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Unlike many bilateral ODI series, this one has context: given their ranks, both teams need to win as the deadline for automatic qualification for World Cup 2019 looms

The Preview by Danyal Rasool06-Apr-2017Match factsApril 7, 2017
Start time 09.30 local (13.30 GMT)Can Shadab Khan spin his magic in the ODIs as well?•AFPBig PictureIt is often alleged that the existential threat 50-over cricket faces arises largely due to the number of ODIs played without context or substantial meaning. Series such as this one, featuring three ODIs tucked between four T20s and three Tests, would generally have been the perfect example to advance that point. But the ICC’s otherwise severely criticised move to reduce the World Cup to ten teams, only eight of which qualify directly, means Pakistan and West Indies – ranked eighth and ninth in ODIs respectively – will be playing for much more than the series trophy when they take on each other in Guyana. If West Indies win all three ODIs, they will leapfrog their visitors to eighth position less than six months before the cut-off date of September 30.Pakistan will be buoyed by a 3-1 win in the T20I series, although it did little to allay concerns that Sarfraz Ahmed’s men are still too inconsistent to compete with the very best. The series was bookended by clinical wins, but the two games in between witnessed a convincing win for West Indies and one game their coach Stuart Law said they threw away. With West Indies now significantly depleted by the departure of many of their high-profile names to the IPL – Kieron Pollard, Carlos Brathwaite, Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine have all flown off to India – a mere series win, much less a whitewash, would be a welcome result.Form guideWest Indies LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLWLIn the spotlightWith Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree away, this represents an opportunity for Devendra Bishoo to establish himself in the West Indies’ line-up. He will play all three ODIs in front of a home crowd in Guyana – the first time in his ODI career he is playing there. He is still just four games into a return from a five-year absence from the ODI set-up, and will be eager to improve upon disappointing returns against England; in three games, he took three wickets and conceded 136 runs in the 21 overs he bowled. But with the pitch in Providence expected to favour the slower bowlers, he will be hoping for better returns.For Pakistan, could it really be anyone else? The biggest talking point in the T20Is was legspinner Shadab Khan’s explosive introduction to the international stage. The 18-year-old was instrumental in all three of Pakistan’s wins, and was named the Man of the Series, an award for which, in truth, he was the only contender. He now faces a sterner test: whether he can turn brilliant four-over spells into solid performances over ten overs in various phases of an ODI innings.Team newsThe West Indies squad is significantly different from the one that featured in the T20I series, and not necessarily the better for it, at least on paper. As previously mentioned, Brathwaite, Pollard, Badree and Narine are absent, while Kraigg Brathwaite has been dropped in favour of Chadwick Walton, a move coach Stuart Law put down to a desire for greater impetus at the top of the innings. Pacers Shannon Gabriel, Miguel Cummins and Alzarri Joseph all feature, a sign that West Indies may finally be moving on from veteran Jerome Taylor, who did not play any of the T20Is despite being in the squad.West Indies (possible): 1 Evin Lewis, 2 Chadwick Walton (wk), 3 Kieran Powell, 4 Shai Hope, 5 Jason Mohammad, 6 Jonathan Carter, 7 Jason Holder (capt), 8 Ashley Nurse, 9 Devendra Bishoo, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Shannon GabrielPakistan haven’t made too many changes to the side that won the T20Is, although a few fresh faces have been drafted in. Asif Zakir, Fahim Ashraf and Mohammad Asghar are the three players in the 16-man squad yet to pull on an international shirt in any format. The most notable difference is the return of left-arm fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan, who were rested from the T20 series. In addition, it will also be the first ODI series for Sarfraz Ahmed as captain, after Azhar Ali was removed after the 4-1 defeat in Australia and omitted from the squad altogether.Pakistan (possible): 1 Ahmed Shehzad, 2 Kamran Akmal, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Fakhar Zaman, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Wahab RiazPitch and conditionsIn the short history of the Providence Stadium in Guyana (it was constructed ahead of the 2007 World Cup), it has developed a reputation as a venue where the ball keeps low and doesn’t come on to the bat. As such, the execution of each side’s spin-bowling plans may be decisive in the outcome of this match – and indeed the series.Rain is expected in the early part of the day, but the sky should clear up by the evening.Stats and trivia The best individual ODI bowling performance at the Providence Stadium was by Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi in 2013. His figures read a remarkable 9-3-12-7 as the West Indies were skittled out for 98 – the lowest score at this ground Only once has the Providence Stadium seen an innings total in excess of 300. That was during the 2007 World Cup, when Sri Lanka made 303 against the hosts

