Tag Futebol

علق ثروت سويلم عضو رابطة الأندية على أزمة احتجاز لاعبي الزمالك في الإمارات، مؤكداً تقديم الاعتذار لـ مسؤولي الإمارات بعد واقعة ثلاثي الأبيض الأخيرة.

وكانت أزمة قد نشبت بين ثنائي الفريق مصطفى شلبي ونبيل عماد دونجا ومعهما عبد الواحد السيد مدير الكرة، مع فرد الأمن في مباراة بيراميدز.

وتم التحفظ على الثلاثي من قبل الشرطة الإماراتية للاعتداء على فرد أمن بمباراة بيراميدز، في الدور نصف النهائي، التي حسمها الفارس الأبيض بركلات الترجيح والتأهل إلى المباراة النهائية من بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

وقال ثروت سويلم في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة ام بي سي مصر2: “السوبر المصري يمثل مصر وحدث رياضي محترم، ونشكر الإمارات ومجلس أبو ظبي الرياضة على استضافة كأس السوبر”.

وأكمل: “اعتذار الزمالك أتى متأخرًا، لكن أن يأتي متأخرًا أفضل بكثير من ألا يأتي، بعد اعتذار الزمالك يجب أن نغلق الستار على الواقعة لعمق العلاقة بين مصر والإمارات”.

وتابع: “الحمد لله أن الذي الواقعة حدثت في مباراة الزمالك وبيراميدز وليس في مباراة الأهلي والزمالك”.

طالع | أول تحرك رسمي من الزمالك بعد أزمة ثلاثي الفريق ومسؤول أمن مباراة بيراميدز

واستطرد: “الموقف الذي حدث في مباراة الزمالك الأخير سيجعل هناك نوع من الالتزام التام في مباراة الأهلي والزمالك، والصورة المصرية في الإمارات ستكون مميزة”.

وأردف: “نقدم كل الاعتذار للشعب الإماراتي على ما حدث، الشركة الراعية ومجلس أبو ظبي الرياضي بذلا مجهودا غير طبيعي في هذه الأزمة”.

واختتم: “كيف لا يكون هناك تقرير فيما حدث، ستكون هناك تحقيقات ولا اتحاد الكرة ولا رابطة الأندية ولا أجهزة الدولة ووزارة الشباب والرياضة ستعدي هذا الموضوع وفي الوقت المناسب العقوبات ستصدر”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de um primeiro tempo ruim, o Santos cresceu, fez um bom segundo tempo e empatou em 1 a 1 com o Red Bull Bragantino na noite deste sábado, no estádio Nabi Abi Cheddid, em Bragança Paulista, em jogo válido pela 10º rodada do Campeonato Paulista.

>> VEJA A CLASSIFICAÇÃO E SIMULE OS JOGOS DO SANTOS NO PAULISTÃO

Lucas Braga fez o gol do Peixe, que chegou a virar com um golaço de Jean Mota que foi anulado por um impedimento, no mínimo discutível, marcado pelo VAR no início da jogada.

RelacionadasSantosATUAÇÕES: Com golaço, Lucas Braga é o melhor do Santos no empate pelo PaulistãoSantos01/05/2021SantosApós rescisão, Ariel Holan publica mensagem de despedida do SantosSantos01/05/2021SantosPM pune torcida do Santos por mosaico provocativo ao CorinthiansSantos01/05/2021

Mesmo com o empate, o Santos segue na terceira colocação do grupo D, com dez pontos ganhos. Na próxima rodada, quinta-feira, o Peixe faz o clássico contra o Palmeiras. Antes, na terça, a equipe recebe o The Strongest, na Vila, pela fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores.

O jogo

No primeiro tempo, o Red Bull Bragantino marcou pressão na saída de bola e sufocou o Santos. A tática deu resultado aos 26 minutos. Pará saiu jogando errado, o time da casa recuperou e a bola sobrou para Claudinho na entrada da área. O ex-Menino da Vila chutou, a bola desviou em Luan Peres e entrou.

O time da casa quase fez o segundo aos 37. Pedrinho recebeu livre na área, mas o goleiro João Paulo fechou o ângulo do atacante do time de Bragança e salvou o Peixe.

