Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has declared his ambition to win "everything," including the World Cup, Champions League, and Ballon d'Or, after receiving the Di Stéfano Award for the best player of the 2024-25 season by Marca. The 18-year-old star, who recently returned to partial training after a pubalgia issue, also expressed his excitement for Barcelona's historic return to Camp Nou against Athletic Club.
Yamal eyes historic treble and Ballon d'Or
Despite being only 18, the Barcelona winger has already begun amassing individual accolades, surpassing established stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., as well as teammates Pedri and Raphinha, for the award.
When asked about his goals for the upcoming 2026 season, which includes challenges with Barcelona in La Liga and the Champions League, and with the Spanish national team at the World Cup, Yamal did not mince words. "I want it all. I hope I achieve it all, and as long as we can play, it's possible," he stated to , confirming his target to win the league, Champions League, World Cup, and the Ballon d'Or.
Reflecting on his individual success, Yamal emphasised the importance of collective effort, adding: “All the individual titles indicate that it has been a great season for the team. For me, it brings me happiness and pride. Accumulating awards at my age is very positive. I'm going to keep working and fighting to achieve things like this."
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Camp Nou return: 'History will be written'
Yamal also expressed his excitement about Barcelona's imminent return to the iconic Camp Nou stadium after more than 900 days away. The club's temporary move to the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Montjuic is about to end, with their match against Athletic Club marking the first fixture in the partially renovated Camp Nou, which has been cleared to host 45,401 fans.
Yamal has been actively building anticipation for the return on social media. He changed his Instagram profile picture to an image of himself clutching the Barca badge and added the caption: “Montjuic was the beginning. Camp Nou is where history will be written.”
He highlighted the significance of the return for the team. “The fans mean a lot. We've been playing in a stadium that wasn't ours. Montjuic was fine, but it wasn't what we wanted. Camp Nou will be a huge support for everyone and will be a big boost for the rest of the season.”
For many players in the current squad, including Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, and Pau Cubarsi, the match against Athletic Club will be their first-team debut at the historic venue.
Injury update: Yamal targets Chelsea return
Despite his ambitions and the excitement surrounding the Camp Nou return, Yamal is currently navigating a tricky recovery from pubalgia, a chronic groin injury that forced him to withdraw from Spain’s recent World Cup qualifiers. Barcelona have implemented a detailed two-phase treatment plan, involving invasive radiofrequency therapy and a meticulous rehabilitation schedule.
According to , the club's priority is to have Yamal fully fit for the crucial Champions League clash against Chelsea. While a cameo appearance against Athletic Club has not been ruled out, his involvement will likely be minimal. Yamal returned to partial group training on Wednesday, marking a significant step in his recovery.
Club doctors have warned that mishandling the injury could lead to months on the sidelines, describing it as "tricky." Yamal has reportedly responded with full commitment to his rehabilitation, reducing media appearances and focusing exclusively on his recovery. Barcelona brought in a renowned Belgian specialist for evaluation, and surgery was ruled out in favour of the conservative treatment plan.
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What next for Lamine Yamal and Barcelona?
Barcelona face a critical period with their return to the Camp Nou against Athletic Club in La Liga on Saturday. Yamal's participation in this historic match remains uncertain and will likely be limited if he features at all. The main objective is his full availability for the high-stakes Champions League encounter against Chelsea, a match vital for Barcelona's hopes of securing a top-eight finish in the league phase. The club will continue to monitor his progress closely over the coming days, alternating between individual work and controlled group sessions to ensure his recovery continues without setbacks.
Manchester United’s main priority during the summer transfer window was to bolster the club’s frontline – something which was achieved as seen by their £200m investment in such an area.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all made the move to Old Trafford, forming a new deadly trio for Ruben Amorim to work with during his tenure at the helm.
However, after completing such deals, the hierarchy turned their attention to a new number six to help bolster the strength and quality within the midfield department.
Carlos Baleba was identified as the Red Devils’ primary target during the summer, but they were unable to strike a deal, with Brighton & Hove Albion demanding over £100m for his signature.
