Category Uncategorized

Real Madrid star 'on the brink' of January exit as Chelsea 'push' for deal

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Chelsea are making transfer plans ahead of the looming January transfer window that opens in just over one month’s time, with Enzo Maresca and co setting their sights on a Real Madrid player who wants out of the Bernabeu.

The Blues have made a respectable start to the 2025-26 season under Maresca, currently sitting third in the Premier League table with 20 points from 11 matches.

Their position represents a solid foundation for Champions League qualification, sitting just six points behind league leaders Arsenal and level on points with Tottenham and Aston Villa. However, the campaign has been significantly hampered by a mini-injury crisis that has tested the depth of Maresca’s squad to its limits.

The injury problems have been particularly concentrated in specific positions, most notably defence, and that has created selection headaches for Maresca whilst forcing him to constantly rotate his lineup.

Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Enzo Fernández, Pedro Neto, Dario Essugo, Liam Delap, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos and Josh Acheampong have all spent time on the sidelines at various points already this term, and some are still a way off recovering.

Roméo Lavia also returned to the treatment table yet again recently and will be out for at least a month after injuring his quadriceps (Fabrizio Romano).

The Belgian launched his water bottle in frustration after being hauled off inside eight minutes away to Qarabag in the Champions League last week, and it’s not hard to see why considering the sheer amount of games he’s already been forced to sit out.

Taking their plethora of absentees from this campaign into account, Maresca has done fairly well to steer them towards a top three place, but reports suggest that he’s still not satisfied with the overall Chelsea squad despite being backed with a near-£300 million warchest last summer.

Rank

Club

Gross Spend

Sales

Net Spend

20.

Bournemouth

£136.7m

£202.5m

+£65.8m

19.

Brighton

£67.7m

£127.5m

+£59.8m

18.

Brentford

£92.8m

£152m

+£59.2m

17.

Wolves

£105.6m

£126.5m

+£20.9m

16.

Chelsea

£296.5m

£314.4m

+£17.9m

According to TEAMtalk, Maresca wanted Chelsea to sign Real Madrid’s Rodrygo during the last window, and he could now have another chance to bring the Brazilian to Stamford Bridge.

Rodrygo 'on the brink' of Real Madrid exit as Chelsea 'push' for January deal

According to their information, after growing ‘frustrated’ under Xabi Alonso, Rodrygo is now ‘on the brink’ of leaving Real in the winter.

Rodrygo

The 24-year-old has started just two La Liga matches so far this term, and with the 2026 World Cup looming, he’s growing increasingly tempted by a move to the Premier League as Chelsea and other top English sides circle.

As per TEAMtalk, Chelsea are making a ‘late push’ for Rodrygo despite Man City being the overwhelming favourites for his signature, and Real have slashed his asking price by £35 million.

Once valued at around £88 million by Alonso’s side, Real president Florentino Perez is now prepared to negotiate a fee just above £53 million — which suddenly opens the door for Chelsea and other interested sides to make a move for the ex-Santos sensation.

Rodrygo, who has won La Liga three times and the Champions League twice during his time there, initially seemed out of reach, but a deal could be genuinely possible now given the player’s own frustration and dramatic drop in asking price.

The South American would bring versatility, proven quality and top pedigree to Chelsea’s youthful side.

Rodrygo bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances for Real just last season, including five strikes in the Champions League, but his £283,000-per-week wages could be a sticking point amid Chelsea’s carefully curated wage structure.

Michael Vaughan: 'Amateurish' if England don't play PM's XI fixture

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

There is a two-day match in Canberra next weekend but Ben Stokes indicated Test squad members were unlikely to feature

Matt Roller23-Nov-20252:13

Stokes defends attacking approach after batting collapse

England are unlikely to send any of the players involved in their eight-wicket thrashing in Perth to Canberra for next week’s pink-ball tour match, a decision which former captain Michael Vaughan has described as “amateurish”.The speed of Australia’s win in a chaotic first Ashes Test has left England with 11 days before the start of the second, day-night Test in Brisbane on December 4. There is a two-day, pink-ball match scheduled between a Prime Minister’s XI and an England XI on November 29, but England Lions have long been scheduled to fulfil that fixture rather than the main touring party.Related

