Scott Boland again enjoyed himself at the SCG but Ollie Davies rescued New South Wales on a day where Sam Konstas’ batting approach came under the spotlight.In fifth before the round started, NSW are in more desperate need of victory in a push for the final but were in danger of being well short of a competitive total when Boland reduced them to 124 for 6, having earlier won a brief duel with Konstas who fell for a frenetic 10 off 7 balls when he attempted to sweep Boland in just the third over.Related

• Konstas flays century but Hearne's ton the matchwinner

• 2.1 overs, 30 for 1: Konstas involved in wild Shield start

With Nic Maddinson taking 20 off the second over of the match from Fergus O’Neill, the scoreboard read a bizarre 30 for 1 after 13 deliveries. Early in the afternoon, Boland took two wickets in three balls as NSW threatened to fall away but a seventh-wicket stand of 102 between Davies and Chris Green carried them to what appeared a competitive 238 on a surface expected to get tougher for batting.The home side were then able to take four Victoria wickets before the close with Green’s late removal of an aggressive Harry Dixon, who was caught a slip, tilting the day their way.Yet the major talking point of the day came in first 10 minutes. Konstas reverse scooped his second ball from Boland for four and thumped another boundary straight of mid-off. Then, having watched Maddinson target the short boundary with consecutive sixes, Konstas attempted to sweep Boland and was bowled.It provided plenty of fuel to the debate about how Konstas should style his batting, but while his brazen approach against Jasprit Bumrah had some tactical nous to it this felt purely reckless.”I knew Maddo was going to go after Fergus O’Neill, just because he’s so good at controlling his length and nicking people off,” Davies told ESPNcricinfo. “Maddo said, I just want to put him under the pump and get him off his game a little bit.”So that was Maddo’s plan, and I’m not sure what Sammy was doing. I didn’t speak to him about his plan before [he went out], but if he thinks that’s the best way he’s going to score runs, then I’ll back him in 100%. He has shown it before, at Test level and Shield level, that he can score hundreds and big runs. So I’m still backing him in. I hope there’s a big score around the corner, hopefully second innings from here.”Sam Konstas was bowled sweeping against Scott Boland•Getty Images

Normality returned to proceedings following Konstas’ departure and at 70 for 1 NSW had a solid platform. However, Maddinson, who did not take another boundary off O’Neill after his early onslaught, pulled to deep square leg and the in-form Kurtis Patterson edged a flat-footed poke at Boland shortly before lunch.On resumption, Matthew Gilkes was lbw offering no shot at O’Neill before Boland’s double intervention at the ground where he claimed 10 in the match against India on his previous appearance. Josh Philippe looked less than impressed at being given caught down the leg side but there was no doubt about Will Sutherland’s edge to first slip.Davies, another batter not shy of bringing out his shots, played positively but sensibly to resurrect the innings alongside the stubborn Green. He struck 13 boundaries and also collected a six over fine leg, which was a little more top edge than middle, to take him to fifty from 62 balls.He was given a life on 61 when Tom Rogers missed a chance at first slip and was in sight of a first century for the season before edging a drive off Sutherland as NSW lost their last four wickets for 12.Both Edwards and Jackson Bird struck early with the new ball – Edwards producing an excellent delivery that clipped Campbell Kellaway’s off stump – and when Peter Handscomb fell to Hanno Jacobs, Victoria were wobbling on 25 for 3.Dixon, who made his first-class debut in previous round, counterattacked including taking 16 off Jacobs’ fourth over but he couldn’t quite make it to stumps leaving a huge amount resting on Marcus Harris who was unbeaten with 33.

سجل محمد حمدي، الظهير الأيسر لـ منتخب مصر، هدف الفراعنة الأول أمام غينيا بيساو، في المباراة المقامة حاليًا بينهما، ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع غينيا بيساو، في الجولة العاشرة والأخيرة من المجموعة الأولى لـ تصفيات كأس العالم 2026، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة منتخب مصر في تصفيات كأس العالم 

وأحرز محمد حمدي، هدف مصر الأول أمام غينيا بيساو، في الدقيقة العاشرة من عمر الشوط الأول للمباراة، برأسية من داخل منطقة الجزاء، بعدما قابل عرضية مرسلة من الجانب الأيسر بعد تنفيذ ركلة ركنية. هدف مصر الأول أمام غينيا بيساو.. محمد حمدي

ويتصدر منتخب مصر، ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 23 نقطة، وتأهل إلى المونديال رسميًا للمرة الرابعة في تاريخه، بعدما خاض 9 مواجهات، فاز في 7 وتعادل في مباراتين.

