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How sad that Liverpool’s smart business sense in the transfer market will likely prevent Arne Slot’s side from becoming engaged in the frenzied crowd come August, when panic stations are manned ahead of the impending closure date.

Ah well. There are worse problems for a side to have. Liverpool, having won the Premier League with relative ease last season, have already completed a series of signings to plug gaps ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, where a title must be defended and where expectations will be heightened across tournamental fronts, where the Reds perhaps fell flat.

Still, that shiny league title softened the blow of losing the Carabao Cup final, did it not? However, we can’t deny that Liverpool suffered a dip around spring, a rough patch which limited the scope of Slot’s extraordinary success.

More quality was needed, and that’s why Richard Hughes has overseen such an imperious start to the summer market, with the sporting director now turning his head toward central defence.

Why Liverpool want a centre-back

Earlier in June, Liverpool agreed to sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £30m plus add-ons. A buyback clause has been written into the contract.

The move will not be finalised until the defender completes his duties with England at the U21 European Championship, but he won’t be a Liverpool player next season.

With a question mark also hanging over Ibrahima Konate, Liverpool have set their sights on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who is anticipated to leave Selhurst Park this summer. Anfield has emerged as the leading suitor in the race.

We all know of Real Madrid’s expertise in warping Spanish media, but the fact remains that Konate has been left ‘disappointed’ after rejecting Liverpool’s latest contract offer, and is indeed heading into the final year of his £70k-per-week contract.

However, if Liverpool fail to get a deal for Guehi over the line, a fresh face will still be needed to strengthen the rearguard.

Liverpool register interest in Guehi alternative

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have entered the race for Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, who plays for Valencia in La Liga.

Transfer Focus

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

Though the Reds will slow the pace after their breakneck start to the window, Hughes will remain attentive to opportunities and is keeping a close eye on the 21-year-old as Arsenal begin to accelerate their own interest.

Indeed, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that the Gunners are locked in talks for the rising star, with a €20m (£17m) being agreed.

If Liverpool want to complete a hijack, they will need to move fast.

Why Liverpool want Cristhian Mosquera

Guehi would bring a certain completeness to Liverpool, and he’s proven in the Premier League besides, but he’d cost quite a fee at £50m.

If a breakthrough is found vis-à-vis Konate, would it make sense to launch such a bid, especially when Guehi already harbours certain reservations about playing time?

He’s an excellent player, but Mosquera is showing significant potential and could be a worthwhile project for Slot and his coaching team over the next few years, especially as he’s already shown a certain precocity in chalking up 90 senior appearances for Valencia, having turned 21 today.

Across the 2024/25 campaign, the Spaniard, born and reared in Alicante to Colombian parents, Mosquera actually started 37 of Valencia’s league fixtures, with his one absence coming when his side faced Barcelona at Camp Nou. They lost 7-1.

Coincidence? Likely not. The hulking defender’s natural ease in high-pressure situations would have been perfect for that match, and when looking at how his metrics compare to Guehi’s over the players’ respective league seasons, you begin to see exactly why he’s so coveted.

Matches (starts)

37 (37)

34 (34)

Goals

1

3

Assists

0

2

Clean sheets

8

11

Touches*

65.7

64.9

Pass completion

91%

84%

Key passes*

0.0

0.5

Ball recoveries*

5.1

4.3

Dribbles (success)*

0.1 (56%)

0.4 (86%)

Tackles + interceptions*

2.4

2.6

Clearances*

3.3

4.6

Ground duels (won)*

2.3 (70%)

2.9 (63%)

Aerial duels (won)*

1.1 (45%)

2.0 (54%)

Just a reminder that Mosquera is only 21. You really can see why Arsenal are so interested in bringing him over to the Emirates. However, Mosquera’s blend of steely tackling and crisp passing play, those fundamental defensive virtues, could be developed into something world-class at Anfield.

Slot promotes a ball-playing game, and he expects his centre-halves to contribute, picking out those in space upfield to spark a devastating transition.

And if that weren’t enough, Mosquera also ranked among the top 18% of central defenders in La Liga last term for progressive carries and the top 7% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref, emphasising a mobility to rival Guehi’s and indeed an athleticism which allows him to roam about, hoovering up danger and recycling it into something positive.

