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Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘confident’ that they can sign Hugo Ekitike in the summer.

The Lowdown: January bid

A reported £33m deal for the 19-year-old to move to Tyneside from Reims fell through on deadline day in the January transfer window, so Chris Wood from Burnley ended up being the only attacker to come through the doors at St James’ Park.

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However, journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that the Magpies have been ‘told’ that they can sign Ekitike this summer instead, but it is not clear whether the same kind of fee will be required to seal a deal.

The Latest: Newcastle confident on Ekitike

Taking to Twitter, transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle are now ‘confident’ of signing Ekitike.

Expanding in his latest article for 90min, the journalist added that they hope to wrap up a deal ‘soon’ after Eddie Howe ‘pinpointed’ him as a target back in the winter.

Sources close to the player have revealed that he is ‘keen’ to move to St James’ Park as the Magpies target another striker to bolster their ranks.

The Verdict: Get it done

After failing to sign him in January, the St James’ Park board simply must now get a deal for Ekitike over the line.

Described as a ‘very special‘ player earlier this season by his manager Oscar Garcia, the teenager has a big future ahead of him, and some in France even go as far as to believe that he could be the ‘next Mbappe‘.

With 10 goals and four assists in 25 matches across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), Ekitike has burst onto the scene in his home country, so this would be an exciting deal for the Tyneside club if they can finally go through with it.

In other news, find out what exciting NUFC transfer update Keith Downie has now revealed

The India captain’s high-risk batting has made sure there is no jeopardy as the chase enters the middle overs

Sidharth Monga08-Nov-20231:20

Kumble: Rohit and Kohli key to India’s World Cup success

Rohit Sharma has scored more powerplay runs, quicker, at a higher average, hitting more fours and more sixes than anyone at this World Cup. It is a staggering statistic. For a batter who built his game on watchful starts. For a team that is built on conservative starts and big runs from star batters. For a captain to take that high-risk role on and not delegate it to a younger batter.At least for the last ten years, India have consistently been among the best two or three sides in limited-overs cricket. However, that has been down to the sheer quality of players. Nobody can accuse them of being the most modern or tactically the sharpest side despite always having been among the best.Ever since Rohit has taken over the reins, though, he and coach Rahul Dravid have looked to push themselves out of their comfort zones. One of the areas India could push themselves in was putting a slightly lesser price on their wickets in the early and middle overs and being more enterprising. Rohit knew he had to lead by example if he wanted other batters to follow suit.Related

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Rohit has been trying to hit a boundary to 30% of the balls inside the powerplay. Only Travis Head has been more enterprising, but not with as much success. Rohit has been in control of 77% of those boundary attempts, which is incredible efficiency. As a result, India are behind only Australia in scoring quickly in the powerplay. Australia have played more higher-scoring games than India, and both their openers are going for it as opposed to one for India.While India have generally been looking to be proactive in the powerplay, the extent Rohit has taken it to has perhaps surprised even the management. “It is his idea, he is taking the initiative,” the batting coach Vikram Rathour said. “There are no set strategies at a World Cup. We are looking to maximise, looking to score as many runs as we can. And if the surface is good, and if he feels he can go for it, he does.”It has perhaps helped that the ball has not swung much when India have batted. Possibly the plan was to watch a couple of overs with each ball and then cash in on the second half of the powerplay. It seems Rohit has seen the lack of swing, and started going much earlier.The pressure it has put the opposition bowlers under was apparent in how many unforced errors South Africa made with the new ball in what was being seen as the final before the final. It was a tricky pitch on which the spinners were not going to be easy to face. The headstart that Rohit gave India allowed Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to take their time and take no risks against the dangerous Keshav Maharaj. That is a luxury India need with Nos. 8 to 11 not offering much with the bat.Not that Kohli can’t deal with the demand of scoring quicker than his team-mates, but these starts from Rohit take away the pressure of scoring quickly. And when Kohli needs to score at only five an over, he is pretty much invincible. He is able to make sure he bats deep into the innings so that India don’t miss the batting depth.Vikram Rathour on Rohit Sharma: “He is playing the way he wants the team to play”•ICC via Getty ImagesIn a tournament where chasing has not been easy, Rohit’s starts have made sure there is no jeopardy as the chase enters the middle overs. The presence of Kohli perhaps gives him the confidence to play the high-risk game as was seen in the first match against Australia.Rathour was asked if the coaches asked Rohit to bat that way. “He feels he is batting well, and if he feels the wicket is good and he can go for his shots, he is going for them,” Rathour said. “That has been working out really well for the team.”The most impressive aspect of the way Rohit has been batting is that it didn’t come off at first. Now, batters are known to be extremely particular with what brings them success. It would have been easy for Rohit to say he gave it a shot, but it didn’t work out, and it is best for him and the team that he goes back to his tried and trusted methods. Rohit, though, kept at it.”It takes a lot of conviction,” Rathour said. “That is why he is a great batsman. He always has the conviction. He is one guy who is leading with his actions. He is playing himself the way he wants the team to play.”There is no guarantee India will finally take those final two steps after dominating the league stage once again, but for once, thanks to almost revolutionary batting from Rohit, you can’t accuse them of not being with the times.

