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أعلن هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة، عن تشكيل فريقه الذي يستعد لمواجهة ديبورتيفو ألافيس، على ملعب الكامب نو ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة عشر في الدوري الاسباني لكرة القدم.

ويدخل برشلونة هذه المباراة بمعنويات منخفضة بعد سقوطه أمام تشيلسي بثلاثية نظيفة، ويرغب في تصحيح مساره بعد تقليص فارق النقاط مع ريال مدريد في الليجا في الجولة الماضية إلى نقطة واحدة فقط.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري الاسباني بـ31 نقطة، ويحتل ديبورتيفو ألافيس المركز الرابع عشر بـ15 نقطة.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ريفالدو ينتقد فليك بعد السقوط أمام تشيلسي.. ويصرح: اللاعبون يرتكبون مسرحيات في الملعب

وتصادف مباراة برشلونة وديبورتيفو ألافيس احتفال البلوجرانا بالذكرى الـ126 على تأسيس النادي.

وأفادت إذاعة “راك 1” الإسبانية بأن فرينكي دي يونج يغيب عن قائمة مباراة اليوم لأسباب عائلية، حيث كانت الشكوك تحيط حول مشاركته ضد ألافيس بسبب عدم انضمامه لمعسكر برشلونة إلى جانب أراوخو الذي تعرض لفيروس في المعدة.، بينما حصل بيدري على التصريح الطبي. تشكيل برشلونة أمام ديبورتيفو ألافيس:

 في حراسة المرمى: خوان جارسيا

خط الدفاع:إريك جارسيا- كوبارسي – جيرارد مارتن – أليخاندرو بالدي

خط الوسط:مارك برنال- مارك كاسادو- داني أولمو

خط الهجوم:لامين يامال- روبرت ليفاندوفسكي- رافينيا

ويجلس على دكة البدلاء كل من: فيران توريس- بيدري- راشفورد- كريستنسن- كوندي- تشيزني- جوفري- درو- روني باردجي- آلير- تومي

Shane Burger also joins new coaching set-up at the Utilita Bowl

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2025

Russell Domingo was previously head coach of Bangladesh•AFP via Getty Images

Russell Domingo, the former South Africa and Bangladesh coach, has been named Hampshire men’s head coach on a two-year contract. He will be joined in the club’s new coaching set-up by another South African, Shane Burger, who previously coached Scotland before moving on to Somerset.Domingo was in charge of South Africa between 2012 and 2017, followed by a three-year stint with Bangladesh. He has been head coach of Johannesburg-based Lions since 2023, and has also worked in the PSL. ESPNcricinfo understands Domingo will continue in his Lions role, splitting his time between the UK and South Africa.He succeeds his countryman Adrian Birrell at Hampshire, with Birrell stepping down at the end of the 2025 summer after seven seasons on the south coast.Burger joins as assistant coach (bowling), while former Hampshire captain Jimmy Adams will continue in his role as assistant coach (batting).Related

Hampshire target white-ball double as coach Birrell prepares to step down

Timeline: Domingo's stint as head coach of Bangladesh

Domingo replaces Gough as Lahore Qalandars coach

Men's county ins and outs 2025-26

“I’m thrilled to be joining Hampshire Cricket,” Domingo said. “This is a club with incredible history, outstanding facilities at Utilita Bowl, and a clear vision for success both on and off the field.”I’ve been genuinely impressed by the ambition here and the strong cultural values that underpin everything Hampshire does. The combination of developing young talent whilst competing for trophies is exactly the challenge I’m looking for, and I can’t wait to get started.”I’m looking forward to working alongside Jimmy and Shane and getting to know the players as we prepare for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.”Burger said: “I’m really excited to be joining Hampshire Cricket. The quality of young bowlers coming through here is exceptional, Sonny Baker, Eddie Jack and Scott Currie have already earned England recognition, and I’m looking forward to helping them continue that development.”I love the ambition and vision of the club and the future seems bright. I’m excited to be part of that journey alongside Russell and Jimmy and I can’t wait to get started.”Hampshire endured a turbulent finish to last season, losing in both the final of the Vitality T20 Blast and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. They appeared destined for relegation to Division Two of the County Championship, after suffering a points deduction for a substandard pitch, before being reprieved on the final day by Durham’s collapse against Yorkshire.Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, added: “We’re delighted to announce our coaching team for next summer. Russell Domingo will serve as head coach, with Jimmy Adams and Shane Burger joining him as assistant coaches. Together, they form a strong and experienced unit that will continue to champion the cultural framework that has underpinned Hampshire cricket over the years.”We exist to win and to develop, and I’m confident this team will continue to drive that ethos as we move into an exciting future. It’s a fantastic place to be at this moment in time, and the season ahead promises great opportunities.”

