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Former Juventus and Netherlands winger Eljero Elia explained after he survived a terrifying car crash on the A4 motorway in Netherlands after wrecking his €300,000 Lamborghini. The 38-year-old’s luxury car collided with two others near Leiden, leaving the vehicles badly damaged. Fortunately, no one suffered serious injuries as police launched an investigation into the incident.

Elia survives terrifying car crash

Elia was involved in a serious three-car collision on the A4 motorway near Leiden on Saturday night. The 38-year-old’s €300,000 Lamborghini was declared a total loss after the crash, which took place at around 9:45 p.m. According to Dutch media reports, Elia’s vehicle collided with two others after traffic ahead of him suddenly came to a halt. Police temporarily closed the motorway for investigation and clean up, with debris littering the area.

AdvertisementAFPEx-Netherlands winger recounts the ordeal

Speaking to , Elia described the frightening sequence of events that led to the crash, saying: “The traffic in front of me suddenly stopped; I couldn’t brake in time.” 

The former winger added that he had been driving on a quiet stretch of the motorway when the traffic unexpectedly came to a standstill. “I tried to brake, but I skidded,” he continued. Elia also revealed that a car ahead of him had failed to switch on its hazard lights, making it impossible to react in time. “The only thing I could do was avoid hitting the car directly behind me. I steered past it a bit, which caused me to hit it more on the side,” he said. “There’s only damage to the cars. That’s it. It could have been worse, anyway." 

The police questioned Elia and another driver at the scene as part of standard procedures. "Everyone was shocked, I told them [police] what happened and then I went home," he added.

Reports in the Dutch media have claimed that authorities are also checking whether alcohol could have been a factor in the collision, though no formal statement has been issued yet. The motorway reopened a few hours later after all vehicles were removed by tow trucks.

A history of luxury car accidents

This isn’t the first time Elia’s luxury vehicles have been involved in a crash. Back in 2013, the former Netherlands international’s Bentley was severely damaged in another road incident. Reflecting on that earlier crash, Elia had said: “I was hit in that accident,” insisting that it was not his fault. Known for his flair both on and off the pitch, Elia owned several high-end cars during his playing days across Europe.

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Getty ImagesElia's career and life after football

Elia retired from professional football in 2022 following an ankle ligament injury. During his career, he represented clubs including Juventus, Feyenoord, Twente, Werder Bremen and Southampton, where he scored twice in 17 appearances during his loan spell in the Premier League. Elia earned 30 caps for the Netherlands, scoring twice and featuring in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Now 38, he lives in Netherlands with his wife Sanne and their three children. 

Yudhvir Singh came in for RR, who will finish last out of the ten teams if they lose to CSK

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2025Despite losing eight out of nine games while chasing, Rajasthan Royals (RR) continued to stay with what has been the right thing to do: chase. It shows they don’t see the batting as a problem, but are rather seeking to chase fewer runs. They made one change to their side, leaving Fazalhaq Farooqi out for Yudhvir Singh. That left only three overseas players in their bowl-first XI, leaving the door open for an IPL debut for Lhuan-dre Pretorius when it is time to chase.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) didn’t make any change to the side that played the last game. MS Dhoni said he was happy with the way the batting was shaping up for the next season.Both the sides were on six points, but CSK had a game in hand. That means a win on Tuesday will avoid what could be CSK’s first-ever bottom-placed finish in an IPL. This is RR’s last game, so even a win won’t guarantee them the dubious distinction.RR’s coach Rahul Dravid said the season could have looked different if they had not lost all of their close finishes. They have ended up on the wrong side of five close games, including one tie at the same venue when it appeared they had the chase wrapped up.Chennai Super Kings: 1 Ayush Mhatre, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Urvil Patel, 4 Ravindra Jadeja, 5 Dewald Brevis, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 Anshul Kamboj, 11 Khaleel AhmedImpact Player options: Matheesha Pathirana, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna GhoshRajasthan Royals: 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 3 Sanju Samson (capt. & wk), 4 Riyan Parag, 5 Dhruv Jurel, 6 Shimron Hetmyer, 7, Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Kwena Mphaka, 9 Yudhvir Singh, 10 Tushar Deshpande, 11 Akash MadhwalImpact Player options: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Shubham Dubey, Kumar Kartikeya, Ashok Sharma, Kunal Rathore

Nottingham Forest chief Evangelos Marinakis is set for crunch talks with under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou over the tactician’s long-term future, coming after a dismal start to life for Nuno Espirito Santo’s replacement at the City Ground.