No segundo tempo o Santos voltou mais ligado e empatou logo com um minuto. Marinho recebeu na direita e deu lindo lançamento para Lucas Braga. O atacante invadiu a área e soltou uma bomba para estufar as redes do goleiro Cleiton.

O Peixe chegou a virar em um golaço de Jean Mota, em chute da entrada da área aos 16 minutos. O árbitro deu o gol, mas o VAR apontou um impedimento bastante discutível de Marinho no início do lance.

FICHA TÉCNICA
RED BULL BRAGANTINO 1 X 1 SANTOS

Local: Estádio Nabi Abi Cheddid, em Bragança Paulista (SP)
Árbitro: Douglas Marques das Flores
Gols: Claudinho, aos 26′ do 1ºT, Lucas Braga, com 1′ do 2ºT
Cartões amarelos: Ryller e Cuello (Red Bull Bragantino) e Lucas Braga e Pará (Santos)

RED BULL BRAGANTINO
Cleiton, Aderlan, Leo Ortiz, Fabrício Bruno e Edimar; Ryller (Ramirez, aos 31′ do 2ºT), Lucas Evangelista e Claudinho, Artur, Ytalo e Pedrinho (Cuello, aos 24′ do 2ºT). Técnico: Maurício Barbieri

SANTOS
João Paulo, Pará, Kaiky Fernandes, Luan Peres e Felipe Jonatan; Alison, Jean Mota (Vinícius Balieiro, aos 43′ do 2ºT) e Gabriel Pirani (Lucas Lourenço, aos 22′ do 2ºT); Marinho, Marcos Leonardo (Allanzinho, aos 34′ do 2ºT) e Lucas Braga. Técnico: Marcelo Fernandes

West Ham United are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery” to replace David Moyes at the London Stadium, according to a new update.

David Moyes under West Ham pressure

The Hammers are still yet to win a game in 2024 after suffering another Premier League defeat on the weekend, this time to strugglers Nottingham Forest.

It was yet another afternoon to forget, losing 2-0 and seeing new signing Kalvin Phillips sent off. Plenty of West Ham supporters in the away end at The City Ground made their feelings known at the end of the game, unveiling a ‘Moyes Out’ banner.

West Ham make decision on future of David Moyes amid Forest defeat

The Hammers appear to have changed their mind on the future of the Scottish manager.

By
Ben Browning

Feb 17, 2024

However, Moyes came out and defended his position after the defeat at The City Ground, saying on fans’ discontent:

“I’m pretty long in the tooth, it happens and I don’t think you can please everybody. I think it would be hard to say there have been many better times at West Ham. Maybe they want something different but if they’re honest I think they probably have to say it’s been as good a time as they’ve had at the club, winning a trophy and the league positions.

"Maybe they’ve had managers who excite them more, possibly, but the one who’s sitting here wins more.”

It is believed that Moyes is still under no immediate pressure in regards to getting the sack, but it looks as if club officials are looking at their options.

West Ham manager update

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke in the last 48 hours, West Ham are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery”, looking at bosses who are serial trophy winners and have a CV littered with top clubs. Those at the London Stadium have been ‘impressed with Aston Villa’s capture of Emery in 2022 and would consider the potential to lure a top-calibre manager of their own’.

The Hammers want Moyes to stay but now have a shortlist of potential managers to replace the Scot, should they feel a change is needed.

It looks as if the club could well have a new man in the dugout during 2024, but when that will be remains to be seen. Moyes’ current contract expires at the end of the season, with talks over an extension thought to be on hold for now.

So far this year, things have gone from bad to worse, falling down the Premier League table and exiting the FA Cup to Championship side Bristol City.

In regards to who could take over in the Emery mould, former Wolves, Sevilla and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has been mentioned and is open to the idea of replacing Moyes.

He‘s won three honours as a manager and has taken charge of a number of top clubs, so perhaps Lopetegui could be a target, making this one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks and months.

