Encerrado o jejum de gols de Pedro pelo Flamengo. Após um mês e meio sem estufar as redes – desde 13 de agosto, contra o São Paulo -, o camisa 9 voltou a marcar, neste sábado, na vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Bahia, no Maracanã. Resultado que acabou também com uma sequência do time de quatro jogos sem ganhar na temporada.
De quebra, Pedro se tornou o sexto maior artilheiro do Flamengo na história do Campeonato Brasileiro, empatando com ninguém menos do que Romário no ranking geral. Agora, são 37 gols para cada um na principal competição nacional. O Baixinho, porém, precisou de menos jogos do que o atual goleador: 62×103.
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+ Tite é a melhor aposta para o Flamengo? Faz sua fezinha na Lance! Betting
Desde que chegou à Gávea, em 2020, o centroavante já estufou as redes 98 vezes com a camisa rubro-negra, sendo 28 em 2023. O atacante agora está a apenas um tento de igualar seu recorde de gols estabelecido no ano passado, quando fez 29.
Real Madrid are expected to receive numerous offers for wonderkid Gonzalo Garcia in the upcoming January transfer window. However, head coach Xabi Alonso is set to block any potential departure, as he trusts the Spain Under 21 star to be an important rotational piece. Gonzalo was the top scorer at the Club World Cup, but has made just one start in the 2025-26 season.
Gonzalo's Club World Cup exploits earn him a promotion
Madrid went to the Club World Cup with Kylian Mbappe and Endrick carrying injuries. It proved to be a blessing in disguise for both the club and Gonzalo, as the 21-year-old started all six games, scored four goals, and produced one assist to finish as the tournament's top scorer. The club ended their search for a profile who could be a physical presence inside the box. Madrid rewarded Gonzalo with a new contract until 2030 and, by default, a promotion to the first team.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportGonzalo struggling for game time in the 2025-26 season
His impact at the Club World Cup seems to have been forgotten quickly. The academy graduate has featured in just six of the 10 games Madrid have played, starting just once and racking up a meagre 101 minutes of game time. Mbappe's incredible form – which has seen him plunder 14 goals already – as well as Rodrygo's continuation has stymied his progress.
Clubs will try to poach Gonzalo in January
Several clubs showcased interest in acquiring the rising star's services over the summer, including Premier League outfits. However, Gonzalo eventually stayed put and didn't entertain any offers. His lack of prominence in the ongoing season is set to attract interest from a lot of clubs in the January transfer window, according to a report from .
Endrick has marked his return from injury and is determined to fight for his spot in Madrid despite not having played a single game under Alonso yet. reports that having to fight for minutes with the Brazilian teenager could be another factor which could prompt Gonzalo to seek minutes elsewhere.
On the contrary, Serie A heavyweights Juventus are reportedly keeping tabs on Endrick ahead of a potential January swoop. Not just Juve, but the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, West Ham and Real Sociedad also setting their sights in coveted young striker.
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AFPAlonso counts on Gonzalo
Despite the high likelihood of offers coming Gonzalo's way in winter, manager Alonso doesn't want to lose a player he has blind faith in. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach sees Gonzalo as a crucial jigsaw of Madrid's rotational puzzle, and hence will not allow him to leave in January.
Starc’s maiden five-for in T20s overshadowed Aniket Verma’s 41-ball 74
Shashank Kishore30-Mar-20255:41
Do SRH’s batters lack a plan B?
