كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية تطورًا مثيرًا في ملف لاعب فريق نيوكاسل يونايتد، ألكسندر إيزاك، ورغبة ليفربول في الحصول على خدماته، خلال موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الحالي.
ومن المعروف أن ليفربول لديه رغبة قوية في التعاقد مع ألكسندر إيزاك من صفوف نيوكاسل، وهي رغبة مماثلة لدى اللاعب السويدي.
وتقدم ليفربول بعرض مالي، تصل قيمته إلى حوالي 110 ملايين جنيه إسترليني، قبل أيام، وهو ما قوبل بالرفض من جانب نيوكاسل يونايتد.
وتمسك إيزاك بفكرة الانتقال إلى ليفربول، لدرجة جعلته لم ينضم إلى الجولة التحضيرية للموسم الجديد رفقة نيوكاسل، وتدرب بمفرده في مرافق نادي ريال سوسيداد.
وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية، فإن مجلس إدارة نادي نيوكاسل يونايتد أبلغ ألكسندر إيزاك بأنه ليس للبيع هذا الصيف، ولن يُسمح له بالانتقال إلى صفوف ليفربول، في تحدي قوي من الملاك السعوديين.
اقرأ أيضًا.. تصريح مثير من محمد صلاح بشأن لعبة الفانتازي قبل بداية موسم ليفربول
وأوضحت أن الموقف السالف ذكره تسبب في حالة من التوتر والاحتقان، حيث رفض إيزاك قبول ذلك القرار برحابة صدر.
وأشارت إلى إنه بناءً على ذلك، تلقى إيزاك أوامر من المدير الفني لفريق نيوكاسل يونايتد، إيدي هاو، بالتدرب بعيدًا عن المجموعة.
وأفادت أن مسؤولي نيوكاسل وجدوا أنه كي يتقبل إيزاك حقيقة أنه سيتم حرمانه من فرصة الانتقال خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية، فلن يلعب مع الفريق.
وأكدت أنها خطوة ذات مخاطر كبرى من جانب مسؤولي نيوكاسل يونايتد، ولكنهم يتمسكون بموقفهم.
ولا ينوي ليفربول التقدم بعرض جديد لضم إيزاك إلا إذا غير نيوكاسل موقفه، وهو أمر مستبعد تمامًا، حسب مصادر للصحيفة نفسها، حتى لو تعاقد النادي مع مهاجم آخر.
وزعمت أن إيدي هاو كان على علم بموقف النادي الصارم منذ بعض الوقت، وسعى جاهدًا لتهدئة الأمر مع إيزاك، وهو ما تبين صعوبته في وقت لاحق.
Will Samson play this time? And how will the hosts respond to being knocked out for 114?
Deivarayan Muthu28-Jul-20234:32
Should India give Axar and Samson a go?
Big pictureThe first ODI in Barbados lasted all of 45.5 overs. What did we really learn from Thursday’s fixture? Nothing new. Despite the absence of a number of a senior seamers, India skittled West Indies for 114. They were so dominant that they didn’t need Virat Kohli with the bat. They barely needed Rohit Sharma with the bat. They could afford to demote Kohli to No.8 and bump Shardul Thakur up to No.6.As for West Indies, their freefall continues. On a track that had some juice for both seamers and spinners, their batters struggled. They continue to drop catches, something that cost them a spot in the 2023 ODI World Cup. They also have to contend with the unavailability of key players. Hours after West Indies were blasted out by India in Barbados, Nicholas Pooran led MI New York past Washington Freedom in Dallas in the MLC Eliminator. Left-arm fingerspinner Akeal Hosein was in action for Washington in the same match. Alzarri Joseph is available for West Indies selection, but the team management had opted to rest him in the first ODI and manage his workload.At the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, coach Daren Sammy insisted that he had inherited this squad. This is now his chance to leave an imprint. Sammy has successfully rehabilitated St Lucia Kings in the CPL, but it won’t be as easy doing the same with an international cricket team, especially in the middle of a series against India. In the absence of Pooran, it’s up to Shimron Hetmyer to step up and counter India’s left-arm spinners.For India, the second ODI is another opportunity to shake things up in the lead-up to the World Cup. Will Sanju Samson get a look in? Can Umran Malik slot into Prasidh Krishna’s role as the enforcer in the middle overs? Can India also fit Yuzvendra Chahal in their XI and reunite him with Kuldeep Yadav?Form guideWest Indies LLWLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first) India WLLWWIn the spotlightThere’s a lot to like about Alick Athanaze. He has a solid technique, can play some fluid drives, and is also sharp in the slip cordon. More runs against India, this time in ODIs, and in the following CPL, where he is set to make his debut for Barbados Royals, could potentially make him the new face of a West Indies side that is in transition.1:56
Hope: We need to focus on little things and results will turn around
