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Monday night saw another disappointing performance from Manchester United as they crashed out of the FA Cup in a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford; throwing away their only chance of silverware in the process.

The performance, as well as the team selection from United boss Louis van Gaal, posed further questions and concern about the fortunes of the Red Devils, who look to be set for an almighty scrap for a top four finish. To rub salt into the wound, it was a former player and boyhood fan of the club Danny Welbeck who netted the winner to send Arsenal on their way to Wembley once again.

With many pundits and fans stating the need for more money to be spent, it’s conceivable that United could rue the fact they don’t have some of their old players to call upon as the pressure grows to get results. And with many of their stars misfiring, there’s no doubt some of their former squad members would walk into the side at this present time.

In light of these problems, here are FIVE players Man United should never have let leave…

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Danny Welbeck

It was widely noted that former United man Danny Welbeck celebrated his winner against his old club, and to be honest with you, who can blame him? Depsite his love for the club, Welbeck was told in no uncertain terms that he had no future at Old Trafford, with Van Gaal of the belief that the youngster didn’t have the quality required to score the goals United needed.

But given the chance upfront, Welbeck has shown he will score goals, and his willingness to play out of position in a wide area is something that United could well still do with. Given some of the performances put in by United’s star players this season, the decision to let Welbeck leave looks stranger every week.

Paul Pogba

Despite numerous options in the middle of the park, United continue to be linked with a new central midfielder, with a certain characteristic missing from their side. They are in desperate need of a player who can attack as well as defend, a box-to-box player who can influence their team just like Yaya Toure does at Manchester City. Frustratingly for United fans, Paul Pogba looks to be just that man.

Always tipped as a promising talent, Pogba left United again after finding first-team options limited, something he would have no such worries over now. The Frenchman has become one of the top young midfielders in Europe since joining Juventus, and and just like Welbeck; found himself on the scoresheet last night as Juve extended their lead at the top of Serie A. There’s little doubting the fact he would walk into Van Gaal’s side today, and is certainly ‘one that got away’.

Gerard Pique

To say Gerard Pique has won a few trophies since his Old Trafford departure is somewhat of an understatement. He has won the lot. A World and European champion with Spain, and a Champions League winner with Barcelona, the central defender has excelled since leaving Manchester.

A solid no-nonsense defender who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, Pique is just the player United fans would like at the heart of a back four which has been suspect in recent times.

At the time they may have felt he wouldn’t cut it at the club with opportunities limited, but make no mistake, he would be a welcome part of the current squad.

Carlos Tevez

Man United fans could be forgiven for feeling there was still plenty more to come from Carlos Tevez before he left Old Trafford. A Champions League winner with the Red Devils, the Argentine striker found it difficult to hold down a regularly position in the United team under Sir Alex Ferguson, and subsequently came back to haunt the club after moving to their city rivals and winning the Premier League in 2012.

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Now plying his trade in Italy with Juventus, the 31-year-old already has 21 goals to his name this season, and would surely be welcome in a United side lacking goals – and apparently a 20-goal-a-season forward according to their manager.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo made his name during a sparkling six seasons at Old Trafford where he developed into one of the world’s greatest players. He won all there was to win for the English giants, before following his dreams and making a record-breaking £80 million transfer to Real Madrid.

Since then, Ronaldo has raised his game even more, and his astonishing goalscoring record saw him collect another Ballon D’or crown early this year, after helping Madrid recapture a long awaited Champions League title last season.

After he set his sights on the Bernabeu, it was widely accepted that United would lose the Portuguese star at some point – something nobody held against him after all he had done for the club. But in a side that’s lacking a spark, Ronaldo and his magic on the ball is sorely missed at Old Trafford.

Scott Parker is desperate to play in next summer’s World Cup Finals in Brazil after overcoming his recent injury problems.

The England stars future in International football looked in doubt as he returned home from Euro 2012 needing surgery on an long standing Achilles problem.

The surgery would keep Parker out until December.

