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It’s always nice to see a player rebound from adversity. Ahead of England’s comfortable 3-0 win over Wales on Thursday evening, Manchester City’s John Stones said he considered retiring last season amid endless injury problems.

But the 30-year-old Stones has already started five matches across all competitions for the Citizens this term, and he cruised through the win at Wembley, albeit suffering but surviving a fitness scare.

Stones isn’t the only one of a City persuasion to be targeting renaissance at the more mature end of their career, though, with Jack Grealish starting to look like a £100m player once again.

Only, he’s doing it over on Merseyside, in an Everton shirt.

Why Man City loaned out Jack Grealish

Pep Guardiola broke the bank when signing Grealish from Aston Villa for a British record £100m fee. It was 2021. The Three Lions star was silky and stylish and all the rest, but he got lost somewhere within the Man City mechanics during his four years at the Etihad.

Still, the 30-year-old is a Citizen, shipped out on loan to Everton this summer. But Grealish has returned to his finest form so far this season, notching four assists in August to claim the Premier League Player of the Month and scoring the recent winner at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to end Crystal Palace’s 19-game unbeaten run.

Grealish, perhaps, is at his best when the leading figure in a team, the talisman. Under Pep’s wing, something went awry, and he toiled on the margins for his past two Premier League campaigns.

If the Sky Blues succeed in selling the £300k-per-week talent permanently next summer, they will not recoup anything near the figure once paid.

Across 157 outings for Man City, Grealish scored 17 times and supplied 23 assists for his teammates.

He was never a prolific player, per se, but there’s no doubt plenty was left to be desired, and Guardiola knew it, handing his record signing just 17 Premier League starts across his final two terms. During this period, he notched six goal contributions.

Grealish isn’t the only one who might have been ferried out this summer, though, with Pep and co maybe looking back at the opportunity to sell Bernardo Silva for a hefty figure with something akin to regret.

Pep should have sold Bernardo Silva

Silva, 31, is one of the definitive superstars of the Guardiola era at Manchester City. A six-time Premier League champion, his 419 appearances for the club place him ninth in the all-time charts.

But he’s beginning to dip. Even though the boss named him captain this summer, Silva has lost some of the magic that has so often been discernible throughout his career, and Fabrizio Romano has said only this week that the veteran “has chances to leave Man City” ahead of 2026.

It’s been a long and storied career for Silva at Manchester City, but Guardiola’s side are evolving, and habitually have the rumours of the Iberian talent’s potential departure emerged in recent years.

Last season was a struggle for everyone at the club, but Silva felt the upheaval and tumult more than most. His output was halved, and he was placed on the substitute’s bench seven times across the latter half of the top-flight term.

Bernardo Silva at Man City

Season

Appearances

Goals (assists)

17/18

53

9 (10)

18/19

51

13 (13)

19/20

52

8 (10)

20/21

45

5 (9)

21/22

50

13 (7)

22/23

55

7 (7)

23/24

49

11 (11)

24/25

52

6 (5)

25/26

9

0 (1)

Data via Transfermarkt

Altered in his role, Silva no longer produces goals and assists with the same regularity, and Sofascore record he is averaging just one chance per Premier League game this season, losing 70% of his duels so far.

He’s captained Man City six times across all competitions this season, and remains one of the most fleet-footed and intelligent players in the Premier League, even described as “one of the best players” Guardiola has ever seen.

But, aged 31, there’s a sense he’s into the autumn of his career in English football, and is not indispensable as he once was.

He’s still a tenacious and layered attacking midfielder, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe for pass completion, the top 10% for tackles and the top 7% for carries per 90, but the Portugal international could have fetched a pretty penny indeed for City in the past, with Transfermarkt recording the ace once bore a market value of €100m (£86m).

Silva is among only the top 54% for goals and assists combined, which isn’t enough for a City side looking for different attacking dimensions, easing the burden on Erling Haaland.

Saudi Arabian suitors presented themselves last year, got their bids at the ready. It came to nought, but since the Portuguese star has hinted this coming season could be his last as he stares at the culmination of his contract in Manchester, might there be a touch of ruefulness that a big sale could not have been engineered, and instead City must wave goodbye to one of their best on a free?

