تحدث صلاح سليمان، عن مشاركة فريق النادي الأهلي، في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية 2025، في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية.
وودع الأهلي كأس العالم للأندية، بعدما احتل المركز الرابع والأخير في ترتيب المجموعة الأولى بنقطتين، والتي ضمت إنتر ميامي، بالميراس، بورتو.
وتعادل الأهلي مع بورتو البرتغالي، 4-4 في مباراة الجولة الثالثة والأخيرة، وقبلها تعادل مع إنتر ميامي 0-0 وخسر من بالميراس 0-2.
طالع| نيويورك ريد بولز يوضح لـ”بطولات” حقيقة اهتمامه بضم وسام أبو علي من الأهلي
وقال صلاح سليمان، في تصريحات لبرنامج “لعبة والتانية”، مع كريم رمزي، على إذاعة “ميجا إف إم”: “الأهلي شرف مصر واستعجلت في الحكم على ريبيرو، هاجمته لكن في لقاء بورتو أكد لي أنه ذكي جدًا، وجعل شكل زيزو جيدًا في الملعب، إضافة إلى أن تحركات بن رمضان وبن شرقي مميزة”.
وتابع: “بن رمضان أفضل لاعب أعجبني في الأهلي، وكذلك وسام وتريزيجيه ومروان عطية وحمدي فتحي، لكني لم أر أمورًا فنية مختلفة لزيزو حتى الآن مع الأهلي”.
وعن الزمالك، أضاف: “الزمالك يحتاج صفقات مميزة 5 أو 6 وتكون في مراكز يحتاجها الفريق، ومحمد شريف صفقة مميزة للزمالك حال انضمامه ومختلف عن ناصر منسي والجزيري، (الفينيش) أفضل وممكن أن تبني خطة عليه في الهجمة المرتدة وتحركاته رائعة وأتوقع ينضم للمنتخب”.
وكشف: “هناك أمر جيد في الزمالك، وهو أن لا أحد يعرف شيئًا عن الصفقات، ولا توجد تسريبات، وأتمنى رؤية الزمالك في كأس العالم للاندية 2029، والأمر يحتاج إلى تعب وجهد”.
Rightly or wrongly, it has become clear what the transfer approach now is at Chelsea under the Todd Boehly regime – youth.
Gone are the days of signing the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, the Blues now appear intent on scouring the globe for the best young talents, with the aim of achieving long-term ambitions while also enjoying short-term success.
Highest valued midfielders in the Premier League (timeless)
Remarkably, the oldest outfield player to have featured for the west London side this season is Tosin Adarabioyo, aged just 27, with it clear that the club are now prioritising potential over experience when it comes to their transfer dealings.
The Stamford Bridge outfit appear to be leading the way when it comes to planning for the future, a fact showcased by the signings of Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian in 2023 and 2024, respectively, with the South American duo set to belatedly arrive in England this summer.
It could well become the norm for Blues supporters to have to wait to see marquee acquisitions like the teenage pair in action, with that patience set to also be required following the latest capture of Geovany Quenda.
The latest on Chelsea's move for Quenda
Reports at the tail-end of the January window suggested that Manchester United were looking at signing the Portuguese sensation this summer, with Ruben Amorim keen on reuniting with his compatriot after handing the young winger his debut earlier in the campaign.
Almost out of nowhere, however, it was Boehly and co who secretly pounced to prise the 17-year-old from Sporting CP, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano breaking the story on Thursday night that Quenda is set to sign for the Blues.
As per The Athletic, the Sporting academy graduate has been signed for a fee of around €50m (£42m), although he won’t actually join Enzo Maresca’s ranks until 2026, instead remaining in Lisbon for the entirety of next season.
As per Romano, a key feature in Chelsea’s ability to win the race for his signature was the fact that they view him as an out and out forward, rather than a wing-back – a role he would likely have had to play had he reunited with Amorim at Old Trafford.
All the signs point to Quenda proving worth the wait, with the fleet-footed speedster having already been called up by his county at senior level, while registering ten goal involvements in 44 games for his current side.
