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ردود أفعال جماهير ليفربول على أداء محمد صلاح أمام أستون فيلا: أسطورة حية

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

تفاعلت جماهير فريق ليفربول مع أداء النجم المصري محمد صلاح في مباراة يوم السبت في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ضد خصمه فريق أستون فيلا.

واستضاف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وأستون فيلا، في الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26، حيث حقق حامل اللقب فوزًأ بهدفين دون رد.

وخاض محمد صلاح مباراة ليفربول ضد أستون فيلا بأكملها، وتمكن من تسجيل الهدف الأول قبل نهاية الشوط الأول. ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا

وكعادتها، تفاعلت جماهير ليفربول مع أداء محمد صلاح في مباراة أستون فيلا، عبر موقع إكس، خاصة مع وصوله إلى هدفه رقم 250 مع الريدز، على النحو التالي:

“أعظم لاعب لدينا في القرن، أعتقد أن الأمر أصبح واضحًا الآن”.

“أفضل هداف في ليفربول منذ إيان راش، يا له من أسطورة حية”.

“يا لها من أسطورة، هذه الاستمرارية تُعد عظمة خالصة”.

“إنجاز رائع لـ محمد صلاح”.

“الملك عاد”.

“يا له من لاعب! حلم مشجعو ليفربول بمثل هذا السجل على مدار 25 عامًا!”.

“بصراحة، لم أتخيل في حياتي أن أرى لاعبًا يسجل حتى 200 هدفًا مع ليفربول، إنجاز مذهل من لاعب مذهل، من الرائع مشاهدته وهو يعود بالسنين إلى الوراء الليلة”.

“إنجاز مذهل من ملكنا المصري، أسطورة بحق”.

“أعظم لاعب في الدوري الإنجليزي على الإطلاق”.

منتخب مصر يهزم البرتغال على ملعبه استعدادًا لكأس الأمم الإفريقية لكرة اليد

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

تمكن منتخب مصر الأول لكرة اليد، من تحقيق الفوز على نظيره منتخب البرتغال، وديا، على هامش استعداد الفراعنة لكأس الأمم الإفريقية. 

وحقق منتخب مصر الفوز على البرتغال “رابع العالم” على أرضها بنتيجة 32-28 في مباراة دولية ودية استعدادا لكأس الأمم الأفريقية لكرة اليد

طالع.. منتخب مصر يهزم إسبانيا ويتأهل إلى نهائي كأس العالم لكرة اليد تحت 17 عامًا

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي منتخب مصر مع نظيره البرتغالي مرة أخرى وديًا، يوم السبت المقبل الموافق 1 نوفمبر، على هامش الاستعداد لكأس أمم إفريقيا لليد، والتي من المقرر أن تنطلق في يناير المقبل في رواندا.

ويحرص الجهاز الفني للمنتخب بقيادة الإسباني باسكوال على استغلال المباراتين في تجربة أكبر عدد من اللاعبين، والاطمئنان على الجاهزية البدنية والفنية لعناصر المنتخب قبل الدخول في المراحل المتقدمة من الإعداد.

تأتي المواجهتان أمام منتخب البرتغال، أحد المنتخبات الأوروبية القوية، بهدف رفع مستوى الاحتكاك الدولي، وتطبيق خطط وأساليب لعب جديدة استعدادًا للاستحقاقات القادمة، وعلى رأسها بطولة إفريقيا المقبلة في رواند يناير المقبل، ضمن برنامج استعداد قوي وضعه مجلس ادارة اتحاد كرة اليد. 

"Incredible" £70m ace now ready to reject Real Madrid for Liverpool in 2026

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Despite spending bigger than ever this summer, Liverpool could reportedly splash the cash once again next year to welcome a player who is ready to reject Real Madrid.

Slot sends reminder about "great" Liverpool business

Even after winning four from four in the Premier League, Arne Slot and Liverpool have faced plenty of criticism. The Reds have needed four, dramatic late winners to maintain the only 100% record in England’s top flight so far this season in a run that is yet to feature a goal or assist from big-money arrival Florian Wirtz.

