Newcastle exceeded expectations when winning the Carabao Cup and rolling out the carpet for the forthcoming Champions League campaign, qualifying as they did via the Premier League.

Given that Eddie Howe was forced to contend with less than fluent form in the early stages of the season as a by-product of a disappointing summer transfer window that was itself preceded by a crushing end to their 2023/24 season, missing out on Europe after Manchester United won the FA Cup, this is a truly remarkable feat.

And now, during this current window, more adversity has been met. Newcastle need new forwards, but they’ve struggled to reel them in thus far.

That is, up until a breakthrough in regard to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.

Why Newcastle are signing Anthony Elanga

When Newcastle parted ways with Miguel Almiron midway through the 2024/25 campaign, it was expected they would sign a replacement.

They have needed a right-sided forward for a while, but Jacob Murphy’s incredible form has tempered the urgency over the past 12 months, having chalked up 20 goals and assists in the league alone last season.

Now, though, Elanga could provide the perfect competition, bringing a high-speed, high-energy and high-creativity style of football to Howe’s team, already so impressive in transitional sequences.

Having already seen a £45m offer knocked back, the Magpies have demonstrated their intent by returning with an improved £55m bid, with anticipation growing that their efforts will prove fruitful.

Having already missed out on a slew of top targets such as Joao Pedro, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, United are in need of some uplifting news.

They will strike gold with Elanga, who has posted 31 goal contributions across his two top-flight terms with Forest, after initially signing from Man United for £15m in 2023.

However, Elanga’s high stock doesn’t mean he automatically qualifies as the cream of Newcastle’s wide attacking crop.

Murphy and Harvey Barnes have both been exceptional for the Toon; however, Anthony Gordon would wager himself the best of the bunch.

Newcastle have hit gold with Anthony Gordon

Gordon didn’t start his Newcastle career on the firmest footing. Indeed, after forcing his way out of Everton and joining the Toon in a £45m deal back in January 2023, he played a peripheral role that lacked a potent finish over the business months of that campaign.

However, he’s since come alive; now a fully-fledged Three Lions star and one of Howe’s most talented forwards, fearsome alongside the world-class Alexander Isak, Gordon is regarded as “one of the best wingers around” by retired manager Harry Redknapp.

It bears testament to his quality that even after an up-and-down year, only scoring nine goals (and providing seven assists) across 42 games, the 24-year-old has still retained the admiration of the fans and indeed potential suitors, who have circled over recent weeks.

Matches (starts)

35 (34)

34 (28)

Goals

11

6

Assists

10

5

Shots (on target)*

2.3 (0.9)

1.7 (0.6)

Pass completion

82%

81%

Key passes*

1.6

1.5

Big chances created

16

6

Dribbles*

1.5

1.1

Ball recoveries*

3.6

2.9

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

1.1

Duels (won)*

5.3 (49%)

4.4 (52%)

Gordon might not have had the finest season in the world, but he showcased his high-level quality across the previous year, racking up 21 goal contributions in the Premier League and dazzling with underlying creative and physical metrics that were certainly still on show last term.

His efforts across his first full term on Tyneside saw the England international crowned the club’s Player of the Year, a talisman through an injury-hit spell that hampered Howe’s project considerably.

The goal involvements act as a neat barometer for assessment of Gordon’s talent, but his performances on the field almost defy such statistical analysis. His driven, tough and intelligent performances have made him an instrumental part of Howe’s success, especially as he’s so versatile, playing dutifully as a right-winger or even as a makeshift centre-forward.

But Gordon’s high ceiling was rubber-stamped when Liverpool came calling, the Anfield side being offered their one-time academy member as St. James’ Park sweated over compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

Ultimately, United managed to weave around any costly breaches by offloading more peripheral members of the squad – like Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh – but the fact remains that fans got a glimpse of the financial reckoning their winger is held in, with the Reds looking to strike a deal for £75m.

That figure in itself underscores Gordon’s superior value to Elanga, who could leave the City Ground for £55m, but Gordon has actually seen his stock rise higher still this year, with the £150k-per-week talent now valued at an eye-watering £100m.

His might seem over-expensive, but this is the modern market we’re talking about, and it illustrates Gordon’s reputation as being one of the most talented wingers on the continent.

Confident in his skills, Gordon has declared himself a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, owing to his combative and electric running style, his willingness to take on his man and get stuck in during defensive phases.

