سخر يورجن كلوب، المدير الفني السابق لفريق ليفربول، من حجم الإنفاق المالي الذي قام به النادي في موسم الانتقالات الصيفي لعام 2025 للتعاقد مع لاعبين جدد.
وأنفق ليفربول أكثر من نصف مليار دولار على لاعبين جدد، هذا الصيف، حيث تعاقد مع نجوم مثل ألكسندر إيزاك، هوجو إيكتيكي وفلوريان فيرتز، إلى جانب جيريمي فريمبونج وميلوس كيركيز.
ولم يتمتع كلوب بقدرة ليفربول على مثل ذلك الإنفاق الضخم عندما كان مدربًا لـ ليفربول، بل سبق وأن صرّح في عام 2022 أنه من المستحيل على ناديه منافسة فرق مثل مانشستر سيتي في سوق الانتقالات.
وقال كلوب، في تصريحات خلال بودكاست نشرته شبكة “ليفربول إيكو” الإنجليزية: “لم يكن لدي أدنى فكرة أن هذا ممكن، لم يخبرني أحد قط بإمكانية إنفاقنا بهذا الشكل!”.
وأضاف: “كان هذا آخر عام لي في ليفربول، كانت هناك صفقة أديداس والملعب الجديد، كل هذه الأمور تُدر على النادي المزيد من المال، لكنني لم أكن لأطلب هذا المبلغ أبدًا، لكن ذلك لم يكن مشكلة”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. رد فعل غريب من كورتيس جونز بعد إهدار محمد صلاح هدفًا محققًا أمام مانشستر يونايتد
وواصل: “أحب حقيقة أننا حققنا هذا النجاح، وبنينا مدرجات جديدة وملعب تدريب، لأنك تتحدث الآن عن سوق الانتقالات بالطريقة التي تريدها، لا يوجد نقاش حول المدرجات، ولا حول ملعب التدريب”.
وأردف: “إنها قصة رائعة وستبقى خالدة، أريد أن يستفيد النادي من الفترة التي عملنا فيها معًا بعد رحيلنا”.
وعن النتائج السيئة للفريق حاليًا، قال: “التغيير دائمًا له تأثير، كما أن التغيير يحتاج دائمًا إلى وقت، لو ظل نفس الفريق كما في العام الماضي، مع نونيز ودياز، ووقعت مشاكل بمجرد مشاركتهما، لقال الناس( نعم، كنا بحاجة إلى التغيير)”.
وشدد: “اللاعبون الجدد جيدون جدًا، الأمور لا تسير على ما يرام حاليًا، التطوير يحتاج إلى وقت، والناس بحاجة إلى التكيف، إيزاك مهاجم مذهل، ستندمون على كلامكم بشأن فيرتز، إنه موهبة مذهلة، إيكتيكي لاعب مذهل، إنها تشكيلة رائعة حقًا”.
واختتم: “لو لم يصب قلب الدفاع الشاب (جيوفاني ليوني) بإصابة، لكان الفريق مثاليًا، ظهيران أيسران رائعان، وظهيران أيمنان رائعان، لا داعِ للقلق بشأن ليفربول، سيكونون بخير”.
