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Chelsea kicked off the year in the most Chelsea way imaginable: firing their manager.

Enzo Maresca’s departure was announced on New Year’s Day, and within a week, Liam Rosenior was announced as his permanent replacement.

The former Strasbourg manager might be a relative unknown to most Premier League fans, but he made quite an impression in France, winning 32 of his 63 games in the dugout, drawing 14 and losing just 17.

However, managing in the toughest league in the world is something else entirely, but Chelsea can help him get off to the best start possible by making some signings this month, and if reports are to be believed, the manager has already identified someone who could be the club’s next Reece James.

Rosenior wants Chelsea's next James

It’s been a campaign of mixed performances for Chelsea’s squad so far this season, with the likes of Jamie Gittens and Tosin Adarabioyo underwhelming, while Moises Caicedo and Estevao have impressed.

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However, when it comes to picking out the club’s best player so far, it can only be one man: James.

The right-back-turned-midfielder has been immense in all phases of play, and in games against Arsenal and Manchester City, was the best player on the pitch.

It’s therefore hardly a surprise that new boss Rosenior is keen for the club to bring in another international star not too dissimilar to his captain.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which claims the manager has already identified Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of his top targets for this month.

The report has revealed that the new boss sees the Englishman as the perfect signing for the right-back position and would like to sign him on a short-term loan with an option to buy.

Interestingly, Real are not opposed to shipping the former Liverpool player off, but wouldn’t want to loan him out; they would rather do so for a fee of at least €40m, which is about £35m.

It would be a hugely shocking transfer, but given Trent’s sensational ability, one that Chelsea should go all out for, especially as he could be another James-esque signing.

Why Trent could be Chelsea's new James

The first similarity between James and Trent, and one of the main reasons Chelsea should be looking to get this deal done, is that the Real Madrid star is an offensive monster.

Now, the Blues captain is also a defensive powerhouse, but at their best, the two full-backs are excellent attacking weapons.

For example, during his time on Merseyside, the former Premier League winner was a crucial cog in Liverpool’s attack, whether it was his crosses from deep or his ability to play utterly sublime long balls for the likes of Mo Salah to get on the end of.

Moreover, beyond passing the eye test, his underlying numbers showed he was one of the most creative players in the league.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 1% of full-backs for progressive passes, expected assisted goals, passes into the final third, through balls and more, all per 90.

Trent’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.28

Top 1%

Progressive Passes

8.83

Top 1%

Progressive Passing Distance

432.42

Top 1%

Passes Completed (Long)

7.73

Top 1%

Passes into Final Third

7.88

Top 1%

Passes into Penalty Area

2.47

Top 1%

Through Balls

0.46

Top 1%

Switches

1.22

Top 1%

Shots Total

1.71

Top 2%

Crosses into Penalty Area

0.76

Top 3%

Crosses

5.82

Top 3%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.73

Top 3%

Key Passes

1.98

Top 5%

All Stats via FBref

In fact, the Englishman’s chance-creating abilities have only become more apparent this season as Arne Slot’s side look far less dangerous without him.

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Another similarity between the two Englishmen is that they’ve shown an ability to play in different roles.

The Blues captain might be more versatile, but the “generational” Madrid star, as dubbed by content creator Asim Mahmood, has also played in the middle of the park on occasion for club and country.

Therefore, there is no reason to think he couldn’t be a tempo controller from the base of midfield once again.

Finally, both players are full England internationals, and there is every chance that both end up going to the World Cup in the summer.

Ultimately, it would be a hugely surprising deal, but with how much of a game-changer Trent can be, Chelsea should do everything in their power to bring him to Stamford Bridge this month.

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Tottenham Hotspur are now pushing to sign a “ridiculous” new forward, who could be brought in as an alternative to RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande.

Spurs eyeing new forward as Frank sets out to be more attacking

Speaking after the recent 0-0 draw against Brentford, Thomas Frank made it clear that he plans to play a more expansive brand of football in the future, but the present injury situation makes it difficult.

The Spurs boss said: “I think what will 100% happen is that we will score a lot of goals and be much more dominant in a lot of games, but in the current situation with a lot of players out, it makes it more tricky with a lot of games.

“We want us to be free-flowing. I think, a couple of things I want to reinforce positively is the last two away performances. To stand on the foundation we are building was very strong against Crystal Palace and Brentford.”

Ultimately, the Lilywhites haven’t been good enough during Frank’s tenure to date, having suffered disappointing defeats against the likes of Nottingham Forest and Fulham over the past month or so.

As such, the manager must take his fair share of criticism, but the players are also culpable, and it is clear the manager wants to improve his personnel, with an enquiry recently being lodged over a deal for RB Leipzig’s Diomande.

However, Tottenham are also looking at alternatives to the Ivory Coast international, according to a report from TEAMtalk, which states they are now pushing to sign AS Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche.

A deal for the forward would be on the expensive side, as the French club are expected to hold out for over £50m, but interest from Spurs persists, having made checks on Akliouche during his side’s 3-1 defeat against Lyon on Saturday.

The north Londoners are looking to make a game-changing attacking signing, and there is plenty of evidence the Monaco star could be a solid addition to Frank’s forward line.

"Ridiculous" Akliouche could tear it up at Spurs

Lauded as “ridiculous” by scout Ben Mattinson, the 23-year-old has been a key player for Monaco over the past three seasons, regularly contributing with goals and assists in Ligue 1.

Maghnes Akliouche’s performance by season

Ligue 1 appearances

Goal involvements

2023-24

28

11

2024-25

32

15

2025-26

16

5

Having impressed at club level, the winger has now been capped five times by France, and manager Didier Deschamps praised him back in November, saying: “Even if there are lots of attacking players and lots of absentees, he has moved up a notch to be more decisive.”

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Akliouche is a good age to be a long-term success at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and having established himself as a key player for Monaco, while also impressing for France, the right-winger could be capable of immediately pushing for Mohammed Kudus’ starting spot.

Liverpool started 2026 with a labouring draw against Leeds United at Anfield, and it was a match that illustrated the myriad of creative and build-up problems Arne Slot is still puzzling over.

It is quite a thing to have smashed the British transfer record last summer and signed a number of elite attacking players, only to regress so significantly.

Rueful gazes have been cast back at Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, but the South American duo faced their detractors throughout their stints on Merseyside, ebbing and flowing in front of goal. That’s worth bearing in mind.

Alexander Isak, currently out with a broken leg, has been well below the anticipated standard, and Florian Wirtz is flattering to deceive too – might Liverpool already be planning to upgrade on the German playmaker?

Liverpool lining up attacking midfielder

The crux of Liverpool’s problems are of a tactical nature, but Wirtz isn’t blameless. The 22-year-old lacks the creativity, sharpness and athleticism that have been expected after a £116m purchase, though he has undoubtedly gone from strength to strength in recent weeks.

But with Dominik Szoboszlai so strong in a number ten berth, it might be necessary for sporting director Richard Hughes to sign a touchline winger, even if that comes at Wirtz’s personal expense. Liverpool need better balance, smoother fluency, after all.

It appears FSG are on board, with Spanish sources revealing that Liverpool are preparing an offer worth €90m (converting to about £78m) for Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who is considering his options at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Arsenal and Manchester City are also among the interested parties, so the Anfield side will need to act quickly.

Why Rodrygo could be a Wirtz upgrade

Rodrygo, 24, is one of the finest forwards in the world, and if he were to leave Real Madrid this January, he would leave a two-time La Liga and Champions League winner, having posted 70 goals and 55 assists in all competitions.

Los Blancos are nothing if not stacked with talent, and Rodrygo has rightly taken a regular starting berth along with Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe in the frontline in recent years, but he’s suffered a less-than-impressive 2025, going 32 games without a goal before bagging against Manchester City in the Champions League in December.

He’s enjoyed something of an uptick in form in Xabi Alonso’s system recently, but it’s clear to see that Rodrygo needs a change of scenery if he is to establish himself as a talismanic force for a team competing at the apex of European football.

Liverpool could give him that olive branch after many battles in recent years.

Given Rodrygo’s natural skill as a winger and his desire to cut inside and score, he could be just what Slot’s side need, providing more depth and balance than Cody Gakpo and more suitability than Wirtz, whose future surely sits in a more central position.

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Looking at the respective ‘superstars’ metrics over the past year emphasises this.

Rodrygo vs Florian Wirtz (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Rodrygo

Wirtz

Goals scored

0.31

0.15

Assists

0.19

0.24

Shots taken

2.80

2.15

Shot-creating actions

4.94

4.64

Touches (att pen)

6.40

5.03

Pass completion (%)

85.4

79.3

Progressive passes

4.10

6.25

Progressive carries

5.79

3.20

Successful take-ons

2.34

2.12

Ball recoveries

4.02

4.28

Tackles + interceptions

2.07

1.47

Data via FBref

Rodrygo and Wirtz aren’t too dissimilar as players, but it’s clear that the Los Blancos man is more snappy with his pace, whereas Wirtz is a fleet-footed dribbler, but not someone to dominate up and down the wing.

It is for this reason that Rodrygo would be an ‘upgrade’ on the German international, ironing out the creases in Liverpool’s attacking system, settling the equilibrium that has been out of kilter for a while – Liverpool’s 52% win percentage across the 2025 annual year underscores the depth of Slot’s struggles in the dugout.

That, and the fact that Rodrygo is a “world-class superstar” unto himself, as has been said by Real legend Luka Modric. He has the potential to become a leading man in the Premier League, and he has the track record to confirm this.

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South Africa’s domestic match-fixing scandal could move into the courtroom after CSA confirmed it had sent the information in its possession to the South African Police Services. An update given at a CSA board meeting in Johannesburg on Friday stated that the matter was reported last year to the relevant police crime unit who will “deal with the criminal aspects of the investigation”.When contacted previously by ESPNcricinfo, brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, the spokesperson for the directorate for priority crime investigations, said the police were “aware that there is an investigation going on but we have not received anything”. Mulaudzi was unavailable for comment on Friday but another police source confirmed the department had still not received any information.The priority crime investigation department would be the first port of call for a complaint to be laid but the case, if taken up, would be handled by specialised corruption unit, the Hawks. Match-fixing is a crime in South Africa under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Law.Gulam Bodi is the only player CSA has sanctioned so far. He was banned for 20 years (five suspended) on Monday. CSA said it believed it had caught Bodi in the “planning phase” and no matches were actually fixed. It would not comment on other aspects of the ongoing investigation.However, ESPNcricinfo has learned that two former Test cricketers and at least one other international have admitted to failing to report offers to fix matches in the ongoing South African investigation. They are expected to learn their fate in the next week. One of those players told ESPNcricinfo he believed that by refusing the offer and co-operating with the investigation, he has cleared his name.”I spent five to six hours with the investigator explaining what happened. I knew about what Gulam [Bodi] was doing and he made me an offer but I declined,” he said. “Now it’s about waiting for the investigation to be finalised and then to see what’s going to happen. There are about 12 or 13 other guys in the same position.”Despite several sources, who asked to remain anonymous, suggesting stakeholders within South African cricket are unhappy with the way the investigation is being handled because they fear a cover-up, CSA president Chris Nenzani said the board have given the investigation a stamp of approval.”The board is satisfied with the progress that has been made so far and with the lengthy ban that was imposed on Mr Bodi,” Nenzani said. “We will strongly uphold our stance of zero tolerance on any corruption matter. The internal investigation under the CSA Anti-Corruption Code continues and we are confident that our experienced investigative team will leave no stone unturned.”At the same time, the board supported a request by CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat to hold a comprehensive review of the Ram Slam – the tournament tainted by the scandal – with a “a view to expanding its cricket and commercial values”. The 20-over competition has tried for several years to obtain the profile of some of its counterparts such as the Big Bash or Caribbean Premier League but the timing of the tournament, which often clashes with the national team’s schedule, and the weakening rand are among the obstacles to its success.It may face another roadblock after title sponsor Ram, a courier company, told News 24 they are awaiting the outcome of the match-fixing scandal before renewing their association with CSA. “We are hopeful that CSA is taking every measure to comprehensively investigate the allegations and enforce a ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach. However no one ever wants their brand associated with any dishonest activities and we are seriously considering the outcome of the matter before renewing our sponsorship,” Alan Da Costa said.