Mitchell Starc’s T20 best powered Delhi Capitals (DC) to a second straight win in Vizag as Sunrisers Hyderabad’s (SRH) all-out approach backfired for the second time in two games.Faf du Plessis then set the tempo for the chase with a half-century and despite Zeeshan Ansari’s three quick wickets on his T20 return after six years, DC’s strong 81-run opening stand set up an easy win in 16 overs with seven wickets in hand.This meant Aniket Verma’s blazing 41-ball 74, highlighted by his takedown of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, was overshadowed as SRH slumped to their second straight loss.Related
Rookie Aniket Verma and his incredible six sense
Starc's 'out of the box' ways prove too good for Head
Starc 2-0 HeadLike he did in last year’s IPL final, Starc proved menacing, but he was aided along the way. Abhishek Sharma ran himself out in the first over, Ishan Kishan slashed to deep third, and local boy Nitish Reddy heaved a slow offcutter to mid-on.Head vs Starc was brewing to be a contest within a contest. Head began by hitting him for two back-to-back fours, but after the flurry of wickets, Axar Patel’s decision to persist with Starc for a third over paid off when Head’s attempted ramp against him found KL Rahul’s gloves. SRH were 37 for 4 in the fifth over.Mitchell Starc picked up his maiden five-for in T20s•BCCI
Aniket, Klaasen lead recoveryAniket, 23, was all of three T20s old coming into this game. But he showed why SRH have so much faith in him. His incredible 41-ball 74 formed the bedrock of the SRH innings. He hit five fours and six sixes in his innings, twinning with Heinrich Klaasen during a 77-run stand off just 40 balls to lift the team after the Starc menace.Aniket shouldn’t have lasted that long, though. In the fourth over, he survived a run-out chance when Tristan Stubbs missed a direct hit at the striker’s end. In the sixth, his leading edge off Axar was put down by Abishek Porel circling from extra cover.Aniket made them pay – well, almost – by hitting Axar for back-to-back sixes in his next over. Klaasen, whose first six was a whip off Starc, wasn’t too far behind, but when he was out to Mohit Sharma after being brilliantly caught by Vipraj Nigam running back from point, SRH needed a semblance of stability at 114 for 5 in the 11th over.Kuldeep shines, Starc finishes it offSRH’s lower order was put to the test, and they were undone by DC’s spinners. Kuldeep had Abhinav Manohar slicing one to long-off and Cummins holing out to the lone man at deep midwicket. Aniket then decided to take control, hitting Axar for 4, 6, 6 to start the 16th over. Fraser-McGurk and Axar’s athleticism – at deep midwicket and mid-off, respectively – then helped close out the innings as SRH left eight deliveries unused.Faf du Plessis was quick off the blocks•BCCI
Du Plessis sets the tempoFraser-McGurk’s powerplay salvo set the tempo for DC last year, but he struggled for rhythm for large parts tonight. This was offset by du Plessis’ fluency as he raced to a 26-ball half-century during the course of an 81-run opening stand. Du Plessis took a liking to Abhishek early on, and was equally brutal when Pat Cummins erred in length.Ansari strikes but Porel sees DC throughAnsari, 25, last played a T20 in 2019. But he got a second wind when he ended up as the highest wicket-taker in the latest UP T20 League. On Sunday, he began with a series of half-trackers but settled in to have du Plessis miscue to long-on and Fraser-McGurk chip one back on either side of a sequence of 4, 6, 6.In his first innings for DC, Rahul thrilled briefly when he got stuck into Mohammed Shami, muscling him over deep midwicket for a six and then launching him up and over the infield for a four. Rahul became Ansari’s third wicket when he was bowled around his legs. Porel and Stubbs put together 51 off just 28 balls to see DC home without further alarms.
Leeds United made the perfect start to life back in the Premier League on Monday night with a 1-0 win over Everton under the lights at Elland Road.
Lukas Nmecha, who signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg this summer, came off the bench to score the winning goal from the penalty spot on his debut for the Whites.
Daniel Farke went with Joel Piroe, who scored 19 goals in the Championship last season, as the main number nine from the start against the Toffees, but the Dutchman did not enjoy much success.
The former Swansea player showed some nice touches at times when he dropped deep to get involved, but his lack of mobility and physicality were issues against James Tarkowski and Michael Keane.
Piroe lost all three of his ground duels and lost four of his five aerial battles in the match, per Sofascore, which speaks to his lack of quality in physical tussles.
It will now be interesting to see what happens with the number nine position in the weeks to come, especially after Nmecha made a fast start to life in West Yorkshire.
What Lukas Nmecha's role could be this season for Leeds
The former Germany international was an interesting signing when he arrived from Wolfsburg earlier this summer, because he has struggled for form and fitness in recent seasons.
