With their backs against the wall, the New York Mets staged a stunning comeback in the top of the ninth inning during their 4–2 win in Game 3 of the wild-card round series to eliminate the Milwaukee Brewers. It seems no one was more fired up than Jesse Winker, who was one of the runners who crossed the plate during the late-game rally.
A couple of batters after Pete Alonso's three-run homer gave the Mets a 3–2 lead, Starling Marte batted Winker home on an RBI single. After crossing the plate and giving New York a two-run cushion, Winker was so fired up he removed his helmet and promptly smashed it on the ground with both hands in celebration.
His helmet didn't survive the collision with the ground, as pieces of it could be seen scattering after Winker spiked it into the dirt.
It's not difficult to see just how much it means to him, despite having joined the franchise ahead of this year's trade deadline. Winker swiped second base in order to get into scoring position, and that proved to be a game-changing stolen bag, as he was able to come around to score after Marte's base hit.
Here's another look at just how fired up Winker was after crossing the plate.
That's postseason baseball, folks.
Winker, who played for the Brewers in 2022, was ushered back into the dugout by his overjoyed teammates, who knew they had just put themselves within three outs of an NLDS berth. They managed to get those three outs with David Peterson on the mound in the bottom of the ninth, stunning the crowd at American Family Field.
The defeat in the final league match of MLC 2025 meant San Francisco Unicorns finished third on the table, and will have to play the Eliminator
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2025Los Angeles Knight Riders notched up only their second win of MLC 2025, but did it at the worst possible time for San Francisco Unicorns, denying them a chance of making the top two on the points table.Unicorns gave the massive chase of 244 their best shot, but it was firstly too many runs, and secondly, they missed the services of Romario Shepherd with the bat, after he hared in off the boundary line to try and take a catch in the first half, hurt his ankle, and wasn’t available for the rest of the game.Sanjay Krishnamurthi kept Unicorns in the chase with a 40-ball 92•Sportzpics for MLCThe total of 676 runs scored in this, the last game of the league phase, was way ahead of the norm in Lauderhill – the top innings score in the other eight games had been 188 – and it was all thanks to Andre Fletcher, Alex Hales and Sherfane Rutherford in the first half and Sanjay Krishnamurthi in the second.For a while, Krishnamurthi threatened to eclipse Fletcher’s 118, getting to 92 off just 39 balls with seven fours and seven sixes by the end of the 14th over. At that stage, 68 were needed off five overs, the game having been reduced to a 19-overs-a-side affair after a rain delay more or less halfway into the Knight Riders innings. But Jason Holder sent Krishnamurthi back first ball of the 15th, and despite some lusty hitting from Xavier Bartlett, who hit Corne Dry for three sixes and a four in the 16th, Unicorns ran out of steam. Shepherd was missed a great deal.The chase had started badly for Unicorns, though. Karthik Gattepalli, the left-arm spinner on MLC debut, opened the bowling with Dominic Drakes and, after Drakes had removed Finn Allen in the first over, accounted for Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk in the second on his way to returns of 3 for 31.
A legendary start for Gattepalli, taking two wickets of SFU Skipper Matt Short and batting powerhouse Jake Fraser-McGurk in his first ever MLC over. pic.twitter.com/K6VbSNuxyV
— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 7, 2025
Krishnamurthi, with help from Hassan Khan (35 in 17) and Hammad Azam (38 in 27) did give Knight Riders a scare, but all the runs they had put on the board made it their night in Lauderhill.After Unicorns had opted to bowl, they went a straight seven-and-a-half overs without a wicket as Knight Riders put up 76 in the powerplay. Most of the damage was done by Alex Hales, who had had a quiet time of it in the competition leading up to this game, as he hit 58 in 26 in the partnership of 94 with Fletcher before becoming first man out.Fletcher then built another big partnership with Rutherford, this one of 97 runs in 52 balls, the two more or less evenly splitting the runs – Fletcher 45 in 24 and Rutherford 49 in 28 – before Rutherford was sent back in the 17th over. Fletcher was on 79 in 46 balls at that point, and upper a gear or two in the company of Rovman Powell, hitting Brody Couch for three sixes and a four – and getting to his century in the process – in the 18th over, and finishing off with two more sixes off Hassan in the last before falling off the last ball of the innings. His 118 (off 58) was his second century of the competition.Knight Riders are done in MLC 2025, along with Seattle Orcas. The top two, Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings are up next, in Qualifier 1, with the winners going through to the final. Unicorns take on MI New York in the Eliminator, with the losers exiting the tournament and the winners taking on the losers of Qualifier 1 in Qualifier 2.
