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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim looks to be on thin ice as inconsistent results have sparked concern about whether he is capable of taking United to the next level, with the manager set to be forced into personnel changes this weekend.

After securing a surprising win against world champions Chelsea, it looked like United were going to record their first back-to-back Premier League wins under Amorim as they faced relegation candidates Brentford. However, two early goals from Igor Thiago shattered United’s hopes, and they went on to lose 3-1.

This defeat has reignited speculation that Amorim may be replaced, with names like former England boss Gareth Southgate being linked. United’s next fixture is against newly promoted Sunderland, who have made a strong start to the season…

Amorim forced into changes despite Wilcox and Berrada faith

Reports indicate that there is internal concern at United that Amorim’s position will become untenable if he doesn’t make a change and suffers defeat to the Black Cats.

Indeed, Teamtalk journalist Dean Jones has shared a scoop from inside Old Trafford that Amorim has to change his personnel in light of his refusal to alter his system, and that failure this weekend could be the nail in the coffin.

“There is no way he can go into the Sunderland game and just play the same old tape yet again. I have spoken to connections close to the club, and there seems to be an expectation that this time, something does change. Realistically, it probably will not be the system.

“Because they have worked so tirelessly on his formation, he will probably roll it out again – but one thing he can do this time is change the personnel. This is the area that people seem to feel is most likely to change.

“It’s a huge game for him! And it really could lead to a big decision over his future if it goes badly. So let’s see whether he is brave enough to make a bold call or two. I get the feeling he might finally do it – maybe in goal or midfield…or both.”

The internal pressure that Jones mentions is reportedly not coming from Jason Wilcox or Omar Berarda, who both want Amorim to have until the end of the season to give him a chance to turn things around. Part of the reason they want this may be down to United leading the league in a number of attacking metrics like chances created this season, and they may be sympathetic with the head coach that his players are failing to capitalise.

How Man Utd could line up against Sunderland

Jones highlighted the goal and midfield as two areas where Amorim could make a change, but there are other positions that could be modified as well.

So far this season, Altay Bayindir has been Amorim’s favoured goalkeeper, with the previous first choice, Andre Onana, being exiled on loan to Turkey. However, a number of mistakes have led to calls for deadline day signing Senne Lemmens to be given a chance in goal. The 23-year-old has reportedly impressed in training, and against newly promoted Sunderland, he may be given a chance to start.

In midfield, the lack of game time for Kobbie Mainoo has upset fans, as it looks like he may push for a move away from the club in January. Re-introducing the Carrington graduate to the starting lineup would likely carry some favour with the United faithful and may help them out on the pitch.

Another change Amorim could make is in the right wing-back position. Diogo Dalot was largely at fault for Brentford’s first goal, and if Amad is ready to play following his leave last week, then that is a positive change that Amorim could make.

Jones said Amorim is unlikely to change his system, and since it’s creating chances, that isn’t surprising. With these potential changes, Amorim could both shore up his defence and add players who can score, but these changes would likely be one of the last rolls of the dice for the manager.

EXCLUSIVE: GOAL sat down with the USMNT midfielder to discuss fatherhood, World Cup ambitions and his incredible form for Lyon

AUSTIN, Texas –Tanner Tessmann is the U.S. men's national team's most in-form player, but in his view, it didn't start on the field. Parts of it did, sure. A tackle here, a goal there, a series of big wins with one of the biggest clubs in France. Those performances have continued to change the perception of him and his game.

But the the catalyst wasn't some magical flip of the switch on the training field, or even in the film room. For Tessmann, form begins at home. It begins with comfort and stability. It begins with happiness. It begins with faith. And, for this specific run, perhaps the most important of his career so far, it begins with fatherhood.

"Life's changed," Tessmann tells GOAL from the U.S. men's national team's hotel for the October camp, "but it's all changed in a good way."

In April, just weeks after the USMNT's wake-up-call losses in the CONCACAF Nation's League, Tessmann welcomed his son into the world. Life since, he says, has been constant series of changes and stresses, personally and professionally. He was left out of Mauricio Pochettino's Gold Cup squad this summer, freeing him up to do an American tour to introduce his son to the his family.

Summer was spent following news of out Lyon, as the club were saved, relegated, then saved again to keep their place in Ligue 1, ultimately allowing Tessmann to stay in France. Then, when September camp rolled around, Tessmann was again left out of the USMNT squad, adding fuel to a fire that had been building, internally, since the spring.

