Mandhana’s poor form, middle-order woes, and tactical mistakes keep them rooted to the bottom with a fourth straight loss

Vishal Dikshit10-Mar-20236:27

The Healy show sinks RCB

Royal Challengers Bangalore are stuck at the bottom of the table as if they are at the Silk Board junction in Bengaluru. Even if they don’t know how they got there, they are seemingly unable to move now, don’t know what to do next, and there are high chances they won’t reach their destination (the playoffs) this time.Their fourth loss in a row in the WPL, a ten-wicket thrashing from UP Warriorz, was a result of yet another disappointing batting show from a star-studded line-up featuring Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight and Richa Ghosh.Their scores so far in the tournament may not seem so low in an absolute sense but they don’t match up with the other teams’ at all. They fell short by 60 runs while chasing 224 against Delhi Capitals, they were all out for 155 before Mumbai Indians marched to the target in under 15 overs, and they were mostly behind the asking rate chasing 202 against Gujarat Giants and eventually fell short. On Friday, their Indian batters failed once again to show up as they were skittled for 138, their lowest total so far.Pressure mounting on Smriti MandhanaThis is all new territory for Mandhana – full-time captaincy on the big stage, the most expensive player in a franchise league, and handling four straight losses early in the tournament.Despite starting the tournament with a quick 35 off 23, she hasn’t lived up to her reputation, and the oppositions have found a way early in the tournament to dismiss her. She fell to offspinners in the first three games, and Warriorz too opened the bowling with Grace Harris’ offbreaks on Friday. Mandhana was so tentative against her, she merely pushed around a full toss and a half volley in the powerplay for singles. The pressure mounted, and once left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad came on, she gave her the charge immediately to hand a leading edge to cover. Mandhana now has sores of 4, 18 and 23 in her last three games. While she took “the blame” as a top-order batter for not giving her bowlers enough runs to defend, Perry, their top-scorer with 52 on Friday, was confident her captain would come out of this with some learnings.Smriti Mandhana holed out for 4 on Friday•BCCI”To be honest, knowing Smriti and how proud and responsible she is for her own game, there’s probably no more pressure on her than what she is putting on herself,” Perry said after the match, “and it’s a ginormous task to come into a brand new competition, play with a group of players she’s never played with before and try and make that all gel in a matter of a couple of days since she joined the group.”She is an incredible player, we all know that. She is a great captain too, she just needs a chance to find her feet in the tournament and she will, no doubt. But I think, the bigger picture, it means we are going to see an even better version of Smriti after this because I’m sure she has learnt from this competition already both as a captain and as a batter to make her better in the future. She’s only young still [26].”Why is RCB’s batting not clicking?You’ll be surprised to know that Royal Challengers have the best powerplay run rate so far (8.88) and the next best is Delhi Capitals’ 8.22. The problem is they lose all their momentum and most of their wickets in the middle overs (7-16), which was on show on Friday as well when they slipped from 54 for 1 to 116 for 5.”Certainly, with the bat, that middle section has been a bit tricky for us and losing wickets when we really need to kick on and have batters take responsibility for the innings,” Perry said. “We’re losing really important moments in the game and probably the biggest part of that is just not having a big partnership that really kicks the score on.”Interestingly the way we finished the game against Gujarat the other night, chasing that big score, was absolutely brilliant. It’s just that middle period where teams are accelerating and get a long-standing partnership, that seems to be where we’re losing a wicket or two. To me, that’s the biggest thing that we crucially haven’t had one of those big partnerships that give the momentum for your side.”Ellyse Perry stands in a glum RCB dugout•BCCIThe fact that Royal Challengers haven’t had a stable No. 4 adds to their worries. So far their No. 4s have been Disha Kasat, Perry, Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja. It showed on Friday when they were going very well with a powerful stand of 44 between Perry and Devine for the second wicket, but once Devine was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone, sending an inexperienced Ahuja dented their progress. The stand between Perry and Ahuja lasted 16 balls for 12 runs without a single boundary and pushed the run rate down from nearly nine to 7.72. It could be argued that Royal Challengers wanted to hold Knight back as a finisher, but the lack of a solid No. 4 is really hurting them.And Richa Ghosh at No. 8?Ghosh has hardly batted at No. 8 for India. And no matter how powerful your line-up is, Ghosh should be given at least 20-odd balls to face. On Friday, Royal Challengers sent her out in the 17th over with only 22 balls left in the innings. Having played her at Nos. 5, 6, 4 and 8 so far, Royal Challengers have not yet figured out how to make the most of their second-most expensive player at the auction.Ghosh’s run-out against Warriorz summed up the team’s situation too. They were 131 for 8 after 17 overs and Ghosh was their only hope to go past 150. Desperate to take strike, Ghosh took off from the non-striker’s end when Komal Zanzad defended a ball back to Gayakwad and the bowler sent Ghosh back with a direct hit.Defending 138 and having left out Megan Schutt, Royal Challengers didn’t open with swing bowler Renuka Singh, who has an enviable record against Healy: four dismissals while conceding 54 runs in 43 balls (before Friday). They instead gave the ball to the inexperienced duo of Zanzad and Shreyanka Patil, who leaked 32 runs in the first three overs. By the time Renuka got the ball, in the fifth over, Warriorz were already going at 9.50 an over.Healy showed no mercy after that as well. She unleashed lofted straight drives, sweeps and reverse sweeps, and raced to a 29-ball fifty before taking the aerial route even more often with her trademark powerful strokes to finish unbeaten on 96 off 47 balls and take Warriorz home in just the 13th over.

