He notes that the proliferation of T20 leagues helps the game grow and reassures that the Hundred will continue

Vithushan Ehantharajah01-Jun-2023

ECB chief executive officer Richard Gould has defended the ICC’s mooted financial carve up which projects the BCCI to earn US$ 230 million per year from 2024 to 2027.As part of a new revenue-distribution model, India are set to take home 38.5% of the $600m earnings over the next four-year commercial cycle. The ECB are the next highest earners in the proposed model, potentially earning $41.33 million (6.89%) with Cricket Australia next highest with $37.53 million (6.25%).The PCB is projected to make over $34.51 million (5.75%) leaving the remaining eight Full Members with below 5% of the earnings. Of the $600 million projected pool, the 12 Full Members will get $532.84 million (88.81%), with the remaining $67.16 million (11.19%) going to the Associate Members.Related

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The proposals, reported by ESPNcricinfo last month, are due to be ratified by the ICC and were met with complaints of further exacerbating the financial inequality throughout the game. Gould, who sits on the ICC chief executives committee, appreciates the disparity in real terms – even referring to the carve-up as “The Big One”, a nod to the Big Three carve up between the BCCI, ECB and CA in 2014 – but believes the proposals are justified and that India will do right by the global game, not just themselves.”When you see where that value is created, I think it’s understandable,” Gould said on the latest episode of The Final Word podcast. “There may be tweaks in the margins here or there, but the dominant position India is in is based on India’s ability to drive revenues and drive the sport forward. One point four billion people, one sport, ten [IPL] teams, one international team.”What I’m also fascinated by is India’s determination also to assist the world game. You look at the percentages and go ‘Well, that’s not fair it should be split equally’. But we’ve got to look at the size of the market. India play as many international fixtures as any other team in the world. And they do that because they know when they tour as an international team, they bring interest and revenue to that home side. I think it’s important to see things in the round, in that regard.”I get it (the financial inequality). But I also understand how important India is, because without them we wouldn’t have the kind of revenues that are coming into the game. And I do think India make huge efforts to be responsible partners in this when I see the amount they travel around the world, taking India everywhere. I do think it is a balance.”I think there is collective decision-making, both in India and within the ICC, and I think there is a real determination and understanding we need [for] cricket to be expanding and we need it to be healthy around the world.”Gould suggested that the money could be better shared around the game if boards pay touring sides, a shift from the current situation where host boards retain all revenue generated. Over the last few years, that situation has served to highlight inequalities throughout the game’s various markets, particularly when it comes to Test cricket.Full members like West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand are in the process of backtracking from red-ball cricket given the costs incurred to host Tests are not worthwhile as far as their own domestic deals are concerned, particularly at the expense of limited-overs fixtures. Gould sees no reason why that should be the case and feels countries like England, where Test cricket thrives, must do more.8:49

Where will cricket go from here?

“When somebody tours England, we don’t pay them a fee, we don’t pay their players,” Gould said. “The way that it’s done in bilateral cricket at the moment is you retain your own home domestic revenues. And when you travel away, they received their domestic revenue. That’s where the disparity of markets comes in. That’s something we will want to and will need to look at in terms of encouraging people not just to play Test but make sure they can pay their players, and pay them well, so that they want to play Test cricket again.”More cricket being played around the world a ‘good thing’On the subject of franchise cricket, the former Surrey chief executive regards the increase in T20 competitions around the world as an example of cricket’s growth. Moreover, he is of the belief the upcoming Major League T20 in the United States can help the game reach new, high-yield markets.”You look at the T20 franchises and all these leagues that are being created – there is more cricket being played around the world now than there ever has been before. That has got to be a good thing.”And then there are mother markets in play. The States is an interesting market. What happens if we get cricket in the Olympics, which is in the States (Los Angeles, 2028)? There’s another key, pivotal moment for it. There will be some bumpy patches along the way in terms of what direction we take, but never mind that. Let’s look at the overall big picture – the game is growing.””We are not going to take the Hundred out. We are going to make it bigger and better”•Getty Images