Ange Postecoglou's job under threat after 2-0 Newcastle defeat

Reports in the build up to their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park claimed that Postecoglou’s job could be under threat if Forest tasted defeat up north, and this could now be realised.

Second-half goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Nick Woltemade slapped Postecoglou with his fifth loss from seven games in charge, and the Australian remains winless after making the worst start of any Forest manager for 100 years.

Arsenal 3-0 Forest

Premier League

Swansea 3-2 Forest

Carabao Cup

Burnley 1-1 Forest

Premier League

Real Betis 2-2 Forest

Europa League

Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Premier League

Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland

Europa League

Newcastle 2-0 Forest

Premier League

The pressure is well and truly on Forest’s new manager after stepping into the shoes of fan favourite Nuno, who guided the Tricky Trees back to Europe for the first time since 1995 last season.

Since Nuno’s departure, Forest have been on a downward trajectory, with Postecoglou confirming that he’s set for crunch Marinakis talks over the international break.

It is believed that Marinakis already has potential replacements in mind for Postecoglou, who could become the shortest-reigning manager in Premier League history if Forest decide to take action immediately after Newcastle.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is emerging as a “prime candidate” to succeed the 60-year-old, according to TEAMtalk, but it is very debatable whether the Austrian would leave Selhurst Park midway through 2025/2026 for what appears to be a volatile project.

Glasner is out of contract at the end of this season, as is Fulham’s Marco Silva, and The Mail’s Tom Collomosse also reports that the latter is a long-term target for Forest.

However, any approach for Silva is apparently unlikely to happen before the conclusion of 2025/2026.

Marinakis pictured close to Benitez amid Nottingham Forest manager search

That being said, another coach who’s readily available now and wants a return to England is former Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton boss Rafael Benitez.

As reported by Collomosse, Marinakis was spotted in “close proximity” to Benitez during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over OIympiacos last week, and while the Spaniard was there in his role as a technical observer for UEFA, he’s apparently keen on coming back to Britain for work.

Clubs

Tenure

Matches in charge

Titles/achievements

Real Valladolid

1995-96

25

Osasuna

1996

9

Extremadura

1997-99

92

Segunda promotion

Tenerife

2000-01

46

Segunda promotion

Valencia

2001-04

162

La Liga X2

UEFA Cup

Liverpool

2004-12

350

Champions League

FA Cup

UEFA Super Cup

Internazionale

2010

25

FIFA Club World Cup

Supercoppa Italiana

Chelsea

2012-13

48

Europa League

Napoli

2013-15

112

Coppa Italia

Supercoppa Italiana

Real Madrid

2015-16

25

Newcastle United

2016-19

146

EFL Championship

Dalian Professional

2019-21

38

Everton

2021-22

22

Celta de Vigo

2023-24

33

Benitez also has good relations with the Marinakis family, so this could be one to watch, even if the Champions League-winning boss hasn’t worked in management since leaving Celta Vigo in 2024.

His last job in the Premier League was also his disastrous spell at Everton, though you can make a case that it was always doomed to fail given Benitez’s ties to Liverpool.

Benitez, after a glittering career at some of Europe’s top clubs, is regarded as a “world-class manager” by his peers, but he’d be taking on an almighty task to steer Forest back up the table amid the toxicity right now.

It's unlikely that Maya Le Tissier didn't see the discourse around her going into Manchester United's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid. After Sarina Wiegman said she saw the Red Devils' captain as more of a right-back, rather than a centre-back, the conversation was unavoidable, with everyone from Ian Wright to the Man Utd social media admin getting involved to wonder just why the England boss doesn't see Le Tissier as a serious contender for a starting role in the heart of the Lionesses defence. Perhaps it even served as fuel for the player herself, because she was outstanding in the 1-0 win in Spain that maintained United's perfect start to their first ever UWCL campaign.

Le Tissier had to be brilliant, too, because her team were up against it for almost an hour after an incredibly controversial red card for Dominique Janssen. Until that point, United had enjoyed the better of a competitive game, taking the lead midway through the first half when Fridolina Rolfo thumped home a powerful volley for her first goal for the club. But everything changed once Janssen was sent off just before half time for a challenge that, while unfortunately causing a serious-looking injury to Gio Garbelini, did not look worthy of such a punishment.

