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Is Wilfried Nancy going to become the new Celtic manager?

Well, it was reported last week that Martin O’Neill and Shaun Maloney will remain in interim charge for Saturday night’s short trip to St Mirren, but for how much longer will that remain the case?

Other reports suggest that the Hoops are close to agreeing a £2m compensation package with Nancy’s current club Columbus Crew, with the aim for the Frenchman to take charge for the first time when the Celts visit Easter Road to take on Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday 30 November.

Should Nancy swap Ohio for Glasgow, he would have plenty of work to do and numerous issues to solve, but ensuring Daizen Maeda stays in Scotland will no doubt be of great importance.

The latest on Daizen Maeda's future

Back in September, after the transfer window had closed, Maeda revealed that he had requested to leave Celtic this summer.

However, with the club struggling to replace Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah, who were both sold, the Japan international was informed that he would not be allowed to depart.

Well, potentially as a result of this uncertainty, Maeda has not been at his blistering best so far this season, bagging just four goals to date, having netted 33 times across all competitions last season, four of which came in the Champions League.

After adding to his goal tally against Kilmarnock last time out, the 28-year-old started at left-wing-back as Japan beat Bolivia 3-0 in an international friendly on Tuesday, so could he push for a January move to help increase his chances of being included in Hajime Moriyasu’s World Cup squad?

Well, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is a “possibility” that the forward will be on the move in January, with Brentford, Everton, Leeds and two other Premier League clubs purportedly interested.

Considering that, since netting four minutes into his debut against Hibs in January 2022, Maeda has scored 66 goals in 175 appearances in hoops, he would be a massive loss, but could the incoming boss, Nancy, fill this void by bringing with him a star he knows rather well?

Celtic's potential Maeda replacement

When Ange Postecoglou arrived from Yokohama F. Marinos, he utilised his knowledge of the J League, an undervalued market, to sign gems for a cut-price, bringing in Kyōgo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Maeda himself.

Well, with Major League Soccer in a similar position, could Nancy follow this blueprint?

According to a report by the Daily Record, should Nancy arrive, his number one transfer target would be Columbus Crew star Diego Rossi, who has previously hinted that he would like to return to European football.

After beginning his career at Peñarol, Rossi really burst onto the scene at LAFC, scoring 59 goals in 121 appearances for the Black and Gold, picking up the 2020 MLS Golden Boot, form that earned him a £4.5m move to Fenerbahçe.

However, after a pretty underwhelming stint in İstanbul, he returned to Major League Soccer in the summer of 2023, and has taken his game to a whole new level under Nancy in Columbus.

To date, the Uruguayan international has scored 45 goals in 101 appearances for the Crew, bagging 16 MLS goals in 2025, comparing favourably to other players across the league.

Goals

16

13th

Shots

91

13th

Shots on target

40

10th

Goals – xG

+2.6

8th*

Big chances missed

13

23rd

Shot creating actions

94

37th

Progressive carries

106

11th

Touches in box

165

5th

Average rating

7.38

7th**

*minimum 15 goals. **forwards only.

Worth reiterating that MLS is a gigantic league with 30 teams, while 882 players made an appearance in the competition this year, so to be in the top ten or even top 20 for the attacking metrics included is impressive.

His tally of 16 goals is noteworthy, albeit it could’ve been even better had he not missed 13 Opta-defined big chances, something that has also been a tendency of Maeda’s game, so perhaps he would be a ready-made replacement.

According to Football Transfers, Rossi’s estimated market value is around £7m, having increased again in recent months after it plateaued in 2024, following his exploits in, according to Global Football Rankings, the tenth-strongest league in the world, a humongous 23 places above the Scottish Premiership.

Speaking ahead of MLS Cup Final in 2023, Carlos Vela, who was Rossi’s teammate in California, labelled the Uruguayan a “really good finisher”, adding that he’s “fast” and “technically good”, while Bob Bradley, his coach at LAFC, adds that the forward is “deceptive” and “such a good player to have” as part of your attack.

Now 27, in a similar way to Maeda, now may well be the time for Rossi to take the next step in his career, aiming to get into Uruguay’s World Cup squad, having not featured for los Charrúas since June 2023.

Unlike in European leagues, MLS’ primary transfer window is in the winter, something that will change in 2027, meaning January moves are a lot more common.

