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Former Bayern Munich and Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet. The 40-year-old World Cup winner has hinted he could extend his playing career at Gornik Zabrze beyond this season if the Polish side continue their remarkable title charge proving once again that the German forward’s love for football still burns bright.

Podolski leaves door open to another season at 40

Even at 40, Podolski is refusing to call time on his extraordinary career. The German forward, who has been playing for Polish side Gornik Zabrze since 2021, has hinted that he could delay retirement if the club achieve something special this season. His contract with Gornik expires in June 2026, and while he had previously suggested that this campaign would be his last, the 2014 World Cup winner now admits the door remains slightly ajar.

“Basically yes, this is supposed to be my last season,” Podolski told Kolner Stadt-Anzeiger, before adding with a smile: “If we should manage a sporting coup, it could be that I would like to take part in that one more time.”

Podolski has been more than just a player at Gornik. A hometown hero in Upper Silesia, he has taken on the roles of mentor, ambassador, and leader for the Ekstraklasa side, who currently sit top of the Polish league after 15 matchdays. Despite featuring in just eight games this season, his influence off the pitch has been immense.

“I still love playing, and I also get great pleasure from helping the young players in the team with my experience,” he explained. “But I’m not 30 anymore, so I start to feel a few aches and pains here and there.”

AdvertisementAFPA storied career across Europe’s elite

Few footballers have enjoyed a journey as rich and diverse as Podolski’s. From Koln to Bayern, Arsenal, Inter and Galatasaray, the left-footed forward carved out a career built on thunderous goals, infectious charisma, and unwavering commitment.

His breakout years came at Koln, where he scored 79 goals across two spells, establishing himself as one of Germany’s most exciting young talents. That earned him a move to Bayern in 2006, though competition from Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni limited his opportunities despite winning a league and cup double in 2008.

A return to Koln in 2009 revived his form, and in 2012, Arsene Wenger brought him to North London, where he quickly became a fan favourite. Known for his fierce finishing and love for the supporters, Podolski scored memorable goals, including one in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Anfield and helped end the club’s nine-year trophy drought by lifting the FA Cup in 2014.

Podolski was also part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad, playing alongside Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker. Across 130 international caps, he netted 49 goals, ranking among the nation’s all-time greats.

Still leading – on and off the pitch

Since joining Gornik, Podolski has become the heartbeat of the club both on and off the pitch. The Polish side are unexpectedly leading the Ekstraklasa, with European qualification now within reach – a “sporting coup” that could convince their veteran talisman to stay another season.

“I greatly enjoy the work off the pitch,” Podolski noted. “I’m 40 now, so my priorities have shifted. The club has allowed me to get a taste of many different areas.”

Beyond football, the forward has evolved into a successful entrepreneur. He co-founded the Baller League, an innovative indoor football competition alongside Mats Hummels, and owns a chain of kebab shops, ice cream parlours, and an indoor soccer complex in North Rhine-Westphalia. He also operates his own fashion brand, cementing his post-football footprint in Germany.

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Getty Images SportPodolski’s next chapter could wait a little longer

While many assumed that Podolski’s move to Gornik in 2021 would serve as the final chapter of his playing career, the veteran continues to defy expectations. His enduring commitment, leadership, and emotional connection with his boyhood club have given him fresh purpose, both as a player and mentor. Now, with Gornik chasing an unlikely Ekstraklasa title and European qualification, the idea of retirement seems premature. Podolski’s influence on the squad extends far beyond goals or minutes – it’s his presence, energy, and guidance that have defined this resurgence.

Aside from the continuous number of injuries they’ve had to deal with, it’s starting to feel like everything is falling into place for Arsenal this season.

Mikel Arteta’s side have pretty much perfected the art of set-pieces, have become near enough impossible to score against, and as a result, are sitting atop the Premier League table.

Moreover, while there is still a level to go for many of the attacking players, many of those who underwhelmed last year are starting to look back to their best.

This includes one of Arteta’s signings, who has even been compared to the iconic Santi Cazorla – and no, it’s not Martin Zubimendi.

Santi Cazorla's Arsenal career

Cazorla joined Arsenal for a fee of just £16m from Spanish outfit Malaga in the summer of 2012, and it did not take him long at all to make an impact at the club.

The mercurial midfielder put in a man-of-the-match performance against Sunderland in what was his debut for the North Londoners, and ended up finishing that first campaign with a tally of 12 goals and 14 assists in 49 games.

By the time he left the Gunners in August 2018, he did so with an impressive haul of 29 goals and 45 assists in just 180 appearances, but it wasn’t the output that made him such a firm fan favourite, but the way in which he played the game.

When fit, the 40-year-old magician was seemingly able to do it all, from playing outrageous balls from one side of the pitch to the other, to driving with the ball and beating opposition defenders with ease.

At times, the two-footed wizard was the embodiment of what Wenger wanted his teams to do on the pitch, someone who was capable of winning games with some incredible skill, but doing so while also entertaining the paying fans.

There are really countless examples of the Spaniard doing something remarkable in the famous red and white, but perhaps the most iconic and impactful was his free-kick in the 2014 FA Cup final, which kick-started the club’s comeback.

Had he managed to keep fit, there is no telling what Cazorla could have accomplished at Arsenal, and while the club have not quite had a player like him since, there is someone in the current squad who has been compared to the Emirates icon.