Nmecha has not scored more than four goals in a single season since the 2021/22 campaign, per Sofascore, and only managed three goals in 20 appearances last season for Wolfsburg.
Injury issues played a significant role in that, as the 26-year-old striker has missed 64 games due to injury over the last three years, according to Transfermarkt, which impacted his ability to deliver consistently on the pitch.
The former Manchester City academy graduate’s performances in the Bundesliga when he was fit and available in the 2024/25 campaign also left plenty to be desired.
Nmecha struggled in front of goal, as a finisher and a creator, and did not produce performances that made a move to the Premier League seem very likely for this summer.
Appearances
19
Starts
3
xG
4.54
Goals
3
Big chances missed
5
Big chances created
0
Assists
0
As you can see in the table above, the German forward underperformed against his xG, missed five ‘big chances’, and did not create any ‘big chances’ for his teammates in his 19 appearances in the division.
Despite his underwhelming goalscoring form and persistent injury issues, Farke opted to take a gamble on him this summer, and it is one that is already starting to pay off after his debut goal.
However, Nmecha’s time with Wolfsburg in recent seasons suggests that the role he played against Everton is most likely to be his main one at Elland Road – coming off the bench to make an impact when needed.
Leeds in the mix to sign new striker
The Championship champions are reportedly interested in adding another striker to their squad, despite having Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and Piroe.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to El Chiringuito TV, Leeds United are one of the sides that are competing to sign Villarreal centre-forward Karl Etta Eyong before the end of the summer transfer window.
Supporters may recognise his name because the 21-year-old marksman scored against the Whites in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road earlier this month, nodding in from a couple of yards out in the 62nd minute.
This latest report claims that Leeds, Rangers, and Levante are all in the race to sign the Cameroonian forward, who currently wants to stay at Villarreal.
It adds that the Spanish side have already rejected a loan offer from Championship outfit Swansea, but it is unclear as to whether Farke’s team are keen on a loan or permanent deal for the striker.
Why Leeds should sign Etta Eyong
Leeds should push to convince Etta Eyong to want to move on from Villarreal this summer because he could arrive at Elland Road as a very interesting addition to the squad.
As aforementioned, Piroe may not have the physicality, as backed up by his performance against Everton, to be very effective in the Premier League, and there are still a lot of question marks over Nmecha.
Etta Eyong could come in as a striker who is an even better option than Nmecha to start games in the top-flight for Leeds, to provide serious competition for Calvert-Lewin as the main number nine for Farke.
The 21-year-old attacker, who was described as a “powerful” star by analyst Kai Watson, does not have heaps of senior experience under his belt, but he has shown plenty of promise in his short career to date.
Etta Eyong earned his place in the first-team at Villarreal towards the end of last season and scored three goals in seven games in pre-season, including goals against Arsenal and Leeds, per Sofascore.
Appearances
5
Starts
1
Minutes
136
xG
0.74
Goals
2
Duels won
5
Pass accuracy
80%
As you can see in the table above, the 21-year-old talent has shown plenty of promise in the very limited minutes he has been given in LaLiga, scoring two goals from 0.74 xG in just 136 minutes of football.
Prior to his emergence in the first-team with Villarreal, Etta Eyong also scored 18 goals in 30 matches for the B team in the third tier of Spanish football, which shows that he can find the back of the net on a regular basis.
Unlike Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha, the promising talent also has a clean injury record, with no notable injuries in his career, per Transfermarkt, which suggests that he is more likely to be available week-in-week-out.
This could make him a more valuable centre-forward option than Nmecha for Farke, purely because of his potential to be available for more matches in the Premier League.
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Putting all of this together, Etta Eyong could be even better than Nmecha for Leeds because of his fitness record and his potential as a goalscorer, having caught the eye in a major European league after delivering prolific performances for Villarreal’s B team.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called it a “privilege” to face Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese coach returns to Stamford Bridge with Benfica in the Champions League. With the Blues struggling for form and under pressure after recent defeats, Maresca now seeks to steady the ship and secure vital points against a Chelsea legend.
