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Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has defended Usman Khawaja saying it is “drawing a long bow” to suggest that his decision to play golf prior to the Test match impacted the back spasms that he suffered on the opening day in Perth.Khawaja, 38, has come under scrutiny after the issue forced him off the field late in England’s short first innings on Friday. His absence was ill-timed as England then collapsed while he was stretching to overcome the spasm and it left stand-in captain Steven Smith calling for Khawaja to come back onto the field.Khawaja eventually did return to the field for the end of the innings but, according to ICC rules, had not returned for the equal amount of time he had been off and therefore was ineligible to open the batting. It meant Marnus Labuschagne was forced to open and Smith batted at No.3. Khawaja eventually batted at No.4 and was dismissed for just 2.Khawaja fielded for all 15 overs Australia bowled prior to lunch on day two and looked unaffected. But he dropped a catch at slip after lunch and then jumped for another and his back seized up again. He left the field for the last 48 minutes of England’s second innings and was unable to open again, with Travis Head walking out for the fourth-innings chase alongside Weatherald.”Unfortunately Uzzy is not moving too well,” Cummins told Fox Cricket on Saturday afternoon. “His back flared up again in the slips going for a jump above his head so he’s unable to open.”We were trying to work out whether we shuffle everyone up like the first innings, but Trav ran off and he was keen to give it a crack.”He’s done it quite a bit in white ball cricket so we switched those roles.”Hopefully Uzzy can still fill in a role in the middle order at some point.”Don’t think we’ll see him until after Marn and Smithy.”CA stressed it was a new injury that he had not suffered prior to Friday. Khawaja had played golf on Tuesday and Wednesday either side of Australia’s training sessions. He skipped Thursday’s optional session, with only four of Australia’s XI doing any training, to play golf alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Several of Australia’s coaching staff also played in the afternoon after the main session.Greenberg, an avid golfer himself who sat with Perth-born professional golfer Min Woo Lee at Perth Stadium on Friday, said there was no correlation between Khawaja’s golf and his back issue.”[Golf] has held him in good stead over the last couple of years. It’s not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf a day prior,” Greenberg told SEN. “Did that correlate to any of the issues? I personally don’t think so.”Usman’s a very seasoned campaigner, he knows his body well, and he knows how to get himself prepared for cricket. So I think that is drawing a long bow. A lot of people talk about cricket being played between the ears.”So getting some time away from being in your hotel or at training I think is really important. I noticed Mitch Starc played golf with him, so it certainly didn’t impact his performance.”Golf is a huge part of Australia’s team culture, as it is for their opponents England. They play regularly in the lead-up to Test matches at home and abroad. The entire squad had a team-bonding trip to northern Scotland to play a week of golf before the WTC final, which they lost to South Africa.CA’s medical and strength and conditioning staff have long sanctioned it, especially for the fast bowlers, as low impact time on their feet that also provided a mental reprieve from the grind of cricket training and playing.

MatériaMais Notícias

Durante o confronto entre São Paulo e Palmeiras, torcedores criticaram carrinho aplicado por Endrick em Arboleda.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! São Paulo

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Aos 44 minutos do segundo tempo, o garoto do Verdão correu para interceptar um passe do zagueiro na defesa são-paulina. Porém, ele chegou atrasado e pegou em cheio o defensor do Tricolor.

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➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Nas redes sociais, internautas chamaram atenção para certa recorrência de entradas “acima do tom” de Endrick em adversários, além desta ocasião no clássico entre Palmeiras e São Paulo.

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão

O próximo jogo do Palmeiras será pela Copa do Brasil, contra o Botafogo-SP, enquanto o São Paulo enfrentará o Água de Marabá. As partidas acontecem na mesma data, quinta-feira (5).

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It would be easy to say that this is becoming a season to forget for Liverpool, but Arne Slot’s Reds have in actual fact sunk so low that this wretched campaign will be seared into the fanbase’s memory for years to come.

The Premier League champions have lost nine of their past 12 matches in all competitions, including twice at Anfield in a space of just five days. This is beyond concerning: this is a calamity.

For all the mitigating circumstances at the Merseyside club, there is simply no excuse for the lack of fight and intensity that fans have watched all too often since the summer, Liverpool having established themselves as title winners and broken the summer spending record.

Alexander Isak is the most expensive player in British history, joining Liverpool from Newcastle United for £125m on deadline day.

His only goal since joining came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. The Sweden striker has not integrated well, though it’s not exactly easy to dovetail into this current Liverpool side.