India are also in transition and in the absence of Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar made his ODI debut and came away with the wicket of Athanaze. In the longest format, Mukesh can relentlessly probe away outside off, and can similarly test batters outside off in white-ball cricket. But that doesn’t mean he’s a one trick pony. He can nail yorkers with the old ball, something that was on display during his first IPL stint with Delhi Capitals earlier this year.Team newsWith Rovman Powell particularly vulnerable to wristspin – and spin in general – West Indies might consider bringing in Keacy Carty, who has innings construction – and reconstruction – skills in ODI cricket. With Joseph’s workload being managed and with Jayden Seales just making his way back from knee surgery, Oshane Thomas could get a game at some point in this series.West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Alick Athanaze, 4 Shai Hope (capt & wk), 5 Rovman Powell/Keacy Carty, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Dominic Drakes, 9 Yannic Cariah, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Jayden Seales/Alzarri Joseph/Oshane ThomasSamson’s exclusion was the major talking point in the ODI series opener. It remains to be seen if India can find room for him in their XI and give him a decent run in the lead-up to the home World Cup.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Sanju Samson/Ishan Kishan (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Umran Malik, 11 Mukesh KumarPitch and conditionsBoth Rohit and Shai Hope were surprised by how the Barbados pitch played on Thursday. The seamers got encouraging carry while the spinners extracted turn – even with the new ball. If the same pitch is rolled out on Saturday, both teams could consider playing an extra spinner. The weather didn’t interrupt the first match, but the forecast for the second is gloomier, with 50% chance of rain.Stats and trivia West Indies have lost their last five bilateral ODI series at home and are now on the verge of losing their sixth. Since his return to ODIs in January earlier this year, Kuldeep Yadav has picked up 19 wickets in nine games at an average of 17 and economy rate of 5.25. Among spinners from Full-Member nations, only Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana have more wickets than Kuldeep during this period in ODI cricket. Ravindra Jadeja is six wickets away from 200 strikes in ODI cricket. He will become the third Indian spinner to the landmark after Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. He is also three wickets away from surpassing Venkatesh Prasad’s tally of 196 wickets.
Agony and ecstasy were experienced, and then exchanged, as Australia scripted a fab come-from-behind win
Annesha Ghosh24-Sep-2021It’s supposed to be the final ball of the match.A world-record 26th straight ODI win is on the line for Australia. The opportunity to extend their lead to four points over India in the multi-format series beckons. Three runs off the delivery and they would be ticking both boxes.India, for their part, are hoping their score of 274 is one run too many for Australia. One run better than the tally of an opposition that has yet again exposed their shortcomings as a fielding unit, the limitations of their largely untested attack under lights in dewy conditions and, most tellingly, laid bare the difference a well-run domestic set-up can make to a team’s approach to tight finishes.It’s supposed to be the final ball of the match. And India are convinced it is.Nicola Carey swats a full toss straight to midwicket where Yastika Bhatia, playing only her second game for India, pouches it and is mobbed by her team-mates who come scurrying in from all over. The bowler, Jhulan Goswami, arms spread, roars and rushes in, clutching Bhatia in a delirious embrace. Pats on the back for the pair come thick and fast. As do high-fives, grins… and a look relief on many faces.Related
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By now, Carey has crossed over to the non-striker’s end. She wears a look of disbelief and trudges back towards her partner, Beth Mooney, on the other side of the pitch to where India have huddled.”India win. The streak is over,” a commentator says. The verdict, he thinks, is straightforward enough.But, hang on. The on-field umpires, suddenly, seem… unsure. What is it?Surely that appeared to be a clean catch by Bhatia. Surely Carey’s swat off the full toss was fatal. But… there… a full toss. The devil starts to surface from that one detail.Was the delivery waist-high or above upon contact with Carey’s bat? Did she hang too deep in her crease against the dipping projectile? Or did the stride she had taken forward, after taking a step back, before connecting with the ball, change things? How tall is Carey anyway? How tall does Carey’s natural batting stance make her look on