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Where Zimbabwe had faltered on Friday, Sri Lanka followed through in consummate fashion. Set a target of 278 in the second and final ODI in Harare, the visitors tracked it down with five wickets and three deliveries to spare. And with it, they swept the series 2-0.Similar to the first ODI, this too went down to the wire, and like that game on Friday, the chasing side seemed in control right until the last. But here with wickets in hand, and a deep batting line-up, Sri Lanka held firm and saw the game through.That said, Sri Lanka perhaps made life more difficult for themselves than they needed to. They did not score a boundary in the final powerplay until the 48th over – two ended up coming off that one, to leave the equation at 12 needed off 12 – but it meant the game was heading for yet another final over finish.In the penultimate over, Charith Asalanka got a boundary after deep midwicket had misjudged a skier, but was caught a ball later, having scored a crucial 71 off 61. Then, Kamindu Mendis defied space and time to inside edge an attempted reverse lap sweep for four, off a pinpoint Ngarava yorker to bring the equation down to 6 off 2. After that, the rest was a formality.Nissanka found boundaries to keep the required rate in check•Zimbabwe Cricket

The scorecard might indicate that the game was closer than it might have been, but with the chase anchored around Pathum Nissanka’s seventh ODI hundred – as he shared successive stands of 48, 20, 78 and 90 with Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama and finally Asalanka – the visitors were always in control.It was in that final stand with Asalanka that Sri Lanka would say they broke the spine of the chase, with their partnership, at a touch over run-a-ball, ensuring the scoring was brisk through the middle overs.Indeed, this period was one of the main points of differentiation between the two sides. Where Zimbabwe scored 139 runs for the loss of four wickets between overs 15-40, Sri Lanka struck 27 more runs and lost one less wicket in the same period.It meant heading to the death overs, the scoreboard pressure was minimal for Sri Lanka, who were left needing just 67 off 60, with seven wickets in hand. Zimbabwe, by comparison, had scored 83 at the death just to push their total to competitive territory.Perhaps if a straightforward chance off Nissanka, when he was on 78, had not been spilled, Sri Lanka might have had a tougher time. In the end, however, they saw the game through to victory with minimal peril – even if ideally it should have been wrapped up sooner.Sikandar Raza was crucial to Zimbabwe’s batting effort•Zimbabwe Cricket

Nissanka’s innings of 122 off 136 was exactly what was required in a chase of this variety. It earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. His frequent boundaries during the opening powerplay ensured the lack of strike rotation was not as keenly felt, and then, through the middle overs, his ability to find boundaries to punctuate lulls in play meant Sri Lanka never let the required rate get out of hand.Once Asalanka joined him, the boundary scoring burden was alleviated somewhat, with the Sri Lanka skipper willing to up the ante when required – most notably, with a trio of boundaries in the 40th over off Blessing Muzarabani.The target, however, had always seemed a touch below par on a fresh surface that was expected to suit the batters. Zimbabwe, having been put in to bat, did reasonably well at the start and end of their innings, but Sri Lanka controlled the middle overs to restrict the hosts to 277 for 7.That they got even that much was down to an unbeaten 59 off 55 from Sikandar Raza, as part of 76-run sixth-wicket stand with Clive Madande (36 off 36), and then smaller stands with the tail-enders.Ben Curran top-scored for Zimbabwe•Zimbabwe Cricket

Ben Curran top-scored in the innings with a 95-ball 79, but unlike Nissanka later in the day, he was unable to be around for the final overs. Where the Zimbabwe innings lost their way was losing wickets at crucial points through the middle overs.After Zimbabwe’s fast start – scoring 55 inside the opening powerplay – the entry of a rusty Brendan Taylor allowed Sri Lanka to apply the brakes on the scoring. Taylor and Curran put on a stand of 61, but since it came off 84 deliveries, it allowed Asalanka to sneak in several overs of the fifth-bowler quota.Taylor laboured to 20 off 37 during this period, while Asalanka snuck four of his own overs in for just 17 runs. With six more fifth-bowler overs remaining, Asalanka brought on Janith Liyanage, who dismissed Taylor in his second over, as the experienced batter mistimed a scoop to short fine while seeking to up the scoring.Sean Williams then entered, and all it took was one monster strike down the ground for Liyanage to be removed from the attack. With Williams generally looking to attack, both Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera kept things tight during this period.Dushmantha Chameera was the pick of the bowlers•Zimbabwe Cricket