News is indeed growing over the possibility of Silva’s summer departure on a free, with Benfica and AC Milan considered among the frontrunners. This is a reality that Man City must accept. Perhaps they should have sold him last season, or the year before, but having signed him way back in 2017 for £43.5m, there are some who would suggest City have received bang for their buck.

Concerning the regret over not selling sooner to speed up the rebuild, the same logic might be attributed to Grealish, who languished on the side at Man City for two years before earning a move to Everton and resurrecting his career. Had City cashed in on either before they dipped and waned, a hefty figure may have been had.

Related He's a "cheat code": Man City sold bigger talent than O’Reilly for £300k

Man City might wish they’d kept hold of another academy star in recent years

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Oct 9, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O astro Diego Costa não precisou de muito tempo para fazer sua estreia com a camisa do Botafogo. Nos 16 minutos em campo no sábado (19), no 0 a 0 com o São Paulo, no Morumbi, o atacante sinalizou que pode ser uma opção de qualidade a Tiquinho Soares.

Além de demonstrar disposição, o jogador de 34 anos se apresentou para tentar jogadas. Porém, a falta de ritmo o atrapalhou neste início de trajetória no Glorioso. O atacante não atuava desde maio, quando defendeu o Wolverhampton.

+ Confira a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Lançado no lugar de Janderson, o camisa 19 foi acionado por Matías Segovia. No entanto, a bola não veio à feição para ele caprichar.

Posteriormente, foi a vez de JP Galvão procurar o atacante. Desta vez, a defesa são-paulina chegou primeiro.

Mesmo em uma partida difícil, na qual o Glorioso pouco criou, o jogador de 34 anos tentou investidas e chegou a passar por um momento inusitado. Diego Costa driblou seu “xará” Diego Costa, defensor são-paulino, e foi parado com falta. A cobrança do meia Eduardo, porém, não funcionou.

Apesar da falta de ritmo de jogo, a atuação do atacante chamou atenção do técnico Bruno Lage.

– Nós falamos com ele, ele até ficou um pouco surpreso de ter vindo logo. Mas eu senti pela experiência dele e por aquilo que ele fez em apenas um treino, porque praticamente ontem não treinamos, senti que ele podia fazer boa entrada e fez. É um jogador experiente, que segurou a bola, que tentou ligar os pontas e com a meia . Teve ali uma situação em que ele foi travado em falta – e detalhou:

– Também não vamos dar essa responsabilidade a ele, apesar de ser um homem experiente e dele vir e imediatamente ter que fazer o que o Tiquinho está a fazer. Ele chegou com um espírito muito bom, eu até quero realçar isso, porque as palavras são essas, ele tem dito que está aqui para ajudar e para se marcar e referenciar principalmente a grande temporada do Tiquinho (Soares). – completou.

A luta agora é por abrir caminhos e cair nas graças da torcida para deslanchar na reta final do Brasileiro do Botafogo.

The Daniel Levy era at Tottenham Hotspur has come to an end.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that the 63-year-old would step down as Executive Chairman after 25 years in charge, with the ownership believing change was needed to bring greater sporting success.

Appointed in March 2001, Levy was the longest-serving chairman in Premier League history and a divisive figure throughout his tenure.

Regularly the subject of supporter protests, his reputation was split between financial prudence and a failure to translate infrastructure into silverware.

Levy’s final months brought a rare high and an equally stark low. Spurs won the Europa League in May, ending a 17-year wait for a trophy.

Yet the triumph was underpinned by a disastrous league campaign that saw them finish 17th in the Premier League.

He will nevertheless be remembered for delivering the £1bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a multi-purpose venue that transformed the club’s commercial revenues.

Hosting NFL games, concerts and boxing events, the stadium has become a global landmark.

On the pitch, however, Levy’s managerial decisions often defined Spurs’ fortunes more than infrastructure ever could.

This summer’s spending spree, with marquee signings like Mohamed Kudus and Xavi Simons, hinted at ambition, though Spurs missed out on Eberechi Eze to rivals Arsenal.

Vinai Venkatesham, appointed Chief Executive in April, now must take the reins and implement a new vision while the search for Levy’s replacement is ongoing.

Ange and the many Managers of Levy’s Spurs

Few chairmen have hired and fired as many notable managers as Levy.

