Gill confirmed Bumrah will play at Lord’s next week as India left out Thakur and Sai Sudharsan
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-2025
Ben Stokes and Shubman Gill at toss at Edgbaston•Getty Images
Ben Stokes has won the toss and opted to bowl first at Edgbaston, as England seek to exploit whatever movement there is on this Edgbaston surface to steal a march on India in the second Test, after taking a 1-0 lead at Headingley.The headline news is that Jasprit Bumrah sits out, ensuring he still has two Tests in the chamber to be used in the final three matches from Lord’s onwards. His resting is one of three changes for India, with Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar drafted into the XI.Those changes give India a decidedly different feel from the one that suffered the defeat at Headingley, with B Sai Sudharsan and Shadrul Thakur dropped. Karun Nair will bat at No.3.Explaining the decision to rest Bumrah, Shubman Gill revealed the India management felt Lord’s will offer Bumrah more than this track.”We did get a good break… but the third match of the series being at Lord’s, there might be a little bit more in the wicket so we thought we’d play him in the third one,” said Gill.While confirming he would have also opted to bowl first, Gill revealed Kuldeep Yadav came close to selection, only for Washington to get the nod because of his superior batting. Boosting the tail after numbers eight to 11 scored nine runs between them across both innings of the first Test was a priority.”We were very tempted to play him (Kuldeep). But looking at the last match, the lower order did not score many runs,” Gill said.All the intrigue over the last 48 hours was very much focussed on India after Stokes named an unchanged XI on Monday. The last time England fielded same XI across the first two Test matches of a home series was in 2017 against South Africa.Victory for the hosts would increase their superiority over India at Edgbaston. They have won seven out of eight meetings here, with one draw.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Brydon Carse, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 Shoaib BashirIndia: 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Karun Nair, 4 Shubman Gill (capt), 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Nitish Kumar Reddy, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Akash Deep, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Prasidh Krishna
Real Madrid have confirmed that captain Dani Carvajal will be sidelined for up to three months after sustaining a right knee injury during Sunday’s fiery Clasico against Barcelona. The 33-year-old defender, who was involved in a heated post-match confrontation with Lamine Yamal, will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage, the club announced on Monday.
Carvajal to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery
Carvajal is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines after Real Madrid confirmed that their captain suffered a right knee injury during the 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. Medical examinations revealed a loose intra-articular body in the knee joint, requiring arthroscopic surgery to remove and repair the tissue. In an official statement, Madrid said: “Following tests carried out on our captain Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a loose joint in his right knee. Carvajal will undergo arthroscopy.”
The veteran full-back felt discomfort following the final whistle on Sunday, where he was a late substitute in Real Madrid’s win, sealed by goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham. The injury could sideline him for around three months, potentially ruling him out until early 2026 as per El Partidazo de COPE.
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Carvajal’s injury nightmare continues
Carvajal’s setback represents a major blow to Real Madrid, who had only just welcomed their skipper back from a calf injury sustained against Atletico Madrid in September. The defender’s latest issue affects the same knee in which he ruptured ligaments and a tendon last October, forcing him to miss most of the 2024-25 season. This recurring problem will likely force Madrid to take an especially cautious approach to his rehabilitation to avoid further complications.
Madrid’s right-back options are now limited heading into the middle phase of the campaign. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has only recently recovered from a muscle injury, is expected to step in as the primary replacement, while Fede Valverde could once again provide cover in that position. The reshuffle will demand tactical flexibility from Xabi Alonso’s side, as both Alexander-Arnold and Valverde naturally prefer more advanced or central roles, respectively.
For Carvajal personally, the injury halts his efforts to regain form and consistency after a difficult period plagued by fitness setbacks. Having worn the armband since Nacho Fernandez’s departure, the Spain international had been eager to re-establish his leadership role in a squad undergoing transition. Instead, his latest absence leaves Madrid once again relying on short-term adjustments to preserve their early-season momentum.
Injury comes after clash with Yamal
The injury comes on the back of his clash with Yamal: Carvajal’s involvement in post-match tensions has added further intrigue to an already explosive El Clasico. The right-back was spotted exchanging heated words with Lamine Yamal moments after full-time, with Spanish media reporting that he told the teenager: “You speak too much. Speak now.” The altercation followed remarks made by Yamal days before the match, when the youngster suggested on Twitch that “Real Madrid steal,” a comment that reportedly angered several Los Blancos players ahead of the showdown.
