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Newcastle United have now reignited their interest in James Trafford, who has reportedly made his feelings clear about a potential move away from Manchester City in January.

The Magpies could certainly do with a lift in the winter window amid their current struggles. Eddie Howe’s side have won just three of their opening 11 games in the Premier League so far this season and are paying the price for a chaotic summer.

After defeat against Brentford, the international break couldn’t have been better-timed. It’s allowed record signing Nick Woltemade to find the back of the net for Germany once again and has granted Howe the time he needs to find a solution for his side’s problems.

The towering 23-year-old has been one of the few bright sparks for Newcastle since arriving in the summer, but Alan Shearer still believes he can still go up a few levels.

Speaking after Newcastle’s loss against Brentford, the Premier League’s record goalscorer said: “I’ve said before that as good as Nick Woltemade is with the ball at his feet, he is a problem for Newcastle because he’s not the quickest, and he can’t press, and he doesn’t run in behind.

“Eddie’s teams have always done that. Look at what Alexander Isak did or look at what Callum Wilson did, they all pressed and ran behind. But this guy can’t do that, and that’s a problem for Newcastle.”

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That said, it would be harsh to suggest that Woltemade is the Magpies’ biggest problem. Before anything, they must address the form of their wingers and perhaps even return for some missed targets such as Trafford from the summer.

Newcastle reignite James Trafford move

According to TeamTalk, Newcastle have now re-opened talks with Trafford via his representatives, as they a January deal with Man City.

The goalkeeper rejected the chance to join the Magpies in the summer, but has since been made to regret his decision after City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma so soon after his return to the Etihad.

Despite interest from Tottenham and West Ham, it is believed Newcastle’s ‘advanced talks’ from the summer, their pull and Saudi-backed ambition hands them an ‘edge’ in the race for his signature — making Howe’s side favourites.

He’s reportedly desperate to leave the Manchester club in an attempt to keep hold of his place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. Newcastle, as a result, are moving ahead of the winter window.

If the 23-year-old could turn back time, then he could be a Newcastle player right now. He returned to Man City ready to take Ederson’s place, but was simply sold a dream by Pep Guardiola and others who quickly welcomed their true replacement for the Brazilian in Donnarumma.

Now, he arguably needs Newcastle more than they need him. With Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope providing them with solid options, Trafford’s arrival would be more of a luxury than a necessity at this stage.

Nonetheless, having been described as “world-class” by Burnley boss Scott Parker last season, the young shot-stopper is still undoubtedly a player full of potential in the Premier League.

Newcastle now ready to race Barcelona to sign De Bruyne-esque talent

There is a lot to be delighted about for Arsenal fans at the moment.

In the Champions League, they have won all four of their games; in the League Cup, they’re through to the quarter-finals, and in the Premier League, they’re top of the table.

Moreover, they’re defensively out of this world, unstoppable at set-pieces and have once again introduced another world-class prospect to the squad in Max Dowman.

The 15-year-old looks destined for greatness, and now Hale End appears to be brewing another supreme talent for Arsenal, who could be Bukayo Saka 2.0.

Dowman's rapid rise

There is no getting away from the fact that, for Arsenal, this season is primarily about finally getting over the line in the Premier League.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

However, one of the secondary stories has been that of Dowman’s rapid rise from 15-year-old academy gem to semi-regular first-teamer.

The Chelmsford-born gem was first introduced to the fans during pre-season, where his eye-catching performances led respected analyst Ben Mattinson to claim he was “humiliating Premier League players.”

The youngster was then given his first taste of competitive football against Leeds United, where he once again ran senior defenders ragged and won his side a penalty.

The next step was his first start in the League Cup against Brighton, a game in which he completed the most dribbles of anyone on the pitch and officially became the youngest player to start for Arsenal.

Then this week, he broke another record, becoming the youngest player to ever make an appearance in the Champions League, coming on in the 72nd minute and once again looking right at home.

