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It’s a new era at Tottenham Hotspur, and the imminent departure of iconic captain Heung-min Son perhaps best encapsulates the changing of the guard.

After winning the Europa League in May, Daniel Levy decided to dismiss Ange Postecoglou and bring in Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who has done such good work in west London.

Ange left a hero, but it was probably the correct decision, for Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and looked so susceptible defensively.

But he made a promise, and he kept that promise.

It’s a new era, but Tottenham’s pre-season preparations with Frank at the helm haven’t been without their disruptions. Son is set to play his football away from N17, and James Maddison faces a lengthy return to the infirmary.

Pre-season blows at Spurs

Son, having won silverware in his final competitive month at Tottenham, has established legendary status at the club. However, he will leave having restored title-winning success, closing in on a move to LAFC in the United States.

This has been coming, but the departure of a key attacking talent has been exacerbated by the cruel injury suffered by Maddison in pre-season last weekend, stretchered off against Newcastle United with a suspected knee injury.

Following the Morgan Gibbs White debacle, failing in their pursuit of the Nottingham Forest playmaker after being accused of an illegal approach, this is a bleak setback for Frank’s project in its infancy.

And Son’s exit too highlights the need for reinforcements, with the new Premier League season less than two weeks away.

All in all, though, banking £20m for a player who is on the decline, no matter how influential, is decent business for the Lilywhites, but they will need to sign a replacement, even having landed West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus for a £55m fee.

Spurs lining up deal for CL superstar

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, 24, withis set for face-to-face talks with president Florentino Perez as his future continues to be a talking point amid Tottenham interest.

Despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, it’s beginning to look like Spurs are the most likely destination for the Brazil international, should he jump ship this summer.

Son’s departure opens up a window of opportunity for the outfit, who are now expected to formally pursue a deal and secure Frank a marquee man at the beginning of his tenure.

Why Spurs must push for Rodrygo

Kudus is a fantastic winger who will add some electric athleticism to Tottenham’s senior set-up, but he’s not yet proven himself to be a goalscoring presence in the vein of Son.

Rodrygo, however, is “terrifyingly good” in front of goal, so says Sky Sports reporter Sam Tighe, having scored 50 goals across the past three campaigns with Real Madrid despite having routinely played out of position on the right flank.

Because of this, Rodrygo’s natural aptitude for making the net bulge suggests that he could fit right into life at Tottenham as Son’s successor, for he actually clinched six goals and six assists apiece over just 12 games as a left-sided forward in 2024/25, limited in his natural position due to Vincius Junior’s presence.

The South Korean has been recorded to have been the statistical best finisher in football since 2014, one year before his Tottenham career commenced, and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous Premier League wingers of his generation.

Big boots to fill, but that’s why Rodrygo is perfect. The Brazilian is accustomed to pressure, having played out the lion’s share of his senior years at the biggest club in the world, and is dynamic enough that his goalscoring ability, described as “unstoppable” by Madrid columist Kiyan Sobhani when at its slickest, is built atop a wide-ranging skill set.

As you can see below, the two forwards actually rank up rather similarly over the past year, so he could dovetail right in, especially with Frank being something of an expert at raising the level of his wide forwards.

Rodrygo vs Heung-min Son (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)	Rodrygo	Son
Goals	0.35	0.32
Assists	0.22	0.32
Shots taken	2.54	2.46
Shot-creating actions	4.56	4.89
Pass completion	85.7%	78%
Touches (att pen)	5.84	4.70
Progressive passes	4.69	4.28
Progressive carries	5.07	5.41
Successful take-ons	2.15	1.59
Data via FBref

However, Rodrygo’s tactical dynamism and propensity for success across a range of positions have also seen him likened to Maddison by data-powered site FBref, along with Son.

Maddison, 28, faces the unknown once again, and the potential loss of his creativity and passing for a large chunk of the upcoming term is a concerning thought indeed.