television? Hang on. Why is she even playing this match? Had it not been for an elbow injury to Rachael Haynes, who struck 93 not out in Australia’s win in the first ODI, would Carey have even been subjected to this agonising wait?The on-field umpires, Eloise Sheridan and Claire Polosak (standing in for the injured Bruce Oxenford), had not called no-ball. But they’ve reviewed the ball. Over to the third umpire, Philip Gillespie.It’s supposed to be the final ball of the match. You know that by now. But try telling that to Carey or Goswami or Bhatia or the commentators. Or to the sizeable crowd that have turned up for the day-night fixture at Harrup Park and remained on the edge of their seat ever since Australia’s vaunted line-up lost Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry for 0, 6, 2 in the powerplay.Try telling that to Meghna Singh who, along with Goswami, did that to Australia’s top order, with incisive opening spells of swing bowling. Or to Smriti Mandhana, whose 94-ball 86 underpinned India’s 274.It’s supposed to be the final ball of the match. But there is no sense of finality here.A seemingly endless loop of television replays is on. Then, at long last, Gillespie, arrives at a decision. He relays his call to Polosak, who nods her head and stretches her right hand out, parallel to the ground. No-ball. It is not the final ball of the match after all.India cannot believe their luck. Bhatia buries her face in her hands. The camera catches a poker-faced Raj, setting the field, before cutting to Goswami, who, realising she’ll have to re-bowl that delivery, walks up to Polosak to make polite enquires. She had already bowled a waist-high no-ball earlier in the over, but after Polosak explains that Goswami’s second no-ball was “away from the body” and, therefore, not deemed dangerous, she is allowed to finish the over. Shaking her head, she eventually makes her way to the start of her run-up.Agony has replaced ecstasy in the Indian dugout. Australia’s non-playing personnel are up on their feet in their corner, rejoicing, albeit nervously. “It goes from a win [for India] to a run off the last ball [for Australia to tie],” a commentator says as Carey, on 37, and Mooney, on 125, confer with the umpires to confirm the specific requirements of the new ball.And the final over read…•ESPNcricinfo LtdMooney explained what that chat was about, after the game. “I’ve been talking with some people on the sideline,” she said. “They said it was a clear no-ball. I wasn’t sure [of how many were needed off the additional ball] because of everything that was happening but, essentially, we were trying to work out whether we got a run for the run that we took, who was on strike and things like that. So, obviously, it was a pretty tight call in the end.”Mandhana spoke of a similar sense of confusion. “We haven’t really seen the ball yet as a team,” she said. “We were on the field, so on the field it’s very hard to judge if it’s a waist-high no ball or it isn’t. It’s still too early for us to go and see and really be unhappy about it. Definitely we’ll have a look at it but, those things… when they go in your favour you’re really happy. But I wouldn’t add to the controversy part about anything. I seriously haven’t looked at the ball yet.”The women’s game had its first-ever Super Over in ODIs only earlier this week. Now, the possibility of a second in quick succession isn’t out of the question.It’s a free hit, so the batters can only be run out. Carey is back on strike and Mooney ready to sprint for her life. Her 125 runs may have constituted her best century in the format yet, but they still will not amount to much for her team if she and Carey do not ace this one last delivery.And so the final ball of the night, finally, lands. Literally, this time. Fullish. Tailing in close to Carey’s feet. She digs it out into the leg side and sets off. The fielder, Jemimah Rodrigues, substituting for Shafali Verma, gets around to the ball quickly, running in from cow corner, but isn’t quick enough to keep the batters from crossing for the second.The throw reaches Goswami at the non-striker’s end and she breaks the stumps, but Mooney has long made her ground. Raising her left hand, punching the air, she signals the end to an extraordinary night.Goswami’s first over produced the ball of match, when she bowled Healy for a duck with a superb inswinger. Her final over on the night orchestrated what could remain etched in cricketing lore as one of the game’s the most chaotic – and memorable – finishes ever.
