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Newcastle United are in the midst of a crisis right now with 13 first-team players currently sidelined through injury and suspension which is certainly a worry for head coach Eddie Howe.

The Magpies' form has dipped too, with the team dropping to eighth in the Premier League table, below Manchester United, while Howe's men are also on the cusp of exiting the Champions League and a massive game away at Paris Saint-Germain next week could be the final nail in the coffin.

Newcastle's attacking department is down to the bare bones, with winger Anthony Gordon being tasked with leading the line during the team's recent 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

The club have started working on plans to improve depth in the forward positions and have identified one star who could change the team's fortunes.

Newcastle transfer news – Jota

According to 90min, Newcastle United are looking to make a move for the former Celtic attacker Jota, who is currently plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with league champions Al-Ittihad, having moved to the Middle East for £25m during the summer as a two-time Scottish Premiership winner.

The Portuguese winger has had limited game-time at Al-Ittihad as he wasn't registered in the first-team squad past the transfer window since clubs in the Saudi Pro League can only have eight foreign players at one point. There were rumours that the 24-year-old would be freed from his contract by the Saudi side but min have revealed that this now seems unlikely.

Furthermore, Newcastle would be forced to acquire Jota permanently from Al-Ittihad as Premier League teams are set to vote to prohibit any clubs from signing players on loan from affiliated sides. The Mags would fall under this category as a result of being bought by the PIF back in 2021.

How Jota compares with Anthony Gordon

Jota has struggled for minutes since moving to Saudi Arabia as a result of being unregistered. Overall, the Portugal international has featured just seven times for Al-Ittihad but only two of those games have come since September 1 in the AFC Champions League.

However, the winger had an exceptional season at Celtic under Ange Postecoglou last term. In 43 appearances for the Glasgow giants, Jota bagged 27 goal contributions in all competitions, including 15 goals and 12 assists, leading Postecoglou to call him "unbelievable". League top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi was the only player to contribute to more goals at Celtic last season.

Statistically, Jota had a far better season in the previous campaign than Gordon has had this term and has proven himself to be a greater threat in and around the penalty area than the Magpies' £45m winter signing.

Goals

0.47

0.28

Expected Goals

0.29

0.3

Assists

0.4

0.14

Expected Assists

0.25

0.12

Key Passes

2.81

0.92

Progressive Carries

5

3.46

Successful Take-Ons %

55%

41.2%

Stats via FBref

Gordon has scored four goals in 17 appearances this term and has come into his own a little in the current campaign. However, Jota has proven himself adept at playing anywhere along the front three during his playing career and can create chances but also finish them off, boasting an impressive take-on success, as well as a higher degree of key passes.

Howe could massively upgrade his forward line with the arrival of Jota this winter, especially since the Portuguese livewire would link up extremely well with Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak, just like he did with 34-goal Kyogo last term.

Manchester United have racked up an eye-watering record debt, but their finances show a positive outcome from the proceeds of Antony and Alejandro Garnacho's sales. The club's total debt has climbed to a record £1.29 billion ($1.72b), driven by fresh borrowing and the long-standing legacy of leveraged ownership. Yet beneath the headline figure sits a more nuanced picture, one shaped by aggressive cost-cutting, a rare operating profit, and timely player sales that have softened the blow.

• Debt continues to pile up at Old Trafford

  According to the quarterly figures, United’s operating debt has reached an unprecedented £749.2m ($1b), following an additional £105m ($140m) drawn down during the most recent reporting period. When combined with non-current liabilities of £216.3m ($289m) and current liabilities amounting to £323.4m ($431.5m), the club’s overall debt burden now stands £60m ($80m) higher than it did a year ago. Much of that liability reflects transfer fees still owed to other clubs, with a significant portion payable within the next 12 months. While such deferred payments are common across elite football, the cumulative scale at Old Trafford remains striking.

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  Ratcliffe restructuring delivers short-term gains

  There has, however, been tangible progress in other areas. The impact of the restructuring programme overseen by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now evident in the numbers. United posted an operating profit of £13m ($17m) for the three months up to September, a dramatic turnaround from the £7m loss recorded over the same period last year. Close to 500 jobs have been cut as part of a sweeping redundancy drive aimed at reducing expenditure and streamlining operations. The club’s wage bill for players and staff has fallen by 8.2 per cent to £73.6m ($98m), now accounting for 52.5 per cent of total revenue, down from 56 per cent a year earlier. Overall expenses are also down by just over seven per cent. Despite these savings, costs remain a heavy anchor. Interest and related charges of £21.4m ($28.5m) pushed United back into the red at pre-tax level, resulting in a loss of £8.4m for the quarter. Twelve months earlier, the club had posted a modest profit of £1.6m before tax.

