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Newcastle United are now racing to sign a “splendid” goalscoring midfielder, who could be available for a fee of just £17m this summer, according to a report.

Howe sets sights on new midfielder

Newcastle are well-stocked in central midfield, with Bruno Guimaraes’ and Sandro Tonali’s impressive performances this season attracting the attention of Manchester City ahead of the summer transfer window.

It is unclear whether the Magpies would be willing to strengthen a direct Premier League rival by selling one of their star midfielders, but if they do decide to cash-in, there are a number of possible replacements on the shortlist.

The PIF are said to have joined a tug-of-war for Man City midfielder James McAtee, while Eddie Howe is particularly fond of Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, with signing a new midfielder deemed to be a priority if Tonali moves on.

Newcastle have strong interest in £25m PL ace who Howe called "magnificent"

The Magpies have set their sights on a Premier League player who Eddie Howe has been left very impressed by.

ByDominic Lund May 4, 2025

Guendouzi specialises in a defensive role, but there are indications that Howe could also be keen on signing a midfielder capable of making an impact in the attacking third of the pitch.

According to a report from Spain, Newcastle are now racing Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest for the signature of Girona maestro Yangel Herrera, with Howe looking to complement his current options in midfield.

Although the rival interest in Herrera may be an issue, there is a sense that a deal could be possible, with the Spanish side willing to sanction his departure for a fee of around €20m (£17m), which would easily be affordable for PIF.

The Venezuelan has been a key player for Girona this season, catching the eye due to his physicality and passing ability, while the central midfielder has also proven himself in front of goal during his time in La Liga…

"Splendid" Herrera impressing on the front foot

The Girona midfielder has been particularly impressive going forward in La Liga this season, picking up four goals and three assists, while ranking in a high percentile across a number of key attacking metrics over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.17 (88th percentile)

Touches (Attacking penalty area)

2.42 (87th percentile)

Shots total

1.84 (92nd percentile)

The Venezuela international is also a dominant force in the air, placing in the 91st percentile for aerials won, and he received high praise from Opta Jose for his attacking output back in March.

Herrera has limited top-level experience, making just five appearances in the Champions League, but Newcastle will need to increase their squad depth to compete on all fronts next season, and the 27-year-old has proven he could be a solid option.

Celtic are pushing on with their hunt for another domestic treble, but they will also be planning ahead for the summer window to navigate potential incomings and departures.

Celtic expecting movement in both directions this summer

The Bhoys only require three more victories at a maximum to guarantee a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title and travel to St Johnstone this weekend hoping to hasten the process ahead off taking on Kilmarnock next Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers could also secure the Scottish Cup should he navigate past the Perthshire side at Hampden later in the month followed by either Hearts or Aberdeen in the final. Still, the Irishman will have one eye on a summer transfer window that is set to produce incomings and outgoings at Parkhead.

Notably, Kieran Tierney will complete an emotional return to Celtic on a free transfer once his contract at Arsenal officially expires. Expected to be joined by plenty of new faces, the Scotland international is likely to become the preferred choice at left-back ahead of next season’s Champions League qualifiers.

Honing in on the engine room, the Hoops also have Augsburg midfielder Elvis Rexhbecaj on their radar and the Kosovo international may be attainable for a fee between £3 million and £3.5 million.

Celtic’s upcoming fixtures as run-in begins for Brendan Rodgers

St Johnstone (A)

Scottish Premiership

Kilmarnock (H)

Scottish Premiership

St Johnstone

Scottish Cup semi-final

Optimism is high in Glasgow’s east end over new signings, though several key stars may be linked with moves elsewhere following an excellent campaign for all involved at Parkhead. Reo Hatate, Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda are all players Rodgers will be desperate to keep hold of heading into 2025/26.

Nevertheless, the former Liverpool boss may be forced to part ways with one of his established core in the off-season, per recent developments.

Dinamo Zagreb table significant offer to sign Celtic's Greg Taylor

According to The Daily Record, Dinamo Zagreb have put forward a contract offer to Celtic star Greg Taylor that is deemed to be a ‘significant increase’ on his current £15,000 weekly pay packet at Parkhead.

