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Phil Foden has been forced to sell his £3.25 million mansion for a cut price, with the Manchester City star parting with said property having previously attracted complaints from neighbours. The England international has not been able to get the full asking price for his sprawling family home, but will not be left too far out of pocket after agreeing terms on a sale.

• Foden forced to drop asking price

  The four-bedroom property boasts a cinema, indoor swimming pool and five bathrooms. Foden has been looking to shift it for more than six months. He initially listed it at £3.25m, but struggled to attract a buyer.

  Having put the house in Prestbury, Cheshire up for sale in April 2025, it has taken until mid-November for suitable interest to be found. It is being claimed, by the , that Foden is selling for around £2.9m – having dropped the price to that mark in a bid to move on.

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• Foden lived next door to ex-City team-mate Walker

  The home was marketed by estate agents Jackson-Stops and is now "sold subject to contract". Barring any unfortunate mishaps, Foden will be cleared to offload a modern mansion that has its own gym, bar, hot tub and extensive gardens – which currently feature a swing and trampoline.

  The luxury dwelling is set down a private road with an electric security date and also has a ground-floor leisure suite. It has served Foden well since he acquired it – as he set up camp next to ex-City team-mate Kyle Walker and antiques expert David Dickinson – but the 25-year-old has also generated unwelcome headlines.

  He has already moved to a more secluded area of the countryside with girlfriend Rebecca Cooke and their three children. Foden remains within easy commuting distance of City’s training complex at the Etihad.

• Good neighbour? Foden lives with girlfriend & their three children

  Foden and childhood sweetheart Cooke are understood to be engaged, after she was seen sporting a huge diamond ring following a romantic New Year trip to Paris. They continue to build their life together away from surroundings in which their presence was largely embraced.

  A neighbour has told the : "They are a lovely family and Phil and Rebecca seem devoted parents. It's a shame they moved out as it was nice to see a Premier League footballer walking around.

  "I saw them take Ronnie out on a bike he'd been given for Christmas and they seemed just like a young family having fun. There have been a couple of loud parties but none of the disruption caused by Walker and his wife with their shouting rows."

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  Noise complaint: Foden has already set up camp elsewhere

  One such party took place in August 2024. The police were called at one stage after locals complained that the Foden residence was "louder than Glastonbury" and was "like being in a nightclub". Cheshire Police confirmed that they had received a noise complaint, but did not send officers to the house in question.

  Foden and Cooke were said to be enjoying a kids party that started around 4pm and went on until nearly midnight. They had music blaring from a sound system as kids screamed and dogs barked. In March 2022, Foden sparked another noise complaint during a Mother’s Day "music festival" that he played host to.

  Foden lived next door to England colleague Walker and his wife Annie Kilner for two years – during which they experienced much-publicised marital issues. Walker – who fathered two children with former Love Island contestant Lauryn Goodman – is now on the books at Burnley.

  Foden has spread his wings a little further, having sold one house and acquired another. The home that he bought for his parents in the same village that he recently vacated is also now on the market.

  Foden and Cooke are raising son Ronnie elsewhere, alongside daughter True and youngest child Phil Jr – who was welcomed into the world during Euro 2024. His father is hoping to grace another major international tournament with England next summer having forced his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Lamine Yamal seemingly confirmed his plans to buy the €14 million (£12.5m) Barcelona mansion once owned by pop sensation Shakira & Gerard Pique through a social media post. In a now-viral photodump shared with his 14 million followers, the forward was pictured standing with his back to the camera, facing the spectacular modern property and its sparkling swimming pool.

Yamal buys a luxury real estate

Built in 2012, the estate originally consisted of three separate buildings spread across 3,800 square feet, featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a private tennis court, and even a recording studio once used by Shakira herself.  When Shakira and Pique announced their split in 2022, the mansion was quickly put up for sale at €14 million (£12.5m). But despite global interest, it lingered on the market for over two years. One of the smaller residences was eventually sold separately, trimming the total price tag to €11 million (£9.5m), which is still enough to make most jaws drop. Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo had earlier claimed that Yamal has now swooped in to take the keys, reportedly planning to move in with his cousin and a close friend. The young star is also believed to be preparing major renovations and will be spending a significant sum to remodel the home to fit his own tastes and lifestyle. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGetting inside Yamal’s lavish new mansion

It has been reported that there are six bedrooms and five bathrooms. The main house opens into a vast living space framed by glass walls that overlook the Mediterranean. The outdoor area boasts well-maintained lawns, a private poolside terrace, and a sleek lounge zone perfect for entertaining guests. It has been suggested that Yamal could transform Shakira’s old recording studio into a gaming room or personal cinema. The move into one of Catalonia’s most iconic properties comes just months after Yamal signed a blockbuster six-year contract with Barcelona in May. The deal reportedly nets him around €30 million (£26m) per season, which is an astonishing figure for a player still in his teens. That puts him among the highest-paid players in world football, potentially earning up to €180 million (£157m) by the time his contract runs its course. And the earnings don’t stop there. Thanks to his rising global profile and a string of lucrative endorsement deals, Forbes estimates Yamal’s total annual income could reach $43 million (£32m), which is enough to buy him a seat among the sport’s financial elite alongside Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Jude Bellingham.   

Injury worries cloud the celebration

Yet while the Instagram post painted a picture of glamour, things haven’t been entirely rosy for Yamal on the pitch. The youngster has been battling a groin injury, reportedly a form of pubalgia, which is a chronic and notoriously difficult-to-treat condition that has plagued several top players, including Lionel Messi. Reports from Spain claim Barca are worried the problem could become long-term if not handled carefully.    

“Pubalgia is complicated," admitted Messi during an interview with Buenos Aires radio station back in 2019. “I suffer from it for a while now, I do little training and I can not play all the games. It is not a problem that can be solved overnight. I feel better now, but I still have not recovered and I still need treatment.”

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AFPBarcelona’s battle to stay in the title race

Despite the injury setback, Yamal remains central to Hansi Flick’s plans as Barcelona aim to chase down Real Madrid in the La Liga title race. He is expected to start as the German manager informed, "he’s fine. Some days he still feels a bit of pain, but he’s progressing well.” However, Pedri will be missing out as Flick also provided an update on the injury of the midfielder. "After the match in Madrid, he only had a minor discomfort, just fatigue, but when we checked it, we found the injury. We have to accept it. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon," he said. The Blaugranas currently sit five points behind their eternal rivals and will be desperate to keep the pressure on when they host Elche on Sunday.  

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After finally making his first Liverpool appearance against Atletico Madrid, Alexander Isak will have his sights set on the Merseyside derby against Everton and Arne Slot has already dropped a hint about his potential role.

Isak makes Liverpool debut

It was never going to be a game that saw Isak steal the show in the same way that he so often did for Newcastle United. He’s not quite there yet, as he works his way back to sharpness. But the Swede certainly showed plenty of glimpses.

What particularly stood out is how Florian Wirtz also burst into life for the first time in Liverpool colours when combining with his fellow summer arrival. That partnership, if it continues to click, will be one to watch.

Although it’s difficult to criticise a side that have won four from four in the Premier League, Liverpool looked far more balanced against Atletico Madrid before complacency forced them into winning late on once again.

Isak, Mohamed Salah, Wirtz and Cody Gakpo formed a formidable frontline, whilst Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch proved that they’ll be a tough midfield partnership to break up for the rest of Slot’s options in that department.

Jeremie Frimpong’s influence should also be noted. The addition of a natural, overlapping full-back – which Szoboszlai did not provide – allowed Salah the space that he has been craving to cut inside and return to his most influential form.

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Finally complete now that Isak is up and running, the depth of quality that this current Liverpool side have at their disposal should be frightening for any Premier League rival. But after making his debut against Atletico Madrid, will Isak start against Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend?

Liverpool vs Everton: Slot drops early Isak hint

Speaking about the Swede’s potential role against Everton, Slot told reporters that, whilst Isak surprised him, fans shouldn’t get their hopes too high for another start in a matter of days. Instead, Anfield may be forced to welcome their new star striker from the bench on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, such is the depth of talent in Liverpool’s squad, it will likely be Hugo Ekitike who starts against Everton. The Frenchman has scored two Premier League goals in four games and has looked more than capable of pushing Isak all the way for a starting place this season.

Leeds United had one of the biggest annual wage bills in the Championship but are now back in the Premier League. The Whites, after a busy summer transfer window, now have an annual payroll of £59,306,000, with the average player earning more than £2m per season at Elland Road.

So, we at Football FanCast have ranked every Leeds United player in the first-team squad in order from highest to lowest in terms of wages for the 2025/26 season, with the help of Capology.

Disclaimer – only the club and the players themselves truly know their wages, so take each of these figures as you will.

Rank

Player

Gross pay per week

Gross pay per year

1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

£100,000

£5,200,000

2

Jack Harrison

£90,000

£4,680,000

3

Sean Longstaff

£80,000

£4,160,000

4

Daniel James

£75,000

£3,900,000

5

Noah Okafor

£72,500

£3,770,000

=6

Pascal Struijk

£50,000

£2,600,000

=6

Lucas Perri

£50,000

£2,600,000

=7

Anton Stach

£45,000

£2,340,000

=7

Brenden Aaronson

£45,000

£2,340,000

=7

Jaka Bijol

£45,000

£2,340,000

=7

Sebastiaan Bornauw

£45,000

£2,340,000

=11

Ethan Ampadu

£40,000

£2,080,000

=11

Joe Rodon

£40,000

£2,080,000

=11

Wilfried Gnonto

£40,000

£2,080,000

=11

Joel Piroe

£40,000

£2,080,000

=15

Lukas Nmecha

£35,000

£1,820,000

=15

James Justin

£35,000

£1,820,000

=17

Karl Darlow

£30,000

£1,560,000

=17

Jayden Bogle

£30,000

£1,560,000

=17

Illan Meslier

£30,000

£1,560,000

=20

Ao Tanaka

£25,000

£1,300,000

=20

Sam Byram

£20,000

£1,040,000

22

Ilia Gruev

£15,000

£780,000

23

Alex Cairns

£10,000

£520,000

24

Sam Chambers

£8,000

£416,000

Here are the top 10 Leeds United earners… 10 Jaka Bijol £45,000 per week

Another new centre-back on £45,000 per week is Jaka Bijol, who cost more than Sebastiaan Bornauw. Leeds paid Serie A side Udinese an initial £15m for the Slovenia international.

Bijol is under contract at Elland Road until 2030.

9 Brenden Aaronson £45,000 per week

Attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson is one of Leeds’ most expensive signings of all time, however, he’s had his struggles in Yorkshire.

After returning from a loan spell in Germany in 2024, the USA international helped Leeds win promotion back to the Premier League and his deal expires in 2027.

8 Anton Stach £45,000 per week

Central midfielder Anton Stach cost Leeds more than £17m from Hoffenheim following their return to the Premier League and signed a four-year contract with the Whites.

Already becoming a fan favourite, Stach is the last of four players to collect £2.34m a year.

7 Lucas Perri £50,000 per week

Following Illan Meslier’s poor performances in 2024/25, Leeds moved to sign a new first choice goalkeeper in Brazilian shot-stopper Lucas Perri.

Costing just under £14m from French side Lyon, Perri stands at 6ft 6 and is under contract until 2029.

6 Pascal Struijk £50,000 per week

Pascal Struijk has had his injury issues in recent seasons, but when fully fit, appears to be a part of Daniel Farke’s strongest XI.

The defender joined Leeds’ U21 ranks back in 2020 from Ajax and progressed into the first-team setup under Marcelo Bielsa. He’s made over 150 appearances for the Whites.

5 Noah Okafor £72,500 per week

Leeds’ most expensive signing of the summer was versatile forward Noah Okafor, who cost around £18m from AC Milan.

The Swiss attacker actually played against the Whites in pre-season weeks before moving to Elland Road and scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 win at Wolves.

4 Daniel James £75,000 per week

Signed from rivals Manchester United in 2021, Daniel James struggled to get going at Elland Road and was even sent out on loan to Fulham a year later.

However, following Leeds’ relegation to the Championship, James has found a home in Yorkshire and starred in the Championship, resulting in a new deal being signed in 2025.

3 Sean Longstaff £80,000 per week

Sean Longstaff cost Leeds £12m from Newcastle over the summer and arrived with plenty of Premier League experience with the Magpies.

Earning more than £4m per season at Elland Road, Longstaff’s current Leeds contract expires in 2029.

2 Jack Harrison £90,000 per week

After two seasons on loan at Everton, Jack Harrison returned to Leeds in the summer and is once again a part of the first-team picture at Elland Road.

The winger, who made his move to Leeds permanent back in 2021 under Bielsa, is under contract with the Whites until 2028 after signing his latest deal in 2023.

1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin £100,000 per week

Top of the charts as Leeds’ top earner for 2025/26 is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who arrived at Elland Road on a free transfer following his Everton exit.

The centre-forward snubbed an offer from a Champions League side in order to sign for Leeds, and with no fee involved, the Whites were able to offer him £5.2m per season until 2028.

Shubman Gill averages 63.73 in ODIs at the top of the order. Rohit Sharma averages 55.21 when opening. Together, their numbers are approaching all-time great territory.They’ve only opened together 28 times in this format, so the sample size is small. But in those innings they’ve put on 1943 runs at an average of 71.96. Only in ten of those 28 innings have they failed to get India to 50 for no loss or better. To this dependability, they have also braided in aggression. India travel at more than seven an over on average when these two are together.Their numbers put this pair at the top of the all-time list for players that have opened together at least 25 times in terms of average and strike rate*, with daylight between themselves and the next-best pair (Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, who memorably helped deliver England the 2019 World Cup). Part of their effectiveness, Gill said on the eve of India’s match against Pakistan, was down to their varying but complementing methods.Related

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“The way we play the game in the powerplay is quite different to each other,” Gill said. “Rohit likes to play more aerial shots, and tries to hit those big sixes. And I like to play along the ground, and I like to pierce those gaps. In between, if I see the bowler is under pressure, I like to go over the circle. I think that’s the hallmark of us as a pair. We score boundaries with different shots. The bowlers really have to think which areas to target for us, because the areas we play the shots are different from each other.”It’s a delight to watch [Rohit] from the non-striker’s end. He has his own style and if at all it helps me to find my own groove.”Much of this was in evidence on Thursday, when they put on 69 for the first wicket against Bangladesh, in the 9.5 overs they were together. Rohit’s rapid start had given Gill the space to play a more sedate innings, as he made 101 not out off 129 balls. The key stat for Rohit is the strike rate – he has gone at 120 in the four ODIs he’s played this year. Gill, meanwhile, has gone at less than a run-a-ball (strike rate 96.46 as opener in 2025). But he’s averaged a mammoth 136.50, scores of 112 and 60 preceding the latest hundred (to go with one score of 87 from No. 3).Gill had had a rough time in the Tests in Australia, making a top score of 31 in the five innings he played there during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But a return to his favourite format has led to a spectacular return to runs.”I don’t think there was any flaw in my batting in Australia that I couldn’t score runs,” he said. “But, definitely, sometimes there is a mental aspect and we start focusing on the batting, which leads us to think there has to be some fault in the batting that the runs aren’t coming.”But, I don’t think every time it has something to do with batting. It is possible, we are lacking in some other facet. I haven’t worked on any area in particular, but knowing I am going to play white-ball format now and then T20s, so I practised accordingly.”

حقق منتخب المغرب تحت 20 عامًا، تأهلًا تاريخيًا إلى دور نصف النهائي من بطولة كأس العالم للشباب بتشيلي، بعد الفوز على أمريكا، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما، مساء الأحد.

والتقى منتخب المغرب مع أمريكا، في إطار مواجهات دور ربع النهائي من منافسات بطولة كأس العالم تحت 20 عامًا.

واستطاع منتخب المغرب أن يحقق الفوز على أمريكا، بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف، ليتأهل إلى دور نصف النهائي من مونديال الشباب.

وكان منتخب المغرب تقدم بالهدف الأول عن طريق فؤاد زهواني في الدقيقة 31، وتعادل منتخب أمريكا في الدقيقة 45+6 من نهاية الشوط الأول بهدف سجله لاعبه كول كامبل من ركلة جزاء.

طالع | موتسيبي يوضح موقف كاف من سحب تنظيم كأس أمم إفريقيا من المغرب

وعاد منتخب المغرب ليسجل هدفه الثاني أمام الولايات المتحدة، عن طريق مدافع المنتخب الأمريكي جوشوا ويندر بالخطأ في مرماه.

واختتم منتخب المغرب الثلاثية، عن طريق اللاعب جسيم ياسين في الدقيقة 87، لتنتهي المباراة بتأهل تاريخي ومستحق لـ أسود الأطلس، كما فعلوا الكبار في نسخة كأس العالم 2022 بقطر، عندما تأهلوا إلى نصف النهائي ومن ثم تحقيق المركز الرابع في البطولة. أهداف مباراة المغرب وأمريكا اليوم في كأس العالم للشباب

وبهذا الفوز، ينتظر منتخب المغرب الفائز من مواجهة فرنسا والنرويج، لمواجهته في الدور قبل النهائي من بطولة كأس العالم للشباب.

منتخب المغرب كان قد تأهل إلى دور ربع النهائي، بعد تصدر مجموعته برصيد 6 نقاط، متفوقًا على البرازيل وإسبانيا والمكسيك، وفي مباراة دور الـ16 استطاع الفوز على كوريا الجنوبية 2-1.

Everton felt the excitement as they waved goodbye to Goodison Park and geared up for a new chapter at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, led once again by David Moyes.

But that excitement has been tempered by a frustrating summer transfer window, with the Premier League season now up and running and Everton still in need of a few more faces.

The Toffees were defeated at Leeds United in their season opener, and while the likes of off-the-bench debutants Jack Grealish and Thierno Barry illustrated the start of a new-look Everton, there’s no question that the performance was flat, and that it’s imperative that something is done before the closure of the transfer window.

Everton hunting more signings

Everton’s one-goal defeat at Elland Road left a lot to be desired, and it’s clear that the club need more sparkle going forward.

Grealish will be billed as one of the principal providers in that regard, but the Blues could do with a few more signings to assist the England international.

Though Everton need right-siders and perhaps another forward too, Moyes is considering a move that would bolster his central ranks, and he’s peering over the edge of the Premier League and into the Championship.

Well, according to Football Insider, Everton are now working on a deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, though they face stiff competition from Crystal Palace in the race for the 23-year-old.

A move to Ipswich Town has already fallen through for the English talent, with a £20m fee agreed between the clubs, but personal terms proving insurmountable at the negotiating table.

What Hayden Hackney would bring to Everton

Hackney has completed 116 appearances for Middlesbrough since graduating from the club’s youth academy, establishing himself as one of the maestros of England’s second tier.

An all-action player, Hackney is calm and composed when against the ball and sharp and intelligent when in possession, with his natural-born creativity allowing him to influence from the deeper fathoms of the midfield.

Last season, he started 43 times in the Championship, completing 85% of his passes and averaging 1.5 key passes and 6.5 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

Such vast ground-covering performances would add much to Moyes’ Everton side, and the Boro star might even prove the perfect midfield partner to restore Grealish to his one-time level, having been untouchable during that final year at Aston Villa in 2020/21.

Matches (starts)

26 (24)

Goals

6

Assists

10

Shots (on target)*

1.9 (0.7)

Big chances missed

4

Pass completion

83%

Big chances created

14

Key passes*

3.2

Dribbles*

2.5

Tackles + interceptions*

1.7

Total duels (won)*

8.9 (61%)

It was a truly remarkable year from the Three Lions star, one that saw him earn his record-breaking move to Pep Guardiola’s brood. However, Grealish has lost his sparkle over the past few years in Manchester and could rekindle that flame on Merseyside.

Everton aren’t blessed with the same depth of technical quality as Man City, but the Birmingham-born forward should have greater freedom to roam and make things happen, and with Hackney playing in balls from behind, the chances of a fluent system are only increased.

As per data from FBref, Hackney ranked among the top 5% of midfielders in the Championship last season for passes attempted, the top 1% for progressive passes, the top 8% for shot-creating actions and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90.

There’s no question that he bears the range of passing and the athleticism to add a dimension to Everton’s midfield, thus providing the fleet-footed Grealish with a constant supply line from which he can work his magic in and around the penalty area.

Hailed by former Boro boss Michael Carrick for his “immense” performance against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup during the 2023/24 season, Hackney has spent plenty of time developing his skills in the Championship and is surely now ready to take the leap forward into the Premier League.

His long, calculated passing puts him in a different category from Everton’s current midfield crop, and he would be the perfect kind of deep-lying playmaker to restore Grealish’s X-factor and ensure the Toffees make it a successful and exciting season.

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ByAngus Sinclair Aug 18, 2025

The South Africa head coach says that growing the talent pool means sometimes playing youngsters in big series

Firdose Moonda16-Nov-2024South Africa’s white-ball coach Rob Walter will make “no excuses,” for South Africa’s 3-1 defeat to India but explained the series as a “balancing act,” between fielding the best XI and exposing younger players to top-level competition.In particular, South Africa’s attack, who conceded over 200 three times in four matches, were in focus. They were without the experience of Kagiso Rabada (rested), Lungi Ngidi (injured), Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi (both no longer nationally contracted) and appeared out of their depth, or at least out of practice. Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee both made their returns from months on the sidelines as they recovered from injury and concentrated on conditioning, Andile Simelane debuted in the series, Nqaba Peter played his first internationals at home and Lutho Sipamla returned to the fold after a period of three years, all of which left Keshav Maharaj as the senior-most hand, who lacked support.Walter argued that is in the inevitable consequence of trying to deepen the player pool.Related

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“To grow the net of players, there’s times we have to play younger guys even in big series against good teams. And ultimately, that’s where they’re going to learn the most,” he said in Johannesburg after South Africa’s 135-run defeat in the fourth T20I. “It’s really a balancing act and there’s no right or wrong. We’re trying to get it right, we’re trying to get rest right, we’re trying to get rotation right, we’re trying to get exposure right all at the same time. But it doesn’t excuse the performance. We still need to be better and that starts with me as the head coach of the team.”Since Walter took over in February 2023, South Africa have played seven bilateral T20I series and not won any of them, which he acknowledged is an “incredibly difficult,” thing to accept. But it may be made easier with the knowledge that he is also the only coach to oversee the men’s team to a major tournament final, at this year’s T20 World Cup.Asked to explain the discrepancy between their bilateral form and the tournament success, Walter did not miss a beat. “The easy answer is that when we go to the world tournaments, we’re picking our very best 15 players but we can’t pick those same 15 players every single time we play. It’s just not feasible. It’s just too much cricket. So, the rest of the time we have to build our base of players up to be to the same level, which is what you’re seeing with the Indian side, right?”Only four of the XI that won the T20 World Cup in June were part of the Indian squad that beat South Africa in this series, which speaks as much to the quality of their depth as it does to the concern with South Africa’s and Walter recognised that.Lutho Sipamla returned to the fold for South Africa after three years•AFP/Getty Images”Their fringe players are stepping up and creating pressure on the guys that are in main XI,” he said. “Ultimately, if you look at the stats around the number of players used by the different international sides, they all sit in the same space over the last two years, in between 30 and 36 players roughly. Everyone’s attempting to do the same thing because the cricket landscape is actually the same for everyone.”And that’s where he may stand corrected, to some extent. India are the only country who do not have to concern themselves with losing players to franchise leagues because they do not allow their active players to compete anywhere but the IPL, which offers sufficient compensation. South Africa, whose home currency, the Rand, is the weakest among SENA countries, are at particular risk of their players opting for hard currency payments in leagues abroad and the two biggest examples are Nortje and Shamsi. Both opted out of central contracts this year – Nortje partly because he wanted to manage which formats he played as he came back from a severe injury – and though they are available for South Africa, there is also a need to look elsewhere.”A guy like Anrich, I certainly wouldn’t doubt his want to play for South Africa and his commitment to do that. But he made a decision personally around contracting so that he could move away from playing Test cricket for a while. I think physically he was finding it a bit tough to do everything and I respect that,” Walter said. “At the end of the day, when it comes to the world tournaments, we want to pick our best side. And if he is one of those best players, we consider him. Shammo has done exactly the same thing. We need to be cognisant of what’s happening in world cricket. It’s not easy and the national side is competing with franchise cricket. The money lies in franchise cricket, not international cricket. That’s the reality that we live in.”There was an audible sigh before he finished that thought. “And so, again, the balancing act continues.”

