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Since the summer of 2003, Chelsea have spent a staggering €3.86bn (£3bn) on transfers.

According to Football Transfers, this expenditure is the highest of any club across Europe. It’s no surprise, given Roman Abramovich and Todd Boehly’s penchant for splashing cash.

This money has been used to sign players who have gone on to win major trophies and become established Chelsea icons in the process.

Eden Hazard immediately springs to mind. The Belgian arrived in 2012 and helped the Blues win two Premier League titles and two Europa League crowns.

Cesc Fabregas and N’Golo Kanté are two midfielders who enjoyed plenty of success at Stamford Bridge, while defenders such as Ricardo Carvalho, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ashley Cole turned into some of their much-loved signings.

Notice, however, that there is a lack of strikers mentioned. Despite having an almost unlimited amount of cash to spend, the club have very rarely signed a centre-forward who has enjoyed much success in London.

Didier Drogba and Diego Costa are two who come to mind. But, players such as Fernando Torres, Andriy Shevchenko and Álvaro Morata struggled to win over the Stamford Bridge crowd due to their consistent finishing.

Could Liam Delap break the mould? Chelsea’s new number nine looks ready to become Enzo Maresca’s main man next season.

Why Chelsea signed Liam Delap

Following Ipswich Town’s relegation at the end of last term, a clause in Delap’s contract stated that he could move for a fee of just £30m.

“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.” Said the youngster following his move to London.

It comes after a campaign where he found the back of the net 12 times in 37 games for the Tractor Boys in the top flight.

While he has an undisputable eye for goal, the Englishman shone across other metrics in the Premier League this season.

Indeed, when compared to his positional peers, Delap ranked in the top 12% for successful take-ons (1.39) per 90, along with ranking in the top 23% for fouls drawn (1.77) and in the top 14% for penalty kicks won per 90 in the top flight last season, showcasing that he’s difficult to deal with for defenders.

Is the manager looking at bringing in another talented youngster this summer, however?

Chelsea’s search for a striker

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is a player who has been routinely linked with a move to the club over the past few weeks.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It is a deal that Maresca looks keen on getting over the line, but there is another striker whom the Italian might make a move for.

According to Caught Offside, the Blues are now ready to step up their interest in FC Porto forward Samu Aghehowa this summer.

The eagle-eyed Chelsea fans will remember that the club agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid last summer to sign the youngster in 2024, but the move collapsed at the last minute.

Might it be the second time lucky for the Blues this year? Porto are in no rush to sell one of their prized assets, and he has a release clause of €100m (£85m) inserted into his contract.

With Champions League football secured for next season, Maresca has money to spend in a bid to bolster his attacking options.

Signing Aghehowa this summer may break the bank, but in the long term, it would be worth it. Given his form throughout the 2024/25 campaign, the Spaniard would be an even better signing than Delap, that’s for sure.

Why Chelsea should sign Samu

In terms of debut seasons, Samu’s was incredible. Across 42 matches for the Portuguese side, the 21-year-old scored an impressive tally of 25 goals while grabbing three assists.

It may not have been enough to fire the club to a league title, but he has certainly put himself in the shop window with this current form.

Comparing Aghehowa vs Delap (Domestic stats only)
Metric	Aghehowa	Delap
Goals	19	12
Assists	3	2
Shots per game	2.7	1.8
Key passes per game	0.6	0.6
Goal conversion percentage	23%	18%
Scoring frequency	119	218

The Spaniard ended up registering a goal involvement every 1.5 games for Porto last season. Compared to Delap, who recorded a contribution every 2.8 games, it is clear who is the more effective frontman.

When compared to Delap domestically, the Porto striker further establishes his dominance across several key statistics.

Not only did the Spaniard register more goals and assists (22 vs 14) than Delap last season in their respective leagues, but he also recorded more shots per 90 (1.15 vs 1.01), won a higher percentage of aerial duels (52.1% vs 42.6%) per 90 minutes and took more touches in the attacking penalty area (137 vs 92) throughout the whole of last season.

He may cost more than Delap, but given the evidence, the 21-year-old is already better than his English counterpart and could be an ideal long-term solution to this problematic area for Chelsea.

Amid his excellent start to the season with his new club, football talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed the striker, saying: “Samu is maintaining his fantastic form for FC Porto. 20 years of age. Pace, physicality, aerial ability, bravery, shot power… Such a complete profile for a striker of his age. A true monster in the making.”

