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The seventh over from Bishnoi to Abhishek flipped the match, the forecaster, and LSG’s fate in minutes

Deivarayan Muthu20-May-20251:42

Abhinav: Abhishek an unbelievable hitter of pace and spin

Abhishek Sharma is a six-hitting machine. Since the start of IPL 2024, he has cleared the boundary 114 times in 47 innings in T20 cricket. Only Nicholas Pooran (181) has hit more sixes than Abhishek during this period.In a chase of 206 against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday, four of those Abhishek sixes came off Ravi Bishnoi in the seventh over and decisively swung the game towards Sunrisers Hyderabad. After the end of the powerplay, ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster pegged SRH’s chances of winning at 48.66. After the 26-run seventh over – the most expensive seventh over in IPL history – it surged to almost 80%. Game over for LSG. Season over for LSG.SRH were without Travis Head, who was in quarantine at the hotel after having tested positive for Covid-19, but Abhishek almost single-handedly reminded the world of their all-out intent and explosive power.For most batters, there’s an inherent risk in hitting sixes. But Abhishek isn’t most batters – he has stripped his game down to hitting sixes – with or without Head.”No (didn’t change anything),” Abhishek said after winning the Player-of-the-Match award. “If we would have been batting first, I would have had some other plans but obviously when you’re chasing 200, then you have to use the powerplay and then go from the first ball. And that was the plan – me and Atharva [Taide] had a chat about that. If it’s going to be the first ball, we will see and just knock it around.”If you ask any of the player who is playing international (cricket), probably playing for the last ten years, they would say if you chase 200 something, your powerplay has to be good and you should win the powerplay. That was in my mind and every time you are chasing 200, just wanted to express myself and obviously if I do well, it’s going to go well for the team.”ESPNcricinfo LtdIt went swimmingly well for SRH, despite the early dismissal of Taide, who had replaced Head at the top. Abhishek claimed 35 of the 72 runs SRH had scored in the powerplay, but then LSG had also maximised their powerplay earlier in the day, charging to 69 for 0.Abhishek pulled the trigger in the seventh, facing four balls from Bishnoi and firing all four over the boundary. The wristspinner seemed to be operating with a sound plan: hide wrong’uns away from the left-handed Abhishek, with his sharp angle from over the wicket taking it further away from the batter. Abhishek, though, dismantled Bishnoi’s best-laid plans with his immense reach and unfettered bat-swing, reminiscent of his idol Yuvraj Singh.Related

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Bishnoi had protection at long-off, but Abhishek cleared him with his first hit. The next was tonked over long-on and the third, which was pumped over Bishnoi’s head brought him an 18-ball half-century.Abhishek forced Bishnoi into veering away from his plan and bowl into the pitch and on the stumps. He was ready on the back foot for the variation in line and length, and also had some luck go his way, with his pull eluding Pooran at the midwicket boundary. Just like that, Abhishek changed the game in four balls. His coach Daniel Vettori wasn’t surprised one bit.”I think we’re probably used to it,” Vettori said after SRH chased their target with ten balls and six wickets to spare. “He has been incredible and the big challenge for any team is when he gets through the early stages of his innings and plays spin. Once again tonight, he was exceptional against the spinners and his strike rate is out of this world. So, we know that whenever the opportunity presents itself, he normally takes it on and normally is very successful.”In IPL 2024, Abhishek had nearly killed off a chase against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with a 27-run over off Mukesh Choudhary in the powerplay. Very few batters around the world have the ability to change games in an over against both pace and spin in T20 cricket.They say batters hit their peak in their late 20s or early 30s, but at 24 Abhishek has already pushed T20 batting to the stuff of dreams. It’s scary to think how good he could be in the years to come.

