After a one-hour delay to the start of the game, UAE won the toss and opted to bowl against Pakistan in a must-win game for both teams in the Asia Cup in Dubai. PCB cleared the Pakistan team to play after the board claimed that match referee Pycroft had apologised to their players for his actions during the India-Pakistan game on Sunday.UAE captain Muhammad Waseem expected dew to play a part and confirmed that Simranjeet Singh replaced Muhammad Jawadullah.”We will try to restrict them,” Waseem said. “It is a do-or-die game. We will take advantage. We had a good game in Abu Dhabi; this is a different game.”Related
PCB clears Pakistan to play UAE; says Pycroft apologised
UAE’s decision went down well with Pakistan, who wanted to bat first anyway. Pakistan made two changes to the side that lost to India on Sunday, with Haris Rauf and Khushdil Shah coming in. They replaced Sufiyan Muqeem and Faheem Ashraf.One of these two teams will be eliminated after Wednesday’s result. Both sides beat Oman comfortably and lost to India, making this fixture in Dubai a knockout game: the winner joins India in the Super Four, while the loser exits.UAE: 1 Alishan Sharafu, 2 Muhammad Waseem (capt), 3 Asif Khan, 4 Muhammad Zohaib, 5 Harshit Kaushik, 6 Rahul Chopra (wk), 7 Dhruv Parashar, 8 Haider Ali, 9 Muhammad Rohid Khan, 10 Simranjeet Singh, 11 Junaid SiddiquePakistan: 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Sahibzada Farhan, 3 Mohammad Haris (wk), 4 Fakhar Zaman, 5 Salman Agha (capt), 6 Khushdil Shah, 7 Hasan Nawaz, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Shaheen Afridi, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Abrar Ahmed
It's been over a year since sprinter and three-time Olympic medalist Noah Lyles questioned why the winner of a championship in the NBA is called the world champion. But since then, Lyles has faced plenty of backlash from athletes across the NBA, and even from some other leagues.
Now, an MLB player has joined the conversation and fired back at Lyles. Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernandez, fresh off of winning the World Series with a 7-6 victory over the New York Yankees, took an unprovoked shot at Lyles in an interview during the team's clubhouse celebration.
Dodgers reporter Blake Harris posted a video of the moment onto his account on X (formerly Twitter).
"World Series champions," Hernandez said. "Suck it, Noah Lyles."
Several high-profile NBA players, most notably two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant and eight-time All-Star Damian Lillard, have since fired back at Lyles. Even the United States men's national basketball team, after winning the gold medal in Paris over the summer, took a jab at Lyles with a tweet.
But if anyone was going to do it from MLB, and specifically from the Dodgers, it would be Hernandez, as this is not his first mic drop moment in an interview.
O Botafogo apresentou na tarde desta segunda-feira (11) o seu uniforme II para a temporada 2023/2024. Confeccionada pela Reebok, a camisa preta dá sequência à campanha #ÉOGloriosoMané e tem como objetivo manter a identidade e os símbolos do clube.
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O Glorioso ainda anunciou que a estreia deste segundo uniforme acontecerá no dia 22 de setembro, diante do Corinthians, em São Paulo, em partida válida pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. Esta linha de uniformes está à venda no site Botafogo Store (clique aqui!). Os preços variam entre R$349,99 (masculina), R$299,99 (feminina), R$299,99 (infantil).
+ Pausa necessária? Assim como em junho, Botafogo pode usar Data Fifa para superar momento turbulento
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O Botafogo também destacou que há descontos para sócios Camisa 7 conforme os planos :
Além disso, o clube frisou que os planos Glorioso, Alvinegro e Preto têm o benefício do desconto especial em uma camisa oficial por temporada. Esse cupom de desconto é fornecido a partir do 6º mês de contrato ativo, via e-mail e pode ser usado exclusivamente na loja online.
Também há desconto especial de cada plano:
Glorioso: 100% Alvinegro: 50% Preto: 30%
O cupom possui validade de 6 meses e não é acumulativo com outros descontos. Para sócios que realizaram upgrade, os meses do contrato anterior não fazem parte da conta. O benefício será concedido a partir do 6º mês de contrato ativo do plano em questão.
Em casos de renovação, o sócio Camisa 7 deve se atentar para o fato do cupom ser um benefício fornecido anualmente. Ou seja, você receberá um novo cupom seis meses após a renovação.
Para usufruir de todas as vantagens, é essencial fazer o login na Botafogo Store com o mesmo e-mail cadastrado no Camisa 7.
