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Mesmo com a recente eliminação na Libertadores, flertando com a zona do rebaixamento no Campeonato Brasileiro e com o baixo aproveitamento à frente do Corinthians, Vanderlei Luxemburgo segue sendo o profissional de confiança da diretoria para comandar a equipe. O departamento de futebol do clube alvinegro acredita que os próximos 11 dias de pausa no calendário, por conta da data Fifa, serão importantes para que Luxa ajuste o time em busca de melhores ares. 

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansLuxemburgo admite que Corinthians não possui elenco para disputar três competições e acredita em evolução após a data FifaCorinthians10/06/2023Fora de CampoRizek analisa mudanças de Luxemburgo no Corinthians: ‘Não parece suficiente’Fora de Campo10/06/2023CorinthiansATUAÇÕES: Ruan Oliveira entra no segundo tempo e evita derrota do Corinthians contra o CuiabáCorinthians10/06/2023

– Claro que confiamos (no Luxemburgo), só faltava não confiar no treinador. A gente precisa oportunizar um tempo a mais. Esse tempo de dez dias é um tempo oportuno, porque até então ele vinha só trabalhando muito rapidamente para os jogos. Agora tem uma semana inteira, um pouco mais até, para a gente se reerguer no Brasileiro e se manter firme na Copa do Brasil – disse o gerente de futebol Alessandro Nunes em zona mista após o empate em 1 a 1 do Timão com o Cuiabá, neste sábado (10). 

+ Ruan Oliveira entra no segundo tempo e evita derrota do Corinthians contra o Cuiabá

No entanto, a direção corintiana não trabalha com prazos para o trabalho de Vanderlei. Após a queda do clube na Liberta, que aconteceu após a derrota por 3 a 0 para o Independiente del Valle, em Quito, na última quarta-feira (7), o presidente Duílio Monteiro Alves falou sobre a importância de melhores resultados após a data Fifa, mas também sobre os possíveis reforços que chegarão na janela de transferências do meio deste ano, que se inicia no dia 3 de julho. Porém, entre as duas situações há um intervalo superior a um mês.

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– Não podemos estabelecer um prazo para um treinador, ou confiamos no treinador ou não confiamos. Não dá para prever um, dois ou três jogos, um prazo de 15 ou 20 dias, isso não existe no futebol. Existe o resultado e a avaliação do que está acontecendo – pontuou Alessandro. 

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

O gerente admitiu a insatisfação com o momento atual do Corinthians, mas mostrou confiança na evolução. Ele destacou que Luxa ainda não teve um tempo de trabalho, já que literalmente foi contratado tendo que trabalhar no dia seguinte.

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– O momento é muito ruim, não temos dúvida. Precisamos encontrar os resultados, e além disso temos que buscar o equilíbrio. Tivemos alguns bons jogos e outros que foram distantes do nível que o Corinthians precisa. Vem este período importante agora, de trabalho. Ele (Luxemburgo) chegou em um dia, e no outro já comandou a equipe. E até hoje foram dias de recuperação e uma simples organização já cuidando para o jogo seguinte, então este é um período importante para trabalhar as partes tática, técnica e física para podermos encontrar um momento melhor, bons resultados. Precisamos disso, de sair dessa zona desconfortável para nós. Precisamos de resultados e performance melhores para o Corinthians sair desta posição – disse o dirigente corintiano.

Quando retornar da pausa por conta da data Fifa, o Corinthians terá pela frente o clássico contra o Santos, na Vila Belmiro, pelo Brasileirão, depois enfrenta o Athletico-PR, em Curitiba, também pela competição nacional, e, por fim em junho, terá compromisso importante contra o Liverpool, do Uruguai, na Neo Química Arena, onde ainda pode beliscar uma vaga nos playoffs da Copa Sul-Americana por ser terceiro colocado da sua chave.

يلتقي منتخب السودان مع نظيره الكونغو الديمقراطية، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، في مباراة قوية ومرتقبة خاصة لمنتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية في تصفيات كأس العالم.

ويلعب منتخب السودان ضد الكونغو الديمقراطية، في إطار الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من مواجهات المجموعة الثانية لـ تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

منتخب السودان تلاشت حظوظه في التأهل إلى نهائيات كأس العالم، يعدما تلقى خسارتين أمام السنغال وتوجو وتعادل سلبيًا مع موريتانيا في آخر 3 جولات من التصفيات.

بينما على الجانب الآخر، منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية، يسعى ويأمل في خطف بطاقة التأهل المباشر إلى نهائيات كأس العالم، حيث ينافس بقوة مع منتخب السنغال المتصدر للمجموعة حاليًا.