Barcelona have reportedly opened talks with FC Porto to facilitate the sale of centre-back Mikayil Faye but have one main condition for a deal.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Barcelona looking to sell Mikayil Faye
• Porto interested in signing for €15m (£13m/$16m)
• Barca want to include buy-back clause

• Barcelona Twitter
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Over the last season, Faye has impressed a lot during his time with Barca Atletic and even received two call-ups to the senior team. So much so that former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez even pondered upon making the sale of left-footed senior centre-back, Inigo Martinez to make room for Faye as a rotation centre-back. However, with the arrival of Hansi Flick, the chances of Faye making it to the senior squad have dwindled and he may now be moved on for a cash influx.

Advertisement

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As per Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona have been approached by Liga NOS side Porto, who are willing to offer around €15 million to acquire Faye's services this summer. However, the report has stated that the Catalan club are looking to add a buy-back clause on the talented 19-year-old sale agreement so that they could potentially re-sign the Senegalese back in the future.

• Getty Images
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Barca Atletic started their season with a centre-back pairing of Faye and Pau Cubarsi, with the latter having been shifted to the first team, it was reported that Xavi wanted to do the same with the Senegalese in the coming summer. However, that will likely no longer be the case with Flick having taken charge of the senior team.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• WHAT NEXT FOR FAYE?

  The season is not yet over for Faye and Barca Atletic as they continue on with their promotions playoffs in Primera Federacion as the club looks to make their way back to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time since 2018.

Sheffield Wednesday would have felt encouraged by a 0-0 draw at Hillsborough last night versus Watford, but the Owls are still in desperate need of a deadly striker to lead the line.

With Danny Rohl's men quiet recently in the transfer window, after signing the likes of Ike Ugbo and James Beadle early on in loan deals, the South Yorkshire club could well become busy again today as last-ditch deals are frantically finalised.

In particular, Wednesday look set to go after one clinical attacker to improve their chances of surviving in the Championship.

Wednesday's search for a striker

According to Fabrizio Romano, a deal could well be back on the table for Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire who looked set to join fellow second-tier club Blackburn Rovers over the Owls.

Yet, in a last-minute change of events, that deal collapsed with those at Wednesday now swooping back in to land the potent American forward before the window officially slams shut later today.

Wednesday are now in talks over a deal, according to Romano, the Owls hopeful that McGuire can slot into the weak Wednesday attack effortlessly with Djeidi Gassama potentially forming a feared duo up top with the current Orlando man.

Why Gassama would benefit McGuire

Gassama shone in Wednesday's stalemate with Watford last night, twisting and turning defenders for fun with no striker present feeding off of the ex-Paris St.Germain winger's weaving runs forward to then fire home.

Completing four successful dribble attempts in total, alongside notching up two key passes as a thorn in the Watford side, Ugbo as the lone striker was just a bystander to Gassama's constant inventiveness and never really looked threatening in the contest.

Gassama's numbers v Watford

Minutes played

90

Touches

55

Shots on goal

3

Key passes

2

Successful dribble attempts

4/10

Duels won

12/23

Stats by Sofascore

The Chelsea loanee accumulated a dire 22 touches of the ball, hitting the woodwork once with a rare effort on goal a slight highlight before being hauled off by Rohl late into the second 45 minutes.

Adding McGuire to the striker ranks in South Yorkshire could well see Gassama become an assist king in contrast, rather than letting his forays forward go to waste currently, the American transfer target an instinctive finisher in the MLS.

Scoring 15 times from 37 appearances to date with Orlando, McGuire would blow his Owls competition out of the water on his arrival to the Championship club with those deadly goalscoring statistics.

Young Wednesday hotshot Bailey Cadamarteri pales in comparison with just three goals managed this season after breaking into the first team picture under Rohl, whilst Owls' top-scorer Anthony Musaba only has five next to his name from down the right wing.

Described as being a "lethal" forward player by Orlando manager Oscar Pareja at the height of his goalscoring powers last year, McGuire will hope a move to the Owls goes smoothly today to push himself even more in the cut and thrust of a Championship relegation battle away from home comforts.

Gassama would no doubt be delighted to see McGuire come in through the door this deadline day too, as Wednesday look to significantly bolster up top to stave off the dreaded second-tier drop-zone.

