O técnico Lúcio Flávio contará com seus jogadores “de Seleção” na partida do Botafogo com o América-MG, nesta quarta-feira (18), no Independência. O goleiro Lucas Perri e o zagueiro Adryelson chegaram a Belo Horizonte e se juntaram à delegação alvinegra. A informação é do jornalista Thales Machado, de “O Globo”.
RelacionadasBotafogoProva de fogo! Botafogo encara o América-MG e tenta comprovar que está com rota ajustada para o títuloBotafogo18/10/2023VascoVasco costura acordo com a PM e planeja enfrentar o Botafogo em São JanuárioVasco17/10/2023BotafogoBotafogo traça planejamento para contar com Lucas Perri e Adryelson diante do América-MGBotafogo17/10/2023
A dupla desembarcou no Aeroporto de Confins, na capital mineira, por volta das 8h15, ao lado do CEO da SAF do Glorioso, Thairo Arruda.
+ A sua carreira no futebol pode começar hoje. Garanta a sua vaga no curso Gestor de Futebol e capacite-se!
Perri e Adryelson estiveram com a Seleção Brasileira no dia anterior, em Montevidéu. Porém, nenhum dos dois atuou no Estádio Centenário, na partida na qual o Brasil amargou uma derrota por 2 a 0 para o Uruguai.
A tendência é que o goleiro e o zagueiro sejam titulares logo mais. O Botafogo líder do Brasileirão com 55 pontos, vai a campo às 20h contra o lanterna América-MG.
تمكن فريق برشلونة من تسجيل الهدف الرابع في شباك خصمه سيلتا فيجو، في مباراتهما الجارية حاليًا في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.
ويستضيف ملعب “بالايدوس” مباراة برشلونة وسيلتا فيجو، في ختام منافسات الجولة الثانية عشر من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.
ونجح برشلونة في تسجيل الهدف الرابع أمام خصمه سيلتا فيجو، في إطار مباراتهما الجارية في الوقت الحالي.
جاء هدف برشلونة عن طريق النجم روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، في الدقيقة 73، بعد ركنية نفذها ماركوس راشفورد، حيث وصلت الكرة إلى البولندي الذي خدع الجميع وسددها في الشباك.
وتشير النتيجة في الوقت الحالي إلى تقدم برشلونة بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدفين، حيث سجل روبرت ليفاندوفسكي هاتريك، بينما أحرز لامين يامال هدفًا.
Manchester United are now preparing a £87m offer for an “unbelievable” forward, who has amassed 11 goals and assists already this season.
Man Utd keen on new forward despite Mbeumo's impressive start
Off the back of scoring 20 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, Bryan Mbeumo was expected to make an instant impact at Man United, and the forward has certainly made an impressive start, most recently scoring against Liverpool.
The Cameroonian opened the scoring for United after just over one minute, coolly slotting past Giorgi Mamardashvili after being played through by Amad Diallo, with Ruben Amorim’s side going on to pick up a statement 2-1 victory courtesy of a late Harry Maguire winner.
Mbeumo is not the only summer signing who has started to catch the eye in recent weeks, as Benjamin Sesko has found his feet, with the Slovenian finding the back of the net in both the 2-0 victory over Sunderland and 3-1 defeat against Brentford.
With Matheus Cunha also arriving at Old Trafford in the summer, Amorim has plenty of options in attacking areas, but another forward is of interest, with an ambitious move being planned.
Indeed, INEOS certainly aren’t messing around, with a report from Spain revealing Man United are now preparing an offer of around €100m (£87m) for former player Mason Greenwood, who has made an impressive start to the season with Marseille.
£62m Man Utd star looks like their best player "since Fergie retired"
Manchester United might just have turned a corner under Ruben Amorim’s wing.
2 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 20, 2025
Marseille would be willing to sanction a departure for the right fee, with United reportedly setting a deadline of the summer transfer window for the Ligue 1 side to agree to their terms, and the Red Devils retain a 50% sell-on fee of any sale, which would lower the cost.
Greenwood shouldn't even be considered by Man Utd
Amorim will be hoping the 2-1 victory at Anfield can be a turning point in the season, with the manager finally winning two Premier League games on the spin, and the 40-year-old is likely to have won plenty of fans around courtesy of the victory over United’s bitter rivals.
Alternatively, signing the 24-year-old would be an incredibly divisive decision, given the way in which he left United, so a move should not even be considered, despite the Englishman’s fantastic start to the campaign, chipping in with 11 goal contributions across all competitions.
Competition
Goals
Assists
Ligue 1
6
3
Champions League
1
1
Instead of signing their former academy graduate, who Nicky Butt once described as “unbelievable”, the Red Devils could look to sign Real Madrid’s Endrick, with it recently being revealed they are readying a January loan move for the young Brazilian.
