It’s been a testing summer window for Newcastle United.

Despite their return to the Champions League and a squad brimming with youthful potential, key attacking targets continue to slip through their fingers.

Bryan Mbeumo, João Pedro and Hugo Ekitike have all eluded the Magpies, while names like Benjamin Šeško remain out of reach for now.

Attention recently turned to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, who left the Bees’ pre-season camp amid mounting speculation about his future and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Capable of playing across the front line and known for his pressing and intelligent movement, Wissa fits the profile of a player who could offer cover and competition for Alexander Isak, who remains a concern for Eddie Howe in terms of durability.

But Newcastle may have their sights set on a less polished alternative: a young forward who outscored Wissa and Sesko last season and could offer the clinical edge that’s been missing at key moments.

Newcastle looking at £40m striker

At 22, Mika Biereth might not be a household name in the Premier League just yet, but his numbers over the past 12 months have turned heads across Europe.

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Well, after that stunning form, Newcastle, Wolves, Aston Villa and Everton have all been quoted as having an interest, according to Caught Offside, as they plot their respective moves.

After spending the first half of the 2023/24 season at SK Sturm Graz, the former Arsenal academy product made a €13m move to Monaco in January but according to the report, he could go for £40m now.

Across both stints, the forward proved himself to be a “menace” in the words of The Athletic’s Alex Barker, racking up 27 goals in all competitions, including 24 in domestic leagues alone. That’s more than Wissa (20) and Sesko (21) managed during the same campaign.

What makes this even more striking is his underlying data: those 24 goals came from an expected goals tally of just 11.3.

That’s a dramatic overperformance, one reminiscent of Darwin Núñez’s final season at Benfica, and while such numbers often regress over time, they still signal elite-level finishing instincts.

How Wissa compares to Biereth

According to data from FBref, Biereth registered 1.66 shots on target per 90 minutes last season, with 60.5% of his total efforts hitting the target. By comparison, Wissa, a proven Premier League operator, managed 1.27 shots on target per 90, with an accuracy of just 45.6%.

Biereth’s sharpness in front of goal would complement Newcastle’s creative wingers, particularly Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, who regularly generate chances with their direct running and early deliveries into the box.

However, Biereth is not yet the finished article. His contribution to build-up play is minimal compared to Wissa’s. He averaged just 10.9 passes per 90 and registered fewer progressive carries (1.02) and progressive passes (1.75) than Wissa (1.85 and 2.07, respectively).

He also ranks poorly in aerial duels, winning just 33.3% of his battles despite standing 6 foot 2 – a surprising stat when compared to Wissa’s 45.5% success rate, which places the Brentford man in the 64th percentile despite his smaller frame.

This same data from FBref shows that Wissa’s pressing numbers are also superior. He makes more tackles per 90 (0.68 vs 0.36), including more in the final third (0.25 vs 0.15), and he completes take-ons at a far higher rate (30.6% vs just 9.1%). These metrics suggest Wissa is far more integrated into all phases of play, from defensive pressing to link-up.

Still, that may be exactly why Biereth would offer something different. Newcastle already have a multi-functional No.9 in Isak, and what they lack is a game-changing finisher who can be introduced in moments of chaos.

For £40m, Monaco may be willing to sell, especially after signing Ansu Fati and with other forwards like Breel Embolo and Folarin Balogun on their books.

Newcastle would be gambling on potential, but it’s the kind of gamble that could prove inspired, particularly in scenarios against deep blocks where space is at a premium.

If Newcastle want a ready-made Premier League performer, Wissa ticks every box. He presses, combines well, and contributes defensively. But if they’re looking for a match-winner, someone who can convert at a rate few strikers in Europe can match, Biereth deserves serious consideration.

His raw data suggests an elite finisher in the making, and with the right service and role, he could offer Newcastle something they haven’t had in years: a true penalty-box predator with the confidence and tools to decide games on his own.

Better fit than Ekitike: Newcastle lead race to sign £44m Wissa alternative

Newcastle eye highly-rated French forward after losing out on Ekitike

By
Will Miller

Jul 22, 2025

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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• Getty
  

  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.”

On the hunt to end their search for a striker at long last, Newcastle United are now reportedly battling to sign an impressive target who outscored Alexander Isak last season.

Newcastle's striker search goes on

It’s been a disappointing summer for Newcastle, but it’s especially been a woeful last seven days. Having missed out on Hugo Ekitike, it seemed as though the saving grace in that saga would be that Liverpool settled for the Frenchman rather than Isak on top. But the Swede has since dropped a bombshell on the Magpies.