Thus, with Rossi into the final year of his contract in Columbus, he appears to be the perfect fit for a Celtic side lacking attacking firepower, irrespective of whether Maeda departs or not.

Palma 2.0: Celtic's £5m star is going to be on borrowed time under Nancy

With Wilfried Nancy poised to become the new Celtic manager, which “terrific talent” could be on borrowed time and may well become the new Luis Palma?

ByBen Gray Nov 17, 2025

She last played for India in 2014, and returned to the limelight in the WPL a decade later

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2025

India left-arm spinner Gouher Sultana has announced her retirement from all forms of the game. She played 50 ODIs and 37 T20Is after making her debut in 2008, and last represented India in April 2014. Thereafter, Sultana came back into the limelight a decade later when she featured in the 2024 and 2025 WPL seasons.”To have represented India at the highest level – in World Cups, tours and battles that tested both skill and spirit – has been the greatest honour of my life,” Sultana wrote in her retirement announcement on Instagram. “Every wicket taken, every dive in the field, every huddle with my teammates has shaped the cricketer and the person I am today.”Sultana finished with 66 ODI wickets at an average of 19.39, the third-best for any India bowler to have taken at least 50 wickets in the format.Related

Gouher Sultana's ten-year hiatus

WPL is changing how Indian players think about cricket

Sultana played in two ODI World Cups, in 2009 and 2013, and picked up 12 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 30.58. She also played in three T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2014, and took seven wickets while going at an economy rate of 5.81.Sultana was signed by UP Warriorz (UPW) ahead of WPL 2024. She played two matches in the tournament, going wicketless across five overs. In 2025, Sultana again played two games for UPW, and only got to bowl the one over.”There were times when I thought of quitting – seasons I didn’t do well, my mental health was affected,” Sultana told ESPNcricinfo before her comeback tournament in 2024. “But then even when I was about to give up, I was like, ‘No, this shouldn’t be the end. I want to end it the way I want it.’ It was not to prove anything to anybody, but I enjoyed playing and I still enjoy playing. That’s the primary reason I am still here.”Sultana, 37, is also a BCCI Level 2 coach.

Things are looking rather bleak for West Ham United at the moment.

Yes, Nuno Espírito Santo did oversee a spirited comeback away to Everton in his first Premier League game, but since then, the Hammers have lost two and sit in the relegation zone, three points and a better goal difference from safety.

Worse yet, while the defeat to Arsenal was to be expected, the East Londoners needed to get something from the game against Brentford. Instead, they put in one of their worst performances in a long, long time.

So, to arrest this downturn in form, Nuno has to try something dramatic, such as dropping Lucas Paqueta for an exciting young talent.

Why Lucas Paqueta has to be dropped

Now, the first thing to say is that there is no denying that Paqueta is an incredibly talented footballer and has the ability to be a real game-changer for West Ham.

Chalkboard

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

However, it is equally true that the former Lyon star has been underwhelming for quite some time and was utterly ineffective last time out.

For example, in 94 minutes of inaction against Brentford, he produced a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.12, took a single shot, which was off target, took 61 touches, but lost the ball 23 times, misplaced 100% of his crosses and was accurate in just 26 of 41 passes.

Minutes

94′

Expected Goals

0.04

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.08

Shots on Target

0

Shots Off Target

1

Touches

61

Lost Possession

23

Dribbles (Completed)

1 (0)

Key Passes

0

Crosses (Accurate)

2 (0)

Duels (Won)

20 (7)

Such a terrible showing cannot even be blamed on the fact that he was playing as a false nine, either, as he’s been poor for most of the season thus far.

For example, while he has scored three goals this season, the last one was a penalty on deadline day, and since then, he has yet to score another or even provide an assist.

Moreover, while players can go through barren spells and still provide some attacking impetus for their sides, that has not been the case with the Brazilian, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan who has been impressed with his displays.

So with all that said, while there is every chance Paqueta gets back to his mercurial best later in the season, it’s time he was taken out of the team entirely.

There are other options to play up top, like Callum Wilson, and if Nuno really wants to shake things up, he could start a particularly promising prospect in the ten for the game against Leeds United.