ويلعب منتخب مصر مباراة غينيا بيساو، كتحصيل حاصل، بعدما حسم التأهل الرسمي إلى نهائيات كأس العالم الذي يقام العام المقبل في أمريكا وكندا والمكسيك، عقب الفوز على جيبوتي في الجولة التاسعة بثلاثية نظيفة.

سجل منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا الهدف الثاني في شباك نظيره  الأرجنتين في المباراة الجارية بينهما الآن ضمن منافسات كأس العالم للشباب.  ويلتقي منتخب المغرب، مع نظيره الأرجنتين في نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للشباب تحت 20 عامًا المقامة في تشيلي.

طالع.. هيثم فاروق: المغرب يصنع التاريخ.. ومواجهة الأرجنتين قد تكون الأهم في تاريخ هذا الجيل

وسجل ياسر الزابيري الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 29 من عمر اللقاء بعد عرضية رائعة من زميله قابله بتسديدة قوية في الشباك

وجاء الهدف عن طريق نفس اللاعب، في الدقيقة 12 من عمر المباراة بعد الحصول على ركلة حرة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء.

وتأهل المغرب إلى نهائي بطولة كأس العالم للشباب، بعد الفوز على فرنسا بركلات الترجيح في دور نصف النهائي.

فيما تأهل منتخب الأرجنتين إلى النهائي بعد الفوز على كولومبيا بهدف دون رد في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات نصف النهائي. هدف منتخب المغرب الثاني أمام الأرجنتين

Despite scoring 221, the win didn’t come easy for RCB with Hardik and Tilak giving them a scare, but Krunal kept his calm

Sidharth Monga07-Apr-20256:24

The Patidar hand in RCB’s aggressive approach

In what is turning out to be a year of breaking jinxes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium for the first time in ten years after they did the same in the corresponding fixture against Chennai Super Kings for the first time in 17 years at the Chepauk stadium.Even though RCB scored 221, the win didn’t come without a massive scare from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, who added 89 in 34 balls from 99 for 4 in 12 overs. With 123 off eight overs reduced to 41 off the last three, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood and Krunal Pandya put on a defensive masterclass to deny MI.Related

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Rajat Patidar and Virat Kohli scored quick fifties before a finishing kick from Jitesh Sharma took them to 221 despite Jasprit Bumrah’s return and three excellent overs from Hardik. It was Kohli’s fastest T20 fifty since 2019, and his first in under 30 balls in the IPL since 2018. His intent allowed Patidar to get off to a watchful start before he took apart Hardik, who had stifled the other batters.By no means was the target beyond MI’s reach, but Hazlewood and Suyash Sharma bowled their first five overs for just 21 runs to leave MI with just a 2.25% chance of winning on the ESPNcricinfo forecaster at the end of the 12th over. Hardik’s sensational 42 off 15 and Tilak’s 29-ball 56 turned it into an even contest, but Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood nailed enough yorkers in the 18th and 19th overs to give Krunal 18 to defend in the last over. He consigned his brother’s team to a second straight defeat by 12 runs.Virat Kohli raced to a 29-ball fifty•BCCIKohli, Padikkal make light work after early wicketFor the 31st time in the IPL, Trent Boult struck in the first over of an innings, but Devdutt Padikkal hit his first ball for a four. The intent never stopped as RCB reached 73 after the powerplay. Kohli took 36 off 19, Padikkal 32 off 15. Kohli usually drops anchor but he took on the spinners with slog sweeps in the seventh and the ninth over to get to fifty in 29 balls.Hardik plays cat and mouseVignesh Puthur’s left-arm wristspin got the wicket of Padikkal for 37 off 22, but it was Hardik’s wide lines that suffocated RCB in the middle. Kohli still kept attempting big hits, allowing Patidar to be watchful for a start of 8 off 10.Patidar then managed to move across and take Hardik for runs and rearranged Mitchell Santner’s figures with 20 off his last over. It was here that Hardik’s wide lines brought him the wickets of Kohli and Liam Livingstone in the same over to make it 144 for 5 with 33 balls to go.2:26

