كسر ديكو، المدير الرياضي لنادي برشلونة، صمته وتحدث عن إمكانية عودة الأسطورة ليونيل ميسي من جديد إلى صفوف الفريق الكتالوني خلال الفترة المقبلة.
ميسي يلعب في صفوف إنتر ميامي في الوقت الحالي، وقد جدد الدولي الأرجنتيني عقده مع النادي الأمريكي في وقت سابق من هذا العام، وذلك إلى نهاية موسم 2028 المقبل.
ولكن ميسي قد ارتبط في أكثر من مناسبة بالعودة من جديد إلى صفوف برشلونة، قبل أن ينهي ديكو الجدل بشكل رسمي حول تلك الأخبار اليوم.
واعترف ديكو في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو، أنه من المستبعد بشكل واضح أن يعود ميسي مرة أخرى إلى برشلونة، ولا حتى على سبيل الإعارة.
وقال ديكو ردًا على فكرة ضم ميسي على سبيل الإعارة من إنتر ميامي: “لا أعتقد أن ذلك ممكن لأن ليو مرتبط بعقد ولم يطرح الأمر أصلًا، ليو هو ليو دائمًا ولا يزال بإمكانه المساهمة، إنه لاعب رائع لكننا لن نتحدث عن هذا الأمر، الوضع الحالي مجرد تكهنات”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ديكو يوضح موقف برشلونة من ضم صفقات جديدة في يناير كما أبدى ديكو حبه وتقديره الكبير لميسي، حيث أضاف الدولي البرتغالي السابق: ”بالنسبة لي، ليو هو أفضل لاعب في تاريخ النادي إلى جانب يوهان كرويف ورونالدينيو، من الطبيعي كوني من هذا الجيل ألا أنسى ليو”.
وعن المقارنة بين ميسي ونجم برشلونة الحالي، لامين يامال، أوضح ديكو: “إنهما في مرحلتين مختلفتين ولاعبان مختلفان، كلاهما يتفوق على البقية من حيث إدراكهما للأمور”.
واختتم: ”نشأ ليو في بيئة لم يكن فيها تحت ضغط أو حاجة للأضواء لأنه لم يكن وقته بينما نشأ لامين في بيئة مختلفة، في برشلونة في مرحلة إعادة الإعمار بينما نشأ ليو في فريق راسخ، بمتوسط أعمار 26-27 عامًا، شق ميسي طريقه تدريجيًا، لقد أثار ليو فضولي وذهبت لمشاهدة الفريق الرديف لأراه يلعب، كانت جودته رائعة”.
Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy has his work cut out for him at Parkhead after a frustrating first match in charge of the club against Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
A 2-1 defeat to the league leaders proved that the Frenchman has plenty of issues to solve and plenty still to learn about the squad of players that he has at his disposal.
The former Columbus Crew head coach has a big group of players to work with in Glasgow, and there are a number of stars who he should give an opportunity to in the coming weeks.
The rarely-seen Celtic stars Nancy should unleash
Kelechi Iheanacho, for example, was an unused substitute against Hearts after returning from injury, and he should be given a chance to lead the line after Daizen Maeda missed two ‘big chances’, per Sofascore, on Sunday.
The Nigerian centre-forward has scored three goals in eight appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants this season, per Sofascore, and could emerge as Nancy’s first-choice number nine.
Another rarely-seen star who could benefit from the change in shape to a 3-4-2-1 could be Dane Murray, who has started two league games this season, as he is a naturally right-sided centre-back who can provide balance when playing out from the back.
Auston Trusty played in that role on Sunday, as a left-footed player, and was slow to bring the ball forward and progress the play, as he was on his weaker side, which could open the door for Murray to come in and take that spot.
Colby Donovan was also snubbed in Nancy’s first game, playing zero minutes, but he could emerge as the manager’s own Kieran Tierney in the right wing-back position, having been set to leave in the summer window.
Wilfried Nancy is brewing the next Tierney
The 19-year-old academy graduate was “set to join Dundee on loan for the season”, per journalist Josh McCafferty, in the summer transfer window, before an injury to Alistair Johnston meant that he was needed as a first-team option at Parkhead.
