Ahead of the final, GOAL US writers discuss the CWC impact and whether a PSG win locks up the Ballon d'Or for Ousmane Dembele
PSG or Chelsea? That's what it's all come down to. Most will predict that the Club World Cup final can only go one way. PSG are the best team in the world and, over the past few months, beat all of the other best teams in the world. They are tactically brilliant, individually excellent, and filled with attacking weapons all over the pitch. Is this not the football we want? On the other side, you have Chelsea. The Blues have been up and down under Enzo Maresca. At times, there is a real vision here, a clarity to how they might play the game, and hope for the future. At others, they've been pretty ordinary, and evidence that money can't buy success all the time. It seems a mismatch, then.
But stranger things have happened on a football pitch, and Cole Palmer is pretty good! Throw in the jeopardy of a final, and this could be quite a compelling fixture.
It serves as a fitting end to what has been a bit of a chaotic month. The Club World Cup was criticized early on because the field didn't really feature all the best teams in the world. The final has served up two of the best , but there are some big sides still watching from their sofa. Has that impacted the integrity of the competition?
GOAL US writers predict the final and sum up the month in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty Images Sport
Is an all-Euro final good for the CWC?
Tom Hindle: Tough to say. In some ways, yes, in that it is an accurate reflection of the football pyramid. Europe has a big advantage over everyone else, and even if this tournament has proven that the margins are finer than we think, UEFA reigns supreme. Six of the top 10 teams in the world weren't here anyway, so having two of the best European ones makes sense. It would have been nice to see a Brazilian side make it, but to their credit, Chelsea beat the two best ones on the way here. Ball don't lie.
Ryan Tolmich: it was always going to be this way, wasn't it? The fact is that the best teams in the world are in Europe, so it would objectively be a surprise if one of the finalists was from anywhere else. That said, would it have been awesome for a Brazilian team to make it? Absolutely, and the clubs from that particular country sure earned their chance. Still, tournaments are based in reality, and reality says that teams from Europe are just simply better.
JS: It's expected, right? Nobody actually thought, when 32 teams were announced, that any non-European side were going to make the final. This is just how it's played out. Cinderella runs are fun, but they're always meant to end.
AL: From a fans-in-the-stands and TV ratings perspective, yes. PSG are fresh off their European title win and you have Chelsea, a well-known in the U.S.. Yet, for the football fans around the world, it would have been more consequential and impactful if say a Brazilian side went to the final and won. As learned throughout the tournament, the world is catching up to Europe and a non-European team winning would have really sent that message home.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
Would a Chelsea win be the most significant cup final upset in recent memory?
TH: It would be the second, just behind Crystal Palace beating Man City in the FA Cup. PSG are one of the better teams we've seen in a while – even though the Barcelona-Guardiola comp is a bit overblown (were you even watching football then?) And Chelsea are, well, meh. They're the fifth-best team in England, the Parisians comfortably beat the first and second. Do the math.
RT: It would be right up there. Anything can happen in a final. Just look at Palace's win over City in the FA Cup finale a few months back. There are plenty of one-off upsets scattered through this game's history. This one, though, would be significant because PSG are very, very good , Chelsea haven't been very, very good in a few years. We'll just say it would be a massive surprise. But things can happen, from freak goals to bad calls to red cards, to change a one-off game.
JS: It shouldn't be viewed as an upset if the Blues win, to be honest. They've made incredible waves under Enzo Maresca, and boast the second-best midfield pairing in the world (only behind PSG, of course). There's a reason they're in the final, and the likes of Man City, Bayern and Real Madrid are not. This is the best Chelsea team since their 2021 UCL title, and if they beat PSG, it should be viewed as an achievement for the club – not a mark against PSG.
AL: This might be blasphemy for anyone younger than 30, but it wouldn't be the biggest cupset in the team's recent history. The 2012 Champions League final is by far the bigger upset. You had a Chelsea side led by an interim coach, most of its stars were on the wrong side of 30, at least four players were suspended or injured – including star defender John Terry. And somehow, they managed to beat an all-world Bayern Munich team in their own home stadium – a rarity for a UCL final – in one of the greatest penalty shootouts in football history. Bayern had 76 percent possesion and dozend of shots – and Chelsea had, like, eight. THAT is the biggest club upset in recent memory.
