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Fast bowler shows good rhythm in first red-ball match since 2021, as Ackermann leads Durham fight

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 23-Jun-2025

Jofra Archer celebrates a wicket on his comeback•PA Photos/Getty Images

Jofra Archer picked up a wicket on his return to red-ball cricket after a 1,501-day hiatus, as a half-century from Colin Ackermann helped Durham fight back on day two of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Sussex.James Coles picked up where he left off for Sussex in the morning and took his side to a competitive total of 361 all out, with him finishing unbeaten on 148.Durham’s response against a Sussex bowling attack which included Archer, got off to a good start, making it to lunch without loss, but they lost skipper Alex Lees just after the break.Archer, whose previous first-class match had come against Kent at Hove in May 2021, then came into the attack and struck during an exciting spell to leave Durham in a spot of bother in the afternoon.However, Durham bounced back in the evening through a partnership worth 76 between Ackermann and Graham Clark, but the loss of Ackermann with the last ball of the day gives Sussex the edge, with Durham on 249 for five and the deficit still 112.Resuming on 322 for nine, unbeaten centurion Coles and number 11 Gurinder Sandhu were at the crease for Sussex.Coles continued to play nicely as he produced a delightful shot down the ground off the bowling of Bas de Leede.Coles then used his feet to launch one down the ground from George Drissell, but the spinner wrapped up the innings just three balls later, bowling Sandhu for eight, leaving Coles unbeaten on 148.Alex Lees and Emilio Gay were tasked with kicking off Durham’s response and they started in a serene manner.Archer then came into the attack and nearly had Gay with his first ball, but Lees was finding things a bit easier as he played a nice on-drive off the bowling of Sandhu which went to the boundary.Gay, who initially found life tough against Archer, managed to break the shackles with two boundaries, one through point and the other off his legs. However, Sussex struck back after lunch as Lees went for 34 when he edged a delivery from Fynn Hudson-Prentice and John Simpson made no mistake behind the stumps.Hudson-Prentice continued to probe and offered few opportunities for run scoring as Will Rhodes and Gay consolidated after the wicket.Meanwhile, Archer gave Rhodes and Gay a working-over with some short stuff, but the Durham batters weren’t falling for the short ball ploy. The England man changed plans and got that vital wicket as he trapped Gay in front for 37, prompting a big celebration from the 30-year-old.Archer’s second spell of six overs went for just eight runs, so Durham decided to take the game to Carson as Rhodes and Ackermann picked up a couple of boundaries to relieve some pressure.Rhodes then played a glorious straight drive from a Robinson ball which went to the boundary, but he then chipped one straight to Daniel Hughes at cover for 24 to hand the economical Hudson-Prentice a second wicket of the day.That brought Durham’s OIlie Robinson to the crease before tea and he decided to take on Hudson-Prentice, picking up 11 runs from four balls, more than he’d gone for in his previous eight overs.Archer returned after tea, with Durham’s Robinson edging one which dropped just short of John Simpson, but he bounced back with two consecutive fours including a dab to third region.Ackermann then played a glorious cover drive off the bowling of Archer for four, but the fluent Robinson fell to Sandhu for 34 as he nicked one down the legside and Simpson produced an excellent diving catch to his left.Graham Clark came to the crease and absorbed a bit of pressure before he started to put his foot to the accelerator with back-to-back pull shots from Hudson-Prentice going to the boundary and he followed that up with a cut shot for four.Ackermann joined Clark in the hunt for boundaries when he swept a Coles delivery to the rope and the number four passed fifty for the fourth time this season from 115 balls.Ackermann, who looked good throughout the innings, was then bowled by Sandhu for 65 with the final ball of the day, which leaves Durham five-down while the deficit is still 112.

Leeds United will hope they can consolidate themselves as a Premier League club this season, with another promotion hunt on the cards to get up to the top-flight, not the most attractive proposition.

Instead, Daniel Farke’s Whites will pray they can comfortably stay up, despite all the weighty pressure against them, and become a top-flight regular again, much like their heyday in the 90s when Champions League football was even on the menu.

The German is working against his own label as an unproven manager at the very top, too, with a relegation blotting his otherwise sparkling CV in England when at the helm of Norwich City.

Still, the early signs suggest Leeds could be here to stay, with the Whites in a promising 11th spot at the time of writing, after a Sean Longstaff-led effort clinched a 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth last time out.