Home-grown great gives tournament a night to remember at a packed Kia Oval

Vithushan Ehantharajah26-Aug-2023The thing to know about those who have attended matches through the men’s Hundred is that, while some root for their city, most simply root for the batters. After all, they are the ones who control your evening’s entertainment.In a format like this, T20 with the ends chopped off, bowlers restrict, fielders stop, but batters do. They must. Otherwise, what else is there but dots, saves and unused pyrotechnics?By the end of the Eliminator at the Kia Oval, after 49 boundaries among 397 runs, there was just enough fuel in the pyrotechnic tanks dotted around the boundary for the final few blasts to mark Manchester Originals’ achievement, as Jamie Overton slammed the night’s 23rd and final six over long on.The biggest chase in the Hundred’s history had been achieved, at a ground that had only seen one such success in the previous four matches this season. And at the most important time, to send the Originals into Sunday’s Lord’s final to play Oval Invincibles, at the expense of Southern Brave. They will look to make amends after falling short of the 2022 title against Trent Rockets.It’s not for nothing that the Originals polished off this total with an all-English top five. And that Brave’s score was bolstered by an outstanding 56 off 25 by skipper James Vince. As much as the batters carry the burden, any country’s short-format jewel in their home season – no matter how derided – relies on homegrown talent to thrive. So it was apt that, on Saturday evening, all 19,216 in the stands and those tuning in from home were left more than satisfied by an English talent regarded as one of his generation’s greatest white-ball batters, and, heck, he’s in the conversation for “all-time”, too.To be fair to Jos Buttler, he has held up his end of the entertainment bargain across several evenings this last month. As the tournament’s leading run-scorer – with 380, now the highest-scoring individual in a Hundred season and 140 clear of his nearest challenger, Finn Allen – his consistency has been up there with your favourite restaurant. In a fledgling tournament, constantly having to deal with talk of being wiped out, Buttler’s presence throughout and brilliance from the get-go has been an act of invaluable conservation, as far as the tournament organisers are concerned.The ECB will release figures outlining the unequivocal success of this third edition on Sunday morning, and the late boost from this viral innings by England’s limited-overs captain may well add another thick layer of icing before the double-header final provides the cherry.This 82, Buttler’s highest Hundred score, took just 46 deliveries – his 50 came up from 26 – and featured familiar swipes over wide long-on and down the ground. The only thing missing was a scoop. Barring a flay behind third for four, the other nine of his boundaries – four of them sixes – came in the arc from extra cover to midwicket.Related

