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The mood around Arsenal at the moment could be described as jubilant.

Mikel Arteta’s side have looked impressive out in Singapore and Hong Kong, and on top of that, Andrea Berta has been hard at work securing signings.

As things stand, the most significant is undoubtedly Viktor Gyokeres, who finally completed his £63.5m move from Sporting CP last season, and, with his tally of 54 goals in 52 games last season, could be the missing piece in the Gunners’ attack.

However, with over a month left of the transfer window, there is plenty of time for the club to get some more attacking talent in the side, and while Eberechi Eze has been a name on a lot of fans’ wishlists, the North Londoners might be wise to go for another player entirely.

Arsenal's pursuit of Eze

Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Eze long before this summer, with several reports doing the rounds around this time last year.

Transfer Focus

However, it would be fair to say that the club’s interest in the player they released as a youngster has been far more significant this time around, with some reports going as far as to claim that he’s desperate to join his old side.

It’s not hard to see why the Gunners would be so keen to sign the Crystal Palace superstar, as he was nothing short of magnificent for the Eagles last season.

In 43 games, totalling 3303 minutes, the England international scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists, which means he averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes.

Moreover, he spearheaded their FA Cup triumph, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final and final as he led the South Londoners to their first major trophy ever.

However, while there is plenty to like about the 27-year-old, it is being reported that Palace want whoever signs him to pay his £67.5m release clause and that the first payment has to be a whopping £30m.

So, it might instead be wise for Arsenal to look at another player they’ve been linked with this summer: Xavi Simons.

Arsenal could sign Simons instead

Yes, he might not be as familiar to Premier League fans, but the player Arsenal could turn to in place of Eze this summer is Simons.

Now, the RB Leipzig ace is currently close to joining Chelsea, if reports are to be believed, but hijacking a transfer is nothing new in football, and given where the Gunners are in their project, we see no reason why they couldn’t get their man, especially since they were previously quite heavily linked with him.

Moreover, with reports claiming that the upper valuation of the Dutchman is around £56m, he’d also represent a potentially cheaper option for the North Londoners.

With that said, why would the former PSV Eindhoven ace make a great alternative, or even a better signing than the Englishman?

Well, firstly, his output in the league last season, which is every player’s bread and butter, was even better, as in just 25 appearances, totalling 2763 minutes, the dynamic “superstar,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored ten goals and provided seven assists.

That comes out to an outrageously impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.47 games, or one every 86.28 minutes.

In contrast, the Eagles ace managed to score eight goals and provide eight assists in 34 Premier League appearances, totalling 2603 minutes, which comes out to a still good but comparatively less impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.12 games, or every 162.68 minutes.

Appearances

25

34

Minutes

2763′

2603′

Goals

10

8

Assists

7

8

Goal Involvements per Match

0.68

0.47

Minutes per Goal Involvement

86.28′

162.68′

Away from their output, then, and another advantage the Amsterdam-born phenom has over the former QPR star is that he’s even more versatile.

For example, while he’s incredible in attacking midfield, so much so, in fact, that one analyst has dubbed him “one of the best 10s in the world,” he can also play on the left, like Eze, but also off the right and even at times up top, which is a level of flexability that would give Arteta so many tactical options.

Finally, and this is an important factor, the former Paris Saint-Germain prospect is five years younger than the Greenwich-born international, and based on research carried out by The Athletic, is still four years off his peak, whereas the former Hale Ender is technically one year past his.

Ultimately, both Eze and Simons are incredible players, but from his performances in the league to his positional versatility and age, there are several reasons the latter would be a better signing for Arsenal than the former.

Arsenal eye "fascinating" Eze alternative with £22.5m release clause

The Gunners are after another number 10.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 30, 2025

Celtic’s generally positive results in pre-season continue.

On Wednesday night, Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Primeira Liga champions Sporting CP 2-0 at Estádio Algarve, with Reo Hatate breaking the deadlock from the penalty spot, before substitute Luke McCowan came off the bench to secure victory.