However, Rodrygo has the skill set to add some sparkle to the playmaking side of the Tottenham system, averaging just north of a key pass per game across the entirety of his Real Madrid career, as per WhoScored.

Let’s not forget, Maddison blew the Premier League away upon signing for Tottenham, picking up the division’s Player of the Month award for August 2023 as he served as the fulcrum of Postecoglou’s staggering start to life at the helm.

The Real Madrid man’s 85.7% pass completion average further bespeaks his ability to promote fluency and control through deeper build-up phases of play, something Frank will undoubtedly look to capture and direct as he implements a slower, more controlled style of football than that of his predecessor.

Ultimately, Tottenham have suffered a setback through the injury to Maddison. It’s not what was needed as Son prepared for his poignant send-off.

However, there remains almost a month of the market being open for business, and if Levy can pull off a deal for Rodrygo, there’s no question that this football club will be primed for success on an even grander stage than the 2024/25 season.

The Premier League season is upon us, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is determined to reclaim his crown.

It’s curious to think that Guardiola is entering the campaign as something of an underdog as far as the title chase is concerned, but perhaps the critics are forgetting that the peerless tactician will have a chip on his shoulder, and that he’s responded from a bump in the road with a domestic double in 2020/21, winning the top-flight title and the Carabao Cup.

But there’s no denying City were reduced to a state of mortality last season, at times so vulnerable in defence and lacking throughout the seamless fluency and grace that the manager’s illustrious project has come to be defined by.

With Guardiola ostensibly stepping into the penultimate year of his contract, he will demand nothing less than glory from both himself and his squad.

Let’s have a look at the state of play.

The state of play at Man City

Manchester City haven’t quite completed as noisy a rebuild as some of their prominent Premier League rivals, but that hardly denotes a worrying transfer window for Pep and his suits.

The dethroned champions have won six of the past seven league titles, and despite losing Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish, have added to their ranks talents such as Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri to recalibrate the creative flow.

James Trafford has also been added between the sticks in a £31m deal, but with Ederson’s future up in the air, it’s felt that a bid is forthcoming for ostracised Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

These are all good signings, perhaps ingredients from which the Spanish boss can work his magic. But given that down the M62, Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the reigning champions, have made sweeping, startling changes, more could be required.

Liverpool are gearing up to sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but the Etihad Stadium side may well plan to land their own version of the Swedish forward.

Man City eyeing marquee signing

According to sources in Spain, Man City are preparing a seismic offer for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, with Guardiola having registered his interest in the Brazil forward this month.

The trophy-winning outfit haven’t splurged nearly as much as some of their rivals this summer, and have the means to fork out a significant fee on the 24-year-old, who Los Blancos have valued at €100m (£86m).

With Tottenham Hotspur chasing a deal for Savinho, completion there would accelerate the Sky Blues’ bid. This one will likely drag into the closing stages of the window.

What Rodrygo would bring to Man City

It’s impossible to accurately predict how each side will fare in the build-up to any given campaign. Invariably, certain players and clubs exceed expectations, while others shock the world with their withering away.

However, it would be fair to suggest that Man City expect to improve on their woes from last season, finishing third with and losing the FA Cup, going trophyless but for success in the Community Shield.

And should they complete a marquee move for Rodrygo, the chances of returning to their finest form increase exponentially. He is that good.

Hailed as “the jewel in the crown” by one analyst discussing Real Madrid, Rodrygo struggled to reach his peak levels last year and maybe even fell by the wayside, unable to break his duck across his last 17 La Liga matches and only scored six times in the division.

However, the right-footer was also limited to performances on the right flank, and he prepares to peel off the left so as to maximise his goalscoring potential. Across all competitions, he featured 12 times as a left winger in 2024/25, scoring six goals and supplying six assists.

Should Guardiola succeed in energising Rodrygo’s potency, he might land his answer to Isak, who could secure his place as Liverpool’s talisman in the coming weeks.