Multiple Madrid stars appeared to confront Yamal during the melee, with Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham also drawn into the argument before being separated by officials. Frenkie de Jong later defended his Barcelona team-mate, accusing Madrid players of overreacting and “trying to provoke” the 17-year-old forward. While no disciplinary action has been announced, the incident has fueled media debate in Spain about respect between senior and junior internationals, especially with both Carvajal and Yamal sharing the Spain national team dressing room.
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory was an important result that extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points and snapped a four-game losing streak against their Catalan rivals. Mbappe and Bellingham’s goals proved decisive, while Fermin Lopez scored Barcelona’s only goal from Marcus Rashford’s assist. The win demonstrated Madrid’s growing composure under Alonso, but Carvajal’s injury has now cast a shadow over their momentum heading into November.
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Real Madrid to miss captain until January 2026
Real Madrid’s immediate focus will be managing without their captain through the busy winter schedule, with fixtures piling up in La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Alexander-Arnold is expected to make his first start since recovering from injury in Madrid’s next league match against Valencia on November 1, while Valverde will remain on standby to fill in as needed. The club’s medical staff will oversee Carvajal’s surgery and rehabilitation closely, with hopes that he can return to training early in 2026 if recovery progresses smoothly.
For Carvajal, the coming months will be another test of endurance and patience as he battles to return stronger once again. His professionalism and influence in the dressing room remain highly valued, and Madrid’s medical team will ensure he receives every resource to complete his recovery. Until then, Los Blancos will need to navigate the challenges ahead without their leader on the pitch — and hope that his latest setback does not linger beyond the new year.
While Ruben Amorim has already settled one debate by confirming that Altay Bayindir will start for Manchester United in the derby, there is still a decision to be made at the top end of the pitch.
With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount sidelined, the Portuguese coach will have to configure a new-look forward line at the Etihad, with it yet to be seen whether this will mark the occasion for Benjamin Sesko’s first Premier League start.
In truth, it’s been an auspicious beginning in a United shirt for the £74m Slovenian, with four games having come and gone without a goal, having notably produced an agonising miss in the last knockings of the Carabao Cup exit at Grimsby.
While hampered by cramp in the subsequent penalty shootout, the sight of the 22-year-old taking the tenth penalty on the night did have alarm bells ringing. Amorim needed a new centre-forward to hit the ground running, but Sesko is yet to catch fire.
The Red Devils can ill-afford a Rasmus Hojlund repeat, with the young Dane – now shipped off to Napoli – having endured an injury-hit start in Manchester, while his first top-flight goal wasn’t secured until the Boxing Day thriller with Aston Villa.
Unfortunately, the ex-Atalanta man was unable to prove United’s answer to Erling Haaland, with the early signs suggesting that perhaps Sesko may not either?
How Sesko compares to Hojlund pre-United
It is far too early to be writing off United’s newest centre-forward addition, not least amid his bid to get up to speed fitness-wise, although it remains tricky to shake that nagging feeling that the Old Trafford hierarchy have repeated their prior mistake.
Indeed, £64m was splashed out on a 20-year-old Hojlund back in the summer of 2023, with the young marksman arriving after netting just ten times during his solitary campaign in Bergamo.
Formerly on the books at FC Copenhagen, the youngster’s most fruitful spell had come in Austria with Sturm Graz, with 12 goals scored in just 21 games for the Bundesliga outfit.
The parallels with Sesko are certainly evident, with the 6 foot 4 speedster making his own mark in Austrian football at both FC Liefering and Red Bull Salzburg, scoring 51 goals in 123 games combined for those two sides.
In a similar vein to Haaland, he then traded Salzburg for the Bundesliga in 2023, with 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig proving enough to warrant United’s recent summer investment.
The comparison to Haaland – and Hojlund – as a towering young striker who has navigated Austrian and German football is clear, although the City star is undoubtedly on a different level.
Indeed, the Norwegian’s time at Salzburg yielded 29 goals in just 27 games. In Germany, meanwhile, he scored 86 times in just 89 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.
Simply a freak of a footballer, the 25-year-old now boasts 127 goals in 149 games at the Etihad, with Sesko barely even close to such a level. In truth, few players are.
That being said, Amorim may well have his own clinical killer to call upon in attack, with new man Bryan Mbeumo showcasing shades of a Haaland quality in recent times.