Since returning to fitness, Parker has started Tottenham Hotspur’s last 13 games and earned himself a place in Roy Hodgson’s current England squad to face San Marino and Montenegro.

“Now I am amongst it again, the fire rumbles in my belly to get to Brazil. I’ve not had many massive injuries in my career, but the ones you do have give you that hunger again” Parker said

“I need to take things one step at a time but, now I’m in the squad, if I get my chance, I need to take it.”

The Tottenham Hotspur star admitted that he believed his chances of playing in another major tournament were over.

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“If you ask any player when they have been out for some time, doubts do cross your mind about when you are going to come back.”

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According to reports in Belgium, Everton and West Ham will battle it out to sign Burnley midfielder Steven Defour this summer.

What’s the story?

Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad.be claim West Ham want to sign the tough tackling midfielder, but will face stern competition from the Toffees.

The 29 year-old Belgian has had some injury issues this season, but has still managed 24 league appearances for Sean Dyche’s Clarets.

Both West Ham and Everton could undergo massive squad overhauls this summer, and both sides have glaring weaknesses in midfield.

Defour’s contract runs out in the summer of 2019, though the report from Nieuwsblad.be does say he would be open to extending his Clarets contract.

West Ham or Everton?

Defour is unquestionably talented, and has earned over 50 Belgium caps despite the depth of midfield options in Belgium’s golden generation.

The 29 year-old has one goal and one assist this season, but it’s not his attacking output that makes him appealing as much as what he offers in a defensive sense. Defour will cover every inch of grass, and is the type of player that every manager would want in their team.

He is averaging 1.4 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per game in Burnley’s midfield, and his eye for a pass makes him a useful key in unlocking deep defences. He also has that bit of star quality, as he showed with his tremendous free kick goal at Old Trafford this season.

Valued at £6.3million by Transfermarkt, Defour’s reading of the game would be extremely beneficial to either of the linked clubs, but he would be a better fit at Goodison.

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Everton are just missing someone in midfield to link things up between the expensive attacking flair they brought in last summer, and Defour could be the perfect fit.

Everton fans, would you like to see a summer swoop for Defour? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

When the draw for the last 16 of the Champions League was made, Arsenal fans were rubbing their hands at the prospect of a tie against French side Monaco; what many judged the best possible outcome for the Gunners to reach the quarter-finals.

However, after a shock 3-1 defeat at the Emirates, they were somewhat left with egg on their faces and appear to be on their way out of Europe at the same stage yet again.

Despite a poor team performance overall, with the side displaying numerous examples of schoolboy defending, striker Olivier Giroud took much of the criticism for the defeat that night, and somewhat harshly was made the scapegoat.

The French forward missed a number of chances on the night that could have completely changed the complexion of the tie ahead of the return leg next week, and has since made it clear of his personal disappointment over his performance.

Yet with the spotlight very much on him heading into March, Giroud has shown terrific mental strength to find the net in successive league games in wins over Everton and Queen’s Park Rangers; a time when other players may have buckled.

Every player is entitled to a bad game, it’s part and parcel of the sport. It’s all about how quickly they can react and put it behind them that will define an individual, and Giroud has done that brilliantly, something he deserves to be applauded for.

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His latest goals mean he now has eight in his last 10 games, a period that saw him reach the landmark of 50 goals for the club, after 117 appearances – figures that many centre forwards would be pleased with. Despite his goal scoring record, he’s still yet to convince some fans and pundits, who don’t give him the credit he deserves, and are particularly concerned with his ability to deliver in the big games like Monaco, for example.

The fact is, he gets in the right areas to give himself the chances. Continue to do this, and then a player of his ability will score goals, as he as shown in his time at the club. Yes he will miss some, all strikers do, but his movement and ability to find space in the penalty area mean he will also find the net frequently and this is vital to Arsenal, who lack any real alternatives as an out-and-out striker.

Strong and powerful in the air, the forward also holds the ball up extremely well to bring his teammates into attacks, something that can often go unnoticed. And in a side that like to play type of football that Arsenal do, this is invaluable to the side.