Ange Postecoglou, adored at times by supporters for his bold attacking football, was the latest casualty.

Sacked just weeks after lifting the Europa League, his dismissal came amid dire league form – 22 top-flight losses in 2024/25 – underlining Levy’s reputation for ruthless decision-making.

Thomas Frank has since arrived from Brentford to steady the ship. Postecoglou’s departure was far from Levy’s only high-profile axing.

José Mourinho was dismissed just a week before Spurs faced Manchester City in the 2021 Carabao Cup final, a move that baffled many supporters.

Ryan Mason stepped in as caretaker manager, but Spurs ultimately lost the final.

Antonio Conte’s short but combustible tenure saw him openly question his players’ mentality, though he did guide them to Champions League qualification in 2021/22.

Levy also experimented with Nuno Espírito Santo, a project that fizzled out within months, and was also known to turn to well-known figures like Harry Redknapp and Tim Sherwood in the past.

Yet one name defined Levy’s Spurs more than any other, both in success and in the bitterness of his departure.

Sacking Pochettino was Levy's biggest mistale

Mauricio Pochettino’s time in North London was transformative.

Appointed in May 2014 as Spurs’ tenth manager in just 12 years, he brought stability, style and belief.

Over five years, he nurtured talents like Harry Kane and Dele Alli, built a fearless team around high pressing and rapid transitions, and took Spurs closer to glory than they had been in decades.

The pinnacle came in 2019 when Spurs reached the Champions League final.

Their run included an unforgettable semi-final comeback against Ajax, capped by Lucas Moura’s last-minute hat-trick strike.

Though they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid, it was a defining achievement.

In the league, Pochettino’s side finished second in 2016/17 with 86 points – their best finish since 1963 – only seven points behind champions Chelsea.

And yet, just months after that Champions League final, Levy made his most infamous call. With Spurs struggling at the start of the 2019/20 season, Pochettino was sacked.

Matches

499

Wins

240

Draws

113

Losses

146

Points

833

It was a decision even more brutal than the one that ended Postecoglou’s reign. As journalist Alex Keble described him, Pochettino was a “genius” and a “very rare example of a manager genuinely being too good for a club.”

The Argentine later admitted he was shocked by Levy’s departure this week, reflecting fondly on their “very good” relationship.

After leaving Spurs, he managed PSG and then Chelsea, before taking charge of the US men’s national team.

His tactical philosophy remains consistent: a 4-2-3-1 built on pressing, playing out from the back, and suffocating opponents with relentless energy.

Pochettino gave Spurs an identity that carried them to the edge of greatness. Levy’s decision to sack him months after their greatest modern achievement left scars that arguably linger to this day.

It is unclear where Spurs go from here, but they undoubtedly have the commercial base to become something new altogether.

The ENIC plan that "weakened" Levy before he was "pushed" out of Tottenham

The Lilywhites chief announced his shock exit on Thursday.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 5, 2025

A 53-run ninth-wicket stand has effectively created a single-innings shootout with the WACA pitch starting to flatten out

