£90,000-a-week Leeds player who started vs Burnley could leave in January

Leeds United have endured a mixed start to life in the Premier League, and a path may now be emerging for one of their players to depart in January.

Leeds United look to recover after Burnley defeat

Points are a precious commodity in the top-flight, and the Whites will be feeling frustrated that they couldn’t make their chances count against Burnley in a frustrating defeat at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Despite retaining a vastly superior expected goals total of 2.63 to the hosts’ 0.45, Scott Parker managed to get the better of Daniel Farke, who expressed a sense of frustration at not being able to come away with a positive result after an afternoon of failing to hit the target.

Leeds told how long Hannibal may be banned for amid controversy vs Burnley

The Whites were at the centre of an alleged incident and will feel aggrieved.

1 BySean Markus Clifford Oct 19, 2025

With West Ham United to come next Friday, Leeds will hope to build on a mixed start to life in the top-flight, but January will be an important month in the context of finding stars who can stave off the threat of relegation.

Sheffield United midfielder Gustavo Hamer is a Whites target, and they may now be set to offload one of their stars to make room for mid-season arrivals.

Leeds United could offload Jack Harrison in January

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Leeds could offload Jack Harrison in January if they manage to bring in attacking reinforcements, even after he started in the defeat to Burnley on Saturday.

He explained: “Look, for Leeds right now, they’re probably looking to strengthen the squad rather than weaken it. Particularly in attacking areas, where Farke is planning to strengthen in January. A lot will depend on what Leeds are able to do in the transfer window themselves.

Jack Harrison’s record at Leeds

Appearances

214

Goals

34

Assists

32

“If they are able to bring in attacking reinforcements then maybe that could open the door to a move for Jack Harrison.”

Earning £90,000 per week at Elland Road, he is the second-highest paid player at Leeds and being able to alleviate space on the wage bill could suit all parties, albeit he is a hard-working winger who has a credible Premier League CV based on his time in Yorkshire and at Everton.

However, he is far from first choice when everyone is fit, so a departure would possibly be a sensible option if clubs were to come forward with proposals.

Com mira em Leila Pereira, elenco do Palmeiras ganha paz em meio à crise

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O Palmeiras inicia a semana com foco total na partida diante do Atlético-MG, no Allianz Parque, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão.

RelacionadasPalmeirasAlém do volante Aníbal Moreno, Palmeiras planeja reforços para pelo menos duas posiçõesPalmeiras16/10/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras busca alternativas para abater dívida de R$ 50 milhões contraída na gestão BelluzzoPalmeiras16/10/2023VaivémPalmeiras acerta primeiro reforço para 2024, Cruzeiro afasta centroavante… O Fim de Semana do Mercado!Vaivém15/10/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Precisando voltar a vencer após mais de um mês sem saber o que vitória, a equipe de Abel Ferreira busca um triunfo que além de espantar a crise que cerca o elenco, também faria o Verdão respirar na tabela, uma vez que a briga pelo G-4 ficou acirrada nesta reta final de campeonato.

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Se os jogadores e Abel Ferreira poderiam sofrer com as cobranças da torcida após a eliminação para o Boca Juniors, na Libertadores, Leila Pereira tratou de trazer todo o foco da ira da torcida em sua pessoa.

Após a entrevista coletiva na dada na última semana, na Academia de Futebol, toda torcida alviverde se uniu contra a mandatária, e o que já era nítido durante o ano, ficou ainda mais exposto agora.

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+ Palmeiras se acerta com Aníbal Moreno e fica perto de confirmar primeiro reforço para 2024!

A cobrança da torcida nesta decepcionante temporada de 2023 terá sempre o foco maior na diretoria e não nesses jogadores e comissão técnica que entregaram tanto para os palmeirenses nas últimas temporadas.

O Verdão encara o Galo na próxima quinta-feira (19), a partir das 19h (horário de Brasília), com transmissão apenas do Premiere.

'The time has come to stop' – Santiago Gimenez opens up on months-long injury struggle with AC Milan striker set for spell on sidelines

Santiago Gimenez took to social media earlier this week and revealed that he has been battling an ankle injury for the past six months. The Mexican international, who has scored just one goal in all competitions for AC Milan this season, has confirmed that he will spend the rest of the year on the treatment table, hoping to return to his best version upon his return.