ويتصدر منتخب السنغال، ترتيب المجموعة، برصيد 21 نقطة، ويأتي منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية في المركز الثاني بـ 19 نقطة، بينما يتواجد منتخب السودان في المركز الثالث برصيد 13 نقطة.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة السودان في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 موعد مباراة السودان والكونغو الديمقراطية اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

تقام مباراة السودان والكونغو الديمقراطية، اليوم الثلاثاء، 14 أكتوبر، في تمام الساعة 10 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، 9 بتوقيت السودان. القناة الناقلة لمباراة السودان والكونغو الديمقراطية اليوم في تصفيات كأس العالم

تنقل مباراة السودان والكونغو الديمقراطية، اليوم، على منصة شاهد.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Arsenal play their final game of pre-season against Athletic Bilbao this afternoon, and it’d be fair to say the mood around the team is mixed.

On the one hand, Andrea Berta and Co have made several impressive signings to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad, like Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.

However, on the other hand, the team have lost their last two games and the attack, especially on the left, has not looked great.

Fortunately, the transfer window is open for a few more weeks, and, unsurprisingly, the Gunners continue to be linked with players who could help level up the attack, such as Rodrygo.

However, if reports are to be believed, Arsenal are now looking at an alternative to the Brazilian, someone who’d be an even better signing, and no, it’s not Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal target Rodrygo upgrade

Arsenal have been linked with Rodrygo for what feels like months now, with some of the first reports emerging as far back as April and May before then quieting down again last month.

Transfer Focus

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

However, the Real Madrid star was once again touted for a move to the Emirates earlier this week, with some reports claiming that he might be available on a loan with an obligation to buy, while others repeated the £86m price tag from earlier this summer.

Regardless of the structure of the potential deal, there is no doubt that Rodrygo would be a massively exciting transfer, although it now looks like the Gunners are looking at another international, someone who’d be an even better signing.

At least that is according to a recent report from the Sun, which claims Arsenal have maintained their interest in Ademola Lookman.

The report has revealed that the Nigerian star is still on the North Londoners’ list of targets, and that, so far, Inter Milan have not been successful in their pursuit of the player.

In better, even better news, the report claims that an offer of £45m would be enough to tempt Atalanta into selling, which for a player of Lookman’s quality would be a brilliant deal.

Why Lookman would be a better signing than Rodrygo

It should go without saying that Rodrygo is a supremely gifted player and would be an excellent signing for Arsenal, but even so, there are a few reasons that mean Lookman would be an even better one this summer.

The first, and undoubtedly the most crucial, is the simple fact that, over the last three seasons, the Nigerian “superstar,” as dubbed by 90min’s Sean Walsh, has been the more effective attacker.

For example, since moving to the Serie A side in August 2022, he has scored a brilliant 52 goals and provided 25 assists in 118 appearances, totalling 7538 minutes.

That means the former Everton flop has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes on the continent, which is frankly outstanding.

In contrast, the Real star has scored 50 goals and provided 31 assists in 162 appearances, totalling 11012 minutes, across the same period, which comes out to a great, but still less impressive average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 135.95 minutes.

Lookman vs Rodrygo since 22/23
22/23	Lookman	Rodrygo
Appearances	33	57
Minutes	1858′	3853′
Goals	15	19
Assists	8	11
Goal Involvements per Match	0.69	0.52
Minutes per Goal Involvement	80.78′	128.43′
23/24	Lookman	Rodrygo
Appearances	45	51
Minutes	2809′	3707′
Goals	17	17
Assists	10	9
Goal Involvements per Match	0.60	0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement	104.03′	142.57′
24/25	Lookman	Rodrygo
Appearances	40	54
Minutes	2871′	3452′
Goals	20	14
Assists	7	11
Goal Involvements per Match	0.67	0.46
Minutes per Goal Involvement	106.33	138.08′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

The following reason is quite difficult to quantify, and may even be outright refuted by some fans.

Still, as the Atalanta star would be moving up to a Champions League side and the Los Blancos ace leaving arguably the biggest club in world football, there is always the possibility that the former will have far more drive to push the Gunners forward than the latter.

Finally, there is the overall cost of the two deals.

If the reports are accurate, then there is a chance the former Santos gem could cost up to £43m more than the former RB Leipzig star, and then when it comes to wages, the 24-year-old supposedly makes £349k-per-week including bonuses, while the 27-year-old makes just £38k-per-week.

Ultimately, Rodrygo would be an excellent signing, but from output, to the motivation and the potential cost of the deals, it seems clear to us that Lookman would be a better signing for Arsenal.

