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PCA Young Player of the Year sets sights on higher recognition after breakthrough summer

Matt Roller29-Sep-2021″I think Harry Brook likes the big time. I think he can be big time!” Kevin Pietersen tweeted. “He’s not scared of any situation, he’s not frightened of any bowler and he just sticks to what works for him,” Ben Stokes said. “I don’t think it will be too long before we see him wearing the Three Lions.”Endorsements don’t get much better within English cricket and Harry Brook knows it. “They’re pretty big dogs, aren’t they?” he laughs. “For them to be saying stuff like that and rating me as a cricketer is really good. I’m quite a level-headed person, so I don’t let stuff get to me but… yeah, it’s nice for people to say nice things.”Related

• Sound Sedbergh schooling underpins Harry Brook's Hundred rise

• Somerset scattered like seagulls before Brook books in

• Root wins PCA Player of the Year, Capsey Young Player award

Brook’s breakout summer across formats has invited that praise and ends with him adding his name to the distinguished list of winners of the men’s Young Player of the Year prize at the cinch PCA awards.He made more runs across the T20 Blast and the Hundred than any other English player, averaging 61.36 and striking at 150.33 from the middle order; he came into the season with a first-class average a shade under 25 but finished it as Yorkshire’s second-highest run-scorer in the County Championship.”I wrote a few things down at the start of the season – a few aims for the year, what runs I wanted to get in different formats,” Brook recalls. “I got all them targets so I was very happy with it. I do it every season really, but I think this is the first year I’ve actually hit them goals. It’s just trying to know what a good season is before actually starting it. I think it’s nice to set goals and if you smash them, it’s a really good feeling.”If the numbers alone are impressive, Brook’s style adds to the feeling he is a player with a bright international future ahead of him. Pietersen was particularly impressed by the power he generates from his strong wrists during the Hundred, and while he has shown glimpses of his innovative game – a dinked reverse-paddle off Saqib Mahmood in his 91 not out against Lancashire in the Blast stands out – his power hitting through and over cover sets him apart from his peers.Brook picks out two innings as his favourites of the summer; surprisingly, neither is from the Hundred, where he starred for Northern Superchargers before being ruled out of their final group games after contracting Covid-19. “The Championship hundred against Northants, which was a must-win game for us to get through on a difficult pitch – that was definitely one of them,” he says. “And then I got 83 against Worcester in the T20 when we were right in the dumps – me and Jordan Thompson put on a big partnership. Them two games were probably the highlights of my season.”Brook described his Championship hundred against Northamptonshire as a season highlight•Getty ImagesBrook’s T20 breakthrough was all the more impressive for the fact it came from the middle order. Most young batters in the English game have burst through with the cushion of the Powerplay boosting their strike rates but the vast majority of Brook’s runs came from No. 4 or 5, rotating against spin before cashing in against pace at the death.”This year Galey [Andrew Gale, Yorkshire’s coach] came up to me and said ‘you’re going to bat four or five’ so I went straight into that role and started off quite well. I like coming in after the Powerplay and just knocking it about for a bit – I’ve always been fairly good at rotating the strike.”I used to want to open the batting but I think that’s gone out the window now – I’ve really enjoyed batting in the middle order. Usually you’re still there at the end of the game and if you’re knocking the runs off, you end up getting a not out. It’s a good feeling being able to knock them off for your team.”Test cricket is the pinnacle of cricket still, for me,” he insists. “I definitely want to play Test cricket, [but also] in as many competitions as possible. The IPL is on at the minute and it’s just so good. The standard is ridiculous and when they get crowds back to full, it just looks unbelievable, so I’d really like to play in that – and obviously white-ball for England as well.”As for the winter, Brook has his eye on warmer climes. “I don’t really want to be at Headingley in the rain and the cold, so hopefully I’ll be away somewhere,” he smiles. He has his eye on England Lions’ tour to Australia, Covid restrictions permitting, and has attracted some interest from BBL teams, with Hobart Hurricanes believed to be frontrunners to sign him.If Brook feels like he has the world at his feet, the recent struggles of Tom Banton, his former England Under-19 team-mate who won the PCA award two years ago, provide a note of caution and a reminder to soak in everything that comes his way. “You play a lot better when you’re enjoying it and you’ve got a smile on your face,” he says, “so you do all the hard yards behind the scenes and then enjoy it when you’re on the field.”