Rayudu: ‘Patidar’s was a brilliant middle-order batting innings’

Patidar and Jitesh close out in styleTwo of the remaining five overs were going to be bowled by Bumrah, making his comeback from a back injury that has kept him out since the first week of January. So RCB needed to score heavily at the other end. Patidar did so off Hardik, taking 33 off 12 to ruin his figures to 4-0-45-2. Jitesh took 24 off eight off Boult to consign him to his costliest T20 analysis of 4-0-57-2. Bumrah went for only 14 in the 18th and 20th overs, but RCB believed they had done enough damage.Hazlewood, Suyash put RCB far aheadThat belief was only reinforced when Hazlewood’s impeccable lengths and Suyash’s unusual action troubled the MI top order. Hazlewood took Ryan Rickleton out thanks to an inspired DRS review from Jitesh before conceding just two in the final over of the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav was the one caught in the spotlight. He was 8 off 13 after this over and one from Suyash. To make matters for MI, Suryakumar was dropped twice as he and Will Jacks added just 41 in six overs. When they finally caught Suryakumar at the end of the 12th over, MI needed what would have been the second-highest successful target achieved in the last eight overs of an IPL match.Hardik Pandya bashed 42 off just 15 balls•Associated PressDramatic endTilak, who was retired out in MI’s last game, kept Hardik off strike for seven balls, but in these seven balls he took 17 off Suyash’s last over, much like Patidar took the last overs of Santner and Hardik for a plenty. When Hardik finally got strike, he hit the coldest and sweetest of boundaries to turn the game around in just seven balls. These seven balls featured two sixes and two fours off Hazlewood, and two sixes off brother Krunal.With Hardik 32 off 7, the ask was now 71 off 33. A bit of gamesmanship followed to try to break Hardik’s rhythm, but MI kept going strong. Bhuvneshwar started the next over well, but Tilak hit a six and a four to take 13 off it. Still, only a little over two a ball was required. Yash Dayal managed to escape with some slower balls, but again a late six kept MI in it.Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood now dealt almost exclusively in yorkers. When they missed even slightly, runs came: a Hardik four, a Naman Dhir six first ball and a Santner six off a low full toss from Hazlewood.Still, MI needed 19 off the last over, and Krunal denied Santner and Deepak Chahar just enough power for them to be caught on the boundary. Krunal’s 4-0-45-4 were his best IPL figures.

With a deal agreed to sign goalkeeper John Victor, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly leading the race to sign another South American star for Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nottingham Forest agree Victor deal

Espirito Santo requested a goalkeeper and it looks as though he’s set to get one in the form of Victor this week. According to Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian from Botafogo, who is set to get the Premier League move that he’s been after since West Ham United ditched their attempts to secure his signature.

Espirito Santo also requested full-back cover and has also seen that demand met by those at the City Ground, who have welcomed Nicolo Savona from Juventus.

Speaking for the first time since becoming the latest to arrive in the Midlands, the defender said: “I am very excited to be here. It is a new experience for me as a person and a player. It is such a historic club, and the move is a dream come true. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans at the City Ground, and I will give my all for the shirt.”

Medical booked: Nottingham Forest agree deal to sign "phenomenal" Brazilian

The Midlands club are closing in on another arrival.

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 30, 2025

Whether Victor and Savona are enough to satisfy Espirito Santo will be the big question. Talks between the Forest boss and Marinakis are reportedly scheduled this weekend in what should give those at the City Ground a strong indication of where Espirito Santo’s immediate future lies.

With the deadline fast-approaching, meanwhile, reports suggest that the Tricky Trees are targeting yet another South American star.

Nottingham Forest leading Cuiabano race

According to reports in Brazil, as relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are not leading the race to sign Cuiabano from Botafogo. Forest have, of course, already welcomed Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from the Brazilian club, whilst an agreement has also been reached for Victor. Now, they could sensationally sign a fourth player from the club.

Full of praise for all three potential Forest stars, analyst Ben Mattinson described Cuiabano as “powerful” and “pacy” when links first emerged that the Tricky Trees had him in their sights. Now, in a late move, they could finally get their man.

Like Savona, the Brazilian would also satisfy Espirito Santo’s demand for cover at full-back just as the window is coming to a close. At just 22 years old, there’s still plenty of room for improvement in the Midlands too, and European football should ensure that he receives the game time needed to enjoy that improvement.

