It’s shaping up to be a sensational season for Arsenal this year.

With nine games played in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side sit atop the Premier League table, six points clear of Manchester City and seven points clear of Liverpool.

Moreover, while the Gunners look impossible to score against at the moment, there is a real sense that the team could still move up a gear or two.

Even then, several Arsenal players are performing at levels fans have not seen before, including one big-money signing who is emulating Jurrien Timber’s rise.

Timber's rise at Arsenal

Arsenal made a number of impressive signings in the summer of 2023, including David Raya, Declan Rice, and Kai Havertz.

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

Yet the player fans probably knew the least amount, due to him not playing in England, was Timber, who moved to the Emirates from Ajax for a fee of around £38m.

Unfortunately, the supporters wouldn’t learn much about their new defender during his first season at the club either, as he suffered an ACL injury in the opening game against Nottingham Forest, which kept him out until the final match of the campaign.

Fortunately, the Dutchman didn’t miss anywhere near as many games last season and, as a result, made an incredible impact on the team, primarily by being solid as a rock on the right-hand side.

However, this year has seen the Utrecht-born monster take yet another step forward in red and white, as, in addition to being an elite lockdown defender, he has also become a genuine attacking threat.

For example, in just nine Premier League games, the 24-year-old has scored two goals and provided two assists.

Moreover, according to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of full-backs in the league this season for non-penalty expected and actual goals, shots on target and through balls, the top 6% for passes into the penalty area, and more, all per 90.

Goals

0.26

Top 1%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.26

Top 1%

Shots on Target

0.64

Top 1%

Through Balls

1.03

Top 1%

SCA (Shot)

0.51

Top 1%

Passes into Penalty Area

1.79

Top 4%

GCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.13

Top 4%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.90

Top 4%

Penalty Kicks Won

0.13

Top 4%

xG: Expected Goals

0.23

Top 7%

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.23

Top 7%

Progressive Passes

6.41

Top 7%

In all, Timber has become an all-action full-back who excels in all facets of the game, and as a result, it’s almost impossible to disagree with analyst Ben Mattinson’s claim that he is “one of the best Emirates-era signings.”

Therefore, it’s massively encouraging to see another one of Arteta’s big-money signings start to emulate him in certain ways this season.

The Arsenal star emulating Timber

There are plenty of Arsenal players having stellar campaigns so far this season, but someone who’s been a big surprise in the best way possible has been Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italian international joined the club in the summer of 2024, and while he did so with plenty of fanfare, he did not have the best of debut seasons in red and white.

In fact, across the whole campaign, the former Bologna star made just 29 appearances, totalling 1497 minutes, which was almost entirely down to his truly dreadful injury record, which saw him miss 30 games for club and country and spend 175 days on the sidelines.

24/25

175

30

23/24

4

2

22/23

53

15

21/22

73

18

20/21

118

33

19/20

43

5

18/19

291

75

It was so bad, and Myles Lewis-Skelly did such a good job in his place that there were doubts over whether he’d actually be able to hold down a place in the team, or if he would suffer injury after injury before being shipped off, akin to what happened with Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Fortunately, this year has been completely different, and as things stand, he’s already made ten appearances for the first team, totalling 791 minutes, and is yet to miss a single game through injury.

This comeback is one of the similarities he shares with Timber, and the second is that, on top of simply being available, he’s also been absolutely incredible for the team this year, both defensively and especially going forward.

For example, he’s already scored a goal and provided two assists, and his underlying numbers, like the Dutchman’s, are sensational.

According to FBref, the £120k-per-week monster ranks in the top 1% of full-backs in the league for total shots, the top 4% for expected goals, the top 7% for goals plus assists, the top 10% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area and more, all per 90.

On top of the incredible numbers, the Rome-born wildcard is also one of the most entertaining players to watch in the league.