Paul Scholes has shared details on how Manchester United have treated club legends at Old Trafford in what he described as a “very different” club under INEOS.

The Old Trafford legend retired in 2013 and has since watched on as both a pundit and fan as the Red Devils continue to struggle. Whilst his generation stole headline after headline by winning Premier League title after Premier League title, current stars are simply hoping to take United back into the top four.

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Manchester United could be about to target another elite-level talent for Ruben Amorim in the months ahead.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 25, 2025

There’s no doubt that Ruben Amorim would love to have a player of Scholes’ calibre these days. Where there was a big occasion, there was so often a big moment from the legendary midfielder.

Legends don’t get much bigger than Scholes at Old Trafford, but as Nicky Butt revealed, the Red Devils haven’t always treated their former players well in recent years.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Butt revealed: “I’ve had an email saying ‘you’re having your ticket taken off you’. So I rang them up and said can I speak to somebody about this please? And they go ‘who am I speaking to please?’, and I go Nicky Butt and they go, ‘OK, well who’s that?’”

It’s not the first time that Man United have cut former players off, either. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS reportedly cut an annual £40,000 charity donation to the Association of Former Manchester United Players last December in a controversial decision.

INEOS then went and spent over £120m on reinforcements in the summer transfer window to add insult to injury for those former players.

Now, Scholes has shared a problem that he’s had with the club to follow on from Butt’s admission and INEOS’ decision to end United’s charity donation.

Scholes shares disappointment at "very different" Man Utd

Also speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes admitted that he has to use ticket touts for some Man United games after running out of season tickets to use.

Some would argue that the midfielder’s goal against Barcelona should have been enough to ensure free entry for life, let alone his 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League wins, but his struggles beg a greater question.

If a club legend is struggling to attend games, then how much are the fans struggling? The last thing that INEOS need is to potentially shut their own fans out, and that includes the likes of Scholes and Butt.

Man Utd surge into race against Liverpool and Arsenal to sign £123m superstar

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O Palmeiras venceu o Criciúma por 2 a 1 neste domingo (2), pela sétima rodada do Brasileirão, no Estádio Heriberto Hülse. Os gols foram marcados pelo zagueiro Gustavo Gómez, o atacante Lázaro e o meia-atacante Matheusinho. O Verdão chegou ao G6, enquando o Tigre ocupa a 16ª colocação.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

O Palmeiras abriu o placar com Gustavo Gómez, de pênalti, e Matheusinho empatou para o Criciúma após “confusão” na defesa alviverde. Na reta final, o zagueiro paraguaio participou bem novamente e deu assistência para Lázaro marcar e garantir a vitória. Veja como foi a partida:

➡️ QUAL É O PRÓXIMO JOGO?

O Palmeiras volta a jogar no dia 13 de junho, quinta-feira, contra o Vasco, enquanto o Criciúma entrará em campo no próximo domingo (9), diante do Cuiabá.

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✅FICHA TÉCNICA
Criciúma 1 x 2 Palmeiras
Brasileirão – 7ª rodada

🗓️Data e horário:domingo, 2 de junho de 2024, às 16h
🏟️Local: Estádio Heriberto Hülse (SC)
🟨Árbitro:Rafael Rodrigo Klein
🚩Assistentes:Rafael da Silva Alves e Lucio Beiersdorf Flor
📹VAR:Igor Junio Benevenuto de Oliveira
⚽ Gols: Gustavo Gómez e Lázaro (Palmeiras); Matheusinho (Criciúma)

➡️Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

⚽ESCALAÇÕES

Criciúma(Técnico:Claudio Tencati)
Gustavo; Claudinho, Rodrigo, Wilker Ángel e Marcelo Hermes; Barreto, Meritão, Marquinhos Gabriel e Matheusinho; Bolasie e Eder.

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Palmeiras(Técnico:Abel Ferreira)
Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Richard Ríos e Raphael Veiga;Estêvão,Rômulo e Rony.

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoCriciúmaPalmeiras

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has conceded in his pre-Leeds press conference that the Reds need to get Alexander Isak more involved in games.

Isak, 26, joined the Anfield side this summer for a British record £125m fee. Last season, Jamie Carragher declared him “the best striker in the Premier League”. He scored 27 goals in all competitions for Newcastle United, including the winner in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, against Liverpool.

But he’s toiling away at his new club, and to little avail at that. This speaks of the wider tactical imbalances at the club right now, with the forwards all struggling and the midfielders and defenders too.

