Exactly one year after Shohei Ohtani played his final game with the Los Angeles Angels, he returned to his former home ballpark for the first time on Tuesday night as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While Angels fans' reactions in Anaheim may have been mixed, the Angels’ scoreboard operator left no doubt as to where he stood on the two-way star. During the Dodgers’ 6-2 win, he used quite the snarky line to describe Ohtani on the scoreboard.
“Used to work here.”
Just those four words. It was a picture-perfect moment to hang in the Louvre.
Though the scoreboard operator may have been feeling some type of way that night, the Angels did honor Ohtani with an emotional tribute video shared on social media.
Ohtani’s six-year career with the Angels may not have amounted to much playoff glory, but he definitely made his mark on an organization that was naturally sad to see him leave in free agency. During his time in Anaheim, which saw him win two AL MVPs and three All-Star nods, Ohtani racked up 171 home runs and 437 RBIs while also pitching to an impressive tune with a 3.01 ERA.
After last season’s title challenge was derailed by injuries, Arsenal addressed this by recruiting heavily in the summer transfer window, and it’s just as well.
Piero Hincapié, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus all missed Saturday’s win over West Ham, in which Martin Ødegaard suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee, which is set to see him sidelined for around a month.
Meantime, William Saliba, Benjamin White, Bukayo Saka, Christian Nørgaard and others have already sat out matches due to more minor injuries this season, underlining the need for a gigantic squad.
Nevertheless, the fabled ‘when everyone is fit’ scenario could cause Mikel Arteta selection issues, forced to leave senior players out of a 20-man matchday squad entirely, so does one member of Arsenal’s current starting lineup need to up his game to avoid being evicted from the XI?
The latest on Arsenal's injury situation
This has been a rough year for the Gunners on the injury front. Bukayo Saka spent the early months of the campaign out while Gabriel also suffered a major hamstring injury towards the end of 2024/25.
Odegaard has also endured a tough time, picking up yet another problem at the weekend.
Safe to say his recent injury history is a cause for concern. At the weekend, he became the first player in history to be subbed in the first half of three consecutive Premier League matches
His best pal, Havertz, has also found life difficult this year.
After being widely mocked and ridiculed following his £65m move from Chelsea, the German flipped the script by scoring 14 goals during his first season in North London, before adding a further 15 last season.
However, in 2025 so far, the Germany international has seen just 817 minutes of action across all competitions, sitting out 29 matches, and counting.
First, Havertz underwent surgery in February after suffering a serious hamstring injury during the warm weather training camp in Dubai.
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Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Then, on the opening day of this season, during his 30-minute cameo, the forward sustained a knee injury at Old Trafford, one that required a minor surgical procedure.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz
This occurred on 17 August, with Havertz forecast to be sidelined for between two and three months, which could see him back in the coming weeks, likely to be in contention by the time Arsenal face Tottenham, Bayern Munich and then Chelsea in the space of eight days at the end of November.
What Kai Havertz's return means for the Arsenal squad
In the meantime, not ready to return just yet, one current starter will be under pressure to improve his performances as a result.
Football supporters love nothing more than a debate, and just how well Viktor Gyökeres has done so far at Arsenal is the hot topic currently at the top of the agenda.
So far, the Swedish striker has scored three goals in ten appearances, bagging a brace against Leeds, as well as netting against Nottingham Forest, both in home games.
Well, ahead of his team’s World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo, Sweden manager Jon Dahl Tomasson believes the striker is in “very good form at the moment”, adding that those criticising him don’t “understand football”.
However, other opinions are widely available, with some asserting that he has so far struggled to make much of an impact, notably Gary Neville who said that he already looks like a bit of a “misfit” surrounded by the more technically gifted players at Arsenal.
Gyökeres Arsenal statistics
Statistics
Gyökeres
Arsenal rank
Goals
3
1st
xG
3.9
1st
Shots
22
1st
Shots on target
6
1st
Big chances missed
7
1st
Key passes
6
8th
Shot-creating actions
15
8th
Goal-creating actions
2
9th
Touches
195
15th
Touches per 90
24.1
21st
Touches in the box
55
1st
Average rating
6.53
18th
Stats via FBref and SofaScore
The table certainly supports the zeitgeist that Gyökeres has made a mixed start to life at Arsenal.
