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Lack of clear favourite in South Group promises intriguing quarter-final race

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jun-2021EssexLast season: 5th in South Group
Coach: Anthony McGrath
Captain: Simon Harmer
Overseas players: Harmer, James NeeshamChampionship contrast: The leading red-ball side in the country over the last few years, Essex have been inconsistent in T20 – perhaps in part because they rely on a similar group of players having to make the switch between formats. The likes of Alastair Cook and Nick Browne will make way, with Varun Chopra coming in to add power at the top of the order, probably alongside Tom Westley. Jimmy Neesham’s all-round ability should help balance the side, while youngsters like Aron Nijjar and Ben Allison could get opportunities.Key man: Ryan ten Doeschate will turn 41 at the end of the month but he continues to show that age is one of the least-significant numbers for the analysts to crunch. Having helped Essex to lift their maiden T20 title in 2019, he had his best campaign in several years last summer, finishing as Essex’s top-scorer and with a strike rate above his career average. Championship form has been middling but the Blast might help free him up.Ryan ten Doeschate is still flying the 40-plus flag•Getty ImagesOne to watch: The latest young Essex seamer to catch the eye is Jack Plom, a neat-and-tidy right-armer who claimed seven wickets in his five appearances last year, to go with an impressive economy of 7.74. The 21-year-old is a former England Under-19 and comes into the competition in wicket-taking form for Essex in the 2nd XI T20 competition.Verdict: Squeeze into the quarter-finals and, like in 2019, who knows what might happen?Bet365: 12/1GlamorganLast season: 5th in Central Group
Coach: Matt Maynard
Captain: Chris Cooke
Overseas players: Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Ingram, Michael NeserChampionship contrast: Colin Ingram is the key addition, while Prem Sisodiya’s left-arm spin should be effective in the Powerplay again, but the core of players is largely the same. Marnus Labuschagne is expected to play ahead of Michael Neser in the second overseas spot.Key man: Colin Ingram, Glamorgan’s all-time leading run-scorer in T20 cricket, returns to Cardiff after missing last year’s Blast. He was not at his best in the Big Bash and the PSL earlier this year and turns 36 towards the end of the group stage but is undoubtedly the key man in their batting line-up, not least with last year’s leading run-scorer, Andy Balbirnie, not returning.Labuschagne has limited T20 experience•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Marnus Labuschagne’s presence brings intrigue: he has played only 16 T20s in his career with a middling record, though was effective as an anchor and leggie in a handful of games for Brisbane Heat in early 2021. He is available throughout after logistical concerns denied him a spot in Australia’s enlarged white-ball squad to tour the Caribbean and has openly targeted a place in the T20 World Cup squad later this year.Verdict: Plenty of spin options but Cardiff tends to favour seamers, where they are lighter. Quarter-final hopes depend heavily on Ingram, Labuschagne and Chris Cooke’s runs from the middle order. Bet365: 33/1GloucestershireLast season: 1st in Central Group, semi-finalists
Coach: Ian Harvey
Captain: Jack Taylor
Overseas players: Glenn Phillips, Graeme van Buuren, Daniel WorrallChampionship contrast: Jack Taylor and Benny Howell come into the side while Ian Cockbain, Tom Smith and George Scott are all better-suited to the shorter format and Daniel Worrall’s new-ball swing bowling should be effective. After consecutive innings defeats in the Championship, a change in formats comes at the right time.Key man: Gloucestershire were dominant last season before losing an 11-over shoot-out in the semi-finals, and Glenn Phillips could be the missing piece in the jigsaw. An ultra-attacking middle-order batter who has cemented his spot in New Zealand’s T20I side, he has honed his game against spin across four seasons playing for Jamaica Tallawahs in the CPL, and is likely to keep wicket with James Bracey on England duty.Dent’s T20 reinvention took everyone by surprise last summer•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Chris Dent had not played a T20 since 2016 and had a dreary record in the format heading into last summer, but teed off at the top of the order, striking at 153.30 and finishing second to Cockbain in Gloucestershire’s run charts. Training using weighted bats with the power-hitting coach Julian Wood appears to have transformed his white-ball game.Verdict: Dark horses no more, after reaching Finals Day for the first time since 2004 last summer. For a squad filled with canny and underestimated T20 operators, anything less than a second visit to Edgbaston in a row would be a failure. Bet365: 16/1HampshireLast season: 6th in South Group
Coach: Adi Birrell
Captain: James Vince
Overseas players: Kyle Abbott, Colin de Grandhomme, D’Arcy ShortChampionship contrast: The core of the team is the same. James Vince is captain in both formats and forms part a strong spine alongside Sam Northeast, Liam Dawson, Lewis McManus and Kyle Abbott, with the likes of James Fuller and Chris Wood adding power and nous. D’Arcy Short was a success at the top of the order for Durham two seasons ago, Colin de Grandhomme can play the finisher’s role and provide useful overs, and Mason Crane’s legspin should be a trump card.James Vince was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2020-21 Big Bash•Getty ImagesKey man: Vince is one of the leading T20 batsmen in the world – over the last two years, only Alex Hales has scored more runs than him in the major domestic leagues, during which time he has twice helped Sydney Sixers to the Big Bash title. A member of the Hampshire golden generation that won the tournament in 2010 and 2012, Vince’s ability to set the tone could be key for the current side.One to watch: Crane was the side’s leading wicket-taker last season and seems forever on the fringes of international selection (when fit). Having spent the winter touring as a reserve with England, the Blast provides an ideal opportunity to press his credentials again after limited opportunities in the early stages of the Championship.Verdict: Serial Finals Day attendees a decade ago, Hampshire only won two games last year. Improving shouldn’t be hard but a return to the glory days seems less straightforward.Bet365: 10/1KentLast season: 3rd in South Group
Coach: Matt Walker
Captain: Sam Billings