He's back now, and as a different version of himself. Fatherhood has changed him, but so has his play. He's been one of Lyon's best players, going from afterthought to an important piece. He's scored big goals and put in big performances, silencing many of the doubters that were questioning what he could offer on both sides of the ball.

On the USMNT front, he's in the process of making himself undeniable, and he's doing it just months before the World Cup. 

"You go into that moment just knowing that someone's got to make the difference," he says. "Someone's got to make something happen. I think having that bit of confidence, that support, that life at home. It gives you that belief. I know that, yes, I can be the one that makes the difference and, when those moments come, I'm going to go for it."

Tessmann is going for it now, and he's more confident than ever as he enters the most important stretch of his career.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'Ball is ball'

  If you were to boil Tessmann's recent run into one moment, it's probably the goal against Utrecht. 

  It came just days after another goal, a game-winner in a 1-0 triumph over Angers. With time ticking away at Utrecht in the Europa League, Lyon turned to Tessmann off the bench. He answered the call. The American midfielder hit as clean a shot as you'll ever see, smashing the ball into the back of the net to lead his team to a second-straight 1-0 win.

  "I caught it sweet," he says with a laugh. "Going into that match, I was on the  bench, but I was going to be ready. I was going to help the team any way I could."

  It could be argued that no American player this season, save for Christian Pulisic, has helped his club as much as Tessmann, who has been elite in just about every metric.

  Among midfielders in Ligue 1, he's in the 91st percentile in passes completed and 92nd for long balls. He's in the 93rd percentile for touches and 87th in fouls drawn. On the defensive side – always seen as an area of weakness – he's been fantastic, as well. He leads Ligue 1 in blocks and is in the 86th percentile in interceptions and recoveries. He stands out in duels, having won 31 in his 629 league minutes.

  "Ball is ball. I just go out there and play," he says. "Obviously, each game, you have tactics and what the coach wants you to do. But at the end of the day, it comes down to duels. So often, it comes down to who wants it more. Soccer is a simple sport made complicated. For me, the club is giving me more responsibility and trust and asking me to step up in these moments.

  "We know how important it is for Lyon to be at the top and us players understand that Lyon is a Champions League club. We have to reach that."

  This season, Tessmann is taking an active role in chasing that goal. He's no longer a passenger, but rather a player that now believes he can drive things forward himself.

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• AFP
  

  'He is an important player for us'

  In January, Tessmann was honored as U.S. Soccer's Young Male Player of the Year. It came on the heels of his run at the 2024 Olympics, in which Tessmann captained the USMNT in France and emerged as a leader of the U23 squad. That, combined with his progress at Venezia and Lyon, who he joined last fall, got him an award that, in some ways, ended an era.

  "It was a huge honor, and I don't want to downplay it because it was a massive thing," he says. "The Olympics are a youth tournament, at least its classified as one, so that's the reason I got it. It felt like a graduation, though. I'm definitely not a young player anymore, not by any means. You look at the names on the list and what they went on to do, it's an honor to have received it, and I do take great pride in it."

  He showed signs during the 2024-25 season. A semi-steady presence for Lyon, he appeared in 25 matches for the club in the league as well as nine more in Europe. Lyon's midfield, though, was dominated by veterans. Nemanja Matic arrived with a reputation from Manchester United and Chelsea. Jordan Veretout and Corentin Tolisso were French internationals, with the latter being a World Cup winner. 

  Of the three, only Tolisso remains. The club signed Tyler Morton from Liverpool, adding some youth to the mix. Manager Paulo Fonseca also handed the keys to Tessmann. He's been rewarded.

  "His characteristics correspond to our game," Fonseca said recently. "Since I arrived, he started playing and he did it very well. This year, he has confirmed and progressed a lot. It's not just because he scores, he does very important things for our game and has progressed defensively. He is an important player for us."

  That defensive side was key. Tessmann has always had elite physical attributes, but the knock on him was defensive instinct. Prior to this season, he hadn't consistently put them on display. While his ability to hold and move the ball was never in question, if he wanted to succeed at a Champions League level, he would have to get much better at doing little things defensively.

