يستأنف ليفربول مشواره في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بعد الهزيمة أمام مانشستر سيتي بقيادة مدربه الاسباني بيب جوارديولا.
وتعرض ليفربول لهزيمة قوية أمام مانشستر سيتي بثلاثية نظيفة، على ملعب الاتحاد ضمن منافسات الدوري الانجليزي لكرة القدم.
وجاءت أهداف مانشستر سيتي عن طريق إيرلينج هالاند في الدقيقة 29، وأحرز نيكو جونزاليس الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 48، وسجل دوكو الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 63.
بهذه النتيجة، أصبح ليفربول برصيد 18 نقطة في المركز الثامن، وارتفع رصيد مانشستر سيتي للنقطة 22 في المركز الثاني خلف آرسنال بفارق أربع نقاط.
اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | بمشاركة محمد صلاح ومرموش.. مانشستر سيتي يسحق ليفربول بثلاثية ويطارد آرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي
وتعرض ليفربول لهزيمة جديدة بعد انتصاره على حساب أستون فيلا بهدفين نظيفين في البريميرليج، الأسبوع الماضي، والفوز ضد ريال مدريد الثلاثاء الماضي في دوري أبطال أوروبا، بهدف نظيف. موعد مباراة ليفربول القادمة بعد الهزيمة أمام مانشستر سيتي في الدوري الانجليزي
يستقبل ليفربول، فريق نوتينجهام فورست، على ملعب أنفيلد، يوم السبت 22 نوفمبر، في الساعة الخامسة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
Half-centuries for senior pair ensure Somerset cannot capitalise on morning declaration
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 25-Jun-2025
Corey Rocchiccioli was in the wickets for Warwickshire•Getty Images
Warwickshire and Somerset harvested the predictable Rothesay County Championship draw as a forgettable match finally petered out on the final day at Edgbaston.Set a notional victory target of 377 in 69 overs, Warwickshire plodded to 161 for four as Tom Latham (52 from 103 balls) and Sam Hain (68 not out, 157) escorted their team to safety and the match to stalemate.Somerset had extended their second innings in the morning to 229 for eight (James Rew 61, 81) but not as quickly as they hoped due to interference from Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli who took five for 67 on debut.It had always appeared that a bland pitch would blunt the victory aspirations of either side and so it proved. Both shored up their positions in the middle of Division One with a solid points haul from a match which offered less than vivid entertainment. The deployment of two short mid-wickets and two short extras for Latham off Migael Pretorius was about as exciting as it got for the slumbering Edgbaston faithful.Somerset resumed on the final morning on 116 for three, 283 ahead overall, and started purposefully. Rew completed a 66-ball half-century but two wickets for Rocchoccioli slowed the momentum and changed the plan. The spinner unfurled a lovely turning delivery which Rew edged to wicketkeeper Kai Smith. Tom Banton missed a sweep and was lbw.Bowling coach Steve Kirby had suggested after day three that Somerset would need 80 overs to try to bowl Warwickshire out, but that point arrived with the lead only 317. That would have been a very attractive target on a pitch still good for batting.Tom Abell (42, 63) and Archie Vaughan (38 not out, 59) batted watchfully to prevent a collapse then expanded to add 65 in 14 overs before Abell charged and missed at Rocchoccioli. Pretorious had his off-stump rendered askew by Ethan Bamber and Rocchoccioli’s five-for was complete when Craig Overton missed a reverse sweep and was lbw, triggering lunch and the declaration.To challenge the target – 377 in two sessions – Warwickshire needed a strong platform but they lost soon both openers. Alex Davies fell to the fourth ball, lbw, trapped in the crease by Matt Henry. Rob Yates left a gap between bat and pad and Jack Leach, who opened the bowling, turned the ball through it.That scuppered any chance of a Warwickshire win. Somerset’s hopes were ground away over the next two hours by Latham and Hain. There are few batters better-equipped than those to steer a side to safety and they duly quietened the excited fielding side with resolute, solid and watchful work.They declined to pursue a target of 276 from 34 overs after tea. Latham drove a return catch to Overton and Jacob Bethell top-edged a pull at Pretorius but the implacable Hain reached 50 for the 58th time in first-class cricket to see the job through in a soporific, slumbering, sparsely-populated stadium as far-removed as can be from the passionate cauldron it will be when England meet India there next week.
Tottenham Hotspur are now determined to open talks to sign a “spectacular” attacker in the January transfer window, with a £35m bid planned.
Spurs looking to sign new attacking midfielder
Tottenham’s pursuit of a new attacking midfielder lasted for the majority of the summer, before finally getting a deal for Xavi Simons over the line at the end of August, with the Dutchman arriving from RB Leipzig.