Worcestershire’s Daryl Mitchell has been elected as the new chairman of the Professional Cricketers’ Association

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2017Worcestershire’s Daryl Mitchell has been elected as the new chairman of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA). He succeeds Mark Wallace, who steps down after four years having completed the maximum two terms.Mitchell has already flagged the ECB’s plans for a new city-based T20 competition to be introduced in 2020 as a major issue to be tackled by the PCA under his chairmanship.”There is going to be big change ahead, not just for English domestic cricket but also on the world stage. These are interesting times,” Mitchell said.”There is talk of a franchise Twenty20 competition and it would be good to be involved in the discussions surrounding that. It’s important that the questions of our 400-plus members about how it will all work are answered and that was the crux of my manifesto.”Mitchell won a ballot of current county players ahead of four other candidates: Graham Onions, Paul Horton, James Hildreth and Steven Crook. He will serve for the next two years, with the appointment due to be ratified at the PCA’s annual general meeting on Tuesday.”It was pretty competitive and there were some really good lads who went for it, so to be elected by your peers from other clubs is very pleasing,” Mitchell said.”It’s a prestigious role and it has been done very well in recent years by Vikram Solanki, who I know from his time at Worcestershire, and then Mark Wallace, who has done a fantastic job over the last four years. It’s a big role and a big honour and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”I have been involved with the PCA as a county representative since 2009 so I know about the fantastic work that they do. I have enjoyed being involved as a representative so this is the next step really. I want to try to get involved at the coal face of the organisation.”Mitchell, 33, has been a Worcestershire player for over a decade and served as captain until the end of last season, when he was removed from the position in acrimonious circumstances.He is the third Worcestershire player to become PCA chairman after Tim Curtis (1989-96) and Solanki (2009-13) and he will link up with another former county team-mate, David Leatherdale, the PCA chief executive who previously held the same role at New Road.”Daryl has been a PCA county representative for more than seven years and has a wealth of knowledge of the county game at all levels,” Leatherdale said.”He is undoubtedly held in high regard by players across the whole country as today’s appointment shows and, combined with his experience as the players’ representative on the ECB cricket committee, he will bring a great deal to the role of PCA Chairman. I very much look forward to working with Daryl again over the coming years.”Mitchell takes charge in the PCA’s 50th anniversary season. Wallace, the former Glamorgan wicketkeeper, last week announced his retirement to become a PCA Personal Development Manager.

Arsenal are among the sides willing to pay Fenerbache star Arda Guler's release clause and he wants a transfer away immediately, according to reports.

Who will join Arsenal this summer?

As widely reported, the Gunners have agreed a £105 million total fee for the transfer of West Ham United star Declan Rice, who is now expected to make the move to north London.

Arsenal, though, don't appear to be done there after also sealing a £65 million deal to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea. Indeed, Southampton's Romeo Lavia is firmly on manager Mikel Arteta's radar this summer, with Ajax defender Jurrien Timber coming as another who Arsenal are currently in talks for.

This could end up being one of Arsenal's busiest transfer windows in recent memory, with reports suggesting they may spend north of £200 million on fresh faces.

New targets are appearing on a consistent basis too, as Emirates transfer chief Edu is credited with an interest in signing Fenerbache's Guler.

The in-demand Turkish wonderkid, who is already capped at international level, has attracted a plethora of suitors both abroad and domestically.