Shots Total

2.20

Top 1%

GCA (Defensive Action)

0.13

Top 1%

xG: Expected Goals

0.25

Top 4%

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.25

Top 4%

SCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.26

Top 4%

GCA (Shot)

0.13

Top 4%

Goals + Assists

0.39

Top 7%

npxG + xAG

0.31

Top 7%

SCA (Shot)

0.39

Top 7%

Goal-Creating Actions

0.65

Top 7%

Touches (Att Pen)

3.50

Top 7%

SCA (Defensive Action)

0.13

Top 10%

Assists

0.26

Top 13%

npxG/Shot

0.11

Top 16%

GCA (Live-ball Pass)

0.39

Top 16%

Goals

0.13

Top 19%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.13

Top 19%

Passes Completed (Medium)

18.78

Top 19%

For example, the freedom given to him by Arteta and his subsequent roaming approach to the game have led him to being described as a “wild horse on the loose” by the Telegraph’s Sam Dean and “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” by journalist James Benge.

Ultimately, while he had a poor start to life at Arsenal, Calafiori has exploded into life this season, and, like Timber, has become one of the most indispensable players in Arteta’s squad.

Not Eze & Gyokeres: Arsenal pair look like the best since Bergkamp & Henry

Aretat has helped to create Arsenal’s best duo since Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 27, 2025

Chelsea are making transfer plans behind-the-scenes despite a hectic summer window, and a rumour has now emerged involving Real Madrid.

Chelsea edge past Benfica after José Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca’s side grabbed a much-needed 1-0 win over José Mourinho’s Benfica earlier this week after a difficult last month.

An 18th-minute own goal from Richard Ríos proved decisive as the Blues bounced back from their opening Champions League game defeat to Bayern Munich, not to mention their dismal loss against Brighton last weekend, with all three points against the ‘special one’ and a clean sheet.

The evening carried significant sentiment as Mourinho made his first return to Stamford Bridge since November 2020.

The Portuguese tactician, who won three Premier League titles over his two spells with Chelsea, received warm chants from the home support before Maresca’s young side eventually saw out the contest.

Chelsea fielded their most youthful starting eleven in Champions League history with an average age of just 24, but they did just about enough to overcome the Primeira Liga side ahead of another vital game this weekend.

Their win provides crucial momentum ahead of this weekend’s challenging Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday evening, and it comes in the aftermath of reports suggesting tension between Maresca and Chelsea’s board.

Maresca isn’t entirely happy with the squad at his disposal right now (Simon Phillips), coming amid their serious centre-back shortage, with Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah all set to miss their face-off against Arne Slot’s side.

Chelsea’s boss publicly stated that he wanted a new centre-back in the summer window.

However, despite internally discussing options after Colwill’s ACL injury, and holding talks with Dean Huijsen’s camp, BlueCo couldn’t get one through the door (Simon Phillips).

It has left them desperately short, and reports suggest that Chelsea are now prioritising the signing of a new defender in January as they respond to Maresca’s central defensive crisis.

Amid Maresca and the hierarchy’s rumoured differences, one decision that threatens to escalate the Italian’s dissatisfaction would be star midfielder Enzo Fernández’s sale to Real Madrid.

Chelsea prepared to let Enzo Fernández leave in Real Madrid swap deal for Fede Valverde

Indeed, Chelsea are now reportedly willing to facilitate a swap deal that would see Fernández move to Real in exchange for Federico Valverde, according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central.

The Argentine, who’s become a figurehead of Chelsea’s midfield after an initially difficult start to life, has been called one of the club’s only two “world-class” players alongside Cole Palmer by former defender David Luiz.

Xabi Alonso’s side have been monitoring Fernández ever since his Benfica days, with the player himself apparently “delighted” by the prospect of a move to the Spanish capital.

However, while Chelsea would entertain a proposed swap which would see Valverde head in the opposite direction, Real have no plans to consider letting their star midfielder leave despite a bad start to 2025/2026.

Valverde was forced to release a statement after widespread criticism from the media, with the 27-year-old also having a nightmare during Real’s 5-2 derby defeat to Atlético Madrid last weekend.

Real’s vice-captain started in nearly every one of his 65 appearances in all competitions last season, and has been favoured by their new manager as well.

Alonso handed Valverde the armband in all of their Club World Cup games, with the 71-cap Uruguay international also playing in all but one match this season — their 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League.

Given Alonso’s faith in Valverde, not to mention his clear statement, it doesn’t look like the versatile ace has plans to leave any time soon.

