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From growing up in Kasur to his exploits in domestic cricket, everything you need to know about Pakistan’s rookie sensation

Umar Farooq30-May-2017Where’s he from?
He was born in Kasur, a city close to the Indian border, and about a 45-minute drive from Lahore. You might know the city for the shrine of Bulleh Shah, the celebrated Sufi poet-saint, and also as the birthplace of Noor Jehan, one of Pakistan’s most famous singers. If he plays for Pakistan, Ashraf could become another reason the city is known for – he would be the first from Kasur to play for Pakistan.Tell me a little about his riseThough Kasur is close to Lahore, for the PCB, the district comes into the Faisalabad region, and this is where Ashraf started his competitive cricket, playing in the inter-district Under-19 competition in 2010. He turned out for Kasur at the time as a fast bowler, picking up 10 wickets in 2010, and 15 in 2011. He was promoted to the Faisalabad Under-19 team and wasn’t able to make a major impact, taking 14 wickets, apart from 117 runs, batting with the tail.So what caught the selectors’ eye?In 2013, at a senior district-level tournament, he became the top wicket-taker for Kasur with 22 wickets at 11.13 and also scored 189 runs with the help of two half-centuries. Those performances won him a ticket to first-class cricket, as he broke into the Faisalabad team for the 2013-14 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.I see. And how did that go?Pretty good. He hit a hundred on first-class debut against Multan, at a healthy 60-plus strike rate. Since then, he has played 31 first-class matches, scoring 1207 runs at 32.62 – not a bad haul for someone selectors essentially consider a lower-order batsman. Oh, and he’s also picked up 94 wickets at 26.63. His List A numbers are decent, too, though it is with the ball that he has shone in that format: 60 wickets in 38 games, at a strike rate of 28.1.Any other performances I should be able to reel off like I’m a selector?He might not have compiled remarkable numbers, but with Ashraf, the cameos are the ones that are remembered. He scored 44 against WAPDA at a time when his side, HBL, was languishing at 21 for 6 in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Handily, that was in front of the selection committee last year in Karachi, and he has been on their radar since. He made it to the Pakistan ‘A’ team that played against Zimbabwe and England Lions recently, and 19 wickets in the Departmental One-Day Cup – the highest in the tournament – earlier this year meant he was pushing for an international debut.Is he the answer to…
Pakistan’s ongoing, eternal search for an allrounder? Hold your horses just a second and take a reality check. He is, currently, a kind of leader of the tail, batting mostly between Nos. 7, 8 and 9 for his domestic sides. He averages less than 16 in the format he is likely to make his Pakistan debut in. With the ball, he is usually first or second change, unless an especially grassy pitch presents itself, when he has been known to open the bowling. His nine overs in the two warm-up games have gone for 65, without a wicket, so…Still, don’t just take our word for it.
When he was working his way up from district level and onto the first-class scene, the current national selector and former offspinner Tauseef Ahmed was keeping an eye on him. Tauseef had a chance to monitor Ashraf closely in 2015 while at National Bank of Pakistan (he has since moved to Habib Bank). There, Ashraf made some valuable runs with the tail (271 altogether, at 38.71) and picked up 23 wickets. His ability to strike the ball clean and provide regular breakthroughs – in addition to the ferocity and confidence with which he played the hook shot – was something that stuck with Tauseef.”I actually saw him when he was playing for NBP, and his ability to strike the ball was impressive,” Tauseef said. “What else does a team want when a batsman batting with the tail can get a run-rate between 8 and 10 an over? He has great firepower, and I have seen him doing that quite often on the domestic circuit.”

West Ham United managed to bolster their attacking department during the final day of the January transfer window.

The Irons have a horrible history of signing centre forwards and that hasn’t improved with a certain German named Nicklas Fullkrug.

Well, with the striker injured, they’ve been keen to boost their options at the top end of the pitch and they did so by signing Brighton and Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson on a loan deal until the end of the season.

His arrival will give Graham Potter a big boost, especially if the Republic of Ireland international centre-forward can stay fit and healthy.

What Evan Ferguson can bring to West Ham United

Ferguson hasn’t exactly enjoyed the most productive of seasons on the South Coast. A series of injuries have restricted him to just 15 appearances in all competitions, scoring just one goal in the process.

