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The last remaining spot will go to the winner of the Delhi vs Uttarakhand game

Varun Shetty01-Mar-2021

Mumbai, Saurashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala have filled up the last four automatic qualification spots for the quarter-final stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. They join Gujarat, Andhra, and Karnataka, who had sealed qualification on Sunday by topping their respective groups. The eighth quarter-finalist will be decided by a playoff between Delhi, who finished eighth on the combined Elite division points table, and Uttarakhand, who finished as toppers of the Plate group.This season’s format has the top-placed teams of the five Elite division groups qualifying automatically, alongside the top two teams on points from a combined Elite division table. Mumbai won their last Group D game by 200 runs against Himachal Pradesh to finish top with five wins in five games, while Saurashtra stayed on top of Group E with 16 points despite their first loss of the season to Services.For the other two automatic qualification spots, the teams in contention were UP and Kerala (both from Group C with 16 points), Baroda (Group A, 16 points) and Delhi (Group D, 16 points). Baroda lost out to Delhi on net run-rate, while UP’s and Kerala’s vastly superior NRRs ensured they qualified as the sixth- and seventh-placed teams.The Plate division, which plays as one group, had two teams – Uttarakhand and Assam – finish with five wins in five games. But Uttarakhand’s NRR in excess of +3 was far too much for Assam to better on the final day of the league stage. As a result, it will be Uttarakhand who play Delhi for the last quarter-final spot.Group D
Mumbai began the day all-but-qualified, on 16 points with an NRR boosted by their explosiveness against Puducherry last week. They fell to 49 for 4 against HP after electing to bat and it took three of their most senior players – Suryakumar Yadav (91 off 75), Aditya Tare (83 off 98) and Shardul Thakur (92 off 57) – to not only rescue them but put them far beyond the reach of HP, who folded for 121 in a chase of 322. Legspinner Prashant Solanki, in his debut season for the Mumbai senior team, took 4 for 32 to take his tally to 11 wickets in three matches. Left-arm spinner Shams Mulani took 3 for 42, including the wicket that ended the game.Delhi’s bowlers arrested Rajasthan’s charge in the slog overs and bowled them out for 294, before an unbeaten 117 from Himmat Singh, and his unbroken 183-run stand with Nitish Rana (88 off 75) helped them win by eight wickets with more than five overs to spare. Rajasthan had been on course for bigger runs on the back of Manender Singh’s 73 and Arjit Gupta’s 51-ball 78 before Simarjeet Singh (4 for 36) and Pradeep Sangwan (3 for 62) intervened.In the only other Group D match, Maharashtra’s Yash Nahar made 119 to end his maiden List A season with 390 runs in five matches. That knock in a big partnership with Ankit Bawne, who made 110, and Rahul Tripathi’s 30-ball 59, combined to help Maharasthra put up 333 for 4 and win by 137 runs. Kedar Jadhav bowled a 10-over spell that went for 34 and got him two wickets.Nitish Rana will hope to continue his form against Uttarakhand in the upcoming knockout match for Delhi•BCCI