The West Ham gem Nuno could start over Paqueta

While it might be something of a gamble, this is the time for Nuno to take risks to try and improve West Ham’s fortunes in the next game, and therefore, he should look to start the incredibly exciting Luis Guilherme in place of Paqueta in attacking midfield.

Now, it might be the case that the young Brazilian is viewed as more of a winger at the moment, but the “complete” and “electric” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has played all over the pitch, including as a ten.

For example, from his time in Brazil up until today, the 19-year-old prospect, who, according to Mattinson, has “the world at his feet,” has made appearances at centre-forward, left-wing, right-wing, right midfield and attacking midfield.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for him to adapt.

More importantly, his skill set could help add some real dynamism to the middle of the park, and according to U23 scout Antonio Mango, the ten position would “suit his profile brilliantly.”

For example, when scouting him, Mattinson highlighted the fact that the teenager is a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

On top of that, when he does take shots, Mattinson states that they are often of “high calibre.”

Finally, away from direct goal involvements, his impressive agility could make him an absolute nightmare for opposition defenders and defensive midfielders.

Ultimately, starting Guilherme in the ten would be a gamble, but with how poorly Paqueta is playing at the moment, it’s one Nuno should take.

Nuno must bin West Ham dud who's making them one of the slowest teams ever

Nuno must make some bold changes to West Ham United if he’s going to save them from relegation.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 22, 2025

Looking to wager on the Major League Baseball action on Sunday?

Well, we have all 30 MLB teams in action with the first game starting at 11:35 a.m. EST between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves and the final game coming on Sunday Night Baseball between the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.

There are several ways to bet on these matchups, but I’ve narrowed it down to my favorite three bets across this 15-game slate. Let’s break them down!

MLB Best Bets TodayMilwaukee Brewers Moneyline (-180) vs. Chicago CubsGarrett Crochet OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-160)San Diego Padres Moneyline (+102) vs. Boston Red Sox

Milwaukee Brewers Moneyline (-180) vs. Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are an automatic fade when Kyle Hendricks is on the mound this season. 

The veteran has a brutal 6.87 ERA, and the Cubs are 3-11 straight up in his 14 outings. He’s pitched better this month, but three of those outings have come out of the bullpen. When Hendricks starts, his ERA is 8.10 and he has a 1.61 WHIP. 

Meanwhile, the Brewers are 11-5 when ace Freddy Peralta is on the mound and he's posted a much better 4.03 ERA and 3.53 FIP this season. Peralta has not beaten the Cubs in two starts against them, but he should outduel Hendricks on Sunday. 

Garrett Crochet OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-160)

Lefty Garrett Crochet has been terrific in 2024, posting a 3.05 ERA, 2.54 FIP and leading the lowly Chicago White Sox to a 7-10 record in his 17 starts – shocking since the White Sox have just 24 wins all season. 

Crochet has a favorable matchup against the 27-win Colorado Rockies, and I think he can get through six innings on Sunday.

Over his last seven outings, Crochet has cleared 17.5 outs six times, finishing with exactly 17 in his last outing. Colorado shouldn’t score enough to chase Crochet from this game early, and Chicago has let him clear 100 pitches in two outings already this month. 

I expect to see six plus innings – and likely a quality start – from Chicago’s ace on Sunday. 

San Diego Padres Moneyline (+102) vs. Boston Red Sox

Since May 17, San Diego Padres knuckleballer Matt Waldron has been lights out.

Over the course of eight starts, he has a 1.80 ERA and has led the Padres to a 6-2 record. Now, he gets a shot against Josh Winckowski, who has been mainly working out of the bullpen for Boston this season. Can Boston piece together enough for a win?

I’m not sold on it, especially if Waldron shuts them down early. Given the Padres record when the knuckleballer pitches, they're worth a shot as underdogs.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras viaja nesta segunda-feira (21) para Pereira, na Colômbia, onde enfrenta o Deportivo Pereira, pela partida de ida das quartas de final da Libertadores. Para ajudar nessa logística complicada, a delegação alviverde vai utilizar, mais uma vez, o avião da empresa de Leila Pereira. Será a terceira oportunidade em que a aeronave prestará esse serviço ao clube, a primeira em uma viagem internacional. Até aqui, o nível de aprovação é bem alto internamente.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasDudu e Gabriel Menino treinam e Palmeiras deve viajar quase completo para PereiraPalmeiras21/08/2023Palmeiras24 anos depois, Palmeiras encara um colombiano em mata-mata de LibertadoresPalmeiras21/08/2023PalmeirasApós nove rodadas, Palmeiras volta a ser o concorrente mais próximo do Botafogo pelo título do BrasileirãoPalmeiras21/08/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Com uma autonomia de um pouco mais de 4,5 mil km, o Verdão vai conseguir viajar para qualquer destino que seja dentro da América do Sul sem precisar fazer escala em nenhum lugar.