Despite all the data suggesting length deliveries have more margin for error at the death, the yorker remains the go-to option for most teams

Matt Roller08-May-20233:37

Moody, Dasgupta question Royals’ “baffling” tactics

In T20 cricket, the yorker is a win-or-bust delivery. When landed, it is the hardest delivery for any batter to hit; when missed, it is one of the easiest.In IPL 2023, successful yorkers by seamers at the death have cost 6.2 runs per over, according to ESPNcricinfo’s data. But slot balls and full tosses by seamers at the death have both cost 13.1 runs per over – and even the best yorker bowlers in the league miss more than they hit.On Sunday night in Jaipur, Rajasthan Royals were on the cusp of ending a run of four defeats in five games; a run which has seen them slip from pace-setters to mere play-off contenders. But Jos Buttler was back in the runs, Yuzvendra Chahal among the wickets, and fans dressed in pink considered slipping off early to beat the traffic, with the points in the bag.Related

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Stats – Sunrisers' first successful 200+ chase

Moody: This innings could be turning point in Samad's career

Phillips and Samad pull off stunning heist for Sunrisers

With 12 balls left, Sunrisers Hyderabad needed 41 to win. At the crease were Abdul Samad, a 21-year-old who is still learning how to play the format’s most difficult role, and Glenn Phillips, playing his second game of the season and his first since April 2. They had faced three balls between them.This should have been an easy game to close out. Sandeep Sharma, their leading death bowler this season, had an over left. So did Obed McCoy, who had bizarrely bowled a solitary over since being brought into the game as an Impact Player two-thirds of the way through the run chase.Yet, Sanju Samson saw things differently: he threw the ball to Kuldip Yadav, who had bowled tidily but has played precious little senior cricket, let alone in such a high-stakes role. Sunrisers’ batting coach Hemang Badani later said he “found it a wee bit surprising that they went towards Kuldip, and not to McCoy”.Royals have used their Impact Player differently from every other IPL team this season. Regardless of what happens at the toss, they name a starting XI with six frontline batters and five frontline bowlers. They have sacrificed depth when they bat first and limited their options when they bowl first.Perhaps they have seen something that nobody else has, but the results suggest otherwise. With Trent Boult unavailable because of a niggle, they named McCoy, Jason Holder and Adam Zampa among their substitutes on Sunday night, who bowled a single over between them while their uncapped domestic bowlers went around the park.ESPNcricinfo LtdAs he prepared to bowl the penultimate over, Kuldip’s plan was simple: land his yorkers. But in the closing moments of any T20 match, let alone an IPL game that your side desperately needs to win, simple things can become difficult. He missed his first yorker, which Phillips sent back over his head for six; he missed his second, and Phillips duly obliged once more.Now, Kuldip’s faith in his yorker was gone. He went for a slower ball, into the pitch, which disappeared into the stands over midwicket. After a chat with Samson, who ran from behind the stumps to put his arm around him, Kuldip bowled a wide, good-length ball, and Phillips was running hot: his outside edge skewed away past short third for four.The next ball, Kuldip struck. He hit a good length, angling the ball across Phillips, and his miscue looped up into the covers, where Hetmyer took a steepling chance, running back. His final ball, another overpitched yorker, was chipped for two by Marco Jansen.It was an over straight out of Kuldip’s nightmares. Plenty of young bowlers in the IPL must have woken up in cold sweats over the last month after watching Yash Dayal’s experience at the death against Rinku Singh, but with 17 still needed off the final over and Phillips out, Royals were at least still ahead of the game.Sandeep, as he has throughout this season, backed his yorker. Bowling from around the wicket with a slingy release, he has a decent margin for error; even his full tosses and slot balls can be hard to pick. He went wide and full with his first ball, which Samad top edged to short third; somehow, McCoy failed even to get a hand on the relatively comfortable chance.His second ball encapsulated how fine the margins are in this brutal format. His yorker was near-perfect, but just short enough for Samad to get underneath it. Samad swung it down the ground towards Joe Root at long-on, who leapt at full stretch but could only palm it over the rope.Sandeep Sharma’s over-step proved costly for Royals•BCCISandeep’s next three balls? Yorker, low full toss, low full toss. His yorker was squeezed out for two, just about the best result that Samad could have hoped for, and the full tosses were both low enough that they were toe-ended out to the deep. The game was back in Royals’ control, with five needed off the final ball.Once again, this wide-yorker attempt was near-perfect. Samad tried to get underneath it, powering the ball down the ground, but could only find Buttler at long-off. Sandeep closed his eyes, grinned, and pointed to the sky – then heard the no-ball siren. Near-perfect, but not.There was no way that Sandeep’s plan would change, and Samad knew it. This time, Sandeep missed the yorker on the short side, and by the time he had let the ball go, Samad had stepped so far across to the off side that his off stump was visible behind his pads. Down on one knee, he muscled Sandeep back over his head for six.At the death, balls that pitch on a good length, or just shorter, have more margin for error than yorkers. The data suggests that there is a much smaller chance that they will yield a wicket or a dot, but they also have less chance of being hit for six. There is nothing sexy about hitting a hard length at the death – no scope for shattered stumps or crushed bootcaps, but perhaps it is a better option than conventional wisdom suggests.And yet, even with T20 cricket several years into its data age, the yorker remains the go-to option for the vast majority of teams. It is a win-or-bust ball – but Royals have forgotten how to win.

