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Arsenal are now expected to rival Liverpool for the signature of an “elite” player, who Declan Rice is a big fan of.

Gunners lay down marker with victory against Nottingham Forest

The Gunners suffered an early setback in the Premier League title race at Anfield before the international break, with Liverpool emerging as 1-0 victors, but they got right back on track against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.

A Martin Zubimendi brace either side of Viktor Gyokeres’ third goal of the season ensured the north Londoners picked up all three points, sending Mikel Arteta’s side back to the top of the Premier League table.

As expected, Arteta’s side have looked particularly impressive from a defensive point of view up to this point, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s arguably unstoppable free-kick the only goal they have conceded in the opening four games.

Related Arsenal intensify interest in signing "special" gem ahead of Liverpool

He’s a future star…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Sep 13, 2025

However, there has now been a suggestion that Arteta remains keen on strengthening his backline even further, with a report from The Boot Room revealing Arsenal are now expected to rival Liverpool for the signature of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Arne Slot’s side are still the favourites to sign Guehi, despite missing out on a £35m deal during the summer transfer window, but there could now be stiff competition for the centre-back’s signature, with a whole host of Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, also keen.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “He is a fantastic person and everyone who meets him relays that fact – I was told by one high ranking Premier League executive that signing him is one of the ‘least risky’ transfers that anyone could do.

"Elite" Guehi would provide incredible depth for Arteta

Arteta is already blessed with a number of top-quality options at centre-back, with William Saliba and Gabriel forming a formidable partnership, which led to the Gunners boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League last season.

Having also signed Cristhian Mosquera in the summer transfer window, there are doubts over whether signing another defender is necessary, but the Crystal Palace star clearly has the ability to be a success at the Emirates Stadium.

Lauded as an “elite” centre-back by writer Eddie Gibbs, the 25-year-old is now an established England international, picking up 25 caps, with Statman Dave recently singing him out for praise for his performance in the 5-0 victory against Serbia.

The Englishman, who Rice is a big fan of, scored his first goal for the Three Lions in the thrashing, while he has also made a flying start to the season at club level, particularly impressing in a 3-0 victory against Aston Villa.

Guehi stats vs Villa

Number completed

Goals

1

Duels won

5

Clearances

5

Tackles

3

That said, it could be very difficult for Guehi to displace Saliba or Gabriel in the starting XI, so a move to Anfield could make more sense, especially if Ibrahima Konate doesn’t sign a new contract.

He also agreed that Pakistan cricket has been on a decline but is confident of bouncing back

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Mar-2025

Mohammad Haris has managed scores of 0 and 11 in the two T20Is•Joe Allison/Getty Images

Haris Rauf has thrown his weight behind the young Pakistan top order suggesting that they should not be judged based on one or two matches and be given a longer rope.Pakistan once more shuffled the deck in their bid to find the right combination as they left out Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. In came Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz at the top of the order alongside Irfan Khan at No. 4. However, they’ve failed to get going in the first two T20Is, with Pakistan also going down both times.”You talk about criticism, I think it has become common in Pakistan,” Rauf said after Pakistan lost their second game in three days by five wickets in Dunedin. “These are young players. You go to any place, any team in the world, they give the youngsters full freedom. If they give the youngsters a chance, they make sure to give them 10 to 15 matches at a stretch. That is how they become players.Related

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“Everyone who comes into international cricket struggles initially. You talk about criticism, it’s become a norm. Everyone just sits and waits for the Pakistan team to lose so that they can talk about it. They have their opinions, but we are trying to build our team. We are trying to draft the youngsters in, the seniors are also there. As seniors, we motivate our juniors, and advise them about what’s required to succeed in international cricket. The quicker they learn, the better it will be for them.”It’s been a rough few weeks for Pakistan cricket. After being knocked out in the league stages of their home Champions Trophy, they’ve gone down heavily in the first two T20Is against New Zealand under new captain Salman Agha. While they were skittled for 91 in the first T20I in Christchurch, they put up a marginally better show in the second, managing 135 for 9 in the rain-shortened 15-overs-a-side affair.New Zealand, however, hardly broke a sweat in the chase. While Rauf credited the way the hosts went about their batting, he also felt that the Pakistan bowlers were unlucky to not pick a few more wickets.”All players have put in the effort. The kind of grounds we have here, we generally get high-scoring games,” he said. “It’s not like we didn’t bowl well, we were unlucky as well. There were a few top edges that went for six, some went over the ropes due to the wind and small ground. We were putting in the effort as a bowling unit, but we didn’t get the desired result. We were a bit unlucky in the beginning.”We tried using the conditions to our advantage, but we were unlucky. The kind of cricket they played, they hit good shots, so we should credit them.”While Rauf had a decent day with the ball, picking 2 for 20 in his three overs, the rest of his fast-bowling counterparts have struggled. Shaheen Shah Afridi went for 31 off his three overs despite bowling a maiden, while Mohammad Ali conceded 34 runs off his two overs. Rauf agreed that there has been a decline in Pakistan cricket, but is confident that they are trying to build a team which will challenge top sides in future.”There is no doubt that our cricket has declined. But we are building as a team and trying to forge a combination and play cricket that’s required at the top level,” Rauf said. “We are trying different things, and when we try things, there will be failures, but we will learn. And there will come a day in future when you will get to see good cricket from the Pakistan team.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Quem tem Renato Augusto tem meio caminho andado para uma classificação à final da Copa do Brasil. Assim como foi no ano passado, contra o Fluminense, o camisa 8 foi a alma do Corinthians no primeiro jogo decisivo por uma vaga na decisão da competição nacional. Ele marcou os dois gols do Timão na vitória por 2 a 1 sobre o São Paulo na noite desta terça-feira (25). Luciano, fazendo valer a lei do ex, foi quem marcou para os são-paulinos e ajudou a construir o resultado.