However, given the start Mbeumo has made to the season, it would not be the end of the world if United missed out on the signature of another new forward, and Amorim will be hoping the 26-year-old can continue his impressive form against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.
وضعت قرعة دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2025/2026 النادي الأهلي في مواجهات صعبة خاصة مع فرق شمال إفريقيا من المغرب والجزائر.
وجاء الأهلي في المجموعة الثانية مع الجيش الملكي المغربي، شبيبة القبائل الجزائري وأخيرًا يانج أفريكانز التنزاني.
اقرأ أيضًا.. مواعيد مباريات الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2025-2026
المدرب البرتغالي ألكسندر سانتوس، المدير الفني لنادي الجيش الملكي، تحدث في تصريحات خاصة لـ”بطولات” عن قرعة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مؤكدًا صعوبة المجموعة التي وقع فيها فريقه، لكنه أبدى تفاؤله بقدرة الجيش الملكي على المنافسة والتأهل إلى ربع النهائي.
وقال سانتوس: “القرعة دائمًا ما تكون صعبة، لأن كل الفرق التي يمكن أن تواجهنا قوية وتنتمي لأفضل أندية القارة، مجموعتنا تحديدًا صعبة جدًا ومليئة بالتحدي، لكنها في الوقت نفسه تنافسية للغاية”.
وأضاف المدرب البرتغالي: “أعتقد أن كل الفرق لديها فرصة لتقديم أداء كبير في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، والجميع يريد التأهل، لذلك ستكون المجموعة بمثابة عرض كروي قوي لجماهيرنا، لأننا نعلم أننا أمام تحدٍ ضخم”.
وتابع: “سنواجه فرقًا قوية مثل الأهلي، ويانج أفريكانز، وشبيبة القبائل، وهي مباريات من مستوى عالٍ جدًا، وسنعمل على تقديم أفضل ما لدينا في كل مواجهة”.
وأوضح سانتوس أن التحضير للبطولة سيكون على أعلى مستوى، قائلًا: “نحتاج إلى استعداد قوي لأننا سنخوض أول جولتين قريبًا، وسنعتبر دور المجموعات بمثابة بطولة مصغرة من ست مباريات، وكل مباراة ستكون الأهم بالنسبة لنا”.
وأكد المدير الفني أن الهدف واضح منذ البداية: “نريد أن نحقق بداية قوية في تنزانيا، وأن نحاول الفوز بكل مباراة لأن طموحنا هو التأهل، يجب أن نكون أفضل من خصومنا في كل مواجهة”.
واختتم سانتوس حديثه قائلًا: “هدفنا الأساسي هو الوصول إلى الدور ربع النهائي من البطولة بعد مرحلة مجموعات ناجحة، كل الفرق تملك فرصًا متساوية، لكننا في الجيش الملكي نؤمن بقدرتنا على المنافسة وسنقاتل من أجل الفوز في كل مباراة”.
Apesar de estar na semifinal da Libertadores e disputar as primeiras posições do Brasileirão, o Palmeiras não vem em boa fase. No mês de setembro, por exemplo, o time marcou apenas um gol e venceu apenas um jogo dos últimos seis disputados. Nesse meio tempo, Abel Ferreira, como de costume, roubou a cena em suas entrevistas coletivas. O treinador foi desde “pazes com os microfones”, até comparar a sua avó com um caminhão. Relembre cinco momentos inusitados do português nesse período.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasZé treina com o grupo, e Palmeiras conta com todos os titulares em preparação para pegar o BocaPalmeiras02/10/2023PalmeirasPreferido da torcida, Endrick ainda não atuou como titular do Palmeiras na LibertadoresPalmeiras02/10/2023PalmeirasVÍDEO: Torcida do Palmeiras pede Endrick titular contra o Boca JuniorsPalmeiras02/10/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
PALMEIRAS 1 x 0 GOIÁS – MEA-CULPA E DEFESA DE BRENO LOPES
O Verdão conseguiu uma vitória nos acréscimos do jogo diante do Esmeraldino e o autor do gol salvador foi Breno Lopes, que vinha sendo muito criticado pela torcida. Ao balançar a rede, o atacante correu em direção à arquibancada e mostrou o dedo médio para a principal organizada do clube. Na mesma hora, os jogadores correram para segurá-lo. Já depois do jogo, o próprio Abel Ferreira foi acalmar os torcedores, que ficaram revoltados. Na coletiva, em momento apaziguador, o treinador assumiu que ele mesmo é o primeiro a errar.
