All posts by h716a5.icu

The former Olympic rower, who was appointed in 2019, suffered a health scare late last year

Daniel Brettig06-Apr-2021Drew Ginn’s future as Cricket Australia’s high performance boss is uncertain after he took personal leave from the role in late February with no set return date.CA’s acting chief executive Nick Hockley authored a reshuffle of Ginn’s direct reports, including the shift of the sports science division headed by Alex Kountouris and the national talent and pathways division run by Graham Manou to the desk of the national teams chief Ben Oliver. Peter Roach, the head of cricket operations, now reports directly to the chief executive.There is no suggestion that Ginn is set to quit the job. Nevertheless it has been a difficult year for Ginn who, in addition to the myriad problems created by the need for CA to find a way through restrictions put in place to deal with Covid-19, had to cope with the death of his father in March 2020.Ginn, 46, also suffered what he described as a “heart and kidney scare” after a long-haul cycle ride from Melbourne to Warrnambool in mid-December to commemorate the first such race in 1895. “Ten minutes after we completed the 336km ride ending up in 40C temperatures, I was admitted to hospital,” Ginn told the podcast. “I had a little bit of a heart scare and a little bit of a kidney scare.”Much fanfare had surrounded Ginn’s appointment, alongside Oliver, in dual roles encompassing the national men’s and women’s teams and the high performance apparatus around them, in the middle of 2019. The two roles had been devised to replace one single and extremely broad commission taken up by their predecessor, Pat Howard, between 2011 and 2018.It was the recommendation of Howard’s interim replacement, Belinda Clark, that the job be split in two, with the then chief executive Kevin Roberts ultimately deciding on Oliver and Ginn in the two positions after what at times seemed an interminable wait.A multi-Olympic gold medallist as a rower, Ginn’s only previous experience in cricket had been as the high performance chief of Cricket Tasmania, a brief but eventful tenure in which he made himself known as a critic of much of CA’s direction.He was an advocate, for one thing, of drastically different training for fast bowlers more aligned to lessons from rowing, a viewpoint that clashed with many of the CA employees he was later to be appointed to manage. Over the past 18 months, Ginn was also involved in the painful discussions around cost-cutting that were initiated by Roberts and the CA Board in response to Covid-19, including the exits of numerous coaches working out of the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.”I’ve just been eyes and ears open for three years learning, and I certainly wouldn’t claim to know everything about the sport, because I never really played it,” he told the podcast. “The sport’s been reasonably welcoming to me as a person but not welcoming in terms of you can get away with doing anything and say anything, but rather we appreciate someone coming in from outside who’s had experience and success, but you have to earn your way, earn the right to have an opinion.”I certainly feel like I’ve been way out of my depth plenty of times, not just from knowing cricket but also what I’ve been managing budget-wise and size of staff and that sort of thing, [it] is stuff I hadn’t experienced before.”You make mistakes and the key thing for me has been owning those mistakes when you make them as a leader and keep having conversations with people. The relationship is always the key. If you have a good relationship with people, there’s a tolerance there. If you have a terrible relationship with people there’s not a tolerance there. So it’s been a huge learning curve.”Ginn’s projects had included the elevation of mental health considerations within Australian cricket, including the hire of a new mental health lead position at CA.

Pair put on sixth-wicket stand of 116 in 30 overs after hosts slump to 110 for 5 at Taunton

