allrounder,” he said, no caveat attached besides this one. “And it’s tough being a spinning allrounder in South Africa. Conditions are a lot different to the subcontinent. But when we get an opportunity to come to the subcontinent, we really look forward to it.”

Pitching is hard. Just ask New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

Kamara received the nod to toss the ceremonial first pitch Saturday afternoon ahead of the Chicago Cubs' matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. His first attempt … didn't go well.

Kamara's initial pitch to Cubs mascot Clark bounced before it even hit the dirt in front of home plate. But instead of settling for a wild pitch in the scorebook, Kamara waited on the mound and urged Clark to get back in the catcher's crouch for another try.

The 29-year-old running back then reached back and fired a much better pitch—still a ball, outside, but with some velocity that reached Clark's glove with ease.

Now that's how you do it, 50 Cent.

Kamara, who will turn 30 years old this month, racked up 1,493 total yards in 14 games for the Saints last season. In 2025, he'll be tasked with leading the New Orleans offense that will likely have rookie Tyler Shough starting under center.

After seeing that first pitch attempt, the Saints' new-look coaching staff under Kellen Moore might want to keep the halfback pass play in the back of the playbook.

Celtic are now reportedly tracking a Serie A midfielder who impressed against Rangers last season, but has since struggled to make his mark in Italy.

The Bhoys have plenty of work to do off the pitch between now and the January transfer window. Not only must they identify some much-needed reinforcements, but they’re also still without a permanent manager weeks after Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit.

Martin O’Neill has continued to do an impressive job in the meantime and continued his impressive domestic run with a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday, but the job he’s doing has only sparked more debate.

The 73-year-old has distanced himself from the permanent position time and time again, yet the rumours continue to arrive that he could yet be the man to steady the ship until at least the end of the current campaign.

Speaking to reporters after victory over Kilmarnock, O’Neill shared that it’s been the most “surreal fortnight” back in the Celtic dugout, saying: “I’m delighted to have won, great to score an early goal – it settled things after Thursday night.

“There were some parts of the performance I was absolutely delighted with. I was very concerned about the game before, but that’s typical me – I’m always concerned about matches beforehand. There were very good bits, we defended strongly.

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“I’ll take a little time in the international break, most of our players will be away, and there will be time of inner reflection. It’s been a whirlwind of a fortnight, I can’t believe it’s really happened. It’s been the most surreal fortnight. Without doubt (I need to lie down in a darkened room).”

If it’s not O’Neill, then it may well be Wilfried Nancy. The Columbus Crew manager has recently emerged as one of the top candidates and may yet get the chance to coach in Europe just in time for Celtic to make their improvements in the January transfer window.

Celtic now keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller

As transfer reporter Graeme Bailey told 67 Hail Hail, Celtic are now keeping close tabs on Miller following his difficult start to life at Serie A side Udinese. The midfielder was one of several transfer targets that the Hoops missed out on in the summer, as he swapped Motherwell for Italian football, but they could now get a second opportunity to secure his signature.

Of course, when the 19-year-old was plying his trade in the Scottish Premiership, he was one of the best young talents in the country and things would be no different if he made a return in 2026.

The teenage star left his mark on the league in the previous campaign and played his part as Motherwell held Rangers to a 2-2 draw last December. Getting an assist and winning over half his duels in that clash, Miller proved that he can cut it against Celtic’s biggest rivals.

Dubbed a “brilliant player” by former Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer, Miller is still full of talent and bring an early end to his Italian woes to make a return to Scotland’s top flight.

Celtic's top manager target now ready to replace O'Neill during int'l break

Fabrizio Romano has now shared an update on Endrick’s future at Real Madrid, with West Ham’s striker search taking a significant twist.

Endrick is gearing up to leave Real on loan in January, and Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have been touted as one of the fierce contenders for his signature.

The 19-year-old, still widely regarded as one of Brazil’s brightest young prospects, hasn’t exactly had a smooth ride since joining the La Liga giants.

With first-team opportunities limited at the Bernabeu as a result of fitness issues and competition for places in Xabi Alonso’s side, a loan move appears to be the next logical step for his development.

West Ham have reportedly held talks about bringing Endrick on loan, already positioning themselves well in the race for his signature ahead of January.

Other clubs are also interested, like Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Brentford, according to some reports, but West Ham’s reported early discussions could give them an edge.

This comes as Nuno allegedly urges David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers hierarchy to sign a new defender, midfielder and forward (GiveMeSport), but with funds tight, temporary deals could be a key theme of their winter window.

Endrick is poised to be one of Europe’s finest talents available on loan in January, leaving little wonder why West Ham are very keen to secure his signature.

