Tag Futebol

Track the squads ahead of the new seasons as clubs build their lists

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2025 • Updated on 25-Aug-2025

Adelaide StrikersMen: Hasan Ali (Pak), Cameron Boyce, Jordan Buckingham, Alex Carey, Mackenzie Harvey, Thomas Kelly, Chris Lynn, Harry Nielsen, Jamie Overton (Eng), Lloyd Pope, Alex Ross, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Henry Thornton, Luke Wood (Eng)
In Jason Sangha (Thunder), Mackenzie Harvey (Renegades)
Out Brendan Doggett (Renegades), Jake Weatherald (Hurricanes)Women: Jemma Barsby, Tammy Beaumont (Eng), Darcie Brown, Sophie Ecclestone (Eng), Anesu Mushangwe, Tahlia McGrath, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Laura Wolvaardt (SA)
In
Out Katie Mack (Scorchers)Related

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Brisbane HeatMen: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pak), Tom Alsop (Eng), Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Lachlan Hearne, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro (NZ), Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen, Jack Wildermuth
In Lachlan Hearne, Hugh Weibgen (Thunder)
Out Mitchell Swepson (Stars)Women: Lily Bassingthwaighte, Bonnie Berry, Lucy Bourke, Nadine de Klerk (SA), Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Chinelle Henry (WI), Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Grace Parsons, Georgia Redmayne, Jemimah Rodrigues (Ind)
In TBC
Out Laura Harris (Thunder)Hobart HurricanesMen: Rehan Ahmed (Eng), Iain Carlisle, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Rishad Hossain (Ban), Chris Jordan (Eng), Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac Wright
In Jake Weatherald (Strikers), Beau Webster (Stars)
Out Caleb Jewell (Renegades)Women: Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Lizelle Lee, Nat Sciver-Brunt (Eng), Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith (Eng), Molly Strano, Elyse Villani, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
In TBC
Out TBCCaleb Jewell has moved from Hurricanes to Renegades•Getty Images

Melbourne RenegadesMen: Jason Behrendorff, Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, Brendan Doggett, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Caleb Jewell, Hassan Khan (Pak), Nathan Lyon, Fergus O’Neill, Ollie Peake, Mohammad Rizwan (Pak), Tom Rogers, Tim Seifert (NZ), Will Sutherland, Adam Zampa
In Jason Behrendorff (Scorchers), Brendan Doggett (Strikers), Caleb Jewell (Hurricanes)
Out Mackenzie Harvey (Strikers)Women: Alice Capsey (Eng), Emma de Broughe, Deandra Dottin (WI), Tess Flintoff, Milly Illingworth, Sophie Molineux, Naomi Stalenberg, Georgia Wareham
In Tess Flintoff (Stars)
Out Ella Hayward (Stars), Georgia Prestwidge (Stars)Melbourne StarsMen: Austin Anlezark, Scott Boland, Hilton Cartwright, Joe Clarke (Eng), Tom Curran (Eng), Sam Harper, Liam Hatcher, Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Hamish McKenzie, Haris Rauf (Pak), Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mark Steketee, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson
In Liam Hatcher (Thunder), Mitch Swepson (Heat)
Out Beau Webster (Hurricanes), Joel Paris (Scorchers)Women: Sophie Day, Kim Garth, Dani Gibson (Eng), Ella Hayward, Amy Jones (Eng), Marizanne Kapp (RSA), Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Ines McKeon, Georgia Prestwidge, Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland
In Ella Hayward (Renegades), Georgia Prestwidge (Renegades)
Out Tess Flintoff (Renegades), Hasrat Gill (Thunder)Perth ScorchersMen: Ashton Agar, Finn Allen (NZ), Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Laurie Evans (Eng), Sam Fanning, Aaron Hardie, Nick Hobson, Josh Inglis, Bryce Jackson, Matt Kelly, Mitchell Marsh, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, David Payne (Eng), Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner
In Joel Paris (Stars), Bryce Jackson
Out Jason Behrendorff (Renegades)Katie Mack has signed with Scorchers•Getty Images