After the match, Arteta was full of praise for the youngster, saying: “What he’s done on the pitch – he comes in, the first ball he takes is he takes people on, he starts to dribble and gets a foul. That’s personality, that’s courage – and you cannot teach that.”

It wasn’t just the Gunners’ boss who was impressed, though, as Slavia Prague’s David Zima went so far as to call him “a miracle player.”

In all, Dowman appears to be on track to reach the very top with Arsenal, and now there is another young talent making waves in the academy who could be the next Saka.

Arsenal's new Saka

There are more than a handful of exciting talents coming through Hale End at the moment, with Brando Bailey-Joseph being one of them.

The 17-year-old only signed scholarship terms with the club a few months ago, but due to his impressive performances, he put pen to paper on a professional deal last month.

There is a chance he could be a future Saka-esque player for the club, as, like the talismanic number seven, he has shown an ability to play on both sides of the attack.

In fact, like the Hale End icon, he has also played deeper, on both the right and left of the midfield.

Moreover, while he’s not as prolific as Dowman, he’s shown an ability to score and assist goals.

Appearances

13

Minutes

901′

Goals

4

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.61

Minutes per Goal Involvement

112.62′

For example, in 13 appearances this season, totalling 901 minutes, he has put the ball in the back of the net four times and provided four assists for good measure.

In other words, the “explosive” attacker, as dubbed by Hale End expert Will Balsam, is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.62 games, or every 112.62 minutes, which is seriously impressive for a winger.

Moreover, what makes him such a “menace” for opposition defenders is, per Balsam, his “quickness & sharp cuts” with the ball at his feet.

Finally, according to Mattinson, what makes the youngster such an exciting prospect is his “good ball manipulation” and the fact that he “releases shots quickly in and around the box.”

Ultimately, he has a long way to go to become the next Saka, but as things stand, Bailey-Joseph appears to have all the raw materials necessary to succeed.

Forget Merino: Arsenal star who's "like Wilshere" can fix Gyokeres blow

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وجه واين روني، نجم منتخب إنجلترا ومانشستر يونايتد السابق، انتقادًا للمصري محمد صلاح جناح ليفربول، بعد المباراة أمام مانشستر سيتي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وشارك محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول أمام مانشستر سيتي، والتي شهدت هزيمة فريقه بثلاثة أهداف دون مقابل.

وانتقد روني صلاح على الأداء خاصة من الجانب الدفاعي، مشيرًا لتركه زميله كونور برادلي معزولًا في الجهة اليمنى.

وفي حديثه لشبكة “بي بي سي سبورت”، قال روني: “محمد صلاح في الفريق لتسجيل وصناعة الأهداف”.

وأضاف: “لقد كان أحد أفضل اللاعبين في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز على مدار السنوات الست أو السبع الماضية،  ولكن في المباريات الكبيرة، عليك أن تُضاعف جهودك”.

وأشار: “عليك أن تعود وتساعد زميلك في الفريق، كان كونور برادلي يخوض مباراة صعبة للغاية، حيث تُرك وحيدًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | سلوت: آخر ما يجب أن أتحدث عنه الآن هو سباق لقب الدوري الإنجليزي

واستطرد: “كان ريان جرافينبيرخ يبذل قصارى جهده لمساعدته والوصول إلى هناك، لكن هذا يترك مساحات في مراكز أخرى، أعتقد أن على صلاح العودة ومساعدة زملائه”.

وانتقل روني للحديث عن هدف فيرجيل فان دايك الملغي قائلاً: “حركة جيدة ورأسية رائعة حقًا من فان دايك، يستطيع جيانلويجي دوناروما رؤية الكرة من جميع الجهات”.

وأوضح: “روبرتسون بجانبه، ولم يُؤثر على المرمى، دوناروما يُركز كل ثقله على قدمه اليمنى، ويتحرك بمجرد أن تُمرر الكرة برأس فان دايك، إنها ضربة رأسية رائعة، وكان يجب أن يُحتسب الهدف من وجهة نظري”.