Sunderland are looking to potentially hijack a move for an attacking star in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer claim.
Le Bris excited about Sunderland signing Sadiki
The Black Cats have completed the signing of Noah Sadiki, with the midfielder arriving at the Stadium of Light on a five-year deal from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
Regis Le Bris is clearly in positive spirits about an exciting piece of business for Sunderland ahead of their imminent return to the Premier League next month, assessing the capture of the 20-year-old.
Union Saint-Gilloise'sNoahSadikiin action with Rangers' Nedim Bajrami
It’s now a case of Sunderland building on the signing of Sadiki and bringing in more signings before the current window slams shut at the end of August, and a promising new update has now emerged regarding their transfer situation.
Sunderland pushing to hijack £17.2m signing
According to Foot Mercato, Sunderland are in the mix to sign Lens midfielder Neil El Aynaoui this summer, with the 24-year-old valued at more than €20m (£17.2m) by the French club.
Breaking: Sunderland agree quick-fire deal to sign exciting £20m winger
It’s been a statement-making summer from the Black Cats.
ByTom Cunningham Jul 5, 2025
The Black Cats are joined by a host of top clubs in the tussle to snap him up, as they look to steal him from under the noses of the likes of Roma, Juventus and AC Milan.
Olympique de Marseille's Quentin Merlin in action with RC Lens' NeilElAynaoui
El Aynaoui could immediately improve Sunderland as a team if they managed to get a deal over the line, adding quality in the middle of the park, as highlighted by the calibre of clubs interested in him.
The midfielder is a one-cap Morocco Under-23 international, while journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter has described him as a “highly-talented” footballer, so he would be a signing of real intent.
It is clearly going to be tricky for Sunderland to sign El Aynaoui, given the level of interest in him from some of the biggest clubs in Italy, but they are now back in the Premier League, which is a major attraction for so many players around the world.
Hopefully, Le Bris can sell him the idea of moving to the Stadium of Light, being a key starter instead of a potential cog in the machine elsewhere, as he looks to give his side the best possible chance of survival next season.
Everton only went from strength to strength to strength when the Friedkin Group ended Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign toward the end of 2024, moving swiftly to replace Sean Dyche with David Moyes in the dugout.
Relegation candidates in the bleak of winter, Everton played to Moyes’ tune across the second half of the campaign, finished comfortably in 13th place in the Premier League.
Everton manager DavidMoyesbefore the match
The Scotsman has overseen a slow start to the transfer window, albeit with chief executive Angus Kinnear settling in and dealing with an overload of potential departures. Albeit, Charly Alcaraz’s loan spell has been made permanent for a £13m fee.
Much has been made of the need for forwards, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin going and the Toffees closing in on his replacement in Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, 22, who has a £34.5m release clause.
But Everton may yet need to package their midfield with one or two impactful additions.
The latest on Everton's midfield situation
Everton always knew this was going to be a significant summer, with so many comings and goings taking place. Midfield is indeed more settled than other areas of the field, but the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure have departed, and with Alcaraz now a permanent feature, Everton might want to invest in a deeper-lying replacement.
There is, however, hope on Merseyside that 35-year-old star Idrissa Gana Gueye might renew his Everton vows to spend a year at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Gueye is still an effective player, but he’s a veteran, and it might be good to seek a replacement, one who could contest for that starting spot next season. That man might prove to be Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, who has emerged as a top target for Everton.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
That’s what Football Insider believe, having detailed Everton’s desire to rival Manchester United for the Nigeria international by making a formal offer for the player.
Suitors are lining up as he is entering the penultimate year of his contract at the King Power, Leicester having been relegated from the Premier League last season.
GIVEMESPORT have also chimed in, stating that the Foxes recognise that clubs might not fancy paying the full release clause and might instead settle on a more agreeable £5m figure.
Part of this is due to Ndidi’s high £75k-per-week salary.
