Arsenal, led by new sporting director Andrea Berta, are set to move for an “underrated” marquee player this summer, according to reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Andrea Berta's rumoured transfer plans for Arsenal
Berta signed as Arsenal’s director three weeks ago, and since the Italian’s appointment to replace Edu Gaspar, Mikel Arteta’s side have been tipped for an exciting summer transfer window.
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Berta could apparently have a £300 million transfer warchest to spend on up to seven new signings at the Emirates Stadium, according to GiveMeSport, with Arsenal potentially planning to bring in a new backup ‘keeper, a full-back, two central midfielders, a left-winger, an alternative to Bukayo Saka and a striker.
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A fresh centre-forward will be particularly crucial, as Arsenal have long yearned for a prolific vocal point up front as the last missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw. Long-term injuries to Gabriel Jesus, who could even be out until 2026, and Kai Havertz have also further highlighted the need for a number nine.
According to some media sources, Berta is even gaining a head start on the summer window, with Arsenal opening preliminary talks over Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitiké, but the Frenchman isn’t their only attacking target.
Arteta’s “dream” striker target, as per various reports, is Newcastle United star Alexander Isak.
The Swede has been in sensational form under Eddie Howe yet again this season with 23 goals from 33 appearances in all competitions, but Newcastle are not planning to let him go easily despite the rumoured interest from elite sides.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsak
£125 million is actually one of the cheaper figures to have been mooted by some sections of the press, but even that would require Arsenal to smash their transfer record.
Arsenal will make "important proposal" to sign Alexander Isak
As per Romano, his marquee valuation hasn’t deterred Berta.
Indeed, the respected reporter claims that Arsenal will make an “important proposal” to sign Isak this summer, with Romano sharing an update on his situation for GiveMeSport’s Market Madness podcast.
“We have to see what happens when Arsenal and Liverpool, because I expect these two clubs to arrive with important proposals in the summer,” Romano said.
“And at that stage, we have to see what the player decides to do and also what kind of conversation he will have with Newcastle. But on club side, they keep saying that they will try till the end to extend this contract, to keep the player and to make the face of their project also for the future. So I think it’s going to be a big fight in the summer for this fantastic striker.”
Both Isak and Anthony Gordon have been labelled the Premier League’s “most exciting” and perhaps “most underrated” forward duo by ex-Nigeria international Sunday Oliseh, but it is clear that Arsenal are fully aware of the former’s star quality after repeated links.
The 25-year-old is set to be one of the biggest stories of this summer transfer window, and there is no doubt he’d be a truly transformative signing for Arteta’s side.
Newcastle star Kieran Trippier has been spotted partying with a reality TV star in Ibiza nightclub Ushuaia last week.
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Trippier spotted out in nightclub in IbizaIdentity of 'mystery blonde' now revealedNewcastle star's marriage in troubleFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Trippier has been seen out with two "mystery blondes" in recent weeks following the breakdown of his marriage to wife Chloe. According to , Tripper was partying with Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry last week at the Ushuaia night club in Ibiza.
AdvertisementWHAT HAS BEEN SAID
A source told the tabloid: "Chloe and her friends were introduced to Kieran and his mates and they partied together. Kieran was very tactile and put his arm around her when they were together at the club. Chloe is newly single and she was just having some fun. She’s a gorgeous girl so it’s not surprising Kieran was spending time with her. They were together in the day and later on in the evening Chloe was with Kieran and their group of mates.”
Getty/InstagramTHE GOSSIP
Trippier's wife is said to be taking "legal advice" about their marriage following her husband's night-time exploits and is reportedly hoping for an amicable split. However, Trippier is reportedly "devastated" about the situation and eager to get back with his wife of almost 10 years.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TRIPPIER?
Tripper has also been linked with a move away from Newcastle but still has a year remaining on his current contract and could see out the remaining 12 months on his deal.
Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has bought another sports team with fellow Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman.
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Reynolds and Jackman partner to buy teamReynolds has had huge success with WrexhamNew investment in another sportFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The co-stars of the Marvel film Deadpool & Wolverine have partnered to take over the Australian SailGP team – to be rebranded as Bonds Flying Roos. They will be tasked with continuing the success of the team led by Olympian Tom Slingsby that has won three championships in the last four seasons. This also marks the latest investment in a sports team by Reynolds, whose success with Wrexham has brought global acclaim. Alongside co-owner Rob McElhenney, Wrexham have catapulted up the English pyramid, earning a record-breaking three consecutive promotions.
