Shubman Gill Must Score Big Runs in England To Earn Captain's Stripes
Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill addresses a pre-departure presser at the Board of Control for ... More Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai on June 5, 2025, ahead of India's tour of England for Test series. India named top-order batsman Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, the cricket board said Saturday, as it announced the team for next month's all-important tour of England. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP) (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
Shubman Gill loves the camera. The feeling is mutual. The 25-year-old showed his six-pack off on his travels just days after Rohit Sharma's Test team defeated England 4-1 at home in 2024. Gill scored over 450 runs in those five matches, averaging 56.
The return series in England starts on Friday and much has changed in 15 months. The selfies may have to stop. India are no longer the Invincibles at home, having been whitewashed by New Zealand. Rohit's creaking team were then overrun in Australia. They have lost some great men in the battle against time. Gill has been installed as the new captain and will be tested as a man, a player and a leader.
The last time India's cricketers rocked up at Headingley - the venue for the first Test against Ben Stokes's team - they were bowled out for 78 in just over 40 overs. Whispers over Virat Kohli's decline were gaining traction while Rohit crawled to a painful 19 off 105 balls. A 21-year-old Gill missed the match and the entire series with a stress injury.
Rohit and Kohli retired from Tests before the squad for the England tour was announced. Both men struggled with reflexes and runs down under during the 3-1 loss in the Border-Gavaskar series. It was time to move on from the original Bollywood batsmen, however painful the transition to the more raw star power of cricket's global superpower.
Gill did his own superhero voiceover for the Hindi and Punjabi versions of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, in 2023. That was the year where almost everything turned to gold. He's hung out with Ed Sheeran and even bowled to the musician. Gill is the kind of Gen Z eye candy that cricket needs, especially as Kohli is urging youngsters to prioritize the Test match format.
Even without Brand Kohli, India still dominates the Test landscape. New ICC president Jay Shah will convene the annual conference next month in Singapore with the BCCI currently taking almost 39 per cent of annual revenue to dwarf the other Big Two of Test cricket, Australia and England. India is the megabeast and money tree that controls the international cricket garden.
While Kohli lives on in white-ball vision only, English conditions are notoriously challenging for the Indians. They haven't won in England since 2007. The heatwave that the United Kingdom is currently experiencing could nullify the Yorkshire ground's swing movement to some extent, but it will be a huge challenge for the green talent of India's young twentysomethings.
Gill's bat has been inscribed with 'Prince' and there was never any doubt that he has been primed to take the throne as India's next best thing. KL Rahul has the local knowledge to open alongside the flair of Yashasvi Jaiswal's flair, while a rebuilt Rishabh Pant will try to impart responsibility and high revs in the middle order.
Dhruv Jurel, IPL star Sai Sudharsan and star of the Melbourne Test, Nitish Kumar Reddy are fighting over the remaining places. Ironically, 33-year-old veteran Karun Nair could get the No. 3 spot after his double century for India A against the Lions. Gill is batting where Tendulkar and Virat used to tread at no. 4. The fear of failure isn't really an option.
India may well have the edge in the bowling department as they possess the best bowler in the ICC Rankings, Jasprit Bumrah, alongside Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav. Ravi Jadeja is still doing a sterling dual job of solidifying the batting and covering for the loss of his namesake R Ashwin who retired last year.
Gill has already led from the front with the Gujarat Titans after being installed as skipper in the 2024 Indian Premier League. He was vice-captain for the Indian Under-19s in 2018 and won the Player of the Tournament award.
One man who has seen him at close quarters is Jos Buttler. The English star spoke about his teammate in glowing terms on the For the Love of Cricket podcast. 'He's a really impressive player and an impressive young man. I feel like, on the field he's got a bit of fight about him — a bit of intensity, quite passionate. I think he'll be a mix of Kohli and Rohit.'
Buttler also added that Gill will be his own man, a discovery mission that began in against Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood at the MCG in 2021. Gill said it was 'like going into a war." His 91 in the defining Test of the series at Brisbane was as cool and collected as they come. Pant provided the thrill a minute hitting to make the big headlines but the Punjabi right-hander demonstrated Federer-like grace and timing.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 19: Shubman Gill of India bats during day five of the 4th Test Match ... More in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
The only question is whether leading a mix of young guns and the old guard might prove challenging when Gill is still trying to flourish on different shores. His overseas average in New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England comes to just under 26 with two fifties in 11 Tests. That includes four relative failures in both World Test Championships that India played - and lost -at Lord's and Southampton. His modest Test average of 35 is 24 points below his majestic ODI record.
When Jimmy Anderson appeared on the BBC's Tailenders podcast, he recounted some banter with India's new star during the 2024 Dharamsala Test.
"I said something to him like, 'Do you get any runs outside India?' and he said, 'It's time to retire. Then two balls later, I got him out," said the England veteran. What Anderson doesn't mention was that the batsman was on 110 at the time.
Shubman Gill won't have to worry about the sledging if he can average half of that number.
