Virat Kohli has been urged by Sachin Tendulkar to keep his focus and let his “heart guide the way”, after his brilliant batting display in last week’s first Test fell short of delivering an Indian victory at Edgbaston.In a match in which no other Indian player reached a half-century, Kohli made a brilliant 149 in the first innings, before leading his team’s push towards their victory target of 194 with a further 51 in the second.However, his dismissal on the fourth and final morning proved to be the defining moment of the match, and in the wake of India’s 31-run defeat, Kohli came under fire in the media – most notably from the former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, for failing to recognise that his lesser team-mates needed more practice than he did.Nevertheless, Kohli’s efforts at Edgbaston lifted him above Steve Smith to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings. It was the first time in his career that he had attained the No. 1 ranking, and the first time that any Indian batsman had achieved the feat since Tendulkar himself in 2011.”I would say, just continue, he’s doing a fantastic job so just continue,” Tendulkar told ESPNcricinfo. “Don’t worry about what’s happening around you, keep your focus on what you want to achieve, and let your heart guide the way.”Along the way there will be plenty of things said and done, but eventually, if you are passionate about what you want in life, then the results will invariably follow.”Speaking at the launch of the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy in North London, Tendulkar acknowledged that – in spite of the disappointment of the final result – Kohli deserved to be immensely proud of his personal achievement at Edgbaston, in particular the manner in which he atoned for his disappointing maiden tour of England in 2014 with a century at the first opportunity.However, he also warned that there could be no resting on any laurels for Kohli, now that he has scored that maiden Test hundred in England, one of the clear goals of his career.”I can tell you from my own experience, however many runs you score they are never enough,” Tendulkar said. “You want more runs, and that is the case with Virat. However many runs he scores, it will never be enough for him.”The downfall starts when you are satisfied. It’s nice to be happy, but never be satisfied when you are a batsman. Bowlers can only get ten wickets, but batters can go on and on, so don’t be satisfied, just be happy.”The circumstances of Kohli’s maiden century in England were far removed from those of Tendulkar’s, way back in 1990, when as a 17-year-old, he scored his first Test hundred against any opponent to save the second Test at Old Trafford and win the Man-of-the-Match award.”Until then I hadn’t attended a press conference, so everyone in the dressing room was saying they are going to grill you!” he recalled. “I was most scared, but it wasn’t that bad, everyone was very friendly. But there was one question, ‘will you open the bottle of champagne?’, and I was only 17, so I said no way, I’m not going to do that now!”There will be no-one quite as young as Tendulkar was back then when England and India reconvene at Lord’s this week for the second Test. However, with the 20-year-old Sam Curran producing a matchwinning allround performance at Edgbaston, and Surrey’s Ollie Pope in line for his Test debut at the same age this week, the question of when to blood young players is once again a hot topic.Tendulkar, however, is unequivocal. “If somebody is good enough, they should play for their country, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “Age shouldn’t be a criteria.”When I played my first game [against Pakistan in 1989-90], I was only 16, and in a way it helped,” he added. “I didn’t know what it was like to face Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Abdul Qadir, possibly the best bowling attack in the world.”You are fearless, you only see one side of the coin. With experience and maturity you start to see the other side of the coin as well, and you learn to balance things out.”That is the age when you only go out and give your best, and that is what I would ask both these guys to go out and do. Enjoy the game because there will be tough moments, but that is what you practice for, that is what you live for.”

A crucial 61 off 46 balls from Sompal Kami was followed by a game-changing spell of legspin by Sandeep Lamichhane as Nepal defeated Netherlands by a solitary run for their first ever win in ODIs