– O primeiro a cometer erros aqui sou eu, já fui expulso muitas vezes, por muitas vezes não controlei minhas emoções, apesar de que agora estou diferente, bem melhor nesse aspecto – declarou o português.
continua após a publicidade
+ Transforme sua paixão pelo futebol em profissão. Descubra o caminho com o curso Gestor de Futebol!
GRÊMIO 1 x 0 PALMEIRAS – PAZES COM OS MICROFONES
Antes mesmo do apito final, Abel Ferreira deixou o campo revoltado com a arbitragem e, de cabeça quente, insinuou que o Palmeiras havia sido “roubado”. No entanto, mais calmo na coletiva, ele mudou o discurso e não criticou a atuação do juiz. O destaque entre as respostas para os jornalistas, porém, foi a revelação sobre as pazes que ele fez com os microfones da beira do campo, que já foram alvos da ira do técnico. Ele ainda solicitou à CBF que pare de deixar um cameraman focado somente em suas ações.
– Eu quero fazer um pedido para tirar um cameraman de trás, não sei se a visão é boa, mas tem sempre um ao meu lado, se puderem tirar. Acho que o microfones já me dou bem com ele, já fizemos as pazes. Agora, se vocês me fizeram o favor de tirar o cameraman… Lá em Portugal nós chamamos de emplastro, tem sempre um cara aqui ao meu lado, para o ver o que eu faço, ouvir o que eu falo…
continua após a publicidade
+ Preferido da torcida, Endrick ainda não atuou como titular do Palmeiras na Libertadores
BOCA JUNIORS 0 x 0 PALMEIRAS – RECUPERAÇÃO RELÂMPAGO DE DUDU
De todas as coletivas desse período de má fase, certamente essa na Bombonera foi a mais tensa de todas. Visivelmente irritado, Abel Ferreira deu declarações atravessadas desde sua primeira resposta, principalmente quando os questionamentos eram sobre o desempenho ofensivo do time e as soluções para a ausência de Dudu. Já sem paciência para argumentar seus pontos, o treinador chegou a dizer que vai ver com o departamento médico se o Baixola já está pronto para voltar. Detalhe: a recuperação de sua cirurgia no joelho pode ser de nove a 12 meses.
– Vou falar com o departamento médico, se o Dudu estiver pronto, ele joga. Eu também tenho muitas dúvidas, é acreditar no elenco, desde que eu cheguei é dar o meu melhor, arranjar soluções. Valorizar os moleques, para esses jogos precisamos de jogadores pesados, com experiência.
+ Abel vê derrota do Palmeiras como aprendizado e analisa: ‘Pênalti foi o momento-chave do jogo’
BRAGANTINO 2 x 1 PALMEIRAS – A AVÓ DE ABEL FERREIRA
O Verdão foi derrotado fora de casa, pelo Brasileirão, mas o principal assunto da coletiva pós-jogo foi a decisão com o Boca Juniors, pela Libertadores. Nas perguntas, muitas projeções e possibilidades, mas Abel Ferreira mostrou que não gosta do “se” para planejar as partidas do Alviverde. Tanto é que ele usou um exemplo inusitado, inclusive citando a sua avó e um caminhão.
– Eu não vivo com se, se, se. Se a minha avó tivesse rodas, ela seria um caminhão – declarou o treinador.
+ VÍDEO: ‘Endrick mostrou que merece ser titular do Palmeiras contra o Boca!’
BRAGANTINO 2 x 1 PALMEIRAS – ABEL E O TRABALHO INFANTIL
No mesmo jogo, Abel Ferreira optou por preservar todos os titulares e escalou um time totalmente reserva, inclusive com jovens do sub-20 completando o banco. Mesmo com a derrota, o treinador quis valorizar alguns pontos, principalmente a utilização de algumas Crias da Academia, que vão ganhando “casca”. Com isso, o português, em tom de ironia, disse temer que seja acusado de forçar o trabalho infantil.
– Eu acho que qualquer dia vou ser acusado por trabalho forçado de crianças, porque não são maiores de idade. Ainda vou ser acusado por colocar moleques sem idade para trabalhar. É isso que temos que valorizar.
There might still be over two months left of the summer transfer window, but Arsenal fans are starting to get a little nervous, and understandably so.
For example, Premier League title rivals Manchester City have already secured the mercurial Rayan Cherki, among other potential first-teamers, while Liverpool have smashed their transfer record to bring in the incredible Florian Wirtz.
Worse yet, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who were diabolically poor this season, are battling to sign the free-scoring Bryan Mbeumo.
Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates scoring their first goal
However, it’s not all doom and gloom, as reports have now linked Arsenal to a Premier League star who has been compared to the Brentford monster.