Essa é uma das facilidades de logística que ter um avião próprio permite ao Alviverde, que além de economizar mais de R$ 1 milhão, vai conseguir chegar em Pereira em um voo direto, algo inimaginável se a delegação viajasse da forma tradicional. Vale lembrar que Leila Pereira está bancando os custos da viagem enquanto a Placar Linhas Aéreas não é regularizada pela Anac para fazer voos comerciais.

continua após a publicidade

Enquanto isso, porém, o clube vai aproveitando as facilidades, como foi na excursão para o Rio de Janeiro, no jogo contra o Fluminense, e na ida para Cuiabá, no duelo com o time local. Foram as duas primeiras vezes em que o Palmeiras utilizou o serviço, que foi aprovado por Abel Ferreira.

– Felizmente o Palmeiras sempre teve esse cuidado, agora mais. Com a presidente Leila sempre tivemos voos privados, agora ela comprou um avião e claro que isso nos ajuda muito na logística, na forma como podemos organizar as nossas viagens e quantidade de viagens que temos. Temos uma hipótese de ter um avião que nos ajuda nas viagens. Já fazíamos isso antes, mas o avião não é nosso, é da Leila – declarou o treinador.

continua após a publicidade

+ Dudu e Gabriel Menino treinam, e Palmeiras deve viajar quase completo para Pereira

A reportagem apurou que o sentimento de jogadores, funcionários e comissão técnica é bastante parecido com o de Abel Ferreira. O tratamento mais personalizado, o conforto de assentos mais espaçados e a possibilidade de iniciar a recuperação com antecedência são alguns dos fatores que deixam os passageiros bastante satisfeitos.

Uma das facilidades é o serviço de bordo, que é fornecido pelo próprio clube, com o aval dos profissionais que cuidam da nutrição dos atletas. Embora a alimentação fosse oferecida em outras companhias que faziam o fretamento, o Palmeiras não tinha total controle dessa parte, o que é mais um avanço na comodidade. Além disso, a fama da comida de avião não costuma ser boa, mas nesse caso a avaliação é altamente positiva.

O Verdão deve desembarcar em Pereira na noite desta segunda-feira (21) e já treina nesta terça (22) em solo colombiano. A previsão de retorno é logo após o duelo, que acontece nesta quarta (23), às 21h30 (de Brasília). Lembrando que no domingo (27), o compromisso será contra o Vasco, pelo Brasileirão, no Allianz Parque.

MatériaMais Notícias

O último jogo do Botafogo no primeiro turno do Brasileirão deve abrir caminho para uma novidade no setor ofensivo do líder do Brasileirão. O técnico Bruno Lage indicou no treino desta sexta-feira (11) que Janderson deve ser escalado como centroavante no lugar no qual originalmente joga Tiquinho Soares.

O camisa 9 se recupera de uma lesão sofrida no empate em 0 a 0 diante do Cruzeiro e ficará longe dos gramados por até cinco semanas. A partida será realizada no sábado (12), às 21h.

O treinador alvinegro acenou com outra variação no setor ofensivo. Gustavo Sauer pode iniciar a partida atuando como ponta-direita. A presença de Júnior Santos também não está descartada entre os titulares.

O lateral-esquerdo Marçal está fora do confronto, devido à suspensão pelo terceiro cartão amarelo. Hugo entrará em seu lugar.

O Botafogo vai a campo com: Lucas Perri; Di Plácido, Adryelson, Cuesta e Hugo; Marlon Freitas, Tchê Tchê e Eduardo; Gustavo Sauer (Júnior Santos), Victor Sá e Janderson (Júnior Santos).

Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has lauded an “incredible” Manchester City star for his performance in the 3-0 victory against Manchester United on Sunday.

