A Soccer Grass, empresa que administra o gramado sintético do Allianz Parque, emitiu uma nota nesta segunda-feira, admitindo que o processo de reforma o piso da casa do Verdão já está em fase inicial e de que a troca será feita no tempo mais rápido possível.
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Com o Allianz Parque interditado para reforma, o Palmeiras já pediu a alteração do mando do jogo contra o Ituano, que será no dia 8 de fevereiro e agora será realizado na Arena Barueri.
O clube entende que o problema do Allianz Parque não é a grama sintética, mas sim a falta de manutenção por falta da Soccer Grass e da Real Arenas, empresa que cuida do estádio.
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Confira abaixo a nota da Soccer Grass na íntegra:
– A Soccer Grass revende e instala no país os sistemas de gramados artificiais profissionais mais avançados, mais respeitados e mais tecnológicos do mundo. Sistemas esses, testados, aprovados e também reconhecidos mundialmente, tanto que, em todos os serviços executados para clubes profissionais, dentre eles a Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras em parceria com a Real Arenas / WTorre, os materiais empregados, assim como, todo o “sistema em si” são devidamente certificados e avaliados periodicamente pelos seus técnicos e pela FIFA.
Em virtude dos problemas observados num dos componentes que integram o sistema do gramado artificial do Allianz Parque, a Soccer Grass informa que, já iniciou as tratativas com as fabricantes do produto e do sistema, frise-se, indústrias de renome e reconhecimento mundial, a fim de que possam fazer as respectivas análises técnicas, prestem os devidos esclarecimentos e, naturalmente, procedam a troca do referido produto nos campos em que o mesmo não estiver mantendo suas características originais de fábrica.
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A Soccer Grass, empresa com mais de 30 anos de atuação e líder no mercado de pisos esportivos e gramados sintéticos no país, está conduzindo todas as suas ações no sentido de buscar junto aos seus parceiros e fornecedores a melhor solução para esse problema, no menor tempo possível. –
Lionel Messi has suggested that he finds life in the United States with Inter Miami a little more palatable because the pressure is different and less intense to what he used to face in Europe with Barcelona, and then Paris Saint-Germain. It was previously the case that the 'day to day grind' would leave him in a bad mood, unable to enjoy life with his family quite so much as he does now.
Messi: Miami similar to 'home' in Barcelona
Messi left PSG after just two seasons, opting to skip the option in his contract for a third season. Many assumed that he struggled to settle in Paris, having lived 20 years in Barcelona, which he denies is the case and insists it was solely football-related. In Miami, however, he says that life is very similar to what the family previously knew in Castelldefels, the town 12 miles outside of Barcelona he called home.
"It also seems like Paris was a nightmare, but it wasn't. When I say I didn't have a good time, it's because I wasn't happy with what I was doing and what I love to do – playing football, the day-to-day routine, training, matches – because I just wasn't feeling good," he told . "But then, honestly, we had a really great experience as a family. The city is spectacular, we enjoyed it. It was the first time we'd left Barcelona, and everything was new to us, which made it very difficult, because it wasn't an injury; it just happened that way. But the truth is, I wasn't happy with what I love to do on a daily basis.
"And here [in Miami], yes, we're doing well, we're enjoying the city, our daily life. As I was saying, it's a very similar life to what I had in Castelldefels, with the club nearby, the kids' school very close too, everything within easy reach, convenient. We live away from the city, which is beautiful, but the traffic is terrible."
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Life with Inter Miami more relaxed
The intensity and scrutiny Messi experiences now is different, out of the harsh European spotlight.
"And that's it, we enjoy each day, and in a different way, because it's more relaxed, without so much pressure, without the obligation – although I always wanted to – to win and achieve all our goals," he explained. "Obviously, we still want to, but the pressure is different, and that makes life more relaxed, and we enjoy our family more, the kids, being able to come to training, being able to go to the games, spending much more time at home, getting home and not thinking so much about football and thinking more about other things. And that, whether you like it or not, makes you live differently because it often happened to me that the results and the day-to-day grind would get to me, and well, sometimes I'd get home in a bad mood, and it was different, so we're happy here."