He needs more support, and that’s why sporting director Richard Hughes is surveying the market for a new wide forward to replace Mohamed Salah.

Why Liverpool want to replace Mohamed Salah

Salah’s struggles this season must be viewed through a wide and balanced lens. The 33-year-old has been wildly out of sorts, but he’s ageing, grieving the passing of his teammate Diogo Jota and playing a tweaked role now that Liverpool have signed big-money strikers.

Taking all this into consideration, he’s still struggling to perform to the expected level. This is perhaps why Liverpool are gearing up for winter bid for Bournemouth’s versatile forward Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause.

But should Liverpool be aiming higher? After all, they need to land an elite winger who will succeed in rekindling Isak’s world-class quality.

Well, they may have found their man in Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, with Spanish sources suggesting that Liverpool are prepared to fight for the 23-year-old’s signature next summer.

Olise joined Bayern from Crystal Palace in 2024 and has since staked his claim as one of the most exciting forwards in the business. Vincent Kompany’s side know this and will demand a staggering €140m (equating to £122m) sum for his sale.

Arsenal and Manchester United are also keen, so Hughes had better roll up his sleeves.

Why Liverpool should sign Michael Olise

It might have been an unhappy return to English shores for Olise this week as his Bayern team were beaten 3-1 at the Emirates, but the right winger still caught the eye, completing three dribbles and winning eight duels.

A fully-fledged member of Didier Deschamps’ France set-up, Olise has proven himself across a range of different levels, and now he is ready to take the baton from Salah and become a superstar at Anfield.

Should Salah find a purple patch within him once again, the fact remains that his £400k-per-week contract expires at the end of next season, and Liverpool are somewhat short of options on that flank.

The two could cohabit on Liverpool’s attacking flank next season, and Olise has the athleticism and output to ensure Isak reminds everyone that he is “the best striker in the Premier League”, as he was hailed by Jamie Carragher for his form with Newcastle during the 2024/25 campaign.

Olise ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive passes and the top 7% for successful take-ons per 90, data via FBref.

Harry Kane is a very different type of number nine to Isak, but the Sweden international’s more energetic and mobile playing style might actually give rise to Olise’s finest creative qualities.

Indeed, Isak is fast and furious, skilful on the ball. His ability to split lines open with cleverly-timed runs would play into Olise’s playmaking.

Hailed as “one of the best wingers in the world” by podcaster Henry Swain, Olise would be taking Salah’s place on the right, whereas Isak is tussling for a starting berth with Hugo Ekitike, who also joined Liverpool this summer.

Should the Reds succeed in adding Olise to their ranks, he has the potential to become their star forward. This is quite a claim, Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are among the attacking options at Slot’s disposal, after all.

But it’s the truth. Here is a player whose proven ability across so many different areas underscores his quality. He is artful on the ball and combative and physical when he needs to be. Isak might have proven himself in front of goal in the Premier League, but his start to life on Merseyside shows that he has weaknesses within his game.

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Olise, after all, has recorded 62 goal contributions from only 74 matches for the German giants, and that after enjoying a talismanic role at Selhurst Park with Palace.

Toward the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Carragher spoke on Sky Sports of Eberechi Eze and Olise’s brilliance for Oliver Glasner’s Palace. He said those Eagles would fly high at top clubs in the Champions League.

The pundit was right. Olise is a superstar, and given his Premier League and European experience, his flair and gusto, he would be the perfect right-sided forward to take Salah’s place and combine with a striker like Isak to fire Liverpool back into the ascendancy – and keep them there.

But given his potential to succeed Salah, and unenviable task if ever there was one, Olise might even prove a better deal than Isak, whose success perhaps runs counter to Ekitike’s own long-term ambitions at the front of the Anfield ship.

As bad as Konate & Van Dijk: £85m Liverpool duo cannot start together again

Liverpool plummeted to new depths after losing 4-1 to PSV at Anfield in the Champions League.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 27, 2025

Worcestershire fight back through Taylor, Libby but face uphill struggle to avoid defeat

