أجرى نادي ليفربول تحديثًا في قائمته ببطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، حسبما أعلنت الرابطة عبر موقعها الرسمي يوم الجمعة، بعد أيام قليلة من نهاية موسم الانتقالات الصيفي لعام 2025.
كان ليفربول نشطًا بقوة في الميركاتو الصيفي لذلك العام، سواء على صعيد التعاقدات الجديدة أو الراحلين.
وأبرم ليفربول 9 صفقات في نافذة الانتقالات الصيفية، على رأسهم ألكسندر إيزاك، جيريمي فريمبونج، ميلوس كيركز، هوجو إيكتيكي وفلوريان فيرتز.
وكشف الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز عبر موقعه، أنه يتعين على كل نادِ تحديث قائمته المشاركة في البطولة، بعد انتهاء موسم الانتقالات الصيفي، وهو ما فعله نادي ليفربول.
اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد صلاح يفوز بجائزة جديدة ويتفوق على كول بالمر وألكسندر إيزاك
ولا يزيد الحد الأقصى لقائمة كل فريق في الدوري الإنجليزي عن 25 لاعبًا، يتضمن 17 لاعبًا أجنبيًا و8 لاعبين محليين، بخلاف قائمة أخرى للاعبين تحت سن 21 عامًا ومؤهلين للانضمام إلى الفريق الأول.
وحذف ليفربول لاعبيه الذين رحلوا في نهاية موسم الانتقالات الصيفي، وهم هارفي إليوت، كوستاس تسيميكاس وجيمس ماكونيل، وأضاف لاعبه الذي وصل في اللحظات الأخيرة، ألكسندر إيزاك. قائمة ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي 2025/26
“The focus has moved to doing well in Australia, England [so] that we’ve kind of let playing spin, which was always a strength, fall back a little bit,” says new assistant coach
Shashank Kishore21-Aug-2024
Ryan ten Doeschate has taken to coaching after retiring as a player in 2021•Peter Della Penna
Ryan ten Doeschate, the former Netherlands allrounder, didn’t think batting against spin was an area he would need to focus on when he signed up as one of India’s assistant coaches, but it’s a challenge he’s keen to take on as the team builds towards a home season comprising five Tests – two against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand.”One of the challenges I wasn’t expecting and I kind of overlooked is the playing of spin by Indian batters,” ten Doeschate told . “We got undone in Sri Lanka.”India lost 27 wickets to spin in the recently concluded three ODIs in Sri Lanka, the most any team has lost to this variety of bowling in a three-match series. After the series, captain Rohit Sharma said it was an area that needed some addressing.Related
Rohit: India 'need to seriously look at' their batting against spin
“The mindset of India has been such that they’ve been so desperate to do well overseas,” ten Doeschate said. “The focus has moved to doing well in Australia, England [so] that we’ve kind of let playing spin, which was always a strength of the Indian team, fall back a little bit. That’s one thing I’m looking forward to helping with, getting to that position where Indians are the best players of spin in the world again.”Ten Doeschate, 44, is one of two assistants alongside Abhishek Nayar in the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff. He has been active in the coaching circuit since his retirement in 2021, having worked with Kent, Kolkata Knight Riders and, more recently, LA Knight Riders in Major League Cricket.In his new role with India, he said the focus would be largely on preparation rather than being too technical. “I don’t think much of what we’re going to bring is technical knowledge to these guys,” he said. “It’s more about mindsets, situational awareness, how we think they can control certain phases of the game.”[It’s about] throwing ideas out there, de-briefing and keeping the mental space really good. That’s going to be really important.”Ten Doeschate said he was wary of the challenges of taking over a successful team, which is coming off a World Cup triumph, but also exuded excitement at the prospect of what lay ahead.”It’s exciting and kind of daunting at the same time,” he said. “In terms of what we’re looking forward to, qualifying for the WTC final [next June is a goal]. There’s a great opportunity with 10 Tests left, five in India [over the next couple of months] and then going to Australia [for five more at the end of 2024] is going to be great.”Then in the medium term there’s the Champions Trophy [in February 2025]. With only three ODIs left in the prep phase, it’s going to be really challenging to switch between the formats and get the team ready for that, which again is something they’re desperate to win.”Then in the next [WTC] cycle, the tour to England [summer of 2025] is going to be fantastic and then prepping the team for the [2026] T20 World Cup. In terms of timing, it’s quite difficult to walk into a team that’s just come back with the [2024 T20] World Cup, but in terms of what’s ahead for the next 18 months, it’s mouth-watering as a coach. It’s all the series you want to be involved in and all the challenges you want to come up against.”
Liverpool have been focusing their efforts to improve their forward line on three central targets in recent weeks, but Fabrizio Romano has revealed the one they are “working” on a deal for.
Florian Plettenberg revealed this week Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike are “three concrete options” for Liverpool this summer after sporting director Richard Hughes completed checks on all of the forwards.
Isak is seemingly the dream target for both Liverpool and probable title rivals Arsenal, although Newcastle United are set to demand £150m for his signature in a bid to ward off suitors this summer.