A Conmebol realizou nesta tarde de sexta-feira (15) o sorteio dos grupos da Copa Libertadores Feminina 2023. A competição, que conta com uma sede fixa, será disputada de 5 a 21 de outubro, na Colômbia. Corinthians, Internacional e Palmeiras são os representantes brasileiros entre as 16 equipes participantes.
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+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades
O Alviverde, atual campeão do torneio, entrou como cabeça de chave do grupo A. Já o Corinthians, por conta do título do Brasileirão 2022, participou do sorteio como pote 1, enquanto o Inter, que disputa pela primeira vez a competição, integrou o pote 4.
Os clubes foram divididos em quatro grupos, com os integrantes se enfrentando uma única vez. Os dois melhores de cada chave passam para as quartas de final. Os classificados do Grupo A duelam com os do Grupo B, e os do Grupo C com os do Grupo D.
CONFIRA OS GRUPOS
GRUPO A:
– Palmeiras – Barcelona (Equador) – Caracas (Venezuela) – Atlético Nacional (Colômbia)
GRUPO B:
– Santa Fé (Colômbia) – Olimpia (Paraguai) – Universitario (Peru) – Universidad de Chile (Chile)
Chelsea enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 campaign under Enzo Maresca, finishing fourth in the Premier League, lifting the Conference League and capping it off with Club World Cup glory in the summer.
Their 3–0 win over PSG in the final underlined the squad’s growing maturity – even if it remains the youngest in the Premier League with an average age of 23 years and five months.
The club has continued to double down on its long-term strategy: stockpiling young talent and tying them down to lengthy contracts.
This window alone saw the arrivals of João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap for significant fees.
Chelsea’s model revolves around snapping up rising stars before their values skyrocket, while also staying compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The new season has begun with mixed results.
A pair of victories over Fulham and West Ham suggested Chelsea could carry momentum forward, but stalemates with Crystal Palace and Brentford exposed lingering inconsistencies.
Part of that inconsistency stems from turnover in key attacking areas – most notably the departure of Noni Madueke.
Madueke's departure and his replacement by Estevão
Madueke’s Chelsea career always carried intrigue.
Signed as a right-winger with flair and directness, he contributed 20 goals and nine assists in 92 appearances before leaving this summer.
His £52m move to Arsenal was met with disbelief in North London, where over 5,000 fans signed a petition titled #NoToMadueke opposing his arrival.
Yet for Chelsea, the sale offered financial upside and an opportunity to reset. The replacement came swiftly.
Estevão, the Brazilian teenager dubbed “Messinho,” had already been secured from Palmeiras in a £29m deal.
The 18-year-old has made a name for himself in Brazil, racking up 83 appearances, 27 goals and 15 assists – including a memorable strike against Chelsea in the Club World Cup.
By the time he arrived at Stamford Bridge, his market value had soared to €60m (£55m), as per Transfermarkt.
Estevão has wasted little time in showing why the club put their faith in him.
Already capped seven times by Brazil and with a goal to his name at senior international level, he made an immediate impression by registering an assist against West Ham.
His profile fits neatly with Chelsea’s youth-driven approach: technically gifted, creative in the final third, and able to offer direct end product.
Statistically, he is already more efficient than his predecessor Madueke, with higher involvement in chance creation and a greater contribution per 90 minutes across his young career.
Why Garnacho could be the better Madueke replacement
While Estevão excites, another summer signing could prove the more immediate solution.
Alejandro Garnacho’s arrival from Manchester United was high-profile and contentious, ending his 144-game spell at Old Trafford, where he produced 26 goals and 22 assists.
At Premier League level, he boasts 24 goals and assists in 94 games. For comparison, Madueke has just 18 goals and assists under his belt in England’s top-flight, albeit from 71 outings.
Alejandro Garnacho – Career Statistics
Matches Played
94
Goals
26
Assists
22
Progressive Carries
458
Progressive Passes
159
Source: FBref
At just 21, this young “diamond” – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – already has Premier League experience and eight caps for Argentina, offering Chelsea a player with both upside and proven credentials.
The comparison between Garnacho and Estevão is fascinating. Over their careers to date, Garnacho has averaged 0.27 goals per 90, compared to Estevão’s 0.37, as per FBref.
Yet the Brazilian edges almost every creative metric: 0.75 goal involvements per 90 versus Garnacho’s 0.40, 5.39 shot-creating actions per 90 compared to 3.78, and a higher success rate in take-ons (3.26 to 1.45).
