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There are still two Premier League games to go, but for all intents and purposes, Arsenal’s season came to an end on Wednesday night.

Moreover, while Mikel Arteta and the players still have to give their all for those two games – Champions League football hasn’t been secured yet – it’s clear the club are looking ahead to next season.

For example, just a few days after the disappointment in Paris, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano finally gave Martin Zubimendi’s long-rumoured move to Arsenal the ‘here we go’ treatment.

The details still need to be finalised, but the Spanish international is now set to join the Gunners for around £51m in the summer, and while that’s tremendously exciting, he’ll have to hit the ground running to see his valuation match that of one of his new teammates at the Emirates.

Why Arsenal want Zubimendi

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth examining why Arsenal are so keen to sign Zubimendi in the first place.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Firstly, he helps to pad out the number six position in the squad, as while Thomas Partey is reportedly in talks with the club over a new deal, Jorginho is set to join Brazilian side Flamengo in the summer.

However, Arteta and Co are obviously interested in the Spanish international for far more than that, including his defensive nous.

For example, according to FBref, the “elite tempo controller,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, sits in the top 6% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, for shots blocked and clearances, the top 7% for touches in his penalty area and percentage of aerial duels won, the top 15% for tackles in the attacking third and more, all per 90.

That’s not all, though, as on top of his defensive abilities, the “world-class” midfielder, as dubbed by former teammate Kieran Tierney, also has an abundance of experience and, more importantly, has proven himself in high-pressure games.

Appearances

333

17

Minutes

21215′

984′

Goals

10

1

Assists

9

0

Major Trophies

1

1

For example, he’s made 233 appearances for Sociedad’s first team, including 90 minutes in the club’s 2020 Copa del Rey triumph, and won 15 caps for Spain, one of which came in the second half of the European Championships final, a game La Roja beat England in.

In all, Zubimendi’s technical and defensive ability, combined with his experience of winning when the pressure is on, makes him look like the ideal midfield acquisition for Arsenal this summer, even if he’s worth millions less than one of his future teammates.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Zubimendi

While Partey and Mikel Merino have both played significant roles for Arsenal this season, neither one has a higher valuation than Zubimendi, nor should they.

Declan Rice, conversely, does, with Transfermarkt valuing him at €110m, which is about £93m, or a whopping £42m more than the Sociedad star is set to cost the Gunners.

Now, while that is undoubtedly a lot of money for a central midfielder, it would be hard to say he’s not proven himself worthy of it this year, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher describing him as the club’s “best player this season.”

While it might sound a little hyperbolic, such comments are more than backed up by the midfield monster’s statistics this year.

For example, in 50 appearances, the “monster” Englishman, as dubbed by Arsenal writer Connor Humm, has scored eight goals and provided ten assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.77, which is undeniably impressive for someone primarily playing as an eight.

Progressive Carries

2.70

Top 5%

Corner Kicks

3.10

Top 5%

Carries into the Penalty Area

0.56

Top 6%

Crosses

4.66

Top 7%

Assists

0.21

Top 8%

Goals + Assists

0.38

Top 10%

Touches (Att Pen)

2.73

Top 10%

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.32

Top 11%

Moreover, FBref has placed him in the top 5% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and corner kicks, the top 6% for carries into the penalty area, the top 7% for crosses, the top 8% for assists, the top 10% for goals plus assists and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, signing Zubimendi is incredibly exciting and shows real ambition from Arsenal, but he will have to be truly sensational in North London to see his valuation match Rice’s.

Shades of Aubameyang: Arsenal lead race to sign "mind-blowing" goal machine

The prolific marksman could be the difference-maker for Arsenal next season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 12, 2025

Liverpool have yet to officially lift the 2024/25 Premier League trophy but already sporting director Richard Hughes is looking at ways to improve Arne Slot’s side.

There’s no question that the Merseysiders have put on a season-long clinic, deserving, runaway winners. However, it’s also true that the likes of Arsenal and dethroned Manchester City will be frustrated with their respective top-flight campaigns and will be determined to come back stronger next year.

However, FSG and Anfield’s senior figures will be sure to take comfort in the manner of their triumph: winning the Premier League after bringing only Federico Chiesa into the first team – and he’s yet to even start a league fixture.

The mastery behind Slot’s genius has been in his soft and significant tactical tweaks to Jurgen Klopp’s system, also shaping existing squad players into superstars.

Ryan Gravenberch is the standout star, going from drifting prospect to the “exceptional” midfield player for the Reds, so says The Athletic’s James Pearce, but he’s not the only one.

Cody Gakpo has also been a revelation in his own right.