The Arsenal star compared to Cazorla

Now, the first player many of you might think of here is Zubimendi. After all, he is a Spanish midfielder with a great range of passing and the ability to use both feet when needed.

Chalkboard

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

However, in this instance, the comparison to the former Arsenal star comes from another former Gunners’ great, Kevin Campbell, and concerns Leandro Trossard.

Yes, when speaking back in 2023, Campbell was full of praise for the Belgian, saying that while “they don’t play in the same spot”, he could “see the comparison because he has such quick feet like Santi did.”

He went on to compare the way in which the former Brighton & Hove Albion gem is also able to “see things quickly and Santi saw things quickly.”

Another similarity the 30-year-old shares with the Spaniard, aside from wearing the number 19, is his impressive ability to use both feet without much trouble at all.

You can see this during games, and then on top of that, his former coach at Genk once told Sky Sports that the dynamic left-winger is indeed “right-footed and left-footed.”

Finally, while there are still plenty of other differences between the pair, one more key point of overlap is the Maasmechelen-born gem’s ability to make something happen, generally by finishing a chance most would consider too difficult.

After all, that is why Arteta has referred to him as a “little magician” and Ian Wright made the bold claim that he’s the Gunners’ “best finisher.”

Ultimately, Trossard is not the same player Cazorla was at Arsenal, but from his two-footedness to his technical class and ability to make things happen, he certainly shares a great deal in common with the Spaniard.

Arteta must boldly bench Saka & unleash Arsenal's "phenomenal" talent

Mikel Arteta must be bold ahead of Arsenal’s League Cup clash and drop Saka.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 29, 2025

Zimbabwe hope to end a string of poor Test outings and prove they belong at the top level

Firdose Moonda06-Aug-2025 Big picture – Taylor returns to fragile Zimbabwe battingThat Test cricket is in rude health was confirmed earlier this week with a thrilling end to a breathless series between England and India. A clash between Zimbabwe and New Zealand does not have the same box office value but the hosts in particular will be keen to replicate at least some of that contest. So far, they have not been able to.Zimbabwe have lost their last five Tests and won only one out of the last eight. All those matches have taken place in 2025, a year so full of the format for Zimbabwe that they hoped to make their case for inclusion in the World Test Championship (WTC). Instead, their performances – especially their batting – might have done the opposite and underlined why they are considered outside cricket’s elite.They have been bowled out in all but one of the 16 innings they’ve played this year and have not reached 300 once. With a line-up that contains a good mix of potential and experience, that is the one thing they need to improve if they want to be taken more seriously as a Test team. The return of Brendan Taylor will be a big boost to Zimbabwe’s run-scoring hopes but they will need contributions throughout the line-up to stand up to a New Zealand side that has dominated them.Related

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Though New Zealand came into the series fairly cold after not playing Test cricket for seven months, without several key players and under a new coach, they have found solutions. Even as they lost players through the tour, they’ve found suitable replacements and the test to their depth could prove handy for challenges to come. They have another few months without Tests and will start their 2025-2027 WTC in November, with two home Tests against West Indies. This may be too far out to be an indicator of form but returning from Zimbabwe without losing a match will be the start that coach Rob Walter would have wanted.Form guideZimbabwe LLLLL
New Zealand WWLLW In the spotlight – Brendan Taylor and Matt HenryEveryone loves a redemption story and Brendan Taylor’s is one for the ages. After retiring in mysterious circumstances in Belfast, it took Taylor five months to reveal he was suffering from alcohol and drug addiction and was going to be exposed by a fixer, whose offer he didn’t accept or report. He then admitted himself into rehabilitation and was banned by the ICC for three and a half years for breaching the anti-corruption code. Taylor has spent his time since getting clean and committing to a different life. He was ready to move into coaching but was convinced by Zimbabwe Cricket to return to playing, with the 2027 World Cup in mind. Taylor is Zimbabwe’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer.Spotlight will be on Brendan Taylor•Seb Daly/Getty ImagesMatt Henry has already recorded exceptional returns from this Zimbabwe trip. He was the leading wicket-taker in the T20Is and already has the same number of wickets in the format this year as he did last (and has played two fewer matches), took nine wickets in the first Test and is stepping into his own as a leader of the attack. “He had to bide his time behind Wagner, Southey and Boult a few years ago but now he’s really grasped that leadership role – not only in terms of providing input and experience for others, but his skills,” Jacob Oram, New Zealand’s bowling coach said. “He bowls an immaculate length and line, he’s able to move the ball both ways, and can bowl a bouncer at good pace.” And Zimbabwe have yet to figure out how to play him.Team news – Latham out of second Test as wellTaylor is available and should slot into the batting line-up but the question is where and in place of whom. Taylor spent most of his career at No.4, though Sean Williams had made that role his own, so he could be installed at No. 5, which may push Sikandar Raza, who scored 2 and 5 last week, out of the XI.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Ben Curran, 2 Brian Bennett, 3 Nick Welch, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Brendan Taylor, 6 Craig Ervine (capt), 7 Tafadza Tsiga, 8 Newman Nyamhuri, 8 Vincent Masekesa, 9 Blessing Muzarabani, 11 Tanaka ChivangaRegular captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the second Test as well due to a left shoulder injury. That means Mitchell Santner will continue to lead the side. In addition, Bevon Jacobs has been added to the squad as fielding and batting cover. “It’s hugely disappointing to lose Tom again,” Walter said. “He’s been working hard and had been tracking well towards the second Test but unfortunately today he couldn’t pass his fitness tests.”New Zealand have also lost two bowlers in the lead-up to this Test: Will O’Rourke due to a back injury and allrounder Nathan Smith with an abdominal tear. That has opened the door for Jacob Duffy, who is set to make his Test debut. Matthew Fisher, Zakary Foulkes or Ben Lister are also in line to get a debut cap. While Fisher was already in the squad and could have the inside lane, Foulkes was part of the T20 playing group and had some recent success against Zimbabwe, while Lister offers the left-arm variation.New Zealand (possible): 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Henry Nicholls, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner (capt), 8 Zakary Foulkes, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Jacob Duffy, 11 Matthew FisherPitch and conditionsAlthough Bulawayo is known to be slow, low and laborious for all involved, seamers prospered in the first Test, especially those who could move the ball with subtlety (like Henry) or generate extra bounce (like Blessing Muzarabani). There were also signs of variable bounce in that match and run-scoring appeared to have become increasingly difficult. Expect more of the same, in bright conditions that are set to last through the match.Stats and trivia New Zealand have never lost to Zimbabwe in a Test match, and have beaten them 12 times in 18 meetings. They have won the last seven Tests between these two sides, four of them by an innings.Muzarabani is currently fifth on Zimbabwe’s all-time Test wicket-takers’ list, with 60 from 16 Tests. He needs ten more wickets to move up to joint-third and 20 more to move into joint-second place.Since Zimbabwe last won a Test in Bulawayo in 2001, India, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Ireland and South Africa have all had victories at Queens Sports Club.Quotes”A lot of things we talked about beforehand went the way we wanted it to. In particular, the bowling side of things, to get 20 wickets for about 300 runs in total, you’ve always got to be happy. It would be nice to get a few more runs, but the wicket was tricky as well.” New Zealand seek big batting displays in the second Test, says bowling coach Jacob Oram.

