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If Richard Hughes isn’t careful, he’ll eliminate any chance of Liverpool supporters getting excited by the summer transfer window before it’s even begun.

This, of course, is because FSG are working overtime to wrap up three superstar signings before the 2024/25 campaign has even completely wrapped up. There are worse problems for fans to have, in fairness.

The defensive flanks are set to be secure for years to come, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong having completed his medical and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez currently the centre of advancing talks between Bournemouth and Anfield’s chiefs.

But it’s forwards the fans want. Always forwards. It’s forwards who are the seat-raisers, the ones who steal the headlines. The rumour mill’s spokes are spinning, and Liverpool are getting linked with a few interesting names, all right.

The latest on Liverpool's hunt for forwards

With a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz in the works, Liverpool are close to wrapping up their principal summer activity nice and early.

However, some would point to the number nine position as the area in most urgent need of improvement, and fixing that conundrum would require one or both of Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez to be sold, the latter of whom is wanted by Saudi suitors and in Spain.

Liverpool have bided their time in the transfer market, only bringing Federico Chiesa into the squad since Jurgen Klopp capped off his midfield rebuild with the arrival of Ryan Gravenberch in August 2023 (a £29m deal for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was agreed last summer, though he remained with Valencia this year).

But now is the time for action. Luis Diaz continues to be linked with Barcelona and, perhaps consequently, rumours of interest in Anthony Gordon have resurfaced, as per Football Insider.

However, Gordon is valued at £100m by Newcastle United and with Wirtz hopefully arriving, this doesn’t make a great deal of sense.

That said, Chiesa has struggled for minutes since joining, and Mohamed Salah isn’t getting any younger. Securing some fresh back-up on the right wouldn’t be a terrible idea.

Liverpool join race for new forward

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are being considered one of the main suitors for Maghnes Akliouche this summer, with the French winger informed he can leave Monaco if their €70m (£59m) valuation is met.

A host of English outfits are keen, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all keeping tabs on his situation, although Liverpool are the club said to be ‘showing a strong interest’.

No talks have taken place with any suitor, so this may be a case of who can open contracts with Monaco and the player’s representatives first.

What Maghnes Akliouche would offer Liverpool

A creative player, the 23-year-old Akliouche has enjoyed a steady ascent since breaking from Monaco’s youth ranks and becoming an important part of their first-team plans.

He would have to contend with the competition of Salah for a starting berth, were he to join Liverpool, but this could prove worthwhile for a rising star looking to make their name, only two seasons into their professional career as a first-team regular.

Absorbing the fruits of the Egyptian King’s labours, Akliouche may well shape into one of the most dangerous wingers in the business, having already been hailed for his “ridiculous” quality by analyst Ben Mattinson.

This is backed up by the data. As per FBref, Akliouche ranks among the top 13% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this term for assists, the top 11% for progressive passes, and the top 12% for tackles plus interceptions made per 90.

Sofascore’s data from the 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign further highlights Akliouche’s creative capacity, having created 15 big chances across 27 matches, averaging 1.6 dribbles and 4.5 successful duels per game.

Moreover, talent scout Jacek Kuliig has hailed the “magician” for brandishing a “left foot made of gold” when arcing into space, in or around the danger area.

Remind you of anyone? Salah’s wizardry on the ball certainly suggests he too could adopt the ‘magician’ moniker, while his left foot is one of the most lethal weapons in football.

Joining Liverpool from AS Roma for £34m in 2017, Salah, 25 at the time, was looking to try his hand at the Premier League a second time after things didn’t work out at Chelsea.

Now, 401 games, 245 goals, 113 assists and many individual and team accolades later, the 32-year-old has achieved greatness, forging a career for himself that will have sold Anfield to hopefuls such as Akliouche, especially since he’s tempted by a move across the Channel and onto English shores.

Salah’s story isn’t ending yet, but we’re not that far away from the autumn of this legend’s Premier League career. It would help if Liverpool act prudently and bring in a player such as Akliouche, up-and-coming like the African icon was before signing.

Salah, one of the deadliest forwards the Premier League has ever known, will leave big boots to fill, but backing him up with a hungry prospect such as Akliouche could be a sure-fire way for Slot to challenge across multiple fronts next season, especially since the Liverpool superstar will miss a chunk of the winter period due to AFCON.