Tristan Lavalette16-Mar-2025After a hectic period abroad, allrounder Cooper Connolly marked his return to the WACA with a half-century under pressure in the high stakes Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Victoria.Connolly threatened to turn the game on its head before Victoria regrouped and dismissed WA for 186 in their first innings. Openers Campbell Kellaway and Marcus Harris blunted WA’s attack in the last hour as Victoria built a 43-run lead by stumps on day two.The match has been a see-saw throughout with both teams firmly in the race to play South Australia in the final starting on March 26. They are fighting for the outright victory needed to overtake Queensland and New South Wales, who are both in trouble in their respective matches.Connolly rescued WA’s first innings from ruins at 111 for 8 with a top score of 56 off 104 balls on a green surface that has heavily favoured the bowlers although the pitch did seem to flatten out towards the backend of the day.He had a tough time in foreign conditions during his Test debut in Sri Lanka and at the Champions Trophy, but continued to build an impressive record at Shield level with his fourth half-century from his first six innings.While Connolly played somewhat within himself given the circumstances and conditions, he showcased his class with eight fours and a six.The rest of the WA batters combined for just ten boundaries across 78.2 overs as they got strangled by a disciplined Victoria pace attack with captain Will Sutherland, Peter Siddle and David Moody nagging away and producing sharp seam movement.WA had earlier resumed at 10 for 1 having lost captain Sam Whiteman just before stumps on day one. After starring with a five-wicket haul, nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli hoped to be a nuisance for Victoria and he looked untroubled until he was caught behind down the legside for 16, off Sutherland – in a similar dismissal to Whiteman.It brought out Jayden Goodwin, who was perhaps fortunate to hold his spot in the team ahead of Sam Fanning having only passed 10 once in his last five Shield innings. Goodwin hadn’t yet scored when he had a nervous moment after a loud shout by Sutherland for a catch at short leg.But he survived and had some respite from offspinner Todd Murphy, who came into the attack in the ninth over but struggled to find his lengths. He bowled too short and did not produce the same type of threat as counterpart Rocchicccioli, who is taller and able to produce more bounce.Opener Cameron Bancroft hoped to stonewall like he did in the last match against NSW with a vital 86 off 277 balls in WA’s second innings. But Siddle was rewarded for his accuracy when he had Bancroft edging to second slip for 14 as WA slumped to 35 for 3.Hilton Cartwright came to the crease in fine form having made a first-class career high of 171 not out against NSW, continuing a stellar season where he is currently the Shield’s leading run-scorer.Cartwright’s confidence was evident when he skipped down the wicket at Murphy and he stroked a lovely cover drive to make a mockery of the conditions. But he was unable to refocus after lunch and tamely nicked off a back of a length delivery from Sutherland to trigger a collapse of 5 for 35.Siddle and Sutherland bowled superbly in tandem with their lengths perfectly suited to this tricky surface.The normally flamboyant Connolly started cautiously before opening his account on his ninth delivery when he cracked a boundary through point, a rare loose ball from Sutherland who had only leaked nine runs off 11.5 overs up to that point.Former WA quick Moody complemented Sutherland and Siddle well in his Victoria debut and first Shield match in two years. Proving a worthy replacement for spearhead Scott Boland, who did not make the trip to Perth due to knee soreness, Moody enjoyed a surface that had more pace than the previous day’s play as he unleashed off his very long run-up.Victoria looked set for a handy first-innings lead before being left frustrated by a 53-run ninth-wicket partnership between Connolly and Cameron Gannon, who is a more than capable lower-order batter.Connolly did not have many opportunities to counterattack, but he kept the runs ticking against Murphy and hit the only six of the innings by hooking Moody into the ground’s construction site. He received healthy applause after reaching his half-century off 97 balls and eyed an unexpected lead for WA.However, Connolly was left disappointed after he was adjudged caught behind off Siddle in a decision that he clearly disagreed with. The evergreen Siddle finished with superb figures of 3 for 10 off 13.2 overs as he did his part in keeping Victoria’s title hopes alive.

Glasgow Rangers ended the summer transfer window with a flourish on Monday night, as they confirmed their final two signings to bolster the squad.

Derek Cornelius signed on loan from Marseille with an option for the club to make it permanent next summer, and he will compete with John Souttar for the left-sided centre-back role.

The Canada international will be hoping to slot into the defence to improve the team’s fortunes at the back, as Rangers have already conceded 17 goals this season in all competitions.

Rangers also swooped to sign Youssef Chermiti from Everton in a permanent deal that could rise to a staggering fee of £10m, and is worth an initial £8m.

This makes the Portugal U21 international the most expensive signing made by the Scottish Premiership giants since they signed Tore Andre Flo from Chelsea in 2000 for a fee of £12m.

The investment in the squad will place even more pressure on head coach Russell Martin and his position at Ibrox, after a dismal start to his time in charge in Glasgow.

The case for Russell Martin's sacking

It is fair to say that the former Southampton boss was not the most popular appointment when he was unveiled as the new manager at the start of the summer.

Martin had a less-than-impressive loan spell at Ibrox as a player back in 2018, which may not have helped some fans to warm to him, and he endured a horrendous time in the Premier League as a manager last season.

The former Scotland international lost 13 of his 16 Premier League matches in charge of Southampton, winning once, before being sacked by the English club, per Transfermarkt.

