“We’ve won one of the two series, we’ve won various games in both and we’ve seen more players”

Cameron Ponsonby18-Nov-20241:38

‘I hope Bethell play in New Zealand’

Selection headaches await for England, but they won’t be for Marcus Trescothick. With his time as interim head coach over, Trescothick is clearing the way for England’s new, new white-ball era to begin under Brendon McCullum.”We’re waiting for the finalised side of what happens from January onwards,” Trescothick said of when the ultimate call will be made on what the coaching set-up will look like. “I think when Brendan and Rob [Key] get together, they’ll finalise that probably during New Zealand.”Trescothick has been in charge for England’s series against Australia in September and now their tour of the Caribbean, the latter of which he described as “perfect” and leaving the team in the best place possible to be taken over by McCullum.Related

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“If you look at the end result,” Trescothick said, “we’ve won one of the two series and we’ve won various games in both series that we’ve played and we’ve seen more players. So you sit back and you look at it on paper and go: perfect.”Because of the crammed schedule, England had taken several young players out to West Indies, with four making debuts across the tour. The balance, Trescothick argued, was to blend winning with learning – an objective that was achieved.”Of course, you always want to win. But I think if we’d have had one objective on this trip, more than anything else that was to see the players we’ve seen and see whether they’re going to be good enough next week, next month, next year, or for three years’ time.”The shiniest new toy that awaits McCullum is Jacob Bethell. The Bajan-born left-hander looks the real deal. During the ODI series, he became the third youngest half-centurion for England in the format’s history, and across the four T20s, he made two fifties, averaged 127 and struck at 173.97. Job done.McCullum will be able to get to know Bethell sooner rather than later, with the 21-year-old set to be the reserve batter on England’s tour of New Zealand. That despite a meagre first-class record where he has zero centuries in 20 appearances.”All the attributes are there,” Trescothick argued in favour of Bethell’s chances of transferring his white-ball ability across. “If you had markers to be able to go, right, you need to do this, this and this, he’d be knocking on the door for that.Jacob Bethell impressed at No. 4 in the T20I side•Getty Images

“There’s no reason why he can’t break through and succeed, because he’s flourished in both formats that we’ve seen in the recent period of time. You could almost see him being the next youngster after Harry Brook, the real exciting one coming through for the next journey this group will take.”Saqib Mahmood was also singled out for his “superb” performances and was arguably the only player already established within the England set-up to cement his spot moving forward. His nine wickets across four matches earned him the Player-of-the-Series award.McCullum’s appointment will also present captain Jos Buttler with the first real opportunity to mould a team in his image. Since taking over in 2022, Buttler has largely ridden the momentum of the Eoin Morgan era – which carried them to their T20 World Cup victory – before attempting to get the band back together for one last ODI dance in 2023, only for it to all fall apart.Now, however, as Buttler targets the final years of his career as potentially the most “rewarding”, he has the chance to start afresh with a new group of players.After four months out, Buttler returned to form almost immediately, with 83 in his second innings and captaining with a smile on his face throughout. His fields were inventive and often hyper-aggressive, with two slips and a short-leg in position thanks to Mahmood and Jofra Archer taking early wickets in the powerplay.”You can sort of see it falling back into place for him almost,” Trescothick said of Buttler. “A little bit where it’s hopefully some more enjoyable times coming forward with the growth of the team, but also with other other players coming back in and a bit more settled structure with the coaching as well.”The question of ODI returns for Ben Stokes and Joe Root will be the ultimate litmus test. Both are still fantastic players, but arguably represent a step backwards if, after pursuing a policy of youth, you return to two men who have been absent since the 2023 World Cup.That, however, is also easier said than done. The ODI side was desperately lacking experience, with the absence of a Root or Shai Hope-style player from England’s line-up glaring across the series.”I don’t know exactly,” Buttler said of whether the pair will be back in February. “It’s conversations for the next few weeks with the guys in charge. The guys here have played really well. Some of the young players have done themselves no harm at all. There are people who aren’t here who will have aspirations to be in the white-ball side as well. It’s really exciting.”Whatever happens next, the latest new era is set to begin.

It’s fair to say Manchester United fans won’t be looking back on the 2024/25 season with any degree of fondness.

A miserable tally of 18 losses in total in the Premier League would see Ruben Amorim’s dismal Red Devils have to make do with an unimpressive 15th spot in the division, whilst a heartbreaking Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur means United won’t even have the joyful distraction of European football to look forward to next campaign.