He also attempts and completes more progressive passes, underlining his playmaking instincts.
Garnacho, however, carries advantages in directness and experience.
He takes more shots per 90 (3.49 vs 3.00) and has a better understanding of the pace and physicality of English football.
The stylistic contrast is clear.
Estevão offers finesse, vision and technical flair, while Garnacho thrives on dynamism, running at defenders and producing moments of explosiveness.
In theory, Chelsea may not need to choose: both profiles could balance each other in the long run.
But in the short term, Garnacho’s readiness to impact games in the Premier League may prove invaluable as Chelsea look to cement their top-four status.
What is striking is how Chelsea’s handling of Madueke’s departure reflects the broader philosophy at Stamford Bridge.
The club are not afraid to part ways with established players if they believe a younger, cheaper and potentially more valuable alternative exists.
Estevão embodies that philosophy – a long-term project with world-class potential.
Garnacho, meanwhile, provides a safety net, ensuring the team does not lose momentum while the Brazilian adapts.
For Chelsea, the question is not whether Madueke will be missed, but whether the combination of Estevão and Garnacho can deliver more than he ever did.
The early signs suggest they just might.
Chelsea star is in danger of becoming the new Madueke after Bayern
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo is now facing an uncertain future at the City Ground, amid tension with maverick owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Nuno is a hugely popular figure among the Forest fanbase after guiding them back to a place in European football, with Crystal Palace’s demotion to the Conference League handing them a place in the Europa League.
Forest were in and around the top four all season long in 2024/2025, which nobody expected at the start of last term, and it is testament to the excellent job Nuno has done with very limited depth compared to his Premier League counterparts.
Losing the Portuguese would be a bitter one to take for Forest supporters, but it is a very realistic possibility, as Nuno cast doubt on his own future in a press conference this week – admitting that relations with Marinakis have soured.
These comments are believed to have escalated tension behind-the-scenes, especially since they came 48 hours before a heated clash with Palace after Forest took their place in the Europa (The Guardian).
While Forest have enjoyed a stellar last fortnight in the transfer market, sealing a plethora of deals with the latest one being Douglas Luiz from Juventus, Nuno’s potential exit is a worrying scenario amidst what is a vital campaign.
Nottingham Forest could replace Nuno with Ange Postecoglou
If Nuno were to depart, reliable media sources claim another ex-Tottenham boss in Ange Postecoglou would be a leading candidate for the job.
This is backed up by journalist Graeme Bailey, who also tells TBR Football that Forest could hire Postecoglou off the back of some key advice to Marinakis from the Greek tycoon’s family.
Postecoglou guided Spurs to their first major trophy in 17 years with their Europa League triumph in May. However, the Australian, who’s won at least one piece of silverware at nearly every club he’s been at, also watched on as the Lilywhites slumped to a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last term.
It is worth noting, though, that his Tottenham squad held the 59-year-old in very high esteem, and he was very popular at Hotspur Way, with Son Heung-min calling him a club “legend”.
It’s set to be a massive season for Wolverhampton Wanderers this year.
Vitor Pereira took over a struggling relegation-threatened side from Gary O’Neil early last season and guided them to a 16th-place finish in the Premier League, 17 points away from the drop zone.
However, the next ten months could be even tougher for the Portuguese coach, as he’s already lost two of his best players in Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Fortunately, Jørgen Strand Larsen’s stay has now been made permanent, and if reports are to be believed, the club is closing in on a striker who could be the next version of the Norwegian.
Wolves target the next Strand Larsen
It would be fair to say that with Cunha and Ait-Nouri leaving for other Premier League sides, this summer has not exactly gone the way many Wolves fans were hoping it would.
Transfer Focus
However, it’s not been all doom and gloom on the transfer front, as Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez have both made their way to Molineux and produced a combined 28 goal involvements last year, which is the sort of output that could help Pereira keep his side in the top-flight.
Moreover, the Old Gold appear determined to bring in some more new faces before the window slams shut next month, including a young forward who could be the next Strand Larsen.
At least that is according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that Wolves are very interested in David Datro Fofana.
In fact, the journalist has revealed that the West Midlands outfit have already approached Chelsea over the player and would be willing to pay £15m for his services, which could also be enough to seal the deal.
Now, there is undoubtedly a risk in signing a young player who hasn’t played that much football in recent seasons, but when he has played, he’s looked great, and on top of that, he shares some similarities with Strand Larsen.
