فاز منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية على السودان بهدف دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن تصفيات كأس العالم 2026 عن قارة أفريقيا، لحساب الجولة العاشرة من المجموعة الثانية.
وأقيمت المباراة بين السودان والكونغو الديموقراطية، على أرضية استاد الشهداء، ضمن لقاءات الجولة العاشرة من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
وتضم المجموعة الثانية منتخبات: السنغال والسودان وجنوب السودان وتوجو والكونغو الديمقراطية وموريتانيا.
طالع | المنتخبات الإفريقية المتأهلة لـ كأس العالم 2026
وسجل هدف اللقاء الوحيد اللاعب ثيو بوغوندا في الدقيقة 29، ليقود منتخب بلاده إلى فوز ثمين في ختام المشوار بـ التصفيات القارية المؤهلة للمونديال. هدف فوز الكونغو الديموقراطية على السودان في تصفيات كأس العالم
وبهذه النتيجة، رفع منتخب الكونغو الديمقراطية رصيده إلى 22 نقطة في المركز الثاني خلف السنغال المتصدرة بـ 24 نقطة، فيما تجمد رصيد السودان عند 13 نقطة في المركز الثالث.
Chelsea have enjoyed yet another busy summer transfer window under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, with many more deals expected to be done before the transfer deadline on September 1.
This is both in terms of incomings and outgoings, as UEFA are putting pressure on Chelsea to register a positive transfer balance by next month, or face an inability to register new signings for the Champions League.
UEFA fined Chelsea in July for being in breach of FFP, so this was agreed as part of the settlement.
He'd offer more than Jackson: £50m star only wants to sign for Chelsea
Chelsea are looking to close a few more deals before the end of the summer transfer window.
ByAngus Sinclair Aug 12, 2025
Since this agreement with UEFA, Chelsea have raised nearly £220 million in permanent transfer sales, which nearly balances out their near-£277 million spent on incoming players this month.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu have all departed Stamford Bridge, with a few more expected to follow.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson are among the high-profile names who appear set to leave Chelsea before the transfer deadline, which will also free up room for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho to come in.
Chelsea have been in talks to sign both Simons and Garnacho since last week (Sky Sports), with Enzo Maresca potentially set to be backed with a stunning double which could be worth around £100 million.
The duo are determined to join Maresca, according to credible reports, with Garnacho setting his sights on Chelsea as his “only” preferred destination (David Ornstein).
Simons, meanwhile, is waiting patiently for Leipzig and Chelsea to agree a fee after shaking hands on personal terms with the Blues (Florian Plettenberg).
Interestingly, Chelsea are also still in the market for a new goalkeeper, according to RMC Sport.
Chelsea make approach to sign PSG outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma
As per the French news outlet, £211,000-per-week PSG outcast Gianluigi Donnarumma is on their radar as an alternative to Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.
The Italy number one won’t sign a new deal with PSG, as widely reported, and he’s since been axed from Luis Enrique’s squad for their looming UEFA Super Cup clash against Tottenham.
This has seemingly alerted Cobham chiefs to an opportunity, with Chelsea making an inquiry over signing Donnarumma alongside Man United.
The 26-year-old is still very young in his goalkeeping years, but already possesses a wealth of top-level know-how- making 412 appearances across his spells at the Parc des Princes and AC Milan.
Donnarumma boasts four Ligue 1 titles, a Champions League winner’s medal, three Goalkeeper of the Season awards and a Euro 2020 triumph with Italy among his many honours, and you could make a serious case that he’s exactly the type of experienced figurehead that Maresca is missing.
Given his deal expires in less than a year and could leave PSG for just £26 million, this deal almost seems like a no-brainer.
Manchester City and the Premier League have settled their dispute over rules concerning Associated Party Transactions (APTs).
Man City in dispute over commercial deals rules
Settle with Premier League over matter
October trial date no longer needed
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WHAT HAPPENED?
City were set to go to trial with the Premier League in October over these commercial deals. The APT rules are designed to ensure that deals between clubs and other partners linked to their ownership are done at fair market value. After initially saying the new regulations were "unlawful", City have now accepted that the APT rules are "valid and binding".