Change is needed, but with new and elite centre-forward options strapped in, FSG are turning their attention to Liverpool’s attacking flanks.

Liverpool lining up a wide forward

Last month, Slot was quizzed on Liverpool’s transfer plans ahead of the January transfer window, as the dismal form raged on. That stain has only spread since, but the coach hinted that the Premier League champions’ priority lies not with the rearguard but on the wing.

Liverpool didn’t replace Luis Diaz when selling the versatile Colombian to Bayern Munich in August, and that was clearly a mistake. Cody Gakpo knows where the back of the net is, but he’s somewhat one-dimensional, with fans annoyed by the regularity of his cutting inside when the ball finds him down the left lane.

Perhaps that is why rumours have resurfaced of Liverpool interest in Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with TEAMtalk suggesting this week that Anfield is one of the few places the Brazilian would consider joining; Arsenal have also been mooted.

Rodrygo may be undergoing a divorce with superstardom at Los Blancos, but that doesn’t mean Florentino Perez will let the 25-year-old leave on the cheap, tentatively transfer-listing him for around €90m (£79m).

Why Liverpool should sign Rodrygo

It’s no secret that Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo in January, but Rodrygo is cut from finer cloth, the Brazil international having conquered Europe and Spain too during his time with Real Madrid.

Across 286 senior appearances, he has scored 68 goals and supplied 53 assists, and last year, Jude Bellingham said “he’s probably the most gifted player in the squad”, with frightening speed and deadly finishing and a versatile take on the attacking game.

Though he has served Real Madrid’s wishes out on the right flank for most of his career, Rodrygo actually prefers playing off the left. The right-footer believes he is at his most clinical in that role, and last season, though he struggled on the whole, he scored six goals and supplied six assists across just 12 outings.

Rodrygo would surely displace Gakpo and cement a regular starting berth under Slot’s wing at Liverpool. Gakpo, scapegoated at times this season, is still not the multi-faceted wideman that Diaz was, and Rodrygo would restore that presence that FSG are so intent on replacing.

Hailed as a “world-class superstar” by former teammate Luka Modric, he is the real deal, alright, with pedigree on the biggest stage and so much more still to give. Rodrygo has lost his way in Spain, but at Liverpool, he could become a leading man, especially with Mohamed Salah ostensibly winding down.

He is a man of many dimensions, and indeed has more in his locker than Gakpo, even with the Dutchman averaging 2.2 created chances per game in the Premier League this season, the most frequent of any Liverpool player and the fifth-highest average in the division.

But Rodrygo, even at his lowest ebb, ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 15% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 18% for tackles won per 90, as per FBref.

There is little question that Rodrygo would raise Liverpool’s level, adding width and pace and dynamism down the left flank and maybe serving out on the right when called upon.

Gakpo enjoyed plenty of success last season, scoring 18 goals and supplying seven assists across all competitions. He is a potent threat. But he also needs a counterpoint to jockey with out on the left, and Rodrygo would provide that presence and then some.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 5, 2025

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has set his sights on a Real Madrid target who Mikel Arteta personally thinks is perfect for his system, according to a new report.

Arsenal prepare for Premier League blockbuster against Chelsea

The mood around N5 could hardly be more positive right now after a phenomenal week.

Arsenal dismantled North London rivals Tottenham 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend and immediately followed that up by inflicting Bayern Munich’s first defeat of the entire campaign on Wednesday.

It was the perfect few days to set up a tantalising encounter with London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Arsenal now having the chance to go nine points clear of Enzo Maresca’s side.

Chelsea pose yet another tough test for Arsenal, especially after the Blues thrashed Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League, but Arteta’s side go into the contest on an all-time high.

Arsenal have also welcomed back Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard from injury, with the former two getting on the scoresheet against Bayern to round off a superb win.

Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus missed the victory over Bayern, alongside star defender Gabriel Magalhaes, but young defender Cristhian Mosquera did a ‘superb’ job filling in for the latter.

Arsenal’s strength in depth is testament to Berta’s excellent recruitment drive last summer, with their near-£270 million outlay on new signings paying dividends for Arteta.

The Gunners could hardly be any stronger right now, but Berta will be paying close attention to unmissable market opportunities.

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Emilio Galantini

Nov 14, 2025

One of them could be Elche sensation Rodrigo Mendoza, who is rumoured to have a tempting £17.5 million release clause in his contract amid comparisons to Pedri and Barça legend Sergio Busquets.

