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da supremo： The summer transfer window is fast approaching, and Liverpool are set to spend big as they prepare for Arne Slot’s second, Premier League title-defending season at the helm.

da dobrowin： Of course, the top-flight trophy isn’t yet wrapped up, but the Reds need just two wins from their remaining six fixtures to put things beyond Arsenal’s reach.

Sporting director Richard Hughes has wrapped up Mohamed Salah’s new contract; captain Virgil van Dijk’s fresh deal is soon to follow. Now, focus can be turned to the upcoming transfer window, with Liverpool expecting flurries of activity through the summer months.

While signing a centre-forward, left-back and central defender are the priorities for the Reds, Slot would be wise not to neglect his midfield.

Liverpool – Remaining Premier League Fixtures 24/25

Date

Venue

Opponent

20/04/25

King Power Stadium

Leicester City

27/04/25

Anfield

Tottenham Hotspur

04/05/25

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea

11/05/25

Anfield

Arsenal

18/05/25

AMEX Stadium

Brighton & Hove Albion

25/05/25

Anfield

Crystal Palace

Liverpool’s midfielders have been immense through the 2024/25 campaign, but they aren’t infallible. There’s been a lack of bite and physicality at times of late that suggests a new addition to the engine room could go down a treat.

Why Slot shouldn't neglect Liverpool's midfield

When Liverpool fell from grace under Jurgen Klopp in 2022/23, the German manager knew he needed to repackage his side’s long-serving midfield.

Jordan Henderson was a first-standard leader but was starting to look a weak link from a technical standpoint, while Fabinho’s legs had gone after so many years serving as a world-class anchor at the heart of one of the highest-octane squads on the globe.

Their replacements, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, have been immense this season (and last) as Liverpool’s mainstays in the middle, but there’s no denying Liverpool have lacked a combative sheen and that extra bit of dynamism at times recently, namely being overrun by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and Newcastle United at Wembley.

Liverpool have won more duels than their opponents in just one of their past 11 matches across all competitions, denoting fatigue and a lack of sharpness that opponents are capitalising on.

Though packing quality across more needy areas will ultimately hold sway for Liverpool, there’s no question that a high-class midfielder would elevate an already immense team.

It’s something FSG are bearing in mind.

Liverpool lining up marquee midfielder

According to Italian outlet InterLive.it, Liverpool’s interested in signing Nicolo Barella this summer is said to be ‘serious’, with Inter Milan anticipating offers for their midfield linchpin after yet another standout campaign.

Now, Barella, 28 years old, is contracted to the San Siro until 2029 and thus Inter are in a commanding position regarding his future and have listed him at €100m (about £87m).

Liverpool’s interest is confirmed to be serious, however, and given the Serie A leaders are keen on Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa, a deal wouldn’t be out of question.

What Nicolo Barella would bring to Liverpool

Described as “the best Serie A midfielder of the 2020s” by journalist Zach Lowy, Barella has already won two Scudettos and two Coppa Italia titles with Inter Milan, joining from Cagliari in 2019.

Having featured 277 times for I Nerazzurri, Barella has scored 25 goals and supplied 59 assists. He’s not the most prolific of midfielders, but then that’s not really his jurisdiction.

With Simone Inzaghi’s side battling it out with Napoli for the Italian title, Barella has been the architect of his team’s challenge, averaging 1.9 key passes, 4.7 successful duels and 5.2 ball recoveries per game, as per Sofascore, illustrating his wide range of quality.

Of course, the Italian has also been immense in Inter’s quest for the Champions League trophy, with outlets stating that he delivered a career-defining performance at the Allianz Arena last week, taking a 2-1 lead over Bayern Munich back to the San Siro.

Talent of this level suggests that Liverpool could be getting their mitts on one of the most gifted midfielders in many years, one who could stand out above the current Anfield crop.

He might even prove to be Liverpool’s best midfielder since Fabinho.

For the uninitiated, Fabinho was absolutely spellbinding in his role as Klopp’s number six, so cultured and commanding as he held together a hard-grafting midfield that worked around the clock to facilitate the attacking successes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Bobby Firmino.

Once hailed as “one of the best in the world” by Klopp, Fabinho truly was a core part of the most illustrious era in Liverpool’s modern history, joining from Monaco for roughly £40m in May 2018 and going on to play 219 times for the Reds before his legs finally failed him.

When in his pomp, the Brazilian was truly one of the most dominant forces out there, and now Barella could emulate him and become Liverpool’s new centrepiece, perhaps unlocking the next level in Slot’s existing options.