And despite the missed chances, some of his recent goals have highlighted once again just how good his finishing can be. No doubt he will strive to improve his shots to goal ratio, but what striker doesn’t? Giroud clearly has mental toughness to put missed chances behind him, and with continued support from the manager and fans, can keep on improving and lead the line for Arsenal for the next few years as he enters what should be the peak of his career.

For Arsenal to have any chance of progressing into the last eight of the Champions League, they will need to score at least three goals in Monaco, which is certainly no easy task given the defensive strength of the French side. But with Giroud in their side, it’s still an achievable one.

With the creative options Arsenal posses, you can bank that he will find himself with a few opportunities to cut the deficit in the tie, and with his hunger to make amends for the first leg, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Giroud lead the comeback and help Arsenal to a famous victory.

Watch this space!

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At quite what point Emmanuel Adebayor transcended the line between an struggling passenger and a figure of derision within this Tottenham Hotspur team is somewhat unclear.

But with any existing goodwill seemingly in desperately short supply at White Hart Lane after a string of fruitless appearances, the heat upon the Togolese international is beginning to become intolerable. And it shows no sign of relenting anytime soon.

While it would be verging on the uncouth to suggest supporters doubted the sincerity of the former-Manchester City man’s injury during last weekend’s North London derby, it will perhaps come as little surprise to some that Adebayor’s stretcher-requiring issue might not suppress his availability for the weekend’s tie with Liverpool.

Regardless of the severity of his knock, perhaps in some ways, a spell out of the firing line is what Adebayor needs at the moment. As much as he’s looked a man bereft of the capability to stick the ball in the back of the net, he’s also looked like a striker bereft of anything resembling one iota of confidence. And for as delighted as supporters may be that Jermain Defoe now appears ready to return to the fold, their faltering striker’s lack of self-belief is something that they can’t sweep under the carpet.

With Defoe now back involved with first-team affairs following nearly a month out with ankle ligament damage, it’s very much a case of out of sight and out of mind, when it comes to the notion of Adebayor for some. However you wish to dress it up, the Togolese has had an extremely poor season and for all the issues that he had in getting his season off the ground – his first start didn’t come until the 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City back in November – his contribution in front of goal simply has not been good enough.

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Yet even when Defoe’s been struggling for goals in this side, Villas-Boas’ team have still managed to produce the goods, the fact is that Emmanuel Adebayor still has an important part to play should the Lilywhites wish to fulfil their ambitions of both Europa League progress and Champions League qualification. And part of that process involves extending their patience towards their faltering just a little longer.

This doesn’t involve chanting his name, praising him from the stands or necessarily showing him much in the way of anything approaching affection. Merely ensure that the atmosphere towards him isn’t one that starts turning toxic.

Quite where his long-term future stands at White Hart Lane could well be anyone’s guess after this season. Regardless of his questionable goalscoring output, following his mucking around over his decision to go to the African Cup of Nations and his subsequent delayed arrival back from the competition, it’s been widely reported that neither Villas-Boas nor chairman Daniel Levy were particularly enamoured with his behaviour. And for Adebayor, it’s upsetting the latter that may have potentially burned an irreparable bridge in N17.

Although regardless of a potential breakup, the one time-Real Madrid striker isn’t going anywhere for the moment and with Spurs fighting on two fronts as we head into the final straight of what could be a defining season for the club, they’re not going to achieve all of their goals with Jermain Defoe playing every minute of every match until the end of the season.

Like it or not, we’ve not seen the last of Adebayor in a Tottenham shirt and if he’s going to start returning to the sort of form that saw him play a starring role in the side that attained a fourth placed finish last term, he’s not going to do so underneath a hail of pelters from the Spurs fans.

Now that might not have happened as of yet, but after another disappointing showing against Arsenal on Sunday, the tides of patience are beginning to renege, and fast.

But although some will argue that he’s not done much to warrant any more goodwill from the home fans, Adebayor hasn’t cut this caricature of disinterest and petulance that many like to make out. The goals haven’t been coming and his movement’s not been anywhere as sharp as it should be, but he’s still putting a shift in and working hard.

