Khulna Titans finished the group stages in second position to ensure the first qualifier against the same opponents on December 6. The eliminator will be played between Chittagong Vikings and Rajshahi Kings

The Report by Mohammad Isam04-Dec-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMahmudullah hit five fours and two sixes in his 28-ball 50•Raton Gomes/BCBKhulna Titans, having to win their last league game to qualify for the playoffs, did so emphatically courtesy Mahmudullah’s half-century. They finished the group stages in second position to ensure the first qualifier against the same opponents on December 6. The eliminator will be played between Chittagong Vikings and Rajshahi Kings.Khulna, having never gone past 157 in the tournament, had to make their highest team total. And against a weakened Dhaka side that rested Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell, they breezed to the target with 12 balls to spare.It didn’t seem a cakewalk when they lost Andre Fletcher early. Mohammad Hasanuzzaman struck three sixes and as many fours in his 18-ball 40 to get them ahead of the asking rate. Mahmudullah then took over after Hasanuzzaman’s dismissal; he hit five fours and two sixes in his 28-ball 50. The trigger boost meant Abdul Mazid’s strike rate of 58.33, the lowest of the season for batsmen who have faced 35 or more deliveries, was negated.Mahmudullah fell with Khulna needing eight, but with no pressure, they cantered home to dash the hopes of Rangpur Riders, who lost to Comilla Victorians earlier in the evening.When Dhaka batted first, Kumar Sangakkara, reprieved on 2, brought up his second half-century of the tournament. The rest of the Dhaka batting line-up threw away starts with, with Mehedi Maruf, Nasir Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Seekkuge Prasanna and Ravi Bopara not going past 20. Junaid Khan picked up three wickets.

Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane propelled Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League success under Jurgen Klopp, though where do the star duo rank as Football FanCast goes through the Reds’ greatest goalscorers?

15 Ian St John Appearances: 425 Goals: 118

The late Ian St John, who passed away in 2021, stands as Liverpool’s 15th-highest goalscorer, having netted 118 times across 425 appearances for the club between 1961 and 1971.

The club’s record signing, he formed a formidable partnership with the great Roger Hunt, spearheading Liverpool’s return to the pinnacle of English football in the 1960s. Indeed, in Liverpool’s title-winning 1963/64 campaign, St John scored 21 goals.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: St John’s most significant moment for Liverpool came in the 1965 FA Cup final, with a diving header securing an extra-time victory over Leeds United, marking the Reds’ first success in the competition.

14 Sadio Mane Appearances: 269 Goals: 120

Mane outperformed his xG in all but one of his seasons at Liverpool between 2017 and 2022, when FBref tracked such data, proving just what a clinical finisher the Reds had on their hands.

Mane’s absence has been felt since he left for Bayern Munich, with the Senegal forward having established himself as one of the Premier League’s best all-round forwards after joining Liverpool from Southampton in 2016. Along with Salah and Roberto Firmino, he formed one of the most formidable attacks in European football.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Mane’s double in a win over Wolves on the final day of the 2018/19 campaign saw him share the Premier League’s Golden Boot award with Salah and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

13 Dick Forshaw Appearances: 288 Goals: 123

Dixie Dean has been in the headlines due to Erling Haaland’s sensational form this season, though the Everton icon was not the only striker thriving on Merseyside in the 1920s.

Dick Forshaw, who also played for Everton (he is the only player to win league titles with both of the biggest Merseyside teams), netted 123 times for the Reds between 1921 and 1927.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Forshaw scored a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Manchester United during the 1926/27 season, when he netted 29 times in 35 league games.

12 Jack Parkinson Appearances: 219 Goals: 128

Five goals ahead of Forshaw is Jack Parkinson, who played for the Reds from 1903 up until 1914.

Parkinson, a two-cap England international, netted 128 times in 219 games before leaving for Bury, where he spent one season before retiring to become a newsagent.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Parkinson finished as the league’s top goalscorer, with 31 strikes in 30 matches, in the 1909/10 season.