Former England fast bowler on a new diversity and inclusion initiative at Middlesex

Andrew Miller06-Apr-2021Norman Cowans, the first West Indies-born fast bowler to play Test cricket for England, hopes that a new initiative from his former county Middlesex can help to reignite a passion for the game in the inner-city London communities where he learnt the sport as a teenager.Cowans, who played 19 Tests and 23 ODIs between 1982 to 1985, was an integral member of the most successful Middlesex team of all time, as well as its most ethnically representative. During his 13 years at the club, he helped secure ten trophies, including four County Championships, and claimed 532 first-class wickets in that period at 22.57.Alongside his fellow England cricketers, Roland Butcher, Wilf Slack and Neil Williams, as well as the West Indies fast bowler, Wayne Daniel, Cowans frequently took the field for Middlesex as one of five black cricketers – a ratio that reflects the ethnic mix of such boroughs as Haringey, Harrow and Brent that fall squarely within the club’s catchment area.And it is those parts of London that Middlesex will be reaching out to with their new Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, as they seek to address the decline of interest in cricket among black communities since the heyday of the 1980s, and address the biases – conscious or unconscious – within the county’s structure that have contributed to that drop-off.”Middlesex is one of the most diverse counties around, and for many, many years the club was very successful,” Cowans told ESPNcricinfo. “We want to try and bring that diversity back to the county, by reaching out to different communities, and making them feel more a part of the club.”When I was playing, back in the day, we had five black guys in the team, plus Raj Maru who was Asian. We had a very diverse team, and it encouraged others to come forward and think, ‘yeah, we can be part of that team as well’.”Obviously, since then, there’s been a decline in diversity, and Middlesex has realised that we need to reach back into those communities and make them feel more welcome, because the talent is always out there. They just need a pathway, and a feeling that they too can belong, and that there are no barriers to what they can achieve.”A series of roadshows are planned in 2021, which will take the club out to community centres throughout North-West and East London to renew those neglected ties, while the club will also promote a Thursday-evening T20 competition from 2022 onwards that will be open to all clubs in the county, with an equivalent competition for schools too.Norman Cowans in action against New Zealand in 1983•Getty Images”Sometimes cricket can look a bit snobbish and expensive,” Cowans said. “Football is so much cheaper, guys can just get a ball, have a kick-around, work on their skills, and they might get spotted by a coach while playing in a park on a Sunday.”It’s not so easy for cricket. Just the cost of the equipment can put people off, let alone the facilities. So we’re looking to try and address that, and provide some funding for people who are less fortunate, rather than those who went to private schools where everything was paid for. It makes a huge difference, because that’s what will get the talent coming through.”Cowans knows from personal experience how quickly a passion for the game can take hold, having managed to persuade his maths teacher to lay on lunchtime lessons at his school in North London in the 1970s. Within a couple of years, the team that he helped set up was good enough to reach the finals of the Harrow Schools competition, and his pathway into the game was set.However, Cowans also acknowledged that, to grow up in a Caribbean community in the 1980s, with West Indies the pre-eminent team in the world, and Test matches available on free-to-air TV, also had a huge impact on his interest in the sport.”If people see themselves being represented in the media, it just feels more attainable and accessible,” he said. “Kids love to imitate their heroes, so to actually see successful people on TV looking like yourself, they are bound to think they can do that as well.”And that was the example I felt when Roland Butcher played for England,” Cowans added, recalling his pride at watching his Middlesex team-mate become England’s first black Test cricketer, at Bridgetown in 1981.”I said to myself, if Roland can do it, I can as well, because if you had the talent, there was no barrier at Middlesex. Mike Brearley was captain when I started, and he was very encouraging to players with ability. No matter your age, colour or creed, you would be in the team.”Cowans’ own England career started with a flourish the following year, with a starring role in England’s thrilling three-run victory over Australia at Melbourne in 1982-83, but it would end abruptly in the summer of 1985, when – after managing a long-term hernia issue – he was dropped after the first Test of that summer’s Ashes series in spite of England’s five-wicket win.”It’s a mystery to me why my international career was not prolonged,” he said. “But what can you do about it? I know that I was good enough and maybe should have played ahead of many other guys. But that was the way things were in those days.Related