Overseas players: Qais Ahmad, Adam Milne, Heino KuhnChampionship contrast: Depleted four-day squad will be bolstered by return of Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore from injury, and Fred Klaassen from international duty. Alex Blake is on a white-ball contract, while Joe Denly and Daniel Bell-Drummond will relish a change in formats. Sam Billings’ availability may be limited by England duty. Will there be room for Darren Stevens, whose last T20 game for Kent was in 2017?Denly will be Kent’s most important allrounder•Getty ImagesKey man: Joe Denly missed two Championship games for personal reasons last month but made a fluent 63 in his return last week. He will likely anchor the innings with Daniel Bell-Drummond – who enjoyed a breakthrough T20 season last summer, with 423 runs at a strike rate of 154.94 – given licence to go hard, and in the absence of the retired Imran Qayyum, his legspin will be relied upon in the middle overs and possibly in the Powerplay too.One to watch: Mohammad Amir’s 11th-hour withdrawal means Adam Milne returns for a fourth Blast season as the spearhead of Kent’s attack, and his record for the club – 38 wickets at 19.10, with an economy rate of 7.34 – is testament to his effectiveness in all three phases of an innings, bowling at speeds in excess of 90mph/145kph. His recent form has won him a T20I recall, but careful management will be required, given his injury history.Verdict: Consistently quarter-final contenders and should challenge again despite Qayyum’s retirement leaving a hole to fill. Bet365: 12/1MiddlesexLast season: 4th in South Group
Coach: Stuart Law
Captain: Eoin Morgan
Overseas players: Chris Green, Daryl Mitchell, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Paul StirlingChampionship contrast: A break from four-day cricket is possibly just what Middlesex need, after six defeats in eight in the Championship. Eoin Morgan is available for the start of the competition and there will be a familiar face donning T20 pink again as Paul Stirling returns to his old county for the first five games as an overseas signing. Steven Finn, having played just two Championship fixtures, is likely to deputise as captain when Morgan is with England, and youngsters such as James Cracknell, Luke Hollman and Blake Cullen will come into contention.Key man: Legspinners are high up the list of must-haves in T20, and Middlesex could field two in Hollman – who also offers with the bat – and Nathan Sowter. The latter is Middlesex’s senior spinner in white-ball cricket, and his T20 record is solid; over the last two Blast seasons, Matt Parkinson and Simon Harmer are the only spinners to have had more success.Max Holden acknowledges his maiden T20 hundred•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Max Holden was dropped from the Championship XI after averaging 14.77 from 10 innings, but he seems set to be given a chance to rediscover his spark in the shortest form. Holden scored a maiden T20 hundred from 59 balls at Chelmsford last year and his opening partnership with Stevie Eskinazi could be key.Verdict: A middle-of-the-pack side on paper but Morgan’s presence and some decent overseas signings could lift them into contention. Bet365: 12/1SomersetLast season: 4th in Central Group
Coach: Jason Kerr
Captain: Lewis Gregory
Overseas players: Devon Conway, Marchant de LangeChampionship contrast: Max Waller brings a wealth of experience with his flat legbreaks, but the core of the squad is the same.Key man: Tom Banton was county cricket’s breakthrough white-ball player in 2019 but has struggled over the last year and opened up about the stress of quarantine and long Covid to ESPNcricinfo last month. He should be freed up by the opportunity to target Taunton’s short boundaries, and with Babar Azam not returning (Devon Conway arrives after the World Test Championship final) there is pressure on him to pile on the runs.Tom Banton will be looking to fire back in a Somerset shirt•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Death bowling has been Somerset’s Achilles heel ever since Alfonso Thomas’ retirement so Marchant de Lange, their full-season overseas signing, has a big role to play. He is best used as a middle-overs enforcer, but has some pedigree bowling at the death for Glamorgan, and a career economy rate in the last four overs of 9.41 is serviceable.Verdict: Conway’s arrival should boost their quarter-final prospects. Bet365: 9/1SurreyLast season: 1st in South Group, finalists
Coach: Vikram Solanki
Captain: Jade Dernbach
Overseas players: Hashim AmlaChampionship contrast: Jason Roy, Sam and Tom Curran return from the IPL and will be available for the start of the competition, while Laurie Evans, Will Jacks, Dan Moriarty and Gareth Batty will play greater roles. Reece Topley, Liam Plunkett and Sean Abbott are all injured.Key man: Laurie Evans is among England’s best uncapped white-ball batters and was vital in Surrey’s run to the final last year, averaging 45.37 and striking at 153.16. He was the second-highest run-scorer in the LPL over the winter, with a remarkable strike rate of 182.35 against spin while playing for Colombo Kings. At 33, he should be at his peak.Evans is among England’s best uncapped white-ball players•Getty ImagesOne to watch: Jamie Overton leaked more than 10 runs an over with the ball in his first Blast season for Surrey but was dubbed “our Andre Russell” by Gareth Batty after striking at 194.33 in his five innings as a finisher. Injury crisis among seamers may see him required to bowl more regularly again but his potential with the bat gives them two finishers in him and Jordan Clark.Verdict: Bowling attack is reliant on triple spin threat of Jacks, Moriarty and Batty but the same formula helped them top the group last summer. Should stay in quarter-final race throughout group stage. Bet365: 13/2SussexLast season: 2nd in South Group
Coach: James Kirtley
Captain: Luke Wright
Overseas players: Travis Head, David Wiese, Rashid KhanChampionship contrast: Significant overhaul, with Luke Wright, David Wiese, Ravi Bopara, Chris Jordan, Will Beer and Tymal Mills added to the group and Phil Salt set to return from injury. James Kirtley, the assistant coach in the Championship, takes the reins from Ian Salisbury for the Blast.David Wiese returns for his sixth Blast season•Getty ImagesKey man: David Wiese returns for his sixth Blast season as an overseas player rather than a Kolpak, and has been in the country for a month preparing. He was the picture of consistency last year in a volatile finishing role, averaging 40.14 while striking at 145.59, and forms part of an imposing engine room from Nos. 3-6 alongside Travis Head, Delray Rawlins and Ravi Bopara. Will play less of a role with the ball this year.One to watch: George Garton was rested from the Championship side last week to prepare for the Blast and warmed up with 30 not out off seven balls in a 2nd XI fixture. He had a breakthrough T20 season in 2020, taking 14 wickets spread across the Powerplay and the death overs, and won a game against Middlesex almost single-handedly from No. 8. Sussex also rate him as the club’s best fielder.Verdict: Bowling attack lighter than usual with Jofra Archer injured and limited availability for Rashid Khan and Jordan – but still very much in contention to top the group. Bet365: 10/1

