The fast bowling pair have had different fitness issues but were handed central contracts earlier this year

Andrew McGlashan16-Jul-20242:32

Bailey impressed with Connolly’s ‘versatility’

Australia’s selectors are taking a long-term view with pace bowlers Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson to try and ensure they can put injury problems behind them.Morris, the Western Australia quick who made his ODI debut last season against West Indies having also been part of the Test squad, is working his way through another rehab from a stress injury of his back which has prevented him playing during the winter. It is a repeat of what happened after the 2022-23 season when he was ruled out of the Ashes tour.Related

• Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson set for domestic returns with WA

• Morris hopeful of early Shield return despite 'frustrating' injury issues

• Connolly earns Australia call-up; Fraser-McGurk included for Scotland, England tour

• Bartlett's stunning start in ODIs adds to Australia's pace options

• Stoinis and Agar lose CA deals while Bartlett earns full contract

Morris had earlier suffered a side strain in his second ODI appearance which curtailed his summer. He had been due to appear for Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket before post-season scans showed a hot spot in his back and he wasn’t considered for the tour of Scotland and England.”Lance is still working through his return to play and getting himself right recovering from that stress fracture of the back,” national selector George Bailey said. “Know he’s progressing well, he’s feeling good, he’s starting to get to that point where he wants some cricket and think he’s going to get a hell of a lot of it over the summer and that will be really exciting to see him back.”Felt a little bit like with him, that we wanted to set him up for success in the long term as opposed to pushing that too early then potentially risking what we think is something that could be really exciting across this summer and beyond.”Richardson, who is “fit and firing” according to Bailey, made one appearance for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 after another disrupted domestic season where he suffered a side strain during the BBL having just been recalled to the ODI squad. He last appeared for Australia against Sri Lanka in mid-2022.Both Morris and Richardson were given Cricket Australia central contracts earlier this year.Lance Morris made his ODI debut earlier this year before injury struck•Getty Images

“Jhye is in a similar boat,” Bailey said. “He’s fit and firing now, and again looking for match opportunities. I think he’ll get opportunities again across the summer. For both [him and Morris] I think it’s getting through the season fit and then hopefully maximising the amount of cricket they play. Some of that will be domestic, hopefully there will be some international opportunities [and] Australia A opportunities, then I think we set them up for success in the long term.”The durability of Australia’s big three quicks – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins – has meant limited changes to the Test pace attack in recent times beyond the appearance of Scott Boland when one of them has been sidelined. They have also featured regularly in the ODI and T20 World Cups across the last nine months although have been rotated a little more outside of those events.Cummins will miss the entire UK tour so he can work on conditioning ahead of the home summer. Starc will skip the T20Is before returning for the ODIs while Hazlewood features in both squads. Emerging quicks Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson are in the T20I group alongside Nathan Ellis who can expect greater opportunity. Sean Abbott, who played one game at the ODI World Cup, is in the 50-over squad alongside Ellis, Hazlewood and Starc.Jhye Richardson has battled various injuries•Getty Images

Whether Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins can get through the whole five-Test series against India later this year will likely again be a debate and the selectors have factored those workloads into their planning.”As far as the fast bowling group goes, think we’ve got a pretty exciting bunch there that we haven’t had the opportunity to get a lot of games into across the formats predominantly because we’ve had a highly successful and robust senior group of fast bowlers,” Bailey said.”Clearly some of the decisions made around this series is around priortising and getting guys right for what will be a really big summer and for some guys this is an opportunity to get a little bit more work into what they are going to need to be ready for that.”Victoria and Melbourne Renegades allrounder Will Sutherland was another not considered for the latest squads after suffering another back stress fracture late last season. He had also made his ODI debut against West Indies in February.

da aviator aposta： Newcastle United fans are surely in dreamland at the moment, with their Magpies heroes in the driver’s seat now involving the ongoing Champions League race in the Premier League.

da realsbet： Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off versus Chelsea had all the ingredients of a high-stakes affair with both the Toon and the Blues heading into the game on 63 points each.

