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Australia great wants the Indian team management should exercise caution on how they pick and drop players

Sreshth Shah in Bengaluru09-Sep-2018With India’s tour of England coming to an end, there’s now a buzz around their tour of Australia in November, where they will play four Tests and a limited-overs series. If Adam Gilchrist, the Australian great, is to be believed, the tour may be shaped up by how Australia’s replacements for David Warner and Steven Smith, who are in the middle of a year-long ban for the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, can step up and perform.”It’s a big setback to lose your highest run-scorers for a few years, to lose two people who have scored a high percentage of your runs, so that’s going to be the challenge for our guys against India,” Gilchrist told ESPNcricinfo in Bengaluru. “It’s a great opportunity for a few people, to come in and fill the void, but they’re big shoes to fill and that will have a big impact on the series. The big challenge for Australia will be to get the runs that their pacers and Nathan Lyon can defend.”In hindsight, and certainly after the time that has passed, the general feeling is that the punishment was a bit too harsh. But at the time everyone was really upset by it and everyone wanted stern action to be taken.”But what I’m really impressed by is how the fantastic the players have accepted it. They’ve shown the cricketing world that they know they did the wrong thing and they’ve copped a harsh ban, but they’ve just got to move on with it and return as better people and players.”Of particular interest, Gilchrist thinks, will be the battle between the quicks from both sides. In saying that, he’s been impressed with how India’s fast bowlers have performed in England.”In England, they’ve shown the potential to rip through the batting line-up,” Gilchrist said. “And they’re all fit, strong and aggressive young men so those are all the virtues you need to take on Australia in Australia.”And from an Australian perspective, we have (Mitchell) Starc, backed up by Pat Cummins, who is outstanding, and (Josh) Hazlewood is almost (Glenn) McGrath like with his methodic repetitious bowling, so there’s three guys there, and there are a couple in the wings as well. As the series goes on, we’re going to find out who has the better pace attack, and that is going to be the most intriguing part of the series.”Gilchrist was also empathetic towards India’s struggle to find a permanent wicketkeeper-batsman after MS Dhoni’s Test retirement in December 2014, but said that the Indian selectors must exercise caution on how they pick and drop players.He’s seen Australia adopt the revolving door policy since Brad Haddin’s retirement in 2015. Australia have tried Graham Manou, Matthew Wade, Peter Nevill and Peter Handscomb, before eventually recalling Tim Paine. It’s a mistake he hopes India don’t make, calling for them to instead be patient with Rishabh Pant. The 20-year old wicketkeeper so far has scores of 24, 1, 0, 18 and 5 in five Test innings.”It may take some chopping and changing, but if you churn through players too quickly, it can leave a psychological scar on their minds,” Gilchrist said. “And that can limit their efforts in producing their best. So hopefully Pant gets a nice run with the Test side.”It’s like when Shane Warne finished, it left such a big hole in the team because of the quality of player and person that Shane was. And it was the same in India when the big batting four departed. So they’re not easy gaps to fill, and Dhoni’s been as good as any in the keeper-batsman category.”

Geoffrey Boycott’s family have stated that he plans to return to commentary duties later this summer at Trent Bridge

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jul-2018Geoffrey Boycott is ambitious to return to Test commentary later this summer, at the age of 79, despite undergoing major heart surgery which left him in a Leeds hospital for 10 days.The family made Boycott’s health public in an announcement by his daughter, Emma Boycott, on Twitter.Emma Boycott said: “”My father, Geoffrey Boycott, had quadruple bypass open heart surgery on Wednesday June 27. He spent 10 days in hospital in Leeds, with most of that time in the Cardiac Critical Care unit.”The surgeon says the operation was a success and has now allowed him home to recover from the invasive surgery. This will take some time so he will not be commentating at the start of the England vs India Test series but hopes to be back at work for the third Test at Nottingham.”Boycott’s ambition to be working professionally again by mid-August is unsurprising for somebody of uncompromising and determined nature whose life revolves largely around the sport that has fulfilled him for a lifetime.Whether this will turn out to be his final season, though, must now be viewed as a possibility. His uncompromising commentary style has long had admirers and detractors both inside and outside the BBC.Last September, Henry Blofeld, two years younger than Boycott at 79, chose to bow out at Lord’s, to great acclaim, and there will be some in the higher echelons of the corporation who will wish him well and dare to contemplate the possibility of retirement.

Defensively, West Ham United have struggled in the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The Hammers, now led by Graham Potter, have one of the worst records in the top flight when it comes to conceding goals. There are only four sides that have shipped more than the East Londoners, with three of those the relegated sides.

As per Understat, West Ham have let in 59 goals this term, averaging 1.68 goals conceded per game. That overall number is actually more than three better than their expected goals against total, which is currently 62.73 xGA.

With that in mind, it might not be too much of a surprise that the Hammers are chasing some defensive reinforcements this summer.