Having extended his contract with Newcastle in October 2024, Howe must well and truly feel that he has hit the jackpot with this wonderful player, whose left-sided predilection will perhaps see him partner Elanga for years to come, servicing the focal Isak in the middle.

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

Newcastle have come a long way over the past few years, but with Howe engineering such exciting and precise signings with a regularity that eludes many of their divisional rivals, there’s every chance that the best is yet to come.

Howe's next Tonali: Newcastle preparing bid for £43m "monster"

Newcastle may need to sign a midfielder this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 4, 2025

It is set to be a very busy summer for Arsenal.

After three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s team are determined to finally take the next step.

With that objective in mind, could they be about to make yet another statement signing from Spain?

Arsenal's incoming transfer business

By early next week, with Tuesday being the start of July, expect a few of Arsenal’s transfer targets to be unveiled.

Transfer Focus

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

Kepa Arrizabalaga will arrive from Chelsea for a reported fee of £5m, to be the back-up to David Raya, while, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic, Arsenal are ‘finalising’ a deal to sign Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard for £9.3m.

The Dane, however, is not the only central midfielder heading to North London, given that Martín Zubimendi is set to be unveiled next week, after the Gunners paid his £51m Real Sociedad release clause.

Nevertheless, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both departing on free transfers, this is an area of the team they do require multiple reinforcements, so are seemingly not done yet.

That’s because, according to reports in Spain, the Gunners are ‘preparing an offer’ of around £35m to Barcelona, as they attempt to sign Marc Casadó.

They also claim that Arteta believes the 21-year-old ‘fits his style of play’ perfectly, hence why the la Másia graduate ‘has become a priority’ for Arsenal.

Given Barcelona’s ongoing financial crisis, they have not ruled out sanctioning a departure, especially one that facilitates Nico Williams’ arrival from Athletic Club which, as Pol Ballús of the Athletic outlines, still faces financial obstacles.

How Marc Casadó would improve Arsenal

As alluded to earlier, Casadó joined Barcelona’s academy as a 13-year-old, making his senior debut for the first team during a Champions League dead rubber against Viktoria Plzeň in November 2022.

Since then, he has accumulated 41 appearances for Barça, but only establishing himself as a key figure this season, a regular starter before suffering a ligament injury in March, as the table below outlines.

Appearances

36

16th

Starts

29

10th

Minutes

2,447

11th

Completed passes

1,682

7th

Progressive passes

154

8th

Passes into the final third

182

6th

Shot-creating actions

64

9th

Tackles

77

2nd

Interceptions

25

8th

Touches

2,122

8th

Ball recoveries

120

8th

Average SofaScore rating

7.03

10th

As the table outlines, Casadó ranked very highly for every metric included at Barcelona this season, including both passing, as well as defensive statistics, namely tackles, interceptions and ball recoveries, underlining that he is an all-rounder.

Following his international debut against Denmark in Copenhagen, in which he came off the bench to replace Zubimendi, teammate Bryan Zaragoza described the midfielder as “barbaric”, adding “I don’t even know what to say about how he played​​​​​​​…. he’s an animal”.

Meantime, Domagoj Kostanjšak of Total Football Analysis believes he is the heir to Sergio Busquets’ throne, stating that Casadó is ‘mostly a ball-recycler’, praising his ‘crisp close control and great decision-making in possession’.

Meantime, Price of Breaking the Lines outlines how the youngster ‘always wants to make progressive passes’, noting that he is almost never dispossessed​​​​​​​ and has the ability to ‘dominate’ any midfield battle he is involved in.

So, we all already know what Zubimendi is all about, with Ogunniyi Abayomi of Breaking the Lines stating that he too is ‘capable of making line-breaking passes​​​​​​​’ as well as dictating the tempo from the base of midfield.

Thus, together, the Spanish duo – both potentially arriving from LaLiga – could form an unstoppable partnership, finally ending Arsenal’s interminable 22-year wait for the Premier League title.

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2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 28, 2025

It’s a rivalry that has dominated football for almost two decades now, with the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo story looking likely to come to a close at next year’s World Cup.

Now well into veteran, yet not necessarily diminished, status, the two men defined a generation during their pomp at Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively, with the beautiful game arguably having never seen – and might never again – the two best players in the world going head to head on a weekly basis.