How Bryan Mbeumo is emulating Haaland
Haaland, across the last three years, has been a menace in the derby, scoring six times in just eight meetings with United to date.
Hopefully, Mbeumo – signed from Brentford on an initial £65m deal – can reach similar heights, having already begun to fire with two goals in his last two games for the Old Trafford outfit.
The latest strike, in the dramatic 3-2 win over Burnley, was every bit a Haaland goal, with the left-footer making space for himself inside the area, before coolly converting from Diogo Dalot’s pullback. Such composure has rarely been seen by a United forward of late.
Such a strong start to life in Manchester, represented in him claiming the club’s Player of the Month award, should be no surprise considering his exploits back in west London, with the Cameroonian speedster notching a remarkable 20 league goals for the Bees in 2024/25.
Only Haaland (22), Alexander Isak (23) and Mo Salah (29) scored more.
As noted by Sky Sports, the former Troyes speedster is actually even more of a game-changing presence than the likes of Haaland, having relished his own talismanic role under Thomas Frank.
Indeed, his 2024/25 total of 27 goals and assists contributed directly to 22 points for his side. For comparison, Haaland’s 25 goal contributions helped to seal 17 points for the Citizens.
21/22
35
4
22/23
38
9
23/24
25
9
24/25
38
20
25/26
3
1
Described as an “output machine” by content creator Ronaldo Brown, Mbeumo also outperformed his xG by 7.7 last term, indicating just what an elite, unique finisher he truly is.
While Pep Guardiola and co have had Haaland to rely on to deliver the goods in recent times, it has been a long while since United could hang their hat on a clinical attacker.
The last player to score 20 league goals for the club? Robin van Persie in 2012/13.
In Mbeumo, however, things might be about to change. If Sesko doesn’t deliver in the near future, at least Amorim can turn to his Haaland-esque, Premier League-proven option instead.
It's not Mbeumo: Man Utd sensation is now their best signing since Bruno
Manchester United conducted excellent business by landing the signature of one talent.
Tottenham Hotspur fell by the wayside in the Premier League last season, but they picked themselves back up and won the Europa League as part of Ange Postecoglou’s last hurrah.
The Australian coach’s will to win and promise kept have immortalised his name and legacy down N17, but chairman Daniel Levy made the tough call to axe his hero after abject league form and consistent inconsistency.
The decision polarised the fanbase and the wider football community, no doubt, but Levy will feel somewhat vindicated after some impressive early-season form from Spurs, now led by new manager Thomas Frank, winning 3-0 at home to Burnley before confidently dispatching Manchester City at the Etihad.
Mohammed Kudus is off to a flyer after his summer switch from West Ham United, while Joao Palhinha got on the scoresheet against Pep Guardiola’s side. It’s coming together.
However, Tottenham need more before the window slams shut, with sights set on bringing in a new attacking midfielder.
Spurs' search for an attacking midfielder
During a pre-season match against Newcastle United, James Maddison pulled up after going in for a challenge. It was innocuous, but it was clear from the outset that something wasn’t right.
The England international will miss much of the campaign with an ACL injury, and with Dejan Kulusevski currently out of action too, the need for a number ten is clear.
Many efforts have been exhausted this summer, missing out on both Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Crystal Palace superstar Eberechi Eze, who has joined Arsenal after a late hijack.
Attention has since been turned to Como’s Nico Paz, but the former Real Madrid prospect, 20, wishes to remain in Italy in hope of a future return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Paz would be a fantastic addition, but he is young and raw and would likely need a bedding-in period on English shores, and Frank’s side need to make real, instant headway in the Premier League this season.
Spurs showing late interest in Premier League star
According to Caught Offside, Tottenham are gearing up for a late-window move for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who has been priced at £80m as Unai Emery’s side look to ward off suitors.
Chelsea are ready to tussle with their London neighbours, with both sides showing ‘strong interest’, though it’s worth stressing that the Blues remain focused on signing RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, their top target.
And Tottenham? Well, having struggled to land a new midfield playmaker after Maddison’s injury, it’s been suggested by sources that he is viewed as the perfect profile to complete Frank’s squad.
What Morgan Rogers would bring to Spurs
Once a speck in Manchester City’s youth academy, Rogers bit the bullet and joined Middlesbrough in the Championship as he sought to make a name for himself.