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As ridiculed as he was in the aftermath of the North London derby, he may not have done much with the ball, but it was his peeling run that freed up Gylfi Sigurdsson’s line of sight to see up Gareth Bale for the first goal. Reinventing the wheel it most certainly was not, although when Defoe did a similar sort of thing against Manchester United back in September to allow Bale to score, he was heralded as hard-working genius.

Clearly Adebayor doesn’t hold anywhere near the same sort of lofty standing as Defoe does with supporters and most prominently, he’s not been scoring enough to allow him much in the way of a reprieve, either.

But for however frustrated supporters may feel towards Emmanuel Adebayor, they can’t let that frustration boil over into substantial malaise. He’s still got an important part to play in their team’s season and if he is going to start scoring goals in the near future, he’s unlikely to do so within a backdrop of simmering ridicule.

Support in football is a two-way street. But for as little as he may have done in front of goal, Tottenham haven’t exactly been loosing too many games when that Emmanuel Adebayor has featured in this season, too. He must do a lot more but when he next takes to the field, he must do so within an atmosphere of amiability, as opposed to one of mild disdain.

Liverpool are interested in signing teenage sensation Christian Koffi from Monaco, according to L’Equipe.

What’s the word?

The 17-year-old has been catching the eye in Monaco’s youth ranks this season for his attacking performances.

Koffi draws similar comparisons to one of Liverpool’s current players, Sadio Mane, due to his positioning and ability.

L’Equipe reports that a number of top European clubs are interested in signing the teenager, but Liverpool appear to be the frontrunners as they plan to hold talks with the youngster in the coming days.

Jurgen Klopp has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal at Anfield, therefore Koffi would be a signing for the future.

Would he get a chance at Liverpool?

In a similar way to Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino, Klopp has been known to give young players a chance at first-team level.

The German helped developed numerous stars at Borussia Dortmund, while Ben Woodburn and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been handed opportunities under the manager.

The latter, in particular, has been featuring regularly in Liverpool’s first-team squad.

On Wednesday night, Klopp put faith in Alexander-Arnold to mark Leroy Sane in the team’s 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Manchester City.

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The 19-year-old passed the test with flying colours, which would give any young player encouragement if deliberating over a move to Liverpool.

Koffi would also suit the Reds’ playing style, but due to the abundance of attacking quality available, the youngster would have to be patient.

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The footballing equivalent of those dreaded celebrity gossip magazines that quote ‘inside sources’ on Kim Kardashian’s alleged argument with her postman, the British tabloids’ constant spewing of fact-less transfer rumours rarely produces a true story.

But every now and then, the odd rumour comes to the surface that appears to have some weight behind it, providing you’re prepared to read between the lines.

And we may be amid the Premier League’s silly season, with the January window now upon us, but there’s a few stories involving Tottenham Hotspur this month that might actually materialise into something genuine.

Just to prove it, here’s FIVE we at Football Fancast are tipping to be the real McCoy.

EMMANUEL EMENIKE

Despite the recent heroics of Harry Kane, the glaring inadequacies of Tottenham’s strike-force desperately require Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino’s attention this month – especially if the Lilywhites are planning on a late charge for a Champions League spot.

There’s quite a few names in the mix, but rumours linking Spurs with Fenerbahce striker Emmanuel Emenike have been consistent over the last week or so.

The Nigerian international was spotted in London with agent Erdem Konyar earlier this week, who has since confirmed that Tottenham are interested in his client.

Boasting impressive returns of 63 goals in 51 appearances for Karabukaspor, 36 in 42 for Spartak Moscow and 25 in 40 for Fenerbahce however, the 27 year-old has been linked with Chelsea and Liverpool before, who could both revive their interest.

Right now however, the Lilywhites seem to be the front-runners. Despite a £16million release clause, it’s claimed the Turkish side could settle for just £8million.