Curran had done well up until this point, but his nine boundaries had come early on. His rhythm too had been interrupted by the lack of strike rotation during his partnership with Taylor – something perhaps impacted by a seeming hamstring niggle Taylor picked up during the innings.With the pressure building, the expensive Asitha Fernando was brought back and he delivered instantly, bookending his over with the wickets of Curran and Williams – both succumbing to short deliveries, with the former top edging one and the latter a delivery dragging on to the stumps.At 155 for 4, this shifted the momentum decisively in Sri Lanka’s favour. Liyanage was allowed to bowl a few more cheap overs to complete the fifth over quota, and while both Raza and Tony Munyonga struck boundaries following a couple of overs of consolidation, Madushanka returned to dismiss the latter.It was at this point that Raza took the lead, setting the tone with a pair of boundaries – the first a deft late dab, the second of inside out lofted cover drive – to signal Zimbabwe’s late charge.While boundaries weren’t as frequent in the following overs, the running between the wickets – a highlight of Zimbabwe’s chase in the first game – was once more exemplary. Despite scoring just six fours and a six in the final ten, they managed to score at beyond eight an over in the death overs, and with it, put up a fighting total. In the end, however, it wasn’t enough.

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Autor do segundo gol do Uruguai na vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Brasil pelas Eliminatórias para a próxima Copa do Mundo, o meia De la Cruz é o sonho de duas equipes brasileiras: Flamengo e Palmeiras.

RelacionadasFora de CampoInternautas pedem retorno de ex-jogador do Flamengo à Seleção Brasileira: ‘Faz falta’Fora de Campo17/10/2023Fora de CampoJornalistas detonam titular da Seleção Brasileira em gol do Uruguai: ‘Tem que sair’Fora de Campo17/10/2023Fora de Campo‘Neymar ainda é o melhor jogador para vestir a 10 da Seleção Brasileira’, diz RizekFora de Campo17/10/2023

Os cariocas, inclusive, estiveram próximos de contratar o jogador ainda nesta temporada. Na janela de transferências do meio do ano, o clube e o estafe do atleta chegaram a se acertar, mas o River Plate (ARG), que possui os direitos do meio-campista, optou por não concluir o negócio para não reforçar um adversário na Libertadores. As duas equipes foram eliminadas nas oitavas de final – os brasileiros para o Olímpia (PAR), já os argentinos para o Internacional.

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Mesmo com a contratação não sendo bem-sucedida no primeiro semestre, o Fla pretende fazer uma nova investida pelo jogador na próxima janela de transferências. A diretoria rubro-negra e as pessoas que cuidam da carreira do atleta seguem em contato mesmo após a frustração na negociação no início do ano. 

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Já o Palmeiras surgiu recentemente como interessado em De la Cruz. A diretoria palmeirense sinalizou com uma oferta de 12 milhões de dólares (R$ 60,4 mi, na cotação atual), mas o valor foi considerado baixo pelo River, que deseja receber 20 milhões de dólares (R$ 100,7 milhões) pelo jogador. A ideia é que novas conversas aconteçam até o fim da temporada.

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Contra a Seleção Brasileira, De la Cruz foi responsável por duas das cinco finalizações do Uruguai. Além do gol, ele deu um chute para fora. O meia também foi responsável por dribles, ambos corretos, na partida pelas Eliminatórias.

De la Cruz é irmão de Carlos Sánchez, que jogou pelo Santos entre 2018 e 2022, e disputou a Copa do Mundo de 2018 pela seleção uruguaia.

While it wasn’t the perfect weekend for Manchester City, it wasn’t far off.

The Citizens claimed all three points in what was a relatively routine win over Everton, while Liverpool lost at home to Manchester United.

So, while they are still three points behind Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side are now a point clear of the Reds in second place and look set to mount a proper challenge for the Premier League title.

Moreover, with Erling Haaland back to his very best, there is no reason they couldn’t overtake the Gunners, especially when another of Pep’s best signings is playing so well.

Pep's best Man City signings

On top of revolutionising the way the game is played in this country, Guardiola has also signed some of the very best players to grace the Premier League.