Martin had won promotion to the top-flight with Southampton in the 2023/24 campaign, though, and Rangers may have hoped that he would be able to bring some of that experience to Ibrox to fire the team back to glory this season.

Premiership xG table after four games

Club

xG

xGA

xPTS

Celtic

5.7

1.2

8

Hearts

6.4

4.1

7

Hibernian

5.7

1.9

7

Rangers

4.5

3.7

6

Motherwell

5.9

5.5

6

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, however, the Gers have not performed particularly well in their opening four games in the Scottish Premiership, despite underperforming their xPTS by two, with four draws.

This shows that the Gers have not played brilliantly, creating loads and not conceding many big chances, and that they cannot complain too much with their disappointing start to the campaign.

As you can see in the post above, some supporters were also left incensed by the 6-0 defeat to Club Brugge last week, leading to some fans making it very clear that they want the club to sack Martin.

A hammering in the Champions League, leading to the club dropping down to the Europa League, and the underwhelming performances and results in the Premiership do not paint a pretty picture for the Gers head coach.

It does not feel like supporters have bought into his style of play or the performances that his team have produced so far, and, given the nature of the results, the board may not be unjustified if they decide to wield the axe and part ways with him.

There is no suggestion that the club are going to do that. However, the start to the season is a huge concern and the Ibrox crowd felt as flat, as an onlooker, as it has been in an Old Firm clash for some time on Sunday.

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This is why Rangers must ruthlessly sack Martin to pursue a move for long-term club target Kjetil Knutsen, who was first linked with a move to Ibrox back in 2021.

Why Rangers should appoint Knutsen

Since that initial interest in the Norwegian head coach in 2021, Rangers were linked with him to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst in 2022, to replace Michael Beale in 2023, to replace Philippe Clement in 2024, and to replace Barry Ferguson earlier this year.

This shows that the 56-year-old manager has never been too far away from the club’s thinking in recent years, which is why they must finally formalise their interest with a move to bring him in to replace Martin, should they decide to part ways with the Scottish boss.

Knutsen, whose former captain Ulrik Saltnes described his playing style as “kamikaze”, has enjoyed an incredibly successful spell with Bodo/Glimt, recently beating Sturm Graz to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history, whilst Celtic and Rangers both dropped down to the Europa League.

He also led his team to the semi-finals of the Europa League in the 2024/25 campaign, which made Bodo/Glimt the first Norwegian side to reach the last four of any European competition.

Knutsen’s Eliteserien success with Bodo/Glimt

Season

Matches

Points (position)

2025

20

45 (1st)

2024

30

62 (1st)

2023

30

70 (1st)

2022

30

60 (2nd)

2021

30

63 (1st)

2020

30

81 (1st)

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Knutsen has proven himself to be a perennial title-winner during his time with Bodo/Glimt, winning four of the last five league titles, whilst being on his way to a fifth in six seasons.

This shows that the former Rangers target has proven that he can manage a team to be incredibly successful and dominant in domestic matches when his team is expected to be on the front foot.

Meanwhile, his incredible achievements in Europe, relative to the club he is managing, show that he can also manage in underdog situations, which is why he could be perfect for Rangers and what they need.

Bringing in an experienced title-winning head coach who also has a proven track record in European competitions could be exactly what Rangers need to get Ibrox rocking and backing the manager once again, after what has been a failed experiment with Martin thus far.

Related Martin cost Rangers the win by playing star who was worse than Aasgaard

Russell Martin may look back on this tactical decision with regret after his underwhelming display.

Posts ByDan Emery Aug 31, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Palmeiras e Barcelona-EQU se enfrentam nesta quarta-feira (7), às 21h30, no Allianz Parque, pela quinta rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. O Verdão é o atual segundo colocado do grupo C com os mesmos nove pontos do líder Bolívar-BOL, estando atrás apenas devido ao saldo de gols (seis a quatro). Logo, a equipe comandada pelo técnico Abel Ferreira precisa apenas de um empate nesta quarta para avançar às oitavas de final da competição continental e vai em busca da liderança.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol LatinoRival do Palmeiras, Bolívar pode quebrar tabu de nove anos na LibertadoresFutebol Latino06/06/2023PalmeirasDudu alcança marca de 100 assistências pelo Palmeiras e aumenta lista de recordes; confiraPalmeiras06/06/2023PalmeirasLeila Pereira explica por que o Palmeiras entrou com ação milionária contra a WTorre: ‘Clube não recebe nada’Palmeiras05/06/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação da Libertadores-2023 clicando aqui