Liverpool certainly weren’t at their free-flowing best away at Turf Moor on Sunday, but the Reds still remain at the top of the Premier League pile after a slim 1-0 win against Burnley.

In typical Mohamed Salah fashion, the much-loved Egyptian would end up being the difference-maker with a last-gasp penalty kick, with Scott Parker’s Clarets nearly hanging on for a 0-0 draw, which would have been a very impressive feat, as they played the last few minutes of the tense clash with just ten men.

However, it wasn’t to be for the relegation-threatened hosts, as Liverpool – once again – found a way to win, even as various hurdles tried to stop them in their tracks.

Indeed, there were several worrying underperformers lining up in the distinctive green strip in Lancashire, with the likes of Milos Kerkez now concerned for his starting spot in the Champions League this mid-week.

Liverpool's biggest underperformers against Burnley

It would feel strange not to start with Kerkez’s poor showing when judging the whole host of underperformers on the day, considering the former AFC Bournemouth defender would fall victim to Arne Slot’s wrath after just 38 minutes.

Indeed, after receiving an early yellow card for diving, the 21-year-old full-back found himself on shaky ground, winning zero duels before the Dutchman put him out of his misery.

Away from Kerkez’s early substitution dominating most of the conversation, Hugo Ekitike also struggled against a well-drilled Clarets defence, with the Frenchman frustratingly unable to add to his two-goal Premier League tally when reduced to just two efforts on the Burnley goal.

Moreover, Cody Gakpo also faded in and out of the contest, with the usually tricky winger only managing to register two accurate crosses all match long, away from also failing to test Martin Dubravka, as all five of his efforts weren’t on-target.

But, there is one attacker yet to be mentioned who could already be in grave danger of becoming Liverpool’s next Darwin Nunez, as more millions are potentially wasted.

5/10 Liverpool star could be Slot's next Nunez

While Ekitike might not have scored against the gritty hosts on Sunday, he has at least hit the ground running away from this attritional showdown, with two goals next to his name already from just four league clashes.

Unfortunately, when Darwin Nunez arrived in Merseyside back in 2022 for a whopping £64m, he couldn’t get to that tally in the same swift manner, with a goal on his Premier League debut against Fulham then being followed up by a barren run of form, leading to the Uruguayan bowing out from his first season at the club with a disappointing nine league strikes next to his name.

Thankfully, Nunez is no longer a concern for Liverpool fans to wrestle with, after he secured a summer move to the Middle East with Al-Hilal.

But, Slot could depressingly have his second iteration of the South American now in Florian Wirtz, with the £116m purchase letting his weighty price-tag get the better of him already so early into his playing days at Anfield.

Wirtz’s PL numbers for Liverpool

Stat

Wirtz

Minutes played

338 mins

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

60.5

Accurate passes

32.5 (79%)

Key passes

2.0

Big chances created

0

Stats by Sofascore

From 338 minutes of Premier League action to date, Wirtz is yet to break his duck for the Reds in terms of goals or assists, which is an unusual predicament for the German to find himself in.

After all, last season in Bundesliga action alone, the vibrant 22-year-old managed to collect an astounding 22 goals and assists from just 31 matches. His blistering form at the BayArena would even see him branded as “world-class” by journalist Zach Lowy.

Yet, against the Clarets, Wirtz also looked a shadow of his Leverkusen self, with zero shots on target registered and zero successful dribbles mustered up, away from also giving up the ball 21 times.

This will be really concerning to see for all those associated with Liverpool, as Nunez stung them in the same manner, having entered the English game off the back of a ridiculous 34-goal season at Benfica, to only then flounder under the weight of all his expectations.

His shoddy showing at Turf Moor would see Liverpool World’s Will Rooney hand out a sub-par 5/10 rating to him post-match, having stated that he just couldn’t impact proceedings in the manner he would’ve liked.

Not all hope will be lost so early on, but Wirtz will need to buck up his ideas fast, so as not to be considered as another expensive misfire down the line.

Related Arsenal now set to rival Liverpool for signing of £35m star who Rice loves

The Gunners are in the race for an “elite” player.

Posts ByDominic Lund Sep 14, 2025

Manchester City had the unenviable task this summer of replacing Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian left as a legend of the club and of the Premier League, having won the top flight six times, as well as the Champions League in City’s famous treble win of 2022/23.

