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The Local Organising Committee will be tasked with the roll-out of the flagship tournament being co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2025Experienced former South African cabinet minister Trevor Manuel has been named chair of the 2027 Cricket World Cup Local Organising Committee (LOC) board, unveiled by Cricket South Africa on Thursday. The 15-member board also has two provincial presidents, a CSA board member, seven independent directors, two appointees made by the South African sports ministry and three CSA executives, including CEO Pholetsi Moseki. The LOC will be tasked with the roll-out of the flagship tournament being co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.Among the independent directors are South Africa’s former deputy president Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and industry leaders in banking and business, such as Nomfanelo Magwentshu who was the chief operating officer of the 2010 Football World Cup hosted in South Africa.A familiar name to some cricket circles is that of Dr Stavros Nicolaou, CSA’s former interim board chair, who was in office as the organisation made the move to a majority independent board. The 2027 LOC mirrors that. “We deliberately went with a lot of independents in order to bring in a variety of skills. The operational matters will be covered from within the CSA perspective,” Rihan Richards, CSA’s members council president said at a press conference in Johannesburg.Manuel, who was part of South Africa’s first democratically elected parliament, served as minister of trade and industry, minister of finance and minister in the presidency and has been involved in various business endeavours. This is his first foray into sport.”I’ve done many different things in my life. Sports administration is not one of them,” he said at a press conference in Johannesburg. “Trying to do this late in my life is not easy for me. We have seven independent non-executive directors, two of whom served on the LOC for 2010, very good legal people, strong financial people and representatives of the minister and the presidency. We must make that commitment to South Africa, to sport, to the durability of the exercise. This is a nation-building exercise.”Unathi Matthew Tshotwana, one of the non-independent directors appointed, was named in the Fundudzi report which resulted in the sacking of former CSA CEO Thabang Moroe in 2019, as the director of a company that CSA paid R3 million (approx US$170,000) to without evidence of service provided. CSA have clarified that Tshotwana’s appointment, which was recomended by the ministry, was cleared by their legal team.The two provincial presidents are Johannes Adams from Western Province and Yunus Bobat from Kwa-Zulu Natal. Adams is a curious choice given that he already has his plate full with attending to issues at his own union, which faces a severe financial crisis. In September last year, it was revealed that the Western Province Cricket Association, which is based at Newlands, suffered losses in excess of R15 million (approx US$850,000) and the venue is in a concerning state of disrepair, some of which is being attended to.Newlands is among the grounds receiving new floodlights as part of the 2027 World Cup upgrades project. Along with the Wanderers, SuperSport Park and Kingsmead, Newlands will also make use of drop-in pitches, which are already in development. CSA opted for drop-in surfaces as a more cost-effective solution to full relaying of the squares at the venues. These are expected to be ready to be played on next season – 2026-27 – a full year ahead of the World Cup.2027 World Cup LOC: Trevor Manuel, Independent Chair
CSA members’ council and board appointments
Johannes Adams, President of Western Province (non-independent)
Yunus Bobat, President of Kwa-Zulu Natal (non-independent)
Vuyani Jarana, (CSA Board member – non-independent)
Ministry Appointments:
Advocate Philip October, Non-Independent Director
Unathi Matthew Tshotwana, Non-Independent Director
Independent Directors:
Herman Bosman, Independent Non-Executive Director
Nomfanelo Magwentshu, Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Independent Non-Executive Director
Ravi Naidoo, Independent Non-Executive Director
Dr Stavros Nicolaou, Independent Non-Executive Director
Advocate Karrisha Pillay SC, Independent Non-Executive Director
CSA staff:
Pholetsi Moseki CSA CEO
Refentse Shinners, CSA Public Affairs Executive
Tjaart van der Walt, CSA COO

Tottenham’s brief unbeaten streak under Thomas Frank came to an abrupt end at home to Aston Villa last Sunday, with pundit Gary Lineker expressing concern over one star in a key role.