Big Picture

Any more for any more? As has become customary on the pristine one-day pitches of England – not so green and really quite unpleasant for bowlers – these two teams have served up an uninterrupted sequence of free-scoring frolics. This is currently the second-fastest scoring bilateral ODI series in history (minimum of three matches) and we can probably expect more of the same in the finale as both England and Pakistan conclude their World Cup preparations.The result is already a foregone conclusion, with England 3-0 up and extending an unbeaten run at home that stretches back to 2015 – or the year dot, as far as Eoin Morgan and his World Cup hopefuls are concerned. Everything else was pre-history, which is fitting given how often England have rewritten the record books since.Victory in Nottingham on Friday was not quite so straightforward, however, and but for a more clinical Pakistan fielding effort the series might still be alive. England have developed a machine-like reliability when chasing but they threatened to malfunction after Jason Roy had lit the path with a blazing hundred at Trent Bridge. Despite a collapse, England were able to regroup around Ben Stokes and launch a late sortie on the target as Pakistan’s nerve failed them.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Winning when the going gets tough is a mark of an accomplished side, and doing so in the absence of captain Eoin Morgan and regular opener Jonny Bairstow – suspended and rested respectively – suggests a strong competitive spirit within the team. Jos Buttler, standing in for Morgan, said afterwards that it was a performance that boded well ahead of entering the pressurised environment of tournament play.Having seen his side rack up a third consecutive score in the region of 350 only to lose, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed gave an obligatory nod to the positives in the form of Babar Azam’s immaculate hundred and a solid return to active service for veteran pair Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik. Perhaps, too, he can console himself that very few teams at the World Cup will be able to reel in such big targets in the manner of England. But with questions still surrounding the exact make-up of Pakistan’s final 15, for a couple of players this could be the last chance to leave a positive impression.

Form guide

England WWWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LLLLL

In the spotlight

Few of England’s players know as much about fulfilling great expectations as Joe Root. The one concession to reliability over rock’n’roll in England’s batting order, Root pootles along at No.3 averaging 50 and scoring a century roughly every nine innings. A run of white-ball scores against Ireland and Pakistan comprising 7, 47, 40, 43, and 36 will be of concern to no one within the England set-up but the man himself would surely love to crack on for the big innings that takes him into the World Cup with a bounce.After a tough audition process, Pakistan’s pace bowlers may all be feeling a little nervy in the face of the World Cup guillotine. Mohammad Hasnain gave glimpses of his potential in an otherwise expensive outing at Trent Bridge, while Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have managed six wickets between them, with economy rates between 7.01 and 8.15. With Mohammad Amir unscathed thanks to his bout of chicken pox – though currently outside the preliminary squad looking in – and only one match to go, natural selection may be about to take its course.Job done: Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid celebrate victory•Getty Images

Team news

Trevor Bayliss has said England will play their strongest team, which would mean Bairstow and Morgan returning, although the bowlers’ workloads will be monitored. Tom Curran’s performance with bat and ball could encourage further rest for Chris Woakes, while Jofra Archer and Mark Wood will hope to continue in their newly minted 90mph new-ball partnership. Roy’s young daughter is improving after being taken to hospital on Friday morning but the opener is unlikely to play* meaning another opportunity for James Vince.England: (possible) 1 Jonny Bairstow, 2 James Vince, 3 Joe Root, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 Jos Buttler (wk) 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Tom Curran/Chris Woakes, 9 Adil Rashid, 11 Jofra Archer, 11 Mark Wood.Imam-ul-Haq was forced off the field after being hit on the elbow at Trent Bridge, although he did come back to bat at the end of Pakistan’s innings. Sarfaraz described the injury as a “bit of a bruise”, although back-up opener Abid Ali is waiting for some game time if there are any concerns about Imam. Amir’s status after illness is less clear, and he could perhaps be forgiven for wanting to stay out of the firing line.Pakistan: (possible) 1 Imam-ul-Haq/Abid Ali, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt/wk), 6 Mohammad Hafeez, 7 Asif Ali, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Mohammad Hasnain, 11 Junaid Khan.

Pitch and conditions

Headingley generally loses some of its capricious edge for white-ball games, although India’s powerful line-up struggled to 256 for 8 there last year only for England to knock them off two down. In this season’s Royal London Cup, it is behind only Trent Bridge as the fastest-scoring ground, with runs coming at 6.81 an over. The forecast is for a cloudy day with minimal chance of rain and mild temperatures.

