Leeds United are flying high in the Championship this season, and seem destined for promotion. The Whites are level on points with second-place Sheffield United, who are vying with them for the league title in the second tier. The gap between Yorkshire club Leeds and their Lancashire rivals Burnley currently stands at just two points, however.

Some of Leeds’ biggest attacking threats have been on fire this season. Daniel James is in sensational form, and has ten goals and nine assists so far this term. Striker Joel Piroe has also been playing superbly, and has 15 goals and six assists.

At the opposite end of the pitch, it has been a slightly tougher season for Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.

Meslier’s 2024/25 season

It has been a rough campaign for Leeds number one Meslier. The Frenchman, who has been capped at under-21 level for his country, has been an ever-present for the Whites in goal this season.

He has played all 35 of their games in the Championship, conceding 22 times and keeping an impressive 20 clean sheets. However, he has made some crucial mistakes, which have cost Leeds points.

Perhaps the worst of the lot came against Sunderland, a side pushing for the playoffs, back in October. In a bizarre moment with Leeds 2-1 up in stoppage time, he failed to catch the flick-on from a Black Cats attacker, simply letting the ball shoot under his body and roll into the back of the net.

Described as a “hindrance” by Lewis Deighton, a fan writer for BBC Sport, the Frenchman has statistically been one of the worst shot-stoppers in the Championship this season.

As per Sofascore, he has prevented -1.33 goals, better than only 13 goalkeepers. For context, Blades’ number one Michael Cooper has prevented 4.92 goals.

Meslier’s form has been an issue for Leeds at times this season, despite their good performances across the board. They once had someone at the club who could have been a big upgrade on him, but left Elland Road on a cheap deal.

Leeds already sold a dream Meslier upgrade

It might be frustrating for Leeds fans to see what Kasper Schmeichel has achieved since leaving the club. He spent one season in Yorkshire in the 2010/11 campaign, before departing the club and going on to achieve great things.

Where Are They Now

Indeed, the Dane, son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, made 40 appearances across all competitions in a Leeds shirt 15 years ago. Admittedly, his record was not astounding. He conceded 55 goals and kept just ten clean sheets in that time.

In June 2011, the Denmark international, who now plies his trade at Scottish giants Celtic, made the move from Elland Road to the East Midlands to join Leicester City for a reported £1m fee. The rest, as they say, is history.

Schmeichel played 479 times for the Foxes, conceding 586 goals in that time, and managing to keep an impressive 187 clean sheets.

The highlight of his time at the club was surely winning the Premier League in 2015/16, in the most unlikely of circumstances. He also lifted the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021.

The stats on Squawka suggest that the legendary Danish goalkeeper has been outperforming Meslier in many areas this season.

For example, Schmeichel makes 2.3 saves and concedes 0.6 goals per game, compared to 1.7 saves made and 0.7 goals conceded each game by Meslier.

Stat (per 90)

Schmeichel

Meslier

Saves

2.3

1.7

Goals conceded

0.6

0.7

Clean sheets

0.7

0.6

Save percentage

79.27%

72.15%

Pass accuracy

94.55%

78.42%

Former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers described Schmeichel as one of the “top keepers” in the Premier League back in March 2021, and it is not hard to see why. The qualities he possessed then, and still does, could have served Leeds well.

Perhaps they wish they had kept Schmeichel around at the club beyond the 2010/11 season. They could have had a brilliant goalkeeper who would have been a long-term fit in the sticks for the club.

Not just Kristensen: 49ers must sell Leeds flop who's cost £525k-per-game

Rasmus Kristensen looks to be on his way out of Leeds United, with another player needing to follow him.

ByEthan Lamb Mar 6, 2025

انطلقت منافسات الجولة الثانية من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم، موسم 2025/26، مساء الجمعة، حيث حقق تشيلسي فوزًا على خصمه وست هام بخمسة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وتعرض مانشستر سيتي للهزيمة على ملعب “الاتحاد” أمام نظيره توتنهام، في قمة منافسات تلك الجولة، حيث خسر بهدفين دون رد.

وحقق آرسنال فوزًا عريضًا أمام ليدز يونايتد بخماسية دون رد على ملعب “الإمارات” ليتصدر ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي.

في حين أن مانشستر يونايتد واصل نزيف النقاط حيث اكتفى بتعادل مخيب مع فولهام، في الجولة نفسها، بهدف لمثله.

واُختتمت منافسات تلك الجولة بمباراة مثيرة بين فريقي ليفربول ونيوكاسل يونايتد حيث فاز حامل اللقب بثلاثة أهداف لهدفين. جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي

1 آرسنال، 6 نقاط. 

2 توتنهام، 6 نقاط.

3 ليفربول، 6 نقاط.

