Category Uncategorized

Arsenal’s summer transfer window appears set to undergo many twists and turns before Andrea Berta’s wishlist is fulfilled, with a surprise update now coming to light on one of the club’s top targets.

Arsenal laying groundwork for key summer transfer deals

Berta’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium back in March prompted much excitement, and he’s widely reported to have already laid serious groundwork on key summer deals for Arsenal.

BBC journalist shares "information" about Gyokeres or Sesko joining Arsenal

There’s been a significant update on the Gunners’ striker search.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2025

Arsenal are working on deals for both Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko, before deciding which striker to formally make a move for (Sami Mokbel), and they’re believed to be firm contenders for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The north Londoners were believed to have sealed a deal for the latter, with Fabrizio Romano giving his famous ‘here we go’ and the BBC claiming a medical had been scheduled, but Zubimendi himself has now come out to deny reports that he’s set to become Berta’s first signing of the summer.

“My future? It will be a long summer. I don’t know how it will end,” said Zubimendi to Radio Nacional, via Madrid Zone.

“If Xabi Alonso calls me to join Real Madrid? I’ve always said Xabi is my idol, and it was a privilege to have him as my coach at La Real B. If he called me now? I don’t want to talk about that hypothesis, I’d rather talk about the present. It would be disrespectful to talk about that while I’m on national team duty. I posted pics on a Spanish beach while rumors said I’m in London doing medical exams for Arsenal? Yes, I did that to make it clear those rumors were not true.”

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

According to reliable media sources, Berta has also met with the representatives of Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams, but his exit is far from certain as well.

The Spain international rejected a move last summer in favour of remaining in Bilbao (The Athletic), and despite many reports to the contrary, he could end up doing the same this year.

Nico Williams could reject Arsenal and sign new contract

According to GiveMeSport, Williams could now snub a move to Arsenal and sign a new contract instead, with Mikel Arteta dealt a significant blow in his pursuit of the winger, who’s privately refused to rule out remaining in La Liga.

Bilbao have apparently engaged in “fresh” talks with Williams over an extension, and Ernesto Valverde’s side are apparently aiming to keep him for a longer period whilst also raising the £50 million release clause in his contract.

Given Arsenal have long been tipped as serious suitors for the 22-year-old, with Berta personally holding talks, this comes as a real surprise considering Williams was thought to be closing in on an almost-certain exit from the Estadio de San Mames in 2025.

Chelsea held talks with Williams’ camp last week as well, according to journalist Simon Phillips, but the Gunners’ London rivals could also be facing a serious setback after this update.

The highly-rated forward bagged 19 assists in all competitions across 2023/2024, playing a key role in Spain’s triumph at Euro 2024, and showcasing his talent often during the second half of last season with some dazzling performances.

أعلن منتخب السويد لكرة القدم، في بيان رسمي يوم الثلاثاء، الإطاحة بالمدرب يون دال توماسون من منصبه، لسوء النتائج تحت قيادته في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة إلى بطولة كأس العالم 2026.

وتعرضت السويد للهزيمة، مساء أمس، أمام كوسوفو بهدف دون رد في التصفيات المؤهلة إلى المونديال، ليتجمد رصيدها عند نقطة واحدة فقط في المركز الرابع في المجموعة الثانية (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

ونتيجة لذلك، قرر الاتحاد السويدي لكرة القدم الاستغناء عن خدمات يون دال توماسون من منصبه، بشكل رسمي اليوم، حيث تم إصدار بيان للإعلان عن ذلك.

وقال رئيس الاتحاد السويدي لكرة القدم، سيمون أستروم، في بيان: “يستند قرار مجلس الاتحاد إلى أن المنتخب الوطني للرجال لم يحقق النتائج التي كنا نأملها”.

وأضاف: “لا تزال هناك فرصة لخوض الملحق في مارس، ومسؤوليتنا هي ضمان توفير أفضل الظروف الممكنة للوصول إلى الملحق الأوروبي ومن ثم التأهل إلى كأس العالم، ونرى أن هناك حاجة إلى قيادة جديدة في شكل مدرب جديد”.

كان دال توماسون قد تم تعيينه مدربًا لمنتنخب السويد في فبراير 2024، بعد فوزه سابقًا بلقب الدوري السويدي مع مالمو وتألقه مع بلاكبيرن روفرز.

