Radha Yadav to lead India A in T20s, one-dayers and a four-day match in Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jul-2025Allrounder Shreyanka Patil has been included in the India A T20 squad for the upcoming three-match series in Australia following a long injury layoff.Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav was named captain of all three squads for the tour in August; India A also play three 50-over matches and one four-day match against Australia A. Radha took over the captaincy from Minnu Mani, who had led India A on their previous assignment, also a tour of Australia, last August. Mani is the vice-captain of the squads.Patil’s inclusion is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. She had suffered a finger injury during the Women’s Asia Cup in July 2024 but returned to play the T20 World Cup in UAE in October. She then suffered another injury that ruled her out of the 2025 WPL. Patil had been included in the BCCI’s central contracts list in March and was also one of three Indians picked in the draft for the Women’s Caribbean Premier League in September.Apart from Patil, legspinner Priya Mishra’s inclusion in the one-day and the four-day squad also depends on fitness clearance. Mishra has played nine ODIs for India, the last of which was against Ireland in January.Other notable inclusions for the A tour of Australia are batter Shafali Verma and fast bowler Titas Sadhu , who have been picked for all three formats.The tour starts with the T20s in Mackay from August 7 followed by the one-day games in Norths from August 13. The only four-day fixture will be played at Allan Border Field in Brisbane from August 21.

India A T20 squad

Radha Yadav (capt), Minnu Mani (vc), Shafali Verma, D Vrinda, S Sajana, Uma Chetry (wk), Raghvi Bist, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Nandini Kashyap (wk), Tanuja Kanwer, Joshita VJ, Shabnam Shakeel, Saima Thakor and Titas Sadhu

India A one-day and multi-day squad

Radha Yadav (capt), Minnu Mani (vc), Shafali Verma, Tejal Hasabnis, Raghvi Bist, Tanushree Sarkar, Uma Chetry (wk), Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, Nandini Kashyap (wk), Dhara Gujjar, Joshita VJ, Shabnam Shakeel, Saima Thakor and Titas Sadhu

“If you start complaining about these things, it affects your performance on the field,” Rashid Khan says

Shashank Kishore09-Sep-20251:59

Rashid: Not ideal to stay in Dubai and play in Abu Dhabi

“Right now, I’m feeling very sleepy,” Charith Asalanka announced, to peals of laughter around the room. It was a brutally honest opening quip from Sri Lanka’s captain, who had flown into Dubai from Harare via South Africa just hours earlier for the men’s T20 Asia Cup.Asalanka had just played back-to-back T20Is in Zimbabwe on September 6 and 7, wrapped up the series, packed his bags, boarded a long-haul flight, and landed straight into the Dubai heat, only to be whisked off to a pre-tournament photoshoot and a captains’ press conference.”I should answer this question tomorrow, I think,” Asalanka said with a wry smile. “It’s really hard to play back-to-back games and then travel straightaway. I think we actually need a couple of days off. I hope the coach will give us [that].Related

• It's showtime as winless Hong Kong take on wounded Afghanistan to kick off Asia Cup

• Kaushal Silva on coaching Hong Kong: 'No one is going to hand us anything'

• 'Maybe I have something…' – the phenomenal rise of Noor Ahmad

• Asia Cup 2025: Politics, passion and a stage for new rivalries

• Cooked in India, reborn in Hong Kong: Anshuman Rath battles his way from tears to triumph

“It’s important to take care of our fitness. And we all know it’s really hot out there. For me, it’s really important to stay fresh and give 100% in the first game.”Luckily for Sri Lanka, they have been given four days off before their tournament opener against Bangladesh. It’s a rare luxury in a competition where Sri Lanka are in the “group of death” with Afghanistan and Hong Kong completing the pool.Afghanistan, meanwhile, had also wrapped up a series but in the same part of the world. And their captain Rashid Khan wasn’t complaining.They finished a hectic tri-series campaign against Pakistan and UAE in Sharjah on Sunday night, and were scheduled to play Hong Kong in their Asia Cup opener in Abu Dhabi in less than 48 hours. Then Rashid and his opposite number Yasim Murtaza were at the Dubai International Stadium six hours before the toss for the same media event where Asalanka was nearly dozing off, and Salman Agha, who also played in Sunday’s final, looking fresh.”Well, I don’t think it’s ideal – that’s what we were discussing [with the other captains] before as well,” Rashid said. “To play in Abu Dhabi and stay here in Dubai for all three games… it’s different. But as professional cricketers, we have to accept these things.Rashid Khan is determined to keep the focus on what he and Afghanistan could control•Emirates Cricket Board