Why Fofana could be the next Strand Larsen
It’s important to clarify that while we and many others believed Fofana to be an incredibly talented striker, he is three years younger than Strand Larsen, and therefore, it would be unfair to expect him to join Wolves this summer and instantly be as effective.
However, with that said, the two share some similarities, and there is no reason why the Ivorian couldn’t reach the level of the 25-year-old, or even surpass it, within a couple of seasons.
The first and most significant similarity between the pair is where they both started to make waves in senior football: Norway.
Before earning his move to Dutch side Groningen in September 2020, the Wolves star racked up a decent tally of nine goals and nine assists in 61 appearances for Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08.
Interestingly, the Ouragahio-born gem did even better than that during his time in the Nordic country, winning the league and cup while scoring 24 goals and providing eight assists in 65 appearances, totalling 3414 minutes.
Fofana & Strand Larsen’s record in Norway
Players
Fofana
Strand-Larsen
Appearances
65
61
Minutes
3414′
3316′
Goals
24
9
Assists
8
9
Goal Involvements per Match
0.49
0.29
Minutes per Goal Involvement
106.68′
184.22′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That means the 22-year-old averaged a goal involvement every 2.03, or every 106.68 for Molde FK, and helps justify talent scout Jacek Kulig’s bold claim that he was “one of the biggest jewels in Norway.”
Unfortunately, his move to Chelsea in January 2023 hasn’t worked out for him, and while he impressed on loan with Burnley two seasons ago, scoring four goals and providing one assist in 15 Premier League appearances, his subsequent loan move to Goztepe was ruined by injury.
With all of that said, it is clear that the “outstanding” forward, as dubbed by former Clarets boss Vincent Kompany, is an incredibly talented player, and in the right environment, if he can remain fit, there is no reason his career couldn’t follow the same path as Strand Larsen’s.
Therefore, Wolves should do what they can to bring Fofana in this summer, as even if he only scores a handful of goals this season, that could be the difference between survival and relegation.
Matheus Cunha heir: Wolves plot late swoop for "generational" £20m star
The tremendously exciting talent could become as crucial to Wolves as Cunha was.
And just like that, Arsenal are set to get their Premier League campaign underway later today.
Mikel Arteta and his side will be hoping it’s fourth time lucky this season, and they can finally get their hands on the trophy that has been tantalisingly close for some time now.
While it’s going to require a Herculean effort from the entire squad, the Gunners have put themselves in a good position with their transfer activity this summer.
The likes of Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres could be real game-changers for them, and with two weeks until the window slams shut, there is time for Andrea Berta and Co to get a couple more stars through the doors, such as Rodrygo.
However, with the Real Madrid ace now being linked to other teams like Tottenham Hotspur and, most recently, Manchester City, Arsenal might be wise to shift their attention to another winger they’ve been linked with this summer, a winger who has previously been compared to Thierry Henry.
Why Arsenal would want to sign Rodrygo
While they have somewhat slowed down over the last couple of weeks, likely due to the supposed growing interest from other teams, the stories linking Rodrygo with Arsenal were relatively constant earlier in the window, with many suggesting he would be able to leave Spain for a fee of around £78m.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Now, that is undoubtedly an enormous sum of money for one player, but it’s not hard to see why the Gunners might be willing to spend so much on the Brazilian.
After all, he’s helped Real win two La Liga titles, two Champions League titles and a host of other trophies since moving to the club back in 2019.
On top of that, the 24-year-old has been a pretty reliable source of goals and assists in recent campaigns, scoring 14 of the former and providing 11 of the latter in 54 appearances last season.
Moreover, due to the other superstars in the side, the former Santos gem has been forced to play out of position for much of the last two years, making what he has achieved all the more impressive.
In short, Rodrygo is an effective winger with experience of playing at the very top of the game and winning the biggest prizes in club football.
However, as things stand, it doesn’t look like Arsenal are going to be the one to secure his services, and while that’s not ideal, they could forget all about him by going big for another winger touted for a move to N5 earlier this summer: Rafael Leao.
Why Arsenal should sign Leao
While they have not been as constant as with other targets and players of interest, there have been several stories linking Arsenal with a move for Leao this summer, with the price tending to be around the £77m mark.
AC Milan's RafaelLeao
Once again, that is a lot of money to spend on one player, but as is the case with Rodrygo, the AC Milan star would be worth every penny, and arguably a better signing than the Brazilian.
For example, despite playing for a team that struggled more than LOSC Lille last season, the former LOSC Lille ace still managed to score 12 goals and provide 13 assists in just 50 appearances.