تحدث محمد الشناوي، حارس مرمى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عن التعادل السلبي في مباراة اليوم أمام إنتر ميامي، التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

والتقى الأهلي مع إنتر ميامي، على ملعب “هارد روك”، في إطار مباريات الجولة الأولى للمجموعة الأولى من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية.

وقال محمد الشناوي في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر”: “أهدرنا فرصًا كثيرة خاصةً في الشوط الأول وكان هناك سيطرة كبيرة، ونحن نعلم أننا لم نستغل تلك الفرص في ترجمتها إلى أهداف”.

طالع أيضاً.. عبد الحفيظ: الشناوي أنقذ الأهلي من إنتر ميامي.. ولن نلوم تريزيجيه

وأتم: “فريق إنتر ميامي لديه نجوم كبار، بالنسبة لنا كل المباريات في البطولة كبيرة، وغدًا سنستعد للمباراة القادمة أمام بالميراس، فهو منافس قوي ونعرفه جيداً وواجهناه مرتين من قبل”.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي مع بالميراس البرازيلي، في مباراته القادمة ضمن مواجهات الجولة الثانية من عمر بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، يوم 19 يونيو الجاري.

With CEO Angus Kinnear reportedly set to move to Everton next season, Leeds United have reportedly set their sights on welcoming a key figure to commence their restructuring away from the pitch.

Leeds set to lose Kinnear

Despite sitting top of the Championship and on course to secure their place back in the Premier League at the second time of asking, Leeds are likely to have no choice but to restructure away from the pitch courtesy of Kinnear’s likely departure. The CEO will at least see the current campaign out, but then it’s seemingly back to the drawing board for the 49ers.

Kinnear has been at Elland Road since 2017, overseeing promotion back to the top flight for the first time in 16 years in 2020 before watching on as Leeds suffered relegation back to the Championship in the 2022/23 campaign. Now two seasons on, he could bow out with a second promotion before swapping Yorkshire for Merseyside and Leeds for Everton.

Leeds dud who's been "abysmal" out on loan must never wear the shirt again

Leeds United need to cash in on one player who’s failed to impress away from Elland Road in 2024/25.

1 ByEthan Lamb Mar 7, 2025

It is, however, an exit that the 49ers are already planning for, with one particular option recently emerging as one of their top candidates to replace their CEO this summer.

Leeds target Samir Arabi

According to Sky Sports Germany, Leeds and the 49ers are now targeting a move for Samir Arabi to replace Kinnear this summer. The 46-year-old was the sporting director at Arminia Bielefeld for 12 years before departing in the summer of 2023. In that time, like Kinnear, he oversaw both promotion and relegation as Bielefeld battled to become an established Bundesliga side.

