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Didier Deschamps has recalled N’Golo Kante to the France squad for the first time in a year, hailing the veteran midfielder as “still at his best.” The 34-year-old Al-Ittihad star has impressed with his consistency in Saudi Arabia and will feature in Les Bleus’ crucial World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan this month.

Kante earns France recall for decisive World Cup qualifiers

Deschamps has named Kante in his latest France squad, marking the veteran midfielder’s first call-up in a year ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Azerbaijan. Kante’s inclusion comes as a surprise to many, given his move to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 with Al-Ittihad, but Deschamps made it clear that the former Chelsea and Leicester City star remains a key part of his plans.

The 34-year-old last featured for Les Bleus in November 2024, captaining the side in a 0-0 Nations League draw against Israel. Since then, he has quietly rebuilt his rhythm and form in Saudi Arabia, making 12 appearances in all competitions this season.

Les Bleus currently sit top of World Cup qualifying Group D with 10 points, three clear of Ukraine. With two decisive fixtures remaining, hosting Ukraine on November 13 before travelling to Azerbaijan three days later, Deschamps has turned to experience to steady his side. Kante’s recall underscores his remarkable consistency, leadership, and ability to influence games even in a new environment. The midfielder, who has 64 international caps, will join a squad missing several key names through injury, including Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot.

AdvertisementAFP'He’s still at his best' – Deschamps praises Kante

Deschamps was full of praise when asked about Kante’s return, highlighting the midfielder’s professionalism and enduring quality. "I'm in contact with him. He's at his best in the matches I've seen him play; he plays every three or four days," Deschamps said. "He's still potentially eligible for selection, and the proof is that he's been selected.

"He needs to maintain his position; he has a certain status, experience. When I call him up, it's to give him a role, not just to be part of the team. With what awaits us in this match, which could be decisive, he's always on my mind, in my thinking. The coaching staff and I follow him regularly. It's always a pleasure for him to wear this jersey." 

Kante’s recall is not just a sentimental gesture, Deschamps emphasised that the veteran remains a tactical asset capable of dictating play and providing balance in midfield. The French coach’s comments reflect a broader respect for Kante’s influence on and off the pitch. Even as younger midfielders like Eduardo Camavinga and Warren Zaire-Emery continue to develop, Deschamps clearly believes there’s still room for the 2018 World Cup winner’s unique blend of energy and experience.

A symbol of longevity and leadership

Few players have enjoyed the sustained excellence of Kante. Since bursting onto the scene with Leicester's 2016 Premier League title win, the midfielder has gone on to conquer every major competition – two Premier League titles, a Champions League and a World Cup. His time at Al-Ittihad has been marked by quiet leadership and consistency. While the Saudi Pro League has drawn mixed reviews for its competitiveness, the midfielder has been among the few foreign stars to maintain elite physical standards, clocking impressive work rates across all competitions.

Deschamps and his coaching staff have been monitoring his performances closely and were impressed by his match fitness and influence in recent fixtures. Kante is not the only SPL-based player in the latest France squad, Theo Hernandez, currently with Al-Hilal, also received a call-up, marking a new chapter in Deschamps’ openness to players outside Europe’s traditional leagues.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta keeps his spot after debuting in October, while Rayan Cherki and Randal Kolo Muani return from injury layoffs.

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Getty Images SportKante’s redemption arc continues

After enduring a string of injuries during his final seasons at Chelsea, Kante’s renaissance has been one of football’s quieter success stories. His return for Euro 2024, where Les Blues reached the semi-finals, showcased his enduring engine and big-game reliability. Now, with France edging closer to World Cup qualification, Kante’s presence provides calm and clarity. His understanding of Deschamps’ system, paired with his unmatched ball-winning instincts, makes him an ideal anchor for a squad in transition.

The next two fixtures could determine not only France’s qualification but also the veteran’s international future. For Kante, it’s another chance to prove that class and consistency never fade even after a move that many thought marked the end of his European relevance. 

All eyes will be on the midfield maestro when France host Ukraine in Paris. If Deschamps’ faith proves right, Kante’s quiet return could once again make a decisive noise for the 2018 World Cup winners.