This is an interesting element for any defender to equip to their toolkit, but when you are so naturally talented in winning the ball back, as Mosquera is, a “truly magnificent centre-back” is created, as has been noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Moreover, Mosquera’s success in the air might not be great, but it will improve. Guehi, too, finds his stronger challenges come on the ground, and so it’s curious indeed that the La Liga star is already performing to a higher standard in that regard, in fact superior to all his positional peers across Spain’s top flight as well.

No doubt, Palace have the more refined man. However, given Liverpool already boast two of the finest defenders on the globe in Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk, does it not make sense to sign the developing star, who could learn from the superstars already under Slot’s wing ahead of a more prominent role in the coming years?

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Arsenal are now seriously considering a move for a defender who has played every single minute for his club in the Premier League this season.

Gunners stepping up centre-back pursuit

Mikel Arteta has received criticism for not bringing in a new striker, which has arguably been costly in his side’s pursuit of the Premier League title, with Gary Neville recently questioning the decision prior to the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

As such, it is looking increasingly likely that the Gunners will pursue a new forward this summer, with an offer for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak now in the works, but they are also keen to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch.

The north Londoners have stepped up their pursuit of a new centre-back in recent weeks, having now made a formal offer for AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, but the Spaniard is not the only Premier League defender on the shortlist.

According to a report from The Boot Room, Arsenal are now seriously considering a move for Brentford defender Nathan Collins, who has impressed for the Bees since arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £23m deal last summer.

Newcastle United are also ramping up their interest in Collins, however, so there could be competition for his signature, and a move to St. James’ Park could be preferable, given that he wouldn’t have to compete for a starting spot with the likes of Gabriel and William Saliba.

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ByDominic Lund May 11, 2025 Collins among Premier League's "best" defenders

The centre-back has been indispensable for Brentford this season, playing every minute in the top flight, and he has received high praise for his performances from ESPN’s Mario Marra, who described the Irishman as “one of the best” defenders in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old’s defensive aptitude is also underlined by the fact he places highly on some key defensive metrics over the past year, when compared to other centre-backs in the big five European leagues.

Statistic

Average per 90

Blocks

2.0 (97th percentile)

Clearances

6.08 (82nd percentile)

Aerials won

3.22 (91st percentile)

Not only that, but the Ireland captain has also proven himself to be an attacking threat, picking up two goals and five assists for Brentford in the Premier League, underlining his ability to be a difference-maker at both ends of the pitch.

That said, it is likely to be very difficult to displace Gabriel and Saliba in the starting XI at Arsenal, so it remains to be seen whether Collins is willing to leave Brentford behind and play more of a sporadic role in north London.

It’s safe to say this has been a perplexing season for Arsenal, who are now very likely to finish second having secured Champions League football for next season.

It came in the 37th gameweek as Mikel Arteta’s men defeated Newcastle 1-0. It was a game that rather typified the Gunners’ recent form, truth be told. Arsenal didn’t create a huge number of openings and left themselves exposed at the back.

This time, they had Man of the Match David Raya to thank for their victory with the Spaniard making a number of high-class saves in the opening 45 minutes. While Arsenal don’t need a goalkeeper, their end-of-season form has showcased where they need to strengthen.

Fortunately, writing before the game in the programme, Josh Kroenke spoke of the club’s summer plans and indicated that they will spend, sparking excitement for what’s to come.

So, speaking of transfers, who is likely to come through the door?

Arsenal ramping up summer transfer plans

While the biggest box to tick this summer is that of a shiny new centre forward, the Gunners must also hone in on a new winger after inconsistent campaigns for both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Martinelli has found form in the back end of the campaign but has only scored on eight occasions in the Premier League. As for Trossard, he’s netted the same number in top-flight action.

As a result, we’ve seen continued links to Spanish winger Nico Williams and a suggestion that Arsenal are fans of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon.

Despite their need for a new winger on the left, they could actually bolster the right-hand side too. That’s because, according to new reports, they are interested in signing Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo.

Transfer Focus

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

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That’s the word of club insider Teamnewsandtix, who wrote in his latest Patreon entry: “After the data team identified him last summer, Arsenal are targeting Bryan Mbeumo again. I’m told talks are progressing, but they aren’t the only team in for him.”

The Cameroon international has been nothing short of a sensation this summer and is also attracting the interest of Manchester United, according to other reports.

The forward is allegedly valued at around £51m by the Bees.

Where Mbeumo would fit into Arteta's Arsenal team

With Bukayo Saka very much still the leading light in Arteta’s lineup, fitting Mbeumo into the equation may be hard.