11 Sam Raybould Appearances: 226 Goals: 130

Next on the list is Sam Raybould, who clocked up 20,340 minutes (according to LFCHistory.net) for Liverpool between 1900 and 1907.

A prolific forward, Raybould courted controversy when he was suspended for seven months for agreeing to sign for Portsmouth, who were adjudged to have made an illegal approach. However, his tally of 67 goals in 100 games was a club record until it was broken by Salah in 2020.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Raybould scored 32 goals in 34 games in 1902/03, a league record that stood until 1931.

10 Harry Chambers Appearances: 339 Goals: 151

Nicknamed ‘Smiler’, Harry Chambers was one of the most proficient strikers of the post-First World War era of the 1920s. He helped Liverpool to back-to-back league titles in 1922 and 1923.

Due to the war, in which he served, Chambers had to wait four years for his Liverpool debut, yet went on to etch his name into the club’s history books nevertheless.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: In a 5-1 demolition of rivals Everton in 1922, Chambers scored a hat-trick. Across the 1921/22 and 1922/23 seasons, he scored 41 times in 72 games.

9 Michael Owen Appearances: 297 Goals: 158

Michael Owen burst onto the scene in sensational style in the late 1990s. By 2001, he had a Ballon d’Or to his name.

Owen became Liverpool’s goalscorer on his Premier League debut in May 1997. The following season, he shared the competition’s Golden Boot, and was the Reds’ top goalscorer in every campaign between 1997/98 and 2003/04, when he left for Real Madrid.

A hamstring injury blighted his time at Anfield, and he would go on to suffer more issues across his career, but he truly had it all in his youth, with explosive pace, quick feet and finishing prowess.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Owen’s quickfire double secured Liverpool a superb comeback victory against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final as the Reds took home the second of three cups in a memorable campaign.

8 Sir Kenny Dalglish Appearances: 515 Goals: 172

Sir Kenny Dalglish might be eighth on this list, but not many players are more synonymous with Liverpool than the Scotsman.

Signed to replace another club great – Kevin Keegan – in 1977, Dalglish scored on his league debut and went on to win six First Division titles and three European Cups as a player and then manager, leading Liverpool’s attack during their dominant period decade in the 1980s.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: As player-manager, Dalglish only selected himself for 21 league games in the 1985-86 season. The Reds won the double that campaign, with Dalglish fittingly scoring the winner against Chelsea to secure the title on the final day of the season.

7 Robbie Fowler Appearances: 369 Goals: 183

Robbie Fowler had two spells at Liverpool, though his best form came in his first stint between 1993 and 2001.

Fowler holds a record for being the only player to score 30-plus goals in each of his first three Premier League seasons, while he played in every single match of the 1994/95 campaign.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Fowler scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history when he netted three times in four minutes and 33 seconds against Arsenal in 1994, before it was broken by future Reds forward Sadio Mane while he was at Southampton.

6 Steven Gerrard Appearances: 710 Goals: 186

One of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders, Steven Gerrard features high on this list despite not playing as a striker – showing just how good he was.

Gerrard spent the vast majority of his playing career at Anfield and won two FA Cups, three League Cups and, of course, the Champions League in 2005.

ANFIELD HIGHLIGHT: Gerrard scored one of Liverpool’s goals as they came from behind to force Milan to penalties in that famous Champions League final in Istanbul. He was named Man of the Match and the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year.

Journalist Alasdair Gold has claimed that loaned-out midfielder Tanguy Ndombele could suit the style of football Ange Postecoglou wants to play at Tottenham Hotspur.

Will Tanguy Ndombele ever play for Spurs again?

It is now official that the Celtic manager will be taking charge in North London with the club revealing a four-year deal has already been agreed upon.

After Spurs' disappointing past season – where they finished eighth in the Premier League – Postecoglou will need to assess his squad carefully before deciding who he wants to put his faith in and who he wants to sell.