Appearances
50
54
Goals
12
14
Assists
13
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.46
In other words, the 26-year-old dynamo averaged a goal involvement every other game, compared to the Real man, who averaged one every 2.16 games.
On top of being a slightly more productive player, the Almada-born “superstar,” as dubbed by writer Theo Mwangi, is also likely to be the more entertaining winger to watch, and the data shows as much.
According to FBref, the Milan man ranks in the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers for successful take-ons per 90, whereas the Osasco-born international ranks in the top 20%.
Finally, if you still aren’t convinced that Leao is the man for Arteta and Co, then perhaps the words of his former manager, Stefano Pioli, will help.
It was back in 2022 that the Italian made the bold statement that his star winger “reminds me a lot of the early Thierry Henry, who started wide then came inside.”
While it might sound like a wild thing to say, given the Frenchman’s legacy in the game, it’s easy to see where he was coming from when you watch his highlights, as the Portuguese monster frequently gets down the left-hand side before cutting in and firing home.
Ultimately, while it would be an expensive deal, Arsenal should do what they can to bring Leao to the Emirates this summer, as he could end up being an even better signing than Rodrygo.
Eberechi Eze's "first preference" between Arsenal and Tottenham revealed
The England international could have a crucial decision to make very soon.
Sam Konstas has made another statement to Australia’s selectors, backing up his hundred against India with an unbeaten half-century in the Sheffield Shield.Konstas went to stumps on day one of their Shield clash with Western Australia not out on 55, with New South Wales 97 for 0 in reply to the visitors’ 211 at the SCG on Friday.On a day when the ball swung around and no other player reached a half-century, Konstas looked completely at ease as he passed 50 for the fifth time this summer.The 19-year-old took on spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, hitting him back over his head for two separate sixes and driving him for another four.He cut Cameron Gannon for one four behind point, drove him for another past mid-off, then slogged the quick for another over mid-wicket later in the day.Full of confidence, Konstas even attempted to scoop speedster Lance Morris, but missed out in one of the few unsuccessful moments of his day. The right-hander’s runs came fast too, facing just 64 balls before the Blues went to stumps.The innings continues another purple patch for Konstas, who shot into the spotlight with twin tons against South Australia at the start of the season.Just five days ago Konstas hit 107 off 97 balls against a Test-quality Indian attack, playing for the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.He then returned to Sydney and told media in his first full press conference that he wanted a chance to wear the Baggy Green as soon as possible.”I really want the chance,” Konstas said on Wednesday when asked if he felt ready for Test cricket, or perhaps needed more time at domestic level.”I love being challenged and hopefully that can happen soon.”I feel like I’m in a good headspace. It’s been the best few months I’ve had, and hopefully one day I can represent my country.”If Konstas converts his half-century into three figures on Saturday in the last round of Shield before the BBL break, he will no doubt help that cause.Australia’s top order have entered the pink-ball Test in Adelaide under pressure, following their poor returns in Perth last week.Reserve Test batsman Josh Inglis was also released from Australia’s camp on Thursday night to play in the Shield match against NSW.He top-scored with 41 for Western Australia, looking more confident as he went on in his first red-ball game since October 23.Jack Edwards celebrates a wicket•Getty Images
But he was one of five men to fall to Jack Edwards, on a superb day for the NSW allrounder.Edwards’ return of 5 for 41 marked the second best of his career, as he had the ball swinging a long way.He bowled Cameron Bancroft for one with a delivery that swung back between bat and pad, had Sam Whiteman (19) caught down legside, then cleaned up Jayden Goodwin’s stumps on 22.Inglis was dismissed when Edwards swung the ball away and drew the right-hander’s edge, before Morris became his fifth victim when caught behind to finish the innings.
Remarkably, Liverpool’s incredible summer of spending has yet to leave Arne Slot’s squad with an air of completeness.
Particularly, Virgil van Dijk’s central defence is rather light, especially now that Joe Gomez has suffered a minor Achilles injury following the £35m sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.
Then turn your head toward the frontline. The incredible additions of rising superstars such as Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike suggest that Liverpool are shaping up to have one of the deadliest frontlines in the game (if they didn’t already).
Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring his first Liverpool goal.
However, Luis Diaz left for Bayern Munich last month, and now, Darwin Nunez is on the verge of completing a permanent transfer to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
With Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott both mooted to be off, it’s not desirable but imperative that Liverpool add another attacker to their mix, and FSG appear to have one or two show-stopping names in mind.