Stat (*per game)
Record
Games
26
Goals
1
Big chances missed
4
Assists
4
Big chances created
10
Key passes*
1.9
Pass accuracy*
82%
Successful dribbles*
1.2
Possession lost*
12.6x
That said, neither Quenda – nor the likes of Estevao – will necessarily be able to just stroll into Maresca’s side on the flanks, with a certain Noni Madueke likely to have a thing or two to say about that.
Chelsea have struck gold on their attacking "monster"
It could be argued that one area of the pitch Chelsea don’t desperately need to strengthen is on the flanks, with Maresca already boasting the likes of Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Madueke, while Cole Palmer can also slot in on the right flank when required.
Market Movers
Indeed, while he is currently sidelined with injury, Madueke had largely made that right-hand side his own in the early months of the campaign, with the Englishman registering ten goals and assists in just 23 league games.
Signed from PSV Eindhoven on a £29m deal back in January 2023, the one-time Tottenham Hotspur academy star hasn’t always been the go-to man in attack, although, after a fine start to 2024/25, it had looked like he’d “pretty much nailed that position down”, according to talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy.
Also described as “one of Chelsea’s most dangerous players” by Cundy, it would be fair to say that Chelsea were dealt a blow when Madueke was struck down by injury, having now missed the last three league games.
Set to return after the international break, the 23-year-old had forced his way into the England reckoning in the Autumn due to his standout showings, offering a genuine rival to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
Noni Madueke
Much like his fellow left-footer, Saka, the Chelsea man is such a menace due to his ball-carrying prowess, showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 3% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, as well as in the top 5% for touches in the attacking penalty area, per 90.
A constant threat in the final third, it is no surprise that Madueke – who was dubbed a “mentality monster” by private coach, Saul Isaksson-Hurst – has seen his valuation soar of late, with CIES Football Observatory noting that he could now be worth as much as £77m.
That is not only a significant increase on what the Blues paid for him over two years ago, but it is also millions more than the £42m fee dished out on Quenda, a player CIES deem to be worth around £18m.
As such, while excitement will be rife over the eventual arrivals of Estevao and Quenda, the Stamford Bridge side shouldn’t ignore what the likes of Madueke are already producing under Maresca’s watch.
Chelsea already signed a bigger star than Quenda in "world-class talent"
Chelsea have reportedly pounced to sign Sporting CP sensation, Geovany Quenda, ahead of their Premier League rivals
O Palmeiras venceu o Internacional por 2 a 1, no último domingo, e manteve sua vantagem na liderança do Brasileirão-2022, mesmo com o cansaço falando mais alto. No entanto, o time acaba de entrar em uma rara semana livre da temporada antes das partidas diante do Ceará, pelo campeonato nacional, e do Atlético-MG, pela Liberta.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasAno de 2022 é o com mais jogos do Palmeiras entre os 25 maiores públicos do Allianz ParquePalmeiras25/07/2022PalmeirasCom um gol em nove jogos, Raphael Veiga cai de rendimento no Palmeiras após lesão e pênaltis perdidosPalmeiras25/07/2022PalmeirasNo Brasileirão, Palmeiras volta a balançar as redes no primeiro tempo após seis jogos em brancoPalmeiras24/07/2022
GALERIA > Confira os públicos do Palmeiras no Allianz Parque em 2022
TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão-2022 clicando aqui
> Conheça o aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
Para iniciar esse período peculiar, a comissão técnica deu dois dias de folga para o elenco do Verdão. Não é à toa, faz quase dois meses que a equipe não tem essa semana livre em seu calendário. A última delas foi entre o fim de maio e o começo de agosto, entre a oitava e a nona rodada do Brasileiro (jogos contra Santos e Atlético-MG). Assim, a ideia é usar da melhor forma possível esse descanso alviverde.
-Vou ficar maluco. Nem sei o que fazer, vai parecer um mês. Vamos descansar, precisamos descansar física e mentalmente por que é tudo muito desgastante. Voltamos na quarta-feira prontos para continuar a nossa caminhada. Vai ser dura, difícil. Há muitos candidatos à mesma cadeira, é procurar em cada treino nos preparar para os jogos seguintes – disse Abel Ferreira no último domingo.
