Category Uncategorized

West Ham’s primary focus in this transfer window so far has been in defence and midfield.

The east London club have added the likes of Lukasz Fabianski, Issa Diop and Ryan Fredericks to their ranks while Jack Wilshere, Jean-Michael Seri and Felipe Anderson are said to be targets for midfield and attacking midfield respectively.

West Ham, though, could also probably do with bringing in a new striker. Javier Hernandez’s future remains uncertain and Andy Carroll is injured more often than not, potentially leaving Marko Arnautovic as the Hammers’ only real threat up front for the upcoming season.

With that in mind, West Ham should resurrect their interest in Celtic’s Moussa Dembele to improve their forward options.

The Daily Express reported last summer that the Hammers had targeted Dembele for a move to the London Stadium and, while nothing materialised back then, now would be the perfect time to finally get a deal done for the 21-year-old.

Dembele, who is valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, has enjoyed a good spell in Scotland with his debut season at Celtic standing out in particular. The Frenchman scored 32 goals in all competitions including the Champions League where he impressed in the SPL champions 3-3 draw against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

The former Fulham striker possesses the sort of goalscoring ability that can help elevate West Ham and, ultimately, give manager Manuel Pellegrini another reliable alternative to Arnautovic up front.

Much could depend on what happens with Hernandez but, with Carroll’s injury record and no guarantee that Arnautovic will carry on as a striker, an offer for Dembele should be readied.

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has told Manchester United where the club need to strengthen in this transfer window.

The Red Devils have recruited just one new face so far this summer – defender Victor Lindelof from Benfica, who cost a reported figure of £31m.

The North-West outfit have been linked to numerous players, the latest of which is Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.

According to The Guardian, Jose Mourinho is on the verge of being reunited with Matic in a £40m deal.

The publication states that the transfer could be completed this week, which paves the way for Chelsea’s rumoured target Tiemoue Bakayoko to enter the fray at Stamford Bridge.

Interestingly, it was reported by The Telegraph that as far as midfield targets go, Matic was Mourinho’s third choice behind Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier and Roma’s Radja Nainggolan.

It is believed that United’s transfer strategy has not quite gone to plan, but Burley has urged them to keep bringing in new players.

He told ESPN:

“I still think they will need another three or four [after Matic]. Lindelof’s been playing at Benfica but he’s still a relatively young man and this is another step up for him. Yes he’s a Swedish international but I still think they need more.

“They need that striker and maybe a back-up to that striker and I still think they need to get a bit more pace out wide.”

The FA Cup returns this weekend and with it it comes a lot of discussion about the magic it brings to football across the country.

It used to be respected among fans and clubs across the world as a magical competition but now it appears to have lost its appeal, with many claiming the rise of TV rights and the money that comes with it has effectively sucked the life out of the world’s oldest cup competition.

But has it really lost its magic? Or is all the money that comes with success in the Premier League masking the importance of success in the FA Cup? Our writers have had their say on the matter below…

Josh Challies

I think it probably has. Bigger clubs don’t seem to focus on the competition as much and that affects it’s stature. I’m not entirely sure how it can be improved but I’d definitely suggest removing the semi-finals from Wembley, as it plays down the occasion of the final.

The only way I can see the stature of the competition increase again is if they offer a Champions League spot for the winner, which is unlikely.

Christy Malyan

Nothing is permanent – but a lot of work needs to be done.

When I went to watch my beloved Charlton Athletic in FA Cup action against MK Dons last month, I was horrified to discover our four-stand stadium only had two tiers open, neither of which were anything close to full capacity. Admittedly, the Addicks aren’t exactly drawing high attendances at the moment anyway, but it highlights how the FA Cup has lost its connection with those who should be most excited by it – fans of clubs outside the Premier League’s top six.

Perhaps it’s time we re-formatted the competition to give lesser sides more of a chance, but there is a worrying apathy from those at the top as well. It feels as if the ‘big teams’ simply play weakened sides and if they happen to get to the quarter-finals, suddenly decide to take the competition seriously.

In a nutshell, everybody involved in the FA Cup needs a greater incentive. Champions League qualification is the obvious option, but I’d also like to see the FA grant an added financial bonus if you beat a team seeded higher than you in the competition.