The Scotland international has also attracted interest from Major League Soccer, which isn’t dead in the water, but a switch Croatia’s reigning champions appears to be his likeliest port of call. Rodgers previously emboldened him to extend his time at the club, though has now publicly conceded defeat on that front.

Celtic have already signed incredible Taylor replacement & it's not Tierney

Celtic have already found their dream replacement for Greg Taylor and it is not Kieran Tierney.

ByDan Emery Apr 2, 2025

Taylor has gone on to become a valiant servant for Celtic since arriving from Kilmarnock back in 2019, registering nine goals and 32 assists in 208 appearances across all competitions.

Playing his part in the Bhoys claiming ten trophies, the Greenock-born man has earned respect from his peers north of the border after seeing off the likes of Boli Bolingoli, Diego Laxalt and Alexandro Bernabei for the first-choice left-back slot in Glasgow.

However, all good things come to an end, and it appears that Tierney’s arrival from Arsenal has prompted Taylor to look elsewhere as he approaches the prime of his career.

It was an innings that oozed class, and showed that even if South Africa hadn’t fielded a makeshift squad, Bedingham would have been right in there

Firdose Moonda15-Feb-2024David Bedingham is a first-choice Test player.Perhaps the only one in South Africa’s squad in New Zealand, but most definitely one.And he showed it with his first Test century in his fourth match; the only hundred of the Hamilton Test so far and a knock that oozed class, confidence and a combination of old-fashioned temperament and new-age urgency. It was an innings that confirmed that even if South Africa were not forced to send a makeshift squad on this trip, Bedingham would have been in the touring party.With a decade-long professional career and a first-class average that sits a shave under 50, you may even wonder why you haven’t seen Bedingham sooner. The answer is because he wasn’t always sure he wanted to play for South Africa.Related

• For the forgotten Dane Piedt, life has come full whirl

• A 'weird' dismissal, a rare decision to bat, and a fight

• Bedingham century, O'Rourke five-for leave Test in the balance

Bedingham left the domestic system four years ago to take up a deal with Durham – playing as a local on an ancestral visa and flirted with the possibility of qualifying for England.He has since changed his mind, and though he will continue to try and get a British passport for post-career opportunities, he has committed his international playing future to South Africa’s Test team. He even chose not to put his name in the SA20 draft – and because he is not nationally contracted, he had no obligation to – so that he could work on securing a Test spot. Now, he can consider that done.In a line-up where the top order – all debutants last week – has been exposed against high-quality swing, seam and pace in New Zealand, Bedingham has had to come in tricky positions in each of his four innings. In the first Test, South Africa were 30 for 3 and 68 for 3 and he made 32 and 87. In the second Test, they were 63 for 3 and 39 for 3. The most precarious of those situations was the latest, where they had a lead of only 70, more than half the Test still to play, and South Africa desperate to set New Zealand a decent target.He was greeted with a delivery from Will O’Rourke that reared off the surface and that he just managed to fend off with his gloves. In O’Rourke’s next over, Bedingham responded with a crack through the covers off a short, wide ball. And so began the cat and mouse game between the two most impressive players on the day, who only had praise for each other at its conclusion.For Bedingham, the challenge was adjusting to O’Rourke’s high release point and the movement he was getting. “He definitely presented a different challenge,” he said afterwards. “I don’t think I have faced [Morne] Morkel before but it felt like that. He bowled with great energy the whole day and got the ball to move back. He looks very, very good.”

“I don’t want to look back at not throwing my name in the draft. I just hope this innings can win us a game and draw the series. I am not looking at the SA20”David Bedingham

