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Bhuvneshwar and Rinku, meanwhile, teamed up with Vipraj Nigam to help UP blaze past Andhra into the final eight

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Dec-2024Bengal are through to the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) after prevailing by three runs in a thriller against Chandigarh at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday afternoon.The hero was seamer Sayan Ghosh, who picked up 4 for 30 to remove the cream of Chandigarh’s batting in their pursuit of 157. The target was set up largely by Karan Lal, who top scored with 33, and Writtick Chatterjee, who made a 12-ball 28.The unlikely batting hero, though, was Mohammed Shami, who walloped an unbeaten 17-ball 32 from No. 10, his highest score in T20s, to give them momentum going into the break.Related

Rohit Sharma says 'door very much open' for Mohammed Shami to join Test squad in Australia

Chandigarh’s hot-and-cold chase was fuelled by Raj Bawa’s 32. It came down to them needing 20 off the last two overs with three wickets in hand.Shami, who had picked up a wicket with his second delivery in his first spell that finished with figures of 3-0-13-1, conceded 12 in his final over upon his return at the death and the equation was brought down to eight off the last six.Ghosh then bowled two dots and picked up a wicket in the first five deliveries of the over to all but seal the game. With seven needed of one ball, Nishunk Birla hit a boundary and Bengal won by three runs.Shami has now featured in each of Bengal’s eight matches, and has bowled his full quota of overs in every game, while picking up nine wickets at an economy of 7.49. As of Monday, it’s understood Shami will remain with the Bengal squad for the remainder of their campaign.While in Bengaluru, Shami has been working with the National Cricket Academy staff as he continues on his road back to top-flight cricket. He’s yet to get the all-clear, however.On Sunday in Adelaide, India captain Rohit Sharma reiterated the need for caution over not rushing Shami back for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, though “the door remains open”. His comments stem from Shami having developed some swelling in his knees while bowling during SMAT.The Bengal team management has expressed satisfaction at the way Shami has responded to his bowling workload and his intensity all tournament. Shami has opted to rest instead of train on match-eve, a decision which is believed to have been his own with a view to keep him going for the duration of the competition.Bengal next play Baroda in the round of eight on Wednesday.Rinku Singh and Vipraj Nigam can’t hold their happiness after taking UP over the line•PTI Rinku, Bhuvneshwar and Nigam star as UP beat AndhraBhuvneshwar Kumar picked 2 for 30, Rinku Singh scored an unbeaten 27 off 22 balls, and Vipraj Nigam (2 for 20 and 27* off eight) produced a stunning all-round show to help Uttar Pradesh qualify for the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy quarter-finals with a four-wicket win against Andhra.Andhra were stuck at 89 for 5 after 15 overs, and 113 for 6 after 16.2 but KV Sasikanth and SDNV Prasad breathed life into the innings with an unbeaten 43-run stand for the seventh wicket off 16 balls to take them to 156 for 6.In reply, UP were cruising with Karan Sharma and Aryan Juyal adding 70 runs in 49 balls. Then they lost four wickets in 24 balls for 18 runs. Two more fell in the 16th over with Rinku stranded at one end. But he found excellent support from Nigam, the duo adding 48 runs off 18 balls to take UP to a win with an over to spare.

Crystal Palace are now looking to sign an “absolutely incredible” attacking midfielder, who could be brought in as a replacement for Eberechi Eze, according to a report.

Tottenham reach agreement in principle to sign Eze

After the 27-year-old scored the winner in the FA Cup final, Palace were always going to find it difficult to keep hold of Eze this summer, and journalist Ben Jacobs has now revealed Tottenham Hotspur have made significant progress towards finalising a deal.

As such, one of the Eagles’ most important tasks before the September 1st deadline will be to bring in at least one new attacker, and there is certainly no shortage of options on the shortlist.

Player

Current club

G/A in 24/25

Bilal El Khannouss

Leicester City

8

Hwang Hee-chan

Wolves

3

Christos Tzolis

Club Brugge

37

Raheem Sterling

Chelsea

6

Tzolis is arguably the most exciting option on the shortlist, given the Greek forward’s attacking exploits in the 2024-25 campaign, albeit in a weaker league than the other targets.