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WHAT MAN CITY SAID
In a statement, City said: "The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a settlement in relation to the arbitration commenced by the club earlier this year concerning the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) Rules and as a result the parties have agreed to terminate the proceedings. This settlement brings an end to the dispute between the parties regarding the APT Rules. As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT Rules are valid and binding. It has been agreed that neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment about the matter."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Importantly, this legal action is separate from the one covering the 115 charges against City for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. The Cityzens have criminal charges against them but that battle is likely to rumble on for quite some time. That result could have huge ramifications for football itself.
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WHAT NEXT?
Before that gargantuan legal battle plays out, Pep Guardiola's side take on local rivals Manchester United when the Premier League returns this weekend. City will hope to bounce back from two straight losses, while United will be keen to make it two wins in a row.
يرى مدرب مارسيليا، روبرتو دي زيربي، أن ضربة الجزاء التي تم احتسابها لخصمه ريال مدريد مخزية، ورفض التشكيك في أنه تم احتسابها كتعويض للنادي الإسباني عن طرد داني كارفاخال.
وتغلب ريال مدريد على مارسيليا بهدفين مقابل هدف، ضمن مباريات الجولة الأولى لمرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وتحصل ريال مدريد على ضربتي جزاء، وتلقى مدافعه داني كارفاخال بطاقة حمراء، لاشتباك بالرأس مع حارس مرمى مارسيليا بدون كرة.
ونشرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية تصريحات دي زيربي بعد اللقاء وقال: “كان بإمكاننا الفوز بالمباراة لو بذلنا جهدًا أكبر، نحن فريق يضم العديد من اللاعبين الجدد، وليس من السهل إيجاد إنسجام سريع”.
وأضاف: “لكنني أعتقد أنه كان بإمكاننا تقديم أداء أفضل، بالنظر إلى الجودة التي نمتلكها، أعتقد أننا كنا خائفين بعض الشيء، ما أشعر به هو أنه بعد طرد كارفاخال، لم نتمكن من الوصول إلى الكرة”.
وعن ركلة الجزاء الثانية المحتسبة لريال مدريد، علّق: “ركلة الجزاء كانت مخزية بعض الشيء، وكنت سأقول ذلك حتى لو كانت لصالحنا، لم تكن ركلة جزاء، لكن لا أعتقد أنهم احتسبوها لتعويض الطرد أو أي شيء من هذا القبيل… لا، بالطبع لا”.
اقرأ أيضًا | تشابي ألونسو: ريال مدريد استفاد من طرد كارفاخال أمام مارسيليا.. وهذه حقيقة إهانة فينيسيوس
وشدد دي زيربي: “كان علينا تقديم أداء أفضل بعد طرد كارفاخال، هذه هي الحقيقة، نغادر ونحن نعلم أن هذه المباريات يجب أن تكون أمرًا معتادًا بالنسبة لما، وأن نلعب في البرنابيو كل عام، هذا ما يحتاجه الفريق لتحقيق قفزة نوعية في العقلية والطموح”.
وعن طرد كارفاخال، أردف: “تلك الاصطدامات بالرأس أحيانًا تكون مبالغًا فيها قليلًا، لكن هذه هي القوانين… لا أعتقد أن هناك خطأ قبل ذلك، إذا كان الأمر مجرد تلامس بالرأس، فلن أُشهر البطاقة الحمراء”.
وسُئل عن كيليان مبابي، وأجاب: “مهاجميهم قدموا أداءً رائعًا، لكننا كنا بطيئين بعض الشيء، ووجد جولر وماستانتونو مساحات جيدة في الشوط الأول، مبابي خطير جدًا عندما يحصل على المساحة في العمق”.
Celtic have plenty of money in the coffers and could be set to make even more financial capital amid interest in one of their fringe men from a European outfit, according to a report.
Celtic set their stall out ahead of the new season
With Brendan Rodgers now privy to the working order of his side’s Scottish Premiership fixtures this campaign, the Irishman can get to work on laying the groundwork for another successful year at Parkhead.
Kieran Tierney has already signed on the dotted line at Parkhead. Meanwhile, Benjamin Nygren, Callum Osmand and Hayato Inamura appear primed to join Celtic amid significant progress being made on their respective situations.
Brendan Rodgers
Speaking ahead of the new season, Rodgers has made it clear that the Hoops will look to set their own benchmarks rather than looking across the city despite Rangers’ recent appointment of Russell Martin.
