They add 158 together as Pakistan make light work of a chase of 208 against severely depleted WI

Hemant Brar16-Dec-2021Yet another clinical display from Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam powered Pakistan to their highest successful chase in T20I cricket as they beat West Indies by seven wickets in the third T20I in Karachi.Batting first on a well-rolled surface, West Indies rode on Nicholas Pooran’s 37-ball 64 and breezy 40s from Brandon King and Shamarh Brooks to post a challenging 207 for 3. But a 158-run stand between Rizwan and Babar, in just 15.1 overs, all but ensured a 3-0 scoreline.Babar contributed 79 off 53 balls, while Rizwan was the aggressor, hitting 87 off just 45 with the help of ten fours and three sixes. During his knock, Rizwan also completed 2000 runs in T20 cricket this year. When the winning runs were scored, Pakistan still had seven balls remaining.Earlier in the day, the game was put in jeopardy after Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, and Justin Greaves tested positive for Covid-19 but both teams decided to go ahead with the match.That, however, meant West Indies had to field a severely depleted side, as they were already without Sheldon Cottrell, Roston Chase and Kyle Mayers – all three had tested positive at the start of the tour – and Devon Thomas, who has a finger injury. The still put up their best performances of the series but it wasn’t enough to prevent a whitewash.King’s birthday bash
On his 27th birthday, King decided to throw caution to the wind. He opened his account with back-to-back fours off Mohammad Nawaz in the first over. On both occasions, he gave himself room and hit the ball through the off side. That remained his modus operandi for most of his innings even as he didn’t middle the ball all the time.Nawaz came in for more punishment in his next over. First, Brooks drilled him past mid-on and then King hit the last three balls of the over for six, four and four. From the other end, King fetched three fours across Mohammad Hasnain’s two overs, and as a result, West Indies motored to fifty in just 4.2 overs.On the penultimate ball of the powerplay, King once again backed away and launched Mohammad Wasim Jr for a 98-metre six, the ball landing on the roof of the deep-midwicket stands. Wasim, though, made a comeback the very next ball, uprooting King’s off stump as the batter failed in his attempt to late-cut a fuller delivery.Brooks cuts loose
West Indies finished the powerplay on 66 for 1. Brooks, who was batting on 21 off 16 balls at that point, decided it was his turn to cut loose. He skipped down the track against Nawaz but ended up skying it towards long-on, where Iftikhar Ahmed and Hasnain, running in from long-off, messed up their calling, and despite both fielders next to each other, neither got their hands to the ball.Shadab Khan ended up paying the price for that drop as Brooks hit him for three sixes in four balls in the next over. But just like King, he too fell short of his half-century. Shahnawaz Dahani hurried him with a short ball and had him caught at deep midwicket.Shahnawaz Dahani impressed with his pace and bounce•Asif Hassan/AFP via Getty ImagesPooran propels WI further
The Pakistan bowlers had bowled West Indies out in the first two T20Is but on Thursday night, there was no respite for them. With two left-handers in the middle, Babar Azam tried to sneak in an over of offspin from Iftikhar but Pooran thumped him for two sixes.He was equally belligerent against Hasnain, whom he took for 19 off six balls, including two sixes and a four. Pooran’s assault meant West Indies didn’t lose the momentum despite Darren Bravo struggling on 17 off 16 balls at one stage. Pooran brought up his half-century off 31 balls but after his dismissal, West Indies could score only 15 off the remaining 14 balls.The Babar-Rizwan show
Chasing a daunting total, Babar and Rizwan didn’t have the luxury of time to get their eye in. But the two are in such good form that without taking any risk, they kept striking at around ten an over throughout their partnership. There were drives through covers and down the wicket, sweeps along the ground and over the infield, and hard-run ones and twos. Rizwan was the first to reach his half-century, off just 26 balls; Babar took 40 balls to bring up his.While Rizwan did heave a couple over deep square leg, apart from slog-sweeping debutant Gudakesh Motie, Babar didn’t hit his first six until the 13th over. That too when Oshane Thomas provided the necessary pace. Clearing his front leg, he creamed Thomas over the wide long-off boundary before hitting the next two balls for fours.The only chance that came West Indies’ way was when Babar went to cut Motie in the seventh over, but Pooran put down the outside edge. Babar was on 28 then, Pakistan on 62. Babar eventually fell to Odean Smith, hitting a knuckle ball to long-off, when Pakistan needed 50 from five overs.The finishing touches
If West Indies were thinking of a comeback, Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman didn’t let that happen. When Rizwan miscued a full toss from Dominic Drakes with Pooran taking the catch near short fine leg, the equation had come down to 24 needed from 16 balls. Asif Ali (21* off 7) then hit a flurry of boundaries to level the scores. With one run required, Romario Shepherd had Asif skying the ball towards long-on where Rovman Powell dropped the catch. That one ball encapsulated the series from West Indies’ point of view: this young bunch has the potential but they still need to work on their skills.