Tough-tackling, tenacious and iron-willed, Fabinho performed dutifully and blended his natural qualities with a sharpness of mind and quickness of reaction that differentiated him from his positional rivals.

The Italy international has the experience and the multi-skilled ability to be a real standout for Liverpool over the next several years, with his FBref data discussed above suggesting the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Pedri are among his most statistically similar players.

Such ball-playing specialists, maestros and conductors wrapped into one, would fit snugly into Slot’s system – just look at how Gravenberch has got on this term.

Barella, then, would fit right in. He’s a world-class player, dubbed a “genius” on the pitch by sports editor Mike Pielluci, and a trophy winner besides, and if Inter are willing to discuss deals containing the likes of Nunez and/or Chiesa, Liverpool might just sign their best midfielder since Fabinho.

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Now is the time to marvel and wonder, to congratulate and celebrate. Thanks to Stokes, cricket in England seems relevant again

George Dobell in Leeds25-Aug-2019Of course Headingley was the scene of the miracle.Of course, on the ground where England’s last irrefutably great allrounder cemented his reputation, Ben Stokes enshrined his own legacy with a performance that will be spoken of for decades to come. A performance which those fortune enough to witness will never forget and for whom the scars of tinnitus – this really was a remarkably vocal crowd – will be considered a price worth paying. Maybe Brian Lara’s innings at Bridgetown in 1999, also against Australia, was its equal, but Stokes is in exalted company here.At the end, every security guard, every steward, every opponent and every supporter – Australian and English – was on their feet and offering thunderous applause. For this was a display that transcended patriotism, professionalism and partialism. A display that left those who thought they had seen it all with their jaws open and head shaking. A display that left the jaded and disappointed whistling as they skipped home.ALSO READ: One of the ‘top two moments I’ve ever had on a cricket field’ – StokesThere will be a time to reflect on England’s wretched first-innings batting. There will be a time to focus on their bowlers’ poor use of the conditions in the first innings, the dropped catches that allowed Australia to stretch their advantage beyond 300 in the second and, yes, there must be a time for reflecting on the standard of umpiring in international cricket. It isn’t good enough and it would be disingenuous to pretend England haven’t been the beneficiaries here and in the World Cup final. Still, Australia will reflect that, had they not squandered their final review moments earlier, Stokes would have been trapped leg-before with his side still two short.Now is not that time, though. Now is the time to marvel and wonder. To congratulate and celebrate. To shake our heads ruefully and count ourselves fortunate. So dramatic was the finish of this game that play was, apparently, halted at other venues so that everyone present – even the players and umpires – could watch and the result was announced during Tottenham Hotspur’s game against Newcastle. Cricket seems relevant again in England and it hasn’t for a long time. Stokes is a huge part of that resurgence of interest.Ben Stokes reverse-pulls a six over cover•Getty ImagesFirst, the science bit. This was England’s highest successful fourth-innings run chase, their highest 10th wicket partnership to win a game (it is just the second-highest in the history of all Test cricket) and the first time any side has won having failed to reach 70 in the first innings in 131 – yes, 131 – years. Oh, and it was also a second century in successive Tests for Stokes in a result that ensures the fight for the Ashes continues into the final two Tests.The most revealing moment in Stokes’ prestige – the word innings seems a bit insufficient for this bit of magic – was when he reached his century. He did not so much as twitch a smile. There was no raising of the bat or lifting of the arms. Instead he remained absolutely focused on his objective – the team’s objective – which was winning.”I didn’t really care,” he said later about reaching his century. “Personal milestones, especially in that sort of situation, mean absolutely nothing. There were still a lot more runs to get; I wasn’t bothered about how many I had.”This provides quite an insight into Stokes’ motivations. And it ties in with the manner in which he took responsibility in the field when England appeared to be falling apart on the third evening. For while his bowling figures in the second innings – 24.2-7-56-3 – look unremarkable, the bald statistics conceal the fact that it was bowled in one remorselessly hostile spell split only by the close on day two and four balls delivered by Jofra Archer before he left the field with an attack of cramp. It was, as his captain put it afterwards, “super human” and it undoubtedly kept his side in the game.”He’s the ultimate team man,” Root said. “On the third night, when things weren’t going for us and we got sloppy, he stood up. Jofra went off with cramp, but you couldn’t get the ball out of Ben’s hand. He wanted to do everything he could to keep us in that match and that’s what you want form your senior players. He bowled pretty much 20 overs on the bounce with a night in between. That’s an incredible achievement in itself.”Such testimony is worth