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Yet, for all the thrill emanating from Buttler’s bat, including his dismissal – skied so high it disappeared into the night sky before reappearing and burrowing deep into Rehan Ahmed’s hands, who almost got buried into the earth with it – there were moments when others came to the fore. Though Buttler was the main character, the supporting actors played their part and, at the start, even outshone him.It’s funny to think Buttler was 12 off 9 heading into the final two balls of the powerplay; two balls he would end up flicking over square leg and punching through cover for a brace of fours that took Originals to 61 for no loss – the equal-highest 25-ball score of the season. After 30, Originals had 82, double what Brave had managed at that stage, and it was not because of Buttler.Phil Salt was the man who lit the touchpaper on this mighty heist. The first three deliveries of the second innings were all taken for four. The first six of the innings was his, slamming George Garton over midwicket. He then finished Overton’s third set – balls 29 and 30 – with back-to-back sixes.”He certainly comes out with some impetus, that’s for sure!” Buttler said of Salt, who would end up with 47 from just 17 balls, out of the opening stand of 83. “He’s a fearless player, he’s got loads of talent. In that kind of chase, to get off to start like he gave us, it’s fantastic.”Buttler, by no means sluggish with 30 off 15 when Salt was dismissed, admitted his partner’s innings had allowed him to get into his flow.”He certainly takes pressure off you, the way he plays. If he gets going, you can turn over the strike and give it to him. I always want to play fast and score as quick as I can. But sometimes you get away to a flyer, sometimes you don’t.”Similar could be said of Max Holden, whose 31 off 17 in a stand of 63 ensured Buttler was not the sole bearer of the load. When Buttler was finally dismissed by Chris Jordan, Laurie Evans struck the 90th ball of the innings for four to leave 12 needed off the last 10, before waiting on a Tymal Mills slower ball to strike the 92nd high over extra cover for arguably the shot of the match. Overton then finished it with four deliveries to spare, holding his shape to obliterate Jordan down the ground.Overton and Evans embraced, before turning to a dug-out already into their own celebrations, all while Buttler looked a picture of calm. For all the frustration at having conceded so many at the halfway stage, Buttler admitted he had always felt they were in with a shot. He’d computed the short boundary, the slickness of the field affecting the ball, and the bowlers’ ability to keep his team quiet.Perhaps the most satisfying thing for Buttler as captain of this group is, even with his own reliability with the bat, those around him have clearly channelled his approach: the positivity, the ruthlessness, the desire to perform under the harshest lights on the biggest stage.Just as he believed they had a chance to knock off 197, he sees no reason why a first Hundred title will not be in their grasp by Sunday night. As do the rest of the Originals. Then again, it is hard not to believe when you’ve got Jos Buttler in your ranks.

Chelsea got back to winning ways on the weekend.

Enzo Maresca’s side took on Tottenham Hotspur away from home, and as they tend to do in this fixture, left with all three points.

From front to back, the Blues looked back to their best, and more importantly, Joao Pedro got back on the scoresheet.

The Brazilian has the quality to be a hugely important player for Chelsea, and one of the club’s most exciting youngsters could help him one day reach Cole Palmer’s numbers, and no, it’s not Estevao.

Pedro's future at Chelsea

When Chelsea completed the £60m signing of Pedro from Brighton & Hove Albion, there was plenty of understandable excitement, as sections of the fan base assumed the club had their new long-term number nine.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

This idea was further reinforced during the pre-season, as Maresca started him up top for three consecutive games during the Club World Cup, during which he scored three goals.

However, things quickly changed once the season began, as following the first game against Crystal Palace, the manager played the 24-year-old as a second striker for two consecutive Premier League games, in which he scored two goals and provided two assists.

Unfortunately, following Liam Delap’s hamstring injury, the former Brighton star was once again forced to lead the line.

So far, in the seven league games he has started there, he has scored just once and provided one assist.

In short, it has become abundantly clear that while hugely talented, the former Watford star is at his very best either as a second striker or a slightly more aggressive ten.

Now, for those fans who watched him on the south coast, this shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise, as while he did make 16 appearances up top last season, he also made 12 between second striker, attacking midfield and left-wing.

Centre-Forward

16

Second Striker

8

Left Winger

2

Attacking Midfield

2

So, if Maresca wants to get the most out of Pedro, he’ll have to start him behind another striker, and fortunately, someone who might help him reach Palmer-levels is joining Chelsea for next season.

The player who could help Pedro reach Palmer-levels

Now, while someone like Estevao could help Pedro up his output in the coming seasons, the 18-year-old is undoubtedly at his best out wide.

Therefore, what the former Brighton ace needs is another prolific forward to come in and start ahead of him, someone who will help not only boost his assist numbers, but also his own goal tally.

Fortunately, Chelsea might have just the young talent to do just that, joining in the summer: Dastan Satpayev.

The Khazak phenom is set to join the Blues at the end of this season, and while he’s still young and therefore a long way from the finished product, he looks like a superstar in the making.

With that said, why could he help Pedro put up Palmer-level numbers, though?

Well, simply put, while he can play in several positions, he is primarily a centre-forward, and a seriously exciting one at that.

For example, despite still being just 17 years old, the “future Ballon d’Or winner,” as dubbed by one analyst, scored 16 goals and provided eight assists in 33 appearances, totalling 2409 minutes last season.

