Where will this crucial contest be won and lost?

Sidharth Monga20-May-20252:58

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Win the toss by any means

The toss seems to be worth more at Wankhede Stadium than other venues. The true pitch, the small boundaries and the dew are a nightmare for teams batting first. Among the active IPL venues, Wankhede offers chasing sides the best win-loss ratio in night games over the last five years: 1.8. This year only Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have defended successfully in a night game at Wankhede, scoring 221 and then just scraping home by 12 runs.

What do you do if you lose the toss?

MI are much more likely to overcome the toss disadvantage. They have the batting to keep hitting through the 20 overs and post a par-plus total. However, they haven’t yet been able to display how it can be done as they haven’t batted first and won a night game at Wankhede this year.They came close the one time they lost the toss, but that was on a seaming pitch. If they play on the same surface as they did against Gujarat Titans (GT), scoring just 155 and then taking the match to the last ball amid rain breaks, MI will back themselves because of a stronger pace attack. Especially given how DC are without Mitchell Starc, they might even want to play on the same track.DC will have a taller order if they have to bat first. They are coming off a match where KL Rahul scored a hundred in a total of 199, which turned out to be inadequate. On the usual flat Mumbai track, DC will have to bat out of their skins to post a challenging total.4:34

Are DC equipped to succeed without Starc?

Promote Stubbs

It is not a question of just intent. DC made 56 boundary attempts as against GT’s 44 when they failed to defend 199. The conditions play a big role. The ball stops just a little when the pitch is fresh, but under lights it comes onto the bat beautifully. There are no match-ups or weak links for DC to exploit.The one tweak they could make is promote Tristan Stubbs to No. 3 if the first wicket doesn’t fall early. You can still have Abhishek Porel bat at 3 if the opportunity comes with a lot of powerplay deliveries left, but Stubbs has the highest ceiling among the DC batters after the openers. If DC find themselves batting first, it makes sense to give Stubbs as many deliveries as possible because what looks like a par score is never enough at Wankhede.

The Surya-Tilak combination

DC are a rare team whose spinners have done well against Suryakumar Yadav. Axar Patel has gone at under a run a ball, and Kuldeep Yadav got him out the last time he came up against Suryakumar. However, Tilak Varma more than makes up for it with a strike rate of 178 against both of the spinners. We might just see MI promote Tilak if they get off to a good start or Axar bringing himself on should Surya and Rohit Sharma bat together. That is one pairing MI should look to avoid: both go at under a run a ball against Axar and aren’t great against Kuldeep either. Considering spin is DC’s strength, don’t bet against some flexibility in the order should Ryan Rickleton be the first batter dismissed.

Target Deepak Chahar

MI love to bowl a lot of Deepak Chahar in the powerplay so that they have Boult and Jasprit Bumrah for the death overs. Chahar has never got Rahul out. He has bowled just 11 balls to Faf du Plessis but has gone for 22 runs for no wicket. The best scenario for DC is to attack Chahar, force MI to take him off and make him come back late or make Hardik Pandya bowl those overs.

Australia’s T20I captain has a series against India starting on Wednesday but could return to Shield cricket after that

Andrew McGlashan27-Oct-20253:26

McGlashan: ‘Marnus has done everything asked of him’

The door remains open for Mitchell Marsh to return to Test cricket in the Ashes, with Australia head coach Andrew McDonald saying he’s batting “as well as he has for a long period of time”, while Usman Khawaja has endorsed his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw as the best option to partner him in the first Test.Speaking ahead of the T20I series against India but with much of the focus on the Ashes, McDonald said the selection panel would be confident picking a player out of white-ball cricket to face England, but added there could be a window for Marsh to return to the Sheffield Shield when it overlaps with the first two Tests.McDonald’s view is consistent with what was first stated back in April when the chair of selectors said Marsh’s Test career wasn’t over after his axing against India in January. In recent weeks the notion of a recall has gained traction amid Marsh’s impressive ODI and T20I form, which has brought 555 runs in his last ten innings.Related

• Webster hopeful he doesn't get 'squeezed out' of Australia's XI for Perth Test

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• Renshaw makes swift Sheffield Shield return for final round of Ashes selection race

• What does Pat Cummins' absence mean for Australia?

