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أعلن سامي الطرابلسي المدير الفني لـ منتخب تونس، عن قائمة اللاعبين المنضمين إلى صفوف نسور قرطاج للمشاركة في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا.

تفصلنا أيام قليلة عن انطلاق بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا المقرر إقامتها في دولة المغرب آواخر شهر ديسمبر الجاري.

ويتواجد منتخب تونس في المجموعة الثالثة ببطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا، مع منتخبات نيجيريا وأوغندا وتنزانيا.

وخرج منتخب تونس من منافسات مرحلة المجموعات لـ كأس العرب بعد الفوز بـ مباراة وحيدة والتعادل في أخرى وتلقى هزيمة واحدة.

طالع | محمد بن رمضان وعلي معلول يعلقان على خروج تونس من كأس العرب

وشهدت قائمة تونس تواجد محمد علي بن رمضان لاعب الأهلي وكذلك سيف الجزيري مهاجم الزمالك، بجانب انضمام الثنائي علي معلول وفرجاني ساسي. قائمة منتخب تونس لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025

حراسة المرمى: أيمن ححمان – بشير بن سعيد نور الدين فرحاتي – صبري بن حسن.

خط الدفاع: ياسين مرياح – منتصر الطالبي – ديلان برون آدم عروس – نادر الغندري – محمد بن علي- يان فاليري – على العابدي مرتضى بن وناس – على معلول.

خط الوسط: إلياس السخيري – حسام تقا – فرجاني ساسي-إسماعيل الغربي – محمد الحاج محمود – حنبعل المجبري- نعيم السليتي – محمد علي بن رمضان.

وفي الهجوم: إلياس سعد – إلياس العاشوري- سبستيان تونكتي – فراس شواط- حازم المستورى – سيف الدين الجزيري.

Pakistan’s attack bowled plenty of dots at the Chinnaswamy, but it was the ones that went for four and six that set the tone

Osman Samiuddin20-Oct-20232:06

Pujara: Babar succumbed to pressure

The first over of the match, bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi, was a good over. It was not the great over that we have come to expect from Afridi but it was a good over. He forced Pakistan to take a slightly ludicrous review off the first ball and tried to push for another very optimistic one off the fourth, but otherwise it went well. He wasn’t straining too hard for that full-length ball that he hasn’t been able to nail right of late. He showed signs he was willing to mix his length and off five balls he conceded just one run.Off one though, the fifth ball of the over, he went a little too full. It shaped in a touch as well. No matter. This is the Chinnaswamy. The boundaries here are served Size Extra Small. The pitch is true. There may only have been four ODIs at the stadium in the last 10 years but we’ve all seen the IPL. We all know the feats of white-ball batting magic that are written here. Also, facing up was Mitch Marsh and there is no cleaner hitter of a cricket ball right now. With minimum fuss, he launched a six straight down the ground.It was a very Mitch Marsh shot. The over read: four dots, one slight error, one maximum. In not quite the way Pakistan would have wanted, the tone was set for most of the rest of this innings.Related

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• Warner and Marsh secure two vital points for Australia

