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Manchester United are about to receive an offer for one of their players, but it is expected to be way below their asking price, according to a new report.

Man Utd looking to sign attackers this summer

As the season continues, it is quite clear that the Red Devils need to improve their forward line, as a lack of goals and a cutting edge is really costing the Premier League side. Rasmus Hojlund continues to lead the line for United, but the Denmark international is struggling a lot in front of goal, and his performances under Ruben Amorim have been nothing to shout about.

Amorim now personally pushing Man Utd chiefs to sign "exciting" £66m winger

United are among several teams interested in a young winger and Amorim is the driving force behind that interest.

ByBrett Worthington Mar 3, 2025

Therefore, a move away could be on the cards, and it was reported over the weekend that United are preparing a £33 million offer to sign Victor Osimhen, which includes Hojlund moving in the opposite direction. Napoli were interested in signing Hojlund before he moved to Old Trafford, and the Red Devils will be hoping that the interest remains despite his struggles in Manchester.

As well as signing a new number nine, United are also looking at a new number 10, and Amorim is pushing the club to sign Francisco Trincao from Sporting CP. Amorim has worked with the player before, and he is now keen to reunite with the attacker, as he fits into his system with his versatility and high intensity. However, they are not alone in their pursuit, as Manchester City are also keen, and FC Barcelona are also keeping an eye on the situation.

Man Utd braced for £16m offer for Antony with talks planned over sale

For United to bring in these attacking players, there are going to have to be a few departures, and one player who is expected to leave in the summer is winger Antony. Now, according to Stretty News, Man United are expected to receive an offer for Antony from Real Betis which is far below their asking price.

The Brazilian is currently enjoying an extremely successful loan at the Spanish side after joining in January, and despite there still being a few months of the campaign left to play, Betis are ready to make his move to the club into a permanent switch.

The report claims that Betis are planning to open talks with United over a permanent deal but are looking to halve the asking price in those talks, as they are willing to make a bid between €20m and €25m (£16-20 million).

However, United are looking to get between €40m-50m (£33-41 million) for the Brazilian – INEOS believe they can get that much for Antony because while he has struggled in England he has excelled in Spain, scoring two goals and grabbing two assists in five La Liga games.

Apps

7

Goals

3

Assists

2

Antony is under contract at Old Trafford until 2027, but given Amorim allowed him to leave on loan, it means it is likely he doesn’t feature in his plans going forward, and therefore, a sale could well go through if they can meet a middle ground on price in the coming months.

India bowler available for five matches in June and July

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2023Arshdeep Singh, India’s left-arm swing bowler, has agreed to play five County Championship matches for Kent.Subject to approval, Arshdeep will be available for home fixtures against Surrey and Warwickshire as well as travelling to Northamptonshire, Essex and Nottinghamshire in the LV= Insurance County Championship in June and July.Arshdeep enjoyed a breakout season for Punjab Kings in IPL 2022, becoming their go-to bowler in the death overs and ultimately taking 10 wickets from 14 games at an economy rate of 7.70.The 24-year-old Arshdeep made his T20I debut in England last July. He played all three of his ODIs to date in New Zealand in November and now has 29 international appearances for India, for whom he was a standout performer at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. In seven career first-class matches to date, he has taken 25 wickets at an average of 23.84 and economy rate of 2.92.Related

Kent sign Wes Agar for four Championship matches

County ins and outs 2022-23

Arshdeep said he had heard good things about Kent from Rahul Dravid, India’s current men’s head coach who played for the club in 2000.”I am excited to play red-ball cricket in England and continue to improve my skills in the first-class game,” Arshdeep said. “Rahul Dravid has already told me it is a club with a great history.”He joins Kane Richardson, the Australia pace bowler who will play in the Vitality Blast, and South African spin-bowling allrounder George Linde, who is in the second half of his two-year deal as an all-format player, as overseas players confirmed for the county so far.Paul Downton, Kent’s director of cricket, said: “We’re delighted to have a player of Arshdeep’s potential join us for five matches this summer. He has demonstrated that he has world-class skills with the white ball, and I am very confident he will be able to put those skills to good use with the red ball in the County Championship.”