It’s a huge summer at Old Trafford, therefore, as Amorim attempts to steer the sinking ship back on course, with a whole host of transfer rumours beginning to bubble to the surface involving outgoings and incomings.

The most notable exit that could soon be on the cards is Bruno Fernandes ditching the Theatre of Dreams, with United perhaps having to sell their standout star so they can finance some top-drawer signings through the door.

Man Utd's search for a striker

Although the ex-Sporting boss remains in good spirits that the attacking midfielder could stay put amidst interest from Al-Hilal, it could well be that United’s hand is forced in this regard if they want to upgrade their striker personnel this summer.

Indeed, French outlet Foot Mercato have reported that United will have to get rid of Fernandes and/or Marcus Rashford to try and tempt Galatasaray goal machine Victor Osimhen to England, with his annual wage costs alone coming in at an eye-watering £10m. After all, the Portuguese ace does earn a sizeable £300k-per-week salary in the current camp.

Therefore, the Premier League strugglers might well have to just bite the bullet and allow Fernandes to sadly depart, especially when you consider the Red Devils are crying out for a new, potent goalscorer away from the likes of a goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund.

That’s where the ex-Napoli man could come to the rescue, with Amorim potentially possessing his next Viktor Gyokeres very soon if his side can spectacularly purchase the “world class” – as he was once labelled by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley – menace.

Why Osimhen could become Amorim's next Gyokeres

Before delving deeper into Osimhen’s own unerring ability in front of goal, it’s only right to look at how Amorim had an instrumental part to play in Gyokeres becoming an equally ice-cold finisher of chances in Lisbon.

The Stockholm-born striker would instantly hit the ground running under the 40-year-old’s stewardship in Portugal, with a bumper 43 strikes coming his way across a memorable debut season.

The former Coventry City marksman is now up to a stunning 97 goals from 102 total appearances for Sporting, and whilst there were murmurs Gyokeres could reunite with his former manager in England, a statement move hasn’t yet whirred into motion.

But, the under-fire Red Devils boss can begin to claw his way into the Old Trafford good books by landing Osimhen instead, considering the Nigerian’s explosiveness in front of goal out in Turkey and across his goal-laden career to date means he could be the manager’s next Gyokeres.

Amazingly, Osimhen isn’t a million miles off his Swedish counterpart’s insane Liga Portugal goalscoring numbers, with the Galatasaray number 45 actually boasting 37 goals and seven assists from 41 games in all competitions this season, away from setting the Turkish top-flight alight.

Additionally, away from just twisting and turning Super Lig defences for fun, the 26-year-old target has also proven himself as a clinical threat on the books of Napoli and Lille previously, as seen in his 94 goals for both the Serie A and Ligue 1 titans.

Therefore, whilst it might break United hearts to see Fernandes up and leave, it could well be a momentary, but necessary pain that then results in long-term success, particularly if Osmihen – who could be up for grabs for around £62m – enters the ranks and rips up yet another major league with his goalscoring prowess.

Better than Delap: Man Utd ready to pursue deal for "unplayable" £60m ace

Manchester United are reportedly ready to pursue a deal for this star who is even better than Liam Delap.

1

By
Dan Emery

May 31, 2025

ICC to participating boards: “Contingency host options within the Asian region are being considered – tournament dates to remain the same”

Mohammad Isam10-Aug-2024Representatives of the BCB are likely to meet Asif Mahmud, the youth and sports adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, on Sunday to discuss the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the country in October. The bigger talking points in Dhaka’s cricketing circles, however, is who among the main officials will remain in the BCB, and whether the new government will reform the board, too.Many in Dhaka believe that, as in 2007, the interim government could appoint an ad-hoc committee to run the BCB. ESPNcricinfo understands that the ICC will accept such a body as long as there is no direct government interference, especially if elections are held later on. The ICC will not interfere until that point. If, however, there is fear of government interference, the ICC will investigate the issue and take a stance. The ICC board had recently suspended Sri Lanka Cricket, from November 2023 to January 2024, because of government interference in its functioning.In case a new board is put in place, the ICC will ask the BCB to appoint a representative to attend all ICC meetings. When a committee of administrators appointed by the Supreme Court of India took over the BCCI’s administration some years ago, the CEO attended ICC meetings on the BCCI’s behalf.’Contingency host options within Asia being considered’

On Saturday, the ICC sent a mail to the boards of the teams participating at the women’s World Cup, saying, “The ICC is continuing to monitor the situation in Bangladesh and is working closely with BCB. Contingency host options within the Asian region are being considered. In case it is not possible to stage the event in Bangladesh, ICC will be in contact with the Board should the question of relocation need to be considered.”
The ICC has also said that the tournament dates will remain the same.