High praise indeed for the youngster and he has a bright future ahead in the game. A move to the Blues would allow the player to continue his development while playing Champions League football.

If Maresca can move on Nicolas Jackson this summer, having options such as Delap and Aghehowa would certainly constitute an upgrade by the Italian, no doubt about that.

Much will depend on how much the club are willing to spend on another centre-forward, but as mentioned, this area hasn’t exactly been a success for the Blues over the years. Might things change this summer? Only time will tell.

Chelsea eyeing £70m Ekitike alternative who's a bigger talent than Delap

Despite having already signed Liam Delap for £30m, Chelsea are interested in another “superb” striker to bolster Enzo Maresca’s attacking options.

By
Ben Gray

Jun 8, 2025

Amid rumours that Rayan Ait-Nouri could be on his way to Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers are now reportedly tracking an “interesting name” who could replace the left-back.

Man City advancing in Ait-Nouri deal

Having already lost Matheus Cunha to Manchester United, Manchester’s other club are now aiming to deal Wolves a second transfer blow. According to Fabrizio Romano, City are now advancing their deal to sign Ait-Nouri from the Midlands club with talks already held and the left-back already approving the summer switch.

Given that they spent a large part of the 2024/25 campaign flirting with relegation before Vitor Pereira’s arrival turned things around, there should be major concern around Molineux that Wolves could suffer their worst nightmare without Cunha and Ait-Nouri.

They must get things right in search of replacements this summer. Losing Cunha was always expected after his £63m release clause came to light, but whether Wolves had the same expectation in Ait-Nouri’s case is the big question.

Whether caught by surprise or not, they must commence the difficult task of replacing their influential left-back if he joins Manchester City in this summer’s transfer window.

Starts

37

Assists

7

Key Passes

46

Ball Recoveries

145

If the Algerian’s influence wasn’t clear, then his numbers should highlight just how important he’s been going in both directions for Wolves. Already without Cunha’s goals, Pereira may now have the task of replacing Ait-Nouri’s creativity and could yet turn towards an “interesting name” to do exactly that in the coming months.

Wolves actively tracking Clement Bischoff

According to Molineux News, Wolves chiefs are now actively tracking Clement Bischoff who sources described as an “interesting name” when speaking to the outlet about the Midlands club’s transfer activity.

The Brondby teenager may be one for the future, but his versatile ability to play as both a left-midfielder and a left-back mirrors that of Ait-Nouri’s. That alone should ensure that he’s among the top candidates to replace Wolves’ star defender in the event that he joins Manchester City.

Described as an “excellent” two-way dribbler when one-on-one by analyst Ben Mattinson, Bischoff looks set to be one to watch this summer. For Wolves, a deal to sign the teenager would represent smart business which considers the short-term needs of Pereira’s side as well as the long-term aim that the manager may have in place for his side.

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In terms of replacing Ait-Nouri’s output too, the fact that Bischoff has managed 10 assists in all competitions for Brondby this season suggests that he would be more than capable of replicating the Algerian’s influence.

Chelsea are leading the race for a £67m “monster”, and they are now pushing hard to get a deal over the line, according to reports.

Blues set sights on another striker after Delap

The Blues are looking to make improvements to their squad prior to the Club World Cup later this month, and they now appear to be closing in on an early deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, with the signing set to be announced imminently.

However, perhaps given that Delap is still relatively inexperienced, the Blues remain keen on bringing in another striker this summer, and they continue to battle it out for the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

RB Leipzig centre-forward Benamin Sesko is another name to have regularly been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and a report from Caught Offside has now revealed that Chelsea are leading the race for the Slovenian, alongside competition from Arsenal.

Leipzig are set to hold out for a fee of €80m (£67m) for Sesko, with the Blues among the frontrunners, having identified the 22-year-old as the perfect fit for BlueCo’s long-term project, given his eye for goal and raw power.

£50m "superstar" now tells agent to inform Maresca he wants Chelsea move

An exciting forward has now set his sights on a move to Stamford Bridge this summer…

1 ByDominic Lund Jun 1, 2025

The Gunners could provide competition for the striker’s signature, however, with Mikel Arteta believed to be a fan, and sporting director Andrea Berta has already held direct talks with the German club over a potential deal.