For O’Rourke, it was about keeping his lines tight and trying to bowl fuller because of Bedingham’s strong ability to score runs square of the wicket. “He batted really well on a slower-ish deck. He punches through the off side really well. If you give him any width, he seems to latch on to that,” O’Rourke said. “We tried to attack with some short stuff for a little bit and he played that pretty well too, so we just went back to keeping it simple.”For now, Bedingham has won the battle. His proactive approach meant that unlike someone like Zubayr Hamza, who faced 63 balls for his 17 runs, Bedingham was always looking to score. “The way that I play is a positive brand,” he said. “When they had attacking fields there is always the opportunity to score. I kind of tried to score and I am thankful and lucky enough that it worked.”He targeted Rachin Ravindra, taking 31 runs off the 32 balls he faced from him, and Neil Wagner, who bowled 25 balls to him and conceded as many runs. His overall strike rate was 78.01, and he had a foil in Keegan Petersen, who played a patient role at the other end but may still be wondering if 43 is enough to buy him any more time in the Test side. Petersen was dropped twice in two seasons and has struggled to kick on since his Player-of-the-Series performance against India two summers ago.Bedingham made his debut against India this season and scored 56 in an innings that suggested there was more to come. That more has come at the best time, just as South Africans, including maybe some South African players, are starting to take notice of their national team again after the SA20 concluded at the weekend. Have any of the main players been in touch? Not with Bedingham, it seems. “The time zones are quite tough so when we are playing, they’re sleeping, and most guys have been busy playing the SA20,” he said.David Bedingham did the bulk of the scoring in his 65-run stand with Zubayr Hamza•Getty ImagesAnd has he wondered whether he could have been at the high-octane, big-money event instead of battling it out in New Zealand? “I don’t want to look back at not throwing my name in the draft,” he said. “I just hope this innings can win us a game and draw the series. I am not looking at the SA20.”He doesn’t need to, for now. There’s every chance the tournament will come calling next year, or the year after that, and Bedingham could find himself with another tough decision to make. But that’s a concern for another day. For tomorrow, all he wants is that his 110 – which he celebrated in modest fashion with a raising of the bat and a hug with his partner Ruan de Swardt – and the target of 267 are enough, with the knowledge it should have been more.South Africa collapsed from 202 for 4 to 235 all out, losing six wickets for 33 runs. There will be questions over shot selection – did de Swardt have to sweep when he did, exposing middle and off stump; did Shaun von Berg have to attempt a big shot when all the recognised batters were dismissed? – and they will be moot. It’s worth remembering that this Test team is highly unlikely to play together again.What matters for them is the next 24 hours and how much they can capitalise on de Swardt’s first innings 64, Dane Piedt’s career-best 5 for 89, and, mostly, Bedingham’s first Test century. All those things have given South Africa the unlikeliest of chances to pull off a heist and retain their record of never losing a Test series to New Zealand. Whatever happens, Bedingham has proved he is the real deal.

The right captain, a blend of data and intangibles, and steering clear of bias – the recency or emotional kind

Gaurav Sundararaman05-Feb-20222:53

Newsroom: Should teams gamble by picking likely-absentee Jofra Archer?

It is IPL auction week and the umbrella term ‘auction dynamics’ will be thrown around a lot. But the most significant part of those dynamics is auction strategy. A good auction strategy translates into success – Delhi Capitals is a good recent example. After struggling during the first decade of the IPL, Capitals invested heavily in a strong and young Indian core during the 2018 mega auction, which helped them make the playoffs the last three seasons in a row. Similarly, Sunrisers Hyderabad believed in compiling a strong bowling attack, mostly Indian again, and that helped them be a contender for the playoffs. Multiple-time champions Chennai Super Kings have forever invested in experience and succeeded. What you do at the auction determines whether you will finish as a top-team consistently.We look at the key building blocks necessary to compile a strong squad at the auction.Leadership
Pick the captain. Then empower the captain. MS Dhoni believes that experience is a key ingredient to winning crunch situations, and he got a team that delivered that. There have been instances where franchises have chosen a team and then picked a leader.Force-fitting captaincy could be challenging. R Ashwin at Punjab Kings in 2018 and 2019, and Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith at Rajasthan Royals are some of the examples in recent years where players were bought at the auction and then given captaincy. Unlike Test cricket, T20 is not won purely on skill but on how certain decisions are taken dynamically. It is important to not be predictable and always be one step ahead of the opposition. Sometimes, making fewer obvious errors is good enough to prevail over an opposition, which a leader like Dhoni does repeatedly.MS Dhoni gestures to his team-mates•BCCILeadership in the IPL is not just about the results but it also involves dealing with many decision makers outside the cricketing ecosystem. This could mean picking a player in the squad for marketing purposes, convincing owners once the season begins on why a particular eleven has been selected, or backing a player who is not in form. In the case of some franchises, the captain has to answer to multiple decision-makers. In case the equations don’t match, the relationship is bound to break as it has happened on many previous occasions with multiple franchises.Avoiding bias
Bias is a huge factor in an auction. It could be recency or it could be emotional. It is human nature to favour one player over another, but it could pose a challenge at the auctions. One of the biggest challenges is to manage bias consciously, especially while dealing with high profile decision makers. We have seen enough evidence of recency bias being a huge failure. Almost every BBL recruit in the last few seasons has faltered at the IPL. Some recent examples include the Australian bunch of Ashton Turner, D’Arcy Short, Riley Meredith and Jhye Richardson. Similarly, a quickfire century before the auction could increase the price point by a few crores, but is it a smart buy? None of these buys have been very beneficial in the end.Related