“We would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it, Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket, if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,” McDonald said. “He’s the captain of the white-ball team. It’s very hard for him to vacate and balance out Test preparation, if he was to be in the window for that.”We feel he’s batting as well as he has for a long period of time. And when he got dropped last summer, I think he was one of our highest averages from Headingley [in the 2023 Ashes] to that point. He hit a bit of a flat patch there, and we felt it best at that time to bring Beau Webster in.”Marsh, Australia’s T20I captain and stand-in ODI leader, has played down the prospects of a Test return with varying degrees of humour over the past month, starting with a simple “no” in New Zealand when asked if he was thinking about to, to saying he’ll be “six beers deep” by lunch on day one having got tickets for the opening Test.”We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career,” McDonald said. “So what would the prep look like for him? It would have to be through white ball or maybe some Shield cricket after white ball if he isn’t in that first squad and then [he] he can press his claim through that.Mitchell Marsh’s immediate priority is the T20I series against India•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

“There’s Shield [rounds] five and six also when we’re playing the Test matches, where players that aren’t in the first Test will obviously go to work then.”Western Australia play a day-night game against South Australia from November 22 and then face Victoria in the final round before the Big Bash break. Marsh played two Shield games last season before the India series, where he was then dropped after six single-figure scores in seven innings.It’s unlikely Marsh would be an all-round option, having shelved his bowling and not done any since late last year against India.Meanwhile, Khawaja believes that Renshaw is ready to return to Test cricket as the selectors ponder over who will open in Perth. Sam Konstas is the incumbent alongside Khawaja, having done the job in the West Indies but has just one fifty in four Shield innings so far this season after his lean returns in the Caribbean.Marnus Labuschagne could yet take the role if both Cameron Green and Webster make the XI but Khawaja would prefer him to return at No. 3.”I think our best line-up has Marnus three, [Steve] Smith four and [Travis] Head five,” he said ahead of Queensland’s match against New South Wales at the Gabba. “I know if Renshaw is picked, that he is in the best space right now to have a crack at Australia again and be ready to score runs. Obviously, I am a little bit biased because he is my opening partner and a friend of mine, but he’s been there and done it. He has scored 184 for Australia.”He hasn’t done himself any harm with the way he has played in the last three matches in the one-dayers [against India]. He has taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does whenever he goes to the next level. You feel like he is one guy that really belongs at the next level.”

Sunderland have been in dreamland this season, with the addition of Granit Xhaka’s top level experience a huge factor in their success, and Regis Le Bris has hinted at another major signing.

The Black Cats are set to return to action from the international break in the hope of picking up where they left off against Arsenal two weeks ago. They shocked the Premier League leaders by coming from behind to rescue a late draw at the Stadium of Light. Now, with a trip to face Fulham up next, Le Bris has admitted that he expects a “tough challenge” in West London.

Victory could take Sunderland to as high as second and just four points off leaders Arsenal if a number of other results go their way. It would represent the remarkable run that they’ve been on, which has already almost guaranteed safety and potentially allowed them to focus on other ambitions.

Much of their success has come courtesy of an excellent summer transfer window. The arrival of former Arsenal man Xhaka has proven to be particularly successful, with the midfielder ending some unfinished business in the Premier League.

It’s been such a success that the Black Cats may look to repeat their genius in 2026 by signing another former Arsenal man in Matteo Guendouzi. Le Bris recently had his say on a potential deal for the Frenchman.

Le Bris shares Matteo Guendouzi to Sunderland update

Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference before his side’s meeting with Fulham, Le Bris refused to rule out signing Guendouzi and even shared that he’s still in contact with the midfielder.

This follows reports from Italy that Sunderland have joined the race to sign the Lazio midfielder, who is valued at around €30m (£26m).

It seems as though it would certainly be a welcomed reunion for Le Bris, who worked with Guendouzi at Lorient in the early stages of both of their careers. Now, with the Frenchman far more experienced these days – he has 14 senior caps to his name – the Sunderland boss could reap the rewards.

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Described as a “great professional” by former Germany defender Arne Friedrich in the past, Guendouzi could yet have the chance to follow Xhaka’s path and end some unfinished business in the Premier League, courtesy of Sunderland next year.