While this term and 2023/24 have been hampered by injury problems, when Ferguson burst onto the scene during the 2022/23 campaign, he was a breath of fresh air.

Ten goals and three assists for the Seagulls in just 25 games as a teenager looked like it had set the striker on the path to greatness, with a series of big clubs already showing interest.

While things haven’t exactly gone to plan over the previous 18 months or so, if Potter can get Ferguson to bring the sort of form that he showcased in his maiden season, West Ham may have made one of the best signings of the window as they strive to score more goals.

Michael Owen

1998

25

126

Robbie Fowler

1994

22

140

Nicolas Anelka

1998

12

221

Francis Jeffers

1999

12

172

Wayne Rooney

2005

11

175

Evan Ferguson

2023

11

143

However, has the club already sold their own version of Ferguson?

West Ham's very own Evan Ferguson

A certain Divin Mubama made his senior debut for the Irons during the 2022/23 season, but it wasn’t until the following season that he began to enjoy more minutes under David Moyes.

During that term, Mubama scored 30 goals for the first team, U21s and U18s, being instrumental to the success of the latter two sides.

He even won the Mark Noble Award due to his impressive displays, with Academy Manager Kenny Brown lavishing praise on the forward, saying: “He has truly enjoyed an incredible season and he’s a great personality too.”

The 20-year-old made 12 first-team appearances for the club throughout 2023/24, although he failed to get on the scoresheet or grab an assist.

His contract expired at the end of last season and, despite his early promise at the club, it was soon announced that he had departed West Ham along with Ben Johnson after rejecting a contract extension.

Manchester City soon snapped him up, with the two clubs agreeing on a compensation fee of just £1.2m for the Englishman.

Mubama has already made two appearances under Pep Guardiola, no mean feat given the players at his disposal, even scoring against Salford City in the FA Cup last month.

If he continues performing and impressing the Spaniard, more game time in the first team could come between now and the end of the season.

There is no doubt that failing to keep the 20-year-old will turn out to be a poor decision by the Irons and considering they’ve now loaned in another top young prospect, a player who is coincidentally the same age, perhaps they will regret not tying their academy prospect down.

After Ferguson: West Ham plot bid to sign their biggest talent since Rice

It’s deadline day, and Graham Potter is looking to make more than one West Ham signing.

ByAngus Sinclair Feb 3, 2025

Take your pick from some memorable individual and team performances in their 16-year Test history

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Mar-2017

Manchester United are reportedly set to join Bayern Munich in their pursuit of £60m-rated Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• United looking for long-term goalkeeping solutions
• Have set their sights on Verbruggen
• Will face competition from Milan & Bayern

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Since his high-profile switch from Ajax in 2023, Onana has come under increasing scrutiny for his performances between the posts at Old Trafford. A string of costly mistakes has prompted United to look at other options in the market, and according to Ruben Amorim is eyeing Verbruggen as a potential replacement.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have already reached out to Brighton to discuss Verbruggen’s availability. The keeper joined Brighton from Anderlecht in 2023 for around €20 million (£17 million), and the club is understood to be looking for at least double that figure if they are to part ways with their first-choice keeper. With a contract running until June 2028, Brighton are under no pressure to sell and are likely to demand a fee in the region of £60 million.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The Dutchman is the latest in a string of names linked with United, including Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel, Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens, and Burnley’s James Trafford. Despite his reputation, Verbruggen currently holds a lower save percentage than Onana and has been responsible for more individual errors leading to goals.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  United aren’t the only European heavyweight keeping tabs on the talented 22-year-old. Bayern Munich are reportedly monitoring Verbruggen closely as they prepare for potential changes in their own goalkeeping department, while AC Milan are also contemplating bringing him to San Siro, given Mike Maignan’s contract expires in June 2026.

MatériaMais Notícias

da heads bet： Com os principais campeonatos do país entrando na reta final, alguns times não possuem mais calendário em 2022 e, com isso, começam a planejar o início da próxima temporada.

Por conta da realização da Copa do Mundo, os torneios acabarão um pouco antes do que o normal, mas isso não traz tranquilidade para as comissões técnicas, já que os estaduais, de acordo com o calendário divulgado pela CBF, começam no dia 15 de janeiro.