A man who knows German football well, Arabi could work well with Daniel Farke to continue Leeds’ recent trend of signing players from the Bundesliga, especially if they find themselves back in the Premier League in his first season at the helm.

The likes of Ao Tanaka and Ilia Gruev have arrived from Germany in recent years, with Tanaka particularly impressing at the heart of a Leeds side gunning for automatic promotion.

So, Arabi’s arrival would certainly help build on that trend but there may still be some concerns over his experience. Aside from his long-term stint at Bielefeld, the sporting director’s only prior experience came as a chief scout at third division club Alemannia Aachen, which should concern those at Elland Road.

If the Whites are to return to the Premier League and stay up at the first time of asking, then they cannot take such gambles. Arabi may have enjoyed a solid period at Bielefeld, but the Premier League and the job at Leeds is a far bigger task – one which requires the experience that he arguably lacks.

That said, whether it’s Arabi or another candidate, the 49ers certainly have a big decision to make in the face of Kinnear’s likely exit this summer.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has crowned Lamine Yamal as the world's best player, admitting that the Barcelona wonderkid is a "mad" talent.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Barca starlet making history at 17 years of ageExpected to challenge for Ballon d'Or recognitionAlready No.1 according to England internationalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Yamal, who made his senior breakthrough at 15, continues to dazzle audiences across the globe and rewrite the history books at 17 years of age. He netted another stunning goal for Barca as they claimed the 2024-25 La Liga title with a 2-0 derby victory over Catalan rivals Espanyol.

AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The precociously-gifted teenager is already a European Championship winner with Kopa Trophy and Golden Boy honours to his name. It is considered to be only a matter of time before he secures a first Ballon d’Or.

WHAT COLE PALMER SAID

That could happen in 2025, with England international Palmer of the opinion that Lamal is already at the top of pecking order. The Chelsea playmaker told : "It's mad, innit? I think he's the best player in the world, to be honest.

"I feel like everything they do just goes through him, and just when you watch him, just… Mad. You can tell the way he plays that he's confident and he's got no fear, and I love watching him."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

Palmer boasts plenty of creativity himself, as a PFA Young Player of the Year winner, but added when asked how hard it is to play with such confidence and swagger at 17 years of age: "I don't know… I've never tried it."

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is under threat of losing his job at N17 after an underwhelming Premier League campaign, blighted by injuries to key players in his Spurs squad, with a trophy-winning boss now said to be enticed by the prospect of replacing him.

Tottenham identify managerial targets to succeed Ange Postecoglou

The Lilywhites quite simply need to overturn their 1-0 first-leg deficit against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League this evening, with a successful campaign in Europe coming as Postecoglou’s only chance to win any silverware this term.

Tottenham make contact with "very versatile" manager to replace Postecoglou

Spurs are preparing for a hypothetical life without their current boss.

ByEmilio Galantini Mar 13, 2025

The north Londoners languish 13th in the Premier League table and are out of both domestic cups, but now key players have returned to the fold, supporters and critics alike are expecting Postecoglou to swiftly turn the club’s fortunes around.

Spurs’ form has taken a slight upward trajectory in the past few weeks. However, this will need to continue, or Tottenham’s under-fire head coach will continue to expect calls for his departure before the end of 2024/2025.

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Chelsea (away)

April 2nd

Southampton (home)

April 5th

Wolves (away)

April 12th

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Chairman Daniel Levy, according to various reports, has already identified a few key managerial targets if he does decide to hand Postecoglou his P45.

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi is attracting interest from Spurs, according to rumours from Italy, while it is also believed that Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola’s representatives have received contact (GiveMeSport).

Both tacticians come as very interesting potential options, but one who is free and available for hire right now is ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic.

The 42-year-old, who guided Dortmund to the Champions League final last season against Real Madrid, has also won multiple major trophies in Germany with his former club – but he’s currently a free agent awaiting his next move.

Terzic was a target for West Ham to replace Julen Lopetegui, before the Hammers eventually landed on Graham Potter, but Spurs are also registering an interest in the German.

Edin Terzic open to joining Tottenham with talks

According to a report by TEAMtalk today, the coach is enticed by the prospect of managing in the Premier League.