• Stats – Warner and Marsh's record stand in a six-hitting blitz

• From sickbed to match-winner – Cummins and Stoinis laud Zampa

Hasan Ali bowled eight dot balls in his first two overs. He began his second over from round the wicket though with such a floaty leg-stump half-volley it would’ve been rude had David Warner turned down the invite to scoop it over fine leg for six. He ended the over with a wide length ball that Marsh crunched through point. In between there were three dot balls.Iftikhar Ahmed, called up far earlier than he might have been expecting and turning out to be a far better part-time option than anyone expected, bowled a decent eighth over. Good lengths, nice darts, some dots. Apart from the third ball which was a tiny bit short, a teensy bit wide, and bam, meet Warner’s cut shot. He may be cuddlier now but that cut shot is still mean as hell.Usama Mir came on for the 11th over and bowled a decent one. Mixed the flight, mixed the pace a little, got some turn, bowled three dot balls. He also bowled one that was a tiny bit short, a teensy bit wide and bam, meet the Warner cut. Again. It’s still mean as hell.This pattern would repeat itself time and time again in the first 35 overs of the Australia innings. Lots of dot balls, lots of boundary balls. Instinctively this feels like a very Pakistani malaise, especially of this attack: good enough bowlers to bowl good balls, but not enough of them for long enough. In Bengaluru though, this pattern formed in record-breaking extremis: Australia’s total was the highest made by a team (since we began our ball-by-ball records in 2002) where 50% or more of the balls they faced were dot balls. Pakistan bowled 152 dot balls. But, they also conceded 10 sixes in the first 25 overs, the most they’ve conceded in the first half of an ODI innings. Two games ago, against Sri Lanka, Pakistan bowled 144 dot balls – 47.8% – and still conceded 345.Shaheen Shah Afridi had to shoulder the burden again•ICC via Getty ImagesIt’s difficult to be too harsh on the bowling especially on a ground that is always very harsh on bowlers. Pakistan were playing here for the first time. They had clocked the smaller dimensions in training. They knew it would be tough. Their fast bowlers worked on hitting the right lengths in training, ideally somewhere around back of a good length and at the stumps always.By all accounts those sessions went well, but in the heat of a World Cup game, it didn’t translate. We’re talking a fairly tiny area of this pitch you can hit and not be taken for runs off. And even then the line must be super tight: width is a sin, too straight a folly. In those first 20 overs, where much of the game was shaped, though Pakistan tried they didn’t hit that spot often enough and the margins were cruel. When they hit back of a length (as recorded by our ball-by-ball data), they conceded at a strike rate of 84.61; when they hit length, they went at nearly 140. It’s not a massive difference in terms of feet, but the costs of missing it is significant.”We knew this ground is famous for a boundary festival,” Pakistan’s bowling coach Morne Morkel said later. “Upfront we leaked some soft boundaries – that was one of our key discussion points, to keep hitting the deck and keep the stumps in play. We know in India any bit of width you can throw your hands through the line. That was one area we lacked.”If they hit or forced some good shots, we can live with that. But we couldn’t string enough balls on the stumps, that’s the learning we will take, the improvements we need to make. Those are the small margins. They will hit your good balls for four, but can we eliminate our bad balls and bowl less percentage of bad balls especially upfront?”The one man – well, boy really – who was bringing that control this year, who was hitting the right lengths for the pitches he bowled on more consistently is, of course, not here. A number of sides are dealing with the absence of big names in this tournament, so Pakistan are hardly alone in that misfortune, nor can they afford to dwell on it.But the loss of Naseem Shah, in a side where depth and the readiness of that depth has always felt thin and stretched, hits doubly on days like this. It has put a greater burden on Afridi (who at least confirmed here he can carry it) and asked Hasan and Haris Rauf to bowl outside their comfort zones.”Naseem Shah is a quality bowler and if you look at his stats, the consistency he gave us with the new ball upfront was amazing,” Morkel conceded. “The partnership he formed with Shaheen was fantastic. It’s meant slightly new roles for Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf with the new ball in the powerplay.”If you look at their stats, they are guys used to bowling outside the powerplay. They’re learning, they’re trying their heart out, but Naseem obviously is a big loss.”In the final reckoning, Pakistan’s comeback in the field and then the chase until fairly deep into the game should provide some solace. This was – as Mir dropped an early, crucial, all-time dolly, as Rauf conceded 24 in his first over, as Warner took full toll of the chance, as Marsh celebrated his birthday with a hundred (he hit an Ashes hundred this summer for his brother Shaun’s birthday too) – shaping up to be one of those operatically bad Pakistan days. In the end it was bad in just an underwhelming kind of way.Except a bad day at a World Cup is a bad day no matter the scale and Pakistan cannot afford too many more now.

Another Indian city, another capacity crowd. Another team dispatched to gleeful roars

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-Oct-20231:57

Moody: India’s bowlers relentless with their lengths

Oh hello, opposition players. Who are you guys this time? We’ve already crushed Australia, bashed New Zealand… sooo you guys must be? Hah. Just kidding, we know who you are. Come through, come through. Welcome.We’ve seen a few of you around, right? Some of you play the IPL. Even do quite well at times, I think. Look, we’re sorry, and we don’t mean much by it, but for this tournament, we have basically forgotten you. How do we put this? Those at the top of the food chain tend to be errrr… indifferent, let’s say, to the day-to-day lives of their prey.Look at how many of us there are. We’ve come to Lucknow from all over. Some of us have taken trains east from Delhi and Gurugram. Others have driven from Kanpur, from Patna, from Indore. Busloads full of us have come. Planeloads full of us. In the business class section, an Indian-origin venture capitalist from the east coast of the US is chatting all flight long to a fintech guy from Mumbai. They’re waxing nostalgic about their childhoods in the same state, trading business notes, marveling at how much India has changed, giggling about how much has stayed the same.Related