Tottenham's lack of creativity a concern for Thomas Frank

Spurs made an excellent start to proceedings against Villa when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who recently signed a brand-new contract, opened the scoring with five minutes on the clock, feeding off midfield partner Joao Palhinha’s knock back to hand Spurs the lead.

However, that was as good as it got for Frank’s side.

Tottenham failed to convince going forward throughout the match, ultimately paying the price against a well-organized Villa side, with summer signing Xavi Simons criticised as Spurs lacked creative spark.

From the offset, the Lilywhites found it difficult to create clear-cut chances. Tottenham’s forwards, particularly on the counter-attack when one of Palhinha or Bentancur won the ball back off Villa, lacked that cutting edge to craft anything of note.

Joao Palhinha

7.8

Boubacar Kamara

7.5

Emiliano Buendia

7.5

Rodrigo Bentancur

7.4

Morgan Rogers

7.1

via WhoScored

Ultimately, Frank’s midfield failed to provide the necessary service to Spurs’ front line, leaving them starved of quality opportunities.

While the north Londoners battled to a 2-1 win away to Leeds before the international break, there were major signs beforehand that Tottenham quite simply need to improve in the attacking areas.

They were very fortunate to nick last-gasp draws against Wolves and Bodo/Glimt before they travelled to Elland Road, but Spurs’ luck ran out against Villa, who stole all three points in N17 thanks to a wonder goal from Emiliano Buendia.

Particularly after Tottenham’s loss to Villa, their lack of impetus in the final third is beginning to become a real worry, if it wasn’t already.

Concerns surround Richarlison’s ability to lead the line, while Dominic Solanke’s bad luck with an ankle injury, which required minor surgery, has limited the England international to just 49 minutes of action this season.

With Simons still getting up to speed, Frank is dearly missing the attacking quality of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison. He’ll be hoping to have the former back as soon as possible, with Kulusevski unable to take part since picking up a knee injury against Crystal Palace last season.

Tottenham face a tough trip to AS Monaco in the Champions League next, and Frank will have a key decision to make about who starts up front, if Solanke isn’t fit enough to make his long-awaited return.

Gary Lineker says Mathys Tel can't do basic thing right in Tottenham striker role

If Solanke proves unable to start against Monaco, Spurs could turn to Mathys Tel as his number nine once again.

Tel was handed the nod by Frank against both Leeds and Villa, opening the scoring at Elland Road, but was largely isolated and ineffective against Unai Emery’s side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Once tipped to eventually bag 40 goals a season by Julian Nagelsmann, the Frenchman may have some way to go before realising that prediction, and Lineker has revealed one key flaw in his game.

Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast this week (via GiveMeSport), Lineker says that Tel can’t do a basic thing right in the Tottenham striker role — namely that he lacks the natural runs in behind to beat the offside trap.

Ange Postecoglou played a key role in convincing the 20-year-old to join Spurs from Bayern Munich last January, on an initial loan which ex-chair Daniel Levy re-negotiated and secured permanently for £30 million.

While the Lilywhites worked hard to sign Tel, he’s racked up just six goal contributions (four goals, two assists) in 28 appearances thus far.

However, it is vital to remember that the ex-Rennes sensation is still very young, and Tottenham will be banking on Tel eventually reaching his full potential after flashes of true brilliance at Bayern.

His first Test century in 14 innings helped the visitors recover from 45 for 3 on the first day in Galle

Mohammad Isam17-Jun-2025What could Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim have wished for after enduring a fairly long time without Test centuries? Couple of helpful pitches in Sylhet and Chattogram, perhaps. But those had come and gone. Under pressure, Shanto and Mushfiqur broke free from their barren run on Tuesday on a Galle pitch that allowed them to play freely yet kept them honest to the fact that they couldn’t just play their shots freely.On the eve of the first Test against Sri Lanka, Shanto had pointed out how Galle is at its best for a batter on the first couple of days before the spinners take charge. However, Bangladesh were reduced to 45 for 3 on the first day itself as ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Rathnayake and seamer Asitha Fernando struck early. But Shanto and Mushfiqur added 247 for the fourth wicket, and went back undefeated on 136 and 105, respectively.It was Mushfiqur’s 12th Test hundred, and his first in 14 innings since August last year. His highest score in this period was 40 against Zimbabwe. After play on the first day against Sri Lanka, Mushfiqur recalled his first innings in Galle from 12 years ago, when he got Bangladesh’s first double-hundred in Tests.Related

