Sergio Ramos trained normally on Friday with the rest of the squad and is set to start against River Plate
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Rayados currently have one point
River Plate lead the group with three points
The match will be played at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The stakes are high this Saturday as Monterrey and River Plate battle for control of Group A in Matchday 2 of the Club World Cup. With just three teams in the group, the result will likely determine who advances and who goes home.
River Plate arrive with momentum after a convincing 3-1 win over Urawa Reds in their opening match, while Monterrey were held to a 1-1 draw by Inter Milan. A win for the Argentine side would seal their place in the next round. For Monterrey, a victory would tighten the group and set up a dramatic final matchday.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, head coach Domenec Torrent previewed the crucial match, calling it more challenging than their opener.
“This game will be tougher than the one against Inter,” said Torrent. “Some European teams are just starting their preseason, so there's a lack of familiarity with clubs like ours. But we shouldn’t overlook North and South American teams – football is more balanced than ever. Welcome to the Club World Cup.”
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The Spaniard, who took over Monterrey just recently, will be coaching his third game with the team on Saturday. His official debut came against Inter, though he also led the squad in a friendly prior to the tournament.
“I’m happy with the group,” Torrent added. “We’re used to high-stakes games. As a new coaching staff, it was important to start strong and earn the players’ trust – and I think we’ve done that.”
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WHAT RAYADOS' PLAYERS SAID
Monterrey midfielder Jorge Rodríguez also emphasized the significance of the upcoming match.
“It’s a crucial game,” he said. “We’re coming in strong after the Inter match. We know this will be intense, and we need to be fully focused. At this level, you can’t afford to give anything away.”
Forward Germán Berterame echoed that confidence. “Our mentality is to win,” he said. “We’re a strong team, and we’re committed to executing the game plan. We’re especially dangerous from midfield forward, and that’s something River will have to deal with.”
The match will take place at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. where both teams will be fighting not just for three points, but for survival.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Sergio Ramos trained normally on Friday with the rest of the squad, easing concerns after he was unable to complete Thursday’s session. The Spanish defender, who scored in Monterrey’s 1-1 draw with Inter Milan, is now expected to start and lead the team in Saturday’s crucial match against River Plate.
Looking ahead to the future, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly leading the race to sign an impressive in-demand 18-year-old for Nuno Espirito Santo this summer.
Nottingham Forest set sights on future star
Those at the City Ground are within touching distance of Champions League qualification in what would be a monumental achievement for all involved, having previously struggled in the bottom half since returning to the top flight.
With just nine Premier League games remaining, Espirito Santo’s side sit as many as six points clear of fifth-place Manchester City and seven wins away from a place among Europe’s elite.
It may not be long before Forest attempt to flex their new-found Champions League muscles, either. The Midlands club have recently been linked to a mega move for Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swede has been one of the most clinical strikers in Europe this season and has attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona as a result. Yet, as the summer approaches, it’s Forest who could yet win the race to secure what would be one of the signings of the window.
Meanwhile, those at the City Ground have also reportedly turned their attention towards the future. According to The Athletic, Nottingham Forest are now in pole position to sign Cathal O’Sullivan from Cork City this summer.
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The young right midfielder recently turned 18 years old and could yet become the latest Irish talent to make his way to the Premier League – following in the footsteps of Evan Ferguson and, more recently, Mason Melia.
In a move with the future in mind, Forest would be landing a top prospect, albeit one who would have to wait for his chance at the City Ground. In pole position to sign O’Sullivan, the midfielder is one to watch.
"Brilliant" O'Sullivan is one for the future
Whilst it’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga lighting up the flanks for Nottingham Forest this season, there seems to be every chance that it’s O’Sullivan tasked with doing exactly that in years to come. The 18-year-old has already taken strides in senior football too, making two appearances for Cork City and even grabbing himself an assist this season.
Cork manager Tim Clancy was full of praise for his young star when asked about his recent rise, telling reporters: “I’ve spoken to Cathal about how I want him to be more positive and get at players, and if he gives the ball away, we don’t mind, because we want him to be more energetic and positive, and he’s got so much ability.
“Last week, he got his first assist of the season, and he’s added to that by getting his first goal now. He’s flying, and he’s doing really well for us and we are looking forward to the progress he makes.”
Also earning praise from The Next Wave – an X account run by a scout based in London – O’Sullivan was dubbed “brilliant” back in January as he prepared for the current campaign.
ظهر ديزيري دوي، لاعب باريس سان جيرمان، للحديث إلى وسائل الإعلام قبل مواجهة إنتر ميامي بقيادة ليونيل ميسي في دور الـ16 من كأس العالم للأندية.