While Messi’s contract situation at Inter Miami had sparked speculation regarding a potential switch to Saudi Arabian side, Al Ahli – throwing up the prospect of a renewed battle with Al Nassr’s number seven – it looks unlikely that their paths will cross again on the club scene.

With previous reports of Ronaldo moving to Miami to partner the Argentine having also been shut down by his recent bumper extension in the Middle East, the greatest ‘what if’ question of the modern era is likely to go unanswered.

Just what would have happened if the two men had ever played together in the same side?

Well, with the help of AI tool ChatGPT, we may well have the answers, having taken a deep dive into what Messi’s career, in particular, would have looked like had he ended up partnering the Portuguese sensation:

2017/18

33 G, 22 A

44 G, 8 A

2016/17

37 G, 25 A

42 G, 10 A

2015/16

32 G, 27 A

49 G, 11 A

2014/15

35 G, 30 A

52 G, 9 A

2013/14

34 G, 21 A

51 G, 12 A

2012/13

42 G, 24 A

47 G, 11 A

2011/12

50 G, 29 A

48 G, 9 A

2010/11

40 G, 25 A

45 G, 10 A

2009/10

38 G, 21 A

42 G, 10 A

1 A change in role

The sight of the 38-year-old strolling round the park has become a familiar one for both club and country these days, with Messi, as to be expected considering his age, no longer the balletic, lightning forward who tore defences to shreds in his pomp.

Who can forget the left-footer’s majestic 2012, in which he scored 91 goals in total during a simply staggering calendar year, having made a sublime transition from life on the flanks to a false nine berth. In all for Barcelona, the 5 foot 7 star registered 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games, as per Transfermarkt.

In the view of ChatGPT, a link up with Ronaldo at the Bernabeu might well have led to a different positional path, with it predicted that Messi would have dropped into a deeper role sooner, described as “more orchestrator than finisher”.

That tweak to operate more as a number ten – in a similar vein to Mesut Ozil’s role behind ‘CR7’ for Los Blancos – would perhaps have seen Messi emerge as more of a provider than a clinical goalscorer.

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Indeed, ChatGPT thinks that he would have more likely chipped in with 35-45 goals per season, in contrast to his 50+ average at his pomp, albeit with that counterbalanced by an increase in assists. As the AI tool states, a “season with 30+ assists wouldn’t be impossible.”

2 Increased success at club level

As was seen during Messi’s time at Paris Saint-Germain, alongside both Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, putting the world’s best together doesn’t always prove particularly fruitful, with the Ligue 1 side unable to even get close to securing Champions League glory with that trio onboard.

Would the same have happened with a forward line containing Messi and Ronaldo? Well, ChatGPT doesn’t think so, having predicted that Madrid – with that duo in tow – could have won “seven or eight La Liga titles in a decade”.

In the real world, Messi already boasts ten LaLiga titles, although he could have eclipsed his record on the European stage, having won four Champions League titles during his time in Catalonia.

According to ChatGPT, that return could be enhanced with a haul of six to eight Champions League triumphs, alongside Ronaldo, mirroring the club’s success during the golden period in the 1950s.

Such glittering success both in Spain and on the continent would, in the view of ChatGPT, have led that Madrid side to become recognised as “the greatest in club football history”.

3 The GOAT debate

Everyone has their favoured pick, although it is hard to argue against Messi being the greatest of his generation – if not of all-time – having claimed eight Ballon d’Or awards to date, eclipsing Ronaldo’s return of five.

Would that domination over his long-time foe have continued with the two playing together? Well, ChatGPT thinks not, suggesting that the pair might have claimed six apiece.

They add that their “votes would cannibalise each other’s dominance”, thus potentially opening the door for a player like Neymar or Robert Lewandowski to claim the award themselves.

Equally, a seemingly prosperous joint Ballon d’Or is even floated for the great duo, with the debate predicted to shift away from Messi vs Ronaldo, and instead focus on the pair “versus everyone else”.

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There is the claim that there would be far less of a debate over who is the better of the two, with there a more wider acceptance of just how great they are together.

That said, even in a parallel universe, tribalism exists, with ChatGPT noting that contention would remain over who is the one “carrying the team”.