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O jogo de volta acontecerá em três semanas, no dia 16 de agosto, no estádio do Morumbi. Não há critério que dê vantagem por gol fora de casa. Assim, o Corinthians terá somente o empate ao seu favor na segunda partida, enquanto o São Paulo precisará marcar dois gols para se classificar à final da Copa do Brasil sem precisar passar pela disputa por pênaltis. Qualquer triunfo tricolor por um gol de diferença levará a definição do duelo pela marca da cal.

+ Confira a tabela da Copa do Brasil

CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA

> PRIMEIRO TEMPO. Aconteceu?

> CALLERI FORA. O atacante sentiu um desconforto ainda no primeiro tempo e foi substituído. Centroavante preocupa para a sequência são-paulina na temporada.

> NOITE DE REI… nato Augusto. O meia fez valer a diferença que se espera dele. Marcou dois gols e foi o dono da vitória corintiana na Neo Química Arena

> LEI DO EX GARANTE JOGO DE VOLTA. Quando o Corinthians vencia por 1 a 0, o São Paulo não sentiu o gol e, poucos minutos depois, buscou o empate. E quem marcou? Luciano, ex-atleta do Timão. A lei do ex garantiu a emoção para o jogo de volta, daqui a três semanas, já que a vantagem corintiana é mínima e tudo está em aberto para o confronto no Morumbi.

> !QUE COISA FEIA! Na comemoração do gol marcado por Luciano, torcedores do Corinthians atiraram objetos no gramado, entre eles um tênis. Um gândula, inclusive, tentou agredir o atacante são-paulino. Houve, também, desentendimento entre os jogadores das duas equipes.

+ Assista aos jogos do seu clube do coração com aquela gelada! Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00

COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO?

Era um clássico entre Corinthians e São Paulo em uma semifinal de Copa do Brasil, mas o primeiro tempo parecia mais um jogo qualquer da terceira rodada da Série A3 do Paulistão. Técnico do Timão, Vanderlei Luxemburgo é dono da célebre frase que diz ‘o medo de perder tira a vontade de ganhar’. E a equipe de Luxa parecia isso na etapa inicial. Desorganizada, perdida, vendo o São Paulo buscar o jogo. Os Alvinegros finalizaram apenas uma vez em 45 minutos, graças ao sempre esperado lampejo de Renato Augusto, que fez tudo sozinho: escapou da marcação e chute de fora na área, buscando o canto esquerdo, mas parou na boa defesa do goleiro Rafael. No lado são-paulino houve até mais empenho e tentativas, mas faltou pontaria. Foram seis finalizações, somente uma no gol, em um momento em que o Tricolor foi para cima em bloco, mas Michel Araújo chutou fraco, para fácil defesa de Cássio, caindo no esquerdo. O melhor momento da equipe do Morumbi na etapa inicial foi em um tiro de longa distância executado por Pablo Maia que levou perigo, mas passou por cima do gol corintiano.

E A ETAPA FINAL?

Foi completamente diferente do primeiro tempo. Ela existiu. E existiu tanto, que começou pegando fogo. Logo aos dois minutos, o placar foi aberto pelo Timão. Adson, que havia entrado no intervalo, recebeu bola de Maycon e encontrou Renato Augusto. E foi ali que começou o show do camisa 8, que finalizou de fora da área e, na sua especialidade, acertou o canto direito de Rafael. O São Paulo, por sua vez, não sentiu o gol sofrido e manteve o ritmo de posse de bola. E demorou pouco para empatar. Aos nove minutos, Gil escorregou e deu espaço para Luciano finalizar de fora da área, buscando o canto direito de Cássio, a bola bateu na trave, desviou no pé do goleiro corintiano e entrou.Após empatar, o São Paulo seguiu buscando mais o jogo. Mas foi o Corinthians que anotou o segundo. E novamente com ele: Renato Augusto. O zagueiro Murillo fez o lançamento longo, o lateral Caio Paulista, do Tricolor, se enrolou, e a bola sobrou para o camisa 8 corintiano na entrada da área, para, de bico (que também vale) estufar as redes do goleiro Rafael.