Group E
A career-best 158 for Rahul Singh Gahlaut helped Services pick up their second win of the season, and upset of table-toppers Saurashtra. After being put in and falling to 26 for 4, it took a 182-run stand between Gahlaut and wicketkeeper Devender Lochab (64 off 86) to lift Services past 200. They scored at more than ten an over in the last eight overs, a 21-ball 43 from former Delhi allrounder Pulkit Narang helping them get to 301 for 7. Saurashtra’s middle order collapsed in chase, courtesy of left-arm spinner Rahul Khajan Singh’s 4 for 45, and medium-pacer Varun Choudhary’s 3 for 62. They fell short by 68 runs with about seven overs to spare.Meanwhile, Jammu & Kashmir made light work of chasing down Chandigarh’s 241. Shubham Khajuria’s 120 off 86 balls, and Henan Nazir’s – playing only his second game – unbeaten 110 off 88 balls formed a partnership of 183 that came in fewer than 24 overs as they won with eight wickets and 16 overs to spare. Umar Nazir, Parvez Rasool, and Auqib Nabi had previously taken three wickets each.Bengal’s campaign ended with a loss to Haryana at the Eden Gardens. All five of Haryana’s bowlers were among the wickets, led by Sanjay Pahal’s 3 for 32, as the hosts folded for 177. In response, Haryana had fifties from both openers – Chaitanya Bishnoi and Shubham Rohilla – anchoring different parts of their chase as they won by five wickets. They did, however, finish bottom of the table.Plate divisionLeft-handed Kamal Singh made his first ton in senior cricket to help Uttarakhand post 306 against Sikkim. Sikkim’s response never took off, and they ended their campaign with the aim to bat out 50 overs – which they did, finishing on 161 for 6.In the other Plate matches, Assam and Meghalya followed similar templates – putting up scores in excess of 300 and winning by 83 and 182 runs respectively against Manipur and Mizoram.The only match to buck that trend involved Nagaland chasing down 287 with eight wickets and just about as many overs to spare. Captain Rongsen Jonathan and Shrikant Mundhe both made centuries, while allrounder Stuart Binny capped his 100th List A game with a 37-ball 55 to see them home against Arunachal Pradesh, who had been fueled by an unbeaten 138 from Rahul Dalal earlier.

Philip West has lavished Sunderland ‘warrior’ Bailey Wright with praise after they reached the League One play-off final. 

The lowdown

Sunderland beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 on aggregate to secure a shot at promotion to the Championship. Lee Gregory gave the Owls the lead at Hillsborough in the 74th minute, and the game appeared set for extra-time before Patrick Roberts scored a dramatic goal three minutes into stoppage time to send the visitors through.

Alex Neil’s side have set up a winner-takes-all meeting with Wycombe at Wembley on Saturday 21.

Wright played the full 90 minutes on the right side of a back three that also included Danny Batth and Dennis Cirkin.

The £720,000-rated ace has played every minute of league and play-off football dating back to mid-February.

The latest

West, a writer and podcaster at the Roker Report, applauded Wright for continuing to play even through injury.

He feels that the defender’s commitment epitomised the values of Sunderland as a football club.

“Bailey Wright, what a warrior,” he tweeted. “Bloodstained shirt, blood trickling down his face, but he was an absolute rock tonight. That’s what playing for this club is about. Heart of a lion.”

The verdict

The stats reflect Wright’s battling performance. He won six of the eight duels he contested on the night (75%), including five of his seven aerial battles.

It’s also worth acknowledging team-mate Batth, who sat at the heart of the back three. He too was an ‘absolute rock’ for the Black Cats, prevailing in ten out of 14 duels and also coming up with three blocks and seven clearances.

Both players deserve to be guaranteed starting places come the final.

In other news, Kieran Maguire reacts to big behind-the-scenes news. 

A new season will soon dawn, and for Arsenal, it’s the same objective: challenge for and win the Premier League.

Having finished second for three successive campaigns, Mikel Arteta knows that this year is a big one, with the Gunners in desperate need of crowning this resurgent era with silverware.

But it’s coming together, no doubt. Bukayo Saka is fully fit once again after an injury-hit 2024/25 season; Viktor Gyokeres has signed for £63.5m to end the interminable search for a focal striker.

But a first-class left-sided forward could still be added to complete the set. Not since the days of Alexis Sanchez have Arsenal had a world-class weapon on that wing.

But it’s beginning to look like such a signing could be on the cards.

Arsenal lining up new winger

Many names have been bandied about this summer, but Arsenal are reaching a point in their transfer window in which the fog will start to clear and Arteta’s final market plans will crystallise.

Fabrizio Romano claimed at the weekend that, with Gyokeres now part of the crew, the Londoners are “working on outgoings as priority” before addressing the left flank, which could do with a new part.

