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Declan Rice reveals the single biggest reason that he opted to join Arsenal instead of Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

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Rice gives reason for joining ArsenalMan City were trying to buy himWhy he now enjoys Rodri rivalryWHAT HAPPENED?

In a lengthy sitdown with , Rice explained exactly why he wanted to join Arsenal when they came calling last summer, even though reigning European champions Manchester City were vying for his signature at the same time and he could have ended up in the same midfield as Rodri instead.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Manchester City were willing to pay £90 million ($112.8m) for Rice, with both them and Arsenal seeing such offers rejected by West Ham. But once the Gunners took the bidding to £105m ($131.6m), a figure that would make Rice the most expensive British footballer in history, City chose to withdraw their interest. Even they had stayed in the race beyond that, the England midfielder may still have chosen Arsenal.

WHAT RICE SAID

"This project seemed more exciting and that’s why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we’re on to big things here," Rice explained.

On the rivalry that developed with Rodri now that they have remained opponents instead of team-mates, he added: "I enjoy it. We're different players, I feel. With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he's worked under Pep [Guardiola] for so long. He's a lot more structured than I am. I'd say I'm a lot more off-the-cuff. Obviously, this season I've been more structured. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like…being free a little bit more. There are different things that we complement each other on – but no doubt, he's the best in the world."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RICE & ARSENAL?

Arsenal have their eyes set on a first Premier League title in 20 years, but City stand in the way. The Gunners lead the way by a point, but their rivals have a game in hand that would be enough to get them ahead. As well as facing Bournemouth and Everton, Arsenal's biggest test appears to be a trip to Manchester United in their penultimate game on May 12. Losing that contest could all but hand the title to City.

Fast bowler gets second demerit points in as many Tests for throwing ball into the ground in disagreement

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2018James Anderson has been given a second demerit point in as many Tests after being found to have shown dissent in Galle. Anderson was seen to throw the ball into the ground after a disagreement with umpire Chris Gaffaney following a warning for running on the pitch. He was subsequently found to have violated Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.”Anderson admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction, which also included an official reprimand proposed by match referee Andy
Pycroft. There was no formal hearing.Anderson had also received a demerit point – and a fine of 15 percent of his match fee – during the second day of the Oval Test against India in September this year. On that occasion he was adjudged to have spoken to umpire Kumar Dharmasena in “an aggressive manner” and snatched his cap from the him following an unsuccessful appeal for lbw against Virat Kohli. Andy Pycroft was the match referee on that occasion as well.That was Anderson’s first offence since the introduction of the ICC’s revised Code of Conduct in September 2016. Demerit points stay on a player’s record for two years. The accumulation of four demerit points results in an automatic suspension.

There are two playoff spots and several seeds still to be claimed in the National League as the final weekend of the 2024 MLB season approaches.

While we don't know the playoff matchups yet, we do know there is no lack of story lines among the NL contenders. Can Shohei Ohtani do enough to push the Los Angeles Dodgers to the promised land and erase their recent October failures? Will the surprising, youthful Milwaukee Brewers be able to bring their regular-season magic into the playoffs? Is this the year that Manny Machado will have his signature moment in a San Diego Padres uniform?

Those questions, and more, will be answered soon enough.

Last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks cruised through the first two rounds and defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in an exciting NLCS to represent the NL in the 2023 World Series. The 2024 Diamondbacks, who shook off a World Series hangover to start the year, are far from a perfect team, but they're not alone. Every MLB team has a vulnerability somewhere on its roster that could cost it this fall.

After we covered the American League last week, let's dive into each NL contender's biggest weakness.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Current playoff spot: NL West leader
Biggest weakness: Starting pitching

There are absolutely no questions about the Dodgers' explosive lineup, which could make up about half of the NL All-Star roster. The bullpen is in good shape, too. But thanks to a flurry of injuries, the Dodgers still have plenty of questions about who is taking the ball in the playoffs.

Two of the Dodgers' starters entering the year—Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone—are out for the season. James Paxton now resides in Boston. Clayton Kershaw remains on the injured list with a toe injury and only has seven starts this season. Bobby Miller has been dreadful this year, allowing 36 runs in his last 31 innings pitched.

That leaves Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and Landon Knack to duke it out for postseason starts. It's not a bad group, it's just not as big of a strength in October as the Dodgers imagined back in spring training, especially with Buehler often looking like a shell of his former himself after returning from Tommy John surgery.

Philadelphia Phillies

Current playoff spot: NL East champion
Biggest weakness: Offensive slumps

There's not much to nitpick with the Phillies, who own the most wins (94) in all of baseball.