  • Gimenez reveals battle with ankle problems amid Milan goal drought

    Gimenez has broken his silence, revealing on social media that he has been battling an ankle problem for weeks – an issue that has finally forced him onto the sidelines. The Mexican striker, who was withdrawn during the second half of the match against Atalanta and missed last weekend’s clash against Roma, admitted the injury has significantly affected his recent performances. He confirmed that he will now take time off to undergo treatment, though he stopped short of giving a specific timeline for his return.

    Gimenez hasn't had an ideal start to life at the San Siro since his arrival from Feyenoord in January earlier this year. He has scored just seven goals in 30 games. This season, he has netted just once in 11 games across all competitions. Despite his lack of effectiveness in front of goal, Rossoneri head coach Massimiliano Allegri has continued to defend Gimenez.

    “Santiago is a fundamental piece of this team,” Allegri said after the Juventus game in September. “He gives us structure – the way he connects play, holds up the ball, and presses from the front is vital. The goals will come, but what he brings goes well beyond statistics.

    “Giménez played really well today. He worked hard, created spaces, and even forced a penalty. I took him off thinking [Rafael] Leao could give us a different spark, but Santi didn’t deserve to come out.”

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    Gimenez's statement: 'The time has come to stop'

    Taking to social media, the former Feyenoord forward wrote: "For several months I've been playing with an ankle injury that hasn't allowed me to be 100% fit or feel comfortable on the pitch. With determination, I continued to help the team, I continued to play, but the pain increased: the time has come to stop. Now I have to focus on my recovery and prepare to be back with you as soon as possible. God is in control. Thank you for your support, see you soon!"

  • Milan surprised by Gimenez's medical statement

    Inside Milan, however, there’s less alarm. Since joining AC Milan after a demanding summer with Mexico at the Gold Cup, the 24-year-old frontman has struggled to hit peak condition, a factor that has mirrored his modest form – just one goal in the Coppa Italia so far.

    Still, questions linger. It’s uncommon for a player to personally announce a significant injury and suspension before an official club statement, and it seems at odds with coach Allegri’s typically cautious approach to player management. The timing also raises eyebrows: Milan are entering a decisive stretch of fixtures to secure their league position and prepare for the Supercoppa Italia in December.

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    Milan reportedly eyeing alternatives in January

    With the January transfer window approaching, Gimenez’s absence could reignite discussions about reinforcing the attack. Milan’s management remains alert to market opportunities; ironically, just months after the striker himself was linked to a possible swap deal with Roma. Allegri has employed Rafael Leao as a centre-forward in a two-man attack alongside Gimenez, but his latest action could lead Milan to eye alternatives in the upcoming transfer window. Reports have claimed that Milan are monitoring out-of-favour Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, while a swap deal with Roma's Artem Dovbyk is another option, too.

    However, Gimenez doesn't seem to be in any mood to leave Milan just one year after joining them, having reiterated his desire to mark an era at the San Siro. “As a striker, you have to score goals. In the last few games, I’ve had chances, but the ball just wasn’t going in. The important thing is that one goes in so the others can follow," he said in January.

    "As a child, I dreamed of playing for AC Milan. I'm in my dream team, and I want to fulfill my dreams wearing this jersey. I never thought about leaving."