The Report by Peter Della Penna in Amsterdam03-Aug-2018This script is starting to get a bit too cliche for Nepal. At WCL Division Two last February in Namibia, they triumphed in a trio of edge of your seat nailbiters that went down to the final wicket or final ball, or both, with their batsmen in the middle. A slight rewrite to the screenplay needed to be made at the VRA Ground, with Nepal in the field defending two off the final ball and one Dutch wicket left.But in the end, the result remained the same. Paras Khadka’s Cardiac Kids pulled off another heartstopping win as the captain himself secured the victory by running to rip out the non-striker’s stumps with ball in hand in a dramatic run-out for Nepal’s first ever ODI victory in just their second match.When Sandeep Lamichhane foxed Shane Snater with a googly for his third wicket of the match, it left the final Netherlands pair of Fred Klaassen and Paul van Meekeren needing 32 off the final 39 balls to win. Nepal know all too well that victory was not a foregone conclusion having added 51 for the final wicket to win off the final ball against Canada six months earlier. After van Meekeren survived a few lbw shouts to end Lamichhane’s final over, he nearly pulled a Nepal with Klaassen by his side.The pair took the equation down to six off the final over as Khadka put the responsibility on his own shoulders by keeping the ball in his own hands. Having been a bystander for all three stunning finishes in Namibia, he played a starring role in this success having scored his maiden ODI fifty to underpin Nepal’s total of 216 before Sompal Kami followed Khadka’s exit with a brilliant counterattacking 61 off 46.Khadka took to bowling back-of-the-hand slower balls and legcutters for much of the final over, keeping the last pair off balance. A single by Klaassen to the leg side to start the 50th was followed by a firm drive to cover by van Meekeren for a dot. Khadka thought he’d won the match on the next ball, fooling van Meekeren with a slower ball that was lofted just short of long-on for a run. The fourth ball was guided behind point to the sweeper for two, leaving two off two balls for the Dutch to win.Nepal thought they had secured victory once more on the fifth ball when Klaassen’s attempted flick on a delivery down the leg side produced a big noise but umpire Sarika Prasad ruled it came off the pad and not the bat. Rather than draw out the moment, Khadka got straight back to his mark to charge in for the final ball. Klaassen middled a fullish delivery, but too well for the Dutch cause as his scorching straight drive ricocheted off the stumps and came back toward Khadka. The Nepal captain spun around in his follow-through to pick up the ball and beat Klaassen in a footrace to the non-striker’s end as he ripped a stump out – the bails were already dislodged by the shot – to complete the run-out that clinched another famous Nepal win.Kami dented the Dutch chase just two balls in when he bowled Stephan Myburgh with an inswinger for a duck. Fifteen-year-old debutant Rohit Paudel made his presence felt seven overs later when he tracked down Ben Cooper’s miscued drive skied over extra cover before laying out full-extension for a magnificent one-handed catch to give fellow ODI debutant Lalit Bhandari his maiden wicket.But the next 20 overs produced little joy for Nepal as Netherlands cruised in pursuit of the target at 114 for 2 behind a half-century from Wesley Barresi. It took Lamichhane striking twice in three balls in the 29th over to spark a dramatic collapse. Dan ter Braak was given lbw stuck on the crease as he played down the wrong line to a flipper while Bas de Leede’s charge down the crease two balls later went awry to leave him stumped.Khadka took a sharp catch at slip 15 balls later to remove Wednesday’s Man-of-the-Match Michael Rippon for 3 off the bowling of Basant Regmi. Having chosen an extra batsman in the starting XI today, with Paudel and Subash Khakurel both making their ODI debuts in place of the retiring Shakti Gauchan and the injured Sharad Vesawkar, Khadka turned to Dipendra Singh Airee’s part-time offspin and he responded by dislodging Barresi with a quicker ball that struck the Dutchman on the toe to be given lbw for 71 as Netherlands fell to 143 for 6.Scott Edwards fell to Bhandari leg before while Khadka got revenge for his first innings dismissal at the hands of Seelaar by having the Dutch captain caught by Malla at backward point to put Netherlands eight down. With his final two overs held back by Khadka, Lamichhane returned to bowl Snater and set up the dramatic finale.Nepal’s first innings total was almost a carbon copy of their win two years earlier at the VRA in the WCL Championship when they scored 217 in a 19-run win. On that day, Khadka was provided the backbone with 84 off 96 balls. He stepped up once again with the bat on this occasion after choosing to bat first at the toss.Khadka entered at 34 for 2 at the start of the ninth over and held firm in the face of a searing opening spell from Klaassen. The left-arm seamer had already claimed the first two wickets and followed it with a third when opening batsman Khakurel was beaten for pace and bowled for 19. Khadka saw off the rest of Klaassen’s initial seven-over burst before setting his sights on Seelaar, clocking him over long-on for a pair of sixes the latter of which brought up his half-century.Khadka was successful with the reverse sweep as well but when he tried the orthodox sweep on a rare occasion he wound up top-edging Seelaar to fine leg for an easy catch. At 135 for 6, Nepal’s innings didn’t appear to have much steam left but Kami’s fiery yet orthodox strokeplay catapulted them back into contention.When Aarif Sheikh and Regmi fell, Kami began turning down singles with No. 10 Lamichhane out in the middle, yet he still scored at a phenomenal rate. He had a close shave in the 40th over when a skied swipe off Seelaar just eluded Snater on the deep midwicket rope for six. Having carted a half-tracker from Rippon over the deep midwicket rope earlier, his third six brought up a half-century in just 38 balls when he lifted a length ball from Klaassen over long-on.Kami finally fell backing away too far to cut Rippon at the start of the 46th to make it 204 for 9, leaving Lamichhane with Bhandari to stretch the innings out. They added 12 more runs and it took every one of them to ensure Khadka could pen the final few words of a slightly-altered winning script.