But when they are ready to pounce, it looks like Arsenal have lined up Eberechi Eze as their new man.

According to Caught Offside, the Gunners should be wary of rising interest from Manchester’s biggest clubs for the Three Lions star, though it’s stressed that Arsenal remain firm favourites after their sustained efforts over the past weeks.

Previous reports have revealed that Arsenal have seen an opening bid partially accepted. To be more specific, a fixed £30m fee has been agreed between the clubs, though the structure of the remainder of Eze’s £68m release clause remains unsettled.

Why Arsenal should sign Eberechi Eze

There are many reasons why Eze would be a fantastic addition to Arteta’s Arsenal squad.

The 27-year-old, first and foremost, is an electric and versatile attacking midfielder, having gone from strength to strength across his five years at Selhurst Park, culminating his journey with the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Eze’s 25-goal contribution campaign underscores his ability to provide more than just a showreel style of play. He’s increasingly potent in the final third, capable of scoring goals himself and focusing on his creativity to aid the likes of Gyokeres.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for shots taken, the top 11% for shot-creating actions and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.

He’s quite the exciting player, all right, praised for his “special” talents by BBC Sports’ Phil McNulty.

In fact, Eze could prove to bring a bit of flair and gusto to this Arsenal side in a way that would bear a likeness to that man Sanchez, who scored 80 goals and supplied 44 assists across 166 games for the Gunners, way back when.

Obviously, Eze isn’t as good as the 36-year-old was when in his Premier League prime. It wouldn’t be a bad take to claim that he was the best player in England at the height of his success at the Emirates.

Matches (starts)

38 (36)

34 (31)

Goals

24

8

Assists

10

8

Shots (on target)*

3.4 (1.3)

3.0 (0.9)

Touches*

65.0

46.6

Pass completion

74%

82%

Big chances created

10

11

Key passes

2.2

1.7

Dribbles*

2.8

2.0

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

1.4

Duels won*

6.4

4.8

Sanchez really was on another level in his Arsenal heyday, wasn’t he? Eze, obviously, isn’t at that level, but he shares many attributes with the thrill-seeking Chilean, and it’s something Arteta could use to shape him into a world-beater at the present day.

Bear in mind, furthermore, that we’re contrasting Sanchez’s finest season in the Premier League against Eze’s latest with Crystal Palace. It wouldn’t be brazen to suggest that Eze’s most fruitful days lie in front of him, should he sign for Arsenal this summer.

Thus, it’s rather exciting to see how complete, tenacious, talented the England international is at this stage of his career, refined and built into the elite player he is, but still open to taking the next step and reaching the pinnacle.

Similarities can be traced from here to Sanchez, who established himself as a high-class forward at Barcelona but lingered in the shadow of one of football’s greatest-ever frontlines: MSN.

At Arsenal, he bloomed into an iconic frontman, hailed by Arsene Wenger as being a truly “exceptional footballer”.

He wasn’t a spring chicken when he first arrived in the English capital. The South American chose Arsenal despite the vested interest of Liverpool, penned a deal worth £35m in July 2014. He was 25 at the time.

Given that the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in Eze right now, it seems Arsenal may be primed to pull off another statement signing, reeling in a player who has his heart set on north London red.

Eze is in his prime, and he’s got a taste for trophies that could be used to spearhead this project further, up and up past these years of fighting for honours and onto the biggest, grandest stage there is: winning the Premier League, sealing the Champions League, and then defending these prizes which the talented squad so desperately desire.

Given the quality of the current Arsenal attacking crop, it feels crucial that Arteta and Berta come together to get this one wrapped up.