While the teenager has struggled for game time under Alonso, Endrick did score five Copa del Rey goals to fire Los Blancos to the final of the competition last season, before they eventually lost to Barcelona.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

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Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

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West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

The former Palmeiras sensation would be an excellent signing for West Ham, and one who’d inject much-needed flair and enthusiasm to their forward line.

The prospect of a Premier League move could also tempt Endrick, as it would do with any other player on the continent, but according to Romano, West Ham now face growing competition for his services.

Fabrizio Romano shares Endrick update as West Ham striker search takes twist

Taking to X, the reliable transfer journalist now claims that Ligue 1 giants Lyon have opened talks to sign Endrick on loan — which could seriously impact West Ham’s chances of a deal.

Endrick is believed to be intrigued by the possibility of a move to France, as Paulo Fonseca’s side already make their intentions known with an “official approach” just over two months before the January window opens.

Commenting further, Romano also says that while Endrick is still waiting to assess all of his options, potentially including West Ham, the attacker is pretty keen on Lyon as an option.

If a move for Endrick eventually becomes out of West Ham’s reach, it is worth noting that they’ve also held rumoured discussions about signing his Real teammate, Gonzalo Garcia.

The Spaniard, who finished last summer’s Club World Cup as the competition’s joint-top scorer, has also struggled to establish himself as a starter for Alonso this season and could be a great alternative to Endrick.

There are other options for West Ham as well, but it is absolutely imperative that the club back Nuno with a new centre-forward, especially considering Niclas Fullkrug’s injury woes and their lack of decent options.

West Ham already working on deal to sign £40 million striker in January.

It’s not unreasonable to suggest that Ruben Amorim’s first full season at Manchester United has, so far, been characterised by ebb and flow.

But after a patchy start, the Red Devils have lost just one of their past seven Premier League matches, with Sunday’s turnaround victory at Crystal Palace a testament to the squad’s rekindled spirit.

However, there’s a sense that United lack the requisite depth to mount a real challenge at the top of the table, and that is something INEOS must look to rectify in January.

After clearing out so much attacking deadwood this summer, Jason Wilcox and co are now turning toward a new wide forward.

Man Utd searching for new forwards

If all goes to plan, Manchester United will be competing in Europe again next season. And if all goes to plan, United will need more options in the final third.

On the right, United are pretty well stocked with Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, but there’s something of a lack of depth on the alternate flank.

That’s why news is emerging of INEOS’s interest in Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes, who could be available this winter.

Barnes, 27, is being reported by Spanish reports to be the focus of a £53m bid from Man United, though the Old Trafford side have been matched by Chelsea in their pursuit.

The left-sided winger’s sharpness in front of goal is seen as a defining factor behind United’s interest, with Mbeumo the club’s only forward to have scored more than two goals in the Premier League this year.

Why Man Utd want Harvey Barnes

Barnes hasn’t always been a regular starter at St. James’ Park, but he’s invariably threatening in the final third and has an athletic and pacy style of play.

He would add width and danger, perhaps tailor-made for Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation, supported by Patrick Dorgu or a potential addition there.

Barnes wouldn’t be the most expansive attacking option at the Theatre of Dreams, but he could form a neat partnership with Mbeumo on the other wing.

The £70m summer recruit from Brentford has emerged as a talismanic force for Amorim, having scored five times in the Premier League this season, including four goals from his past six outings.

Barnes’ own clinical ability would make for a perfect match, especially with the likes of Bruno Fernandes or the resurgent Mason Mount making play from the middle.

Harvey Barnes’ Last 5 PL Seasons

Season

Apps (starts)

Goals + Assists

25/26 – NUFC

13

3 + 0

24/25 – NUFC

33

9 + 5

23/24 – NUFC

21

5 + 3

22/23 – LCFC

34

13 + 1

21/22 – LCFC

32

6 + 10

Stats via Transfermarkt

Barnes’ slow start to the current campaign was in line with the general laboriousness at Newcastle, and he has now posted three goals from as many games, bagging four goals from five in the Champions League too.

Though the Englishman, who has been mooted for a conversion to the Scottish national set-up, lacks the dynamism of someone like Matheus Cunha, he has that rare and intangible instinct in front of goal, hailed, in fact, for his “unbelievable” finishing by Jurgen Klopp.

The mounting interest from different spheres is a representation of Barnes’ quality. He is now polished and at ease with his role on the field, and he would likely jump at the chance to help drive this revival at Man United.

A veteran in the Premier League with more to give, Barnes would create the balance needed – and deepen the options at Amorim’s disposal – to not only reclaim a spot in the Champions League but compete, consistently, for silverware too.