Sunderland make contact with Real Madrid over signing in-demand £17m+ ace

Son Heung-min is set for a long-awaited emotional return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as reports in South Korea reveal Spurs are preparing a tribute-packed December homecoming. With his first Major League Soccer season at LAFC wrapped up and his regret over not saying a proper goodbye still lingering, the club are now working on a ceremony, half-time honour, special gift and private visit to Hotspur Way.

Tottenham prepare homecoming for Son in December

Reports from South Korea have revealed that Tottenham are preparing to invite Son back for a major December home fixture, marking his first return to north London since his departure in August. According to , Spurs have been working on the logistics of the emotional visit, with the plan centred around the club’s biggest home match of the month – most likely the clash against Liverpool the weekend before Christmas. The invitation comes after Son’s MLS season with LAFC ended earlier than expected, opening a window of opportunity for the reunion to take place.

Son, who left Spurs for Los Angeles immediately after completing the club’s South Korea pre-season tour, has repeatedly expressed that he was unable to properly thank supporters before leaving. His abrupt exit, driven by MLS timing and Tottenham’s summer schedule, meant no farewell match, lap of appreciation or chance to speak directly to the fans who watched him become a club legend. Spurs have identified December as the perfect opportunity to rectify that absence and give Son the goodbye moment he missed.

The report outlines Tottenham’s plan for a pre-match presentation on the pitch, followed by a half-time tribute celebrating his decade of excellence at the club. The club will also present Son with a special commemorative gift and arrange a private visit to the Hotspur Way training centre, allowing him to reconnect with staff members to whom he has always expressed deep personal gratitude.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportReturn to Spurs likely for the Liverpool game

Son’s return is more than a ceremonial gesture, it symbolises closure after an emotionally complex summer exit. Although he remains adored in north London, the timing of his move to LAFC meant there was little room for any formal goodbye, leaving a sense of unfinished business between the player and the supporters. Tottenham’s intention to bring him back now reflects both the depth of the club’s respect for him and the recognition that his legacy deserves a proper celebration inside the stadium he lit up for a decade.

The setting is significant. December home fixtures carry prestige, atmosphere and sentimental weight – particularly a potential tribute before or during the home match against Liverpool, which has quickly emerged as the likeliest date given its global visibility. Such an occasion would allow Spurs to honour Son in front of a full house and on a weekend where his presence would resonate well beyond north London and across Korea, Europe and MLS audiences alike. It is a moment designed not only as a farewell, but as a global reminder of his remarkable connection with Spurs.

Additionally, Spurs have gone beyond the public-facing ceremony by ensuring Son’s visit to Hotspur Way is part of the plan. The forward has often spoken about the behind-the-scenes staff – from physios and chefs to groundskeepers and analysts – who shaped his daily life and development at the club.

Son's Tottenham legacy

Son’s legacy at Tottenham is one of the most celebrated in their modern history, spanning a decade of brilliance, leadership and longevity. After joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, he went on to make 454 appearances, score 173 goals, and record 101 assists, becoming one of Spurs’ greatest Premier League forwards. His individual honours, including the Puskas Award and the Premier League Golden Boot as the first Asian winner, cemented his global status and his place in the club’s folklore.

He also completed his Spurs career by finally lifting a European trophy, winning the 2024–25 Europa League in Bilbao in what became one of the most meaningful nights of his time with the north London side.

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Getty Images SportSon's early MLS end makes December homecoming likely

Since joining LAFC, Son has enjoyed a spectacular start despite a shorter MLS season, registering 12 goals and 4 assists in 13 matches, including playoff fixtures. His side’s campaign ended with a penalty shootout defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference semi-final, an early exit that inadvertently accelerated his availability for the Spurs homecoming.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank opted to go with what seemed like a rather defensive team selection when the line-up was revealed before kick-off against Arsenal.

The Lilywhites lined up with five defenders and two defensive midfielders, along with a front three of Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, and Richarlison against the Gunners.

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Stat

Arsenal

Tottenham

Possession

57%

43%

Big chances

3

0

Shots

17

3

Shots on target

8

2

xG

1.93

0.07

Passes

448

330

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, it was an approach from the Danish manager that did not pay off for Spurs, as they were heavily beaten by their local rivals on Sunday.

Tottenham only registered three efforts on goal in their loss to Arsenal, with one of them being the 45-yard lob from Richarlison, as they struggled badly in possession.