January 17th 2016 was the last time Liverpool lost a game of football at Anfield to their dear old rivals.

That day it was a Wayne Rooney strike that sealed the win for Manchester United over the Reds. How times have changed since then. Liverpool have won the league on two occasions; their friends across the way have not.

Ruben Amorim came into this clash with slim hopes. Yes, Liverpool were in a rough run of form but United’s own form has been troublesome ever since the Portuguese took over.

Yet, for the first time during his tenure, they were able to secure back-to-back league victories. Perhaps Amorim is the right man for the job?

Regardless of the feeling among the Red Devils, questions may now be emerging about Arne Slot’s position.

This 2-1 defeat was a really tough one to swallow. Liverpool hit the post on a few occasions and registered a higher xG (expected goals) tally but failed to take their opportunities.

Cody Gakpo equalised but a late Harry Maguire header condemned the hosts to a third straight league defeat.

They are now four points behind Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title. It’s worrying, certainly when you consider just how much they spent over the summer.

So, where did it all go wrong?

What went for Liverpool against Manchester United

Well, where to begin? When things aren’t going your way, curious things happen, and that was certainly the case for Slot’s charges on Sunday evening.

Before scoring from close range in the second half, Gakpo hit the woodwork a staggering three times, the most notable came in the opening 45 minutes when Liverpool surged forward on the counter-attack.

The Dutchman found plenty of room to surge towards the penalty area but bent his shot against the post.

Liverpool could and should have equalised sooner. On another day, they win the game, such are the slim margins of Premier League football.

It wasn’t just their lacklustre finishing that cost them, however. Last term, the Reds were resilient and rock solid at the back but they are really paying the price for not investing further in the centre-back pairing.

Milos Kerkez has signed but is still struggling to get going in Liverpool colours with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo – the scorer of United’s first goal – running rings around him.

Yet, skipper Virgil van Dijk is perhaps the most worrying of the lot, given his experience. Not for the first time in a game this term he was caught out and should have done better for the opening goal.

Mbeumo was allowed to ghost in behind the big Dutchman and he got on the end of Amad’s cute pass to fire home.

Whether Van Dijk has regressed is very much up for debate but perhaps a more pressing matter is the form of the Premier League’s most expensive signing.

Liverpool's biggest problem after Man United defeat

In the summer, Liverpool looked as though they had won the transfer window. £116m for Florian Wirtz? Don’t mind if we do. £125m for Alexander Isak? Yeah, go on then.

The Swede was at the centre of an almighty saga. He refused to go on Newcastle’s pre-season tour and then trained away from the Toon’s first-team squad for a few months before finally getting his move to Anfield.

However, since heading to Merseyside, he has scored just once, ultimately battling with fitness having not featured at all during pre-season.

Well, heading into the game with United, Slot declared that now was the time to judge him. “Fitness-wise he is close to the level he should be and we can judge him in a fair way from now on.”

Judge him is exactly what we shall do. Unfortunately, it was not a great showing from the Premier League’s record man.

For the sixth straight game, the centre forward failed to find the net and arguably, he should have done inside Anfield this weekend.

Isak had two shots and missed one OPTA-defined big chance, one of which he stuck straight at Senne Lammens’ right boot. It was unsurprising he left the game with a 4/10 match rating courtesy of GOAL, who rightfully suggested that the striker will be “hugely disappointed with his performance.”

Isak vs Man United

Minutes played

72

Touches

19

Accurate passes

7/11 (64%)

Key passes

0

Shots

2

Shots on target

1

Expected goals

0.34

Big chances missed

1

Dribbles

0

Possession lost

8x

Stats via Sofascore.

At Newcastle last season, when the goals were flowing, he’d definitely have scored, such is his ruthless nature. You can point to a lack of sharpness but as Slot says, he’s now ready to go.

It’s incredibly difficult to leave your biggest signing of all time on the bench but Isak’s lack of form has had consequences, notably for Hugo Ekitike, arguably Liverpool’s player of the season so far.

He bagged five goals in his first eight games of the season for the Reds and registered an assist as well.

