Kane Richardson has been ruled out of Australia’s limited-overs tour of Pakistan due a hamstring injury and will be replaced by New South Wales left-armer Ben Dwarshuis.Richardson, who was the most experienced pace bowler in an already depleted squad, aggravated the injury during training in Melbourne ahead of the team’s departure to Lahore.”Although the injury is considered minor it was decided the long trip to Pakistan along with four games in eight days and short turnarounds it was in Richardson’s best interests to remain home,” a Cricket Australia statement said.Dwarshuis, who also plays for Sydney Sixers, is uncapped at international level but was previously part of Australia’s T20 squad during a tri-series in 2017-18 and has been part of the IPL. If he features in the ODI side during the three-match series, it would come after just nine List A matches for New South Wales.Richardson’s absence leaves the pace attack to be led by Jason Behrendorff and Sean Abbott alongside Nathan Ellis, supplemented by allrounders Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis.Multi-format quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins have been rested for the white-ball portion of the tour. Hazlewood and Cummins are both part of the upcoming IPL.Captain Aaron Finch was confident the squad still had the depth to compete in Pakistan.”One thing that will help is the guys have played a lot of T20 cricket,” he said. “They’re quite inexperienced for Australia but I think playing T20 cricket will help them in that regard. There’s a lot of skill in the group and guys that have been around one-day cricket for a long time domestically as well.”Having a lot of a lot of faith in their own ability is really important. When you have got guys like Abbott, he’s been around for a long time [and] Behrendorff. They’ve played a lot of state cricket, so I think it’ll be fine.”Australia only played three ODIs last year – on the tour of West Indies – with home matches this season against New Zealand postponed due to Covid-19 border restrictions. They have won all three of their series in the ODI Super League with 2-1 victories over England (away) and India (home) alongside the West Indies success.
Real Madrid ace Jude Bellingham has been hilariously tricked into signing a '10-year deal' with Burnley, along with his brother Jobe.
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Jude spends Christmas in England with family
Went to Ewood Park to support his brother Jobe
Was tricked by a fan to 'sign' for Burnley
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The cheeky moment was orchestrated by Alfie, a young supporter, who presented the two players with a makeshift 'contract' committing them to a 10-year tenure at the Clarets. The boy’s father shared the amusing encounter on social media platform X.
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WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Posting proudly, he wrote: “My lad Alfie has just signed Jobe & @BellinghamJude up for @BurnleyOfficial on a 10-year contract @realmadriden @SunderlandAFC sorry lads!”
The handwritten 'contract' humorously stated: “We, Jobe and Jude, agree to sign for Burnley for 10 years.”
Adding to the lightheartedness, Burnley FC Chairman Alan Pace reacted to the social media post with enthusiasm. He tweeted: “Welcome to the recruitment team, Alfie,” acknowledging the playful 'deal' brokered by the young fan.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Bellingham, currently one of the most celebrated players in European football, is fresh off helping Real Madrid end 2024 on a high note. The 21-year-old midfielder played a crucial role in a 4-2 victory against Sevilla, solidifying Real Madrid’s dominance in La Liga as they head into the festive break. However, with Spanish football pausing for the holiday season, Jude took advantage of the downtime to visit England and support his brother Jobe against Blackburn at Ewood Park, who is making waves in the Championship with Sunderland.
Getty Images Entertainment
WHAT NEXT FOR JUDE & JOBE?
While Jude is set for a brief hiatus before Real Madrid resumes action in January 2025 with a match against Valencia, Jobe still has one more game to play in 2024. Sunderland will face Stoke City on December 29, providing the younger Bellingham with another opportunity to showcase his burgeoning talent.
أكد وليد سليمان، نجم الأهلي السابق، صعوبة المواجهة المرتقبة أمام صن داونز في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مشيرًا إلى أن المباراة يجب أن تُدار على شوطين، الأول في جنوب إفريقيا والثاني بالقاهرة، مع ضرورة الحفاظ على التوازن الدفاعي وعدم فتح الملعب في لقاء الذهاب.