Women: Chloe Ainsworth, Maddy Darke, Sophie Devine (NZ), Amy Edgar, Mikayla Hinkley, Ebony Hoskin, Alana King, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney, Paige Scholfield (Eng), Chloe Tryon (SA)
In Katie Mack (Strikers)
Out TBCSydney SixersMen: Sean Abbott, Babar Azam (Pak), Jafer Chohan (Eng), Sam Curran (Eng), Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steven Smith
In Kane Richardson
OutWomen: Caoimhe Bray, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Sophia Dunkley (Eng), Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Elsa Hunter, Amelia Kerr (NZ), Ellyse Perry, Courtney Sippel, Mady Villiers
In Elsa Hunter
Out TBCSydney ThunderMen: R Ashwin (Ind), Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (Eng), Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan (Pak), Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
In
Out Liam Hatcher (Stars), Jason Sangha (Strikers), Hugh Weibgen (Heat)Women: Chamari Athapaththu (SL), Samantha Bates, Ella Briscoe, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Hasrat Gill, Laura Harris, Shabnim Ismail (SA), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
In Laura Harris (Heat), Hasrat Gill (Stars)
Out Sammy Jo-Johnson (retired)

After a stop-start opening to the season, Newcastle United finally appear to be finding rhythm.

Going into their recent home fixture, Eddie Howe’s side had one of the lowest expected goals tallies in the Premier League – a concerning figure for a team competing in the Champions League and aiming for another top-four push.

But after back-to-back victories, 4-0 against Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise and 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, the Magpies look revitalised.

The improvement has been clear. Six goals in two games without conceding is a sign that Newcastle are balancing both ends of the pitch.

The performances weren’t so emphatic as to raise expectations sky-high, but they were precisely the kind of controlled, confident displays Howe would have wanted.

And perhaps most impressively, they’ve come despite a growing injury list.

Both starting full-backs, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, face extended spells on the sidelines.

Fabian Schär, meanwhile, has only just returned from concussion, but his place in the starting XI is suddenly far from guaranteed.

That’s because his replacement, a £30m summer signing from AC Milan, has made a seamless transition into the side.

While the spotlight currently belongs to the man spearheading Newcastle’s attack, it may be their new defender who turns out to be “one of the signings of the summer.”

Why Woltemade is the man of the moment

Nick Woltemade’s arrival at St James’ Park was met with curiosity.

The 23-year-old German forward joined from Werder Bremen after scoring 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances.

He caught the eye of Bayern Munich, who saw three bids rejected.

Instead, it was Howe who convinced the towering 1.98m striker that Newcastle was the right place to continue his development.

Since then, the attacker has been nothing short of transformative.

He opened his account on his home debut against Wolves, before adding further goals against Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Nottingham Forest – where he rifled a superb penalty into the top corner to round off the win.

His blend of physical presence, link-up play, and calm finishing has quickly made him a fan favourite on Tyneside.

In Sunday’s match against Forest, he was unlucky not to score more than once, denied by the post and an inspired Matz Sels performance.

When he left the field, the Gallowgate End rose to its feet, chanting his name in unison.

Unfortunately, illness has ruled him out of the current international break – though Howe will secretly be pleased to keep his new talisman fresh and close to home.

With Yoane Wissa yet to feature for Newcastle, Woltemade’s form and fitness are paramount.

His early-season output has quelled doubts about Newcastle’s attacking fluency and offered a glimpse into Howe’s evolving system – one that relies less on chaos and more on control.

Yet while the German striker’s goals are making headlines, another of the club’s summer signings is quietly redefining their defensive stability.

Newcastle's real signing of the summer

Woltemade’s impact on this Newcastle side has been eye-catching. On the contrary, Malick Thiaw’s introduction to English football has been understated but immaculate.

The 24-year-old centre-back arrived from AC Milan for £30m after two standout seasons in Serie A, where he made 85 appearances.

His profile – composed, progressive, and powerful – fits seamlessly into Howe’s tactical blueprint.

Statistically, Thiaw’s impact has been immense. Compared to positional peers in the Premier League, he ranks in the 95th percentile among his positional peers for pass completion (93.2%) and in the 85th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (4.86).

That ability to initiate play from deep has added an extra layer of composure to Newcastle’s build-up.

Ground Duels Won

1

Aerial Duels Won

4

Clearances

8

Interceptions

1

Dribbled Past

0

What stands out most is his calmness under pressure – his close control, his knack for turning out of tight spaces, and his confidence stepping into midfield to progress the ball.