Principal ativo do Corinthians, Gabriel Moscardo completou 18 anos na quinta-feira (28) e está liberado para ser negociado com equipes do exterior. Na última janela de transferências, Barcelona e Chelsea disputaram a contratação do volante.
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A maioridade faz ele cumprir o Regulamento de Jogadores, alterado pela FIFA em 2001, que impede transferências internacionais envolvendo menores de idade.
A diretoria corintiana sabe que Moscardo será disputado por equipes europeias em janeiro, durante a janela de inverno no Velho Continente, e não pretende vendê-lo por menos de atleta em 30 milhões de euros (R$ 155,5 milhões na cotação atual).
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A ideia é tornar o volante a maior venda da história do clube. A marca pertence a Pedrinho, A maioridade do atleta faz ele cumprir o Regulamento de Jogadores, alterado pela FIFA em 2001, que impede transferências internacionais envolvendo menores de idade, negociado ao Benfica em 2018 por 18 milhões de euros (aproximadamente R$ 93 milhões na ocasião).
Das equipes interessadas, o Chelsea foi quem chegou mais perto de contratar Moscardo na última janela. Os ingleses fizeram uma oferta de 21 milhões de euros (R$ 108,9 milhões), com a possibilidade do valor total aumentar em 4 milhões de euros (R$ 20,7 milhões) em bonificações. No entanto, o Corinthians decidiu segurar o garoto por entender que a revelação pode render cifras ainda maiores ao clube.
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O Chelsea segue conversando com o estafe de Moscardo e aposta na boa relação com Giuliano Bertolucci, empresário do jogador, para superar o Barcelona. Os espanhóis apresentaram uma proposta através do ex-jogador Deco, que desde junho é diretor esportivo do clube catalão.
Além dos dois clubes citados, o camisa 44 corintiano vinha sendo monitorado por pessoas ligadas ao Arsenal e Manchester City quando ele ainda jogava nas categorias de base.
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Gabriel Moscardo teve uma ascensão meteórica no Corinthians. Ele começou o ano no Sub-20, mas rapidamente chamou a atenção de Vanderlei Luxemburgo. Até a demissão de Luxa, o garoto virou titular absoluto na equipe, e um dos queridinhos da torcida.
Moscardo tem contrato com o Timão até julho de 2026, com multa rescisória de 100 milhões de euros (R$ 518,5 milhões) para o mercado internacional,
Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique has launched a passionate defence of new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier after a tough start to his career in the French capital. The stopper arrived from Lille in a big-money move in the summer, replacing former No.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, but has come under scrutiny for his performances so far for the Ligue 1 champions and current Champions League holders.
Chevalier comes under fire after PSG move
PSG's decision to replace Donnarumma with Chevalier in the summer caused plenty of headlines, with the Ligue 1 champions warned their new signing would not be able to match the Italy international's level. Chevalier has faced more criticism after an underwhelming start to life in the French capital and came under fire for his performance last time out in a 3-3 draw against Strasbourg.
Former goalkeeper Lionel Charbonnier told : "He doesn't have the charisma at the moment. He's not doing enough. He didn't do his job. On the first goal, I thought at first that it was a complicated header, and after analysing it, he's moving back. He shouldn't move back, he should move forward. He's on a back foot, so he dives back and that's a no-go.
"On the second goal, he tried to stretch his leg out, his studs got caught in the turf. For me, for the moment, the suit is too big for Chevalier. You put it with his performances at Lille, he doesn't concede the two goals. He's very small. When you look at him, you get the impression that the goal is huge."
AdvertisementAFPLuis Enrique leaps to Chevalier's defence
PSG boss Luis Enrique has been quick to defend his goalkeeper. The former Barcelona manager was asked about his stopper ahead of PSG's Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen and says he's more than satisfied with his new recruit.
"It's the same every year, I'm very happy with your feelings. I'm very happy with Lucas Chevalier! For me he's one of the best options or THE best option. I'm very happy with his performances. And when we recruit a player, we think over a long period of time," he told reporters.
"And what I can say about Lucas Chevalier is that I like his personality, his level as player. We are very confident that he will be very important to the team for many years to come. That is the confidence we have in our player, and especially for me, when I see Lucas Chevalier's performance during these matches, I see what I want to see. And for me, that is enough."
