da betsson： A base do Fluminense voltou a campo na manhã deste domingo. Os Moleques de Xerém ficaram no empate por 0 a 0 com o Nova Iguaçu pelo jogo de ida das semifinais do Campeonato Carioca Sub-15.A partida foi realizada no CT do Carrossel da Baixada.
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da wazamba： Campeão da Taça Guanabara, o Fluminense decide a vaga na final da competição estadual no próximo domingo, no Estádio das Laranjeiras, às 10h. Vale lembrar que o time eliminou o Volta Redonda nas quartas de finais, enquanto o Nova Iguaçu deixou para trás o Bangu.
+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro
Na outra semifinal, Botafogo e Flamengo também ficaram no empate sem gols na tarde deste domingo, em duelo realizado na Gávea. O jogo de volta está marcado também para o dia 28, próximo domingo, às 15h, no CEFAT, com mando de campo do Glorioso.
+ATUAÇÕES: Luiz Henrique tem grande desempenho e Fred volta a marcar em vitória do Fluminense
Os Moleques de Xerém também entraram em campo nosub-13 e sub-14. O Tricolor disputou os jogos de ida das finais de ambas as categorias neste sábado e saiu com duas vitórias por 2 a 1. No outro sábado, a equipe tem a vantagem do empate, e atua em casa, nas Laranjeiras.
Chelsea got back to winning ways against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup on Wednesday night.
It wasn’t the perfect performance from the Blues, far from it, but they were certainly the better team and scored some wonderful goals.
Moreover, had Liam Delap not got himself sent off, Enzo Maresca’s side would likely have had a far easier time of things.
The former Ipswich Town star hasn’t had an easy start to life at Chelsea, and now it looks like he could soon have more competition coming from Cobham.
Liam Delap's Premier League record
Chelsea paid Ipswich Town around £30m for Delap in the summer, and while his stock isn’t exactly high at the moment, that was still a brilliant deal.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
After all, during his time at Manchester City, he was regarded as one of the next big things, scoring 35 goals and providing nine assists in 36 appearances for their Under-23 side.
Moreover, once he got his first move to the Tractor Boys last summer, he quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in the Premier League.
For example, despite playing for a team destined for relegation, the Winchester-born poacher was still able to rack up an impressive tally of 12 goals and two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 2616 minutes.
In other words, the Englishman was able to average a goal involvement every 2.64 games, or every 186.85 minutes for the Suffolk side, which is not bad going considering he’d made just ten appearances in the competition for City in the years before.
Appearances
10
37
3
Minutes
47′
2616′
93′
Goals
0
12
0
Assists
0
2
0
However, he has not been so lucky this season.
Prior to his hamstring injury, the summer signing made just three appearances in the competition for the Blues, two of which came off the bench, in which he failed to score or assist a goal.
Chelsea'sLiamDelapreacts after sustaining an injury
He won’t even have the chance to open his account this weekend either, as his second yellow against Wolves means he’s suspended for the game against Tottenham Hotspur.
In all, Delap is a player with plenty of promise, but at a club like Chelsea, forwards aren’t always allowed a great deal of time, especially when there is a particularly exciting forward making his way through the academy at the moment.
The Cobham star who could replace Delap
As is the case every season, Chelsea have an abundance of incredibly exciting players at Cobham this season, with Chizaram Ezenwata being one of the most notable.
The 17-year-old phenom, whom U23 scout Antonio Mango claims fans should “get excited for”, joined the Blues from Charlton Athletic and has already become one of the star players for the club’s U18 side.
For example, in 20 appearances last season, totalling just 1279 minutes, the dynamic gem managed to score 12 goals and provide three assists, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.33 games, or every 91.93 minutes.
Impressively, the youngster has become even more of an attacking threat this season.
In just six appearances for the U18s, totalling 534 minutes, he has scored seven goals and provided one assist, which comes out to an average of 1.33 goal involvements per game, or one every 66.75 minutes.
Appearances
26
Minutes
1913′
Goals
19
Assists
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.88
Minutes per Goal Involvement
83.17′
In fact, the teenage goal machine has done such an incredible job in the U18s, that he has now made six appearances for the U21s.
