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da realbet： The summer transfer window is only a couple of months away from officially opening up for business and Chelsea have already begun work on bolstering their squad.

da betobet： It was recently reported that the Blues have made contact with Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen’s representatives ahead of a summer deal for the Spain international.

Chelsea are one of a number of teams interested in signing the 20-year-old enforcer, who reportedly has a release clause worth £50m in his current contract at the Vitality Stadium.

The London giants, however, are now reportedly preparing a bid for another centre-back who would be even better than Huijsen at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea plot bid for Premier League defender

According to the Mirror, Chelsea are prepared to bid for Crystal Palace central defender Marc Guehi in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Blues want to sign the England international and are ‘ready’ to offer £50m and Trevoh Chalobah in exchange for the Eagles colossus.

It reveals that Palace would be willing to take Chalobah, who they had on loan in the first half of the season, as part of a deal for Guehi and that they value their star defender at £70m, making £50m and the current Chelsea centre-back a tempting offer.

Transfer Focus

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

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If a deal can be ironed out for the English ace, Enzo Maresca could have an even better signing than Huijsen on his hands in that area of the pitch.

Why Marc Guehi would be an even better signing than Dean Huijsen

Guehi is a Chelsea academy graduate who already knows the club and has come up through the ranks, with players like Reece James, and that could help him to settle in quicker than the Bournemouth ace.

He is also a homegrown talent who would help towards the quota of English academy stars needed for Premier League and European competitions.

The 24-year-old star’s performances in the Premier League in comparison to Huijsen’s this season also suggest that he could be an even better signing in the immediate future.

Guehi’s out-and-out defending as a centre-back in the top-flight is impressive and could make him an excellent addition to the Chelsea squad, as a proven defender at that level.

24/25 Premier League

Marc Guehi

Dean Huijsen

Appearances

29

25

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.7

3.0

Ball recoveries per game

4.4

3.5

Duels won per game

5.2

4.0

Duel success rate

62%

57%

Error led to goal

0

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Palace skipper has outperformed Huijsen in a host of key defensive metrics, without making as many big errors.

This suggests that the former Blues academy graduate could be more effective at preventing opposition teams from creating chances against the team, by making more recoveries and clearances, whilst also winning a higher percentage of his individual duels.

When you couple this with the fact that Guehi, once dubbed “incredible” by reporter Stuart James, could hit the ground running by returning to the club he has already played for, Maresca could be better off signing the Eagles star instead of splashing £50m on the Spanish titan.

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Therefore, this £50m-plus-Chalobah deal for the English titan could be a terrific piece of business by the Blues if they can get a deal over the line in the upcoming summer transfer window.

da stake casino： Despite the phenomenal effort by Bruno Fernandes in 2024/25, Manchester United simply haven’t been good enough in attacking areas, undoubtedly contributing to their lowly league standing.

da jogodeouro： The Portuguese international has notched a staggering 33 combined goals and assists in all competitions, but has been alone in his attempts to transform their fortunes in recent months.

Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have both shared the responsibility of leading the line for Ruben Amorim, but have both been massively disappointing and struggled to provide the goods.

The aforementioned pair have only netted six Premier League goals between them this campaign, leading to huge rumours over new additions this summer.

One player in particular has emerged as a key target, with the club wasting no time in identifying players to make amends for the dismal season this time around.

The latest on Matheus Cunha’s move to United

Over the last week, huge rumours have emerged linking Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha with a move to join United this summer, as the hierarchy looks to back Amorim in the market.

The Brazilian, who’s registered 18 combined goals and assists in the league this season, currently has a £62.5m release clause within his current contract – something which the club could look to exploit.

According to Fabrizio Romano’s latest update, the 25-year-old is keen on a move to Old Trafford this summer, with the hierarchy willing to trigger his release clause and being confident of completing a deal.

However, they could turn their attention to another summer target in the form of Villarreal star Alex Baena, who’s emerged as an alternative to Cunha for the upcoming window.