It is also believed that Terzic is also open to a conversation with Tottenham over joining them, but he is one of many candidates being considered by the club. Their manager hunt has already begun, as per TT, even if no final decision has been made on Postecoglou’s long-term future just yet.

Terzic deploys a 4-3-3 attacking formation, and has averaged an impressive 1.95 points per league game over his managerial career across 128 matches – including 75 victories.

“It’s incredible what Edin has achieved,” said Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke in 2024.

“Last year we were a whisker away from the Bundesliga title. Now we’re going to Wembley, in the Champions League final. What more do you want in two and a half years?

“Edin is someone who works meticulously and extremely hard for the club. As a coach, it’s a bit more difficult to get to the final with BVB than with Paris. That’s absolutely clear. But he did it. It’s a great achievement.”

Pat Cummins won’t reveal the make up of his team until the toss in Nagpur

Alex Malcolm08-Feb-20231:38

Cummins explains the difficulty of winning in India

Pat Cummins says he won’t reveal Australia’s first Test XI until the toss on Thursday, but Todd Murphy is firming to make his Test debut, while Peter Handscomb’s chances of a Test recall are increasing as Australia are wary of the problems too many left-hand batters might face on a made-to-order Nagpur pitch.The ground staff at the VCA Stadium were seen carefully curating the pitch two days before the start of the match, including doing selective watering of the surface. They watered the middle of the pitch and the areas outside the right-handers’ off stump at one end, but left those on a good length outside the left-handers’ off stump at both ends bone dry. There was also brushing and selective mowing of certain areas.Speaking from the team hotel on Wednesday morning, Cummins, the Australia captain, was not drawn into a discussion on pitch preparation, but did note that it would be a factor in Australia’s selection for the match.Related

Who partners Lyon? Can injury-hit Australia accommodate Green?

Meticulous Australia must avoid getting punched in the mouth

Battles to watch: Lyon vs Pujara, Kohli, and Ashwin vs Warner, Smith

“I think it is a factor over here,” he said. “With so much traffic from the right-handers bowling, at times there is a bit more out there for the left-handers. The Indian line-up is going to be packed full of right-handers, so I think it plays a small factor.”Cummins ruled allrounder Cameron Green out of the series opener against India. Matt Renshaw had taken his place in Australia’s last Test match, but keeping him in for this one would mean five left-hand batters in the top seven having to deal with the bone-dry area of the pitch that is likely to get chewed up, as both teams have only right-arm quicks in their attack. While Cummins did not explicitly say that put Handscomb ahead in the pecking order, the chances of his recall seem to be increasing.Australia are set to play a four-man bowling attack with Cummins and Scott Boland to play as the two quicks in the absence of the injured duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Nathan Lyon will be their lead spinner. That leaves left-arm spinner Ashton Agar and offspinner Todd Murphy fighting for the last spot in the XI.1:11

O’Keefe: Todd Murphy will be a superstar

“I think he’d be as prepared as he could be,” Cummins said of the uncapped Murphy. “He’s been bowling beautifully in the nets over here. He’s started really well for Victoria in first-class cricket. If he got the nod, he’s got Nathan Lyon down the other end that he can work with; he’s ready. Everyone in the squad here has had really good preparation. Whoever we pick is 100% ready to go.”The fear of playing two specialist offspinners – and leaving Agar out – against India’s right-hand dominant batting line-up may have dissipated within the Australian camp after seeing the pitch on Tuesday.”It’s a factor. These conditions, they really spin, so just really good bowling is what you’re after, being consistent time and time again,” Cummins said. “I don’t think you need to go searching for anything more; the conditions will come to you.”You’ve seen Nath be really, really effective over here [with] a lot of bat-pad, leg-slip catches for the right-handers. So ideally, you’ve got variety in any attack, but I don’t think it has to be the case just for that sake.”Cummins has had an incredible record of winning tosses as Australia Test captain, with seven of his last eight and nine of 13 overall so far falling in his favour. He is hoping to keep that run of success going in Nagpur, but believes the toss may not be as big a factor if the pitch is a raging turner.”I think we’ll bat,” Cummins laughed. “I think when the conditions spin from day one, it’s actually not. I think you’ve seen India’s record. They win just as many games batting second as they do batting first. I think it can be overstated when the conditions do spin really quickly.”