It’s not just the output that should excite fans, though, as he looks to be a complete package.
According to one analyst, he “has a strong physique that allows him to shield and hold up the ball effectively”, and his “off-ball movement is outstanding.”
Ultimately, it is still very early in his career, but Ezenwata appears to be a seriously impressive prospect and someone who could rival Delap for gametime in the coming years.
Enzo Maresca responds to Juventus approach as Chelsea demand mammoth compensation fee
The Old Lady are searching for a new boss after sacking Igor Tudor.
Tottenham co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange appear to already be working on the club’s recruitment drive in unison, with Thomas Frank and the pair reportedly eyeing a new centre-back.
Spurs transfer plans amid Paratici and Lange appointments
Spurs announced on Wednesday that Paratici has returned to N17 as a sporting director, over two years after he was forced to resign amid his worldwide ban from football.
Paratici’s comeback to the club is a major boost for the Lilywhites, with the Italian’s extensive contact list and reputation as a fearsome negotiator already paying dividends at Tottenham in the past.
1. Cristian Romero
£42.5m
2. Dejan Kulusevski
£25.5m
3. Rodrigo Bentancur
£21.5m
4. Pedro Porro
£40m
5. Djed Spence
£20m
The 53-year-old worked as an advisor to Frank, CEO Vinai Venkatesham, Lange and ex-chairman Daniel Levy over the summer window, but Paratici will now take up an official full-time role once again as he spearheads the club’s transfer strategy.
He will work alongside Lange, who’s been promoted to the same role, though the pair have very different responsibilities.
Paratici is seen as the dealmaker, tasked with securing high-profile signings and using his influence to get transfers over the line, while Lange is described as the talent spotter who’ll work mostly on Tottenham’s date-driven recruitment plans, scouting and the academy (Sky Sports).
Amid reports Tottenham want to sign another centre-half in January to back up star duo Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, a report from CaughtOffside suggests that Paratici and Lange have identified an intriguing option.
Tottenham expected to move for Lazio defender Mario Gila
As per their information, that man is Lazio defender Mario Gila.
Mario Gila in action for Lazio.
Tottenham are seriously considering a January move for Gila, with the club emerging as a “serious candidate” to land the defender. His contract at Lazio runs until the summer of 2027, and while the Italians are not in a rush to sell, they value Gila at roughly £39-43 million.
It is claimed that Spurs aren’t afraid to meet this price, showing a willingness to pay, with Paratici and Lange expected to make an approach for Gila once the window reopens.
The 25-year-old, who was once a Real Madrid youth player, has attracted serious interest from other Premier League clubs, like Brighton and Bournemouth, who’ve both held talks with the player’s representatives this year.
However, Tottenham’s openness to meeting Lazio’s valuation could give them an edge.
Gila’s knack for ball progression, which Frank seriously desires from his backline, is apparently a key reason why Spurs are keen on the Spaniard.
It is also worth noting that Gila has already suggested he’s open to offers, expressing his commitment to Lazio last year but also refusing to rule out an exit in the near future.
