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Celtic dropped down to second in the Scottish Premiership table on Saturday afternoon as they were held to a drab 0-0 draw by Hibernian at Parkhead.

The Hoops have dropped points in two of their six matches in the top-flight so far this season, and they now sit two points behind Hearts in the table.

Brendan Rodgers made a few changes to the starting line-up to freshen things up after the 1-1 draw with Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday night, but the players coming in did not push their case forward to keep a starting berth. Arne Engels was one of those players who did not take their chance.

Why Arne Engels should be dropped by Celtic

The Belgium international was brought into the central midfield mix to replace Benjamin Nygren, who dropped to the bench, but produced an underwhelming performance in the middle of the park.

Engels, who was signed for £11m from Augsburg last summer, was substituted in the 68th minute of the match after failing to register a shot on target or a ‘big chance’ created, per Sofascore.

The 22-year-old flop lost possession of the ball 18 times and only created two chances, neither of which were ‘big chances’, before Rodgers decided to haul him off for the last 20 minutes.

Chalkboard

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

Engels should, therefore, be dropped from the starting line-up after he failed to take his chance to impress. However, the Belgian was not the only underperformer for the Hoops, as Kelechi Iheanacho was even worse than him.

Why Celtic should drop Kelechi Iheanacho

The Nigeria international was brought into the starting line-up to replace Daizen Maeda in the number nine position after he came off the bench to score in the draw with Red Star Belgrade.

As you can see in the clip above, the former Sevilla striker did brilliantly to take the ball under control and find the top corner between two defenders to put the Hoops ahead in that match.

Unfortunately, the left-footed attacker was unable to follow that up with an impressive performance from the start against Hibernian, as he wasted several chances to find the back of the net.

As you can see in the table above, Iheanacho spurned the two big chances that he had, one of which was a tap in that he struck the crossbar with from close range.

The worst part of his performance was that the one chance that he did take, finding the back of the net with a nice finish, was offside because he mistimed his run across the front post.

Along with his poor play in front of goal, Iheanacho also lost 100% of his duels (1/1), per Sofascore, which shows that he did not compete with and make it hard for the Hibs defenders.

This is why he was even worse than Engels, who won more duels (two), created more chances (two), and missed fewer ‘big chances’ (one) than the striker, per Sofascore.

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Both of Iheanacho’s goals for Celtic so far have come as a substitute. This, perhaps, suggests that coming off the bench to make an impact should be his role for now, which is why he must be ditched from the starting XI against Braga.

Thibaut Courtois has launched a scathing attack on La Liga president Javier Tebas for censoring player protests and called the league's actions “manipulation”. The Real Madrid goalkeeper also fired back at Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s insinuations about refereeing bias ahead of a crucial run of fixtures, including Juventus and El Clasico.

• La Liga protest controversy takes centre stage

  Courtois has hit out at La Liga after players across the division staged silent protests at kick-off this past weekend, opposing the league’s plan to take Villarreal vs Barcelona to Miami on December 20. Players stood motionless as a symbolic act of resistance but broadcasters avoided showing the protests, instead cutting to aerial shots of stadiums with the message “Commitment to peace”.

  Adding fuel to the backlash, La Liga and match organisers Relevent have now officially cancelled the proposed fixture in the United States, citing a lack of preparation time and uncertainty within Spanish football. Despite its cancellation, the controversy has already left its mark fans were angered, players made their stance clear, and the debate over league decision-making intensified.

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  Courtois calls out Tebas and censorship

  Courtois spoke in a tense press conference ahead of Madrid’s Champions League game against Juventus and did not hold back in his accusations. 

  "La Liga does whatever it wants because it suits them,” said the Belgian. “This decision distorts the competition. Playing at home is not the same as playing away. In La Liga, playing away is very difficult, as we saw against Real Sociedad and Getafe. Villarreal away is tough. It’s not fair to change the rules mid-season without consulting us.

  “Hiding the protests and trying to change the narrative is censorship and manipulation. I don't know what surprises you. They've been doing this for a while. I've already said I've never seen a president speak the way he does… It's censorship, it's manipulation, it's serious."

  The ex-Chelsea star also contrasted La Liga’s plans with the NBA and NFL, who regularly play matches abroad: “The NBA has 82 games, and the NFL’s owners collectively approve these decisions. Here, La Liga acts unilaterally. It’s not the same."

• Laporta, referees and Courtois’ sharp reply

  The debate escalated further when the goalkeeper directly responded to comments made by Barcelona president Laporta. After Barca’s win over Girona, Laporta hinted at unfair refereeing by referencing a “white hand” influencing decisions. He claimed their coach Hansi Flick had been unfairly suspended and suggested external forces were favouring Madrid.