Amelia Kerr and Matt Henry won top honours at the New Zealand Cricket Awards on Wednesday. Kerr won the Debbie Hockley Medal for being the women’s cricketer of the year while Henry took away its men’s counterpart, the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal.Kerr, 24, won the top honour for an unprecedented third consecutive year in a row. She starred in New Zealand’s maiden Women’s T20 World Cup win last year. She finished with 15 wickets, the most in the competition, and 135 runs, the third-most for New Zealand. She was named Player of the Match in the final and took home the Player-of-the-Tournament award as well and later was named ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, winning the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy.At the NZC awards, Kerr also swept away the Women’s ODI and T20I Player of the Year awards. She averaged 33 with the bat and returned 14 wickets in ODIs. She captained Wellington Blaze to the title, and her 441 runs along with 15 wickets earned her the Women’s Super Smash Player of the Year.”Melie’s consistency, skill, and passion for the game are an inspiration to us all, and I couldn’t be prouder to see her name etched alongside mine once again,” Debbie Hockley said while announcing the winner.Apart from the men’s cricketer of the year honours, Henry was also named New Zealand Men’s Test Player of the Year. He picked up 25 wickets at an average of 20.08 in five matches, including eight wickets in the Bengaluru Test against India last year. Henry was also named the ODI Player of the Year, thanks to his 24 wickets at an average of 15.50. He was instrumental in New Zealand finishing runners-up at the Champions Trophy.Matt Henry completed 100 Test wickets on the tour of India•BCCI
Jacob Duffy was named the Men’s T20I Player of the Year after his 21 wickets at 9.71 made him No. 1 in the ICC men’s T20I bowler rankings. Kane Williamson won the Redpath Cup for men’s first-class batting, while Henry won the Winsor Cup for men’s first-class bowling.Eden Carson picked up 40 wickets in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, New Zealand’s 50-over domestic competition for women, and starred with an unbeaten 59 off 43 balls for winners Otago in a thrilling final. That saw her being named the Women’s Domestic Player of the Year.The Bert Sutcliffe Medal for outstanding service to cricket was awarded to historian Francis Payne. It was in recognition of his contributions to the documentation and preservation of New Zealand cricket history, most notably through his long-standing, 42-year role as co-editor of the New Zealand Cricket Almanack, a publication regarded as the definitive resource for followers of the Kiwi game.Chris Gaffaney, who is in the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires for 2025-26, was named the Umpire of the Year.
2025 New Zealand Cricket Awards winners
Debbie Hockley Medal – Amelia Kerr Sir Richard Hadlee Medal – Matt Henry Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket – Francis Payne Test Player of the Year – Matt Henry Men’s ODI Player of the Year – Matt Henry Women’s ODI Player of the Year – Amelia Kerr Men’s T20I Player of the Year – Jacob Duffy Women’s T20I Player of the Year – Amelia Kerr Men’s Domestic Player of the Year – Brett Hampton Women’s Domestic Player of the Year – Eden Carson Super Smash Men’s Player of the Year – Tom Bruce Super Smash Women’s Player of the Year – Amelia Kerr Redpath Cup (men’s first-class batting) – Kane Williamson Ruth Martin Cup (women’s domestic batting) – Maddy Green Winsor Cup (men’s first-class bowling) – Matt Henry Phyl Blackler Cup (women’s domestic bowling) – Eden Carson New Zealand Umpire of the Year – Chris Gaffaney
O volante Léo Naldi voltou a participar de uma partida com a camisa da Ponte Preta após ficar quatro jogos longe dos gramados por conta de uma lesão dupla no músculo posterior da coxa. Na partida diante do Juventude, Naldi completou 29 jogos pela Macaca e superou a marca de jogos jogos realizados em sua primeira temporada com a camisa da equipe alvinegra, em 2021, quando realizou 27 partidas em toda a temporada.
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A meta agora do volante é superar a marca de jogos realizado na temporada passada: 46 no total. Para que isso aconteça, o volante precisa participar de 19 jogos dos 21 restantes da Macaca na temporada e o foco é justamente esse, retomar a posição e voltar ajudar a Ponte Preta dentro de campo, assim como aconteceu na partida diante do Ju.
– Fico feliz em voltar atuar, principalmente, estou muito agradecido ao Deepartamento Médico, aos meus fisioterapeutas particulares e a todos que me ajudaram, agora quero pensar em bater essa marca e ajudar a Ponte – afirmou.
Naldi também estabeleceu uma meta ainda mais ousada, em sua primeira temporada, o volante marcou 5 gols, em 2022, apenas um e, até aqui, balançou a rede duas vezes, o volante planeja também atingir a meta de gols marcados e superar sua primeira temporada.