Arsenal ramping up pursuit of Premier League star
With Arsenal’s attack being their Achilles heel this season, the club have unsurprisingly been linked with a plethora of talented frontline players, including a handful from the Premier League, such as Ollie Watkins and Karou Mitoma.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former was a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter window, and as he ended the campaign with a haul of 31 goal involvements in 54 games, it’s easy to understand why they might be interested in him again, especially at a price of around £40m.
However, the links to the Brighton & Hove Albion star are a little harder to understand, as while he did well enough this year, scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in 41 games, he didn’t do enough to justify the reported £80m price tag.
Moreover, similarly to the Aston Villa ace, it’s hard to draw too many parallels to the highly sought-after Mbeumo, which isn’t the case for the Gunners’ latest target: Mohammed Kudus.
Yes, according to a recent report from the Sun, Arsenal are one of a few English teams incredibly interested in signing the West Ham United star.
In fact, alongside Chelsea, the report has revealed that Arsenal have already held ‘exploratory talks’ over the player, who will have an £85m release clause active in his contract for clubs in the Premier League ten days from July 1st.
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but due to Kudus’ immense talent and potential, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he’s won comparisons to Mbeumo.
How Kudus compares to Mbeumo
In this instance, the primary comparison to the Brentford star stems from FBref, which looked at players in similar positions in the Premier League this season and came to the conclusion that Mbeumo was the sixth most similar forward to Kudus in the competition.
Kudus & Mbeumo
Statistics per 90
Kudus
Mbeumo
Progressive Carries
3.40
3.43
Non-Penalty Expected Goals
0.24
0.20
Passes into the Final Third
1.60
1.66
Crosses into the Penalty Area
0.52
0.50
Live Passes
29.1
30.7
Shot-Creating Actions
3.72
3.80
Tackles
1.32
1.29
Tackles Won
0.80
0.82
Successful Take-On %
44.2%
46.8%
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 PL Season
The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked incredibly closely, such as non-penalty expected goals, progressive carries, passes into the final third, shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.
However, it’s not just the comparable statistics that make the two players so similar, as they are also both incredibly versatile.
For example, the Bees ace is more than capable of playing off the right, up top and even as a second striker when necessary, while the Hammers’ “generational talent,” as dubbed by journalist Gary Al-Smith, can play off either flank, up top and even in central and attacking midfield.
So, the former Ajax gem would provide Arteta with some of the same tactical flexibility that the Cameroon international looks set to provide Ruben Amorim or Thomas Frank.
Finally, while the 24-year-old dynamo didn’t enjoy his best campaign this year, he’s shown an ability to be as effective as the former Troyes gem.
For example, across his time in the Netherlands and then East London in the 23/24 season, the Ghanaian phenom was able to score 18 goals and provide ten assists in 48 appearances, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.71 games.
Ultimately, while it could cost them an arm and a leg, Arsenal would do well to sign Kudus this summer, as he’d provide them with another brilliant attacking option and be the perfect answer to whoever signs Mbeumo.
Arsenal willing to make "top drawer" £70m star one of their highest earners
Defending champions drill co-hosts with aggressive top-order batting in Gros Islet, winning with 15 balls to spare
Vithushan Ehantharajah20-Jun-20243:45
Badree: ‘Adil Rashid is such a skillful bowler’
A devastating 87 not out from Phil Salt, supplemented by an unbeaten 48 from Jonny Bairstow, saw England thrash West Indies by eight wickets in St Lucia. It was the kind of performance that set down a marker for the rest of the teams in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup 2024.The defending champions made light work of their target of 181, with a clinical 97-run stand between Salt and Bairstow earning victory with 15 deliveries to spare.Played out on a fine batting deck at the Daren Sammy National Stadium, Jos Buttler opted to chase at the toss. Things looked precarious after eight overs, with West Indies getting 72 on the board for the loss of just Brandon King, who collapsed with a side strain early in the fifth over, having scored 23 off his previous 12 deliveries.Related
Jofra Archer on crucial West Indies over: 'One of those times when you just nail it'
WI coach Sammy: 'This loss will not dampen our spirits'
Phil proves he is worth his Salt
'Mature, senior player's innings' – Buttler on Bairstow's knock
A diet of spin restricted West Indies’ batters thanks to Adil Rashid – the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 21 from his four overs – and Moeen Ali, who would go on to remove Johnson Charles.Rovman Powell, promoting himself to No. 4, took 20 from the 15th over, striking Liam Livingstone for three sixes down the ground in four deliveries. But an attempt at a fourth off Livingstone’s final ball brought his downfall, caught low at short third by Mark Wood, returning to the XI in place of Chris Jordan.It was the first of three wickets to fall in the space of 12 deliveries for just six runs. Jofra Archer removed Nicholas Pooran caught behind in the next over, before Andre Russell nailed a Rashid googly straight to wide long on.Rovman Powell hit five sixes in his innings•ICC/Getty Images