AdvertisementGetty Images EntertainmentWHAT REYNOLDS AND JACKMAN SAID
In a joint statement, Reynolds and Jackman said: “We’re incredibly excited to set sail together in this new adventure. Hugh brings a deep love for and pride in his home country, as well as being an avid fan of sailing. He will also be bringing his overly clingy emotional support human [Reynolds] along for the ride. Apologies in advance to Australia.”
DID YOU KNOW?
This is Reynolds first investment in the world of sailing, but his interest in sports teams does not end there. Aside from their stake in Wrexham, Reynolds and McElhenney form part of an investment group – that also includes actresses Eva Longoria and Kate Upton – who are now in charge of Colombian football club La Equidad. The pair are also involved in a €200m investment in the Alpine F1 team.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR REYNOLDS?
Wrexham are the jewel in Reynolds' sporting crown and will be playing football in the Championship next season. Their rise under the Hollywood ownership has been unprecedented and the Red Dragons will no doubt be targeting a place in the Premier League in the not-too-distant future.
“Everything was in our favour,” said the allrounder, lamenting their collapse to 106 all out on the first day in Dhaka
Mohammad Isam24-Oct-2024Bangladesh’s batters were under the scanner after South Africa completed a seven-wicket win on the fourth morning of the Dhaka Test. The top four contributed 105 runs in the match, their worst showing this year. Bangladesh’s collapse on the first day of the match haunted them for the rest of it, with only the lower order, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz, ensuring that there wasn’t an innings defeat.Mehidy, whose 97 in the second innings forced South Africa to bat again, said that the pitch and the conditions were to their liking and even the toss went their way but the top-order’s failure on the first day took them out of the contest too early and there was no coming back.”Everything was in our favour as we won the toss and decided to bat first,” Mehidy said. “It is hard to bat on the fourth day on this wicket so we prepared ourselves in that way. We couldn’t score runs, unfortunately. If we could have scored our second innings runs in the first… We were in the back foot in the first innings. We were bowled out before the second session on the first day. 106 all out. First innings runs are very important in Test cricket.”Related
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Mehidy said that Bangladesh’s batters must improve their decision-making out in the middle. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the only member from the top four to make any kind of contribution (30 and 40). Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto failed in both innings. However, each of those three players still have at least one recent innings of note under their belt. Shadman scored a crucial 93 in the first Test against Pakistan, while Mominul scored a century in Bangladesh’s previous Test in Kanpur. Shanto made 82 in the Chennai Test.”I think decision-making is an important aspect [of batting],” Mehidy said. “We would do better as a team if the top order starts contributing again. We did it in Pakistan where the top four were contributing to the total. When the openers start well, it makes life easier for the rest of the batters. When the No. 5 and 6 batters are playing against the new ball, life becomes hard. We are working on how to improve the top order. I am hopeful that we will figure out where to improve in the coming matches.”Batters have to take more responsibility. Lack of runs on the board makes life difficult for the bowlers. We bowled well despite all the pressure. Taijul [Islam] bowled really well. We discussed that not all the batters will score every day. But at least three or four batters should turn their starts into big ones.”Mehidy is leading Bangladesh’s batting charts in this World Test Championship cycle.”I always try to enjoy pressure situations,” he said while trying to explain his success. “I see it as an opportunity to become a hero. I am happy to be making use of opportunities. I bat in a difficult position. I know that if I bat well from my position, the team may do well. If I don’t do well, the team won’t get a result. I am mentally trying to prepare myself to score runs. I am always trying to get better. I started with a 1.5 batting average. I have improved quite a bit now.”I have worked at batting against the new ball because sometimes I have to bat against the second new ball. I have worked on surviving as a batter, how to score runs and then how to dominate the bowlers. I have shared my thoughts with those who are less experienced in the dressing room, just like my seniors shared ideas with me.”Mehidy, however, isn’t keen on the comparison with Shakib Al Hasan, who was supposed to play his farewell Test in Dhaka. He said that he is trying to get a few years of consistency going before accepting such lofty accolades.”Everyone says I will take Shakib ‘s place. He is a legend who has achieved a lot over 17 years. He batted higher up the order. He has been scoring runs since early in his career. I have started scoring runs consistently in the last one or two years. I bat at No. 7 or 8. Shakib is in his place, I am in my place. I think it’s best not to compare us,” Mehidy said.Bangladesh have four days’ time to do some soul searching ahead of the Chattogram Test. The batters haven’t contributed much this year, but they have one last opportunity to get a score in familiar conditions before they hit the road for assignments in the UAE and the West Indies in the next couple of months.