Stats and trivia

• At Trent Bridge, Pakistan became the first team in ODI history to score 340-plus in three consecutive ODI innings; England then became the second.
• On their previous visit to Headingley, Pakistan again ran into Stokes as he top-scored in England’s tight, four-wicket win.
• Sunday’s match will see the unveiling of Headingley’s new Emerald Stand, the £34m redevelopment of the old Football Stand that was underway when Pakistan played a Test at the ground last year.
• Shoaib Malik is one appearance away from overtaking his namesake Saleem to become Pakistan’s fourth-most capped player.

Quotes

“You’ve got to find a way to win and we’re going to have situations where we play poorly during a phase of the game. We’ve managed to come out the other end of that and win.”

“The way we’ve fielded here in three matches is not up to the mark. We have to improve.”
*1900 BST – Story updated with news on Roy’s availability

It’s only the first meeting between the two sides this season, but Knight Riders enter the contest needing nothing less than a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive

The Preview Sreshth Shah27-Apr-20196:46

Can floundering hosts Kolkata Knight Riders stop the Mumbai Indians juggernaut?

Big pictureWhen Rohit Sharma walks out at the toss at Eden Gardens on Sunday night, he’d be looking to extend Mumbai Indians’ eight-match unbeaten run over Kolkata Knight Riders. But if there’s ever a night for the hosts to change that statistic, it would be Sunday. Languishing at the sixth place with eight points, and needing victories in their last three matches to even dream of a playoff spot, Knight Riders can bid the season goodbye if they lose their seventh successive IPL game, and fifth successive at home.Form guide

Kolkata Knight Riders: lost to Royals by 3 wickets, lost to Sunrisers by 9 wickets, lost to Royal Challengers by 10 runs (most recent matches first)
Mumbai Indians: beat Super Kings by 46 runs, lost to Royals by 5 wickets, beat Capitals by 40 runs

After Piyush Chawla and Sunil Narine found turn against Rajasthan Royals, Dinesh Karthik may consider bringing Kuldeep Yadav back after he has spent two games in the dugout. That their pacers have been poor in the Powerplay, taking only six wickets in the period, is an extra reason for Karthik to revert to Knight Riders’ old formula of spin.For Mumbai, just one victory in their final three games would be enough for the playoffs, but they’ll be aiming a top-two finish, and a chance to play Qualifier 1 at the Chepauk – a ground where they haven’t lost an IPL match since May 2011. Mumbai and India fans alike would’ve enjoyed Rohit’s maiden half-century of the season in their convincing win over Chennai Super Kings, and both Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya could inflict damage on Knight Riders’ pace bowlers at a ground where the ball travels far.Lasith Malinga comes into the contest with a four-for in his last match and, in Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar, Mumbai have potent spin options to match Knight Riders player-for-player. Thus it’s not much of a surprise that Mumbai start as clear favourites, but they’ll remain wary of the chutzpah that Knight Riders will come in with, given they have nothing more to lose.In the newsLeft-arm fast bowler Beuran Hendricks, Mumbai’s replacement for the injured Alzarri Joseph, has linked up with the team but is unlikely to get a look-in unless Malinga is rested. Mumbai left-arm spinner Anukul Roy made a promising IPL debut with 1 for 11 in Chennai and has impressed enough to merit another opportunity.Likely XIsKolkata Knight Riders: 1 Chris Lynn, 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Nitish Rana, 5 Andre Russell, 6 Dinesh Karthik, 7 Rinku Singh, 8 Carlos Brathwaite, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Prasidh KrishnaMumbai Indians: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Evin Lewis, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Krunal Pandya, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Kieron Pollard, 8 Anukul Roy, 9 Rahul Chahar, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Jasprit BumrahStrategy punt It’s time for Knight Riders to go all in, so don’t be surprised if Australian fast-bowler Matt Kelly comes into the side for Carlos Brathwaite. In his short T20 career, Kelly has picked up a wicket every 15.4 deliveries in the Powerplay and concedes only 7.20 runs per over; 52.8% of the 24-year-old’s deliveries in Powerplays have been dots. Piyush Chawla, Knight Riders’ regular new-ball bowler, may be held back for later in the innings. Hardik Pandya has scored only 100 runs in 98 deliveries against legspinners since IPL 2018 and has been out six times to them. Mumbai should aim to save two overs each of Bumrah and Malinga for the final five overs. When they bowl in tandem at the death, Mumbai concede only 8.50 runs an over at an average of 13.50. For any other bowling combination, Mumbai concede 11.40 runs per over.Stats and trivia If Knight Riders lose to Mumbai on Sunday, it will be the worst streak for any IPL team. They enter the contest tied for the record at eight losses with Kings XI Punjab (against Knight Riders, 2014-17) and Delhi Daredevils (against Royal Challengers Bangalore, 2011-2015). It will be Rohit Sharma’s 100th game as IPL captain.