Everton could be set to lose one of their top young assets in January alongside Amadou Onana, with the pair reportedly being targeted by a rival in the Premier League.

Who are Everton linked with?

Over the summer, Sean Dyche’s side recruited five fresh faces in the form of Beto, Youssef Chermiti and Ashley Young on a permanent basis, whilst Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison put pen to paper on season-long loans for the remainder of the campaign.

With that window having closed, the Toffees are assessing their options ahead of the next one opening, and have been linked with moves for Al-Ittihad winger Jota and Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike, alongside a double swoop for Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as per reports from Spain.

The Goodison Park side are also focused on securing the long-term services of one of their current players in Jarrad Branthwaite, who was the subject of a surprise enquiry from Manchester United before the previous transfer deadline, and the centre-back attracting interest has prompted chiefs to take action.

Football Insider recently reported that the Merseyside outfit have opened discussions with the 21-year-old regarding a new contract, but should a more high-profile club come calling, it may be hard for England’s youth international to turn down an exciting opportunity like completing a switch to Old Trafford.

Is Jarrad Branthwaite leaving Everton?

According to The Daily Mail, Man United are eyeing Amadou Onana, but have also earmarked Branthwaite once again as an ideal target for January after Lisandro Martinez suffered a long-term injury: “Even if Martinez returns before the end of the year, United could be in the market for a new centre-back in the January transfer window – with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite one of the names on their radar.

How good is Jarrad Branthwaite?

Standing at 6 foot 5, Branthwaite provides an excellent physical presence at the heart of Everton’s backline, which he’s proven so far this season by averaging 3.8 clearances and 3.2 aerial wins per top-flight game, via WhoScored.

He ranks poorly in most ball playing based metrics, which does perhaps ask questions about his ability to transition his form to a club who dominate the ball, but he sits in the 70th percentile or above for each of tackles, interceptions and aerials won, showing his physical dominance and smart reading of the game (FBRef).

Dyche’s left-footed ace is even capable of making a positive impact at the opposite end of the pitch having clocked up nine contributions (seven goals and two assists) in 89 appearances since the start of his career which has seen him labelled a “terrific footballer” by his former manager Steven Pressley.

United have been heavily linked with a move for Onana having made an approach for him over the summer, and whilst a deal for him failed to come to fruition, Erik ten Hag appears to have instead set his sights on his teammate in Branthwaite, who pockets £15k-per-week at Goodison Park.

Pep Guardiola hailed Real Madrid as the Champions League "kings" after Manchester City were drawn against the Spanish giants in the competition.

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City to lock horns with Madrid in the last eightWill meet Los Blancos for the third year in a rowGuardiola 'not paying much attention' to one opponentGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The quarter-final tie marks the third consecutive season in which City and Real Madrid will cross paths in Europe's premier club competition. Last year, City emerged triumphant over the 14-time winners, securing a resounding 5-1 victory on aggregate in the semi-final en route to their maiden European triumph. Despite City's commendable form in Europe this campaign, Guardiola remains cautious about Madrid's prowess on the European stage and expects a demanding two-legged contest.

AdvertisementWHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Speaking to reporters, Guardiola commented: "It's a bit like a tradition, three years in a row playing the kings of the competition who have won 14 Champions Leagues. It is what it is, hopefully, we can have a good moment. [There are] still a few weeks before the first game in Madrid. We'll see.

"The draw you cannot control. Normally when people say the draw is easy, you undermine the other opponents. It's not necessary to say what Real Madrid is in this competition, the second leg is at home but two seasons ago it was away, so it is what it is. We have to do two good games there and here to go through."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Guardiola believes that a Champions League quarter-final will not be "special" for Real Madrid as they are regarded as veterans of the competition.

"I would say for [Man City] it's a little bit new, for Real Madrid it's not special to play the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League," he said.

"For us in the last years we have been quite consistent, many times in the final, semi-final, final, now the quarter-final again. We start to be in this routine of being in the latter stages and when you play in the last stages you play the best in Europe. Real Madrid also is there. Sometimes the draw decides, sometimes we are through, sometimes we are out. I don't pay much attention to any one opponent. All the opponents are really, really tough.

"We are excited because it's a privilege every time we're here, in the last 16 or quarter-final always it is. It is a special competition. I've said many times, I don't know which one is the most difficult of the lot because the Premier League, La Liga or Bundesliga, Serie A… always it's difficult with a lot of games. But this one [the Champions League] is special, going to Europe and with the team, with the club and the organisation, we go everywhere to try to play our best football. It's so nice."

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

City have a packed schedule before the first leg on April 9, including an FA Cup quarter-final against Newcastle on Saturday and three crucial Premier League encounters against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Guardiola can hardly afford to rotate the squad as they must pick up maximum points from the league fixtures since they are embroiled in an incredibly tight title race along with the Gunners and Liverpool.

Somerset outdid Gloucestershire a week ago but on a rain-hit return in Bristol they ran into Australian Andrew Tye with a point to prove after a horrific ODI series against England

ECB Reporters Network and ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2018

Andrew Tye went for 100 in nine overs•Getty Images

ScorecardAndrew Tye began to put his bad memories of this England summer behind him as he came up trumps in the West Country derby by bowling Gloucestershire to victory on a rainy night in Bristol.In a match reduced to 11 overs per side by rain before the start, Somerset ran up 114 for 8 after losing the toss, with Corey Anderson hitting 40 off 17 deliveries. Andrew Tye claimed 3 for 24 from three overs, while Tom Smith (2 for 21) was on a hat-trick at one stage.It was a satisfying night for Tye, who had a terrible time, like many of his Australian team-mates, as Australia were sunk 5-0 in the recent ODI series against England. Tye registered figures of 0 for 100 off nine overs at Trent Bridge, becoming the first Australian to concede 100 runs since Mick Lewis against South Africa in 2006. Lewis never played for Australia again.In reply, Ian Cockbain’s unbeaten 43 off 22 balls led Gloucestershire to a four-wicket Vitality Blast South Group victory over Somerset with five deliveries to spare. Cockbain, who hit 4 fours and 2 sixes, was well supported by Kieran Noema-Barnett (25) and Jack Taylor (19).The game did not begin until 8.15pm and hopes of a 12,000 crowd for the West Country derby were dashed by the bad weather leading up to the start. At least they were consoled by a home victory and speedy revenge for a six-wicket defeat by their arch-rivals at Taunton a week earlier.Talking T20 Podcast

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Gloucestershire fielded poorly that night. This time they were aided by a stunning Miles Hammond catch at extra cover to break an opening stand of 27 between Myburgh and Davies.More good work from Michael Klinger’s men led to Cockbain running out Myburgh with a direct hit at the bowler’s end from backward point and the skipper holding onto a sharp chance at the second attempt to dismiss Roelof van der Merwe.From 48 for 4Andrew Tye went for 100 in nine overs•Getty Images

