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Sanju Samson scored a half-century for Royals, but struggled to cut loose on a slow Wankhede pitch

Deivarayan Muthu02-May-20221:09

Vettori: KKR superb with their bowling plans for Buttler

Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh offset an early wobble and ensured Kolkata Knight Riders chased down 153 to snap their five-match losing streak, on a slow, grippy Wankhede Stadium track. After Trent Boult and Prasidh Krishna had made early inroads for Rajasthan Royals, Rana and Rinku dismantled R Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal respectively to bring the target within Knight Riders’ reach.Rana cracked Ashwin for 23 off 14 balls on Monday, taking his overall head-to-head to 99 off 52 balls without being dismissed by the spinner in the IPL. He first forged a 60-run third-wicket partnership with Shreyas Iyer (34) and then a livelier 66-run stand with Rinku to usher Knight Riders home.Sanju Samson’s wretched luck with the toss continued – he has won only one out of ten tosses this IPL – but despite that Royals made a decent fist of their defence by dragging it deep. However, with 31 needed off 18 balls, Rinku whacked back-to-back fours off Chahal to effectively kill off the game. It was Rana who ultimately finished it with five balls to spare, with an uppercut six off Kuldeep Sen.Sanju Samson began brightly but slowed down considerably after the 30-ball mark•BCCI

Royals’ go-slow
Umesh Yadav got the new ball to swing both ways to threaten both edges of Jos Buttler in his first over. Ankul Roy, who was picked in place of the out-of-form Venkatesh Iyer, kept Buttler – and Devdutt Padikkal – quiet with his stump-to-stump darts. Umesh struck in his second over when he had Padikkal spooning a return catch for 2.After watching Royals gulp down 18 dots in the first four overs, Samson got a move on in the fifth over, hitting Umesh for back-to-back fours. Buttler uncharacteristically dawdled to 22 off 24 balls before Shivam Mavi combined with Tim Southee to dismiss him. Southee had bowled one in his slot – or perhaps just short of it – and Buttler shovelled it away in the air with his powerful bottom wrist. For a moment, the ball seemed to sail away for six, but Mavi intervened by leaping athletically to his right at long-on to pluck the ball out of thin air. At that stage, Royals were 55 for 2 in the ninth over.Samson, Hetmyer give Royals a leg-up
Samson was more fluent, often jumping outside leg to manufacture swinging room and scoring opportunities. He progressed to 40 off 30 balls, but managed only 14 off his last 19 balls. The pick of his eight boundaries was a regal cut off Mavi, but the seamer bounced back to remove Samson for the fifth time in seven IPL innings. During the toss, Shreyas explained that Mavi had slotted back in place of Harshit Rana because of his favourable match-ups against the Royals batters. Mavi did his job, returning 1 for 33 in his four overs.Riyan Parg only flickered briefly (19 off 12 balls), but Shimron Hetmyer fired in the slog overs, as he has often done in the recent past, clattering an unbeaten 27 off 13 balls. He was particularly brutal on Southee, taking him for 17 off just five balls.Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh added an unbroken 66 for the fourth wicket•BCCI

KKR’s go-slow
Samson’s early impetus and Hetmyer’s late blows gave Royals’ attack something to work with. Trent Boult swung the new ball and bothered both Aaron Finch and B Indrajith – Knight Riders’ fifth different opening combination this IPL. It was Sen who made the first incision when he rushed Finch and had him chopping on for 4 off 7 balls.Indrajith showed a glimpse of his improved white-ball potential when he ramped Prasidh over short fine leg for four. Prasidh, however, banged in a head-high bouncer next ball to have Indrajith top-edging a hook to fine leg, who had been pushed back onto the boundary after that four. Knight Riders stuttered to 32 for 2 in the powerplay.The Rana-Rinku show
Ashwin was introduced into the attack in the next over, and Shreyas carved his first ball away between backward point and short third man. Rana then laid into him in his third over, picking him off for 4,6,4 with a variety of sweeps, including the reverse-hit.Boult had Shreyas caught by Samson down the leg side for 34 off 32 balls, but Rana and Rinku completed the job for Knight Riders without much fuss. With Rana vulnerable to rapid pace and bounce, Rinku took on both Prasidh and Sen before lining up Chahal too. Often confined to being KKR’s regular substitute fielder in the IPL, Rinku showed off his batting chops by contributing 42 off just 23 balls to an unbroken 66-run stand with Rana.