NÚMEROS DO JOGO

+ Confira mais detalhes de como foi a partida

O QUE VEM POR AÍ

Como a partida de volta acontece somente no dia 16 de agosto, tanto Corinthians, quanto São Paulo têm compromissos por outras competições antes de decidirem quem vai para a final da Copa do Brasil. O Timão encara o Vasco da Gama, na Neo Química Arena, neste sábado (29), às 18h30 (horário de Brasília). A partida terá portões fechados, por conta de uma punição sofrida pelos corintianos por contas de gritos homofóbicos entoados pela torcida da equipe alvinegra justamente em uma partida contra o Tricolor, pelo Brasileirão, em maio. Os são-paulinos, por sua vez, enfrentam o Bahia, no estádio do Morumbi, no domingo (30), às 11h (horário de Brasília).

Antes de decidirem a vaga na decisão da Copa do Brasil, Corinthians e São Paulo também têm compromissos pelas oitavas de final da Copa Sul-Americana. Ambos vão enfrentar equipes argentinas. O Timão, encara o Newell’s Old Boys, nos dias 1º e 8 de agosto. O primeiro confronto será em Itaquera, já o segundo na cidade de Rosário, na Argentina. Já o Tricolor, enfrentará o San Lorenzo, nos dias 3 e 10. A partida de ida, será em Almagro, e a volta no Morumbi.

FICHA TÉCNICA
CORINTHIANS 2 X 1 SÃO PAULO
COPA DO BRASIL – JOGO DE IDA

Local:Neo Química Arena, São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora:25 de julho de 2023, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Wilton Pereira Sampaio (FIFA-GO)
Assistentes:Bruno Raphael Pires (FIFA-GO) e Nailton Junior de Sousa Oliveira (FIFA-CE)
Árbitro de vídeo:Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (FIFA-SP)
Público e renda:46.965 pessoas | R$ 2.690.717,50
Cartões amarelos: Berlado, Pablo Maia e Luciano (São Paulo)
Cartões vermelhos:-

GOLS: 1-0 Renato Augusto (2’/2T); 1-1 Luciano (9’/2T); 2-1 Renato Augusto (36’/2T)

CORINTHIANS
Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Murillo e Fábio Santos; Fausto Vera (Matheus Araújo, 27’/2T), Ruan Oliveira (Adson, intervalo), Maycon (Roni, 38’/2T) e Renato Augusto (Bruno Méndez, 44’/2T); Róger Guedes e Yuri Alberto (Felipe Augusto, 27’/2T). Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

SÃO PAULO
Rafael; Rafinha, Arboleda, Beraldo e Caio; Pablo Maia e Alisson; Wellington Rato (Erison, 18’/2T), Luciano e Michel Araújo (Rodrigo Nestor, 18’/2T) (Jhegson Méndez, 39’/2T); Calleri (Juan, 25’/2T). Técnico: Dorival Júnior.

حقق فريق غزل المحلة فوزًا غاليًا على نظيره كهرباء الإسماعيلية، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

والتقى غزل المحلة مع كهرباء الإسماعيلية، على ملعب المحلة، في الجولة الحادية عشرة من عمر مسابقة الدوري الممتاز.

طالع.. كارثة إدارية.. الزمالك ينجو من خسارة نقطة التعادل أمام غزل المحلة

وتمكن غزل المحلة تحت قيادة مديره الفني علاء عبد العال من الفوز على كهرباء الإسماعيلية، بهدف دون رد، أحرزه اللاعب أحمد شوشة في الدقيقة 50 من تسديدة من خارج منطقة الجزاء.

وبهذا الفوز رفع غزل المحلة رصيده إلى 14 نقطة، في المركز العاشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري الممتاز، بينما تجمد رصيد كهرباء الإسماعيلية عند 8 نقاط في المركز الـ18 من جدول المسابقة. أهداف مباراة غزل المحلة وكهرباء الإسماعيلية اليوم

For the first time since the initial period after the Saudi-backed takeover, Newcastle United’s transfer business carried the air of planning rather than panic.

Last summer had been defined by a scramble to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which led the club to reluctantly cash in on academy graduates to balance the books.

Twelve months on, the Magpies appear to have learned their lesson.

The sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £125 million and Nick Woltemade’s arrival from Stuttgart for £69 million dominated headlines this window.

Newcastle also pushed through a £55 million deal for Yoane Wissa from Brentford, finally landing the striker they had pursued after failed attempts to sign other targets.

The additions of Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, and Anthony Elanga further highlight the blending of established professionals with younger, developing talents.

Newcastle have adopted a strategy resembling that of Chelsea, who invest heavily in youth prospects that can be integrated into the first team or later sold for a profit. The policy shift feels directly linked to the scars of last summer, where the club’s lack of foresight in sales forced them into unwanted departures.

The most painful of those was Elliot Anderson, a boyhood product whose departure still lingers among supporters.

Anderson was the one that got away

Few transfers captured Newcastle’s PSR reality quite like the exit of Elliot Anderson.

Born in the North-East, Anderson represented pure profit under financial rules, having come through the academy system.