That makes it three wins out of four in pre-season, after the Hoops enjoyed victories over both Queen’s Park and then Cork City, the sole blot on their copybook so far a 3-2 defeat to Estrela da Amadora last weekend, albeit that was played behind-closed-doors.

Now, ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle United at Parkhead, the 10,000 Geordies who are making the 139-mile journey north to Glasgow will ensure there is a great atmosphere at that one, but will Celtic have made an exciting new signing by then?

Celtic seeking to add attacking talent

Following the aforementioned mid-week victory over Sporting, Rodgers confirmed that adding attacking reinforcements to his squad is the priority in this window, stating “we’ve lost a lot of goals, so we need to replace that”.

This comes after Nicolas Kühn joined Como for a reported fee of £16.5m earlier this month, while the Celts are also still searching for a Kyōgo Furuhashi replacement, after he was sold in January.

While the Hoops have already snapped up Swedish talent, Benjamin Nygren, they are now set to complete the signing of striker Shin Yamada for £1.2m, as noted by Graeme Young of the Daily Record,

The 25-year-old, who helped Japan win the EAFF E-1 Football Championship earlier this week, said goodbye to supporters of his current club Kawasaki Frontale, with the Sky Blue and Black confirming he will now finalise a move to a ‘foreign club’.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

So, will he prove to be Celtic’s next Japanese sensation?

How Shin Yamada will improve Celtic

Upon his arrival, following the prior capture of Nygren, Yamada will become the ninth Japanese player in Celtic’s history.

Celtic’s Japanese players

Players

Celtic career

Celtic appearances

Shunsuke Nakamura

2005-09

159

Kōki Mizuno

2008-09

12

Tomoki Iwata

2022-24

42

Yūki Kobayashi

2023

7

Yosuke Ideguchi

2022

6

Kyōgo Furuhashi

2021-2025

165

Reo Hatate

2022-present

142

Daizen Maeda

2022-present

158

All information courtesy of Transfermarkt

As the table outlines, he will be following in the footsteps of a few modern-day Celtic greats, linking up with new teammates Hatate and Daizen Maeda.

Yamada began his senior football career at college side Toin University of Yokohama, before moving to J League side Kawasaki Frontale three years ago, bagging 32 goals in 121 appearances for the club, most notably helping them reach a first-ever AFC Champions League Final back in April.

Data scientist Ryo Nakagawara labels Yamada a “fantastic” talent, as well as describing him as a ‘natural finisher’, praising his ‘excellent movement’ and ‘quick acceleration’, assertions that are supported by his statistics in the J League last season.

Shin Yamada 2024 J League statistics

Statistics

Yamada

J League rank

Goals

19

3rd

Goals per 90

0.85

1st

Goals + assists per 90

0.98

1st

Shots

80

12th

Shots on target

37

5th

Shots on target %

46.3%

10th

Big chances missed

14

8th

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore

As outlined, Yamada was prolific in the J League last season, made all the more impressive by the fact that his team finished eighth, closer to relegation than champions Vissel Kōbe.

Meantime, according to Global Football Rankings, the J League is the 23rd strongest division in the world, a whopping 20 places above the Scottish Premiership.

Now though, the question remains, will he be a better starting centre-forward option than the current occupant of this position, Adam Idah?

The Republic of Ireland international’s performance against Sporting on Wednesday night was widely criticised, with Rodgers himself stating that the striker “needs to come alive”, calling for him to “have authority in the box”, intimating he is open to an alternative solution.

Shin Yamada vs Adam Idah comparison

Statistics

Yamada 2024

Idah 24/25

Minutes

2,012

2,168

Goals

19

16

Assists

3

0

Shots

80

88

Shots on target %

46.3%

48.9%

Big chances missed

14

19

Big chances created

6

6

Average Sofascore rating

7.06

6.93

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table outlines, during the timeframes included, Yamada comes out on top for the majority of metrics.