• The captain and his coups – five MS Dhoni classics

• Five strategy questions that could make or break the IPL 2022 auction

• FAQs: All you wanted to know about the IPL 2022 auction

• How Jofra Archer could be bought through a secret bid at the IPL 2022 auction

• Warner, Rabada, Cummins among prominent players likely to miss first chunk of IPL 2022

A neutral perspective to every pick based on a few metrics such as: how well the batter plays the googly? How is his first ten-ball strike rate? Can he play the sweep shot well? How does a bowler handle a wet ball? How many variations does a bowler have? These factors could go a long way. There needs to be a balancing act between using data and cricketing instincts/experience.The game has still not reached a stage where contextual sample sizes are enough for machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide an advantage. Trusting techniques and ability to counter certain situations are more vital than blindly going by strike rates, averages, economy rates or whether the player is on the list of highest run-getters/wicket-takers. Bowling with a wet ball in Wankhede in April is very different from bowling in Australia or the Caribbean. Once again, it is the scouts that need to relay the right info to the coaches, who in turn have to convince the person raising the paddle.Price Points
What would be the right price point for Shreyas Iyer?•BCCIIn a mini auction, one can understand that the options are very limited and hence prices are elevated due to a demand and supply mis-match. However, this mistake should not occur in a big auction, when one is building a squad. Spending 15-20 crores on one player is approximately 20% of the budget on one player. One player cannot win the league. Rashid Khan still does not have a T20 trophy to his name. Royal Challengers have faced the same challenges in previous season with lopsided budget spends, role wise.No algorithm/model will ever be able to predict the right cost at which a player is likely to go accurately. If they were to be followed, no team would complete even 50% of their budget since algorithms would not predict 15 crores for a Glenn Maxwell (Royal Challengers) or an 11 crore for Manish Pandey (Sunrisers). Hence, it is important to understand the maximum price points of a skillset/role from experience, and work around that. Shreyas Iyer for example could be a beneficiary of this price-point conundrum in the coming auction as franchises might frantically bid for him hoping that suddenly Iyer would have the captaincy skills of Dhoni, the batting skills of Virat Kohli and the power of a Kieron Pollard.Picking the right players
Skillset remains the primary filter while building a squad. Whilst there will always be a wishlist for every role, it is equally important to look at other factors apart from the playing strengths that might make a franchise a good fit for a player. Understanding where the player stands in terms of his goals and his role, is primary. For example Krunal Pandya is a capable allrounder, but does he perform at his best when his brother Hardik is in the team or would he be better if he is on his own? Understanding a player’s background is equally significant, and this is where a good scouting network comes handy.Venkatesh Iyer is pumped after his side’s victory•BCCIWhile owners and CEOs can take the money calls at the auction table, they need to be fed with the right information from the coaching staff, in which scouts should play an integral role – especially while picking uncapped Indian players. Take Kolkata Knight Riders, whose scouts identified Varun Chakravarthy and Venkatesh Iyer early. Now both players are part of the franchise’s core having been retained.Ditto with Mumbai Indians, who have one of the best scouting networks, comprising former international coaches, players and selectors. They picked the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and the Pandya brothers as uncapped talents, and then retained them (or right-to-matched them) subsequently. Scouts at Royal Challengers Bangalore even visit the families of potential buys they have identified from the trials to understand the culture and the environment they come from. In the end a happy player is a free player who can perform at his best.

The Blue Jays beat the Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night. While Toronto had a celebration for the ages, Seattle fans were forced to dutifully turn their attention to the Seahawks who thankfully beat the Texans in the second game of a double-header with Jaxon Smith-Njigba single-handedly trying to remind local fans what its like to have a basketball team.