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Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, said after the first Test that England would consider sending some players to Canberra. “I haven’t even thought about it just yet, to be honest, because I planned on us being a little bit longer than two days,” he told the BBC’s . “We’ll let the dust settle tonight and then we’ll have a good think about it tomorrow.”But Ben Stokes, their captain, suggested that England will stick to their guns and head straight to Brisbane on November 26 to prepare for the second Test at the Gabba. “That’s how it was done a long time ago,” he replied, when asked if his side should look to play another competitive match in the aftermath of their heavy defeat.”We prepare incredibly well,” Stokes said. “We work incredibly hard every single day that we get the opportunity to work on our game, and that’s what we’ll keep on doing because we believe and we trust in our process.England folded twice in Perth but it’s currently unlikely any of the batters will play in Canberra•Getty Images

“If the results don’t go the way in our favour, that’s not going to differ from that (sic) because, hand on heart, we know that we put every little bit or ounce of ourselves into our training, and we know and believe that this is the best way for this team to operate.”Alastair Cook, England’s leading run-scorer in their most recent series win in Australia in 2010-11, urged them to reconsider. “In this situation, I would want to go and play in the pink-ball game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, not just leave it to the Lions players,” he wrote in his column.”It can be an uncomfortable decision as you are opening yourself up to failing again, but putting yourself under pressure can have long-term benefits. However much you practise in the nets, you cannot replicate the feeling of time in the middle.”Vaughan, the top-scorer in the 2002-03 Ashes, went even harder, suggesting that England should go into the tour match at full strength – including fielding the fast bowlers that played in Perth. “It’s amateurish if they don’t go and play now,” he said. “What harm is playing two days of cricket with a pink ball under lights?”They’ve played two days of cricket. They’ve been out in the field for, what, 70 [67.3] overs? Look, they’re professional cricketers. I can’t be so old-school to suggest that by playing cricket, you might get a little bit better… My method would be, you’ve got a pink-ball, two-day game: you go and grab it, go and take it. Play those two days, and make sure that you’re giving yourself the best chance.”It’s not being old-school to suggest that a pink ball is different to a red ball. Playing under the lights is different. Australia have won pretty much every pink-ball game in Australia: they’ve lost once. I’m not too old-school to suggest that they should play in that game… I’d like to know why they wouldn’t.”England released three unused members of their Test squad – Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts – to play for the Lions in their ongoing tour match against a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill from the second day of the first Test, and may take a similar approach for the PM’s XI fixture.The PM’s XI will be captained by Peter Handscomb and features three other players with Test match experience in top-order batters Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, and veteran seamer Peter Siddle.

She gets knocked down but she gets up again: Sneh Rana's journey

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The India and RCB allrounder and self-professed rebel is the queen of comebacks

Hemant Brar16-Jun-2025When Sneh Rana dismissed Anushka Sanjeewani to seal India’s victory in the ODI tri-series final in Colombo last month, she raised her right arm, lowered her sleeve and revealed a tattoo. Inked in Devanagari, just below her wrist, it read – which translates to “rebel”.”If someone says something cannot be done, my automatic response is [to ask] why it cannot be done,” offspin-bowling allrounder Rana says. “It can be done. I rebel.”The tri-series was the latest in a long line of comebacks for her. Playing white-ball cricket after almost a year and a half, she took 15 wickets in five games and was the Player of the Series. Five of those wickets came against South Africa, a career best, for which she was named Player of the Match, becoming only the third Indian after Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma with a match award in all three formats.Related

  • Sneh Rana: 'Test championship will be a big boost for women's cricket'

  • The understated artistry of Sneh Rana

  • Rana and Vastrakar provide timely answer for India's search for allrounders (2022)

Soon after the series ended, Rana made another comeback. When India announced their squad for the England tour, she found a place in the T20I side after more than two years out of it. is not Rana’s only tattoo. The old adage tells us to treat our bodies like temples, but Rana treats hers like a journal, chronicling significant moments of her life on it in permanent ink. She made her India debut in 2014, but about two years later, she suffered a knee injury that kept her off the field for a year. People started to say her career was over. During that time she got a tattoo of an anchor on her left forearm with “I refuse to sink” written next to it.Read my arm: Rana is something of a tattoo aficionado”That one year was very difficult,” she says of the time she was out. “It was very important to stay calm and patient. In such times, people around you are equally important. I was fortunate to have my parents with me. They never let me feel down.”Rana stayed afloat and kept making waves in domestic cricket. It took her five years to stage a comeback, but she returned stronger. The bowling action was a bit more side-on; she put more body into it and gave the ball a proper rip.In her first game on return, her Test debut, in Bristol, she took four wickets in England’s only innings. When India followed on, she scored 80 not out from No. 8 and helped save the match. She impressed in the ODIs and T20Is as well. Ramesh Powar, India women’s coach then, called her “the find of the series”.It was an emotional roller coaster for Rana. A month before she was picked for the England tour, she lost her father, whom she was very close to. The date of his death is inked in Roman numerals on her left arm. “You know how a father-daughter relation is,” she says. “My dad always supported me, encouraged me, and protected me from all the negative things. He wanted me to play for India again. But when it happened, he was not there to witness it.