Is everything finally beginning to click into place for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United?

It feels as if Amorim has constantly been under pressure since taking on the poisoned chalice of the Red Devils gig, but recent results are now pointing in the direction that the Manchester side’s ongoing patience with their ex-Sporting boss is finally paying off, with an emphatic 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion picked up on Saturday pushing the regular Premier League underachievers into a temporary top four position.

While a number of his new flashy summer recruits did stand out against the Seagulls, it was another night where Bruno Fernandes shone in attack, too, with the Portuguese playmaker very rarely falling victim to an off-day.

Why Bruno Fernandes was a standout

The alleged £47m forked out to land the skillful 31-year-old back in 2020 continues to look like a very wise use of cash.

Indeed, although he didn’t get in on the goalscoring act during the impressive 4-2 victory, he still managed to be a driving force for his team centrally to push them up the pitch, with three successful marauds forward tallied up by the much-loved number eight come the full-time whistle.

With nine ground duels won, the ever-present ace is still definitely proving his worth as a livewire, with plenty of credit in his bank for the season overall, as well, having assisted Harry Maguire’s late dramatic winner against Liverpool the match before this jubilant win back at Old Trafford.

With 187 goal contributions now next to his name donning United red, per Transfermarkt, it’s clear that Fernandes is one of the Premier League’s greatest transfer steals in recent memory.

Yet, there is a fresh, emerging hero in Amorim’s ranks who could already be viewed as another Bruno-like swipe, with the ace in question instantly hitting the ground running at the Theatre of Dreams after a statement £65m switch in the summer.

Man Utd have now uncovered their "best signing since Bruno"

Significant changes were needed in the summer in the Old Trafford attacking department, with a goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund not cutting the mustard up top.

Benjamin Sesko has already shown signs of promise as the Red Devils’ new leading marksman with two Premier League strikes next to his name, but it’s his attacking teammate against the Seagulls in Bryan Mbeumo who has been receiving the highest possible praise, having bagged a blistering two goals up against a leaky Bart Verbruggen.

Mbeumo doesn’t look fazed whatsoever by the pressures of being one of United’s main attacking sparks, much like Fernandes, who instantly slotted into the daunting Old Trafford environment all those years ago, with both of his confidently dispatched efforts against Brighton taking his Premier League goal tally to a weighty 46 overall for both Amorim and Co. and Brentford.

Five of those strikes have already come about as United’s flashy new number 19, but it’s his overall attacking game – away from his clinical edge in front of goal – that further places him on the pedestal of being the illustrious club’s “best signing since Bruno” in the eyes of statistician Statman Dave.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

2

Assists

0

Touches

59

Shots

3

Accurate passes

34/38 (89%)

Key passes

2

Big chances created

2

Successful dribbles

4/5

On another night, the Cameroonian could well have had an assist next to his name, with two big chances created off the back of Mbeumo, constantly wanting to bomb forward and entertain, much like a relentless Fernandes has shown he is capable of across his successful spell in England to date.

