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Newcastle United have “begun discussions” with a Premier League “leader” over a move to St James’ Park this summer, according to a new transfer report.

Centre-back a priority for Newcastle this summer

The Magpies are eyeing new signings all over the pitch, from James Trafford in goal to Anthony Elanga out wide, but a new centre-back is vital before the new season gets underway.

A freshness is required in that area of the pitch, especially with the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn not getting any younger, and Marc Guehi is seemingly a front-runner to come in and bolster the options at Eddie Howe’s disposal. A £70m move to St James’ continues to be mooted.

The England international is far from the only defender being mentioned as an option for Newcastle, though, with Marseille ace Leonardo Balerdi linked with a summer switch to the Magpies.

Similarly, Atalanta central defender Giorgi Scalvini has also been toured as a potential signing for Howe before next season gets underway, and now another name has been thrown into the hat.

Newcastle in talks to sign Premier League "leader"

According to a fresh update from RMC Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle are among the clubs to have “begun discussions” with Axel Disasi over a summer move to the club.

The Magpies’ interest is described as being “particularly” strong, with the Chelsea defender valued at around £25.8m by his current club.

Disasi is another good option for Newcastle this summer, even though the jury may be out on him slightly more than someone like Guehi.

The Frenchman was deemed surplus to requirements by Chelsea last season, hence him being loaned out to Aston Villa midway through the campaign, but he is a player with plenty to admire in his game.

Appearances

7

Starts

5

Minutes played

488

Clearances per game

2.6

Aerial duel wins per game

1.1

Tackles per game

1.1

Pass completion rate

89.1%

Goals

0

The 27-year-old Disasi has won five caps for France, which is no mean feat, considering some of the elite centre-backs representing Les Bleus currently, including William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano. Meanwhile, journalist Nizaar Kinsella has hailed him as a “leader”, while Jamie Carragher lauded one performance from him last year.

Now back at Chelsea, it seems unlikely that he has a future there, with the above report stating that he has an “exit ticket” out of Stamford Bridge, and he could be a cheaper option than Guehi for Newcastle, albeit also being more of a gamble.

Newcastle likely to see £30m bid accepted to sign a Scalvini upgrade

Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his defence this summer at Newcastle United.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Jul 7, 2025

At 27, he is at a good point in his career to be an instant success, though, so the Magpies signing him would be far from a disaster.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has opened talks to sign a “commanding” defender, who’s now a top defensive target for the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Gunners set sights on new centre-back amid Saliba concerns

The Gunners’ centre-back partnership of Gabriel and William Saliba has received widespread acclaim over the past few seasons, with Jamie Carragher saying: “As a partnership, him and Gabriel is as good as anything in the Premier League.

“I think Saliba is the better player but Gabriel is the better leader, and Saliba needs to bring that to his game if he wants to get to the levels we talk about with Virgil van Dijk.

“Saliba needs Gabriel. Since Gabriel has come out of the team, that’s not the same Saliba I’m watching.”

Best ST since Auba: Arsenal agree personal terms for £67m "monster"

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign a new striker this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 31, 2025

It has recently been revealed the Brazilian defender is now in advanced talks over a new deal to remain at the Emirates Stadium, but with Real Madrid expressing an interest in Saliba, it could be a wise idea to bring in a new centre-back this summer.

According to a report from Football Transfers, that is exactly what the north Londoners are planning to do, having now moved ahead of Manchester United in the race for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.

Such is Arsenal’s level of interest in Leoni, he has now been identified as one of their top defensive targets for the summer transfer window, with sporting director Berta leading talks over a deal to bring the 18-year-old to north London.

Juventus and Inter Milan are also in the race for the teenager, who joined Parma in a deal amounting to €8m (£7m) last summer, which has proven to be a savvy investment, given that he has emerged as a key player for the Italian side.

"Commanding" Leoni impressing for Parma

At the start of the 2024-25 Serie A campaign, the centre-back found game time difficult to come by, but he managed to establish himself as a key player during the second half of the season, which is an impressive feat at such a young age.

Football scout Ben Mattinson has also been left impressed by the Italian defender, describing his aerial dominance and duel prowess as “commanding”, while also stating the youngster is “destined” to play for a top club.

Leoni is yet to prove himself over a sustained period of time, but his emergence as a first-team player at such a young age can only be a good sign, and the Parma ace could be a solid addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad.

That said, there are a number of other interesting young defenders on the shortlist for Arsenal, and Arteta may even decide against bringing in a new centre-back, given that Gabriel and Saliba are arguably almost undroppable when fit.

Target	Current club	Potential cost
Jorrel Hato	Ajax	£40m
Nathan Collins	Brentford	£23m
Cristhian Mosquera	Valencia	£17m

Everton beat Newcastle United at St. James’ Park to finish the 2024/25 Premier League campaign on a high, finishing 13th with 48 points.

Curiously, David Moyes has led the Toffees to their best league finish since 2020/21. We’re a far cry away from the woes of mid-season, when Sean Dyche was sacked with Goodison Park, in its final year, walking a tenuous line between safety and the drop zone.

The improvements have been vast. However, Everton still lack that certain something in attack. Indeed, only the relegated teams finished the term with paltrier goalscoring hauls.