David Hopps15-Apr-2021Dystopian science-fiction novels have never been shy of depicting an isolated and fearful society in which debilitated human beings become over-reliant on technology and are force-fed propaganda in a sad and meaningless existence.It’s more than a little unfair to describe county cricket’s digital revolution during the time of Covid like that but you get the picture.County cricket’s in-house streaming service has been quietly advancing for several years, and as lockdown is eased it remains indispensable for spectators still shut out of grounds until May 20 and, even then, only likely to be allowed back in reduced numbers.So while it would have been considerably nicer to be at Taunton to watch the first West Country derby in the Championship for 14 years, in the interests of science it was time to experience what everyone was going through.A quick vox pop on the Facebook group confirmed that most county followers have developed a real affinity for the coverage of their county, even if they fear the eventual introduction of paywalls and even if there will always be someone who thinks the game should be broadcast live on BBC 1 with a lengthy run-of-play report in the .But at a time when the Hundred is fast approaching, and is often justified by grave warnings that “the game is dying”, it will be an eye-opener to the naysayers to discover this dying game covered by multiple cameras, action replays and, in the majority of cases, commentary synched with BBC online coverage, although Middlesex and Gloucestershire now have their own commentary teams. It feels more like a Golden Age.”In time,” E.M. Forster warns of technological advancement in “there will come a generation that had got beyond facts.” That should be a warning to those commentators who display an obsequiousness towards their home county that journalistic integrity should be paramount.Nobody would ever accuse Somerset’s much-valued commentator, Anthony Gibson, of a tendency to inaccuracy, even if he does have a healthy regard for the talents of an entertaining Somerset side striving once again to win a first Championship title. A sprinkling of local pride is no bad thing. And pride was in abundance after Somerset lost the toss on a difficult batting morning, then lost half their side for 110, but fought back to be dismissed late in the day for 312.County cricket’s cultural shift – perhaps even cultural confusion – does have a peculiar aspect for such an erudite individual. This authentic West Country man, writer of several books celebrating the connection between authors and their landscape, now occasionally breaks off from commentary, as he must, to read the latest social media offering from Grumpy Git. He seemed to know who it was, too, which was quite a feat as in county cricket it could be pretty much anyone.Professional commentators rightly point out the distinctive styles of TV and radio cricket commentary which make county cricket’s hybrid streaming service a slightly uncomfortable compromise. Radio commentators paint a picture whereas TV commentators interpret it, in far fewer words yet here the two go side by side. That is all the more off-putting when commentators cannot see the TV screen and their conversation bears no relation to the pictures.While all that is true, it should not deflect from an offering fast approaching broadcast quality, and backed up by videos of every wicket and boundary. County cricket is used to compromises.As for the cricketers themselves, they might no longer face the level of independent, and critical, coverage that they did a generation ago, but their techniques have never been more on show. Tom Banton was a case in point – one of the most dangerous T20 players in the world was ill at ease in making 29 as Ryan Higgins and David Payne found swing and seam with the new ball, ample to justify a decision to bowl first. He played on, an indeterminate prod at Payne’s inswinger. Holding down the opening spot in the Championship will aid Banton’s all-round development, although it will demand reassessment if he is to succeed.Danger increased whenever Higgins and Payne had the ball, but there was also a promising seam-bowling debut from Dominic Goodman, a 20-year-old student at Exeter University, who looked a dependable sort, found a bit of bounce at times and deserved his reward when he swung the second new ball to have Josh Davey caught at slip. “A big lad who makes good use of his height,” said Higgins, and so he was.There are some county batting line-ups where watching on the TV would have made it tempting to channel hop after lunch, although BBC 2 had kindly scheduled something called 800 Words in the post-prandial slot which was a useful reminder for any journalists watching on TV where their priorities lay.Somerset, in any case, are highly entertaining, worthy of a close watch, and this time it was Steve Davies and Craig Overton who rallied them from 110 for 5 with a stand of 116 in 30 overs. Overton, promoted to No. 7, which will please England, remained naturally bullish, while Davies, happily feasting on anything short and wide, was as crisp and clean as a sanitised kitchen. Overton fell to a fine delivery from Higgins; Davies fell more disappointingly, hanging out his bat so markedly that he chopped on an outswinger from Payne.Related

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Back in 2007, in the last West Country Championship derbies, Somerset won both matches handsomely, with Andy Caddick proving to be Gloucestershire’s nemesis on both occasions. This time, Somerset’s advantage is slighter, but if conditions remain the same they have the edge.Somerset have always been one of the forerunners of online streaming, their offering marshalled by the impressive Ben Warren, a master of chilled-out commitment. Their YouTube and Facebook sessions totalled combined figures of more than 80,000 on the first day with the average session time more than 15 minutes.As impressive as county cricket’s commitment to online streaming is, as vital a lifeline as it may prove to be, it cannot match the real thing. County clubs are communal or they are nothing. Forster’s message in was that the move to a globalised, technological-driven society must not be allowed to destroy our humanity and our connection with the natural world; that progress must be tempered with such community, with human relationships and a beating heart.For those who retain an affinity to England’s professional circuit, the need to protect the game’s soul need not be explained. Somerset supporters watching online will have missed, as many of us do, a coffee in the Stragglers, the renewal of acquaintances by the pavilion and the ear-shattering wisdom of Tractor Driver in front of the scoreboard. It is those who question the circuit’s continued existence who need to learn the lessons provided by a dystopian novel or two.