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“I played one Test against Australia in 1985, which we won, and I was dropped and never played again, which is ridiculous. All that experience wasted.”But I am very proud of what I’ve achieved in the opportunities that I was given,” he added. “I was proud of going to Australia as an unknown, and helping England to win a Test match. I took a five-wicket haul in Pakistan, which was a great experience, and I played in all of the Test matches in India in 1984-85, which was one of my most satisfying tours. We were given no price but came back to win 2-1.”I remember coming off the pitch in the first Test in Mumbai. Kapil Dev came up to me and said, ‘Norman, West Indies were over here in the series before this. The way you bowled today, you were as fast as any of them’. To get that from Kapil Dev, that’s good enough for me.”I think people recognise that you have to look after the players more now. And fast bowlers, when they tell you they are injured, you really need to investigate it. Because you want them to maintain their pace.”In spite of the brevity of his England career, Cowans knows that he made a lasting impact for the British Caribbean community, and paved the way for several players who would go on to be household names throughout the 1990s.”I remember Devon Malcolm telling me how he came up and asked for my autograph when I was playing against Yorkshire at Abbeydale Park,” Cowans said. “‘When I saw you playing for England,’ he told me, ‘I thought I could do it too.'””It has a knock-on effect. And it’s the same at counties and in communities in club cricket. If people are encouraging youngsters to take part in the sport, they will feel they belong to the club. We want to roll this back across the county, and give kids the opportunity to progress.”

Manchester United made it three wins out of three in the Premier League on Saturday when they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo, who joined from Brentford in the summer, scored twice, whilst Casemiro and Matheus Cunha also got on the scoresheet in front of the home fans.

Bruno Fernandes, as shown in the clip above, played a crucial role in the fourth goal with his brilliant dummy, but his influence in the final third is beginning to wane.

Why Bruno Fernandes's influence is waning

The Portugal international has hit double figures for both goals and assists in all five of his full seasons at Old Trafford to date, per Sofascore, which speaks to the consistent impact that he has had at the top end of the pitch.

However, Bruno only has two goals and one assist in ten appearances in all competitions so far this term, scoring two goals from 4.29 xG in the Premier League, per Sofascore, which shows that his influence is waning.

Do not get it twisted, the 31-year-old star is still an influential player who can produce moments of magic for United, but the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko mean that he does not need to carry the team on his back anymore.

Chalkboard

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

He still has two years left on his contract and only turned 31 last month, which means that he does still have plenty of gas left in the tank, but there is another player at United who may have Bruno’s captaincy in his sights, Matthijs de Ligt.

Why Matthijs de Ligt is a future Man Utd captain

The Netherlands international is five years younger than Bruno and may have more of a long-term future at Old Trafford, which could see him eventually snatch the captaincy if he continues to shine at the back.

After the 4-2 win over Brighton, content creator Liam Canning described his performance as “monstrous”, stating that he has “been United’s best player this season” and that the defender is “a future captain in the making” for the Red Devils.

It is hard to argue with that assessment from Canning after watching the former Bayern Munich and Juventus centre-back strut his stuff against Brighton on Saturday.

Minutes

90

Interceptions

1

Clearances

6

Blocks

1

Ball recoveries

5

Aerial duel success rate

100% (2/2)

Pass accuracy

91%

As you can see in the table above, De Ligt was ‘monstrous’ at the back for Ruben Amorim by winning 100% of his aerial duels and making several important defensive interventions.

This season, per Sofascore, the United defender has won 61% of his duels across nine starts in the Premier League. This shows that he has provided a dominant defensive force at the heart of Amorim’s back three.

Rio Ferdinand recently claimed that the Dutchman should be “the first name on the teamsheet”, which is usually reserved for the captain and main star of the team, and that is high praise coming from a player who won Premier League titles whilst playing in the same position.

De Ligt, of course, has also shown that he is a leader. He was the youngest captain in the knockout stage of the Champions League when he played for Ajax in the quarter-finals at the age of 19, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he can be a leader and a captain.