But, Eddie Howe’s men didn’t play with any nerves visible in their free-flowing game, meaning the Magpies are now sat in a pretty third position – only one point off Arsenal – after easing past Enzo Maresca’s men 2-0.

Both Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes would steal the limelight on the day as the Newcastle goalscorers, with the fantastic midfield pairing looking ready made for Champions League football off the back of their polished displays.

Tonali and Guimaraes stole the show

In such a tense affair, the best possible mood setter would be to score early on.

Tonali certainly felt that way anyway when he gifted Howe’s hosts the lead after just two minutes, with the former AC Milan maestro managing to tap home after an inviting delivery into the box fell charitably at his feet.

Away from sending the home masses into delirium with the opening strike of the day, Tonali would continue to keep plugging away centrally with his boundless energy, leading to the standout number eight winning three ground duels.

On top of that, he was also on the lookout for an assist to complement his goal with two key passes tallied up, but no such moment would arrive.

Instead, Dan Burn would turn provider when teeing up Guimaraes for Newcastle’s game-clinching second, with the popular Brazilian also showing off his varied game – much like Tonali – when winning three duels, while registering two more shots past his fabulous late effort looping over Robert Sanchez.

But, there is another sensational forward player for Howe’s side that hasn’t even been mentioned yet who is slowly but surely turning into Newcastle’s next iteration of Nolberto Solano with his expert eye for an assist.

Newcastle's new version of Solano

The now retired right winger would consistently dazzle Premier League defences with his trickery when donning Magpies black and white.

He would also pick up assists by the bucket-load to back up his memorable showboating, with Solano’s assist haul of 15 in league action during the 1999/2000 season yet to be topped, until potentially now.

Jacob Murphy amazingly only finds himself three short of Solano’s bumper total in the here and now, with his 12th assist of the Premier League season to date the cross that Tonali very kindly finished off.

It’s been a remarkable campaign for the 30-year-old so far, considering he had only picked up eight assists last season when he was sparingly used 21 times in league action due to injury concerns. Now, he’s as crucial as Tonali and Guimaraes are in Newcastle’s exciting hunt for European glory.

Newcastle’s top five G/A contributors this season

Player

Games

Goals scored

Assists

1. Alexander Isak

33

23

6

2. Jacob Murphy

33

8

12

3. Harvey Barnes

31

9

4

4. Anthony Gordon

32

6

5

5. Bruno Guimaraes

36

5

6

Stats by Sofascore

Staggeringly, only Alexander Isak is able to surpass Murphy for goals and assists this season in the Premier League for the Magpies, with the ex-Norwich City man certainly living up to his next Solano label more when powering home eight goals from 33 games. In total, the silky Peruvian would pick up 48 strikes on Tyneside.

Murphy will hope he can get near to that sizeable tally soon, with the hard-working yet skilful winger another gem playing out of his skin for the Toon as Champions League football possibly reappears.

Related Howe thinks he's perfect: Newcastle make bid for "incredible" £21m maestro

The Magpies have submitted a significant offer for a new midfielder.

Posts ByDominic Lund May 9, 2025

Chelsea are not short of options in attack, and Enzo Maresca certainly has an embarrassment of riches to choose from. The Blues’ key man in forward areas is Cole Palmer, who, despite a lean run of form, has managed 14 goals and nine assists in the Premier League this season.

The other player to hit double figures for league goals is Nicolas Jackson, who has managed ten, as well as five assists. Noni Madueke has also surpassed ten goal involvements in the top flight, too, with 11 to be specific.

If reports are to be believed, the Blues are looking to add more attacking talents to their squad this summer.

Chelsea targeting another teen superstar

One of the most highly sought-after players in world football right now seems to be 17-year-old attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono. The River Plate star has caught the eye during his short career so far, and is now wanted by a multitude of clubs.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from Clarin, via Sport Witness, Chelsea are one of the sides hoping to bring him into the club this summer, continuing their trend of raiding the South American market.

Fellow Premier League side Manchester United are also showing strong interest, and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also believed to be considering a move.

Mastantuono has a reported release clause of £38m, and a move will likely happen when he turns 18 in the middle of August. River are reportedly looking to renew his contract, which could alter his release clause.