As he continues to adjust to life in England, there’s been plenty of talk about whether he will prove his worth at Anfield and about Liverpool’s general spending. Slot, however, was quick to remind reporters that there were also a number of sales at Anfield this summer in his press conference before Liverpool’s meeting with Atletico Madrid.

The Dutchman also had his say on Wirtz, telling reporters: “There is so much focus on Florian, but those already here haven’t scored four goals or produced 12 assists either.”

The good news for Liverpool is that, whilst the former Bayer Leverkusen star is not at his best quite yet, they’ve won four games from four and should only get better as a collective.

Their spending may not be done after the summer just gone, either. Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes sent a statement of intent in the last transfer window, which could quickly see them return to the market in 2026. Reports are even suggesting that one player is now ready to reject Real Madrid in favour of an Anfield move.

Wharton ready to reject Real Madrid for Liverpool

According to reports in Spain, Adam Wharton is ready to reject Real Madrid in favour of joining Liverpool in 2026. The England international has been priced at around £70m by Crystal Palace, who could also lose Marc Guehi to the Reds next summer. In a double swoop, Slot could land two of the most important players at Selhurst Park.

PL stats P90 24/25

Adam Wharton

Alexis Mac Allister

Minutes

1,318

2,599

Progressive Passes

7.33

6.12

Tackles Won

0.96

2.01

Ball Recoveries

6.99

5.12

In Slot’s new double pivot, it could be argued that Wharton would be the perfect addition. Last season, the Englishman kept up with Alexis Mac Allister in possession and recovered possession more than the Liverpool star. That’s how talented Wharton is and that’s the level that he should be competing with every week.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Prediction, team news, injury updates and more

The Reds are set to turn their attention towards the Champions League.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 17, 2025

Dubbed “incredible” by former Crystal Palace teammate Eberechi Eze, Wharton is still just 21 years old and is yet to even reach the peak of his powers. If he continues his current rise, then £70m could quickly turn into a bargain deal for Liverpool next summer.

Smriti Mandhana's RCB ready to kickstart homecoming party

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

The Indian players have stepped up for RCB while MI have relied heavily on their overseas players so far

Sruthi Ravindranath20-Feb-2025

Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, RCB and MI captains, have a laugh•BCCI

Who’s playingRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Mumbai Indians (MI)
Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, February 21, 2025
What to expect: RCB’s Indian unit vs MI’s overseas playersThe formidable RCB side will be looking to continue their imperious run as they enter the home leg. They have a lot going for them this season and though they are without several match-winners from last season, their Indian players have stepped up. Smriti Mandhana continued her purple patch, Richa Ghosh looked in fine touch against Delhi Capitals after her blinder against Gujarat Giants, and Renuka Singh’s new-ball bowling has also been a big positive. They will want to make the most of playing in front of their home crowd at Chinnaswamy, where they won three out of five games last season. They will play four home matches this season.For MI, though, it’s been all about the overseas players so far. They have banked on Nat Sciver-Brunt’s excellent form with the bat and ball. She followed up her 59-ball 80 not out in the loss against DC with a solo effort of 57 against Giants and gave her side their first win of the season. In the bowling department, Hayley Mathews and Amelia Kerr have been their key wicket-takers. MI will be looking for more support from their Indian line-up, especially in the batting department, to put up bigger scores.Team news and likely XIsRCB left Prema Rawat out and brought in senior left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht for the match against DC. Bisht marked her return with figures of 2 for 35, dismissing Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen.RCB (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Raghvi Bist, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Kanika Ahuja, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Ekta Bisht, 9 Kim Garth, 10 VJ Joshitha, 11 Renuka SinghMI made two changes for their match against Giants, bringing in Parunika Sisodia for Saika Ishaque and G Kamalini for Jintimani Kalita. Kamalini played down the order and scored a boundary off the only ball she faced, while Sisodia went for 20 runs in her two overs.MI (probable): 1 Yastika Bhatia (wk), 2 Hayley Matthews, 3 Nat Sciver-Brunt, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Amelia Kerr, 6 G Kamalini, 7 S Sajana, 8 Amanjot Kaur, 9 Sanskriti Gupta, 10 Shabnim Ismail, 11 Parunika SisodiaPlayers to watch: Renuka Singh and Hayley MathewsRenuka Singh had a lacklustre WPL 2024 but has staged a superb comeback this season. Continuing from where she left off for India in the West Indies ODIs in Vadodara, where she picked up 10 wickets in three games, she has used the assistance off the pitch with the new ball to take five wickets in RCB’s last two games. After the win against DC, she admitted to have worked on her pace and outswing. She will be looking to maintain her rhythm as the action moves to Bengaluru.Hayley Matthews may not have had great outings with the bat so far but her bowling has been valuable. In the first game, she dismissed the dangerous Shafali Verma with her offspin. In her second match, she finished with frugal figures of 3 for 16 to restrict Giants to 120 as she took the Player-of-the-Match award.Stats that matter RCB have won two out of their five games against MI so far in the WPL. At the centre of those two wins was Ellyse Perry. After bagging stunning figures of 6 for 15 in the reverse fixture in Delhi, she scored 66 off 50 in the Eliminator to lead RCB to the final. All six matches in the WPL 2025 so far have been won by the chasing side.