European football is draining
Messi isn't the only player to suggest that the pressure in Europe can sometimes get out of hand. It's been particularly evident in coaches, with Xavi calling it a "cruel, unpleasant job" to be Barcelona boss in 2024, while Pep Guardiola had a full year off when he left Camp Nou in the summer of 2012. Jurgen Klopp walked away from Liverpool in 2024 and is yet to return to a club management role.
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MLS Cup glory awaits
Miami are searching for a first MLS Cup title since entering the league in 2020 and hope Messi will take them there. The club collected the Supporters' Shield in 2024 for winning the regular season, only to then exit the playoffs frustratingly early.
Despite dropping back to third in the Eastern Conference in 2025, Miami have already eclipsed last year by reaching the Conference semi-finals and will take on FC Cincinnati on November 23. If they are successful, one of New York City FC or Philadelphia Union awaits at the end of this month, before the MLS Cup is scheduled for December 6. The longer Miami stay alive, the longer it also keeps alive the illustrious careers of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who will retire at the end of the season.
From an obsession with fitness to fixing bad habits, Stokes’ return to form with the ball is a boon for England
Vithushan Ehantharajah30-Jun-20252:38
Is Stokes’ bowling workload a worry?
In the lead-up to the first Test against India at Headingley, several adjectives were doing the rounds around the England camp. “Freak” and “beast” were among them, with the odd curse word thrown ahead of them for dramatic effect.It is rare that anything in an England training session elicits such a strong reaction. But two days out from the curtain raiser of this five-match series, Ben Stokes had bowled an 11-over spell.That volume of bowling so close to a Test match is unheard of, just two balls shy of the amount he had bowled against Zimbabwe a month earlier. Those sessions are generally about tapering into the grind of five days. Not for, say, going full tilt, at consistent pace and widening the eyes of those watching on.Related
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Stokes has always set the standard in training. Since the start of the year, following an operation on his second right hamstring tear in six months, he has also set himself new standards. Having put in the work behind the scenes, this was about getting overs back into his legs ahead of his second competitive match of 2025.The fruits of that intense labour were clear for all to see in Leeds. Stokes bowled 20 overs in the first innings, taking 4 for 66 across three spells of six, seven and seven. The 15 in the second innings – 1 for 47 – was split five, six and four.Throughout it all, he was England’s most threatening bowler. Across both sets of quicks, he produced the most swing, averaging 1.453 degrees, ahead of Chris Woakes (1.118), Brydon Carse (1.074), Mohammed Siraj (0.899), Jasprit Bumrah (0.895) and the rest. The average speed clocked in at 83.9mph, with a high of 88.9mph. All without even a hint of discomfort.”He was incredible,” said Chris Woakes, who managed just one wicket in 43 overs last week. “Without him having played a load of cricket leading into the Test match, for him to come in and do what he did and hit his straps at good pace… I thought he was amazing.””On a good pitch, he looked threatening every time he came on – with newer ball or older.”I think what you saw last week was he was incredibly consistent with what he was trying to do. His relentlessness and his energy on the ball was as good as I’ve seen for a long time. So that’s a good sign for us and for him.”Ben Stokes gets stuck into England training at Edgbaston•PA Photos/Getty Images
It was instructive that Woakes, as the leader of the attack, lauded the way Stokes took charge. “We all know what Stokes is capable of, but it’s great to have your leader being able to grab the ball like that and showing you the way sometimes.”This bowling iteration of Stokes has not been around for some time. Indeed, the man himself has sought reminders as to just how effective he was, and could be again.On the eve of the first Test, Stokes revealed he uses the 2020 Cape Town Test as a visual guide to the rhythm he wants to feel again. A late, three-wicket spell on the final day blew away South Africa’s tail to take England to victory. Stokes was flying off the back of a legend-making 2019, at the peak of his powers. That Test he averaged 86.4mph with the ball, with a few deliveries clocking in just over 91mph.None of that has been taken for granted, and the man himself sees no reason why he could not return to those heights. That he has opted out of The Hundred this season is a concession that, aged 34, he will have to park other forms of the game if he is to eke out what is left of himself as a top-tier Test quick.There is an alternate universe where Stokes was not pushed down the all-trades path and became a premier seam-and-swing bowler. Throughout his Durham Academy years, he was often the quickest in a cohort that included Mark Wood. There have even been a few Tests, such as 2017 at Lord’s against South Africa, when Stokes was the quicker of the two.Barring a useful growth spurt gave him that “hard-length trajectory”, Stokes’ craft has been honed through his own graft and experimentation, which has not dimmed.He picks up things quickly, such as the wobble seam that James Anderson taught him last year, even if he does not feel comfortable bringing it out just yet as it still feels weird in the hand. During the previous Test, he served up a couple of dipping slower balls to Rishabh Pant that he had workshopped in advance. The left-hander seemed suitably impressed, particularly with the first, which caught him by surprise, even if he did negotiate them well.A combination of England’s backroom staff have assisted his rebuilding effort: assistant coach Paul Collingwood and lead bowling coach Neil Killeen more involved with the skills, with Pete Sim (physical preperation coach) and Ben Davies (men’s physiotherapist) monitoring the physical side of things. But most of the grind has been lonesome, with Chester-le-Street as his usual base.Allowing that work to be both intense and regular has been the knee surgery Stokes underwent in November 2023. In turn, bad habits have been unpicked.Having played through the pain (unwisely at times), he developed two issues. One was that he could not really work on skills or new tricks because of the need to recover from match to match. The other was developing unwanted kinks due to having to overcompensate for the knee which, while putting strain on other parts of his body, also saw him lose a few strengths.The biggest strength he seems to have reclaimed is his braced front leg. Stokes used to take pride in it, often zooming in on side-shots of his action to show it off to the other quicks.That left leg began bending as the knee deteriorated and became ill-equipped to cope with 10-times Stokes’ bodyweight upon landing. As such, Stokes lost pace, which he tried to make up for with his run-up. Since the start of January 2022, only Kagiso Rabada (113) has bowled more front-foot no-balls than Stokes (82). It’s worth noting Rabada has bowled 184.2 more overs than Stokes during this period.Even pre-existing bad habits began to fester. After spells not bowling, Stokes has a knack of curving his approach to the crease, resulting in a conflict between his upper and lower body.He runs in, moves out towards cover, before jumping in the direction of fine leg. Nothing is aligned and the wrist not quite behind the ball. It usually takes a few sessions to sort that one, but when Stokes was unable to get them in the bank, he just had to deal with it. In turn, he lost the effectiveness of his late inswinger, a vital weapon in his armoury. He ended up developing a less effective one by leaping to the left and cantering his arm to try and bend the ball back in.Ben Stokes claimed 5 for 113 at Headingley•Getty Images
All of these now seem like yesterday’s problems. For the first time in five years, Stokes has started a series on solid foundations.”I can’t remember the last time I was able to work so hard on just technical stuff of bowling in particular,” Stokes said before the series, citing the fact the last few years have been mainly spent on keeping his loads up rather than fine-tuning. “To be able to do some really, really good technical work and getting myself back to sort of where I feel like I was before I had my injuries is really good, because there was naturally quite a few changes that crept into my action.”Alongside a “new” knee and reinforced hamstring has been a hyperdrive with his conditioning. Stokes is never one to do things by halves and this is the latest focus of his addictive personality.When he got into golf, he invested in the best clubs. His gaming obsession led to a set-up to rival those of professional eSport teams. Even cutting down on his alcohol consumption led him to investing in a company that specialises in alcohol-free drinks.Now, fitness is the new obsession. Beyond the tell-tale signs of such a fad – the Whoop watch, monitoring his steps, the Instagram reels of gym sessions replete with unenthusiastic voiceovers – has been a striking streamlining of his physique, reducing the strain on joints and improving suppleness.”You can see the physical state he’s in, he’s in really good condition,” Woakes said. “The injuries that he’s had, he’s probably just doubled down on his fitness to make sure he is in the best shape possible to be able to lead this team at his best.”
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That, ultimately, is what drives Stokes. Not explicitly the desire to be the best bowler he can be, or the fittest he can be, but being the best possible leader for his team.There is plenty at stake in this critical period of his Test captaincy, with the challenge of India and Australia ticked off by next January. Stokes’ availability throughout it all is integral to England’s hopes across both challenges as an allrounder to help balance an XI and provide for a bowling attack that requires his gumption as much as his guidance.Ahead of this week at Edgbaston, it is worth recalling England’s victory over India here back in 2018. Then, Stokes was the quickest bowler in both innings, eventually finishing the match with a spell not unlike his South Africa blitz two years later, taking 3 for 15 in 4.2 overs.That is the next frontier for Stokes, the bowler, to reclaim. Headingley showed the skills and durability remain. Rediscovering the fire and fury of old will take a little longer.