  Preseason, Tessmann says, was difficult in that regard. Lyon focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball, individually and as a collective. It was a lot of battling from the start of the season. So far, it's paid off. Tessmann appears to be a whole new player on that side of the ball, one that might just have the chops to play as a No. 6 or a No. 8 at a high level.

  "I think it's something I've always been working on: defensively being in the right place," he says. "On the ball, that's always been the joy in my game. I love being on the ball and being creative and dictating the game. Obviously, being a professional, you need to be a complete player. I think this year, as a team, we've taken that defensive step up.

  "We're one of the teams that's conceded the fewest goals in all of Europe, and we all take pride in that because it isn't easy. I'm not saying that we should never concede, but I'm saying that it isn't luck. We've earned it."

  It's earned Tessmann a USMNT return, too, one that he had to claw for after being left out multiple times.

• AFP
  

  'Allows you to disengage'

  If there was a word to describe Tessmann's 2025 USMNT experience, it would be disappointing.

  He was involved in the Nations League, starting in the loss to Panama before coming off the bench in the loss to Canada. He was then left out of the Gold Cup squad entirely as Mauricio Pochettino opted to go in a different direction. He was also left out of September camp. It left many wondering what was next for Tessmann, including former U.S. start Landon Donovan, who asked last month if the "ship has sailed" for the 24-year-old midfielder in this World Cup cycle.

  "Those disappointments are tough," Tessmann says. "Losing those games and then not being selected but, at the end of the day, I support the team 100 percent. I watched the games. I want the guys to do good. I want them to compete and win those games."

  While Tessmann would not have designed an ideal summer around watching a Gold Cup and not playing in it, another door did open once the USMNT one temporarily closed. His son was born in April in Dallas. Immediately after, he flew back to Lyon to finish the season, leaving his wife, Chanelle, to do the heavy-lifting back in Texas for those first few weeks.

  With no USMNT duty, Tessmann was able to be there for some early moments he genuinely thought he'd miss. He made the most of them, and those moments, ultimately, changed him for the better.

  "I think it's brought me closer to my faith," he says. "You start to realize that, when you have a little one, that you have to teach them things and you draw closer to what you really believe in. It's done the same with my wife with both of us together. In terms of football, it allows you to disengage. After a win, when you're on top of the world, or after a loss, when you aren't, you come home and you see a little baby there and it all goes out the window.

  "You realize that its not so important. Obviously, it's massive for fans. And I get to live this incredible life and the position I'm in is such a blessing. But when you come home and you get to see and hold your little boy, that's a different feeling, for sure."

  Overall, Tessmann had four weeks off this summer. He spent most of them bringing his son on tour. Dallas was home, of course, but his parents in Clemson, South Carolina needed to meet their grandson. So did brother-in-law Chandler O'Dwyer, who plays for the Richmond Kickers in Virginia.

  In between, there was a family trip to the Caribbean that did allow some time to disconnect entirely for what, ultimately, turned into a busy summer.

  "It was tough not to be selected for the Gold Cup," he says. "Obviously, that was the goal: to be a part of that group. It's always hard when you aren't. The silver lining, though, was that I got to spend time with family and have time off. My son got to meet everyone, for the most part. It was a blessing to have that time. I was able to take a step back and be away from football for a few weeks. 

  "I think it was really important because it's a long year ahead. With Lyon, we have a lot of matches and then, if all goes well, next summer will be very busy, too."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  'The goal is for the U.S. to win the World Cup'

  Tessmann's right. If all goes well, next summer will be the craziest of his life. His Olympic run in France was something, of course. A World Cup on home soil? It's what players dream of.

  To get there, the 24-year-old midfielder knows he has to impress Pochettino. His work at Lyon got his foot back in the door. In this camp, with the USMNT taking on Ecuador and Australia, he has to ensure it stays open. He'll have to compete. 

  This camp, he's joined by Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, James Sands and Cristian Roldan as deeper-lying midfielders. Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter and Luca de la Torre are among those in the mix, too. It all comes down to performing, both at home and during these final few USMNT opportunities before the big one next summer.

  "Tessmann and Morris are playing in a regular way every single week," Pochettino said after calling in both after extended absences. "They are players that they need to have the continuity, and with continuity, they can help us to arrive and to perform."

  Added Tessmann: "I love the competition. There are players here I've never been in camp with. James Sands, I've never been in camp with him, so it's been nice to meet him and see how he plays and learn from him and everyone else."

