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Manchester United’s impressive start to the 2025/26 campaign has no doubt been aided by their hierarchy’s £200m backing in the market during the summer transfer window.

Bryan Mbeumo has certainly made the biggest impact of the new arrivals, with the Cameroonian international already scoring four times in his ten Premier League outings.

The 26-year-old’s best display came against Brighton and Hove Albion, as the forward netted a double in the 4-2 triumph, helping Ruben Amorim’s side to rise up the league table.

Matheus Cunha has also partnered Mbeumo within the final third over recent months, also catching the eye with his first goal in the same victory over the Seagulls.

The Brazilian’s £62.5m transfer is now looking like an excellent piece of business, with the aforementioned duo both handing the fanbase the chance to get off their seats at Old Trafford.

However, despite the recent flurry of new additions at the Theatre of Dreams, the hierarchy could be set to make additional reinforcements in the upcoming January window.

United’s hunt for new additions in the January window

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been hugely touted with a winter transfer to land Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson after his recent rise in 2025/26.

The 23-year-old has been a regular starter this campaign, impressing at the City Ground, which has led to the youngster becoming an England international regular.

The Red Devils have since been touted with a potential £70m deal to land the youngster, but Sean Dyche’s side may be reluctant to offload their star man during the winter window.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque another star they’re hunting, according to Spanish outlet SPORT.

They claim that Amorim’s side are currently in pole position for the 20-year-old’s signature, despite keen interest from fellow Premier League outfit Chelsea.

It also states that the Brazilian could be available for a fee in the region of £42m this winter, but it remains unclear if the United board would pay such a figure in the months ahead.

Why United’s £42m target would be an upgrade on Sesko

As part of the club’s summer spending spree, the United board forked out a deal in the region of £74m for the signature of striker Benjamin Sesko from German side RB Leipzig.

Such a fee generated huge excitement amongst the fanbase, with huge expectations on the 22-year-old to transform the club’s fortunes within the final third of the pitch.

However, it’s not all been plain sailing for the Slovenian international, with the centre-forward only scoring twice in his ten Premier League appearances to date.

After scoring two games in a row, Sesko is now three matches without a goal, even registering just 21 touches of the ball in the recent clash with Forest – the lowest of any player out of both sides.

There’s no denying that the fanbase have seen glimpses of his quality, but they would have certainly been expecting more given the nature of the transfer fee.

Any deal for Roque could see the supporters handed the number nine they’ve craved, especially if the youngster can replicate his goalscoring numbers from his homeland.

In his 28 league appearances this season, the 20-year-old has netted 13 goals, massively outscoring the Slovenian – with his underlying figures also highlighting why he’s better than the United talisman.

Games played

28

10

Goals scored

13

2

Shot on target accuracy

48%

38%

Pass accuracy

72%

63%

Key passes

1.6

1.1

Take-on success

40%

25%

Progressive carries

2.5

0.6

Carries into 18-yard box

1.2

0.4

Fouls drawn

3.5

0.3

Roque, who’s been dubbed a “future superstar” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has achieved a better shot on target accuracy rate – further showcasing his edge over Sesko in terms of his goalscoring ability.

Other figures, such as a higher pass completion rate and more key passes completed per 90 showcase the Brazilian’s creativity, which could hand the likes of Mbeumo and Cunha the chance to improve their own tallies.

Roque’s all-round dominance over the United talisman is further highlighted in his higher tally of take-ons completed and more carries into the final third per 90.

Such figures demonstrate the youngster’s ability to create his own chances and often being able to muster an opportunity out of nothing – something which Sesko has so far been unable to do.

£42m would be another huge statement of intent from the ownership group, reaffirming their backing in Amorim to transform the squad and take them to the next level.

Such a move may be harsh on Sesko, but such a transfer could provide the striker with the added competition he needs to match the expectations placed on him after his own mammoth transfer.

Amorim can end Dalot's Man Utd career by unleashing £48m "monster"

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ByJoe Nuttall Nov 5, 2025

There are very few things Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t achieved in football, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner winning three Premier League titles, two La Ligas, five Champions Leagues and a whole host of other major honours.

However, it is a testament to the 40-year-old’s work ethic and sheer determination that he still feels like there is more to do, and the fairytale ending to the forward’s international career would be lifting the World Cup with Portugal next summer.

There is also more to achieve at club level, with Ronaldo making it clear he wants to reach 1,000 goals earlier this year, despite his family telling him to call time on his illustrious career.