أدلى فيران توريس لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة بتصريحات صحفية، وذلك عقب فوز فريقه على أوساسونا في منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

وفاز برشلونة على نظيره أوساسونا بنتيجة 3/0، ضمن منافسات الجولة السابعة والعشرين المؤجلة من الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”، على ملعب “مونتجويك الأولمبي”.

وبهذه النتيجة ارتفع رصيد برشلونة إلى النقطة 63 في المركز الأول بترتيب الدوري الإسباني، بينما تجمد رصيد أوساسونا عند النقطة 33 في المركز الرابع عشر.

اقرأ ايضاً.. برشلونة يفوز على أوساسونا بثلاثية وينفرد بصدارة الدوري الإسباني (فيديو)

وقال فيران توريس في تصريحات لـ “DAZN”: “دخلنا المباراة ونحن نعاني من بعض الإرهاق بسبب المباريات الدولية، لكن هذه ليست عذراً. كنا نعلم أننا بحاجة إلى الفوز بهذا اللقاء، وهذا ما فعلناه”.

وأضاف توريس: “نحن نعلم أنه وخصوصاً عندما نلعب على أرضنا يجب أن نبدأ بقوة منذ الدقيقة الأولى، وأن نلعب بأسلوبنا، ونحاول حسم المباراة في أسرع وقت”.

وتابع توريس: “كل مباراة نلعبها هي نهائي، واليوم كان نهائيًا لأنه كان لقاءً مهمًا بالنسبة لنا، وقد حسمناه، وهذا هو الأهم”.

وأشار توريس: “كثيرون يطلقون عليّ “البديل الحاسم”، لكني لا أعتبر نفسي كذلك، أرى نفسي لاعبًا جاهزًا دائمًا للعطاء متى احتاجني المدرب سأكون جاهزاً، وأحاول استغلال كل الفرص التي أتحصل عليها”.

وواصل حديثه: “كمهاجم أشعر مؤخرًا براحة كبيرة، أعتقد أنه المركز الذي يمكنني أن أُقدّم فيه أفضل ما لدي في الوقت الحالي، لكن هذا لا يعني أنني لا أستطيع اللعب كجناح أيضًا”. 

وبسؤاله حول خسارة جائزة رجل المباراة لصالح بيدري، علق قائلاً: “لا بأس، أنا سأعطي كل جوائز رجل المباراة لـ بيدري، إنه الأفضل، بلا شك يقدم موسمًا رائعًا، وما فعله اليوم دليل آخر على ذلك”.

MatériaMais Notícias

A sede da Supercopa do Brasil de 2022, enfim, está definida. Após uma série de farpas trocadas entre dirigentes de Atlético-MG e Flamengo nos últimos dias, a CBF definiu a Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá, como o palco do jogo do dia 20 de fevereiro, às 16h de Brasília (15h local). A informação foi confirmada pela CBF.

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-A Arena Pantanal foi um dos palcos da Copa do Mundo é um grande estádio do nosso país e têm todas as credenciais para receber esse aguardado clássico entre Atlético-MG e Flamengo. Gostaria de agradecer à Federação Matogrossense de Futebol, ao Governo de Mato Grosso e à Prefeitura de Cuiabá por todo o suporte oferecido. Estamos preparados para entregar mais este espetacular evento ao nosso futebol -disse o Presidente em exercício da CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues.