Questions will be asked about when SA will take the next step, but for now the answer is: not this time

Firdose Moonda02-Nov-20252:48

Wolvaardt: Reaching three finals shows we’re doing something right

The first time South Africa reached a World Cup final, at the home T20 World Cup in 2023, they were just happy to be there. The second time, a year later, they were spent from playing the game of their lives in the semi-final and beating perennial champions Australia. But the third – this time and also their first in the ODI World Cup – seemed set to be the charm, until South Africa fell short again.It’s worth remembering that’s all it was: they fell short. They neither disgraced themselves, nor choked. They lost a game of cricket against a team who were better, indeed who saw this as their date with destiny and sometimes, in sport, these things happen.Still, in the immediate aftermath, that did not soften the blow. Marizanne Kapp, probably playing in her last ODI World Cup, sat in the dugout, her eyes brimming with tears, and ignored the hand of comfort on her shoulder. Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk sat together, the shock still writ across their faces, even as they feigned a few smiles. Tazmin Brits sat alone, staring at nothing in particular, what-ifs running through her mind.Spare a thought specifically for Wolvaardt, who is now the leading run-scorer in a single edition of any ODI World Cup and the second-highest World Cup run-scorer overall.With centuries in the semi-final and the final, eight catches in the tournament and increasingly more astute captaincy, she may feel she deserved more than a runners up medal, but sport can be cruel and Wolvaardt has been dealt a particularly tough hand.Related

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Ask her and she’ll probably say she’d trade in all those accolades for the trophy but she took defeat on the chin. “We were outplayed tonight,” Wolvaardt said at the post-match presentation before telling the press conference that she could already see the silver lining. “We’ll still look back at this tournament as having a lot of positives.”We’ve played some really good cricket throughout this tournament. At one stage we won five games in a row, which is pretty big for our group. We’re just searching for that consistency, which is something that we don’t necessarily have in bilaterals. So, I’m really proud that we’re able to perform in big tournaments.”South Africa came into this World Cup having won six out of 13 ODIs in the year preceding the tournament, which included a series loss to England and failing to make the final of a triangular series which included India and Sri Lanka.That they beat both India and Sri Lanka in the group stage and rallied from 69 all out against England before the knockouts to beat them by 125 runs in the semi-final speaks both to how bilateral form can rarely be a gauge for major tournament success and that South Africa can pick themselves up quickly when things go wrong.Those are both signs of a maturing team but still, just 12 years since professionalisation, they remain a work in progress.”We’re learning on the job and we showed that we were able to grow and actually get to the final like we did now,” Mandla Mashimbyi, South Africa’s coach, who has only been in charge for 10 months said. “To see how the team has progressed from the time that I took over, is a humbling experience for me. But at the same time, I’m excited because when nobody gave us a chance, we gave ourselves a chance.”Laura Wolvaardt kept the chase alive with a stunning century•ICC/Getty ImagesWolvaardt pointed to “different people” who “put up their hands at different stages” including how South Africa played against spin (the England and Australia blow outs which included an Alana King seven-for excluded) and how their spinners bowled.”That’s always been a big talking point with our group, is how we play spin so to make it to the final of the World Cup in subcontinent conditions (was rewarding),” she said. “Our seamers bowled pretty well in subcontinent conditions as well. They often bowled better than our spinners did, economy-wise. Kappie was great for us. And Nadine was excellent. It was really nice to see.”De Klerk’s finishing with the bat against India and Bangladesh and Kapp’s five-for in the semi-final will be talked about for years to come, but so will Nonkululekho Mlaba’s 13 wickets, which puts her as the joint fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.For all the celebration of individual contributions, there also needs to be an acknowledgement of which players did not perform, coupled with the empathy that comes with such an assessment.Everyone goes into a tournament wanting to give their absolute best but for some, that just doesn’t happen. Anneke Bosch scored just 35 runs in six innings at the tournament, including three ducks, and dropped Shafali Verma on 56 in the final, a chance that cost South Africa 31 runs. There were arguments to be made for leaving her out of the final XI in place of an extra seamer like Masabata Klaas but South Africa always felt they needed a batting cushion for a big chase.That may also be because they stuck rigidly to the pre-tournament plan of using Sinalo Jafta at No.6 and though she looks better than she has than at any other stage of her career, she still uses up too many dot balls. Jafta twice made her career-best at this World Cup, but her tournament strike rate was under 70 and at this level, South Africa needed more.Naturally, South Africa will wonder about the plans they didn’t make and chances they didn’t take but some perspective will remind them that they still defied expectations getting to the final. They also continued a line of excellence that stretches back to 2023 when this same team broke new ground by becoming the first senior side to reach a World Cup final. But they can’t ride on that forever even though they are doing what they can to see the bigger picture.”Cricket in South Africa is thriving. Sometimes things have to go wrong to go right and I think that was the case,” Mashimbyi, who worked extensively in men’s domestic cricket before moving to the women’s team, said. “In terms of the talent that’s coming through in South African cricket in both men and women, it’s actually quite scary. The future of South African cricket looks bright.”But now that they can reach finals (six across all formats, genders and age-groups since that T20 final in 2023) questions will be asked about when South Africa will take the next step and win trophies. For now, the answer is: not this time.