  “Are you talking about a white hand? If there isn’t one, it looks very similar. Our coach won’t be there for the next match, although the club is going to appeal Hansi Flick’s suspension,” said the Barca president.

  Courtois responded firmly to Laporta’s claims, pointing out that such comments were linked to the ongoing Negreira refereeing scandal surrounding Barcelona.

  "[Laporta] says that because he has to, because of the Negreira case. I've never noticed that at Madrid, quite the opposite. I don't feel like they've benefited us at any point," he said. 

  The tension between both clubs adds yet another layer to an already hostile atmosphere ahead of El Clasico. Laporta’s remarks were made during Barcelona’s General Assembly, increasing political pressure within the club and casting refereeing narratives into the spotlight.

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  What this means ahead of Juventus and El Clasico

  The 33-year-old is preparing for his 300th appearance for Los Blancos when they host Juve in the Champions League. A win would help them maintain control of their European campaign and boost morale ahead of El Clasico. Key returns such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ferland Mendy are expected, but doubts remain over Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen, who are racing against time for fitness.

  El Clasico remains the real focus for Madrid. Barcelona are just two points behind and have regained form after a 6-1 Champions League win over Olympiacos. A defeat for Madrid could see their lead at the top disappear, placing extra pressure on Xabi Alonso’s squad management during a demanding week.

  Beyond injuries, Alonso will emphasise composure amid rising political noise surrounding referees and league decisions. Madrid edged past Getafe 1-0 in their last game, aware that even minor lapses could prove costly in a title race this tight. With tensions rising between club presidents and players now speaking publicly, El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu promises more than just football it’s a battle on and off the pitch.

Barcelona have revealed a Clasico kit with an Ed Sheeran logo ahead of their La Liga clash with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Catalans have done it again, and this time, they’ve called in one of the biggest names in pop to headline El Clasico as they unveiled their latest show-stopping kit for their trip to the Spanish capital: an emblazoned jersey with none other than Sheeran’s “Play” album logo.

Barca rock the music world as Ed Sheeran takes centre stage

In what’s become an unmissable pre-Clasico tradition, Barca’s ongoing partnership with Spotify has produced another jaw-dropping shirt design, and Sheeran is the latest megastar to take centre stage. Following in the footsteps of Drake, Rosalía, The Rolling Stones, and Karol G, the British singer-songwriter has now become the first male solo pop artist ever to appear on the Barcelona jersey. The special edition shirt will make its first appearance on October 19, when Barca’s women’s side face Granada, before stealing the global spotlight on October 26, when Hansi Flick’s men take on their fiercest rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu.

AdvertisementGoal ARSheeran fascinated with the Barcelona collaboration

For Sheeran, who’s long worn his love of football on his sleeve, the collaboration marks a personal milestone. Speaking after the reveal, the Grammy-winning musician couldn’t hide his delight: "Seeing my new album, Play, on the Barça shirt is one of those moments I can hardly believe. I’ve loved football my whole life, so bringing my music to such an iconic stage and sharing it with fans everywhere means a lot to me.”

It’s not the first time Sheeran has mixed music with football. The Suffolk-born singer sponsors his local club, Ipswich Town, but even that can’t compare to the global roar that accompanies an El Clasico. This time, his logo won’t just be heard, it’ll be seen by hundreds of millions when the world tunes in for football’s fiercest rivalry. 

Inside the Barça dressing room, Sheeran’s music already has a strong following. Robert Lewandowski, the club’s star striker, revealed that the singer’s tracks often blast through the speakers before big games. 

“Ed’s songs have been part of our dressing-room playlist for a long time, so seeing his new album on our shirt for El Clásico is really special," he said. "Music and football unite fans in powerful ways, and I’m proud to represent that connection on the pitch.” 

The club confirmed that exclusive collector’s editions of the Sheeran x Barça kit will go on sale from October 15 at official Barca Stores. Given the global hysteria surrounding previous artist collaborations, these shirts are expected to sell out in record time.

A new beat in the world’s biggest rivalry

Founded in 1899 and 1902 respectively, the two clubs first clashed over a century ago during the Copa de la Coronacion. Since then, El Clasico has evolved into a cultural and political battleground, a clash of philosophies, pride, and identity. Over the decades, tensions have flared over player signings, refereeing controversies, and league dominance. Icons from Laszlo Kubala and Luis Suarez to Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas have shaped the rivalry’s history. Today, the statistics are as close as ever, with Real Madrid edging out the Blaugrana with 105 wins to 103 victories. With margins this tight, every encounter carries seismic weight, and adding Sheeran’s global brand to the mix only cranks the intensity higher.