Arsenal hold 'initial talks' to sign Rodrigo Mendoza from Elche

That is according to TEAMtalk, who also report that Arsenal have positioned themselves as the frontrunners to sign Mendoza in January.

Arteta has apparently identified the 20-year-old as an ‘ideal’ addition to strengthen his title-chasing squad, with Arsenal already holding ‘initial talks’ to sign Mendoza after ‘exploratory’ contact.

TT sources indicate that Arsenal are prepared to test Elche’s resolve before Christmas as they look to bolster their midfield options for the second half of the campaign.

However, Arsenal face significant competition for his signature. Three other Premier League heavyweights have all made contact with the player’s representatives too, setting up a four-way English battle, and Real Madrid are believed to be targeting Mendoza too.

Sources close to Mendoza’s camp apparently state that, while multiple English clubs have registered interest, Arsenal’s early moves give them a distinct advantage.

The modest release clause represents exceptional value in today’s inflated market, particularly for a Spain Under-21 international who has progressed through every youth level.

Mendoza has nine La Liga appearances and one goal to his name so far this season, and helped Elche achieve promotion back to the Spanish top flight last season.

For just £17.5m, Arsenal could sign one of Spain’s newest rising stars, with Arteta’s apparent eagerness making this transfer one to watch.

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O ano vai chegando ao fim e a sensação de nostalgia bate à porta dos torcedores brasileiros. Com o fim das competições, restam as lembranças de um ano recheado de vitórias impressioantes e atuações inesquecíveis. Por isso, o Prêmio Lance! 2023 premiará os vencedores de categorias não tão comuns assim no futebol brasileiro. Mas para isso, o Lance! com a sua ajuda para decidir os campeões.

A votação acontecerá nas redes sociais do Lance!. O torcedor poderá escolher seu vencedor em todas as categorias votando nas enquetes ao final desta matéria até às 23:59, do dia 25/12, além do Whatsapp e Instagram.

CONFIRA TODAS AS CATEGORIAS DO PRÊMIO 🏆

👀Melhor atuação do ano: Suárez x Botafogo, Endrick x Botafogo e Cano x River Plate

🎯Jogador mais decisivo: John Kennedy, Endrick e Paulinho

📒Melhor técnico: Fernando Diniz, Pedro Caixinha e Renato Gaúcho

⚽Melhor jogador da temporada: Germán Cano, Luis Suárez e Paulinho

🦸‍♂️Herói improvável: Serginho, Rodrigo Nestor e Murilo

😆Melhor provocação: Jogadores do Vasco subindo na bola, Deyverson x Flamengo e Gabigol x Marcelo

🗣️Melhor aspas: Deyverson e a esposa, Renato Gaúcho (DVD) e Gabigol com o BBB

📈Jogador que mais evoluiu: John Kennedy, Gabriel Pec e Caio Paulista

🤝Melhor contratação: Luis Suárez, Paulinho e Marcelo

👴Melhor jogador idoso (38+): Fábio, Rafinha e Nenê

🎊Melhor comemoração: John Kennedy, Bruno Henrique, Payet

🍿Pipocada do ano: Botafogo x Palmeiras, Botafogo x Grêmio e Botafogo x Coritiba

🔙A melhor volta por cima: Bruno Henrique, Eduardo Sasha e Paulinho

Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom is working toward a comeback in 2025.

The Texas Rangers ace was perfect in two innings of work during his spring training debut Saturday in an exhibition against the Kansas City Royals. He fanned Bobby Witt Jr. and Kyle Isbel in the first inning, and notched another strikeout in the second inning against Tyler Gentry.

In all, deGrom threw 31 pitches—21 for strikes—and averaged 97 mph on his four-seam fastball.

deGrom, the back-to-back NL Cy Young award winner in 2018 and '19, has logged just nine starts since signing a five-year deal worth $185 million with the Rangers in December 2022. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2023 and made his return to the mound in September.

deGrom is expected to pitch in the back of the Rangers' rotation that features Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle.