Of course, though, not all of Tottenham's players were part of the squad last term, with many being sent out on loan. Ndombele was one such individual as he spent the campaign out in Italy with Napoli – just so happening to be part of a team that won the Serie A title, playing 30 games.

Clearly then, the 26-year-old can still deliver the goods in the right environment and perhaps the changes at Spurs could suddenly suit him.

While talking about all this on his YouTube channel, Gold certainly seemed to think that Postecoglou could potentially get the best out of Ndombele.

He explained: "I am quite excited to see what he does for Spurs. I'm intrigued to see what some of the loan players he makes of coming back as well.

"Of course, there's a part of me that does love the Tanguy Ndombele renascence. He certainly, in terms of the way he plays and the bravery of what he wants to do, strikes me as a Postecoglou player.

"But I do think he's going to have to work incredibly hard, which is what's also asked of you in that three in the middle."

Will Ndombele join Napoli permanently?

Despite his success overseas, the French midfielder's future looks pretty uncertain. After all, this is the second time in a row he's been loaned out – having joined Lyon the season prior.

However, it doesn't look as though he'll be moving to Napoli at this moment in time, with Italian media outlet Il Mattino reporting (via Daily Mail) that "Tottenham's forgotten man" is heading back to London this summer because the Serie A Champions can't afford to pay the £26m option to make the deal a permanent transfer.

With this being the case, it looks likely that Ndombele will definitely head back to Spurs in the summer at the very least. From there, who knows? Maybe he'll stick around for preseason and just maybe he'll catch Postecoglou's eye and do enough to earn one last chance to succeed at Tottenham.

Australia will wait until the morning of the Test in Hobart before deciding who to choose between Mitchell Marsh and Callum Ferguson

Daniel Brettig in Hobart11-Nov-2016

Mitchell Marsh’s immediate Test future hinges on the vagaries of Hobart’s weather, as a pressured Australia wait until match morning before naming their XI to face South Africa at Bellerive Oval.In a scenario that echoes the prelude to the fateful fourth Test of last year’s Ashes series at Trent Bridge, the selectors Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann are waiting until the last possible moment to name their team, leaving the captain Steven Smith unable to announce his line-up, as is customary, on match eve.Marsh is likely to play as a fifth bowling option should Hobart’s weather forecast clear up and allow play on the first two days. However if the current prognostications hold true and rain blights Saturday and Sunday, Callum Ferguson will be set for a Test match debut as a sixth specialist batsman alongside four bowlers.”We’ll wait and see what happens in the morning with the weather,” Smith said. “You might not need to have that extra bowling option if there’s going to be lots of rain around and the bowlers are going to get some adequate rest with that. There’s possibilities that we could go in with six genuine batsmen but we’ll wait and see in the morning when we can have another look at the wicket and what the weather’s doing.”South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis said any signs of Australia abandoning the balance provided by an allrounder was going to be helpful to the visitors, who have fought their own team balance battles in the wake of Jacques Kallis’ retirement.”Allrounders are fantastic to have in your team, we had Jacques Kallis playing for us for all those years and it just makes the balance of the side so much easier,” du Plessis said. “So I suppose they are looking at our team and what we are doing playing specialist batters and specialist bowlers, so it would also be nice to have an allrounder as well. So if they are changing it then that means that is a weapon that they do have in their team and if they change that, then that’s good for us.”Even if Marsh does play, it appears likely he will be demoted in the batting order to No. 7, swapping places with the wicketkeeper Peter Nevill. That change would grant Nevill the same commission he holds with New South Wales as a top six batsman, while also allowing Marsh to play with more freedom at seven. “Yeah it’s possible,” Smith said of that change. “It just depends on which XI we end up with for where guys will bat. We’ll wait and see with that one.”Smith admitted Australia’s confidence levels may have dipped over the course of four consecutive Test losses, the sort of sequence that has historically cost the job of the captain or the coach. “I guess it’s a tough one, we obviously haven’t played overly well in the last little while,” he said. “We’re finding ways to get ourselves in positions where we should be able to drive the game, but we’re not executing well enough in those moments to take the game away.”We’re getting in those positions, which is a positive, but we need to find a way to make sure we really nail a team when we get on top of them. We’re letting oppositions back into the game too easily. That’s one thing we’ve talked about here, if we get in front of the game – make sure we take the game away from them and don’t let them back in.”To that end, Smith said he was looking to see members of the team take the game on at critical times, mirroring the efforts of Kagiso Rabada, JP Duminy and Dean Elgar in Perth. “I think that’s something that Australia has done very well in Australia for a long period of time,” Smith said. “We’ve been able to score big first-innings runs and identify those moments when we can take the game away from an opposition, and we’ve been able to do that.”We just haven’t been doing it of late, that’s something we’ve got to turn around. We have to identify those moments first of all and then when we do that, we have to execute well enough to take the game away from the opposition. That’s one thing we really need to work on.”One intriguing element of this week has been the presence of Australia’s former batting coach Michael Di Venuto in Hobart. Despite a strong record and robust rapport with the players, Di Venuto quit earlier this year to become coach of Surrey after being reportedly declined a request for a pay rise from Cricket Australia. He was replaced by Graeme Hick, but Smith said Di Venuto had been taken back into the confidences of the batsmen this week.”It’s nice to have him back around the group for a week in his hometown,” Smith said. “He’s a magnificent batting coach and I know he’s really enjoying his time at Surrey at the moment as head coach. That’s fantastic for him. It’s nice to have had him around and have a little bit of a chat face to face about batting and what’s going on with all that.”A few of the boys have had some throws from him, which has been great. He’s an outstanding batting coach and it’s great to have had him around to work with this week and be able to talk some good stuff about batting.”