Arsenal can get Gyokeres firing by signing "unstoppable" £100m "machine"

The incredible talent would be an unreal signing for Arsenal and the Swede.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 7, 2025

Hugo Ekitike has become the latest big-money Liverpool signing this summer, as Arne Slot prepares his Reds side for a Premier League title defence.

Joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth £79m, £69m guaranteed and £10m in add-ons, Ekitike was the subject of interest from Manchester United and Newcastle United but chose to head to Anfield.

The Frenchman, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, enjoyed his best season in front of goal in 2024/25, netting 22 times in all competitions for his former employers.

Games

64

Goals

26

Assists

14

Minutes played

4,416

Liverpool are also getting a striker who has also been compared to Kylian Mbappe and Neymar by former Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

Grok, the AI tool on X, has now predicted how Ekitike will perform in his first Premier League season for Liverpool.

AI predicts how many goals Hugo Ekitike will score for Liverpool in 2025/26

Some may be wondering how Ekitike will fit in under Slot and his style of play. Well, Grok states that ‘Ekitike is a versatile, modern No. 9 who can drop deep like Roberto Firmino, run channels like Alexander Isak, or play in a strike partnership’.

It is added that Ekitike’s ‘ability to create and lead pressing suits Slot’s system, which balances possession and counter-attacking transitions’. In front of goal, Ekitike has been backed to record a similar amount of league goals for the Reds as he did for Frankfurt.

Grok feels the forward will score ’14 goals in the 2025/26 Premier League season for Liverpool, which accounts for his high shot volume, Liverpool’s chance creation, and an expected improvement under Slot’s guidance’.

There is the ‘potential for up to 20 goals if he adapts quickly and improves his conversion rate’, which would surely be seen as a big success if he manages to hit that feat.

Two £100m+ signings start: AI predicts Liverpool's line-up for next season

Mohamed Salah would get plenty of service in this side…

4 ByBen Goodwin Jun 18, 2025

It is not only goals that Ekitike will bring. Last season, the forward registered eight assists for Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Grok says that Ekitike is projected to register 10 assists for his Reds teammates, ‘enhancing his overall impact’ on Merseyside.

Goals

14

Assists

10

And so, a new era is here at Tottenham Hotspur, with Ange Postecoglou’s turbulent tenure coming to a close despite overseeing Europa League glory back in May.

That success in Bilbao has handed his successor, Thomas Frank, the chance to experience life in the Champions League, with the Danish coach seeking to prove himself at the truly elite level after years of stability at Brentford.

For the former Bees boss to truly flourish in north London, however, he will need to be handed the appropriate tools, with the Lilywhites having thus far only recruited Japanese starlet, Koto Takai – excluding the permanent captures of Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel and Luka Vuskovic.

As noted by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the major priority appears to have the signing of a new, high-profile attacker to freshen up Frank’s forward line, with both Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa having been touted as potential targets of late, alongside Mohammed Kudus.

AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table

Who are the winners and losers from AI’s table?

1

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 7, 2025

With that mind, we have taken a stab at predicting – with the help of AI tool, ChatGPT – how that trio would perform at N17 next season…

Mohammed Kudus – 8-10 Premier League goals

The leading target to join Spurs ahead of next season appears to be Kudus, with recent reports indicating that Daniel Levy and co have struck a £55m agreement with West Ham United, having already had a £50m bid rejected.

The Ghanaian has enjoyed a respectable two-year stint at the London Stadium, following his £38m switch from Ajax in 2023, having chalked up 32 goals and assists in 80 games in all competitions.

That did include a disappointing return of just eight goals and assists in the Premier League last term, although that came amid real upheaval for the Irons, with Graham Potter replacing Julen Lopetegui midway through the campaign.

Under the guidance of Frank, and with a position finally nailed down for the versatile speedster, he could be revived next season. Indeed, ChatGPT certainly thinks so, suggesting that “a more central role and better service could boost his output”.

Their prediction is that the 24-year-old could manage to chalk up eight to ten league goals, alongside chipping in with a further six to eight assists.

Yoane Wissa – 15-18 Premier League goals

Much like the man we’ll come onto below, it would appear that Frank has his eye on some familiar faces this summer, with recent reports suggesting that a move could be in the works for Brentford goal machine, Wissa.

While somewhat in the shadow of Mbeumo and Ivan Toney before that, the 28-year-old’s stock has soared of late, following his return of 19 Premier League goals last season.

Previously a target for Nottingham Forest in January, with a £22m bid having been rebuffed by the Bees, now could be the time for the Congolese marksman to finally jump ship from the Gtech.

With that in mind, there would be no better place, arguably, than the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a reunion with Frank, with ChatGPT predicting that he could notch between 15 and 18 top-flight goals, provided he “adapts quickly and starts regularly”.