Rawalpindi batsman Awais Zia is keen to make his mark in Pakistan cricket. He talks about his recent debut and the idol he hopes to emulate
Umar Farooq08-Dec-2012″An opportunity to play against a team like England could have changed my fortune, but I was overconfident and played my shots in haste”•AFPWhat does cricket mean to you? I left my home and studies for cricket, and I have been playing since I was 15, so cricket is a livelihood for me. In those ten years I could have studied or chosen another profession, but I chose cricket and now this is my only professional. Playing for the national team is the ultimate goal.For a while we thought Pakistan had a new Afridi. What went wrong? It was a good chance, but unfortunately I didn’t justify the opportunity. Otherwise, I am better than that. I was facing the world’s best bowling attack. I knew I had to do something exceptional to keep my place, since winning a national spot is always tough. The opportunity to play against a team like England could have changed my fortune, but I admit I was overconfident and played my shots in haste. But, overall, I think I did fairly well, didn’t I? ()Where do you see yourself headed now? It’s all about one good season and tournament, and I’ll be back in contention. I have had a setback but I don’t need to start from scratch. I am playing the Twenty20 Cup, followed by the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, for Rawalpindi and I’m more focused than ever. I have plenty of cricket ahead of me. I never shy away from working hard.Do you agree that your encounter with Steven Finn exposed your technique? I learnt that most commentators doubt my ability to play on the off side. But I recovered well and played my shots all over the ground. My task was to give my team a brisk start and I think I did that well, but I then lost my nerve and threw my bat at everything. I was picked for Pakistan. This means my technique isn’t flawed. What I was missing was the international exposure.What has your international experience taught you? The gravity of international cricket is far different from our domestic cricket. The standard of everything – pitches, bowling and fielding – when compared to domestic cricket, is obviously high. You have to be on your toes every second of the game. However, the basics are the same. Fitness and confidence play an important role in keeping you in international cricket.Like many other players, you seem to hold cricket responsible for your not being able to complete your studies. Were you a good student? () My brother and my father are well qualified and work in the banking sector. My father is a bank manager. I did my matriculation, but cricket did take me away from further education. But I have confidence that I won’t end up in the wilderness and will justify the choice I had to make of picking cricket over education.Do you think beyond T20 cricket? For a cricketer, T20 is a shortcut to gain attention, but Test cricket is the format that I really want to play. T20 has become a serious format of the game and it also requires skills. I made 232 against State Bank of Pakistan in the 2010-11 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, so it’s not like I can’t play the longer format of the game. I know good performances in T20 will win me a place in the ODI side and then Tests.You have only played 36 first-class matches since your first-class debut in 2007. How come? I missed a complete season before 2010 due to typhoid. In 2011, I went Maldives to play the SAARC Twenty20 tournament for the Pakistan Under-25 team, where I won the best batsman award.You come from a town that isn’t known for producing cricketers. How did you get into cricket? I started playing for Islamiya High School in my town and later joined the Khawar Cricket Club in Chakwal. But till my district was connected to Rawalpindi, I didn’t get enough exposure and attention. In Rawalpindi, I saw Sohail Tanvir, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Wasim, and my coach Sabhi Azhar, who supported me a lot. So my real journey started only after my town was associated with the Rawalpindi region.Who is your inspiration in cricket? Shahid Afridi is my idol. I want to be like him. He is a dangerous and brave batsman who always inspires me. I admire his courage to hit the ball without being overwhelmed by the bowler he is facing. This is how a batsman should be. I have a similar instinct and the guts to hit the ball out of the ground, no matter who the bowler in front of me is. I think I need to work on my temperament by playing more first-class cricket to get myself refined for top cricket.
West Bromwich Albion will be seeking out their first Championship win in three games when Sheffield United come to town this coming weekend.
The Baggies have fallen victim to far too many draws in the second tier so far, with a staggering ten already accumulated in league action, which has come at the cost of only six wins being notched up.
Still, only two defeats have come their way, with Carlos Corberan at least pleased with how defensively resolute his side can be, even when victories aren’t always collected.
West Brom's defenders this season
Amazingly, Watford – who occupy sixth spot in the Championship currently at the expense of the West Midlands outfit – have conceded double the amount the Baggies have leaked, with West Brom only shipping 12 next to the Hornets’ 24.
The latest draw away at Preston North End could have easily ended in a disappointing loss if it wasn’t for the likes of Kyle Bartley and Mason Holgate at the back, with the imposing centre-back duo winning 11 duels between them come full-time to keep the Lilywhites at bay.
Alongside Bartley and Holgate, both Darnell Furlong and Thorgen Heggem have also been reliable presences down the flanks for Corberan and Co this campaign to date, with both players everpresent members of the first team even when results haven’t always been rosy.
Of course, everyone at the club would want more wins to ensure a playoff spot is achieved, but the ex-Huddersfield Town boss will still be proud of his players for continuing to battle to stave off any unwanted losses.
Even though he will be content with the defensive numbers he has at his disposal, Corberan would be very unlikely to reject this former loan star’s presence if he returned in a theoretical world, with the centre-back in question going on to star at the very top after lining up at the Hawthorns briefly.
West Brom's loan star is now shining
It might well be forgotten about now that Tosin Adarabioyo was once a wide-eyed youngster on loan at the Baggies, with the towering 6 foot 5 gem attempting to make a name for himself away from then-parent club Manchester City in 2018.