A new striker is needed, and Moyes means to bring one in.

Top target urged to sign for Everton

talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino has urged Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap to sign for Everton this summer, and that’s in spite of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.

Transfer Focus

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

This follows a revelation from Fabrizio Romano relating to the ongoing transfer saga, with the journalist confirming Everton’s vested interest as they have presented their project to the 22-year-old, willing to meet the striker’s £30m release clause.

Cascarino believes Delap could get “lost in the system” at Chelsea or the Red Devils, whereas serving as Everton’s star man, and under Moyes’ wing at that, could be the right move at this stage of his career.

The talkSPORT pundit noted: “He fits a lot of clubs, but he needs to find the club he thinks is best for him. It’s not just, ‘I’ll go to Man United or Chelsea’. There’s something about me with Moyes… He still needs to work on a lot, so go to a manager who can help him become a better player. You can get lost in the system at Chelsea or Man United. We’ve seen younger players go to these clubs and find it really hard to settle, get into the team, and perform to what is expected of them.”

Why Everton should sign Liam Delap

Described as a “beast” of a number nine by his Ipswich teammate Jens Cajuste, former Manchester City academy star Delap has thrived in his first year in the Premier League.

Having scored 12 goals from 32 starting appearances for Kieran McKenna’s relegated side, he’s proved his worth, proved he has what it takes to succeed for a team competing higher up the table.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future is uncertain, at the end of his contract, but potentially penning a new deal, while Armando Broja will return to Chelsea after his unsuccessful loan spell.

Beto, at least, has made gains under Moyes’ wing, scoring seven goals from 18 Premier League fixtures since the Scotsman’s arrival, but he’s inconsistent.

It’s pretty clear Delap would be an upgrade, not only more clinical but bearing a physicality and combativeness to align with Moyes’ vision.

Matches (starts)

37 (32)

30 (15)

Goals

12

8

Assists

2

0

Shots (on target)*

1.8 (0.9)

1.6 (0.8)

Big chances missed

10

12

Touches*

22.2

20

Pass completion

62%

59%

Key passes*

0.6

0.4

Dribbles*

1.1

0.6

Duels won*

4.2

5.2

Delap might have produced a pretty shoddy pass completion rate in the Premier League this season, but then so has Beto. If anything, this indicates his ability to thrive in conditions which might settle in the Hill Dickinson Stadium next term.

He’s converting his chances more often than not, and he bears a willingness to get stuck in that has drawn plaudits for the muscular Beto.

Beto’s pace and piledriving movements also add a dimension for Moyes, but Delap is capable of bringing his own brand, maybe even surpassing the Bissau-Guinean’s ball-carrying ability.

As per FBref, Delap ranks among the top 13% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90.

While the Ipswich striker wouldn’t come cheap, there’s a reason why so many Premier League clubs want his signature this summer. This is an opportunity Everton cannot afford to let pass them by, for if he arrives, he will leap right over Beto into the first-choice spot.

Forget Alcaraz: Moyes may have found his new Fellaini in 8/10 Everton star

David Moyes could have his next Marouane Fellaini in this constantly improving Everton star.

ByKelan Sarson May 25, 2025

The former West Indies captain says that to understand racism, cricket needs an open conversation

Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi11-Jun-2020This week, Daren Sammy watched a video by the US stand-up comedian Hasan Minhaj. Halfway into the 12-minute video, Sammy heard Minhaj talk about how ” or “” is a word often used in the Indian subcontinent to describe a person of colour, and “not in a good way.” That prompted Sammy to jog his memory back to his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2013 and 2014. Sammy recollected some of his Sunrisers teammates nicknaming him and the Sri Lanka allrounder Thisara Perera .Disturbed, Sammy posted an Instagram video on June 8, wanting to know from those players whether there was any racist connotation to the nickname. Many, including those at Sunrisers and BCCI officials at the time, are asking why Sammy was talking about an issue that happened about six years ago.On Wednesday Sammy spoke to ESPNcricinfo to explain exactly why.Why did you feel it was important to talk about something that happened about six years ago?If you listen to my video, you’ll understand why now. Like I said I was watching a video by Hasan. In that video I learned that something I was being called had a different meaning, rather degrading meaning to it. So if I’m in the dressing room or I’m speaking to you six years ago, and you’re calling me a name or word which I thought had a different meaning to it, why should I bring it up when I was not aware? If you understand what I mean. I’ve heard BCCI and Sunrisers said there was no complaint. There couldn’t be a complaint if you are not aware what’s going on.It’s only because I listened to that video (of Minhaj), once he started describing the word being used to describe people of colour from these parts, once he said the word, I instantly remembered. Because it was my nickname for almost two seasons (at Sunrisers). Do you understand? But I did not see it at that time as anything degrading because I thought it meant they were calling me a strong stallion.So, no, I couldn’t speak about it then. It’s only because now I have information that I was being a called a word that was degrading, that’s why I am talking about it now. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned: every time you are talking about the right things, anytime is the right time.What was the meaning of that word described to you, then?I thought it meant a stallion. If you notice back in 2014 I sent a Happy Birthday tweet to VVS Laxman. I said: “Happy Birthday to you brother. Hope you have a great day.” And I started laughing. And I said, “remember dark kalu.” So I was saying: remember the dark stallion. So, imagine (now) you listening six years later and somebody from that culture telling you, “Hey, bro, this word has a degrading meaning to you because of the colour of your skin.” Then automatically you want to have a conversation.Like I said to the guys, let’s have a conversation about it. I don’t know what’s in people’s hearts. I challenge anybody to question my commitment to team building in all the dressing rooms I have played in.One of the guys (a 2013-14 Sunrisers teammate) has reached out to me and we are having a conversation about it. It’s someone I could bet still has a big poster of me and him hung up in his dressing room where I signed it and I said: “Brothers for life.” And I still mean that. But it doesn’t take away or change the fact that certain words that are being used could come across as degrading because of the colour of your skin. And whether you are my friend or I see you as a brother, we will or we should have the conversation about that.

