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England don’t play another ODI until September. Have they worked out their best XI yet?

Matt Roller07-Mar-2023

1. Jonny Bairstow

ODI career: 95 caps, 3634 runs at 46.58, SR 104.12If fit, Bairstow is a shoo-in at the top of the order•Getty ImagesBairstow has only recently started running again after the freak injury he sustained six months ago, and its severity means that a seamless return to fitness and form should not be taken for granted. But if he is anywhere near his best when he returns, Bairstow is an automatic selection as England’s opener – not least in India, where his prowess against spin should come to the fore.

2. Dawid Malan

ODI career: 18 caps, 769 runs at 54.92, SR 93.09Malan has made four centuries in his brief opportunity in the ODI side•Getty ImagesMalan has been the biggest beneficiary of England’s sporadic ODI winter, making three hundreds in nine appearances including a calculated, match-winning 114 not out in Mirpur last week. He will turn 36 before the start of the World Cup and has harnessed his extensive experience since making his England white-ball debut in 2017. As he did in T20Is, he has taken almost every opportunity he has been given in 50-over cricket, to the extent that he could even be marginally ahead of Jason Roy in the pecking order to open the batting.

3. Joe Root

ODI career: 158 caps, 6207 runs at 50.05, SR 86.93Root has barely featured in ODI cricket since the 2019 World Cup final•Getty ImagesA victim of England’s relentless schedule, Root has only batted a dozen times in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup final, averaging 35.10 without scoring a hundred. But he remains an automatic selection when available, offering the perfect foil for England’s more destructive players while playing a high-tempo, low-risk game himself. Two months at the IPL with Rajasthan Royals should provide ideal preparation, whether or not he plays regularly.

4. Jos Buttler (capt/wk)

ODI career: 165 caps, 4647 runs at 41.49, SR 117.97Buttler could benefit from a move up the order for England’s World Cup defence•AFP/Getty ImagesAnother automatic selection, as captain and wicketkeeper. Buttler has generally batted at No. 5 in ODIs over the last four years, but England must ensure he has sufficient opportunity to influence every game they play at the World Cup, particularly in the knockout stages: unless they lose two early wickets, he should shuffle up to No. 4 in India.

5. Harry Brook

ODI career: 3 caps, 86 runs at 28.66, SR 98.85Until his recent ODI debut, Brook hadn’t played a 50-over match since 2019•Getty ImagesBrook’s 50-over record hardly demands inclusion but he will be impossible to ignore. The three ODIs he played in South Africa were his only List A games, at any level, since May 2019, but his technique and style hardly alter between four-day and T20 cricket; the middle format should be ideally suited to him. He has thrived on slow, low pitches in Pakistan, and he will inevitably learn from two months at the IPL as a marquee signing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

6. Liam Livingstone

ODI career: 12 caps, 250 runs at 31.25, SR 122.54; 6 wickets at 24.16, ER 5.80Livingstone slammed 66 off 22 balls against Netherlands last summer•Getty ImagesThe highlight of Livingstone’s fledgling ODI career to date is a 22-ball cameo against the Netherlands, but his versatility with bat and ball makes him an invaluable squad member. He has sometimes struggled to pace his innings, but batting at No. 6 in a 50-over game – especially in the final 10 overs, with five men out of the ring – is not far removed from the No. 4 T20 role he perfected for Punjab Kings in last year’s IPL.

7. Moeen Ali

ODI career: 129 caps, 2212 runs at 25.13, SR 99.46; 99 wickets at 49.89, ER 5.28Moeen’s record looks less impressive than it can feel when he comes good in his specific roles•Getty ImagesMoeen’s value to England’s white-ball set-up is often underestimated due to his underwhelming overall record. His batting and bowling averages are, respectively, lower and higher than he would like, but reflect the challenges of those roles: attacking early in his innings from No. 7, and bowling defensive offbreaks with only four fielders outside the inner ring. Throw in his role as Buttler’s vice-captain, and Moeen is a certain starter in India.