Tharindu Rathnayake: I switch bowling arm according to weakness of batters

Shanto, Mushfiqur hundreds headline Bangladesh's dominance

“I think I get a pretty good wicket every time I have played in Galle,” he said. “I have seen how some other Tests here had a lot of purchase for spinners. We knew that one of us out of the seven batters had to capitalise on the first two days in Galle. If I am not wrong, myself and [Mohammad] Ashraful batted the whole day here in 2013. It was my plan this time too; I was telling Shanto that we need to bat the whole day.”It was Mushfiqur’s fourth century against Sri Lanka, and his second in the island nation. He said that he had told his younger team-mates about what to expect from Sri Lankan pitches.”After Bangladesh, I [most] love playing in Sri Lanka,” Mushfiqur said. “There is always a sporting wicket, whether it is the red or white ball. If you apply your strength here, you can do well – whether you are a batter, quick bowler or spinner. I was telling this to a few of our young players who are playing their first Test in Galle.”I like to play with wind around. I have to adjust when the newer ball turns a bit, or against the older ball. It is really special to play in Galle. I love batting here.”Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim added an undefeated 247 for the fourth wicket•Associated PressMushfiqur, though, acknowledged that he wasn’t as comfortable this time. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva changed the field several times, often putting catchers in different positions and asking the bowlers to switch from conventional lines. Mushfiqur spent 23 balls in the nineties, before reaching the three-figure mark in the 86th over.”These are not easy runs. I took a lot of time in the nineties, as they were not giving me a freebie,” Mushfiqur said. “It shows that they are a tough side to score against. They made smart bowling changes and field placements. I trust my process when I am batting with control. Usually, we see that our opponents send a fielder to the deep after two or three boundaries. Sri Lanka change their fielding according to the conditions. You have to bat patiently against them.”Mushfiqur insisted that taking plenty of singles allowed him and Shanto to put the pressure back on Sri Lanka. He also praised Shanto, who got to his first Test century since November 2023, for dominating proceedings at the other end without giving a sniff to the opposition.

“You can’t get runs in every game, but when you do the right things over and over, hopefully the big score will come soon enough. When it does come around, you have to make sure to make it count.”Mushfiqur Rahim after an unbeaten 105 on day one in Galle

“I think rotating the strike is important – maybe as much as hitting fours or sixes,” Mushfiqur said. “Rotation of strike causes problems for the bowlers, especially when there’s a left-hander and a right-hander [combination] in the middle. It is very important to pick singles as the fielding side have to constantly change their placements. This is why we are always in training so that we remain fit.”Shanto has been in good form for a pretty long time. He has a good Test record. He is a good batter. It was nothing special. I was really impressed by his control factor today. He scored a hundred in Kandy some years ago, but I thought this was the right approach. It is important to play a chanceless innings, when you are mostly in control. It is going to give confidence to the next batters.”Mushfiqur said that Bangladesh must look to take advantage of such a start by batting long on the second day.”It is obviously a satisfying effort. Nobody wants to get any less runs after playing for so many years for your country,” he said. “You can’t get runs in every game, but when you do the right things over and over, hopefully the big score will come soon enough. When it does come around, you have to make sure to make it count. I am not finished yet. I will try to maximize tomorrow.”

Harry Kane has revealed the worst moment of his career following England's qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The Three Lions eased to a 5-0 win over Latvia in Riga on Tuesday night to maintain their 100% record. Captain Kane, meanwhile, is looking to right some wrongs and has set himself an ambitious goal target as he looks to continue his rampant form.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kane has been scoring for fun

  Kane bagged a brace against Latvia on Tuesday night having sat out the 3-0 win over Wales last week due to injury. A two-goal salvo in Riga were Kane's fifth and sixth of World Cup qualifying and extended his scoring streak for club and country to eight matches.