First Impressions
What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.
Donovan has gone on to play 716 minutes across 12 appearances for the first-team, per Sofascore, since the decision was made to keep him at the club, instead of sending him out on loan, and he has shown real promise.
The Scotland U21 international is looking to follow in Kieran Tierney’s footsteps in Glasgow, as the left-back came through the academy to provide a big threat down the left flank as an attacking full-back.
In his first spell with the club, as shown in the graphic above, the Scotland international provided an eye-catching 37 assists in 170 matches for the club, and Donovan has the potential to provide a similar threat in this new system.
Hyun-jun Yang started at right wing-back against Hearts. However, Nancy could move him over to the left and unleash the academy graduate on the right to provide crosses on that side.
25/26 Premiership
Donovan per 90
Rank vs RBs
xA
0.14
Top 28%
Assists
0.28
Top 1%
Long pass accuracy
46.2%
Top 23%
Chances created
1.12
Top 39%
Successful crosses
1.12
Top 25%
Touches in opposition’s box
2.80
Top 14%
Stats via FotMob
Donovan, as shown in the statistics above, has stood out as one of the most impressive creative right-backs in the Premiership this season under Brendan Rodgers and Martin O’Neill, whilst playing as a right-back.
Playing as a wing-back under Nancy would give him even more opportunities to push forward and show off his creativity in the final third, which could improve his output as a creator and make him a Tierney-esque threat on the right-hand side.
Whilst Johnston is still to return from his injury eventually, unleashing Donovan in this new role could provide him with a chance to nail down a regular starting spot in the team to become the next academy graduate to become a star at Parkhead, like Tierney.
His emergence in the first-team this season, after being set to go out on loan in the summer, is perhaps a lesson that Celtic can learn from, as they could give more opportunities to their academy players to see if they have what it takes to play for the senior side before letting them move on, permanently or on loan.
Worse than Yang: Nancy must bin 3/10 Celtic dud who once had "the X factor"
This Celtic star who had “the X Factor” should be ruthlessly dropped from the starting line-up on Thursday.
Manchester City are now expected to sign an “unbelievable” Premier League star, having moved into pole position in the race for his signature.
Man City keen to strengthen amid defensive struggles
Man City have looked potent from an attacking point of view this season, having already scored 32 Premier League goals, five more than any other club, with talisman Erling Haaland leading the way at the top of the goalscoring charts.
However, there have been some defensive frailties on display, with the Blues only just managing to edge out Fulham in a 5-4 thriller last time out, and pundit Clinton Morrison has made it clear that it is an issue Pep Guardiola will need to rectify.
Speaking after the victory at Craven Cottage, Morrison said: “You would never see this Arsenal team be 5-1 up and concede three goals. They need to get that sorted out.”
“Maybe, if they have a bit of money to spend in January, they need to look to strengthen at the back, especially in the right full-back area.”
A new right-back is of interest, with the Blues now ready to snap up Newcastle United star Tino Livramento, but they may also look at strengthening at centre-back.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, who recently told Football Insider that Man City have moved into pole position in the race for Marc Guehi’s signature.
Wyness said: “I think that he will end up at City and I think that’s where I expect him to be. There is a lot of interest but I think he’s actually shown me that he’s actually thought things through and acted quite sensibly and taken some decent advice. He handled the Palace thing quite well.”
“And so I would expect him to move to City and I think he would be a great replacement, basically for John Stones is what we’re thinking about now.”
Man City now favourites to sign "incredible" £88m star, Pep's captivated by him
City have taken the lead in the race for a Premier League star, with Pep Guardiola a big fan.
ByDominic Lund Dec 2, 2025 Guehi could be "unbelievable" Stones replacement
Stones’ contract is set to expire next summer, and City may be in two minds about offering him an extension, given the centre-back’s terrible injury record over the past four seasons, missing a plethora of games for club and country.
Season
Games missed due to injury
2022-23
13
2023-24
12
2024-25
36
2025-26
3
Guehi, on the other hand, has been very reliable for Palace, having made 145 Premier League appearances over the past five campaigns, and he received high praise from football writer Ed Aarons amid links to Liverpool in the summer.