For some fans it was a tricky balancing act keeping tabs on Game 7 because they had football tickets. Most people kept an eye on their phones, but at least one fan brought a tablet to stream the Mariners game while cheering for the Seahawks.

Of course as we've all learned after cutting the cord, streams can be unreliable or just delayed, which is how you get this guy holding up his tablet, still holding out hope the Mariners can rally in the top of the ninth while a large graphic broadcasts the result of the game confirming that no, they didn't.

That's a tough look. The entire country looking right at him, knowing he's seconds away from disappointment and sports depression, watching his final moments of optimism before it's gone forever.

Thomas Tuchel believes England's 2026 World Cup draw is "tough" and claimed that the group stage is "always the most difficult". The German coach, who will lead the Three Lions into a major tournament for the first time next summer, stressed that Group L – featuring Croatia, Ghana and Panama – provides no margin for complacency.

England learn their WC group stage opponents

England discovered their opponents during the draw ceremony in Washington D.C. on Friday, fronted by Rio Ferdinand and featuring sporting icons Tom Brady, Shaquille O'Neal and Wayne Gretzky. What emerged for Tuchel is a trio of opponents carrying very different histories and styles, but each demanding full respect. England’s first assignment will be a rematch with Croatia, the very nation that shattered their World Cup dreams in 2018 in that agonising semi-final defeat in Moscow. Luka Modric and Co. will form the most formidable obstacle in the group, but Tuchel stressed that his focus must go wider than the headline fixture.

AdvertisementGettyWhat did Tuchel make of the WC draw?

Tuchel wants to emerge as group toppers but warned his troops that it will not be an easy task. "We have Croatia and Ghana, two regulars in World Cups, and we have Panama," he explained. "I don’t know much about Panama, but we will know everything about them when the tournament starts. For me personally, even in the Champions League, you have to focus on the group – the group is always the most difficult, and we want to escape, and we want to win the group. It’s a tough one."

"No one should be underestimated," continued Tuchel. "Of course, Croatia is the standout name [and] the highest-ranked team from Pot 2 that we got into our group. It’s a difficult opener against Croatia. We take it from here."

While Ghana may not carry the global star power of Croatia, Tuchel made clear that the country's football heritage cannot be taken for granted. "Ghana is always full of talent and can always surprise, and has a big history in World Cup football," he said. "Also, Panama will try to make the most of the underdog role. No one can be underestimated – everyone deserves the fullest respect, and we will show that."

Group stage is 'always difficult'

Tuchel repeatedly returned to a theme that has defined his career in European competition, insisting the group stage can often be the most mentally demanding part of any tournament.

"For me, I’ve only experienced group football in Champions League formats," said Tuchel. "The way to approach it was always to give the biggest respect and to put all the focus into winning the group. It always seems difficult, like our group now but we’re confident."

England will begin the World Cup later than many others, after they were drawn in Group L, and Tuchel believes that provides both an advantage and a challenge.

"We know now our opponents, we know that we will start late in the tournament which gives us a bit of time," he said. "I know that if you start late in the tournament, the schedule becomes more condensed. The focus will be totally on the group. It’s always a challenge with four ambitious teams together to come out on top. This is where all the energy will go."

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Getty/GOALEngland’s projected KO Route: Senegal, Mexico and Spain loom large

If England top Group L, their route through the early knockout rounds is already taking shape. A meeting with Senegal, likely to qualify in third place from Group I, could await in the round of 32. Survival at that stage would set up a daunting round-of-16 showdown against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City, a high-altitude cauldron that has historically challenged visiting teams. Should England navigate those obstacles, a potential meeting with Brazil in the quarter-final would be a blockbuster fixture. Then they might face Lionel Messi's Argentina in a Dallas semi-final, whereas in the final, they would probably lock horns against Spain, if La Roja make it to the World Cup final.