Adarabioyo would impress in his new surroundings, going on to make 36 appearances for the club in total and picking up two assists along the way, as his loan employers entered into the Championship playoff picture.
Off the back of this formative stint away from the Etihad, the now 27-year-old would eventually go on to prove himself as a Premier League capable performer at Fulham, before a major move to near neighbours Chelsea then took shape.
Adarabioyo would go on to tally up 132 games at Craven Cottage before leaving for Stamford Bridge, which would lead to football journalist Zach Lowy labelling him as “incredible” and his transfer value would rise too far above the measly amount he was worth when once donning a West Brom kit.
Stat
Adarabioyo
Minutes played
90
Goals scored
1
Touches
105
Accurate passes
97/98 (99%)
Accurate long balls
8/8
Clearances
4
Stats by Sofascore
This summer, the brand new Chelsea number four was worth in the region of £16.5m – according to Transfermarkt – after once having a low £2.8m value next to his name as a youngster at the Hawthorns, which is a mammoth increase of £13.7m or 489%.
Chelsea wouldn’t even have to fork out a single dime to win their man in the end, having purchased him on a free transfer at the expense of the Cottagers, which looks to be a very wise investment when you consider his promising numbers in Europe for the Blues recently.
He would even score against Noah in mid-November, having also impressed with 97 accurate passes registered, as Chelsea fans long for more from their fresh recruit as 2025 comes into view.
Whilst Adarabioyo continues to knock on the door for more first-team minutes at Stamford Bridge, Corberan’s mind will be on steering his team to more wins in the division below, away from his side being stern at the back.
West Brom must axe Albion dud who Bruce thought would be "a massive asset"
West Bromwich Albion could soon be faced with a decision to get rid of this high earner.
Chelsea are now looking at signing a “big name” striker who could be a much more prudent signing than marquee Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, a forward they’ve been repeatedly linked with over these last few months.
Chelsea target Newcastle star Alexander Isak on striker shortlist
Enzo Maresca’s high-flying Chelsea, who are now seven points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, haven’t exactly struggled for goals lately – scoring 12 in their last four matches across all competitions and averaging three strikes per game.
West Ham could sign "clinical" Chelsea player who's pushing hard to leave
His agents are looking for a new home.
ByEmilio Galantini Dec 5, 2024
Nicolas Jackson has found a new lease of life under Maresca, with fellow attacking stars Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke chipping in elsewhere across their attacking line. However, we are still seeing reports that Chelsea could look to bring in a new striker in 2025.
Tottenham (home)
December 8
Brentford (home)
December 15
Everton (away)
December 22
Fulham (home)
December 26
Ipswich Town (away)
December 30
The west Londoners are doing due diligence on Ipswich Town star Liam Delap as one option, with the Englishman seriously impressing at the bottom end of the division, young and homegrown.
Reliable journalist Simon Phillips shared news in the last few days that Chelsea have laid early groundwork over a deal for Delap ahead of next year, but he is one of many strikers apparently on their shortlist.
Another potential option, and one which would come as quite the statement capture, is Newcastle United star Isak.
The Swede bagged 25 goals in all competitions last season and is widely regarded as one of the division’s best centre-forwards, meaning the Magpies are set to demand in excess of £100 million for his signature next year.
Despite his quality, BlueCo have already made multiple £100m-plus signings since Clearlake Capital’s takeover a couple of years ago, and there is reason to believe Todd Boehly will wish to avoid paying over the odds with FFP lingering in the background.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly
Chelsea could attempt to bid for Isak still, but there are a few reports suggesting they’d be willing to hit six figures.
Chelsea looking at signing Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic
Now, as per CaughtOffside, Chelsea could swoop for Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic as an alternative to Isak.
The Serbia international has started 2024/2025 in excellent fashion with nine goals in 16 total appearances, leading to admiring glances from Stamford Bridge as Maresca seeks to bolster his forward line with a prolific number nine.
Chelsea are looking at signing Vlahovic, called a “big name” by the report, and it is believed he’d cost around £62 million to prise away from Turin. However, they could face stiff competition from Arsenal, who may also move for the ex-Fiorentina star in what could be a “better value for money” deal than Isak.