The signs that Vinicius Jr's relationship with Xabi Alonso's wasn't going to run smoothly were there almost immediately. Had Trent Alexander-Arnold not suffered an injury the day before Real Madrid's Club World Cup semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, the new Blancos boss was planning to bench his Brazilian winger, preferring instead to hand homegrown forward Gonzalo Garcia a start up front alongside Kylian Mbappe.

Alexander-Arnold's injury forced Fede Valverde to cover at right-back, Arda Guler back into midfield and opened up a spot on the right-hand side of the attack for Vinicius to fill. However, the 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up was anonymous as PSG opened up a three-goal lead inside 24 minutes on their way to a 4-0 win in New Jersey. Alonso insisted post-match that the team that had just been thrashed by the newly-crowned European champions was not his and rather Carlo Ancelotti's, and that a new dawn would arrive in the Spanish capital once the newly-appointed coach could properly knuckle down and get to grips with his squad.

Part of that revolution has led to Vinicius' role at the Bernabeu being diminished. The Brazilian who thrived under the freedom offered by Ancelotti has struggled to adapt to Alonso's much more structured approach. Vinicius has completed 90 minutes on just five occasions since the start of the 2025-26 campaign, and contributed just five goals and four assists in 17 appearances thus far.

Vinicius' frustrations have been clear, and it was reported on Monday that he has no intention of signing a new contract in Madrid unless his relationship with Alonso improves, meaning he would theoretically become a free agent in the summer of 2027. If things don't change, it's clear Vinicius sees no future for himself in Madrid white. 

That is a real shame. Vinicius is a wonderful footballer who should grow to be synonymous with Madrid for years to come. However, the tactical issues caused by having him and Mbappe in the same side have been clear for over a year now, and this very well could be the necessary separation both he and the club need.

Getty ImagesUndervalued

The first thing that needs to be established is that Vinicius has every right to feel undervalued by Madrid. He was offered a contract two years ago, according to , and turned it down, feeling that he was worth more than the deal on the table. He had every right to do so, too. With Karim Benzema gone and Jude Bellingham having only just arrived, Vinicius was the future of the club, the sole star and a Ballon d'Or winner in the making. 

Madrid reportedly offered Vinicius around €20 million per season at the time, but he argued that he was worth closer to €30m. That's astronomical money, but it's also how negotiation works. Here was a player vouching for what he believed was his market value; there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Vinicius and his team went back to the negotiating table at the start of this season, but weren't able to come to an agreement. Finances remained an issue, but the strained relationship with Alonso undercut those talks.

Vinicius does not want to play in a team where he is not considered the star man. He will, undoubtedly, be vilified for this in some corners for holding such a lofty opinion of himself, especially given the repeated attacks on his character that are often unfair and, in too many cases, racially motivated.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Mbappe problem

Vinicius' refusal to pen a new deal isn't exactly an immense surprise – strained relationship with the manager or not. From day one, it seemed a foolish decision to bring in Mbappe when Vinicius was already established in the Madrid team. They were – and remain – the two best left wingers in world football, effectively playing slightly different versions of the same position. Vinicius starts a little wider, dribbles more, and cuts in, while Mbappe likes to stride in the left channel, though he can also certainly take on his man. So often during Mbappe's debut season in Madrid, the two ran into the same spaces. 

By the end of it all, Ancelotti almost gave up and played them as a front two, trusting that the world-class duo would work it out. However, neither player seemed particularly keen to pass to one another, nor did they work anywhere near hard enough off the ball to make Madrid a solid defensive unit. Mbappe did break the record for the most goals in a Madrid debut season (43), yet his arrival certainly made the defending Spanish and European champions worse.

