Chasing 345, Tahir scored a fighting 109 for Stallions but it was too steep a mountain to climb

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Sep-2024The trend of teams batting first winning continued into the ninth game of the Champions Cup as Panthers beat Stallions by 20 runs.Batting first after winning the toss, Panthers rode on Saim Ayub’s 156 off 130 balls, studded with 13 fours and seven sixes, to post a daunting 344 for 7. Ayub found good support from Azan Awais, with whom he added 138 for the first wicket.After Awais’ dismissal, Usman Khan joined Ayub and the two smashed 116 in just 79 balls. Usman fell for 75 off 47 balls but Ayub carried on and took the side past 300 in the 44th over. After that, however, Panthers lost quick wickets and could score only 30 in the last five.Stallions did not have a great start to their chase. Within the first seven overs, they had lost Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood and Babar Azam.Hussain Talat and Tayyab Tahir kept Stallions in the contest with a 157-run stand for the fourth wicket but the asking rate was continuously rising. When Mubasir Khan broke the stand in the 35th over, dismissing Talat for 63, the required rate was touching ten.Tahir brought up his hundred in the 39th over but fell soon after. Stallions needed 73 in the last four overs with just two wickets in hand when Zaman Khan threatened to pull off a miracle. He smashed 42 off 16 balls but Stallions eventually fell short by 20 runs.

India’s T20I captain expected the Gwalior pitch for the first T20I to be conducive to run-scoring

Hemant Brar05-Oct-20242:03

Suryakumar Yadav ‘enjoying’ his role as captain

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is aware of the impact Mayank Yadav can create with his express pace but he says it is important to “manage him well”.Mayank took everyone by storm with his 155kph pace during IPL 2024. Playing for Lucknow Super Giants, he picked up the Player-of-the-Match award in his first two games but was ruled out of the tournament soon after with an abdominal injury. He has not played any cricket since then but Suryakumar said he was back to full fitness.”He definitely has the X factor – it was evident when he played franchise cricket,” Suryakumar said ahead of the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior. “He has that extra pace. I didn’t face him in the nets; our net plan was such that someone else faced him. But I have seen what potential he has and what difference he can make for the team. From that point of view, I feel he is a good addition to the Indian team and I am hoping he will do well.Related

Mayank's fitness, Jadeja's replacement among India's priorities in Bangladesh T20Is

Gwalior takes centre stage as youthful India prepare for experienced Bangladesh

International cricket returns to Gwalior after 14 years, at a brand new venue

“It’s important to manage him well because of the amount of cricket being played. Everyone is playing for their state too. There was the Duleep Trophy recently. So it is important to pay proper attention and the BCCI is doing that.”Sunday’s match will be the first international at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. In fact, the venue has not hosted any domestic cricket either. So there is an element of surprise about the conditions.While Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy expected the pitch to be “slow and low” with not much chances of a high-scoring game, Suryakumar Yadav had different views.”As you saw in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone says he can bowl in the pressure situation, then why not”•Associated Press

“The pitch looks good,” he said. “We practised on the centre wicket, just two pitches away. We didn’t find it that low and slow – we practised all three days. So it [the match pitch] should not be much different.”For T20 cricket, these are good wickets. There will be good competition [between the bat and ball] but at the same time it looks good [for run-scoring]. The rest we will get to know tomorrow.”Yes, it’s a new ground but having practised here for three days, we know what the conditions are, how the pitch is, how the outfield is, what the wind factor is like, whether the dew settles in or not. We will like to play the way we did in the last T20I series. And if everyone does their job, you will get the desired results.”Until recently, India had the problem of their batters not chipping in with the ball in white-ball cricket. But that seems to be changing now, with India’s T20I squad including a plethora of allrounders and part-time bowling options.”It’s good if your batters can bowl an over or two,” Suryakumar said. “I think there is hardly anyone in this squad who doesn’t bowl. That gives you more bowling options on the ground. As you saw in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone says he can bowl in the pressure situation, then why not.”

After missing out on Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, Leeds United are now reportedly taking concrete steps in the race to sign an 18-year-old defender this summer.

Leeds turning towards alternatives after Sadiki & Diarra

With just one month until their Premier League return gets underway, Leeds find themselves in a frustrating position after missing out on both Diarra and Sadiki to rivals Sunderland. Forced back to the drawing board, the 49ers will be desperate to land their next top target to continue their spending after Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw.