No doubt, Amorim’s men will still hold a keen interest in his signature this January, but another Premier League option has since emerged on their radar over the last few weeks.
How Anderson compares to Man Utd’s CMs in 2025/26 so far
In an attempt to bolster the midfield ranks, United have been hugely touted with a move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson in the upcoming January window.
It’s been reported that Amorim’s side have already made contact with Sean Dyche’s men over a deal for his signature this winter, but it could cost a fee in the region of £100m.
Such a deal would be a mammoth backing from the board, but how does the 23-year-old compare to current starters Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro?
Both the current Red Devils are experienced options, with both now over 30, but it hasn’t stopped Anderson from massively dominating the pair in such key areas.
The Englishman has topped 13 separate metrics in the Premier League this campaign, with many showcasing his talents with and without the ball at his feet.
He’s completed 113 passes into the final third, with his tally of 706 passes completed, the most of any player in the division – subsequently showcasing his fantastic ability in possession.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest
Without the ball, the youngster has also dominated, with such a skillset potentially putting an end to Casemiro’s career at Old Trafford at the end of the campaign.
Anderson has entered the most defensive duels of any player in the division, whilst also winning the most duels – potentially making him the perfect deep-lying option for Amorim’s side.
At just 23, the Forest star has all the tools to transform into an elite-level talent, but it remains to be seen if the hierarchy would be prepared to fork out £100m for his signature.
The United star who’s their homegrown version of Anderson
Given the rumoured price tag for Anderson’s signature, it shows the importance of being able to identify talent at a young age, or even produce your own versions from the academy setup.
United have no doubt shifted their recruitment focus over the last couple of months, as seen by their deals to land Diego Leon and Senne Lammens – with both talented youngsters with huge potential.
However, the academy ranks have also proven fruitful in recent years, as seen by the emergence of the Class of 92, with the graduates playing a huge role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure.
The likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have all operated at the heart of the side throughout their respective careers – helping the club win 13 separate Premier League titles.
The fans will no doubt be hoping that Anderson can add himself to such a list in the near future, but Amorim could save himself and the club millions by unleashing Kobbie Mainoo.
Like the aforementioned academy stars, the 20-year-old burst on the scene as a teenager, making an immediate impact and becoming a key member of the United squad.
His major breakthrough came in 2023/24, where the youngster racked up 32 appearances across all competitions, scoring on five separate occasions – many of which proved to be crucial efforts.
Mainoo scored a last-minute victory in a close clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers, whilst also scoring against bitter rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final triumph.
However, he’s been unable to reach such heights over the last 12 months, with current boss Amorim preferring the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte ahead of him.
Such a decision may come as a surprise to the fanbase, especially given his stats from last season, which saw him outperform Anderson in numerous key areas – that’s despite making just 25 league appearances.
Mainoo completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst also completing more of the crosses he attempted – leading to Alex Turk dubbing him a “future £100m+ footballer”.
How Mainoo & Anderson compared in the PL (24/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Mainoo
Anderson
Games played
25
37
Goals & assists
0
8
Pass accuracy
87%
82%
Crosses completed
29%
26%
Dribbles completed
1.3
1.1
Dispossessed
1.9
2.6
Dribbled past
0.8
2.1
Interceptions made
1.1
0.9
Stats via FotMob
He also completed more of the dribbles he attempted, whilst also being dispossessed on fewer occasions, subsequently showcasing his incredible ability in possession.
However, without the ball, Mainoo was dribbled past on fewer occasions, along with more interceptions made – highlighting he’s able to beat the £100m star when given the chance.
It’s evident that Mainoo is still a player with bags of talent, but the manager desperately needs to swallow his pride and hand the 20-year-old the chance to stake his claim as a first-team regular.
He’s for so often had to settle for minutes off the substitutes’ bench, which has no doubt hindered his chances of continuing his progression and building on his incredible start to his career in 2023/24.
Upon his return from injury in the near future, the 40-year-old needs to hand the youngster the opportunity to have a consistent run as a regular starter to allow him to reach his full potential at the Theatre of Dreams.
