All posts by h716a5.icu

Hosts effectively secure top-flight status after latest spirited display

ECB Reporters Network12-Sep-2024Will Rhodes struck his third century of the season to steer Warwickshire to safety in their hard-fought Vitality County Championship draw with local rivals Worcestershire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.The result leaves Worcestershire and Warwickshire 40 and 36 points respectively ahead of second-from-bottom Lancashire and both are strongly placed to ensure another campaign of top-flight cricket.Former Warwickshire captain Rhodes is ending a seven-season association with the Bears at the end of the campaign to join Durham on a three-year contract.He showed his quality in defying the home side’s push for victory after Warwickshire had followed on and were still eight runs in arrears with three second wickets down at the start of the final day.Rhodes cover drove Logan van Beek for his 15th four to reach three figures off 198 balls.When a heavy downpour post lunch ended play, the 29-year-old was unbeaten on 121 and needing just 46 more runs to complete 1,000 in a first-class season for the first time.Rhodes was given excellent support by 18-year-old Hamza Shaikh (33 not out) in only his second Championship match.Shaikh clearly enjoys batting at New Road as last month he scored 91 for England Lions against Sri Lanka in the tourists’ only warm-up match before the Test series against England.He helped Rhodes add an unbroken 83 as Warwickshire went through the play possible on the fourth day without losing a wicket.But Worcestershire can reflect on plenty of positives after defying their lengthiest injury list in living memory in virtually guaranteeing another season of Division One cricket after last summer’s promotion.Away triumphs over Durham and Essex, after being firmly behind the eight-ball in both games, were evidence of their fighting spirit and belief.Warwickshire resumed on 171 for 3 after being asked to follow on, still eight runs in arrears, with Will Rhodes unbeaten on 72.Tom Taylor, who yesterday had achieved career best figures of 6 for 28, and Matthew Waite settled into a steady rhythm and beat the bat on several occasions.Rhodes leg glanced Taylor for four to steer Warwickshire into the lead and then on drove Waite to the boundary.There was no nervous 90s for Rhodes who straight drove and cut Waite to the ropes and brought up three figures off 198 balls with a cover drive for his 15th four off Logan van Beek.The fourth-wicket pair were relatively untroubled although the second new ball brought a moral victory for Taylor when Rhodes on 119 edged just short of Brookes at second slip.But Rhodes and Shaikh safely negotiated the morning session without being parted and added 75 runs in 31.4 overs.There was only time for six more runs to be added at the start of the afternoon session before the heavens opened and play was abandoned at 2.20pm.

Williamson suffered the injury in SL which requires extended rehabilitation; Chapman has been added to the squad

Alex Malcolm08-Oct-2024Kane Williamson is set to miss the opening Test against India in Bengaluru with his departure from New Zealand delayed by a groin strain he suffered during the Sri Lanka series.New Zealand have added Mark Chapman to the squad for the three-Test tour of India that begins in Bengaluru on October 16. The team will be led by Tom Latham after Tim Southee stepped down as captain following the 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka.The rest of the squad remains unchanged from the Sri Lanka tour. Although Michael Bracewell will only be available for the first Test in India before departing for the birth of his second child. Ish Sodhi will join the squad as Bracewell’s replacement for the second and third Tests.Williamson’s injury is a major blow for the Black Caps considering his experience in India and New Zealand’s struggles for runs in Sri Lanka. He experienced groin discomfort during the second Test in Galle and requires an extended period of rehabilitation at home before flying to India.Related

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Black Caps selector Sam Wells was hopeful Williamson could play a part later in the series but confirmed he would miss the first Test.”The advice we’ve received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury,” Wells said. “We’re hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour.”While it’s obviously disappointing to not have Kane available from the start of the tour, it provides an opportunity for someone else to play a role in an important series.”Williamson’s injury opens the door for Chapman to possibly make his Test debut having played 78 white-ball matches for New Zealand.The left-hander has played six first-class matches for New Zealand A, including scoring a century against India A in 2020 but has not played for New Zealand A since 2022 when he made 92 and 45 in a first-class match in Bengaluru.He only played three Plunket Shield matches for Auckland last summer in February and March but posted scores of 123 against Otago and 83 off 68 in his final innings against Central Districts, both of which came at No. 3.Former Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath will also travel to India with New Zealand as part of the coaching staff after his consultancy role as a spin-bowling coach in Sri Lanka.New Zealand squad for India Tests:Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Manchester United’s attempts to strengthen their frontline this summer have already been successful, already making two huge additions to their first-team squad.