The Al-Nassr star said: “People, especially my family, say: ‘It’s time for you to stop. You’ve done everything. Why do you want to score a thousand goals?”

“But I don’t think so. I think I’m still producing good things, I’m helping my club and the national team, and why not keep going?

“I’m sure that when I finish, I’ll be fulfilled, because I gave it my all. I know I don’t have many more years, but the few I have, I try to enjoy to the fullest.”

Ronaldo closing in on 1,000 goals

The legendary forward is now closing in on the unbelievable milestone, having made a fantastic start to the Saudi Pro League campaign, scoring eight goals in seven games, with the recent brace against Al-Fahya taking his total tally to 952.

Remarkably, 143 of those goals have been for Portugal, with the Real Madrid legend breaking the international goal-scoring record all the way back in 2021, and having lifted the Euros in 2016, winning the World Cup, the one trophy that has alluded him, will undoubtedly be a priority.

‘GOAT’ rival Lionel Messi famously got his hands back on the trophy back in 2022, with Argentina becoming champions of the world for the third time, courtesy of a dramatic victory against France on penalties, after what was an enthralling final.

Since then, both Ronaldo and Messi have left Europe to try something new, with the Argentina legend maintaining a remarkable goal and assist record at Inter Miami, amassing 111 goal contributions in 84 appearances.

Given that the 38-year-old is over two years younger than his long-time rival, he is still trailing in terms of goals, currently 60 behind, having scored 892 in 1132 career appearances, excluding club friendlies.

Ronaldo

952

Messi

892

However, the Inter Miami star is some way out in front for assists, having created 399 goals, compared to 140 from Ronaldo, which arguably showcases that he is a more well-rounded player.

Regardless of who you consider to be the ‘GOAT’, both Messi and Ronaldo have enjoyed unbelievable careers, and there may still be plenty left to come, with neither player currently showing any signs of slowing down.

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ByCharlie Smith Oct 22, 2025

It would be fair to say that, at West Ham United, Nuno Espírito Santo has one of the most challenging jobs in the Premier League.

The Portuguese manager has to drag a massive club out of the relegation zone, but unlike in seasons past, the promoted sides are actually putting up a fight.

However, the win over Newcastle United showed two things: the squad are behind him, and it has more than a handful of quality players in it.

There is one in particular who could end up becoming Nuno’s new Morgan Gibbs-White, and no, it’s not Freddie Potts.

The West Ham players vital to Nuno this season

While it is a simplification, Nuno was able to get the most out of Nottingham Forest by playing a direct brand of football that saw his side defend well and then counter-attack effectively.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Therefore, while they’ve hardly impressed this season, the manager’s success at the London Stadium could rest heavily on the form of Max Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Fortunately, the first two finally looked like the players the Hammers signed against Newcastle, as between them, they made 16 clearances, won five of seven duels, and were dribbled past just once.

If they can replicate that display more often, then there is every chance the Hammers could start climbing the league.

Another player who was crucial for the Tricky Trees last time out was Elliot Anderson, and while it is still early days, Potts could be the Irons version.

Potts’ game vs Newcastle
Minutes	90′
Key Passes	2
Crosses	2
Passes	33/39
Touches	57
Tackles (Won)	3 (2)
Interceptions	1
Clearances	6
Recoveries	1
Ground Duels (Won)	4 (3)
All Stats via Sofascore

The academy graduate was unreal against the Toon, demonstrating everything that could make him an excellent all-action midfielder, from crunching tackles to crisp passing and an ability to win aerial duels.

Now, while solidity is going to be important for the East Londoners, they are also going to need to be explosive on the counter, and with a left-hand side of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Crysencio Summerville, they’ll have just that.

The former has already shown himself to be a powerhouse of a left-back with a sensational cross on him, while the latter’s speed and close control could give opposition defenders nightmares.

With all that said, Nuno will also need a talismanic Gibbs-White-esque figure in his squad, and the good news is that he already does.

Nuno's new Gibbs-White at West Ham

Now, when talking about a West Ham player who could become Nuno’s new Gibbs-White, plenty of people will think of Lucas Paqueta.

After all, the Brazilian is an attacking midfielder who plays with flair and can grab a goal or provide an assist.

However, in this instance, it’s not really about position, but more stature, personality and importance to the club, which is why it has to be Jarrod Bowen.

Like the Forest ace, the former Hull City star is the Hammers’ captain and really is Mr West Ham.

For example, it was his goal that delivered the club their first piece of European silverware, and he is the player the rest of the team turns to when they are in desperate need of a goal.