Regarding the Hundred, the ECB’s own short-form competition, Gould held firm on previous comments that the competition is here to stay. He also doubled down on talk of a change from 100 balls to T20, saying the unique format helps the competition stand out among the crowd and in turn heightens the debate around the English game, allowing it to stay relevant. Now in its third year, and tied to a bumper broadcast deal that expires in 2028, Gould was unequivocal that English cricket needs the Hundred to compete effectively with the rest of the world.”You could argue it gives us a point of difference, in a very crowded market,” he said. “It is a point of difference.”You see the competition that we’re in globally now. Every country needs to have a super, primetime white ball domestic comp. We have invested very heavily in the Hundred over a number of years, both emotionally and financially. We need to make it bigger and better. We also have the Blast which we need to make bigger and better.”We are not going to take the Hundred out. We are going to make it bigger and better. We are going to make the whole of cricket, bigger and better. That is our aim. We want to do it in a really collaborative fashion where everyone feels they have a role, they have purpose and they have something to gain from this.”The format is not something that is on my agenda, in this regard, because Sky have been really supportive in driving it forward. It’s given us that point of difference. Everybody around the world, in the cricketing world, has heard of the Hundred. That’s a good thing. That’s a good thing – we like debate. When you look at sport, more than 50% of the coverage that we get is about the politics and the machinations of the sport rather than the sport itself. That’s a good thing too – as long as people are talking about the game, I’m pretty happy.”

Three books on the master commentator and Australia captain offer you the wisdom of Benaud

Paul Edwards20-Dec-2015Sometimes it is wise to succumb to temptation. Asked to review three books that celebrate the life of Richie Benaud, this cricket writer is itching to respond in the pithy style of the great man himself:And now he has. Not a word wasted there, and potential readers can get on with the business of ordering.Yet even sitting at a desk, one intuits the late Benaud’s distaste for hyperbole. If you must, Benaud might say, but can we please dispose of this idea? Before long, Benaud’s list of truly great men and women is produced and one recalls his dismissal of the idea that Shane Warne getting out for 99 might be labelled “a tragedy”. Words are not candyfloss.All of which illustrate one of the beguiling paradoxes of Benaud’s career – that while no one in cricket was more easily or frequently impersonated, there was still nobody like him.All three of these books are anthologies and each has plenty to commend it. The ideal stocking-filler is probably , edited by Rob Smyth, which does not suffer in the least from being confined to extracts from the but might have benefited from the inclusion of a contents page. A particular strength of Smyth’s book is that the last third of it includes a season-by-season chronicle of Benaud’s career, but we also have a host of tributes to his skill as a commentator and his shrewd assessments of his countrymen. For example, there is this from the 1973 on Dennis Lillee:

“Though he looks flamboyant in action on the field, Lillee is essentially a man of simple character, preferring a king-size steak to the more spicy continental dishes, and the occasional glass of beer to the magnum of champagne… On the field, a man who shows an obvious dislike to batsmen, he is of equable temperament once the day’s play is over, and the only thing he is prepared to dislike in cricket at the moment is the type of field set for him in one-day fixtures on the England tour.”

, seems on first glance to be a slighter book, one that can easily be placed in the coffee-table category. But it is not so. For one thing, the photographs have been well-chosen and are superbly reproduced. For those of us currently thinking about how the camera supplies a different history of the game, they provide a wonderful chronicle of Benaud’s career from the multifaceted springtime of Worcester in 1953 to the not-too-grand elder statesman speaking alongside a statue of himself at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2008.Some of the writing is very fine, too. Consider this from AG (Johnny) Moyes:

“No slow bowler can reach the top of the hill – it is a difficult upward climb – without much planning, perseverance and hard work. There is no proper pathway to success except through blood, sweat and tears, for the spinner must learn to take a hiding without giving ground. Purposefulness, endurance and brains are prime necessities. Benaud has these qualities, and that is why he finally emerged from the clouds into the sunshine of rich and continued success. He is without doubt one the most gifted slow bowlers in cricket’s long history.”