“Yes. I’ve been saying it for a long time. He’s strong, massive, he fills up front, he’s a reference, he’s a ‘left-footer’ full of courage,” said former Juventus striker Roberto Boninsegana, who expressed his admiration for Isak.
“A good centre-forward. I also like Retegui from Atalanta, he scores easily.”
West Ham manager Graham Potter could be sacked just nine months after taking over from Julen Lopetegui, and former Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is a top contender to replace the Englishman.
While credible reports suggest that Nuno Espírito Santo is in pole position for the potential West Ham job after talks with both David Sullivan and Karren Brady (ExWHUemployee), Bilic is said to be another firm favourite.
Potter has recorded one of the worst win percentages of any West Ham manager in Premier League history, second only behind Avram Grant, who infamously guided the east Londoners to relegation at the end of 2010/2011.
9. Sam Allardyce
30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui
30%
11. Gianfranco Zola
27.8%
12, Graham Potter
26.1%
13. Avram Grant
18.9%
via StatMuse
A 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace last Saturday, with Tyrick Mitchell the unlikely Eagles hero after his sensational winning goal on the volley, has piled even more pressure on Potter, who is now facing two career-defining games against David Moyes’ Everton and title-chasing Arsenal.
Nuno is said to be considering West Ham’s offer, if they do indeed sack Potter, while it is reported elsewhere that Bilic is open to returning to West Ham after a solid spell in charge from 2015 to 2017.
The latter guided West Ham to one of their highest ever Premier League finishes at the end of his debut campaign (7th), which earned the club a place in the Europa League qualifying rounds, only for Bilic’s men to be dumped out by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu.
Sullivan and co sacked Bilic early on in 2017/2018 with West Ham sitting 18th in the table, but his return could be on the cards if they pivot away from Nuno.
What Slaven Bilic's "first move" at West Ham would be if appointed
Club insider ExWHUemployee has now shared that Bilic is already making some interesting plans, in the event he is appointed to replace Potter.
After speaking to the tactician himself, Ex claims that Bilic’s “first move” at West Ham would be to bring Mark Noble in as an assistant coach, and he’s plotting a few other backroom hires already.
Noble, a West Ham legend and their current sporting director, exemplifies exactly the type of spirit needed to lift the club from their ongoing slump and resurrect some much-needed positivity around the London Stadium.
The move would make sense, but the jury is out on whether Bilic really is the right man to move West Ham forward.
Manchester United entered the summer transfer window at a crossroads, the latest crossroad in a long, winding line of critical junctures over the past interminable period of too many wrong turns.
But is there hope for the Red Devils? While there have been false dawns across this last decade of misery, INEOS and Ruben Amorim are working in concert to turn things around, and the market business across the past several months bespeaks not only the club’s ambitions but the club’s newfound maturity too.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both cost a pretty penny, but the wide forwards have plenty of Premier League experience between them and have each come off the back of first-class campaigns.
Premier League 24/25 – Cunha & Mbeumo
Stats (* per game)
Cunha
Mbeumo
Matches (starts)
33 (29)
38 (38)
Goals
15
20
Assists
1.8
7
Shots (on target)*
3.3 (1.3)
2.2 (1.1)
Big chances missed
2
9
Pass completion
79%
74%
Big chances created
13
17
Key passes*
1.8
1.8
Dribbles*
1.8
1.4
Tackles + interceptions*
1.7
1.7
Duels won*
5.5
4.7
Stats via Sofascore
More importantly, though, neither has yet proven themselves at one of Europe’s elite outfits. Now’s their chance.
After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, turning this ship around was always going to be a big ask, but at this particular crossroads, perhaps the right turn has been taken.
A central striker was also needed, and herein lies the more worrying addition of Benjamin Sesko. However, there’s no denying the 22-year-old is one of the most promising young goal scorers of his generation.
Why Man Utd signed Benjamin Sesko
Two years ago, Man United paid £72m to Atalanta in exchange for up-and-coming centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund. The Danish footballer has since fallen by the wayside and is actively being pushed toward an exit before the transfer deadline.
Sesko has arrived as Hojlund’s replacement, and hopefully an upgrade. He leaves RB Leipzig to join the squad at the Theatre of Dreams, signing for a similarly expensive £74m fee.