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Sep-2025

Worcestershire 123 and 270 for 6 (Libby 72) lead Sussex 350 (Simpson 129*, Taylor 4-106) by 43 runsJohn Simpson’s unbeaten 129 and six second-innings Worcestershire wickets kept Sussex in command on day two of the Rothesay County Championship clash at Visit Worcestershire New Road.A glistening fourth century of the season from the away side’s skipper saw Sussex add 122 runs to their overnight score, before they were bowled out for 350.With a deficit of 227, Jake Libby and Rehaan Edavalath added a century stand for the first wicket to throw the Pears a lifeline.Six wickets across the second half of the day however saw Worcestershire cling onto a slender lead of 43 runs heading into the third day with just four wickets intact.A resplendent morning at Visit Worcestershire New Road saw the home side land the first blow of the day when Tom Taylor bowled Jack Carson in the first over of the morning.A 53rd wicket of a remarkable season followed soon after for Taylor as Danny Lamb feathered a nick through to Rob Jones at second slip, to check the visitors progress at 245 for 7.Simpson registered his fourth hundred of a memorable Division One campaign, reaching the milestone in 138 balls and scoring 18 boundaries in the process, shortly after Ollie Robinson had departed for a brisk 24.Simpson kicked on as the visitors reached 350 and strengthened their grip on the match, before Matthew Waite’s introduction into the attack saw him take two wickets in four balls as he dismissed both Ari Karvelas and Jayden Unadkat, with Sussex all-out for 350 possessing a healthy lead of 227.Simpson finished unbeaten on 129, with his 19th first-class century the standout innings of the game.Libby surpassed 1000 first class runs for the season in the Rothesay County Championship early into the afternoon session as the Worcestershire reply got off to a cautious start.The shackles were freed by Libby however, as he moved through the gears with some dismissive pull shots through midwicket as Sussex’s opening bowlers grafted to no avail in the sunshine.Libby pressed on in fine style, reaching a third Division One half-century of the season in just 63 deliveries, as he and Edavalath added 113 for the first wicket on a pitch showing signs of flattening.Edavalath made 45 and Libby a superb 72, before the pair were dismissed inside four overs of one another, with Edavalath first lbw off a straightening Unadkat delivery and Libby following soon after having edged a ball behind to James Coles at slip to give the Indian seam bowler his second of the innings.Robinson collected his first wicket of the innings when he hurried Isaac Mohammed with a short ball to dismiss the teenager for 4.First-innings top scorer Dan Lategan and number five Rob Jones came together midway through the afternoon to add 63 for the fourth wicket with the hosts working hard to find a foothold in the game.Despite making it to the tea interval unscathed, Tom Haines ended the partnership in the 46th over of Worcestershire’s reply, as he pinned Lategan lbw for 30, with the hosts still 40 runs in arrears.Jones produced a gritty knock of 46, with Worcestershire heading towards the close at parity, but his wicket and the dismissal of Ethan Brookes handed Sussex back the initiative late on.

Free agent slugger Juan Soto's market is heating up quickly, as expected, with the star slugger the prize of the market this offseason.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Soto is set to begin with prospective teams this week in California. The Toronto Blue Jays will get the first meeting with Soto, followed by the Boston Red Sox. After that, the two prohibitive favorites, the New York Mets and New York Yankees will get a chance for Soto to hear their pitch.

The Yankees would certainly love to have him back impacting the middle of their batting order. The 26-year-old Soto hit .288 this season for the Bronx Bombers, with 41 home runs and 109 RBI in 576 at-bats.

Soto is also in historic company as he enters his prime. As Passan noted, Soto is eighth all-time in OPS+ among players with 3,000 or more plate appearances through their age-25 season. His OPS+ of 160 trails only Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Mike Trout, Jimmie Foxx, Albert Pujols, Tris Speaker and Rogers Hornsby. That is certainly good Hall of Fame company to be in.

Soto will likely command the longest contract in MLB history due to his age and talent. Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres currently holds that record for contract length with his 14-year, $340 million contract. Soto's deal could break the record for contract length, and is expected to exceed $600 million in guaranteed money.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo terminou o primeiro turno do Brasileirão como campeão com uma campanha histórica. Mas, desde o início do segundo turno, os resultados começaram a preocupar e ameaçam a liderança do Alvinegro. Com apenas 4 pontos nas cinco primeiras rodadas, o clube carioca tem o pior desempenho da história do atual formato do torneio.

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No primeiro turno, o Glorioso terminou no topo da tabela com a melhor campanha da história dos pontos corridos, atingindo diversas marcas que somente times que se tornaram campeões alcançaram. Mas, depois da última derrota para o Corinthians, o Botafogo alcançou uma marca negativa dessa vez.

+Botafogo anuncia setores esgotados e parcial de venda de ingressos para partida contra o Goiás

Com a derrota, o time de Bruno Lage superou o próprio Corinthians de 2017 e agora amarga o pior início de returno desde que o Campeonato Brasileiro assumiu o formato de 20 clubes e pontos corridos. Confira as campanhas desde 2006 abaixo!