“Once you enter the ground, you tend to forget everything else. In other countries, we often fly two-three hours and go straight to the game. I remember flying from Bangladesh to the US once and playing straightaway.”Throw in the match-day road trips, later-than-usual finishes – thanks to a deferred start time – and post-match recovery in heat that has constantly hovered over 40 degrees Celsius well into the evening, and the task becomes even trickier. But Rashid was determined to keep the focus on what he and his team could control.”You have to be well-prepared and mentally very strong, that’s why we are professionals,” he said. “If you start complaining about these things, about traveling a lot, it affects your performance on the field. For us, the focus is to put in the effort once we step inside. Wherever we go, we try to forget whatever happens outside and adapt. The most important thing is to give 100% and win the game.”So, while the Asia Cup’s “group of death” promises high-intensity cricket, how fresh the players manage to keep themselves could be a crucial factor, too.

The former Bangladesh captain joins Sazzad Ahmed in the senior women’s selection panel

Mohammad Isam20-Sep-2025The BCB has appointed Salma Khatun as the country’s first woman selector. The former Bangladesh captain will join Sazzad Ahmed in the women’s selection panel. Bangladesh are in the last stage of preparation ahead of the Women’s World Cup next month.Salma was Bangladesh’s first captain in international cricket. She went on to lead the country in 65 WT20Is and 18 WODIs. At the time of her last WT20I, she was Bangladesh’s most-capped women’s T20I cricketer, having played 95 matches. She has also played 46 WODIs.Salma was also the ICC’s No 1 bowler in WT20Is in 2014 and 2015. She took 84 T20I wickets with her offspin at an average of 18.57, with best figures of 4-6 against Sri Lanka.”I think this is a revolutionary decision by our [BCB] president [Aminul Islam], as having someone like Salma involved will provide great support for women’s cricket,” Iftekhar Rahman, the BCB’s media committee chairman, said. “This is the first time such an appointment has been made in Bangladesh.”The board has also promoted Hasibul Hossain to the senior men’s selection panel. He will join chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain and Abdur Razzak. The third position had been vacant since Hannan Sarkar left the role in February this year.Hasibul, the former fast bowler, played five Tests and 32 ODIs. He played in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test match against India in 2000, and was involved in the famous leg-bye that won Bangladesh the ICC Trophy final in 1997.Hasibul had been a junior selector in the BCB since July 2016, having worked closely with the Bangladesh Under-19 side that lifted the World Cup in 2020.

The former SA captain had reversed her decision to retire in August

Firdose Moonda21-Nov-2025Former South Africa women’s captain Dane van Niekerk will make her comeback to international cricket in the home series against Ireland, more than four years after her last appearance. Van Niekerk announced her retirement in March 2023, after being left out of South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad for the 2023 tournament, but reversed that in August this year. She has been included in both the ODI and T20I squads to face Ireland in a six-match series starting on December 5.Since retiring, van Niekerk featured briefly at the WPL but made a proper return to the domestic game for South African provincial team Western Province. She was included in a national training camp ahead of the 2025 ODI World Cup but did not make the final squad and continued playing locally as she made her case for a return. She is currently the third-highest run-scorer in the Pro50 competition and fifth highest in the Pro20, which has earned her a recall. Now, the door is open for her to push for a spot at the T20 World Cup.”We all know how talented she is, her knowledge of the game and she just needs to perform,” Mandla Mashimbyi, South Africa’s coach, said. “I want her to focus on winning games for this team. She has got a legacy behind her and now she has a second chance to showcase what she can do. She needs to focus on that. I don’t want to create any added expectations on her. She must just try and win games for this team.”Asked specifically about van Niekerk’s fitness, as that was the reason she was initially left out in 2023 – she did not make the running time trial of two kilometres in 9 minutes 30 seconds – Mashimbyi made it clear that is in the past. South Africa no longer strictly applies fitness criteria when it comes to selection and van Niekerk is eligible to be picked by virtue of her performances. “For me, you have to look like a cricketer, move like a cricketer and think like a cricketer If you are able to do that. I am happy,” Mashimbyi said. “As long as she can bat, move in the field, and think, we are good and from what I have seen, she can do that.”Van Niekerk is one of six additions to the ODI squad that reached the World Cup final in India last month, including one uncapped player. Allrounder Leah Jones, who captains Western Province, is in line for her first ODI cap. There are also returns for batters Lara Goodall and Faye Tunnicliffe, while seamer Ayanda Hlubi and allrounders Eliz-Mari Marx and Miane Smit are all in that squad, which will be without several frontliners, who will only play in the T20I series. Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk will all be rested for the ODIs. Anneke Bosch does not feature in either squad and will return to domestic cricket with the Titans.With next year’s T20 World Cup eight months away, South Africa’s focus is on that format and they have selected a first-choice squad for those matches. Captain Laura Wolvaardt and allrounder de Klerk and Kapp will return from the WBBL to play in the series that starts on December 5. Van Niekerk and Tunnicliffe are the only additions to the T20 squad from the 2024 World Cup.South Africa’s run to the last three World Cup finals across formats means they have plenty to work with as they enter a new cycle, and plan towards the 2029 ODI World Cup. The Ireland ODIs do not form part of the Women’s Championship, which will begin with fixtures against Pakistan in March, and therefore allows South Africa some room to experiment as they cast the net as wide as possible.”This is a period full of promise and new energy following our World Cup campaign. Reflecting and resetting were crucial, and I believe we have done that well,” Mashimbyi said. “I am looking forward to working with all the players selected, both the new faces and the returning ones, as we continue our journey. I am particularly interested to see how the new combinations come together, as these elements will contribute to our continued growth as a team.”With the men’s national team involved in a series in India and with no home Tests this summer as per the FTP, the women’s side has the opportunity to take centrestage this summer. They will play at the country’s major venues including the T20I series opener against Ireland at Newlands and the ODI finale at the Wanderers.