Spanish outlet Diario AS expand on this, claiming Guler is wanted by "half of Europe", with Newcastle United, Manchester United, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Milan, Sevilla, Barcelona and even Real Madrid chasing his signature.

It is believed that the 18-year-old wants to leave Fenerbache "right away", which is where Arsenal come in, as AS state that the north Londoners are "willing to pay" his €17.5million (£15m) alongside the aforementioned sides.

If Arsenal are to make a move for Guler, they will need to hurry, as both Barca and Real will soon make attempts to convince the player.

Who is Arda Guler?

Branded the "Turkish Messi", Guler is amassing quite the reputation, having stood out as one of Fenerbache's best-performing players per 90 as a teenager last campaign (WhoScored).

The talent racked up seven goal contributions in 20 league appearances over 22/23, all while averaging making more key passes per 90 than any Fenerbache player (WhoScored).

Italian football legend Andrea Pirlo, commenting on Guler recently, even said he has the potential to play anywhere in the world.

"Arda Guler is a very talented player,” Pirlo said.

“He has the potential to play anywhere in the world. He has quality, he can read the game well, and he has great technique. If he keeps developing his game, there is no limit to his potential.”

Newcastle massively over-achieved last season.

After a sensational campaign under the stewardship of Eddie Howe, the Magpies have found themselves in the unlikely position of playing Champions League football in the upcoming season.

Therefore, the club is now in a frantic phase of getting the squad capable of competing in domestic and European competitions.

They are targeting a new left-back, and Antonee Robinson has been tipped for a move to St James Park.

What’s the latest on Antonee Robinson to Newcastle?

According to the Evening Standard, Fulham are prepared to sell the defender for around £35m this summer.

This outlet revealed that the £25k-per-week ace is refusing to sign a new contract, and with his current deal expiring in 2024, the Cottagers could be set to cash in to avoid losing him on a free transfer.

As well as Newcastle, Marseille, Manchester City, and AC Milan are also interested in the American.

Would Antonee Robinson be a good signing for Fulham?

The pacey full-back spent the majority of his youth career within the youth ranks at Everton, but he was unable to break through into the first team and was eventually sold to Wigan Athletic.

He then found himself at the west London outfit in 2020 and has emerged as one of the club’s most consistent and admirable performers.

During the 2021/22 season, in which Marco Silva’s side cantered to the Championship title, the 33-cap international made 36 appearances, averaging 1.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions.

He has continued this impressive consistency in the top flight with figures of 1.8 and 1.5 for the same metrics respectively across 35 outings, as well as managing a 77% pass accuracy and being responsible for nine clean sheets, as per Sofascore.

The 6 foot ace has often displayed his defensive solidity, but he has shown he is a formidable force going forward as he ranks within the top 20% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for successful take-ons and progressive carries per 90.

Described as “electric” by Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic, Robinson looks ready to make the next step in his career and could be a cheaper, more attainable alternative to Theo Hernandez.

Gianluca Di Marzio tweeted that Newcastle are “monitoring” the Milan star, but it has been suggested that the Frenchman could cost more than €80m (£69m).

Nevertheless, Robinson is still a fabulously capable option with Premier League experience, defensive tenacity and offensive verve who could seamlessly slot into Newcastle’s plans.

Under the new financial model proposed by the ICC, the BCCI will earn US$ 290 million from ICC revenues in the 2015-2023 rights cycle