Such a decision would save the club millions of pounds, with the academy graduate having the chance to lead the Red Devils to new heights in the years ahead.
Forget Sesko: Man Utd's "anxious" dud is now becoming INEOS' worst signing
Manchester United have one player who has massively struggled to meet expectations at Old Trafford.
Referees' chief Howard Webb has denied that a former staff member lost her role as an international football official because she complained a coach "manhandled" her. Lisa Benn alleges she was threatened and grabbed by an assistant referee coach and unfairly lost her post on FIFA's international officials list because the 34-year-old submitted her grievance.
'He felt superior'
Earlier this week, Benn told an employment tribunal in London that Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) coach Steve Child "forcefully pushed her" back in March 2023 during a training tournament organised by the body. During the game in question, which was used to train staff on VAR, she alleges that Child instructed a fourth official to "kill the game", to which she replied, "Don't tell me how to referee" and directed an expletive at him.
She told the tribunal on Monday: "I am a trusted referee, I referee at the highest level – this was an under-19s game. He felt superior, he felt like he could come on and tell me how to referee, he manhandled me onto the field of play – he would never have done that to a male referee."
When asked if she had seen Child act that way with other referees, she replied: "I have to female referees, yes. I haven't to male referees."
PGMOL reportedly investigated the complaint but found Child's behaviour did not meet the threshold for disciplinary action. She added that after when she raised the complaint, PGMOL did not recommend her as highly as in the past, and that cost her a place on FIFA's international referee list.
On Wednesday, Child said in his tribunal witness statement, via BBC Sport: "100 per cent I did not grab her," it was a "guiding arm if anything," but "I don't recall putting any physical contact on her". The former Premier League referee added that he put an arm across her back in a sense of "let's go". Child also refuted Benn's claim that his treatment of her was because she was a woman.
He also denied intimidating Benn in the hotel reception at a training camp they attended in August 2023, saying: "I think that might be a confusion on Lisa's part."
Moreover, Child insisted it was not true that he grabbed Benn a second time and said: "Your card has been marked," after a mass brawl broke out at the end of a youth game.
Webb denies allegations
After this incident, the tribunal heard that Benn dropped from fifth to sixth on FIFA's international officials list, with the governing body only accepting the top five officials on their women's game list. However, the panel was told the PGMOL had asked for them to take on a sixth for that season.
Webb said at the hearing that Benn received a lower ranking because she was outperformed by others.
"It was our honestly held belief that she would be accepted," said Webb. This was because the growth of the women's game and the "noises we were hearing" from sports bodies.
The ex-Premier League referee added: "Unfortunately, highly regrettably, it wasn't, but unfortunately, compared to the other officials in this ranking, she was correctly placed sixth, based on the performance factors listed and the holistic view we've gone through. This is a competitive world in which we work and we need to rank officials against each other. We produce a lot of other really good officials in this country and we are in the difficult task to have to rank them against each other."
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Getty Images SportThe trial continues
Before the tribunal finished for the day, Webb stressed the importance of officials airing their complaints.
He said: "Of course, we want to know what is on the minds of our officials and for them to speak to us openly and confidently. We want our officials out on the field and performing.
"They treasure this badge, they really, really do. We had a view that a sixth position was really, really quite likely. I think the growth of the women's game is pretty incredible, and we think it's important to serve the demand."