Struggling in possession has been a theme of the Premier League season for the Lilywhites, as they currently rank 17th in the division for xG created (11.1) across 12 matches, per FBref.

Some of that will be down to Frank’s system and tactics, as his selection against Arsenal seemed negative on paper, but there have also been some underperforming attacking players this season.

Ranking Tottenham's attackers this season

When looking at how the team’s attackers have performed in the 2025/26 campaign so far, it is hard to look past Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison as the two standout performers.

The Brazil international has delivered five goals and two assists in all competitions for the Lilywhites, whilst the £55m summer signing from West Ham has produced one goal and five assists.

On the other end of the scales, the £52m signing from RB Leipzig, Xavi Simons, has failed to deliver much in the way of quality, with no goals and two assists in 15 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

The Dutch playmaker, who started the season on the left wing after Heung-min Son’s depature, was left out of the starting line-up against Arsenal, and he has to rank near the bottom of the list because of the fee paid versus the output given so far.

Ranking Tottenham’s attackers this season

Rank

Player (Minimum one appearance)

1

Mohammed Kudus

2

Richarlison

3

Brennan Johnson

4

Mathys Tel

5

Wilson Odobert

6

Randal Kolo Muani

7

Xavi Simons

8

Dominic Solanke

9

Dane Scarlett

As you can see in the table above, Dane Scarlett and Dominic Solanke are the only two players who rank lower than Xavi, and that is because they have played 59 minutes of football between them, which makes it difficult to place them any higher.

Unfortunately, Spurs are still looking for the true heir to Heung-min Son’s throne after the South Korea international moved on from North London in the summer, as their big-money addition from Leipzig is yet to pay off, and they are now keen on a star who could finally fill that vacancy.

Spurs make big-money bid to sign new winger

According to a report from Spain, Tottenham Hotspur are one of the clubs interested in doing a deal to sign Athletic Bilbao forward Nico Williams in the upcoming January transfer window.

The outlet claims that Spurs and Chelsea have both submitted bids worth around £62m in an attempt to land the Spain international to bolster their respective attacking units.

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

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It also reveals that both of those clubs are working on contract offers that would see Williams triple his current wages, which the report does not disclose, in order to convince him to leave his club.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Spanish whiz would be willing to move to England, or if the £62m offers are enough to tempt Athletic Bilbao into cashing in on their prized asset.

If Spurs can get a big-money deal for the left-sided attacker over the line, though, he could be Frank’s own version of Heung-min Son on the wing in the second half of the season.

Why Nico Williams would be Tottenham's new Heung-min Son

Williams, who was described as a “level-raiser” by Como scout Ben Mattinson, has all the attributes that the Lilywhites should be looking for in a replacement for the legendary South Korean star.

Like Son, the Spain international is a rapid forward who can use his speed to get in behind defences, as evidenced by Mattinson stating that he has an “electric burst of pace”, which is what served the former Spurs attacker so well for so long.

A goal scored by Williams against Real Oviedo in LaLiga earlier this month was an excellent demonstration of his speed, quality, and comfort on both feet, which Son was also renowned for during his time in North London.

The 23-year-old forward has registered two goals and two assists in nine matches in LaLiga this term, per Transfermarkt, after a haul of 11 goals and seven assists in 45 outings last season.

His most impressive campaign in an Athletic Bilbao shirt, though, came in the 2023/24 season when he delivered an eye-catching eight goals and 18 assists in 37 matches, per Transfermarkt.

These statistics show that the winger does have the potential to provide quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the flank, as Son did with his 173 goals and 101 assists for Spurs before his move to the MLS in the summer.

Last 365 days (per 90)

Nico Williams

Heung-min Son

Non-penalty xG + xAG

0.38

0.54

Shot-creating actions

4.99

4.51

Progressive passes

3.25

4.09

Progressive carries

5.24

4.27

Successful take-ons

3.33

1.58

Progressive passes received

10.83

10.92

Key passes

1.91

1.86

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, Williams is also similar to Son in a host of underlying statistics away from purely goals and assists, which suggests that he can provide a similar outlet on the left wing.

Like the ex-Spurs captain, the Spain international is an exceptional ball-carrier who can drive the team up the pitch to make things happen as a creative force, which they badly need at the moment, as evidenced by their dismal attacking display against Arsenal.

