Tottenham Hotspur salvaged their season when they defeated Manchester United in the Europa League final last May, rolling out the carpet for Champions League football once more.

Having completed some housework already, finalising a shrewd £30m deal for Mathys Tel and sealing the permanent signing of Kevin Danso after his loan spell, new manager Thomas Frank has turned his attention to external solutions.

While the former Brentford boss would love nothing more than to reunite with Bryan Mbeumo, the Red Devils hold the lead in that race. As such, Spurs have turned their attention to Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, having made contact with Bournemouth but made it known they have no interest in meeting the £70m asking price; the same is true for other suitors.

Despite an abject Premier League campaign, the Lilywhites have an exciting project indeed, and that’s why they might want to turn to a Semenyo alternative who might even prove an upgrade.

Spurs lining up Semenyo alternative

As per L’Equipe, as relayed by GetFootballNewsFrance, Tottenham have received a huge boost in their bid to sign AS Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche, who has been informed he could leave the Ligue 1 club for the right price this summer.

That price is marked at €60m (£51m), so he wouldn’t come cheap. However, the 23-year-old ace is one of the most exciting talents in France and is also attracting interest from Nottingham Forest alongside Spurs, who are both chasing a deal for the starlet.

The Moroccan has yet to be the centre of an official bid, but if Bournemouth remain stubborn on their valuation of Semenyo, that could change very soon.

What Maghnes Akliouche would bring to Spurs

Akliouche has made headway at Monaco over the last few years, graduating from the academy to become one of the most influential members of the first team.

Maghnes Akliouche – Monaco Stats by Season (all comps)
Season	Apps (starts)	Goals	Assists
24/25	43 (38)	7	12
23/24	31 (19)	8	4
22/23	13 (6)	1	0
21/22	9 (1)	0	1
Stats via Transfermarkt

He’s just come off the back of his most productive campaign, and having demonstrated such interesting year-by-year growth, might just be the perfect option to add to a developing Tottenham side showing itself to be a hothouse for young stars.

Indeed, Akliouche ranked among the top 14% of attacking midfielders and wingers last season for assists, the top 11% for progressive passes, and the top 16% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, illustrating both his creative flair and a tenacious approach to his football.

Typically playing off the right flank, Akliouche operates in a similar area to Semenyo, albeit he plays a different role. FBref have actually likened his style of play to that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the legendary Heung-min Son.

He notched 15 goal contributions in Ligue 1 last season, averaging 4.5 successful duels per game. He also created 15 big chances, as per Sofascore.

No question, Semenyo’s the real deal, but is the 25-year-old worth £70m? He finished the 2024/25 campaign with 13 goals and seven assists across 42 matches in all competitions, very impressive for the Cherries, but perhaps not worth such a large sum.

Not when there’s a “magician” in Akliouche potentially available, demonstrating incredible playmaking potential, with his “wand of a left foot” singled out for praise by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Semenyo is an energetic and versatile forward himself, and he did average a greater amount of successful duels than Akliouche last term (6.1 per Premier League match), but Tottenham could do with some more creative ingenuity on the flanks to enhance Frank’s system, and they already have a goalscoring specialist on the right in Brennan Johnson.

Moreover, the Morocco star has converted 12 big chances in the French top flight across the past two years, only missing 13 big chances, which speaks of a clinical instinct that Frank will be sure to tweak and develop on the training pitch.

While Semenyo would be a fantastic buy for the Londoners, Akliouche has a higher ceiling and would come at a cheaper fee.

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Arsenal are at the centre of many intriguing transfer stories this summer, and there is no sign of things slowing down at the Emirates Stadium with new sporting director Andrea Berta working tirelessly to reshape the squad.

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Mikel Arteta is already poised to welcome the arrivals of Spain international duo Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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

Zubimendi was in London last month to finalise a move to Arsenal, while Kepa has been confirmed as a new Arsenal player after he completed a medical last week.

football.london have reported that Arsenal could announce the transfer Zubimendi in the next few days as well, following the start of football’s new financial year – which allows them to register both Kepa and the 26-year-old as part of the 2025/2026 balance sheet.

Arsenal have also agreed a near-£15 million deal for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard, including add-ons, with the Denmark international set to replace Thomas Partey.

Norgaard will step into the shoes of Partey, who’s now officially a free agent after deciding to call time on his five-year stay in north London.