He stated: “We create our own benchmark and our own levels, and we’ve been doing that consistently now. But there’s no doubt competition makes you better in whatever sport it is, or whatever pursuit of anything that you’re trying to achieve.
“If you have competition that really narrows in the focus, we always have to keep an eye on our rivals in terms of what they do and players that they might bring in, and systems they play and tactics they use, and managers.”
Dream Jota replacement: Celtic in talks to sign "amazing" star after Nygren
With Jota sidelined for up to 9 months due to an ACL tear, Celtic are in the market for a new winger.
ByBen Gray Jun 20, 2025
Without blowing his own trumpet, the former Liverpool boss is aware that Celtic hold the monopoly in terms of recent success, in part down to the club’s financial prowess.
Now, they could be set to offload a fringe star that would add another little boost to the coffers if interest in his services is to advance.
Austria Vienna interested in landing Kwon Hyeok-kyu
According to journalist Mark Hendry on his Substack, Austria Vienna could offer Kwon Hyeok-Kyu a permanent escape route from Celtic after a loan spell at Hibernian that saw the South Korean midfielder make 22 appearances across all competitions.
The Austrian Bundesliga outfit were keen on bringing the Busan-born man to the continent at the beginning of the season, but had already reached their limit of six foreign loan players and were unable to strike a deal.
Kwon’s time in Scottish football – loan spells at St Mirren and Hibernian
Appearances
31
Goals
0
Assists
0
Previously spending time out at St Mirren, where he was labelled “dominant” by Stephen Robinson, Kwon has never made a senior appearance for Celtic after his £1 million move to the club in 2023 from Busan IPark.
Admittedly, he has suffered from the deep level of competition in the Bhoys’ engine room, though there is a feeling among many that he never really got started in Glasgow’s east end.
Having the chance to start afresh may be the best course of action for all parties, and Celtic could bring in a small windfall if he were to be sold permanently.
Manchester City mean business at this summer’s Club World Cup.
On Wednesday, the Citizens announced their squad for this summer’s tournament in the United States and it is certainly star-studded, featuring new recruits Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Aït-Nouri.
The Sky Blues commence their campaign against Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday, before also taking on Al Ain and then Juventus in the group phase, with many backing Pep Guardiola’s team to go all the way.
Meantime, back home, as they turn their attention to the future, are Man City about to secure the services of the “exceptional” next Phil Foden?
Manchester City's spending spree continues
Man City can no longer register any new players for the group stages of the Club World Cup, but that doesn’t mean transfer activity doesn’t continue behind the scenes.
The Citizens have already splashed out around £30m on Cherki, while spending bigger fees of £46.5m on Reijnders and £31m on Ait-Nouri. Their next move could be a great deal cheaper.
Rayan Cherki
Indeed, according to a report by David Ornstein and Jordan Campbell of the Athletic, Manchester City are ‘close to reaching an agreement’ as they seek to sign Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg.
Subject to personal terms being complete, it will be a record fee for a player from the Norwegian top-flight, said to be around £17m according to previous reports.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The plan is for Nypan to spend next season on loan at La Liga side Girona, also part of the City Football Group network of course, so it’ll be a little while before we see him donning a sky blue shirt, but Man City supporters should still be excited.
How Sverre Nypan compares to Man City's current midfield star
Despite being just 18 years old, having made only 70 appearances for Eliteserien side Rosenborg, scoring 14 goals, Nypan is one of the most highly sought-after young players in the world.
Seb Stafford-Bloor of the Athletic documents his ‘remarkable’ rise, labelling him a ‘mighty prospect’, outlining that he is predominantly a number eight, but can also be deployed as a number ten.
Nypan is Rosenborg’s youngest-ever player, debuting at the age of just 15 years and 322 days back in November 2022, before also becoming the Troillongan’s youngest-ever goalscorer, netting against champions Bodø/Glimt in the Arctic Circle the following May.
As part of the Guardian’s Next Generation of 2023 series, Michael Yokhin praised Nypan’s “superb ability to read the game and vision”, analyst Ben Mattinson believes he is an “exceptional talent”, while Jacek Kulig from Football Talent Scout asserts that he has a “huge future ahead”.
So, let’s assess his statistics.