Ekitike meanwhile has been quite publcily priced at £85m, while Osimhen could leave Napoli for around £64m after an impressive loan spell at Galatasaray.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates after the match
Darwin Nunez is expected to depart Anfield this summer, with interest from Italian sides and the Saudi Pro League, although talks over a move to Napoli have reportedly slowed in recent days due to Liverpool’s demands.
Arne Slot made no secret of his desire for Nunez to step his game up last season, revealing he was unhappy with his work rate after a miss in the 2-2 draw against Aston Villa: “A miss that I can accept. What is harder to accept, his behaviour after the chance. That miss is got too much in his head where he is the usual Darwin that works his a** off.”
Fabrizio Romano: Liverpool "could" offer swap deal to sign £40m+ England star
The Reds are still seeking reinforcements.
ByTom Cunningham Jun 30, 2025
The Dutchman, together with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, are seemingly determined to land a new number nine before the new campaign gets underway, and Romano has revealed the one they are currently going for.
Liverpool "working" on deal for Ekitike
Speaking on his YouTube channel on Monday evening, Romano revealed Liverpool are discussing a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Ekitike, though it does depend on what happens with Nunez.
Ekitike has scored 26 times in 64 appearances during his two years in Frankfurt, but really stepped up to an elite level in 2024/25, registering 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
The young Frenchman could be lethal in Liverpool’s new look front line, as explained by scout/writer Counter Pressers on X: “Hugo Ekitike with Florian Wirtz behind him would be unstoppable. After years of watching Darwin Nunez, we deserve to watch someone of Ekitike’s technical level.”
Indeed, the 23 year-old seems to have more nuance to his game than Liverpool’s struggling star, averaging more passes at a higher completion rate and more dribbles than the former Benfica man, all while scoring more goals too.
Hugo Ekitike
24/25 – all competitons
Darwin Nunez
0.48
Non-penalty goals per 90
0.34
0.29
Assists per 90
0.17
22.90
Passes per 90
18.41
75.3%
Pass completion
69.1%
1.9
Succesful take-ons per 90
0.68
The former PSG starlet could transform Liverpool’s status as champions into total domestic dominance if his relationship with Wirtz hits the ground running.
أعلن نادي برشلونة عن ملعب مباراة الفريق المرتقبة أمام فالنسيا، بمنافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.
ويلاقي برشلونة خصمه فالنسيا في المباراة المقررة ضمن الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإسباني يوم الأحد المقبل.
وكان ملعب المباراة أمرًا محاطًا بالغموض، خاصة في ظل عدم الحصول على ترخيص اللعب بملعب “كامب نو” الشهير، ولا إمكانية اللعب على ملعب “مونتجويك” لإقامة حفل هناك.
وبحسب ما أوضح برشلونة في بيانه ستقام مباراة الفريق أمام فالنسيا على ملعب “يوهان كرويف” الخاص بالفريق الكتالوني، والذي سبق وخاض عليه مباريات ودية من قبل.
وصرّح برشلونة في بيانه الرسمي بأن النادي يعمل بجهد للحصول على التصاريح الإدارية اللازمة لافتتاح ملعب كامب نو المُزوّد بخدمة سبوتيفاي في المستقبل القريب، ولهذا السبب، وحرصًا على ضمان أفضل الظروف الممكنة للفريق والجماهير، ستُقام المباراة في النهاية على ملعب يوهان كرويف.
اقرأ أيضًا | فيجو يختار لاعبًا من برشلونة يرغب في انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد
كما توجه نادي برشلونة بالشكر إلى أعضائه ومشجعيه وداعميه على تفهمهم ودعمهم لحين العودة لملعب سبوتيفاي كامب نو.
وستُقام مباراة برشلونة وفالنسيا بحضور 6000 مشجع في مدرجات ملعب يوهان كوريف، بعد استثناء رابطة الليجا من اللوائح التي تشترط سعة 8000 متفرج في الدرجة الأولى.
وبحسب ما ورد، من المتوقع صدور الموافقة النهائية يوم الأربعاء بعد أن يتحقق المفتشون من إجراء التعديلات اللازمة على الملعب، كتركيب جميع كاميرات حكم الفيديو المساعد (VAR)، وتوصيل الألياف الضوئية لتجنب الأعطال الفنية، بالإضافة إلى تفاصيل نظام الري.