remembering the next time you hear somebody tell you Stokes can’t be considered a great allrounder as he doesn’t average 40 with the bat or below 30 with the ball. You can’t judge everything with statistics and Stokes is a far from average cricketer. While others may protect their figures, he remains utterly committed to the result. And it is meant to be a team game, after all.Headingley rises as one to applaud Ben Stokes•Getty Images”Whatever the stage of the game, whether it’s with bat or ball, the team that I’m playing for is going to get everything from me,” Stokes said. “That spell was a time to stand up and deliver. I really enjoy being the person that Joe turns to when it isn’t going our way. I don’t want to do the easy things; I want to do the hard yards as well.”But if that lack of celebration was the most revealing moment, it was far from the most staggering. For that moment you can pick between the switch-hit six – it was more of a reverse-slog-sweep, really; Stokes did not swap his grip – off Nathan Lyon, a sweep for six off Josh Hazlewood; yes, Hazlewood, the man who had taken nine wickets and bowled with unrelenting menace, or the ramp off Pat Cummins that went for six more. Each one of them was staggeringly good.Don’t make the mistake of thinking this was one of those belligerent Stokes innings where he simply chanced his arm, though. It was a long time in development. After 73 balls, he had scored just three runs and his 50 occupied 152 balls. That is easily the slowest of his career.When the acceleration came, however, it was dramatic. By the end, he had struck eight sixes – beating Kevin Pietersen’s old record for England in Ashes cricket – with his second 50 taking just 47 balls. And while one or two – ok, three or four – of those sixes appeared to pass only just over the boundary fielders, you could almost believe that Stokes was toying with his prey like a cat might a mouse. He didn’t give an actual chance until he had 116.England had no chance when the last wicket-pair came together. Yes, Stokes was set, but there was too much to do, surely, and he had for company a man who is averaging 4.66 in the County Championship this season (an average artificially boosted by three not outs) who had to wipe his spectacles between every delivery. The groundstaff had gathered; the presentation party had assembled; the ICC even tweeted – if only for a moment – their congratulations to Australia on retaining the Ashes.Ben Stokes ramps a six over fine leg•Getty ImagesBut so well was Stokes striking the ball by this point that Jack Leach faced only 17 balls in their 62-ball stand. That over from Hazlewood – the one with the swept six – went for 19. As thunderously supported as the two sixes and a four, was the perfectly weighted two that Stokes guided to backward point and the single that followed it ensuring Leach had only one delivery to face. It was enough to see Hazlewood, who had just replaced James Pattinson, out of the attack. For perhaps the first time in the match, Australia looked out of options.And, under pressure, it was Australia who blinked. Marcus Harris dropped a tough chance off Stokes – a sliced edge – running in at third man when England still required 17 and then Lyon, inexplicably, fumbled and failed when he had a simple run-out chance (Leach having over enthusiastically backed up) with just two required.”I think Jack must have been watching Monty Panesar at Cardiff,” Stokes said with his face behind his hands as he recalled the moment. “I could not believe when I looked up and saw him so close to me. He said he thought I was coming down, but I said mate, ‘I was nowhere near running’. That was huge panic stations because he was so far out.”Stokes was sympathetic to Lyon, though. “Pressure situations can really affect what a human does,” he said. “Nine times out of ten Lyon would pick that ball up and take the stumps off. But you have to take into account the pressure he is under.”Such moments don’t seem to bother Stokes, though. Quite the opposite, really. He has done it in a World Cup final and a key Ashes Test now. Like the best before him – Shane Warne, MS Dhoni, Viv Richards – he appears to blossom in the heat of competition just as others wilt.England have a gem in Stokes and his brilliance has kept them in this Ashes series.

The offspinner is also confident the current Australia Test side can stay together until the next Ashes

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Mar-2024Nathan Lyon was impressed with how England’s inexperienced spinners acquitted themselves in India, even though the visitors lost 4-1 having won the opening Test, as he prepares to join forces with one of them, Tom Hartley, for a county season with Lancashire.In two of the five Tests England fielded Hartley, Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed as a spin trio. Hartley played the whole series and finished with 22 wickets at 36.13 after stunning with 7 for 62 on debut in Hyderabad. Bashir appeared four times after a delayed arrival due to visa issues and claimed 17 wickets at 33.35 including a maiden five-wicket haul in Dharamsala.How much Hartley and Lyon play together in the early rounds of the County Championship remains to be seen, but the England spinner has already joked Lyon will be “fed up of me” by the end of the season.Lyon, who said he was “absolutely glued” to the India-England series, also believes Bashir could have “something special” and has the potential to be successful in Australia.Nathan Lyon will team up with Tom Hartley at Lancashire•Getty Images