Bryan Mbeumo was the latest addition made by boss Ruben Amorim, finally completing his £71m transfer to Old Trafford after weeks of speculation over his potential switch.

He joins Matheus Cunha in making the move to the North West, after the Brazilian joined in a £62.5m move from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the very start of the window.

However, despite the big money already being spent this summer, the club are still planning a move for a new talisman to help the side in their quest for success in the Premier League next season.

That doesn’t take away from the fact that other attackers are still also being pursued, potentially adding further depth after the arrival of the aforementioned duo.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers

Over recent days, United have made a move for Bologna star Riccardo Orsolini, even making a direct phone call to his representatives over a potential move this summer.

Their interest in the 28-year-old is hardly a surprise given his record of 15 goals in just 30 Serie A appearances last campaign, averaging a goal every other game.

However, he’s not the only player currently plying their trade in Italy on their shortlist, with teammate Dan Ndoye also a player in their sights, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal.

He claims that internal meetings have been held over a deal to land the 28-year-old star, who registered 15 combined goals and assists throughout 2024/25.

His post also confirms that he’s already spoken to Joshua Zirkzee over a potential move to Old Trafford this window, leading to a £43.5m price tag being mooted.

Why United’s latest target would be perfect alongside Watkins

Despite the interest in Ndoye, United are currently making efforts to land other talents in the final third, with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins also on their radar.

It’s been reported over recent days that the Red Devils have entered fresh talks with Unai Emery’s side over a deal to land the 29-year-old striker, who scored 17 goals in all competitions last season.

However, any deal could cost them a fee in the region of £60m, which would take the club’s summer spending to just shy of £200m – a simply staggering amount given the recent cost-cutting operation.

Whilst it may appear like a hefty transfer fee. It’s one that would provide the side with the experienced Premier League talisman they will need if they’re to be successful.

Being able to score alone is one thing, but he will also be dependent upon players around him to provide the chances he craves to find the back of the net at Old Trafford.

Ndoye could prove to be the perfect player to aid Watkins in his potential quest, with his underlying stats highlighting the creative talent he currently possesses.

The Bologna star, who’s been labelled “dangerous” by one analyst, registered 5.5 progressive carries per 90, 2.1 of which were into the opposition’s 18-yard box – showcasing how much talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.

Games played

30

Goals & assists

12

Progressive carries

5.5

Carries into opposition box

2.1

Successful take-ons

1.6

Fouls drawn

4.2

Key passes made

1.2

Passes into opposition box

1.1

He also notched 1.6 successful take-ons per 90, drawing 4.2 fouls per 90, having an impressive skillset that makes him a constant threat to the opposition’s backline.

Ndoye’s talents are further reflected in his tally of 1.2 key passes per 90, 1.1 of which were also into the opposition’s box, subsequently having the tools to hand Watkins the chances he craves in attacking areas.

Whilst £43.5m on another wide player may be a hefty investment, Ndoye has showcased he holds bags of talent and that he’ll only improve further in the years ahead.

If he can join the side alongside Watkins and provide him with key chances, it would be another superb signing for Amorim, massively helping him in his quest for success at Old Trafford.

He finishes like RVP: Man Utd make "phenomenal" £67m CF their main target

Manchester United have set their sights on a new talisman for Ruben Amorim.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 24, 2025