What Wilfred Ndidi would bring to Everton
Leicester signed Ndidi from Belgian side Genk way back in January 2017, when he was only 20 years old. Arriving in a deal worth £15m, he always had a huge task in replacing N’Golo Kante, but he’s done himself justice over his years on English soil.
Everton's Dwight McNeil in action with Leicester City's WilfredNdidi
Still only 28 years old, Ndidi has featured 303 times for his current club, notching 40 goal involvements and playing a tackle-heavy defensive role that has since bloomed into something more dynamic and modern, the anchor raised.
In this way, he could prove to be a fantastic replacement for Gueye but also an upgrade on the older man, bringing to Everton a fitting combative style but also a slick passing game that can help the evolution of Moyes’ system.
1.
Idrissa Gueye
Everton
123
2.
Daniel Munoz
Palace
109
3.
Noussair Mazraoui
Man Utd
102
4.
Moises Caicedo
Chelsea
100
5.
Joao Gomes
Wolves
99
Remarkably, no Premier League player won more tackles than Gueye in 2024/25, the veteran belying his age to play a priceless part in the stabilisation of a side that stared down the barrel of a smoking gun.
Everton need someone to step into his boots and emulate such qualities. Ndidi could be that man. Indeed, as per FBref, the 6 foot 2 star ranked among the top 5% of central midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues last season for tackles, the top 7% for blocks, the top 3% for clearances and the top 4% for aerial battles won per 90.
Leicester City's WilfredNdidiin action with AFC Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier
He also averaged assists at a rate of 0.19 per 90, which underscores a ball-playing side to Ndidi’s game that could prove invaluable as Everton look to break free from the pragmaticism which has defined so much of their football in recent years, and instead become a force to be reckoned with in England’s top flight.
Gueye, by contrast, averaged 0.09 assists across all competitions in 2024/25. This was hardly to the detriment of Everton’s fluency and success; it wasn’t within the ball-winner’s jurisdiction. However, it illustrates the presence they would sign by reeling in Ndidi, for sure.
Last season, Ndidi served in a collapsing Leicester system, but he still plied his trade dutifully. As per Sofascore, across his 28 appearances in the league (all starts), the African midfielder racked up five assists, created five big chances and averaged 0.6 key passes per game.
Moreover, he won three tackles, 6.3 duels and made 4.5 ball recoveries on average each Premier League outing. Thus, his ability to slot right in and claim the torch from Gueye is highlighted.
Leicester were abject last year, but Ndidi has long been a pillar of strength in the Midlands. One FIFA expert even named him “the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League” back in 2020, while ESPN’s Colin Udoh described him as an “absolute monster”.
Of course, there’s hope that Gueye will be staying put over the coming year, but he will indeed turn 36 around the start of the campaign, and Everton will need to cover him – especially as the versatile midfielder Doucoure has left.
Moyes has succeeded in stabilising the club, and Kinnear will know, of course, that the wage bill has been slashed by the recent exodus, thus putting the high-salary Ndidi in an attainable bracket.
With Barry potentially shoring up the frontline for a hefty £34.5m fee, Everton could hit the jackpot in shrewdly signing Ndidi, for he could absorb some tricks of the trade from his older positional peer before emphatically replacing him down the line.
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da bet7k： O Corinthians chegou a abrir dois gols de vantagem contra o Fluminense, mas caiu de produção na segunda etapa e viu o rival empatar o duelo no Maracanã. Com o resultado, o Timão perdeu a oportunidade de se distanciar da zona de rebaixamento do Campeonato Brasileiro.
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da bwin： + Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000
Com 32 pontos após vinte e sete rodadas disputadas, o clube do Parque São Jorge ocupa atualmente a décima terceira colocação no Brasileirão, apenas dois pontos à frente do Santos, que abre o Z4.
De acordo com o Departamento de Matemática da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), o Corinthians tem maior probabilidade de cair para a segunda divisão (19,5%) do que chances de disputar a próxima Copa Libertadores (0,37%) e viu seu objetivo na competição nacional, muito por conta da instabilidade administrativa da atual diretoria, ser definido: permanecer na primeira divisão.
continua após a publicidade
Os próximos três jogos do Timão serão fundamentais nesta luta. Na sequência, o time encara o América-MG (20º), Cuiabá (10º) e Santos (17º), todas equipes que possuem o mesmo objetivo que o clube paulista na competição.