Getty Images
Would a PSG win lock up the Ballon d'Or for Ousmane Dembele?
TH: Yeah, just about. Have long been a proponent of a Mo Salah win, and it should be him. The CWC counts towards this kind of thing, and the Ballon d'nonsense is set up to reward team performances. Dembele has it on lock.
RT: Should just about do it, yeah. In terms of both pure numbers and trophies, Dembele has generally done just about everything a player can do to really go after this trophy. Is he the best player in the world right now? Few would say yes. But has he had the best season? That's hard to argue against at this point. He deserves his reward for consistently showing up and doing the work for the world's best team.
JS: He locked it up the minute he won the UCL. People who are just now realizing the season he's had? They're not watching games, they're looking at highlights on social media and firing off hot takes. Dembele has been the best attacker in the world this year, and his Ballon d'Or campaign is in the bag.
AL: Yes, this award typically favors in-form attackers and he's been the best forward in Europe this year. There really isn't anyone who screams a worthy contender, so this year is all about Dembele.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
Has the Club World been a success overall?
TH: Yep. It seems a bit weird to say, especially considering this whole tournament has been a FIFA vanity project. But if you look at the fact that this is a sporting event, then it's a job well done. All of the best(ish) teams in the world played each other. There were a few good games. Some of the fans were really into it. At the very least, there's reason for it to exist in 2029.
RT: What's a success? Has it been a rip-roaring, game-changing, life-altering tournament like FIFA said it would be? Certainly not. Has it been super fun? Sure! Ultimately, it's fun to see good teams play each other, and it's even more fun to see good teams from different parts of the world play each other. Are there real problems to address with this tournament going forward? For sure, but this was definitely a good start, one that did capture the attention and give people some fun soccer to watch all summer long.
JS: For on-field performances, yeah, absolutely. We've seen some electrifying showings from teams in South America, and some valiant performances from teams in Asia and North America. However, there's still the big issue that clouds the CWC: congestion. The players are exhausted. The regular season legitimately starts in one month. Money, trophies, accolades and success aside, one year out from the World cup and these players are being run into the ground.
AL: Yes, but it wasn't a resounding one. There are bones for something special here, and one would hope FIFA will bring this tournament back with some revisions. Random teams such as Salzburg shouldn't be in this tournament – there are no real grounds for the club being there. It should be largely be Champions League winners in this tournament. It's OK if there's an extra slot or two given to host nation teams, but overall, this should be the best clubs in world football. And there need to be efforts to get the tournament on national TV – at least from a U.S. point of view. Visibility was an issue for average sports fans and while it was great that DAZN streamed all of the matches for free, how could you find it? Overall, it was an enjoyable tournament to watch and hopefully it'll be back with some improvements in four years.
Victor Osimhen has once again found himself at the centre of intense transfer speculation this summer, with Turkish champions Galatasaray making a bold attempt to sign the prolific Nigerian forward. Antonio Conte has underlined the club’s stance by insisting that any departure must align with the financial terms outlined in Osimhen’s contract.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Galatasaray agree to meet Osimhen's release clauseHowever, the payment will be made in installmentsAl-Hilal ready to pay entire release clause up frontFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to Conte prefers to place his faith in Romelu Lukaku as his primary striker and is believed to be lining up Darwin Núñez as his secondary choice. With Osimhen deemed surplus to tactical requirements, Napoli are not just open to selling him, they see it as essential to move him on.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Galatasaray, intent on bringing back their star striker from last season, have expressed their readiness to match the €75 million (£65m/$88m) clause. However, the Turkish side proposed paying the amount in staggered installments, a condition that Napoli has flatly refused. The Naples club insists on receiving the full sum upfront, backed by bank guarantees if a deal is to be finalized. Complicating matters further, Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal is reportedly ready to meet Napoli’s demands in one go, potentially putting pressure on Galatasaray to revise their offer quickly if they hope to win the race.
TELL ME MORE
Due to terms renegotiated in his last contract renewal, Osimhen is set to earn €24m (£21m/$28m) net in the upcoming season if he stays. That figure is seen as excessive by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, particularly for a player who no longer fits into the club’s long-term plans. With Osimhen’s contract running until 2026, this summer presents a strategic window for Napoli to secure a substantial transfer fee before his value potentially declines or he leaves on a free transfer in the summer of 2026.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
DID YOU KNOW?