Ultimately, the move to Anfield fell through, despite Guehi completing a medical, and with the Reds enduring a torrid campaign, most recently drawing 1-1 at home to Sunderland, City should seize the chance to get one over on their rivals by signing the England international.
Assistant coach says England will continue to target victory despite precarious overnight position
Andrew Miller06-Dec-20251:32
Trescothick: Trying to play the way we want to play
Marcus Trescothick, England’s assistant coach, insisted that the team would continue to stick to their principles, and “remain focused on how we try and win the game” despite a gruesome day with bat and ball at the Gabba that has left them on the brink of a 2-0 deficit in the Ashes.Speaking to TNT Sports shortly after the close of the third day’s play, Trescothick said that the team remained “fairly philosophical about what we’re trying to do”, but added that they were “not quite operating as we need to at the moment”, after a collapse of 6 for 80 in the floodlit evening session had torpedoed their hopes of overturning a 177-run deficit with wickets in hand.As had been the case in the first Test at Perth, England’s collapse came after a strong start to their second innings, and was largely of their own making. After reaching the dinner interval on 48 for 0, Ben Duckett was unlucky to be bowled by a ball from Scott Boland that kept low, but Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley then departed while driving on the up to Michael Neser – precisely the flawed shot selection that had left to a match-turning collapse of 3 for 0 in the series opener.It ran counter to the call from England’s first-innings centurion Joe Root, for his team-mates to “express themselves in the right way”, and whereas he’d salvaged the innings from 5 for 2 on the first day, this time he had no response. Mitchell Starc had been successfully negotiated by the openers but returned to prise Root out for 15, and when Harry Brook and Jamie Smith were extracted before the close, England still trailed by 43 runs with just Ben Stokes and Will Jacks of their recognised batters remaining.”They’ve been better than us today, and they’ve dominated today,” Trescothick said. “They’ve put us under a lot of pressure, and it’s always challenging when that happens.”We’re trying to score as many runs as we can. We’re trying to take wickets when we can. In certain areas, we probably haven’t been as good as we need to be, for long enough. And we’re trying, obviously, to do that and trying to put that right all the time.”Trescothick’s phlegmatic response to a catastrophic day was in keeping with England’s bid to maintain a positive team environment, and echoed similarly outlandish professions of optimism in previous contests – perhaps, most notably, spin coach Jeetan Patel’s insistence, on the eve of Ollie Pope’s astonishing 196 to beat India in Hyderabad in 2024, that “nothing was impossible” for this team and their self-belief.However, Pope will be back in the spotlight once again this evening, and for less glorious reasons. For the second match running, his skittish display when well set was the root cause of England’s collapse – in Perth, his inability to keep the score moving after a fast start resulted in a loose drive that cost him his wicket; here, with the conditions at their toughest and the onus on keeping wickets in hand until the morning session, he survived two wild drives in three deliveries that nearly went to hand off Brendan Doggett, before poking a return catch to Michael Neser in the very next over.Related
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Trescothick, however, refused to point fingers, and held back from criticizing the decision-making that had undermined England’s chances.”Of course, we work with them as coaches,” he said. “Myself, Baz [McCullum] will talk with them about what we’re trying to do, and the principle of our game, and how we’re trying to play our style of play.”When we get it right, sometimes we really dominate and we put pressure on oppositions, and at times we don’t always get it right, and we play bad shots, and potentially, of course, that gets highlighted.”But it is what it is. You’ve got to have some way of trying to play the game. Of course, we’ll look back on it, and every game, every innings, and talk with batters and discuss what we’re trying to do. And we’ll say, yeah, keep going … stick with trying to work out how we’re going to make it better for next time. We’ve got to stick to our principles and what we’re trying to do.”The irony is that Australia’s entire team offered a demonstration in how to build an innings on a cracked Gabba surface that, as Duckett discovered, can offer a few rogue deliveries but broadly speaking has played very true throughout. Every