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Nesta quinta-feira (17), na Academia de Futebol, o Palmeiras deu sequência à preparação para o confronto com o Cuiabá, que acontece neste sábado (19), às 18h30, na Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá (MT), pela 20ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O elenco segue desfalcado do trio Dudu, Gabriel Menino e Luis Guilherme, que estão no departamento médico.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Em campo, a comissão de Abel Ferreira comandou, a princípio, uma atividade posicional com ênfases táticas como transições e movimentações específicas. Na sequência, houve um trabalho técnico em dimensões reduzidas e, por fim, os atacantes aprimoraram finalizações. Foi o segundo treino antes do duelo deste sábado (19).

Lesionados, Dudu, Gabriel Menino e Luis Guilherme cumpriram cronograma com o Núcleo de Saúde e Performance. O camisa 7 está tratando a panturrilha direita, enquanto o volante busca sanar dores na coxa.

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O caso do jovem meia-atacante, porém, é um pouco mais complicado, pois ele foi diagnosticado com um estiramento muscular. Menino e Baixola devem voltar para o duelo com o Deportivo Pereira, na Libertadores, na quarta-feira (23). O trio, porém, está fora da viagem para Cuiabá.

+ Palmeiras se reapresenta e atualiza situação física de Gabriel Menino e Luis Guilherme

Outros desfalques certos para a próxima rodada do Brasileirão são Vanderlan e Gustavo Gómez, que levaram o terceiro amarelo diante do Cruzeiro e estão suspensos.

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O Palmeiras treina nesta sexta (18), às 10h, na penúltima atividade antes de enfrentar o Cuiabá, neste sábado (19), às 18h30, fora de casa, pela 20ª rodada do Brasileirão. No primeiro turno, na arena alviverde, vitória por 2 a 1, com gols de Endrick e Flaco López. O Verdão é o atual vice-líder do campeonato nacional com 34 pontos.

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Rio Ferdinand has called out one Manchester United player for their performance in the 2-1 victory against Chelsea.

Man Utd back on track after victory over Chelsea

It hasn’t been an ideal start to the new Premier League season for Man United, but they managed to get back on track against Chelsea last time out, securing a narrow 2-1 victory, although they didn’t make things easy for themselves.

With Robert Sanchez being sent off after just five minutes, and the Red Devils racing into a 2-0 lead before the break, the win should’ve been a formality, but Casemiro made things far more difficult for Ruben Amorim’s side by being sent off just prior to half-time.

Wayne Rooney was left particularly annoyed by the Brazilian picking up a second yellow card, with the United legend describing the Brazilian midfielder as “silly” and “naive”.

Despite Trevoh Chalobah scoring with ten minutes left to play, Amorim’s side held on for an important victory, but Ferdinand was unimpressed with one of his former club’s summer signings.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents (via Metro), the 46-year-old singled Benjamin Sesko out for criticism, and was left in disbelief at just how poorly he performed, saying: “In the first half, against 10 men, he’s had six touches. Six touches!

“I think the responsibility goes to the striker as well [as other players],

“In today’s game there’s enough at your disposal technology-wise and clip-wise that you can get it in black and white on the iPad and say to your teammates, ‘You know when you got in that position, look where I am.”

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Sep 22, 2025 Sesko must start showing signs of improvement soon

Amorim will be delighted he managed to stave off some pressure by winning against a strong side in Chelsea, but the manager is also likely to be concerned by Sesko’s display, and the start the Slovenian has made to life at Old Trafford.

It was always going to be a big ask for the young striker to make the step-up, but he has undoubtedly fallen short of expectations, having failed to register a single goal or assist in his opening six games for Man United.

Not only did the 22-year-old barely touch the ball against Chelsea (albeit he had eight, not six), but he was also ineffective in the Manchester derby, recording just 19 touches, the lowest number of any player that started the match.

Ferdinand is not the only former United player that has criticised the centre-forward either, with Kasper Schmeichel claiming he was a needless signing, saying: “It’s nothing personal against Sesko – but we didn’t need the third striker, we needed a centre midfield player who can control that bit of the pitch, and we needed a goalkeeper.

In fairness, Manchester City and Chelsea were always going to be tough tests, and Amorim will be hoping Sesko can get off the mark in one of the upcoming games, which are much kinder on paper, with United set to travel to Brentford next Saturday, before taking on Sunderland at home.