That West Indies were able to reach 180 without any further loss from a position of 143 for 4 with three overs to go owes as much to Sherfane Rutherford as it does to Wood. The former was able to find 28 from 15 deliveries, 13 of them off the latter as the 18th over was taken for 19.England’s pursuit began steadily enough, reaching 58 for no loss after six overs. Roston Chase’s flat delivery eventually ended the opening stand on 67, trapping Buttler in front, before Moeen came and went, batting at No. 3 for the first time since March 2023.Salt remained, and though he did end up slowing down, Bairstow was on hand to pick up the slack, striking 46 off 21 up to the 16th over. It was then that Salt tagged back in, and unfurled a brutal attack on Romario Shepherd, striking the seamer for 30 with three fours and three sixes – the joint-most expensive over by a West Indian in a T20 World Cup.The first of those boundaries brought up Salt’s half-century from 38 deliveries, before he skewered any remaining jeopardy. It left West Indies to rue a half chance to remove Salt on seven in the third over, when he toed a hack across the line through to Pooran, who could not hold on.Bairstow clicks himself, and Salt, into gearSalt deserved the Player-of-the-Match award. But without Bairstow’s help, he – and maybe even England – might not have had something to celebrate.Salt had emerged from the powerplay with a respectable 35 off 20. But with the field spread, twirlers working in tandem and less of the strike, he had stalled. Going into the 14th over, he had scored just 12 more from 15 deliveries.That was when Bairstow set about a jump-start. For some reason, Powell returned to Alzarri Joseph instead of persisting with the frugal Chase. Bairstow used the pace on the ball to send the first delivery over the deep midwicket fence – the longer side, no less – before ramping the next delivery for four.Adil Rashid delivered the big wicket of Andre Russell•Getty Images
Powell attempted to correct his error by bringing Akeal Hosein back on for his final over. Bairstow, though, was in an unforgiving mood. An attempted reverse sweep brought a subdued lbw appeal before a conventional sweep, a 76-metre six heaved into the stands at midwicket, and a fortuitous inside edge brought 14 from three deliveries. The 16 from the over outright made it Hosein’s most expensive of this World Cup.It was at that point, with 40 needed from 30, that Salt set about his assault on Shepherd. Bairstow watched on from the other end, settling into the role of cheerleader as his partner went ballistic. He eventually had the honour of striking the winning run, raising his personal best at T20 World Cups to 48 not out.”Once Jos got out, I had to be the better to bat through,” explained Salt. “For Jonny to come out and take the pressure off me by taking calculated risks. I couldn’t be happier about that as a teammate.”Windies given the run aroundIntent comes in many different forms. England blitzed the six-count on the tournament’s truest batting pitch, but the difference between the running out in the middle told as true a story.West Indies, for all their might, set a new unwanted record of 51 dot balls – the most any team has registered in a T20 World Cup when posting a score of at least 180. They were also responsible for the previous highest – 50 – in the 2016 edition, albeit when they chased down 193 to take down India in the semi-final on their way to their second title.Moreover, they were second-best when making use of this ground’s lop-sided dimensions, failing to rotate the strike as much as they could, and running just nine twos across their 120 deliveries. Not only did England run three more in 15 fewer deliveries, but they even managed a three in the fourth over when Buttler could not quite time a cut to the cover point sponge. It brought Salt on strike for the final ball of the over, which he used to get going by charging at Russell and launching him back over his head and onto the roof for the first of five sixes.Jofra Archer was consistently around the 90mph mark•ICC/Getty Images
Archer gleeAt the time, the purchasing of Powell’s wicket for 20 runs from Livingstone’s only over did not seem a smart deal. Powell was only averaging 16.25 coming into this match. Having cooled a partisan St Lucian crowd, watching their captain hoist three quick sixes was a surefire way to get them warmed up for the arrival of Russell to assist Pooran, who was set on 32.Both were back in the hut 11 deliveries later. And while Rashid’s snaring of Russell was the icing on the cake in this little stanza that shifted the match England’s way, it was Archer’s in the 17th over that vindicated Buttler’s investment.Over the wicket to Pooran, Archer hammered a tight line across the left-hander. Ranging from full and yorker length, barring one misstep – a full toss third ball which Pooran guided through point for four – Archer had it all his own way.He was too sharp – consistently around the 90mph mark – and too unwavering for a batter slowly falling into a funk, desperate for room to access his favoured hitting zones down the ground. The least full of all the deliveries was the one that took the edge through to Buttler, Pooran presenting the face of the bat in defeat rather than defiance.With six wickets, Archer is now England’s joint top wicket-taker alongside Rashid, boasting an economy rate of 6.58, which is lower than any of his teammates barring Reece Topley (5.50), who has played two fewer games and is still yet to register a dismissal.But the best stat of all is that Archer has now turned out five times for England in the last 15 days. The previous five caps came in the space of 448 days. After the nightmare run of elbow and back injuries over the last two years, the 29-year-old may finally be out the other end.