That works out to an incredible average of a goal involvement every 1.37 games, or every 100.37 minutes.

Just imagine a forward as dangerous as that competing for a place with Delap ahead of a Pedro who has had a year to get used to life at Stamford Bridge.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his career, but if Satpayev is even half the player many believe him to be, then he could certainly help the former Brighton man reach the creative and goalscoring levels of Palmer in the near future.

Maresca must drop Chelsea star who had fewer touches than Sanchez vs Spurs

Chelsea just about got over the line on Saturday evening as slim 1-0 victors at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 2, 2025

Ahead of the Ashes, Australia offspinner says Shoaib Bashir, England’s current No. 1 spinner, “has been okay”

Alex Malcolm31-Jul-2025Australia’s greatest ever offspinner Nathan Lyon believes that left-arm spinner Jack Leach is still England’s best spinner, and says offspinner Shoaib Bashir, England’s currently injured No.1 spinner and likely Ashes tourist for 2025-26, “has been okay”.Speaking at a Cricket Australia sponsorship announcement in Sydney on Thursday, Lyon said former England seamer James Anderson had revealed to him that Bashir had been selected to try and replicate what Lyon does in Australia. But Lyon believes Leach is still the best spinner England has.”I obviously played with Jimmy Anderson last year at Lancashire, and they basically said that they’re picking Bashir to do what I do,” Lyon said. “So I took a little bit of pride out of Jimmy respecting a little bit of what I’ve been able to do in my career. But Bashir has been okay.Related

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“Jacob Bethell is playing this Test match [at The Oval against India], and he looks like he’ll take up the spin bowling from Liam Dawson. But in my eyes, Jack Leach is still their best spinner.”Leach, 34, has not played for England since last year’s tour of Pakistan, where he had a modest series compared Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, who spun Pakistan to victory in the final two Tests. Leach’s return of 16 wickets at an average of 31.43 and a strike rate of 50.75 in three Tests in that series were still well ahead of Bashir’s nine wickets at 49.55 and 79.44, respectively.England have since committed to Bashir as the No.1 spinner across their last three series – against New Zealand, Zimbabwe and India. When he suffered a series-ending finger injury in the Lord’s Test of the ongoing series against India, Liam Dawson returned as England’s sole spinner for the fourth Test in Manchester after eight years in the Test wilderness. Dawson has since been left out for the fifth and final Test at The Oval, with England picking four fast bowlers as well as Jacob Bethell as a part-time left-arm spin option in place of Dawson.Leach took 6 for 63 in his most recent outing, for Somerset against Durham at Taunton, in what turned out to be a two-day game on a pitch that was described as “appalling” by Ian Botham. Leach is currently the fourth-leading wicket-taker, and the leading spinner, in division one of the County Championship this season, with 39 wickets at 24.76, including two six-wicket hauls.Jack Leach played three Tests on the last Australia tour in 2021-22•Getty ImagesLeach played three Tests in Australia on the 2021-22 Ashes tour, taking just six wickets at 53.50, and was left out of the final Test in Hobart. Instead, England picked four seamers in a pink-ball game where Lyon did not bowl a single delivery as Australia won inside three days.Bashir, meanwhile, was sent on the England Lions tour of Australia earlier this year to play three four-day games against Cricket Australia (CA) XI and Australia A, although none of them was played at Test venues.He returned match figures of 2 for 91 and 1 for 109 in the two fixtures against the CA XI in Brisbane. Against Australia A in the unofficial Test at Cricket Central in Sydney, which the Lions lost by an innings, Bashir got 1 for 74 in the only innings he bowled.

“It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions. But I’m not going to let my secrets out so they come out and perform well out here”Nathan Lyon believes spinners will have their share of role to play in the Ashes this summer

Lyon himself was left out of Australia’s most recent Test match, against West Indies in Jamaica, as the selectors opted for four quicks in a pink-ball game that ended inside two-and-a-half days. But he believes spinners will have their share of role to play in the Ashes in Australia despite the pitches being very seam-friendly in recent years.”It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions,” Lyon said. “But I’m not going to let my secrets out so they come out and perform well out here. Our guys know how to play spin really well in this country. That’s probably what helped me produce my skill to where it is at the moment. I know I’ll keep trying getting better, and we’ll see how their spinners go.”