South Africa T20I squad

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk

South Africa ODI squad

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Leah Jones, Sune Luus, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk

According to West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee, the Hammers tried to complete a deal for Krzysztof Piatek this month.

What’s the word?

West Ham’s transfer business this January has been far from impressive, failing to bring in any players besides goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

It’s thought that a deal for Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek is on the cards but whether or not they bring in more firepower to assist Sebastien Haller remains to be seen.

One player who has been linked to not only West Ham but also to London rivals Tottenham (Corriere Dello Sport, viaÂSport Witness) is Piatek.

The Polish striker is currently at AC Milan but the Hammers have seemingly missed out on him with others in the queue.

Taking to Twitter, ExWHUemployee noted:

Frustrating but not a surprise

Given West Ham’s league position of 17th, it’s perhaps rather unsurprising that they’ve struggled to bring in a player currently playing for a major club in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Piatek has been a force to be reckoned with in years gone by, netting 13 goals for Genoa in Serie A last season.

His 2019/20 campaign hasn’t hit the same heights, scoring four, but there is still a realisation that this is one of the most promising forwards on the continent.

At just 24 years of age, he’s earned comparisons to Andriy Shevchenko from the man himself. Speaking to Sport Mediaset in March last year, the Ukrainian said: “He is my heir to Milan.â€

This was fine praise for a man who had scored nine league goals for the Italian giants in the previous term.

But comparisons don’t stop there, and in fact, Piatek has compared himself and looked to model his game on fellow Polish forward Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane.

Call yourself a West Ham expert? How much did each of these January signings cost?

In an interview with l’Ultimo Uomo, PiatekÂnoted:“My two favourite centre forwards are [Robert] Lewandowski and Harry Kane, perhaps I have characteristics more similar to those of English.â€

The Milan striker comes with a heavy reputation and judging by his promise, West Ham look as though they’re going to miss out on a top player this month.

With the Irons battling against relegation, they will have to look for more realistic targets before the window closes on Friday night.

Meanwhile, West Ham are IN THE HUNT for a right-back currently playing in the Premier League…