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Rating Nottingham Forest's 102 permanent signings under Evangelos Marinakis
Since Evangelos Marinakis became majority owner of Nottingham Forest in May 2017, there have been more than 100 signings for the club at a combined cost of around £400million. The first arrival of the new era was Jason Cummings, a promising young striker from Scotland. The most recent — the 102nd permanent addition under the current regime — is Tyler Bindon, a New Zealand international. Advertisement Forest's recruitment in recent years has been outstanding, with players including Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Matz Sels and Elliot Anderson all proving impressive bits of business. So with the club hitting the century of permanent signings in the Marinakis era, we decided to take a look at the successes… and the failures — and, just for a bit of fun, to rate every one of them out of 10. Grab yourself a coffee and settle in. Signed: Hibernian (June 2017, £1million) Left: Shrewsbury (September 2019, undisclosed) Scored one goal, before being sent out on loan to Rangers, Peterborough and Luton. Now an Australia international playing in the Indian Super League. Impressive tattoos. 4 Signed: Rangers (July 2017, £500k) Left: Swansea (July 2018, undisclosed) Winger who briefly looked like an outstanding talent. Scored five goals for Forest in 26 Championship appearances — but was plagued by inconsistency. 4 Signed: Newcastle (July 2017, £2million) Left: Bolton (September 2019, free) It felt like a big fee for a 34-year-old, and it became a long-standing debate. A physical presence up front, Murphy scored 13 goals in 60 appearances. 5 Signed: Burnley (July 2017, £1million) Left: Wigan (January 2021, free) A full-back who helped Burnley to promotion to the Premier League, before being signed by Forest to try to achieve the same. Made 63 appearances, scoring once, before a serious knee injury he did well to bounce back from. 6 Signed: Olympiacos (July 2017, free) Left: Olympiacos (July 2018, free) Scored two stunning goals in his league debut, a 4-3 away win against Brentford. Greece international midfielder who had ability but seemed to struggle with the pace of the Championship. 5 Signed: Leeds (August 2017, £1million) Left: Lincoln (August 2020, free) Advertisement He brought leadership but never really broke into the side after Aitor Karanka's appointment as manager the following January. 5 Signed: Free agent, January 2018 Left: Tractor (August 2018, free) The Iran international midfielder made his debut as a 76th-minute substitute at one of his former clubs, Fulham. A knee injury ensured that was his only Forest appearance. Unlucky, but a flop nevertheless. 3 Signed: Huddersfield (January 2018, £2million) Left: Sydney FC (August 2022, free) Got Forest's player of the season award in 2018-19, when he also scored their goal of the season, a thunderous strike in a 5-5 draw at Aston Villa — a game in which he provided four assists. After Forest won promotion in May 2022, Lolley was sidelined, which was not a fitting end to the winger's City Ground career. 8 Love you Lolleh 🍭❤️ #NFFC @JLolley23 — Joe Worrall (@JoeWorrall5) January 28, 2020 Signed: Middlesbrough (January 2018, free) Left: Al Gharafa (August 2019, undisclosed) Famed for his long-range shots, which brought him a few spectacular goals during both spells at Forest (he was previously at the club for 18 months in 2012 and 2013). His final goal — fired into the corner from outside the box in a 3-1 win over Wigan — epitomised that. Wasn't quite as good this second time around. 5 Signed: Watford (February 2018, free) Left: Charlton (September 2020, free) Forest's manager at the time Sabri Lamouchi called him the 'brains' of his side. It took Watson a while to win around the Forest fans, but his passing ability eventually swayed opinion — and earned him the nickname 'The Ginger Pirlo'. Started all but one of the 46 league matches in the 2019-20 Championship. 7 Signed: Free agent, February 2018 Left: Werder Bremen (August 2018, €300,000) Advertisement Arrived with a big reputation, having played Champions League football with previous club Olympiacos and for Greece. Looked a decent shot-stopper but made only four appearances during his brief stay. 4 Signed: Free agent, February 2018 Left: Free agent, July 2018 Has there been a more unlucky player to have signed for Forest? The Spanish full-back had been a free agent for six months when he joined, after leaving Osasuna the previous summer. He broke his leg in a committed challenge with Barnsley's Dimitri Cavare in the April — on debut. The injury was so severe it led to his retirement the following year, aged 29. Not his fault, but… 3 Signed: Watford (July 2018, undisclosed) Left: Denizlispor (September 2020, free) A goalkeeper who was capable of brilliance but also of making the occasional error. After Forest made the previous season's six-month loan permanent, he played 44 Championship games in 2018-19, before being frozen out under Lamouchi. 5 Signed: Sporting CP (Loan January 2018, made permanent for £2million August 2018) Left: Hull (June 2022, free) Made 122 appearances, including 26 in the league during the promotion season. An old-fashioned, no-nonsense centre-half. Reliable. 6 Signed: Newcastle (loans in January 2018 and July 2018; August 2020, free) Left: QPR (July 2023, free) Scored one of the club's most remarkable goals in recent years when, from very wide on the left, he sent a curling volley inside the far post, in a 4-0 win over West Bromwich Albion in April 2022. His calming presence was a big factor in Forest's promotion that season and subsequent survival in the Premier League. With Watson too, it was an era when ginger midfielders thrived. 