Longstaff's promising start at Leeds

Longstaff nearly held the individual honour of being Leeds’ match-winner against the Cherries, with his fierce effort that cannoned in off the post, gifting his new employers a slim 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, Bournemouth had other ideas late on when Eli Kroupi scored a last-gasp equaliser, but Andoni Iraola’s men snatching a share of the points shouldn’t detract too much from Longstaff’s sublime showings all season long.

Up against their South Coast visitors, the former Newcastle United man would amazingly notch up seven key passes.

One of those passes saw Joe Rodon head home from an inch-perfect corner kick delivery – while also showing off a fiery side to his game when winning a high ten duels to keep plugging away up against the likes of former Leeds man Tyler Adams, lining up for the away team.

It will just be up to the brand new Leeds number 8 to keep up this sterling, having often fallen victim to recurring injury issues at St James’ Park that saw him fade into the background under Eddie Howe.

Chalkboard

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

For just £12m, however, Leeds look to have struck gold on an instant bargain. Yet, it could be argued that the Whites gave up an even bigger talent than Longstaff last summer, when parting ways with a midfielder for a mere £3.7m.

Former Leeds star is now better than Longstaff

Leeds have fallen foul of many blunders in recent transfer windows, with their summer activity before their relegation out of the top-flight come the end of the 2022/23 season seeing them purchase many a half-hearted presence.

Faces such as Rasmus Kristensen, Luis Sinisterra, and the aforementioned Adams would all down their tools after their demise to the Championship was confirmed, with Marc Roca also falling into this bracket of failed signings who then shied away from the intense battles to follow in the EFL.

The seven-time Spain international would only go on to make 36 first-team appearances in West Yorkshire before then packing his bags to head to his native country initially on loan, after the Whites crashed out of the promised land.

He did show signs of his top-flight quality for Leeds, even if he did sour his relationship with the club when exiting at the first possible chance after relegation, with one goal and two assists being notched up by the 28-year-old in Premier League action sticking out, alongside winning a high 4.1 duels per game

Games played

26

14

Goals scored

2

2

Assists

2

2

Touches*

56.7

47.2

Accurate passes*

38.1 (85%)

32.9 (88%)

Ball recoveries*

5.7

3.6

Total duels won*

3.7

2.4

Former Leeds favourite Tony Dorigo would even hail Roca as a “wonderful” talent when displaying these bursts of quality, with the Real Betis number 21 further validating that his stint in England was an off-spell by starring in La Liga consistently.

Indeed, when looking at the table in greater detail, it’s clear that Roca is a similar level talent to Longstaff or even greater, with 5.7 ball recoveries on average sticking out during his debut season back on Spanish soil. Longstaff, despite his energetic Yorkshire beginnings, has only averaged 2.7 to date.

He even reminded English crowds of what he is capable of recently when assisting Antony’s leveller in the Europa League against Nottingham Forest.

With the Spaniard also capable of slotting in at left-back or as a centre-back if needed, it could well be now that Leeds look back on the sale of the “outstanding” – as he has been labelled by journalist Jose Rodriguez for his efforts in La Liga – Catalonian as one they regret, especially for such a low amount at £3.7m.

Still, the proof will be in the pudding as to whether Roca is a stronger talent than Longstaff or not come the end of the season, as the Newcastle-born number eight attempts to make his showing against Bournemouth a commonplace expectation.

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Wayne Rooney has bemoaned one “crazy” West Ham United “problem” and Graham Potter’s “lack of belief”, following the recent 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.

West Ham suffer another setback against Crystal Palace

Potter appears to be on very thin ice after the 2-1 defeat at home against Crystal Palace last time out, with the West Ham hierarchy now running the rule over potential replacements.

Following the most recent loss, the Hammers are 19th in the Premier League table, having tasted defeat in four of their opening five games, with Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche also entering the frame as potential Potter replacements.

In the wake of yet another loss, Rooney has bemoaned the Hammers’ inability to defend set-pieces, while also calling into question the atmosphere at the club.

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The former Manchester United man said: “I analysed the set-pieces yesterday, last night, on Match of the Day and it’s all second balls. Graham Potter came out and said they’ve been working on set plays, so as a coach there’s only so much you can do, but they’re not winning the first header and the problem is they’re not reacting quick enough, and then the second ball, they’re conceding goals.