Liverpool were left furious after Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header against Manchester City was ruled out for offside, despite Andy Robertson not touching the ball. The Dutchman thought he had equalised from a Mohamed Salah corner, but VAR sided with the on-field officials. And here's why Arne Slot's team did not end up getting a goal that could have had a big impact on the game.

Van Dijk goal ruled off in Man City loss

Liverpool were denied what they believed to be a legitimate equaliser in the first half of their Premier League clash with City at Etihad Stadium. After falling behind to Erling Haaland’s opener, Van Dijk met a corner from Salah and directed a powerful header past Gianluigi Donnarumma, seemingly restoring parity for the visitors. The Liverpool captain sprinted away in celebration, only for the assistant referee’s flag to cut short the jubilation.

Robertson was deemed to be in an offside position during the play, standing just a yard from Donnarumma inside the six-yard box. Although the Scotland international made no contact with the ball and attempted to duck out of its flight path, VAR confirmed that his movement was enough to interfere with the goalkeeper’s ability to play the ball. The Premier League’s Match Centre later clarified that Robertson’s proximity constituted “an obvious action which impacted an opponent’s ability to play the ball,” meaning the goal could not stand.

The decision proved divisive, particularly as Donnarumma appeared unlikely to have reached the header regardless of Robertson’s position. While City took advantage of the reprieve and doubled their lead before the interval, Liverpool’s players were left visibly frustrated — with Arne Slot animatedly remonstrating with the officials on the touchline. It was a key moment in a match where fine margins once again played a decisive role.

AdvertisementFans fume at VAR's offside decision

@TheKopWatch commented on X: "Side netting. GK is getting nowhere near it. Robertson doesn’t block his view of the ball. How on earth is that disallowed?"

@markgoldbridge wrote: "Got to say that is a joke. Keeper is at full stretch and Robertson isn't interfering with play. Another shocker."

@Abdulba71267148 fumed: "Complete robbery."

@JonnyGibson33 explained: "He's miles away from the keeper the ball, literally moving away from the goal and then ducks. Incredible decision."

@holly82649091 claimed: "They want a title race between Arsenal and City."

@mo11salahh took shots at the inconsistency: "Bernardo Silva against Wolves last season. Robertson against city this season. Man City goal given. Liverpool goal NOT given."

Getty Images SportWas Robertson actually in Donnarumma's 'line of sight'?

The controversy stems from Law 11 of the FA’s rules on offside, which outlines that a player can be penalised even without touching the ball if they “make an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball”. In this instance, Robertson’s quick duck to avoid Van Dijk’s header was deemed an “obvious action”. Officials concluded that his proximity to Donnarumma caused hesitation in the goalkeeper’s movement, constituting interference.

The Premier League’s post-match explanation described Robertson as being “in an offside position directly in front of the goalkeeper”. However, replays suggested the full-back was actually slightly to Donnarumma’s left, leading to debate over whether the “line of sight” element of the rule applied. While Robertson’s motion to evade the ball was instinctive, officials interpreted it as influencing Donnarumma’s reaction, and therefore as active involvement in the play.

The controversy reignited broader frustrations over VAR’s inconsistency in judging offside interference. Similar incidents in previous seasons have seen goals allowed when players appeared to obstruct goalkeepers, further blurring the line between passive and active involvement.

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VAR continues to split fans on a weekly basis

The fallout from the disallowed goal is likely to continue, with Liverpool supporters and pundits demanding greater clarity from the Premier League’s officiating body. While the decision may have adhered to the letter of the law, the interpretation will once again draw criticism for its subjectivity — particularly in high-stakes fixtures like this one.

City, meanwhile, took full advantage of Liverpool’s deflation, controlling the tempo in the second half to preserve their lead and maintain their unbeaten home record.

It didn’t take long for Game 1 of the World Series between the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers to produce its first gaffe.

At the bottom of the first inning, Yankees left fielder Alex Verdugo turned what might have been a single into a triple for Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman after misfielding the ball. 

Freeman hit the ball down the left field line, causing Verdugo to chase it down. It looked like Verdugo slipped in the process and couldn’t play the ball cleanly. Freeman, who is reportedly still dealing with a lingering ankle injury, was thus able to round the bases and leg out a triple.

To make matters worse, cameras caught Verdugo blowing a bubble with his gum just as he committed the mistake.

Fans roasted Verdugo for his embarrassing move.