South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has been found guilty of ball-tampering and fined his entire match fee from the Hobart Test, but will be free to play in Adelaide this week.The charge, laid by ICC chief executive David Richardson, related to clause 2.2.9 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which deals with “changing the condition of the ball” in breach of the Laws of Cricket. The Laws of Cricket, in turn, allow that players may “polish the ball provided that no artificial substance is used and that such polishing wastes no time”.In laying the charge, the ICC had said that “TV footage appeared to show du Plessis applying saliva and residue from a mint or sweet, an artificial substance, to the ball in an attempt to change its condition” during the Hobart Test. Du Plessis pleaded not guilty to the charge and faced a lengthy hearing before ICC match referee Andy Pycroft in Adelaide on Tuesday.On Tuesday evening, the ICC said in a statement: “The decision was based on the evidence given from the umpires, who confirmed that had they seen the incident they would have taken action immediately, and from Mr Stephenson [MCC head of cricket John Stephenson], who confirmed the view of MCC that the television footage showed an artificial substance being transferred to the ball.”In addition to the fine, three demerit points have been added to the disciplinary record of du Plessis for what was deemed a first offence. If du Plessis reaches four or more demerit points within a two-year period, they will be converted into suspension points and he would face a ban.Cricket South Africa has confirmed that du Plessis, who had been represented by CSA’s legal counsel via teleconference, would appeal the verdict. He has 48 hours from the time of receipt of the written decision to lodge his objections.An appeal would require the matter to be heard from the beginning by a judicial commissioner, who can then increase, decrease or amend the sanction in accordance with the punishments for the particular breach. The maximum penalty for a level 2 breach is a 100% match fee fine and two suspension points, which equates to being banned for one Test. In essence, du Plessis would therefore be risking a ban by attempting to clear his name.Du Plessis’ stoicism in his own innocence has echoed around the South African squad all week. On Tuesday, coach Russell Domingo confirmed, prior to the hearing, that the entire touring party was “standing by our captain.” The squad was at the Adelaide Oval for the full duration of du Plessis’ hearing, conducting their training session. Du Plessis was unable to play any part in the practice as his time with the match referee lasted a full three hours.Australia’s players were also training at Adelaide Oval as the hearing took place. They arrived around 5pm and trained under lights, and as du Plessis left his hearing he walked past several of the Australians, accompanied by CSA’s security officer and team manager. Du Plessis had a coffee in hand and a stony expression on his face, revealing little, but 90 minutes later the guilty was verdict was made public.