“All three of them to be honest with you,” Lyon said on the podcast when asked who stood out for him. “And I’m not just saying that to be kind. They had a pretty hard introduction into Test cricket. That’s one hell of a way to start your Test career, come over and bowl to Rohit [Sharma] and [Shubman] Gill and everyone else.”But I’m looking forward to getting over to Lancashire and meeting Tom [Hartley] and bowling with him and just having discussions about left-arm [orthodox], right-arm offies is a pretty similar craft. It’s going to be interesting to see the mindset, his reflections. I’m looking forward to hopefully playing a bit with him over there as well which will be good.Related

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“Bashir looked like he had something special as well. I like that he went over the back of it [the ball], so he could be a threat down here for sure.”The next Ashes series will take place in the 2025-26 season in Australia with England trying to build a side that can win down under for the first time since 2010-11 and only the second since 1986-87.From Australia’s point of view, there is debate starting about how much turnover there will be on the Test side following David Warner’s retirement earlier this year and the fact Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne were the only players under 30 during the recent series in New Zealand.Nathan Lyon is confident the current Australia Test side can reach the next Ashes•AFP/Getty Images

Most conjecture tends to surround Steven Smith who is non-committal on his future whenever asked, but Lyon does not foresee any further departures from the Test group in the next 12 months and is confident everyone can reach the Ashes.”We’re definitely getting closer to the end than the start,” Lyon said. “But I think also where we are in our careers is that we’ve done the hard work when we’re continuing to do the hard work in our preparation, our recovery, our rehab. There’s no reason why we can’t keep playing on for three to four or five years.”The only thing going to stop blokes is potential injuries and how the body holds up. The skill is always going to be there. The guys have played long enough now and they know what to do and how they go about it. And another thing is that, especially within the bowlers, under Pat [Cummins], Pat gets it as well. He understands when the bowlers are cooked…he understands the importance of managing [our] bowlers pretty well.”

Former Bangladesh captain says he had no input to cricketing decisions during the tournament

Mohammad Isam03-Nov-2023Khaled Mahmud has said he regrets taking up the role of Bangladesh team director for the World Cup since realising he wouldn’t be allowed to provide any technical or cricketing input during the tournament.Mahmud’s role, which in his words is now limited to travelling with the team and maintaining discipline, had come under scrutiny after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) appointed S Sriram as technical consultant shortly before the World Cup. It meant that the team had, in addition to the five specialist coaches, three heads in Mahmud, head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, and Sriram, who was Bangladesh’s head coach during the 2022 T20 World Cup.Earlier in Dharamsala, Hathurusinghe had said he was fine with the make-up of the management, but Mahmud felt differently three weeks later in Delhi.Related

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“I am performing only the role assigned to me by the BCB,” Mahmud said. “I don’t have the decision-making role as I have had in previous tours as a selector. Previously, I tried to keep myself involved with the team. This time, I don’t have a cricketing role. Firstly, I don’t want to be in this role like this. I have cricket in my blood. Coaching is my profession. But I am not involved with coaching with the Bangladesh team.”I had a technical role even at the last World Cup when I could speak to players. But this time, I am keeping myself away. I am definitely not enjoying this role as the head of the delegation. I am just roaming around, playing the role as a guardian to the players. I am taking care of discipline, but this is not really my work. If I knew this was my role, I wouldn’t have come to the World Cup.”Mahmud pointed to Bangladesh’s series against New Zealand in Dhaka (Mirpur) prior to the World Cup to suggest their preparation was not well planned. Bangladesh had played most of their ODIs in 2022 and 2023 in Chattogram and Sylhet to get used to good batting conditions, but then went to Mirpur just before the World Cup.”I don’t know what I was thinking when I said before the World Cup that we’d play the semi-final,” Mahmud said. “Maybe I had seen the boys’ body language and playing style. I honestly thought they would do well in Indian conditions. I had great expectations. But I am feeling very bad that we just don’t have a fighting mentality.