There has been some criticism against the opener for his strike-rate but on Tuesday he put that all to bed
Mohammad Isam03-Mar-2020By breaking his own 10-year old record, Tamim Iqbal has given another reminder that his appetite for big runs is far from over. In the last eight months, he has been sending some strong signals that he is gearing up for a new phase in his career, but not many paid attention.During a self-imposed hiatus from the game last year, Iqbal topped up his fitness under Ben Coleman, a world famous trainer, in Bangkok. He was in the frontline of the players strike last October, too, and last month, he set the national record for the highest individual first-class score with his unbeaten 334.But up until this superb 158 against Zimbabwe, his international return in January didn’t include one of his trademark big knocks. And because it is Iqbal, a noted match-winner in the Bangladesh side for a long time, criticism wasn’t too far away. The anxiety surrounding the team’s all-time highest run-getter in ODIs came to a head when batting coach Neil McKenzie had to do a deep-dive in a press conference.McKenzie explained that the questions about Iqbal’s strike-rate were unfair, and that all he needed to do was hit two extra boundaries in the Powerplay to appease the naysayers. Iqbal struck 10 in the first 10 overs in this game, and 20 in total, apart from the three sixes.ESPNcricinfo LtdIt looked like a strong riposte to the questions asked about his intent and the lack of big runs since his international comeback. Among his first 10 fours, were two shots that looked very forceful – a pull over midwicket and a chip over wide mid-on – while the rest were picked up through cover or behind square on the leg side.Then till he reached his hundred, Iqbal consolidated to make up for the loss of Mushfiqur Rahim, as he and Mahmudullah batted conservatively till the last 10 overs. Iqbal made his last 58 runs off 30 balls, with six fours and three sixes, as the fourth wicket partnership changed gear. He finished on a strike-rate of 116.17, having batted for 45.4 overs, which is no mean feat.The recent criticism of Iqbal’s batting is rooted in his cautious approach during the World Cup, where he made good starts but didn’t capitalise. He later admitted that he ‘made bad decisions’ as the pressure to perform became too much.Iqbal’s return to top level saw him making a cautious fifty against Pakistan in a T20I in Lahore. It drew criticism as Bangladesh lost the game meekly but really, wouldn’t it have been stranger if he had gone out in that game and started smashing everything knowing the rest of the batting line up was very inexperienced?Over the last five years, Iqbal has worked out three separate methods for each format, and has been a mostly successful opener. Bear in mind, Bangladesh don’t provide featherbeds at home for their batsmen, who also have to face tough conditions in away matches too.His numbers since the 2015 World Cup suggest that he has come of age, although he would have liked to score some more runs in T20Is. Nevertheless, like he had provided stability to an often volatile opening stand for Bangladesh all those years ago when he started his career, he is now providing stability in a side slowly devoid of experience.Iqbal’s hunger for runs is what should mostly matter for the Bangladesh team, and if his method works out in the end, his experience at the international level should be reason enough to give him the leeway to get things right.
Chelsea are not guaranteed the chance to defend their Club World Cup title as FIFA debate whether to allow the Blues to qualify automatically.
Chelsea could miss out on CWC in 2029Blues won revamped competitionFIFA may not allow them inFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea face the prospect of being unable to defend their Club World Cup trophy in 2029, per . Organisers FIFA are considering whether or not to allow the winners to qualify automatically, which is not currently the case.
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As it stands, each league can only have two clubs representing them in the tournament, with Chelsea and Manchester City heading over from England. That frustrated FIFA, however, as big clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal missed out. All three are huge revenue drivers.
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UEFA may take issue with the plans, however, if the Club World Cup threatens to become a competitor for the Champions League. As it was, though, none of the three champions of England, Spain and Italy played in the tournament that the Blues won.
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Chelsea kick off their Premier League season next weekend against Crystal Palace after friendlies versus Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan.