Described as a “Mini Salah” by talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy, the Brentford star has made a living out of cutting inside from the right and bamboozling defenders on his stronger left foot. As the compliment suggests, he’s like Salah and, as a matter of fact, he’s very much like Saka in that regard.

While Arsenal do need to find someone who’s capable of giving the England international a break every now and then, spending £51m on a right winger when they are arguably more in need of a left forward perhaps doesn’t make too much sense.

Well, fortunately, Mbeumo is a versatile player, most notably playing six times as a centre forward this season, scoring four goals in the process.

Meanwhile, he’s played off the left on nine occasions in his career and he’s also featured behind the main striker as a no.10 or second striker 43 times. While that may well take away his strongest asset, cutting inside from the right, he certainly has the ability to make a difference in more central areas.

So, how does he compare with Saka?

Mbeumo vs Saka – 2024/25 league only

Stat (per 90 mins)

Mbeumo

Saka

Goals

0.51

0.19

Assists

0.32

0.53

Shots

2.09

3.39

Key passes

1.84

2.96

Progressive passes

3.71

3.54

Shot-creating actions

3.82

5.93

Successful take-ons

1.38

2.12

Progressive carries

3.39

4.97

Stats via FBRef.

Mbeumo has been in remarkable form this season and ranks fifth in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, having bagged 19 goals. In all competitions, he’s also produced nine assists for his troubles.

When analysing their respective numbers, it’s clear the Brentford star is a more clinical player in front of goal. Despite taking fewer shots per 90 minutes, he’s scoring more regularly than Saka.

However, this would certainly be to the advantage of Arteta’s team. While Mbeumo may well be the better goalscorer, Saka is one of the most creative wingers in the world and is streets ahead in metrics like key passes and shot-creating actions.

Yes, there would likely be confusion about Arsenal signing a natural right winger, but supporters shouldn’t turn their noses up at more goals. This term, the league’s second-placed side have scored 67 goals in the top-flight, 16 fewer than Liverpool.

On that basis, it’s not a surprise to see that the Reds run away with proceedings.

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It was only the second time that Starc was playing a Test without Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon, and he got 6 for 71 after day one in Brisbane

Andrew McGlashan04-Dec-20251:12

Starc: Selection not a reflection of Lyon’s skills

Even taking into account that plans often need to change, it was hard to see a world where Australia would field an attack during this Ashes with just one of the big four.Yet, against England at the Gabba, they were without 1166 Test wickets from what would be considered their first-choice attack: the tally of Pat Cummins, who was very close to playing, and Josh Hazlewood, nearly doubled by the shock omission of Nathan Lyon. But there was one of the awesome foursome left: Mitchell Starc.The wisdom of that decision will largely be judged in hindsight. At times, it appeared a change of pace would have been handy: when Zak Crawley and Joe Root were building their stand of 117 in 25 overs, then when Root and Ben Stokes took England to 210 for 4 early in the final session, and even as Root and Jofra Archer flayed away in their merry final-wicket stand.Related