• European absence hits revenue stream

  United’s revenues for the quarter came in at £140m ($187m), representing a two per cent decline year on year. The primary reason is the club’s absence from European competition this season, compounded by two fewer home fixtures during the period. The club has nevertheless reiterated confidence in its broader outlook, forecasting full-year revenues in the region of £600m ($801m) to £640m ($854m) alongside EBITDA of between £180m ($240m) and £200m ($276m). The long-standing American loan tied to the Glazer family’s 2005 takeover remains unchanged at $650m ($867m), or approximately £481m ($642m), continuing to cast a long shadow over the balance sheet.

  One clear positive emerged from the transfer market. The departures of Antony to Real Betis and Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea generated £60m ($80m) in sales proceeds, playing a key role in delivering the club’s operating profit for the quarter. Those exits not only provided immediate cashflow but also eased wage commitments, reinforcing the financial logic behind difficult sporting decisions.

  Chief executive Omar Berrada framed the results as evidence of progress rather than decline. He said the figures highlighted the "resilience" of Manchester United as it undergoes a structural transformation.

  "These robust financial results reflect the resilience of Manchester United as we make strong progress in our transformation of the club," Berrada said. "The difficult decisions we have made in the past year have resulted in a sustainably lower cost base and a more streamlined, effective organisation equipped to drive the club towards improved sporting and commercial performance over the long term. That has helped us to invest in our men’s and women’s teams."

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  Festive fixtures bring opportunity and risk

  On the pitch, attention now turns to a demanding festive schedule that could shape the mood of the fans heading into the New Year. United begin with a home meeting against Bournemouth on Saturday. They then travel to Aston Villa on December 21 before hosting Newcastle United in the Premier League's sole Boxing Day fixture. The calendar year closes with another Old Trafford outing, this time against Wolves on December 30.

The seamer was part of Zimbabwe’s preparations ahead of the tri-series, playing for the Zimbabwe Select XI against Kenya and Zimbabwe Chairman’s XI

Liam Brickhill in Harare02-Jul-2018

Kyle Jarvis celebrates Anamul Haque’s wicket with his team-mates•AFP

Seamer Donald Tiripano has replaced the injured Kyle Jarvis in Zimbabwe’s squad for the T20I tri-series, involving Australia and Pakistan. Jarvis, Zimbabwe’s senior seamer, injured his bowling hand while attempting a catch during Pakistan’s innings in the tri-series opener in Harare on Sunday.Tiripano, 30, has played eight T20Is for Zimbabwe, as well as six Tests and 15 ODIs. He last played for Zimbabwe during their successful tour of Sri Lanka last year, and was more recently part of Zimbabwe’s preparations ahead of the tri-series, playing for the Zimbabwe Select XI against Kenya and Zimbabwe Chairman’s XI. He took five wickets in six games in that warm-up series, in addition to chipping in with 49 to help set up a 41-run win in the third match against Kenya.Jarvis was ruled out of the remainder of the tri-series due to the severity of his injury. Jarvis was taken immediately to hospital for scans when the injury occurred on Sunday, and X-rays confirmed a broken bone in his right thumb. He is being treated in Harare, with the help of Manchester-based hand and wrist surgeon Zaf Naqui.

Liverpool are the front-runners to sign a "complete" midfielder during the January transfer window, and it's a player Jurgen Klopp has been interested in for years.

Liverpool eyeing midfield signing

The Reds continued their good start to the season on Sunday afternoon, easing their way to an impressive 3-0 home victory over Brentford in the Premier League. It was an impressive result, especially with a host of midfielders unavailable, with the likes of Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch injured while Alexis Mac Allister was suspended.

Liverpool made significant changes in the middle of the park in the summer transfer window, but there does still appear to be a need to bring in a proper defensive midfielder when January rolls around. Mac Allister hasn't looked like a natural in the role, while Wataru Endo doesn't look like anything more than a squad player.