The latest on West Ham's hunt for new defenders

One of the more ambitious defensive signings West Ham could try and make this summer would be to bring David Hancko to the club.

The Slovakian international seems destined to leave Feyenoord in a few weeks time, and Dutch publication Voetbal International report there is interest from Atletico Madrid, Al Nassr and Chelsea, as well as the Hammers.

The left-footed defender can play both left-back and left centre-back, and would add plenty of experience at the heart of the Hammers’ defence. He has made 44 appearances this term, for a Feyenoord side who have conceded just 33 top-flight goals.

Another defensive player who West Ham seem like they could be in for this summer is Kyle Walker-Peters. The Southampton man was part of a relegated side this season, but has been an important player for the South Coast side.

A report from journalist Greame Bailey suggests the Hammers are one of the sides trying to sign Walker-Peters on a free transfer this summer. However, they will face competition from his former club, Tottenham Hotspur and South London side Crystal Palace.

Despite the leaky defence at St Mary’s, there is no denying Walker-Peters’ quality. Former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl once said he is an “unbelievably smart footballer”, and compared him to legendary right-back Phillipp Lahm.

The Hammers will certainly need to raise funds to afford the wages of both of these players. There is one obvious candidate who could leave the club to make room in the wage budget.

The defender West Ham must axe this summer

One player who has had no involvement in a Hammers shirt this season is Kurt Zouma. The Frenchman, who hails from Lyon, is currently out on loan at Saudi Arabian side Al-Orobah and has not played for West Ham at all this season.

In fact, the former Chelsea player has not had too much first-team football for his temporary side Al-Orobah, either. He has only featured 16 times in all competitions, with 15 of those games coming in the Saudi Pro League.

At one stage, the centre-back was viewed as a vital cog in the works at the London Stadium. He joined the club in 2021 for £25m after leaving Chelsea, and was described as the club’s “first choice” signing at by former manager David Moyes at the time of his arrival.

The 30-year-old made just over a century of appearances in the famous claret and blue shirt, specifically reaching 103 games for the club. Zouma even skippered the club on 37 occasions and scored six times, including one goal in a 2-1 win away to Luton Town last term.

The Frenchman was also an important figure in the Hammers’ Conference League triumph back in 2022. As per Sofascore, he played seven games in that competition, averaging 2.8 aerial duels won and 1.9 tackles won per game.

Zouma stats in 2021/22 Conference League
Stat	Per 90	Total
Minutes played	68.1	477
Pass accuracy	85.5%	85.5%
Long balls completed	1.7	9
Tackles and interceptions	1.9	10
Aerial duels won	2.8	15
Stats from Sofascore

Overall, it does seem as though Zouma’s career has petered out at the London Stadium. His contract will expire in a few weeks’ time, and it seems unlikely to be renewed, given his current loan move to Al Orobah.

Not only will that free up money on the wage budget for the Hammers, but they will also be able to reinvest it into new signings that could include Hancko and Walker-Peters.

It's not Rice: West Ham facing Lampard repeat after losing "serious talent"

West Ham may soon feel the effects of a Frank Lampard repeat…

By
Joe Nuttall

May 4, 2025

da esoccer bet： Crystal Palace are reportedly keeping tabs on an "intelligent" former Premier League player, with numerous other clubs also keen on snapping him up at the end of the season.

Crystal Palace transfer news

da supremo： The Eagles could well be looking to make new signings when the January transfer window opens, having suffered a stuttering start to the season, with pressure increasingly growing on manager Roy Hodgson.

It remains to be seen how much funds will be made available for fresh faces to arrive at Selhurst Park, but it would be a surprise and a disappointment if Palace didn't do any business ahead of the second half of the season.

While January rumours have been swirling of late, with Newcastle United attacker Jacob Murphy seen as a target for Palace, a new claim focuses on a possible signing next summer.

Crystal Palace want Sam Greenwood

According to a fresh claim from TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace are one of a number of clubs who are interested in signing Leeds Uniteds Sam Greenwood, who joined Middlesbrough on loan in the summer transfer window.

"We understand that West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Fulham, Leicester and Southampton have all been keeping tabs on Greenwood’s progress in the North-East. Should Boro earn promotion, however, then a permanent stay at the Riverside could well become a very serious option for the 21-year-old."

It does look as though a January move is unlikely to come to fruition, however, considering Greenwood is contracted to Boro until the end of the season, so a switch to south London could materialise once the campaign has ended instead.

Greenwood could be an astute signing by Palace, considering he is still a maturing player who should only get better with age, already making 25 appearances in the Premier League for Leeds, scoring once and assisting four times in the competition.