For some of us, Richie Benaud was always there, a soundtrack to our cricketing lives. Shrewd, articulate, wise, he was the perfect antithesis of RC Robertson-Glasgow’s one-way critic. He was commentating when we fell for the game and he policed our love with astute observations.As the cricketing world spins ever more rapidly we will wonder what he might have said about it all. Richie himself might observe that there are other commentators and we should listen to them. He might also add that it might not be such a bad idea if we made up our own minds a little more. Quite true, but when we need to be reminded of Benaud’s unique voice we will have these three fine anthologies and his own books on our shelves. Marvellous, indeed.Benaud in Wisden
Edited by Rob Smyth
Wisden
198 pages, £10.99Remembering Richie
Richie Benaud and friends
Hodder and Stoughton
334 pages, £20Those Summers of Cricket – Richie Benaud 1930-2015
Hardie Grant
185 pages, £20

Although the Liverpool machine continues to power on, as seen in Arne Slot’s side picking up a straightforward 4-0 win in the FA Cup over Accrington Stanley, this month could still prove to be a sticky time for the Reds.

After all, the futures of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold remain up in the air, with some nerves at least quelled in this department when reading that Virgil Van Dijk reportedly looks set to pen a new Anfield deal shortly.

Alongside all this contract talk, there is another surprise player who could be set to leave Merseyside behind very soon, even as his current deal remains in play until 2028.

Liverpool star could be heading for Saudi

As per a report by Anfield Watch, Darwin Nunez could now be on the move this January as new suitors eye up the hot-and-cold Uruguayan.

One of those fresh outfits preparing to try and snap up the 25-year-old is money-rich Al-Hilal, with the Saudi side wanting to offload former £200m man Neymar for some new star power.

After all, Al-Hilal are currently under the managerial guidance of ex-Benfica boss Jorge Jesus, who managed to turn Nunez into a revered goal machine in Portugal.

Moreover, with Nunez sliding further and further down the pecking order under Slot – with ex-Reds great Robbie Fowler stating prior to his Accrington duck that he’s “not a Liverpool player” calibre-wise – this might well be a move that suits all parties, especially if Al-Hilal cough up some mega bucks similar to the £85m once forked out for the forward.

Liverpool have been here before in terms of losing an attacker who had left his mark on proceedings at Anfield, only for the Reds to recover easily from this departure with Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and more now lighting up the Premier League.

A Sadio Mane-like exit for Liverpool

Whilst it’s clear that Nunez won’t go down in the same legend’s bracket as Sadio Mane when he does exit, it would still be a knock to lose the Uruguayan, especially when you consider the amount of cash that was splashed to land him.

Additionally, he has shown his class in spurts for the Reds, with 37 strikes picked up in total for the Merseyside giants resulting in Jurgen Klopp labelling the 6 foot 2 attacker as “outstanding” when he still steered the Liverpool ship.

But, after his goalless showing against League Two opposition on Saturday, patience will be wearing thin on Slot’s end who might sense a departure is the most logical next step, with the Reds having to give in regarding a sale of Mane too after the Senegalese ace rejected a new contract.

Whilst that development was initially demoralising – considering Mane bowed out of Liverpool with a stunning 120 goals next to his name – the Reds have more than bounced back with Salah ageing like a fine wine, alongside the heroics of other stars up top.

Cody Gakpo

75

21

10

Diogo Jota

55

21

9

Luis Diaz

72

20

9

Mohamed Salah

89

55

35

As can be seen above, Slot has a whole host of exciting players in attack he can choose from, with Salah chipping in with an outrageous 90 goals and assists since Mane’s exit, with the ex-Reds forward now forgotten about playing in Saudi Arabia.

The same could soon happen to Nunez if he makes an Al-Hilal move a reality, with Liverpool no doubt using the millions they would recoup to add another frightening attacker to their already star-studded arsenal.