“One of the guys (a 2013-2014 SRH teammate) has reached out to me and we are having a conversation about it. It’s someone I could bet still has a big poster of me and him hung up in his dressing room where I signed it and I said: ‘Brothers for life.’ But it doesn’t take away the fact that certain words that are being used could come across as degrading because of the colour of your skin.”DAREN SAMMY

I see this now as a(n) opportunity to educate instead of trying to pinpoint ‘this guy is a racist’. No, that’s what I’m about. And I clearly stated that, reach out to me, let’s discuss. Because I am always about moving forward. Just because it is a tough subject, or a tough conversation, I will not shy away. That’s not what Daren is.You think your [Sunrisers] teammates back then did not tell you the meaning of that word because it would have offended you?With the information that I know now I can’t say because apparently it means so many different things. From what I am learning now it has so many different meanings. I believe the way the dressing room was back in that IPL season, the unity that we had was what got us through to the play-offs. Everybody was talking about how strong and how united this team was. And I still feel that same away about it. That’s why I am saying it’s important to have that conversation to know what context in which you were calling (me by that word). Because I thought we were operating from brotherly love. And I believe that. But believing that and not have the conversation about the bigger picture is still going to be wrong. We have to educate people to stop using such words that could be offensive.So far one player has reached out to you?Yes, one player has reached out to me. And I’ve spoken to Tom Moody, the coach of that team. You have to look at the bigger picture. I always look for the positive that will come out of something. I think now with everything that is happening around the world it’s an opportunity to educate. And I’m not going to sit down here and say, ‘this guy is a racist.’ No, that’s not me. I am not in a position to do that. But what I could do is, use this platform and the conversations that me and these individuals may have, use it as an opportunity to shed light. I have heard so many other cricketers come out and talk about it. Yes, they have not experienced it, but they know, they are aware that it happens. And it’s a conversation, uncomfortable, but there’s a need for it to happen.ALSO READ: It’s time we South Asians understood that colourism is racismDid the person apologise?Aaah…not yet. I could be standing here and looking at one object. You are on the other side looking at it and we have two different views. Let me make this clear. You see this beautiful chocolate man you see here, I’m very comfortable in my skin. I refuse to allow any other person to make me mentally feel less than who I am. I am very proud of the skin that I am in. So whether I get an apology or not, it doesn’t change the mentality of how proud I am to be a black person, to be a black man. It doesn’t change.In hindsight, asking for apology I shouldn’t have even done that. If me and my team-mates have done something not intentionally, but now I realise that could be deemed or termed as something that could be hurtful to a team-mate of mine, I would instantly call that person and say: “hey bro, you know what, in spite of what is going on, I really didn’t mean in that sort of way. For what it’s worth I apologise even though I didn’t mean it in any way, shape or form. And it’s an opportunity now for us to all get together and educate because we all are leaders in our own right and when you lead people tend to follow.”

I’m please to say that I’ve had a really interesting conversation with one of the guys and we are looking at ways to educate rather than focusing on the negatives. My brother reassured me that he operated from a place of love and I believe him.