Philadelphia boasts arguably the best starting rotation of any playoff contender, as Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Christopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez all have taken care of business this season. The bullpen is nice, too, and the lineup features a couple of the league's biggest sluggers in Bryce Harper (.902 OPS) and Kyle Schwarber (.859).

Can the Phillies sustain this level of play, though? Philadelphia was on pace for a 114-win season back in May before playing sub-.500 ball in July and August. The team has figured it out since then, but offensive slumps have cost them in October the past two years, scoring just three combined runs in Games 6 and 7 of the NLCS last year and three total runs in the final three games of the 2022 World Series.

Milwaukee Brewers

Current playoff spot: NL Central champion
Biggest weakness: Starting pitching

The underdog Brewers defied all odds during the regular season, making manager Craig Counsell look foolish for joining the rival Chicago Cubs by winning the NL Central by double-digit games. They'll be underdogs again in the playoffs. But who says this team can't make a memorable run?

The biggest problem with Milwaukee—which was rarely an issue during the Counsell era—is the starting pitching. Freddy Peralta (3.69 ERA in 31 starts) assuredly will get the ball in Game 1. But who starts Game 2? Or Game 3?

Tobias Myers has been a pleasant surprise this season, but he only has 25 career starts under his belt. Colin Rea hasn't logged a quality start in over a month and owns a 4.89 ERA since the All-Star break. Frankie Montas, who arrived from Cincinnati at the trade deadline, is putting up big strikeout numbers but also just surrendered seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings to Arizona.

Celtic are well on course for another successful season, but Brendan Rodgers may have food for thought following latest developments on one of his key men.

Celtic move on after mixed January transfer window

During the January transfer window, Celtic managed to bring in club hero Jota alongside Jeffrey Schlupp to bolster their left-hand side heading into the second half of the campaign.

However, the main frustration for the Bhoys in the mid-season window became their inability to replace Kyogo Furuhashi following an extensive search for a new striker. Notably, fans have been left feeling ire at the board for failing to replace an iconic club figure, even if the review process led to faith in the talent from within as opposed to panicking in the final hours of market activity.

Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny remain in attack for the Hoops, while Daizen Maeda is more than capable of plugging the gaps centrally when needed at Parkhead. Nevertheless, the position appears light on first glance after failed Celtic attempts to land Kelechi Iheanacho and Mathias Kvistgaarden.

Despite their failure to boost options across the final third, the reigning champions turned in a convincing 6-0 victory over Dundee in midweek and appear odds-on to record a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title. The lure of Champions League football is also on the table, with a mouthwatering two-legged playoff tie against Bayern Munich to come on Europe’s biggest stage.

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Nevertheless, Rodgers may have a problem on his hands long-term in another area of the field following recent reports that have put the future of one star in jeapordy.

Greg Taylor reportedly agrees Celtic exit

According to Sportnet, Greg Taylor has agreed terms to leave Celtic for Dinamo Zagreb on a pre-contract that will kick in this summer after his contract at Parkhead expires.

Creating intrigue, the Croatian champions did have the option to trigger a release clause to make his move happen now, but have opted not to and his exit after six years at the club is now scheduled to take place later on this year.

Greg Taylor’s statistics at Celtic

Appearances

205

Goals

9

Assists

32

The £15k p/w ace has long been a talking point among supporters amid uncertainty over his future that has kicked up a notch since the beginning of the season. Alex Valle came in during that period and made a notable impression before departing for Como, but there has been little clarity surrounding Celtic’s left-back situation other than the impending arrival of Kieran Tierney.

Previously labelled ‘a joy’ by Rodgers, who has implored the full-back to stay on several occasions, it may now be the case that he brings the curtain down on an illustrious time in Glasgow’s east end that has yielded ten trophies.

Over the next few months, his and Celtic’s mission will be to finish the campaign with a bang as they eye another domestic treble coupled with giving themselves a fighting chance against Bayern Munich over the next couple of weeks.

With the transfer window now over, Crystal Palace will reportedly turn their attention towards one particular deal that Steve Parish will move “heaven and earth” to complete.

Crystal Palace transfer news

Having opened the January transfer window by signing Romain Esse from Millwall, Crystal Palace ended it by welcoming the more experienced Ben Chilwell from London rivals Chelsea. Putting an end to the left-back’s Stamford Bridge misery, the Eagles will be hoping to benefit once again from the Blues’ discards just as they had begun to do so in the case of Trevoh Chalobah before he was recalled.

There will also be some relief around Selhurst Park that the transfer window has slammed shut after Tottenham Hotspur reportedly saw a late £70m bid to sign Marc Guehi turned down.