It feels like an absolute age since Thomas Tuchel was first announced as the England manager.
Truth be told, it is an age. On October 16th 2024, a year ago now, he was unveiled in front of the press.
England manager Thomas Tuchel watches on.
This has been something entirely different for the German. He’s never managed at international level and since he began the job, he has still only managed eight games. It really is a struggle to gather any momentum or know truly what his Three Lions are capable of until the World Cup kicks off next summer.
Things started off pretty slowly in all honesty. Tuchel’s England laboured to a 2-0 win over Albania in his first game before beating Latvia 3-0.
His second international break at the beginning of the summer was even worse. They secured just a 1-0 victory over Andorra and then lost 3-1 to Senegal.
Fortunately, things have got better since then, putting five past Serbia in September and demolishing Wales 3-0 inside 20 minutes in October’s break.
Regardless of those results, England were always going to be one of the favourites in America next summer. But, the age-old question, who will be on the plane?
We asked AI to put together what they think Tuchel’s 26-man squad will look like and here was the outcome…
1 The goalkeepers
There are no prizes for guessing who AI reckons will be Tuchel’s no.1 next summer. That honour goes to Jordan Pickford who has cemented himself as one of his country’s finest goalkeepers in recent years.
The Everton man has been to every major tournament (4) since the World Cup in 2018 and according to AI, will be joined by Newcastle duo Aaron Ramsdale and Nick Pope. Ramsdale hasn’t appeared in any of Tuchel’s squad lists yet so will need to find a way to play some football before the tournament kicks off next summer.
At the moment, he is behind Pope in the pecking order but there’s no doubting that he’s a fine ‘keeper, someone who was seen as the future no.1 when at Arsenal.
Full list of goalkeepers: Pickford, Ramsdale & Pope.
2 The defenders
AI anticipates that Tuchel will take four out-and-out centre-backs to the USA next year with John Stones set to partner Marc Guehi at the back, just as they did during Euro 2024.
While denied his move to Liverpool during the summer, Guehi has begun the season in fine form at Crystal Palace and really does look like England’s standout defender.
AI also thinks that AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori could be on the plane, set to earn his first minutes for his country since 2023. Note there is no place for Dan Burn who has been a regular in Tuchel’s first few England camps.
Levi Colwill is currently out with an ACL problem but is expected to be back for the latter stages of the season, potentially giving him the opportunity to make the squad.
At full-back, England are blessed with options. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Livramento and Reece James have been picked on the right-hand side. James offers strong versatility and could be fielded at centre-back if required.
At left-back, there are places on the plane for Manchester City’s Rico Lewis and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly. The England boss recently hinted that Lewis-Skelly would need to start playing more to earn his place in America.
Full list of defenders: Guehi, Stones, Tomori, Colwill, Alexander-Arnold, Livramento, James, Lewis-Skelly, Lewis.
3 The midfielders
To the joy of most supporters around the country, AI thinks that Jordan Henderson will miss out on this occasion. The Brentford midfielder has been recalled to the fray under Tuchel but despite his experience and leadership, could actually miss out.
There is also no place for Elliot Anderson who has impressed so much since earning his first England caps during the September international break. Perhaps he is going to pay the price for Nottingham Forest’s poor run of form.
Regulars such as Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze are included while there is a place for Jude Bellingham who was left out of the camp in October, allegedly due to fitness concerns and a lack of minutes for Real Madrid.
They are joined by some wildcard options in the form of Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton who gets in ahead of Anderson to fill the no.6 spot.
Kobbie Mainoo also makes the cut. Has Ruben Amorim been sacked? It’s likely if the youngster is playing enough minutes to be in the reckoning. The last name is arguably the biggest surprise of the lot with Everton’s James Garner on the plane. To his credit, he has started the season well under David Moyes, registering a goal and an assist in his first seven outings.
Full list of midfielders: Rice, Bellingham, Gallagher, Mainoo, Eze, Wharton, Jones, Garner.