Mbappe has carried that form into the new campaign having taken up a permanent central role under Alonso, but Vinicius form has continued to nosedive. Since the turn of the year, he has scored just 11 goals in 40 La Liga and Champions League appearances, while his most notable contribution of the current campaign came when he reacted furiously to being substituted in El Clasico on October 26. Vinicius later apologised but, as many noted, Alonso was not mentioned in his statement.

"You have to get the best out of the players and make them feel as good as possible," Alonso said ahead of Madrid's Champions League clash with Olympiacos on Wednesday as he refused to be drawn into specifics related to Vinicius. "It has different facets, but you have to know how to navigate them well. That happens at Real Madrid and at any team."

Getty Images SportSaudis his only suitors?

Despite all his talent, the options open to Vinicius in terms of a next club look to be limited. Talk of interest from the Saudi Pro League has rumbled on for over a year now, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) reportedly entered preliminary talks with Madrid back in the summer of 2024. Vinicius, though, wasn't interested.

That may have been true back then, but things have changed now – if only because Vinicius has so few other options. His release clause is €1 billion (£888m/$1.16bn) – a mark that not even the richest clubs in the world can afford. A bid from Al-Ittihad in the realm of €350m was floated back in July, but nothing ever came of it. 

Vinicius is now, however, entering the final 18 months of his deal, and so while Madrid would still be able to command something pretty astronomical for their No.7, his value diminishes with every week that passes. Perhaps if he remained unhappy through to the summer then the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea or PSG could get involved in a bidding war, but thus far none of Europe's elite have been reported as being interested.

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Getty ImagesTactical benefits

The immediate obvious beneficiary of Vinicius leaving would be Mbappe. The France captain has, in fairness, adopted his central role willingly and thrived while doing so, with Mbappe currently on pace to score 50-plus goals in all competitions this season.

Yet even then he is being misused. Mbappe, try as Madrid might, is simply not a striker. He received plenty of criticism for his not-so-subtle plea to France manager Didier Deschamps to let him play alongside a striker at international level, but Mbappe was right: he is best either in a front two or out wide, running off a big No.9. And it just so happens that Alonso tends to prefer such a system. His Bayer Leverkusen sides utilised big centre-forwards – Victor Boniface was the standout – with creative playmakers running off them.

Vinicius departing would also offer new opportunities for Rodrygo. The Brazilian has slipped down the Madrid pecking order despite his immense talent, but there would likely be more minutes for him – perhaps even in his preferred position on the left-hand side – were his compatriot to leave.

Furthermore, Jude Bellingham could play as a proper No.10, Arda Guler might be able to push further up the pitch at times and there would be more space for Nico Paz, who is expected to re-join Madrid from Como next summer, to play his way into contention. Alonso, above all, craves tactical flexibility and being able to switch between multiple formations within one game. Having one less superstar to deal with could make his dreams come true. 

Essex have now won four matches in a row and could yet sneak into the latter stages

ECB Reporters Network supported Rothesay 24-Aug-2025Essex 289 (Westley 92, Taylor 5-61) beat Gloucestershire 159 (Bracey 37, Critchley 3-27) by 130 runsTom Westley continued his late-summer purple patch of run accumulation with a well-crafted 92 to inflict the first defeat of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign on Gloucestershire and enhance Essex’s chances of qualifying for the knock-out stages.The Essex captain has now racked up 443 runs in seven innings in this season’s competition, including a century and three fifties. Add in three red-ball centuries in June and July’s matches and he has scored 905 runs in just two months. His latest knock encompassed 103 balls and included eight boundaries.Gloucestershire were already through to the knockout rounds – they wait to see if they are straight into the semi-final as Group A winners – but after six successive wins this was an underwhelming performance against an Essex side who have now won four games in a row. The visitors were dismissed for 159 with 89 balls to spare with Matt Critchley hastening the 130-run defeat with 3-27.Essex had looked set for a bigger total score while Westley was at the crease. But from 182 for 2 they lost eight wickets in 15 overs, subsiding to 289 all out, to a Gloucestershire spin attack that found turn and grip on a worn Chelmsford wicket. Jack Taylor led the way with his leg breaks for career-best List A figures of 5 for 61.Like Westley, James Bracey had also been in scintillating form in the competition, with 431 runs from his first six innings. His wicket, heaving across the line against Simon Harmer for 37 at 77 for 4, opened the door for Essex and they duly burst through.The loss of opening partner Cameron Bancroft, caught behind jamming his bat down to a ball of full length from Jamie Porter, did not inhibit Bracey. He was soon finding gaps in the field and pulled Shane Snater for six over fine leg. However, he contributed to the exit of the becalmed Ollie Price, his drive being deflected on to the stumps by Porter, following through.Ben Charlesworth lofted Westley for a straight six, but in attempting a second next ball was well held on the boundary. Jack Taylor followed Bracey when he squirted Luc Benkenstein to short third man to reduce Gloucestershire to 88 for 5 before the halfway point.Graeme van Buuren prodded unconvincingly at Westley and was caught behind and Miles Hammond’s careful 30 was undone when he lunged forward and was bowled by Matt Critchley. Three balls later Tommy Boorman was caught behind and the leg-spinner had a third wicket when Zaman Akhtar was caught and bowled.At the start of the day, Matt Taylor extracted some early life from a green-tinged pitch used for all four of Essex’s home 50-over games and got one to go away from Robin Das. Bracey took the catch at full stretch behind the stumps.Things looked went well for Essex for the next 30 overs or so as Westley put on 103 for the second wicket with Critchley and 75 for the third with Charlie Allison. The innings went downhill once Allison departed.Critchley had just brought up the century partnership with Westley inside 18 overs with his seventh boundary when Ollie Price got the next ball to turn late and rapped his left pad. He departed for 64 from 66 balls.Allison’s enterprising 40 from 43 balls ended when he sliced to short extra cover off Jack Taylor to precipitate a collapse with three wickets in 23 balls. The Gloucestershire captain quickly accounted for Luc Benkenstein, caught at long-off, and brother Matt had Curtis Campher cross-batting to long leg.The wickets did not stop there. Westley’s 135-minute stay ended when he was bamboozled by one from van Buuren that kept low. Quick hands by Bracey had Simon Fernandes stumped chasing a wide one from Price and Snater perished launching Jack Taylor to long legSome belligerent late hitting from Harmer, including two huge sixes off, took him to fifty from 36 balls before he gave a tame return catch to Jack Taylor, who wrapped up the innings by having Charlie Bennett claimed at long-off.