Better than Trossard & Martinelli: Arsenal chasing £56m Eze alternative

Arsenal are looking to sign a creative player before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 28, 2025

Robinson presses England Lions claims with 6 for 63 but hosts lose early wickets and trail by 266 runs

ECB Reporters Network30-Jun-2019It is little wonder that Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson has been hoping for a call-up for the England Lions this summer. While the sensational Jofra Archer, his Sussex team-mate, has been capturing headlines, Robinson has been slowly building a reputation as one of the most consistent opening bowlers on the county circuit.When he took his fifth wicket on Sunday, on the opening day of the County Championship Division Two match against Northants, he had reached 200 first-class wickets in only his 50th match. He has now taken 110 Championship wickets since the beginning of last season. Last year he took 74 wickets at 18.66, and this summer he already has 36 at 18.77 as he spearheads his side’s bid for promotion.Robinson was not fully fit for last week’s disappointing defeat at home to Durham. But against Northants at Hove he was back to his best, achieving nasty bounce and away movement.He finished with figures of 6 for 63 as Northants were bowled out for 273 in 87 overs. But the away side were still happy with their score after winning the toss and sliding to 96 for 4 at lunch, and then 205 for 9.Northants have replaced Durham at the foot of the table and are still looking for their first Championship win of the season. Their hopes of making an impact were encouraged by the number of Sussex absentees. They were already without Archer and the injured Mir Hamza, and before this match all-rounder Chris Jordan pulled out with tonsillitis, along with Stiaan van Zyl, who has tennis elbow.Sussex were more in need of Robinson than ever before, and he didn’t disappoint. He broke through with the last ball of the opening over, when he had Ricardo Vasconcelos lbw for two. It was 29 for 2 when Rob Newton edged Robinson to keeper Ben Brown.Temba Bavuma got an inside edge to Brown, then Alex Wakely, on 36, was beaten by David Wiese and Laurie Evans took the catch at second slip.There didn’t look much chance of a recovery when Rob Keogh was lbw to Robinson with just one run added to the lunch score. And, in Robinson’s next over, Luke Procter edged and Luke Wells took an outstanding catch at third slip, moving his long arms very quickly to his left to take the chance two-handed.With Northants 99 for 6, captain Adam Rossington and Saif Zaib put on 51 for the seventh wicket and there was a last-wicket stand of 68 between Nathan Buck and Ben Sanderson before Robinson and Abi Sakande finished off the innings.Northants soon made an impact with the ball. Varun Chopra, signed on loan from Essex to stiffen their top-order batting, made just five and the returning Phil Salt a single.

Mason Greenwood walked out in Getafe colours with his mum Melanie, to mark Mother's day, during a La Liga fixture against Athletic Club on Friday.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Getafe celebrated Mother's Day with a mascot gesturePlayers walked onto the pitch accompanied by their mumsGreenwood emerged last from the tunnel with his motherWHAT HAPPENED?

Prior to their high-stakes encounter against the Basque side at the Estadio Coliseum, the entire team, including Greenwood, took to the field accompanied by their mothers, symbolising the profound impact of maternal support and encouragement in their lives. The English forward was the last player to emerge from the tunnel, holding hands with Melanie, and later posed for a team photograph with all the mothers in the frame.

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Ghanaian striker Inaki Williams emerged as the hero, propelling his team to a resounding 2-0 victory with a stunning brace over Greenwood's Getafe. It was an evening to forget for the English forward as Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon saved his penalty to preserve their clean sheet and secure the three points.

Bilbao's dominance was further underscored by the dismissal of two players, Yeray Alvarez and Aitor Paredes, reducing them to nine men in the latter stages of the match. Despite the numerical advantage, Greenwood's missed opportunity from the penalty spot denied Getafe the chance to mount a late comeback, leaving them empty-handed at the final whistle.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Getafe, who are currently occupying the 10th position in the league standings, will now shift their focus to the upcoming fixture against Cadiz on Sunday. The match presents another opportunity for Greenwood to add to his tally of 10 goals this season and contribute to his team's pursuit of success.