4 The forwards
To the surprise of nobody, Harry Kane is the first name on the squad list. The England skipper is one of the best in the world after taking his game to a new level in 2025/26, putting his name firmly in the conversation to win the Ballon d’Or. Why? Well, in his first ten games of the ongoing campaign, he had scored a mind-boggling 18 goals.
Kane’s tournament record
Tournament
Games
Goals
Euro 2016
4
0
World Cup 2018
6
6
Euro 2020
7
4
World Cup 2022
5
2
Euro 2024
7
3
Joining him will be Ollie Watkins, who netted against the Welsh in October and Marcus Rashford who has rediscovered himself at Barcelona this season.
Further options include Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen and Anthony Gordon.
Remarkably, there is no place for Chelsea star Cole Palmer. Currently injured at the moment, will he still be feeling the effects of that come next summer? There’s no room for Man City superstar Phil Foden either.
Full list of forwards: Kane, Watkins, Rashford, Saka, Gordon, Bowen.
But Sussex squander any advantage by losing 6 for 8 either side of lunch
Alan Gardner09-May-2025
Jack Carson celebrates after reaching his century•Getty Images
The question of who’s winning is often a complicated one in cricket. At Hove, Worcestershire won the toss, before Sussex’s openers jounced along to 80 without loss in the first 90 minutes. Having apparently gained the upper hand, the home side then squandered any advantage by losing 6 for 8 either side of lunch. But just as Worcestershire seemed to have got on top, Jack Carson strode forward to win the day with a marvelous, maiden first-class hundred.Carson’s impassioned celebration on reaching three figures told of personal significance, while the accompanying standing ovation around the ground indicated its importance to Sussex as a collective. Carson had walked out with the score on 88 for 6 but bent his shoulder to the wheel to add almost 200 for the last four wickets – aided in no small part by the dogged contribution of Sussex’s debutant No. 11, James Hayes, who faced 126 balls to finish on 33 not out.While the focus for England selection discussions at Hove has centred on Tom Haines, whose half-century propped up Sussex during the morning as well as extending his lead at the top of the Division One run-scoring charts, it may not be long before Carson is touted as a more rounded alternative to Shoiab Bashir in the Test side. Both Haines and Carson are likely to come into contention for the England Lions matches against India A at the end of the month.Hayes, a last-minute loan signing from Nottinghamshire, was only in the side due to an injury suffered by Sussex’s West Indies international Jayden Seales. The 23-year-old, with just three List A appearances to his name, survived a tough chance to third slip before he had scored, as well as a more straightforward stumping that Gareth Roderick couldn’t collect when he was on 27, but showed a solid technique and impressive fortitude throughout.Carson’s pugnacious innings was chanceless, although he got off the mark with a fence wide of the slip cordon that went for four. He found support all the way down the order, adding 49 with Ari Karvelas for the ninth wicket and then 73 with Hayes, as Sussex wrestled the initiative back on a topsy-turvy day. Worcestershire showed character during their mid-innings fightback, Tom Taylor playing the pub landlord with a five-for to restore order, but they will have to dig deep with the bat to put winning this game back on the agenda.Tom Taylor made a dent in Sussex’s top order•Getty Images
After the high-rolling start, Sussex’s top order went bankrupt, in the words of Ernest Hemingway, “gradually, then suddenly”. Haines and Daniel Hughes raised 46 without loss from the first 10 overs (40 of those in boundaries), to leave Worcestershire fans wondering quite what Brett D’Oliveira had been thinking at the toss. Ben Gibbon’s introduction had seen him cuffed unceremoniously for three consecutive fours by Hughes, but he followed up with back-to-back maidens, while Matthew Waite made a similarly thrifty start from the Sea End.Ever so steadily, Worcestershire began to get a grip on the scoring, and Waite made his frustrations clear as Haine twice edged him for four in the space of three balls. Another brace of fours in Waite’s next over bore a more authoritative stamp, as Haines whipped through midwicket and behind square to bring up a 67-ball half-century. At the end of the 22nd over, Sussex were 80 for 0 and perhaps envisioning a bountiful day of run-harvesting beneath clear blue skies.Then came the crash. Taylor found Hughes’ outside edge as the Australian aimed a lavish drive to be caught at second slip, before removing Tom Clark in the same over, the Sussex No. 3 padding up to a ball that looked like it would have troubled middle and off. The scoreboard was still stuck on 80 when Tom Alsop feathered a catch behind to give Taylor his third; and with only one run added, James Coles perished attempting to drive the final ball of the morning through cover, a thick