ويلاقي باريس سان جيرمان خصمه إنتر ميامي مساء الأحد في مواجهات دور الـ 16 لبطولة كأس العالم للأندية.
طالع موعد والقناة الناقلة لمباراة باريس سان جيرمان وإنتر ميامي اليوم في كأس العالم للأندية
وفي تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية، تحدث دوي قائلاً: “نناقش المباراة كأي مباراة أخرى، بالنسبة لي، لم ألعب مع ميسي من قبل، أعلم أنها ستكون مباراة شيقة للغاية”.
وأضاف: “ميسي هو ببساطة أحد أعظم اللاعبين في التاريخ، إنه الأفضل على مر العصور، ألهمني عندما كنت صغيرًا، وألهم جيلًا كاملًا، أعتقد أننا سنتحدث عنه بعد 20 أو 30 أو حتى 50 عامًا”.
وأبدى سعادته بتواجد عثمان ديمبلي مع الفريق في التدريبات مؤخرًا، وأشار: “إنه لأمر رائع لأنه لاعب ساهم معنا كثيرًا طوال الموسم، إنه لاعب استثنائي، ووجوده هنا يُسعدنا كثيرًا”.
وفيما يخص الأجواء المناخية الحارة في ميامي، أفاد دوي: “ستساعدنا الملاعب المكيفة، لكن في النهاية الحرارة تؤثر على الفريقين معًا، سنلعب في ملعب مغلق ومكيف، وهذا رائع، سنكون في ظروف ممتازة لتقديم مباراة كبيرة أمام إنتر”.
وتذكر بداية البطولة قائلاً: “أتذكر أن المباراة الأولى (أمام أتلتيكو مدريد) كانت صعبة، كانت الأجواء حارة جدًا، لم تكن مريحة، لكننا تأقلمنا سريعًا والآن كل شيء يسير بشكل جيد”.
اقرأ أيضًا | لوكاس هيرنانديز: لن نُغير شيئًا من أجل ميسي
وأكمل: “نحن ندخل مرحلة خروج المغلوب، هناك، لا مجال للخطأ، منذ بداية المباراة، علينا أن نكون في كامل تركيزنا وكامل جاهزيتنا، علينا أن نلعب بأسلوبنا، وسنذهب إلى هناك للفوز”.
وعن معرفته بخصمهم، أوضح: “لم نتحدث بالتفصيل عن فريق ميامي بعد، لكننا شاهدنا مبارياته، لديهم جودة وخبرة، ويملكون لاعبين كبار، بالتأكيد سيشكلون تحديًا، لكن هدفنا أن نؤدي كما فعلنا هذا الموسم ونلعب بطريقتنا”.
وعن شعوره بالضغط، قال: “لا، ليس كثيرًا، هي مباراة كرة قدم، نعم سنواجه لاعبين كبار، لكن علينا أن نقدم كل ما لدينا، هذا هو نوع التحديات التي نحب مواجهتها”.
وأرجع تألقه في المباريات الكبرى، مثل نهائي دوري الأبطال، إلى تركيزه على لعب كرة القدم والاستمتاع بها، واستطرد: “في هذه المباريات الكبيرة هناك إثارة، ومتعة اللعب، وجود زملاء رائعين بجانبي يساعدني كثيرًا، المدربون يعطونني التعليمات، وأنا أنفذها، وهدفي هو مساعدة الفريق في كل مباراة”.
وتابع: “هذه أول مرة أزور الولايات المتحدة، كنا في لوس أنجلوس والآن نحن في أتالانتا، زرت بعض الأماكن، وبصراحة هناك أشياء جميلة هنا”.
واختتم حديثه بالتأكيد على جاهزية الفريق للمراحل المقبلة رغم ضغط الموسم، قائلاً: “نعم، بالطبع، إنها كأس العالم للأندية وتضم أفضل الفرق في العالم، نحن مستعدون ونريد الفوز، لكن دعونا نركّز أولًا على مباراة ميامي قبل التفكير في باقي الطريق”.
Arsenal have reportedly presented a formal offer to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer.
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Arsenal table offer for GyokeresMet the striker's agent in LisbonGunners favourites to sign the forwardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for Sporting CP goal machine Gyokeres for much of the 2024-25 campaign and the club are now acting swiftly to get the deal done. According to , some of the club's directors attended Arsenal Women's team's Champions League triumph over Barcelona last weekend in Lisbon, and after the match, they met Gyokeres' agent, Hasan Cetinkaya.