Chelsea’s boardroom are apparently prepared to bid around £83 million for the signing of a big-name attacker – and one who would undoubtedly elevate Enzo Maresca’s side to new heights.

Chelsea face Tottenham after big Premier League win

The west Londoners don’t return to action until Sunday, with Chelsea set to take on topsy-turvy Tottenham Hotspur across the English capital.

Chelsea now prepared to sell "leader" in January so they can sign £83m star

It could be one in, one out at Cobham.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Dec 6, 2024

Chelsea are going into the contest in imperious form, remaining unbeaten in the Premier League since a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in October, winning their last three top-flight games.

Maresca’s men have also scored more goals than any other side in the division, which is testament to the excellent job he’s done since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, as national media carry on floating the idea that Chelsea could be genuine title contenders.

Tottenham (home)

December 8

Brentford (home)

December 15

Everton (away)

December 22

Fulham (home)

December 26

Ipswich Town (away)

December 30

Maresca denies Chelsea could win the league this season, though, as the Italian looks to keep his team’s feet firmly planted on the ground.

Tottenham, meanwhile, have endured a 2024/25 of serious inconsistency. Ange Postecoglou guided his side to a very impressive 4-0 win away to English champions Man City around a fortnight ago, only to watch his men fail to beat struggling Serie A side Roma, Fulham and Bournemouth thereafter.

Postecoglou is under growing pressure at Spurs as a result, and many would fancy Chelsea to win this one comfortably, especially after they smashed Southampton 5-1 at St Mary’s in their most recent encounter.

However, Maresca has praised Sunday’s opponents as a “fantastic” team and suggested that they won’t be easy customers.

“They have very good players with a very good manager,” said Maresca on Tottenham.

“It is very clear what they want to do on and off the ball. What kind of problems they have, I don’t know – you would have to be there to understand the problems. But they are a fantastic team. Two weeks ago, they beat City 4-0, so they are a very good team.”

Off the field, Todd Boehly and BlueCo are believed to be on the hunt for a new No 9, regardless of Nicolas Jackson’s excellent start to this campaign, Chelsea’s overall scoring form and their abundance of attacking quality.

Chelsea prepared to bid £83m for Isak

Chelsea have drawn up a shortlist of striker targets heading into 2025, which includes Ipswich Town starlet Liam Delap, among others.

Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who bagged 25 goals in all competitions last term, is regarded as one of the Premier League’s best centre-forwards – and his contract situation at St James’ Park is putting a host of elite clubs on red alert.

Eddie Howe is attempting to secure a contract extension for Isak, but these talks are proving “complex”, with Chelsea apparently lurking to take advantage. Reports have suggested that Chelsea could make a move for Isak next year, with a report in the Spanish media now providing further news on this.

It is believed that Chelsea’s board are prepared to bid around £83 million for Isak and view the Sweden international as a potentially gamechanging signing who could change the direction of Maresca’s attack.

At Newcastle, they’d analyse such an offer, which would also put the club at a “crossroads”.

Called a potential “world star” by Jamie Redknapp, Isak has also drawn comparisons with Thierry Henry, and we anticipate that the competition for his signature will be ferocious – either in January or next summer.

انتهت منافسات الجولة الثانية والثلاثين من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم، موسم 2024/25.

ونجح مانشستر سيتي في قلب تأخره إلى فوز بنتيجة 5/2 أمام خصمه كريستال بالاس، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “الاتحاد”.

وفاز إيفرتون على مضيفه نوتينجهام فورست بهدف دون رد ملعب “سيتي جراوند”، بينما اكستح أستون فيلا نظيره ساوثهامبتون بثلاثية نظيفة على ملعب “سانت ميري”.

وفي ختام مواجهات يوم السبت، سقط آرسنال في فخ التعادل بهدف مقابل هدف أمام نظيره برينتفورد على ملعب “الامارات”.

وعن مباريات الأحد، وتعادل تشيلسي أمام نظيره إيبسويتش تاون على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج” بهدفين مقابل هدفين، بينما فاز متصدر ترتيب البطولة الإنجليزية ليفربول ضيفه وست هام بنتيجة 2/1 على ملعب “أنفيلد”.