Pep Guardiola sees the Stoke City model being followed "more and more" in the Premier League, as several teams are picking up Tony Pulis' old tactics. The Manchester City boss believes the English top-flight has fallen in love again with Pulis-style football, where long throws and set-piece chaos decide games more than skill or possession. However, the Catalan coach remains defiant and claims that he will not change his philosophy. Instead, he vowed to nullify that threat using his own methods, which will involve adopting an "aggressive response".

• AFP
  

  Premier League sides following Pulis blueprint

  Almost 19 per cent of all goals in the Premier League this season have come from corners. Corners and long throws are dictating results in most Premier League fixtures, with some of the top clubs, including leaders Arsenal, turning to specialists to squeeze every advantage out of dead-ball scenarios. Mikel Arteta has time and again stressed the importance of set-pieces, and Arsenal's playbook revolves around what Pulis once made famous at Stoke. They look to build relentless aerial pressure in packed penalty areas and clever flick-ons designed to unsettle defenders. While Guardiola insists he respects every manager’s right to shape their team in their own image, he made it clear City will not abandon their identity, despite the change in approach adopted by most Premier League teams. 

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  Guardiola: I am not naive

  Speaking ahead of City’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Swansea City, Guardiola admitted that the league’s obsession with set pieces has reached new heights. 

  "I remember a long time ago with Sean Dyche, Burnley were an incredible threat in the long balls, second balls," he said. "Dyche is one of the best by far doing these kind of aspects. It’s not new, he did it before. Or Sam Allardyce. Or I remember when I was not here, Stoke City. Do you remember Stoke City when they made the throws? It happened in that time. Now it’s just more and more teams doing that but then maybe Stoke was the exception. I remember when I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Arsene Wenger talked about going to play at Stoke City but now it happens a lot of times."

  Guardiola admitted his side must improve in managing these moments, but he is refusing to compromise his footballing principles.

  "Every manager does what they believe. I’m focused on that," he insisted. "I want to score from free-kicks and corners – I’m not naive, I want it – but I spend my time on what we have to do to play better, attack better and create chances, to score goals. Defensively, you have to be more aggressive. All the aspects of the game I see. Of course, I pay attention, but I know I’m not the manager to try to… It’s what I’ve done all my career."

• Guardiola working on an antidote

  The Premier League’s average of 2.6 goals per game this season is the lowest since 2017, while the ball is in play for just over 55 minutes per match. Matty Cash’s goal for Aston Villa in their 1–0 win over City at the weekend was yet another example of the set-piece dominance, coming straight from a corner. Guardiola revealed that City have been working behind the scenes to strengthen their defensive shape on dead balls. He praised his set-piece coach, James French, for drilling in the tactical discipline required to handle aerial bombardments.

  "I remember at Burnley when it was tough, we conceded only one corner or maybe not even one. Why? Because we controlled the second balls," he said. "The best kind of way to defend these games is in that way. But for that, you have to be good in a lot of aspects and we are working on it. I will, until the end, continue to work mainly on our game. And sometimes adapt, when we have to do it. We did it at Brentford incredibly well. (Set piece coach) James (French) made an incredible job seducing our players into how we should defend these kinds of actions. It was unbelievable, the same at Arsenal. We conceded a lot of corners against Arsenal because we didn’t control the game."

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  City to ring changes in League Cup

  While Guardiola’s City remain the only team to have scored all their goals from open play this season, others are embracing a more direct, gritty approach. Swansea will likely adopt a similar style when they welcome their illustrious Premier League opponents on Wednesday evening in the Carabao Cup. It remains to be seen how much control Guardiola's men have in the match, as the manager will be inclined to rotate his squad amid a busy schedule. Midfield dynamo Rodri is unavailable, while Erling Haaland might be rested. Omar Marmoush is set to be handed his first start since August, while 18-year-old ­midfielder Divine Mukasa is also in line to feature against the Championship side. 