O Atlético-MG, campeão da Copa do Brasil e do Brasileirão em 2021, tentará tirar do Flamengo o status de atual bicampeão da Supercopa. Em 2020 e em 2021, o Rubro-Negro venceu Athletico e Palmeiras nas decisões em Brasília.

O Estádio Mané Garrincha chegou a ser anunciado como palco do encontro entre Galo e Fla, mas, por conta da pandemia de Covid-19 e a incerteza sobre liberação do público no evento, recuou-se da decisão. Então, começou o imbróglio pela definição do local. O Castelão foi sugerido, mas não aceito pelo Atlético-MG. São Paulo e outras praças também foram avaliadas e discutidas até que, a 12 dias do jogo, veio a definição pelo Arena Pantanal, em Cuiabá.

> Andreas Pereira perto de entrar em top 3: veja as maiores contratações da história do futebol brasileiro

GOAL takes a look at MLS's best XI with the 2025 season looming

The 2025 MLS season begins Saturday afternoon when Lionel Messi's Inter Miami takes on New York City FC in an Eastern Conference clash. The match arrives less than three months after the LA Galaxy claimed the 2024 MLS Cup, defeating the New York Red Bulls for their first title in 10 years. The and Messi themselves set the MLS regular season points record en route to claiming the Supporters' Shield, while the Argentine himself was named MLS MVP, too.

The 2025 season is shaping up to be potentially the league's most exciting campaign, especially with the addition of its 30th team in San Diego FC.

With the MLS kicking off its 30th season, who really are the best players in MLS? Ahead of the 2025 season, GOAL presents the MLS Best XI, crafted from strict criteria to ensure the top players from each position would be considered in a 4-3-3 formation with two central midfielders and one attacking midfielder.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportGoalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina, Charlotte FC

The Charlotte FC shot-stopper was absolutely brilliant in 2024, finishing with a career-high 12 shutouts across the regular season. The Croatian goalkeeper was instrumental to conceding just 37 goals last season; the second-fewest across all of MLS.

Named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024, the 32-year-old recorded 121 saves while averaging a save percentage of 75.63 — the best in MLS last season.

Per American Soccer Analysis, Kahlina's -10.47 G-xG ranks as the second-best individual goalkeeping season in MLS since 2013, only behind former New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic’s -10.75 in 2022.

AdvertisementUSA Today Sports Left Back: Jordi Alba, Inter Miami

In his first full season with the , Alba led all MLS defenders in assists with 14 as Miami lifted the Supporters’ Shield and set the MLS regular season points record with 74 points. He averaged a passing completion percentage of 83.8 as well, highlighting how crucial he was to their success of building out of the back. He scored four goals as well.

The former Barcelona and Spain ace has settled into life in MLS phenomenally, with strict defensive performances when needed, while providing brilliant overlapping play into their attack as well.

After his 2024 season, the 35-year-old ranks third all-time in assists for the South Beach club.

IMGANCenter Back: Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Seattle Sounders

The Seattle Sounders 32-year-old defender was remarkable in 2024, putting on a defending clinic throughout the regular season and postseason.

Last campaign, he started 28 matches, making 30 regular season appearances as the Sounders boasted the least amount of goals scored across the entire league, with just 35 being allowed in.

The Sounders led the league in clean sheets with 13 of them, 11 of which Yeimar started. The Colombian was named to MLS ' Best XI in 2024 for the second time in his career.

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IMGANCenter Back: Adilson Malanda, Charlotte FC

Malanda's rise to stardom in MLS has been brilliant, and what makes it even better, is he's still a relatively unknown quantity to a lot of fans around the league. He's quiet, but composed, and just a fantastic central defender.

In 2024, he led Charlotte FC's back line to the second-best defense in the league, with the conceding just 37 goals across the regular season. He himself started 32 regular season games for the club, playing 2,880 minutes while keeping 13 clean sheets. He scored his first MLS goal in 2024, as well.

Linked with a move abroad in summer 2024, the Frenchman signed a new contract last summer, and is one of MLS' brightest prospects at just 23-years-old.