Bryan Mbeumo – 18-22 Premier League goals

While Kudus – and perhaps Wissa – look more likely to end up at Spurs this summer, there remains a glimmer of hope that Mbeumo could reunite with his former boss, amid prior claims that Levy was ready to hijack Manchester United’s move for the Cameroon international.

The 25-year-old’s preference appears to be to move to Old Trafford, although a deal has yet to be struck with the Red Devils, with Ruben Amorim’s side already seeing two bids rejected for the winger.

Kudus vs Mbeumo – 24/25 PL stats
Stat (per 90)	Kudus	Mbeumo
Non-penalty goals	0.17	0.40
Shots	2.61	2.08
Assists	0.10	0.18
Shot-creating actions	3.72	3.80
Pass completion	83.6%	66.1%
Progressive passes	2.75	3.72
Progressive carries	3.41	3.43
Successful take-ons	3.20	1.37
Touches in attacking box	4.41	4.43
Progressive passes received	7.51	9.25
Stats via FBref

If Spurs can re-enter the race, it could certainly prove fruitful, with Mbeumo having dazzled for the Bees in 2024/25, after scoring 20 goals in the top flight, finishing behind only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland in the scoring charts.

With 121 goals and assists to his name in 242 games under Frank to date, the left-footer would surely be able to slot in smoothly next term, with ChatGPT suggesting that “Mbeumo could immediately hit 20 league goals”, while representing “an upgrade in Spurs’ front line”.

In all, ChatGPT reckons he could get between 18-20 Premier League goals in 2025/26, alongside registering a further eight to ten assists.

The dream squad Spurs could build: £283m stars sign alongside Kudus

Here’s what Spurs’ squad could look like after a dream summer.

1

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 8, 2025

Lucy Higham and Ella Claridge staged a superb unbroken match-winning partnership of 105 in 22.3 overs to guide The Blaze to a five-wicket success over Western Storm in a hard-fought Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy contest at Cheltenham.Pursuing a modest victory target of 218, the visitors made a great start to their chase, courtesy of a hard-hitting 61 in 54 balls from opener Sarah Bryce. But the outcome was in doubt when The Blaze slipped to 115 for 5, and they were ultimately indebted to their sixth-wicket pair, Higham and Claridge raising unbeaten knocks of 62 and 43 respectively to seal the win with 7.3 overs remaining.Fran Wilson had earlier top-scored with 67 and added 62 for the third wicket with Sophie Luff after Storm had been inserted on a flat pitch. But Luff’s dismissal, run out by Kathryn Bryce for 31, sparked a collapse in which the home side went from 133 for 2 to 217 all out in 16.2 overs, their last eight wickets realising just 84 runs. Bryce finished with 4 for 20 from 8.5 overs as Storm were dismissed inside 47 overs.Rooted to the foot of the table, Storm have now lost their last five matches in the 50-over format and face testing fixtures away to Central Sparks and leaders Southern Vipers in the space of the next week. The Blaze remain in fifth place after registering their fourth win of the season and will approach Sunday’s away game against title-chasing Northern Diamonds in confident mood.Storm may have lost the toss and had to bat beneath low cloud cover, but they nevertheless made a decent start, Corney and Smale growing in confidence and fluency in an opening stand of 57 that afforded the innings solid foundations.Kirstie Gordon ended the partnership, bowling Corney in the act of slog-sweeping for 23, while legspinner Josie Groves held a catch off her own bowling to send back Smale for 32 as Storm slipped to 71 for 2.Wilson and Luff then forged an alliance characterised by quick running and aggressive intent, raising 50 for the third wicket in 13.2 overs as the sun came out and conditions for batting improved. But their burgeoning stand was ultimately undermined by confusion, Luff guiding a ball from Gordon to backward point and setting off on a run, only to be sent back by Wilson and run out for a 41-ball 31 by Bryce’s throw. A partnership that had promised a good deal was terminated on 62 with the score on 133.Determined to make amends, Wilson went to her second 50 in as many games at the Festival via 53 balls, adding 35 in five overs with Nat Wraith to afford the innings renewed impetus. Cassidy McCarthy’s express pace accounted for Wraith, caught and bowled for a 21-ball 20, as The Blaze fought back once more.Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson combined well for the third wicket•Getty Images