ويستعد فريق الكرة بالنادي الأهلي لمواجهة صن داونز، اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا، على ملعب “لوفتوس فيرسفيلد” في بريتوريا بجنوب إفريقيا، على أن تُقام مواجهة الإياب يوم السبت المقبل 26 أبريل في استاد القاهرة.
وقال وليد سليمان في تصريحات عبر قناة “mbc masr 2”: “مباراة صعبة جدًا، ويجب على المدير الفني واللاعبين أن يعرفوا أن المباراة ستكون من شوطين، شوط في جنوب إفريقيا والثاني في القاهرة، عشان الدنيا ما تفتحش هناك”.
طالع أيضًا | عدلي القيعي: الأهلي يجب أن يخاف من صن داونز.. ونصيحة هامة لـ كولر
وتابع: “فرق جنوب إفريقيا (بيزهقوا) بسرعة، واجهنا صن داونز وأورلاندو كثيرًا، و(بيزهقوا) عندما يجدوا الخصم قافل الملعب، فممكن تطلع بهجمة مرتدة أو تستغل خطأ، وليسوا مثل الأهلي والزمالك، وهذا كان كلام موسيماني”.
وأشار: “موسيماني كان دايمًا يقول لنا إن أندية جنوب إفريقيا (بيزهقوا)، وإحنا المفروض (منزهقش) من مراكزنا، ولا من طريقة الدفاع التي نلعب بها، ونظل ملتزمين، لأن الفرصة ستأتي لأنهم (بيزهقوا) بسرعة”.
وسيلتقي الفائز من مواجهة الأهلي وصن داونز مع المتأهل من لقاء بيراميدز وأورلاندو بايرتس في المباراة النهائية لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2024-2025.
Glasgow Rangers delivered their finest performance of the season so far on Saturday afternoon, scoring six goals in the Premiership for the first time since the 2021/22 campaign.
The 6-0 win over Ross County at Hampden could well be the catalyst that gives a much-needed jolt to Rangers following a fairly underwhelming start to the season thus far.
Phillipe Clement
Philippe Clement knows the real test will come this weekend as the Gers travel to Parkhead for the first Old Firm match of the season. Judging by recent form, the Belgian could be set for a tough test across the city.
Several players delivered superb performances in the win over County over the weekend, with a few potentially saving their Ibrox careers in the process, most notably Rabbi Matondo.
Rabbi Matondo’s game in numbers against Ross County
The Welsh winger looked like he was certain of an exit from the Light Blues, with Blackburn Rovers showing plenty of interest in the player recently.
This sale would have raised some funds for Clement to use on future signings before the end of the transfer window on Friday evening, but has Matondo perhaps salvaged his Ibrox career due to his display against the Highland side?
Matondo was unleashed by the Belgian in the starting XI, tasked with using his pace to good effect against a defence which had lost to fourth-tier side Spartans just a week prior.
The decision was a wise one. Not only did Matondo score twice during the 6-0 win, but he also grabbed another two assists, while succeeding with three of his six dribble attempts and making three key passes.
It was arguably his finest performance for Rangers since joining in the summer of 2022. While he may lack consistency, when Matondo is fit and firing, he is a devastating player in the final third.
Goals
2
Assists
2
Key passes
3
Big chances created
2
Dribble attempts (successful)
6 (3)
Touches
45
Duels (won)
12 (5)
Does this display suggest he will remain at the Gers after the window slams shut? Who knows, but Matondo didn’t do himself any harm with his productive attacking performance.
Could Clement potentially make a move for a winger on the opposite flank before Friday, however? The club have been linked with a Championship starlet.
Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo.
Rangers showing interest in Norwich City sensation
A few days ago, we covered the news that the Light Blues were keen on making a move for Norwich City winger Abu Kamara, who was on Clement’s shortlist of wingers.
It was claimed that Ibrox scouts were running the rule over the youngster following an impressive loan spell at Portsmouth last term. He could be available for as little as £2m, although will this be a stumbling block for the club?
This may mean a few players will have to be sold between now and Friday in order to seal a deal for Kamara, but it could well be worth it.