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful has been named as batting coach for the team’s upcoming series against Ireland.Ashraful was part of one of Bangladesh’s greatest moments in history. He was only 20 years old when he led the team to a stunning upset of Australia in 2005. That century was part of a career which spanned 177 ODIs and yielded 3468 runs, the fifth highest for his country. Ashraful also played 61 Tests – becoming the youngest player to score a hundred – and 23 T20Is and was active in domestic cricket as recently as two years ago.Mohammad Salahuddin resigned as assistant coach on Wednesday and will depart at the end of the Ireland series next month. He was brought in to support head coach Phil Simmons in November 2024. Salahuddin was in charge of the batting unit having spent nearly three decades coaching at various levels in Bangladesh and developing strong relations with the current group of players.Related

• Mahmudul Hasan Joy returns to Bangladesh Test squad for Ireland series

• When Mohammad Ashraful took on McGrath and Gillespie

A difficult 2025, where the team suffered T20I series defeats to UAE, Pakistan and most recently West Indies, ODI series defeats to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka and Test match losses to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe added pressure on the team and its management. Salahuddin had pushed back against it during a press conference in July when he said “after coaching for 27-28 years, I am hearing that there are lots of complaints in the team against me. I really would like to know about those complaints. Best if it was given to me in writing.”Ashraful’s own career was not without its ups and downs. In 2013, he received a lengthy ban from all BCB related cricket activities for match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League. He was eventually brought back to the fold three years later and lately has branched out into coaching. Last month, Ashraful had voiced displeasure at the trend of Bangladesh top-order batters not providing enough for the team. Now he has been given the chance to do something about it.

For a long time, one of Arsenal’s most significant problems was finding a proper backup for Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon is undoubtedly Mikel Arteta’s best player, and his time on the sidelines last season showed just how much the team were in desperate need of someone who could cover and compete with him on the right.

Fortunately, the North Londoners signed Noni Madueke in the summer, and while his arrival wasn’t met with universal excitement, his performances over the first five Premier League games suggested he may well be the player the club have needed for so long.

Therefore, supporters should be excited about recent reports linking Arsenal to an international ace who has been compared to both Saka and Madueke.

Arsenal target Saka & Madueke hybrid

It’s not even December, but Arsenal are already being linked with a host of exciting players across Europe and beyond.

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, Levante’s Etta Eyong, who has already racked up nine goal involvements, has been touted for a move to the Emirates, as has Nottingham Forest’s incredible Elliot Anderson.

However, as talented as they are, neither of them could be described as being a hybrid of Saka and Madueke, unlike Karim Adeyemi.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of a few top sides interested in signing the Borussia Dortmund star.

More than that, the report has revealed that while the German international’s representatives have spoken to Manchester United, he would favour a move to the Gunners.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but other reports from Germany claim that Dortmund value their attacker at around £70m.

It could be a complicated and costly deal to get over the line, but given Adeyemi’s ability and potential, one worth pursuing, especially as he’s been compared to both Saka and Madueke.

How Adeyemi compares to Saka & Madueke

Even though it feels like it has been around for some time now, Adeyemi is still just 23 years old.

The Munich-born “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been a key player for Dortmund for a few years, ending last season with an excellent tally of 12 goals and 11 assists in just 41 appearances.

He appears on track to match that tally this year as well, as in 14 appearances, totalling just 817 minutes, he has already racked up six goal involvements.

However, while his output is seriously impressive, the comparisons to Saka and Madueke primarily come from elsewhere, from FBref.

They have compared him to every attacking midfielder and winger across Europe’s top five leagues and have determined that the Hale Enders is the second most similar, and the former Chelsea star is the fourth.

You can gain a better understanding of how these comparisons were made by examining the underlying numbers in which the German dynamo has ranked closely to the two internationals.

In the case of the Gunners’ talisman, these metrics include expected goals plus assists, progressive passes, shot-creating actions, shots on target, and more, all per 90.