With James Maddison ruled out due to an ACL injury, it was clear that Spurs needed to bring in another option in that area of the pitch, but Simons has been utilised as a left-winger so far, with Thomas Frank recently explaining the decision to play the 22-year-old out wide.
Tottenham expected to open talks to sign "incredible" £27m star in January
Tottenham expected to open talks to sign “incredible” £27m star in January.
ByDominic Lund Sep 21, 2025
When asked whether the decision to deploy the former RB Leipzig man out wide was made to introduce him gently, Frank said: “No, I think it’s how we let the team grow and develop,
“Where we came from in the summer. I was thinking the other day, I don’t think I said it, that we last year and the last two seasons, but definitely the last year, it was like Kulusevski, Son, Maddison, Solanke. None of them is available. So it’s a completely new front four.”
As such, there may still be room for Spurs to bring in another attacking midfielder, and they have now set their sights on bringing in a La Liga star in the January transfer window…
That is according to a report from Spain, which states Tottenham are now determined to open talks over a deal for Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez, expressing a strong interest in securing his signature.
Such is their determination to sign Mendez, the Lilywhites have planned a bid, which could amount to €40m (£35m), with the Spanish club said to be in a position where they need to listen to offers.
"Spectacular" Mendez could excel at Tottenham
Claudio Giráldez has spoken very highly of the Real Sociedad star in the past, saying: “He’s a player I like. He’s having some brilliant seasons, with spectacular developments in his game. He’s very complete.”
The 28-year-old certainly deserves the plaudits, having impressed in La Liga over a sustained period of time, picking up 37 goals and 29 assists in the competition, across spells with Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo.
The Spaniard, and fellow transfer target Oihan Sancet, also excel with their long-range shooting, regularly finding the back of the net from outside the box.
Mendez clearly has the talent to succeed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so it is exciting news that an approach could be made during the January transfer window.
With a deal agreed to sign goalkeeper John Victor, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly leading the race to sign another South American star for Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nottingham Forest agree Victor deal
Espirito Santo requested a goalkeeper and it looks as though he’s set to get one in the form of Victor this week. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian from Botafogo, who is set to get the Premier League move that he’s been after since West Ham United ditched their attempts to secure his signature.
Espirito Santo also requested full-back cover and has also seen that demand met by those at the City Ground, who have welcomed Nicolo Savona from Juventus.
Speaking for the first time since becoming the latest to arrive in the Midlands, the defender said: “I am very excited to be here. It is a new experience for me as a person and a player. It is such a historic club, and the move is a dream come true. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans at the City Ground, and I will give my all for the shirt.”
Medical booked: Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign "phenomenal" Brazilian
The Midlands club are closing in on another arrival.
ByTom Cunningham Aug 30, 2025
Whether Victor and Savona are enough to satisfy Espirito Santo will be the big question. Talks between the Forest boss and Marinakis are reportedly scheduled this weekend in what should give those at the City Ground a strong indication of where Espirito Santo’s immediate future lies.
With the deadline fast-approaching, meanwhile, reports suggest that the Tricky Trees are targeting yet another South American star.
Nottingham Forest leading Cuiabano race
According to reports in Brazil, as relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are not leading the race to sign Cuiabano from Botafogo. Forest have, of course, already welcomed Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from the Brazilian club, whilst an agreement has also been reached for Victor. Now, they could sensationally sign a fourth player from the club.
Full of praise for all three potential Forest stars, analyst Ben Mattinson described Cuiabano as “powerful” and “pacy” when links first emerged that the Tricky Trees had him in their sights. Now, in a late move, they could finally get their man.
Cuiabano in action for Botafogo.
Like Savona, the Brazilian would also satisfy Espirito Santo’s demand for cover at full-back just as the window is coming to a close. At just 22 years old, there’s still plenty of room for improvement in the Midlands too, and European football should ensure that he receives the game time needed to enjoy that improvement.
دافع تيبو كورتوا حارس مرمى ريال مدريد الإسباني، عن زميله البرازيلي فينيسيوس جونيور، مؤكدًا على حسن تصرفه تجاه استفزازت لاعبي وجماهير الخصم له، كما تحدث عن اللقاء المرتقب أمام يوفنتوس.
ويخوض ريال مدريد مباراة غدًا الأربعاء أمام يوفنتوس الإيطالي في إطار مباريات مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، وستكون المواجهة رقم 300 لكورتوا.
وظهر كورتوا في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الثلاثاء، للحديث قبل المواجهة، ونشرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية تصريحاته.