The South American star would rival Erling Haaland as the club’s standout forward – marking an upgrade on Savinho – by turns supplying the Norwegian and then cutting into space and striking on goal himself. Given that he only missed one big chance in the Spanish top-flight last term, via Sofascore, prolific levels could be achieved by a manager in Guardiola, who certainly knows what he’s doing on the tactical front.

Rodrygo vs Savinho (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Rodrygo

Savinho

Goals

0.35

0.08

Assists

0.22

0.35

Shots taken

2.54

2.77

Shot-creating actions

4.56

5.15

Pass completion

85.7%

80.6%

Touches (att pen)

5.84

7.57

Progressive passes

4.69

3.19

Progressive carries

5.07

6.61

Successful take-ons

2.15

2.69

Data via FBref

Even after his lowest ebb, the £209k-per-week talent managed to far outstrip the talented but untapped Savinho from an output perspective, and he has the physical and technical skills to rise further still, with his teammate Jude Bellingham even saying that he’s “probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad.”

Securing a world-class winger of his distinction, who is versatile and can play across the frontline, thus aligning with Pep’s demands of his forwards, could certainly prove the answer to Isak, who is sure to bring more goals to the Anfield table than his predecessor Darwin Nunez, should he sign for Liverpool this month.

Rodrygo, moreover, has a remarkable track record in the Champions League; City know all too well the Brazilian’s prowess in the knockout rounds. This is something that could bear dividends as the club quest for their second title in Europe’s elite competition.

Isak might have scored 27 goals across all competitions last season, but Rodrygo has the capacity to rain both goals and assists on Man City’s opponents next season, and across multiple competitions at that.

There seems to be a strange kind of deflation around the expectations of England’s dominant team of the age, but rivals and critics can doubt the Etihad side at their own peril.

Guardiola’s done it all before, and so, interestingly, has Rodrygo.

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كشفت رابطة الدوري الإسباني عن جائزة رجل مباراة نادي برشلونة أمام نظيره ريال أوفييدو ، والتي لعبت اليوم الخميس ضمن منافسات المسابقة المحلية.

وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال أوفييدو اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

واستطاع برشلونة قلب تأخره بهدف أمام ريال أوفييدو، إلى انتصار مثير بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد، حيث حافظ البلوجرانا على مركز الوصافة في الليجا.

وبات لدى برشلونة 16 نقطة في المركز الثاني على سلم ترتيب الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، وذلك خلف ريال مدريد بنقطتين فقط والمتصدر ب18 نقطة بالعلامة الكاملة.

أقرأ أيضًا .. فيديو | أراوخو يسجل هدف برشلونة الثالث أمام ريال أوفييدو

وتم اختيار مدافع نادي برشلونة، إريك جارسيا، كرجل مباراة البلوجرانا وريال أوفييدو، بعد مستواه في لقاء اليوم.

جارسيا لعب بشكل جيد للغاية وسجل هدف برشلونة الأول، والذي كان بوابة انتصار الفريق الكتالوني اليوم.

ولعب جارسيا في لقاء اليوم كظهير أيمن، لكن اللاعب أصبح ظهيرًا أيسر في شوط اللقاء الثاني بعد خروج جيرارد مارتن.

ويعول مدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، على جارسيا بشكل أساسي خلال هذا الموسم، وذلك في ظل مستوى اللاعب المميز.

استقر يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، على تشكيل فريقه في مباراة نظيره المصري اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتقام المباراة على استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2025-2026.

طالع.. خاص | سبب استبعاد شيكو بانزا من مباراة الزمالك والمصري

ويحتل المصري المركز الأول في جدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 11 نقطة من 5 مباريات، بعدما حقق 3 انتصارات وتعادل مرتين

فيما يأتي الزمالك ثانيًا برصيد 10 نقاط، جمعها من الفوز في 3 مباريات والتعادل مرة والخسارة في أخرى.