The 18-year-old batter has impressed the likes of Viv Richards, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Curtly Ambrose with his skill and maturity
Deivarayan Muthu02-Jan-2025At 17, Jewel Andrew became the youngest player to feature in the CPL and then the youngest to debut for West Indies in ODI cricket. In October 2024 in Sri Lanka, he received his maiden cap from fellow Antiguan Alzarri Joseph and played under Shai Hope, whose shots he has copied from childhood.Andrew was earmarked as a future West Indies star right from his age-group days, but not many expected him to make the step up to international cricket in his teens. Things have been happening rather quickly for him. He recently celebrated his 18th birthday in Chennai, at a two-week camp for West Indies’ brightest young talents at the Chennai Super Kings Academy.Andrew has all the shots in the book, including the reverse sweep, which disrupted the local spinners in a two-day game in Chennai.”I’ve been trying the sweeps and reverse, which is a good option against spinners,” Andrew says. “In that two-day game, I actually scored 30 [runs] off reverse sweeps, so it’s working for me. I’ve been working on this type of stuff at this camp.”Related
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Andrew had also showed off his reverse sweep on his CPL debut in August last year. He picked up a Tabraiz Shamsi stock ball from the stumps and audaciously flipped it over short third during his unbeaten 50 off 30 balls for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. In the lead-up to his debut, Andrew visualised nailing the shot off Shamsi.”My plan against Shamsi was to take him on,” Andrew says. “I actually planned it because he’s an experienced bowler. It was a crazy shot (laughs). I felt if I could get a boundary off him, it would be a highlight.”Andrew also nervelessly took on other internationals like Anrich Nortje and Dominic Drakes that day. He had started playing cricket from when he was four years old and was used to competing against the big boys.”I try to forget about nerves when I’m playing,” he says. “It’s just something that grew with me throughout my career so far. I try to let go of nerves and just play what I normally play because I just feel it’s another opportunity to showcase my talent. I keep playing and keep being me, and it’s working for me so far.”Andrew is still a teenager, but his temperament and maturity have impressed a number of West Indies greats, including Viv Richards and his Falcons coaches Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Curtly Ambrose. When the young batter brought up his fifty on CPL debut, Ian Bishop exclaimed on commentary: “Jewel really is a precious commodity. He could end up being one of the more valuable young players in the history of the game in the region!”ESPNcricinfo LtdRichards’ opinion of him, Andrew said made him feel good about himself. “He’s a legend of the game. They’re all legends. Hearing them speak about me is special for someone like me coming up. But the information I’ve gathered from them so far is [mostly] what I know already. In terms of just being patient and picking the right deliveries, because I have all the shots. It’s for me to pick the right one and try to extend my game and learn as much as I can, because I’m here to learn.”In his first stint with the West Indies team, Andrew learnt to balance his emotions. He initially felt that he wasn’t ready for international cricket, but a chat with Hope helped him ease into the set-up.”I told Shai I felt I didn’t belong here because it seems a bit rushed, I was nervous being in Sri Lanka” Andrew says. “He was talking to me about emotions and time management. Shai is big on time management and I’m just keen to learn more from him.”Andrew first met Hope in 2023, when he was a flag bearer for the start of the home ODI series between West Indies and England. His ultimate goal is to emulate Hope and have a long, decorated West Indies career, just like his hero.”Just talking to Shai makes me feel good. I watched him growing up,” he says. “Just sharing the dressing room with him is a special feeling. I don’t want to be a player who is around for just one or two tours; I want to be playing for West Indies for a long time and hopefully average 50 like Shai.”
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But while Andrew is learning to balance his emotions on the field, he doesn’t manage it easily when asked about the role of his mother and brother in his life. Veronique Hill, a single parent, earned her income from a store that sold bags, and although it was not enough to afford everything her boys needed, she kept encouraging them to play cricket.”Seeing my mom cheering me on at home in Antigua in the CPL made me cry,” Andrew says. “And just having her support is something that anyone would want to have. When I got the West Indies call-up, I was coming back home from the CPL. I cried instantly because it’s something I always wanted for me and my family. I landed and hugged my mom, she knew [of the news].”And it was because of my brother [Hilroy] I’m playing as a right-hand batter. I actually started playing left-handed in the backyard and changed because of him. Seeing me at this level really means a lot to him because it’s something he wants to do as well. So it’s just for me to keep inspiring him and working towards that. I also want to play with him one day.”Andrew also credits the West Indies Academy for its role in his growth. In mid-2024, he toured Ireland with the Academy team and played two List A and two first-class games against the Ireland Emerging side. In the second List A fixture, in Bready, he hit 143 off 141 balls, with 90 of those coming in boundaries. Andrew isn’t currently contracted to the academy, but Cricket West Indies saw the Chennai camp as an opportunity to expose him to a variety of spin on red- and black-soil pitches. He also kept wicket to almost every type of spin, including mystery spin during the camp.”I think it [West Indies Academy] is a very good initiative for young players like myself,” Andrew said. “I’ve been around the set-up; I’ve actually improved my game a lot. I’ve been on a tour to Ireland where we’ve actually been challenged in tough conditions with a swinging ball that we don’t normally get back home. Just being around the academy set-up was a big step up for me. It’s also my duty to transfer information as well to the other younger players.”Andrew ended 2024 with a bagful of memories and takeaways, and some gifts from Chennai for his beloved family, knowing the world is his oyster.
تحدث مدحت عبد الهادي، لاعب الزمالك السابق، عن رأيه في أداء الأبيض تحت قيادة أحمد عبد الرؤوف المدير الفني.
وقال مدحت عبد الهادي، عبر قناة “MBC مصر 2”: “أحمد عبد الرؤوف غير مقنع بالنسبة لي، والزمالك يحتاج إلى مدير فني أجنبي”.
طالع.. محامي رمضان صبحي: عقوبة إيقافه 4 سنوات من المحكمة الرياضية لن تخفض
وتابع: “عبد الرؤوف نجح في فترته المؤقتة، لكنه غير قادر على إدارة فريق كبير مثل الزمالك في بطولة إفريقيا والمباريات المقبلة لا نريد أن نظلم، لأن في النهاية المظلومين هم جماهير الزمالك”.
وأكمل: “أما عن إيقاف رمضان صبحي بسبب المنشطات، فقبل أن تكون هذه ثقافة اللاعب، يجب أن تكون ثقافة الجهاز الفني أو الطبي المسؤول عن اللاعبين، وبالأخص الطاقم الطبي بالكامل”.
وأتم: “الجهاز الطبي عليه وعي كبير جدًا بالنسبة للاعبين، فاللاعب ليس ملك نفسه”.
The Pirates selected a pitcher with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 MLB draft, taking highly touted right-hander Seth Hernandez out of Corona High School in California.
Hernandez was heralded as one of the best players in the draft, and he's already drawing some comparisons to another standout pitcher in Pittsburgh; Paul Skenes.
According to Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan, sources have not hesitated to liken Hernandez to the Pirates' two-time All-Star and NL Cy Young candidate.
"The Pirates have their next pitching phenom after Paul Skenes. He is the best player in the draft," Filliponi's sources told him.
Hernandez was named the 2025 Gatorade National Player of the Year and dominated during his senior season at Corona, logging a 0.39 ERA in 53 1/3 innings with 105 strikeouts and just seven walks. He was considered by many to be the No. 1 player in the draft, and now he'll join a Pirates farm system that boasts plenty of high-upside arms.
A future rotation consisting of Skenes, Hernandez, Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones could be devastating if the whole group is able to unlock their potential, that is if the organization is able to keep them all in town.
Boult’s success – wickets and the economy rate – in the death overs this season has transformed a side that looked down and out not even a month ago
Sidharth Monga23-Apr-20251:43
Is Rohit Sharma well and truly back?
We know Trent Boult is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the first over in IPL history. He is now also only 11 behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 77 wickets in IPL powerplays, getting to 66 with the wickets of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) fourth straight win, which made it only four powerplay wickets for him in IPL 2025.However, there is another development that MI will be pleased about. Boult has never taken more than nine wickets at the death in a single IPL season. He already has six this year. Then again, wickets should not ideally be the yardstick at the death because batters are just swinging, as we saw with his dismissals of Abhinav Manohar and Pat Cummins in the last over. The real yardstick should be the economy. Boult has never finished an IPL with a better economy at the death than his 9.37 this year so far.It is all the more striking because in his years at Rajasthan Royals (RR), Boult was hardly ever seen as an option to bowl at the death. In his three years with RR, Boult bowled at the death in only 20 matches out of 41. And never more than an over. This year, he has bowled an over at the death in eight out of the nine matches he has played. It makes him a bit of a specialist in the slog overs.Related
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Wasn't the IPL supposed to have been much longer by now?
Fourteen bowlers have bowled more than six overs at the death this IPL. Four have a better economy than Boult’s. One of them is Jasprit Bumrah, who usually bowls two per game at the death unless MI desperately need a wicket earlier. Bumrah is going at 7.75 an over at the death this IPL. MI are not anywhere near the best bowling team at the death this IPL but that’s because Bumrah was not available sooner. Since Bumrah’s return, they are bowling three death overs for 25 on an average.”You just need to be prepared for any role anytime,” Boult said in the press conference after the match. “At Rajasthan, I was prepared to bowl at any stage of the match. I’ve been lucky enough to play ten IPL seasons where it hasn’t always been the same recipe every time.”The first thing is you have to always want the ball. This tournament’s such a big tournament, you’re coming up against the best players, and it’s always a big desire for me to take on the best players. Having that mindset of wanting the ball, and wanting to take on the big players, is always a good start.”With complete bowlers such as Bumrah and Boult, it is not about being more suited for one phase over the other. They will find ways to be effective in any phase. Of course, you want Boult to be there when the swing has to be maximised – which is perhaps why RR used him more at the top – but if you ask him to bowl at the death, he is good enough to bowl well there too. And since MI have Deepak Chahar to use the new ball, they can afford to keep Boult back for one quality over at the death as well.Boult and Bumrah also happen to be the two bowlers on whom MI’s last IPL triumph was built, back in 2020. Since the two have come together this year, MI have won four out of five matches. Is this the sauce they have been looking for?
Germany survived an unsettling evening in Luxembourg as a Nick Woltemade brace proved decisive in a match that will raise far more questions than it answers for Julian Nagelsmann. A 2-0 win was ultimately enough to keep Germany on track in their qualifying campaign for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, but the performance itself was scattered, lethargic and lacking cohesion.
Woltemade brilliance bails out lacklustre Germany
Luxembourg pressed with intent to disrupt Germany’s rhythm, and created the better opportunities during a chaotic first half in which the visitors ran out of ideas in the attacking third. Nagelsmann’s players appeared stunned by Luxembourg’s speed and physicality, particularly in midfield, where the home side flew into challenges and repeatedly halted German build-up with tactical fouls high up the pitch. The first warning arrived after just 20 minutes. Augsburg’s Aiman Dardari drifted inside onto his stronger foot and unleashed a low effort that had Oliver Baumann completely beaten. The ball skidded inches past the far post, much to the relief of the German bench.
Germany, by contrast, looked passive and disjointed. Their passing was erratic, and their confidence alarmingly fragile when they had the ball at their feet. Baumann was called upon twice more in quick succession as Luxembourg’s front line surged forward with belief. Nagelsmann’s side, meanwhile, struggled to close down space and seemed half a step behind every loose ball. In fact, they were fortunate not to be trailing at the interval.
Yet, Germany drew first blood riding on Woltemade's individual brilliance. Aleksandar Pavlovic spotted space in behind and unleashed a superb pass, which was read early by Leroy Sane. He cushioned the ball with a gorgeous first touch before accelerating beyond his marker. Instead of shooting, he squared unselfishly into the path of Woltemade, who swept home first time from close range. It was a move of ruthless efficiency and a stark contrast to everything that preceded it.
Germany’s grip on the game improved only after the hour mark, as Luxembourg’s intensity gradually waned. Still, the contest remained precarious until Woltemade delivered the insurance goal in the 69th minute. The young forward, who scored the decisive goal against Northern Ireland in the previous qualifier, found himself in the right place again and made no mistake to double the lead that settled German nerves.
Scorelines are sometimes deceptive, and it was one of those occassions. A 2-0 victory might indicate a comfortable evening for the Germans, but it was hardly so. Luxembourg pushed them to their limits, and until Woltemade's second goal, they were firmly in the contest. However, Nagelsmann couldn't care less as Germany remain on course to seal a direct qualification berth for the 2026 World Cup. They are set to host Slovakia next at home on Monday evening, and a win in that fixture will help them seal the top spot in Group A. However, one must note that they were beaten by Slovakia in Bratislava and if they do not improve, the four-time world champions might have to settle for a playoff spot.