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The report adds that Arsenal have presented an offer worth €70 million (£58m/$79.5) plus a target-based fee. Gyokeres will receive a €12m signing bonus and earn €7m per season in wages if agrees to join the Gunners. Cetinkaya will now present the offer to Sporting president Frederico Varandas.
DID YOU KNOW?
Bayern Munich and Manchester United have also shown interest in the Swedish forward, however, Arsenal are now considered favourites to sign him.
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Manager Mikel Arteta intends to build a roadmap for success next season, which he will work on with his support staff, with an end-of-season performance review scheduled. The Spaniard has also revealed that recruitment is set to be a key area that Arsenal must get right this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are among the Premier League sides who could be bidding around £83m for an “incredible” attacker, according to an interesting update this week.
Tottenham identify new forward options for summer window
Spurs are reportedly identifying potential forward targets ahead of next season, amid claims that a trio of their current options could depart this summer.
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Tottenham are open to selling Richarlison, according to GiveMeSport, with the Brazilian enduring an injury-ridden 2024/25 campaign. Meanwhile, Timo Werner has failed to impress during his second season on loan at Spurs, meaning he is most likely to return to RB Leipzig.
There is even uncertainty surrounding the future of Lilywhites superstar Son Heung-min, despite the club’s decision to trigger a one-year extension option in his contract, with Saudi Pro League sides taking a keen interest.
Man City (home)
February 26th
Bournemouth (home)
March 9th
Fulham (away)
March 16th
Chelsea (away)
April 2nd
Southampton (home)
April 5th
Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are prepared to offer £41m for Son, according to CaughtOffside, but it remains to be seen whether Tottenham would accept an offer in and around this figure for a club legend – even if he is about to enter the final 12 months of his deal at 32 years old.
TottenhamHotspur's Son Heung-min applauds fans after the match
Even Mathys Tel could return to Bayern Munich after his loan spell at Spurs, regardless of their option to buy for around £45 million, as the final decision to remain will rest solely on the Frenchman’s shoulders.
As such, the north Londoners are considering their options in the final third, with Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens said to be piquing their interest.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in action
The England Under-21 international has been in electric form this season, hitting double figures for goals in all competitions, with Gittens attracting attention from the Premier League as a result.
Ange Postecoglou and Spurs are very keen on the 20-year-old winger (GiveMeSport), with reliable Bundesliga journalist Christian Falk backing this information on SportBILD.
Tottenham "said to be offering" £83m for Borussia Dortmund star Jamie Gittens
According to Falk, as relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham are “said to be offering €100m” for Gittens – equivalent to £83m – and could go “big” to secure his signing.
This figure would make the former Chelsea and Man City academy ace their most expensive transfer, so this is quite the claim.
“Dortmund crashed in the league, the Champions League is getting further and further away, and with that the income from the Champions League next season,” he said.
“They have to win it to be in it again. If they miss out, they’ll have to sell players and Gittens is highly regarded. Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be offering €100m. You have to say that would be nice money.
“[Dortmund CEO] Hans-Joachim Watzke recently admitted that they will have to sell one or two players if they miss out on the Champions League. So, a transfer for Gittens could happen.
“The English have the money; they have the TV contracts. Bayern Munich won’t pay this summer, and they could have him with that. But yes, Tottenham I think they’ll bet big.”
Former Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin, commenting on the young attacker recently, said he’s an “incredible” one-on-one dribbler.