For a defender still adjusting to the physicality of the Premier League, his transition has been remarkably smooth.

Thiaw’s partnership with Sven Botman has all the makings of a long-term defensive axis for Newcastle.

Both are young, technically gifted, and dominant in the air. Together, they could form one of the most balanced and forward-thinking centre-back pairings in the division.

For Howe, who knows the importance of rotation with European fixtures piling up, Thiaw’s arrival is more than just depth.

The German brings a level of assurance that allows Newcastle to play higher, press smarter, and retain control in matches that once felt frantic.

While Woltemade’s early-season exploits deserve every bit of praise they’ve received, the real signing of the summer might just be standing behind him.

90-touch Newcastle ace is now as undroppable as Bruno Guimaraes & Woltemade

Newcastle United secured a vital 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 5, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Cotia tem se provado cada vez mais como uma ‘fábrica de zagueiros’ e Matheus Belém se mostrou ser exemplo disso. Contra o Red Bull Bragantino, o defensor estreou entre os titulares do São Paulo pela primeira vez e foi eleito o craque da partida.

RelacionadasSão Paulo!Do choro à felicidade! Após um ano, Pato volta a jogar e vira ‘líder’ no São PauloSão Paulo10/07/2023São PauloDestaque em Bragança, Matheus Belém tem futuro indefinido no São PauloSão Paulo10/07/2023São PauloANÁLISE: Antes bagunçado, sistema defensivo é o ponto forte do São Paulo de DorivalSão Paulo10/07/2023

Revelado em Cotia, Belém tem 20 anos e iniciou o processo de transição para o profissional no começo desta temporada, graças a Rogério Ceni. Já havia estreado contra o Santos, pelo Paulista deste ano, na vitória por 3 a 1. Entretanto, naquele jogo começou no banco de reservas.

Mas a última semana foi de fortes reviravoltas para o jovem defensor. Sem ganhar mais espaço no profissional, chegou a ser comunicado que voltaria para Cotia – algo comum no Tricolor para que os atletas mais jovens não percam o ritmo e sigam se preparando ainda mais, como aconteceu com Caio Matheus. Porém, com a lesão de Alan Franco contra o Palmeiras, Dorival Júnior fez uma escolha: utilizaria o garoto pela primeira vez entre os titulares.

+ Veja tabela e simule as próximas rodadas do Brasileirão

ATUAÇÕES: Zagueiro da base se destaca em empate do São Paulo no Brasileirão

– Muito feliz, o que eu sempre quis. Três dias atrás eu recebi a notícia que ia voltar para o sub-20. Como o Alan (Franco) machucou contra o Palmeiras, aí eu fui chamado e pude ajudar a equipe hoje – explicou Belém após o jogo contra o Bragantino.

No empate por 0 a 0, foi um dos grandes destaques – principalmente quando evitou um gol do Bragantino após tirar a bola em cima da linha.

Para os tricolores paulistas apaixonados: produtos a partir de R$39,90 na FutFanatics!

Neste ano, Matheus Belém atuou em sete jogos – sendo dois pelo profissional e o restante nas categorias de base. Mas seus grandes momentos aconteceram na Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, quando marcou dois gols – contra o Porto Velho e o América-MG.

Quanto as características, o jovem zagueiro é conhecido pelas saídas de bola e bolas longas. Além disso, também chama atenção pelo porte físico. É um zagueiro alto, com cerca de 1,86 metros de altura. Também se caracteriza pela capacidade de desarmes e bom posicionamento.

Mas futuro preocupa…

Nos últimos anos, Cotia tem se destacado pela boa safra de zagueiros. Na equipe profissional atual, Diego Costa e Beraldo são dois exemplos. Mas existe uma preocupação quanto ao futuro de Matheus Belém.

No começo do ano, a urgência do São Paulo para repor zagueiros no elenco, muito por conta do número de lesões que acometeu o setor, fez com que diretoria quebrasse uma regra que antes estava certa. No caso, promover jogadores da base que não tenham contrato com períodos consideráveis ‘seguros’ pelo clube.