Everything you need to know about the new Barcelona kits for the 2025-26 season.
Home
Home Kit
Bold gradient blend of red and deep blue down the center, reimagining the classic vertical stripesClean, modern silhouette with a rounded collar and tailored sleeve cuffsAll logos finished in striking yellow for standout contrast
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Away
Away Kit
Black snakeskin-textured design honoring Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” legacyPart of the Barça x Bryant Mamba Collection, with purple/grey accents and matching lifestyle gear
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Third
Third Kit
The design pays homage to the shirt they famously sported during the 2009 Club World Cup finalThe shirt comes in a vibrant orange shade. Dubbed "Bright Mango" by the club
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Home
Home Kit
Bold gradient blend of red and deep blue down the center, reimagining the classic vertical stripesClean, modern silhouette with a rounded collar and tailored sleeve cuffsAll logos finished in striking yellow for standout contrast
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Away
Away Kit
Black snakeskin-textured design honoring Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” legacyPart of the Barça x Bryant Mamba Collection, with purple/grey accents and matching lifestyle gear
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Third
Third Kit
The design pays homage to the shirt they famously sported during the 2009 Club World Cup finalThe shirt comes in a vibrant orange shade. Dubbed "Bright Mango" by the club
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Home
Home Kit
Bold gradient blend of red and deep blue down the center, reimagining the classic vertical stripesClean, modern silhouette with a rounded collar and tailored sleeve cuffsAll logos finished in striking yellow for standout contrast
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Away
Away Kit
Black snakeskin-textured design honoring Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” legacyPart of the Barça x Bryant Mamba Collection, with purple/grey accents and matching lifestyle gear
From
£124.99
Buy Now!Third
Third Kit
The design pays homage to the shirt they famously sported during the 2009 Club World Cup finalThe shirt comes in a vibrant orange shade. Dubbed "Bright Mango" by the club
From
£124.99
Buy Now!
Barcelona and Nike will unveil the 2025-26 kit collection this summer, featuring a refreshed look across the home, away, third and goalkeeper jerseys.
The home shirt follows the classic Blaugrana palette with a modern gradient stripe merge, while the away kit will likely adopt a bold “Mamba” theme in light gold and purple. A vibrant “Bright Mango” third kit nods to Nike’s Total 90 heritage, complete with a dedicated Total 90 third goalkeeper set.
The American sports manufacturing giants Nike have been supplying the Catalonia-based side's kits since 1998, and the age-old partnership will continue in the 2025-26 season as well, despite rumours of a split in 2024.
Football teams and their kits for the 2025-26 season
GOAL takes a look at what the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and co. will be wearing in the upcoming season.
Barcelona, NikeBarcelona 2025-26 home kit, release date & price
Barcelona have pulled the curtain back on their brand-new home kit for the 2025/26 campaign—and it's already turning heads. Crafted by Nike, the latest strip offers a bold twist on the club’s iconic Blaugrana design, while still paying homage to its roots.
The jersey features a clean, modern silhouette, with a rounded collar and neatly tailored sleeve cuffs that give it a polished, athletic edge. What really sets this shirt apart is the gradient blend of red and deep blue down the middle, creating a smooth transition that brings a fresh flair to the classic vertical stripes.
Adding to its premium appeal, all the logos are finished in a striking yellow, popping nicely against the richer tones of the kit. On the upper back, a clever fusion of the Catalan flag and club colors adds a subtle but meaningful touch.
Stylish on the pitch and sharp enough to wear in the stands, the 2025-26 Barça home shirt is available now for €150 (£128, $175), with fans already snapping it up since its July 2 release.
Barcelona 2025-26 Kits at NikeShop nowAdvertisementBarcelona, NikeBarcelona 2025-26 away kit, release date & price
Barcelona have officially lifted the curtain on their striking new away kit for the 2025–26 campaign, a heartfelt homage to the late NBA icon and passionate Barça fan, Kobe Bryant.