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Stats – England's worst ODI World Cup campaign yet

In the cities we pack out, the restaurants are all full, the streets are a whirl of blue, and the best biryani restaurants have queues out the door. You guys know all about queues in your country, right? Hahahah, you guys invented some decent stuff once.We all a bit about the cricket, because come on, that’s what we’re here for. But we don’t spend much time talking about how good the India team is. What is there to be discussed? We know India is ridiculous. The India team knows they are ridiculous. Deep down in your hearts know India is ridiculous.We spend more time talking about you guys and all the funny comments you make in the press. Like how your team is so allergic to the word “defence” your captain has said “we don’t defend anything”. You can say that again. No wonder Sri Lanka got an eight-wicket win against you, hahah. Too good.Don’t mind us, opposition players. We will only have you in our sights for a few days. Then it’s on to a next set of opposition players.At the match, the stands are filled from top to bottom, all the way around every stand, with people in light blue shirts. You’re in the ring, and you’re surrounded.We’re screaming for our guys. Emptying our lungs. This stadium especially must make you worried, right? The stands are so high, and the canvas roof over them keeps the noise rolling back in, and on the field, you have to be hearing every cascading decibel of our exultation.Listen to the roar. The match is only just starting. All of us aren’t even in yet. But when Shubman Gill square drives a four off one of your bowlers, it’s already at ear-splitting levels. The stadium DJ sounds out instructions – a drill sergeant to 50,000-plus. We raise our arms when he tells us, call-and-response when he tells us, scream at him that our enthusiasm is “high, sir!” when he asks us. If we want to have fun on command, who are you to argue? Maybe you should focus on your own stuff.The stands were a sea of blue in Lucknow•Associated PressWhen Virat Kohli, who is chasing a record-equaling 49th century by the way, gets out coming down the track and trying to bash to leg, almost every voice in the stadium is zipped shut. It takes 50,000 people to produce this much silence. People at the urinals have got to have stopped midstream, it’s that quiet. Maybe that’s getting to you too.Don’t take it personally, opposition players. You’re all just extras on our boys’ national tour of absolute domination. You’re playing your parts just fine. We wouldn’t worry about it. You have other games.And see? Look at that. You’re bowling okay, and you field just fine. Does that make you feel a bit better?But then you also have to bat. Oh boy. It wasn’t that long ago that our bowling wasn’t that good. Now? You’re in for some trouble. Ours is the best now. When our guys surround your batters, and our bowlers surge in, and we’ve got top-to-bottom coverage of all the stands, the stadium feels like a giant set of jaws, about to swallow your puny batters.This is a spin-friendly pitch apparently, and yah, we have Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav for just such tracks, but we also have fast bowlers who are bosses on them, and they are the ones who deck your top order this time. Jasprit Bumrah, our one-of-a-kind quick. Not just a soulless cricket factory, no? Not even close. Mohammed Shami, who goes hunting for that set of stumps better than most seamers on the planet, was always going to cause you so much trouble here wasn’t he. Oh, opposition players.Before long, you are 39 for 4. Then 52 for 5. Then 98 for 7 or something. Kuldeep is spinning them so big, so quickly, your captain didn’t even have time to form the gate he spun his ball through. It’s not your fault you suck. I mean, it might be. But anyone would suck against this. Everyone has so far.Then Bumrah and Shami come back into the attack, and your useless tail hits a few boundaries how cute. But, you know, our boys are wrapping things up now. All out 100 runs short of our target, in the 35th over. It’s all over.Farewell opposition players. Best of luck in all your endeavours for the remainder of this tournament. Ahmedabad next? Try the thali. We will follow you, I guess. Either way, we’ll see some of you at the IPL, and the rest of you will line up desperately at the auction for the chance of playing in India again. Ah, you guys. It’s been a good time. For us.