According to Spanish journalist Eduardo Burgos, United have already entered talks with the Spanish side over a deal for the 23-year-old, who has a £50m release clause.

Why Baena would be a better signing than Cunha

There’s no denying that Cunha is a fantastic talent, as seen by his tally of goals and assists this season, but the only major concern is his attitude issues that have prevented him from starring further in 2024/25.

He received a two-match ban for an incident after the clash with Ipswich Town, whilst also receiving a separate four-game suspension for headbutting Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.

If he is to move to Old Trafford this summer, there’s hope that Amorim will be able to separate that side of his game, allowing him to become a key member of the side.

However, it’s a huge amount of money to spend with a risk lingering over his head, potentially opening the door for a move for Spanish star Baena in the coming months.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the ongoing campaign, the LaLiga ace has managed to outperform the Brazilian star in numerous key areas, showcasing what a superb addition he would be to Amorim’s squad.

Baena, who’s been labelled a “creative machine” by one analyst, has managed more progressive passes per 90, along with a higher tally of passes into the final third, highlighting his ability to find his teammates in attacking areas.

The 23-year-old is best suited in a role behind the striker, but that hasn’t stopped him from achieving a higher goal per shot on target rate and more shot-creating actions than the Wolves star.

How Baena compares to Cunha in 2024/25 so far

Statistics (per 90)

Baena

Cunha

Games played

27

28

Goals & assists

13

18

Progressive passes

6.7

4.7

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.3

Passes into final third

3.5

3.2

Shot-creating actions

6.1

4.2

Aerials won

46%

27%

Stats via FBref

He’s also won more of the aerial battles he’s entered, offering Amorim a dangerous all-round option alongside Fernandes in the number 10 role at Old Trafford.

It’s unclear whether Cunha would be signed to play as the focal option or slightly deeper, but if it’s for the latter, there’s no denying that Baena would be a better option this summer.

Given his age, he has the ability to improve further in the years to come, playing a vital role in Amorim’s ambitions of taking the club back to the heights they’ve achieved in previous years.

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Kyle Abbott talks about his star turn for Hampshire this season, and being a T20 gun for hire

Mohammad Isam11-Nov-2017What was it like to have taken 60 wickets in the 2017 county season for Hampshire?
It was great. I have had a bit of experience in county cricket over the last couple of years, but to be settled and contribute for Hampshire was great. It is nice to get started with a few wickets and maybe it is a sign of things to come in the next couple of years.How do you adjust to the varying nature of English conditions?
I think the great thing about English cricket is that conditions vary through the summer. April-May is very bowler-friendly; it is almost half-volley length. As the summer goes on, it gets a bit easier for batsmen. But then other things come into play, like reverse swing, and when the summer gets dry you have to adjust your length.Obviously staying injury free is important.
It is quite tough. It is a long season with 14 four-day games, and we ended up playing 16 T20s through that too. The club is good with keeping me fresh. I have also got to the age where I know my body. I know when to rest and when to train. It comes with a bit of experience.

I also got to the age where I know my body. I know when to rest and when to train. It comes with a bit of experience