تشكيل الزمالك أمام المصري في الدوري.. آدم كايد أساسيًا تشكيل الزمالك المتوقع أمام المصري

حراسة المرمى: محمد صبحي

خط الدفاع: محمود بنتايج وحسام عبد المجيد ومحمد إسماعيل أو صلاح مصدق، عمر جابر

خط الوسط: دونجا – ناصر ماهر – عبد الله السعيد

خط الهجوم: خوان بيزيرا – عدي الدباغ – عبد الحميد معالي.

So far, this summer has been a brilliant one for Chelsea.

The Blues are the last English side at the Club World Cup and stand a great chance of winning it all.

On top of that, the fans haven’t had to wait very long for the club to bring in some exciting players, with the likes of Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr already through the door.

Moreover, João Pedro completed his medical yesterday afternoon. However, if reports are to be believed, he could have some serious competition next season as the West Londoners are now linked with a goalscorer who’d be an even more exciting signing than the Brazilian.

Chelsea target goalscoring machine

With Champions League football back on the agenda for Chelsea next season, the Blues have been linked with a plethora of incredibly exciting attackers in recent weeks, such as Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.

Transfer Focus

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

The former is reportedly available for around £60m, and managed to rack up a haul of 19 goal involvements in 33 games this season, while the latter could cost up to £60m and recorded a tally of 21 goal involvements in 58 games.

However, while both players would surely help improve the West Londoners’ squad and offensive options, neither one plays up top and therefore wouldn’t really be competition for Pedro, unlike Hugo Ekitiké.

Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Chelsea have maintained their interest in the Eintracht Frankfurt star from earlier in the season.

The report claims that the prolific Frenchman is still ‘being monitored’ by the Blues, despite the signing of the Brighton ace.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but according to reports from late last month, the 23-year-old is valued at €100m by his club, which is around £85m.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but one Chelsea should pursue, as Ekitike would be a more exciting signing than Pedro.

Why Ekitike would be a more exciting signing than Pedro

What is it that excites football fans more than anything else? Goals, goals and more goals.

Therefore, the first and arguably most important reason why Ekitike would end up being a more exciting signing than Pedro is the simple fact that he is a far more effective scorer and assister of goals.

For example, in 48 appearances this season, totalling 3644 minutes, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace scored a mammoth 22 goals and provided 12 assists for good measure.

Appearances

48

30

Minutes

3644′

2136′

Goals

22

10

Assists

12

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

0.56

Minutes per Goal Involvement

107.17

125.64′

That means he was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.41 games, or every 107.17 minutes.

In contrast, the former Brighton star scored ten goals and provided seven assists in 30 appearances, totalling 2136 minutes, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.76 games, or every 125.64 minutes.

Okay then, after goals, what else do fans want to see when they watch football?

Well, for our money, we reckon they want to see attackers running at, taking on and beating opposition defenders, either through intricate skill or marauding strength.

Interestingly, this is once again another area in which the Frankfurt star, whom journalist Graeme Bailey once dubbed the “next Mbappé,” comes out on top.

According to FBref, he outperforms the new Blues ace in successful take-ons, carries into the final third and into the penalty area, all per 90.

Therefore, he’s not only likely to score more goals than the Brazilian, but he’s also likely to cause more mayhem for the opposition’s backline to boot.

Ultimately, both strikers would be excellent additions to Chelsea’s squad, but from everything we’ve examined here, it looks like Ekitike would be the more exciting signing.

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Aston Villa have now submitted an enquiry over a deal to sign a “highly-talented” midfielder, according to reporter Mohamed Toubache-Ter on X.

Villa's summer transfer plans taking shape

Villa’s summer transfer business could be significantly hampered by their failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League, following Thomas Bramall’s controversial decision to rule out Morgan Rogers’ opening goal at Old Trafford last Sunday.

Missing out on the top five may also be a double whammy for Unai Emery, as the manager could now find it more difficult to hold on to some of his better players, with Emiliano Martinez looking like he could be heading for the exit door this summer.