Chelsea are a force to be reckoned with in the transfer market and could now be set to launch an ambitious bid to land Vinicius Jr at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have endured an intriguing start to the campaign, where their Premier League form has been a little inconsistent, albeit a confidence-boosting EFL Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek will serve to benefit Enzo Maresca.

Ill-discipline is a factor that will need to be rectified. Despite his return from injury, Liam Delap was dismissed for two cheap bookings against the Old Gold, leaving his side in the lurch as they narrowly saw it through to claim a place in the quarter-finals.

Bereft of attacking options at times this season, Maresca has needed to turn to the likes of Marc Guiu and Tyrique George to step into the breach. While both have shown potential, there is a need for more experience in the final third to convert chances.

Undoubtedly, BlueCo’s signing model has been based on identifying stars with potential to become world-class. Estevao is a prime example of Todd Boehly’s operation in action, though you get the feeling there is room for another exciting reinforcement to arrive.

With that in mind, the Blues have identified a world-leading star they believe could now become a central part of their plans at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea "ready to bid" for Vinicius Jr amid tensions with Xabi Alonso

According to reports in Spain, Chelsea are set to launch a January bid for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr, who is set to find himself out of contract in the Spanish capital in 2027 and is at odds with manager Xabi Alonso.

BlueCo see him as a “market opportunity, a high-impact signing” and believe he could be the focal point of their project.

After a return of five goals and four assists in 13 appearances this term, the Brazil international has attracted interest from the Blues, Manchester City and Manchester United. He is seen as someone who could become central to the Stamford Bridge project.

Dubbed the best player in the world by Cristiano Ronaldo, the Champions League winner is expected to have a high release clause value and also earns around £350,000 per week, placing challenging obstacles in the way of a deal being completed.

Risk is involved in any transfer, and Chelsea will know that he won’t come cheap. However, his situation is said to be the most uncertain of his career, proving that his seemingly untouchable status at the Santiago Bernabeu may be at risk.

Vinicius Jr is in the top 10 of 2026 Ballon d'Or power rankings

Incredibly, Fotmob calculate the 25-year-old has already created 23 chances and perfected 24 dribbles in La Liga this term, and he appears to be at the top of his game before Brazil head to the 2026 World Cup intent on securing glory.

Chelsea are wise to these developments and feel the right time to make an offer will be when the transfer window opens, making this one to keep an eye on over the next few months.

What to make of Everton? In the first half at the Stadium of Light, David Moyes’ tactics worked a treat, with Sunderland unable to match the visitors’ intensity and, crucially, unable to prevent Iliman Ndiaye’s brilliance.

This was a display of resilience and grit, though it was reduced to that samey standard by Everton’s own unravelling of their progressive play. Moyes’ side reverted to type, you could say, not quite shelling up but releasing their hold on the fluency that had played the Black Cats off the park in the early rounds of the fight.

As it is, the point gained on Monday night moves the Toffees a point ahead of Fulham and into 14th place in the Premier League, though one win in seven fixtures is admittedly a concern.

Moreover, Everton have now gone six matches without a clean sheet. Jarrad Branthwaite’s continued absence is affecting the Blues, of course, but inviting pressure will invite goals, and that’s something Moyes’ side have been guilty of doing.

There’s a real chance to take this season by the scruff of the neck and push for a place in the top half of the table. After all, with Ndiaye (and Jack Grealish) in the side, such dreams are achievable.

Iliman Ndiaye strikes again

Everton made their pressure count after 15 minutes in Sunderland, with Ndiaye collecting from the right and shimmying his way down into the box and sending a perfectly-placed shot past Robin Roefs.

Presenter Jamie O’Hara described the 25-year-old as “one of the best players in the Premier League”, and the division is indeed waking up to the fact that this might be true. There is so much good about Ndiaye’s game; so often he is the difference-maker for Moyes’ team.

This season, he has scored four times from ten outings in the Premier League, assisting one goal too.

In fact, the Senegalese’s sumptuous finish has seen him peel away from Beto as the top goalscorer at the club since Moyes returned in January.