As expected, he leads the way in terms of shots and goals, albeit he is underperforming his expected goals, having missed seven Opta-defined big chances, which goes alongside the eye-test that he almost certainly should’ve scored more goals.
Also, he is offering very little other than finishing, ranked bottom for touches per 90 of all Arsenal outfield players to have played 90 minutes or more this season, with a whopping 28% of his touches coming in the opposition penalty area.
Following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United on the opening weekend, speaking on BBC 5 live, ex-Gunners defender Lee Dixon abelled the forward “vanilla”, struggling to make an impact or jell with team-mates, while Alan Pardew, talking on talkSPORT, stated he was “expecting a little bit more”.
During his time with Sporting in the Primeira Liga, one of the least-balanced leagues in Europe, Gyökeres was accused of being a flat track bully, scoring hat-tricks against Boavista twice, Farense, Estrela Amadora, Vitória de Guimarães and Moreirense, all non-elite teams, hence why many were concerned about his ability to make the step-up to Premier League level.
Well, coming up, Arsenal’s next four league opponents are Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and then Sunderland which, while being stronger than most the Portuguese top-flight has to offer, is a favourable fixture list in which to build some momentum.
If Gyökeres does not significantly increase his goal tally in those matches, he could find himself back on the bench for the North London derby on 23 November, given that Havertz should be back by then. Safe to say he’s very much on borrowed time early into his Emirates Stadium career.
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Mauricio Pochettino told the BBC that he “misses” the Premier League and says he's open "one day to come back" to club football. The Argentine is preparing to guide the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S, Canada and Mexico, adding that he's "so happy in America." But he also said that the intensity and competition of England’s top flight remain unmatched.
USMNT boss on the Premier League
Pochettino has admitted that he is “missing” the Premier League and is already thinking about returning to English football in the future. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss, now in charge of the United States men’s national team, said he remains happy in his current role but cannot deny that the Premier League’s energy and competitiveness continue to draw him back.
Having enjoyed nearly a decade in the competition across three Premier League clubs, Pochettino reflected on his enduring connection to England’s top division and his ambition to one day complete the unfinished business he left behind.
The Argentine coach has been in charge of the USMNT since September 2024, guiding the team through a challenging rebuild ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Canada and Mexico. While his record stands at 11 wins from 20 matches, criticism has emerged following defeats to Mexico, Panama, and South Korea.
Through his work with the national team at next year's home World Cup, Pochettino is tasked with helping drive the growth of the sport in the U.S., telling BBC Sport, "The motivation is massive. Sometimes you feel that people don't understand too much.
"You find some coaches that say, 'Oh you know, you need to know the culture of the American player.' I say 'No, I know the most important thing is the culture of football and soccer. We need to translate the culture of football to the American player.' I think after one year we are making great progress. We are building with people that the language of football is only one, and it doesn't care if you are American, Brazilian or English. Our football is to compete in the way that you need to compete, if you want to win."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPochettino 'misses' the Premier League
Regarding club football, Pochettino acknowledged that “the Premier League is the best league in the world. Of course I am missing it. I am so happy in America but also thinking one day to come back to the Premier League. It’s the most competitive league.”
The 53-year-old also reflected on his time in England, particularly with Tottenham, where he came closest to winning major silverware: "I think we were so close in Tottenham, we nearly touched it – winning the Champions League and Premier League. That is a thing that I would want to achieve,” he said, before admitting that his unfinished business in English football still drives him.
Pochettino also opened up about the differences between club and international management, conceding that the long gaps between games have taken some getting used to.
"The intensity is completely different because you need to arrive for a few days to prepare the game and play, prepare another game, play, and go back," Pochettino said. "After November, we are going to have three months until March to prepare another game. In a national team you are desperate to coach the players. You feel empty because after the second game you cannot have communication and you cannot keep working on improving things."
Getty Images SportPochettino's Premier League legacy
Pochettino’s journey through the Premier League has been one of both admiration and frustration. He made his English football debut in 2013 with Southampton, where he implemented a pressing, attack-minded system that quickly earned plaudits. His single full season saw the Saints finish eighth – their best top-flight finish in over a decade – and paved the way for his move to Tottenham the following year.
It was at Spurs where Pochettino cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite coaches. Between 2014 and 2019, he transformed the club into title challengers and Champions League finalists, developing a young and dynamic squad featuring Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, and Dele Alli.