Morgan Rogers
And a name the Three Lions sensation has made. Hailed as “a machine” of a player by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, Rogers fostered his potential with Boro and earned a move to the Midlands, getting stronger and stronger and notching 30 goal contributions across the 2024/25 campaign.
The 23-year-old’s exploits saw him crowned the PFA Young Player of the Year earlier in August, thus underscoring his potential and the reasoning behind Tottenham’s bid.
His athleticism, dribbling and ever-growing potency make a telling comment on his capacity, and perhaps suggest that he could even prove to be an upgrade on Maddison and Como’s Paz.
Paz, who joined Como in Italy one year ago, is a silky and creative player with a combative approach to his defensive work. Through statistical analysis, data-led platform FBref have revealed he is comparable to Eze, so it’s clear to see why the Lilywhites have registered their interest.
Rogers – Stats (23/24 & 25/26)
Season (club)
Apps
Goals
Assists
25/26 (Villa)
2
–
–
24/25 (Villa)
54
14
16
23/24 (Villa)
16
3
1
23/24 (Boro)
33
7
9
Data via Transfermarkt
But such data cannot stretch much further back than the 2024/25 campaign, for the Spaniard previously played in Real Madrid Castilla (Los Blancos’ second team), and was afforded four first-team appearances across the 2023/24 season.
Given that the outlay mooted would fall into the same £60m ballpark that Eze and Gibbs-White’s signatures were priced at, it would perhaps be worth forking out an extra £20m or so for a Prem-proven player like Rogers, who would add something to the berth while bringing his own tactical flavour.
The 28-year-old Maddison, after all, hasn’t been sold, and will be desperate to make a fluent return to form when he does haul himself out of the infirmary.
Rogers, still improving, isn’t cut from quite the same cloth as Maddison, who is more of a ball-playing specialist, but the injured Spurs stars’ compatriot offers much in the way of strength and impetus and directness, actually remarked to be “unstoppable” during a match against Everton by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher last year.
As per Sofascore, Rogers didn’t just maintain a threat in front of goal, scoring eight times in the Premier League, assisting ten strikes too, but he proved himself consistent and reliable through reinforced underlying data, creating 16 big chances and averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.4 key passes and 4.7 successful duels per game.
The England man’s durability and wherewithal, coupled with an aptitude for the technical side of the game, suggest that he could be exactly what Frank’s Tottenham need, adding quality and depth at number ten and out on the left flank.
While a deal will be hard to pull off as the transfer window enters the final stretch, there’s no question that Tottenham’s interest is genuine, and with Chelsea still prioritising a move for Simons, Levy and co might want to act as swiftly as possible, lest they miss out on another top target at this critical early juncture of the campaign.
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An inspirational unbeaten century from Jake Lehmann in combination with a career-best 83 from Liam Scott secured South Australia their first home Sheffield Shield final since 2016 after they chased down 300 with four wickets to spare to defeat Victoria at the Junction Oval.Lehmann and Scott shared a match-defining 148-run stand to break the back of the chase having come together at 108 for 4. Henry Hunt also made a valuable early contribution of 66 and shared a 54-run stand with Lehmann. The trio withstood some brilliant spells from Scott Boland who took two late wickets to threaten to steal the game but ultimately Victoria could not sustain enough pressure with the ball.Related
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South Australia are now guaranteed a home final while Victoria can still made the decider if they beat Western Australia next week and other results go their way despite losing four matches in a row.Lehmann described his 12th first-class century as one of the best of his career after also going past 5000 first-class runs.”I feel like anytime you get a hundred and it’s in a winning team, and fourth innings is probably the hardest time to make hundreds these days, so yes, definitely up there,” Lehmann told ESPNcricinfo post match. “But it’s just probably on the vibe of the boys and the way we’ve played our cricket, and the belief in the team that we were always going to be able to chase them if we got into that last couple hours of the day.”South Australia coach Ryan Harris was full of praise for both Lehmann and Scott after the match. He was particularly proud of Scott’s efforts after backing up his 4 for 49 on day three with the ball with a match-winning 83.”I think his niche is probably No. 6 in this current set-up,” Harris told ESPNcricinfo. “And his overs, my communication with him is he’s probably a holder and now he’s a wicket-taker. And he’s done that because of having game time and learning his role and progressing as a player and as a person, learning the game. That only comes with game time and he’s done it beautifully. So he’s a huge player now.”Victoria coach Chris Rogers was left to lament how his side had lost a fourth game in a row