Cody Gakpo's season in numbers

Gakpo’s goal against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, expertly taken to make it 3-1 and put Liverpool within an inch of sealing the title, was his 17th of the season.

What’s telling is that that goal saw him beat last year’s 16-goal haul, and in over 600 fewer minutes at that.

Klopp utilised Gakpo’s dynamic talents in his own way, throwing him around the park like an erratic darts player across a board. This may well have proved fundamental development for the Netherlands international, but there’s no question he’s gone up a gear in a more structured role for his new coach on the attacking left flank.

Pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch agreed earlier in the term that the 25-year-old has “gone up a level,” and it’s exciting to think that Gakpo can ascend higher still.

Gakpo’s success this season owes largely to Slot’s tactical acumen, but there’s more still to come. The likes of Gakpo and Luis Diaz are bound to find more stable results with a high-class goalscorer in the centre.

However, Liverpool could also find another way to elevate Gakpo’s game even further, preparing to bid for one of the most talented young playmakers in the business.

Slot driving exciting Liverpool deal

As per Football Insider, Liverpool are interested in signing RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons this summer, with the Dutch playmaker emerging as one of FSG’s top targets.

Aged 21, Simons is one of the most exciting young talents in the world and would cost the Anfield side £60m, should they wish to advance their interest into something more solid. Manchester United are also sniffing around.

However, with Slot personally driving the deal for yet another Dutchman to join Gakpo, Gravenberch and co, it’s one to keep an eye on for sure.

Imagine Gakpo & Xavi Simons

Should Trent Alexander-Arnold leave Liverpool as expected when his contract expires this summer, Liverpool will lose one of their primary (if not the primary) creative sources.

Simons could prove to be the new playmaking hub, reorienting Liverpool’s creativity from the right channel and into the centre. Given that Simons has already forged something of a “symbiotic partnership” with his international peer, in the mind of journalist Bence Bocsak, it might prove to bear dividends.

The duo played together during their time at PSV Eindhoven, during the 2022/23 season, before Gakpo earned himself a £35m transfer to Anfield after his performances for his nation at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Ranking among the top 12% of attacking midfielders and wingers cross Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 20% for shot-creating actions and the top 6% for ball recoveries made per 90, as per FBref, Simons could certainly add some panache from the middle, bearing the athletic energy to cover for Dominik Szoboszlai too.

Looking at his statistics in the Bundesliga this season, you get a closer look at why Simons is such hot property, prolific, creative and combative in a way which would work a treat in Slot’s squad.

Matches (starts)

21 (21)

Goals

9

Assists

5

Pass completion

84%

Big chances created

10

Key passes*

2.2

Dribbles*

1.3

Ball recoveries*

5.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

Duels won*

4.4

While Liverpool will need to sign a striker to complete the set, a player such as Simons would go a long way toward cementing a peerless level of attacking fluency at Liverpool, connecting the dots together and allowing Gakpo to continue his rise as one of the Premier League’s finest wingers.

Gakpo already ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe for non-penalty goals scored (0.52) per 90, also ranking outside the top 20% for shots taken, which effectively means he’s making the most out of the chances that fall his way.

With a playmaker like Simons, who has been dubbed a “game-changer” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, one he has already formed a prosperous on-field relationship with, taking a seat as the central creative force in Slot’s Liverpool project, there’s no telling how high Gakpo could reach.

Or Simons, for that matter. Having made his name known over the past several years, it’s easy to forget that the diminutive Dutch player is still so young. Given the direction Liverpool are going and the success Slot has already had with elevating his countrymen to new levels, this could be one to keep an eye on as the market looms large.

Worth as much as Huijsen: Liverpool struck gold on "special" £4m signing

Liverpool could sell this young star for a significant profit this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 30, 2025

Liverpool are now ahead of Manchester City in the race to sign a defender, and they now know £40 million will be enough to get the deal completed, according to a recent report.

Liverpool receive Huijsen boost after Van Dijk contract news

Last week Liverpool fans were delighted to see and hear the news that captain and defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk had signed a new contract at Anfield, continuing his stay at the club until 2027. The Dutchman is going to continue being at the heart of Arne Slot’s defence, but it appears as though the Liverpool boss is still looking to find his perfect partner or successor.

He's better than Huijsen: Liverpool want "one of the best CBs in the PL"

Liverpool could be about to forget a move for Dean Huijsen with a deal for another Premier League star.