The Reds have been strongly linked with a move for Fluminense star Andre, but with the Brazilian also being tipped to join other Premier League clubs, they could have to turn their attention to other options. Now, a fresh transfer update suggests that Liverpool are front of the queue for a player who has been seen as a transfer target on Merseyside for a number of years.

Jurgen Klopp's most expensive signings (per Transfermarkt)	Fee
Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)	€84.65m
Darwin Nunez (Liverpool)	€80m
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)	€70m
Alisson Becker (Liverpool)	€62.5m
Naby Keita (Liverpool)	€60m

Liverpool in pole position to sign Piotr Zielinski

According to a report from Spain, Liverpool are at the front of the queue to sign Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, seeing him as a strong option to bring in and bolster their midfield. The update suggests that the Reds are more interested in the 29-year-old than his other suitors, who played a key role in his current club winning their first Serie A title since 1990 last season.

He is a fantastic player who has shone at the top level for a long time now, so the idea of him playing for the Reds is exciting because of the natural ability he possesses. Zielinski has scored ten goals in 86 caps for Poland, highlighting his pedigree as an international footballer, and he also has 96 goal contributions (50 goals and 46 assists) in 345 appearances for Napoli.

That being said, he is now 29 years of age, so he wouldn't represent a long-term signing – he is only a year younger than Endo, for example – and he also isn't the out-and-out No.6 that Liverpool need, instead shining as more of a No.8 a lot of the time.

Piotr Zielinski Napoli stats	Total
Appearances	345
Goals	50
Assists	46

Klopp does appear to rate Zielinski highly as a player, considering the Reds were linked with bringing him before they snapped up Gini Wijnaldum instead back in 2016, but it would be a surprise if he came to Anfield at this point in his career.

Should it happen, there would certainly be reasons to be positive, with Carlo Ancelotti once heaping praise on him as a player, saying he is a "complete midfielder" who is "dynamic and skilled with the ball". It feels unlikely, though, and a younger, more defence-minded option should be looked at instead of him.

Next season looks set to be a massive one for Chelsea.

Enzo Maresca’s side are coming off the back of a tough year in which they were still able to qualify for the Champions League and win the Conference League, and are now in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

In other words, the expectations for next season’s Premier League campaign are more than a little high.

Fortunately, the board are doing their part to support the team in the transfer market, and after securing Joao Pedro, they appear to be targeting someone who could be their own Martin Zubimendi.

Chelsea target their own Zubimendi

It’s already been a jam-packed summer of deals for Chelsea.

Transfer Focus

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

Before they even left for the Club World Cup, the Blues had secured the services of young up-and-coming talents like Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr, as well as the exciting Liam Delap, who has already opened his account for the club out in the USA.

However, the most significant deal the Pensioners have sealed thus far has been for Pedro, who completed his £60m move from Brighton & Hove Albion earlier this week, after racking up a tally of 17 goal involvements in 30 appearances for the Seagulls last season.

Yet, while that might be a window’s worth of transfers for some clubs, the West Londoners are nowhere near done and now appear to be targeting a talented midfielder who could be their own Zubimendi.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Chelsea are intensely interested in Marc Casado.

The report goes a step further, revealing that the Blues have already submitted an offer worth around €40m for the 21-year-old, which is about £34m.

However, they are not the only ones to do so, as the story also states that Napoli, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen have made similar offers.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Casado’s ability and potential, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could be their own Zubimendi.

Why Casado could be Chelsea's Zubimendi

There are several reasons why Casado could be viewed as Chelsea’s own Zubimendi, and one of those relates to the transfer itself.

After all, like the soon-to-be Arsenal star, he too will be moving from a major side in La Liga to a London-based ‘big six’ side.

Moreover, they are both now Spanish internationals, with the 26-year-old now having 19 senior caps to his name, and the younger Barcelona gem already having two, despite being just 21 years old.

However, the comparison goes further than that, as, just like his older compatriot, the sought-after youngster is someone who can play in central midfield when needed, but he is far and away more comfortable and better suited to playing as an out-and-out defensive midfielder.

However, just because he can do some of the dirty work for his side does not mean he cannot help kickstart attacks, as, like the former Real Soicedad star, he is a brilliant passer and someone who ‘always wants to make the progressive passes,’ per Breaking the Lines.

You don’t just have to take their word for it, though, as you can see this part of his game in some of his impressive underlying numbers.