Head coach concentrates on team dynamic as rare series win becomes the priority

Danyal Rasool23-Oct-2024Not often in Pakistan cricket does someone pass up the chance to take credit for any successful outcome, regardless of how significant their part was. But Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie kept such praise at arm’s length when talking about Pakistan’s bounce-back win over England in the second Test.Gillespie made clear that effectively all the decisions taken in the wake of Pakistan’s chastening innings defeat in the first Test had little to do with him. Moments after the result was official, the PCB announced a new selection committee, one that included former umpire Aleem Dar, as well as Aaqib Javed. It excluded Gillespie and captain Shan Masood from having any say in selection matters – Masood, too, last week said he preferred to pass on the credit “to everyone else” for their part in the win.”The PCB came out and made some changes after that Test match,” Gillespie said ahead of the third Test. “It was decided that a new selection panel would come in and they would be making decisions. I was not involved in the decision-making, I was just there. I’m now just the coach on match-day strategy. I just keep out of things now and just focus on the players and getting them ready for cricket.”It is a remarkably different brief from the one Gillespie was given when he was offered the role earlier this year. At the time, he told ESPNcricinfo he had some “really positive conversations” with the board and the chairman to make sure “we’re moving in the right direction short term, in the medium and long term”.Industrial fans have been used to dry the Pindi pitch•AFP/Getty ImagesPakistan’s late decision to pack the bowling attack with spinners and prepare a surface to assist them does appear to run in contrast to Gillespie’s goals and ambitions when he took over the Test side. In that interview with ESPNcricinfo, he had specifically cautioned against short-termism. “It’s very easy when you’re coming into jobs; you’ve got a two-year contract or a one-year contract,” he had said. “You make short-term decisions to look after your own back. But that doesn’t help anyone, because if everyone has that approach, nothing long-term gets done.”When asked about the composition of the team, Gillespie repeated the point. “It’s not for me to talk about now. I’m no longer a selector, so I’m probably not the person to ask.” Corralled into a role that is much narrower in focus than his initial job description suggested, he did indicate he understood how unusual his situation was. “I’m getting splinters in my a*** from sitting on the fence here,” he quipped.But with a potential series win against England on the line, the importance of the final Test was not lost on Gillespie. In his short time as coach, he has built up positive relationships with several players in the side, paying as much tribute to their qualities as human beings as to their cricketing talent.Related

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“The last few years, Pakistan’s Test cricket hasn’t been where we’d like it to be. Any win is great, and any series win’s fantastic. Just coming into this environment, as a coach, I’m very protective of players. They’re the ones going out and representing their country. I suppose there’s a dad in me that comes out and I want to protect all the boys from all outside noise and whatever.”It is this ability to stay calm that Gillespie wanted to channel more meticulously in his players. At several key points during the second Test, with England appearing to swarm, Pakistan found a way to hunker down when the pressure was on. In the first ten overs, Pakistan fell to 19 for 2 as Babar Azam’s replacement Kamran Ghulam walked out for his Test debut. It could have gone awry very quickly, but Ghulam scored a hundred, and Pakistan put on 366.When England responded, they made light work of the spinners in the first 40 overs, and stood poised for a significant first-innings lead when they were placed at 211 for 2. But in the drying embers of Day 2, Sajid Khan slowed up the pace, found the rough, and triggered a collapse that helped Pakistan take a decisive 75-run lead.”There’s a lot of things in professional sport that you can’t control,” Gillespie said. “To be able to just park that and not focus on that is a skill within itself. Focusing on what we can control, the right things at the right times, and staying calm when things are all happening. The way England played, they looked to create things all the time and the way we want to go against them is to by staying calm and not getting flustered. I thought we did that really well in the last Test match. I was really proud of the boys.”You communicate with your players regularly, talking about their games and how we can help them improve as cricketers and people. I’m very fortunate, I’ve got a wonderful support staff who have developed some really good relationships with our players and players will gravitate towards certain coaches over others at times. But if you all work as a team, that’s the most important thing.”

Sheffield United are now done with their summer schedule of pre-season fixtures as the main event of Championship action kicks off this coming weekend.

Bristol City arrive at Bramall Lane as the first test for Ruben Selles’ new-look Blades side, with the former Hull City manager hopeful that his team can relive their playoff magic and thump the Robins again – much like they did over two legs last season in the playoff semi-finals – before Wembley heartbreak ensued.

Fresh recruit Dijbril Soumare will be hoping he’s a part of a team this upcoming season that can dust itself down and bounce back from this agonizing promotion near-miss.

More new signings will surely be needed for Selles and Co. to be seen as promotion contenders to fear, as a new loan target now appears on the Blades’ shopping list, who could look to replicate Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s standout stint last season.