Sheffield United will hope they can shore up their grip on second spot in the Championship this coming Monday night, but it won’t be easy for the promotion-chasing Blades.

After all, table-topping Leeds United come into town fresh off a last-gasp win over Sunderland to further cement their authority as the main dogs in the second tier, whilst Chris Wilder’s men lurk behind.

Wilder will just have to hope his strong Blades team can keep the visiting Whites at bay, with the South Yorkshire outfit taking great pride in their defensively resilient performances this season after a horror show Premier League relegation.

United's improved defensive displays

One brief look back at the 2023/24 Premier League table is enough to send shivers down the spines of many a United supporter, as the Blades sunk back down to the second-tier rock bottom of the division.

That’s before you even consider the alarming fact that the relegated side shipped a horrendous 104 goals across a largely dismal 38-game stretch, meaning things had to change big time back in the Championship.

Stat

Record (per 90)

Ranking

Goals against

0.68

Top 8%

Save percentage

80.6%

Top 5%

Save % (penalties)

33.3

Top 29%

Clean sheet %

54.8%

Top 8%

Clean sheets

0.55

Top 8%

Touches

41.39

Top 34%

Crosses stopped %

9.4%

Top 8%

Defensive actions outside area

0.87

Bottom 21%

Wilder has thankfully managed to turn his team into a far more solid defensive unit in the league below, helped by the £2m capture of ex-Plymouth shot-stopper Michael Cooper last summer now looking to be a masterstroke.

All of last campaign, the Blades only managed to collect a sorry one clean sheet in league action. Now, with a breath of fresh air in between the sticks, Cooper has picked up a stunning 18 clean sheets, with that total only bettered by automatic promotion rivals Leeds and Burnley.

Off the back of his excellence in goal, the 25-year-old’s value has already started to steadily rise, with Cooper’s dreams of entering into the top-flight with Wilder’s men potentially coming true.

This isn’t the only time United have struck gold on a promising ‘keeper, however, with this former England international rejoining the ranks in South Yorkshire back in 2020, which would set him up for a path to stardom down the line.

Wilder's "brilliant" former goalkeeper

Fresh off the back of a seriously impressive ninth place finish in the Premier League during the 2019/20 season, the mood around Bramall Lane would have been sky-high.

Market Movers

But, as has been seen in more recent campaigns, Wilder’s men love seesawing between the second tier and the promised land of the top flight, as the 2020/21 season then saw a gutting relegation occur.

The Blades weren’t helped by some disruptive business taking place the summer before the troubling campaign properly got underway, with reliable ‘keeper Dean Henderson moving back to then parent side Manchester United after collecting an encouraging 13 clean sheets in Premier League action.

To make up for this harsh blow, United took a punt on ex-shot stopper Aaron Ramsdale for a fee in and around the £18m mark, having previously shipped him out to AFC Bournemouth for a mere £1m fee.

Whilst Ramsdale’s arrival onto the scene couldn’t save his side from the doom of dropping down a league, the now 26-year-old would help the Bramall Lane faithful get over Henderson’s exit quicker, with this save just one golden moment from the 6 foot 3 ‘keeper’s formative time at the Blades.

In total, Ramsdale would notch up a hefty 147 saves during the 2020/21 season in the top flight, leading to many a higher-up onlooker watching the Stoke-on-Trent-born star with intrigue to see if he could fit into a less stressful environment.

Arsenal would eventually pick up the recently relegated ‘keeper for £30m, with Wilder and Co unbelievably making a £12m profit on their “brilliant” ex-number one – as he was labelled by his former manager in the wake of his exit – after just one season, even with Championship football hitting them in the face.

Whilst Ramsdale would initially go down as a resounding success at the Emirates Stadium, based on his gleaming highlights reel above, it’s fair to say his time with the Gunners unravelled pretty quickly, leaving him now submerged in another basement battle.

Ramsdale's declining value

Ramsdale was worth every bit of his £30m fee during his first few standout campaigns in North London, with the 26-year-old becoming a top Premier League performer further up the table, away from United’s relegation woes.