It was all about the defensive effort in the second period for United then, who had to deploy Gabby George in the unnatural position of centre-back to make up for Janssen's absence. Fortunately, she had Le Tissier next to her and the captain led by example in an incredibly formidable display. There were plenty of other top performers too, be it goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who made a particularly brilliant save to deny the lively Luany; the midfield duo of Julia Zigiotti Olme and Hinata Miyazawa, whose covering in front of the defence was so often vital; or Leah Galton, whose wonderful energy from the bench would actually create a moment that evened the numbers back out 15 minutes from time, as she burst past Alexia Fernandez before being brought down by the already-booked defender.

Even without Janssen's dismissal, it could've been more comfortable for United. Melvine Malard had a huge chance just past the half hour mark that she stabbed wide and the Frenchwoman really should've put the result beyond doubt in the final few minutes, only to curl another effort off target. Fortunately, the Red Devils wouldn't rue those misses, hanging on to follow up their historic win over Valerenga last week with another in Madrid.

GOAL rates Manchester United's players from the Centro Deportivo Wanda Alcala de Henares…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Phallon Tullis-Joyce (7/10):

Made some big saves to keep a match-winning clean sheet and commanded her area confidently.

Jayde Riviere (7/10):

Defended admirably, winning six of her seven tackles to preserve 

Maya Le Tissier (8/10):

Came up with so many crucial blocks and clearances as United held on with 10 players.

Dominique Janssen (5/10):

Desperately unlucky to be sent off in the first half. Had been solid in and out of possession until that point.

Anna Sandberg (6/10):

Did well in her ground duels with the lively Luany but switched off a little when the winger spun off her and was left scrambling to get back in position at times.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Julia Zigiotti Olme (8/10):

An all-round effective performance, showing quality in possession and her defensive work while also slotting in reliably at centre-back to help United see out the final few minutes of the first half.

Hinata Miyazawa (7/10):

Did a lot of really good defensive work, especially in the second half when United were under real pressure.

Ella Toone (6/10):

One of United's liveliest players before going off at the break as changes were made to make up for the red card.

Getty ImagesAttack

Melvine Malard (6/10):

Should've doubled United's lead both before and after Janssen's dismissal. Made up for that with a lot of important defensive work, though could've done more to hold the ball up and relieve the pressure on her back line at times.

Elisabeth Terland (6/10):

Worked hard and contributed well to the build-up play before going off at the break as Skinner was forced to reorganise his side.

Fridolina Rolfo (7/10):

Scored a terrific goal to break the deadlock and showed her nous as a left-back by doing a lot of good defensive work to help Sandberg out.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Gabby George (6/10):

Slotted into the slightly unfamiliar position of centre-back after Janssen was sent off. Looked a little rusty at times, given her lack of minutes since injury, but filled in well all things considered.

Lisa Naalsund (7/10):

Good in possession and offered a lot out of it, which is exactly what United needed.

Leah Galton (8/10):

Continued her return from injury when she came on just past the hour. Her running with the ball was so often the reason for the United defence getting some respite and her work tracking back was exceptional.

Rachel Williams (N/A):

Brought strength and energy up top for the final few minutes.

Marc Skinner (7/10):

Was limited in what he could do with his starting XI given the injuries to Park and Bizet but used his bench brilliantly to cope with Janssen's dismissal.

Liverpool have seen lots of players leave for huge money in the past, but who are the most expensive departures in their history?

Transfer business was relatively quiet at Anfield in recent windows before owners FSG splashed the cash on the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in 2025.

Liverpool's most expensive signings of all time

Liverpool have splashed the cash in recent years, but who are their priciest additions?

ByLewis Thompson Sep 5, 2025

In the past, Liverpool have generated huge funds through the exits of certain players. Here are the 20 most expensive sales in Reds history.

Rank

Player

Sold to

Year

Fee

Philippe Coutinho

Barcelona

2018

Luis Suarez

Barcelona

2014

Luis Diaz

Bayern Munich

2025

Fernando Torres

Chelsea

2011

Raheem Sterling

Man City

2015

Darwin Nunez

Al-Hilal

2025

Fabinho

Al-Ittihad

2023

Sadio Mane

Bayern Munich

2022

Jarell Quansah

Bayer Leverkusen

2025

Christian Benteke

Crystal Palace

2016

Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid

2009

Fabio Carvalho

Brentford

2024

Mamadou Sakho

Crystal Palace

2017

Ben Gannon-Doak

Bournemouth

2025

Danny Ings

Southampton

2019

Sepp van den Berg

Brentford

2024

Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth

2019

Javier Mascherano

Barcelona

2010

Neco Williams

Nottingham Forest

2022

Andy Carroll

West Ham

2013

10 Christian Benteke Liverpool to Crystal Palace (£32m)

The signing of Christian Benteke in 2015 never quite felt right for Liverpool, during a time when doubts were starting to creep in about Brendan Rodgers as manager.