Wilson had scored 67 off 68 balls when, pursuing a ninth boundary, she drove at a length ball from Heather Graham and found long-on, while Amanda-Jade Wellington was bowled by Grace Ballinger without scoring as the innings began to unravel. Kathryn Bryce then single-handedly wiped out the tail, removing Alex Griffiths, Issy Wong, Niamh Holland and Ellie Anderson in the space of seven balls from the Chapel End.Needing a good start with the ball, Storm made early in-roads, England star Tammy Beaumont falling to Wong for six. But Sarah Bryce seized the initiative thereafter, adding 47 for the second wicket with her elder sibling as The Blaze reached 75 for 2 at the end of the 10-over powerplay. Ultra-positive from the outset, the 24-year-old Scot raced to a 36-ball 50, which included seven fours and a six and served to force Storm onto the back foot.Undeterred, the home side weathered the storm and Griffiths bowled Marie Kelly to at least stem the flow of runs. Skelton then removed Heather Graham before claiming the crucial wicket of Bryce, who played back to a full delivery and was bowled as the visitors lurched to 115 for 5.With a further 103 runs required, Claridge and Higham sought to stabilise the innings, the sixth wicket pair initially adopting a low-risk approach to see off the threat posed by Wong’s pace and Wellington’s legbreaks. As their partnership grew in stature, so their willingness to pursue boundaries increased, Higham in particular playing with fluency as the finish line came within sight.Higham brought up a 60-ball 50 in the 39th over, sweeping Smale for her sixth boundary to attain that landmark and put the outcome beyond doubt.

Chelsea are looking to build on the momentum they gathered at the back end of the 2024/25 campaign.

They won five of their final six Premier League games, qualifying for the Champions League in the process, and, of course, won the UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis, to end the season on a high note.

Now, with the new look FIFA Club World Cup right around the corner, Chelsea could do something really special at the end of the campaign under Enzo Maresca. Their first game of the competition is on the 16th of June, against LAFC.

The transfer window is open for ten days, and the Blues are actively looking to do transfer deals in multiple positions.

Here is a look at what their dream lineup could look like if some of those transfer rumours come to fruition.

1

GK – Mike Maignan

Starting off this dream Chelsea lineup is a new signing, AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge by Fabrizio Romano, who says the Blues are ‘aware of the situation’ regarding his contract, which is currently up in the air.

At 29 years of age, he is very much in his prime, and despite a tough campaign in 2024/25 for the Rossoneri, Maignan played well. In 37 Serie A games, he conceded just 41 goals and kept 13 clean sheets.

Chelsea have pounced on this market opportunity early, and the Frenchman could be a perfect upgrade on Robert Sanchez. The former Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper struggled last term, and Gary Neville said the club “are going to have to look at it”, implying they need a new shotstopper; perhaps Maignan is that guy.

2

RB – Reece James

Club captain Reece James will, if fit, start every game for Chelsea. He only managed 19 appearances in the Premier League last campaign, but Maresca was careful to manage his minutes and ensure they got the best out of their captain.

A prime example of just how important James is to this Chelsea side came in their 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester United at the end of the season. The piece of skill he used to beat Alejandro Garnacho, before crossing for Marc Cucurella, was exceptional. A healthy James is pivotal for the Blues.

3

CB – Jarrad Branthwaite

The second new addition in this hypothetical Chelsea side would see Jarrad Branthwaite move to Stamford Bridge. He has been linked with a move to the club by TEAMtalk this week, who say they are ‘seriously considering a move’ for the England international.

The 22-year-old Everton defender was a really important member of the Toffees side, as they once again avoided relegation and finished mid-table. After suffering an injury which kept him out at the start of the campaign, he featured in 30 Premier League games.

The Everton centre-back played 90 minutes in 27 of the 30 games he featured in, contributing to nine clean sheets in that time. The £75m price tag suggested in the report is expensive, but could be an excellent investment for Chelsea to strengthen at the back.

4

CB – Levi Colwill

Pairing Branthwaite at the heart of the Chelsea defence would be another England international centre-back, Levi Colwill. He was a staple of the team under Maresca last season, playing a huge role in their Champions League qualification.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion defender played 35 times in the Premier League last term, as well as making three appearances in the Conference League when called upon.

Transfer Focus

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

Having two defenders with the availability and quality of Branthwaite and Colwill would be a strong foundation for the Blues to build on.

5

LB – Marc Cucurella

Rounding out the defence is Spain international Cucurella. Since winning Euro 2024 last summer, the 26-year-old has improved leaps and bounds, to the point where he is a key man for Maresca. Last season, Cucurella played 48 games in all competitions.

Another ex-Brighton defender, the left-back has some impressive stats via FBref after his efforts in 2024/25. Some of the standout numbers include 3.64 final third passes and 87.7% pass accuracy per game, for which he ranks in the top 6% of full-backs in Europe for the latter.

6

CM – Enzo Fernandez

The first half of the midfield pivot is a player whom Maresca leaned upon last season, his namesake Enzo Fernandez. The Chelsea manager said at one stage last season that his number 8 has “taken a step forward” in his game.