“When you lose a parent all of a sudden, it is not easy to accept. I struggled with it. There were times when I stepped onto the field and did not know what was happening around me. At the back of my mind, I was still thinking about my father.”Rana sought the help of Mugdha Bavare, a sports psychologist who was on the team’s support staff. Opening up made her feel better. Later she also consulted a psychiatrist. “There are phases when you feel your body needs it,” Rana says about seeking help. “Things were piling up, and I could not handle them on my own.”Seeing a mental-health professional may no longer be a matter of shame in India but Rana wants to further normalise it. “If you are not well physically, you visit the doctor, right? Then why can’t you take help when you are struggling mentally? There is nothing wrong with it. And it is not necessary that you speak to them only when you are going through a rough phase. You can do it for your growth as well.”Another topic she wants to raise awareness about is the challenges female cricketers face during their menstrual cycles. When playing while on their periods, many have to take painkillers and use heat patches. Rana herself suffers from severe cramps.”During the first match of the Sri Lanka tri-series I was on the first or second day of my cycle,” she says. “It was my comeback match, so despite all the discomfort and pain, I gave whatever I had in me and by God’s grace got three crucial wickets.”When dropped, Rana has chosen to focus on self-improvement and upskilling•PTI Studies have shown that chances of injury are higher for female athletes during and just before menstruation, which means players need to adjust their training routines accordingly. “[Just before menstruation], we reduce the intensity of the training and focus on recovery,” Rana says. “During menstruation, unless it’s a match day, we prioritise rest and do only light movement. During ovulation, we work more on conditioning and joint stability. [After menstruation], we train hard, as a woman’s body can generate the best output in this phase. Throughout the month, we keep working on our skills, though the intensity may vary.”The current version of Rana – one who speaks her mind openly, wants to discuss difficult topics, and makes Instagram reels on the latest trends – is a contrast to the shy girl who grew up in Sinaula, a village in Uttarakhand. The one who hid behind a tree when asked to bowl after a local match.But once she left the state, which did not have a women’s domestic team back then, to play for Haryana, followed by Punjab and Railways, she developed an awareness of the way the world works. Patience is a virtue she has developed over the years. “[It] is my biggest strength,” she says, and indeed, she has exactly that declaration tattooed, in Sanskrit, on her right forearm: “.” She has learned to bide her time after setbacks – of which there have been many.At the 2022 T20 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, she took seven wickets in six games at an economy of 4.09. Still, she was dropped for the series that followed, five T20Is against Australia at home.Rana was a travelling reserve for the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa. Only when Pooja Vastrakar was ruled out of the semi-final against Australia was she drafted in. She bowled four wicketless overs for 33 runs in a game India lost. That, in February 2023, remains her last T20I. By the end of the year, she had lost her place in the ODI side too.The reasons for her being dropped were never made public. One can only guess that perhaps with Deepti Sharma in the XI, the team did not need another offspin-bowling allrounder.During the 2025 WPL, Rana scored 26 off six balls against UP Warriorz•BCCIBut do the captain, coach, or selectors have a chat with a player when they are dropped?”When they rest you, they definitely call,” Rana says. What she leaves unsaid is clear, but she has learned to be pragmatic about disappointments like these. “This system has been there for a long time. It will take some time for things to change.”She knows selection is not in her control and chooses to direct her energy to improving her game.”The way cricket is evolving, you have to upgrade your skills and practise accordingly,” she says. “So I learned the yorker, wide yorker, and things like using the crease, using the seam, cutting the pace off, bowling a straighter one.”Rana honed those skills in the nets and tested them in domestic cricket. That gave her the confidence to execute them in pressure situations in international cricket. A prime example is the 2022 Commonwealth Games semi-final in Birmingham. England needed 14 from the final over with five wickets in hand. India had only three outfielders because of their slow over rate. But Rana nailed her yorkers, and despite a dropped catch and a last-ball six when the game was effectively over, she conceded only nine. The win ensured India’s silver medal.A batting upgrade was seen during the 2025 WPL. After going unsold at the auction – a rarity for an India international – she joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a replacement player. The team management asked her to prepare for “cameo roles” with the bat, and Rana aced the assignment. From No. 10 against UP Warriorz in her second batting innings of the season, she smashed 26 off six balls with three sixes and two fours. It was the first time in 49 innings across international cricket and the WPL that she had hit a six. Rana’s innings threatened to get RCB to their target of 226, but they eventually fell short by 13. She also took six wickets in her five games at an economy of 8.22. All that, and the performance in Sri Lanka, got her back into the T20I side for the England tour.The patience has paid off. Now it is time for Sneh Rana to channel her inner .