8. Sam Curran

ODI career: 23 caps, 318 runs at 24.46, SR 96.36; 26 wickets at 36.38, ER 5.86Curran has seized his chances in a variety of roles, particularly with the ball•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesCurran is difficult to leave out of an England white-ball team, whether 20 overs or 50. He has become increasingly adaptable, adept in the middle overs and at the death, and showed in the second ODI in Mirpur that he retains his potency when handed the new ball. Curran adds balance with his useful lower-order hitting, and should thrive in Indian conditions.

9. Adil Rashid

ODI career: 125 caps, 183 wickets at 32.20, ER 5.64Rashid remains England’s pre-eminent spinner despite the emergence of Rehan Ahmed•AP Photo/Aijaz RahiAfter a quiet 2022, Rashid was back at his best in Bangladesh, claiming eight cheap wickets to take home the Player of the Series award. Despite the emergence of Rehan Ahmed, there is no player whose absence England would feel more keenly in India; they must make sure to look after his troublesome shoulder throughout the summer.

10. Jofra Archer

ODI career: 21 caps, 42 wickets at 21.73, ER 4.80Archer was the decisive factor in England’s 2019 win, and he’ll be crucial to their title defence too•Getty ImagesArcher has taken 12 wickets in four ODIs since his comeback from injury, and has regularly breached the 90mph/145kph mark over the last two months. Careful management will be vital in 2023: he will lead Mumbai Indians’ attack at the IPL in Jasprit Bumrah’s likely absence, then could feature in the Ashes before the World Cup. England would love him to feature in both series, but need to ensure he has plenty in the tank when he arrives in India.

11. Mark Wood

ODI career: 59 caps, 71 wickets at 37.88, ER 5.42Wood’s express pace will be vital on India’s wickets•Getty ImagesWood returned to England’s ODI set-up after a two-year absence in Bangladesh, and the sight of him charging in and slamming the ball into the pitch in Mirpur underlined his value to the side. As with Archer, Wood’s fitness record suggests he is unlikely to play every game across formats this summer; England need him in India more than they do in the Ashes, so his workload should be tailored accordingly.

12. Jason Roy

ODI career: 116 caps, 4271 runs at 39.91, SR 105.53Roy is in a fallow run of form, but has produced centuries in each of England’s last two series•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesRoy looked like a busted flush in the 2022 summer when he endured a run of form so wretched that he lost his place in England’s T20 World Cup squad. But he has re-stated his worthy credentials with hundreds against South Africa and Bangladesh this year and it will take another lean summer for him to miss out altogether. However, if Roy is likely to start on the bench behind Malan, England may consider bringing a more versatile player – like Will Jacks or Phil Salt – as their spare batter.

13. Chris Woakes

ODI career: 112 caps, 1386 runs at 24.75, SR 89.82; 160 wickets at 30.23, ER 5.45Woakes may not play every game but would be a reliable bench presence•Getty ImagesThere is a justifiable case that Woakes has been England’s most reliable white-ball cricketer over the last eight years, and he is a certainty for the World Cup squad if fully fit. England will have to rotate their seamers across six or seven weeks in India; even in the event Woakes does start on the bench, he will doubtless play a role at some stage.

14. Olly Stone

ODI career: 8 caps, 8 wickets at 39.62, ER 5.98Stone’s impact in the middle overs has been reminiscent of Liam Plunkett’s former role•Getty ImagesAnother player with scant 50-over experience, Stone impressed in the middle-overs enforcer role in South Africa and provides a point of difference with his high pace. He has been around England’s squads across formats – and continents – this winter, and could form part of a varied pace-bowling arsenal in India.

15. Reece Topley

ODI career: 22 caps, 33 wickets at 27.03, ER 5.29Despite his injury issues, Topley’s impact in limited-overs has been immense in recent months•Getty ImagesTopley struggled in South Africa and was not selected in Bangladesh – reportedly due to a minor niggle – but was England’s most prolific ODI wicket-taker in the 2022 home summer. His upcoming stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore will double as a two-month apprenticeship for white-ball bowling in India.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Notable absentees