1 ByEthan Lamb Apr 24, 2025

The Reds are among the teams keeping a close eye on Dean Huijsen from AFC Bournemouth. The Spain international has been a standout performer for the Cherries this season, and that has put him on the radar of several big teams from England and abroad. It’s also been claimed that Chelsea have held talks with Huijsen over a possible move to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool remain in the race and received a welcome boost this week, as it’s been reported that Real Madrid may pull out of the race to sign Huijsen; that is because they are not sure if they want to sign a defender this summer, leaving the door open for Liverpool, who know Huijsen has a £50 million release clause in his contract.

Liverpool lead Man City in race to sign Premier League defender

Huijsen is not the only defender on the Reds’ transfer list, as according to Give Me Sport’s Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are leading the way when it comes to signing Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth this summer.

The report states that Kerkez, who has been with the Cherries since July 2023, is expected to leave Bournemouth this summer, as while he doesn’t have a release clause in his contract, they will allow him to leave should they receive offers worth £40 million.

This report goes on to add that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all kept an eye on Kerkez, but none have entered into fresh talks over a transfer. City in particular “appreciate” him, but a deal there is unlikely and a move to become Andy Robertson’s successor looks more probable.

The Scotland international still has another 12 months left on his contract at Anfield, but given he is 31 and making more mistakes with each passing season, Slot is looking to the future and sees Kerkez as a player who could be his long-term successor.

Kerkez

Robertson

Apps

33

30

Goals

2

0

Progressive carries

89

57

Progressive passes

141

163

Progressive runs

161

90

Tackles (Won)

49 (26)

38 (22)

Interceptions

38

20

Clearances

100

50

Blocks

33

9

Kerkez has impressed a lot in this campaign, assisting six goals as well as grabbing two himself in 33 games, as the Cherries continue their pursuit of finishing in a European position.

The 21-year-old has started every game he’s been available for in the league this season, so were he to arrive at Liverpool, he would likely want to start immediately and relegate Robertson to a supporting role.

With how poorly this season has gone for Tottenham Hotspur, this summer is set to be a seismic one.

Regardless of whether Ange Postecoglou is still the manager, the squad needs a sizable overhaul, which means Daniel Levy and Co need to get ready to spend.

However, it’s not just incomings that could shape the squad, as reports linking Cristian Romero with an exit seem to be never-ending at present.

Fortunately, if the World Cup winner is sold, it would appear that the club have already identified someone who’d be a dream replacement.

Tottenham transfer news

Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other exciting players Spurs have been linked with in recent weeks, such as Jobe Bellingham.

Transfer Focus

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

The Sunderland star, and younger brother of Jude Bellingham, is supposedly available for around £20m this summer, and with former professional Adrian Clarke claiming he possesses a “Dele Alli-style” in the way he plays, he could be a perfect addition to the club’s growing crop of promising youngsters.

However, the North Londoners will also need first-team quality, which would explain the resurfacing links to the £60m Eberechi Eze.

The Crystal Palace maestro has enjoyed another strong season south of the river this year and has a tally of six goals and 11 assists in 33 games.

With that said, if the stories about Romero’s potential exit are true, who’s the signing who could come in as an ideal replacement?

Well, that would be Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, as, according to a recent report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the North Londoners are one of several sides keen on the Spaniard.

In fact, alongside Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United, the Lilywhites have already made contact over the player.

However, on top of getting ahead of the pack, Levy and Co will need to stump up £50m to activate the 19-year-old’s release clause.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Huijsen’s immense ability and sky-high potential, one well worth fighting for, especially as he’d be a perfect Romero replacement.

Why Huisjen would be an ideal Romero replacement

So, the first thing to say is that, in an ideal world, Spurs would be able to keep hold of Romero and sign Huisjen as well, but if the former is to leave, there are a few reasons why the latter would be a perfect replacement.

The first is that he’s already the ideal blend of youth and experience, as at 19 years old, there is a good eight years until he hits the peak age for centre-backs, per research from The Athletic, but at the same time, he already has a decent amount of first-team experience.

For example, this season alone has seen him make 29 appearances for the Cherries, of which 24 have been starts, and in those, he’s scored twice and provided an assist.

Furthermore, the “phenomenal” Amsterdam-born monster, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has already won two senior caps for Spain and even started in the second leg of the Nations League quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, when you compare the teenager’s underlying numbers to Romero’s, he comes out on top in most metrics, including but not limited to actual and expected non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, key passes, aerial duels won, shot-creating actions, interceptions, blocks and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.17

0.13

Non-Penalty G+As

0.14

0.07

Progressive Passes

4.42

4.01

Progressive Carries

1.49

0.85

Passing Accuracy

83.6%

89.0%

Key Passes

0.63

0.42

Shot-Creating Actions

1.68

1.19

Goal-Creating Actions

0.14

0.14

Tackles

1.49

2.25

Blocks

1.54

1.20

Interceptions

2.16

1.34

Clearances

6.88

3.38

Ball Recoveries

4.18

5.42

Aerial Duels Won

2.74

2.39

Ultimately, while Romero remains a superb defender, Huijseni is not far off him, so even if the Argentine isn’t sold this summer, Spurs should do all they can to sign the Spanish international.