7 Signed: Hull (May 2018, free) Left: Retired, August 2021 Advertisement Dawson made only 28 Championship appearances across three seasons following his return to the club where he began his career before a 2005 move to Tottenham… but his influence was vast. Lamouchi — a man who was often modest with his praise — said he would keep him at Forest 'for life'. 8 Signed: Benfica (June 2018, £13.2million) Left: Olympiacos (January 2022, undisclosed) Forest wanted it to be a statement of intent when they smashed their transfer record to sign Carvalho. He scored four goals and provided eight assists during a promising debut season. But more than one manager saw him as being more style than substance. Had hair like Al Pacino. 4 Signed: QPR (June 2018, free) Left: Sheffield United (January 2020, £500,000) A no-nonsense performer. Made 59 appearances before getting an opportunity to play in the Premier League. 6 Signed: Dinamo Zagreb (June 2018, €3million) Left: Olympiacos (June 2019, undisclosed) Scored two Championship goals in one start and five substitute appearances, but knee and leg injuries effectively ended his only season at Forest. Disappointing. 4 Signed: Bournemouth (July 2018, £6million) Left: Al Ahli (August 2022, free) It took then-manager Karanka weeks of phone calls to get Grabban to sign for the club. He believed his instinctive finishing power could fire Forest to promotion. He was right, but it was under Steve Cooper that Grabban finally helped them into the top flight, scoring 12 Championship goals in that 2021-22 season. 8 Signed: Bristol City (August 2018, free) Left: Released, July 2020 A goalkeeper who scored on his Forest debut, in a 10-9 penalty shootout win against Bury in the Carabao Cup. Was generally kept out of the side by Pantilimon, though. Unlucky. 5 Advertisement Signed: Huddersfield (August 2018, £300,000) Left: Retired, July 2021 Played only 18 times for Forest before a succession of injuries ensured he was unable to play for two-and-a-half years. 4 Signed: Olympiacos (September 2018, free) Left: Lecce (January 2019 loan made permanent July 2019, €500,000) Tachtsidis was said to have been so upset about leaving Athens, he shed tears on the journey to Nottingham. The Greece midfielder's mood will not have changed; he never played a game for Forest. 1 Signed: West Brom (September 2018, free) Left: Nacional (January 2020, contract mutually terminated) The Argentine midfielder occasionally looked the part but was not involved at all at the start of the 2019-20 season and was allowed to leave in the winter window. 4 Signed: Free agent, November 2018 Left: Al Sailiya (July 2019, free) The Iran international who had left Olympiacos in summer 2018 scored two goals in three starts and nine substitute appearances. Did not shine. 4 Signed: Leicester (January 2019, undisclosed) Left: Aris (October 2020, free) Martin O'Neill's first signing. Fiercely committed: in 14 appearances, he collected seven yellow cards, two red — but also scored the vital goal in a 1-0 win over Derby. So fans will forgive him. 5 Signed: AIK (February 2019, free agent) Left: Contract terminated (October 2019) The Sweden international made 12 appearances under O'Neill, but was quickly moved on by Lamouchi, who did not rate him as highly. 4 Signed: Bolton (June 2019, free agent) Left: Middlesbrough (June 2021, free agent) A winger who was capable of unadulterated brilliance… and of sometimes having all the grace and balance of a newborn deer. Was a key figure in his first season with five goals and nine assists. 6 Advertisement Signed: Feirense (July 2019, undisclosed) Left: Olympiacos (October 2020, undisclosed) Many were disappointed to see Silva depart. Technically gifted, creative and comfortable on the ball. Forest did get Cafu from Olympiacos in return. 6 Signed: Benfica (July 2019, undisclosed) Left: Legia Warsaw (August 2021, free) The product of the Benfica academy established himself as first-choice left-back. A tidy player with energy and work rate. Made 52 league appearances. 6 Signed: Aston Villa (July 2019, free) Left: QPR (October 2020, free) Felt like a smart signing. But Adomah was swiftly loaned to Cardiff and released the following summer. Expected more. 4 Signed: Dinamo Moscow (August 2019, £600,000) Left: Lens (August 2021, free) In 2019-20 Forest had a win rate of 52 per cent with the midfielder in the side and 30 per cent without. The Mali international was a huge presence. But injuries limited his impact massively. If he could have stayed fit, he would have been brilliant. 7 Signed: Arsenal (August 2019, £2million) Left: Melbourne City (January 2022, loan) The full-back had amassed close to 100 Premier League appearances with Arsenal and West Ham and won an England cap. But he never got going at the City Ground. Baffling. 3 Signed: Caen (August 2019, €5million) Left: Lens (July 2022, €5million) At the time, Samba was by far the best goalkeeper to have played for Forest in years. A force of nature in the dressing room. A hero in the Championship play-off winning side, who will be remembered for his penalty shootout saves against Sheffield United in the semi-final. Sh*thouse. 8 Signed: Levante (August 2019, €1million) Left: Getafe (January 2020, undisclosed) The defender made 10 appearances in six months before Lamouchi approved his return to Spain. A future quiz question. 4 Advertisement Signed: Strasbourg (January 2020, undisclosed, but thought to be around €2million) Left: Auxerre (August 2022) Intelligent and interesting character, who speaks five languages. But an awful signing. He scored one goal — an own goal in the 4-1 defeat to Stoke City on the final day of the 2019-20 season, which ensured Forest missed out on the play-offs on goal difference. A haunting memory. 2 Signed: Brighton (January 2020, £500,000) Left: End of contract (June 2022) His debut, against Charlton, was so unimpressive that Lamouchi never used the defender again. He was restored to the squad by Chris Hughton, who had managed the defender at Brighton — where he was regarded as a reliable, steady performer. At Forest, he rarely showed those qualities. Mystifying. 