The Blues recovered from a two-goal deficit to put Spurs to the sword on a stormy evening in north London

Chelsea closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points with a 4-3 win from behind at rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

Spurs raced into a two-goal lead early on but were punished for a string of defensive errors as pressure piles up on Ange Postecoglou.

The Blues went behind inside the opening five minutes. Marc Cucurella slipped while in possession just inside his own half, allowing Brennan Johnson to race away with the ball. His low cross found Dominic Solanke, who got in front of Levi Colwill to finish at the near post, celebrating in front of his former Chelsea fans to boot.

Soon after, Spurs doubled their lead. Cucurella again slipped on the ball and Johnson pick-pocketed him. He circled possession back to Pedro Porro, who fed in the inverting Dejan Kulusevski, and the Swede's trickling strike outfoxed a hapless Sanchez.

But Chelsea pulled one back with their first real attack of note. Jadon Sancho was afforded the freedom to cut inside from the left, skipping away from Porro and Radu Dragusin before his strike from the edge of the box rumbled in off the far post.

Cole Palmer ought to have brought the Blues level when Sancho squared for him at point-blank range, only to get his feet in a twist and Tottenham were able to clear the immediate danger. Pedro Neto was then denied by a smart low save from Fraser Forster after he tipped away another Palmer effort.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Yves Bissouma clattered Moises Caicedo. Palmer stepped up and sent Forster the wrong way to bring the visitors level.

Tottenham should have gone back in front when Son raced onto a long ball over the top meant for the offside Destiny Udogie, who deferred possession to his captain again. Bearing down on goal, the South Korean dragged his shot wide.

With 20 minutes to go, Chelsea completed the turnaround. Palmer wriggled in from the right and drew the attention of several Spurs defenders, with his blocked shot falling to the free Enzo Fernandez to lash in on the half-volley.

A second penalty went Chelsea's way after Palmer was shoved to the ground by Sarr. The England star fooled Forster with a delicious Panenka and milked his moment as Tottenham fans headed to the exit.

The hosts did pull one back deep into seven minutes of added time when Son slid in after James Maddison's mazing run into the box, but it proved too little and too late.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium…

AFPGoalkeeper & Defence

Robert Sanchez (4/10):

Conceded two soft goals early doors and seemingly endeavoured to put his side under pressure with an atrocious range of passing and lack of composure on the ball, much to the visible frustration of Maresca.

Moises Caicedo (7/10):

Chelsea sorely missed the Ecuadorian's authority and leadership in midfield when they were under the cosh, leading to a substitution at the break to free him up in his natural position. The likes of Son and Sarr bounced off Caicedo, such was his imperious strength, before being cleared out by Bissouma in the box. Got away with a high challenge on Sarr which was cleared of being deemed a red-card offence by VAR.

Benoit Badiashile (4/10):

Tottenham harried the left-footer so much in the first half that Maresca swapped the positions of his centre-backs for the second. Incredibly nervous on the ball much like the goalkeeper behind him. Given quite the battle by Solanke.

Levi Colwill (5/10):

Allowed fellow Cobham academy graduate Solanke to get a run on him for the opening goal. Didn't inspire a lot of confidence but was far more comfortable playing out than Sanchez and Badiashile, though that was a low bar to clear.

Marc Cucurella (3/10):

Listen, the Spaniard wasn't the only player to slide on the slippery surface, but he was the only one who surrendered possession in semi-dangerous areas while doing so. A nightmare start to the game in which these slips led to two goals. Receives little credit for an assist to a goal in which Sancho did all the hard work.

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Romeo Lavia (6/10):

Loved turning away from onrushing Spurs defenders with a quick swivel of the shoulders. Booked for cynical foul. Withdrawn at half-time to allow Caicedo to step into midfield.

Enzo Fernandez (8/10):

Starting to get to grips with the physical relentlessness of the English game. Took advantage of Tottenham's haphazard defending down the flanks with some neat switches of play. Settled the comeback with a superb strike to send the away fans into delirium.

Cole Palmer (8/10):

Ice cold from 18 yards as always. Didn't have too much of a say on proceedings from open play, with Sancho and Neto seeing more of the ball out wide instead, though was involved in the play leading to Fernandez's effort and then sent Spurs into meltdown with his Panenka.

Getty Images SportAttack

Pedro Neto (7/10):

Was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham over the summer before heading to Stamford Bridge instead. Chewed up Udogie with his two-footed dynamism, though couldn't find a way to goal once infield.