Glasgow Rangers’ hopes of winning domestic silverware ended on Sunday afternoon as Queen’s Park delivered a stunning upset to knock the Ibrox side out of the Scottish Cup.

The result is arguably one of the worst in the club’s illustrious history, right up there with the defeat to Berwick in 1967 and Hamilton in 1987, both early exits in the Scottish Cup.

Given the disparity between squads and the fact Rangers were playing at home, everything pointed to a routine home win. Philippe Clement even gave a first start to Bailey Rice, the brightest prospect to emerge from the academy in quite some time.

Surprisingly, the tie was evenly poised heading into the final 20 minutes as the Light Blues were labouring. Queen’s Park secured a corner from which Seb Drozd scored a sublime goal to open the scoring for the Glasgow side.

With just minutes left on the clock, the Gers were awarded a penalty after Cyriel Dessers was pushed in the box. The pressure rested on James Tavernier to slot the ball home and send the tie to extra time.

Goalkeeper Calum Ferrie produced a fine stop to deny the captain and the Ibrox side couldn’t score from the resulting corner, slipping to a 1-0 defeat.

This defeat surely settles Clement’s future, as a manager with no credit in the bank won’t be able to survive a loss like this.

It shouldn’t just be the manager who is on their last legs, however, especially as Tavernier delivered a soulless performance which proves exactly why he should be moved on at the first available opportunity.

Why James Tavernier must leave Rangers

Tavernier’s 268 goal contributions – 129 goals and 139 assists – across 496 matches for the Gers is a wonderful record, no doubt about that.

With regards to trophies won, however, his record is fairly dismal. Since joining the club in the summer of 2015, Tavernier has won just three major honours; the 2020/21 Premiership crown, the 2022 Scottish Cup and the 2023 League Cup.

James Tavernier’s Rangers’ stats
Season	Games	Goals	Assists
2023/24	58	24	12
2022/23	55	18	10
2021/22	58	18	17
2020/21	46	19	16
2019/20	46	3	16
2018/19	57	17	20
2017/18	46	9	9
2016/17	44	2	7
2015/16	50	15	23
Via Transfermarkt

Celtic have been utterly dominant during this period and Tavernier has hid under the pressure, especially when the Gers are on the cusp of something special. Take last season for example. The Light Blues had clawed ground back on Celtic in the title race, they blew it by losing against Motherwell and Ross County, allowing the Parkhead side to surge ahead once again.

The less said about the current campaign the better. With the loss to Queen’s Park, Rangers’ domestic season is over, and it is only the start of February.

While his penalty miss will be the main topic of discussion, his performance against the second-tier outfit was terrible, lacking any sort of desire or dynamism. More importantly, it lacked heart.

Glasgow World journalist Ben Banks gave Tavernier a match rating of 2/10 for his display against the Spiders, explaining that the defender ‘couldn’t clear the ball on the line and failed to offer much of an attacking threat. Couldn’t lead his team out of a crisis then missed a penalty’.

Chalkboard

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

Rangers' other biggest underperformer against Queen's Park

It wasn’t just the Englishman who failed to deliver during the game. Nedim Bajrami has come under some criticism of late due to a host of underwhelming displays.

Clement unleashed the Albanian against Queen’s Park and many expected him to bounce back with a solid performance. Unfortunately, he was one of the worst players on the pitch.

The 25-year-old looked like an inspired signing when Clement paid £3.4m to secure his signature from Italian side Sassuolo.

Since then, Bajrami has played 33 games for the Light Blues, registering eight assists – four goals and four assists – during that time.

He has demonstrated a glimpse of his talents over the previous few months. A goal against Malmö on his European debut appeared to show that Bajrami would be a great addition to the squad.