2 Signed: Reading (August 2020, free) Left: FC Cincinnati (August 2021, free) The Manchester United academy arrived with some pedigree. But he had an injury-hit campaign making nine Championship starts and five sub appearances. Wasn't the answer to Forest's annual left-back problem. 3 Signed: Charlton (August 2020, free agent) Left: Released (July 2023) Lyle Taylor's reportedly free to leave Forest. The best penalty taker in the country? 👀 — Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) August 22, 2022 The striker, affectionately known as 'Boris' because of his love of politics and his dyed blond hair, was not a prolific scorer, netting seven times in 23 starts and 34 sub appearances in the league. But his late brace at Bristol City — which earned a 2-1 win in October 2021 — helped provide the first hint that Cooper's side might be capable of something special. His penalty-taking style still leaves your nerves shredded. 6 Signed: Malmo (August 2020, nominal fee) Left: Omonia Nicosia (August 2021, free) Advertisement Lamouchi believed Bachirou was somebody who could dictate the tempo in midfield. But his one Championship appearance was as a 58th-minute substitute in a 0-0 draw with Barnsley. Last seen plying his trade at Matlock Town. 2 Signed: Olympiacos (September 2020, undisclosed fee) Left: Rayo Vallecano (February 2021, undisclosed fee) The forward occasionally looked the part and was more of a No 10 than a 9. But he also made nine appearances without scoring. 3 Signed: PSG (September 2020, a fee of up to €5m) Left: Beerschot (August 2024, following release) Forest thought they were signing one of the brightest young talents in French football. But he left after loan spells with Guingamp and Almere City. Beerschot sounds like a fun place. 4 Signed: Genclerbirligi (September 2020, free) Left: End of contract (June 2021) Signed as a back-up goalkeeper to Samba and Jordan Smith. Did have injury problems. But was never likely to challenge Samba. Left without making an appearance. 3 Signed: Bournemouth (September 2020, £5million) Left: End of contract (June 2024) When Forest won promotion to the Premier League, it triggered a clause in Arter's contract extending his deal until 2024 and earning him a healthy pay rise. The last of his 14 Forest appearances was in January 2021. He was told he was surplus to requirements the following summer. But did not leave until three years later. Gold star for his agent. But from the club's point of view: 0 Signed: Aberdeen (September 2020, £3million, potentially rising to £6million) Left: Las Palmas (August 2024, end of contract) The defender started 45 Championship games as Forest won promotion. The Scottish international was a vital figure in ending the club's 23-year exile, even if he subsequently could not hold down his place in the Premier League. Did what he was signed to do. 8 Advertisement Signed: APOEL (September 2020, £500,000) Left: Como (July 2021, initially on loan) The Cyprus international started five Championship games after signing, but never featured for Forest again after being sent off against Luton Town in October 2020. On the naughty step, rather than the bench. 2 Signed: Brighton (February 2021, free) Left: Retired (May 2021) Murray added some experience to the front line. But it was not the swansong he would have wanted for his impressive career. Two goals in eight starts and eight sub appearances. Has since admitted he realised it was time to hang his boots up during a Forest training session. 5 Signed: Olympiacos (October 2020, initially on loan, permanent February 2021) Left: Rotherham (July 2023, free agent) The midfielder celebrated his only Forest goal in the Championship — in a 4-1 win at Swansea — like he had scored in a World Cup final. He will also be remembered for his joyous celebrations after the play-off final. Did get to make one Premier League appearance. Clearly loved every minute. 6 Signed: Club Brugge (July 2021, free) Left: Cardiff (February 2024, undisclosed) The USMNT goalkeeper was understudy to Samba, so found his opportunities limited. Made a brief cameo off the bench in the play-off final. Won promotion with Luton too. 5 Signed: Olympiacos (August 2021, free) Left: Basel (August 2023, free) The Tunisia international did not play a game for Forest, before being offloaded to Luzern on loan. Extra point for having a name like a Bond villain. 2 Signed: Olimpia (August 2021, £2million) Left: Real Salt Lake (August 2022, loan then permanent) Was handed three Championship starts and there was a hope that he would evolve into Forest's future No 10. He didn't. But the Paraguay international has established himself in the MLS. 4 Advertisement Signed: West Ham (August 2021, £200,000) Left: Dijon (August 2022, undisclosed) Made two starts and eight sub appearances. Hard to remember much about any of them. 3 Signed: Alaves (September 2021, free) Left: Contract terminated (January 2022) Came through the youth ranks at Milan and made more than 100 La Liga appearances with Alaves and Almeria. The central defender did not make a single Forest appearance. 2 Signed: Bournemouth (January 2022, free) Left: QPR (August 2023, undisclosed) The defender provided a calm head in the second half of the promotion season — even scoring from the spot in the play-off semi-final against Sheffield United. Provided the same qualities as Forest fended off relegation. Astute signing. 7 Signed: Toronto FC (January 2022, $1million) Left: Toronto FC (August 2024) His one Forest start came against Hull City, ahead of the Championship play-offs, when Cooper rested key players. Had pace and directness. But Forest had better options. 5 Signed: Stoke City (January 2022, £2.2million) Left: Nashville (July 2023, £5million) Chipped in with seven goals for Cooper's play-off winning side, including a hat-trick in a 5-1 win over Swansea. All but one of his 20 Premier League appearances came off the bench. Honest pro. 7 Signed: Dijon (January 2022, £1.2m) Left: End of contract, 2025 Made only one Championship start before loan spells with Coventry, Cardiff, Standard Liege and Rio Ave. A tough era for a central defender to earn an opportunity. 