If Real Madrid fans thought the first two decades of the millennium had been difficult due to the emergence of a certain Lionel Messi, Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have made sure to turn it into a full-blown nightmare. Under Flick in 2024-25, Barcelona have played with a ruthless, attacking edge, netting 16 goals against Madrid across those four games. No team in history has ever punished Los Blancos so brutally in a single season, smashing the previous record of 13 goals set in 2011/12. The domination reached its crescendo in Saudi Arabia, where Barca lifted the Spanish Super Cup with a 5-2 demolition despite being reduced to ten men for over half an hour.

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koooraYamal’s timely return boosts Flick’s men

As Barca gear up for another titanic showdown at the Bernabeu, they’ve received a crucial boost: Lamine Yamal is back. The 18-year-old sensation, hailed by Zinedine Zidane himself as one of the most exciting talents in world football, has returned to training after recovering from a groin injury. With Barcelona currently two points behind Real Madrid after eight La Liga rounds, the Bernabeu clash could define their season, and Yamal’s dazzling creativity may be the difference-maker.

Arne Slot has been a revelation at Liverpool, bucking the trend of managers falling by the wayside in the Premier League after replacing coaches with long legacies.

Indeed, most thought Feyenoord’s coach would struggle to impress when replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but he took the reins and led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season, so confidently beating off competition.

Swiftly turning doubters into believers, just like the head coach before him, Slot has the minerals to lead this ambitious Liverpool project for many years to come.

Liverpool have now restructured themselves into a global force to be reckoned with, smashing the British spending record this summer, but Klopp built the foundations that Slot’s squad walk on, paving the Dutchman’s trophy-winning success.

Klopp's Liverpool legacy

Klopp didn’t just lead Liverpool to many trophies across his time at the helm, but he took an Anfield outfit in disrepair and shaped it back into a superpower, forming one of English football’s great rivalries with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Premier League

1x

19/20

Champions League

1x

18/19

FA Cup

1x

21/22

Carabao Cup

2x

21/22, 23/24

Club World Cup

1x

19/20

UEFA Super Cup

1x

19/20

Community Shield

1x

22/23

He just got it, did Klopp. The bond he formed with Liverpool was a priceless thing, adding substance to his illustrious career, lifting Premier League and Champions League trophies as Liverpool manager.

The 58-year-old also gave rise to a new level of youth quality, guiding superstars like Trent Alexander-Arnold to the fore and raising the standard of the academy as a whole.

‘Klopp’s Kids’ as they came to be known, played an instrumental role in winning the Carabao Cup during the German’s swansong, and indeed keeping the ship steady amid a wave of injury problems, helping Liverpool back into the Champions League.

Couple that with Klopp’s remarkable midfield rebuild, signing Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch, and you can see why Slot has enjoyed such success over his year on Merseyside.

Many of Liverpool’s academy talents have since moved on, but a few remain. One of whom would be Conor Bradley, who, despite his recent injury concerns, has what it takes to become a leading first-teamer over the coming years.

Slot has hit gold on Conor Bradley

Bradley, 22, burst onto the scene in the 2023/24 season, mesmerising as he soared in the injured Alexander-Arnold’s stead, hitting one goal and six assists across his half-season in the first team.

In just his second Premier League match of the season, the young right-back obliterated Chelsea, scoring a fantastic goal and setting up two more.

Hailed by Alexander-Arnold for his “absolutely phenomenal” start to life under Klopp’s wing, this academy talent looked right at home from the off, leaving no doubts in the fanbase’s collective mind that this was a player capable of dazzling in red for years to come.

While Bradley doesn’t have his right-back predecessor’s same incredible range of passing, he is an athletic freak, capable of zipping up and down the wing and contributing with assists and tackles. 58 matches into his Liverpool career, Bradley has chalked up 11 assists.

Injuries limited him to just seven starts in the Premier League last season, but Bradley remains one of the most exciting up-and-comers in Slot’s squad, ranking among the top 3% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 5% for progressive carries, the top 13% for ball recoveries and the top 6% for goal-creating actions per 90, data courtesy of FBref.

Described as a “really special talent” by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill, Bradley has already become a staple for his nation, proving his dynamism by often playing in a more advanced role.

With Jeremie Frimpong having ostensibly replaced Trent in the transfer market this summer and Szoboszlai playing like a man possessed as a makeshift right-back at the moment, Bradley has his work cut out in nailing down a regular starting berth, but he certainly has the potential to do so.