The Belgian had admittedly caused the Reds plenty of problems in an Aston Villa shirt in the past, but his performances at Anfield were lacking, and he only spent one season at the club.

Granted, Benteke’s overhead kick away to Manchester United was stunning, albeit in a losing cause, but a tally of just 10 goals in 42 appearances outlined his struggles, as he failed to justify his £32m price tag. Like Sakho, he was sold to Crystal Palace, with Liverpool breaking even following his departure.

9 Jarell Quansah Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen (£35m)

Jarell Quansah was a product of Liverpool’s academy, so his £35m transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025 was seen as pure profit to help with FFP and the club’s summer spending spree.

The centre-back made 58 senior appearances for the Reds prior to his move to the Bundesliga, and there is thought to be a buy back clause included in the deal.

8 Sadio Mane Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£35m)

It’s easy to think about current stars Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah as the poster boys of the current era at Liverpool, but Sadio Mane cannot be ignored.

The Senegalese was an unbelievable servant for the Reds during a six-year period between 2016 and 2022, scoring 120 goals in 269 appearances and arguably standing out as his side’s best player in the title-winning 2019/20 season.

Fast, skilful, strong, tenacious and full of end product, Mane was a world-class player at the peak of his powers prior to moving to Bayern Munich for £35m, just when he was showing signs of being on the wane.

7 Fabinho Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (£40m)

Fabinho felt like a huge piece of the jigsaw being filled when he joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2018, and it is no coincidence that the Reds won the Champions League and the Premier League in his first two seasons at the club.

A dominant presence at the heart of the midfield, the Brazilian was one of Europe’s leading No 6s in his prime, combining an elite reading of the game with his underrated quality on the ball.

However, Fabinho’s legs seemed to go in 2022/23, as was the case with Jordan Henderson, and it made sense to sell him to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £40m the following summer.

6 Darwin Nunez Liverpool to Al-Hilal (£46.2m)

Darwin Nunez cost Liverpool an initial £64m from Benfica back in 2022, and after failing to hit the heights at Anfield across three seasons, the Reds decided a change was needed.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal came calling in 2025, and with the Reds already having Hugo Ekitike through the door at Anfield and soon signing Alexander Isak, cashed in on Nunez for just over £46m.

5 Raheem Sterling Liverpool to Manchester City (£49m)

Raheem Sterling’s meteoric rise at Liverpool was hugely impressive, with the Englishman going from youth team star to key first-team player in no time during the early part of the 2010s.

He was outstanding in the 2013/14 season despite still being a teenager, coming so close to playing a big role in the Reds winning the Premier League, and performed at a level of maturity beyond his years.

However, Sterling burned his bridges with Liverpool fans when he opted to join Manchester City for £49m in 2015, and many appearances at Anfield since have seen him booed relentlessly.

4 Fernando Torres Liverpool to Chelsea (£50m)

When Fernando Torres joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007, he felt like one of the most exciting signings in the history of the club.

The Spanish star backed up the hype, becoming one of the world’s best strikers in his first couple of years on Merseyside, giving defenders nightmares – not least Nemanja Vidic. He may not have won a trophy at Liverpool, but 81 goals in 142 games was a stunning return.

When Torres controversially joined Chelsea for £50m in January 2011, many supporters were devastated, but the truth is that his very best days were already behind him.

3 Luis Diaz Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£65.5m)

Luis Diaz was brilliant for Liverpool during his three-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield, so it was a slight surprise that he wanted to pursue a move to Bayern Munich in 2025.

The Colombia international, who cost the Reds an initial £37m, won the Premier League before heading to the German giants, with Liverpool making a tidy profit on Diaz in the process.

2 Luis Suarez Liverpool to Barcelona (£75m)

Has there ever been a more talented player in Liverpool’s history than Luis Suarez?

What the Uruguayan achieved in a Reds shirt between 2011 and 2014 was unforgettable, with only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo arguably better than him during that period.

Suarez came painfully close to inspiring Liverpool to title glory in 2013/14, scoring 31 goals in just 33 league appearances, and his £75m exit to Barcelona at the end of that campaign was hard to take.