Expected Goals + Assists

0.57

0.58

Progressive Passes

2.14

2.24

Shots on Target

0.89

0.93

Passing Accuracy

71.4%

72.4%

Shot-Creating Actions

4.47

4.23

Fouls Drawn

2.68

2.50

Then, for the former Blues star, the underlying numbers include metrics such as goal-creating actions, expected assists, and most interestingly, carries, also all per 90.

In other words, the former RB Salzburg gem seems to possess some of the creativity and goal threat of the North Londoners’ number seven, as well as the carrying ability of their summer signing, which helps explain why Mattinson called him a “serious transitional threat.”

Expected Assists

0.29

0.24

Goal-Creating Actions

0.54

0.59

Carries

28.2

25.9

Successful Take-On %

43.3%

41.2%

Ball Recoveries

2.86

2.94

Ultimately, it would be a costly and challenging transfer to get over the line, but given Adeyemi’s skillset, positional versatility and output, it is one Arsenal should pursue.

Trossard upgrade: Arsenal plot £65m move for "best winger in the country"

Arsenal could sign a big-money winger in bad news for Leandro Trossard.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

He feels it’s “going to be a constant challenge” for a modern-day player to maintain the same levels of fitness all year

Ashish Pant07-Sep-2025Fast bowler Shardul Thakur believes players are being “taken for granted” with respect to workload, and that it is “going to be a constant challenge” for a modern-day cricketer to maintain the same levels of fitness all year long with the amount of cricket being played.”A lot of times we are taken for granted and the management is not to the highest level,” Thakur said on the final day of the Duleep Trophy semi-final in Bengaluru. “No one actually comes and asks us how our body feels after playing for so many months. But yes, I have been managing my body with physios, S&Cs [Strength & Conditioning coach], doing constant work.”And it’s about playing cricket. I’m not saying that you keep pulling yourself out from playing the games. But frequent breaks here and there are good for the body.”It’s been over 11 months of non-stop cricket for Thakur. It started with the Irani Trophy in October last year. He then played the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Initially going unsold, he joined Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in IPL 2025 as an injury replacement, following which he played two tour games for India A against England Lions and was part of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.Related

• Duleep semi-finals: Gaikwad the standout as India's international stars struggle for form

• After difficult Test debut, Kamboj returns with a display of quiet control

• Sindhu spins, bats and dreams on in marathon Duleep shift

• Dubey's 'positive mindset' helps Central Zone secure first-innings lead

Players’ workload management has been in focus in the last few years. Recently, Jasprit Bumrah played only in three of the five Tests in the tour of England to manage his workload. Thakur believes it should be up to the players on how they manage their fitness and workloads, but said it shouldn’t be on their minds during a game.”Once you enter the game, you can’t be talking about workload management because then the game situation also takes over,” he said. “When you go into the game, you’re expected to give your best. Whatever you have in your tank, you have to give it all.”And I believe you shouldn’t be shying away from coming in and hitting the deck hard in the game, keep doing those efforts. Yes, when you go out of the ground and when you’re resting back home or you have those breaks in between the game, that’s where you try to manage your bodies and try to manage your load.”If you’re not having too much load in the game, then of course you can push yourself in the nets also. But if you’re having a big amount of load in the game, then you can take it a little bit easy in the nets.”

Shardul Thakur ‘open’ to captain Mumbai

Thakur began the 2025-26 domestic season as West Zone captain in the Duleep Trophy semi-final, the first time he was leading a team in first-class cricket. It was a tough initiation as West Zone failed to progress to the final, with Central Zone going through after a first-innings lead.But the experience of leading the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer and Ruturaj Gaikwad has given him enough confidence to be a leader, particularly with the Mumbai captaincy up for grabs after Ajinkya Rahane stepped down from the role earlier this year.”Yes, I am open for the [Mumbai] captaincy,” Thakur said. “And of course, this was one of the steps where I get that experience of captaincy. It was just my first game and there were a lot of learnings. I wouldn’t say that captaincy is difficult, but there are a lot of things which you learn only when you step into the captain’s shoes.”With the Ranji Trophy season starting from October 15, Thakur has urged curators to produce “sporting pitches” where the fast bowlers can also come into play, unlike the one in the semi-final. Thakur bowled just 11 of the 164.3 overs in the West Zone innings. Arzan Nagwaswalla bowled 14.3 and Tushar Deshpande 17. The rest of the 122 overs were shared between the spinners.”The spinners were in the play all the time. There was not much for fast bowlers [in the pitch],” Thakur said. “And it’s always going to be a sort of complaint when we play domestic cricket across the country that we don’t get enough pitches where fast bowlers could come and bowl 40 overs in a game.”Being a fast bowler, I expect that there should be more pitches where the game is even for fast bowlers, for batters and spinners.”