Australia’s batting order for the first Test is still some way from being confirmed, but Labuschagne is currently the favourite to go in at the top

AAP31-Oct-2025

Marnus Labuschagne says he would have no issue opening for Australia in the Ashes, confident he is now much clearer in his own game than in recent summers.Labuschagne was denied another chance to bat in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match with New South Wales on Friday, with the match ending in an early draw.Related

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Smith proud of Labuschagne's 'pretty big statement'

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Khawaja on song for Queensland as Ashes loom

After rain washed out the opening day, Jack Clayton’s 113 ensured Queensland would not have to follow on.Sam Konstas was then more patient with the bat, before attacking later in the innings and being caught charging Sam Skelly on 41, before a draw was called soon after.Konstas won’t be there come the first Test in Perth next month, with the 20-year-old almost certain to be given time in the Sheffield Shield to find his game.Labuschagne is favourite to take Konstas’s spot at the top, in a move that would allow allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster to both stay in the team.Labuschagne has said throughout this summer his preferred position is No.3, while insisting he would be willing to open to get back into the team. He has done so just twice at Test level, out for 17 and 22 in this year’s World Test Championship final against South Africa before being dropped from the side.But on Friday he declared he would more than welcome the challenge to open in Perth in three weeks’ time.”I’d say ‘great’,” Labuschagne responded when quizzed on what he would say if asked to open. “It honestly doesn’t concern me, I just want to be playing cricket at my best.Sam Konstas whips through the on side•Getty Images

“This year I’ve been in in the first few overs a few times. You’re used to it batting No. 3, and I’ve batted there probably 95 per cent of my career in both formats.”So I’m very used to being in early. If I have to open, great. If I bat three, great. Wherever there’s a spot for me I’ll take it and we’ll go from there.”Forced to watch on from the sidelines in the Caribbean last winter, Labuschagne has since adopted a less-is-more approach to his batting. The renowned cricket nuffie no longer bats in the nets on match days, admitting he was getting in his own head and thinking too much about his technique.Small changes have been made to his grip and stance, while he has also put pressure back on the bowlers in his four centuries for Queensland to start the summer.”Mentally I’m a lot clearer on my game and not getting too much deep thought into certain dismissals or methods,” Labuschagne said. “It’s not the actual training in the nets, I absolutely love that, I can do that all day.”But at times I feel like my technique gets in a space where I go home and I’m like ‘maybe I want to do this or maybe I want to go and try that’. Now I’m trying to stay out of my own way really and go out there and trust my skills when I get to the middle.”

Rishabh Pant, who hasn’t played any cricket since fracturing his foot during the Old Trafford Test, is understood to be walking comfortably now

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-2025

Rishabh Pant, who hasn’t played any cricket or even trained since the Old Trafford Test match against England where he fractured his right foot, is headed to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to resume his training. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that Pant’s foot is not in a cast anymore and he has been walking comfortably.Pant is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in Test cricket, and India’s next World Test Championship assignment is at home against West Indies in a two-Test series next month (in Ahmedabad, Oct 2-6 and in Delhi, Oct 10-14). The selection for that series is expected in the last week of September.After Pant was injured at Old Trafford, in what was the fourth Test in England, Dhruv Jurel kept wicket both in that game and at The Oval in the final game, and N Jagadeesan was flown in as back-up. In case Pant doesn’t regain full fitness in time for the Tests against West Indies, Jurel and Jagadeesan could be the frontrunners to be the wicketkeepers in the squad.Pant picked up the injury on the first day of that Old Trafford Test when he attempted a typically audacious reverse sweep off quick bowler Chris Woakes, inside-edging the ball on to his foot. He retired hurt, the fracture was confirmed not long after, and came out to bat the next day despite having arrived at the ground in the morning wearing a moonboot. He went on to add valuable runs, ending with 54 (he had retired hurt when on 37).Jurel kept wicket in both England innings in the game, and while Pant was available to bat if needed in India’s second, he wasn’t required to as Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar – the last two ordinarily below Pant in the batting order – scored centuries to save the Test, which kept the series 2-1 in England’s favour. India went on to win the final Test without Pant to square the series 2-2.

يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد لاستكمال مشواره في الموسم الحالي، بمواجهة أولمبياكوس ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكان ريال مدريد قد تعثر أمام إلتشي وتعادل بنتيجة 2/2 في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.

وأصبح رصيد ريال مدريد 32 نقطة في صدارة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، متقدمًا بفارق نقطة عن الوصيف برشلونة، الذي حقق فوزًا أمام أتلتيك بلباو برباعية نظيفة في نفس الجولة.