Therefore, Bruno may need to watch out as his powers seem to be waning whilst De Ligt’s stock is rising and he potentially has more years left ahead of him than the Portugal international to lead the club forward as captain, should Amorim decide that he is suitable for that role.

Forget Sesko: Man Utd have Van Persie 2.0 who's 'one of the best in the PL'

Manchester United have found their next Robin van Persie in this star, and it is not Benjamin Sesko.

ByDan Emery Oct 27, 2025

Tottenham are facing a difficult decision over the long-term future of a Spurs player who shone last season under Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs look to extend mini winning run against Nottingham Forest

The Lilywhites travel to the City Ground on Sunday afternoon aiming to extend their recent resurgence against Nottingham Forest in a crucial Premier League encounter.

Thomas Frank’s side have finally discovered momentum after enduring a torrid November without a single league victory.

Consecutive triumphs over Brentford and Slavia Prague have injected fresh confidence into the squad, with Tuesday’s emphatic 3-0 Champions League win particularly impressive, even if it was against weaker opposition.

The comprehensive victory over Prague featured goals from Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons, who both delivered from the spot to extend the club’s remarkable 23-match unbeaten home European run.

Tottenham handed pitiful Solanke injury update with new timeline shared

The Englishman hasn’t featured since Man City in August.

ByEmilio Galantini 4 days ago

Last Saturday’s 2-0 home win against Brentford represented arguably Tottenham’s finest all-round display of the campaign, barring their win at Man City in August, with Frank describing the performance as “very complete.”

Simons has emerged as a catalyst during this revival, chipping in with three goal involvements across his last two appearances.

The £51m summer signing from RB Leipzig finally appears to be justifying his substantial transfer fee, which could actually cost Spurs a whopping £125 million over a seven-year contract when factoring in wages, agent’s fees and add-ons.

Tottenham’s away form provides genuine encouragement heading into their clash with Forest.

Only Arsenal have defeated them on the road this season, and they’ve averaged the joint-most points per match on average away from home too, level with Crystal Palace.

Tottenham could also climb into the top six with a victory against Sean Dyche’s side, provided other results go their way.

Frank will likely select Kudus on the right and either Randal Kolo Muani or Wilson Odobert on the left, with Richarlison up top again.

Kudus is set to play another key role after being Tottenham’s standout attacker this season, making his £55 million price tag seem like a bargain whilst keeping Brennan Johnson glued to the bench recently.

Speaking of the Wales international, there’s actually been an intriguing update on his future this week.

Brennan Johnson could now leave Tottenham in 2026

According to TEAMtalk and journalist Dean Jones, Johnson’s long-term future at Tottenham is now uncertain after failing to fully convince Frank and his coaching staff.

The 24-year-old arrived from Forest in the summer of 2023 for £47.5 million, amassing over a century of appearances with 27 goals and 18 assists across all competitions.

Despite these numbers, and finishing last season as the club’s top scorer, Johnson isn’t an automatic starter in Frank’s plans.

With his contract running until 2028, next summer represents a crucial juncture for Tottenham. The club will need to decide whether to offer Johnson an extension or cash in while his value remains high, particularly as they plan to strengthen across the next two transfer windows.

As a result, Jones reports that Johnson could leave Spurs in 2026.

The forward actually began this current campaign brightly, scoring in his opening two Premier League games, but his form has stalled dramatically since, failing to register any additional goals or assists in the league.

This inconsistency has raised questions about his suitability for Frank’s system moving forward, despite playing a starring role under Postecoglou and scoring that Europa League final winner against Man United.

If Spurs do sign another winger, like RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who they’ve reportedly held ‘very advanced talks’ with, Johnson’s place would be under even more threat.

Glenn Hoddle tips 'world-class' Tottenham star to snub new contract offer

He’s their ‘only’ elite player.

ByEmilio Galantini 5 days ago

Over recent years, Manchester United haven’t been shy to splash the cash on new additions in an attempt to help various managers lead them up the Premier League table.

Since the summer of 2022, over £800m has been spent on signings, with the expectation that more funds are needed to take the Red Devils back to their former glory.

Erik ten Hag spent three quarters of the aforementioned figure, but his inability to provide sustained success has handed Ruben Amorim the responsibility at Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old himself has already splashed over £200m in the transfer market, with more additions expected during the upcoming January transfer window.