The 21-year-old has been hailed for his various qualities as a footballer by former Whites manager Jesse Marsch, who said of him last year:

"First of all, he has a lot of flexibility to his game. He's played six, eight, 10, he can play striker. In some ways, it's not fair to him to try different positions, but he's an intelligent player. He fits within what we're trying to build within our team. He's a hard worker, he's an intelligent guy, he's able and that's the reason why we use him in a lot of positions, because he's very adaptable. He understands tactics and his role and he has big talent."

Crystal Palace's Premier League goalscorers this season

Total

Odsonne Edouard

6

Jean-Philippe Mateta

3

Eberechi Eze

2

Joachim Andersen

2

Jordan Ayew

1

Jeffrey Schlupp

1

Tyrick Mitchell

1

Michael Olise

1

Greenwood could add some firepower in the final third that has been lacking at Palace this season, with just 13 goals scored in as many Premier League matches before Sunday's trip to West Ham, and only Odsonne Edouard has netted more than three times in the competition.

Granted, the Englishman is still a fairly inexperienced player who hasn't yet fully proven himself at the highest level, but he is someone with lots of potential, and he could thrive under the right manager at Selhurst Park.

The lack of Tests in India’s upcoming schedule could limit the duration of their No. 1 ranking

Cricinfo staff06-Dec-2009Ironically, India have risen to the top in a format some would accuse them of neglecting – and their low frequency of Tests could cause them to lose their crown sooner rather than later. They are only the third team, after Australia and South Africa, to reach the summit of the ICC’s Test rankings since they were introduced in 2001 but their time there could be brief because of a schedule that contains only two Tests in the next 11 months.Which means the duration of their reign will be determined by how their closest rivals, South Africa and Australia, fare in the next few months. “It is a bit of a concern, as we play only two Test matches in the next six months, so it will be tough for us to maintain the position,” MS Dhoni said after India’s victory in Mumbai. “I can’t do anything about the schedule. It is good to play Test cricket, at the same time we are here to play whatever cricket we are asked to play.”Before their 2-0 victory, India were ranked third with 119 points after Sri Lanka and chart-toppers South Africa (122). The two consecutive innings victories in Kanpur and Mumbai earned India five points, taking them two clear of South Africa, while Sri Lanka slipped below Australia to fourth place.During the period in which India have only two Tests – against Bangladesh – to maintain a hold on their No. 1 position, South Africa play at least four and Australia eight. A 2-0 win against Bangladesh isn’t likely to give India too many ratings points either, so they could be overtaken depending on how South Africa do against England, and how Australia go against West Indies and Pakistan at home, and in the away series in New Zealand and against Pakistan in England.What is certain is that India will end 2009 as the No. 1 Test side because even a 3-0 victory for Australia in the ongoing series against eighth-ranked West Indies will give them only one point, taking their tally to 117, and no improvement in position.India’s immediate threat is South Africa, but they will have to beat England by a 2-0 margin or better to reclaim the No. 1 spot. A 2-0 or 3-1 victory for South Africa will take them marginally ahead of India, 3-0 will given them 126 points, and 4-0 will extend their lead over India by three. However, if England win 1-0 or 2-1, South Africa’s tally will reduce to 117, increasing India’s lead by seven points.If South Africa fail to recapture the top spot against England, India’s reign will receive an extension because even if Australia blank Pakistan 3-0 at home, following a 3-0 win against West Indies, their ratings points will increase only by three to 119. They will then need to win in New Zealand and beat Pakistan in England – an away series for Australia – to move up the ladder.

ICC Test rankings Team Matches Points Rating

India 323957 124 South Africa 30 3672122 Australia 31 3600 116 Sri Lanka 31 3574 115 England39 4102 105 Pakistan 171424 84 New Zealand 25 200180 West Indies 25 1910 76 Bangladesh 19 255 13Click here to see the ODI and player rankings rankings.

It was a strange game that saw the defending champions knocked out in an uncharaceteristic fashion. A sense of claustrophobia was in the air. The future strangled Rajasthan; the past threatened to haul in Kolkata