O espaço nessa agenda apertada do Palmeiras se dá por conta de um raro fracasso do time na temporada, já que ficou fora das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil ao ser eliminado pelo São Paulo na fase anterior. Será essa competição a ser disputada durante esta semana, e isso permitirá com que o elenco palmeirense tenha esse fôlego.
Na próxima quarta-feira, às 11h, o Verdão volta a treinar na Academia de Futebol para se preparar para o duelo com o Ceará, no sábado, às 16h30, no Castelão. Serão mais dois dias de treino antes do duelo do fim de semana: um na quinta e outro na sexta, ambos às 11h. Logo após a última atividade da semana, a delegação viaja para Fortaleza.
Confira a programação completa do Palmeiras para esta semana:
DIA 25/7 – SEGUNDA-FEIRA Livre
DIA 26/7 – TERÇA-FEIRA Livre
DIA 27/7 – QUARTA-FEIRA 11h – Treino na Academia de Futebol [fechado para a imprensa]
DIA 28/7 – QUINTA-FEIRA 11h – Treino na Academia de Futebol [fechado para a imprensa]
DIA 29/7 – SEXTA-FEIRA 11h – Treino na Academia de Futebol [fechado para a imprensa]
DIA 30/7 – SÁBADO 16h30 – Ceará x Palmeiras, no Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE), pela 20ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro
DIA 31/7 – DOMINGO 11h – Treino na Academia de Futebol [fechado para a imprensa]
Manchester United star Amad Diallo has insisted that the Red Devils 'need' Alejandro Garnacho, despite him being placed on the transfer list.
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Garnacho told to 'pray' to find new clubAmad claims that United 'need' GarnachoAC Milan and Napoli interested in the wingerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Garnacho's behaviour over the last few days on United's post-season tour of Asia has indicated that the Argentine is no longer interested in playing in the Red Devils shirt, as he was seen brandishing his middle finger at fans. The 20-year-old's potential departure from Old Trafford has also been propagated by Amorim reportedly telling the winger to 'pray that you can find a club to sign you'.
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However, United star Amad has claimed that Garnacho, with whom he is good friends, is a 'good player' and added that the Red Devils need him next season, especially after the horror season that the club had to endure. The 20-time Premier League champions have failed to win a trophy this season, and their 15th-place finish has seen them miss out on European football.
WHAT AMAD SAID
Speaking to the media, Amad said: “Alejandro is a really good player, we need good players in the team. I know Garna really well. I hope to have Garna next season. (It) is not really a big issue for the team.”
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR GARNACHO?
The Argentine is highly unlikely to stay with United past this summer, as Garnacho has seen a lot of interest from Serie A sides AC Milan and Napoli. However, his situation will only progress further as the summer proceeds.
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.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates after the match
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.
Manchester United'sAntonyduring the warm up before the match
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.
Nottingham Forest are considering making a move to sign a “skilful” £20 million star in the summer, according to a new report.
Nottingham Forest transfer news
The Reds have nine games to go in the Premier League to fulfil their dream and secure a place in next season’s Champions League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been outstanding all campaign, with midfielder and captain Morgan Gibbs-White at the heart of that.
Nottingham Forest join battle to sign "monster" Gibbs-White replacement
He’s one of Europe’s most impressive young talents.
ByTom Cunningham Mar 16, 2025
His performances have caught the attention of some of the big teams in the Premier League, but according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Forest will “do everything they can” to keep hold of the Englishman this summer. O’Rourke goes on to add that securing Champions League qualification will put the Reds in a stronger position to retain their best players.
As they look to keep hold of Gibbs-White, according to TEAMtalk, Forest are keeping a close eye on Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham ahead of the summer.
Forest are among the Premier League teams keeping a watchful eye on the Black Cats midfielder and could be ready to pounce should Sunderland fail to seal promotion. However, the Championship side are not looking to sell or negotiate with any team, meaning a big offer may have to arrive for them to be tempted.
Nottingham Forest considering move to sign £20m+ star
It is not only a new midfielder the Midlands side want, as according to reports from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are weighing up a move to sign defender Fikayo Tomori from Italian giants AC Milan.
AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.
The report claims that there is a concrete possibility that Milan look to sell the English defender this summer as long as they receive a €25 million transfer fee, which is roughly £21 million. Forest are keeping an eye on his situation, but they are not alone, as Newcastle United are also weighing up whether to make a move or not.