4/10 Spurs star is now in real danger of becoming their next Dele

Spurs drew 1-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 11, 2025

The RCB captain batted with a freedom she has seldom shown in the WPL to take down UP Warriorz

Shashank Kishore05-Mar-20242:29

Takeaways: Mandhana makes merry in final game of Bengaluru leg

It was the perfect end to the first leg of WPL 2024. A hugely partisan crowd in Bengaluru gave Royal Challengers Bangalore the perfect send-off after their third win in five matches.The official attendance was 26,483 but the endless noise and the cheer made it sound like 40,000 had crammed into the stadium on a Monday, vociferously rooting for a team whose chants of ‘RCB-RCB’ have become quite synonymous at venues across the country, even when the team isn’t playing.As if to match up this energy, RCB played the perfect high-intensity game. Along the way, they made a few tactical changes that went a long way in putting on a batting performance that demoralized the UP Warriorz.Related

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After scores of 1, 6, 23 and 9, RCB decided to drop Sophie Devine down the order. S Meghana was promoted to open with Smriti Mandhana with a simple message of maximising the powerplay without worrying about preserving her wicket.Right On cue, Meghana delivered a pulsating start, her agricultural heaves and bottom-handed power with the field in threw down an early gauntlet. It came with the knowledge that they bat deep.Mandhana took over from where Meghana left off, batting with the freedom she has seldom shown at RCB. All through WPL 2023, she went through a wretched run, where she was particularly vulnerable to spin, especially of the left-arm variety, to the point that teams brought one on as early as they possibly could.Alyssa Healy knew the crowd was against her. They were so loud that she didn’t even bother to chirp at Mandhana. It would only be drowned out. But she could do the next best thing. Bring on a spinner to play on Mandhana’s mind and she had a plethora to choose from: Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Chamari Athapaththu and Grace Harris. Healy picked the left-armer Gayakwad and Mandhana greeted her with a glorious inside-out six over wide long-off.The footwork coming down the track, the precision of her movements, the backlift and the follow-through after hitting the ball – all poetry in motion. Then came Athapaththu, a part-timer with a penchant for breakthroughs with her offspin. Mandhana carted her across the line over long-on. She’d raced to 21 off 12.Luck was on Mandhana’s side by now. On 28, she skewed Ecclestone to long-off and Athapaththu made a mess of a straightforward chance. Ecclestone couldn’t bear looking on. Two balls after the reprieve, Athapaththu was the aggrieved one, as Healy missed a stumping chance off her bowling. You felt this was a moment that would fire Mandhana into orbit. She lap swept the next ball for four to get going again.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Warriorz knew it was time to play some more mind games, but Mandhana seemed to welcome it. Deepti bailed out at release point, trying to take the premeditation away. Mandhana bailed out of her stance as Deepti attempted to re-bowl. The crowd went hysterical. Mandhana smiled, Healy, an excellent tactician herself, had a little chuckle.As the intensity kept you hooked on the pitch, away from it, the crowd was having a ball, like they usually do. Devine and Richa Ghosh decided to entertain them with a 50-metre dash from the pitch to the dugout. It was a photo finish and by far the most entertaining strategic time out ever.Mandhana had the perfect ally in Ellyse Perry, who walked in at No. 3, unlike earlier where she batted at four. And she quickly got into her groove to play support, only occasionally hitting the ball in the air, but effortlessly finding gaps to keep the scoreboard ticking.The gears truly changed in the 15th over when Athapaththu was taken for three fours by Mandhana. Anjali Sarvani came under attack too, taken for three more fours. Mandhana paddled her first up, tonked a slot-ball to long-off and then played a ferocious cut behind point. She had answers to everything thrown at her.The shot of the evening, though, was reserved for Gayakwad when she moved leg side of the ball in stepping out and then launched it inside-out, against the turn, over extra cover. It was special because the field was set for the slog across the line with three fielders patrolling the deep; Mandhana had not just superbly opened up the off side but also picked her spot with precision.A century loomed, the first in the WPL, but Mandhana fell looking to take the field on, caught at deep midwicket off Deepti’s bowling. The Chinnaswamy rose, the applause resonated around the ground. With Mandhana gone, Perry had the license to go full throttle, and she did, hitting a six that shattered the glass window of a sponsor car.When the innings ended, it felt like the crowd had lost their voice after all the hooting. Inside the insulated, air-conditioned hospitality box, phones buzzed with warnings about the decibel levels.This refreshing batting approach that nearly saw RCB ransack 200 was more in line with what the management expected from them. They aren’t a team that should be huffing and puffing to 131.The change in tactics was as much an exercise in understanding how much depth they have, but also unlocking their own potential. Ghosh being promoted ahead of Devine to power-hit was sign that things are moving in the right direction. It also told you how much Ghosh has come along in the past year. From being dropped for being “unfit” after last year’s WPL, her work on the sidelines is beginning to bear fruit. Along with her batting, Ghosh’s glove work has gone up a few notches. Her dismissal of Harris was ample proof of the anticipation and the athleticism she now has.You wondered if Bengaluru could match Mumbai’s intensity in terms of crowd support. By the end of the first leg, you could say without doubt they’d owned the stage. Mandhana and her team gave the crowd a lap of honour and the WPL’s experiment of the caravan model had passed the test in style. Over to you, Delhi.