Another season, another spate of rumours about Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid.Indeed, pretty much ever since he swapped Old Trafford for the Bernabeu in 2009, a month hasn’t passed without speculative reports linking the three-time Ballon d’Or winner with a sensational return to Manchester United, twisting every loosely-relatable quote and hyperbolically analysing every facial expression that might suggest mild disillusionment in the Spanish capital.August, September and October have been no different. Yet, the recent rumours seem to have a little more substance for a few important reasons.First of all, the dialogue coming out of the Bernabeu is certainly more ambiguous than it once was. Super agent Jorge Mendes – also of Diego Costa and Jose Mourinho fame – once claimed Ronaldo would retire a Real Madrid player. But club president Florentino Perez refused to commit himself to such a scenario last month, whilst manager Rafa Benitez questioned the Portugal international’s status as the best player in the world – an enormous faux pas in Los Blancos circles.Meanwhile, Ronaldo said earlier this week that he’d like to play with Wayne Rooney again.[ffc-gal cat=”manchester-united” no=”5″]Similarly, the former Chelsea and Liverpool gaffer’s appointment probably hasn’t sat too well with the 30 year-old. He was a big fan of predecessor Carlo Ancelotti and in stark contrast to the notoriously amicable Italian, Benitez has a knack of rubbing his key players up the wrong way – something Reds legend Steven Gerrard recently testified to.Likewise, there’s not much left for Ronaldo to achieve at the Bernabeu.He’s won the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and La Liga, albeit without the regularity expected when moving to Madrid for £80million six summers ago, and is now just one goal way from breaking Raul’s all-time top scorer record, an enormous, historic and prestigious achievement at a club as big as Real.It’s by no means outlandish to suggest Ronaldo might want a new challenge; a fresh motivation that will decelerate his inevitable and eventual decline. At the same time, he’ll be 31 by the end of the season and will have entered the final two years of his Bernabeu contract. If Real Madrid wish to rake in a huge fee – perhaps even trumping their original investment – summer 2016 is unquestionably the best time to sell. Not that the La Liga giants have ever given two hoots about resale value.But despite reports this week of a planned £92.5million bid, Manchester United fans shouldn’t get too excited just yet. Although a Bernabeu departure is now more plausible than ever, rumours of a PSG switch make far more sense than Ronaldo simply returning to his old stomping ground.No doubt, the Portuguese holds an eternal soft spot for the club that transformed him from a dangerously arrogant prospect into the world’s most expensive player, the first half of a process that made him arguably the greatest footballer of a generation.But United spent £60million on Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial this summer and Louis van Gaal clearly expects both to develop into United’s leading entities, which makes you wonder where Ronaldo would actually fit in a front-line also including seemingly undroppable skipper Wayne Rooney. Likewise, it would be rather short sighted to say the least for United to invest such a significant sum in two of European football’s most promising prospects, only to sign a 31 year-old who will expect to start over both for £30million more just twelve months down the line.Perhaps most crucially, returning to United wouldn’t be a new challenge for Ronaldo. He won everything going with the Red Devils. At PSG, on the other hand, the forward has the chance to create a genuine legacy if he fires the French outfit to their first ever Champions League title, the honour president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has relentlessly honed in on, sanctioning a €551million spend, since the Qatari take-over in 2011. They certainly have the finance to spend another £90-oddmillion on Ronaldo.Likewise, the timing seems right for the Parisians. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract will expire at the end of the season and according to reports during the summer, PSG don’t intend to offer the 33 year-old a new deal. But the French champs still need that ‘wow factor’ which will allow them to attract Europe’s best to an inferior and uncompetitive domestic league. Ibrahimovic gave them pulling power in the market, something arguably more significantÂthan his talent and goals, and Ronaldo is one of the few players in world football who can match the enigmatic Swede in that regard.Of course, crazier things have happened before in the world of football and the emotion involved in a return to Manchester United could well override any form of rationale hinting at PSG move. Furthermore, this article is just a theory, albeit inspired by ongoing tabloid chatter.But my word of warning to Red Devils fans, even if Ronaldo openly admits that he plans to leave Real Madrid next summer, is quite plainly not toÂget your hopes up.ÂTesting a new frontier that desperately needs a player of his profile rather than simply revisiting an old one makes far more sense – not only for Ronaldo but for PSG and Manchester United as well.Â

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

There has undoubtedly been some big news from the international break these past two weeks, such as Wales qualifying for their first major competition since 1964 and the Netherlands somehow failing to qualify for next summer’s Euros in France.

However, in terms of the Premier League (and especially the Fantasy Premier League), no news is as breaking as the hamstring injury to Manchester City star Sergio Aguero, who is now set to miss the next seven weeks of first-team action.

This will come as a huge blow to many managers, who immediately purchased the Argentina international right after his five-goal haul against Newcastle United in the previous gameweek, earning him a massive 25 points.

Owned by 32.3%, his quick-fire sale will definitely see his £13.3m price drop over the next few weeks, but that brings us to maybe the only positive from his injury.

Selling the striker will give you an extra £13m to spend in the market, and there are a plethora of striking options for you to consider.

Here are FIVE strikers for your consideration to replace Sergio Aguero…

Graziano Pelle

The leading striker in the Fantasy Premier League game, Graziano Pelle (8.2) is the bandwagon pick to replace Aguero after a magnificent start to the season, scoring five goals and supplying another five assists to his team-mates.