A regra se tornou necessária, na visão da diretoria, após o Tricolor ter que negociar correndo ou buscar acordos com promessas de Cotia, como o ponta Marquinhos e o zagueiro Luizão no último ano.

No entanto, o São Paulo tem um ‘problema’ para resolver envolvendo Belém. O zagueiro tem contrato somente até o dia 24 de janeiro de 2024, ou seja, pouco mais de seis meses até o fim do acordo. Sendo assim, a partir de 24 deste mês, ele pode assinar um pré-contrato com qualquer equipe.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas confirmed the Serie A club have taken an initiative to donate their proceeds from their upcoming Coppa Italia game to the local community after northern Italy was hit with torrential rain. The devastating floods have affected homes and businesses around Como and the club's head coach shared an emotional message of support for the locals.

Como stand by their people

Como manager Fabregas has shared his solidarity with the locals and announced on social media that the club will help the community in such a time of need. He wrote on Instagram: "My thoughts are with everyone in Como today. Seeing our beautiful lake flood and the damage it has brought is heartbreaking. Como is more than just a city to me, it is home, it is family, it is community. To all the people, families, and businesses affected, please know you are not alone. We are with you, and I believe in the strength and unity of this city. Together, we will get through this and see Como shine again. The club will donate all the proceeds from the Italian Cup match against Sassuolo, scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, to support the local community during this difficult time."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMorata sends a message on social media

The storms and severe rain also cut off some lakeside villages from the main transport route. New signing and Spanish international Alvaro Morata also voiced his opinion sadness, writing: "Last night, severe storms struck the province of Como, impacting the entire area and even cutting off some lakeside villages from main transport routes. Another wave of bad weather is expected in the coming hours, while efforts continue to protect the communities already most affected. Together with the club's management, we have chosen to contribute by donating all of the proceeds from Wednesday's match."

When is Como's Coppa Italia game?

The Serie A high-flyers will face Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia second round match on September 24, at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. 

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Getty Images SportComo's form this season

The Biancoblu are enjoying a decent tenure under manager Fabregas. Last season, after achieving promotion to the Serie A after 21 years, they recorded a 10-place finish in the top-flight. This season, they kick-started the campaign with a 3-1 win over Sudtirol in the Coppa Italia, and currently sit eighth in the league table with seven points after four games. 

Chelsea fans are "absolutely fuming" and have accused the Blues of exploitation ahead of Jose Mourinho's much anticipated return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. The clash has been slapped with a Category AA label, the most expensive tier in the club’s pricing structure, meaning adult general sale seats stretch up to a staggering £83.

• Opportunistic Chelsea raise ticket prices

  To add insult to injury, the number of junior and senior concession tickets has been cut, leaving families and long-standing season-ticket holders fuming. Many fans say the announcement, made just a week before kick-off, feels like a brazen cash grab timed perfectly for Mourinho’s much-hyped return.

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• AFP
  

  'They’re killing football’ – fans vent anger

  The outrage isn’t just about Chelsea, say supporters, it’s about the wider direction of the sport. In an interview with David Johnstone, of the CFCUK fanzine, didn’t mince his words: "I am absolutely fuming. And I’m not just fuming because it’s a Chelsea thing. It’s a football thing. These people running football now are absolutely killing it. I haven’t got a problem if people want to pay £10,000 to sit in that Dugout Club. If they want champagne and bells and whistles, good luck to them. 

  "But don’t forget the majority of people who are struggling to pay their electricity, gas bills, pay their mortgages, put food on the table, for whom football is the one release at the end of the day, at the end of the week. I’ve got a 12-year-old kid, he’s 12 on Saturday, and I’m having to pay £50 for a ticket for him, because I can’t get a kids’ one. In 10 years’ time, he isn’t going to be able to afford to go to a game. It’s shocking.”

• Short notice and scrapped concessions spark backlash

  Tim Rolls, ex-chair of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST), echoed the fury.

  “There’s a number of issues around the short notice, the increase in pricing, the removal of concession pricing," he said. “By removing the concession pricing without any advance notice, they’ve just increased prices for youngsters, for over-66s. They probably are happy to alienate groups of season-ticket holders, especially the older ones, because they think that they can sell tickets – especially for this type of game – to one-offs. People who are happy to pay more because of the Mourinho effect. And it will inevitably have an effect.”