Benjamin Sesko
While the Slovenian only scored 13 goals from 33 Bundesliga matches last term, his power and pace and potential all suggest that United might have hit the jackpot, with talent scout Jacek Kulig even declaring that United have signed themselves “the new Haaland” for Sesko’s fearsome physicality and playing style.
And with such confident Premier League-proven partners in Cunha and Mbeumo flanking him, Sesko might just be the jackpot signing that has been needed for so long.
Benjamin Sesko
However, the Devils aren’t done yet. Indeed, Amorim is hoping to sign one or two more players before the end of the transfer window, and is targeting a Premier League star who has been singled out as the finest player within Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad.
Man Utd launch bid for Premier League star
According to Football Transfers, Manchester United have made an official approach to Crystal Palace for their captain Marc Guehi, who has entered the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Liverpool are the clear frontrunners in the race, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur keen too, but United’s exploratory offer, looking to gauge the minutiae of a potential package, suggests there is encouragement that INEOS could pull off something special.
However, the Anfield side are wary about meeting the Eagles’ valuation of at least £40m, and with Steve Parish eager to cash in rather than lose the centre-back for free, the chance is there for United to swoop in and seal a statement signing.
Why Man Utd want Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace signed Guehi from Chelsea for £18m in 2021, and he has since made 132 appearances in the Premier League. Should he be set to leave his current club, he would do so having led them to their first two top titles: the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
He’s the real deal, and, aged 25 and with a wealth of experience in England, would continue that trend of Man United signing from divisional rivals, signing players hungry to work their way to the very top of the game.
Given Guehi’s standing within the English game and the core components deep within his skill set, tailored toward the top end of the defensive ladder, Man United would surely strike gold by sealing this signature, marking an even better signing than Sesko.
Though landing a Hojlund upgrade has been regarded as important for United this summer, so too has addressing the leaky defence, which shipped the ninth-highest number of xG (expected goals) in the league last season (55.1), via FotMob.
That’s not good enough for a team of Man United’s stature, although perhaps to be expected given that they finished 15th.
But Guehi is a “monster in defence”, as said by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, who won 63% of his ground duels in the Premier League last year, via Sofascore.
Moreover, the defender ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and the top 2% for through balls per 90, as per FBref, so he has the ball-playing expertise to advance Amorim’s transitional system, picking out promising players, in space, well ahead of him, such is the manager’s expectation of maintaining a high line.
Having established himself as a mainstay for the England international team over the past year, prominent for Gareth Southgate’s last hurrah at EURO 2024, it’s surely a bid worth making. Well, United’s newfound market shrewdness has been ratified, for they have indeed made their first approach.
Everton's Tim Iroegbunam in action with Crystal Palace's MarcGuehi
Analyst Ben Mattinson actually described Guehi as being “England’s best player” following the international campaign.
Ultimately, Man United needed a new striker, and they’ve signed one. But they also need reshaping across the park, and Guehi would provide an instantaneous and dramatic lift to a backline that flattered to deceive last season, whereas the jury is very much out for Sesko, yet to pass his first tests in English football.
Man Utd's new Carrick: INEOS set to make bid for £100m + star this week
Manchester United look ready to splash the cash on a player who possesses shades of Michael Carrick’s assured game.
While finally getting over the hill and winning the Premier League is going to require a Herculean effort from the team, it would be fair to say spirits are high around Arsenal at the moment.
Mikel Arteta’s side beat AC Milan in Singapore and then got one over Newcastle United in Hong Kong, and now have a North London derby to look forward to tomorrow.
Unsurprisingly, one of the stars of pre-season so far has been Bukayo Saka, who scored the only goal in the first game and was more than lively in the second.
So, fans should be thrilled about reports linking them with another international superstar who could be Arteta’s new Saka.
Arsenal target their new Saka
While the football in pre-season has been great, it’s been an even better summer for Arsenal off the pitch.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
After years of fans crying out for one, the club have finally signed a new top-quality number nine in Viktor Gyokeres, and that’s not all, as Martin Zubimendi looks like he could be even more consequential at the base of midfield.
Moreover, Arteta won’t have to worry about squad depth quite as much anymore, with Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera all coming in to bolster the squad.