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As such, signing a new goalkeeper is on the agenda for the Villans in the upcoming window, while they are also clearly keen on bringing in a new central midfielder, having been linked with a range of different targets in both positions.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Aaron Ramsdale

Southampton

£25m

Joan Garcia

Espanyol

£25m

Mateus Fernandes

Southampton

£30m

Angel Gomes

Lille

£0

Caoimhin Kelleher

Liverpool

£40m

Fernandes and Gomes could be able to make an instant impact at Villa Park, given that the former has experience in the Premier League, while the Lille star’s performances in Ligue 1 last season earned him a first England call-up from Lee Carsley.

However, there have also been reports that Aston Villa and NSWE could be willing to take a risk on more of an unknown quantity, with Toubache-Ter taking to X to reveal Emery’s side have now made an enquiry about “highly talented” Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui.

A further report goes on to state that Italian giants Juventus have also expressed an interest in El Aynaoui, who is now looking likely to leave Lens this summer, having previously been close to joining AS Monaco before failing a medical.

El Aynaoui impressing in France

Gomes may be the more well-known Ligue 1 central midfielder, but the Lens star was arguably just as impressive last season, putting in some particularly solid performances in an attacking sense, having picked up eight goals and one assist in 24 games.

The Nancy-born midfielder routinely finds the back of the net for Lens, but he is also clearly a well-rounded central midfielder, considering he places in the 95th percentile for interceptions and blocks per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

As such, while El Aynaoui, 23, wouldn’t be the most high-profile of signings for Aston Villa, there are plenty of indications that he could be a shrewd acquisition this summer, and it is promising news that steps are being taken to assess a potential deal.

Manchester United have now entered shock talks to sign another “unbelievable” forward after Matheus Cunha, according to a report.

Man Utd pursuing new forwards despite agreeing Cunha deal

Man United’s deal for Cunha is now edging closer to completion, with Fabrizio Romano recently confirming that a £62.5m fee has been agreed, with the Brazilian poised to sign a contract until 2030, which includes the option for an extra year.

It will be welcome news that the Wolverhampton Wanderers star is still keen on a move to Old Trafford, despite the fact that European football will not be on offer next season, but he is not the only forward United have their eye on.

In fact, a whole host of strikers have been identified as potential targets for the Red Devils, given that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled in front of goal throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

Target

Current club

Potential cost

Moise Kean

Fiorentina

£44m

Liam Delap

Ipswich Town

£30m

Viktor Gyokeres

Sporting CP

£64m

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace

£50m

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United and INEOS are also stepping up their pursuit of a different Premier League forward, having now entered shock talks over a deal for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.

Mbeumo has just one year remaining on his contract with the Bees, which means his current employers may feel the need to cash-in this summer to avoid losing him on a free, and the London club are expected to hold out for a fee of around £50m.

Thomas Frank has also admitted that Brentford would consider a sale this summer, saying: “I would like to keep him, but we are a selling club so if someone comes in with the right price.”

Mbeumo could be "unbelievable" signing for Man Utd

Ruben Amorim desperately needs a proven goalscorer, considering Hojlund and Zirkzee amassed just seven Premier League goals between them during the 2024-25 season, and the Cameroon international certainly fits the bill in that regard.

After scoring in his side’s final game of the season against Wolves, the France-born winger reached the 20-goal mark, taking his total to 29 goals and assists in all competitions, which is a fantastic return.

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Journalist Sam Tabuteau has also lauded the 25-year-old for his “unbelievable” attacking numbers, which undoubtedly played a big part in being nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award.

That said, while Mbeumo is capable of playing at striker, the former Troyes man is more accustomed to playing on the wing, so Man United should look to bring in an out-and-out centre-forward alongside him.

It remains to be seen whether Viktor Gyokeres will be keen on a move to Old Trafford, given that Champions League football is not on offer, but the Swede would be an exciting signing, having now scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP.