  Tessmann still has a lot to learn, and much to prove. Getting left off of a few key rosters will remind you of that. The big takeaway is that all he can do is put himself in position and hope. If hope pays off, great. If not, Tessmann says he will understand, and that it won't make him care any less.

  "The goal is for the U.S. to win the World Cup," he says. "It's not about me winning the World Cup. When you win, your country wins the World Cup. Whatever I can do to make that happen, I'm going to do it. That's my No. 1. So, even when I'm left off, it's personally disappointing, but when I see the guys go out there and play well, I love seeing that. I just want to be available, be healthy and be there controlling what I can control.

  "At the end of the day, the decision is up to other people. They select the team, and I trust their decision. At the end of the day, it's about America winning the World Cup, not me winning the World Cup."

  That, of course, is months away. And Tessmann himself is proof of how much things can change in a few months, personally and professionally. No one knows how long this form will continue, or even whether it's form or something more. Maybe Tessmann is a new player. Maybe he is someone that will make the difference for the USMNT, just as he has with Lyon.

  Either way, he's now more capable than ever of taking all of that, putting it to the side and remembering the important part of all of this. Success, ultimately, starts at home. He believes that, and it could mean more success is on the way.

  "At the end of the day, what makes me me is my faith, my family and the fact that I love my country," he says. "Those are the main things that I'm representing."

تحدث جيمي ندايزيي، المدير الفني لفريق إيجل نوار البوروندي، عن خسارة فريقه أمام الأهلي بهدف دون رد في ذهاب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، مؤكدًا أن النتيجة لا تعكس أداء لاعبيه.

وأكد المدرب أن فريقه اكتسب الثقة تدريجيًا خلال المباراة، مشيرًا إلى أن مواجهة الإياب في القاهرة ستكون مختلفة تمامًا، وأن لاعبيه قادرون على تقديم أداء أفضل رغم صعوبة المهمة أمام بطل إفريقيا.

اقرأ أيضًا | ماذا قال ييس توروب بعد أول فوز له مع الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار؟

قال ندايزيي في تصريحات خاصة لـ بطولات: “في الشوط الأول كان هناك نقص في الثقة، لكن في الشوط الثاني لعبنا دون أي عقد، وكدنا أن ننجح في إدراك التعادل”.

وأضاف: “الأداء تحسن بشكل واضح في النصف الثاني من المباراة، ونجحنا في الضغط على الأهلي وخلق فرص كادت تغير نتيجة اللقاء، ومن وجهة نظري أن الأهلي لم يستحق الفوز بنسبة 100%”.

وتابع ندايزيي موضحًا رؤيته لمباراة العودة في القاهرة: “أتوقع أن تكون المباراة متكافئة وصعبة على الطرفين، لكننا سنذهب إلى مصر من أجل هدف واضح وهو البحث عن التأهل”.

وشدد: “أثق في اللاعبين، فهم قادرون على الظهور بصورة قوية في القاهرة، خاصة بعد اكتساب الخبرة من مواجهة الذهاب أمام فريق كبير بحجم الأهلي”.

وستكون مباراة الإياب يوم السبت المقبل في القاهرة، ويضمن الأهلي التأهل إلى دور المجموعات من خلال التعادل أو الفوز بأي نتيجة.

Virat Kohli, meanwhile, moves up one spot to fourth on the batting charts, while Matt Henry enters the top three on the bowling list

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-2025

Azmatullah Omarzai has dethroned fellow Afghanistan team-mate Mohammad Nabi to be ranked the top allrounder in ODIs following a stellar Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.While Afghanistan could not make it to the semi-final of the tournament, Omarzai had an excellent time of it. He picked up seven wickets in three games, which included a match-winning 5 for 58 against England. He also scored 126 runs at an average of 42.00 and a strike rate of 104.13, often shepherding the Afghanistan lower-middle order through tricky times.Omarzai rose two spots on the rankings charts and is now four points clear of Nabi. He also rose on the ODI batting chart, up 12 spots to 24th on the list.Full rankings tables

Click here for the full team rankings

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There were some movements for India as well, with Virat Kohli moving up one spot to fourth position following his Player of the Match performance in the semi-final against Australia, where he scored 84 in a 265-run chase. He had earlier scored a match-winning unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in a group match.Shubman Gill continues to hold the top spot on the batting charts, followed by Babar Azam. Heinrich Klaasen is at No. 3, while Rohit Sharma has slipped two places and now sits in fifth. Steven Smith, who retired from ODI cricket earlier in the day, finished in 16th position.One of the biggest movers on the batting charts was Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran. He rose 13 positions to move to tenth position following his 177 against England.On the bowling front, New Zealand quick Matt Henry has jumped three places to move into third position behind Maheesh Theekshana and Keshav Maharaj. Mohammed Shami, who is making a comeback after an injury layoff, has risen three spots to 11th position. He currently heads the Champions Trophy wicket-taker’s list jointly with Henry, with both bowlers on eight wickets (ahead of the NZ vs SA semi-final).

