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كشفت تقارير صحفية عن سبب تفكير هانز فليك، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة في التعاقد مع اللاعب إيفان بيريسيتش، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية المقبلة.

ويعتبر اللاعب الكرواتي أحد أهم أولويات برشلونة لتعزيز مركز الجناح في حال فشل التعاقد مع الكولومبي لويس دياز، لاعب ليفربول، ضمن استعدادات الفريق للموسم المقبل.

ولن تكلف صفقة انتقال بيريسيتش خزينة برشلونة سوى راتبه فقط لأنه حاليًا لاعبًا حرًا بعدما انتهى عقده مع نادي بي إس في آيندهوفن الهولندي.

اقرأ أيضًا | بواسطة ليفاندوفسكي.. فليك يتخذ قراره بضم صفقة غير متوقعة لـ برشلونة

ونشرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية في تقرير لها أسباب تفكير فليك، في الاعتماد على بيريسيتش، مرة أخرى بعدما تواجدا معًا في نادي بايرن ميونخ موسم 2019/2020.

بيريسيتش كان من ضمن فريق بايرن ميونخ الذي حقق السداسية التاريخية للنادي الألماني تحت قيادة هانز فليك، إذ لم يحقق ذلك الإنجاز سوى برشلونة فقط.

لعب إيفان بيريسيتش، 26 مباراة تحت قيادة هانز فليك، استطاع أن يسجل 6 أهداف وقدم 8 تمريرات حاسمة، كما أن الكرواتي أصبح عنصرًا مهمًا في غرفة الملابس نظرًا لتمتعه بالشخصية القوية وصفات القيادة.

فليك يحب هذه الصفات في لاعبيه ويكون في أمس الحاجة إليها خاصةً عندما يتواجد عدد كبير من اللاعبين صغار السن، كما هو الحال في برشلونة، فهو يريد تحقيق التوازن بين الخبرة والشباب.

السبب الآخر هو أن بيريسيتش وهو بعمر الـ 36 عامًا يحافظ على مستواه بشكل رائع، لقد أثبت الموسم الماضي مع نادي بي إس في آيندهوفن الهولندي، إذ لعب دورًا رئيسيًا في التفوق التاريخي على أياكس والتتويج بلقب الدوري الهولندي.

حرض توني فريكسا، المدير التنفيذي السابق لنادي برشلونة، إدارة بطل الدوري الإسباني على اتخاذ أي إجراءات ضرورية ضد النجم لامين يامال، حال خروج الأمور المتعلقة به عن السيطرة.

وواجه لامين يامال الكثير من المشاكل مؤخرًا، بسبب تصريحاته الإعلامية وحرصه على استفزاز خصومه بشكل مستمر، عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، قبل المباريات الكبرى.

ويرى الكثيرون أن الضجيج المنتشر حول لامين يامال قد أثر على مستواه بشكل سلبي في الفترة الأخيرة، حيث إنه لا يقدم أداءً مشابهًا لما كان عليه في الموسم الماضي.

اقرأ أيضًا.. رد فعل ريال مدريد تجاه تصريحات لابورتا الساخرة من فلورنتينو بيريز

وقال فريكسا في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “لو كان لامين ابني، لقلت له إنه ليس بالمستوى الذي يُقال عنه، سأقول له استمر في العمل الجاد ولا تُصدق أي شيء تسمعه، ركز فقط على كرة القدم”، مؤكدًا على ضرورة حمايته ومنع الضجيج الإعلامي من تشويه مسيرته.

وأضاف: “إذا كان لدى لامين أي مشكلة تحتاج إلى معالجة، فعلينا مساعدته، نظريًا إذا وصل الأمر إلى حد لا يمكن فيه حل هذه المشكلة، فهذه ليست نهاية العالم، سيستمر برشلونة”.

وترى صحيفة “سبورت” أن فريكسا ترك الباب مفتوحًا بتلك الطريقة أمام سيناريوهات تتضمن ضمنيًا إمكانية بيع لامين يامال، إذا لزم الأمر، للحفاظ على استقرار النادي الرياضي أو المؤسسي.

وشدد: “لا أستبعد أي سيناريو، أفكر في ناديي، جميع أعضاء النادي موجودون هنا مؤقتًا فقط، المهم هو برشلونة”.

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed in a new interview with Piers Morgan that he doesn't expect to extend his history-making football career for that much longer, also admitting that his interests in retirement will ultimately lie outside the sport he has dedicated his life to. It comes after the Portuguese icon had been billed as "perfect" for a role upstairs at former club Manchester United.