"Tough to take" – Leeds and Farke now given new injury blow to "key" star

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Leeds United have also shared the news of an injury blow to a “key” star after getting knocked out of the EFL Cup to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.

Leeds knocked out of EFL Cup with embarrassing Sheffield Wednesday defeat

Daniel Farke said he was embarrassed and apologised to Leeds fans after his side crashed out of the EFL Cup on penalties. Against an extremely young Owls side, the Whites fielded a strong side and required Jayden Bogle to cancel out goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s second-half own goal to take the tie to penalties.

However, misses from Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff saw the Whites lose 3-0 in the shootout. Talking after the game, Farke said:

“We have to take all of the criticism and we are self-critical because out of all the chances we should put four or five goals to bed. It’s always a bit annoying and you feel a bit embarrassed as a Premier League side, but we have been involved in so many games on this level, especially in the cup – this is why there are so many surprises and shock results.

“Even the team in the lower league can win such a game. Today was one of those days and congratulations to Sheffield Wednesday.”

When asked for his message to Leeds fans, Farke said: “You can feel for them. We’re sorry anyhow. We feel a bit embarrassed that we don’t go through in such a game. We can just say ‘sorry’ because they made the trip and wanted to celebrate.”

Leeds signings

From

Fee

Noah Okafor

AC Milan

£18m

Anton Stach

Hoffenheim

£17.4m

Jaka Bijol

Udinese

£15m

Lucas Perri

Lyon

£13.9m

Sean Longstaff

Newcastle

£12m

Gabriel Gudmundsson

Lille

£10m

James Justin

Leicester City

£10m

Sebastiaan Bornauw

Wolfsburg

£5m

Lukas Nmecha

Wolfsburg

Free

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton

Free

Farke reveals injury to Leeds star Tanaka

Missing from the defeat at Hillsborough was midfielder Ao Tanaka. The Japan international was replaced in the 5-0 defeat at the Emirates on Saturday and, like Ethan Ampadu, has suffered an MCL injury and will be out for weeks. When asked about Tanaka’s injury, Farke said:

Tanaka starred in the opening day win over Everton and has been a vital player for Leeds since joining from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer for just £3m.

However, with both Ampadu and Tanaka sidelined for the foreseeable, Farke will have to rely on Longstaff, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev, or look to bring in another midfielder before the transfer deadline.

Bumrah vs Konstas continues to enliven Border-Gavaskar Trophy

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

An exchange of words late on day one has added more spark to one of the series’ most compelling duels

Andrew McGlashan03-Jan-2025

Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas ended day one on a fiery note•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Sam Konstas was at the centre of a fiery exchange with India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah amid a dramatic finish to the opening day of the final Test at the SCG, which has set up another compelling duel when play resumes on Saturday.Australia’s reply started with just 15 minutes of the day remaining, and first ball Konstas walked down the crease at Bumrah and whipped him through midwicket. Konstas then exchanged words with Bumrah before what became the penultimate ball of the day after Usman Khawaja had pulled away from the strike, seemingly to try and eat up time to ensure there wouldn’t be another over.Related

Rohit did the decent thing, so why cloak it in intrigue?