Sriram Veera in Durban20-May-2009Yusuf Pathan had just ran himself out and the big screen caught Shane Warne in a private moment of despair. He shook his head and stared at a distance, at nothing in particular. It was a image that one saw again at the end as Laxmi Shukla staged a brilliant match-winning partnership with Ajit Agarkar.It was a strange game that saw the defending champions knocked out in an uncharaceteristic fashion. A sense of claustrophobia was in the air. The future strangled Rajasthan; the past threatened to haul in Kolkata. Rajasthan were struggling to stay alive in the tournament while Kolkata were waging a battle against their losing habit.Until Shukla took control of the situation, the batsmen on either side were seemingly gripped with a sense of fatal attraction to doom. Rajasthan prides itself on winning the tight moments. They hadn’t lost a close game so far but the batting choked today under pressure. It’s a team that has dazzled the public with their control of nerves in big-pressure situations. Warne built his career on that trait and his boys were magnetically following their Pied Piper.Pathan had spoken about it earlier: “When you are fielding and the ball comes to you and you are in doubt whether to go for the catch or prevent the boundary, Warne has always urged us to go for the catch.” It’s that nerveless approach that set apart this team. But it wasn’t on evidence today when batting.Rajasthan’s top-order collapsed against Charl Langeveldt but their sorry tale of the day was best captured by their confused running that led to three run-outs. They walked like zombies into danger. Swapnil Asnodkar and Pathan set for singles after tapping the ball to silly point. They saw the bowler rushing past them and the non-striker retreating but they kept hanging on outside far too late. It can happen under pressure. You freeze and at times, move towards disaster knowing fully well what awaits you there. Ditto Tyron Henderson. He and Jadeja strolled across, hoping against hope that there won’t be a direct hit. It’s the kind of cracking underpressure that we have seen from Kolkata; not Rajasthan.You expected some one to stay out there and do the job. But no one did. Warne grew more desperate when he came out to bat. Suddenly, they were firing in yorkers and his intended big swings weren’t going anywhere; in the end he was just digging them out.However, they aren’t the defending champions by accident. Though they just made 101, Warne tried to lead his team to do the improbable. Kolkata aided him like only they can. At 45 for 6, Rajasthan seemed to have weaved a Houdini act again. And Warne had two overs left. Surely, he would do the job. He tried. In his third over, just after being slog-swept for a six by Shukla, he turned one in from the leg stump to hit Shukla’s pad in front of middle. But the decision didn’t go his way. He stood there for long, puzzled by the negation. It’s another Warne image that we have used to seeing over the years.A few overs later, he brought himself back with Kolkata needing 27 from 24. It was perfect timing. If he had held himself longer for his last over, it might have been too late. Warne is always there at your throat but he is extremely deadly when he senses some inhibition of mind from the opposition. Agarkar and Shukla didn’t give him the taste of blood. Agarkar stepped down the track to ping long-on; Shukla moved outside leg stump to play him with the turn. The over ended and Warne could play no more active role in the game.As ever, Warne kept running to the bowlers to keep encouraging them. Pathan came over to have a chat about the field placing. Very carefully, very deliberately, Warne kept changing his field. But nothing was working tonight. He turned gloomier by the minute. Naman Ojha, who did a superb stumping earlier to remove Hodge, missed two run-outs. Ravindra Jadeja gave an overthrow at the death. It was out of character for this team and hit them at the worst possible moment.

Chelsea secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup following an extra-time victory over Benfica at the weekend.

Reece James looked like he had powered the Blues into the next round, but a penalty from Ángel Di María sent the clash into an extra 30 minutes.

The game was suspended for a couple of hours, just minutes from the final whistle, due to a storm threat, but Chelsea finally won the clash 4-1.

It may have taken 4 hours and 39 minutes, but Enzo Maresca’s side now face off against PSG for a spot in the semi-final.

Despite the focus being on the tournament and progressing as far as possible, the manager is still keen on bolstering his squad via the transfer market.

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ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025

Reports coming from the Athletic claim that the Blues have reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion regarding a move for Joao Pedro.

The proposed deal looks set to be in excess of £50m and the Brazilian has agreed personal terms with the club.

With a medical booked in early for next week, it appears as though Maresca is closing in on signing another key target. Just what will Pedro offer the Blues?

Why Chelsea want to sign Joao Pedro

Maresca is looking to sell both Christopher Nkunku and João Félix this summer, with both players struggling for regular gametime last season.

Nkunku may have scored against Benfica, but with clubs such as Manchester United showing some interest in the Frenchman, it looks as though he might be sold.

Felix played just 20 times for Maresca last season, scoring seven times, but the Portuguese star spent the second half of the campaign out on loan at AC Milan.

Pedro’s arrival suggests one, or perhaps both, will soon be departing Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

The Brighton star is versatile, being able to operate as a centre-forward, second striker or even out wide on the left flank.

Last term, he typically operated in an advanced role centrally, scoring ten goals for the Seagulls and registering seven assists, proving he is adept in front of goal and at creating opportunities for his teammates.

Such were his performances, the 23-year-old ranks highly among his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues.

Indeed, not only does the forward rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) per 90, but he also ranks in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.33) and successful take-ons (1.34) per 90.

Furthermore, Pedro’s ability to get the ball into dangerous areas is evidenced by the fact he ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and in the top 3% for progressive carries (3.05) per 90, indicating that he will offer a lot of attacking qualities for the Blues next term.

It won’t be the only area of the squad that the Italian will be keen on strengthening, however, especially with the added demands of Champions League football next term.

As such, it’s certainly worth Chelsea bringing in a defender or two this summer.

Chelsea's search for a defender

Last season, the club conceded a total of 59 goals across all competitions from 57 matches, and this record will be something Maresca aims to improve next term.