The legendary five-time NBA champion, who made his mark with the Los Angeles Lakers, was more than just a basketball hero. A longtime admirer of the Catalan giants, Bryant was often seen mingling with Barça stars and became an unmistakable part of the club's wider culture before his untimely passing in 2020.
Barcelona 2025-26 Kits at NikeShop now
Carrying forward his legacy and the ethos of the "Mamba Mentality," Barcelona and Nike have teamed up to unveil a kit that is both bold and meaningful. The design features a gold base with purple detailing, echoing the iconic Lakers colors that defined Bryant's illustrious career. But the most eye-catching element? Instead of the classic Nike swoosh, the jersey proudly displays the "Kobe Sheath"—a symbol from Bryant's personal brand.
"The sword is the naked talent, while the sheath is the shell of it, the effort we put in, our life experience," Bryant once said.
Adding a unique flair, the jersey is detailed with a snakeskin texture, also woven into the Barcelona crest, an unmistakable nod to Bryant’s legendary nickname, the Black Mamba.
This launch marks the beginning of a three-year collaboration between Barca and the Bryant brand. In addition to the away kit, the partnership includes a pre-match shirt, a basketball uniform, and a limited-edition Barça x Kobe sneaker drop, alongside a wide range of accessories. The accompanying 25–26 away shorts come in black with ‘Iron Grey’ accents, the Kobe Bryant logo, the club crest, and purple side panels. The full Mamba Collection will blend performance and lifestyle, featuring exclusive gear ranging from training kits and sweatpants to jackets and caps.
Billed as Barcelona's most significant collaboration to date, this initiative aims not only to honor Bryant's enduring influence but also to strengthen the club’s brand presence on the global stage.
Fans can catch the kit in action on Thursday, July 31, when Hansi Flick's side faces FC Seoul in a preseason clash in South Korea. The Nike Barcelona 25–26 away shirt becomes available to the public starting July 29, 2025.
Barcelona, NikeBarcelona 2025-26 third kit, release date & price
Barcelona have just revealed their brand-new third kit for the 2025-26 La Liga campaign, and it's making a bold statement in a vibrant orange shade. Dubbed "Bright Mango" by the club, this striking color marks the team’s return to orange after an 11-year hiatus and only the eighth time it's featured in the club's illustrious history. The design pays homage to the shirt they famously sported during the 2009 Club World Cup final—a legendary moment that sealed their historic sextuple.
The Catalan giants are clearly hoping that this splash of color brings them the same kind of magic as before. Having already bagged three trophies in the 2024-25 season under Hansi Flick's leadership, they’ll be eager to channel that winning spirit in their pursuit of more silverware.
From a design perspective, Nike has crafted the 25-26 third kit with nods to the past, pulling inspiration from the classic mid-2000s Total 90 template that defined elite football gear in that era. The kit mainly features that eye-catching Bright Mango tone, paired brilliantly with a deep Midnight Navy to create a dynamic and fresh look.
One standout detail is the navy panel on the back of the shirt, which provides a sharp backdrop for player names, adding a cool contrast while keeping things sleek and readable. All in all, Barcelona’s new third kit is a vibrant blend of nostalgia and modern flair, perfectly suited for a squad hungry to make history once again.
X/memoabilia1899Barcelona 2025-26 goalkeeper kit, release date & price
The new goalkeeper kits reintroduce the Total 90 branding, giving them a sharp, almost futuristic vibe with angular graphics and bold color blocking. In contrast, the 2024-25 keeper jerseys leaned toward gradient fades and soft textures. This year’s designs—especially the “Mamba” edition with purple stripes and the mirrored orange third kit—are more assertive and stylized, embracing visual identity as much as functionality.
Arne Slot believes Chelsea will be a top contender who can challenge Liverpool in the Premier League title race. The Dutchman, who stunned England last term by strolling to the championship ahead of Arsenal, now insists the west London giants have the weapons to push his Reds all the way.