'You killed Donnarumma' – Luis Enrique hits out at media
Luis Enrique also criticised the media for their treatment of Chevalier and Donnarumma. The PSG boss says Donnarumma had to put up with harsh media criticism during his time at the club but admitted it's part of the job at a club like PSG.
"He has personality, he showed it and he still shows it in training and in matches. What I like… I think you don't remember for how many years you criticized Gigio Donnarumma. I remember perfectly!" he added.
"The last four years, you killed him. You killed Gigio Donnarumma sportingly. So please… even when I wasn't the coach of Paris Saint-Germain. I felt all the time that you criticised Gigio Donnarumma. When you are a goalkeeper of a club like Paris Saint-Germain, you have to learn to live with that."
Donnarumma proved pivotal to PSG's run to Champions League glory last and, having already won the Men's Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, is hot favourite to also be named Best Men's Goalkeeper at the equivalent Best FIFA Football Awards. Manchester City saw PSG's surprise willingness to move on from the giant Italian stopper as an opportunity they couldn't turn miss.
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AFPPSG aiming to stay perfect
PSG have made a perfect start to the defence of their Champions League trophy by beating Barcelona and Atalanta. The defending champions return to action on Tuesday against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
On Sunday afternoon, Alexander Isak will sit on the bench at Burnley’s Turf Moor. Perhaps he will be introduced in the second half, playing 20 or 30 minutes of football for his new club, Liverpool.
The main thing is that Liverpool prevailed in their summer-stretching bid to sign Newcastle United’s talisman, completing the highly-charged transfer on deadline day for a British-record £125m fee, not long after the Reds had broken the previous record when signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m.
Liverpool’s summer spending spree was conducted with the view from the FSG offices that it would be something of a one-off, a remarkable statement of strength that would secure Anfield’s future for many years to come.
And though some felt the deal was somewhat unnecessary after Hugo Ekitike joined from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the summer, it was absolutely right that Liverpool pushed hard to land the signature of one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards.
How Isak compares to Premier League strikers
Liverpool spent more this summer than any team had spent before across a single transfer window, and now Arne Slot’s side are expected to deliver: they must defend their Premier League title; they must battle against the continent’s finest for a seventh Champions League triumph.
Isak will help in the pursuit of all that. The 25-year-old scored 27 times for Newcastle last season and has emerged over the past few years as one of the best strikers in world football, so intelligent and influential and clinical in front of goal.
Mohamed Salah is known for his success in the final third, but Isak has actually been scoring at a more prolific rate since joining Newcastle from Real Sociedad in 2022, and the overload of creative quality at Slot’s disposal suggests the Swede will only go from strength to strength on Merseyside.
Erling Haaland
100
88 (0.88)
Mohamed Salah
111
67 (0.60)
Alexander Isak
86
54 (0.63)
Ollie Watkins
115
50 (0.43)
Chris Wood
95
39 (0.41)
Bryan Mbeumo
101
39 (0.39)
However, as already suggested, there are some who maybe feel that a record-breaking bid for Isak was superfluous, especially with Slot already having an Isak-esque talent in the ranks.
Liverpool already sold an Isak-esque talent
Sadio Mane was considered an irreplaceable part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, and he was, but FSG hit the jackpot in signing a positional successor in Luis Diaz, who proved instrumental in winning a horde of silverware across his three-and-a-half years at the club.
A left-sided forward by trade, Diaz was regarded as a “magical” player by the likes of Liverpool reporter Matt Addison, not quite hitting the same clinical heights as Mane before him but still contributing crucially throughout his spell at the club.
And last year was his best of the bunch, posting 17 goals and eight assists across the campaign. While consistent performances as a striker were bound to raise his output, Diaz still played the role extremely well, never goal-hanging and instead adding a dimension to Liverpool’s build-up play and altogether widening the scope for the likes of Salah and Cody Gakpo, who both enjoyed terrific campaigns in front of goal.
Long regarded as one of the most electric and direct wingers in the Premier League, Slot opted to refashion Diaz into a centre-forward last season, with Darwin Nunez toiling in front of goal.
And the results reinforced that decision, just one of a myriad of tactical enforcements that have established Slot as a Premier League champion and “one of the best coaches” in the world, as remarked by analyst Joe Baker.