Iliman Ndiaye

27

10

Beto

31

9

Abdoulaye Doucoure

17

3

Charly Alcaraz

26

3

Michael Keane

16

2

Jake O’Brien

20

2

Ndiaye’s ability has been widened this term, though. Last year, the electric-paced winger was something of a direct force. You might even say he was a touch one-dimensional.

No longer. Grealish’s arrival has prompted a shift to the right, and while Ndiaye’s striker’s instinct remains, he has now added creativity to his game, averaging 1.3 key passes per match, as per Sofascore, and opening up dimensions from which the centre-forwards are not taking advantage.

Everton have attacking problems, alright, but we’ve perhaps forgotten how a blow Branthwaite’s absence might have been. Last season, for example, the Three Lions defender’s early-season unavailability sparked a four-match losing run that laid the foundation of Dyche’s demise.

But this time around, the Merseysiders are stronger at the back, and much is owed to one man in particular.

The Everton star thriving under Moyes

Everton need to improve under Moyes this season. There is enough quality to challenge higher up the standings, even with the strikers proving so wasteful in front of goal.

But some players have stepped up, and Michael Keane epitomises this, having come within a whisker of leaving the club at the end of his contract last season, instead adding one more year to his stay.

As Branthwaite languishes in the infirmary, Keane has stepped up and emerged as one of the key pillars of the campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, starting all ten of Everton’s Premier League fixtures and playing every minute save for the win over Crystal Palace, when he was withdrawn after the hour mark.

Something of an aerial monster, the 32-year-old has been resourceful alongside the skipper James Tarkowski, who in truth has not been at his best over the past several months.

Keane, conversely, has shone, still limited technically and on the ball, but coming out on top across 62% of his ground battles. Furthermore, his 85% pass success rate suggests he is keeping things cool when playing out of defence.

And, of course, Keane has something of an unnatural instinct for goal, having scored twice under Moyes’ wing despite limited game time.

A contentious handball scare aside, Keane produced a rather faultless performance against Sunderland, standing strong against the second-half onslaught and winning five of seven contested duels, also blocking three shots and, incredibly, making 13 clearances (as per Sofascore), that final metric perhaps underscoring how deep Everton had sunk as the hosts cranked up the pressure.

Liverpool World actually awarded the 12-cap England international a 9/10 match rating, hailing his beast-like display in defence as he swept up the danger and made one brave header to prevent a certain goal during one frenzied scramble.

Everton pulled off a lot of business this summer. Moyes knew he’d enjoyed a successful window of wheeler-dealing, but the shrewdest deal of them all might have been extending Keane’s contract by an additional year.

The veteran defender has arguably outplayed Tarkowski beside him, and for a player whose career on Merseyside looked done and dusted, this is quite the resurgence for a side who, in hindsight, desperately needed someone of his ilk to steer them past the latest Branthwaite blow that has not derailed Moyes’ season so far.

In 2022, talkSPORT pundit Perry Groves said that the Toffees defender was “always struggling” for the club, so awkward on the ball that he looked like he was “not in control of his own body.”

Now, he has been revived, owing much, no doubt, to Moyes’ deep-rooted defensive principles. This is a player who is becoming every bit as undroppable as the flashy and fantastic Ndiaye this season.

Worse than Barry: Everton star cannot start again in his current position

Everton laboured to a draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 4, 2025

Pakistan also have an outside chance, although it’s very remote

S Rajesh18-Dec-2024ESPNcricinfo LtdIndiaThe Brisbane draw means India need to win both their remaining matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to be sure of qualification, regardless of other results. Two wins will take them to 60.53, while Australia will only end up on 57.02 even if they beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in their last series. On the other hand, if India win one Test and draw the other, they’ll finish on 57.02, and can be overtaken by Australia (58.77) if they win 2-0 in Sri Lanka.Here are the requirements for India to qualify in each result scenario in the current series: If India win the series 2-1: Australia should beat Sri Lanka by no more than 1-0 margin, or South Africa lose at least 1-0 to Pakistan If the series is drawn 2-2: India will finish on 55.26; Australia will need to lose to Sri Lanka by at least a 1-0 margin, or South Africa lose 2-0 to Pakistan If the series is drawn 1-1: India will finish on 53.51; South Africa will have to lose both Tests, or Australia lose 1-0 in Sri Lanka or draw 0-0; a 0-0 draw will leave Australia and India level on 53.51%, but India will finish ahead on the basis of more series wins in this cycle (three to two). If Sri Lanka win 2-0, they will finish ahead of India If India lose the series 1-2: India will finish on 51.75 and will be out of the final as Australia and South Africa will finish higher even if they lose all their remaining Tests; also, Sri Lanka will finish on 53.85 if they beat Australia 2-0AustraliaAustralia need two wins and a draw to be sure of qualification, but that’s if they manage only a draw in their two remaining Tests against India – in that case, they’ll need full points against Sri Lanka so that they finish on 58.77, ahead of India (57.02); else they will need South Africa to lose at least 1-0 to Pakistan.With two home games to go, though, Australia will want to ensure they finish ahead of India regardless of what happens in Sri Lanka. For that, they need a win and a draw in the two remaining Tests, so that they finish on 53.51 even if they lose 2-0 in Sri Lanka, with India on 51.75. However, a 2-0 win will leave Sri Lanka marginally ahead of Australia, on 53.85, so Australia need at least a draw in one of those two Tests in Sri Lanka (assuming South Africa qualify).If Australia win these two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, they will qualify regardless of other results.Just one more win and South Africa will be through•Getty ImagesSouth AfricaSouth Africa need to win one of their two Tests against Pakistan to be assured of qualification for the final. If they lose the series 1-0 and manage only four points to finish on 55.56, then Australia and India can both go past that mark: India need a draw and a win in Australia, while Australia need the same in Sri Lanka. If either team doesn’t manage that, then even 55.56 could be enough for South Africa.If South Africa lose both Tests to Pakistan, they’ll drop to 52.78. At least one of India or Australia will surely go past that mark in their remaining matches, but if India get only four points from their last two Tests and Sri Lanka don’t sweep the home series, then Australia and South Africa could still qualify. On the other hand, if India win and draw their two Tests, and Sri Lanka win 1-0, then India and South Africa will qualify.Sri LankaSri Lanka can reach a maximum of 53.85 with a 2-0 series win against Australia. For each of Australia, India and South Africa to stay under that mark, Australia should get no more than a win and a draw in the two Tests against India, who should in turn get no more than a draw, while South Africa need to lose 2-0 to Pakistan. Sri Lanka can qualify in second place as long as only one of those three teams goes past 53.85.PakistanPakistan only have a very remote, mathematical chance, which also depends on South Africa dropping an over-rate point. Even with four wins out of four, Pakistan will finish on 52.38, marginally below South Africa’s 52.78 if they lose 2-0 to Pakistan. If South Africa lose a further point, they will drop to 52.08. Then, with several results going in their favour, it’s still mathematically possible for Pakistan to go second to either Australia or India. In all likelihood, though, Pakistan are out.