Maresca excited to face Mourinho in Champions League
Chelsea host Benfica on Tuesday in the Champions League, with "the Special One" returning to Stamford Bridge as Benfica manager. Maresca described the encounter as a “privilege,” acknowledging Mourinho’s legendary status in London and across European football. The Blues are desperate to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in matchday one and inconsistent domestic form.
Mourinho’s comeback to Chelsea brings added pressure and narrative to the clash. The Portuguese coach previously managed the Blues in two spells (2004-07, 2013-15) and now leads the Eagles after replacing Bruno Lage, who was dismissed following a shock Champions League defeat. Chelsea’s recent struggles, including three losses in their last four games, mean Maresca must balance respect for Mourinho with the need for results.
Maresca praises Mourinho’s legacy
"It will be a privilege to face Jose tomorrow," Maresca said at his pre-match press conference. "A legend for this club, not only for this club but for different clubs."
He added: "For me, it's first of all a privilege to represent this club in the Champions League. For sure it's also a privilege to face a fantastic manager like Jose tomorrow."
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AFPChelsea seek stability after poor run of form
The Club World Cup winners aim to recover form against Benfica after a 3-1 loss to Brighton and inconsistent performances in the league. Maresca will focus on getting his side back on track while navigating the added spotlight of Mourinho’s return, hoping to secure crucial Champions League points and restore confidence among supporters.
Everton are having a busy final month of the transfer window in the hopes of having more success in the Premier League than they did in pre-season. David Moyes’ side were winless across their friendlies and the Premier League summer series despite a strong finish to the league last season.
The latest arrival is England winger Jack Grealish, who has joined the Toffees on a season-long loan. If Grealish manages to revitalise his career on Merseyside, then Everton will have the option to make the signing permanent for £50 million next summer.
Off the back of signing Grealish, Everton have been heavily linked with signing Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson. Hutchinson has been known to feature in attacking midfield and on the wing, both areas that Everton need to reinforce, and has been notably absent from Ipswich’s recent fixtures.
However, another player might be through the door before Hutchinson, as the Friedkin Group has reportedly bid to sign a new striker for Everton.
Everton make £37m bid to sign Ukrainian striker Dovbyk
Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Everton have submitted a bid for Ukraine forward Artem Dovbyk from AS Roma, who are also owned by TFG. The bid is reported to be worth £37 million, and the player is open to a move to the Premier League.
However, Everton aren’t the only club interested in Dovbyk. The reports also list Leeds United, West Ham, and Sunderland as interested parties, but they are yet to place a bid. Earlier in the window, Dovbyk had been linked with Arsenal, but the London side eventually opted for Viktor Gyokeres.
Dovbyk first gained international recognition after a stellar 2023/24 campaign that saw him lead Girona to European qualification. During that season, Dovbyk registered 34 goals in 39 appearances, and he was picked up by Roma the following January.
The Ukrainian number 11 currently earns £41,000 a week at Roma and might be expecting a pay rise to leave Rome. Any wage demands may be worth meeting, considering he has been described as a “powerful target man” and compared with Dusan Vlahovic and Santiago Gimenez.
Dovbyk and Beto's reliability
If Everton completes the deal for Dovbyk, then they will have two reliable strikers on their hands.
Beto
Dovbyk
Goal Involvements Per 90
0.47
0.52
Goal to Xg Difference
-0.2
+0.1
Dovbyk has a slightly better goals-to-game ratio than Everton’s current main striker, Beto; however, both have reasonable rates that are close to or just over a goal involvement every other game.
Both strikers’ Xg difference shows their reliability as well. Beto marginally underperforms his Xg, and Dovbyk marginally overperforms. What this means is that both players take their chances when they are provided with them. They won’t score many unexpected worldies, but if Everton can provide them with chances, they will convert them.
New striker Thierino Barry is more of an unknown quantity. His numbers don’t match Beto and Dovbyk’s, but he is younger and has plenty of time to improve. With two experienced strikers ahead of him, Barry will have less pressure to be an instant success, as when he struggles, the team will still have two reliable strikers.