Worse than Bruno Fernandes vs Everton: Amorim must bin Man Utd's 3/10 flop

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

“One of the most disgusting showings I have ever seen.” Those were the words used to sum up Manchester United’s 1-0 home loss to Everton by H, analyst for The Overlap.

One year on from Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge, the Red Devils put in a performance to forget at Old Trafford.

The Toffees, who started the game on the front foot, were down to 10 men early on in strange circumstances.

Idrissa Gueye was sent off for fighting with Michael Keane. However, the red card did not affect the Toffees, who soon took the lead after a stunning individual goal from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

United were lacklustre in attack for much of the game, with Amorim sticking rigidly to his infamous 3-4-2-1 system, which, on Monday night, did not work. They had 25 shots, but managed just six on target, and looked devoid of any creativity.

The closest the Red Devils came was through Joshua Zirkzee, making his first start of the season. His well-directed header looked goal-bound, but Jordan Pickford pulled off a superb diving stop to keep it out. That was as good as it got for United.

It was a night to forget for Amorim’s side, with Bruno Fernandes one man who struggled.

Fernandes' stats vs. Everton

So often, the player United look towards in the moments when they need inspiration, Fernandes struggled to have a real impact on the game.

Perhaps that is because the Red Devils boss plays him so deep, where he cannot have as much of an influence in the final third.

On Monday against Everton, a club the Portuguese star has had plenty of success against, the final killer ball, something that would normally carve open a defence, was missing.

The United captain tried his luck from range twice but failed to test Pickford and missed a golden opportunity late on from close range, after good play by Mason Mount.

His disappointing performance was noticed by Steven Railston, United writer for the Manchester Evening News. He gave their skipper a 4/10 match rating, describing Fernandes’ efforts against the Toffees as “sloppy.”

The stats certainly reflected that rating. Normally, one of the players who can muster something up out of nowhere, United’s number 8 could only create two chances, despite looking after the ball well, losing it just 13 times out of 115 touches.

It was certainly not the best night at the office for Fernandes, although there was one of his teammates who was far more disappointing.

Man United's worst player vs Everton

It was a night to forget for several United stars, but one of those who struggled most was Patrick Dorgu. The Dane had little impact on the left-hand side and was too often slack in possession or missing the final pass to create an opportunity.

Indeed, Dorgu’s stats from the game highlight his struggles against the Toffees.

He had 41 touches, completing just 76% of his passes and only creating one chance. He also blazed an effort over the bar after getting on the end of a good cross from Zirkzee in the first half.

Touches

41

Pass accuracy

76%

Opposition half passes completed

8/15

Possession lost

11

Duels won

2/6

Crosses completed

0/3

Key passes

1

Railston did not seem to think highly of the United number 13’s performance against the Toffees. He gave the 21-year-old a 3/10, the lowest of any teammate, claiming that he “looks low on confidence” and put in a “poor” showing on Monday.

The journalist also suggested Diogo Dalot will come into the side on Sunday for United’s trip to Crystal Palace. Certainly, Amorim will have a selection decision ahead of the clash at Selhurst Park, with the wing-back’s place in the side perhaps on the line.

As Utd Faithfuls said over on X, he can be “unreliable” at times. Coming up against a high-flying Eagles team on Sunday lunchtime, this might be cause for concern, and Amorim might well decide to rotate the youngster out of the side.

There are options at his disposal. Dalot is one player who could operate out there, or a centre-back could slot into the side, with Luke Shaw pushing further up the pitch to play high and wide instead.

It will be interesting to see if Amoirm decides to switch things up and take Dorgu out of the side against Palace. It is certainly a must-win game for United, as they look to get back to winning ways and push for Europe.