However, according to a report from Caught Offside, Crystal Palace also have their eye on another Premier League attacker, namely West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, who is now set to be available for around £30m – £40m this summer.

West Ham are now willing to cash-in on Paqueta, and they have dramatically dropped their asking price, having fielded offers of £80m at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Crystal Palace eyeing "clinical" £70,000-p/w Asian star as Eze replacement

The Eagles now look set to lose Eberechi Eze, with Tottenham Hotspur submitting a bid…

ByDominic Lund Aug 19, 2025

The Eagles view the Brazilian as a marquee signing, who could offset Eze’s departure, but there could be competition for his signature from some top clubs, with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City also named as potential suitors.

Paqueta could be "incredible" Eze replacement

The 27-year-old has certainly caught the eye in the Premier League in the past, with ex-teammate Declan Rice lauding him as “absolutely incredible”, while David Moyes described the Brazil international as “fabulous”.

Since then, the maestro hasn’t exactly kicked on, scoring just four Premier League goals last season, but in fairness, the former Lyon man did have spot-fixing charges hanging over his head, which he has now been cleared of.

Graham Potter believes a weight has now been “lifted” off the West Ham star, which suggests he could have a new lease of life next season, and given that he specialises in attacking midfield, he could be a direct replacement for Eze.

With West Ham making a very poor start to the Premier League campaign, Paqueta could be tempted to leave this summer, and Palace should have the requisite funds to sign him once the deal to sell Eze is completed.

AC Milan will be without star forward Rafael Leao for their Coppa Italia clash with Lecce as he continues his recovery from a muscle injury. Coach Massimiliano Allegri has ruled him out of Tuesday's game but has now targeted this weekend's crucial Serie A fixture against Napoli for his potential return.

Leao still sidelined

Leao remains sidelined with a muscle injury and will miss Tuesday's Coppa Italia tie against Lecce, with manager Allegri now hoping that he can be fit for the upcoming headline showdown against reigning Serie A champions Napoli. In an interview with , Allegri confirmed the Portuguese star is not yet ready for action.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLeao injury update and return timeline

Leao has been out of action for over a month, having sustained a muscle problem in a match against Bari on August 17th. He has not featured so far in Serie A this season and will play no part in the Coppa Italia round of 32 clash at San Siro, with the club now set to assess his fitness later this week ahead of a potential comeback in the league.

'We'll evaluate him for Napoli' – What Allegri said

Providing an update on the 26-year-old's condition, Allegri set out a clear timeline for a decision on his return. 

"Leao's return is definitely not tomorrow," the coach confirmed. "We'll evaluate him on Thursday and Friday and then decide whether or not he'll be available for Napoli." 

Allegri also revealed that Christopher Nkunku could start against Lecce as he plans to rotate his squad, stating, "Tomorrow is a chance to see who has played less, but it's also a chance to move forward and advance to the next round."

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Milan in fine form heading into Lecce clash

The Rossoneri enter the cup tie in strong domestic form, having won their last three Serie A matches. They will be favourites to advance, having already defeated Lecce 2-0 in the league earlier this season. Allegri will watch from the stands as he serves the final game of a two-match Coppa Italia suspension carried over from his time at Juventus, with his assistant Marco Landucci set to manage the team from the touchline.

Hobson smashed Bartlett for 24 in the final over of Scorchers’ innings and they carried the momentum thereon

Tristan Lavalette26-Dec-2024Nick Hobson again proved a thorn in Brisbane Heat’s attack before Perth Scorchers produced an outstanding effort in the field to claim a pivotal 33-run victory at Optus Stadium.In front of 41,921 fans, Scorchers struggled after being sent in to bat on a fast and bouncy surface before Hobson smashed an unbeaten 47 off 16 balls to lift them to 165 for 6.They carried over the momentum in the field and their disciplined bowling performance was highlighted by rapid bowling from speedster Lance Morris. Heat were never in the hunt after early wickets and were bowled out in the final over.Related