Ronaldo has retirement planned out

Having chosen Piers Morgan for an incendiary interview marking his exit from Manchester United in 2022, Ronaldo again linked up with the divisive media personality, this time on YouTube channel .

The 40-year-old forward, who has a contract with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League until the end of the 2026-27 season, was asked outright about eventual retirement. "Soon," Ronaldo replied, revealing he has been thinking about how it will go for years. "I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. Will be difficult, yes. Probably I will cry, yes…

"It will be very, very difficult but I've prepared my future since [I was] 25, 26, 27 years old. So I think I will be capable to support that pressure."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFuture outside football

There will be lots of calls for Ronaldo to stay in football when he eventually does hang up his boots, with a wealth of expertise and experience to share. But coaching, management or executive roles within the sport don’t appear to appeal to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"Nothing will compare to the adrenaline we have for football to score a goal," Ronaldo explained, revealing that retiring from football will finally give him the time to pursue other things.

"But I have other passions. [When I retire] I'm going to have more time for me, have more time for my family, to raise my kids. I want to be more a family person, more present. Also, to have my own hobbies. I like to see UFC, the fights. I like padel. I like and I want to learn more about my companies.

"I'll never be a [full-time] YouTuber, of course, but I want to be there. I'm going to spend more time on that to learn. I think I'm going to do funny things and things I'm not used to doing before. Because I live football 24 hours [each day] to do the right things and perform."

Post-playing role at Man Utd now unlikely

Ronaldo's desire to do things with his life other than football suggests leaving the sport altogether, which means recent speculation that he could consider a post-playing career in the boardroom, potentially even back at Manchester United, is quite unlikely to come to fruition.

Former team-mate Wes Brown, who won the Champions League alongside Ronaldo in 2008, had said he wouldn't put it past Ronaldo to remain involved in football that way. "He could definitely move into the boardroom," Brown said. "He's got the ability to swerve away from coaching and into the executive level, 100 per cent. Why not? If he's enjoying it, it'll be perfect for him."

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Getty Images SportIn pursuit of more trophies

Ronaldo probably isn't going to call time on his career before the end of his Al-Nassr contract. Aside from it being incredibly lucrative – worth a reported €257m (£235m/$280m) per year – the veteran forward is still freely scoring for the club and continues to chase trophies.

The lack of a major domestic or international trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia – the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup is the only silverware so far – is a notable blot on Ronaldo's record. Al-Nassr have seen both Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal win the Pro League in recent seasons, while the King's Cup and wider continental success has also been beyond them.

So far in 2025-26, though, Al-Nassr lead the way in the domestic table with a 100 per cent record after seven games. They are only competing in the secondary AFC club competitions this season, but could feasibly be back in the Champions League Elite next year – potentially Ronaldo's last dance in football.

Next summer also comes Ronaldo's last crack at the World Cup with Portugal.

MatériaMais Notícias

da aviator aposta： A diretoria do Corinthians não pretende negociar Carlos Miguel. Contratado em agosto de 2021 junto ao Internacional, o goleiro é reserva imeditado de Cássio e vem sendo preparado pelo clube para assumir a vaga do camisa 12.

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da bet nacional： ➡️ Tudo sobre o Timão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Corinthians

Na última temporada, inclusive, a diretoria do Timão chegou a um acordo com o jogador, de 25 anos, para extensão do vínculo do atleta até o fim da temporada 2025. Atualmente, o Corinthians é dono de 80% dos direitos econômicos do goleiro.

A tendência natural é que Carlos Miguel assuma a posição após a aposentadoria de Cássio, que tem contrato com o Corinthians até dezembro deste ano. Até o momento, a direção do clube não abriu conversas para renovar com o ídolo e deve esperar até os meses finais do ano para definir o futuro do jogador.

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Carlos Miguel realizou sua estreia com a camisa do Timão na vitória por 2 a 1 sobre o Atlético-MG, em julho de 2024. Apesar de ter disputado apenas 14 partidas pelo clube, o goleiro possui um retrospecto positivo e perdeu apenas uma partida como titular.