Osimhen’s exceptional 2024/25 season with Galatasaray only reinforces the growing demand for his signature. The Nigerian striker found the net 26 times and delivered 5 assists across 30 league appearances, playing a vital role in helping Galatasaray secure their 25th Turkish Super Lig title.
Sources close to Osimhen suggest that he has settled well in Istanbul and would prefer to continue his career in Turkey rather than return to Napoli. The striker has reportedly shown reluctance to join the Italian side’s pre-season camp, scheduled to start on July 15, underscoring his desire to avoid a return to a club where he no longer feels wanted.
O atacante Arthur Sousa, do Corinthians, foi chamado pelo técnicoRamon Menezes para defender a Seleção Brasileira Sub-20 no quadrangular do Uruguai, queacontece entre os dias 4 e 11 de setembro. Ele irá substituir Matheus Nascimento, do Botafogo, cortado por lesão.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians encaminha empréstimo de Léo Natel a clube da primeira divisão portuguesaCorinthians26/08/2022Futebol NacionalOuça áudio do VAR de pênalti em Fluminense x Corinthians: ‘Trava na canela’Futebol Nacional26/08/2022CorinthiansCom a camisa 10, Róger Guedes reassume protagonismo e comanda ataque do CorinthiansCorinthians26/08/2022
GALERIA – Quem é melhor: Flu ou Timão? Veja votação feita pelo L!
Além do país sede e do Brasil, Argentina e Uzbequistão também participarão do torneio internacional. Outros três atletas corintianos integram a lista deRamon Menezes: o zagueiro Robert Renan, o meia Ryan Gustavo, e o atacante Giovane.
O atacante de 19 anos é o artilheiro do Timãozinho na temporada, com 14 gols em 18 jogos disputados. O camisa 9 corintiano lidera a disputa pela artilharia do Brasileirão Sub-20, com oito gols em oito jogos.
Ele deve ser titular na equipe de Danilo para o confronto de domingo (28), contra o Flamengo, pela partida de ida da semifinal da Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria.
Arthur Sousa participou de seu primeiro treinamento com o elenco profissionais na semana passada, enquanto Vítor Pereira preparava a equipe para o duelo contra o Fortaleza, pela23ª rodada do Brasileirão. Ele não viajou com a delegação corintiana, que foi derrotada por 1 a 0.
TABELA – Timão tem chance de título brasileiro? Simule o Brasileirão
Natural de Brasília, Arthur chegou ao Timão em 2019, com 16 anos, para integrar a equipe sub-17 do clube paulista. Antes de desembarcar no Corinthians, ele se destacou pelo Desportivo Brasil.
O primeiro desafio da Seleção Brasileira Sub-20 noquadrangular do Uruguai será no dia 6 de setembro, às 18h45, diante da Argentina.
رد ممثلو اللاعب أسد الحملاوي، على بيان ناديه شلاسك البولندي بشأن هروبه من المعسكر بشكل مفاجئ واتخاذ كافة الاجراءات القانونية ضده.
ويرغب الأهلي في التعاقد مع اللاعب الفلسطيني أسد الحملاوي لتعزيز خط هجوم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي خلال الفترة المقبلة.
وانضم صاحب الـ24 عامًا إلى شلاسك في الشتاء، وتمكن من إحراز 7 أهداف في 16 مباراة خلال الموسم المنقضي.
وكان النادي البولندي أعلن في بيان ناري توقف كافة المفاوضات التي تمت مع الأندية الراغبة في التعاقد معه بسبب هروبه وعدم التزامه بشروط العقد واتخاذ كافة الاجراءات القانونية ضده.
اقرأ أيضًا | شلاسك البولندي لـ “بطولات”: الأهلي لم يتقدم بعرض لضم الحملاوي.. ومن يريده يدفع الشرط الجزائي
وغادر الحملاوي معسكر الفريق المقام حاليًا في مدينة “تشيبنيتسا” بدولة بولندا، في وقت كان يشارك فيه بشكل طبيعي بالتدريبات والمباريات التحضيرية للموسم الجديد.