5 Signed: Union Berlin (July 2022, £17million) His 10 goals were a major factor in keeping Forest in the Premier League, during their first season back. Has been unfortunate with injuries since. But his contribution has been significant. A very well-liked figure behind the scenes. 7 Advertisement Signed: Troyes (July 2022, £5million) Left: Olympiacos (September 2023, undisclosed) The French defender made only two sub appearances in the top flight, before suffering a season-ending knee injury in training. Unfortunate. 4 Signed: Mainz (July 2022, deal worth up to €15million) Left: Lyon (July 2024, £27million) Suffered a hamstring injury in only his second game and did not return until March 2023. Was a useful member of the squad in 2023-24. A good player — but his sale helped Forest remain within profit and sustainability regulations. 7 Signed: Bayern Munich (July 2022, £8.5million) Soon after he signed, it was discovered the full-back had a hairline fracture in his leg. Three years later, he is yet to play for Forest. Has had loans at sister clubs Olympiacos and Rio Ave. 2 Signed: Liverpool (July 2022, £17million) Cooper felt Forest had signed one of the brightest full-back talents in the country when he persuaded Williams to sign. It took a bit of time for Williams to evolve, but he looked to be exactly that last season, when he was outstanding at left-back. 9 Signed: Burnley (July 2022, free) Was signed as a backup, although he did make four Premier League starts in his first season. His character and professionalism have been valued by Nuno Espirito Santo, who has spoken about him taking on a coaching role. 6 Signed: Alajuelense (July 2022, €950,000) Left: Rio Ave (July 2024, undisclosed) The Costa Rica international was immediately sent out on loan to Guanacasteca, before further loan spells at Estoril and Bristol Rovers. Played a total of four minutes of Premier League football for Forest. 4 Signed: Huddersfield (July 2022, £10million joint deal with Lewis O'Brien) Left: End of contract June 2025 Advertisement Despite making only 57 appearances across three seasons for Forest, the defender still managed to make a positive impact. Made a vital clearance off the line in his one Premier League start of the season at Tottenham. Was a mental health ambassador for the club. All round nice guy. 7 Signed: Huddersfield (July 2022, £10million joint deal with Toffolo) After making 13 Premier League appearances in the first half of the campaign, O'Brien wasn't even included in the squad for the second. Loans at D.C. United, Middlesbrough, LAFC and Swansea have followed. 4 Signed: Manchester United (July 2022, free agent) Left: Released May 2023 Was he a flop? Realistically, yes. He provided no goals or assists in his 17 Premier League appearances. Yet he was a popular figure; somebody who helped with unity and team spirit. He was not the signing Forest had hoped. But perhaps not the character people expected, either. 5 Signed: Stuttgart (July 2022, £10.5million) Left: Lyon (January 2024, £10million loan fee, followed by £15m to make move permanent) A dynamic, driving midfielder who evolved into an important figure. His sale helped to ensure Forest stayed on the right side of PSR. A vital piece of business. 7 Signed: Watford (August 2022, £10million) A signing that was announced via a glitzy video. Dennis had scored a respectable 10 Premier League goals in a struggling Watford team, but has never produced at Forest. Has been on loan to Basaksehir, Watford and Blackburn. 3 Signed: Crystal Palace (August 2022, free) Left: End of contract, May 2024 Was signed to bring experience and knowledge, and was largely used as a substitute. But he did everything expected of him. 6 Signed: Atalanta (August 2022, £7.6m) Left: Bologna (September 2023, part of a swap deal with Nicolas Dominguez) The Swiss international was dubbed 'the conductor of the orchestra' at Atalanta because of his ability to dictate the tempo. He was a player with quality and he was good to watch at times. But he also seemed to struggle with the dynamism of the Premier League. 6 Advertisement Signed: Wolves (August 2022, £25m, rising to £42m) Some felt it was a big price tag for the attacking midfielder, who had not always had regular game time at Wolves. It was not. He was always Cooper's number one signing in the first summer after promotion and he has subsequently demonstrated why. Has evolved into one of Forest's most influential players and an England international. He would be almost impossible to replace. 10 Signed: Bordeaux (August 2022, £4million) Left: Alanyaspor (September 2024, free) An odd signing. The South Korean joined Olympiacos on loan, where he barely played, before further loan spells at FC Seoul, Norwich and Alanyaspor. In February, he was given a suspended sentence for secretly filming sex with a woman. 1 Signed: Wolves (September 2022, fee rising to £4.6million) Last season, Boly only started one Premier League game — but Forest are still keen to extend his contract, which tells you a story. Brings experience and leadership. May be useful in Europe. 6 Signed: Blackpool (September 2022, £2.3million) Had done reasonably well with Hull and Blackpool in the Championship but was untested in the top flight. He still is. Has been on loan to Olympiacos, Blackpool, Cardiff, Preston and Luton. Signing for Forest did not aid his development. 3 Signed: Villarreal (September 2022, free agent) Left: Galatasaray (February 2024, £100,000) There had been question marks about his attitude during his time at Tottenham. But there was zero evidence of that at Forest, where he was a mentor to the young players and a significant cog in the machine for a while. 