The WACA had been due to stage a three-day game between India and India A, although it would have been behind closed doors
Tristan Lavalette01-Nov-2024
India’s initial schedule included a three-day intra-squad match at the WACA•Getty Images
The first Test against Australia in Perth will be India’s first competitive match on tour after the BCCI scrapped a three-day intra-squad game at the WACA.Bidding for a third straight Test series victory in Australia, India’s tour was set to start against India A in a warm-up behind closed doors from November 15-17.But ESPNcricinfo understands India’s hierarchy have changed plans and instead opted for the squad to train during those three days, which will include net sessions and centre wicket match simulation scenarios at the WACA.Australia will likely train at the WACA after India’s stint at the ground in what will be important preparation for some players who have had limited matches under their belt.”Going to be some good centre wickets with our boys bowling in Perth, in similar conditions to what you’re going to get at Optus Stadium. [It’s] probably going to be enough,” Steven Smith recently said about preparing for the Test series with centre wicket practice at the WACA.India had initially decided on an intra-squad game as their sole warm-up before the first Test starting on November 22 rather than a practice match against an Australian domestic side.This is a departure from their last two tours of Australia having begun the red-ball leg of their 2020-21 tour with a three-day game against Australia A, while they played a four-day game against a Cricket Australia XI ahead of the 2018-19 series.The intra-squad match at the WACA was set to be played behind closed doors at the request of India’s hierarchy. There had been hope initially that the game would be open to the public much like India’s two matches against a WA XI side before the 2022 T20 World Cup.Near capacity crowds of around 2500 fans at the WACA, which is currently under redevelopment, attended those matches with a AU$5 entry fee going towards the WA Cricket Foundation.India’s squad is set to depart for Australia shortly after the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai finishes on November 5.Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, India A were supposed to play India’s Test squad after their four-day matches against Australia A in Mackay and the MCG.India A’s 15-player squad had staggered arrivals into Brisbane on October 25 and 26, with the first contingent of players faced with a delay disembarking off their flight due to an unwell passenger.
Chelsea’s opening Premier League match is under three weeks away, yet it doesn’t appear as though Enzo Maresca is finished with his transfer business.
Despite adding plenty of talent to his already bloated squad, including the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens, the Italian is still on the hunt for more attacking players.
Over the previous few weeks, Tyler Dibling, Karim Adeyemi and even Real Madrid starlet Goncalo Garcia have all been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the start of the second half
While initial links have been established, nothing concrete has been made regarding any of these three players as of yet.
All of Maresca’s attention is being taken up by the potential transfer of Dutchman Xavi Simons.
The RB Leipzig starlet is edging close to a move to the Blues, and given his performances in the Bundesliga since the summer of 2023, could he be the final piece of the attacking jigsaw for the club?
RB Leipzig's Lois Openda and Xavi Simons.
Any move could potentially go through at some point this week, but what exactly will the former PSG sensation bring to Chelsea?
Why Chelsea are trying to sign Xavi Simons
On Sunday, journalist Ben Jacobs gave an update on X regarding the club’s pursuit of the attacking midfielder.
“Chelsea advancing talks with Xavi Simons. Terms now broadly in place,” said Jacobs. “Club-to-club talks ongoing. Chelsea expected to place a first formal offer soon after verbal discussions over numbers. Talks described as positive.”
RB Leipzig'sXaviSimonsreacts after the match
If all goes to plan, Maresca could be welcoming Simons to Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later, and it will give him more firepower.
The playmaker could cost Chelsea a reported £70m, but on the surface, this could be money well spent by the London outfit.
The Blues return to the Champions League this season for the first time since 2022/23. As such, signing someone who can make a difference in this competition makes perfect sense.
Step forward, Simons. When compared to his positional peers in the Champions League last season, the Dutch starlet was sublime across a range of performance metrics.
Not only did he rank in the top 9% for successful take-ons per 90 (1.88), but the 22-year-old also ranked in the top 2% for shot-creating actions (5.91) and in the top 11% for progressive carries (3.22) in Europe’s premier club competition.