Mikel Arteta has revealed who should take the blame for Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to West Ham on Saturday that leaves them eight points behind Liverpool.

Article continues below

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Article continues below

• Arsenal lost 1-0 to West Ham on Saturday
• Defeat leaves them eight points behind Liverpool
• Arteta reveals who is to blame

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners were beaten by Jarrod Bowen's first-half effort and Arteta stated afterwards that he would shoulder responsibility for the defeat, which sees his side sit eight points behind leaders Liverpool ahead of the Reds' trip to Manchester City on Sunday.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arteta could point at injuries as a key factor behind the defeat, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all out of action. However the Gunners have not won more than three league games in a row all season, never picking up the momentum required to challenge at the top, and their manager is willing to take the blame for yet another stumble on Saturday.

• WHAT ARTETA SAID

  Arteta told a press conference: "We have to be [angry]. I hope we are very much because we didn’t hit the levels today and I’m very much responsible, and I am very angry.

  "I refuse [to blame injuries] completely because I am talking about the standards of the players and the team that we played today, me included 100%, were nowhere near the levels that we have to hit to have the opportunity to win a Premier League game today. We were very consistent, yes, but football is about what you do today and today, it was nowhere near."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Arsenal will be hoping Manchester City can do them a favour at the Etihad on Sunday before attention turns to a trip to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday evening. Arteta's side have also been drawn to play PSV in the last 16 of the Champions League, with the first leg to be played on Tuesday 4 March.

Celtic could not break free of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership table as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hoops and the Dons had both won their openng seven matches in the division ahead of the clash at Paradise over the weekend, but neither side could continue their perfect start.

Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi had the home team 2-0 ahead at the break, and on course to move three points clear, before goals from Ester Sokler and Graeme Shinnie in the second half rescued a point.

Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that his team can put daylight between themselves and Aberdeen over the coming months to move closer to a fourth straight title.

Captain Callum McGregor, who turned 31 in the summer, is gunning for his tenth Premiership title, having won nine – as part of a 22-trophy haul – in his Celtic career to date.

The former Scotland international, who retired from national duty after the 2024 European Championships, is the current skipper after taking over from iconic Hoops midfielder Scott Brown.

Scott Brown's Celtic career in numbers

In the summer of 2007, the Scottish giants swooped to sign the ‘exciting’ 21-year-old central midfielder from rivals Hibernian for a fee of £4.5m.

It was reported that Rangers were initially expected to secure a deal for the talented youngster, who had played 124 first-team matches for Hibs by the age of 21.

Celtic were able to steal a march on their fierce rivals and landed his services ahead of the 2007/08 campaign, for a record fee between two Scottish sides at the time.

The Scottish dynamo did not take any time to settle into life in Glasgow. In his debut season, Brown produced three goals and four assists in 34 appearances to help his team win the title.

He became a staple of the Celtic midfield for the next 14 years or so and racked up 46 goals and 63 assists in 615 appearances in all competitions before his move to Aberdeen in the summer of 2021.

In those 14 years, Brown won a staggering ten Premiership titles – a feat McGregor hopes to match this term – along with six SFA Cups and seven League Cups.

As the Scotland international, who was capped 55 times by his country, headed into the final years of his career at Parkhead, the club attempted to sign players with a view to being his long-term heir.

Celtic once thought they had found a dream replacement for Scott Brown when they swooped to sign Ivorian starlet Ismaila Soro at the start of 2020.

How much Celtic paid to sign Ismaila Soro

The Hoops reportedly splashed out a fee of £2m to sign the central midfielder from Bnei Yehuda in the January transfer window in the 2019/20 campaign, with Neil Lennon in charge at the time.

He endured a difficult start to his career in Scotland, as the youngster was not selected for a single Premiership game in the second half of the season.

At the start of his first full season with Celtic, Soro admitted that he had problems stepping into Brown’s shoes, as his understudy at the time, but that he remained in Glasgow during lockdown and worked hard to show Lennon that he had the quality to step up.