Pakistan’s six-hitting has seen plenty of growth over recent months thanks to an increased focus on range-hitting under coach Mohammad Wasim

Shashank Kishore05-Oct-2024Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s captain, doesn’t want to her team to feel any pressure ahead of their match against India, but believes it’s inevitable given the magnitude of the occasion.Pakistan opened the tournament with a resounding win over Sri Lanka, and are riding a recent wave of success in terms of development, not just results.For example: Pakistan posted 181, their highest T20I total, during their recent series at home against South Africa. In that innings, they hit as many as six sixes, significantly higher than their average of one every 19 overs between the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cups.Related

• October 6 at the T20 World Cup: India meet Pakistan; Scotland take on injury-affected West Indies

• India's early setback set to raise the temperature of Pakistan clash

Mohammad Wasim, their current coach, has incorporated some best practices from the Pakistan Super League, such as the influx of data wherever available, as well as an improved focus on range-hitting that was on full view in that match against South Africa, with Sana at the center of it herself.Six-hitting comes with a certain mindset that Sana believes is slowly being ingrained into Pakistan’s batting DNA. She believes it wasn’t always that way.”If you look at the last series of South Africa, a lot of our girls have improved in power hitting,” Sana said. “In the last South Africa series, our team hit six sixes in one match.”I think the girls believe that even if the fielders are standing behind, if they hit, they can go for six. It’s a good thing that all the girls are confident in this. Personally, I used to bat a lot before, but I didn’t know if I could hit or not. But with that belief now it’s become a lot easier.”Fatima Sana scored 30 off 20 in Pakistan’s win over Sri Lanka•ICC/Getty Images

Wasim has had the support of Hanif Malik, whom he worked with at Islamabad United, to help with the range-hitting. Sana believes that adopting different methods to try and improve – irrespective of results – is a good starting point.”First of all, we always wanted to play attacking cricket,” Sana said. “I have been watching that whichever team we played against – we’ve [tried to play] attacking cricket. As a bowler, I used to feel that whoever used to bowl against us, used to hit us from the first ball. I wanted our team to have batters who can punish the bowler from the first ball. We have worked a lot on this and you will see the result soon hopefully.”Sana believes the best way to bring about this change on the batting front is to lead by example herself. On Thursday, Sana’s crucial 20-ball 30 provided Pakistan the late impetus they needed to apply the squeeze on Sri Lanka.Ahead of the India match, Sana was among the first in for range-hitting with the coaching staff, spending considerable time on her backswing and head position while striking the ball. These improvements come from a deep desire to be the “number one allrounder.””I always wanted to be the number one all-rounder – because obviously bowling is a team sport, but the team wins when you are good at it all – even when you are good on the field,” she said. “So that’s why I was trying to prove myself always in helping the team win. So, I think that was the only challenge for me.”That I should take my batting along. Sir [Wasim] has played a big role in this. He has helped me a lot. Our power-hitting coach, he has helped a lot of girls. I think all the credit goes to him because he has given us the belief that you can become an all-rounder. So he gets the credit for this.”

Australia captain “really easy” about some of the squad arriving late, having taken time off to unwind after the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2024Mitchell Marsh, Australia’s captain at T20 World Cup 2024, will not bowl in the initial part of the tournament but hopes to be able to do so in the latter stages.Marsh, who was ruled out of the IPL midway due to a hamstring tear, has had a much slower recovery than initially expected. He didn’t bowl during Australia’s warm-up matches against Namibia and West Indies either.”Yeah, I won’t be bowling early on in the tournament,” Marsh said on Saturday. “And I always joke as captain – I hope I won’t bowl late in the tournament either. But yeah, I’ll progress that slowly over the next 10-12 days and hopefully be available for them at the back end of the tournament.”Related