– Gols é uma coisa que eu me cobro bastante então espero poder novamente voltar a balançar as redes e quem sabe bater o número também para ajudar dentro de campo – explicou.
Se por um lado, em 2022, Naldi balançou as redes menos vezes, por outro lado, foi o ano em que mais deu assistências, foram cinco no totais, e o jogador que também melhorar no quesito. Neste ano, Naldi deu apenas uma assistência e quer melhorar no fundamento para ajudar a alvinegra.
– As assistências também tem saído, fico muito feliz de ajudar também nesse quesito e, se daqui pra frente, puder evoluir nisso também, vou conseguir evoluir meu desempenho e isso é bom – explicou.
INTERESSE Com contrato com a Macaca até 2025, o volante despertou muito interesse de diversos clubes durante os últimos tempos. Vasco, Botafogo, Fortaleza e clubes do exterior consultaram a situação do jogador junto a Ponte Preta, entretanto a Macaca fez jogo duro para liberar o jogador e pediu o valor integral da multa para liberar o jogador.
De volta aos gramados e, com tudo para retomar o bom momento, a situação nesta janela deve se repetir e a Macaca deve sofrer outras investidas pelo volante que se destaca há pelo menos três temporadas defendendo as cores da equipedeCampinas.
Head coach gets longer contract after being appointed on interim basis last October
Mohammad Isam25-Mar-2025
Phil Simmons took over as Bangladesh’s interim coach last year•BCB
Phil Simmons will continue as Bangladesh’s head coach for the next two years, up until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup. The BCB offered him a longer contract after initially appointing him as interim coach until the conclusion of the 2025 Champions Trophy.”I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work with Bangladesh cricket on a long-term basis,” Simmons, 61, said. “The talent within this team is undeniable, and I believe we have the potential to achieve great things together. I am looking forward to the journey ahead. Having worked with some exceptional players already, I can see the immense promise in this squad. Their skill and passion for the game inspire me daily. Together, we can take Bangladesh cricket to new heights and create something truly special.”Simmons did not have much success in his stint as interim coach. During that period, Bangladesh won one Test and a T20I series in West Indies but crashed out in the group stage of the Champions Trophy after losing to India and New Zealand.”My time with the Bangladesh team over the past few months has been incredibly rewarding,” Simmons said. “The energy, commitment, and ability within this group have been nothing short of impressive. I’m excited to continue helping these players reach their full potential.”The appointment puts to rest speculation on Simmons’ future with Bangladesh and he will not coach Karachi Kings anymore in the PSL. He was Karachi’s head coach since December 2023.Simmons, who is one of four coaches to oversee 400 international matches, was appointed the Bangladesh coach on the same day that the BCB suspended Chandika Hathurusinghe in October.Simmons, who played for West Indies in the 1990s, was previously the head coach of Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan. He also coached West Indies for two terms, winning the T20 World Cup in 2016.
There might be a lot of negative noise circling around Tyneside, but it’s important to remember that the transfer window is just over one week away from closing, and Newcastle United are quietly piecing together a squad capable of challenging at the forefront once again.
Eddie Howe will likely have cast his team’s minds back to last summer, which culminated in frustrations after bids for Premier League stars Marc Guehi and Anthony Elanga proved fruitless.
Nonetheless, the Magpies flew last year, finishing fifth and thus re-entering the Champions League, also winning the Carabao Cup after beating Liverpool at Wembley.
But there’s no question that it’s been difficult, and that welcoming a few more talented players to the fold is paramount if United are to thrive this season.
Who Newcastle could still sign
The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has revealed that Newcastle have narrowed their centre-forward search down to a few select profiles, with Alexander Isak still AWOL and desperate to sign for Liverpool before the transfer deadline.
Yoane Wissa remains the primary target, but Brentford are hardly rolling over, fighting to keep their talisman on the books.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen is on the radar, as is Atletico Madrid’s wantaway striker Alexander Sorloth.