How do you prepare for something as long as a county season?
The only way to get fit for a county season, especially for a bowler, is to bowl. For me, it is probably three weeks to a month. I will be slowly building up. It all depends on what I will do in January and February. If I am playing cricket somewhere else in the world, I will keep ticking over. The higher your workload is going into a season, I believe, the easier it gets.How different is the intensity between county cricket and the international game?
You are never going to replicate international cricket anywhere, unless you are playing it. At the end of the day I have realised over the last six-eight months that I just want to enjoy my cricket, no matter where I am playing and what stage it is. I have enjoyed my last six months as much as I have ever enjoyed my cricket in the last nine-ten years. It has been really good for me; nice and refreshing.Going back all the way to the start of your career: why did you take up fast bowling?
I have asked myself that a few times over the last couple of years. I think it is something that came naturally to me, to be honest. Actually growing up I was bit more of a batsman, which has slowly started to come out a bit again in the county set-up.What excites you about fast bowling?
I suppose it is getting wickets. The excitement of, really, beating a batsman with a good ball that’s moving around with a bit of pace. Working over a batsman, really figuring him out. The joy of taking a wicket is right up there.How do you manage yourself now that you are in demand in T20 leagues?
It is obviously a lot easier to maintain yourself and stay fresh because of the workload.”I just want to enjoy my cricket, no matter where I am playing and what stage it is”•Khulna TitansI enjoy these tournaments a lot because you interact with so many different people. The amount of different nationalities you get in a team, from English, West Indians, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans, and the amount of things you learn from these T20 teams is the big thing for me. It is the part that I enjoy the most.Why did you choose to come to the BPL?
They chose me. It was an opportunity that came up a few months ago. All I want to do is play cricket and do my job. If I get an opportunity, I am going to take it. I am really grateful to get a gig with Titans. It is a great set-up from the management to the coaches Mahela [Jayawardene] and Alfonso [Thomas]. Everything runs smoothly here, which makes it even more enjoyable.You’d obviously be focusing a lot on bowling fuller lengths in these tournaments.
I do work quite a bit on yorkers and death bowling. I think it is being used a lot more in T20s now, even in the Powerplays – yorkers and slower balls. The batsmen are getting quite far ahead of the game now. But it also depends on what surface you get. We saw in Sylhet that the pitch played a lot different in the day compared to the night. Your skills are having to be adapted on the same day.You took a seven-wicket haul on your Test debut. Must have been a memorable day.
To be honest all I can remember is that both my older brothers and my dad and mum were there to witness [my debut Test]. It was something special.Is there something you miss about in international cricket?
You are never going to replicate the intensity of playing for your country anywhere. But I enjoyed my time there. It is a new chapter now and I have got new and exciting things to look forward to.

MatériaMais Notícias

da casino： A vitória sobre o Fluminense no primeiro clássico da temporada valeu mais do que os três pontos ao Botafogo. O Glorioso chegou pressionado para a partida e uma derrota poderia instaurar uma crise dentro do clube. A torcida ficou muito chateada com o empréstimo de Jeffinho ao Lyon, da França, clube que também pertence a John Textor. No entanto, quis o destino que um jogador da posição fosse o autor do gol que garantiu o resultado de 1 a 0.

+Após vitória no clássico, perfil do Botafogo provoca Fluminense em referência à Série C do riva

Victor Sá reaparece como opção caseira para substituir Jeffinho, que foi o grande destaque e também revelação do Botafogo no ano passado. O atacante aproveitou justamente a oscilação do herói do clássico do último domingo. Victor Sá foi contratado com status de titular para a disputa do Brasileiro, mas pouco produziu, marcando apenas dois gols e dando uma assistência.

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da dobrowin： No primeiro desafio da temporada, o atacante foi decisivo, mas também competitivo, mostrando muito comprometimento na marcação e personalidade na hora de realizar jogadas no campo de ataque. Victor Sá demonstrou muita confiança de que 2023 será diferente e afirmou que o seu potencial vai ser colocado em prática dentro de campo.

– Todos nós entendemos a frustração da torcida pela saída do Jeffinho, mas essas coisas extracampo tem que deixar para a diretoria decidir. Em relação a mim, sei da minha qualidade, sei de tudo que eu posso ajudar a equipe dentro de campo. Então estou totalmente focado para essa temporada para dar boas alegrias ao Botafogo – afirmou Victor Sá, que completou.

– Eu comecei muito bem, mas tive uma lesão na coluna e aí teve alguns jogos que eu não consegui manter uma sequência. Mas tenho 28 anos, vou fazer 29 e tenho experiência suficiente para saber que futebol é assim. Tem momentos que não vivemos uma fase muito boa dentro de campo, mas tenho total convicção do meu trabalho, da minha qualidade e vou continuar trabalhando, fazendo meu papel que tenho certeza que as coisas vão acontecer.