وقال كورتوا: “عندما كنت صغيرًا، حلمت باللعب مع ريال مدريد، وصولي للمباراة رقم 300 يجعلني أشعر بفخر كبير”.
وأضاف: “لم يكن يوفنتوس في أفضل حالاته مؤخرًا، لكن الأمر سيكون صعبًا، علينا أن نتعامل مع الأمر بشكل جيد ونُظهر أننا نلعب على أرضنا، بقوة، بهذه الطريقة، سنحقق نتيجة جيدة”.
وإذا كان يشعر بأنه يحظى بدعم دفاعي أكبر هذا الموسم، علّق: “الأمر يختلف من وقت لآخر، في مباراة الديربي، استقبلنا عدة أهداف من كرات ثابتة، وهذا جانب يمكننا تحسينه، بشكل عام، نحن ندافع جيدًا كفريق من أحد عشر لاعبًا، وبكثافة عالية”.
وواصل: “أما أنا فعليّ أن أكون دائمًا مستعدًا، أمام خيتافي كانت المباراة هادئة، لكن كحارس في نادٍ كبير، يجب أن تكون حاضرًا وجاهزًا في تلك اللحظات أيضًا”.
اقرأ أيضًا | كورتوا يُحرج لابورتا بعد اتهاماته بتحيز التحكيم ضد برشلونة
وعن رأيه في أداء فينيسيوس في مباراة خيتافي، صرّح كورتوا: “الأمر ليس سهلاً، عندما كان في الثامنة عشرة من عمره، كثيرون منكم سخروا منه، لم يفعل شيئًا خاطئًا، لكنه دخل المباراة ووجد نفسه في مواجهة الجميع، من الطبيعي أن يردّ أحيانًا، لقد استهدفوه منذ البداية، لكنه أزعج الخصم ونجح في ذلك”.
واسترسل: “كانت استجابته جيدة، ودخوله أضفى علينا خطورة هجومية أكبر، إنهم يتعمدون استفزازه، وهذا ظلم كبير في حقه، إنه فتى رائع، ويجب أن يواصل التركيز على نفسه، لقد قدّم بداية رائعة هذا الموسم، وأتمنى أن نرى المزيد من ذلك غدًا ويوم الأحد”.
وعما إذا كان فينيسيوس يتعامل بشكل أفضل مع الصراعات داخل الملعب، رد: “ليس من السهل دائمًا أن يستهدفك جمهور ملعب بالكامل، أو أن تتعرض للركل من اللاعبين المنافسين، لكنه تحسّن كثيرًا في هذا الجانب”.
وأردف كورتوا: “إذا كان قد تعلّم كيف يتعايش مع الصراع ويُفقد الخصوم أعصابهم، فدييجو كوستا كان يُجنّن مدافعي الدوري الإنجليزي بهذا الأسلوب، إذا كان فيني قادرًا على فعل ذلك، فهذا ممتاز بالنسبة لنا، الأهم هو أن يظل مركزًا ويلعب بطريقته، إنه واحد من أفضل اللاعبين في العالم”.
وإذا كان يُفضل أن يتجاهل فينيسيوس الخصم أم يتعامل معه كما يفعل، أستطرد كورتوا: “لا يهمني، أريده أن يلعب بشكل جيد، وأن يستمر في اللعب بشكل صحيح، وأن يواصل تسجيل الأهداف وتقديم الدعم”.
وشدد: “لم يرتكب أي خطأ في المباراة الماضية كان الخصوم يبحثون عنه ويستفزونه، كانوا يضربونه بدون كرة، مع البطاقة الصفراء الثانية، ضربه الخصم من الخلف، وكان الحكم دفاعيًا بعض الشيء تجاه فينيسيوس، لا نسمح للمدافعين بضربه بدون كرة، كانت البطاقة الصفراء الثانية مستحقة بكل تأكيد”.
وعن رأيه في قانون فينجر لتعديل قاعدة التسلل، علّق: “لا أعلم إن كان هذا هو التغيير الأكثر ضرورة، أعتقد أن مسألة إضاعة الوقت، نحن كحراس مرمى يُحسَب علينا الثواني الثمانية، لكن هناك فرقًا تستغل أكثر من 30 ثانية في رميات التماس، لذا يجب تغيير أمور أخرى أولاً”.
وأوضح: “أتفق على أن التسلل بفارق مليمتر واحد لا يمنح أفضلية حقيقية، لكنني لا أفهم كيف سيتمكن الـ فار من تحديد الإطار الدقيق في اللقطة، لا أعلم إن كنا سنرى مزيدًا من الأهداف لمجرد تغيير القاعدة، أين سنضع الحد الفاصل؟”.
وبشأن هدف ريال مدريد في التواجد ضمن الفرق الثمانية الأولى في مرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا، أتم: “قضاء أسبوع في فبراير دون لعب مباراتين إضافيتين يُسهّل الأمور ويُريحك، بدأنا بتسع مباريات من أصل تسع، ولدينا مباريات صعبة خارج أرضنا ضد أولمبياكوس ومانشستر سيتي، خسرنا العام الماضي، وكان ذلك درسًا جيدًا لهذا الموسم”.
Celtic continued their solid start to the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Aberdeen away from Parkhead on Sunday.
Brendan Rodgers, as was the case against St Mirren on the opening day, may not have been entirely pleased with all aspects of the performance, despite the result.
Benjamin Nygren opened the scoring with his first goal for Celtic in the first half with a brilliant finish from Kieran Tierney’s cross, before Reo Hatate’s spectacular strike in the second half sealed all three points for the away side.
The Hoops head coach confirmed after the match that he wants to see the board add more quality to the attack before the end of the summer transfer window.
Brendan Rodgers
Celtic have not splashed out on a frontline forward option, whether that be a winger or a striker, as Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand have arrived as back-ups behind Adam Idah.
That is despite the sale of Nicolas Kuhn to Como and an ACL injury to Jota, leaving two pretty sizeable holes out wide in the squad that need to be filled.
Why Celtic need to sign a left-sided winger
The Hoops need to bring in a winger on the left flank because Daizen Maeda is currently the only senior option in that position, whilst they do, at least, have Hyun-jun Yang and James Forrest on the right side.
Whilst you can debate the quality that Yang and Forest do or do not provide on the flank, Rodgers at least has the option to rotate them and bring on one as a substitute. He does not have that luxury on the left flank because of the injury to Jota.
The Portuguese winger suffered an ACL injury back in May and could be out until January or February of next year, as it was framed as an injury that could keep him out for up to nine months.
Losing Jota to such a devastating injury was a big blow for several reasons, not least because it has left Maeda as the only senior left winger, which has also prevented the Japan international from playing through the middle as a striker.
The former Benfica and Rennes forward, who returned to Celtic, also produced impressive performances in his short time on the pitch in the second half of last season, scoring four goals and providing two assists in seven starts.
Goals
0.63
Top 6%
Shots on target
1.42
Top 6%
xG
0.48
Top 8%
Assists
0.32
Top 17%
xA
0.37
Top 8%
Chances created
1.89
Top 25%
Successful dribbles
1.58
Top 29%
As you can see in the table above, Jota provided plenty of quality in front of goal as both a scorer and a creator, which is another reason why the Hoops must fill the hole his injury has left in the squad.
Celtic pursuing deal for £5m star
According to the Daily Record, Celtic remain keen on a deal to sign Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha before the end of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Belgian forward is ‘widely expected’ to leave the Pro League side this summer because his contract is due to expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It adds that Balikwisha is expected to cost between £4m and £5m, so potentially as much as £5m, and it remains to be seen how much the Hoops are willing to pay to secure his signature.
Whilst this is not the most exciting update, or one that is going to provide supporters with plenty of hope, it does show that the club are still pursuing a deal for the 24-year-old star, who reportedly wants to make the move, and have not given up yet.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha in action for Royal Antwerp.
But it is now down to Celtic to finally reach an agreement with Royal Antwerp to bring Balikwisha to Parkhead, as he could fill the Jota-shaped hole in the squad.
Why Celtic should sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha
The Hoops must push to get this deal done as quickly as possible, particularly with Champions League qualifiers on the horizon, because of the lack of depth that they currently have in the wide areas.
As aforementioned, Maeda is the only senior left winger in the squad and that is why Jota’s injury has left a huge hole to fill, one that Balikwisha has the profile and quality to fill.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha for Royal Antwerp.
Like Maeda and Jota, the £5m-rated star is a right-footed attacker who predominantly plays down the left flank, cutting inside onto his favoured foot. This makes him an ideal fit for Tierney, who bombed on down the outside of Maeda to provide the assist for Nygren on Sunday.
Balikwisha, therefore, could be a perfect fit down the left wing for Celtic as a like-for-like replacement for the player they have lost to injury, whilst he is also a versatile forward who can play elsewhere when Jota is back fit next year.
Position (3-5-2 formation)
RCM
xG
0.85
Goals
1 (penalty)
Pass accuracy
96%
Key passes
1
Duels won
4/8
Tackles
2
Interceptions
2
As you can see in the table above, the Belgian forward put in an impressive performance against OH Leuven on Sunday, considering it is a role he is not used to play, with incredibly reliable passing and strong work off the ball.
Last season, Balikwisha played as a left winger and scored four goals and created seven ‘big chances’ in 12 starts in the Pro League for Royal Antwerp, which shows that he can be effective in front of goal when played in his natural position.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha against Porto in the Champions League.
Football scout and analyst Will Glavin described the young forward as a “direct wide threat” and a “creative” and “confident” operator on the flank, which is backed up by his impressive output on the flank last term.
Of course, Balikwisha is unproven in Scottish football and it remains to be seen how he will fare outside of his home country, but all the signs appear to be promising.
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Therefore, the Belgian ace could fill the Jota-shaped hole in the squad whilst having the positional flexibility to still be an asset in other positions when he returns, which is why this is a signing that could make a lot of sense.
Everton’s resurgence under David Moyes last season brought much-needed optimism back to Goodison Park.
A 13th-place finish may not look glamorous on paper, but the club’s climb away from the relegation battle during the second half of the campaign provided a foundation to build on.
This summer has therefore been about capitalising on that momentum, ensuring Moyes has the tools to push his side into the top half of the table. Some progress has already been made.
Carlos Alcaraz, who impressed on loan last term, has joined permanently from Flamengo, while Thierno Barry has been signed from Villarreal.
The blockbuster coup came in the form of Jack Grealish, brought in on loan from Manchester City after being told by Thomas Tuchel that regular football would be vital if he is to stake his claim for a World Cup place.
But while Grealish’s arrival has stolen the headlines, Everton still have one glaring vacancy: the right wing.
The Toffees’ search for an answer has been dominated by their pursuit of Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling, but their multiple bids have all been rejected.
That has led them towards a player closer to home – one who could provide the pace, power, and creativity Moyes craves on the right-hand side of his attack.
Everton step up interest in Championship star
According to EFL Analysis, Everton are lining up a move for Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu, who has an estimated price tag of around £10 million.
The Ghanaian international has long been admired for his dynamism in the final third, and with Leicester struggling financially after a turbulent few years, his name is firmly on Moyes’ shortlist.
Leicester’s transfer business has been telling.
The Foxes missed out on Richard Kone, who opted for QPR, and there are fears that further sales may be required with Valencia circling around Harry Winks and Patson Daka.
Against this backdrop, Everton see Fatawu as a realistic target. The 21-year-old joined Leicester permanently from Sporting Lisbon in 2024 after an impressive loan spell in the Championship.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
His raw pace and ability to stretch defences made him one of the most exciting young wingers in the league. Talent scout Jacek Kulig went as far as to call him “unplayable.”
Everton are not alone in monitoring the situation, though. Aston Villa could enter the race should Leon Bailey depart for AS Roma, though for now it is Everton who have shown the most concrete interest.
Why Fatawu would be a big upgrade on Harrison
The potential signing of Fatawu would inevitably draw comparisons with Jack Harrison, who occupied Everton’s right flank for much of last season while on loan from Leeds United.
Harrison has since returned to Elland Road, leaving Moyes short of options in that role.
Statistically, the contrast between the two players is stark. Harrison, now 28, managed just one goal and one assist across 34 Premier League appearances last season, per Sofascore.
While his work ethic has never been in question, his lack of end product often left Everton blunt in attack.
Fatawu, by contrast, offers significantly higher upside.
At 21, his dribbling and progressive carrying ability are among the best in Europe, while his tackling and defensive numbers suggest he could thrive in Moyes’ high-intensity structure.
He is also far more direct, always looking to beat his man and create overloads in the final third.
On the international stage, Fatawu already has 19 caps for Ghana, scoring twice, and is seen as a rising star in African football. His progress, however, was disrupted by a cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for 29 matches last season.
What makes him particularly attractive to Everton is his statistical profile.
Few young wingers in Europe rank as highly across so many metrics.
Abdul Fatawu – Stats 2024/25
Progressive carries per 90
6.53
Successful take-ons per 90
4.51
Tackles per 90
3.26
Clearances per 90
1.87
Aerial duels won per 90
2.18
Source: FBref
Such numbers point to a winger who is not only explosive going forward but also relentless in his defensive contribution.
For Moyes, whose system demands a high work rate from his wide players, that blend is invaluable.
Moreover, his profile mirrors that of players such as Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest) and Brentford-bound Dango Ouattara – both highly sought-after wide players whose blend of speed and physicality has become increasingly valuable in the Premier League.
For a relatively modest £10 million outlay, Everton would be securing a player whose trajectory points sharply upwards.
The risk, of course, lies in his injury record.
But his recovery has shown encouraging signs, and at his age, there is reason to believe he can overcome those setbacks.
Landing Fatawu would also send a message.
Everton have already made a statement by bringing in Grealish, but supplementing that with a hungry, high-ceiling talent on the opposite wing would transform the look of their attack.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin departing as a free agent and Abdoulaye Doucouré also moving on, Moyes is in the process of reshaping his squad.
Fatawu fits the mould of what Everton need: energy, unpredictability and a dash of star potential.
Their opening fixture at Elland Road against Leeds will be an early test, but the season is long, and depth across the wide positions will be crucial.
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Fatawu may not be the finished product, but as an upgrade on Harrison and a player with genuine resale value, he could be one of the smartest additions of Everton’s summer.
Konstas will become the fourth-youngest Australian to play Test cricket while Head is battling a minor quad strain but the coach is confident he will play
Alex Malcolm24-Dec-20242:38
Cummins: ‘Seeing new players debut really gives me a thrill’
Sam Konstas will make his Test debut for Australia on Boxing Day while Travis Head will face a fitness test on his injured quad but coach Andrew McDonald is confident his star left-hand batter will be fit to play.Konstas will become the fourth-youngest Australian to make his Test debut at 19 years and 85 days on Boxing Day against India, with only Ian Craig, current captain Pat Cummins, and Tom Garrett making their debuts at a younger age.McDonald confirmed in a press conference post training on Tuesday that Australia’s selector on duty Tony Dodemaide had told Konstas the good news on the same morning, but he said confirmation on the rest of the XI would come on Christmas Day when Cummins does his pre-match press conference.Related
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“We said from the get go, when leading into the summer, that we wouldn’t shy away, and age was no barrier,” McDonald said. “And what he’s shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We’re really excited for him.”The concerns around Head’s fitness are real as he is clearly not 100%. Head suffered a very minor quad strain while batting in Australia’s second innings in Brisbane and did not field in Australia’s very brief second bowling innings before rain ended the match.Head had a short hit on Tuesday in the nets after doing some running and some fielding on the outfield, having not done anything at Monday’s optional session.”Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has,” McDonald said. “So that’s what you would have seen. There’s no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I’m not sure. I didn’t see the sort of back-end of his training session there, but I’m pretty confident he’ll play.”I think he looked good with the bat in hand so obviously skills are in good order. It’ll just be basically what risk is associated with that. He had a small strain to the quad. But no concerns from my end. He’s been able to be running, so I think he’ll be fully functional come the game time.”Head did have a lengthy discussion with McDonald and Australia’s physio Nick Jones shortly after his hit in the nets but the coach downplayed its significance.”It was more around his fielding position and what he was capable of there,” McDonald said. “Clearly coming off a strain he’s got that, obviously the demands of bat pad.Travis Head (right) speaks with coach Andrew McDonald (left) and physio Nick Jones (centre) about his quad issue•Getty Images
“So that’s all that was about. And my question to Nick Jones was just around what he’s got to do to finish off the session, so I was across it beforehand, or just making sure nothing had changed during the session, and then we just started to speak about India, what they might do. So it was nothing really that specific.”McDonald did confirm that Australia would make at least two changes with Konstas replacing Nathan McSweeney and Scott Boland replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood.”If we didn’t pick Scotty here, and I’m not allowed to declare the team, because that’s Pat’s job tomorrow, but I don’t think I’m coming to the ground Boxing Day if Scotty is not the XI. So you can go with that as well,” McDonald said.McDonald stopped short of confirming if there would be any more changes. It appears unlikely given Mitchell Marsh is fully fit. He had one of his longest bowling spells of the summer in the nets on Tuesday and looked to be moving well having overcome the back issues that plagued him since he suffered spasms in the fourth ODI against England at Lord’s back in September.”Just to clear up, Mitch Marsh is fully fit and available to bowl,” McDonald said. “I know that he only bowled two overs last game, and people were speculating around that, but that was more because of the weather interventions, and we’re able to keep our fast bowlers fresh, albeit we only had two out of the three operating. But he’s ready to go, and I think he’ll play a role in this Test match with the ball more so than the previous ones.”Sam Konstas will get his baggy green at the MCG•AFP via Getty Images
Although it hasn’t been confirmed, it appears unlikely that either Beau Webster or Josh Inglis will make their Test debuts on Boxing Day. Inglis has not trained at all with the squad at the MCG on Monday and Tuesday because he played across town at the Marvel Stadium in a BBL match for Perth Scorchers on Monday night.Scorchers and Western Australia quick Jhye Richardson has trained with the Test squad both days having not been released to play in the same BBL game.McDonald was pleased to have him in the squad alongside the other spare fast bowler Sean Abbott and feels he could be needed in Sydney if the Melbourne Test were to go five days and Australia’s bowlers were stretched. However, McDonald thought that was unlikely given the surface and the lighter loads that both Cummins and Mitchell Starc have had across the series so far.”Jhye’s been impressive,” McDonald said. “Clearly had a setback in the Shield game with the shoulder. Every week that goes on, people are confident that it lessens the risk. And what we saw in the nets today is a highly-skilled player, and he’s getting somewhere near his best, which is exciting for us.”Carrying the two extra quicks in the squad with the short turnaround, I think that’s real. If this game becomes long into a short turnaround, then you’ve got to make some decisions. Our frontline quicks, in terms of Starcy and Paddy, are well placed. Probably, less load than we would have imagined after three Test matches so does that give them opportunity to back up from Test four to Test five? I’d say that’s highly likely.”
The 2025/26 campaign is drawing closer, and Tottenham Hotspur still need to make some signings if Thomas Frank is to challenge among the big hitters on Premier League and Champions League fronts.
There are multiple avenues that Spurs could head down over the coming weeks, but one route we know will not be followed is toward the City Ground for Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White, who has signed a new contract in spite of Tottenham activating his £60m release clause earlier this month.
Tottenham have played out two pre-season draws this month, against third-tier side Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town, who have suffered back-to-back relegations over the past two seasons and indeed now languish in League One.
Why Spurs wanted Morgan Gibbs-White
James Maddison’s two terms with Tottenham have been laced with damaging setbacks, injured badly on several occasions and struggling for fluency at times. However, he has been prolific when playing and has that X-factor about him.
He’s been sidelined since before the end of last season, and Dejan Kulusevski underwent surgery on a patella injury in May that will keep him absent into the 2025/26 campaign.
Gibbs-White, 25, would have been perfect. Industrious and versatile, the England international is a fierce tackler and an intelligent passer, having also chipped with seven goals and eight assists in the league, with his efforts leading The Athletic’s Paul Taylor to say he was “among the most in-form, best performing players in the Premier League” last year.
However, he will ply his trade for the Tricky Trees once again next season, a cruel blow when a deal seemed so close only weeks ago for the Lilywhites.
Tottenham need an alternative, but that doesn’t strictly mean that Frank will sign a player of strict positional similarities to Gibbs-White.
Instead, he might pursue a record-breaking deal for one of Europe’s prized forwards.
Spurs in talks for bigger deal than Gibbs-White
Earlier in July, Iberian newspapers published a report that revealed Spurs’ interest in Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who looks likely to leave the Spanish capital this summer after falling down the pecking order, Xabi Alonso currently establishing his Los Blancos vision.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
The 24-year-old, nonetheless, would cost a pretty penny, having been priced at £87m. Thus, he would break Spurs’ transfer record, were he to join the project this summer.
And now, Spanish reporter Ramon Alvarez has revealed that the London club have opened talks for the versatile forward, suggesting that things could start ramping up in the coming days and weeks.
Further Spanish sources have confirmed interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, with the latter understood to be preparing a formal bid as Luiz Diaz completes a transfer to Bayern Munich, so this is hardly going to be an easy one to pull off.
Why Spurs want to sign Rodrygo
Why do Tottenham want to sign Rodrygo? Well, Jude Bellingham thinks he’s “probably the most talented and the most gifted player” at Real Madrid, and that makes a comment on his potential to become a superstar in the Premier League.
Rodrygo's Real Madrid career (timeless)
Even though the Brazil international left something to be desired with his performances last season, he still chalked up 14 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, scarcely playing on his preferred left side, where his ball-striking ability is best served.
The right-footer actually recorded 12 goal involvements from as many matches as a left-sided forward across all competitions last season, though this amounted to just 22% of his total action across the year.
Gibbs-White is a fine player, to be sure, but he’s not Rodrygo, who joined Real Madrid from Santos as an 18-year-old. It was 2019, and he arrived for a £39.5m fee.
Since that point, he’s become a mainstay at the world’s (probably) biggest football club, gluttonous with trophy-winning success and an incredibly talented and hard-working winger, willing to play across a range of positions so to best serve the team.
He even won 56% of his ground duels in La Liga last season, as per Sofascore, denoting a crispness in combative situations which will prove crucial for Frank’s Tottenham.
Frank will demand fluent, careful football that marries the exciting with the grounded. Rodrygo will aid this and then some, ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in La Liga last season for pass completion, the top 13% for shot-creating actions and the top 11% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
He’s the complete package, all right, having shown himself to have a variety of tools across different phases of play. It’s no wonder Luka Modric once labelled his Real teammate a “world-class superstar”.
Moreover, he’s a big-game player, whereas Gibbs-White’s potential on the very biggest stage has yet to be seen with regularity.
Gibbs-White would provide Frank’s system with creativity from the nucleus of the pitch, but Rodrygo, positionally flexible, would bring his own brand of offensive expertise, surely good enough to make the club forget about their Forest target.
In 2022/23, indeed, a young Rodrygo was among the most prolific right wingers across Europe’s top-five leagues, behind only Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah. Not bad, that.
Mohamed Salah
51
30
16
46
Lionel Messi
41
21
20
41
Rodrygo
55
19
11
30
Riyad Mahrez
47
15
13
28
Bukayo Saka
48
15
12
27
Given that Rodrygo pines for a starting role on the alternate flank, with recent evidence suggesting that is his most fruitful position, it’s clear that Tottenham could hit the jackpot by making this signing.
And once the likes of Maddison and Kulusevski are fit and firing on all cylinders again, we could have an incredible team of depth and dynamism, just waiting to pounce on the season’s opportunities and add to that Europa League title, which might be the harbinger of an era of sustained success down N17.
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So much change has occurred at West Bromwich Albion in such a short space of time.
It doesn’t feel too long ago since Carlos Corberan was still situated in the Baggies dug-out, with Tony Mowbray going on to face the wrath of the Hawthorns hierarchy after the much-loved Spaniard departed for Valencia.
Fast forward to this summer and Ryan Mason is now tasked with attempting to put West Brom back on the map by guiding them up to the Premier League.
This will be no easy feat for a manager still learning the ropes – but unlike Mowbray – he should have a fully fit Josh Maja at his disposal from the second football gets back underway, which is a definite boost for a team attempting to accelerate out of the traps.
Maja's explosive form for West Brom
Despite only lining up for a mere two league games in total during an injury-ravaged 2025, the former Sunderland marksman would still be crowned West Brom’s top goalscorer of the season when the dust had settled.
Maja bagged a deadly 12 strikes from only 26 clashes, with a clinical brace picked up against Preston North End on New Year’s Day his final meaningful contributions during an up-and-down campaign.
When performing at the peak of his powers, the explosive Maja would constantly be linking up with assist king Tom Fellows to terrorise Championship defences, culminating in the homegrown winger registering a colossal 14 assists.
Mikey Johnston was the second most effective assist maker for the Baggies with a lesser five next to his name, with the addition of a new, entertaining attacker perhaps getting even more out of Maja in the long run when considering their previous blistering exploits in the EFL’s top division.
The "fabulous" talent who could be a dream partner for Maja
Of course, as Fellows became more well-known for being a creative menace, the pressure significantly ramped up on his shoulders.
Consequently, the exciting Hawthorns prodigy would only pick up two goals and three assists across his last eight Championship appearances of the season. To add more context, it would only take Fellows three games right at the start of the season to reach the same assists tally.
This is where former Derby County ace Tom Lawrence could come to the rescue in lessening the burden on Fellows to solely create, with a recent report by TEAMtalk suggesting that Mason and Co. are keen to add the free agent to their ranks this summer, alongside competitors to his signature in Wrexham and Coventry City.
Maja will already be raring to go ahead of next season as he pushes his injury issues hopefully to one side.
But, if he knows he also has Lawrence as a potential teammate feeding him chances, alongside Fellows and many other stars at Mason’s disposal, the potent number 29 will be aiming for an even heavier goal return than the 12 he just managed.
Lawrence’s G/A numbers for Derby
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
21/22
39
11
5
20/21
23
3
2
19/20
40
10
5
18/19
38
7
5
17/18
42
6
8
Sourced by Transfermarkt
Whilst his celebrated stint with the Rams did see him score plenty of audacious strikes – as seen in his 37 goals from 185 appearances – the ex-Derby captain would also go on to amass a healthy 25 assists at Pride Park across five memorable campaigns.
More specifically, 22 big chances would be created on the end of the Wrexham-born forward across his five Championship seasons in Derbyshire, with the potential here for Lawrence to recapture this previous EFL best if he moves to West Brom shortly.
With a thunderous effort like this one up his sleeve also, the “fabulous” midfielder – as he was once labelled by ex-Rams boss Gary Rowett – could even compete with Maja at the top of the goalscoring charts, with Mason fancying his team’s chances at promotion even more if the free agent was to relocate to the Hawthorns.
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