That should motivate both ends of the spectrum, which should catalyse better performances and in turn bring more supporters to create better atmospheres. Hopefully, that’ll bring some of the sparkle back to the FA Cup.

[ad_pod id=’now-tv’ align=’centre’]

Alex Hams

It certainly has, for me. Nowadays I see the League Cup (or whatever it’s called now) as the more interesting tournament. The early-season schedule and mid-season final are entertaining, while more and more of the bigger clubs take it seriously, which has resulted in some great games over the past few years. On top of this, tedious replays are not an issue, with matches, excluding the two-legged semi-final, decided on the night via extra time or penalties, which adds to the excitement and removes that awkward last 30 minutes when teams are wary of really going for it if level.

The FA Cup feels like a tournament being left behind, and there’s only so long that the ‘tradition’ card can be played before people work out it’s actually not that good anymore. The fact that the semi-finals are held at Wembley is a joke, with that taking some of the gloss off of the showpiece game. A neutral venue for the games is needed, and if it weren’t for the FA seeking the cash I these matches would be played at Villa Park, Old Trafford or another good ground.

There’s still time to ‘save’ the competition, but something needs to be done.

Chris McMullan

The FA Cup hasn’t had been considered ‘magical’ for quite some time, which is a shame. It’s also fairly ironic. This century has seen two lower league sides reach the final, it has seen Portsmouth reach two finals, winning one of them, and it has seen Stoke City, Hull City and Crystal Palace reach the final. It has also seen Wigan Athletic beat the team that won the previous season’s Premier League title in the FA Cup final, before going on to be relegated from the top division.

And yet no one really seems to care. It’s too much to talk about a competition that thrives on giant killings and lower league sides making it into the latter stages, but there’s always a possibility of that sort of shock result when you pit the top sides against the lower ones in a straight knockout competition.

But there’s now a fetish for watching the best play the best – it’s a mouth-watering thought to imagine the top sides playing each other, but the thought of a lower league club taking on a Premier League side’s reserves doesn’t really whet the appetite in the same way. And it never will.

What do you think?

[ad_pod id=’playwire’ align=’center’]

Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin has admitted he turned down a return to the Premier League this summer, as reported by The Shields Gazette.The England international was the subject of increased transfer speculation during the transfer window, with Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Manchester United all linked with a move for his signature.But with QPR refusing to consider bids ofÂanything less than £15million for the front man, a move never managed to materialise.WANT MORE? >> West Ham transfer news | Newcastle transfer newsAnd Austin has admitted he did indeed receive an offer from a Premier League club, but decided to turn it down in favour of remaining with the Championship outfit.He said: “I turned down a move [to the Premier League] which wasn’t right for me and my family.”I didn’t feel it was right for me to go, so I stayed at QPR.”The club in question remains a mystery, but it was widely believed West Ham were serious about bringing him to east London before the Hammers’ chairman David Sullivan publicly admitted they wouldn’t pursue a move for Austin because he has “no ligaments in his knee” and “when he played against us last season he wasn’t very good.”And just a few hours before the end of the transfer window, Austin confirmed via his Twitter page that he would indeed be staying at Loftus Road.

Austin scored 18 Premier League goals last season, but failed to prevent the west London club from being relegated to the Championship.

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

[ad_pod id=’eight’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Brazil coach Fernando Diniz is likely to field injured Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus against Argentina in their World Cup qualifier.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Jesus set to start against Argentina
• Did not travel to Colombia
• Missed the last five Arsenal matches

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Jesus, who has not appeared in Arsenal's last five matches due to a hamstring injury, was called up by Brazil national team manager Fernando's Diniz for their two important World Cup qualifying games in November.

  While the striker did not travel to Colombia for the first game where the Selecao lost 2-1, he is now set to take the field for his national team against arch-rivals and reigning world champions Argentina on Wednesday.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to , in a training session on Sunday at Granja Comary, Diniz deployed Gabriel Jesus in the attack in place of injured Vinicius Junior. He also fielded Carlos Augusto in place of left full-back Renan Lodi.