Nicolas Jackson (5/10):

Muzzled by Dragusin for much of the evening, with the Romanian sticking to Chelsea's frontman like velcro. Withdrawn for Nkunku after getting little out of the porous Spurs backline himself.

Jadon Sancho (8/10):

Sancho's had an up-and-down start to his Chelsea career, but this felt like the match where things took off. Hauled his side back into the contest with a scything effort from 20 yards and caused Tottenham so many problems down his flank.

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Malo Gusto (6/10):

Came on at the break for Lavia. Got down the line more than Caicedo did, though more crucially this just allowed the £115m man to play in midfield again.

Christopher Nkunku (6/10):

Brought on for Jackson after Chelsea went ahead.

Noni Madueke (N/A):

Got a runaround at his former club for the final few minutes, replacing Neto.

Joao Felix (N/A):

On for Palmer heading into stoppage time.

Renato Veiga (N/A):

Some spare minutes came in added time for Cucurella.

Enzo Maresca (8/10):

You have to give credit to Maresca, who realised the error of his ways with his early setup and made the requisite changes to secure a massive win.

Having just signed a new deal, Chelsea's top goalscorer last season, Cole Palmer, will be aiming to replicate his form of last season, and looking to fire Enzo Maresca's Blues into a Champions League qualification spot.

An addition that could help Palmer, and free him of the double-teaming he could come up against this season, would be the signing of Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, who has been heavily linked all summer at Chelsea.

Osimhen made 32 appearances for Napoli in all competitions last season, scoring 17 goals, providing four assists, and totalling 2,476 minutes played.

However, he's not the only forward in the crosshairs of the recruitment team.

Chelsea transfer news

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are in negotiations with Atlético Madrid for attacker, João Félix. However, there has been no breakthrough yet in the talks.

Gallagher would move to Atlético Madrid, as part of a chain of events, if Chelsea can agree a deal for Felix, but for now, Gallagher has returned to London after the Samu Omorodion deal collapsed a few days ago.

Felix made 44 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona (on loan from Atlético Madrid) last season, scoring ten goals, providing six assists, and totalling 2,143 minutes played.

How Felix and Osimhen could work at Chelsea

Ex-Chelsea striker, Álvaro Morata, once described Felix as a "special talent" when speaking about him back in 2022, eluding to his ability to pick that "last pass".

Felix has, of course, already played for Chelsea, joining on a six-month loan in January 2023, where he made 20 appearances for the Blues, scoring four goals in that time, and adorning the Chelsea side with his dazzling dribbling.

Goals

0.47

Assists

0.19

Shots Total

3.68

Shot-Creating Actions

3.44

Progressive Passes

3.82

Progressive Carries

3.87

Successful Take-Ons

1.70

Touches (Att Pen)

6.22

Key Passes

1.04

Fouls Drawn

2.88

Felix excels as a carrier, with elegant footwork in tight spaces, the ability to receive the ball and retain possession, and wriggle out of awkward situations to make something out of nothing.

His ability to draw fouls is akin to an Eden Hazard or Jack Grealish, allowing him to win set pieces in the final third, and relieve pressure on his side when needed.

His 6.22 touches in the penalty area per 90 is another good sign, especially if you were to pair him with Osimhen, as together they would average 13.04 per 90. The Nigerian's ability to win duels in the box, mixed with Felix's instincts and tight ball control in the penalty area, could prove to be a recipe for success, especially if you are averaging that many box touches per game.

One of the Portugal international's best assets is his volume shooting and ball-striking quality. Averaging 3.73 shots per 90, which ranks in the best 10% among forwards in the top five leagues, shows his confidence to get shots off and test the keeper.

Of course, with all big transfers there is a big risk, but adding a creative force like Felix to this Chelsea side, alongside a box dominator like Osimhen, could just be exactly what Chelsea need.

Better than Sterling: Chelsea could forget Felix by signing £25m target

The Blues could sign a better alternative than the former loanee…

ByEthan Lamb Aug 14, 2024

Bukayo Saka delivered a wholesome interview with Myles Lewis-Skelly after the pair impressed in Arsenal's win over Monaco win.