Australia down to nine players for T20 World Cup warm-ups

For their warm-up matches, Australia had only nine players available from their 15-member squad. At one stage, they had four substitutes on the field comprising head coach Andrew McDonald, batting coach Brad Hodge, fielding coach Andre Borovec and national selector George Bailey.Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis were the ones who were to join the camp late. Except for Stoinis, all the others were involved in the IPL playoffs. Marsh was asked his opinion on the players having joined the camp late. Australia play their first game against Oman in Bridgetown on June 5.”For me, it’s really easy,” he said. “We really value a bit of family time. The guys have obviously been at the IPL, which I think is great preparation for a World Cup. And then, yeah, just the value of seeing their families and getting them in their own bed for one or two nights is really important. As a whole, we’ve all bought into that and it’s really easy to do.Mitchell Marsh won’t be in action with the ball for a little while yet•Getty Images”We have still got [Mitchell] Starc and Maxi [Glenn Maxwell] to arrive this morning, or lunchtime. But after that we are all here. I think for the guys to get a couple of days at home is really important for us as a group and for them personally. Obviously, it takes a few days to get here from Australia so that adds a few challenges but they’ll be ready to go come the 5th.”Did Australia learn anything from their two warm-up games, having won one and lost the other? “I think we got exactly what we needed to get out of those games,” Marsh said. “Obviously, Hodgey won’t be available for selection, not quite up to it (laughs). So that was disappointing for him, he misses out. But yeah, for the guys who have had time off at home, to come back and get a bit of game time, that’s really all I needed from those practice games. So we certainly feel like we’re ready to go now.”This is the biggest-ever T20 World Cup, comprising 20 teams. And unlike the last couple of editions, there is no qualifying round before the tournament proper starts. According to Marsh, that adds a lot of excitement to the tournament.”I think it certainly feels like a World Cup,” he said. “I got presented a Ugandan playing shirt the other day in our team hotel and that was a really special moment. And it’s things like that, it’s not just about the cricket throughout these World Cups, it’s about opportunity and teams have earned the right to be here. I think that adds a lot of excitement to the whole tournament, so it’s really special, I think.”However, he offered dead defence when asked if there should have been a longer break between the end of the IPL and the start of the T20 World Cup.”I don’t really have an answer to that question and I don’t make those decisions – so as a group we’re here to win. Things may look a little bit disjointed at the beginning and I think most teams are in the same boat with guys that are playing the IPL or coming out of the shop. But that’s the nature of the beast of international cricket these days. We come from all over to tours and we’ll get around each other the next few days and come together and kick off on the field for us.”

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin： O São Paulo anunciou no dia 27 de janeiro a contratação por empréstimo de um ano de Caio, então Paulista. Na ocasião, a vinda do jogador do Fluminense atendeu necessidades mútuas entre os tricolores. No do Morumbi, era a melhor opção barata disponível para ser o substituto de Welington, na ocasião sem uma peça de reposição já que o jovem Patryck foi servir a Seleção Brasileira sub-20 no Sul-Americano da categoria. No carioca, era a chance de se livrar de um atleta deveras criticado pela torcida.

Não é para menos que desconfiança seja o adjetivo que melhor se encaixava com Caio naquele já distante janeiro. Atacante de origem, o jogador foi improvisado na função de lateral-esquerdo apenas na temporada anterior, por necessidade e uma crença quase cética do técnico Fernando Diniz.

RelacionadasSão PauloDesistência de contratar Marinho escancara o óbvio no São Paulo: são os tempos do ‘bom e barato’São Paulo15/06/2023São PauloSão Paulo acerta renovação com goleiro promessa da base e projeta saídas de Jandrei e Felipe AlvesSão Paulo15/06/2023São PauloMichel Araujo tem lesão diagnosticada, mas Jandrei se recupera de fratura e retoma aos trabalhos no São PauloSão Paulo15/06/2023

da gbg bet： + Lance! estreia nova marca e se reposiciona no mercado de mídia esportiva

Mas, como diria o poeta, o mundo dá voltas. Muita coisa aconteceu desde então. Caio acabou se tornando titular absoluto no Tricolor por falta de opção, já que Welington se contundiu ainda no Campeonato Paulista. E desde então, 24 jogos, três gols e duas assistências depois, a admiração pelo futebol apresentado cresceu.

Existem falhas defensivas, é verdade, mas óbvio que elas são previsíveis se tratando de um atacante que acabou indo parar na linha defensiva por acaso. Até por isso, a compensação vem na frente, onde o são-paulino atravessa um dos melhores momentos na carreira. Capaz de cativas até os tricolores cariocas, que antes torciam o nariz para seu futebol. Se tornou rotina nas entrevistas de Diniz ter de responder questionamentos sobre os motivos que o levaram a liberar Caio para o Morumbi.