  With just two wins from their first five matches in the World Cup qualifiers, the five-time champions are currently fifth and will aim to get back to winning ways at their home against the Argentines and climb up on the points table.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  After calling up Jesus to the national side, the Brazil manager had assured Arsenal that he would take utmost care of the player and stated that the striker would return to his club in even better shape.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR GABRIEL JESUS?

  After taking the field against Argentina in the midweek, the 26-year-old would hope to feature for the Gunners in their next Premier League clash which is against Brentford on Saturday.

The big-name players that moved to the Middle East were expected to dominate, but things have not gone that way so far

The Saudi Pro League's entrance into the transfer market this summer may have changed football forever. Cristiano Ronaldo's decision to join Al-Nassr in January opened the door, and Europe's best players have since flooded over to the Middle East to experience a 'new challenge' – and become even more wealthy in the process.

So much of the debate surrounding this great migration has focused on off-field considerations, such as transfer fees, wages and commercial potential. Whereas the effect that this influx of talent might have on the pitch was scarcely considered.

However, the season is now finally underway and the performances of these glitzy arrivals have been surprising to say the least. Marquee signings like Karim Benzema, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez were expected to take the Pro League by storm. Instead, the European imports have had variable success.

Perhaps what's been even more surprising is that some of them have struggled to get their own way in the dressing room, allaying any fears that Pro League clubs would bend to every whim of their new signings.

GOAL ARBenzema and Al-Ittihad is not a happy marriage

The prime example of such tension is Benzema's apparent power struggle with Nuno Espirito Santo at Al-Ittihad. The Frenchman is yet to score in the league since joining the Saudi champions, and there's been a storm brewing in the dressing room too.

Shortly after arriving at the club, Benzema is said to have requested the captaincy, but Nuno refused to budge, with the armband remaining with Brazilian forward Romarinho this season.

This disagreement is threatening to spiral into a full-blown internal war. Benzema is understood to be 'uncomfortable' at Al-Ittihad, meaning a quite sensational early-season departure cannot be ruled out. All of this is playing out amid a backdrop of further uncertainty.

Saudi newspaper recently reported that there is a disagreement over foreign player registration at the club. Former West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi is currently injured but is demanding his contract be paid up in full if Al-Ittihad wants him to leave. Skipper Romarinho is even understood to have asked to depart at one stage

Then there's the strange story of Jota, a £25 million ($31.7m) arrival from Celtic in July, who is apparently set to exit after just a few weeks. The reasons for his apparent departure are not entirely clear and nothing is confirmed yet, but it's indicative of the wider culture of chaos that has engulfed the champions this summer.

It's not what Benzema signed up for when he agreed to swap Madrid for Jeddah back in June.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe heat is no joke

It's not just off-field politics that has taken some of the Saudi Pro League's new arrivals by surprise. The unrelenting heat has also proved challenging.

When asked about his first impressions of the country after scoring his maiden Al-Ahli goal against Al-Khaleej, Mahrez joked that it was "very hot". In truth, though, the conditions are no laughing matter for athletes not used to the stifling weather.

In August, temperatures in the Gulf State can reach highs of 49°C and things rarely get cooler than 30°C – even in the 'coldest' moments. Fabinho has also mentioned how the heat got to him on his Al-Ittihad debut, saying: "We dominated the course of the match, despite the difficult atmosphere and the high temperature."

His feelings are likely shared by a significant portion of players in the league. It's something they will have to adjust to as they look to make a new life in the country.

Getty ImagesRonaldo makes shaky start

It's not just the recent signings that haven't had it all their own way in the Pro League this season. The division's poster boy, Ronaldo, has also endured a challenging start to the campaign.

Since helping his side lift the Arab Club Champions Cup by grabbing a fine brace against Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr's form has fallen off a cliff. With Ronaldo injured, they slipped to a shock defeat against Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq on the opening day.

Things didn't go much better when they hosted Al-Taawoun the following week, with Ronaldo looking far from fit as his team suffered another disappointing loss. Victory over Shabab Al-Ahli in the AFC Champions League may look like a return to form, but they made hard work of their win – even if some questionable refereeing decisions made their task much harder.