Numerous areas of the pitch are subject to investment, as seen by the attacking department in the summer, but the winter window presents the perfect chance to bolster the midfield.

United’s hunt to land a new midfielder in January

Given the lack of depth in United’s central midfield department, a new number six has been seen as the priority in the January market, leading to numerous names being touted with a big-money transfer.

Wolverhampton Wanderers star Joao Gomes has been one of the latest players linked with a transfer to Old Trafford, with the player himself open to a potential winter move.

The Red Devils’ interest has led to a £44m price tag being mooted in recent days, but at present, there have been no conversations between the clubs or the player.

However, he may be seen as a potential back-up option in the coming months, with rumours picking up over a move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.

According to The Athletic, Amorim’s men have made the 23-year-old their primary target for the next window, but any deal could cost a pretty penny for INEOS.

The report also states that Sean Dyche’s side are reluctant to lose their star man during the midway point of the season, leading to a £100m asking price being quoted.

Why United’s primary target would be the best deal since Bruno

Back in January 2020, United did spend big to improve their first-team squad, subsequently forking out a reported £47m for the signature of midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

At the time, the Sporting CP star would have been an unknown quantity to many, but nearly six years on, it’s safe to say such a move was one of the club’s best in recent times.

The 31-year-old has since racked up a total of 303 appearances for the Red Devils, even managing to net his 100th goal for the club in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea back in September.

However, he’s also been a provider for those around him, as seen by his tally of 86 assists, with the Portuguese international current averaging 0.62 goal contributions per 90.

United have tried to replicate such deals in years gone by, completing moves for the likes of Patrick Dorgu, but the Dane’s move has been merely unsuccessful.

The aforementioned star has found minutes hard to come by, even struggling to perform when given the chance, which could lead to an early departure despite only joining 12 months ago.

However, a deal for Anderson would certainly follow the Bruno trend, with the Red Devils potentially getting themselves one of the division’s best talents at present.

The Englishman has taken his game to the next level in 2025/26, with his stellar performances cementing his place as an international regular within Thomas Tuchel’s England side.

His tally of two combined goals and assists in the Premier League may not seem impressive, but it’s his underlying stats which have made him such a sought-after talent.

Anderson, who’s been labelled a “warrior” by Ben Mattinson, has regained possession the most of any player in the league this season – with such an asset filling the club’s hunt for a dominant ball-winner.

Such a feat is made all the more impressive by his other tallies out of possession, with the Forest star winning 2.8 tackles and 7.2 duels won per 90 – further reaffirming his dominant nature.

Games played

12

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

83%

Progressive passes

8.3

Passes into final third

8.2

Take-ons completed

1.3

Ball recoveries

8.5

Tackles made

2.8

Duels won

7.2

However, with the ball at his feet, he’s been just as effective, as seen by his remarkable tally of 8.3 progressive passes completed per 90, with 8.2 of his efforts being made into the final third.

To top off the 23-year-old’s incredible numbers in 2025/26, he’s completed 1.5 key passes per 90 to date, with 1.3 of his passes being into the opposition’s penalty area.

A deal for Anderson would be yet another huge piece of business conducted by INEOS, but it’s one that would certainly solve one of Amorim’s biggest issues at Old Trafford.

Should the £100m man get anywhere near the levels produced by Bruno at the Theatre of Dreams, it would be a phenomenal addition, and one that could allow the side to finally compete for titles once again.

Joao Gomes upgrade: INEOS ready Man Utd talks for "out of this world" star

Manchester United look set to make another move for a central midfielder ahead of the January window.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 28, 2025

Brad Lord's path to MLB has not been anything but standard.

The former 18th round pick in the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft made the Washington Nationals' Opening Day roster on Wednesday, according to reports, just a few months after he spent the winter working at his local Home Depot.

Lord, who, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, worked for Home Depot moving mulch and Christmas trees this past winter, is set to feature in Washington's bullpen to start the 2025 MLB season after an impressive season in the minors in 2024.

In order to make some money during baseball offseasons, Lord has worked some pretty standard, non-baseball related jobs. In addition to Home Depot, he spent the previous winter working at Publix, all the while continuing to hone his craft on the mound.

Last year, playing at A+, Double-A and Triple-A, Lord made 25 starts and recorded a 2.78 ERA with 135 strikeouts across 129 2/3 innings. This spring, he struggled to the tune of a 6.08 ERA in nine relief appearances, but it wasn't enough to dissuade the Nationals from carrying him on the roster to start the season.