Chalkboard

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

For example, while he was already performing at a high level for Tottenham Hotspur, it would be hard to deny that Kyle Walker massively improved during his time in the North West.

During his time with the club, the Burnley ace made 319 appearances, during which he scored six goals, provided 23 assists, averaged 2.33 points per game and won everything there is to win in the club game, including a Champions League and six league titles.

Appearances

319

Starts

286

Minutes

25710′

Goals

6

Assists

23

Points per Game

2.33

Another stalwart of Pep’s best sides has been Rodri, as before his injury problems last season, he was one of the very best players in the world.

After all, the Spaniard is the only defensive midfielder to ever win the Ballon d’Or.

Moving on from defensive players, it’s hard to look past Bernardo Silva when it comes to the iconic manager’s best City signings.

The former AS Monaco dynamo moved to Manchester in the summer of 2017 and has since made an astounding 417 appearances across all competitions, in which he has scored 72 goals, provided 74 assists and dazzled fans all over the country with his mercurial abilities on the ball.

Finally, it would be impossible to talk about some of Guardiola’s best signings and not bring up Haaland.

The former Borussia Dortmund star made his way to the Etihad in the summer of 2022, and to say he has been a successful signing would be a laughable understatement.

Appearances

156

Starts

148

Minutes

12774′

Goals

138

Assists

22

Goal Involvements per Game

1.02

Minutes per Goal Involvement

79.83′

Points per Game

2.12

At the time of writing, the Leeds-born force of nature has scored 138 goals and provided 22 assists in 156 games for the club, totalling 12774 minutes.

In other words, the 25-year-old monster has averaged 1.02 goal involvements per game, or one every 79.83 minutes since joining City.

In all, it would be fair to say that Guardiola has signed more than his fair share of stars over the years, and it looks like he might have just landed his best since Haaland.

Guardiola's best signing since Haaland

Fortunately, there are a few players who could claim this title, from Josko Gvardiol to Savinho, but in this instance, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to look past Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Yes, the Italian international only joined City this summer, but he is already putting in brilliant performances for the club.

And while some may say he lacks the ball-playing ability of Ederson, he more than makes up for it with his shot-stopping, which is surely what matters most with a goalkeeper.

His game-saving abilities were on full show in the match away to Brentford, when he came out on top from a one-on-one situation with Igor Thiago.

Moreover, while it is still early on in his time at the Etihad, the numbers are already showing that he should be in the same conversations with the very best in the league.

For example, he has conceded just two goals, which works out to 0.40 per 90 and puts him just behind David Raya who many would consider to be a part of the best defensive unit in the league, if not the world.

Finally, on top of the promising start to his time in the North West, there are also plenty of examples of him putting in game-saving performances for Paris Saint-Germain and Italy over the years.

For example, in the Champions League semi-finals last season, he prevented 2.09 goals across both legs against Arsenal, which was enough to send the Parisians through and see Italy legend Alessandro Costacurta label him “the best in the world.”

Ultimately, so long as Donnarumma can keep up the form he is already showing this season, and replicate some of his incredible performances of seasons prior, then it might soon be a commonly held opinion that he’s City’s best signing since Haaland.

Man City eye South American star who may follow in Julian Alvarez's footsteps

The Citizens could follow a familiar trend in their latest pursuit.

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 19, 2025

West Ham United have made another disastrous start to the season, with under-fire manager Graham Potter at the centre of reports that he could be sacked after just nine months in charge of the east London club.

Graham Potter's terrible West Ham start in numbers

Numbers never lie, and the statistics from Potter’s tenure at West Ham so far make for pretty grim reading.

Potter’s men have shipped 11 goals already this term, and out of every West Ham side in Premier League history, only Avram Grant’s Hammers from 2010/2011 have conceded more at this stage of the season — they were relegated.

Potter has also recorded the second-worst Premier League win percentage of any West Ham manager since the competition’s inception, behind only Grant, and even the maligned Julen Lopetegui fared better last season.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12, Graham Potter

27.3%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

West Ham’s losses so far have all come by a three-goal margin too, and it’s the joint-earliest a Premier League team has lost this many games by such a score since Bournemouth in 2022/2023 — who eventually avoided a drop to the Championship by the skin of their teeth.

To make matters even less flattering for Potter, he also boasts the worst overall record of every single present Premier League club since his appointment in January.