Having a counter-attacking weapon like Williams could allow Tottenham to defend deeper in matches, as Frank tried to do on Sunday, because they would have him to explode on the break when they win the ball back, instead of attacks stagnating and allowing the opposition to keep the pressure on.

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Therefore, the £62m-rated star could be a phenomenal addition to the squad with the quality that he could bring to the team on the left wing as their true heir to Heung-min Son.

قرر الاتحاد المصري لكرة السلة برئاسة عمرو مصيلحي، مد فترة قيد اللاعبين الأجانب لمدة 24 ساعة إضافية تنفيذًا للائحة نشرة قيد اللاعبين.

وبناءً عليه، يتم إغلاق فترة القيد للاعبين الأجانب يوم السبت 13 ديسمبر بدلًا من الجمعة 12 ديسمبر، نظرًا لكون يوم الجمعة إجازة رسمية، وهو ما نصت عليه نشرة قيد اللاعبين.

طالع.. خاص | تطور جديد بشأن مراسم تتويج الأهلي بدوري المرتبط لكرة السلة

ومن المقرر أن تنطلق منافسات دوري المصري الممتاز لكرة السلة يوم 12 ديسمبر المقبل.

وكان النادي الأهلي قد توج بلقب دوري المرتبط لكرة السلة، على حساب نادي الاتحاد السكندري، ليتوج الاهلي بأول القاب الموسم.

In the wake of a sports betting scandal currently impacting MLB, the league has announced that some of the most prominent sportsbooks in the United States are implementing changes to their baseball markets.

MLB announced Monday that some of the prominent U.S. sportsbooks will be introducing a maximum wager of $200 on bets focused on individual pitch outcomes. Those bets will also be prohibited from being included in parlay wagers.

This comes on the heels of the federal indictment which charged Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase for their involvement in a sports betting scheme. The two pitchers are alleged to have accepted payment related to individual pitch markets, specifically whether individual pitches would result in strikes or balls, as well as the velocity of those pitches.

According to the indictment, bettors won as much as $450,000 by wagering on the outcome of individual pitches in the scheme. But MLB is hoping to curb such manipulation by limiting the amount that can be wagered on those types of markets.

Clase and Ortiz are charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy in connection to the scheme to rig individual pitches. Both could face north of 60 years in prison.

Per ESPN, DraftKings and FanDuel, the two largest sportsbooks in the United States, have agreed to abide by MLB’s request in order to ensure fairness.

Since sports betting was legalized in the United States, there have been multiple instances of corruption involving athletes across various leagues, including the NBA, college sports, and MLB, among others.

Wednesday was an incredible sports night for the city of Toronto. The Maple Leafs, who enter this year with high hopes of finally breaking through for a Stanley Cup, skated past the Canadiens in the NHL season-opener. Then, more crucially, the Blue Jays completed a four-game series win over the rival Yankees to secure a spot in the American League Championship Series.

Fans who stuck around Scotiabank Arena after the Leafs' win were able to experience both moments as the team did a very smart thing and put the final innings of Blue Jays-Yankees on the scoreboard.

That led to a great payoff as those in the building were treated to an electric air-horn punctuation to the Blue Jays recording the final out of the night.

That's how it's done right there.

There's a chance there will be further opportunity for cross-promotion as the Maple Leafs host the Red Wings on Monday afternoon in advance of ALCS Game 2 in town. There's a decent chance the Blue Jays will be hosting the Tigers, setting up a pretty unique doubleheader.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Juventude anunciou nesta quinta-feira (11) a contratação do técnico Maurício Barbieri, de 44 anos, para a próxima temporada. O ex-Flamengo chega ao Alfredo Jaconi para o lugar de Thiago Carpini, com a missão de conduzir o Papo de volta à elite do Brasileirão.

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Maurício Barbieri está livre no mercado desde maio deste ano, quando deixou o Athletico-PR no início da Série B. Ele iniciará os trabalho com o elenco da equipe da Serra Gaúcho no dia 26 de dezembro.

