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Deu Flamengo na primeira noite de semifinal do Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-20. Visitante em Santo André, o Rubro-Negro precisou recuperar o emocional para buscar a virada em cima do Santos, no estádio Bruno José Daniel, e levar vantagem para partida de volta, no sábado (12).

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Antes da festa da virada, o susto. O Flamengo tomou um gol relâmpago, aos dois minutos de jogo, após um erro na saída de bola rubro-negra. O Santos ganhou a disputa pelo alto e trabalhou a jogada entre Enzo Monteiro e Miguelito, que dominou e encheu o pé de fora da área para acertar um golaço. Baqueado, o Rubro-Negro subiu ao ataque pela primeira vez aos 12′ do primeiro tempo – em um lance que gerou reclamação de um possível pênalti em Pedrinho.

A primeira grande oportunidade do Flamengo ocorreu apenas aos 23 minutos, quando a equipe conseguiu avançar em velocidade pelo lado esquerdo, e Pedrinho recebeu um pouco atrasado para finalizar e marcar. Apesar disso, o Santos foi o dono do primeiro tempo e conseguiu dificultar a vida do Rubro-Negro em busca do empate.

No segundo tempo, o Flamengo fez o Santos provar do próprio veneno e abriu o placar rubro-negro logo no início, aos nove minutos de jogo com Lorran. Dai por diante, o duelo ficou aberto com as duas equipes atacando e dando espaços em busca da vantagem no confronto. Os paulistas, assim como os cariocas, reclamaram de pênalti aos 32 minutos do tempo complementar, mas nada foi marcado.

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Aos 34 minutos do segundo tempo, o gol da vitória e a virada rubro-negra. A jogada foi trabalhada com uma tabela de inteligência pelos garotos do Ninho Petterson e Lorran, que infiltrou nas costas da zaga para encontrar Pedrinho e garantir o triunfo dos visitantes. Autor do primeiro tento carioca e garçom no segundo, o meia-atacante destacou a importância do resultado na ida da semifinal do Brasileiro Sub-20.

– Muito Feliz pela vitória, por ter feito o gol. Primeiro passo dado, agora é descansar e focar no jogo de volta -, disse Lorran.

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O duelo de volta está marcado para o próximo sábado (12), às 11h30, na Gávea, Rio de Janeiro. O confronto vale vaga para decisão do Brasileirão Sub-20, que terá Corinthians ou Palmeiras como finalistas.

Bilal El Khannouss is talking to Belgian reporters in the press area of the Cegeka Arena, home of KRC Genk. While the attacking midfielder is discussing the details of a 0-0 draw with Ferencvaros, a journalist from Sporza can no longer contain himself.

Eddy Demarez had noticed when El Khannouss came back onto the pitch after the half-time interval that the front of his azure blue Adidas boots was about to give way. A single piece of tape was the only thing holding everything together – and yet, remarkably, it did the job. The boots survived the second half.

These are scenes you would normally see on an amateur pitch. Together with the crooked socks, the shirts that are just a little too tight and shorts that reek of tiger balm, the half-taped boots don't belong in a European tournament, so the journalist is incredibly curious. Why didn't El Khannouss change into a new pair? The response says much about this young man's character.

"I got kicked on the foot in the first half, which broke my boot," El Khannouss explains to Demarez. "During half-time, I put tape on it. We have to make do with what we have. I hope to have new shoes tomorrow." Making the most of what you have: it's all El Khannouss knows and it also helps explain why he's set to become Stuttgart's second-most expensive signing ever next summer…

Where it all began

Born in 2004, El Khannouss grew up in Strombeek-Bever and, at the age of five, his cousin took him to his first football club: Crossing Schaerbeek. He didn't play there for long, though. 

"Soon after I arrived, my coach Ebrahim Bouazzati moved to Anderlecht and took his best players with him," he recalls in . "I was the last survivor of that group."

It was the football pitches of Brussels that made him the player he is today. In Josaphat Park, or under the Europe Bridge, where Ajax talent Rayane Bounida also spent his youth, he learned to understand the art of football. It shaped him, both as a human being and as a player. 