CONFIRA TODAS AS PARTIDAS DE CARLOS MIGUEL PELO CORINTHIANS

▪️ Atlético-MG 1 x 2 Corinthians (Brasileirão) – 24/07/2022
▪️ Corinthians 2 x 1 Athletico (Brasileirão) – 08/10/2022
▪️ Portuguesa 0 x 0 Corinthians (Paulistão) – 12/02/2023
▪️ Corinthians 3 x 1 Santos André (Paulistão) – 04/03/2023
▪️ Argentinos Juniors 0 x 0 Corinthians (Libertadores) – 24/05/2023
▪️ Corinthians x Liverpool-URU (Libertadores) – 28/06/2023
▪️ Corinthians x Universitario-PER (Sul-Americana) – 11/07/2023
▪️ Universitario-PER 1 x 2 Corinthians (Sul-Americana) – 18/07/2023
▪️ Corinthians 2 x 1 Newell’s Old Boys-ARG (Sul-Americana) – 01/08/2023
▪️ Grêmio 1 x 2 Corinthians (Brasileirão) – 12/11/2023
▪️ Coritiba 0 x 2 Corinthians (Brasileirão) – 12/11/2023
▪️ Cianorte 0 x 3 Corinthians (Copa do Brasil) – 22/02/2024
▪️ Corinthians 0 x 1 Ponte Preta (Paulistão) – 25/02/2024 – única derrota
▪️ Água Santa 0 x 0 Corinthians (Paulistão) – 10/03/2024

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Tudo sobre

Carlos MiguelCorinthiansFutebol NacionalMercado

After Aston Villa lost Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United earlier in the window, they would not have intended to lose any more players before Deadline Day next Monday.

However, there is still a possibility that one or two more could depart Villa Park, with star man Morgan Rogers regularly touted with an exit.

A few days ago, it was revealed that Unai Emery’s side could lose Rogers to Chelsea. The Blues are said to be plotting a move worth up to £80m for the Villans forward, potentially as an alternative to one of their primary targets this summer, Xavi Simons.

Well, whether Rogers stays or goes remains to be seen, but Emery would need to replace him before Monday’s deadline.

Aston Villa’s last-minute plans in the window

It could be a frantic few days at Villa Park, with the West Midlands giants looking to do some more transfer dealings before the earlier-than-normal 7pm deadline.

A last-gasp move for Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United could be something Villa look to get over the line, if recent rumours are to be believed.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, one player that Villa have ‘opened talks’ to sign late on, according to journalist Patrick Berger, is Borussia Dortmund and Germany striker Maximilian Beier.

They are said to be ‘very interested’ in bringing the striker to Villa Park, but would need to sell due to FFP restrictions.

However, this is a deal that Villa seem keen to get over the line. So much so, in fact, that Emery’s side have readied a £30m bid for the versatile forward. It is unclear if that will match Dortmund’s asking price or if they will have to return to the negotiation table.

Why Beier would be a good signing

At just 22 years of age, Beier, an “exceptional” forward according to football scout Antonio Mango, has developed a fantastic reputation. He is already a full international with Germany and a key player for Dortmund.

Last term, his versatility was key for the Bundesliga giants. The forward can play right across the frontline, and whilst he excels most as a centre-forward, Beier also operated on both flanks and as a number 10 last season.

Despite a tough campaign for Dortmund, 2024/25 was strong personally for Beier. He played 46 games across all competitions, finding the back of the net ten times and assisting six goals.

His record of 16 goal involvements is even more impressive when you consider he played just 2,423 minutes, the equivalent of just under 27 full games.

Villa certainly need a like-for-like replacement for Rogers if he leaves, or, failing that, a squad player capable of challenging him for his spot in the side. There are certainly similarities between the pair, including their versatility and age profile, with both in their early 20s, meaning there is plenty of time to develop as a player.

Last season, the 23-year-old England international shone for the Villans. He bagged 14 goals and assisted 16 in 54 games, including a wonderful hat-trick in the Champions League group stage over Celtic.

One of the real selling points for Villa when it comes to signing Beier is his versatility, which is one way he is like Rogers. Just like the German forward, Villa’s number 27 can operate on both flanks, as a second striker and can lead the line.

The underlying stats also suggest that Beier could be Rogers-esque. For example, Dortmund’s forward averaged 1.36 key passes and 3.11 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes last season, close to the Villa star, who averaged 1.47 key passes and 3.04 shot-creating actions each game.

Goals and assists

0.73

0.52

Key passes

1.36

1.47

Shot-creating actions

3.11

3.04

Goal-creating actions

0.40

0.46

Ball recoveries

2.77

3.44

A fee of £30m is certainly not going to break the bank for Villa at the end of the transfer window, provided they sell where possible. Although it is unclear at this stage whether Beier would replace or play alongside Roges, he seems like an ideal fit.

This could be a huge addition for Emery as they look to challenge on all fronts domestically and in Europe this season.