With Sean Dyche taking the helm at Everton in January and preserving the endangered Premier League outfit's top-flight status, there is renewed optimism that greener pastures could be found over the coming seasons.

Everton escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth, Abdoulaye Doucoure scoring a thumping strike to secure an invaluable, season-saving victory over Bournemouth on the final day of the campaign, and the requisite moves to veer away from danger must now be made.

Addressing the frontal problems is surely the first port of call for the former Burnley manager, with Neal Maupay scoring once all year since signing last summer and talisman Dominic Calvert-Lewin spending yet another campaign riddled with injury issues.

And the answer could come in the form of Moussa Dembele, with Fabrizio Romano stating that the French talisman is attracting Dyche's attention this summer upon the expiry of his contract with Lyon.

The Merseyside outfit are certainly not alone in their pursuit, however, with Galatasaray and several affluent Saudi clubs all gunning for his signature – but the allure of the Premier League and the role of offensive focal point could well sway the odds in the Blues' favour.

Should Everton sign Moussa Dembele?

Despite not enjoying the most auspicious of terms with his French Ligue 1 outfit, Dembele boasts an impressive goal record throughout his career and there is no reason why he cannot rekindle his prolific edge on Merseyside.

Still only 26-years-old, the Frenchman has posted 70 goals and 19 assists from 172 appearances with Les Gones, previously hailed as "unplayable" by former Celtic teammate Leigh Griffiths.

The £53k-per-week ace only scored three goals this year, starting in the league only eight times, but plundered 21, 15, and 16-goal returns over three of his past four Ligue 1 seasons – certainly unplayable numbers – and remains a fierce forward yearning for a fresh start.

Once dubbed an "exceptional" talent by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, the former France U21 international could look to replicate the success of his compatriot Amadou Onana in joining the club from Ligue 1 and glittering with his performances.

Signing for £33m from Lille one year ago, the 21-year-old midfielder has been "superb" – as stated by Richard Buxton – on English shores despite his club's woes.

Indeed, he averaged 2.4 tackles and 1.1 interceptions in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, impressing so much that he is now earning £55m interest from the likes of Chelsea. Such a successful transfer from France could well provide Dembele with the iron-clad assurance he needs to be a free-firing success with the Toffees.

With a license to forge a prominent attacking role in Dyche's team, Dembele could become a "scoring machine" once again, as he was once called by L'Equipe's Bertrand Latour, and emulate the success of his countryman Onana in entering the fold at Goodison Park and flourishing.

Leeds United have been a side never shy in front of goal, whether it be under the exceptional Marcelo Bielsa or even the struggling Jesse Marsch.

Even when trundling towards the drop last term, the Whites still managed to notch 48 goals, outscoring most of their relegation competition. This does mark a far cry from the 62 they scored during that imperious return to the top flight though.

However, recent reports have emerged suggesting that Rodrigo, their top scorer from that torrid later campaign, has a release clause of just €3.5m (£3m), making the Spaniard ripe for the plucking from Elland Road.

A huge chunk of that aforementioned figure could be set to depart.

Given he was initially bought for £27m, the club are set to make a monumental loss on the 32-year-old who offered a brief glimmer of hope throughout a dark and depressing year in Yorkshire.

To offset such financial failures, the 49ers will have to be shrewd in this summer window, likely scouring from within the Championship or the free-agent market to find their deals.

Fortunately, an option within the latter has come to light, with soon-to-be departing Lyon forward Moussa Dembele free from his £51k-per-week contract this summer, and reportedly on the list of Leeds' new ownership.

Could Moussa Dembele replace Rodrigo at Leeds United?