"It was mainly five against five in a cage," he recalled in an interview with . "Up until I was 13, I also played indoor football at Futsal Besiktas Gent. Playing in those small spaces teaches you to run smarter. It definitely helped me."

And then there was a youth transfer that caused quite a stir in the Belgian newspapers. The Brussels-born player with a purple Anderlecht heart moved to Genk at the age of 15.

"What did Anderlecht have to say about that? A lot of things. Some youth coaches called me a traitor," El Khannouss revealed. "They said it with a smile, but you could feel that they meant it."

He had played for Anderlecht for 10 years, and alongside the likes of Rome Lavia. However, the sporting picture in Genk was much more appealing. The future prospects were simply better there, and so it proved.

AdvertisementAFPThe big break

When he was still only 18, he made his debut for Genk's first team. A few months later, Bounida's Ajax came calling – along with a string of other top foreign clubs. However, El Khannouss decided to extend his contract with Genk.

It turned out to be the right choice. The following season saw his real breakthrough and the reward was a place in Morocco's 2022 World Cup squad. Once again, it was not a decision that went over well in the local press.

Until that point, El Khannouss had played for various Belgium teams at under-age level. "I am extremely grateful to Belgium for all the opportunities I have had here, but I knew from an early age that I would choose Morocco," he explained.

"My grandparents came to Belgium from Morocco and I feel that this is a way for me to give something back to them. They are no longer with us, but I am sure they are proud of me."

During Morocco's highly successful World Cup campaign – the team reached the semi-finals – he started in the third-place play-off against Croatia. He went head to head with his great idol, Luka Modric, and the 18-year-old impressed, thus becoming immensely popular., both in Morocco and back in Belgium.

These days, even during his pilgrimages to Mecca, he cannot escape his fame. "It's great to be recognised everywhere and feel the love from fans, but sometimes I do miss the anonymity. I've already learned to choose restaurants where few Moroccans go. The fans are literally everywhere!" he joked.

After the World Cup, El Khannouss continued to shine at Genk for another year and a half before making an inevitably transfer to a top league in 2024, with Leicester City agreeing to pay £22.5 million for the offensive midfielder, who was also courted by Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool.

Following the dismissal of Steve Cooper, he got to work with striking legend Ruud van Nistelrooy and was one of the few bright lights in an otherwise gloomy season at the King Power Stadium. 

"I think you will see and hear a lot more from him," Van Nistelrooy insisted. "He can go very far. He has the potential to become a top player in the Champions League."

AFPHow it's going

Although El Khannouss started the current campaign playing Championship football with Leicester, it was always unlikely that he'd do so for the entire season.

However, he only secured a transfer to Stuttgart on deadline day, as the German side looked to add to their attacking options following the lucrative sale of star striker Nick Woltemade to Newcastle.

El Khannouss was signed on a season-long loan but with an obligation to buy next summer for €25 million (£22m/$29m). It's already looking like a bit of a masterstroke by Stuttgart.

The 21-year-old has netted three times in his first six appearances in all competitions for his new side, much to the delight of coach Sebastian Hoeness. 

"He has incredible quality – he has already demonstrated that in the Premier League, of course," Hoeness said. "But he has had a great start and is a very promising young man. We are very happy to have him with us."

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Thorsten Fink, who coached El Khannouss in Belgium, has already expressed similar sentiments to Van Nistelrooy. "I have worked with many players, and what I have seen is that this boy is very special," he told . "He can become one of the best footballers in Europe. I am convinced of that."

He's certainly got the talent to do so. El Khannouss has a fantastic first touch, is an elusive dribbler, can really pick a pass and has outstanding awareness, which is why his former coach at Genk once quipped that the attacking midfielder seems to have "eyes in the back of his head".

Pep Guardiola also liked what he saw when his Manchester City side faced Leicester last season, making a bee-line for El Khannouss as soon as the full-time whistle blew. 

"He said he was impressed with my play," El Khannouss revealed afterwards. Once again, though, his human qualities and impressive work ethic quickly came to the fore.