Ecclestone, Bouchier in England ODI squad to face India

Nat Sciver-Brunt is expected to play a full part in England’s three-match ODI series against India later this month, after being named as captain in a 15-player squad despite missing the end of the T20I series with a groin injury.Sciver-Brunt suffered the injury while batting during the second T20I and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining three games. Tammy Beaumont took charge for Friday’s third match at the Kia Oval, where England kept their series hopes alive with a tense five-run win that reduced their deficit to 2-1.However, England’s selectors are optimistic that she will be fit again by the time of the first ODI at the Utilita Bowl on July 16, with subsequent fixtures at Lord’s on July 19, and Chester-le-Street on July 22.Also included in the squad is Sophie Ecclestone, who missed the West Indies ODIs early this season while recovering from injury, but returns in place of the legspinner Sarah Glenn. Hampshire’s Maia Bouchier – who was last week called into the T20I squad as Sciver-Brunt’s replacement – is also back in contention.Lauren Filer, who averaged 76mph in bowling the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during the Oval victory on Friday, has again been included in the ODI set-up as she continues her comeback from a knee injury.England have been challenged hard by India in the course of the T20I series, having lost the first two matches by heavy margins, particularly the series opener at Trent Bridge where Smitri Mandhana’s century set her team up for an emphatic 97-run win.However, the fight that England showed to get across the line in a tense finale at The Oval pleased their new head coach, Charlotte Edwards, who sees the ODI series as another vital test of her team’s credentials as they rebuild after their disappointments at the T20 World Cup and the Ashes last winter.England Women ODI squad to face India•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“India have really pushed us during the Vitality IT20 series,” Edwards said. “We knew they would and we’ve learned a lot about the team in the three games so far. There have been some good moments but we’re a team in transition and we need to keep working hard to do what we’re trying to do more consistently, and for longer. That’ll be asked of us again in the ODIs.”Friday night was high drama and we were delighted to keep ourselves in the series, I’m very proud of the character and the fight the players showed. Hopefully we can keep that going at Emirates Old Trafford and Edgbaston and into the Metro Bank ODI series.”The squad has largely stayed the same since the ODI series against West Indies, but Soph [Ecclestone] comes back into the side meaning Sarah Glenn misses out this time around. We’ve also added in Maia Bouchier to bolster our batting line-up and continue to offer competition for places. This series is the perfect preparation for the ICC Women’s World Cup in India this autumn, but it’s also a series we’re determined to win.”

England Women ODI squad to face India

Nat Sciver-Brunt (capt), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jones, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith

Lawrence's Blast best drives Surrey in 223-run chase

Glamorgan overpowered despite flying start with the ball

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-2025Dan Lawrence’s maiden T20 hundred rescued Surrey as they recovered from a dreadful start to chase down 223 against Glamorgan at the Kia Oval and edge closer to clinching a Vitality Blast knockout place.Lawrence came to the crease with his side in desperate trouble at 16 for three – but the wristy right-hander transformed the contest by hammering 120 not out from 54 balls, sharing an unbroken stand of 146 from 60 with Tom Curran, a county T20 record against Glamorgan, to secure victory with five balls to spare.Glamorgan had looked set to record their first Blast success against Surrey in eight attempts after a century partnership between Colin Ingram, with a season’s best of 69 from 33, and Asa Tribe, who finished unbeaten on a 30-ball knock of 56.Their stand of 105 from 51 for the fifth wicket enabled the visitors to post a challenging 222 for six, but that proved insufficient in the face of Lawrence’s merciless onslaught.Seeking a response to their heavy loss at Hampshire 24 hours earlier, Glamorgan gathered early momentum from the aggressive hitting of Will Smale, who scooped Nathan Smith for six in the opening over.Surrey’s seamers all took some powerplay punishment from Smale (37 from 17), but two smart pieces of fielding by Jason Roy at cover pegged the visitors back – following his sharp throw to run out Smale with a courageous catch that cut off Alex Horton’s bullet drive.Sam Curran (two for 31) bowled tightly, varying his pace to good effect and removed Ben Kellaway, just getting set when he skied to mid-off, but Ingram began to accumulate steadily through the middle overs.The veteran left-hander hit the accelerator to raise his half-century from 25 balls as Smith’s final over disappeared for 21 and Tribe followed suit at identical pace, pulling Tom Curran into the stand for his third six.Although Ingram eventually holed out to provide the younger Curran with a second wicket, the home side had to chase at above 11 an over, a task that became no easier after losing both openers inside the first 10 deliveries of their reply.Roy’s dismissal, courtesy of Dan Douthwaite’s stunning leap to his right at cover, was soon followed by that of Sam Curran, who miscued Ned Leonard behind to leave Surrey three down and floundering.Lawrence and Will Jacks counter-attacked, both depositing spinner Imad Wasim over the fence and sharing a partnership of 62 from 33 which was ended by another instance of superb fielding.Kiran Carlson’s arrow throw from mid-off – with one stump in his line of vision – left Jacks (31 from 21) short of his ground, but Lawrence kept up the charge, heaving Andy Gorvin for a leg-side six to pass 50.With Tom Curran (49 not out from 27) in a supporting role, Lawrence whittled down the required rate, punching the air as he reached three figures from 46 balls and clinching a remarkable win with a straight six off Gorvin.