ClosePakistan 202 (Babar 75, Shakeel 63, Leach 4-98) and 198 for 4 (Shakeel 54*, Faheem 3*) need another 157 runs to beat England 281 (Duckett 63, Pope 60, Abrar 7-114) and 275 (Brook 108, Abrar 4-120) For the best part of 32 overs, Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel thwarted an England attack that had been buoyed by a trio of superb deliveries in the first hour after lunch, to take a stiff Pakistan chase down to a potentially gripping fourth-day climax, and keep England’s hope of a famous series win on ice for another day … and potentially another Test.But then, with the shadows lengthening, and England starting to sweat on a route through a doughty 107-run stand for the fourth wicket, Imam leaned into an expansive drive out of the rough against Jack Leach, and scuffed a fast edge to Joe Root at slip to fall for 60 and crank the door ajar once more.Though Saud Shakeel endured to the close on 54 not out in partnership with Faheem Ashraf, the equation at stumps was simple. Six more wickets for England to take a 2-0 series lead with Karachi still to come, or 157 runs for Pakistan to draw level at 1-1 with their second-highest successful Test run chase of 355.Related
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It had been another gripping day of ebb-and-flow Test cricket, with Pakistan’s evening alliance mirroring their free-flowing opening stand of 64 in 15 overs before lunch, in which Mohammad Rizwan – promoted to open after Imam was sent for a scan on a damaged hamstring – and Abdullah Shafique saw off the new ball at a brisk tempo of 4.27 an over.Prior to that, England themselves had effectively auto-completed their second innings, with Harry Brook’s second Test century the highlight of a fast-forwarded hour of batting in which they lost their last five wickets for the addition of 73 runs. Despite the Test still having the best part of nine sessions to run at that stage, England’s approach reflected their belief that the surface still had plenty to offer their own bowlers, and – as with their 342-run declaration in Rawalpindi – by leaving Pakistan a nominally feasible target of 355, they would be all the better placed to induce errors.Harry Brook celebrates his second Test hundred•AFP/Getty Images
And, as had also been displayed in that first Test, England possess in James Anderson a trump card every bit as unique as Abrar Ahmed had proven to be in the course of his 11-wicket debut, but also 177 Tests and 20 years more experienced. Now as then, Anderson had been a notable absentee in the opening exchanges, as Stokes held his main man back to exploit the possibility of reverse swing. When he arrived for the first over of the afternoon, he quickly transformed the innings prognosis.Anderson’s first four deliveries of the session were negotiated safely enough, but the fifth was simply unplayable – a full-length seaming delivery that angled in at Rizwan then jagged wickedly around his outside edge to hit the top of off. Rizwan looked dumbfounded as he turned to survey the wreckage, but he had to go for 30 from 43 balls, and England had their opening at 66 for 1.Leach had been warming up to share the afternoon honours, but Stokes immediately signalled for Ollie Robinson to make it an all-seam attack. In his second over of the session, he too had produced a wonder-ball. With a hint of uneven bounce forcing Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, to play watchfully against the straight ball, Robinson instead hit the seam a full foot outside off, and Babar, seemingly grateful to be able to leave one, could only look on aghast at the ball zipped back to hit the top of off too.Babar Azam had his off stump pegged back by Ollie Robinson•Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Shafique all but succumbed to a near-identical delivery in Robinson’s next over, but he wouldn’t survive for much longer. Stokes rang the changes once more, recalling his quickest bowler, Mark Wood, in the final over before drinks, and with his very first ball, he burst another off-stump rattler through Shafique’s defences, again from wide of the crease, but keeping low as it skidded on with extra oomph.At 83 for 3, Pakistan’s innings was pinned to the ropes. But with his notable willingness to save his seamers for the key moments, Stokes instead leaned heavily on his spinners with in-out fields, tempting Pakistan to hit through the phalanx of close catchers. Once again, his first-innings weapon, Jack Leach, was Stokes’ most trusted option, but with two left-handers lining him up, Leach endured some rough treatment, going at 4.40 in the course of his 20 overs. Until, of course, he produced the moment that repaid the faith, and unlocked England’s prospects of closing out the game.The opportunities had kept coming regardless, up until that moment – on 4, Shakeel top-edged a slog-sweep off Root that fell short of Wood, set a few metres too deep at midwicket, while on 19, Imam drilled a hard chance back down the pitch at Will Jacks, who couldn’t cling on. The biggest let-off, however, came deep into the final session, as Imam, then on 54, flicked his bat at a leg-side lifter but Stokes declined the review that would have shown a faint tickle. It was the slightest indication that England’s captain was starting to feel the heat, as Imam and Shakeel grew in confidence with a series of sweetly-timed cover drives, particularly off the then-leaky Leach.Despite the excitement generated by England’s trio of early wickets, England found little in the way of reverse-swing as the innings progressed, on a day-three pitch that was arguably playing at its best. Stokes himself resisted any temptation to break the emergency glass and bring himself on for a spell, although that prospect remains for an intriguing fourth-day finish, when only the draw will be off the table.Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel’s partnership frustrated England•PCB
In spite of Pakistan’s relative success in the morning session, the major milestone had belonged to Brook, who converted his overnight 74 to his second hundred in four innings on this trip. By the time he holed out to deep square leg for 108, Brook had racked up 14 fours and a six in his 149-ball stay, replete with powerful strokeplay and impressive judgement of length, particularly against the spin of Abrar, who was once again Pakistan’s most threatening bowler, as he finished with 4 for 120, and an 11-wicket match haul on debut.Abrar came in for some heavy blows in the first hour, however, with Brook seizing on a series of drags to the leg-side, and Stokes launching the same bowler over the straight boundary for six, to draw him level with his coach Brendon McCullum on 107 Test sixes, the most by any player.Before he could convert that start into anything more meaningful, however, Stokes got underneath a heave to leg, where Ali on the midwicket boundary ran round for a well-judged catch. Robinson then missed a slog to leg as Abrar skidded a googly through his gate for his 11th wicket, before Wood poked a fast legbreak from Zahid Mahmood to slip and Anderson missed a reverse sweep to wrap up the innings. At that stage, and again after lunch, England were perfectly content with their match situation. By the close, notwithstanding Leach’s late breakthrough, they were a touch less comfortable.