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

Em 2017, o Corinthians, assim como o Botafogo, terminou as primeiras 19 rodadas com 47 pontos. Mas, passou por um momento ruim nas quatro primeiras rodadas do segundo turno, somando apenas três pontos: uma vitória e três derrotas seguidas.

O Glorioso ainda ficava abaixo do time de Fábio Carille. Com um empate a mais nas quatro primeiras rodadas, o Botafogo tinha a segunda pior campanha. Mas, com a derrota na sexta-feira (22), na quinta rodada do returno, o time carioca manteve os quatro pontos, enquanto o Corinthians venceu em 2017 e chegou a 6. Tornando a campanha do Alvinegro a pior.

Os resultados ligam alerta no time de John Textor. Nenhum time conseguiu venceu o Brasileirão fazendo menos de seis pontos nas cinco primeiras rodadas do returno. Em 2009, com seis pontos, nas primeiras cinco rodadas, o Internacional foi vice-campeão. Em 2011 e 2016, com os mesmos seis pontos, o Corinthians conseguiu levantar a taça.

*PEDRO BRANDÃO colaborou sob a supervisão de Victor Mendes

Former USMNT star Herculez Gomez sparked debate by saying Carlos Vela's record-setting 2019 campaign was more impressive than Lionel Messi's current Golden Boot-winning season, despite the Argentine's contributing to 48 goals in just 28 appearances. Vela scored 34 goals and contributed to 49 goals in 31 games in 2019.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Competitive rivalry with Zlatan

  Despite acknowledging Messi's statistical brilliance in 2025, the ESPN FC analyst gave the nod to Vela's 2019 season when comparing the two campaigns. The 2019 season featured a compelling race between Vela and Zlatan Ibrahimović. The Mexican international finished with 34 goals while the Swedish star had 30.

  "I’m going to lean Carlos Vela,” Gomez said on the Futbol Americas podcast. “And only for one reason and one reason only – Carlos Vela had a nemesis that year. He had an actual rivalry and the league was better for it… And the games they had against each other? It made Carlos Vela better. There is nobody making Messi better. There is nobody to rival Lionel Messi, to even be the nemesis of Lionel Messi.

  "And because of that, I think the narrative here is that it’s kind of boring. Messi is doing what he does and there’s no drama. The only drama is well, will he finally do what we all think they’re going to do – win MLS Cup?”

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• Gomez acknowledges Messi's dominance

  The former USMNT striker praised Messi after his Decision Day hat-trick, which sealed the Golden Boot race. He contrasted the Argentine with former MVP Hany Mukhtar and 2025 Golden Boot contender Sam Surridge, saying neither could truly compete with Messi.

  "Surridge was in the fight for the Golden Boot and Hany Mukhtar is a former Golden Boot and former MLS MVP of this league – and they’re still not at the level of a Messi," he said. "He’s beyond any player in this league. Despite his age he just takes over. This is a player who is fighting for the Golden Boot, is fighting to break records, scores his first penalty in this game… And he’s also giving penalties away to his teammates, to players trying to make a name for themselves on the team.

  "So he’s giving up goal contributions. And for us, it's like we’re looking at him making history here – but he’s looking at it as another day in the office."

• Messi reshapes MLS record books

  While Gomez favored Vela's season for its narrative appeal, Messi's 2025 regular-season campaign was historically dominant by nearly every statistical measure. His 1.03 goals-per-game average ranks second only to Vela's 2019 campaign (1.10) among Golden Boot winners since 2005. Twenty-eight of Messi's 29 goals came from open play – the most in a season in league history by three goals.

  The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner also became the first player in MLS history to record 10 multi-goal games in a season, breaking the previous mark of eight.

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  Debate highlights evolution of MLS

  As Inter Miami prepares for a playoff matchup against the same Nashville SC side that Messi dominated on Decision Day, the Argentine's continued excellence at age 38 has redefined expectations for what's possible in MLS.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is edging closer to a Real Madrid return and could make the squad against Juventus after resuming group training. However, Xabi Alonso is still unsure about the condition of Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen ahead of Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona, with several key players facing late fitness tests in a decisive week for Los Blancos.

• Trent closes in on Real Madrid return ahead of Juventus clash

  Madrid have been handed a much-needed boost as Alexander-Arnold completed a significant part of training with the squad, raising hopes of his inclusion against Juventus in the Champions League, according to . The England international has missed the last six matches through injury and also sat out international duty. His recovery has progressed well, and Madrid staff believe he could be named in the travelling squad if he completes one more session without discomfort.