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There was a bit of sameness about Michael Neser, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett and Cameron Green. The latter three went at a combined 5.02 runs an over from 41 overs.”I was surprised, to be honest,” Crawley said of Lyon’s absence. “I can’t remember the last time, other than in the West Indies recently, where they haven’t played him. So, yeah, we were surprised.”It felt odd for Starc, too. “I think I mentioned it in the warm-ups: I don’t think I’ve ever played an attack without one of the three of them playing,” he said. “So it was a little bit different in that regard with no Josh, Pat and Nath.”Starc’s memory is nearly correct: he played without any of them the only previous occasion Lyon missed a home Test – against India at the WACA in 2012. It has left him doing some heavy lifting, but he had a pink ball in hand. Following ten wickets in the first Test against England in Perth, he knocked the top of England’s order with the new ball, broke a threatening stand under twilight, and later got to work on the lower order.An outswinger to Ben Duckett produced Starc’s 26th first-over wicket in Test cricket. That was soon followed by Ollie Pope chopping on to his stumps to leave England 5 for 2, and images of Perth zooming back into view.At the Gabba, Mitchell Starc got his 26th wicket in the first over of a Test•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesBut that was the limit of the damage Starc could inflict in his first spell, although how different the game would have looked had Steven Smith been able to grab a one-handed stunner when Root was on 2. Starc bowled three more overs before the first interval (call it what you will), and was then held back by Smith until twilight started to take hold. By then, Australia had already gone to short-ball fields with a softening pink ball as they tried to manufacture wickets before looking for some assistance as the night closed in.By then, Root and Brook were starting to build, but the latter was skittish, and facing his first ball from Starc – it was the second ball of his comeback over – as Brook aimed a flat-footed drive which was edged high to Smith at second slip. It took Starc to 415 wickets, moving ahead of Wasim Akram as the most wickets for a left-arm quick in Test history. Akram had spoken of his admiration for Starc in the lead-up to the Test, and offered his praise again.”Super Starc! Proud of you, mate,” Wasim posted on X. “Your incredible hard work sets you apart, and it was only a matter of time before you crossed my tally of wickets. I am pleased to give this to you! Go well, and keep soaring to new heights in your stellar career.”After a day in the field, albeit one that only brought 74 overs, Starc’s response was self-depreciating. “Pretty tired,” he said when asked how he felt. “I’ll reflect on it later. Wasim’s still a far better bowler than I am.”There is a job ahead for Australia, and having seen England escape to 325 for 9 with an unbroken last-wicket stand of 61, it could be a tough one. But it is worth appreciating Starc’s recent form. His last four bowling innings in Test cricket read: 6 for 9, 7 for 58, 3 for 55, and now 6 for 71.Mitchell Starc bagged Harry Brook in his first over back in the attack•Getty Images”I mean, he’s a very, very good bowler, obviously, and with the pink ball, I think he gets it to swing slightly more on [than] the red ball, so he challenges both sides a bit more,” Crawley said. “I was just trying to keep it very simple, playing nicely straight. He does draw you in on that off side… he’s got a way of dragging you in, so it’s a challenge. But I feel like, all in all, we played him pretty well. I mean, he’s ended up at six. I feel like we had a good day.”One of Starc’s six came from a remarkable catch by Alex Carey as he sprinted back to take Gus Atkinson’s top edge, and was nearly taken out by Marnus Labuschagne, who was also tracking the ball from slip. “Marnus tried to tackle him, I reckon, and take it out of his hands,” Starc said.Another piece of fielding brilliance provided Australia with one of their three non-Starc wickets. Josh Inglis, a wicketkeeper by trade, and called into this match as Usman Khawaja’s replacement, moved swiftly from cover to produce a stunning direct hit which removed Stokes during a period after tea where Australia’s four frontline quicks had dried up the scoring rate.”It’s one of those ones that a bit of brilliance in the field can change a little bit of the momentum,” Starc said. “A bit like a couple of Ashes ago, where Nathan Lyon ran out James Vince here at the Gabba and changed the momentum that day. I think the one today was probably a better run-out, but don’t tell Nathan that.”After the day Lyon had endured, that was probably a wise thought. For all of Starc’s brilliance, Australia’s omission of their greatest offspinner may yet be a telling narrative from this match.

And how many Test batters have converted their last two Test centuries into doubles?

Steven Lynch13-Jun-2023India’s second innings in the WTC final started with Pat Cummins bowling to Rohit Sharma. How often has a Test innings started with one captain bowling to the other? asked Mahesh Dharmendra from India

You’re right that India’s chase in the World Test Championship final at The Oval at the weekend started with captain Pat Cummins bowling to skipper Rohit Sharma.This pair had already done this twice already earlier in the year, in Nagpur and in Delhi in February. They were the 14th pair of captains to start a Test innings in direct opposition; The Oval was the 39th instance overall. The most recent one before Cummins/Rohit came in Mirpur late in 2018, when Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh bowled the first ball of both West Indian innings to his opposite number Kraigg Brathwaite.The first pair to do it were Arthur Gilligan and Herbie Taylor, in the match at Edgbaston in 1924 in which England bowled South Africa out for 30.I heard during the commentary that only two players in the World Test Championship final were under 30 – was this a first for a Test match? asked James Phillips from England

