An integral part of ECB’s privatisation of the Hundred involves the eight teams being run as a joint venture

Nagraj Gollapudi24-Jul-2024Is it wise or profitable to buy the minority (49%) stake being offered by ECB to own one of the eight franchises in the Hundred? That’s the question being asked by owners of almost all of the 10 IPL teams, most of whom are keen to buy teams in the Hundred but not in favour of being a “passive” investor.An integral part of ECB’s privatisation of the Hundred, which launched its fourth season on Tuesday, involves the eight teams being run as a joint venture. The ECB has finalised a model which will leave 51% stake with eight Hundred ‘hosts’ – seven counties and, in the case of London Spirit, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The remaining 49% will be sold to private investors, which will be finalised by ECB in coordination with the hosts, who have also been given the choice to divest some or all of their stakes before the formal bidding process from mid-September.But several IPL franchise owners have expressed reservations, especially on the controlling stake which, along with trust, is one of two key factors that determine the success and longevity of any joint venture. It is no different for the Hundred.Related

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“This is going to be new for anyone who’s coming in, because in all the other franchise investments, we are 100% owners,” said the head of one IPL-winning franchise. “The dynamics of that are very different. Here, it’s going to be a joint venture. There’s valuation subject, then there’s ownership subject, then there’s operational matters – all these issues come to the fore immediately.”The official, who declined to be named, said the very fact that there’s another partner, whether they have a minority or majority stake, raised a “stumbling block” and “a huge difference” to how their franchises operated elsewhere. “If it is 49 %, who’s in charge? Would you want to come in as a pure investor? Probably not. I don’t know the answer to that yet.”But we have been told that control and all those things could be baked in for the investor who’s coming in. I don’t know that there’ll be a great deal of appetite and interest to say, ‘OK, here’s a cheque. I would like to be a passive investor. Let it run as it is and we’ll contribute to the extent we can.’ No.”

“The key question is how much that 49% constitutes of the overall value. If that number is too huge and I am not sure and I see enough returns, then I would rather take a small share to begin with”An IPL CEO said they are open to a smaller stake in the Hundred

Vikram Banerjee, head of business operations at ECB, was made aware of investors’ concerns on his trip to India during IPL 2024, where he met with owners and management at various franchises.”For a number of them, it’s around things like brand,” Banerjee said on the subject of control. “For a lot of them it is cricket, and being in control of the cricket side of things and others, pure and simple majority stakes from an equity perspective. So we understand that and we understand where they are at. We have then built that into the process.”If you look across our eight teams, there will be a variety there that will be on market, and that clarity will be provided when we go to market in September. And that clarity will provide a range that I believe, at this point, will have different offerings that will suit all different kinds. And then as the conversations build, the details will build through October, November, December. We’ll get to a really good place by the time the process runs its course.”Among the eight franchises, the MCC and Surrey said they currently have no plans to divest any of their 51% stake in their teams.Richard Gould, the ECB’s chief executive, didn’t rule out the possibility of the investors holding a 100% stake subject to their fulfilling various criteria. “There’s certainly the opportunity for people to have, potentially, 100% ownership. It depends on the capabilities that they can bring both in terms of finance and operational delivery. Those opportunities do exist.”The ECB had been clear at the outset that the highest bid will not necessarily be the winning one. Banerjee said while there was no denying money was important, the board also wanted partners who were keen to support the growth of the game at all levels.Venky Mysore, the CEO of defending IPL champions KKR, believes any joint venture “boils down to the chemistry recipe”•BCCIVenky Mysore, CEO at Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending IPL champions, said the success of a joint venture is determined by the “chemistry” between the investor and the county in the case of the Hundred. Mysore has been at the helm of the Knight Riders group since 2011, and has overseen their buying and establishing teams in the Carribean Premier League, International League T20 and Major League Cricket.”Like in any joint venture there are legacy issues which will be there in the Hundred, too,” Mysore told ESPNcricinfo earlier this month. “The existing shareholder group has existed for 100-plus years, and suddenly, you have a new investor coming in and you are joining hands.”Ultimately in any joint venture, with my experience, it boils down to the chemistry recipe. It’s not the number: it’s not about a closed bid and ‘here’s a cheque’ and the highest bid wins. From our perspective and from the partner’s perspective who have already spoken with us, it’s about that chemistry. Can you work together? Because this is for the long run.”Speaking for ourselves… we think about it for the long haul. So something like [the Hundred], again, you think about it for the long haul and then say, ‘OK, it’s a joint venture’. If it has to work, then the people, the chemistry has to be a big determining factor. And those are the risks of joint ventures in general.”Not everyone is chasing a majority stake, though. A CEO at a third IPL team told ESPNcricinfo that since they are just dipping their feet in the Hundred, and doesn’t fully understand the business model, they would prefer to buy a smaller stake in a franchise and build on it gradually.”49% is good enough to begin with,” the CEO said. “The key question is how much that 49% constitutes of the overall value. If that number is too huge and I am not sure and I see enough returns, then I would rather take a small share to begin with, with a rider that I would be allowed to take more of a stake with every passing year, or every five years.”