edge off Ben Allison ending in the hands of fourth slip.In the Spen Cama Pavilion, suddenly there was only one thing on the menu. “You should never give your wicket away before lunch,” one Sussex member lamented, though more in sorrow than in anger. On Clark, who had received his county cap before play, the verdict was more damning: “He should give it back!” Worse was to come for Sussex, though sadly the view on John Simpson’s even more disastrous leave went unrecorded.In the first over back, Haines edged Taylor into the hands of Allison at first slip, whose attempted juggle was taken by the sub, Rob Jones, at second. With the score still on 81, Sussex had now lost 5 for 1 in the space of 6.4 overs. Simpson, so often the bulwark at No. 6, then tried to let one go only for Taylor to bring the ball back to hit the top of off stump. Having been 0 for 15 from his opening spell, Taylor now had 5 for 20 from 10.3, Sussex almost single-handedly halted in their tracks by his 33-ball rampage.In the end, Sussex’s stuttering progression to 284 represented a significant recovery. Although Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Ollie Robinson both departed to soft dismissals off Gibson and Ethan Brookes respectively, Carson was adroit in marshalling the lower order, moving to a 69-ball fifty during his stand with Karvelas and then continuing to pick off boundaries, including one flicked six over midwicket, as he pushed on past his previous first-class best of 97, in the process securing Sussex a batting point that had not looked likely when he walked in.
Manchester United could now join the race to sign a Premier League player who has been described as an “absolute gem” of a footballer.
Amorim backed by former Man Utd player
It’s fair to say that Ruben Amorim is feeling the heat as Red Devils manager, not least after the humiliating EFL Cup penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town last month.
Despite this, former United defender Phil Jones has shown his support for the Portuguese, suggesting he still believes he is the right man for the job.
“I’ll tell you where I’m at with Amorim… I like him. I like the transparency he has between the players and the fans – and I think that’s certainly been something we’ve missed over the last few years. I think certain previous managers have missed a trick, because if you’re transparent with this fanbase, they will back you all the way; they will sing your name and cheer for you.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimbefore the match
“Look, he came in straight away and said things were going to get worse before they got better, and that’s been the case. I like his authenticity. He is who he is, and he’ll face criticism for it. But he’s not going to change for anyone. He owns it. He inherited a squad which wasn’t his, halfway through a season, who were used to playing a different way. Let’s just give him time.”
United are by no means the finished article, and they still need to strengthen certain areas of the squad after a mixed summer transfer window.
Man Utd could join race for Premier League hero
Speaking to The Boot Room, journalist Graeme Bailey claimed that Manchester United could join the race to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace, should they secure Champions League football this season.
“Liverpool will be back for him, of course. But they know they’ll be one of many clubs making an offer. Now, with Guehi, it resets everything. Everyone starts at a blank slate. Guehi’s people are aware of the clubs who have already told them they’ll be making an offer next summer – clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid.
“In England, let’s see where Tottenham finish – they love him as a player. Would Chelsea come into the equation on a free transfer? Of course, they would. Man United? If they finish in the top four, of course they do.”
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehicelebrates scoring their second goal
Guehi missed out on joining Liverpool on deadline day, despite even passing a medical, so for United to suddenly swoop in and sign him next summer would be significant, pipping their rivals to his signature in the process.
The 25-year-old is a fantastic player who has grown into a key starter for England in the coming years, with coach Michael Beale hailing him during his time working with him at Chelsea as a youngster.
“He shows a huge amount of confidence to play on the left side and his technical upbringing from Chelsea means he can use his left foot, albeit he is dominant on his right foot. When you see the teams line up, he’s not the biggest centre-back but he has a huge leap. Quietly people are realising we have an absolute gem in him.”
Guehi is out of contract at Palace in 2026, and his anger at not joining Liverpool means he is highly unlikely to sign an extension, so United should be all in on signing him on a free transfer.
Man Utd plotting to kick star out and do one of the headline deals of 2026
The Red Devils could be set to spring a surprise on the market.