Of course, when the Belgian was at the peak of his powers, he had the baton passed to him from David Silva. Another legend at the Etihad Stadium, Silva played 144 times with De Bruyne, before departing the club for his native Spain to return to La Liga.

Well, now City could be back in the market for a playmaking genius, who could certainly be seen as their new Silva.

The state of play at Manchester City

With days left of the summer transfer window, City could still plot a late move following their humbling 2-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Real Madrid star Rodrygo is one name constantly linked with a move to East Manchester.

Transfer Focus

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

However, he is not the only Los Blancos star who could move to City.

Remarkably, according to Caught Offside, Pep Guardiola’s side are said to be ‘keeping a close eye’ on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s situation at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The former Liverpool star only moved to the Spanish capital this summer, but after being dropped in favour of Dani Carvajal, questions about his future have already been raised.

That has led reports to suggest that the Citizens could launch a ‘sensational bid’ as early as January for a player valued at £65m, via Transfermarkt.

Why Alexnader-Arnold would be a good signing

It is fair to say that Alexander-Arnold would return to the Premier League with an incredible reputation. Manchester United legend Gary Neville once said he has the potential to become “the best right-back the world has ever produced”, and he certainly shone for Liverpool.

In 354 appearances for his boyhood club, the England international scored 23 goals and amassed an incredible tally of 92 assists, with passes such as this one back in 2023, a regular occurrence. He helped the Reds to two Premier League titles and the Champions League.

For a right-back to so regularly create chances to the level Alexander-Arnold did, you have to be a “maestro”, as Statman Dave once described him.

There were seven Premier League seasons where he played more than 20 games, and in four of them, he hit double figures for assists.

2018/19

29

12

2019/20

38

13

2020/21

36

7

2021/22

32

12

2022/23

37

10

2023/24

28

5

2024/25

33

7

City’s creative genius before De Bruyne was, of course, Silva. The Spaniard is City’s “greatest ever player” according to Jamie Carragher, and even has a statue outside of the Etihad Stadium paying homage to his genius.

The former Valencia midfielder pulled on that famous Blue shirt 436 times, scoring 77 goals and assisting 136 times on top of that. He was capable of operating all over the pitch in attacking areas, but did his best work as a number 10.

It is easy to see how Alexander-Arnold, who earned £180k per week at Anfield, could become City’s new Silva.

Firstly, this would be a signing from La Liga, and whilst he is more of a known quantity to Citizens fans than Silva may have been, creative signings from the Spanish top flight have tended to work well for them.

Both players have excellent creative numbers behind them, too. Alexander-Arnold’s record at Liverpool was sensational, and he already has two assists for Madrid. As for Silva, he had 39 assists to his name for Valencia before moving to City in 2010.

Of course, the key difference is the position, with the Los Blancos man playing at right-back rather than in midfield. Yet, there has been talk that he should move centrally, and he even began to invert into midfield under Jurgen Klopp, a role Carragher said was “almost perfect for him” back in 2023.

Whatever plans Guardiola hatches for Alexander-Arnold if he moves to City, he will look to get the best out of him creatively.

With the sort of influence he can have in the final third, his potential role in midfield and the fact he’d be moving from Spain, this really could be the second coming of Silva.

Man City exploring deal to sign Donnarumma alternative who's "like Alisson"

The Citizens have turned their focus towards a fresh option.

ByTom Cunningham Aug 22, 2025

Ruben Amorim said he could feel that his Manchester United players do not want him to get sacked after they beat Sunderland 2-0 to ease the pressure on the coach. Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko gave United a third win of the season and soothed the pain of last week's defeat at Brentford, which led to high profile figures such as Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney fiercely criticising Amorim.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Mount backs Amorim after win

  Amorim went into the match with a dismal record of 34 points from 33 matches but the victory over Sunderland took his side up to eighth in the Premier League table and level with Manchester City, albeit having played one game more than their local rivals.

  Mount put United in front in the eighth minute at Old Trafford and after the game he gave his boss a show of support when he told reporters: "We're 100% behind the gaffer. We've had some results that hurt us – the team, the staff and the fans – but that was important today."