According to FBref, the midfield “animal,” as dubbed by teammate Bryan Zaragoza, sat in the top 3% of midfielders in La Liga last season for live-ball passes, the top 5% for passes attempted and completed, the top 6% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.

Passes Completed (Short)

36.54

Top 2%

Passes Attempted (Short)

39.44

Top 2%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.68

Top 2%

Touches (Mid 3rd)

58.10

Top 2%

Goals/Shot on Target

1.00

Top 3%

Live-ball Passes

74.30

Top 3%

Passes Completed

68.21

Top 5%

Passes Attempted

76.37

Top 5%

Passes into Final Third

7.71

Top 6%

Total Passing Distance

1046.09

Top 7%

Pass Completion %

89.3%

Top 10%

Ultimately, while he may not be a well-known quantity in England, Casado has demonstrated himself to be a talented defensive midfielder with an eye for a pass.

Therefore, Chelsea should consider bringing him to the Bridge this summer, as he could be their answer to Arsenal’s Zubimendi.

Imagine him & Pedro: Chelsea in talks to sign "frightening" Madueke upgrade

The incredible talent could be a star for Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 2, 2025

Leeds United dropped down to the Championship earlier this year after three seasons in the Premier League and are now tasked with bouncing back at the first attempt.

German head coach Daniel Farke was brought in to lead the charge, having won two league titles at this level with Norwich, and was backed with a number of signings during the summer transfer window.

The Whites brought in the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Glen Kamara, and Sam Byram, among others, to bolster their squad and splashed the cash to improve their attack with the signing of Joel Piroe from Swansea.

Appearances

11

Goals

Five

Chances created

Six

Pass accuracy

78%

Leeds reportedly paid more than £10m to sign the Dutch marksman from their Championship rivals and he has had a strong start to the campaign, as shown in the table above.

He has scored three more league goals than any of his teammates and his form comes off the back of an impressive return of 19 goals in 43 second division outings for the Swans during the 2022/23 season.

However, the window could have gone differently if the club had brought in one of the targets they reportedly had earlier in the summer – Sory Kaba.

Were Leeds interested in Sory Kaba?

Football League World reported that the Whites had been sending scouts to watch the FC Midtjylland number nine in action for Cardiff City on loan during the 2022/23 campaign.

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath claimed that fellow Championship side Watford were also keen on the centre-forward, who was available for a fee of £2m.

He eventually signed for Las Palmas in a deal that AS reported to be more than €2m (£1.7m), which suggests that the £2m price tag touted by McGrath was an accurate one.

Kaba attracted interest after a fairly prolific spell with Cardiff on loan last term as the towering striker produced eight goals and one assist in 17 Championship games for the Welsh outfit.

However, he only completed 54% of his attempted passes and made 0.6 key passes per game, with two 'big chances' created in total, as the Midtjylland loanee struggled to offer much in general play away from his goals.

His form for Cardiff came after a frustrating first half of the campaign with his parent club. Kaba scored four goals and provided five assists in 27 matches in all competitions, which included two goals in 16 league games in the Danish top-flight.

How many goals has Kaba scored for Las Palmas?

It has turned out that Leeds dodged a bullet with the 28-year-old flop as he has failed to score a single goal in seven league matches for the Spanish side this season and is now even worse than Georginio Rutter in front of goal.

His general play has been an issue for the attacker with Las Palmas this season as the goals have dried up, with zero for the club so far, and he has only made 0.6 key passes per outing and created zero 'big chances', as per Sofascore.

This shows that the experienced forward, who had scored 27 goals in 110 games in all competitions for Midtjylland, has offered very little in the way of creativity or build-up play for his team.

He has also struggled in front of goal with three 'big chances' missed and zero league goals from an xG of 1.13, which shows that the attacker has been wasteful with the opportunities that have fallen his way.

His poor form has earned him a dismal Sofascore rating of 6.50 and this is the 23rd-highest score within their squad, whilst it would also place him 23rd in the Leeds side.

How many goals has Rutter scored this season?

Rutter, on the other hand, has scored two goals in ten Championship games for Leeds as part of an attacking pairing with the aforementioned Piroe, who was signed from Swansea.

The French dynamo had failed to score in 11 Premier League matches for the club last season but has stepped up to offer a significant threat at the top end of the pitch in the second tier.