Isak arrives at Liverpool as an upgrade in regard to being a centre-forward, but Diaz offered something very distinctive, a blend of sharp-paced athleticism and nifty tricks on the ball, all translatable to an unnatural berth at number nine.
After all, Diaz ranked among the top 3% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for non-penalty goals scored per 90, statistics courtesy of data-led platform FBref.
This much-improved focus in the final third, combined with a dynamic approach to the physical side of the game, led FBref to liken Diaz to Newcastle’s Isak, who had been named by pundit Ally McCoist as being “the best all-round centre-forward” in England.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland might have more of a predatory instinct in front of goal, but you can see why Liverpool invested such an effort into signing Isak, who brings more to the table, who will carry something of Diaz’s style of play through the campaign.
Diaz was an immense and perhaps even underrated member of a multi-title-winning Liverpool side, but he appeared to have been pining for a transfer, first looking toward Barcelona and then Manchester City and the Saudi Pro League too, before eventually completing a move to Bayern Munich, where he is thriving.
It’s the news that Pep Guardiola’s side had come close to signing him that perhaps rankles some within the Reds fanbase, with Liverpool proposing to the Sky Blues a scenario in which City signed the Colombia international and Liverpool got Julian Alvarez in return upon realising that Diaz wanted to join their domestic rivals.
Diaz’s desire to leave Liverpool and join a domestic rival underscores a further similarity between his case and that of Slot’s new focal frontman, and let’s just be grateful that he was at least willing to remain at the club and continue to ply dutifully toward the outfit’s goals.
The versatile forward, in any case, served Liverpool extremely well, and though he carried some similarities to Isak, there’s no question that Liverpool fans and those involved at the club will consider the arrival of the Sweden star a significant upgrade and a fantastic deal, even though Isak’s signature came at such a premium.
FSG have already sold Liverpool's homegrown Zubimendi for just £15m
Former Liverpool player is now starring as a deep-lying playmaker reminiscent of Zubimendi.
David de Gea will go down as one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever goalkeepers in their history – undoubtedly exceeding all the expectations placed on him after joining in the summer of 2011.
The Spaniard racked up 545 appearances for the Red Devils over a 12-year period, subsequently keeping 190 clean sheets – the most by any player in their history.
He also won five major trophies, including a Premier League title in his second year at the club, with Ruben Amorim wishing he was able to rely on such a talent in 2025.
Former boss Erik ten Hag decided in the summer of 2023 that the player was no longer part of his plans, subsequently releasing him at the end of his contract at Old Trafford.
Such a decision was an unpopular one with the fanbase, even more so a couple of years on, after the performances of the player who was brought into the club to replace him.
Andre Onana’s time at Manchester United
In the summer of 2023, United forked out a fee in the region of £47m to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan, with the Cameroonian seen as the player to take the club up a level.
However, his spell in Manchester has been nothing short of a disaster, contributing to nine errors leading to goals – the most of any player in England’s top-flight since his arrival.
He’s not been used in any of the Red Devils’ Premier League outings so far this campaign, with his only outing coming in the Carabao Cup second round defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.
The Cameroonian was arguably at fault for both of the Mariners’ goals, before being unable to prevent the hosts from claiming a shock victory in the penalty shootout.
Senne Lammens has been brought in to provide added competition between the sticks, but the hierarchy have already sanctioned the departure of their Onana upgrade.
The former United star who is an upgrade on Onana
Alongside Onana, Altay Bayindir is also another option on the books for United, subsequently filling the void left by the Cameroonian since the start of the new campaign.
The Turkish shot-stopper has made three league appearances to date, conceding four times, only achieving a 55% save percentage, leading to their recent addition of Lammens.
However, despite the three options currently at Amorim’s disposal, he certainly would’ve benefitted had the hierarchy kept hold of Dean Henderson a couple of years ago.
After climbing through the ranks at Old Trafford, the ‘keeper was sent on various loan spells – with his latest being at Nottingham Forest during the 2022/23 campaign.
Whilst he kept six clean sheets at the City Ground, it wasn’t enough to catapult himself into the first-team setup – subsequently joining Crystal Palace in a £20m transfer in the summer of 2023.
Such a transfer has come back to bite the Red Devils, with the Englishman taking his career to the next level at Selhurst Park with regular game time in the last few seasons.
When comparing his stats to those of Onana from last season, he massively outperformed the United flop in key areas – not to mention winning double the amount of trophies too.