Australian from No.1-11 reached double-figures, for the first time since 1992, while none of them faced fewer than 30 balls.”Once the guys have been in the field for a period of time, like they have in the heat, and then you’re starting to lose a couple of wickets, it’s always tough,” Trescothick said. “We’ve been good in parts. We’ve had periods in the game where we’ve been sustained pressure, and put Australia under that the scrutiny that we needed to, it’s just maybe they’ve then fought back.”They’ve got through the periods of the new ball well, and made it tricky for us, so fair play to them. It’s not just necessarily things that we’ve done wrong. I think Australia have been pretty consistent in what they’ve tried to do.”It’s pretty obvious what they’re trying to do. They’re just trying to smash away on a good length, especially Boland from the far end … there’s a big crack just outside the channel of off stump, we’re all aware of that. They’ve hit consistent areas, and they’ve put us under pressure.”England arrived in Australia with high hopes of competing for their first series win in the country since 2010-11, and their first Ashes victory since 2015. Right now, however, they are racing towards their 15th defeat in their last 17 Tests, and arguably their most humiliating yet, given the chances they’ve had to dominate, and the relative weakness of a team that has been lacking three all-time great bowlers in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.”When momentum gets in their favour and they do get on top of you, it’s obviously always a challenge.” Trescothick said. “We are strong enough, we are good enough to challenge with it at times and put a bit pressure back on, if you like. It’s just not quite happened today.”We’re trying to work that out ourselves,” he added, when asked how England had let so many strong positions slip away. “We can be a bit more consistent in the style and in the momentum of the game, and try and keep on top of it when we need to be. And potentially, we haven’t quite matched up to that when we needed to be. But you’ve got to try and remain focused and positive on what you’re trying to do.”We’ve still got an opportunity here. Yes, we’re behind still in the context of the game. We’ve got to come out tomorrow, try and get a partnership going with the last few wickets that we have, and get a total on the board that we can maybe have a little dart at.”The guys are disappointed, but we’re still trying to remain focused on how we try and win the game.”
Australia have won their last nine ODI series, but New Zealand have shown in the past that form and records don’t mean much at the world stage
Vishal Dikshit30-Sep-20252:21
‘Tough to make a case against Australia winning the lot’
Big pictureIf recent form is anything to go by, Australia have been bossing ODIs like, well, the world champions, whereas New Zealand, ranked fourth in ODIs, have a forgettable streak coming into this World Cup. Australia have won their last nine ODI series, last going down in the ODI leg of the 2023 Ashes in England, brushing teams aside both at home and away. They have been touring India almost every year in recent times, their top players have been getting used to the conditions in the WPL for the last three years, and they even played a three-match series in north India as a warm-up for this World Cup, which they won 2-1.Related
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New Zealand have no such records or achievements to show for. Jogging their memory back to the 2022 World Cup will only bring back disappointing recollections as they finished sixth out of eight teams in a home World Cup, they were rolled over for 128 by Australia for a 141-run thrashing in Wellington, and they haven’t played an ODI in six months.But they had shown last year that form and records are not much to go by. New Zealand entered the T20 World Cup with 10 consecutive losses in the format but went on to lift their maiden T20 World Cup with a stellar all-round show in alien conditions in the UAE. And they have a big chunk of players from that campaign to turn things around this time: captain Sophie Devine, former captain Suzie Bates, leader of the pace attack Lea Tahuhu, ace allrounder Amelia Kerr, among others.These two teams will clash it out at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, which is known for its flat tracks and will host its maiden women’s international on Wednesday.Form guideAustralia WLWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first) New Zealand WWLLLIn the spotlight: Alyssa Healy and Sophie DevineThe last time Alyssa Healy turned out in a World Cup, she finished the 2022 edition by smashing back-to-back centuries in the semis and final to help Australia lift their record seventh title. Things