Over the same period, Chelsea scored 120 goals. This suggests that bolstering the defence is surely a bigger priority than adding to the forward line, notably Joao Pedro.

It looks as though the Blues are keen on a defender who played against them just last weekend – Antonio Silva.

Journalist Simon Phillips stated via his Substack that the Blues have been impressed with the youngster, saying:

“Chelsea have tried and made approaches and checks on a number of potential new centre back names this summer so far and still have more to look at and in to. Chelsea have been scouting Antonio Silva of Benfica all season and already have him added to our transfer shortlist alongside his team mate, Tomas Araujo.

“But Chelsea are looking for an out and out centre back and attentions have again turned to the 21-year-old Portuguese international who has just two-years remaining on his contract.”

The centre-back is valued at €32m (£27m) according to Transfermarkt, but Benfica will be looking for a much higher fee than that to sanction a sale considering his release clause stands at around £87m.

Given their defensive issues last term, Silva would be a better signing than Pedro, that’s for sure.

Why Chelsea must sign Antonio Silva

The 21-year-old played over 40 times last season, including all four games at the Club World Cup for Benfica.

At the tournament, Silva averaged a 92% pass success rate, while winning a staggering 80% of his total duels contested, made 2.3 tackles per game and lost possession just 4.3 times per match in the States.

These performances have attracted plenty of attention, and there is no doubt that Silva is only going to get better and better.

Accurate passes

52.3

Tackles

1.5

Total duels won

4.5

Possession lost

7.7

Clearances

4.3

Balls recovered

4

After he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old with a goal against Juventus in the Champions League back in 2022, Jamie Carragher claimed the defender was “going to be a superstar” and his upwards trajectory certainly suggests so.

When compared to his peers in the Champions League last season, Silva ranked in the top 1% for clearances (7.7) per 90, while also ranking in the top 16% for aerials won (2.36) and in the top 9% for touches in the defensive penalty area (12.91) per 90.

An impressive array of statistics indeed, and considering his ceiling is extraordinarily high, Maresca must make signing Silva a key priority this summer.

Pedro will certainly add plenty of dynamism to the club’s attacking department, but it is at the heart of the defence where the real improvements are required given the problems Maresca’s men suffered last term.

As such, spending whatever it takes to bring Silva from Benfica to the Premier League must be the next move BlueCo are planning.

If he lands his signature, Silva will almost certainly be a better signing than Pedro.

Chelsea considering "incredible" Club World Cup star after scouting mission

The Blues have added him to their list of targets…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 30, 2025

Everyone loves an away day; it's such a quintessential part of football culture, going away with your mates or family and following your team up and down the country, come rain or shine.

However, as great as they are, there is something better: a European away day.

Only some of us are lucky enough to support a club that we can follow onto the continent, but when we do, it can be the highlight of the entire season. As with these trips, It's not just about the football.

Read More: The top 10 away days in the Premier League

With that in mind, Football FanCast has created a list of the top ten European away days based on the football and the destination.

10 Benfica – Lisbon

Kicking off our list is an away day to Portugal's most successful clubs and one of its nicest cities, Lisbon's SL Benfica.

The Eagles have won 38 domestic titles – the most of any team in the country – and boasts a massive and very vocal support, who can create quite the atmosphere for European games.

The city is also one of the best places to spend a weekend away, with stunning architecture, lovely weather and plenty of history and culture to get stuck into.

Lisbon is actually the oldest city in Western Europe, being founded centuries before London.

Prices aren't too bad in the city either as it comes in at 36 on the list of most expensive European cities.

9 Galatasaray – Istanbul

From the most westerly club on our list, the one furthest east: Istanbul's Galatasaray.

Gala are one of the biggest clubs in world football, so it shouldn't be surprising to learn that they are Turkey's most successful side, winning 22 Turkish Super Ligs, the most of any team in the country.

One of the biggest pluses of an away day against Gala is witnessing the stadium's intense atmosphere. Many of the teams on this list will have impressive atmospheres, but none quite reach the level found in the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.

The other benefit to this away day is the chance to explore Istanbul. The city is one of the most historically important anywhere in the world, and you can't move for significant cultural and historical sights.

Interestingly, half the city is in Europe and the other half is in Asia and this is one of the pressure points that adds even more drama to the derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, as the latter is in the European side and the former on the other.

The most famous sight in the city and one you can't leave without seeing, is the Hagia Sophia Mosque, which was completed in 537 AD.

8 Bayern Munich – Munich

Our first German club on the list, and if you're a beer aficionado, then this is the away day for you.

We're, of course, talking about Bayern Munich.

Now, from a purely footballing perspective, this is an obvious inclusion on the list as Bayern play some of the most entertaining football on the continent, they have the England captain up top, and their stadium is mightily impressive. There's nothing not to like.

However, Munich has quite a lot to offer away from the football.