As things stand, the latest name to arrive remains Bornauw, who told the official Leeds website after putting pen to paper: “I’m really pleased to be here, it’s an amazing club.

“The Premier League was always my dream, and then to play for such a big club in England and in Europe, it’s a dream come true. I think the Premier League for me is the biggest league in the world.

“Obviously, Germany is a really strong league too, but I think as a football player, we aim for the highest and I think the Premier League is the highest for me.”

Those at Elland Road will be pleased to have welcomed the former Wolfsburg defender, but they won’t want their business to end there. After missing out on other targets, the Whites have reportedly set their sights on the likes of Nuno Tavares and Juventus star Timothy Weah.

Both players would be excellent additions. Tavares, returning to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Arsenal, would instantly replace the departed Junior Firpo, whilst Weah would hand Daniel Farke an impressive attacking boost with ample experience at the top level.

It’s not just experience that the 49ers have set their sights on, however, amid recent reports that they’re now chasing an impressive young talent this summer.

Leeds taking concrete steps to sign Jassi

As reported by TeamTalk, the 49ers and Leeds are now taking concrete steps towards signing Suaibo Jassi from Santa Clara this summer after scouts became huge admirers of the 18-year-old right-back. Rivalling Brentford in pursuit of the teenager, the Yorkshire club could finally get one over on a Premier League rival.

Dan James upgrade: Leeds make contact to sign "wonderful" £12m star

Leeds are interested in signing a forward who could be an upgrade on Dan James.

1 ByDan Emery Jul 5, 2025

The defender only signed for Santa Clara this summer but could already be on the move amid interest from the Premier League, according to reporter Rudy Galetti.

One for the future, Jassi’s may not be the type of player to make an instant impact but he may well be one ready to take hold of Daniel Farke’s right-back spot in years to come.

New Barcelona signing Marcus Rashford once called a Real Madrid icon the best he’s ever played against ahead of Nou Camp legend Lionel Messi.

Marcus Rashford signs for Barcelona from Man Utd

The forward has officially competed a season-long loan move to the Nou Camp from Manchester United, with Barca also having the option to buy Rashford in 2026 for an initial £26m next summer.

Rashford becomes the first Englishman to sign for Barcelona since Gary Lineker, who did so back in 1986. Taking the number 14 shirt number with the Catalan giants, Rashford has been quick to praise current Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, calling the Ballon d’or contender “one of the leading players in the world”.

“He is a very special talent, and for me, I feel definitely last season, he is one of the leading players in the world, if not the best. Everyone wants to play with the best, and there is a lot of talent in this squad. I am happy and eager to play with them on the pitch. Maybe I can help them, and for sure, they can help me. It is going to be exciting.”

Related Ballon d'Or 2025 Final Rankings

Where did the 30 nominees finish?

Posts ByCharlie Smith Sep 23, 2025

Rashford will also come up against England teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham in the El Clasico in 2025/26, with Barca looking to retain their La Liga title under Hansi Flick.

Marcus Rashford’s Man Utd stats

Games

426

Goals

138

Assists

77

Red cards

2

Trophies

6

Rashford calls Cristiano Ronaldo best he’s played against

Back in 2017 when talking to ESPN, relayed by Football 365, Rashford was asked for the best player he has played with or against.

Still just two years into his professional career, the attacker said Cristiano Ronaldo was the best he had came up against during his time at the Bernabeu. However, he also name-checked former Red Devils teammate Wayne Rooney, Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and Brazilian star Neymar.

Former Real Madrid, Barcelona and Brazil striker Ronaldo also got a mention from Rashford, highlighting his World Cup displays.

“Brazilian Ronaldo has had the biggest World Cup performances, I’d say. And his were among the most enjoyable to watch. There were a lot of top players who performed in the World Cup and went to another level.”