ابتسم الحظ للفرنسي كيليان مبابي، ليتمكن من تسجيل أول أهدافه في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2024-2025، بعدما فشل في ذلك على مدار الجولات الثلاثة الماضية.

وتقدم ريال مدريد بهدف أول أمام ريال بيتيس، في المباراة بين الفريقين ببطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

لمطالعة أحداث مباراة ريال مدريد وريال بيتيس لحظة بلحظة بالفيديو من هنا.

الهدف جاء بعد تمريرة من رودريجو حيث وصلت الكرة إلى فالفيردي، الذي مررها بالكعب بطريقة رائعة تجاه مبابي، الذي استغلها وسجلها في الشباك بالدقيقة 67.

ويلتقي ريال مدريد مع ريال بيتيس، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في إطار مباريات الجولة الرابعة.

وشارك مبابي مع ريال مدريد في مباريات الفريق بالجولات الثلاثة السابقة أمام ريال مايوركا وبلد الوليد ولاس بالماس، لكنه لم يتمكن من التسجيل في أي من المواجهات الثلاثة المذكورة.

Manchester City are reportedly targeting the signing of a “very dangerous” player in the January transfer window, seeing him as part of a double swoop that could cost as much as €60m (£51m).

Man City not at their irresistible best

Pep Guardiola's side haven't necessarily been in their most sparkling form of late, having only won three of their last seven Premier League matches. That includes last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool, when they let their lead slip late in the day.

Some of City's summer signings haven't yet made the impression that may have hoped at the time, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes in and out of the team through injury, and others arguably haven't hit top form yet.

While Guardiola still has a squad that is the envy of the vast majority of managers around the world, January will give him the chance to bring in further reinforcements, as they look to win the title battle with Liverpool and Arsenal, and go all the way in the Champions League for a second year running.

It looks as though a double signing could be on the cards for the reigning English and European champions, following a fresh transfer update that has emerged.

Man City want Liverpool target Khephren Thuram

According to TV Play [via Sport Witness], Manchester City are interested in signing Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram in the January transfer window.

Guardiola is keen on boosting his defensive and midfield options next month, with someone young seen as an ideal choice in the middle of the park – a box that Thuram ticks. Meanwhile, Club Brugge defender Tajon Buchanan is also a target, and the pair potentially cost around €60m (£51.4m) combined.

Thuram could be a wonderful signing by City if they manage to strike a deal in January, with the 22-year-old someone with so much long-term potential, both in terms of technical quality and physical ability.

Former Arsenal favourite Aaron Ramsey has spoken glowingly about him after playing with him at Nice, saying:

"Khephren is another talented player here. I think he's definitely got a big future ahead of him if he carries on the way he's going at the minute. He's very dangerous, very powerful, a very strong dribbler of the ball. Hopefully, he can keep progressing. He's another player that can go all the way to the top I feel."

Liverpool are also reportedly interested in signing Thuram, as even though they ended up missing out on him during the summer transfer window, the Reds are thought to be willing to pay £45m for his services in 2024.