Lamine Yamal received a special welcome at a WWE Smackdown taping in Barcelona on Friday, meeting legend Triple H and receiving a personalised belt.

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• WWE Champ Cody Rhodes poses for pic with young star
• Triple H heralded Yamal and Barcelona's bright future
• Wonderkid appeared with teammates Balde and Fort

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The WWE rolled out the red carpet for Barcelona's wunderkind on their first official televised event in the Catalonian capital. Yamal took the time to pose with Triple H, Drew McIntyre, and current Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Yamal attended the event alongside his Barça teammates Alejandro Balde and Hector Fort. The three youngsters received a rapturous welcome by the fans in attendance. Playing to the crowd, the 17-year-old gleefully flashed his new hardware while sporting a massive grin.

• WHAT TRIPLE H AND DREW MCINTYRE SAID

  Both Triple H and Mcintyre took to their own X accounts to brag about meeting the young star.

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR LAMINE YAMAL?

  Luckily, Yamal doesn't have to worry about defending his ceremonial belt. Instead his focus will turn to Barcelona's top-of-the-table clash with Atletico Madrid on Sunday night. Next week, he'll report for duty with Spain ahead of their Nations League double header against the Netherlands.

India spun out New Zealand, before England edged out Australia in a nail-biter

S Sudarshanan27-Jan-2023

It was heartbreak and ecstasy in equal measures in Potchefstroom as India and England made the final of the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup to be played on Sunday. While India comfortably beat New Zealand in the first semi-final, tensions swayed one way and then the other before England edged Australia out by three runs in a low-scoring thriller.Defending 99, England fast bowlers Ellie Anderson and Alexa Stonehouse struck early before legspinner Hannah Baker’s triple-strike crippled Australia. She varied her flight and length to bowl Ella Hayward and then got enough purchase from the surface to have Australia captain Rhys McKenna caught at mid-off and trapped wicketkeeper Paris Hall three balls later to have them at 59 for 7.Ella Wilson and Milly Illingworth, batting at No. 9 and No. 10, managed to hit a four apiece towards the end to get the equation down to Australia needing four with two wickets and just shy of three overs in hand. But the latter was run out via a direct hit from Ryana MacDonald-Gay from mid-off before Grace Scrivens trapped No. 11 Maggie Clark lbw with her offspin to spark off wild celebrations.Milly Illingworth was run out off a direct-hit•ICC/Getty Images

The scene was far removed from the halfway stage when Clark, Hayward and Sianna Ginger walked back with three-fors. The script went awry for England after opting to bat, as they lost wickets at regular intervals to be placed at 29 for 4 at the end of the powerplay.The pace of Illingworth and the nagging lengths of Clark had seen the back of Liberty Heap – who has forged a successful alliance at the top with captain Scrivens – and No. 3 Niamh Holland. Offspinner Hayward inflicted further misery by breaking the back of the middle order.But Scrivens – second at present in the tournament’s list of run-scorers – held one end up even as she saw England slide to 37 for 5 in the ninth over. However, a full length ball from seamer Ginger was hard to resist for her and she holed out to Claire Moore at long-off for 20. It was only because of a 46-run eighth-wicket partnership between Stonehouse (25) and Josie Groves (15) that England had managed to get close to hundred.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

India spin out New ZealandEarlier in the day, India’s spinners wove a web around New Zealand and kept them to 107 for 9 before a masterclass from opener Shweta Sehrawat helped them cruise to an eight-wicket win. Sehrawat scored an unbeaten 61 off just 45 balls with ten fours and was involved in a second-wicket partnership of 62 with Soumya Tiwari (26). It was her third half-century in the competition, by virtue of which she found herself atop the batting charts.This was after legspinner Parshavi Chopra, who shone with a Player-of-the-Match performance against Sri Lanka, starred with three for 20 to leave New Zealand short of par. She broke the 37-run second-wicket partnership between Georgia Plimmer and Isabella Gaze (26) by trapping the latter lbw.Only Plimmer offered some resistance with the bat with a 32-ball 35 and she was the seventh batter out with the score on 91.