He claimed it was a “big challenge” to replace what Brown offered in midfield but added that he has a “strong” mentality and would work to make himself a worthy heir.

20/21 Premiership	Ismaila Soro	Scott Brown
Appearances	19	31
Starts	11	25
Pass accuracy	90%	88%
Tackles + interceptions per game	3.1	2.8
Ground duel success rate	52%	53%
Aerial duel success rate	50%	58%
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Soro showed plenty of promise in his first Premiership season, which also happened to be Brown’s last in a Hoops jersey.

The Ivorian gem was more reliable than the veteran Scotsman in his use of the ball and made more tackles and interceptions combined per game on average, whilst winning a similar percentage of his duels on the ground.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

These statistics suggest that Celtic had a dream long-term heir to Brown on their hands, as he had already started to offer similar qualities and attributes as a combative midfield player in the 2020/21 campaign.

Ismaila Soro's Celtic struggles

Despite his promising form under Lennon in his first full campaign in the Premiership, Soro was unable to kick on and become Brown’s replacement after the captain left in the summer of 2021.

Ange Postecoglou came in to replace Lennon in the same summer and the Australian seemingly had different ideas for his midfield, signing James McCarthy ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, and then bringing in Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate in the January transfer window.

Soro hardly got a look-in that season, featuring in eight Premiership games and starting one league game. In those eight games, the midfielder did not strengthen his case to play regularly, losing 65% of his duels and 76% of his ground duels in the division.

He also only featured in two of the club’s six Europa League group stage matches, as Postecoglou made it clear that the Ivorian was not a part of his long-term plans.

Soro was then sent out on loan to Arouca in Portugal for the 2022/23 campaign, in which he made 22 starts in the Liga Portugal, before being released for nothing in the summer of 2023.

Rodgers replaced Postecoglou that summer and seemingly did not want to give the 26-year-old another chance to impress, despite playing regularly in Portugal in the previous term, and allowed him to move on for nothing.

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Soro signed for Beitar Jerusalem on a free transfer and made 30 league starts during the 2023/24 campaign, which shows that he has finally emerged as a key player for a club.

Unfortunately, it did not work out for him as a replacement for Brown, after appearing to be his dream heir under Lennon, but he is now playing regularly again and still has plenty of time left, at the age of 26, to go on and enjoy a successful career.

Chelsea certainly haven’t been afraid to splash the cash recently as Todd Boehly aims to take the club back towards the summit of the Premier League after numerous years away from a title battle.

The Blues hierarchy have spent around £1.2bn on new signings since 2022 to try and propel themselves back into the reckoning – a huge risk given the limitations of the division’s PSR and FFP rules.

Bedding in all the new talent and establishing a settled squad has proved difficult for numerous managers over the last couple of years, but Enzo Maresca appears to have found the winning formula at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian has won ten of his 17 matches in charge after his summer appointment from Leicester City, losing on just three occasions – achieving a win percentage of 59%.

It’s very rare that the 44-year-old ever makes drastic changes to his league starting lineup, with the consistency allowing his side to sit in third place during the current international break.

One player in particular has been impressive since Maresca’s arrival, taking his game to the next level despite his impressive debut campaign in West London last year.

Moises Caicedo’s stats for Chelsea in 2024/25

After his English record transfer of £115m from Brighton during the summer of 2023, Moises Caicedo was always going to have the price tag looming over his head – undoubtedly bringing increased scrutiny should he underperform.

However, nearly 18 months on from his move to the capital, you very rarely hear anyone complain about the price tag paid for the 23-year-old – a sign that he’s clearly making the impact required for such a fee.

The Ecuador international made 48 appearances for the Blues in all competitions during his first season at the Bridge, but it has been his start to 2024/25 that has seen the youngster take his game to the next level.

Caicedo has only missed 14 minutes of Premier League action throughout the first 11 matches of the season, playing a crucial role as a ball-winner at the base of Maresca’s side.

He’s already won 25 tackles this campaign, an average of over two per game – the highest of any player in the current first team – an example of his importance to the Italian.