Deservedly so, Mbeumo would also be handed a 9/10 post-match rating by the Daily Express’ Archie Griggs, who simply stated that the red-hot 26-year-old was ‘the best player on the pitch’.

Further hailed as a star who has the “hunger to deliver a different level” by Sky Sports’ Gary Neville, it will be intriguing to see if United can keep up this winning sequence of games moving forward, as an Mbeumo-led effort potentially restores the Red Devils to their former glories.

With Matheus Cunha also at Amorim’s disposal, it really does feel like now or never for the Lisbon-born manager to bring successful days back to the red half of Manchester, with Fernandes lurking in the background also a wonderful asset to have on side.

Amorim must boldly bench Mount and unleash Man Utd's "monster"

Manchester United face Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon looking to extend their current winning run.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 25, 2025

انتقد الإعلامي أحمد شوبير الطريقة التي جرى بها التعامل مع لاعب نادي زد أحمد عاطف خلال معسكر منتخب مصر استعدادًا لبطولة كأس العرب في قطر، مؤكدًا أن اللاعب تعرض لموقف غير عادل بعدما تم استبعاده بدعوى الإصابة رغم تأكيده أنه سليم تمامًا.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الاثنين: “حق الاختيار والاستبعاد هو حق أصيل للمدرب، ولكن عندما أظهر أمام الجمهور ومعي اللاعبين وكل الأمور على ما يرام، أجد اللاعب في غاية السعادة، أسرته تودّعه وتدعو له، والدته تقبّله وتقول له: يا بُني ربنا يوفقك ويكرمك، والبيت كله يدعو له قبل سفره، وهو يقول لهم: ادعوا لي ولا تنسوني من الدعاء. أمور جميلة بالفعل، كلام جميل وكله فرحة”.

وتابع: “ما حدث أنّ أحمد عاطف، وهو أحد المهاجمين المحترمين في نادي زد، وكان قبل ذلك في نادي مودرن، سافر مع بعثة منتخب مصر الثاني إلى قطر، كانت هناك محاولات لضم مروان حمدي، مهاجم بيراميدز، ولكن أحمد عاطف كان موجودًا بالفعل، ولوائح الاتحاد العربي لا تسمح باستبدال لاعب إلا في حالة الإصابة”.

وأضاف: “وعندما فشلت محاولات ضم مروان حمدي، قُدّم تقرير يفيد بأن أحمد عاطف مصاب، فقال لهم اللاعب: والله العظيم لست مصابًا، ولا يمكن أن أكذب في مثل هذه الأمور، لكنهم قالوا له: لا، أنت مصاب، فأكد لهم أنه غير مصاب وأنه سليم تمامًا، لكنهم أصرّوا على موقفهم بدعوى أنهم يعرفون مصلحته أكثر منه”.

طالع أيضًا | أحمد حسن عن أزمة أحمد عاطف: اللاعب أساء لنفسه.. وتصريحاته غير مبرّرة

وواصل: “دخل أحمد عاطف بعد ذلك في أزمة، وفي النهاية بدا وكأنه هو المخطئ! وهذا نوع من الظلم، ضع نفسك مكان اللاعب.. مثلًا الكابتن أحمد حسن، مدير المنتخب: لو كنت مكان أحمد عاطف وتعرضت لمثل هذا الموقف، ماذا ستفعل؟ اللاعب لم يقل شيئًا مسيئًا، لكنه كان يشعر بالظلم وبالألم الكبير في داخله”.

وأضاف: “أنا أيضًا كنت متألمًا جدًّا مما حدث، ومُنع الحديث في الأمر حتى لا تُكتب مذكرة ويتم تحويلها إلى هيئة التحكيم الدولية، رغم أن اللاعب لم يرتكب أي خطأ، هو فقط عبّر عن شعوره، لكن حتى هذا لم يُسمح له به، هناك وجع حقيقي، والموضوع لا يحتاج إلى الكثير من الكلام”.

واختتم: “أنا لست مختلفًا على أن مروان حمدي لاعب مهم وسيُضيف للمنتخب بإذن الله، وهذه وجهة نظر فنية تُحترم، لكن ما حدث مع أحمد عاطف لم يكن جيدًا.. لم يكن لطيفًا على الإطلاق”.

تحدث غنام محمد، لاعب منتخب مصر الثاني، عن استعدادات الفريق للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العرب 2025، وحديث حلمي طولان المدير الفني معه.

وقال غنام محمد، عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “كابتن حلمي دائما يتحدث معي بشكل إيجابي للغاية، ويؤكد أنني لاعب جيد ولست أقل من أحد، وأنني سأقدم بطولة قوية مع المنتخب إن شاء الله، ويطالبني دائما بالثقة في نفسي وتقديم أفضل ما لدي”.