Shreyas Iyer, the new Punjab Kings captain, has expressed his intention to bat at No. 3 during IPL 2025. Iyer recently proved to be India’s point of difference at No. 4 during their unbeaten run to the Champions Trophy title in Dubai and earlier in IPL 2024, when he captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the title, he had primarily batted at the same position. Occasionally, he had also slid down to No. 5 or No. 6 to suit the needs of KKR last season.”We already know that IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. And If I would want to mark myself at some position in T20, it would be No. 3,” Iyer said at a press conference. “And that’s what I’m focusing at. I wouldn’t say that we are planning and thinking about what number I will be batting.”This time I’m quite clear about that position. And I’m going to be focusing on that number. As long as the coach approves of me.”Related

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Iyer will reunite with coach Ponting after the pair had some success at Delhi Capitals, helping them make the playoffs from 2019 to 2021, including the final in 2020. PBKS splurged INR 26.75 crore (USD 3.18 million approx) on Iyer, making him the second-most expensive player at an IPL auction.”If you look back at the auction, I think it was pretty clear to everyone who I wanted as my captain,” Ponting said. “And we got what we wanted. I was desperate to work with Shreyas again. We had a great working relationship at Delhi over a long period of time. He’s one of the best players that I’ve worked with. He’s a great human being. He’s an IPL-winning captain. You couldn’t ask for much more.”We’ve got the best leader that we could possibly hope for. And we’ve had a lot of great times and success together. I think we understand each other really well. As you know, the captain-coach relationship in any team is vital.”In IPL 2024, PBKS had managed to win just one of their seven home games across Mullanpur and Dharamsala, and finished second from bottom. Ponting is hoping to remedy that and find ways to win at home this season.”What I understand is that if you are not winning at home, you are not winning the IPL,” Ponting said. “It’s one of the main reasons that I’m sitting here now. I wanted a really strong coaching challenge. And we’ve got that. But there’s no pressure on us. What have we got to lose?”We’re going to go out and play a really dynamic and entertaining brand of cricket. And I know we’ve got the players that can do that.”

Doubts have emerged over Matt Henry’s availability for the Champions Trophy final, owing to the shoulder injury he picked up during the semi-final in Lahore.Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far, had hurt his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen, but returned to bowl two overs late in the match against South Africa. He was also seen diving in the field after he came back.Mitchell Santner had been optimistic about Henry’s availability soon after the match on Wednesday. But head coach Gary Stead has now said that Henry’s fitness status was “unknown” a little more than 48 hours ahead of the final.Related

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“I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl,” Stead said. “We’ve had some scans and stuff done on him, and we’re going to give him every chance to be playing in this match.”[But it’s] still a little bit unknown at this stage.”Henry has ten wickets at an average of 16.70 at this Champions Trophy. Five of those wickets came in the group match against India in Dubai, their opponents and the venue for the final.”He’s obviously pretty sore just from landing on the point of his shoulder,” Stead said. “Hopefully he will be okay.”If Henry cannot play, New Zealand have right-arm seamer Jacob Duffy in their squad. Duffy has not played any of New Zealand’s four matches in the tournament, but did have an outing against Pakistan in the pre-tournament tri-series that had been played there. He took 1 for 48 in seven overs in that game.

Marsh dropped after a lean series with bat and ball with Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster named to make his debut as the only change for Australia

Alex Malcolm01-Jan-2025

Australia have dropped allrounder Mitchell Marsh for the final Test against India in Sydney with captain Pat Cummins confirming that Tasmanian Beau Webster will make his Test debut.Cummins confirmed on the eve of the Sydney Test that Australia would make just one change, with Mitchell Starc declared fit to play despite carrying an issue with his rib/back.Marsh’s place in the side was under the microscope after a lean series with both bat and ball. He had scored just 73 runs at 10.42 across the first four Tests, with 47 of those coming in the second innings in Perth when the game was long gone. With the ball he had bowled just 33 overs across seven innings in the series (discounting the brief second innings in Brisbane), and since claiming 2 for 12 in the first innings of the series he had figures of 1 for 127 from his last 28 overs.Related