Rak-Sakyi's heroics at United

While Chris Wilder would ultimately lose his job as the Blades tripped up to Sunderland at Wembley, there were still plenty of entertaining performers who called Bramall Lane home last campaign.

Rak-Sakyi certainly fits into this bracket, as the Crystal Palace youngster took to his fresh EFL environment like a duck to water, with the tricky winger standing out as a useful impact player all season long.

In total, the England U21 international would fire home a hefty tally of seven goals across 34 second-tier contests, despite only being an out-and-out starter for 22 of those clashes.

Two assists would also come his way, as the “devastating” youngster – as he has been labelled by U23 scout Antonio Mango – now attempts to make a name for himself in the Eagles senior picture.

This potential new Blades signing will be hoping he can retreat to Bramall Lane and come out the other side far more confident in his own ability, too, with Selles able to land his very own Rak-Sakyi in the process.

United's "special" next Rak-Sakyi

Selles has already utilised the loan market well, with Louie Barry joining the building from Aston Villa on loan, having worked with the Spanish head coach at Hull.

Up next, Liverpool starlet Lewis Koumas could be thrown into the first-team mix in South Yorkshire, with the Mirror previously reporting this month that the promotion nearly-men are monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation at Anfield, amid further interest coming from second-tier big boys Birmingham City and Wrexham for his loan services.

Much like Rak-Sakyi, Koumas had been thrust into the spotlight from a very early age, having made a perfect lasting impression on the Anfield masses when scoring this delightful effort last year on his first-ever senior start on Merseyside.

Former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp would even go as far as to declare the 19-year-old as “special” off the back of this dream moment, with Koumas also delivering the goods away from his boyhood club last season while cutting his teeth on loan at Stoke City.

Games played

49

Games started

31

Minutes played

2873

Goals scored

6

Assists

3

Playing with the same trickery and flair that the Palace attacker is known for, Koumas would go on to pick up a reasonable six goals and three assists in all competitions for the Potters, with his game potentially taken to that next level in a promotion-chasing camp, as opposed to a Stoke side languishing near the drop zone.

That hefty amount would still be collected despite the 19-year-old only starting 31 of his 49 contests, with Koumas perhaps ready to be the next blistering option United can depend on from the bench, much like Rak-Sakyi before him.

Further dubbed as being “fearless” by Welsh legend Craig Bellamy, there will be a hope that the promising Welshman takes to the pressures of Bramall Lane well, as Selles attempts to steer his side back up to the Premier League to rectify their playoff misery.

Once cost £20m: Sheffield United can land dream Moore replacement for free

Sheffield United could secure a dream replacement for Kieffer Moore by snapping up this free agent.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 4, 2025

Wayne Rooney has responded to Michael Owen in the lively debate which has seen questions asked of who was better at 17 years of age.

Both men broke through as teenagersOwen believes he was better at that stageRooney enjoyed greater longevityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Both men were senior stars by that point, with breakthroughs being made on Merseyside with Everton and Liverpool respectively. They would go on to star for club and country, with Owen claiming the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2021.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Rooney is Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer and briefly held the same record with England until Harry Kane came along and raised that bar. He made 120 appearances for the Three Lions and is considered to be one the most naturally gifted players that English football has ever produced.

DID YOU KNOW?

Owen has, however, claimed that he was better when first starting out, posting on social media in response to a probing question from the Match of the Day account on X: “At 17 I scored 18 PL goals (winning the Golden Boot), Wazza scored 6. At 18 I again scored 18 goals (again winning the Golden Boot and coming 4th in The Ballon d'Or), Wazza scored 9. In our opening 7 seasons, Wazza didn't outscore me once (117 goals v 80). In which time I became the 2nd youngest Ballon d'Or winner ever. Injuries hindered me from then on while he sustained his level. Therefore, he'll go down as a better player than me. But, at 17, please……”

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GettyWHAT ROONEY SAID

The man on the other side of that debate has said on podcast: “I think his comments are fair. Of course, he's going to back himself. I'd back myself. I completely understand what he's saying. But we're two completely different footballers – different styles, different techniques. Michael Owen, for a three or four-year period, was probably the best centre-forward in the world. I think people do forget actually how good he was.