Liverpool chasing another forward
The dream transfer target is, of course, Alexander Isak. You might have heard that Liverpool are interested in signing the Newcastle United striker, and rumour has it he’s rather keen on the journey toward Anfield too.
Unfortunately, Newcastle’s transfer market has been a pitiful thing, with Eddie Howe no doubt feeling hot under the collar. Any number of top targets have been missed on Tyneside, and with Benjamin Sesko now hoping to sign for Manchester United, Isak’s sale is less certain, for a reliable replacement must be signed, else he will not leave.
Last month’s initial £69m signing of Hugo Ekitike has tempered Liverpool’s need for the Premier League superstar, but it would still be a stunning signing.
However, sporting director Richard Hughes is a man of deep nous, and he hasn’t placed all his eggs in one basket. Liverpool are emerging as contenders for Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, though completing a summer deal will be difficult indeed.
If neither move comes to fruition, there’s another option waiting in the wings who might be perfect for Slot’s system.
Liverpool in for for Barcola upgrade
According to L’Equipe, Liverpool are in the race to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Rodrygo, 24, has been anticipated to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, having struggled for form last year and slid down the early pecking order as the Xabi Alonso era shapes up.
Real Madrid's Rodrygo
Liverpool’s interest in Barcola might have just become public, but their admiration for Rodrygo also has substance, and the South American’s suspected price tag has been reported to fall into the region of £78m.
Why Liverpool want to sign Rodrygo
Rodrygo came under fire for his performances with Los Blancos last season. Such is his level; such are the expectations at Real Madrid.
His 25-goal contribution return still matched that of Diaz and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool, perhaps illustrating the calibre of forward Slot would add to his ranks, on par with the Reds crop yet capable of so much more.
Rodrygo's Real Madrid career (timeless)
And given that he would likely play as a left-sided forward, a rare experience in recent years at Real Madrid, Rodrygo’s desire to move to Anfield, should he move at all, is understandable, for he notched six goals and six assists from only 12 games as a left winger last year.
Even though Real Madrid’s selfless superstar had been played out of position for the majority of the recent season, he still managed to impress, with former teammate Luka Modric even claiming he is one of the club’s “world-class superstars.”
When collating his seasonal data with Barcola’s, you perhaps begin to see that his underlying quality suggests he would rise to a higher level than Barcola could.
Goals
0.35
0.47
Assists
0.22
0.39
Shots taken
2.54
2.89
Shot-creating actions
4.56
4.24
Pass completion
85.7%
81.9%
Touches (att pen)
5.84
8.95
Progressive passes
4.69
3.33
Progressive carries
5.07
5.45
Successful take-ons
2.15
1.74
There’s no denying that Barcola has enjoyed the better season, winning the quadruple with PSG and notching 42 goal contributions across all competitions.
But when digging deeper, it becomes clear that Rodrygo is the superior player of the two, and given that they both fall into a similar financial ballpark, is the one Liverpool must push for.
For example, the French winger is regarded as a silky, high-speed dribbler, but he averaged only one dribble per match in Ligue 1 last year and, more concerningly, at a success rate of just 27%, as per Sofascore.
In fact, FBref also record that he ranked among the bottom 4% of attacking midfielders and wingers across all of Europe last season for take-on success rate, underscoring the amount of failed efforts to drive the ball forward.
That’s not to negate his quality; Barcola has just played an instrumental role in a Champions League-winning campaign after all. However, Rodrygo knows his way around Europe’s elite competition, a two-time champion and a force to be reckoned with at the business end too.
Barcola, moreover, has yet to polish his shooting boots. Though he scored 17 goals across PSG’s Ligue 1 and Champions League campaigns, he also missed a whopping 33 big chances.
Conversely, Rodrygo only missed three big chances, albeit he also netted just 11 times across his disappointing season. Still, that makes a strong comment on his prolific ability.
When he’s on his A-game, the Brazil international is “unstoppable”, so says Madrid columnist Kiyan Sobhani.
Paris St Germain's BradleyBarcola
Ultimately, the fact that Liverpool fans are mulling over whether they fancy Barcola or Rodrygo as potential alternatives to Isak, having already signed Wirtz, Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili, illustrates just how far this club has come.
The Premier League champions are in the most enviable of positions, but if given the pick of the bunch, Hughes might want to move for Rodrygo over Barcola.
Dream Elliott replacement: Liverpool in race to sign "exceptional" £35m gem
Liverpool are reportedly in the race to sign a star who would be a dream replacement for Harvey Elliott.