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) June 11, 2020

You mentioned you understand there are different meanings to the word especially in the subcontinent where it is at times used endearingly. But defining a person using his colour is racial you feel?Anything that is done to someone because of the colour of their skin and it is not meant to be in a positive way I think it shouldn’t be done. For instance, when you see a tall person you say, tall man, what’s up. That is based on your height. Once you start racially profiling people and it comes because of the colour of their skin, this person is better than you because he is fairer or because he is darker then it becomes an issue. My thing is to educate now that let’s not do it. See everybody, whether they be red, black, yellow, white, as a human being. That’s the movement for equality and justice especially against people of colour because they have been subject to racial slurs, God knows for how long.Talking on a podcast on BBC this week, England’s rugby player Mario Itoje and some of his teammates were discussing racism in their sport. They talked about how black players are asked to take it as part of banter. It is the black man’s responsibility to treat words with a sense of humour, they were told. Do you understand?I understand, but I don’t agree to that. Why must my people endure 400 years of slavery and still have to adapt? Why is it always the people of colour that have to adapt to oppression? Why is it the people of colour that always have to do something different? Why can’t the other side change and see us differently? And just not do it. So, no, you cannot use something that is degrading to the colour of my skin and tell me to take it as banter. I will never agree to that.’I believed we were operating from brotherly love. I still believe that. That’s why it’s important to have a conversation’ – Daren Sammy on his time with Sunrisers Hyderabad•BCCIAnd this is the message that you are trying to send to your past teammates?The message, to me, is simple. If I am operating from a place of love and I know within my heart this is what I’m doing, I’m okay with that. But if from operating in that space is still being hurtful to somebody else because of the colour of the skin and what I’m saying, then part of the love is diminished as well, whether you see it that way or not. You should now acknowledge that you shouldn’t do it.Is there casual racism in cricket?Look, until I was made aware of certain things like what the meaning (of that word) was I could have proudly sat here in this chair and said I have not experienced anything like that. Because you have to understand, as sportsmen when we go out and play, you focus on the game. There’s no time to think about maybe this guy said something, oh, this could be racist. But I know of situations where players have been subject to such: recently in New Zealand, Jofra Archer was subject to such (a) thing. I have had players in my team who have experienced such things.Going forward, the same emphasis the ICC has placed on anti-corruption, where you bring awareness to the subject to the point that the youngest player coming in before any tournament has been educated about that, the same set of effort should be put towards anti-racism. That will be a step in the right direction.In the 2013 and 2014 IPLs, was there a rule or policy in place to deal with racism?We have always had the anti-racism in the code of conduct of the ICC. You hear it every time it has been recited. But to make it a subject of discussion – like match-fixing and all these things are a subject that is given special attention. If you go waaayyy back I think about my West Indies team. I watched , I see what my players had to endure and you think about Australia with Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, these guys were quick, causing terror around the world. I didn’t see the MCC or the ICC changing the rules, trying to limit them to 2 bouncers or something like that. But the moment a team of colour, which was the West Indies, started dominating, “Oh, they are gonna make us grovel.” “Oh, these guys are criminals. They are bowling to kill people.”But when the other teams were doing it and guys getting broken fingers I didn’t hear all these chants. But the moment the West Indies started to rise and dominate the world you saw the system trying to limit how successful we could be with the resources that we had. So if you go back, there’s a history of things being said or done to people of colour to try to keep us down. And I’m saying let’s address that. There’s a bigger picture to what is happening.Just like George Floyd been murdered and the world witnessed it and the uprising and the movement that it has caused is the bigger picture. Right now people of colour, the minorities, feel for once they could say something and be heard.So your point is create a forum, create something where you have a discussion in cricket (on racism)?Yes. And after discussion they must have action. Discussion without action is still just discussion. Action should be taken to eradicate such a thing and educate people.Is there also an issue where among players there’s not much discussion between themselves (on racism). Because if you have an open discussion then there’s more understanding of what one feels, right?You have to understand it’s an uncomfortable subject. Just imagine me talking to a white person, who has never really been profiled because of the colour of their skin. Some of them probably don’t even understand what’s really going on. Some people are even afraid to say ‘Black Lives Matter’. But with awareness and something that is being discussed slowly, people will be more comfortable. It has to start from the top in putting the measures in place, implanting it, so that it filters downs to the roots.Chris Gayle has come out and supported you. Have you had a word with your Caribbean teammates on this subject?Not everybody is brave enough to challenge certain people because that is where your bread is coming from. It is not easy to challenge people of power. Sometimes you are afraid of the backlash, you are afraid of what could happen next. But that’s them. That’s not me. I have always stood up for what I believe in no matter who it is. That’s how I was raised.If you had known the meaning of the word in 2013-14, would you have had made the same comments you have just made?Of course, I would. 2013 I was the leader, man. I was captain of the West Indies team. I was the leader in that dressing room. We just had won a [T20] World Cup in September [2012]. My leadership was growing. Maybe it would not have been as powerful as it is now because of what is happening in the world, but I would definitely speak about it.

“No, you cannot use something that is degrading to the colour of my skin for me to take it as banter. I will never agree to that.”DAREN SAMMY

So you are not being opportunistic as some people perceive?People are also entitled to their opinion. The only thing I have to do is listen to you. It doesn’t define who I am. But there’s no wrong time to talk about the truth. Is anybody denying that I was being called such a thing? I am not mad. I am angry that the word has another meaning to it, but if I reflect on the memories I had, it is one of the best times I had in a dressing room.Possibly you were not curious to know the meaning of the word back then?No, I knew. I knew the meaning. For me it meant strong stallion. That’s what I understood it meant. So there was no reason for me to go back and say it was a racial or a degrading thing.So did you not get the same feeling when last year, Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed was sanctioned by the ICC for calling South African allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo by the same word?I heard Sarfaraz used (a) racial slur, but I did not really dive into the story. I saw it pop up, but I did not get into the details. I wasn’t aware it was that word he used back then. But I know he issued an apology right after. That in itself is why I am having this conversation – whether you didn’t mean it in any way like that we need to stop. That is why I want to have a conversation with the people who used it in the dressing room. Let’s stop it for us to avoid situations like what Sarfaraz did thinking it was innocent. If it could mean anything that could be taken as degrading or insulting, you don’t use it. Full stop.England and Liverpool player Raheem Sterling said a task force should be created in football to deal with racism. Do you think cricket should have a similar task force?Just like there is a task force for anti-corruption there should be the same energy put towards racism. But you have to understand why is it there is so much attention paid to anti-corruption? Because it diminishes the cricket game. But now racism is personal. And it is uncomfortable. I think yeah they should have something put in place to ensure that the education starts.Finally, Daren Sammy is not being opportunistic. He is not being an activist for black cricketers. What he is trying to do by coming out and talking, opening up a discussion forum which is very important in cricket?There is no special time to speak about the truth or the issues. I could care less what they think about me, but it’s a conversation, it’s an issue that is within the game that has to be addressed. Whether you say I am an activist for black people, why not. Who has been speaking on our behalf?Like I mentioned, we dominated the world for 17 years and within that period look at the laws that have changed in cricket. Who has been our voice? Right now West Indies is in England, among all the coronavirus, helping. We are compassionate people. Where is the compassion shown towards us? I am just speaking about my experience and how I think the cricket world could be better. If that’s wrong, then I am okay with that.