Out of time to sign a replacement, Palace managed to keep hold of Guehi but will be well aware that this saga is unlikely to be over ahead of the summer transfer window. Before that arrives, the Eagles will hope to ensure that both Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta stay put.

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The forward is currently on course to leave the South London club in the summer of 2026 and is yet to put pen to paper in renewal talks. That could yet change, however.

According to former Premier League scout Mick Brown, Steve Parish will now move “heaven and earth” to renew Mateta’s contract at Crystal Palace. Brown told Football Insider: Based on the way he’s played and the goals he’s scored, I think they’ll be prepared to shift heaven and earth to secure his services.

“So that’s something they’re going to have to sit down and talk about with him in the near future. Even if it takes a big pay-rise, I think he’s earned that with the way he’s played.

“Now that the transfer window has closed, it gives them a chance to focus their efforts on getting key players tied down to new contracts. And from what I hear and what I’ve seen, he’s happy at Palace, so I don’t think there will be any issues on that front.”

Mateta has become crucial at Crystal Palace

There was once a time when Mateta looked destined to bow out with a whimper at Crystal Palace, but then everything seemed to click for the Frenchman. Those struggles are now, of course, long behind him and almost absurd to consider a possibility, such is his importance to Oliver Glasner’s side.

From Selhurst Park struggles, Crystal Palace could now become the victim of Mateta’s success as interest in his signature grows and his current contract continues to tick down.

The likes of Nottingham Forest have already been tipped for a summer move, but Palace must simply keep hold of their star man. With 10 goals to his name and counting this season, Mateta has picked up where he left off in the previous campaign to cement his place as the man in the spotlight in South London.

Still looking to commence their January business, Liverpool are now reportedly battling against former manager Jurgen Klopp to sign a future star who is attracting plenty of interest.

Liverpool transfer news

Having opted not to splash the cash in the summer transfer window upon Arne Slot’s arrival, some may have expected the Reds to hand the Dutchman one or two reinforcements this month, but so far that has not been the case. Top of the Premier League and top of the Champions League – and both very convincingly so – those at Anfield have so far decided that Slot’s squad good enough as it is.

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Instead, Liverpool have been forced to think about potential departures this month. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are still yet to put pen to paper on new deals and that has only sparked exit rumours, particularly in the case of Alexander-Arnold. With Real Madrid’s interest no secret these days, the right-back has seen his name linked to the Bernabeu since the beginning of the month.

That’s not to say no rumours over potential incomings have arrived, however. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Liverpool are now battling Klopp to sign Ryan One from Sheffield United. The 18-year-old has impressed for the Blades and earned interest from Anfield, Brighton & Hove Albion and Red Bull clubs RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg as a result.

Whether the Reds make their move as early as this month remains to be seen, but seeing Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes square off against Klopp in the transfer market would certainly be an interesting scenario a year on from when the German announced he would leave at the end of the last campaign. That said, One could be a player to watch in the final days of the winter window.

"Powerful" One is a rising star

At just 18 years old, One is already making an impact for Sheffield United’s senior side under Chris Wilder, scoring once in two starts and 10 appearances in the Championship. As things stand, the only way is up for the young forward who may yet have the biggest decision of his career so far to make in the coming weeks or months.

The striker role is certainly one that is up for grabs at Liverpool, even for a player as young as One. With Darwin Nunez yet to convince, Diogo Jota proving unreliable thanks to his injury record and Luis Diaz merely a square peg in a round hole, any forward who is good enough should be considered ready enough to lead the line at Anfield.

One has unsurprisingly found himself at the centre of praise in recent months, including from Scottish football experts Scotball, who described the young Scotland forward as “powerful” at the start of the month.

A player to watch, One could find himself playing Premier League football with or without Sheffield United by the time that next season arrives.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية أن أحد اللاعبين السابقين لفريق مانشستر يونايتد قرر مقاضاة النادي، بتهمة الإهمال الطبي، فيما يخص المشورة الطيبة، على حد ما ذُكر.

وواجه مانشستر يونايتد موسمًا سيئًا، 2024/25، حيث اكتفى بتحقيق المركز الخامس عشر في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي.

وبدأ مانشستر يونايتد استعداداته للموسم الجديد المرتقب، مثل بقية الأندية، ولكن المشاكل لا تتوقف عن الارتباط بالنادي.

وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية، فإن اللاعب أكسل توانزيبي قرر مقاضاة نادي مانشستر يونايتد بتهمة الإهمال الطبي، المرتبط بالمشورة الطبية التي حصل عليها منهم.