Although conditions in Perth should suit the quicks, Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga looms as a threat
Tristan Lavalette24-Oct-20224:41
What makes the SL spinners a threat even in Australia?
Allrounder Mitchell Marsh has declared himself fit to bowl in a much-needed confidence boost for Australia, whose T20 World Cup title defence is on the line against Sri Lanka at Optus Stadium on Tuesday.While fellow favourites India and England started their campaigns with statement wins, albeit in contrasting fashion, hosts Australia are on the back foot after a thumping 89-run opening defeat to New Zealand at the SCG.It has meant Australia’s net run rate is already an eyesore and winning their remaining four games might not be enough to get into the semi-finals given the cut-throat nature of the tournament.Having finally recovered from a lingering ankle injury, Marsh should add much-needed versatility for an Australian attack still reeling from a pummeling by rampant openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway.Related
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He has not bowled since the Zimbabwe ODI series in August, playing as a specialist No. 3 batter in the lead up matches and against New Zealand.”I’m available to bowl. I love preparing as an allrounder and making sure I’m in the game the whole time,” Marsh told reporters in Perth on Monday.His seam bowling will provide another option for skipper Aaron Finch in the powerplay after Australia leaked 65 runs against New Zealand. To balance the attack, Finch prefers utilising an allrounder – either Marsh, Marcus Stoinis or offspinner Glenn Maxwell – in the opening six overs.Against New Zealand, Stoinis, who himself had only recently returned from a side strain, conceded 10 runs in the fourth over as Finch only used five bowlers with Maxwell strangely overlooked on an SCG pitch that gripped as the game wore on.”I think with me bowling, it gives us that added flexibility of myself, Maxi or Stoin can get four overs out. And we can bowl anywhere,” Marsh said.After such a disastrous start to their title defence, question marks continue to hover over Australia with Steven Smith and young allrounder Cameron Green, who replaced the injury Josh Inglis, on the outside looking in.Mitchell Marsh would be a valuable bowling option for Aaron Finch•AFP
But Australia are expected to back the same line-up, packed with big-hitters, as they attempt to lift off the canvas much like they spectacularly did 12 months ago in the UAE.In the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat, spinner Adam Zampa said Marsh attempted an ice breaker in the team’s dejected changing rooms by saying: “Perfect, this is right where we wanted to be – backs against the wall”.While a smiling Marsh doesn’t recall the quip, jokingly saying he was “thrown under the bus” by Zampa, he did believe it was an approach worth adopting.”We don’t really have a choice,” he said. “The nature of the tournament…you lose one game, your back is up against the wall and we know what’s in front of us. It’s just really important to stick together.”Even though Perth has experienced inclement weather in recent days, fortunately not impacting the tournament, there is no forecast for rain on Tuesday with the Optus Stadium pitch expected to again be bouncy and fast.England speedster Mark Wood bowled the fastest spell recorded in T20Is during Saturday’s game against Afghanistan, whose batters consistently holed out on the deep square boundaries on a ground with the same dimensions as the MCG.Marsh tipped Australia quicks Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood to bowl rapidly. “We’ll certainly have an aggressive approach. We know that the three big bowlers when they get going, theý’re very hard to stop,” he said. I think certainly after the other night we’ll see a big response from them.”Even though Optus Stadium, which essentially mimics the WACA’s iconic pitch, has characteristics perfectly suited for quicks, spinners can be effective in the middle overs by bowling back of a length, stymying batters on the vast square boundaries.England’s high-octane batting order was tied down by Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack as they made hard work of chasing 113, which they reached with 11 balls to spare.After being stunned by Namibia in their opener in Geelong, Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka have steadily improved with three straight wins led by legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga who has taken nine wickets at an average of just 9.78 in the tournament.”He’s obviously a very good bowler and someone we’ll have to counteract,” Marsh said of Hasaranga, who has taken 10 T20I wickets at 16.40 this year against Australia in five matches over two series in Australia and Sri Lanka.”Hopefully spin doesn’t play a huge factor at Perth Stadium and we can really attack them [Sri Lanka’s spinners]. We play spin very well in Australian conditions.”After Sri Lanka, Australia face England at the MCG which is still probably heaving after last night’s epic game between India and Pakistan.England allrounder Sam Curran has lit fuel to the high stakes contest by saying he wants to put Australia in a “tricky position”.Marsh, however, said Australia’s focus was solely on Sri Lanka. “That’s all that matters to us,” he said of the clash expected to attract around 25,000 fans to the 60,000-seat stadium.”Hopefully we play well, get past that and then move on to England.”