For what it’s worth, you’d think Akliouche would leap at the chance to move to Merseyside and work with the veteran, treading a similar sort of path in arriving from a competitive European outfit having shown his skills, but then learning at Anfield a new level of the craft which could take him into the realm of the world-class.

Van Dijk 2.0: £45m "revelation" has now "said yes" to joining Liverpool

Liverpool are looking to finish their shopping nice and early this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 29, 2025

Everton are on the up once again, with David Moyes transforming the club since replacing Sean Dyche in January.

There’s plenty of work to be done over the coming months. The Friedkin Group are willing to hand the manager ample funds to make some impactful signings ahead of the new campaign.

While forwards are clearly required after another year of inconsistencies in the final third, Everton will need to get rid of some existing options first.

The future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, approaching free agency, is up in the air, and the same could be said for loanee Jack Harrison, who should be cut loose at the end of the term.

Jack Harrison's Everton future

Harrison, 28, might be versatile and industrious, but all of an Everton persuasion will have been frustrated by his output at Goodison Park, especially this season.

Across 36 outings in all competitions, Harrison has scored just one goal and provided only one assist.

Moyes and Everton’s Director of Football, Angus Kinnear, may value the Leeds United man’s commitment and tenacity, but so much has been left to be desired this term.

Still, Moyes likes the player’s attitude and appears open to signing him permanently after the final fixtures of the term are dealt with.

However, Everton’s right side has lacked substance and potency this year, and right-back Nathan Patterson may well follow Harrison out the door.

Everton must sell Nathan Patterson

Everton signed Patterson from Rangers in a deal worth £16m back in January 2022. He was 20 years old and highly sought-after, but over three years later his value has actually diminished.

Transfermarkt record that Patterson bears a market value of just shy of £13m right now, having only started 12 Premier League fixtures since the beginning of last season due to incessant injury bother.

Harrison’s is marginally higher at £13.5m, but this does serve to underscore the depths to which Patterson has sunk, with his recent performances doing little to convince detractors that he’s got what it takes to earn a successful starting role in Moyes’ system.

The Royal Blue podcasters had already agreed that “Dyche doesn’t fancy him” before Moyes’ arrival, and it doesn’t look like the change in manager has raised his level, only afforded playing time in recent weeks because of James Tarkowski’s season-ending injury.

Given that club captain Seamus Coleman, 36, is slated to renew his contract and, furthermore, that Jake O’Brien has been so formidable in a moonlit right-back berth since January, it’s hard to envisage Patterson having a good shot at hitting the heights once touted.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, he’s struggled with his crosses in the top flight, connecting with only 36% of his efforts, while also losing over half of his contested duels.

Coleman will play a part that transcends that of a mere player. He will use his experience and leadership to guide the team forward in something of a hybrid role.

But nonetheless, it’s not a revelation that bodes well for Patterson, who has flattered to deceive when fielded this year, and admittedly, his chances have been few and far between.

Given that this young talent is worth less than Harrison, it might be time for Everton to cash in and make their move for a new, more reliable right-back.

Amazing Delap alternative: Everton in the race for "phenomenal" £40m star

Everton are looking to sign a new striker for David Moyes this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 15, 2025

As rumours continue to arrive over Arsenal’s summer transfer plans, new sporting director Andrea Berta is now reportedly keeping a close eye on a somewhat cheaper attacking option who has scored 25 goals this season.

Arsenal looking to ease goalscoring woes

Whilst it’s easy to list the absurd number of injuries that Arsenal have suffered throughout the current campaign, their Premier League form since the return of Bukayo Saka has highlighted their clear problems for all to see. And Berta must address those issues in his first summer in charge.

Even though their form has come at a time when the Premier League title has drifted away from them and into Liverpool’s grasp as official champions, Arsenal still have Champions League qualification to worry about. Mikel Arteta, with three games to go, simply has to seal a place in the top five amid concerns that a disappointing campaign could still turn disastrous.

Mega upgrade on Odegaard: Berta lining up Arsenal move for £100m "machine"

The £100m-rated star would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 7, 2025

The Spaniard recently had his say on Liverpool’s title win and the Gunners’ failure, telling reporters: “Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place. Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons. With the points of the past two season we have two Premier League [titles].”