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Feb-20173:01

Samiuddin: Expect BCCI to influence changes in new model

Under the new financial model proposed by the ICC, the BCCI will earn $290 million from ICC revenues in the 2015-2023 rights cycle. That figure, according to a BCCI member familiar with the numbers, is the net amount of earning and amounts to a 34% cut from what would have been their net earning under the Big-Three model – the net earning in that model was $450 million (the more widely circulated figure of $571.25 was the gross earning).In principle, the ICC Board voted in favour of passing a new constitution in a meeting in Dubai on Saturday. But the BCCI voted against it, after initially asking for the vote to be deferred to April, and the reduced revenue was its biggest bone of contention – the BCCI believes it should be earning in the region of $400 million in any financial model.According to the ICC’s old revenue distribution formula used between 2007 and 2015 – before the Big Three – the Full Members stood to gain an equal share of a surplus revenue of $525 million: each member received approximately $52.5 million. Under the new proposal, the BCCI stood to make $290 million as the highest earning Full Member – a 452% increase from the earlier TV rights cycle. According to an official privy to the discussions, Manohar’s point of contention was about why the BCCI wanted more when it was already getting more than it did under the old distribution.The BCCI’s preferred figure was $450 million under the Big Three’s financial model, an 757% increase as opposed to the 452% increase currently calcuated. So far the Big Three financial model had been in operation for the early stages of the 2015-2023 cycle, and only one ICC event of financial benefit to the Full Members had taken place so far – the 2016 World T20. The contribution cost payment due from that event was held back because of the uncertainty over the model.It is not yet clear whether the BCCI’s share of $290 million is just the revenue from the contribution cost metric the Big-Three model introduced – that is, a percentage earning of the ICC’s total revenues based on that board’s contribution to the game – or a total figure that includes also a distribution amount that is divided equally among the ten Full Members. In the Big-Three model, based on ICC revenues of $2.5 billion, the distribution amount would have meant an extra $63.75 million on top of the contribution cost.A BCCI member said there was no need for the ICC members to vote on the new constitution and financial model in a ‘tearing hurry’•PTI In either case, the BCCI is unhappy because it is earning less money in this model while, according to the member, every other board stands to earn more than projected in the Big-Three model. What has also irked the BCCI is that the ICC decided to push ahead with the new constitution and governance structure and, by going to vote, presented it to the Indian board effectively as a fait accompli.The irony will not be lost on some that the BCCI is unhappy at the lack of transparency in the calculations behind this new financial model. The ICC said the model was built on guiding principles of equity, good conscience, revenue generated by members, and a recognition of an interdependency among members. The BCCI claims that in the working group’s report – from which this model comes – the ICC said its calculations were not backed by a scientific model. One of the major points of opposition to the Big Three’s calculations was that its authors never revealed the formula by which they had arrived at their figures, instead measuring in generic terms the financial and historic contribution of boards to the game.At today’s meeting Vikram Limaye, the BCCI’s representative at the ICC Board, argued that two wrongs don’t make a right. “You are deciding the fortunes of world cricket on good faith?” the BCCI member said.In a statement issued minutes after the ICC’s press release on the meetings, the BCCI said it had wanted to defer the vote. But ICC chairman Shashank Manohar, the driving force behind these proposals, was eager to have the draft of a constitution approved in principle, while leaving room for members to discuss and debate smaller changes by April.The BCCI was not impressed. “What was the tearing hurry?” the BCCI member said. “We could have easily moved the vote to next round [of meetings]. Given the Committee of Administrators [temporarily overseeing the BCCI] has just come in four days back. Give it time to find its feet, to understand the nuances. In the interim engage with us actively before the vote.”The BCCI is, however, unperturbed by the 7-2 vote (Zimbabwe abstained; Sri Lanka joined the BCCI in the opposition) that favoured the new constitution. It had entered the board meeting expecting to be the lone opponent against nine Full Members. “So a 7-2 vote with one abstention is actually good,” the BCCI member pointed out. “And we will get the numbers on our side by the time final vote takes place.”He said the ICC needs a three-fourth majority to pass any resolution, and numbers will favour BCCI. “They need an 8-2 majority. And the vote cannot go forward if four members oppose the resolution. We will get them.”In the past the BCCI has managed to maintain its grip over the ICC by having the Asian bloc on its side. Thilanga Sumathipala, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) president, objected to some of the proposals in the new governance structure and hence voted against the new model. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), which has often sided with the BCCI, was in a spot given that its president Nazmul Hassan was part of the ICC working group that produced the report. During an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, approaches are believed to have been made by the BCCI to the PCB but they were rebuffed; the PCB is unhappy with the BCCI for failing to honour an MoU for bilateral cricket as a reward for supporting the Big Three in 2014.But the BCCI remains confident it will be able to make its “huge clout” count by luring smaller members with more bilateral cricket outside the proposed Test league. Under the proposed nine-team Test structure, each country is supposed to play the other once in two years. “One extra match against a Bangladesh or West Indies is a huge one for them in monetary terms. India just has to play them once in four years and they stand to earn a lot,” the BCCI member said.