Liam Dawson has become the first domestic cricketer since 2018 to land the coveted PCA Men’s Player of the Year award, after a stellar allround season for Hampshire in which he claimed 71 wickets across all formats and scored 1,280 runs, to top the Overall MVP table by a considerable distance.Dawson succeeds last year’s winner, Harry Brook, with Jonny Bairstow (2022), Joe Root (2021), Chris Woakes (2020) and Ben Stokes (2019) also all securing the honour on the strength of their performances for England. Joe Denly was the last county player to land the award, after starring across formats for Kent in 2018.The Player of the Year award, sponsored by cinch, was one of four that Dawson scooped during the PCA’s gala dinner in London on Tuesday, as he also won the PCA Men’s Domestic Overall MVP and the Vitality County Championship Player of the Year, in addition to being named as captain in the IG PCA Men’s Team of the Year.Dawson, who topped a shortlist that included Root, Gus Atkinson and Colin Ingram, said: “It’s a huge honour, the other nominees are all brilliant players and I didn’t expect this, so to win the award is a very proud moment. It’s a real highlight of my career. I had a strong season last year but to have an even better season this year, really tops it off.”It feels great knowing that the award is voted for by fellow players that you play against week in, week out, so when I finish my career I will look back very fondly on this achievement because it’s something I never thought would happen.”Kathryn Bryce was named PCA Women’s Player of the Year•Getty Images

Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce, who is currently in the UAE preparing for the Women’s T20 World Cup, was named as the women’s Player of the Year after leading The Blaze to the Charlotte Edwards Cup earlier this summer. She also made it a quadruple of awards, claiming the PCA Women’s Domestic Overall MVP and Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Year, while captaining the Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year.”It’s been a brilliant year, starting with qualifying for the World Cup and then winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup with The Blaze that was a really fantastic part of the season,” Bryce said, after finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 478 runs, and becoming the first non-English winner of the top award.”This is a year I will remember for a long time and I want to say a huge thank you to the PCA and cinch as well as everyone who voted for me. I want to keep playing as much cricket as I can in different places around the world, if I can play half as well as this for the years to come, hopefully I’ll have a good career.”Jamie Smith, England’s wicketkeeper, was named as the PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year while the women’s award went to Ryana MacDonald-Gay, the 20-year-old South East Stars all-rounder who made her England debut against Ireland last month.Smith, 24, made an instant impression across formats after making his Test debut against West Indies at Lord’s in June, and also scored 677 runs in Surrey’s latest County Championship triumph.”It’s been a special summer,” Smith said. “There’s been a lot of achievements to look back on, with Surrey winning three Championships in a row and to play in the Test team and then ending the summer playing against Australia was a great experience.Jamie Smith receives the PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year award•PCA

“The England dressing-room is a great environment to be involved in, I play my best cricket when I’ve got a smile on my face and can go out and be confident and aggressive.”MacDonald-Gay, meanwhile, said she was “ecstatic” about her award, coming so soon after her England breakthrough.”Nailing down my skills and performing on the pitch is where my game has grown,” she said. “I’m showing more consistency which is hard when the game has become so much more attacking from the batter’s perspective.”The PCA Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to the former England and Glamorgan batter and coach, Matthew Maynard, for his work with the Tom Maynard Trust, named in memory of his son who died in 2012, while James Anderson was handed the Special Merit award, following his international retirement earlier this year.Neil Bainton and Anna Harris were named as the PCA’s Umpires of the Year, as voted for by the players, while the Rado Recognition award was given to England players Brook and Lauren Bell.PCA Interim Chief Executive, Daryl Mitchell, said: “It has been another incredible year across men’s and women’s international and domestic cricket. It is always a privilege to celebrate all our winners at the most prestigious awards ceremony in cricket.”I want to say a huge congratulations to our four main winners at this year’s cinch PCA Awards, all of them have been incredible and deserve their accolades.”As always, I would like to thank cinch for making the PCA Awards possible and for their support of our game.”

أعلن الكرواتي كرونسلاف يورتشيتش المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة زد، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري.

طالع.. حكم مباراة بيراميدز وزد في الدوري المصري

ويدخل بيراميدز، اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد الفوز على الأهلي بهدفين نظيفين في آخر ظهور محلي، والانتصار على أوكلاند بثلاثية نظيفة في كأس القارات “إنتركونتينتتال”.

ويحتل بيراميدز المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري المصري برصيد 8 نقاط من فوزين وتعادلين وخسارة.