“I was not in favour of playing against New Zealand in Mirpur before the World Cup. Why did we have to play on those spinning pitches? Why did we want to win that series?”Khaled Mahmud

“I was not in favour of playing against New Zealand in Mirpur before the World Cup. Why did we have to play on those spinning pitches? Why did we want to win that series? We should have played in Chattogram and Sylhet. We lost the series despite New Zealand not bringing their main players. We should have been more serious, well before time, about the World Cup.”Bangladesh have lost the last six of their seven matches so far in the World Cup, and were the first team to be knocked out of contention for the semi-finals.”We have to play our best cricket in the next two matches. We must beat Sri Lanka,” Mahmud said. “Our players aren’t in a great mood. They have to do everything as they do, but they also are hurting. We had high expectations. We haven’t done well as a team. They [the players] feel that they have failed. The dressing room has become very quiet. We came here as a good team but we couldn’t perform as a team.”Bangladesh are currently in ninth place at the World Cup and need to finish in the top eight to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Their last two matches are against Sri Lanka in Delhi on November 6, and against Australia on November 11.

Aston Villa have a variety of attacking options that Unai Emery will be hoping can claw them up the Premier League table and into a spot for a European finish. They’re currently tenth in the top flight, with 42 points to their name, but just four off a top-four spot.

Three January additions helped to strengthen in attack, with Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio joining the club on loan, and Donyell Malen permanently from Borussia Dortmund.

They have been added to the firepower in forward areas that include the likes of Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey, all of whom are flying this season.

Another attacker who Emery has in the squad is Leon Bailey, but he has struggled this season.

Bailey’s 2024/25 campaign

Bailey is into his fourth season at Villa Park, after his summer move in August 2021 from German outfit Bayer Leverkusen. They paid the 2023/24 Bundesliga champions just £25m to sign the winger almost four summers ago.

The Jamaican has had an up-and-down time of things at Villa Park. This season has been a real struggle, after registering 28 goal involvements last term. In 33 games across all competitions, he has scored one goal and has three assists to his name.

Things have been especially tough going for the 27-year-old in the Premier League this term. Bailey, who has operated on both flanks, has managed just one goal and two assists in 22 games, with his sole strike coming in a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

It has certainly been a tough season for the Villans number 31. With his disappointing performances this term, it might not be a surprise to see that Bailey’s market value has crashed to as low as £31.4m, according to Transfermarkt.

Incredibly, that is not as low as one of his former teammates, despite impressing since his move.

The former Villa player worth more than Bailey

Over the past few seasons, Villa have done a lot of business which has enabled them to spend so heavily and build a squad that has taken them to the Champions League. One of their biggest sales was that of Moussa Diaby.

Market Movers

The Frenchman left Villa Park just one year after joining, also from Leverkusen. Villa were able to sell him for an impressive £50m, with the former PSG academy star moving to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ittihad.

Diaby performed well for Villa during his one-season stint in that famous Claret and Blue shirt and was described as “electric” by Statman Dave. In 54 games for the club, he scored ten goals and grabbed nine assists, with his 14 goal involvements in the Premier League crucial for helping his side into the Champions League.

Diaby record by competition for Villa in 2023/24
Competition	Games	Goals	Assists
Premier League	38	6	8
Conference League	11	3	1
FA Cup	3	1	0
Carabao Cup	1	0	0
Conference League qualifiers	1	0	0
Stats from Transfermarkt

Since his move to the Middle East, it has been a mixed bag for Diaby. He has performed well, but the winger has missed a substantial portion of Al-Ittihad’s season through injury. The French winger has been unavailable nine times this term.

However, he has been an assist machine for the Saudi side. In 17 games across all competitions, the 25-year-old has scored once, but managed 13 assists, including grabbing two against Al-Hilal.

Despite his impressive performances, the winger’s value has dropped dramatically. As per Transfermarkt, he is now worth just £28.9m, almost half of the amount that they sold him for in the summer – and even less than Bailey.

Although Diaby has had a better campaign than Bailey this season, the values suggest that Villa made the right choice with who to sell. Getting £50m for the Frenchman has proven to be an excellent deal given his injury issues. Perhaps the Villans made the correct call with who to sell after all.

Aston Villa have already sold their own Mateta who's a "true monster"

Aston Villa may regret selling this star who’s shades of Mateta.

By
Joe Nuttall

Feb 26, 2025

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da brdice： Gabriel Pires recebeu propostas de dois clubes do exterior neste ano. Ambos sinalizaram interesse em adquiri-lo por empréstimo, com opção de compra. O meia, no entanto, entende que está numa crescente e deseja permanecer no Botafogo por mais tempo.

O jogador pertence ao Benfica e está emprestado ao Glorioso até junho deste ano, com prorrogação automática até dezembro. O atleta não ficou satisfeito com suas atuações no ano passado e acredita que pode ser importante para equipe alvinegra nesta temporada.

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Ruben Amorim reportedly had to be talked out of resigning as Manchester United boss in January, just two months after his arrival.