Slot tips Chelsea as major threatMaresca refuses to take baitReds & Blues on summer spending spreesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Anfield outfit have flexed their financial muscle like never before, splashing around £300 million ($407m) in the summer window. Among the arrivals, Florian Wirtz stands out as a blockbuster signing, with the £116 million ($157m) record-breaking recruit billed as one of the brightest talents on the planet. The spending spree strengthens Liverpool’s case for back-to-back titles, but Slot knows that money isn’t the only factor in the fight.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT SLOT SAID
When asked about Chelsea’s prospects during an interview with Slot didn’t mince his words: "I expected them to win last season already. The amount of quality they have and they were there at the start of the season. They were in [the title race] after ten games. They were still there [in December 2024].
"Squad depth, quality, they have a very good manager as well, and I think they've shown this by winning the trophies they won last season. It was good for us that they also had a period last season where they struggled and that's why they couldn't compete till the end for the league title. But now they're strengthening the team again, so a team that's, in my opinion, one of the ones that are going to challenge for a league title."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
But Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wasn’t about to get swept up in the praise. His response was cool, clipped, and utterly dismissive.
"I don’t pay attention to what other people say about us," Maresca shot back. “It’s easy to say more clubs are involved – I’m not into that game. My focus is on the players, on improving, and people can say whatever they want.”
Pressed on whether Chelsea are better placed to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool this time, the Italian allowed himself a rare nod of approval.
"We are a better team for sure, compared to a year ago," he admitted. "We’ve worked together every day for a season. What we achieved last year was top – fantastic. Champions League, Conference League, the competitions we were in, we did the job. Beyond that, it was difficult to do more. Now it’s a new season, we’ll see."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL & CHELSEA?
Chelsea open their campaign at Stamford Bridge on Sunday against Crystal Palace, a fixture they’ll expect to win. Liverpool, meanwhile, will raise the curtain on the Premier League season at Anfield against Bournemouth on Friday night.
Australia’s bowlers were carted all over Lord’s, before England’s dominated under the floodlights
Andrew McGlashan27-Sep-2024England produced an electric all-round display to set up a series decider at Bristol on Sunday, as they thrashed Australia by 186 runs at Lord’s. Harry Brook’s sublime 87 formed the backbone of the innings which was capped off by the thunderous hitting of Liam Livingstone in a ground-record 25-ball half-century. Jofra Archer then briefly rekindled memories of 2019 with the best spell of his latest comeback, while Matthew Potts bagged a career-best 4 for 38 in an overwhelming performance.Harking back to last year’s dramatic Ashes Test, there was also, briefly, a moment with an Australian wicketkeeper in the spotlight. On 17, Brook glanced Mitchell Starc down the leg side and was given out but queried whether the catch had carried to Josh Inglis, who had been recalled to the side after injury. The replays showed the ball pitching just before his gloves. The crowd booed as the pictures came on the big screen, accompanied by a few chants of ‘same old Aussies, always cheating’, but it was a tame interlude compared to 2023.Following his maiden ODI hundred in Durham, Brook cruised to a 37-ball fifty, adding 79 in 53 balls for the third wicket with Ben Duckett and 75 in 47 with Jamie Smith for the fourth, as England went through the gears in a game cut to 39 overs by heavy morning rain. Livingstone produced a grandstand finish to the innings with a mighty display of striking, including four sixes off the last over bowled by Starc, whose 28 runs conceded amounted to the most expensive over by an Australian bowler in men’s ODIs. England amassed 156 off their last 15 overs.Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh gave the daunting chase a promising start – Head launching a gigantic pull out of the ground over the Tavern Stand – and after the eight-over powerplay Australia were 66 without loss compared to England’s 34 without loss. Overall, the 16 sixes hit in the match was a record for a Lord’s ODI. However, sustaining the tempo was a tall order. Head swung across the line at Brydon Carse and Steven Smith edged an ugly charge at Potts.Then Archer produced something special. An off-cutter at 88.2mph initially shaped in at Marsh before straightening to beat the edge and clatter off stump. It was a gem of a delivery to give Archer his first Lord’s wicket since 2019 and he rightly wheeled away in celebration. When his next ball clattered into the forearm of Marnus Labuschagne, the 2019 flashbacks were in full flow, albeit in coloured clothes, and Archer also added Glenn Maxwell during Australia’s collapseBefore long, however, his ball to Marsh had a contender for delivery of the game (or series) when Carse found an unplayable offering to flatten Labuschagne’s off stump. It was a collective effort from England’s quicks who shared nine wickets – Potts taking three wickets in four balls to rush through the lower order – before Adil Rashid finished things off.Matthew Potts starred with four wickets•Getty ImagesUnder heavy cloud, the ball nipped around early after England had been put into bat. Phil Salt fell shortly after the powerplay, skewing the excellent Josh Hazlewood to backward point, and Will Jacks picked out the same fielder to give Marsh a wicket in his second over – the first he had bowled since