His goalscoring record is not prolific, yet, but his creativity has been outstanding from a number nine position. Rutter has created a whopping ten 'big chances' and made 2.6 key passes per game for his teammates this term, along with a pass completion rate of 69%.

The 21-year-old ace has averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.18, which is the seventh-highest score within the squad, and this shows that he has stepped up to be a fantastic option for Farke.

Rutter's all-round play is far better than Kaba's in terms of the reliability in possession that he provides alongside his exceptional ability to split open the opposition's defence on a regular basis.

Should Leeds have signed Kaba?

Kaba's statistics for Cardiff last term and Las Palmas this season do not suggest that he would have been able to make the level of impact that the former Hoffenheim man has made on the pitch for Farke's side.

The Guinea international had a rich vein of scoring form with the Welsh team at Championship level but did not show enough in possession alongside his goals and those issues have resurfaced, without the goals to make up for it, in Spain.

Rutter may not be a prolific scorer, as shown by his two goals in ten league matches so far, but he is able to make up for his struggles in that area with his fantastic play on the ball in the build-up.

The 21-year-old maestro is an outstanding talent when it comes to creating chances on a regular basis and he has caught the eye alongside Piroe with a string of terrific displays for Leeds in the Championship.

Therefore, Farke and the club dodged a bullet by avoiding a deal to sign Kaba for £2m during the summer transfer window as his statistics suggest that it would have been a big blunder.

He is not a better option than Piroe or Rutter for one of the two central attacking positions in the manager's 4-2-3-1 system and fans should, therefore, be thankful that Leeds did not bring him in on a permanent basis.

The teenager has the talent and commercial appeal to become the face of the Catalan club but can he succeed where past prodigies failed?

In 2006, a young player out of the Barcelona academy signed a deal with adidas. The agreement, reportedly worth around $500,000 per year, felt like a hefty investment for a 19-year-old. After all, the player hadn't yet played a full season of professional football. By the end of the previous season, he had scored six goals and added three assists. He only had 11 top-flight starts to his name.

That deal, for that player, Lionel Messi, proved to be a bargain for Adidas. Now, 18 years later, another La Masia graduate has done the same thing. Lamine Yamal, another right-winger out of the Barcelona academy, penned a long-term agreement to be one of the faces of adidas' global football brand. He will be the only other player in the world to wear Messi's exact boots – adding a visual link to a spiritual connection that has been drawn between the two for some time.

And though it will lead to immense pressure on the teenager, it is an ideal arrangement for the Balugrana. Since Messi left, the Catalan club have lacked a central marketable star – a world class presence who can not only change a game but also sell shirts in spades. Yamal, the newly minted face of adidas, can be that player.

adidas partnership with Lamine Yamaladidas partnership with Lamine YamalThe adidas deal

Yamal's deal was announced in a very modern way. A brief video showed Yamal, sitting on his childhood bed, clad in all-adidas gear, smiling at the camera. The alarm clock next to him beeps, and shows the time "3:04" – a reference to the area code he grew up in. Yamal laces up Messi's boots, and is then shown running onto a football pitch. He throws up his signature celebration, before breaking out a series of tricks and flicks.

It's comparable to the ad Jude Bellingham, another young star, recently featured in for the famous brand. This was a well-thought-out thing, something meant not only to curate an image but also highlight a burgeoning talent.

The company explained their choice, too.

"Adidas is proud to confirm Lamine Yamal joining the adidas family as of today, wearing the X Crazyfast; perfectly suited to his agile and explosive style of play on the wing. Lamine grew up in Rocafonda, 40 minutes from his club’s training ground, and remains proud of his roots in the area," it said in a statement.

"The partnership announcement film that has been posted on adidasFootball channels in collaboration with Lamine celebrates his football journey and connection to the 304, Rocafonda’s area code," it added.

The exact terms of the deal have not been made public. But the video alone shows that this is a serious commitment to an exciting talent. And Yamal deserves it, too.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesThe search for Messi's successor

There is a prevailing sense that the Blaugrana have been searching for a player like Yamal for some time. The idea of a 'new Messi' has long haunted the halls of La Masia, Barcelona's famed youth academy. At times, it seems like an obsession.