If you're heading there from late September to early October, you can't miss Oktoberfest. The annual event sees one of the biggest beer festivals overtake the city, alongside a food and wine festival for those not keen on the wheaty stuff.

Aside from the food and drink, there is plenty of history to see in the city, and the surrounding mountains provide plenty of opportunities to explore nature.

Prices in Munich are relatively average, with the city coming in as the 21st most expensive in Europe.

7 Borussia Dortmund – Dortmund

There are some things that every football fan should see at one point in their life, and one of those things is Borussia Dortmund's world-famous Yellow Wall.

Dortmund are the second German club on this list, and while the attraction of Munich was partly the football and partly the destination, an away day to Dortmund is all about the football.

The club have always prided itself on playing attractive football regardless of the opposition, and while that hasn't always resulted in the best outcomes for the team, it has meant that fans are always entertained.

Pair the football with the genuinely fantastic tifos and fanfare from the almost 25,000 Yellow Wall, and you're guaranteed a great trip, regardless of how your team gets on.

Another plus to a trip here is that your money will go a little further than in Munich, with Dortmund coming in as the 46th most expensive city on the continent.

6 Paris Saint-Germain – Paris

One of the quintessential European capitals, no list of continental away days is truly complete without the addition of Paris.

Now say what you want about the City of Lights – and people have – it's undeniably the place to be for history and culture buffs.

You can hardly walk ten meters without finding another museum, so much so that Paris officially has the most museums out of any city in the world.

The football isn't bad, either.

Granted, the departure of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr over the summer has somewhat reduced the appeal of watching Paris Saint-Germain play, but it's still a privilege to watch Kylian Mbappe do his thing live.

One of the only downsides of a trip to Paris is the cost, with it coming in as Europe's ninth most expensive city.

5 Ajax – Amsterdam

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Amsterdam more than delivers on both a footballing and sightseeing front.

Ajax might not be the powerhouse they were in your dad's day – and they're practically imploding at the moment – but in an average year, they still play some beautiful football, and hey, this is a game that a lot of English clubs would fancy themselves in, so there's that.

Away from the football, the city has something for everyone.

Love art and culture? Go to the Rijksmuseum and look at some fantastic works from Rembrandt.

Want to try some new food? Explore some of the 2,293 restaurants the city has to offer. And, of course, there's the nightlife as well.

Really, the only downside is that Amsterdam comes in as the tenth most expensive city in Europe.

4 AC Milan/Inter – Milan

When it comes to iconic football stadiums, there really aren't many better than Milan's San Siro, home to both AC Milan and Inter, so both clubs make it onto our list.

After a decade of mediocrity, the Rossoneri are back to playing exciting football and winning titles, as are the Nerazzuri.

Milan is a dream for architecture fans, with sights like the Duomo easily accessible on any given day. Similarly to Paris, the Italian city is chockfull of museums to get lost in.

That said, the main attraction of this trip has to be the San Siro, so it would be well worth booking a tour of the stunning ground and its iconic spiral walkways.

As the 20th most expensive city in Europe, prices are neither here nor there.

3 Union Berlin – Berlin

Our third and final German city to make the list – we promise – is the capital, Berlin.

Until fairly recently, the biggest club in the city was Hertha Berlin. However, with their relegation last season and Union Berlin's rapid ascension to Champions League football in recent years, it's hard not to describe the latter as the city's new 'biggest side.'

UEFA has forced the club to use the city's Olympiastadion for European games, and while that has understandably upset the fans, it did lead to an awe-inspiring spectacle when they hosted Braga earlier this season. The 74,000-strong crowd created an unbelievable atmosphere and made their European matches a must-attend for fans of the game.

Away from the football, though, Berlin also happens to be one of the best places to spend a weekend away. The sheer size of the place means that there really is something for everyone.

History buffs will find something interesting around every corner, given the last century of change that the place has experienced and for party animals, there might not be a better city in all of Europe.

The city is quite expensive, but at number 14 on the list, it's not too bad.

2 Real Madrid – Madrid

Real Madrid are the biggest football club in the world, the most successful Champions League side ever and are based in the capital city of Spain; we couldn't do an away days list without including Los Blancos.

The main attraction of this trip will undoubtedly be the match itself, as the opportunity to watch Real at the Santiago Bernabeu is truly a bucket list item. The view from inside the stadium is outstanding, while the less said about the new outside facade the better.

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale are all gone, the opportunity to see Jude Bellingham swanning about the pitch like a prime Zinedine Zidane is reason enough to get a ticket.

Besides the football, there is plenty to eat and drink with the city boasting over 6,000 individual restaurants, and with the weather, you'll likely be able to enjoy your meal al fresco.

Your pocket money will go further here than at home, with Madrid coming in as Europe's 39th most expensive city.

