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Chelsea have joined the race to sign one defender with Blues chairman Todd Boehly reportedly ready to make a last-gasp £34 million bid.

Chelsea spend £271 million on 12 summer signings in busy window

The arrivals of Joao Felix, Mike Penders, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Estevao Willian, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Omari Kellyman and Pedro Neto have brought Chelsea's spending for the summer to around £271 million (including their £51m move for Estevao).

Club chiefs think Chelsea will make late bid for £60m star after new talks

They’re convinced after a drop in asking price.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 29, 2024

It's been yet another show of BlueCo's willingness to spend big since their takeover of the club in 2022, and as they back their new head coach Enzo Maresca ahead of his crucial debut campaign in the Premier League, they've shown no sign of being done yet.

Chelsea have been in ongoing talks over a deal for Napoli star Victor Osimhen this week, as they attempt to add a new striker to Maresca's ranks before the transfer window cut-off point on August 31.

Appearances

25

Goals

15

Assists

3

Shots Per 90

3.86

Key Passes Per 90

1.05

Successful Take-Ons Per 90

0.73

WhoScored

Deadline day looms tomorrow, and time is running out for the Blues to formally seal an agreement for the Nigerian, who is also being chased by Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, according to widespread reports in the last few days.

If a deal for Osimhen cannot be done this late in the day, there are alternatives, with Brentford striker Ivan Toney subject to a Chelsea approach earlier this week as they cast their eyes on multiple striking options for Maresca.

As Chelsea look to ship out Raheem Sterling in the final 48 hours of this transfer window, it is also believed that Jadon Sancho could come the other way in a swap deal, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.

"Juventus and Chelsea remain both in talks for Jadon Sancho," wrote Romano on X last night.

"Juventus have improved their proposal today for loan with buy option, Man Utd insist on obligation and salary coverage also key point. Chelsea remain in active talks but still want swap with Raheem Sterling."

Chelsea ready late £34 million bid for Tomas Araujo

As per CNN Portugal journalist Nuno Farinha, despite Chelsea's desire for options up front, it is now possible they could look to bring in another defender as well.

Indeed, Farinha states, via Mais Futebol, that Chelsea have entered the race to sign Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo, and are ready to offer £34 million to get a late deal over the line.

The 22-year-old made just 13 appearances for Benfica last season, but has impressed with an average match rating of 7.30 across three Primeira Liga starts for the Portuguese heavyweights so far this campaign, according to WhoScored.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras se reapresentou na Academia de Futebol nesta terça-feira (2) depois de folga na segunda-feira (1), após a vitória diante do Grêmio, fora de casa, pelo Brasileirão. Recuperado de lesão no joelho, o lateral-direito Mayke foi a novidade do treinou a participou das atividades sem restrições.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasApós final da Libertadores, Palmeiras reencontra Santos em situações opostasPalmeiras02/11/2021PalmeirasGustavo Scarpa participará de evento universitário sobre leituraPalmeiras02/11/2021PalmeirasCBF escala Raphael Claus como árbitro em clássico entre Palmeiras e SantosPalmeiras02/11/2021

A principal atividade da sessão desta terça foi um trabalho técnico em campo reduzido comandado por Abel Ferreira e sua comissão técnica. Com poucos toques, os jogadores aprimoraram raciocínio e passe. Ausentes na primeira parte da atividade, os goleiros participaram em um segundo momento.

Confira a classificação da Série A

Em função do desgaste da última partida, os titulares foram liberados antes do final do exercício para recuperação física. Neste momento, o Palmeiras conta somente com Jorge como desfalque por lesão em todo o elenco.

O time volta a campo no próximo domingo (7) às 16h (de Brasília), contra o Santos na Vila Belmiro, pela trigésima rodada do Brasileirão. Com 52 pontos, o Verdão ocupa a vice-liderança, sete pontos atrás do líder Atlético-MG.

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West Ham have only managed one win in their opening four pre-season fixtures, as they attempt to apply Julen Lopetegui's new possession-based style of football in time for the Premier League campaign kick-off.