كان توانزيبي قد انضم إلى أكاديمية مانشستر يونايتد في سن الثامنة، ولعب مع النادي في مختلف المستويات، ولكنه لم يشارك إلا في 37 مباراة فقط مع الفريق الأول منذ ظهوره الأول في يناير 2017.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة يترقب.. خطوة جديدة تحسم مصير ماركوس راشفورد مع مانشستر يونايتد

وقضى توانزيبي فترات إعارة مع كل من أستون فيلا، نابولي، ستوك سيتي، وتأثرت مسيرته في “الأولد ترافورد” بسبب الإصابة والتي كانت بدايتها في 2019 عندما تعرض لمشكلة في الورك في شهر أكتوبر، ثم غاب عن بقية الموسم المذكور بعدما عانى من إصابة جديدة في ديسمبر من العام نفسه.

ثم غاب توانزيبي عن بداية الموسم التالي بسبب إصابة في القدم، وغاب لفترة طويلة أخرى عن الملاعب في بداية موسم 2022/23، ولم يعد للتدريب إلا في يناير 2023، وبعد ذلك انضم إلى ستوك سيتي على سبيل الإعارة، قبل أن يرحل عن مانشستر يونايتد قبل نهاية عقده بعامين وينضم إلى إيبسويتش تاون في سبتمبر من العام المذكور.

ولعب توانزيبي دورًا في قيادة إيبسويتش تاون إلى الدوري الإنجليزي الموسم الماضي، قبل الهبوط من جديد، ليرحل وينضم إلى بيرنلي الذي صعد إلى البريميرليج الموسم المقبل.

وحسبما أفادت صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية، فإن اللاعب صاحب الـ27 عامًا رفع دعوى قضائية أمام المحكمة العليا، ورفض محاموه التعليق على الأمر.

كما تواصلت إدارة مانشستر يونايتد مع اللاعب الكاميروني للتعليق على الدعوى القضائية المذكورة، دون استجابة حتى الآن.

Manchester City have held back with their spending in the January transfer window. A terrible run of form between October and December meant the Citizens are only fourth in the Premier League, with 38 points to their name. The 12-point gap between them and Liverpool seems like it could be too big to close.

Yet, that has not stopped them from spending copious amounts of money to try and fix the issues. Two of those have been defensive signings, bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33.6m plus add-ons. Brazilian talent Vitor Reis also joined the club from Palmeiras for £29.6m.

Not only have they brought in some defensive reinforcements, but City have also added some attacking depth to the squad, notably signing Omar Marmoush.

Why Man City signed Omar Marmoush

The deal for City to sign Marmoush was confirmed on Thursday morning, just hours after their 4-2 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germian in the Champions League. The Egyptian forward cost an initial £59m, with City set to pay an extra £4.2m in add-ons.

It has been a really impressive season for the 25-year-old so far. The forward has 20 goals and 14 assists in just 26 games across all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, registering a goal involvement in all but seven matches.

Perhaps the best contribution from the Egyptian this term came against Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. He scored twice and assisted once in a 3-3 draw versus Vincent Kompany’s side, a hugely impressive performance against one of Europe’s heavyweights.

Although he can play out wide or as a second striker, Marmoush has mainly played as a centre-forward this term. That is exactly what the Citizens need, with Erling Haaland the only recognised number nine in the first-team squad.

However, if the 2022/23 treble winners had put their faith in the academy talents they produce, there is another player who could have seamlessly fitted into the City squad this season.

The academy star Man City let get away

The player in question here is Ipswich Town striker and former City academy star Liam Delap. It has been an extraordinary season so far for the 21-year-old, since making a £20m move to East Anglia over the summer.

Delap was part of a golden generation in the City academy, which included the likes of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers. There is certainly an argument to say that City should have kept all of those players, given what they have gone on to achieve. However, selling Delap should be right up there given they sold Julian Alvarez last summer.

So far this season, the England U21 international has eight goals and two assists in 21 games for the Tractor Boys. That is impressive in itself, but even more so when you consider how much Kieran McKenna’s side are struggling; they currently sit 18th in the Premier League.

The former City star has scored and assisted in the same game three times this season, including matchwinning contributions away to Tottenham Hotspur and at home against top-four contenders Chelsea.

He has proven why he is a “top striker in the making”, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig described him.

His underlying numbers via Sofascore this term are impressive. Like Marmoush, he is clearly a clinical striker, with a 22% conversion rate to go along with his eight goals. Delap also works hard off the ball, winning 4.5 duels per game.