He comes from a long-line of supposed Messi successors – most of which have been unequivocal failures. Bojan, Messi's contemporary at the club, burned out fast – and later admitted that the comparisons to the world's best left a serious mark on his mental health. Giovani Dos Santos and Riqui Puig received much the same treatment – and never delivered on the promise.

The closest thus far has been Ansu Fati. He seemed an ideal replacement. Fifteen years younger than Messi, but a similarly exciting player, he was given the No.10 shirt when the Argentine reluctantly left for PSG in 2021. But that, too, proved to be too much for the teenager, who, four knee surgeries later, is struggling to make the grade at Brighton.

GettyYamal up to the task?

Yamal, it would seem, is the closest thing the Blaugrana have developed to a viable replacement.

The positional similarities are here: Yamal is a left-footed right winger. The skills are, too. Yamal can beat a player with his dribbling prowess and find the bottom corner with an angled shot.

He also has just enough swagger about his game to wow the Barcelona faithful without overplaying in key areas.

The stats – five goals and four assists in all competitions – don't jump off the page. But superstardom stretches beyond numbers. It's about the intangible qualities. Yamal has them.

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GettyA godsend for boring Barcelona

It's something that the current Barca squad is missing all over the pitch. A cursory glance at the starting XI shows a number of very talented and likeable footballers – but no global megastars. The word 'Galactico' is only used in a different major sporting city in Spain.

Still, players of that same stratospheric talent are hard to come by. The Blaugrana have always had at least one. Messi and Neymar were there at the same time. Before them were Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff.

This iteration of Barca – outside of burgeoning star Yamal – doesn't really have one. Robert Lewandowski will go down as a legend of the game. But his fame doesn't stretch beyond football; and he isn't one for massive ad campaigns, either. Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are all midfield artists, but share the same issue.

Ronald Araujo, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jules Kounde and Ilkay Gundogan all have social media presences – almost all footballers do these days. Still, none of them are impactful enough to make waves beyond football fan communities. You'd struggle to find a kid on the streets of Catalonia aspiring to be a tidy French full-back.

It is ironic that this all comes just nine months removed from a season of immense success. Barca coasted their way to a first Spanish top flight title since 2019 last season, claiming La Liga by 10 points. But the manner in which they won didn't catch the eye. This was an excellent defensive team that only let in 20 goals all season. They scored 15 fewer than in the 2020-21 campaign, a season in which the Blaugrana finished third. Put more simply: this version of Barcelona is boring.

A look at security arrangements ahead of Karachi’s biggest cricket event in nearly a decade

Umar Farooq in Karachi24-Mar-2018After nine years with no cricket of comparable magnitude, Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, is gearing up to host the Pakistan Super League final. This is the second major venue after Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium to host a high-profile game in recent years, and it is considered a crucial step on the long road to reviving international cricket in the country.The final between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi will be played at the National Stadium and the entire route from the hotel to the stadium will be lined with guards from Pakistan’s paramilitary force, the Rangers, and the Sindh police. A full house (around 33,000) is expected, with tickets sold out hours after they were released. There is a three-tier security layer, heavily guarded by security forces. Deputy Inspector General Traffic Imran Yaqoob Minhas, while addressing a press conference, said a total of 8500 police personnel will be deployed around the stadium for the match.The landscape of the city has changed drastically over the last nine years and the law and order situation has improved significantly. Karachi still remains the venue of the last completed Test match in Pakistan, a few days before the 2009 terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore.Karachi is generally viewed as a more challenging city in terms of its law-and-order situation, and providing a complete security plan, what with the nearest hotel being at least 12 km from the National Stadium, is harder than it is in Lahore.The stadium is situated in the centre of the city, and all major routes from all four directions that connect with the stadium will be closed for the general public. The two biggest hospitals of the city, Agha Khan and Liaquat National, are located close to the stadium, but the roads leading to them will be open. A shuttle service will be in place to take fans from the parking area to the stadium gates. The flow of traffic is likely to be reduced, but a strict directive has been issued to follow the day’s plan to avoid congestion. The fact that the game will be held on Sunday will help.”It’s a big occasion for Karachi and the whole country,” said Rashid Latif, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper who is now team director at Karachi Kings. “I am very much thankful to the PCB for making this possible. This was a much-needed step because you cannot revive cricket by playing at one venue. It’s important to involve at least three or four cities to get this going. Otherwise, you cannot have a positive impact. Karachi is a huge city and I cannot explain in words how big this would be for us and for this country.”We have played a month in Dubai and Sharjah but we actually felt the intensity when cricket came to Lahore for the playoffs. We realised how people are hungry for cricket and how desperate they are to have cricket back in their stadiums. This is huge for fans; they are really passionate about the game and during isolation we have suffered a lot in world of cricket.”I think the security is somewhat overdone. I don’t want to be critical but I feel security should be given to the foreigners only, not to us. When we were in Lahore for playoffs, even local players and officials were restricted from going out freely. So this shouldn’t be the case because this will give off a bad impression among the overseas players.”The security protocols are being overseen by international security consultant Reg Dickason who has praised the “remarkably thorough” security arrangements for the final, saying they were “as good as I have seen in all my years”.The PCB plans to bring a major chunk of the next edition of the PSL to Pakistan, with at least three venues hosting more than 15 games in total. “We plan to have half of the PSL next year in Pakistan,” Najam Sethi, the PSL chairman, said on Friday. “But for that, we need four stadiums. As of now, we have Lahore, Karachi and Multan ready to host big matches, so now our focus is on preparing the stadiums of Rawalpindi and Peshawar. We’ve been working day and night to bring international cricket back to the country.”