Despite narrowly missing out on both the Premier League and European crowns, his achievements at Tottenham remain a high point in the club’s modern history, and his departure in 2019 was widely viewed as premature.
After a brief stint in France with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, Pochettino returned to England in 2023 to manage Chelsea. His time at Stamford Bridge lasted just one season, marked by inconsistency but also a late surge that secured European football for the Blues. He left by mutual consent in May 2024, a decision that soon led to his appointment as USMNT head coach four months later.
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Focus on the World Cup
Pochettino’s immediate task is to prepare the United States for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that will define his future prospects. While progress has been evident, pressure is mounting for Pochettino to deliver tangible success on home soil, with tall expectations as the tournament approaches.
His reputation in England remains strong, particularly at Tottenham, where fans still view him fondly despite his five-year absence. Several top-flight clubs are expected to monitor his availability post-World Cup, especially those seeking a manager capable of combining long-term player development with attacking football.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has heaped praise on a member of the Spurs squad who he’s barely called upon lately.
Tottenham travel to Everton as concerns surround midfield
Spurs travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium as they prepare to battle David Moyes’ Everton on Merseyside this weekend.
Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie and Dominic Solanke are the club’s most notable absentees, joining Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma on their extensive injury list.
Dejan Kulusevski
Knee
22/11/2025
James Maddison
ACL
01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin
Knee
22/11/2025
Ben Davies
Thigh
23/11/2025
Yves Bissouma
Ankle/Foot
08/11/2025
Cristian Romero
Groin
01/11/2025
Destiny Udogie
Knee
08/11/2025
Dominic Solanke
Ankle
08/11/2025
via Premier Injuries
After a dismal 0-0 draw away to Monaco in the Champions League, where goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was on hand to spare their blushes time and time again with a string of excellent saves, Spurs supporters are concerned by their lack of control in midfield.
Joao Palhinha has been one of Tottenham’s players of the season so far, but his partnership with fellow in-form ace Rodrigo Bentancur has attracted debate.
While both men have performed brilliantly in an individual sense, as a pairing, they don’t appear to be connecting defence with attack that well, and this was on full display in France on Wednesday.
Concerns have also surrounded Xavi Simons, who’s largely failed to make the desired impact creatively since his £52 million move from RB Leipzig last summer, with the Dutchman having just one goal contribution to show for his efforts.
Lucas Bergvall was given the nod in Simons’ position against Monaco, but he was equally ineffective, leading to suggestions that their lack of creative guile stems from a broader tactical issue in the engine room.
Tottenham cannot keep relying on Mohammed Kudus to provide all of their cutting edge from the right-hand side, so it’ll be interesting to see if Frank shakes things up a bit for Everton.
Frank has also raised eyebrows with his decision to drop Pape Sarr, despite the Senegalese starting 2025/2026 in excellent form.
The 23-year-old hasn’t started a Premier League game since Tottenham’s 4-0 win at West Ham, playing just 33 minutes across their last four top flight games, leaving many to wonder if there is an issue with him behind-the-scenes.
Thomas Frank clarifys Pape Sarr situation at Tottenham
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Frank addressed the concerns around Sarr.
Spurs’ head coach insists that nothing is wrong with the African, and that he has been left very impressed by Sarr since arriving in north London.
The former FC Metz sensation was one of Fabio Paratici’s first signings at Tottenham, and he’s gone on to justify his bargain price tag by becoming a real success story at the club.
Physical and combative, Sarr’s work rate always catches the eye – breaking up opposition play and helping to launch attacks with his excellent turn of pace. His energy adds balance to Tottenham’s midfield, providing both cover and a steady link between the backline and their attack.
He is an excellent option to potentially partner Palhinha against Everton, and Frank should definitely consider recalling Sarr to the eleven amid the growing criticism surrounding Spurs’ engine room.
Nottingham Forest are believed to be making contingency plans if they decide to sack manager Ange Postecoglou, which is still rumoured to be a possibility as Evangelos Marinakis weighs up his next move.
Ange Postecoglou's disastrous start at Nottingham Forest
Postecoglou’s tenure at Forest has been marked by a disastrous start, casting a shadow over the club’s hopes for progress this season.