Taking all of this into consideration, alongside the lack of a real playing identity under the 50-year-old, it is hardly surprising that West Ham are backing Potter for now but have a number of managers on their shortlist in case they decide to part company.

According to reliable media sources, like GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, West Ham have internally discussed hiring Sean Dyche, Nuno Espírito Santo and former boss Slaven Bilic.

The latter, who was a fan favourite and managed the Irons from 2015 to 2017, took charge of 109 games before David Sullivan and the board replaced him with David Moyes on an interim basis.

Now, Bilic is emerging as a favourite for the potential West Ham job, as Sullivan apparently favours re-hiring the Croatian over alternative candidates (Ben Jacobs).

The 57-year-old’s stance on a return to east London has now emerged too, courtesy of Jack Rosser in The Sun.

Slaven Bilic would love to re-join West Ham amid Graham Potter uncertainty

According to Rosser, Bilic would be open to a West Ham comeback as senior figures present him as an option, but there is an err of caution as it is also believed that the tactician has offers from elsewhere.

In his opening season, Bilic guided the club to one of their highest ever league finishes, seventh, which also earned them a place in the early Europa League qualifying rounds.

West Ham finished 11th in his second campaign before Bilic was shown the door early in his third season, having left with the club sitting in the relegation zone, but Rosser also reports that Bilic would come in on an initial caretaker basis.

Matches

109

Wins

42

Draws

30

Losses

37

Goals scored

160

Goals conceded

167

Points

156

Average points per game

1.43

via Transfermarkt

Amid the fierce backlash from West Ham supporters, who are planning protests this Saturday before their home game against Crystal Palace, the board is under mounting pressure, and it is vital they get their next appointment right if Potter does leave.

Bilic has been out of management for well over a year, departing Saudi side Al-Fateh in 2024, and it is very debatable whether the ex-Hammers defender is really the right man to take them forward, especially with Nuno also readily available.

That being said, Bilic was once a popular figure, with Aaron Cresswell hailing his passion.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، عن أول رد فعل من جانب رئيس نادي برشلونة، خوان لابورتا، على هزيمة مباراة الكلاسيكو مساء أمس الأحد، في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم أمام ريال مدريد.

واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة في قمة منافسات الجولة العاشرة من الليجا، 2025/26، حيث فاز الملكي بهدفين لهدف.

وذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية أن اليوم كان عصيبًا على برشلونة، ورغب خوان لابورتا في التواجد رفقة الفريق، لذلك توجه إلى ملاعب التدريب في المدينة الرياضية، وكذلك غرفة الملابس.

وأوضحت أن خوان لابورتا حرص على تشجيع لاعبي برشلونة بعد هزيمة الكلاسيكو أمام ريال مدريد، حيث يدرك أن تلك الخسارة قد تؤثر على غرفة الملابس، لأنها تعني كذلك ابتعاد غريمهم في الصدارة، حيث أن الفارق بينهما 5 نقاط الآن.

اقرأ أيضًا.. واقعة غريبة بين فينيسيوس والحكم الرابع في مباراة الكلاسيكو أمام برشلونة

وأفادت بأنه في مثل ذلك اليوم العصيب، لم يرغب لابورتا في ترك اللاعبين والجهاز الفني وحدهم، حيث شجعهم وحاول رفع معنوياتهم بقوله إن الموسم لا يزال بأكمله أمامهم، والهزيمة في مباراة الأمس مجرد عثرة.

وأشارت إلى أن لابورتا وصل إلى المدينة الرياضية صباح اليوم الإثنين، بعد مغادرة بعض المحترفين، وخاطب جميع اللاعبين بشكل عام ولم يركز على أي منهم تحديدًا، وكان خطابه تحفيزيًا ولم يدم طويلًا، وحرص على إظهار دعم النادي لهم.

وشددت على أن لابورتا يزور المدينة الرياضية بانتظام لأنه يرغب في أن يكون قريبًا من الفريق، ولكنه رغب اليوم كذلك في مخاطبتهم حيث يرى أهمية ذلك من أجل تشجيعهم والتعبير عن ثقته المطلقة تجاههم.

ويعتقد لابورتا أن كتيبة هانز فليك قادرة على الفوز بكل بطولة تشارك بها، كما يؤمن بموهبة اللاعبين ومهارة المدرب الألماني وقدرته على قيادتهم، ويأمل أن تكون الهزيمة في الكلاسيكو بمثابة جرس إنذار لمساعدتهم على التركيز على طريق النجاح.