The attacking midfielder also scored the winner against Motherwell in the League Cup semi-final back in November, but since then, he has largely been ineffective.

Stevie Clifford, who runs Four Lads Had a Dream, criticised the Albanian last month regarding his recent poor displays, saying:

Deployed on the left wing against the Championship side, Bajrami failed to link up well with Ianis Hagi, who operated in a more advanced role, or Hamza Igamane, during the match.

He was so poor that Clement subbed him at half-time, bringing on Dessers in his place.

Banks also gave him a match rating of 2/10 for his insipid performance at Ibrox stating that he was ‘found seriously wanting and not for the first time. Subbed at half-time after no impact’.

The next few months will be crucial if he wishes to extend his spell at Rangers beyond the summer. It is highly unlikely that Clement will still be in charge by that point, so much will depend on whether the new manager sees Bajrami as part of his plans.

A summer clear-out is required, no doubt about that. Tavernier and Bajrami could well be the top two players on the list that supporters will be keen to see leave Glasgow.

What next for Rangers? In the aftermath of arguably the worst result in the club’s recent history, Patrick Stewart and the board have some big questions that need to be answered.

The supporters won’t be happy until Clement leaves. He can take Tavernier and Bajrami with him, too.

As bad as Tavernier: 2/10 flop just ended Rangers' chance of a trophy

The Glasgow Rangers flop was just as bad as James Tavernier against Queen’s Park.

By
Dan Emery

Feb 9, 2025

RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko has a "performance-based release clause" in his current contract which means the better he plays, the more he will cost.

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Sesko has enjoyed prolific season with RB LeipzigWanted by Premier League clubsClause in his contract means price has gone upFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Sesko has enjoyed a prolific campaign in the Bundesliga which has led to speculation he could move on in the summer. According to Sky Germany, Sesko's performance-related release clause means that he is currently valued at over €80 million (£68m/$90m). However, an exit is also possible without the release clause being activated. If that were to happens, Leipzig would likely demand a higher fee and a different payment structure. The report suggests clubs could be asked for €75m (£64m/$85m) up front and an additional €15m (£13m/$17m in add-ons, making a total cost of €90m (£76m/$101m)

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Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have all been credited with an interest in Sesko as the clubs seek to bolster their attacking options before the start of the 2025-26 season. Sesko has scored 21 times and contributed six assists in all competitions this season for Leipzig, an impressive record in what's been an underwhelming season for the Bundesliga side. The striker is also still only 21, meaning there is likely to be much more still to come from the Slovenia international.

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Champions Bayern Munich have conceded just two goals in the first 15 minutes of this Bundesliga season – both were scored by Sesko for RB Leipzig.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR SESKO

Sesko and Leipzig will wrap up their season with Bundesliga games against Werder Bremen and Stuttgart. An interesting summer then awaits, with Leipzig expected to receive plenty of interest in their young hotshot.

Vitor Pereira will firmly believe that his Wolverhampton Wanderers side can beat the Premier League drop, having overseen a big 2-0 win over Aston Villa last time out.

The relegation-threatened Old Gold were full value for that victory come full-time, having restricted Unai Emery’s away side to just one big chance all game.

Whilst Pereira would have pleased with Matheus Cunha picking up another goal to add to this Premier League resume for the season, this dogged display at the back would have impressed him even more.

Already, it seems as if fresh recruit Emmanuel Agbadou has taken to the English game like a duck to water, with the ex-Stade De Reims ace now set to be joined by a new face in the heart of defence.

Wolves' deadline signing of Djiga

Right at the death of the window, Pereira added in another new defensive body in the form of Red Star Belgrade star Nasser Djiga, with the options now available to the Portuguese head coach looking plentiful.

Indeed, in the centre-back spots, the ex-Al Shabab manager has the aforementioned Agbadou that he can rely on who won a startling 18 duels recently against Arsenal, on top of rocks such as Matt Doherty and Toti Gomes who performed in a similarly valiant manner versus Villa.