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Liverpool are looking to strengthen their frontline this year.

ByAngus Sinclair Jan 10, 2025

في أعقاب قرار نادي الهلال بالاعتذار رسميًا عن المشاركة في بطولة كأس السوبر السعودي للموسم الرياضي 2025-2026، بدأت تتصاعد التساؤلات حول الخطوات القادمة التي سيتخذها الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم للتعامل مع هذا الموقف، خاصة مع اقتراب موعد إقامة البطولة في هونج كونج خلال شهر أغسطس المقبل.

ويمثل هذا الاعتذار سابقة نادرة في تاريخ البطولة، نظرًا لمكانة الهلال الكبيرة محليًا وقاريًا، كما أنه يسلط الضوء على التحديات المرتبطة بتزاحم جدول المشاركات المحلية والدولية، ومدى تأثيرها على الأندية واللاعبين من الناحية البدنية واللوجستية، ما يتطلب توازنًا دقيقًا في إدارة الموسم الرياضي.

وفي هذا الإطار، أصدر الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم بيانًا رسميًا للرد على اعتذار الهلال، موضحًا الإجراءات التي سيتم اتخاذها لضمان تطبيق اللوائح وتنظيم المسابقة بالشكل الأمثل.

طالع أيضًا | تقارير | موقف النصر من المشاركة في كأس السوبر السعودي بعد اعتذار الهلال بيان الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم

تلقى الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم خطابا رسميًا من شركة نادي الهلال، يتضمن تأكيد اعتذار الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي عن المشاركة في بطولة كأس السوبر السعودي 2025-2026، والمقرر إقامتها خلال الفترة من 19 إلى 23 أغسطس 2025 في هونغ كونغ.

وبناء عليه، فإن الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم سيباشر اتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة وفقًا للأنظمة واللوائح ذات الصلة، وذلك من خلال اللجان المختصة.

كما سيتم العمل بموجب اللائحة التنظيمية لمسابقة كأس السوبر السعودي وذلك بعد استكمال الإجراءات النظامية من قبل لجنة المسابقات في الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم.

ويؤكد الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم في هذا السياق حرصه على احترام الأنظمة واللوائح المعتمدة، وحرصه على حماية مصالح جميع الأطراف ذات العلاقة، وذلك استنادا إلى نظامه الأساسي المعتمد من الجمعية العمومية.

Altay Bayindir sent out a message to Manchester United fans after a nightmare Premier League debut against Newcastle United.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Bayindir sends message to Man Utd fans
• Had a nightmare Premier League debut against Newcastle
• Magpies thrashed the Red Devils 4-1

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Turkish goalkeeper replaced Andre Onana in United's goal after the Cameroonian made some costly mistakes in their 2-2 draw against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday. Bayindir, who joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2023, finally got a chance to make his Premier League debut, however, it turned into a nightmare as he conceded four goals against Newcastle United. He also made a costly error when the team were 3-1 down as his poor clearance was intercepted by Joelinton, and seconds later, Bruno Guimaraes made it 4-1 at St James' Park.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United fans slammed the 26-year-old on social media for his terrible performance against the Magpies, however, the custodian later sent out a message to the angry supporters as he urged them to keep their faith on the team.

• WHAT ALTAY BAYINDIR SAID

  Taking to Instagram, Bayindir shared some photographs from the game and wrote in the caption: "Honored to make my PL debut for this club. Not the result we wanted, but I’ll keep pushing, keep fighting. We’ll be back stronger — keep believing."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

  Ruben Amorim's side will now aim to beat Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final fixture at home on Thursday and book their berth in the last-four stage.