ورد ممثلو اللاعب على البيان الصادر من النادي البولندي من خلال موقع “Transfery.info”: “غادر أسعد معسكر التدريب بعد ظهور أعراض جسدية مفاجئة ناجمة عن ضغوط نفسية، شملت صداعًا شديدًا وآلامًا في المعدة وإرهاقًا نفسيًا وجسديًا كاملًا”.
وأتم: “انتاب اللاعب نوبة قلق وشعر بضغط نفسي شديد لدرجة أنه خشي أن يقول أو يفعل شيئًا بغضب يندم عليه لاحقًا، ونتيجة لذلك، انعزل وترك المعسكر”.
Everton need to make any number of new signings this summer, but few fans would argue against a centre-forward being one of the most pressing issues.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to leave when his contract expires in three months, while loanee Armando Broja’s injury-ruined season means The Friedkin Group are unlikely to activate his £30m buy clause.
Everton manager David Moyes andBetoafter the match
Beto, at least, has made headway since David Moyes’ winter arrival, but he’s lost his scoring touch in recent games and competition at number nine is needed for sure.
Everton leading race for 14-goal striker
According to TEAMtalk, Everton are interested in signing Rangers striker Hamza Igamane and have learned he will be available this summer for a sizeable £20m fee.
In fact, Everton’s vested desire has seen them assume the lead in the race for the Moroccan forward, despite Tottenham Hotspur and German champions Bayer Leverkusen also in the mix.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
While Igamane wouldn’t come cheap, he is a contrasting profile to Beto and a reliable goalscorer besides.
Why Everton could be targeting Ndiaye 2.0
Aged only 22, Igamane has a long career ahead of him. After fostering his ability in the Scottish Premiership, he may well hope to try his hand in the Premier League, taking his place as a centrepiece of Moyes’ project.
Principally, he’s a centre-forward, but Igamane is also blessed with fast feet and a sharp footballing mind. Analyst Ben Mattinson has hailed such skills: “His intelligence and understanding of space is something else.”
Indeed, Mattinson has also dubbed the forward a “Barclaysman-type” player, bearing that nostalgic style that is typically associated with former players from the noughties.
It’s the kind of approach that carries a semblance to that of Iliman Ndiaye, especially since Igamane can also alternate slickly between the left flank and a central attacking position, at his best when bouncing off the most structured striker (in Everton’s case, Beto).
Everton signed Ndiaye from Marseille last summer for a £15m fee, and he has gone on to stand out across the campaign. While injured for most of Moyes’ tenure thus far, he did bag three goals from four matches before falling to injury early in the fifth: the Merseyside derby.
Matches (starts)
26 (18)
24 (22)
Goals
10
6
Assists
1
0
Touches*
32.1
40.5
Shots (on target)*
2.8 (1.1)
1.0 (0.5)
Big chances missed
5
2
Pass completion
73%
84%
Key passes*
1.1
0.7
Ball recoveries*
1.9
6.0
Dribbles*
1.4
2.4
Duels won*
4.0
6.1
Aligning the respective forwards’ data really does emphasise Ndiaye’s brilliance. The sharpshooting Senegalese is prolific, combative and active through the various phases. He really is a marvel, heralded by Ashley Williams as the Toffees’ “best player.”
One of the more electric wingers in the Premier League, Ndiaye ranks among the top 7% of such positional peers for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
This is something that could be emulated through the addition of Igamane, who ranks among the top 2% of forwards in the Europa League this season for the same metric.
European experience, a dynamic skillset and a tenacious attitude? Check, check, check. Igamane would be a wonderful addition to an Everton side preparing to lose some core attacking parts. He’d enrich the frontline, take it higher and higher.
Moyes knows what he’s doing, all right. Talent scout Jacek Kulig called the Morocco talent a “jackpot transfer” for Rangers, and the same could be applied to Everton, should they seal the deal.
Moyes may already be staring Everton's very own Trent disaster in the face
Everton may lose one of their star players in the transfer market this summer.