Enquanto isso, a equipe equatoriana ocupa a terceira posição da chave com apenas três pontos e vai em busca de se manter viva na competição, precisando da vitória. No confronto disputado em Guayaquil no dia 3 de maio, o Palmeiras derrotou o Barcelona-EQU pelo placar de 2 a 0. Os gols da partida foram marcados por Raphael Veiga e Gustavo Gómez.

Para o duelo, Abel não poderá contar com Rafael Navarro, lesionado, e Richard Ríos, que foi expulso diante do Cerro Porteño, na última rodada, e está suspenso. Gabriel Menino sofreu uma entorse leve no tornozelo esquerdo e é dúvida. Murilo, Atuesta e Marcos Rocha continuam sendo desfalques. No entanto, Raphael Veiga, que cumpriu suspensão na partida contra o Coritiba, pelo Brasileirão, e Giovani, que estava servindo à Seleção Brasileira sub-20, retornam à equipe.

continua após a publicidade

Já o Barcelona-EQU tem duas dúvidas para o confronto. O técnico interino Segundo Castillo ainda não sabe se poderá contar com o goleiroJavier Burraie com o atacanteChristian Ortiz. Vale lembrar que o argentino Fabián Bustos pediu demissão do cargo de treinador no último domingo (4),

+ Dudu alcança marca de 100 assistências pelo Palmeiras e aumenta lista de recordes; confira

Veja todas as informações da partida:

PALMEIRAS x BARCELONA-EQU

Local:Allianz Parque, em São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora:7/6/2023, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Andres Rojas (COL)
Assistentes:Alexander Guzman (COL) e David Fuentes (COL)
VAR:Jhon Perdomo (COL)
Onde assistir:Globo, ESPN, Star+ (streaming) e em tempo real no LANCE!

continua após a publicidade

PALMEIRAS: Weverton; Mayke, Gustavo Gómez, Luan e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Fabinho (Jailson) e Raphael Veiga; Artur, Dudu e Rony.Técnico:Abel Ferreira.

Desfalques:Murilo, Atuesta, Marcos Rocha e Rafael Navarro (lesionados), Richard Ríos (suspenso)
Pendurados:Luan

BARCELONA-EQU:Víctor Mendoza; Pedro Velasco, Joshué Quiñonez, Luca Sosa, Mario Pineida; Leonai Souza, Fernando Gaibor; Janner Corozo, Kitu Díaz, Segundo Portocarrero; Francisco Fydriszewski.Técnico:Segundo Castillo (interino).

Desfalques:-
Pendurados:-

Tudo sobre

Barcelona de GuayaquilLibertadoresPalmeiras

Chelsea have suffered another untimely injury blow, with summer signing Dario Essugo being ruled out for three months with a thigh problem.

• Portuguese midfielder picked up knock
• Decision taken to undergo an operation
• Not expected to be back until into 2026

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Said fitness setback, which was picked up while on international duty with the Portugal U21 squad, has forced the 20-year-old midfielder to undergo an operation. It was determined that surgery was required after a full medical assessment.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  reports on how Essugo is expected to be sidelined until 2026. He made three appearances for Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup after joining from Sporting in an £18.5 million ($25m) transfer.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Blues had drafted Essugo in to provide cover for Moises Caicedo, allowing the all-action Ecuadorian to be rested and rotated as his hectic workload for club and country is carefully managed. Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca must now revise those plans.

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• WHAT ESSUGO SAID

  Essugo posted on Instagram after picking up the knock: “Unfortunately, during this international break with the national team I felt something in my thigh that will keep me out for a while. It’s frustrating to start the season like this, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I’ll be back stronger.”