However, they may hold a small advantage, as Tomori already knows two Forest players in Ola Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi, as he played with the pair at Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Tottenham could also be potentially interested in a deal for Tomori after they looked to sign the centre-back during the January transfer window. The Italian giants already have in mind replacements for Tomori should he leave the San Siro.
Apps
14
Starts
11
Clean sheets
1
Interceptions per game
0.8
Tackles per game
1.6
Balls recovered per 90
3.0
Clearances per game
2.2
Touches per game
56.7
Passing accuracy per game
45.4 (93%)
The 27-year-old has been with Milan since July 2021, and while he was an instant regular in the team, this season he has lost his place, playing just 14 times in Serie A. Despite the disappointment of this season, Tomori has been largely successful in Italy, with him being described as a “skilful” defender by Franco Baresi.
He previously told The Daily Mail: “He is young and has played well so far when he’s had the chance. He is skilful and has great physical attributes. He is still adapting to the Italian league, and I think he can only grow as a defender and help us out.”
Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag among those to come out in support of the wrestlers, who have levelled sexual-harassment allegations against the wrestling federation chief
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2023Kapil Dev, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Shikha Pandey have become the first cricketers to break their silence on the protests being carried out by India’s top wrestlers demanding the dismissal of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the Indian wrestling federation chief. The wrestlers have alleged that Singh sexually abused and exploited women wrestlers over the past decade.On Friday afternoon, the Delhi Police agreed to investigate the charges against Singh, a week after the complaint was first filed and only after the wrestlers moved the Supreme Court for action. But the wrestlers’ larger mission is to remove Singh from his position as federation chief, and to draw attention to the charges against him.”Will they ever get justice,” Kapil asked in an Instagram post with a photograph of Vinesh Phogat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik – the latter two Olympic medalists – who have been leading a protest at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the past five days. They were part of a group of 30-odd wrestlers at Jantar Mantar in January this year, too, when they made public the allegations against Singh, a member of parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.Instagram/Kapil DevFollowing that, the union sports ministry, of which former BCCI president Anurag Thakur is the man in charge, tasked its oversight committee to investigate the matter and submit the findings by February. The committee included, among others, boxer MC Mary Kom and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, both Olympic Games medallists (Mary Kom is also a former member of parliament). Reports suggest that even two months on, the findings of the oversight committee have not been made available to the wrestlers.Support for the wrestlers had been extremely limited all along. On Thursday, PT Usha, the champion athlete on the 1980s who is now the president of the Indian Olympic Association, said that the conduct of the protesting wrestlers amounted to “indiscipline” and that it was “not good for sport”. Her comments were met with severe public criticism and Punia expressed disappointment at the “harsh reaction”.Then, on Friday, Phogat issued a plea of sorts to the Indian cricket community, asking why they had been silent on the plight of their fellow sportspersons.
“You do come forward to congratulate us when we win something. Even the cricketers tweet when that happens. [What has happened now]? Are you so afraid of the system? Or maybe there’s something fishy going on there too?”Vinesh Phogat
“The entire country worships cricket but not even a single cricketer has spoken up,” the quoted Phogat as saying. “We aren’t saying that you speak in our favour, but at least put up a neutral message and say there should be justice for whichever party. This is what pains me… Be it cricketers, badminton players, athletics, boxing…”It’s not like we don’t have big athletes in our country. There are cricketers… During the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, they showed their support. Don’t we deserve even that much?”You do come forward to congratulate us when we win something. Even the cricketers tweet when that happens. [What has happened now]? Are you so afraid of the system? Or maybe there’s something fishy going on there too?”While Kapil’s message had come a day before, on Thursday, Harbhajan tweeted on Friday, “I am pained as a sportsperson to find pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets”, while Sehwag wrote, “It’s a sensitive matter and needs an impartial investigation”, and Pathan said, “Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…”.Later on Friday evening, Pandey tweeted her support for the wrestlers too, hoping “that justice shall be served at the earliest.”