West Indies are set to be without Sunil Narine and Andre Russell for their ODI series against England.Narine has informed CWI that he is not yet confident enough in his bowling action to get through an ODI, while Russell has  informed them his knee is not yet up to the demands of 50-over cricket.Narine hasn’t played an ODI for more than two years, but insists he is keen to return to international cricket. He has struggled with his action for most of his career, first attempting to remodel it in 2011 and then having it reported during the Champions Trophy of 2014.He withdrew from the 2015 World Cup squad to work further on his action. He is expected to work with Carl Crowe, the spin bowling consultant, in the coming weeks. The news almost certainly ends any chance he has of playing in the 2019 World Cup.Russell’s involvement remains possible. He is fit enough for T20 cricket – he has been involved in the BPL and has just been announced as a replacement for Steve Smith in the PSL – but feels his fitness is not quite at the required level for a longer game. He last played an ODI in July.

England have taken a 2-0 series lead over Sri Lanka after victory in another rain-affected match in Pallekele

The Report by George Dobell17-Oct-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEngland have taken a 2-0 series lead over Sri Lanka after victory in another rain-affected match in Pallekele.An excellent spell of spin bowling from Adil Rashid and the well-controlled variations of Tom Curran held Sri Lanka to a total that always appeared significantly under par before Eoin Morgan marshalled a calm and controlled run chase. Victory was perhaps even more comfortable than the margins – seven wickets and 15 deliveries to spare – suggested. Sri Lanka, who have now lost 32 of their last 42 completed ODIs, will need to win both the remaining games to square the series.In many ways, this was a deeply forgettable encounter. With the toss delayed for more than five hours by rain, the match was reduced to 21-over per side and both gripping the ball and retaining footing proved challenging throughout. Not for the first time, the folly, greed or desperation (delete as appropriate) of scheduling a tour during the monsoon period was clear to see. Every day of cricket on England’s tour has been affected by rain.But an England side that is working hard to shed its reputation as flat-track bullies will take heart from such a professional performance in trying circumstances. When their Champions Trophy hopes were halted at the semi-final stage by a skilful Pakistan side and a used wicket, England recognised they had to learn some adaptability if they were going to go the extra step in such tournaments. They couldn’t just plunder vast scores on perfect batting surfaces; they had to learn to win when the ball spun or seamed or even stopped.In that respect, this soggy series may yet prove a valuable learning experience. While conditions are unlikely to bear much comparisons with those expected at the World Cup in England next year, that ability to play in a slightly more clinical manner – and the calm which is required to do so – is an adaptable skill that will serve them well.There were a couple of nervous moments here. When left-arm spinner, Amila Aponso, opened the bowling and had Jonny Bairstow miscuing to mid-off and then skidded one through Joe Root’s forward press, England found themselves at 34 for 2 and facing the prospect of a nervy chase.But so fluent was Jason Roy and so assured Morgan that Sri Lanka were never able to build any pressure. While Sri Lanka’s batsmen faced 53 dot balls, England faced 37, managing to rotate the strike and find the gaps with far greater freedom.And while Roy’s impressive innings – he got off the mark with a six flicked over midwicket off Lasith Malinga and lofted another off Akila Dananjaya – was ended when Sri Lanka reviewed a shout for leg before, so good is the form of Morgan and Ben Stokes, that victory was achieved without Jos Buttler – perhaps England finest ever ODI batsman – being required to bat.Morgan has now been dismissed just once on this tour – including the warm-up game – for an aggregate of 255 runs, while Stokes looked back to his best. He got off the mark with an apparently gentle push that raced to the long-on boundary and subsequently hit two sixes: one a scoop off Nuwan Pradeep that would have pleased Buttler; the other a thrash down the ground off Aponso that sealed the game.Sri Lanka had started the match brightly. With Niroshan Dickwella striking the ball beautifully, Sri Lanka hit nine fours in the first three overs – Olly Stone’s first over, which cost 17, included four of them – and raced to 55 without loss after five.It was to prove the high watermark of their performance. The next 16 overs realised only 95 runs and nine wickets as they lost their way against a disciplined England side that showed fine control of their variations with the ball and continued to field well despite the slippery conditions.If Curran started the rot with a perfect slower-ball delivered out of the back of his hand – Dickwella’s attempt to hit over the top resulted in a comfortable catch for mid-off – it was Rashid who inflicted the more serious damage. Striking with his second delivery, a fine googly that deceived Kusal Mendis, he followed with the wicket of Thisara Perera, whose attempt to thrash his first ball out of the ground resulted in a skied catch, and Dasun Shanaka who was also deceived by a googly.And, if the wicket of Sadeera Samarawickrama, who mishit a horrid full-toss to square-leg, owed more than a little to fortune, perhaps Rashid deserved it for retaining his composure and control despite the damp ball and decent batting surface.Dinesh Chandimal’s unconvincing innings – his 34 from 42 balls proved well off the pace – was ended by another fine back of the hand slower-ball from Curran who continues to make a strong case for inclusion in England’s full-strength side. They are the sort of problems a team loves to have a few months out from a World Cup; the sort of problems Sri Lanka must dream of at present.