Since joining the East Londoners in January 2020, the 28-year-old has scored 77 goals and provided 53 assists in 249 appearances, totalling 19881 minutes.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.91 games, or every 152.93 minutes.

On top of simply being world-class, such a return truly justifies Jamie Carragher’s claim that he is “one of the greatest players to have ever played for the club.”

Ultimately, Nuno has a handful of genuinely impressive players in his West Ham squad, but the most important, and the one who could become his new Gibbs-White, is Bowen.

West Ham flop now looks totally finished under Nuno after Potts' emergence

Following Potts’ brilliant performance, it might be the end of the line for the West Ham dud.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Nov 4, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras está com um grande problema financeiro para resolver por conta da venda do jovem atacante Giovani para o Al-Saad, do Qatar, alguns meses atrás.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasNotíciasBrasileirão: como foram os últimos jogos entre Palmeiras e Goiás?Notícias15/09/2023PalmeirasAlecgol relembra parceria com Abel em campo e dispara: ‘Palmeiras é nível Champions League!’Palmeiras15/09/2023PalmeirasEm jogo 99 de Abel no Allianz Parque, Palmeiras busca igualar marca de ScolariPalmeiras15/09/2023

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

A informação foi dada pelo jornalista Danilo Lavieri, do UOL, e confirmada pelo Lance!

O time catari ainda não pagou um centavo pela negociação da jovem promessa, que foi negociada por 9 milhões de euros (R$ 47 milhões na cotação da época) por 50% dos seus direitos econômicos (os outros 50% permanecem com o Alviverde).

O combinado era que o Al Saad quitasse uma primeira parcela de cerca de 5 milhões de euros à vista (R$ 26 milhões), o que ainda não aconteceu.

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A diretoria do Palmeiras notificou o clube catari e está esperando uma resposta do Al-Saad para decidir se entra com uma representação na Fifa ou não.

Giovani fez pouquíssimos jogos pelo seu novo clube por causa de uma gravíssima lesão no joelho que fez a Cria da Academia perder praticamente toda a temporada.

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Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is weighing in on the club’s January recruitment plans after a solid start to life at N17.

Tottenham put international break curse behind them after Leeds win

Before their latest victory at Leeds United, thanks largely to a Man of the Match display from in-form summer signing Mohammed Kudus, Spurs had suffered defeat in seven of their last seven matches prior to an international break.

Leeds United 1-2 Tottenham – best players

Match Rating

Mohammed Kudus

8.4

Mathys Tel

7.8

Noah Okafor

7.0

Sean Longstaff

7.0

Jayden Bogle

6.8

via WhoScored

A run of two consecutive Premier League draws in the build up to Leeds, not to mention a disappointing share of the spoils away to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, perhaps told a sign that Frank’s side could’ve been on to extend that bizarre record.

However, a gritty, resilient display on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Yorkshire saw Frank’s side come away with all three points, despite Leeds battling to the very bitter end and ferociously knocking on Spurs’ door.

Tottenham not only put that international break voodoo behind them, but they also became the first side to beat Leeds at Elland Road for over a year in the league.

It took a couple of crucial saves from Guglielmo Vicario to thwart Leeds’ attempts to get on the scoresheet for a second time, and Frank can also give a special nod to Mathys Tel, who opened the scoring after being given the starting nod ahead of Richarlison.

Dominic Solanke’s niggling ankle problem, which required minor surgery, means that Richarlison has started up top in almost every game for Spurs so far, but there are doubts that the hot and cold Brazil international can be relied upon.

Spurs are hopeful Solanke could return just after the October international break, but fitness issues have been a real issue for the Englishman since his move from Bournemouth last year.

As such, the Lilywhites are being linked with a new striker, and it is believed that former Brentford star Ivan Toney is on their radar.

Frank worked with Toney during his peak years at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the 29-year-old bagging 20 Premier League goals in the 2022/2023 season.

Since moving to Al-Ahli in 2024, Toney has scored for fun, racking up 30 strikes in 44 appearances over his debut campaign and eight goals from 10 run outs already this season.

Thomas Frank contacts Ivan Toney over joining Tottenham in January

According to a report from Indy News, Spurs could now offer the £426,000-per-week talisman a chance to make a return to his homeland.

Indeed, it is believed that Frank has personally contacted Toney over joining Tottenham on loan in January, with Chelsea named as another suitor as both sides ponder bringing in a new centre-forward mid-season.

It is unclear whether Al-Ahli would sanction a temporary move away for the number nine who’s been their arguable star player since joining, but Frank has previously lavished praise on Toney as a “remarkable” striker, so it is clear why he’d be keen to reunite with him in North London.