So, what's going wrong? Well, we are used to Premier League managers complaining about fixture congestion, but Saudi clubs also have to contend with tricky schedules too. Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro recently fumed after his side had to play Al-Ettifaq just 48 hours after that aforementioned Arab Club Champions Cup final.

"I do not know how to play on Monday, it is impossible, besides that we played extra-time in the final tonight. We have to respect the players. It is impossible for us to play after 48 hours of a strong final," he said.

In this sense, playing at the top clubs in Saudi is far from the holiday it was presented as by some onlookers this summer. Combine the heavy fixture load with the intense heat and it's a recipe for underperformance.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

(C)Getty imagesAll not well at Al-Nassr

Fixture congestion is not Al-Nassr's only problem either. Much like at Al-Ittihad, disputes about the squad's composition have played out rather publicly in recent times.

David Ospina remains contracted to the Saudi side until next summer, but the club are understood to want to move him on due to a long-term injury. Supporters have also loudly voiced their dissatisfaction over the team's lack of defensive solidity on social media in recent weeks.

Ronaldo has had plenty of complaints in addition to the schedule too. Back in April, he took aim at the poor condition of the pitch after Al-Nassr's King's Cup defeat to Al-Wehda, and various referees have attracted his ire already this season.

His complaints are not entirely unreasonable. They are more of a reflection of how the Saudi Pro League needs to continue developing in areas separate from on-field talent if they want to seriously rival the big European leagues.

The Blues were left counting the cost of the Portuguese's profligacy as they slumped to a 1-0 Champions League loss at Signal Iduna Park.

Chelsea spent a fortune on players during the winter window but they were once again left counting the cost of their failure to sign a proven goalscorer in Wednesday night's Champions League loss at Borussia Dortmund.

Joao Felix was the most high-profile forward to arrive at Stamford Bridge in January but the Portuguese has never been prolific, and the Blues' 1-0 loss at Signal Iduna Park showed precisely why.

Having already squandered one great opening, after receiving a clever cut-back from Hakim Ziyech, Felix fired against the bar after being put clean through on goal by Kai Havertz.

Unsurprisingly, his profligacy was punished in the second half, as Karim Adeyemi raced away from Enzo Fernandez to score a stunning solo goal that gives Dortmund the narrowest of advantages ahead of the second leg of this last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge next month.

Below, GOAL runs through the winners and losers from another frustrating evening in front of goal for Chelsea…

Getty ImagesThe Winners

Karim Adeyemi:

Truth be told, this wasn't a high-quality contest but it was decided by a goal worthy of a Champions League final. When Raphael Guerreiro hooked the ball clear in the 63rd minute, he was merely trying to relieve some of the pressure on the Dortmund goal. However, in doing so, he inadvertently released Adeyemi, who picked up possession deep inside his half before absolutely rinsing poor Enzo Fernandez. Adeyemi also took a wonderfully delicate touch to take the ball around the onrushing Kepa before slotting home. It was no more than the Germany international deserved, too. He had looked the man most likely to break the deadlock for Dortmund during a dominant first half and he now has three goals in his last three appearances – more than he had in his first 20 outings combined (two).

Jesus Gil Manzano:

The Spaniard is not many people's favourite official. Gerard Pique had a few choice words for Manzano before retiring from the game last year… But credit where it's due, Adeyemi's wonder-goal would not have been possible without the referee, who decided to play the advantage after his assistant had flagged a Chelsea offside just moments before Dortmund broke to such devastating effect. Match officials are copping an awful lot of criticism right now – some justified, some horribly over the top – so it's only right that we highlight great calls when they're made.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang:

The man's stock is rising without even having to take a seat on the bench. Seriously, what was Potter thinking leaving Aubameyang out of his squad for the knockout stage of the Champions League?! He may have been a Thomas Tuchel signing but he's the only proven goalscorer in this dreadfully imbalanced Chelsea squad. Yes, Potter has too many players to choose from right now. He's not been helped at all by his bosses' scattergun approach to recruitment. But to not even have Aubameyang as an option off the bench is madness. Chelsea needed a goal at Signal Iduna Park and they couldn't even bring on a player who used to score goals there for fun.