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Scorchers ran out easy winners to convincingly halt a two-match losing streak, while defending champions Heat suffered their first defeat of the season.Hobson’s late heroics overshadows Allen’s struggles and Hardie’s returnFinn Allen was Scorchers’ big recruit this season and he started the season with a first-ball six against Melbourne Stars but it’s been all downhill since then. In his previous three innings, reaping just 10 runs, Allen has gone for broke from the get go but he started watchfully against left-arm quick Spencer Johnson. After failing to score off his first four deliveries, the pressure built and an edgy Allen then threw his bat hard at a full delivery only to edge Johnson to backward point.Cooper Connolly has been Scorchers’ best batter this season and made 37 off as many balls, but struggled to strike the ball with his usual fluency. Scorchers did regain allrounder Aaron Hardie, who made his season debut as a specialist batter at no.4 – a spot lower than his customary position which has been filled by Connolly.Hardie has been sidelined since the Pakistan white-ball series last month due to a nagging quad injury. He looked understandably rusty until giving himself room and smashing seamer Xavier Bartlett for a huge six over long on. It proved his best shot with Hardie holing out off left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. He made 24 off 23 balls before Scorchers gained a late flurry from Hobson, who famously provided heroics in the epic BBL12 final between the teams.Hobson, well known for being an accountant in his day job, has been working very hard in recent times to build up his power-hitting and become a specialist finisher. His ever-improving muscular game was on show as he smashed Bartlett in the final over for 24 runs to lift Scorchers to a total that seemed implausible just moments earlier.Johnson stars, spinners bowl well in tandemHeat did start well through a superb opening spell from Johnson as Scorchers scored just 18 runs in the powerplay. He enjoyed a successful return in his season debut after missing their opening two matches with a toe injury.Spencer Johnson upped the heat with a four-wicket haul•Getty ImagesSkipper Colin Munro turned to spinners Kuhnemann and Mitchell Swepson in the middle overs and they bowled with control to ensure the run-rate didn’t blow out of control. Swepson, particularly, mixed up his speeds well to ensure the batters could never find rhythm. Heat’s bowlers were backed up by slick fielding and catching until being swamped late by Hobson.Kuhnemann dropped a very high ball off Ashton Turner in the penultimate over before a rattled Bartlett lost his radar against Hobson.Morris fired up, spectacular fieldingMorris had a point to prove. After being dropped from the team following a pummelling at the hands of Hurricanes opener Mitchell Owens, Morris returned to favourable conditions and unleashed on the fast and bouncy surface. He was perhaps fortunate after dismissing Tom Banton on his first delivery with a strangle down the legside. It was the confidence boost Morris needed as he bowled a hostile spell with the new ball and reached speeds of 148 kph.Scorchers were aided by brilliant fielding. Firstly, Ashton Agar produced a moment of magic in the field when he ran out Jimmy Peirson with a direct hit from point after initially pulling off a stop with his right hand before transferring the ball to his favoured left arm for the throw.Allen also spectacularly threw down the stumps from backward point to run out Nathan McSweeney. It was Allen’s most significant contribution this season and might be the tonic he needs for a turnaround with the bat.Renshaw, Bryant shine brieflyHeat’s batters struggled to handle the conditions with the surface noticeably quicker than the season-opener between Scorchers and Stars. The exceptions were Matthew Renshaw and Max Bryant, who both clubbed the ball sweetly.After he was given an early life when wicketkeeper Matt Hurst dropped a catch off Agar, Renshaw looked in awesome form and smashed quick Matthew Kelly for consecutive sixes.But the task proved too great as Renshaw holed out to Andrew Tye in the 11th over after he smashed 36 off 24 balls. Bryant hit 35 off 20 balls but it was in vain.

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer strategy this summer has been nothing short of chaotic, and yet strangely ambitious.

For a club that finished 17th in the Premier League last season but secured Champions League football thanks to their Europa League triumph over Manchester United, the need to strengthen has never been more urgent.

Their early business included the £60m acquisition of Mohamed Kudus from West Ham, an exciting attacking player who provides versatility across the forward line.

But departures and missed opportunities have left significant gaps.

Fan favourite Son Heung-min departed for LAFC after a decade of service in North London, while the club’s most creative midfielder, James Maddison, suffered a devastating ACL injury in pre-season against Newcastle.

Their attempts to fill the void have, so far, been met with frustration.

The latest on Spurs' hunt to find a Maddison replacement

A £60m pursuit of Eberechi Eze collapsed when Arsenal hijacked the deal. A move for Morgan Gibbs-White ran into legal complications.