وأضاف: “محمد النني لاعب كبير جدًا، ودائما يتحدث معي ويوجه لي النصائح، ويطالبني بعدم القلق وأن ألعب بثقة، وإن شاء الله أقدم مستوى مميزًا في البطولة وكذلك عمرو السولية، فهو من اللاعبين الكبار والمؤثرين معنا في المنتخب”.

طالع.. رسائل هاني أبو ريدة لـ منتخب مصر الثاني قبل انطلاق كأس العرب 2025

وتابع: “أنا أتعامل مع الأمر خطوة بخطوة، وتركيزي الآن مع منتخب مصر في البطولة، وإن شاء الله نحقق شيئًا جيدًا وبعد ذلك طموحي بالطبع هو الاحتراف واللعب في مستوى كبير، ولكن من خلال النادي”.

وواصل: “أسمع كلامًا كثيرا عن اهتمام الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز، لكن حتى الآن لم يتحدث معي أحد شخصيًا، أنا أركز تمامًا مع فريقي، وأي خطوة ستكون من خلال النادي، وأنا تحت أمر النادي في أي شيء”.

وأشار:”لو جاء لي عرض من الأهلي أو الزمالك، فهما الأفضل بالنسبة لي، وجماهيرهما رقم واحد في مصر، والانضمام لأحدهما يقربك من منتخب مصر ويجعل الناس تتحدث عنك بصورة أفضل”.

وأوضح: “سعيد بارتباط اسمي بالأندية الكبيرة مثل الأهلي وبيراميدز والزمالك، وأتمنى أن تكون خطوتي المقبلة جيدة، ولكن الأهم الآن هو التركيز مع المنتخب”.

وتابع: “أتعامل مع البطولة وكأنها تحدي، ووضعت لنفسي هدفًا فيها، وإن شاء الله أحققه بمساعدة زملائي في المنتخب ونسعى للعودة بالبطولة إلى مصر، ومع نادي مودرن، بإذن الله ننهي الدوري ضمن المراكز السبعة الأولى”.

وأتم: “كل المنتخبات قوية: الجزائر، المغرب، تونس، والسعودية بالطبع، أي منتخب من هؤلاء عندما يواجه مصر يعرف جيدًا أنه يواجه منتخبًا كبيرًا لديه تاريخ وبطولات”.

Leading off Tuesday's 15-2 win over the Miami Marlins in the bottom of the first inning, Shohei Ohtani jumped on the first pitch he saw from Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara and belted it over the wall in right field for a home run.

But Ohtani's blast was more than just tone-setting dinger.

It was his first home run since the birth of his daughter, snapping a seven-game drought, which was not lost on the three-time MVP.

"It was a good home run to get back on the board for this game," Ohtani said, speaking through interpreter Will Ireton. "I haven't hit one since being a father, so it's a really nice one to be able to do that."

Ohtani and his wife Mamiko on April 19 announced the birth of a baby girl. The Dodgers superstar was then placed on the paternity list, missing the first two games of Los Angeles's series against the Texas Rangers as he remained in Southern California with his wife and newborn daughter.

After returning from the paternity list on April 20, Ohtani was mired in a 2-for-16 slump with six strikeouts and two walks. But even before Tuesday's home run, there were signs the Dodgers slugger's power outage would soon be coming to an end.

In the three games leading up to Tuesday's victory, Ohtani was 6-for-11 with four extra base hits and an RBI. Now, seemingly back on track at the plate, Ohtani took some time to reflect on both the joys and sleepless nights that come with fatherhood.

"I'm just grateful for the safe delivery," Ohtani said of the life change. "I'm glad that even though I couldn't sleep as much as I wanted to, it's a good kind of not-getting-enough-sleep situation."

"A little change in the routine in terms of, for example today I went to the hospital and came straight to the field," Ohtani continued. "Just being here at home is nice to be able to spend time, but on the road, it's going to be a little bit of a challenge since I won't be here."

After Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Ohtani and the Dodgers will embark on a 10-game road trip, beginning with a May 2 contest vs. the Atlanta Braves.

MatériaMais Notícias

Repleto de contratações, o ano de 2023 do futebol brasileiro contou com grandes acertos por parte dos clubes nas chegadas de jogadores e técnicos. Atletas como Luis Suárez, Lucas Moura e Vegetti, por exemplo, foram essenciais no desempenho de suas equipes na temporada.

Confira quais foram as 10 melhores contratações do ano no ranking do Lance!. Você também pode opinar sobre as principais chegadas de jogadores e treinadores no post abaixo!

Lucas Moura (São Paulo)

Ídolo, Lucas aceitou retornar ao clube que o revelou após longa passagem pela Europa e conduziu o São Paulo para o título da Copa do Brasil. Ele fez gol decisivo na semifinal do torneio e foi peça chave na caminhada pela taça inédita.

Dorival Júnior (São Paulo)

Dorival estava livre no mercado após grande trabalho no Flamengo. A expectativa do São Paulo para a temporada era baixa, e o treinador ajustou o time para avançar pelo título da Copa do Brasil, superando Palmeiras, Corinthians e o próprio Flamengo.