Real Madrid have been dealt another injury setback ahead of El Clasico, with defender David Alaba ruled out after suffering a severe calf strain. The Austrian’s absence deepens Xabi Alonso’s defensive crisis, leaving Los Blancos with limited options at centre-back before a pivotal week that includes matches against Juventus and Barcelona.

• Alaba ruled out of El Clasico with calf injury

  Madrid’s defensive concerns have worsened after Alaba sustained a right calf strain that will sideline him for over a week, according to . The 33-year-old was withdrawn at halftime during Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe, his first La Liga start of the campaign, after feeling discomfort in the muscle. Follow-up scans confirmed the strain, ruling him out of the Champions League clash against Juventus and the weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

  Reports indicate that while Alaba avoided a muscle tear, the strain is “severe" enough to require a recovery period of seven to 10 days. His absence leaves Xabi Alonso with a selection headache as Madrid prepare for two of their most crucial fixtures in October.

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• AFP
  

  Alonso confirms setback, reveals precautionary substitution

  Head coach Alonso explained after the Getafe match that Alaba was taken off as a precaution, though later tests confirmed the severity of the injury. “Alaba has noticed, not an injury, but his calf was getting stiff,” Alonso said at full time. Those results, however, have now confirmed a setback for the Austrian defender, who has endured a string of fitness issues over the past two seasons.

  Alonso further addressed the situation in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, stating: “We’re going to take it day by day. Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and [Dani] Carvajal have done some work. Looking ahead to tomorrow, I don’t think they’ll be ready.” His words underlined Madrid’s mounting defensive dilemma ahead of key European and domestic games.

• Madrid’s injury crisis deepens ahead of key fixtures

  Alaba’s injury adds to an already depleted backline for Los Blancos as Antonio Rudiger remains sidelined with a left leg muscle problem, Dean Huijsen is recovering from a calf issue, and captain Dani Carvajal continues to nurse his own calf complaint. Trent Alexander-Arnold has not featured since picking up a hamstring injury in September.

  Raul Asencio partnered Eder Militao at centre-back in the second half against Getafe, and that pairing could continue in the short term. The situation is far from ideal for Alonso, who faces two must-win games in the space of five days. The lack of defensive stability will likely force tactical adjustments, especially against Juve’s counterattacks and Barcelona’s high pressing.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Alaba’s injury history raises long-term concerns

  This latest setback is the continuation of a difficult injury run for Alaba, the Austrian international has already missed large portions of the past two seasons, including the Club World Cup earlier this year due to a left calf problem. He also sat out the final stretch of the 2024-25 campaign with a meniscus injury, following his long recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered in December 2023.

  The repeated nature of his injuries has sparked internal discussions over his long-term fitness and future at the club. Reports in Spain suggest Alaba could be among the players considered for departure in the January transfer window, especially with Madrid exploring defensive reinforcements.

  Madrid return to Champions League action against Juve before hosting Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Alaba unavailable, Alonso will rely on Militao and Asencio as his central pairing, while hoping to recover Rudiger or Huijsen in time for the weekend showdown.

  For Barca, Alaba’s absence offers a potential boost, with the Catalans looking to exploit Madrid’s weakened defence. Beyond the immediate fixtures, Madrid’s medical team will closely monitor Alaba’s recovery to avoid aggravating the injury, a scenario that could sideline him for much longer during a packed schedule.

Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Malo Gusto over a lucrative new contract that would see the divisive defender extend his stay at Stamford Bridge. Since he arrived from Lyon in 2023, Gusto has split opinion among supporters with his performances for the Blues. There has been speculation he could leave the club, but Chelsea are now expected to offer a new deal.

Blues ready to reward Gusto’s rise with big new contract

According to , the Chelsea hierarchy are moving quickly to secure Gusto's long-term future, with talks already progressing over a contract extension and salary upgrade that will reflect his growing influence in Enzo Maresca's plans. He spent much of his debut season in James’ shadow, often drafted in only when the England international was consigned to the treatment room. With time, he has blossomed to become a dependable presence in defence and in his second full campaign, he is enjoying plenty of game time. The young Frenchman has already made 10 appearances in all competitions this season, which highlights his continued importance to Maresca. Within the squad, Gusto has also found comfort in the club’s French-speaking contingent, including Benoît Badiashile and Wesley Fofana, helping him settle quickly into life in London.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportChelsea move swiftly to lock in their man

The Blues’ ownership has made it a pattern to extend young stars well before their contracts near expiry. It is a strategy designed to secure the club’s long-term core and ward off external interest. Gusto’s current deal already runs until 2030, but the new agreement could push that even further, possibly by one or two additional years. It mirrors Chelsea’s recent moves with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, both of whom were handed improved deals last year despite having long-term contracts in place. Similarly, Moises Caicedo is also said to be in line for a wage boost. 