With ambitions heightened ahead of European competition next term due to the club’s success at the Club World Cup this summer, signing Simons would give Maresca a chance of taking his team deep in the tournament.
Given that João Félix seems to be moving on in the next few days, with Chelsea recouping the same fee that they paid for him a year ago, there is space for Simons to come in.
Despite his obvious strengths and his growth potential, do the Blues really need to make him a priority signing?
Indeed, it’s arguable that their defence needs more work ahead of the Premier League campaign.
Chelsea closing in on another signing
The links to attacking players seem to grow day by day, but there haven’t been as many defenders linked with a move to the club.
One player whom the club have shown plenty of interest in, however, is Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues “will be in direct contact” with Hato regarding a potential deal. Romano also went on to state that Hato “only wants Chelsea” which should pave the way for Maresca to wrap up this deal as soon as possible.
David Ornstein of The Athletic has further reported that personal terms have already been agreed with Chelsea closing in on a deal that may be worth around £40m.
The squad is heavily stacked from an attacking perspective, but there is no doubt that Chelsea needs another couple of defenders to freshen things up.
As such, could Hato turn out to be an even better signing than Simons ahead of the 2025/26 campaign?
Why Hato would be a better signing than Simons for Chelsea
One reason why Maresca is keen on adding the teenager to his squad is surely due to his positional flexibility.
Over the course of his embryonic career thus far, Hato has played 88 games at left-back and 70 matches as a centre-back.
Hato’s league numbers for Ajax by season
Stat
22/23
23/24
24/25
Games played
11
33
31
Goals scored
0
1
2
Assists
0
2
6
Touches per game
57.4
94.8
67.2
Accurate passes per game
42.6 (91%)
72.8 (93%)
45.2 (90%)
Total duels won per game
3.1
5.5
4.1
Clean sheets
1
5
11
Stats by Sofascore
Last season, however, saw the 19-year-old operate on the left side of the defence and he showcased his talents, both going forward and defensively.
In the Eredivisie. The defender helped Ajax keep 11 clean sheets while he averaged 1.9 tackles, 0.7 interceptions and was dribbled past only 0.3 times per match.
Along with his eight goal contributions, Hato also managed to create six big chances in the top flight, while averaging 0.6 key passes per match, thus displaying plenty of attacking intent for his club.
Furthermore, when compared to his positional peers in leagues similar in reputation to the Dutch top-flight over the previous 365 days, Hato ranked in the top 5% for assists (0.21) per 90, along with ranking in the top 11% for touches in the opposition penalty area (2.33) per 90.
On this evidence, Hato would offer plenty at both ends of the pitch for Chelsea, thus giving Maresca a major boost.
There was no doubt that the 2024/25 season was his major breakout campaign for the Dutch giants, one that was largely praised by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Netherlands' JorrelHatois shown a red card by referee Glenn Nyberg
“Jorrel Hato is having an excellent season,” said Kulig. A fantastic mix of complete full-back, playmaking full-back, and ball-playing centre-back. Over 100 games for Ajax and 6 caps for Oranje at 19. Immense quality and experience for such a young defender.”
Simons will bring something extra to the Chelsea attacking department; there is no doubt about that. Still only 22, he will only go from strength to strength in the next few years.
Hato, on the other hand, may well turn out to be the better signing for the Stamford Bridge outfit given that the Blues are already stacked in offensive areas.
By signing both players, it would signal yet another statement of intent by Maresca. Chelsea will surely be a force to be reckoned with this season if the squad can gel swiftly.
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The start of Rangers’ competitive season is fast approaching.
In just ten nights’ time, the Gers will commence their Champions League campaign, entering in the second qualifying round, thereby needing to come through three ties to get into the group stages for only the second time since 2010.
So, before that massive tie, will Russell Martin add to his six summer signings?
Rangers looking to add a new winger
In an otherwise generally miserable campaign, Václav Černý starred for Rangers last season, scoring 18 goals in 52 appearances for the club, on target six times during their run to the Europa League quarter-finals, meaning only Bruno Fernandes, Kasper Waarst Høgh and Ayoub El Kaabi bettered his tally in the competition.