4 A different legacy?

As a man who has won everything in the game – including the World Cup – the diminutive wizard could hardly have built a greater legacy, with even his recent mixed adventures in Paris and Miami unable to tarnish a truly staggering individual career.

Sharing the limelight with Ronaldo may well have impacted his standing somewhat, however, with ChatGPT suggesting that Messi would have been more widely admired as the “ultimate team player”, rather than simply an individual genius.

With his role as a supplier or a provider, ChatGPT claims that the Argentine would be “seen as the creative force behind an unbeatable duo”, leading to him being “even more respected by coaches and purists” but “less by stat-driven fans”.

Is that a world we would have liked to see? Two figures working in tandem to terrorise the rest of Europe, rather than going head to head with each other?

Much of what has made the 21st Century great in a footballing context has centred on that Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, but were we denied something even more intriguing by not seeing them play together?

Alas, it was not to be. But if ChatGPT is anything to go by, both men would have achieved greatness either way.

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ByRobbie Walls Jul 5, 2025

There is a lot for Arsenal to do this summer.

For the third time in a row, Mikel Arteta’s side ended this season as Premier League runners-up, and as things stand, their rivals for next year are making some impressive moves in the transfer market.

However, while the Gunners are yet to announce a signing, that doesn’t mean they aren’t working towards a few, with Martin Zubimendi’s move to the club now looking like a matter of when and not if.

The Spanish international could be a needle mover for the North Londoners, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club are now looking to advance towards another international who could be utterly game-changing.

Arsenal plot move for international superstar

It would be fair to say that the journey to sign Zubimendi has been a long and somewhat stressful one for Arsenal – one that is still not quite complete.

Transfer Focus

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

The first serious reports that the club were making serious progress in securing his services came out in January, courtesy of Sami Mokbel, but in the months that followed, there have been more than a few stories from Spain suggesting that Real Madrid was going to hijack the move.

Fortunately, reports in the last few days, notably from Fabrizio Romano, have revealed that the paperwork is now done and that fans can expect an official announcement soon.

However, while the Real Sociedad will surely help improve the balance of the North Londoners’ midfield, the club now appear to be moving towards an even better signing: Viktor Gyokeres.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, which claims that Arsenal have reignited their intense interest in the Sporting CP star.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Gunners are planning to make another offer for the free-scoring forward, which, according to other stories from earlier this week, could be up to 80m, which comes out to around £68m.

Furthermore, according to a recent update from Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, the North Londoners “will sign” the former Coventry man this summer, as he “was their first target from the start.”

It would undoubtedly represent a mammoth investment from Arsenal, but given Gyokeres’ out-of-this-world ability in front of goal, it would be worth it, and he would be a better signing than Zubimendi.

Why Gyokeres would be a better signing than Zubimendi

Firstly, as we’ve already mentioned, fans should be excited about the seemingly imminent arrival of Zubimendi this summer, as the Sociedad star has proven himself to be a defensively solid and inventive creative six at both club and international level over the last couple of years.

However, if we are talking about who could have the more significant and immediate impact on Arsenal’s title chances in the Premier League and Champions League next season and, therefore, be the better signing this summer, we think it’s impossible to look past Gyokeres.

We say this for one massive and simply impossible to ignore reason: his output.

Since moving to Sporting in the summer of 2023, the Stockholm-born phenomenon has been a seemingly unstoppable goalscoring “powerhouse,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson.

For example, in his first campaign with the Lisbon outfit, he racked up a ridiculous tally of 43 goals and 15 assists in 50 appearances, totalling 4169 minutes.

This means the former Coventry City star maintained an average of 1.16 goal involvements every game or one every 71.87 minutes, and somehow, he did even better this season.

In 52 appearances, totalling 4248 minutes, the goalscoring “monster,” as dubbed by one analyst, found the back of the net on 54 occasions and provided 13 assists for good measure, which comes out to an average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

Just imagine a centre-forward as outrageously clinical as the 27-year-old leading the line for the Gunners, with Bukayo Saka to his right, Martin Odegaard behind him and potentially a new winger to the left.

Even if he was only able to replicate a third of his output in North London, the Swede could be the difference between a fourth runners-up finish on the spin or finally getting over the line.

Therefore, while Zubimenidi will be a great signing, Gyokeres has the potential to be far better for Arsenal.

The new Saliba: Arsenal schedule talks to sign "exceptional" £43m star

The incredible youngster could turn into something truly special at Arsenal.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 25, 2025

Nottingham Forest seem set to lose one of their talismanic attackers, Anthony Elanga, in the coming days.

It appears that the Sweden star will sign for Newcastle United in the coming days for £55m, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the winger has completed his medical with the North Eastern side.

As a result, Forest need a new winger to don Garibaldi Red next season. Sky Sports suggested that they ‘are interested in a deal’ to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko and they are thought to have made an approach to the Dutch outfit to enquire about his availability this summer.

However, Bakayoko is not the only player on the list to replace Elanga, with Forest linked with a few more options out wide.

Nottingham Forest target new winger

It is certainly a frustrating situation that Forest find themselves in, having to replace Elanga this summer. However, the fee they are receiving is substantial, and allows them to sign a suitable replacement. Bakyoko is certainly not their only option.

In fact, according to journalist Greame Bailey, one of the players who Forest are considering to replace their number 21 is Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson.

Bailey explains that there is a ‘whole host of options out there’, but confirms that Hutchinson is one player the East Midlands side are considering.

At this stage, a price for the England U21 star has not been confirmed. However, given he cost the Tractor Boys £20m from Chelsea last summer, they would surely look to break even on the attacker, at the very least.

Why Hutchinson would be a good signing for Forest

At just 21 years of age, Hutchinson impressed in his first full season as a Premier League footballer. Once described as an “outstanding” player by football scout Antonio Mango, he would be an investment for both the present and future of Forest.

Last season, the versatile attacker, who has played for both Arsenal and Chelsea’s academies, played 31 times in the top flight for Ipswich. He bagged three goals and two assists, all of which came against some big sides, including both Chelsea and Manchester United.

Hutchinson was also a key member of England’s U21 European Championship-winning side last month under Lee Carsley. He played in all six games, including 98 minutes in the final against Germany, where he scored as England won 3-2 in extra time.

As a replacement for Elanga, there is no doubt that the Ipswich star would have a lot of work to do to match his numbers. The Sweden international managed six goals and 11 assists in 38 Premier League games last season.

However, there are similarities between the players, and Bakayoko, too, who managed 15 goals and assists last term.

Elanga and Hutchinson, in particular, are versatile and can play either flank or as a number 10. Bakayoko, too, is naturally a right winger.

The 21-year-old is naturally a left-footed player, and likes to cut inside on his strong foot when playing on the right-hand side. Just look at this goal he scored against Man United, picking up the ball in the right half-space, driving inside and firing home.

Indeed, the stats on FBref stack up well for Hutchinson against the other two players. For example, the Ipswich star stands out when looking at progressive numbers. Last season, he was averaging 1.57 passes into the final third per 90 minutes, more than Elanga’s 1.15 and Bakayoko’s 1.37 each game.

Hutchinson, Elanga and Bakayoko key stats compared

Stat (per 90)

Hutchinson

Elanga

Bakayoko

Key passes

1.08

1.80

2.60

Passes into final third

1.57

1.15

1.37

Progressive passes

2.61

2.27

3.60

Take-ons completed

1.78

0.90

2.69

Ball recoveries

3.83

3.20

2.49

Stats from FBref

Even though a price is not clear at this stage, a deal for Hutchinson could be a snart move for Forest. He has shown elite potential and versatility, and is already comparing well against Elanga and another of their targets in Bakayoko.

As far as an Elanga replacement goes, this could be a dream move for Forest this summer, and help them build for the present and the future.

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Posts ByRoss Kilvington Jul 5, 2025