What would certainly help ensure that Arsenal are in the right moment in the right place, however, is the arrival of a pure goalscorer this summer. Amid links to the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, those in North London must get things right this summer and solve Arteta’s greatest problem.

Meanwhile, if it’s a question of money, then Berta may yet turn towards a cheaper options who could turn into the summer’s best bargain if all goes to plan.

Arsenal plotting £34m Patrik Schick move

According to Caught Offside, Arsenal are now plotting a move to sign Patrik Schick from Bayer Leverkusen this summer with Berta keeping a close eye on the Czech Republic forward. Valued at around €40m (£34m) by the Bundesliga club, the Gunners could swoop in and solve their attacking problems for far cheaper than if they signed Isak or Sesko.

Despite his bargain price, Schick has enjoyed a season worthy of a far higher valuation – scoring 25 goals in all competitions – and could yet prove that in the Premier League. At 29 years old, the only concern for Arsenal should be his age, but as Chris Wood has proved at Nottingham Forest this season, players are more than capable of making the difference even when outside of what are considered prime years.

Smashing his expected goals in the Bundesliga this season, Schick is the pure goalscorer that Arsenal have so desperately lacked all season. His name wouldn’t steal the same headlines as an Isak or Sesko, but he would arguably be just as clinical. Previously dubbed “great” by former Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo, Schick is one to watch this summer.

Everton are on the verge of entering a new era under David Moyes and he has now identified an exciting transfer target that their hierarchy are willing to heavily pursue, per reports.

Everton look forward to a new dawn under David Moyes

The Toffees are on the verge of ending their lengthy association with Goodison Park, and it isn’t in the least bit surprising that supporters are fighting tooth and nail to witness their final match against Southampton in L4. David Moyes has steadied the ship at Everton and secured their Premier League status for another year, paving the way for an exciting summer under the guise of The Friedkin Group.

PSR regulations will ensure that clever additions need to be uncovered to avoid any conflict, though it is fair to say the Blues aren’t alone in that regard. According to reports, Everton are eyeing a move for Lazio loanee Nuno Tavares, who is expected to complete a permanent switch to the Italian giants this summer and then be sold on for profit.

He could be set for an immediate return to the English top-flight if circumstances align. The former Benfica man could be joined by Emanuel Emegha after the Dutch forward emerged as another Toffees target.

Moyes' next Louis Saha: Everton desperate to sign £30m "battering ram"

Everton are in the market for a new centre-forward this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 1, 2025

Richarlison arriving to kickstart Everton’s new era hasn’t been ruled out and fans are rightfully ecstatic at the prospect of heading for Bramley Moore Dock, albeit a little emotional about leaving Goodison Park behind.

Change is needed to a playing squad that looks set to encounter mass surgery, with several established stars leaving to make way for fresh blood. Now, further information has come to light on who Moyes could look to bring into the fold during the off-season.

Everton board ready to back Moyes move for Gustavo Hamer

Per Football Insider, Everton’s interest in Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer is growing as their hierarchy are willing to back Moyes with funds to strengthen their starting XI come the summer.

The Scot wants to add creativity to his industrious side and the former Netherlands Under-20 international is seen as an ideal option to help fashion chances from the engine room, having initially been added to a shortlist of several targets earlier this week.

Enjoying a campaign where he has been red-hot after winning the Championship player of the season award, Hamer has completed 45 successful dribbles and laid on 71 opportunities for his teammates.

Abdoulaye Doucoure’s uncertain future on Merseyside has hastened the search for a new midfielder as his contract runs into its final few weeks. Notably, West Ham United’s Tomas Soucek and Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg have been mentioned as alternative targets.

Furthermore, any move for Hamer may hinge on whether Sheffield United claim promotion from the Championship, where they are set for the playoffs after Leeds United and Burnley sealed a return to the top-flight.

Everton are in the market for talent to rejuvenate their squad and Hamer would be a terrific asset that would please supporters should he arrive this summer.

Patrick Dorgu has become a key player at Manchester United since his January move from Lecce. The Dane, who cost the Red Devils £25m up front, has already played ten times for his new club this term, although he did miss three games due to suspension.

The 20-year-old is yet to score or assist for the first time in a United shirt. However, he did win a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes converted in the Europa League Round of 16 against Real Sociedad, showing just how deadly he can be.

With that being said, it has not all been smooth sailing for the wing-back. Aside from his red card, he was recently rotated out of the team for United’s 4-1 loss away to Newcastle United, with Harry Amass stepping into his shoes.