"Monster" Sesko could be fantastic signing for Chelsea

The deal for Delap may well be edging closer to completion, but it would not be a bad idea to bring in another top striker this summer, and the Blues are now believed to be pushing hard to get a deal for the Leipzig star over the line.

With Enzo Maresca’s side set to return to the Champions League next season, the manager could do with greater strength in depth, and the Slovenia international is held in high regard by scout Ben Mattinson, who described him as a “monster”.

The 6-foot-5 forward also maintained a solid record in front of goal throughout the 2024-25 campaign, regularly finding the back of the net in all the competitions he featured in for Leipzig.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Bundesliga

33

13

5

Champions League

8

4

0

DFB-Pokal

4

4

1

As such, Sesko could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea this summer, as they look to build on the 2024-25 campaign and start competing for major trophies once again.

Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign an “imperious” Premier League defender, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.

Eagles eyeing defenders amid doubts over Guehi's future

Speculation continues to build over the future of Marc Guehi, who will have just one year remaining on his contract at the end of the season, meaning it will be Palace’s last chance to cash-in on the 24-year-old.

Chelsea are now adamant they will sign Guehi, but they are set to face competition for his signature, with Liverpool holding talks over a potential deal, while Tottenham Hotspur also remain in the race.

Unfortunately, it is now looking increasingly likely the centre-back will leave this summer, which means Oliver Glasner will be tasked with bringing in a replacement, and Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers was named as a potential target last month.

Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is another option for Glasner’s side, with the England international ready to leave Southampton, given that they are almost certain to be relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

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A concern for those at Selhurst Park…

Posts 1 ByTom Cunningham Apr 2, 2025

According to a report from The Boot Room, however, Crystal Palace also have their eye on another Premier League player, with it being revealed they are now in the race to sign Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof.

Lindelof’s United contract is set to expire at the end of the season, which means the Swedish defender is set to be available on a free transfer, and a number of Premier League clubs could battle it out for his signature.

Everton, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keeping tabs on the 30-year-old, while several clubs from Germany and Italy have made contact with his representatives.

Crystal Palace’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Brighton & Hove Albion (h)

April 5th

Manchester City (a)

April 12th

Newcastle United (a)

April 16th

AFC Bournemouth (h)

April 19th

Nottingham Forest (h)

May 5th

"Imperious" Lindelof could be solid signing for Palace

The Sweden international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford, making just eight appearances in the Premier League this season, although his campaign has been marred by a number of injury issues.

However, the centre-back has impressed for the Red Devils in the past, with journalist Dominic Booth previously lauding him as “imperious”, and he recently put in a solid performance in his side’s 3-0 victory against Leicester City, helping his side to a clean sheet.

The former Benfica man has a plethora of experience in the Premier League, having racked up 186 appearances in the competition for Man United, and the opportunity to sign a player of his calibre on a free transfer is an interesting opportunity for Palace.

Of course, any signing Palace bring in will likely struggle to hit the heights of Guehi, but Lindelof’s vast experience in England could make him a solid addition.

By learning to relax and trust his skills, he is giving himself the best chance to succeed

Greg Chappell11-Jun-2025Cricket coaching manuals are replete with diagrams of the perfect cover drive, blueprints for the ideal bowling action, and meticulous plans for fitness regimens. Hours upon hours are dedicated to honing the physical mechanics of the game – the footwork, the grip, the follow-through. This focus on the tangible, the repeatable, the physical, forms the bedrock of traditional cricketing wisdom. Yet, what if this singular emphasis, while necessary, inadvertently delays the realisation of a player’s true potential?What if, like in life itself, the secret to unlocking peak performance lies not just in the sweat and toil, but in aligning with a deeper rhythm, a universal energy that governs success and ease?The prevailing narrative in sport, and often in life, is one of relentless effort. Work harder, train longer, push through the pain.Steven Smith, for much of his illustrious career, seemed to embody this ethos. His legendary net sessions, his almost obsessive dedication to practice, spoke of a man who believed that mastery was solely forged in the fires of personal exertion.The mantra was clear: work hard and improvement must follow. And undeniably, it worked for him, yielding vast success built on a seemingly inexhaustible work ethic.But perhaps, even in those years of tireless physical application, there was an unseen force at play. Perhaps, without consciously articulating it, Smith was subconsciously attuned to a different frequency, connected to the universe in ways that transcended the physical grind. His admission of being awake at night during Test matches, mentally rehearsing his innings, wasn’t just strategising; it was a form of deep internal alignment. These sessions, almost exclusively mental, were his way of getting in tune with the universal energy, visualising not just the shots but the flow state, the ease, the rhythm.Related