Boland leads the charge as Australia dominate on green pitch

India's day of futility, until Bumrah catches fire

Great Scott Boland, the supersub calling the shots for Australia

Konstas turned to Bumrah and appeared to say something, which prompted umpire Sharfuddoula to step in. The next delivery passed through outside off stump. Then, with the final ball of the day, Bumrah had Khawaja edging to second slip, and immediately turned and locked eyes with Konstas at the non-striker’s end and took a couple of steps towards him, before being joined by several team-mates, including Virat Kohli, in exuberant celebration.”I feel they had a little chit-chat,” Rishabh Pant said of the exchange. “They wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason he had a conversation with Jassi [Bumrah]. He [Konstas] said something, I didn’t hear it, but I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do to just waste some time so we don’t bowl one more over.”The India players were animated as they left the field, having a few minutes earlier been bowled out for 185, while Konstas walked off a few metres behind Khawaja, with Australia 9 for 1.”It was an interesting one,” Beau Webster said of how Australia’s innings started. “I was sitting next to Heady [Travis Head] in the rooms watching on the TV and the first ball he [Konstas] ran down and clipped him over midwicket. There almost wasn’t surprise anymore, it was like there he is, he’s away.”Sammy’s a very confident young man, it’s what they do these days, those youngsters, they get after it and put themselves out there. He’s got all the skills and all the talent to back it up so hopefully he has a really good day tomorrow and puts a few runs on the board.”Usman Khawaja walks back after being done in by Jasprit Bumrah•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Konstas’ selection in the latter part of the series has had a dramatic impact. He struck 60 off 65 balls in his debut innings at the MCG, where he scooped Bumrah on a regular basis, and in the process of his stay was shoulder-barged by Kohli between overs. Bumrah struck back against Konstas in the second innings by removing him for 8.In the field, Konstas was heavily engaged with the packed MCG crowd and in the final innings, as Australia pushed for victory, was a vocal presence around the bat.”He’s playing with a lot of flair,” Scott Boland told . “He’s definitely under their skin. You can see that in the last few moments there.”Speaking ahead of the SCG Test, Konstas’ mentor Shane Watson said he had been surprised by how outgoing the 19-year-old had been.”My experience of dealing and working with Sam has been a very quiet, reserved personality,” he said. “[He’s] a very deep thinker and certainly not an extrovert. But obviously what we saw in the Test match is that he absolutely is a showman.”Bumrah’s late strike will raise India’s hopes that he has one more huge performance in him to cap an outstanding series with the visitors needing to win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”Think there’s definitely a method to go about batting on this wicket, but Jasprit is a world-class bowler and no doubt he’s going to challenge our whole batting group,” Webster said. “He’s phenomenal with his lengths and lines, it is going to be tough on a wicket that will offer a fair bit for him.”Pant acknowledged India would have liked a few more runs but was confident in India being able to stay competitive in the match.”I think I wouldn’t say it’s a par score, I think anything over 220 to 250 would be a par score,” he said. “But still a very competitive score because the way ball is moving now I think there’s a lot of help for the bowler and hopefully we can capitalise on that.”

Carey and McSweeney hundreds deny New South Wales after Lyon's inroads

by csb10.top Uncategorized

New South Wales 366 (Konstas 152, Philippe 56) and 282 for 6 dec (Konstas 105, Henriques 52) drew with South Australia 260 (Carey 90, Lyon 5-47) and 309 for 5 (McSweeney 127*, Carey 111, Lyon 3-94)Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has fired a warning shot ahead of this summer’s tour by India, notching a superb century in South Australia’s Sheffield Shield draw with New South Wales.After posting a rapid-fire 90 in the first innings at Cricket Central, Carey pulled South Australia back from the brink with 111 from 158 deliveries in the second on day four. The two knocks combined to mark his most successful start to a Sheffield Shield season since his Test debut in 2021.Related