Dan Christian will return for Nottinghamshire in the 2017 NatWest Blast

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2016Dan Christian, who averaged 41 with an explosive strike rate of 159.51 as Notts Outlaws won nine matches in a row in last year’s NatWest T20 Blast, has signed on for 2017. Christian captained Notts to Finals Day, where they lost to eventual winners Northamptonshire.Christian, 33, will fill the first of two overseas player positions throughout the revamped competition, which will take place predominantly in a more condensed format in July and August.Among the former Australia international’s three T20 half-centuries last summer was a 16-ball cameo against Leicestershire Foxes that equalled Alex Hales’ record for the Outlaws’ fastest fifty in T20 cricket.”Dan is an explosive player who hits the ball miles and played really well for us last year,” Nottinghamshire head coach, Peter Moores, said. “He’s also been around the T20 scene and around cricket for a long time. He brings all that experience to us, as well as a real calmness under pressure.”Christian’s white-ball record includes 34 appearances for his country, a decade of experience in Australia’s Big Bash competitions, campaigns with Deccan Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and county spells with Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Middlesex. His T20 career spans 174 appearances, 2549 runs at a batting index of 154.05 and 130 wickets at 29.92 apiece.In the Big Bash last season, he struck one of the biggest sixes ever seen at the Gabba, playing for Hobart Hurricanes against Brisbane Heat, when he deposited a ball 117m on to the stand roof.”Anybody who has met Dan will know he’s a brilliant team man,” Moores said. “He’s a great character to have around and that competitive nature that you find in a lot of Australians is certainly in him. He gives everything and expects the same from his team-mates. He likes to get on the front foot, to be aggressive and to play attacking cricket, which is exactly what we want in that form of the game.”

Liverpool are looking to the summer transfer window to improve their squad after a disappointing campaign last season and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Robin Koch?

According to 90min, Liverpool are one of many Premier League clubs interested in signing Leeds United centre-back Robin Koch this summer.

As per the report, both Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have already held talks with the recently relegated player's representatives, whilst Brentford, Newcastle United and Liverpool are also named as interested parties.

It was claimed by BILD that Koch has a relegation clause in his contract that means he could be available on a free transfer, however, 90min reports that sources have denied that this is the case – with Football Insider previously revealing a potential asking price of around £15m.

Would Robin Koch be a good fit for Liverpool?

Whilst Jurgen Klopp has made no secret of his desire to drastically improve the Liverpool squad this summer following a failure to maintain their high standards both domestically and in Europe last season, the top priority has been to bolster the midfield depth.

The Reds have already signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion, whilst they are also reportedly prioritising a deal for OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, but there is also definitely room for improvement in the defensive set-up.

Joel Matip is entering the last year of his contract at the club, whilst Virgil van Dijk will be turning 32 years old before Premier League football returns in August, which has prompted links to talented defenders Joska Gvardiol and Micky van de Ven.

Having said that, a move for Koch would be unlikely to improve upon the defensive options already at Klopp's disposal next season with the Leeds United dud playing a part in Leeds' troubling decline which ultimately resulted in relegation for the West Yorkshire club.

No other team in the Premier League conceded more goals (78) than Leeds over the 38-game campaign, which doesn't exactly inspire confidence in their defenders to step up in a highly competitive team in the top flight.