Henry the hero as NZ win last-ball thriller to clinch tri-series title

SA were cruising on 92 without loss in pursuit of 181, but eventually couldn’t get seven runs in the final over

Firdose Moonda26-Jul-2025

New Zealand won the T20I tri-series undefeated•Zimbabwe Cricket

Matt Henry defended six runs in the last over against South Africa as New Zealand claimed the Harare tri-series trophy, and remained the only side to successfully defend a total at this venue. In a thrilling contest, South Africa were cruising on 92 without loss in the tenth over in pursuit of 181, but lost 4 for 39 after that.That left them needing 50 runs to win off the last 29 balls. A 43-run stand off 25 deliveries between Dewald Brevis and George Linde put South Africa on the doorstep of victory, but both holed out in the final over as the pressure told, and New Zealand held on.Brevis was on 31 off 14 balls as Henry stepped up to bowl the 20th over, and could not get the first ball away. He lashed out at the second one, which was dug in short, and sent it towards Michael Bracewell at deep midwicket. Bracewell caught it just inside the rope, and the catch was deemed clean to send Brevis on his way.Corbin Bosch hit the first ball he faced in the same area, and a misfield from Bracewell allowed two runs before another aerial shot put Linde on strike. Linde sent Henry to long-on, where Daryl Mitchell took a good, low catch, and left it to Senuran Muthusamy to score four off the last ball. Henry took pace off, Muthusamy swung too early and found fresh air, and New Zealand’s 100% record in the series remained intact. Henry finished as the leading wicket-taker with ten in four matches.Lungi Ngidi got two wickets, and was economical•Zimbabwe Cricket

After comprehensive wins in the four games before this, New Zealand were properly tested in the decider, and will know they could have made things trickier for South Africa with a more challenging total. After Tim Seifert and Devon Conway put on 75 for the first wicket and laid a solid foundation for New Zealand, the subsequent partnerships did not kick on as well as they would have liked. South Africa pulled New Zealand back from 68 without loss in eight overs, and conceded only three boundaries in the last three overs. New Zealand’s innings ended with five wickets in hand.While Henry was the standout bowler of the series, Lungi Ngidi was South Africa’s best bowler. His four overs in the final cost just 24 runs, and across South Africa’s attack, there are still some areas to address. South Africa’s seamers sent down eight wides, totalling 13 runs.South Africa’s spectacular catchingNew Zealand were off to a rollicking start courtesy some poor discipline from South Africa’s seamers in particular. They scored 52 runs in the powerplay, 23 in the 2.3 overs that followed, and threw their bats at anything short and wide. Seifert, the series’ leading run-scorer, was on 30 off 27 balls, and there did not seem to be any way of stopping him – especially as he was using his feet well.Seifert advanced on a wide ball from Muthusamy but took his bottom hand off the bat as he tried to slice it over extra cover and did not get the elevation he wanted. Rassie van der Dussen, fielding there, reacted quickly as he dived to his left and pouched the ball between both palms. Seifert had to go.Tim Seifert and Devon Conway had a 75-run opening partnership•Zimbabwe Cricket

Five overs later, New Zealand lost Conway for 47, caught at short fine-leg off a top edge. But they were still progressing steadily at 127 for 2 in the 14th over. Ngidi took pace off to Mark Chapman, who played too early and dragged the ball down to deep midwicket. Rubin Hermann appeared to have over-ran the chance but then stood still and stretched overhead, where he plucked the ball from the sky as he fell backwards. Chapman was out for 3.Then, in the final over, with New Zealand pushing towards 180, Bracewell flogged Kwena Maphaka into the covers but didn’t see Linde. He got down low to his left to snatch the ball from close to the ground to snaffle a third stunning grab.Ravindra raids the leg sideWhile Seifert and Conway have been in the headlines for providing the big runs for New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra has more than done his bit – and did so with some flair in the final. He used his wrists to perfection, and punished anything on a leg-stump line. Ravindra scored 47 at a strike rate of 174.07, and threatened to take the game completely away from South Africa. The third ball he faced, from Bosch, was pacy, and was sliding down. But instead of powering it over midwicket, Ravindra guided it fine for four.When Nandre Burger erred with the same line, Ravindra was quicker on the ball, and hit over mid-on. But it was his takedown of Muthusamy which was the most impressive. Ravindra shimmied down the pitch to hit him over long-on, and then swept him strongly over deep-backward square leg to collect two sixes in the over. Two more fours came off Ngidi and Burger. before Ravindra toe-ended Burger to Brevis at deep midwicket.Lhuan-dre Pretorius hit his maiden T20I fifty•Zimbabwe Cricket