Arteta wanted Partey to stay, and Arsenal did hold negotiations to extend the African’s former £200,000-per-week contract, but both the club and player amicably decided to go their separate ways.

“The relationship between Thomas Partey and Arsenal is still solid, even though today will be his last day as an Arsenal player,” said Nigerian journalist Buchi Laba, giving his verdict on the reaction to his departure.

“Arteta did his all to keep him, but they didn’t agree on terms. I have seen Arsenal fans insult Thomas Partey and that’s very unfair. Football is about give and take and players come and go. A player has the right to request and the club has the right to reject, thats why it’s called negotiation.

“I believe Partey did his best for Arsenal, and it’s for the betterment of the player and club that he’s leaving. There’s nothing more he can offer Arsenal and nothing more Arsenal can offer him too. It’s business at the end of the day. The club and player has decided what it’s good for both.”

Thomas Partey in talks to join Galatasaray after leaving Arsenal

The former Atlético Madrid star, called “sensational” by La Liga expert Gerry Armstrong, enjoyed his best-ever campaign at Arsenal last term – making over 50 appearances in all competitions and playing a key role under Arteta.

The question now is; what’s next for Partey?

Well, according to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, Partey is now in talks to join Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray after quitting Arsenal, with Okan Buruk’s side also opening discussions for Man City star İlkay Gündoğan as they look to reinforce their midfield with proven quality.

A Süper Lig switch, where Partey will also have the chance to compete in the Champions League next season, could be an ideal next move as he enters the twilight phase of his career.

He’d also have the chance to add a league title to his CV, as Galatasaray are most likely set for another interesting title race with José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe next season.

Leeds United will be looking to buck the recent trend and remain in the Premier League following promotion from the Championship.

To do that, the 49ers Enterprises and Daniel Farke may need to sign plenty of new players, while also shipping some out who they feel aren’t good enough to make an impact in the top flight.

The transfer activity at Elland Road is already underway, and it promises to be a frantic few months away from the pitch. Grok, the AI tool on X, has already predicted signings Leeds could make this summer.

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1

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To maintain a solid position with PSR, though, the Whites may also look to cash in on a number of players before the deadline, some of which played a regular role in their promotion from the Championship. Now, Grok has also predicted Leeds’ summer sales.

AI predicts 6 players Leeds United will sell this summer

1

Illan Meslier

(£20m)

Goalkeeper Illan Meslier struggled last season in the second tier, making a number of errors that cost Leeds points.

The Frenchman was dropped by Farke for the run-in, and Leeds are expected to sign a new first choice keeper to replace the 25-year-old.

Grok says Meslier’s ‘Premier League experience and age make him valuable’, estimating a fee in the region of £20m which would represent a big profit for the Whites.

2

Brenden Aaronson

(£15m)

Another player who struggled to set the Championship alight was Brenden Aaronson, with left-back Junior Firpo recording more goal contributions in the second tier.

Leeds’ only out-and-out attacking midfielder, the chances of an Aaronson exit are described as moderate, with a £15m fee mooted.

It is added that ‘interest from European clubs could prompt a sale, but Farke may give him a chance to prove himself in the Premier League’.

3

Jack Harrison

(£12m)

One transfer that won’t surprise many Leeds fans would be if Jack Harrison completed a permanent Elland Road exit.

After spending the last two seasons on loan at Everton, the winger won’t be moving to the Toffees on a permanent basis.

Jack Harrison’s stats at Leeds
Games	206
Goals	34
Assists	32
Minutes played	15,734

Grok have a departure worth £12m down as a high possibility, saying his ‘prolonged absence and Farke’s focus on new wingers make a permanent exit likely’.

4

Mateo Joseph

(£10m)

Mateo Joseph’s potential exit could help Leeds from a PSR standpoint, and he has been heavily linked with a move to Real Betis this summer.

The Spaniard failed to score on a regular basis after beginning the previous campaign as first choice.

AI states ‘Leeds are reluctant to sell young talents, but a lucrative offer from Betis could sway them’ and have placed a £10m fee on any possible deal.

5

Max Wober

(£8m)

Defender Max Wober has already admitted that Leeds are planning to sell him this summer, so it comes as no surprise that he is on Grok’s list.

The Austrian, like Aaronson, returned from a loan spell in Germany to help the Whites to promotion, although he wasn’t a regular under Farke.

Signed for around £10m in 2023, Leeds could still bring in £8m for the centre-back, according to Grok.