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Took the reins at Old Trafford in November 2024Has struggled to deliver a reversal in fortuneEmbracing challenge ahead of Europa League finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese inherited managerial reins at Old Trafford in November 2024 following the departure of Erik ten Hag, and was charged with the task of turning a disappointing season around. He picked up just one win from his opening eight games at the helm.

AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE

According to , on the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton, Amorim was ready to walk away and had to be “talked out of the idea by associates”. There has been little improvement since then, with a record of 13 defeats in 25 Premier League games leaving United’s head coach “really embarrassed”.

GOALDID YOU KNOW?

He has, however, guided the Red Devils through to the Europa League final – with domestic rivals Tottenham set to be faced in a continental showpiece that sees major silverware and Champions League qualification come up for grabs.

WHAT A SOURCE SAID

After mulling over his options in the new year, Amorim “had to be reassured by senior figures at the club, including CEO Omar Berrada, that he would be backed to turn the team's fortunes around”. United’s board remain convinced that they have the right man for the job.

da roleta： Internal talks over signing a “special” number 10 have been held at Leeds United ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a recent report.

Leeds news and updates

da brdice： There is still a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the season, but with the Whites looking on course to seal a return to the Premier League, plans behind the scenes will be starting to take shape as they prepare for the likelihood of top-flight football next season.

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This week Daniel Farke stated that discussions over new contracts for the soon-to-be free agents have yet to begin. Sam Byram, Junior Firpo, and Josuha Guilavogui’s contracts are all set to expire at the end of the season, and Farke revealed that talks will be held at the right time.

Meanwhile, ahead of the summer transfer window, it has been reported that Manor Solomon could be available for a permanent transfer. The winger is currently on loan at Elland Road from Tottenham Hotspur, and it’s been claimed that he would be allowed to leave on a permanent basis in the summer if an opportunity is presented.

Solomon has made a big impact since joining Leeds, being a key player in their attack, as he was crowned the club’s player of the month in January.

Leeds hold internal talks over move to sign £25m ace

Solomon is not the only player the Whites have their eyes on ahead of the summer, as according to TEAMtalk, Leeds have held internal talks over a move to sign James McAtee from Manchester City if they are promoted to the Premier League.

The report states that the Championship outfit will prioritise signing a new number 10 in the summer, with interest remaining in Emi Buendia, who was a target during January but ended up joining Bayer Leverkusen instead. As well as Buendia, Leeds also hold interest in Eduard Spertsyan, Gustavo Hamer and McAtee, who could be available for a loan move next season.

Before this campaign, McAtee enjoyed two rather successful loan spells at Sheffield United, and instead of going on loan again, Man City decided to keep him at the Etihad this season. However, the midfielder has only played 16 times for the Blues, struggling to make an impact in the starting XI.

The 22-year-old has failed to start in the Premier League or Champions League, with the majority of his game time coming in the FA Cup.

James McAtee’s Premier League record

Apps

40

Goals

4

Assists

3

Given his lack of game time this season, City could decide to let McAtee leave on loan in the summer, or they could even decide to cash in, but it would cost Leeds and any other interested team £25 million to secure his services that way. Despite not playing regularly, McAtee has been labelled “special” by Pep Guardiola this season.

“I’m so happy for him; he’s a special player,” Guardiola said of McAtee after his hat-trick against Salford City.

da bet7： Brighton & Hove Albion host Chelsea in the Premier League on Friday evening, with the two sides set to meet at the American Express Stadium for the second time in the space of a week.

da lvbet： The visitors will be looking to avenge their FA Cup exit at the weekend, crashing out of the competition at the fourth round stage as a result of a 2-1 defeat.

Having suffered a 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest in their last Premier League outing, the Seagulls will be hoping to get their European push back on track, and they would move up to eighth with a victory.

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Posts 1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 10, 2025 Brighton v Chelsea team news

Brighton

Brighton currently have a number of players on the sidelines, with Igor Julio, Pervis Estupinan and James Milner expected to be ruled out for a considerable period, while Jason Steele is also unavailable after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Solly March has missed the last three matches and is set to miss out again, with the 30-year-old undergoing rehabilitation, while Lewis Dunk is doubtful.

Chelsea

The Blues also have some notable absentees, with Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Mykhailo Mudryk unlikely to be available for selection anytime soon.

Before the trip to Brighton last week, Enzo Maresca confirmed Marc Guiu could be ruled out for months, in what could be a real blow, whereas Nicolas Jackson is also sidelined.