A Champions League club are now “pushing hard” to sign a Sunderland star “immediately”, with a bid currently in the works, according to Sky Sports reporter Patrick Berger.

Wembley trip on the horizon for the Black Cats

The Black Cats didn’t exactly finish the Championship campaign in ideal fashion, losing their final five games, but they have managed to turn on the style when it matters, booking their spot at Wembley for the play-off final with a dramatic victory against Coventry City.

However, Regis Le Bris isn’t content with simply reaching the final, with the manager insisting his side must get the job done, saying: “Our focus is now fully on the final. It’s really clear — this is the main objective of the season.

“We have to take the final step. It will be tough, but we must put the work in now to make sure we’re ready.”

The importance of Sunderland restoring their Premier League status cannot be understated, not least because they could have a battle trying to keep hold of their key players beyond the summer, should they fail to return to the top flight.

In fact, in an update on X, Berger has now revealed that Borussia Dortmund are “pushing hard” to sign Jobe Bellingham “immediately”, with the German club keen to sign the midfielder prior to this summer’s Club World Cup.

An offer is currently being prepared, which Dortmund are planning to submit after Saturday’s play-off final, although they are yet to reach an agreement with Bellingham on personal terms, and they don’t believe they are in pole position for the youngster.

Should the Black Cats be willing to sanction a departure this summer, they would be looking to receive a fee of €25m – €30m (£21m – £25m).

Black Cats could struggle to keep hold of Bellingham even if they go up

It could be a very difficult task for Le Bris’ side to keep hold of the 19-year-old beyond the summer, given that a number of other English clubs are also in the race for his signature, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.

The hope will be that the teenager is tempted to test himself in the Premier League, should Sunderland prevail against Sheffield United, but the opportunity to play in the Champions League could be tempting, with Dortmund recently securing qualification for next season’s competition.

Sunderland now want to sign 26 y/o defender who has just been relegated

He is expected to leave his current club.

ByHenry Jackson May 20, 2025

In truth, news of Dortmund’s increased interest is an unwanted distraction ahead of the play-off final, and full focus must remain on Saturday’s game, which could be pivotal in terms of Sunderland’s future trajectory.

The Championship play-off final has become known as the ‘richest game in football’, and this year’s edition is set to be the most lucrative to date, with the winners set to receive a minimum of £220m in extra income next season.

GOAL US presents CWC XI: Key observations from the conclusion of the group stage, and a look ahead to the knockouts

You'd be forgiven for being a bit blurry-eyed during the second week of the Club World Cup. Major tournaments – yes, we're calling this a major tournament now – sometimes get like that. There's a bit of a mid-group tedium. Results sort of matter, sort of don't.

Everyone is basically waiting for the last matchday. And it delivered. The final games of the group stage properly ironed things out. The pretenders are all gone, while the real teams with real quality showed that they really want to win.

Mostly, though, this was charmingly about football heritage, with the names that you grew up watching or playing FIFA with showing they can still kick a ball a bit. Does the world still need Sergio Ramos, 39, kicking the living daylights out of strikers? TBD. But it sure is loads of fun to watch him do it for a Mexican side in 100-degree weather.

Elsewhere, Pep Guardiola realized he can coach a team to play very good football again, and Xabi Alonso is doing some tactically groovy things with Real Madrid.

GOAL US presents theClub World Cup XI, with key observations at the conclusion of the group stage.

• AFP
  

  1These guys are still playing?

  Isn't it lovely, watching the old lads kick a ball just a little longer? Sergio Ramos is nearly 40, and his time at the top is well over. Angel Di Maria convinced everyone that he was going to leave Benfica, but then decided by himself that he fancied one last summer. Luis Suarez, Luka Modric, Thomas Muller – they're all still here in the Club World Cup, doing their thing.

  And they have all made an impact. Ramos is still a madman who likes to crunch attackers for fun. Di Maria can still do silly things with a football. Suarez – more on him later – still has moments of magic. Meanwhile, Modric and Muller remain magnificent, aging with such grace.