Everton are entering a new era. Under the guidance of the Friedkin Group, the club is working quickly to rebuild a squad that has been weakened by years of underinvestment and short-term thinking.

David Moyes has already lost several senior players on free transfers, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucouré and Ashley Young, leaving noticeable gaps in experience, quality and leadership.

A new midfielder is top of the agenda.

Idrissa Gueye has extended his contract, but the Toffees are determined to inject fresh quality into the engine room, with the aim of combining technical excellence with defensive steel.

Among the club’s key targets is a player who has already proven himself at Premier League level, someone who can help Everton move the ball with greater speed and purpose.

After a disappointing season in Serie A, Douglas Luiz is open to a return to England, and Juventus are now willing to sell for a fee in the region of €40m £34m).

Despite not registering a goal or assist for the Bianconeri last season, the Brazilian’s final campaign at Aston Villa showed why he remains such a valuable asset.

According to FBref, he averaged 71.27 passes per 90 minutes, maintained a pass completion rate of 85.6%, and produced 3.92 shot-creating actions each game, all elite-level numbers for a central midfielder.

But for Luiz to flourish, Everton must find the right partner – someone who can offer him the defensive backing he enjoyed at Villa.

Everton's search for a new midfielder

Wilfred Ndidi has long been one of the Premier League’s most effective ball-winners.

Transfer Focus

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Now 27, he is entering the prime of his career and is available at a cut-price fee of just £9m due to a relegation clause in his Leicester City contract.

With two years left on his deal and a base salary of around £75k a week, the Nigerian international represents one of the smartest deals on the market this summer.

According to Ben Jacobs – as he reported late last week – Everton have already made an approach.

Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Real Betis are also circling, while Manchester United have held talks with his representatives. However, their focus has now shifted to securing a new striker following the arrival of Bryan Mbeumo.

The chance is there for the Toffees to pounce…

Why Ndidi would be a perfect partner for Douglas Luiz

Ndidi’s statistical profile is exactly what Everton need.

FBref also reveals he is in the 95th percentile for tackles per 90 (3.29), and 93rd for blocks – clear evidence of his instinctive reading of the game. He ranks in the 97th percentile for clearances and 96th for aerial duels won, offering an extra layer of protection in defensive transitions.

His 4.61 touches per 90 in the defensive penalty area show a calmness and trustworthiness in dangerous zones, while his physicality and stamina make him difficult to bypass.

Players like Tyler Adams (Bournemouth) and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) are similar, but Ndidi’s experience and proven consistency give him the edge. In contrast to Luiz’s creative flair, Ndidi is a player who thrives on breaking up play and maintaining defensive shape.

Together, they offer balance: Luiz as the deep-lying creator, and Ndidi as the screen who shields the backline.

In Everton’s current setup, which often relies on defensive compactness and quick transitions, their complementary traits would give Moyes tactical flexibility.

Importantly, Ndidi brings Premier League pedigree. With over 150 top-flight appearances and Champions League experience with Genk and Leicester, he wouldn’t need a settling-in period.

Everton’s young squad would benefit from his presence both on and off the pitch, with the Nigerian international already described by ESPN’s Colin Udoh as an “absolute monster” in the middle of the park.

The appeal of the deal extends beyond tactics.

Financially, this is exactly the type of move Everton must now make: low-risk, high-upside, and cost-effective.

At £9m, Ndidi would be one of the bargains of the summer. For context, Leicester paid over £15m for him back in 2017.

At a combined fee of under £50m, Everton could land a midfield pairing that brings stability and quality.

Luiz and Ndidi are both under 28, experienced at the highest level, and tactically adaptable.