A €70m (£65m) package for Como star Nico Paz was swiftly rebuffed, with the Argentine making clear his intentions to return to Real Madrid in the near future.

Spurs have even looked at Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, but his £100m price tag puts him out of reach.

All of this has forced Tottenham to look elsewhere.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Their search has now led them towards a player long admired in England, one who has already proved himself in the Premier League, but whose reputation has recently been clouded by off-field controversy.

According to reports in the Daily Mail, Spurs are now weighing up a move for Lucas Paquetá, the Brazilian playmaker currently at West Ham United.

Aston Villa are also monitoring his situation, but Tottenham’s need for a creative spark is arguably more urgent. Different reports suggest he could go for around £40m.

Paquetá has endured a turbulent year, but his quality has never been in question.

Former teammate Declan Rice once described him as “mind-boggling”, while he’s also been described as “one of the best 10s in the world” by one data analyst, a reminder of the immense technical ability he brings.

The central midfielder’s form dipped after he became the subject of a betting breach investigation in August 2023.

He continued to play, scoring West Ham’s only goal in their recent 5-1 defeat to Chelsea, but his confidence and consistency were visibly affected by the allegations.

Now that he has been cleared of all charges in 2025, the expectation is that he can finally put the matter behind him and re-establish himself at the top level.

Assessing Paquetá vs Maddison

For Spurs, the appeal is clear. With Maddison sidelined for the season, there is no natural replacement in the squad capable of offering the same vision and incisive passing.

Paquetá, with his flair and ability to turn games in an instant, represents a player in a similar mould.

He may not have matched Maddison’s output in recent seasons, but the tools are there – and in the right environment, he could thrive.

Paquetá’s numbers at West Ham illustrate both his strengths and his limitations.

At 27, he is approaching the prime of his career. He has 55 caps for Brazil and joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022, making 33 Premier League appearances last season with four goals.

The raw statistics do not scream world-class productivity, but they do reveal a midfielder with a valuable mix of creativity and defensive work.

Matches

19

7

Wins

11

0

Goals Scored Per Match

1.8

0.7

Goals Conceded Per Match

1.5

2.4

Points Per Match

1.9

0.4

According to FBref, he ranks in the 74th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 (2.89), the 79th percentile for progressive passes (6.16 per 90), and the 84th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (2.18 per 90).

These metrics underline his ability to link play between midfield and attack, progressing the ball into dangerous areas.

His defensive contributions are also notable, with 2.51 tackles per 90 (75th percentile) and an impressive 1.91 aerial duels won per 90 (89th percentile), making him more than just a luxury player.

When compared directly to Maddison, however, there are contrasts. The England international has been one of Spurs’ key players since arriving from Leicester in 2023, with 16 goals and 21 assists in 75 games.

Regrettably, his injury record is a concern. He missed 13 games in 2023/24 and 11 last season – but his impact when fit is undeniable.

Statistically, Maddison outperforms Paquetá in almost every attacking metric: 4.73 shot-creating actions per 90 (to Paquetá’s 3.10), 8.16 progressive passes per 90 (Paquetá’s 5.87), and 0.85 shots on target per 90 (Paquetá’s 0.11).

Even his pass completion rate (81.3%) edges the Brazilian’s 77.3%.

This raises a key question: would Spurs be settling for a downgrade? On paper, Paquetá does not replicate Maddison’s efficiency in front of goal or his ability to sustain attacks through consistent ball progression.

Yet the Brazilian brings different qualities – a more physical presence, stronger defensive contributions, and the versatility to operate across midfield roles. In that regard, he is a big upgrade.

His 227.8 progressive passing distance per 90 minutes is only slightly behind Maddison’s 250.1, suggesting he can still drive the ball forward effectively.

What truly matters is context. At West Ham, Paquetá has often been tasked with working within a rigid system where creativity can be stifled.

In a more attacking, possession-based setup at Tottenham, his ability to combine with Kudus and Richarlison could unlock a new level of performance.

For Spurs, the decision is not about finding a perfect Maddison clone. It is about ensuring they are not left without a creative heartbeat in midfield for an entire season.

Paquetá may be inconsistent, but he remains capable of brilliance.

If Thomas Frank can provide the structure and confidence that he lacked at West Ham, Tottenham could have a player who, like Maddison, is able to decide games single-handedly.