The Hammers have conceded eight goals in those four fixtures, conceding three goals to both Wolves and Crystal Palace. However, they could be set for more defensive reinforcements, even after the signing of Max Kilman.

Both right and left full-backs have been linked with moves to West Ham, the most prominent being Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, but those talks seem to have gone stale currently.

West Ham's hunt for a new full-back

According to reports from UOL, via Sport Witness, West Ham are interested in Monaco left-back, Caio Henrique, with the player having been subject to enquiries in recent weeks.

The report also states Nottingham Forest hold an interest in the 27-year-old full-back, but both the Hammers and Forest are yet to make any offers, with both "simply monitoring" the situation of the Brazilian.

Henrique made nine appearances for Monaco last campaign, coming off the back of a cruciate ligament tear which kept him out for 212 days, still managing five assists in 625 minutes for the French outfit.

Henrique and Summerville linkup

One of West Ham's most exciting signings this summer is former Leeds winger and Championship POTY, Crysencio Summerville. Joining off the back of a stellar campaign, where the 22-year-old made 49 appearances in all competitions, scoring 21 goals, providing ten assists, and totalling 3,892 minutes.

Of course, to get the best out of Summerville, the supporting cast will have to be up to scratch, and the current partner on his left flank would be Emerson, who is coming off the back of his best season at the club, scoring one goal, providing two assists, and contributing to eight clean sheets in his 47 appearances.

Assists

0.72

0.05

Progressive Carries

2.32

1.69

Progressive Passes

4.78

3.58

Passes Attempted

67.2

50.0

Shot-Creating Actions

3.62

2.12

Tackles

1.88

3.04

Interceptions

0.87

1.19

Blocks

1.16

1.35

In comparison to Emerson, Henrique provides that extra quality going forwards, ranking in the top 1% for assists from left full-back in the top five European leagues, with 0.72 per 90.

The 27-year-old also offers that extra progressive passing, which would allow Summerville to get on the ball more often in advanced areas.

Emerson does bring better defensive numbers to the table though, averaging 3.04 tackles per 90, 1.19 interceptions per 90, and 1.35 blocks per 90, all ranking better than Henrique's metrics. Having said that, owning both these offensive defenders would allow for great rotation, and options for Lopetegui based on opposition quality.

Henrique's arrival would be perfect for Summerville, and could create one of the most devastating and attacking left-hand sides in the league.

Summerville's 6.02 shot-creating actions per 90, mixed with the 3.62 shot-creating actions per 90 of Henrique, could provide the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, and new signing Niclas Füllkrug with a whole host of chances.

West Ham hit gold on star worth more than Fullkrug & Summerville combined

He’s been quite the sensation over the past several years…

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 5, 2024

Liverpool fans have taken a huge hint about the futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk after seeing the 2025 calendar.

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• Liverpool release calendar for next year
• Three stars placed in interesting months
• Reds could lose trio at end of the season

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The three Reds stars could leave the club at the end of the season as their contracts expire in the summer. Liverpool are hopeful of convincing all three to stay at Anfield, but the release of their official calendar for next year has fans talking.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Journalist Sam Munnery pointed out that the trio all appear in the early months of the new calendar, with Alexander-Arnold chosen as the face of February, Salah appearing in March and Van Dijk's picture placed in April. Should any of them leave in the summer, they will not be appearing on fans' walls during the 2025-26 campaign.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  While Liverpool would prefer to keep Salah, they are already said to be lining up a successor with Omar Marmoush and Ryan Cherki linked to the Reds. Van Dijk, meanwhile, has said that "discussions are ongoing" between him and the club over a new deal, while Alexander-Arnold has stayed silent amid reports he is on his way to Real Madrid next year.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Liverpool are top of the Premier League with a five-point lead over Manchester City. Arne Slot's side are in action again on Sunday when they visit Southampton, but it has been reported that Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk are injury doubts.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo está escalado para enfrentar o Grêmio nesta quarta-feira, às 21h30, no Maracanã, em partida válida pelo jogo da volta das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. A principal novidade é a volta de Rodrigo Caio, que não atua desde o dia 25 de julho, ao time titular

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> Fla busca coroar reencontro com torcida com classificação diante do Grêmio

Além do zagueiro, Renê e Gabigol, que também foram desfalque contra o Palmeiras, estão escalados no time titular. Por outro lado, Kenedy não foi relacionado e segue no trabalho de condicionamento físico. Fora isso, Willian Arão e Diego Alves foram poupados.