ويخوض بيراميدز مباراته أمام زد، اليوم الخميس في تمام الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية على أرضية استاد الدفاع الجوي في الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري. تشكيل بيراميدز أمام زد

حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي

خط الدفاع: أحمد سامي – أسامة جلال – محمد الشيبي – محمد حمدي

خط الوسط: مهند لاشين – أحمد عاطف قطة – عبد الرحمن مجدي – إيفرتون داسيلفا – وليد الكرتي

خط الهجوم: مروان حمدي بدلاء بيراميدز اليوم أمام زدمحمود جاد – علي جبر – كريم حافظ – محمود دونجا – مصطفى زيكو – محمد رضا بوبو – محمود زلاكة – فيستون ماييلي – يوسف أوباما

Barcelona are reportedly planning a fresh approach for “wonderful” Liverpool star Luis Diaz, but the press in Spain believe he has agreed terms elsewhere.

Players who could leave Liverpool this summer

A busy summer transfer at Anfield has seen Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez join the Reds, but the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jarell Quansah have already departed, and a host of other names have been linked with exits before next season gets underway.

Luis Diaz has continually been mentioned as an option for Barcelona, with his father even admitting that it would be a “dream” move for his son.

Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott’s future looks likely to lie away from Liverpool, and there are also rumours suggesting Andy Robertson and Darwin Nunez could move on.

Luis Diaz has agreed terms with Bayern Munich

According to a new update from Fabrizio Romano on X, Barcelona are now planning to make a “new approach” for Liverpool ace Diaz in the near future, with Spanish journalist Fernando Polo confirming the player is keen on the move.

However, Polo has since added a new twist, revealing sources in Germany believe Diaz has verbally agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich. The Germans lost Jamal Musiala to a serious injury over the weekend, and Polo reports if they bid for Diaz it is with the Colombian’s green light.

Liverpool’s stance on Diaz seemingly remains clear, with the Premier League champions not entertaining any offers.

While the Colombian may not be an absolutely world-class footballer, he is still an elite attacking player, scoring 17 goals for the Reds last season and flourishing as both a winger and a centre forward, being lauded by former midfielder Danny Murphy.

“I’ve picked out Diaz because I think he’s gone under the radar a little bit with all the plaudits a lot of the players are getting. He’s got a wonderful work ethic and attitude to the game wherever he’s asked to play.”

Liverpool in lead to sign £35m star who loves Arne Slot, he's keen on move

The Reds could land themselves a talent this summer.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jul 6, 2025

Admittedly, a monstrous bid for the £55,000-a-week Diaz could make Liverpool think again, considering he is 28 now, but only an extortionate amount of money should lead to them accepting an offer this summer.

Newcastle United are believed to be “gathering information” regarding a special young player, as they look to beat other top clubs to his signature this summer.

Isak set for showdown talks with Newcastle

The Magpies’ summer has been rocked by Alexander Isak wanting to leave the club, with the Swede strongly linked with a move to Premier League champions Liverpool. While no bid has been tabled for the 25-year-old yet, it looks as though one could be imminent this week, should the Newcastle star tell the owners that he wants to depart in face-to-face talks.

Should Isak move on from the Magpies this summer, it would be bitterly disappointing for anyone associated with the club, but they could at least receive a British record transfer fee for his services.

If that happens, an elite striker needs to come in as a direct replacement for the Sweden international, but also other top players across several areas of the pitch.

Newcastle "gathering information" on Italian defender

According to Corriere dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are “gathering information” on Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, seeing him as a top-quality prospect to bring in this summer.

Liverpool, Tottenham and Inter Milan are also said to be in the mix to sign the 18-year-old, and he is keen on the idea of playing in the Champions League, although the press in Italy believe he will reject the likes of Liverpool in favour of a move to Inter.

Given his age, Leoni wouldn’t arrive at Newcastle as an immediate starter, but the strides he has already made in his career suggests it may not be long until that is the case.

The Italian made 14 starts in Serie A last season, showing that he is already capable of looking at home in one of Europe’s top five leagues, and scout Jacek Kulig has described him as a “complete” player.

Newcastle have to be targeting younger centre-back moving forward, with the current ranks both ageing and injury-prone, and Leoni looks like a perfect option to come in.

Giovanni Leoni’s 2024/25 Serie A stats

Total

Appearances

17

Starts

14

Minutes played

1204

Clearances per game

3.6

Aerial duel wins per game

1.0

Interceptions per game

0.9

Pass completion rate

88.7%

Goals

1

Assists

0

He could arrive as a squad player to begin with, learning from more senior colleagues, before maturing into a key starter for Eddie Howe, becoming a genuinely top-class defender if he reaches his potential.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca may have already signed several players this summer, but he is far from finished in the transfer market.