1 Philippe Coutinho Liverpool to Barcelona (£142m)

In hindsight, the £142m sale of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 is one of the best pieces of business the Reds have ever done.

While there was discontent about him leaving at the time, having grown into his side’s attacking talisman, it allowed Liverpool to use the funds to sign Alisson and Van Dijk, and the rest is history.

The legendary goalkeeper and centre-back completely transformed the Reds as a team under Klopp, turning them into one of the best club sides of their generation. Meanwhile, Coutinho’s career has completely petered out ever since, with injuries and patchy form turning him into a shadow of his former self.

Kent post 566 for 8 declared but visitors make steady start in response

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jun-2025Northamptonshire 140 for 1 (Vasconcelos 87*) trail Kent 566 for 8 dec (Bell-Drummond 158, Finch 118, Guthrie 3-92) by 426 runsDaniel Bell-Drummond and Harry Finch both made centuries for Kent on day two of their Rothesay County Championship match with Northamptonshire at Canterbury, but with the track resembling a bowlers’ graveyard the match looks destined to end in a draw.The visitors had reached 140 for 1 at stumps, a deficit of 426, with Ricardo Vasconcelos unbeaten on 87 and Calvin Harrison 41 not out. Matt Quinn took the only wicket, getting Luke Procter for 8.Earlier Kent declared on 556 for 8, Bell-Drummond hitting 158 in a stand of 208 with Finch, who made 118. Liam Guthrie took 3 for 29, but Northants’ bowlers laboured throughout with the Kookaburra ball and Kent’s didn’t fare much better.The visitors actually stared the day with an early wicket when Joey Evison, who was 29 not out overnight, became the first victim, going for 37 in the fourth over: after driving Guthrie for a textbook four through mid-off, he was caught behind off the next delivery.That, however, was the highpoint for the visitors, whose chief tormentor was all too familiar.Bell-Drummond hit an unbeaten triple-century at Northampton in 2023 and he reached three figures by scrambling for a single off Harrison. Finch brought up his half-century in the next over when he went down the wicket to Yuzvendra Chahal and hit him for four over long-on.It was 446 for 5 at lunch at which point there was a mini-rumpus on the outfield, where Northants officials were reportedly remonstrating with the match referee, allegedly because of their frustrations at having to use a Kookaburra ball on a lifeless surface.Few others in a crowd of 2263 were complaining. Finch reached his sixth first-class hundred when he pulled Saif Zaib to the backward square leg boundary for four and a single from Harrison took Bell-Drummond to 150, before he finally went caught behind trying to sweep Zaib.Finch went in the next over, trying to reverse-sweep Harrison and falling to a sharp one-handed grab by Justin Broad at first slip, but Kent batted on until Matt Parkinson was lbw for 4 trying to sweep the same bowler.Kent declared, tea was taken and Quinn, having missed all of last season and broken down nine balls into pre-season, marked his return to the first team by getting Procter caught behind in the seventh over: if anyone was due some luck it was Quinn and replays suggested there was daylight between bat and ball.It was an isolated success. Vasconcelos raced to 50 from 51 balls and although Kent followed Northamptonshire’s lead yesterday in at least managing to slow the scoring rate slightly, it felt like the only way a batter would get out was by chucking their wicket away – neither did.

Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich contract reportedly includes a €65 million release clause that can only be activated within a specific window — keeping Premier League clubs on alert. The England captain’s prolific form in Germany has strengthened Bayern’s stance, though speculation over a potential return to England refuses to go away.

Kane’s contract clause puts timeline on potential exit

Kane’s stunning form in Germany has not just cemented his place among Europe’s elite but also reignited curiosity about his long-term future. The 32-year-old forward, who joined Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, has a €65m (£57m/$76m) release clause written into his contract, but it comes with strict conditions.

According to , Kane can only trigger the clause if he notifies Bayern by the end of January 2026, opening the door for a summer move that same year. Beyond that deadline, the option becomes void, effectively tying him to Munich until his current deal expires in 2027 unless both parties agree otherwise.

The clause’s structure reflects the Bavarians' evolving approach to transfers. Once known for their resistance to release clauses, the club have gradually softened their stance to attract top-tier players like Kane, whose arrival immediately transformed their attack. The England captain has responded with 12 goals in just eight Bundesliga matches and 20 across all competitions so far this season.

AdvertisementGettyBayern calm despite clause amid Kane’s red-hot form

Despite the potential exit clause, Bayern remain relaxed about the situation. Club sources have indicated confidence that Kane is happy in Munich, both professionally and personally. His arrival in 2023 not only revived Bayern’s domestic dominance but also helped re-establish their status among Europe’s top attacking forces.