"I have to show this level every week. Other than that, I just enjoy the game and the day. Because we have the best job in the world." Indeed, he understands very well indeed just how lucky he is to be a footballer and that's why he often thinks about society as a whole. 

"I do my bit, without everyone always having to know about it," he told "God has given me a luxurious life. Sometimes I wake up and think: 'Sh*t, today I have to do this or that.' In Ivory Coast, I saw 70-year-old women walking barefoot up a mountain with heavy buckets filled with food on their heads just so their families could eat. Things like that break your heart."

A last-place finish in IPL 2024. A new captain who was booed by the home crowd at Wankhede a few times. A new season without Jasprit Bumrah for the first few games. And without their captain Hardik Pandya for their first game, against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) no less.Five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) have their plate full of challenges that will be thrown at them in IPL 2025 as they try and win their first title since 2020. To turn their fortunes around, they are banking on the core group they retained before the auction in November last year; the return of Trent Boult, who was the Player of the Match in the IPL 2020 final; and the seniors getting back with Mahela Jayawardene, who returns as head coach after having won the title with them three times during his first tenure with them from 2017 to 2022.”Last season threw us some challenges, but it’s been a big auction, and a lot of changes have happened,” Jayawardene said at MI’s pre-season press conference in Mumbai. “With that, we got a fresh canvas to start and paint our destiny. We have the core group with us who’s got the experience, who knows what the culture is, how we need to play, and how we need to win.Related

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“And with the new group of guys includes some of the old faces coming back – like Trent, who was a big part in our success in 2020. So, for us, it’s about the putting this parcel together, making sure that we gel well as a group, understanding our strengths, and have a good start.”Even though the same core was there last year too, there were reports and rumours of rifts inside the dressing room as the team started with three straight losses. Amid that, Hardik faced a lot of backlash from the local fans for taking over from their five-time champion Rohit Sharma, who has since gone on to lead India to the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy titles. Even though Mark Boucher was MI’s coach last season, Jayawardene was asked what he thought of the “miscommunications” within the team last year.”The communication within the bubble was quite good,” Jayawardene, who was MI’s global head of performance across T20 leagues till 2024, said. “And even though I wasn’t the head coach, I was part of the main set-up. So I knew what was happening. It was important for us to get together. We pride on our core group; that’s been our success for many years, and these guys have done brilliantly, [and] worked hard. It’s not an easy thing to win an IPL trophy. And Mumbai has been successful delivering that, and each year, the challenge is for us to set ourselves up for that.”With the core group, the experience that we have, we have added more experience into that this year. That was something planned that we wanted to achieve. We have seven guys in our main squad who’ve won IPL trophies with different franchises as well. As a coach, I’m trying to get that structure in place, get the best out of them, and then add the other individuals that we need to add to be a bit more different.Hardik Pandya will lead a side that will feature two India captains in Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav•AFP/Getty Images

“I realise that the last few years with the rule changes and all that, the dynamics have changed, and that’s something we need to be mindful of, but at the same time, play the brand of cricket that we want to play as a group, and dominate in there.”Hardik himself was a crucial part of the India sides that lifted the two ICC titles since the last IPL, even being the vice-captain during the 2024 T20 World Cup. He will now lead an MI side that features two India captains – Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav – and India’s Test vice-captain Bumrah, whenever he is fit. Hardik said the last 12 months had been “very entertaining” for him, and that he was “lucky” to have three captains in his side who will “always be there” for him.”I am very confident. I was confident back then. I was confident when I was playing the Champions Trophy, and I am confident now,” Hardik said. “So if you ask me about my confidence, it’s always going to be high.”My life has been quite up and down, but I think that has been the learning which I really enjoyed. It has just not taught me about the sport, [but] it has taught me about life as well that how life would be over the years. This year, it’s a fresh year. A lot of things have changed, a lot of things are added. There will be always passion. There will always be grit, there will be always challenges which I love, and for me, the crucial part would be to make sure if the challenges are thrown at my boys, how I can help them fight their way out.”Among the biggest challenges coming his way is the absence of Bumrah, who has been out with a back injury since January. He is expected to join the MI squad some time in April, after he recovers at the Centre of Excellence (earlier called NCA) in Bengaluru under the watch of BCCI’s medical team. Bumrah was one of the few bright spots for MI in an otherwise forgettable 2024 season, when he picked 20 wickets – third-most overall – with a stunning economy rate of 6.48 in the most high-scoring IPL that saw eight 250-plus totals.MI will hope their pace attack of Boult, Deepak Chahar, Corbin Bosch and Reece Topley steps up, especially in the death overs, a phase in which Bumrah is all but irreplaceable.Hardik Pandya and Mahela Jayawardene share a laugh at the pre-season press meet•AFP/Getty Images