New Dembele: Spurs make move to sign "one of the best playmakers in Europe"

Spurs are looking to finalise one or two big moves before the deadline closes.

1 ByMatt Dawson Aug 25, 2025

Warner has had an impressive season with the bat but also helped bring the side together after last summer’s problems

AAP21-Jan-2025David Warner has helped the Sydney Thunder to believe again according to coach Trevor Bayliss as the team’s fairytale BBL resurgence stretches into the finals.A year ago, they were preparing for a post-mortem on the equal-worst season from any BBL team in a decade. Not since the Thunder outfit of 2013-14 had a side won only one match in a BBL summer.But led by new captain Warner, they have surged to third place on the ladder this summer with a 5-3 record, easily securing a top-four spot and knockout date with Melbourne Stars on Wednesday.Related

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Bowlers take Hobart Hurricanes to their first BBL final in seven years

On the pitch, Warner scored the second-most runs of any player in the tournament, an unbeaten 88 against the ladder-leading Hobart Hurricanes the clear highlight of his first full BBL season to date.He would likely have sat atop the batting rankings if not for rain; wet weather meant the Thunder played one fewer game than the Perth Scorchers, whose star allrounder Cooper Connolly scored only five more runs. But Bayliss has noticed Warner’s impact stretch beyond the playing field.”The job he’s done as captain, it’s not just about his batting for example, it’s his personality,” he said. “He’s always up for it, he’s a positive character. Loud, obnoxious sometimes, but the boys love it.”I think it’s the confidence that he gives his team-mates, and their belief then that they’re good enough to do the job. They’re all good players, they sometimes just need that belief. Certainly I think the results have shown this year.”Public opinion of Warner has wavered dramatically over the years, from his early days as a hyper-confident ballstriker, to his role in the Newlands ball-tampering controversy, and the shift to introspection that followed. The latest iteration of Warner has made an impression on new Thunder team-mate Sam Billings.”People have this perception around him, but he’s incredible in terms of the conversations he has with individuals and the consistent drive,” Billings said. “You see why he’s one of the best players in the world, still at the age of 38. I’m learning off him every day.”As they prepared to host a similarly resurgent Stars at ENGIE Stadium, Warner felt the Thunder still had room for improvement. The team’s largest partnership, 89 between Warner and Matthew Gilkes against Perth Scorchers, was only the 10th-largest of the regular season. The side also does not have a wicket-taker in the top 10 for the tournament.”The batters haven’t all gelled together and gotten big partnerships,” Warner said. “We talk about bowling partnerships as well, one has leaked at one end and then the other has taken wickets. We still haven’t played a complete game yet, which for me is scary.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix stole the show with braces as Al-Nassr put five past Al-Riyadh in a thumping Saudi Pro League win. The hosts barely needed to break sweat before tearing Al-Riyadh apart on Saturday night at Al-Awwal Park. Jorge Jesus' men fresh from thrashing Istiklol 5-0 in the AFC Champions League, carried that ruthless edge into the Saudi Pro League, and Felix set the tone within minutes.

AFPNassr dominant

Just six minutes were on the clock when Kingsley Coman darted down the left flank and whipped in a wicked low cross. Felix, calm as ice, stroked the ball past the keeper to break the deadlock. Al-Riyadh looked shell-shocked, struggling to find rhythm as Al-Nassr bossed possession. And when the visitors tried to play out from the back, disaster struck. A wayward pass dropped straight into Coman’s path just past the centre circle. The Frenchman didn’t hesitate. He sprinted forward with devastating pace before slotting the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. From a gift-wrapped error to a world-class finish, Coman made it 2-0, and the home crowd erupted.

By now, Al-Nassr smelled blood. Felix, buzzing with confidence, slid a delicious through ball that cut Al-Riyadh’s defence to ribbons. Waiting on the other end was Cristiano Ronaldo. One touch, one strike, and one inevitable roar: 3-0. With half-time looming, Al-Riyadh already looked like a side praying for the whistle.

Any hopes of a fightback evaporated almost instantly after the restart. Within three minutes, Ronaldo turned provider with a delicate chipped pass over the top. Felix latched on to the ball, controlled, and dispatched with ruthless composure. It was his second of the evening and Al-Nassr’s fourth. The Felix-Ronaldo double act was pulling Al-Riyadh apart. 