Even more than his record of success, Andrew McDonald’s style of coaching stands out

Alex Malcolm14-Apr-2022It’s hard to miss Andrew McDonald. The shock of red hair stands out in the crowd atop his 6-foot 4-inch frame.But as a cricketer he was unassuming. A role player, whose unerringly accurate military mediums and technically correct middle-order batting helped Australia win three of the four Tests he played, and Victoria four Big Bash titles (prior to the BBL), a Sheffield Shield and a 50-over domestic title. He also won a T20 Blast with Leicestershire and a Sri Lankan Premier League title.His playing career spanned generations. He played with Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting but also played alongside Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch. He played in the IPL with AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle, and in the BBL alongside Shane Watson, Jacques Kallis, Eoin Morgan and Andre Russell.In coaching, he has been a quiet achiever. He completed his Cricket Australia level three coaching accreditation before he made his Test debut. He started his head coaching career at Leicestershire, aged 34, well before his playing career ended with Sydney Thunder in 2016.Leicestershire had not won a county championship game in division two in two years prior to his arrival. They won twice in 2015 and four times in the 2016 championship to climb off the bottom.Related

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Success was easier to find at Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades. He won two Sheffield Shields with Victoria and completed a unique Australia domestic treble in 2018-19. He did have the benefit of taking over a domestic juggernaut in Victoria that he had played in – under his mentor Greg Shipperd – and had been continued on by David Saker. But the 2018-19 title featured some younger blood and a different philosophy to some of the hard-nosed Victorian teams of the past. His greatest achievement might have been taking a ragtag Renegades franchise that had been a basket case, and in some respects still is, to an astonishing BBL title through the use of data and analytics, tactical nous, gut feel and more than a little bit of luck.Only current Western Australia and Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges has managed a domestic treble as a coach in Australia in the BBL era, having won all three titles this season.It was that success that saw McDonald pursued by Justin Langer in 2019 to join the Australia coaching setup as a senior assistant in charge of the bowling group.But more so than the success itself, his style of coaching is what stood out. Players from Victoria and the Renegades had been raving about the environment behind closed doors. McDonald’s even-keeled calm demeanor and mellifluous voice had the power to de-stress a team or an individual under pressure, something he outlined to ESPNCricinfo in an interview as Leicestershire coach in 2016.”As a player, the one thing I learned is, if you stay as level as you can through the ups and the downs, it holds you in better stead,” McDonald said. “As a young player, I probably didn’t get the balance right.”To arrive at such a philosophy so early in his coaching career was a credit to his mentor Shipperd, an Australian coaching doyen and current Sydney Sixers coach.McDonald explained to ESPNCricinfo’s Stump Mic podcast in February 2019, after claiming the BBL title, a tip Shipperd had given him to help shape his coaching style.”One of the exercises my mentor got me to do when I first embarked on the coaching journey was to write down what you liked from coaches and what you didn’t,” McDonald said. “Really just write a profile on each coach that you had throughout your career. By the end of it, you have a lot of coaches.”You try to take those good parts. You try and understand what he was trying to achieve there. Was it a bad part or was it just bad because I wasn’t picked at the time or I wasn’t in the team?”You definitely are shaped by your environment and you get shaped every day. You’ve got a different challenge on your hands with every playing group. I had different challenges at Leicester that’s probably shaped what I am here today at Victoria. I think until you actually get into coaching, you have no idea what coaches do. That’s the one thing I’ve learned.”McDonald has been a head coach all around the world•BCCIBespoke management of players is another feature of his coaching style. With Victoria and Australia, he has shied away from group meetings and groupthink, instead preferring to work one on one with individuals depending on their specific needs.”I really encourage our players to be themselves and not try to be other people,” McDonald said back in 2019. “The ability of a coach is to draw that out of the individual. The way they move, their mechanics, everyone has got different DNA in terms of their athletic ability. So everyone is going to do it differently.”We’ve seen that with bowling actions. We’ve seen that with batters. Really as a coach at our level, we’re not in that development space. We get the finished product to some degree. Yes, we’ve got some younger players coming through but essentially the way that