  The 32-year-old has made an imperious start to the 2025-26 campaign as he looks to follow up last season's Bundesliga success. Indeed, Kane has already scored 16 Bayern goals across just nine outings for the Bavarian powerhouse.

  Bayern are the outright favourites to win the Bundesliga for the second year running and a real contender to lift the Champions League in Budapest next summer. Kane will be hoping it's a pre-cursor for the World Cup as England look to win the famous trophy for the first time since 1966.

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• 'Probably the worst that I felt in any moment'

  Kane is also looking to right some World Cup wrongs as he aims to captain England to international glory. The striker missed a decisive penalty against France in the quarter-finals in Qatar in 2022 having already netted from the spot as England fell to a 2-1 loss to Didier Deschamps' side.

  "I’d say that was probably the worst that I felt in any moment," Kane told . "Obviously I’ve lost finals before. To have that responsibility, you almost feel like it fell on my shoulders and I guess not being able to execute something that I’ve been able to execute many times in my career… I think that was the hardest part to process and take.

  "I learnt from that, the way that motivated me to get even better and improve, not just from the penalty side in terms of improving my technique but as an all-round player. To know I want to be back there, I want to help England get back there."

  Kane has revealed that miss prompted a change to his penalty taking technique, adding: "I changed my technique a little bit. I improved in that sense which I was proud of.

  "And that’s always what I will try and do. In terms of that [penalty miss] being my last memory [of a World Cup], yeah, I’m looking forward to the next World Cup to try and put that right, to try and go further, to try and lift the trophy as we all dream of doing.

  "And the opportunity is always there when that is coming around. I think those moments only shape you as a person, as a player and it’s definitely helped me to become a better player."

• AFP
  

  England captain reveals goal target

  The Three Lions skipper has also revealed his ambitious goalscoring target for the national team. Tuesday's brace in Latvia took him to 76 England goals, and he believes he has what it takes to reach a century.

  "I think it’s there," Kane said when asked if 100 international goals was a realistic target.

  "The way I’m feeling right now, I’m not slowing down any time soon. I want to stay at this level for as long as I can. I’m on 76 now so that leaves 24 and we have a few more games between now and the World Cup and then try [to] edge closer to that 100.

  "I am extremely proud to have broken Rooney’s record and now to be going ahead like I am. It is hard to process while I am still playing. In life it’s always about the next moment and the next camp, the next game. I’m aware that it’s a special achievement. I’ll be hungry for as many goals as possible and we’ll see how far I can go."

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• Kane issues rallying cry

  England qualified for the World Cup with two games to spare. And while some may feel the Three Lions can take their foot off the gas against Serbia and Albania next month, Kane has issued a rallying cry for teammates to maintain this momentum.

  "I said in the changing rooms never take this for granted but ultimately we will come back in November [for the final two qualifiers at home against Serbia and away against Albania] and there are two more important games to carry on the momentum we are building so far," Kane said.

  England's first set of games next March are yet to be decided but reports earlier this month suggested that are keen to host Uruguay and Japan as they gear up for next year's World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur are now leading the race for an “excellent” player, who is also being targeted by AC Milan and one of their Premier League rivals.

Spurs keen on new defender after Bournemouth defeat

Tottenham suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday afternoon, coming up short in a 1-0 loss at home to AFC Bournemouth, and Thomas Frank wasn’t impressed with his side’s defensive performance.

The Spurs boss criticised his side’s ability to deal with balls in-behind, saying: “Not a shock if I’m honest but not what I expected. I hoped for more. We played against a good Bournemouth team. I don’t think we handled the balls behind and the second ball game very well for whatever reason.

“They play behind as soon as they can and have willing runners. A few passes and they play the ball behind. That’s difficult to play against.

“In football, it goes so quick. We can still find good bits but overall, it’s not a good performance.”