Since taking the reins after Nuno Espírito Santo’s unceremonious departure, Postecoglou has struggled to find form, becoming the first permanent Forest manager in a century to fail to win any of his first six matches.
Arsenal 3-0 Forest
Premier League
Swansea 3-2 Forest
Carabao Cup
Burnley 1-1 Forest
Premier League
Real Betis 2-2 Forest
Europa League
Forest 0-1 Sunderland
Premier League
Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland
Europa League
Newcastle 2-0 Forest
Premier League
His attempts to implement a new playing philosophy — characterized by high-intensity pressing and open attacking football — have yet to yield any results, leaving the squad visibly unsettled and fans frustrated.
Chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ rang around the City Ground during Forest’s shock 3-2 defeat to Danish minnows FC Midtjylland in the Europa League, and discontent from supporters will only be piling pressure on Marinakis after his controversial decision to sack Nuno.
Reports suggest that Marinakis is furious with Forest’s current state behind-the-scenes and holds personal accountability for his role (TEAMtalk), and if results don’t improve soon, the Greek billionaire isn’t afraid to be ruthless and make another immediate managerial change (Sky Sports).
Should Forest decide to part ways with Postecoglou, several candidates have emerged as potential replacements.
Fulham managerMarcoSilvabefore the match
Fulham’s Marco Silva is considered a leading contender, especially given his relationship with Marinakis following the pair’s time at Olympiacos together (talkSPORT).
Silva’s contract situation and success on a shoe-string budget at Craven Cottage makes him an attractive long-term target, while other names linked include Rafa Benitez and Oliver Glasner, both of whom bring proven experience managing in the Premier League.
Benitez was spotted close to Marinakis during a recent Olympiacos clash against Arsenal in the Champions League, whilst Glasner is reportedly emerging as a “prime candidate” for the Forest job if Postecoglou does leave.
Marco Silva expected to leave Fulham amid Nottingham Forest interest
Sharing an update on the prospect of Silva’s potential appointment, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook has urged Tricky Trees supporters to “keep an eye” on the Portuguese with his deal — said to include an £8 million release clause — due to expire in 2026.
Fulham managerMarcoSilvabefore the match
Crook also says that he expects Silva to depart Fulham at the end of his contract amid Forest’s interest, but also states it’ll be tricky to convince the tactician to swap jobs immediately.
The 48-year-old, who guided Fulham to Premier League promotion from the Championship, has since kept them afloat with solid mid-table finishes, and they briefly contended for Europe last season — despite underspending in comparison to their top flight rivals.
Ex-Hull City striker Evandro, who worked with Silva at the MKM Stadium, has branded Silva a “master” tactician.
A stubborn seventh-wicket stand between Ervine and Masakadza only delayed the inevitable
Himanshu Agrawal01-Jul-2025The first ball of the day set the tone. Corbin Bosch wished Zimbabwe good morning by cramping Nick Welch with a sharp short delivery, which he ended up fending to short leg. That left Bosch on a hat-trick after he had had Takudzwanashe Kaitano caught at third slip off what had turned out to be the last ball of the third day. Sean Williams avoided the hat-trick, but soon after, a collapse of 4 for 18 left little scope for Zimbabwe to take the game deep after South Africa had set them 537 to win. The visitors won by 328 runs soon after lunch.From 82 for 6, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza doubled the total in a fighting seventh-wicket partnership of 83. South Africa’s frustration lasted for just over an hour, as a superb diving catch by Tony de Zorzi – again at short leg – helped Bosch break the stand. Ervine departed on 49 to give Bosch his fourth wicket, and with that, ended South Africa’s irritation.Bosch bagged his maiden Test five-for, when, four overs later, he had Vincent Masekesa chopping on. That added to the milestone of scoring his first Test hundred with the bat on the first day, and made Bosch the fifth South African to achieve that double in a Test. Eventually, his and Wiaan Mulder’s all-round heroics, coupled with debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ 153 on day one, confined Zimbabwe to their heaviest Test defeat in terms of runs.But apart from that union between Ervine and Masakadza, Zimbabwe provided brief spells of entertainment on the fourth day. Although Williams arrived to bat in a tricky situation, he didn’t hesitate in attacking the bowlers. He had four boundaries off his first eight balls, and fell for 26 off 18 