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• Imago
  

  2Luis Suarez has (maybe) still got it!

  Those who religiously watch MLS every week will tell you that Suarez isn't the player he once was. Watching him now actually physically hurts knees. He cannot move like he used to. But every now and then, he does something magical. He scored a vintage goal for Miami against Palmeiras to round off the group stage, and kept the Herons in the tournament – the only MLS club to make that claim – with one characteristic moment of ricocheting genius.

• Reprodução/Man City
  

  3Man City are scary again

  Who among us really doubted that Man City would figure this out? Give Pep Guardiola a ton of cash and he will do something scary with it. City have toyed with their lineup this tournament, and spent a fair bit of time at the beach, too (turns out Guardiola still has a decent first touch).

  But they've also been devastatingly good at football, something they proved with an absolute shellacking of Juventus on Thursday night. Rodri is back, Omar Marmoush looks good, Erling Haaland kick ball good, and Phil Foden is humming again. Football is probably more boring when City are good. Get ready for a Premier League snoozefest.

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  4I wanna play the beautiful game out in Brazil

  Everyone suggested that South American teams would be good at the CWC. But who actually truly believed it? Sure, the trendy guys and European vets spit out platitudes about "no easy games" and "treating everyone with respect." But these lot weren't supposed to be beating PSG and topping groups.

  Plot twist: they're all here – and all four are really rather good. You'd back Flamengo against Bayern, while Fluminense have a real shot against Inter, too. It would be wonderful to have a Brazilian team in the semis, and that could quite comfortably be a reality now. Take that, Eurosnobs.

Since taking the job as Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has made his fair share of dire signings.

The likes of Pablo Mari, Willian, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira are some examples of players who either failed to live up to expectations or were just poor when they played.

However, for all the bad, Arteta has also overseen plenty of sensational signings, with Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and David Raya and perhaps the best of the lot, Declan Rice, joining the club under his stewardship.

The former West Ham United captain has been sensational for the Gunners since his club-record move in the summer of 2023, and now it would probably be fair to say one of the manager’s signings from last summer has proven to be his best since the Englishman.

How Arsenal's summer signings are getting on

So, it would be fair to say that overall, the campaign has been a mixed one for the signings made last summer, so before we get to the player in question, it’s worth going over how the others have fared, starting with the worst of the lot: Raheem Sterling.

The Kingston-born star joined the club on a season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day, and while he told the fans they would “see the best” of him, the complete opposite has been true so far.

For example, in 24 appearances, the former Manchester City monster has scored just a single goal, which came against League One Bolton Wanderers, and provided five assists, meaning he’s averaging a goal involvement every four games.

Appearances

13

6

1

4

Minutes

352′

297′

80′

270′

Goals

0

0

0

1

Assists

2

2

0

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.15

0.33

0.00

0.50

Minutes per Goal Involvement

176′

148.5′

N/A

135′

It’s been a more positive year for fellow summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, who joined the club from Bologna for around £42m, as when he’s played, he’s looked good and has an impressive tally – for a defender – of three goals and two assists in 26 appearances so far.

However, there has been one significant problem, which is his fitness.

So far, the Roma-born international has missed a whopping 24 games for club and country thanks to three knee injuries, one muscle injury and one calf injury, allowing Myles Lewis-Skelly to come in and make the left-back position his own.

Aside from David Raya, who initially joined the club on loan in 2023, and Neto, who barely played, there was one more senior signing made in the summer, a signing that might be Arteta’s best since Rice.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Arsenal's best signing since Rice

So, with all the other signings from last summer covered above, it should be no surprise that Mikel Merino is the addition in question.

The Spanish international joined Arsenal for around £31.6m in late August after what felt like a particularly protracted transfer saga, but things did not start out well.

In cosmically poor luck, the European champion fractured his shoulder in his first training session with the club and remained out of action until the Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on the first of October.

Unfortunately, his luck didn’t improve much over the coming months as he struggled to assert himself in the team and, as a result, found himself constantly in and out of the starting lineup, which understandably made it hard for him to establish any sort of rhythm or consistency.

However, things took a turn for the unexpected in February, as injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left the Gunners without a recognized number nine, so after a rather paltry first 70 minutes of goalless action away to Leicester City, the Spaniard was thrown on to lead the line.

Somehow, even though he had admitted to never playing there before, the former Real Sociedad ace looked right at home, scoring a brilliant header and then slotting home another to secure the North Londoners all three points.

Since then, the 28-year-old “mentality monster,” as dubbed by podcaster Matt Kendala, has scored another four goals to add to his two assists, and following his exceptional strike against Real Madrid, it’s hard to imagine that the club are still officially without a fit centre-forward in the team.

The Pamplona-born game-changer has been hearing his song sung by the fans more and more in recent weeks, and if he keeps on producing in the way he is, Kendala’s claim that he’s “approaching cult status” will undoubtedly be proven correct.

Ultimately, while he’s not on the same level as the Englishman, it would be hard to deny that, thanks to his performances of late, Merino is unquestionably Arteta’s best signing since Rice in 2023.