Tottenham’s statement signing of the summer was undoubtedly their £52 million deal for playmaker Xavi Simons, who signed a potential seven-year contract at Spurs after joining from RB Leipzig in the final days of the window.

The deal was penned for an initial five years with the option of a further two, coming as one of the longest player contracts in Tottenham’s history, and perhaps a real indicator as to how highly they rate the Dutchman.

Mohammed Kudus

£55 million

Kota Takai

£5 million

Mathys Tel

£30 million

Joao Palhinha

Loan

Kevin Danso

£21 million

Xavi Simons

£52 million

Randal Kolo Muani

Loan

Daniel Levy, who has now resigned after the shocking announcement of his departure on Thursday, led a recruitment team of CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, technical director Johan Lange and unofficial advisor Fabio Paratici in pursuit of a much-needed playmaker before Monday’s transfer deadline.

After two very public and humbling failed attempts to sign one, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze rejecting moves to Tottenham in dramatic late fashion, Spurs finally landed on Simons after an impressive two years in the Bundesliga.

In doing so, the Lilywhites gazumped Chelsea’s deal for the 22-year-old, saving some face after Gibbs-White’s bizarre saga and Arsenal’s hijacking of Eze.

Simons, who came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before moving on to PSG and then Leipzig, bagged 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 total appearances for the latter side.

The Netherlands international is famed for his “silky” skills and creativity in the final third, which is exactly what Thomas Frank is crying out for after injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

The former ruptured his ACL in pre-season and won’t be back until 2026 as a result, while Kulusevski wasn’t named in Tottenham’s 22-man Champions League squad as the Swede is expected to return in December.

Tottenham dealt Xavi Simons worry as "concern" arises for Thomas Frank

Simons was unveiled before a delighted Spurs crowd before their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth prior to the international break, prompting excitement as supporters anticipate his imminent debut.

However, Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard has also sent a warning to Tottenham about the player.

Based off some “talk” he’s heard from German circles, Simons’ body language and attitude have sometimes come into question.

According to Mick Brown, Tottenham also spoke with Aston Villa about signing Morgan Rogers, but given just how unobtainable he proved to be with an £80 million price tag, Simons is a more-than viable alternative with a huge ceiling.

Aniket Verma, 23, is all of three T20s old. On Sunday, he showed why Sunrisers Hyderabad have so much faith in him. While his team collapsed for the second time in two games in IPL 2025, with their hard-hitting approach not coming off, Aniket’s incredible 41-ball 74 lifted them to 163 after Mitchell Starc’s three-wicket burst in the powerplay derailed them.Aniket hit five fours and six sixes in his innings, twinning with Heinrich Klaasen during the course of a 77-run stand off just 40 balls, after SRH were in tatters at 37 for 4 in the fifth over.After Abhishek Sharma was run out in the first over, guilty of strolling through for a single he was late to respond to, Starc had Ishan Kishan slash to deep third, local boy Nitish Reddy heave an off-cutter to mid-on, and Travis Head ramp a short ball to KL Rahul, who had the gloves in his first game for Delhi Capitals, his new franchise.Head’s wicket was timely; he began with two back-to-back fours off Starc – driving imperiously through the line first and then drilling him down the ground. Starc responded by targeting his rib cage from around the stumps. Eventually, Starc, who was given a third straight over, had his man.Aniket began with dollops of luck. In the fourth over, he survived a run-out chance when Tristan Stubbs missed a direct hit at the striker’s end with the batter having given up. In the sixth, Aniket’s leading edge off Axar Patel was put down by Abishek Porel running back from extra cover.Aniket took full toll and hit Axar for back-to-back sixes in his second over to get going. At the other end, Klaasen’s clarity and picking of lengths led to more runs bleeding. He first whipped Starc for six, and when the bowler corrected his length, he slapped it through the off side for a boundary.Klaasen looked set when he was deceived by Mohit Sharma’s change of pace and length as he sliced a catch to Vipraj Nigam, who took it sensationally after circling back from point to leave SRH 114 for 5 in 10.5 overs. The slide from there on was quick as Kuldeep Yadav got among the wickets and finished with 3 for 22.After Pat Cummins was been dismissed, Aniket threatened a jailbreak as he tore into Axar for a sequence of 4, 6, 6 before he was out courtesy of Jake Fraser-McGurk’s athleticism at deep midwicket. If that was a stunner, Axar throwing himself full stretch to his left to intercept a rocket hit off Harshal Patel at mid-off matched that as SRH were bundled out inside 20 overs with Starc finishing with five wickets.