  Alonso is expected to be cautious. Trent has been sidelined for over a month, and while his return would be timely, the coaching staff must decide whether to start him or ease him back from the bench. With a packed schedule and El Clasico on the horizon, the plan is to involve him against Juve to assess his rhythm and readiness. For now, his comeback offers tactical balance, especially with his playmaking from deep and ability to invert into midfield.

  His return would also help ease concerns in defence, where Madrid have been forced to rotate heavily due to injuries. With Ferland Mendy also returning to full training and available for Juventus, Alonso may have two of his preferred full-backs back in contention at a crucial point in the season.

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• AFP
  

  Madrid still sweating over Carvajal and Huijsen ahead of El Clasico

  While Alexander-Arnold’s return is positive news, Los Blancos remain uncertain over the fitness of Dani Carvajal and Dean Huijsen. Both players trained individually to start the week and are unlikely to feature against the Bianconeri. Their availability for El Clasico remains in doubt, and Madrid will monitor their progress day by day. Carvajal is dealing with muscle discomfort, while Huijsen has yet to rejoin full sessions following his injury setback.

  Carvajal’s situation is particularly concerning for Alonso. The veteran full-back brings defensive solidity and experience in big games, and without him, he may need to rely on Alexander-Arnold playing multiple high-intensity matches in quick succession or turn to makeshift solutions. If neither the Englishman nor Carvajal are fully match fit for Barcelona, Federico Valverde could be forced to fill in. Huijsen, meanwhile, is valued for his aerial presence and distribution but faces a race against time.

  Adding to the complications, Dani Ceballos is also training alone and is unlikely to make the squad for Juventus. While not a guaranteed starter, his absence reduces midfield depth and affects rotation plans. With two massive contests within four days, Madrid's medical staff are attempting to fast-track recoveries without taking unnecessary risks.

• Injury room still full: Rudiger ruled out, Alaba & Mendy monitored closely

  Madrid remain stretched defensively, with Antonio Rudiger officially ruled out of El Clasico. The centre-back is only halfway through his recovery from a rectus femoris injury and is expected to miss several more weeks. His absence leaves a notable gap in central defence, especially with Alaba also a concern after feeling discomfort in his right soleus against Getafe. The Austrian will undergo medical tests to determine whether he can feature midweek or at the weekend.

  Mendy, however, has given the club some relief. He completed full training and is expected to be available against Juventus. His return allows Eduardo Camavinga to move back into midfield if needed, restoring balance in both defensive and midfield structures. That said, Alonso will weigh whether to start him immediately or introduce him gradually.

  In midfield, no new injuries have surfaced, but the lack of depth in defence means Aurelien Tchouameni may again be forced to cover at centre-back if Alaba is unable to play. The club are expected to make a final decision on selection after Tuesday’s training session and medical reports.

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  Madrid’s critical week: Juventus first, then Barcelona showdown

  Los Blancos must first navigate their Champions League meeting with Juve before turning full attention to Barcelona. A win against the Italian side would keep them in control of their European campaign and provide momentum heading into the Clasico. Alonso will likely balance rotation and rhythm, using returning players like Trent and Mendy but managing minutes carefully.

  El Clasico, however, is the real focus. Barcelona sit just two points behind Madrid in La Liga, and a defeat could see the league leaders lose their cushion at the top. If Carvajal and Huijsen are deemed fit, they could be rushed back into the squad.

  Beyond injuries, Alonso will stress composure and energy management. The team have already come through a narrow 1-0 win against Getafe and know there is no room for error. With Juventus on Wednesday and Barcelona on Sunday, this week could shape Madrid’s season and Trent’s return comes at just the right time.

Chelsea, once again, appear to be collecting all the wide-attackers they can get their hands on.

On deadline day, in a deal that had been in the pipeline for months, the Blues confirmed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United for a reported fee of £40m.

This summer alone, the Blues had also already added Estêvão Willian, Jamie Gittens, João Pedro and Kendry Páez to their ranks, all players who like to be deployed just behind a centre-forward, either out-wide or centrally.

However, is this continued mass summer spending actually blocking the pathways for Cobham’s most talented youngsters, one in particular who is still at the club, despite very nearly leaving?

Will Alejandro Garnacho improve Chelsea?

Despite the fact this transfer had been on the cards since May, it remains unclear where Garnacho will fit in at Chelsea.

As already alluded to, they have an abundance of attacking options, particularly in Garnacho’s favoured left-wing position, with Gittens starting there on the opening day of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace, while Pedro Neto has got the nod for the two subsequent matches.