Stats highlights from the third day of the first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Port Elizabeth

Gaurav Sundararaman28-Dec-20161929 The previous instance when the same opening pair shared a 100-plus partnership for South Africa in both innings of a Test. Stephen Cook and Dean Elgar added 104 in the first innings and 116 in the second in Port Elizabeth. Bob Catteral and Bruce Mitchell added 119 and 171 respectively against England at Birmingham in 1929. Overall, eight other opening pairs have shared century stands in both innings of a Test.2012 The last instance of a century stand for the opening wicket in both innings of a Test match for South Africa, against England in 2012 at Leeds. However, this was achieved by two different pairs: Graeme Smith added 120 runs each with Alviro Petersen and Jacques Rudolph respectively.1970 The last instance of two fifty-plus partnerships by the opening pair for South Africa in a Test in Port Elizabeth. Barry Richards and Eddie Barlow added 157 and 73 against Australia in 1970.70 Innings taken by Vernon Philander to reach 11 five-fors in Tests. He is the third-quickest bowler from South Africa to reach this mark after Hugh Tayfield (43 innings) and Dale Steyn (54 innings). Philander now has three five-fors each against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.3 Centuries scored by Stephen Cook in 2016, the most by a South Africa batsman in 2016. Hashim Amla, Faf Du Plessis and Quinton de Kock have two hundreds each. Cook has three hundreds from 12 innings and also made his top score of 117 today.84 Dean Elgar’s average at St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth, the second-best across all venues he has played in after Durban, where he averages 88.5. He has scored 420 runs with two hundreds and two fifties in Port Elizabeth.49.90 Hashim Amla’s current average. This is the first time his average has dropped below 50 since November 2012.

Heading into the 2024/25 campaign, it was clear Chelsea had the idea of bringing one more striker through the door to compete with Nicolas Jackson. The 23-year-old has started the season in good stead, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 20 appearances so far (1,485 minutes played).

But the Blues failed to acquire another first-team striker option (not including Marc Guiu, an 18-year-old signed from Barcelona). This has led to Christopher Nkunku being played out of position as a striker for Enzo Maresca’s side, mainly as a backup option in the UEFA Conference League games when Jackson is rested.

The 27-year-old has made 28 appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists, albeit while starting just three Premier League games.

But heading into January, Chelsea have a chance to address this, looking to bring a different striker profile to the club to provide competition for Jackson upfront.

Chelsea's search for a striker

Reports earlier this week indicated that Chelsea are among the clubs who have made an enquiry regarding the signing of Aston Villa sensation, Jhon Duran, with Paris Saint-Germain currently leading the race for his signature.

Transfer Focus

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

A potential price tag has now since been revealed, with journalist Ben Jacobs claiming that Duran would cost around £80m to sign this month, amid that interest from PSG in the 21-year-old forward.

So far this season, Duran has made 26 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals in 976 minutes played. He could well represent the perfect replacement for Nkunku.

Duran vs Nkunku comparison

The Colombian centre-forward has been brandished a “maverick” by Ben Mattinson, praising not only his immensely powerful shot, but also his physicality and the way he carries the ball. His unpredictable nature makes him a “chaos” number nine, who adds a different dimension of play when leading the line.

Duran could be the right man to replace Nkunku, providing competition for Jackson and offering something different with his play style from the bench. Chelsea have struggled against ‘low block’ opposition in recent weeks, and the 21-year-old could actually be a huge asset towards breaking those down.

Duran and Nkunku are very different types of player, the former being that maverick/chaos type striker we spoke about, whilst the latter is more of a ‘shadow striker’ wanting to link play, play off of other players and create for not only himself, but also others.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Duran

Nkunku

Jackson

Goals

1.09

0.86

0.56

Assists

0.00

0.31

0.19

xG

0.62

0.95

0.60

Progressive Carries

1.11

2.18

2.17

Progressive Passes

1.89

3.45

1.30

Shots Total

4.82

3.05

3.11

Goals/Shot

0.21

0.23

0.18

Key Passes

0.67

1.61

1.06

Shot-Creating Actions

2.22

4.14

2.92

Touches (Att Pen)

6.67

5.52

5.90

Aerial Duels Won

3.11

1.03

0.56

However, Jackson is also this complete type of striker, who likes to drop deep and link play, often spinning his man and driving the team forwards. That ability to contribute in different phases of play is why Jackson gets the nod over Nkunku, as he also works hard for the team off the ball, often leading the press for Maresca’s side.