When comparing Koch's output with Van Dijk, Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez last season, the German defender failed to outperform any of the Liverpool first-teamers in a number of attributes including pass completion (77.1%), take-on success (33.3%) and shot-creating actions (0.43), as per FBref.

He did, however, outperform them in tackles won (30), blocks (44), interceptions (43) and clearances (152), but this only further demonstrates that Leeds defenders were more under pressure from opponents and exposed to much more of the ball than Liverpool's back-line.

The 26-year-old liability has been the recipient of criticism for his performances in the business end of last season, with YouTuber Conor McGilligan slamming Koch for a poor performance against Fulham:

"[Max] Wober came in and did okay, was probably you know, head and shoulders above Koch who was horrific."

"Can't pass the ball at the minute. Was struggling with defensive headers, even when he's towering over the tallest Fulham attacker – which even in the first half was probably Harry Wilson at about five foot nine."

"Robin Koch is having an absolute shocker now and when I'm looking at men to step up right now, I'm looking at someone like him, he doesn't look bothered."

With that being said, it won't be a major priority for new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke to strengthen their defensive options this summer unless there was a massive opportunity to improve upon the current options in the squad, so it seems unlikely that Koch will make a move to Merseyside.

Put in a precarious situation on the final day of the first Test, Virat Kohli succeeded in balancing his natural game with batting for survival and called it a “revelation”

Alagappan Muthu in Visakhapatnam16-Nov-20162:02

‘KL Rahul and Vijay our No. 1 choices’ – Kohli

Trying to preempt the opposition and looking ahead by a few overs while at the crease are some of the methods Virat Kohli uses to great effect in limited-overs cricket. He is so good at it that succeeding in balancing his natural game with batting for survival in the first Test was a “revelation” to him.On the final day of the Rajkot Test against England, with India slipping to 71 for 4 soon after tea on a pitch that had begun to take sharp turn, Kohli had to keep things simple.”My biggest challenge was to not think too much about the situation that I was in,” Kohli said. “I think to find that balance was a revelation.”Sometimes you tend to overthink, thinking too much about where the bowler is going to bowl or what he is going to do next to get you out and how much time is left in the day. Rather than that I was just focusing on one ball at a time and trying to take my mind off the situation.”Not thinking too much actually helps a lot in that particular situation. You need to put your mind off and back on as soon as possible, and to play that one particular delivery. So I think that was something that was a challenge for me which I was able to overcome in the second innings and that gave me more pleasure as a batsman than scoring a big hundred or getting a big score.”There has been pressure on the Indian bowling unit after they had to deal with a pitch not entirely to their liking in Rajkot. Amit Mishra was picked as the third spinner keeping in mind the batting-friendly history of Rajkot, but he came out of the Test – his first in three months – conceding more than four runs an over in both innings. He told that he felt under-prepared.”My biggest challenge was to not think too much about the situation that I was in”•Associated PressKohli came to Mishra’s defence on the eve of the second Test in Visakhapatnam, saying the odd bad day “can happen to any bowler” and that when judging a player, his willingness to fight mattered more than statistics.”Obviously in a series where you are playing against a top side, there is very less room for grooming people as such, if you get what I am saying,” Kohli said. “You need to figure out as a captain how comfortable you are with the guys you are going to take the field with and how mentally prepared and aware they are walking into the field and how confident they are of picking up those wickets for you. What you mentioned is something that can happen to any bowler, being out of rhythm or not having a good game. But eventually you have to figure out over a span of two or three days how the individual is feeling, how he is behaving, what his energies are like.”So it is very important to observe all those things walking into a game against a top side because you need 11 players who are on the same page and who are aware and ready to go into battle. You can’t have people who are not quite there mentally. Those are the things we figure out as a management group and obviously we would like to take the best possible 11 onto the field and the best bowlers who are mentally ready to pick up 20 wickets for us.”

Last summer, Manchester United signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid in what was a massive statement of intent from new boss Erik ten Hag.