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da premier bet： >Casa de apostas ‘crava’ Palmeiras campeão brasileiro

Por outro lado, entre os grandes paulistas que lutam pelo G8, essa antecipação pode favorecer a preparação para a pré-Libertadores. Em 2019, quando o São Paulo foi eliminado pelo Talleres, o clube do Morumbi jogou apenas cinco partidas no campeonato estadual antes de viajar para a Argentina. Em 2023, os brasileiros terão dez datas antes de disputar as fases iniciais da Copa Libertadores.

Nos últimos anos, graças ao número excessivo de jogos, atletas da base também vem ganhando mais espaço, principalmente durante as primeiras rodadas dos torneios regionais. Na estreia do Paulistão de 2022, os quatro grandes do estado relacionaram 34 profissionais com menos de 23 anos. Deste grupo, dez começaram jogando como titular.

– É um período excelente para o processo de maturação dos jovens no profissional. Além de muitos estarem com o preparo físico apurado, já que grande parte dos jogadores também estão disputando a Copa São Paulo, os estaduais também possuem um nível de competitividade um pouco mais baixo para as equipes grandes, o que garante uma tranquilidade maior para testes na time, proporcionando um espaço ainda maior para essa ascensão de categoria – conta Junior Chávare, especialista em categorias de base com passagens por São Paulo, Atlético-MG e Grêmio.

Um dos estaduais mais fortes do país, o Paulistão 2023 terá nove equipes que disputam as duas principais divisões do futebol nacional. O regulamento ainda não foi anunciado, mas a expectativa é que a competição mantenha a fórmula dos últimos anos, com dois classificados em cada chave.

Adalberto Baptista, gestor do Botafogo-SP, equipe que conquistou a vaga da Série C para a Série B do Brasileirão, comentou sobre a importância de uma boa preparação no estadual para a sequência da temporada.

– O Paulistão é extremamente complicado, mais da metade das equipes disputam as Séries A e B, o que eleva o nível técnico ainda mais. Teremos um espaço maior para preparação, mas não podemos pensar que o elenco já estará fechado em janeiro. Temos um intervalo para adquirir mais peças para nos ajudar a fazer uma campanha segura na Série B e, se tudo caminhar como imaginamos, lutar por uma vaga na elite nos próximos anos – comenta o executivo.

Do outro lado da moeda, Portuguesa, Água Santa e São Bento começam a competição na luta por uma vaga na Série D de 2024. A Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) direciona três vagas para a Série D, mas isso não dá a garantia para o trio, já que Inter de Limeira, Ferroviária e Santo André, três equipes classificadas para a quarta divisão no ano que vem, também lutam por um espaço no calendário nacional caso não consigam o acesso à Série C.

– Neste processo de reestruturação, nosso principal objetivo é nos consolidar novamente nas primeiras divisões. Após oito anos, voltaremos a disputar a Série A1, o que significa um aporte maior da televisão, aumento na receita com patrocinadores e a realização de clássicos no Canindé. Apesar da competitividade, o caminho para a Série D fica um pouco mais curto, já que teremos um campeonato à parte com os times que lutam pelo mesmo objetivo – afirma Antonio Castanheira, presidente da Portuguesa.

Manchester United brought Anfield back down to earth on Sunday, well worth their point in the Premier League and almost stealing a crushing victory against high-flying Liverpool, save for Harry Maguire’s last-gasp miss.

Liverpool have a game in hand on second-placed Arsenal and boast a six-point advantage, but Ruben Amorim was the happier of the gaffers as he capered back down the M62 with a new sense of optimism.

Arne Slot’s side have been immense this season, recording a dynamic variation of victories across multiple competitions. For the most part, they’re playing like champions-elects. They have that swagger, that style. But they are not champions-elects—not yet.

So much of football is about how you respond. Liverpool have responded emphatically to any setbacks this term and must do so again over the coming weeks, with Tottenham awaiting in the Carabao Cup and top-flight away fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Brentford forthcoming.

Slot is regarded as a “tactical genius” by Liverpool fans, but he didn’t get it quite right against the Red Devils. Of course, he was let down and then some by that man, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Trent's performance vs Man Utd

After Liverpool drew 2-2 against their biggest rivals, Slot insisted that Alexander-Arnold was not distracted by Real Madrid’s interest in his prized signature.