While there is confidence that this conundrum will be wrinkled out in short time, there’s no question that it has had a potentially detrimental effect on Howe’s seasonal preparations.
And at the end of the day, it is Howe and it is the squad and it is the fanbase that has been rocked by this unsavoury saga.
Newcastle, in spite of it all, have signed well this summer, and could complete a positive window if they get a forward over the line.
However, there might be room for a defensive signing too, with sights set on a Premier League star.
Newcastle exploring move for Premier League star
According to Caught Offside, Chelsea are set to sell centre-back Axel Disasi before the end of the transfer window, and a growing number of suitors – including Newcastle – are attentive.
Disasi
Priced at £30m by the Blues, the France international is also on the radar of Napoli and several Ligue 1 clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers having held initial discussions over a possible transfer.
Though Newcastle eased their defensive worries with the signing of Malick Thiaw, there remains a desire to continue to strengthen with European football on the cards once again, and the versatile Disasi could be a shrewd addition.
Why Newcastle should sign Axel Disasi
In August 2023, the now 27-year-old Disasi joined Chelsea from AS Monaco in a £39m package, and he has since played 61 times for the Londoners, scoring five goals and winning a Conference League gold medal last season.
Naturally a central defender, Disasi was deployed as a right-back for much of last season, and his aptitude in the moonlit role showed, for he ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 17% for successful take-ons and the top 11% for aerial battles won per 90 (data via FBref).
Described as a “monster” of a defender by journalist Rahman Osman, Disasi was a part of the staggering influx of signings upon Todd Boehly’s takeover of the west London club.
However he’s struggled after a promising start, and spent the latter half of last season out on loan with Aston Villa.
If Newcastle were to succeed in signing Disasi before the end of the month, they might find that such astute business marks their own version of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi being added to the ranks, with the England international one of the Toon’s top targets in recent years.
Newcastle failed with four bids for the 25-year-old last summer, the last of which totalled a whopping £65m. Now, Guehi looks like he’s headed for Liverpool, but Disasi could ease the blow somewhat, having also found himself cast out of Stamford Bridge, first on loan and then permanently.
Crystal Palace'sMarcGuehilooks dejected.
This is what happened to Guehi, who left Chelsea in 2021 after graduating from their Cobham youth academy, signing for Crystal Palace in an £18m deal after a successful loan spell with Swansea City in the Championship.
Like Disasi, Guehi is confident on the ball and dynamic from an athletic standpoint. As you can see below, he was instrumental in the Eagles’ success last season, joining his French positional peer in winning a major trophy too.
Matches (starts)
34 (34)
Goals
3
Assists
2
Touches*
64.9
Pass completion
84%
Big chances
5
Key passes*
0.5
Ball recoveries*
4.3
Dribbles*
0.4
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
Clearances*
4.6
Duels (won)*
4.9 (59%)
Errors made
2
Guehi is, of course, held in a higher regard, but Disasi might just need a change of scenery and a new home at St. James’ Park to rediscover the form out in his homeland that convinced Chelsea to pay the big bucks to bring him over the Channel.
Given that Jamal Lascelles missed the entirety of last season due to injury and Emil Krafth only clawed back from a lengthy stay in the infirmary in February, existing only on the fringe of Howe’s plans thereafter, it would seem that adding Disasi to the mix could help Newcastle toward their goals.
Disasi would be a welcome addition, potentially adding that extra bit of quality that Howe’s side will need if they are to make further progress after such success last year.
Higher ceiling than Wissa: Newcastle in talks to sign £80m CF this week
Newcastle United are in talks to sign a star who has an even higher ceiling than Wissa.
Chelsea's perfect start to the new Women's Super League season came to an end on Friday night, as the Blues were held to a stalemate by Manchester United in a 1-1 draw. Sonia Bompastor's side began their title defence in winning fashion through each of the first four weeks of the season but that run was stopped by the Red Devils, who avoided defeat for just the second time in 12 meetings with the London club.
It was United who started the better of the two on the night, with Ella Toone taking advantage of all the space afforded to her by the Chelsea midfield, until the Blues broke the deadlock with less than 10 minutes on the clock. It was a great team goal sparked into life and then finished by Wieke Kaptein, but Catarina Macario's backheeled pass which set the Netherlands international up to strike was the highlight of it all.
That lead didn't last long, with Anna Sandberg scoring her first Man Utd goal in style to cancel it out on just 20 minutes. From there, the two exchanged dominant spells, creating plenty of openings apiece. Chelsea's best fell to the scorer, but Kaptein was denied by a brilliant Phallon Tullis-Joyce save, while Melvine Malard really should've given the hosts the lead midway through the second half, only to drag her effort wide after finding herself through on goal. In the end, a point was probably the fair result and the Blues will likely be happy with it to some degree, given they were not at their best on the night.
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Leigh Sports Village…
Getty Images Sport
Goalkeeper & Defence
Hannah Hampton (6/10):
Distribution was good. Didn't have many saves to make.
Ellie Carpenter (6/10):
Kept a handle on Rolfo well overall and offered plenty going forward, both in possession and in her pressing.
Nathalie Bjorn (7/10):
Popped up with a couple of crucial interventions at the back and was very secure on the ball.
Millie Bright (5/10):
Was a little loose in possession at times and had a big lapse in the second half which gifted Malard a chance she should've converted.
Sandy Baltimore (6/10):
Had a tricky task marking Park, who so often drifted inside. Stuck to her task well, though.
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Midfield
Keira Walsh (5/10):
Good in possession but often found herself chasing shadows out of it, which was more due to the set-up of the XI than any of her own faults.
Erin Cuthbert (5/10):
Like Walsh, was part of a midfield that gave the opposition too much space in central areas, something that couldn't be solved by her insane work rate alone.
Wieke Kaptein (6/10):
Pressed well and carried a consistent attacking threat, as best highlighted by her goal, before being subbed off early in the second half as Bompastor switched things around.
Getty Images Sport
Attack
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (5/10):
Posed a real threat to United when she was able to get on the ball and drive down the right, but also had too many periods where she was quiet.
Catarina Macario (7/10):
Did so much hard work out of possession and in holding the ball up to kickstart Chelsea attacks. A fantastic assist for the opening goal, too.
Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10):
Wasn't as much of a goal threat in a wider role, though did have a great chance in the first half which she will want back. Offered other things to the attack there though, with some good drives on the ball especially to get the team forward.
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Subs & Manager
Alyssa Thompson (6/10):
Another lively appearance for the deadline day signing, who did plenty of work on and off the ball down both flanks after being introduced early in the second half.
Sam Kerr (N/A):
Brought plenty of energy to the front line as Chelsea tried to find a late winner.
Sjoeke Nusken (N/A):
Had a little more joy in midfield than Cuthbert, albeit not much.
Guro Reiten (N/A):
A late sub as Bompastor rolled the dice once more and she did make an impact, but couldn't find the breakthrough.
Sonia Bompastor (5/10):
Set up her team in a way which so often gifted United space in midfield, allowing them to spring counter-attacks quickly and put Chelsea under some real pressure at times. Was a surprise that she didn't change that as the game progressed, instead making the midfield lighter with her subs.
Following yet another defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City have now reportedly commenced negotiations to sign a big-money megastar for Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola: Man City missed "simple things"
Whether it’s been Ange Postecoglou, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte or others in charge, Tottenham have remained Man City’s bogey team in one of the most bizarre common occurrences in Premier League history.
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They’ve won a historic treble together whilst also winning four consecutive league titles. Yet, when Spurs come to town, the Citizens consistently endure an afternoon to forget. And, as ever, that proved to be the case this weekend.
This time, it was Thomas Frank in charge as the North London club hit City on the counter before enjoying unexpected control to secure what was, in the end, a comfortable 2-0 victory. On the end of defeat courtesy of Tottenham once more, Guardiola lamented that his side missed the “simple things” against the Lilywhites.