Manchester City had the unenviable task this summer of replacing Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian left as a legend of the club and of the Premier League, having won the top flight six times, as well as the Champions League in City’s famous treble win of 2022/23.

Of course, when the Belgian was at the peak of his powers, he had the baton passed to him from David Silva. Another legend at the Etihad Stadium, Silva played 144 times with De Bruyne, before departing the club for his native Spain to return to La Liga.

Well, now City could be back in the market for a playmaking genius, who could certainly be seen as their new Silva.

The state of play at Manchester City

With days left of the summer transfer window, City could still plot a late move following their humbling 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Real Madrid star Rodrygo is one name constantly linked with a move to East Manchester.

Transfer Focus

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

However, he is not the only Los Blancos star who could move to City.

Remarkably, according to Caught Offside, Pep Guardiola’s side are said to be ‘keeping a close eye’ on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The former Liverpool star only moved to the Spanish capital this summer, but after being dropped in favour of Dani Carvajal, questions about his future have already been raised.

That has led reports to suggest that the Citizens could launch a ‘sensational bid’ as early as January for a player valued at £65m, via Transfermarkt.

Why Alexnader-Arnold would be a good signing

It is fair to say that Alexander-Arnold would return to the Premier League with an incredible reputation. Manchester United legend Gary Neville once said he has the potential to become “the best right-back the world has ever produced”, and he certainly shone for Liverpool.

In 354 appearances for his boyhood club, the England international scored 23 goals and amassed an incredible tally of 92 assists, with passes such as this one back in 2023, a regular occurrence. He helped the Reds to two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

For a right-back to so regularly create chances to the level Alexander-Arnold did, you have to be a “maestro”, as Statman Dave once described him.

There were seven Premier League seasons where he played more than 20 games, and in four of them, he hit double figures for assists.

Trent assists per season
Season	Games	Assists
2018/19	29	12
2019/20	38	13
2020/21	36	7
2021/22	32	12
2022/23	37	10
2023/24	28	5
2024/25	33	7
Stats from Transfermarkt

City’s creative genius before De Bruyne was, of course, Silva. The Spaniard is City’s “greatest ever player” according to Jamie Carragher, and even has a statue outside of the Etihad Stadium paying homage to his genius.

The former Valencia midfielder pulled on that famous Blue shirt 436 times, scoring 77 goals and assisting 136 times on top of that. He was capable of operating all over the pitch in attacking areas, but did his best work as a number 10.

It is easy to see how Alexander-Arnold, who earned £180k per week at Anfield, could become City’s new Silva.

Firstly, this would be a signing from La Liga, and whilst he is more of a known quantity to Citizens fans than Silva may have been, creative signings from the Spanish top flight have tended to work well for them.

Both players have excellent creative numbers behind them, too. Alexander-Arnold’s record at Liverpool was sensational, and he already has two assists for Madrid. As for Silva, he had 39 assists to his name for Valencia before moving to City in 2010.

Of course, the key difference is the position, with the Los Blancos man playing at right-back rather than in midfield. Yet, there has been talk that he should move centrally, and he even began to invert into midfield under Jurgen Klopp, a role Carragher said was “almost perfect for him” back in 2023.

Whatever plans Guardiola hatches for Alexander-Arnold if he moves to City, he will look to get the best out of him creatively.

With the sort of influence he can have in the final third, his potential role in midfield and the fact he’d be moving from Spain, this really could be the second coming of Silva.

Man City exploring deal to sign Donnarumma alternative who's "like Alisson"

The Citizens have turned their focus towards a fresh option.