Why Mastantuono would be a good signing

Should the Blues manage to bring Mastantuono to the club, it would be another exciting young talent they have managed to add to their ranks. He has impressed in his short professional career for River, and has also been recognised by Argentina at under-20 level.

In 13 games in 2025 so far for the Argentine giants, he already has four goals and two assists to his name. He has featured for 997 minutes, and is currently averaging a goal involvement every 166 minutes, which is impressive for someone as inexperienced as he is.

The other standout thing to note about Mastantuono is his versatility. The River number 30, who is left-footed, can play as a right winger or a number ten, which is certainly something Maresca could lean upon at times.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson described the youngster as someone in the “Palmer mould”. However, he even goes on to make the claim that he is “he best of the lot”, suggesting Mastantono is someone to really get excited about.

Well, Chelsea fans have two young South American talents they can watch in action before too long. The Blues also signed Estevao Willian almost one year ago from Palmeiras, who will join the club for £29m this summer.

He has seven goals and one assist in all competitions in 2025, having featured in 23 matches for the Brazilian giants. Like Mastantuono, he is a hybrid between a winger and a number ten, able to play both positions.

Well, the pair could become a force to be reckoned with in a Chelsea shirt, over the next few seasons. The stats on FBref show just how good they are, and as a duo, they could become unstoppable.

One of the stats that sticks out is their creative passing numbers. Mastantuono averages 2.59 key passes and 5.47 shot-creating actions each game, with Estevao averaging 2.36 key passes and 4.03 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.

Goals and assists

0.49

0.42

Key passes

2.59

2.36

Shot-creating actions

5.47

4.03

Carries into final third

3.33

3.33

Ball recoveries

3.33

4.44

There is no doubt that Mastantuono is an exciting talent. Not only do Europe’s biggest clubs want to sign him, but he is putting up excellent numbers in a River shirt already, and has some impressive underlying stats.

If this is a deal Chelsea manage to do, he could be a fantastic addition, and form a deadly partnership with Estevao at Stamford Bridge.

Big upgrade on Sancho: Chelsea confident of signing £35m "wonderkid"

Chelsea are looking to add to their attack before the Club World Cup

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 30, 2025

Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has left Aston Villa to complete a permanent transfer to Vasco da Gama. Coutinho left the Villans last summer to return to his homeland and join the Brazilian Serie A side on loan and he has now made his move permanent. The 33-year-old made 26 appearances last season where he scored five goals and provided three assists.

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Coutinho joins Vasco da Gama permanentlySigned for the Brazilian side on loan last summerEnded Aston Villa nightmareFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Coutinho's nightmare Aston Villa spell has finally ended as he secured a permanent move to Vasco da Gama, after spending the 2024-25 campaign on loan at the Brazilian club. The midfielder tried to push for a permanent transfer last summer by mutually terminating his contract and joining Vasco on a free transfer but the Villans at that time only sanctioned a loan move.

AdvertisementWHAT ASTON VILLA SAID

The official statement from the Premier League club read: "Aston Villa can confirm that Philippe Coutinho has completed a permanent move to Vasco da Gama. The midfielder was on loan with the Brazilian side last term and returned to the club following the end of his temporary stint, but both clubs have now agreed a deal for the playmaker to go back to his hometown club on a permanent basis. After signing for Villa initially on loan in January 2022, he went on to pen a permanent deal at Villa Park and made 43 appearances in claret and blue, scoring six goals. Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank Philippe for his service to the club and wish him all the best in his future career."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Coutinho joined Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona in January 2022 before making his transfer permanent six months later. However, he failed to make an impact under Unai Emery and was sent out on loan to Qatari side Al-Duhail ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Matheus Lima/Vasco da GamaWHAT NEXT FOR COUTINHO?

The 33-year-old will be back in action for Vasco on July 12 as they take on Botafogo in the Brazilian Serie A.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عن دخول البرتغالي برونو لاج في مفاوضات مع نادي كبير رغم أنباء اقترابه من النادي الأهلي.

ويعتبر برونو لاج المرشح الأبرز لتدريب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي خلفًا للإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو بعد إقالته بسبب سوء النتائج.