Better than Joao Gomes: Man Utd make £52m "monster" a concrete target

Man Utd are looking to add depth to their midfield this winter

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 24, 2025

'He's going to do really well!' – Ex-Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley backs Alexander Isak to turn Liverpool form around following £125m transfer

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Former Newcastle chief Amanda Staveley has thrown her support behind ex-Magpies striker Alexander Isak. The Swede has struggled for form following his record breaking move to Liverpool on deadline day, with his only goal for the Reds coming in a Carabao Cup win over Championship side Southampton back in September. Isak, though, has been backed to come good for Liverpool.

Getty Images SportIsak failing to live up to expectations

Isak had been tipped to make an immediate impact for Liverpool following his contentious switch to Merseyside. The 26-year-old scored 23 goals and laid on an additional six assists for Eddie Howe's side last season.

However, the striker has struggled to transfer his Newcastle form to Anfield owing in part to a lack of pre-season. Isak went on strike to force through a move to the defending Premier League champions and claimed that promises had been broken by his former side as he sought to secure his switch to Arne Slot's side.

The high-profile summer signing is yet to play the full 90 minutes for Liverpool following his move as he plays catch up with his match fitness. However, Staveley has broken her silence on the move and has backed Isak to return to goalscoring form sooner rather than later.

AdvertisementStaveley still fond of Isak despite Newcastle exit

Speaking to alongside husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, Staveley revealed that they both still 'love' Isak despite the way he acted to force his move to Liverpool. "I'm so proud of Newcastle and how they're doing," Staveley started.

"And you know, we love Alex and we know he's going to do really well at Liverpool. He's a great player – Liverpool have got an extraordinary player, but equally so, it's great to see the [Newcastle] forwards doing so well and Newcastle performing really well."

When asked whether Newcastle were hamstrung by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules and whether they need reforming, Staveley said: "No, no. I think the PSR rules are actually quite helpful and they're there to help give fair competition. We navigated them well and we welcome them."

Ghodoussi, meanwhile, added: "They're there for a reason. They will adapt and change in time, I'm sure, like everything does. But look, Newcastle's doing fantastically well, obviously they're having a bit of a hiccup now on the Premier League, but they're doing fantastically well in the Champions League and we're super proud of Eddie [Howe] and the boys."

Getty Images SportMixed start to life for Magpies' new strikers

Newcastle moved to ease Isak's impending departure for Liverpool over the summer with the big money additions of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa from VfB Stuttgart and Brentford, respectively. Woltemade has made a solid start to life at St James' Park, scoring four goals in his opening eight league appearances, including crucial strikes in home wins over Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Wissa, though, is yet to make an appearance for the Magpies having, like Isak, gone on strike to force a summer switch. The former Bees man suffered a knee injury while on international duty with DR Congo in September and has previously been urged by Newcastle hero Alan Shearer to show some loyalty to his new employers and miss out on AFCON.

"It will be a really difficult decision for Wissa not to go to AFCON because you always want to represent your country," Shearer said last month. 

"But what I would say is, because of him not training or playing during the summer, he could've shown more responsibility in not playing as much as he did in those two games when he went away on international duty and hadn't played at all.

"But it's really tough to say to someone they can't and won't represent their country when it means so much. And we know AFCON is huge and players want to play in that tournament."

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Liverpool stuttering in their title defence

Liverpool, meanwhile, are aiming to return to winning ways when they resume domestic duties. The Reds welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield next weekend as they look to bounce back from their 3-0 loss at Manchester City last Sunday.

The result means Liverpool have lost five of their last six league matches, with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa the only positive in that run. The downturn in form means Liverpool are now eight points behind league leaders Arsenal after the opening 11 games of the season.

'Always in my mind' – Arne Slot hints Mohamed Salah in line for return to Liverpool starting XI after two-game bench role

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The difficult decision to bench Liverpool talisman Mo Salah has left Reds boss Arne Slot with a major decision to make ahead of their clash with Leeds United. The Egyptian star’s performances have certainly been below his usual high standards, and he has come in for substantial criticism from TV pundits, but Slot has hinted he could reinstate him for the crunch trip to Elland Road.

  • Salah's struggles in title defence

    Salah is enduring a challenging season on Merseyside, a stark contrast to his stellar previous campaign where he secured the Premier League title and bagged the Golden Boot, too. His form has seen a significant drop so far this season, he’s scored four goals and laid on two assists in his 13 Premier League appearances so far this season. The arrival of new players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, has altered the team's attacking dynamics, and the departure of long-time right-back partner Trent Alexander-Arnold has severely impacted on him. 