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The MVP
It was Woltemade's first brace at international level, and on a night when Germany lacked spark almost everywhere else, his composure stood out. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will be impressed with his performance. Woltemade will now have his sights firmly set on scoring goals at next summer's tournament.
The big loser
While Woltemade impressed, Florian Wirtz, one of Germany’s biggest stars, endured another difficult evening. The playmaker, who is already under scrutiny at Liverpool after a disappointing start to life in the Premier League, did little to silence his critics. Deployed wide on the left, he often drifted inside in search of space but made little impact. Even with David Raum overlapping regularly to support him in attack, Wirtz appeared out of rhythm. It was a match crying out for control and creativity, but the 22-year-old remained on the periphery. With Liverpool facing Nottingham Forest after the international break, Arne Slot may be forced into tough decisions regarding Wirtz’s role in the starting XI if he doesn't show improvements in the final group game against Slovakia.
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A new update has emerged regarding Manchester City’s pursuit of Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning attacking midfielder Arda Guler, with Pep Guardiola’s stance made clear.
The Turk is arguably one of the most talented and exciting young attackers in Europe currently, gradually becoming more of a key man for La Liga giants Madrid.
Guler has started 10 league games so far this season, scoring three goals and bagging five assists, while Madrid legend Toni Kroos has lauded him, also discussing comparisons between the pair.
“But I don’t believe in comparisons. Arda is also a different type of player than me. His best position is much more attacking than mine, so it’s not about me succeeding him at all. But I’m generally pleased because he’s a good lad. I’ve played alongside him.
“He has a really delicate touch, which he’s already used very effectively for Real this season. That’s why I hope he continues to get consistent playing time, because that’s the only way to improve. Then I’m sure he can make his mark at Real for many years to come.”
At 20 years of age, Guler has an enormous amount of potential, and while Madrid are no doubt hesitant to allow him to leave, it looks as though he remains on City’s radar.
Guardiola wants Man City offer for Guler increased
According to a report from Spain, Manchester City are readying an offer of £88m for Guler, but that won’t be accepted by Madrid, who will demand more for his signature.
Guardiola has asked ‘whether it’s feasible to increase the offer’, though, no doubt considering him a player who he values greatly, as he looks to snap up some of the biggest young talents in the game.
The idea of Guler in a City shirt is a mouthwatering prospect, with the Turkey star someone who could fit perfectly into Guardiola’s style of play, with his technical ability right up there with the best in Europe.
Like Phil Foden, he possesses an effortless class with his left foot, being capable of drifting in off the right flank or adopting a No.10 role, while Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has lauded him.
“With his quality, he’s a mix between Ozil and Guti. Guti had that vision and finesse to link play or operate closer to goal, and with Mesut I enjoyed football so much. Arda has that something special – that natural talent you can’t teach.”
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For now, it looks as though Madrid are going to be stubborn in allowing Guler to leave the club, but City and Guardiola should continue to pursue him as a top target, given his world-class long-term potential.