7 Signed: Palmeiras (January 2023, free agent) Left: Atletico Mineiro (January 2024, £4million) He liked to skateboard and learned English by watching old episodes of Friends. He had won the Copa Libertadores twice with Palmeiras. Had all the ingredients to be a cult figure… but he made little impact. 4 Advertisement Signed: Palmeiras (January 2023, £16million) He was going to be part of Nuno Espirito Santo's first-choice midfield this season, alongside Ibrahim Sangare, before he suffered a broken leg on the opening day, against Bournemouth. Forest always believed he could evolve into a high-quality midfielder, and he has. He is expected to join Lyon this summer. 7 Signed: Atletico Madrid (January 2023, €2million) Left: Retired May 2024 A wise addition. The defender added experience and quality. A key figure in survival, particularly in his first four months. 6 Signed: Newcastle (January 2023, undisclosed) Left: Caykur Rizespor (September 2023, free) Shelvey should have been a decent signing. Newcastle wanted to keep him, but he felt he could play a bigger role at the City Ground. Somehow, the midfielder never fitted in. He was frozen out within a few months. 2 Signed: Newcastle (January 2023, loan with an obligation to buy for £15million) Some people thought Wood was going to be a dud. But he has emphatically proved his doubters wrong. After scoring 14 goals in 2023-24, he delivered 20 last season, as one of the most potent finishers in the top flight. 9 Signed: Al Sadd (February 2023, free agent) Left: End of contract, May 2023 A player Cooper knew and trusted from their time together at Swansea. Did not manage to win Forest fans round in quite the same way. 4 Signed: Torino (July 2023, free agent) One of the best free transfer signings the club has ever made. It is hard to think of a better right-back at Forest in the modern era. Has pace, intelligence, defensive positioning and attacking instincts — and is a positive influence in the dressing room. 10 Signed: Manchester United (July 2023, £15million) Advertisement The fastest player at Forest and possibly even in the Premier League. Provided six goals and 11 assists in the season just gone, with his rampaging wing play. United's loss was definitely Forest's gain. Key to the way Forest play under Nuno. 9 Signed: Arsenal (August 2023, £10million) The USMNT player was seen as the answer to Forest's problems in goal… He did not prove to be. After being loaned to Crystal Palace last season, he is expected to join Lyon. 4 Signed: Corinthians (August 2023, £11million) Had only limited first-team experience in Brazil, but very quickly evolved into a defender who is a joy to watch at Forest. Has attracted admiring glances from some of the biggest clubs in Europe. If he ever does move on, it will be for a massive fee. That 40-yard screamer is coming. 10 Signed: Bologna (September 2023, part of a swap deal with Remo Freuler) His importance to the side could easily go under the radar. Versatile, hard working, dynamic and capable of playing in numerous roles. Consistently good. 8 Signed: Chelsea (September 2023, £5million) Almost unstoppable when he cuts in from the left side. The winger has scored 13 goals, but he brings so much more. His pace is at the heart of Forest's counter-attacking style. A bargain. 8 Signed: Benfica (September 2023, £6.8million) Left: Newcastle (July 2024, £20million) Conceded 12 goals in his five league starts for Forest. Had played in the Champions League with Benfica and previously flourished at Panathinaikos. But generally looked uncertain with Forest. 4 Signed: PSV (September 2023, £30million) Forest regarded Sangare as a transformative signing; a midfielder who could allow them to adapt how they play. His impact has been limited by injury. But the Ivory Coast international began to show his class again in recent months. 7 (but could still rise to 8) Advertisement Signed: Norwich (September 2023, £11million) The central defender was regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Championship. Made 11 league appearances for Forest in 2023-24, without looking out of place. Has been on loan at Strasbourg this year, who do have an option to make the move permanent. 6 Signed: Strasbourg (February 2024, £5million) Sels has been outstanding this season, keeping 13 clean sheets to win the Golden Glove award alongside Arsenal's David Raya. Then there were his repeated penalty heroics in the FA Cup. What goalkeeper problem? 9 Signed: Red Star Belgrade (June 2024, £5million) Was immediately sent on loan to Olympiacos, where he has not pulled up any trees. Still young. 5 Signed: St Pauli (June 2024, £1.25million) Signed as a long-term investment for the future. The 19-year-old did make two brief sub appearances in the Premier League — but was never expected to make an immediate impact. 6 Signed: Newcastle (June 2024, £15million — due to £20million part exchange of Vlachodimos) Was signed to compete on the left side, but instead made one of the central midfield spots his own. An outstanding debut season. He is an England Under-21 regular and must be pushing for a senior cap. Expect him to be a big player again next season. 10 Signed: Corinthians (July 2024, £3.4million) Was seen as backup to Sels, but also as a player who could push the Belgian for his place. But is yet to do so. 5 Signed: Fiorentina (July 2024, £11million) A transformative figure in the Forest defence. Solid, dependable and unflinching — he also made Murillo better alongside him. A complete bargain. Amazing that no other Premier League sides made a serious effort to sign him. 10 Advertisement Signed: Vitoria (August 2024, £6million) The Portuguese Jack Grealish has made 26 of his 31 Premier League appearances off the bench, but always looks determined to make something happen. Has scored three goals. Feels like there is more to come. 7 Signed: Talleres (August 2024, £11million) His one start and 18 sub appearances only amounted to 284 minutes of football. Forest always felt that it might take a season for Sosa to settle. 6 100. David Carmo Signed: Porto (August 2024, £10million) Immediately returned to Olympiacos (where he had impressed during the 2023-24 campaign) on loan. Has become a well-respected defender in Athens. Is expected to get the chance to prove himself in pre-season at Forest. 7 Signed: Benfica (August 2024, £15million) Of his 26 appearances, 20 have been as sub. On the many occasions when Morato came off the bench, you felt assured that Forest would not concede a goal. Did dip slightly in form a little. Hugely imposing. 7 Signed: Reading (February 2025, nominal fee) Immediately rejoined Reading on loan after signing for Forest — and won their player of the season award. The defender is highly regarded. May go out on loan again. 6 (Top photos: Getty Images)