It has been widely assumed that Ben Stokes will reverse his ODI retirement as soon as Buttler and Matthew Mott come calling later this year, but his long-standing knee complaint complicates matters. If available, he will come straight back into the squad, but Stokes may view the start of the English winter as the ideal opportunity to sort his injury out for good, then use the 2024 IPL to get himself ready for the subsequent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the US.Several batters remain in contention. Alex Hales could be floated in at the eleventh hour but has not played a 50-over match in four years; Phil Salt, Will Jacks and James Vince did little to further their cases in Bangladesh; Ben Duckett struggled in South Africa, but may find India’s pitches more suited to his methods; while Sam Billings has an impressive record but has still slipped down the pecking order since Mott’s appointment.Related

• Bangladesh start as underdogs as world champions return to T20I fold after long gap

• Billings: 'I've run the drinks for eight years. I just want to play cricket'

• England are behind on their World Cup studies – but there's still plenty of time to cram

• Yet another 'Shakib Al Hasan Day' rescues Bangladesh in distress

• Shakib Al Hasan's all-round heroics lift Bangladesh to consolation win

Jacks’ versatility makes him the most likely player to provide another spin option – he could replace one of the spare seamers in the squad – while Rehan Ahmed and Liam Dawson are further alternatives. Matt Parkinson appears to have fallen out of contention altogether.David Willey, Brydon Carse and Saqib Mahmood are among the seamers who appear unlikely to form part of the squad at this stage despite recent ODI appearances, but could all mount strong cases over the next six months of short-form cricket.

Verdict: Can England go back to back?

England’s recent ODI form has been patchy, but reports of their demise in the format are exaggerated. Since lifting the World Cup at Lord’s in 2019, they have very rarely – if ever – fielded their full-strength side yet remain top of the ODI Super League, and have deep-seated trust in the squad that delivered the trophy four years ago.India will be favourites in October-November, looking to become the fourth successive host nation to win the 50-over World Cup, but England will not be too far behind. They are well-placed to achieve the minimum expectations of making it through the initial round-robin stage – at which point, they will suddenly be two wins away from defending their title.

You don’t do what he did to James Anderson. But then, you’re not Rishabh Pant.

Karthik Krishnaswamy05-Mar-20213:20

#AskMatchDay: Is Pant’s reverse lap the most extraordinary shot in Test cricket?

There’s audacity, and there’s plain disrespect.Rishabh Pant was five years and 72 days old when James Anderson made his England debut.On Friday afternoon in Ahmedabad, Anderson, 38 years and 218 days old and bowling as well as ever, had figures of 17-11-19-2 when he ran in to bowl with an unsullied second new ball. Pant, 23 years and 152 days old, ran down the pitch and smoked him over mid-off, finishing with his back leg in the flamingo position.You don’t do that to Anderson. You don’t do that to Anderson bowling with a new ball. But you aren’t Rishabh Pant.Related

• Rishabh Pant to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021

• Rishabh Pant has been handled well by India. Ollie Pope and Dom Bess not so much by England

• Ravi Shastri: 'Outstanding' Rishabh Pant 'worked his backside off'

• Washington Sundar: A batsman blossoming in a bubble of serene self-assurance

• Ravi Shastri: India were like 'zombies' in first Test, 'kick in the backside' drove series triumph