1 Roma – Rome

Here we are then, the number one European away day on our list, and while every trip on this list is fantastic, we happen to think that going to Rome to watch Roma is the best one of them all.

Now, Roma clearly aren't a bigger club than, say, Real Madrid or AC Milan, and they probably don't play better football than Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund, but that doesn't matter.

When you watch a Champions League, Europa League, or even a Conference League game at the Stadio Olimpico, very few places are quite like it.

The singing before the game starts, the drums that go for the full 90, and the sea of waving flags all make for a genuinely memorable experience and one that doesn't quite translate through the television for whatever reason.

However, even if the football was rubbish, the city of Rome adds so much more to this trip, and for lovers of history and culture, there probably isn't a better destination on this list.

The Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Forum, the Spanish Steps, and many other historical landmarks are all within the same city.

And to round it all off, the weather is usually beautiful, the food is fantastic, and it's all pretty affordable.

Honestly, what's not to love?

On the same ground where England plundered the previous record England thrashed 21 sixes and 41 fours in becoming the first side to reach 450 in ODI history

The Report by George Dobell19-Jun-20180:42

‘Very proud day for us as a group’ – Morgan

England 481 for 6 (Hales 147, Bairstow 139) beat Australia 239 (Rashid 4-47, Moeen 3-28) by 242 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEngland thrashed the highest score in the history of ODI cricket to set up the most crushing defeat – in terms of runs – ever inflicted upon Australia.On the same Trent Bridge ground where they plundered the previous record – 444 for 3 against Pakistan in August 2016 in the most recent completed ODI on the ground – England thrashed 21 sixes and 41 fours in becoming the first side to reach 450 in ODI history. Only once in the 56-year history of List A cricket – when Surrey scored 496 for 4 against Gloucestershire at The Oval in 2007 – has any side scored more.The result means England have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Australia have now lost five ODI series in succession and eight of their last nine ODIs against England. Indeed, they have won only two of their last 16 ODIs against all opponents. It is the first time England have won back-to-back ODI series against Australia since 1986-87 and, with two games to go, they now have a chance to complete their first 5-0 whitewash over them. They won 4-0 in 2012 with one game abandoned due to poor weather.The foundation of England’s total was high-class centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Alex Hales and the quickest half-century in their ODI history from Eoin Morgan. For Bairstow, in magnificent form, it was his fourth ODI century in six innings and his sixth in 19 since his recall less than a year ago. He now has the highest batting average – 65.76 – of any man to open in ODI cricket on more than 10 occasions. The fact he is one of only two men in the top 50 of that list with a strike-rate in excess of 100 (his is 114.19) demonstrates how well he is batting. The fact that the other is his opening partner, Jason Roy, demonstrates how the game has developed and how England have been at the vanguard of that change.The pair combined perfectly here. With Roy murderous against the short ball – he played a hook in the opening overs that travelled far enough to require a visa – and Bairstow in the sort of form that makes a length delivery an opportunity to drive or pull, they posted an opening stand of 159 in 19.3 overs; the 10th highest opening partnership against Australia in ODI history.There were a couple of nervous moments. Australia called for a review when they thought they detected an inside edge on one from Stanlake that nipped back at Roy (replays showed the ball brushed his trousers), while Bairstow was dropped on 30 by Marcus Stoinis running back from mid-off and reprieved on review having been given out leg before attempting to sweep Ashton Agar.Those moments apart, this was one-way traffic. On the sort of pitch that most batsmen would like to whisk to Paris for the weekend – and most bowlers would like to never see again – England gorged and feasted on runs until they dripped down their chins.Hales soon dispelled any thought that the wicket of Roy – attempting an unwise second run – would ease Australia’s pain. A day after he had admitted – quite rightly – that he was likely to be the man to make way once Ben Stokes returned, he provided a strong case for his retention with a 62-ball century; the sixth-fastest in England’s history, all of which have come since the 2015 World Cup. Back on his home ground – the ground where he thrashed 171 against Pakistan in 2016 – he showed tremendous power but also nice placement and shot selection. Nearly two-thirds of his runs were heaved through – or over – the leg side.It looked, for a while, as if England might reach 500. Despite losing Bairstow, heaving down the throat of deep midwicket, and Jos Buttler, deceived by a slower ball, Morgan thrashed a 21-ball half-century. Having recovered from the back spasm that kept him out of the Cardiff match, Morgan not only recorded the quickest fifty in England’s ODI history but passed Ian Bell’s record to become England’s most prolific ODI run-scorer in the process.While Australia tried just about everything in the field – going round the wicket, bowling short, bowling full, even trying eight bowlers – none of it made much difference. AJ Tye, who became just the 11th man to concede 100 in an ODI innings and just the fourth to do so in fewer than 10 overs, had the ugliest figures but this was a day all of them will wake up screaming about in years to come.Australia’s reply started well enough. D’Arcy Short carved David Willey’s first ball for six and his second for four, while Travis Head brushed off a painful blow from a Mark Wood bouncer (Wood exceeded 91 mph in that first spell) to help Australia keep up with the rate for the first 12 overs.But that target – that vast target – required endless risk-taking. And after Short chipped one to mid-on, Head poked a return catch to Moeen Ali and Shaun Marsh lofted to long-on. Aaron Finch, attempting to repeat a six clobbered over long-on, was deceived by one nicely held back by Adil Rashid (Finch, moved into the middle-order to combat spin, has been dismissed by it three times in 13 balls this series) and Marcus Stoinis attempted an unwise second to Bairstow’s arm in the deep. By the time Glenn Maxwell was brilliantly caught at long-on by a leaping Liam Plunkett, it was clear this was to be a rout. Never had England won by such a large run margin in ODI cricket. England’s spinners – a key point of difference between the sides in this series – finished with seven wickets between them.Are such conditions – white balls offering little lateral movement and surfaces offering certainty of pace and carry – good for the game? The debate will continue. Certainly there were aspects of this match – mostly some outrageous hitting – that created an entertaining and memorable spectacle. And there is no doubt that the groundstaff at Trent Bridge have produced exactly what was asked of them. We can expect more of this – and not just at Trent Bridge – during next year’s World Cup.There is, though, an inflationary aspect to boundaries. At some stage, they begin to lose just a little of their novelty and, perhaps, appeal. Suffice to say, all pretence of maintaining a balance between bat and ball disappears in such circumstances. Bowlers compete in much the same way a clay pigeon does when someone goes shooting. It was a remarkable day’s cricket, but you wouldn’t want every day to be like this.There are a couple more caveats, too. This Australia attack, missing at least three first-choice seamers as it is, is not the strongest and the relatively short boundaries meant that, a couple of times, top-edges carried for sixes. On Australian grounds they may have gone to hand.But there have been weaker attacks and shorter boundaries. This was still an incredible effort from a remarkable England batting line-up that is playing wonderfully fearless, innovative and powerful cricket. As this series has progressed, it has become hard to fathom how roles have reversed since the 2015 World Cup when one of these sides lifted the trophy and the other was humiliated. It will amount to little until England do it in a global tournament but you can be sure that no side – and certainly no bowling attack – will relish facing them in conditions like this.