balls when, in the 25th over, he ended up top-edging a short ball from Bosch to Kyle Verreynne.Codi Yusuf replaced Bosch in the 28th over, and had Prince Masvaure caught at second slip for 12. Yusuf’s fun continued when Wessly Madhevere nicked to Verreynne in the 30th over, and Tafadzwa Tsiga found fourth slip in the 32nd. But Ervine and Masakadza blunted all that with a flurry of boundaries.Ervine had already swept, reverse swept and chipped Keshav Maharaj for boundaries, and Masakadza didn’t shy away from playing his shots either. When on 10, Mulder had Masakadza dropped by Verreynne, and the life Masakadza got helped the stand grow. The partnership passed fifty in the 33rd over when Ervine reverse swept Maharaj past slip, as the left-arm spinner looked short of ideas both as bowler and captain.After lunch, when Masakadza punched Bosch for four past gully to raise his maiden Test fifty – his previous highest Test score was 17 – there seemed to be no end to South Africa’s misery. But when Bosch had Ervine caught by de Zorzi, that started another collapse. Masekesa and Masakadza followed, but there was more annoyance in store for South Africa.Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s No. 10, went 4, 4, 6 off part-time legspinner Dewald Brevis in the 64th over, and then smashed a six and four each off Maharaj in the 66th. Finally, two overs later, Brevis had his first Test wicket when Tanaka Chivanga chipped down the pitch and missed a ball outside leg, and was stumped. South Africa now have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
On Sunday evening, it was Mark Vientos's turn in the batter's box with the game on the line, and he delivered an electric clutch hit, tying the game at 6–6 with a two-run shot in the top of the ninth inning.
In doing so, Vientos not only brought the Mets back from the brink of defeat in Game 2, but he also made some impressive MLB history.
Vientos, 24, became the youngest player in National League history to record three or more extra base hits in a single postseason game.
The third baseman launched a pair of two-run home runs during the Mets' back-and-forth loss in the second game of their NLDS clash with the rival Philadelphia Phillies. He started things off with a double in the first inning before smashing a two-run shot to right field in the third.
After walking in the fifth and striking out in the seventh, Vientos came back to the plate in the ninth and delivered one of the biggest at-bats of his career. His two-run shot off Matt Strahm tied the game, though the Phillies bounced back to secure a win in the bottom of the ninth.
Vientos has been enjoying his first taste of October baseball, and he's already landed in MLB history books after just five career games in the postseason.
Big picture: T20 World Cup preparation begins amid a farewell
This series marks the beginning of something – the build towards next year’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka – but the first two matches are also an ending: Andre Russell will retire from international cricket after the Jamaica leg of matches, another member of the powerhouse West Indies T20 era who has called time.Russell was part of both the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup triumphs for West Indies, one of finest hours coming in the latter of those when he made vital runs against India and claimed nine wickets in the tournament. It took a while for Russell to click in T20Is: until the end of 2015 he averaged 11.52 with the bat (strike-rate 122.01) and 48.90 with the ball from 33 matches. Since then, in 49 matches, he has averaged 28.63 with a strike-rate of 177.11 and claimed 50 wickets at 26.56.Related
Australia to trial new combinations as T20 World Cup build-up begins
Russell rates 2016 T20 World Cup innings against India as his best moment
But he won’t be around for an attempt at a third World Cup title, instead opting to bow out on his home ground at Sabina Park where he can expect a hero’s welcome over the next few days.For two matches, Russell will be part of a West Indies’ batting order that, on paper, looks more formidable than the Test line up that recently crumbled for 27 albeit they are also without Nicholas Pooran who recently ended his international career. However, they have won just two of their last 16 T20Is including 3-0 sweeps against Bangladesh and England.Meanwhile, Australia have been light on T20s since the last World Cup with just nine schedule matches (one of which against England was abandoned) but this series begins a run of 16 fixtures leading into the next edition. This isn’t a full-strength squad with Travis Head, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc rested – all of whom will likely feature in the World Cup – but it retains many of the key T20 personnel and is an important opportunity for captain Mitchell Marsh to bring the side together.4:10