Newcastle United and iconic centre-forwards go hand in hand. Both Hughie Gallacher and Jackie Milburn made massive impressions for the club during the first half of the 20th century.
The former helped the Magpies win the First Division title in 1926/27 and scored 143 goals in 174 matches, while the latter scored 200 goals for the club and won three FA Cups during his spell in the north-east.
The 1970s saw Malcolm Macdonald emerge as the next big thing, before Kevin Keegan and Peter Beardsley made their mark during the 80s.
Andy Cole’s spell on Tyneside was short, but boy was it sweet. He netted 68 goals in just 84 matches, but departed for Manchester United after only two years.
Elsewhere, Alan Shearer goes down as the best centre-forward in the club’s history. His ten-year stint with his boyhood team might have finished trophyless, but the Englishman broke Milburn’s scoring record in February 2006.
Supporters of the current generation have Alexander Isak, and what an impression he has made during his three years at Newcastle.
Alexander Isak’s Newcastle record
Eddie Howe made Isak the club’s record signing when he splashed out a staggering £63m to bring the Swedish hitman to the Premier League.
Fast-forward three years and the move is arguably one of the finest in the club’s recent history. Since joining, Isak has registered 73 goal contributions – 62 goals and 11 assists – across just 109 matches.
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak
He may have suffered from injury issues during his first campaign, but ever since, Isak has been a goal machine.
The 25-year-old enjoyed his best season yet during 2024/25. A tally of 27 goals in 42 appearances helped the Toon secure a Champions League place next season.
Furthermore, he also scored in the League Cup final against Liverpool, ending the club’s 70-year major domestic trophy drought. There is no doubt he will go down as one of the finest strikers in the history of the club.
Alexander Isak’s PL stats for Newcastle
Metric
2022/23
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
10
21
23
Assists
1
2
6
Shots per game
2.3
2.6
2.9
Goal conversion percentage
20%
27%
23%
Key passes per game
0.7
0.9
1.2
Via Sofascore
Compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Isak ranks in the top 8% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90 over the previous 365 days, while also ranking in the top 12% for non-penalty goals during the same period.
These statistics suggest that Isak is one of the best strikers on the continent and the longer Howe can keep hold of him, the better.
Of course, his performances have caught the eye of several teams, Liverpool included. The Anfield side have earmarked the 25-year-old as their number one striker target.
The Magpies are demanding a British record transfer fee of around £150m for the sale of Isak, which Howe will hope puts many teams off.
Regardless if he moves or not, Isak’s form over the previous three seasons places him in the bracket of one of the club’s most impressive signings of recent times.
Might Howe be looking to land the club their biggest signing since with a move for a current Premier League star?
Newcastle's search for a new forward
Despite actively looking to bolster their squad ahead of another campaign filled with European football, Howe hasn’t had much luck in the transfer market thus far.
He has targeted moves for both Anthony Elanga and James Trafford, but deals have yet to materialise for the pair.
Joao Pedro and Anthony Elanga – Newcastle
One move which may be close to finally being sealed is that of Joao Pedro. According to the Chronicle, Newcastle are now in advanced talks to sign the Brighton and Hove Albion star.
Discussions have been ongoing this week. The Magpies valued Pedro at around the £50m mark, although Brighton are holding out for a fee closer to £60m.
It would be an excellent first signing to make this summer for Howe, especially considering that the Brazilian has plenty of experience in the Premier League and will be ready to hit the ground running.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
Dare I say it, but he might be the biggest signing the club have made since Isak.
Why Newcastle must sign Joao Pedro
The Magpies have made some impressive signings since the arrival of Isak in the summer of 2022.
Anthony Gordon joined the club in January 2023, while Sandro Tonali followed that summer. Both have since proven they are excellent signings, but Pedro’s arrival could take the club to new heights.
Since making the move to England more than five years ago, the forward has scored 54 goals and grabbed 18 assists across spells with both Watford and Brighton. For comparison, Gordon had scored just seven goals in 78 games at Everton, prior to making the switch.
In the Premier League, 32 of these goal involvements were recorded, indicating that he will have no problem performing in the top flight under Howe; that much is certain.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Pedro ranks highly over a range of performance metrics.