Against the run of play, Al-Riyadh finally had something to cheer. Teddy Okou swung in a pinpoint cross from the right, and Mamadou Sylla rose above his marker to glance a header beyond the goalkeeper. It was 4-1, and for a brief moment the away side thought they had a way back. But the joy lasted barely a heartbeat, because the hosts weren’t finished.

The final nail was hammered in on the 76th minute. A drop-ball situation led to Felix launching a direct pass toward Coman, who cushioned it with elegance before squaring across goal. Ronaldo was waiting, unmarked and hungry, and smashed it home with trademark ruthlessness. That made it his 29th goal of the calendar year, a staggering tally for a man many thought was winding down.

AdvertisementAFPMVP: Joao Felix steals Ronaldo's thunder

While Ronaldo’s brace naturally drew headlines, Felix was the heartbeat of the performance. Two goals, one assist, and countless moments of flair marked him out as the clear MVP. Once derided as a misfit at Chelsea, Felix is relishing his rebirth in Riyadh, where his chemistry with Ronaldo looks frightening. 

The loser: Mane frustrated

Not everyone in yellow had a night to remember. Sadio Mane, usually so clinical, endured a frustrating evening. The Senegalese forward found himself in promising positions but lacked composure when it mattered most. His wastefulness was masked by the brilliance of Ronaldo and Felix, but the fans will expect sharper edges from him going forward.

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What's next?

This emphatic 5-1 triumph marked Al-Nassr’s fourth consecutive league win, keeping their perfect start intact as they chase down Saudi Pro League glory. Attention now swings to the King Cup of Champions, with Jeddah arriving on Tuesday. Momentum is firmly with Al-Nassr, who will aim to carry this five-star swagger into knockout football.

Newcastle United are circling the market for reinforcements and could now be set to go all out for a defender they have wanted since the start of the window.

Newcastle United set to sign Yoane Wissa

With hours of the window remaining, Alexander Isak will join Liverpool from Newcastle, leaving a vacancy through the middle free for Eddie Howe to bring in a new striker.

In light of reports linking the Magpies to several different options, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is the one that will pitch up at St James’ Park after the Bees accepted an offer for the Congolese marksman.

Now set for a medical before an official announcement is made, he will join new signing Nick Woltemade, with both set to fight it out for the number one jersey at the top end of the field.

Reacting to a goalless draw at the weekend, Howe made it clear that his side aren’t offensively proficient at this moment in time, which may offer a hint as to why they have made such a strong late play for another striker.

He told BBC Sport: “We’re disappointed the other way that we didn’t cause them more problems. We had a few moments that you think could’ve led to more. We’re just in that moment where the goals aren’t flowing and that cost us today.”

Newcastle now in surprise deadline talks to sign "elite" £30m striker

The Magpies are closing in on the hunt for a striker.

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 31, 2025

Nevertheless, that all appears to be in the past, but there are still further questions over where the former Bournemouth man could opt to add more bodies as the North East giants tackle the rigours of balancing domestic football and the Champions League.

At the last minute, supporters may now have found out a little more information on this front after revealing developments surrounding one target.

Newcastle submit loan offer for Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde

According to reports in Turkey via Sport Witness, Newcastle have submitted a loan-to-buy offer for Fenerbahce defender Jayden Oosterwolde. However, the proposal has been rejected by the Turkish giants.

Intriguingly, the Magpies have been interested in Oosterwolde since June, when he was identified as a cheaper option to Marc Guehi, albeit landing him may be a complicated process after Diego Carlos was ruled out with an injury.

Capable of featuring in central defence or at left-back, the Zwolle-born man has previously been praised for his “extremely physically strong” nature by agent, Jose Blakborn, and he has featured six times for his current employers this season.

Three years remain on his deal in Istanbul, so he retains plenty of value even if the 24-year-old were to agitate for a move, leaving work to be done from a Newcastle perspective if they are to force something over the line.

Stranger things have happened, though PIF will need to move swiftly in order to convince Fenerbahce that he is a player worth parting ways with.

Rafael Leao has revealed how idols like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka inspired him to choose AC Milan over rivals Inter. The Portuguese winger admitted Lille once tried to push him towards the Nerazzurri, but he refused the move, staying true to his dream of wearing the Rossoneri shirt. Although currently sidelined by injury, the winger remains central to their hopes this season.