PBKS have confirmed a top-two finish at IPL 2025, and Shashank puts it down to the self-belief that’s evolved from the culture created by Ponting and Shreyas

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-20252:22

Is this finally PBKS’ year?

“Finishing in top two is half-job done. The full job will be done on the 3rd of June, I guess. When late at night, at 12 o’clock, we will have a press conference. That will be the time I’ll tell you that ‘yes, we are at the top of the world’.”Belief in your abilities can do fascinating things. Look at Punjab Kings (PBKS), who, if Shashank Singh is to be believed, have completed a top-two finish on the IPL 2025 points table riding on a wave of self-belief (some other factors helped, of course). And now, that same belief, is allowing Shashank to say those words above. It might sound like he – and PBKS – have gotten a bit ahead of themselves – they are one of three teams from the original lot of eight to have not won a title to date, after all – but that’s not the case. It’s just self-belief, and trusting the culture the firm of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer have created around the players.”It feels surreal, to be very honest. It feels really good, really satisfying,” Shashank said at the press conference after PBKS beat Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday night to make sure they will play Qualifier 1 and get an extra shot at qualifying for the final should they need it. “The best thing is [that] we manifested as a team – as a team, not individually me, but as a team. When the auctions were done, we had a group on WhatsApp and we had conversations. So we manifested that this year we will win the title. Our first aim was to finish in the top two and obviously we have passed that hurdle.Related

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Batting without brakes – PBKS make topping 200 a habit

“But manifesting is one thing, believing is [another]. So we worked hard. The credit goes to the management, the support staff, literally every single individual. Not only players and coaching staff, but everyone who is associated with us. We had four-five camps before the IPL, and you can see the results. We are in top two, and it’s not easy in a league like IPL to finish in top two.”Because it’s PBKS, and not serial winners like MI or Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the question that came up a little while later was somewhat justified: Are you guys feeling on top of the world?”Not at the top of the world [yet]. What we have believed is yet to come. So this is something where we really enjoy each other’s success. If we had not qualified in the top two, we would have still been happy we have qualified. But again, it’s the half-job done. What Shreyas said in the last meeting [was] qualification is half-job done,” Shashank said, before saying all that you read at the top – words that might come back to bite him, but the way PBKS have gone in IPL 2025, with a batting core almost entirely of uncapped Indians, who can question that confidence? Or belief?”Shreyas is a very dear friend. I know him for the past ten-15 years. Playing under him, he being the captain, is one of the best things to have happened to me, to be very honest,” Shashank said when asked about the team culture. “The way he gives freedom to everyone – not only me, but everyone, 25 of them, plus support staff, plus the people who are in the content team, media team, logistics, everyone – is something very appreciable about him.”And the way he has developed a culture in the Punjab Kings side – obviously we love each other, we care for each other; that was the main motto of Ricky sir and Shreyas [on] day one that we had the meeting, that we need to maintain a culture, we need to care for each other, and obviously result will take care of itself.1:51

Moody: PBKS attack well suited to these conditions

“[Ponting] has changed the team culture, he has changed our mindset, changed our belief. So all those things, the credit has to go to him, because obviously, he is the one who changed our perspective towards the game. Day one he told us, he and Shreyas told us, [that] they will treat Yuzi Chahal, maybe our most senior player, and our bus driver the same. They have maintained this. This says a lot about the team.”They will now lose the services of Marco Jansen, one of six players and the only overseas player to have played every game for PBKS this season – Shashank is one of the others – because of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. It must be a worry, but Shashank wasn’t letting on.”This team, when you see all 14 league games we have played, every match [there] is a new face, there is a new hero,” he said. “Some days Shreyas has done well, today Josh [Inglis] and Priyansh [Arya], someday Prabh [Prabhsimran Singh], someday Arsh [Arshdeep Singh]. So it’s a combined team effort.”When you finish in the top two, the most important thing is that there is no one or two heroes, you have 11-12 heroes, or six-seven heroes. So obviously our team has had six-seven heroes. And hopefully in the final we can all come together and win the title.”