Starts

20

Goals

8

Expected goals

6.36xG

Conversion rate

22%

Assists

2

Big chances created

2

Duels won per game

4.5

Valued at a reported £50m by Ipswich according to journalist Simon Phillips, the striker’s trajectory this season has been immense. Whilst his numbers are not on the same level as Marmoush, he is playing for a side threatened with Premier League relegation.

Perhaps Pep Guardiola’s side could have saved themselves the money and kept Delap rather than buying the Egyptian striker. Although the Frankfurt talent joins the club on the back of some good form, maybe the Citizens should have put trust in a key member of their 2020 FA Youth Cup-winning side.

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England smashed the highest ever women’s T20 World Cup total in a record 114-run thrashing of Pakistan in Newlands to complete an unbeaten group phase.Electing to bat in sunny conditions, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt hit blistering half-centuries to propel England to 213 for 5, an almost flawless performance ahead of the semi-finals.After Wyatt powered England to a fast start, Sciver-Brunt took over with an unbeaten 81 from 40 balls and she combined in a century stand with Amy Jones to destroy Pakistan’s short-handed attack.England were just as ruthless with the ball to secure top spot in Group 2 and they will face South Africa or New Zealand in the semi-finals.

England obliterate Pakistan attack

In what was essentially a dead rubber, England were determined not to ease up and they eyed a formidable total against a weakened Pakistan attack with just one seamer.England have batted fearlessly under coach Jon Lewis, but this belligerent effort took them to new heights with a sustained assault through the innings.Wyatt kicked it off by smashing left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal for six and a four in the first over. She unleashed a range of strokes, including several sweet blows over cover, to reach her half-century off just 29 balls.It was a return to form for Wyatt, who had only scored 27 runs in England’s three previous matches this tournament.Sciver-Brunt, however, entered with confidence and played aggressively from the get go even though England wobbled at 33 for 2. She used her feet with authority against Pakistan’s spinners and scored at will all around the wicket.Sciver-Brunt and Jones took advantage of an increasingly ragged Pakistan attack and smashed 88 runs off the last six overs as England became the first team to post 200 in a Women’s T20 World Cup match.Nida Dar finished with 1 for 47 from four overs•ICC via Getty Images

Dar becomes women’s T20I highest wicket-taker

With Pakistan captain Bismah Mahroof missing due to a groin injury, Nida Dar grabbed the reins for the first time as she eyed breaking the record for most wickets in women’s T20Is.She entered tied with West Indian Anisa Mohammed on 125 wickets and had been in good form with her accurate offspin snaring four wickets in her previous matches against West Indies and Ireland.But Dar struggled to find her length after coming into the attack in the sixth over and was immediately under fierce examination from Sciver-Brunt, who hit a boundary through cover first ball.A rattled Dar leaked 25 runs off her first two overs before returning in the 13th over to claim opposite number Heather Knight, who holed out. It was enough for her to re-write the record books but proved the only moment of joy. Dar finished with 1 for 47 from four overs.

England tear through Pakistan’s batting order

England had been searching for a complete performance and were keen to complement their earlier effort with the bat.They did exactly that with Katherine Sciver-Brunt dismissing recalled opener Sadaf Shamas on the second ball of the innings. She also claimed Omaima Sohail to leave Pakistan 15 for 3 with the result a foregone conclusion.The wickets kept tumbling with Pakistan spiralling to 54 for 7 before Tuba Hassan and Fatima Sana mustered some belated fight with a 37-run partnership. But the disastrous run-out of Tuba symbolised Pakistan’s abject performance as they suffered the biggest defeat in women’s T20 World Cup history.

نجح فريق الهلال السعودي، في التقدم على نظيره مانشستر سيتي الإنجليزي، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025، المُقامة حاليًا في أمريكا.

وأحرز البرازيلي مالكوم، الهدف الثاني لصالح الهلال، بعد انفراد بإيدرسون حارس مانشستر سيتي ليضع الكرة في المرمى.

وكان برناردو سيلفا قد سجل هدف مانشستر سيتي الأول في شباك الهلال، في الدقيقة 9 من عمر الشوط الأول، وسط احتجاجات كبرى من جانب الفريق السعودي لوجود لمسة يد على اللاعب ريان آيت نوري.

وتعادل ماركوس ليوناردو للهلال بعد عرضية من كانسيلو داخل منطقة الجزاء، تصدى لها إيدرسون، لتصل إلى مالكوم الذي سددها واصطدمت في الدفاع، لترتد ناحية ليوناردو الذي وضع الكرة برأسه في الشباك بالدقيقة 46. هدف الهلال الثاني أمام مانشستر سيتي في كأس العالم للأندية