Stat

Agbadou

Doherty

Gomes

Minutes played

90

90

90

Goals conceded

0

0

0

Touches

40

42

53

Accurate passes

23/27 (85%)

23/26 (88%)

32/40 (80%)

Possession lost

5x

5x

9x

Clearances

7

7

4

Blocked shots

1

0

0

Interceptions

2

3

2

Tackles

1

3

2

Total duels won

2/4

4/7

6/9

As can be seen looking at their glowing numbers above, Pereira might well feel inclined to stick with this formidable trio moving forward, with a back-to-basics approach keeping Villa very much at bay.

With the added presence of Djiga to come – who boasts five clean sheets in league action this season playing in Serbia – all of this positivity could unfortunately signal the end of this stalwart’s time at Molineux who hasn’t featured since December.

The Wolves star who needs to be sold

Indeed, Craig Dawson’s playing days at the Old Gold had already started to unravel, with the 34-year-old only making three Premier League appearances during Pereira’s tenure to date.

Only keeping one clean sheet during his 15 league games this season too, with Gary O’Neil once regularly picking the Wolves number 15 when still in charge, it does feel as if the end is in sight now for the top-flight veteran in the West Midlands.

After all, if rumours are to be believed from deadline day, the lowly top-flight outfit were willing to offload Dawson to Leicester City in exchange for former Old Gold star Conor Coady to return, before settling for the acquisition of Djiga.

That won’t exactly fill the £45k-per-week asset with much confidence that he can win back a starting spot under Pereira, therefore, with the Portuguese manager more than vindicated in his decision-making at this moment in time to try something fresh at the back, over reverting back to Dawson’s leaky displays.

Whilst Dawson will lament falling down the pecking order, new Wolves buy Djiga will hope he’s given plenty of opportunities to impress moving forward, having also bravely tallied up 5.5 ball recoveries on average this season playing for Red Star.

Once labelled as “outstanding” when at the top of his game in England by journalist Matt Law, Wolves fans will take no joy in the sad decline of their 61-game servant, but will realise all these fresh arrivals coming in means his Old Gold expiry date is near.

Worth more than Munetsi: Wolves have hit the jackpot on "high-energy" star

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Fast bowler says team-mate Broad will reach mark, but rise of T20 leagues will end the appeal

Vithushan Ehantharajah15-Aug-2022

James Anderson has a nice cup of tea and a sit-down on the eve of his first Test as a 40-year-old•Getty Images

James Anderson has expressed his sadness at Trent Boult’s request to be released from his central contract to improve his availability to T20 leagues, and fears Test cricket will struggle in the changing landscape.Following conversations with New Zealand Cricket, Boult and the board agreed to a parting of ways that by no means ends the 33-year-old’s international career, but will see it significantly reduced. In lieu of regular appearances for the Blackcaps, his focus instead will be the franchise circuit, including two lucrative new additions in the UAE and South Africa.NZC chief executive David White told ESPNcricinfo he does not believe this will have a knock-on effect to others within the New Zealand set-up. However Anderson, who turned 40 last month and will pick up his 173rd cap in the first Test against South Africa on Wednesday, believes Boult’s decision is a seismic event given where cricket is headed. He expects more bowlers in particular to go down this path given the rewards on offer.Asked if he was saddened by Boult’s decision, Anderson admitted he was “because Test cricket will probably bear the brunt of it. The easiest thing to do for bowlers is bowl four overs or 20 balls. It takes nothing out of you. And if you’re getting paid just as well, it probably makes sense. It will tempt more people than not.”It is [a big deal that Boult made this choice] because he is such a high-profile international player and I can definitely see it happening more and more now, particularly with bowlers.”Boult’s citation of the schedule and spending more time to his family is something Anderson can appreciate. He knows his workload, significantly eased due to playing no white-ball cricket for England since the 2015 50-over World Cup, has contributed to his longevity. Likewise for his opening partner Stuart Broad, who last represented England in the limited-overs format in an ODI against South Africa in January 2016.”I think Broady will say the same: that we were fortunate our white-ball careers pretty much ended after that World Cup and we could focus on red-ball cricket. That worked out great for us. In the future, I can see it definitely being the other way round – with people picking and choosing their formats, tours, whatever it might be.”Already the most successful fast bowler in Test history, Anderson will become the first forty-plus wicket-taker for England since Graham Gooch during the 1994-95 Ashes, assuming he adds to his 657 dismissals at Lord’s. The previous out-and-out quick to do so as many years young was Leslie Jackson, again against Australia, in July 1961. It is apt that Anderson’s Test debut – against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in May 2003 – even came before the first round of matches in the inaugural Twenty20 Cup, which got underway on June 13 that summer.Related