they move is probably who they are.”I remember being an 18-year-old batter and I didn’t look too much different when I was 28 to when I was 18. I think what had improved was my decision-making and the ability to read the game in the situations. So we really encourage our players to be themselves and be accountable for the way that they want to play. We’ll help them along the way. Look, if it’s fatal then obviously you’ve got to step in. You’re not going to watch someone fail in front of your eyes continually. But with the great players, it’s almost they’ve got a sense of, I’ll do it my way and be accountable to that.”That’s what has led him to become Australia’s 8th full-time coach. His challenge won’t be internal. The players absolutely love him and note that he never seems to get flustered. He will work diligently in the background. He will be the calm influence they want. He will coach them in a modern way and with modern game plans.McDonald’s challenge will be external. Perception and reality are two different things, but in Australian cricket, they can often become one in the public sphere.The perception right now is that McDonald is the players’ appointment. Langer was and still is a much-loved figure publicly whose playing and coaching record looks nearly immaculate on paper. The circumstances around his exit as head coach still make no sense to some of the team’s supporters looking in from the outside.The reality of the T20 World Cup and home Ashes win under Langer didn’t marry with the innuendo about his coaching style. The only thing on the record is that he was intense and moody, something both he and Cummins have acknowledged in the aftermath of his departure.The perception is that this transition has been orchestrated and McDonald’s appointment does not sit comfortably with a portion of Australian ex-players and supporters.The reality is McDonald’s coaching credentials are the equal of any and the performance of the Test team in Pakistan suggests he is the right fit for this Australia team right now. No Australian coach has ever had as much T20 experience as both a player and a coach. He is the only man to have coached teams in England, the IPL and Australia prior to gaining Australia’s top job. McDonald’s IPL experience with Rajasthan Royals in 2020 was far from smooth. They finished last on the table, albeit just one win and net run rate out of the playoffs, and he was replaced in 2021. But he remained a wanted man right up until his appointment to the Australia role, having to resign as Birmingham Phoenix coach in the Hundred and turn down offers to work again in the IPL as an assistant this year.However, as it was with Rajasthan and as it is now, the perception is results are the only currency in coaching. The reality might be, as McDonald put it, “until you actually get into coaching, you have no idea what coaches do.”But the fans won’t care if the players are happy and comfortable in a calm and bespoke coaching environment. The fans will want and expect results better than those seen under Langer to justify what has taken place.Australia will need to win and win often. And they will need to do so with humility and class, as they showed in Pakistan.They will need to be quiet achievers, in the mold of their new coach.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – Lionel Messi waited almost three years to lift his first league title in North America. Now that the Argentine has helped Inter Miami lift their first franchise title, he admitted it was their main objective this season, and he appreciated the team-wide effort by Javier Mascherano's side to accomplish it.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  'The team made a huge effort'

  Messi, after being awarded MLS MVP postgame, acknowledged that the trophy was the culmination of a long effort:

  "Three years ago, I decided to come to MLS, and today we are MLS champions,' he said. "We reached the semifinals of the [CONCACAF] Champions Cup. Last year, we went out early in the league and were eliminated in the first round. This year, winning the MLS was one of our main objectives. The team made a huge effort – it was a very long year, with many matches – and we were up to the task all season. This is the moment I had been waiting for, and that we, as a team, were waiting for. It’s very beautiful for all of us. They deserved it."

  Messi was brilliant in the deciding game of the season, having a hand in all three of Inter Miami's goals and notching two assists. This is his 48th title. 

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  Mascherano hails Messi's impact

  Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano asserted that Messi had been 'important' in the Herons' MLS Cup run in a glowing post-match summary of his star man's impact. 

  "He was making a big effort in these last two, three, four games, which showed how important it is for him to win. I didn't tell him to do that, but it shows how special it is. He came here to win this trophy," the coach said. 

  The Herons took the lead against Vancouver, but conceded a second-half equalizer – before a duo of Messi assists gave them daylight and saw off a Vancouver side that didn't quite have enough on the day. 