April 3. On a day when Cameron Green was revealed to have a back injury, it was not insignificant that Marsh was back with the ball.Brook initially appeared to be playing a different game to the other batters, as he skipped out of the blocks with three leg-side boundaries prior to his near-dismissal, and England’s momentum built around him. Sean Abbott’s expensive series continued – by the end of the innings his combined figures for three outings were 19.4-0-165-0 – while both Brook and Duckett took on Adam Zampa as well as the other overs of spin from Maxwell and Labuschagne.Duckett, who had offered a tough return catch to Starc before scoring, sent Zampa over long-on for six before moving to a hard-working 51-ball half-century one ball later, before top-edging the legspinner to deep backward square. Smith continued the aggressive approach against Zampa, sending him over wide long-on, and Brook added a second six in the same over to deep midwicket. The 12 overs of spin went for 106.A moment of absent-mindedness nearly did for Smith when he only just avoided being run out when he didn’t run his bat in at the non-striker’s end, although the ball ended up costing Australia six runs as the deflection went to the rope. By then, Brook was challenging for England’s fastest ODI hundred at Lord’s – 61 balls by Jos Buttler – but picked out long-on as Zampa ended his stay from his 58th.Smith fell in the next over, slicing Maxwell to short third, but any concerns the innings may limp to a finish vanished as Livingstone provided stunning late power. A huge blow over midwicket off Hazlewood was followed by the dismantling of Starc’s figures, including two sixes into the pavilion, to the increasingly joyous roars of a large crowd. Unlike last summer, an England-Australia series goes to the final game 2-2, although the weather in Bristol may yet have the final say.
After an IPL to forget in 2022, he has a new franchise, a fit-again elbow and – having given up captaincy – a freed-up mind to help him find his best form again
Shashank Kishore29-Mar-2023As you enter the lounge area of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) inside the Motera complex in Ahmedabad, you see plenty of cricket photographs adorning the walls on all four sides. Kane Williamson is seen in the background of one of them, in which India’s prime minister and then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi is seen shaking hands with Jeetan Patel.That picture is from 13 years ago, from the same Ahmedabad Test where Williamson became New Zealand’s youngest debutant centurion. That day, as he removed his helmet to acknowledge the applause of his team-mates, all Williamson managed was a shy smile along with his raised bat. In fact, Daniel Vettori, his captain, was the more animated of the two as he ran over to put his arm around the youngster’s shoulder, embraced him in a big hug and handed out a few pats on his back.That baby-faced, fresh-out-of-teens kid who didn’t even have stubble back then now returns to Ahmedabad for the first time since that hundred. Still, he’s as calm as a sage, but now he comes with a with a full-fledged beard that he often tends to as he speaks at a media interaction organised by Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions. One second, he’s reminiscing about his debut in the city, the next he’s speaking of being part of two thrilling Tests within a month and hopping onto the next flight to India.Related
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He’s also asked about his prospects of being in Titans’ starting XI, and the hurt of not being retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Williamson is focused and unhurried. When there’s chatter in the foreground, he stops and waits patiently before he continues. And, as he speaks, as always, there’s an air of calm around him.”My cricketing brain certainly hasn’t been switched off,” he warms up with a laugh, when asked about how life has been since he decided to give up Test captaincy in December. “When you’re out on the field, you’re trying to do as much as you can for the team. Whether that’s assisting where you can when you’re called upon for your ideas or otherwise.”It’s quite a natural thing to be engaged in the game but having said that it [the decision to step down as Test captain] has taken a little bit off my plate, which was a large part of the reason for making that decision. Often, it’s the parts around it [captaincy], where you get a little bit more time back. I’ve always thought it was never a ‘forever job’, it requires a lot of energy, and I really enjoyed my time in that specific role. I do enjoy being involved in leadership, which is basically helping where I can.”Kane Williamson has handed the New Zealand captaincy reins over to Tim Southee•Getty Images”Less commitments off the field” has come as a relief. “It’s been a really enjoyable thing in terms of playing under Tim Southee, who is captaining the Test team and doing a great job,” Williamson says. “Having said that, there’s transition involved [of going from captain to just a player] without a doubt, there’s perhaps less commitments off the field.”It’s still a change, something that I’m experiencing at the moment and working through. I’m fortunate to have a number of leaders in the New Zealand environment. And then to come here and have Hardik [Pandya] captaining the side, it’s something I’m excited about as well.”Williamson isn’t just reinvigorated in mind, but he’s also no longer worried about his “niggling elbow”, which for so long had forced him to manage his workloads and sometimes even curbed certain shots or long throws at training.That elbow certainly appeared to have an effect on his batting. At IPL 2022, Williamson scored just 216 runs in 13 innings. His strike rate of 93.50 was the slowest among batters who faced at least 100 balls in the season. This time around, Williamson believes he’s in as good a physical state as he’s been before.