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Webster has been the form allrounder in the Sheffield Shield in recent seasons. He was the highest scorer in the Shield last season with 938 runs at 58.62 and took 30 wickets at 29.30. Sir Garfield Sobers, in 1963-64, is the only other player in Shield history to score more than 900 runs and take more than 30 wickets in the same season.In four games this season he has scored 303 runs at 50.50, including a century and a half-century, and has taken nine wickets at 37.88 in 96.5 overs across four matches. He has also taken 6 for 17 in a Dean Jones Trophy 50-over match for Tasmania and made an unbeaten half-century for Australia A against India A in the first four-day Mackay and took two three-wicket hauls in the second in Melbourne.”Mitchy, obviously hasn’t quite got the runs, or perhaps the wickets that he would have liked this series,” Cummins said on Thursday at his pre-Test press conference. “So we felt like it was time for a freshening up, and Beau’s been with the squad. He’s been great. So it’s a shame for Mitchy, because we know how much he brings to the team, but feel like now it’s a good week for Beau to get a chance.”Marsh’s popularity within the team, and his close personal friendship with Cummins would not have made the decision easy for the captain or the selectors. But Cummins said Marsh was not surprised by the decision and was very accepting of it.”He was totally understanding,” Cummins said. “I think his words were, yeah, not necessarily blindsided. He knows he hasn’t scored the runs or taken the wickets that he would have liked. So that makes you vulnerable. Really excited for Beau. The first thing he said, I can’t wait to see Beau go out there and give it a crack.”Particularly here in Australia, I think when a batter misses out or gets dropped it’s always seen as a big thing, but it’s not the case. The way that Ronnie [Andrew McDonald] and the selectors and myself look at it is, we love pulling a squad of players together who we think we can call on at different times. And we thought the time was right for Mitchy to have a freshen up and miss this one. But it doesn’t mean that he won’t be back in that team at some point.”Cummins was asked whether Marsh needed to contribute more with the ball if he was to earn a recall but the skipper said that his batting is the main priority.”Not necessarily,” he said. “We’ve spoken about it a lot. He was in the side this summer for being a top six batter. So that’s generally a guiding principle when you pick the top order, [although] not always. I think when he’s at his best, he gets in the side on his batting alone and his bowling is a bonus. Obviously, we’ve got guys like Cam Green who will be back in the mix at some point as well, who provide some other bowling options.”Beau Webster bowls at the nets•AFP via Getty Images

At the same time, Cummins said Webster’s superior bowling, and ability to handle bigger loads than Marsh was a factor in the decision-making. That comes just a few days after coach Andrew McDonald suggested Marsh was fully fit and stated it was unfair to question Marsh’s lack of bowling given that he had not bowled for tactical reasons rather than any physical issues.”That was definitely a factor,” Cummins said. “Short turnaround. I think it’s always nice to have kind of a fifth bowler. He bowls quite a lot for Tasmania. So if we need to call on that we can. I think firstly, if you’re going to bat six, you’re picked for your batting, which I think he’s shown in the Shield over the last couple years, when he takes the game on he’s really changed some games for Tasmania. But I’ll sit down and work that out today. But I think particularly that pace bowling, Beau is going to be handy, and we’ve got obviously Nath [Lyon], but also Trav [Head] with some handy offies when needed.”Cummins said he hadn’t had a lot to do with Webster prior to him joining the squad after the first Test of this series. But he has been impressed with his performances for Tasmania and Australia A where he made scores of 33, 61*, 5 and 46* and took figures of 0 for 18, 1 for 51, 3 for 19 and 3 for 49 in the two wins over India A in Mackay and Melbourne ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”He’s just been a one of those star performance for Tasmania with the bat or ball, or in the field,” Cummins said. “He always seems to have a big impact. Quite aggressive. Can change the game, like we’ve seen Mitch Marsh or Trav Head, or Alex Carey do in that middle order. And he’s been a great personality around the squad. Even day five there in Melbourne he was itching to get on the field. It’s going to be awesome to see him debut. Really love what he brought to the squad so far.”Australia XI for the fifth Test: Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Former England international James Beattie has described how unwelcoming the Three Lions’ squad was during its famous golden generation, revealing just four players introduced themselves following his first call-up. Beattie was in the prime of his club career with Southampton when he received the news that he had been called up for England in 2003.

Who was in the England squad when Beattie was called up?

Beattie, who went on to score 23 goals in 38 Premier League games for the Saints in 2003-04, entered into a star-studded England squad, then managed by Sven-Goran Eriksson, which included the likes of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhich players from the 'golden generation' welcomed Beattie?

However Beattie – alongside fellow debutants Wayne Bridge, Matt Upson and Trevor Sinclair – has revealed only then-England captain David Beckham, former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell and ex-Manchester United duo Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes made the effort to make the new additions feel welcome.

Beattie opens up about the testing England atmosphere

In an interview with Midnite – Southampton FC's official training kit partner who have launched the league's first-ever Tifo Committee for the EFL Championship season – Beattie said: "When I went into that England squad, there were only a few lads that talked to us. David Beckham, Sol Campbell, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, probably. The rest of them were just sitting in their club cliques.