Games played
38
24
Saves made
2.7
2.5
Clean sheet percentage
29%
26%
Save percentage
70%
66%
Short pass accuracy
99%
98%
Errors leading to goals
0
6
Defensive actions (outside box)
1.1
0.6
Trophies won
2
0
Henderson, who’s been described as “incredible” by one analyst, made more saves per 90, whilst also producing a better clean sheet percentage rate – subsequently offering a more consistent option between the sticks.
His dominance is further reflected in his higher pass completion rate, whilst also registering fewer errors leading to goals – numbers which could provide a more reliable option for the Red Devils.
To rub salt into the wounds, his price has soared since his departure, with FootballTransfers now valuing the former academy graduate at £25m – a figure higher than the one they sold him for two years ago.
Given his form away from Old Trafford in recent times, it’s safe to say the club made a mistake in allowing the shot-stopper to depart the club – with their loss now Palace’s gain.
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The Red Devils have spent a whole heap of cash trying to replace De Gea in recent years, but it’s evident that they would’ve been better off keeping hold of Henderson.
Sold for £5m: Man Utd must rue selling £43m star who'd get Sesko firing
Manchester United made a huge mistake in allowing one player to depart Old Trafford in recent times.
Chelsea have now made an approach over a deal to sign a “special” Premier League player, according to a report.
Blues keen on new defenders after Colwill injury
After such a positive pre-season, during which the Blues emerged victorious in the new-look Club World Cup, the Blues suffered a major injury blow, with centre-back Levi Colwill set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining an ACL injury.
Consequently, Enzo Maresca wants to sign a new centre-back, although the Italian has revealed that club chiefs are hoping that one of the current players will be able to step up to the plate in Colwill’s absence.
Maresca said: “I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.”
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the start of the second half
In the west Londoners’ Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah were given the nod at centre-back, and the Cobham academy graduates kept a clean sheet with the help of Reece James and Marc Cucurella on either side.
Maresca is very well-stocked at full-back, with the likes of James and Malo Gusto to choose from on the right, but the Blues have now stepped up their interest in a new signing, having lodged an enquiry over a deal for a Premier League right-back…
Indeed, according to a report from Caught Offside, Chelsea have now made an approach to Manchester City over Rico Lewis, who is currently in talks over extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Chelsea verbally agree deal for £192k-a-week star but need Nkunku to leave
It’s a case of one in, one out at Stamford Bridge.
By
Emilio Galantini
Aug 16, 2025
Pep Guardiola is determined to keep hold of Lewis, amid widespread interest in the right-back’s signature, with Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa also being named as potential suitors.
Nottingham Forest have already tabled a €30m (£25.9m) proposal for the 20-year-old, which was immediately knocked back, indicating it could take a significantly higher bid to tempt City into a sale.
"Special" Lewis held in high regard by Pep
It could be difficult for the Blues to get a deal over the line, given that Guardiola clearly rates the starlet very highly, having once suggested he is a very well-rounded full-back.
The City boss said: “In the training sessions we always thought this guy has something special. Defensive he is aggressive enough. He has the margin to improve but with the ball inside he is so good and outside we saw today, one v one good crosses and good finishing.”
The England international is an ideal fit for Pep’s system, and perhaps Maresca’s, given that he is a superb passer of the ball, averaging a pass-completion rate of 91.9% per 90 over the past year, which places the City ace in the top 1% of all full-backs.
Lewis also got off to a flying start to the new campaign, picking up an assist in his side’s 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he clearly has a huge future ahead, but given that Chelsea already have James and Gusto, the deal should not be a priority.
As they do every year, Chelsea have really made the most of the transfer window so far.
The board have been able to shift players like Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke while bringing in a handful of seriously exciting and potentially game-changing talents.
The likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens should make them far more dangerous in attack, while Jorrel Hato looks like he could develop into a superstar defender.
Moreover, the Blues clearly want to do even more business before the window closes and have been linked with someone who could be their own Eberechi Eze.
Chelsea target their own Eze
Despite already doing so much business this summer, Chelsea appear intent on bringing in at least a few more players.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, the deal for Alejandro Garnacho seems to be moving along at a pace, and Bayer Leverkusen star Piero Hincapié continues to be touted for a move to Stamford Bridge following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury.
However, there is an even more exciting deal the West Londoners could pull off this summer that would see them land someone who could be their own Eze.
At least that is according to a recent report by Kieran Gill, who has reaffirmed Chelsea’s interest in Xavi Simons.