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“I feel proud to have got to where I have,” Anderson said, reflecting on his feat of endurance. “I feel fortunate as well that I’ve still got the love for the game and the desire to get better and still do the training and the nets and whatever else that comes with it. Because with a lot of people that’s the first thing that goes, and that’s when you start slowing down and winding down. But for me, I feel like that passion is still there. So I feel fortunate for that. I feel fortunate that my body’s still functioning properly and allowing me to do the job that I love.”As for who will be the next player to join that age-bracket, Anderson suggested his long-term partner Broad, who is already 36. However, his follow-up of who else spoke of his view of the game at the moment – a time when the future feels far more relevant than the present:”Definitely not after that because no-one will be stupid enough. Everything that has gone in the world with franchise cricket, the Hundred, short forms of the game, I can’t see anyone wanting to play Test cricket for this long.”As for future-proofing Test cricket, while boards need to assume most of the responsibility for doing so – if they wish – Anderson believes the current players are the ones who must continue to do their bit. Since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have taken over as head coach and captain of England’s Test side, much has been made of how their style of cricket is making the longest format more attractive.While most of that talk has been from English players, much to the derision of others, not least the Proteas who are motivated to burst the so-called “Bazball” bubble, the manner of four victories at the start of the summer against New Zealand and India has reignited the good feeling around the format. It is a responsibility Anderson feels should not be ignored.”Even if we didn’t play this way, I still think Test cricket is an amazing format. We’ve had some brilliant series and matches, not just involving us and between other teams around the world that have been brilliant to watch. So I hope people will see that and want to be a part of it, growing up wanting to play Test cricket.”But, yes, 100 percent our job and responsibility as Test cricketers is to promote the game and encourage as many people as possible to watch it and play it when they get older.”

England's Lionesses have been dealt a huge blow as Sarina Wiegman's assistant coach, Arjan Veurink, will be the new head coach of the Netherlands.

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• Lionesses assistant Veurink to leave England role
• Has won two Euros titles with Wiegman
• Will take Netherlands job after Euro 2025

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Veurink has been part of the England coaching staff since Wiegman took over the team back in 2021, playing a key role in the Lionesses' triumph at the 2022 European Championships and their run to the 2023 Women's World Cup final. However, after the reigning European champions conclude their title defence in Switzerland this summer, Veurink will depart to take over the Netherlands national team.

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) knows Veurink well, as he was also Wiegman's assistant when she was in charge of the Netherlands between 2017 and 2021. The two had a lot of success there as well, winning the 2017 Euros and reaching the 2019 Women's World Cup final. Prior to that, Veurink was head coach of Twente's women's team, winning seven trophies in four years despite only being 25 years old when he started in the role.

• WHAT VEURINK SAID

  Veurink, who has signed a contract until the end of the Euros in 2029, said: "This is not only a great challenge and a wonderful new adventure, it also feels like a logical next step in my career. I never made a secret of the fact that one day I wanted to be the manager of the Dutch national team. With over eight years of experience at the very highest level as Sarina Wiegman's right-hand man, first with the Netherlands and now in England, I am ready to stand on my own two feet. The fact that this opportunity has just arisen in the Netherlands makes it extra special. I will now first do everything possible to finish the coming months in England in style."