after they had a lead of 163 with eight wickets in hand midway through day three and also had South Australia four down with 192 runs to defend on the final day.”We’re just missing something a little bit at the moment,” Rogers told ESPNcricinfo. “I just said to the group there were moments in this game where I think if we’d been able to get the upper hand we would have won this game against the side that’s on top of the table.”We feel like all the games we’re right in the contest, but then we just can’t get over the line. And that probably is the biggest frustration, and we’ve got to keep asking ourselves those questions, why aren’t we winning those moments?”The game was poised on a knife’s edge in the morning session when South Australia slumped to 54 for 3. Fergus O’Neill struck twice in three balls, pinning South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney lbw with a brilliant delivery that nipped in off the seam before taking the outside edge of Jason Sangha two balls later with one that straightened the other way.Lehmann and Hunt steadied with a 54-run stand but it was full of nervy moments. Hunt passed 50 but could have been out twice to Todd Murphy in one over, scoring a boundary off the outside edge while an offbreak beat his inside edge and went over the stumps past keeper Sam Harper for four byes.Lehmann also nearly fell to Murphy with Harper unable to hold a challenging catch down the leg side. Lehmann gave another life when he sliced a thick edge low to Xavier Crone’s left in the gully off O’Neill.Victoria still appeared firmly in the game when Hunt holed out to deep square for 66 off Sam Elliott. But Lehmann and Scott thoroughly dominated the middle session as Victoria fell flat.Boland bowled a very loose spell by his standards post lunch. He dropped short on several occasions and conceded four boundaries in three overs. Murphy gave up two at the other end as Lehmann and Scott set the tone for what was about to follow.The pair scored 104 runs from 30 overs in the middle session and scarcely looked troubled. Scott stood tall and drove powerfully through the off side against both spin and pace.Lehmann rotated the strike superbly without taking any undue risks and sweated on anything short and wide. Victoria spread the field to try and slow the scoring rate before the second new ball was due. But in the last 15 overs of the session Scott and Lehmann picked off 51 runs, including 16 off two overs of part-time spin from Campbell Kellaway and Harry Dixon.The trend looked set to continue against the second new ball as Scott raced past his previous highest first-class score while Boland struggled to get his line right in his first two overs after tea.But his international class shone through to force a late twist in the game. With 44 to win, Scott edged Boland to slip to give the hosts life. He then extracted another edge from Harry Nielsen shortly after to leave South Australia still needing 42 with just four wickets in hand. But Lehmann and Ben Manenti held their nerve.Lehmann survived another chance on 80 when he smashed Murphy straight to short cover but Kellaway could not hold the hot offer. Thereafter he latched on anything fractionally short to guide his side home, reaching his century and winning the game with three consecutive boundaries.
Liverpool’s search for further attacking reinforcements this summer has intensified, with the club exploring alternative options should their primary target – a certain Alexander Isak – fail to materialise.
Amid the Premier League giants’ recruitment strategy, one young talent from La Liga has emerged as a potential solution to bolster Arne Slot’s frontline.
Isak
The forward, who has showcased glimpses of brilliance on Europe’s biggest stages, has seen his role at his current club diminish, prompting speculation over his future.
With only 92 minutes of action across three Club World Cup matches under new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, uncertainty has surrounded the Brazilian international this summer.
Liverpool manager ArneSlotlooks on before the match
Limited playing time has sparked discussions across Europe, with several top-tier clubs reportedly monitoring his situation closely.
Liverpool, in particular, view him as a viable alternative if their pursuit of Isak falls through, keen to add both creativity and goal-scoring threat to the left-hand side of their attack.
Liverpool's transfer alternative
The player in question is none other than Rodrygo.
Since joining Real Madrid from Santos in 2019 for around £39m, the 24-year-old winger has established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents.
Last season alone, Rodrygo netted 14 goals and contributed 11 assists, highlighting his ability to impact games consistently.
His skill set, combining pace, agility, and clinical finishing, has made him a valuable asset, particularly in high-stakes fixtures such as the Champions League.
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Despite interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, the Brazilian has expressed a preference to remain in Europe, keeping his options open among Europe’s elite.
According to CaughtOffside, Real Madrid would entertain offers for Rodrygo in the region of €90–100m, about £86m.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo against Arsenal.