Mbeumo is establishing himself as one of United’s finest and most promising signings in recent memory, but the output in the final third is somewhat skewed.

Barnes would help fix that, having been a consistent goalscoring outlet on Tyneside since joining from relegated Leicester City in 2023.

So clinical is Barnes in the final third that he ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90, as per FBref.

Barnes is a proven Premier League goalscorer. You get what you paid for with him, and that’s a good thing. This would add variation and nuance to Amorim’s outfit, and he would be the perfect contrasting wideman to pair with Mbeumo as this team push for more success.

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Glasgow Rangers failed to win in the Scottish Premiership for the first time since they appointed Danny Rohl in their 0-0 draw with Falkirk at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Light Blues failed to score a goal in a home game against Falkirk for the first time this century, and it was a disappointing all-round display from the hosts.

Rangers were unable to find the back of the net from three ‘big chances’ and 1.07 xG, per Sofascore, and had to settle for one point and no goals in front of their supporters.

Despite the underwhelming performance and result, there was a positive for Rohl to take away from the match, as Nedim Bajrami showed that he has something to offer.

Why Danny Rohl must unleash Nedim Bajrami

The Albania international came in for his first start of the league season, having made six substitute appearances before Sunday, and his performance on the left flank suggests that he has been underused.

Bajrami ended his 75 minutes on the pitch with four dribbles completed, two chances created, and ten duels won, per Sofascore, which shows that he put himself about physically, moved forward with the ball with intent, and looked to make things happen in the final third.

Last season, the former Sassuolo man scored two goals and created four ‘big chances’ in 15 starts in the Premiership, to go along with one goal and six ‘big chances’ created in eight starts in the Europa League, per Sofascore.

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Meanwhile, one of the summer signings, Thelo Aasgaard, has failed to prove himself to be an upgrade on Bajrami and now looks to be the biggest waste of time since Sam Lammers.

Why Thelo Aasgaard may be the new Sam Lammers

Rangers signed Lammers from Atalanta for £3m in the summer of 2022, to bolster Michael Beale’s attack, and the attacking midfielder produced two goals and two assists in 31 games for the club, per Transfermarkt.

The left-footed flop spent the second half of that season on loan at Utrecht before being sold to FC Twente for an initial fee of £2.5m that could rise to £4m one year after joining the Gers.

This shows that Lammers was more or less a waste of time for the Light Blues because he rarely contributed on the pitch and he left Ibrox for a similar fee to the one that he was brought in for.

Rangers paid £3.5m to sign Aasgaard from Luton Town in the summer, only £500k more than Lammers cost, and he is, unfortunately, treading the same path that the Dutchman walked.

The Norway international, whom Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar dubbed “rotten” last month, has scored one goal and provided one assist in 21 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which is an even worse return than the Twente star ended his Ibrox career with.

Aasgaard, who was handed a 2/10 player rating vs Falkirk by IbroxNews, has as many red cards as goals, after he was sent off against Celtic in the semi-final of the League Cup, and, as aforementioned, he has not proven that he is an upgrade on the player that he was brought in to replace, Bajrami.

Starts

15

8

Goals

2

1

Key passes

28

9

Big chances created

4

0

Assists

1

1

As you can see in the table above, the Liverpool-born midfielder has not scored goals or created chances at a more impressive rate than the Albanian did in the Premiership last term.

The same is true for their respective form in the Europa League. Last season, Bajrami scored one goal and created six ‘big chances’ in eight starts, per Sofascore, whilst Aasgaard has no goals and no ‘big chances’ created in five outings in the competition in the 2025/26 campaign.

If the 2/10 Norwegian flop’s dismal form at the top end of the pitch continues and Bajrami gets more chances after his bright showing against Falkirk, then his future may already be in doubt when the January transfer window opens.

Like Lammers, Aasgaard may have to look at his options in January and see if there is a loan or a permanent option for him to go elsewhere, unless he can turn his form around in the coming weeks.

Rohl must bin Rangers flop who was even worse than Aarons vs Falkirk

Danny Rohl must replace this Glasgow Rangers flop in January to solve a glaring issue in the squad.

ByDan Emery Dec 1, 2025

For now, though, the former Luton and Wigan star looks to be the biggest waste of time since Lammers because of the fee he was signed for and the lack of consistent performances on the pitch.

Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia had only just returned to fitness and Enzo Maresca was easing him back into the team gently, but the Belgian could now be set for another spell on the sidelines in what is a frustrating blow.