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has a reputation for doing work on numerous transfer targets before eventually formalising that interest, and the Italian currently has many different avenues he’s exploring right now.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, as confirmed by the reliable David Ornstein and others, despite the player’s cryptic comments recently, is closing in on a move to Arsenal with all details of the deal agreed.

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Arsenal regard the 26-year-old’s capture as “done and signed”, with Real Madrid posing no threat after all following their decision to back off in the race for Zubimendi, coming as fantastic news for Mikel Arteta.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is also poised to join Arsenal as David Raya’s understudy, and now that the Spanish duo appear on their way to N5, attention is turning to Berta’s pursuit of a winger and striker.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arsenal talks remain ongoing for RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko, while some reports claim the north Londoners are preparing another offer for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, after their opening bid was rejected (Mais Futebol).

Berta has apparently been working to discover the conditions of deals for both Sesko and Gyokeres before deciding which deal would suit Arsenal best (BBC), so it is little surprise we’re seeing leaks of serious Arsenal talks for the strikers.

Arsenal are also chasing a new winger, and £170,000-per-week Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams remains on their agenda.

Arsenal approach Nico Williams with Berta ready to pay release clause

According to Spanish news outlet Sport, despite reports to the contrary, the 22-year-old’s release clause is actually £53 million.

Nevertheless, Sport’s information is that Arsenal are ready to pay the £53 million for Williams, and are making “real moves” by knocking on his door. Berta is also ready to offer the Spain international a marquee salary, but there is an err of caution, as Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are prepared to do exactly the same.

Intriguingly, Williams’ ideal plan is to remain in Spain and join Barcelona. His agent, Felix Tainta, even held crucial talks with Barca sporting director Deco this week to explore a potential move to the Camp Nou.

However, while the Catalans were keen on Williams last summer, Sport suggests he won’t have much luck this time around, given Barca’s priority attacking signing is actually Liverpool star Luis Diaz.

Arsenal’s willingness to meet both Bilbao’s release clause and pay Williams a large salary could open the door for Arteta’s side to tempt the exciting wide player with a move to the Premier League instead, and former Chelsea boss José Mourinho’s plaudits suggest he could be worth the effort.

“Nico is unique, he is wonderful,” Mourinho said. “During the European Championship, people were talking a lot about Lamine Yamal, who is obviously another wonderful kid, but I personally prefer Nico.”

Manchester City have beaten Newcastle United to the signing of goalkeeper James Trafford, with Pep Guardiola’s side reaching an agreement with Burnley. The deal has reportedly been sealed for less than the £40 million ($53.8m) buy-back clause originally set, as City prepare for possible changes in their goalkeeping department ahead of the new season.