“So, it’s crazy to concede seven from five, but when you have a lack of confidence and a lack of belief – I think that’s clear with the West Ham players and the fans as well I can imagine. There’s a lack of a belief in the team, and it looks like the owners and the manager.”

Potter must fix defensive issues to keep his job

Defending from set-pieces has undoubtedly been a major issue for the Irons, with Potter saying: “We’ve addressed [our weakness from dead-balls] and we’re working to improve it. We conceded too many, had to defend a lot. That is something we also have to look at. It’s just constant work on the training ground.”

However, having been in the dugout since January, the 50-year-old has had more than enough time to fix the glaring problems, and there have been very few promising signs, winning just six of the 25 games he has taken charge of.

The Hammers have also conceded 13 goals already this season, the highest number of any Premier League side, so it is clear their top-flight status could be in jeopardy if there is not either a radical improvement or a change in manager.

While he arguably wouldn’t be the flashiest of appointments, Dyche could be a solid option for West Ham, at least on a short-term basis, having led Everton to safety when the Toffees were in a similar position.

Jaffer said that CSK shut shop too quickly if Shivam Dube falls in chases

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-20252:46

Jaffer: ‘If top order doesn’t fire, CSK shut shop early’

Wasim Jaffer believes Chennai Super Kings (CSK) look “rattled” in IPL 2025, adding that their batting order doesn’t even “look like they’re trying” once Shivam Dube gets out. Mark Boucher, meanwhile, feels things are not “happening the way it used to before” for the side. In the 184-run chase against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Chepauk, CSK’s batters once again misfired as they suffered their third consecutive loss of the season.”They’re losing too many wickets upfront,” Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show. “Whether it’s form or poor shot selection, whether it’s selection alone, and maybe throwing around too many players and those players might be feeling like, ‘I don’t know if I’m in or out’, and that could be something we’re not used to when looking at a Chennai team. Usually, they’re stable, a good decision-making team and franchise. The team is like they’re a bit rattled at the moment.”With captain Ruturaj Gaikwad dropping himself to No. 3, CSK opened with Rachin Ravindra and Rahul Tripathi in the first three games. But with Tripathi making a total of just 30 runs, he was replaced by Devon Conway. The move did not pay off against DC, with the top-three batters falling inside the powerplay, which brought in Shivam Dube while they needed 143 runs at an asking rate close to ten runs an over. But after Dube fell for 18 in the tenth over, CSK found it hard to get going.Related

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“If their top order doesn’t fire and Dube gets out, it looks like they shut shop very quickly,” Jaffer said. “They feel really, really behind the game and it doesn’t even look like they’re trying. That approach has been the most surprising to me; it’s twice in two games, where they shut shop too early. That’s a major concern for CSK.”Dube’s dismissal was followed by an 84-run stand between MS Dhoni and Vijay Shankar, but they didn’t look like they would get close to chasing down the target. They were risk-averse, scoring just three fours and a six between overs ten and 18.This was CSK’s second faltered chase at home. They suffered a 50-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where they were reduced to 26 for 3 in the fifth over after conceding 196 for 7. They also failed to chase 183 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati, falling six runs short after batting out 20 overs.They have also used 17 players this season – more than they did in the entirety of the 2015 (14) and 2021 (16) IPL editions.”Their top order is really struggling,” Boucher said. “And we talk about your lower order which has been historically very strong and finishing off games, the [Ravindra] Jadejas, the Dhonis – the Dhoni little cameos that they usually have – they’re walking in just after ten overs. So, there’s a lot left to do from just a batsmanship perspective, and that’s where they’re getting it wrong.””The players that they had picked in the auction before – they picked Ajinkya Rahane, Robin Uthappa, [Ambati] Rayudu who are way past their prime – and they came and performed,” Jaffer said. “But that is not happening with this CSK: they picked Tripathi, they picked Deepak Hooda, and even Vijay Shankar. But things are not happening the way it used to.”

Still in the market for an attacking reinforcement even after signing Jack Grealish, Everton have now reportedly been handed a major boost in pursuit of a top target.

Moyes "looking forward" to "best version" of Grealish

It wasn’t so long ago that Grealish was breaking records by becoming the most expensive British player of all time, and everyone involved at Everton will be desperate to see a player worthy of that £100m price tag arrive and not the version that Manchester City have witnessed in the last couple of years.