The Japanese striker scored more goals, registered more assists and missed fewer big chances than the Irishman, while doing so for a side who are exponentially less dominant relative to their competition.

Thus, if Idah continues to flatter to deceive, all available evidence suggests the incoming Yamada deserves the opportunity to stake a claim for the starting nine number spot.

Related Celtic open talks to sign "outstanding" £15m striker, he's open to the move

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Posts ByDominic Lund Jul 16, 2025

Liverpool are “clearly ahead” of rivals Chelsea in the race to sign a “magnificent” player in the summer transfer window.

Kerkez to join Liverpool this week

The Reds have now officially signed Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a British-record £116m move, in a piece of business that has made the rest of Europe sit up and take notice.

There is unlikely to be a bigger signing made this summer, with Wirtz considered one of the world’s top attacking players, but Liverpool are not expected to be done there, still planning on adding fresh faces to the squad.

It looks as though Milos Kerkez will be the next name through the door at Anfield in the coming days, with journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming over the weekend that a minor issue has been ironed out and that he could be unveiled as soon as Tuesday.

David Ornstein of The Athletic has gone one better, however, saying that a medical is now expected to be done on Monday after flying into the UK, with the deal set to be worth £40m for the Bournemouth left-back.

Liverpool leading race to sign "magnificent" ace

Now, reliable Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri [via Sport Witness] has said that Liverpool are “clearly ahead” of Chelsea and others in the battle to sign Lyon winger Malick Fofana this summer.

He states that the Reds’ head of recruitment, Barry Hunter, admires the 20-year-old and has him at the top of his list of summer targets. The Premier League champions will need to sell Federico Chiesa first, though, and Fofana could possibly cost as much as £60m.

Fofana could be a brilliant long-term signing for Liverpool, with scout Jacek Kulig describing him as a “magnificent” prospect last year.

At just 20 years of age, the young Belgian has already bagged 22 goal contributions (15 goals and seven assists) in 62 appearances for Lyon, also winning one cap for Belgium at senior level, and those numbers should only improve as he matures as a player.

Predominantly a left-sided attacking player, it seems slightly strange that Liverpool would push so hard for Fofana, though, especially as Chiesa is right-sided in general.

Better than Guehi: Liverpool eyeing one of the best young CBs "in Europe"

Liverpool are looking to bolster their backline with Marc Guehi touted.

By
Matt Dawson

Jun 22, 2025

Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo appear to be staying put, so it would arguably only make sense for the Reds to sign the Lyon ace if one of them moves on, or if Arne Slot sees him as a backup option to Mohamed Salah on the right. But his talent is undeniable, so the idea of him in a Liverpool shirt is exciting.

Michael Jones has given an indication of Scotland’s relaxed state of mind as they prepare for their crucial Group B showdown in Antigua on Sunday, as he welcomed Josh Hazlewood’s suggestion that Australia might go easy on his team in a bid to engineer an early elimination for their arch-rivals England.Speaking after Australia’s emphatic victory over Namibia on Tuesday – a result that secured their progression to the Super Eights – Hazlewood had indicated that his team might be willing to “drag it out” if they got into a winning position against Scotland, in order to preserve their opponents’ net run-rate – albeit such a tactic could run the risk of a suspension for their captain, Mitchell Marsh, if Australia were deemed to have contravened Article 2.11 of the ICC’s code of conduct.Matthew Mott, England’s coach, subsequently dismissed Hazlewood’s suggestion as an example of his “very good sense of humour”, and Jones also saw the funny side of the remarks, as he joked he’d like to see David Warner open the bowling at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Sunday.”I was watching it live actually, laughing to myself,” Jones told the Press Association, adding that he had also enjoyed the view of Tim Paine, Australia’s former Test captain, who told ESPNcricinfo’s Around The Wicket show that Australia’s players should “go on holiday … and England can pack their bags”.”I watched that interview and I watched Tim Paine when he was saying they should field half a side. I’m not particularly close to them, I don’t know any of the Australian players, but it would be good if we could have a little word and sort something out.”The rivalry between England and Australia is massive. If they want to play that way then happy days. We won’t be complaining. If they want to let David Warner open the bowling or something like that it would be pretty funny.”More realistically, however, Jones is braced for the full Australia experience when the two teams meet on Sunday, and after two impressive victories over Oman and Namibia, to go alongside a spirited display in the washout against England, he admitted he and his team-mates were relishing the prospect of testing themselves against one of the best sides in the tournament.Related