What Jackson doesn’t possess though, is the same type of box threat and aerial presence Duran could bring, winning 3.11 aerial duels per 90, as well as having 6.67 touches in the opposition penalty area, bullying defenders in the box and attacking crosses put into the area.

Nkunku, being more suited to playing behind the striker, could have to leave in order to get the minutes he wants – as has been reported – as Cole Palmer currently stands in his way in that area of the pitch.

Therefore, a move for Nkunku to leave and be replaced by Duran would suit all parties involved, having a positive effect on the makeup of the team.

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ByEthan Lamb Jan 10, 2025

da bet nacional： Manchester United claimed just their fourth Premier League win of the Ruben Amorim era last night, beating Marco Silva’s Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

da esport bet： It was by no means a pretty game, but Lisandro Martínez’s deflected effort secured all three points for the Red Devils, moving them up to 12th in the table.

However, with the club’s current dismal situation on the pitch, it’s not about how attractive the performances are, but ultimately getting the points on the board to turnaround the recent slump.

Whilst the display wasn’t the best since the 39-year-old’s appointment, he must take some satisfaction that his side were able to walk away with all three points despite not being at their best.

That being said, numerous players failed to impress in West London, producing displays that could see them replaced before the end of the window.

Man United’s poor performers against Fulham

Despite the recent transfer rumours about his future at the club, Alejandro Garnacho started the clash in the capital but was unable to showcase why the club are demanding £55m for his services.

The Argentine featured for 81 minutes before replaced, but his performance warranted his withdrawal, losing possession 13 times during his time on the pitch.

He also only completed one of his three attempted dribbles, failing to register a single effort on goal – looking toothless within the final third for the Red Devils.

Noussair Mazraoui has often featured as a wide centre-back for United since the arrival of Amorim, but was selected to operate in a left wing-back role against Fulham – a position in which he struggled.

The Moroccan was also wasteful with the ball, losing possession 12 times, but didn’t have his usual defensive presence, completing just one tackle and unable to make any interceptions.

However, both of the aforementioned players were better than one of their teammates, who once again ensured an evening to forget despite the manager’s continued faith in him.

The Man United player who dropped a 3/10 against Fulham

Striker Rasmus Hojlund has been a player low in confidence and evidently struggling in recent weeks, but Amorim has continued to stand by his number nine to produce the goods.

However, the Denmark international has been unable to produce, failing to score in any of his last 11 outings across all competitions, only registering two goals in 18 league outings.

Yesterday was another goalless display for the 21-year-old, undoubtedly cranking pressure on his shoulders over his regular starting role – with his all-round play just as alarming as his lack of tangible contribution.

Hojlund was only on the pitch for 58 minutes before being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee, a substitution that simply had to be made after the Dane’s inability to hold the ball up at the top end.

He only completed six of his attempted passes during his display, registering a measly tally of just 21 touches, with goalkeeper Andre Onana managing more than double with his tally of 47.

Hojlund’s stats for United against Fulham

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

58

Touches

21

Passes completed

6/8 (75%)

Possession lost

12x

Duels lost

9/11 (82%)

Shots taken

0

Dribbles completed

0/1 (0%)

Stats via SofaScore

The striker also was guilty of squandering possession on the rare occasion the ball fell his way, conceding play 12 times also losing 82% of the duels he entered – leading to content creator Jon Denton dubbing him as United’s “worst player” and receiving a 3/10 rating from Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

Hojlund also, like Garnacho, was unable to register any efforts on goal, highlighting the desperate need for investment from INEOS before the end of the ongoing transfer market.

Amorim’s current two senior striker options, Hojlund and Zirkzee, have only scored a combined five Premier League goals throughout 2024/25, with their fortunes only changing with new additions.