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Wanderers manager joins more than 100 golfers for fundraiser
Former Bolton Wanderers and England manager Sam Allardyce joined more than 100 golfers to tee off for a great cause. Allardyce, who was in charge of the Whites for 371 games from 1999 to 2007, led the Bolton Lads and Girls Club Golf Day on Friday, June 13. The event at Bolton Golf Club, which included 22 teams from local businesses, raised £20,000 for children's mental health services at Bolton Lads and Girls Club. Blessed with perfect summer weather, the day ended with a celebratory evening meal, an auction and an awards ceremony. J & D Construction Services were crowned champions, taking home the coveted claret jug trophy. Allardyce, 70, who also made more than 190 appearances for the Whites in his playing days, headlined the event for a second year, taking the baton from the late, great Wanderers legend Francis Lee, who championed the fundraiser for more than three decades. Former Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce with golfers at the event (Image: Supplied) Bolton Lads and Girls Club CEO Emma Hutchinson said: 'We were extremely proud to have Sam back for a second year to headline our golf day. "Sam is a true Bolton sporting icon and his support is invaluable. "As a big Bolton fan, I have to say I was a little star-struck! "We're also so grateful to our headline sponsors, Irish Freight Solutions, and of course to Dave Crammant for championing the event and helping to make the special day happen.'
New York Times
30 minutes ago
- New York Times
Why Bernardo Silva is the ideal captain for Pep Guardiola's new-look Manchester City
Changes are afoot at Manchester City this summer but the news that Bernardo Silva has become club captain shows us certain fundamentals will stay the same. With four pre-Club World Cup signings completed in recent weeks and significant ins and outs among the backroom staff, there already feels like a new energy around the club after the disappointment of a season where they did not win a major trophy domestically or in Europe. Advertisement And in fact, even the method of choosing City's captains hints at a fresh approach. For years, manager Pep Guardiola has left the matter of who wears the skipper's armband up to a vote among his players and, at times, other personnel within the first-team structure. But he has introduced another new approach this summer. 'I didn't like what happened last season and I decided this season who will represent the team,' Guardiola said on Tuesday at his pre-match media session in Philadelphia, ahead of City's 2-0 win against Wydad of Morocco at the Club World Cup. Guardiola also decided weeks ago to add striker Erling Haaland to the leadership group, which seems to be at least partly motivated by developing the 24-year-old Norwegian's off-pitch contributions, and he will be helped by more obvious leaders among the group, such as Ruben Dias and Rodri. The main captain, though, will be Bernardo Silva, fulfilling a 2019 prophecy from Vincent Kompany, at the end of the Belgian defender's time as City skipper. 'I say to Bernardo often, 'You are 50 per cent clown, 50 per cent leader',' he said at the time. 'When he becomes 25 per cent clown, 75 per cent leader he will become the captain of this team.' Six years on, that day has now arrived, with the boyish Portuguese midfielder, traditionally the butt of the dressing-room jokes, graduating to senior figure a couple of months before he turns 31. The decision has also confirmed that, despite links with a return to boyhood club Benfica or a move to Saudi Arabia's Pro League, Bernardo will be staying at least for this season, which is the final year remaining on his current contract. With Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne leaving the club this summer, and some potential for Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan to do the same, Bernardo is one of City's longest-serving players and somebody who knows what has made the club so formidable off the pitch over the past decade and, more importantly, on it. Advertisement There had been some City supporters, though, who had been expecting, even hoping, that he would move on this summer. To a small but vocal section of the fanbase, Bernardo and Gundogan are seen as expendable as their team head towards what is intended to be a new, vibrant era. And so the reaction to the news that Bernardo is not just staying, but being made captain, shows there is still a discrepancy between what some City fans want and how Guardiola intends to move things forward. 