Home spinners claim seven of nine wickets to fall as part of World Cup preparations
Valkerie Baynes06-Jul-2024
Danni Wyatt made 76 from 51 balls•Getty Images
Danni Wyatt’s rapid half-century set England up for a commanding victory in the first of five T20Is with New Zealand in Southampton.Wyatt faced just 51 balls for her 76, which included 11 fours and a six, to lead England to an imposing total of 197 for 3 after the White Ferns had won the toss. She was well supported by a powerful 47 in 23 balls from Nat Sciver-Brunt and opening partner Maia Bouchier, who added 32 off 26. It was a class batting performance by England who manipulated the crease beautifully to time the ball and find gaps throughout their innings, producing their best T20I score against New Zealand and second-highest in the format on home soil.England experimented with four spinners and, between them, they took seven of the nine wickets to fall. The move worked not only from a result point of view as England wrapped up a 59-run win, but with their football side kicking off in a Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland at 5pm local time, they had only missed 26 minutes by the finish, with the score still 0-0. Legspinner Sarah Glenn finished with 3 for 16 and offspinner Charlie Dean took 2 for 28. Left-arm seamer Freya Kemp took a wicket with the last ball of the match in her return to bowling after battling a recurrence of a back injury.Wyatt, Bouchier look nailed onCaptain Heather Knight said on match eve that England were keen to test potential T20 World Cup combinations and tactics during this series and they understandably stuck with an in-form Bouchier as opener alongside Wyatt. Bouchier enjoyed a breakout tour of New Zealand earlier this year and was Player of the Series in the home sweep of three ODIs.Wyatt crunched the first ball of the match, a short, wide one from Fran Jonas, through backward point for four and Bouchier chimed in three balls later with a sublime cut which rocketed through point. Wyatt struck two fours in three Sophie Devine deliveries to move England 52 without loss after six overs with both batters having already racked up five boundaries each. Bouchier threw her head back in frustration after she sidestepped to latch onto a Lea Tahuhu short ball but ended up picking out Georgia Plimmer at deep midwicket. But her efforts had helped England off to an excellent start in a 61-run opening stand with Wyatt, who forged on, hammering the first six of the day advancing to Eden Carson and sending the ball way over the rope at deep midwicket.England get a little funkyIf Wyatt and Bouchier looked nailed on at the top of the order, England played around with the middle order. Nat Sciver-Brunt, at No. 3, carried on the form she showed with an unbeaten 76 in the third and final ODI in Bristol on Wednesday. Sciver-Brunt struck back-to-back fours off Jess Kerr, pulled to the leg side and driven over extra cover, and three more in succession off Carson to take the partnership with Wyatt past 50, then 60 and keep England on track for a big total. Wyatt brought up her fifty off 36 balls with a single off Brooke Halliday. Carson couldn’t cling onto what would have been an outstanding catch at backward point when Wyatt was on 54, then Sciver-Brunt holed out to Amelia Kerr at midwicket off Carson.Freya Kemp, back in the side as an allrounder after playing as a batter only during a lengthy return from a back stress fracture, came in at No. 4 and made a valuable 26 from 17 balls. It wasn’t until Wyatt lofted Tahuhu’s slower ball high into the air and into the hands of Maddy Green just inside the boundary at deep square leg that Knight came to the crease. By that stage, Kemp was finding a nice rhythm and Knight simply played a supporting role as Kemp steered Amelia Kerr to the deep third boundary before lofting the same bowler effortlessly down the ground for a towering six, then drove Devine with authority through backward point.NZ recover from shaky startNew Zealand were off to a disappointing start when Georgia Plimmer was run out for a third time on this tour, thanks to a pinpoint direct hit from Sciver-Brunt. Continuing their commitment to giving things a go with one eye on the World Cup, Linsey Smith, one of four specialist spinners in the England line-up, entered the attack in the third over. Despite being behind England at the end of the powerplay on 45 for 1, New Zealand held firm via Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr. They brought up their fifty partnership for the second wicket via a Kemp misfield at midwicket which went for four followed by a single from Bates, which Kemp stopped. But, no sooner had they done so than Amelia Kerr picked out Bouchier at long-on to give Dean her first wicket.Spinners come to playBates fell three balls later attempting a reverse sweep off Glenn and dragging the ball directly onto her stumps. Glenn was on a hat-trick after bowling Green first ball, a straight one that went through the gate and crashed in to middle stump. Halliday survived the hat-trick ball but Devine started walking before the ball even started to drop into the hands of Bouchier at long-on to give Glenn a triple-wicket over in the 10th with New Zealand floundering at 64 for 5. Having been rested for the third ODI, spin attack leader Sophie Ecclestone had Izzy Gaze stumped first ball as New Zealand lost five wickets for four runs in the space of 14 balls.It could have been worse had Glenn held a sharp return catch off Jess Kerr in the next over. Glenn, who had bowled with excellent control, saw another catch go down at short cover, where Dean dived and thrust out her left hand but couldn’t cling on.Sciver-Brunt spilled a return catch off Halliday, on 12, but Dean bowled Halliday in the next over for 17, ending a 43-run stand. Jess Kerr played defiantly for 38 off 26 balls, her highest score at international level, to be New Zealand’s second-highest run-scorer. Three more chances went begging in the penultimate over, bowled by Smith, the last quite blameless as Kemp did her best stumbling over the boundary rope but couldn’t parry it back to herself as she jumped back in. Smith finally had Jess Kerr out with her last delivery, caught by Sciver-Brunt at long-off.
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
The Boult legacy: how will NZ cope without Southee's other half?
Kane Williamson coy on T20I future after New Zealand's World Cup exit
Ferguson does the (almost) unimaginable, returns 4-4-0-3 vs PNG
Spotlight on NZ transition after Boult confirms this will be his last T20 World Cup
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.”
2025 Ballon d'Or Top 10 predicted by AI
Who will lift the prestigious award in Paris?
ByCharlie Smith Jun 6, 2025
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.