ويستعد ريال مدريد للعودة لمنافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، وسيحل ضيفًا على أولمبياكوس اليوناني في مرحلة الدوري غدًا الأربعاء القادم.

اقرأ أيضًا | ريال مدريد يعلن إصابة لاعبه وغيابه عن مباراة أولمبياكوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا

ومن المقرر أن يحل فريق تشابي ألونسو ضيفًا على نظيره أولمبياكوس غدًا الأربعاء، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الحادية عشر بتوقيت مكة المكرمة.

وعاد إلى تدريبات الفريق الجماعية اليوم كل من أوريلين تشواميني وأنطونيو روديجر بعد اكتمال تعافيهما من الإصابة التي منعتهما من الظهور رفقة ريال مدريد خلال الأسابيع الماضية.

وتلقى ألونسو خبرًا غير سارًا بالمرة خلال تدريبات الفريق صباح اليوم، الثلاثاء، إذ يعاني دين هويسن مدافع الفريق من بعض الآلام في الركبة بعد مباراة إلتشي.

وينتظر هويسن الخضوع لفحوصات طبية عقب انتهاء التدريبات لتحديد مدى إصابته والتي منعته من التدرب مع زملائه اليوم.

يُذكر أن تيبو كورتوا لن يسافر مع ريال مدريد في رحلته إلى العاصمة اليونانية أثينا بسبب نزلة معوية حادة.

It’s been a confusing month or so for Chelsea fans.

One week, the Blues are beating Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, and then the next, they’re losing to Sunderland or dropping points against Qarabağ.

However, while Enzo Maresca’s side are far from consistent at the moment, it is full of sensational talent.

In fact, there is at least one player who feels destined to become one of the best in the world, alongside Cole Palmer.

Chelsea's world-class stars

While it doesn’t feel like it at the moment, Chelsea are blessed with several players who could become some of the very best in the world in their position, if they aren’t already there.

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For example, while Moises Caicedo had a slow start to life in West London, he is now one of, if not the best six, in the Premier League.

The Ecuadorian is a monster when it comes to winning the ball back, has an underrated range of passing and can score his fair share of bangers.

Another star who is arguably the best in his position in the league is Reece James.

The Cobham gem is no longer suffering from injury after injury and, as a result, has been able to show the full extent of his exceptional ability on a consistent basis.

For example, in addition to being rock solid at the back, he is a genuine attacking threat due to both his impressive passing range and ball-striking ability.

Finally, while he’s out injured at the moment, Palmer is without doubt on his way to becoming one of the best players in the world.

He is the one who makes the Blues’ attack click, and in just 101 appearances for the club has already racked up a tally of 45 goals and 29 assists.

With all that said, there is another young Chelsea star who looks like he could be following in Palmer’s footsteps.

The Chelsea star on track to be one of the best in the world

While there are several exciting youngsters at Chelsea, like Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens, and even Alejandro Garnacho, the one who seems destined for the very top is, of course, Estevao.

The highly promising Brazilian gem was signed by Chelsea last year, but due to regulations surrounding players under 18, he was unable to join the club until this season.

However, it looks like that extra year in his homeland has done him the world of good, as so far this season, he has looked every bit the “future Ballon d’Or winner” respected analyst Ben Mattinson described him as.

Estevao’s Palmeiras record

Appearances

83

Minutes

5610′

Goals

27

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

133.57′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, he was arguably the Blues’ most exciting player in pre-season and injected some real life into the side when he came on in the season opener against Crystal Palace.

Then, when Palmer picked up an injury ahead of the West Ham game, Maresaca handed the youngster his first competitive start, and he looked incredible.

The Franca-born gem was running rings around the East Londoners and even picked up his first assist after a mazy run.

Amazingly, his first goal for the club came in that incredible 2-1 win over Liverpool last month.

He then quickly followed that up with a goal against Ajax in the Champions League and another against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup.

As if he hadn’t already made his mark on the team, he then scored his second UCL goal against Qarabağ.

In doing so, he became the first South American 18 or under to score in consecutive Champions League matches.

Ultimately, while it is still so early in his career, it certainly feels like Estevao is on the same trajectory as Palmer and will soon join him as one of the best players in the world.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 7, 2025