The two under-28s in the World Test Championship final at The Oval were the precocious pair of Shubman Gill, who’s 23, and Cameron Green (24).This was the 12th Test match to include only two players under the age of 28, but the third this year: Australians Todd Murphy (22) and Matt Renshaw featured against India in Nagpur in February, while in the match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Christchurch in March the only under-28s were Asitha Fernando (25) and Lahiru Kumara (26).However, back in 1926 there were two Tests in the Ashes series in England that included just one man under the age of 28: Percy Chapman, 25, was the only “youngster” in the first Test at Trent Bridge and the third at Headingley. All the Australians in those matches were over 28: their opening partnership in the second Test at Lord’s (where Chapman was joined for England by 21-year-old Harold Larwood), was the last occasion before David Warner and Usman Khawaja in the WTC final that Australia’s openers were both at least 36 – Warren Bardsley was 43 and Bert “Horseshoe” Collins 37.England lost wickets from the first two balls of an ODI in 2020. How many times has this happened – and has any team won after doing it? asked Michael Granger from England

In the match you’re talking about at Old Trafford in September 2020, Jason Roy and Joe Root were dismissed by the first two balls of the match, from Mitchell Starc. Even so, England looked like winning that game, before a sixth-wicket partnership of 212 between Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell turned the tables.There have been four other ODIs in which wickets fell to the first two balls of an innings, and only one of them was then won: New Zealand bounced back to beat Ireland in Malahide in July 2022 despite losing Martin Guptill and Will Young from the first two balls of their chase, bowled by Mark Adair.There have also been six T20Is in which wickets fell to the first two deliveries. Five of them were lost, and the other ended as a no-result. And apart from Ireland’s win mentioned above, there have been four ODIs and 11 T20s won by a team which was 0 for 2 early on (not necessarily after two balls).Stephen Fleming is one of only four batters, including Kumar Sangakkara, Vinoo Mankad and Qasim Umar, whose last two Test centuries were doubles•Getty ImagesKumar Sangakkara and Ricky Ponting both ended their Test careers with their last two three-figure scores being double-centuries. Are there any others? asked Tim Malin from Australia

You’re right that Kumar Sangakkara’s last two Test centuries were doubles – 221 against Pakistan in Galle in August 2014 and 203 vs New Zealand in Wellington in January 2015. But Ricky Ponting doesn’t quite qualify for this list – the 40th of his 41 Test hundreds was 134 against India in Sydney in 2011-12 (he did make 221 not long afterwards, in Adelaide).Three other batters achieved this impressive farewell feat. Vinoo Mankad’s last two Test centuries for India were 223 in Bombay and 231 in Madras (now Chennai) against New Zealand in 1955-56. Pakistan’s Qasim Umar made only three Test centuries, but the last two were 210 against India in Faisalabad in 1984-85, and 206 against Sri Lanka in 1985-86, also in Faisalabad. And the New Zealander Stephen Fleming signed off with 202 against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2004-05, and 262 vs South Africa in Cape Town in 2005-06.What is the longest duck in Test cricket, by balls faced? asked Alex Cardew from England

The longest duck in a Test match, by any measure, was achieved by the New Zealand fast bowler Geoff Allott against South Africa in Auckland in 1998-99. Allott lasted for 77 balls, and 101 minutes, before giving a catch off Jacques Kallis: he’d helped Chris Harris, who finished unbeaten on 68, add 32 for the last wicket.Jimmy Anderson had a 55-ball duck in 2014, which just failed to stave off defeat by Sri Lanka at Headingley – he was out from the penultimate ball of the match, after batting for 81 minutes). And the West Indian fast bowler Miguel Cummins came close to Allott’s time record against India in Antigua in 2019 – he survived for 95 minutes (45 balls) before falling for nought, and hasn’t played another Test since.Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

L Balaji and Varun Chakravarthy talk about bouncing back from Covid-19

Nagraj Gollapudi and Shashank Kishore 22-May-2021

Lakshmipathi Balaji – ‘Was I scared? I was worried’