The second goal would have particularly disappointed the Spaniard after new signing James Trafford conceded possession in his own area before Joao Palhinha fired home.
Whilst it will be a learning curve for the young Englishman and one that the likes of John Stones have suffered in the past, Man City are reportedly unwilling to let the same mistake happen twice.
Man City commence talks to sign Donnarumma
According to Fabrizio Romano, Man City have now commenced talks to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma after agreeing personal terms with the Italian.
The Citizens are now in club-to-club negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth less than their initial €50m (£43m) asking price.
Donnarumma has already said farewell to PSG fans and is on the move this month. Whether it is City that secure his signature still depends on Ederson’s future, however.
Reports have indicated that the Brazilian could be heading to Galatasaray and the fact that he’s been benched at the Etihad would suggest that move is very possible, but the Turkish club have less than 10 days to get their deal over the line.
Replacing one of the best goalkeepers in Premier League history will be no easy task for City, but signing a megastar who reportedly earns £11m-a-year would instantly ease any concerns in Manchester.
Bayern Munich extended their winning streak to nine with a 5-1 Champions League win over Pafos on Tuesday. While many have been surprised by the German giants’ form under Vincent Kompany, midfielder and team captain Joshua Kimmich insists it is no accident.
Nine out of nine for Kompany’s men
Bayern ran riot at the Alphamega Stadium on Tuesday thanks to a double from Harry Kane, with Raphael Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Michael Olise also on the scoresheet. Pafos managed a consolation strike through Mislav Orsic just before half-time, but that was as good as it got. Under Kompany, Bayern have now won all nine of their matches this season, scoring 35 goals and conceding only eight. The last time Bayern went on such a run was in the 2012-13 season when they went on to win the treble under Jupp Heynckes.
AdvertisementKompany’s Bayern rise
For Kompany, the turnaround has been remarkable. He joined the German giants from Burnley after their relegation from the Premier League last season, a move that raised plenty of eyebrows. However, his first season saw Bayern storm to the Bundesliga title with 93 goals and just two league defeats. While they missed out on other major trophies, it was a sign of what was to come. Now, with nine wins from nine, the team so far has looked unstoppable.
Getty Images SportKimmich explains Bayern’s secret formula
After the win, captain Kimmich brushed aside any talk of luck, saying Bayern’s form is down to constant hard work. "It's no coincidence that we're getting good results and having this flow," he said. "We work on the basics every three days, on our principles. We put a lot into it. At the moment, we're doing very well to ensure that everyone is functioning and ready. That's a very valuable asset."
The German also praised the unity in the squad, revealing that the training ground is as competitive as the matches themselves.
"Even the players who don't play that much are pushing hard every day and busting their asses. This keeps the level high. Everyone puts their ego aside. We need everyone," he added.
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Getty Images SportPerfect Bayern march on with Frankfurt test
The next test for the league leaders is a high-profile Bundesliga clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. While Kompany is keeping his feet on the ground, the Belgian is well aware of the history his team could be chasing this season.
When it comes to top-level academies around England, it is hard to think of many that are outdoing Arsenal’s Hale End at the moment.
Carrington has its stars, and Cobham has produced an outrageous number of top-flight players, but when it comes to genuinely world-class talent, the North Londoners have it.
For example, Bukayo Saka has already hit that level, Ethan Nwaneri racked up double digits for goal involvements last season, and Myles Lewis-Skelly is now a regular starter for England.
Moreover, at just 15 years old, Max Dowman looks likely to become the youngest player in Champions League history this year, and as if that wasn’t enough, Hale End may already have the next Dowman coming through.
Dowman's rapid rise
While those in the know would have been aware of Dowman for some time, fans first began to hear talk of this wonderkid in the making around this time last season, when he was still just 14 years old.
The teenage prodigy had just become the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Youth League history, and by the time the club’s injury crisis hit its peak in February, there was talk of making a special request for him to be allowed to be included in their Premier League squad.