Yankees' Gerrit Cole was able to keep the Dodgers off the board after Freeman's triple, and the game remained tied, 0–0, after the first inning.

Manchester United have finally found the solution to their goalkeeper issue. Over the last few years, dating back to the end of David de Gea’s final couple of seasons, there were too many errors made by the Red Devils’ shot stoppers.

Andre Onana was signed by Erik ten Hag as De Gea’s replacement, but he constantly struggled, and his long-term number two, Altay Bayndir, also has his frailties.

Onana made five errors leading to a goal in the Premier League and Europa League last term, as per Sofascore, while Bayindir has made two from just ten top-flight outings in total for United.

Thus, the Old Trafford side signed Senne Lammens this summer, who has since gone on to start two games. His debut against Sunderland showed great promise, and he performed well away to Liverpool.

There have been some real standout moments from Lammens so far in just two games.

Lammens’ key moments for United so far

It has been a superb start for Lammens since breaking into the first team at Old Trafford. He kept a clean sheet on debut and managed to keep the likes of Alexander Isak at bay in the hostile atmosphere that is Anfield.

On his debut, he made some big saves. He pushed a well-struck effort from Granit Xhaka wide and did well to narrow the angle on Chemsdine Talbi’s effort, which he promptly saved.

Teammate Mason Mount said he was “solid” on his first start.

His second appearance saw him pull off a few more great saves, but he did something else integral to help United secure a famous Anfield victory. His execution of Ruben Amorim’s game plan was spot on.

Against the Reds, Amorim asked his new goalkeeper to go long when he had the ball. United aimed to win second balls and get at Liverpool, which worked perfectly for Bryan Mbeumo’s opener.

Lammens was pinpoint with his long passing, pulling the Liverpool centre-backs apart and helping United nail a plan which won them the game.

The Belgian has made a huge impression at Old Trafford already. Competition for places could soon be great, with one on-loan United star a player who could really challenge him.

Man Utd loan star can rival Lammens

There are a fair few goalkeepers on United’s books at the moment. Lammens has cemented himself as the number one under Amorim, Bayndir is his backup, and Tom Heaton is the third choice. Onana will return next season, too, as he is only on loan at Trabzonspor.

However, someone who could really force his way into the reckoning is Radek Vitek. The 21-year-old Czech Republic star is currently on loan at Bristol City in the Championship, where he is shining.

He’s played 11 games so far for the Robins and has an impressive record already. He’s only conceded 11 goals in that time, keeping four clean sheets and winning their player of the month award for August.

The United academy star has pulled off some excellent saves, too. This one against Hull City was arguably his best, diving low to his right with cat-like reflexes and tipping it away from goal.

It was a superb piece of athleticism.

The numbers from Vitek’s time in the West Country further highly Vitek’s talent. He has a save percentage of 75% so far in the Championship, and averages 4.3 completed long passes each game, too.

Saves

3

33

Save percentage

75%

75%

Passes completed

14.1

155

Long passes completed

4.3

47

Clean sheets

4

0.4

It will be fascinating to see how Vitek fits in at United. Red Devils correspondent for the Daily Mail, Nathan Salt, said he is “about to rocket” in 2025/26, and it is easy to see why.

It has been an impressive start from the Czech shot-stopper.

Lammens has made a fantastic start to life in Red, but he will have good competition in the next 12 months if these sorts of performances continue. Indeed, with the consistency Vitek is showing this term, there is easily a case to be made that he is even better than the Belgian.

Amorim might one day be in the unenviable position of having to pick between the two. Certainly, Vitek’s form this term will do his United career no harm.

Amorim has unlocked the new Bruno Fernandes in "world-class" Man Utd star

Manchester United already have a player on the books who can emulate Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.

1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 22, 2025

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has backed Lamine Yamal to find his best form despite an ongoing groin problem. The German also looked to diffuse any further disagreement between La Blaugrana and the Spanish national setup, sharing his belief that Luis de la Fuente's coaching staff will "take care" of the 18-year-old superstar when he hooks up with La Roja for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

Yamal's niggling groin injury a cause for debate

The wonderkid has missed seven games this season due to pubalgia; a chronic injury that comes from a tear to the small tissue in the groin or lower abdomen. While he has returned to the starting lineup in the past few weeks, Barcelona were without their young superstar for the majority of September, with Yamal also missing a La Liga tie against Sevilla in early October due to a recurrence of the injury. Flick's comments would suggest his young star is close to being back to his scintillating best. 