“It's hard to argue against anyone coming up against Michael Owen then. Unfortunately, he did get his injuries and he probably couldn't adapt his game maybe as well as I could in playing from the side or going back into midfield. But, I'd never judge myself against Michael Owen because he's someone I actually looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside [for England and Manchester United].”

Rooney added on Owen’s reputation for being a little boring away from the field: “He is one of the funniest people you'll meet. I hope he just gets that out because everyone who played with him, we know what a good lad he is, and sometimes that doesn't always come across.”

SL were bowled out for 42, their lowest Test total, as SA gained a 149-run first-innings lead

Firdose Moonda28-Nov-2024South Africa are in control at Kingsmead after a fast-forward second day in which 19 wickets fell, and records tumbled. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 42, their lowest Test total, which was also the lowest Test score against South Africa, and the second-shortest in terms of number of balls faced: 83.Marco Jansen’s 7 for 13 headlined South Africa’s pace pack. He bowled 41 balls in the innings – the joint-fewest in history to take seven wickets – and gave South Africa a 149-run first-innings lead. By the end of the day, that had grown to 281, and the partnership between Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs to 43, the second-highest of the match.Under blue skies and in sunshine, there was still significant movement on offer, and batting conditions remained tough. South Africa had started day two by resuming their first innings on 80 for 4, and found themselves in trouble 15 overs into the day on 117 for 7. They were in danger of being shot out for their lowest score against Sri Lanka – 128 – but three handy lower-order partnerships, and Bavuma’s knock of 70 took them to 191, their third-lowest against Sri Lanka. And it was made to look like a much bigger total when South Africa got the ball in hand.Only two Sri Lanka batters got into double figures, and their misfortunes were a combination of incisive bowling and poor shot selection. Of the top seven, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva all played at deliveries they could have left.Kagiso Rabada started the slide when Dimuth Karunatratne hung his bat out to a length ball outside off. and edged to David Bedingham at first slip. Four balls later, Jansen drew Nissanka forward, as the latter reached out for a wide-ish ball. As a result, he was caught at third slip.Dinesh Chandimal left a gap between bat and pad, and a delivery from Jansen nipped through him•AFP/Getty ImagesTwo overs after that, Dinesh Chandimal displayed questionable defence when he left a gap between bat and pad, as a delivery from Jansen nipped through to bowl him. Mathews’ experience also let him down when he wafted at a ball that angled away, and edged to Bedingham. Sri Lanka were 16 for 4 in the eighth over.South Africa’s first, and as it turned out only, bowling change was to bring on Gerald Coetzee in place of Rabada. He started with a full toss that Kamindu drove for four. Coetzee soon had reward when Kamindu played a big shot, attempting to whack him through the covers, but edged to first slip.Jansen’s two wickets in his sixth over brought him his second Test five-for. The first of those two wickets was came when Dhananjaya missed an attempted drive and was bowled. The second wicket in the over was of Prabath Jayasuriya’s, as he was kept on the back foot and prodded to Stubbs in the slips.Coetzee took the eighth off the next ball, an lbw that was confirmed on review, before Jansen did another double in his last over to end Sri Lanka’s innings 78 minutes after it began.Their bowling effort eclipsed a strong Sri Lanka performance earlier in the day, led by good pace from Lahiru Kumara, and well supported by Asitha and Vishwa Fernando. They shared five wickets between them, seamed and swung the ball, and enjoyed operating on a surface with good bounce and carry. Add to that Sri Lanka’s good catching in breezy conditions, and they would have been fairly satisfied with their first session’s work.Wiaan Mulder was hit on the middle finger of his right hand by a delivery from Lahiru Kumara•AFP/Getty ImagesVishwa appealed for an lbw against Kyle Verreynne second ball, but replays showed an inside edge. Verreynne only faced three more deliveries, before Kumara fired in a 141kph ball that beat him and rapped him on the front pad.Three balls later, Sri Lanka wasted a review as Wiaan Mulder inside-edged onto his pad, but Mulder’s troubles were only just beginning. In Kumara’s next over, he was hit on the middle finger of his right hand as he tried to defend a ball that nipped back in. He received treatment on field and tried to continue despite struggling to grip the bat.Mulder kept out the next ball he faced and immediately wrung his hand in pain, left the last ball of the over, and then retired hurt. He returned to bat for the final partnership and also in the second innings, though X-rays confirmed he had fractured the finger and would not be able to bowl or field in the match.After Kumara’s opening spell, which had started on day one, ended with an analysis of 8-1-51-3, Sri Lanka went for a double change. Asitha replaced Kumara, while Jayasuriya’s spin came on for Vishwa. Jayasuriya had success with his tenth ball, when Jansen missed a tossed-up delivery, and was rapped on the pads.Coetzee was also drawn in by one that was tossed up, and recklessly hit Jayasuriya to deep midwicket, where Kamindu ran forward to take a good catch. South Africa had lost 3 for 34 in 9.1 overs at that stage, with no real batting to come.Temba Bavuma ramped one for six during his knock of 70•Gallo Images/Getty ImagesKeshav Maharaj joined Bavuma on the back of four successive Test ducks, and made his highest Test score in nine innings. He showed some fight against Jayasuriya, whose fourth over he hit for 15 runs, including a stunning six straight down the ground. When Jayasuriya was replaced by Vishwa, Maharaj did not rein his instincts in, and reached for a wide ball to drive it aerially to Dhananjaya at mid-off.Bavuma had only just reached fifty but was running out of partners, and took matters into his own hands. He left his feet to ramp Kumara for six, and drove him through extra cover and then back past him. The fun didn’t last long, and when Kumara was replaced by Asitha, Bavuma swiped across the line and top-edged to midwicket, where Kumara judged the catch well in the wind. That brought the first stanza of Mulder’s bravery, and he ended on 9 not out.Later, Mulder came in at No. 3 in South Africa’s second innings, after Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram’s 47-run opening stand ended when de Zorzi skied Jayasuriya to deep-backward square to become his 100th Test wicket. Jayasuriya, in his 17th Test, became the joint-fastest bowler in 74 years to the landmark.Meanwhile, Mulder scored 16 off 31 balls and looked in increasing levels of discomfort before being given out lbw. Markram, whose last five Test innings have not yielded a single half-century, looked convincing until he inside-edged Vishwa on to his stumps. Bavuma and Stubbs bedded in for the rest of the session, and will resume on what is expected to be an easier day for batting on Friday.