Paulinho (Atlético-MG)

O atacante chegou “de graça”, após o fim do contrato com o Bayer Leverkusen (Alemanha), e talvez tenha sido o melhor custo-benefício da temporada. Paulinho foi o artilheiro do Brasileirão, e o Galo tem a chance de lucrar alto com uma possível venda.

Cauly (Bahia)

Um dos principais nomes do Brasileirão, Cauly foi peça fundamental na luta do Bahia para permanecer na Série A e teve 10 gols e nove assistências na temporada. Ele estava no Ludogorets, da Bulgária, antes de chegar ao Esquadrão.

Marcelo (Fluminense)

Retornou ao clube que o revelou para o futebol e conduziu o Fluminense ao título inédito da Libertadores, tendo papel de liderança técnica e influência sob os companheiros.

Keno (Fluminense)

Um dos principais nomes do ataque do Tricolor, Keno cresceu na conquista da Libertadores e anotou cinco assistências na competição, sendo duas na decisão contra o Boca Juniors (ARG).

Luis Suárez (Grêmio)

O uruguaio foi a grande estrela da temporada. Considerado o melhor jogador do Brasileirão, Suárez marcou 17 gols e deu 11 assistências somente no torneio nacional e conduziu o Grêmio ao vice-campeonato.

Juninho Capixaba (Bragantino)

Um dos melhores laterais do Campeonato Brasileiro, se destacou em diversos setores do campo, na parte ofensiva e defensiva. O custo-benefício do Bragantino foi ótimo, pois Juninho Capixaba foi liberado de graça do Grêmio para chegar ao Massa Bruta.

Pedro Caixinha (Bragantino)

Até então considerado desconhecido, o português levou o Bragantino à semifinal do Paulistão e fez a equipe disputar na parte de cima da tabela do Brasileirão. O Massa Bruta de Caixinha chegou a concorrer pelo título nacional e conquistou vaga na Libertadores de 2024.

Vegetti (Vasco)

Contratado em agosto, o “Pirata” foi um dos responsáveis diretos para o Vasco se salvar do rebaixamento e permanecer na Série A. Em 21 jogos disputados, Vegetti anotou 10 gols e foi o cara do Cruzmaltino na boa campanha do segundo turno.

MatériaMais Notícias

Volante do Corinthians, Maycon lamentou o momento ruim da equipe alvinegra, eliminada na Conmebol Sul-Americana para o Fortaleza, na noite desta terça-feira (3). O jogador reconheceu que a temporada atual é a pior dele no Timão, mas deu a solução para deixar a má fase. 

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– Difícil. Ano difícil. Talvez seja o meu pior ano no Corinthians, em termos de resultados, mas eles também vêm, mas temos que ter força para superar isso juntos e terminar bem essa temporada. Não tem outro caminho, não tem o que fazer. Temos que trabalhar, pensar jogo a jogo, pensarmos três pontos a cada jogo. Trabalhar, melhorar. Esse é o caminho. A gente não tem outra saída – disse o meio-campista revelado pela equipe alvinegra e que está emprestado pelo Shakhtar Donetsk, da Ucrânia, até o fim do ano. 

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Maycon reconheceu que a troca de treinadores durante a temporada foi um grande problema, mas também ressaltou que os jogadores que defendem o Corinthians precisam estar preparados para ocasiões como essa, por conta da pressão natural que cerca o clube. 

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+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

– A gente sabe que quando o treinador tem um tempo de trabalho maior os resultados tendem a acontecer. As trocas complicam. Mas a gente está no Corinthians e temos que estar preparados, a gente sabe a pressão que é. É entender os movimentos que temos e tentar responder da melhor forma.

+ VEJA A TABELA E CONFIRA AS CAMPANHAS DA CONMEBOL SUL-AMERICANA

Maycon dificilmente vai permanecer no Timão em 2024 e deve fazer parte da barca que dará espaço para novos atletas a partir do ano que vem. Ele pertence ao Shakhtar até o fim de 2025 e já foi emprestado pelos ucranianos em duas temporadas consecutivas. Mesmo com o camisa 7 tendo evoluído durante a temporada e retomado a condição de titular, a tendência é que ele não seja comprado em definitivo, independentemente de qual diretoria esteja no comando da equipe. No dia 25 de dezembro terá eleição para definir o novo presidente corintiano. 

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West Ham United have a proud history of promoting youth players.

The likes of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Mark Noble have all made their way through the Hammers’ legendary academy.

In more recent times, Declan Rice is probably the best player to come out of the club, and while he did go on to join a London rival, he did so after 245 appearances.

Since he left, the club have struggled to replace him, but that may soon be about to change with someone Jarrod Bowen rates highly.

West Ham's most exciting academy stars

The good news for West Ham fans is that, while the first team might be somewhat lacking in quality, there are plenty of promising youngsters in the academy at the moment.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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For example, they might just have a homegrown version of El Hadji Malick Diouf soon in Emeka Adiele.

The 18-year-old left-back has been in fine form this season, and as things stand, has amassed an impressive tally of one goal and six assists in just eight appearances for the U21 side.

Described as someone “full of confidence and tenacity” by one analyst, it might not be too long until fans get to see him in first-team action.