  Many suspect the categorisation was no coincidence, though Johnstone disagrees.

  “They’d have done it anyway," he claimed. “They don’t want oiks like me who struggle to get £800 for a season ticket. We’re no good to them. Why’s the atmosphere so rubbish? Because they’re filling it up with tourists. If people want to come and see Chelsea, I welcome them from anywhere in the world. It must be great. They’d rather have those people paying £70, £80, £90 for an ordinary ticket and going and spending £300 in the megastore and coming once in their life. People like me, at the bottom of the food chain, we’re not going to have anything left.”

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• Trust calls out ‘exploitation’

  This row follows hot on the heels of another storm three weeks ago, when Chelsea flogged bundle tickets for all four group games, against Benfica, Ajax, Barcelona, and Pafos, at a discounted rate. Season-ticket holders feared losing their usual seats unless they stumped up more cash.

  A CST spokesperson said: “The Chelsea Supporters Trust is deeply concerned with the club’s handling of ticket sales for upcoming Uefa Champions League fixtures. Recent decisions have been marked by poor communication, unjustifiable price increases and a disregard for supporters. The message is clear – stop exploiting our loyalty.”

His left knee has minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2024Mohammed Shami will not be considered for the fourth and fifth Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to swelling on his left knee.The BCCI press release on Shami’s fitness came days after India captain Rohit Sharma called on the National Cricket Academy to provide an update on the fast bowler’s progress upon being asked once again about it at the end of the Brisbane Test.”Shami bowled 43 overs in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November,” the BCCI said in a statement. “Following this, he played in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he also engaged in additional bowling sessions on the sidelines to build his bowling volume in order to get ready for the Test matches.Related

Shami to be rested for Bengal's opening Vijay Hazare Trophy game

'We're not going to take any risk' – Rohit on Shami's fitness for Australia

“However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period.”Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI medical team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”Shami has not played for India since the ODI World Cup final in November last year, after which he underwent surgery for a heel injury in February. The BCCI said he had “completely recovered” from the heel injury and would “continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and build his bowling loads needed to meet the demands of the longest format of the game”.Shami was not included in Bengal’s squad for their first game of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy on December 21 and the BCCI said his participation in the tournament would depend on the state of his knee.

Arsenal are beginning to turn a Liverpool target’s head as we enter the final few weeks of this summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta’s side making an approach for the player amid their long-winded pursuit of Eberechi Eze.

Arsenal can hand Arteta his own Isak-level signing in £100m Eze alternative

The incredible international could be a real game-changer for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 6, 2025

Sporting director Andrea Berta has already made quite the impression in his first summer operating as Edu’s replacement, spending north of £200 million on the signings of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and star striker Viktor Gyokeres.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£208m

The Gunners are seemingly determined to end the club’s two-decade-long wait for another Premier League title, and despite their need to offload surplus squad members right now, Arsenal could still sign Eze before the window closes.

They view the England international as a more potent playmaker in terms of goals, and who could complement club captain Martin Odegaard in a central role (Sky Sports).

Eze is Arsenal’s top target from now until the transfer deadline on September 1, and they’re expected to make a formal bid for the Palace star after holding extensive talks with his representatives.

The 27-year-old has also spoken directly to both Arteta and Berta about joining Arsenal, according to Ben Jacobs for talkSPORT, with some initial talks taking place with Palace as the north Londoners aim to get his signing done for around £55 million.

However, Eze may not be there only signing in the next few weeks, with Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet believed to be a target as well.

The promising Ligue 1 sensation only signed a new deal until 2029 in May, but some reports suggest Jacquet is increasingly tempted by the prospect of a move to Arsenal, with Fabrizio Romano also reporting that an approach has been made.

Jeremy Jacquet debating future with camp as Arsenal and Liverpool eye moves

According to journalist Graeme Bailey for TBR Football, Jacquet is holding talks with representatives over his future amid this contact from Arsenal, while it is also believed that Premier League champions Liverpool have registered an interest.

While Rennes insist that he’s not for sale, the 20-year-old is still speaking to his camp about what could be next for him, so Jacquet’s head may be turning amid this attention from England.