Liverpool are ‘closely tracking’ his situation but Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City are also said to be alert to his availability, adding a competitive edge to any potential move.
Why Rodrygo could be Liverpool's new Coutinho
The potential acquisition of Rodrygo has drawn inevitable comparisons to another Brazilian talent who once made a significant impact in English football: Philippe Coutinho.
Like Coutinho, Rodrygo is naturally gifted, possessing a flair that allows him to create opportunities seemingly out of nothing.
Both players favour operating on the left flank, combining vision and technical skill to unlock defences, yet their playing styles exhibit both similarities and distinctions.
According to FBref, during his peak at Liverpool in the 2016/17 season, Coutinho contributed 21 goal involvements, averaging 0.85 goal contributions per 90 minutes.
Rodrygo, meanwhile, registered 25 goal involvements last season, with a slightly lower goal contribution per 90 of 0.57.
Rodrygo in 23/24
15
10
5
Coutinho in 16/17
21
13
8
While Coutinho attempted more shots per 90 minutes (4.28 compared to Rodrygo’s 3.25) and had a higher shots-on-target ratio (1.58 vs. 1.33), Rodrygo boasts a higher accuracy percentage (40.7% versus Coutinho’s 36.8%).
These numbers underline that while Coutinho may have been more prolific in creating shooting opportunities, Rodrygo’s efficiency and finishing ability make him a constant goal threat.
Former Liverpool player Philippe Coutinho.
Rodrygo’s international experience is equally notable.
In 33 appearances for Brazil, he has scored seven goals, reflecting a promising trajectory on the international stage that complements his club credentials.
Beyond the numbers, stylistic parallels are also evident. Coutinho was celebrated for his exceptional vision, playmaking ability, and long-range shooting.
He had the knack for threading precise through balls and executing dangerous free-kicks and corners.
Rodrygo, while slightly more direct in his approach, shares a similar creative spark, excelling in one-on-one situations and demonstrating tactical versatility across the front line.
His agility and pace make him a consistent menace on the left wing, reminiscent of the Brazilian dynamism Liverpool once benefited from in Coutinho.
Strategically, Liverpool could benefit from Rodrygo’s presence in a comparable way.
Coutinho’s ability to unlock defences and operate between the lines gave Liverpool a creative edge that often proved decisive in tight matches.
Rodrygo, while younger and perhaps still refining his decision-making, brings a blend of speed, finishing, and technical flair that could similarly enhance Slot’s forward line, which already boasts the likes of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates for Liverpool
Moreover, his track record in high-pressure games, including goals in the latter stages of the Champions League, demonstrates composure and readiness to deliver.
While Coutinho’s career path led him to Barcelona for a record fee and a different set of challenges, Rodrygo’s potential move to Liverpool would represent a chance to channel his talents in the Premier League.
If Liverpool’s recruitment team can secure him, the parallels with Coutinho’s impact at Anfield could be significant, adding a new dimension to Liverpool’s attacking options for the upcoming season.
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عقد حماده الشربيني عضو مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة ورئيس بعثة منتخب الشباب في تشيلي، لقاء مع اللاعبين على هامش التدريب الأول للمنتخب استعدادا لمنافسات كأس العالم تحت 19 عامًا.
ومن المقرر أن تقام مباريات منتخب مصر للشباب، في مدينة سانتياجو التي تستضيف مباريات مصر في كأس العالم والتي تقام من 27 سبتمبر الجاري إلى 19 أكتوبر المقبل.
وقال الشربيني فى حضور الجهاز الفني بقيادة أسامة نبيه المدير الفني: “بداية أنقل لكم تحيات مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري برئاسة هاني أبوريدة والذى يتابع معي بشكل مستمر للاطمئنان عليكم؛ لقد انتهينا في المرحلة الأولى منذ وصولنا تشيلي بخوض معسكر فى مدينة كونتيرو لمدة عشرة أيام من 13 الي 23 سبتمبر الجاري.
طالع | منتخب مصر للشباب يفوز على نيو كاليدونيا في ختام استعدادته لـ كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا
وأوضح: “ولقد حقق المعسكر الأهداف المرجوة منه؛ وأنا شخصيًا سعدت بالتزامكم وانضباطكم ورغبتكم الواضحة في الإعلان عن أنفسكم بالمونديال وهو ما وضح من خلال التدريبات والأداء الرجولى فى وديتي سان لويس والتى فزتم بها بخمسة أهداف نظيفة وتجربة نيو كاليدونيا التي تفوقتم فيها بثلاثة أهداف نظيفة”.