Minutes
2,106
64th
Goals
8
15th
Assists
6
6th
Big chances created
7
22nd
Shots per 90
2
18th
Key passes per 90
1.4
25th
Successful dribbles per 90
1.4
12th
Average SofaScore rating
7.28
18th
As the table outlines, Nypan is the creative hub of Rosenborg’s team, ranking very highly for all metrics included, which is very impressive for an 18-year-old, especially when considering that, according to Global Football Rankings, the Eliteserien is the 26th strongest league in the world.
Right now, Man City’s creator in chief, following the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, is likely to be Phil Foden.
Manchester City star Phil Foden
The England international was sensational in 2023/24, picking up every individual accolade going, as the numbers below highlight.
Statistics
Foden
Man City rank
Minutes
4,114
2nd
Goals
26
2nd
Assists
13
2nd
Shots
154
2nd
Shot-creating actions
182
2nd
Goal-creating actions
31
1st
Attempted take-ons
118
2nd
Carries into final third
92
2nd
At his best, Foden is the heartbeat of this Man City side, ranking incredibly highly for every attacking metric, something Nypan is replicating, albeit of course at a lower level for now.
Stefan Bienkowski of Transfermarkt praises Nypan’s ‘exceptionally high football IQ’, adding that he handles the ball very well, much like Foden.
Thus, it is clear that the teenager is a high-potential player, surely making him a Man City star of the not-too-distant future.
Bid incoming: £67m star is now finished at Man City after Cherki arrival
With Rayan Cherki having arrived at Manchester City, as part of the Sky Blues’ big spending spree, one star could be on his way to a PL rival.
Leeds United aren’t gripped with dread this summer that a whole host of their star players could be exiting Elland Road.
That was the overwhelming emotion last summer, however, after Daniel Farke’s Whites heartbreakingly lost the Championship playoff final to Southampton. Now, with a title success under their belt, the West Yorkshire giants don’t have that same level of worry to contend with.
Old wounds could soon be reopened by their emergence into the Premier League, though, as the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville potentially line up against their former employers next season for Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United respectively.
Crysencio Summerville for Leeds
Alongside that magic duo, ex-Thorp Arch product Archie Gray could also clash with Leeds, having also shone in glimpses for new side Tottenham Hotspur.
Gray's sad Leeds exit
Amazingly, the versatile 19-year-old has already collected silverware since donning Spurs white, memorably lifting the Europa League recently, which is some feat just one season into his North London adventure.
This would have been one key factor as to why he left his boyhood employers behind after just one mere season in the senior ranks, knowing he could cut it at an elite level already.
There was clearly a hunger to succeed up a level, whilst Farke and Co. were left to battle away again to try and finally get out of the unforgiving Championship.
RB
30
0
2
CM
10
0
0
DM
6
0
0
AM
3
0
0
Still, there is a lack of visible bad blood on Leeds’ end as Gray gave everything across the 2023/24 season for the cause, with the teenage sensation lining up wherever needed and impressing under Farke’s stewardship.
The Whites would have at least been glad to get £30m out of Ange Postecoglou’s men, but there will be a worry that Gray left prematurely, and he will soon become even more of a classy talent for the Lilywhites, away from Elland Road.
History could unfortunately repeat itself too if Leeds were to sell an equally exciting youngster who has shown flashes of his obvious quality during their promotion-winning heroics.
£10m attacker may never play for Leeds again
Whilst Farke was the boss to gift Gray his first tastes of senior action in West Yorkshire, the German might not be prepared to be as charitable up a division when handing equally promising starlets more chances.
That might be why Mateo Joseph is eyeing up the exit door this summer, with a new report from French outlet L’Equipe stating that Liam Rosenior’s RC Strasbourg are keen on adding the raw Spaniard to their camp if he does fancy an exit route out of England.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has also weighed in on the speculation surrounding Joseph by exclusively revealing he is considering his options and is now ready to bid farewell to the Whites, despite looking at home in a Leeds starting lineup on occasion, especially when he bagged this quickfire brace against Chelsea last year.
He also showed off his clinical edge in the Leeds first team last season when sparingly handed minutes by Farke, with a standout tally of three goals and three assists coming his way in league action, despite only being gifted 11 starts.
Much like Gray, this is undoubtedly an impressive season for an academy product who had only experienced youth football before this big leap under the ex-Norwich City boss.
But, with £10m bids reportedly coming Leeds’ way for Joseph’s services from the likes of La Liga outfit Real Betis, Leeds could soon cash in on another of their top youth players before they have fully blossomed.