Defensive issues plagued the north Londoners throughout the 2024-25 campaign, given that Ange Postecoglou was known to be uncompromising on his attacking principles, but Frank is well-known to be more pragmatic.

As such, the Dane’s side have kept two clean sheets in their opening three Premier League games, but the manager still remains keen on bringing in another centre-back, who could provide competition for Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

That is according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), which states Tottenham have now moved into pole position in the race for Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, who is also being targeted by AC Milan and Crystal Palace.

Tottenham expected to bid for £150k-a-week England international after Simons

The Dutchman is unlikely to be their only late signing.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 30, 2025

Crucially, Spurs have Champions League football on offer this season, which gives them a key advantage over rival suitors in the race for Akanji’s signature, and City are only looking to receive a fee of €15m (£13m) plus bonuses.

"Excellent" Akanji could be solid signing for Spurs

Lauded as “excellent” by The Telegraph’s James Ducker, the 30-year-old has proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years, making a combined 59 appearances for City as they secured back-to-back titles in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

The Switzerland international’s experience could make him a solid signing for Frank, and his versatility would also be of great use, with Pep Guardiola praising his player for being able to play in a multitude of positions.

Guardiola said: “He is a lovely guy, can play in different positions. Normally a central defender but (he can play) right back, holding midfield. He is open minded, well educated, so intelligent.”

Although Akanji is now 30-years-old, he would be a low-cost addition to the Tottenham squad at just £13m, and the defender’s versatility would make him a useful option for Frank, in what is set to be a congested campaign.

The winner will play New Zealand in the final and also get a chance for some Champions Trophy prep over in Karachi

Firdose Moonda11-Feb-2025Big Picture: The knockout before the knockoutThe original Champions Trophy started as a knockout tournament so, as we build up to this year’s edition, here’s a bit of a throwback: Wednesday’s match between Pakistan and South Africa in the mini tri-series is a winner-takes-all affair, with New Zealand already through to Saturday’s final. It won’t be quite so do-or-die in the Champions Trophy, but groups of four mean that teams can only really afford one slip up from the outset, which makes this match excellent practice for both these sides.On recent form, Pakistan have the upper hand over South Africa, who they clean swept 3-0 in December on South African soil for the first time. The result must be caveated, with the disclaimer that South Africa were understrength, though Pakistan won’t (and shouldn’t) care about that.Related