Mas o que parece um ‘conto de fadas’ passageiro do jogador pode lhe render frutos. Chegou aos ouvidos dos dirigentes são-paulinos que Caio é mais um atleta do clube que vem sendo observado por clubes europeus. Não existem propostas oficial, reiterando. Mas há a fumaça.

Pelos lados do Morumbi, há pouco a ser feito para tentar segurar Caio. O acordo de empréstimo prevê um valor aproximado de quase R$ 18,5 milhões para sua compra definitiva. Quantia deveras alta para a atual crise financeira atravessada pelo São Paulo.

Ao contrário até. O mesmo acordo entre os tricolores prevê aos paulistas uma quantia caso Caio seja negociado durante o período na cidade natal. E a contratação de um lateral-esquerdo é algo pedido pelo técnico Dorival Júnior há meses. Trocando em miúdos, pode se unir o putil ao agradável. Para todos os três envolvidos. Coroando a reviravolta de um operário polivalente que passou da descrença ao posto de jogador útil tão admirado pelas torcidas afora do futebol.

+ Clique aqui e veja como apostar no Brasileirão

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

+ Confira os jogos e classificação resultados do Brasileirão-23 na tabela do LANCE!

With one eye on Champions League qualification and the other on the summer transfer window, Newcastle United have reportedly set their sights on signing a future star.

Where Newcastle stand in Champions League race

The second-half of the current campaign has so far been one to remember for Newcastle, who even managed to end their long wait for a trophy by picking up the Carabao Cup in March. Now vying to finish a successful season by qualifying for Champions League football for the second time in three seasons, Eddie Howe’s side have their fate firmly in their own grasp as they head into the final four games.

Liverpool (C)

82

34

Arsenal

67

34

Newcastle United

62

34

Manchester City

61

34

Chelsea

60

34

Nottingham Forest

60

33

Aston Villa

57

34

With the top five all qualifying for the Champions League, Newcastle currently have a two-point buffer on Nottingham Forest, who have a game in hand to break back into the all important places. Even if Nuno Espirito Santo’s side win that game in hand, however, it would be Chelsea who drop out of the top five and not Newcastle, who would move down to fourth.

The importance of a place amongst Europe’s elite cannot be overstated either, especially for Newcastle. Those at St James’ Park have been forced to sit back and watch in the last two transfer windows, but Champions League qualification should mean that their spending can commence under their rich PIF ownership.

Romano: Newcastle "keen on signing" £70m "tank" with same agent as Gordon

They’ve wanted him for ages.

ByBarney Lane Apr 27, 2025

Just who arrives if that is the case remains to be seen. Already, names such as Liam Delap and Ademola Lookman have been mentioned, but before the stars arrive it may well be a teenage sensation who emerges to commence Newcastle’s summer window.

Newcastle plotting move to sign James Wilson

According to The Chronicle, Newcastle now want to sign James Wilson from Hearts this summer after PIF stepped up their scouting mission in Scotland and the 18-year-old talent stood out. A player who already has a senior Scotland cap to his name, Wilson is certainly one to keep an eye on as Newcastle plot an impressive summer swoop.

At just 18 years old, the forward has already been making his mark in the Scottish Premiership too – scoring five goals in 20 games and even finding the back of the net once in the Europa Conference League. When given the chance, Wilson has simply enjoyed every moment of the spotlight.

Earning impressive praise as a result, former Hearts boss Neil Critchley told reporters when asked about Wilson’s Scotland debut: “It’s an unbelievable achievement. To be the youngest Scottish international player ever is an incredible achievement. It’s one him and his family should be extremely proud of.

“You could see the lift and the excitement it gave him. He’s come back here with a permanent smile on his face. We’ve actually allowed him into the senior dressing-room this week. Shanks [Lawrence Shankland] and Craigy [Craig Gordon] have let him in. I say that, it was more Goggsy the kit man who gave his blessing! So he’s in for the first time.”

da cassino： Celtic were crowned champions of Scotland for the fourth time in as many seasons when they beat Dundee United 5-0 at Tannadice Park at the end of last month.

da mrbet： The Hoops ran out 5-0 winners against the Tangerines away from Parkhead to clinch the title, thanks to two goals apiece from Adam Idah and Nicolas Kuhn after an own goal from Ryan Strain.