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 22, 2025

Ajinkya Rahane’s vast experience and “maturity” in handling an “intense” tournament such as the IPL made him the automatic choice to lead defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), franchise CEO Venky Mysore has said.Rahane was one of the contenders for the captaincy alongside Venkatesh Iyer, the India and Madhya Pradesh allrounder. Venkatesh was released after the 2024 season but was bought back by KKR in the auction for INR 23.75 crore (US$2.3 million approx.). While Venkatesh recently said he was ready to take on the captaincy, if offered, KKR eventually picked Rahane for the job, with Venkatesh named his deputy.”IPL is quite an intense tournament,” Mysore told ESPNcricinfo. “Clearly, we think very well of Venkatesh Iyer but, at the same time, it [captaincy] is taxing on a youngster. We have seen lots of people having lots of challenges with it as they go forward. It takes a very steady hand, takes a lot of maturity and experience, which we felt Ajinkya brings with him.”Related

• 'Nothing can beat experience' – Rahane keen to learn from T20 heavyweight Bravo at KKR

• Ajinkya Rahane to lead Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025

• KKR on breaking the bank for Venkatesh – 'All about keeping our core'

Shreyas Iyer had captained KKR to the title in IPl 2024, but KKR could not retain him after he opted to head back into the auction, where he was bought by Punjab Kings. Incidentally, Rahane, who was the first player to come up on the second day of the auction last November, had gone unsold at the first time of calling. KKR eventually got Rahane for his base price of INR 1.5 crore ($180,000 approx.) at the end of the auction when franchises got an opportunity to call back unsold players of their choice.This is Rahane’s second stint with KKR, having played seven matches for them in IPL 2022, when they finished seventh. Rahane has turned out for six franchises in the IPL and is among a select group of players to have been part of the IPL from its inception in 2008. Rahane has some experience captaining India (with eight wins in 11 games across formats), is among the most successful active captains in domestic cricket, and has led in 25 matches across two IPL franchises: once at Rising Pune Supergiant and the rest at Rajasthan Royals.Mysore felt such a wealth of experience could only be beneficial for KKR. “He has played 185 IPL games, 200 [195] international games across formats,” Mysore said. “He has led India, led Mumbai in domestic, he’s led in IPL. And he has played from season one of IPL. All that is massive. There should be no surprise at all [on appointing Rahane as captain].Ajinkya Rahane was appointed the new KKR captain, while Venkatesh Iyer will be his deputy•Kolkata Knight Riders

“Captaincy cannot be underestimated. This is going to be my 15th season, so I have seen a lot. It is not only about what you do on the field. There’s a lot of [other] stuff when it comes to IPL, including dealing with media, and there will be expectation in terms of the captain. At the same time, it is a new cycle, there is diversity in the team; if you have to be a successful captain you have to invest in building relationships with everybody so that you know how to get the best out of everyone.”And then there’s preparatory stuff in terms of camps, bowlers’ meetings, batters’ meetings, interaction with coaches – that’s a lot to take in. From that perspective, we are lucky we have got Ajinkya, who will be terrific for us. Not only as a captain, of which there’s no doubt, but also as a batsman. He has scored tons of runs.”

Venkatesh Iyer is ‘captaincy material’

Mysore also said that that Venkatesh would continue to be part of the leadership group and that he had the potential to grow into a future captain. “We have been very, very impressed with the leadership qualities that he has shown,” Mysore said. “He’s a franchise player and what he has shown in terms of how he participates, and the respect that others have around him, and the energy he brings [to the dressing room]… so he definitely has got massive potential. He’s one for the future for us for sure. He clearly is captaincy material.”The move to appoint Venkatesh as the vice-captain, Mysore said, would also allow him to learn from Rahane. “Knowing Ajinkya, he will take him [Venkatesh] under his wing and mentor him on the captaincy side of things. So, in a way, I expect they will be kind of joined at the hip and working very closely together.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Após um dia de folga, o Palmeiras se reapresentou nesta sexta-feira (2), na Academia de Futebol, e iniciou a preparação para receber o Coritiba neste domingo (4), às 18h30, no Allianz Parque, pela nona rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O atacante Breno Lopes destacou a sequência positiva do Verdão fora de casa e projetou o duelo contra o Coxa.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

– Foram quatro jogos fora de casa. A gente sabe como é difícil quando estamos longe do nosso torcedor. Eles fazem muita falta, são o nosso 12º jogador, mas foi um balanço positivo. A gente conseguiu os objetivos, como na Copa do Brasil, que era passar de fase – disse Breno Lopes.

– Será mais um jogo difícil. No Brasileiro, cada rodada é muito importante, e vamos voltar a jogar perto do nosso torcedor. Na nossa casa, com o torcedor nos empurrando, é muito difícil bater a gente, e esperamos fazer mais um bom jogo no fim de semana para voltarmos a vencer no Brasileiro e continuarmos na parte de cima da tabela.