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“At the end of the day our team wants the best result we can get, but on a personal level you want to challenge yourself against the best,” he said.”To have the opportunity to bat against Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, then Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, that’s the best in the world. Those are the opportunities we crave as Scotland teams. You want to challenge yourself and see how far you go against those guys.”The Australians are renowned for being extremely diligent and extremely professional. I’m absolutely certain they will come out all guns blazing like they do for every game at every tournament.”I almost hope they do go full strength on Saturday and we can show the cricket world we’re up to the challenge. I’m absolutely certain they will come out all guns blazing like they do for every game at every tournament.”

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.

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.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 12, 2025

In 2006, it was all about Thierry Henry. Arsenal became the first English team to defeat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, capping off a remarkable win. The score on that occasion was 1-0.

19 years later, it was Declan Rice who was the hero. The score this time around? 3-0.

This great football club have had some incredible moments down the years but this was perhaps their finest night on the European stage. The Gunners had swept aside Real. The great Real Madrid, 15-time winners of the Champions League.

The tie may only be at the halfway stage and this is the inevitable Madrid, but Arsenal should savour this moment.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

Arteta will get his flowers, as will the defence for shutting down the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, but this magical night was all courtesy of Rice.

How Arsenal downed Real Madrid on a magical night

Before the game had kicked off Arteta issued a rallying call to the supporters. Turn up early and get the stadium rocking. It certainly was. The atmosphere was incredible.

While it inevitably quietened midway through the first half, there were moments that certainly got fans off their seats.

They largely came from Bukayo Saka. Wrapped in cotton wool since his return to action after a hamstring injury, the winger was saved for this occasion and truly delivered.

He may not have scored, he may not have assisted a goal but in the words of Amazon Prime pundit, Daniel Sturridge, it was a night in which he “proved” he could play for Madrid.

In the first half, everything positive Arsenal did came through their number seven. Twice he drove to the byline, and twice his cross evaded those in red. Arsenal fans were crying out for a striker once again.

Come full time, they certainly weren’t. Step forward Rice and makeshift centre forward Merino.

Rice’s night, UEFA Conference League victory aside, was probably the finest of his career. He has played over 390 games in his career but had never found the net via a direct free-kick. That was until tonight. They arrived like London buses too, scoring twice in the space of 13 minutes.

The first was delightfully curled around the wall and the second was out of this world. It was perfect. The £105m signing proved exactly why so much money was paid out for his services in 2023, crunching the ball into the far left corner. Cue bedlam.

Then, when Merino added a third from the edge of the box, Arsenal fans could scarcely believe what had just happened.

To a man, everyone in red and white was outstanding. It wasn’t just Rice and Saka who stole the headlines.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Arsenal’s future £100m hero stars against Madrid

There have been some landmark performances from Arsenal players in Europe.

This one from Rice was right up there. There was that famous night in Madrid itself. Henry the hero. Think Arshavin against Barcelona, Fabregas in the San Siro.

There was also Wilshere’s coming-of-age display against Barca at the Emirates. Well, if he hadn’t already come of age, Myles Lewis-Skelly did on Tuesday evening, putting in an elite performance on the biggest of stages, evoking memories of a teenage Wilshere in the process.

The youngster may not have scored but he did play a vital role, notably popping up with the assist for Merino’s goal and dominating one of European football’s grandest of teams.