AdvertisementGettyThe Losers

Joao Felix's finishing:

The Portugal international is a joy to watch at times. He's got a wonderful ability to get out of the tightest of situations with the ball still glued to his feet. But, for all his attributes, and he does have plenty, finishing is not one of them. Remember, he scored just 34 goals in 131 games for Atletico Madrid, while he's only netted four times for his country. He was never likely, then, to suddenly run riot at Chelsea. However, one is perfectly entitled to expect a player of his undoubted quality to convert the second chance he had in Dortmund. The goal was at his mercy and yet he somehow construed to crash the ball off the bar. It cost Chelsea the game, and could yet end up costing them the tie too…

Mykhailo Mudryk's first touch:

The Ukrainian's potential is obvious, his pace absolutely breath-taking, but he's far from the finished article, which is quite something given his transfer fee. There is a worrying lack of control right now; at times, it's almost as if he is too quick for his good, as underlined by the way in which he never quite got the ball out of his feet after being released into acres of space by Felix early on. The net result was that he ended up being dispossessed on the edge of the area. Then, just moments before he was subbed midway through the second half, his pace got him in behind the Dortmund backline once more but he failed dismally to control a lofted pass from Kalidou Koulibaly. Mudryk scares defenders. He should develop into a serious and constant threat but it's clear that it will take some time and patience to polish this roughest of diamonds.

Graham Potter:

Had the Blues boss got the victory that his team arguably did enough to earn (their xG was 2.13, to Dortmund's 1.41), he would have become the first English coach to win five consecutive games in the Champions League, which would have gone some way towards easing the intense pressure he is under. As it was, though, Europe provided no respite for the former Brighton manager. Indeed, Chelsea have won just two of their past 12 games in all competitions, and tasted victory just once in 2023. This is obviously a team in transition, one in the middle of the most expensive overhaul in football history. It can't be easy working in such an unstable environment but there's no denying that Potter's results simply aren't good enough right now. He needs to mastermind a second-leg turnaround to buy himself more time to work with this expensively-assembled side.

GettyChelsea Ratings: Defence

Kepa Arrizabalaga (5/10): Didn't have much to do, truth be told, but could have done better to make life more difficult for Adeyemi, who rounded the Spaniard with ease.

Reece James (7/10): One of Chelsea's better players, looking more and more like his old self going forward.

Thiago Silva (6/10): Booked for stupidly handling the ball into the net in the first half but was otherwise his usual clever, composed self.

Kalidou Koulibaly (7/10): Performed well on his return to the starting line-up and very nearly levelled the game late on with a low drive that Can cleared off the line.

Ben Chilwell (5/10): Looked unsurprisingly rusty in his first start since November. His distribution was particularly poor but he'll be delighted to get 70 minutes under his belt.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyMidfield

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (7/10): A very solid showing from the Englishman, who won the ball back repeatedly and used it well.

Enzo Fernandez (6/10): Embarrassed by Adeyemi's pace for the only goal of the game but did his best to try to make things happen. Indeed, everything went through the Argentine, who drew a great save out of Gregor Kobel in the dying seconds.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em Suzano, São Raimundo e Chapecoense protagonizaram um jogo pouco movimentado, que acabou sem gols. Agora, os dois times estão na liderança da chave, com quatro pontos.

RelacionadasAtlético MineiroSub-20 do Galo goleia o Capital-TO e se mantém vivo na CopinhaAtlético Mineiro06/01/2020BahiaCopa SP: Bahia se recupera de tropeço na estreia e vence o XV de PiracicabaBahia06/01/2020Futebol InternacionalDaniele De Rossi anuncia a sua aposentadoria do futebolFutebol Internacional06/01/2020

Na rodada derradeira, o São Raimundo encara o União ABC-MS. Enquanto isso, a Chape mede forças com a Usac.

O duelo

Quem viu a Chape massacrar o União ABC-MS na rodada de estreia, se decepcionou nesta segunda-feira. Com pouca criatividade para furar a defesa rival, quase nenhuma chance era criada. As melhores aconteceram na reta final, mas o goleiro do Mundão salvou.