Dessa forma, o Flamengo vai a campo com: Gabriel Batista; Matheuzinho, Rodrigo Caio, Léo Pereira e Renê; Thiago Maia, Andreas Pereira, Everton Ribeiro e Vitinho; Michael e Gabigol.

> Veja as chaves das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil

Alô, Nação! Estamos de volta à nossa casa. E olha quem já pareceu aqui, tão veloz quanto suas atualizações de visual do Gabigol … 😅😅 #lanceMARACA pic.twitter.com/NhfJDI2gfj

— Flamengo – LANCE! (@lance_flamengo) September 15, 2021

Veja mais informações do jogo entre Flamengo e Grêmio, pela Copa do Brasil:

Estádio: Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data e hora: 15 de setembro de 2021, às 21h30
Árbitro: Rodolpho Toski Marques (Fifa/PR)
Assistentes: Bruno Boschilia (Fifa/PR) e Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos (PR)
Árbitro de vídeo: Adriano Milczvski (PR)

Onde assistir: TV Globo, Premiere, SporTV2 e Tempo Real do LANCE!

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has stated that his side were "hungover" during their loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final last season.

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• Man City lost FA Cup final last season
• Guardiola reveals players were 'hungover'
• City had just won Premier League title

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  City were rocked by city rivals United in the FA Cup final last season as the Red Devils took a two-goal lead before half-time with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. The defending champions were able to pull one goal back minutes from time but Guardiola's side were unable to get back into the game that late.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It had been suggested that City players did not have their heads in the clash during their disappointing loss as Guardiola's side had just won an intense Premier League title fight with Arsenal just five days earlier. Following City's 2-1 loss to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, the Spanish head coach has now confirmed suspicions that his players were struggling during the final last season at Wembley.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

  Speaking to the media after his team's first defeat since that day at Wembley, Guardiola said: "This is the news, not that we lose, but how long it has been since we lose. Of course, with the FA Cup final we were a little bit hungover, but it is good news."

  At the time of the loss, Guardiola had said: "It's my mistake – the game plan was not good. The players know it, the reason why. Tactically, it was not good. I had the feeling it was not good today. You plan a game for different positions, but didn't work – it's as simple as that."

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• WHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY?

  The Premier League leaders will now be in action when they take on Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium on Saturday as they look to keep up their lead over Liverpool and Arsenal.