In fact, given the trajectory his career has taken already, Bradley might even be assured of his chances of becoming an even bigger fish in the Liverpool pond, having seen his market value skyrocket since Klopp left.

According to Transfermarkt, the defender’s estimated price tag has actually doubled over the past year, going from £13m to £26m.

Comparatively, this 100% rise is still a rather meagre amount, especially when comparing the player’s value against the most prominent members of Slot’s squad.

But he’s already pieced together too impressive a showreel to be considered anything other than one of the biggest talents in Liverpool’s ranks right now, with his goal against Chelsea the statement.

And, of course, how could we forget that tackle on Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League last year? Technical ability? Check. But passion? Well, he has that in droves.

If Bradley can work his way toward full fitness over the coming weeks and months, Liverpool will unlock another dimension to their backline, reinforcing the defensive structure (and covering the likes of Ibrahima Konate, who has had an up-and-down start to the term).

Then the talent’s value would only grow and grow some more, which is exciting to think about for those of a Reds persuasion. We have only had a taste of this academy gem’s potential.

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خاض منتخب إسبانيا، مساء يوم الثلاثاء، مباراته في إطار التصفيات المؤهلة إلى بطولة كأس العالم نسخة 2026، وذلك ضد نظيره منتخب بلغاريا.

واستضاف ملعب “نويفو خوسيه زوريلا” مباراة منتخبي إسبانيا وبلغاريا، في خضم تصفيات قارة أوروبا المؤهلة إلى مونديال الصيف المقبل، حيث فاز اللاروخا بأربعة أهداف دون رد.

تمكن ميكيل ميرينو من تسجيل هدف أول لصالح منتخب إسبانيا، في الدقيقة 35 من عمر الشوط الأول.

ونجح ميرينو في تسجيل الهدف الثاني له ولصالح كتيبة لويس دي لا فوينتي، إسبانيا، في الدقيقة 57 من عمر المباراة، ليعزز تفوق أصحاب الأرض.

واستفادت إسبانيا من النيران الصديقة بعدما اهتزت شباك بلغاريا بهدف عكسي من لاعبها، آتاناس تشيرنيف في الدقيقة 79.

وفي الدقيقة 91، تحصلت إسبانيا على ضربة جزاء نفذها اللاعب ميكيل أويارزابال وحولها بنجاح إلى هدف رابع، لتقترب إسبانيا من المونديال.

بتلك النتيجة، ارتفع رصيد إسبانيا إلى 12 نقطة في صدارة المجموعة الخامسة، بينما ظل رصيد بلغاريا خاليًا من النقاط في المركز الرابع والأخير.

Everton’s summer transfer strategy has been bold but calculated.

The arrival of Thierno Barry from Villarreal for £27.6m underlined a clear ambition to reshape the attack after the departure of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Tall, powerful, and direct, Barry has been brought in to spearhead David Moyes’ frontline, but even with his signing the squad is not yet incomplete.

The most pressing gap is on the right wing. With Jack Harrison returning to Leeds after his loan, Moyes has been left without a natural option in that role.

Everton’s interest in Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu shows the urgency of the search, but reports suggest their main focus has been on securing a player capable of making an immediate difference in the Premier League.

The profile they are chasing is clear: a young winger with the ability to carry the ball over long distances, stretch opposition defences, and contribute in the final third. Such a signing would not only bring balance to the squad but also unlock Barry’s strengths by providing him with the service and support needed to thrive.

Everton’s interest has already led to an ambitious approach in the transfer market.

Everton’s pursuit of Malick Fofana

That ambition has been embodied in their attempt to land Malick Fofana from Lyon.

The 20-year-old Belgian winger has been described as “explosive” by football analyst Ben Mattinson and labelled a market opportunity that Europe’s elite should be targeting.

According to L’Equipe, via Sport Witness, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are also among the clubs monitoring his situation, but so far Everton have been the only side to explore a move with a formal offer.

The proposal, worth €36m (£31m) including bonuses, was rejected, with Lyon insisting on a fixed €40m (£35m) fee. The French club are under financial pressure, needing to raise €40m (£35m) before June 2026 to balance the books.

Manager Paulo Fonseca is keen to keep Fofana, but the economic reality may force their hand.

For now, the player is only prepared to leave for Champions League football, which means that the Toffees will need to convince him to make the move to Merseyside.

In stylistic terms, he shares traits with Kaoru Mitoma and Pedro Neto: direct, unpredictable, and relentless in moving the ball forward.