The Amazon Warriors captain is only the third player to the landmark after Bravo and Narine

Deivarayan Muthu22-Sep-2024

Imran Tahir became the first overseas player to 100 CPL wickets•CPL T20 via Getty Images

In his seventh season – and second as captain – at Guyana Amazon Warriors, Imran Tahir, now the oldest player in the CPL at 45, became the first overseas bowler to take 100 wickets in the league. Tahir reached the milestone when he had Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ Hassan Khan holing out to Gudakesh Motie right at the edge of the midwicket boundary in Amazon Warriors’ successful defence of 135 on a Providence turner.Tahir cherished the landmark, saying it was a game-changing moment. When Hassan, who is adept at playing spin, holed out for 10 off 12 balls, Falcons were reduced to 41 for 3 in the eighth over and were eventually bowled out for 108.”I think he [Motie] took a really good catch,” Tahir said after Amazon Warriors secured their spot in the playoffs. “I was quite pleased because Hassan is very dangerous and can play spin really well, so getting him out at that time was really crucial for the team. I am just glad it came off and it was a totally great effort from Motie. For me, that was the turning point to get back into the game.”After Motie completed the catch, Tahir set off on a signature celebratory sprint and even mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siuuu’ celebration. In his next over, Tahir trapped Kofi James with another slider, for 27 off 23 balls.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

It was not a popular move when Tahir, 44 then, was named captain of Amazon Warriors last season, but he led the team to their first title. Continuing as captain, Tahir faced a stumbling block this time when he was injured midway through the season, but he returned to action and marshalled Amazon Warriors into the playoffs once again.”I just wanna be really grateful to Guyana for giving me the opportunity over the years to come and play here in this beautiful country,” he said. “Look, it’s a personal achievement [100 CPL wickets] but I hope my achievement includes whatever I’ve helped for the team and that’s what I look to do always. It’s a very good milestone and I’m very pleased.”Tahir also credited Moeen Ali for his calculated 42 off 33 balls, which propped Amazon Warriors up to 135 for 7 from 85 for 5. While Moeen was circumspect against Chris Green’s offspin, he lined up left-arm fingerspinner Imad Wasim for an electric sequence of 4, 6, 6, 6, 0, 4 in the 19th over.Related

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Amazon Warriors’ batters have been particularly good at acing their match-ups this season. For instance, when they met Falcons in North Sound earlier this season, Romario Shepherd played out Fabian Allen and Shamar Springer, who has quite a few slower variations in his repertoire, and instead smashed Mohammad Amir for 15 off five balls.”We knew it was going to be difficult from the start,” Tahir said. “I think we wanted to have a better powerplay, to be honest, but I still think we were okay because we didn’t lose a lot of wickets. It’s actually totally different than last year – it’s quite tough for the batters to adjust themselves. I think Moeen played really, really well.”Obviously, he had a chance, but then, I think, he capitalised on that all the way and he was incredible. One over changed the game. We were still thinking we could have done better but we knew 135-140 we can defend as a bowling unit.”The Providence has been a fortress for Amazon Warriors: their win-loss ratio of 1.71 at this venue is the best among all teams at home in the CPL. While Amazon Warriors have always had a deep and varied spin attack, which suited these conditions, Tahir attributed their sustained success at home to the Guyana crowd.”The support we get here from people,” Tahir said, “they are always here every single game and it’s sold out. As a professional sportsman, you want to play somewhere where you really enjoy and that’s what we felt over the years. I’ve been very lucky to be part of this franchise for the last seven years. It’s been incredible and that’s the only thing I can think of. The skills are there and obviously you’ve done your homework, hard work, this and that, but I think it’s the support and I just want to thank all the people in Guyana and all over [the world] where Guyanese people are. It’s incredible and we love playing here.”Jewel Andrew, 17, is among the positives for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in CPL 2024•CPL T20 via Getty Images