Reports swiftly emerged earlier this week that the forward’s thigh injury was simply a smokescreen for his desire to leave St James’ Park this summer to spark what could be an almighty battle between the player and club as the transfer window progresses.

Having his say on the matter, Eddie Howe told reporters: “Of course there are things going on behind the scenes. He will be aware, he’s in the news every day and I’m sure that’s not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons.

“We do share a really good relationship with him. He’s been magnificent for us since he’s joined. He’s very popular in the dressing room. We’d love him to continue his journey at Newcastle.”

Isak’s desire to leave Newcastle isn’t even the latest of a long line of disappointing news this summer, however, with their pursuit to sign Yoane Wissa taking a major twist.

Now, with the Isak sage continuing and Wissa off the table for now, Newcastle have reportedly set their sights on a familiar face.

Newcastle battling for Mitrovic return

According to Caught Offside, Newcastle United are now battling to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic from Al-Hilal this summer, with those at the club warming to the idea of bringing him back. The experienced goalscorer, who still loves the Magpies despite his time at the club not ending in the way he would have dreamed, could put his St James’ Park failure behind him once and for all with a return this summer.

Appearances

72

Goals

17

Assists

10

Seven years on from leaving Newcastle, Mitrovic is far more well-rounded and even outscored Isak’s 27-goal haul last season with 28 of his own in all competitions and loves St James’ Park, once calling it his favourite away ground while at Fulham.

More prolific than Sesko: Newcastle targeting move for £87m "monster"

Newcastle are looking to bring in another striker or two this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 27, 2025

It was during his time at Fulham that the Serbian earned the most praise, with manager Marco Silva going as far as to describe him as “phenomenal” in 2022. Now, at 30 years old, Mitrovic could return with a bang to St James’ Park to hand Howe an unexpected solution to his growing striker problems.

Wolves’ Premier League campaign got off to a rough start after they were defeated 4-0 by Manchester City on Saturday evening.

Despite the scoreline, Wolves boss Vitor Pereira had admiration for the way his side played, saying: “We played with bravery, tried to score goals, and we had our chances to score. In the end, each time we committed a mistake they punished us with a goal.”

Wolves only had one shot on target, fewer than City, but a poor day in the office for goalkeeper Jose Sa saw him underperform his xG faced by -1.73 meaning he conceded chances that he should have saved. Sa’s performance was compounded by a defensive error from Emmanuel Agbadou that saw his misplaced pass reach City’s Oscar Bobb, who proceeded to assist Tijani Reijnders.

Agbadou’s place in the starting 11 may now be under threat as Wolves close in on a deal for a new centre-back.

Wolves' interest in Arsenal's Kiwior

Caught Offside have revealed that Wolves are one of the sides “showing interest” in signing Arsenal’s Polish defender, Jakub Kiwior.

The centre-back received a long run in the team in the back half of last season when Gabriel was injured, and during this time, his performances were labeled as “impressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson, possibly where his increased interest started.

The player isn’t one that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to sell, but after already being behind William Saliba and Gabriel in the first-team pecking order and with new arrival Cristhian Mosquera also likely to start ahead of him, Kiwior is open to a move somewhere he can receive more game time.

If Wolves want to sign Kiwior, then they will face significant Premier League opposition, as both Crystal Palace and Everton are rumored to be interested. They’ll face additional competition on the continent with Serie A sides Juventus and AC Milan, as well as Portugal’s Porto.

Kiwior won’t come cheap and is valued at more than £30 million, which would make him the most expensive defender in the club’s history, ahead of Nathan Collins and Nélson Semedo.

Wolves' formation suits Kiwior's play style

While Kiwior impressed in the back half of last season, there is a reason he’s not a regular starter for Arsenal, and that is his defensive success rate.

24/25 Premier League Stats

Success Rate

Percentile of CBs

Tackles Won

36.4%

9.3%

Duels Won

56.3%

39.2%

Aerial Duels Won

45.8%

11.3%

These stats are pretty damning for a defender. 90% of Premier League centre-backs won a higher percentage of their attempted tackles last season, and even his best defensive attribute, which is his duels, puts 60% of centre-backs ahead of him.

However, what Kiwior lacks in defensive attributes, he makes up for in his passing ability. Last season, the Polish international registered a 91.9% pass success rate, which put him in the top 15% of players. Additionally, his long ball success rate was equally impressive, with his long balls reaching their target more than half the time, which once again put him in the top 15% of players.