"It was a massive, massive event for us debutants – me, Wayne Bridge, Matt Upson, Trevor Sinclair. Beckham was really good, Sol was really good, they were the ones that sort of made us feel welcome."

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Getty Images SportHow did Beattie perform for England?

Beattie made his senior international debut in England's surprise 3-1 defeat against Australia in February 2003. The striker went on to earn four more caps during the so-called 'golden generation' which saw the Three Lions' players struggle to replicate their success at club level on the international scene. Having earned the moniker in the 2000s, England were subsequently eliminated at the quarter-final stage at three successive major tournaments – the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups and the 2004 European Championships.

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Diferente do cenário visto na última temporada, Rafael assumiu o posto de titular absoluto no gol do São Paulo nesta temporada. O jogador chegou como um reforço para a posição neste ano e foi escalado em todos os jogos até agora.

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Em 2022, o cenário no gol era um pouco diferente. Frequentemente, desde o início do Campeonato Paulista daquela época, Rogério Ceni revezava entre as opções disponíveis. Rafael falou sobre o ‘fim’ desta disputa de posição, mas destacou que é algo ‘sadio’ entre os companheiros.

ATUAÇÕES: Em noite ruim, Marcos Paulo salva, e Calleri mostra que faz diferença em vitória do São Paulo

Veja tabela da Copa Sul-Americana

Atualmente, além de Rafael, o elenco tricolor conta também com Jandrei e Felipe Alves – que chegou até a se firmar no gol no final da última temporada. Além dos citados, a Cria de Cotia Young também pode ser utilizado.

Rafael destacou que todos mantêm um bom relacionamento nos treinamentos, ‘buscando sempre fazer o melhor para crescer’, mas afirmou estar feliz com a titularidade.

– Eu estou muito feliz, gosto de enaltecer o trabalho de todos os goleiros. Hoje estou em campo, mas eu sempre represento Jandrei, Felipe, Young, que trabalham muito. A disputa é sadia e grande, essa parceria que a gente tem faz a gente crescer e aí dependendo a gente segue fazendo o melhor – explicou.

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Rafael foi essencial para a vitória do São Paulo nesta terça-feira (18), por 2 a 0, contra o Puerto Cabello. O jogador salvou a equipe da oportunidade mais perigosa criada pelo adversário, em partida que foi válida pela Copa Sul-Americana.

Ao ser questionado sobre o confronto em si, falou que o time venezuelano era uma grande incógnita para a equipe e alegou que as fortes chuvas no estádio do Morumbi atrapalharam um pouco o desempenho são-paulino. O arqueiro também destacou a atuação dos seus companheiros.

– Não sabíamos da capacidade da equipe deles, que teríamos dificuldade. Depois que a chuva apertou, dificultou. Brigamos o tempo inteiro, buscamos jogo, finalizamos muito. Acho que foi um jogo consistente, esses dois gols coroaram a boa atuação. Muito feliz com esses três pontos – completou.

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Agora, o São Paulo volta a campo no sábado (22), contra o América-MG, em busca da primeira vitória pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. O jogo também será no Morumbi.

Newcastle United’s growing interest in Hugo Ekitike could boil down to any number of reasons, but the minds of Liverpool fans will no doubt be drawn toward the possibility of signing Alexander Isak.

Certainly, it makes little sense for the Magpies to fork out £86m on Eintracht Frankfurt’s covetous centre-forward only for him to contest with Isak for the focal berth. It’s a tussle he’s apt to lose, relegating himself to the backbenches or at least as the second fiddle to Eddie Howe’s offensive instrument.

Of course, there’s the possibility that Ekitike will jockey with the Sweden international for a term or two before taking his place upon an eventual transfer to one of Europe’s true powerhouses. Like Liverpool, perhaps.

But then Arne Slot isn’t going to want to hang about for a new number nine, one who can replace Darwin Nunez. A resolution of some regard will be reached this summer, bringing a striker to Anfield’s pitch.

FSG are proving themselves to be incisive now that they have returned to the pinnacle, champions of the Premier League. Just look at Liverpool’s move for Florian Wirtz.

Why Liverpool signed Florian Wirtz

When Liverpool lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, Slot knew his team needed to replace the creativity of a man who had been described in the past being “like having Kevin de Bruyne playing at right-back” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher.