It was probably a good thing that such a request was never made, though, as it allowed him to finish his stellar campaign with the youth sides, which saw him score 19 goals and provide five assists in just 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes.
Dowman in 24/25
Appearances
23
Minutes
1945′
Goals
19
Assists
5
Goal Involvements per Match
1.04
Minutes per Goal Involvement
81.04′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In other words, despite playing at age levels well beyond his own, the Chelmsford-born gem averaged 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes, which helps to explain the clamour for him to play first-team football this year.
Unsurprisingly, he has not disappointed, winning a penalty at home to Leeds United on his Premier League debut and then being trusted to come off the bench at Anfield when the team were in need of a goal.
Overall, while some of the talk around the young Englishman might sound a little hyperbolic, he is undoubtedly one of the most exciting youngsters to come out of Hale End in years, which is really saying something when you consider the academy graduates already tearing it up in the first team.
Therefore, it’s more than a little exciting that the club might already have another Dowman-level talent on their hands in another 15-year-old prospect.
Arsenal's next Dowman
Arsenal are blessed with a number of promising youngsters in their academy set-up, but in this instance, the gem in question is Marli Salmon.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Now, for those of you who keep up to date with Hale End developments, you’ll know that, unlike Dowman, Salmon is primarily a centre-back, not an attacking midfielder or winger.
However, when we compare the two teenagers, we are not doing so based on their positions, but on the potential they possess and how those in the know perceive them.
For example, Hale End expert Will Balsam has not held back in his assessment of the player, describing him as the academy’s “best defensive prospect in recent memory” and the “perfect combination of freak physical attributes and technical composure.”
Respected analyst Ben Mattinson went even further, claiming that the teenager is a “top top prospect” and the “best CB Hale End has produced.”
It’s not just those on the outside that rate the young Englishman so highly, either, as even though he is still just 16 years old, the club have already moved him up to the U21s.
Moreover, while his fellow Hale Ender grabbed the headlines during pre-season, the promising defender was also given a chance to play for the first team.
He got 13 minutes of action against Newcastle United and 24 against AC Milan, and neither team scored a goal while he was on the pitch.
Ultimately, while Dowman is the talk of the town and looks like he could be a genuine world-beater, we might be talking about Salmon in the same way next season.
Arteta can ignore Merino by unleashing Arsenal star a "bit like Wilshere"
The sensational talent could be the better option for Arteta and Arsenal than Merino.
TossPunjab Kings chose to bowl vs Royal Challengers BengaluruAfter rain kept the players waiting for two-plus hours, Punjab Kings (PBKS) won the toss and unsurprisingly, chose to bowl against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The game has been reduced to a 14-overs-a-side affair with three bowlers being allotted a maximum of four overs and one bowler being allotted a maximum of two.Shreyas Iyer, PBKS’ captain, said that this being a rain-interrupted game with the overs being reduced was the reason behind his decision. The visitors made one big change: Glenn Maxwell, who has had a lean season so far, made way for Marcus Stoinis. Harpreet Brar also came in for the visitors.Rajat Patidar, RCB’s captain, said that they have to be smart in adapting to the situation and conditions. When asked what he made of the conditions, he said it might be “a bit sticky, but the surface looks pretty hard and good to put up a total.”RCB XI: 1 Virat Kohli, 2 Phil Salt, 3 Rajat Patidar (capt), 4 Liam Livingstone, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Tim David, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Josh Hazlewood, 10 Yash Dayal, 11 Suyash SharmaImpact players list: Devdutt Padikkal, Rasikh Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Swapnil SinghPBKS XI: 1 Priyansh Arya, 2 Shreyas Iyer (capt), 3 Shashank Singh, 4 Nehal Wadhera, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Marcus Stoinis, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Harpreet Brar, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Xavier Bartlett, 11 Arshdeep SinghImpact players list: Prabhsimran Singh, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Glenn Maxwell, Suryansh Shedge, Pravin Dubey