To the next ball, Pant took a massive stride forward, perhaps even before Anderson had released. The length was perhaps short of good length, and the line was wide outside off. He was in no position to play that ball, but that’s a problem for other batsmen. For Pant, it was simply a ball he could wallop through cover point, even if it meant he had to reach out with arms at full stretch and address the ball with a flat-bat, topspin slap.At the start of Anderson’s next over, Pant was batting on 89. Perhaps this would bring a measure of restraint to his batting, you might have thought. Particularly since his last eight Test innings had included two dismissals in the 90s, and an unbeaten 89.Restraint? Pant reverse-swept Anderson from the line of the stumps, falling away to the leg side as he did so, and watched the ball fly over the leaping first slip fielder.It was audacious, it was gloriously disrespectful, and it was in every way what we’ve come to expect from Pant.In time, we’ll get used to all the other bits too, because it’s taken more than just edge-of-the-seat shot-making for Pant to average upwards of 60 in these last two series he’s played, against strong bowling attacks in mostly bowler-friendly conditions.Rishabh Pant cuts behind point•Getty ImagesThrough that tour of Australia and this series against England, we’ve begun to understand the logic that underpins nearly every Pant innings. It’s often a logic entirely his own, such as when he decides the best way to deal with the ball turning and jumping out of the rough is to try and hit it for six, repeatedly, even with long-on an deep midwicket back and with India miles away from saving the follow-on.But sometimes, as on Friday, the logic is far more straightforward. This innings was as close as he has ever come to batting like a typical No. 6. The slap-happy finish will live long in the memory, but the build-up was utterly sedate, by his standards, and brilliantly calculated.When Pant walked in, India were 80 for 4, and trailed by 125 on an unusual sort of pitch where there was help for the spinners but also enough to interest the quicker bowlers, with the odd ball seaming or stopping on the batsman or kicking up awkwardly. The old ball was swinging too, and Anderson had exploited this expertly to remove Ajinkya Rahane with what turned out to be the last ball before lunch.Twelve overs after Pant’s entry, Rohit Sharma was out for 49 off 144 balls. He faced 90 balls from England’s fast bowlers and scored 19 runs off them. This was a batsman who came into this game with a series strike rate of 80.98 against fast bowling. The conditions clearly weren’t made for flat-bat drives through the covers. Not just yet, anyway. Pant would have to bide his time. He’d have to take 28 balls to get into double figures.But there were clear incentives in front of him.England had picked only four bowlers, and one of them, Ben Stokes, was an allrounder who had only bowled 15 overs across the first three Tests. They weren’t trusting one of their two spinners, Dom Bess, to bowl a proper bowler’s share of overs.Pant came to the crease in the 26th over of the morning. Anderson was in his seventh over of the day. Stokes had bowled 10 already. Jack Leach, England’s main spinner, had bowled seven. Bess had only bowled two.Pant had arrived at a delicate moment for India. But he had also arrived at a moment when England’s meagre resources were beginning to get stretched, in the hottest stretch of a 38-degree day in Ahmedabad.6:53

Rohit Sharma – I don’t want anyone get upset when Pant gets out playing shots

Those resources had done exceptionally well to restrict India to 56 for 3 in the first 25.5 overs of the day. But there were two more sessions to go, and six more wickets to take, against an India line-up featuring three spin-bowling allrounders at Nos. 7, 8 and 9.By the time England got their next breakthrough, Rohit trapped in front by Stokes’ reverse-swing, they had used up five more overs from Anderson, and brought Stokes on for another spell. They hadn’t yet bowled Leach at Pant, possibly fearing the damage he could do against left-arm spin. So while Pant had to survive a nervy early period against Anderson, he only had to face Bess – who struggled all day to find his length – and the part-time offspin of Joe Root from the other end.By the time India were six down, Stokes had bowled 15 overs in the day, and Pant had moved to 30. The second new ball was 21.5 overs away, which meant at least another hour’s rest for the quicks.This was where India’s batting depth came to the fore. It was like India’s 2018 tour of England in reverse. The visitors had worked their socks off to get into a position of strength, but the home team’s batting simply wouldn’t end. For Sam Curran, substitute Washington Sundar. Another left-hand batsman, blessed with the same crisp timing and an even sounder technique.Sundar and Pant came together with India trailing by 59, but you wouldn’t have guessed it looking at the tone of the game during the early part of their partnership. Bess and Root sent down the first five overs after tea, with plenty of protection on the boundary when Pant was on strike. This was understandable, but it allowed him to get off strike whenever he wished to. He only faced seven balls in those five overs, allowing Sundar to get his eye in against England’s two least threatening bowlers.By the time Leach returned to the attack, the ball was 67 overs old, and was no longer zipping off the track like it had done during his first spell of the day. By the time a tired Stokes returned with five overs to go for the new ball, India’s deficit was down to nine runs. Sundar was batting on 24, and Pant on 55, off 90 balls.Pant would go on to score 46 off his next 28 balls. He was done waiting and watching. He was done respecting the bowling, the situation, and his elders.

لا يزال نادي ريال مدريد يعاني سلسلة من الإصابات والإيقافات قبل مباراة ديبورتيفو ألافيس في الدوري الاسباني الأحد المقبل.