    Club legend Jamie Carragher has been a vocal critic of Salah's form and perceived lack of leadership. Carragher has suggested that Salah's declining pace and reluctance to track back defensively are leaving the team exposed, especially in away games. He has also called for the Egyptian to speak publicly more often during the team's struggles. 

    And while Salah has started on the bench for the Reds’ last two fixtures, missing out entirely in the win against West Ham and coming on as second-half substitute in the draw with Sunderland, his Dutch boss has hinted he could be re-introduced against Leeds.

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    Slot: 'It is completely normal for people to talk'

    Speaking to the press on Friday, Slot said: "I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us. He is always in my mind to either start or to come (off the bench). The chatter, yes (I understand it) because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me for six or seven years. It's completely normal for people to talk about it when he isn't (playing)." 

    Another player who is has struggled this season is Wirtz, but Slot has backed his marquee summer signing to take the positives from recent performances, saying: "You can see his confidence from how often he wants the ball and how often they give him it. So he has a lot of confidence but it's also clear he came back with an injury from Germany, so I am happy he can play so many minutes. He has done well. Not surprised he was involved in the goal against Sunderland, he was one of the ones who kept constantly trying and was creative."

  • Redknapp suggests Salah could leave

     Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp weighed into the argument, claiming a player of Salah’s calibre wouldn’t be willing to sit on the bench and hinted he could leave. Redknapp said: "There is no way Salah is going to be content being a bit-part player in this team. Whether it's in January or in the summer, if he finds the right clubs, I think he deserves the right to move on if things aren't going to go his way. I can only see that outcome. Now that trust is broken, especially with someone like Salah, he needs that confidence and love from a manager."

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    Leeds test awaits at Elland Road

    Liverpool travel to Elland Road off the back of another poor performance in the one-all draw with Sunderland as defensive frailties continued to plague them, which Leeds boss Daniel Farke’s side will look to exploit. And Slot is aware just how intense and physical the match will be, he said: "I watched Leeds versus Chelsea and I saw a Liverpool game: Chelsea conceding a set piece and then a big, big error. Leeds went very aggressive in one-v-one and then a low block to stop chances. It is difficult for us that style, and many other teams. We saw them coming back from two down to Manchester City, Phil Foden made the difference with a moment of magic there and against Chelsea Leeds were very strong. What to expect is what we have faced in many other games."

Hatcher and Hadley inspire New South Wales to victory

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The home side crumbled on the final day before a last-wicket stand narrowed the margin

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff07-Oct-2025New South Wales opened their Sheffield Shield campaign with a memorable 74-run away win over Western Australia.Set 231 to win, WA crumbled for 156 on a tricky pitch at the WACA ground in Perth as unheralded Blues quick Liam Hatcher inflicted serious damage on the lower order. Batting with injured No. 11 Joel Paris, Australia allrounder Ashton Agar went down swinging.Related

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Paris and Agar put on an innings-high 53-run stand for the last wicket to give NSW some nervous moments before closing out the game.But Agar was bowled for 46 the first ball after drinks in the second session of day four, slashing onto his stumps off Ryan Hadley who finished with eight wickets in the matchNSW lost serious experience in the off-season with Jackson Bird moving back to Tasmania and Moises Henriques retiring from four-day cricket. The upset result is a huge boost for veteran Test spinner Nathan Lyon, who led the side in this match in the absence of Jack Edwards on Australia A duty.WA veteran Cameron Bancroft did nothing to impress selectors for a potential Test recall, out for 3 when he edged Hadley after making 10 in the first innings.Test allrounder Cameron Green fell for 24 on Tuesday, superbly held in his follow through by former WA quick Charlie Stobo, after making 19 in the first innings. Green, who is being eased back into bowling following serious back surgery last year, sent down just four overs in the match.NSW’s contenders for a potential Test spot – Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson – also failed to capitalise. Incumbent Test opener Konstas made 4 and 14, while Patterson, who played the last of his two games for Australia back in 2019, was dismissed for 8 and 4.