Well, he was certainly important to his manager. The 2022 World Cup winner played 36 Premier League games, scoring six goals and seven assists from midfield. He also got on the score sheet in the Conference League final.

7

CM – Moises Caicedo

To absolutely no one’s surprise, Moises Caicedo is the second midfielder in this dream Chelsea side. Described as “the outstanding player” by Neville last season, he played all 38 games in the Premier League and was sensational in midfield.

Well, that is what the stats suggest, anyway. The Ecuador international ranked highly amongst his Premier League peers for several key metrics via FBRef, including ball recoveries, where he made 229, more than any other player by 16.

Caicedo key stats vs. PL players 2024/25
Stat	Number	Rank
Ball recoveries	229	1st
Aerial duel win rate	68.6%	8th
Tackles and interceptions	163	3rd
Passes completed	1967	7th
Progressive passes	215	9th
Stats from FBref

8

RW – Noni Madueke

It was an interesting campaign for Noni Madueke in the 2024/25 season. He was, at one stage of the season, criticised openly by Maresca for his performances in training and was even dropped from the squad. The Chelsea boss confirmed it was because he didn’t “like the way he trained”.

However, the former PSV Eindhoven star was able to put that behind him and worked his way back into the manager’s favour. He made 41 appearances across all competitions, ending with 11 goals and five assists to his name.

9

AM – Cole Palmer

Another guarantee in this dream Chelsea side was always going to be Cole Palmer. The Blues talisman was once again sensational in 2024/25, despite suffering from a dip in form. He still ended the season with 15 goals and 12 assists in 46 games.

Two of those assists came in the Conference League final. After setting up Fernandez with a magical cross, he did the same again for Nicolas Jackson, showing off some sensational footwork before delivering a perfect ball in to help steer Chelsea ahead. Exactly what Palmer can offer, he is a crucial player for this Blues side.

10

LW – Morgan Rogers

The next new signing in this Chelsea dream lineup comes on the left wing, and it is “unstoppable” Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers. It was Jamie Carragher who described him like that, and it is easy to see why.

The former Middlesbrough attacker has taken the Premier League by storm, and last season was no different. He contributed to 19 top-flight goals in 2024/25, featuring 37 times for the Villans.

Reports suggest that the West London side are “prepared to bid for him” and could offer Jackson or Joao Felix to Villa in return, to sweeten the deal. Either way, there is no doubt he would add goals and creativity to an already exciting attack. It’s just a pity he may cost around £100m.

Arsenal could now make an opening bid for a Gabriel and William Saliba “hybrid” in the coming days, according to a report.

Gunners eyeing new centre-back amid Saliba uncertainty

Gabriel has recently reaffirmed his commitment to Mikel Arteta’s project by agreeing a new deal, but Saliba is yet to sign a new contract, amid widespread reports that Real Madrid are interested in signing the Frenchman.

Despite signing AFC Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, Madrid retain an interest in Saliba, with the 24-year-old thought to be a dream signing, and they remain attentive to his contract situation.

As such, while Arteta will surely be determined to keep hold of the centre-back, it may be a wise move to start thinking about potential replacements, and the north Londoners could soon make an opening bid for a Liga Portugal star.

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Indeed, according to a report from A Bola (via Arsenal News), the Gunners may submit a proposal for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande in the coming days, having recently learned that he will be available for a fee below his release clause.

Although Diomande has a £67m release clause in his contract, Sporting recently informed Crystal Palace they would be willing to sanction a departure for £51m, but there are a number of other top clubs in the race for his signature.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Bayern Munich also said to be ‘very attentive’ to the 21-year-old’s situation, highlighting just how highly he is regarded.

Diomande could be a Gabriel and Saliba "hybrid"

Gabriel and Saliba have struck up quite the partnership at the heart of the Arsenal defence, although Jamie Carragher has suggested the France international is not the same when playing alongside Jakub Kiwior.

Carragher said: “I think Saliba is the better player but Gabriel is the better leader, and he needs to bring that to his game if he wants to get to the levels of Virgil van Dijk. Saliba needs Gabriel. Since Gabriel has come out of the team, that’s not the same Saliba I’m watching.”

Given that the two defenders complement each other, it should be exciting news that the Gunners are in the race for Diomande, as he has been described as a “hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” by data analyst Ben Mattinson.

Despite being just 21-years-old, the Ivorian already has 101 first-team appearances to his name for Sporting, indicating he could slot right into Arteta’s backline, while journalist Zach Lowy has been left very impressed by his performances in the past.

Of course, Arsenal fans will be hoping that Saliba commits his future to the club, but there is no doubt that Diomande could be an exciting long-term heir.