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Lewis-Skelly excelled against MonacoSaka "proud" of teenager's performancePlayed a key role in Saka's first goalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Thrust into the starting lineup at left-back due to an ongoing defensive injury crisis, Islington-born prodigy Lewis-Skelly demonstrated composure and brilliance beyond his years on a full Champions League debut to remember. The young talent, who has honed his skills at Hale End, was the orchestrator for the first goal with a sublime through ball that split the Monaco defence wide open. Gabriel Jesus latched onto the pass, creating the perfect opportunity for Saka to tap the ball into the net at the far post. Interestingly, the immediate celebrations that followed weren’t for Saka’s finish but for Lewis-Skelly’s visionary assist.

AdvertisementWHAT SAKA & LEWIS-SKELLY SAID

After the game, which ended in a 3-0 victory for the Gunners, Saka and Lewis-Skelly shared a heartwarming interview with TNT Sports.

"I just said to Myles, this is his level," Saka said. "He needs to have no doubts. His confidence – we see it in training. He was a big part of the first goal."

Lewis-Skelly added: "I thought, just keep calm, take the ball away from the man. I saw Gabi [Jesus] and played him through, then Bukayo had great timing for the finish. He's always there. I can't complain!"

Saka went on to add: "He's very bright, he just needs to keep the same head he's got. His mentality is top, he's always asking questions. He just needs to keep going. I'm so proud of him."

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

An Arsenal fan, @Lrdaniel_, wrote on X: "Saka like a proud big brother."

@wrote: "I was smiling throughout watching this video. I feel so proud! Saka is like 5 years older than Myles…it’s a beautiful night!"

@GJR_Leepo echoed his thoughts and wrote: "Saka is so proud of MLS man! Love to see it."

Whereas, @LoveBerg10kamp, wrote: "Such an incredible moment, I feel like a proud parent. This feels like the Williams sisters, brothers from another mother. Saka and Lewis Skelly, what an amazing night for Hale End."

@Atlrootz wrote: "What a lovely watch to start my morning. Both of these lads have got great heads on those shoulders."

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DID YOU KNOW?

The match also featured another promising Hale End graduate, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who was brought on as a substitute for his 10th appearance in Arsenal’s last 12 matches. As a player who has risen through the same system, Saka acts as a guiding figure for emerging talents like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri. With first-hand experience navigating the pressures of elite football, the England international's support is invaluable both on and off the field.

Only 34.3 overs played across all four days as Lancashire draw at Northamptonshire

ECB Reporters' Network23-May-2021Alex Davies notched a fourth half-century of the season before torrential rain condemned Northamptonshire’s LV= Insurance County Championship clash with Lancashire to an inevitable draw at Wantage Road.Only 38 balls were possible following a delayed start, but Lancashire’s diminutive opener made the most of the small window in the weather to reach his landmark with a gorgeous cover drive for four, his sixth boundary in a 105-ball stay.It didn’t come a moment too soon as just three balls later the heavens opened driving the players from the field with Lancashire 88 for 1 and Davies 51 not out.Related

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Rain thwarts attempts to make a game of Kent vs Glamorgan

The cloudburst didn’t last long, but the cumulative affect of the rain throughout the game, rendered a restart impossible. It meant only 34.3 overs had been possible across all four days of this encounter, the second of which was washed out without a ball being bowled.Both sides take eight points each for the draw, enough to move the visitors top of Group 3 ahead of next week’s Roses clash with Yorkshire at Old Trafford.Northamptonshire remain fourth ahead of their visit to Hove to face Sussex, where, weather permitting, they badly need a win to keep alive hopes of being among the six counties chasing the Championship laurels in September.Lancashire skipper Dane Vilas lamented the fact that James Anderson didn’t get a chance to bowl in this match before joining the England squad for their two-Test series against New Zealand starting next week.”It’s terrible when you come to a ground like this, see such a nice pitch and then you don’t get much cricket on it,” Vilas said. “Guys like Jimmy needed overs. That was the main thing for him going towards the Test match.”We won’t have Jimmy against Yorkshire – he’ll be back in the England bubble on Friday, but we have a good stable of fast bowlers who as always have learnt a lot from him.”The bowlers have had a heavy workload this season with the schedule, but saying that we had a week off last week and now this game here. We’ve topped up with a few overs in the mornings in the indoor centre and we’re fresh and ready for the next two games.”Adam Rossington, the Northamptonshire captain, said: “The weather has beaten us. The ground-staff have been fantastic doing their best to get us on when they could, but just one of those things.”I think the closer we get to the end of this section of the competition teams might be trying to set up some run chases to get results. We have got to get first-innings runs which will be the key to setting up those games.”

It's not been the most exciting summer for Arsenal fans this year.

While they looked good in preseason and have started their Premier League campaign brilliantly, they haven't strengthened much in the transfer market.

As things stand, the only new faces added to Mikel Arteta's first team have been Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino. In fact, the club have been far busier with outgoings than incomings over the last few months, which has left some fans unsure about the prospect of finally dethroning Manchester City this season.

However, there is still just about enough time for a late deal to be struck, and interestingly, the North Londoners have recently been linked to a forward who scored for fun last year, although his potential arrival could spell trouble for Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal transfer news

According to a recent report from transfers expert Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal have shown interest in Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez.

The journalist claims that the Gunners have "looked at" the Mexican international this summer, as well as several other talented strikers, including Brighton & Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, although he believes a move for the latter would be too expensive this year.

Jacobs does not mention how much the former Cruz Azul poacher would cost the North Londoners, but earlier this month, it was reported that Feyenoord deemed a £29m offer from Nottingham Forest acceptable, only for the player to turn down the move.

So, if Arsenal could secure Gimenez's services for around that fee, then this deal seems like a no-brainer, although his potential arrival could be bad news for Jesus.

How Gimenez compares to Jesus

Okay, so the first thing to point out is that, at the moment, it appears as if Kai Havertz is firmly Arteta's first choice for the number nine position, and considering he scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 18 starts there last season, it's not hard to see why.

So, that means that Gimenez would likely be fighting it out with Jesus for the backup role should he move to the Emirates before tomorrow night, which would make sense given the potential fee, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, when it comes down to the most important metric of all for a striker, output, it's the "insane" Feyenoord ace, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, who comes out way ahead.

For example, in 41 appearances last season, he scored 26 goals and provided eight assists and in the campaign prior, he scored 28 goals and provided three assists in 50 appearances, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.20 and 1.61 games, respectively.

In contrast, the former Manchester City ace scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 36 matches last season while scoring 11 goals and producing seven assists in 33 appearances the season before, equating to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.25 and 1.83 games, respectively.

Appearances

50

33

Goals

28

11

Assists

3

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.62

0.54

Appearances

41

36

Goals

26

8

Assists

8

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.82

0.44

Unfortunately for the Brazilian dynamo, it's not just output where the Mexican "machine", as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has an advantage, it's also in availability.

Over the last two seasons, the Gunners' number nine has missed 33 games for club and country, whereas his potential replacement has missed just four games through injury.

Ultimately, while Jesus is an incredible talent, his struggles in front of goal and inability to remain fit are big issues, and while he has yet to play in a top-five league, Gimenez looks like he could be the perfect signing to either replace the Brazilian or help push him to get back to his brilliant best. Therefore, Edu and Co should do what they can to secure his signature before the window slams shut.

Arsenal monitoring £179k-per-week Nketiah replacement with late bid possible

The Gunners have just sold him to Palace.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 29, 2024

Newcastle United have been blessed with a plethora of attacking talents over the years, with numerous players capturing the hearts of the fanbase during their time at the club.

From iconic hometown heroes such as Alan Shearer to current-day talents like Alexander Isak, the supporters have been able to witness some truly incredible forwards.

However, they’ve not had everything they would’ve liked, with years of disappointment under former owner Mike Ashley.

At one stage, the Magpies were operating with forwards such as Yoshinori Muto and Joselu, players with high expectations but unfortunately failing to deliver the goods during their time on Tyneside.

Despite the lack of attacking output in recent years, boss Eddie Howe has built a very successful forward line in 2024, with Isak partnered by one player who has rapidly developed at St James’ Park.

Anthony Gordon’s stats in 2023/24

After joining the club in a £45m deal from Everton back in January 2023, there was real hope for the addition of winger Anthony Gordon – potentially providing Isak with added ammunition in the final third.

Whilst he endured a disappointing first six months under Howe, scoring just once in his first 12 appearances for Newcastle, he exploded into life last season – producing the best campaign of his professional career to date.

The 23-year-old featured in 35 Premier League matches, scoring 11 times whilst providing ten assists, but it wasn’t enough to help the club secure a second successive European finish as the Magpies ended the campaign in seventh place.

However, his subsequent form was enough to earn a call-up for the England squad for Euro 2024, but he only featured in one game during the entire tournament – with his direct pace and dribbling ignored by Gareth Southgate.

Whilst Gordon produced some impressive figures during his first full season on Tyneside, he was outperformed by one talent who the club allowed to leave on the cheap back in 2018.