In 2024, he left for Nottingham Forest, with goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos heading the other way in a deal that neither the player nor the club truly wanted. Newcastle’s desperation at the time was obvious.

Winger Yankuba Minteh was reluctantly sold to Brighton while late moves for Isak and Anthony Gordon had even been considered to balance the books. The decision to sanction Anderson’s departure was a clear by-product of heavy spending in the early takeover years without meaningful outgoings.

For Anderson, however, the move proved beneficial.

At Forest, he escaped Newcastle’s midfield, where Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, and Joelinton occupied all the available slots.

Instead, he became a vital cog in Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, registering 37 league appearances last season, with two goals and six assists.

The statistical profile underlines his all-round game.

Elliot Anderson – 2024/25

Matches Played

37

Goals

2

Assists

6

Progressive Carries

52

Progressive Passes

143

Source: FBref

Anderson ranked in the 88th percentile for assists per 90 (0.19) and 77th for shot-creating actions (3.07), demonstrating his ability to influence the final third, per FBref.

Off the ball, he impressed too: 88th percentile for tackles per 90 (3.07) and 87th for clearances (2.40), showing a willingness to work in deeper areas.

His successful take-ons, at 1.18 per 90 (89th percentile), reflect a player capable of carrying the ball under pressure.

That form earned Anderson his first senior England call-up, switching allegiance after previously representing Scotland at youth level.

For Newcastle, it was bittersweet: a homegrown talent thriving elsewhere, sacrificed in the name of compliance.

Alfie Harrison is the next big thing

While Anderson may be the one that got away, Newcastle could yet be vindicated in their youth-first policy if Alfie Harrison fulfils his potential.

Signed from Manchester City in January 2024, Harrison has been described by The Secret Scout as “one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in England.”

The 19-year-old has already clocked up 40 appearances for Newcastle’s youth sides, producing six goals and 13 assists, per Transfermarkt.

He even featured against Atlético Madrid in pre-season with the first team, a sign of how highly he is regarded by Eddie Howe’s coaching staff.

Though a loan move was discussed over the summer, Harrison has stayed put to train alongside senior internationals – exposure that could only accelerate his development.

Harrison operates best as a classic No.10, thriving between the lines where he can execute key passes or make late runs into the box.

That, however, is the tactical sticking point.

Howe rarely employs a traditional playmaker, preferring a midfield trio built on intensity and physicality.

Still, the hope is that a pathway is there.

Newcastle’s push to stockpile young talent in anticipation of both PSR pressure and long-term squad building creates room for players like Harrison to emerge.

If his numbers at youth level translate to the senior game, the Magpies could have unearthed a future star without the financial sting of another enforced sale.

For all the disappointment of losing Anderson, Newcastle’s recalibrated recruitment could ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself.

Related Move over Osula: Newcastle's £35m "monster" is quickly becoming undroppable

Newcastle have added some exciting talent to their ranks this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 25, 2025

If Harrison is given the right platform, the Magpies might just find their next homegrown success story waiting in the wings.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na noite deste sábado (29), o Bragantino visitou o Fortaleza, na Arena Castelão, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, e conseguiu uma importante vitória pelo placar de 3 a 0. Graças ao placar em questão, o time da cidade de Bragança Paulista chegou aos 28 pontos, ascendendo para a sexta posição, enquanto o Leão do Pici é o 11° colocado, com 23.

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>Olho no Brasileirão! Assine o Prime Video e acompanhe todos os jogos do seu time do coração!

BOM USO DA BOLA PARADA

Apesar das duas equipes possuírem características que primam pela posse de bola bem como o estabelecimento de volume de jogo, a partida não se traduziu em confronto que proporcionava muitas oportunidades de gol, pelo contrário. Isso porque a movimentação das duas equipes parecia bem coordenada, mas o passe no último terço apresentava problemas e, quando chegava ao momento da finalização, tanto João Ricardo como Cleiton tinham pouco trabalho. Desta forma, o ponto diferencial para que o placar em solo cearense fosse movimentado acabou sendo a boa utilização do jogo aéreo. Em cobrança de falta bem batida no lado direito do ataque do Massa Bruta por Lucas Evangelista, Luan Cândido fugiu da marcação e testou sozinho, no contrapé de João Ricardo, estufando as redes dos anfitriões.

CORTE EXTREMAMENTE PROVIDENCIAL

Antes do término da etapa inicial, o Tricolor melhorou no caráter de produtividade, mas seguia com sérios problemas de converter essas oportunidades em chutes com perigo real para Cleiton. Na melhor delas, um lançamento encontrou Marinho saindo em condição legal e partindo em disparada para ficar frente a frente com o arqueiro do Bragantino. Porém, em cenário de recuperação louvável, Juninho Capixaba deu carrinho preciso e bloqueou o chute do camisa 15 do Leão do Pici, atrapalhando a principal chance da equipe da casa na primeira parte do confronto.

>Olho no Brasileirão! Assine o Prime Video e acompanhe todos os jogos do seu time do coração!