  The midfielder hopes the victory can be the start of a strong run of results. He added: "It needs to be – we thought after Chelsea it would be the start of something and then we go to Brentford and have a disappointing result. It starts today and we'll be working hard over the break. We want to get back-to-back wins, then three in a row and push on for the top four."

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• AFP
  

  Amorim felt players backing on the pitch

  Amorim said that the players' resilient performance proved that they supported him and he was pleased with how the team stuck together even when their intensity levels dropped in the second half. "We didn’t play well during all the game but we had our moments but if you look at our performance, it was a team performance," he said. "There was focus, defending well, we were trying to kill the game in the second half. So I'm pleased with that and now we move forward to the next one."

  The coach was asked about Mount's backing and he said he knows that the players do not want to keep changing coaches. Amorim is the sixth permanent coach United have employed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The United boss also explained what he wants to see from his players every week.
  "I saw today and I know they want to do the best and I know they don’t want to change the coach all the time," he said. "But like I said during this week, to be with the manager is: 'I will kill myself to go in every transition'. We need to show with actions and sometimes when we look at our team I know for sure that when we see the games in the end they know that sometimes we can do better. So I feel that during the week but we need to show that on the pitch, not just at home but also away."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Lammens 'looked confident' in impressive United debut

  Amorim praised debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who made his first appearance since switching to the Red Devils from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day. "He looks confident in the first game but the important thing is the team-mates helped Senne to have a good game because everyone is focused, there were not a lot of mistakes against a team that was really comfortable playing football, so we did well as a group effort."

  He also explained why he had waited so long before giving the Belgian his first match while Altay Bayindir struggled. "When Senne arrived here, first of all Altay was playing and then he arrives and you can feel that he needs to adapt, new country, new training," he said.
  "The pressure you guys put on the goalkeeper is massive, so it was a little preparation for him to be ready to start his first game. But it is just one game and he needs to work, he needs to be prepared that in our club things are really hard, but he did well and again he was comfortable during the game. That's a really good sign."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Sesko scores again

  Amorim was also impressed with his £74m striker Benjamin Sesko, who scored his first goal at Old Trafford and for the second game running after also finding the net against Brentford.

  "He is here to score the goals, to give us a different type of profile inside the box, to use more crosses, he is going to improve the connection with this teammates," Amorim said of the Slovenian. "How many times did Senne kick the ball and he was there with the first touch? That is more important, especially in this league that we are thinking when there is a throw-in we have an extra guy who is big at the first post. 

  "All the characteristics of Ben, not just the goals, can help us to win games. We are happy with him, he puts a lot of pressure on himself that is not a bad thing but he has potential to do so much more."

It wasn’t just incomings that Liverpool were focused on this summer and one Reds star has now revealed he had the chance to leave the club.

Liverpool's transformative summer defined by clever selling

Liverpool have been accused of standing still when crowned Premier League champions in the past, almost settling for what they had earned. This time, such accusations would be incredibly far-fetched. Sat atop their throne after becoming champions last season, the Reds have enjoyed a transformative summer — spending over £400m and ruthlessly selling a number of stars to fund it.

In came Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz , Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong, and out went Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez , plus more. It was about as ruthless as it gets from Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, who have created a side capable of enjoying an era of dominance at Anfield, keeping Liverpool second in the net spend pile despite breaking the British transfer record twice.

A lot has been made of Liverpool’s spending and why they’ve suddenly spent more than ever, but one look at their summer sales will provide an emphatic answer. They’re one of the smartest clubs in European football and that was on show for all to see in the summer window.

Forget Leoni: Liverpool already have a Guehi upgrade in Slot's "monster"

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ByAngus Sinclair Sep 5, 2025

The Reds didn’t just sell for any offer that came in, either. They were tactical. The likes of Nunez and Diaz were seen as players that should be moved on, but only for the right price, with the club even happy to let Diaz run his contract down rather than sell too soon for too little. Hughes and Edwards simply waited for that price to come before cashing in.

What Diaz’s move allowed them to do was also keep hold of another star, who has now spoken about interest from Bayern Munich.

Gakpo admits Bayern interest was "difficult"

Whilst it was Diaz that moved on in the end, the story could have been very different. Cody Gakpo has admitted that Bayern Munich “did come” in for his signature, but he chose to stay put at Liverpool in a “difficult” saga.

It’s a decision that would have been a relief to Arne Slot too, given just how emphatically the Dutchman has started the current campaign.