The striker has led Kompany’s side to an unbeaten start in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, scoring at a record-breaking pace while integrating seamlessly into Bayern’s system. His consistency in front of goal has silenced critics who questioned his decision to leave the Premier League, while internally, Bayern view him as the cornerstone of their long-term project.

“We can certainly talk about that,” Kane said when asked about a new deal after scoring a brace against Werder Bremen on September 26. “I have almost two years left. It’s not like I’m in the final year of my contract and anyone is panicking. I’m fine. The club is fine. I think they’re happy with me, and I’m happy with them. Those discussions can take place.”

English striker's family life flourishing in Munich

Off the pitch, the striker's contentment in Munich has been a key factor in Bayern’s calmness over his contract. His wife, Kate, and their four children have reportedly settled well in Germany, enjoying a quieter lifestyle than in England. The couple, who married in 2019, appreciate the privacy Munich offers compared to life in London.

Reflecting on his family’s adjustment earlier this year, Kane said: “The way the people welcomed us was extraordinary. It touched us deeply as a family – not just me, but all of us. The children go to school and love it. My wife feels very comfortable too. We truly enjoy every second.”

That level of comfort, combined with the club’s success, has made the idea of an early return to England less likely, at least in the short term.

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Premier League return still a long-term dream

Still, speculation about a Premier League return continues to hover around Kane, primarily due to his long-stated ambition to surpass Alan Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals. The England captain is just 48 goals short after netting 213 times for Tottenham before his move to Bayern.

Several top English clubs including former employers Spurs are expected to monitor his situation closely should the release clause become active. A Premier League comeback would offer Kane the chance to cement his legacy as the division’s greatest scorer, though his current form in Germany suggests he remains fully focused on Bayern’s objectives for now.

Hannah Hampton has been ruled out of England's clash with Brazil on Saturday, meaning Sarina Wiegman will hand out a debut to another goalkeeper in the Lionesses squad this weekend. Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse are both in contention for that opportunity, as is Sophie Baggaley, who has been called into camp in light of Hampton's injury.

Hampton injury news: Goalkeeper to miss England vs Brazil

Wiegman revealed the news in her press conference on Friday, explaining that Hampton has sustained a "small elbow injury" that doesn't – as of right now – rule her out of England's second fixture on Tuesday, against Australia, or mean she has to leave the camp, but it does leave her unavailable for the game against Brazil on Saturday at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. "She'll be assessed and we'll see how that goes until Tuesday," Wiegman added.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesEngland debut incoming: Who will Wiegman pick to start in Hampton's place?

It will either be Keating, Moorhouse or Baggaley who gets to stand in between the sticks for the first time for the Lionesses this weekend, then. It would be a particularly sentimental moment for Keating, who plays her club football for Man City and was born and raised in the area. Her selection would perhaps be the most logistical one for the long-term, given she is only 21 years old and seen as an exciting prospect for the future.

Moorhouse, meanwhile, would be seen by some as the safer pick, particularly with Keating sometimes prone to errors amid her youth and experience. The 30-year-old plays her football in the U.S. with the Orlando Pride, who she helped do the double last year by clinching the NWSL Shield and Championship. She's got that experience of big stages in her favour, then.

Baggaley, though an important call-up and a goalkeeper with plenty of high-level games under her belt, would be more of a surprise pick, given she has not been as involved in the England set-up in recent times as Moorhouse and Keating, who were part of the squad that won the European Championships this past summer.

"I have made the decision," Wiegman said of her starting goalkeeper on Saturday. "But, as always, we have to get through this [last training] session and then, of course, I inform the team first before I inform [the media]."

More Lionesses injury news as Wubben-Moy added to list of absentees

Hampton was not the only player Wiegman revealed to be unavailable for Saturday's game either, as she also announced on Friday that Lotte Wubben-Moy has left the camp and is recovering at home after feeling unwell. It is a further blow to a defensive department which is already without captain Leah Williamson, due to injury; Millie Bright, who announced her international retirement earlier this month; and Katie Reid, the talented teenager who was called up after impressing in Williamson's absence at Arsenal, but had to withdraw from the squad due to a groin problem.