'Focus is only cricket' – India, Pakistan on mood ahead of World Cup clash

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana and India’s bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi did not dwell on the tensions between the countries ahead of Sunday’s fixture

Andrew Fidel Fernando04-Oct-2025A day out from what will likely be one of the most-followed matches of this Women’s World Cup, both teams are insisting they are focused on the cricket. Pakistan captain Fatima Sana appeared to suggest that as far as Pakistan are concerned, India are a team like any other. She also spoke briefly about the good relations these teams have enjoyed in the past.India bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi said, meanwhile, that in a big tournament “the area of focus is only cricket”. There have been no indications on whether the India players would decline to shake the hands of the Pakistan players on Sunday, as the men’s team had done during the recent Asia Cup, although BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia did not rule out the possibility in an interview this week. Both teams also requested that questions at the pre-match press conference be constrained to the cricket.Sana did, however, speak briefly on the camaraderie between the players in past tournaments. At the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand, for instance, several India players were seen interacting with then-Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof’s six-month old daughter, as players comforted the toddler on their shoulder, in what was one of the most heartwarming moments of that tournament.Related

  • Handshakes and rain in focus as India look to continue unbeaten run against Pakistan

  • Will India Women shake hands with Pakistan? 'There's no change in last week,' says BCCI secretary

Political tensions between the nations have worsened substantially since then. India’s male players were previously seen interacting with Pakistan players at earlier Asia Cups but refrained from doing so during the most recent edition, which ended last week.”We have great relationships with all other teams, and we try and keep good relations with everyone,” Sana said a day ahead of the match against India. “We’ll try to do everything within the spirit of the game.”Those pictures in the past with everyone mingling with each other around Bismah’s daughter – those scenes look good and everyone enjoys seeing that. But, of course, our focus has to be on what we’re here for – to play.”Both teams were keen to stress that they were doing their best to ignore the politics of this moment. “We’re like a family of 20-22 people here,” Sana said of the Pakistan team environment. “We don’t really worry about what’s going on outside our bubble. We get to hear about things happening external to cricket, but we focus on our game. The World Cup is something every player waits for, so we just want to focus on the thing we’ve come here for.”Salvi’s comments on the eve of the match echoed that sentiment. “The area of focus is cricket,” he said. “We want our girls to bring that ‘A’ game to the day. We want them to take it just as a game, because the World Cup is a long campaign. It’s a long campaign – there will be a lot of games coming up.”

Celtic make offer for star who captained his side to win Under-20 World Cup

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

Celtic are in the hunt for a permanent manager and that will take their focus over the international break, albeit they appear to be prioritising new arrivals regardless of who the new man in the dugout will be.

Martin O’Neill has presided over the Parkhead hotseat since Brendan Rodgers’ acrimonious departure from the Scottish Premiership champions, and there is still plenty of speculation over who could replace the Irishman on a full-time basis.

Since coming into the club after a 20-year hiatus, the former has delivered a morale-boosting victory over Falkirk and led the Bhoys to the Premier Sports Cup final in an enthralling triumph over Rangers, leading some reports to claim O’Neill could take the role permanently.

Nevertheless, there is a long list of candidates, something that refuses to narrow ahead of the international break. Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen is also a Celtic managerial candidate amid a glorious spell in Norway.

On the flipside, the main drawback of any approach to hiring the 57-year-old is that he would like to finish their Champions League campaign before committing to life in Scotland.

Wilfried Nancy, Robbie Keane and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna are also on the Bhoys’ radar. Either way, this feels like a pursuit that may go on for time to come as majority shareholder Dermot Desmond carefully considers his options.

Away from the managerial hunt, Celtic are considering a bid for Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson, who is available to sign a pre-contract in January and is also wanted by rivals Rangers.

Recruitment is ongoing as the reigning champions look to bolster amid Heart of Midlothian’s push for the title, and they may now look to an untapped market to land a shining star.

Celtic bid to sign Under-20 World Cup winner Hossam Essadak

According to AfricaFoot, Celtic have submitted an offer for Moroccan attacking midfielder Hossam Essadak, who is currently on the books of Union Touarga Sport.

Recently, he featured in the Under-20 World Cup with his nation, captaining them to glory after they defeated Argentina 2-0 in the final to record a historic triumph.

Hossam Essadak’s senior career

Appearances

35

Goals

4

Assists

4

Not short of suitors, Sunderland have also made an official bid to try and sign the blossoming talent, and European clubs are said to be at the front of the race for his signature despite further interest from Wydad Casablanca and RS Berkane in his homeland.

Per Fotmob, Essadak created four chances, completed four dribbles and won six duels during Morocco’s World Cup heroics, and he could well be the latest star Celtic look to sign from North Africa after their summer capture of Sebastian Tounekti.

Celtic are also plotting an emotional move for a Premier League icon

Admittedly, the Bhoys are well-stocked in midfield, and departures may be needed before new arrivals can integrate themselves at Lennoxtown, though it does seem as if work is ongoing to bolster the ranks with talented stars with potential to develop.