This was a player who had just won La Liga and the Champions League in the same season and was arguably one of Madrid’s integral players, therefore, bringing him to Manchester was seen as an excellent move and one that would pay dividends.

A fee of £70m certainly raised a few eyebrows at the time as he was the second most expensive player over 30 in history, behind his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, however, he has been worth every penny.

The midfielder helped United win their first trophy in six years by securing the League Cup, while he ranked as the second-best player in the squad for overall rating in the league while also ranking second for big chances created and first for tackles made, suggesting he has made a positive influence in the Old Trafford side.

Could Ten Hag repeat this masterclass during the summer transfer window? As the Red Devils are reportedly keen on making a move for midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, and they are prepared to offer up to €150m (£129m) in order to make a move happen.

Could Manchester United sign Eduardo Camavinga this summer?

Never say never, especially with the way the club lured Casemiro to England last year, however, Ten Hag may decide to use these funds for a striker or two.

The youngster is an exciting prospect and has enjoyed success at the Spanish side since joining from Rennes in 2021, winning the Champions League and La Liga title in 2021/2022, alongside Casemiro.

He doesn’t offer much in terms of goal contributions, yet his passing and defensive abilities are among the finest on the continent.

Across the big five European leagues, the Frenchman ranks in the top 3% for pass completion rate (89.8%), top 3% for tackles won per 90 (2.14), top 8% for percentage of aerials won (64.1%) and in the top 3% for carries into the final third per 90 (3.06), showcasing his wonderful talent in the heart of the midfield to not only help out defensively, but to also make accurate passes and carry the ball into the final third often.

It's no wonder he was dubbed “special” by Sky Sports reporter Nubaid Haroon just last year and if Ten Hag could somehow pull a move off for the Madrid sensation, he would be repeating his Casemiro masterclass, that’s for sure.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would welcome the signing of West Ham United captain Declan Rice as part of his 'mini revolution' in midfield, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

What's the latest transfer news involving Declan Rice?

According to The Sun, Rice reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer as he looks set to leave West Ham United to seek a new challenge.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are also keen on the England international, who has garnered vast interest from elite clubs in recent times.

Sky Sports claimed last month that West Ham United would be open to sanctioning a sale for the £60k-a-week ace if they can recoup a fee of around £120 million for his services.

The outlet claim that Liverpool and Chelsea are attracted towards Rice's talents, though Arsenal is his 'most likely destination' at the present moment.

In an interview with Paddy Power via The Liverpool Echo, former Reds striker Peter Crouch has urged his old club to push to sign Rice, stating: "I know he’s being linked elsewhere but I’d absolutely love to see Declan Rice come in as well. He’s a class act and I think he could go to any club and be a great signing for them. It probably won’t be Liverpool as he’s going to be very expensive, but it would be a great addition."

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti thinks that Rice joining Liverpool this summer would be boss Klopp's 'forbidden dream' at Anfield.

Galetti said: “A mini revolution is expected in the Liverpool midfield after the arrival of Mac Allister from Brighton. There will certainly be other signings, Declan Rice is for sure Klopp’s forbidden dream. The West Ham player will not renew his contract expiring in June 2024, and he’s ready to leave this summer after winning the Conference League. Arsenal are leading the race for him and he’s their top target, but anything could happen.”

Would Declan Rice be a good fit for Liverpool?

Rice, who was hailed as "one of the best in the world" by Kieran Trippier, has been in excellent form for West Ham United over the last year and helped captain the Hammers to their famous Europa Conference League triumph last week against Fiorentina, as per BBC Sport.

In 2022/23, the 24-year-old made 50 appearances in all competitions for West Ham United, registering five goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Impressively, Rice was also West Ham United's most consistent performer across the season, gaining an average match rating of 7.01/10, according to WhoScored.

FBRef show that Rice has drove his current employers forward from the middle of the park, successfully pulling off 112 shot-creating actions in total.

Liverpool are desperate to inject some new energy into their midfield ahead of the new campaign and Rice would be a fantastic addition to bolster the ranks in the engine room.