• Man City to sign Trafford back from Burnley
• City match £27m Newcastle offer for Trafford
• Trafford to sign five-year deal with option for sixth

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Fabrizio Romano was first to report that Manchester City have agreed to re-sign Trafford from Burnley. The goalkeeper gave his approval to return, with Guardiola personally pushing for the move. Newcastle had also been in the running, but Trafford chose a return to the Etihad Stadium instead.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Manchester City’s renewed interest came after initially showing no intention of re-signing Trafford earlier in the summer. However, the 22-year-old will now join Ederson and Stefan Ortega in the Cityzens' goalkeeping group ahead of the new season. With Ederson publicly denying exit rumours and expected to stay, attention now turns to Stefan Ortega, who remains linked with a Bundesliga return.

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  Per , Newcastle had made a concrete £27 million offer for Trafford back in May, but City, who had the right to match any bids for the goalkeeper, have now done the same to reclaim their former prospect. Trafford is reportedly set to sign a five-year deal, with the option for an additional year, marking a full-circle return just two years after leaving the club.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR TRAFFORD?

  City are keen on completing the deal for Trafford before the start of their delayed pre-season and compete with Ortega for the backup role behind Ederson. If Ortega departs before the window closes, Trafford could immediately step into the top backup spot and look to challenge the Brazilian for the starting spot as this season progresses.

da bet vitoria： Leeds United have a make-or-break summer transfer window ahead of them, with numerous key additions needed if they are to beat the drop in the Premier League.

da realsbet： Daniel Farke has conducted an excellent job in leading the side back to England’s top flight, but the real challenge starts now as he needs to keep the side in the division for more than one season.

No side in each of the last two years who achieved promotion have managed to maintain their top-flight status, but the Whites have already demonstrated they’re keen to break buck such a trend.

Jaka Bijol looks set to move to Elland Road after travelling to England for his medical, potentially joining Lukas Nmecha in arriving in Yorkshire ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

However, their business has shown no signs of showing down this summer, with Farke needing key investment from the hierarchy in his quest to achieve his goal.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions this summer

A striker has been one of Leeds’ main priorities for the off-season, that’s despite Joel Piroe ending last campaign as the Championship’s top scorer with 19 goals.

Beto, Evann Guessand and Fabio Silva have all been mentioned as potential options for the German, but it appears as though work is currently being conducted elsewhere.

Over the last couple of days, the hierarchy have been keeping an eye on a move to sign Dynamo Kyiv talisman Vladyslav Vanat, that’s according to LeedsUnited.News’ latest report.

They claim that the club’s scouts have been monitoring him at the U21 Euros this summer, with the forward scoring once in his three group games with Ukraine.

It also states that he also has a £17m release clause within his current contract, a deal which could prove to be a potential bargain after his record of 21 goals in 45 club appearances this season.

Why Leeds’ £17m target would be a better signing than Muniz

Alongside a deal for Vanat this summer, Leeds have been closely monitoring a move for Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz as Farke looks to further add depth to his frontline.

The Brazilian scored eight times in the Premier League last campaign, doing so in 31 outings, but only eight of which came from a starting position – showcasing his impressive nature in front of goal.

Such form has seen the Whites make a £32m bid including add-ons, but the offer was swiftly rejected, with Fulham seeing the 24-year-old as a key part of their first-team plans.

There’s no denying that the hierarchy are showing the ambition needed if the club are to stay up next season, but ultimately, Muniz isn’t worth the price tag touted – leading to other options being considered as a result.

After the rejection, it appears as though Vanat is now one of their main targets for the striker position, with the Ukrainian providing a better and cheaper option than the Brazilian.

The 23-year-old, who’s been labelled “clinical” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has massively outscored the Cottagers talisman, backing up the comment made about his ability in the final third.

He’s also achieved a better conversion rate in front of goal, taking chances that fall his way with both hands, something that will be pivotal if they are to beat the drop.

Combined goals & assists from Leeds attackers in the Championship (2024/25)

Player

Tally

Joel Piroe

26

Manor Solomon

22

Dan James

21

Wilfried Gnonto

15

Junior Firpo

14

Brenden Aaronson

11

Jayden Bogle

10

Stats via FotMob

Vanat’s all-round play is just as impressive, registering more assists and completing more dribbles per 90, handing Farke an extremely impressive talent should they land his signature.

It remains to be seen if the player himself is keen on a move to Elland Road this window, but given the levels he’s produced, the club must take a risk and trigger his current clause.