Viktor Gyokeres, Christopher Nkunku, Matheus Cunha and Jonathan David have all been touted with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, with all the options providing a massive upgrade on the current crop of options – all scoring more so far this campaign.

With just over a week to go, time is ticking for the hierarchy to provide Amorim with the ammunition needed to succeed and build on the latest victory, with last night’s display at Craven Cottage added evidence that the current options are simply not up to scratch.

Related Better than Garnacho: Man Utd eyeing "one of the world's biggest talents"

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Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Jan 26, 2025

The Catalan club has been home to a whole host of iconic Samba stars down the years – but who stands out as the best?

Barcelona have signed a grand total of 29 Brazilian players over the last 35 years, with Vitor Roque the latest through the door in January 2024. The former Athletico Paranaense youngster only lasted one year in Catalunya, though, making just 14 La Liga appearances before the Blaugrana accepted a €25 million (£21m/$26m) offer for his services from Palmeiras in the winter transfer window.

Just like compatriots Philippe Coutinho, Malcom and Arthur Melo before him, Roque was unable to live up to expectations at one of the world's biggest clubs. Sonny Anderson, Fabio Rochemback and Geovanni also endured the same struggles at Barcelona, who have a mixed record when it comes to investment in Samba stars.

As such, it was relatively easy for GOAL to settle on the top 10 Brazilian's in the club's history. Ranking those players, however, was a far more daunting task, because most of them can be categorised as Barcelona legends.

In fact, the only man on the list who hasn't earned that status yet is Raphinha. That could change for the former Leeds United man by the end of May, though, because he is spearheading Barca's latest treble charge under Hansi Flick, and is currently the favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The question is: who is Raphinha bidding to overtake in the Blaugrana history books?Check out our rankings below…

AFP10Adriano

Signed from Sevilla for just €9.5m in the summer of 2010, Adriano would prove to be one of the bargain buys of the century in his trophy-laden six-year stint at Camp Nou. He never really nailed down a starting role, but was an invaluable utility player who could operate as a full-back or winger on both sides of the pitch, in central midfield and even in the heart of defence when required. Adriano also had a penchant for popping up with important goals, including a brace in Barca's 4-0 Club World Cup final win over Sadd Sports Club in 2011.

World Cup winner Edmilson was also a contender for this No.10 slot, but we've given Adriano the nod because of his incredible versatility and superior honours list, with the former Sevilla man ending his time at Catalunya with four La Liga titles, two Champions League crowns and three Copas del Rey.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport9Sylvinho

All-action left-back Sylvinho made 128 appearances for Barca between 2004 and 2009 after being snapped up from Celta Vigo, racking up 17 goal contributions along the way. The former Arsenal star had a wand of a left foot and was a master at making overlapping runs, which made him a constant threat going forward, and his tactical awareness was second to none.

Sylvinho fell down the pecking order after Eric Abidal's arrival at Camp Nou, but he continued to give everything when called upon, and produced an outstanding performance to help keep Cristiano Ronaldo at bay in Barcelona's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Manchester United in 2009. That proved to be Sylvinho's final game for the La Liga giants, but he left with five major trophies to his name – a fine return from a player who cost just €2m.

Getty Images8Juliano Belletti

Juliano Belletti replaced Michael Reiziger as Barcelona's first-choice right-back after joining from Villarreal in May 2004, and quickly became a fan favourite because of his passion and forward-thinking style of play. Frank Rijkaard was rewarded for putting his faith in Belletti right from the off; he gave Barca natural width in attack and worked tirelessly out of possession as they stormed to back-to-back league titles.

Belletti is, however, most fondly remembered for scoring Barcelona's winning goal in the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal. With just nine minutes left on the clock, he somehow managed to fire the ball through Manuel Almunia's legs from a tight angle after latching onto a pass from Henrik Larsson in the box. Remarkably, that was the only goal of Belletti's entire Barca career, but it forever cemented him a place in the club's Hall of Fame.