O Palmeiras está muito perto de vender Gabriel Veron ao Porto-POR, mas a fonte parece estar longe de secar, pois a base tem fornecido joias aos montes, como é o caso de Estevão Willian, de 15 anos, conhecido como “Messinho”. Nesta quarta-feira ele foi destaque no jornal Mundo Deportivo, em que falou de seu apelido e do sonho de jogar no Barcelona, mas antes quer se profissionalizar no Verdão.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasVídeoVÍDEO: Assista aos bastidores da vitória do Palmeiras sobre o CuiabáVídeo20/07/2022PalmeirasPalmeiras encaminha venda de Gabriel Veron ao Porto por pouco mais de 10 milhões de eurosPalmeiras20/07/2022PalmeirasGiovani deve reforçar o Palmeiras em breve e ser uma possível reposição para VeronPalmeiras20/07/2022
GALERIA > Confira os públicos do Palmeiras no Allianz Parque em 2022
TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui
> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
Apesar de colocar Messi como um de seus ídolos e uma de suas referências no futebol. Estevão prefere que o chamem pelo seu nome e não pelo apelido que lhe deram por conta da maneira com que conduz a bola, parecida com forma de jogar do craque argentino.
– Sempre que podia, eu o via jogar pelo Barcelona, e tentava me fixar no que ele fazia. Com certeza é alguém em quem me inspiro. Desde criança sonho em ser como ele – disse ao veículo espanhol.
– Prefiro que me chamem de Estevão Willian, porque é o meu nome, vou tentar torná-lo grande, porque Deus me deu qualidades e é o que vou tentar fazer – completou a joia alviverde.
Estevão ainda revelou para o Mundo Deportivo que tem o sonho de jogar pelo Barcelona, algo que sonha desde a infância. Antes, no entanto, seu foco é se tornar profissional no Palmeiras, que é o seu clube do coração, onde está desde 2021, chegando com 14 anos.
– Meu sonho é ir para a Europa e jogar no Barcelona, que é meu sonho de criança. Agora penso em me profissionalizar pelo Palmeiras, que é o meu time de infância – afirmou ao site espanhol.
Por fim, Estevão descreveu suas qualidades e no que ainda precisa melhorar durante sua formação de base, onde atua tanto pelo sub-17, quanto pelo sub-15, que é a sua categoria por conta da idade.
– Tenho que melhorar a finalização de cabeça e de fora da área. Já as qualidades, considero que conduzo bem a bola e dou bastante assistências – argumentou o jovem palmeirense.
Estevão foi campeão da Copa do Brasil sub-17 com o Palmeiras recentemente e agora vai disputar a Copa Nike com o sub-15.
Middlesbrough are now lining up a move for a striker who was recorded as the world’s fastest player in 2024, according to a report.
Boro in play-off contention
Middlesbrough have been in poor form as of late, losing three of their last four Championship matches, but they remain in a good position to finish inside the play-off positions, sitting outside the top six on goal difference alone.
However, the loss of Emmanuel Latte Lath could be a real blow for Boro, with the forward completing a move to Atlanta United near the end of the January transfer window.
Middlesbrough's EmmanuelLatteLathin action with West Bromwich Albion's Alex Mowatt
Michael Carrick moved swiftly to replace Latte Lath by bringing in Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Sevilla, but there is no guarantee the former Manchester City man will stay beyond the end of the season. Upon completing a move to the Riverside Stadium, Iheanacho said: “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a wonderful place. I’m happy to be here,”
“It’s good to get out, to feel in a different environment. Sevilla is a great club. I’ve loved my experience there. It’s a great team, and I’ll be delighted to return there.”
As such, Middlesbrough may be tasked with bringing in a replacement in the summer, and they have now identified a potential target, with Football League World reporting they are lining up a swoop for Peterborough United’s Ricky Jade-Jones.
Middlesbrough’s upcoming Championship fixtures
Date
Sheffield United (a)
February 12th
Watford (h)
February 15th
Bristol City (a)
February 21st
Stoke City (a)
February 25th
Derby County (h)
March 1st
Jade-Jones is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season, upon the end of his contract, although compensation will be due, given that he is under the age of 24.
Jade-Jones impressing in League One
The Peterborough forward has certainly earned himself a move to the second tier with his performances this season, having netted 14 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, regularly finding the back of the net despite the Posh underperforming in League One.
Not only does the 22-year-old have a keen eye for goal, but his pace could also be a major asset for Boro, should he move to the Riverside this summer, having been named as the “fastest recorded player” in 2024.
Latte Lath was also praised for his “explosive pace” during his time with Boro, so there are indications Jade-Jones could be a like-for-like replacement in that regard, and his displays for a struggling third-tier side suggest he is ready to make the step-up to the Championship.