The next Rashford: Aston Villa remain in race to sign “special” £60m talent

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Leeds United have now submitted a proposal for an “insane” forward, who is now keen on a move to Elland Road this summer, according to a report.

Leeds eyeing new forwards amid Joseph and Bamford uncertainty

Daniel Farke has now made it clear that Mateo Joseph has expressed a desire to move on this summer, with the manager saying: “With him the situation is quite clear. We really value and rate him – otherwise we wouldn’t have played him, especially in the beginning of the last successful campaign ahead of a golden boot winner in Joel Piroe and an experienced striker like Patrick Bamford.

“Nevertheless, he came to me and asked for a new challenge and would like to move. He has also hinted that he prefers a move to Spain due to his Spanish roots. That was his call.”

It is starting to look increasingly likely the striker will leave, given that Farke has no plans to stand in his way, and he is not the only Leeds centre-forward that could be on the move, with widespread reports suggesting Patrick Bamford’s time at Elland Road could be over.

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As a result, one of Farke’s main tasks will be to bring in a new striker this summer, but the manager is also keen on bringing in a new winger, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Manor Solomon recently re-entering the frame as a potential option.

Feyenoord’s Igor Paixao has also emerged as a target for the Whites, and there has now been a promising new update on their pursuit of the forward, with The Yorkshire Evening Post revealing he likes the idea of playing for Leeds in the Premier League.

The newly-promoted side have now submitted an official proposal to the representatives of Paixao, and his entourage were impressed by Leeds’ presentation, indicating that a deal could be possible.

In a further update, it has now been revealed the Whites have submitted a formal €35m (£30m) offer for the forward’s services, which is close to Feyenoord’s asking price.

"Insane" Paixao could be statement signing for Leeds

Having only just achieved promotion from the Championship, Farke’s side would be making a real statement if they were able to sign the 25-year-old, given the level of his performances for Feyenoord last season.

The Brazilian was the driving force behind his club recording a third-place finish in the Eredivisie, collecting 16 goals and 14 assists in 34 appearances, while also picking up seven goal contributions in 11 Champions League outings.

Scout Ben Mattinson has also likened the Eredivisie star to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, in light of his “insane” ball striking ability, and he is very impressive at dribbling in tight spaces.

It is clear that Paixao could make a real impact in Leeds’ battle for survival next season, so it is exciting news that a deal could very much be on the cards.

Bairstow leads new leadership shake-up at Headingley with Dawid Malan to captain in the T20 Blast

Vithushan Ehantharajah27-Mar-2025Jonny Bairstow has been announced as Yorkshire captain, following in the footsteps of his late father, David, who skippered the county between 1984 and 1988.Bairstow will lead the club upon their return to Division One of the County Championship next week as part of a new leadership set-up at Headingley which will see Dawid Malan captain in the T20 Blast.Born in Bradford, Bairstow came through the ranks at Yorkshire, playing a prominent role in their last County Championship title win in 2015, with 1108 runs at an average of 92.33 from just nine appearances that season. By then, he had broken into the England team, and played three Tests against Australia that summer to help England secure the Ashes – the last time they won the urn.Now 35, Bairstow finds himself out of the international reckoning, despite the fact he has six months remaining on an ECB central contract. He earned his 100th Test cap in the final match of England’s tour of India at the start of 2024, and made his last international appearance in June as England lost to India in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup.Related