Division Two

Bottom-placed Glamorgan are on the verge of defeat after Middlesex – and specifically Murali Kartik, who bagged eight wickets – came close to bowling them out twice in one day. Middlesex pressed on to 361 and then knocked over the visitors for 106, before having them teetering at 120 for 6, still 135 adrift. It was a day to remember for Kartik though, who took six wickets in the first innings at Lord’s and two in the second.Lowly Gloucestershire eased into a first-innings lead of 91 against Derbyshire at Bristol courtesy of centuries from Grant Hodnett and Alex Gidman. While Gidman fell on Nelson, Hodnett was unbeaten on 133 as Gloucestershire closed at 403 for 7. Craig Spearman also contributed 52 for the home side, with Graham Wagg grabbing three wickets for the visitors.

Division One

Durham continued to boss proceedings at The Riverside, piling up 378 for 6 against Warwickshire to take a first-innings lead of 139, with four wickets still remaining. The two sides are neck-and-neck in third and fourth at the moment, but Durham are in much the commanding position, with Ben Harmison not out on 84. Dale Benkenstein made 45, while Kyle Coetzer weighed in with his third first-class ton. He was eventually removed for 142.A full report of Lancashire’s second day against second-placed Sussex can be read here.

The BCCI has decided that from October Indian players will have to seek the board’s permission before they sign endorsement deals. The players’ contracts come up for renewal on October 1 and the board, through a clause in the contracts, will ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the board’s sponsors and those of individual players.”We have decided to ask the players to give us advance information about the endorsement contracts they will sign in future to avoid clash of sponsors’ interests,” said Niranjan Shah, the board secretary.Shah explained that there was already a clause in the contract which required the players to send a copy of every signed endorsement deal to the board. As per the altered clause, the board will insist that the players intimate it about endorsement deals they were interested in and get its approval before going ahead and signing on the dotted line.Asked whether the players would get a chance to look at the deals which the BCCI has signed vis-a-vis the team, Shah said, “we are an open book and everyone knows who are our team sponsors”.Commenting on the new developments, Virender Sehwag said the players had no issue with the BCCI signing up various companies as team sponsors as long as it did not trample on their individual sponsorship contracts.”I don’t think it is a problem. We can do whatever they [the team sponsors] demand as long as it is for the team. As long as it is not an individual demand, it is fine,” said Sehwag.The BCCI has signed a contract worth $ 43 million (Rs190 crore) with Nike that allows the Nike label to be displayed on the non-leading arm of the players’ jerseys and on their trousers.The Nike contract would be in conflict with some of the players who have individual contracts with rival companies, Adidas and Reebok.

Our Punter’s Point about the problems experienced by spectators at the Rose Bowl during the Champions Trophy produced a level of feedback not seen since the Mike Denness Affair in 2001. Most were highly critical of events last weekend, and many vowed never to return. Here’s a selection of your comments:

An empty Rose Bowl: a sign of things to come if spectators vote with their feet?© Getty Images

“The lack of serious thinking about the impact of so many people attending, and the feeling that we spectators were just an inconvenience, means I’ll think long and hard before going back.” Eve Smith“My first visit to the Rose Bowl would have been my last but I had already paid for semi-final day. I certainly did not go back on the Saturday as I would have done at any other ground. The park-and-ride was a complete disaster. As for queuing in the rain for three hours for a bus – never again.” Susan Mills“As we walked out of the ground we were confronted with one of the longest queues we’ve ever seen to get back to the car park. It took at least another two hours, maybe more, to get to my car: the queue had no order and we had to stand in the mud while it continued to rain.” Mark Fernando“The increased seating meant parts of the ground could not be reached by walking behind and so some people were interrupted for hours by people walking in front of them to get to their seats.” Nigel Lander“The standard and variety of food available was lamentable. Tickets priced at £40 per seat demand more than 30-minute queues for a pint of beer. A staff of four attempted manfully to serve a bar that had seven parallel queues of approximately 12 people. Lager ran out in the bar behind my seats at 12.25pm – an hour and ten minutes after play started.” Adam Mason“Closing the east entrance ten minutes before play started and insisting people walk around the ground to the west entrance just made things worse. Our neighbours arrived 45 minutes after the start of play but were in the queue at 9.45am (90 minutes earlier).” Nigel Hills“Arriving at the ground with the game under way, we were met by obnoxious and over-zealous staff who need some serious customer-skills classes. They couldn’t handle the numbers coming in and were going out of their way to wind up and further delay the entrants. I didn’t have a bag but watched the irritation of others unfold before me.” Nicholas Stevenson“17,000 spectators had to go though a single gate. The main hold-up was that stewards were checking for non-sponsor brands in the bags.” Chanaka Wirasinha“I drove down on Saturday, only to find out the park-and-ride was not in operation. This wasn’t mentioned on any tickets or information accompanying the tickets. More focus was on the ridiculous branding information which is killing the thought of a day out to watch cricket.” Rishya Nadeswaran “Chips (half a portion) at £2.00 … bacon-and-egg roll at £4.00 … coffee at £2.00. I know what I will do the next time around – I won’t be at the Rose Bowl.” Philip Gnana-MuttuIf you have any further comments please e-mail us.