4 تشيلسي، 4 نقاط.

5 نوتينجهام، 4 نقاط.

6 مانشستر سيتي، 3 نقاط.

7 سندرلاند، 3 نقاط.

8 إيفرتون، 3 نقاط.

9 بورنموث، 3 نقاط. 

10 برينفورد، 3 نقاط.

11 برينلي، 3 نقاط.

12 ليدز يونايتد، 3 نقاط.

13 فولهام، نقطتان.

14 كريستال بالاس، نقطتان.

15 نيوكاسل يونايتد، نقطة.

16 مانشستر يونايتد، نقطة.

17 أستون فيلا، نقطة.

18 برايتون، نقطة.

19 ولفرهامبتون، بدون نقاط.

20 وست هام، بدون نقاط.

ويمكن متابعة ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.

It would be fair to say that it’s been a bit of a bumpy ride for Mikel Arteta since taking the Arsenal job in December 2019.

However, with three Premier League title races in the last three years and a second Champions League quarter-final to look forward to in as many seasons, the Spaniard has gotten more things right than he has wrong.

A good example of this would be the club’s transfers under his tenure, as Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya have dramatically improved the starting lineup.

However, the former captain has also signed his fair share of flops, including one who’s playing well enough out on loan that the club may be able to shift him in the summer for less of a loss.

How Arsenal's players are faring out on loan

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at other players who have found their feet out on loan this season, such as Nuno Tavares.

The Portuguese star joined Lazio on a season-long deal, which includes a clause that will see his move made permanent for around £7.6m, should certain conditions be met, and while he struggled on loan with Nottingham Forest last term, he’s been exceptional this year.

In all, the “unstoppable” full-back, as dubbed by Italian football expert James Horncastle, has made 26 appearances for the Roman side, in which he’s provided nine assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.88 games.

Appearances

26

Minutes

1834′

Goals

0

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.34

Minutes per Goal Involvement

203.77′

Another Arteta signing who failed to make it in the Gunners’ first team but is enjoying a great campaign out on loan is Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The Belgian midfielder joined La Liga giants Sevilla on a season-long loan with a £10m option to buy in the summer, and despite dealing with hamstring injuries, has made 18 appearances so far, of which 13 have been starts.

The 25-year-old has been impressive enough that Atlético Madrid are now reportedly interested in signing him on a permanent deal in the summer and could be set to battle Sevilla for his signature.

However, the Verviers-born star isn’t the only midfielder out on loan who Arsenal could sell at the end of the season.

Chalkboard

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

The Arsenal loanee that Berta has to sell

While a few other players are out on loan this season, such as Reiss Nelson, Karl Hein and Marquinhos, none of them have played well enough to potentially boost their valuations.

On the other hand, Fabio Vieira has started doing just that.

The Portuguese midfielder made a surprise £34m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2022, and while there was a fair amount of excitement about what he might be able to bring to Arteta’s side, it would be fair to describe his time in the capital as a bit of a failure.

For example, while the Santa Maria da Feira-born dynamo was able to produce 23 goal involvements in just 39 games in the 21/22 campaign, he amassed a lacklustre tally of three goals and nine assists in 49 appearances across his two full seasons in North London.

So, with it becoming increasingly clear that the £45k-per-week flop was not going to make much of a difference heading into this season, he was sent back to Porto on loan in a bid to get him back on track.

Season

21/22

22/23

23/24

24/25

Appearances

39

33

16

31

Goals

7

2

1

5

Assists

16

6

3

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.24

0.25

0.29

While he endured a slow start back at his former club, he’s since started to look like his old self.

In his last four league games, the 24-year-old has scored three goals and provided one assist, lending credence to Arsenal content creator Harvey Diamonds’ claim that “he’s hit some incredible form as of late.”

However, while some may be tempted to bring him back to the Emirates in the summer and give him another shot next season, it might be far smarter for Arteta and Co to try and recoup as much money as they can for him while he’s playing well.

After all, he did very little in two years to suggest he has what it takes to make it in English football, and he is still just as slight as ever, which was one of the biggest issues with playing him before.

Ultimately, while Vieira is an undeniably talented footballer, Arsenal would be far better off cashing in on his recent rejuvenation this summer and reinvesting the money into more of a sure thing instead.

Arsenal sold "crazy" Havertz upgrade for just £4m, now he's worth 213% more

The incredible youngster could have solved Arsenal’s biggest problem this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 19, 2025

Pakistan inserted the hosts for the third time in a row, and failed to chase the target down on all three occasions

Vishal Dikshit17-Jan-2024

A blizzard of sixes off Finn Allen’s bat tumbled records in Dunedin, where his second T20I hundred deflated Pakistan and helped New Zealand pile on 224 for a comfortable 45-run win in the third T20I. For the third game in a row, New Zealand were put in to bat; and for the third time in a row, Pakistan failed to chase down the score by relying on Babar Azam again, this time to lose the series which still has two games to go.New Zealand had been going hard with the bat all series, and Allen took it up a level on Wednesday by smashing 16 of their 18 sixes and recording the highest individual T20I score for the hosts by going past Brendon McCullum’s 123 from the 2012 World Cup. Allen’s 16 sixes are also the joint-highest in a T20I innings, which helped him sprint to a 26-ball fifty and then a 48-ball century.Pakistan also helped Allen by bowling too short even with the new ball, and the opening batter laid into their attack with his belligerent pulls and golf-like swings down the ground.In reply, only Mohammad Rizwan briefly gave Babar some support with his 24 but once he fell in the eighth over, no other Pakistan batter lasted more than 10 balls while Babar was out there. Babar fell for 58 while trying to up the scoring as the asking rate soared and Pakistan fell short again.Allen demolishes Pakistan againAllen had been going hard at the top earlier too, and with his highest T20 score, he already has 373 runs from five innings in the format this year. His assault started in the third over when he made the ball disappear beyond the square-leg boundary with consecutive sixes off Shaheen Afridi.Haris Rauf would have thought he would have a good day when he dismissed Devon Conway in the next over that saw just two runs, but his second over – the last of the powerplay – was smashed for 28, with 27 of those coming off Allen’s bat. Whether Rauf pitched it short or on good length, Allen put them away for two fours and three sixes in the over to help New Zealand post 67 in the powerplay.Coming into the XI for this game, Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Wasim combined for two boundary-less overs after that, but Allen, who crossed 50 meanwhile, then charged against Nawaz for two sixes in the ninth over. Wasim and Zaman Khan managed to keep Allen quiet with a few yorkers and slower ones to pull the scoring rate under ten briefly, but Allen took off again once Rauf returned.He raced from 72 to 91 in just five deliveries by smashing Rauf for three sixes in an over that went for 23, and went past a hundred with a six and a four over covers off Afridi. All this, and there were seven overs still left in the innings. Even though Tim Seifert, who came in for the injured Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell fell in successive overs, there was no stopping Allen. He belted Nawaz for consecutive sixes in the 15th over, and Wasim too for the same treatment when the fast bowler erred towards the pads.It was finally an accurate length ball from Zaman that lacked pace and stopped the carnage when Allen chopped on, after the previous ball – a full toss – had been smashed into the sight screen. Allen’s 137 off 62 also featured five fours, which were hardly the highlight of the knock. His liking for the leg side was evident no matter where the ball was pitched to him – 13 of his 16 sixes landed on that area, where he smashed 95 (69%) of his total runs.Wickets continued to fall after Allen’s in New Zealand’s attempt to score quick runs. Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips fell in the space of seven balls as Pakistan conceded just 13 runs in the last 12 deliveries to stop New Zealand just short of their first-T20I score of 226.Babar Azam hit his third consecutive fifty of the series•Getty Images

Babar the lone man standing for PakistanBabar was left to do the bulk of the scoring without much support from the other end, amid a stiff asking rate to keep up with. The promising Saim Ayub fell to Tim Southee again after miscuing his slower ball, before Babar and Rizwan kept the chase going. Rizwan’s two meaty sixes would have given Pakistan hope as he and Babar put on 39 off 28 for the second wicket to keep them ticking at above eight runs an over, but when Santner fired one wide of the crease after seeing Rizwan charge, Seifert completed the stumping to dent Pakistan.Fakhar could have been dismissed next over too had his leading edge off Ish Sodhi not landed in no-man’s land behind the wicketkeeper, but his luck soon ran out when he miscued Lockie Ferguson to mid-off. That left Pakistan needing 130 from 55 balls.Babar unfurled sublime strokes like he did in his 57 and 66 in the first two games – like some wristy flicks and lofted strokes off Sodhi, even as his handsome pull off Matt Henry was probably his shot of the day. His third fifty in a row was again not enough because Azam Khan holed out to a sharp catch from Phillips at deep midwicket at the end of the 13th over, and seven balls later, Iftikhar Ahmed fell short for a quick run with a lazy attempt after he drove the ball to cover from where Santner fired in a direct hit.Babar unleashed two more fours off Sodhi before falling in the same over, the 16th, and Pakistan’s task of scoring another 91 runs off 25 balls was not going to happen despite some boundaries from Nawaz and Afridi.

Liverpool squeezed past Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, avoiding a setback to maintain their sizeable lead at the top of the Premier League.

Now, Aston Villa at Villa Park. It won’t be easy, although the Reds have avoided defeat in their last nine top-flight meetings with the upcoming opponents, albeit drawing two of the previous four.

With Manchester City hosting Arne Slot’s table-toppers at the weekend, change may be afoot. Liverpool have run roughshod over the majority of their league opponents this season but must be wary as nerves begin to dig their claws in.

Lifting the title is becoming a very real possibility, but Liverpool need to avoid a setback here and will have to do so without several first-team stars.

Liverpool dealt fitness blows

Cody Gakpo was absent against Wolves after picking up a knock during last week’s draw at Goodison Park and has been ruled out once again for this one.

It’s a blow, to be sure, but Liverpool have depth and a host of players who need to step up to the plate and ease Mohamed Salah’s burden.

Though Gakpo is in contention for a return against Pep Guardiola’s side, Slot has provided a begrudging update on Joe Gomez’s fitness, with the versatile defender set to be sidelined for several more weeks, potentially requiring surgery on a hamstring injury.

Of course, Villa have got a number of issues themselves, chiefly to their depleted defensive ranks. Liverpool can damage Unai Emery’s side, for sure.

However, the Lions did boost their ranks in January, and there’s one man in particular – Marcus Rashford – who will have the spotlight on him this evening.

Slot praised the 27-year-old’s quality and may be tempted to make a big change for the looming contest.

Slot could make a bold call vs Villa

Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of Liverpool’s greatest latter-day players, but he looked somewhat off the boil during the narrow Wolves win, and Slot could replace him with Conor Bradley for this one.

The games are coming thick and fast, and Gomez’s injury update calls for caution, lest Liverpool lose another key part ahead of the business end of the season.

Alexander-Arnold said in 2020 that a clash against Manchester United two years before was “the most difficult” in his fledgling career, owing largely to being pitted against Rashford.

The Three Lions winger has felt more than most the ebb and flow of football, but there’s little question that he’s one of the dangerous forces in the Premier League when on his a-game.

It’s early days yet, but you feel that Rashford is ready to play with a new lease of life at Villa Park, and having scored five goals from ten games against Trent in his career, switching things up might pay off for Slot.

It would be a big – some may even say brazen – call from the Netherlands tactician, but Bradley’s mobile and athletic style of play could be the perfect way to neutralise Villa’s winter recruit.

He’s down but not out. Rashford has proved over separate campaigns his capacity for brilliance, and freshening things up, bringing Alexander-Arnold’s heir apparent to the starting fold, might knock Emery’s pre-game preparations askew.

There’s also the matter of Liverpool’s weekend fixture. Indeed, Manchester City await on Sunday, with Liverpool last winning at the Etihad Stadium in the league way back in November 2015, just two months into Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.

Days after, Liverpool meet Newcastle United at Anfield in the next crunch fixture in a sea of crunch fixtures. They have the following weekend off due to being dumped out of the FA Cup, but the last 16 of the Champions League rolls up the ensuing midweek.

It’s relentless, but Liverpool are up for the task. However, Slot will likely be wary after his side’s uninspiring performances against Everton and Wolves, with Arsenal only too eager to pounce on a Reds setback and bridge the title gap.

Bradley is more than capable of silencing Rashford and helping his team toward a stirring Villa Park victory that would see Liverpool tackle the weekend fixture with renewed vigour and confidence.

As per FBref, the Northern Ireland star ranks among the top 10% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for both passes attempted and the top 5% for progressive carries and tackles per 90.

He’s dynamic and ceaseless. Bradley’s 4.28 touches per 90 in the attacking box also put him in the top bracket of positional peers, showcasing a different type of attacking flair to that of Liverpool’s vice-captain.

Against the likes of Rashford and Morgan Rogers, his defensive game will surely be called into play more than a few times – luckily he’s already proved against the very best that the game has to offer that he has no qualms about getting stuck in with crunching challenges.

Hailed as an “unbelievable talent” by Northern Irish footballer Richard Donnelly, Bradley’s proved time and time again that he’s capable of playing a central role in Slot’s project.

All of a Liverpool persuasion want Trent to stay put, but if he does leave for Real Madrid, Bradley is more than ready to step up.

Chalkboard

Should he start against Aston Villa, he will prove as much all over again.

He left in 2021: Liverpool flop sold for £12m is now outscoring Nunez in PL

He could have played a part for the Anfield side over the past few years.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 17, 2025

Rasmus Hojlund’s eyes must have lit up as the ball fell his way, with the struggling Manchester United striker seemingly having a clear run on David Raya’s goal, as Sunday’s Premier League tussle headed into the closing stages.

An on-fire and on-form centre-forward may well have converted without hesitation, but now on a run of 20 games without a goal, Hojlund dallied, allowing Declan Rice the chance to produce what was an expertly timed tackle.