PAULINHO

Having never really hit the heights expected since moving to White Hart Lane for a then-club record £17million in summer 2013, and since been reduced to a bit-part role after some borderline woeful performances at the World Cup, rumours of Paulinho being put up for sale this January will hardly come as a huge surprise to Tottenham fans.

Indeed, the Brazil international scored six league goals last season but has spent the majority of the current campaign on the bench, seemingly ill-fitting to Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing philosophy – which is finally starting to take effect. Thus far, he’s seen just 135 minutes in the Premier League.

Spurs need to sell before the 26 year-old’s value further depreciates and according to the tabloids, there are a number of suitors emerging from the woodwork. Brazilian side Cruzeiro have been fairly public about their ambitions to sign Paulinho on loan, but the north Londoners would unquestionably prefer a permanent departure.

In that regard, The Independent claim Inter Milan, Schalke and former club Corinthians could all be interested in the £12million-rated midfielder.

MOUSA DEMBELE

Another midfielder that appears unable to adapt to Mauricio Pochettino’s methods, Mousa Dembele has been issued just three Premier League starts since the Argentine’s arrival in the summer.

The Belgium international’s immense talent remains undoubted – he looked like a world-beater in the making at former club Fulham and has attracted interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid, to name a few, in the past.

But that’s rarely corresponded into immense performances for the Lilywhites and he’s now at his furthest from Spurs’ starting Xi since his £15million arrival in January 2012.

Everton were alleged as potential suitors earlier in the season and could now view Dembele as the ideal signing to end their current malaise. Admittedly however, the rumour has lost traction over the last few months.

Jay Rodriguez

It’s not a transfer saga that’s received too much attention this month, but Tottenham’s long-term interest in Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez remains undoubted.

The England international flourished under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership at St. Mary’s, finishing last term as the Premier League’s third top-scoring Englishman with 15 goals in 33 appearances, despite missing its final two months with an ACL injury.

Pochettino clearly likes the powerful winger-forward’s style and he would address a few problems for the Lilywhites – particularly their lack of depth on the left flank and at centre-forward.

Furthermore, my hunch tells me that the Saints could be prepared to sell; after all, they’re a completely different side now and have excelled in the 25 year-old’s prolonged absence, rising to fourth in the Premier League table.There will be a temptation to cash-in whilst he’s still in demand.

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Rodriguez is still struggling with his knee injury according to friend and Burnley striker Sam Vokes however, which could force the Lilywhites into seeking alternatives this month.

FABIAN DELPH

Aston Villa contract rebel Fabian Delph has been linked with a number of bigger Premier League clubs over the last few months, most particularly Tottenham and Liverpool.

Spurs desperately need more bodies in the middle of the park if Dembele and Paulinho are to leave as expected, and the 25 year-old shares the gutsy, energetic styles of Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb that Mauricio Pochettino has continually found himself depending on this term – epitomised by the above goal against Chelsea last season.

And it’s been a solid twelve months for the talismanic midfielder, earning the Villain of the Year award at the end of last season and more recently a spot in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, with three caps since his September debut.

He suits Tottenham’s style of play perfectly and with his contract now into its final six months, Mirror Football alleged a £3million offer from the north Londoners earlier this week.

The Express, on the other hand, believe Delph will wait until the summer before deciding upon his next club. Paul Lambert has also recently stated that the England international isn’t for sale.

Newcastle’s transfer movements this month have seen them bring in five players from Ligue 1, taking their first-team tally to 10, plus four more that were born in French-speaking countries, but the question that is on everyone’s lips is will this foreign invasion of sorts have a negative and potentially destabilising influence further down the line?

Of course, the evidence of such an impact was not visible during the club’s 2-1 win against fellow Premier League strugglers Aston Villa on Tuesday evening, their first away victory in the league all season, with new signings Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran both impressing on their debuts and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa being introduced late on.