are a lot different this time; it’s her maiden ODI World Cup as captain, after Meg Lanning’s departure, and she has just returned to action after a long injury layoff of a stress fracture in the foot. She got in the groove of international cricket with modest scores of 1, 30 and 9 in the recent bilaterals in India, but would want to use the big stage to get some runs going on a flat pitch. She averages 31.40 against New Zealand with a strike rate of 89.97 against New Zealand much lower than her overall ODI strike rate of 97.90, and New Zealand would want to keeps those numbers down on Wednesday too.This is going to be Sophie Devine’s farewell ODI series, only available for T20Is after this. Having led her side to T20 World Cup glory less than 12 months ago, she wants to end her ODI career with a double and her all-round skills could play a major role, starting Wednesday. She comes into the tournament after a rich run of form in the Hundred and bucket loads of experience of Indian conditions, having first toured the country back in 2007 when she was just 17.2:19
‘NZ might find it tough switching to ODI mode’
Team news: one concern for New ZealandAustralia’s full squad trained on Tuesday evening under the lights after a few injury concerns to Phoebe Litchfield (low-grade quad strain), Annabel Sutherland (hip soreness) and Darcie Brown (back spasms) during the recent bilateral games against India, and Ellyse Perry was down with an illness during the warm-ups. Vice-captain Tahlia McGrath, however, confirmed on Tuesday that everyone in the squad will be available for selection. What mix of spinners and pace bowlers they finalise is the only question that remains, as Sophie Molineux returned to action after a knee surgery, in the warm-up against England, and Australia could think about leaving out one of the legspinners – Alana King or Georgia Wareham – to make place for her.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Sophie Molineux, 9 Kim Garth, 10 Alana King/Georgia Wareham, 11 Megan SchuttNew Zealand have one injury concern and Devine intentionally kept her name under wraps at the press conference on Tuesday. Their line-up is otherwise a great blend of youth and experience and if that mysterious player with a niggle is also fit on Wednesday, they won’t have too many headaches for the final XI. Devine also didn’t rule out uncapped 22-year-old left-arm spinner Flora Devonshire making her ODI in their opener.New Zealand (probable): 1 Suzie Bates, 2 Georgia Plimmer, 3 Amelia Kerr, 4 Sophie Devine (capt), 5 Brooke Halliday, 6 Maddy Green, 7 Isabella Gaze (wk), 8 Eden Carsen, 9 Jess Kerr, 10 Flora Devonshire, 11 Lea Tahuhu2:02
McGrath on playing NZ: ‘We know each other’s game really well’
Pitch and conditionsThe curator at Indore has decided to roll out a flat track for its maiden women’s international, testified by both Devine and McGrath after they saw the pitch. They had no hesitations to call it “an incredibly flat” pitch which has the makings of a “run fest,” as is often the case there in men’s white-ball matches. Indore has been muggy in the lead up to this game, with plenty of clouds spread across and the sun appearing in parts. Temperatures are unlikely to cross 30 degrees Celsius but it could feel a lot worse with the humidity when the match starts, for the fielding team.Stats and trivia Australia have won the last 15 completed ODIs against New Zealand, last losing one in February 2017. New Zealand have won just one ODI series since the start of 2024, and lost four (two home and two away). Suzie Bates, 38, is just 104 runs away from 6000 in ODIs, and will be just the second woman to get there after Mithali Raj (7805). Bates is also joint-second with Smriti Mandhana with the most ODI hundreds, only behind Meg Lanning’s 15. The last time New Zealand beat Australia in an ODI World Cup was in 2009, when Devine batted at No. 10 and Australia’s current coach Shelley Nitschke opened the batting.Quotes”Those stats are there and we’re aware of them, but at World Cups, it doesn’t matter. I think records and previous results go out the window for us.” “I joke that I’m basically a spinner at times when I can get slower and just bowl some pace off. So I feel as though I can adapt to any wicket and use some of my variations to suit different wickets.”
O técnico da Seleção Brasileira, Dorival Júnior, e o preparador-físico Celso Rezende vão assistir nesta semana três jogos de times paulistas: Corinthians, Palmeiras e São Paulo. Eles dão sequência ao trabalho de observações técnicas. Antes de convocar os jogadores na sexta-feira (10), eles assisitiram mais de 40 jogos no Brasil e na Europa.
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➡️ O Lance! Betting tem apostas a longo prazo para a Seleção Brasileira em 2024! Vem conferir!