At the end of the sixth over, Gregory and Anderson lifted the tempo with sixes off Tom Smith, whose previous over had seen James Hildreth and Peter Trego dismissed with successive balls.Anderson then hit two maximums in the tenth over, sent down by Ryan Higgins, and when Tye, whose first two overs had cost only ten, went for 14 off the last, Somerset had a challenging score.Gloucestershire’s hopes suffered a blow in the first over of their reply when Klinger, who had already hit a straight six, got an inside edge to Craig Overton and was caught behind.Fellow opener Miles Hammond fell to Max Waller and after two overs the home side were 15 for two. The power plays were 3.2 overs and Noema-Barnett’s six off Gregory helped the hosts to 32 for two, compared to Somerset’s 32 for one at the same stage.The powerful Noema-Barnett looked threatening before clothing a Gregory full toss to extra cover. And when he departed Cockbain took charge with sixes off Gregory and Peter Trego, whose over, the seventh of the inning,s cost 19.Higgins was caught at extra cover off a van der Merwe full toss with 34 still needed, but Jack Taylor hit Jamie Overton for a two sixes and a four in the ninth over and Gloucestershire had the necessary momentum to clinch victory.

Leeds United have enjoyed a strong start to the current Championship campaign as they sit in third place and chasing an automatic promotion spot.

Daniel Farke's side beat Huddersfield Town 4-1 on Saturday and have now racked up 25 points and 24 goals scored in their 14 league matches so far.

The form of the talented Georgino Rutter has played a significant role in the club's success on the pitch as the former Hoffenheim man has taken the division by storm this term.

Georginio Rutter's statistics this season

Farke hailed the talented gem as "unplayable" at times after the victory over the Terriers as the French attacker registered his fifth assist of the season.

The 21-year-old whiz has now created a staggering 14 'big chances' for his teammates in 12 starts and has showcased his ability to carve open the opposition's defence on a regular basis.

However, one criticism that could be levelled at the terrific maestro is that he does not offer a significant goal threat on his own. Rutter has only scored two Championship goals and has had the opportunities to add to that tally with five 'big chances' missed so far.

Meanwhile, the player whose spot in the side he has taken up through the middle of the pitch – Rodrigo – has outscored him at league level this season.

Rodrigo's goal record for Al-Rayyan

The Spain international, who was once dubbed "brilliant" by pundit Micah Richards, reportedly had a release clause of £3m that allowed Al-Rayyan to swoop in to secure his services ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Since moving on from Elland Road, Rodrigo has racked up three goals and three assists in six Stars League appearances for the Qatar-based outfit.

The 32-year-old marksman has also scored two goals in two Stars Cup clashes for Al-Rayyan and this means that the excellent attacker has five goals and three assists in eight games in total for the club.

Whereas, Rutter has only scored two goals in 27 appearances for Leeds in all competitions since the start of the year, which is a less-than-impressive return for a player who looks to make an impact in the final third.

Marcelo Bielsa splashed out a club-record fee of £26m to sign Rodrigo from Valencia in the summer of 2020 and he went on to score 28 goals in 97 clashes for the English side in total.

The Spanish ace scored 13 goals in 23 Premier League starts last season and only missed four 'big chances', which is a tally of misses that Rutter has already surpassed after 12 Championship starts.

Leeds' current forward sensation is not able to offer the same level of threat in front of goal as Bielsa's former brilliant dynamo in terms of his finishing ability, as shown by their respective statistics.

However, Rutter has been a consistent creative menace for his side and is contributing on a regular basis in ways outside of just scoring goals.

Hopefully, the French phenom will be able to find his goalscoring touch and add a Rodrigo-esque goal threat to his arsenal over the coming weeks and months to become a complete forward.

MatériaMais Notícias

O retorno de Pedro ao Ninho do Urubu, após ser cortado da Seleção Brasileira por conta de uma lesão muscular na coxa direita neste fim de semana, expõe um problema o qual o Flamengo está convivendo desde o outubro, quando as Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas voltaram a ser disputadas. Os cinco jogadores convocados nas duas Datas Fifa (três pelo Brasil, um pelo Uruguai e um pelo Chile) já desfalcaram o time da Gávea 35 vezes neste período, levando-se em conta jogos com datas coincidentes e as ausências em partidas do clube por parte de atletas que se reapresentaram lesionados após atuarem nas seleções.