Abu Kamara’s season in numbers
The winger made three appearances for Norwich during the 2022/23 season, but in order to aid his development, a loan spell was agreed with Portsmouth for the 2023/24 campaign.
Moving to the south coast, dropping a division in the process, was the perfect chance for Kamara to showcase his talents, proving that he would be able to cut it at Norwich.
In 52 matches for Pompey, Kamara registered an impressive 21 goal contributions – ten goals and 11 assists – in all competitions as the club secured promotion back to the Championship.
His former teammate at Portsmouth, Colby Bishop, hailed the winger as being “unplayable” as the season drew to a close, with the 21-year-old becoming one of their finer performers throughout the campaign.
If Clement manages to secure a deal for the young talent, imagine a partnership of him and Matondo on opposite flanks, causing chaos for defences all over the country.
Could it also mean the end for Scott Wright? He will surely fade out of the picture if Kamara is signed before Friday.
Scott Wright’s Rangers statistics
The former Aberdeen winger has hardly made an impression during his spell in Glasgow, despite joining the Gers midway through the 2020/21 season.
Having played a total of 120 matches during his spell at the Light Blues, Wright has managed to score just 12 goals and grab a further seven assists. This works out as a goal involvement once every 6.3 matches, certainly not the standard required for success at Ibrox.
Scott Wright
Towards the end of July, there were a few rumours linking Wright with a move from Rangers to the Championship, as the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County and Preston North End were all showing interest in the Scot.
So far, nothing has materialised, but it makes sense to offload him this summer, especially considering his contract expires at the end of the season.
Kamara would be a far greater threat on the right wing compared to Wright and this could see Clement have a wonderful duo of Matondo and the Norwich gem on either flank.
Both are pacey wide men who offer not only a threat in front of goal but are also able to generate plenty of chances for their teammates.
The Welshman may have played his way into Clement’s starting XI for the foreseeable future, especially with Oscar Cortes not due to return to the pitch for another week or two.
Having already signed Vaclav Cerny on a loan deal, Clement has a solid option on the right flank, but bringing Kamara to the club on a permanent deal would certainly be a wise move, as his value could soar following a decent season in Scotland.
Vaclav Cerny
The 6-0 win over County has inspired some confidence in several members of the squad, just in time to face Celtic.
Matondo is one player who could make the difference against the Parkhead side, similar to his last-gasp equaliser in the clash back in April.
Will there be another new signing or two before then, however? Only time will tell.
Forget Dessers: 9/10 star who won 5 duels may have saved his Rangers career
Philippe Clément’s men secured a 6-0 win this afternoon
da bet esporte： Tottenham Hotspur steadied the ship on Saturday afternoon with a thumping 4-0 win against Everton and, in turn, reminded the rest of the Premier League that at their free-flowing best, they can tear teams to pieces.
da mrbet： However, Ange Postecoglou's side don't play again until Sunday, so, like the rest of the league, their fans have shifted their focus to the transfer window's conclusion.
Thus far, the North Londoners have enjoyed a relatively fruitful summer, bringing in youngsters like Archie Gray and Wilson Odobert alongside established stars like Dominic Solanke, and while many clubs would now kick their feet up happy with their business, Daniel Levy and Co are reportedly keen to do more.
In fact, recent reports have touted a Premier League-proven midfielder for a move to N17 before 11pm tomorrow, a player who'd add some extra quality to the squad and potentially help James Maddison reach another level.
Tottenham Hotspur transfer news
According to transfers expert Dean Jones on the latest episode of the Ranks FC Podcast, Tottenham are interested in signing Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White.
Jones revealed that the Lilywhites are looking to bring in a player with "power" to play in the midfield and that Gibbs-White is "someone they like," even if they view him less as a traditional eight and more as someone adept at "breaking out" of midfield.
It's not mentioned how much the £80k-per-week ace could cost Spurs, but reports from earlier in the summer claimed that the Tricky Trees would demand an offer in excess of £40m.
Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates for Nottingham Forest
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line at this point in the window, but given Gibbs-White's quality, it's one worth pursuing, especially as he could help Maddison reach another level.