ولم يفُز ريبيرو سوى بمباراة واحدة في بطولة الدوري على حساب فاركو برباعية مقابل هدف، بينما تلقى هزيمتين وحقق 4 تعادلات.

ورحل ريبيرو بعد الخسارة أمام بيراميدز في الدوري المصري بثنائية نظيفة، عقب أداء سيئ للغاية والكثير من المعاناة التي ظهرت على لاعبي الأهلي.

وكانت صحيفة “أو جوجو” البرتغالية أفادت أن المفاوضات بين برونو لاج وإدارة الأهلي قد تُحسم خلال الساعات القليلة القادمة.

اقرأ أيضًا | 200 ألف يورو تفصل برونو لاج عن تدريب الأهلي

وذكرت أن إدارة النادي الأهلي عرضت على المدرب 4.8 مليون يورو سنويًا في حين أن المدرب يريد تقاضي 5 ملايين يورو.

ووفقًا لصحيفة “نت فلو” فإن المدرب البرتغالي يعتبر أحد المرشحيين البارزين لتدريب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي فلومينينسي البرازيلي.

ريناتو جاوتشو كان قد استقال من منصبه كمدرب لفريق فلومينينسي مساء الثلاثاء، بعد الخروج من بطولة كوبا سود أمريكانا أمام لانوس.

يُذكر أن برونو لاج كانت له تجربة في البرازيل حينما قام بتدريب فريق بوتافوجو منذ عام 2023 حتى 2024.

Hampshire’s quarter-final hopes look thin after two wins and five defeats

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-2024

Visa issues have prevented Ottneil Baartman, the South African fast bowler, from joining Hampshire for the rest of the T20 Blast.Baartman, who made six appearances at the T20 World Cup during South Africa’s run to the final, was due to play for Hampshire in their final six group games. But his arrival was delayed due to unspecified “visa issues” and the club announced on Friday that, with their quarter-final hopes thin, his deal has been cancelled.”We would like to wish Ottneil all the best and hope to see him in a Hawks shirt in the future,” Hampshire said in a club statement. Baartman initially signed as a replacement for Naveen-ul-Haq, who pulled out of his contract with Hampshire citing “personal reasons” and is instead playing for Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.After two wins, three no-results and five defeats, Hampshire sit seventh in the nine-team South Group of the Blast heading into Friday night’s fixture against Gloucestershire at the Ageas Bowl. With the top four teams qualifying for the quarter-finals, they may need to win all four of their remaining fixtures to progress.”We’ll have to do some maths to see if we can still qualify,” Adi Birrell, their coach, said after their most recent defeat to Sussex. “I can’t really think that two wins out of ten gives us a chance of getting through to the quarter-finals but we’ll have to have a look at it.”We had three rained-off games, which has given us a few points, but we’re not really playing well enough to go through… we were a bit off in all departments [against Sussex], as we have been throughout the campaign. We haven’t really put in a good performance in all departments.”

The allrounder overcame injuries and mental-health issues to end up with a T20 World Cup winner’s medal

Annesha Ghosh20-Mar-2020Soon after touching down at Melbourne airport a fortnight ago, Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux told reporters she hoped to make the most of pop star Katy Perry’s presence at the MCG for the T20 World Cup final. “Hopefully, I am dancing with her at the end,” she said a day after taking the key wicket of South Africa opener Lizelle Lee in Australia’s thrilling semi-final win at the SCG.Twenty-two-year-old Molineux got what she wished for, leading her team-mates down a runway at the MCG and dancing with Perry after Australia beat India in the final and won their fifth T20 World Cup.