As I was isolating on my own having tested positive for Covid-19, a thought crossed my mind: recovering from Covid-19, both physically and mentally, is like experiencing an episode of Man vs Wild.On May 2, I was feeling a bit of uneasiness. I had body ache and a mild nose block. I was tested the same day around mid-afternoon. By May 3 morning, I had tested positive. I was shocked. I had done nothing to breach the norms to endanger my and rest of the bubble’s safety.We had reached Delhi around April 26 from Mumbai. We were tested the next day followed by a match on April 28. The next day we had another test. On May 1, we played another match against Mumbai Indians. So I was confident that my immune system was strong enough and resistant to the coronavirus.Along with me, after the May 2 testing, two others including Kasi Viswanathan (Super Kings’ CEO) and a helping staff member had also tested positive. To ensure it was a false positive, we were tested again the same day. I tested positive for the second time. Promptly, I was moved to another floor at the team hotel, separate from the rest of the Super Kings squad.Was I scared? Initially I could not express my feelings. I knew people were dying outside. It took me another 24 hours to sink in the seriousness of issue once family and friends started to message. I started to get worried. From the second day in isolation I realised I had to monitor myself, recording all the health data. I was obviously anxious.I was also more worried about the others in my team who I was milling around with before I tested positive. Rajeev Kumar (CSK fielding coach), Robin [Uthappa] [Cheteshwar] Pujara, Deepak [Chahar] along with Kasi Sir were all around me. So my conscience was battling with the difficult question of what if any of these people tested positive, too? I was praying for their health.Then I came to know that Michael Hussey (Super Kings’ assistant coach), too, had tested positive. Till day we don’t know how or where we contracted the coronavirus. We had a very strict protocol within the bubble from first week of March when CSK’s preparatory camp started. After the experience in 2020 IPL when members of the CSK contingent tested positive, the franchise took maximum precautions even when we travelled from Chennai and Mumbai where we were based for the first leg of our IPL.Even in Delhi we followed the strict protocol. I don’t know where we might have caught the infection: was it at the ground? Was it at the training ground at the Roshanara Club? But that was secluded. And why should only two of us get it?With the situation very bad in Delhi which was in the firm grip of the pandemic, the CSK management was pro-active and flew both Hussey and myself in an air ambulance on May 6 to Chennai where we had round-the-clock medical care. It was a crucial and timely step. We were transported into the air ambulance wrapped separate oxygen pods. The pod itself takes a good few hours to build. The pod is like a transparent tunnel where you are enclosed. That is the safest way and the only way to fly a Covid-19 patient.Once in Chennai the anxiety that had gripped us in Delhi had been replaced by confidence. Mentally we became positive. I started to constantly exchanging messages with Hussey and we realised that many were dire situation outside. We were fortunate to be under better care. Eventually after spending about close to 12 days I returned home in Chennai on May 14.It is a journey of survival is how I look at it. Lakhs of people have been affected, and most of them recovered, but many were not lucky to survive due to different reasons. It has been an intense situation. In my career I have encountered several challenges, but it is different battle we are going through dealing with the pandemic.I realise now how lucky I was and that was because of the timely help of my franchise. It was huge effort to move get exemptions, clearances to shift us from Delhi to Chennai. But there are people out there who are waiting for hours and days on end to get help. We have to put in all our efforts to reach out and help out. Lives are at stake.Varun Chakravarthy has been struck down by post-covid symptoms•BCCIVarun Chakravarthy – ‘Still have weakness and dizziness’

أصبح من المقرر أن يعود النجم المصري محمد صلاح إلى قائمة ليفربول لمواجهة برايتون اليوم السبت في الدوري الإنجليزي بعد استبعاده من لقاء إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكان محمد صلاح قد استبعد من المشاركة بشكل أساسي في ثلاث مباريات على التوالي في الدوري الانجليزي، قبل أن يغادر قائمة فريقه منتصف الأسبوع الماضي.

وستكون مباراة ليفربول أمام برايتون هي الأخيرة لمحمد صلاح قبل انضمامه لقائمة منتخب مصر للمشاركة في كأس الأمم الأفريقية.

أقرأ أيضاً.. محمد صلاح يشعل الصراع بين أندية الدوري الأمريكي.. هل يجاور ميسي؟

ووفقاً لـ “ديلي ميل” البريطانية فقد أجرى محمد صلاح بالفعل مكالمة هاتفية طويلة مع مدرب المنتخب المصري حسام حسن لمناقشة الوضع.

ونقلت الصحيفة أن ردود الفعل في مصر على خلفية استبعاد محمد صلاح وتصريحاته جاءت أكثر حدة مما يمكن تخيله.

ولم تكن علاقة محمد صلاح بحسام حسن مثالية تماماً، لكن وضع النجم المصري استدعى بالتأكيد نقاش بينهما حتى لا يشتت تركيز المنتخب عن مهمته، وتردد بأن عمر مرموش نجم مانشستر سيتي تواصل معه أيضاً.

وكان حسام حسن مدرب منتخب مصر قد أبدى دعمه لمحمد صلاح، رداً على ما حدث ونشر صورة لهما معاً وكتب: “لطالما كان رمزاً للعزيمة والقوة”.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl should be delighted with the way that his team ran out 3-0 winners against Kilmarnock with relative ease on Saturday night.