Why Gibbs-White would be a great signing for Maddison
Okay, so there are two main reasons that Gibbs-White could potentially help Maddison reach another level this season: his positional versatility and output.
Nottingham Forest player Morgan Gibbs-White
The reason that the latter would help the former Leicester City ace is simply that if the Forest man is playing alongside him, creating chances for the 27-year-old and finishing the chances he creates for him, his goal and assist tallies will naturally improve.
For example, despite playing in a rather lacklustre team last season, the Stafford-born dynamo scored six goals and provided ten assists in 42 appearances, equating to a goal involvement once every 2.62, lending credence to journalist Josh Bunting's description of the player as "sensational."
Gibbs-White in 23/24
Appearances
42
Goals
6
Assists
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.38
All Stats via Transfermarkt
His versatility, on the other hand, could help the Lilywhites number ten in a couple of ways. The first is that, despite his experience playing in attacking midfield, his ability to play in central midfield and even out wide means he won't cannibalise the minutes his potential new teammate will be expecting this season.
The next reason is that his ability to fill in where needed should hopefully allow him to build up more of a relationship with the regular starters and, in turn, help improve the all-around effectiveness of the side.
Ultimately, while the fee is high, Gibbs-White's attacking ability combined with his positional versatility would see him become a very useful player at Tottenham and someone who could facilitate Maddison, thus helping him reach another level.
Like Romero: Spurs target £21m UCL winner who's a "cheat code"
The experienced international would be a great addition to Postecoglou’s squad
Even the most rose-tinted Sunderland supporter wouldn't have anticipated this electric start from their Wearside team, as the Black Cats finished off a flawless August in the Championship with a fourth win on the bounce.
The 3-1 away victory at Portsmouth last time out saw the likes of Romaine Mundle and Eliezer Mayenda cause all sorts of havoc, but both players didn't really get much luck last campaign in the first-team, with the feel-good atmosphere currently helped by Regis Le Bris' methods from the sideline clearly working.
One standout performer so far this season has been Chris Rigg, as the sublime 17-year-old continues to dazzle second-tier defences as a livewire in the middle of the park, alongside equally promising prospects in the form of Jobe Bellingham among others.
Rigg's start to the season
Rigg was given moments in the first-team to impress last season, notably during Mike Dodds' up-and-down interim spell in charge of the Black Cats, but he has become a consistent starting figure so far under Le Bris.
The teenage sensation has started three of his confident side's four opening victories, with his showing against Sheffield Wednesday in particular standing out, as the homegrown product amassed three key passes during the emphatic 4-0 win.
Last time out, away from stylishly spraying the ball about the pitch, Rigg's grit came in handy as a crunching tackle in the middle of the park from the Sunderland number 11 eventually saw Mundle power home a quick counter-attack move away at Fratton Park, to make it 3-0 and clinch another three points.
Once on the radar of Newcastle United, in what would have been an extremely controversial switch, Rigg will be fully focused now on the tricky mission ahead in helping his Sunderland side stay near the top of the Championship summit as the gruelling season chugs on.
Now up to 29 senior Sunderland appearances, despite not yet reaching his 18th birthday, there should be plenty more to come from Rigg over the campaign ahead, with the potential for Le Bris to add more youth to his side in the form of young hotshot Tom Watson.
Sunderland's next Chris Rigg
Much like Rigg, the early Championship pace-setters have had to bat away interest from some top clubs for the services of young Tom Watson, with the 18-year-old reportedly wanted by Brighton and Hove Albion this summer.
Sunderland held their nerve and have kept hold of Watson for the time being, with the left winger another extremely promising prospect for the future.
Rigg
31
3
4
Watson
64
26
16
Combining both their numbers for the U18s and U21s, Watson really stands out for his prowess in front of goal and creating chances as a daring attacking option, with a ridiculous 42 goal contributions managed across 64 clashes in the esteemed Sunderland youth structure.