That’s how you celebrate a win. pic.twitter.com/vEUsUTINZ1

— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 8, 2020

But it was almost a miracle that her World Cup campaign ended on so bright a note, given the trajectory of her career over the past 12 months.In March last year, Molineux, a left-arm spin-bowling allrounder underwent surgery for a dislocated shoulder she suffered while training with her state side, Victoria. She made her way back into the Australian team over the next six months, with a superlative Test debut in the Ashes in England, but then missed the tour of the Caribbean and the home series against Sri Lanka as she entered an extended period of recovery.Having overcome the injury-related setbacks, she decided to take a break in the middle of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) last November to focus on her mental health, which made the prospect of her inclusion in the World Cup squad far from likely. Molineux admitted she is fortunate things took a turn for the better.”It’s been a pretty funny few months. I think I am really lucky because the World Cup was definitely not on my mind back then,” she told ESPNcricinfo. “There’s never going to be a perfect time to take a break, especially when you’re in professional sport. There’s always going to be some cricket coming up. I was playing Big Bash at that time, but I knew I had to do it. I knew there was a World Cup coming up, but whether I would be there, I wasn’t really sure. So I wasn’t going to spend time worrying about that because it was far too out of my control.”But looking back, to have been able to play the World Cup and then win it is pretty cool. [That] Sunday night was special. To be able to run out in front of 90,000 people, to do that with ten of your best team-mates, lift the World Cup… it has all been pretty special and still feels quite surreal.”But that’s what sport is all about, isn’t it? The highs and the lows… And winning the World Cup at the MCG was certainly a high.”Her decision to step away from the game came around the same time as a raft of withdrawals from the men’s senior and A sides. The Victorian trio of Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson and Will Pucovski took breaks from their cricketing commitments to deal with mental-health challenges, and the summer before, Molineux’s Australia team-mate Nicole Bolton had stepped away from cricket due to her own mental-health issues.

“There’s never going to be a perfect time to take a break, especially when you’re into professional sport; there’s always going to be some cricket coming up. I was playing Big Bash at that time, but I knew I had to do it”Molineux on her break due to mental-health issues

That Molineux found it relatively smooth to ease back into the national side, she said, was down to Cricket Australia’s support and an ecosystem that encourages players to monitor and, as recent evidence testifies, open up about their mental-health concerns. Australian players, besides discussing their state of mind with coaches, medical staff and team psychologists, have the option of reporting problems or spiralling feelings using the wellness apps used to track their physical and mental well-being.”It’s sort of funny that I took the break when I did,” Molineux said. “You take such breaks focusing on the needs of the immediate present without thinking much about the future. You try and stay in the present and work through each day, each week. And it’s important you have the right people around you in such times.”The support I got at the time from Motty [head coach Matthew Mott] and Meg [Lanning, the captain], and everyone from Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, my team-mates, my family… after such highs in your career, when you look back, you tend to realise and appreciate even more what having someone’s back at such moments can do. [Through] that period I realised how lucky I was to have that support around me, and really, Cricket Australia and our support staff have been amazing.”Just before this year’s World Cup, though, Molineux found herself pegged back once again. She sustained a thigh injury during the last stretch of the home tri-series involving England and India in early February, and while she was named in the World Cup squad, she hurt her other thigh too in the meantime and was sidelined till the last league game of the world tournament.”She had two corked thighs for this World Cup,” Mott told ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of the team’s celebrations in Federation Square in Melbourne the morning after Australia thumped India in the final. “There is a bit of dispute on how she actually got the second one. I think she actually landed on the square again. It is a bit of a mystery [even now].”Credit to our medical team, though. Honestly, I thought she was pretty much done for the tournament. The scan I saw looked horrific – there was a lot of blood around her leg, and we just thought there was absolutely no chance of getting her back out there, but they kept the faith, kept her around…”That Molineux slotted straight back into the XI upon recovering just in time for the knockouts was down in part to a tournament-ending hamstring injury to Australia’s premier allrounder, Ellyse Perry, ahead of the semi-finals. The wicket of Lee in her first over in the semi-final would mark the beginning of Molineux’s first home World Cup. Two nights later she would get opener Smriti Mandhana with her first delivery in the final.”As soon as she took that first wicket in the final, I think everyone just went, ‘You beauty!'” Mott said. “You don’t like taking injured players into big matches, but I definitely think that was a big part of it, trying to get her up for that game. Obviously you lose Ellyse Perry, but you add another world-class allrounder in there.Mott said the team management wasn’t confident they would be able to get Molineux up for the semi-final, and that even if they did, it might have been just that one game they would “get out of her” given the protracted recovery. “But we needed it,” Mott conceded.It wasn’t until 9.30 on the morning of the final that Molineux would be declared fit. To see her dealing India a telling blow, winning the World Cup and capping off a roller-coaster ride of a season dancing to the other Perry’s chartbusters on stage was incredible to him.”It was touch and go right to the 11th hour,” Mott said. “When you see her dancing that night you find that hard to believe!”