Muniz has shown he can deliver in England’s top flight, but his subsequent price tag is nothing short of absurd, which could see Leeds land themselves a hugely promising star in the form of Vanat.

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يستعد فريق ريال مدريد، بقيادة المدرب تشابي ألونسو، لخوض مباراة مهمة مساء يوم الأربعاء، في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا ضد نظيره فريق يوفنتوس.

ويستضيف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس، في خضم لقاءات الجولة الثالثة من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مرحلة الدوري لموسم 2025/26.

ويمتلك ريال مدريد 6 نقاط، حيث فاز في الجولة الأولى على مارسيليا بهدفين مقابل هدف، في حين انتصر على كيرات بخمسة أهداف دون رد.

في حين أن يوفنتوس لديه نقطتين فقط، بعدما تعادل في الجولة الأولى مع بوروسيا دورتموند بأربعة أهداف لمثلهم، كما تعادل في الثانية مع فياريال بنتيجة 2/2. موعد مباراة ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 1. معلق مباراة ريال مدريد ويوفنتوس اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

سيعلق عصام الشوالي على أحداث مباراة الليلة.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

In an attempt to get their summer business underway, Aston Villa have now reportedly joined the race to sign a 19-year-old Ligue 1 sensation who’s available at a cut-price this summer.

How much Aston Villa can spend this summer

With the transfer window now open, Aston Villa would usually be ready to spend in normal circumstances. This time around, however, they must act with caution. At risk of PSR sanctions more so than most Premier League sides, the Villans may need to sell at least one star name this summer if they want to ease their profit and sustainability problems.

That’s not to say Aston Villa can’t spend at all, though. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently offered insight into just how much those at Villa Park can splash out as things stand. He told BBC Sport: “Without any outgoings, it appears Villa will be at the bottom end of the £50-100m spending range.”

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Whether the Midlands club decide to increase that figure through player sales remains to be seen. The likes of Emiliano Martinez and Morgan Rogers have already been linked with summer departures, but both sales would undoubtedly weaken Unai Emery’s squad as they go in pursuit of Champions League football once again next season.

How they choose to spend that rumoured £50-100m will also be interesting. To that end, the rumours have also been coming thick and fast. Names such as Fares Chaibi have threatened to steal the headlines, as have the likes of Nicolas Jackson in what would be quite the move from Chelsea. Both may be within the Villans’ price range, albeit a limited one, which instantly makes them two names to keep an eye on.

They’re not the only targets in Villa’s sights, however. Moncho and co. are also reportedly battling to sign a Ligue 1 sensation to add to Emery’s side in the coming months.

Aston Villa join race to sign Atangana

According to Bild in Germany, as relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have now joined the battle to sign Valentin Atangana alongside West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt. The 19-year-old midfielder enjoyed an impressive season in a struggling Stade Reims side who were eventually relegated from Ligue 1.

Whilst that relegation would have disappointed the teenager, it may well provide him with a route to bigger and better things this summer. In a far weaker position in negotiations following relegation, Reims could now sell Atangana for as little as €10m (£8m) this summer.

Dubbed a “fantastic modern holding midfielder” by scout Jacek Kulig, Villa’s interest in Atangana should come as little surprise. His arrival would hardly break the bank or exceed their PSR limit and would undoubtedly offer Emery the chance to work with a future star.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that an “awesome” Sheffield United could depart alongside Gustavo Hamer in the summer transfer window.

Hamer has been linked with Sheffield United exit

The Blades suffered Championship playoff final heartbreak on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Sunderland in the dying seconds at Wembley, bringing an end to an ultimately disappointing season.

Hamer has been sensational for United this season, scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists in the league, not to mention winning the Championship Player of the Year award, highlighting what a magnificent individual campaign he enjoyed.

Sadly, the Blades now face a real battle to retain the services of the 27-year-old, who may want to test himself in the Premier League or another top division moving forward, rather than staying put in the Championship for another year. Everton have already been linked with a move for Hamer earlier this month, whereas Leeds United tried to sign him last summer.