Amass’ full debut for United

For a football fan, there probably aren’t many better birthday presents than making your professional debut, and for Man United, nonetheless. Well, that was the case for Amass, who made a substitute appearance away to Leicester City in the Premier League on his 18th birthday.

Just weeks later, the youngster, who was born in London and played for Watford’s academy originally, made his first start in the top flight. The youngster was selected to start ahead of Dorgu at left wing-back.

Indeed, it was an impressive showing from Amass, as the stats on Sofascore reflect. The 18-year-old had 31 touches of the ball, completed 85% of his passes and won two duels. He certainly performed well.

That was certainly a sentiment that football statistician Statman Dave seemed to agree with. He was full of praise for Amass, explaining that he “didn’t look out of place in senior football” at St James’ Park last weekend.

There is certainly no worry about squad depth for the Red Devils at left-wing back, with the emergence of Amass and the signing of Dorgu. Incredibly, they are adding to that depth over the summer with another new signing.

United’s latest left wing-back signing

One of the continents where big European clubs tend to find hidden gem players is South America. Well, United may have pulled off a masterclass of their own in that sense, with the signing of youngster Diego Leon.

In the middle of January, it was confirmed by BBC Sport that the 18-year-old undertook a medical at United’s Carrington training ground. The reported fee is £6m, with the left-back set to join in the summer.

Now, United are not just signing a player without first-team experience who could one day break into the fold at Old Trafford. No, Leon has actually had years of experience at first-team level for Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno.

He has already played 26 times for the club over the past couple of years, and has even managed three goals in that time, from left-back. His 2092 minutes so far equate to 23 full 90-minute games, showing his importance to the Cerro Porteno side.

In fact, his underlying stats via Sofascore from his time in professional football so far are impressive. For example, Leon played nine key passes last term, and five this season, as well as making 45 tackles and interceptions in 2024, and 11 in 2025.

One person who rates the youngster highly is football analyst Ben Mattinson. Discussing Leon in December 2024, just one month before his United medical, the analyst said he “runs like a steam train”, highlighting the physicality he will bring to Old Trafford.

Leon certainly seems like a player United fans can get excited about. The 18-year-old will bring first-team experience with him to the Premier League, and he clearly has final-third flair. He could be the perfect player for Amoirm to add to his wing-back options.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Both Amass and Dorgu may well need to watch out…

Upgrade on Rashford: Man Utd leading the race to sign £30m "monster"

Man Utd are looking for attacking reinforcements this summer

By
Joe Nuttall

Apr 16, 2025

Aston Villa stand on the edge of glory. While their Champions League may have ended by PSG, Unai Emery’s side have a wonderful chance to reach a first FA Cup final since 2015.

The club have not won this competition since 1957. Indeed, they haven’t won a major honour since 1996, and it would be fitting to finally end this drought under a man who has lifted them from the doldrums.

In midweek, the Midlands side suffered a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League. While not disastrous, it represented a chance to cement their place in the top five of the table.

Several of the starting XI failed to perform as expected, most notably Boubacar Kamara in the heart of the midfield.

Why Emery must drop Boubacar Kamara

There is no doubt Kamara has been excellent when called upon this season, but against City, he didn’t quite look himself.

He played the full 90 minutes alongside Amadou Onana for Villa and succeeded with 87% of his passes, but the Frenchman could only win one of his seven contested ground duels, along with losing possession eight times.

Kamara also failed to make a single tackle during the match and was dribbled past on two occasions. Despite his tireless shift, it wasn’t enough to see Villa take home all three points.

With an FA Cup final place at stake this weekend, Emery might just switch things up ahead of the match against Crystal Palace.

This could see Kamara dropped from the starting XI, with Youri Tielemans slotting back into a deeper role.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

If so, there is only one man who should be deployed as Villa’s number ten – Marco Asensio.

Marco Asensio must be unleashed by Aston Villa

The Spaniard has been a truly inspired signing by Emery, even if it is just on a temporary basis.

Indeed, the former Real Madrid starlet has scored eight goals and chipped in with a solitary assist for the club across 20 matches.

In the Premier League, Asensio has created one big chance, averaging 1.3 key passes and succeeding in 58% of his dribble attempts.