“My cricketing brain certainly hasn’t been switched off. When you’re out on the field, you’re trying to do as much as you can for the team. Whether that’s assisting where you can when you’re called upon for your ideas or otherwise.”Just because he’s not captain anymore doesn’t mean Kane Williamson switches off in the field
“Yeah, it was something that was improving slowly all the time, it was requiring management,” he explains. “It’s a lot better now and it’s not something that is restricting me in terms of training loads, playing and all those things. Although no injury is ideal and often injuries require time to heal, working through this was no different. It’s nice to be back playing, training and not be burdened by it.”Think Williamson and the IPL, and it’s hard to not imagine him in the orange uniform of Sunrisers Hyderabad, whom he had played for since 2015 and captained since 2018 before being let go after the 2022 season. But a change of teams and perspective, and being unshackled by leadership duties, could just free him up to play a key role, possibly at the top of the order with Shubman Gill.If Williamson pulls it off, helping Titans extend their debut-season success, chances are he’ll find himself in another big photo frame in the GCA lounge, with himself more front and centre, when he potentially returns to the Motera later this year for the ODI World Cup.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was proud of his players despite seeing the Red Devils lose 1-0 to Arsenal in their season opener.
Man Utd lose opener against ArsenalAmorim proud of his players' effortsBayindir mistake proves costlyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
A single goal from Riccardo Calafiori was enough for Arsenal to take all three points away from Old Trafford as Manchester United began the new season with a defeat. Yet there were positives for the Red Devils to take from the game, with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha shining on their Premier League debuts for the club.
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Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir was to blame for Arsenal's goal after taking over from Andre Onana between the sticks. The hosts battled hard to try and equalise but could not beat an impressive David Raya in the Arsenal goal. Amorim's side may have been beaten again but the manager was still proud of his players after the loss.
WHAT AMORIM SAID
He told Sky Sports: "I'm really proud of the guys. They were really brave in everything they did during the game. Congratulations for the performance. We deserved a different result and we need to move forward to the next one. We were more aggressive than last year. We went one against one all the game and we pressed high. We had quality with the ball. Even when the stadium made some sounds, we continued to play the way we play. You always feel in the game they can do something not just with the ball but without the ball. I am proud of the game we played. We lost and have things to work on. We need to win games but that was completely different to last season."
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Captain Bruno Fernandes also spoke about the goal and felt Bayindir had been impeded before Calafiori nodded home. He told Sky Sports: "We created some chances but we didn't score so that is the main negative of the day. When you touch the goalkeeper and he can't jump, that makes it difficult for [Altay] Bayindir. We know in the Premier League they don't give much. Even if they had a meeting with us saying that they will whistle more if players block and don't look at the ball but it is more of a saying."
Chelsea secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup following an extra-time victory over Benfica at the weekend.
Reece James looked like he had powered the Blues into the next round, but a penalty from Ángel Di María sent the clash into an extra 30 minutes.
The game was suspended for a couple of hours, just minutes from the final whistle, due to a storm threat, but Chelsea finally won the clash 4-1.
It may have taken 4 hours and 39 minutes, but Enzo Maresca’s side now face off against PSG for a spot in the semi-final.
Despite the focus being on the tournament and progressing as far as possible, the manager is still keen on bolstering his squad via the transfer market.
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Reports coming from the Athletic claim that the Blues have reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion regarding a move for Joao Pedro.