The same could be said for one of the academy’s best goalscorers: Josh Landers.

The 18-year-old Scotsman joined the Hammers from Hibernian in February of this year and, as one analyst puts it, as one analyst puts it, has “hit the ground running.”

So far this season, the Innerleithen-born gem has already scored five goals in five appearances, totalling 269 minutes for the U21s, which is a goal every 53.8 minutes.

Landers’ West Ham record

Team

U18s

U21s

Appearances

12

8

Goals

9

5

Assists

0

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.75

0.62

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Finally, although he is a bit older and has now played in the first team, Callum Marshall is still someone worth keeping an eye on, having been named Huddersfield Player of the Year while on loan there last season.

West Ham's future Rice

So, while it’s clear that West Ham have a number of exciting attackers and even the odd full-back coming through, who is the youngster that might one day emulate Rice? That huge task falls to the hugely promising Preston Fearon, but what makes him similar to the Hammers’ former captain?

Well, firstly, like the England international, the 18-year-old gem joined the East Londoners from Chelsea.

More crucially than that, though, he’s someone who can play a few different positions but is primarily a midfielder. More specifically, he thrives as a six and an eight.

Fearon’s West Ham Record

Position

Games

Goasl

Assists

Central Midfield

14

0

5

Defensive Midfield

9

0

2

Attacking Midfield

2

0

0

Right Winger

1

0

0

Right Midfield

1

2

0

Centre-Back

1

1

0

All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, since joining the Irons’ academy set-up, the youngster has made 39 appearances across the U18s and U21s, of which 14 have been in central midfield and nine in defensive midfield.

Moreover, on top of his defensive sensibilities, the exciting prospect is capable of chipping in with goal involvements as well, with him scoring three and providing seven assists in his career so far.

Finally, he is also seen as a player who could genuinely make it into the first team, and not just be a part of the squad, but really thrive.

For example, on top of featuring in pre-season, he has also received praise from Bowen, who described him as a “special player” and went on to tell the club’s website that he’s “never seen someone nutmeg so many people in training.”

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Ultimately, it’s hard to predict how a youngster will develop in football, but it does seem as if Fearon has it all, and therefore, he could end up becoming West Ham’s new Rice.

This summer was very much the transfer window of striker moves and Manchester United were involved heavily within that.

While Alexander Isak was at the centre of his spat with Newcastle United, eventually joining Liverpool, the likes of Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike, Yoane Wissa, Nico Woltemade, Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko were making big-money moves of their own.

For a host of those names, they’ve made impressive start to life at their new clubs.

With three goals in four matches, Gyokeres is already the division’s second-top scorer behind Erling Haaland while Pedro and Ekitike have scored two apiece in the Premier League. Woltemade even netted on his top-flight debut for the Toon on Saturday afternoon.

For Sesko, however, it’s been a troubled start. Perhaps the writing was on the wall when he was listed as United’s tenth penalty taker in the shoot-out defeat to Grimsby Town a few weeks ago.

His first start, which he was rewarded with in the Manchester derby on Sunday, also wasn’t filled with much glory.

Sesko first start for Man United in numbers

When United signed Rasmus Hojlund, he was listed as a project striker. When Joshua Zirkzee signed at Old Trafford, he was also listed as a project striker.

Therefore, what Ruben Amorim needed this season was a proven figure, someone like an Ollie Watkins who has been there and done it in the Premier League.

Chalkboard

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

What did they do? Well, they splashed out £74m on Slovenia forward, Sesko. Acquired from RB Leipzig, the big centre forward has already been described as “the new Erling Haaland” and it’s easy to see why.

He’s got a strong shot on him, has lengthy strides and above all else, he’s got power in abundance.

The issue is, he’s still very raw, something that 13 Bundesliga goals last term sum up well.

Since moving to United, it’s been a tale of woe for the Slovenian who doesn’t look at the races at all. His display against City, albeit a formidable opposition, showcased that.

The Manchester Evening News noted how the young attacker was “quiet” in the second half, and while he did have United’s only attempts at goal in the first half, he was ultimately replaced on 80 minutes, having managed an expected goals tally of just 0.03.

Sesko only had one shot and completed just 54% of his passes, outlining a frustrated and isolated figure at the top end of the pitch.

To sum up his woes, he had fewer touches (19) than goalkeeper Altay Bayindir (37), a statistic that rubberstamps his dreary day at the office at the Etihad.

Minutes played

80

Touches

19

Accurate passes

7/13 (54%)

Shots

1

Key passes

0

Dribbles

0

Ground duels won

0/1

Aerial duels won

3/8

That said, he was rather starved of service and it wasn’t all his own fault.

Two Man United players were to blame for Sesko's performance

Two of the bright sparks in this United team so far this season are new signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

While Cunha is yet to find the net since trading Wolverhampton for Manchester, Mbeumo has scored, bagging in the win over Burnley prior to the international break.

Mbeumo once again looked like one of very few bright sparks in Amorim’s side on Sunday but he and Sesko were arguably let down by a lack of service.

Indeed, with Mason Mount and Cunha absent through injury, it meant a rare start for Amad in the Premier League this term in a more advanced role.