The Frenchman was ruthless in the final third; he was everything Isak has been over the last few seasons and he looked the full package doing it.

It’s perhaps no coincidence that since Ekitike became less of a regular starter Liverpool’s form has dwindled. During Isak’s three Premier League starts, Slot’s side have lost all three. It’s time for Ekitike to get a run from the start instead in the Champions League on Wednesday in Frankfurt.

Leeds United fans have been blessed with some outrageous attackers to cheer on over recent years.

The obvious names that immediately spring to mind here are the likes of Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Raphinha, but Pablo Hernandez is also deserving of equal levels of adoration from the Elland Road masses for the magic he regularly conjured up during his time in West Yorkshire.

Hernandez would notch up a stunning 36 goals and 39 assists for the Whites in the Championship during Marcelo Bielsa’s heyday at the helm, with the much-loved Leeds boss even going out of his way to laud his Spanish playmaker as a “silent leader” who can “harm the opponent” at a moment’s notice.

Unfortunately, though, the silky attacking midfielder would only go on to collect a measly two assists for the West Yorkshire titans in the Premier League.

Noah Okafor has already matched that same amount of goal contributions for the newly promoted Whites in the here and now, as the electric Swiss international attempts to go down in his new club’s history books as a similarly entertaining spark.

Okafor's promising Leeds start

Much like Hernandez, too, Okafor has already been showered with plenty of lavish praise when pulling on Leeds white.

Leeds-based content creator Oscar Mario has dubbed the ex-AC Milan attacker as a “difference-maker” for Farke’s side, with the two goals that he’s already confidently put away this season, undoubtedly placing him in the same bracket as the captivating Spaniard before him.

With Okafor also constantly looking to bomb forward with pace to carve out an opening – as seen in him ridiculously completing six successful dribbles versus Wolverhampton Wanderers – it’s very clear that he could go on to be a fan favourite in the same ilk as Hernandez, only this time, with the talent to be a success in the top-flight.

Yet, with no assists next to his name as of the time of writing, he hasn’t quite hit the same creative peak as the former Leeds number 19 just yet, with an unexpected creative force elsewhere in Farke’s camp perhaps more in line to be viewed as a Hernandez-type talent, with the star in question boasting league-best numbers in this regard.

The Leeds star showing shades of Hernandez

While Hernandez was known for firing home an audacious strike or two during his five-season stint in England, he is definitely more commonly remembered as an ace who could “change the course of a game” with an “exceptional” assist, as former Leeds player Noel Whelan once put it.

His 2018/19 offering in the second tier for Bielsa’s Whites saw the quick-witted midfielder create a mammoth 16 big chances in total, with Sean Longstaff potentially heading towards the same jaw-dropping numbers in the Premier League for Farke’s men this campaign, if his early scintillating form in the tough division is anything to go by.

Games played

9

Goals scored

1

Assists

2

Touches*

46.2

Accurate passes*

27.1 (85%)

Key passes*

2.0

Big chances created

5

Tackles*

3.0

Ball recoveries*

3.0

Total duels won*

5.0

Indeed, Longstaff has looked a man reborn since leaving boyhood employers Newcastle United behind this summer for a modest £12m, with five big chances already created by Leeds’ new star man, putting him at the very top of the list of the Premier League’s most effective playmakers.

If he can keep this unbelievable run of form going, he could give Hernandez’s Championship peak a run for its money.

The “outstanding” number eight – as Farke has also already lovingly labelled him – further has the necessary bite in his game to be a long-term success at the very pinnacle of English football, with tackles and duels also won aplenty this season, when looking at the table above, away from just offering up an incisive pass.

Ultimately, Farke will just want all of his troops to come together and battle hard to ensure relegation is staved off.

But, with Longstaff in the same conversations as Bruno Fernandes in what he offers going forward, he will hope his unbelievable start in West Yorkshire can be kept up, as he strives to be the driving force that pushes his new side way away from the relegation zone come next May.

Farke has found a new Dallas-type player in “unbelievable” Leeds star

Daniel Farke has now stumbled upon Leeds United’s next Stuart Dallas-type figure in this unbelievable star.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 27, 2025

يبذل الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد جهودًا مكثفة خلال الوقت الحالي، لحل أزمة سفر لاعبي سموحة، لضمان التحاقهم ببعثة الفريق في الإمارات والمشاركة في نهائي السوبر المصري لكرة اليد أمام الأهلي.

