Ardon Jashari given brutal injury news as AC Milan learn how long new midfielder will be out

AC Milan's new signing Ardon Jashari is set to spend months on the sideline after suffering a brutal injury in training.

Ardon Jashari injured after clash in trainingMidfielder to be out for two monthsMilan blocks Yunus Musah's transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

In an official statement released by Milan, the club confirmed that Jashari has sustained a compound fracture of the right fibula and the expected recovery and rehabilitation period is about eight weeks. The club further stated that the Swiss international will undergo conservative treatment and there is no requirement for surgery.

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The 23-year-old joined Milan this summer in a deal worth €39 million (£34m/$46m) after drawn out negotiations to the point where the player went on strike in an effort to force a move to San Siro. The midfielder made his debut for Milan in the league against Cremonese but has been sidelined now after a clash with Santiago Gimenez in training. The player has since shared a message on Instagram thanking Milan fans for their "incredible support" as he focuses on his recovery.

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Jashari was signed with the expectation of taking on a pivotal role for Milan amid their midfield reinvention, with Luka Modric and Samuele Ricci also joining under new boss Massimiliano Allegri. The injury blow has unsettled the Rossoneri's transfer plans, with Yunus Musah's move to Atalanta possibly being put on hold.

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Amid the disappointing Jashari news, the San Siro side are expected to seal the transfer of Christopher Nkunku. Talks between Chelsea and Milan are progressing well and the Blues have already accepted their €42m package. The Italian club will hope to add him by this week before the transfer window shuts.

'He’s definitely out for tomorrow' – Inter Miami's Javier Mascherano confirms Lionel Messi will miss Wednesday’s Leagues Cup match vs. Pumas

The Argentine coach spoke at a press conference this morning ahead of Inter Miami’s third Leagues Cup match.

Messi was subbed off in the 10th minute vs. NecaxaMascherano said it’s “a minor injury”Inter Miami sit in third place with five pointsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Javier Mascherano confirmed on Tuesday that Lionel Messi will not be available for Inter Miami’s upcoming match against Pumas, after picking up an injury in their second Leagues Cup game against Necaxa.

Despite the setback, the Argentine coach assured it’s nothing serious and expects Messi to return soon.

“I spoke with him yesterday – it’s a minor injury. Within the bad news, it’s actually positive. Of course, we don’t like having him out, but we also avoid setting exact timelines. He’s very special and tends to recover quickly, so we’ll take it day by day,” said Mascherano in a press conference.

“He’s definitely out for tomorrow, but after that, we’ll see how he progresses based on the tests from the medical staff.”

Inter Miami currently sit third in their group with five points, and a win would secure their spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament.

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Following the muscle injury he sustained over the weekend against Necaxa, Messi’s recovery is expected to progress well, opening the door for a potential return to action this Sunday when Inter Miami resume MLS play against Orlando City. Should Miami advance to the Leagues Cup knockout stage, it would resume action in the tournament on either Aug. 19 or Aug. 20. 

In league play,currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference with 42 points.

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Another topic drawing attention is the future of Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami. The 37-year-old midfielder’s contract is set to expire in December, and questions remain about whether he’ll stay beyond that.

Mascherano expressed his hope that the Spaniard will continue.

“I hope he keeps playing – and if it’s with Inter Miami, even better. He still has a lot to offer,” said the coach. “But I’m not involved in the conversations between the club and him, so I don’t have any information on that.”

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Pumas will also be without their star player, former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was sent off during their 3–2 win over Atlanta United. As a result, Wednesday’s match at Chase Stadium will be missing two global football icons.

Fluminense: quem sai, quem fica e as principais movimentações do clube no mercado

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Depois de garantir a vaga em sua terceira Copa Libertadores seguida, o Fluminense mapeia o mercado para chegar com um elenco mais forte e montado por Fernando Diniz. Com a reeleição, Mário Bittencourt prometeu quatro reforços pontuais nas posições mais carentes do grupo para lutar pelo título inédito da competição continental.