Having scored 13 league goals for a relegated side, Rodrigo has already proven himself a fine asset more than capable of starring in the top flight. His exit is almost a guarantee given the tiny fee attached to him.

However, this French forward could perhaps pose a fine alternative, despite the statistics of late suggesting a recent loss of form.

Just three goals in 23 Ligue 1 showings are a harsh indicator, given the form of Alexandre Lacazette ahead of him. The 26-year-old has only started eight games in the league.

As the machine-like striker in the season prior, he showcased his true talents by finding the net on 21 occasions, proving himself more than capable of leading the line. When handed confidence and a run of games, the former Celtic man has proven his talent in front of goal.

That spell in Scotland, where he would score 51 goals in just 94 games, saw Brendan Rodgers rush to praise him. The currently out-of-work manager claimed:

"Moussa has everything with his power and pace. It was a different sort of system and the boys looked a real threat and linked up really well.

“His opponent at centre-back was strong but Moussa is so powerful with ability, touch and work rate. He was excellent. I am very pleased to have him back and his contribution."

With the 49ers having inherited something of a mess in this Leeds team, still licking their wounds from a relegation that three different managers could not halt, they could offer some clarity by making a confident first foray into the market.

Not only would it mark a huge statement of intent, but it would also offer an immediate replacement should Rodrigo exit Elland Road.

علّق بيب جوارديولا، المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، على فوزهم الصعب في مباراة اليوم أمام بورنموث في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة السادسة والعشرين من بطولة الدوري، حيث فاز مانشستر سيتي بهدف دون رد (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “أنا أعشق لاعبي فريقي، إنهم رجال خارقون، يلعبون كل ثلاثة أيام”.

وأضاف: “عندما يقول الناس هل يمكنك اللعب بنفس الظروف في الدوري الإنجليزي؟، لا، نحن نلعب مباريات أكثر من أي شخص آخر”.

وواصل: “شكرًا جزيلاً على التقويم، إنه كثير جدًا، بالتأكيد، لكن العمل يجب أن يستمر، اللاعبون يفاجئونني في كل مرة، بشخصيتهم التنافسية عندما يكونون متعبين”.

وأردف: “الفوز بنتيجة 0-5 ليس حقيقة، نأمل أن نحصل على إجازة لمدة أسبوع قريبًا من أجل الراحة”.

واستمر: “يجب على جماهيرنا أن تكون فخورة جدًا بالرجال، لا أعرف ما سيحدث في نهاية الموسم ولكني سأكون بالقرب منهم”.

وأثنى جوارديولا على اللاعب فيل فودين، حيث قال: “لقد أصبح بالفعل لاعب كرة قدم من الدرجة الأولى، قبل ذلك كان طفلًا صغيرًا، والآن هو لاعب من الطراز الأول على مستوى العالم، إنه جيد للغاية، يمكنه اللعب في كل مكان، لكن بشكل خاص في الوسط، فهو جيد حقًا”.

Juventus are interested in making a move for Leeds United youngster Wilfried Gnonto this summer, according to a fresh transfer update.

How has Gnonto fared at Leeds?

The 19-year-old joined the Whites during last summer's transfer window, coming in as an exciting young signing with a potentially massive future in the game.

While Leeds' season was generally an awful one, as they suffered relegation from the Premier League after three years in the division, Gnonto was arguably one of the few brights parks. The £20,000-a-week attacker's form wasn't necessarily great every week, but he still scored twice and registered four assists in the league, often looking like one of his side's most dangerous and unpredictable players.

Like so many current Whites players, however, the Italian will now be weighing up his future, with Championship football not something that is likely to appeal to him. It could even be that he leaves in the summer, with a new claim proving to be a worrying one, in that respect.

Could Gnonto make quickfire Whites exit?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Juventus are keen on signing Gnonto before the start of next season, even though an official approach is yet to be made.