These statistics are made even better considering he has started only five matches in the top flight since arriving back in January.

Dubbed as “world-class” by former Arsenal and Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson in March after his exploits against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

If the club have a chance of signing him on a permanent deal, then Emery must do everything in his power to do so.

Starting him against Palace at Wembley could give Villa the best chance of reaching the final of the competition, no doubt about that, because of the attacking quality that he can provide with his ability to both score and create.

The PSG loanee has scored twice in the tournament so far, netting a double against Cardiff. If he is unleashed, expect him to conjure up some more magic for the Villa faithful.

Worth 330% more than Nypan: Aston Villa struck gold with "unstoppable" star

Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a move to sign Sverre Nypan.

By
Joe Nuttall

Apr 23, 2025

Liverpool have lost themselves over the past several weeks, crashing out of the Champions League and then losing the Carabao Cup final before the March international break.

Having returned from the spring pause to claim a tetchy but lifting win in the Merseyside derby, fans felt that Arne Slot’s side had replanted their feet ahead of the business months of the season, using the three points gained as a springboard.

However, errors were rife on Sunday as Liverpool fell to defeat at Craven Cottage and Slot was condemned to his first Premier League defeat on the road.

Still, it’s not all bad, the Reds are still 11 points clear at the top of the division, set to end four years of Manchester City dominance. All that without having dipped into the transfer market for nearly two years.

Indeed, the £12.5m signing of Federico Chiesa remains the only deal struck since Ryan Gravenberch arrived in 2023. Somehow, Slot, in all his tactical genius, has taken Liverpool to the next level, despite the frontline leaving something to be desired at times.

Liverpool's frontline in 24/25

Liverpool ended the 2024 summer transfer window having failed to sign their top target in Martin Zubimendi and adding only injury-prone Chiesa to an already well-stocked frontline.

The squad is rather fantastic, but Slot deserves all the plaudits for making the requisite, title-clinching adjustments.

The architect of all attacking success would be Mohamed Salah, of course. The 32-year-old has posted 32 goals and 22 assists across all competitions and is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in both Liverpool and English football’s history.

Salah has been nothing short of breathtaking this season, but there’s no denying he’s plateaued in recent fixtures. However, frankly, this is an annual thing, the dreaded spring drop-off, and he deserves a place in the team next season as Liverpool go again.

Still, Liverpool have been brilliant in attack, top of the Premier League and having scored the most goals (72) too. They’ve all chipped in, with the likes of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo both going from strength

Streamlined into a more focused left-flanking role, Gakpo has matched his haul of 16 goals and six assists from last season having played just under 800 minutes fewer, equating to nearly nine full matches.

However, it’s not all perfect. Darwin Nunez is set to be sold this summer, while Diogo Jota looks a shadow of his former self. Such departures would in turn create one or two exciting vacancies.

Liverpool need something new, and sporting director Richard Hughes may well have the perfect Premier League star in mind.

PL star wants to sign for Liverpool

Last week, TEAMtalk claimed that Liverpool have made contact with Matheus Cunha’s representatives ahead of a potential summer move. The Wolverhampton Wanderers forward’s £62.5m release clause goes live after the end of the 2024/25 season and he wants a move away.

Excitingly, Football Insider have recently reported that the Brazil international is hoping to sign for Liverpool. All FSG need to do is match that release clause.

However, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest are also keen and Liverpool need to ensure this one doesn’t slip away from them, should their interest truly be concrete.

What Matheus Cunha would bring to Liverpool

Cunha has been at Wolves for over two years, joining in January 2023 on an initial loan from Atletico Madrid before signing permanently for an approximate £35m fee.

He’s long been highly regarded in England, but the Brazilian’s performances for Wolves this term have really underlined the level of his ability, notching 15 goals and four assists across 29 matches.

Though he shares similar positional virtues to the likes of Diaz and Gakpo, Cunha’s dynamism would be sure to see him marry right into Slot’s complex and multi-layered vision.

Quite the versatile approach, eh. What’s more, Cunha is proving to be a prolific player across those variegated roles, his technical flair and dogged attitude lending itself to numerous areas of attack.

He’s also playing for Wolves. Good team, resilient and balanced under the wing of Vitor Pereira. However, the Old Gold hardly boast Liverpool’s degree of offensive ability, and one can only imagine the success that Cunha could find in Slot’s system.