+Decisivo, veloz e forte nos duelos individuais; veja as características de Keno, encaminhado no Fluminense

Em meio à disputa da Copa, que atraiu olhares de todo mundo, o Tricolor trabalhou de forma silenciosa e encaminhou um pacotão de reforços, apesar de só ter apresentado o lateral-direito Guga, até o momento. O clube carioca pretende se reapresentar no início de janeiro já com um elenco praticamente formado. Confira o vaivém do mercado tricolor. A lista será atualizada pelo LANCE! conforme mais nomes forem pintando.

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FECHADO

GUGA
O Fluminense anunciou a contratação do lateral-direito Guga, ex-Atlético-MG, que assinou contrato até dezembro de 2025. O jogador, de 24 anos, chega para reforçar a equipe comandada por Fernando Diniz, que garantiu uma vaga na próxima edição da Copa Libertadores. Ele vestirá a camisa número 23, o mesmo que usou quando defendeu a Seleção Brasileira Sub-23.

RENOVOU

FERNANDO DINIZ
O Dinizismo estará presente no Fluminense até o fim de 2024. Após a vitória de Mário Bittencourt nas urnas para a presidência do clube no triênio 2023-2025, neste sábado, o Tricolor anunciou a renovação do técnico Fernando Diniz por mais dois anos.

ANDRÉ
O desejo de muitos tricolores se tornou realidade. O Fluminense anunciou na tarde desta segunda-feira a renovação do contrato de André. O volante foi um dos principais destaques do time de Fernando Diniz nesta temporada.

GERMÁN CANO
Faz o L, torcida tricolor! O Fluminense anunciou, nesta sexta-feira (18), a renovação do contrato de Germán Cano. Agora, o vínculo do atacante argentino com o clube vai até o fim de 2025. A assinatura foi feita na sede das Laranjeiras.

PAULO HENRIQUE GANSO
O maestro fica! Na manhã deste domingo, o Fluminense anunciou a renovação de contrato com Paulo Henrique Ganso até dezembro de 2025. O camisa 10 do Tricolor foi um dos grandes destaques da temporada do clube e renovou o vínculo, que se encerrava em 2023.

FÁBIO
Conforme publicado pelo LANCE!, a renovação de Fabio com o Fluminense já estava acertada. O goleiro atingiu a meta de disputar 60% dos jogos como titular e ativou uma das cláusulas do contrato. O novo vínculo já consta no Boletim Informativo Diário (BID) da CBF.

MANOEL
O Fluminense anunciou na noite da última quinta-feira a renovação do contrato de Manoel. O novo vínculo é válido até dezembro de 2024. O jogador cresceu muito de produção com Fernando Diniz e se consolidou nesta temporada como “zagueiro artilheiro”.

DAVID BRAZ
O Fluminense fechou a renovação de David Braz. O zagueiro que tinha contrato com o clube até abril de 2023, tem o vínculo válido até junho de 2024, com opção de extensão até dezembro do mesmo ano.

PODE PINTAR

VITOR MENDES
Após anunciar o lateral-direito Guga, o Fluminense chegou a um acordo com o zagueiro Vitor Mendes para assinar o contrato de empréstimo até o fim de 2023. Cabe salientar que resta apenas a assinatura do contrato que deve acontecer no início da próxima semana. O jogador estava emprestado ao Juventude, porém, pertence ao Atlético-MG.

KENO
Depois de anunciar a contratação de Guga e encaminhar acerto com Vitor Mendes, o Fluminense chegou a um acordo com Keno, mas ainda restam detalhes burocráticos para o anúncio oficial. O jogador, de 33 anos, será comprado junto ao Atlético-MG por € 1 milhão de euros (R$ 5,6 milhões na cotação atual).

LIMA
O Tricolor está próximo de acertar com outro nome para a próxima temporada. Trata-se do meio-campista Lima, que atuou no Ceará no último ano e tem contrato até dezembro de 2023 com o alvinegro.