ولم يتمكن حتى الآن سوى 5 لاعبين من أصل 20 لاعبًا في قائمة سموحة من السفر إلى الإمارات، بينما وصل فريق الأهلي صباح اليوم لاستكمال استعداداته للمواجهة.

وعلم بطولات، أنه توجد اقتراحات مع الجهات المنظمة في الإمارات لتأجيل المباراة 24 ساعة، لمنح لاعبي سموحة الوقت الكافي للانضمام إلى البعثة قبل خوض اللقاء.

طالع أيضًا | العربي القطري يحسم موقفه من عروض الأهلي والزمالك لضم لاعبه

ويأتي تأهل سموحة إلى المباراة النهائية بعد فوزه المفاجئ على الزمالك بنتيجة 29-28، ليواجه الأهلي في مباراة مرتقبة تجمع بين بطل إفريقيا والفريق السكندري.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الفريقان غدًا الثلاثاء في صالة استاد خليفة بن زايد بمدينة العين الإماراتية، التي تتسع لنحو 2000 مشجع، على أن تنطلق صافرة البداية في الساعة السادسة مساءً بتوقيت مصر.

Newcastle United’s wait to see Yoane Wissa in action goes on. The £55 million summer signing has suffered another delay in his recovery from a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury sustained while on international duty with DR Congo. Eddie Howe has confirmed that Wissa is “not close” to making his debut and will almost certainly remain sidelined until after the November international break.

• Wissa's wait for Newcastle debut goes on

  Wissa’s highly anticipated debut for Newcastle United has been pushed back yet again as Howe revealed that the striker is still far from returning to full training. The 29-year-old sustained a PCL injury just a week after completing his £55 million transfer from Brentford on September 1, having picked up a knock while representing DR Congo. Despite earlier optimism that he could return before the next international break, Howe has confirmed that Wissa’s fitness is not yet at the required level for him to rejoin the first-team setup.

  Newcastle had initially hoped the DR Congo international might be available for selection ahead of their Premier League clash against West Ham this weekend. However, those plans have been scrapped after the medical team advised caution, prioritising Wissa’s long-term fitness.

  The injury setback is a frustrating twist for both player and manager, given how central Wissa was to Howe’s summer plans. Newcastle identified him as the ideal successor to Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool for £130 million, but the club’s new marquee forward has yet to even train with his teammates since signing.

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  Howe admits Wissa still not ready for action

  Howe admitted his frustration at Wissa’s slow progress but stressed the importance of allowing the striker the time to recover fully. “It (his comeback) is definitely not West Ham (on Sunday),” the Newcastle boss confirmed. “He’s working very hard. He’s on the grass. He’s getting the fitness work in that he needs.”

  The manager added that while Wissa is over the worst of his injury, he is still short of the physical sharpness needed to train with the squad. “I’d say he’s not close to training with the group at the moment, not through injury but through fitness, and making sure we build his robustness. I’m not trying to be evasive. I don’t know when the moment will be when he’s back with the squad.”

  Howe also praised the DR Congo forward for his attitude during what has been a mentally testing period since his arrival on Tyneside. “He has a very strong character and that comes across,” Howe continued. “He’s good with the players, he’s very positive. He’s a leader. You can see that already.”

• Wissa's spectacular move to Newcastle this summer

  Wissa’s arrival on deadline day was seen as a major coup for Newcastle, following months of pursuit by the club’s recruitment team. The DR Congo star had been a standout performer for Brentford, scoring 19 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season and earning widespread praise for his relentless pressing and clinical finishing. His £55 million transfer was part of Newcastle’s broader rebuild after Isak’s high-profile sale to Liverpool, with Wissa viewed as the perfect stylistic fit for Howe’s high-energy system.

  However, the timing of his injury, sustained during international duty just days after signing, has been an immense blow. The 29-year-old forward has yet to train with his new teammates and has spent the past several weeks in an intensive individual recovery programme. Newcastle’s medical staff have been careful not to rush him, given the nature of the ligament injury and the risk of recurrence if he returns too early.