Yet, even with six new faces through the door, the North Londoners want to do more business, business which could see them land their new Saka.
At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has claimed Arsenal have a ‘clear name’ in mind when it comes to further improving the squad this summer: Rodrygo.
While the report reveals that the Gunners will likely have to sell a player or two before signing the Brazilian, it does not mention how much he might eventually cost them.
However, multiple stories from earlier this summer indicate that a fee of around £86m could be enough to seal the deal, and while that’s a lot of money, it would be worth it for a player of Rodrygo’s quality, especially as he could be the club’s new Saka.
Why Rodrygo could be Arsenal's new Saka
So, before the pitchforks and torches come out, we aren’t necessarily saying Rodrygo will come in and be just as good as Saka right away, as the Englishman has practically made this team his own over the last few years and is unquestionably now world-class.
However, we are saying that there is every chance the Real Madrid star could come in and end up having a similar impact on the left-hand side, albeit without the homegrown academy product side of things.
Why do we think this? Well, for starters, despite playing out of position for much of the last two seasons, the Brazilian has remained a seriously dangerous attacker.
For example, the “incredible” talent, as dubbed by former manager Carlo Ancelotti, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.
That translates to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes across the last two years, which is a level of output the Gunners’ left side could do with.
Rodrygo’s recent record
Season
23/24
24/25
Appearances
51
54
Minutes
3707′
3452′
Goals
17
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.46
Minutes per Goal Involvement
142.57′
138.08′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Second, much in the same way the Hale End icon has taken the club on his back in the past, the former Santos gem has often been the difference maker in big European games for his side.
In 64 Champions League games, the 24-year-old has scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists, but crucially, eight of his goals have come in the knockout rounds and eight have been game-winning.
Finally, despite neither one of them being particularly tall, they’ve proven themselves to be tough to dispossess in recent seasons, be that through sheer strength or an underappreciated ability with the ball at their feet.
Moreover, when given space, both wingers can be quite explosive and an absolute nightmare for backtracking defenders, with FBref placing the Brazilian in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for carries into the penalty area and the Englishman in the top 11%.
Ultimately, while Saka will likely always be the most popular player at Arsenal thanks to his deep ties with the fans and club, Rodrygo could be almost as effective as him off the left, and therefore, Arteta and Co should be doing all they can to sign him this summer.
Arsenal eye "fascinating" Eze alternative with £22.5m release clause
And what’s the lowest number of bowlers who took all 20 wickets in a Test between them?
Steven Lynch04-Jul-2023In the Lord’s Test England’s new-ball pair had a combined age of more than 78 years. Was this a record?asked Jeremy Lambton from England
England’s opening bowlers in the gripping second Ashes Test at Lord’s were Jimmy Anderson, who’s nearly 41, and 37-year-old Stuart Broad. In terms of combined age they were the oldest pair to take the new ball in a Test since 1951, when the South Africans Eric Rowan (41) and Dudley Nourse (40) did it in the second innings at Lord’s. Rowan and Nourse were really batters – neither ever took a Test wicket – who had a trundle because England needed just 16 to win.The only England new-ball pair with a higher combined age was Gubby Allen (45) and Harold Butler (34) against West Indies in Port-of-Spain in 1947-48. This is actually the highest instance of all with two supposedly fast bowlers: there are two older new-ball pairs, both involving the venerable Australia left-arm spinner Bert Ironmonger. “Dainty” was 46 when he made his debut against England in Brisbane in 1928-29; in the second innings he took the new ball with fellow spinner Clarrie Grimmett (36). Two years later, against West Indies in Sydney in 1930-31, Ironmonger – by now 48 – opened in the second innings with medium-pacer Ron Oxenham, who was 39; their combined age was around 88½ years.These instances are taken from ESPNcricinfo’s database. But Charles Davis, the distinguished Australian statistician who has re-scored many early Test matches from the original scorebooks, warns: “There are many cases of incorrect second-innings bowling order in the ‘received’ scorecards for older Tests. Both the instances mentioned about Ironmonger are actually incorrect: in the fifth Test of 1930-31, Oxenham opened with Stan McCabe in the second innings, while in Brisbane in 1928-29, Grimmett and Stork Hendry opened in the second innings. Ironmonger and Oxenham did open the bowling in Melbourne in 1930-31, but in different innings.Where does Ben Stokes fit in the list of the highest scores in the fourth innings of a Test?asked Martin Steele from England