VITOR EUDES
O Fluminense acertou a contratação do goleiro Vitor Eudes, de 24 anos, do Marítimo, de Portugal. O jogador chega por empréstimo para o lugar de Marcos Felipe, que vai defender o Bahia na próxima temporada.

NATHAN
A tendência é que Nathan continue no clube carioca com a renovação de seu empréstimo junto ao Galo. Omeio-campista disputou 38 das 71 partidas do Fluminense, em 2022, sendo 13 como titular, com três gols e duas assistências.

THIAGO NEVES
O presidente Mário Bittencourt já deixou claro em algumas oportunidades que pretende conversar com o experiente jogador e propor um retorno. Contudo, seria para tratar de uma possível despedida para oficialmente se aposentar com a camisa tricolor.

QUEM SAI

JOHN KENNEDY
O Fluminense segue enxugando o grupo e emprestando jogadores que estouraram a idade e não vão ter espaço com Fernando Diniz. O nome da vez trata-se de John Kennedy. O atacante completa 21 anos em maio e será emprestado para a Ferroviária, de São Paulo, até o final do Campeonato Paulista.

MATHEUS MARTINS
O Fluminense anunciou a saída de Matheus Martins. O atacante, formado nas categorias de base do clube, foi vendido para Udinese, da Itália, mas acabou sendo emprestado ao Watford, da Inglaterra.

WELLINGTON
A passagem de Wellington pelo Fluminense foi bastante apagada. Ao todo, foram 54 jogos, 30 como titular e nenhum gol marcado. O volante foi alvo de críticas da torcida tricolor, por atuações abaixo do esperado.

PINEIDA
O Fluminense não pretende seguir com o lateral-esquerdo, que foi devolvido aoBarcelona de Guayaquil. Como não teve atuações convincentes, o equatoriano não terá sequência com a camisa tricolor e não faz parte dos planos do técnico Fernando Diniz.

MATHEUS FERRAZ
O Fluminense acertou a renovação de contrato do zagueiro Matheus Ferraz até o final de março de 2023 para que ele conclua a recuperação da cirurgia no joelho esquerdo. Contudo, o defensor não está nos planos do técnico Fernando Diniz.

FRAZAN E YURI
Perto do fim de contrato com o Fluminense, Frazan defenderá as cores do Ituano (SP) na próxima temporada. Yuri, por sua vez, encerra sua participação no Tricolo após quatro anos e seguidos empréstimos.

DANILO BARCELOS
O Ceará anunciou a contratação de Danilo Barcelos, lateral-esquerdo que pertencia ao Fluminense. O contrato irá até novembro de 2023, no entanto, há uma cláusula de renovação automática caso a equipe consiga o acesso para a Série A do Brasileirão.

SAMUEL GRANADA
Cria de Xerém, o atacante defenderá as cores do Juventude na próxima temporada. Com isso, assinou contrato até o fim de 2023 por empréstimo.

DANI ALVES, EDINHO E GABRYEL MARTINS
Ambos da equipe sub-23, os jogadores foram cedidos por empréstimo ao Bangu para a disputa do Campeonato Carioca.

NASCIMENTO
Além de John Kennedy, o Fluminense também cedeu outro jogador para a disputa do Campeonato Paulista. O volante Nascimento, de 23 anos, acertou com o Ituano e tem contrato até dezembro com o Tricolor.

QUEM PODE SAIR

​MARCOS FELIPE
O Fluminense decidiu aceitar a proposta do Bahia por Marcos Felipe. O contrato de empréstimo do goleiro é válido até dezembro de 2023.

DAVID DUARTE
O Bahia segue de olho em atletas do elenco do Fluminense para a próxima temporada. Além de Gabriel Teixeira e Marcos Felipe, o Tricolor baiano também tem interesse no zagueiro David Duarte. No momento, o clube negocia um contrato de empréstimo até o fim de 2023, com opção de compra.