The Ivorian has featured at right-wing back more often this season, a role unfamiliar to him. Yet, with Mbeumo having signed, a player who has similar traits and tendancies, it’s unlikely he’ll feature in an attacking role on too many occasions.

With Cunha absent, however, it gave the 23-year-old an opportunity to showcase his skills in the final third. Sadly, he did not showcase them very well. Listed as a left winger on the team sheet, on a regular basis in the second half Mbeumo and Amad ended up on the same wing.

Even when the former Sunderland loanee was on the left, he failed to create anything of note for Sesko. By full-time, he had failed with both of his dribble attempts, not completed an accurate cross and only provided two key passes.

Behind him, wing-back Patrick Dorgu also did very little to help their new striker who was eagerly waiting inside the area, with the two of them combining to lose possession a whopping 25 times.

Dorgu did provide three key passes but in the words of MEN’s Samuel Luckhurst, “he had chances to service Sesko but his crossing was abject.”

The goals will flow for the big-money signing at some stage but he will undoubtedly need a better supply line than he was given by Amad and Dorgu on Saturday.

Sesko was poor but it wasn’t all his own fault. Truth be told, the whole United side are being let down by Amorim’s system. That’s a story for another day, however.

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Ex-England captain stars with bat and ball at Taunton

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay01-May-2025

Heather Knight starred with bat and ball for Somerset•Andrew Miller

Heather Knight staged an outstanding all-round performance to propel Somerset to a comfortable five-wicket victory over Essex in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition at Taunton Vale.The England international claimed 3-7 with the ball and then added 45 crucial runs with the bat as the cider county ultimately made light work of chasing beneath blue skies and sunshine to register a second win in three games and send a crowd of several hundred home happy.Put into bat on a worn pitch, Essex slipped to 2-3 and 50-5 in the face of accurate seam bowling from Laura Jackson and Ellie Anderson, who took 2-12 and 2-44 respectively. Amara Carr redressed the balance with a defiant innings of 67 from 92 balls with 5 fours, only for Knight to mop up the tail with her off breaks as Essex were dismissed for an inadequate184 in 42.5 overs.Knight, Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson all contributed useful runs to carry Somerset to within sight of their target before the irrepressible Charlie Dean raised a quickfire 45 not out from 49 balls with 6 fours as Somerset won with 14.1 overs in hand.Somerset skipper Luff won the toss, inserted the opposition and looked on as her seamers made the new ball sing. Having failed to post a score in excess of 200 in their two previous matches, Essex again fell short of expectations, three of the top four failing to score as they slumped to 2-3 in the second over. Playing a loose shot, Jo Gardner hit Jackson straight to Dean at mid-wicket, while Anderson had Cordelia Griffith held at slip and then bowled Jodi Grewcock next ball to further undermine the top order.Under pressure to repair the damage, Essex captain Grace Scrivens led a partial recovery, straight-driving Anderson for an imperious four in adding 48 for the fourth wicket with Flo Miller. But England spinner Dean struck a crucial blow in the 13th over, Scrivens attempting a back-foot drive, finding Amanda-Jade Wellington at mid-off and departing for a 32-ball 27. Attempting an ill-advised pull shot against Jackson in the very next over, Miller holed out to Alex Griffiths in the deep as wickets continued to fall in clusters, Essex subsiding to 50-5.Carr and Sophia Smale launched a cautious recovery of sorts, safely negotiating the spin of Wellington and Dean to add 41 for the sixth wicket. Somerset’s bowlers continued to build pressure and Smale, having scored 10, played back to Wellington and inadvertently trod on her wicket. Luff marshalled her bowlers well and Griffiths struck in her first over, Eva Gray driving straight to Knight at silly mid-on and falling for 17, having helped add 37 with Carr.While the determined Carr continued to hold sway, there was hope for Essex. The former Western Storm player went to 50 from 73 balls and led by example as she attempted to usher the lower order towards a competitive total. But former England captain Knight accounted for the tail in quick time with her off breaks, pinning Esmae Macgregor and Kate Coppack lbw before bowling the obdurate Carr to wrap-up the innings inside the distance.Acutely aware of the need to make the new ball count, the visitors engineered an early breakthrough, Gray locating Emma Corney’s outside edge and Smale taking a regulation catch in the slips with 33 on the board. Although scoring freely remained far from straightforward, Knight and Luff brought their considerable experience to bear upon the situation, staging a reassuring alliance of 38 for the second wicket before the latter nicked behind and succumbed to Abtaha Maqsood’s spin for 24.Knight had advanced her score to 45 from 41 balls, accrued 7 fours and was threatening to take the match by the scruff of the neck when she was caught behind off the bowling of Maqsood with the score on 96 in the 18th. Fran Wilson mustered the first six of the match at the expense of Maqsood before losing off stump to Grewcock and departing for 23, a dismissal that kept Essex in the hunt.But the home side quickly regained control, Dean and Katie Jones playing positively to bring the required rate down and raise thoughts of a bonus point victory. Jones was eventually run out for 16, but Dean continued to score at a run a ball to hasten victory.