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What they will be interested in is that South Africa are still hamstrung. They are without half of their Champions Trophy squad with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada only due to arrive in Pakistan on the weekend.To make full use of any advantage, Pakistan’s batting will have to perform better, after they were dismissed for 252 by New Zealand on Saturday and lost nine wickets for 149 after getting off to a decent start. Their middle order will be under pressure but no more than South Africa’s bowling attack, which wasn’t unable to defend 304 and lacked bite in their tri-series opener. They have been reinforced by the pace of Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka but will need to combine that with discipline to challenge for a place in the final.What’s at stake is more than just the trophy: the opportunity to have one more competitive match before the Champions Trophy starts, and for Pakistan, to have a dress rehearsal for the tournament opener. They play New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi so being able to face them five days earlier at the same venue will be an added bonus. South Africa also stay in Karachi for their first match against Afghanistan but before they think of that, they’ll want to break a losing streak that has lasted five matches.Form guide: SA’s unwanted streakPakistan: LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa: LLLLLFakhar Zaman hit a quick fifty in the opening ODI of the tri-series•Associated PressIn the spotlight: Fakhar Zaman and Tabraiz ShamsiAfter 15 months on the sidelines, Fakhar Zaman made his comeback with 84 off 69 balls and showed both the power and the pace to help Pakistan chase a big score. They didn’t get there, but the early signs from Fakhar are good. He was especially confident in taking on the short ball from Will O’Rourke in Lahore and was aggressive against New Zealand’s spinners. Bear in mind that Fakhar averaged 50.82 and scored four hundreds when he last played in 2023 and it seems like he has picked up where he left off. In Saim Ayub’s injury-enforced absence, Pakistan seemed to have found the perfect replacement. Now, it’s for Fakhar to show consistency.Tabraiz Shamsi has bowled 15 overs in four matches (across formats) and it’s been 15 overs since he last took a wicket. He had a quiet SA20 for Jo’burg Super Kings, but the time is coming for Shamsi to step up, especially as South Africa have gone into the Champions Trophy with just two specialist spinners despite at least two others being in good form. Bjorn Fortuin and George Linde had good SA20s and though they are usually sidelined because they can’t get past Keshav Maharaj, with a lot of white-ball cricket in the subcontinent in the next year, South Africa might be considering their options. Since Imran Tahir’s retirement in 2019, Shamsi has been South Africa’s premier attacking spinner and there’s no better time to show it than now.Haris Rauf walked off the field with a side strain in the opening ODI•Associated PressTeam news: Rauf unlikely to featureHaris Rauf left the field after bowling 6.2 overs against New Zealand with a side strain and while it is deemed a low-grade injury, he will not be risked for this match. Mohammad Hasnain could play in his place. Pakistan may also consider a change in the batting line-up, with Saud Shakeel a possible replacement for Tayyab Tahir.Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Kamran Ghulam, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir/Saud Shakeel, 7 Khusdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Mohammad HasnainTony de Zorzi and Corbin Bosch who are both in the Champions Trophy squad as well as 18-year left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka have joined the South African touring party and are available for selection. De Zorzi and Bosch both played in the SA20 final on Saturday but may be pulled into the XI, along with Heinrich Klaasen, as South Africa aim to push for a spot in the final. Don’t be surprised if Lungi Ngidi sits this one out, after bowling seven overs – his most since last October – as he continues to work towards full fitness. Maphaka could be selected in his place.South Africa (possible): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Matthew Breetzke, 3 Tony de Zorzi, 4 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 Wiaan Mulder, 7 Senuran Muthusamy, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Kwena MaphakaPitch and conditions: Expect another high-scoring gameThe series moves to Karachi, which last hosted an ODI in May 2023. Then, New New Zealand successfully defended 299 against Pakistan. In six ODIs here since January 2023, the average first-innings score has been 286 and the team batting first has won five out of those six games. That suggests another fairly high-scoring encounter but it may not be the pitch that’s most in focus. Like Lahore, Karachi has undergone significant upgrades ahead of the Champions Trophy including new dressing rooms and hospitality areas, an increased capacity of 5000, two new digital replay screens and 350 LED lights for improved broadcast coverage.Stats and triviaSouth Africa have lost their last five ODIs, which puts them on their longest losing streak since 2004. They have previously lost ten matches in a row in 2004 and 1994. The last time Pakistan failed to make a tri-series final was the Morocco Cup in 2002, when South Africa and Sri Lanka competed for the trophy. Pakistan have since played in six other tri-series, but only won one: the Kitply Cup between themselves, Bangladesh and India in 2008. Pakistan beat India by 25 runs in the final.Quotes</b"Tomorrow is obviously a big day for the series. We played Pakistan not too long ago, but obviously Pakistan in their conditions are a different beast, so I'm looking forward to that. We just got together today, basically the boys only arrived at 2 o'clock this morning. For the guys that are new to the squad, we've got to do a little bit of homework, we've got a nice day out to face these conditions and see what it is like. Obviously there's a bigger picture in mind as well. The ICC [Champions] trophy is also in play next week, so it's a good exercise for us. If we can knock them out and play in the final, and the home country is not involved, that will at least put a smile on my face."
Heinrich Klaasen explains the importance of what is effectively a semi-final

After enduring the summer of all summers at Anfield, Liverpool could still miss out on their top target amid interest from Real Madrid, who beat the Reds to Jude Bellingham back in 2023.

Isak delivers emphatic Liverpool statement

Alexander Isak was made to wait, but eventually he got his move. Arriving on deadline day in a deal worth around £125m, the Swede finally got his wish and will now be looking to go from a player on strike to a player back in action at his very best.