There is a feeling among the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool that he could still be attainable despite Rennes’ stance, with the idea of a ‘buy-to-loan’ type move, similar to how Arteta’s side got William Saliba from Saint-Etienne, not ruled out.

Even in that scenario, Rennes would keep Jacquet in France for at least another season, but Arteta would have to wait before fully integrating him into the squad.

His price tag is rumoured to be around £25 million, which could be a savvy investment for the future considering his already-glowing reputation across the channel.

Jacquet has been dubbed the “technical leader of his generation” by his former development coach at Rennes, Pierre-Emmanuel Bordeau, and football writer Phil Costa believes he’s “one of the best defensive prospects in France” in a similar mould to Ben White.

Bangladesh’s selectors have recalled Mehidy Hasan Miraz to the T20I squad for the three-match series against India starting next week. Mehidy played the last of his 25 T20Is in July last year, missing Bangladesh’s last 24 matches in that format while being a key allrounder in the two longer formats.There were also recalls for opener Parvez Hossain Emon and left-arm spinner Rakibul Hasan.Related

• Mayank's fitness, Jadeja's replacement among India's priorities in Bangladesh T20Is

• Official says govt will provide Shakib with security on Dhaka return

• Shakib says he's done with T20Is, will play his final Test next month

• Mayank Yadav called up as India name fresh-looking T20I squad

Shakib Al Hasan is the big absentee but this was expected following his announcement on Thursday that he was retiring from both Tests and T20Is. Soumya Sarkar is the other player who featured in the T20 World Cup earlier this year who has been left out.Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain paid tribute to Shakib, saying Bangladesh would have a tough time replacing him, and hoped Mehidy could step up to a batting-centric role in Shakib’s absence. Ashraf explained that Mehidy had been picked to bat higher up the order without a set bowling role.”The great Shakib Al Hasan has already announced that he has played his last T20I for Bangladesh,” Ashraf said. “We don’t have anyone to replace his experience and performance but we feel that Mehidy Hasan Miraz is a good batter who can handle the middle order. Mehidy can play as a batter. We didn’t pick him in the previous [T20] World Cup as we usually feel that he has a strong role as an allrounder in Tests and ODIs.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“We didn’t feel his bowling was a great option in the powerplay in T20s. We didn’t want to disturb his rhythm in the other formats. This is why he wasn’t in our T20 World Cup plans, which we had clearly communicated to him. We are hopeful of seeing him higher in the order, just above the finisher’s role.”The new role will be quite a challenge for Mehidy, who currently has 248 runs in 20 T20I innings at an average of 14.58 and a strike rate of 118.66, with a highest score of 46. He has opened the batting twice, and batted once each at Nos. 5 and 6.Ashraf said that Parvez, the left-hand opener, impressed the selectors in various camps during the off-season. He added that Rakibul got the nod due to an injury to left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam.”We have made changes in the opening, middle order and spin attack while keeping the pace attack intact,” Ashraf said. “We have brought in Parvez Hossain Emon in Soumya Sarkar’s place. We have observed him in the recent camps. He is part of our future plans. Rakibul has taken Tanvir’s place, as the latter is recovering from a broken hand. Rakibul is useful with the new ball.”Ashraf said the selectors still believe the veteran Mahmudullah can do a job in the T20I side, despite his mixed-bag performance in the T20 World Cup earlier this year. “We have our future squad in mind,” he said. “We will give value to experienced players. We have belief in Mahmudullah. The captain will have all the options for combinations in this squad.”Bangladesh’s T20Is against India are in Gwalior (October 6), New Delhi (October 9) and Hyderabad (October 12).

Bangladesh squad for T20Is against India

Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tawhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Litton Das, Jaker Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rakibul Hasan.
IN: Parvez Hossain Emon, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rakibul Hasan
OUT: Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan.

اعترفت فايزة العماري، والدة كيليان مبابي، نجم نادي ريال مدريد، أن ابنها كان مغرورًا بعض الشيء في مرحلة ما، كاشفة عن حب الدولي الفرنسي لـ زين الدين زيدان وكريستيانو رونالدو منذ الصغر.

مبابي انتهى به المطاف بتحقيق حلمه واللعب في صفوف ريال مدريد خلال صيف العام الماضي، حيث وقع اللاعب مع الملكي في صفقة انتقال حر عقب نهاية عقده مع باريس سان جيرمان.