No segundo tempo o panorama do time catarinense buscar o ataque permaneceu. Sem sofrer muito incômodo, a Chape se lançava ao ataque, porém apresentava os mesmos erros.

Nos minutos finais, o Mundão conseguiu chegar com perigo e assustou o time de Santa Catarina. Na chance mais clara, Lucas aproveitou a sobra na grande área e cabeceou para fora.

MatériaMais Notícias

Nesta terça-feira, a Comissão de Educação do Senado Federal aprovou parecer favorável para a proposta de uma punição dura para a oferta ou venda de bebida alcoólica em estádios. No texto, o Estatuto do Torcedor poderá punir duramente quem oferecer, armazenar, distribuir ou vender, caso o projeto de lei 3.788/2019, de autoria do senador Eduardo Girão (Podemos/CE), seja sancionado. A pena aos infratores passaria a ser de dois a quatro anos de reclusão, mais multa e o impedimento de o condenado comparecer a qualquer evento esportivo, ou se deslocar pelas proximidades do estádio, em um prazo de dois a quatro anos.

Este projeto também apresenta outras mudanças no Estatuto do Torcedor. No artigo sobre o crime de promover tumulto, praticar ou incitar a violência, a proposta sugere o aumento da pena de um a dois anos para um a três anos de reclusão, além da multa. Caso o condenado estiver sob efeito de álcool ou outra substância psicoativa que leve a dependência, a pena poderá ser aumentada em um terço. Ao justificar o projeto, o senador Eduardo Girão, que já foi presidente do Fortaleza, afirmou entender que “essas medidas são primordiais para a contenção do crescente quadro de violência que hoje permeia o futebol brasileiro”.

– Brigas generalizadas, dentro e no entorno dos estádios, que colocam em risco a segurança dos torcedores e do espetáculo. Com essas medidas, espera-se que todo torcedor possa ter garantidas segurança e tranquilidade para frequentar os estádios de prática esportiva em todo o território nacional – comentou o senador Plínio Valério (PSDB/AM), relator da proposta na Comissão de Educação do Senado Federal, reconhecendo que notícias sobre confrontos envolvendo pessoas alcoolizadas em eventos esportivos estão sendo cada vez mais frequentes no cenário nacional.

O próximo passo do projeto de lei é ir para votação final na Comissão de Constituição e Justiça do Senado Federal, o que ainda não tem data para ocorrer.

RelacionadasTênisFederer bate Berrettini e ganha sobrevida no ATP FinalsTênis12/11/2019BrasileirãoDe olho na grana! Confira os valores de premiação do Brasileirão-2019Brasileirão12/11/2019São PauloLANCE! Espresso: São Paulo investiu alto, mas continua em descrédito com a torcidaSão Paulo12/11/2019

Royal Challengers Bangalore have appointed former India fast bowler B Arun as the assistant coach. Arun, who is currently serving as India’s bowling coach, will be part of an IPL side’s staff for the first time, as deputy to Daniel Vettori.Before he was appointed to India’s coaching staff during the England tour last year, Arun was in charge of the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore in addition to being the head coach of the India team that went to the Under-19 World Cup. Arun believes his experience with the senior India team will help him settle easily in his role at Royal Challengers. “You can draw a lot of confidence after working with some of the top players of the world,” he said. “There is a lot of confidence I will be taking from the Indian job into the IPL.”Despite fast bowling being his forte, Arun has always believed in understanding the mindset of a player to make him grow. And this is one area he believes he can make a difference with at Royal Challengers. “I help a player to discover himself more and a player understanding himself better gives him the best chance to succeed.”Despite having a star-packed line-up Royal Challengers have tended to underachieve, and finished seventh on the points table last year. Arun is confident about bouncing back. “The team is pretty well balance and strong. They have always been front-runners to the title.”Arun also stressed that Virat Kohli, the Royal Challengers captain, will continue to be the most important factor in the team’s success. “Virat has an outstanding work ethic, befitting a top athlete in the world. He is extremely passionate about the game. A captain having such an attitude makes it easier for the players to follow him. He walked the talk in Australia. So it would be quite exciting to watch him bring the same attitude into the IPL.”