Joining Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo on Arne Slot’s list of attacking options, there’s a strong argument that Liverpool now have the strongest frontline in all of Europe. As such, it came as no surprise that Isak instantly set his sights on creating history in Merseyside.

Without their new star striker, Liverpool have not even got out of first gear but remain the only side in the Premier League with a 100% win record. Slot’s side needed late winners against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and, most recently, Arsenal as their rivals quickly became sick of the sight of the champions before the international break.

Now, those same rivals will be dreading the impact that Isak could make. It must be said, however, that he wasn’t the only top target on deadline day and after Liverpool hesitated, they’ve seemingly allowed Real Madrid to swoop in.

Real Madrid now eyeing Marc Guehi move

As relayed by reports in Spain, Real Madrid have now set their sights on signing Marc Guehi on a free deal when his current contract expires next summer. The defender looked destined for Anfield on deadline day after a deal was agreed and medical completed, before Crystal Palace pulled the plug in ruthless fashion.

Leaving the door for rivals to make their move when his contract expires, Liverpool could suffer an all too familiar hijack at the hands of Real Madrid. Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that the Spanish giants jumped ahead of the Reds to sign Jude Bellingham – who has thrived ever since – and pried Trent Alexander-Arnold away from Anfield this summer.

Isak can do the one thing for Liverpool that Haaland never did at Man City

The Swede could already hand the Reds one key advantage.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

Liverpool should be desperate to avoid a repeat and secure the arrival of Guehi once and for all, either in January or next summer. Described as “calm and composed” by former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, the Crystal Palace defender looks set to have a big decision to make when the time comes.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde deste domingo, o Grêmio recebeu o Fortaleza na Arena e novamente decepcionou o seu torcedor ao empatar em 0 a 0.  O time de Renato Gaúcho até buscou mais o gol na etapa inicial, porém, não conseguiu obter o êxito nas finalizações. 

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Na etapa final, o Fortaleza deu mais trabalho e aproveitou a fase negativa do Tricolor para criar boas oportunidades. No fim, o empate sem gols frustrou o torcedor e elenco gremista, que sonhava em dar mais uma resposta após a goleada sofrida contra o Palmeiras. 

Desde a vitória contra o Cuiabá, o Tricolor disputou mais três confrontos: empatou duas vezes e perdeu uma. 

Com seis rodadas disputadas, o Tricolor se encontra na 11ª colocação, com apenas oito pontos conquistados. 

Sunderland have finally concluded a deal for Granit Xhaka, but they are far from done this summer with notable additions.

Up next, it looks as if Robin Roefs will join the building from NEC Nijmegen as the Black Cats’ brand new goalkeeper for the Premier League, having kept a promising ten clean sheets in Eredivisie action last season.

From that point on, it’s anybody’s guess as to who will be following the Dutchman in through the door, as the rumour mill continues to be active on Wearside.

Sunderland agree deal to sign new striker

Regis Le Bris and Co could well be diving straight back into the options at their disposal at Bayer Leverkusen, with Amine Adli a name that keeps popping up from the German giants.

Reports suggest that the Black Cats, West Ham United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all locked into a race to try and snap up the Moroccan winger, who is valued around the £26m price range.

Elsewhere, meanwhile, it was reported by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie that Sunderland had opened talks to snap up Chelsea hotshot Marc Guiu on a loan deal, having approached the 19-year-old who has previously been linked with Leeds United.

Fabrizio Romano has since followed that up by revealing that a deal has been agreed for the youngster, with Guiu set to join on a temporary move, with no option to buy for the Black Cats.

The Spanish teenager is yet to get up and running in the Premier League with the Blues, but it’s clear that he is seen as a gem for the future, with Danny Welbeck once viewed in the same light when he arrived to the Stadium of Light in 2010, only then to get his top-flight career off the ground on Wearside.

Why Guiu could be Sunderland's new Welbeck

Heading into his formative stint with the Black Cats, Welbeck only had three senior strikes to shout about, having been previously loaned out to Preston North End in the Championship away from parent side Manchester United.