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  'We faced a very, very good team'

  Mascherano admitted, though, that Vancouver were far from a simple opponent, and gave the Herons real trouble throughout. Emmanuel Sabbi hit the post when the game was locked at 1-1, and Mascherano conceded that had he found the net, the game could have been radically different.

  "We faced a very, very good team. In the second half in the first 15 to 20 minutes, they put us under pressure. We were very lucky that the ball touched the two posts. But sometimes that's the luck you need to be champions," he said. 

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  Saying goodbye to Alba and Busquets

  Messi also took a moment to congratulate departing stars Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on legendary careers after both announced their upcoming retirements this season. 

  “Given what they’ve been – as players, both were among the greatest in history, each in his position, with the careers they had and the titles they won – it’s wonderful that they can retire with this MLS title. I don’t think they’re fully aware yet of what they’re experiencing, of what it means to retire. Today, something very beautiful ends for them, something to which they dedicated their whole lives. Now a new life begins for them. I wish them the very best, because they are two friends I care for deeply. I’m happy they can leave with this title.”

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Presidente, atacante, senador e modelo. Estas são as funções de Romário no America, segundo o próprio. Nesta segunda-feira (6), o clube carioca lançou os novos uniformes visando a temporada de 2024 e contou com a presença do Baixinho. Confira a coleção no player acima.

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Durante o evento, Romário revelou a dificuldade que é acumular funções, brincou com os jogadores que foram os modelos e ainda se emocionou ao falar de Romarinho, seu filho.

– É muita função, muita situação. Realmente não sei se vou conseguir administrar tudo isso – brincou Romário.

Ao falar de Romarinho, Romário foi aos prantos. O desejo maior desejo do Baixinho era poder atuar ao lado do filho. Confira o vídeo abaixo.

É um orgulho ver você vestindo a camisa do America e, por causa de você, vou voltar a ter oportunidade de jogar. Cinco, dez, 15 minutos, depende do treinador. A gente já tá conversado, aquele papo que a gente já sabe como é que funciona (risos). Enfim, cara. Que orgulho poder ter você no America. Tenho certeza que quando você entrar em campo, independente de qualquer coisa, você vai dar a vida pelo teu pai e pelo teu avô

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afirmou o Baixinho

Nova parceira do clube, a Inove Mais Benefícios oferece uma variedade de serviços, descontos e seguros com enorme percepção de valor a um preço acessível, reforçando a fidelidade dos clientes empreendedores. E conta com um marketplace que tem milhares de opções em saúde, educação, lazer e bem-estar.

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– É uma honra ver a marca da Inove Mais Benefícios estampada numa camisa de tanta tradição quanto a do America. Estamos muito felizes por apoiar esse projeto que vai levar o America de volta à elite do futebol carioca, que é onde o clube merece estar – afirma Patrick Burnett, CEO da empresa. E completou:

– A Inove Mais Benefícios está aqui porque existe sinergia com a nossa estratégia de marketing e porque acredita muito no America: na instituição, na liderança do presidente Romário, na diretoria e, acima de tudo, na equipe e na torcida.

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O primeiro desafio do America será na Série A2 do Campeonato Carioca será contra o Petrópolis. O Mecão viaja nesta terça-feira para a Granja Comary, onde fará um período de treinos e volta na véspera da estreia.

Tudo sobre

AmericaFutebol NacionalRomário

In the almost six years since he took the job, Mikel Arteta has helped to utterly reshape Arsenal.

He’s pulled a team out of midtable mediocrity and turned them into serious contenders for the Champions League and Premier League.

Now, part of this transformation is down to his philosophy and tactics, but also to the sensational players he has promoted and signed.

In fact, one of his signings is now undoubtedly one of the world’s best players and arguably Arsenal’s best since the likes of Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.

Vieira and Henry's Arsenal legacies

Arsenal signed Vieira from AC Milan in the summer of 1996, after a season in which he sat on the bench watching the Italian giants win the Scudetto.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, he certainly wasn’t a bit-part player in North London; he ended his first campaign having made 31 Premier League appearances, and as the years went by, he only became more and more important to the Gunners.

For example, following Tony Adams’ retirement in May 2002, Arsène Wenger made the all-action midfielder the club’s new captain, and in the eyes of many, he is one of the best to ever wear the armband.

By the time the Dakar-born monster left the club for Inter Milan in 2006, he had made 405 appearances, in which he scored 32 goals, provided 47 assists, won three titles, four FA Cups and led the North Londoners on their legendary invincible campaign.

Now, for most clubs, the iconic midfielder would probably be considered their greatest ever player, but for the Gunners, there is only one man who can hold that title: Henry.

The legendary forward joined the North Londoners from Juventus in the summer of 1999, and while it sounds absurd today, he didn’t have the best of starts.