Currently, the BCB headquarters in Mirpur is mostly functional, with its employees running the show. The BCB’s chief executive, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, is in charge, but board directors including president Nazmul Hassan haven’t showed up since August 5, when prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India, effectively ending the 15-year rule of her party, the Awami League. Several of the BCB’s directors have direct or indirect affiliations with the Awami League.The BCB, however, cannot function properly without its board of directors, especially with an ICC event looming. Speaking anonymously to ESPNcricinfo, a BCB director said very few of his colleagues are expected to show up in the coming days.”The BCB is an elected body but if there’s any directive from the government about a change in the BCB, we have to accept it,” he said. “I don’t think many directors will appear in the BCB. If a meeting is called, the number could be five or eight [out of 24].”Related

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Another board director, also requesting anonymity, said the main concern was the women’s T20 World Cup. “The BCB board is still there. We will hopefully get a guideline from the government, possibly tomorrow, when the board is supposed to meet the new sports adviser. We are not worried about ourselves but we have a few events coming up, like the World Cup.”Hosting the tournament could be problematic if the ICC wants a security guarantee from Bangladesh right away. The interim government took oath on August 8, and while the police force is not fully functional, many are hoping it will be up and running soon.BCB directors ‘had their own agendas’While the World Cup is a short-term issue, there are bigger problems in Bangladesh cricket that have remained unanswered for a decade and a half. Bangladesh remain a low-to-mid-table team in men’s cricket and have enjoyed very little success at major ICC events. Their only major success was the Under-19 World Cup win in 2020. The men’s team failed to win any of its Super Eight matches at the recent T20 World Cup, and won just two of its nine matches at last year’s ODI World Cup.Anti-government protestors display Bangladesh’s national flag after storming prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s residence•AFP/Getty ImagesSenior coach Nazmul Abedeen Fahim, who is known as the guru of Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal and several other leading Bangladesh cricketers, feels the BCB directors have deserted the country’s cricket at a critical time.”If they were true servants of cricket, they would be here. I don’t think they were serving cricket,” he said. “They had their own agendas, which they tried to implement. We have seen what they did to cricket, whether it is club cricket or BPL. They have spoiled the whole thing.”BCB is not a disciplined organisation. I have seen it from up close. BCB never made the best use of its opportunities. Some made intentional mistakes. We have to reduce the indiscipline within the BCB. Only then we can tackle every crisis.”The buck stops with the leadership. If that was fine, the rest sits in place. If we are going to talk about reform, we have to think about ICC’s governance policy. We want a BCB whose vision will allow us to dream big. There has to be transparency and accountability. We have a lot of people who can do this.”Fahim is one of several high-profile voices, including former national players Mohammad Ashraful and Imrul Kayes, who want change in the BCB. There is growing consensus among fans, too, that the BCB must fall in line with the new government’s mandate for reform.

Heung-min Son will go down as a modern-day legend at Tottenham Hotspur, spending the last decade at the club and producing countless moments of magic.

The 32-year-old has registered over 450 appearances for the Lilywhites, reaching double figures in all but one of the ten seasons he’s spent in North London.

However, despite signing a new deal at the club a couple of months ago, he could be set to leave during the off-season, with numerous Saudi Arabian sides circling for his signature this window.

It’s been reported that Thomas Frank isn’t going to force him out the door, but would allow him to leave should he wish to – with multiple sides in the Middle East willing to pay £34m for his services.

It would be a shame to see a fan favourite depart, but he’s ultimately a shadow of his former self, opening the door to potential reinforcements arriving before the end of the summer.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for a new winger this summer

Antoine Semenyo is a player who has firmly been on their radar over the last few months, with the Bournemouth star impressing massively in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 season.

The Ghanaian international registered 13 goals and six assists across all competitions, with the Cherries open to selling the attacker if they receive an acceptable offer for the 25-year-old.

However, he’s not the only Premier League winger on their radar this summer, with West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus emerging as a key option, according to The Guardian.

The report claims that Spurs are preparing a £50m bid for the 24-year-old attacker, who currently has an £85m release clause with his contract at the London Stadium.