He could well go on to fill the void left behind by Jack Clarke's exit to Ipswich, with outlandish comparisons made between the two skilful attackers in the past by football journalist Josh Bunting, who also labelled Watson as "superb".
Described as an "exciting" talent for the future too, when penning his first professional deal back in 2023 by Sunderland Academy manager Robin Nicholls, Watson will hope his time to shine in the men's set-up comes very soon, with the potential there for the 18-year-old to compete with Mundle down the left flank.
After such a topsy-turvy campaign last season, everything seems to be fitting nicely into place during the early regime of Le Bris, with the future looking bright at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have struck gold on “magic” star who's worth more than Mendy
Sunderland fans will be glad to see this star back to his best.
Sporting CP's form has suddenly dipped after Ruben Amorim left them for Manchester United last month.
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Amorim left Sporting CP in NovemberLost three games in a row sinceFans demand sacking of PereiraFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Amorim, who joined the Portuguese giants in 2020, parted company in November as he replaced Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Sporting CP had a dream start to the 2024-25 campaign under Amorim and were on an eight-match winning streak by the time he left. Joao Pereira replaced him at the helm and guided the team to a 6-0 win over Amarante in his first game, but things have gone south since then as they have now lost three matches in a row.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Sporting's 1-0 loss to Moreirense on Thursday marked their third consecutive loss across all competitions. This is the first time since the 2019-20 season that the Liga Portugal club have embarked on such a streak – they lost to PSV Eindhoven first in the Champions League, followed by back-to-back defeats against Famalicao and Rio Ave in the league at the time.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pereira has been in charge of Sporting for less than a month and has managed just four matches. However, according to , fans have already grown impatient and travelling supporters on Thursday waved white handkerchiefs in the stands demanding the sacking of the 40-year-old.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR SPORTING CP?
The Lions will aim to get back to winning ways on Tuesday as they take on Club Brugge in the Champions League, with pressure increasingly growing on Amorim's successor.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have three players representing them at Euro 2024 who will all be hoping to perform to as high of a level as what they managed to hit in the 2023/24 season with their club side. Gary O’Neil’s side finished 14th in the Premier League last campaign, an impressive placement in his first season in charge.
The trio of his players at the Euros are representatives of Portugal; namely, they are Jose Sa, Pedro Neto and Nelson Semedo. Only two of those three have featured so far, with Jose Sa yet to make an appearance. It seems unlikely the goalkeeper will displace Diogo Costa from the starting lineup after his penalty heroics, barring injury.
Neto has featured in three out of Portugal’s four games so far, missing the round of 16 win over Slovenia. He started their final group game against Georgia, playing 75 minutes, and had 45 minutes off the bench in the second game. Semedo has yet to start but has played in all of his country’s games so far.
However, come the end of summer, the Midlands side may well be able to boast a fourth player in their squad who played at Euro 2024, following links to one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
Wolves target Euros sensation
The player in question here is Fenerbache and Turkey left-back Ferdi Kadioglu. The 24-year-old has impressed as his country reached the quarter-finals in Germany, where they will face the Netherlands, and he is now linked with a move away from the club this summer.
According to a report from Turkish news outlet Milat Gazetesi, Wolves are one club who are interested in signing the exciting left-back over the summer transfer window. The article explains that Wolves are one of the sides who are 'closely following' Kadioglu, and could look to sign him this summer.
Ferdi Kadiolgu for Fenerbahce.
However, they will face major competition from elsewhere in the Premier League and the rest of Europe. The report states that London trio Arsenal, Fulham and West Ham are interested in signing the left-back, with competition coming from Germany in the form of Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen, and Spain with Atletico Madrid and Valencia also interested.
In terms of a price, Fenerbache will not accept any offers below £35m, after previously asking Dortmund for such a fee previously. The German giants bid £25m, but that was an offer turned down by the Turkish club.
Why Kadioglu would be a good signing
There is no doubt that Kadioglu has been a standout player in Turkey’s impressive Euro 2024 run so far. He has played 90 minutes in each of their four games, playing as a flying left-wing back who has impressed defensively and in the final third.