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Captaincy had been on the table for Bairstow since last summer following the decision to part ways with Shan Masood, now at Leicestershire, who had held the role for two years as the club began emerging from the racism scandal that mired them in turmoil. Conversations progressed over the winter when Anthony McGrath left Essex to return to Yorkshire as head coach following the depature of Ottis Gibson, who secured promotion from Division Two in his final season.After not being picked up in the IPL mega auction, and with the ECB blocking players with red-ball commitments from taking part in the PSL, Bairstow will be available from the start of the season, which begins next week away to Hampshire.”I am incredibly proud to have been named captain of Yorkshire,” Bairstow said. “The county is embedded in my heart, and I take immense pride in representing the club on the field.”I’m very pleased and excited for what the season holds. We’ve got a great bunch of lads that have been working really hard over a period of time.”It was fantastic, first of all, for us to get promoted last year after what has been a very tough couple of years for the club. But what I will say is how resilient the guys, especially the younger guys, within the group – who three years ago went through turmoil – have been.”They’ve now got that in-built within them, and it’s started to come through not only because of the promotion but with the challenges that lead into Division One this year.”While Bairstow makes no secret that he intends to force his way back into the England set-up, particularly with a five-Test series against India this summer, followed by an Ashes tour at the end of the year, he has his sights on ending Yorkshire’s wait for meaningful red-ball silverware.”We need to be grounded in everything we do but you never say never. I firmly believe we are good enough to do it, whether it’s this year or further down the track, we’ll find out.”Malan, who moved to Yorkshire from Middlesex at the end of 2019, was as enthused about the prospect of his own captaincy. Having signed a two-year extension last summer on what was initially a white-ball only contract, he will be involved for the start of Yorkshire’s Championship campaign given the limited availablility of Joe Root and Harry Brook for the first six rounds leading into the opening men’s Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, on May 22.Dawid Malan will lead Yorkshire in the Blast•Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images”To be appointed captain in any format of cricket for Yorkshire CCC, with the history it’s got, is a proud moment and exciting moment as well,” Malan said. “It’s not only me with the new leadership, we’ve got a whole new leadership behind me with coaches and director of cricket. So it’s an extremely exciting time for the club and hopefully, you know, we can put some things in place that put white-ball cricket in a good place at Yorkshire.”Malan has a distinguished record in the shortest format, helping England to their 2022 World Cup success having broken into a settled team through a run of form that propelled him to the top of the ICC T20 batting rankings in September 2020.The 37-year old retired from international duty last year with 114 caps across all formats, having made his final appearance at the end of England’s botched 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, the first of three poor showings at ICC events in the space of 18 months.”Do I still think I was good enough to play last year? Yeah, I do I think I was good enough to play,” Malan said when asked if his enforced retirement had been premature. “That’s ultimately not my decision.”I wouldn’t say I was hard done by, I probably didn’t score as many run as I’d have liked in the T20 stuff for a little bit of a period, but especially … the 50-over cricket, I think the last year, year and a half, I had performed in every series.”But look, time moves on, cricket moves on, decisions need to be made and if you’re going to look back at every decision with regret or with bad or ill thoughts, it’s going to be a lonely world. I enjoyed my time with England and my time is done. My time has now been putting everything that I have into Yorkshire being as good as they can be.”Despite Yorkshire’s recent pedigree across all formats, certainly in terms of personnel, they remain huge underperformers in white-ball cricket. They are one of only four counties out of 18 who have yet to lift the T20 Blast, reaching Finals Day just three times, in 2012 (finishing as losing finalists), 2016 and 2022.Malan is keen to change that, drawing from his wealth of international and franchise experience. Domestically, he was part of the 2008 Middlesex side that lifted the Twenty20 Cup, and was a vital cog for Oval Invincibles last year as they won The Hundred. Having been picked up by Headingley-based Northern Superchargers for this season’s competition, a stand-in captain for Yorkshire’s One-Day Cup campaign will be announced in due course.”It’s surprising, actually because when you look at the teams and the players they’ve had, they’ve had some fantastic players over the years,” Malan said on Yorkshire’s limited-overs drought.”I think that’s the challenge for us, trying to look at what we can to put things in place to make us a better team. We’ve come close at times, we’ve made in the last four years a quarter-final and a Finals Day, and we haven’t managed to go one better. It means we have a good base of white-ball cricket and it’s just fine-tuning a few things here or there.”We’ve made some really, really good signings in Will Sutherland and Will O’Rourke. I think they’ve been really good additions.”If you look at over the last couple of years, we’ve really struggled with injuries and being able to nail down overseas players for the full Blast and we’ve had them for bits and pieces. But to have guys that are going to be available for a good bit and that are actually going be able to bowl in the tough times, which we’ve probably not had the personnel available to us at all times with injuries. I think that’s going be a massive plus for us.”

Puthur, who made an impressive debut this season, has had bone stress reactions in both shins

ESPNcricinfo staff01-May-2025

Raghu Sharma joins the main squad at his base price of INR 30 lakh•Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians’ (MI) left-arm wristspinner Vignesh Puthur has been ruled out of IPL 2025 with bone stress reactions in both his shins. The franchise has signed uncapped legspinner Raghu Sharma as Puthur’s replacement.Puthur had a memorable debut earlier this season, picking up three wickets against Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In all, he took six wickets in five games at an economy rate of 9.08.”Vignesh will continue to be with the team to focus on his recovery and rehabilitation with the Mumbai Indians medical and S&C team,” the franchise said in a statement.Related