For Everton, who lacked that profile last season, such qualities would transform their attack.

Why Everton should sign Malick Fofana

Fofana’s statistical output places him among Europe’s most exciting young wingers.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 97th percentile for progressive carries per 90 (6.60), the 94th percentile for carries into the final third (3.28), and the 85th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (6.14).

His efficiency in the final action is just as impressive, with a 99th percentile ranking for shots on target percentage (55.8%) and the 93rd percentile for penalty-area crosses (0.62 per 90).

Malick Fofana – Ligue 1 2024/25

Matches Played

29

Starts

16

Goals

5

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

112

Progressive Passes

45

Source: FBref

What makes Everton’s pursuit of Fofana particularly intriguing is how well he could complement Barry.

The 22-year-old French striker is a classic target man in some respects. Standing at 6ft 5in, he dominates aerial duels, winning nearly two-thirds of those contested inside the penalty area.

Yet his game is not limited to physicality. Barry ranks highly for runs in behind and crosses received, showing a willingness to stretch defences and exploit space.

Last season at Villarreal, he scored 11 goals from an expected goals tally of 11.7, per FBref, adding four assists in the process. His aerial presence is matched by a sharp instinct for finding pockets of space, a skill that drew comparisons with Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade.

Everton see him as the long-term successor to Calvert-Lewin, but Moyes has admitted he will need time to adjust to the Premier League.

This is why a player like Fofana could be invaluable.

His ability to dribble past opponents and deliver precise balls into the box would immediately provide Barry with the kind of service he thrives on.

By cutting inside from the right, Fofana could create overloads in central areas, forcing defenders to step out of position and leaving Barry with space in the penalty box.

His 93rd percentile for penalty-area crosses suggests he is adept at picking out strikers, while Barry’s 86th percentile for aerials won shows he would be ready to capitalise.

The partnership would not be one-dimensional. Fofana’s threat in front of goal, reflected in his 55.8% shot accuracy, means opponents should not simply treat him as a provider.

Defences would be stretched both vertically and horizontally, creating opportunities for Everton to vary their attacking play. For a team that often struggled with breaking teams down last season, this variety could be transformative.

Everton’s 13th-place finish last year was built on defensive resilience and a late-season surge, but their lack of attacking spark prevented a higher finish.

With Barry and potentially Fofana, they would have the balance of power and flair: a forward who can dominate penalty areas and a winger who can consistently carry the ball into dangerous zones.

Of course, the financial challenge is significant. Meeting Lyon’s €40m (£35m) demand would represent a huge outlay, and Fofana’s preference for Champions League football complicates matters further.

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Yet the logic behind their pursuit is plain to see. At just 20, he offers immediate impact and long-term potential, making him a rare opportunity in the market.

For Everton, landing Fofana would be about creating a partnership in the final third that could reshape their identity under Moyes. Barry’s power and presence combined with Fofana’s creativity and explosiveness could provide exactly the attacking edge the Toffees have been missing.

It is rare for a Test to have shifted as far back and forth as this third Test between Pakistan and England has in the space of two days. But a gutsy century from Saud Shakeel, and allround brilliance from Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, lifted the hosts from the gutter to the top of the mountains of Rawalpindi. A first home series win since 2021 is in view.Shakeel’s remarkable 134 from 223 deliveries – his fourth in Tests – dragged Pakistan to 344, boasting a vital first-innings lead of 77. That was ultimately achieved thanks to vital lower-order assistance from Noman Ali (45) and Sajid Khan (48 not out) in stands of 88 and 72 before they resumed their primary roles to run roughshod over England’s top-order once more, leaving them 24 for 3 at the close.The tourists will be wondering how the script has been flipped onto them so comprehensively. It seemed unthinkable when Shakeel arrived on Thursday evening at 46 for 3. Or when Rehan Ahmed’s pre-lunch spell of 3 for 24 from eight overs had the hosts reeling on 177 for 7, still 90 behind. The legspinner bagged No.11 Zahid Mahmood first-ball to finish with figures of 4 for 66 in his first appearance of the series.Resuming on 16 overnight, Shakeel brought old world-style and substance. There were just five boundaries during his vigil, the fourth of those a firm sweep in front of square which took him to 50 from 92 deliveries. His fifth and final one came 108 balls later. It was appropriate that he had the honour of taking Pakistan to 267, cancelling out England’s opening effort, with a comfortable single driven down the ground off the penultimate ball before tea.He was also the glue throughout, present in all four of Pakistan’s half-century stands in their first innings. While the 53 and 54 with Shan Masood and Mohammed Rizwan respectively had been about consolidation and rebuilding, the partnerships with Noman and Sajid set a new agenda. The former did his bit to achieve parity, the latter unfurled a heavy assault with four sixes among six boundaries, which included blasting off-spinner Shoaib Bashir out of the attack as his final over went for 19.England had gone into lunch in the ascendancy, using an extended opening session to reduce Pakistan to 187 for 7, with Rehan taking three of the four wickets to fall after the resumption from 73 for 3. That included trapping Rizwan and Salman Agha leg before in the space of nine deliveries, before bowling Aamer Jamal via a drag on off a googly.Shakeel was able to bat through the morning but could have been removed on 26 when Bashir – who dismissed Shan Masood – found a leading edge through to Jamie Smith, who was unable to claim a low catch. The ball ended up ricocheting off the wicketkeeper’s left shin, reflecting the difficulty of the chance due to a lack of bounce.Still 80 behind after lunch, Shakeel and the very capable Noman set about drawing level with England’s first innings. The latter was the main aggressor, clouting Rehan for six down the ground as the 20-year-old struggled to find the full length that had come so easily in an excellent eight-over spell before the first break.Saud Shakeel reached a fine century in partnership with Noman Ali•Getty Images