KL Rahul and T Natarajan play key roles too as Australia go down by 11 runs

Daniel Brettig04-Dec-2020Concussion substitute Yuzvendra Chahal plucked three vital wickets and opened a fresh chapter in cricket’s long history of debating topics after being chosen – controversially – to replace Ravindra Jadeja, delivering India a comfortable victory in the opening T20I at Manuka Oval in Canberra.ALSO WATCH: Match highlights – Jadeja, Chahal, Natarajan help India win series opener (India subcontinent only)Jadeja’s exit from the contest – he suffered a hamstring injury first and was then hit on the helmet in the last over of India’s innings – allowed India to call upon a wristspinner in Chahal, who had been harshly treated during the ODI series but found himself defending a serviceable total on the night and responding grandly.Yuzvendra Chahal made a big impact after coming on as a concussion substitute•Getty ImagesIn contrast, the Australians gradually lost grip of a contest that had appeared more or less in their keeping when India were restricted to 114 for 6 with 19 balls of their innings remaining after Aaron Finch sent them in to bat. A target of 162 should still have been well within the grasp of Finch’s team, but their innings sank steadily into the mire thanks to Chahal, T Natarajan’s zippy left-armers, and Virat Kohli’s growing command of the battlefield.Starc returns in finer fettle
Something was not quite right about Mitchell Starc in the first two ODIs, and he was missing from the third with what was described as a minor side and/or rib complaint. This had been a surprise to many, given his recent displays with both white and red ball, but the physical ailment had at least gone some way to explaining why he had been lined up so effectively by India’s batsmen at the SCG.At Manuka, Starc returned, and while not quite firing on all cylinders, he offered something far closer to his best in his opening two overs. At high pace, he found a hint of swing into KL Rahul during the opening over of the match, and found the lines and lengths that made him hard to dispatch to the boundary on a good pitch. In his second over, Starc struck, and Shikhar Dhawan was the victim.Seeing a delivery of fullish length, Dhawan leant forward to drive, but, to his horror, saw the ball curl away late to flick off stump. Starc celebrated with a touch of the rueful grin – there was something of “so that’s where I left it” about his response.ALSO WATCH: Video highlights: Chahal’s match-winning three-for (India subcontinent only)Henriques does a Watson
Back in the day, when he was a strapping teenager, Moises Henriques was regarded as one of Australian cricket’s brightest young pace-bowling prospects by no less a judge than Damien Fleming. He was undoubtedly able to bowl faster at a younger age than many. In this, he shared something with Shane Watson, who suffered early in his career from the injuries and fluctuations of a body trying to cope with his efforts to bowl as fast as possible while still developing into maturity.At length, Watson evolved into a highly intelligent swing and seam bowler at a little over medium pace, and right up to his retirement from T20s this year was a highly challenging opponent for any batsman in the shortest format. Australia had certainly felt his absence at key times since his retirement from internationals in 2015. Five years later, Henriques has returned to the Australian team and shown that he too has evolved with time into a clever middle-overs merchant.His spell of 3 for 22 ensured Rahul could not take control of the latter part of the innings after Mitchell Swepson had pouched the key wicket of Kohli, and also ensured that Hardik Pandya could not exert the kind of late-innings influence he had in the third ODI. Even when Marcus Stoinis is fit, Henriques’ bowling has given the selectors something to think about.Moises Henriques celebrates a wicket with Matthew Wade•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesLike for dislike
When Jadeja was struck on the helmet by Starc in the final over of an innings he played a key role in pushing to competitive territory, having already been restricted by an apparent hamstring strain while batting, his case raised all sorts of questions. Not checked for concussion on the field, Jadeja was apparently assessed between innings and found to be suffering from a possible concussion. India’s squad lists include a doctor – Abjihit Salvi – but there had been no mandatory test on field for a hit on the helmet as now has become commonplace in Australia.Once the decision for a concussion substitute was made, the questions evolved into those around the right replacement. In what was a very public debate between Langer and match referee – also his first batting partner in a Test match – David Boon, it was very clear the hosts were miffed by both the concussion situation and the fact that Chahal was chosen as Jadeja’s replacement.But just as Langer himself had recently demonstrated when he revealed the selection debate around whether to choose Mitchell Marsh or Marnus Labuschagne to sub for Steven Smith in the 2019 Ashes Test at Lord’s, “like for like” is a very subjective concept. It only became more so when Chahal dismissed Finch and Smith, to give India a chance of upsetting the Australian chase.India make it 2-2
On one level, Australia have won the ODI series and are still in the T20I series. On another, India have emerged from the funk of the first two games of their tour in Sydney, and have now twice beaten the hosts in two games in different formats to give their visit a sense of momentum. They did so with an impressive ensemble effort with the ball, whatever the whys and wherefores of Chahal subbing in for Jadeja.Australia’s innings, having begun well through Finch and Short as they added 56 in 46 balls, went on a long, slow decline after the loss of the first wicket. The quick exits of Smith and Glenn Maxwell, the latter after an interminable delay while ball-tracking was summoned on an lbw that appeared to feature a good deal of doubt about whether the ball had pitched outside leg stump, rather took the wind out of the home viewing area, and it was clear that Short, as his innings slowed to ineffectiveness, Henriques and Matthew Wade were not going to be able to step up.Ultimately, the game was not particularly close as T20Is go, leaving the Australians to choose between their evident frustration at the substitution and the fact of an increasingly resurgent India.