Reliable passing is where Wolves went wrong for the second goal they conceded against City, and having someone with Kiwior’s distribution in that back line will make mistakes like that less frequent.

Pereira’s defensive set-up will also cover for some of Kiwior’s shortcomings as the Wolves boss likes to play three centre-backs compared to Arteta, who plays two. This means that Kiwior will always have two players with him (as well as the wing-backs tucking in and midfielders dropping back) to help pick up his defensive load, allowing him to be the main distributor forward in the back three.

Based on this, when Kiwior ways up his transfer options, he may prioritise Wolves as it’s not only somewhere where he can play but where the system suits him.

MatériaMais Notícias

O sorteio das oitavas de finais da Copa do Brasil,realizado na CBF na tarde desta terça-feira, reservou mais dois duelos entre Flamengo e Fluminense que prometem parar o Rio de Janeiro e ser eletrizantes. O Rubro-Negro é o atual campeão da competição nacional, porém o Tricolor tem levado a melhor nos últimos confrontos e conquistou o Estadual em cima do rival. O vice-presidente de futebol, Marcos Braz falou sobre os duelos.

+ Confira a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro 

– O lado bom é que você não viaja. Em um Campeonato Brasileiro e uma Libertadores que você faz tantas viagens pelo continente, acho que o lado bom é só esse. O Fluminense é o campeão estadual e tem um grande time. Mas o Flamengo vai se se posicionar e tenho certeza que será um grande jogo. Ganham as torcidas, o espectador que ganha em relação a esse jogo  – disse.

– Não tem essa de troco. O Flamengo desde 2019 que ganha vários campeonatos. Duas vezes campeão da Libertadores, dois Brasileiros, atual campeão da Copa do Brasil. Essa questão de troco não passa pelo Flamengo. É um grande adversário, talvez seja o mais duro, um clássico. Acho que é bem equilibrado e foi um bom sorteio – salientou, antes de completar:

+Gabigol vive má fase, atinge ‘marca negativa’ no Flamengo, mas busca reencontrar faro de gol em 2023

– O Flamengo fez alguns bons jogos com o Sampaoli, mas os resultados não vieram. Porém, internamente e até externamente, estamos tranquilos e bem confiante que a gente vai ter uma sequência ainda melhor – concluiu.

De acordo com o calendário da entidade, os jogos de ida dos confrontos das oitavas da Copa do Brasil serão realizados entre os dias 16 e 18 de maio, enquanto os duelos de volta estão programados para a semana do dia 31. Essa fase será disputada no tradicional formato de mata-mata, com jogos de ida e volta, sem o critério do gol qualificado.

Cabe salientar que essa será a primeira vez que os rivais se enfrentam em uma edição da Copa do Brasil. Recentemente, ambos se enfrentaram pelas quartas de finais da Copa Sul-Americana, na edição de 2017, e o Flamengo avançou com um empate por 3 a 3 e um triunfo por 1 a 0.

+Flamengo sofre quarta derrota em clássicos na temporada e encerra escrita de oito anos

Na atual temporada, as equipes se enfrentaram em três oportunidades com duas vitórias para o Tricolor, com direito a uma goleada por 4 a 1 na final do Campeonato Carioca, e uma da equipe da Gávea. Ambos os duelos foram pelo Estadual, que definiu o bicampeonato do Fluminense, algo que não acontecia desde 1984.

West Ham United are on the hunt for a new attacker this summer. After losing Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham Hotspur for £55m, the Hammers have money to reinvest.

Graham Potter will no doubt be desperate for his side to improve on their 14th place finish, and begin ot make real strides.

Kudus might not be the only major outgoing of the summer, with star midfielder Lucas Paqueta also linked with a move away. Manchester City are said to be interested in the Brazilian, in a deal that could end up being worth just £45m.

So, the Hammers might need to strengthen in attack more than they may have initially thought at the start of the window. Already, there are a few links being banded about.

West Ham’s latest transfer targets

The Hammers are certainly looking to bring some new attacking threat to the London Stadium this summer. One player who has been earmarked for a move to the club is Southampton youngster Matheus Fernandes, who could cost as much as £50m.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, it is not just the Portuguese star who could switch to East London. According to Simon Jones of The Mail, the Hammers are one of the Premier League sides who have ‘shown interest’ in signing Liverpool and Scotland winger Ben Doak before the window slams shut in just over three weeks.