Cast your eye around the Newcastle squad, though, and the spine of the team next season is likely to be French. Captain Fabricio Coloccini, while he may have been forced to stay at least until the end of the season, may still angle for a move away closer to home in the summer and the Yanga-Mbiwa purchase must be seen as an insurance policy ahead of a likely departure. It seems perfectly feasible next term to see Mathieu Debuchy, Mbiwa, Yohan Cabaye, Gouffran, Sissoko and Hatem Ben Arfa all line-up in the starting eleven; seven out of eleven players hailing from outside of these shores is a bold, but given the personnel available to Pardew, entirely logical next step.

You can clearly see where the club are coming from; the French league offers value for money quite like no other in Europe, with each of the five fresh faces brought into the club this month not only all affordable, but secured on long-term deals as they enter the peak of their careers. Head scout Graham Carr must have opened a boulangerie in Paris given all the work he’s done in the region this past year. Nevertheless, the sheer volume of French influence at the club is precisely what has attracted such interest, speculation and criticism.

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Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier warned last month of the potential negative that lies ahead, telling reporters: “You can’t stop the French speaking French. The dressing room will be unbalanced. There will be problems.” Considering the 65-year-old has managed the France national team in the past, plus trying to integrate several players from his time at Anfield, you suspect he knows his eggs on this subject. Obviously trying to head off such criticism, Pardew revealed last week: “They have to learn English or they will face penalties and hopefully they will grasp it.”

However, the main quotes doing the rounds this past week come from Pardew’s time at West Ham back in 2006, railing against a transfer policy at Arsenal very similar to the one that Newcastle now have: “I saw a headline saying Arsenal are flying the flag for Britain and I kind of wondered where that British involvement actually was when I looked at their team. It’s important that top clubs don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s the English Premier League and English players should be involved.”

Devoid of context, the quotes make Pardew seem fairly ridiculous and will have left him somewhat red-faced at being reminded of them, but it’s clear that while the Newcastle academy hasn’t produced any players of top flight quality these past few years, even if it doesn’t quite explain why they’ve aligned themselves so clearly with one country when the global game is a potential smorgasbord of talent.

With Danny Simpson set to leave in the summer when his contract expires, and Mike Williamson little more than a back-up centre-back, only really Steven Taylor stands a chance of consistent selection for the first-team out of the English players in the squad. Shola Ameobi, James Perch and Ryan Taylor are useful squad players to have, while Sammy Ameobi, James Tavernier and Shane Ferguson all represent viable prospects for the future, but there’s little to suggest any of them can make an impact on the starting eleven within the next year or so.

The club were in desperate need of recruits going into the January transfer window, with Pardew’s explaining their policy in greater detail recently: “There is slightly more value in the French market. Obviously, we have exploited that. Zaha is a typical example of trying to take a young player out of the Championship. I like him. I wanted to take him but, seriously, we had no chance. We just can’t pay that. We got four players for that. It suited our needs better to strengthen several positions for that sort of money. None of them was a knee-jerk reaction; otherwise we would have bought a 31-year-old from a squad in the Premier League.” There is nothing wrong with that assertion whatsoever.

The fans have urged owner Mike Ashley to invest this month or further run the risk of getting sucked into an ugly and increasingly messy relegation battle and the win against Aston Villa put breathing room between them and the bottom four once more. When the French market has worked so well for them these past couple of years, why even bother to try and look elsewhere? They have a strong scouting network in the country and the value for money is excellent.

Moreover, with the world shrinking (in an economic and communicative sense, not literally), the days when clubs could field a number of players from the academy are long gone and plenty of other sides in the top flight have fielded solely foreign-born sides and been no more worse off for doing so. To put this into context, the squad that got relegated back in 2008/9 contained 11 Englishman – do you forsake some sort of local pride and a lose connection with the surrounding community for success? The higher up the ladder you climb, it’s inevitable and to pretend otherwise is naive.

Pardew is clearly not in charge of transfers at the club, with the recruitment committee of Carr, managing director Derek Llambias and club secretary Lee Charnley all influential figures that report directly to Ashley. There is no recipe for success in the league, just different paths. Buying domestic players at the prices they cost these days is simply not an option for a club that’s ultimate aim is to balance the books.