Eoin Morgan criticised England and Ollie Pope for a lack of killer instinct with “everything in their favour”, as their refusal to continue bowling spin from both ends brought the third day of their second Test against Sri Lanka to a premature close at Lord’s.Pope brought on Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root to bowl in tandem for three overs with Sri Lanka 24 for 1, after umpires Paul Reiffel and Joel Wilson determined that the light was too poor for seamers to bowl. It briefly improved enough for Matthew Potts and Olly Stone to return – with Stone dismissing Pathum Nissanka – before Bashir and Root returned for five further overs.With 22 overs left in the day, the players then left the field – with Pope seemingly keen to avoid further wear on the new ball – and did not return for the rest of the day. It was a notable contrast to his decision to stay on the field in similar bad light in the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, where Root and Bashir bowled 12 consecutive overs of spin as Sri Lanka’s No.9 Milan Rathnayake made 72 in his debut innings.”I think it’s a questionable decision,” Morgan, who spent seven years as England’s white-ball captain, said on Sky Sports’ coverage. “The reason behind that is just the whole context of the last hour or so: it is dark. There’s a reason the seamers can’t bowl: it is dangerous for everybody concerned.”If you’re sitting in Sri Lanka’s changing room, you’re thinking, ‘Jeez the last place I want to be is out there with the bat in hand – facing anybody.’ It’s a lose-lose situation. I totally understand the concern for the condition of the ball, but you’re talking about England’s premium fingerspinner in Shoaib Bashir, who needs to bowl. The ball is turning and bouncing.”Sri Lanka had promoted Prabath Jayasuriya, who batted at No. 9 in the first innings, to No. 4 in a bid to reach the close of play unscathed. “They’re bowling at a No. 9 at one end. Everything is in England’s favour,” Morgan said. “I question the decision… you have runs to play with, you have two or three new balls, everything in your favour. And yet you’re sitting in the changing room.”Related

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England’s decision to come off meant a near-capacity crowd at Lord’s headed home early – in the face of the team’s stated desire to entertain. “We pride ourselves on wanting people to come into the ground and feel like they’ve had a really enjoyable day of cricket, and can walk away wanting to come back for more Test cricket,” Joe Root said, after the early close.Pope, who is deputising for Ben Stokes against Sri Lanka, has already come in for heavy criticism as captain, with Michael Vaughan suggesting that he is “not the kind of personality” for the role. After he was caught in the deep for 17 on Saturday when attempting to upper-cut Asitha Fernando over point, he has now scored 30 runs in four innings across the first two Tests.Jayasuriya successfully saw out 23 balls as Sri Lanka’s ‘lightwatchman’, with Dimuth Karunaratne 23 not out overnight. Sri Lanka still require a further 430 runs across the final two days for an improbable series-squaring win, but their batting coach Ian Bell suggested they still have some hope of saving the game.”The more we can spend time in the middle and that ball gets a bit softer…” Bell said. “This wicket has been quite a new-ball wicket, if you can get through that. There’s still plenty of batting, and that’s probably been the strength so far this tour: that middle-lower order have got some good runs. Tomorrow, the first hour is important and we’ll go from there.”Bell said he was pleased with the “character” that Sri Lanka showed on the third day: “What we asked the guys last night was to come in with the attitude that we saw in Manchester… A bit unfortunate to lose a second wicket in that little period of an over or two in between the bad light, but more of the same tomorrow.”It’s more the character we want to see, that we’ve seen so far in this tour. Obviously, you want to win games, but also want to see the guys fight for everything they’ve got in these conditions, which are a bit more tricky than what they play in in Sri Lanka.”

Ingram, Carlson score half-centuries but Glamorgan heading for defeat

ECB Reporters Network24-Aug-2024Derbyshire are on the brink of ending a five year red ball drought after Jack Morley put Glamorgan in a spin on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match at Derby. The on-loan left arm spinner from Lancashire took 3 for 35 from 20 overs to put Derbyshire on course for a first Championship victory at the County Ground since August 2019.Glamorgan were fighting back at 226 for 4 but they lost three wickets in the space of six balls and closed on 236 for 7, still 25 behind. Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson scored fifties but Morley and Pat Brown (2 for 50) bowled Derbyshire to the verge of a first Championship win anywhere for 25 months.After rain washed out the morning session, Brown and Zak Chappell started Glamorgan’s decline with three wickets in six overs. Billy Root did not profit from his escape the previous evening, scoring only 13 before he pushed at a ball from Brown he could have left and was caught behind.Brown tempted Ben Kellaway into a loose waft that gave Brooke Guest another victim before Chappell bagged the big wicket of Sam Northeast. The Glamorgan skipper had started purposefully but there was little he could do with a ball that was angled in and straightened enough to get through his defence and pluck out middle stump.A shower held up play for 20 minutes which would have helped keep the bowlers fresh and disrupt the batters concentration but both Carlson and Ingram settled in well after the restart. Carlson was more circumspect after he got away with a big drive early in his innings and Ingram, who scored a century on this ground last season, was quick to pounce on anything short or overpitched.With Anuj Dal off the field, Derbyshire were a bowler down and there was frustration for Brown when Carlson saw an edge loop just over third slip before Ingram was given a life on 25. Brown tempted him into a drive and the edge went low to Guest who could not hang on diving to his left.Ingram reached his 50 off 93 balls the over before tea which arrived with Glamorgan recovering well to get the deficit below three figures. But all the hard work was undone three overs into the final session when Ingram attempted a big slog-sweep at Morley and was bowled to end a stand of 110 from 179 balls.Colin Ingram made a fighting fifty for Glamorgan•Getty ImagesDerbyshire thought they had Carlson in the next over, caught behind off David Lloyd, but the umpires ruled correctly that the ball had been played into the ground.Carlson completed his 50 off 125 balls before Derbyshire lost Brown who limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury four overs into his second spell.Lloyd took over and struck when Chris Cooke tried to drive and was bowled, breaking a stand of 50 from 122 balls. Derbyshire moved a step closer to victory in the next over when Carlson inexplicably gave Morley the charge and was stumped.Timm van der Gugten was lbw first ball and although Mason Crane averted the hat-trick, Glamorgan will need something remarkable on the last day to deny Derbyshire that long-awaited home win.