More than that, though, Gill has revealed that, despite interest from Bayern Munich, the RB Leipzig star “only wants Chelsea” this summer.
While no price for the Dutchman is mentioned in the report, stories from earlier this summer claim that a fee of around £61m should be enough to tempt the German side into selling.
It would be a significant investment from Chelsea, but Simons has proven himself over the last few years and could even be their own version of Eze.
Why Simons could be Chelsea's Eze
Now, even though Simons is five years his junior, and therefore in a different phase of his career and development, there are still some key similarities he shares with Eze, such as his versatility.
RB Leipzig'sXaviSimonsreacts after the match
For example, even though he has been described as “one of the best 10s in the world” by one analyst, and has spent plenty of time playing there, the 22-year-old dynamo is just as comfortable off the left.
In fact, the Amsterdam-born star is more versatile than the Englishman, as he can also play off the right and has even spent some time playing up top as a centre-forward.
The second similarity with the Palace star is his effectiveness when it comes to goals and assists.
In just 33 appearances for Leipzig last season, totalling 2763 minutes, the dynamic “game-changer,” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, put the ball in the back of the net 11 times and then provided eight assists to boot.
Appearances
33
43
Minutes
2763′
3303′
Goals
11
14
Assists
8
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.57
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
145.42′
132.12′
That means that the former PSV Eindhoven gem maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.73 games, or every 145.42 minutes.
Finally, just as the former QPR gem has been entertaining fans in the Premier League for a few years now, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace is the sort of player who’ll get fans on their feet.
Chelsea-Xavi-Simons
For example, FBref ranked him in the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Bundesliga last season for passes into the penalty area, through balls and carries into the final third, all per 90.
In other words, on top of his brilliant output, the Flying Dutchman is someone who will progress the game for his side, either with pinpoint accurate passes into dangerous areas, or bringing it there with a dribble.
Ultimately, while it might take him a little while to adjust to the Premier League, Simons looks like he has everything he’d need to be the next Eze, and therefore, Chelsea should be doing all they can to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea verbally agree deal for £192k-a-week star but need Nkunku to leave
It’s a case of one in, one out at Stamford Bridge.
It would be fair to say that some of the shine has been taken off Arsenal’s summer over the last seven days.
The atmosphere around the club was excellent going into the game against Tottenham Hotspur last Thursday, only for the team to fall to a dull 1-0 defeat.
Then, instead of wiping the slate clean with an entertaining win over Villarreal on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta’s side fell to yet another defeat.
Fortunately, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the club have made several brilliant signings so far, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi the clear standouts.
Moreover, Andrea Berta looks ready to make yet more additions, with Eberechi Eze’s name refusing to go away, and reports suggesting he could pull off the signing of another international ace, someone who’d surely represent his best deal yet.
Berta targets a better signing than Eze
Despite already adding six players to the squad this summer, Arsenal are clearly on the hunt for more first-team additions, and Eze has been someone consistently touted for a move to the club this summer.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Crystal Palace star has a £67.5m release clause in his current deal that expires on August 15th, and based on stories from the last week or so, it does seem like the Gunners will be making a move for him once that clause is gone.
However, in exciting news, the Englishman isn’t the only attacker Berta and Co are supposedly after, as it now looks like they’ve got their eye on someone who’d undoubtedly be his best signing of the window.
At least that’s according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, who has reaffirmed the fact that Arsenal are very interested in Rodrygo.
Bailey has revealed that, alongside North London rivals Spurs, the Gunners are now just “waiting for a signal” from the Brazilian before they make their move.
Interestingly, stories from earlier this summer made it clear that if the winger were to leave, it’d likely require a fee of around £86m, but then more recent reports have stated that a season-long loan with an obligation to buy at the end could be his route out of Spain.
It remains to be seen how Arsenal could eventually sign Rodrygo, but if they have any chance of doing so, they should, as he’d instantly become the best deal under Berta’s watch.
Why Rodrygo would be Berta's best deal
So, when it comes to the deals Berta has already completed this summer, the only two players who would be in with a shout of being his best are Gyokeres and Zubimendi, but we still think Rodrygo would land above both.
The reason he’d do so in the case of the Spaniard is the simple fact that the club do already have several genuinely great options for that role in the shape of Declan Rice, who was initially signed as a six, Christian Norgaard, who has impressed in pre-season, and Mikel Merino.