وواصل: “أثق فى قدارتكم وأصالة معدنكم لأنكم قادرون على إسعاد الجماهير وتحقيق أحلامهم في المونديال وهذا لن يحدث إلا بالكفاح والقتال والصبر والمثابرة لأن المنافسات لن تكون سهلة وستكون أمام منتخبات كبيرة وقوية وعنيدة”.
وأضاف: “ضربة البداية أمام اليابان يوم السبت المقبل مهمة جدًا هو فريق كبير وقوى ومنظم ولكنى أثق فيكم جميعًا ومفتاح النصر بالنسبة لكم في مثل هذه المناسبات هو التحلي بالروح القتالية التي تميز اللاعب المصري والتركيز الشديد في أدق التفاصيل”.
وكشف الشربيني عن أمنياته للمنتخب بأن يصل إلى أبعد نقطة في البطولة، مشددًا على ثقته في كل اللاعبين، قائلا لهم: “أنكم تستطيعون”.
هذا وقد تدرب منتخب مصر للشباب في سانتياجو لأول مرة عقب وصوله قادمًا من كوينتيرو، وجاء التدريب متكامل حيث قاد الكابتن أسامة نبيه مجموعة المدافعين بينما تولى الكابتن علاء عبده المدرب العام تدريب المهاجمين، والكابتن أيمن طاهر قاد مران حراس المرمي.
وحرص الجهاز الفني على الاستماع إلى تحليلات محمود فايز مدير إدارة تحليل الاداء بالاتحاد والذي يتواجد رفقة مساعده زياد الشعراوي مع المنتخب وذلك لتحديد مواطن القوة والضعف فى المنتخب الياباني.
After a slow start to the transfer window, Mikel Arteta’s side have finally started to make moves, with deals for Christian Norgaard and Arrizabalaga right around the corner, and the announcement of Martin Zubimendi’s arrival could come in a matter of days.
However, while those three will undoubtedly improve the squad, especially the Real Sociedad star, what fans really want is for the club to sign some attacking talent.
Fortunately, reports linking Arsenal to Eberechi Eze have emerged in recent days, although another Premier League star is now being touted for a move to the Emirates, a winger who would be an upgrade on the Crystal Palace ace.
Arsenal target big Eze upgrade
Links to Eze aren’t anything new for Arsenal, as the Crystal Palace star was touted for a move to the club last summer, only for him to remain at Selhurst Park.
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However, it would be fair to say that the reports from the last couple of days revealing the Gunners’ interest in him have felt different, with some claiming that talks have already been held with the player’s representatives.
If the Premier League runners-up are to persevere with their supposed interest in the Englishman, they’ll have to stump up a fee of around £68m to activate the release clause in his current deal, and while he may be worth that much money, it would appear as if another talented international from the Premier League has caught the attention of the North Londoners.
At least that’s according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who told GIVEMESPORT that Arsenal are interested in Anthony Gordon.
The Italian journalist has revealed that Arteta and his team are big fans of the Newcastle United star, and that while they’ve not made contact with the player or the Magpies, he has been someone they’ve “discussed internally.”
How much the former Everton gem might cost the Gunners is not mentioned in Romano’s report, but according to stories from earlier this summer, he could be available for around £80m.
It would be a complicated and incredibly costly transfer to get done, but given Gordon’s ability and potential, it is one Arsenal should pursue, especially as he could be an upgrade on Eze.
How Gordon compares to Eze
First and foremost, signing either Eze or Gordon would be brilliant business for Arsenal this summer, as it would be fair to say that neither Leandro Trossard nor Gabriel Martinelli grabbed the left wing position this season.
Moreover, if Arteta and Co sign the Palace star to play him in attacking midfield, then he’d be great competition for Martin Odegaard, but, with that said, there are a few reasons why we still reckon the Newcastle gem would be the better signing.
The first relates to his output, as while the former QPR gem was more productive this season, the former Toffees star had him comfortably beaten last year with a haul of 28 goal involvements in 48 games to 17 in 31, which just shows that when properly platformed, he can reach a higher level of performance.
However, examining their raw output is only one way to assess a player’s ability; another is to take a closer look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers.
Interestingly, when we do that for this season, the Toon star comes out looking far more impressive than his competitor.