However, he’s also had an effect in attacking areas, contributing with two assists before scoring his first goal of the season with a perfectly placed volley against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Any side in the world would be lucky to have a player of Caicedo’s quality, but the Blues already have another version of the big-money man who could be crucial for Maresca during his time at the helm.

Chelsea's new Caicedo

Although the club are currently stacked with numerous midfield options, it may be about to get even worse ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos joined the club back in January 2023 for around £18m, before joining fellow top-flight side Nottingham Forest at the start of the last campaign.

However, his move was a disaster, featuring just twice before being recalled and sent to French side Strasbourg, a decision that has allowed him to flourish and take his game to the next level.

After spending the last six months of last season on loan, he returned to Ligue 1 with the same side for the current campaign, achieving a phenomenal start in the last few weeks.

The 20-year-old has already found the back of the net five times in his ten appearances, having a big impact in the final third despite primarily being a deep-lying midfielder.

However, the “monster” Brazilian talent, as dubbed by Brazilian analyst Nathan Joyes, has also excelled defensively, winning 2.47 tackles per 90 this season, with a total of 37, putting him just one behind £115m man Caicedo.

Given the impact so far during his temporary stint away from Stamford Bridge, it’s evident that he has the potential to improve further but also battle for a regular first-team role next campaign.

Games played

10

11

Goals & assists

5

3

Progressive carries *

1.2

0.8

Tackles won *

2.5

2.3

Take-on success *

53%

47%

Aerial success *

70%

65%

He’s yet to make a competitive appearance for Maresca’s side since his transfer, but his time with Strasbourg is giving the youngster all of the experience needed to be a success with his parent side.

It would prevent any more money being spent by the club’s hierarchy, allowing for an unbelievable partnership at the base of the Blues midfielder for many years to come.

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ByConnor Holden Nov 14, 2024

Selectors opt for additional cover while medical team assesses fast-bowling group

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2021

Scott Boland has been in good form at the start of the season•Getty Images

Australia have added fast-bowling cover to their squad for the third Ashes Test, with Scott Boland called up.Boland had been training with the Australian team in Adelaide, being brought into the squad after Pat Cummins’ close contact with a Covid-19 positive person. Australia were captained by Steven Smith during the second Test with Cummins forced to be ruled out. They also missed Josh Hazlewood, out with a side strain, as Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser got a go. Additionally, Mitchell Starc also appeared to twinge his back while batting in the second innings at Adelaide.Related

Starc expected to be fit for Boxing Day but Hazlewood remains unlikely

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Ashes bolter: Scott Boland strengthens his case for Australia call-up

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Australia won the Test by 275 runs to go 2-0 up in the series, and while both Cummins and Hazlewood were part of the squad for the third Test, Boland has been added “while the medical team assesses the fast bowling group”.Boland has been in good form for Victoria this year in the Sheffield Shield, picking up 15 wickets in two matches – both against New South Wales – at an average of just 10.80.Boland also played for Australia A against the England Lions side this month, taking 1 for 16 and 1 for 64 in Brisbane, before joining the Australia squad in Adelaide.The third Ashes Test will begin at the MCG in Melbourne on Boxing Day.Australia squad for third Ashes Test: Pat Cummins (capt), Steve Smith (vice-capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

Manchester City have shortlisted Barcelona’s Raphinha as a potential transfer target but face stiff competition, according to a new report. The Blues had a rather quiet summer transfer window, but that may have been in preparation for a busy January or 2025 summer transfer window.

Wolves fans spot new Chris Kavanagh mistake before Man City's goal (Video)

Wolves fans will be even more furious with Sunday’s defeat to Man City after seeing this incident.

ByBrett Worthington Oct 21, 2024 Man City news and updates

Pep Guardiola’s side is going to have a firm focus on the upcoming games, but there is news away from the football that may have some supporters interested. The Blues appear to be keeping a close eye on potential transfer targets, as City are showing an interest in Facundo Buonanotte.

The Blues are not the only side interested in the Brighton player, who is currently out on loan at Leicester City, as Liverpool are also keeping an eye on the Argentine. Buonanotte has been rather impressive for the Foxes, and there is a possibility he could leave Brighton next summer, but only if they get an offer of around £25 million, which is a fee that both City and Liverpool are willing to pay.