While James remains club captain and an icon at Stamford Bridge, Gusto’s emergence has eased the pressure on the Englishman, allowing Chelsea to rotate effectively without losing quality. The Frenchman’s maturity beyond his years has also impressed Maresca, who is said to be particularly fond of Gusto’s professionalism. However, Gusto is not intimidated by the presence of James and instead shares a healthy relationship with his senior colleague. 

"Yeah, it’s important to learn from the top players," he told Stadium Astro. "We try to help the team as much as possible. When I’m on the pitch, when he’s on the pitch, when sometimes we’re both on the pitch, we try to help the team, and he’s a top guy. We talk a lot, between each other to give some advice and stuff sometimes. But yeah, I think we are both top players and I think top players have to play and show their best and that’s what we try to do."

Juventus are lurking, but Chelsea won’t budge

News of Chelsea’s contract talks couldn’t have come at a better time. Juventus have reportedly been preparing a €50 million (£44m) offer for Gusto, identifying him as a prime transfer target for the summer of 2026. The Serie A giants are actively reshaping their backline and view Gusto as a ready-made solution at right-back. But Chelsea’s latest move looks set to slam the door on any potential pursuit. Sources close to Stamford Bridge suggest the club have no intention of entertaining offers for the France international, who has now become central to Maresca’s plans. Gusto himself is believed to be happy in London and eager to continue his development under the Italian coach.

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Getty Images SportChelsea’s new identity involves building a young, fearless core

Gusto’s renewal would be another piece of Chelsea’s long-term vision. They want to construct a young, hungry, and loyal squad capable of dominating the Premier League for years to come. Alongside Palmer, Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez, Gusto represents the club’s commitment to nurturing players whose full potential is yet to be harnessed. The Blues may have had their share of misfires in the transfer market, but they seem happy with Gusto's trajectory and see him as part of their future. They edged out Wolves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening and will return to action on Saturday in a blockbuster fixture against Tottenham in the Premier League.

Leeds United finished their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2025/26 campaign with a 1-1 draw against European giants AC Milan at Elland Road on Saturday.

Anton Stach, who joined on a permanent deal from Hoffenheim earlier this summer, scored the only goal of the game for the hosts, with a stunning strike from the left corner of the pitch, just outside of the box.

The Championship champions now have around a week to prepare for their opening Premier League game against Everton at Elland Road next Monday.

Daniel Farke, though, has made it absolutely clear that he is not happy with how his squad is looking ahead of the first match of the campaign, due to the lack of attacking reinforcements.

The Whites have not paid a single penny for a transfer fee for an attacking player as yet, as Lukas Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg is their only forward signing to date.

When Marcelo Bielsa won promotion to the Premier League in 2020, Leeds swiftly splashed the cash to sign experienced attacker Rodrigo for a reported fee of £27m.

Why Leeds need their next Rodrigo

The Whites spent the money required to bring in a quality operator who had already proven himself in one of Europe’s major leagues, in European competitions, and at international level, and he went on to score 28 goals in 97 matches for the club.

Rodrigo scored 59 goals in 220 games for Valencia, had already been capped by Spain, and played 30 times in the Champions League before his move to Elland Road in 2020.

This meant that Leeds signed a proven star who had the ability and experience to step straight into the team as a difference-maker at Premier League level, which helped the team to avoid an instant relegation.

As you can see in the table above, Rodrigo’s seven goals and two assists in the top-flight in his first season were vital, as they contributed to seven wins and a draw.

This is why Leeds need to attempt to repeat that masterclass by bringing in a proven and experienced attacker who can hit the ground running to make a big impact in the Premier League, and their latest reported target appears to fit the bill.

Leeds leading the race to sign Serie A striker

According to the print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds and Fulham are currently leading the race to sign Inter centre-forward Mehdi Taremi.