شارك نجم فريق ليفربول، محمد صلاح، في مباراة اليوم ضد برينتفورد في خضم منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26.

وحل ليفربول ضيفًا على برينتفورد في ملعب “جتيش كوميونتي ستاديوم” في الجولة التاسعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث خسر حامل اللقب بثلاثة أهداف لهدفين.

وخاض النجم محمد صلاح تلك المباراة حيث لعب كأساسي، ولعبها حتى النهاية وسجل هدفًا.  ملخص لمسات محمد صلاح في مباراة ليفربول وبرينتفورد

وضغط دفاع برينتفورد بنجاح على محمد صلاح واستخلص الكرة من أمامه في الدقيقة التاسعة، خشية أن يقوم المصري بأي هجمة خطيرة داخل المنطقة.

واصطدم محمد صلاح بزميله السابق، حارس مرمى فريق برينتفورد، كيليهر، بعدما حاول ملاحقة الكرة التي مررها ناحيته كودي جاكبو، ولكنه لم يتمكن من السيطرة على نفسه واصطدم بالأيرلندي في الدقيقة العاشرة.

ومرر ميلوس كيركيز الكرة ناحية محمد صلاح في الدقيقة 12 من عمر الشوط نفسه، ولكن دفاع برينتفورد ضغط واستخلص الكرة.

وتواجد محمد صلاح في منطقة جزاء ليفربول، في الدقيقة 30، من أجل المساندة الدفاعية قبل أن يمرر كرة ناحية فلوريان فيرتز، ولكنها طالت على الأخير، لتتحول إلى ضربة مرمى لصالح الخصم.

وكاد محمد صلاح أن يستغل تصرف خاطئ من جانب أحد لاعبي برينتفورد، بعدما مرر الأخير الكرة بشكل غير جيد، ووصلت للمصري ولكنه لم يتعامل معها جيدًا، قبل أن يتدخل حارس المرمى كيليهر ويبعدها، في الدقيقة 50.

وطالت الكرة على محمد صلاح في الدقيقة 55، لتتحول إلى رمية تماس لصالح برينتفورد، وسط ضغط قوي من جانب أصحاب الأرض لتسجيل المزيد، أو على الأقل عدم الاستقبال.

وتحصل محمد صلاح على بطاقة صفراء، في الدقيقة 57، لارتكابه خطأ ضد لاعب برينتفورد، وظفر بركلة ركنية بعدما سدد كرة ولكنها اصطدمت بأحد لاعبي الخصم، في الدقيقة 65.

وسدد محمد صلاح كرة بعيدة على مرمى برينتفورد، في الدقيقة 83، قبل أن ينجح في تسجيل هدف لصالح ليفربول في الدقيقة 89، بطريقة رائعة، ولكن الهدف لم يكن كافيًا لمنح كتيبة آرني سلوت أي شيء.

Piers Morgan, who has always been a loyal Cristiano Ronaldo supporter, has revealed the identity of the one sportsperson that he ranks higher than CR7. That honour goes to Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, with Morgan of the opinion that Ronaldo “would understand” having to play second fiddle to an iconic bowler that liked to make headlines on and off the field.

Morgan interview led to Ronaldo's Man Utd departure

British television host and media personality Morgan has interviewed Portuguese superstar Ronaldo on a couple of occasions. It was one of those chats that led to CR7 seeing his contract ripped up by Manchester United in November 2022 – freeing him to eventually head to the Middle East with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Ronaldo is still going strong at 40 years of age, with a new two-year contract being committed to, and remains as determined as ever to land major trophies – with another World Cup on his radar in 2026. Morgan has talked up Ronaldo’s claims to GOAT status on a regular basis down the years, in a long-running debate that involves Argentine icon Lionel Messi, but admits to holding a close friend who tragically passed away in 2022 in even higher regard.