For all of Liverpool’s standout business, keeping hold of Gakpo will prove to be of underrated importance, with the Netherlands star signing a new contract that will keep him in red until 2030.

The winger has scored once and assisted twice in just four Premier League games this season and will be looking to keep hold of his place following the arrival of Isak on deadline day.

Everton have approached the 2025/26 season with a clear strategy, blending summer acquisitions with tactical continuity.

The Toffees began the campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Elland Road but bounced back strongly with a 2-0 home win against Brighton, followed by a 3-2 victory at Molineux.

This start has provided early optimism for supporters, especially given the major changes in the squad over the summer.

David Moyes oversaw the departure of several key figures, including Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which opened opportunities for new arrivals.

The club welcomed a mixture of youth and experience, signing Thierno Barry from Villareal, Jack Grealish from Manchester City, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, and Tyler Dibling from Southampton.

Grealish, in particular, has made an immediate impact, registering four assists so far, demonstrating that Everton’s summer business could already be paying dividends.

Amid these high-profile arrivals, one player quietly making waves is Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye, whose early-season form has been vital for the Toffees’ attacking strategy.

Ndiaye’s start to the season

Ndiaye, 25, joined Everton in 2024 from Marseille and has quickly emerged as a versatile attacking threat.

Primarily deployed as a left-winger, Ndiaye is also capable of playing as a centre-forward or attacking midfielder.

Last season, he contributed nine goals in 33 Premier League appearances, demonstrating an impressive mix of goal-scoring and creative play.

This season, Ndiaye has continued that trend, scoring against Brighton at home and Wolves away.

In the match against Wolves, he recorded 51 touches, completed 22 of 33 passes (70% accuracy), and registered two key passes, as per Sofascore, contributing significantly to Everton’s attacking rhythm.

His 2024/25 metrics underline his all-round impact: nine goal involvements, 3.19 progressive carries per 90, 3.07 progressive passes per 90, and a pass completion rate of 81.8%, as per FBref.

Ndiaye also averaged 0.56 shots on target per 90 with a 42.9% shot-on-target accuracy, generated 2.41 shot-creating actions per 90, and completed 47.6% of take-ons successfully.

These statistics highlight Ndiaye’s dual role as both a goal-scoring outlet and a creative link in the midfield, a player capable of influencing matches in multiple ways.

His versatility is particularly valuable given the club’s summer signings, which have intensified competition for attacking positions.

Ndiaye’s ability to adapt to multiple roles will be critical as Everton seek to maintain consistency and compete effectively in the Premier League.

How Dwight McNeil's value compares to Ndiaye

While Ndiaye has made an encouraging start, the arrivals of Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, and Dibling inevitably impact other squad members, particularly Dwight McNeil.

McNeil, also 25, joined Everton from Burnley in 2022, while last season, he made 21 league appearances, scoring four goals and registering eight assists, highlighting his ability to contribute both offensively and creatively.

However, McNeil’s game time is likely to be restricted this season due to the new signings.

In the first three league fixtures, he has made only a single appearance, a significant reduction compared to his prior role under Sean Dyche, where he was pivotal in helping Everton maintain their Premier League status.

Despite this, journalist Joe Thomas described him as “magic,” reflecting his vision, creativity, and ability to influence the game in key moments.

Statistically, McNeil’s 2024/25 season showcased his overall contribution.

Matches Played

21

Goals

4

Assists

6

Progressive Carries

38

Progressive Passes

69

Shot-Creating Actions

72

According to FBref, he registered 2.50 progressive carries per 90, 4.53 progressive passes per 90, a 74.5% pass completion rate, 0.66 shots on target per 90, a 40% shot-on-target accuracy, and a 53.3% successful take-on rate.

These figures illustrate his ability to link play, drive forward from wide areas, and create scoring opportunities for teammates.

While his minutes may be limited in the short term, McNeil remains a valuable asset who can impact matches off the bench or step into the starting lineup when rotation is required. That said, he is no longer a guaranteed starter.

Ndiaye’s early-season form, meanwhile, demonstrates his growing importance to the team, contributing goals, assists, and creative influence. Interestingly, however, it is actually McNeil who is deemed to be the more valuable asset (£22m vs £19m), as per Transfermarkt.

With Moyes’ new-look side taking shape though, it may well be McNeil who falls victim of this wave of exciting incomings.

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