There’s plenty of debate over whether the former Aston Villa man ever truly lived up to his price at The Etihad, but it’s hard to forget the impact that he made during their infamous treble-winning campaign – even if that was not reflected through goals.

That’s the calibre of player that Everton have welcomed to The Hill Dickinson and David Moyes is keen to see the “best version” of that player.

Whether Grealish will be ready to make his Everton debut as soon as Monday’s Premier League opener against Leeds United remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that he’ll play a key role in the Toffees season with minutes under his belt.

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His arrival was a statement of intent by The Friedkin Group and they’re not done there on the transfer front. In fact, reports are now suggesting that they’ve received a major boost in pursuit of a La Liga star.

Kubo now wants to leave Sociedad amid Everton interest

According to reports in Spain, Takefusa Kubo has now asked to leave Real Sociedad following news that Everton submitted an opening offer to secure his signature earlier this summer.

Initial offers from those in Merseyside as well as from West Ham United and Bournemouth were believed to be around the €40m-mark (£35m) and, therefore, short of the winger’s €60m (£52m) release clause. As such, it would be easy to assume that all parties are still fairly far apart in negotiations, but Kubo’s request to leave could yet soften Sociedad’s stance in a major boost for Everton and others.

Since earning the praise of scout Jacek Kulig, who dubbed his start to the 2023/24 campaign as “fantastic”, Kubo has only kicked on and deservedly earned interest from the Premier League.

It’s a new era at Tottenham Hotspur, and the imminent departure of iconic captain Heung-min Son perhaps best encapsulates the changing of the guard.

After winning the Europa League in May, Daniel Levy decided to dismiss Ange Postecoglou and bring in Brentford boss Thomas Frank, who has done such good work in west London.

Ange left a hero, but it was probably the correct decision, for Spurs finished 17th in the Premier League and looked so susceptible defensively.

But he made a promise, and he kept that promise.

It’s a new era, but Tottenham’s pre-season preparations with Frank at the helm haven’t been without their disruptions. Son is set to play his football away from N17, and James Maddison faces a lengthy return to the infirmary.

Pre-season blows at Spurs

Son, having won silverware in his final competitive month at Tottenham, has established legendary status at the club. However, he will leave having restored title-winning success, closing in on a move to LAFC in the United States.

This has been coming, but the departure of a key attacking talent has been exacerbated by the cruel injury suffered by Maddison in pre-season last weekend, stretchered off against Newcastle United with a suspected knee injury.

Following the Morgan Gibbs White debacle, failing in their pursuit of the Nottingham Forest playmaker after being accused of an illegal approach, this is a bleak setback for Frank’s project in its infancy.

And Son’s exit too highlights the need for reinforcements, with the new Premier League season less than two weeks away.

All in all, though, banking £20m for a player who is on the decline, no matter how influential, is decent business for the Lilywhites, but they will need to sign a replacement, even having landed West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus for a £55m fee.

Spurs lining up deal for CL superstar

According to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, 24, withis set for face-to-face talks with president Florentino Perez as his future continues to be a talking point amid Tottenham interest.

Despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool this summer, it’s beginning to look like Spurs are the most likely destination for the Brazil international, should he jump ship this summer.

Son’s departure opens up a window of opportunity for the outfit, who are now expected to formally pursue a deal and secure Frank a marquee man at the beginning of his tenure.

Why Spurs must push for Rodrygo

Kudus is a fantastic winger who will add some electric athleticism to Tottenham’s senior set-up, but he’s not yet proven himself to be a goalscoring presence in the vein of Son.

Rodrygo, however, is “terrifyingly good” in front of goal, so says Sky Sports reporter Sam Tighe, having scored 50 goals across the past three campaigns with Real Madrid despite having routinely played out of position on the right flank.

Because of this, Rodrygo’s natural aptitude for making the net bulge suggests that he could fit right into life at Tottenham as Son’s successor, for he actually clinched six goals and six assists apiece over just 12 games as a left-sided forward in 2024/25, limited in his natural position due to Vincius Junior’s presence.

The South Korean has been recorded to have been the statistical best finisher in football since 2014, one year before his Tottenham career commenced, and is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous Premier League wingers of his generation.