➡️Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte
A série de partidas vai começar na terça-feira (14), quando Dorival e Celso vão assistir o Corinthians enfrentar o Argentino Juniors, na Neo Química Arena, pela Sul-Americana. No dia seguinte, a dupla acompanha o confronto entre Palmeiras e Independiente del Valle, pela Libertadores. Na quinta (16), eles fecham o giro pela capital paulista no Morumbis para assistir o São Paulo contra o Barcelona de Guayaquil, também pela Libertadores.
– As observações fazem parte de um trabalho constante do Departamento de Seleções. Enquanto o Dorival e o Celso estarão nos estádios, o restante da comissão técnica vai ficar no Rio planejando toda a preparação para a disputa dos dois amistosos e da Copa América. Eles estão detalhando toda a programação de trabalho dentro e fora do campo, além dos conteúdos dos treinos – afirmou o coordenador executivo geral das Seleções Brasileiras Masculinas, Rodrigo Caetano.
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O Brasil fará dois amistosos antes do início da Copa América. O primeiro será no dia 8 de junho contra o México no Texas, Já o segundo será contra os Estados Unidos, no dia 12 de junho, em Orlando, na Flórida.
A Copa América começa no dia 20 de junho. O Brasil está no mesmo grupo de Costa Rica, Colômbia e Paraguai, e Dorival convocou 23 jogadores para os dois amistosos e a disputa do torneio.
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Antes, ele e os integrantes da comissão técnica percorreram o Brasil e a Europa observando os jogadores. Foram mais de 40 jogos e 50 atletas monitorados pela comissão técnica.
Weibgen rescued Queensland from 38 for 4 after Joel Curtis’ century had powered Western Australia to 321 for 9
AAP21-Sep-2025
Hugh Weibgen was pumped after hitting the winning runs•Getty Images
Hugh Weibgen was the hero as Queensland recovered from a top-order collapse to post a thrilling two-wicket victory over Western Australia at Allan Border Field.Joel Curtis struck 116 off 108 balls and Sam Whiteman a run-a-ball 83 as WA posted a formidable 321 for 9 on Sunday.In reply, Queensland slumped to 38 for 4 before Weibgen (115* off 94 balls) produced a masterful knock to lift his team to victory with just five balls to spare. Jack Wildermuth (74 off 49) and Michael Neser (41 off 23) also produced important knocks in the remarkable chase.Weibgen, 20 and playing just his second List A match, cracked nine fours and five sixes in an unforgettable innings. Wildermuth provided plenty of fireworks with five fours and six sixes, while Neser (three fours, three sixes) produced a handy late cameo to ensure the required run rate stayed within control.Fittingly, Weibgen hit the winning runs when he crunched a Matthew Kelly full toss for four.WA looked to be in an unbeatable position after removing Queensland’s top order.Dangerman Marnus Labuschagne, who posted 130 in Queensland’s’ win over Victoria earlier this week, was out for 2 off 19 balls. Jack Clayton (5), Matthew Renshaw (5) and Jimmy Peirson (18) were also part of the top-order collapse.Weibgen walked to the crease with the scoreboard reading 38 for 4 in the 13th over.He was dropped on 109 by Sam Fanning with Queensland still needing 11 more runs for victory, and the miss proved costly.Earlier, third-gamer Curtis struck 12 fours and four sixes during his sparkling knock, combining with Fanning for a 124-run third-wicket partnership for WA. Curtis brought up his maiden One-Day Cup century by hooking Neser (1 for 62) for six.It would take something special to remove Curtis, and Mitchell Swepson obliged with a spectacular one-handed catch at mid-off while running with the flight of the ball. Cameron Bancroft’s quest for early-season runs went unfulfilled, as he was out for 12 when he edged Tom Straker behind.Legspinner Swepson snared 4 for 52 and Straker chipped in with 3 for 65, but it was Weibgen’s heroics with the bat that set tongues wagging.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye was praised for his display against Fulham in the Premier League.
Everton 2-0 Fulham
Gueye and Michael Keane supplemented Everton’s misfiring attack in a 2-0 win which extended Fulham’s woes on the road to a fifth successive match.