However, this will not be an easy deal to do. Potter’s side are set to face strict competition with top-flight rivals Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers for the winger.

Liverpool could ask for as much as £20m to let the youngster go permanently this summer.

Why Doak would be a good signing

At just 19 years of age, Doak boasts a big reputation. The winger, who was born in Dalry, is already an international for Scotland and has six caps to his name. Last term, he spent time on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough, where he thrived.

The former Celtic star, who made two appearances for the Bhoys at senior level, experienced his first full campaign of professional football for Boro. He played 24 times, scoring seven goals and grabbing three assists.

His underlying numbers from the Championship last season show just how much of a threat he was going forward.

For example, the 19-year-old averaged 2.23 key passes and 1.77 take-ons per 90 minutes, which placed him in the top 5% and 19% of wingers in the second-tier last term.

Goals and assists

0.51

84th

Key passes

2.23

95th

Shot-creating actions

4.15

92nd

Goal-creating actions

0.56

95th

Take-ons completed

1.77

81st

Progressive carries

6.78

99th

With that kind of attacking threat, he could become the most exciting player West Ham have had on their books since Dimitri Payet.

The Frenchman was “above anyone else” whom Mark Noble played with during his illustrious 18-year-long career with the Hammers.

Indeed, he was a special player, known for his quick feet, bags of tricks, and ability to score spectacular goals.

He only played 60 times for the club, but scored 15 and assisted 22 in that time, becoming a true West Ham icon.

With the talent that Doak possesses, it is easy to see how he could go on to become the Hammers’ best player since Payet departed back in 2017.

As football scout Antiono Mango once said, the forward can be a “menace” at his absolute best.

The way the play is similar, with both players looking to take defenders on and create bags of chances. Doak’s numbers from last term have already been highlighted, but Payet’s 2.2 successful dribbles and four key passes each game in his debut Premier League season, as per Sofascore, show just how deadly he was.

For just £20m, this is a hugely exciting deal for the Hammers. Signing Doak would be a big statement given his huge potential. The excitement he would bring to the London Stadium might not have been seen since the days Payet donned Claret and Blue.

Dream Fernandes alternative: West Ham in talks to sign "goalscoring CM"

West Ham could sign a dream alternative to Fernandes.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 12, 2025

Luis Enrique believes Paris Saint-Germain's first-ever Champions League triumph has lifted a weight off the squad, insisting it will be “easier” to win again this season. The Spaniard hailed his players for breaking through mental barriers last term, as Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi powered the club to a historic treble.

Enrique says PSG’s first Champions League was the hardest

Luis Enrique, who guided PSG to their maiden Champions League crown last season, has declared that the toughest hurdle has already been overcome. Speaking to the press ahead of their Champions League opener against Atalanta, the Spanish coach insisted that the belief within his squad is now stronger than ever after the long-awaited breakthrough. 

AdvertisementAFP‘We showed the way’ – Enrique sets bold ambition

"The first title is always difficult because the players don't think they're capable of winning it. But we showed the way," said the Spanish coach. "Now, the whole of PSG and the young players want to win because they know they're capable. For me, it's harder to win the first than the second or third."

The Spaniard also set clear ambitions: "After winning European titles, our goal, along with the club, the city and our fans, is to make history again and win a second consecutive Champions League. We have to be ambitious."

PSG finally silenced critics after years of failure

The Parisians long pursuit of the Champions League ended last season in emphatic fashion, as they brushed aside Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal before thrashing Inter 5-0 in the Champions League final. The win silenced critics who questioned whether PSG could finally translate domestic dominance into European silverware.

Despite losing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer last summer, stars like Dembele, Donnarumma, Hakimi and Vitinha stepped up to deliver the club’s most successful season ever. Enrique’s squad now boast the confidence and pedigree to mount another serious tilt at Europe’s biggest prize.

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AFPInjuries threaten PSG’s start to title defence

The European champions open their Champions League defence this week against Atalanta before a Ligue 1 clash with Marseille at the weekend. However, PSG will be without French duo Dembele and Desire Dou, who both picked up injuries during the recent international break.