Chelsea’s attackers have arguably been a little bit underwhelming so far in the Premier League this season. The exception to that is Cole Palmer, who has once again stood out with 14 goals and six assists in the top flight.
He has been well-supported by a few of the Blues’ attackers. Nicolas Jackson has played well, with nine goals and five assists, and Noni Madueke has ten goal involvements, with both players the only other Chelsea attackers to score more than five goals.
However, a couple of players have underperformed, including Joao Felix and Pedro Neto, who have only managed one goal each in the Premier League. Thus, it might not be a surprise that the Blues are targeting a late move for Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.
Why Chelsea want Ferguson
A report on Friday confirmed that the Blues have joined the race to sign Ferguson before Monday’s deadline. At this stage, it is not clear whether or not they want to do a loan deal or make a permanent move for the Irishman. However, he is valued at £40m by the Seagulls.
Brighton strikerEvan Ferguson.
It has been a really tough season in 2024/25 for the 20-year-old. He has played 15 times across all competitions but has only found the back of the net once. That strike came at home in a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, he has shown great promise at first-team level for the South Coast outfit. The striker has scored 17 times and grabbed five assists in 80 games for the club, although has only played 3542 minutes in that time.
So, with that in mind, the Blues would certainly be adding someone who has a natural eye for goal. Although he has struggled this season, it is important to remember Ferguson is just 20 years of age and has years to go in his development as a professional.
It remains to be seen if the Blues will sign Ferguson, but for £40m they could certainly do worse. In fact, one of their current players is worth far more than the striker, who cannot get into the side this season under Enzo Maresca.
The player worth more than Ferguson
The Chelsea star worth more than the Brighton forward is Christopher Nkunku. Things have not really worked out for the French forward at Stamford Bridge since his £52m move from RB Leipzig in 2023.
Christopher Nkunku scores for Chelsea
His record, on the face of things, is not too bad. The former PSG star has played 43 times in that famous Blue shirt, scoring 16 times and registering four assists.
However, seven of those goals have come in the Conference League, including two goals and an assist in the 8-0 win over FC Noah this season.
Nkunku has been disappointing in the Premier League in 2024/25, with five goals and one assist in 30 appearances. With that being said, he is competing against Palmer and Jackson for a spot in the side, which is far from easy given their form.
Nkunku stats by Premier Leaguse season
Stat
2023/24
2024/25
Total
Games
19
11
30
Minutes
419
439
858
Goals
2
3
5
Assists
1
0
1
Stats from Transfermarkt
The Frenchman, once described as “ridiculous” by Statman Dave during his time at Leipzig, was linked with a move back to Germany earlier in the transfer window. He had agreed on personal terms with Bayern Munich, as reported by Florian Plettenberg on the 18th of January.
ESPN reported that the Blues would want at least £50m for Nkunku if he were to leave, and there are certainly positives for his departure. Not only does it work better for him, given he can play regular football elsewhere, but it means Chelsea can also reinvest the money into a deal for Ferguson, which is better suited to their squad.
For all parties, it seems worth Nkunku leaving Stamford Bridge. He is worth £10m more than Brighton’s asking price for the Ireland striker, and that certainly benefits the Blues given they can add a more suitable profile to their squad.
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Well, Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League has been slashed. It’s all doom and gloom (joking, it’s not). Arsenal might have won at home against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday but Liverpool remain four points clear and with a game in hand.
Arne Slot’s side have been brilliant this season and are favourites for the title, but it would be remiss to think that the Reds will storm away and out of sight before January’s done and dusted.
Liverpool managerArneSlot
It’s remarkable that Liverpool have even found themselves in such a promising position after Jurgen Klopp stepped down, with most assuming that Anfield would tussle for a place in the Champions League.
But Slot’s tactics and managerial expertise have propelled the Merseysiders into the ascendency across a range of fronts, and while Liverpool have only won three of their past seven top-flight fixtures, it’s anticipated the smoother sailing will return after a tough winter.
