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Hale End. Where do we start? It was the home of Jack Wilshere’s footballing education at Arsenal. It was home for Emile Smith Rowe during his formative years and of course, the playground where Bukayo Saka honed his skills.

It’s not a bad academy, is it? Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta, in particular, have been thankful for the work being done behind the scenes by the youth coaches, busy preparing the stars of tomorrow for first-team action.

Arteta has now given 12 debuts to Hale End starlets, with 16-year-old Jack Porter, and fellow teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Josh Nichols the latest.

They were joined by teen talents Maldini Kacurri and Ismeal Kabia last week as the Gunners ran out 5-1 victors in the Carabao Cup against Bolton.

#1 Ethan Nwaneri

15 years, 5 months, 28 days

2022: Brentford

#2 Jack Porter

16 years, 2 months, 10 days

2024: Bolton Wanderers

#3 Cesc Fabregas

16 years, 5 months, 24 days

2003: Rotherham

#4 Jack Wilshere

16 years, 8 months, 12 days

2008: Blackburn

#5 Jermaine Pennant

16 years, 10 months, 15 days

1999: Middlesbrough

#6 Paul Vaessen

16 years, 11 months, 11 days

1978: Lokomotive Leipzig

#7 Ryan Smith

16 years, 11 months, 18 days

2003: Rotherham

#8 Gedion Zelalem

16 years, 11 months, 29 days

2014: Coventry

#9 Armand Traore

17 years, 16 days

2006: West Brom

It’s not been often that Arteta has been able to afford the stars of tomorrow game time but he has always rated one star particularly highly; that’s Ethan Nwaneri.

Ethan Nwaneri's breakout season in numbers

How good is this kid? Like seriously, just stop and think. We don’t like to create unnecessary amounts of hype surrounding a 17-year-old but he looks like the real deal already.

Unlike a whole host of talents who graduate from the Arsenal academy, he looks ready to make a real impact and has shown as much in the opening stages of the new season.

It feels like a while now since Nwaneri was given his first-team debut at the age of 15, becoming the youngest player in Premier League history in the process, but the teenager has been patient and is now brimming with confidence. He is certainly an important part of the first team.

Handed his first start for the senior team last week, the young prodigy was in quite some form, scoring twice against Bolton Wanderers.

Yes, it was only Bolton, but the way in which he took both of his goals was excellent. The first was laid to him on a plate by new signing Raheem Sterling and the second showed his supreme confidence. Declan Rice won the ball back, and played it to Nwaneri who then buried it beneath the goalkeeper. Job done.

Minutes

94

Touches

44

Goals

2

Passing Accuracy

26/28 (93%)

Key Passes

2

Long Balls (Accurate)

1 (1)

Shots on Target

2

Tackles

2

There were understandable cries for the attacking midfielder to start on Saturday against Leicester in the absence of Martin Odegaard but he was reduced to a role on the bench.

However, with the game heading towards a remarkable 2-2 draw, Nwaneri was introduced and made quite the impact.

Within moments he drove past several Leicester players with pace and unleashed a dipping, curling effort that produced a top-drawer save from Mads Hermansen who had a rather strong game himself. It was hardly a surprise to see him draw such strong praise from his manager at full-time.

So, it was a rather special cameo. There will no doubt be clamours for him to start against PSG. That is arguably too much at this stage but a conversation certainly ought to be had surrounding his involvement against Southampton next weekend.

There will also be a debate surrounding Hale End. Who’s their next best talent? Well, he’s 14 – yes 14 – and he’s a pretty special kid.

In The Pipeline

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

Arsenal's next best talent after Nwaneri

It might not be too long before the name Max Dowman becomes a household name among Arsenal supporters.

Indeed, he is one of the finest young starlets in the Hale End academy right now and could soon be ready to challenge the likes of Nwaneri and Co for regular minutes in the first-team setup.

You may think we’re getting ahead of ourselves about such a young individual but we’re not the only ones. He’s already earned some phenomenal reviews.

He was hailed by scout Jacek Kulig as a “remarkable” star who’s “one of the craziest U15 talents” he has “ever seen”. Further praise came from David Ornstein, who said on a recent podcast that Dowman is an “absolutely outstanding talent, one of the best in the country.”

Fine words indeed. So, what makes him so great? Well, he’s already playing for the U18s and in the process has amassed six assists in nine games from an attacking midfield and right wing position.