The Chicago Cubs crushed the St. Louis Cardinals on , jumping out to an 11-0 lead against their hated rival en route to their 54th victory of the year. This came a few hours after Matthew Boyd, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker were confirmed as National League All-Stars. On paper it seems like it would be impossible for Cubs fans enjoying the moment at Wrigley Field to be annoyed by anything. But if you go to enough baseball games you're bound to see something you've never seen before and that includes 's Alex Cooper singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh-inning stretch.

The immensely popular podcast host sprang forth with a bold new take on a classic song. And it was not immediately beloved.

Now, just to be clear. There have been way worse attempts at the seventh-inning tradition over the years. How anyone can be brave enough to get on the microphone and fight against completely losing their breath midway though is beyond me, so respect to all those who try. But rarely, if ever, does the Wrigley Field faithful turn on the singer like this. It takes a lot for them to break the unwritten rule of always supporting the singer.

Not very nice.

Thomas Frank is not concerned about losing his job at Tottenham, expressing unwavering confidence that the club’s "intelligent" owners will remain patient amid the team's dismal run of form. The Spurs manager cut a composed figure in the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham, even as frustration inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium boiled over and supporters turned on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

• Vicario booed after crucial error sparks fury

  Fans lost their cool following a calamitous mistake by Vicario that led to Fulham's second goal. As Frank’s side struggled to recover from recent defeats to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, they were stunned by two goals in a breathless opening six minutes that silenced the home crowd and turned nervousness into hostility. Kenny Tete’s early strike put Marco Silva’s team ahead after just four minutes. Moments later, Spurs were rocked again. Vicario raced off his line to close down Raul Jimenez, yet his attempt to control the ball with his weaker left foot went horribly wrong. His scuffed clearance rolled straight to Josh King, who calmly squared the ball for Harry Wilson to curl into an empty net. Vicario’s error became the focal point for simmering anger, with pockets of supporters jeering the Italian every time he touched the ball. Frank, visibly annoyed by the treatment of his goalkeeper, later described those leading the booing as "not true fans," arguing that loyalty matters most during moments of adversity.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  Frank remains confident despite slippery form

  Saturday’s defeat added to an increasingly grim home record for Tottenham this season. Spurs have also suffered losses at their own stadium to Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Chelsea. Draws against Wolves and Manchester United have compounded the sense of crisis, leaving Frank’s men searching for answers in a stretch of the season that is becoming more punishing with each passing week.

  The sense of a team stuck in reverse has been exacerbated by November’s torrid sequence, in which Tottenham lost four matches and claimed a solitary draw from their five domestic fixtures. Their only moment of respite came in the Champions League, where a hard-fought win over Copenhagen briefly lifted the mood before the subsequent dip washed away any lingering optimism.

  Nonetheless, Frank believes that he still enjoys the backing of the ownership group, led by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham. 

  "It seems like they’re good guys, intelligent people," Frank said. "They know how to run businesses and are learning about football, learning more now they’ve become owners.

  "When we’re dealing with intelligent people they can see every successful dynasty, every successful club has taken time. Yes, you have one where you maybe win one year or the second year, but you can’t sustain it if you don’t build something sustainable."

• Frank challenges narrative of losing support

  When asked about whether he has lost the fans, Frank pushed back against the idea that supporter confidence has evaporated entirely. He questioned the premise itself, wondering aloud what proportion of the fanbase such claims even refer to and insisting that football crowds are never monolithic in their opinions.

  "I’m pretty sure every fan wants to win and wants to support," he said. "If you’re not going to plan, then maybe some get more frustrated than others. There’s always some that shout louder than others. When you say you lose the fans, how many is that? Five per cent, 10%, 15%, 20%? How much is it? I don’t know. We would like to get all 100% on board."