These added funds might well boost Leeds if they are keen on adding in some star quality for the Premier League, yet in the long term, Joseph could go on to establish himself as a top attacker elsewhere in another regrettable Gray-style repeat.
Huge Aaronson upgrade: Leeds looking at signing £15m star on loan
Leeds United could now ditch Brenden Aaronson in favour of signing this loan star.
After crashing out of the Champions League on Wednesday night, it looked like Arsenal were set to end the week with a humbling at the hands of Liverpool at half-time on Sunday afternoon.
Fortunately, Mikel Arteta’s team talk seemed to do the trick, and his side came out, fought back to parity and ensured the travelling fans at least had something to celebrate.
While a fair few of the Gunners’ starters put in a good showing in the second 45, Gabriel Martinelli was the most impressive, and thanks to his goal and general centre-forward play, he was awarded the man of the match award.
However, even though the 23-year-old looked bright, his time in the starting lineup could be coming to an end, as recent reports have linked the club with another Premier League star who’d be a significant upgrade on the Brazilian.
Arsenal's winger search
Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other wide players who have been linked with moves to Arsenal this summer, such as Nico Williams and Rodrygo.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former is set to be available for just £48m thanks to a release clause in his contract, and, just like last year, has enjoyed a stellar campaign in which he’s scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 44 games.
Likewise, Rodrygo has been relatively effective for Real Madrid this season, scoring 13 goals and providing ten assists in 50 appearances, although with a reported price tag of £85m, he might be a little out of range if Andrea Berta and Co also plan to invest heavily in a striker.
Moreover, the Gunners might want a Premier League-proven winger to come in and bolster the team, which is where Antoine Semenyo comes in.
According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have maintained their interest in the Bournemouth star.
In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that due to growing problems in the North Londoners’ attack, their pursuit of the 25-year-old, who is valued at €50m – £42m – has now gained momentum.
While he might not be the big name some fans are after, Semenyo is a sensational footballer and one Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign, even if his arrival could spell trouble for Martinelli.
How Semenyo compares to Martinelli
Now, one of the really significant advantages of signing Semenyo is that, thanks to him being so strong with both feet, he’s able to play in a multitude of positions on both sides of the pitch.
However, while this would certainly allow Arteta to rest Bukayo Saka more often, there is no way that the Bournemouth star would replace the Englishman on the right on a permanent basis.
Therefore, to get regular game time, the Ghanaian international would have to start on the left, putting him in direct competition with Martinelli, but how do the pair stack up against one another?
Well, when it comes to the most important metric of all, raw output, it’s the Cherries ace who comes out ahead.
For example, in 40 appearances this season, totalling 3382 minutes, he’s scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 187.88 minutes.
AFC Bournemouth's AntoineSemenyolooks on
In contrast, the former Ituano gem has scored ten goals and provided six assists in 49 appearances, totalling 3403 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.06 games or every 212.68 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Gunners’ ace, the one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.
Semenyo vs Martinelli
Statistics
Semenyo
Martinelli
Non-Penalty G+As
0.43
0.40
Progressive Passes
3.18
1.88
Progressive Carries
4.08
4.71
Shots
3.60
2.07
Shots on Target
1.15
0.93
Passing Accuracy
73.1%
71.0%
Shot-Creating Actions
3.78
2.82
Goal-Creating Actions
0.39
0.23
Tackles Won
0.99
0.53
Successful Take-Ons
1.99
1.53
Ball Recoveries
4.52
3.15
Aerial Duels Won
1.85
0.65
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season
For example, in almost every relevant metric, the “unplayable” 25-year-old, as dubbed by journalist Ed Aarons, comes out top; metrics such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, passing accuracy, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, aerial duels won, tackles won and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while Martinelli could certainly still be an incredibly valuable squad player next season, it’s evident that Semenyo is the superior winger in practically every way. Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him this summer.
Shades of Aubameyang: Arsenal lead race to sign "mind-blowing" goal machine
The prolific marksman could be the difference-maker for Arsenal next season.
Manchester City are eyeing a £30 million-plus move for a former Real Madrid defender this summer, as Pep Guardiola looks to shore up his side’s shaky backline, according to a new report.