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وقالت العماري في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس”: “بالطبع كانت هناك أوقات كان بها مبابي مغرورًا، لكن كأم عليكِ أن تعيديه إلى أرض الواقع، من حقه أن يشعر بالضيق أحيانًا، إنه إنسان في النهاية”.

وعن كريستيانو رونالدو وزيدان: “بدأ الأمر مع زيدان وكيليان في الرابعة من عمره، ثم حبه لـ كريستيانو رونالدو، بالنسبة له كان يتعامل وكأنه برتغاليًا، كان يذهب لمشاهدة مباريات البرتغال ويشجع رونالدو ويقول لي أنا برتغالي”.

واستكملت: “في الرابعة عشر من عمري، قال لي كيليان: أمي، لقد لمس زيدان سترتي، لن أغسلها مرة أخرى”.

وعن كون مبابي أسطورة، أجابت العماري: “لا أحب كلمة أيقونة، إنها تخيفني، يتحدث الناس عن الشهرة، لكنهم لا يتحدثون عن التوقعات والعواقب، أنا فخورة بكيليان الرجل الذي أصبح عليه أكثر من فخري بكيليان اللاعب”.

واعترفت أنها تأثرت وبكت كثيرًا بعد شائعات تورط مبابي في فضيحة اغتصاب بفندق ستوكهولم في السويد، واختتمت: “كانت تلك أصعب لحظة بالنسبة لي، بكى، وقلت له: سنقاتل، حينها تدرك مدى هشاشة كل شيء، لو ارتكب كيليان أي خطأ في السويد، لكنت أخذته إلى الشرطة بنفسي”.

Aston Villa have a busy couple of weeks ahead amid their need to ensure they don’t overstep the FFP mark and one of their star men is now being lined up for a move ato Manchester United.

Aston Villa's balancing act in light of PSR

Profit and Sustainability Rules have become a contentious topic for fans who don’t support one of the traditional ‘Big Six’ clubs. However, they have become a frustrating reality that everyone now has to abide by.

Unfortunately, Aston Villa are now at risk of breaching regulations after recording £202.6 million in pre-tax losses over the past two years, which is the most out of anyone in the Premier League.

Losing a maximum of £105 million over three consecutive years is the limit for top-flight clubs, which has created plenty of speculation regarding potential sales to bridge the gap.

BBC Sport columnist Fara Williams has named Jacob Ramsey as a player Aston Villa could sell to make ends meet, as she said: “It does feel like Aston Villa will have to sell some key players this summer if they are to bring others in and keep within PSR regulations.

“There has been a lot of rumours around it and I believe Jacob Ramsey was a name being mentioned who, as a homegrown player, they would make more money from.”

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The Villans have also passed on signing Marcus Rashford permanently, prioritising Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho as a more affordable alternative.

Nevertheless, the feeling around the West Midlands is one that Aston Villa must sell before they can buy, and Unai Emery could now have a dilemma on his hands following recent developments.

Emiliano Martinez in talks with Man Utd

Now, according to reports via CaughtOffside, Emiliano Martinez is in talks over a move to Manchester United and may be a sacrificial lamb for Aston Villa amid their current PSR state of limbo, and he is thought to be open to the idea of moving to Old Trafford.

Due to the Red Devils’ status as a domestic rival, the Villans are reportedly demanding a fee north of £40 million to sell the World Cup-winning stopper this summer, who has been identified as a successor to Andre Onana under Ruben Amorim.

Emiliano Martinez in 2024/25 – Premier League (Fotmob)

Appearances

37

Goals conceded

45

Clean sheets

8

Penalties saved from penalties faced

1/2

Labelled “magnificent” by Alan Shearer, Martinez now appears primed for a move elsewhere, begging the question of who could replace the Argentina international between the sticks.

Going off recent times, OGC Nice stopper Marcin Bulka is a prominent target for Aston Villa, illustrating that Emery may have his eyes on a younger alternative in the event he is left searching for new blood.

Either way, Martinez has been a brilliant servant in the West Midlands and would be sorely missed, even if his departure feels like the best source of action for all parties involved.