Big boots to fill, but that’s why Rodrygo is perfect. The Brazilian is accustomed to pressure, having played out the lion’s share of his senior years at the biggest club in the world, and is dynamic enough that his goalscoring ability, described as “unstoppable” by Madrid columist Kiyan Sobhani when at its slickest, is built atop a wide-ranging skill set.

As you can see below, the two forwards actually rank up rather similarly over the past year, so he could dovetail right in, especially with Frank being something of an expert at raising the level of his wide forwards.

Rodrygo vs Heung-min Son (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)	Rodrygo	Son
Goals	0.35	0.32
Assists	0.22	0.32
Shots taken	2.54	2.46
Shot-creating actions	4.56	4.89
Pass completion	85.7%	78%
Touches (att pen)	5.84	4.70
Progressive passes	4.69	4.28
Progressive carries	5.07	5.41
Successful take-ons	2.15	1.59
Data via FBref

However, Rodrygo’s tactical dynamism and propensity for success across a range of positions have also seen him likened to Maddison by data-powered site FBref, along with Son.

Maddison, 28, faces the unknown once again, and the potential loss of his creativity and passing for a large chunk of the upcoming term is a concerning thought indeed.

However, Rodrygo has the skill set to add some sparkle to the playmaking side of the Tottenham system, averaging just north of a key pass per game across the entirety of his Real Madrid career, as per WhoScored.

Let’s not forget, Maddison blew the Premier League away upon signing for Tottenham, picking up the division’s Player of the Month award for August 2023 as he served as the fulcrum of Postecoglou’s staggering start to life at the helm.

The Real Madrid man’s 85.7% pass completion average further bespeaks his ability to promote fluency and control through deeper build-up phases of play, something Frank will undoubtedly look to capture and direct as he implements a slower, more controlled style of football than that of his predecessor.

Ultimately, Tottenham have suffered a setback through the injury to Maddison. It’s not what was needed as Son prepared for his poignant send-off.

However, there remains almost a month of the market being open for business, and if Levy can pull off a deal for Rodrygo, there’s no question that this football club will be primed for success on an even grander stage than the 2024/25 season.

The Premier League season is upon us, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is determined to reclaim his crown.

It’s curious to think that Guardiola is entering the campaign as something of an underdog as far as the title chase is concerned, but perhaps the critics are forgetting that the peerless tactician will have a chip on his shoulder, and that he’s responded from a bump in the road with a domestic double in 2020/21, winning the top-flight title and the Carabao Cup.

But there’s no denying City were reduced to a state of mortality last season, at times so vulnerable in defence and lacking throughout the seamless fluency and grace that the manager’s illustrious project has come to be defined by.

With Guardiola ostensibly stepping into the penultimate year of his contract, he will demand nothing less than glory from both himself and his squad.

Let’s have a look at the state of play.

The state of play at Man City

Manchester City haven’t quite completed as noisy a rebuild as some of their prominent Premier League rivals, but that hardly denotes a worrying transfer window for Pep and his suits.

The dethroned champions have won six of the past seven league titles, and despite losing Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish, have added to their ranks talents such as Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Ait-Nouri to recalibrate the creative flow.

James Trafford has also been added between the sticks in a £31m deal, but with Ederson’s future up in the air, it’s felt that a bid is forthcoming for ostracised Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

These are all good signings, perhaps ingredients from which the Spanish boss can work his magic. But given that down the M62, Arne Slot’s Liverpool, the reigning champions, have made sweeping, startling changes, more could be required.

Liverpool are gearing up to sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but the Etihad Stadium side may well plan to land their own version of the Swedish forward.

Man City eyeing marquee signing

According to sources in Spain, Man City are preparing a seismic offer for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, with Guardiola having registered his interest in the Brazil forward this month.

The trophy-winning outfit haven’t splurged nearly as much as some of their rivals this summer, and have the means to fork out a significant fee on the 24-year-old, who Los Blancos have valued at €100m (£86m).

With Tottenham Hotspur chasing a deal for Savinho, completion there would accelerate the Sky Blues’ bid. This one will likely drag into the closing stages of the window.

What Rodrygo would bring to Man City

It’s impossible to accurately predict how each side will fare in the build-up to any given campaign. Invariably, certain players and clubs exceed expectations, while others shock the world with their withering away.