GABRIEL TEIXEIRA
O Fluminense encaminhou a venda de Gabriel Teixeira para o Bahia. O Tricolor carioca havia recebido uma oferta de US$ 1,8 milhão de dólares (R$ 9,5 milhões) pelo atacante, de 21 anos, mas apresentou uma contraproposta de US$ 2 milhões de dólares (R$ 10,5 milhões. Com isso, os baianos aceitaram as condições do negócio, que está por detalhes burocráticos para ser finalizado.

QUEM VOLTA DE EMPRÉSTIMO

CAIO VINÍCIUS
Após jogar pelo Goiás na última temporada, o volante irá retornar ao Fluminense para cumprir mais um ano de contrato. No entanto, a tendência é que não permaneça no Tricolor para 2023.

Graham Onions heads back to Durham as bowling coach

Former Championship-winning fast bowler returns home after six years with Lancashire

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2023Graham Onions has agreed a return to his home club of Durham as lead bowling coach, after calling time on his six-year spell at Lancashire.Onions, who made more than 250 appearances for Durham across formats between 2004 and 2017, was instrumental in the club’s glory years, playing a key role in three County Championship titles between 2008 and 2013, and the One-Day Cup in 2014.He then moved to Lancashire for the final years of his career, helping them to win the 2019 Division Two title before stepping into the role of bowling coach following his retirement in 2020.In the course of his career, he claimed 527 first-class wickets for Durham, a haul bettered only by Chris Rushworth, and a further 104 in 23 matches for Lancashire at 20.73. He also played in nine Tests for England between 2009 and 2012, claiming 32 wickets at 29.90.”I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to come back to the county where it all started as a player,” Onions said. “I’m really looking forward to working with a talented group of players and also the opportunity to develop my own coaching with some exciting coaches.”I have loved my time at Lancashire as both a player and most recently as bowling coach. The time is right for me to move back to the North East to be around my family more often, but I will always be grateful for the six years I have spent at Emirates Old Trafford.”Durham’s director of cricket, Marcus North, added: “His 14-year playing career at Durham and understanding of our club’s culture and the North East cricketing landscape is a huge advantage in his arrival back to Durham.”We have an exciting group of bowlers at Durham and we believe this appointment is key to the development and success of this group. Graham will also play a leading role with Nathan Rimmington in overseeing our pathway talent.”

Juventus ready to snap up Jonathan David on free transfer but agent's massive commission demand holding up deal as Saudi clubs wait in the wings

Juventus wants to nab former Lille striker Jonathan David for free but agent's hefty commission is a major hurdle.

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  • Jonathan David is a free agent
  • Representative asks for big commission
  • Juventus also scouting other prospects
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to Gazzetta dello Sport, David appreciates Juventus' interest and wants to join the Italian giants, but the player's agent is demanding a hefty commission for the deal to go through. Juventus are still negotiating, and the signs are positive as David is in favour of moving to Turin even though he has received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs.

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    The 25-year-old Canadian forward left Lille as a free agent this summer. The forward wants to join Juve, but his camp are demanding a big fee of around €15 million (£13m/$17m). Juve general manager Damien Comolli is deterred by the high fees, and David has personally spoken to his camp to reduce the demands and negotiate a deal. The Italian club have also shortlisted other forwards in case there's a fallout in David's deal.

  • TELL ME MORE

    Comolli has many plans for the club. From showing interest in Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson to heavily pushing to bring Jadon Sancho to Turin, the club want to secure a few big names as they head into the upcoming Champions League. Reportedly, head coach Igor Tudor fancies bringing Victor Osimhen to the club, whom he considers to be the favourite to replace Dusan Vlahovic.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS?

    Comolli, Tudor and head of football institutional relations – Giorgio Chiellini will all be in Florida for Juventus' decisive match against Manchester City in the Club World Cup on June 27.