Furthermore, the spritely teen recently became the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history a few weeks ago, scoring aged 14 years, eight months and 19 days.

In the process of doing so, he beat some pretty impressive talents to the top spot, a record that just underlines how impressive this gem is.

#1 Max Dowman

14 years, 8 months, 19 days

#2 Youssoufa Moukoko

14 years, 11 months, 3 days

#3 Rayan Cherki

15 years, 1 month, 2 days

#4 Naci Unuvar

15 years, 3 months, 6 days

#5 Sander Evjen-Brostrom

15 years, 4 months, 9 days

#6 Ryan Gravenberch

15 years, 4 months, 10 days

He’s blessed with a low sense of gravity and has the ability to drive forward with poise and purpose. In the clip below, you can see there’s a bit of Nwaneri to him as well, carrying the ball on his left and beating players for fun.

What might come of Dowman only time will tell, but his potential, given the age group he’s already playing at is immense. He’s right up there with Nwaneri – it’s now over to youth coach Jack Wilshere to help prepare him for first-team life.

Arsenal have just unearthed their very own Alexander-Arnold

The Gunners have uncovered a precious new star this season.

ByMatt Dawson Sep 29, 2024

Bangladesh recorded their first T20I victory against Australia in five attempts by defending 131 with the help of their frontline spinners who picked six wickets in 12 overs for just 65 runs.Australia had the upper hand at the halfway mark but the dismissal of Alex Carey first ball, followed by two more batters by the third over, meant that they had their backs to the wall early on. After that, though Mitchell Marsh tried to keep Australia in the contest with a patient run-a-ball 45 from No. 3, wickets at regular intervals left them 23 short in the end.Bangladesh used spin right from the first ball. Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed shared the new ball with Mahedi Hasan and finished with 4 for 19, his best in T20s. Mahedi and Shakib Al Hasan picked up early wickets too, and kept things tight all through.Shakib also made a crucial contribution in the first half after Australia opted to bowl, scoring 36 off 33, on a surface that was not easy to bat on. Bangladesh’s batters struggled with timing too, as the Australia bowlers varied their pace. And it took a late cameo from Afif Hossain – 23 off 17 – to take them to a decent total.Australia flounder against spin
Mahedi and Shakib both struck with their first balls and Nasum struck with his fourth, leaving Australia reeling on 11 for 3 after 13 balls. Mahedi got one to slide in from around the stumps and beat Carey’s cut to shatter his stumps.Next over, Josh Philippe was stumped trying to drive Nasum through the covers. And Moises Henriques’ sweep off Shakib had the ball go between his legs and hit the stumps.Matthew Wade and Marsh tried to bring Australia back with patient play against the spinners, who were bowling with a lot of control and confidence. Wade explored the square region on both sides to keep the runs ticking, while Marsh preferred the straight region. But a lapse from Wade came soon after as, chasing a wide ball that pitched outside leg and turned away further, he pulled it straight to short fine leg, undoing all the effort of the previous 22 balls. Australia were now 49 for 4 in the tenth over.The two Ashtons – Agar and Turner – tried to stitch partnerships with Marsh but Bangladesh broke through again. Agar was hit-wicket trying to flick Nasum, and Turner sliced a catch to extra cover off Mustafizur Rahman.Marsh looked to change gears in between, and although a few boundaries did come, he perished looking to slog sweep. From 84 for 6, it looked like Australia might struggle to reach three digits but they just about got there, courtesy Mitchell Starc’s 14, before being shot out last ball.Hazlewood leads bowling effort
Barring Mohammad Naim’s two sixes off Starc early on, it was all Australia in the opening stages of the first innings. Hazlewood nearly had Naim chopping onto the stumps, and would soon account for Soumya Sarkar as the left-hand batter backed away to cut but ended up playing on.Shakib and Naim then carefully saw off the powerplay, in which Bangladesh scored only 33. Naim impressed by not giving into temptation by chasing deliveries too wide but was bowled for 30 trying an uncharacteristic reverse sweep off Adam Zampa in the seventh over.Although Shakib and Mahmudullah enjoy playing spin, Zampa and Agar did not give them much room. Bowling stump to stump, and with a little turn on offer, the batters kept getting the occasional boundary but the run rate hovered under six.When a change in gears was imminent after 12 overs with eight wickets in hand, Hazlewood removed both senior batters. First, Mahmudullah sliced a slower ball to mid-off on 20, and then Shakib also chopped on in Hazlewood’s next over as he finished on 3 for 24 in his four, with three overs left in the innings.Afif’s crucial cameo
Afif walked in at No. 6 with Bangladesh’s run rate still under six. With Shakib and Shamim Hossain – who had successfully finished games with his blitzy performances in Zimbabwe – both falling, Afif was the last recognised batter in the death overs.He began by clobbering Hazlewood to the long-on boundary, and then cracking a lofted cover drive off Starc. In between, he pushed his batting partners for doubles, even if it wasn’t him getting on strike, which added a few crucial runs. He would then end by reverse scooping Starc over the keeper in the final over, and although he fell off the last ball, his knock pushed the hosts to over 6.50 an over.

West Indies includes Shannon Gabriel and Darren Bravo in squad, while Temba Bavuma could return to for South Africa

Firdose Moonda17-Jun-2021Big picture The World Test Championship final, which starts on the same day as this match, may be the most important fixture in the Test format but for West Indies and South Africa, it’s just about the last thing on their minds. At least, if you believe Dean Elgar.Though acknowledging that “it’s going to be exciting”, Elgar admitted he has “not got a lot of interest in that fixture” because he is more concerned with South Africa attempting to win their first series on the road in more than four years.Once the best travellers in the world game, South Africa spent nine years between 2006 and 2015 unbeaten in series away from home, but that has changed. Now, they have lost four away series in succession – in England, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan – and this is their opportunity to turn that around.Related

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After a near-perfect performance in the first Test, Elgar has asked for more of the same and described his expectations as “stern and straightforward”. He still wants big hundreds, five-fors and for the senior players to step up.West Indies will doubtless be after a change of fortune, having being completely outplayed in the first Test. The pre-series talk that the two teams were fairly evenly matched proved to be misplaced as the West Indies batters struggled against quality seam bowling in tough conditions and were then unable to cause the same problems for their opposition.Watch cricket on ESPN+

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Putting on a better score will be their first goal after they were dismissed for 97, their lowest total against South Africa, but the bowlers will also be smarting to show their worth after being talked up as the stronger suit. Though they cannot win the series, West Indies can deny South Africa an eighth series win over them and fourth on the islands.There will be an added incentive after the St Lucia government initiated a trial to admit fans for the game. A maximum of 400 spectators a day will be allowed into the Daren Sammy Stadium, providing they can show they have received two vaccine jabs prior to June 4.Form guide (last five completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies LDDWWSouth Africa WLLWWIn the spotlight Once West Indies’ biggest batting prospect, Shai Hope was recalled for this series after being dropped last year, having failed translate his talent to the Test format. Hope scored 110, 84 and 64 in the ODIs against Sri Lanka in March but it is a long time since he managed to be anything like as prolific against a red ball – it is more than two years since he made a fifty, and his only hundreds came in the same Test against England in August 2017.For South Africa, it’s Dean Elgar again but only because, despite not any scoring runs, taking any wickets or being involved in any catches in the first Test, he is still managing to look like the happiest person around. Elgar is not known for having a particularly sunny disposition but the promotion to captaincy has brought out the best in him. With this being South Africa’s last scheduled Tests until the home summer, he will also want to lead from the front on the field.Team news Given the seam-friendly conditions, West Indies may want to find room for another seamer and, if they do, it will be Shannon Gabriel. Alzarri Joseph, who sat out of the first Test, has been left out of the squad altogether for the second but Gabriel, who had a hamstring injury, has been recalled. West Indies have also added Darren Bravo, who last played a Test against New Zealand in December 2020, with Nkrumah Bonner ruled out with concussion. Kieran Powell made his comeback after more than two years as a concussion substitute for Bonner and his inclusion would allow Hope to take up a more familiar berth at No. 3.West Indies: (possible) 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Kieran Powell, 3 Shai Hope, 4 Roston Chase, 5 Kyle Mayers, 6 Jermaine Blackwood, 7 Jason Holder, 8 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 9 Shannon Gabriel/Rahkeem Cornwall, 10 Kemar Roach, 11 Jayden SealesTemba Bavuma’s fitness after he sat out with a hip injury in the first Test will be assessed at optional training on Thursday and if fit, he will displace Kyle Verreynne. South Africa are not expected to make any other changes.South Africa: (possible) 1 Dean Elgar (capt), 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Keegan Petersen, 5 Temba Bavuma/Kyle Verreynne, 6 Quinton de Kock (wk), 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Anrich Nortje, 11 Lungi NgidiPitch and conditions After a decent deck for bowling in the first Test, Elgar expects something similar for the second. A mitigating factor might be the wet weather in the lead-up to the Test which could result in a surface that Elgar said looks “a little bit softer” and which may have less even bounce. Concerningly, rain is forecast for every day of the match, with the most significant showers set to come at the weekend. There is a 60% chance of a downpour on Saturday, and 70% on Sunday.Stats and trivia South Africa have won six Tests since the start of 2019. In those victories, their seamers have shared 112 wickets between them, while the spinners have claimed just four.Jermaine Blackwood and Aiden Markram need 41 runs and 180 runs respectively to reach the 2000 Test run landmark.Of batters with more than 2000 runs, Kieran Powell has the second-worst batting average, 26.64.Quotes “We have enough experience in the dressing room. Once we get our plans right, once we are patient and execute as well as we have been doing for the last few years. I don’t see why we can’t out-bowl the South African team.”
“Clinical, ruthless, our bowlers led the pack and our senior players put their hands up. One Test win has done so much for us already. We need Test wins and we need series wins. I want a Test win and to seal the series 2-0.”

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has revealed what he admires the most about club great and Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi.

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Yamal regularly compared with MessiBarca star reveals admiration for Inter Miami starHas just picked up the Golden Boy awardFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona duo Yamal and Vicky Lopez have been a sent a message by Messi after scooping the top prizes at the Golden Boy Gala. The former Barcelona star wrote on social media: "Lamine, Vicky: this award is the result of not just talent, but also of hard work and sacrifice. It makes me proud that you are part of Messi+10. Congratulations and keep going!" Both players are also part of a "Messi +10" team, with the Argentine having selected just 10 footballers to wear special editions boots that he will also use.

AdvertisementWHAT YAMAL SAID

Yamal responded by revealing what he admires most about the World Cup winner: "In the end what I admire most about Messi's style is the ease with which he does everything. A role model for everyone and a player all kids look up to."

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Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Yamal has had to put up with plenty of comparisons with Messi throughout his young career. However, the teenager is forging his own path at Barcelona and is already a vital player for the Catalans despite the fact he is still only 17. Yamal is also a key part of the Spain squad and played an important role in the team's European Championship win last summer.

Harry Kane is, according to ex-England star Emile Heskey, capable of joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the 100 international goals club.

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Already Three Lions' all-time leading scorerHas 69 international goals to his nameBeing tipped to make his way towards a centuryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is captain of his country, is already the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer. Kane has 69 efforts to his name and is showing no sign of slowing down as remarkable individual standards are maintained. He is now 31 years of age, but should have many successful seasons ahead of him.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT HESKEY SAID

With that in mind, Heskey – speaking in association with – has told GOAL when asked if Kane can emulate Ronaldo, Messi and Ali Daei by becoming an international goal-getting centurion: “Why not? He’s a goalscorer, that’s what he prides his game on – getting goals. A lot of people say he’s got to do this and this, but when your numbers stack up the way that his do, you kind of look past a lot of it.

“When you look at the way that he plays, and it’s about looking after your body – if he can have the right diet, the right rest, which is a key thing when you look at the amount of games and the intensity of the games, the key thing is can he get enough rest and get recuperated for the next game. He’ll be fine. I played to 38, it wasn’t at that level as I was in the Championship – which is actually quite relentless with Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday – but he’ll cope fine.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kane may need another couple of major tournament cycles to keep him in the hunt for 100 goals, but Heskey sees no reason why he cannot remain part of the England set-up through to Euro 2028 – when he will still only be 34. The ex-Liverpool and Leicester forward added: “No, I don’t think there’s a reason why he can’t do that – as long as he keeps himself fit. Again, I don’t think by that stage he will be the number one, with the likes of Ollie Watkins really putting the pressure on now and being a bit more mobile, but I still think he has got a lot to offer. Right now, he’s the main man.”

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Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Heskey believes that Kane will remain the go-to option for England in their No.9 berth despite the odd question being asked of his mobility and reluctance to stay up top and stretch opposition defences. Heskey, who has 62 international caps to his name, said: “When you are looking at the goals, when you are looking at everything that he brings, I still think that he is the main man.

“There is going to be horses for courses and games when you want Ollie Watkins to get in behind and cause some problems, and then bring Kane on to finish it off. But I would still say that he is the go-to forward that is going to get you the goals. You are talking about someone that is not as mobile as when he was in his early 20s, but who is?”

Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz will reportedly undergo scans as the trio returned to Madrid with discomfort after defeat to Liverpool.

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Real Madrid's medical team working overtimeThree stars to undergo tests on FridayAncelotti staring at a monumental injury crisisFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid's visit to Anfield on Wednesday turned out to be a nightmare as the team not only succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool but also several injury concerns have now compounded the woes of Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was forced off with a hamstring injury, and now the situation has worsened with reporting the club is facing a "terrifying scenario" as three more players in Bellingham, Mbappe, and Díaz will undergo medical scans on Friday to evaluate their conditions after they returned to Spain with niggles.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Real Madrid’s injury situation is already precarious, with Rodrygo and Vinícius Jr. sidelined. If Mbappe is ruled out, the team could be left without its first-choice attacking trio when they face Getafe on Sunday. Adding to Ancelotti’s concerns, there are doubts surrounding Aurelien Tchouameni’s fitness for the weekend clash as the French international is nursing an ankle injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ancelotti’s tactical options are rapidly diminishing, and the manager will need to be resourceful in overcoming these setbacks. The use of Castilla players could provide a temporary solution, but relying on inexperienced talent when they are chasing leaders Barcelona in La Liga is far from ideal. The Italian had called up six reserve team players for the trip to Merseyside with Raul Asencio getting the nod to start beside Antonio Rudiger in defence.

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gettyWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

The challenges do not stop with Getafe. Real Madrid face a demanding schedule in December, starting with a Champions League clash against Atalanta on December 10, followed by the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18. These matches are critical for the club's aspirations this season, and Ancelotti will be wary of aggravating any player’s condition. This delicate balancing act could mean resting players against Getafe, even if they are cleared for action, to ensure they are fit for the crucial fixtures ahead.

Leeds United have opened preliminary talks over signing a replacement for their £13 million player, as his Elland Road exit potentially beckons.

Players who could still quit Leeds after mass exodus

There has been somewhat of a mass exodus out of West Yorkshire since the Championship high-flyers ultimately failed to secure promotion back to the Premier League last season.

Bye Bye: £40k-p/w man on verge of leaving Leeds United with medical booked

Daniel Farke is already eyeing up a replacement.

ByBen Browning Jul 19, 2024

Daniel Farke's side lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley in the play-off final in May, ending their hopes of an immediate climb back up to the top flight, with many Leeds players opting against the possibility of playing second-tier football next season.

Left-back Rasmus Kristensen is the latest man to wave goodbye to Leeds, at least temporarily, with the Danish ace joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan for the 2024/25 season.

Kristensen joins a succession of other players, including English sensation Archie Gray, Luis Sinisterra, Glen Kamara, Marc Roca and other big names in sealing moves away from the club.

Leeds United exits so far

Player

Fee

Archie Gray

£35m

Luis Sinisterra

£20m

Glen Kamara

£8.5m

Marc Roca

£3.8m

Charlie Cresswell

£3.8m

Diego Llorente

£2.7m

Rasmus Kristensen

Loan

Sam Greenwood

Loan

Jack Harrison

Loan

Darko Gyabi

Loan

Robin Koch

Free

Jamie Shackleton

Free

Luke Ayling

Free

Fees courtesy of Transfermarkt

As Leeds look to balance the books, trim the squad and make signings of their own, as Farke aims for another promotion push and to bounce back strongly after play-off final heartache, it is believed a few more players could follow the aforementioned out.

One of them is versatile and attack-minded left-back Junior Firpo, who registered eight Championship assists in 29 league appearances under Farke last season and proved himself an effective asset at times.

Reports in Spain have recently claimed that Firpo has agreed personal terms with Real Betis, and a return to his former club in La Liga is well and truly on the cards. Indeed, Firpo is even willing to take a pay cut so he can join Betis from Leeds, so the player's willingness appears evident.

Leeds open preliminary talks over signing Junior Firpo replacement

Football Insider has an update on Leeds' plans for if, or when, Firpo seals a move back to Spain.

The outlet states that Leeds have opened preliminary talks with a host of targets to replace Firpo, with Betis now opening club-to-club negotiations to seal a deal for the 27-year-old.

They add that Firpo is highly regarded by the Whites, who are reluctant to sell but will entertain the idea if they can source an adequate successor. The £60,000-per-week ace cost around £13 million to sign from Barcelona in 2021, but his days in England could now be numbered.

Called "immense" for his form at times by Leeds YouTuber Conor McGilligan, Firpo has gone on to make 84 appearances in all competitions for the club, registering 12 assists in that time.

The Dominican Republic international, who will soon represent his country at the Olympic Games in Paris, is currently preparing to take on Egypt in their opening Group C game – which will kick off in four days.

تفاعلت جماهير فريق ليفربول مع سخرية النجم المصري محمد صلاح من جيمي كاراجر، بعدما واصل الأخير انتقاداته لسلوك صاحب الـ32 عامًا فيما يخص مستقبله في “الأنفيلد”.

واعتاد محمد صلاح مؤخرًا التحدث إلى وسائل الإعلام والرد على أسئلتهم فيما يخص مستقبله مع ليفربول، حيث سينتهي عقده الحالي في 30 يونيو المقبل.

وأكد محمد صلاح في تصريحاته المتكررة، عدم وجود أي شيء يخص تجديد عقده، مما يعني رحيله مجانًا نهاية هذا الموسم.

وانتقد جيمي كاراجر تصريحات محمد صلاح، الفترة الأخيرة، حيث وصفه بـ”الأناني” لكونه يتحدث عن أمر شخصي، في حين أن الفريق يركز على لقبي الدوري الإنجليزي ودوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكرر كاراجر الأمر، مساء أمس خلال تواجده في الاستوديو التحليلي بشبكة “سكاي سبورتس” العالمية، حيث طلب من محمد صلاح وترينت ألكسندر أرنولد التعلم من فان دايك، وهو ما استدعى سخرية المصري عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إكس (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وكتب أحد مشجعي ليفربول عبر إكس: “الملك تحدث”.

The King has spoken ❤️😎 — Asim (@asim_lfc) January 6, 2025

وأضاف ثانِ: “نحن جميعًا مشجعي محمد صلاح”.

We are all Salah fanboys 👌 — John O Sullivan (@Corballyred) January 6, 2025

واسترسل ثالث: “إنه يعرف أنك لاعب مميز لكنه لن يعترف بذلك أبدًا”.

He knows you’re an elite player but he will never admit it 😂 — Szøbø (@Szobolfc08) January 6, 2025

وسخر رابع: “لقد سجل كاراجر أهدافًا بالخطأ في مرمى فريقه أكثر من أي شئ آخر، لكنه يعتقد إنه مُحق في انتقادك”.

Holy own. Carragher scored more own goals than actual goals but thinks he’s right to criticize you😂😂😂😂 — Nungua Burnaboy (@views09) January 6, 2025

في حين قال خامس: “نحن نعلم جميعًا أنه كذلك (مهووس)، إنه في الواقع المعجب رقم 1 بك”.

We all know he is. He is actually your number 1 fan — Dapsy𓃵 (@symplyDAPO) January 6, 2025

ووجه آخر طلبًا لـ محمد صلاح، حيث قال: “تجاهل المهرج”.

Ignore the clown — ỌLọ́RUNJùWọ́N (@Olushegz) January 6, 2025

وأكد آخر: “نحن جميعًا هكذا (في حالة هوس بـ محمد صلاح)، رجاءً ابق”.

We all are too. Please stay 👑 — Joshua Wilkins (@Wilkins33) January 6, 2025

Sri Lanka’s coach, Mickey Arthur, is set to raise the issue of injury substitutions with the ICC after seeing the number of his players requiring treatment rise to five on day three of the first Test against South Africa in Centurion.Sri Lanka had already lost the services of Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha, and were left further depleted when Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga were forced off the field during the afternoon session. Although Hasaranga later returned, claiming a four-wicket haul, Sri Lanka ended the day with Dinesh Chandimal being attended to by the physio after experiencing discomfort as he left the field at stumps.Arthur, who could be seen with furrowed brow on the Sri Lanka balcony, had already confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he would be bringing up the topic of replacements for discussion by the ICC’s cricket committee, of which he is a member.”In terms of Covid substitutions, I sit on the ICC cricket committee and I will be having a chat at the end of this Test match,” he said after the close of play. “India lost one of their quicks today [in Melbourne]. I suspect that more teams are going to lose their quicks as it goes on. The rigours of the workload is just going to be too much with coronavirus around.”The injury blows, which for a period left Sri Lanka with just two fit bowlers from their initial six-man attack, took place after lunch. Kumara walked off the field a ball into his 22nd over with a hand on his groin, although he took relatively easy strides to the dressing-room staircase. Sri Lanka’s captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, finished his over.Related

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Six overs later, Hasaranga, who had just taken his second wicket of the match, slid to field on the cover boundary and appeared to land on the ball. He got up and attempted to walk off the pain but found he could not stand for too long and soon sat down for relief. He was helped into the emergency buggy and driven out of the ground. Kusal Mendis had to take over bowling from Hasaranga’s end.That left Sri Lanka with only Vishwa Fernando and Dasun Shanaka, who has only taken up as much bowling as he has in this match because of the absence of Rajitha and de Silva, and part-timers to bowl at South Africa. Rajitha bowled 13 deliveries with the new ball on day two before leaving the field with a groin injury and is not expected to take any further part in the match; neither is de Silva, who has been ruled out of the series entirely with a quadricep tear sustained on the first day while batting.There was some respite for Sri Lanka as Hasaranga was deemed fit enough to return and bowl again before tea, by which point South Africa’s lead was above the 150-mark.Things could have got even worse when, in between times, Niroshan Dickwella required treatment on field for what appeared to be a bee sting. Dickwella touched the back of his neck in discomfort, was attended to by the team physiotherapist and was able to resume wicketkeeping duties.Meanwhile, as Sri Lanka dealt with an expanding injury list, South Africa announced the return of Kagiso Rabada to their squad for the second Test, and had him at the ground running laps at lunch. Rabada has recovered from a groin injury sustained during last month’s T20s against England.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has given the green light for Spurs to move for a £50 million player, with technical director Johan Lange also driving the club's pursuit of him.

Spurs identify midfield signing as summer transfer priority

In the last few months, various reports have claimed that the north Londoners are seeking a new midfielder for the engine room, especially with a few players expected to depart N17.

£25 million attacker who Ange personally wants has agreed to join Tottenham

The Lilywhites could be on the verge of a second summer signing.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 26, 2024

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has entered the final 12 months of his contract and started just eight Premier League games last season, having lost his mainstay status in the team. Hojbjerg is widely tipped to leave Spurs this summer as a result, with chairman Daniel Levy seemingly keen to make money off his sale while that is still possible.

Son Heung-min

7.30

James Maddison

7.17

Pedro Porro

7.04

Cristian Romero

7.03

Dejan Kulusevski

6.96

Meanwhile, it's been reported that Giovani Lo Celso has no future at Tottenham and could be sold alongside Hojbjerg. Much like the Dane, Lo Celso struggled for opportunities under Postecoglou last season, starting just four league matches with 18 of his 22 appearances coming off the bench.

The uncertainty surrounding both of their futures has prompted many links to a new central midfielder. Tottenham have been heavily linked with a move for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher for the best part of a year, and that interest is rumoured to still be there.

Postecoglou is a real admirer of Gallagher, according to some reports, but a move for the Euro 2024 England international could be a tricky one to pull off due to Chelsea's rumoured £50 million valuation. They're targeting alternatives to the 24-year-old, with Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana attracting interest from Tottenham amid claims he'd cost around £25 million.

Another midfield man who the Lilywhites are targeting is Aston Villa starlet Jacob Ramsey. Various media sources have backed that Spurs had a player-plus-cash bid for Ramsey rejected recently, with the proposal being £20 million and Lo Celso.

Postecoglou green-lights Ramsey move as Lange drives Spurs deal

According to reliable football.london journalist Alasdair Gold, Postecoglou has green-lit a move for Ramsey and Lange is driving Tottenham's pursuit. Gold also backs that Spurs would have attempted to use Lo Celso as a makeweight in any proposed transfer for the 23-year-old, but as of now, the Villans are unlikely to sell him.

Other reliable media sources claim Unai Emery's side value Ramsey at around £50 million, which is no surprise given his sky-high potential.

"What I like about him is that he is looking to drive toward goal, not go out to the wing and get a cross in," said former Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, to then-BT Sport, in 2021.

"He wants to score goals and maybe last season he wouldn't have taken the shot on there, but he's been brave, taken on the shot with his weaker foot and he's got his reward. Ramsey came into the team under Dean Smith and he is taking his chance. Steven Gerrard would love everything about him. He's an all-round midfielder and today he showed what he can really do."