Brendan Rodgers has now won the league title in both of his seasons since returning to Glasgow in the summer of 2023 to replace Ange Postecoglou in the dugout at Celtic Park.

The Northern Irish head coach will be aiming to make it a hat-trick next season, but he will have to do it without one of his star players for a significant portion of that campaign.

Jota hobbled off in the win over Dundee United, and it has since been confirmed that he suffered cruciate ligament damage, which is set to keep him out of action for between six and nine months.

This means that the Portuguese dynamo, who joined from Rennes in January on a permanent deal, could miss a significant chunk of the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

Why losing Jota to injury is a big blow for Celtic

Losing Jota to a long-term knee injury is a big blow for Celtic because he is a top-quality forward who has proven, across two spells, that he can make a huge impact at the top end of the pitch in Scottish football.

The Hoops reportedly splashed £8m to sign the winger from Rennes in January, 18 months on from his £25m move to Al Ittihad from Parkhead, to bring him back for a second stint in Glasgow.

As you can see in the graphic above, Jota provided a consistent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Scottish giants in his first two seasons at the club under Postecoglou in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns before his big-money exit.

The 26-year-old talent scored four goals, created three ‘big chances’, and registered two assists in seven starts in the Scottish Premiership this season, prior to his injury.

24/25 Premiership

Jota (per 90)

Percentile rank vs wingers

Goals

0.63

Top 3.8%

Expected Goals

0.48

Top 5.8%

xG on target

0.67

Top 3.8%

Shots on target

1.42

Top 3.8%

Assists

0.32

Top 19.2%

Expected Assists

0.37

Top 7.7%

Chances created

1.89

Top 25%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Jota ranks highly among his positional peers in the division as both a goalscorer and as a creative threat from the left wing, which illustrates just how impressive he has been since returning to Celtic.

These statistics, along with his form from his first two seasons at the club, speak to how much of a blow it is to lose him for up to nine months, because Rodgers has lost a fantastic talent who can score and create goals consistently.

Celtic, however, could land a perfect replacement for Jota in the upcoming summer transfer window by swooping for one of their reported targets.

Celtic's interest in £7m forward

The Daily Record recently reported that the Hoops had an interest in Sarpsborg forward Sondre Orjasaeter, and that they tried to sign him at the start of the year to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.

It was also claimed that the Norwegian outfit value the winger at around £7m, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Bhoys are willing to splash that kind of cash on him this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Back in the January transfer window, 67HailHail reported that the Scottish giants made an offer of £4.4m to sign the impressive youngster, only for the bid to be turned down by Sarpsborg, who value him at £7m as aforementioned.

Celtic must react to the news of Jota’s long-term injury blow by reigniting their interest in Orjasaeter to bring him to Parkhead as a perfect replacement for the Portuguese winger in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Why Sondre Orjasaeter would be the perfect Jota replacement

Positionally, the 21-year-old talent could be an ideal signing to come in for Celtic because he is a right-footed forward who predominantly plays off the left flank, like Jota.

Similarly to the Hoops number seven, Orjasaeter is also a slim winger who uses his pace, agility, and technical ability to drive his team up the pitch by taking on opposition defenders.

The Sarpsborg star has averaged 2.3 completed dribbles per game in the Eliteserien in the 2025 campaign, and averaged 2.4 completed dribbles per match in the 2024 season.

No Celtic player, meanwhile, has completed more than 1.9 dribbles per match. This suggests that Orjasaeter could come in as the dribble king for Rodgers on the flanks, consistently taking on full-backs to create dangerous moments in the final third.

The £7m-rated Celtic target’s form in the Eliteserien – Norway’s top-flight – since the start of last year also suggests that he has the quality to make a big impact when he gets into those dangerous positions.

Sondre Orjasaeter (Eliteserien)

2024

2025

Appearances

28

4

Goals

5

0

Big chances missed

5

1

Big chances created

12

4

Key passes per game

1.9

1.8

Assists

5

1

Dribbles completed per game

2.4

2.3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Orjasaeter has created 16 ‘big chances’ in his last 32 appearances in the league for his club, an average of one every other game.

Meanwhile, with 35 league games on the board for Celtic this season, Alistair Johnston (15) is the only player with more than 11 ‘big chances’ created for the Hoops this term.