1 BySean Markus Clifford Sep 6, 2025
That said, Champions League football will surely be needed for the Red Devils to get their man, and in truth, their biggest rivals still feel like the favourites to sign him.
Allrounder opts to focus on his own game after disappointing first season leading red-ball team
ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2025Derbyshire allrounder David Lloyd has stood down as club captain ahead of the 2025 season. Lloyd, who joined from Glamorgan in 2023, led the club in the County Championship last year, but could not prevent Derbyshire from receiving the wooden spoon after finishing bottom of Division Two.In his first full summer at the club, Lloyd, 32, averaged 23.47 with the bat and 31.00 with the ball in the Championship, and has opted to stand down from the captaincy in search of better returns.”David has given his all to the captaincy and he has been a fantastic leader for us, but the mental pressures of trying to lead a team, especially while you are trying to rediscover your own form, coupled with having a young family mean it’s best for all parties if we take some of that weight off his shoulders,” Derbyshire’s head of cricket, Mickey Arthur, said.”David has been honest with me, he is determined to contribute to the team and his experience and leadership will still be invaluable for us, both on the field and in the dressing room, and I’m looking forward to seeing the best of him this summer.”Derbyshire underwent a revamp ahead of the 2024 season, with Lloyd taking the captaincy after the departure of Leus du Plooy and several new players coming in. But progress was limited – having been winless in 2023, they managed one victory to go with six defeats and a last-placed finish.That one win, however, did see them end a barren five-year run in Championship cricket at their Derby headquarters.Lloyd said: “This has not been an easy decision for me, but I have had a good group of friends, family and team-mates to confide in over this winter, and I believe this is what will allow me to focus on my game.”It has been an honour for me to captain Derbyshire, and I’m now looking forward to playing with less pressure on my shoulders, continuing to learn from the experience of Mickey and our coaching team, and showing our members and supporters what I can do.”We want to get back to competing across all formats, I am excited to play my part and hopefully helping our new club captain any way I can.”
Daniel Levy and co appear determined to put Tottenham’s Eberechi Eze humiliation firmly behind them, with Spurs considering a host of new late options for the number 10 role amid their dire need for a playmaker.
The Lilywhites, and Levy in particular, have attracted huge criticism after missing out on a deal for Eze – who had agreed personal terms to join Thomas Frank’s side with an agreement in principle also reached club-to-club.
However, Spurs’ apparent haggling over the 27-year-old’s now-expired £68 million release clause, as well as Palace’s hesitation, ultimately cost them.
Oliver Glasner’s side, at least initially, also wanted Eze to feature in their 1-0 Europa Conference League play-off win on Thursday.
Following this second public transfer humiliation of the transfer window after their famously botched deal for Morgan Gibbs-White, Levy and Frank are now tasked with reacting in the strongest possible manner.
The Gibbs-White deal was, to give Tottenham their due, much more complicated. The north Londoners were ready to pay £60 million and trigger his release clause, only for Evangelos Marinakis to block the deal, threaten legal action and tie the 25-year-old down in never-before-seen fashion.
Eze’s was a case of being beaten to the punch in a more traditional hijack, something which Spurs have done themselves before, but Frank will be devastated to miss out on yet another world-class, Premier League-proven creator.
Tottenham make approach to sign Xavi Simons after Eberechi Eze blow
Speaking of hijacks, according to Fabrizio Romano, it is believed that top Chelsea target and RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons has found his way on to Levy’s transfer shortlist.
Chelsea have been in talks to sign Simons for a long time now, but their need to sell players, whilst not yet fully agreeing a deal with Leipzig, has delayed the Dutchman’s move to London.
Simoms has been a revelation for the Bundesliga side ever since he initially joined on loan at the start of 2023/2024, and this isn’t lost on Levy, with Romano claiming that Tottenham have made contact over Simons in recent days.
As Frank’s side seemingly consider hijacking a deal of their own, it appears they may not have much luck, with the player determined to join Chelsea right now.
The 22-year-old, who joined Leipzig from PSG permanently in January, became their highest-ever paid player in the process – earning £192,000-per-week.
Chelsea are set to make many more summer sales before the transfer deadline on September 1.