Manoj Tiwary retires from all forms of cricket

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary has retired from all forms of cricket, ending a 19-year domestic career.Tiwary played all his domestic cricket for Bengal and also won the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012, when he hit the winning runs in the last over of the chase. He played 12 ODIs and three T20Is – between 2008 and 2015 – and was also part of the India squad for the 2012 T20 World Cup, but didn’t get a game in the tournament.Tiwary started and ended his first-class career at his home ground Eden Gardens, in 2004 and 2023 respectively. His last game was the Ranji Trophy final defeat to Saurashtra earlier this year, in which he top-scored for Bengal in the second innings. Tiwary was also the Bengal captain in the previous Ranji season.”Goodbye to the game of cricket,” Tiwary wrote in his retirement note on social media. “This game has given me everything, I mean every single thing which I had never dreamt of, starting from the times when my life was challenged by different forms of difficulties. Will ever be grateful to this game and to GOD, who has always been in my side throughout. Taking this opportunity to convey my sincere gratitude to the people who all have played a part in my cricketing journey.”Thank you to my all my coaches starting from my childhood till last year who all have played a part in my cricketing achievements. Manabendra Ghosh, my father figure like coach has been the pillar in the cricketing journey. If he had not been there then I would had not reached anywhere in cricketing circle. Thank u Sir and wish u a speedy recovery, as your health is not keeping well.”

He finished his first-class career just 92 short of 10,000 runs, averaging 48.56 with 29 centuries and 45 half-centuries. He scored 5581 runs in 169 List A games at an average of 42.28. His 12-ODI career contained one hundred – against West Indies in Chennai in December 2011.Tiwary earned his India debut in an ODI against Australia in 2008 and had to wait another three years for his next game before he got a few chances in 2011 and 2012. He was dropped again and also had to fight a number of injuries before he was recalled for one ODI in Bangladesh in 2014 and then played his last series in Zimbabwe in July 2015.Tiwary was an aggressive batter and broke several Bengal records. He developed a more all-round game as he gained more experience and was considered unlucky by many to not get more games for India because of the competition for spots and the rise in standard of cricket at international level.Tiwary also represented Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals (then Delhi Daredevils) and Punjab Kings in the IPL. He played 183 T20s, scoring 3436 runs at a strike rate of 116.43.

He's like Moise Kean: Everton considering bid for "world-class" £25m CF

The 2024/25 campaign is heading toward the final stretch, and Everton look all but safe to enter Bramley Moore on the fertile soil of the Premier League.

In fact, with David Moyes at the helm, there are budding hopes that the Toffees could be set for a period of prosperity, perhaps challenging for a place at the upper end of the table.

Everton manager David Moyes before Brighton match

Of course, the Blues will need to get it right in the transfer market, and with so much change up the hierarchical ladder, there is an element of uncertainty, though optimism is back and rightly so.

Director of Football Kevin Thelwell will leave in the summer, and in his place Leeds United’s Angus Kinnear will assume transfer seniority in The Friedkin Group’s system. He’ll have plenty to get busy with.

Where Everton will strengthen this summer

Everton had fallen into a state of entropy under the dysfunctional rule of Farhad Moshiri, but there is truly hope things are changing now that a new order is in place.

Players are going to need to leave.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, for example, is approaching the end of his contract and has only scored three times this season. With Beto superseding him at number nine, it feels the right time for the 27-year-old to move on.

Ex-Goodison scout Bryan King has also suggested Abdoulaye Doucoure is going to leave this summer on a free transfer despite the option of a one-year extension.

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure

Moreover, Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom are both loanees on the right flank and neither have set the world on fire this term, albeit improving since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche.

These, it seems, are the key areas of concern for the summer. Though you’d think centre-forward will receive the most dramatic attention.

Moyes has spoken since arriving of his desire to bring Everton back to prominence in the Premier League. There might even be tentative and rudimentary plans mapped out to find a pathway toward Europe.

To do that, Everton may want to aim big in the transfer market.

TFG eyeing audacious signing for Everton

As per GIVEMESPORT, Everton have been put on alert after Juventus reduced Dusan Vlahovic’s £35m asking price to £25m and are now ‘considering’ a move for the powerful striker.