This suggests that the Sarpsborg magician has the potential to be Celtic’s main man for creativity if he can carry that form over to Scottish football for Rodgers next season and beyond.

Therefore, Orjasaeter could be the perfect replacement for Jota for many reasons, including his position, his style of play, his dribbling skills, and his creativity, which is why the club must press ahead with a swoop for him in the summer transfer window.

Related Worth more than Maeda: Celtic have struck gold on "immense" star

Celtic have hit the jackpot on this star who is now worth even more than Daizen Maeda.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery May 3, 2025

Tanveer Sangha still wants to become a three-format bowler for Australia, as the spinner prepares to play his first Sheffield Shield match in almost two years.Sangha will turn out for New South Wales against Queensland on Monday, marking his first red-ball game for his state since March 2022.In the time since, the legspinner has played two ODIs and seven T20Is for Australia while missing large parts of Shield action while overseas or injured.Related

• The next generation: who could star in Australia's future?

• Wade to miss start of IPL in order to play Sheffield Shield final

• Hardie fit for Western Australia, Boland available in boost for Victoria

Such is Sangha’s predicament, the 22-year-old has now played more white-ball matches for his country than red-ball matches at first-class level. But despite that, Sangha maintains red-ball cricket can still be a priority as he hopes to one day add a Baggy Green to his limited-overs playing caps.”I definitely think all three formats is definitely up for play,” Sangha said. “There’s plenty of time still. Everyone says I’m young. I’m 22. You’re not going to peak until late 20s.”It’s the most difficult skill in cricket. I’m still learning, trying to pull leggies, wrong’uns, toppies, sliders and executing all these different variations. I’m just trying to think long term rather than short. It’s a long career if I do make it and I do get through all of it.”Sangha does not have to look far to see the impact of white-ball cricket on Test hopefuls. Adam Zampa has long stated his desire to earn a Baggy Green, but Sangha’s NSW and Australian white-ball team-mate has played only two Shield games in the past four seasons.Glenn Maxwell is another player virtually devoid of Shield matches in recent seasons, with only one since 2019.”That’s what I’m learning now while I was away,” Sangha said. “What can I still do while on a white-ball tour to make sure I’m maintaining my red ball-skills, shapes and bowling style?”Is there something I can just do once a week? Where in one training session I just focus on something specific to red ball, just so I can maintain it That’s the balance that now I’m trying to learn to be an all-format player.”For now, though, Sangha can also see his red-ball game benefiting his white-ball cricket as he maintains a goal of this year’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.”Red ball there’s so much more repetition. There’s so much more trying to get the batter out because they have so much time,” Sangha said. “But in white-ball cricket, they want to come at you. There’s more opportunity to get them out.”In red ball there’s quite a bit of thought and time that goes into trying to plan to get a better out, rather than just trying to be consistent. That’s where the art of spin bowling is. I’ve seen it with Warnie, [Ravichandran] Ashwin and Gaz [Nathan Lyon]. Each season I’m trying to get better and better, and not just be the same bowler in a few years time.”

Maxwell signs with Washington Freedom to play alongside Steven Smith and Travis Head under coach Ricky Ponting

Alex Malcolm18-Apr-20244:18

Was Maxwell right in asking to be dropped?

Glenn Maxwell has joined Travis Head and Steve Smith in signing with Washington Freedom for the upcoming Major League Cricket season while clarifying that his form was the major reason for his self-omission from Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s side in the IPL rather than needing a mental break.Maxwell has become the latest Australian player to sign in MLC and will join his Australia teammates in Head and Smith, along with his former IPL coach Ricky Ponting, at Washington Freedom.He told ESPN’s that he was excited about the opportunity to play in the United States.Related

• Aussies at the IPL: Head's hot streak, Fraser-McGurk fires again, Maxwell drops himself

• Travis Head joins Steven Smith at Washington Freedom for Major League Cricket 2024

• Steven Smith joins Washington Freedom ahead of Major League Cricket's second season