Non-Penalty Expected G+As
0.42
0.53
Progressive Passes
3.63
3.37
Progressive Passes Received
7.93
5.31
Progressive Carries
4.48
2.40
Key Passes
1.89
2.01
Passes into the Penalty Area
2.04
1.35
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.63
0.14
Passes into the Final Third
2.41
1.70
Shot-Creating Actions
3.74
4.69
Goal-Creating Actions
0.44
0.35
Carries into the Penalty Areas
2.07
0.76
Carries into the Final Third
2.30
1.67
Aerial Duels Won
0.30
0.24
For example, the 12-capped “nightmare,” as he describes himself, performs better in creative metrics, such as progressive passes, passes into the penalty area, and goal-creating actions, while also excelling in direct possession statistics, including progressive carries and carries into the penalty area, all per 90.
Numbers like these help show that the Magpies’ dynamic winger could aid the Gunners in build-up play, as well as making them far more dangerous in those games that develop into transitional, slogging matches.
Finally, and this is important with regard to squad building, the Newcastle ace is just 24 years old, whereas the Eagles star has just turned 27 and, based on research carried out by The Athletic, that means, we can expect the former to continue to improve in the coming years, but that isn’t the case for the latter.
Ultimately, based on his underlying numbers, ability to produce a high volume of goal involvements, and his age, Gordon appears to be the better signing for Arsenal. Therefore, the North Londoners should do all they can to bring him to the Emirates this summer.
Sesko will love him: Arsenal open talks to sign "one of the best in the PL"
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Enzo Maresca leads his Chelsea team at the Club World Cup in the USA over the next few weeks, but he will still be aiming to bolster his squad.
Date
Opponent
Venue
Monday, June 16
Los Angeles FC
Mercedes-Benz stadium
Friday, June 20
Flamengo
Lincoln Financial Field
Tuesday, June 24
Esperance
Lincoln Financial Field
Indeed, several players have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge of late, notably Hugo Ekitiké. The French striker is wanted by several clubs, and now Manchester United have entered the race.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Benfica defender Tomas Araujo is another player that the Blues have targeted this week. He did sign a new contract until 2029 with the Portuguese side, and it has a release clause of €80m (£68m) inserted.
Jamie Gittens is the one target whom the club appear to be prioritising of late, although they might need to wait until the Club World Cup ends to get their man.
Chelsea keen on signing Jamie Gittens
The Blues had an initial bid rejected for the English teenager before making a €50m (£42m) offer, yet this was also rejected by Borussia Dortmund.
Maresca is now preparing a new offer to sign the English talent, who is worth €50m (£42m) according to Transfermarkt.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Club Brugge's Ferran Jutgla
Across his senior career with Dortmund, the 20-year-old has already played over 100 times, registering 31 goal contributions in the process.
In terms of potential, Gittens is one of the most talented young wingers in Europe, given his goal contributions at such a young age. Should he make the move to Stamford Bridge, he would build on his experience gained in the Bundesliga.
Regarding young talent, Chelsea have a player in their squad who is worth more than double that of Gittens, and he could go right to the very top.
Chelsea have struck gold on Cole Palmer
Cole Palmer was signed for just £40m in 2023. Let that sink in for a moment. Across his two seasons with Chelsea, the Englishman has scored 40 goals and registered 27 assists in just 91 matches for the Blues.
Remarkably, this counts as a goal contribution every 1.3 games, and there is no denying that £40m has turned out to be a sublime bargain for the London side.
He was widely praised by Maresa following a victory against Tottenham last season, describing the former Manchester City starlet as “one of the best” players in the Premier League.
When compared to his peers in the top flight last term, Palmer ranked in the top 4% for shot-creating actions (5.7), in the top 9% for progressive passes (6.04), and in the top 3% for expected goals (0.49) per 90.
One of the best indeed. The best thing is, Palmer will only continue to get better and better as time goes on.
Palmer’s stunning rise is evidenced by his market value shooting up in the previous 12 months. According to Transfermarkt, the English midfielder is now worth a staggering €120m (£102m), and it looks like it will continue to soar.
Chelsea'sColePalmerreacts
While Gittens may be the next big thing to come from Dortmund, Chelsea have struck gold with their own English talent. Especially considering he is worth over double what the 20-year-old is valued at.
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The west Londoners have their eyes on a different striker.