Having also been denied by Gabriel after meeting Toby Collyer’s cross at the near post, it proved to be another luckless outing for the 22-year-old Dane, with his Premier League tally remaining at just two goals for the season – level with centre-back colleague, Matthijs de Ligt.

Signed for a mammoth initial fee of £64m – more than Newcastle United and Manchester City spent on Alexander Isak (£63m) and Erling Haaland (£51.2m), for context – Hojlund really is enduring a dismal campaign, having shown signs of life in 2023/24 after finishing as the club’s top scorer.

The former Atalanta man is still young enough to come good at Old Trafford, although it would appear that INEOS are already seeking new striking targets for the summer…

Man Utd's pursuit of Mateta

Recent days have been rife with talk surrounding United’s interest in Crystal Palace hero, Jean-Philippe Mateta, with French outlet L’Equipe reporting that negotiations have already been held regarding a £40m move for the 27-year-old.

The former Mainz marksman – who arrived at Selhurst Park back in January 2022 – has been something of a revelation for the Eagles in recent times, having ended last season with 16 Premier League goals to his name.

Despite a slow start to the current campaign, after scoring just four times in the top flight before the turn of the year, Mateta has hit fire in recent months, taking his tally to 12 league goals to date.

That respectable haul includes a crucial brace in the 2-0 win for Oliver Glasner’s side against the Red Devils at Old Trafford, with his overall record against United standing at three goals from just seven meetings.

It is then no surprise that the 6 foot 4 machine has caught the attention of those at the Theatre of Dreams, although he is certainly not the only striker that INEOS are keeping tabs on.

Man Utd's search for a striker

As reported by GIVEMESPORT, the Palace talisman is a ‘surprise name’ who has ‘shot up their list of considerations’ ahead of the summer window, with Ruben Amorim in need of a ready-made solution, despite the initial preference for a younger signing.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The report does go on to state, however, that United’s ‘dream’ target would actually be Nigerian superstar, Victor Osimhen, with the Napoli man currently out on loan at Turkish side, Galatasaray.

As per the piece, the issue is that acquiring the 26-year-old looks ‘increasingly difficult’ due to potential demands over a wage and fee for the player, while United’s inability to qualify for Europe could also prove a stumbling block.

With a Europa League triumph still tentatively on the cards, however, that situation could be altered, with Osimhen representing the perfect upgrade on both Hojlund and Mateta.

Man Utd's dream upgrade on Hojlund & Mateta

Man United’s current number nine, Hojlund, has scored just seven goals in all competitions this season, while his positional ‘rival’, Joshua Zirkzee, has only netted six times since signing from Bologna, albeit having typically operated in a number ten berth of late.

The need for an attacking figurehead truly is stark, hence why bringing a talent like Osimhen into the fold would be a dream solution. As Statman Dave has stated, the one-time Lille ace is the “best striker on the market, by some distance”.

While the in-demand forward is operating outside of Europe’s top five leagues this season, he has been in red-hot form once again, scoring 23 goals in only 29 outings for the Istanbul side thus far – as many as Hojlund has scored in total in 80 games for United.

Player

Club

Games (all comps)

Goals

Zirkzee (2023/24)

Bologna

37

12

Hojlund (2022/23)

Atalanta/Sturm Graz

42

16

Cavani (2019/20)

PSG

22

7

Lukaku (2016/17)

Everton

39

26

Ibrahimovic (2015/16)

PSG

51

50

Martial (2014/15)

Monaco

48

12

Van Persie (2011/12)

Arsenal

48

37

76 in 133 for Napoli. 18 in 38 for Lille. 20 in 36 for Belgian side Charleroi. This is a man who has delivered the goods wherever he has been, aside from a brief goalless stint with Wolfsburg. As for Mateta, the Frenchman had scored just 27 goals in 71 games for Mainz, prior to joining the Eagles.

Yes, Osimhen boasts no prior Premier League experience, but it would be hard to bet against him delivering should he make the move to Manchester.

Described as a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Lagos native is a true centre-forward in every sense of the forward, as shown by the fact that he ranks in the top 1% among his European peers for touches inside the attacking penalty area per 90, across the last 365 days.

Not just a poacher supreme, Osimhen is also a “beast in the air” and boasts “insane movement” – according to Mattinson – thus possessing all the attributes to make him a perfect fit in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system.

Reportedly available for roughly £62m this summer, the Napoli outcast does appear reasonably priced considering his remarkable scoring rate in his career so far, with it perhaps time for United to truly land a striker who is at the peak of their powers.

124 goals since leaving: Man Utd have already sold their answer to Mateta

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ByDan Emery Mar 11, 2025

The wicketkeeper-batter will join forces with Quinton de Kock at the top of the order

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2023Melbourne Renegades have pulled off a significant BBL signing by luring English wicketkeeper-batter Joe Clarke from cross-town rivals Stars.Clarke, who briefly played for Perth Scorchers in the 2020-21 season, has been an integral part of Stars over the last two seasons with 800 runs 30.76 and a strike-rate of 136.98.But he now becomes Renegades’ third overseas signing alongside Quinton de Kock and Mujeeb Ur Rahman having not been taken in the draft last month. A mechanism exists which allows clubs to sign their third name after the draft has taken place.Related

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Clarke is set to open the batting alongside de Kock, but it will be the South African who will initially take the gloves before handing them to Clarke when he returns home for the SA20.However, Renegades will need to secure another wicketkeeping option with Clarke due to leave for ILT20 towards the backend of the BBL. They lost Sam Harper when he was traded to Stars in return for Adam Zampa.”Joe was an active part of our overseas draft strategy this year,” Melbourne Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said. “While we were limited in how we could use our picks at the overseas player draft, we had a plan to secure Joe as quickly as we could and it came off which is great for our Club.”To have secured three overseas players that were listed in the platinum overseas player group is a super result for the Renegades and our members and fans.”Whilst Quinton will take the gloves as our primary wicketkeeper, Joe is also a strong keeper who will be able to keep when Quinton is unavailable, giving us greater flexibility with our overseas replacement player options.””We really like the way Joe plays the game,” he added. “He’s an attacking player from the top who can set up a game quickly and we think he’ll a perfect fit with our other top order batters.”Renegades will also lose Mujeeb late in the season as he, too, holds an ILT20 deal.Melbourne Renegades squad Nic Maddinson (capt), Joe Clarke, Quinton de Kock, Harry Dixon, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa

Liverpool are on their way to claiming their second title of the Premier League era and appear to be gearing up for an exciting transfer window at Anfield.

Liverpool set sights on important summer transfer window

Barring a collapse of epic proportions, Liverpool are well down the line in securing the Premier League crown and also remain in contention for the Champions League under Arne Slot.

Next weekend, the Reds travel to face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley offering the first domestic prize of the campaign, so there is plenty for the Dutch boss to ponder between now and the business end of the season.

Aside from on-field duties, Liverpool have a major cloud hanging over Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah’s contracts. Despite being critical to their success, the trio are out of contract this summer and could all leave on free transfers.

Finding a solution has to be of paramount importance to FSG, who will also have designs on equipping Slot with funds to ensure his side compete on multiple fronts again next season.

Liverpool’s out of contract trio – weekly earnings

Mohamed Salah

£350,000

Virgil Van Dijk

£220,000

Trent Alexander-Arnold

£180,000

Reports suggest Joao Pedro and Joshua Kimmich are targets for Liverpool as their recruitment drive begins to escalate. Xavi Simons and Lamine Camara are also in the frame to strengthen the engine room, illustrating the level of ambition that supporters could see from the Reds’ owners.

Exciting times are on the horizon in the red half of Merseyside. However, the wider fanbase will be keen to see a strategic approach to recruitment as opposed to a scattergun mode of operation.

Slot seems to have understood this mission if reports are to be believed, with his side now said to be readying an offer for one of the Premier League’s most attractive assets.

Liverpool line up bid for Fulham defender Antonee Robinson

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are readying a £30 million offer for Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and could be rivalled by Chelsea in pursuit of the United States international.

Labelled “brilliant” by Jermaine Jenas, the 27-year-old has registered ten assists this season in 28 appearances across all competitions, which could see him enter the frame as a genuine competitor for Andy Robertson at left-back.

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He was one of the worst signings in Liverpool’s modern history.

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Fulham wouldn’t be willing to entertain offers under the £41.7 million mark, so it remains to be seen whether FSG would stretch to the ballpark specified once the window opens for business.

Motoring up and down the left flank, Robinson has created 35 chances and completed 36 crosses on Premier League duty as he approaches the prime years of his career. Intriguingly, his agency Wasserman also represent Curtis Jones and Joe Gomez.

Defensively, the Milton Keynes-born man has also won 146 duels and 44 tackles in the English top-flight. Competent in both aspects of the full-back role, he would likely be a sound fit with Slot’s high-intensity tactical framework should a deal come to fruition.

MatériaMais Notícias

da bet sport： O Palmeiras esteve muito próximo de sair de Itaquera com uma grande vitória de virada em cima do Corinthians, que também deixaria o time ainda mais tranquilo no Paulistão. No entanto, a partida acabou empatada em 2 a 2, com Weverton salvando a pátria como melhor doduelo e com a evidente necessidade de contratar reforços para o elenco a fim de seguir competitivo na temporada.

> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2023 clicando aqui

Há algumas verdades que não precisam ser ditas para que elas sejam atestadas, algumas são mostradas em atitudes, em ações, em movimentos… Foi assim que, no Dérbi, ficou bem claro que o Verdão precisa contratar novos jogadores caso queira seguir ganhando e disputando todos os títulos. Abel Ferreira não precisa dizer isso, nem pedir publicamente, o campo escancara o fato.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasVÍDEO: Abel Ferreira elogia campo em Itaquera e alfineta CBF: ‘Deveria exigir gramados assim’Palmeiras17/02/2023PalmeirasVÍDEO: Rony celebra dois gols pelo Palmeiras no Dérbi em Itaquera: ‘Noite especial’Palmeiras17/02/2023PalmeirasAbel lamenta gols perdidos e vacilos defensivos do Palmeiras no Dérbi: ‘Erros que não podemos cometer’Palmeiras17/02/2023

da pinnacle： Com o time titular e algumas mexidas táticas, o Palmeiras fez um grande primeiro tempo dominando o rival, mas pecando em erros individuais da defesa, que definitivamente não se acertou, especialmente do lado esquerdo, com Murilo e Piquerez. Weverton salvou a equipe de ir para o intervalo em larga desvantagem, assim como Veiga e Rony que combinaram para o primeiro gol. O segundo teria saído em seguida, mas Gabriel Menino tomou a decisão errada na hora H.

No segundo tempo, ainda com o time completo, o Alviverde voltou com tudo e logo virou a partida, novamente com Veiga dando assistência para Rony. O mesmo Veiga poderia ter ampliado para 3 a 1 logo em seguida, mas tomou a decisão errada na hora de definir. As chances eram perdidas e o rival crescia colocando sufoco, enquanto o equilíbrio defensivo não era atingido. Em um desses desencaixes, Menino cometeu falta em Renato Augusto, levou cartão amarelo e ficou pendurado.

>Abel Ferreira lamenta gols perdidos e os vacilos da defesa no Dérbi

Como o Palmeiras estava se segurando como podia, Abel não poderia correr o risco de ficar com um homem a menos, então decidiu tirar Menino e colocar Jailson, além de Breno Lopes no lugar de Endrick para reforçar a marcação pelo lado esquerdo. Mas a qualidade do time caiu demais, demais mesmo. A marcação não melhorou, o meio perdeu o domínio que tinha e ainda acabou sofrendo o gol de empate do zagueiro Gil em um vacilo defensivo que teve envolvimento importante de Jailson.

Depois do gol sofrido, com um time já desgastado e um meio-campo cada vez mais dominado pelo rival, Abel Ferreira decidiu tirar Raphael Veiga e colocar Atuesta. Foi outra queda brusca de qualidade que ficou potencializada com as outras trocas prévias. Breno também não conseguia entregar o mesmo que Endrick, nem Jailson o mesmo que Menino. Estamos falando justamente de posições que sofreram baixas para esta temporada e ainda não tiveram reposições contratadas.

Ainda que não diga em público de forma constante, Abel quer um substituto para Danilo e um ponta pela esquerda, que era uma carência e ficou ainda pior com a saída de Wesley. Já para o lugar de Gustavo Scarpa não está prevista uma substituição, mas fica claro que Bruno Tabata, que seria o homem para a posição, não goza de muito prestígio, caso contrário ele entraria na vaga de Veiga.

ATUAÇÕES: Weverton e Rony são os destaques do Palmeiras em empate fora

É verdade que Abel Ferreira não estava em seus melhores dias. Talvez Jailson não fosse a melhor escolha e talvez Giovani não devesse ter demorado tanto para entrar, ou mesmo Vanderlan poderia ter substituído Piquerez mais cedo, uma vez que o uruguaio não vinha bem no jogo desde o início.

No entanto, o treinador trabalha com o que tem em mãos, como tem feito desde que chegou ao clube. Com as mexidas, ele acaba expondo a necessidade de reforçar o elenco, pois fica claro que alguns reservas não estão no mesmo nível dos titulares. Bastou um clássico mais pegado, com um rival que nem está tão pronto assim, mas que conseguiu explorar algumas fraquezas, que as lacunas no grupo palmeirense ficaram evidentes e a temporada 2023 está apenas começando.