Bryce Harper found out the gender of his fourth baby with his wife Kayla in a unique way during the Philadelphia Phillies-San Francisco Giants game on Monday night.

Harper's teammate Trea Turner was set to hand him a custom bat in the color that lined up with the gender of the baby. It was a total surprise to the Harpers when Turner handed the first baseman a bright blue bat at his first at-bat in the bottom of the first. The Harpers are having a boy.

This was a fun way for the family to learn the gender of the fourth baby. The Harpers currently have one son, Krew, and two daughters, Brooklyn and Kamryn.

This also seems to be the official announcement that the Harpers are expecting their fourth baby as the couple hadn't posted anything beforehand.

Unfortunately, Harper struck out during his first at-bat. The Phillies still scored three runs during the first inning, though.

Stats highlights from England’s nine-run win in the 2017 Women’s World Cup final

S Rajesh23-Jul-20173 – Number of World Cup titles for England. They had earlier won in 1993 (beat New Zealand at Lord’s) and 2009 (beat New Zealand in Sydney). This is England’s fifth final, though: they had lost the first two, to Australia, in 1982 and 1988. For India, this was their second loss in a final, after their 2005 defeat to Australia. England also won the inaugural World T20 title in 2009.6 – Wickets for Anya Shrubsole, the most by any bowler in a Women’s World Cup final, and her best in ODIs. No bowler had even taken five: the previous best was 4 for 34, by England’s Nicky Shaw in the 2009 final against New Zealand, while Australia’s Ellyse Perry took 3 for 19 in the 2013 final against West Indies. The joint fourth-best was also in today’s game: Jhulan Goswami’s 3 for 23. Shrubsole’s 6 for 46 is the third-best figures in any Women’s World Cup game; no player had taken six in a World Cup match since 1982, when New Zealand’s Jacqueline Lord took 6 for 10, also against India.28 – Runs added by India’s last six partnerships; they lost their fourth wicket at 191, after which they were bundled out for 219. Only once before have they had a worse collapse by the last six partnerships in a World Cup game: in 1982, their last six partnerships added 23 against New Zealand in Auckland. Overall, there have been five instances of their last six partnerships totalling fewer runs.167 – The biggest target successfully chased in a World Cup final: England chased down that target against New Zealand in Sydney in 2009. In five of the nine finals, the team batting first has won the final, defending scores of 184, 195, 215, 228 (today) and 259.2 – Players who have scored more runs in a World Cup final than Punam Raut, who made 86 today: Australia’s Karen Rolton made an unbeaten 107 against India in 2005, while Belinda Clark got 91 against New Zealand in 2000. Her partnership of 95 with Harmanpreet Kaur is also the third-highest in a World Cup final.21 Instances of Goswami taking three or more wickets in ODIs, which equals Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s record. No other bowler has more than 17.7.75 – India’s average opening stand since the first game of the tournament, when Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut added 144 against England. In their last eight games, they have aggregated 62 runs for the first wicket, with stands of 0, 7, 21, 4, 9, 10, 6 and 5. England’s opening stands, on the other hand, were consistent throughout the tournament: they had six 30-plus stands, though their highest was only 59.