In total, the five-time Three Lions senior figure would go on to amass 89 appearances for the Gunners across three seasons, with the calm waters of his first two seasons then replaced with choppy seas by the abrupt time he was offloaded by Mikel Arteta.

Season

Games played

Goals conceded

Clean sheets

23/24

11

12

3

22/23

41

44

15

21/22

37

41

14

As can be seen looking at the table, Ramsdale effortlessly fit into the Arsenal first-team picture upon his arrival with 29 clean sheets picked up across 78 appearances, before everything turned sour.

By the close of the 2022/23 season, the 26-year-old’s value would even stand at a mammoth £33m, only to then be frozen out of Arteta’s XI for one too many error-strewn displays.

This would result in Ramsdale seeking a move away from the Emirates with lowly Southampton picking up the ego-bruised ‘keeper for around the £25m mark last August.

Already, his value has taken a slight decline at St. Mary’s – as per Transfermarkt – with his side’s disastrous nine-point haul not exactly helping matters, leading to Ramsdale now being worth around £18m.

That is a £12m decline from the amount the Blades sold him for, representing fantastic business on the end of Wilder’s men, as Ramsdale attempts to pick up the pieces of his career again.

He, of course, managed to bounce back at Bramall Lane when his side were destined for the drop, but with only three clean sheets next to his name on the South Coast, he could well be hurtling down to the Championship with Ivan Juric’s side, whilst United push back up to the top-flight.

Value has soared 190%: Wilder has hit gold on “class” Sheffield United star

Sheffield United are already reaping their rewards for this excellent purchase.

ByKelan Sarson Feb 17, 2025

Dani Dyer is jetting off to Ibiza for the second part of her rowdy hen do, with a "Mrs Bowen To Be" West Ham kit being sported.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Celebrated with family in London
• Now jetting off to the Balearic Islands
• Bowen heading to Las Vegas for stag do

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Former Love Island contestant Dyer, who is the daughter of Football Factory and EastEnders actor Danny, has already taken in one pre-wedding celebration with family in London.

Advertisement

• DID YOU KNOW?

  That was a somewhat civilised affair, with the plan now being to let collective hair down when joining friends on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza. The party is already in full swing there, and nobody has set foot on a plane yet!

  Instagram

• THE GOSSIP

  Dyer was able to celebrate the second birthday of her twin girls before heading out of England. She is now ready to enjoy her own soiree, with a custom Hammers kit produced for her that dons the name of her future husband.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• TELL ME MORE

  West Ham captain Bowen has one more Premier League game to take in this season, against Ipswich on Sunday, before heading off to Las Vegas for his stag do and readying himself for a walk down the aisle this summer.

  Instagram

Crystal Palace scouts are keeping an eye on a “freak of nature” midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window opening, according to a former high level scout.

Crystal Palace news and updates

The Eagles suffered a disappointing result at home to Everton on Sunday, but with them only sitting nine points behind eighth place Fulham and having a fifth round FA Cup tie to look forward to, there is still a lot for Palace to play for this season.

Imagine him & Mitchell: Crystal Palace must now unleash "exceptional" ace

Oliver Glasner can unleash “one of the best” alongside Mitchell to create strong dynamic for Palace

By
Connor Holden

Feb 15, 2025

As Oliver Glasner will be focusing on the matters on the pitch, there will also be conversations about plans for current Palace players and what they want to do in the summer transfer window. It was reported last week that Glasner is pushing the club to hold contract talks with striker Jean Philippe-Mateta, as he wants them to secure his long-term future at Selhurst Park.

In transfer news, it’s also been reported that Palace are interested in signing SC Freiburg midfielder Merlin Rohl. The 22-year-old is said to have a £10 million price tag, but Palace are not alone in their pursuit, as Newcastle United, Liverpool and Everton are also interested in signing the attacking midfielder.

Crystal Palace scouts keeping a close eye on £20m gem

Rohl is not the only midfielder on Palace’s radar, according to the club’s former scout, Mick Brown, who has told Football Insider that Crystal Palace scouts are keeping an eye on Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham.