“See, [for] the bowling group, I will tell you the plans: we are very clear to get a lot of experience in it,” Hardik said, “because Wankhede can be sometimes very unforgiving to the bowlers, the kind of track which we play on. So it was very, very important to bring in experience – from Mitch [Santner] to Trent.”Trent was very, very important for us. Deepak, all are experienced individuals. Boom [Bumrah], myself, Mujeeb [Ur Rahman] – even youngsters who have played a lot of cricket. And I think that was very, very important to bring a lot of experience. So when the tough time comes, they have felt the pressure earlier.”Hardik himself will miss MI’s opening game against CSK on March 23 in Chennai, serving a one-match suspension that he is carrying forward from the end of last IPL. To add to their worries, MI also hold a record of not winning their first match of an IPL season since 2012.”There’s a little bit more adrenaline for the boys as well [playing against CSK],” Jayawardene said. “Yeah, we have a big challenge to try and correct something in history where we haven’t won a first match in a tournament for a number of years. So looking forward to that.”

Tottenham have a few transfer items on their agenda, namely Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, with Thomas Frank looking to replace the injured James Maddison by signing a quality, proven Premier League star.

This time last week, Spurs re-opened negotiations over a deal for Eze after north London rivals Arsenal seemingly backed off in the race for his signature – despite Mikel Arteta’s side holding extensive talks with the player’s representatives.

Arsenal’s hesitation stems from wanting to give highly-rated youngster Ethan Nwaneri more game time next season (talkSPORT), with club captain Martin Odegaard also currently their first choice number 10 – meaning it isn’t exactly an area in need of reinforcing.

This has given Spurs a chance to swoop in and sign Eze for themselves, with the 27-year-old believed to have already agreed personal terms as Daniel Levy and Palace chairman Steve Parish attempt to hash out a potential £60 million deal.

Eze featured in Palace’s opening Premier League game of the season on Sunday – a 0-0 draw against Chelsea – and Oliver Glasner attempted to quash rumours of an imminent exit for the England international.

However, as much as Glasner may not like it, the likelihood is that Eze will be a Tottenham player by the transfer deadline on September 1.

Reports suggest that Tottenham are on the verge of a deal for Eze and Palace are actively pursuing replacements, with Leicester City star Bilal El Khannouss approached by the south Londoners (Sacha Tavolieri).

Tottenham reach "verbal agreement" to sign Eberechi Eze

According to reliable Spurs insider, Paul O’Keefe, this afternoon, a breakthrough has now been made.

Talks have apparently reached the final stage, with Tottenham reaching a verbal agreement to sign Eze.

O’Keefe expands on this, detailing in a thread via X that Spurs have agreed on the deal numbers with Palace, and all that is left is for Glasner’s side to give the “final green light” to Eze’s move.

He adds that nothing is done until contracts are signed, but Frank has now taken a pretty monumental step towards welcoming the attacking midfielder to N17.

In the meantime, before Palace do give their full approval to the transfer, it is likely they’ll want to secure their replacement first – so keep an eye on El Khannouss and his potential switch to Selhurst Park.

Nottingham Forest cruised to an opening-day win in the Premier League as Keith Andrews’ Brentford were brushed aside with ease.

New Tricky Trees recruit Dan Ndoye got on the scoresheet to the delight of his adoring City Ground masses, on top of Chris Wood asserting his dominance in the forward positions once more by firing home a brace in the 3-1 victory.