He's like Saka & Yamal: Arsenal in talks to sign "world-class" £39m star

The incredible winger would bring so much experience and quality to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 15, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da fazobetai： Com gols dos atacantes Matheus Nascimento e Janderson, o Botafogo venceu o Ypiranga por 2 a 0 no Nilton Santos e se classificou para as oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. Depois do jogo, Lucas Perri fez uma avaliação da atuação da equipe alvinegra na noite desta quinta-feira. Assista ao vídeo acima.

+Corinthians tenta convencer Tite, Cuéllar na mira de gigante brasileiro… O Dia do Mercado!

– É uma vitória muito importante, que demonstrou ainda mais a força do nosso grupo. Não são só os titulares que podem entrar e performar. Os jogadores que não vinham sendo muito utilizados, conseguiram jogar bem e garantir essa classificação – declarou Perri.

– A gente vem numa sequência muito boa. São 11 jogos de invencibilidade depois de um período bem difícil. É claro que isso dá muita confiança para nós. Hoje conseguimos fechar um trabalho que começamos lá em Erechim – completou.

+Ao L!, Lucas Perri revela preparação para defender pênaltis, celebra atual momento e mira títulos pelo Botafogo

Botafogo e Flamengo se enfrentam no próximo domingo (30/04), às 16h, no Maracanã, pela terceira rodada do Brasileirão. O time de Luís Castro vai em busca da sexta vitória consecutiva na temporada. Saiba como comprar ingressos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBotafogoMatheus Nascimento celebra gol em vitória e garante: ‘Estou aqui para guerrear pelo Botafogo’Botafogo27/04/2023BotafogoLuís Castro exalta atuação do Botafogo após vitória na Copa do Brasil: ‘Não cedemos chances ao adversário’Botafogo27/04/2023BotafogoBotafogo alcança quantia milionária com classificação para oitavas de final da Copa do BrasilBotafogo26/04/2023

A closer look at how Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes have built up to the 2017-18 season of the BBL

Alex Malcolm17-Dec-20171:42

The Perth Scorchers tell us why they’re so good

Perth Scorchers

What you need to knowLast year’s champions, and the league’s most successful franchise with three titles from six editions, have a very similar squad to last season. But Justin Langer’s group faces some challenges on a number of fronts. Firstly, the top order has been compromised by national service for the first half of the tournament at least. Shaun Marsh, Cameron Bancroft and Mitchell Marsh would all ordinarily occupy roles in the top six and Bancroft would likely keep wicket due to the long-term injury to Sam Whiteman, who also filled an important opening role in the final last season.Ian Bell hasn’t returned and the Scorchers will need to experiment around their veteran opener Michael Klinger. Josh Inglis will take the gloves and has the talent and temperament to open but he is set to be shifted around the order depending on the needs of the side. England International David Willey is a viable option while the Test matches are still going. He opened the batting to great effect in the Scorchers’ practice match at Optus Stadium against the England Lions and has had great success in the role for Northants prior to moving to Yorkshire. He will also form part of a formidable attack if all are fit and firing.But question marks surround the fitness of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff, who opened the bowling together in Australia’s last T20I. Coulter-Nile is edging closer to a return from a hot spot in his back but Behrendorff is still resting a similar injury and his return date is unknown.Key playerKlinger remains the key man for the Scorchers. Their attack, no matter the composition, will always be able to blow away top orders, particularly at the WACA. But Klinger’s skill and adaptability on all surfaces, both setting totals and chasing, is pivotal to the Scorchers’ ability to compile winning scores.ChancesThe Scorchers are likely to be right there at the business end again. They have never finished worse than third and have made the final in five out of six seasons. They are so hard to beat at the WACA and should find enough away wins to qualify for the knockouts. They have the experience and the talent to go back-to-back.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Brisbane Heat

What you need to knowThe Heat were the surprise packet of last year’s tournament and went within a Super Over of playing the final. Brendon McCullum is a proven winner and he is sure to sprinkle some of his magic over the Heat again after winning the Bangladesh Premier League only a week ago playing for the Rangpur Riders alongside Chris Gayle.McCullum is in good nick as well, coming off 78 in the semi-final and 51 not out in the final. He and Chris Lynn form the backbone of the batting. Lynn appears healthy after forgoing first-class cricket to rehabilitate his long-term shoulder injury. He is learning to throw with his opposite arm to reduce risk of further damage. The danger for the Heat is that if the “Bash Brothers” misfire on the same night, the batting depth isn’t quite as potent as some of the other line-ups.There has been a shift in philosophy from a bowling perspective. Coach Daniel Vettori clearly sees value in legspin at the Gabba and in the BBL in general, adding the young Pakistan wristspinner Shadab Khan to the roster alongside the highly regarded Queensland youngster Mitchell Swepson. They have also signed the experienced Test legspinner Yasir Shah as a replacement player for Shadab, who is likely to be called up to Pakistan’s limited-overs squads for their January tour of New Zealand.Key playerInstinctively it would be Lynn who holds the key to the Heat’s chances but McCullum‘s value goes beyond just his power-hitting. His leadership and tactical nous are two intangibles for this team as they were when he led New Zealand in international cricket. He has an incredible knack of getting the very best out of his players and his group as a collective. He reads the game as well as, if not better than, any other captain in the tournament. Good captaincy in T20 cricket can have a greater impact than in almost any other format although more luck is probably required than the longer forms of the game.ChancesThe Heat have won the tournament previously, coming from fourth to beat the Scorchers at the WACA in the 2012-13 final. But outside of last year’s semi-final heartbreak they have not had a major impact in the other four editions. On paper the squad does not look as strong as others, but McCullum and Vettori bring experience in getting their teams to punch above their weight.Getty Images