Reece James wasn’t selected last weekend, but Maresca has stated it was a pre-planned decision and the captain could return this weekend.

Where to watch Brighton v Chelsea on TV

Brighton vs Chelsea has been selected for live TV coverage. The fixture, which is scheduled to kick-off at 8pm (GMT) on Friday 14th February, will be shown on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

In the USA, viewers can tune in on NBC.

Brighton v Chelsea referee and VAR

The Premier League have appointed Chris Kavanagh as the referee for this Friday’s clash, with the 39-year-old set to be supported by assistants Lee Betts and Mark Scholes, while Stuart Attwell is the fourth official.

Michael Oliver has been named as the Video Assistant Referee, with the Assistant Video Assistant Referee being named as Ian Hussin.

Chris Kavanagh record

Chelsea

Brighton

Games

18

18

Record

11W, 3D, 4L

5W, 5D, 8L

Cards received

32 Yellow, 0 Red

40 Yellow, 0 Red

Cards to opponents

42 Yellow, 1 Red

31 Yellow, 2 Red

Penalties for/against

5/2

5/6

Brighton v Chelsea form Brighton

Brighton’s Premier League form has been inconsistent, defeating Ipswich Town and Manchester United on the road since the turn of the year, before falling to consecutive defeats against Everton and Nottingham Forest.

The 7-0 loss against Forest is likely to be a cause for particular concern, but Fabian Hurzeler’s side will take confidence from the fact they beat Friday’s opponents 2-1 in the FA Cup last time out.

Brighton’s last five results (all competitions)

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

Sat 8th Feb

Chelsea

FA Cup

W 2-1

Sat 1st Feb

Nottingham Forest (a)

Premier League

L 7-0

Sat 25th Jan

Everton (h)

Premier League

L 0-1

Sun 19th Jan

Man Utd (a)

Premier League

W 1-3

Thu 16th Jan

Ipswich (a)

Premier League

W 0-2

Chelsea

Maresca insisted his side were not a part of the Premier League title race earlier this season, and the Blues’ form since the end of 2024 means that Champions League qualification is a more realistic target.

A record of two wins in their last three games keeps Chelsea in the top four, producing a second-half comeback to defeat West Ham United 2-1 in their last Premier League match.

Chelsea’s last five results (all competitions)

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

Sat 8th Feb

Brighton (a)

FA Cup

L 2-1

Mon 3rd Feb

West Ham (h)

Premier League

W 2-1

Sat 25th Jan

Man City (a)

Premier League

L 3-1

Mon 20th Jan

Wolves (h)

Premier League

W 3-1

Tue 14th Jan

Bournemouth (h)

Premier League

D 2-2

Brighton v Chelsea head-to-head

Brighton and Chelsea have met 25 times in total, with the majority of their clashes coming since the Seagulls’ promotion to the Premier League in 2017.

The Blues have a very strong record against Friday’s hosts, although Hurzeler’s side managed to notch a fourth victory against the six-time English champions on Saturday.

Brighton v Chelsea head-to-head (all competitions)