Chris Wilder welcomed ten new faces to his Sheffield United camp last transfer window as the Blades boss went about putting together a squad that could challenge for an instant promotion back up to the Premier League.

He looks to have assembled just that with the South Yorkshire outfit very much in the Championship automatic promotion reckoning heading into some crucial games to come, which is an admirable feat considering his side are still fresh off finishing rock bottom of the pile in the top-flight on a miserable 16 points.

Now, he will want his side to immediately jump back up a league and prove that they belong in the elite division, with a potential January signing showing they certainly mean business.

Sheffield United in for ex-Premier League winner

As per a recent report from Turkish outlet Fanatik – as has been relayed by Sport Witness – the promotion chasers have reignited their interest in former England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with discussions now taking place between the ex-Liverpool midfielder’s agent and the Championship side.

Having been linked with the experienced 31-year-old in the summer window, it now looks as if a deal could be back on the table at some point this month, with his current employers Beskitas also wanting to get rid as his minutes have depleted this season playing in Turkey.

Previously lifting the Premier League title aloft with the Reds, this could be seen as a coup on the end of the second-tier side in winning Oxlade-Chamberlain, who also has alleged interest from French outfit Nantes away from Wilder’s men sniffing around.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

What Oxlade-Chamberlain could offer

Landing the former Champions League winner might mean United’s interest in picking up Southampton youngster Shea Charles is short-lived, with the Sheffield Star reporting recently that Charles was being looked at as a fresh midfield addition for the Blades despite playing for Sheffield Wednesday this season on loan.

After all, a player of Oxlade-Chamberlain’s calibre joining would be seen as a major upgrade on snapping up the loan services of the former Owls number 44, regardless of Charles’ breakout moment in the spotlight at Hillsborough.

Charles will no doubt go on to have a successful career in the game, having notched up one goal and four assists centrally for Danny Rohl’s men this season in league action, before finding his loan stay was cut short.

But, Wilder might well want the finished article in the here and now over winning himself a promising youngster, with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s versatility to play in a whole plethora of different positions also boosting his injury-depleted team significantly.

CM

115

11

3

RM

82

9

11

RW

56

5

6

LM

40

6

6

LW

26

6

0

AM

25

4

4

RB

4

0

2

DM

3

0

0

CF

1

0

0

SS

1

0

0

Crazily, Oxlade-Chamberlain has lined up in ten different positions across the course of his varied playing days, with Wilder wanting to utilise him in his preferred central midfield role with Ollie Arblaster sidelined for the foreseeable.

But, away from adding depth in a position that has also seen Tom Davies struggle with fitness, Oxlade-Chamberlain could fill in wherever at a moment’s notice and put in a competent performance which will alleviate some selection headaches for the United boss.

One concern would be that Oxlade-Chamberlain’s “incredible” days at Liverpool – as he was once described by Jurgen Klopp – are far behind now, but he showed there was still life in his legs last season with Beskitas seen in the sublime solo strike above.

He would bow out from the 2023/24 season with four goals and one assist next to his name in league action, with his prowess in attack also a big draw as to why Wilder might try and snap him up shortly.

Whilst Charles might be the flavour of the month in the second tier, United would undoubtedly show to others in the Championship they’re serious about promotion if a deal for the four-time FA Cup winner materialised.

2025 winter transfer window: Every done deal from the Championship

Every winter transfer from the second tier can be found here.

ByStephan Georgiou Feb 3, 2025