Hamer may be far from the only United player to move on to pastures new, however, with plenty of other heroes potentially wanting a new challenge after the misery of Saturday and failure to get back into the top flight. Now, a worrying update has emerged regarding one such figure.

Sheffield United could also lose "awesome" star

Speaking to EFL Analysis, Bailey said that Sheffield United could also lose Vinicius Souza this summer, ahead of a potential exodus:

“I don’t see how they can hang onto their Brazilian stars, though. Gustavo Hamer ran the final before going off injured, which is a very strange repeat of what happened to him whilst with Coventry City. The other is Vinicius Souza – a huge talent, quite literally – the giant Brazilian has been awesome for United but there are a host of clubs looking at him. I also think their Bosnian star Anel Ahmedhodzic is unlikely to want another Championship season.”

Souza is another key man for United, so losing him would be a major setback, following a season that has seen the 25-year-old shine at the base of Chris Wilder’s midfield.

The Brazilian averaged an impressive 3.2 tackles per game across 38 Championship appearances, as well as two clearances per match, while Jimmy from Blades Ramble has hailed his performances, admitting he has proven him wrong:

“I have to hold my hands up because I did not think there was a player in there and one performance does not make an absolute superstar, but everything he’s showing at the minute is showing that he can definitely cut it at this level. It was one of the most impressive performances on Friday night, and he won Player of the Match. If we can keep hold of him, I think we’ll do really well.”

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United must do all they can to convince Souza to remain at the club and try his luck again this season, but in truth, it is easy to see him joining Hamer out of the Bramall Lane exit door.

Sunderland might be without Jobe Bellingham for their nerve-wracking Premier League adventure, but at least Regis Le Bris still has Chris Rigg to call upon for now.

Amazingly, Rigg is only 18 years of age, despite featuring a colossal 47 times last season for Le Bris’ promotion-winners.

The teenage sensation has rightly garnered lots of attention from higher up suitors; therefore, with Manchester United once reportedly keen on adding the breakout Black Cats star to their star-studded camp.

However, with Bellingham gone, Sunderland must do everything in their power now to keep Rigg at the Stadium of Light for the foreseeable future.

Sunderland interested in move for Rigg 2.0

Le Bris could well land his next iteration of Rigg this summer with a new target – one who’s three years older than Rigg – now on the radar.

Indeed, as per a new report from SportsBoom, Sunderland has made some initial enquiries about landing emerging West Bromwich Albion midfielder Isaac Price.

Burnley and Portsmouth are also named as being in the conversation about snapping up the young Northern Irishman, but Sunderland’s glittering track record with up-and-coming talents might well sway Price’s decision-making to swap the West Midlands for Wearside.

Whilst Price has shown flashes of his excellence from his short stay at the Hawthorns to date, he could really find that his game is elevated by moving to the Stadium of Light.

How Price could be Le Bris' next Rigg

Whilst Rigg had been in and around the senior mix for some time before Le Bris’ arrival, he hadn’t yet captivated the Sunderland masses regularly until the ex-Lorient boss stormed through the door. It’s fair to say he now certainly has.

24/25

47

4

1

23/24

30

4

0

22/23

17

0

2

21/22

9

2

2

The teenager had excited fans at the Stadium of Light with his promising displays in youth circles for some time now but his first real breakout season in the senior side came just this campaign.

Amazingly, that would coincide with promotion being reached, with Rigg now desperate to prove himself in the Premier League, alongside his new potential teammate in Price who will be equally eager to cut his teeth at an elite level.

Much like the 18-year-old starlet, Price has been thrust into the spotlight from a very early age, with his debut for the Northern Ireland senior team coming when he was just 19 years of age.

This has proven to be a wise call ever since, considering the promising Baggies number 21 is up to six strikes already for his national side, despite only receiving 16 caps.

He has also shown why West Brom splashed out a rumoured £2.5m to win his services just this January, with Price managing to pick up one goal and one assist for his new employers from 15 appearances, even as their promotion hopes started to crumble.