Russell: I want to win and finish on a high
Form guide
West Indies WLLLL Australia WWWLW
In the spotlight: Evin Lewis and Mitchell Owen
Moving away from Russell for a moment, Evin Lewis will have some fond memories of Sabina Park. In the only other T20I he has played at the venue he hammered 125 not out off 62 balls against India in 2017. His most recent T20I innings brought 91 off 44 balls against Ireland. In four matches against Australia, which all came in 2021, he has made 139 runs at a strike-rate of 182.89 – his highest against any side he has faced more than once.Mitchell Owen has been confirmed for his international debut. There will be a lot of interest in how he performs following a standout BBL last season which included his breathtaking century in the final. A squeeze for batting spots at the top of the order means his chance will come in the middle order. “Just looking at the top order and the talent and the skill and the experience that we have there. If I get given an opportunity, I don’t really care where it is. I’m just happy to be playing for this team,” Owen said.Eighteen-year-old Jewel Andrew is in West Indies’ squad•Global Super League via Getty Images
Team news: Race from Guyana for WI players; Owen to debut
Jewel Andrew and Jediah Blades are uncapped at T20I level while Matthew Forde will become Russell’s replacement. Seven members of the squad have been playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Global Super League, the final of which only finished on Friday night, and it’s understood their journey to Jamaica may involve a private jet so they can reach on Saturday.West Indies squad: Shai Hope (capt), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario ShepherdMatt Short has been ruled out of the series with a side strain and Tim David sits out the opening match as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Jake Fraser-McGurk, a late addition to the squad, gets the chance to open and Cooper Connolly slots into the middle order.Australia: 1 Mitchell Marsh (capt), 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Josh Inglis (wk), 4 Cameron Green, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Owen, 7 Cooper Connolly, 8 Ben Dwarshius, 9 Sean Abbott, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Adam Zampa
Pitch and conditions
It remains to be seen how the white ball reacts under the Sabina Park floodlights compared to the pink one, but there is unlikely to be as much grass left on the pitch as there was for the Test match. There is the chance of a shower or two.
Stats and trivia
These are the first day-night T20Is at Sabina Park following the recent installation of the floodlights which enabled it to host the pink-ball Test.
The head-to-head between the teams in T20Is is all square: 11-11. However, West Indies have won only one of the last six.
Former captain Rovman Powell needs 25 runs to overtake Chris Gayle as West Indies’ second-leading run-scorer in T20Is
O meia-atacante Roberto Pereyra negociou com três clubes brasileiros: Palmeiras, Santos e Botafogo. No fim, a opção do jogador foi permanecer na Europa, mas ele não descarta atuar no futebol sul-americano no futuro.
+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000
Pereyra, inclusive, gostou dos projetos apresentados. Segundo apuração da reportagem do Lance!, o atleta pode se mudar para o Brasil em 2024, se tiver a oportunidade.
+ Próximo desafio! Aposte R$100 e ganhe R$450 em Brasil x Uruguai pelas Eliminatórias
+ Calando os críticos? Aposte R$100 e ganhe R$700 com Neymar e o Brasil nas Eliminatórias
POR QUE NÃO VEIO?
Apesar do argentino ter considerado os projetos como bons, a decisão familiar foi a razão que mais pesou para ele não aceitar vir para o Brasil. A família de Roberto Pereyra preferia permanecer na Europa, mais especificamente na Itália.
O Santos foi o clube que apresentou a melhor oferta, tendo conversado com o jogador por mais de dois meses para tentar a contratação. O Botafogo também demonstrou interesse, e o Palmeiras entrou na disputa nos últimos dias de inscrição de reforços livres no mercado no futebol brasileiro. Porém, as propostas eram inferiores às do Peixe.
Quando Verdão buscou a contratação, o período de inscrições na Europa também estava em reta final. Isso fez o meia tivesse suas opções reduzidas.
Na temporada anterior, Roberto Pereyra atuou na Udinese, da Itália, e deixou a equipe após o fim do vínculo, em junho. Antes sem acordo pela renovação, em setembro o estafe chegou a um denominador comum com os italianos, e o argentino assinou contrato por mais uma temporada.
ELE ESTÁ JOGANDO?
Roberto Pereyra atuou em cinco das oito partidas da Udinese na temporada. Em três, ele saiu do banco de reservas e, no total, ainda não distribuiu assistências ou anotou gols.