Antes de chegar ao Botafogo, Victor Sá estava no Al Jazira, dos Emirados Árabes Unidos. Agora readaptado e tendo realizado uma pré-temporada, a tendência é de que consiga render mais do que em 2022 e começar o ano decidindo um clássico é um ótimo cartão de visitas para o torcedor e também para a comissão técnica. Na próxima quarta-feira, o Glorioso enfrenta o Nova Iguaçu, no Nilton Santos.

تترقب جماهير الكرة العربية والأوروبية يومًا كرويًا حافلًا، اليوم السبت الموافق 16-8-2025، حيث تقام سلسلة من المواجهات المرتقبة في الدوريات المحلية والعالمية، إلى جانب بطولات قارية كبرى.

البداية ستكون من الدوري المصري الممتاز، حيث يخوض الزمالك مواجهة قوية أمام المقاولون العرب على ستاد القاهرة، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من البطولة، الأبيض يدخل اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد فوزه في الجولة الأولى على سيراميكا كليوباترا، بينما يسعى المقاولون لتعويض خسارته أمام زد واستعادة التوازن.

وعلى الجانب الأوروبي، يستهل مانشستر سيتي مشواره في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عندما يواجه ولفرهامبتون على ملعب “مولينيو”، السيتي بقيادة بيب جوارديولا يطمح لتعويض إخفاق الموسم الماضي الذي خرج منه خالي الوفاض، والعودة سريعًا إلى منصات التتويج.

وفي إسبانيا، يبدأ برشلونة حملة الدفاع عن لقبه بمواجهة ريال مايوركا خارج الديار. الفريق الكتالوني بقيادة المدرب الألماني هانز فليك يدخل الموسم الجديد بعد ثلاثية محلية تاريخية الموسم الماضي، ما يزيد من تطلعات أنصاره لمواصلة السيطرة على الليجا.

كما يشهد اليوم مباراة منتظرة في ألمانيا، حيث يصطدم بايرن ميونخ مع شتوتجارت في كأس السوبر الألماني، في مواجهة تعتبر بمثابة ضربة بداية قوية للموسم الكروي الجديد.

طالع أيضًا | سلوت يوضح سبب بكاء محمد صلاح بعد مباراة ليفربول وبورنموث مواعيد مباريات اليوم السبت 16-8-2025 والقنوات الناقلةمواعيد مباريات الدوري المصري اليوم

إنبي ضد وادي دجلة، الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 1”.

غزل المحلة ضد سموحة، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 2”.

الزمالك ضد المقاولون العرب، الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “on sport 1”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإنجليزي اليوم

أستون فيلا ضد نيوكاسل يونايتد، الساعة 2:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 1 HD”.

برايتون ضد فولهام، الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 2 HD”.

نوتينجهام فورست ضد برينتفورد، الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN Sports”.

سندرلاند ضد وست هام يونايتد، الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 6 HD”.

توتنهام هوتسبير ضد بيرنلي، الساعة 5 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 1 HD”.

ولفرهامبتون ضد مانشستر سيتي، الساعة 7:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 1 HD”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الإسباني اليوم

ريال مايوركا ضد برشلونة، الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 3 HD”.

ديبورتيفو ألافيس ضد ليفانتي، الساعة 10:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 3 HD”.

فالنسيا ضد ريال سوسيداد، الساعة 10:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 6 HD”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري الفرنسي اليوم

لينس ضد أولمبيك ليون، الساعة 6 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 4 HD”.

موناكو ضد لوهافر، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 5 HD”.

نيس ضد تولوز، الساعة 10:05 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “beIN SPORTS 4 HD”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري القطري اليوم

الدحيل ضد الشحانية، الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الكاس”.

السد ضد نادي قطر، الساعة 8:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الكاس”. مواعيد مباريات الدوري التونسي اليوم

النجم الساحلي ضد الأفريقي، الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية التونسية”.

البنزرتي ضد الصفاقسي، الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية التونسية”.

الملعب التونسي ضد شبيبة القيروان، الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية التونسية”.