6

Joe Gelhardt

(£5m)

The last player on AI’s predicted exit list is Joe Gelhardt, who again looks surplus to requirements at Elland Road.

The forward was loaned out to Hull City for the second half of the 24/25 season and helped the Tigers stay up, and he still has two years left on his Whites contract.

Leeds are open to offers for Gelhardt, though, and Grok says a £5m exit could be on the cards.

“I want to be my own batter. I want to be Harry Brook, not anybody else.”Harry Brook is not the first athlete to trot out variations of this line in response to comparisons of the greats of yesteryear. Brook himself has used it in the past when others have sought similarities in his traits to some of the finest batters of the modern era.If such comparisons are a burden, it is one he finds easy to shed. And part of that is down to the fact that the player he is and the player he might become has never seemed closer. On Wednesday, he ascended to No.3 in the ICC Test rankings, fresh from his fifth century in just his 14th match – and first at home. A jewel in England’s Test batting line-up is already sparkling.That’s not to say the events of Nottingham were a coming of age. His work so far, across all formats, has been more about productivity than potential. His absence was felt in India, even if his presence would not have necessarily changed the 4-1 series result. Even the 14 innings between centuries number four and five were littered with half-centuries; a chase-saving 75 against Australia at Headingley and an 85 in the first innings of that final Ashes Test at the Kia Oval. England would not have come back from 2-0 down without them.But his second innings at Trent Bridge, particularly on the third evening under lights against a threatening West Indies pace attack, as he took the sting out of the session and somehow still finished unbeaten on 71 from 78 deliveries, felt quintessentially Brook. Calm yet destructive. At ease while eliciting discomfort.If the ball was not defended under the eyes, it was stroked through cover with sighing ease. Bouncers were swayed and pulled with enough regularity for West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite to use the short-ball tactic so intermittently that it was both a first and last resort. Brook did not seem to go through the gears, yet by the time his innings had come to an end on 109, England were comfortably out in front.Brook produced a crucial half-century to help turn the Ashes series•AFP/Getty Images

And yet, Brook’s strive for individuality has been aided by some sparrow-ing of his favourite players. Including the bloke at the other end in a fourth-wicket stand of 189.”Nowadays you have to take different parts of other batters and put it into your game,” Brook said. “There’s so many good players out there.”An example is Rooty [Joe Root] playing the ball so late, or AB de Villiers hitting all around the ground, Kevin Pietersen for his power. So yeah, you do see little bits of other people’s games and try to fit it into yours. I’ve done a little bit of that… but not too much.”The mention of Pietersen – tee-ed up to Brook but embraced all the same – provides too convenient an avenue not to take. Both love to dominate, feet still, head to the pitch, hands so brutally into the ball it’s as if they’re trying to punch through it and cuff the bowler.They also – as method rather than fate would have it – do seem to have a shared knack of getting themselves out when their opponents seem incapable of doing so.Of the disparaging labels put on Pietersen during a hall-of-fame career, the occasional dismissal attributed to alphadom meant “selfish” stuck firmest. The easier you make the batting seem, the bigger the sin it is to waste.Related

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More than a decade on, attitudes have changed, particularly in the England dressing-room. Even during a period of self-imposed refinement, Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are still encouraging their shotmakers and ceding to their judgement, particularly if they sense an opportunity to shift momentum out in the middle, as Pietersen often did.Brook’s first two dismissals in the series reflected this. At Lord’s, on 50, he decided to show Alzarri Joseph he would not relent against the short ball by taking it on again, only to cloth a top edge to Joshua Da Silva. It bore some similarities to his dismissal at the ground the year before, though, being an Ashes, that drew much harsher criticism.On day one at Nottingham, he walked off with a breezy 36, having toed a paddle scoop to short leg off Kevin Sinclair. Two innings played, two good starts burned.”I identified a gap behind square on the leg side and I wanted to manipulate the field to open other parts of the ground to score,” Brook said of that first Trent Bridge dismissal. “Maybe I didn’t need to play that shot but if I’d nailed it, they might have had to change the field and it would have opened up another gap.”It’s remarkable clarity from a 25-year-old, though nothing out of the ordinary for such a straight-shooter. That thrill-seeking proactiveness was still evident in his century. Once more, Joseph went after him. Only this time Brook, serene on 46, stepped to the leg side and attempted to carve the quick over cover. He came within a matter of inches of having his stumps rearranged and leaving England in a hole.Could a more risk-averse Brook be more productive going forward? That does not feel like the right question.Because, ultimately, that wouldn’t be the Harry Brook we have, or the Harry Brook he wants to be. And while he continues to make strides to better himself, notably with his fitness, fuelled by a desire to turn ones into twos and twos into threes, and contribute more in the field, the progression of his batting is likely to forever be governed by the lavish brazenness we have already witnessed.What was particularly instructive was his reaction to being informed his career average of 62.54 is now second only to Sir Don Bradman. How did Brook feel to be within faint sight of not just true greatness, but near-batting perfection?Well, a little nonplussed.”That could definitely fluctuate either way,” he remarked, before adding, “Hopefully I can keep if that high. But if not, so be it.”