Leao reveals childhood icons behind Milan choice

The Portugal international admitted his childhood admiration for stars such as Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Clarence Seedorf meant there was only one club he wanted to join. Milan’s European pedigree, including seven Champions League titles, made his decision clear when it came to choosing between the Rossoneri and Inter.

AdvertisementAFPPortuguese star reveals Inter rejection

Speaking on the podcast Leao revealed how close he came to signing for Inter while at Lille. He said: "I was about to go to Inter, crazy. The sporting director [of Lille] told me: 'Rafa, we are about to sell you to Inter', I said: 'no, I did very well this season, I want to stay another season to improve further and increase my confidence for the next challenge'. But he told me: 'No, no, I have to sell you, it's an excellent opportunity for you, for us, it's a lot of money'. But I said no to Inter."

He added: "Since I was a child, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, Seedorf, those players you saw or heard about, were history. Then you know, seven Champions Leagues, only Real Madrid has more. Between Milan and Inter, Milan a hundred times."

Injury absence leaves Milan waiting

The 25-year-old has been unavailable since suffering a calf injury against Bari in the Coppa Italia on August 17, a game where he scored. Last season he managed 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances, underlining his importance to Milan’s attack. His absence has left Allegri’s side relying on Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez in their recent Serie A run.

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Getty ImagesNapoli clash looms as fitness test

The Rossoneri will first aim to progress in the Coppa Italia against Leece before preparing for the big clash against reigning champions Napoli. Allegri confirmed Leao is not yet ready, but his fitness will be assessed this week as Milan hope their star winger can return in time for the high-profile Serie A showdown.

South Africa come into this tournament with six ODI losses in a row, but this is stronger unit than any they fielded in the lead-up

Firdose Moonda20-Feb-20257:19

Steyn: SA’s biggest headache will be figuring out their attack

Big Picture: The game some didn’t want SA to playGroup B of the Champions Trophy gets underway with a fixture between the dream side of the last two tournaments, Afghanistan, and the one which has nightmares about the number of times it has not got its hands on the trophy, South Africa.Afghanistan will make their Champions Trophy bow on the back of strong performances at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot, and an impressive run in the format since then. They have won four out of five bilateral series, (albeit two of those against Ireland and Zimbabwe, who are not at this tournament) and reached the T20 World Cup semi-final in-between. A short, sharp event like this one presents them with a stunning opportunity to swoop in and claim a major tournament title. Imagine if they do it before South Africa?Related

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For Maharaj, it's about 'building pressure, limiting boundary balls'

Does sanctioning the men's cricket team help Afghan women?