الترجي الجرجيسي ضد الشبيبة، الساعة 6:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “الرياضية التونسية”. مواعيد مباريات كأس أمم إفريقيا للمحليين اليوم

أفريقيا الوسطى ضد تنزانيا، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “bein sports”.

بوركينا فاسو ضد مدغشقر، الساعة 8 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “bein sports”. موعد مباراة كأس السوبر الألماني اليوم

شتوتجارت ضد بايرن ميونخ، الساعة 9:30 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، وتُذاع عبر قناة “Sky Sports”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

Half-century and three wickets set up bonus-point win over Stars as Georgia Adams adds 49

ECB Reporters Network13-Sep-2023Linsey Smith scored her best List A score and picked up three wickets to beat South East Stars by 58 runs – boosting Vipers’ Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy knockout ambitions.Former England spinner Smith bagged a no-thrills 51, her first half-century in 50-over cricket, before taking 3 for 34 to set up a bonus point victory.She was the lynchpin for Vipers’ 254 – which saw Ella McCaughan and Georgia Adams score 40s and Dani Gregory take a four-for.Aylish Cranstone cracked 69 but Vipers leap-frogged Stars into second and leave qualification for the Eliminator in their own hands, while Stars will progress if they beat Central Sparks in the last round of fixtures.Vipers chose to bat but found early going slow on a tacky pitch, with only 27 runs coming in the opening 10 overs – Alexa Stonehouse picking up Abi Norgrove’s wicket and Ryana Macdonald-Gay accurate from the other end.McCaughan and Adams accelerated with 54 coming from the following seven overs before the former swung to long on and Georgia Elwiss was run out for the second game in a row.Adams continued her fine form with seven boundaries in a glossy 49, barely missing out on a fifth straight 50 when she top-edged to square leg.Emily Windsor had drilled to cover as Vipers looked limply at an under-par total on 128 for 5 but Freya Kemp’s whacking and Smith’s belligerence put them right.Kemp’s two sixes headlined the 48-run stand before slogging to long on, with Gregory completing her 4 for 55 by pinning Alice Monaghan.Smith only scored three boundaries, two of coming from edges, in her maiden Vipers fifty, however it came in 56 balls to highlight her strong running.Rhianna Southby chipped away with 21 off 24 but Vipers were bowled out in 48.2 overs with Smith caught at long on, Southby bowled and Ava Lee well caught behind.In reply, Stars grappled through the powerplay, also scoring 27, but lost captain Bryony Smith and Kira Chathli as Linsey Smith continued her fine game.Jemima Spence and Cranstone built the foundations of the chase with a 58-run stand before the former pulled to deep square.Former Viper Paige Scholfield and Kalea Moore fell to the increasingly impressive teenager Lee, while on loan from Vipers Chloe Hill was plumb in front to Mary Taylor.Left-hander Cranstone completed her first half-century of the season in 48 deliveries after an innings filled with stylish off-side stroke play.
But Adams bowled her after she had added 45 with Stonehouse, who perished soon after to Linsey Smith’s third.Bethan Miles was leg before to Adams – who took 2 for 41 – and after a 46-run 10th wicket stand, MacDonald-Gay was caught at deep midwicket.

The legspinner has represented his home side Rajasthan in the domestic circuit since 2019

PTI26-Jun-2023

Ravi Bishnoi made his debut for India last year•BCCI

Legspinner Ravi Bishnoi has changed his state team ahead of the new domestic season, moving from Rajasthan to Gujarat.Bishnoi, who has represented his home side Rajasthan in the domestic circuit since 2019, is likely to pair up with Piyush Chawla in his new team. Bishnoi posted a story on Instagram announcing the move, with a picture of him wearing the training kit of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) with the caption “new beginning”.Making his Rajasthan debut in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in February 2019, Bishnoi has played five List A games and 24 T20s for the side, picking seven wickets and 32 wickets in the formats respectively. He also played one first-class match for Rajasthan last season, taking two wickets in an innings win against Puducherry.Bishnoi made his debut for India in February 2022 and has played 10 T20Is and one ODI. In the IPL this season, he took 16 wickets for Lucknow Super Giants.