'Feels like an excuse' – Jose Mourinho hits back at Antonio Conte as Napoli boss blames fatigue for Champions League defeat to Benfica

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Jose Mourinho has dismissed Antonio Conte’s claims that fatigue played a decisive role in Napoli’s 2-0 defeat to Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Portuguese manager insisted his tactical decisions were the key difference, labelling his counterpart's complaints about the fixture schedule as little more than an "excuse" after the Serie A leaders were beaten in Lisbon.

Mourinho wins the battle against Conte

The latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Mourinho and Conte was written at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night, with the Portuguese tactician claiming the bragging rights after his Benfica side secured a vital victory over Napoli in the Champions League league phase. However, the post-match narrative quickly shifted from the action on the pitch to a war of words in the press room, centred around the physical condition of the two squads.

Conte, whose Napoli side have been setting the pace in Serie A, pointed to a congested fixture list as the primary reason for his team's sluggish display. The Italian coach highlighted the disparity in preparation time, noting that Benfica had played their last domestic fixture on Friday, whereas Napoli were in action on Sunday in a high-profile clash against Juventus. Mourinho, however, was in no mood to accept that narrative.

AdvertisementAFPMourinho: 'We interpreted the game well'

When presented with Conte’s comments regarding Benfica’s physical advantage, Mourinho was characteristically blunt. The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss rejected the notion that rest days decided the outcome, arguing instead that his specific tactical adjustments were what dismantled Napoli’s system.

"Saying Benfica were fresher physically feels like an excuse," Mourinho responded. "We interpreted the game well, I decided to play [Franjo] Ivanovic rather than [Vangelis] Pavlidis upfront and that changed the way we attack."

Mourinho elaborated on this specific selection decision, offering a tactical insight into how he exploited Napoli’s defensive setup. He suggested that Vangelis Pavlidis, usually a key figure for the Eagles, would have played into Napoli's hands due to his style of play, whereas Djordje Ivanovic offered a different profile that unsettled Conte’s back three.

"Pavlidis is someone who makes the kind of movements with the midfield that makes it easy for a team like Napoli to press him," Mourinho explained. "Ivanovic gives more instability to a team that defends with three."

This tactical tweak allowed Benfica to bypass Napoli's renowned pressing triggers, creating gaps in a defence that has otherwise been watertight in Italy this season.

Conte: 'We expended a lot of energy'

For his part, Conte cut a frustrated figure. The Napoli manager felt his side were fighting an uphill battle before a ball was even kicked due to the accumulation of minutes in the legs of his key starters. With a shallow squad depth preventing significant rotation, Conte felt the lack of sharpness was inevitable.

"The match was certainly hard, difficult, on a hot pitch," Conte stated. "We come from a series of games every three days, the same players are always playing and it is inevitable that we start to feel something.  Sunday's match was a key one, we had to travel, Benfica played on Friday, that's two extra days of recovery. But we have to take these things into account, we knew we'd spent a lot of energy, even mentally. Today some players were tired, you could see it, and there's no chance of any special rotation." 

The physical fatigue manifested in technical errors, according to the Italian. Napoli, usually so precise in their build-up, found themselves making uncharacteristic mistakes and struggling to cope with Benfica’s early intensity.

"Today someone was tired, you could see it, and there is no possibility to make particular rotations," Conte admitted. "Tomorrow they will rest, then we will prepare for the match in Udine. Surely not being brilliant leads you to make wrong choices or not be so precise. At the beginning we struggled and committed errors."

Conte pinpointed a specific moment early in the game where their pressing structure collapsed, leading to a loss of confidence that permeated the rest of the first half.

"We knew about the difficulties anyway, we wanted to start strong and on the first pressure we took a ball behind [the defence], this took away some certainties," he explained. "In the first time we were very long, and they found passing lines."

Getty Images SportAccepting the defeat

Despite the grievances regarding the schedule, Conte ultimately conceded that on the night, the hosts were the superior outfit. He acknowledged that managing energy levels is part of the reality of modern football, even if the result was painful to accept.

"I know the situation, and I knew it also when we won, and I also know that we will carry it forward for a while," Conte said. "One must also understand that there are evenings in which the opponents have more energy compared to you, and today they deserved it more than us."

The result leaves Napoli sitting 23rd in the Champions League table and in real danger of crashing out over the final two games of this phase, while Benfica currently sit just outside of the top 24 and need to claw their way in if they are to book a place in the knockout play-off round.

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