Man City dominate Man Utd at the Etihad

Man City silenced the doubters with a 3-0 thrashing of rivals Man United on Sunday, with Erling Haaland undoubtedly the star of the show, scoring a brace, although he could’ve easily had a hat-trick, hitting the post after missing a golden opportunity from close range.

Not only was Haaland at his best, but a number of other City players caught the eye, including January signing Abdukodir Khusanov, who completed six clearances, four interceptions and two tackles to keep Ruben Amorim’s side at bay.

Khusanov looks like he is now settling in at the Etihad Stadium, having arguably struggled to make an instant impact, with the Uzbekistan international making just six Premier League appearances in the 2024-25 season after arriving from Ligue 1 side Lens last winter.

However, a different City player has made a flying start to life at the club, according to Richards, who waxed lyrical about summer signing Gianluigi Donnarumma on The Rest Is Football podcast after the Manchester derby.

Related "Massive fan" – Gerrard has named Man Utd legend among his "favourite players"

Steven Gerrard has made it clear he is a huge admirer of a former Manchester United star.

Posts ByDominic Lund Sep 16, 2025

The former Man City man said: “He’s a man mountain! I feel so sorry for Trafford, I feel sorry for Trafford but that save. £26m, £26m! He’s just won the Champions League, he’s what, 25, 26 years of his age?

“Yes people will talk about playing out from the back, he’s not an Ederson playing out, but in terms of shot-stopping, his record is incredible. What a signing that was, and he had a fantastic game today in the derby.”

Donnarumma may keep Trafford out of the starting XI

It is natural to feel sorry for James Trafford, who has seemingly now fallen behind Donnarumma in the pecking order, despite starting the opening three games of the Premier League campaign.

However, it is clear to see why Pep Guardiola brought the Italian straight into the starting XI, given that he is vastly experienced at the top level, having made 40 Champions League appearances, while also receiving high praise from Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique.

The 26-year-old also got off to a solid start on his City debut, keeping a clean sheet in the derby victory, and making one save from inside the box, alongside three clearances throughout the match.

As such, Trafford will have his work cut out trying to force his way back into Guardiola’s side, and there have now been reports suggesting the Englishman is open to a loan move in the January transfer window.

Defeat for either side will spell the end of their involvement in the Champions Trophy

Andrew Miller25-Feb-20253:01

How will England replace Brydon Carse?

Big Picture: Politics takes back seat in high-stakes match-upFor several febrile weeks at the turn of the year, it was impossible to ignore the political mission-creep of England versus Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. And yet, it’s not impossible that a cricket match will be allowed to take centre stage, after all, in Lahore on Wednesday. A potentially fascinating one, too.To deal with the frivolous keep-politics-out-of-sport top line first, this is now a must-win clash for the two winless sides in Group B. Australia’s washout against South Africa in Rawalpindi has changed little in that regard, except that it guarantees that, if either team loses in Lahore, they will now be sunk without a trace, rather than relying on snookers and net run-rates when they play the table-toppers later this week.And, before we get bogged down in the baggage that this contest has acquired, there’s plenty of recent on-field intrigue to drill down into too. Afghanistan’s historic victory in Delhi at the 2023 World Cup has seen to that. It wasn’t the result that ended the reign of the 2019 champions – the tournament’s drawn-out itinerary meant no swift end to their humiliation – but it did unquestionably show them up as plodding, timid and past their collective sell-by date.Eighteen months on, similar concerns endure for England, even as they embark on their white-ball Bazball reboot. On the one hand, their five-wicket loss to Australia was a game of fine margins, none more galling than Jofra Archer’s glaring miss in the deep at a pivotal juncture of the chase. On the other hand, they put an apparently hefty 351 on the board yet still got steamrolled with almost three overs to spare. Not even Ben Duckett’s tournament-record 165 could suffice for a side whose reticence runs deep, no matter what positive messaging may have been carried across from Brendon McCullum’s Test dressing-room.Ben Duckett produced the goods in Lahore – but England still went down•Associated Press