Lamine Yamal this, Lamine Yamal that. Arsenal have their very own budding wonderkid in the effervescent Ethan Nwaneri.

Making his Premier League debut in 2022 at the age of just 15, making him the top-flight’s youngest-ever player, Nwaneri has now become a household, truly bursting onto the scene in 2024/25.

The teenager is now 18 and has cemented himself as one of the best young players in Europe, having scored nine goals in his 37 senior appearances last season.

He scored in the Champions League, he scored against Manchester City and now he’s rivalling teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly for the PFA Young Player of the Season award.

Nwaneri then crowned his campaign off by winning the U21 European Championships with Lee Carsley’s England a week ago.

So, surely he’ll go on to become a modern-day Arsenal great, right? Well, he could actually leave.

The latest on Ethan Nwaneri's future at Arsenal

Cast your mind back to the summer of 2023, before Nwaneri signed his first professional deal at the Emirates Stadium, and there were rumours that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City could land the talented youngster.

Thankfully for those of an Arsenal persuasion, Nwaneri stayed to develop under Mikel Arteta’s watchful eyes.

However, his first pro deal actually expires in a year’s time and according to Fabrizio Romano, he wants assurances over game time before committing his future to the club.

It’s a worrying development for the Gunners, particularly as Romano actually reveals that Chelsea have been showing interest in the player and could move if he fails to agree a new deal in north London.

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Well, with assurances over playing time in mind, perhaps signing another creative midfielder might not be the best idea if they want to keep him.

Arsenal targeting move for a new no.10

One of the club’s main targets this summer has been Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Some reports suggest that personal terms have already been agreed but club-to-club talks are yet to take place.

A potential alternative could be RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. That’s according to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, who has revealed that Andrea Berta is ‘working to deliver another coup’ for Arsenal.

He reveals that ‘talks are ongoing’ with Leipzig over a deal and although no fee has been mentioned, previous reports have indicated it may take £68.8m to prise him away from the Bundesliga.

Why Xavi Simons is bad news for Ethan Nwaneri

While a certain Emmanuel Eboue isn’t always the voice of football, he has delivered one statement that reveals why Arsenal need to do all they can to keep hold of Nwaneri.

“I think Ethan can be better than Yamal if he works hard and respects the game,” the former Arsenal defender once commented.

Whether or not you believe that remark, it shows the considerable amount of hype the teen has been generating.

“The touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” Joe Cole also once said.

Losing him, therefore, would be a colossal blow. So, Arsenal need to present him with game time. Where is that most likely? Well, at the moment, he’s done a mighty fine job playing second fiddle to Saka on the right wing but he’s an attacking midfielder by trade, a central player blessed with close-touch control and a goalscoring ability.

During the 2023/24 season, his final as an academy player, Nwaneri played 18 times as a no.10 and scored 13 goals in the process. His best position is clearly there but he has to get past Martin Odegaard first.

Attacking midfield

45

20

7

Right wing

20

4

2

Centre-forward

9

11

2

Left wing

1

0

1

Despite scoring just three Premier League goals last term, the club captain isn’t going to be moved aside very easily. Thus, if the Gunners sign Simons too, Nwaneri surely isn’t going to get much of a look in his favoured role.

That isn’t to say the Dutchman wouldn’t be a good signing though. Born out of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, Simons was once a wonderkid with the world at his feet, just like Nwaneri.

However, after never making the grade as a senior pro at Barca and struggling for game time at PSG after moving to France, he’s gone the long way round to find a home in senior football at Leipzig.

During his time with the German outfit, the 22-year-old has cemented himself as “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one data analyst.

Why? Well, he’s not only a brilliant creator, but he’s also full of goals. In 2023/24, the young Netherlands international scored ten and supplied 15 goals. In 2024/25, he found the net on 11 occasions and registered eight assists.

Goals

0.42

0.40

Assists

0.40

0.20

Shots

2.09

2.42

Key passes

2.13

1.62

Progressive passes

5.86

3.33

Shot-creating actions

4.52

2.93

Progressive carries

3.56

4.65

Successful take-ons

1.38

3.74

On that evidence, he is the ideal player to provide competition for an out-of-form Odegaard.