Newcastle may regret selling 21-goal ace

After coming through the club’s academy and enduring various loan spells with multiple EFL clubs, boyhood Newcastle fan Adam Armstrong was sold to Championship side Blackburn Rovers for a fee in the region of just £1.8m.

The striker would go on to score 55 times during his time at Ewood Park, before securing a big-money transfer to Southampton in 2021 – with his best-ever season coming during their promotion-winning campaign last time around.

The 27-year-old registered 21 goals and 13 assists in the Championship, scoring the winning goal against Leeds United in the play-off final at Wembley, securing an immediate return to the top-flight for Russell Martin’s side.

Adam Armstrong

21

13

34

Alexander Isak

21

2

23

Anthony Gordon

11

10

21

Callum Wilson

9

1

10

Jacob Murphy

3

7

10

Harvey Barnes

5

3

8

Miguel Almiron

3

1

4

Armstrong’s eye for goal was evident on various occasions last season, with a variety of different finishes on show, demonstrating the qualities he possesses in the final third.

Whilst it’s easy to say he’s only achieved these figures in the Championship and not the Premier League, his quality in attacking areas would certainly benefit Howe’s side in 2024, with the club potentially living to regret his cheap departure six years ago.

Even if he wasn’t a first-team member in the current squad, the Magpies would’ve been able to receive a significantly higher fee for a player of his talent.

The deal was an example of numerous poor dealings in the market by former owner Ashley, with the club now in a much better position under the Saudi PIF.

However, his excellent goalscoring figures would provide the added depth that Howe’s side have often lacked in recent years – further aiding the attempts to cement themselves as consistent top-four challengers.

Newcastle sold a defender for £90k, now he has more career goals than Isak

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GOAL analyzes some of the brightest prospects that have declared for the 2025 MLS SuperDraft

While MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently noted the league's SuperDraft has been deemphasized compared to other player acquisition mechanisms, it remains a valuable tool for unearthing talent. Players such as Duncan McGuire and Moises Bombito are just two examples of standouts discovered in the past five years.

Last week, 44 players participated in the 2025 MLS College Showcase in San Diego, vying for a chance to shine and secure selection in the upcoming SuperDraft on Dec. 20.

The four-day event gave coaches, scouts, and front-office staff a closer look at NCAA collegiate players who may have slipped through the cracks. For MLS clubs, it’s an opportunity to uncover the next diamond in the rough – or perhaps the next Cyle Larin. The Canada international, the 2015 MLS Rookie of the Year, has become a gold standard for SuperDraft success: a regular with his national team and now a top forward in Europe.

The 2025 MLS SuperDraft takes place Friday at 2 p.m. ET, offering the next generation of North American talent a shot at stardom.

There are list 477 players available in this year's draft. However, five players on that list truly stand out from the rest, and could be some of the first names off the board. GOAL takes a look at the top five prospects.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowPape Mar Boye, Phoenix Rising

Offered a Generation Adidas Contract after winning the 2023 NCAA Championship with Clemson, the 20-year-old turned down the opportunity and signed with USL side Phoenix Rising FC instead – opting out of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. However, he is available for selection for the 2025 edition, and may be the first overall pick as a result.

With Rising across 2024, he appeared 31 times, becoming a Young Player of the Year finalist and an all-League second team selection in his debut professional season.

The young central defender turned heads in his freshman season at Clemson, and he was even named Defensive MVP after their College Cup National Championship victory. Now, two years later, he appears to have his sights on MLS after opting in for the 2025 Draft.

Born in Dakar, Senegal, the 20-year-old stands six-foot-one and he scored two goals and recorded two assists in the USL Championship in 2024.

AdvertisementHakim Karamoko, NC State

In 2024, Karamoko scored seven goals and recorded two assists as one of the standout players in the country. A left-footed inverted winger, Karamoko can play on both sides of the pitch, but excelled on the right. Aat 6-0, he was a foul magnet for The Wolfpack on the right side of the pitch, but was often found dribbling out of tight spaces or delivering outstanding holdup play in the final-third.

The combination of size, skill and pace could entice an MLS side to take him early on in the draft simply due to the potential profile he presents. That, and his highlight reel in 2024 included a few superb long-range efforts with his left boot.

Emil Jaaskelainen, Akron

The nation's top scorer, Jaaskelainen was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year after he scored 23 goals over the course of the 2024 season. Son of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Bolton Wanderers goalkeeping legend, Emil is expected to be one of – if not the first – strikers off the board.