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Questions for India’s selectors to ponder, as they sit down this weekend to pick the squads for the England ODIs and the Champions Trophy
Nagraj Gollapudi17-Jan-2025 Will Bumrah play the Champions Trophy? There has been no update on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness ever since he did not come out to bowl, reportedly because of back spasms, on the final day of the Sydney Test. There has also been no word on whether Bumrah has visited the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, where the BCCI’s medical wing is located. So the intrigue continues about what injury, if any, Bumrah suffered during the Sydney Test, which forced him off the ground to have scans after lunch on the second day.Related
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India play their first match in the Champions Trophy on February 20, against Bangladesh in Dubai, followed by Pakistan on February 23 and New Zealand on March 2. The semi-finals are on March 4 and 5 followed by the final on March 9. The key question for the selectors is, if the injury is not serious, how long does Bumrah need to rest before he’s match-ready? Of course if the injury is of real concern, then the selectors will play it safe and not consider Bumrah for selection. It is likely that Bumrah will be named in the 15 with an asterisk against his name, with the idea to allow him the chance to play at least one of the three ODIs against England to test his fitness levels.Is Shami ready for ODIs? Last week Mohammed Shami was named in India’s squad for the five-match T20I series against England, which starts on January 22. It ends a testing and stressful wait stretching nearly 14 months for Shami, whose last international was the ODI World Cup final on November 19, 2023. Shami was the highest wicket-taker in that tournament and one of the key match-winners in India’s run to the final. Soon after, he underwent an ankle surgery and his ankle healed, but his return was repeatedly delayed by fluid building up and causing swelling his right knee.Shami was recently declared fit by the NCA and played three matches in the domestic 50-overs tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, representing Bengal. Shami bowled a total of 26 overs across those games, including his full quota of 10 in the pre-quarterfinals. Before that, Shami also played nine matches in the domestic T20 competition, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So it seems Shami is set to make his ODI return against England, and he can use the series to sharpen up his match fitness before the Champions Trophy. He will be needed to spearhead the attack if Bumrah is not good to go.Kuldeep Yadav has not played since having a hernia surgery around October last year•ICC/Getty ImagesIs Kuldeep ready to return? Along with Bumrah and Shami, Kuldeep Yadav played a key role in India going through to the 2023 World Cup final undefeated in the league phase. In the home Test series against England in early 2024, Kuldeep impressed once again, becoming the fastest Indian to 50 Test wickets. It seemed like he was moving towards taking over the lead-spinner’s role in the format. However, his progress has been stalled by a hernia surgery; he has not played any competitive cricket since the first Test against New Zealand in October. Eyebrows have been raised about the timing of that surgery – about why it was not done soon after the T20 World Cup but so close to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It is understood Kuldeep’s rehab is going smooth at the NCA, but there is no clarity on whether he will be fit to play the England ODIs, which he will need as a platform to establish match-fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy.Does Jaiswal find a spot? Yashasvi Jaiswal was international cricket’s second-highest run-maker across formats in 2024: in 37 innings (23 matches), Jaiswal scored 1771 runs at an average of 52.08. Jaiswal scored 161 in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, an innings that helped craft India’s only win in the series. Bold and clever in his strokeplay, Jaiswal has put new-ball bowlers under pressure across the longest and shortest formats, but he is still to debut in ODIs. With the hugely successful alliance of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill at the top – they are among the leading opening pairs in ODIs – do India need another opener in the 15 for the Champions Trophy? Given the opening slots belong to specialists, Jaiswal, who became the youngest man to hit a double-century in List A cricket in 2019, could still be seen as a back-up option.Does KL Rahul trump Rishabh Pant on form?•Getty ImagesWho are the two wicketkeepers? Based on current form and impact at the 2023 World Cup, KL Rahul should be the primary keeper at the Champions Trophy. With the bat, too, Rahul played a significant role in the middle-order in the World Cup, especially on pitches where spinners dominated, using his skills to manoeuvre the ball into gaps. Among the other contenders are Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel, who is yet to debut in the format.Pant was India’s regular wicketkeeper from the 2019 World Cup up until he was sidelined by his car accident in December 2022. His protracted absence created the opportunity for Rahul. While Pant kept wicket in one game in the previous ODI series India played – in Sri Lanka last August – Rahul once again was the primary choice. The one point in Pant’s favour is he is a left-hand batter, which is an option the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir could be interested in.Seam or spin-bowling allrounder? Among the squads so far announced for the Champions Trophy, several teams have stacked their sides with allrounders. India, too, are likely to be tempted to take that approach with the objective of creating batting depth. You’d expect two if not all three of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel to feature in the squad. In addition, there are several other options who can contribute a few overs with the ball while floating in the batting order: Nitish Kumar Reddy (yet to debut in ODIs), Riyan Parag, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube. Reddy and Tilak are part of the T20I series against England but Parag is still in rehab having undergone a shoulder surgery last year. One caveat is this latter group of players’ body of work is small, so the selectors could be wary of blooding them at an ICC event.