continua após a publicidade

Yet another chapter was written into the story of subcontinental cricket’s most engrossing rivalry, in which Bangladesh came away deserved winners against Sri Lanka, winning by three wickets and, crucially, 53 deliveries in Delhi. The margin of victory means Bangladesh have leapfrogged Sri Lanka on the points table on net run rate, while Bangladesh, Netherlands and Sri Lanka are all on four points and all three – and England – are still vying for the two remaining spots at the 2025 Champions Trophy.This, though, was a game where a solitary incident overshadowed all else. The now customary controversy associated with the “Naagin Derby” was this time a historic first, as Angelo Mathews was dismissed timed out – the first instance of the rare dismissal in international cricket.The incident took place midway through Sri Lanka’s innings after Mathews’ faulty helmet strap meant that it had been over two minutes since the fall of the previous wicket without the new batter being ready to take strike. Shakib Al Hasan appealed. Mathews was out.Related

• Mathews on timed-out dismissal: 'Never seen a team or a player stoop so low'

According to the tournament playing conditions: “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”An incensed Mathews was sent back, and Sri Lanka played the rest of the game with a chip on their shoulder. But to focus solely on that would take away from a solid all-round effort from Bangladesh, and from Shakib.On a belter of a batting surface, Bangladesh had sent Sri Lanka in to bat and then limited them to a sub-par 279. The pacy young Tanzim Hasan went for 80 in his ten overs, largely because of Charith Asalanka – whose 105-ball 108 would go in vain – taking the attack to him, but he picked up three wickets, including the key wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Asalanka himself.The rest of the bowlers, though, ensured Sri Lanka were not allowed to cut loose, and aided by some loose batting, they kept their opponents well in check.Then a 169-run third-wicket stand between Shakib and Najmul Hossain Shanto underpinned their chase, even as Sri Lanka became the first side this World Cup to truly struggle with the evening dew. The bowlers struggled with control, while some dropped catches didn’t help their cause either.When the partnership was eventually broken, the requirement was just 70, but Sri Lanka kept picking up wickets to make for a nervy finish. Bangladesh, however, bat deep and they kept their cool to secure a hard-fought win.2:09

How good was Charith Asalanka’s innings?

On a surface well suited to batting, Sri Lanka were largely architects of their own downfall.After yet another early exit for Kusal Perera – caught acrobatically behind the stumps by Mushfiqur Rahim – a 61-run stand between Nissanka and Kusal Mendis settled the Sri Lanka innings. An aggressive Nissanka accounted for 40 runs in that stand, frequently finding boundaries to relieve the pressure being built at the other end, while an out-of-sorts Mendis searched for form.It took 14 balls for Mendis to get off the mark, and despite finding two boundaries – a four and a six – in his 30-ball stay, he looked a pale shadow of the man that had taken the early part of the tournament by storm. A loft down the ground lacking in power brought about his eventual demise.Nissanka followed soon, chopping Tanzim on, before another solid stand threatened to pull Sri Lanka clear. It was here that Asalanka entered the fray alongside Sadeera Samarawickrama, himself new at the crease. Their left-right pairing served to make life particularly difficult for the Bangladesh bowlers, while their run-scoring was largely risk-free.This is what made Samarawickrama’s dismissal all the more jarring, as he found deep square-leg with an aerial flick, having been unflustered up until then. It was this wicket that preceded the flashpoint in the innings – and the game – as Mathews strode out, not knowing the fate that was to befall him.Angelo Mathews tells Shakib Al Hasan it’s time to go, but it was far too late to do any good to Sri Lanka•ICC/Getty Images

Up until that point, Sri Lanka’s batters could perhaps even have been accused of complacency in terms of the way they had lost wickets. But, just like that, the perceived injustice of Mathews’ dismissal instilled resolve that might have served them a lot better earlier in the tournament.Having barely strung together any partnerships of significance lower down the order all tournament, Sri Lanka suddenly found two of genuine quality. The first between Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva brought 78 – Sri Lanka’s best stand for the sixth wicket since their opening fixture against South Africa. After Dhananjaya fell, stumped off Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Asalanka stitched another stand of 45 with Maheesh Theekshana – this one easily Sri Lanka’s best seventh-wicket stand of the tournament.Asalanka scrounged together another 20 with Dushmantha Chameera, before himself holing out at deep point. It brought an end to a marvellous innings that was replete with smart strike rotation and calculated risks. However, it would be a bittersweet day for him as he was the one to drop a sharp chance off Shakib when he was on seven. Mathews was the bowler.That wicket might have been karmic retribution for Sri Lanka, but Shakib would have the last laugh. While Mathews eventually got his man – giving Shakib a send-off as well, tapping his wrist, signalling that it was “time” to go – it was not before Shakib had scored 75 more runs.Mathews wasn’t done yet, though, removing Shanto shortly after as Sri Lanka were offered a whiff of an unlikely chance. Theekshana then picked up a couple and Dilshan Madushanka added another, to go with his two scalps at the start of the chase, to take his World Cup tally to 21. But, in the end, it was a case of too little, too late as some lusty blows brought the game to a swift close.