Enzo Maresca hit back at the claim that Chelsea were distracted by their Champions League commitments after Brentford's late comeback in their Premier League clash on Saturday. The Bees scored a late equaliser to snatch away a point in a 2-2 draw with the Blues, who next face Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener next week.

Brentford score late equaliser

Brentford took the lead through Kevin Schade's strike in the 35th minute, but Cole Palmer brought Chelsea back into the game with an equaliser just past the hour mark. Moises Caicedo then put the Blues in front in the 85th minute, which almost sealed a comeback win, but Fabio Carvalho's last-gasp equaliser helped the Bees walk away with a point. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMaresca refutes Champions League distraction claims

Maresca made significant changes to the starting lineup that comfortably beat Fulham in their last Premier League game, raising questions about whether the Italian coach was prioritising their Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich on Wednesday. However, the Blues boss refuted such claims.

What did Maresca say about Chelsea dropping points?

When asked if he had the Bayern game in mind before the Brentford clash, Maresca said: "No, no, no, no, absolutely [not]. Joao Pedro, before the game, asked me that he was not fit 100 percent, better [that he] doesn't play. And so if I was thinking about Bayern Munich, Joao was on the bench. But Joao played because the focus was about tonight. But for sure, when you have so many games, you have to plan a different option.

"For instance, Reece James played two games with the international team. So play tonight and thinking on Wednesday. So it's not, our focus was about tonight. And the reason why is because if this season we play Champions League, it's because we did well in the Premier League. And if we want to play again Champions League next season, we need to do well in the Premier League."

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AFPWhen are Chelsea playing next?

Chelsea will face Bayern on Wednesday in Munich before taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 20.

Leeds United are believed to have reached an agreement over the signing of an international attacker this week, but a deal is far complete as the Whites have yet to convince the player to join.