وحقق نيوكاسل فوزاً كبيراً بنتيجة 4/1 على خصمه مانشستر يونايتد، مساءً الأحد، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على ملعب “سانت جيمس بارك”.

في حين انتهت الجولة بفوز بورنموث على خصمه فولهام بهدف دون رد. جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي

1- ليفربول، 76 نقطة.

2- آرسنال، 63 نقطة.

3- نوتينجهام فورست، 57 نقطة.

4- نيوكاسل يونايتد، 56 نقطة.

5- مانشستر سيتي، 55 نقطة.

6- تشيلسي، 54 نقطة.

7- أستون فيلا، 54 نقطة.

8- بورنموث، 48 نقطة.

9- فولهام، 48 نقطة.

10- برايتون، 47 نقطة.

11- برينتفورد، 43 نقطة.

12- كريستال بالاس، 43 نقطة.

13- مانشستر يونايتد، 38 نقطة.

14- إيفرتون، 38 نقطة.

15- توتنهام، 37 نقطة.

16- ولفرهامبتون، 35 نقطة.

17- وست هام، 35 نقطة.

18- إيبسويتش تاون، 21 نقطة.

19- ليستر سيتي، 17 نقطة.

20- ساوثهامبتون، 10 نقاط.

ويمكن متابعة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2024/25، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.

تعرض لاعب المصري البورسعيدي عبد الرحيم دغموم، للإصابة خلال المباراة الجارية حالياً أمام سيمبا التنزاني ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الإفريقية.

ويستضيف المصري نظيره سيمبا التنزاني، على استاد السويس الجديد، في ذهاب دور ربع نهائي كأس الكونفدرالية.

وسقط عبد الرحيم دغموم على أرضية ملعب المباراة في الدقيقة 61، ودخل الطاقم الطبي لعلاجه إلا أنه لم يستطع استكمال اللقاء وغادر المباراة.

طالع أيضًا.. تشكيل المصري أمام سيمبا في ربع نهائي الكونفدرالية.. ثلاثي هجومي

وسجل عبد الرحيم دغموم هدف المصري الأول في الدقيقة 15، من تسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء خدعت حارس المرمى وسكنت الشباك.

ويتأهل الفريق الفائز من مباراة المصري وسيمبا، لمواجهة المتأهل من لقاء الزمالك أمام ستيلينبوش، في دور نصف نهائي كأس الكونفدرالية.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will surely be delighted with his team’s start to the 2024/25 campaign after they went into the last international break of the year in first place in the Scottish Premiership.

A 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday ensured that the Hoops are top of the division on goal difference, after Aberdeen’s 4-1 win over Dundee on Saturday had put them in first initially.

Goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn extended the club’s record to ten wins and one draw, which came against the Dons, in 11 league matches this season.

The Scottish giants have also caught the eye with their performances in Europe, beating RB Leipzig and Slovan, and drawing with Atalanta, although they were beaten 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund.

Despite the club’s fantastic start to the season, the recruitment team and Rodgers will constantly be looking at players who could come in to improve the group.

The squad is constantly evolving and there will be players who move on in the January transfer window, or next summer, and that will open the door for fresh recruits to bolster the side.

In fact, Celtic are already reportedly looking at a star who could come in to give the squad and potentially Arne Engels a boost ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

Arne Engels' form for Celtic this season

The Belgium international joined for a club-record fee from Bundesliga side Augsburg during the summer transfer window and has had mixed success so far.

He has racked up three goals and six assists in 14 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants so far, which is a more than respectable return for a 21-year-old adapting to life in a new country.

His most recent showing against Kilmarnock on Sunday was disappointing, though, as Football FanCast published an article outlining his struggles on the artificial pitch, with one ground duel won and 16 losses of possession without creating any chances.

Appearances

8

Goals

2

Big chances created

3

Assists

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

0.7

As you can see in the table above, Engels is unlucky to have not registered a single assist in the Premiership this season, with three ‘big chances’ created.

However, he has struggled to make an impact out of possession, as was the case against Kilmarnock, with less than one tackle and interception combined per match, and that is where this potential new signing could take some of the pressure off him.