Ravindra missed out on what would have been his second successive fifty in the series, and a third in T20Is this year. Against South Africa on Saturday, 38 of his 47 runs came on the leg side.Pretorius’ promise pays offAfter managing only 32 runs from his first four T20I innings, and being shifted from opening the batting to No. 5, all eyes were going to be on Lhuan-dre Pretorius when he was installed back at the top for the final. He started off with a piece of exquisite timing when he hit Henry past mid-on to open South Africa’s scoring with a four, but then faced serious challenges from New Zealand’s attack.Henry found Pretorius’ outside edge, Jacob Duffy hit him on the toe with an inswinging yorker, and Zakary Foulkes shaved the inside edge. Pretorius top-edged Duffy over Seifert with an ugly swing, couldn’t get Adam Milne away, and watched while his opening partner Reeza Hendricks collected 18 of his first 20 runs in sixes. After the powerplay, Pretorius showed his intent when he slog-swept Mitchell Santner for his first six. More convincing boundaries followed off Milne before Pretorius hit Bracewell over long-on to bring up fifty off 33 balls.Pretorius couldn’t get away with trying things for too much longer, and was caught behind as he tried to smash Bracewell out of the ground. But his 92-run opening stand with Hendricks put South Africa in a commanding position to push for the win.Jacob Duffy’s first two overs cost just 13 runs•Zimbabwe Cricket

Duffy shows why he’s No. 1Jacob Duffy, the recently-anointed leading bowler in the ICC’s T20I rankings, opened with a ball that surprised Pretorius. He only conceded a single in his first over to show why he has summited the rankings. Duffy changed up his pace in the second over and Pretorius could not get him away. He then had Pretorius top-edging, and only really erred when he put the last delivery of that over in Hendricks’ slot and was sent over the sightscreen for six.Duffy’s first two overs cost just 13 runs. He returned for the 16th over, just after Milne had van der Dussen caught at long-on, and dismissed Hermann in exactly the same fashion. Hermann simply did not get enough on it, and South Africa were suddenly in some strife. Duffy thought he had Brevis caught behind later in the over but the ball was called wide. He probably should have bowled the 18th, which cost Foulkes 15 runs and swung momentum South Africa’s way.When Duffy returned for the 19th over, his attempted yorkers went awry, and Brevis hit him for two sixes to put South Africa in a position of advantage. But they could not see it through in what may be put down to inexperience against New Zealand’s more seasoned hands.

World Series Game 4 Takeaways: Yankees Roar Back to Life Behind Volpe’s Grand Slam

The New York Yankees will live to play one more day. Facing a potential World Series sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, they managed to rally, taking Game 4 by a score of 11–4 to climb back to a 3–1 deficit in the series. Highlighted by a grand slam from shortstop Anthony Volpe, the offense finally came alive for New York, taking advantage of a bullpen game by Los Angeles. That sets up one more game in the Bronx on Wednesday. 

Here are three takeaways from the action: 

The Bottom of the Yankees Lineup Delivers

Volpe’s grand slam was the sort of moment the Yankees had been desperate for in this series. Here was not just a big hit, but a critically timely one, and from an unexpected source. 

The 23-year-old shortstop has gone through his share of ups and downs this year. (Including in the second inning on Tuesday, when he drew a walk and put himself in scoring position with a steal, only to fail to make it home on a double because of a baserunning blunder.) But he authored the defining moment of his young career with his grand slam in the third inning. It erased an early Dodgers lead and paved the way for a Yankees victory. And it was just one piece of an incredible night for the bottom of this lineup.