Sakshi, Vinesh are India's pride. I am pained as a sportsperson to find pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets. I pray that they get justice.#IStandWithWrestlers pic.twitter.com/hwD9dKSFNv
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 28, 2023
बहुत दुःख की बात है की हमारे champions जिन्होंने देश का बड़ा नाम किया है , झंडा लहराया है , हम सबको इतनी ख़ुशियाँ दी हैं, उन्हें आज सड़क पर आना पड़ा है। बड़ा संवेदनशील मामला है और इसकी निष्पक्ष जाँच होनी चाहिए। उम्मीद है खिलाड़ियों को न्याय मिलेगा। pic.twitter.com/A8KXqxbKZ4
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 28, 2023
Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 28, 2023
It takes great strength to wrestle. But it takes greater strength to speak up. I hope and pray that justice shall be served at the earliest.
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) April 28, 2023
At the time of filing this report, Pandey was the only current Indian cricketer to speak on on the issue.Phogat’s appeal did get a response on Friday from some of India’s most celebrated athletes, who tweeted out their support for the protesting wrestlers.”What’s happening [the street protests] should never have happened,” Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic javelin throw champion, said. “This is a sensitive issue, and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner.” And Nikhat Zareen, the two-time world champion boxer, wrote, “It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medallists in this state.”A day before, Abhinav Bindra, the shooter who won India’s first individual gold medal at an Olympic Games back in 2008, tweeted, “It is deeply concerning to see our athletes finding it necessary to protest on the streets regarding the allegations of harassment in the Indian wrestling administration.”GMT 1410 The report was updated after Shikha Pandey tweeted in support of the wrestlers.
Century on debut powers new team to record-equalling 334 for 5 and 131-run win
ECB Reporters Network22-Apr-2023
Paige Scholfield’s century powered Stars to a commanding win•Getty Images
South East Stars 334 for 5 (Scholfield 111, Davidson-Richards 73, Chathli 48) beat Thunder 203 (Dottin 51, Davies 3-27) by 131 runsA debut century by Paige Scholfield propelled South East Stars to a record-equalling 334 for five in a convincing 131-run victory against Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opener at Emirates Old Trafford.Scholfield, playing her first game for the Stars after signing from Southern Vipers, blasted 111 from just 90 balls, hitting five sixes and 11 fours, as she helped add 143 off 115 balls for the fourth wicket with Alice Davidson-Richards who contributed a classy 73.The Stars’ total equalled the highest score made in just over three seasons of regional cricket and the Thunder never threatened to chase down the required runs as they were bowled out for 203 in 42 overs.The first half of the Stars’ innings had been a fairly even contest on a good wicket with wicketkeeper-batter Kira Chathli and Ryana Macdonald-Gay steadily compiling an opening partnership of 52 until the latter was bowled for 18 by a big inswinging delivery from Deandra Dottin, the former West Indies all-rounder who has returned to Thunder for a second season.Chathli perished for 48 after driving left arm spinner Alex Hartley to Kate Cross at mid-on, and when Stars’ skipper Bryony Smith swept leg spinner Liv Thomas into the hands of Fi Morris on the midwicket boundary for a hard-hitting 35 off 31 balls, the game was finely poised with Stars 130 for three in the 27th over.Scholfield injected immediate impetus into the visitors innings hitting three of her first six deliveries to the boundary and she received great support from Davidson-Richards who paced her innings expertly as their alliance blossomed.The pair pounced on anything bowled short or wide to reach a 56-ball fifty partnership while their century stand arrived from only 92 balls with the under-pressure Thunder not helping their cause by dropping Scholfield on 63 and Davidson-Richards on 48 as the runs flowed.Davidson-Richards had struck two sixes and eight fours before eventually departing for 73 to a fine catch at long leg by Thomas off Tara Norris in the 46th over but Schofield went on to reach a fabulous century from 85 balls and was undefeated on 111 when the innings ended.Thunder used eight bowlers in an attempt to stem the flood of runs as the Stars hammered 132 from the final 10 overs, with Cross the pick of the home attack conceding 45 off her 10.Thunder needed a positive start to their challenging run chase but instead lost England opener Emma Lamb caught behind by Chathli off Phoebe Franklin for six and Scholfield then added to her great day by nipping one back to bowl Morris for 18.Not to be outdone, Davidson-Richards produced a seaming delivery of her own to bowl Ellie Threlkeld for 14 to leave Thunder 68 for three in the 19th over.Naomi Dattani made a steady 33 until trapped lbw by Dani Gregory before the afternoon was enlivened by some big hitting from Dottin who reached her maiden Thunder fifty off 37 balls before skying a steepling catch that was well judged by Scholfield – who else? – off Gregory for 51.From 143 for five the Thunder innings fell away quickly from that point with Freya Davies (three for 27) picking up a trio of wickets and MacDonald-Gay two, as the Stars clinched victory with eight overs to spare.