Chris Lynn powered Brisbane Heat’s chase of Perth Scorchers’ lowly 9 for 128 to bookend his team’s overwhelming performance in the field.The fancied Heat have disappointed this season but crushed an inexperienced Scorchers XI in a clash of the bottom two teams to keep their faint finals hopes alive.After being sent in, Scorchers’ misfiring batting order succumbed to disciplined Heat bowling to finish with a mediocre total on the batting-friendly Gabba. Mystery spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman bamboozled the out-of-form Scorchers with three top-order wickets as Heat’s spinners shackled the batsmen early, before seamer Josh Lalor’s hat-trick at the death capped it off.An unbeaten Lynn half-century spearheaded Heat’s easy chase down with 15 balls to spare and end their three-match losing streak.Another lamentable Scorchers performance was further soured by a hamstring injury to Shaun Marsh, who was unable to field. Having endured a fourth straight defeat in their longest-ever losing streak, Scorchers are staring down the barrel of a wooden spoon.Scorchers’ Top-order Crumbles AgainThe visitors shook up their top-order with recalled wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis promoted to the top alongside Shaun Marsh in a bid for extra firepower – the seventh opening combination used by Scorchers this season.The experiment backfired with Shaun Marsh falling cheaply in the second over followed shortly by Inglis as Heat’s strategy to use spin through the first five overs worked. Having been routed for just 79 against Renegades last match, Scorchers’ nightmare continued when hard-hitting allrounder Ashton Turner holed out for just two to gift Mujeeb his second wicket.Once the hottest batsman in the BBL, Turner suffered his fourth straight single-digit failure as Scorchers teetered at 3 for 17 after four overs. Their hopes of mustering a competitive total rested on captain Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Bancroft, who looked in sparkling touch and relished Heat’s change to pace by smashing three boundaries off Lalor.They successfully counterattacked in a quick 42-run partnership before Mitchell Marsh rashly fell to Ben Cutting’s first delivery in the 10th over and then Bancroft was bowled by a quick Mujeeb delivery to leave Scorchers once again in a major hole.Jason Behrendorff in his follow-through•Getty Images

Lalor hat-trick caps off professional Heat performanceWith the lowest scoring rate among teams in the BBL, Scorchers’ inability to counterattack has been cruelly exposed during a disastrous campaign. Youngster Nick Hobson, who impressed amid the carnage against Renegades, showed maturity to upstage his more senior team-mates but struggled to strike boundaries against Heat’s disciplined bowling.Hobson combined with debutant Clint Hinchliffe in a sensible 39-run partnership marked by hard-run singles and twos more reminiscent of the middle overs of ODI cricket.An increasingly confident Hobson stunningly smoked a slow delivery from Jack Prestwidge over long-on for the only six in the innings. He was unable to cap off a fine innings when he holed out in the final over to complete a surprise hat-trick by Lalor spread out over two overs.Heat players sedately celebrated the wicket unaware that Lalor had become just the fourth player in the BBL to conjure the feat. Lalor only realised his achievement when told by a beaming Alex Ross who had heard from the ground’s announcer.Heat recover after early Cutting wicketMuch like Scorchers, Heat decided to experiment with a new opening combination of Cutting and Max Bryant who seemingly was caught behind on 6 after nicking a wide Jason Behrendorff delivery only to be given not out.It was a golden opportunity for the struggling Cutting to end a drought and he played against type in a defensive start. After failing to score off his first six deliveries, Cutting finally lashed out with three consecutive boundaries before succumbing to the spin of Usman Qadir.Hinchliffe, whose left-arm wrist spin has drawn comparisons to Scorchers great Brad Hogg, had a disastrous start to his BBL career with a full toss promptly smashed to the boundary by Lynn.The Heat captain, who had only reached double-figures once in his past five hits, was in a belligerent mood and became the highest ever BBL run-scorer when he smashed Andrew Tye for six in the 10th over.Lynn powers Heat homeThere was some joy for Scorchers when Hinchliffe claimed his first wicket – Bryant – but they were never seriously in the hunt despite Brendon McCullum’s frustrating season continuing when bowled for 3.After not being picked in Australia’s Test team, Matt Renshaw hoped to showcase his talents but made just 15. Lynn, however, survived a contentious caught behind appeal off the luckless Behrendorff when on 44 before fittingly sealing the deal with his fourth six to ensure the Heat faithful went home happy in a rarity this season.