Adelaide Strikers

What you need to knowJason Gillespie and the Strikers management have opted for a complete overhaul of their squad and the result is they have a lot of young talent but not a lot of experience. They have lost their two highest run-scorers from last season in Ben Dunk and Brad Hodge, and signed Jonathan Wells (Hurricanes) and the South African Colin Ingram in their place.The bulk of the run-scoring will need to be done by the South Australian trio of Travis Head, Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey. Weatherald and Carey provided a lethal combination for the Redbacks in the JLT One-Day Cup, Australia’s domestic 50-over competition, but the BBL is a different beast. Carey is not as experienced in T20 batting but has the talent to be a replacement for Dunk.Peter Siddle brings some experience with the ball, while the speed of Billy Stanlake and the smarts of Ben Laughlin and Michael Neser give the Strikers the basis of a good attack at the Adelaide Oval. The Afghanistan wristspinner Rashid Khan could be an X-factor. Adil Rashid and Ish Sodhi have both bowled well previously for the Strikers. Rashid and the young West Australian legspinner Liam O’Connor will have roles to play.Key playerWeatherald needs to have a tournament like Ben Dunk did last season and he’s capable of doing it. He is powerful stroke-maker off both feet but also has developed his batting craft in all formats. The left-hander has been in red-hot form in domestic cricket this season and a big tournament would not only give the Strikers a chance, but also put him right in the frame to play for Australia.ChancesOn paper the Strikers look like one of the weaker squads in the BBL mainly due to inexperience rather than lack of talent. The BBL winners in previous seasons have proven that experience counts for a great deal in the big moments. They will need some of their young talent to step up to avoid this season being a development year.Getty Images

Hobart Hurricanes

What you need to knowThe Hurricanes have not made the BBL final since the 2013-14 season but Tasmanian cricket has made some big changes during the winter, one of which was to acquire Gary Kirsten as the new coach. The Hurricanes have assembled a unique squad that has produced some impressive results during the warm-up matches.The loss of Tim Paine to Test-match duty forced a late trade with the Renegades for wicketkeeper Matthew Wade. But Paine’s dual role as an opener also requires filling. The addition of Alex Doolan has almost gone unnoticed given his relatively poor T20 record, but he enters the tournament in good form having put together two quick-fire 50-plus opening stands with D’Arcy Short in the practice matches.George Bailey, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott and Daniel Christian look like a solid and versatile middle-order combination. They appear to be thin on power-hitting in the lower order, but what they lack in pyrotechnics with the bat they more than make up for with electric pace with the ball.Tymal Mills, Jofra Archer and Aaron Summers can all crank it up to above 140kph and they made a mess of the Stars top order in the last practice match. Cameron Boyce’s legspin, Clive Rose’s left-arm orthodox and Short’s left-arm wristspin also give the attack good variety.Key playerD’Arcy Short turned heads last season with a couple of scintillating displays out of the blue. He could be a match-winner for the Hurricanes. He is an unorthodox left-hander who stays leg-side of the ball and hits powerfully through and over the off side and he’s an excellent player against pace and short-pitched bowling. But with some maturity has come some craft and he now knows how to slip up and down the gears depending on the situation. His left-arm wristspin is also a handy asset for George Bailey.ChancesNot many will look at the Hurricanes on paper and see a tournament contender but on evidence of their performances in the practice matches they look a force to be reckoned with after handling the Sixers and Stars with ease. The only weak spot is batting depth but their attack could win games on their own. They will be a great team to watch this tournament.

Jude Bellingham dropped a comment on girlfriend Ashlyn Castro's Instagram post as she ended her social media hiatus.

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• Bellingham reacted to Castro's Instagram post
• Castro ended her social media hiatus
• The couple were spotted partying in Ibiza at the end of the season

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bellingham's girlfriend, Castro, ended her three-month-long social media hiatus as she shared a photograph of herself in a green dress on Instagram and wrote in the caption, "Long time no see". The Real Madrid star was quick to respond to the post as he dropped a 'green heart' emoji in the comments.

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  THE GOSSIP

  After a long season for club and country, Bellingham was pictured parting with Castro at O Beach in Ibiza, which is owned by Gary Lineker's brother Wayne. The couple were later joined by the Los Blancos midfielder's younger brother, Jobe.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Bellingham's relationship with 27-year-old American model and influencer Castro went public in January 2025 when the couple were spotted dining in Madrid.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JUDE BELLINGHAM?

  The 21-year-old English midfielder is all set to miss the start of the 2025-26 campaign after being pencilled in for surgery on a shoulder problem. The Athletic reported that Madrid have decided that Bellingham will go under the knife after the Club World Cup to fix a persistent shoulder problem that has existed since 2023.