With more incomings than outgoings, there could be problems with a bloated squad next term. However, there is still a need to move out players such as Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling before the window closes.

The rumour mill has been constant over the previous few weeks, with the Blues being linked with players right, left and centre.

Karim Adeyemi, Tyler Dibling and Malick Fofana have all been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge this summer as Maresca continues his charge of further bolstering his attacking options.

Alexander Isak was another who was mentioned following the Swedish striker looking for a way out of Newcastle, but this move would be extremely unlikely.

The most likely signing could well be that of Xavi Simons, as the Dutchman appears to be dreaming of joining the Blues, ahead of a potential move.

Splashing out a reported fee of around £56m could certainly be worth it in the long haul….

What Xavi Simons will bring to Chelsea

Simons has been used as an attacking midfielder throughout his career, but since joining RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, the 22-year-old has tended to operate on the left flank.

With Chelsea having Cole Palmer, who is arguably one of the finest attacking midfielders in Europe, opportunities for Simons would likely come on the flank.

Last season, Simons scored 11 goals and grabbed eight assists in all competitions, with nine of those goal contributions coming from the left wing.

When compared to his positional peers in the Bundesliga, however, he ranked highly for a number of key metrics.

Indeed, the Dutchman would rank in the top 6% for progressive passes (5.86) per 90, along with ranking in the top 15% for shot-creating actions (4.52), In the top 3% for through balls (0.96) and for carries into the final third (2.97) per 90, it is evident that Simons shone for the German side.

Combining this with a 20% goal conversion rate in the top flight, as well as creating 12 big chances while averaging two key passes per game, Simons would make a huge difference to the Chelsea side next season.

If a deal can be secured in the coming days for the youngster, Maresca would surely be happy with his attacking options ahead of the campaign starting in a few weeks.

Next on his list will be signing a defender or two in order to shore up the backline. Several names have been mentioned over the previous few weeks, but it looks as though the club have only one target in mind right now.

Jorrel Hato is that player. Could Maresca secure his signature in the next few days?

Chelsea edging closer to another exciting signing

The Blues have been keen on the Ajax starlet since before the window even opened, but it now looks as though they could be closing in on a move.

Fabrizio Romano provided an update on X regarding Chelsea’s pursuit of the player, saying that he has “informed the club about his desire to join Chelsea.”

This is good news for Maresca, and it will surely only be a matter of time before the club announces his signing.

The Dutch side will demand a fee of around £52m in order to sanction an exit, but given how much Chelsea have spent thus far, another £50m+ won’t hurt.

He has sparkled for Ajax since making his debut, and while Hato can operate either as a centre-back or left-back, Maresca will likely unleash him on the left.

If both Hato and Simons move to Stamford Bridge, it could form the basis of a potent combination down the left flank, that’s for sure.

Why Chelsea must sign Jorrel Hato

Hato is still only a teenager, having just turned 19 in March this year. He is nowhere near the finished article, but judging by his statistics from last term, the youngster has a wonderful future ahead of him.

Defensively, Hato was impressive in the Eredivisie. Not only did he win 52% of his total contested duels per game, but the defender also averaged 1.9 tackles per game and was dribbled past on just 0.3 occasions per match in the top flight.

Games played

11

33

31

Goals scored

0

1

2

Assists

0

2

6

Touches per game

57.4

94.8

67.2

Accurate passes per game

42.6 (91%)

72.8 (93%)

45.2 (90%)

Total duels won per game

3.1

5.5

4.1

Clean sheets

1

5

11

Talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed Hato last season for his “immense quality” while also saying that he is a “fantastic mix of complete full-back, playmaking full-back, and ball-playing centre-back” and this could work in Maresca’s favour.

With Simons on the left wing, Hato has all the qualities – as evidenced by Kulig – to form a decent partnership with his compatriot.

From an attacking perspective, Hato recorded six assists in the league last term, along with averaging 0.6 key passes and creating six big chances.

Furthermore, the teen even ranked in the top 6% for assists per 90 (0.21) when compared to his positional peers in the men’s next 14 competitions.