AdvertisementGettyRonaldo or Warne? Morgan makes his pick

Morgan told when asked to pick his favourite between Warne and Ronaldo: “Well, if it’s for a night out – Warney! In terms of sporting greatness, Warney, to me, is the greatest cricketer that’s ever lived and the reason I say that is, I just felt that he was a master bowler, but also, the mental dominance he used to have over people.. the mental strength, resilience, character and fun.. the whole package with Warney.

“I could choose a batsman or an all-rounder of course, but if I could have someone to win a game for my life, and that’s why the parallel is quite interesting, if I could choose a footballer to score a goal on a wet Wednesday in Stoke to save my life, I’d choose Cristiano Ronaldo. And if it was to win a cricket match on any surface, it’d be Shane Warne. If I have to choose one over the other, I’m going with Shane Warne. I love Ronaldo, but he would understand!”

GettyGive up one: Ashes win or Arsenal title triumph

Morgan continues to keep a close eye on how Ronaldo is faring with Al-Nassr, but his footballing loyalties lie with Arsenal. The Gunners have risen to the top of the Premier League table in 2025-26 while also looking to build on last season’s run to the Champions League semi-finals.

Morgan is eager to see Mikel Arteta’s side prevail in domestic and continental competition, but claims that he would happily give up tangible success in north London if it meant guaranteeing England an Ashes tour victory Down Under this winter.

He said when asked to choose between downing the Aussies in their own backyard or seeing Arsenal lift the English top-flight title: “Do you know what, somebody once said, would you rather score the winning goal for Arsenal in a Champions League final or score 100 runs at Lords against Australia in the Ashes? And I went with the cricket.

“Cricket was my real first love. I don’t really watch anything but red ball cricket. To me, Test Cricket isn’t just the best form of the game, but for me is really the only one that I get emotionally engaged in. The series against India [earlier this year] was fantastic. I think back to 2005 and the emotional rollercoaster of emotions, quality of play and all of that.

“I’d actually go with the Ashes win [over Arsenal winning the Premier League]. I’d love to see us, this winter, win the Ashes. If [Mark] Wood and [Jofra] Archer stay fit, I think we’ve got a great chance. When we win the Ashes in Australia, is there a better thing in sport? I don’t think so.”

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Getty Ronaldo targets: World Cup & 1,000 career goals

Ronaldo is unlikely to pay any attention to the Ashes, with there enough on his sporting plate to contend with at present. He continues to guide Portugal towards the 2026 World Cup while also chasing down his ultimate target of reaching 1,000 career goals.

Lionel Messi has made more MLS history with Inter Miami as records continue to tumble around the Argentine GOAT. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has become the first MLS player to post 35 goal contributions in back-to-back seasons after netting twice and registering one assist in the Herons’ comfortable 4-0 victory over New York City FC in the Big Apple.

• How many goal contributions does Messi have in 2025?

  Messi has been in spectacular form of late, with his contribution to Inter Miami’s collective cause helping them to secure a playoff berth. Said success means that, in his third campaign at Chase Stadium, he will get another shot at savouring ultimate MLS Cup glory. A second successive Supporters’ Shield is also there to be shot at, having set a new single season points record in that department last term.

  Messi’s latest outing saw him make light work of downing NYCFC, with the evergreen 38-year-old passing up more opportunities to bolster his numbers from the penalty spot as he allowed Luis Suarez to step up from 12 yards. He was still able to take his goal contribution tally to 37 in another stunning performance that delivered more moments of magic in the final third of the field. The history books were rewritten in the process, with the promise of even more records to come over the coming weeks.

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  What other MLS records can Messi break this season?