A special century from Prabhsimran Singh knocked Delhi Capitals out of IPL 2023 and pushed Punjab Kings up to sixth place, well within reach of a playoff spot.In demanding batting conditions, the Punjab opener, who had begun the season with a highest IPL score of 16, found ways not just to survive but to keep scoring quick runs in a way nobody else managed to. It felt like a coming-of-age innings.
How it started
When there is pace in the pitch, it’s easy to hit through the line and keep scoring runs steadily. When it is not there, it’s hard to even get the ball off the square. So you get your runs in fits and spurts.Kings suffered 22 balls for no runs in the powerplay, but hit seven others for 32 runs (5×4 and 2×6).A lot of this work was the result of Prabhsimran’s enterprise. His role in the team is to do whatever is necessary to maximise the field restrictions. And he performed admirably, switch-hitting spin for sixes and moving around all over the batting crease, just to throw the bowlers off their plans.But then his role changed. From being the guy who could not place any price on his wicket, he became the guy who simply could not get out. So he settled in. Got used to the pitch. And by around the 11th over or so, he was finding ways to hold his shape and exert complete control over his shots.Prabhsimran was 53 off 44. Then he was dropped on 68. Then he was 102 off 61.Prabhsimran Singh soaks in the applause as he walks back after his ton•BCCI
That’s 49 in 17 balls. On a pitch where none of his team-mates crossed 20, and only two others managed to score at better than run-a-ball. This was a spectacular display of perseverance, even if he did have a tiny bit of help.In conditions where the ball isn’t coming onto the bat, all you have to do is take pace off, hit a hard length and, most importantly, target the stumps. Do not let the batter free his arms.Prabhsimran though was basically invited to free his arms. According to ESPNcricinfo’s data, a majority of the balls he faced (33) were either outside off stump or worse, wide outside off stump. And he took 60 runs from them including seven fours and three sixes.Capitals should have known better. The chance they created – the catch that Rilee Roussouw dropped – was the result of a mis-hit to a ball that arrived in line with this body. They didn’t learn. And they were punished.
How it ended
Capitals had a great start to the chase. They came out knowing 168 was a tricky target, and that they had to knock off a significant portion of it within the powerplay. David Warner helped them accomplish that goal, taking them to 65 for 0 in six overs. He cruised to a 23-ball fifty, scoring 42 of those runs in boundaries. But the thing is, Capitals only faced six balls of spin in that period.It didn’t make sense why Kings would have let any of that happen on a pitch where the ball was both stopping on the batters and turning more than a fair bit.Eventually, Shikhar Dhawan turned to spin and the game changed.Cornered by Harpreet Brar (4 for 30) and Rahul Chahar (2 for 16), Capitals lost three wickets for two runs between the ninth and the 11th overs. ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster quantified this swing in momentum – in a mere eight balls, Kings went from a lowly 20% chance of winning this game to 78% favourites.By the end, Capitals needed seven players to combine just to reach the total they allowed one batter to get. These were not the conditions to give away a century.
When David Moyes assesses his Everton squad this summer, he will know that reinforcements will be required across a range of positions.
That said, there are several stars who need to be at the core of the Toffees’ exciting future project. Jarrad Branthwaite would be open to extending his contract, report Sky Sport, however, Liverpool and Manchester City are among the teams tracking the centre-back this season.
He’s not the only one who The Friedkin Group will need to keep on Merseyside, however. The Farhad Moshi era might have ended in dysfunction, but there was plenty of promise to be found during the 2023 summer transfer window, setting the club for future success.
Everton's summer transfer window
Last summer, Everton signed Ndiaye from Marseille for a £15m fee as Sean Dyche attempted to pump new life into his frontline. Ndiaye certainly proved a bright spark amid a dreary few months, even being described as “dynamite” by pundit Jamie Redknapp in October.