‘Shoulda, coulda, woulda’ – Falcons captain Green reflects on the seasonAfter Falcons suffered a group-stage exit in their first CPL season, their captain Green was left with a tantalising thought: what might have been. With Brandon King injured at the start of the tournament, Green took as captain and oversaw four home defeats in five matches in North Sound. Though Falcons did the double over the mighty Trinbago Knight Riders, they had already fallen out of the playoffs race.”It [captaincy] was a good challenge,” Green said. “I found out at the very last minute that I would be doing it in Antigua. Fortunately, I’ve got some really good people around me in my team. We had so much fun together and we had some really close losses unfortunately in those first two games and reflection on the season: shoulda, coulda, woulda. We showed glimpses of what we could do at times and then we were really poor at times and probably our fielding let us down and lack of big runs let us down as well throughout the tournament.”Green, however, was buoyed by the emergence of Jewel Andrew, the youngest player to ever feature in the CPL, and the re-emergence of Justin Greaves and Shamar Springer.”You look at some individual performances. Justin Greaves coming in and opening the batting and having the tournament he did,” Green said. “Shamar Springer, another one with the ball, and unfortunately he was injured. I’d have loved to see him get up the wickets column and finish a great tournament that he deserved. And then the youngster – Jewel Andrew how he started in the tournament and it’s a pity he didn’t play in the back end as well but at 17 years of age to come out and play the way he did. That’s three off the top of my head. Just outstanding individual performances throughout the tournament and they have got bright futures ahead of them along with other guys in the team.”

تحدث جاك جريليش جناح إيفرتون بعد خسارة فريقه لقاء ديربي الميرسيسايد أمام ليفربول بهدفين لهدف واحد على ملعب أنفيلد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال جريليش في تصريحات نشرتها “تلجراف” البريطانية: “لم أرى في حياتي لاعب ينذر لتنفيذه ركلة حرة سريعة كما حدث مع ديوسبري هال”.

وأضاف :”حتى في الوقت بدل الضائع، ثلاث دقائق ودقيقة واحدة، يا للهول، لم أرى مثل هذا في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز في آخر عامين أو ثلاثة”.

وواصل: “أعلم أنكم تريدون ترك اللعب يمر لكن لا يمكنكم ترك كرة واحدة تمر علينا ثم في الدقيقة التالية يلامس أحد مدافعيهم ويسقط أرضاً”.

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وتابع عن اللعب في ملعب أنفيلد :”كان الأمر كما توقعت، كان اللعب هنا عدائياً وسريعاً، لا أعتقد أننا لعبنا جيداً في الشوط الأول وتحدثنا مع المدرب ثم في الشوط الثاني خسرنا المباراة، كان الأمر محبطًا لأنه لو لعبنا بهذه الطريقة وضغطنا منذ البداية، لكانت المباراة مختلفة، في النهاية لم نتمكن من تسجيل الهدف الأخير”.

وختم جريليش: “عندما شاهدتهم ليفربول هذا الموسم، لعبوا بشكل جيد للغاية ولكن كان هناك مرات قليلة تقدموا فيها بهدفين ثم استقبلوا هدفين، كنا نؤمن بقدراتهم، سجلنا هدفا واحدا، كان إنهاء رائعا من جايي لكننا لم نتمكن من تسجيل هدف آخر”.

Guyana Amazon Warriors have signed Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for CPL 2024. Imran Tahir, who captained the team to their maiden title last season, has been retained.Gurbaz will return to the franchise, having been a part of them in 2022. He played six matches and scored 157 runs with two half-centuries.Among the other overseas players retained are Pakistan batters Saim Ayub and Azam Khan and South African allrounder Dwaine Pretorius. They have also retained a number of big West Indies names – Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd and Keemo Paul.Related

• CPL 2024 draft: St Lucia Kings sign USA star Aaron Jones as teams finalise squads

• St Lucia Kings sign Heinrich Klaasen and Noor Ahmad for CPL 2024

• Royals bring back Theekshana, Patriots sign Hasaranga and Stubbs

• Trinbago Knight Riders sign Tim David and Jason Roy for CPL 2024

• Amir, Fakhar, Imad signed up by new CPL franchise Antigua & Barbuda Falcons

In all, Amazon Warriors have signed 14 players so far, which means they will need to sign three more players at the draft in July to round out their squad.Amazon Warriors beat Trinbago Knight Riders in a low-scoring final last season to seal their maiden CPL win. The defending champions will open their campaign against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, the new franchise, on August 30 in North Sound.The 2024 edition of the CPL will take place from August 29 to October 6 with games taking place in Antigua for the first time in ten years. Barbados, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago are the other venues. The National Stadium in Providence, Guyana, will host the final.

Guyana Amazon Warriors squad list

Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Saim Ayub, Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd, Azam Khan, Gudakesh Motie, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kevin Sinclair, Dwaine Pretorius, Keemo Paul, Shamar Joseph, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair