تحدث نيكو جونزاليس، لاعب فريق مانشستر سيتي، عن فوزهم الثمين في مباراة اليوم ضد برينتفورد، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.
وحل مانشستر سيتي ضيفًا على برينتفورد في الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي، حيث حقق فوزًا بهدف دون رد، عن طريق النجم إيرلينج هالاند (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).
وقال نيكو جونزاليس، في تصريحات نشرها موقع الدوري الإنجليزي: “كان الأمر صعبًا للغاية، لأكون صريحًا، عانينا كثيرًا، برينتفورد فريق قوي جدًا، حققنا فوزًا مهمًا للغاية”.
وتعكر صفو فوز مانشستر سيتي بعد إصابة النجم رودري حيث اضطر إلى الخروج مبكرًا في الدقيقة 22 من عمر الشوط الأول، وحل مكانه نيكو جونزاليس.
وعن ذلك، قال نيكو:”لقد قدمنا أداءً رائعًا في الدقائق الأولى وكان رودري مهمًا جدًا لنا، أتمنى أن يتعافى قريبًا، دخلت الملعب دون إحماء، وهو أمر صعب للغاية، لكنني شعرت أنني بخير”.
وفيما يخص إيرلينج هالاند وتسجيله هدف الفوز، قال: “هو دائمًا ما يسجل، لا يمكننا الاعتماد عليه بشكل دائم، ولكنه يقدم موسمًا رائعًا”
وعندما سُئل عن رأيه بشأن كون جوارديولا أسرع مدرب في الدوري الإنجليزي يحقق 250 فوزًا، قال: “ما فعله في السنوات العشر الماضية أمر مذهل”.
واختتم: “كان هنا بالفعل عندما كنت في الرابعة عشر منعمري، وشاهدت العديد من مباريات مانشستر سيتي، العمل معه الآن حلم أصبح حقيقة”.
There’s already been plenty of change at Manchester City this summer, but there could yet be one more twist to the tale amid reports that they’re now in talks to sell one of their most experienced stars.
Guardiola: Man City "ready" for "better" season
Whilst injuries more than played their part last season, there’s no denying that Pep Guardiola’s side found themselves at the end of an era. From a dominant run of four consecutive Premier League title wins, the Citizens stuttered into a top four place and were eventually able to breathe a huge sigh of relief when they found enough form to comfortably qualify for the Champions League.
He’d be Haaland’s new De Bruyne: Man City battling to sign £60m "sensation"
Man City are in the market for a new number 10
ByJoe Nuttall Aug 15, 2025
Now, after a summer of several changes, they’ll be desperate to regain their throne from a Liverpool side who have also spent big in recent months. Whether those at the Etihad can do enough to stand in the way of a star-studded Liverpool side will be the big question this season, but Guardiola has already assured that his side will be “better” than last time out.
Up first for City is a trip to the Midlands to square off against Wolverhampton Wanderers. In what should be a routine first test, the rest of the Premier League will have the chance to take a first glimpse at the likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki as City aim to avoid an opening day slip.
Meanwhile, away from the pitch, there’s still plenty of change to come. Reports are now indicating that City are in talks to sell one of their most important players.
Man City in talks to sell Ederson
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City are now in talks to sell Ederson to Galatasaray. The Turkish club have reportedly offered around €10m (£9m) to sign the Brazilian, but have already been told by those at the Etihad to raise that bid if they want to welcome the goalkeeper this month.
Romano also claimed that if Ederson does depart this month, then City will push on with their move to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian has been frozen out at the French club with just one year remaining on his current contract, allowing City to come swooping in.
Although Guardiola once dubbed Ederson “incredible”, it looks increasingly likely that his time with the Brazilian could be coming to an end this month, with Donnarumma taking the goalkeeper’s place in an unexpected summer twist.
Manchester United continued their pre-season preparations with a fairly drab 0-0 draw against fellow Premier League side Leeds United on Saturday.
Ruben Amorim’s side featured two new signings in Diego Leon and Matheus Cunha, whilst the Red Devils are still finalising a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
Whilst there will be a lot of focus on who Manchester United bring in to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window, the club also need to move on the players who are not going to be involved under Amorim next season.
One of those players, Marcus Rashford, appears to be on the verge of a move away from Old Trafford, as Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign the England international.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are set to sign the 27-year-old attacker on a season-long loan, with an option to make the deal permanent next summer.
David Ornstein has added that the Spanish giants are also set to pay 100% of the forward’s wages during that loan spell, in what will come as a welcome relief to Manchester United.
Why Rashford to Barcelona is a good move for all concerned
Rashford is reportedly on £300k-per-week at Old Trafford, as per Capology, and that equates to around £15.6m per year, which shows that the club are set to save a huge amount of money as part of this deal.
Whilst it is not set in stone that the winger will sign for Barcelona on a permanent transfer next summer, as it is only an option, United can be thankful that they are not paying his enormous wages next season, given that he was not a part of Amorim’s thinking.
Rashford
It is money that could be allocated elsewhere, potentially to bring in further attacking reinforcements, as Rashford has not been consistent enough in the final third to prove that he is worth spending that kind of money on.
The England international was sent out on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that Amorim did not see a future for the academy graduate in his side.
24/25 (Man Utd & Villa)
11
£15.6m
£1.4m
23/24 (Man Utd)
8
£15.6m
£1.95m
22/23 (Man Utd)
30
£10.4m
£346k
21/22 (Man Utd)
5
£10.4m
£2.08m
As you can see in the table above, Rashford has failed to hit double figures for goals in two of the last four seasons in all competitions, and has only cost under £1.4m per goal scored in a season in one of the last four.
These statistics suggest that it is for the best that the English forward joins Barcelona on loan, with his wages paid in full, because United will be offloading a player, even if potentially just for next season, who has not justified his cost.
His exit will also create a space in the squad for United to bring in a replacement for him before the end of the summer transfer window, and the club are reportedly eyeing a star who could be an upgrade on him.
Man United make contact to sign Ligue 1 star
According to Foot Mercato, Manchester United are interested in a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain’s versatile attacker Randal Kolo Muani.
The reporter claims that the Red Devils have already made contact with the Ligue 1 champions, as they pursue a potential transfer for the France international.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Aouna adds, though, that Newcastle United have also made contact with PSG over a potential deal for the forward, which means that there could be stiff competition for his signature this summer.
The journalist’s article on Foot Mercato also reveals that Juventus are interested in a deal to bring him back to Turin, after he spent the second half of last season on loan with the Italian giants.
This latest report does not outline how much money it would take to strike a deal with PSG for Kolo Muani, but a price tag of £50m was mentioned earlier in the summer.
Why Man Utd should sign Randal Kolo Muani
The Red Devils should push to win the race for his signature in the coming weeks because he could arrive at Old Trafford as an upgrade on Marcus Rashford.
Like the soon-to-be Barcelona player, the French attacker is a versatile talent who can play out wide on either flank or through the middle as a centre-forward, which would provide Amorim with a plethora of ways in which to utilise his qualities.
In fact, France teammate Kylian Mbappe described Kolo Muani as being a “very complete” forward, and United could benefit from his brilliant all-round play as their new centre-forward, if they can secure a deal for him this summer.
The 26-year-old star scored eight goals and provided one assist in 16 matches in the Serie A during the second half of last term, whilst Rashford only scored six goals in 25 outings in the Premier League.
xG
0.36
Top 41%
Goals
0.62
Top 9%
Shots on target
1.08
Top 27%
Successful dribbles
1.39
Top 20%
Touches in opposition box
6.03
Top 20%
Interceptions
0.31
Top 14%
As you can see in the table above, the Juventus loanee produced high quality in a host of key metrics, as he excelled as a dribbler and a goalscorer, whilst also putting in hard work to win the ball back for his side.
Whilst, with one assist, the creative side of his game was not on full display, Kolo Muani did assist 17 goals in 46 games for Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022/23 campaign, which shows that he can be a fantastic creative threat when at his best.
The £50m-rated star, who scored two goals in three games at the Club World Cup, has delivered at least ten goals in all competitions in each of the last five seasons, whilst Rashford, as aforementioned, has only managed that in two of the last four years.
Kolo Muani could arrive as an upgrade on the England international because of his impressive form for Juventus in the second half of last season, as well as the almost guaranteed goals that his record suggests that he would provide in the final third.
Amorim's own Rodri: Man Utd agree personal terms to sign £26m sensation
Manchester United are starting to make things happen in the summer transfer market.
Hasaranga had been ruled out of CPL 2024 earlier but now comes in for Sikandar Raza
Deivarayan Muthu04-Sep-2024
Josh Clarkson has played 89 T20s so far•Getty Images
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, who had been depleted by injuries in the opening week of CPL 2024, have now been bolstered by the return of Wanindu Hasaranga* and signing of New Zealand’s big-hitting allrounder Josh Clarkson. Hasaranga had been ruled out of the tournament only last month because of a hamstring injury, and was replaced by Tabraiz Shamsi at the time, but he now comes in for the injured Sikandar Raza. Clarkson, on the other hand, will slot in for Tristan Stubbs, who will return to South Africa for national duties.Shamsi is also headed home for CSA commitments for a week, and he will be temporarily replaced by the Pakistan-born USA wristspinner Mohammad Mohsin. Mohsin, 28, has played 14 games for Stephen Fleming’s Texas Super Kings in the MLC, picking up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.43.Clarkson is arguably the hardest hitter of a cricket ball in New Zealand and can also bowl at brisk pace. On Tuesday, Clarkson was awarded his first New Zealand central contract, but he is not in the Test scheme of things yet, so he has signed up for his first franchise T20 league stint. Clarkson has played 89 T20s so far, scoring 1673 runs at a strike rate of 147.40 and taking 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.15.Related
Unbeaten Royals at full strength for home leg as Miller, Maharaj join squad
Rutherford withdraws from CPL 2024 for personal reasons
CPL 2024 FAQs: New team, new players, new intrigues
Stats – Pooran breaks Gayle's T20 six-hitting record
Josh Clarkson awarded New Zealand central contract
Patriots head coach Malolan Rangarajan, the former Tamil Nadu allrounder who also works with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, rued the injuries, which have disrupted the balance of their side. “Obviously, we started off the tournament with an unfortunate injury to Sikandar Raza, who was a well-thought out and important pick for us,” Malolan said on Tuesday before Patriots had announced Clarkson as their new signing.”We’ve scrambled and we’ve tried to sign a replacement and we’ve had a few hiccups at the start of [the season], with Sherfane [Rutherford] missing out the first game and Rilee [Rossouw] getting injured in the first innings of our fielding. But I think the boys have responded brilliantly to all the challenges that’ve been posed at them.”While Patriots began the season with a thrilling last-ball win against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons in Antigua, they suffered back-to-back defeats at home against Trinbago Knight Riders and St Lucia Kings. They posted 200-plus totals in both innings, but their bowlers came in for heavy punishment in both games. Their fielding has also come into sharp focus: they have dropped at least seven chances so far. Patriots captain Andre Fletcher has called for a stronger response from his team.”Well, it’s all about execution,” Fletcher said. “We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit, I must say. Even before the tournament started, we had a camp here in St Kitts and then we played a practice game in Nevis. We’ve been working hard as a bowling unit. The guys have been putting in the effort as to bowling with the wet ball and bowling [at the] death and bowling actually to one side of the field, thinking about whether this batter from the other team is playing and how we’re going to bowl to this batsman. The effort is there and the practice as I mentioned we put in a lot, but it just boils down to execution. We haven’t been executing as well as we ought to but, I’m confident.”Fletcher: ‘I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves’Losing and losing on the bounce might result in an unhealthy dressing room – Patriots have just won two out of their 12 games across the past two seasons – but Fletcher said that they have stuck together and blocked the outside noise.”As a leader, I try to be not under pressure,” Fletcher said. “Yes, I know a lot will be going around, especially when you lose a game. The first game we win…spectators and fans will be like: ‘good leader and great leader’ and two games lost ‘you’re the worst’.”It’s expected and they always want a win. For me, I just try my best to see where maybe I can improve as a leader. I wouldn’t doubt myself; I’ve done it before and it’s just a matter of getting the guys together. One thing I don’t want is pointing fingers and we’ve responded well after the two losses, so we are gelling really well as a team and for me that’s important. When teams lose people start segregating and the vibe of the team tends to go down, so I’m big on players being comfortable and enjoying themselves.”A chain is as strong as its weakest link, so for me as a leader I will continue to keep the guys together and ensure that they’re comfortable. People would love to see us go out there and entertain them, but it doesn’t make sense to entertain with a loss. We have to entertain with a win and it’s straightforward.”*0315hrs, September 5, The story was updated after the CPL sent a release about the replacement players
The Blaze 144 for 3 (K Bryce 62, S Bryce 52*) beat South East Stars 141 for 9 (Redmayne 25, Graham 3-16, Groves 3-33) by wicketsKathryn Bryce continued her outstanding season with a match-winning 62 off 44 balls as The Blaze, who were losing finalists in both women’s regional competitions last season, beat South East Stars by an emphatic seven wickets to lift the Charlotte Edwards Cup at Derby.Bryce, who led the Scotland side she skippers to qualification for their first T20 World Cup earlier in the summer, shared a decisive partnership of 79 with her younger sister Sarah, who herself rose to the occasion with an unbeaten 52 from 46 balls as Stars’ total of 141 for 9 was passed with eight balls to spare.Kathryn finishes the competition as leading runscorer for good measure, having hit an impressive five half-centuries in a tally of 477.It rewarded The Blaze captain Kirstie Gordon for her own strong leadership after the heartbreak of losing both finals to Southern Vipers last year. Her team have suffered only one defeat and avoided Vipers this time after the defending champions were knocked out by Stars in the semi-finals, in which The Blaze beat Central Sparks by five wickets.That sole defeat was inflicted by Stars, who bowled Blaze out for 84 in a five-wicket win on the same ground last Sunday. A repeat victory for the 2021 competition winners never looked on the cards here.The Blaze conceded 22 in the first over after opting to bowl first, yet bowled with discipline and skill thereafter to restrict Stars to 141 for 9, Australian allrounder Heather Graham taking 3 for 16 and legspinner Josie Groves 3 for 33.Georgia Redmayne top-scored with 25 and Alice Davidson-Richards 23 for Stars in what looked like a sub-par total even on a deteriorating surface.Despite left-arm seamer Grace Ballinger’s expensive first over, Stars were limited to 45 for 2 in the powerplay. Bryony Smith (17 from seven balls) was leg before sweeping Gordon’s left-arm spin, and Phoebe Franklin bowled by Graham for 10, having not batted in Stars’ semi-final win over Southern Vipers.More setbacks for the Stars followed as Groves, stepping up in the absence of England star Sarah Glenn, found turn and bounce in a deteriorating surface to have key batters Sophia Dunkley and Paige Scholfield stumped, leaving Stars 62 for 4 in the ninth.Emma Jones clobbered Groves for six square on the on side but she was bowled by Graham in the next over. A recovery of sorts by Redmayne and Davidson-Richards ended when mid-on Marie Kelly, having dropped the latter on 19, made amends off the next ball, giving Groves her third wicket.Having added 31 with her sixth-wicket partner, Redmayne was out when she failed to clear mid-off before Tash Farrant was caught on the square leg boundary off a Gordon full toss in a penultimate over that went for only three, The Blaze skipper finishing as the competition’s leading wicket-taker with 22.Graham bowled Dani Gregory, her last over costing just two after The Blaze restricted their opponents to 16 in the last four.The Blaze chase was finely poised at 49 for 2 after six overs, Kathryn Bryce shaping up nicely again on 29 from 16, although they had lost Tammy Beaumont, run out backing up in a piece of brilliance by bowler Farrant, before Kelly miscued to extra cover. By halfway, Kathryn and sister Sarah were still together, with the target down to 58 more.Kathryn, who had made 44 in the semi-final, edged two slightly fortunate boundaries off Franklin before completing her fifth half-century of the competition from 31 balls.Her hopes of being there to finish the job were ended when she was bowled attempting to reverse sweep legspinner Gregory, leaving that privilege to Sarah, who completed her own half-century off 45 balls before Graham heaved Ryana MacDonald-Gay over mid-off for the winning boundary.
After what was a dire season for Manchester City, they ruined their chance to end it all on a high note on Saturday. Pep Guardiola’s side travelled to Wembley for the FA Cup final with Crystal Palace, but came out second best, much to the dismay of their manager come full time.
They will hope to right their wrongs just a few weeks on when the East Mancunian outfit travel to the United States of America for the Club World Cup, where they will compete for the competition for the first time in its 32-team format. Moroccan side Wydad AC, UAE outfit Al Ain FC, and Italian giants Juventus are their three group stage opponents.
Manchester City's James McAtee.
One player who will play a huge role in any success over the next few weeks is Josko Gvardiol.
Gvardiol’s importance for City
There are not many players in the City squad whose form is as important to their success as Croatia international Gvardiol. The 23-year-old was described as a player who “does stuff very few can” by football analyst Umir, who also said the defender has been “brilliant” going forward this term.
There have been just four games in which Gvardiol has not appeared this term, further highlighting his importance to Guardiola’s side. In total, he has played 51 times across all competitions, including all but one in the Premier League.
One of the biggest benefits of the former RB Leipzig is his versatility. A centre-back by trade, he has featured more often than not at left-back for the Citizens this term, which has been important for Guardiola amid injuries and a lack of options.
The other thing that the 23-year-old offers to this City side is goals. He had found the back of the net six times this term, which has been bettered by just five players at City.
The fact that he is such a rich source of goals shows just how important the left-back is to Guardiola.
Interestingly, City are linked with a player who could join the club and become just as important to Guardiola as Gvardiol has this term.
Man City's search for a defender
If a report from Fabrizio Romano earlier this week is to be believed, then City are plotting a move for Newcastle United right-back Tino Livramento.
The 22-year-old is ‘under consideration’ at the Etihad Stadium, with City looking to sign a new right-back. A price tag is not clear at this time, but he cost the Magpies £40m including add-ons almost two years ago.
Newcastle's Tino Livramento
Described as a “superstar” by Newcastle content creator Kendall Rowan, Livramento has played an important role for Eddie Howe, in a side pushing for a second-place finish this season. That would see them leapfrog City in the Premier League.
The London-born right-back, who is a product of Chelsea’s academy, has played 44 games in all competitions this campaign for the Magpies. Perhaps one of the biggest worries for City is the fact that he has just one assist, which came in a 3-0 win away to Leicester City.
Like Gvardiol, Livramento is a versatile player. This term, he has featured at right-back, left-back and even as a wing-back for Howe’s side.
Admittedly, he has made 29 appearances on his favoured right side, but with another 12 coming on the left, it shows dependable versatility.
Alexis Mac Allister challenges Tino Livramento
In fact, the similarities between the two players do not stop there. The underlying numbers on FBref highlight how alike they are, too. For example, the Newcastle star averages 0.78 key passes per 90 minutes, compared to 0.73 each game for Gvardiol.
Livramento vs. Gvardiol key stats compared
Stat (Per 90)
Livramento
Gvardiol
Key passes
0.78
0.73
Passes into penalty area
0.88
0.58
Tackles and interceptions
2.53
2.7
Ball recoveries
5.98
3.84
Progressive carries
2.5
2.53
Stats from FBref
There is evidence to suggest that Livramento could be City’s best defensive signing since Gvardiol. Vitor Reis was one of two defensive signings in January, but he is unproven and has played just three first-team games.
Fellow winter addition Abdukodir Khusanov did well to bounce back from a nightmare start to his City career, following his error on debut against Chelsea, but is also largely unproven at Premier League level, despite glimpses of promise shown.
Matheus Nunes, a midfielder by trade, has been playing right-back this term but “doesn’t know how to defend”, according to Man City content creator Steven Mcinerney.
This could be a wonderful signing for City. There is no doubt about just how important Livramento can be under Guardiola, given his attacking capabilities and how reliable he is defensively. He could certainly be their best signing since Gvardiol, given the lack of experience or struggles those made since have experienced.
If he can replicate anywhere near the impact Gvardiol has had at the Etihad Stadium, this is a signing that City fans can surely get excited about.
After a disappointing season, Manchester City are preparing to spend big in the summer.
Back in January, the Sky Blues spent a reported £180m, that’s more than all other 19 Premier League clubs combined, recruiting five players, namely Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico González, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah.
However, it appears as though this certainly won’t preclude the Citizens from spending big in the summer too.
So, does Pep Guardiola have his eye on a “world class” winger who some are labelling a potential Ballon d’Or contender?
Manchester City's first-choice winger target
According to reports in Spain, Manchester City have made Barcelona winger Raphinha their ‘priority target’ this summer, with Guardiola identifying him as their ‘ideal solution’ on the left-wing, while Chelsea and Al-Hilal are also interested.
The Brazilian, who joined Barça from Leeds United for £49m in July 2022, has been absolutely on fire this season, scoring 30 goals and registering 22 assists across all competitions.
In the Champions League specifically, the 28-year-old has equalled Lionel Messi’s tournament record for most goal involvements in a single season, requiring one more against Internazionale, or perhaps in the final itself, to surpass it.
This form has not gone unnoticed, with analyst Ben Mattinson labelling Raphinha a “world-class player”, while Julia Ranney of the Athletic notes that he is amongst the ‘top contenders’ to win the Ballon d’Or, actually currently the bookies’ favourite to do so.
So, he certainly will not come cheap but, given Barça’s ongoing, well-documented financial issues, perhaps a huge offer could tempt them to cash in.
Jack Grealish's Manchester City future
Guardiola is expected to oversee a major squad overhaul this summer; Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker are already confirmed departures, but many more are expected to follow, with Jack Grealish amongst those in the shop window.
This is the England international’s fourth season in Manchester and has been his least productive, as the table below outlines.
Appearances
39
50
36
30
Minutes
2,730
3,487
2,114
1,449
Goals
6
5
3
3
Minutes per goal
455
697
705
483
Assists
4
11
3
5
Starts
31
41
26
15
% of matches unused
33%
18%
39%
41%
As the table outlines, Grealish has endured a second successive miserable season at the Etihad, a key cog in the machine during the treble-winning campaign, but very much a peripheral figure more recently.
Earlier this season, Grealish went 392 days without a club goal in any competition, ending this barren streak by converting a spot-kick during an 8-0 demolition of Salford, an unused substitute for Manchester City’s last two Premier League matches, as well as nine of the last 15 fixtures he has been available for.
Richard Jolly of the Independent believes Grealish has gone from being ‘one of the most exciting attacking players in world football’ to now a player ‘who is neither exciting nor attacking’, hence why he is widely expected to be moved on this summer.
So, it probably goes without saying that Raphinha would be a major upgrade on the left wing, but let’s lay out the numbers to emphasise this assertion.
Appearances
30
49
Minutes
1,449
3,952
Goals
3
30
Assists
5
23
Goals – xG
+0.1
+5.2
Shots
31
161
Shots on target %
32.3%
39.1%
Take-on success %
37.8%
48.1%
Progressive carries
92
125
Shot-creating actions
65
212
Goals-creating actions
3
32
Touches per 90
38
51
Unsurprisingly, Raphinha – who Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley described as “Europe’s best player in 2024/25” – comes out on top for every single metric we could find when compared to Grealish this season.
FC Barcelona'sRaphinhacelebrates scoring their fourth goal
Thus, if the Sky Blues were able to lure the Brazilian back to England, it would be a major coup, and could be the statement signing they require to reinstate themselves as title favourites again.
Imagine him & Doku: Man City chasing one of the world's "most talented LBs"
Manchester City are seeking to sign “one of the most talented left-backs in world football”, who could form a brilliant partnership with Jérémy Doku.
In 2022, Liverpool broke their transfer record to reel in Darwin Nunez, a talented and robust centre-forward who had made quite the name for himself at Benfica.
Having scored 34 goals across 41 matches in 2021/22, he clearly had the trappings of an elite-level striker. Jurgen Klopp was convinced after he scored against the Reds in the Champions League knockout stage after firing three goals in against Bayern Munich and Barcelona earlier in the term.
We’re now three years on from all that, three years on from Klopp’s decision to agree to a deal worth £85m for the Uruguayan ace. It hasn’t worked out, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that Nunez is set to be sold this summer after a winter move to Al-Nassr fell through.
It’s important that FSG get it right this summer, pick out the perfect successor. The name on fans’ lips is Alexander Isak, but that might not be a deal worth pursuing.
Why Liverpool shouldn't sign Alexander Isak
Arne Slot has worked wonders this season, leapfrogging Arsenal, four-in-a-row champions Manchester City, and the like to move, inexorably, toward the Premier League title.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Since signing Ryan Gravenberch in August 2023, Federico Chiesa has been the only first-team signing made, bearing testament to the team that Klopp assembled over so many years and his successor’s ability to whip them into an even finer shape.
The summer ahead is expected to be a big one, though, and The Athletic are among those to have confirmed Liverpool’s interest in Isak, who has been hailed as “the best striker in the Premier League” by Jamie Carragher.
Obviously, he’d be nice to have in the ranks, but Newcastle are very much aware of their talisman’s talents and have slapped a £150m transfer fee on his name.
Newcastle United's AlexanderIsakcelebrates scoring their second goal
Liverpool shouldn’t go near a deal if the Magpies won’t budge on that valuation this summer. There are other options available and this would exhaust resources at a critical juncture.
This might feel a bit pragmatic, but Liverpool’s structure is firmly rooted in realism, and it’s paid dividends over the years.
See, for example, the decision in April 2023 to end interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and instead sign a range of talented midfielders to pack the Anfield midfield back together.
Jude Bellingham celebrates for Real Madrid
Those midfielders are on course to win the Premier League after lifting the Carabao Cup last year.
Liverpool do need a new number nine though. Luckily, Isak’s not the only elite marksman on the market.
Liverpool chasing top striker
As per Sky Sports, Liverpool have compiled a shortlist of strikers – including Isak – to replace Nunez this summer, and fans may be interested to note that Victor Osimhen is on the club’s radar.
Athletic, powerful, and deadly in front of goal, the Napoli forward, who is on loan at Galatasaray, is expected to leave Naples for good at the end of the season after relationships broke down and prompted him to move temporarily to Turkey.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates after the match
Last year, Napoli set demands of a fee north of £100m for the Nigeria striker, but hopes have been tempered as he approaches the final year of his deal, with separate reports suggesting the 26-year-old could be available for £63m.
Why Liverpool should sign Victor Osimhen
Firstly, Liverpool should consider signing Osimhen because he’s one of the most prolific strikers in Europe and has the perfect profile to thrive in the Premier League.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen
His career with Napoli might have ended unceremoniously but Osimhen was the driving force behind the club’s incredible Scudetto success of 2022/23, scoring 31 goals from 39 matches in all competitions.
Last season was one of frustration for the Nigerian, whose injury issues exacerbated the Serie A champion’s dramatic decline.
However, he’s back among the goals with Galatasaray, indeed proving to be one of Europe’s most potent centre-forwards.
Standing at 6 foot 1, Osimhen has the frame and the strength to lead Liverpool’s line in the Premier League, bring goals, and a powerful focal presence to enhance the performances of those around him.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 10% of strikers in Europe over the past year for goals scored, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area and shots taken and the top 7% for aerial duels won per 90.
It’s a fine representation of his quality, so active and present in the striker’s spot. Comparing him against Nunez, whose erratic and enigmatic style has left him isolated in the Premier League, and you can see why Liverpool are ramping up their interest.
Victor Osimhen vs Darwin Nunez (24/25)
Stats (* per game)
Osimhen
Nunez
Matches (starts)
22 (20)
24 (8)
Goals
20
5
Assists
4
2
Shots (on target)*
4.5 (1.8)
1.3 (0.2)
Big chances missed
17
6
Key passes*
1.1
0.4
Dribbles*
0 5
0.3
Duels won*
5.3
2.3
Stats via Sofascore
It goes without saying that Osimhen is more clinical than Nunez, but his goalscoring quality is built upon the dynamic and rangy skill set that has led BBC journalist Alex Brotherton to hail him as “unstoppable.”
His creative spark – having created ten big chances in the Turkish Super Lig, is something that could hold sway when Slot and Liverpool’s chiefs devise a transfer strategy.
Of course, Osimhen hasn’t been restricted to domestic success this term either, with his overall tally of 28 goals from 32 matches this season owing to a prolific burst in the Europa League, notably dismantling Tottenham Hotspur in the group stage.
This, if you refer back to the ‘goals scored’ graphic above, places him ahead of Isak, truly underscoring how prolific a goalscorer Liverpool could get their mitts on.
If Nunez is to be sold, this man would mark a significant upgrade, one who could make all the difference in keeping the frontline firing next year as Liverpool chase down more success under Slot’s wing.
Liverpool must boldly sell "priceless" star earning more than Diaz & Jones
Liverpool, heading for the Premier League title, are set for a summer of change.
While Afridi made the noise, it was the quiet brilliance of Shafique that sealed Qalandars’ victory
Danyal Rasool23-May-2025″I don’t usually win things, I always win things in my second season,” Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou told the presenter, having re-evaluated and decided his initial brag, largely irrelevant to the immediate conversation, obviously wasn’t sufficient. Yet in the world of sport where results top all else, that clip has now been reimagined – after his side’s unlikely march to the Europa League title – from the vapid boast of a bruised ego into a confident prediction of unparalleled swagger.There is, however, another clip of a brooding man with a dash of arrogance standing in front of a presenter, answers calculatedly curt and dismissive to make the exchange as uncomfortable as possible. Eighteen days earlier, Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi quietly seethed at the post-match presentations, having lost a bruiser of a game to Karachi Kings, one that left them vulnerable to yet another group-stage knockout. Interviewer Zainab Abbas tried to get some value out of the exchange, wondering if pressure had affected the bowlers, only to be dismissed with a shake of the head before the question was even completed. When asked what the bowlers had discussed in the crucial overs towards the end, “not much” is all Afridi offered.”This is not the end of the tournament; we’re still in the tournament,” Afridi said. “We’ll meet them in the semi-final [Eliminator].”
****
On Thursday, David Warner won the toss, and decided to bat first. He’d be facing Afridi first ball. Moments after the Qalandars captain had concluded that testy interview in the wake of defeat, the Kings captain had twisted the knife into his back further. He called Afridi’s belief the Gaddafi pitch would spin “baffling” and had followed it up by smashing orthodox spinner Asif Afridi for 20 in his first over in the powerplay. The message in the mind games was pretty obvious. .David Warner made 75, winning the battle with Shaheen Shah Afridi after soaking in the initial blows•PCBAfridi doesn’t forget slights easily, and this one is likely to have stuck. He started out with a slip and appeared to leave Warner unsure about his footwork for each of the first three deliveries before the Australian worked him away and got himself off strike. Afridi stared him down the length of the pitch as he took that single. Afridi had produced the first jab, and Warner swerved out of the way.But sporting narratives rarely produce the neat arc that is too often retrospectively moulded around them. The next ball, Afridi lost control of the movement as it sneaked past the keeper for five wides. Tim Seifert followed it up by smashing two errant deliveries for fours. At the start of his next over, Warner lofted him for four before clipping him over midwicket for six. So much for that first jab.Afridi had taken Warner’s advice. He didn’t once turn to spin in the powerplay, but Warner was controlling the game all the same. Zaman Khan bowled a tidy first over, but as he attempted to close the powerplay out, Warner unleashed, plundering him for 20. When Afridi returned later on after Haris Rauf had staunched the bleeding somewhat, Warner would treat him as his release valve once more. Since that promising first over, the Qalandars captain bowled nine deliveries to his Kings counterpart; they produced 23 runs. By the time Afridi was done, Kings had taken 47 runs off him; just twice in 81 PSL innings has he allowed more runs off his bowling.
****
Abdullah Shafique is much harder to centre in any narrative than his Qalandars captain. Two years earlier, he had played a title-winning knock in a humdinger of a PSL final, scoring 65 off 40 as Qalandars became the only team to retain the PSL trophy, winning by one run. It is easy to forget, though, because Afridi had come in and smashed an unbeaten 44 off 15, taken four wickets in the second innings, and walked away with the Player-of-the-Match award.As Abdullah Shafique ashowed, his classically elegant technique does not smother his shotmaking•PCBToday, as the home team pursued the 191 they needed to stay alive, Shafique recessed into the background. Fakhar Zaman, the ultimate big-match player, had begun beating the path to victory he finds so often in big games. While Shafique took his time to start, Fakhar was finishing off the powerplay with a 16-run takedown of Kings’ quick Fawad Ali. While he had raced to 47 off 27, Shafique nudged his first eight balls around, and had five runs to show for it.But then again, where he’s batting is in itself indicative of his comfort with letting his team-mates bask in the spotlight. Usually an opener, he bats three for Qalandars, allowing the rookie Mohammad Naeem to take his preferred place atop the order. “When you play at No. 3, it is a different phase of the innings, and batting there has helped me understand and learn how to play there,” Shafique said. “I believe it’ll help me in my normal game as well.”Just then, Fawad had returned to the attack, and drawn a miscue out of Fakhar, one Mohammad Nabi clung to at mid-off. Qalandars were behind the asking rate and their talisman was gone; Shafique’s obvious talent and quality has not yet translated into the aura Fakhar has earned, and Kings had edged ahead.Related
Shafique powers Lahore Qalandars into Qualifier 2
But, as Shafique pointed out, his classically elegant technique does not smother his shotmaking. “The way the modern game is, you have to adapt with it. It’s not a change in training, but a change in mindset. If your mindset is positive and you show intent, you will look to score runs and opportunities will present themselves.”There was little doubting Shafique’s mindset. He found a boundary or six off every bowler he faced; Nabi, the most economical bowler in the league, was slapped for a pair of sixes as he conceded 37 wicketless runs in his quota. Hasan Ali was lofted over long-on, Abbas Afridi languidly flicked above fine leg, and then pulled over square. When he finally did fall, he had smashed 65 in 35, and what remained for Qalandars was academic.As he sat down for the post-match press conference, the Player-of-the-Match trophy – on this day unquestionably his, was plopped down on the table. He asked for it to be removed from the view of the camera, easing it far out of his line of sight. “I want to play an important part in my team winning the match. You don’t get that satisfaction even if you perform if the team doesn’t perform.”Perhaps it is players like him that allowed Afridi to be so certain that day Kings had put Qalandars on the brink. It may still not have been the Qalandars captain’s finest moment, but with talent of Shafique’s ilk to rely upon, it is difficult to begrudge Afridi his over-confidence, and the basking in glory that will, at some point, have to be shared with Shafique more evenly.