Already planning ahead to the summer transfer window, Everton have reportedly added a Player of the Year winner to their shortlist, which includes three other midfield targets.

Everton's midfield plans explained

With Abdoulaye Doucoure on course to depart as a free agent at the end of the current campaign, the Toffees have reportedly set their sights on a number of potential replacements. The Frenchman has enjoyed an impressive campaign and finding someone who will have the same influence on David Moyes’ side will no doubt prove to be a difficult, but crucial task.

As things stand, names such as Wilfred Ndidi, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Sunderland captain Dan Neil have all been mentioned as targets, with The Friedkin Group willing to shop in the Championship market this summer.

Dewsbury-Hall, out of those three options, is the most interesting name on that list of targets. The former Leicester City star has struggled to break into Enzo Maresca’s Premier League side at Chelsea and has often found himself relegated to Europa Conference League responsibilities. Now, a year on from arriving at Stamford Bridge, he looks destined to depart.

Meanwhile, Ndidi would likely be the cheapest option of the lot, given that he reportedly has a relegation release clause worth just £9m at Leicester City. For a player with such invaluable experience, a price tag below the £10m mark should be considered an undeniable steal.

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Whether Everton decide to push on and land Dewsbury-Hall, Neil or Ndidi this summer remains to be seen, however. Instead, Friedkin could turn towards a player who has just picked up a Player of the Year award.

Everton add Gustavo Hamer to shortlist

According to TeamTalk, Everton have now added Gustavo Hamer to their midfield shortlist, which now reportedly sits at four names ahead of the summer transfer window. The Sheffield United star enjoyed a standout season even as the Blades missed out on automatic promotion in the Championship and could yet find himself on the move as a result.

Earning plenty of praise after picking up the Player of the Season award, Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder told reporters when asked about Hamer’s quality: “When Gus speaks, everybody listens. And rightly so, there should have been interest in him in the summer, because of how outstanding he was in an incredibly disappointing campaign for us. He cleaned up in the Player of the Year awards, so there was always going to be interest in him.”

With nine goals and seven assists in all competitions, the midfield star will be looking to perform one or two more moments of magic to seal promotion through the play-offs for Sheffield United, before potentially earning the big move that he deserves this summer.

Recent success of NZ and SA amid limited resources meant wholesale change was needed for England to move forward

Vithushan Ehantharajah23-Mar-2025It was in the immediate aftermath of England Women’s dramatic 50-over World Cup final win over India at Lord’s that Heather Knight got a snapshot of how quickly live evolves as a recognisable England captain.Not long after Anya Shrubsole had yorked Rajeshwari Gayakwad to secure the trophy, Knight raced out the Grace Gates to throw up after eating a rogue piece of chicken. Somehow, despite still being in her kit, she managed to do what she needed to do – doubled over next to a fancy car – and re-entered the ground without being spotted.A few days later, dressed in her own clothes at Euston station, nursing a well-deserved hangover, she was stopped by members of the public. They had noticed this fellow commuter, despite her attempts to blend in, happened to be the one losing her mind on the big screens, which were showing replays of that victorious moments and the celebrations that followed.Related