What makes him a fairly obvious choice is Southampton’s current form and fixtures, which sees the Saints play Leicester City (Home), Bournemouth (Home), Sunderland (Away), and Stoke City(Home) in the next five, with only a tricky trip to Liverpool in Gameweek 10.

Not only that, Pelle has been scoring with the Italy international squad in the qualifiers and his confidence must be soaring through the roof at the moment.

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku (8.3) may be the third highest points-scoring striker in the Fantasy Premier League, but his continued tendency to go missing in Everton’s less appealing fixtures has come as a huge frustration to managers.

Yet his ability is without doubt, as the Belgium international continues to grow and develop into the ‘Drogba 2.0’ Chelsea fans were predicting when he was playing with the Blues.

The Toffees’ difficult starting fixtures are also set to end after Man United and Arsenal in the next two games, but as mentioned earlier, it could be against the Red Devils and the Gunners in which he performs and not the easier games thereafter.

Wilfried Bony

With Aguero out, it is almost certain that Wilfried Bony (8.2) will be deployed by Manuel Pellegrini as Manchester City’s lone striker in the upcoming games. And let’s not forget, this is a striker that scored 17 goals in his debut Premier League season with Swansea.

The current league leaders also have a enticing run of ‘easier’ fixtures, with Bournemouth (Home), Norwich (Home), and Aston Villa (Away) in their next four. They travel to Manchester United in Gameweek 10, but the Citizens have a fairly decent record scoring at Old Trafford.

‘Assist master’ Kevin de Bruyne is also on great form, and Bony will be expected to get some decent service from the Belgian.

Diego Costa

Don’t know how many times this will be said this season, but Chelsea will have to turn their stuttering season around sooner rather than later don’t they? And it seems that Diego Costa (10.9) will play a big part in that if they do.

The Blues’ last league victory was their 2-0 win over Arsenal back in Gameweek 6, which also happened to be Diego Costa’s last game in the English top flight after being punished for his confrontation with Gabriel and Laurent Koscielny… but now he is available for selection.

Chelsea have a decent run of games with Aston Villa (Home), West Ham (Away), Stoke (Away), and Norwich (Home) coming up in their next five… and Costa could bring back the form that saw him score 20 goals in just 26 league games last season.

Batefimbi Gomis

Yes Batefimbi ‘The Panther’ Gomis (7.1) is under consideration despite his massive price drop over the past four fixtures… because if you think about it the Frenchman currently has four goals in eight games, which is a fairly decent record.

His massive sales also makes Gomis a decent differential, but what is the most enticing about the former Lyon striker is Swansea’s very enticing run of games. The Swans face Stoke (Home), Aston Villa (Away), Norwich (Away), and Bournemouth in the next four… and they won’t be too scared of Arsenal at the Liberty Stadium in Gameweek 11 either.

Gomis was hands down the biggest bandwagon during Gameweek four, so to see his massive drop (mostly for a change to Martial) was rather shocking. Now is his chance to prove doubters wrong.

We’re almost there, folks… the January transfer window! Not universally popular, the first month of every year kicks off with flurry of deals, goes quiet, then kicks back into life again as the clock ticks towards the deadline, and it seems that during every edition of this window Arsenal fans are left a little underwhelmed. Okay, Gabriel Paulista was a decent acquisition last time, but in 2014 a month of rooting around led to a loan move for an injured Kim Kallstrom. The Gunners subsequently fell out of the title race and into a battle for fourth.

There are some parallels between 2013/14 and 2015/16 it would seem, with Arsenal having started well while a major title rival wallows (Chelsea this season, the last time it was Manchester United). The door is ajar for a push it would seem, so maybe the Londoners should look back to the lesson they, hopefully, learnt and bolster an area of their squad that’s clearly deficient by buying a striker.

The candidate – Mauro Icardi

A £30m move for Inter Milan’s Argentine has been mooted, and even though the solidity of the claims made is unknown, Arsenal fans are, understandable, delighted. The 22-year-old has been talked about as one of Serie A’s top talents for the last 18 months, with his performances in a pretty average side at the San Siro having been standout.

Although he’s not yet scaled the highs of 2014/15, in which he netted 22 goals in 36 outings and fired more than three-shots-per-game, this time around Icardi is still Internazionale’s top scorer in league action with four goals and was named in the Team of the Week last time out for his performance in the 4-0 battering of Frosinone.