It also states that the offer is seen as a low ball, but one that could unsettle the forward, who’s registered 19 goals for the Hammers after joining them from Ajax back in the summer of 2023.

Why Kudus would be as an exciting addition as Mbeumo this summer

Since Frank’s appointment, Spurs have appeared to step up their interest in Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, potentially securing a reunion between him and his former boss.

The Cameroonian international has enjoyed his best-ever top-flight campaign in 2024/25, registering 20 goals for the Bees, which has seen his stock rise as a result.

His current employers are demanding a fee in the region of £70m to part ways with him this summer, a fee that may be slightly out of the Lilywhites’ budget this window.

He’s also expressed his desire to move to Manchester United during the off-season, which has resulted in Frank’s men cooling their interest and targeting other options.

One of which appears to be Kudus, with the Hammers star a more than capable alternative, with the youngster impressing during his short spell in England’s top flight.

He’s proven that he’s capable of filling the void should Son depart in the near future, whilst his potential addition could see the club forget about a deal for Mbeumo.

The 24-year-old, who’s been labelled “generational” by journalist Gary Al-Smith, has registered more shots and a higher goal per shot on target rate, demonstrating his quality within attacking areas.

Games played

32

38

30

Goals & assists

8

27

16

Shots taken

2.6

2.1

2.3

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.4

0.2

Pass accuracy

84%

66%

78%

Passes into final third

1.8

1.6

1.7

Take-ons completed

3.2

1.3

1.2

Take-on success

48%

46%

34%

Kudus has also completed more passes and registered a higher tally of passes into the final third per 90, handing other players in and around the attacking areas to improve their own tallies.

His dominance is further reflected in his take-ons and higher success rate, always liking to drive the ball into forward areas, which hands Frank another superb option at his disposal.

If he is to move across London this summer, it would be a sensational signing and one that would help the club in their attempts to rise up the Premier League table.

Whilst Mbeumo may remain their main target, they should look past a move for the Bees star and prioritise a move for Kudus, with the Ghanian offering a replacement for Son should he leave this summer.

Frank's new Wissa: Spurs make approach for "one of the most prolific" CFs

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Usman Khawaja will open the batting for Queensland in the opening three Sheffield Shield rounds, having previously batted at No. 4 while being the Test opener, as new coach Johan Botha looks to create more stability in the Bulls’ middle-order following a disappointing season last summer.Despite being the Test opener, Khawaja had batted at No.4 in his last eight Shield games since last opening in February 2022 just after he had been elevated to open in the final Test of the 2021-22 Ashes series. Australia’s selectors have not been prescriptive in directing state teams to bat players in their Test positions in Shield cricket and have been happy to let Khawaja and others bat wherever they were needed at domestic level.Related

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However, New South Wales coach Greg Shipperd has asked for guidance from the national selectors regarding where to bat incumbent Test opener Steven Smith when he returns to play Shield cricket at the start of the summer, with conjecture continuing to swirl around his batting position in the Test team for the India series.Meanwhile, Michael Neser is set to be available for the start of the domestic season after overcoming a calf issue but Xavier Bartlett is expected to miss at least the first month after the side strain he picked up in the first T20I in Southampton. It’s understood there is hope he could be fit for the Pakistan limited-overs series in early November.Khawaja, who was Queensland captain last season, opted to bat at No. 4 in his four Shield games last summer and scored two centuries. But he and new Queensland skipper Marnus Labuschagne are only set to be available for the first three Shield games this summer before leaving to play in the five-Test series against India. Khawaja is unlikely to be available to play Shield cricket again until the end of the Sri Lanka Test tour in February while Labuschagne may not return to Queensland until the end of the Champions Trophy in March.Jack Clayton was Queensland’s leading Shield run-scorer last season and made two centuries at No. 4 when Khawaja was absent but had to bat at No. 5 when the Australian opener returned and finished the season at No. 3. The promising 25-year-old left-hander looks set to settle at No. 4 this season and Botha praised Khawaja for helping create some stability in the Bulls’ middle order.”I know Uzzie has a good record for Queensland at No. 4, but I had a chat to him and he understood what we’re trying to do with giving the younger guys a bit of stability through Nos. 4, 5, 6,” Botha told ESPNcricinfo.Michael Neser is currently on track to start the Shield season•Getty Images