He’s Everton’s top scorer this term with eight goals from 28 matches in all competitions, having also found new life since Moyes’ arrival, scoring in three successive top-flight wins before picking up a medial ligament injury against Liverpool.
This is a cruel blow to a player who was going from strength to strength, but Moyes and co can be excited for the future with this one, for he ranks among the top 17% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers this season for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-ons, the top 1% for ball recoveries and the top 14% for tackles plus interceptions per 90, as per FBref.
A fan favourite and a mercurial winger, capable of dazzling things on the ball, Ndiaye is the real deal and will no doubt pique the interest of high-class suitors down the line. It’s crucial Moyes keeps him on the books.
Everton star Iliman Ndiaye
However, Ndiaye isn’t the only one, with Orel Mangala bringing a ball-playing angle to the side before his cruel season-ending injury suffered last month; he’s a loanee, but his performances across the first half of the campaign will hopefully see the buy clause activated.
Tim Iroegbunam offers promise too, albeit having missed plenty of action due to injury.
More recently, Jake O’Brien has begun to show that his outfit hit the jackpot in bringing him to England last summer too.
Everton have hit the jackpot with Jake O'Brien
A monstrous presence at 6 foot 6, O’Brien crossed the Channel to join Lyon in 2023 after failing to break into Crystal Palace’s first team, where he was hailed as a “revelation in defence” by journalist Zach Lowy.
The 23-year-old’s mix of physicality and natural goalscoring sense makes him perfect for Moyes’ philosophy, indeed being hand-picked by Dyche – whose football isn’t all that different from the more refined Scotsman.
O’Brien is averaging goals at 0.13 per game in the Premier League while ranking among the top 1% of full-backs for clearances and the top 2% for aerial duels won per 90.
On that note, the Irishman’s value within this system has been underscored by Moyes’ decision to field him consistently at right-back, with O’Brien not making a single starting appearance in the Premier League before the managerial change in January.
Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson have both struggled with injuries across the 2024/25 campaign while Ashley Young remains an important member of the squad but at 39 years of age lacks the athleticism and vigour of a younger man. Moyes has yet to start the veteran, who played 17 times from the outset under Dyche’s wing.
Given Young has spent so much time on the field this season, it might be worth taking a look at how the respective right-backs compare in England’s top flight this season.
Premier League 24/25: Ashley Young vs Jake O’Brien
Match Stats (* = per game)
Young
O’Brien
Matches (starts)
24 (17)
10 (7)
Goals
1
1
Assists
3
0
Clean sheets
6
2
Touches*
43.0
43.2
Pass completion
73%
76%
Big chances created
4
1
Dribbles*
0.2
0.2
Ball recoveries*
2.2
3.8
Tackles + interceptions*
2.9
1.6
Clearances*
2.0
4.8
Duels (won)*
3.3 (57%)
4.1 (61%)
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see, O’Brien is proving to be a crisper defender in the duel and shows promise with his confidence, willing to get on the ball just as much as the creative Young, also making far greater clearances in a further illustration of his natural defensive skills.
Coleman’s injuries have limited him to just two Premier League starts this season. With the long-serving skipper turning 37 in October, it may be that O’Brien’s emergence has ended the careers of such veterans.
Indeed, both players have entered the final few months of their respective contracts, totalling £95k per week combined. This isn’t the most significant chunk, but it’s not pennies either.
Everton defenders James Tarkowski and Seamus Coleman
With Patterson hoping to bounce back from his fitness problems, there may not be a place in this new world order for such players, who have earned their flowers but are being replaced by a younger and fitter generation.
Coleman’s only started nine Premier League matches since the start of last season, and while Young is still defying his twilight years with a regular role, this new full-back is proving his worth and then some, with Toffees writer Ell Bretland noting the “security of having O’Brien in there is ideal.”
O’Brien proved to be an invaluable asset for a below-par Lyon side last term that came on leaps and bounds in the latter stages, avoiding a shocking relegation which felt more than possible in the opening months.
And again, for Everton, the Republic of Ireland international is proving to be a ‘revelation’ for Moyes’ team, capable of taking the baton from Young and Coleman.
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