Brighton forward Joao Pedro
The proposed deal looks set to be in excess of £50m and the Brazilian has agreed personal terms with the club.
With a medical booked in early for next week, it appears as though Maresca is closing in on signing another key target. Just what will Pedro offer the Blues?
Why Chelsea want to sign Joao Pedro
Maresca is looking to sell both Christopher Nkunku and João Félix this summer, with both players struggling for regular gametime last season.
Nkunku may have scored against Benfica, but with clubs such as Manchester United showing some interest in the Frenchman, it looks as though he might be sold.
Felix played just 20 times for Maresca last season, scoring seven times, but the Portuguese star spent the second half of the campaign out on loan at AC Milan.
Pedro’s arrival suggests one, or perhaps both, will soon be departing Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
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The Brighton star is versatile, being able to operate as a centre-forward, second striker or even out wide on the left flank.
Last term, he typically operated in an advanced role centrally, scoring ten goals for the Seagulls and registering seven assists, proving he is adept in front of goal and at creating opportunities for his teammates.
Such were his performances, the 23-year-old ranks highly among his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues.
Indeed, not only does the forward rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) per 90, but he also ranks in the top 10% for shot-creating actions (3.33) and successful take-ons (1.34) per 90.
Brighton striker Joao Pedro
Furthermore, Pedro’s ability to get the ball into dangerous areas is evidenced by the fact he ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and in the top 3% for progressive carries (3.05) per 90, indicating that he will offer a lot of attacking qualities for the Blues next term.
It won’t be the only area of the squad that the Italian will be keen on strengthening, however, especially with the added demands of Champions League football next term.
As such, it’s certainly worth Chelsea bringing in a defender or two this summer.
Chelsea's search for a defender
Last season, the club conceded a total of 59 goals across all competitions from 57 matches, and this record will be something Maresca aims to improve next term.
Over the same period, Chelsea scored 120 goals. This suggests that bolstering the defence is surely a bigger priority than adding to the forward line, notably Joao Pedro.
It looks as though the Blues are keen on a defender who played against them just last weekend – Antonio Silva.
Antonio Silva for Benfica.
Journalist Simon Phillips stated via his Substack that the Blues have been impressed with the youngster, saying:
“Chelsea have tried and made approaches and checks on a number of potential new centre back names this summer so far and still have more to look at and in to. Chelsea have been scouting Antonio Silva of Benfica all season and already have him added to our transfer shortlist alongside his team mate, Tomas Araujo.
“But Chelsea are looking for an out and out centre back and attentions have again turned to the 21-year-old Portuguese international who has just two-years remaining on his contract.”
The centre-back is valued at €32m (£27m) according to Transfermarkt, but Benfica will be looking for a much higher fee than that to sanction a sale considering his release clause stands at around £87m.
Given their defensive issues last term, Silva would be a better signing than Pedro, that’s for sure.
Why Chelsea must sign Antonio Silva
The 21-year-old played over 40 times last season, including all four games at the Club World Cup for Benfica.
At the tournament, Silva averaged a 92% pass success rate, while winning a staggering 80% of his total duels contested, made 2.3 tackles per game and lost possession just 4.3 times per match in the States.
These performances have attracted plenty of attention, and there is no doubt that Silva is only going to get better and better.
Accurate passes
52.3
Tackles
1.5
Total duels won
4.5
Possession lost
7.7
Clearances
4.3
Balls recovered
4
After he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old with a goal against Juventus in the Champions League back in 2022, Jamie Carragher claimed the defender was “going to be a superstar” and his upwards trajectory certainly suggests so.
When compared to his peers in the Champions League last season, Silva ranked in the top 1% for clearances (7.7) per 90, while also ranking in the top 16% for aerials won (2.36) and in the top 9% for touches in the defensive penalty area (12.91) per 90.
An impressive array of statistics indeed, and considering his ceiling is extraordinarily high, Maresca must make signing Silva a key priority this summer.
Pedro will certainly add plenty of dynamism to the club’s attacking department, but it is at the heart of the defence where the real improvements are required given the problems Maresca’s men suffered last term.
As such, spending whatever it takes to bring Silva from Benfica to the Premier League must be the next move BlueCo are planning.
If he lands his signature, Silva will almost certainly be a better signing than Pedro.
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