  Nigel de Jong, the technical director of the KNVB, added: "Arjan has a rich history in women's football and has witnessed up close the developments that international women's football has gone through over the past 15 years. He knows what is demanded in the absolute top, but also knows how important it is to keep the connection with the grassroots. We are therefore delighted that he wants to take up the challenge. I am looking forward to working together and to further build on the success of the Dutch national team. Finally, we would also like to thank the English Football Association (FA) for their cooperation."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Veurink will actually be an opponent of the Netherlands before he departs his role with England, as the two nations are set to face off in the group stages of this summer's Euros. Both are among the favourites to emerge victorious from the tournament, as the winners of the two previous editions.

Manchester City reportedly have their sights set on one of La Liga’s most promising young defenders, who they hope can help solve their ongoing crisis at the back.

Manchester City latest news

City’s poor season took yet another downward turn over the weekend as Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League. The defeat was City’s sixth in their last eight in the top flight, and leaves them seventh in the Premier League table, 12 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Premier League form table (Worst five teams)
Team	P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
Wolves	7	2	1	4	-3	7
Everton	6	1	3	2	-1	6
Leicester	7	1	2	4	-9	5
Man City	8	1	1	6	-7	4
Southampton	7	1	1	5	-12	4

Guardiola conceded after the defeat to Villa that his side, who have been champions for the past four seasons running, are now out of the race for the title.

“When you want to achieve something important, like win the Premier League, arrive in the latter stages of the Champions League, how you have to behave is this one concept: consistency. All this time we were incredibly consistent and now we are not,” said the Spaniard.

City want Valladolid starlet

One of City’s biggest problems in recent months has been their propensity to ship goals – which has in part been caused by injuries to a number of key defenders, including Nathan Ake, John Stones and Ruben Dias. Guardiola’s side have kept just three clean sheets all season in the Premier League, and just one in their last eight games.

They’ve also conceded 25 goals already, which is just one fewer than they conceded in the entirety of their 2021/22 title-winning campaign. Amid the crisis, the club are now reportedly eyeing a move for teenage central defender Juma Bah.

The 18-year-old is currently on-loan at La Liga side Real Vallodolid from AIK Freetong in his native Sierra Leone, and has impressed with his assured performances at the heart of the Blanquivioletas’ defence.

The Sun insider Alan Nixon has reported via his exclusive Patreon page that City want to purchase Bah next month, but loan him straight back to Vallodolid so he can continue to play regularly. Nixon claims that City would be willing to pay £12 million for 6 foot 5 defender, who is keen on a move to the Premier League despite there also being interest from Barcelona.

Bah, the first player ever from Sierra Leone to play in the Spanish top flight, has been praised by football analyst Chencho Alonso.

Commenting on Bah after he featured for Vallodolid B versus Langreo earlier this year, Chencho said, per Foot Boom: “He was commanding and pushing forward, showcasing solid defensive concepts in movement and marking adjustments. He is very calm on the ball and plays simply.

“The next day I said he would be called up in September for the first team, and on Saturday he was a starter.”

Sean Williams is attending to personal matters, and was granted “compassionate leave” by the board

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2022Blessing Muzarabani has returned to the Zimbabwe squad and will lead the pace attack against Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series starting June 4 in Harare. Left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu also returned to the squad of 15 that will be led by Craig Ervine, after last playing an ODI nearly three years ago. The selectors also picked uncapped fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga, who made his T20I debut against Namibia last month.Muzarabani missed the T20Is against Namibia at home because he was a net bowler with IPL side Lucknow Super Giants, who played their maiden IPL season and finished third on the points table.Compared to the ODI squad that toured Sri Lanka earlier this year, Sean Williams misses out because of personal matters for which Zimbabwe Cricket has granted him compassionate leave. Richard Ngarava and Wellington Masakadza will miss the series too, as they are yet to fully recover from lower back and right shoulder injuries, respectively.Related