With the Toffees’ two strikers Beto and Thierno Barry scoring just one Premier League goal between them so far this season, there is an imperative for others to chip in. But in a team boasting the attacking talents of Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, it was their defensive midfielder and centre-back who made the difference.
The two teams had scored just 22 between them in 20 combined Premier League matches so the first goal was important and Gueye’s intervention, in the fourth minute of first-half added time, was even more crucial as an offside flag denied Everton on three occasions in a match they should have won more comfortably.
Gueye stabbed home his second of the campaign after Tim Iroegbunam had completely fluffed his shot in front of goal from a James Tarkowski header which rebounded off the crossbar.
After failing to score at all last season, Gueye is well on his way to beat his best return of four in an Everton shirt from 2023-24. Keane flicked home a Dewsbury-Hall corner with 10 minutes to go to banish any late anxiety. They were contributions gratefully received by boss David Moyes, whose side ended a run of one win in eight matches in all competitions.
Unsurprisingly, Gueye’s performance against the Cottagers was highly praised in the aftermath of the game.
Gueye was "brilliant" against Fulham
After opening the scoring against Fulham, pundit Sue Smith, as per Sky Sports, said of Gueye:
Idrissa Gueye Stats vs. Fulham
Minutes Played
90
Goals
1
Assists
0
Passes Made (Accuracy)
41/48 (85%)
Recoveries
3
Clearances
3
Interceptions
1
Aerial Duels Won
1/1 (100%)
Times Dribbled Past
0
All stats are from SofaScore
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Everton Extra noted that Gueye was “very, very good” in the first half against Everton, form that continued after the half-time break. Initially alongside Iroegbunam until the 22-year-old was replaced by Merlin Rohl in the 67th minute, Gueye helped Everton limit their visitors as they maintained their impressive start to life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
In six Premier League games at their new home, Everton have lost just once, picking up 11 points from an available 18. Everton will not play now until after the November international break, which they enter with a win that Gueye contributed heavily towards.
يستعد ريال مدريد لاستكمال مبارياته في الموسم الحالي 2025/2026 بعد الفوز الكبير والمهم الذي حققه أمام أتلتيك بلباو، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.
حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد، فوزًا مهمًا على حساب أتلتيك بلباو، بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.
وواجه ريال مدريد نظيره أتلتيك بلباو، مساء اليوم، الأربعاء، في إطار منافسات الجولة 19 المقدمة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.
واستضاف ملعب “سان ماميس” مباراة ريال مدريد بقيادة تشابي ألونسو وأتلتيك بلباو، في الجولة الاستثنائية من “لا ليجا”.
اقرأ أيضًا | ألونسو يعاني.. إصابة جديدة تضرب ريال مدريد أمام أتلتيك بلباو
كان كيليان مبابي تألق في المباراة ونجح في تسجيل هدفين رائعين أمام بلباو، كما قدم تمريرة حاسمة أيضًا في الهدف الثاني الذي أحرزه كامافينجا ليساهم في الثلاثة أهداف كاملة. موعد مباراة ريال مدريد القادمة بعد الفوز على أتلتيك بلباو في الدوري الإسباني
ومن المقرر أن يواجه ريال مدريد في مباراته القادمة نظيره سيلتا فيجو، في إطار منافسات الجولة الـ16 من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.
ويواجه ريال مدريد بقيادة تشابي ألونسو نظيره سيلتا فيجو مساء يوم الأحد، في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة، الحادية عشر مساءً بتوقيت مكة المكرمة، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.
It might not have been vintage Bruno Fernandes this season, yet, even so, the Manchester United skipper is still the heartbeat of Ruben Amorim’s side, as was evident again on Monday night.
Up against an undoubtedly poor Wolverhampton Wanderers side, the 31-year-old was arguably the deciding factor, netting twice himself, while providing a delicious assist for Mason Mount to convert for United’s third.
Two missed penalties earlier in the campaign may have highlighted a drop in standards, although Fernandes still ranks third in the Premier League for goals and assists in 2025/26, while leading the way again for chances created (45).