CSA, meanwhile, is seeking legal advice on whether SASCOC had the authority to intervene in the manner it did

Firdose Moonda11-Sep-2020

CSA have been embroiled in a governance crisis since December last year•Getty Images

The ICC can be expected to approach CSA for clarification over the board and executive being instructed to step aside by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) on Thursday. That’s the opinion of David Becker, former head of legal for the ICC, who was involved in the drafting of the regulation on outside interference in Member Bodies.Article 2.4 of the ICC’s Constitution states that: “The Member must manage it affairs autonomously and ensure that there is not government (or other public or quasi-public body) interference in its governance, regulation and/or administration of Cricket in its Cricket Playing Country (including in operational matters, in the selection and management of teams, and in the appointment of coaches or support personnel,” and though SASCOC is not a government institution, it is a public body which oversees high-performance sport. ESPNcricinfo understands that the ICC is monitoring the situation, as Becker suggested.While Becker, who now works as a sports lawyer in South Africa, said the ICC would be “cautious” when deciding whether SASCOC’s decision to appoint a task team to conduct an investigation into CSA’s administrative and financial affairs constitutes a breach of its constitution, he pointed to the wording of one of SASCOC’s reasons for stepping in as potentially “worrying” to the game’s global governing body.”As regards to ICC intervention, ICC will certainly be concerned by the reference in SASCOC’s letter to SASCOC having received a ‘directive by the Minister of Sport and Recreation for SASCOC to intervene into the affairs of CSA’,” Becker told ESPNcricinfo. “ICC will be loath to intervene and suspend CSA, but they will be perturbed by it and will certainly actively seek a coherent explanation from CSA. They are required to, as the international governing body.”CSA, meanwhile, is seeking legal advice on whether SASCOC had the authority to intervene in the manner it did, which CSA disagrees with. In an overnight statement CSA said it had not been given the opportunity to engage with SASCOC (although the parties have held two meetings recently) and a spokesperson said the organisation is continuing with “business as usual”, with the board and members’ council set to meet this weekend to chart the way forward. Becker does not believe CSA will be able to prevent SASCOC’s task team from being formed and beginning its work, and explained that SASCOC has acted within its remit.”SASCOC’s powers under its own constitution, and under the National Sports and Recreation Act, are very broad. They have the ability to convene an investigation, and if necessary intervene. We all know urgent action is needed in view of the dire circumstances at CSA,” Becker said.”The question is whether SASCOC have acted prematurely. They have consulted with CSA, but has the task team been appointed? Who is on the task team and is it ready and able to do its work? Still, CSA would be hard-pressed to obtain an interdict from the High Court in response to SASCOC’s actions. Given SASCOC’s broad powers, and the circumstances at CSA, CSA need to be seen to be co-operative here.”CSA has been embroiled in a governance crisis since December last year, when former CEO Thabang Moroe was suspended. Moroe was dismissed last month after a forensic audit revealed acts of serious misconduct but the audit has not been made fully available to SASCOC, the sports ministry or the public, forcing SASCOC to use its step-in rights to look into CSA.

After a season that started with plenty of play-off promise ended with a disappointing 16th-place finish, Sunderland are reportedly set to suffer transfer consequences in the coming months.

Sunderland transfer news

If those at the Stadium of Light could go back in time, then it would be interesting to see whether they would have parted ways with Tony Mowbray in favour of appointing Michael Beale. When the former left, the Black Cats were battling well for a top six place, but by the time his successor departed, their play-off chances were left looking more like a pipe dream than anything else.

Sunderland could finally get Rusyn firing by appointing Still alternative

Sunderland fans will hope this bold new manager can turn Nazariy Rusyn into a goal-machine.

ByKelan Sarson May 7, 2024

Mike Dodds' interim spell in charge didn't help improve things either, resulting in a season to forget on Wearside. Now, Sunderland have been left searching for their next manager in a decision they must get right. The likes of Paul Heckingbottom and Steve Cooper have been linked, but it remains to be seen just who will be stepping into the hot seat.

Whoever it is though, they will reportedly face an instant transfer problem as a result of a frustrating campaign at the Stadium of Light. According to Graeme Bailey, Sunderland will lose Trai Hume this summer as a consequence of their struggles.