Manchester United are now in a race with Tottenham Hotspur to sign an “unreal” defender who could be available for just £25 million, according to a new report.

Man Utd identify multiple defensive targets after Diego Leon arrival

Man United announced the arrival of Diego Leon over the weekend, who had to wait until he turned 18 to officially join the club. The young left-back became United’s second signing of the summer but is considered to be a player for the future, who will mostly look to impress Ruben Amorim on the training ground and in domestic cup competitions in the season to come.

Despite signing young defenders in the past two transfer windows, Leon may not be the only defender to arrive at Old Trafford this summer. According to a recent report, United are discussing a move to sign Yann Bisseck from Inter.

The German played an important role in Inter reaching the Champions League final last season, and his performances have now caught the eye of United and many other Premier League teams.

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As well as weighing up a move for Bisseck, United are also interested in signing Giorgio Scalvini from Atalanta after it became clear the Serie A side could be open to business should they receive an offer of around €60 million, which is roughly £51 million. But the list doesn’t stop there, as the Premier League giants add a new name to their list of defensive targets.

Man Utd now in race with Tottenham for De Winter

According to Caught Offside, Man United are actively monitoring Genoa centre-back Koni De Winter ahead of a potential move.

The report states that Amorim has identified De Winter as a potential target in this transfer window, as he looks to solve the club’s defensive issues. The Serie A side have set a valuation of €30–35 million, which is roughly £25-30 million.

However, United are not alone in their pursuit of De Winter, as Tottenham are also chasing the player, as well as the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma, but the English clubs are said to have an edge in the race, given their financial muscle.

Apps

25

Starts

23

Goals

3

Clean sheets

7

Interceptions per game

1.0

Tackles per game

1.3

Clearances per game

4.5

Dribbled past per game

0.3

De Winter, who has been dubbed “unreal” by journalist Antonio Mango, joined Genoa on a permanent basis from Juventus last summer after a loan spell at the club. The centre-back, who can also operate as a right-back and a defensive midfielder, played 25 times in Serie A last season, scoring three goals in the process.

De Winter’s potential arrival at Old Trafford could see him be the upgrade to Harry Maguire, who remains a key part of Amorim’s plans, but only has 12 months remaining on his current deal.

Bruno Fernandes has been the shining light in the Manchester United squad throughout the 2024/25 campaign, with it unimaginable to think where they’d be without his contributions.

The Portuguese international managed to notch 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions, helping the side reach the Europa League final.

His tally of 18 contributions in the Premier League was the most of any player in the squad, with such a tally potentially keeping Ruben Amorim’s side in the division.

The Red Devils managed to finish 17 points above the relegation zone, unable to produce the levels needed to be a success in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

However, if the side are to rise up the table next season, the hierarchy will have to back the manager in his quest, handing him the funds to be a success at Old Trafford.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Numerous areas of the pitch will need to be the subject of investment, with Amorim’s United side desperately craving added quality and depth at Old Trafford.

Ollie Watkins, Ronald Araujo and Wilfried Ndidi have all been mentioned as potential targets, highlighting the desire of the manager to improve all departments of the squad.

However, a new name has been mentioned in the last couple of days, with PSG star Fabian Ruiz linked with a move to join the Red Devils, according to Foot Mercato.

The report claims that Amorim’s outfit are battling numerous Saudi Arabian sides for the signature of the Spaniard, who won the Champions League at the end of last season.

It also states that the French outfit don’t want to sell the 29-year-old this window, with boss Luis Enrique seeing the former Napoli star as a key part of his plans ahead of 2025/26.

Why United’s latest target would be a Bruno & Bellingham hybrid

Jude Bellingham has cemented himself as one of Europe’s leading midfielders over recent years, currently plying his trade at Real Madrid at the tender age of 21.