Against Austria in his side’s round of 16 victory, he was given a 7/10 for his performance by GIVEMESPORT. He was given plenty of praise, with one analyst – Ben Mattinson – hailing him as a "total footballer" for his display against Ralf Rangnick's team.
Should Wolves sign Kadioglu, he could be the ideal replacement for Rayan Ait-Nouri, who seems set to leave Wolves this summer. According to reports, Liverpool are thought to be keen admirers of the left-back.
In terms of pure goals and assists numbers, Kadioglu scored three times and registered five assists in 51 games, respectable numbers from left-back. Ait-Nouri played fewer games, just 38, and only scored one goal and registered two assists.
The Turkey international also puts up better creative numbers as per FBref, averaging 8.83 progressive passes per 90 minutes which ranks him in the top 1% of positional peers in leagues similar to the Turkish top-flight. He also averages 1.38 key passes, which ranks him in the top 17%. In contrast, as per Fbref, Ait-Nouri averages just 3.83 progressive passes and 0.97 key passes.
Rayan Ait-Nouri up against West Ham's Jarrod Bowen.
The Fenerbahce defender is also a wonderful ball-carrier, as he has shown in Euro 2024. Kadioglu averages 5.19 progressive carries and 3.98 carries into the final third, both of which place him in the top 1%. In contrast, the Algerian averages just 2.59 progressive carries and 1.85 carries into the final third per 90.
Kadioglu vs Ait-Nouri passing and carrying stats
Stat (per 90)
Kadioglu
Ait-Nouri
Progressive passes
8.83
3.83
Key passes
1.38
0.97
Passes into penalty area
2.60
0.50
Progressive carries
5.19
2.59
Take-ons attempted
2.77
4.44
Take-ons completed
2.08
2.40
Carries into final third
3.98
1.85
Stata from FBref
Both players are of a very similar profile; that is to say, fast, flying wingbacks who are able to contribute in the final third whilst also being excellent defensively. Kadiolgu’s 7.44 ball recoveries are slightly better than the 5.26 ball recoveries per 90 of Ait-Nouri.
It certainly seems like a deal Wolves should pursue if they sell their star man. They would be able to add a like-for-like replacement to their squad, whilst keeping a profile that O’Neil would be able to effectively utilise in his system. For a fee of around £35m, it could be a superb investment for Wolves.
Wolves want £30m Neto replacement who "looks like a PL star"
He was one of the best players in his division last season
da dobrowin： O São Paulo segue na busca de melhorar sua situação na tabela do Campeonato Paulista. O combate contra a Ponte Preta, neste domingo (13), às 18h30, é a chance da equipe garantir sua segunda vitória na temporada e aliviar mais ainda a pressão.
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da poker： Rogério Ceni deve seguir com o sistema de rodízio que segue adotando nesse início de temporada. Dos 24 nomes testados, somente três deles estiveram presentes em todas as partidas até agora: Gabriel Sara, Rigoni e Alisson. Porém, nenhum deles jogou os 90 minutos.
O gol do Tricolor é uma outra questão que está sendo avaliada pelo treinador, que segue adotando um revezamento entre Jandrei e Tiago Volpi. Volpi atuou contra o Guarani e o Red Bull Bragantino, enquanto Jandrei contra o Ituano e o Santo André.
O São Paulo segue na quarta posição do grupo B, somando quatro jogos, uma vitória, duas derrotas e um empate. A Ponte Preta, por sua vez, está em segundo lugar do grupo D. O clube soma sete pontos, com cinco jogos, duas vitórias, um empate e duas derrotas.