Guiu can boast double that amount for Enzo Maresca’s men already, but it’s clear that he needs more consistent minutes in the top-flight, away from wreaking havoc in the much-maligned Conference League.

Sunderland could now be willing to give him that opportunity, much like when they extended their hand out to a far more raw Welbeck 15 years ago.

The now well-established 34-year-old would first make a name for himself donning Sunderland red and white, with the ex-Black Cats number 17 even getting in on the goalscoring act during his solitary season with the club, when downing Chelsea 3-0 in a surprise away win.

In total, Welbeck would bag a promising six strikes from 26 games before then going on to become a first-teamer at Old Trafford, with the Premier League veteran now up to 77 goals in the testing division when featuring for the likes of Arsenal, Watford, and Brighton and Hove Albion, away from the Red Devils and the Stadium of Light.

Welbeck’s heroics for Sunderland would help them to secure a comfortable tenth-place finish in the final top-flight standings, with Guiu hopeful he can be that same spark that makes survival a breeze, having already made quite an impression on the Stamford Bridge masses from limited starts.

Indeed, despite making just four starts overall for Maresca’s side, the ex-Barcelona youth product has a blistering six strikes next to his name, leading to Guiu being dubbed a “nightmare” to come up against by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Further showing off his ice-cold finishing ability on the international stage with Spain when powering home 11 goals for the U17s and U19s, on top of even having two senior Barca strikes next to his name, it’s no shock that one of his former youth coaches, Jose Lana, has stated that Guiu can “score goals from nowhere.”

It might be a tall order for Guiu to instantly break into the first-team fold, however.

But when he is unleashed into the action, the 19-year-old will surely be eager to make an impact, knowing full well that an electric loan stint on Wearside could finally kickstart his Premier League journey in style.

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ByKelan Sarson Jul 31, 2025

يواجه أحد لاعبي برشلونة الكثير من الغموض بشأن مستقبله في النادي، إلى جانب موقفه من المشاركة في كأس العالم المقبل 2026 مع منتخب بلاده.

ويبدو أن مستقبل الحارس الألماني مارك أندريه تير شتيجن في نادي برشلونة أصبح أكثر غموضاً من أي وقت مضى، بعد تعرضه لإصابة طويلة.

وقد تراجعت مكانة تير شتيجن في برشلونة، بعد أن عزز البلوجرانا صفوفه بضم تشيزني وخوان جارسيا، ولا يترددون في ألمانيا بتشجيعه على الرحيل إذا أراد الحفاظ على حظوظه في استدعائه لقائمة المانشافت في كأس العالم 2026.

وفي تصريحات نشرتها “سبورت” الإسبانية نقلاً عن صحيفة “بيلد”، وجه بيرند شوستر اللاعب والمدرب السابق نصيحة لشتيجن: “بالنظر إلى قسوة برشلونة مع اللاعبين الذين لم يعودوا بحاجة إليهم، لو كنت مكانه لبحثت عن ناد جديد”.

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وأكد شوستر ثقة هانز فليك في الوافدين الجدد في مركز حراسة المرمى: “من الواضح أن فليك وضع ثقته في الوافد الجديد خوان جارسيا وتشيزني كحارس احتياطي، لن يحصل شتيجن على فرصة أخرى”.

وقد فتح شوستر الباب أمام سيناريو صعب لتير شتيجن: “في رأيي ليس بالضرورة أن يكون ناديه الجديد من الطراز الرفيع، سيكون من الجيد أن يتمتع هذا النادي بالطموح في الدوري الألماني ويلعب بانتظام، لأن هذا ما يحتاجه بشدة وإلا أتصور أن مدرب ألمانيا سيقوم بالاعتماد على مانويل نوير وإعادته لقائمة المنتخب في كأس العالم 2026”.

وكان تير شتيجن قد رسخ مكانته في منتخب ألمانيا كحارس أساسي بعد اعتزال مانويل نوير الجزئي، ولكنه أصبح مهددًا بفقدان مركزه بسبب قلة فرص المشاركة واللعب.