Now, while he would certainly add an undoubted amount of extra quality to the Arsenal side, Arteta and Berta must weigh up what this move means for Nwaneri, particularly with Chelsea registering an interest.

The Gunners feel like they’re in a win the title at all costs scenario, but they must think of the long-term here too. Either way, it’s not as though Nwaneri, one of England’s best young prospects, couldn’t help them win a title now either.

Just look at Lewis-Skelly. Also aged 18, he is now a regular starter and starred in the Bernabeu as Arteta’s men defeated Real Madrid.

This will be an intriguing dilemma should Arsenal decide to further their interest in Simons.

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Champions Trophy match in Lahore on February 26 had been under threat after calls for boycott

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2025The ECB board has confirmed that England’s men will fulfil their fixture against Afghanistan at the Champions Trophy this month, despite describing the “appalling oppression” of women in the country as “gender apartheid”.Richard Thompson, the ECB’s chairman, said in a statement following a board meeting on Thursday that a “coordinated international response” would achieve more than unilateral action. The board has come under political pressure to boycott the fixture, with more than 160 British politicians calling for England to pull out of the match in Lahore on February 26.”What is happening in Afghanistan is nothing short of gender apartheid,” Thompson said. “At a cricketing level, when women’s and girls’ cricket is growing rapidly around the world it is heartbreaking that those growing up in Afghanistan are denied this opportunity, but the appalling oppression of women and girls by the Taliban goes so much further.”The Board recognises there are different views and opinions on the issue of boycotting the match and has listened carefully. We have been in close contact with the Government, the International Cricket Council (ICC), our England Men’s players and other stakeholders to discuss this matter, as well as considering how best the ECB can support those women cricketers who have fled Afghanistan.Related

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“Following this, we remain of the view that a coordinated international response by the cricketing community is the appropriate way forward, and will achieve more than any unilateral action by the ECB in boycotting this match, while we have also heard that for many ordinary Afghans, watching their cricket team is one of the few remaining sources of enjoyment. As such, we can confirm that we will play this fixture.”Thompson said that the ECB will press the ICC for further action, including ring-fencing funding to support female players from Afghanistan, and considering recognising an Afghanistan women’s refugee team. Last week, the board donated £100,000 to the MCC’s Global Refugee Cricket Fund.An Afghanistan women’s XI played an invitational T20 against a Cricket Without Borders XI in Melbourne last month, mounting pressure on the ICC to support their players.Afghanistan remain full ICC members – with full funding – despite no longer being able to fulfil the requirement to field a women’s team under its Taliban government. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo last month, two exiled players, Firooza Amiri and Benafsha Hashimi, called on Afghanistan’s men to be “the voice of the girls”, despite acknowledging that speaking out against the regime could come with its own risks.”The cricketing community cannot tackle all of Afghanistan’s problems,” Thompson added. “But we urge our international partners to stand together and demonstrate through our actions that we support the women and girls of Afghanistan, including those cricketers now in exile who just want to play and should be allowed to play the sport they love.”

Liverpool have adopted the mantra that the best form of defence is attack. Certainly, this is true of their summer transfer window so far, having made sweeping changes after winning the Premier League.

Some expected Arne Slot to be relieved of his duties as helmsman before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, let alone win the title with such dispatch.

Always ahead of the rabble, the Reds will now look to defend their title and challenge for more silverware across tournament fronts, well-equipped to do so after signing Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Though Liverpool are definitely interested in bringing in a centre-back – having attempted to sign Dean Huijsen before he joined Real Madrid and now setting their sights on Marc Guehi – many fans would agree that a centre-forward is more desperately needed.

Wirtz’s world-class playmaking would raise the level of any striker, but it won’t be enough to salvage Darwin Nunez’s Anfield career.

Why Liverpool are selling Darwin Nunez

When Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica three years ago, they thought they had secured a superstar in the making. Jurgen Klopp led the bid.