Amazingly, Nuno Espirito Santo still has Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee to add to the first team picture, with both new signings not ready to feature against the Bees, after joining Nuno’s ranks in quick succession just before this opening clash.

These two flashy buys don’t signal the end of Forest’s summer business, however, with more new signings looking to be completed before the month is out.

Nottingham Forest in talks to sign £30m star

Europa League football might well be triumphantly on the menu for the Tricky Trees this campaign, but this season will see Forest try to push into those coveted Champions League spaces.

Forest’s ambitious late dealings in the transfer market could make these bold dreams a reality, with Douglas Luiz reportedly close to linking up with McAtee and Co. from Juventus, having once stood out in the Premier League with Aston Villa as an exciting midfield presence.

Rumours are also circulating that Forest are in talks to sign Rico Lewis from Manchester City, with Caught Offside reporting – despite Nuno’s men having a recent £30m approach pushed back – that talks are still ongoing between the two sides over striking up a potential deal.

While McAtee’s name has dominated a lot of the conversation at the City Ground in recent days, adding Lewis could be an even more exciting capture than securing the skilful midfielder’s services, with the 20-year-old arguably more well-versed as to what it takes to be a success at such a daunting level.

Why signing Lewis could be more exciting than McAtee

Of course, a signing in the attacking positions will always catch the eye more than a defensive addition, particularly when it involves the amount of promise McAtee has in his locker.

Indeed, from just 34 appearances at the Etihad, McAtee has left a lasting impact on the City masses watching on, with a vibrant seven goals next to his name. On top of that, he has six goals and three assists in the Premier League alone, boosted by a standout two-season loan stint at Sheffield United.

However, while it’s undeniable that the 22-year-old will likely go on to be a success away from feeding on minimal scraps at Pep Guardiola’s men, Lewis has what it takes to be an instant, shining part of Nuno’s first team over one for the future, considering he has been in and around the Spaniard’s first team plans more regularly over the years.

Amazingly, despite only being 20 years of age, the City number 82 already has 59 Premier League appearances under his belt, meaning he won’t be taken aback by the bright lights of the City Ground if he were to shortly relocate to Nottingham.

Games played

59

28

Games started

40

23

Goals scored

3

6

Assists

3

3

Passes completed

2424 (93%)

619 (74%)

Crosses completed

13 (23%)

31 (19%)

Total duels won

158

118

He isn’t just an honourary member of the youth team that has been shoved into the senior scene for the sake of it, however, with an impressive return of three goals and three assists also coming his way, which included him linking up with Erling Haaland just this weekend to get City up and running in their 4-0 demolition job of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

With Nuno already possessing Morgan Gibbs-White, too, on top of having plentiful options down the wings where McAtee can also play, such as Ndoye, there is no guarantee that McAtee would instantly come into his starting XI.

Whereas, Lewis – who has been dubbed “special” in the past by football statistician Statman Dave – would have no qualms about trying to take Ola Aina’s starting spot from him, having had to compete with some top talents already over his time in Manchester.

Capable of also lining up as a defensive midfielder if needed, this feels as if it would be yet another exciting addition by Forest, with both the former Blades midfielder and Lewis adding sparks of quality that could propel Forest even further up the top-flight standings.

Deal close: Nottingham Forest in advanced talks to sign Celtic "sensation"

The youngster has already captained his national team.