تمكن نادي مانشستر سيتي في أن يبدأ بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا بشكل مميز، وتمكن من تحقيق فوز مريح على نظيره نابولي بهدفين دون رد اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة المجموعات.

مواجهة اليوم أقيمت على ملعب الاتحاد، حيث دخل مانشستر سيتي اللقاء بهدف تحقيق انتصار يريحه في قادم المباريات في المسابقة الأوروبية.

ودخل مدرب مانشستر سيتي بيب جوارديولا، بتشكيل مكونة من: جيانلويجي دوناروما، عبد القادر خوسانوف، روبن دياس، جوسكو جفارديول، نيكو أورايلي، تيجاني ريندرز، رودري، برناردو سيلفا، فيل فودين، جيريمي دوكو، إيرلينج هالاند.

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مانشستر سيتي بدأ لقاء اليوم ضاغطًا بقوة بحثًا عن تسجيل الهدف الأول، في حين اكتفى نابولي بقيادة مديره الفني أنطونيو كونتي بالتراجع والدفاع داخل منطقة الجزاء.

وتبعرث أوراق كونتي بعدما تعرض قائد نابولي، جيوفاني دي لوريزنو، للبطاقة الحمراء في الدقيقة 21، وذلك عقب تدخله على نجم مانشستر سيتي، إيرلينج هالاند.

وعاد حكم اللقاء إلى تقنية الفار التي أكدت عرقلة دي لورينزو لهالاند ليطرد الدولي الإيطالي تاركًا نابولي بعشرة لاعبين.

هذا الطرد استفاد مانشستر سيتي كثيرًا منه، حيث كثف النادي الإنجليزي هجماته بحثًا عن تسجيل الهدف الأول.

وجعل طرد دي لورينزو كونتي يخرج كيفن دي بروين من أرضية الملعب ويحل محله ماتياس أوليفيرا وسط تحية كبيرة من قبل جماهير مانشستر سيتي للدولي البلجيكي.

وتحقق مراد مانشستر سيتي في شوط اللقاء الثاني، حيث استغل هالاند هجمة منظمة لينهي الكرة برأسه في شباك نابولي في الدقيقة 56.

ولم يكتف مانشستر سيتي بهذا الهدف، حيث ضاعف جيريمي دوكو التقدم لمصلحة النادي الإنجليزي في الدقيقة 65 من مجهود فردي رائع.

وظلت النتيجة على حالها حتى النهاية، ليحقق مانشستر سيتي انتصارًا مستحقًا على نابولي مرسلًا رسالة واضحة إلى بقية المنافسين حول رغبته في الفوز بدوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم.

مانشستر سيتي بذلك حصد أول ثلاث نقاط له في مرحلة الدوري ليتواجد في المركز العاشر، بينما بقي نابولي بدون رصيد في انتظار قادم الجولات المقبلة في الدور. أهداف مباراة مانشستر سيتي ونابولي في دوري أبطال أوروبا