  Off the pitch, Wissa has already made a strong impression in the dressing room. “He’s trying to inspire and help the players, which is sometimes very difficult when you come to a new club and you’re injured straight away,” Howe said. “That’s a real tough mental challenge for him to take on, especially with his transfer fee. There’ll be a lot of emotions going through him, but all he can focus on is trying to get fit and trying to make a difference on the pitch.”

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• Getty Images
  

  Wissa won't return before the November international break

  Newcastle are mindful of easing Wissa into a squad that has struggled with injuries last season. Several key players, including Harvey Barnes, spent extended spells on the sidelines, making depth in attack a persistent issue.

  Newcastle’s upcoming schedule means Wissa will likely be absent for their next two fixtures — the Champions League home clash with Athletic Bilbao and the Premier League trip to Brentford, ironically against his former club. Should his recovery continue smoothly, his debut may finally arrive after the November international break, potentially giving him the chance to feature in a string of key matches leading into the festive period.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após a eliminação do Corinthians na Sul-Americana, que aconteceu na noite desta terça-feira (3), o lateral Fábio Santos sinalizou que deve encerrar a carreira no fim da temporada, que é quando termina o seu contrato no Timão. O jogador, no entanto, não pretende deixar o clube e seguir auxiliando em algum departamento relacionado ao futebol. 

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A sequência do atleta na equipe do Parque São Jorge após pendurar as chuteiras, no entanto, vai depender do novo presidente, já que a tendência é que toda a estrutura do departamento de futebol mude, independentemente do candidato que vença a eleição que acontecerá no dia 25 de novembro. 

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Fábio é um profissional muito querido internamente no Corinthians, onde há o entendimento de alguns de que ele poderia exercer a sua liderança e o potencial de gestão de grupo para agregar ao Timão após a sua aposentadoria.

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Ainda assim, o jogador ainda não sabe onde pretende atuar após a aposentadoria. Diferentemente de outros atletas mais experientes como Paulinho, por exemplo, que já tem feito alguns cursos de gestão esportiva pensando no pós-carreira, o lateral tenta desfrutar ao máximo os últimos meses. Durante a temporada, inclusive, até mesmo chegou a ser cogitado com o seu estafe a possibilidade de estender por mais um ano. Mas ele não se vê atuando em outro clube a não ser o Timão, além de sentir muitas vezes a parte física comprometida por conta do acúmulo de jogos.

Ainda não saber onde pretende atuar depois do ponto final na carreira como jogador pode ser um problema para Fábio. Por outro lado, um possível convite do Corinthians pode justamente impulsionar uma nova carreira para o jogador.

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Uma possibilidade para Fábio Santos seria aproveitar o conhecimento dele sobre o Timão e o elenco atual em um processo de reestruturação do plantel a partir da próxima temporada, onde deve acontecer um movimento de chegadas e saídas. Ele usaria a capacidade agregadora com os mais jovens e o respeito dos mais experientes para isso.

Caso o candidato da situação André Luiz de Oliveira, o André Negão, vença a eleição, as chances são maiores de Fábio Santos ser agregado ao departamento de futebol corintiano. Muito por conta da influência do ex-presidente Andrés Sanchez que tem ótima relação com o lateral. Ao contrário, em caso de vitória de Augusto Mello, representante da oposição, a tendência do lateral seguir no Timão, mesmo exercendo uma função nova, é muito baixa.

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Recentemente, o clube alvinegro abriu as portas para alguns ex-jogadores importantes. Além de Alessandro, que havia sido coordenador técnico entre 2014 e 2019 e voltou na gestão de Duílio como gerente de futebol, os ex-meias Alex e Danilo foram contratados para trabalhar com as categorias de base durante a atual administração. O primeiro chegou, inclusive, a ser auxiliar técnico do elenco profissional e foi dispensado em fevereiro. Já o segundo, dirigiu a extinta equipe sub-23 e, posteriormente, o sub-20, função que exerce até o momento. 