No place for Naib; Afg call up Zia-ur-Rehman for ODIs in Zimbabwe

But Tinotenda Mutombodzi didn’t make the cut this time. The squad saw the return of Donald Tiripano as well to bolster the pace attack. Tiripano featured in the recent T20Is against Namibia but went wicketless in the three games he played. Ndlovu, meanwhile, was among the wickets regularly while representing Northerners and Matabeleland Tuskers in T20s and first-class games.Chivanga went wicketless while opening the bowling against Namibia in the opening T20I and leaked 23 runs in two overs, but was more successful in the A series against South Africa at home in April-May. He was the top wicket-taker for Zimbabwe A in the T20Is, picking seven wickets in five games at an economy rate of 8.58. In the ODIs, he picked three wickets in as many games.Zimbabwe’s three ODIs against Afghanistan are part of the World Cup Super League and will be played on June 4, 6 and 9 at the Harare Sports Club; all three are day games.Squad: Craig Ervine (captain), Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva, Tendai Chatara, Tanaka Chivanga, Luke Jongwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Ainsley Ndlovu, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano

Pochettino trimmed his USMNT roster from 60 down to 23, with some obvious picks and surprise omissions

With the 2026 World Cup just 15 months away, the U.S. men's national team player pool continues to take shape. It's still evolving, of course, as Mauricio Pochettino continues to learn about his group ahead of his fourth camp in charge.

But with his 23-man CONCACAF Nations League roster, Pochettino did offer some insight into where things stand on the road to 2026.

On Tuesday, U.S. Soccer announced Pochettino's team as the USMNT trimmed a 60-man preliminary list down to just 23. Many of the notable names were there: Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, for example. Several, such as Tyler Adams and Gio Reyna, are back on the team – but for the first time under Pochettino. There were January camp and MLS stars, too, fresh off their big wins two months back.

Still, while 23 from the 60 did receive that call-up, that means 27 did not. There were surprises among that list of omissions, players that many expected would be involved as the USMNT pushes for a fourth consecutive Nations League crown, starting with a March 20 semifinal against Panama.

For those among the 27, this will certainly be a reminder that World Cup spots are on the line. It should be a reminder for the 23 who made it, too.

GOAL looks at the winners and losers from the USMNT's Nations League squad selection.

• Getty
  

  WINNER: Gio Reyna

  Despite everything that has gone on over the last few years, Reyna has generally stepped up for the USMNT. He'll get that opportunity again in this camp as, once again, Reyna returns to camp in need of a jolt due to his club situation.

  Reyna hasn't played much for Dortmund this season – including subbing in late in the team's Champions League victory over Lille on Wednesday. When he has, he generally hasn't been at his best. The USMNT midfielder has seemed to lack confidence, a player that hasn't quite figured out how to impact a game with this Dortmund team as assembled. In that sense, it's a risk to rely on him in games of this magnitude.

  In other ways, though, it isn't risky at all. Reyna has shown time and time again that he can separate his club form from his international form. He was named Best Player at the Nations League tournament just last year. He scored in the 2021 final, provided assists in the 2023 final and then, again, last year scored to earn that Best Player nod. More than anyone, Reyna has dominated this particular competition, and that's regardless of his club form.

  Now he'll relish the chance to work under Pochettino for the first time and, perhaps, the last time in a while. Because of the Club World Cup, Reyna would likely not be available for this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup if he remains at Dortmund. That fact has to be taken into account, too, even if his Dortmund future is far from certain.

  "I think one of the reasons to call him is because was a great opportunity," Pochettino said. "If not, it's going to be difficult to see him."

  This run under the USMNT boss could ignite him for Dortmund. Reyna has generally performed when he puts on a USMNT shirt, and If he does that again this camp, it'll be a huge step forward under the new coach.

  "I think his talent is there," Pochettino said, "and it's good to feel and see how he can help."