© Getty Images

As an 18-year-old in 1982, Arjuna Ranatunga played in Sri Lanka’s very first Test, against England in Colombo. Fourteen years later, in March 1996, he tickled the winning runs to third man, to secure victory over Australia in the World Cup final at Lahore. If he had come a long way as a person, then it was nothing compared to the distance he had travelled with his team.In less than a generation, Sri Lanka had developed from international cricket’s whipping boys into a side capable of ruling the world, and Ranatunga’s influence had been felt every step of the way. Few players have been so obviously in command of a cricket team as Ranatunga, who would marshall his troops like a general on the battlefield. Like the best leaders, he instilled in his charges a victor’s mentality, all the while remaining on hand to leap to the defence of his players if the need ever arose.This outlook was reflected in his batting as well – strutting in at No. 5 or 6, he would delegate responsibility to the junior strokemakers in the top-order, who thrived on his trusting approach, but was always on hand to avert the intermittent crises that are part and parcel of a developing cricket team. Usually he would be successful as well.

Pakistan have struck a further blow to the concept of an Asia Cup by announcing their withdrawal from the event scheduled to be held in Bangladesh in August.”We have informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of our inability to participate in the Asia Cup and will issue further details next week,” said Chisty Mujahid, director of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The PCB decision is believed to have been prompted by India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for a Test and one-day series this summer. Pakistan had initially responded to that slight – New Delhi cites “cross-border terrorism” as its reason for eschewing bilateral matches – by announcing that they wouldn’t tour India in 2004.The Asia Cup, introduced in 1983-84, has had a chequered history as a result of the tension between the region’s two cricketing superpowers. The last time they played each other in an Asia Cup was back in May 2000, when Dhaka hosted the event. Since then, India and Pakistan have met only once, at Centurion during the recently concluded World Cup.India last toured Pakistan during the 1997-98 season, while the Pakistani team hasn’t crossed the border since 1998-99, when they played a Test series despite threats from Hindu fundamentalists.The ACC gave Bangladesh permission to host the event after Pakistan – the first choice – withdraw. Apart from Pakistan and India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and two associate members of the ACC – Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates – were expected to take part.Pakistan’s withdrawal now begs the question: how viable is the event, especially in an international calendar packed to overflowing?

Sheikhupura’s top order batsmen dazzled on theopening day of the National Under-19 Grade-I Championship as theyhanded Islamabad a 68-run defeat at the KRL Stadium Saturday.After batting first, Sheikhupura helped by fine knocks from KashifImran (89), Khalil Ahmed (63) and Javed Hussain (76) scored animpressive 269 for six off their 50 overs.Islamabad however ran out of overs in the end finishing on 201 fornine with Rashid Amin Butt (63) and Shakir Mahmood (43) doing somegood work.Sheikhupura opener Kashif Imran was in cracking form, hammering theIslamabad bowlers to all parts of the ground in scoring 89 thatincluded 13 strikes to the fence.Kashif was ably assisted by Khalil Ahmed who was equally impressive ashe contributed 63 with eight boundaries. Also among the runs was JavedHussain with a valuable 76.When Islamabad batted they suffered some quick blows and it was onlylater in the innings that Rashid and Shakir lent some kind ofrespectability to the total. The two sides now start a three-day gameto be played at the same venue from Sunday.