Joao Pedro celebrates for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Indeed, not only does he rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) and shot-creating actions (3.33) per 90, but the Brazilian also ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and for progressive carries (3.05) per 90 over the previous 365 days.
These stats prove that while he is a major threat in the opposition penalty box, Pedro is also capable of generating chances for others while successfully getting the ball into dangerous areas.
He was even hailed by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his “magical” ability on the ball, and this is a move that Howe must be desperate to get over the line sooner rather than later.
If so, it will surely give the whole club a major boost. The St James’ Park faithful will hope that once one player has been signed, the rest will follow.
Keeping Isak will be vital if Newcastle want to go far in the Champions League next term, while aiming for another trophy win.
Should an offer too good to turn down arrive, however, Pedro would make for a more than able replacement heading into the 2024/25 campaign.
Self proclaimed "world-class" star has now "agreed" terms to join Newcastle
He became just the second bowler to deliver four maidens in a T20I as New Zealand beat PNG by seven wickets
Vithushan Ehantharajah17-Jun-2024
Lockie Ferguson finished with exceptional figures of 4-4-0-3•ICC/Getty Images
New Zealand signed off a disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a dominant win over Papua New Guinea, chasing down a paltry target of 79 with seven wickets and 46 balls to spare at the Brian Lara Stadium, in Tarouba.The scale of the mismatch was characterised by Lockie Ferguson’s figures of 3 for 0 from his four overs. The New Zealand speedster became only the second bowler to bowl four maidens in a T20I fixture after Canada captain Saad Bin Zafar achieved the feat in 2021 when he returned 2 for 0 against Panama.Related
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While Ferguson was sharp and accurate, the moisture in the pitch and what remained in the air from the morning showers that delayed the toss by an hour made it a tough ask for PNG’s batters. The weather was a primary reason Kane Williamson inserted the opposition upon winning the toss, who in turn were 16 for 2 after the powerplay.Charles Amini’s 17, the highest score of the innings, came in the most productive stand – 27 for the third wicket with Sese Bau – before he was pinned lbw for Ferguson’s second of the innings.Trent Boult, playing in his last T20 World Cup match, went on to pocket two wickets when he returned to bowl his final two overs at the death. Ish Sodhi, replacing Jimmy Neesham in the XI for his first match of the competition, also picked up a brace, taking the final PNG wickets in the 20th over as they were bowled out with two balls left in their innings.But PNG were not about to bow out without a fight. Kabua Morea, returning to the XI after playing the opener against West Indies, removed Finn Allen, caught behind, off the second delivery of New Zealand’s innings. He then pocketed Rachin Ravindra when the left-hander tried and failed to lift beyond deep midwicket at the start of the fifth over.Further excitement on the field came when Semo Kamea trapped Devon Conway on the crease. His 35 – which included two fours and three sixes – had, however, taken the sting out of the chase. Conway and Williamson added 34 runs for the third wicket – New Zealand’s highest partnership of the tournament.Williamson and Daryl Mitchell then completed the formalities, scoring the remaining 25 runs from 18 balls to earn New Zealand their second win, consigning PNG to a fourth defeat.Player of the Match Lockie Ferguson had a record outing•ICC/Getty Images
Ferguson in the record booksIt began with a wicket: extra pace across Assad Vala that enticed a drive. There was even a bit of extra bounce which only served to make Mitchell’s catch at a wide first slip that little bit tougher. From that point on, Ferguson was locked in.Did he know a place in the record books was in the offing? Probably not. But the movement through the air and off the deck, not to mention the high pace that was always going to ask unanswerable questions to a limited PNG batting line-up, meant Ferguson was likely to emerge with extraordinary figures.The 33-year-old was primarily over the wicket to the left-handed Bau, who entered the fray upon Vala’s dismissal. Having switched to over the wicket midway through his second over (the seventh), Ferguson returned for the 12th from that angle and was immediately rewarded with a delivery into Amini’s pads that skidded on with the angle so sharply it was initially given not out on the field.DRS corrected that error before Ferguson took matters into his own hands by hitting Chad Soper’s stumps for his third. Then came two leg byes down to deep third – which did not count against the bowler – and the final three deliveries, which were counted down by those in the commentary box, now fully invested in witnessing history. Kiplin Doriga’s mistimed pull almost broke the streak – though it also could have resulted in a catch at mid-off – before the right-hander charged Ferguson’s final delivery to no avail.Ferguson looked a little sheepish as his team-mates filed over to congratulate him. Nevertheless, a forgettable T20 World Cup now has a memorable sidenote.Chad Soper walks back after being cleaned up•Getty Images