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They are being sensible over their financial future, and should be applauded for not being as reckless as many of their rivals. They are bringing in established international players from a hotbed of talent that traditionally adapt well to the English game. The club clearly need to make improvements in integrating local players and academy prospects, but if they’re not good enough in the first place, then what’s the point?

A balance needs to struck in the future, but for the time being at least, needs must and the new recruits look certain to provide a much-needed shot in the arm for the entire squad while simultaneously boosting their fragile confidence, which should go a long way to ensuring their top flight status for another year. For those that want to bang the jingoistic, vaguely xenophobic drum that the Magies are beginning to represent everything about the decline of the English game, well I’m afraid that ship sailed a long time ago.

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The teams will play each other twice in the first round, with the top two teams going through to the final

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Aug-2025Afghanistan, Pakistan and UAE will get more matches to prepare for the men’s T20 Asia Cup when they compete in a T20 tri-series hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board in Sharjah in August-September.The Asia Cup runs from September 9 to 28, also in the UAE.As such, based on the ICC’s future tours programme, Pakistan were expected to host Afghanistan for three T20Is in the window that has now been allotted to the tri-series.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Each team will play the other twice in the round-robin stage of the tournament, with the top two contesting the final. All the games will be played from 7pm local time. Pakistan are the highest-ranked side among the three on the ICC rankings at No. 8, with Afghanistan at No. 9, and UAE at No. 14.Pakistan are currently engaged in a bilateral white-ball series, where they have won the first game, against West Indies, and play their first match of the Asia Cup, against Oman on September 12. Afghanistan have not played a T20I since their bilateral series in Zimbabwe at the end of last year, and play their opening match of the Asia Cup, against Hong Kong on September 9.Both the teams qualified directly for the T20 World Cup in 2026, to be played in India and Sri Lanka – Afghanistan as one of the top-seven teams (excluding the hosts) in the previous T20 World Cup and Pakistan based on their ranking on the ICC table at the cut-off date of June 30, 2024. UAE, meanwhile, have not yet confirmed their spot at the World Cup. They have to go through the Asia-East Asia and Pacific qualifiers, to be played in Oman from October 8 to 17, to get there if they can.

India are going into a Test without Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane for the first time since November 2011

Karthik Krishnaswamy24-Jan-20247:50

Explainer: What is Bazball?

Big picture

Bazball vs spin. It promises to be the story of these five Tests, and it might be a story of parallel plots. There is, of course, Bazball vs India’s spinners. But perhaps even more relevant to England’s chances is the question of Bazball vs England’s spinners.What? Hang in there. All will be explained.England’s spinners conceded roughly 18 runs more per wicket than India’s did during the 2016-17 tour, and 12 runs more per wicket – on far spicier pitches – in 2020-21. Even if Bazball manages to inflate the averages of India’s spinners on this tour, it’s hard to see it translate into results if England’s spinners can’t bridge the gap in the other direction.Related

• The stakes in play for India, England and Test cricket

• Switch Hit: Let the spin cycle commence

• A chance for Shubman Gill to level up against England

• Rajat Patidar added to India Test squad as Kohli's replacement

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen batted magnificently in 2012-13, but England won that series primarily because Monty Panesar, Graeme Swann and James Anderson outbowled a transitional India attack. Since then, Australia have been the only team to come close to even drawing a Test series in India; they came as close as they did in 2016-17 and 2022-23 because their bowlers came close to matching the skill and discipline of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.Can England find a way to do this? They’ve named their XI for the first Test in Hyderabad, which begins on Thursday on a pitch that looks dry and selectively watered, and that XI includes three frontline spinners. Those spinners have played played 36 Tests between them, of which Jack Leach accounts for 35.Hardly Swann and Panesar, then.It’s a selection that reflects a broader reality – spin occupies a narrow and an ever-shrinking space in 21st century County cricket – and England can only choose from what they have. It means that the odds are stacked against them at the start of another India tour, but do not bet against Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes finding a way to make things interesting.