O novo técnico do Juventude ganhou destaque na breve carreira com o trabalho realizado no Red Bull Bragantino, entre 2020 e 2022. Foram mais de 150 partidas à frente da equipe, tendo chegado à final da Copa Sul-Americana de 2021, conquistado vaga na Libertadores e boas campanhas na Série A. Ele, depois disso, treinou o Vasco por cerca de seis meses em 2023, e se transferiu para o México, no FC Juarez, entre fevereiro e outubro de 2024.

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Em seu trabalho mais recente como treinador, Maurício Barbieri somou 24 jogos, com 12 vitórias, sete empates e cinco derrotas, alcançando aproveitamento de 59,7% no comando do Athletico-PR. O Furacão, ao fim do ano, sob o comando de Odair Hellmann, subiu para a elite.

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

O Juventude, por sua vez, ficou na 19ª colocação do Brasileirão em 2025, com apenas 35 pontos, e foi rebaixado. O Papo terá cerca de duas semanas de pré-temporada antes da estreia em 2026, no dia 10 de janeiro, em casa, contra o Ypiranga, pelo Campeonato Gaúcho.

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Tudo sobre

JuventudeMercado da BolaSérie B

When it comes to flop signings, Chelsea have made more than their fair share over the last four or five years.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk are just some of the players who arrived for big money and failed to live up to expectations.

Another star who looked destined for greatness at Stamford Bridge, but ultimately left a flop, was German international Timo Werner.

Unfortunately for Enzo Maresca and Co, one of the players in his current squad looks like he could be on his way to becoming Chelsea’s new Werner.

Werner's failed Chelsea career

When Chelsea agreed to pay RB Leipzig £45m to activate Werner’s release clause in the summer of 2020, there was an understandable level of excitement among the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

At the time, the then-24-year-old forward was one of the most exciting players in the whole of Europe and had just spent the last two campaigns scoring for fun.

For example, across the 18/19 and 19/20 seasons, the Stuttgart-born sensation had scored 53 goals and provided 23 assists in 82 appearances, totalling 6692 minutes.

In other words, the German international was averaging a goal involvement every 1.07 games, or every 88.05 minutes, which was a truly world-class rate of return.

Unfortunately, while he was perhaps not as bad as some fans made out, the 29-year-old would never recreate that sort of form for the Blues.

Appearances

45

52

Minutes

3589′

3831′

Goals

34

12

Assists

13

15

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

0.51

Minutes per Goal Involvement

76.36

141.88′

In fact, he wouldn’t even get close.

Across his two campaigns with the West Londoners, in which he made 89 appearances, the 57-capped international would score 23 goals and provide 21 assists, averaging a goal involvement every 2.02 games.

Now, that isn’t horrendous, but it wasn’t deemed enough to lead the line, and something the stats don’t really show is that he ended up getting quite the reputation for missing chances, especially following that game against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Chelsea decided to cut their losses in the summer of 2022, selling the rapid striker back to Leipzig for just £25m. Fast-forward to today, and it now looks like Maresca might have his own Werner in the squad.

Chelsea's new Werner

The unfortunate truth is that you could make the case that several of Chelsea’s summer signings have struggled this season, but the one who feels like he could become the new Werner is undoubtedly Jamie Gittens.

Now, the Englishman is still young and could therefore come good in the long run, but as things stand, it’s hard not to see the similarities between him and the German’s start to life in West London.

For example, like the former Leipzig star, the Reading-born gem joined the Pensioners after impressing in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund.

Despite being so young, the 21-year-old scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 49 appearances for the German giants, totalling 2803 minutes.

In fact, the winger was so impressive at points during the campaign, such as his performance away to Real Madrid, that Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley went as far as calling him “England’s best left winger.”

Unfortunately, as was the case with Werner, Chelsea fans are yet to see the dynamic winger at his best this year.

For example, while his tally of one goal and five assists in 18 appearances is already disappointing enough, it becomes more so when you take into account that three of his goal involvements came in the League Cup game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Appearances

18

Minutes

830′

Goals

1

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.33

Minutes per Goal Involvement

138.33′

As things stand, the former Dortmund star is nowhere near good enough to start games for Maresca, nor does he seem to have much impact off the bench, so, while it’s harsh, it’s hard to disagree with one analyst who dubbed him a “pointless signing.”

Ultimately, there is still time for Gittens to come good at Chelsea, but at the moment, he looks destined to become another Werner.

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