17/01/25
Premier League
Brentford (A)
21/02/25
Champions League
Lille (H)
25/01/25
Premier League
Ipswich (H)
29/01/25
Champions League
PSV (A)
01/02/25
Premier League
Bournemouth (A)
Liverpool have endured. They usually do. And anyway, the Redmen often dip into the January transfer window to make one or two well-placed improvements, and that might take place in the coming weeks.
Liverpool & the January transfer window
Liverpool and the January transfer window, a match made in heaven. Be it Virgil van Dijk or Takumi Minamino, FSG have always enjoyed making a wonderful winter signing to advance Liverpool’s cause.
Van Dijk is the gold standard and his £75m move from Southampton might even be the Premier League’s greatest January transfer, revolutionising Jurgen Klopp’s backline and leading Liverpool to glory.
Years before, let’s not forget, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge both joined from different outfits in January 2013, with Luis Suarez completing a £23m transfer from Ajax two years prior.
More recently, however, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo enjoyed mid-season switches to Merseyside, having now gone strength to strength under Slot’s wing, integral parts of the Anfield make-up.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo in action with Bayer Leverkusen'sJeremieFrimpongand Bayer Leverkusen's Exequiel Palacios
The Red Devils were left munching dirt clouds as Liverpool welcomed Gakpo to the fold, and now, FSG are looking to repeat the trick with one of the Premier League’s most underrated midfielders.
Liverpool eyeing Prem midfielder
As per Football Insider, scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United have been tracking Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes in recent months and could strike a deal this year.
Wolves are battling relegation but have improved under Vitor Pereira in recent weeks, and it would take a mammoth fee to convince the Old Gold to part with their engine this month.
Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes
However, a deal could certainly be struck this summer, with previous reports suggesting that the Anfielders would have to cough up something in the ballpark of £50m.
What Joao Gomes would bring to Liverpool
Gomes is a talented midfielder with an eye for a tackle. Wolves signed Flamengo’s prospect for £15m in January 2023, so he’s already accustomed to a winter rehousing.
71 appearances later, Gomes has scored five goals and assisted three more for his English employers, making good on talent scout Jacek Kulig’s praise that he is a “warrior” who “always gives 100% on the pitch.”
Gomes’ seasonal heatmap from the English top flight says it all: his boundless energy and enthusiasm across the different facets of the midfield game, completing 85% of his passes, 62% of his dribbles and averaging 5.1 ball recoveries per game.
He might be a dynamic and multi-faceted midfielder, but Gomes is a ball-winning monster at heart, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles (4.05) per 90, as per FBref, emphasising that he would bring combative energy to Liverpool’s rich engine room.
1.
Daniel Munoz
71 (3.94)
2.
Moises Caicedo
63 (3.06)
3.
Noussair Mazraoui
62 (3.67)
4.
Joao Gomes
61 (3.41)
5.
Idrissa Gueye
58 (3.74)
5=
Alexis Mac Allister
58 (3.70)
17th-placed Wolves might be embroiled in a fight to stay in the Premier League but Gomes has been a machine in the middle, capable of playing deep and more advanced.
His energy and expertise as a “box-crasher,” as analyst Ben Mattinson has called him, could bear dividends for a Liverpool side that has enjoyed so much success with Ryan Gravenberch as the deep-lying playmaker.
Liverpool needs to get this one done, especially when considering the rich history in welcoming winter talent to the first team. Given that the aforementioned Gakpo had been on Man United’s radar, like Gomes, there’s an even more pressing reason to ensure that he’s added to the ranks.
Leaving PSV Eindhoven, Dutch sensation Gakpo was only 23 when he moved to Liverpool, the same age as Gomes is now.
Cody Gakpo celebrates for Liverpool
He’s been one of the key attacking pillars in Slot’s system this season, firing 12 goals and placing four assists across 30 appearances in all competitions.
The Netherlands international has been hailed as “Liverpool’s man for the big occasion” by reporter Beth Lindop, not blessed with the audacious prolificness of Mohamed Salah but indispensable as a title challenge is mounted.
How Liverpool would love to strike a blow in Man United hearts once again, strengthening their midfield ranks with a player who would be perfect for Ruben Amorim’s system.
The Old Trafford side have endured much market misery over the past decade but Liverpool’s talent radar is usually unerring, so it would be a travesty to lose this player to their rivals, who are desperately seeking a resurgence.
Whether Gomes is ready to make the jump is open to question, but based on the evidence from within tough conditions at Molineux, the Reds might just score a blinder by adding this one to the fold.