For a club rebuilding both its squad and identity, securing the duo would represent not just a midfield upgrade, but a clear blueprint for how the Friedkin Group intend to restore Everton’s competitiveness.

Perfect for Barry: Everton ready to make offer for "incredible" £20m star

Following the arrival of Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Everton are now targeting an “incredible” new signing worth £20m…

By
Ben Gray

Jul 24, 2025

يستعد فريق ريال مدريد، بقيادة المدرب تشابي ألونسو، لخوض مباراة الديربي عصر السبت ضد نظيره أتلتيكو مدريد، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

ويستضيف ملعب “سيفيتاس واندا ميتروبوليتانو” مباراة أتلتيكو مدريد وريال مدريد، في قمة منافسات الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.

ويتصدر ريال مدريد جدول الدوري الإسباني بالعلامة الكاملة، 18 نقطة، في حين أن أتلتيكو مدريد لديه 9 نقاط حيث يحتل المركز التاسع.

ويسعى ريال مدريد إلى مواصلة نتائجه المميزة في الدوري الإسباني، خاصة مع ملاحقة برشلونة له حيث يحتل المركز الثاني برصيد 16 نقطة. موعد مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 5:15 عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN SPORTS 1. معلق مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد اليوم في الدوري الإسباني

سيكون علي سعيد الكعبي هو معلق مباراة اليوم.

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

Kamran Ghulam’s second century in three outings, backed by three wicket-hauls from Mohammad Imran and Salman Agha handed Markhors their third consecutive win, as they beat Dolphins in Faisalabad. The win helped them consolidate their lead at the top of the points table.It was an all-round show from Markhors with Ghulam making 113 off just 110 balls, which included a 122-run third wicket stand with Mohammad Rizwan. That helped Markhors pile up 284 for 9 in their 50 overs. In reply, Dolphins lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 192 with Markhors winning by 92 runs.After Dolphins decided to field, Mir Hamza removed Markhors openers Bismillah Khan and Mohammad Faizan inside five overs. But Ghulam, fresh off a 115 against Panthers last week, continued his good form. He stabilized the innings with Rizwan, who also scored a half-century.Faheem Ashraf picked four wickets for Dolphins but Markhors managed to put up a big score on the board.Dolphins never really got going in the chase. Opener Mohammad Hurraira fell for a 12-ball duck while Muhammad Akhlaq was dismissed by Naseem Shah. Captain Saud Shakeel tried to hold his end up with 41, but got little support from the others.Asif Ali hit a quick 43-ball 50, but the Dolphins batters failed to stitch a solid partnership. Eventually, they were bowled out in 43.5 overs. Markhors employed six bowlers, and each one of them managed to pick at least a wicket.This was Dolphins’ second defeat of the tournament and they are now the only side to not register a single point on the table.

A Liverpool player who Mohamed Salah admits he loves playing with is expected to be the subject of an offer from a huge club, and he is open to the idea of leaving Anfield.

Who will Liverpool sign after Wirtz?

The Premier League champions have made a huge statement already this summer, with Florian Wirtz arriving for a British record fee of £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, with the German speaking of his delight at joining.

“I just thought that it was the right point in my career to make the next step and of course I wanted to get to a club that is from the top three in the world, and in my opinion Liverpool was one of them. Yeah, I just saw myself in the best hands in Liverpool. I was really convinced by the people here, by the idea, and everything what the club offers me was really good. And in the end [it was] also easy to be excited for me to come to Liverpool.”

It’s now a case of seeing who else arrives at Liverpool this summer, with Milos Kerkez joining both Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong at the club, and various players are being linked with moves to Anfield.

Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi has been strongly mentioned in recent days, being seen as both a replacement and an upgrade on the departing Jarell Quansah, and Lyon winger Malick Fofana has been mentioned as a potentially superb attacking signings.

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There are also constant exit rumours surrounding various unwanted Liverpool players, however, and a fresh update has now emerged.

Nunez open to Liverpool exit as Napoli ready offer

According to The Athletic‘s Pearce on X, Napoli are now expected to table an offer for Nunez, with the striker “open” to a move to the Serie A champions:

“Napoli’s interest in Darwin Nunez has been registered and an offer is expected in due course. The Italian champions are the most serious contenders for the 25-year-old and he is open to moving to Naples.”

The £140,000-a-week and £7.3m-a-year Nunez needs to leave Liverpool before next season gets underway, with Arne Slot starting him just eight times in the Premier League last season.