However, it would be fair to suggest that Man City expect to improve on their woes from last season, finishing third with and losing the FA Cup, going trophyless but for success in the Community Shield.

And should they complete a marquee move for Rodrygo, the chances of returning to their finest form increase exponentially. He is that good.

Hailed as “the jewel in the crown” by one analyst discussing Real Madrid, Rodrygo struggled to reach his peak levels last year and maybe even fell by the wayside, unable to break his duck across his last 17 La Liga matches and only scored six times in the division.

However, the right-footer was also limited to performances on the right flank, and he prepares to peel off the left so as to maximise his goalscoring potential. Across all competitions, he featured 12 times as a left winger in 2024/25, scoring six goals and supplying six assists.

Should Guardiola succeed in energising Rodrygo’s potency, he might land his answer to Isak, who could secure his place as Liverpool’s talisman in the coming weeks.

The South American star would rival Erling Haaland as the club’s standout forward – marking an upgrade on Savinho – by turns supplying the Norwegian and then cutting into space and striking on goal himself. Given that he only missed one big chance in the Spanish top-flight last term, via Sofascore, prolific levels could be achieved by a manager in Guardiola, who certainly knows what he’s doing on the tactical front.

Rodrygo vs Savinho (past 365 days)

Stats (per 90)

Rodrygo

Savinho

Goals

0.35

0.08

Assists

0.22

0.35

Shots taken

2.54

2.77

Shot-creating actions

4.56

5.15

Pass completion

85.7%

80.6%

Touches (att pen)

5.84

7.57

Progressive passes

4.69

3.19

Progressive carries

5.07

6.61

Successful take-ons

2.15

2.69

Data via FBref

Even after his lowest ebb, the £209k-per-week talent managed to far outstrip the talented but untapped Savinho from an output perspective, and he has the physical and technical skills to rise further still, with his teammate Jude Bellingham even saying that he’s “probably the most talented and most gifted player in the squad.”

Securing a world-class winger of his distinction, who is versatile and can play across the frontline, thus aligning with Pep’s demands of his forwards, could certainly prove the answer to Isak, who is sure to bring more goals to the Anfield table than his predecessor Darwin Nunez, should he sign for Liverpool this month.

Rodrygo, moreover, has a remarkable track record in the Champions League; City know all too well the Brazilian’s prowess in the knockout rounds. This is something that could bear dividends as the club quest for their second title in Europe’s elite competition.

Isak might have scored 27 goals across all competitions last season, but Rodrygo has the capacity to rain both goals and assists on Man City’s opponents next season, and across multiple competitions at that.

There seems to be a strange kind of deflation around the expectations of England’s dominant team of the age, but rivals and critics can doubt the Etihad side at their own peril.

Guardiola’s done it all before, and so, interestingly, has Rodrygo.

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كشفت رابطة الدوري الإسباني عن جائزة رجل مباراة نادي برشلونة أمام نظيره ريال أوفييدو ، والتي لعبت اليوم الخميس ضمن منافسات المسابقة المحلية.

وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال أوفييدو اليوم الخميس، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

واستطاع برشلونة قلب تأخره بهدف أمام ريال أوفييدو، إلى انتصار مثير بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف واحد، حيث حافظ البلوجرانا على مركز الوصافة في الليجا.

وبات لدى برشلونة 16 نقطة في المركز الثاني على سلم ترتيب الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى، وذلك خلف ريال مدريد بنقطتين فقط والمتصدر ب18 نقطة بالعلامة الكاملة.

أقرأ أيضًا .. فيديو | أراوخو يسجل هدف برشلونة الثالث أمام ريال أوفييدو

وتم اختيار مدافع نادي برشلونة، إريك جارسيا، كرجل مباراة البلوجرانا وريال أوفييدو، بعد مستواه في لقاء اليوم.

جارسيا لعب بشكل جيد للغاية وسجل هدف برشلونة الأول، والذي كان بوابة انتصار الفريق الكتالوني اليوم.

ولعب جارسيا في لقاء اليوم كظهير أيمن، لكن اللاعب أصبح ظهيرًا أيسر في شوط اللقاء الثاني بعد خروج جيرارد مارتن.

ويعول مدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، على جارسيا بشكل أساسي خلال هذا الموسم، وذلك في ظل مستوى اللاعب المميز.