What’s he like?

Think Luis Suarez-lite. Icardi has already been compared to his South American compatriot, and a quick glance at his playing style shows why. Not an orthodox centre-forward, the one-cap international is a flurry of energy and pressing, with his desire to run from the front often opening up space for team-mates. Some have suggested in the past that he’s not a natural finisher, but his record since leaving Barcelona’s youth set-up is pretty formidable.

Would he fit at Arsenal?

Yes and no. In terms of being another option Icardi is ideal, with Arsene Wenger possessing only Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott as orthodox choices – although questions surrounding the latter’s best position rumble on. However, the Arsenal manager has shown a desire to operate with a more physically imposing forward through the years, and standing at 5ft. 11”, Icardi doesn’t really offer the same threat as Giroud or another former Wenger favourite, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Worth a punt?

£30m is steep for a player that may not directly fit Wenger’s set-up and is more comfortable working with a strike partner. This one looks like a long shot…

Stats via WhoScored

[ad_pod id=’europcar-blog’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

At last, there’s a good feeling around St. James’ Park now. The Toon recorded back-to-back wins for the first time in over a year as they outfought and outrun two of the most hipster teams in the Premier League.

Steve McClaren has some breathing space. By no means have his side been imperious, but they have simply tried. As a result, they downed a rampant Liverpool and ended Tottenham’s 14-game unbeaten run in the league. Maybe they aren’t so bad after all.

Far from getting carried away, it’s at least time to highlight some of the players performing well. Summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum receives most of the plaudits, of course, and Aleksandar Mitrovic is already on the verge of being a cult-hero in the North East, despite his relatively indifferent start.

However, one of the most important pillars of this Newcastle side is defender Chancel Mbemba. It’s been easy to overlook his sterling efforts amid the embarrassing results this term, as the team’s defence has been bombarded and run ragged on more than one occasion.

Still, the 21-year old has shown what a class act he is. The former Anderlecht man has not been imperious though, but he is constantly improving. Paired next to a careless Fabricio Coloccini for most of the season hasn’t helped his bedding in process, but the Congolese centre-back has shown he has some of the raw materials to make it as a top operator in his position.

While he’s prone to the odd rash challenge and occasionally heading out of position, the towering defender is both pacey and powerful in equal measure. His speed and direct running can help recover possession when an opposition striker is seemingly clean through on goal, and he’s shown brilliant ability to read the game. At times.

Never likely to be outmuscled, other than by Jamie Vardy (who’s in superhero mode), the young centre-back is strong in the challenge and can push attackers away from goal. Perhaps it’s been easy to look at results and criticise the Toon rear-guard, but Mbemba has been one of its only bright spots.

Though he’s not always easy on the eye, the African star has shown a great ability to bring the ball out of defence and push the side up the field in order to elevate pressure. Should he sort his first touch out, he could be a great asset to have when backs are against the wall.

His surging runs may put hearts in mouths at times, but they gets backsides off seats and Newcastle up the field. All in all, isn’t that what Newcastle fans what? To be excited, to see people caring enough to drag their team-mates up the pitch when the going gets tough?

Obviously, there’s room for improvement. If he can cut out his tendency to dive in to tackles, stand his ground and track runners rather than go towards the ball, he certainly has the ability to be one of the best defenders in the league. Not since Jonathan Woodgate has St. James’ Park played host to such an exciting central defender.

While he’s not perfect, the £8.5m arrival is beginning to look like one of the signings of the season. The sky is his limit.

[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]

Ever wondered what a Premier League footballer gets paid?

When you hear the astronomical wages that the top stars get paid, what we often forget is that these wages are usually quoted as a weekly wage, which really undersells the overall monthly pay packet.Â

So when you see this payslip Manchester City issued to their former striker Carlos Tevez, it’s an incredibly impressive wage.Â

The other hugely marked thing about this leaked photo is the amount of tax that such high earning stars pay to the treasury. Even though Tevez earns over £700,000 per month, he pays over £300,000 in tax! The amount that Tevez pays in tax is the kind of money that most Football League clubs would consider steep when talking about a potential transfer fee!

You can read more on this and other top stories via our Manchester City News page.

This Tevez payslip, datedÂMarch 2010 and recently resurfaced, also shows that he gets paid a standard wage and an accommodation allowance of £20,000 (as if that’s necessary). It also shows that he has to pay for his own tickets to take family and friends to see a match (bit harsh).

On top of that, there’s a particularly hard-hitting FA fine of £24! Ouch …