However, the Uruguay international, 25, has only scored 25 goals across his three terms in the Premier League, routinely criticised for his wayward finishing.

The pace and pressure that English football applies has foiled many a talented up-and-comer, and though Nunez has had his moments – that winner at the City Ground, that match-winning brace against Brentford – personal triumphs have been few and far between.

Under Slot’s guidance, he has scored seven times in 47 matches. Presenting that data differently, Nunez failed to score across 42 fixtures in 2024/25.

The marriage is over, but it’s an amiable divorce. Serie A champions Napoli are currently pushing to sign the striker, and it’s a move that will benefit all parties involved.

Nunez will enjoy the slower pace of the Italian division. Napoli, then, have the chance to rekindle this maverick, turn him into a chaotic weapon.

And Liverpool? Well, Liverpool will sign someone better.

Liverpool set sights on Nunez upgrade

According to German reporter Christian Falk, Liverpool are still interested in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike. The sought-after star has been expected to leave Germany this summer, but his club are playing hardball.

Indeed, Liverpool have been joined by Chelsea and Manchester United in considering a deal, but Frankfurt seem set on sticking to their €100m (£85m) valuation, a figure no one will pay.

Falk believes Liverpool will not open contacts with Frankfurt until Nunez’s future has been sorted, and a resolution on that front appears to be imminent.

Why Liverpool should sign Hugo Ekitike

Time was when the ballpark of £85m would get you record-breaking players, those of the top brass. Now, such figures make for just another day for clubs looking to stay competitive at the highest level.

That’s not to discredit Ekitike’s skill set; the Frenchman has been called “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson, after all.

And he could reach some staggering standard, of course. Ekitike is tall and powerful and dynamic, endowed with pace and awareness to combine with a hunger to rattle shots off at goal.

You can only imagine the levels he could reach at Liverpool, combining with someone like Wirtz, whom Xabi Alonso had no qualms about labelling a “genius” of a playmaker for his vision and creative passing.

24/25

31 (25)

10

13

23/24

32 (26)

11

12

22/23

17 (11)

1

6

21/22

24 (22)

7

10

20/21

29 (25)

5

6

Wirtz’s ability to score and to assist with regularity would suit a modern-tailored striker like Ekitike to a tee, for he scored 22 goals and assisted 12 more across all competitions in 2024/25, going from strength to strength after arriving in Germany as a loanee in January 2024, scoring four times across the latter half of that Bundesliga season before wrapping the deal up by the end for €35m (£30m).

A lofty figure for a relatively unproven prospect at the time, but who can argue that Frankfurt haven’t got bang for their buck now? Ekitike will be sold for a mammoth figure, even if it doesn’t quite reach the ballpark that Die Adler are hoping for.

While some might have reservations over Ekitike’s age, and indeed his rawness, you can only imagine the heights he could reach in front of Liverpool’s new record signing, and that’s without even considering the magic of Mohamed Salah being sprinkled in from the right too.

Of course, Wirtz will certainly be helped by Ekitike’s instinctiveness, the forward’s sharp movements and clever flicks apt to cause mayhem for opposing defences when collecting one of Wirtz’s surgical passes, his angled crosses, his deft layoffs.

And, furthermore, the rangy talent boasts an underlying skill set to behold, bearing all the dynamism and roundedness that Liverpool typically like from their frontmen.

As per FBref, he finished the Bundesliga campaign ranked among the top 8% of strikers for pass completion, the top 16% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.

No doubt, he’d be a dream for Liverpool’s new German superstar, actually praised for his “incredible” style of play by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Of course, Liverpool would get a more refined and established nine in Alexander Isak, who has demonstrable experience in the Premier League and Champions League, also scoring as Newcastle United beat Slot to the Carabao Cup in March.

However, Ekitike is more affordable and has the potential to grow into a bona fide sensation. Partnered with Wirtz over the coming years, whose elegant and intelligent performances would serve chances to the France talent on gleaming platters, Slot might just hit the jackpot.

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