Of course, Carrick’s side will be aiming to be promoted to the Premier League this season, so they may have to reconsider the move if they achieve their goal, and they could even pursue a permanent deal for Iheanacho, depending on the Nigerian’s performances.
Veteran of 2005 tour prepares to play first Test in country in 19-year international career
Vithushan Ehantharajah29-Nov-2022If you’ve been paying even vague attention, you’ll have heard that James Anderson is the only member of this England touring party to have played international cricket in Pakistan prior to this winter.Back in the winter of 2005, a younger, sprightlier but no less downbeat Anderson was part of the squad that last played Test cricket in the country. He did not get on the park during the three-match series, which the hosts took 2-0, but did take part in the subsequent ODI series, finishing with seven wickets. That included 4 for 48 in the final match – a consolation win with England losing 3-2 overall – at Rawalpindi, the venue for the first Test of this series.Given his lack of red-ball action on that tour and the time between visits, the 40-year-old Anderson is reluctant to play the role of wise old sage when it comes to predicting how things could pan out. Heading into the first Test, he and the rest of the team are happy to take cues from the conditions, while maintaining Brendon McCullum’s assertion earlier in the week that, however things pan out, a draw is not on the agenda.”No, not at all,” Anderson said, when asked if he had anything to pass on. “Seventeen years is a long time. It would be wrong if I said ‘the pitch is going to play like this, or this is what to expect’. It’s a completely different team we’re playing against, completely different conditions.”It’s about adapting when we get out there. We talk a little bit about the opposition but mainly concentrate on what we do well – that’s what we did in the summer. We don’t know how it’s going to play. Traditionally it is flat. We’ve seen Tests in recent times – the Australia game was very flat. It ended in a draw. We’ve got a captain and coach that don’t want draws. We’re not playing for draws. We’ll come out and try to win the game – we might have to be creative in how we do that.”The extent of England’s adaptation will be dictated by the varying conditions over the next month, and indeed over this first Rawalpindi Test match. England have noticed there has been dew for their morning training sessions, which will no doubt play a part early on given the 10am starts on match days, adding a bit of juice in the air and moisture into the pitch. Both of which bring Anderson to the front and centre of their plans.England have also been concentrating on honing their reverse-swing skills in anticipation of what might lie ahead. The training camp in Abu Dhabi last week saw them experiment with an assortment of balls worn to varying degrees. Anderson had also been fine-tuning his technique with the Lions in Dubai since the start of November. Both he and Ben Stokes will be the main proponents of the craft this week, with Mark Wood out recovering from injury. However, Anderson doesn’t expect it will play too big a part in the first Test.Related
Morning decision for Rawalpindi Test as sickness bug disrupts England plans
First Test could be delayed by 24 hours after illness sweeps through England squad
Brendon McCullum: 'We'll be pushing for results. If we get outplayed, that's okay'
Ben Duckett: 'There's no better time to play Test cricket than under Stokes and McCullum'
Brendon McCullum puts best feet forward as England brace for test of new resolve
“Just looking at the pitch out here and the outfield, it looks quite lush so whether reverse will play a huge part here, I’m not sure, at this particular ground,” he said. “But we will try and cover all bases and make sure we’ve got options, if and when we need them.”As Anderson approaches the 20th anniversary of his England debut, this Test bow in Pakistan represents a new and final frontier. It will be the ninth country he has graced in the format, and even coming into this series with 175 caps and a seam bowler’s record haul of 667 wickets, there is a palpable excitement from the usually reserved Lancastrian.”Firstly, it’s amazing to be back here,” he said. “I want to say thank you on behalf of, not just myself, but the whole team for the welcome we’ve had. We know how many cricket fans there are in Pakistan and how much they love and support, not just Pakistani cricket, but cricket in general around the world. I’ve not played a Test match here so I’m delighted to have the chance to be able to play here.As for who that first red-ball victim in Pakistan might be, Anderson claims he isn’t fussed, even if he recognises that one man in particular is likely to be a key adversary in the days ahead.”We are well aware how important a wicket Babar is for Pakistan, being the captain, as well as I’d say their best player. Yes, we will give him attention, but also we need to focus on the other guys as well because they’re very strong.”And I don’t care who it is, as long as I get a wicket and try and help the team towards a win. That’s what we’ve come here for – we want to win the series, so that’s our main focus.”