With a big summer ahead, Aston Villa have reportedly made their first approach and opened talks to sign an impressive Champions League star in the event that Emiliano Martinez departs.

Emi Martinez could leave Aston Villa

As Aston Villa look to comply with profit and sustainability rules, one player they may sacrifice is Martinez. The talented shot-stopper seemed to be saying his goodbyes to Villa Park last Friday in Unai Emery’s side’s final home game of the season. Clearly emotional in what could have been his final farewell, the rumours around the Argentine’s future have been coming thick and fast ever since.

Martinez has instantly become a wanted man in the transfer market, with reports indicating that Barcelona, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are all interested in his signature ahead of the summer transfer window.

Villa will, of course, be keen to avoid selling to a rival club which may well open the door for both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to come swooping in. Meanwhile, those in the Midlands will need to find themselves a new No.1.

To that end, a number of names have already threatened to steal the headlines. The main name mentioned has so far been Joan Garcia. The Espanyol goalkeeper has enjoyed an excellent season in La Liga and now looks destined for the Premier League.

Whether Villa decide to go all out for his signature remains to be seen, however. Instead, amid fresh reports, sporting director Monchi could choose to sign a Champions League star who is full of potential.

Aston Villa open Chevalier talks

According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri, Monchi has now opened talks to sign Lucas Chevalier from LOSC Lille for Aston Villa in the event that Martinez departs this summer. Having made their first approach, Villa will be hoping to sign one of the most talented young goalkeepers that European football has to offer and instantly ease their Martinez concerns in the process.

Starts

34

36

Saves per 90

2.68

2.60

Save Percentage

74.6%

67.9%

Clean Sheets

11

8

Outperforming Martinez in several departments, it could even be argued that Aston Villa would be landing an impressive upgrade by signing Chevalier this summer. At just 23 years old, the Lille shot-stopper still has his best years to come too, which could yet take place in the Midlands.

Unsurprisingly earning a lot of praise over the last year, scout Jacek Kulig described Chevalier as an “excellent young goalkeeper” back in March as he continued a solid campaign in Ligue 1.

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As Martinez potentially heads for the exit door, Aston Villa should go all out to sign the Chevalier in this summer’s transfer window, with all signs pointing towards the very top for the Lille star.

Will impending reset undo the gains that tournament has provided for women’s cricket?

Valkerie Baynes01-Sep-2025It feels like the only constant in women’s cricket in England and Wales over the past five years has been change.A successful short-format competition was ripped up, reimagined and merged with a corresponding men’s tournament. A separate regional competition was established to stage the two traditional white-ball formats, then it was thrown out and realigned with established counties and their men’s teams.Unsettling? Certainly. Bad? Surely not.The regional domestic T20 and 50-over competitions introduced unprecedented professionalism to the women’s game in this country amid ongoing expansion which will continue into 2029 after becoming a county-based format as of this year.The Kia Super League was the T20 predecessor to the Women’s Hundred and only lasted four seasons from 2016 to 2019, but the Hundred has introduced a new audience to cricket, attracted some of the biggest names in the sport and offered salaries ranging from £10,000 to £65,000 for a month’s work (more on that later).So it’s with a mixture of excitement, trepidation and uncertainty that many women’s players are anticipating changes to the Hundred under private ownership, which will affect the men’s teams too.Sophia Dunkley bats during the Kia Super League in 2019•Getty ImagesThe new Hundred board meets today, less than 24 hours after Northern Superchargers won a maiden women’s title and Oval Invincibles lifted the men’s trophy for a third straight time.As defeated captain, Southern Brave’s Georgia Adams would like to change plenty about Sunday’s women’s final at Lord’s, played before a record crowd of 22,542, but she is wary of the changes already in motion.Renaming teams, “resetting” squads and possibly reverting to a T20 format eventually have all been mooted and it’s understandable that the women’s teams are apprehensive about tinkering with a product that has been upheld as a huge success story, for them in particular.”Everyone feels like it’s just starting to take off and then we keep changing things, that’s been what’s gone on in the women’s game in the last few years,” Adams said. “Every time we see something really start to take off and work and flourish, it then gets changed or altered again. Hopefully they don’t change too much, but we’ll just have to wait and see what’s thrown at us.”Hampshire-based Brave have qualified for four women’s finals in the five-year history of the Hundred, winning the title in 2023 before falling to the bottom of the table in 2024 and bouncing back to runners-up this year.Plans to reconfigure squads are less foreign to the women, whose squads were overhauled after the second season of the Hundred while the Invincibles men have maintained a consistent group of core players.A bid to reduce predictability in results, possibly through switching from a draft to a WPL/IPL-style player auction, also isn’t unusual.Georgia Adams made a century for Hampshire against Essex in the County One-Day Cup in May•Dave Vokes/Hampshire Cricket”We’ve got a really great group of people and we’re really comfortable and confident in the group we’ve got moving forward,” Adams said. “I think it’s highly unlikely we’ll be able to keep the majority of this group together.”There’s going to be some changes, but I think that’s to be expected now in franchise cricket… the nature of what we’re doing now in this day and age is you’ve just got to roll with what’s happening, roll with the changes, be open to change.”It’s understandable for players to be protective of competition that, in Adams’ words, “put us on the map”.Figures released by the ECB on Sunday show that of the 2.5 million people to have attended the Hundred in its first five years, 1.5 million of them went to a women’s game and 203,000 bought tickets to their first-ever cricket match. Some 349,401 people attended the women’s competition this year, a record for total attendance at a women’s cricket competition.Over the weekend, the Hundred showed off its platform for unearthing new talent through 18-year-old Davina Perrin, who scored a scintillating 42-ball century for Superchargers in the Eliminator, witnessed by 13,623 at The Oval.For players like Adams, who is 31 and has played just twice for her country, the Hundred has offered salaries, recognition and longevity that none of them dreamed of at the beginning of their careers.Davina Perrin’s century against London Spirit was the stand-out innings of the Hundred•Philip Brown/Getty Images”It’s amazing for me as a domestic cricketer, not an England player, to go to the local shop and get stopped by people saying, ‘we’re loving watching you this summer’,” she said.”It’s been so important for women’s sport and providing free-to-air games, every game on YouTube, and young female cricketers having role models that they can actively see and watch.”Clare Connor was one of my biggest role models and I don’t think I ever saw her play a game of cricket. But she was my role model because of what she’d done for the game, and I think having people in front of you, seeing that, watching that is so important.”Similarly, Nicola Carey, who is also 31 and flew into the Hundred as a late replacement for injured fellow Australian Georgia Wareham, has expanded her opportunities after a 50-game international career ended in 2022. Her unbroken 60-run partnership with Annabel Sutherland took Superchargers over the finish line on Sunday.Related