Two goals from Bojan Miovski and a strike off the bench from Mikey Moore sealed all three points for the Gers, who had drawn their previous two games to Dundee United and Falkirk in a frustrating manner.

The German head coach should be particularly pleased with Miovski’s two-goal burst because it will provide the centre-forward with some much-needed confidence after a poor start to life at Ibrox

Why Bojan Miovski has been Rangers' most frustrating player

Out of all of the club’s summer signings, the Macedonia international has been their most frustrating player because he has not delivered at the level that everyone knows he is capable of.

Unlike most of the other signings, Miovski arrived as a proven Scottish Premiership performer who is in the prime years of his career, at 26, after a return of 32 league goals in two seasons with Aberdeen.

Prior to Saturday’s game against Kilmarnock, though, the left-footed forward had only scored one goal in nine league starts for the Light Blues, per Sofascore, and has lost 68% of his physical duels in the division.

Miovski was much improved against Kilmarnock, with two goals, which makes his poor form up to that point all the more frustrating, because that is the kind of performance that he can deliver.

It’s a display that Rohl recognised too. In quotes taken from PA Media, the manager said: “We had a conversation with each other and then he made step-by-step a huge step forwards against Dundee United. He had some good chances. He’s more adaptable at the moment, not just staying on the last line, it helps in building up as well.

“I’m happy when a striker scores two goals, it’s fantastic. In general, we spoke about what I demand from him. He told also what he is thinking at the moment. And then I think, especially after the Falkirk game, we spoke about spaces, what I want to see from the centre-forward and big spaces.”

The 26-year-old marksman is not the most improved player under Rohl, though, as that title has to go to Nasser Djiga, who has stepped up in recent weeks.

Why Djiga is the most improved Rangers player under Rohl

After Rohl’s fourth match in charge, against Celtic in the League Cup, Heart & Hand content creator David Edgar described the Wolves loanee as a “rotten” signing.

Chalkboard

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

Football FanCast even suggested playing James Tavernier at centre-back at the start of November because of Djiga’s poor form for the club up to that point.

That criticism was fair after several high-profile errors, including a red card against Dundee, an inexplicable defensive mix-up against Club Brugge, and Four Lads Had A Dream claimed that he “genuinely looks lost” during the loss to Celtic in the semi-final defeat that led to Edgar dubbing him “rotten”.

It did not seem like there was any way back for the Premier League loanee, who was as ‘rotten’ as Miovski was, but his run of form since John Souttar and Derek Cornelius picked up injuries has been an impressive response to that criticism.

Because there was an argument, due to his high-profile mistakes, that Djiga was the worst performer in the club, it is only logical that his recent showings make him the most improved player in the squad.

Whilst Miovski scored two goals against Kilmarnock, the striker had not scored in his previous 11 games and is yet to show his quality consistently, and the Wolves defender has now strung several performances together.

Since John Souttar’s injury
Premiership	Nasser Djiga
Appearances	4
Sofascore rating	7.3
Clean sheets	2
Tackles won	6/8
Clearances	18
Ground duels won	14/18
Aerial duels won	7/14
Error led to shot or goal	0
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Djiga has really stepped up in the right-sided centre-back role since Souttar picked up an injury on international duty with Scotland, winning an eye-catching 14 of his 18 ground duels in four league outings.

The Burkina Faso international has shown that he can be reliable at the back for a stretch of games, with no direct errors leading to shots or goals, whilst being dominant in his defensive duels.

Rangers have kept two clean sheets in the last four league games with Djiga at the heart of the defence alongside Emmanuel Fernandez, and Rohl will be hoping that his new defensive partnership continues to shine over the festive period.

The 23-year-old loanee, in particular, needs to prove that his current form is not a flash in the pan and that he has put the mistakes that he made earlier in the season behind him to be a reliable option for the German manager moving forward.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 6, 2025

On current evidence, Djiga is the most improved player under Rohl, going from “rotten” to reliable, but now he needs to do it over a prolonged period of time.

Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten run across all competitions has now extended to three games across all competitions after Tuesday’s Champions League win over Slavia Prague.

The Lilywhites claimed a superb 3-0 victory in Europe after penalties from Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and an own goal from opposition defender David Zima.

Thomas Frank looks to have finally found a winning formula, as seen in recent weeks, after previously failing to win in any five matches, four of which came in the Premier League.