The hope will be that the Portugal star can replicate last season’s heroics, which saw him overcome a slow start – having failed to score until Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim appointment – before going on to rack up 38 goals and assists in all competitions.
Suitable for a midfield two or not, the ex-Sporting CP playmaker remains so influential to United’s fortunes – but what will happen if the club are left to make do without him?
Latest on Man Utd's search for a midfielder
It’s worth noting that Fernandes, speaking ahead of his 300th United appearance earlier this season, gave no suggestion that he was angling for a move away from Old Trafford, having openly discussed the decision to turn down a move to Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer.
Nor, however, did the £300k-per-week sensation completely shut down the topic of his long-term future, having relayed that he won’t discuss any potential plans until after the World Cup, with just 18 months left to run on his existing deal.
There have been suggestions that INEOS could even look to cash in on their talisman in order to help fund a midfield overhaul in 2026, with potential replacements seemingly being eyed up.
With that in mind, reports in Spain have claimed that the Red Devils are among the clubs pursuing a move for Real Madrid sensation, Arda Guler, with both Arsenal and Liverpool also in the frame.
The report suggests that United have already ‘accelerated initial contacts’ regarding a possible swoop, with the 20-year-old’s ‘versatility’ noted as a selling point for Amorim and co.
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Whether the LaLiga giants would be willing to sell the Turkish starlet remains to be seen, although prior reports indicate he could command a fee of around £88m.
Why Guler could be the perfect successor to Fernandes
It was a moment that epitomised the genius of Bruno Fernandes.
Picking the ball up just outside the Wolves box, the midfielder – who had been sent off at Molineux just over a year ago – had the vision and the quality to pick out Mount with a stunning dinked pass, building on the two inventive assists he produced at Selhurst Park late last month.
Even when not at his free-flowing best, the majestic talent can still unlock a defence in an instant, possessing the type of creative quality that few can match across the global game.
Finding a successor to such a figure thus appears almost impossible, if not improbable, yet Guler would be a more than worthy option, having been hailed as the “best CM/AM prospect in world football right now” by writer Neal Gardner.
That praise is not without merit, with Como’s Nico Paz the only attacking midfielder under the age of 21 to have registered more goals and assists (ten) than Guler in Europe’s top five leagues this season, as per Transfermarkt.
A key beneficiary of Xabi Alonso’s arrival at the Bernabeu, the rising star has already chalked up ten goals and assists in 22 games in all competitions this term, the same number of goal involvements that Fernandes has achieved back in Manchester.
Like Fernandes, the former Fenerbahce man has the flexibility to flourish in a more advanced role, or on the flanks, although he has blossomed in a slightly deeper role of late, averaging 2.3 key passes per game and creating eight ‘big chances’ in LaLiga this season, as per Sofascore.
For context, back at United, Fernandes has created seven ‘big chances’, albeit while averaging three key passes per game, with the pair both representing the creative hubs for their respective sides.
Interestingly, too, the Red Devils skipper is noted as the fifth most similar midfielder to Guler across Europe’s top five leagues, with regard to their stylistic and statistical likeness, as per FBref, further reinforcing why the Madrid man could fill that possible void in Amorim’s future side.
Fernandes vs Guler – Key stats
Stat (per 90)
Fernandes
Guler
Non-penalty goals
0.18
0.20
Assists
0.31
0.41
Shot-creating actions
6.40
6.08
Pass completion
76.3%
85.4%
Progressive passes
9.67
7.91
Progressive carries
2.18
2.00
Successful take-ons
0.71
1.06
Touches in opposition box
2.65
2.94
Prog passes received
3.45
5.43
Stats via FBref
As indicated above, the pair – across the last 365 days – have enjoyed a particularly similar record with regard to assists, shot-creating actions, progressive passes and progressive carries per 90, all key attributes for a playmaking midfielder in their pomp.
In truth, United have rarely seen a side without Fernandes in it, such is his remarkable reliability and availability, although if the day comes where he opts to move on to pastures new, Guler must surely be at the top of the list with regard to replacements.
Prising him from the Spanish capital might not be easy, although with Alonso’s place at Los Blancos seemingly under threat, now could be the time to pounce.
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