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Yorkshire 158 for 8 (Bess 67, Fraine 53, Abbott 4-36, Abbas 3-25) vs HampshireYorkshire cricket has been hit by an uncoordinated pincer movement this year and its consequences were painfully plain at Scarborough today.From one side, the county has been deserted by those who were appalled by the Azeem Rafiq affair and wanted nothing to do with a club they saw as top-to-toe racist. From the other, there were those who agreed there had been obvious misconduct at Yorkshire but left because they saw last December’s sacking of 16 employees, some of them well-respected coaches and physios, as unfair, a conclusion with which an employment judge recently agreed.One of the results of this haemorrhage of members could be seen in the long rows of unoccupied wooden seats at North Marine Road. Only 2,254 souls watched Yorkshire collapse to 33 for 6 this morning before recovering later, and while that sort of figure is still excellent by many counties’ standards, this is Scarborough, a place of annual communion. It was routine for the ground’s huge stands to be filled by some 5,000 spectators before Covid – another factor in the reduced attendance, of course.So for all that one admired Mohammad Abbas’ opening spell of 9-5-7-3 or Kyle Abbott’s willingness to bowl the attacking length that would see four Yorkshire batters perish to slip catches, it was also pleasing to see the faith of the spectators at the Peasholm Park End rewarded during the afternoon when Will Fraine and Dom Bess put on 116 for the seventh wicket. Both men played with a freedom that would have seemed alien to Yorkshire’s struggles in the morning and both deserved their chunks of luck.Related
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That said, it will need vastly more than one fine stand to restore the fortunes of a side that has won only one of its nine four-day games this season. And it will take more than one year of reconstruction to heal this self-wounded club. To a degree, the dilemma for Yorkshire members reflects that put forward by the political economist, Albert O. Hirschman in his influential book, . Should members of an organisation leave it if they disapprove of its behaviour? Or should they speak out and try to change it? And what is the interplay between those possible courses of action and the essential loyalty which is so powerful a force in sports clubs?That essential fidelity was plain in the two hours after lunch when Fraine and Bess took advantage of the ageing ball and the lighter air to attack James Vince’s bowlers. Runs came like water from a fractured pipe and neither Ian Holland nor James Fuller could control the flow.The first suggestion of this came in the opening over of the afternoon session, when Fraine’s two fours off Holland, one driven on the off side, one punched, seemed a counterpoint to the hesitant half-strokes we had seen during the morning. In that period just two of Yorkshire first 25 runs had been scores in front of square. At lunch Fraine’s six runs had been scored in 84 minutes off 59 balls; in the afternoon his on-drive off Abbas brought a roar of approval from those whose voices were used to express their loyalty.At the other end, Bess was wristier, punching the seamers through square leg or manufacturing five fours through an arc of slips that Vince was at times forced to weaken. But when heavy rain arrived at tea and did not relent, Hampshire’s captain could relax that his side hold the advantage thanks to the best seam attack in the country.Kyle Abbott dismantled Yorkshire’s top order•Getty Images
After opting to bat on a pitch that offered early help to accurate seamers, Steve Patterson saw his top order struggle from the first over. George Hill was leg before to his first delivery when Keith Barker brought one back off the seam. Adam Lyth tried to take his bat away from Abbas’ fourth ball of the morning but only played on. Tom Kohler-Cadmore was pinned in front when he failed to cope with Abbas’ late swing.The clouds lowered and the crisis deepened. At one stage it seemed likely Yorkshire could be bowled out for less than a hundred. Matthew Waite drove too firmly at Abbott and was caught by Joe Weatherley; Matthew Revis was delighted to drive a boundary through the covers, only to be blamelessly dismissed two balls later when his forward defensive shot edged a catch to Holland.Late in the morning session, the only county having a worse time of it was Derbyshire, who were collapsing to Dillon Pennington at New Road. But knowing they are not doing quite as badly as Derbyshire has rarely been regarded as a barometer of success in these parts. Nonetheless, a brief shower and an early lunch were greeted with relief, albeit nothing comparable to the glee fostered by Fraine and Bess’ strokeplay.Even then, though, Abbott’s disciplined aggression earned the day’s final rewards: four overs before tea, Fraine looked to pull the seamer but only gloved a one-handed catch to Weatherley; then Bess having made 67 off 105 balls nicked a defensive push to Liam Dawson.Tomorrow morning Jordan Thompson and Steve Patterson, loyalists to their marrow, will look to rebuild their side’s innings. Reconstructing the heart and soul of this still-damaged club will take far longer.