On balance, therefore, would you rather be in England’s shoes – confused as to why your best is still not enough and, in the case of their captain Jos Buttler, vaguely cognisant of the implications of another early tournament exit – or Afghanistan’s – fresh from a shoddy display against South Africa that was so far from the new standards that they set themselves that the only way, surely, is up?Afghanistan’s 107-run loss in Karachi was studded with shoddy fielding, including a glaring missed run-out, and capped by a batting effort that was sunk inside the first 15 overs. Rahmat Shah showed the requisite mettle with a 92-ball 90, but Rashid Khan’s breezy 18 from 13 balls at No. 9 was their second-best score. After their march to the T20 World Cup semi-finals, not to mention four wins at the 2023 World Cup which secured them their Champions Trophy berth, this squad expects better of themselves these days.Cue England, then, the perfect opponents for teams in need of a little extra incentive to raise their games.In truth, the protests about this fixture have dissipated in recent weeks, but that’s not to say there won’t be more discussion as the contest gets underway, or that the underlying issues are no longer worthy of airtime. On the contrary, when the Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi wrote to the ECB protesting the “sex apartheid” of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, on whose watch women’s sport has effectively been banned since 2021, she was merely articulating the same unease that many individual boards were already feeling – including both England and Australia, who had previously pledged to suspend bilateral ties while the Taliban remain in power.That letter had been signed by a cross-party group of 160 British MPs, but the UK prime minister Keir Starmer echoed the ECB’s line, that this is a matter for the ICC as a collective body, not for individual boards. And that, broadly speaking, has been the final word on the matter for now. Certainly it’s a far cry from the situation that Nasser Hussain’s World Cup squad found themselves in back in 2003, when – amid similar political posturing – it was left to the players themselves to debate, and ultimately carry out, a unilateral boycott of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.Besides, as Buttler reiterated on the eve of the game, there is still a place for sport as “a source of hope and enjoyment” in tough times … much as was the case on the eve of the 2023 clash, in fact, when Afghanistan’s own aim had been to bring a bit of joy back to their country after a devastating earthquake in Herat had killed several thousand people. The issues may be different, but the underlying truth remains the same. When there are forces beyond your control, whatever they may be, all you can do is produce your best and hope it contributes to the greater good.Form guide England: LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Afghanistan: LWWWLIn the spotlight: Mark Wood and Rashid KhanTo judge by its early showings, white-ball Bazball is distinctly Route One. Stack the side with the rawest pace imaginable, and let guile and subtlety go hang. It’s a policy that you can imagine being utterly explosive on its good days, but these have been all too infrequent so far in McCullum’s tenure. Mark Wood’s display against Australia epitomised this. His ferocious powerplay spell featured barely a delivery below 150kph, and landed the key early wicket of Steven Smith. But by the back end of Australia’s 352-run chase, Glenn Maxwell was making room to leg with impunity, safe in the knowledge that any sort of connection would go the distance. Eight of Wood’s ten ODIs since the start of the 2023 World Cup have now come in ICC events. Nine wickets at 58.44 and an economy rate above 6.5 imply that the Aussies aren’t the only team who are ready for what he’s being primed to unleash.Rashid Khan has memories of success against England to fall back on•Afghanistan Cricket Board