While this might feel like a name beyond the Toffees’ reach, progress under Moyes and the Serbian’s own issues at Juventus make it very possible indeed.

With Calvert-Lewin’s set to depart – incidentally, he’s wanted by the Old Lady – and Armando Broja’s loan move unlikely to become permanent after an injury-wrecked campaign, there really could be something in this one.

What Dusan Vlahovic would bring to Everton

Juventus actually signed Vlahovic from Fiorentina for a huge £67m fee back in January 2022 after his stunning start to life in Italy at Fiorentina.

Strangely, you could say he’s never quite hit the same heights as that balmy start with La Viola, and the Scudetto still eludes him.

Dusan Vlahovic in Serie A (past 5 seasons)

Season

Club

Apps

Goals

Assists

24/25

Juventus

22 (17)

9

1

23/24

Juventus

33 (27)

16

3

22/23

Juventus

27 (22)

10

2

21/22

Juventus

15 (12)

7

1

21/22

Fiorentina

21 (21)

17

4

20/21

Fiorentina

37 (34)

21

2

Stats via Transfermarkt

Though Vlahovic has been perceived to have struggled this season, it’s curious that he’s still outscored all of Everton’s forwards on league ground, with his reputation attracting criticism like a glaring firefly glow.

Indeed, he was hailed as a “world-class player” by Bologna head coach Vincenzo Italiano only in December.

The prolific international, who has 13 goals from 32 Serbia caps, still ranks among the top 12% of players in Serie A this season for goals scored, the same again for shots taken and the top 15% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as recorded by FBref.

Such poaching prowess has even led the data-driven site to pin Moise Kean as one of his most comparable players across Europe, with the former Toffee riding the crest of a wave in Italy with, incidentally, Fiorentina.

Juventus' DusanVlahovicin action with Empoli's Liberato Cacace

We already witnessed Moyes’ tactical nous when it comes to powerful and athletic strikers from Italy; Beto has been reborn since the Scotsman made his fated return to Goodison.

Now, he could repeat the trick with Vlahovic, especially since he’s profiled similarly to Kean, who has scored 19 goals from 32 matches in all competitions this term.

Maybe one of the biggest disappointments of the Moshiri era, Kean joined Everton form Juventus in a £25m deal in 2019. He was just a teenager, and the Blues’ problems precluded his success as he scored only two goals from 32 matches in the Premier League.

Though Everton’s success in selling him back to Juve for a similar £25m ballpark fee took the edge off the blunder, it’s somewhat frustrating to watch the Italy international now perform so admirably for Fiorentina.

All this said, he was still regarded as a top talent when Everton came calling and his profile was billed as perfect for Premier League football. You’d think Vlahovic, more refined and complete at 25 than Kean was, stands a good chance of hitting the mark when considering this.

Juventus' DusanVlahovicshoots

Signing a forward cut from the same tactical cloth as Kean, who failed to make it work at Everton, would be a neat offshoot from this building tale. Moyes has the capacity to revive Vlahovic, turn him into a top-class Premier League star.

There will be a range of daunting competition for his signature, but Everton have the tools to become an attractive club for such players once again, and this is the kind of deal that could help Moyes replicate the European success he forged at West Ham United.

He earns more than Ndiaye: Everton must axe Thelwell's "disaster" signing

The Everton board surely can’t wait to see the back of this miserable signing.

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 12, 2025

Spurs are brewing a homegrown Kulusevski in 16-year-old "cheat-code"

Their Premier League position might suggest otherwise, but Tottenham Hotspur are blessed with a number of incredibly talented players.

From the likes of Djed Spence, Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at the back to Dominic Solanke and Son Heung-min in attack, there is talent throughout the Lilywhites’ squad.

That is especially true in the middle of the park, as Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr all possess game-changing qualities.

TottenhamHotspur's James Maddisoncelebrates scoring their second goal with teammates

Yet, perhaps the club’s best player is none other than Dejan Kulusevski, and in an exciting development, it appears as if Hotspur Way could be about to provide Ange Postecoglou with a homegrown version of the Swede.