The two performances that helped defend a total of 130 and down the IPL table-toppers
Shashank Kishore03-May-20232:53
How Ishant used his experience to trump Tewatia
There was a grimace on Ricky Ponting’s face as he scratched his chin. Sourav Ganguly, seated behind him, pursed his lips and shook his head. Mohammed Shami had just taken his fourth wicket inside the powerplay. Delhi Capitals were tottering at 23 for 5.Shami’s precision had made the outcome utterly predictable, like if you froze this footage on a quiz show years later to ask what happened next, everyone’s buzzer would have gone off immediately.Because you just knew what was coming. Just like Ponting did as a pundit on air a few years ago, when he was dissecting Prithvi Shaw’s weakness against the incoming delivery only for Mitchell Starc to rock up and drive a wedge through the gate.Related
CSK lie in wait at Chepauk as revitalised Capitals look to continue run
Capitals rise from 23 for 5 to stun table-topping Titans
Hardik on Titans' loss: We lost because I could not get my rhythm
Stats – A rare defeat for Titans in a chase
Capitals are looking at Aman Khan to rescue them now. There’s Axar Patel too, perhaps their best batter of the season so far. With every stroke, he’s showing the team management why it was a mistake to hold him back in a high-scoring game they’d just lost against Sunrisers Hyderabad three nights ago.In a high-stakes game such as this, there’s pressure every ball. There’s no running away from it. These are Axar’s words from earlier this year. In a way, it summed up his approach. You have to embrace it. In the middle of a boxing ring, there’s no place to hide. You’re facing your opponents, your own challenges and scoreboard pressure with the season slipping away. There’s no place to run.Axar’s calming influence works its magic in allowing Aman to play himself in. The expectation is to simply bat out the overs and not gift the game up on a platter. Sometimes those are the situations where players tell you they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Aman certainly had a lot to gain.Aman Khan celebrates his maiden T20 fifty•BCCI”I wasn’t actually going to play tonight,” he later said at the press conference. Mitchell Marsh’s sickness gave him what seemed like one last chance. He hadn’t ‘played a single impactful knock in the bunch of opportunities he’d had earlier.Aman plays a lot of club cricket in Mumbai, a world of struggle that teaches you how to fight for survival, how to carve a niche in an environment where there are hundreds waiting to grab onto what you let slip. At 26, Aman isn’t all that young. An IPL performance here could give his career the kind of leg room you wouldn’t otherwise get in Mumbai.”I wasn’t low on confidence, but in the previous game in Hyderabad, I went in at a similar situation and threw my wicket away,” he said. “I was really disappointed with myself. I thought if I get another opportunity like that, I should grab it.”He shows smarts, in pinching runs and getting Axar on strike, and is the mellower of the two in their half-century stand but knows he’ll have to take off soon enough. How, though? There’s Rashid Khan to contend with.So, Aman decides to target the other end and gets stuck into Mohit Sharma first. He holds his shape, picks his spot and waits for Mohit’s into-the-pitch slower deliveries that he wallops. The six off Mohit also brings up a half-century off 41 balls, his first-ever in T20 cricket. Then with the confidence of the landmark behind him, he rocks back to pull Rashid into the stands. By now, Ponting is slapping his thighs. Collective smiles are seen in the Capitals camp. There’s a ray of hope, if not a lot of it. It’s over to the bowlers now to defend 130.Ishant Sharma gets a big hug from David Warner•BCCIPonting’s famous duel with Ishant Sharma made him a Test bowler all those years ago. Now at the twilight of his career, Ishant is still trying to prove his T20 skills. He’s only an afterthought at the auction but his inputs and experience “can’t be sold in the bazaar” as his former colleague Irfan Pathan noted.Khaleel Ahmed hits his rhythm straight away and nips out Wriddhiman Saha after a succession of away-going deliveries. Sunil Gavaskar, in the commentary box, can’t believe how an opener can go out chasing a delivery as wide as that. ‘Leave the ball, leave the ball’ he yelps only for Saha to do the exact opposite. Soon after, Shubman Gill crashes one straight to cover and the Titans are two down.Now for the ripper of a magic ball that has Dale Steyn reaching out to his phone. “The best knuckle-ball wicket I’ve ever seen,” he tweets as Ishant takes out Vijay Shankar. There aren’t too many wearing blue in the stands, but the small pocket of Capitals supporters are finally smiling for the first time possibly.Hardik Pandya stands like a rock. Not flustered by the asking rate or his inability to time the ball or pick up boundaries. He belongs to MS Dhoni’s school of taking the game deep. But in trying to do so, he has allowed Capitals a window of opportunity.Now it’s up to Ishant and Anrich Nortje to deliver the finish. But when Rahul Tewatia goes 6,6,6 in the penultimate over, you wonder if Capitals have been sucker punched. Suddenly, Warner looks like he is directing traffic at a busy intersection: fielders are moved around, mini conferences are had with bowlers, instructions are flying in from the dugout. It’s all happening.Then Ishant rocks up again with 12 needed off six. He sets a field for the full ball, and bowls two wide yorkers that can’t be put away. The field remains unchanged. Tewatia fully expects him to bowl full and wide again, perhaps, but Ishant bangs it into a length to cramp Tewatia, which he said later revealed was part of his plan to “double bluff” the batter. The catch is taken at cover. Titans need nine off two. You think it’s done until you see Rashid walking out.But Ishant backs his best ball and goes wide-yorker again. Rashid reaches out to scythe it through cover as a diving Rilee Rossouw intercepts the ball. Now it’s a one-ball battle. Ishant lets it fly. It’s a full toss. Luckily, it isn’t a no ball. The slice bobbles behind point. A boundary is averted, and a match is sensationally pulled out of the bag.Ishant is all smiles. Ponting can’t contain his childlike excitement. He nearly squishes Sarfaraz Khan. Ganguly has his arms aloft. Shane Watson furiously claps. The Capitals have just pulled off a heist, and they’re just about alive.