COM DUAS CHANCES, BRUNINHO CONVERTE

Dedicação certamente não faltou para os dois lados no sentido de melhorar o aproveitamento da etapa inicial. Porém, o problema que apareceu na primeira etapa também ocorreu em boa parte da segunda, na qual a pontaria e os respectivos sistemas defensivos pareciam tomar melhores decisões do que o oposto.

Dentro desse ambiente, quem conseguiu chegar mais perto de mexer novamente no marcador da capital cearense foi o Braga, quando Bruninho viu a defensiva do Fortaleza errar na saída de bola e o camisa 17 ficou em excelentes condições para finalizar. Contudo, João Ricardo foi ainda melhor na saída da meta e bloqueou com o peito, evitando que a vantagem do clube paulista se dilatasse naquele momento. Aos 25 minutos, porém, a chance passou novamente na frente de Bruninho e o mesmo não desperdiçou. Após grande jogada de Juninho Capixaba, na qual Thiago Borbas tocou de cabeça, o avante formado na base do Bragantino encheu o pé e superou João Ricardo. Inicialmente, o tento foi anulado em campo com impedimento sendo apontado, mas a revisão do Árbitro de Vídeo confirmou a validade do gol.

A PÁ DE CAL

Com o oponente basicamente ‘entregue’ e notoriamente abalado pela partida de rendimento ruim, o Bragantino não apenas administrou o marcador como conseguiu transformá-lo em goleada já nos acréscimos. Depois de jogada na linha de fundo com o cruzamento de Bruninho, Sorriso não pegou em cheio, mas viu o goleiro João Ricardo não ficar em definitivo com a bola e Thiago Borbas, atento, conferiu no rebote para decretar o 3 a 0.

FICHA TÉCNICA DA PARTIDA
FORTALEZA 0 x 3 BRAGANTINO – Campeonato Brasileiro – 17ª rodada

Local: Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE)
Data e horário: 29 de julho de 2023, às 18h30 (horário de Brasília)
Público e renda: 26.124 torcedores – R$ 301.304,00
Árbitro: André Luiz Skettino Policarpo Bento (MG)
Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo (MG) e Celso Luiz da Silva (MG)
VAR: Rodrigo Carvalhaes de Miranda (RJ)
Cartões amarelos: Titi e Guilherme (FOR); Gustavinho, Lucas Evangelista e Thiago Borbas (BRA)
Cartões vermelhos:

Gols: Luan Cândido, 22’/1°T (1-0), Bruninho, 25’/2°T (0-2) Thiago Borbas, 46’/2°T (0-3)

FORTALEZA

João Ricardo; Dudu (Lucero, 21’/2°T, Marcelo Benevenuto, Titi e Bruno Pacheco; Caio Alexandre (Yago Pikachu, 16’/2°T), Lucas Sasha e Pochettino; Marinho (Guilherme, 16’/2°T), Thiago Galhardo (Kauan, 34’/2°T) e Calebe (Machuca, 34’/2°T). Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda.

BRAGANTINO

Cleiton; Léo Ortiz (Luan Patrick, 30’/2°T), Natan e Juninho Capixaba; Matheus Fernandes, Eric Ramires (Gustavinho, 38’/1°T), Luan Cândido (Andrés Hurtado – intervalo) e Lucas Evangelista; Vitinho (Sorriso – intervalo), Eduardo Sasha (Bruninho, 10’/2°T) e Thiago Borbas. Técnico: Pedro Caixinha.

Shanto hopes hosts can remedy their recent record at home, while Ervine looks forward to Zimbabwe bumper year in Test cricket

Mohammad Isam19-Apr-2025

Najmul Hossain Shanto: “We have been talking about building a team culture, figuring out how we want to play”•PTI

While Bangladesh are gearing up for their first Test in 2025 and preparing for life without most of their stalwarts, Zimbabwe will be playing a rare series in the subcontinent. The first Test in Sylhet from Sunday will mark a fresh start for both teams.Bangladesh ended their 2023-2025World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with four wins, including beating West Indies in a thrilling finish in Kingston in December 2024. Their captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is hoping to build on that success.”As a captain, I think that we need to play every match to win,” Shanto said. “We don’t have that intention to play selfish cricket. As I said, we would start something new and that would start from tomorrow. I also hope that the management will also help us in this regard too. I think our Test cricket has become stagnant for the last 20-22 years. So, we need to change something. We are thinking about that. I hope this will work in our favour.”Related

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Williamson backs international windows and WTC 'tweaks'

It’s a unique time to be a Zimbabwe cricketer. They are scheduled to play eleven Tests this year, the most since 2001. They haven’t played as many in the last four years combined. Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine is looking forward to see how his team fares in different conditions. After the Test series in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe will face England at Trent Bridge in May before returning home to play South Africa and New Zealand later this year.”We want to bring a no-fear attitude,” Ervine said. “The guys are not familiar with Bangladesh conditions, but long preparations give you the confidence to go out and express yourself. I understand we haven’t had a great run in Test cricket. I think this is the first year in which we have a lot of Test cricket lined up for us.”The type of opponents in the next few months is really exciting too. We don’t have a lot of experience in Bangladesh, but I think the young group needs to play in different conditions to mature as cricketers.”Sean Williams and Craig Ervine will continue to lead Zimbabwe’s batting line-up•Zimbabwe Cricket