Add in the fact he ranks in the top 11% for touches in the opposition penalty area (2.33) per 90 and in the top 2% for through balls (0.17) per 90; Hato has all the attacking requirements to star on the left flank behind Simons. That’s for sure.

It would be an expensive signing for someone so young, but Maresca has grand plans for Hato, and he will go from strength to strength over the next few years.

Should the club sign both Hato and Simons, they will be a force to be reckoned with next season. There is no doubt about that.

The next few weeks will certainly be interesting indeed for the Chelsea faithful.

He's like Neto & Madueke: Chelsea eyeing £40m "nightmare" alongside Simons

Chelsea look to strike deal for Manchester United outcast

ByWill Miller Jul 25, 2025

After a record-breaking League One title-winning campaign last time out, Birmingham City will be looking to carry that momentum into the 2025/26 Championship season under Chris Davies.

Co-owners Tom Wagner and Tom Brady have big plans at St Andrew’s, and the Blues will be looking to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2011 as soon as possible.

Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town

August 8

Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City

August 16

Birmingham City vs Oxford United

August 23

Leicester City vs Birmingham City

August 30

Stoke City vs Birmingham City

September 13

To do that, new signings to help them in the second tier could be key, and the club have already made a start on their summer transfer business.

But who will start against Ipswich Town on August 8? Well, Grok, the AI tool on X, has forecasted Birmingham’s 25/26 line-up, with five new faces in the XI.

AI predicts Birmingham’s 2025/26 line-up 1 GK: James Beadle

After helping England to U21 European Championship glory this summer, goalkeeper James Beadle will be playing for Birmingham this season.

After Beadle: Birmingham City launch bid to sign their new Jota for £8.5m

Birmingham City could win themselves a modern version of former star Jota by forking out £8.5m to land this new signing.

3 ByKelan Sarson Jul 2, 2025

Signed on a season-long loan from Brighton, Beadle already has second tier experience after his time with Sheffield Wednesday in 24/25.

2 RB: Ethan Laird

A key member of the League One title-winning side, Ethan Laird has been predicted to keep his place in the Birmingham side.

His ‘pace and attacking contributions make him a mainstay’ under Davies, and Grok adds that Laird’s ‘enthusiasm and Championship experience will be vital’.

3 CB: Krystian Bielik

Club captain Krystian Bielik is also backed to retain his place in the XI, being described as a ‘cornerstone of the defence’.

Games

125

Goals

2

Yellow cards

32

Red cards§

2

The Poland international is still under contract until 2027 and Bielik’s ‘leadership and ability to play in midfield or defence ensure his place’.

4 CB: Phil Neumann

Alongside Bielik is new arrival Phil Neumann, who signed on a free transfer from Hannover 96 earlier this summer.

The German actually penned a pre-contract agreement at the beginning of 2025 and has been backed to go straight into Davies’ XI.

5 LB: Lee Buchanan

With Laird keeping his place at right-back, Lee Buchanan has been predicted to make his return from a serious knee to start at left-back.

Buchanan ‘is expected to hold down the left side with his defensive solidity and attacking overlaps’.

6 CM: Hayden Hackney

Backed to cost £10m from Middlesbrough this summer is Hayden Hackney, with AI-driven predictions suggesting Birmingham could target the 22-year-old versatile midfielder.

Grok says Hackney’s ‘ability to play multiple midfield roles would add dynamism’ to the Blues side.

7 CM: Paik Seung-ho

Partnering Hackney is Paik Seung-ho, who was a regular in 24/25, making 50 appearances in all competitions.

The South Korea international is likely to play a key role once more, and Grok says his ‘composure and work rate make him a certain starter in the Championship’.

8 CAM: Kanya Fujimoto

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Japanese attacking midfielder Kanya Fujimoto this summer, with his contract at Gil Vicente set to expire.

Still just 26 years of age, Fujimoto’s ‘creativity and flair would suit Davies’ attacking philosophy’.

9 RW: Demarai Gray

Returning to St Andrew’s this summer is academy graduate Demarai Gray, nine years on after leaving Birmingham for Leicester City.

Gray’s ‘Premier League experience and pace would be a major coup’ for the Blues, according to Grok.

10 ST: Jay Stansfield

Birmingham’s record signing Jay Stansfield was always going to keep his place in the XI after a successful first season as a permanent Blues player.

The striker already has ‘proven Championship quality which makes him the focal point of the attack’.