وبحسب صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية فإن تشابي ألونسو سيفتقد خدمات أنطونيو روديجر، بالإضافة إلى أن مشاركة إدواردو كامافينجا لن تكون مرجحة.

وعلى الرغم من معاناة فيدي فالفيردي من إجهاد عضلي لكن يبدو أن المدرب الإسباني سيخاطر بإشراك اللاعب وإن كان هذا الأمر غير مؤكد، بعد أن غاب عن التدريبات.

وشكلت عودة هويسن أفضل الأخبار للمدرب تشابي ألونسو، وسيؤكد المدافع عودته خلال تدريبات السبت، بينما يغيب أرنولد وكارفاخال بشكل مؤكد بجانب ألابا وميليتاو وروديجر وميندي.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ريال مدريد يتلقى دفعة معنوية قبل مباراة ديبورتيفو ألافيس

وسيفتقد ريال مدريد لخدمات الظهيرين فران جارسيا وألفارو كاريراس بسبب الإيقاف، ويثير كيليان مبابي شكوكًا أيضاً حول مشاركته ضد ألافيس في خط الهجوم حيث لم يتمكن من التدرب مع بقية الفريق واقتصر تدريبه على التواجد في صالة الألعاب الرياضية ولا يزال يعاني من ألم في ركبته.

وتشكل الشكوك حول كيليان مبابي مشكلة كبيرة لريال مدريد، حيث لم يفز الفريق إلا في مباراتين من أصل سبع مباريات لم يسجل فيها الفرنسي، بينما فاز في 13 مباراة من أصل 15 مباراة سجل فيها.

وسيغيب إندريك الموقوف لمباراتين عن المباراة بعد أن قدم أداء مميز لفترة قصيرة مع ريال مدريد ضد مانشستر سيتي.

أكد كريم العراقي، لاعب منتخب مصر والنادي المصري، أن المنتخب قدم مباراة جيدة أمام الكويت، رغم نتيجة التعادل التي انتهى بها اللقاء.

وتواجه منتخب مصر مع الكويت، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الأولى من عمر مباريات المجموعة الثالثة لبطولة كأس العرب المقامة في قطر.

وانتهى اللقاء بالتعادل الإيجابي بين المنتخبين، بهدف لمثله، حيث تقدم منتخب الكويت عن طريق فهد الهاجري وتعادل لـ مصر محمد مجدي أفشة.

وقال العراقي خلال تصريحات عبر قناة الكأس: “قدمنا مباراة جيدة جدًا، اللاعبون قدموا مباراة جيدة، ومن الصعب أن تكون متحكمًا في المباراة ويدخل هدفًا في مرماك من كرة ثابت هذا شيء ليس سهلًا”.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة مصر في كأس العرب 2025 بعد التعادل مع الكويت

وأضاف: “نحن فريق كبير واستطعنا العودة للمباراة وكان من الممكن أن نحقق الفوز، إن شاء الله نستطيع تحقيق الانتصار في المباراتين المقبلتين”.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع الإمارات يوم السبت 6 ديسمبر، ثم يلاقي الأردن يوم 9 ديسمبر في الجولتين الثانية والثالثة من دور المجموعات لبطولة كأس العرب 2025.

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy got off to the worst possible start with a 2-1 defeat to Hearts at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership in his first match in charge.

The Hoops head coach was thrown in at the deep end, after Martin O’Neill’s interim tenure, and failed to oversee a positive result in his debut in the dugout.

A late goal from Kieran Tierney in stoppage time was too little too late for the hosts, who created three ‘big chances’ in the match (Sofascore), as the Jam Tarts held out for all three points.

Nancy will have learned a lot about his squad in his 3-4-2-1 shape, which was immediately implemented, and one thing that he should have learned is that Daizen Maeda should not play as the striker.

Why Daizen Maeda should not play up front

The Japan international was selected to lead the line for the Scottish giants with Hyun-jun Yang and Sebastian Tounekti as the wing-backs, with Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren as the two attacking midfielders.

Maeda missed two ‘big chances’ early on in the game, per Sofascore, scuffing both efforts in presentable situations, and then struggled with the physicality of the match.