He failed to score a single goal across his first eight appearances for the club and later revealed in an interview that he had to “be re-taught everything about the art of striking” during that period.

Whatever Wenger taught him in those few months must have been pretty special, as he’d end his first season in red and white with a tally of 26 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances.

By the time the Les Ulis-born superstar left the club for Barcelona in 2007, he had chalked up a frankly astounding tally of 226 goals and 104 assists in 370 appearances and won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups.

He returned for a brief spell in the 11/12 season, scoring twice in seven appearances.

Overall, when it comes to Arsenal legends, few players can match up with Henry and Vieira, but one of Arteta’s best signings is undoubtedly on his way.

Arsenal's future legend

The good news for Arsenal fans is that the squad is full of players who could go on to become club legends, but when it comes to someone performing at a world-class level, it’s hard to ignore Declan Rice.

The £105m man has been incredible for the club since his move in 2023, but towards the end of last season, and especially this year, it feels like he has taken another step forward.

Whether it’s hunting opposition players to steal the ball from them, marauding up the pitch with it at his feet or creating chance after chance with his outrageous set-piece delivery, the Englishman is operating at a truly unbelievable level.

In fact, he’s playing so well and has become so important in everything the Gunners do that it’s become increasingly hard to disagree with Thomas Frank’s assertion that he is among “the best in the world.”

That might sound hyperbolic to some, but it really, truly is not, and for those still unconvinced, you only need to look at his underlying numbers.

Goals + Assists

0.49

Top 3%

Corner Kicks

3.15

Top 4%

Assists

0.27

Top 5%

Progressive Carries

2.75

Top 5%

Crosses

4.92

Top 5%

xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals

0.22

Top 6%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.22

Top 7%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.18

Top 7%

Key Passes

1.92

Top 8%

Switches

0.69

Top 9%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals plus assists, the top 5% for progressive carries and crosses, the top 8% for key passes and more, all per 90.

Moreover, something else that will help him reach the levels of Henry and Vieira is his mentality.

The England international is clearly someone who gives everything in every performance, and while he hasn’t got the armband, he is also undeniably a leader and will be a big reason for the Gunners winning anything this season.

Ultimately, while he needs those medals to get the respect he deserves, Rice is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world and will become an Arsenal legend.

He's becoming a Saka & Eze hybrid: Arsenal have signed an "agent of chaos"

The increible international has the ability to be as important as Saka and Eze for Arsenal this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 28, 2025

Suryakumar Yadav, the India captain, withdrew an appeal against Junaid Siddique on Wednesday night in Dubai despite the batter being given out by the third umpire.The incident took place in the 13th over of the UAE innings. Siddique was beaten while attempting a pull off Shivam Dube, and was found outside the crease when wicketkeeper Sanju Samson collected the ball and under-armed a direct hit to the stumps at the striker’s end. As soon as he missed the ball, Siddique seemed to point towards the towel that Dube appeared to have dropped while delivering the ball.Even as the square-leg umpire referred the decision to third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Suryakumar walked up to the umpire at the bowler’s end to have a chat, and withdrew the appeal after he saw the replays on the big screen. The third umpire had declared Siddique out by that stage.Related

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Siddique was out one legal ball later, when he toe-ended a slog off a Dube slower delivery to Suryakumar at mid-on to leave UAE 55 for 9. It was Dube’s third wicket; UAE were eventually bowled out for 57, which India overhauled in 4.3 overs.On ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, Aakash Chopra suggested that Suryakumar’s decision was based on the match situation at the time, which was heavily in India’s favour.”It’s event-specific in my opinion, it wouldn’t have happened if [Pakistan’s] Salman Agha was playing on 14th [of September] and the game is in the balance, and he’s just roaming around, he [Suryakumar] won’t do that,” Chopra said. “It was a good throw, presence of mind from Sanju to hit the stumps.”If he was [outside the crease], it should be out, in my opinion. But opinions may vary. The problem is the moment you bring in ethics and generosity, it opens a can of worms: ‘oh, you did this today, why are you not doing the same thing tomorrow?’ Why go down that route?”Will you do it? If that’s the case, it’s like walking. You nick it and you walk. But the day you do not walk, that’s the day that decides which side of the divide you are on and that’s when you look like a hypocrite. I’m not saying SKY is going to do it again, or not do it again. But if it is within the rules and the umpire has given it out, just stay out. That’s it.”India went on to pull off their fastest chase in men’s T20Is, in terms of overs left – eclipsing the 6.3 overs’ chase against Scotland at the T20 World Cup in Dubai in 2021.