Out of contract at the end of the season and courted by the Spanish superpower, it’s difficult to shake the thought that his woeful display on Sunday was not in some way inflicted by the circumstances.

He wasn’t at his best, not by half. Loose marking and a failure to show the grit and guts that a title-chasing outfit – his boyhood outfit – requires, especially after rivals dropped points on Saturday, especially given that it was Manchester United up against them.

But then, surely this scales back to display the bigger picture. Alexander-Arnold is an exceptional footballer and has showcased his unique and devastating quality on so many occasions in Slot’s set-up. Is it really surprising that now, with the spotlight beading into his watery eyes, he should falter?

Real Madrid are there, lurking like a shadowed figure in a trench coat, waiting to emerge and take what they deem to be theirs.

Regardless of how this will pan out, Alexander-Arnold is bound to have felt the Los Blancos presence lurking in some recess of his mind. He second-guessed himself, looked languid.

United targetted Liverpool’s right-hand side and fair play to them. It was a game plan well executed, to be sure. Alexander-Arnold failed to win any of his five attempted ground duels and only created one key pass (his season average is 2.2 per game) despite losing the ball 27 times.

Many will call for Conor Bradley to start in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday after his “lively cameo,” but not all of Slot’s bench made the desired impact.

Darwin Nunez left plenty to be desired in spite of his fleeting appearance, and the noise is rising around his future too.

Liverpool open to mega-money Nunez sale

Liverpool know that their non-committal contract trio could all be plying their elite art elsewhere later this year, but they aren’t the only ones touted for a potential Merseyside exit.

As per Football Insider, Nunez has been made available for transfer by Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, with FSG willing to accept £60m for his sale.

Whether anyone would pay this hefty sum remains to be seen, but Newcastle are reported to have an interest and AC Milan have had a sniff in recent weeks.

Why Liverpool should sell Darwin Nunez

Nunez’s first two campaigns at Liverpool were overshadowed by wastefulness in front of goal. Albeit, the Uruguay international made headway last season, winning the Carabao Cup and posting 18 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.

Jurgen Klopp’s style of football was more chaotic than that of his successor, so maybe Nunez’s own frenetic qualities aligned neatly, insofar as Nunez’s style could be described as neat.

Since Klopp signed Benfica’s Nunez in a deal rising to a club-record £85m fee, he has scored 37 goals and supplied 20 assists over 120 appearances.

Under Slot, he’s found his significance reduced and potency pared back, with just four goals and three assists to show for the campaign thus far. It’s quite clear, Federico Chiesa notwithstanding, that he is at the bottom of Liverpool’s talented forward pile.

Mohamed Salah

27 (25)

21

17

Cody Gakpo

28 (17)

12

4

Luis Diaz

25 (18)

12

3

Diogo Jota

16 (9)

6

2

Darwin Nunez

24 (13)

4

3

Federico Chiesa

4 (1)

0

1

The fluency of Liverpool’s attacking point under Slot’s wing has led to slick interchangeability between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo in recent months, with Diaz operating as a fluid number nine and his Dutch partner wreaking havoc on the left flank, cutting inward to strike.

Upon doing so, Diaz drifts outward, keeping the skeletal structure intact and dragging defenders out, keeping them guessing.

With no disrespect, Nunez simply doesn’t show the required tactical understanding to play this role to the same level. Diogo Jota, when introduced from the bench, is arguably Liverpool’s deadliest finisher, ranking among the top 7% of forwards across the whole of Europe over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90, as per FBref.

Nunez is an energetic player, but is that really enough when his peers bring bouncing qualities of their own, and many more besides?

In Slot’s system, the 26-year-old is not so much wasteful as unable to strike with the same regularity. As per Sofascore, he’s averaging 1.4 shots per game in the Premier League this term, regressing from his totals across his first two campaigns on English shores, 3.0 and 2.9 respectively.

Transfer Focus

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

Brought onto the field for the final 30 minutes against Man United, Nunez had a grand total of three touches, not even attempting to make a pass and picking up a yellow after barging into Matthjis De Ligt – some might say that the offence was worthy of a different colour.

Alexander-Arnold was the costliest Redman at the weekend, of that there is no doubt, but Nunez nearly cost Liverpool once more on the day with his erratic nature an inability to showcase the kind of control and link-up play that Slot will demand of him.

He’s a lovely guy and capable of roof-raising moments, but is this really worth it, Liverpool fans? Does Nunez elevate this exciting project, should he remain on the books over the coming years?

Just imagine if Newcastle’s Alexander Isak plied his trade at the club. Liverpool have reportedly been linked in recent weeks. Why not break the bank?

Hey, if FSG recoup somewhere even on the far fringes of the £60m ballpark for Nunez’s signature, there’s no reason – or excuse – not to dive headfirst for a brand-new number nine to turn this exciting season into a long dynasty.

As bad as Alexander-Arnold: Slot must axe 5/10 Liverpool dud after Man Utd

Arne Slot’s Liverpool dropped points against Manchester United, with numerous players failing to impress.

ByEthan Lamb Jan 5, 2025

Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood rued the lack of discipline from his bowlers after his side’s 67-run loss to India in the first ODI in Guwahati.Sri Lanka had put India in after winning the toss but Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill seized the momentum for the hosts with a 143-run stand in just 19.4 overs. Virat Kohli then scored his 45th ODI hundred to help India post a daunting 373 for 7.Related

• Kohli's 45th ODI hundred powers India to victory

• Rohit withdraws appeal for Shanaka's run-out at non-striker's end

• Kohli: 'The game remains simple, desperation doesn't get you anywhere'

• Kohli, Rohit, Gill and India's dew diligence

“Obviously, we didn’t get off to the best start,” Silverwood said after the match. “If I have to be brutally honest, our discipline in the first ten overs was lacking at times, and we allowed India to get off to a good start. This is a high-scoring ground. India knew that they had to get off to a good start and we allowed them to do that.”They gained momentum from that and we had to push back all the time to try to put the brakes on. And I think we did that for a period of time. But when you have a class batting line-up as India have, then it’s difficult to stop them.”Sri Lanka’s fielding was found wanting as well. They dropped Kohli twice, first on 52 and then on 81. He went on to score 113 off just 87 balls.”Yeah, obviously they were costly,” Silverwood said of the dropped catches. “The moments like that are very critical in a game like this – we knew it was going to be a high-scoring one. And we all know if you give a player of Virat’s calibre opportunities, he would take it. And that’s exactly what he did today.”Of course, it was an excellent knock but had we taken those opportunities he presented, you never know.”In response, Sri Lanka were 206 for 8 at one stage before their captain Dasun Shanaka added 100 with Kasun Rajitha in an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership. Shanaka finished with an unbeaten 108 but his innings only reduced the margin of the defeat.Shanaka was Sri Lanka’s highest run-getter during the T20I series as well. While Silverwood lauded Shanaka, he didn’t agree the side was overly reliant on him, pointing out that Pathum Nissanka too scored 72 on Tuesday and added 72 with Dhananjaya de Silva for the fourth wicket.

Watch on ESPN Player in the UK

WATCH the first India vs Sri Lanka ODI full replay

“I think he [Shanaka] has done himself a world of good,” Silverwood said. “He has put himself in the marketplace now. I am sure the [IPL] franchises will be looking at him [Shanaka was unsold at the auction] and seeing how dynamic a cricketer he is. He is a great striker of the ball, so hopefully, he will get an opportunity.”[But] I don’t think we rely [only] on Dasun. He is in a great vein of form at the moment, so obviously he is shining. If you look, we had Pathum also score runs today. I thought the partnership between him and Dhananjaya gave us some momentum when they were together.”We have seen over a period of time that each individual at times has put their hand up and been counted. So I am not overly worried about that. Obviously, we need them to put their hands up more, especially on very good tracks like this, to put that fight up, to build partnerships. So that’s a constant work.”With just one day’s gap before the next game, Sri Lanka will also be fretting about Dilshan Madushanka’s injury. The left-arm seamer had walked off when he hurt his right shoulder while trying to make a stop in the field. Silverwood said he would go for an X-ray to make sure everything is okay.

He has been living in Sydney since being granted bail in November, and his case is expected to return to court in April

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff23-Feb-2023Danushka Gunathilaka’s bail conditions were relaxed by a Sydney magistrate on Thursday, now allowing him to use the WhatsApp messaging service and go out at night.He has been living in Sydney since being granted bail in November, but was not allowed to access social media unless in the company of his legal team, and also had to adhere to a night-time curfew.Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson did prohibit him from using WhatsApp “for the purposes of facilitating or managing dating,” however. Gunathilaka is facing four charges of sexual intercourse without consent, after a woman he met off the dating app Tinder, accused him of choking her without consent, and stealthing, among other offences. He had subsequently been arrested at the team hotel on November 6 while the T20 World Cup event was ongoing in Australia. Gunathilaka has not yet entered a plea in these proceedings.Related

• Gunathilaka charged for alleged sexual assault, arrested in Sydney

• Police facts sheet: Gunathilaka's alleged victim was 'choked repeatedly without consent'

• Gunathilaka granted bail in case of alleged sexual assault

In this most recent hearing, crown prosecutor George Rixon argued the night-time curfew was needed to mitigate the risk of offending based on the alleged facts of the complainant’s statement, specifically, Gunathilaka’s “aggressive sexual behaviour” against her.But magistrate Atkinson said she was “not satisfied today that it is necessary to keep the curfew in place”, and that “there’s nothing unique about [the alleged offences] that it would have occurred at night and couldn’t occur during the day”.Though acknowledging that Gunathilaka had been fully compliant with the bail conditions thus far, the magistrate did warn that Gunathilaka would spend many months in custody waiting for a trial or sentencing if he breached bail. His case is expected to return to court in April.Gunathilaka had travelled to Australia as part of the team’s T20 World Cup squad, before being ruled out with a hamstring complaint early in the tournament. He had remained with the injury-hit squad as a backup, with his hamstring – at the time – expected to heal quickly.Sri Lanka Cricket has footed his legal bill but may expect to recover them from Gunathilaka.

MatériaMais Notícias

da luck： A janela de transferências para o futebol brasileiro está oficialmente fechada. O prazo para finalizar novas contratações terminou na última segunda-feira, dia 15 de agosto. Mas isso não quer dizer que o seu time não pode mais se reforçar este ano. O LANCE!explica como isso funciona.

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da stake casino： O fechamento da janela, na prática, significa que nenhum clube brasileiro das séries A e B pode negociar um jogador que esteja sob contrato com outro time, seja daqui ou de fora do país. Nestes casos, o prazo era realmente até 15 de agosto.

+ Resumo do Mercado:Luxa sondado na Série A, futuro de CR7…

O Flamengo, por exemplo, não pode mais negociar a contratação do meia Oscar junto ao Shanghai Port, da China, e trazê-lo para vestir a camisa rubro-negra no restante do segundo turno do Brasileirão.

No entanto, se Oscar não estivesse sob contrato com o clube chinês, a situação seria outra. Isso porque o Campeonato Brasileiro permite aos clubes fazerem até oito alterações em suas listas de 50 atletas até 26 de agosto, 11 dias depois do fechamento da janela.

Agora o meia não tem mais chances de ir para o Fla em 2022, mas os clubes têm até 26 de agosto para ir atrás de atletas que não estejam sob contrato com nenhum outro time. Um mercado bem mais restrito, mas que pode recompensar quem estiver atento às oportunidades.

Outra possibilidade que permite driblar o fechamento da janela é a base. Neste caso, nem o prazo de 26 de agosto se aplica. Os clubes podem subir jogadores de suas categorias de base para os profissionais a qualquer momento. No entanto, o movimento só vale se for interno. Um atleta da base não pode mudar de clube fora da janela e subir para os profissionais na nova equipe.

O retorno de jogadores que estão emprestados também precisa respeitar as janelas de transferências estipuladas pela Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF). Portanto, os times só tinham até 15 de agosto para se movimentar neste sentido.

Copa do Brasil, Libertadores e Sul-Americana são diferentes

Para a Copa do Brasil e para os campeonatos continentais a história é outra. O campeonato nacional, por exemplo, encerrou novas inscrições em 26 de julho. O lateral Guillermo Varela, do Flamengo, e o goleiro Felipe Alves, do São Paulo, foram regularizados depois da data limite e não entrarão em campo por seus novos clubes até o fim da competição.

Disputando também a Libertadores, o Flamengo poderá inscrever Varela para as semifinais. Isso porque a competição continental permite aos clubes fazer três alterações até 72 horas antes do primeiro jogo das semifinais. A regra vale também para a Copa Sul-Americana.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was backed by the board in the summer transfer window after key player Matt O’Riley was sold to Brighton.

The attacking midfielder left the Scottish giants to sign for the Premier League side in a deal that was reported to be a fee of more than £25m, breaking the domestic transfer record for the Hoops.

His departure from Parkhead was a big blow for the Northern Irish head coach and the team, as he had been a big player for the club last season.

Starts

37

Goals

18

Assists

13

Minutes per goal

181

Key passes per game

2.5

Assists per game

0.35

As you can see in the table above, O’Riley made a huge impact at the top end of the pitch with his ability to score and assist goals from a central midfield position.

However, Celtic did swoop to sign the likes of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Kasper Schmeichel, Auston Trusty, and Adam Idah, among others, to bolster the squad.

With the January transfer window on the horizon, the club could dip into the market again, and here is how the dream Celtic XI could look in February if everything falls into place.

1 Kasper Schmeichel

Firstly, there is no need to upgrade on Kasper Schmeichel, who arrived on a free transfer from Anderlecht in the summer, between the sticks.

The 38-year-old colossus has kept nine clean sheets in 12 appearances in the Premiership, saving 87% of the efforts on his goal, so far, and has Viljami Sinisalo as his back-up.

2 Alistair Johnston

Another player whose position in the team should be secured is right-back Alistair Johnston, who has been a terrific performer since his move to Glasgow.

The Canada international has scored four goals and created eight ‘big chances’ in 12 appearances in the Premiership so far this season for the Hoops, which illustrates the attacking impact he can have from a full-back position.

3 Cameron Carter-Vickers

At the heart of the defence, Rodgers will be hoping that Cameron Carter-Vickers can return to fitness and avoid any further injury issues, having already missed seven matches this season.

The 26-year-old star has been a dominant presence, winning 73% of his duels across eight league games, when he has been available to play.

4 Auston Trusty

This is a position that is still up for grabs, as Liam Scales and Auston Trusty are fighting it out to be the first-choice option in the left-sided centre-back role.

In the Premiership this season, the American summer signing has completed 95% of his attempted passes, made 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game, and is yet to make a single error that has led to a penalty or goal in the Premiership.

Whereas, Scales has completed 92% of his attempted passes, made 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, and has made an error that led to a shot and given away a penalty, which suggests that Trusty has the edge over him at the moment.

5 Greg Taylor

At left-back, Greg Taylor could remain the first-choice option for Rodgers, having started nine of the club’s 12 matches in the Premiership so far this season.

6 Callum McGregor

At the base of the midfield, there is little doubt that the captain, the leader of the team, Callum McGregor will remain a regular ahead of the second half of the season.

The former Scotland international has scored an eye-catching five goals in ten league games so far this season, to go along with a pass completion rate of 93%.

7 Arne Engels

Another summer signing who could continue to shine is Arne Engels, who has scored two goals and created three ‘big chances’ in seven league starts since his move from Augsburg.

8 Lennon Miller

The first potential new signing in this starting XI comes in the third and final midfield position, as Lennon Miller could be brought in to bolster the middle of the park.

It was recently reported that the Hoops are preparing a swoop to sign the Motherwell star, who is valued at £4m, alongside Rangers and Liverpool ahead of the January window.

Appearances

12

11

12

Goals

3

1

2

Big chances created

5

4

6

Key passes per game

1.3

1.7

2.0

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.6

2.5

3.1

Ball recoveries per game

3.8

3.6

6.3

As you can see in the table above, the 18-year-old star has outperformed Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo in a host of key statistics in the league this season, which suggests that he could offer more as an all-round midfielder if he signs in January.

Therefore, the Scottish star, who has been hailed as “ridiculous” by James McFadden, could be a fantastic addition to the squad for the second half of the season.

9 Nicolas Kuhn

In a dream world, Celtic will be able to keep hold of Nicolas Kuhn, who has scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 18 appearances for the club this season.

10 Kyogo Furuhashi

In the centre-forward position, Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah will still be fighting it out to start. Rodgers has preferred the former so far, starting him in nine of the 12 league games, and that could stay the same.