Chelsea’s Champions League campaign continued on Wednesday night with a hard-fought 2-2 draw away to Qarabag, a result that leaves the Blues frustrated but relieved after squandering a 1-0 lead and facing a difficult fightback against the Azerbaijani minnows.

Maresca’s side started brightly and took an early lead through teenage sensation Estevao after dominating possession and probing Qarabag’s defence.

However, just before halftime, Qarabag stunned Chelsea by turning the game on its head. The visitors struggled to contain Qarabag’s growing threat, and they capitalised with two goals in quick succession. Qarabag’s first equaliser came from a well-placed finish, and 10 minutes later, a second goal from the penalty spot put them unexpectedly 2-1 ahead at the break.

The swift turnaround rattled Chelsea, with the home side taking advantage of poor defensive lapses.

Qarabağ 2-2 Chelsea – best players	Match Rating
Estevao	8.2
Alejandro Garnacho	7.5
Leandro Andrade	7.4
Matheus Silva	7.0
Marko Jankovic	7.0
via WhoScored

Luckily for the west Londoners, half-time substitute Alejandro Garnacho was quickly on hand to spare their blushes with a clinical finish into the bottom corner just minutes after the restart. Estevao, Enzo Fernández and Facuno Buonanotte all made attempts to win the game for Chelsea, with Garnacho also seeing an added-time effort saved from inside the area.

It was close but no cigar for Chelsea who ended up sharing the spoils, and Garnacho saved them from what would have been an historic loss, as no English team has ever lost to the Azerbaijani side before.

It was an evening of serious reflection for Maresca, who watched on as his side struggled defensively yet again amid reports that Chelsea are prioritising the signing of a centre-back in January.

The occasion was also marred by yet another injury blow for Lavia.

The 21-year-old was given his first starts of the season against Nottingham Forest and Ajax recently as Maresca slowly edged him back into the fold after his recovery from a muscle strain. Chelsea’s boss handed Lavia the nod again at Qarabag, but Lavia was hauled off after just eight minutes with what looks like a quadricep injury.

Going by the player’s own reaction, Lavia’s latest injury might not be minor.

What Roméo Lavia did moments after being taken off against Qarabağ

The Belgium international looked in visible disarray after being taken off against Qarabağ.

Lavia was spotted throwing a water bottle in anger as he made his way for Chelsea treatment, and given how much action he’s missed since joining Chelsea, this could also be put down to pure frustration on his part.

The midfielder, who was signed for around £58 million from Southampton in 2023, missed almost all of his debut season – bar 32 minutes against Crystal Palace – with ankle and hamstring problems. He was forced to sit out a grand total of 226 days last term as well, with Maresca and supporters now anxiously waiting for a more definitive update on his condition.

It’s a crying shame for a player who Maresca branded one of world football’s “best midfielders” when fit and available, but his patches of readiness to play are simply too few and far between.

For BlueCo and the board, an uncomfortable conversation may need to be had soon.

أعلن ييس توروب، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، قائمة الفريق المتوجهة إلى المغرب صباح غد الأربعاء، استعدادًا لخوض مباراة الجيش الملكي.

ومن المقرر أن يلعب الأهلي أمام الجيش الملكي المغربي، في ثان جولات دور المجموعات لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، يوم الجمعة المقبل، في المغرب.

طالع|الأهلي يعلن تفاصيل إصابة محمد الشناوي أمام شبيبة القبائل

كان الأهلي قد استهل مشواره في دور المجموعات بتحقيق فوز كبير على حساب شبيبة القبائل الجزائري بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف، في اللقاء الذي جمع الفريقين مساء السبت الماضي على استاد القاهرة الدولي.

وشهدت قائمة الأهلي استبعاد محمد الشناوي حارس مرمى الفريق من رحلة المغرب لمواجهة الجيش الملكي، بسبب الإصابة في العضلة الضامة، وعودة أشرف داري وأحمد رضا بعد تعافيهما من الإصابة. قائمة الأهلي لمواجهة الجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

حراسة المرمى: مصطفى شوبير ومحمد سيحا.

خط الدفاع: ياسين مرعي وأحمد رمضان بيكهام وأشرف داري ومحمد هاني وأحمد نبيل كوكا وياسر إبراهيم ومحمد شكري.

خط الوسط: محمد علي بن رمضان وأحمد رضا ومروان عطية ومحمد مجدي أفشة وإمام عاشور وأليو ديانج وكريم فؤاد.

خط الهجوم: محمد شريف وأحمد سيد زيزو وحمزة عبد الكريم وأشرف بن شرقي ومحمود حسن تريزيجيه وطاهر محمد طاهر.