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  LOSER: Brenden Aaronson

  Pochettino insisted that Aaronson's omission wasn't about form, it was about numbers. The reality is this, though: when you're in good form, the numbers seem to work in your favor, don't they?

  After a strong start to the season with Leeds, Aaronson has taken of a step back recently, scoring just once since the start of the new year. Leeds, of course, have kept on rolling and look bound for promotion. In fact, Aaronson and Leeds defeated Millwall 2-0 on Wednesday, retaining their spot atop the English Championship. The American played all 90 minutes and put on a brilliant midfield performance.

  He needs to keep turning in those high-caliber efforts. In the end, Pochettino broke down the numbers in terms of roster spots. After impressing in January camp, Diego Luna was in. So, too, was Reyna. Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic can play as a No. 10, too. There were other spots in the squad to address and, as a result, Aaronson was left out.

  The question is: now what? This certainly isn't a death blow for Aaronson's USMNT, but it is definitely a red flag. Aaronson is experienced and he certainly adds something to the national team but, going forward, he'll need to deliver more. He spoke to GOAL in the fall about adding more goals and assists to his game, and those would clearly help his case.

  Aaronson is fighting for his place , and this exclusion showed just how hard that fight will be for the next year or so.

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  WINNER: January campers

  For those who consider January camps a waste of time, here's the contrary evidence.

  Patrick Agyemang and Luna were the two big winners of that camp and, based on those performances, both are in this team. Neither have overwhelmed in the early MLS season, but they haven't had to. Luna, in particular, is someone that Pochettino has been tracking for some time and believes is ready to take a big leap forward.

  "He's a player that we followed from the day that we signed with the USA national team," Pochettino said. "We want to give another possibility, not only in January camp, but to have continuity. He's a player that can provide different things during a game and it's important for him to feel that confidence from us. He was good in the January camp and that's why we wanted to provide the possibility of joining us again."

  Luna and Agyemang aren't the only ones, though. Brian White is one of the more surprising inclusions on the roster after he, like Agyemang, was among the goalscorers in January. He's the biggest beneficiary of the USMNT's striker injury crisis and now, at the very least, he'll get a chance to win an international medal at age 29 in his first non-January call-up.

  "To have [Josh Sargent] and have Brian White and, of course, Patrick Agyemang, it's a good competition that then provides the national team with a good three strikers competing to play in a very important tournament," Pochettno said.

  Zack Steffen fits in that group, too. After several frustrating years out of the picture, Steffen was given a chance at January camp, too, and he passed with flying colors. He beat out Drake Callender, Matt Freese, Ethan Horvath and Diego Kochen for the third goalkeeper spot, likely due to his performance against Costa Rica a few weeks back.

  It goes to show that January camp, even in its current form, has its value. It's still a launchpad, even if it launches fewer careers than before because of the rise of Americans in Europe. Let this show that those games pay dividends.

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  LOSER: Alejandro Zendejas

  While Aaronson's exclusion was a bit easier to explain, Zendejas' is hard to justify. He's in the form of his life at Club America, scoring and assisting for fun for the Liga MX champions. It wasn't enough, though, as Zendejas, too, was among those left out of the team.

  On form alone, it's hard to justify. After leading Club America to an Apertura title with four goal contributions in the final three games, Zendejas has been on fire to start the Clausura campaign. He has five goals and five assists in the first nine games of the new season. Again, though, it wasn't enough.

  Pochettino went in a different direction. Pulisic and Weah are the obvious starting wingers, so no issues there. Reyna and Luna, meanwhile, could play as inverted wingers if needed. Yunus Musah, too, is listed as a forward, which does indicate one of the ways Pochettino could use the versatile AC Milan regular.

  It all left Zendejas as the odd man out, despite him proving regularly on the club level that he can be a match-winner. It'll be a tough pill to swallow for the 27-year-old winger, but all he can do at the moment is keep playing well ahead of a potential return later this year.