To be fair to South Africa they have in fact won the Champions Trophy before – in its inaugural edition in 1998, when it was called the ICC Knockout and played in as cut-throat a structure as it gets. Like it says it on the tin: lose a game, and you’re out. Then, South Africa managed to win all three. This time, to win the cup, teams will have to play five matches and they can even afford a slip up (but probably only one). South Africa’s issue is that recently they have stumbled much more.They’ve lost three of their four bilateral ODI series since the last World Cup including their last six ODIs but that record isn’t weighing on them. They’ve used ODIs as a development exercise, and have capped 10 new players since the 2023 ODI World Cup. For the first time since that, they have their best available players together and as they showed at last year’s T20 World Cup, where they reached the final, when they’re at full-strength, they are stronger than many expect.Headlining both outfits are explosive batting line-ups, with Afghanistan’s power at the top in an opening pair of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and South Africa’s in the middle order. That makes the match-ups between South Africa’s seamers and the Afghan top order and Afghanistan’s spinners and the South African middle order the ones to watch for.It would be amiss to preview this fixture without noting that if was up to South Africa’s sports minister Gayton McKenzie, this match would not be happening at all. He compared the Taliban regime’s treatment of women to Apartheid and said it would be “hypocritical and immoral” to look the other way. But Cricket South Africa disagrees and has both sough out bilateral fixtures against Afghanistan – their September 2024 series was not on the FTP – and explained why it doesn’t think shunning Afghanistan will lead to meaningful change.This is a narrative that will only get stronger through the tournament as Afghanistan’s next two opponents. England and Australia, also face internal pressure to not play against them but confirmed the fixtures will go ahead. The Afghanistan team is caught in the crossfire and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi brought out the old “we can only control… the controllable things”, but their presence keeps the conversation going.Form guide South Africa: LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Afghanistan: WWWLWIn the spotlight: South Africa’s experience and Afghanistan’s spinnersSouth Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter’s big-players-will-step-up-for-big-occasions mantra will be put to the test at this tournament with David Miller and Kagiso Rabada in full focus. They are only two members of the squad with more than 100 ODI caps to their names and are seen as the leaders of the line-up and attack respectively. While Miller has the advantage of a strong top-order to lay the foundations the innings, Rabada has the task of being the spearhead of a pack that can expect conditions to be difficult for them. They’ll both be expected to have cool heads and provide wise counsel as South Africa attempt to take home silverware.Afghanistan have the advantage of recent experience against South Africa thanks to the number of players who were part of the SA20, and Noor Ahmed and Rashid Khan enjoyed the most success. They were the highest wicket-takers for their respective franchises (Noor for Durban Super Giants and Rashid joint-highest with Rabada for MI Cape Town). While South Africa’s overall approach to spin is much-improved in recent years, they still have a habit of getting themselves tangled up and Afghanistan will hope to exploit that through two of their best.Afghanistan won’t be short on top-class spinning resources•AFP/Getty ImagesTeam newsSouth Africa could be forced to bench both Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs in what is an already strong batting line-up. Aiden Markram’s more-than-part-time offspin means they may consider only one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj, which will create room for both seam bowling allrounders – Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen – and two other frontline quicks.South Africa (possible): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt) 2 Tony de Zorzi, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Corbin Bosch, 10 Keshav Maharaj 11 Kagiso RabadaIbrahim Zadran will return to the Afghan XI after last playing for them in March. He has been out with an ankle injury but has had some time at the crease in the ILT20. With AM Ghazanfar out with a back problem, they will have to choose between left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmed, who had success at the SA20, and left-arm fingerspinner Nangeyalia Kharote. That would give them a variety of spin options, alongside Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi in the team and four seam bowlers to boot.Afghanistan: (possible) 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Rahmat Shah, 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 5 Azmatullah Omarzai, 6 Gulbadin Naib, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Noor Ahmad/Nangeyalia Kharote, 10 Naveed Zadran, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiPitch and conditionsKarachi has been providing plenty of runs, with New Zealand scoring 320 in the tournament opener on Wednesday and Pakistan completing their highest successful ODI chase at the venue – 353 – against South Africa in the mini tri-series last week. Word is that more of the same is expected. South Africa’s attack, especially their spinners, have spoken about honing their defensive strategies, which suggests they’re preparing for a high-scoring encounter in which the batters will have the opportunity to make big statements. They won’t be the only ones doing that. Afghanistan expect the match to be like a home game for them, with a significant expat population in Karachi.Stats and trivia Afghanistan have won their last four ODI series, including against South Africa in September last year in Sharjah. South Africa (currently fifth) are the highest ranked team Afghanistan have achieved a series win over. However, South Africa did not field a full strength side for that series. Rashid Khan has taken nine wickets in four ODIs against South Africa, at an average of 14.55. Though seven of those came during the above mentioned series, of the South Africa batters who are in their Champions Trophy squad, Rashid has six wickets at 10.67 at an economy of 3.46 since January 2023. In ODIs, Heinrich Klaasen has the best strike rate by a South African batter who has scored a minimum of 1,000 runs in the format and the third-best among all batters with that cutoff. Quotes”Just recently we beat them in Sharjah 2-1, so we have that confidence with us and we are not under pressure. Right now we are focusing on what we can do in this tournament. I believe that our team is more ready for this tournament and we are focusing on our own team. There is no pressure on us.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi responds to questions on his side being underdogs against a side they have only met five times and beaten twice“Like all the tournaments, we will come in with the prospect of seeing ourselves in the final but eventually obviously getting over the line. The nice thing is that we have guys with that experience and there’s no there’s no real baggage that exists amongst the guys. There’s no negativity from the fact that we haven’t been able to be successful in other ICC events. There’s a lot more of a positivity and confidence in terms of our ability or how far we can go within the tournament.”