He tightened his game to get the best out of himself after being promoted up the order in Gqeberha

Firdose Moonda05-Dec-2024

Ryan Rickelton soaks in the delight of bringing up his maiden Test century•AFP/Getty Images

Ryan Rickelton doubted himself. He wondered if, after being among the top run-scorers in domestic cricket for several seasons, he could transfer that talent to the international stage. More importantly, he doubted if, on 98 in his first innings in his preferred position at No.3, he had hit the ball and been saved from an lbw decision.But he was two runs away from proving his own potential to himself and scoring a first Test century, and South Africa had all three reviews available so he decided to challenge umpire Joel Wilson’s decision despite being unsure. Someone, or something, was looking down on him and the final call went his way with replays showing his bat had made contact with the ball, despite his own uncertainty.”I didn’t think I hit it at all,” he said at the post-day press conference. “I think I might have got a little bit lucky there with some scratches on the UltraEdge. I was reviewing because I was on 98, and because I was thinking maybe it was outside the line, but I didn’t feel anything.”Related

Bavuma, Rickelton prove, in their own special ways, that they can and they will

Rickelton's maiden ton propels SA but Asitha, Kumara ensure opening day is evenly shared

Except “relief” two balls later when he drove Vishwa Fernando down the ground to bring up his hundred. He could stop his self-questioning over whether he was good enough. “I’ve been in and around this team for probably about four or five years, having played a handful of games, but I’ve always believed that I can do something useful at international level,” he said. “It was always just a case of can I do it and can I prove it to myself.””So it was a relief to say to myself I’ve waited my time, but I can do it. Because there’s always those doubts. They live in everyone, they definitely live in me. After a couple of failures here and there, ‘am I actually… can I do it? Am I speaking a good game?’ It was just the relief of being able to do it, and do it for the team as well.”The individual achievement aside, Rickelton also put in a performance that rescued South Africa from a top-order wobble and was able to do so because he was batting where he is more comfortable.Ryan Rickelton stuck to his game plan even after being set•AFP/Getty Images

It is in the top three that Rickelton has been at his most productive domestically, where he averages over 60, but in a Test squad where he was the newest batter in 2022, he was slotted in at No. 5. At the time, Keegan Petersen occupied the No. 3 spot; most recently Test coach Shukri Conrad has given it to Tristan Stubbs but after Stubbs’ century at No. 4 in Durban and the decision to pick an extra batter in the line-up for this Test meant that Conrad offered Rickelton the No. 3 slot.Rickelton “jumped at the opportunity”, because he knows he is at his best when conditions are most challenging. “Playing against the new ball in red-ball cricket actually helps me, it tightens me up,” he said. “If I come in at No. 5 or 6, I actually get a bit too loose or maybe a bit expansive. I had my game plan, having had some relative success in the past domestically, and just tried to stick to it for long parts of the day.”That plan also worked because South Africa were on the ropes, and he knew he could not afford to slip up. “Being 44 for 3 solidified my plan. We were in a bit of trouble, so I knew that I had to probably tighten up even more. Cricket’s funny. I think the better things go, the looser individuals become. I’m one of those guys. Under pressure, I kind of made myself tighten up, and luckily for me, Temba [Bavuma] was seeing it really well and playing incredibly well. He actually took a lot of pressure off of me by scoring so freely on what actually was quite a tough morning.”Bavuma dominated their fourth-wicket stand, outscored Rickelton and was the batter who looked odds on for a hundred but played at a ball he could have left and was dismissed before tea. In the end, Rickelton also went for a delivery he didn’t have to play at and was out before the end of the day. But he believes he has left South Africa in a good position. “In PE [formerly Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha], if you’re hovering around 350, it’s a really, really good score,” he said. “We are one decent partnership away from setting a really nice score.”

Paige Scholfield will leave England’s tour of South Africa before it’s begun after she was injured in training.Scholfield hurt her ankle during training on Tuesday and, following further assessment on Wednesday morning, withdrew from the T20I squad to return to the UK and begin her rehabilitation.”We’re obviously really gutted for Paige,” Her team-mate, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, said. “She’s a good mate of mine as well, so I was really sad to see her down on the floor yesterday. But she’s a tough cookie. She’s been really unlucky with her injuries over the last few years. But she’s putting a smile on her face, and staying positive, and actually said to me that she can’t wait to get stuck in on the rehab and get back fit again.”Scholfield was one of two changes made to England’s T20I squad which exited last month’s World Cup in the group stages, brought in to add firepower to England’s middle order with batter Alice Capsey overlooked amid a form slump and allrounder Dani Gibson ruled out after undergoing knee surgery. Fast bowler Lauren Filer was also included after missing the World Cup.Related

• Georgia Voll caps remarkable week with Birmingham Phoenix deal in Women's Hundred draft