What makes Kulusevski so great?

So, when it comes down to what makes Kulusevski such an incredible player, there are a couple of core reasons, with the first being his positional versatility.

The former Juventus star was initially signed as a winger back in 2022 and has played off the right more than anywhere else for the North Londoners, but, especially this year, he’s thrived in several other positions, notably midfield.

In all, the Stockholm-born star has played 70 games as a right-winger for the Lilywhites, 40 games in attacking midfield, five in central midfield and up top, two off the left and in right-midfield, and he’s even made one appearance as a second striker.

Right Winger

70

11

15

Attacking Midfield

40

9

7

Centre-Forward

5

2

2

Central Midfield

5

1

3

Left Winger

2

0

0

Right Midfield

2

0

0

Second Striker

1

0

1

All Stats via Transfermarkt

The second reason the 25-year-old is such an incredible player for Postecoglou and Co is that, on top of being able to fill in all over the pitch, he’s got the ability to produce as well.

For example, in 42 appearances this season, the “world-class” ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored ten goals and provided ten assists, making him the second-most productive player in the squad, behind only his captain.

In short, Kulusevski is not just one of Spurs’ best players but one of the league’s best players, so it’s good news that Hotspur Way might be brewing their version of the Swede.

Spurs' homegrown Kulusevski

While the most-talked-about academy product at Spurs this season has been the incredible Mikey Moore, it could be the lesser-known Luca Williams-Barnett next season.

It’s the 16-year-old phenom who could well be the club’s own Kulusevski, and there are a few reasons why.

The first is that like the Swedish international, the promising teenager can play in a handful of positions, from attacking midfield to either wing, up top and even left-midfield, lending credence to academy expert and pundit John Wenham’s description of him as a “cheat-code.”

Appearances

24

Minutes

1887′

Goals

20

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

1.25

Minutes per Goal Involvement

62.9′

However, the second and undoubtedly more important similarity to the former Juve star is that he’s already proving to be an incredibly effective attacking outlet for the youth sides.

For example, in just 24 appearances for the U18s, totalling 1887 minutes, the unreal talent, whom analyst Ben Mattinson described as “a name to keep an eye on,” has scored 20 goals and provided ten assists.

That means he’s averaging 1.25 goal involvements every game, or one every 62.9 minutes, which is the sort of form that could see him propelled into the first team next season.

Ultimately, while this season has been a disaster, Spurs have several incredibly talented players in their senior squad, and if Williams-Barnett continues on his brilliant trajectory, then there is every chance he could be playing alongside Kulusevski next year.

His value has risen 1475% this season: Spurs struck gold on their own Yamal

The exceptional Spurs ace will be worth a fortune in the future.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 20, 2025

Handscomb and Murphy close in on a place in Australia's XI against India

Pat Cummins won’t reveal the make up of his team until the toss in Nagpur

Alex Malcolm08-Feb-20231:38

Cummins explains the difficulty of winning in India

Pat Cummins says he won’t reveal Australia’s first Test XI until the toss on Thursday, but Todd Murphy is firming to make his Test debut, while Peter Handscomb’s chances of a Test recall are increasing as Australia are wary of the problems too many left-hand batters might face on a made-to-order Nagpur pitch.The ground staff at the VCA Stadium were seen carefully curating the pitch two days before the start of the match, including doing selective watering of the surface. They watered the middle of the pitch and the areas outside the right-handers’ off stump at one end, but left those on a good length outside the left-handers’ off stump at both ends bone dry. There was also brushing and selective mowing of certain areas.Speaking from the team hotel on Wednesday morning, Cummins, the Australia captain, was not drawn into a discussion on pitch preparation, but did note that it would be a factor in Australia’s selection for the match.Related