Getty Images7Raphinha

Raphinha scored two goals in his latest La Liga outing for Barca, including a stoppage-time penalty that gave Flick's side a vital 4-3 win against Celta Vigo. That took the 28-year-old past the half-century mark for goal contributions this term, a feat that has only been accomplished by three other Barcelona players – Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

No one would have backed Raphinha to reach those heights after his underwhelming first two years at Barca, but Flick has unlocked his full potential since replacing Xavi as head coach last summer. Raphinha's quality in the final third has given Barca an edge in the most important matches, and he's also led by example with his efforts off the ball.

We may well have to push Raphinha into the top five if Barca complete a clean sweep of silverware; he's the best player in Europe right now, plain and simple.

Oliver Glasner’s Eagles have managed to climb the Premier League table with a recent upturn in form, finding themselves now 12th in the division, sitting on 27 points after 22 games played, winning six times, drawing nine times and losing seven times.

Since the start of December, Crystal Palace have only lost two games, both of those losses coming against Arsenal, once in the Premier League and once in the EFL Cup.

This run of form has seen draws against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, and some big wins against the likes of West Ham, Brighton and Leicester.

It looks as though they’re finally getting over Michael Olise’s summer exit.

Michael Olise's record at Palace

Glasner’s side have started to find the back of the net on a more regular basis over the last few games, with the front three now establishing itself and beginning to gel after Olise departed for Bayern Munich.

Of interest to plenty of Europe’s biggest teams, he left Selhurst Park behind having dazzled their adoring fans on a regular basis.

In total, the French winger scored 16 goals and registered 25 assists in 90 outings with 16 of those goal invovlements coming in just 19 matches in 2023/24.

So, replacing him was always going to be a tricky one, but Ismaila Sarr is beginning to prove his worth.

Ismaila Sarr's form at Palace

Once Olise left Palace in the summer, the Eagles went ahead and signed Sarr from Marseille, joining the club for a fee of around £12.5m.

He now is finally starting to settle, having an impact on games and helping the Eagles to get points on the board. Since the 26-year-old signed, he has made 27 appearances, scoring four goals, providing three assists and totalling 1,635 minutes played.

It took until the end of November for Sarr to fully impact games with his output, but since then, the Senegalese winger has shown why Steve Parish and Co struck gold by bringing him to the club. He’s found a real nice balance in attack with Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, which has seen Glasner’s side go on a good run in the Premier League.

Sarr’s transfer valuation has already risen slightly since joining, with his market value now sitting at £17m according to Transfermarkt.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

For context, that is already worth more than their new signing, Romain Esse, who joined from Millwall this month for a fee of around £12m (potentially rising to £14.5m with add-ons).

How Ismaila Sarr compares to Romain Esse

Esse made 26 appearances for Millwall this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 2,165 minutes. He has shown his versatility playing on both the left and right wing, as well as through the middle when needed.

Goals

0.3

0.2

Assists

0.2

0.1

Shots

1.8

0.8

Chances Created

1.5

1.2

Take-Ons Completed

0.6

2.3

Take-On Success %

36.36%

50.5%

Touches (Opp Box)

5.1

3.1

Labelled a “freak talent” by Ben Foster, who played with the Senegal international at Watford, Foster has previously spoken of how Sarr makes things happen, even if he doesn’t know what he’s going to do, which fits nicely with his direct nature, often looking to attack the box as often as possible, create chances and get shots off when possible. That’s rather similar to Esse who has been lighting up second-tier defences already this term.

Dubbed a “superstar in the making” by Millwall manager, Gary Rowett, the youngster could benefit from challenging Sarr for a starting spot alongside Eze behind the striker, both offering slightly different attributes in that role.

Having Sarr ahead of Esse could allow the young winger to settle at the club with less pressure, not being thrust immediately into the limelight, building up his experience and showing quality with rotated/substitute appearances, which are likely to spark support from the fans with his excellent technical ability.

Crystal Palace could sign immediate upgrade on Esse all for £25m

Crystal Palace announced the signing of Romaine Esse on Saturday.

ByConnor Holden Jan 19, 2025