The Englishman – adopting his usual inverted left-back role – was phenomenal, barely giving Rodrygo a sniff on the Brazilian’s flank.

In the words of the Athletic’s Aaron Catterson-Reid, he proved he is a “£100m footballer” with it “absolutely bonkers” the level of physicality he shows for an 18-year-old. Quite.

The teenager won four of his seven duels and came out the victor on several occasions. Not only did he dominate Rodrygo but Jude Bellingham was also left rattled by his England colleague after being dispossessed by him late in the game.

As scout Jacek Kulig put it, this was another “special” performance from a boy who is only going from strength to strength, completing 95% of his passes and managing two key passes. He also only lost the ball seven times from 74 touches. Incredible numbers.

Minutes played

90

Touches

74

Accurate passes

54/57 (95%)

Key passes

2

Clearances

1

Blocked shots

1

Tackles

2

Duels won

4/7

Possession lost

7

Successful dribbles

1/1

He has had his critics, notably when it comes to his ill-discipline but there is no doubting the elegance, the swagger and the confidence he plays the game.

This was an occasion where it would have been very easy to get overawed but perhaps the biggest compliment we can pay to Lewis-Skelly is that he made it look like he was simply having a kickabout with his mates.

Rice and Co stole the show but his Three Lions teammate, one of his new best friends, deserves equal amounts of praise. This most remarkable of breakthrough seasons is only getting better for him.

Their new Mesut Ozil: Arsenal preparing bid for "generational" £30m star

The incredible prospect could be something truly special at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 8, 2025

Jen Pawol officially made history on Saturday when she became the first female to umpire a regular season game in Major League Baseball.

Pawol was one of the field umpires for Saturday's contest between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. She will work both games of Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's series finale as well, when she will serve as the home plate umpire.

Pawol's ascent to this historic day began in February of 2024, when she became the third woman to ever umpire a spring training game. A year-and-a-half later, she gets an opportunity in a regular season contest.

The spring training game came one year after she became the first woman to umpire at the Triple-A level in 34 years in 2023.

The 48-year-old Pawol played collegiate softball at Hofstra and was a member of the 2001 U.S. women's national team that won the first Baseball Women's World Series.

Liverpool are now reportedly ready to accept a cut-price offer for one of their star men on one important condition in the January transfer window.

Salah accuses Liverpool of throwing him "under the bus"

To say it was a bad Saturday evening for Liverpool would be an understatement. Life was good at 2-0 up. The champions were in control. Cruising, in fact, before Ibrahima Konate’s needless challenge allowed Leeds United the climb back into the game before both sides battled out a dramatic 3-3 draw.

But the worst was yet to come. Mohamed Salah didn’t get on the pitch yet again, but he did get behind the mic after the game to unleash an explosive rant against Arne Slot and Liverpool.

Related "Annoying" Liverpool star showed why FSG have to sign Semenyo

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair 5 days ago

The Egyptian said: “That I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes! The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed to be fair. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season.

“Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.

“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games so I can’t say they keep the promise. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.”

It’s a new low point in Liverpool’s shocking title defence and where they even go from here is anyone’s guess. It is, however, time to get ruthless it seems, with reports now suggesting that those at Anfield are ready to sell Konate following his disastrous form.

Liverpool ready to accept Konate offer

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are now ready to accept a £15m offer to sell Konate in January if they manage to find a replacement. The Frenchman has played himself out of a Real Madrid move this season, but is still on course to become a free agent when his contract expires in the summer.

After he gave away a penalty to allow Leeds back into Saturday’s game, Slot admitted that Konate has been at the scene of the crime too often this season.

A player who Virgil van Dijk dubbed “fantastic” last year, Konate has now become Liverpool’s biggest liability. With just over six months remaining on his current deal, it remains to be seen whether he puts pen to paper on fresh terms.