Yamal's selection for Spain's upcoming fixtures against Georgia and Turkey set up a fractious exchange between club and country, with Flick previously suggesting the Spanish federation (RFEF) had previously failed to look after young stars. 

De La Fuente bristled at that idea, pointing out that the winger has started his previous six games for the Catalonian club,  saying the winger is in "perfect condition." 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportFlick calls on RFEF to protect Yamal

Speaking ahead of Barcelona's Sunday night fixture against Celta Vigo, Flick said: "I ask the same of the national team we're making here: that they take care of him. He's changed, he's much better, he's training very well, he does daily treatment in the gym.

"He can return to his best level, he's not at one hundred percent yet. We have to take care of him, here and with the national team. And I think they're doing that too."

Yamal still performing at a high level despite injuries

A recurring soft tissue injury is obviously a cause for concern, but not necessarily a surprise for a young player that has played an extraordinary number of games before his 19th birthday. Yamal has been able to rack up 116 games for La Blaugrana without any real injury concerns. 

Despite his problems this term, he has continued to perform at a high level, scoring five goals and logging six assists in 10 performances for Barcelona this season. He was instrumental in saving his side's blushes in midweek, setting up a goal and bagging one of his own in the Catalonian club's disappointing 3-3 draw away to Club Brugge in the Champions League. 

Reports in Spain also hinted at the Ballon d'Or runner up being unhappy at Camp Nou due to his injury issues, but he dismissed such fears after the midweek match, saying: "There has been a lot of talk about my groin injury, about me being sad, and it was all lies. I was the same as always, I was very happy, I was focused on my work, trying to get back to work and be able to play at this level, which is how I feel best and how I enjoy myself most."

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AFPInternational duty beckons for Yamal

As De La Fuente has pointed out, Yamal has had a consistent run in the starting lineup of Flick's side of late. He will almost certainly be included from the off against Celta Vigo this weekend, before heading off for international duty. 

Spain currently sit top of their group, winning all four of their games without conceding a goal. They can all but secure qualification to next summer's World Cup in North America with a win away against Turkey on November 15. That would require Turkiye to overturn a mammoth goal difference on November 18, provided they can beat Bulgaria. 

Should Spain beat Georgia, it will be interesting to see if De La Fuente will play the 18-year-old, or try to smooth out relations with Barcelona by resting Yamal. 

Both spinners had identical figures of 4-0-21-3 to restrict Dubai Capitals to 141

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jul-2025BBL champions Hobart Hurricanes started their GSL 2025 campaign with a thumping win over ILT20 winners Dubai Capitals in Providence. Their comfortable seven-wicket win was set up by the 78-run second-wicket stand between Macalister Wright (50) and the captain Ben McDermott (48). Hurricanes chased the target down with 18 balls to spare.That Hurricanes needed only 142 to win, though, was courtesy their spin bowlers Fabian Allen and Mohammad Nabi. The two finished with identical figures of 4-0-21-3.McDermott introduced Nabi inside the powerplay of the first innings, and he dismissed Capitals openers Rohan Mustafa and Sediqullah Atal in the third and fifth overs respectively. Allen then got rid of Niroshan Dickwella to leave Capitals three down in six overs.Nabi then dismissed Shakib Al Hasan, caught behind for seven, before Allen took the wicket of Kadeem Alleyne. From 82 for 5, a mini recovery ensued with Capitals captain Gulbadin Naib top-scoring with a 27-ball 31. However, they did not have enough firepower for a big finish.Bhanuka Rajapaksa started Hurricanes’ chase with a six and two fours in his first five balls to move to 15. He was out on his sixth delivery to Mustafa, but that did not stop the Hurricanes’ run scoring. McDermott was the aggressor with five fours and three sixes in his 24-ball 48 while Wright offered support with five fours of his own. Hurricanes scoring rate hovered around ten as the second-wicket partnership blossomed, and when Qais Ahmed broke the partnership, Hurricanes needed only 40 more runs in 9.4 overs.Wright brought up his half-century in 47 balls in the 16th over but could not see the game off, falling to Aryaman Varma. Jake Doran and Nikhil Choudhary finished the chase and took Hurricanes to the top of the GSL 2025 points table.