The Uruguayan’s performances have been far too hit-and-miss for too long, even though Salah has admitted that he likes playing alongside him.

“Who do I most like to play with? It was Firmino. Now I feel like I generally like playing with Nunez. A lot of people don’t like him but I like playing with him.”

Nunez is arguably not at the level required to take this brilliant Liverpool team forward after scoring just five league goals last season, with an upgrade required this summer, but he will still leave as a popular figure, given his effort levels.

Napoli could be ideal for him, with their passionate fans likely to be drawn to him, and he could flourish playing in a weaker division than the Premier League.

NZ captain Devine praises Down for swift comeback after birth of child in January

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jun-2024England will use the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand to fine-tune their preparations for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year, with Heather Knight suggesting XIs will be more experimental than usual in home conditions to establish better role clarity ahead of the ICC tournament.The first engagement is an ODI series, which begins at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday. The five-match T20I series that follows offers more suitable preparation for the low, turning pitches that await in October on the subcontinent. But with the 50-over leg separate from the ICC Women’s Championship – England sit second, four points behind Australia, with the top five qualifying directly for 2025’s ODI World Cup – there is scope to use the first three matches of this White Ferns tour to try different things.The weather will also help that preparation. The UK is in the midst of a heatwave, and while Durham may be a long way from Dhaka, where England start their T20 World Cup against South Africa on October 3, temperatures are expected to reach as high as 30 degrees Celsius in the north-east on Wednesday. The pitch, which spent Tuesday morning uncovered, is likely to favour spin.”It will probably turn a little bit, which is great for the spinners that we have,” Knight said in her press conference on Tuesday. “It’ll be really great conditions for us for what we’ve got coming up with Bangladesh. It’s going to be hot, the pitch is going to be a little bit dry and it’s going to spin.”It is a far cry from the damp, overcast conditions for last month’s series against Pakistan, with England winning all five completed matches. Though they will be favourites once more over the coming weeks, having beaten this New Zealand side 4-1 and 2-1 in WT20Is and WODIs in March and April of this year, Knight insists that a results-first approach will still be the priority, regardless of any experimentation.”Winning is obviously really important, and with that T20 World Cup coming up we want to build up that momentum,” Knight said. “But also get the combination of the XI we play on the field, get that right.Sophie Devine was in the runs in New Zealand’s last match against England•Getty Images”We might try a few things that we’re thinking about doing in Bangladesh that might not necessarily match the conditions we’re playing in here. I’m talking more about the T20 series here, obviously. But there might be a few little bits that we try.”The main thing is about trying to get the whole squad in the best place that we can and give that clarity around roles as much as we can. In an ideal world, as a captain, I want my bowlers to bowl in all different phases and be able to bowl players in different stages when the match-up is right, or when I get a feeling.”That flexibility, we’ve been trying to build that up over the last year or so. Winning is the main thing, but there are little narratives inside of that as well.”With Sophia Dunkley recalled and Nat Sciver-Brunt ready to reprise her role as an allrounder, there is a familiar feel to the squad. However, an abominable niggle picked up by Kate Cross last week while playing for the ECB Women’s Development XI against New Zealand has ruled her out of the first ODI.South East Stars seamer Ryana Macdonald-Gay has subsequently been drafted into the squad as cover, arriving in Durham on Tuesday afternoon. The 20-year-old has started the domestic season strongly, taking 12 wickets in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy – the second most – off the back of an impressive England A tour of New Zealand in March with 11 wickets across two 50-over and two T20 appearances. She was also part of the England squad for 2023’s inaugural women’s U19 World Cup.Related