The U.S. international has swapped South Beach for Minnesota in the Western Conference
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
MNUFC acquire Julian Gressel off waiversInter Miami waived midfielder to clear cap space30-year-old has six USMNT capsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
Minnesota United have acquired versatile MLS veteran and U.S. international Julian Gressel off of waivers. Inter Miami waived Gressel – an integral member of their 2024 Supporters' Shield-lifting squad – earlier this week to create cap space in the roster. Gressel's 2025 guaranteed compensation is $1.09 million, and the Loons are taking on the rest of that after adding him to their ranks.
“I’m really excited to be here at Minnesota United and to get integrated into the group,” said Gressel. “I can’t wait to get started with the guys and continue the momentum that has been established within the team.”
Gressel will be under contract through 2026, with a club option for 2027.
“We welcome Julian and his family to Minnesota and are excited for him to join our team,” said MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad. “Julian brings an impressive depth of MLS experience and championship pedigree to Minnesota. He is a proven winner and competitor and our hope is that he will contribute those qualities to our team and continue to push our club forward throughout the rest of this season and beyond.”
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Gressel has six international caps with the U.S. men's national team, where he recorded two assists. His last international call up was in March, 2024 and he was a member of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster.
Previous stops if his in MLS included stints with the Vancouver Whitecaps, Atlanta United and the Columbus Crew. With the he won 2018 MLS Cup, the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the 2019 Campeones Cup. At Columbus, he helped them to the 2023 MLS Cup title and in Vancouver, won the Canadian Championship in both 2022 and 2023.
Most recently, he helped Miami to the 2024 MLS Supporters' Shield.
Across his illustrious MLS career, including both playoff and regular season games, Gressel has made 258 appearances (232 starts), where he has provided 67 assists and has scored 28 goals.
DID YOU KNOW?
ESPN reports that with the addition of Gressel, are contemplating putting midfielder Hassani Dotson on the season-ending injury list. The midfielder underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in late March.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
WHAT NEXT FOR GRESSEL?
The Loons take on Austin FC on Matchday 11 next weekend, where Gressel will be aiming to make his MNUFC debut.
The Knight Riders bowling, led by Anisa Mohammed, came to the fore again as Royals were stopped ten runs short in a low-scoring game
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Sep-2022The Women’s CPL final wasn’t a run fest, and the 190 runs that were scored came off 38.4 overs – at under five an over – but it still became an interesting contest, not least because of some special shows.Deandra Dottin, the Trinbago Knight Riders captain, came first, with a 62-ball 59. Hayley Matthews, Dottin’s opposite number, put in a sterling performance, with 3 for 22 and then a 49-ball 46, though it ended up being in a losing cause. And then four Knight Riders bowlers picked up at least two wickets each, giving them a ten-run win over Barbados Royals, and the title, at the inaugural edition of the tournament.Matthews won the toss, and asked Dottin to bat, and had reason to be pleased at the halfway mark after restricting the total to 100 for 7. In a low-scoring tournament, this was Knight Riders’ lowest total – they batted first in each of their three games – after they had put up 114 for 7 and 105 for 6 in their previous outings.Their innings was all about Dottin, who hit four fours and two sixes from the top of the order. Only one other batter, Sune Luus, got into double-digits, scoring 12. Her partnership with Dottin for the second wicket was worth 29. The only stand better than that was late in the script, when Dottin and Kyshona Knight (8) added 32 for the fifth wicket.For Royals, Matthews was the best bowler, with three wickets, though no one conceded runs at above six an over; Qiana Joseph (3.50) and Afy Fletcher (4.25) were the most economical among them.Matthews was then Barbados’ best batter too, as she opened the batting and top-scored with 46, before becoming the ninth batter out.Around her, it was a sorry sight. The next best individual score was 7, scored by three batters: Aaliyah Alleyne, Chloe Tryon and Chinelle Henry, but at no stage did a proper partnership take shape; Royals needed someone to bat with Matthews to have a chance.For Knight Riders, Anisa Mohammed was the most successful bowler with 3 for 16, Matthews among her victims, while Luus, Hayley Jensen and Sheneta Grimmond all picked up two wickets each.