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Despite assuming the captaincy following the seismic axing of Charlotte Edwards the year before, by which point she was an established batter in her own right, it was 2017’s success that propelled Knight as a talismanic figure in the women’s game. One who went on to become a headlining cricketer on the global stage. And, on Saturday, as necessary high-profile collateral following a humiliating 16-0 defeat in the Ashes.After 199 matches in charge, Knight boasts a 67 per cent win percentage, ahead of Edwards’ 64 from a larger sample size. It is a metric that elevates her as England Women’s most successful captain. And yet, that doesn’t quite scratch the surface when assessing her nine years at the helm.Across a period of expanding horizons in the women’s game, Knight moved with the times. Her consistency with the bat throughout, across all formats, reflected as much. A prim and proper base was gradually furnished with flair as she led from the front in pursuit of a more expansive batting from the whole.Through constant tinkering, she incorporated a higher back-lift to improve her boundary-hitting, particularly on slower pitches. Knight’s recent record in T20Is, her weakest international code, showcases the benefits of that graft; since the start of 2020, she has struck 158 fours and 25 sixes in 59 innings, having only managed 73 and 12 in the previous 56.Captaincy, however, took the most work. By Knight’s own admission, she was never the best public speaker and was wary of not possessing the requisite interpersonal skills to knit together a dressing room of varying personalities when she took on the big job in June 2016. She enlisted the help of team psychologists to become a better orator, and went on to undertake a Leadership in Sport course at the University of Buckinghamshire in 2021.The best example of her management skills came in the lead-up to 2017’s success, when she got the squad to confront why England had been found wanting in pressure situations. Such issues had previously been swept under the carpet.They responded well then, and Knight was able to repeat the trick with an altogether different group in 2023, as the Ashes were squared just as Australia were speaking a whitewash into existence. They got their way in the return leg earlier this year.Heather Knight deals with the feeling of defeat•ICC/Getty ImagesA criticism of Knight could probably be that she stopped short of truly imposing herself in the dressing room. Under three different coaches – Mark Robinson, Lisa Keightley and Jon Lewis – she had the scope to mould a team in her image, particularly under the last two.That Knight did not was partly down to loyalty to those coaches, not wishing to impinge on their work. At the same time, she knew her worth; was unafraid to grasp the nettle and disagree with their plans, and not always being diplomatic about it. But a reticence for a more over-arching presence is perhaps a reason why the team felt so lost without her. Even Lewis, who left his role on Friday, tried to rectify this blind spot by attempting to force-feed nous to the rest of the players so they may thrive in her absence.By the end, Knight’s tactical acumen and in-game feel were unparalleled, and that was apparent in 2022’s Commonwealth Games, which she missed with a hip issue, and more so in the Group Stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Needing to beat West Indies to secure qualification to the latter stages, Knight had to retire hurt in the first innings with a calf injury. Not only did it halt England’s momentum with the bat, but a listless performance in the field allowed West Indies to chase down a target of 142 with six wickets and two overs to spare.That England have never won the Ashes under Knight’s watch will jar, 8-8 draws in 2017/18 and 2023 the best it got. The fact her other two final visits – 2018’s World T20 and 2022’s ODI World Cup – resulted in heavy defeats to Australia reflects an ever-growing gap far beyond Knight’s control. The recent success of New Zealand and South Africa from their limited resources a reason why wholesale changes were needed for the English game to move forward.At this juncture, it is worth taking a step back and acknowledging Knight was far more than just a captain. For the longest time, being a women’s cricketer has required a level of ambassadorial stewardship, and the influx of cash and opportunities has only heightened the political requirements involved. Few have led the line on these fronts quite as well as Knight, who just a few weeks ago criticised her own board for the widening pay gap in The Hundred. Since 2020, she has served as vice-chair of the Professional Cricketers’ Association.During the Covid-19 pandemic, Knight used her role as captain to position herself at the forefront of important conversations, particularly as the women’s game was parked. Balancing the understanding of the economic realities of prioritising the men’s game during the 2020 season, she remained forthright about the sidelining of the women, which included the lack of clarity around her team’s schedule, and the postponement of 2021’s World Cup. That summer, she also signed up to the NHS volunteer scheme, transporting medicine and speaking to those who were self-isolating.As such, the news that Knight will continue on is a boost to all concerned. She remains England’s best batter and one of the most impressive representatives of the women’s game. Her time as captain may have come to an end, but her work as a leader goes on.