  • NSW teen prodigy Konstas shines with Ponting-like feat

  • Maxwell named for red-ball return in Victoria's 2nd XI

  • Australia A looms for in-form Harris but lifeless Junction decides opening Shield match

Carey’s efforts came after he finished last summer with an unbeaten 98 against New Zealand, and will be reassuring for an Australian side preparing to lose Cameron Green for at least part of the summer through his back injury.On Friday, Carey steadied the ship after Test team-mate Nathan Lyon showed his own form by sparking a collapse of 4 for 9 as the visitors chased 389 for victory.Lyon tickled the off-stump of Travis Head in the most significant of three early wickets, with nightwatchman Nathan McAndrew and Conor McInerney joining the superstar batter in the dugout courtesy of the spinner.Carey came to the crease just as South Australia needed a hero at 23 for 4 and forged a 182-run partnership with captain Nathan McSweeney, who carved out a brilliant century of his own and faced 283 balls throughout the final day.Carey struck a blow in his tit-for-tat with Lyon by sweeping the veteran past deep midwicket for his ninth four of the innings to reach his half-century, which guided South Australia into triple figures and relative stability.Just after lunch, Carey brought up a seventh first-class century with a single to deep cover off Liam Hatcher.Ollie Davies dropped Carey at point on 110 but he fell a run later when he glanced Tanveer Sangha to a deep leg slip.Carey’s ton returned serve to rival gloveman Josh Inglis, who hit a century of his own for Western Australia earlier this week after a white-ball tour of the UK during which the pair shared wicketkeeping duties.McSweeney picked up where Carey left off but with their tail unlikely to wag, South Australia looked reluctant to take the game on late, despite having five wickets in hand.McSweeney is a player on the radar of the national selectors after impressive returns last season and will be a candidate to captain Australia A.Lyon could not repeat his early heroics as Moises Henriques threw batter Nic Maddinson the ball late on when it was clear no result would eventuate.

£100k-a-week Tottenham star now wants to join elite manager at another club

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Tottenham could be poised to implement a host of intriguing changes throughout Thomas Frank’s squad this summer, and not just in terms of incoming new players.

Tottenham open talks with Premier League club to sign £30m star with Kudus

The Ghanaian isn’t Spurs’ only target.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 9, 2025

Frank is set to welcome West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus to Hotspur Way after Spurs and the east Londoners shook hands on a £55 million deal earlier this week, with the 24-year-old coming in as their first major signing of the window.

They’re also set to sign Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White for around £60 million, who’s poised for a medical today following quick-fire talks, with Daniel Levy making serious statements in a show of backing to his new manager.

However, while these signings are undoubtedly a huge boost for Frank, it is worth noting that the arrivals of Kudus and Gibbs-White means that Spurs will “almost certainly” have to sell at least one player (The Telegraph).

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

This is due to their current abundance of non-locally trained players, which will go up to 24 after Kudus comes in. As things stand, this will force Tottenham to tackle their Champions League campaign with a reduced squad list, as UEFA requires at least eight players of a 25-man Champions League squad be ‘locally trained’.

If Spurs or any other club fail to meet this requirement, the maximum number of ‘A-list’ players will be reduced to compensate for it.

With the Lilywhites now forced into the position of potentially needing to sell squad members after Kudus’ signing, even if Gibbs-White falls into the ‘locally trained’ category after coming through Wolves’ academy, it remains to be seen what impact this UEFA headache will have.

In terms of the best candidates for Daniel Levy to consider shipping out the Spurs exit door, there are a few.

They’ve already agreed to loan Alejo Veliz to former club Rosario Central, confirming the transfer earlier this week, but there are a few who could join the Argentine.

Frank won’t want to lose Cristian Romero to Atlético Madrid, but the La Liga side are still attempting to sign him (AS), while there is a belief that Tottenham are much more open to selling Richarlison after an injury-blighted 2024/2025.