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Knight admitted she has not seen all that much of Macdonald-Gay., although the England captain was part of the broadcast team for Oval Invincibles versus Manchester Originals in last year’s women’s Hundred when Macdonald-Gay took 4 for 16.”I first saw her in The Hundred. I think I interviewed her – I was working for the BBC down there and she got player of the match. I remember thinking she was quite accurate and quite skilful with her variations of pace. She doesn’t leave the stumps too much as a little skiddy seamer. From what I can hear, she’s grown a lot in the last year.”That A tour to New Zealand was a really big one for her, she performed really well, against good opposition as well. She’s started this season stellar-ly, and she can bat and field as well. I saw her in the U19 World Cup, she was quite impressive out there for England as well.”Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine believes her team can cause an upset. Wednesday will be their first international fixture since the visit of England in March and April. And though the finale was a consolation win in the third ODI at Hamilton, led by Devine’s unbeaten 100, the 34-year-old believes the introspection that followed, along with three gruelling training camps, has them in good stead to exact some form of revenge.”I think it’s something that New Zealanders are pretty used to, to be fair,” she said of the underdog tag. “Unless it’s rugby union.”Whether we’re underdogs or favourites, it doesn’t really matter to us. We know at the end of the day that we need to be playing to our strengths. And know that we’re going to have fear, but we need to play in the face of fear.”We’ve looked back on that tour because we thought it was a really important phase for us. We came close in a number of those matches but it showed England’s strength to get out of a number of tricky positions. We went back, we reflected really hard on that, and we’ve had a really incredible block of training where we’ve come here and ready to take them on in their backyard.”Devine also championed White Ferns opening batter Lauren Down, who will earn her first international cap since December 2022 after giving birth to her daughter, Ruby, in January.”She certainly makes me feel a little bit guilty,” said Devine. “I’m tired and here she is with her five-month-old daughter Ruby, up and down in the night.”What she’s been able to achieve has been incredible. I certainly hope she feels she’s got 15 aunties on tour. She certainly has been handing Ruby around a little bit, in the changing room or back at the hotel.”I think it’s really important we make her feel comfortable and safe in our environment. But what she’s been able to do on the cricket field has been just astonishing. She’s such a professional in terms of she wants to be in the best possible shape before she steps out on the park, and that’s something I’ve got a lot of time and respect for.”We’re really stoked to have her back, and it’s obviously nice to have another little bub on tour. It certainly brings a little bit of perspective to the group as well. Cricket is incredibly important to us. But when you’ve got a little one there that doesn’t care how your day is gone, all she cares about is getting fed and getting cuddles from mum, it certainly brings a smile to a lot of our faces.”

Following defeat in the Europa League final, Ruben Amorim is reportedly ready to sanction exits for as many as four Manchester United mainstays this summer, as he gets ruthless at Old Trafford.

Amorim "will not quit" at Man Utd

Nobody could have foreseen quite as disastrous as Amorim’s first six months in charge have gone at Manchester United. It was clear that he had quite the task on his hands, as all managers before him had. But to go from four points away from the top four to likely finishing as low as 16th would have been seen as an impossible reality. Yet, with one week to go in the Premier League, that’s exactly where the Red Devils find themselves.

The former Sporting Club boss is not ready to give up quite yet, however. As much as he’s been knocked down, he is seemingly not down and out even after losing the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur.

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Amorim told reporters in his post-match press conference: “I am confident that I am still the guy. More than [at] the beginning! I know that it’s going to be tough. I know that we lost against an English team. I know the patience of the fans is going to be really short in the next season.

“But I guarantee that I will not quit. I will not go away. I am really confident, because I know the club, I know what it means to coach this club. I understand what this team needs. I have more tools to do my job.”

Defeat in the final wouldn’t have revealed anything that Amorim didn’t already know about his side, either. Instead, it has seemingly doubled down just how badly Manchester United need to show several names the door this summer. And the manager is reportedly ready to get ruthless.

Amorim ready for ruthless Man Utd clear out

According to GiveMeSport, Amorim is now ready to ditch Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana this summer in an attempt to make room and fund the arrival of a number of improvements. In all cases, convincing arguments can be made for exit, but three of those represent just how poorly Manchester United have recruited in recent years.

When it comes to Onana, Hojlund and Casemiro, it’s clear as to why they’re set to be shown the door. Onana, despite initially starting the current campaign strongly, has rediscovered bad habits between the sticks. Meanwhile, there remains little sign that Hojlund is set to burst into life almost two years on from a hefty £72m arrival.

Casemiro is an interesting one. The midfielder has been somewhat revived in recent months, becoming an important member of United’s side again amid reports Amorim texted Sir Jim Ratcliffe to praise the Brazilian. Given that he’s now 33 years old, though, he is not someone that the Red Devils should be relying on.

Whilst those three come as little shock, Shaw’s departure would likely surprise a few. Alas, one look at his salary and it becomes clear. A talented defender, but ultimately one that is never fit to showcase those talents, Manchester United must clear his £150,000-a-week from their wage bill this summer.