Especially when you consider that he’s sort of outstripping Liverpool’s left-sided forwards, Gakpo and Diaz, this term.

There’s a lot to unpack in that table, but it’s curious to note at a glance that Cunha has outscored both of Liverpool’s men while carrying the ball forward more frequently, getting stuck in with more challenges too.

All told, he’s a “versatile pressing machine” – in the words of reporter Kaustubh Pandey – who has refined his potency in the final third at an outfit not exactly known for its attacking output right now.

Indeed, Wolves have created 51 big chances in the Premier League this year, well behind Slot’s Liverpool (89 big chances created). In fact, no team has created more than the table-toppers.

But it doesn’t matter when Cunha is so extraordinarily clinical. He’s missed only two big chances in the league this year. Two. That’s having scored 13 goals. You can refer back to the table to see how that compares to Liverpool’s stars, but it’s clear to see that the deadliest of the bunch dwells not at Anfield but in Black Country.

He’s also been hailed for his “perfect” deliveries by The Athletic’s Steve Madeley. Another string to the bow.

He wouldn’t come cheap, but Cunha could fit snugly into an interchangeable Anfield frontline and provide Liverpool with that bit of incisiveness in front of goal to ease Salah’s responsibilities and ensure that Slot’s side fire on all cylinders into the later stages of the season.

Not just Robertson: FSG must now sell "world-class" Liverpool star

Liverpool’s 26-game unbeaten run in the Premier League was ended on an error-strewn afternoon at Craven Cottage.

By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 7, 2025

Tatsuya Imai wants to forge his own path.

The 27-year-old right-hander was posted by the Saitama Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball League and has until Jan. 2 to sign with an MLB team. It’s pretty clear he won’t be joining the Dodgers.

When asked about potentially joining Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki in Los Angeles, Imai was quick to point out that he wanted to do something different.

“I want to take them down,” Imai said in a recent interview, translated to English. “(Playing together with players like Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaki, and others) of course, sounds fun, but I think beating a team like that and becoming world champions would be the most valuable thing in my life.”

That’s a bold proclamation from Imai, and he probably earned a bunch of new fans with his attitude.

Tatsuya Imai’s stats in Japan

Imai is a three-time NPB All-Star who just finished his eighth season in the league. In 2025, he made 24 starts and went 10-5 with a 1.92 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP, and 178 strikeouts against 45 walks in 163 2/3 innings. He tossed five complete games and three shutouts along the way. He has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the past four seasons, and owns a career NPB ERA of 3.15.

The newly-posted righty debuted in 2018 at the age of 20, and has been one of the league’s top pitchers since 2021, when he went 8-8 with a 3.30 ERA. He has improved in every season since, peaking with his 2025 performance.

Tatsuya Imai scouting report

Imai is undersized for a pitcher by MLB standards. He stands at 5’11” and 176 pounds. It’s worth noting, Yamamoto is only 5’10” and 176 pounds, so the two are comparable in size.

He throws the ball out of a lower three-quarters arm slot, but he can still generate excellent velocity. Imai’s fastball can hit 99 mph, and it sits in the 95 mph range. He works off that four-seamer with an excellent mid-80s slider, and will toss in occasional splitters as well. He has a changeup and a sinker, but is mostly a fastball-slider guy.

He is an intriguing option for MLB teams this winter.

He’s 38 and was coming into this series without a fifty in his 13 previous Test innings, but he’s roared back with a 163 against one of his favourite oppositions

Andrew Fidel Fernando18-Jun-2025We didn’t, in truth, learn a lot about Mushfiqur Rahim across the first two days of the Galle Test. That is except to say that he’s still here. That he is not going away. That he can still do this. Which actually, when you’re 38 and by a distance the oldest member of the squad, this is more important than you might think.Mushfiqur is the last remaining Test combatant from Bangladesh’s first generation of greats, Tamim Iqbal, Mashrafe Mortaza, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah no longer appearing. There is a level of respect and space afforded to players who have given as much as Mushfiqur has, but also the threat of the companion accusation of hanging on for too long, too selfishly. Against this, there is no better antidote for a batter than runs. “You think I’m past it? Oh yeah? Say that to this 163.”Related

• Tamim: Mushfiqur's 100th Test 'should be celebrated by every Bangladesh cricket lover'