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Raghu, 32, was part of MI’s net bowlers and joins the main squad at his base price of INR 30 lakh. Just like Puthur, this will be a maiden IPL stint for him.He has represented Punjab and Puducherry in domestic cricket over the years. In 11 first-class matches, he has 57 wickets at an average of 19.59. He has 14 wickets in nine List A games and three in three T20s.MI had a slow start to the tournament with one win from their five games. Since then, they have stacked five wins in a row and are currently third on the points table with 12 points from ten games.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) fast bowler Lockie Ferguson picked up an injury two balls into his spell in the IPL 2025 game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Saturday.Ferguson pulled up after the second delivery of the sixth over and was seen holding the side of his left leg just below the hip. He had to leave the field after consultation with the physio and did not return to bowl again as SRH pulled off the second-highest successful chase in IPL history with eight wickets in hand.In Ferguson’s absence, Marcus Stoinis completed the sixth over but did not bowl again for the remainder of the SRH chase. PBKS used eight bowlers in total, including the medium pace of Shashank Singh, who was bowling for the first time this season.”He’s someone who can get you wickets… as he’s done in the previous matches, that was a big blow for us,” PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer said of Ferguson after the match. “But it happens. He’s someone who clicks 140-plus all the time. It’s part and parcel of a bowler’s life.”Ferguson had only just recovered from a hamstring injury that he picked up in the ILT20 in the UAE, which forced him to miss the Champions Trophy in February. This is the third time since November 2024 that Ferguson has been injured. Before his hamstring issue in the ILT20, he had also suffered a calf injury, which forced him to miss the ODIs against Sri Lanka late last year.With PBKS having made an Impact Player substitution already in the game – fast bowler Yash Thakur came in for batter Priyansh Arya – they were left a fast bowler short in their defence of 245. Ferguson is one of only two overseas fast bowlers in the PBKS squad this season, the other being Australia’s Xavier Bartlett. Before this game, Ferguson had taken five wickets in three innings while maintaining an economy of 9.36 and a strike rate of 13.20.

A £4.5 million-per-year manager has internal backing from figures within Chelsea to replace Mauricio Pochettino, and it is believed he's equally keen.

Chelsea shortlist as Boehly begins managerial search

The west Londoners are thought to have narrowed down their shortlist to a few interesting options, and they apparently want their new manager in by the end of next week with a deadline set on the process (Kaveh Solhekol).

Chelsea chief Boehly now offered £6 million-a-year manager with 11 trophies

He’s highly decorated.

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The leading candidates are believed to be Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca, Brentford head coach Thomas Frank, Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna and a mystery "high-profile" name who is yet to be identified by sources (Solhekol).

All the aforementioned tacticians have their merits. Maresca, who only joined Leicester at the start of last season, guided them to immediate promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking following their 2023 relegation. Winning the Championship title, Leicester were imperious – boasting the best defensive record and second-best goalscoring numbers in the division.

Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

Chelsea 2-0 West Ham

Frank, meanwhile, has consistently worked wonders at Brentford on a shoestring budget and has done since their promotion to the top flight in 2021. McKenna, achieving back-to-back promotions with Ipswich over the last two years, also fits the mould of what Chelsea are looking for in a young and more progressive coach.

"Pochettino was not seen as a strategic fit. Pochettino himself felt the situation might deteriorate further if he stayed. This was relayed to Todd Boehly in a phone call," said journalist Ben Jacobs on Chelsea's search for a new manager.

"Several senior players surprised by the news. The dressing room wanted him to stay. Chelsea are looking for a 'young' manager. That really means 'modern' and 'progressive'.

"Chelsea are not considering Thomas Tuchel or Jose Mourinho. Ruben Amorim is not currently a frontrunner either. Kieran McKenna is expected to be a leading candidate, but #CFC feel Brighton are further ahead so would need to move fast. Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Girona’s Míchel, Newcastle Eddie Howe and Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness have all been discussed."

Chelsea have also been offered FC Porto boss Sergio Conceicao by super agent Jorge Mendes, according to some reports, but it is believed the 49-year-old doesn't quite fit the criteria set out by co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.

Chelsea chiefs backing Frank who's keen to join

Now, as per The Telegraph, an update has surfaced on the possibility of Frank joining Chelsea.

The outlet claims Frank has internal support at Chelsea and would be interested in replacing Pochettino, with the Dane long linked to a move away from the G-tech Community Stadium.

The 50-year-old, on a reported £4.5 million-per-year at Brentford, deploys a 4-3-3 attacking formation and achieved a ninth-placed finish with Brentford in 2022/2023 – very nearly qualifying for the Europa Conference League despite his lack of real star quality.