Perhaps because there were two left-handers, Ben Stokes decided not to keep the legspinner on for the start of the session. When he did reintroduce Rehan, it was from the Media rather than the Pavilion End, where he had bowled all of his previous nine overs.The skipper’s frustration was compounded when Joe Root, brought on to bowl the 78th over, got his first delivery to spit out of the rough and take the shoulder of Noman’s bat when the left-hander was on 35. Stokes, fielding close in at first slip, got fingertips on the ball diving to his left. Noman had earlier corrected an LBW dismissal when on 10, with DRS confirming an inside-edge. It was the third decision umpire Sharfuddoula had overturned in this innings.The following over, Shakeel knocked another comfortable single into leg side to bring up his first hundred against England, and second at this venue. The celebrations from his batting partner and teammates in the home dressing room were far more animated than his, all too aware there was plenty of work to be done.Noman’s stay was ended by Bashir, getting the second new ball to skid into the pads of the No.9. But he found himself on the receiving end of Sajid’s acceleration at the start of the evening session, all while Shakeel was more than happy to hand the moustachioed whirlwind the strike. Even the blow Sajid wore on his chin that spilled blood on his shirt came from his blade, attempting to scoop Rehan over his shoulder.Shakeel’s stay was eventually capped at five hours and eight minutes, neither pulling nor defending a Gus Atkinson short delivery to sub-fielder Matthew Potts at midwicket. That Atkinson was not used sooner was another blight on Stokes’ captaincy after lunch, and it was odd that he did not turn to his own seam when Pakistan’s lower order were having their way with spin.When the innings was brought to a close by Rehan’s excellent googly into Mahmood’s stumps, a 5.20pm sunset suggested England did not have much to see out. But it was still enough time for a cascade of three wickets in 28 deliveries for just five runs.Ben Duckett, the most proactive player against spin, was trapped LBW on the back leg by Sajid, a decision the offie needed a DRS review to achieve. An arm ball from Noman then trapped Crawley – the fourth time the left-armer has pocketed the opener in as many innings – before Ollie Pope finished a dismal series with low hands offering a catch to slip, via a deflection from Rizwan’s gloves, for Noman’s second of the innings.The deficit is 53, and there is hope for England that Root and Harry Brook can make amends on day three. It was these two who combined for 454 in the first Test at Multan. But as all involved in Pakistan cricket will tell you, a lot can change in two weeks.

It’s been a summer to remember for Chelsea so far this year.

Enzo Maresca’s side capped off a great season by winning the revamped Club World Cup, and the board have been incredibly busy in the transfer market.

For example, the likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens were all through the door before they lifted the rather extravagant trophy in the US last month.

However, the Blues aren’t done there, as they’ve almost wrapped up the signing of Jorrel Hato and are closing in on another young talent who could be an even more exciting acquisition.

Chelsea close in on exciting talent

As things stand, it looks like the next transfer Chelsea are set to complete this summer is the one for Hato.

Transfer Focus

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The deal was given the ‘here we go’ treatment by transfers expert Fabrizio Romano yesterday evening, who revealed that the Dutchman has agreed to a “long term deal” at Stamford Bridge, and is set to cost “in excess of €40m,” which is about £35m.

There is no doubt that signing such a highly-rated young defender is exciting and will give Maresca plenty of options at the back, but the Blues aren’t finished there, and now look set to close a deal for another, even more exciting young player.