The Englishman has enjoyed a rapid rise to stardom, emerging through the Birmingham City academy before moving to Borussia Dortmund and securing a transfer to Madrid in the summer of 2023.

However, his career could’ve been very different, with United firmly in the race to sign the youngster before he completed his subsequent transfer to Germany back in the summer of 2020.

The midfielder even visited Old Trafford before deciding on a switch to the Bundesliga outfit, with United missing out on a now elite-level star who would massively improve their chances of success.

Despite missing out on his signature, Amorim could be about to land a hybrid of the Englishman and Fernandes with a deal for Ruiz, which may prove to be an expensive addition.

He’s been labelled as a similar player to the aforementioned talents by FBref, and managed to outperform the pair in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a mix of the duo.

Ruiz, who’s been labelled “one of the best in the world” by Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, along with more passes into the final third – highlighting the talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.

How Ruiz compared to Bellingham & Fernandes in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Ruiz

Bellingham

Fernandes

Games played

30

31

36

Goals & assists

9

17

18

Pass accuracy

90%

86%

76%

Passes into final third

7.2

4.7

6.3

Tackles won

1.5

1.2

1.4

Clearances made

1.3

0.8

1.1

Take-ons completed

70%

54%

41%

Progressive carries

2.8

2.6

2.3

Stats via FBref

The Spaniard has also won more tackles per 90, along with more clearances made, having the ability without the ball at his feet, making him the perfect box-to-box option for Amorim. It’s not wonder he’s been described as “one of the best No.8’s alive” at the moment by one analyst.

However, Ruiz has further impressed, outperforming the pair in terms of take-ons and progressive carries per 90, subsequently able to drive with the ball and provide others around him with opportunities.

It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old would be interested in a move to Old Trafford, but it’s evident that he has all the tools to become a leading talent within the current first-team squad.

He would be the perfect option in the middle of the park, handing the Red Devils the perfect hybrid of Bellingham and Fernandes in their hunt for success in 2025/26.

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Leeds United chiefs 49ers Enterprises have now been told it will cost just £10 million to sign an “unbelievable” English midfielder this summer.

Lukas Nmecha kicks off Leeds' summer business

The transfer window has now officially reopened after closing for a week, and the Whites haven’t wasted any time in getting a signing over the line. On Sunday afternoon, Leeds announced that Lukas Nmecha has agreed to join the club and become their first new face of the summer transfer window.

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The Germany international has joined the Yorkshire side on an initial two-year deal and will arrive on the 1st of July, once his contract has expired at Wolfsburg. Nmecha is already known to English football, having developed in Manchester City’s academy as well as having spells at Preston and Middlesbrough.

Nmecha told Leeds’s media team: “It’s just a great challenge, and I’m really excited to get to know the team. I’ve spoken with the manager many times, and I’m excited to play that style of football that they played in the Championship, even in the Premier League. I saw that there was dominance last season in terms of possession and the goals. I’m an attacking player, so obviously that’s exciting for me.

“Of course, in the Premier League, there are some big boys in there where you can’t play like that all the time, but I think the idea of the manager is to play good football, possession football, and that’s what I’m used to and what I love doing.

“I wish we could get going now, but we still have a few weeks of pre-pre-season, getting the runs in and all that! But I just can’t wait to start training now.”

Leeds told it will cost £10m to sign Champions League midfielder

With Nmecha now officially through the door, the 49ers are turning their attentions to Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff, and according to Football Insider, suitors have been told a bid of just £10 million will be accepted this summer.

It was reported in May that Leeds were plotting a double swoop for Callum Wilson and Longstaff, who is earning £50,000 a week at Newcastle.

Entering the final year of his contract at St James’ Park, the update claims his future “definitely” lies away from Tyneside.

Daniel Farke is keen to add Premier League experience to his midfield this summer, but he won’t have a free run at Longstaff, as David Moyes’ Everton are also keen on the midfielder.

Apps

25

Starts

8

Key passes per game

0.2

Interceptions per game

0.3

Tackles per game

1.1

Clearances per game

0.3

Longstaff, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by Alan Shearer in the past, has Champions League experience, helping his side qualify for Europe’s elite competition this season and making five appearances in their last European quest, scoring in a 4-1 rout of current champions PSG.