Per Sofascore, the Japanese attacker lost all five of his ground duels and three of his four duels in the air, which shows that it was too easy for the Hearts defenders to get the better of him more often than not.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, to his credit, it was his challenged header at the end of the game that created Kieran Tierney’s goal, so some good did come from his physical output.

His overall struggles physically, though, are why the new Celtic boss should use Kelechi Iheanacho or Johnny Kenny, natural number nines, in that position moving forward, with Maeda in one of the roles behind the striker to take some of the physical burden off him.

Maeda was not the only poor performer on the day for the Scottish giants, though, as Arne Engels is the first player who should be ruthlessly dropped from the starting XI by Nancy.

Why Nancy must drop Engels for Celtic

The new Celtic boss must drop the Belgium international from the starting line-up because he was even worse than Maeda in the defeat to Hearts on Sunday.

Like the Japanese striker in the first half, Engels was guilty of missing a huge opportunity in front of goal in the game, as he could only guide his close-range header straight at Alexander Schwolow.

The £11m signing from Augsburg was also incredibly sloppy with his use of the ball throughout the game. Per Sofascore, the central midfielder lost possession a staggering 23 times, whilst Maeda only gave the ball away seven times in total.

Engels was criticised for his “wayward” passes by Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton during the live coverage of the first half, after a couple of sloppy balls forward that went straight back to the away side.

Minutes

90

90

Touches

86

31

Possession lost

23x

7x

Key passes

2

3

Assists

0

1

Shots

3

2

Big chances missed

1

2

Pass accuracy

76%

85%

As you can see in the table above, Engels had 55 more touches and gave the ball away 16 more times than Maeda across the 90 minutes, yet created fewer chances for the team than the Japan international.

These statistics illustrate just how sloppy the Belgian flop was in the middle of the park for the Scottish giants, and why he should be the first player who is ruthlessly dropped from the team by the manager.

Their respective performances tie into how Nancy could drop him because Maeda moving back into one of the attacking midfield positions would allow Reo Hatate to drop deeper into midfield, with Iheanacho or Kenny essentially replacing Engels in the line-up.

The former Bundesliga talent should not be completely written off under Nancy already, of course, but this period of matches is about the new manager learning about his squad, which means that he needs to look at other players and see who is best suited to his style of play.

Liverpool agree terms to sign "aggressive" Celtic teenager in first Nancy exit

An early blow for the new manager.

ByTom Cunningham Dec 6, 2025

Engels was not good enough against Hearts on Sunday, unfortunately, but he will get more chances to prove himself to the French tactician in the future.

Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ submitted an early contender for catch of the year already during Saturday's game vs. the San Diego Padres.

In the top of the seventh inning, Padres pinch hitter Gavin Sheets crushed a line drive to left field. Happ rushed over towards the wall and somehow made it in time to catch the ball for an out. He flipped over on the ground until the wall stopped him from continuing his roll, but the ball ended up in his glove for the out.

Relief pitcher Nate Pearson, who saw Sheets as his first batter of the game, couldn't believe what he saw Happ do. He put his hands on his head and looked in disbelief.

It was fitting the three-time Gold Glove winner Happ would make this mind-boggling catch during his 1000th career game on Saturday.

It'll be hard to beat this play, but there's still a lot of the 2025 MLB season left.

Former Celtic centre-forward Chris Sutton was particularly scathing of the club’s recruitment after they lost 2-0 to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, the pundit said: “Celtic have massive problems. They have to get to January and still stay in touch. This is a bang average Celtic team and I think Brendan recognises that.

“The signing of Kelechi Iheanacho summed everything up. That was desperation. I’m not saying he’s a bad player but you think back to when Celtic were rotating Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi, that quality, that’s the difference.”

It is hard not to point to the recruitment department when looking for the reason why Celtic have failed to score in six competitive matches already this season.

Celtic needed a striker in the summer, before they sold Adam Idah, and they failed to bring in Kasper Dolberg from Anderlecht, before selling Idah without getting a replacement in. Kelechi Iheanacho then arrived on a free transfer, but they were still down another forward.

Meanwhile, Hearts signed Claudio Braga from Aalesund on top of keeping Lawrence Shankland, and have fired their way to the top of the Premiership table.