Celtic interested in Premier League midfielder

According to CaughtOffside, Celtic are keen on Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and are far from the only team interested in signing the central midfielder.

The report claims that the Hoops are one of a number of sides eyeing up the former Stuttgart dynamo, with AC Milan, Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Ipswich Town also said to be lining up a move for the Reds outcast.

It states that all of those clubs, including Celtic, have ‘shown’ an interest in the Japan international and could swoop for him when the January transfer window opens for business.

CaughtOffside adds that Endo is open to completing a move away from Anfield after the turn of the year because of his lack of minutes on the pitch under Arne Slot, with zero starts and five substitute appearances – totalling 25 minutes of action – in the Premier League this season.

The outlet claims that Liverpool could accept a fee of up to €18m (£15m) for the former Bundesliga battler, but does not outright state that Slot wants to cash in on the rarely-seen midfielder.

A fee of £15m for a player who turns 32 this season, in February, does not seem like a viable move for Celtic, when you consider that their club-record is the £11m that they paid for Arne Engels this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

However, the Hoops could possibly attempt to convince Liverpool to sanction a loan in the second half of the season, which could bolster Rodgers’ squad and provide Endo with a chance to shine and increase his value and number of suitors with strong performances.

The Japanese midfielder, if he can recapture his best form, could be a signing that would allow Engels to shine even brighter in the middle of the park.

Why Celtic should sign Endo

If the Hoops can secure a loan deal for the second half of the season, the Liverpool midfielder could provide a combative presence in the middle of the park to make up for Engels’ struggles in that department.

The Japanese gem has rarely got on the pitch this term but did play 29 times under Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League last season and averaged 2.4 tackles and interceptions per game, along with 2.9 ground duels won per game.

He also ranked within the top 33% of midfielders in the league for progressive passes per 90 (5.28), which shows that he can cut out opposition attacks and build forward moves for his own team when in possession by progressing the ball forward.

Endo, who was hailed as “exceptional” and a “machine” by Klopp, also showcased his quality out of possession during his time with Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, prior to his move to Liverpool in the summer of 2023.

Appearances

33

Goals

5

Assists

4

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.9

Duel success rate

52%

As you can see in the table above, the 31-year-old star provided quality on the ball, with nine goal contributions, but was also strong at winning the ball back for his side, cutting out opposition attacks with vital interventions.

His 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game are impressive when you consider that no Celtic midfielder has managed more than 2.6 per outing, and Paulo Bernardo (2.6) is the only midfielder with more than 1.7 per match.

Endo has the defensive quality to be a stopper in the middle of the park and that could free up Engles, as well as the likes of Reo Hatate, Bernardo, and Luke McCowan to push on and not exert as much energy defensively.

Therefore, signing the Japanese whiz to compete with the captain for a spot at the base of the midfield could help the club’s record-signing, who has struggled off the ball.

Celtic messed up with Rodgers flop who earned as much as Matt O'Riley

Celtic might have expected more to come from the money they invested in the defender.

ByDan Emery Nov 10, 2024

يخضع ناصر منسي، مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، لاختبار طبي خلال الساعات المقبلة، من أجل حسم موقفه من مباراة القمة أمام الأهلي.

وغاب ناصر منسي، عن مواجهة الزمالك أمام مودرن سبورت والتي انتهت بفوز الأبيض بهدفين مقابل هدف، ضمن منافسات دور الستة عشر من كأس مصر وتأهل إلى ربع النهائي.

وعلم بطولات أن منسي سيخضع غدًا الإثنين لاختبار طبي في المران الذي يقام في معسكر الفريق لحسم موقفه النهائي من المشاركة في مباراة الأهلي بسبب إصابته في العضلة الخلفية حيث يخضع لبرنامج طبي مكثف لمحاولة تجهيزه للمباراة.

طالع.. خاص | لأسباب انضباطية.. بيسيرو يستبعد لاعب الزمالك من مواجهة الأهلي

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي قطبا الكرة المصرية الأهلي والزمالك، يوم الثلاثاء المُقبل الموافق 11 مارس، على أرضية ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

واستطاع الأهلي إنهاء الدور الأول من الدوري المصري في المركز الثاني بجدول ترتيب البطولة ولديه 39 نقطة، بعدما فاز في 11 لقاء وتعادل 6 مرات دون تلقي أي هزائم.