A Kylian Mbappe-less France secured a comeback, 3-1 win over a plucky Azerbaijan to end their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high. Didier Deschamps made 11 changes from the team that thumped Ukraine 4-0 in midweek, and early on they appeared to miss their biggest stars.

On a night that was supposed to be a procession for the Group D winners, Azerbaijan had other ideas and took the lead in the fourth minute when Renat Dadashov swept in Rahman Dasdamirov's pass across the six-yard box following some slack marking. For 16 minutes, it was bedlam in Baku, but Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta powered in a close-range header from Malo Gusto's cross to level proceedings.

It looked like the Chelsea full-back had then put France ahead when his deflected shot nestled in the corner, only for the goal to be chalked off as the ball struck Christopher Nkunku's arm on the way in. It was 2-1 on the half-hour mark, though, when Maghnes Akliouche scored his first goal for his country as he tucked in Gusto's neat cutback following a lovely floated pass from Khephren Thuram.

Juventus midfielder Thuram thought he had opened his own goal-scoring account for France, only for his effort to be ruled out after Hugo Ekitike handled in the box. But the visitors got the breathing room they were seeking just before half-time when goalkeeper Sahruddin Mahammadaliyev, who was later taken off after being dazed from a collision, pushed the ball into his own net from Thuram's strike on goal.

If the first half was a rollercoaster ride, the second was anything but. Azerbaijan, ranked 123rd in the world, began to tire around the hour mark, and had it not been for substitute keeper Aydin Bayramov, it could have been more one-sided.

GOAL rates France's players from Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Lucas Chevalier (6/10):

On his long-awaited debut, after 16 call-ups, his first action was to pick the ball out of the net following a well-worked goal from the hosts. Didn't have much to do otherwise, in truth.

Malo Gusto (8/10):

The Chelsea man was caught out by a lovely through ball and moments later France were 1-0 down. However, he made up for it with two assists and was a huge attacking threat. Was unlucky to have a goal of his own wiped out.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Despite not having a particularly good season for Liverpool, the big defender looked calm and assured at the back.

Lucas Hernandez (7/10):

Very little seemed to fluster the defender, who linked up well with his younger brother. 

Theo Hernandez (7/10):

While he wasn't as adventurous or as effective in attack as fellow full-back Gusto, he still fired in some good crosses and was more defensively sound.

AdvertisementAFPMidfield

Khéphren Thuram (8/10):

Was unlucky not to score any goals but got into some good positions to give himself a chance to do so. His pace and power were self-evident, and some of his passing was delightful, too.

Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):

His quick feet and athleticism got his team out of a hole on a couple of occasions, but he didn't have the licence to roam.

Christopher Nkunku (6/10):

The former Chelsea man had a stop-start performance, sometimes showing off some real quality but he also made some bad decisions and got tackled frequently.

AFPAttack

Maghnes Akliouche (7/10):

The youngster had an encouraging outing, he beat defenders with regularity, and he got his goal as well. A good night for him.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (8/10):

Took his goal with aplomb, held the ball up well, brought others into play and had a very good all-round display. He could be heading to the World Cup at this rate.

Hugo Ekitike (5/10):

The Liverpool forward has been excellent so far for his new team but he seemed all at sea at times. Seems to be better when leading the line.

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AFPSubs & Manager

Rayan Cherki (5/10):

The Manchester City summer signing struggled to make an impact.

Florian Thauvin (6/10):

Tracked back well but didn't do a huge amount.

Bradley Barcola (6/10):

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker was repelled well by the Azerbaijan defence.

Didier Deschamps (7/10):

Fielded an experimental side without some of his heavy hitters, and while he would have been concerned with how they started the game, they slowly turned the screw before asserting their dominance. Some players shined, others did not.