  Frank also addressed comments made by defender Pedro Porro on social media following the Fulham defeat. The Spurs full-back had publicly expressed his frustration at the abuse directed toward teammates, and Frank backed the player’s right to speak his mind. He noted: "The players, they are individual people that can have their own opinions. What he put out there was fair in every aspect."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Pivotal festive period for Frank & Spurs

  There is an acknowledgement that December could determine the trajectory of Spurs’ season. A demanding run of fixtures looms, with clashes against Newcastle, Liverpool and Crystal Palace approaching rapidly. Positive results would ease scrutiny on Frank and restore belief among players whose confidence has taken visible blows in recent weeks.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is expected to have retained the backing of FSG after a woeful start to the 2025/26 campaign, but the credit chequed into the bank is fast depleting as the champions flatter to deceive on the problem-solving front.

Soft, slow and stodgy, this is not the Liverpool we know. Slot’s Liverpool, last year, were a dangerous beast, so incisive and unforgiving as they secured toward the Premier League title.

But, nine losses from 14 matches in all competitions and just two wins from nine in the top flight have eradicated any hopes of challenging Arsenal for the trophy this season.

And it’s put Slot’s job on the line.

Why Liverpool could sack Arne Slot

Liverpool managed to avoid defeat at home against Sunderland on Wednesday evening, but the 1-1 draw, secured when Florian Wirtz’s fleet footwork forced an own goal from Nordi Mukiele late on, smacked of desperation.

You would be hard pressed to delineate Liverpool’s tactical identity under Slot’s wing this season. Their shape in the build-up. Their pressing patterns and attacking strategies.

It is damning that so much has been spent on strikers like Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, and that number nine is a barren patch at Anfield, with the supply line proving ineffective.

Wirtz needs to do better, but there’s no question that he’s a world-class talent with so much potential yet untapped.

However, this breadth of quality at Slot’s disposal means he simply has to work out a formula for results and impressive performances, with both in short supply.

If the Dutch tactician fails to get a tune out of this squad of elite, big-money players, he will eventually be dismissed by FSG, who might already have their sights set on a replacement.

The perfect Slot replacement at Liverpool

Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes know they and Liverpool’s wider project will lose face if they have to dismiss Slot, but if push comes to shove, they might just do so if it means they can appoint Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso.

Alonso, 44, acheived unprecedented success with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga as undefeated champions in 2023/24, claiming the DFB-Pokal title too.

This road led to the Santiago Bernabeu, the Spaniard joining the club he played so much football for during his playing career this summer.

However, Alonso also has quite the connection with Anfield, and given the troubles that are plaguing Los Blancos at the moment, FSG may well be primed to pounce if an opportunity to appoint this exciting Slot replacement materialises.

Liverpool did explore a move for Alonso after Jurgen Klopp announced he would be stepping down at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, but he was in the thick of his Leverkusen tenure and did not feel the time for a step-up was right.

His 3-4-2-1 formation is unconventional, but Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has shown that such a set-up can work out in the Premier League, when in the right hands.

Xabi Alonso’s Managerial Stats

Club

Matches

PPG

Real Madrid

26

2.35

Bayer Leverkusen

140

2.14

Real Sociedad B

98

1.46

Data via Transfermarkt

Given that Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong worked under him in Germany, hitting such staggering heights, it could also prove the perfect appointment to get the best out of Liverpool’s immensely talented playmaker.

Wirtz, 22, has not hit the ground running at Liverpool, but the system has hardly opened its arms for such a player. In fact, most of Liverpool’s top players have foundered this season.

Even so, the German international ranks among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions and the top 5% for passes attempted and progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

Alonso will surely get a tune out of a player he described as “a genius” during their time with Die Werkself.

Wirtz once said that “working with Alonso is a dream”. He lived that dream, and he may do so again before long, with the Spanish manager sure to be at the top of FSG’s wishlist, if Slot is indeed sacked in the coming months.

Related Liverpool ace who's fallen off a cliff looks like "Fabinho in his final year"

Liverpool’s draw against Sunderland illustrated a litany of problems Slot is still dealing with.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Dec 4, 2025

Chelsea made their return to Premier League football in fine fashion on Saturday afternoon, comfortably dispatching Burnley 2-0.

That victory, followed by the rest of Saturday’s results, has left the Blues as the closest competitor to Arsenal, sitting six points off them and facing them on Sunday.

However, while Enzo Maresca has a squad full of incredible players, some might argue that they are just a bit short in certain areas compared to the Gunners.

Fortunately, that looks like something Chelsea are looking to address, as reports have linked them with one of Arsenal’s transfer targets, someone who could help make them serious title contenders.