CM

60

2

2

DM

24

2

3

AM

20

0

2

RM

20

0

0

RW

2

0

0

LM

2

0

0

CF

1

0

0

RB

1

1

0

CB

1

0

0

He could kick on even more with Le Bris by his side, therefore, having seen what the ex-Lorient boss has managed with Rigg, with Price’s flexibility to play in a whole host of positions also drawing similarities to the Red Devils-linked youngster. Last season, the 18-year-old wildly lined up as a centre-forward on five occasions.

Dubbed as “outstanding” by former teammate Asmir Begovic when Price was a wide-eyed teen himself at Everton, this could be finally the time the Pontefract-born ace proves himself in the Premier League.

Sunderland’s approach of gifting up-and-coming youngsters plenty of minutes has worked wonders in the past, with that perhaps continuing if Price joins Le Bris’ growing camp very shortly.

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Head coach handed a new level of responsibility in the wake of Ed Smith’s dismissal

David Hopps22-Apr-2021Gareth Southgate in football, Eddie Jones in rugby and now, in a development that had not been signalled, or even publicly demanded, Chris Silverwood in cricket.For Silverwood, as England coach, to have ultimate responsibility for selection means that he will be identified with success or failure and his reputation – his very survival – will depend on it.In that, English cricket has just moved into line with football and rugby. While many will celebrate that clarity, for cricket it is a rare departure during a century of indecision. It is not yet entirely clear whether England have arrived at such a cultural shift by accident, by financial necessity or by design.Globally, there has also been little resolve to move to an era of all-powerful coaches. Pakistan’s recent experiment with Misbah-ul-Haq as head coach-chief selector was one of those rare departures and, well, neither did that last very long, nor was it much of a success.The innocents among you might assume that “who runs the team?” should have an obvious answer, but for English cricket it has been a subject of perpetual confusion as captains, coaches, chairman of selectors, cricket committees and – latterly – managing directors have all contested control.Not since Raymond Illingworth, nearly 30 years ago, has so much power been invested in a single figure as Silverwood. The Illingworth experiment did not end happily and the memory will invite a certain uneasiness among traditionalists who have always sought refuge in English cricket’s habitual adoption of labyrinthine committee structures and blurred lines of responsibility.Illingworth was widely accepted to be a great tactical captain. He won the Ashes in Australia, had a successful county career at Yorkshire and Leicestershire, and made a led Yorkshire to a 40-over title after his 50th birthday.”A dour, thinking cricketer, short on smiles, but never on moans,” was the assessment of the man whose appointment ended Illingworth’s career as supremo – David Lloyd.Illingworth was as openly autocratic as they come (although some have been more autocratic in the shadows). If challenged, he preferred absolute power, as his entire career had made clear, whether battling southern-based Lord’s officialdom, Australian umpires and spectators (he led his team off the field in the Sydney Test) or in his stand-offs with Geoffrey Boycott in Yorkshire’s Civil War.Silverwood, and indeed the Test captain, Joe Root, are both Yorkshireman like Illingworth. The comparison can be taken too far. Illingworth’s views have always been unadorned by social niceties. Silverwood and Root, while strong-willed, are too empathetic and considerate to fit the old-fashioned Yorkshire stereotype. But it may be an undercurrent.Silverwood has so far operated within the confines of the dressing room, widely respected, but rarely heard. That is bound to change as his extended role puts him more in the public eye. Cricket might be his sport, but he is more likely to be in Southgate’s guise than Illingworth’s.Illingworth’s move towards absolute power began when he became England’s chairman of selectors in March 1994. It was the most powerful role in English cricket – the appointment of an England director of cricket, the broad-based, overseeing role currently filled by Ashley Giles, was decades away.England head coach Chris Silverwood has a rare level of power invested in him following Ed Smith’s removal•Getty ImagesHe beat another former England captain, MJK Smith, an Oxbridge man (like the now-departed Ed Smith) and while his brusque Yorkshire independence was enough for him to be the anti-establishment candidate, it was hardly a revolution – he became the oldest chairman of selectors for 40 years and had little patience with progressive ideas.And where he wanted assistants, he preferred them to be of identical mind. Whereas Silverwood has input from James Taylor and Mo Bobat, Illingworth opted as fellow selectors for two old salts in Fred Titmus, a former England offspinner who was regarded as a cricketing sage but preferred smoking a pipe to big pronouncements, and Brian Bolus, a more entertaining after-dinner speaker than he had been a batter, and a master of indiscretion.Illingworth also had more time to watch potential England cricketers because of a less intense international schedule, even if he did seem to turn up a lot at Yorkshire. But he did not have the advantage of live streams and video clips on demand as does Silverwood.Illingworth’s willingness to engage with the media, both on and off the record, was refreshing in a game that had preferred evasion and secrecy, although such openness made him enemies.His first power struggle was with the captain, Michael Atherton. The pair had a testy relationship, at best one of grudging respect. Illingworth later observed that he had not realized Atherton had “such black and white views” which gave cause for ironic sniggering. But their mutual regard for each other’s cricketing nous meant they managed to co-exist.