He led the nation in game-winning goals in 2024 (six), goals per-game (1.10) and in points per match (2.57). He finished 2024 as Akron's second all-time leading scorer across a single season.

Four of his 23 regular season strikes came from the penalty spot, but he expressed versatility in and around the box throughout the entire campaign, whether on his left or right foot – or his head. A massive presence in the box, his aerial prowess may be what sets him apart from other forwards this draft.

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Michael Adedokun, Ohio State

Adedokun might well be the first midfielder off the board. The Ohio State man, who can slide into a winger role, scored eight goals and recorded 11 assists in 2024 for the Buckeyes.

Nominated for the MAC Herman Trophy this year, the Nigeria native broke out in 2024, named the Big Ten Midfielder of the Year and a First Team All-Big Ten selection. He led the Big Ten entering the postseason in total points with 27.

His physical composure in the midfield, along with his dominant presence caught attention in 2024 as he displayed a blend of speed, strength and dynamism in the middle of the park.

Prime Bank, Prime Doleshwar and Abahani Limited well placed as teams head into Super League

Mohammad Isam17-Jun-2021What does the points table say?
Prime Bank Cricket Club finished on top of the table at the end of the first stage of 11 games. They will head into the Super League – featuring the top six, who will carry their points forward – with 18 points, two ahead of Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club and Abahani Limited.Related

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Mohammedan Sporting Club, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Gazi Group Cricketers are also in the Super League, but they have a lot of catching-up to do against the top three in the table. They are on 14, 13 and 13 points respectively.The big surprise is that the big-spending Legends of Rupganj have been fighting to stave off relegation after finishing with seven points from 11 matches. They will play Old DOHS Sports Club and Partex Sporting Club in the playoffs, where the bottom two will be relegated to the Dhaka First Division Cricket League.Top performers
Brothers Union captain Mizanur Rahman finished the first phase as the top run-getter. His 418 runs came at an average of 52.25 and a strike rate of 133.97. Rahman struck the only century of this phase too, apart from three fifties, as he came into his own in the last four innings, making 202 runs at a strike rate of 140.27.Old DOHS Sports Club’s Mahmudul Hasan Joy finished with a slightly higher average than Rahman, 52.42, as he made 367 runs, while Mohammad Naim (Abahani) and Tamim Iqbal (Prime Bank) also topped the 300-run mark.Shinepukur Cricket Club’s left-arm spinner Tanvir Islam and Prime Doleshwar’s Kamrul Islam Rabbi were on top of the wicket-takers’ list with 20 wickets each. Pace bowlers have seven out of the top ten spots in the wicket-takers’ list, meaning their early season performance wasn’t by chance.Flattering to deceive
While Najmul Hossain Shanto and Anamul Haque improved their numbers from the previous week, Nasir Hossain continued his poor form, with an average of 13 in nine innings. He also didn’t do too well with the ball.Among the bowlers, Sohrawordi Shuvo took just one wicket at an average of 159.00 in eight innings, while Sohag Gazi took two wickets in nine innings. What would have also disappointed many was Rishad Hossain taking just four wickets in eight innings.Prime Bank are top of the table after 11 games•BCBOn the national radar
Rahman scored heavily to help his side Brothers Union secure a mid-table position. He got off to quick starts, and managed to bat long, hitting three fifties. Two of those were match-winning efforts of 79* and 74, the runs coming at a strike rate of 140-plus on both occasions.Rabbi’s 20 wickets, meanwhile, underlined his worth as a death bowler. Prime Doleshwar used his four overs late in the innings, and he was useful with the bat lower down the order too.Rahman, Rabbi, Salauddin Sakil, and Nurul Hasan could be in line for senior call-ups with the long build-up for the T20 World Cup coming up.Talking points
Shakib Al Hasan’s poor behaviour – twice over – and Sabbir Rahman racially abusing Elias Sunny have painted a pretty poor picture of cricket in Bangladesh.The incidents also took the focus away from the actual cricket being played. That said, most matches so far have been one-sided, which isn’t ideal for a T20 tournament; only two batters have hit 15 sixes in the 11 rounds.Going forward, Prime Bank will miss Iqbal, who is nursing a knee injury. Mohammedan Sporting will also be without Shakib, who has finished serving his suspension but is reportedly leaving for the USA for a break, before Bangladesh’s tour of Zimbabwe.