Moreover, it’s simply the nature of the sport that those who operate in deeper areas of the pitch are viewed as less game-changing than someone who’s up top, banging in goals or creating chances for his teammates.
However, in that case, why wouldn’t the former Sporting CP star be the better deal, as he racked up 67 goal involvements in 52 games last season?
Well, in this instance, it comes down to the fact that, while still outstanding, those numbers were achieved primarily in the Portuguese league, which, according to Opta Analyst, is just the eighth toughest in the world, coming in behind the Championship and Belgian top-flight.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
While there is every chance that the Swedish international is a lean, mean goalscoring machine for the Gunners as well, there is still an element of the unknown about how he’ll adapt, especially when strikers like Darwin Núñez have struggled to do so in the past.
In contrast, we’ve got plenty of evidence that the Real Madrid star can more than handle himself in a top-five league.
Appearances
51
54
Minutes
3707′
3452′
Goals
17
14
Assists
9
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.50
0.46
Minutes per Goal Involvement
142.57′
138.08′
For example, across the last two seasons, the Brazilian “superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.
That means the former Santos gem has been averaging a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes across the last two years, which is only made all the more impressive when you take into account the fact he had to play out of his preferred position on the left for most of those games.
Finally, like all top-tier players, the Osasco-born ace has an incredible record in the Champions League.
In his 64 appearances in the competition, totalling 3883 minutes, the 24-year-old has scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.64 games, or every 99.56 minutes.
Ultimately, when you take everything into account, from his record to the fact that there are plenty of other top sides looking to sign him, it’s easy to see why Rodrygo would represent Berta’s best deal since joining Arsenal.
He'd solve Arteta's Martinelli problem: £68m ace has "heart set on Arsenal"
The Premier League star would be an exceptional addition to Arsenal’s squad.
Vidarbha’s Aditya Thakare got 4 for 59, as India B folded for 115 in pursuit of 373
Shashank Kishore22-Sep-2024
File photo: Arshdeep Singh finished with a match haul of 9 for 90•ICC via Getty Images
Arshdeep Singh’s first-class career-best of 6 for 40 helped deliver a consolation win for India D in the final round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, in Anantapur. Set 373 for victory in a little over two sessions, India B folded for 115 in just 22.2 overs, with Arshdeep and Vidarbha seamer Aditya Thakare, who got 4 for 59, picking up all ten wickets between them.Arshdeep’s strikes across both innings included the big one of Suryakumar Yadav, who only managed scores of 5 and 16 in his first first-class fixture in over a year. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep, who picked up only his second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, finished with a match haul of 9 for 90.India B’s allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was the only batter to offer any semblance of resistance, remaining unbeaten on 40 when Arshdeep fittingly picked up the final wicket to clinch a 257-run victory before tea on the fourth and final day.As well as Arshdeep contributed, it was batter Ricky Bhui who was named the Player of the Match. Bhui top-scored in the second innings with an unbeaten 119, going with 56 in the first, to swell the lead after India D found themselves in trouble at 18 for 3 in the second innings. Bhui, who began the day unbeaten on 90, completed his 20th first-class century quickly as India D added 59 more to their overnight 244 for 5 even as spin-bowling allrounder Saransh Jain didn’t come out to bat due to an unspecified injury.India B’s hopes of going after the target needed a stable base from the top order, but that wasn’t to be, as they quickly found themselves three down inside eight overs. Musheer Khan, who had opened the tournament with a backs-to-the-wall 181, was out for his second duck in four innings since, to end a tournament that had promised much more.Nitish, who himself hadn’t contributed as much as he would have liked with the bat, ended the tournament on a brighter note, albeit in a losing cause. He managed two wickets with the ball during the competition, where he showed the ability to bowl long spells and move the ball both ways at a brisk pace.Arshdeep aside, Saurabh Kumar, the left-arm-spinner, enjoyed a productive outing; his five-wicket haul in the first innings setting up a 67-run lead for India D. In other positives for them, Shreyas Iyer, who was leading the side, hit 50 off just 40 balls in the second innings, while Sanju Samson, the first-innings centurion, played a cameo in the second to set up a total they were able to eventually defend.For India B, Abhimanyu Easwaran was among their bright spots. Having begun the tournament with two very uncharacteristic dismissals, he bounced back with twin hundreds in his subsequent outings. However, a loss in the final game ended his side’s chances of clinching the Duleep Trophy, as India A are all but certain to gain three points from their ongoing fixture against India C.