The trouble with you buggers is that you’ve moaned for years about nobody being accountable. Now I’m prepared to stand up and say that the buck stops with me, you call me a dictator. You want it both ways.Ray Illingworth on the problems of accountability

But Illingworth’s domineering presence automatically meant that the coach, Keith Fletcher, became an increasingly peripheral figure.Fletcher was regarded as a guru in his time at Essex, but he cut a more diffident figure with England where he lost five of his seven Test series. When England were losing in Australia in 1994-95, Illingworth didn’t even wait until he belatedly joined the tour before openly criticising performances.The solution was to sack Fletcher and put Illingworth in overall charge; Fletcher has never entirely forgiven Yorkshireman ever since, as he makes clear in his own lugubrious way. Illingworth bolted Fletcher’s coaching role onto his job as chairman of selectors, making himself master of all he surveyed.If Silverwood wants that control and responsibility as badly, he has certainly not been as obvious in seeking it. It remains an unanswered question.The move was historic. Jack Bannister wrote in , a joint undertaking with Illingworth: “No one man has had so much power in English cricket at selection and managerial level.”Even then, captain and supremo had to hold selection meetings with two other committee appointees. But Illingworth’s authority was clear and he proved as much against West Indies the following summer when he reselected the Test team at the last minute, dropping Steve Rhodes and installing Alec Stewart as an opening batter/ keeper. He did go through the motions of ringing the other selectors to tell them.”The trouble with you buggers is that you’ve moaned for years about nobody being accountable,” he complained. “Now I’m prepared to stand up and say that the buck stops with me, you call me a dictator. You want it both ways.”Related

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The problem was that Illingworth assumed the coach’s role without entirely doing the coach’s job. Atherton was soon exhausted. What could have been a permanent change was seen as a short-lived blunder.”Other than occasionally stamping his feet over selection, and keeping time in the nets, I wasn’t sure what else the ‘supremo’ was supposed to be doing,” Atherton wrote in his autobiography. “There was no doubt that during Illingworth’s year in charge my workload increased enormously.”All the irritating jobs that a captain ought not to be bothered with fell to me… My view was that the captain was there to make the important cricketing decisions and the manager was there to reduce the hassle. Raymond obviously thought it was the other way round!”This time, with a committed coach like Silverwood inheriting the national selector role, there is more chance of success, but this is cricket and even now somebody will be devising the next theory.Less than a year after Illingworth became English cricket’s overlord, their 1996 World Cup challenge looked hopelessly old-fashioned as Sri Lanka won the trophy with an approach based on a fearless assault on the new ball.After England returned home, Illingworth remained chairman of selectors, but resigned as coach, accepting at 63 that he was too old for the job. David Lloyd took over a job that was reinvented as “head coach”, and committed himself to modernization of the set-up, but he never had Illingworth’s powers. And so England cricket’s endless confusion over who runs the side took another twist.A quarter of a century on, there is more chance of the change being for good, although wins would help. What lays ahead for Silverwood and Root could not be more intriguing.

This has been a testing first window as Arsenal Sporting Director for Andrea Berta so far. Then again, it was never going to be easy was it?