It would have been negligible to have attempted to sign a cardboard cutout at right-back, so instead, signing a world-class playmaker like Wirtz to nestle into midfield made much more sense. He cost a British record £116m, but it’s likely to be money well spent all the same.

The attacking midfielder, indeed, ranked among the top 7% of positional peers across Europe last season for both shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Looking at his accomplishments in Germany’s top flight, it’s easy to forget that Wirtz is a 22-year-old who has already rebounded from a potentially detrimental ACL injury.

But that brutal setback in 2022 has only fuelled his ascent to the realm of the world-class.

For now, we wait with bated breath for the German international to grace the Premier League and lead Liverpool toward further riches.

Liverpool often strike gold when raiding the Bundesliga, and they appear ready to do so once more before the summer market slams shut, repeating their Wirtz acquisition.

Liverpool in contact to sign new striker

If Liverpool are to replace Nunez this summer, they will want to sign a striker fit for a Premier League title defence. Isak or Ekitike would do the trick, but an alternative pick has also been earmarked in RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

The Slovenian striker, 22, has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time, but the Gunners are pushing ahead with a move for Viktor Gyokeres, thus opening the door for Liverpool to pounce.

That’s according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, anyway, who revealed that Sesko’s agents have been in contact with Liverpool over a potential summer deal, offering his services to the Reds.

It’s unclear, however, whether the Bundesliga outfit will be inclined to budge on their €90m (£78m) valuation – a figure which proved to end Arsenal’s interest.

What Benjamin Sesko would bring to Liverpool

Sesko is a raw talent but one whose ceiling stretches far above the potential of most other forwards. His power and predatory instinct suggest he has what it takes to become a superstar in the Premier League.

Standing at 6 foot 5 but blessed with the high-speed running and ability to use his physicality to a great effect, he’s been hailed as a “monster” in the final third by analyst Ben Mattinson, who continued to remark he’s “raw but has excellent fundamentals”.

With some fine tweaks and Slot-led coaching, he could prove to be one of the very best in the English top flight, something talent scout Jacek Kulig definitely believes is within his grasp, having gone as far as to dub him “the new Haaland”.

It’s clear that this young and rising star could emulate Wirtz in travelling to England from Germany and becoming a superstar. The latter, of course, hasn’t actually kicked a ball in the country yet, but he’s regarded as one of the world’s best all the same.

As you can see, Sesko has improved steadily, continually, establishing himself as the kind of striker who can provide a steady source of goals in a top-five European division like the Bundesliga.

And he’s going to be supported and developed with a partnership with Wirtz, for sure. But more to the point, Sesko has the potential to become a superstar of equal proportions, so mobile and dynamic in his play, ranked among the top 11% of centre-forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Then, of course, Sesko’s goalscoring ability, the way in which he swings his leg and connects with ridiculous power (something Jurgen Klopp would attest to), emphasises that Haaland-esque ability that underscores his world-class potential.

Liverpool would be taking something of a risk by forking out a significant sum for a player who has yet to reach their potential, but Sesko has all the properties of a Liverpool-level forward, leading the line across a period of sustained success.

Given their success in raiding the Bundesliga, Liverpool might just want to take the punt, quickly repeating what promises to be a triumph in bringing Wirtz over from Bayer Leverkusen.

Perfect Diaz heir: Hughes racing to sign £43m "game-changer" for Liverpool

Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has been heavily linked with a summer sale.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 13, 2025

Northern Superchargers kept their season alive with a rain-affected victory over London Spirit in the Hundred at Headingley.They sit second in the table with 11 points, and now face an anxious wait to see if that is enough to secure a place in the knockout stages. They are relying on either Welsh Fire or Manchester Originals doing them a favour in the next two nights, but will be eliminated if those two teams are beaten by Southern Brave and Birmingham Phoenix respectivley. Either way, it is clear progress after they finished bottom last year.Related

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Adil Rashid was the stand-out performer for Harry Brook and Andrew Flintoff’s side, taking 3 for 16 as part of a bowling performance that restricted Spirit to just 111 from their 100 balls.The England legspinner has troubled batters throughout the competition, and on Tuesday night he removed Matt Critchley, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell across 15 balls in the middle of the innings to knock the stuffing out of a Spirit batting effort that was already flattering to deceive.Michael Pepper had already headed back to the pavilion, caught terrifically by Mitchell Santner, as had Keaton Jennings, who burned brightly for his 12-ball 30 and was on the receiving end of a send-off from Reece Topley, who had him caught at deep point.