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Brendon McCullum denied that his England side have been found out on spinning pitches, as Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood confirmed he is hoping for another turner in the series decider in Rawalpindi.Pakistan radically overhauled their strategy between the first and second Tests in Multan, making four changes to their side including the addition of three spinners, and deciding to use the same pitch for a second week in a row. The ploy paid off handsomely, with Sajid Khan and Noman Ali sharing 20 wickets to set up a series-levelling 152-run win.England scored 657 in 101 overs in their most recent Test in Rawalpindi two years ago and the venue has generally been more conducive to seam bowlers than spinners since it returned to hosting Tests in 2019. But the PCB’s groundstaff have already started work on the surface ahead of Thursday’s decider, and Masood has requested a “drier” pitch.”I would,” Masood said, when asked directly if he would like to see the ball turn in the third Test. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it turn in Rawalpindi. That’s another issue. You want a side that can win anywhere… We want to get 20 wickets wherever we play, and we want to back that up with the bat.”I don’t think there’s an autumn in Pakistan. There’s a summer that transitions into a winter, so we’re still hoping that the sun can play its part and the wicket can be on the drier side… The groundsmen are already there. They’re working on a Test-match pitch and we’ll try to create a good Test wicket where both teams can pick up 20 wickets.”Related

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Masood spoke ahead of the first Test about his desire for Pakistan to play on pitches which brought their seamers into play, but the decision to rest Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah from the final two Tests suggests a green-top is unlikely. McCullum, England’s coach, predicted that the surface will be “the antithesis of the green seamer” for the decider.”I actually don’t mind,” McCullum said. “That’s one of the great aspects of playing cricket all around the world, right? You’re challenged in different conditions and home teams should have home benefit. I like that about the game. We said right at the outset that we’ll try to adapt to whatever conditions we come up against.”We were very realistic about how difficult this challenge would be and that there could be some extreme conditions confronting us at some stage. Winning the first Test probably hastened that process, but we have no complaints so far. We were outplayed in this game. We’ll see what Rawalpindi’s got to offer and we’ll try and adapt accordingly.”Masood said that Pakistan’s challenge is to learn how to take 20 wickets at each of their home venues. “I don’t think we can go to a strategy where we go, ‘Oh, we have to have a spinning wicket everywhere,'” he said. “You have to know the characteristics of your ground and your soil to be a good Test team… It’s not an overnight process.”Shan Masood greets the fans across the railings after Pakistan’s win•Getty Images

McCullum, however, is anticipating “a little bit more rough” in Rawalpindi that England encountered two years ago, and said that Rehan Ahmed could “potentially” come into the mix for selection if that proves to be the case: “We’ll have a look around it, come up with our tactics and see what’s going to be required to give ourselves the best chance of nabbing the series win.”England’s 152-run defeat in the second Test in Multan was their fifth loss out of seven on the subcontinent this year, after their 4-1 loss in India. With spinners playing a significant role in all five of those Tests, McCullum was asked whether he felt as though his side had been found out on turning pitches.”Maybe. I don’t know,” he said. “If we had won the toss and then got a few more runs, would the result have been different? I don’t know. It’s hard to make that assessment. But I know these guys play spin very well. Yes, we’ve been beaten a few times, but we weren’t the only team to go to India and get beaten by India in spinning conditions.”And we’ve got a pretty good record here [in Pakistan]. Even that Test match we won in India, that was probably the most extreme of the spinning conditions. I don’t know: we’ll find out. I certainly don’t mind if it spins in the next one. I think we’ve got the artillery to be able to handle it, but we’ll find out.”McCullum also defended their aggressive approach with the bat during the second Test. “We saw in this Test match that so many wickets fell to people trying to hang in there. It was those that were prepared to be brave enough to sweep, reverse-sweep, put the opposition under pressure, who were actually able to score runs. And in a low-scoring contest, those runs proved valuable.”

Manchester City are now in advanced talks to sign an “unbelievable” star, and they are looking to get a deal wrapped up before the end of July.

Ederson's Man City future up in the air

In recent days, there have been conflicting reports surrounding Ederson’s future at the Etihad Stadium, with Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg initially suggesting the Brazilian was closing in on a move to Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Since then, however, widespread reports have suggested City are keen to keep hold of their goalkeeper for the final year of his contract, which means it may not be necessary to bring in a replacement in the near future.

Having been number one throughout his time at the Etihad, Ederson is unlikely to want to play second fiddle, but there has now been a suggestion that Pep Guardiola’s side are making progress in their pursuit of a new goalkeeper.