Test captain says someone always needs to be in the firing line, as stand-in struggles for form

Vithushan Ehantharajah05-Sep-2024

Ben Stokes has bemoaned the “culture” of English sport for what he perceives as unnecessary criticism of stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope.With Stokes recovering from a torn left hamstring, Pope, his vice-captain, has stepped in to lead the Test team for the ongoing Sri Lanka series. Having overseen comprehensive victories in the first two Tests, the Surrey batter returns to the Kia Oval on Friday looking for a clean sweep. Victory will give England their first 100 percent record in a home season since 2004, after Stokes led a comfortable 3-0 win over West Indies earlier this summer.Pope has marshalled well in the field, but his batting has suffered because of the extra responsibility. An average of 7.50 from four innings – which he attributes to difficulties compartmentalising captaincy with scoring runs at No.3 – has led to a raft of criticism. Former England captain Michael Vaughan was particularly scathing during the second Test, labelling Pope “an insecure human being” and ill-equipped to lead.Stokes, who has been with the team throughout the series, warned Pope that stepping up as captain would invite more criticism. Though not surprised by the comments against Pope, Stokes has been impressed with how the 26-year-old has dealt with the added pressure and acquitted himself on the field.Ben Stokes at a Red Bull event in London•Red Bull Content Pool/Mark Roe

“Unfortunately, it’s just English culture towards sport,” Stokes told .”There’s always got to be someone in the firing line and obviously when you’re captain you are more exposed to that.”He’s won two games out of two in charge. At the end of the day, I think that’s the thing that he’s concentrated on the most. He obviously wants to be scoring runs and leading from the front. He’s openly admitted that.”People are very quick to jump on anything, to someone who’s in the firing line and obviously Pope coming in and being captain whilst I’m injured, you can say he’s the easy target there.”But I think he’s done fantastically well in leading the team. He’s done it his own way, which is something I encouraged him to do, to keep driving the team forward in the way that I’ve been trying to do, but make sure that you put your own personal touches to it.”I think he’s tactically he’s done very well. Let’s not forget before that first Test against Sri Lanka, he’d come off the back of fifty, fifty and a hundred (57, 121 and 51 in consecutive innings against West Indies). And then he doesn’t have one good game and everyone’s saying he is out of form. It’s like ‘short memories people, come on!'”It is not the first time Stokes has staunchly defended a teammate. Even before he became captain, he has always felt a duty to his fellow cricketer and athlete, particularly as his stock rose to international repute.That Stokes – a Red Bull athlete – is speaking at their Gaming Sphere in Shoreditch is aligned to that altruistic streak. He is here promoting his athlete-collective, 4Cast, while also indulging his new-ish hobby, Call of Duty.Related