“I think he realized that if he went in at No. 4 then we’ll have to change our line-up around. And he’s been great with that. He said, ‘I’ll do whatever the team needs,’ and we want him to open so he’s going to do that for us to start with. So that’s a nice result for us. We can have a bit of stability through our Nos. 4, 5, 6 when the [Test players] leave after the third game.”Khawaja is already in some fine touch having helped his Queensland premier cricket club Valley claim the T20 Max title last week before smashing 114 off 119 balls in Valley’s first 50-over match of the season against a South Brisbane attack featuring Bulls seamer Gurinder Sandhu.On the bowling front, Neser looks set to be available for the start of the season after recovering from a calf problem. He got through six overs in a practice game for Queensland against South Australia last week and bowled 10 overs for his club side Gold Coast on Saturday.”He’s in a good spot,” Botha said. “You never want to be injured. But I think it came at a good time where he could freshen up a bit. He was over at Hampshire. So in a way, it probably worked out well. If he starts the season and he goes well, then it’s obviously worked perfectly, but we’ll have to see how that start goes and manage that maybe a little bit. But at the moment, he’s in a good space. He’s fresh. He’s good to go and he’ll be a big player for us this summer.”There have been concerns building over Australia’s fast bowling depth ahead of the series against India with Neser’s calf issue among a host of injury worries. Scott Boland is managing a long-term knee complaint while Lance Morris is set for a slow return following a stress fracture in his back.Bartlett’s significant side strain along with injuries to other white-ball quicks Nathan Ellis (hamstring) and Riley Meredith (side) has stretched Australia on the tour of the UK while they try to carefully manage Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc ahead of a huge workload against India.

After the hype and anxiety, the Oval’s curtain-raiser lives up to its billing

Valkerie Baynes21-Jul-2021Waiting at the station in deepest, greenest Surrey for a train to The Kia Oval, a young woman walked onto the platform in a vibrant royal blue shirt, clearly the kit of some sports team. Could she be a London Spirit fan, off to heckle their crosstown rivals or simply see what this Hundred thing was all about?As she came properly into view, so too did the unmistakable sponsor’s logo followed by the mental connection which features prominently on page one of Marketing For Dummies. Within a split second, a young boy, aged no more than four, gleefully exclaimed: “Chelsea! A Chelsea top!”It was difficult to imagine any of the eight Hundred teams receiving such recognition. Yet, that is the organisers’ dream and, presumably the point of the tournament, and I was not yet at the ground.Disembarking at Vauxhall a young man and woman could be overheard. Him: “Instead of 120 balls, it’s 100.” Her: “Oh, cool.” Encouraging, although they were travelling in the opposite direction.Upon arrival, there was the familiar buzz of any well-attended cricket match, slightly surprising given the hype surrounding the first-ever match of the Hundred, between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals. The demographic filing in early were also the same as you’d see at any other fixture.Becky Hill plays through the pyrotechnics at the Kia Oval•AFP/Getty ImagesOnce inside, apart from the fluorescent pink-and-green branding we’d become so familiar with, splattered across the advertising hoardings, commentary pod and players’ entrance/exit and a funky looking stage with DJ Abbie McCarthy doing her thing, this was cricket at The Oval.The crowd – far from the 28,000 capacity but healthy all the same at 7,395 – appeared largely made up of families enjoying a balmy summer evening together. And then there they were, a smattering of Oval Invincibles shirts on spectators of various ages, a couple of Southern Vipers – really? Yes, it wasn’t the stewards, even though they looked the same. And a lone London Spirit shirt on a bloke in his 20s.The hum of conversation turned to cheers when the fireworks started to signal that the match was imminent. And so to the cricket.As a matter of historical note, the first ball was an all-South African affair, Marizanne Kapp bowling to Lizelle Lee after Manchester Originals won the toss and chose to bat. Again for the record, it was a leg-side wide which Lee failed to pull away and Sarah Bryce fumbled behind the stumps. But hey, this tournament had a false start when it had to be postponed last year so what’s another on a minor scale? Kapp’s second attempt was a full ball, swinging away, which Lee left.Lee provided some fireworks of her own, well, flame-throwers which greeted her six fours in a knock of 42 off 39 balls, the first cracked through midwicket and the second threaded through mid-off and celebrated with a blast of by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth to warm applause from the crowd and players alike. But it was the players who enjoyed a stellar evening.As a showcase for their sport, this contest, which Invincibles won by five wickets with two balls to spare, was perfect. It was close, the international players were at the forefront and the action was easy to follow live. The only thing that seemed remotely tricky to navigate as an observer was the presentation of the scores, a matter of graphics rather than format.Related