Some may argue that the Dane is starting to get the best out of his current playing squad, with a period of adaptation evidently needed after his summer appointment.

However, despite the three-goal triumph in North London last night, the manager will no doubt have seen some glaring flaws that will need correcting in the weeks ahead.

Spurs's biggest underperformers against Slavia Prague

After starting each of the last four games on the substitutes bench, winger Wilson Odobert was handed the chance to start from the off against Slavia Prague.

However, the Frenchman struggled to make the desired impact, as seen by his tally of 86% duels lost, leading to his withdrawal in the 76th minute of the clash.

Other figures, such as zero dribbles completed and two big chances missed in the final third, also highlight his lack of positive impact despite Frank’s faith shown in the youngster.

He wasn’t alone in struggling to deliver during the win, with Pedro Porro unable to produce the regular attacking quality the fanbase have become accustomed to in recent years.

The Spaniard only managed to complete one of his five attempted crosses, whilst completing just 66% of the passes he attempted – largely being ineffective when in possession.

He also failed to win any tackles against the Czech side, whilst failing to complete any of his attempted dribbles – showcasing his lack of quality at both ends of the pitch in North London.

Spurs star needs to be dropped after Slavia Prague

Spurs have spent heavily over the last couple of years to try and be competitive in the Premier League and try and compete for titles under Frank in the years ahead.

In the recent summer alone, the Lilywhites hierarchy backed the manager with over £120m worth of funds to make an immediate impact during his first year at the helm.

Xavi Simons was just one of the additions made by the hierarchy during the off-season, but he’s struggled to make an impact across various competitions in recent months.

He went 17 games without a goal until last week, but the Dutch star has started to find his feet – as seen by his tally of two goals in his last two games for the Lilywhites.

The same can’t be said for striker Richarlison, who has constantly struggled for consistency after his own £50m transfer from Everton back in the summer of 2022.

The Brazilian international has been Frank’s starting centre forward for the majority of 2025/26 to date, subsequently managing to net a total of seven goals across all competitions.

Whilst such a tally may seem respectable, he’s often gone missing in major moments this campaign, as seen against Slavia Prague in the meeting on Tuesday.

He was once again handed a start at the top end of the pitch, but he was unable to provide the goods in front of goal and was subsequently replaced in the 68th minute.

Richarlison was only able to register a measly tally of 22 touches, a tally fewer than goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who managed 50 – showcasing his lack of impact in North London.

Richarlison – stats against Slavia Prague
Statistics	Tally
Minutes played	68
Touches	22
Passes completed	9
Possession lost	7x
Big chances missed	1
Aerials won	50%
Passes into final third	1
Fouls committed	2
Stats via FotMob

He also only managed to complete nine passes and lost possession on seven separate occasions, further highlighting his lack of positive impact during the Champions League clash.

The Brazilian also missed one big chance in front of goal and won just 50% of his aerial battles, often struggling to provide the focal point Frank has massively craved.

As a result of his showing, the striker was handed a measly 6/10 match rating by Football London’s Alasdair Gold, further showcasing his struggles in North London.

After such a showing, Frank must certainly be left with no choice but to drop the forward and hand the likes of Mathys Tel and Randal Kolo Muani the chance to stake their claim for the number nine role.

Richarlison has no doubt been a decent option for Spurs over the last couple of years, but it’s becoming increasingly evident week on week that he’s not at the level needed for success.

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By
Ethan Lamb

6 days ago

The Seattle Mariners lost to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, but it wasn't due to a lack of effort from outfielder Victor Robles.

In the bottom of the ninth inning the Mariners and Giants were tied, 4-4. With one out and a man on first, Patrick Bailey hit a long, high fly ball to right field that slowly drifted into foul territory as it soared through the air. Underneath it, Robles broke into a dead sprint in a desperate effort to make the catch—and boy, did he ever.

Robles managed to catch the ball, but slammed into the low wall in right field of Oracle Park. He flew over the railing and bent as he hit the net.

Remarkably Robles maintained control of the ball throughout, but was clearly shaken up afterwards. It's a strong catch of the year candidate, even if Robles is definitely going to feel it in the morning.

A truly ludicrous effort. Unfortunately it sort of backfired for the Mariners. Robles being in pain after making the grab allowed Luis Matos to tag up from first base to reach second; he would score on a single in the next at-bat.

Still. What an epic catch.