What Celtic can learn from the recruitment at Hearts

Tony Bloom invested in Hearts and brought his data expertise with him to bolster their recruitment, and it already looks to have paid off big time for the Jam Tarts.

Braga scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 37 appearances in the second tier of football in Norway in the 2025 and 2024 campaigns for Aalesund, per Sofascore, before his move to Scotland in the summer.

The versatile forward, who can play as a number ten, a second striker, or as a centre-forward, scored two goals against Kilmarnock on Saturday to take his tally to eight goals in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Braga’s highlights from their win over Kilmarnock in the clips above show that he can operate in positions all over the pitch, with almost a free role because of Shankland’s presence as the focal point for the team.

The Portuguese star is free to roam around the pitch and drop deep when needed to get touches of the ball to make things happen for Hearts, as evidenced by his statistics.

25/26 Premiership	Claudio Braga
Appearances	8
Touches per game	42.8
Goals	5
Big chances missed	4
Key passes per game	1.1
Assists	1
Successful dribbles per game	0.9
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Braga takes around 43 touches per game on average and has been directly involved in six goals in eight matches to show that he is making the most of those touches.

Celtic can learn from the recruitment that Hearts have done for multiple reasons. One, that they do not need to splash £10m on a player from a major European league, as Braga was picked up from the second tier in Norway and has outscored every Celtic player in the Premiership.

Two, that the recruitment needs to be well thought through. Hearts knew they had Shankland leading the line, so they signed the Portuguese ace to be the perfect partner for him.

Celtic, meanwhile, signed two left-wingers, despite Daizen Maeda scoring 33 goals as a left-winger last season, and did not sign a right-winger to replace Nicolas Kuhn, whilst they also sold Adam Idah, a target man and physical presence, and signed Iheanacho, who does not have a similar profile to Idah.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Despite being signed to be the main number nine, Iheanacho has the attributes and the quality to be Brendan Rodgers’ own version of Braga, but the Hoops do not have their own Shankland.

Why Kelechi Iheanacho can be Celtic's own Claudio Braga

For all of the former Manchester City man’s strengths, the Nigeria international is not a target man. He is not going to cause too many problems for opposition defenders with his physicality.

Per Sofascore, Iheanacho has won 1.5 duels per game and won just 38% of his duels in total, whilst Shankland has won 4.4 duels per game and 44% of his total battles on the pitch.

He does not look suited to being the sole number nine for Celtic as a target man, because of his lack of physicality, and that is not his fault, because it is something that the recruitment team should have factored in when they made the signing.

Last season, Michael Carrick utilised Iheanacho as a second striker behind another number nine, which meant that he had the license to drift around the pitch and get involved in the game, instead of being isolated up front.

This means that he has the potential to be Celtic’s own Braga because of his ability to play off another striker. Meanwhile, Maeda is more suited to playing out wide, and has been utilised on the left and right flanks this season, after scoring 33 goals as a left winger last term, per Transfermarkt.

25/26 Premiership	Kelechi Iheanacho	Percentile rank vs STs
Chances created	1.77	Top 1%
xA	0.17	Top 24%
Pass accuracy	79.5%	Top 12%
Long pass accuracy	100%	Top 1%
Dribble success rate	100%	Top 1%
Touches in the opposition’s box	8.15	Top 12%
Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Iheanacho has shown great technical ability and link-up play in the Premiership this season, but he has yet to score a goal from open play.

Shankland’s presence and physicality occupy opposition defenders and create space for Braga to ghost into and score, but Celtic do not have a number nine like that who can take the pressure off Iheanacho.

Instead, it currently looks like he has to play the role of Shankland and Braga on his own, which may be why the Hoops have struggled so much in front of goal.

Iheanacho’s position for Middlesbrough and the qualities that he has shown in the Premiership so far suggest that he is more suited to playing like Braga, off another striker, but Rodgers does not have that outlet in the centre-forward position that Hearts do.

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By
Dan Emery

Oct 20, 2025

Maeda is a winger, not a target man, so he is not the answer. Therefore, the Hoops need to dip into the market in January to sign a striker who can complement Iheanacho and get the best out of him in the second half of the season, so that he can be as effective as Braga.