At least that is according to a recent report from Sports Zone, which claims that Chelsea are very interested in signing Emanuel Emegha.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the West Londoners are now “closing in on an agreement over personal terms” for a transfer that would take place next summer.

It’s not clear how much the Strasbourg striker would cost the Conference League champions, but Transfermarkt value him at around €25m, which is about £22m.

He might not be a well-known name to Premier League fans, but Emegha looks to be a tremendously promising young striker, and someone who could well be an even more exciting signing than Hato.

Why Emegha would be a more exciting signing than Hato

So, the first thing to say is that we’re are not disputing that Hato is a seriously exciting addition to this Chelsea squad, as at just 19 years old he already has 111 senior club appearances to his name.

However, two things really get fans on their feet in football, and they are goals and players that can make things happen in an attacking sense, which just so happen to be two things Emegha can do.

For example, when it comes to the first, he managed to rack up an impressive tally of 14 goals and three assists in just 27 Ligue 1 appearances, totalling 2307 minutes, last season.

Emegha’s 24/25 in the League

Appearances

27

Minutes

2307

Goals

14

Assists

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.62

Minutes per Goal Involvement

135.70′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In other words, despite starting the campaign at just 21 years old, the Dutch centre-forward was able to average a goal involvement every 1.58 games, or every 135.70 minutes.

When it comes to the latter point, we can see in his underlying numbers that he is more than just a poacher as well.

According to FBref, he also sits in the top 11% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, for carries into the penalty area per 90.

This suggests that, in addition to finishing chances at a reasonable rate, the “simply phenomenal” gem, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, is also brilliant at getting the ball into dangerous areas.

Finally, according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, the 22-year-old dynamo is also a “pacy runner” who’s brilliant at getting “in behind” defences, which is always the kind of player who’ll get fans up on their feet.

Ultimately, both Hato and Emegha are seriously promising talents, but given his position and goalscoring ability, it’s hard to deny that the latter would be the more exciting signing.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 31, 2025

Victory secured with 38 balls to spare after Mills’ team is bowled out for 106

Andrew Miller14-Sep-2024

Gloucestershire 109 for 2 (Bracey 49*, Bancroft 39) beat Sussex 106 (Carson 26, M Taylor 3-25, Smith 3-25) by eight wicketsGloucestershire booked themselves a West Country showdown with local rivals Somerset in the Vitality Blast final, to give themselves a shot at their first silverware for close to a decade, as well as their maiden title in this competition, after a crushingly effective eight-wicket victory over Sussex in the second semi-final at Edgbaston.After being asked to bowl first on a drying pitch that was likely to offer increasing grip for the spinners – and having watched Somerset’s bowlers put the squeeze on Surrey in the opening contest – Gloucestershire made sure that the conditions would be academic come the sharp end, by routing their previously high-flying rivals for 106 in 18.1 overs. Matt Taylor and Tom Smith grabbed the lion’s share of the wickets with twin figures of 3 for 25, but David Payne’s 1 for 9 in four overs was the epitome of their performance.After that, the result was never truly in doubt. Despite the early loss of Miles Hammond, Cameron Bancroft and James Bracey broke the back of the chase with a second-wicket stand of 54, and Sussex’s grim day was summed up when Ollie Robinson dropped an utter sitter at mid-on, as Bracey went for broke with just six runs needed. He got it right two balls later, however, with a mighty drill over long-off to wrap up the chase with 38 balls unused.Sussex hadn’t had a prayer with so few runs to play with. Tymal Mills, doubtless ruing his call at the toss, tried to frontload his strike bowling, with Robinson relatively misery but wicketless in his four overs for 23, while the only other successful bowler was James Coles, whose 1 for 17 in three overs will count as further experience banked at the end of a breakthrough campaign.Payne and Taylor boss the powerplay
Payne’s harnessing of swing in the powerplay is his “super-strength”, as he told ESPNcricinfo in the build-up, and with metronomic inevitability he proved true to his word once again. His 21st powerplay wicket of the campaign, and tournament-leading 30th overall, was the whopper that Gloucestershire needed above all others.With 595 runs at 42.50 going into Finals Day, Daniel Hughes had been the rock of Sussex’s batting all season long, but he’d extended his tally by just one more run when Payne outfoxed him in his second over. With a hint of shape from over the wicket, he lured Hughes across his crease then beat his intentions with some extra bounce, the under-edge deflecting into his own stumps.Five balls – and no runs – later, Sussex’s innings was officially in the soup. Matt Taylor’s low full toss wasn’t quite the yorker he was aiming for, but then nor was Harrison Ward’s leading-edged response. Hammond snaffled the low deflection that somehow carried to mid-on, and though James Coles then cracked three of Taylor’s next four balls for four, he too fell to the fifth, as Bancroft intercepted at short midwicket.Taylor’s third and final wicket, however, was a true collector’s item. Round the wicket, perfect line and length, it gripped the dry pitch and ripped and bounced like a legbreak through Tom Alsop’s half-formed defences. His hat-trick ball was too full to trouble John Simpson – “you greedy boy!” joked James Bracey over the stump mic, but at 35 for 4 at the end of the powerplay, Sussex were scrambling for anything competitive.Cameron Bancroft makes a dent in Gloucestershire’s small target•Getty Images