It has further reduced Wiegman's options for that right-sided centre-back role, where there is a real opportunity for at least one player, if not two, in this camp. Alex Greenwood has seemingly nailed down the left-sided position and it will likely be either Esme Morgan or Jess Carter alongside her on Saturday, with a safe prediction that one plays against Brazil and the other starts on Tuesday when England face Australia. Grace Fisk was called in to replace Reid earlier this week but she would be a surprise pick given she wasn't in the initial squad and remains uncapped. Maya Le Tissier would be another option but Wiegman has made it clear that she sees the Manchester United captain as a right-back, not a centre-back, in her team.

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Getty ImagesInjuries impact England team selection in several areas as Brazil & Australia visit

It's not just in defence, where Lucy Bronze and Niamh Charles are also only just back from injuries, that the Lionesses have concerns for this camp, either. Jess Park and Grace Clinton have both withdrawn from the squad over the course of the last week, while Lauren Hemp and Lauren James were not included due to injuries. It means there are limited options in the wide areas in particular, though England do still have dependable options such as Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead to call upon.

Still, with so many players missing, it increases the chances of seeing some experimentation from Wiegman across these two friendlies as the Lionesses begin a new tournament cycle, with qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup to start in the New Year.

Manchester City made it five Premier League games unbeaten yesterday, as Pep Guardiola’s men secured a 2-0 triumph over Everton at the Etihad.

The result keeps the Citizens just a couple of points off current leaders Arsenal, even moving ahead of Liverpool ahead of their clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

However, it was yet another superb showing in England’s top-flight, with Guardiola’s men limiting the opposition to minimal chances whilst taking advantage of the ones that fell their way.

Stats such as 71% possession with seven shots on target further highlight the dominance in the North West – something which has been extremely common during the manager’s tenure.

He will certainly have one player to thank for the success against the Toffees, with his performance against David Moyes’ men nothing short of breathtaking.

Erling Haaland’s excellence against Everton

When you think of a clinical goalscorer, the first name that springs to mind is Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian taking his career to new heights after joining Man City in 2022.

He’s now featured 155 times for the Citizens, scoring a staggering 136 times – subsequently adding multiple to his tally during the win at the Etihad yesterday.

The 25-year-old netted his two efforts within just five second-half minutes – taking his tally to 11 despite featuring in just eight league outings throughout 2025/26.

He was also the most fouled player on the pitch during the triumph, whilst also registering 38% of his entire touches in the game within the opposition box.

Haaland also won 75% of the ground duels he entered, along with a staggering four shots on target – once again being Guardiola’s most threatening option in attacking areas.

Despite the showing of the centre-forward, one other first-team member showcased his worth and is rapidly becoming as undroppable as the City talisman.

The City star who’s becoming as undroppable as Haaland

After missing out on the Premier League title last season, Guardiola and City dipped into the transfer market to try and bolster numerous key areas of the squad.

The goalkeeping department has had a huge overhaul in recent times, with James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma both making the move to the Etihad, with Ederson moving on to join Galatasaray.

The latter of the new duo has cemented his place within the starting eleven, already keeping three clean sheets within his first five league outings for the Citizens.

However, it wasn’t the only area of the pitch that was bolstered, with the hierarchy spending big money on Tijjani Reijnders from Serie A side AC Milan.

The Dutchman made an immediate impact on his debut, registering a goal and an assist in the 4-0 battering of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

He’s since started every game for the club in the Premier League, with his showing against the Toffees evidence of the quality that he possesses in the middle of the park.

The 27-year-old may have been unable to register a goal or an assist, but his underlying stats from the victory are evidence of the star quality he has in his arsenal.

Minutes played

59

Touches

41

Passes completed

93%

Dribbles completed

100%

Tackles won

100%

Recoveries made

1

Ground duels won

3

Chances created

2

Reijnders may have only featured for 59 minutes at the Etihad, but he still managed to thrive at both ends of the pitch – undoubtedly playing a key role in the triumph.

He completed 93% of the passes he attempted, whilst also achieving a 100% dribble success rate – highlighting the threat he posed when having the ball at his feet.

However, without the ball, the Dutch star also managed to thrive, as seen by his superb tallies of 100% tackles won, one recovery made and three ground duels won.

Other stats, such as two chances created and 100% long balls completed, further showcase his all-round quality – which is rapidly making him one of the club’s most crucial players.

As a result of his performance, Reijnders was handed an impressive 7/10 match rating by One Football – further highlighting his superb showing at the Etihad.

After such a showing, Guardiola simply can’t drop the midfielder from his starting eleven, with his addition already looking like an excellent one just eight games into the campaign.