  Having become the first player to enjoy successive campaigns of 35-plus goal contributions, Messi has also moved third all-time in that department. He now sits level on that list with former LA Galaxy, Inter, Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With five regular season games left to take in this season, it should not take long for Messi to leave the enigmatic Swede languishing in his wake. He still trails ex-LAFC forward Carlos Vela (49 contributions) on the all-time chart, but will have the Mexican in his sights.

  Messi needs just one more multi-goal game this year in order to post a new MLS single season high on that front, having enjoyed eight so far in 2025 – the joint-most that any player has ever delivered. He has five goals and three assists across his last three outings, with rivals struggling to contain his obvious threat.

• Supporters' Shield target: Inter Miami aiming to go back-to-back

  Inter Miami sit third in the Eastern Conference, five games back on division leaders the Philadelphia Union. They do, however, have two games in hand on both of the teams above them in the table – Cincinnati FC being the other – and believe that another Shield triumph is there to be chased down with 15 points still up for grabs. Head coach Javier Mascherano wants to see his side finish with a flourish.

  Mascherano told reporters after witnessing a professional dismantling of NYCFC: “We are happy because now we are officially qualified for the playoffs. That was very important for us. We will try to finish as high as possible. If we can win the next five games that we have, that will be great, and we will have a chance to fight for the Supporters’ Shield.” The Herons will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Toronto.

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  New contract for Messi: Fresh terms set to be signed

  Messi, who has seen his game time carefully managed at times this season, will be hoping to lead by example through the remaining weeks of the season. If remarkable individual standards can be maintained, then he will come into contention for back-to-back MVP awards – especially if Inter Miami go deep in their bid for MLS Cup glory. It is also looking like the South American icon will be back for more in 2026. He could also play a role in another World Cup, with Argentina aiming to retain their crown in the United States, Mexico, and Canada next summer; Messi, of course, is well acclimated to conditions in the States, having played a key role for Miami in recent years. 

  As his current contract in South Florida runs down, fresh terms are being mooted. An extension is expected to be confirmed imminently, with Messi agreeing to stick around in Miami as his family feel settled in the United States. It would appear as though he is ready to emulate eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo – who is still going strong at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr – in the longevity stakes by playing beyond his 40th birthday.

Arsenal are just one week away from the start of the new campaign, when they will meet Manchester United at Old Trafford to kick off their latest quest for the Premier League title.

Concerns have been heightened within the Gunners fanbase following a spate of pre-season results that have left plenty to be desired, with defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Villarreal.

The mood should have been lifted following the £64m acquisition of Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres, who scored 97 goals in 102 matches over two seasons with the two-in-a-row Liga Portugal champions, but he has lacked the fluency and cutting edge that many have been hoping to see from the off.

Again, there is absolutely no reason to panic; this is only pre-season, after all. And while the north Londoners have made a series of signings to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad, one or two more creative additions may yet be made this month.

Arsenal eyeing more signings

Arsenal have been locked in a lengthy bid for Crystal Palace talisman Eberechi Eze, who “has his heart set on Arsenal”, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.

However, negotiations have become protracted, and there are suggestions that Spurs are keen on hijacking the move, for they need to replace the injured James Maddison.

With Leandro Trossard mooted to be leaving the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal may yet sign an out-and-out left winger too. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo has been a persistent link this summer, though this would be a tough deal to complete, with Los Blancos valuing the versatile forward in excess of £78m.

However, Arsenal aren’t just looking at strictly creative players, with a potential opportunity arising for one of the Premier League’s most talented central midfielders.

Arsenal enter race for PL midfielder

As per Caught Offside, Arsenal have joined the swollen pack that are pursuing Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, with Manchester United leading the race following direct talks with the player’s entourage.

Baleba, 21, is valued at £104m by the Seagulls, who don’t want to sell, and is considered one of English football’s most exciting up-and-coming talents.