The allrounder dedicated the win to her mother, who played a crucial role in her rise as a cricketer

Zenia D'cunha16-Mar-2023 [The only thing in my mind was that I want to win this match.] It feels normal to me [playing against the big names], I don’t feel pressure.”There was a dazzling smile on 20-year-old Kanika Ahuja’s face when she walked into the press conference room after powering Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first win in the Women’s Premier League. She spoke with confidence, about talking with Virat Kohli and trying to imitate the 360-degree shots of Suryakumar Yadav.It was her first press conference, Ahuja said later, but why would there be nerves? She had just stepped up and done what no veteran in her team had – handled pressure and got those first points. Ahuja’s 46 off 30 balls is the highest score by an uncapped player in the WPL so far, and it came at a crucial time – in a must-win match after five straight losses.Royal Challengers were chasing only 136 but had lost their big three – Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine and Ellyse Perry – when Ahuja began her innings in the seventh over. Heather Knight was dismissed soon after, with Royal Challengers needing 76 off 66 balls and in the middle of an all-too-familiar batting crisis.How does Ahuja respond? By sticking to her game, finding the boundary, and keeping the asking rate in control. “The target was small so there was a chance to take my time and play, that’s what I did,” she said. “I waited for the loose balls and the only thing in my mind was that we have to win.”UP Warriorz’s Australian allrounder Grace Harris said Ahuja had played a smart innings. “She played the conditions and bowlers very well,” Harris said. “She saw pace on a couple of times and ramped [scooped] us, I thought that was very clever. She has got a good bat swing and as a left-hander, she can get under the ball.”Kanika Ahuja’s 46 off 30 balls had some 360-degree strokeplay•BCCIAhuja had already shown glimpses of her potential in the match against Mumbai Indians, where she scored 22 off 13 balls. “Everyone told me my intent was good but that I can do better. I regretted that I got a chance and got out early.” Against Warriorz, she missed a half-century by four runs but there were no regrets; her team had finally won and that’s all that mattered for now.Ahuja dedicated the moment to her mother, her strongest support. “There was a time when my mother used to push me to play. Now, she is not doing well physically and I am playing here for her, playing because she is watching me.”Cricket was initially a way for her mother to get Ahuja out of the house as a child, but soon it meant more and it was her mother who stood by this decision.”I used to mainly go because my mother would tell me to go out and play and not trouble her at home. If I was at home, I would fly kites on the roof so she would push me to go out and play,” Ahuja said with a laugh. “My family didn’t even know that there is cricket for girls… My father told me to focus on my studies as there is nothing in cricket, but my mother would say go and play.”That initial push to play and the continued support has brought Ahuja to the DY Patil Stadium, where thousands of fans chanted her name on Wednesday night. “I was enjoying it, it felt very good to hear ‘Kanika, Kanika’. It’s the dream of every player that people cheer for them, it didn’t feel like pressure at all.”Ahuja is known for her big-hitting skills. In September, she scored 305 not out off 122 balls for Patiala in Punjab’s inter-district women’s senior one-day tournament. But to do it in your home state is different from nailing your shots in the WPL, irrespective of boundary sizes.But again, what is pressure to one so cool? “Virat sir said that it’s not pressure, it’s pleasure.”Kohli had met the Royal Challengers women’s team on the morning of their game against Warriorz. “He motivated us, some of his words stuck with me and it helped,” Ahuja said. “When you are playing, don’t take it as pressure, it’s a pleasure that you are playing. Some people don’t get the chance.”Kohli is not the only India men’s cricketer that Ahuja looks to for inspiration. You can see some of Suryakumar’s 360-degree range in her strokeplay. She also has an infectious energy on the field, as evidenced by Devine literally sweeping her off her feet after taking a catch.A left-handed power-hitter who bowls as well, Ahuja is a prospect for the future, and the WPL is a platform built for players like her. Despite their poor results this season, Royal Challengers have the system to be a finishing school for players like Ahuja and Shreyanka Patil, who scored the winning runs against Warriorz. “This is a great experience as a domestic player to play against international players,” Ahuja said. “If we prepare now, it will help the Indian team ahead.”Playing for India is her ultimate dream and Ahuja is on course to achieve it.