Brown, who has worked at top-level player recruitment for over a decade, believes Sunderland will listen to offers for Bellingham, and they will let him go if they get the right price, as several teams keep an eye on him throughout this campaign.

“I think Sunderland would let him go if they got a good price for him,” Brown told Football Insider. “Especially if they don’t get promoted this season, they’re going to listen to offers. It feels to me like they’re short of a couple of real top-class players.

“You’ve got the goalkeeper who’s not bad; he’s promising, and then you get Rigg, who’s the same. Then you’ve got Bellingham, and there have been questions about whether he’s good enough to make that step up at this point. Crystal Palace and Tottenham have had scouts watching him this season, so they’ll be two of the teams in the running if he is going to leave.

Jobe Bellingham’s Sunderland stats
Apps	75
Goals	11
Assists	4

“So, it’ll be up to them to assess whether he’s ready to make that jump. From a Sunderland point of view, knowing the way the owners want to operate, I think if they get a huge bid for him, then they’ll let him go.”

Bellingham, who has been described as a “freak of nature” by teammate Dan Neil, has scored four goals and recorded three assists in 28 Championship games, as the Black Cats look to finish the season in the play-offs at the very least.

Palace are not unknown for looking into the Championship for their next star player, as they recently brought Adam Wharton to Selhurst Park from Blackburn Rovers, and he has turned into an excellent investment. The Eagles may be willing to do the same again, and it could cost them £20 million to get a deal for Bellingham over the line.

As Newcastle United get set to face Liverpool in the League Cup final, the Magpies will likely be missing a few key players.

Anthony Gordon is suspended for the game after being sent off against Brighton and Hove Albion, while Lewis Hall will miss the rest of the season having suffered a foot injury against Liverpool in February.

The long-term loss of the full-back, in particular, will provide a real headache for manager Eddie Howe…

Lewis Hall's major injury blow

Hall featured in all but one of Newcastle’s matches this season before the foot injury sidelined him until the 2025/26 campaign.

The 20-year-old was one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League for the Magpies this term. Indeed, he created five big chances, averaging 1.3 key passes per game while succeeding with 61% of his dribble attempts, proving to be a key component of the side going forward.

The youngster also won 54% of his total duels per game and made 2.1 tackles each match for the club in the top flight, and he will be a huge miss for Howe.

Matt Targett is the obvious replacement for him at left-back, but did Howe sell an upgrade on the 29-year-old during the January transfer window? A player who didn’t really get a chance at the club during the first half of the season.

Newcastle already sold the perfect Hall replacement

Targett has played just four times for the Toon this term, with only one of those coming in the Premier League.

Due to Hall’s injury, however, he could find himself slotted into the starting XI between now and the end of the campaign.

Injury issues plagued him last season too, playing just seven games for the St James’ Park side in all competitions.

Howe allowed Lloyd Kelly to move to Juventus in January on an initial loan deal, before the Serie A club have an obligation to pay £20m to make the deal permanent this summer.

Kelly made just 14 appearances for the Toon before leaving, but he has already played six times for Juventus.

Hailed by former manager Gary O’Neil as “incredible”, the English defender can either play centre-back or left-back and would have solved the crisis Howe is now undergoing by slotting into the space vacated by Hall.

Lloyd Kelly’s PL statistics for Newcastle (Per 90)

Accurate passes

13.4

Tackles

0.5

Total duels won

1.8

Interceptions

0.1

Ball recoveries

1.9

Touches

22.9

Via Sofascore

Across his three Serie A games for the Italian giants, Kelly has averaged a pass success rate of 88%, while keeping two clean sheets, recovering four balls per game and winning 4.7 total duels per game.

An impressive array of statistics given he was thrown into the deep end in Serie A. Howe must regret moving him on during the winter window, although he wasn’t expecting Hall to miss the remainder of the season due to injury.

Targett must now come into the side and perform well, especially if Newcastle want to stand any chance of winning the League Cup, claiming their first major domestic honour in nearly 70 years in the process.

Related Forget Osula: Newcastle's 19-year-old starlet can spell the end for Wilson

Newcastle have an exciting forward pushing for a place in Howe’s squad – and it’s not William Osula.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Mar 8, 2025