No. 7 hitter Volpe finished 2-for-3 with his homer, a double, a walk and two steals, becoming the first player ever to collect four RBIs and two stolen bases in a World Series game. The only hitter who nearly matched that production? No. 8 hitter Austin Wells. The catcher has struggled at the plate all October. Yet he, too, was 2-for-3 with a home run, double, walk and a steal. (The pair executed a double steal in the eighth inning.) The Yankees needed a big night from their bats. They certainly got it—anchored by some unlikely hitters.

APSTEIN: Anthony Volpe Lives Out a Childhood Dream to Revive Yankees’ World Series Hopes

The Dodgers’ Bullpen Saves its Best Arms 

The Dodgers’ lack of healthy starters has meant that every postseason round includes a bullpen game or two. While the approach has generally worked for them—including in the clinching game of the NLCS—this one was more of a slog. They began with rookie Ben Casparius, making his first career start, before giving the ball to Daniel Hudson, who gave up the grand slam to Volpe, and then Landon Knack. 

Yet they were able to get something crucial there. With the Dodgers trailing, Knack was able to eat up the middle of the game, throwing four innings while allowing one run. He was followed by Brent Honeywell, Jr., who let the game break open for the Yankees. This was certainly not the ideal scenario for the Dodgers. (That would have been completing the sweep to win the World Series.) But this was the ideal way to lose. 

It kept the Dodgers from having to use any of their high-leverage relief arms. The Yankees did not see Alex Vesia, or Ryan Brasier, or Anthony Banda, or Michael Kopech, or Blake Treinen. The Dodgers would have preferred not to have a Game 5. But if they were going to have one, this was exactly how they would have liked to set it up. 

Aaron Judge—Kind of—Finds a Way Through His Slump

Judge spent the first seven innings of Game 4 getting on base every way but hitting. He worked a walk, got hit by a pitch and put himself in position to benefit from a grounder bobbled by Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman. 

It was not exactly a dream performance. But it beat what Judge had been doing in almost every other game this October. 

And finally, in the eighth inning, with Honeywell on mop-up duty for the Dodgers, the slugger connected for some good contact. With an RBI single to left field, Judge had his first hit since Game 1, and he was greeted with resounding cheers from the home crowd. This was not an emphatic slumpbuster. But it was, at the very least, something different, and much, much better.

Bradman baggy green bought for over $400,000

A cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during the 1946-47 Ashes series has been bought by the National Museum of Australia for AU$438,500 (approx US$286,700).The baggy green was acquired by the Canberra museum with the federal government contributing half the cost.Bradman wore the cap when he captained Australia in the 1946-47 series, which was the first to be played against England after World War II.Australia won the five-Test series 3-0 lighting a fuse for the 1948 ‘Invincibles’ tour, where the Aussies went unbeaten in England.Arts Minister Tony Burke said purchasing the cap safeguards an important piece of national history for future generations.”You’d be hard-pressed to meet an Australian that hasn’t heard of the great Donald Bradman, arguably the greatest cricketer of all time,” he said.”Now to have one of his iconic baggy greens in the National Museum of Australia means visitors will have the opportunity to get up close and connect with our sporting and cultural history.”The cap is just one of 11 of Bradman’s baggy greens known to exist. A second features in the Australian Sports Museum, while the location of the other nine remains private.National Museum director Katherine McMahon welcomed the iconic cap into the museum collection’s fold.”Sir Donald’s baggy green marks the life of Australia’s most celebrated batsman and reflects a time when sporting heroes gave Australians hope, following the heartbreak and hardship of the Second World War,” she said.”We are delighted this national treasure has found a home here at the National Museum of Australia for all Australians to enjoy.”The cap sits alongside other Bradman memorabilia in the museum’s most recently opened Landmarks gallery, which features pieces from defining moments in our nation’s history.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals the 'unlucky' reason for Jadon Sancho's early struggles at Man Utd that saw £73m star hospitalised

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has finally lifted the lid on an "unlucky" reason for Jadon Sancho's struggles as they began long before supporters ever saw him misfire on the pitch. It is the first time that the former manager has publicly disclosed the details of his early sufferings, as Sancho, who was billed to become the next big thing at United, faded to the fringes after a slow and painful unravelling.