PNG batters leave unfulfilledAs valiant as PNG’s displays have been at their second T20 World Cup, there is good reason to look at their batting and wonder what might have been. Particularly when Allen and Ravindra were snared early.Signing off with a score of 78, following totals of 95 against Afghanistan and 77 versus Uganda, highlights the limitations of their batters. Even the 136 for 8 against West Indies looked light at the halfway stage, having faced 55 dot balls when setting that evening in Guyana.Even discounting the 23 scoreless deliveries off Ferguson, they failed to find a run from the 58 balls delivered by the rest of the New Zealand attack. Conditions were not kind to batters throughout, particularly those taking guard against the new ball duo of Boult and Tim Southee on a new track with variable bounce, but more intent could have been shown.Particularly against Mitchell Santner. The left-arm spinner floated plenty up but conceded just one boundary. Perhaps spooked by Bau lifting Santner into the hands of long on, it took until Santner’s final delivery for someone to land one on him, as Doriga smeared a sweep shot to midwicket for four.Of course, this match does not really qualify as a missed opportunity given New Zealand’s undoubted superiority. But it did serve as a reminder of the shortcomings that cost them victory against Uganda and allowed West Indies off the hook.Kabua Morea struck twice in his first three overs•Getty Images
Kabua Morea’s redemptionIt was 15 days between appearances at this T20 World Cup for Morea. The left-arm seamer started against West Indies, arriving into the match with the expectation he would be a crutch for the attack over the coming fortnight. He ended up with figures of 0 for 30 from three overs, the last of which went for 13 as Roston Chase profited off a couple of full tosses to take the hosts over the line with an over to spare.Morea spent the next two matches on the sidelines as PNG opted for a more spin-heavy attack. Conditions dictated as much, but Morea would have every reason to consider himself an unfortunate casualty of this shift having been the side’s leading wicket-taker at the 2021 edition.But here in Tarouba, he seized the opportunity to leave the World Cup on something of a high, returning home with figures of 2 for 4 from 2.2 overs. Allen’s hot-headed hack gave him a wicket with the second ball. And having tied Ravindra down for the rest of that first over, the Kiwi No.3 greeted his reintroduction for the fifth over with a desperate charge and swipe that nestled into the hands of Kamea in the deep.It was at this point that the rain made a return. New Zealand were 20 for 2, level with the five-over par score, which they passed when Williamson punched a single off his first ball. It was the only run off the over, with Morea boasting figures of 2 for 2 from his first two overs. As it turned out the rain did not stop play, either. While not as headline-grabbing as Ferguson’s exploits, Morea’s 11 dots against an engaging and far more equipped New Zealand batting line-up were equally impressive.
There is a strong argument to be made that Gareth Bale is the best British football export of all time. The Welshman did it all at Real Madrid and he did it in style. From leaving Jordi Alba chasing shadows to score one of the most iconic El Clasico goals of all time to that overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League final, Bale is an undeniable great.
For a man who famously had Wales, golf and Real Madrid in an unexpected order or priorities towards the end of his time in Spain as things soured, Bale’s numbers during his time at the Bernabeu prove that saying may not have always been true.
Gareth Bale at Real Madrid
Record (via Transfermarkt)
Appearances
258
Goals
106
Assists
67
La Liga titles
16/17, 19/20, 21/22
Champions League titles
13/4, 15/16, 16/17, 17/18, 21,22
Forming an iconic partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to help Real Madrid become the first and only side in history to win three-straight Champions League titles, it wouldn’t have been absurd to suggest that Bale was the best player in the world at one stage.
The praise that the iconic winger received reflected the level that he was playing at. During his first year in Spain, Madrid captain Sergio Ramos told reporters: “The truth is because he did not play for a team in England that played in the Champions League – we did not know that much about him.
“We know if he the coach wanted him that strongly he must be a good player – but nobody was prepared for how special he is. It has only been a few training sessions we have seen him in – but some of what we see we can’t believe. He is so fast, so tricky, and the frightening thing is that he is not even 100 per cent game fit yet.”
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For all his iconic teammates and coaches at Real Madrid, however, Bale has not forgotten who turned him into the world-beater that graced Europe’s biggest occassions over the years.
Gareth Bale: Redknapp made me one of the world's best
Long before the world knew exactly how good Bale was, it was Harry Redknapp at Tottenham Hotspur who was giving a young Welshman the opportunity to thrive in the Premier League.
It was the experienced manager who recognised Bale’s attacking talent and turned him into a winger as a result, birthing one of the best British players of all time as a result. And the former Spurs man hasn’t forgotten Redknapp’s influence.
Whether it’s Redknapp, Zinedine Zidane, Ancelotti – in that order – is a question that may never be answered, but Bale has certainly never forgotten the impact that his former Spurs manager had on his career.