Brighton wins

4

Draws

5

Chelsea wins

16

Surrey 380 (Smith 97, Burns 88) and 73 for 1 beat Middlesex 209 (Robson 76, Malan 66, Worrall 5-48) and 240 (Holden 43, Clark 4-25) by nine wicketsIt bodes well for Surrey and not for the rest of Division One that while they did not perform to their best against Middlesex, they still won convincingly. Not just by nine wickets in the end, but with 46 overs to spare on day four. Considering the amount of time lost to rain, that last number reinforces the difference between them and their London rivals.From 128 for 3 overnight, Middlesex were rolled for 240, with three to Jordan Clark who finished with 4 for 25 from his nine overs. That he came on third change says all you need to know of the depth of talent at the 2022 champions’ disposal. A target of 70 took just 16.4 overs to polish off, with Ryan Patel taking charge at the end with a flurry of boundaries to pocket some decent red ink.Could there have been more tension? No doubt. Certainly, if Rory Burns’ dismissal had been followed up by that of Dom Sibley four deliveries later. The opener edged Toby Roland-Jones just wide of third slip after Tim Murtagh had forced Burns to find first. Perhaps at 17 for 2, panic might have ensued. In the end, Sibley and Patel made light work of the remaining runs, a half-century stand coming up in 60 balls, before Patel heaved the part-time offspin of Mark Stoneman to the midwicket fence to confirm victory by 3.05pm .A day that offered Middlesex the opportunity of pulling off something special or frustrating Surrey fell away quickly. The morning loss of three middle-order batters for just 55 runs dented hopes of the remarkable and the defiant.Make no mistake, the visitors conceded this match on day one, certainly hopes of winning it, with their last nine first-innings wickets falling for just 43 runs. A position of 166 for 1 relinquished would always be hard to make up. That they made Surrey bat again was a small, small victory.Even so, Thursday’s capitulation did mean the prospect of losing seven second-innings wickets before making up 43 runs felt very plausible. Three runs and 3.3 overs into the day, Kemar Roach got the first. The quick kill, perhaps even an innings victory, was on.A big one, too, in Max Holden. A patchy start to the summer punctuated by a half-century in the successful chase against Nottinghamshire looked like being joined by a second.Patience had got him to 42 overnight, but he could only add a single when Roach did what he does to left-handers: around the wicket, tempting a push, leaving them for dead. Surrey (and Roach) had gone to bed cursing Holden’s presence after Will Jacks dropped an easy catch at second slip when he had just 18.The second to fall was via a spectacular bit of work from Ben Foakes. Sean Abbott rasped one across John Simpson around the wicket, who helped the ball on its way down the leg side. Even before contact, Foakes was on his way, and a dive got him all the way across to pouch the ball with his right hand.Poetic, in a way, considering Simpson’s own exemplary keeping on day three had started with the wicket of Foakes while stood up to the stumps. Though it’ll probably take a bit of time before the Middlesex gloveman appreciates it as such.Out walked Pieter Malan, pushed down the order after suffering with some unspecified stiffness, accompanied by Mark Stoneman as his runner. His movements were clearly inhibited, though the trio of boundaries struck by Ryan Higgins to bring the scores level were simply the allrounder being his usually punchy self rather than shouldering extra burden.A lead of 10 was established before Gus Atkinson struck with his third legitimate delivery, getting Malan to push a little too far forward for a catch to Patel at backward point.Just eight deliveries later, Clark served up a passable Roach impression with a worldie from around the wicket that left Hollman driving at thin air – all but the edge – as Foakes leapt across first slept to take another smart catch.It should have in fact been three wickets in 11 deliveries, but Sibley palmed up a firm edge from Higgins, on 28, off Atkinson, and not even Foakes in this form could nab the rebound.Sibley would get the chance to make amends, albeit for Clark’s benefit, when Roland-Jones advanced and flinched at a delivery pulled back of a length for a bread-basket grab at first slip.With two wickets remaining and the lead only 27, Higgins decided now was the time to pick his team up over his shoulder and carry them once more. Middlesex’s leading runscorer possess the kind of attitude and skill to suggest you’d not go too badly with XI of him. Unspectacular yet effective, average height with above-average demeanour, particularly in this world of cruiserweight-boxer shaped allrounders.One of the latter – Clark – struck him on the arm, snarling at Higgins as he returned to the umpire to retrieve his cap. Having ascertained Higgins was not in great strife, Clark walked away satisfied he had inflicted pain. Out came the Middlesex physio to tend to his left wrist, which had worn a bouncer as he attempted to advance down the track for a second boundary of the over.The physio was back on again the next over, tending to Ethan Bamber’s top hand after the bowler failed to hook a well-directed bouncer from Atkinson. Bamber had better luck as Dan Worrall took over from Clark at the Pavilion End. A well-executed swish to deep square leg got him off the mark, even forcing Burns to move the fielder back to the fence.A second boundary came at the end of the over, gloved just beyond the reach of a diving Foakes. Another half-chance from Bamber came with the lead on 52, as Jamie Smith failed to reach a pop-up at short leg.By lunchtime, Bamber was looking steady on 20, walking off to the break after keeping out a yorker from Worrall. Higgins had grown to trust his junior partner, and even with the hosts managing five wickets in the session, a lead of 63 was a handy jumping-off point for a dart at some quick runs on a glorious Sunday afternoon.That’s certainly what Higgins was about. The eighth ball after lunch, he pulled Clark to the square leg fence – but Roach was lurking, moving to his right to take a catch a couple of feet in from the boundary. Out Tim Murtagh came and soon back he went, bowled by Abbott, though not before Bamber had struck another boundary.It would never be enough, and a run of consecutive victories now ends for Middlesex. At the very least, they leave this game having showcased some positives from the victories over Nottinghamshire and Kent, even if errors and the opposition’s superiority overhwelmed them.For Surrey, this third victory out of five – they remain unbeaten – lifted them back to the top of Division One after Warwickshire held the position for 24 hours. Surrey are home again next week for the visit of Kent, with a great opportunity to go into the international break well set to defend their crown.