• 'These are not easy runs' – Mushfiqur reflects on 'special' century

• SL's newest spinner brings two arms to a format with one foot out the door

• Sri Lanka claw back after Mushfiqur 163, Litton 90

• Galle becomes Bangladesh's happy place again as top-order finds form

Still, there was little in this innings that was not Mushfiqur treading ground he had already trod. We already knew he could make runs on Sri Lankan tracks. Before this innings, he averaged 62.63 on the island (it’s up to 71 now). In fact several of his most memorable cricketing moments came here. In 2013, he hit Bangladesh’s first-ever double ton at this venue. In 2017, he was at the crease when Bangladesh claimed their first Test win against Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval, having made a fifty in the first innings of that match. Next year, he’d bossed a Nidahas Trophy chase, his mocking celebration becoming a crucial staging post in the Naagin rivalry.Now that they have been made, these essentially seem like unsurprising runs from an unsurprising source. Mushfiqur has rocked it against better Lankan attacks, on much harder Lankan pitches. And he has always had the game to succeed in these conditions. He sweeps well and cuts even better, tends to read the direction of spin out of the hand, and has strong wrists, which, as several flicks through and over midwicket on day two proved, remained in good condition.And yet there was the big problem of his having arrived in Sri Lanka having not made a fifty in his 13 previous Test innings. Where in younger years this kind of lean stretch may have been viewed as a dip in form, when you are a couple of hops from 40, the accusation is that this is probably a terminal decline. At this stage of his career, Mushfiqur doesn’t need to show growth. Summoning a vintage performance? That’s the stuff.Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das added a century stand•Associated PressNajmul Hossain Shanto was the first to triple figures, and later Litton Das scored his runs more rapidly, but there was no more assured innings in this mammoth Bangladesh batting performance than Mushfiqur’s. There were no early jitters, no periods of the innings in which he appeared to get stuck, no bowler against whom he laboured, and even though he said he felt he got stuck on 99 a little, he only faced four scoreless balls before taking the single that took him to the hundred. It was no big deal, which was essentially the theme of Mushfiqur’s entire innings. A flat surface, an inexperienced opposition attack – why shouldn’t he be scoring runs here?”Mushfiqur has come back strongly and shown his character,” said Mohammad Salahuddin, Bangladesh’s assistant coach after Mushfiqur hit his 163. “He can inspire the team. He has great work ethic, and he is trying to improve all the time. It’s what you want from any senior player.”With the World Test Championship now introducing a “cycle” into the Test cricket consciousness, retirements now require a little more thinking about. “Can I last two more years?” is essentially the calculation Test cricketers in their mid-to-late 30s have to make now. On the Sri Lankan side, 37-year-old Dimuth Karunaratne had quit at the end of the last cycle, and 38-year-old Angelo Mathews is retiring at the very start of this one.Mushfiqur has shown no intention to bounce during this cycle, which is why, for him, at 38, and with 13 straight underwhelmings on his record, 163 is a pretty good number, it doesn’t matter that no new ground was broken.

He was always an excellent new-ball bowler, but Matt Henry has evolved into a fine death-overs bowler now, and being the leader of the attack has freed him up

Deivarayan Muthu07-Mar-2025Between the otherworldly swing of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, Matt Henry’s own swing and seam had often gone underappreciated. In New Zealand’s first ICC competition without Boult or Southee since 2010, Henry has finally emerged from the shadows of those two greats, topping the Champions Trophy wickets chart with ten strikes in four innings at an average of 16.70 and economy rate of 5.32.Much like Boult and Southee, Henry is known to the wider world as a new-ball phenom. When he was a late addition to New Zealand’s squad for the 2015 ODI World Cup, he reminded Martin Crowe of a young Richard Hadlee. Ten years on, Henry isn’t just about swing or seam anymore. He has evolved into a complete fast bowler, who can be just as potent with the old ball.Matt Henry with the old ball? Stop kidding me!Related