Leeds targeting three more signings

The Whites need as much squad depth as possible upon their return to the Premier League, with plenty of new faces already arriving at Elland Road, from Anton Stach to Jaka Bijol. Leeds’ summer business is unlikely to be done there, however, with former scout Mick Brown claiming that as many as three new faces could still arrive this month given they have yet to truly reinforce their attack.

“The feeling at Leeds has been that if they want to compete in the Premier League, the squad is going to need strengthening and that hasn’t changed. Their recruitment has been okay so far, but I would suggest none of them are nailed-on Premier League players who you know are going to be a success.

“They don’t have the type of Premier League experience in their squad that they would like. Before the window closes, there are two or three new players they want to bring in and I think it’s something they’re working on behind the scenes. There are still positions they want to strengthen in, and they’re going to concentrate on getting in Premier League players to aid that transition.”

A new forward needs to be near the top of Leeds’ wishlist, in order to have enough firepower to cope in the top flight, and a promising update has dropped regarding one target.

Leeds reach agreement to sign Serie A attacker

According to an update from Italian media [via Sport Witness], Leeds have reached an agreement to sign Sassuolo attacker Andrea Pinamonti this summer, who has been capped once by Italy.

That said, the update does also state that the 26-year-old has rejected the chance to join the Whites, with his reasoning for the decision not explained. It is now a case of Daniel Farke and those high up at Elland Road working to change his mind.

Pinamonti is a proven attacker at the highest level, having scored 50 goals in 212 Serie A appearances. Former coach Moreno Longo has heaped praise on him during their time working together in the past.

At 26, Pinamonti is both an experienced head and someone with years ahead of him, so he could come straight in as an influential leader of the line for Leeds.

Leeds closing in on "underrated" striker who's scored over 200 career goals

He’d hand Daniel Farke a major boost.

6 ByTom Cunningham Aug 9, 2025

Last season, the Italian scored 10 Serie A goals on loan at Genoa, also winning six Man of the Match awards from WhoScored, and the lure of moving to the Premier League will hopefully sway his thinking.

The left hander will slip down the order for the day-night Test as she continues as wicketkeeper in place of Alyssa Healy

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-2025Beth Mooney wants Australia to “show off our skills” during the day-night Ashes Test at the MCG as they aim to complete a miserable tour for England by claiming a 16-0 whitewash.Mooney, who was masterful in the third T20I with an unbeaten 94 off 63 balls, conceded there was an element of disappointment in the fact the Test wasn’t a live contest in terms of the Ashes, but on the flip side hoped that it would allow the team to play with freedom.Related

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“It’s going to be awesome,” Mooney said. “We obviously don’t get to pull on the baggy green too often. The pink ball behaves a little bit differently so that’ll create some challenges. I’m just really looking forward to the spectacle of the game to be honest.”We’re pumped that we’re 12-0 up. It certainly would have been nice if we played the test match while the series was still on the line, maybe earlier in the series, but that wasn’t to be. I think on an individual front and as a group it’s come at a great time for us to basically just show off our skills and really enjoy playing the four-day game.”Mooney confirmed she will bat in the middle order for the Test as she continues to take the wicketkeeping gloves from Alyssa Healy with Australia’s captain working around the clock to try and ensure she can overcome a foot injury to play as a batter. Mooney’s last three Tests have come as an opener but the workload would be too great for her to continue in that role and keep wicket.”I take pride in the fact that I can offer the coaching staff and selection panel different options,” Mooney said. “Whether it’s batting order or behind the stumps or in the field. It’ll be a nice challenge for me wicketkeeping and batting in that middle order role, so looking forward to what that’s going to present and hopefully I’m just warming Midge’s spot for a little while.”Should Healy be fit it leaves Australia with an interesting selection call to make given she has moved down the order in Test cricket in recent years. She would likely have to slot back in at the top alongside Phoebe Litchfield unless the selectors were also able to find room for Georgia Voll.There is one vacancy from when Australia last played a Test, against South Africa at the WACA, with Sophie Molineux out injured. Georgia Wareham could come into the side to partner fellow legspinner Alana King, although the pink-ball factor may bring Megan Schutt into contention as another seamer. Wareham has only played one previous Test, against India in 2021.Ash Gardner is expected to be fit after a calf injury kept her out of the T20I series.