So, when extrapolating Garnacho’s Premier League statistics from last season and comparing them to Chelsea’s players, how does the Argentine international compare? Let’s find out.

Goals

6

5th

Assists

2

8th

Shots

84

2nd

Shots on target

29

4th

Shots on target %

34.5%

10th

Goals – xG

-1.3

20th

Shot-creating actions

83

5th

Goal-creating actions

6

8th

Progressive carries

141

2nd

As the table outlines, among Chelsea players last season, only the now departed Noni Madueke registered more progressive carries than Garnacho, but the 21-year-old isn’t much of a clinical finisher, as underlined by his goals – xG figure, certainly more of a high volume shooter, but without much accuracy.

Thus, it remains to be seen whether or not Garnacho will actually improve Chelsea, so should Enzo Maresca prioritise giving minutes to a home-grown academy graduate?

Chelsea's next Cobham superstar

On deadline day, it appeared as though Tyrique George would become the latest Chelsea academy graduate sacrificed to help the club comply with the Premier League’s Profitability & Sustainability Rules.

Fulham had agreed a £22m fee to sign the teenager, with George even completing a medical ahead of a move to Craven Cottage, only for them to pull the plug on the deal at the eleventh hour, signing Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk and Samuel Chukwueze on loan from AC Milan instead.

Thus, George has returned to Chelsea, and this could turn out to be an absolute blessing.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson is certainly a fan, comparing him to a “young Callum Hudson-Odoi”, praising his “excellent ball manipulation” and outstanding “ball-striking” ability, asserting that he is “one of the very best in the world” in his age group.

It is easy to forget just how good Hudson-Odoi was when he first burst onto the scene, with the Blues famously rejecting a £70m bid from Bayern Munich for his services back in 2020, eventually selling him to Nottingham Forest for £3m three years later.

Well, George could be even better, after enjoying a breakout season last time round, accumulating 1,154 senior minutes, scoring his first-ever Premier League goal against Fulham on Easter Sunday, also netting against Legia Warszawa in the Conference League and during the 3-0 demolition of Espérance Sportive de Tunis at the Club World Cup.

Most of his minutes came in the Conference League, a key figure across the Blues’ 15 matches in the competition, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelling him one of England’s “most interesting” young talents, forecasting that he has a “big future ahead”.

Thus, especially given that they were prepared to sell him to Fulham, one has to be concerned about where George’s minutes will come from, but Maresca should prioritise giving him opportunities, given that he has a higher ceiling than Garnacho in particular.

Boehly ditched Chelsea's own Alexander Isak in "unbelievable" talent

The talented international could have an excellent season away from Chelsea.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 6, 2025

Jurgen Klopp's former assistant Peter Krawietz hit back at criticism of the former Liverpool manager's decision to join the Red Bull group as head of global soccer. The announcement stunned supporters after the former Reds boss left the dugout to head upstairs and take a strategic role at the German club.

Fans blindsided by sudden departure

Despite some whispers of Klopp's fatigue in the previous season, nobody, not even Krawietz himself, anticipated the manager’s imminent exit. The news unleashed a wave of backlash from the fanbase, with many questioning his timing. 

AdvertisementGOAL Criticism ‘misunderstood’ says Krawietz

In an interview with GOAL, Krawietz said: "I've taken note of the criticism. But I don't understand it. I think there's a bit of a misunderstanding on the part of the fans."

When pressed on what he meant about misunderstanding Klopp, Krawietz elaborated: "Where would Jurgen have been allowed to work, what would the public have approved of? There would have been numerous critical voices even if he, purely hypothetically, had become coach at Bayern Munich or Manchester United. Of course, that's not how free choice of profession works. You have to pay that much respect to an individual. You can't hold a public vote on what the fans approve of."

Only one regret

Some detractors argue Klopp should have claimed more silverware given the quality of his Liverpool squads. Krawietz, however, insists the only true disappointment remains one narrowly missed title.

"There was a season in which we got 97 points, which was one point too few in the end," he sighed. "Even today, I'd still love to have won that one."

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Getty Images SportLiverpool thriving under Slot

Interestingly, Liverpool secured the Premier League immediately following Klopp’s departure and appear poised to dominate English football for years under Arne Slot. The Reds have kicked off the new season with a flawless start, winning their opening five fixtures, signalling that the club’s forward momentum remains intact. Liverpool will next face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, with supporters eager to see if Slot’s side can extend their perfect run.