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No, really. Since 2023, Henry is the joint-highest wicket-taker, alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi, in the last ten overs in ODI cricket, with 25 strikes in 20 innings (Shaheen has the benefit of bowling in 22 innings) at an economy rate of 6.79. And nobody has a better bowling average than Henry’s 12.36 for a minimum of 200 balls between overs 40 and 50 since 2023.His corresponding numbers in the death between his ODI debut at the start of 2014 and end of 2022 were poor: 23 wickets in 41 innings at an average of 26.86 and economy rate of 8.56.Henry’s outrageous improvement with the old ball has transformed him into an all-purpose, all-format bowler. Since 2023, he is also the highest wicket-taker in international cricket across formats with 136 strikes in 66 innings. Ravindra Jadeja (125), Jasprit Bumrah (124), Afridi (124) and Mitchell Starc (117) all slot in behind Henry on this list.The IPL, the Hundred and the MLC all wanted Henry. You can’t just sit idle with your skills these days. Unless you keep upgrading them, cricket will leave you behind.Henry refused to be left behind. A career-threatening back injury had already left him far behind during his early years. He then spent a number of years watching Boult and Southee, and then Kyle Jamieson, surge ahead of him.ESPNcricinfo LtdIt was the 2023 T20 Blast that unlocked the old-ball skills of Henry. While he continued to attack and hunt for wickets with the new ball, he developed defensive skills with the older, softer one, hiding it away from the hitting arcs of batters with slower balls and cross-seamers. He came away with 31 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 13.25 and economy rate of 7.85 on surfaces that were largely flat and favoured hitting through the line.Henry’s title-winning run at Somerset in the T20 Blast gave him the belief that he could succeed with the old ball as well. Henry doesn’t have a magic slower one, like the knuckle ball or the back-of-the-hand variation, yet, but he can get his offcutter to react differently on different pitches.Look at this dismissal from the 2023 ODI World Cup. Mushfiqur Rahim collapses to the floor like a house of cards. The slower ball hits the Chennai pitch and skids under his bat – as opposed to bouncing higher – and knocks out his off stump.Henry can also get his offcutter to rise at the rib cage or even higher. He drew a mis-hit from Hardik Pandya with that slower bouncer in Dubai last Sunday on his way to a five-wicket haul. His change-ups, bowled without any discernible change in his action, were particularly vital to New Zealand limiting India to 249 for 9.

“He’s always had the reputation of being an outstanding new-ball bowler, but you see the development in his game is using that slower bouncer and different fields, etc at the back end. He’s a much more rounded bowler and that’s why he’s having success across formats”Shane Bond on Matt Henry

Shane Bond is so impressed with Henry’s versatility that he rates him as one of New Zealand’s best ODI bowlers. “When you look at New Zealand’s great one-day bowlers, you think of Trent Boult… but Matt Henry has been his partner-in-crime for a long time. If you line up their records, it will be pretty similar,” Bond said on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day show. “He’s got an exceptional one-day record, and he just continues to be a world-class bowler now. He does it on the big occasions.”He showed that he’s really developed his skills at the back-end of the innings. He’s always had the reputation of being an outstanding new-ball bowler, but you see the development in his game is using that slower bouncer and different fields, etc at the back end. He’s a much more rounded bowler and that’s why he’s having success across formats.”Two of New Zealand’s frontline quicks, who usually operate with the old ball, Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, were sidelined from the Champions Trophy even before the start of the tournament. All of Will O’Rourke, Nathan Smith and Jacob Duffy had never played in an ICC tournament before this Champions Trophy, but despite various setbacks, Henry has made Black Caps’ seam attack work across four venues in two countries.ESPNcricinfo LtdHe won’t agree that he’s the leader of this attack, but he certainly has all the attributes of one: he fronts up to bowl across phases, produces significant breakthroughs and is often spotted at mid-on or mid-off, passing inputs to the rookie bowlers and putting his arm around them, like a protective older brother embracing his younger one, when they get hit.All of New Zealand perhaps went down with Henry when he landed awkwardly on his shoulder to grab the catch of Heinrich Klaasen at long-on in the semi-final against South Africa. Henry then picked himself and New Zealand up, returning to bowl two boundary-less overs at the death to go with the wicket of Kagiso Rabada with a grippy offcutter from over the wicket. New Zealand are hoping that he will be fit for the final.India, of course, will be more familiar with new-ball Henry. He blitzed through their line-ups in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final in Manchester and more recently in the Bengaluru Test last year with his mastery of the upright as well as the wobble seam. He even tricked Shubman Gill into playing across the line with an inducker when New Zealand met India in Dubai.Henry makes things happen with the new ball. Now, he can make things happen with the old ball too. Bet against Henry 2.0 at your own peril.