Tea The shockwaves of one mistake – virtually the only one India made on the third morning – reverberated through the rest of play as India slipped from a commanding position. Rishabh Pant was run-out looking to get KL Rahul on strike for his century before lunch. Rahul fell for exactly 100 after lunch. Jofra Archer produced a hair-raising spell of fast bowling. England were desperate to break through but it was not to be. India now trail them by 72 runs. Both teams could’ve made their situations better.India lost both their set batters in the space of 11 balls. The two who replaced them at the crease looked like they were incompatible. Ravindra Jadeja tried to sneak a single in the middle of an lbw appeal and Nitish Kumar Reddy wasn’t alert to it. He could’ve been run out on 0, twice. He saw the ball fly past his edge. He got hit on the helmet. But he wouldn’t succumb. And neither would Jadeja.England sensed an opportunity dragging India from 248 for 3 to 254 for 5. Stokes gambled with a four-over spell from Archer with the new ball just around the corner. Lord’s lived every ball, most of them sent down at 90mph, causing the crowd to ooooh and aaah. Stokes gambled again, bringing Archer back with only half an hour between spells to maximise that new ball. But this time he was wayward. Jadeja and Reddy could leave 11 of the first 24 balls with the second new ball and bit by bit their nerves settled. In the end, they were able to put on a fifty partnership.Rahul carried India’s batting, and secured a new high for them. They’ve made eight hundreds on this tour, a record for an away series. Repeatedly, he talks about the discrepancy between effort and reward. When he does so, it is almost tempting to extrapolate that he’d learned that lesson the hardest way possible. Obsessing about his lack of success and doubling down on his prep work in desperate search for a change.At some point though, he realised he needed to let go, which is funny because one time, in South Africa, he started speaking about how letting go of the ball was where his joy was. Bit by bit, his focus turned from scoring runs to just being the best batter he can be. Well, in this series, he’s made two hundreds in three Tests. Shoaib Bashir produced a beauty to get rid of him, an offbreak that drifted away at the last second to snag the outside edge. Bashir’s participation in the game was curtailed after that with the offspinner picking up a finger injury when Jadeja hit the ball back at him.Pant looked good as well, batting through an injury to his left hand, putting aside his discomfort to produce moments only he can. Reverse scoops. Fall away scoops. Sixes to the first ball of spin. He needed help from the physio to stay out there but for the most part he was good, until the last over before lunch when he thought he was helping his team-mate by sneaking a single to cover. Ben Stokes was aware of the situation, and as he ran in from cover, he had an easier throw at the keeper’s end, but chose to go the other way and sent Pant packing. The celebrations that followed were almost angry. A sign that England hadn’t enjoyed being second best this morning, though not for a lack of effort.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has provided fresh comments regarding Brendan Rodgers’ future at Celtic, following a frustrating period for him at the club.

Rodgers' summer frustration at Celtic

The Hoops haven’t always been at their brilliant best so far this season, highlighted by the fact that Hearts lead the way in the Scottish Premiership title race currently.

It was a summer transfer window to forget for Celtic, with a lack of top-quality new signings coming in, with Rodgers vocal about it at the time, saying: “It didn’t make me think of walking way, I just felt empty, if I’m honest.”

There is a feeling that all is not too well between the manager and the club at the moment, and he is yet to sign a new deal, which further suggests that the Northern Irishman is weighing up his future at Parkhead, deciding whether to stay on and move elsewhere.

Rodgers is only contracted to Celtic until the end of this season, which is why there is concern about his future, with the clock ticking down all the time.

"Massive concerns" regarding Rodgers' Celtic future

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke admitted that Rodgers’ future is still up in the air at Celtic, with no real progress made over a contract extension amid how he was left “frustrated” at Parkhead.

At this point, it is hard to predict what will happen with Rodgers, but it is certainly easy to envisage him walking away at the end of the season.

Brendan Rodgers’ trophy wins at Celtic

Season

Scottish Premiership

2016/17

Scottish Premiership

2017/18

Scottish Premiership

2023/24

Scottish Premiership

2024/25

Scottish Cup

2016/17

Scottish Cup

2017/18

Scottish Cup

2023/24

Scottish League Cup

2016/17

Scottish League Cup

2017/18

Scottish League Cup

2018/19

Scottish League Cup

2024/25

He clearly felt disappointed by a lack of financial backing in the transfer market during the summer, which has played a part in his side not yet flourishing this season, and if that doesn’t change moving forward, he could part ways and head elsewhere.

Related Rodgers made to sweat over two Celtic stars amid international break injury scares

A potential blow for the Bhoys.

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Most supporters will hope that isn’t the case, given the success Rodgers has achieved, winning four Scottish titles and Scottish League Cups apiece, as well as three Scottish Cups.