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The use of bowlers was fascinating and full of potential from a tactical perspective. Kapp bowled 10 balls straight, claiming the wicket of Emma Lamb with her seventh, Invincibles needing to call upon the DRS – a new feature for domestic cricket in England – to have her caught-behind dismissal confirmed.Tash Farrant, who conceded nine off her first set of five – including those first two fours by Lee, didn’t reappear until ball 71 when she had Lee holing out to Grace Gibbs at cover for the first of her three wickets.Just when it felt like the one thing lacking was a shot to clear the rope, Cross advanced down the pitch to Danielle Gregory and thumped a six over long-on. Sophie Ecclestone obliged in similar style off Farrant a short time later before she was stumped on the next ball, the 99th of the innings.Cross finished not out 12 from four balls. Then, with her side defending 135, Cross, who took an ODI five-for against India last month, claimed three wickets in seven deliveries and the hosts looked in trouble.It was a 75-run partnership between Kapp and van Niekerk that kept Invincibles in the hunt. Then van Niekerk was ably supported by Villiers, who struck a six off fellow England spinner Ecclestone to reduce the hosts’ requirement to eight runs from eight balls. Villiers drew the scores level with a four and a single, leaving the rest to her captain, for whom the win clearly meant a lot.Whether the eight teams become household names remains to be seen, but organisers couldn’t have hoped for too much more as a starting point.

da 888casino： Arsenal have attacking reinforcements in their sights and are willing to put one of their key targets in the top bracket of earners at the Emirates Stadium, per a report.

Arsenal's search for attacking reinforcements rumbles on

da blaze casino： Truthfully, it is impossible to avoid the discussion of Arsenal adding attacking reinforcements this summer when it comes to assessing their scope to do transfer business.

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres are the Gunners’ two main targets through the middle. However, with neither prospective deal near completion, other names will begin to be thrown into the hat as a consequence.

Speaking about what he would do in his old side’s situation, William Gallas has backed Arsenal to enter the race for Alexander Isak despite the Sweden international being a difficult star to sign this summer.

He stated: “Isak is perfect for Arsenal and they should be going all out to sign him. He would adapt instantly and give them the best chance of winning the title out of any player in the world, they don’t have time to let a striker adapt.

“Arsenal should go and break the bank for Isak. He is a 20-goal-a-season striker, and he would be surrounding himself with quality players.”

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Boyhood Arsenal fan Ollie Watkins is wanted at the Emirates and would offer proven top-flight pedigree, even if he is firmly in the prime of his career. The race remains open to find out who will be Mikel Arteta’s new centre-forward come the end of the window.

Supporters will already be buckled up and ready to experience a chaotic few months in the market, though they could be in for a treat if recent reports are to be believed.

Arsenal willing to make Rodrygo one of their highest earners

According to TBR in conversation with Graeme Bailey, Andrea Berta is willing to make Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo one of their highest earners should he pitch up at the Emirates this summer.

Berta has engaged in ‘preliminary talks’ with his camp over recent weeks, and it is said that the La Liga giants could be open to offloading him for £70 million despite believing he is someone worth around the £100 million mark.

Rodrygo in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

52

Goals

14

Assists

11

Dubbed “top drawer” by former Chelsea star Joe Cole, there is a realisation among his entourage that he won’t be guaranteed a starting spot this campaign due to competition within the forward areas, which could lead to a departure as he would be allowed to operate in his favoured left wing berth.

Arsenal are looking to tie Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new deals, though Rodrygo would be expected to hold parity with most of their top bracket, with a suggestion that he could even become the Gunners’ top earner.

Of course, that is all theoretical at this point, but it does show how serious Berta and company are about trying to pull of what would be one of the deals of the summer.

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No Timão desde os 11 anos, ele nasceu em Vitória da Conquista (BA) e é o capitão da equipe Sub-17. Com o Brasil, Bahia foi campeão do Sul-Americano de sua categoria e tem vínculo com o Corinthians até 30 de junho de 2025. Além dele, o técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo chamou os zagueiros Fernando Vera e Thierry para as atividades desta sexta-feira.

Após ativação na academia, o elenco corintiano foi dividido em quatro times pela comissão técnica, que organizou um treino tático em campo reduzido, alternando em minijogos. Antes de finalizar o treinamento do dia, os atletas realizaram um trabalho de força na caixa de areia sob o comando da equipe de preparação física.