Now, the Talahassee, Fla. native is officially a big-leaguer at the age of 25, less than three years after he was selected with the No. 531 pick in the 2022 draft out of the University of South Florida.

تحدث سيد مرعي، وكيل اللاعبين، عن بعض الأمور الخاصة بالتعاقدات، وعما إذا كان أحد اللاعبين قد فضل اللعب لأحد الأندية مضحيا بالأموال.

وقال سيد مرعي، في تصريحات لقناة أون سبورت، بسؤاله عن: هل صادفت لاعبًا ضحّى بنفسه وبمصلحته وبالمال الذي يمكن أن يحصل عليه من أجل اللعب للنادي الذي يحبّه أو يشجّعه؟: “جيل مواليد 2001 في نادي الزمالك يعد من أقوى الأجيال التي مرت على النادي، يمكن القول إن الزمالك فرط في هذا الجيل، الذي يضم أحمد عيد، وأسامة فيصل، وحسام أشرف، وحسين فيصل، وياسين مرعي، هذا الجيل من أفضل الأجيال التي ظهرت، وجميع هؤلاء اللاعبين وقعوا عقودهم على بياض”.

طالع|السيسي: لماذا لا تمتلك مصر 6 آلاف لاعب مثل محمد صلاح؟

وتابع: “أما عن لاعب قدم تضحيات كبيرة رغم أنه نجم، فيمكن القول إن محمد أبو جبل فعل ذلك إلى حد ما في الفترة الثانية التي عاد فيها من سموحة إلى الزمالك”.

وعن ما يشاع بشأن عدم التزام الزمالك في تعاقداته، مقابل التزام أكبر من النادي الأهلي، وهل يستغل الأهلي ذلك في مفاوضاته مع اللاعبين، رد: “طبعا، وهذا الأمر يؤثر على اللاعبين بنسبة 100%، النادي المستقر يتحدث باسمه وبنظامه، وبالطبع كلاعب سأختار النادي الذي يوفر لي الراحة والاستقرار، لاعب كرة القدم قد يتعرض لإصابة في خمس دقائق، وهذا مستقبله كله”.

وكشف: “أريد أن أوضح للناس أن لاعب الكرة قد يكون مسؤولا عن الإنفاق على والده ووالدته وأسرته، وليس كما يعتقد البعض أن كل اللاعبين مثل نماذج قليلة هي التي تظهر في الإعلام، هناك لاعبين محترمين وملتزمين، وكرة القدم ليست رزق اللاعب وحده، بل هي رزق لأسرته وقريته أيضا”.

واختتم: “النادي الأهلي أكثر استقرارا من الناحية المالية والمادية والإدارية، ويستغل ذلك في التعاقدات، وهذا يحسب لهم لأنهم نجحوا في الوصول إلى هذا المستوى من التنظيم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo entra em campo neste domingo (8), às 16h, no Maracanã, tentando apresentar ânimo revigorado no clássico diante do Fluminense. Em seu primeiro ato como treinador interino, Lúcio Flávio se prepara para lidar com uma série de desafios.

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Durante a semana, o diretor André Mazzuco reforçou sua confiança no ex-jogador e alertou que “são 13 finais”. A poucas horas de estar à beira do campo, saiba alguns pontos nos quais a nova comissão técnica tende a tentar ajustar o Alvinegro para garanti-lo na rota do título.

+ Veja a tabela do Brasileirão

Di Plácido deve receber um voto de confiança do novo comandante. O lateral vinha em uma boa sequência com a camisa alvinegra, dando apoio ao ataque mas, após uma oscilação, foi preterido no decorrer da passagem de Bruno Lage.

O português chegou a dar espaço a improvisos, como JP Galvão e Tchê Tchê, lançando o argentino apenas no decorrer das partidas. Com vivência, Di Plácido tem chance de dar a volta por cima e se firmar.

CONFIANÇA NA DEFESA

Nos 16 jogos com Bruno Lage, o Alvinegro passou a sofrer mais gols. Cabe a Lúcio Flávio tentar ajeitar novamente a defesa, apostando na força de Adryelson e Cuesta e também no restante da proteção à zaga.

Para isso, o treinador interino conta com o suporte de Joel Carli, alçado a auxiliar do Glorioso nesta reta final.