City eyeing Champions League qualification
After a poor start to the campaign, City have shown signs of resurgence in recent months. While they’re still not quite at the level that brought them sustained domestic dominance in recent years, Pep Guardiola’s side are now firmly back in the hunt for Champions League qualification — a prospect that seemed highly unlikely just a few months ago.
Speaking to the club’s official website, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan recently addressed the importance of securing a top-four finish, calling it a “responsibility” to ensure City remain among Europe’s elite despite an underwhelming season.
“Our team is made and built to be more than this — it’s built to be a contender for the title every single year.For various reasons, we haven’t been at our best for a long period of the season. We are where we are right now, and we need to accept the situation.
“There are minimum targets that have to be achieved at this club, and that’s definitely qualifying for the Champions League next season. We have to do it – it’s our responsibility.”
City eyeing move for Lazio defender Mario Gila
One of Manchester City’s most pressing issues this season has been their defensive frailty. In the Premier League, Guardiola’s side have already conceded more goals than in any previous campaign under the Spaniard — and the most since the 2009/10 season, when Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini led the team to a fifth-place finish.
Not just De Bruyne: Pep's 5/10 star could now be finished at Man City
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Guardiola attempted to bolster his defensive options in January, bringing in centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens and highly rated teenager Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. However, Khusanov has struggled to impress since his arrival, and reports suggest he could already be sent out on loan this summer. As for Reis, the 19-year-old is seen more as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate solution to City’s defensive issues.
According to CaughtOffside, City are now eyeing Lazio centre-back Mario Gila as a key target for the upcoming transfer window. Pep is reportedly a fan of the 24-year-old’s “composure, passing ability and understanding of defence”.
The report adds that Lazio are open to selling the former Real Madrid defender for a fee in the region of £34–39 million. However, City will face stiff competition for his signature, with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid themselves all monitoring the situation closely.
Gila has been one of Lazio’s key players this season, starting 26 of the club’s 28 Serie A games, winning an impressive 33 tackles and making 118 recoveries.
Puja Pujara talks about how she came to write a book chronicling the career of her famous husband, the former India No. 3
S Sudarshanan26-May-2025A lot happens in a cricketer’s life. The binaries of wins and losses aside, there are various other ups and downs. For a cricketer’s family, they experience these vicariously when they hear from or watch and read about their loved one.Cheteshwar Pujara’s family might have been less aware of the ins and outs of his career than other cricketers’ families. Pujara, by his own admission, is a private person. Sharing his thoughts didn’t come naturally to him, and indeed, he did not want to put second-hand pressure on his family by telling them about the trials and stresses in his life. But he worked on opening up over the years and got better at it.His wife, Puja, did not follow cricket or know who Pujara was before marrying him. Coming to the sport afresh, she wanted to know more about it and took a deep interest in his career. Over time, she learnt more about the game and its various aspects. Inspired by Andre Agassi’s book, , she began journalling her experience as the wife of an India cricketer.An MBA graduate, Puja quit her corporate job, which she loved, after her wedding. When the couple’s first daughter was three, she wanted to get back to work, but decided that as Pujara’s manager, she didn’t have the time to give to a full-time job. On the other hand, accompanying him on long cricket tours would leave her with not a lot to do. Over the years, she had made notes about conversations with the Pujara family. Her father-in-law, Arvind, would describe their struggles from years gone by, talk about the challenges the family went through so Pujara could play cricket, and describe the bond Pujara shared with his mother. Puja would listen keenly, and thanks to her sharp memory, write it all down in her diary later.In 2021, Pujara suggested she collate her notes into a book. That had been Puja’s motive for keeping a journal, which she had not spoken of before – the hope that it might turn into a book someday. That book has now been published: is an unusual memoir, Puja’s account of the bumpy ride the family of a cricketer goes through. It belongs in a sparsely populated genre, of which the best known are perhaps the tour books of Frances Edmonds, wife of former England spinner Phil Edmonds, though those were more by way of humorous travelogues and therefore different in nature and tone from Puja’s book.”I had to be very prepared before suggesting [she] write the book,” Pujara says. “I was a little uncomfortable at times about what people would think about what I was doing or what my thought process was. But I told her I don’t mind [the book] because this is the truth and you have seen my journey.”On watching Pujara fend off body blows in Australia in 2021: “I don’t know if I have it in me to relive it again”•AFPPuja