Chelsea enter race for Arsenal target

Even with the transfer window not opening for over a month, Chelsea have already been linked with a plethora of unreal, difference-making 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, while he’s inexperienced, Juventus’ Kenan Yıldız would be an excellent signing for the Blues, having already scored three goals and registered four assists in 15 games this season.

Likewise, Antoine Semenyo, who is one of the most sought-after players in the country at the moment, would be an incredible addition to Maresca’s side.

However, if a player is going to come in and help turn the Blues into serious title contenders this season, they are likely going to be a defender, like Murillo.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are one of several sides interested in the Brazilian international.

Alongside the West Londoners, Arsenal and Barcelona have also been credited with interest in the 23-year-old centre-back, who Nottingham Forest value at up to €90m, which is about £79m.

Therefore, it could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Murillo’s ability and potential, Chelsea should fight for him, especially as he could help make them serious title contenders.

Why Murillo could help Chelsea win the Premier League

As things stand, Chelsea are currently second in the Premier League, six points behind Arsenal, having scored just a single goal fewer than them.

However, while their attack is certainly comparable, the Blues have conceded 11 goals to the Gunners’ six, and you are conceding almost twice as many goals as your rivals, you aren’t going to finish above them in the table.

Now, one of the key reasons for the West Londoners’ middling defensive record – in the context of a title challenge – is that their best centre-back, Levi Colwill, has been out for the whole season so far, and the likes of

Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah have not been anywhere near the same level in his absence.

Therefore, for Maresca’s side to become true contenders for the league, they need more and higher-quality defensive reinforcements, which is where Murillo comes in.

Despite having practically no stability at Forest this season, the Brazilian titan has still put up some seriously impressive underlying numbers.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of centre-backs in the league for blocks, the top 5% for interceptions and successful take-ons, the top 7% for ball recoveries, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 11% for through balls and more, all per 90.

% of Dribblers Tackled

100.0%

Top 2%

Blocks

1.83

Top 3%

Shots from Free Kicks

0.12

Top 5%

Interceptions

2.07

Top 5%

Successful Take-Ons

0.49

Top 5%

SCA (Defensive Action)

0.12

Top 7%

Passes Blocked

0.85

Top 7%

Ball Recoveries

4.87

Top 7%

Shot-Creating Actions

1.46

Top 9%

Tkl+Int

3.65

Top 9%

Goals/Shot

0.25

Top 11%

Goals – xG

+0.09

Top 11%

Non-Penalty Goals – npxG

+0.09

Top 11%

Passes Attempted (Long)

9.99

Top 11%

Through Balls

0.24

Top 11%

SCA (Live-ball Pass)

1.10

Top 11%

SCA (Dead-ball Pass)

0.12

Top 11%

Progressive Passes

4.87

Top 13%

SCA (Shot)

0.12

Top 13%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.24

Top 13%

Goals

0.12

Top 15%

Add to that the fact that he played a massive role in the Tricky Trees having one of the best defensive records in the country last season, and it’s easy to see why one analyst made the bold claim that he’s “one of the best defenders in the Premier League.”

On top of all of that, the “monstrous” international, as dubbed by journalist Ryan Taylor, is both young at just 23 and experienced, having made 87 appearances for Forest, 27 for Corinthians and one for Brazil.

Now, with all that said, there is still a chance the Sao Paulo-born star wouldn’t be a starter when everyone in Maresca’s side is fit, but he would be an exceptional cover, and all title-winning sides need that.

Ultimately, it wouldn’t be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Murillo, as he could be one of the final pieces to Maresca’s puzzle.

Chelsea now ahead of Arsenal in race for "unpredictable" striker, talks opened

The Blues have taken the lead in the race for a new centre-forward

ByDominic Lund Nov 24, 2025

Byron Buxton put on a show for his bobblehead day at Target Field.

The Minnesota Twins outfielder hit for the cycle during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, doing so for the first time in his career. Buxton began the cycle by hitting a triple during the bottom of the second inning. He added a ground rule double in the third, and hit a single in the fifth.

With three quarters of the cycle done, Buxton completed the cycle by hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Overall, Buxton has compiled five hits, three runs and two RBIs—all on his bobblehead day. It will be hard to find a more special bobblehead day than this one.

Buxton's complete cycle marked the first hit for the cycle by a Twins player since 2019, and the first hit for the cycle by any team at Target Field. The Twins currently hold a 12-3 lead over the Pirates, and are on track to earn their 47th victory of the season.