• Maxwell takes a break to refresh after asking to be rested by RCB

“It’s a tournament that I watched from afar last year and was extremely excited about hopefully playing this tournament one day and luckily enough the timings have aligned this year,” Maxwell said. “I’ve been speaking to Ricky Ponting and a few other players a fair bit over the last little period and certainly extremely excited to get stuck in.”Having Travis and Steve there and Ricky, three guys who I’m extremely familiar with, I think that sort of probably tipped me over the edge. You sort of um and ah about that time of the year about where you’re going to be and whether you take the time off, whether you play the Hundred or what you might do and I think just having those couple of Aussies there and I think the opportunity to be a part of something really big in MLC and grow something is really exciting as well.”Maxwell joins Head, Smith, Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), Tim David (MI New York), Matt Short (San Franciso Unicorns) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (San Franciso Unicorns) as confirmed Australian signings for the second season of MLC, with more expected to join for the tournament which starts immediately after the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies ends on June 29.Meanwhile, Maxwell has moved to clarify his decision to ask to be omitted from RCB’s line-up from the last IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Maxwell explained that it had nothing to do with needing to take an extended break from the tournament. He simply felt like he was not in the best XI and wanted to take any tough conversations away from captain Faf du Plessis and coach Andy Flower by asking to be dropped.”I was pretty low on confidence,” Maxwell said. “I had a good couple of net sessions and just went out to the ground and felt really tentative. I wasn’t able to really commit to my game plans and just felt like if I had kept playing and playing that role, I don’t think the results would change too much.2:51

Glenn Maxwell to join Washington Freedom in MLC

“So I just went to Faf and said, look, I think we need to try someone else in my position and had the same conversation with Andy Flower, the coach, and to me it was a bit of a no-brainer. I think it sort of saves the tough conversation they might have to have about dropping me.”I felt really at peace with it. Obviously, I’m frustrated that I wasn’t able to get the results I would have liked but comfortable in the fact that I know I feel like I’ve made the right decision for the team and it’s certainly not like I’m taking an extended break away from the game.”I just think it’s a better opportunity for someone else to have a crack at my position. I know I’m an important part of this side but at the moment I’m not playing well enough to I suppose warrant a spot.”Maxwell revealed he is unlikely to come back in for the next game, against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, given he is battling a minor hip injury. He said he understands he has to bide his time to get another opportunity.”I’ve actually got a little bit of a hip strain so I’ve got a few more days off and during recovery,” Maxwell said. “So I’ve got a little period here where I’m still training, still trying to get myself right. If there is a spot that becomes available, I’ll obviously put my hand up and take it”It’s not one of those things where I’ve set a date that I’ll be out for three games then I’ll come back whenever I’m ready. That’s that’s not how it works. I haven’t been at a level that’s good enough to warrant a spot on the side this year.”

Former Barcelona academy player Joan Gonzalez, who was playing for Serie A outfit Lecce, has been forced to retire at 23 due to deteriorating health.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Gonzalez retires at age 23 due to heart conditionPlayed 66 games for LecceSpent two years in the Barcelona academyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gonzalez has been forced to retire at a young age of 23 after he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition last summer. The midfielder has been a part of Serie A side Lecce's first team since 2022, but has been forbidden to continue his playing career after the latest medicals conducted recently.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Gonzalez, born in Barcelona, began his footballing journey by joining the Cornella academy in 2014. After staying at Cornella for five years, he was snapped up by the Catalans in 2019 and played in the youth academy for two years. In 2021, he joined Lecce's academy and was promoted to the first team the following year. He spent two seasons with Lecce in Serie A, making 66 appearances in all competitions. However, he was diagnosed with a heart condition ahead of pre-season last year and missed the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign before being recalled by the club to re-assess his condition.

WHAT LECCE PRESIDENT SAID

Lecce president Saverio Sticchi Damiani confirmed the heartbreaking news regarding the Spaniard, stating: "We called him back after a year for a new check-up, which took place a few days ago, and the situation remains the same. So, with great regret, I must tell you that he will not receive a definitive medical clearance and will no longer be able to play football at a professional level.I want to make two observations. First, a round of applause for our medical team, Dr. Tondo, because they detected a congenital condition that is very difficult to diagnose. He is a case in point. Thanks to that, the boy's life was saved. I'm in constant contact with Joan Gonzalez. He's faced this challenge with great maturity and intelligence. If he had continued playing with that mindset, he would have been a great footballer. But he'll be a great manager."

AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JOAN GONZALEZ?

Although Gonzalez's playing career has been cut short due to a heart ailment, he could still contribute to the sport in a coaching capacity in the future.