Liverpool hold talks to sign Semenyo upgrade who will be a "£100m +" player

Clayton Kershaw is calling it a career after 18 seasons with the Dodgers. The three-time Cy Young winner announced his retirement from baseball on Thursday, and he will make his final regular season start on Friday, Sept. 19 against the Giants at home.

Kershaw held a pregame press conference on Thursday to address his fans and the media. He was understandably emotional when speaking about his future, even though he said he's "at peace" with his decision.

“I’m gonna call it. I’m gonna gonna retire. I’m at peace with it. I think it’s the right time," Kershaw said. "I’m really not sad, I’m really not. I’m really at peace with this. It’s just emotional."

The 11-time All-Star had to wipe away some tears when he was asked what his time on the Dodgers has meant to him.

"Hold on, I can answer that, just give me a minute," Kershaw said while holding back tears. "I think we all play this game for the respect of our teammates, so having these guys here is pretty special."

Kershaw's retirement isn't a total surprise as he is 37 years old and is in his 18th season. He signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers, the only club he's ever known, back in February, and it was assumed that he signed the short-term deal for a chance to retire after the season.

Kershaw's 18th season has definitely been memorable. He made history by joining the elite 3,000 strikeout club, something only 20 pitchers in total have done. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred named Kershaw a "Legend Pick" at this year's All-Star Game, too. Through 20 appearances before his final start on Friday, Kershaw posted a 3.53 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 40 earned runs on him over 102 innings pitched.

Richard Thompson insists 100-ball format will not change before end of current rights cycle

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025

Richard Thompson, ECB chairman, insists the 100-ball format will remain for 2026•AFP/Getty Images

The tight turnaround between England’s international and the Hundred is a “short-term issue” which ECB chairman Richard Thompson has pledged will be solved for the next TV rights cycle.England’s men played one day before the start and two days after the end of the Hundred this year, leaving all-format players short on relevant preparation for the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. The same scenario will play out in 2026, with the Hundred expected to start two days after an ODI series against India and three days before the first Test against Pakistan.New investors in the Hundred will expect their England players to be available throughout the tournament. Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton and Ollie Pope missed London Spirit’s first game of this season, the day after the fifth Test at The Oval, which their incoming co-owner Nikesh Arora described as “disappointing” while calling for “better planning” by the ECB.Thompson acknowledged that the schedule is too crammed, speaking in his capacity as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society during England’s third ODI against South Africa on Sunday. “There are no easy answers, but the reality is we can’t have our cake and eat it,” Thompson told Sky Sports.”We want England players to play. This is our premium white-ball competition and we want England players to play in it. What we have to do is find a way of ensuring the schedule before and after the tournament [is better]. Take this year: the gap was a day or two days… That can’t be right.Related

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“If we’re going to get this level of investment, we’ve got to commit to ensuring our England players are available. We don’t want that to be at the expense of the success of England. We need to find a balance, and ultimately we can look at the schedule and we can try and free up time.”We’ve done this deal in the middle of a rights schedule. Come ’28, when we then cut the next deal for the next four years, we can cut this in a different way. We might have a short-term issue here, but we can overcome that.”Ultimately, if a player feels they’re injured, they’re going to rest themselves. They won’t want to play on an injury. England is still everything here. But we are not prepared to accept that you can’t find a halfway house and work with the owners to ensure that the owner will get what they need, and England will get what it needs.”Thompson also said that the tournament’s format will not change from 100-balls-a-side to T20 during the current broadcast cycle, which runs to the end of the 2028 summer, and denied that the sale of stakes in the eight Hundred franchises equates to selling the month of August to private investors.”I can categorically tell you it’s 100 balls next year,” he said. “I don’t think anything will change in this rights cycle. Sky [the Hundred’s main broadcaster] have bought 100 [balls a side]. Sky are not going to want to change that. It’s up to the owners and the ECB to decide what that might be in the future.”This is not English cricket selling off the family silver. This is English cricket bringing in investors to enable us to have a tournament that could challenge the IPL.”