He says there is freedom in the way they are approaching the game, and the idea of failure in particular

Firdose Moonda19-Jul-2025

Rassie van der Dussen is experiencing a newfound freedom as a South Africa player•ICC/Getty Images

Winning this year’s World Test Championship final could free up South Africa to play without fear, according to veteran player Rassie van der Dussen. Although van der Dussen was neither part of the WTC win nor in the most recent T20 World Cup squad, he has been part of the South African system for the last 17 years and can already see the change that winning a major trophy has made.”It feels like there’s a difference. Maybe it’s boiled over from winning the Test Championship because we won that match when it counts, so it’s almost like we can experiment more,” van der Dussen, who is standing in as South Africa’s T20I captain for the Zimbabwe tri-series, said ahead of the team’s next match.”It’s obviously Shukri [Conrad]’s first time in charge of the white-ball sides, but the mindset is different. We are not trying things for the sake of trying it, or guys being chosen for the sake of being chosen. It’s about trying things with the understanding that it’s okay if you get it wrong, but you can only get to the other side if you try it properly and authentically. What Shukri brings in terms of environment, and in terms of a mindset, is that freedom.”Conrad will coach South Africa through the 2025-27 WTC cycle, during which the white-ball teams will also play in the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup, which they will co-host.Related

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Though there is always pressure on teams to win in the build-up to these events, some of the pressure around the South Africa squad has eased after their WTC victory – their first global trophy since 1998 (when they won the ICC Knockout) and first with the word “World” in it. Winning the trophy reinforced the set-up’s belief in their systems, especially because Conrad is a local coach who has done things his own way.He will likely be cut some slack early in his tenure, though he will know that his predecessor, Rob Walter, was increasingly in the spotlight for the team’s poor bilateral record in ODIs and T20Is. Conrad has already indicated he wants to avoid the same by having his best players available whenever possible.Shukri Conrad is coaching South Africa’s white-ball side for the first time•AFP/Getty Images

Already, this has turned out not to be the case: Aiden Markram, the regular T20I captain, along with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Marco Jansen (who is recovering from thumb surgery), Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, have all been rested from the tri-series. As a result, Van der Dussen is leading a side that includes several fringe players but wants them to keep up the winning momentum.”There’s obviously responsibility, and we want to win every match. Shukri has said that many times, and we want to win every match that we play, but we are also encouraged to be our best version, play the way we want to play, and play the way the team wants to play. If we fall short, that’s okay, we fall short on our terms. We’ll try to be better next time. There’s no pressure from a management point of view. We know what’s expected of us.”There is also the added expectation that some players in this squad – Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, George Linde and Gerald Coetzee in particular – could force their way into becoming first-choice picks. The function of a series like this, among other things, is to provide fringe players the platform to show what they can do at the international level.”Lhuan-dre, with what he has done domestically and at the SA20, you could just see that this guy needs to play at this level. And Brevis, through performance over the last six months, is putting guys under pressure,” van der Dussen said. “As a player in a team, that’s the positive pressure you want. You want someone breathing down your neck, because that’s fair. If you don’t perform, there’s a guy that’s going to take your place, and that’s always good in a team environment. It’s not like I can rest on my laurels because there’s no one really pushing me for my spot. In every department – bowling, spin bowling, fielding, keeping, batting, middle-order batting – there are guys putting their hands up and saying I want to be part of this team. That keeps you on your toes.”Even with this context in mind, South Africa will admit they have not been at their best so far, especially when it comes to the top-order’s performances. They were 38 for 3 chasing 142 against Zimbabwe, and 62 for 5 against New Zealand, a match where they finished 21 runs short.Given that Zimbabwe have lost both their matches so far, South Africa still remains favourites to reach the final, along with New Zealand, but there is work to be done. “What we want to see is progress in terms of how we want to play,” van der Dussen said. “We’ve been together for a week now, and we are getting a better understanding going between the guys. If we can start to get it even better, then we can make it to the final and play our best game on Saturday.”