As 35 vezes citadas, portanto, representam o número de oportunidades que um jogador desfalcou o Flamengo em função dos critérios citados acima. Na partida contra o Goiás, em 13 de outubro, Everton Ribeiro, Rodrigo Caio, Arrascaeta e Isla não puderam atuar por estarem a serviço de suas seleções – representando quatro vezes, por exemplo. Confira a lista completa abaixo.

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Rodrigo Caio é o recordista negativo neste aspecto. Contando com o empate em 1 a 1 com o Atlético, no último sábado, o zagueiro já desfalcou o Flamengo 13 vezes desde que se apresentou à Seleção Brasileira para os jogos contra a Bolívia e o Peru, nos dias 9 e 13 de outubro, respectivamente. O camisa 3, pilar da defesa rubro-negra, é desfalque certo para o jogo decisivo de quarta-feira, contra o São Paulo no Morumbi, que vale vaga na semifinal da Copa do Brasil.

Everton Ribeiro, Pedro e Isla também não devem estar à disposição de Rogério Ceni. Após perder por 2 a 1 no Rio,, o Flamengo precisa de uma vitória simples para forçar a decisão nos pênaltis, enquanto o São Paulo joga por um empate.

EVERTON RIBEIRO – 5 jogos fora

Convocados pelo Brasil para a 1ª e 2ª rodada das Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas, em 9 e 13/10, Everton Ribeiro ficou de fora contra o Sport, Vasco e Goiás, e voltou, sem problemas, e atuou contra o Red Bull Bragantino, no dia 15/10.

Depois, o meia foi convocado para a 3ª e 4ª rodada das Eliminatórias, em 13 e 17/11, e foi baixa nos jogos contra o São Paulo e Atlético-GO, na última semana.

Rodrigo Caio – 13 jogos fora
​
Convocados pelo Brasil para a 1ª e 2ª rodada das Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas, em 9 e 13/10,Rodrigo Caio ficou de fora dos jogos contra o Sport, Vasco e Goiás, e retornou com desgaste muscular e, conforme informado pelo clube posteriormente, foi diagnosticado com um edema ósseo no joelho direito.

Assim, ainda não retornou aos jogos do Flamengo e foi baixa contra Red Bull Bragantino, Corinthians, Junior Barranquilla, Internacional, Athletico, São Paulo, Athletico, Atlético-MG, São Paulo e Atlético-GO.Ainda está em recuperação.

MAURÍCIO ISLA – 4 jogos fora

Convocado pelo Chile para a 2ª rodada das Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas, em 13 de outubro, Maurício Isla ficou de fora dos jogos contra Vasco e Goiás. Depois, foi chamado para para a 3ª e 4ª rodada das Eliminatórias, em 13 e 17 de novembro, pela La Roja e perdeu os jogos contra o o São Paulo e Atlético-GO.

ARRASCAETA – 11 jogos fora
​
Convocado pelo Uruguai para a 1ª e 2ª rodada das Eliminatórias, em 8 e 13 de outubro, Arrascaeta ficou de fora dos jogos contra o Sport, Vasco e Goiás, e retornou lesionado. Assim, também ficou fora contra Red Bull Bragantino, Corinthians, Junior Barranquilla, Inter, Athletico, São Paulo, Athletico e Galo.

PEDRO – 2 jogos fora
​
Convocado para a 3ª e 4ª rodada das Eliminatórias Sul-Americanas, em 13 e 17 de novembro, Pedro ficou fora das partidas contra o São Paulo e Atlético-GO, reapresentando-se no CT do Ninho do Urubuneste domingo, 15/11, lesionado.

Arsenal may now be "willing to pay" market value for one club's "incredible" striker as a possible alternative to heavily-linked Brentford star Ivan Toney.

Will Arsenal sign a striker?