استقر يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، على تشكيل فريقه في مباراة نظيره المصري اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وتقام المباراة على استاد برج العرب بالإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2025-2026.

طالع.. خاص | سبب استبعاد شيكو بانزا من مباراة الزمالك والمصري

ويحتل المصري المركز الأول في جدول ترتيب الدوري برصيد 11 نقطة من 5 مباريات، بعدما حقق 3 انتصارات وتعادل مرتين

فيما يأتي الزمالك ثانيًا برصيد 10 نقاط، جمعها من الفوز في 3 مباريات والتعادل مرة والخسارة في أخرى.

تشكيل الزمالك أمام المصري في الدوري.. آدم كايد أساسيًا تشكيل الزمالك المتوقع أمام المصري

حراسة المرمى: محمد صبحي

خط الدفاع: محمود بنتايج وحسام عبد المجيد ومحمد إسماعيل أو صلاح مصدق، عمر جابر

خط الوسط: دونجا – ناصر ماهر – عبد الله السعيد

خط الهجوم: خوان بيزيرا – عدي الدباغ – عبد الحميد معالي.

So far, this summer has been a brilliant one for Chelsea.

The Blues are the last English side at the Club World Cup and stand a great chance of winning it all.

On top of that, the fans haven’t had to wait very long for the club to bring in some exciting players, with the likes of Liam Delap and Mamadou Sarr already through the door.

Moreover, João Pedro completed his medical yesterday afternoon. However, if reports are to be believed, he could have some serious competition next season as the West Londoners are now linked with a goalscorer who’d be an even more exciting signing than the Brazilian.

Chelsea target goalscoring machine

With Champions League football back on the agenda for Chelsea next season, the Blues have been linked with a plethora of incredibly exciting attackers in recent weeks, such as Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The former is reportedly available for around £60m, and managed to rack up a haul of 19 goal involvements in 33 games this season, while the latter could cost up to £60m and recorded a tally of 21 goal involvements in 58 games.

However, while both players would surely help improve the West Londoners’ squad and offensive options, neither one plays up top and therefore wouldn’t really be competition for Pedro, unlike Hugo Ekitiké.

Yes, according to a recent report from The Athletic, Chelsea have maintained their interest in the Eintracht Frankfurt star from earlier in the season.

The report claims that the prolific Frenchman is still ‘being monitored’ by the Blues, despite the signing of the Brighton ace.

A potential price is not mentioned in the story, but according to reports from late last month, the 23-year-old is valued at €100m by his club, which is around £85m.

It would be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but one Chelsea should pursue, as Ekitike would be a more exciting signing than Pedro.

Why Ekitike would be a more exciting signing than Pedro

What is it that excites football fans more than anything else? Goals, goals and more goals.

Therefore, the first and arguably most important reason why Ekitike would end up being a more exciting signing than Pedro is the simple fact that he is a far more effective scorer and assister of goals.

For example, in 48 appearances this season, totalling 3644 minutes, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace scored a mammoth 22 goals and provided 12 assists for good measure.

Appearances

48

30

Minutes

3644′

2136′

Goals

22

10

Assists

12

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.70

0.56

Minutes per Goal Involvement

107.17

125.64′

That means he was able to maintain an average of a goal involvement every 1.41 games, or every 107.17 minutes.

In contrast, the former Brighton star scored ten goals and provided seven assists in 30 appearances, totalling 2136 minutes, which comes out to a less impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.76 games, or every 125.64 minutes.

Okay then, after goals, what else do fans want to see when they watch football?

Well, for our money, we reckon they want to see attackers running at, taking on and beating opposition defenders, either through intricate skill or marauding strength.

Interestingly, this is once again another area in which the Frankfurt star, whom journalist Graeme Bailey once dubbed the “next Mbappé,” comes out on top.

According to FBref, he outperforms the new Blues ace in successful take-ons, carries into the final third and into the penalty area, all per 90.

Therefore, he’s not only likely to score more goals than the Brazilian, but he’s also likely to cause more mayhem for the opposition’s backline to boot.

Ultimately, both strikers would be excellent additions to Chelsea’s squad, but from everything we’ve examined here, it looks like Ekitike would be the more exciting signing.

Chelsea offered £337k-per-week ex-Aston Villa star with decision made

They once came close to signing him.

ByEmilio Galantini Jul 1, 2025