England seamer hasn’t give up hope of earning a place in the squad for Bangladesh

Valkerie Baynes02-Jul-20241:13

Cross: England still learning how to be ruthless

Kate Cross hasn’t given up hope of representing England at this year’s T20 World Cup and sees the upcoming Hundred as her chance to clinch a spot.Cross returned to England’s ODI side for an emphatic eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in Worcester on Sunday, after an abdominal strain ruled her out of the series opener, which England won by nine wickets for a 2-0 lead.Ahead of the final 50-over match in Bristol on Wednesday, Cross remained firmly focused on her role in ODIs as England’s senior seam bowler but, when asked, indicated that she would do all in her power to convince head coach Jon Lewis to pick her for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October.”Lewy’s said, ‘never say never,’ with T20 cricket, he’s said he’s definitely not ruled me out for future series or games,” Cross said. “But I can just control what I can control and I know I’ve got the Hundred coming up where I’ll be able to open the bowling and try and finish games off for the Superchargers.”So for me, that’s my opportunity to showcase to him what I can do and if that’s good enough, it’s good enough, and if it’s not, then I’ll obviously support the girls from quite a distance as I won’t be in Bangladesh.”Kate Cross struck early after coming into the side•Getty Images

Until England hosted Sri Lanka late last summer, Cross hadn’t featured in a T20I since December 2019 and she hasn’t taken a wicket in the format since the Women’s Ashes almost six months prior to that. She has 11 wickets from 16 matches at an average of 33.72 and economy rate of 7.22.She wasn’t part of the squad for five T20Is in New Zealand earlier this year, or the three against Pakistan more recently, before taking 1 for 31 from 10 overs to help bowl the White Ferns out for 141 in Worcester, where spinner Sophie Ecclestone took 5 for 25 from nine overs.Should Cross be overlooked for the T20 World Cup, there is an ODI version to aim for next year in India, after the multi-format Ashes series in Australia.”We are probably more focused on the T20 World Cup at the minute, obviously that’s the one more in front of us, but we’re still trying to evolve our 50-over game as well to make sure that we are as well prepared as we possibly can be when it gets to that Ashes series,” Cross said. “And when we get to the World Cup in India, obviously conditions in India, they’ll be so different to what we’re facing at the minute.”That’s where winning games of cricket, how we are at the minute, is really pleasing because we’re playing what’s in front of us and as we keep moving forward as a group and learning how best to play conditions, then hopefully what we’re learning from these series, we’ll travel over and we’ll be able to keep that ruthless nature and take that into big ICC events and obviously that’ll stand you in good stead to win trophies.”Related

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Ecclestone five-for, Bouchier century help England seal ODI series against New Zealand

The ruthless streak she speaks of is something England have tried to cultivate since Pakistan’s recent visit, where the hosts won both white-ball series but showed a distinct lack of killer instinct when they had their opponents on the ropes.”We probably had a series against Pakistan a couple of weeks ago where we maybe didn’t play the kind of cricket that we wanted to,” Cross said. “That was something that we chatted quite thoroughly about and how we wanted to go about this series and that’s probably shown in the cricket that we’ve played.”It’s definitely something we talk a lot about. It’s a hard skill to nail down and for different teams I think it looks different and I think that’s what we’re still trying to work out as a one-day unit, how to be consistently ruthless and obviously that changes with pitch conditions, opposition, where we are in the world and how we’re playing our cricket.”That’s something that we’re still learning as a group. We’ve still got a lot of young faces around… there’s still a lot of inexperience in the group and I think everyone now is trying to work out how they individually can be ruthless whilst we’re still trying to be ruthless as a team. I say that… we’ve not lost an ODI series under Lewy yet. So there’s obviously a ruthless element in that.”

قدم أسطورة نادي بايرن ميونخ، دعمه إلى الوافد الجديد بنادي ليفربول، فلوريان فيرتز، في ظل سوء مستوى الأخير مع الريدز حتى هذه اللحظة.

ونجح ليفربول في التعاقد مع فيرتز خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي الأخير، قادمًا من صفوف باير ليفركوزن مقابل حوالي 126 مليون يورو وبعقد مدته 5 سنوات.

لكن على الرغم من التوقعات الكبيرة التي كانت على فيرتز، فلم يستطع الأخير تقديم المستوى المطلوب منه حتى الآن مع النادي الإنجليزي بالفعل وتعرض إلى العديد من الانتقادات.