Arsenal have been told they are "shopping at Asda" by replacing Thomas Partey with a Brentford midfielder.

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• Arsenal "shopping at Asda"
• Made move for Brentford midfielder
• Replaces Thomas Partey

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Gunners are reportedly close to signing Christian Norgaard from the Bees as they seek midfielder cover, with Partey set to leave at the end of his contract. Gabby Agbonlahor told talkSPORT he is underwhelmed by the move.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT AGBONLAHOR SAID

  Agbonlahor said: "He's an OK player. I get it for value, he's a decent player, but you're losing Thomas Partey. It just seems a bit odd. Arsenal don't seem to be shopping in the top shops like Manchester City and Liverpool. They're shopping at Waitrose, Arsenal are at Asda."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Gunners are already set to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, with the Spaniard expected to be their first choice holding midfielder next season. Norgaard, who has played for Brentford since 2019, would be signed to beef up the squad.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  Mikel Arteta is also aiming to bring in a new striker this summer, with Benjamin Sesko said to be the leading target. Moves for Cristhian Mosquera and Kepa Arrizabalaga are also in the offing.

da wazamba： The perfect night for Manchester City.

da roleta： On Tuesday, the Citizens swatted aside Bournemouth 3-1 at the Etihad, meaning they require just a point at Craven Cottage on the final day to secure a 15th successive season of Champions League football.

Well, given that the Sky Blues have won each of their last 17 meetings with Fulham, a sequence that dates back to 2011, one would imagine that they’ll get the job done on the banks of the River Thames on Sunday.

Not only that, Rodri made his long-awaited return, introduced as a late substitute 240 days after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament rupture against Arsenal in September.

Meantime, after the match, the Man City faithful paid tribute to Kevin De Bruyne, given that this was his last-ever appearance at the Etihad, widely considered to be the club’s greatest-ever player.

Looking ahead to the future, one player in particular impressed on the evening, giving Pep Guardiola food for thought going forward into the Club World Cup and next season.

How Manchester City swatted Bournemouth aside

Man City’s victory over Bournemouth was never really in doubt from the 14th minute onwards when Omar Marmoush’s absolute thunderbolt broke the deadlock, thwacking the post on its way in, giving Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance whatsoever.

This was the best genre of goal; one where those in attendance are gasping with disbelief at what they’ve just witnessed each time the strike is replayed to them on the jumbotron.

Bernardo Silva lashed home a second on the cusp of half time, before the Cherries were presented with a glimmer of hope, with Mateo Kovačić sent off for a last-man foul on Evanilson.

Nevertheless, just six minutes later, Lewis Cook was also dismissed by referee Thomas Bramall for a knee-high tackle, extinguishing any hope of a comeback, before Nico González rubber-stamped the victory, scoring his first goal in the Premier League.

Daniel Jebbison did get Bournemouth on the board right at the death, very much of the consolation variety, and this did nothing to dampen the mood, with the Man City support in good voice and good spirits, and full credit to them, just three days after defeat in the FA Cup Final.

With a Champions League spot now all but secured, planning can well and truly start for next season, so has one player in particular staked a claim to be a central pillar in Guardiola’s future plans?

Man City star showed they can forget Wirtz

As was widely reported on Monday, including by Rob Dawson of ESPN, Manchester City have withdrawn their interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz due to the amount of money the deal would cost in terms of both transfer fee and wages.

Paul Hirst and Paul Joyce of the Times claim that die Werkself valued the 22-year-old at £126m, with Bayern Munich currently his most-likely destination, although Liverpool and Real Madrid remain interested.