The Gunners desperately need a new striker and the footballing world knows that. RB Leipzig and Sporting are trying to milk Arsenal for all Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are worth.

The Londoners have reportedly held talks to sign both players but at this moment in time, a deal doesn’t look too forthcoming.

Still, Arsenal are active and Berta is working his socks off to ensure that Mikel Arteta’s side are ready for that opening weekend’s encounter against Manchester United.

The arrival of Martin Zubimendi will certainly help.

Arsenal’s pursuit of new midfielders

The Gunners are set to confirm the arrival of Zubimendi from Real Sociedad any day now.

The Spaniard was first linked with the club back in January when it was revealed that Arsenal were ready to trigger the midfielder’s release clause.

Fast forward several months and a deal is now on the verge of completion with it reported that he was in London over the weekend to tie up the formalities of his switch to the Emirates Stadium.

Zubimendi isn’t the only midfielder Arsenal have been tracking.

Indeed, according to TBR Football, they are ‘trying’ to sign PSG’s highly talented teenager, Warren Zaire-Emery.

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They understand that the Gunners started talks with the Champions League winners last week regarding a move.

However, any deal looks incredibly unlikely with the Ligue 1 side informing Arsenal that the 19-year-old is not for sale.

They note that if a switch did happen, Berta and Co would need to come armed with a ‘significant’ offer.

What makes Zaire-Emery so special

With Jorginho having exited the Emirates on a free transfer and Thomas Partey’s Arsenal adventure potentially set to come to a conclusion, Arteta needs more midfielders.

Zubimendi certainly ticks one box. European football expert, Sid Lowe, has previously noted that the 26-year-old “is just about as good a deep-lying midfielder there is in Europe, apart from maybe Rodri”.

So, wouldn’t it be rather special if he were partnered alongside Zaire-Emery?

The PSG sensation may be young but the fact of the matter is that he’s rather special. The teenager’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has already described him as “one of the best midfielders in the world” while data analyst Ben Mattinson notes that he is an “Mbappe at Monaco level of talent”, largely thanks to his blend of skills.

Arsenal have enjoyed the talents of some of the best young players in Europe throughout the years, none more so in the current day than Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Yet, Zaire-Emery reminds us of a certain Cesc Fabregas.

The Spaniard was younger than the French superstar when he moved to London, just 16, but his impact in the Premier League quickly helped him to showcase why he was one of the best young players in world football.

He eventually left Arsenal behind having scored 57 and assisted 95 in 303 outings. Named captain of the club when he was just 21, making him the youngest skipper in their history, there have been few better midfielders to grace Highbury and the Emirates over the last 20 years.

In short, he was a generational talent, an assist machine, someone who oozed class and could pass through the lines like very players on the planet.

Zaire-Emery, a player generating the same level of hype Fabregas was as a teenager, is cut from a similar cloth. He notably made his Champions League debut at the age of just 17, and since then, he’s gone from strength to strength.

1. Youssoufa Moukoko

Dortmund

16 years, 18 days

2. Lamine Yamal

Barcelona

16 years, 2 months

3. Rayan Cherki

Lyon

16 years, 3 months

4. Alen Halilovic

Zagreb

16 years, 4 months, 6 days

5. Youri Tielemans

Anderlecht

16 years, 4 months, 25 days

6. Francesco Camarda

AC Milan

16 years, 7 months, 12 days

7. Warren Zaire-Emery

PSG

16 years, 7 months, 17 days

8. Charalampos Mavrias

Panathinaikos

16 years, 7 months, 29 days

Compared to midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the top 3% for pass success rate, the top 9% for passes made and the best 10% for switches, a ball that travels more than 40 yards the width of the pitch.

What those numbers rubberstamp is the comparison to Fabregas, one of the best passers of the modern era.

While PSG’s teen superstar doesn’t quite possess the same rate of assists just yet – producing just two last season – his ability as a deep-lying playmaker certainly evokes memories of Fabregas in the latter stages of his career.

As for his development as a youngster, it certainly has hallmarks of the way the Spaniard burst onto the scene all those years ago.

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