Price is right for middle overs
Ollie Price’s first two balls weren’t the most auspicious. Five wides first-up, then four more byes as a very tight appeal for lbw deceived both batter and keeper. His third ball, however, was bang on the money. Round the wicket to the left-handed Tom Clark, and straightening just enough out of the footholes to peg back his off stump as Clark missed his sweep.And, after a solitary over for his brother Tom, Ollie made it two wickets in as many overs as Fynn Hudson-Prentice, one ball after finding the stands at deep midwicket, found the fielder there instead, as he got too greedy on a dragged-down delivery, and picked out Hammond’s safe hands once more to depart for a run-a-ball 13.No let-up through the back end
Five balls was enough for Tom Smith to prise out Sussex’s last realistic hope of a defendable total. Simpson also succumbed to the sweep as he was nailed on the full, just in line with off stump, leaving Sussex beached on 64 for 7 in the tenth, with little option but to bat out the overs and take whatever they could muster.Robinson and Jack Carson obliged for a time, adding a run-a-ball 37 to drag the total past 100. But back came Smith, tossing it above Robinson’s eyeline to lure a hack to deep mid-off. One ball later, he and Bracey combined for a moment that might have been designed as Jack Russell-Mark Alleyne tribute act, as Smith fired a faster delivery past the pads of the incoming Mills, and the unsighted Bracey whipped off the bails for a stumping that would have graced the club’s trophy-winning glory days at the turn of the 2000s.With options aplenty and only the resolute Carson resisting, Payne bowled out in the 18th over, conceding just nine runs in total in another stellar display, before Josh Shaw – scarcely any less frugal – mopped up the resistance with 11 balls left unused. It had been a performance to match their magnificent defence of 139 on his same ground in the quarter-final against Birmingham Bears. On this evidence, there was little reason to believe Gloucestershire couldn’t make it three Edgbaston wins in a row by the end of cricket’s longest day.

Manchester City are “close” to completing the signing of a “crazy” attacking player this summer, according to a new update from reliable journalist Joe Crann.

Man City not messing around this summer

Pep Guardiola’s side suffered a hugely disappointing by their high standards, with not winning a single trophy almost seen as a disaster after so much success under the Spaniard.

It’s fair to say that City have acted fast since the 2024/25 campaign reached its conclusion, with Rayan Ait-Nouri joining from Wolves to bolster Guardiola’s left-back options.

While Rodri’s return from injury will be huge next season, a new midfield signings was essential, not least considering Kevin De Bruyne has moved on, and Tijjani Reijnders has arrived from AC Milan in an exciting piece of business.

City’s most eye-catching addition of the summer so far is Rayan Cherki, however, with the former Lyon winger an incredibly talented player who Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has lauded: “I have never seen a player in history who dribbles as quickly as him, with both feet.”

Man City close to signing "crazy" striker

According to ]The Sheffield Star‘s Crann on X, Sheffield Wednesday teenager Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri is “close to finalising” his move to Manchester City, having bid for him earlier this year.

He adds that the 15-year-old striker is “now expected to complete a switch once he returns to the UK”, as City add another big talent to their ranks after their deal for Sverre Nypan, which has been widely reported.

At 15, Cadamarteri is clearly one for the future, but he has already made waves in his young career to date, standing out as one of Wednesday’s most exciting academy products in years.

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Having already signed Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Rayan Cherki, Manchester City are now set to snap-up another “exceptional” youngster.

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The Englishman has been hailed as “crazy” by Crann, while 24 goals in just 23 appearances for the Owls’ Under-18s is a stunning return, as highlighted by his father and former Everton striker, Danny Cadamarteri.

For City, this should be seen as a major long-term coup, beating others to the services of Cadamarteri, and it will be interesting to see how he develops at the Etihad in the coming years.