England’s struggles against high-quality spin have been protracted across formats, and few spinners come more highly rated than Afghanistan’s gun leggie Rashid Khan. Last week, he was knocked off the top of the ICC’s ODI rankings by Maheesh Theekshana, largely due to inactivity, and though he went wicketless in Afghanistan’s opening Group B loss to South Africa, he has happy memories of his most recent outing against England: figures of 3 for 37 in that famous World Cup encounter in Delhi included the winning moment itself, a slider to Wood that sealed a 69-run success, their first over England in any format. As Adam Zampa demonstrated in Australia’s high-scoring win in Lahore on Saturday, stump-threatening wristspinners can unlock even the flattest conditions.Team newsBrydon Carse had been one of the breakthrough bowlers of England’s winters, but his battered toes contributed to an untimely breakdown against Australia, as his seven overs were dispatched at a tick below ten an over. He has now been ruled out of the tournament, with Jamie Overton the likeliest like-for-like replacement – and if Lahore’s conditions remain as true as in the first match, this might even include the impact that his powerful lower-order hitting has often promised, but rarely delivered.England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jamie Smith (wk), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jos Buttler (capt), 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark WoodHashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s captain, hinted that the same XI that tripped up against South Africa would take the field in Lahore – unsurprising in light of his pointed but uncontroversial observation that “the England team struggles a bit against spinners”. In Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, they will have to negotiate 30 overs of the finest, and most varied, slow bowlers in subcontinental conditions, although they will at least be spared a reunion with their chief destroyer at the World Cup, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has been managing injury in recent months and is not currently involved in the 50-over format.Afghanistan: (possible) 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiPitch and conditionsEngland got a clear idea of Lahore’s run-laden conditions in their tournament opener, and more of the same is in prospect on a pristine new surface. The weather, however, could be decidedly cooler. There’s been rain around on the eve of the contest, and while it is not expected to be a factor during the match, the cloud cover could remain in situ … a possible boon for England’s pace-dominant attack.Stats and trivia England have lost five ODIs in a row, their joint-worst run since losing six in a row in their home ODI series against Australia in 2009. Auspiciously, they followed that performance with an improbable semi-final place, weeks later, in the Champions Trophy in South Africa. (Although they did then get crushed by the eventual champions, Australia, once more…) Rahmat Shah, who made 90 in defeat against South Africa, needs 41 runs to become the first Afghanistan batter to reach 4000 in ODIs. Rashid needs two more wickets to become the first Afghanistan bowler to reach 200 in ODIs. Duckett, England’s centurion in defeat against Australia, needs four runs to reach 1000 in the ODI format. Phil Salt isn’t far behind, on 968 runs, while Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone are both in the 900s too.Quotes”We are cricket players, we are sportspersons, we are sportsmen. So, we control what we can do inside the ground. We don’t worry about what’s happening out of the ground.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi plays a straight bat to the political chat“Any time as an England captain you want to perform well, and you want to lead your team to winning games of cricket. We haven’t been doing that enough in the recent past. But as soon as you catch yourself thinking about any negative things, you try to completely flip that and focus on all the positive things that could go right, and where you can take the team. I’m very much focused on that.”

After Thomas Frank’s appointment earlier this summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan could’ve envisaged the perfect start the side has made to his tenure.

The Lilywhites have won both of their first two Premier League matches, scoring five times and keeping two clean sheets – a third of their tally from the previous campaign.

Their victory over Manchester City has undoubtedly been the best victory of the Dane’s spell in charge – restricting Pep Guardiola’s side to limited opportunities at the Etihad.

However, the 51-year-old is still hunting for further reinforcements in the transfer market, especially after missing out on Eberechi Eze to North London rivals Arsenal.

Numerous players have been on their radar over recent days, potentially offering the new boss the talent he craves in such a position for 2025/26 and beyond.

Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder

Over the last couple of days, Spurs made a £61m offer for Como star Nico Paz, highlighting the hierarchy’s ambitions of improving the squad before the September 1st deadline.

However, the offer for the Argentine was swiftly rejected by the Serie A side, with the player himself wanting to stay at Cesc Fàbregas’ side for the time being.

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As a result, the Lilywhites have moved on to different targets, resulting in Leicester City talent Bilal El Khannouss once again appearing on the club’s radar ahead of the end of the window.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank’s side have made the decision to enter the race, after Crystal Palace made a move to land the 21-year-old.

It’s been reported that he’s set to leave the Foxes before the end of the window, with a £22m transfer fee being mooted to prise the youngster away from the Foxes.

The playmaker had been widely expected to move to the Eagles but is now giving thought to moving to Spurs.

It’s alleged that ‘there is a serious possibility that he will choose’ Tottenham over Palace when he makes a decision on his future this week.

Why Spurs’ £22m target would be perfect for Kudus

Earlier this summer, Spurs landed the signature of Mohammed Kudus, costing £55m from West Ham United – becoming the first major signing of Frank’s tenure at the helm.

The Ghanaian, who can operate in numerous positions, has started both of the club’s Premier League outings – cementing his place at the top end of the Lilywhites squad.

Whilst he’s failed to get himself on the scoresheet, the 24-year-old has registered two assists in his first two outings – both of which came in the triumph over Burnley in North London.

His direct dribbling and ability to create carnage within the final third has already caught the eye of the supporters, potentially being a bargain despite his big-money transfer fee.

However, despite Kudus’ impressive start to life under Frank, he could reach the next level in the months ahead if the side land a deal for El Khannouss in the coming days.