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“It went big through Covid,” Stokes said of his gaming interest. “That’s where it all filtered from. Then as the world got back to some kind of normality, you had your diehards who stayed with it – me being one of them. It’s like another sort of hobby to get you away from all the things that cricket can bring. Clare (his wife) doesn’t understand it, but it’s like her glass of wine at night. At the end of a hard day, I jump on for a couple of hours with my mates, headset on.”As for 4Cast, that weds Stokes’ interest in business and his belief in the power of a team. There were shades of both this time last year when Stokes acted as a key figure in negotiations between the players and the ECB, with the governing body introducing multi-year central contracts.Stokes ended up rejecting a multi-year offer, choosing to keep his options open. This year, an agreement over a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the ECB and The England Player Partnership (TEPP) will be struck, which, aligned with the new cycle of broadcast rights, should bring more money to the table. All being well, it is likely Stokes will sign on for more than 12 months this time.”I’ve always enjoyed the business side of things,” Stokes said of his role at 4Cast. “You see all these big athletes out there who are diving into the world of business. But one thing with me that I really enjoy, is we only really do stuff that we like.”It’s great being able to just bring athletes from different sports into one thing. Athletes together are actually really powerful in terms of what you are able to achieve. When you put a big group of athletes together, it’s amazing what opportunities are out there.”To find out more about Ben Stokes, visit his Instagram channel and Red Bull athlete page

عقد الكولومبي أوسكار رويز، رئيس لجنة الحكام بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، اجتماعًا مع حكام الدوري الممتاز وحكام تقنية الفيديو المساعد “VAR” قبل انطلاق الجولة السادسة من المسابقة.

وجاء ذلك فى إطار سياسة لجنة الحكام بتطوير أداء الحكام ورفع كفاءتهم الفنية خلال مشاركتهم ببطولة الدوري المصري.

طالع | أوسكار رويز يوجه طلبًا إلى حكام الفيديو في الدوري المصري

وتناول الاجتماع إلقاء محاضرات فنية لتطوير مستوى الحكام، بالإضافة إلى مناقشة أبرز الحالات التحكيمية التي شهدتها الجولات الماضية.

كما أكد رويز على أهمية تفادي الأخطاء في المباريات المقبلة بعد العودة من فترة التوقف الدولي.

كما حرص رويز خلال الاجتماع على توجيه الشكر لعدد من الحكام والاشادة بمستواهم التحكيمي خلال إدارتهم للمباريات الماضية.

ومن المقرر أن تُستأنف بطولة الدوري المصري يوم الجمعة الموافق 12 من شهر سبامبر الجاري، بعد انتهاء فترة التوقف الحالية.

Bayern Munich have now made an approach over a potential deal for a Chelsea star who excelled at the Club World Cup, according to a report.

Blues crowned Club World Cup champions in New Jersey

Few would have predicted the Blues to cause an upset against European champions Paris Saint-Germain, but they put in a remarkable performance to secure a 3-0 victory, with all three goals coming in the first-half.

Cole Palmer is likely to get most of the headlines, with the England international bagging a brace, and the 23-year-old’s second goal was extremely well-taken, creating space with a shimmy that was impossible for Lucas Beraldo and Vitinha to predict.

However, Enzo Maresca has praised the entire team for the way in which they were able to implement his game plan, saying: “It went well, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes, when the team came out to demonstrate that we were here to try to win, respecting the rival, considering the rival the best team in the world at this time.

“But I think in the end, you can give the players a plan, but in the end it’s them who have to execute it, and they did it very well.”

Another player who caught the eye was Malo Gusto, with the right-back assisting Palmer’s opening goal vs PSG, while also being trusted by Maresca throughout the tournament, featuring in every single match.

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However, according to a report from France, Gusto is now attracting interest from across the continent, with Bayern Munich submitting an enquiry over a potential deal, given that Sacha Boey is expected to leave the German club this summer.

It is currently unclear whether the Blues would be willing to listen to offers for the Frenchman, who started against PSG, but they should be in a strong negotiating position, as he remains contracted until 2030.

Chelsea must reject Bayern's advances

Maresca could be brewing something special at Stamford Bridge, with the statement victory over PSG suggesting his side may be Premier League title contenders next season, and Chelsea must not put that at risk by selling one of their key players.

The France international made 32 appearances in the Premier League last season, indicating Maresca trusts the full-back, with the Italian also describing the 22-year-old as one of his “favourite” players.

As such, it seems unlikely that a departure will be on the cards this summer, especially in the wake of the Club World Cup final triumph, which may convince the defender to continue being a part of Maresca’s project.

That said, if Chelsea do decide to cash-in, they should hold out for far more than the £31m they forked out to sign him from Lyon back in January 2023.