ENCAIXE NO MEIO DE CAMPO

O principal desafio de Lúcio Flávio é voltar a fazer com que a criação de jogadas aconteça de maneira natural. A tendência é que Marlon Freitas, Tchê Tchê e Eduardo sigam como titulares, mas cabe ao novo técnico promover variações para furar o bloqueio do adversário.

O camisa 6 deve atuar em sua posição de origem, virando a página de sua polivalência. O “sheik”, por sua vez, ficou muito sobrecarregado na criação de jogadas e faltou ousadia ao Glorioso especialmente nas partidas como visitante.

QUEM JOGA PELA DIREITA?

O enigma continua a ser a atuação pela ponta. Júnior Santos, Luís Henrique e Matías Segovia travam disputa. Luís Henrique, porém, pode atuar no lugar de Victor Sá.

Porém, falta ao Glorioso encontrar um desafogo para surpreender pelo lado direito. A equipe busca seu equilíbrio ofensivo para levar a melhor no clássico.

EXPECTATIVA EM TORNO DE TIQUINHO SOARES

Passada a polêmica em torno do jogo com o Goiás que culminou na demissão de Bruno Lage, Tiquinho Soares voltará a ser titular no clássico. O camisa 9 encerrou sua seca de gols na segunda-feira (2) e está motivado.

A esperança de que o artilheiro do Brasileiro, com 14 gols, esteja em condições de surpreender o setor defensivo tricolor move os botafoguenses para o duelo. A equipe não terá Diego Costa, que cumpre suspensão.

O Botafogo tem 52 pontos e lidera a competição com sete pontos a mais que o RB Bragantino,

The Lewis family are attempting to usher in a new era post-Daniel Levy, with Tottenham’s owners confirming a £100 million cash injection into the club via ENIC this week.

Tottenham gifted £100m boost after Lewis family decision

Spurs announced the nine-figure windfall on Thursday morning, and it comes as yet another statement of intent from the Lewis family after forcing Levy’s resignation last month.

Since the long-serving former chair’s departure, the Lilywhites have officially rejected three expressions of takeover interest as well — snubbing Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance Limited and a consortium led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited last month.

They also rejected an approach from American tech entrepreneur and ex-DJ Brooklyn Earick, who has since confirmed that he won’t be making a formal offer for Tottenham’s majority shares via the London Stock Exchange (BBC).

The North Londoners are currently one of world football’s highest revenue generating clubs, and the aforementioned parties undoubtedly saw an opportunity to get involved in a growing project.

World Football’s highest revenue-generating clubs — 2025

Value

Real Madrid

£1.2 billion

Man City

£727 million

PSG

£700 million

Man United

£668 million

Bayern Munich

£664 million

FC Barcelona

£659.5 million

Arsenal

£621.5 million

Liverpool

£620 million

Tottenham Hotspur

£533 million

Chelsea

£474 million

However, the Lewis family have been crystal clear — Tottenham are not for sale, and they’re there to stay.

With CEO Vinai Venkatesham now taking a more prominent role in the day-to-day running of Spurs, the ex-Arsenal chief, technical director Johan Lange and manager Thomas Frank are currently formalising what they’ll need to drive success on the pitch moving forward.

According to reliable journalist Alasdair Gold, their decision to pump £100 million of new capital into the club is just the start of their financial backing, and more money is set to be made available in the near future.

One source close to the Lewis family has also dropped an exciting five-word message after their £100 million investment, stating “this is initial additional funding” — which is a clear signal that Spurs’ majority owners will continue to provide funds after this.

What ENIC's cash injection will actually be used for at Tottenham

Now, a report by Football Insider has shared what this first portion of finances will be used for at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

According to their information, Spurs are set to utilise this £100m bankroll to cover “day-to-day operations” at N17 without the need to borrow further.

Non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, who stepped into his role immediately after Levy’s resignation, and Venkatesham will decide which areas the money will be spent on strengthening.

The prospect of this money being reinvested into transfers and wages is possible, with Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol previously reporting the Lewis family’s plan to inject new capital as far back as last month.

Thus far, ENIC and the Lewis family are making good on their promises right after waving goodbye to Levy, and the club’s first transfer window beyond his exit will be a very intriguing one.

It is believed that Tottenham want a new winger and centre-back in January, with funds now made available to potentially attack the market.