وفي المقابل يحتل الزمالك المركز الثالث في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 32 نقطة حصدها من الفوز بـ9 لقاءات والتعادل في 5 مواجهات وتلقى 3 هزائم.

وانتهت مباراة القمة بين الأهلي والزمالك في الدور الأول من الدوري المصري، بالتعادل الإيجابي 1-1.

The winter window has slammed shut, and GOAL has passed judgement on all the biggest deals throughout the month

The 2025 January transfer window has been and gone, with clubs around the world having weighed up how they could improve their squads while others look to raised funds by selling fringe players or loaning out youngsters to gain experience.

January is a notoriously difficult time to do business, and it seems that teams are being more careful with their finances than ever before given the threat of punishment for over-spending. Despite that, there were still some headline-grabbing moves over the course of the past month.

GOAL has been here every step of the way to pass judgement on all the biggest deals as they happened, awarding grades to both the clubs involved for the business they did, as well as whether it was the right move for each player.

Check out our grades for the biggest deals and let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

Getty/GOALFebruary 3: Nico Gonzalez (Porto to Manchester City, £50m)

For Porto: An offer too good to turn down. Porto would have preferred to hold onto such an important figure until the end of the season, but City have effectively met Gonzalez's buy-out clause, with the only difference being that the money will arrive in instalments rather than one lump sum. The Portuguese club will also be pleased that they've still managed to make a tidy profit on a player they only signed 18 months ago for €8.5m despite the midfielder's former club, Barcelona (arguably the big winners here), being entitled to 40 percent of the fee because of a sell-on clause in his contract. Once City made their move, Gonzalez was always going to end up at the Etihad. Grade: C

For City: A new defensive midfielder – at last! Pep Guardiola thought that City could cope without Rodri, but he was wrong. Neither Mateo Kovacic nor Matheus Nunes (who has ended up at right-back!) have proven themselves up to the task of filling in for the best No.6 in world football – and the soon-to-be-dethroned English champions have suffered horribly as a result. That City have signed Gonzalez is something of a surprise, though. They were linked with better defensive midfielders than the Barcelona reject (such as Ederson and Martin Zubimendi), but the mere fact that he was school at La Masia clearly played a part in Guardiola's decision to bring him to Manchester. Grade: B

For Gonzalez: A dream deal. Gonzalez was let go by Barca in the summer of 2023; now he's just signed for Guardiola's City. As turnarounds go, that's pretty impressive, and it's all down to his impressive performances at Porto. Gonzalez is versatile enough to play as a No.8 and has added goals to his game this season, but the expectation is that he'll be immediately asked to belatedly fill the massive Rodri-shaped hole in front of City's defence. Gonzalez is very confident on the ball, he moves well, has good vision and rarely looks rushed, but this is a massive test of his talent. Gonzalez is not an elite-level midfielder – not yet, at least. He's never even been capped at international level by Spain. So, it will be fascinating to see how he copes with the pressure and demands that come with playing for Pep. Grade: A

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFebruary 3: Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich to Tottenham, loan)

For Bayern: An unsurprising decision. Bayern would have been happy to sell Tel now at the right price, given he's barely got a look-in since Vincent Kompany took over last summer, but a loan with an option to buy is not a bad outcome for the Bavarians. There was certainly no point in him spending the second half of the season sitting on the bench. Of course if Tel now tears it up at Tottenham, the Bavarians will lose him for £45m – a fee that could look like a bargain for a 19-year-old forward. At the end of the day, though, it's a risk that Bayern are willing to take as they're not short on quality wide players and there's no guarantee that Tel will realise his potential. Grade: B-

For Tottenham: A badly needed reinforcement. Spurs have been decimated by injuries in recent weeks, and although a versatile left winger was hardly high on their list of priorities, Tel represents a very welcome addition. Indeed, the word is that beleaguered manager Ange Postecoglou played a pivotal role in convincing the teenager to move to north London, so he clearly believes that Tel can play a big part in turning Tottenham's season around. Managing to negotiate the option to make the move permanent could also prove a masterstroke by Daniel Levy, who simply had to strengthen Spurs' attack and, in theory, that's what he's done by snapping up a player that several other teams were interested in acquiring. Grade: B+