The £73m hope who never ignited

When Sancho finally swapped Borussia Dortmund for United in the summer of 2021, there was palpable excitement among the fans. At 21, he had tormented the Bundesliga with goals and assists, and Solskjaer championed the move to Old Trafford. However, the winger failed to recreate his form, and will be remembered simply as a big-money flop.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA holiday, an ear infection…and a hospital bed

In a candid conversation on , Solskjaer has revealed exactly how rough the winger’s start truly was.

"We wanted to take the next step, not move away from what we had, but add something different in the final third," Solskjaer began while reasoning the big-money move for Sancho.

"We wanted players who could break teams down, and Jadon, with his skill, link-up play, and little passes around the box, gave us that. He was unlucky through. Before he joined, he went on holiday, as you do, and ended up getting an ear infection. He was in the hospital, and really struggled for his first 10 days or so before he could even start training with us. That hasn't previously come out before. I never really got to play with him properly, because by the time he was finding form again, I was already on my way out."

Solskjaer’s departure in November 2021, after losing seven of his final 13 matches, meant Sancho lost the manager who believed in him most before he could settle. And Erik ten Hag’s arrival marked the beginning of Sancho’s most turbulent chapter. Despite making 41 appearances in the Dutch manager’s first full season, the forward soon took a break from the squad due to "physical and mental" concerns at the end of 2022. Ten Hag sent him to train alone in the Netherlands under trusted staff in an attempt to rebuild the winger’s confidence and conditioning. However, the reintegration process failed to bring out the desired results.

Public fallout with Ten Hag

By the start of the next campaign, the fissures had widened into a full-blown conflict. Ten Hag questioned Sancho’s training standards in front of the media and suggested they were not high enough to secure a place in the team. The forward hit back on social media, accusing the manager of making him a "scapegoat" for United's struggles on the pitch. From that moment, the bridge between them all but burned, as Sancho was exiled, banished from first-team training and forced to work away from his teammates. 

A return to familiar surroundings at Dortmund initially looked like a rescue. However, the Bundesliga club did not want him on a permanent deal due to his high wages. Then came another loan, this time at Chelsea, where flashes of his old spark resurfaced, but consistency never followed. Now, at just 25, Sancho is on his third consecutive loan, this time at Aston Villa, and the pattern is disturbingly familiar.

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GettyUnited ready to cut ties

Sancho has made only four appearances under Unai Emery and has yet to start a Premier League match. On three separate occasions, he wasn’t even named in the squad. According to , United have already decided that Sancho’s future will not be at Old Trafford. With his contract expiring in 2027, the club are prepared to listen to offers in June to avoid losing him for nothing. Reports in Germany claim he is ready to take a pay cut if it means securing a permanent home and restarting his career at Dortmund. Whereas, according to talkSPORT, the Red Devils are also considering terminating his contract early and setting him free in a bid to get his £200,000-a-week wages off their books. 

Vasco: Jair tem pena reduzida após julgamento e só precisa cumprir mais uma partida de suspensão

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O volante Jair, do Vasco, voltou a ser julgado pelo STJD nesta quarta-feira (22) e teve sua pena reduzida em dois jogos. O motivo do julgamento foi a expulsão do jogador contra o Bahia, no empate em 1 a 1, no início de setembro.

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Jair cumpriu suspensão automática na vitória do Vasco contra o Fluminense, duas semanas depois e ficou aguardando o julgamento. Nesta quarta-feira, a pena do volante foi reduzida de quatro para dois jogos.

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O jogador cumprirá mais um jogo de suspensão no domingo (26), contra o Athletico-PR. Nesta quarta, Jair está apto para jogar contra o Cruzeiro. Como a decisão do julgamento foi anunciada no mesmo dia do jogo, o volante está liberado para entrar em campo.

O primeiro julgamento, quando Jair recebeu quatro jogos de suspensão, aconteceu no início de outubro. Mas, o Vasco conseguiu um efeito suspensivo e um novo julgamento foi realizado nesta quarta.

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– Ele entra em todos os jogos, podemos estar aqui afetando a briga contra o rebaixamento. Não houve agressão deliberada, e os bons antecedentes de Jair falam por si – disse o advogado Pedro Moreira na defesa de Jair.

Jair tinha sido primeiramente denunciado por agressão física, que prevê suspensão de quatro a doze partidas a partir do artigo 254-A do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva. Porém, a decisão foi derrubada por unanimidade no segundo julgamento.

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