Among Zimbabwe’s batters, only Ervine and Sean Williams have Test experience in the subcontinent. The likes of Ben Curran, Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett have shown promise, and have been picking the brains of the seniors.”They are trying to find out the little key pointers to play in the subcontinent,” Ervine said. “Sean Williams has done very well in Bangladesh. They are picking those brains. [They are asking] what have you done, what works for you – preparation wise and mental wise. So that they can put that into practice. Our process started with the week preparation back home. When we got here, it is a continuation of that, and slight adjustment to the conditions.”Bangladesh are hoping to become a more consistent team and there is considerable focus on their captain’s shaky form and their cricketing culture. Shanto has scored just one fifty in his last ten Test innings and his last hundred was back in November 2023.”It is disappointing to talk about our Test culture despite being in the arena for more than two decades,” Shanto said. “We had a good 2024, winning four Tests against good oppositions.”We have been talking about building a team culture, figuring out how we want to play. The new coach [Phil Simmons] has also shared his philosophy about how he wants to take the team forward. We are supposed to play five or six Tests this year so I am hopeful that we can show something new in 2025.”Shanto’s domestic form is more encouraging. He scored back-to-back fifties for Abhani Ltd in the Dhaka Premier League earlier this month. His Test form is part of Bangladesh’s wider top-order problem: their openers haven’t scored a Test ton in two-and-a-half years.”Obviously everyone needs to be consistent,” Shanto said. “If I’m talking about myself, in the last year, in many innings I got out after getting set like scoring 30-40 runs. This is not acceptable in this format, because I was getting out after going through the tough periods. I have worked on that. I will try more.”Of course, the top order isn’t performing. But they are trying. And I think with the resources we have got, we have to give them enough chances to be ready. As you said, we don’t face that challenge in domestic cricket. So, if we give them opportunities in international cricket, they will start to perform.”Shanto has another challenge to deal with. Bangladesh have lost their last five home Tests, including Sri Lanka trampling them in Sylhet last year.”We didn’t play well at home last year,” Shanto said. “We couldn’t execute the plans we had. I think it will be important to bring the results at home. Getting the results away is difficult. As we were able to do that, I would hope that we would do better at home too.”

علق وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، على فوز الفريق أمام الاتحاد السكندري بنتيجة 2-1، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

ويتصدر الأهلي جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري برصيد 21 نقطة، من الفوز بـ6 لقاءات والتعادل 3 مرات وتلقى هزيمة وحيد.

ميدو: الأهلي قدّم درسًا لكل الأندية.. والشناوي يستحق العودة لـ منتخب مصر

وقال وليد صلاح الدين، في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للنادي الأهلي: “كان مهم جدًا الفوز اليوم بعد الرحلة الطويلة والإجهاد الكبير من السفر إلى بوروندي، وكان ضروري أن نحصل على ثلاث نقاط ونحقق الفوز الخامس على التوالي”.

وأضاف: “هناك مباريات يكون الأهم فيها هو الفوز، رغم الأداء الجيد والفرص الكثيرة المهدرة، وعندما يحالفنا التوفيق سنحقق انتصارات مريحة”.

وتابع: “من الطبيعي أن يكون الأهلي في الصدارة، الفريق عاد للمكانة التي تليق به، نحن ننافس على ثلاث بطولات ونسعى للتأهل في إفريقيا بكل جدية، ونستعد كذلك لبطولة السوبر المصري لأنها لقب مهم لجماهير الأهلي، وقبلها نواجه بتروجيت والمصري وهدفنا الفوز في المباراتين”.

وأكمل: “أشكر اللاعبين على المجهود الكبير الذي يقدمونه في التدريبات، الجميع يقاتل لإقناع المدير الفني الجديد”.

وأوضح: “إمام عاشور سيخضع لتحليل جديد يوم الجمعة أو السبت المقبل، وعند انخفاض النسبة تحت 40% سيعود للتدريبات، وهو يتحسن بشكل مستمر”.

وختم: “كريم فؤاد وأحمد رضا أصبحا قريبين من العودة، وبعدهما أشرف داري، بينما يحتاج محمد شريف من أسبوعين إلى ثلاثة أسابيع وفقًا لاستجابته للعلاج”.

Newcastle United are evolving, adapting to a new variant of Eddie Howe’s tactical ideology after a summer of change and upheaval.

Namely, the record-breaking sale of Alexander Isak to Premier League champions Liverpool rocked the boat and then some, but Newcastle have replaced Isak with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

With three goals in six games, Woltemade, 23, looks a real talent, described as the “problem and solution” by reporter Craig Hope, who was discussing United’s teething problems as they adapt to a different brand of striker who, albeit, has towering potential.