Duo both pass fifty in 102-run opening stand as Elwiss makes winning return to former home

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-Jul-2025Georgia Elwiss returned to Utilita Bowl to place a perfect anchoring fifty and give The Blaze the ideal springboard ahead of the Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day.All-rounder Elwiss spent the last four years at the Bowl-based Southern Vipers before moving to The Blaze in the winter – and scored 53 not out, having batted the whole innings.She had put on 102 and 49 with fellow fifty-maker Marie Kelly and Kathryn Bryce as Hampshire Hawks were set 164.Cassidy McCarthy took 1 for 5 in her three powerplay overs (ending with 1 for 15) to stifle Hawks to a position they couldn’t recover – eventually reaching just 137 to lose by 27 runs, despite fifties for Rhianna Southby and Georgia Adams.The Blaze had already qualified for The Kia Oval showpiece on July 27, where they will face Bears, with Surrey waiting in the final.The Blaze were inserted on a pitch used for the first MetroBank ODI against India, and proceeded to rack up the runs.Kelly’s Blast had been besieged by starts, and a pair of 40s. Here she took control of the powerplay with five boundaries – with The Blaze racing to 56 without loss.Kelly then took Adams for 14 runs and Mary Taylor for 11 to reach her fifty in 36 balls.But she departed when she scooped to short third for 57 – after an opening stand of 102 – but Kathryn Bryce continued where she left off to combine for 49 with Elwiss.None of the visiting batters took undue risks as they simply totted up the runs in a straightforward manner.Kathryn Bryce was lbw to Adams, and Ellyse Perry dismissed Sarah Bryce and Heather Graham in successive balls to end the penultimate over, but it couldn’t stop a tricky total being reached.Elwiss, who played 70 times for Southern Vipers, reached her fifth half-century of the competition in a patient 43 balls to become the fifth-highest scorer in the Blast.Despite Ella Claridge getting stumped in the last over, The Blaze posted 164 – which looked an even better score after internationals Perry and Freya Kemp had been and gone by the end of the third over.Both Kathryn Bryce and McCarthy found excellent movement with the new ball, with the former dislodging a scooping Perry and the latter getting Kemp caught behind.Southby and Adams struggled to recover the rate, as they got stuck in a rhythm of singles, as boundaries became a rare commodity and twos rarer still.They put on 105 in 90 balls – with Southby’s 50 coming in 42 balls and Adams’ in 45.When Adams was caught for 57 there was still 47 required from two overs, but it was never on, with Southby run out for 61.

Australia A’s batters faced a searching test to save their two-game series against Sri Lanka A in Darwin after the visitors built a formidable first innings total, thanks mostly to a century from Pavan Rathnayake.Resuming on day two of the second four-day match at 263 for 4, Sri Lanka A fully punished rival captain Jason Sangha’s decision to send them in, powering on to make 486 for 6 declared.In reply, the hosts were 76 for 1 at stumps at the Marrara Cricket Ground on Monday, with Jake Weatherald on 45 and Kurtis Patterson 19, and with a mountain still to climb to win the series after the first match was drawn.Australia A’s former Test opener Nathan McSweeney couldn’t replicate his fine 94 from the first match, falling for 12 when bowled between bat and pad by offspinner Nishan Peiris.Rathnayake resumed on 43, and made the most of an ideal batting strip in reaching 122 off 223 balls – his side’s second century following Nuwanidu Fernando’s 102 on day one.Sonal Dinusha, resuming on 5, also joined the run-fest in moving to 88 off 191 deliveries, as he and Rathnayake added 170 for the fifth wicket in 53 overs.Their stand ended when left-arm spinner Zanden Jeh lured Rathnayake into a rash clip to short midwicket where he was well caught low down by Oliver Peake.Dinusha and Sohan de Livera continued to punish the bowlers, adding 40 runs in 14 overs before Dinusha mishit a lofted pull and was caught at mid-on by Patterson.That gave a third wicket to unknown 22-year-old Zeh who was the pick of the eight bowlers used despite never having played top level state cricket. The Queenslander was chosen from left-field for game one as Australian officials continue their search for quality left-arm spinners.De Livera was the fifth batter to make a half-century or more, finishing 50 not out when the declaration came.McSweeney hit two fours in his 20 balls before being bowled between bat and pad. Weatherald and Patterson guided the home side to stumps adding 44 without further loss.