'Bernardo has been an incredible figure; nine years here, no injuries, always in bad moments he made a step up, an example on the pitch, and when he has to say something to me as a manager, or the players, he says it, because it's the best for the club,' the manager also explained on Tuesday. Despite some unrest, Guardiola's decision is regarded by many others as a very sensible one. Like the vast majority of the squad, Bernardo struggled badly in the middle of the 2024-25 season — Guardiola described him as physically and emotionally 'empty' recently — but as City found some stability in the Premier League campaign's final weeks, it was the 102-time Portugal international who was usually at the core of it, put in positions by the manager where he could get on the ball and dictate the tempo — which was generally slow, steady and stable. It was rarely pretty but it was necessary at the time, given City's frailty over five months. And there was very obviously, considering the moves already made since, always a recognition that things would change once the domestic season was put to bed. The new signings, particularly Rayan Cherki but also Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders, and the rather exciting additions to the backroom team — chiefly Jurgen Klopp's former assistant at Liverpool, Pep Lijnders, and popular ex-City player Kolo Toure — suggest that things could look a lot more dynamic next season. Advertisement Between the fresh legs in midfield and Lijnders' love of pressing and counter-pressing, City should be sufficiently more stable off the ball to allow them to take more risks with it, to make more runs in behind, for their most creative passers to try to pick out those runs. So, just three weeks after the end of the domestic/European season, things already feel fresh and exciting. 'The most important thing is how we create again our connection and vibes between all of us to go another game, know we are a good team, and compete everywhere,' Guardiola said on the final day of the Premier League season. Whether it is footage of Lijnders on the training ground injecting some energy into sessions — something that was perceived to be missing previously — or Cherki rapping in French during his initiation, that good feeling does seem to be back. And buoyed by the attack-minded nature of the three outfield signings and Lijnders' role in Liverpool's 'rock and roll' football, City fans are looking forward to something completely different, especially those who felt that what Guardiola was serving up had become too prosaic. One of the most repeated theories about their 2024-25 season so far was that City's struggles came as a result of Guardiola's positional play being found out by more physical, dynamic opposing teams — rather than, say, a lengthy injury list that would have crippled any squad's style, positional or otherwise. And during their short summer break before this trip to the United States, the idea that Guardiola ruins creative players has seemingly been accepted as a universal truth — with Jack Grealish being left out of City's 27-man Club World Cup squad, the general perception is that the Spaniard has ruined him. Never mind the fact that nobody attempts more dribbles in Europe's top five leagues than Grealish's team-mate, Jeremy Doku, or that Savinho's first season in Manchester has been characterised by his dribbling, many people seem to have decided that Grealish's biggest problem in a City shirt has been a lack of freedom. Advertisement The notion has spread so far and wide that Reijnders was asked about the potential for his instincts to be curbed by his new manager when interviewed by a media outlet from his homeland before the Dutchman's move from Milan was made official. Cherki, the maverick signing from Lyon in France which has excited supporters more than anything else, also spoke this week about football these days becoming 'less beautiful, fewer mistakes, but also fewer risks taken,' which prompted plenty of 'Um, do you know who your new manager is, mate?' remarks from the online community who have presumably forgotten how De Bruyne became one of the Premier League's most breathtaking players under that manager. In the same interview, the 21-year-old disclosed that Guardiola has told him, 'When you have the ball (in my team), you are free', which again suggests that overly safety-first approach from the final weeks of the domestic season was simply a belated answer to City's unprecedented fragility, not a long-term solution. Surely, though, the new era is not going to be fully gung-ho, involving the kind of ruthless, direct attacking play that characterised the 2017-18 team — many City fans' favourite of the modern era. Opponents these days simply do not allow City the kind of space necessary to play that way on a regular basis but, clearly, somewhere between those early free-flowing days of the Guardiola era and the cautious, safety-first stodge of 2024-25 there is a sweet spot, a way to carve open defences with more creativity without losing stability. In short, the way City had been doing it for years before this season left such a sour taste. And that is where Bernardo comes in. Those not in favour of his promotion to the captaincy lament that his presence will result in slow football and fewer minutes for the more exciting new players, as if Guardiola's 'pausa' and possession have been sacrificed at the altar so that Ljinders and Cherki can spearhead a glorious new dawn. Advertisement City's years of dominance — including that 100-point season, two dramatic final-day title victories, De Bruyne's feats, and two of the finest ever Premier League teams, one with Haaland, one with no striker at all — have been built on Guardiola's principles and the players who know how to carry them out on the pitch. There is probably nobody in the squad at the moment who understands what Guardiola wants better than Bernardo, and having already put his winter struggles behind him to help City emerge from their slump, he is surely well placed to continue growing as a new team with a new energy takes shape. They may never again blow opponents away with the same energy displayed by that 2017-18 side, and Guardiola will probably never win over those who blame him for the approaches of teams he is not the manager of, but if City are to get back to their former glories, it will be down to this reinvention — and Bernardo will be at the heart of it.