The problem though, is the fact that the Czechia international was only on loan from Wolfsburg, and will not be returning, leaving a rather large void in the squad, one that’ll require replacing.
Thus, according to a report by Sky Sports News, Rangers are ‘close to finalising a deal’ to sign Sheffield Wednesday winger Djeidi Gassama.
Manager Martin stated that the deal is “all done at our end”, stating that he “fully expects” the move to be completed “very, very soon”, adding that Gassama provides something “different to what we’ve got”.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Andrew Newport of the Daily Record claims that the 21 year old will cost £2.5m, with controversial Owls’ owner Dejphon Chansiri ‘stalling’ in an attempt to create some sort of bidding war, thereby driving up the price, even though the EFL Championship side are ‘desperate to raise funds’ as they risk going into administration.
Nevertheless, this all suggests a deal will be finalised sooner rather than later.
How Djeidi Gassama will improve Rangers
Gassama first caught the eye playing for Paris Saint-Germain’s youth teams, scoring five goals in eight UEFA Youth League matches for les Rouge-et-Bleu in 2021/22, spending the following season out on loan at Belgian club Eupen, before making a surprise move to Sheffield Wednesday two summers ago.
The French youth international scored just 12 goals and registered four assists in 84 appearances for the Owls, but his performances have earned plenty of plaudits.
He was named Supporters’ Player of the Year last season, while writer Kai Watson labelled him “clinical in front of goal”, adding that he is an “exciting player to watch”, who “loves carrying the ball” and is “capable of producing moments of brilliance”.
Meantime, analyst John Walker is impressed by his dribbling ability too, stating that supporters should be “very excited” about this addition.
So, let’s assess how his statistics compare to those of Černý.
Appearances
47
52
Minutes
3,197
3,933
Goals
8
18
Assists
1
9
Shots
1.5
2.6
Shooting accuracy %
46.94%
55%
Chances created
1.2
2.1
Take-ons completed
2
2.1
Dribble success %
44.6%
51.3%
Touches
44
55.2
Touches in the box
4.7
5.6
Average SofaScore rating
6.9
7.39
As the table outlines, Černý’s statistics are universally more impressive than Gassama’s, but there are caveats.
The Czech winger was playing for a dominant team in Scotland, outlined by his touches and touches in the opposition penalty area statistics, while Sheffield Wednesday finished 12th in the EFL Championship.
The encouraging aspect ahead of Gassama’s move to Ibrox is the fact his numbers are very similar to Černý’s, attempting a near-identical number of take-ons per 90, with a similar number being completed, emphasising their stylistic similarities.
Thus, still only 21 years old, he is clearly a high-potential player, and one who could certainly arrive at Rangers and make a big impression.
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Tim Southee has been handed an official reprimand for smashing a hand-sanitiser dispenser, which breached the ICC’s code of conduct that doesn’t take too kindly to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an international match”.This was during the West Indies vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2024 match in Tarouba on June 12. Dismissed by Alzarri Joseph for a first-ball duck in the 18th over of New Zealand’s chase, Southee smashed the dispenser on his way back to the dressing room. He was reprimanded officially for his troubles and had one demerit point added to his disciplinary record – it was the first offence in a 24-month period.For the record, when a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned; two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player. The demerit points remain on a player’s disciplinary record for a period of two years from their imposition, following which they are expunged.Related
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It wasn’t a happy day for Southee or New Zealand – it hasn’t been a happy time for them at the World Cup on the whole – as they went down by 13 runs for their second loss in a row. With West Indies and Afghanistan getting to three wins and qualifying for the Super Eight stage from that group – Group C – New Zealand had a rare ICC event where they didn’t make the Super Eight stage.Their campaign isn’t over, though. They still have games against Uganda and Papua New Guinea to come, but wins there can only lift them to third place in the group.Southee returned 2 for 21 in that game, his first at the tournament after he sat out the opening loss to Afghanistan.