For Tel: A chance to show what he can do. At 17, Tel was breaking all sorts of records at Bayern, but he's been surplus to requirements this season and it's well worth noting that he's not scored a single goal in 14 appearances in all competitions. He'd undoubtedly argue, though, that he wasn't given his fair share of opportunities by Kompany, having started just four times under the Belgian boss. However, the onus is now very much on Tel to prove his worth in the Premier League. With Dominic Solanke presently sidelined through injury and Ricarlison still terrible, Tel should certainly be afforded more minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium than he was getting at the Allianz Arena. He'll need to make the most of them if he's to convince people he's really as good as he believes himself to be. Grade: B+

Getty Images SportFebruary 3: Axel Disasi (Chelsea to Aston Villa, loan)

For Chelsea: Further evidence of their ridiculous recruitment. Chelsea only signed Disasi from Monaco for £38.5m ($48m) 18 months ago – but he's been a reserve since the start of the season, with his only meaningful minutes coming in the Conference League. The Blues board will, thus, be relieved to have removed an unwanted player from the wage bill until the end of the season, with Villa having agreed to not only pay a small loan fee but also cover his salary in full. It will now be fascinating to see if this temporary switch materialises into a permanent move – and for how much money. Grade: D+

For Villa: A vital addition in the centre of defence. Unai Emery's backline has been stretched to breaking point by injuries in recent weeks, so Disasi's deadline-day arrival could not have come at a better time. Villa also had to fight hard to get this deal done, as Tottenham were also in the running, and his signing makes this a very successful window for the club, who have hit pretty much all of their targets. Grade: B+

For Disasi: The move he desperately wanted – and needed. It's worth remembering that he had just broken into the France squad before his ill-fated move to Stamford Bridge, but it's now well over a year since he last represented his country. Disasi's goal will be to turn his career around ahead of the 2026 World Cup – and he could well do that at Villa Park. It's certainly encouraging that he was so keen to join, refusing to even consider signing for Spurs instead. Disasi clearly feels that Villa will provide him with a better platform to prove his worth between now and the end of the season – and he'll likely be proven right. Disasi is still only 26 and should get plenty of game time under Emery. Grade: A

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Getty ImagesFebruary 3: Joao Felix (Chelsea to AC Milan, loan)

For Chelsea: Further evidence of their ludicrous approach to player recruitment. Felix's arrival from Atletico Madrid, which coincided with Conor Gallagher moving in the opposite direction, was clearly motivated by financial factors rather than any sporting considerations. The Portuguese had done very little during his first loan spell at Stamford Bridge to suggest he was worth signing for £42m, so it's not in the least bit surprising that he's now being shipped out on loan just six months after his 'permanent' move to west London. Chelsea have done well to get Milan to cover his wages and pay a small loan fee for his services for the next six months, but it still seems unlikely that anyone will pay big money for a player that has barely done anything but disappoint since leaving Benfica as one of the most highly-rated teenagers in world football. Grade: D

For Milan: The kind of transfer with which the Rossoneri are becoming synonymous. The Serie A side are not the big spenders they once were under Silvio Berlusconi. It's all about Moneyball at Milanello these days, which essentially means taking a punt on unfulfilled talents. Signing Christian Pulisic has certainly worked out well for them and Felix could too, as there is a top player in there somewhere trying to get out. The big question is, though, where are they going to play him? Santiago Gimenez has been brought in from Feyenoord to start up front following Alvaro Morata's move to Galatasaray, while Rafael Leao and Pulisic are considered certain starters when fully fit. At the end of the day, Milan didn't really need Marcus Rashford, so Felix is arguably even less useful. Still, it's been claimed that coach Sergio Conceicao is a fan of his compatriot, so maybe he'll be the man to finally get a tune out of one of the game's most frustrating flops. Grade: C-

For Felix: Yet another move to a big club that he did very little to earn. There were brief spells at Barcelona last season when Felix looked like he might actually realise his potential at long last, but his loan stay in Catalunya didn't materialise into a permanent move – and the Blaugrana don't have any regrets about that fact. Atletico certainly don't regret getting rid of their record signing either. So, what chance does he have of finally finding a proper home for himself in Milan? Very little on the face of it, as he's joining a terribly inconsistent team that turns up one week before then disappearing for a month. Then again, given Felix is just as flakey, maybe he'll fit right into his new surroundings at San Siro! Grade: B-

Arne Slot’s tactical nous lends itself to success in the Premier League. Liverpool’s roaring start to the 2024/25 campaign confirms as much.