The report claims that both clubs are interested in a deal to sign the 33-year-old marksman, who could be on his way out of the Champions League finalists before the end of the summer window.

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It adds that Taremi is keen to move to the Premier League, which is why Leeds and Fulham are leading the race for his signature, but he has yet to decide which club to sign for.

The outlet reveals that a decision is going to come soon, within the next few days, and Farke will surely be hoping that the experienced number nine opts to make the move to Elland Road.

If Leeds can beat Fulham to his services, with a reported fee that may have to be around £9m, then they could have their next Rodrigo in West Yorkshire.

Why Leeds should sign Mehdi Taremi

The Whites must push to convince Taremi to turn down a potential move to Craven Cottage, where he may be a back-up to Raul Jimenez or Rodrigo Muniz, and make the switch to Elland Road.

At the age of 33, the Iran international would not be a long-term signing or someone who is likely to make the club a profit in the future, which was also the case when they signed Rodrigo from Valencia in 2020.

However, like the former Leeds man, Taremi is an experienced centre-forward who could hit the ground running and score vital goals to keep the team in the Premier League, which would make him worth his weight in gold and leave no one worried about his resale value.

The £9m-rated striker only scored three goals in all competitions for Inter, but he only started seven Serie A games and had to play a back-up role to Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez, which meant that he was unable to showcase the best of his ability.

He has, however, scored five goals and provided four assists for Iran at international level over the past 12 months, taking his tally to 53 goals and 24 assists in 93 matches for Iran.

As you can see in the table above, Taremi also showcased his lethal nature in front of goal during his time in Portugal with Rio Ave and Porto, scoring 16 goals or more in four of his five league campaigns.

The 33-year-old marksman, whose finishing skills were once hailed as “ridiculous” by pundit Rio Ferdinand, has scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 38 outings in the Champions League in his career on top of that.

His statistics at international level, in Portugal, and in the Champions League all show that the veteran striker is a lethal goalscorer who almost guarantees goals when fit and playing regularly.

Inter did not give him the chance to play regularly, understandably so with the quality of attackers at their disposal, and Leeds now have the opportunity to take advantage of that by swooping in to sign him.

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By
Dan Emery

Aug 10, 2025

Taremi appears to have all the attributes and experience, aside from having never played in England, to hit the ground running to make an instant impact, just as Rodrigo did five years ago.

Jurgen Klopp warns Germany against fixating on winning the 2026 World Cup, stressing that global competition is fiercer than ever and nations like France, Spain and England cannot be underestimated. He urges patience, pragmatic planning, and development of versatile players, including an Under 21 league to bridge youth-to-senior gaps, emphasising that consistent growth outweighs overreaction to setbacks or early exits.

Klopp urges realism for Germany

Germany’s footballing landscape is under scrutiny as Klopp advises a measured approach to the 2026 World Cup. Speaking to , Klopp praised Julian Nagelsmann’s squad but emphasised that participation does not equal a mandate to win. 

Germany last won the World Cup in 2014 but crashed out at the group stage in 2014 and 2018, while their 2024 European Championship campaign came to an end with a controversial defeat to Spain in the quarter-finals. More recently, Nagelsmann's side finished fourth in the 2025 Nations League Finals, losing 2-1 to Portugal in the semis and 2-0 to France in the third-place play-off. In World Cup qualifiers, they suffered a historic 2-0 loss to Slovakia away from home, their first-ever opening defeat in a World Cup qualifying campaign. Meanwhile, teams like Spain, France, England, and Portugal have consistently shown dominance in recent tournaments, underscoring Klopp’s warning about the difficulty of assuming automatic success.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesGermany needs to take it step-by-step

The ex-Liverpool manager contends for a realistic approach towards the World Cup for Germany. The 58-year-old coach turned global head for Red Bull holds Nagelsmann in high-regards but at the same time is vary of the level of competition Germany is heading into.

"I respect Julian Nagelsmann, I like him a lot. He's an exceptional colleague. I think he has a really, really great team, especially when all the injured players are back. Nevertheless, we should abandon the idea that if we participate in the tournament, we have to win it. I don't know or understand the exact reasons why this should be the case, and why we have to rethink everything if we're eliminated in the semi-finals or quarter-finals. Other countries are simply too good for that, whether that's France or Spain. Or England, who could have won more in recent years with what they have at their disposal," Klopp said.