For Man City, they won’t be getting their hands on Wirtz, but they did sign another Bundesliga superstar back in January that may help mitigate this blow.

Marmoush’s strike against Bournemouth, which we’ve already mentioned, was breathtaking, continuing his rich goal-scoring form since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported fee of £63m earlier this year.

His sublime performance on Tuesday evening showed the Egyptian at his best.

Marmoush is both a creator and a goal-scorer, taking his tally to eight in Manchester City colours, these coming in just 21 appearances to date, with all seven of his Premier League strikes coming at the Etihad, most notably bagging a hat-trick against Newcastle in February.

Omar Marmoush statistics vs Bournemouth

Statistics

Marmoush

Match rank

Goals

1

=1st

Shots on target

1

=1st

Shots of target

1

=3rd

Shots blocked

1

=1st

Passing accuracy

93%

6th

Key passes

1

=4th

Sofascore rating

7.3

=3rd

All statistics courtesy of SofaScore

This is on top of the 20 goals he managed for Frankfurt before making the move, with only five players scoring more Bundesliga goals than him this season, namely Harry Kane, Serhou Guirassy, Patrik Schick, Jonathan Burkardt, Tim Kleindienst, despite his winter departure.

Analyst Ben Mattinson described Marmoush as a “proper maverick”, while Sultan Babajide of Breaking the Lines documents how he is a ‘versatile player’ who is ‘capable of being important in every phase of play’, praising his ‘technical skills, tactical understanding, and strong work ethic’.

Meantime, Karim El-Shesheiny of Total Football Analysis outlines how the Egyptian can be deployed in many ‘different positions’ across the forward line, adding that he is more ‘dynamic’ than most other forwards, while also ‘good at defending’ out of possession.

So, what is clear is that Marmoush is a very well-rounded attacker, both capable of creating chances, but also scoring them himself from all distances.

Thus, while many of Europe’s biggest clubs are searching for a new striker, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Juventus and many more, Man City managed to snap one up, even though they already have Erling Haaland in their ranks of course, a duo most teams around the world will be envious of.

Related Forget Wirtz: Man City set to make bid for "world-class" £70m midfielder

With Manchester City now out of the running to sign Florian Wirtz, are they stepping up their interest to sign a different “world-class” midfielder?

Posts ByBen Gray May 20, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin： Na última terça-feira (5), a CBF pegou todos de surpresa ao anunciar o técnico Fernando Diniz como novo treinador da Seleção Brasileira, pelo menos até a chegada do italiano Carlo Ancelotti. Diniz conciliará o trabalho na Seleção com o comando do Fluminense em uma temporada.

da roleta： Diniz dará conta do recado com Seleção e Fluminense? Redação do LANCE! opina

‘Inventividade e criatividade’: saiba como a Seleção Brasileira deve jogar com Fernando Diniz

Essa situação ‘diferente’ não é novidade na CBF. Isso porque, em 1998, Vanderlei Luxemburgo dirigiu a Seleção Brasileira juntamente com o Corinthians. Logo após o vice-campeonato na Copa do França para os anfitriões, Zagallo deixou o comando do Brasil e a CBF tinha dificuldades para acertar com um novo treinador.

+ Galvão elogia Diniz, mas critica CBF por mudança no comando da Seleção: ‘É um erro’

+ Cupom LANCEFUT com 10% OFF para os fanáticos por esporte em compras acima de R$299,90

Então, Ricardo Teixeira, presidente da entidade na época, acertou com Luxemburgo, que estava empregado no Corinthians. Mas o treinador deu uma condição: continuar dirigindo o Alvinegro até o final do ano. A CBF aceitou e Luxa foi campeão brasileiro daquela temporada enquanto comandava a Seleção Brasileira, vencendo o Cruzeiro na decisão.

Apesar da dupla ‘preocupação’, pode se dizer que o seu retrospecto na Seleção foi bom. Luxa dirigiu o Brasil em 34 partidas, entre 1998 e 2000, com um aproveitamento de 69,60%, sendo 21 vitórias, oito empates e cinco derrotas. Ele conquistou a Copa América de 1999, vencendo o Uruguai na decisão por 3 a 0.