Tottenham Hotspur return to Premier League action away to Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow night, with the north London outfit currently enjoying a three-game winning run, following their latest triumph at home to Everton.

That 2-1 victory saw the Lilywhites race into an early lead courtesy of goals from Heung-min Son and Richarlison, albeit with the latter man proving something of a concern in the second half after he was forced off with a back injury.

Ange's 88-touch Spurs titan who won 13 duels was a wall alongside Vicario

They weren’t at their best, but Tottenham secured three points against an in-form Everton side.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 23, 2023

While the hope is that the Brazilian will be fit and firing again at the Amex, there is more of a worry regarding Cristian Romero's fitness, with the World Cup winner having been withdrawn at half-time due to a tight hamstring.

With the Argentine now facing four or five weeks out, he could represent one of three alterations that Ange Postecoglou may make on Thursday evening.

1

GK – Guglielmo Vicario

The goalkeeping "revelation" – as described by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher – was a certified brick wall against the Toffees, making seven saves in total to help the hosts claim a crucial three points.

Postecoglou will need the former Empoli man at his best again to thwart a typically lively Brighton attack.

2

RB – Pedro Porro

Having been signed by Antonio Conte to operate at wing-back, Pedro Porro has flourished as an inverted full-back in a back four so far this term, registering six assists in 17 league outings so far this term.

Undoubtedly a real creative force in that right channel, the former Sporting CP is almost a guaranteed pick for Postecoglou these days.

3

CB – Eric Dier

With Romero joining the list of absentees, it could see Eric Dier make a rare start at the heart of the defence, having replaced the South American star at the interval at the weekend.

While evidently not a favourite of Postecoglou – having been tipped for a departure over the summer – the lack of depth at centre-back will see the Englishman reluctantly selected.

4

CB – Ben Davies

Joining the long-serving Dier is another Spurs stalwart in the form of Ben Davies, with the Welshman having been a regular fixture of the side in recent months following the loss of Micky van de Ven to injury.

A partnership of Dier and Davies may not be Postecoglou's desired selection in the long-term, yet needs must for the trip to the south coast.

5

LB – Destiny Udogie

The second change from the win over the Toffees – alongside the selection of Dier – will likely be the return of Destiny Udogie, after the Italy international served a one-game ban last time out.

Only recently on the scoresheet in the thumping victory over Newcastle United, the former Udinese man will almost replace Emerson Royal at left-back tomorrow.

6

CM – Pape Matar Sarr

It is worth remembering that it was only last season that Pape Matar Sarr was merely a bit-part player under Conte and co, having been restricted to a measly haul of two league starts in 2022/23.

Fast forward a matter of months, however, and the former Metz menace is now shining under the new regime having already made 16 top-flight outings – 14 of which have come from the start – after cementing a regular place for himself in the side.

With one goal and two assists to show for that involvement, the Senegalese gem will be hoping to add to that tally against the Seagulls.

7

CM – Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

With Yves Bissouma sidelined with suspension, a rare chance was handed to Oliver Skipp against Sean Dyche's men – albeit with there an opportunity for the experienced Hojbjerg to slot in alongside Sarr this time around.