• Alice Capsey omitted from T20Is as England name South Africa tour squads

• Kapp, Khaka rested for England T20Is; Naidu to skip for school exams

• England seek World Cup redemption in South Africa

• England Women appoint Courtney Winfield-Hill as assistant coach

Capsey had already been a late call-up to the South Africa touring party as cover for what England described as some minor niggles within the T20 squad, leaving her WBBL stint with Melbourne Renegades, before Scholfield was injured.Shortly before she left the UK for South Africa, Scholfield spoke of her joy at being selected for the trip to her birthplace, having made her England debut at the age of 28 during the tour of Ireland in September.”I thought it was my England A coach calling me, so I’ve got the wrong coach,” Scholfield told ESPNcricinfo of her call-up for the Ireland trip.”It was so out of blue and I was so excited and I just couldn’t believe it was happening. If I’m honest, I am still now trying to regulate my feelings around it.”Speaking to my mum and dad when I told them about this tour to South Africa, they were over the moon, being diehard South Africans, they just couldn’t believe it. My mum started crying. It’s just so exciting and I just hope it continues to happen.”Paige Scholfield made her England debut on the tour of Ireland in September•ECB via Getty Images

Scholfield was the fifth-highest run-scorer in the Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 competition this year with 259 runs at an average of 43.16 and strike rate of 140.00 with a top score of 73 not out. She also scored 190 runs in the Women’s Hundred, striking at 137.68 with a highest score of 71 off 40 balls playing for Oval Invincibles.”She really deserved a chance to be in the squad for this series,” Wyatt-Hodge added. “She’s done outstanding over the last couple of years for South East Stars and in the Hundred as well for Invincibles. So, obviously we’re gutted for her, but I’m sure there’ll be a lot more chances for her to show off what she can do in England colours.”Scholfield credited the ongoing professionalisation of the domestic women’s structure in England and Wales, which started in 2020, with helping her reach her goal of representing the country she has called home since the age of 12.”I’m 28, I had very little hope that I’d be representing my country with these youngsters coming through who are just unbelievably talented,” Scholfield said. “But this county setup now allows players like myself to still be able to have that ambition to represent their country and to show the rest of the world what we can do, and that age is just the number and I can still throw myself about and hit a couple of balls.”It’s an exciting time and I’m really enjoying where the game’s going and I hope it continues to grow to the point where we can get to where the men are at and make a career and travel the world doing it.”The multi-format series between South Africa and England starts on Sunday with the first of three T20Is in East London, followed by three ODIs and a Test.

أعلن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم منذ قليل، عن مواعيد مباريات بطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني، والتي سوف تلعب في بداية العام الجديد.

وأصبح كأس السوبر الإسباني بطولة تتضمن مشاركة 4 فرق، هم بطل ووصيف الدوري الإسباني، إلى جانب بطل ووصيف كأس ملك إسبانيا.

وفي حالة الموسم الماضي، فإن بطل ووصيف الدوري الإسباني هما برشلونة وريال مدريد، وينطبق الأمر نفسه على كأس ملك إسبانيا، حيث فازت كتيبة هانز فليك على الملكي في النهائي.

ووفقًا للوائح، فإنه في تلك الحالة (التي لم تحدث من قبل)، ستتم مشاركة صاحبي المركز الثالث والرابع في الدوري الإسباني، في بطولة السوبر، وهما أتلتيكو مدريد وأتلتيك بلباو.

وكان برشلونة قد حقق لقب كأس السوبر الإسباني الموسم الماضي، عقب فوزه العريض على ريال مدريد بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدفين في المباراة النهائية.

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وأشار الاتحاد الإسباني، إلى أن كأس السوبر الإسباني سوف يقام مجددًا في المملكة العربية السعودية وبالتحديد في مدينة جدة.

وسوف تكون أول مباراة في الدور نصف النهائي من كأس السوبر الإسباني يوم 7 يناير من العام الجديد، بينما المباراة الثانية ستقام يوم 8 يناير.

كما أكد الاتحاد الإسباني، أن النهائي سوف يلعب يوم 11 يناير، وجميع المباريات سوف تلعب على ملعب الإنماء.

وفي نصف النهائي، ستُقام مواجهة نارية بين ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد في ديربي العاصمة الإسبانية، بينما يواجه برشلونة أتلتيك بلباو، وسيُحدد ترتيب لقاءات تلك المرحلة في وقت لاحق حسب قرعة.

أتلتيكو مدريد واجه ريال مدريد يوم السبت الماضي في بطولة الدوري الإسباني ونجح في الفوز عليه بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدفين وفي مفاجأة كبيرة.