Newcastle United have had a summer to forget. Of course, the ongoing saga with Alexander Isak, who has gone on strike and is refusing to play, has dominated proceedings at the club, and they have still not signed their primary target, a centre-forward.

With Isak on strike and Callum Wilson no longer at the club, it has meant that Eddie Howe has needed to get creative. Anthony Gordon operated as a makeshift striker against Liverpool in Monday’s 3-2 defeat, but he was sent off for a reckless tackle on Virgil van Dijk and is therefore suspended for the foreseeable future.

With the transfer window slamming shut on Monday, there is still time for the Magpies to sign a new centre-forward.

Latest on Newcastle's transfer pursuit

All summer, it has been clear that Howe wants to add another striker to his squad. Several names have cropped up, and one of the latest is Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whom the Magpies could make a move for.

Transfer Focus

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

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However, the one player whom the North East giants have been focusing on signing of late is Brentford attacker Yoane Wissa.

According to a report from Craig Hope, the Magpies are set to hold more talks for the DR Congo international, with the “deal still alive” ahead of Monday’s deadline.

This new information has been revealed after it was reported last week that the Bees would demand a fee of £60m for the striker. With Hope confirming talks will resume, this fee has seemingly not put the Magpies off from doing a deal.

Why Wissa would be a good signing

Described as an “unbelievable” player by former manager Thomas Frank, Wissa has certainly developed a strong reputation. Last season, he shone as the Bees equalled their best-ever Premier League finish, reaching tenth.

Last season, the Bees’ number 11 scored the most goals in his Premier League career, finding the back of the net 19 times.

That eclipsed his tally from the previous season, where he bagged 12 goals, the first time he hit double figures.

Indeed, some of the numbers from Wissa’s campaign last season show just how impressive he was.

For example, the 28-year-old averaged 0.8 goals and assists and had a conversion rate of 27.54% per 90 minutes, showing just how creative and clinical he was.

Wissa – 24/25 PL stats

Stat

Per 90 mins

Season total

Goals and assists

0.8

23

Conversion rate

27.54%

27.54%

Chances created

0.9

27

Duels won

3.7

118

Recoveries

2.5

81

Stats from Squawka

With the way Wissa is going about his current transfer situation, it is easy to see how he could become the new Gordon at St James’ Park. The DR Congo star was previously not training with Brentford in an attempt to push a move through to St James’ Park.

Well, that was similar to how Gordon handled the situation of his transfer when he moved from Everton to Newcastle. It was reported back in 2023 that the England international skipped training to try and force a move through to St James’ Park, before submitting a transfer request.

Looking back on that, Magpies fans might he glad he did.

The Liverpool-born star has since gone on to make 107 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and assisting 23 in that time, including goals in both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final over Arsenal last term.

Well, one thing is for sure: Wissa is desperate to play for Newcastle. Skipping training is not something that is done lightly, and if he does manage to force through the move, the Geordie fans in the stands at St James’ Park would surely take to him instantly.

If he can replicate what Gordon has done so far in a Newcastle shirt, then he would be even more loved by the Magpies supporters. Wissa is a player with a fantastic Premier League record already, so building upon that in the North East would be important to win fans over.

It is easy to see how Wissa can be Newcastle’s new Gorson. By missing training, he seems to want to move to the North East desperately, just like their star winger. Now all that’s left is to replicate his incredible impact on the club.

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 25, 2025

Rapid half-centuries from Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Janith Liyanage put Sri Lanka on course to a substantial total, before an electric new-ball spell from Asitha Fernando wrecked New Zealand’s chase.Asitha swung the ball prodigiously in his five-over opening spell, taking 3 for 17 in that period. By the end of over seven, and chasing 291 for victory, New Zealand were 22 for 5, their chances all but dashed. Mark Chapman battled bravely for a run-a-ball 81, but had no team-mates to go with him.New Zealand soon slipped to 48 for 6, then 77 for 7, and though the last rites took some time, Sri Lanka dismissed the opposition for 150, inside 30 overs. This was the third one-sided game in the series. New Zealand had won the other two.Asitha’s 3 for 26 wasn’t quite a swing-bowling masterclass, as he occasionally struggled with his lines. But it did feature some spectacular deliveries, as he gleaned substantially more swing than any other bowler in the game. The ball to take out Rachin Ravindra’s leg stump was magnificent; Asitha angled it across the left-hander, and got it to tail in very late to slip between bat and pad. All through that new-ball spell, he had that shape to his deliveries. He struck twice in the seventh over, removing Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips, both for ducks.Pathum Nissanka scored a half-century up top in a two-part innings•AFP/Getty Images

At the other end, Maheesh Theekshana and Eshan Malinga also contributed wickets, dismissing Will Young and Daryl Mitchell respectively. All three of these bowlers ended up taking three wickets apiece. Asitha’s was the best among their final figures.Malinga also swung the ball, though not as much as Asitha, and bowled probing lines. Theekshana got turn out of a pitch that the New Zealand spinners had also enjoyed earlier in the match, particularly when they picked their way through Sri Lanka’s middle order. Though it was still Matt Henry who was most penetrative, taking 4 for 55 from his ten overs. Three of those wickets came at the death, but Henry had been instrumental in building pressure through the middle overs too.The first ingredients of Sri Lanka’s 140-run victory, however, were the fifties to Nissanka and Kusal. Nissanka’s 66 off 42 was unusual. He got to 50 off the 31st delivery he played, but as he was completing that run, appeared to pull a hamstring, and left the field at the end of the tenth over. Kusal then replaced him at the crease and reeled off 54 off 48 to salvage what has otherwise been a modest tour for him.Nissanka, especially, reveled in taking on the short ball. He crashed five sixes and six fours in his innings, coming back to the middle in the 34th over to swing at a few though he was unable to run or reach particularly far outside off. Kusal hit two sixes and five fours, having made all his runs after the initial fielding restrictions had ended.Matt Henry took all of his four wickets in the back-half of Sri Lanka’s innings•AFP/Getty Images

Both batters were dismissed by wide, turning Mitchell Santner deliveries, that they were trying to drag over the deep-midwicket boundary.Santner had been among the primary architects of Sri Lanka’s middle-overs slowdown. They had been 155 for 1 (Nissanka was retired hurt also) after 27 overs, but in the following seven overs lost three wickets and made only 28. They recovered through a half-century to Liyanage, who constructed a clever innings that shepherded the lower-middle order and the tail. Liyanage made 53 off 52 balls before falling in the final over. He had hit five boundaries – two of them sixes – but largely sought to push the game deep and ensure Sri Lanka batted out their 50 overs.But New Zealand had no answers to Asitha bowling one of the white-ball spells of his career. Chapman saw out that new-ball spell, and then gained confidence once the powerplay was over, finding the boundary with the kind of ease that Nissanka and Kusal earlier had. He was especially strong through the off side, hitting all but two of his ten fours on that side of the ground.But thanks to that early collapse, they never looked like threatening the target.

من سنواته التي قاد فيها نادي ليفربول إلى قمة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز ودوري أبطال أوروبا، تعلم يورجن كلوب معنى مشاهدة أفضل فريق كرة قدم في العالم.

منذ اعتزاله التدريب وتوليه مسؤولية إدارة كرة القدم العالمية في مجموعة ريد بول، فقد اكتسب منظوراً جديداً وأشرف على أندية المجموعة الستة حول العالم وكان آخرها انضمامه لفريق نيويورك ريد بولز قبل خسارتهم بثلاث أهداف لهدفين ضد نيويورك سيتي إف سي.

ورغم أنه لم يمضي وقتاً طويلاً في الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم إلا أنه أشاد به كثيراً، وقد حضر تدريبات فريق ريد بولز في مقره موريس تاونشيب.

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وقال كلوب في تصريحات لشبكة “SI” الأمريكية: “أؤكد لكم أن الجودة ممتازة جداً، لاعبون جيدون ومواهب واعدة وحماس كبير، كل هذه الأمور التي ترغبون برؤيتها عند مشاهدتها في الملعب أو التلفزيون، أعتقد أن الدوري الأمريكي لكرة القدم وجد مكانه والآن دعونا نعمل عليه”.

وأضاف مدرب ليفربول السابق: “متأكد تمامًا أنه بعد خمس سنوات سنتحدث بشكل مختلف، متأكد حقاً أنه سينمو، وسيبدأ الأطفال الصغار بلعب كرة القدم مبكراً ويتدربون ويتحسنون، من الواضح أن المكان الذي يمكنك اللعب والتدريب فيه يتحسن”.

جدير بالذكر أن يورجن كلوب انضم كرئيس لكرة القدم العالمية في ريد بول عام 2024، وأشرف على أندية عديدة مثل لايبزيج وسالزبورج ونيويورك.