Ben Stokes’s valiant 155 at Lord’s was the 27th time a batter has reached 150 in the fourth innings of a Test.Only 21 of those innings were higher than 155, and just four were for England, whose highest remains Bill Edrich’s 219 in the timeless Test against South Africa in Durban in 1938-39. Highest of all is George Headley’s 223 for West Indies against England in another drawn timeless Test, in Kingston in 1929-30. (Both these games had to be left unfinished as the England teams needed to catch their boat home.)Of those 27 scores of 150 or more, 13 came in wins (the highest was Gordon Greenidge’s 214 not out for West Indies vs England at Lord’s in 1984), nine in draws, and five (including Stokes’) could not prevent defeat – the highest in vain was Nathan Astle’s 222 for New Zealand vs England in Christchurch in 2001-02.Stokes was the first to score 150 in the fourth innings of a Test from as low as No. 6 in the batting order. Adam Gilchrist hit 149 not out from No. 7 for Australia against Pakistan, in Hobart in 1999-2000. The previous-best from No. 6, before Stokes’ innings, was Asad Shafiq’s 137 for Pakistan vs Australia in Brisbane in 2016-17.Six Australian bowlers took wickets in England’s first innings at Lord’s. How unusual is this?asked Kasey Anderson from Australia
England’s first innings at Lord’s provided the seventh instance in the Ashes of six different Australian bowlers taking at least a wicket each. It was, however, their first such instance in the Ashes for more than 60 years, since Sydney 1962-63.England have done it eight times, and also have the only case of seven men taking a wicket in an Ashes innings, in Melbourne in 1897-98. In all Tests, there are three further instances of seven, and over 100 cases of six.Tony Lock takes a catch off Jim Laker in the Test where the two spinners took all 20 wickets – between them – Laker 19, Lock one•PA PhotosWhat’s the lowest number of players involved in taking all 20 wickets of an opposition in a Test? I am guessing one answer at least involves Jim Laker. And what’s the number for an entire Test match?asked Ashwin from India (not that one, I don’t think!)
The Old Trafford Ashes Test of 1956 – when Jim Laker took 19 wickets and Tony Lock one – is one of six Tests in which just two bowlers shared all 20 opposition wickets. It happened to Australia again a few months later, in Karachi, when Fazal Mahmood took 13 wickets for Pakistan and Khan Mohammad seven.The only instance since then was at Lord’s in 1972, when the Australian debutant Bob Massie took 16 of England’s wickets, and Dennis Lillee claimed the other four. The earlier instances were by Australia against England in Melbourne in 1901-02 (Monty Noble took 13 and Hugh Trumble seven), England vs Australia at Edgbaston in 1909 (Colin Blythe 11, George Hirst nine), and South Africa against England in Johannesburg in 1909-10 (Bert Vogler 12, Aubrey Faulkner eight).There are two Tests in which just six bowlers shared all 40 wickets: England vs South Africa at Headingley in 1998, and Sri Lanka vs Australia in Kandy in 2003-04. Only five bowlers took wickets in the 1901-02 Melbourne match mentioned above, but one batter was run-out.Who was the first man to score 42 in the second innings of his 24th Test?asked Sudarshan Narayanan Poondi via Facebook
This one made me smile, as I think it’s a variation on those old jokes about cricket statisticians pointing out things that had never happened before at Lord’s on a wet Tuesday afternoon. But it did make me wonder whether anyone had ever done this – and it turns out four people have.The first to score 42 in the second innings of his 24th Test match was the allrounder Charles Kelleway, in the course of Australia’s innings defeat against England in Melbourne in 1924-25. He was followed in 1971-72 by Bruce Taylor, who made 42 not out to help New Zealand force a draw against West Indies in Port-of-Spain.This exclusive band was boosted in the current century by Chris Gayle, for West Indies against India in Mumbai in 2002-03, and Martin Guptill, for New Zealand vs West Indies in Kingston in 2012.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions