PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi says any decision on hosting should be made “on the basis of equality”

Danyal Rasool28-Nov-2024

Pakistan last visited India during the 2023 ODI World Cup•AFP/Getty Images

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has insisted that the the board remains “clear” in its view that any decision on the hosting of the Champions Trophy should be made “on the basis of equality”. With the ICC virtually meeting and potentially voting on the issue on November 29, Naqvi said he had been in touch with ICC chairman Greg Barclay and that “his team” at the PCB was in contact with the ICC.”Our stance is very clear,” Naqvi said during a press conference held at the Gaddafi Stadium at 1am on Thursday morning. “I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket. I’m constantly in touch with the ICC chairman and my team is talking to them constantly. We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be hosted across three venues in Pakistan over February and March next year. But India, who have not toured Pakistan since 2008, told the ICC their government had not given them permission to travel to Pakistan for the event earlier this month.Related

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Previously, Naqvi has categorically stated a “hybrid model” where Pakistan hosts most of the games, but any games India play be held elsewhere, was unacceptable. “Our stance is clear: they need to give us in writing any objections they may have,” he said earlier this month. “Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”Naqvi confirmed India had not provided Pakistan any written objections and he didn’t say whether, in his communications, the ICC had answered questions the PCB had asked about India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the event.But he did not directly answer repeated questions about whether a hybrid model remained just as unacceptable to the PCB. “Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said multiple times. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”Naqvi’s comments are a reference to Pakistan considering the terms of its involvement in future events hosted by India. India are hosts of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, as well as co-hosts of the 2026 T20I World Cup alongside Sri Lanka.Naqvi did say any decision taken at the ICC meeting would then be taken to the Pakistan government by the PCB for final approval. He also urged Jay Shah, who leaves his post as BCCI secretary to take over as ICC chairman on Sunday, to show concern for the ICC’s benefit in his handling of the organisation.”[Jay Shah] takes charge in December, and I’m sure once he moves from the BCCI to the ICC, he will think about the ICC’s benefit, and that’s what he should do. Whenever anyone assumes such a role, he should only consider the interests of that organisation.”Naqvi also said that the PCB’s goals going into the meeting were not financial. “I promise you that we’ll not just sell our rights out just for more money. This will never happen. But we’ll do whatever is best for Pakistan.”

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made no secret of the fact that he would like to see the club bring in more attackers before the end of the summer transfer window.

At the time of writing, Lukas Nmecha is the only attacker signed by the Whites so far, having joined on a free transfer from Wolfsburg early on in the window.

The Championship champions have still yet to replace Manor Solomon, who returned to Spurs at the end of his loan spell last season, with a new winger to bolster the squad.

However, Farke is reportedly on course to land a new option to pick from in the centre-forward position, in the form of free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that the former England international is set to undergo a medical before completing a switch to Elland Road.

It currently remains to be seen whether or not he will be signed in time to make his debut against his former club at Elland Road in the Premier League on Monday.

What Dominic Calvert-Lewin could bring to Leeds

Above all else, Calvert-Lewin is a proven Premier League striker who has been there and done it in the division over a number of years at Everton.

The 28-year-old star scored 71 goals in 273 matches in all competitions during his time with the Toffees, as per Transfermarkt, and will bring experience that Farke does not currently have in that position with Nmecha and Joel Piroe.

Even when he is not at his best from a technical perspective, the 6 foot 2 marksman will also provide a physical presence in the number nine position for Leeds. As per Sofascore, the forward won 3.3 aerial duels per game at a success rate of 51% in the top-flight last term, which shows that he can hold his own against towering defenders.

However, there may be some understandable concerns about his goalscoring record over the last four seasons or so, as he has been far from prolific of late.

24/25

26

3

23/24

32

7

22/23

17

2

21/22

17

5

20/21

33

16

19/20

36

13

18/19

35

6

17/18

32

4

16/17

11

1

As you can see in the table above, Calvert-Lewin has not hit double figures for goals in the Premier League since the 2020/21 campaign, when fans were not allowed in grounds, and only scored three times last season.

This suggests that Leeds will need plenty of creativity in their side to ensure that enough chances are created to boost the English striker’s output, and a fresh report suggests that they could be on course to add a big creative threat.

Leeds have held talks to sign Championship star

According to CaughtOffside, Leeds United have already held talks with the representatives of Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.

The report claims that the Whites have already offered contract terms to the Morocco international, with a £50k-per-week deal waiting for him at Elland Road if he opts to make the move.

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It adds that the number ten has a £24.5m release clause in his contract with the Championship side, and that the West Yorkshire outfit are willing to pay it to snap him up this summer.

CaughtOffside reveals, though, that Newcastle United, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the 21-year-old playmaker, which means that it will not be an easy deal for Leeds to get over the line.

It is now down to the Championship champions to convince El Khannouss that a move to Elland Road is the best next step for him, and this report suggests that is exactly what they are trying to do at this moment in time.

Why Calvert-Lewin would love El Khannouss

Signing the Leicester playmaker shortly after agreeing a deal to sign Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer could make a lot of sense, because they have the potential to strike up a partnership for the Whites in the upcoming season.

El Khannouss is an attacking midfielder who plays behind the striker, as a number ten in Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system, and this means that he would be directly behind the former Everton man and tasked with supplying him with chances to score.

As aforementioned, Calvert-Lewin has not been in the best of form in front of goal in recent seasons, which means that it is imperative that the Whites supply him with plenty of opportunities to get him back on the goal trail and back to his best.

El Khannouss may have been relegated from the Premier League with the Foxes in the 2024/25 campaign, but he was still able to showcase his quality at the top end of the pitch.

The 21-year-old talent delivered three goals and five assists in all competitions for Leicester, per Sofascore, but his underlying numbers in the Premier League were even more eye-catching.

xAG

0.19

Top 46%

Assists

0.12

Bottom 35%

Passes attempted

43.85

Top 15%

Progressive passes

5.28

Top 14%

Passes into the final third

3.67

Top 10%

Key passes

1.73

Top 37%

Through balls

0.45

Top 16%

As you can see in the table above, El Khannouss ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of creative metrics in the top-flight, but was not rewarded with the assists that his excellent play deserved.

These statistics show that the Moroccan youngster is an attacking midfielder who likes to find his teammates in dangerous positions in the final third, with progressive passes, key passes, and through balls to cut open opposition defences on a regular basis.

His creative prowess was on display for Leicester in their opening game of the Championship season against Sheffield Wednesday, as he recorded two assists and created three ‘big chances’ in a 2-1 win for his side, per Sofascore.

The £24.5m-rated talent would be a dream for Calvert-Lewin, therefore, because he has the creativity, the passing quality, and the Premier League experience to be a dream number ten for the striker to play ahead of.

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Whilst it will then be down to the forward to make the most of those chances, the former Everton man will be delighted to have a player who can consistently tee him up for shots at goal.

يحل فريق ريال مدريد الإسباني ضيفًا على خصمه كيرات الكازاخستاني، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، في إطار منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2025/26.

تأتي تلك المباراة في خضم لقاءات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري، من دوري أبطال أوروبا لذلك الموسم، على ملعب “ألماتي المركزي”.

ويأمل ريال مدريد تحقيق فوزه الثاني في تلك البطولة بعدما انتصر على مارسيليا الفرنسي بهدفين لهدف، في الجولة الأولى من مرحلة الدوري من دوري أبطال أوروبا.

في حين أن كيرات تعرض لهزيمة على يد سبورتينج لشبونة في إطار منافسات الجولة نفسها من أبطال أوروبا، بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدف. تشكيل ريال مدريد المتوقع أمام كيرات اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا.

خط الدفاع: راؤول أسينسيو، دين هويسن، ألفارو كاريراس، فران جارسيا.

خط الوسط: فيدي فالفيردي، تشواميني.

خط الوسط الهجومي: فرانكو ماستانتونو، أردا جولر، فينيسيوس جونيور.

خط الهجوم: كيليان مبابي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

Chelsea’s opening Premier League match is under three weeks away, yet it doesn’t appear as though Enzo Maresca is finished with his transfer business.

Despite adding plenty of talent to his already bloated squad, including the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens, the Italian is still on the hunt for more attacking players.

Over the previous few weeks, Tyler Dibling, Karim Adeyemi and even Real Madrid starlet Goncalo Garcia have all been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.

While initial links have been established, nothing concrete has been made regarding any of these three players as of yet.

All of Maresca’s attention is being taken up by the potential transfer of Dutchman Xavi Simons.

The RB Leipzig starlet is edging close to a move to the Blues, and given his performances in the Bundesliga since the summer of 2023, could he be the final piece of the attacking jigsaw for the club?

Any move could potentially go through at some point this week, but what exactly will the former PSG sensation bring to Chelsea?

Why Chelsea are trying to sign Xavi Simons

On Sunday, journalist Ben Jacobs gave an update on X regarding the club’s pursuit of the attacking midfielder.

“Chelsea advancing talks with Xavi Simons. Terms now broadly in place,” said Jacobs. “Club-to-club talks ongoing. Chelsea expected to place a first formal offer soon after verbal discussions over numbers. Talks described as positive.”

If all goes to plan, Maresca could be welcoming Simons to Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later, and it will give him more firepower.

The playmaker could cost Chelsea a reported £70m, but on the surface, this could be money well spent by the London outfit.

The Blues return to the Champions League this season for the first time since 2022/23. As such, signing someone who can make a difference in this competition makes perfect sense.

Step forward, Simons. When compared to his positional peers in the Champions League last season, the Dutch starlet was sublime across a range of performance metrics.

Not only did he rank in the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.88), but the 22-year-old also ranked in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (5.91) and in the top 11% for progressive carries (3.22) in Europe’s premier club competition.

With ambitions heightened ahead of European competition next term due to the club’s success at the Club World Cup this summer, signing Simons would give Maresca a chance of taking his team deep in the tournament.

Given that João Félix seems to be moving on in the next few days, with Chelsea recouping the same fee that they paid for him a year ago, there is space for Simons to come in.

Despite his obvious strengths and his growth potential, do the Blues really need to make him a priority signing?

Indeed, it’s arguable that their defence needs more work ahead of the Premier League campaign.

Chelsea closing in on another signing

The links to attacking players seem to grow day by day, but there haven’t been as many defenders linked with a move to the club.

One player whom the club have shown plenty of interest in, however, is Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues “will be in direct contact” with Hato regarding a potential deal. Romano also went on to state that Hato “only wants Chelsea” which should pave the way for Maresca to wrap up this deal as soon as possible.

David Ornstein of The Athletic has further reported that personal terms have already been agreed with Chelsea closing in on a deal that may be worth around £40m.

The squad is heavily stacked from an attacking perspective, but there is no doubt that Chelsea needs another couple of defenders to freshen things up.

As such, could Hato turn out to be an even better signing than Simons ahead of the 2025/26 campaign?

Why Hato would be a better signing than Simons for Chelsea

One reason why Maresca is keen on adding the teenager to his squad is surely due to his positional flexibility.

Over the course of his embryonic career thus far, Hato has played 88 games at left-back and 70 matches as a centre-back.

Hato’s league numbers for Ajax by season
Stat	22/23	23/24	24/25
Games played	11	33	31
Goals scored	0	1	2
Assists	0	2	6
Touches per game	57.4	94.8	67.2
Accurate passes per game	42.6 (91%)	72.8 (93%)	45.2 (90%)
Total duels won per game	3.1	5.5	4.1
Clean sheets	1	5	11
Stats by Sofascore

Last season, however, saw the 19-year-old operate on the left side of the defence and he showcased his talents, both going forward and defensively.

In the Eredivisie. The defender helped Ajax keep 11 clean sheets while he averaged 1.9 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and was dribbled past only 0.3 times per match.

Along with his eight goal contributions, Hato also managed to create six big chances in the top flight, while averaging 0.6 key passes per match, thus displaying plenty of attacking intent for his club.

Furthermore, when compared to his positional peers in leagues similar in reputation to the Dutch top-flight over the previous 365 days, Hato ranked in the top 5% for assists (0.21) per 90, along with ranking in the top 11% for touches in the opposition penalty area (2.33) per 90.

On this evidence, Hato would offer plenty at both ends of the pitch for Chelsea, thus giving Maresca a major boost.

There was no doubt that the 2024/25 season was his major breakout campaign for the Dutch giants, one that was largely praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

“Jorrel Hato is having an excellent season,” said Kulig. A fantastic mix of complete full-back, playmaking full-back, and ball-playing centre-back. Over 100 games for Ajax and 6 caps for Oranje at 19. Immense quality and experience for such a young defender.”

Simons will bring something extra to the Chelsea attacking department; there is no doubt about that. Still only 22, he will only go from strength to strength in the next few years.

Hato, on the other hand, may well turn out to be the better signing for the Stamford Bridge outfit given that the Blues are already stacked in offensive areas.

By signing both players, it would signal yet another statement of intent by Maresca. Chelsea will surely be a force to be reckoned with this season if the squad can gel swiftly.

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The Mbappe family have had more cause for celebration, with Ethan netting a dramatic winner for Lille in their Ligue 1 clash with Toulouse. Brother Kylian would have been proud of the well-taken goal, and with the celebration that followed. Ethan took to mimicking the iconic pose that his Real Madrid superstar sibling often strikes after hitting the back of the net.

• Late drama: Lille clash turned on its head

  Lille found themselves trailing against Toulouse with the 90 minutes almost up. Their cause had, however, been aided by a late red card for Alexis Vossah. They were aware of the need to make that numerical advantage count.

  Former Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Nabil Bentaleb restored parity in the final minute when he converted from the penalty spot, and there was still time for Lille to snatch all three points in the 98th minute.

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• Watch Mbappe's dramatic winning goal for Lille

• Teenage Mbappe registers first senior goal

  Mbappe, who joined Lille as a free agent in 2024 after severing ties with Paris Saint-Germain during the same summer as Kylian, picked the perfect moment in which to register his first senior goal, with the 18-year-old stepping off the bench to make a decisive contribution.

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  Finish that Kylian would have been proud of

  There was plenty for him to do when a cross from the left was chipped towards the back post. Mbappe met the delivery on the half-volley from eight yards out, with it vital that he made a clean connection and kept his shot down. He did just that as the ball bounced into the top corner.

MatériaMais Notícias

Um dos grandes destaques do São Paulo nos últimos jogos tem sido a consolidação da defesa tricolor. Principalmente a respeito de Rafael e da dupla de zaga formada por Arboleda e Beraldo – que surpreendem pelos ótimos números.

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Desde o começo da temporada, Rafael é o único jogador do elenco que foi titular em todos os jogos até então. E isso é justificado graças ao seu desempenho. Em 22 confrontos no ano, o Tricolor levou 13 gols. É a equipe da série A que menos foi vazada. Nos últimos seis jogos, só foi vazado uma vez- no empate por 1 a 1 contra o Curitiba. Além disso, desses 22 jogos, Rafael não deixou a equipe sofrer gols em 12.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Pablo Maia marca golaço, e São Paulo tem grande atuação coletiva na vitória sobre o Internacional pelo Brasileirão

+Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Contra o Internacional neste domingo (7), na vitória por 2 a 0, a dupla de zaga entre Arboleda e Beraldo também foi destaque – e rendeu, até mesmo, elogios por parte de Dorival Júnior durante a coletiva de imprensa.

Dos seis jogos que os dois zagueiros começaram juntos como titular neste ano, em nenhum o São Paulo perdeu – e talvez a estatística mais interessante -, em nenhum foi vazado também.

Vale destacar que, embora Beraldo tenha começado a ser relacionado entre os profissionais no último ano, este é o primeiro ano que consegue uma boa sequência de partidas como titular fora de Cotia. Inclusive, as estatísticas defensivas dos dois jogadores também é bem positiva.

De acordo com dados do FootStats, somando os números de ambos, foram 64 cortes, 20 desarmes e 12 interceptações – tudo isso nestes seis jogos citados.

A solidez do sistema defensivo são-paulino foi uma das pautas de Dorival Júnior após o jogo contra o Internacional. O treinador afirmou que muito desse retrospecto positivo é justificado pelo trabalho coletivo da equipe.

– O que é importante destacar é que é um trabalho coletivo, não adianta ter uma excelente dupla de zaga se você não estiver protegido. O que precisamos ter é essa organização que a equipe demonstrou. Mesmo nos momentos mais complicados, nosso time estava organizado e não sofreu tanto quanto imaginávamos. Isso vem melhorando a cada momento – explicou.

Sem perder desde quando assumiu o posto de Ceni no São Paulo, Dorival Júnior se prepara agora para uma longa maratona de jogos – e viagens -, que aguarda o Tricolor até o final do mês. O São Paulo volta a campo na quinta-feira (11), às 20h (de Brasília), pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, contra o Fortaleza.

Veja todos os jogos do São Paulo com Arboleda, Beraldo e Rafael como titulares:

Tigre 0x2 São Paulo
São Paulo 0x0 Ituano
São Paulo 2×0 Puerto Cabello
São Paulo 3×0 América
Ituano 0x1 São Paulo
São Paulo 2×0 Internacional

Arsenal’s £64 million ($74m) man Viktor Gyokeres gave supporters a scare after a brutal collision with team-mate Gabriel left him bloodied and bandaged during their Champions League clash with Athletic Club. The pair went for the same aerial ball in the box and Gabriel made forceful contact with the back of the striker's head. The Swede crumpled to the turf as blood gushed from the injury, requiring lengthy treatment.

Getty Images SportNasty head clash rocks Arsenal

The sight of the Gunners’ marquee striker sprawled out with blood streaming from his scalp was cause for conern. Medical staff raced on, surrounding the 26-year-old while Gabriel stood over him, visibly shaken. The wound, a nasty-looking gash on his head, needed urgent treatment. A lengthy pause followed, stretching to almost four minutes, as Gyokeres was patched up on the pitch before being escorted to the sidelines.

AdvertisementGyokeres bandaged up

The new signing was, however, able to continue despite the significant knock. He returned to the field with a black bandage wrapped tightly around his head for protection.

Getty Images SportQuiet night before injury scare

Up until the sickening clash, Gyokeres had struggled to stamp his authority on the contest. Just six touches and three completed passes in the opening half-hour left the striker on the fringes of the action. He did carve out a half-chance, spinning inside the box and forcing a straightforward save from Athletic’s goalkeeper.

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On the search for more goals

Gyokeres, who rattled in six Champions League strikes last season for Sporting, has arrived at Arsenal with a reputation for delivering under the European lights. Domestically, he has already opened his Premier League account with three goals in four games, but the expectation in north London is for him to transfer that scoring touch onto the biggest stage. His determination to play on despite a head wound will only endear him further to the Emirates faithful.

All the pre-season friendlies are now over for Sunderland as the main task of the Premier League comes to the Stadium of Light this coming weekend.

A late trip to Augsburg last time out saw Regis Le Bris’ men clinch a 1-0 win in Germany as new £30m signing Habib Diarra proved to be the difference-maker on the day by powering home the decisive strike, alongside fellow fresh recruit Robin Roefs, showing off his quality in goal by saving a penalty.

Away from this encouraging performance against Bundesliga opposition, Le Bris and Co. have also welcomed in their tenth summer signing of a busy transfer window in the form of ex-West Ham United defender Arthur Masuaku.

He will be chomping at the bit to play on the opening day, as his ex-Hammers side travel to Wearside.

More defensive additions could soon be on the menu, away from just the experienced 31-year-old joining, with a former Newcastle United player even on the Black Cats’ radar.

Sunderland make approach for £17m signing

Sunderland might well be into the double digits now with incoming signings, but they are yet to win themselves a centre-back this summer.

It hasn’t been through lack of trying, however, with the likes of Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi consistently popping up as a target, alongside talk now that Fiorentina youngster Pietro Comuzzo could soon join the building in the heart of defence for a whopping £34.5m.

Of course, they are also close to landing Omar Alderete from Getafe to strengthen here, too.

However, away from all these rumours, it has now surfaced that Sunderland have opened talks to understand the situation surrounding former Magpies defender Lloyd Kelly.

Indeed, as per reports from Italy, the current Juventus centre-back has admirers on Wearside, who would be willing to fork out £17m for the Premier League-proven defender’s services so they can shore up ahead of a potential relegation battle in the top-flight.

There will likely be some apprehension involving the deal due to Kelly’s prior St James’ Park struggles, but Le Bris and Co will hope they can strike gold with the 26-year-old, in much the same way they managed with Daniel Ballard, who was once chucked to one side himself by Arsenal.

How Kelly could be Ballard 2.0 at Sunderland

Sunderland certainly gambled on Ballard when they initially signed him in 2022, considering he had never made a senior appearance for the Gunners and was regularly thrown out on loan.

However, now heading into the Premier League, the Northern Irishman is a solid member of Le Bris’ starting XI, having now notched up 89 appearances for the Black Cats, with six important goals also coming his way as a colossus unafraid to launch himself into duels.

Kelly will hope he can instantly fit in, too, having been put through the wringer somewhat at Newcastle when last plying his trade at the very pinnacle of English football.

In total, the 26-year-old only lined up for 14 appearances on Tyneside before amazingly finding himself on the books of Juventus out in Italy.

Games played

23

23

Goals scored

0

0

Assists

2

1

Touches*

61.3

47.4

Accurate passes*

36.7 (81%)

26.0 (78%)

Tackles*

1.4

1.0

Clearances*

4.3

2.6

Total duels won*

3.3

2.9

Clean sheets

5

4

He has since impressed in spurts for the Serie A giants, with five clean sheets collected from just 11 league outings last season, but it will be his promising showings for the Cherries in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League that will have caught Sunderland’s eye even more.

In particular, Kelly’s offerings during the 2022/23 season for Bournemouth will stick out, as the ex-England U21 international managed to show off his class with the ball at his feet with two assists tallied up, on top of also collecting a respectable five clean sheets from his 23 clashes in the demanding division.

Ballard equally impressed in the Championship last season in this regard with one assist coming his way from an average of 33.2 accurate passes per match, with Kelly hopeful he can put a whirlwind few years behind him and cement himself as a Black Cats regular, alongside the former Gunners youngster.

After all, his time at Bournemouth even saw his ex-Cherries manager in Gary O’Neil, hail him as “incredible”, as Kelly hopes his valiant efforts to steer his new employers away from any relegation danger.

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15th in the Premier League table. Losing Europa League finalists. Manchester United were at their lowest ebb as a dismal and turbulent 2024/25 campaign came to a close.

For all the turmoil, all the chaos, Old Trafford remains an attractive destination, however. The pulling power exists even for a club enduring a 13-year run without a league title.

Despite rampant competition, Matheus Cunha’s swift £62.5m capture has since been followed by statement moves for Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, with the latter pair joining for £65m and £74m, respectively.

Those arrivals have come amid a golden period in the footballing calendar. A time when optimism for the new season is at its peak. Ruben Amorim is doing – and saying – all the right things.

We’ve seen this cycle before in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, however, with the current swell of goodwill likely to evaporate if things go awry on the opening weekend against Arsenal.

If the former Sporting CP boss is to truly kick on and enjoy a successful season in charge, the Red Devils need to dip into the market once again…

Man Utd's search for a midfielder

In the week that former United man Scott McTominay earned a Ballon d’Or nod, Amorim’s search for a new midfielder appeared to finally ramp up, with an upgrade seemingly needed on McTominay’s 2024 replacement, Manuel Ugarte.

Reports this summer have indicated that the Old Trafford side are keen to add an ‘athletic’ number eight to their ranks before the window is out, with a first-choice partner for Bruno Fernandes still yet to be found.

That search has led United to Brighton and Hove Albion’s door, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting this week that contact has been made regarding a potential move for Carlos Baleba.

Transfer Focus

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That has since been followed by reports from TEAMtalk, which outline that United believe the 21-year-old is keen to make the move to Manchester this summer, even if a deal is described as ‘complex’.

The piece notes that the Cameroonian’s £100m valuation is a notable sticking point, with the Seagulls in no mood to sell on the cheap, although there is a sense at Old Trafford that it would not be impossible to strike a deal.

Bringing in such a highly-rated talent would mark yet another smart addition by Jason Wilcox and co, although what would it mean for those already at the club?

How Baleba's arrival would impact Man Utd's midfield

At 33, Casemiro – who has just a year left on his contract – is likely to be limited to bit-part status, while the aforementioned Ugarte is still struggling to find his feet, having lost the ball in the build-up to Illiman Ndiaye’s equaliser during an errant display against Everton last week.

With the Uruguayan yet to convince that he can be Fernandes’ partner for the long-term, that is where Baleba comes into play, with the elegant left-footer already “one of the best midfielders in the league”, according to analyst Ben Mattinson.

Also described as an “exceptional” talent by Mattinson, the former Lille man has smoothly adjusted to life in English football over the last two seasons, with a certain Pep Guardiola believed to be a huge admirer.

Bringing in such an asset would seemingly ‘solve’ United’s problems in the centre of the park, albeit while throwing a spanner in the works for Amorim’s own rising star, in the form of Kobbie Mainoo.

Having largely operated in one of the two number ten berths following Amorim’s arrival last season, Mainoo – who memorably scored late on in the 5-4 thriller against Lyon – has since operated as part of the midfield two in pre-season, with the Portuguese coach seeking to find a settled role in the side for the Englishman.

While his stock has declined following an injury-hit 2024/25, it would be foolish to ignore the brilliance of Mainoo’s debut campaign, a season that ended with an FA Cup final winner and a starring role in England’s surge to the Euro 2024 final.

For a coach not to be able to fit such a talent into the side would reflect poorly on Amorim, with the 40-year-old having already cast out another Wembley hero, Alejandro Garnacho, for stylistic – and disciplinary – reasons.

There has been flickers of life from Mainoo during pre-season – having notably pounced to tee up Fernandes in the victory over West Ham United – although hopes of nailing down a starting berth would be rocked amid Baleba’s addition.

Indeed, the Brighton man appears to be the athletic, all-action option that United and Amorim are crying out for, having ranked in the top 9% of Premier League midfielders in 2024/25 for interceptions made per 90, as well as in the top 20% for successful take-ons per 90.

Mainoo vs Baleba – 24/25 PL stats
Stat (per 90)	Mainoo	Baleba
Non-penalty goals	0.00	0.10
Assists	0.00	0.03
Shot-creating actions	1.85	2.23
Pass completion	86.5%	87.4%
Progressive passes	3.54	3.99
Progressive carries	1.20	1.45
Successful take-ons	1.25	1.12
Tackles	2.51	2.67
Interceptions	1.04	1.56
Aerial duels won	1.04	1.32
Stats via FBref

Mainoo, by contrast, ranked in the top 16% for that latter metric, albeit while only ranking in the top 39% for interceptions, with his work out of possession perhaps letting him down.

It is for Baleba’s all-round talents that he would surely slot straight into Amorim’s set-up, ensuring it could be another rocky season for Mainoo should that deal progress.

The next Amad: Man Utd prepare bid for £60m star with "immense potential"

Manchester United are continuing their big-money transfer spree under Ruben Amorim this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 9, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras sofreu sua primeira derrota após 15 jogos de invencibilidade, ao ser batido por 1 a 0, pelo Fortaleza, nesta quarta-feira (31), no Castelão. O resultado garantiu o Verdão nas quartas de final da Copa do Brasil por conta do 3 a 0 conquistado na partida de ida. Por esses e outras, as grandes notícias do dia acabaram sendo mais uma expulsão de Abel Ferreira e a ausência de Endrick até no banco de reservas.

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+ Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui

Em entrevista coletiva após a partida, Abel evitou falar sobre sua opção por não relacionar o garoto para esta noite. O técnico, inclusive, se mostrou um pouco incomodado pela pergunta, mas não polemizou e deixou claro que foi uma decisão circunstancial.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

– Eu não sei o porquê dessa pergunta (sobre o Endrick). Já ficou fora o Jailson, já ficou fora o Fabinho, o Luis Guilherme… Sua função é fazer perguntas e a minha função é escolher os jogadores que eu entendo que devem jogar. E para este jogo eu entendi que os centroavantes deveriam ser outros – declarou o comandante alviverde.

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Outro fato que chamou a atenção no Castelão foi a expulsão de Abel Ferreira, que já havia levado cartão amarelo por reclamação no primeiro tempo e depois, no segundo, levou o vermelho direto por conta de mais reclamações com a equipe de arbitragem. O treinador explicou os lances em que foi punido e brincou que procura ser advertido para ganhar mais descanso em casa.

– Se vocês contarem todas as expulsões que eu tive desde que cheguei ao Brasil, faz três anos, treinador mais longevo, claro que é mais uma expulsão. Levei o primeiro amarelo por reclamar com o árbitro, porque teve uma falta do zagueiro (Titi), que ele não dá o amarelo, falei para o quarto árbitro que esperava que fosse assim para os dois. No lance seguinte, o Rony divide de ombro com o zagueiro e ele leva amarelo, eu reclamei e levei amarelo. Depois foi vermelho direto, porque eu reclamei de uma falta no Veiga, mas acho que foi o quarto árbitro que me expulsou – disse o português antes de completar:

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+ Expulso novamente, Abel Ferreira chega aos 50 cartões pelo Palmeiras

– O importante é que o Palmeiras continua a cumprir seus objetivos, o treinador do Palmeiras, como eu disse em outra coletiva, leva mais cartões para poder descansar. Pensando o lado positivo, é descansar, ficar em casa, curtir a família, comandar o jogo sentado no sofá, tranquilo, desfrutando da minha equipe jogar. Se o clube quiser prolongar o meu contrato nessas condições, eu passo a comandar a equipe a partir de casa.

Ao comentar do cansaço pelo qual seus jogadores passam com partidas a cada dois dias, viagens, enfrentando condições adversar e até gramados ruins, Abel Ferreira ponderou sobre a situação física dos árbitros, que também podem ser afetados em suas decisões por conta desse desgaste.

– Meus jogadores precisam descansar e sinto que os árbitros precisam descansar, não os vejo descansados, não os vejo descansados nem nas decisões. Se esse árbitro estivesse descansado nas decisões, no lance que eu levei amarelo, ele tinha que ter dado amarelo, isso é fato, não estou inventando nada, assim como é fato que eu fui expulso. Se o árbitro estivesse descansado, era impossível ele não ter dado amarelo para o zagueiro e um minuto depois ter dado ao Rony. Não é só com os treinadores, com os jogadores, eu acho que os árbitros também estão cansados, essa é a impressão que eu fico, não apenas pela falta de descanso físico, mas também nas decisões tomadas – concluiu.

+ ATUAÇÕES: Palmeiras tem noite ruim e joga o suficiente para se classificar na Copa

Depois de resolver sua vida na Copa do Brasil, o Palmeiras volta suas atenções para o Brasileirão. Neste domingo (4), às 18h30, o time de Abel Ferreira recebe o Coritiba, no Allianz Parque, pela nona rodada da competição. O Verdão é o vice-líder com 16 pontos, cinco atrás do líder Botafogo.