One gaping hole in Mikel Arteta's side, as widely believed, is the lack of a world-class centre-forward. While the Gunners are currently joint-top with north London rivals Tottenham on points, winning six out of a possible eight and remaining unbeaten in the Premier League, many of their victories have come through narrow one-goal margins. The title hopefuls, as a result, are eyeing up a new striker for 2024.

While some reports, like one from Football Transfers this week, have suggested that Arteta prefers to sign an alternative to Bukayo Saka – the vast majority have claimed that Toney is of real interest to Arsenal and a January move is possible. The Englishman, who scored 20 league goals, would seriously bolster Arteta's ranks and some pundits like TV journalist Piers Morgan say that the club's supporters are "kidding themselves" if they think Arsenal don't need a forward.

“I think that in January we have to go and get Ivan Toney or someone like him because we need a proper striker," said Morgan.

“Every Arsenal fan knows this and I think we’ve been kidding ourselves for too long that we can exist without one and the truth is that we can’t.”

Dusan Vlahovic transfer update

However, while links continue to surround a move for Toney, that isn't to say there are no alternatives. Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, who's started this season with real aplomb, is one name to be mentioned recently. A report from Tutto Juve and journalist Massimo Pavan, sharing the latest Vlahovic transfer update, has claimed that Arsenal (and sporting director Edu Gaspar by extension) may now be "willing to pay" the Serbia international's market value of around £70 million to get a deal done.

However, there is some bad news for supporters concerning this, as Vlahovic's club are set to demand much more money than this. Indeed, a figure of around £90 million could even be the yard stick according to this report. Given Vlahovic's start to the new Serie A campaign, this is hardly surprising, as the former Fiorentina star has already scored four goals in six league appearances already this season.

Former Juve star turned commentator, Massimo Mauro, has also called the young striker "incredible" and "like he has always been" in Turin with the Old Lady.

Direct free-kicks

Offside awareness

Long shots

Defensive contribution

Finishing

Discipline

“Vlahovic is incredible," exclaimed Mauro to TUTTOmercatoWEB (via the Juventus official website).

"It almost seems like he has always been there, he hasn’t undergone the change of environment at all like it happened in Florence also in Turin, he takes the field and scores goals. And now Juve is starting to scare again, if the others continue to take pauses for reflection, the Bianconeri are ready to return fully for the title fight.”

It’s not often a young footballer comes along that makes you stop in your tracks but that's what Chelsea possess at this moment in time.

Well, perhaps not just yet. The youngster in question is 16-year-old Kendry Paez, a teenage talent taking football by storm despite his infancy.

The Blues announced a deal to sign Paez back in July from Independiente del Valle, an Ecuadorean club famed for their youth production. Moises Caicedo, for instance, is part of their alumni.

That said, the teen superstar is not allowed to move officially until his 18th birthday, meaning we won’t see Paez on English shores until 2025 at the earliest.

It’s something we certainly can’t wait to see, with the fleet-footed attacker currently producing golden moments that get plastered across social media in the early hours.

Having already made his senior bow for Ecuador and scored, his latest moment of genius came on Sunday night as the youngster fired home a delightful goal for his club side.

Chelsea are now finally finding their groove under Mauricio Pochettino and provided he’s still in charge by 2025, the future looks bright.

So, how could that side look in the next few years? We’ve pieced together a young and vibrant-looking starting XI.

1 GK – Robert Sanchez

Chelsea have long craved a reliable stopper between the sticks. In the ex-Brighton man it looked as the though the torrid days of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy were behind them. Brave at claiming crosses and importantly saving shots, the Blues look less panicked in defence.

That was before the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, however, a game Robert Sanchez made a high-profile error. Here’s hoping for fewer errors in the next few years.

2 RB – Malo Gusto

A fit and in form Reece James would easily get in this side. In fact, he’d probably get in most teams in the Premier League. Sadly, we picture another rough few years on the treatment table for Chelsea’s captain.

As such, it’s Malo Gusto we’re predicting to slot in on the right-hand side of the defence after enjoying some impressive football in his first few months at the club after signing from Lyon in January.

3 CB – Axel Disasi

Thiago Silva, aged 39 in 2023 is unlikely to still be playing football once Paez eventually plays for Chelsea. A plethora of options could fit at centre-back once he goes. Wesley Fofana is one of them, another is Benoit Badiashile.

That said, it’s fellow French defender Axel Disasi, signed from Monaco this year who has made the position his own in two years' time.

4 CB – Levi Colwill

The crown jewel of Chelsea’s academy in 2023 is Levi Colwill who in 2025 is now a Stamford Bridge stalwart and one of the first names on the team sheet for England at international level too. Now an elite centre-half, he has epitomised the club’s rebuild under Pochettino.

5 LB – Ian Maatsen

No Ben Chilwell, I hear you ask? Like James, he’s spent more time on the treatment table. Such an eventuality has now led to Ian Maatsen becoming a regular in the side at left-back.

Maatsen enjoyed a tremendous spell at Burnley in 2022/23, winning promotion with Burnley and in two years' time, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him with plenty of games for Chelsea under his belt.

6 CM – Romeo Lavia

Signed from Southampton in the summer, Romeo Lavia is yet to play a single game for Chelsea after an injury-ravaged beginning to his time in west London.

Even with Caicedo in midfield, a name we’ll mention in just a second it wouldn’t be a great surprise if the 19-year-old is a regular fixture in midfield in two years.

7 CM – Moises Caicedo

The first of two Independiente graduates in this side, Caicedo has become one of the best holding midfielders in Europe by the time his fellow countryman in Paez breaks through in 2025.

He’s filled the void of N’Golo Kante to perfection and is part of a remarkably vibrant midfield trio.

8 CM – Enzo Fernandez

The second of Chelsea’s mega-money midfielders and a World Cup winner with Argentina, the club’s new ‘Cesc Fabregas’ in Enzo Fernandez has truly become one of the Premier League’s great midfielders in two years' time.

Already an elite passer in 2023, that part of his game has only become better and is a true force to be reckoned with. Lavia’s role in the side means he’s now playing further forward and adding goals to his game. A scary thought indeed.

9 RW – Cole Palmer

Signed from Manchester City this year, Cole Palmer has become one of the brightest young English talents around in 2025.

He was in fine form against Arsenal last weekend, scoring his second goal in Chelsea colours and over the next 24 months it wouldn’t be a great surprise if the forward is posting double figures for goal contributions.

10 CF – Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Nkunku was perhaps the most exciting signing of the summer window and enjoyed a fine pre-season. That was until he got injured.

We’re yet to see him feature in a competitive game for the club at this moment in time but fast forward a couple of years and he’s now a permanent fixture in the team. Full of goals and assists, watching him play alongside Paez is a salivating prospect.

أعرب عبد الله جورج، مستشار مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، عن سعادته بالفوز على طلائع الجيش، بالمباراة التى أقيمت بينهما أمس الخميس ببطولة الدوري المصري.

وفاز الزمالك على طلائع الجيش بهدفين مقابل هدف، على أرضية استاد الكلية الحربية، في إطار مؤجلات الجولة الـ16 من المسابقة المحلية.

وقال عبد الله جورج في تصريحات عبر قناة “الزمالك”: “المكسب يأتي بمكسب، وكل مباراة نرى لاعبين صغار إضافة حقيقية للفريق، وأتمنى استمرارهم وأن يكونوا نجومًا في نادي الزمالك”.

طالع أيضاً.. جوميز: الزمالك لم يستحق التقدم على طلائع الجيش في الشوط الأول.. ويوضح تطورات إصابة شيكابالا

عن آخر تطورات حالة أحمد سليمان عضو مجلس الزمالك، الصحية أتم تصريحاته قائلاً: “على الأقل سيبقى من 48 إلى 72 ساعة في الرعاية من بعد خروجه من غرفة العمليات، وهو حالياً حالته مستقرة، وأتمنى تحسن صحته والشفاء العاجل له”.

وتعرض أحمد سليمان لأزمة قلبية مفاجئة في الساعات الماضية، وخضع لعملية جراحية في القلب بعد معاناته من مشاكل صحية في الفترة الأخيرة.