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There has been a subtly shifting approach in Smith that is potentially revolutionary. It hints at a maturity that understands the limitations of purely physical effort as one ages, and the growing importance of the mental landscape.His conscious decision to relax more, to spend less time in the nets, to allow his mind to wander free is not a sign of diminished ambition but a recognition that preserving mental energy and finding a state of ease is paramount for sustained performance at the highest level. He feels he needs to be in the “best space you can be in the middle to bat for long periods” and hitting less in the nets before a series helps keep his mental side as focused as possible when he’s batting in a match. This isn’t laziness; it’s wisdom.This shift challenges the very foundations of traditional coaching. It suggests that while technical proficiency is non-negotiable up to a point, there comes a time in a cricketer’s journey when further physical repetition yields diminishing returns. At this juncture, the focus must pivot.The most significant gains are to be made not in adding more hours in the nets but in cultivating the inner game, in learning to work with the universe, not against it.I recall a telling moment late in Ricky Ponting’s career, during an optional training day before an Ashes Test. He hadn’t been in form and came to the ground seeking a breakthrough. The longer he batted, the more frustrated he became, his rhythm eluding him. He was trying hard to force it back. When I asked him what he was trying to achieve, he spoke of being “all out of sorts” and needing to “find some rhythm”. I suggested that his lack of flow stemmed more from his mental state than his physical, and that perhaps a round of golf, clearing his mind, might be more beneficial than continuing to mentally beat himself up in the nets. He politely disagreed, which spoke of the ingrained belief that more physical effort is always the answer.

When you approach the crease, or any challenge in life, with ease, with a sense of quiet joy, you are more likely to be in flow, working in harmony with that universal energy. This isn’t just the simpler way to live; it might also be the simplest way to bat

Yet it’s fascinating to remember that when Ricky was in the absolute prime of his career, he was known for not spending excessive time in the nets. He would often walk out once he felt he was hitting the ball as he liked, a quiet confidence in his preparation, a trust in his ability to find that rhythm when it mattered. He wasn’t trying to force it; he was allowing it to be.This brings us to a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of both batting and life: trust. Trust in your preparation, trust in your instincts, and trust in the unfolding of events. When you try too hard, you introduce tension, doubt and resistance.You are, in effect, swimming against the current of the universe. But when you approach the crease, or any challenge in life, with ease, with a sense of quiet joy, you are more likely to be in flow, working in harmony with that universal energy. It feels simpler, more natural, less of a struggle. This isn’t just the simpler way to live; it might also be the simplest way to bat.Smith’s recent revelations could serve as a powerful lesson. His conscious effort to manage his mental energy, to step back from the relentless physical grind, underscores the growing importance of the inner game as a player matures. It’s a message that should resonate with cricketers and coaches at all levels. While the physical fundamentals remain essential, true mastery, sustained success, and the ability to perform under pressure may ultimately hinge on the capacity to align with the universe, to find that state of flow, and to trust in the process.I sincerely wish Smith huge success in the upcoming challenges – the World Test Championship final, the tour of the West Indies, and the Ashes. His performance will, of course, be a result of his immense skill and preparation. But perhaps, just perhaps, the greatest legacy he leaves behind won’t be a particular technique or a batting record but the subtle yet profound message embedded in his current approach: that in the relentless pursuit of excellence, cultivating a mind that is fit, healthy, uncluttered, and attuned to the rhythm of the universe may be the most revolutionary stroke of all.