Form guide

India WLDWL (last five Tests, most recent first)

England WDWLLShubman Gill averaged 19.83 the last time England toured India•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight

Shubman Gill finds himself at an interesting juncture in his Test career, seeking to establish himself in a new role at No. 3 while still finding his feet in the format. There’s no doubting his talent, and his average of 30.58 after 20 Tests is partly down to the bowler-friendly pitches he has usually had to play on, but he’ll feel under some pressure as Virat Kohli, who has opted out due to personal reasons, might return after the second Test. Gill endured a torrid series the last time England toured India, averaging 19.83 and falling five times in seven innings to fast bowlers. He’ll want to show an improved defence against conventional and reverse swing this time, and ensure he’s around for the notionally bigger challenge of scoring runs against spin.Talk of spin has dominated the lead-up to this match, but England will not be unaware that Umesh Yadav, Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel shared 18 wickets in the last Test played in Hyderabad. That may have been more than five years ago, and an entirely different surface may have been prepared for this game, but if there’s bounce on offer – as there was in 2018 – then Mark Wood could find a way to make it his ally.

Team news

After keeping wicket for the first time in his Test career on the recent tour of South Africa, KL Rahul will return to being a specialist batter, though he will remain in the middle order. KS Bharat, who kept in all four Tests of India’s last home series, seems likely to return to the XI ahead of the uncapped Dhruv Jurel, though Rohit Sharma didn’t give a definitive answer to this question in his pre-match press conference. Axar Patel’s batting and encouraging recent form with the ball is likely to earn him selection as third spinner ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. With Kohli out, India are spared the headache of leaving out one of Rahul, Gill and Shreyas Iyer.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 KS Bharat (wk), 8 Axar Patel, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mohammed SirajBen Foakes will keep wicket for England in Hyderabad•Getty Images

England have made a similar decision to India in handing the big gloves to their best pure keeper in Ben Foakes, and letting Jonny Bairstow focus on his batting.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Ben Foakes (wk), 8 Rehan Ahmed, 9 Mark Wood, 10 Tom Hartley, 11 Jack Leach

Pitch and conditions

With the World Test Championship points structure putting extra pressure on teams to win games, teams around the world have taken to preparing bowler-friendly pitches. This, in India, has meant tracks that turn from day one, and Hyderabad is unlikely to buck this trend, with the pitch sporting distinctly dry-looking strips at either end on a spinner’s good length.The weather is expected to be clear and pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the high 20s (Celsius).R Ashwin (490) and Ravindra Jadeja (275) begin the series with an eye on Test wicket milestones•PTI

Stats and trivia

• Ashwin (490) and Jadeja (275) begin the series with an eye on Test wicket milestones.
• Joe Root (2526) is only ten runs away from surpassing Sachin Tendulkar as the highest run-getter in Tests between England and India. Root already has the most centuries (nine) in these contests, and averages 63.15.
• Leach will look to build on a solid first tour of India in 2020-21, during which he took 18 wickets in four Tests at 28.72. He will be pleased that India are without Rishabh Pant, who hit him for 88 runs in just 59 balls during that series, while only being dismissed once.
• India are going into a Test match without either Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara or Ajinkya Rahane in their XI for the first time since November 2011.

Quotes

“By no means whatever record we have in the past decade or so gives us the guarantee that we are going to come out here on top as well, and win the series. We still have to play our best cricket – good cricket that we know that we play in these conditions… The last team to beat us here in our conditions was England. I wouldn’t say we are not beatable. Definitely we are. We want to think that if we don’t step up or if you don’t show up, well, we are going to find ourselves in trouble.”
“I don’t necessarily think it’s bold or brave, it’s just me and Baz looking at the wicket and picking the XI that we think will give us the best chance. That’s the XI we’ve gone with. It’s very exciting for Tom Hartley to make his Test debut. Looking forward to seeing him out there, and captaining him. He’s been very impressive in the buildup in Abu Dhabi. It’s a team based around what we think will give us the best chance of winning this game.”