The left hander was closing in on his career best after he and Jake Doran left the home side without ideas
AAP15-Nov-2024Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald was closing in on his highest first-class score after dominating the Queensland bowlers on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash.The 31-year-old sent another reminder of the quality top-order batters in the Australian domestic scene, although after making an unbeaten 185 he said he had probably left his run too late to be in the Test equation.Related
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Queensland captain Mitchell Swepson won the toss and sent Tasmania in under heavy cloud cover at Allan Border Field on Friday but Weatherald and fellow left-hander Jake Doran were in complete control when bad light stopped play an hour after tea with Tasmania 358 for 3 off 76 overs.Weatherald and Doran added 161 off 177 deliveries in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand after Tim Ward had played a fine hand at No. 3.Weatherald’s highest Shield score is the 198 he made while playing for South Australia against Tasmania in 2019. He had made a couple of 40s in the opening Shield rounds this season but had been unable to make the most of the starts.After the day’s play he spoke of the welcome focus opening batters have had domestically this season after David Warner’s retirement.”It has been a bit of a circus going on in Australia trying to find an opener but it has been awesome to watch,” Weatherald said. “I’m very happy for Nathan [McSweeney] getting a gig. I think he’s deserved that spot.”I definitely left my run too late but I think there are some good openers around. Sam Whiteman is playing very well and Caleb Jewel has been very good for a long time. Hopefully we can keep putting the pressure on the Australian boys.”Tasmania had been bowled out for 98 in the second innings of their previous Shield clash against Western Australia but none of that fragility was on show.Queensland had themselves to blame with poor line and length from the bowlers and occasional shoddy fielding not helping their cause. Swepson appeared to run out of ideas as none of the six bowlers used troubled the visitors. They were missing strike bowler Michael Neser with a hamstring injury and his absence was felt.Weatherald went after the bowling from the get-go as his strike-rate of 91.58 suggests.”It probably felt in the last game that I was hanging back a bit so in this game there was impetus to come out and meet the ball and I thought that worked well on that wicket,” he said. “It was nipping around a bit early but they gave us some opportunities to score which was good. It is a great venue to bat on and you get good reward.”
Sir Alex Ferguson always had an eye for homegrown talent, building his Manchester United dynasty on the backs of British and Irish stars like Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane.
The legendary Scottish manager was well known for not always seeing eye to eye with even his greatest stars however, and was not afraid to dish out punishment to some of the biggest names in the game.
Gary Neville recalled a dispute after he swore at the 83 year-old during their time together at United: “He fined me a week’s wages, battered me after the match.
“Did it again the day after in his office. Then he proceeded to leave me out for the next two weeks, put me on the bench. He shouted something on to me [in the game] and I knew it. I spent the next 15 minutes of the match thinking, ‘I am done. I’m done.’”
Perhaps the most well-known case of ‘Fergie’ taking on one of his own players came in 2005, leading to Keane’s departure as Red Devils captain.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder had been in and out of the team since an injury sustained due to a poor tackle from Liverpool’s Luis Garcia, and had also taken issue with the quality of the team’s accommodation during a pre-season camp in Portugal.
And after an outburst criticising his teammates on MUTV as well as several rows with Ferguson and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, Keane left Old Trafford by mutual consent in November 2005.
Ferguson: Gerrard was the best midfielder in the Premier League
Suddenly United had a gaping hole in a team that had dominated the Premier League for years, and Sir Alex has since revealed the only man capable of filling that void at the time was Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
It’s little surprise the Scot was so appreciative of Gerrard’s talents either. At a time when United were dominating their north-west counterparts domestically, Gerrard was the sole constant thorn in their side.
Steven Gerrard
Record vs Man Utd
Appearances
35
Wins
13
Draws
2
Losses
20
Goals
9
Assists
5
Yellow cards
6
Red cards
2
The Premier League has seen some of the best midfielders in the world throughout the years, leading to fierce debates as fans rank the likes of Keane, Gerrard, Vieira, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard.
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Sir Alex wasn’t the only one full of praise for Liverpool’s skipper though, with the legendary Jose Mourinho once admitting he tried to sign him both with Internazionale and while he was in charge at Chelsea.
It’s truly difficult to comprehend how England’s ‘golden era’ was unable to succeed with the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes leading the charge.