Wissa’s fortunes differ, however, having yet to play or even train with the first team after his move from Brentford this summer due to a knee injury.

For all the positive additions, though, the sense can’t be shaken that the Magpies have parted with several top talents in recent years, and they might have had a big impact this season and beyond.

As Howe himself has revealed, one of those players is Elliot Anderson, who the boss would love to welcome back to St. James’ Park.

Howe's latest comments on Elliot Anderson

In 2024, Newcastle sold Anderson to Nottingham Forest. The fee was mooted to be around £35m. Here was a top midfield talent, but PSR demanded levies from Newcastle, and this was a sacrifice PIF had to make.

In hindsight, the Toon chiefs must wish they had found another way to circumvent their financial problems. Hailed as a “phenomenal player” by Three Lions teammate Reece James, the 22-year-old has only gone from strength to strength since leaving his boyhood club, so complete in his midfield role.

Howe said this week that he wants the Geordie back at the club, but that won’t be an easy one to get over the line. Anderson is the centrepiece of the Tricky Trees project, and bringing him back to Tyneside would cost a pretty penny indeed.

Nonetheless, Newcastle can dream of a reunion. Anderson’s dynamic approach to his craft suggests he would be perfect alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, creative, crunching in the duel and a veritable workhorse.

Anderson – PL record for Forest

Stats (*per game)

24/25

25/26

Matches (starts)

37 (33)

6 (6)

Goals

2

0

Assists

6

1

Touches*

54.2

106.0

Pass completion

82%

89%

Big chances created

7

1

Key passes*

1.0

1.3

Dribbles*

1.0

1.0

Ball recoveries*

5.6

7.8

Tackles + interceptions*

2.5

4.0

Duels (won)*

6.5 (52%)

7.5 (55%)

Data via Sofascore

It’s a great shame that Newcastle didn’t keep him in the ranks, but the decision was an understandable one.

Anderson wasn’t the only prospect who should have stayed put, though. Indeed, another was sold around the same time who has since proved themselves in the Premier League.

The other talent Newcastle should re-sign

If Yankuba Minteh ever wore the Newcastle shirt after completing his transfer from Danish side Odense Boldklub in 2023, it was not in a competitive capacity.

Now he plays in blue and white, having joined Brighton & Hove Albion one year ago in a £30m package. Last season, Minteh impressed for the Seagulls; raw and unpolished, yes, but the Gambian winger showcased his physical and technical qualities, scoring seven goals and assisting five more across all competitions.

Across six Premier League games so far this term, Minteh has scored once and registered two assists.

And the underlying data highlights why Brighton paid the big bucks for a young gem, untested in the English game after spending the 2023/24 season on loan in the Netherlands with Arne Slot’s Feyenoord.

As per data-driven platform FBref, he ranks among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for successful take-ons, the top 5% for carries into the penalty area and the top 1% for tackles won per 90 over the past year.

The 21-year-old has even won 6.8 duels per game in the Premier League so far, and though his distribution could use some work, he’s a real menace in the final third.

It’s something Newcastle know only too well. After all, Minteh has scored two goals in two matches against Newcastle, including a draw in the Premier League last season and as the Seagulls knocked Howe’s outfit out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals.

Following these blows, Spanish reporter Jose Alberto Chozas even called him “public enemy number one for Newcastle fans”, and understandably so at that.

If Minteh continues to make headway in the Premier League with Brighton, there’s every chance he will strike once again, and that’s something Howe cannot abide, given he had him in his grasp.

While Newcastle ended a lengthy search for a pacy right-sided forward this summer when landing Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for a £55m fee, there’s little to suggest the Sweden international’s ceiling stretches higher than Minteh’s.

And anyway, where is the harm in having a duality of choice on the flank? Jacob Murphy is only 30 years old, but he won’t be around forever, and Minteh boasts the profile Howe looks for.

As with Anderson, it is going to cost Newcastle a hefty sum indeed, should they be interested in bringing Minteh back to the club in the coming years.

However, his trajectory on the south coast suggests that they must act swiftly, for Minteh is only getting better and better, and his price tag will rise concurrently.

TEAMtalk have recently revealed that a host of the Premier League’s top clubs are already sniffing around after witnessing the star’s early-season form, so Newcastle must pounce while they can.

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Posts ByWill Miller Oct 3, 2025

England rookie proves his time at IPL was well spent as he dominates first ODI with 82 from 53 balls