The report states that the Serie A giants were frustrated by Leeds' relegation, as it ended their hopes of Weston McKennie joining the Whites permanently, and therefore getting him off their wage bill. They are trying to use that negative as a positive, though, instead turning their attention and making contact with Gnonto.

The idea of Leeds losing the winger so soon after arriving is clearly concerning, considering he is already a 10-cap Italy international, while still being in his teens. He has been lauded as a "special" player by Michael Skubala, and had the Whites not gone down, he looked like he could be a key figure for a number of years to come.

It is hard to persuade any top-class footballer to stay put when the team gets relegated to the second tier, though, so it would be difficult to begrudge Gnonto a move away in the summer transfer window, especially if a club of Juventus' calibre come calling.

There is always the chance that the teenager could remain loyal, trying to help Leeds make a quick return to the Premier League, but the best that the Whites can realistically hope for now is to get good money for the youngster's signature.

Chelsea appear to have moved closer to resolving a troublesome position in what could be Mauricio Pochettino's first signing as head coach of the Premier League side.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has enjoyed the odd high point in a Chelsea shirt but has certainly not provided enough moments to justify the substantial record-breaking £72m fee the Blues splashed out to buy him from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018.

Edouard Mendy was brought in as a stopgap of sorts but he was ousted as number one again by Kepa last season and both goalkeepers' futures seem uncertain.

Amid some suggestions Chelsea could be in for Leeds United stopper Illan Meslier – statistically the weakest 'keeper in the Premier League last season in terms of goals conceded – a name has emerged that makes far more sense.

Chelsea have reportedly been boosted in their pursuit of Inter Milan's Andre Onana after the Champions League runners-up moved for Guglielmo Vicario from Serie A rivals Empoli.

According to The Sun, Pochettino is a big fan of the £55m stopper and is 'eager' to bring him to London with Chelsea allegedly open to possibly offering Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly to Inter to help push through a transfer.

Is Andre Onana an upgrade on Kepa Arrizabalaga?

Onana's final involvement as an Inter player may well be keeping Europe's most prolific striker quiet in Saturday's Champions League final, but while Erling Haaland was unable to find a way through, Rodri's strike proved enough for Manchester City to prevail 1-0 in Istanbul.

The former Cameroon international was superb throughout Inter's impressive European run, keeping the most clean sheets (eight) and making the most saves (47) of any goalkeeper in the competition.

Given he is not talked about as highly as some goalkeepers on the continent, LiveScore described Onana as being "underrated" for the way he has gone about his business.

The 27-year-old is not just a great shot-stopper, either, with his progressive passing distance of 8,251 yards – the distance he moved the ball towards the opposition's goal – the highest of any player in this past season's Champions League.

It is clear that Onana is strong in more than one area, then, as he showed in club football's most prestigious competition, but just how does he compare to Kepa, who is currently in possession of the gloves at Stamford Bridge?

As per FBref, the "elite" Onana – as dubbed by Zach Lowy – outperformed Kepa in a number of key metrics last season, albeit across different leagues, including save percentage (77.8 v 73.8), clean sheet percentage (46.3 v 30.8) and completed passes per 90 minutes (33.6 v 28.5).

As Man City boss Pep Guardiola previously said in praising Onana, the former Ajax 'keeper is "exceptional with his feet", best reflected by his 100% completion rate in terms of short passes – defined as being between five and 15 yards – with all 308 passes finding a team-mate last season.

Onana was also able to change it up and play the ball long, with 0.78 completed passes into the final third per 90 minutes, which is a much higher figure than the 0.19 Kepa averaged.

Kepa has his own qualities, not least his ability to sweep up danger – the Spaniard outperformed Onana in that department with 1.63 defensive actions outside the penalty area per 90 minutes last term, compared to 0.35 for his possible future rival.

But the negatives outweigh the positives when it comes to the £150k-per-week gloveman, and Chelsea's need for a new goalkeeper is clear. In Onana, they can sign a player who is equally as good at playing out from the back as he is at saving shots, making him an obvious upgrade on what they currently have.