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“I think it is a factor over here,” he said. “With so much traffic from the right-handers bowling, at times there is a bit more out there for the left-handers. The Indian line-up is going to be packed full of right-handers, so I think it plays a small factor.”Cummins ruled allrounder Cameron Green out of the series opener against India. Matt Renshaw had taken his place in Australia’s last Test match, but keeping him in for this one would mean five left-hand batters in the top seven having to deal with the bone-dry area of the pitch that is likely to get chewed up, as both teams have only right-arm quicks in their attack. While Cummins did not explicitly say that put Handscomb ahead in the pecking order, the chances of his recall seem to be increasing.Australia are set to play a four-man bowling attack with Cummins and Scott Boland to play as the two quicks in the absence of the injured duo of Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. Nathan Lyon will be their lead spinner. That leaves left-arm spinner Ashton Agar and offspinner Todd Murphy fighting for the last spot in the XI.1:11

O’Keefe: Todd Murphy will be a superstar

“I think he’d be as prepared as he could be,” Cummins said of the uncapped Murphy. “He’s been bowling beautifully in the nets over here. He’s started really well for Victoria in first-class cricket. If he got the nod, he’s got Nathan Lyon down the other end that he can work with; he’s ready. Everyone in the squad here has had really good preparation. Whoever we pick is 100% ready to go.”The fear of playing two specialist offspinners – and leaving Agar out – against India’s right-hand dominant batting line-up may have dissipated within the Australian camp after seeing the pitch on Tuesday.”It’s a factor. These conditions, they really spin, so just really good bowling is what you’re after, being consistent time and time again,” Cummins said. “I don’t think you need to go searching for anything more; the conditions will come to you.”You’ve seen Nath be really, really effective over here [with] a lot of bat-pad, leg-slip catches for the right-handers. So ideally, you’ve got variety in any attack, but I don’t think it has to be the case just for that sake.”Cummins has had an incredible record of winning tosses as Australia Test captain, with seven of his last eight and nine of 13 overall so far falling in his favour. He is hoping to keep that run of success going in Nagpur, but believes the toss may not be as big a factor if the pitch is a raging turner.”I think we’ll bat,” Cummins laughed. “I think when the conditions spin from day one, it’s actually not. I think you’ve seen India’s record. They win just as many games batting second as they do batting first. I think it can be overstated when the conditions do spin really quickly.”

Erling Haaland snubbed FA Cup final penalty because it was 'too much' as Wayne Rooney explains what separates Man City star from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Wayne Rooney believes Erling Haaland refused to take a penalty in Manchester City's FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace because it was "too much".

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  • Haaland has missed three penalties this season
  • Omar Marmoush saw his spot-kick saved
  • City lost 1-0 to Eagles
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    City lost 1-0 to Palace at Wembley as Oliver Glasner's side won their first-ever major trophy on Saturday. However, City had a huge chance to equalise after falling behind to Eberechi Eze's goal when they were awarded a penalty, but instead of Haaland stepping up, Marmoush was denied by Dean Henderson.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    BBC pundits Rooney and Alan Shearer believe the Norway international rejected the chance to take the spot-kick, having missed three penalties already this season. He has also scored four, but both ex-strikers were flabbergasted he did not grab the ball, with Rooney believing the Norway international proved that he does not have the same mentality as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

  • WHAT ROONEY AND SHEARER SAID

    Rooney said: "Erling Haaland is a world-class forward, but when we are talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there is no way they are giving that ball away. That is what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and these players. They are selfish and they want to score every game. When he misses chances I think you can see it gets to him and it does affect him. "Maybe the thought of taking a penalty at Wembley might have been too much for him. You never know, he is a human being."

    Shearer added: "There is no way anyone is saying to me 'you're not taking a penalty today if we get a penalty'. Whether he has missed three in a season or whether he's been out injured, you're fit you're out on the pitch and you should be game for taking the penalty. I cannot believe he's turned around and said to someone else 'you take the penalty because I don't really fancy it'."

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    WHAT NEXT?

    City face Bournemouth and Fulham in their final two games as they bid to confirm Champions League qualification.

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