agrees. “I told him I am not going to portray you as a saint. You are a good human being, but the book won’t be just glorifying everything. There will be the hard parts and vulnerabilities. You have an inspiring journey, and I want someone to take inspiration.”I think most [cricketers’] partners would relate to what I’m saying – that you are riding the same highs and the same lows. And while it is easy to say, it is a whole new thing when you are actually experiencing it.”Puja had to get used to being a public figure after their marriage, and become aware that she needed to be careful of her image too, for the effects it might have on her husband’s. Even if she didn’t end up enhancing Pujara’s image, she did not want to damage it.It is relatively easy for a sportsperson to be in the public eye when things are going well. Pujara was in good form around the time of their courtship and marriage. The challenge came when the going got tough. When he was dropped for the Sydney Test in 2015, it was heartbreak for Puja, she says. She felt it like a personal loss and like the world had turned upside down. She was in Australia for the tour and did not want to go to the SCG to watch the match.That experience taught her the value of detachment – that as a family member, she needed to offer her husband support rather than having her own emotional reaction to the incident add to his distress. “I had to gather courage, swallow that news and be there for him in whatever way he needed,” she says. “While it is very disheartening, you have to understand that only 11 players can play. That somebody else’s family is happy that the other person is getting to play. It took time for me to mature… We realised over time that [being dropped] is fine, but I wouldn’t take away any disappointment I had at that point in time.”Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was not Pujara who broke the news of his omission in Sydney to Puja. He found it tough to give his family updates of that sort. He dealt with failures in his own way; instead of opening up, he would withdraw, trying to “protect the family” from disappointment.”He wouldn’t realise that he’s going through something,” Puja says. “I had to tell him, ‘Boss, I think you need to take a step back and just pause for a second. I feel you are not on your A game mentally. Let’s talk about it.’ In a country like India, things like mental health weren’t addressed until recently. You’re so used to the hardships and the difficult times that you don’t realise sometimes [that] you may need to seek help.”Stand by me: from not being a cricket fan before marriage, Puja went on to become her husband’s manager•BCCIPujara credits his wife with helping him deal with failures better. She helped him stick to his cricket routine when he didn’t want to, during a low phase. His county stint with Yorkshire between 2015 and 2018 also enabled him to open up. The mental conditioning coach at the club helped him be less hard on himself, making Pujara realise that scoring a fifty was an achievement too, not just a hundred. “That was the first time I realised that I need to switch off from the game, divert my mind and talk about my failures also,” Pujara says. “When you succeed, you know what you have done has worked for you. But when you fail, it isn’t always about the technique; it could be a very small thing – like, you are not resting well or not sleeping well.”While Puja could help her husband out with his mental battles, the blows inflicted by bowlers on the field were his alone to deal with. During the Brisbane Test in 2021, Pujara stood like an immovable force in the middle, staving off a bowling attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. He repeatedly took blows to his body – elbow, thigh, neck, finger – and on the helmet grille, while scoring a crucial second-innings fifty. As a fan or a viewer, those hits added to the narrative of the Test match. Not for the wife, though.”It was just a nightmare,” Puja says. “Watching it, I had a gush of many emotions all at once. I was worried and got in touch with the physio and team manager. I messaged so many people, because some of [the blows] were closer to the head and that was very scary. I don’t know if I have it in me to relive it again,” she laughs.When Pujara picked up his phone after the match, he saw a flood of text messages from her. “I am fine,” he wrote back. They spoke briefly and he rushed back to join the team celebrations for India’s second successive Test series win in Australia. “I was in pain, but it was a sweet pain because the Indian team had won the game and the series,” he says.A year and four series after his Gabba knock, Pujara was dropped again from the Indian Test side. He was recalled six months later and played eight more matches, the World Test Championship final in June 2023 being the last.Puja suggested a while ago that he look at life beyond playing cricket, and take up coaching or broadcasting, but he wasn’t on board then. Slowly his reluctance gave way and he took up some media work. He has been an expert on ESPNcricinfo’s match-analysis shows, which, he says, has enabled him to explore another side of the game and understand his own game better in retrospect.Pujara is 37. It has been close to two years since he last played for India, but he is not thinking about retirement just yet. The fire in him still burns. He enjoys the grind of preparing for a match, and the routines that help him stay hungry.Irrespective of what happens in his journey from here on, Pujara will know he has a pillar of support alongside him. The one who told his story to the world as she watched and lived it off the field.