He’s personable and charismatic, but there’s a ruthlessness about Slot that’s refreshing to see. Jarell Quansah’s half-time substitution against Ipswich Town on the opening day proves as much. It was brutal and blunt but saw the tide turned and the tone set for the Reds, who have won nine matches from ten this term.

The Dutch coach has been reluctant, more or less, to make alterations, which might seem to run counter to that point above but is plain, for he has enforced only a few tweaks to the starting line-up since in the Premier League.

There’s a whole world of youth talent, at Kirkby or plying trade elsewhere (for now), with Trey Nyoni and summer signing Rio Ngumoha among the most talented. They aren’t the only ones though, with Ben Doak riding the crest of a wave since leaving on loan in August.

Ben Doak's performances this season

Doak could have provided Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool with much more last season but was ravaged by injury after a promising start, playing from the outset in three of the club’s Europa League group phase matches.

Told that his development would be best served on loan for the 2024/25 campaign, he moved to Middlesbrough in the Championship and has started the past three fixtures, scoring during a 2-0 victory over Stoke City.

That strike has been the standout but the young Scot’s underlying metrics have probably been more impressive. As per Sofascore, the 18-year-old has averaged two key passes and 1.2 dribbles per game, offering a consistent outlet for his teammates down the flank.

He’s since been recalled to the Scotland national team and proved to be a bright spark on a dreary evening last week against Croatia, hailed as the “standout” by former Scotland defender Willie Miller, playing with a fearless and combative approach that complemented his ball-carrying style.

He’s quite the talent, to be sure. But Liverpool might actually have a bigger and more exciting prospect in their midst.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Liverpool's biggest academy talent

It’s not Nyoni, who has plenty of quality but much to prove, but in fact Jayden Danns, who has already showcased his goalscoring pedigree at the highest level.

Sometimes, you just know. Danns’ brace against Southampton last season made a clear comment on his faculty for goalscoring, the keen-edged blade which he wields in the final third, apt to penetrate the meanest of defences as he continues to grow over the next few years.

Danns is still only 18 but announced himself in some fashion last season, indeed helping injury-hit Liverpool through the FA Cup fifth round against Saints in less than half an hour of action.

He had days before made his Premier League debut against Luton Town, featuring for mere minutes but making a positive impression as he held up play and contributed toward Harvey Elliott’s emphatic late sealing strike to make it 4-1 to Anfield.

Liverpool U18

33

24

4

Liverpool U21

8

3

2

Liverpool

5

2

0

Liverpool UEFA U19

1

0

0

Player. Danns had scored nine goals and added two assists over seven matches in the U18 Premier League for the Reds, bagging in every single one of those matches. Raw talent translation onto the senior stage can be rough at the best of times but his seamless switch speaks of his future role in the Premier League – hopefully for Liverpool.

Youth scout Antonio Mango even hailed him as “unplayable” after one of those matches, a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United, at youth level, and though he’s been sidelined with injury throughout the opening months of the new season, Slot will know the name and indeed consider unleashing him at some point down the line.

He must do so, for Danns’ composure and placement in crucial time-to-shoot moments is something to behold for one so young and inexperienced.

Danns is the real deal, with the prolific edge that could see him become an elite goalscorer and Liverpool’s biggest talent.

Ben Doak just dominated one of the PL's best players for Scotland

Liverpool fans would have been impressed with their ace’s performance for his nation.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 13, 2024

Hoping to get one over on their former sporting director, Newcastle United now reportedly want to sign a Premier League teenager ahead of Manchester United and Dan Ashworth in 2025.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies felt the full impact of Ashworth’s departure in the summer in what turned out to be a nightmare few months for new sporting director Paul Mitchell. On the hunt for reinforcements, those at St James’ Park ended the summer with their best signing being Lloyd Kelly on a free deal having failed in their pursuit to sign both Marc Guehi and then Anthony Elanga late on.