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O Corinthians fecha a semana de treinos na manhã de sábado (9). O elenco receberá folga no domingo e retorna ao CT Joaquim Grava na segunda-feira (11), de olho no confronto contra o Fortaleza, pela 23ª rodada do Brasileirão. Para o confronto contra o Leão do Pici, Luxemburgo terá os retornos de Fagner e Renato Augusto. O lateral está recuperado da lesão na panturrilha e participa normalmente das atividades, enquanto o meia foi preservado no Dérbi diante do Palmeiras, última partida da equipe antes da Data Fifa.

أثار فريق ليفربول استياء رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم بسبب تصرفه في مباراة يوم الأحد الماضي ضد نظيره فريق مانشستر يونايتد، في إطار منافسات البطولة المحلية.

واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد في قمة منافسات الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي، 2025/26، حيث خسر الريدز بهدفين لهدف.

وذكرت صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية أن ليفربول يواجه نقاشًا حادًا من رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي بشأن مزاعم انتهاكه بروتوكول الكرات المتعددة عدة مرات خلال هزيمة الأحد أمام مانشستر يونايتد.

وأوضحت أنه من المرجح أن تتخذ رابطة الدوري الإنجليزي إجراءً فوريًا للتذكير بالقواعد التي طُبقت لأول مرة في موسم 2022/23.

اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد صلاح يتلقى رسائل قاسية من جماهير ليفربول

وقام حاملو الكرة بإلقاء الكرة في أرض الملعب، بعدما سجل هاري ماجواير هدف الفوز في الدقيقة 84، في حين من المفترض أن تكون الكرات البديلة على أقماع حول الملعب، ولا يتعين على حامل الكرة إعادتها من جديد إلى الملعب بعد خروجها، وهو ما لم يحدث.

ودخل تغيير القاعدة حيز التنفيذ العام الماضي، حيث يُلزم اللاعبون إما باستلام الكرة بأنفسهم أو التوجه إلى أقرب مخروط، في حين أن حراس المرمى هم الاستثناء الوحيد عند استئناف اللعب بركلة مرمى.

وتنص إرشادات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز أن أي إخفاق في اتباع بروتوكول الكرات المتعددة سيُحال إلى الرابطة لمزيد من التحقيق واتخاذ إجراءات تنظيمية محتملة بموجب قواعد البطولة.

وسبق أن حصل أستون فيلا على غرامة مالية قدرها 125 ألف جنيه إسترليني، في منتصف أغسطس، بعد إقراره بعدم اتباع البروتوكول في خمس مباريات الموسم الماضي.

The Cristiano Ronaldo devotee with a massive global fanbase of his own took over the league's All-Star Skills Challenge

AUSTIN, TX — In a room of cameras that weren’t his own, iShowSpeed was skittish. Perhaps he was even nervous. It was a last second media opportunity, arranged shortly before the MLS All Star Game Skills Challenge.

There were whispers for 24 hours that Speed, by some distance the biggest streamer – and in some eyes the most prominent voice – in American soccer, would be willing to step outside of his usual socially curated bubble. And there he was, swaggering into the room with a “What’s up everybody?”

But once the lights were on, he shuffled his feet slightly, looked unsteady. That curated bit, the guy who loves Cristiano Ronaldo and barks a lot, briefly cracked. Then, the questions came.

Content creator: “Would you give up streaming forever if Ronaldo would be your best friend?”

Speed: “No, because I have the ability to make Ronaldo my best friend.”

Content creator: “Call out somebody you want to race right now.”

Speed (with a frustrated groan): “Tyreek Hill it’s happening, it’s happening this year, EVERYBODY want it. So let’s go.”

Some five minutes and two other made-for-TikTok interviews later, he was escorted away. And there he was, standing next to the pitch, clad in MLS All Star gear. Children gathered round, phones out, clamoring for attention. Speed stood, stoic, awaiting his cue.

And then he took over the Skills Challenge. He leapt, bounded and pirouetted onto the field, a string of noises, shouts and gestures. Every camera was on him. Every kid wanted a high five. It was, admittedly, immensely captivating. Here was a 20-year-old from Cincinnati, who two years ago was barking on the Internet and shouting about Ronaldo, taking over an event that wasn’t his.

“He actually tries a lot. He’s a fun guy. We really enjoyed having him here,” FC Cincinnati All-Star Evander said.