Despite relegation from the Premier League last season, the youngster produced numerous impressive figures that would bring the hierarchy’s hunt for a new attacking midfielder to an end.

El Khannouss, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, ranked in the 90th percentile for passes into the final third (3.7) and the 86th percentile for progressive passes (5.3).

Games played

32

Goals & assists

5

Pass accuracy

75%

Progressive passes

5.3

Passes into the final third

3.7

Key passes made

1.7

Progressive carries

3.1

Carries into the final third

1.9

Take-on success

57%

Both figures would allow the Moroccan to provide countless chances for Kudus within attacking areas, helping the former Hammers star build on his impressive start to life at the Lilywhites.

He also completed 57% of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making 1.9 carries into the final third per 90 – having the ability to glide past the opposition and cause problems for the opposition in dangerous positions.

Such numbers are impressive, but the end product is just as important, something which El Khannouss has demonstrated by his tally of five combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

Given the Eagles’ interest in landing the 21-year-old, Frank and the Spurs hierarchy need to act quickly to make a move for his signature to avoid missing out on yet another summer target.

If they do land the youngster, it would be a bargain transfer and one that could hand Kudus the platform to reach the next level in his career during his stint in North London.

Their own Paz: Spurs likely to see £47m bid accepted for "ridiculous" star

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1 ByWill Miller Aug 26, 2025

Paul Pogba will always remain a what-if player for Manchester United, given his failure to sustain his success during his spell as a first-team member at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman left the club on a free transfer, before joining in a then world-record £89m transfer just a couple of years after originally being allowed to depart the Red Devils.

The midfielder was known for his moments of magic, but questions were always asked about his commitment and effort, which held him back from being one of the elite players in world football.

He racked up over 200 appearances during his second spell in Manchester, but ultimately struggled to match the huge fee he returned to the club with.

However, his individual brilliance will always outshine the tough times he spent at the club, with current boss Ruben Amorim able to land his own version of the 32-year-old this window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Benjamin Sesko undoubtedly remains as United’s main target this summer, as the club look to provide the boss with the talisman he craves during his spell in charge.

Talks have already been held between the players’ representatives and the Red Devils hierarchy, but any deal will be an expensive one, given the current £78m asking price.

However, the Slovenian international isn’t the only player currently on their radar, with work also being conducted to secure a deal for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.

Marca’s latest update claims that Amorim’s side have already reached out to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at £25m.

The report also states that AC Milan are also currently exploring a move for the Spaniard, which could see the Red Devils spring into action for his signature in the near future.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Along with his effortless ability to change a game, Pogba was known for his ball-carrying talent, which often saw him run the game when he was performing in full flow.

During the 2017/18 campaign he spent at Old Trafford, the former Juventus star registered 4.1 progressive carries per 90, a figure that ranked him within the top 5% of all players within England’s top-flight.

His dominance on the ball is further backed up by current professional Declan Rice, who placed the Frenchman within his top three players he’s ever come up against.

United’s current midfield is currently lacking the dynamism that Pogba possessed, which should come as no surprise given 33-year-old Casemiro is still one of the options at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the manager could be about to land his own version of the former fan-favourite this summer, with Guerra possessing a lot of the qualities that made the World Cup winner a hit with the supporters.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 1.8 progressive carries per 90 – able to glide past opponents when in control of the ball.

Such a skillset may come as a surprise given his 6”2 frame, sitting just one inch smaller than Pogba, with the pair freakishly talented with the ball at his feet given their height.

However, the youngster’s talents are also further reflected in his tallies of 1.7 tackles won and 1.7 clearances made per 90, able to do the dirty work at the heart of the side before making the desired impact higher up the field.

At just 22, he’s already made a name for himself for his ability to find the net from distance, with his effort against Espanyol arguably the best of his career.

Pogba also managed to possess such a quality, as seen by his own catalogue of strikes, which always managed to excite the fanbase – something which Guerra could do himself should he join the club.

Given his £25m asking price, a deal should be a no-brainer, potentially landing themselves a bargain this summer with a player who could emulate the levels produced by the former world record signing.

He's just like Zirkzee: Man Utd preparing move for £40m Sesko alternative

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Aug 1, 2025