Previously dubbed "invaluable" to the side by pundit Noel Whelan, the Dane has somewhat fallen by the wayside this season after making just three league starts, yet he has regularly made the difference against tomorrow's opponents – scoring two goals and contributing two assists in 13 career clashes.

The 28-year-old could perhaps prove a thorn in the side of the Amex outfit yet again.

8

RW – Brennan Johnson

An injury-hit start to life in the capital has somewhat hampered Brennan Johnson's involvement, yet the Wales international is swiftly starting to repay that rather hefty £47.5m transfer fee.

Still just 22, the former Nottingham Forest man now boasts one goal and three assists from 15 league outings this term, notably playing his part in both goals against the Merseysiders on Saturday.

With Dejan Kulusevski having moved into a central role of late, Johnson looks to be making that right-wing berth his own.

9

CAM – Dejan Kulusevski

Speaking of Kulusevski, following his heroics in the win over Forest – in which he registered a goal and an assist at the City Ground – the Swedish sensation wasn't quite at his brilliant best at the weekend, yet still managed to register three key passes for his teammates.

Having started every league game this season, it would be a real surprise if the 23-year-old was not selected from the start yet again tomorrow.

10

LW – Heung-min Son

Whether it be on the left flank or through the middle, Spurs' talismanic skipper continues to wreak havoc on Premier League defences.

With 11 league goals to his name already this term, the 31-year-old is doing his best to plug the gap left behind by former partner-in-crime, Harry Kane, with the Englishman now something of a distant memory as a result of Postecoglou's fabulous, free-flowing style of play.

Son is the figurehead of this new-look side, having proven himself the man to rely upon in the first half of the campaign.

da esoccer bet： Chelsea got back to winning ways on Wednesday night as they secured a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

da dobrowin： The Blues took the lead through Mykhaylo Mudryk in the first half as the Ukraine international converted from close range but Michael Olise smartly equalised with a near post finish just before the break.

Mauricio Pochettino's side then sealed the win late on as a VAR review awarded them a penalty for a foul on Noni Madueke, who stepped up to convert the spot-kick.

Malo Gusto put in a fantastic display at right-back, and left-back later on in the game, but the manager's true hero on the night was central midfielder Moises Caicedo.

Malo Gusto's performance against Palace in numbers

Lee Dixon hailed his performance as "superb" during the Amazon Prime live coverage of the match and it was a fair analysis of the talented gem's showing.

The French dynamo, who started the clash on the right back of the back four, played a pivotal role in the opening goal with a fantastic turn on the half-way line before racing forward all the way to the left wing to slot a perfect pass to Mudryk to make it 1-0.

He made two key passes in total and completed 94% (91/97) of his attempted passes throughout his 90 minutes on the pitch, on the right and the left.

It was, however, a mixed bag from Gusto on the defensive side of the game. The full-back did make three tackles and three interceptions but was also dribbled past four times and lost eight of his 13 ground duels.

Whereas, Caicedo was impressive in and out of possession throughout the match for Chelsea as he showcased his quality in the middle of the park.

Caicedo's performance against Palace in numbers

The summer signing from Brighton & Hove Albion set his stall out early with a couple of crunching challenges and kept that tempo up all night.

He won an outstanding 11 of his 15 physical contests throughout the clash, which included nine of his 13 ground duels and both of his aerial contests.

The 22-year-old battler made five tackles and one interception in total and was only dribbled past once by an opposition player in midfield.

23/24 Premier League

Caicedo (via Sofascore)

Appearances

16

Sofascore rating

6.98

Pass accuracy

92%

Duel success rate

54%

Ball recoveries per match

4.8

His defensive statistics show that the Ecuador international was imperious for Pochettino to ensure that he cut out promising Palace attacks at source to win back possession for Chelsea, which then allowed them to control the game.

Caicedo also remained reliable on the ball to go along with his superb defending. The young whiz completed 94% (79/84) of his attempted passes from 102 touches of the ball and found a teammate with all five of his long passes.

This shows that the former Seagulls star was composed in possession and rarely gave the ball away cheaply to the opposition, which allowed Chelsea to constantly probe and cause problems at the top end of the pitch.

Therefore, Caicedo was Pochettino's true hero on the night, over Gusto, as he used his skills on and off the ball to produce a complete display in midfield.