اقرأ أيضًا .. سلاح خطير.. ليفربول يمنح سلوت أسرع لاعب في أوروبا

لكن أسطورة بايرن ميونخ والكرة الألمانية، لوثار ماتيوس، يرى أن فيرتز سوف يتألق مع ليفربول وأن اللاعب بحاجة إلى الانسجام فقط مع الدوري الإنجليزي ليخرج أفضل ما لديه.

وقال ماتيوس في تصريحات إلى شبكة “سكاي سبورتس”: “ما يحدث مع فيرتز أمر طبيعي بعد انتقال كبير كهذا إلى خارج ألمانيا”.

وأضاف ماتيوس في حديثه: “لكنه لاعب رائع، سيعتاد على الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز مع مرور الوقت، وسيكون قادرًا على تحمل الضغوط الأكبر”.

واختتم نجم إنتر ميلان مسبقًا: “شعرت بنفس الشعور في إنتر ميلان في البداية، وأندي بريمه الذي لم تكن صفقة انتقاله ناجحة، قدم أداءً رائعًا فور انضمامه إلى إنتر، كان علي التأقلم مع كل شيء، ويعود ذلك جزئيًا إلى الضجة الإعلامية وارتفاع قيمة الصفقة”.

West Indies lost their last four wickets on Friday for 57 runs, going down by an innings and 114

Alan Gardner12-Jul-2024He said all he wanted to do was contribute to a win. James Anderson got his wish, though the Lord’s crowd were denied the fairytale five-for that seemed there for the taking at the start of day three. He finished with three in the innings, four in the match, and 704 for a Test career that has spanned more than two decades, as England completed the formalities of a crushing victory over West Indies.As Anderson took his final bow, the centre stage was claimed by his latest successor. Gus Atkinson ripped out three more wickets to finish a brilliant first outing with match figures of 12 for 106 – the best by an Englishman on Test debut since 1890. Atkinson’s sheepish grin was perhaps partly in recognition that he had denied Anderson the chance to bookend his extraordinary Test career with twin appearances on the Lord’s honours board, but his ruthlessness was to be applauded as he blew through the West Indies tail.Anderson even missed the opportunity to finish the match with a catch off his own bowling, dropping a chance dollied back to him by the No. 9, Gudakesh Motie. The moment drew gasps and groans, though Anderson could smile as he sank to his knees mid-pitch, the ball having rebounded out of his grasp as he went for it one-handed. Unlike his longtime new-ball partner, Stuart Broad, the Hollywood ending was not to be.James Anderson was given a guard of honour on day three•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesAnderson was phlegmatic when interviewed on Sky Sports at the close, cradling a pint of Guinness in the changing room: “I’m gutted I dropped that catch, to be honest. It’s been an amazing week, I’ve been quite overwhelmed with the reaction, proud of what I’ve achieved.”Motie finished as West Indies’ top-scorer across either innings, throwing the bat around for 31 not out. The fact that neither batting effort from the visitors lasted more than 47 overs underlined that gulf between the sides, West Indies unable to live in particular with Atkinson’s pace and accuracy. The Surrey man completed his second five-for of the match with the final wicket to fall, as Jayden Seales holed out to deep midwicket.As he took the field for the final time as a Test cricketer, 7722 days on from his debut against Zimbabwe, Anderson had to endure further ceremony – this time a guard of honour formed by players on both sides. The skies above were grey but there was a hint of a smile as he doffed his cap in appreciation of the crowd’s applause.Gus Atkinson is the seventh England bowler to take a 10-for on their men’s Test debut•Getty ImagesHe claimed the first wicket of the morning with his seventh ball, a classic Anderson delivery nipping away on fourth stump to kiss Joshua Da Silva’s outside edge. With three West Indies wickets still standing, Anderson was two away from concluding his storied career with a 33rd five-wicket haul – only for Atkinson to seize the moment, much as he had on day one when he swept up seven in his first Test bowl.Alzarri Joseph was next to go, having twice changed his bat in an attempt to out-bomb Atkinson in their short-ball contest – whatever size the stick, he could not clear deep backward square leg, giving Atkinson his ten-wicket haul.Motie resolved not to die poking and prodding at Anderson, clumping him for a boundary down the ground, before Atkinson shelved any notion of sentimentality by detonating Shamar Joseph’s off stump with a searing yorker. Anderson had his chance to bring down the curtain himself – but then, as he has hinted this week, perhaps he just wasn’t ready to go? Atkinson then bounced out Seales, leaving Anderson looking as pleased as he ever has during his 188 Tests for England.