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Ainda, o camisa 19 comentou as oportunidades recebidas pelo elenco, especialmente devido à quantidade de jogos, valorizando o apoio da torcida alviverde.

– Será mais um jogo difícil. No Brasileiro, cada rodada é muito importante, e vamos voltar a jogar perto do nosso torcedor. Na nossa casa, com o torcedor nos empurrando, é muito difícil bater a gente, e esperamos fazer mais um bom jogo no fim de semana para voltarmos a vencer no Brasileiro e continuarmos na parte de cima da tabela – concluiu.

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+ Depois de ‘incapacidade’ na última janela, Palmeiras não descarta nova busca por volante

O Verdão volta a treinar neste sábado (3), às 10h, na Academia de Futebol. O Palmeiras é vice-líder do Brasileirão, com 16 pontos, cinco a menos do que o líder Botafogo.

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Breno LopesPalmeiras

Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz lit up with joy when handed a customised PlayStation 5 controller dedicated to his late friend and former Liverpool teammate, Diogo Jota. The Colombian, who shared a close relationship with the Portuguese attacker during their time together at Anfield, was visibly touched by the red controller, which carried the engraving “Diogo J” on the back.

An enduring friendship built at Anfield

Diaz and Jota forged their connection at Liverpool, pulling on the famous red shirt side by side 73 times. Together, they played key roles at Merseyside and lifted the Premier League trophy under Arne Slot, cementing themselves as part of an unforgettable chapter in Anfield history. Away from the glare of competition, their relationship flourished too, with shared interests, especially in video games.

AdvertisementWatch the clipDiaz's heartfelt Supercup celebration

When Diaz made his competitive debut for Bayern Munich in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup earlier this summer, he found a poignant way to honour Jota. After Harry Kane opened the scoring against VfB Stuttgart, the winger added Bayern’s second by rising to head home a Serge Gnabry cross. Instead of a standard celebration, Diaz paused to emulate Jota’s trademark video-game pose near the byline. 

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Getty Images SportFocus turns to Hamburg clash

Diaz is expected to feature when the Bavarians host Hamburger SV at the Allianz Arena on Saturday evening.

Arsenal have now opened talks over a deal for a “world-class” forward, who is pushing to leave his current club, according to a report.

Gunners' striker pursuit rumbles on

At one stage, it appeared as though the Gunners were very close to getting a deal for Viktor Gyokeres over the line, with Fabrizio Romano revealing a deal was close to being sealed over a week ago.

However, the deal has since stalled, with some reports even suggesting that Manchester United could hijack the move, although Romano has since quashed those rumours, insisting the Swedish striker has his heart set on signing for the Gunners.

As such, the north Londoners still appear to be in a strong position to get the deal done, but Gyokeres is not the only attacker they are eager to get through the door, having also set their sights on a winger, with Real Madrid’s Rodrygo of interest.

However, a deal for the Madrid star could be on the expensive side, with the Spanish side holding out for £87m, and Mikel Arteta’s side have now set their sights on a potential alternative option.

Berta set to launch mega-money bid to sign Arsenal's best LW since Sanchez

Arsenal are looking to strengthen their wide forward options this summer.

1 ByMatt Dawson Jul 20, 2025

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal have now made fresh contact over a deal for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, who is pushing to leave the Italian club, following a fallout with former manager Gian Piero Gasperini.

Andrea Berta is now weighing up whether to make a concrete approach for Lookman, who could be a far more affordable option than Rodrygo, given that Atalanta are demanding £43m.

However, the Gunners may have to fend off interest from elsewhere, with Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid retaining a strong interest in the forward.

"World-class" Lookman could be fantastic Rodrygo alternative

Not only is the Atalanta star much more affordable than Rodrygo, but he has performed remarkably well over the past year in terms of non-penalty goals per 90, ranking in the top 2% compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.63 (98th percentile)

Progressive carries

5.71 (94th percentile)

Shot-creating actions

5.51 (92nd percentile)

The former Everton man has really kicked on since leaving the Toffees, with journalist John Bennett singling him out for very high praise after scooping up the African Footballer of the Year award at the end of 2024.

At 27-years-old, Lookman is likely to be in his prime years, and he could be a real difference-maker for Arsenal in their pursuit of the Premier League title next season.