Vithushan Ehantharajah30-May-2025

Jacob Bethell salutes the dressing-room after his half-century•Getty Images

“He’s definitely got that… whatever they say nowadays… ‘aura’.”The “they” Jacob Bethell refers to when searching for the term used to describe someone who commands attention and keeps it, is “kids”. The “he” is Virat Kohli, of course, his recent Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate.Mentions of Kohli are always good for business, but in this case it is a little less transactional. Bethell, only 21 but not with modern online slang, was speaking after a devastating innings of 82 off 53 deliveries that killed Thursday’s first ODI against West Indies as a contest, even if it was not the sole difference in the eventual 238-run margin.A player-of-the-match turn – he also took 1 for 18 with the ball – had come after close to two months of bench-warming at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. In that period, he had played just twice, though that included a maiden IPL half-century in the last of those against Chennai Super Kings. It added up to a very small part in RCB’s qualification for their fourth IPL final, and their quest for that elusive maiden title.Yet there were evidently no splinters or rust to shake off, just a bit of strain from hotel-hopping which – even for someone with a nomadic upbringing that involved swapping Barbados for Birmingham at the age of 12 – still takes some getting used to.”The only thing I struggle with is the beds,” Bethell said. “A lot of these hotel beds are way too soft. I’ve got a bad back and I’m only 21, so we need to sort that out!”Not that there were any signs of a creaking body as he blammed all but 20 of his runs in boundaries. Five of them were crisp sixes – as many as the five ahead of him in the top six – with four of them coming in a final 10-over blitz that carried England, eventually, to 400 for 8.Bethell and Virat Kohli opened the batting together at RCB•Getty Images

“I feel like I’m a better player now than I was a couple of months ago,” Bethell said, lauding the practice facilities and the quality of net bowlers he had encountered on a day-to-day basis at the IPL. It’s a sentiment that is now commonplace among Engish players who need to justify getting paid decent money not to play cricket in India, rather than play County Cricket in April and May.His innings against West Indies, however, adds an important undertone of sincerity, particularly when Bethell elaborates on his learnings against spin in particular, a usual sticking point for England’s 50-over team. Gudakesh Motie emerged from England’s onslaught broadly unscathed, with 0 for 39 from 7 overs. However, Bethell was able to strike 10 off four balls from the left-arm spinner, including the only boundary off Motie – a slog-sweep into the stands at midwicket.”I don’t want to give away everything,” Bethell said. “It’s just the way those batters go about playing spin, they’re clinical in how they pick length and the deliveries they try to hit for four and six.”That was nice, to have more of a power-game input into my game, rather than a bit of touch around spin as well. So then, just trying to mesh the two together would help a lot.”As for his interactions with Kohli and that exposure to the “aura”: that included invaluable time spent with the cricketer and the man. They opened together during Bethell’s twin appearances, sharing a 97-run stand on the second occasion as they pocketed half-centuries in an RCB win.Bethell may have re-opened the No.3 Test debate with his exploits at Edgbaston•AFP/Getty Images

“I think he quite enjoys the overseas boys because we’re just pretty chill around him,” Bethell said. “He’s definitely got that feeling. And when he walks out to bat, it’s pretty electrifying to walk out with him.”It (advice) was just like an accumulation over the couple of months of just chatting to him. You get information that keeps coming in ways that you don’t really know, and it’s kind of just drip-fed.”It was just nice to speak to him off and on the field, away from cricket, so yeah, it was just cool to experience someone of his calibre and how he goes about doing things.”He’s got a certain intensity with him that just kind of… he flips that switch on, as soon as he crosses that line, which is pretty cool to see.”As far as mimicking Kohli’s career path, Bethell’s already playing catch-up. He may only turn 22 in October, but he’s trailing on a number of fronts, not least the century count. By 21, Kohli had eight of the 101 he currently possesses across formats, including four in first-class cricket. Bethell is still without one in 119 innings, with Thursday’s knock his fourth-highest score as a professional.Squint, however, and you could make out the merest hint of Kohli in the shifting of gears and manner in which Bethell was imposing himself on an admittedly wayward West Indian attack. Even in these early stages, it is clear Bethell’s approach to batting focuses on heaping pressure on others rather than feeling it himself.That may even include his own teammates. Just as the dust had settled from Ben Stokes’ double-speak at last week’s Zimbabwe Test – when he was quizzed on what Bethell’s eventual reintroduction might mean for Ollie Pope’s spot in the XI – the left-hander’s firm-wristed flourishes have stirred the pot once more, even after Pope had seemingly secured his India starting berth with 171.Related

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With Brendon McCullum wowed in Birmingham, as he was on last year’s Test tour of New Zealand when he said Pope versus Bethell was something they would have to work out, the No.3 for next month’s Headingley opener is not set in stone.Bethell, as the disruptor, is not worried. He remains the chaser rather than the chased, pre-occupied by the day-to-day establishing of himself in the white-ball sides to focus squarely on what Test cricket might hold for him this year. Nevertheless, this season’s highest-profile challenge is next month’s five-Test series against India, which leads into the winter’s Ashes. As for any awkwardness that his precocity may have caused his Test captain and vice last week, the IPL gave him the perfect alibi.”I was pretty far away to be honest,” he said. “I tried to stay pretty clear of social media anyway, so me not even being in England, I didn’t really hear a lot of it until I think one of my friends messaged me and said the whole thing was going on. But I haven’t really followed it.”I obviously played in New Zealand as a replacement for a replacement (replacing Jordan Cox in the XI, who was covering for Jamie Smith on paternity leave). So whatever happens, it’ll be, and when the time comes, it’ll be fine.”