Give Me Sport writer Sam C, has now taken to X to reveal that Man City are in “advanced talks” over a move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

The deal is by no means sealed at this point, but there is a willingness to try and get it over the line before the end of July, although it is unclear whether the Blues will need to fork out the full £40m buy-back clause included in their former player’s contract.

Trafford could be "unbelievable" Ederson heir

Minority Burnley owner JJ Watt was left very impressed after the shot-stopper made two penalty saves in one game during the Clarets’ 0-0 draw against Sunderland last season, lauding the 22-year-old as “unbelievable”.

The Englishman’s penalty-saving ability is one of his key strengths, ranking in the top 1% for spot-kicks prevented per 90 over the past year, while also placing in the top 1% for his save percentage and goals against over the same time period.

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As such, the Burnley star could be the ideal heir to Ederson, particulrly considering City expert Steven McInerney believes the goalkeeper is also impressive in possession of the ball, saying: “Trafford is very good, remarkably good with the ball at his feet,

“Maybe not quite Ederson, but if Ederson’s a 10 out of 10, James is at least a nine. Ederson is a freakish one-of-one that way, but I don’t think you have to be the very best in the world at passing to be successful in a passing side.”

It remains to be seen whether City sanction Ederson’s departure this summer, but if they do, there may be no better replacement than Trafford.

The Sri Lanka pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara will not be available to play for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in CPL 2024. Both players had suffered injuries during the recent white-ball series at home against India.Patriots have signed Tabraiz Shamsi and Anrich Nortje as replacements for Hasaranga and Thushara.While slinger Thushara was ruled out of the entire series with a finger injury, Hasaranga played all three T20Is and the first ODI before being sidelined with a hamstring injury.Related

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Nortje is yet to make his CPL debut but Shamsi is a familiar name at the league, having played 32 games, including 27 for Patriots. Shamsi has taken 33 wickets in those matches for Patriots at an economy rate of 7.06.Nortje and Shamsi will reunite with their South Africa team-mate Tristan Stubbs at Patriots. The side had finished last in CPL 2023, with just a solitary win in ten games.

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots squad for CPL 2024

Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rilee Rossouw, Evin Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford, Sikandar Raza, Anrich Nortje, Andre Fletcher, Tristan Stubbs, Dominic Drakes, Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Joshua da Silva, Veerasammy Permaul, Ryan John, Ashmead Nedd, Johann Layne

Worcestershire make early running but are hunted down in thriller at Old Trafford

ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024

Keaton Jennings gave Lancashire’s chase a brisk start•Getty Images

Lancashire 182 for 8 (Bruce 50*, Waite 3-19) beat Worcestershire 181 for 4 (Cobb 74, Hose 45) by two wickets Luke Wood hit the fifth ball of the last over for six to ensure that Lancashire Lightning defeated Worcestershire Rapids by two wickets in their tense Vitality Blast T20 match at Emirates Old Trafford.Wood’s blow over square-leg off Tom Taylor ensured the home side strengthened their hopes of a home quarter-final and enabled Lancashire to chase down the 182 runs they needed to prevent Rapids achieving their first T20 double over Lancashire.However, defeat was hard on Josh Cobb, who made 74 in Worcestershire’s 181 for four, and also on Matthew Waite, who took three for 19 in Lancashire’s innings. But Tom Bruce’s first T20 half-century for Lancashire – the New Zealander finished on 50 not out – kept his side in the hunt even as wickets were falling.Worcestershire scored 40 runs in their Powerplay overs but lost two wickets in doing so, both to Saqib Mahmood. In the second over, Brett D’Oliveira was hustled for pace by Mahmood and could only shovel the ball behind him to wicketkeeper Matty Hurst.And having lost their skipper for seven, the Rapids then suffered another blow in Mahmood’s next over when Kashif Ali, having casually chipped the fast bowler over the square-leg boundary for six, tried to hit him down the ground next ball but only skied the shot to Steven Croft at mid-off and was caught for 16.The next few overs were dominated by Cobb and Gareth Roderick, who cleared the rope three times in taking their side to 81 for two after ten overs and had put on 57 in 43 balls when Roderick was leg before to Chris Green for 26.The savage hitting continued in the following seven overs as Cobb and Adam Hose put 78 for the fourth wicket, Cobb reaching his fifty off 40 balls before finally holing out at long-off when Croft clung on to a steepling catch off Green to dismiss the former Northamptonshire batter for 74, an innings that included eight fours and three sixes.Hose had whacked two enormous straight sixes in the over in which Cobb was dismissed and he went to make an inventive 45 not out off 26 balls before Worcestershire’s innings closed on 181 for four. Luke Wood was the meanest member of Lancashire’s attack, conceding 24 runs off his four overs, but Mahmood and Hartley were the most obviously successful, each bowler taking a couple of wickets.Lancashire lost three wickets in their Powerplay but scored an impressive 63 runs, with Keaton Jennings taking heavy toll of the Worcestershire debutant Harry Darley, who conceded 39 runs in his two overs.Jennings was 40 not out when the first six overs ended and his runs offset the loss of Luke Wells, who was caught behind off Taylor for a single, Matty Hurst, who was caught by Ed Pollock off Matthew Waite, also for one, and George Lavelle, who was run out for 20 by a direct hit from the ex-Lancashire favourite, Rob Jones.Three balls later, Hayden Walsh struck what seemed a vital blow for the Rapids when he bowled Jennings for 41 but Bruce and Steven Croft then put on 37 in five overs before Croft was well caught by D’Oliveira off Ethan Brookes for 16 when he blasted the ball to cover.Shrewd accumulation by Bruce and Chris Green left Lancashire needing 53 off the final four overs and 39 off three only for Green to be caught at long-on off Brookes for 19. But Tom Hartley hit his first two balls from Brookes for six to leave 18 required off 12 balls. Waite then removed Hartley and Tom Aspinwall with successive deliveries, only for Wood to decide matters.

Liverpool have now submitted a “concrete offer” to sign a teenage centre-back from Ligue 1, say reports in the player’s homeland of Morocco.

Liverpool expected to complete Wirtz and Kerkez deals

Liverpool appear to be close to capturing not one but two new players in the coming days. Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth are expected to follow Jeremie Frimpong through the Anfield door to become Arne Slot’s second and third signings of the summer.

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The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed on Tuesday that Liverpool’s latest Wirtz bid, which was worth £109 million, was turned down by Leverkusen, as they hold out for a British-record fee of £126 million, but a deal is still expected to go through.

And Wirtz appears to have implied things are progressing on his own social media accounts too, posting on Instagram to deny reports he has demanded Alexis Mac Allister’s number ten shirt in order to join.

As Liverpool work on finding an agreement with Leverkusen, club chiefs are also closing in on a deal for a new left-back. According to Sky Sports, the Reds are growing increasingly confident that they will sign Kerkez from Bournemouth.

The Hungary star is keen on the move to Anfield and personal terms are not said to be an issue.

Liverpool submit official bid for teenage centre-back

The Reds don’t plan on stopping there, as according to Morocco’s LE360 Sport, relayed by Sport Witness, Liverpool have now made a concrete offer to sign defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal from Stade Rennais.

The 19-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Amiens in Ligue 2, has yet to make his senior debut for Stade Rennais, but that hasn’t stopped Liverpool and Newcastle United from showing significant interest. The Magpies have met with the player already, but the Reds have gone one step further and have already made an offer, though it is unclear what the offer is worth.

OGC Nice and two teams from La Liga are also in the ‘picture’ when it comes to signing Aït Boudlal. The Moroccan is under contract until 2028, but given the significant interest from Europe, it appears his time in Rennes is coming to an end.

Apps

9

Starts

8

Assists

1

Big chances created

1

Interceptions per game

0.7

Tackles per game

1.6

Balls recovered per game

3.6

Clearances per game

7.9

Liverpool’s interest in Aït Boudlal isn’t new, as club scout Kyle Wallbanks was in attendance for the AFCON U20 tournament, where Aït Boudlal helped Morocco reach the final. The Reds have obviously been keeping a close eye on the defender and are now ready to bring him to Anfield.