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  An awkward run up

  This, of course, is the Speed thing. He is probably the most strangely compelling act in football at this point. Darren Jason Watkins Jr., as he is pretty much never known, started streaming video games in 2021. By the end of the next year, he had broken into the soccer space, marketing himself as a Cristiano Ronaldo fanboy who hates Lionel Messi.

  He has more than 47 million subscribers on YouTube, is friends with pretty much every footballer you can mention, and has a record deal. He was the only person to get a sit-down interview with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before the Club World Cup. To many in United States, Speed is soccer.

  A few hours before, though, things were far calmer. As fans filtered into the Q2 arena in Austin, Texas, Speed was put on the pitch, with only his bodyguard for company. He stood near the center circle, juggling and shooting. Ball after ball sailed over the crossbar. First, he leaned back too much. Then he couldn’t quite get enough bend to put one into the top corner. Then it was just frustration, with Speed rolling the ball into an empty net.

  This was the warmup, vaguely acquainting himself with a football, but mostly preparing for the show itself.

  And therein lies the point. Speed is not a footballer. He learned how to play this sport less than two years ago. In that light, he really isn't that bad. He is not a natural, but he has a decent touch about him.

  "He impressed me, especially for somebody for someone who has never played soccer that much," Real Salt Lake All-Star Diego Luna said.

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  'Maybe with a little more practice'

  For this, Speed was pushed into the spotlight by MLS’s social media team, and they made good use of every second. Here he was, demoing, admittedly well, in the shooting challenge. There he was, being thrashed by Orlando City All-Star Alex Freeman in the passing drills. Some of the younger players loved it. Luna is 21. He is among the millions that stream Speed’s content, or follow him on Instagram.

  He wasn’t star-struck, but there was a certain novelty to things.

  “It was cool, somebody you watch in your free time and stuff like that, to be in person and talk to him and get to know him a bit was cool," Luna said. "This is a cool little moment for him."

  Others were a bit more skeptical. A minute into the passing challenge, Freeman was ahead so convincingly that he decided to have some fun. He passed with his weaker foot, broke out a few rabonas. Despite that, Speed didn’t come close. Still, Freeman enjoyed the moment.

  “It’s amazing. I grew up. I watched him, and to see him in real life, he’s the same guy I see on my phone,” Freeman said. “He’s really improved.”

  Others seemed less impressed. It was put to Evander that Speed showed enough on the shooting challenge to suggest that he might be able to perform in MLS.

  “No,” the Cincinnati midfielder said.

  Nashville’s Sam Surridge, too, was a little uneasy at that suggestion.

  “Maybe with a little more practice,” he suggested.

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  'My son watches him'

  And even when he wasn’t kicking the ball, there was still plenty of time for the Speed show. He bounded onto the pitch to present Houston Dynamo 2’s Pedro Cruz, a young Brazilian, with the championship belt for winning goalie wars. In a quick interview after, Cruz thanked God, his family, and his club through a translator.

  Speed tried to wish him the best in broken Portuguese. A few minutes later, Cruz strolled off, belt on his shoulder, club photographers either side. Speed stood in the middle of the pitch, signing autographs, posing for pictures, the whole thing being played out on the stadiums giant video screen. Cruz had won a fairly significant competition, and the moment had been snatched away.

  Denis Bouanga, who stood baffled while he prepared for an event, wasn't surprised to see Speed as the star of the show.

  "It's fun for the player and the fans, too, who come to the stadium to see iShowSpeed, too. My son watches him," the LAFC forward said.

  That was, in fact, one of the more interesting divides. A good portion of the crowd was clearly in attedance to see Speed. Kids and influencers asked for signatures and selfies while their parents and friends looked baffled. The Speed act was central, everything else seemed to revolve around it. This was a Speed stream that happened to have an All-Star event next to it.

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  'Who has a strong left foot… besides Messi?'

  Back in the room before the challenge, the facade broke again.

  Speed was asked to name the player with the best left foot in the world. “Let me think. Who has a strong left foot… besides Messi?”

  He peered over at his bodyguard for help, and received a blank stare in return, and 20 seconds of silences followed.

  Then, a revelation: “Oh, Lamine Yamal!”

  And then he was back into rhythm again, striding through each question with a smile and a chuckle. He signed a shirt for an interviewer, posed for a couple more pictures. He was cut off early, leaving a few reporters miffed. He chugged a bottle of water, and walked away from the cameras.

  And with one quick “Suiii” he threw the door open, and left.