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“This group’s been together for a few years now and it’s such a good group,” Carey said. “It’d be a shame to pick that apart and get other people in, because they’ve got a good thing going. I’d love to see them stick together a bit longer and see what else they can do in the next few years.”Lauren Winfield-Hill expressed similar concerns when the new three-tier women’s domestic county competition launched this year, which followed the Hundred’s model of aligning women’s teams with the men’s at the existing counties.”They’ve tinkered with women’s cricket enough now,” Winfield-Hill told ESPNcricinfo earlier this year. “We’ve had that many structures, that many leagues, the Super League, then we’ve had the Hundred, then we’ve had regional, then we’ve had county.”I just hope this is the last of the tinkering and you can really build something. That’s the biggest challenge, how things have changed so frequently, you’re trying to build a core of players and get roles, and players are finding places to live and all this sort of stuff. Just leave it alone now.”Many reservations centre on the fear of the unknown. Unless the ECB and new franchise owners communicate effectively with players, it will abound.Nat Sciver-Brunt, the England captain, last month called for the Hundred to maintain its momentum and “sense of belonging” in the women’s game under new ownership. “More investment should help both the men’s side and the women’s side,” she told the BBC. “We don’t know the details of what that will look like and what’s going to happen, but I’m sure that it will be really positive.”The growth of the women’s game had been the standout good news story of the Hundred. However, the valuations that teams attracted during the sale process – ranging from £275 million for London Spirit to £79 million for Sciver-Brunt’s Trent Rockets – has overshadowed that narrative.Of the four IPL franchises who own stakes in Hundred teams, only the Ambani-family-run Mumbai Indians, now partnered with Oval Invincibles, and Delhi Capitals, who have bought into Southern Brave, have WPL sides.The revenue from the Hundred’s sale is set to be divided between counties, the MCC and recreational cricket. Salaries in the Hundred are also expected to rise, with figures yet to be confirmed. But in lieu of detail on the split between men’s and women’s set-ups, there is a fear that the sums offered to the women will be mere scraps from the men’s table.The PCA are pushing for a narrowing of the gender salary gap but the gulf remains stark as of 2025, when the top earners in the men’s competition received a 60% increase to £200,000, compared to a 30% rise in the top women’s bracket to £65,000.As long as the women who form an integral part of the competition are heard and included, there is no reason why they can’t benefit from the huge levels of investment in their teams and be rewarded for their part in growing the game. For the sake of the progress that the women’s game has made over the past five years, they simply must be.