"First of all, I'm not worried because I'm convinced the quality of the players, and especially the coach, is high enough. That's why I'm very optimistic, but you won't hear me say we'll win it. Two things are important: We have to qualify first, of course, and then we have to develop into the tournament, as we did at the 2024 European Championship on home soil. Even if the bare-bones performance, with a quarterfinal exit, wasn't that great, it was fun to watch. And that's what football is all about for all of us, first and foremost."

Klopp pushes for U21 league to bridge the youth-to-pro gap

Beyond World Cup ambitions, Klopp is emphasising the importance of developing the next generation. He has reiterated his proposal for a U21 league in Germany, aimed at better supporting young footballers during their critical transition from youth to professional football. “There is absolutely openness, but at some point, of course, the clubs have to get involved – all of them,” he stressed, underlining the need for systemic collaboration.

The rationale is clear: many promising talents struggle to gain meaningful minutes in senior football, stalling their development. For instance, Florian Wirtz, the Bayer Leverkusen sensation, broke into the first team at just 17 and thrived thanks to consistent playing time in Bundesliga matches which is a luxury not every top prospect receives.

A dedicated U21 league in Germany would create such opportunities domestically, offering competitive matches rather than sporadic youth appearances or bench time. Players would face high-level opposition, adapt to faster-paced senior football, and reduce the risk of stagnation. In the long term, this could strengthen the German national team by producing professionals who are tactically and physically ready for both club and international challenges, ensuring that talents like Jamal Musiala or Angelo Stiller remain nurtured at home rather than relying on early moves abroad.

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GettyGermany's World Cup qualifier path

Germany had a volatile start to the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, suffering a defeat away to Slovakia, their first-ever loss in an opening World Cup qualifier. Nagelsmann publicly criticised the squad's lack of "willingness and desire" following the historic result. However, Germany has since recovered with three straight wins, including a dominant victory against Luxembourg, to now sit top of Group A with nine points, ahead of Slovakia only on goal difference. While the recent victories provide necessary momentum, the campaign remains a work in progress marked by inconsistency and high scrutiny on the coach.

The NWSL has granted Commissioner Jessica Berman a three-year contract extension, keeping her in charge through the 2028 season. Berman’s initial four-year deal, signed in 2022, was set to expire after the current season. The extension comes after months of deliberation among league ownership, and puts her in position to lead into new phases.

Getty Images SportLeadership for NWSL’s next growth phase

Berman’s extension ensures continuity at the helm of the NWSL as the league prepares for its next chapter. Since her appointment following Lisa Baird’s resignation, Berman has overseen rapid expansion, increased media revenue, and record attendance growth.

The extension positions her to guide the league through upcoming media rights deals and the integration of new franchises, including two – Boston and Denver – set to debut in 2026.

AdvertisementExpansion and revenue growth

Under Berman’s guidance, the NWSL has added four new franchises, with fees exceeding $215 million. Franchise valuations have soared, highlighted by Angel City’s $250 million valuation in 2024. Domestic media rights revenue has grown to approximately $60 million annually through partnerships with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and Scripps Sports, with a new streaming deal with Victory+ beginning next season.

Average attendance rose 42 percent from 2022 to 2024, reaching a record 11,235 fans per game last year.

NWSL eyes cultural breakthrough

Speaking about the league’s long-term vision, Berman outlined her ambition to position the league as a defining force in American sports culture. With the 2031 horizon in mind, Berman emphasized the unique opportunity for women’s soccer to expand its influence beyond the pitch.

“There is a huge opportunity between now and 2031,” Berman told The Athletic. “The NWSL has the benefit of being synonymous with greatness in the U.S in a global sport like soccer, which is so dominated by men and their narrative. There’s a lot we can do to penetrate the cultural zeitgeist that exists at the intersection of America and soccer.”

Getty Images SportConfidence amid challenges

The decision to extend Berman’s contract reflects the league’s confidence in her ability to navigate the NWSL’s continued growth despite internal challenges.

While questions remain about executive stability and competition with European leagues, Berman’s track record of expanding the league’s footprint, increasing revenue, and elevating attendance has earned her industry recognition.