Newcastle star was worth £10m when Howe arrived, now his value's risen 200%

The talent has developed rapidly in a short space of time under Howe.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 19, 2024

Unsurprisingly eager to move on, however, Newcastle have seemingly set their sights on making up for lost time in 2025, with recent reports linking the Magpies with moves for the likes of Leroy Sane.

The Bayern Munich star would be an arrival to silence any doubters once and for all and would arguably be Newcastle’s biggest signing since Alexander Isak. Whilst potentially welcoming the former Manchester City man, however, those in Tyneside could sign a player with a lower profile but someone with plenty of potential.

According to GiveMeSport, Newcastle now want to sign Tyler Dibling from Southampton ahead of Manchester United and Ashworth. Although the Saints youngster is currently on course to stay put at St Mary’s for the time being, he’s certainly one to keep an eye on after he stole the show against the Red Devils despite a 3-0 defeat last weekend.

Just 18 years old, Dibling showed all the confidence of a veteran winger against Manchester United in the type of performance that was always going to grab the interest of those chasing the European places in the Premier League.

"Special" Dibling can make an instant impact

Dibling still has a lot of work to do before he reaches his best of course, but that should only be seen as a positive given that he’s already causing sides like Manchester United plenty of problems at just 18 years old. One can only imagine the player he’s on course to become if this is the level he already finds himself at in a struggling Saints side.

Southampton boss Russell Martin has been quick to recognise Dibling’s quality too, saying via the Southern Daily Echo after the Saints narrowly lost against Nottingham Forest last month: “Tyler was brilliant. He was our biggest attacking threat. He was on the pitch for 15 minutes and he’s 18.

“We need a bit more of that mentality, that freedom to go and create, but he’s a really special talent. We just have to take our time with him. But, yeah, we probably need a little bit of help in that area, I would suggest.”

Two-time champions slip to 81 for 7 and lose heavily despite lower-order’s recovery

ECB Reporters' Network17-Jun-2021Northamptonshire Steelbacks slipped to a fourth straight defeat as Derbyshire Falcons ended a two-game losing streak with a five-wicket victory in the North Group match at Derby.A disciplined Derbyshire performance with the ball restricted Northamptonshire to 141 for 8 and the Falcons, led by an unbeaten 48 from Leus du Plooy and 44 from Matt Critchley, eased home on 143 for 5 with 10 balls to spare.Ricardo Vasconcelos scored 38 and Graeme White made 37 from 24 balls but Northamptonshire were restricted by George Scrimshaw, 1 for 13 from four overs and Conor McKerr, 2 for 23.Related

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After losing 7 for 17 in their previous game, the Steelbacks ran into more problems, with both openers dismissed in the first two overs. On a slow, used pitch, Richard Levi chipped Logan van Beek to midwicket and Adam Rossington was caught behind pulling Conor McKerr.Vasconcelos and Wayne Parnell repaired the damage until the Falcons struck again in the final over of the powerplay. Parnell lost his middle stump aiming a big drive at Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Rob Keogh steered the next ball to slip.The slide continued when Saif Zaib missed a sweep at Critchley and although Mohammad Nabi – in his first appearance of the season after quarantining – dispatched the same bowler for two sixes, the Falcons quickly reasserted control.Fynn Hudson-Prentice picked up two wickets•Getty ImagesNabi was caught at deep midwicket attempting a third and Vasconcelos skied a pull at George Scrimshaw to reduce Northamptonshire to 81 for 7 in the 14th over.White and Tom Taylor got their side to a respectable total by taking 41 from the last three overs with both batsmen driving Critchley for six before White hit Hudson-Prentice for three consecutive fours.Northamptonshire had to take early wickets and Ben Sanderson delivered by bowling Harry Came in the second over. Billy Godleman drove Nabi for six before being run out four balls later but the pressure was eased when 17 came from Nathan Buck’s first over.Parnell responded by removing Luis Reece and conceding only two from the next over but du Plooy provided momentum by pulling Sanderson for six to leave the Falcons needing 62 off the last 10 overs.Critchley took Derbyshire to within 14 of victory before he skied Taylor to mid on and although Hudson-Prentice was run out, du Plooy sealed victory in style with his third six.