Bailey told Sunderland AFC News: ”I think you’re going to lose Hume at right-back too. Well, they were looking to sell the lad you got from PSG [Pembele], but I think one of the right-backs will go. They had originally signed the PSG boy to succeed Hume, but he hasn’t got much of a look in, has he?”

It's quite the blow for Sunderland, who could lose not one, but two right-backs to leave them with no choice other than to turn towards the transfer market for reinforcements. Hume would be a particularly frustrating exit, given his starting role and high praise from Mowbray, who said: "I told him to be patient, that there would be injuries and therefore opportunities, and to make sure that he was ready to grab it.

"Make me think, 'wow'. That's what happened, Lynden has moved on, Luke is at centre back, and Trai has made that position his own."

Hume departure would sum Sunderland's season up

As much as Sunderland will want to look towards positives and starting a new era at the Stadium of Light, Hume's exit would deal them a huge blow, even if the right offer comes in to clear his reported £3k-a-week salary from their wage bill.

His exit would act as a warning sign of just how important at least competing for a place in the Championship's top six is and then, of course, promotion to the Premier League. With or without Sunderland, however, Dodds believes that Hume has top-flight quality, having praised the right-back via Chronicle Live back in March.

Dodds said: “If he carries on the path he is going to, Trai is going to the Premier League. That’s how good I think he is. When you think of full-backs in this league, Trai would definitely be one of the best if not the best full-backs in the league and I don't think there will be many arguments over that."

If he is to exit as predicted by Bailey, then perhaps the Premier League is where Hume is heading this summer. At 22 years old, he's certainly got the time and potential to thrive at the top level.

What a difference a session makes to the outlook of a tour. It was one Day 4 session in the first Test at Old Trafford that sketched the wafer-thin border between triumph and disaster for England and Pakistan; a passage of play that – in the wake of a washed-out second Test – denied the visitors a shot at a first series win in England in 24 years, and set up the hosts for their first against Pakistan anywhere in a decade.And who knows how much the sting of that failure will linger for Pakistan as they enter the T20 leg of their tour. In ordinary times, a preceding Test series might be rendered irrelevant, but on a tour of close-knit bubbles, isolation protocols and empty stadiums, it might actually be Pakistan’s only true frame of reference.For England, it’s a strikingly different scenario. A wholly different squad, even down to the management staff, will rock up to Manchester for this leg of their bio-secure summer, and while it might appear that a touch of insouciance has crept into England’s white-ball cricket since they lifted the ODI World Cup last year, with two T20 World Cups in the next two years, there’s no reason for that to extend to the shortest format.Babar Azam and Eoin Morgan pose with the series trophy•Getty Images

Currently ranked behind only Australia in T20s, Eoin Morgan’s side have an opportunity to work up handy white-ball momentum before Australia rock up for three T20Is and three ODIs next month, although they will once again be lacking a host of shoo-in names with the likes of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer all out of contention after their time in the Test bubble – not to mention Joe Root, who is set to feature for Yorkshire in the Blast in a bid to restate his credentials in the shortest format.England’s most recent form reference is a slightly bonkers T20I series against South Africa in February, where all three T20Is went down to the final over and they just about held their nerve to eke out a 2-1 series win. It kept alive an unbeaten T20I series run that extends to more than two years now, and if they can keep that going over the next month or so, England could truly think of this as, given the circumstances, just about the ideal home season.If their memories stretch that far, Pakistan would do well to look upon a tour of England four years ago. Well beaten in the ODI series, they approached the one-off T20 with a certain elan that would set the gold standard for T20I cricket in the three years to follow, as they stormed to the World No.1 ranking and put distance between themselves and the rest. England were thrashed by nine wickets, commencing a run from Pakistan which would see them win 29 of 33 T20Is, including 11 consecutive series triumphs.They’ve come back down to earth with an unseemly splat in the 18 months since – that No.1 ranking is certainly long gone – but a younger side that still retains several characters from those heady days may wonder if they can hit the restart button and go again once more. Babar Azam, now leading the side, and the world T20 batsman rankings, has another opportunity to put his stamp on a team one imagines he’ll feature in for much of the next decade. A series win here would certainly be the most gratifying way to have the last laugh.Mohammad Rizwan gets a piggyback from Shaheen Shah Afridi•Getty Images

England WWLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WWLLL

Tom Banton’s breathtaking form for Somerset in the 2019 Blast catapulted him into the national team, but in his (admittedly very brief) stint at the top, it hasn’t quite clicked for him. Fifty-six runs in three T20Is against New Zealand were followed by an underwhelming ODI start, and while eight international innings is no kind of sample size, his most recent T20 numbers don’t make the best reading either. The PSL was an immense struggle for him, managing just 74 runs at the top of the innings – 34 of them in one rain-curtailed 12-over match – even as his opener partner Kamran Akmal finished as the seventh-highest runscorer in the league. He ended up being benched, and while the Old Trafford surface won’t quite be the same as any in Pakistan, he will face some of the bowlers who troubled him there. It’s one to watch out for.ALSO READ: Eoin Morgan challenges young players to seize World Cup rolesBanton’s Peshawar Zalmi teammate Haider Ali was one of Pakistan’s few PSL success stories with the bat, with 239 runs at a strike rate a shade under 160. It followed on from a decent World Cup but it’s not just the numbers when it comes to the 19-year old. The obviously freakish talent, both as striker and stroker of the ball, has led him to reap rewards in T20 cricket as well as first-class. He said recently his batting idol was Rohit Sharma, and while any comparisons would be ludicrous, you can see why the Indian opener is the ideal cricketer for Haider to seek to emulate. The T20 World Cup’s postponement might prove ideal both for him and Pakistan, for if he is to emulate his domestic success on the international stage, he’d be among the first names on the team sheet.

With Jason Roy ruled out by a side strain, Dawid Malan appears set to get another opportunity, having scored 103 not out from 51 balls in his last-but-one outing in New Zealand. Old Trafford has historically favoured spin bowling, so Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are set to resume their fruitful alliance. England have a wealth of all-round options to bulk out their middle order, but Jonny Bairstow, Eoin Morgan and Sam Billings, who enjoyed a productive run against Ireland, may need to provide the batting ballast.England (possible): 1 Tom Banton 2 Jonny Bairstow (wk) 3 Dawid Malan 4 Eoin Morgan (capt) 5 Sam Billings 6 Moeen Ali 7 Tom Curran 8 Dawid Willey 9 Chris Jordan 10 Adil Rashid 11 Saqib MahmoodA dearth of spinners isn’t exactly a problem for Pakistan, with Shadab Khan one of as many as five potential options Pakistan could line up with. Rizwan’s brilliant Test series may be enough for him to retain his T20 slot even with Sarfaraz Ahmed poised to make a first appearance for Pakistan in nearly a year.Pakistan (possible): 1 Babar Azam (capt), 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Shadab Khan, 4 Haider Ali, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Mohammad Rizwan/Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Iftikhar Ahmed, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Wahab Riaz, 11 Shaheen Afridi

In T20s at Old Trafford since 2017, the overall run rate has been 7.98 runs per over, suggesting 160 might be a par score. Rain is expected through much of the day, but should clear in good time for the game to get underway at 6pm. Persistent rain over the week will mean conditions are damp, which could result in a slow outfield. It wouldn’t be too surprising to see Pakistan open with a spinner, as they did to great success while on that jolly T20 streak.

Stats and trivia

• Shoaib Malik is 108 runs away from becoming the first non-West Indian to score 10,000 T20 runs. He needs 31 more to surpass Brendon McCullum, who sits on 9,922.
• In all T20s at Old Trafford since 2017, spinners have conceded 1.3 fewer runs per over than seamers. Their economy rate is 7.27, while seamers have seen their overs go for 8.57.

“This is another opportunity for guys who potentially sit outside that 15 to present their best case, moving forward, for winter tours and the World Cup next year. Opportunities like this don’t come around very often when we have our squad at full strength”
England skipper Eoin Morgan challenges his side to make the most of their chances