He was off the field on day two because of a chest infection and when he was back on the third morning, the playing conditions didn’t allow him to bowl

Karthik Krishnaswamy14-Jul-2023For three sessions amounting to 97 overs of India’s first innings, West Indies were unable to use their most dangerous bowler on a slow turner in Dominica. This was partly because Rahkeem Cornwall was off the field, nursing a chest infection, during the second and third sessions of day two, and partly because he wasn’t allowed to bowl during the first session of day three even though he was back on the field.Cornwall couldn’t bowl on Friday morning because the ICC’s playing conditions for Test cricket require players to spend as much time back on the field (capped at 120 minutes) as they spent off it before they are allowed to bowl again. One exception to this rule is if a player suffers an “external injury” resulting from a blow suffered on the field. In this case the player can bowl as soon as they return to the field.The umpires can also waive the requirement of penalty time if they feel the player was off the field “for other wholly acceptable reasons, which shall not include illness or internal injury.”Related

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Illness was Cornwall’s reason of absence, which meant he had to serve out his 120-minute penalty time before he was able to resume bowling.Cornwall’s absence had a significant impact on West Indies’ fortunes in Dominica. At the time he went out of their attack on day two, he had bowled 11 of India’s first 46 overs, during which time they had scored 128 for no loss in response to West Indies’ 150 all out.For one, they were forced to use part-time bowlers for a total of 31 overs. India only scored 94 runs in those part-timer overs, thanks to the slowness of the surface, but they only lost one wicket. Cornwall resumed bowling soon after lunch on day three, and made an almost immediate impact, getting the first ball of his second over to kick at Virat Kohli to have him caught at leg gully. By this time, though, India’s lead had already passed 250.All of West Indies’ bowlers were wicketless at that point, but Cornwall had looked their biggest threat, troubling both openers with sharp turn and steep bounce. Over those first 46 overs, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal had managed a control percentage of 78.5 against Cornwall – they had gone at 83.3% against both Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph, and at over 90% against Jason Holder and Jomel Warrican.9:15

Is it time to introduce injury substitutions in Test cricket?

India eventually built a first-innings lead of 271 before declaring on the third afternoon. West Indies were always at a disadvantage after being bowled out so cheaply on day one; Cornwall’s prolonged absence from the bowling crease probably took away most of their hopes of fighting back.If the playing conditions hadn’t forced Cornwall to wait those two extra hours before he could bowl again, he could have been operating at the start of day three, when India’s lead was 162. Cornwall’s illness had already put West Indies at a disadvantage; it was an extra dose of punishment that they couldn’t use him even when he was available to bowl.At a wider level, the Cornwall situation highlights the peculiar distinction that the playing conditions make between external injury, internal injury and illness. Thanks to this distinction, a player who has suffered a bruised finger in his non-bowling hand while effecting a stop on the field would be exempt from serving penalty time while a player who has strained a hamstring would not, even if both spent the same amount of time off the field.This distinction possibly stems from the fact that umpires are immediate eyewitnesses to injuries arising from blows suffered on the field, while they may not be able to confirm or refute claims that a player has a muscular injury or a stomach bug. By not exempting internal injuries and illnesses from penalty time, the playing conditions deny teams a loophole to exploit if they want to rest a bowler on a tiring day.It’s possible to do away with this distinction, though, by having an independent medical authority present at the ground to assist the match officials. It would ensure that teams do not suffer doubly for losing bowlers to unexpected injuries or illnesses. It would ensure that teams are able to use their best bowlers when they are fit and available, which would help safeguard the competitive balance of Test matches as well as their lustre as a spectacle.There’s a case to go even further here, and call for cricket to have a serious think about injury substitutions. At present, teams can bring on a like-for-like substitute for players who have suffered concussions. Why not allow substitutes if, say, a key bowler is seriously incapacitated by a calf injury sustained on day two of a Test match, as Nathan Lyon recently was at Lord’s. It may be a discussion for another day, but that day can’t be too far in the future.

His mastery of variations has been to the fore for Rajasthan Royals this IPL, as before

Mohammad Isam04-Oct-2021Mustafizur Rahman has an arsenal of lengths, lines, cutters and yorkers at the business end of T20 matches. He seems to come up with altered versions of his variations every delivery. His slower cutter, even when it lands halfway down the pitch, ends up befuddling the batter. Two weeks ago against Punjab Kings, Mustafizur’s brilliant 19th over, off which he gave just four runs, proved too much for set batters Nicholas Pooran and Aiden Markram. That the Kings messed up what ought to have been a sure win is a story for another day, but Mustafizur had proved his class in the death overs yet again.There is literally no visual record or memory of Mustafizur mouthing off against a fielder who has dropped a catch off his bowling, or of him sledging an opponent. And he has bowled in a lot of high-pressure moments for Bangladesh, and in the IPL and BPL. What is the secret to his composure and presence of mind in pressure moments?”You can’t really plan these things. The main focus is always to bowl dot balls,” Mustafizur says of that penultimate over against Punjab Kings. “In the 19th over you can’t really bowl one type of delivery. You have to mix it up, keep the batsman guessing, whether you are bowling a yorker or a slower ball. The captain knows what I am going to do, and then the field set-up works as a communication between us.”Related