BlueCo have already raised around £220 million through transfer income this summer, after agreeing deals to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Armando Broja, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Cole Palmer
7.33
Moises Caicedo
7.02
Enzo Fernández
6.95
Nicolas Jackson
6.88
Noni Madueke
6.82
via WhoScored
This has allowed Chelsea to balance the books and free up space for potential new signings, specifically Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, with Enzo Maresca’s side believed to be in talks for both (Sky Sports).
Not counting their possible fees for Garnacho and Simons, Chelsea have already spent £277 million (including their pre-agreed summer deals), so they’re likely to go well over the £300 million mark by deadline day.
This means that the west Londoners are actively looking to trim the squad further, with midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka expected to return to the Bundesliga on a permanent deal with Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea's Carney Chukwuemeka in action
As well as Chukwuemeka, both Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson could be among Chelsea’s next high-profile departures.
The duo were left out of the squad for Chelsea’s 2-0 pre-season win over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on Friday, watching on as summer signing Joao Pedro and exciting new teenager Estevao Willian got on the scoresheet.
Now, an update has emerged on Jackson, with his own stance on leaving made crystal clear.
Nicolas Jackson tells Chelsea he's ready to leave
The Senegalese, barring his goal in the Conference League final against Real Betis, endured a torrid end to 2024/2025 – scoring just one Premier League goal since the turn of the year.
He was also sent off in the Club World Cup against Flamengo, and with both Pedro and Liam Delap arriving, he’s now fallen down Maresca’s pecking order.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, speaking to TBR Football, Jackson has told Chelsea he’s ready to leave, with the forward’s agents informing Maresca’s side that a new challenge is desired on his end.
“I am told that Jackson’s camp have made it clear to Chelsea that he is looking at a move this month,” Bailey said.
“He was concerned when Liam Delap came in, and since the arrival of Joao Pedro the situation has only got worse. Jackson is looking at his options, but I am told that Newcastle do appeal to him, and likewise he has a huge amount of respect for Unai Emery at Villa.
“Given the cost involved, there is a good chance he moves within England.”
The former Villarreal sensation, according to Bailey, commands a lofty price tag of around £70 million, with Newcastle specifically ready to bid £60m.
While the Magpies are about £10m off, Chelsea are said to be open to negotiations, so a move from Eddie Howe’s side could be one to watch.
Sears, who made his Test debut against Australia earlier this year, is suffering from a knee injury
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2024
Ben Sears picked up five wickets in his debut Test in Christchurch this year•Getty Images
Ben Sears, one of four frontline fast bowlers in New Zealand’s Test squad for their tour of India, will not be taking part in the three-match series because of a knee injury. Jacob Duffy, uncapped in Tests, has been called up as Sears’ replacement, and will leave for India on Wednesday morning, the first day of the first Test of the series.”Sears experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and underwent scans in New Zealand last week,” a New Zealand Cricket statement on Tuesday morning said. “His departure to India was delayed after scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, and the first available medical consultation was sought in the hope that he might have been cleared.”However, following the medical advice, the decision was made to rule him out of the series. A plan on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for the injury will be advised in due course.”Related
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In Sears’ absence, and without Duffy reaching India in time for the first Test, New Zealand will have to make up their fast-bowling attack from among Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke. Among frontline spin options, they have Ajaz Patel as their primary bowler, allrounders Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra and Michael Bracewell, and the handy part-time spin of Glenn Phillips. New Zealand can also call upon the pace-bowling services of Daryl Mitchell if required.”We’re obviously disappointed for Ben, who made a strong start to his Test career during the home summer, and offers a genuine pace option,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said of Sears, who made his Test debut – his only appearance in the format so far – against Australia in Christchurch in March this year, and picked up five wickets in the game.”It remains to be seen how long we’ll be without him for, but we’re hopeful his road to a full recovery will be a short one. It’s an exciting opportunity for Jacob, who has been around Test the squad before. With three Tests ahead of us, he has every chance of making his Test debut.”Duffy, 30, has played six ODIs and 14 T20Is so far, and has 299 first-class wickets to his name.”Jacob’s recent experience playing for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship certainly pushed his place,” Stead said. “His performances in white-ball cricket for the Black Caps have always been impressive, and we’re confident he’ll be able to contribute if called upon.”New Zealand’s tour of India begins with the first Test in Bengaluru, before the series moves on to Pune and Mumbai.