A dynamic, box-to-box player, Baleba is earning renown for his steely physicality, but also his technical qualities, which could see him emulate an existing superstar within Arteta’s Arsenal fold.

Why Arsenal should sign Carlos Baleba

Brighton signed Baleba from Lille for around £23m in June 2023 as a direct replacement for the outbound Moises Caicedo, who would soon join Chelsea for a British-record fee.

Across the past two seasons, Brighton’s Cameroon-born talent has become an increasingly considerable presence, featuring 77 times across all competitions.

Arsenal signed Rice from West Ham United for £105m in June 2023 after the England international had led David Moyes’ side toward the Conference League title, so clearly one of the most talented midfielders in the world.

That hefty figure, a club record, has been vindicated over the past two years. Though Rice has yet to taste silverware as a Gunner, he has been a staple throughout a period of sustained pressure at the highest level of football, and was named on the Men’s Ballon d’Or shortlist earlier this week.

As you can see, Baleba is performing at a remarkable level, and you could even argue he is on par with Rice when the Arsenal sensation played out his final year as an Iron, albeit less of a creative force. With that in mind, you can only imagine the heights Baleba could reach when under Arteta’s tutelage.

The Albion man also ranks among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, which further underscores his ball-carrying athleticism.

Powerful forward strides are identifiable through Rice’s skill set, and Baleba’s emphasis on defensive work could create a neat sense of fluency between the two, similar yet different.

Baleba, who’s been described as “phenomenal” by one analyst, has established himself and then some at a Premier League rung below Arsenal on the ladder, but showcasing remarkable talent all the same.

His remarkable blend of just about every midfield skill required for a roaming player of his type highlights just how impressive he is, and indeed, how he could benefit Arteta’s Arsenal in transition.

Just like Rice, Baleba has managed to play himself into £100m-valued conversations, and that’s no easy feat. The power and pace and gusto that he plays his football at makes a firm comment on how he could improve Arteta’s project, reinforcing the engine room but also adding duel to propel the creative emphasis forward too.

He has, after all, shown that he has a ferocious ball-striking element to his game, and that he is endowed with the physicality to supercharge Arsenal’s high-octane team besides.

Baleba might be a work in progress, but he’s already proven that he has what it takes to be a bona fide success in the Premier League, and if Arsenal manage to pull it off, they would not just be replicating their Rice blinder, but signing a dream partner for the Three Lions superstar, allowing the duo to dominate for many years to come.

Better signing than Rodrygo: Arsenal plot move for £45m "superstar"

With the Premier League right around the corner, Arsenal could be set to make a better signing than Rodrygo, and it’s not Eze…

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 9, 2025

Sunrisers duo appointed by Essex after overseeing maiden title in final season of regional system

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2024Essex have appointed Sunrisers duo Danni Warren and Andy Tennant to oversee their women’s set-up as they transition to Tier 1 status for next season.Warren, formerly the regional director of women’s cricket for London and the east, will transition into the role of performance director at Essex. Tennant, the former Scotland international, will take over as Essex Women’s team director, having been head coach of Sunrisers.”I’m incredibly excited to take on this new role with Essex Women as we enter a new era for the women’s professional game,” Tennant said. “Having worked with Danni and the majority of the staff and players at Sunrisers, I know the strength and potential of the team we’re building here.Related

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“Our focus will be on creating an environment where players and staff can thrive and fulfil their potential, both on and off the field. This is a fantastic opportunity to drive towards sustainable success and help Essex Women become a leading force in the game, and I know we all can’t wait to get started.”Warren had been regional director at Sunrisers since 2020 and brought in Tennant as coach ahead of the 2023 season. Last summer, they oversaw Sunrisers’ first title of the women’s regional era, when they defeated South East Stars in the final of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Essex were one of eight teams to be awarded Tier 1 status during a bidding process earlier in the year, as the ECB returned to structuring women’s cricket within the pre-existing county system.