Away from transfers, the future of Guardiola is another hot topic at the Etihad, and while they will be doing everything they can to extend his stay beyond this season, they also appear to be lining up potential replacements. Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is a potential candidate to replace Guardiola should he decide to leave. The Italian took over at French side Marseille in the summer and has made an impressive start, so much so that he is being linked to replacing one of the best managers the game has seen.

While City keep an eye on Buonanotte at Leicester, the Blues also have their eye on a Brazilian playing at Guardiola’s former club.

Latest on Man City links to "amazing" Raphinha

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City have shortlisted Barcelona’s Raphinha as a target but will face competition for his signature. The 27-year-old, who has been labelled as “amazing” by writer Ben Mattinson in the past, has been at Barça since July 2022, when he joined from Leeds United.

The Brazilian has been a key contributor since joining the Spanish giants, and that hasn’t changed this season, even under Hansi Flick. His performances have put him on the radar of City, with reports claiming that they could look to sign him should Xabi Alonso replace Guardiola as manager.

However, City’s interest in Raphinha has been the case since the club was linked with Alonso. The Blues gathered information on the winger in the summer of 2023 as they looked at a possible replacement for Riyad Mahrez, and he remains a player of interest.

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City have followed the Brazilian for over a year and a half now, and he remains on their shortlist, but at this stage he isn’t considered a priority target. For Barça, even though he has been so important to them, they are “reluctantly open” to selling Raphinha as he is one of several “sacrificable” players, as they look to improve their finances.

The Premier League side don’t have the most concrete interest in the player, as that comes from Saudi Arabia and Al-Nassr, as they have continued to keep an eye on him since 2023, when they had an offer turned down.

Liverpool are still keen on securing the signing of an “absolute bargain” new centre-back signing even if Virgil van Dijk remains at Anfield, according to a new transfer update this week.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds are still being linked with plenty of signings, whether that be in January or next summer, with Sporting CP teenager Geovany Quenda seen as an exciting long-term addition at Anfield. Only 17 years of age, he could be looked at as a long-term replacement for Luis Diaz out wide.

Perhaps the player most commonly linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks is Omar Marmoush, who continues to enjoy a fantastic start to the season for Eintracht Frankfurt. It’s now 11 goals and seven assists in just 10 Bundesliga appearances in 2024/25 to date, with one of each coming in his side’s 3-2 win away to VfB Stuttgart on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is seen as a potential target, should the reigning Champions League holders be willing to move him on. The Reds have a plethora of strong midfielders now, but there is still arguably a need to bring in a more defensive-minded player.

In terms of possible outgoings, the future of Van Dijk is still a big talking point, with the Dutchman not yet signing a new deal, with his current contract expiring next summer. The same applies to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, too, with the hope being that all three will sign extensions.

Wataru Endo is reportedly looking for a move away from Liverpool soon, having fallen out of favour under Arne Slot. The Japanese may want more regular playing time, so an exit during the January transfer window may not be ruled out.

Liverpool could sign "absolute bargain" Premier League defender

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool still see Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo as a concrete target regardless of what happens with Van Dijk.

Murillo looks like a fantastic choice to come in and bolster Slot’s centre-back options, at a time when one more face is needed in that area of the pitch. At 22, he is still young, so he wouldn’t be coming in as a quick fix at Liverpool, but he is already proving to be a consistent performer at Premier League level, starting 11 matches and averaging a sizeable 5.9 clearances per game in the competition.

Jamie Redknapp has lauded Murillo for being an “absolute bargain” after only costing Forest £13m, saying of him: “You want a modern-day centre-back to be comfortable on the ball and he is but he also enjoys defending and loves to get himself in the way for a block. They paid £13 million for him this summer, which looks to be an absolute bargain.”

The next Diaz: Liverpool keen on signing "exciting" £84m star

Liverpool could have this exciting signing up their sleeve.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 10, 2024

Liverpool should be identifying the Brazilian as a great choice to come in, but it goes without saying that he would hopefully be coming in as Van Dijk’s new teammate, rather than a replacement for him.