Chelsea equaled the longest unbeaten streak in Women’s Super League history as they were held to a controversial 1-1 draw with title rivals Arsenal on Saturday afternoon. Alyssa Thompson’s opener was cancelled out by Alessia Russo's late strike in a breathless match which saw Sonia Bompastor’s Blues match their own 33-game unbeaten league run at the Emirates Stadium.
In another blistering start from Chelsea, winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd hit the post before Thompson scored her side’s seventh goal in the opening 15 minutes of league games this season, chipping Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar with a wonderful finish. Bompastor’s side almost had a second when Van Domselaar parried Catarina Macario’s effort onto the crossbar, with Wieke Kaptein unable to convert the rebound from close range.
However, as has been custom this season, Chelsea’s scintillating start soon fizzled out as Arsenal grew into the game, almost pouncing on careless moments in possession from first Hannah Hampton and then Mille Bright before the break. The hosts picked up from where they left off in the second half and thought they had levelled when Gunners striker Stina Blackstenius pounced on Niamh Charles’ poor clearance, but the goal was controversially chalked off for handball. Chelsea will argue justice was served, however, as replays later showed they should not have conceded the corner which led to the disallowed strike.
As the most-played fixture in WSL history wore on, Arsenal continued to push and probe and they were finally rewarded when Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton failed to keep out Russo's last-gasp leveller, though replays would later show that the forward looked offside in the build-up. There was still time for one more final twist as substitute Frida Maanum thought she had won the fiery encounter for Renee Slegers’ side, but her goal was ruled out for offside. However, replays would later show that the midfielder looked onside as she coolly slotted past Hampton.
The result ensures Arsenal – who are fourth and still five points behind leaders Chelsea – remain in the title race, while fellow contenders Manchester United slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on the same day. Meanwhile, second-placed Manchester City have the chance to go top when they travel to Everton on Sunday.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (4/10):
Almost put Chelsea in trouble with a sloppy pass, before Bright mopped up with a last-ditch challenge in the first half. She then failed to keep out Russo's last-gasp strike, getting a hand to it but not doing enough to keep it out.
Lucy Bronze (5/10):
Lining up at right-back, having operated at centre-back against London City Lionesses, she showed signs of rustiness in her battle with Arsenal's Caitlin Foord.
Nathalie Bjorn (5/10):
Every time compatriot Blackstenius looked to have the better of her, the Sweden defender would recover, getting something on the ball to snuff out the danger. She almost scored an own goal, however, with an air shot late on.
Millie Bright (5/10):
Now with the joint-most appearances in WSL history (210), the captain was generally composed but there was a five-minute spell in the first half when she was careless in possession.
Niamh Charles (4/10):
The left-back got away with one as her poor clearance was pounced upon by Blackstenius, whose goal was controversially chalked off for handball. She then struggled up against Arsenal substitute Olivia Smith.
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Midfield
Wieke Kaptein (5/10):
Had the chance to score in the first half but her header was saved from close range, before failing to slip in Kaneryd during a promising counter-attack.
Keira Walsh (7/10):
Dictating the tempo as always, she set Thompson on her way to scoring with a crisp through ball in the build-up.
Erin Cuthbert (6/10):
Cool-headed in the middle of the park, the Scotland international rarely gave the ball away, giving Chelsea a trusty platform to build on.
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Attack
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (8/10):
In an electric start to the game, she hit the post within the first two minutes before setting up Thompson for Chelsea's goal.
Catarina Macario (7/10):
Combining clever link-up play with terrific strength in flashes, the Arsenal defenders struggled to contain the USWNT forward, before her influence waned.
Alyssa Thompson (8/10):
Driving forward with terrific speed and guile, she played a one-two with Kaneryd before lobbing Van Domselaar for Chelsea's strike.
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Subs & Manager
Ellie Carpenter (6/10):
A second-half substitute, she powered forward whenever she could, using her experience to aid the visitors.
Sam Kerr (6/10):
Replacing Macario late on, she provided an outlet for Chelsea, who were reduced to counter-attacking as the match wore on.
Oriane Jean-François (N/A):
Unable to make an impact as a late substitute.
Sandy Baltimore (N/A):
Brought on too late to influence the game.
Sonia Bompastor (7/10):
Shuffling her deck by making five changes, Bompastor watched on as Thompson repaid her faith with a super goal. The introduction of Australia duo Carpenter and Kerr proved helpful, too.