Son Heung-min has also entered the final 12 months of his contract, and Levy could be tempted to make money back off the South Korean’s sale, rather than lose him for free next year, amid interest from Saudi Arabia and Los Angeles FC.

Yves Bissouma wants to leave Tottenham and join Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahçe

According to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, Levy could have another sale opportunity in the form of Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma.

The Mali international, like Son, has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and the north Londoners are prepared to take a small loss on the initial £25 million they paid to sign him from Brighton in 2022.

Sabuncuoğlu states, via news aggregator Fener Ajans on X, that Levy will let Bissouma leave for £20 million this summer, and Fenerbache are seriously interested in the 28-year-old. The reporter also claims Jose Mourinho has identified Bissouma as his top midfield target for the Süper Lig giants, and he wants to join the former Tottenham boss in Turkey.

The £100,000-per-week ace was exceptional for Ange Postecoglou during the 59-year-old’s debut season in the dugout, and has displayed flashes of brilliance since, with James Maddison calling his teammate a “ridiculous player” at times.

However, the trouble with Bissouma has been surrounding his consistency, and now could potentially be the time to cash in.

Ben Stokes: Criticism of Ollie Pope reflects 'English culture towards sport'

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

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

Vithushan Ehantharajah05-Sep-2024

Ollie Pope has deputised for Ben Stokes since his hamstring injury•Getty Images

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

Hamstring tear rules Ben Stokes out of summer, aiming for Pakistan tour

Pope's truth: Captaincy may be an honour, but batting remains the future

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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

Arsenal back off with Liverpool now favourites to sign "dream" striker

by z3u9t.icu Uncategorized

Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker is set to be the main talking point of their expectedly busy transfer window, and if you ask any fan, the addition of a prolific centre-forward would be their top priority.

Arsenal working on Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres deals

At the time of writing, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres stand out as Arsenal’s top two targets for the role.

Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign "top" £42m forward after alleged talks

The Gunners hero hopes they can do a deal.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 5, 2025

Sesko finished 2024/2025 with a modest goal return of 21 in all competitions, which is just six more than Kai Havertz who spent half of last season out injured. However, the 22-year-old is a long-term target for Mikel Arteta.

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

Arsenal had a proposal to sign Sesko last summer rejected, with the Slovenia international choosing to sign a contract extension and shaking hands on a gentlemen’s agreement with Leipzig that he can leave this year or next year instead.

Arsenal also tried to sign Sesko in January, but the player and his club wanted him to see out the Bundesliga season (Ben Jacobs).

Gyokeres, meanwhile, has just fired Sporting to their first domestic double in two decades with a sensational 54 goals in all competitions – so the Swede’s appeal to Gunners director Andrea Berta is glaringly obvious.

According to the BBC this week, Arsenal were simultaneously working on deals for both Sesko and Gyokeres, before making a final decision on which centre-forward to formally pursue.

Now, it appears they’re favouring Sesko, with talks advancing on that front, according to Fabrizio Romano and other reliable media sources.

Before Sesko, it was reliably reported that Newcastle United star Alexander Isak was actually Arsenal’s “dream” signing.

Arsenal back off in race for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak

However, the striker’s reported £150 million-plus price tag and Newcastle’s qualification for the Champions League make this deal incredibly difficult.

Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their first goal

There is also the matter of Liverpool, with journalist Graeme Bailey telling The Boot Room that Arsenal are backing off in the race for Isak, partly because the north Londoners theorise that Arne Slot’s title-winners are in “pole position” if he does leave St. James’ Park.

“Isak is the dream, and I think because Liverpool’s confidence, that’s where Arsenal’s interest is waning slightly,” said Bailey.

“I’ve been told Liverpool are in pole position. If Isak leaves, Liverpool are in pole position, and I think Arsenal learned that and that’s why they backed off slightly as well. Not just because they can’t afford him, because Arsenal probably could if they wanted to.”

Isak’s 27 goals in all competitions tell just half the story, with Eddie Howe’s Swede proving an absolute nightmare for defences to deal with across 24/25.

It would surely take something very special to convince Newcastle to sell the 25-year-old, and even a record-shattering bid might not be enough.