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Mustafizur’s quality and experience make him the top-ranked bowler in the Royals attack in the absence of Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes, but it’s not something he regards as adding pressure to his role.”I don’t see it [being the senior bowler] as an added responsibility. I am basically bowling at stages where I am usually bowling for Bangladesh too. Expectations definitely bring in a bit of pressure, but it’s not something that worries me.”I try to remain calm in difficult situations. I focus on what’s in front of me. I won’t really think about the over I have just bowled, regardless of whether I have bowled well or not,” he says.In most T20s, Mustafizur bowls two overs up front. “With the new ball, I am mostly trying to bowl seam-up deliveries, with a bit of swing, if it is available,” he says. “Variations are limited during the powerplay.” It is at the back end of the innings that his full repertoire emerges.”We have only played in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – I won’t say they are great pitches, but nor are they really bad pitches,” he says. “It is somewhere in between – on the slower side. Teams getting good starts are reaching 170-180 even, so the starts are important.”Royals’ captain Sanju Samson has allowed Mustafizur the freedom to bowl the way he likes, and it is something the bowler has appreciated.Mustafizur is arguably among the more clear-thinking minds in the modern game, and he makes it a point of passing his knowledge on – to the likes of young Royals fast bowlers Kartik Tyagi and Chetan Sakariya, who have caught the eye in recent seasons. “They want to learn my bowling grips, especially my cutters,” he says. “They want to know how I am so normal in pressure situations. They listen to what I have to say.”

****

Mustafizur grew up in a small village called Tetulia, roughly 300km south-west of Dhaka, near the border with India. He learned cricket in the village fields, playing with Indian-made balls that were harder and bouncier than the conventional tennis balls typically used for casual cricket in the subcontinent. From Tetulia, his older brother, Poltu, would drive him on his motorcycle to Satkhira, the nearest big town, where he started practising with a cricket ball.”The moment I cross Satkhira town and I can see my village, I breathe better,” Mustafizur says about going back home. “I love the air in that place. I am a proud village boy.”In the two series against Australia and New Zealand at home in August and September, Mustafizur took 15 wickets in nine T20Is at an economy of under five an over•AFP via Getty ImagesMustafizur is renowned in the Bangladesh team for his love of fishing, and it is one of the first things he does when he goes back home, he says. He also spends time playing tennis-ball cricket in the village fields. “During the winter we will play volleyball in the evening and badminton at night. I try to fit in everything. The days go well in the village,” he says.”You have to be really patient when you sit with the rod. You can’t expect to throw it and reel in the fish in one go. It doesn’t work like that. I usually sit for four or five hours with the wheel [rod].”When nothing happens, I put out the fishing net to find out what’s going on down there. I do get a bit impatient at times.What does he typically catch? “We have the usual white fish like and [kinds of carp]. We get the fish [flathead mullet] in our shrimp farm,” he says.When cricket stopped with Covid taking hold in 2020, Mustafizur spent more time in Tetulia than he had at almost any period over the last six years. Much of it was spent at the pond at his family’s shrimp farm, rod in hand.How has this outdoorsman adapted to being for weeks and months at a stretch in bio-bubbles? “Off the field, I don’t go out too much,” he says. “I sometimes sit by the pool. I go to the gym. I sometimes spend time in our team room.”I miss fishing, but what I really miss is my village.”Mustafizur has been in good form for Bangladesh of late, helping them to T20I series wins over Australia and New Zealand in the last couple of months.He did well in all three phases of the innings, helped by home pitches that provided him the rough that lets his cutters grip. It’s likely the pitches in the UAE for the World Cup too could help the Bangladesh bowlers. And if that is so, Mustafizur will be in the thick of things.Not that he betrays any excitement at the prospect. “My role will be the same,” he says. “Everyone will be hopeful, but the rest is up to Allah. I think it is important to remain healthy.”