+ Veja a situação do São Paulo no Paulistão e simule os próximos jogos
SÃO PAULO x PONTE PRETA
Local: Estádio Moisés Lucarelli ,Campinas (SP) Data/Horário: 13/02/2022, às 18h30 Árbitro:Raphael Claus Assistentes:Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis eEvandro de Melo Lima VAR:Thiago Duarte Peixoto Onde acompanhar: Paulistão Play, Premiere e em Tempo Real na parceria LANCE!/Voz do Esporte
SÃO PAULO Volpi, Rafinha, Arboleda, Miranda e Léo; Gabriel, Gabriel Sara e Alisson; Rigoni, Rodrigo Nestor e Calleri. Técnico: Rogério Ceni. Desfalques: Patrick, Luan e Luciano (lesionados)
PONTE PRETA Ygor; Kevin, Thiago, Fabrício e Guilherme; Wesley, Leo Naldi, Leo Santos e Fessin; Ribamar e Lucca. Técnico:Gilson Kleina. Desfalques: Luís Fernando, Dedé e Igor Formiga.
da spicy bet： Manchester United supporters are no doubt riding high at present – and rightly so – having snapped up Serie A's Young Player of the Year, Joshua Zirkzee, from Bologna, while also prising Lille's Leny Yoro from out of Real Madrid's clutches.
da fezbet： Of course, the Red Devils have been here before, with a 'successful' summer not often translating to a successful season, yet who's to say that things can't be different this time around, with manager Erik ten Hag now boosted by the support of the INEOS regime.
As was shown in the £52m deal for Yoro – which was seemingly something of an obsession for new CEO, Omar Berrada – United don't appear afraid to step on a few toes to get what they want, with that likely to be true again amid reports of another potential statement move.
Man Utd ready to raid Premier League rivals
According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, the Old Trafford outfit are "exploring a deal" for Arsenal's teenage sensation, Chido Obi-Martin, with initial talks having already been held regarding the 16-year-old's potential move to Manchester.
As per the respected insider, the Denmark youth international has seen his schoolboy terms expire in north London after turning down a contract offer from the Gunners, with a departure from the club now on the cards.
The highly-rated striker has already visited Carrington amid United's pursuit of a deal, albeit with there also likely to be significant rival interest in his services from clubs across Europe.
Why Man Utd are interested in Chido Obi-Martin
At a time when the club are still seeking a prolific number nine to bolster the first-team squad – with new man Zirkzee having netted just 12 times last season in Italy – the prospect of signing a figure for the future rather than the present may not be cause for much excitement among the United faithful.
That said, all the evidence points to the capture of Obi-Martin being something of a masterstroke, with the in-demand talent having notably hit the headlines last season after scoring ten – yes ten – times in a 14-3 win over Liverpool's U16s last season.
In total, the emerging superstar ended 2023/24 with 32 goals in just 21 outings for Arsenal's U18 side, with his towering frame at that age group making him a real "monster on the pitch", in the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson.
Tipped to "battle it out" with Rasmus Hojlund at international level in the years to come – as per Mattinson – it is clear just why there is such clamour over the teenager's signature, with INEOS needing to do all they can to get a deal over the line.
Of course, the club have only recently shown their muscle in the market by forking out for Yoro, yet there is an argument to be made that a move for Obi-Martin could represent an even more bold and exciting deal.
Yoro's 2023/24 Ligue 1 season in numbers
32 games (30 starts)
2 goals
0 assists
92% pass accuracy rate
13 clean sheets
1.1 tackles per game
1.1 interceptions per game
3.9 balls recovered per game
65% aerial duels won
63% total duels won
Stats via Sofascore
Like with any youngster, there must be a note of caution over getting too carried away, yet it would, no doubt, be extremely satisfying to poach the player from a direct rival in Arsenal, with such a deal likely to evoke memories of a certain Robin van Persie back in 2012 – the Dutch goal machine going on to fire United to a 20th league title with 26 Premier League goals in his debut season.
While such heroics may take time to come for Obi-Martin, his goalscoring exploits at youth level do point to future stardom, thus ensuring he could potentially make an even bigger impact than any defender – like Yoro – could at the Theatre of Dreams.
With the Red Devils arguably still waiting to find a suitable, long-term successor to Van Persie after a decade of short-term and costly centre-forward signings, where better to finally end that search than by plucking another 'superstar' from under the noses of the Gunners.
Hopefully, like 'RVP', the little boy inside of him is also "screaming for United"…
Man Utd lining up move for PL talent who'd be a "beast" next to Yoro
INEOS aren’t pulling any punches on the transfer front this summer.