da betsul： Aston Villa have reached incredible heights since hiring former Arsenal manager Unai Emery. The Frenchman has taken the Midlands club from a relegation battle all the way to European qualification, with a place in this season's Europa Conference League. What makes that all the more impressive is the fact that he hasn't even completed a full season at the club yet.

da bet7k： The Villans have lost just two of their first eight games this time around, and sit as high as fifth, just four points adrift of Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Now, Villa owners NSWE and sporting director Monchi have reportedly turned their attention to a January transfer target.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

Villa proved that they're not afraid to splash the cash during the summer transfer window, welcoming the likes of Moussa Diaby, and Nicolo Zaniolo, with the former getting off to a particularly explosive start to life in England's top flight. Given their European ambitions, too, the January transfer window represents a chance for Emery to build a squad ready to cause the ultimate shock in the Premier League by competing for a place in the Champions League.

The latest Kalvin Phillips transfer news suggests that he could be part of that, too. According to 90min, Villa are monitoring the situation of the out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder, alongside West Ham United, Spurs, and Newcastle United, whilst Bayern Munich have reportedly contacted the Premier League champions about the England international.

So, if Villa are to sign Phillips, they'll have to act fast, given the amount of reported interest in the former Leeds United man. If the midfielder wants to stay in England, then a move to Villa Park wouldn't exactly be a bad option, especially after their recent rise.

How many games has Kalvin Phillips played for Man City?

When it comes to Phillips' games at Manchester City, it's clear to see why he has been linked with a move away. The 27-year-old has featured just 26 times for Pep Guardiola, starting just five times in all competitions, and twice in the Premier League.

Kalvin Phillips' starts at Manchester City

Competition

Bristol City 0-3 Manchester City

FA Cup

Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea

Premier League

Brentford 1-0 Manchester City

Premier League

Southampton 2-0 Manchester City

Carabao Cup

Newcastle United 1-0 Manchester City

Carabao Cup

It has quickly become apparent that Phillips, whose salary is £150k-p/w at City, is a player in need of a fresh start, as he continues to struggle at City. With the Euros coming up next summer, too, game-time is crucial.

At his best, the Englishman has earned incredible praise, including from Gareth Southgate, who told BBC Sport, via The Yorkshire Evening Post: "I think Kalvin is a player who is so understated and has had a fantastic start to his international career. I thought he was immense throughout the game."

When the January transfer window opens, Phillips will certainly be one to keep an eye on, as he desperately searches for game-time that looks increasingly unlikely to come at The Etihad.