There’s little disputing that Haaland is the club’s most important player at present, but there’s no reason why Reijnders can’t join him in such a category in the months or years ahead.

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ByAngus Sinclair Oct 18, 2025

By leaving Paterson out, SA lengthened their batting and slotted Mulder at No. 3, where he has batted only twice before in Tests

Firdose Moonda10-Jun-2025At Lord’s come Wednesday, Lungi Ngidi will play his first Test in ten months, and only his third under coach Shukri Conrad. Ngidi was confirmed in South Africa’s XI for the WTC final ahead of Dane Paterson, preferred for the extra pace and bounce in an attack that will also feature Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj.”It was probably one of the tougher decisions that have been made,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference. “We’ve seen what Patto [Paterson] did for us at the end of last season. But from a tactical point of view, there’s a little bit more pace from Lungi. He is taller as well.”On the Lord’s slope, a bowler’s height is considered a major asset. All of Australia’s quicks are at least 1.90m tall, while Jansen stands at 2.06m and Ngidi at 1.93m. Mulder, at 1.85m, is the shortest of the quicks across both sides, and his bowling style – medium pace with the ability to move the ball – was considered too similar to Paterson’s to include both of them in an attack looking for variety.Related

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“Lungi has the experience. He’s played here before – not that Patto hasn’t, but Lungi complements that bowling attack a little bit more,” Bavuma said. “We have a guy like Mulder as well, who kind of gives you something similar to what Patto can do. But I think that was probably one of the difficult decisions that we had to make.”Ngidi’s inclusion could still be considered a risk. While he has played at Lord’s before, against England in 2022, he bowled 12 overs across two innings, with figures of 1 for 27. Ngidi has also only played two Tests in the last 18 months, and no red-ball cricket last summer. He trained with Rabada, Jansen and Mulder under the watch of Stuart Broad on Monday afternoon.Ngidi’s last first-class match was South Africa’s Test against West Indies in August last year, where he bowled 16.5 overs with a haul of 1 for 51. Since November 2022, Ngidi has only bowled a combined ten-plus overs twice – both times in Tests – as he has battled a series of injuries. The latest was a groin concern that ruled him out from mid-November last year to January this year.Ngidi played five games in the SA20 this year and all of South Africa’s matches at the Champions Trophy and two games at the IPL. He bowled two overs against Zimbabwe in Arundel in a rain-affected warm-up match, but it remains to be seen how he will perform in long spells – or in third, fourth and fifth spells if required.Wiaan Mulder will form South Africa’s core for the next few years•AFP/Getty ImagesPaterson is proven in that regard, and delivered 68 overs in the two Tests he played over the home summer in 2024-25, when he took 13 wickets at 16.92, South Africa’s best average. But Paterson has only once played in a Test with Mulder, in Bangladesh last October, where both had a light second-innings load as the spinners took control.South Africa’s desire to lengthen their batting line-up and balance their attack has ultimately cost Paterson the chance at a perfect farewell. He has not been named in their squad for the Tests against Zimbabwe later this month, and at 36, is in the twilight of his career. Ngidi and Mulder, meanwhile, at 29 and 27, respectively, will be part of the core for the next few years.Mulder has also been given the responsibility of batting at No. 3 in the WTC final, something he has only done twice before in his career – and both times for South Africa.The first was in Durban against Sri Lanka last year. When Tony de Zorzi was dismissed in the 12th over, Mulder offered to come in to try and take the shine off a new(ish) ball. But he suffered a broken right middle finger and was ruled out of cricket for the rest of 2024. Mulder returned for the New Year’s Test against Pakistan, where he again batted at No. 3, and scored 5.Tristan Stubbs has been South Africa’s go-to No. 3 batter in recent times•AFP/Getty ImagesHis most successful batting position in the top seven in all first-class cricket is No. 5, where he averages 39.20. But South Africa have chosen to use Tristan Stubbs, who was originally given the No. 3 spot, in that position. The other batter in the squad is opener de Zorzi, who has lost his spot to Ryan Rickelton and has not been considered at No. 3 – for now.”Mulder is quite young obviously in that position. But having played with Mulder, [and] having seen the way he has grown in the last two years within red-ball cricket, it’s about giving him a lot more confidence, backing him, and allowing him to do what he does best,” Bavuma said. “He has an opportunity in a pressure situation. But I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to go out and play his game.”If Mulder is looking for advice, he could find some from Hashim Amla, South Africa’s most successful No. 3 among all those to have batted at least 20 times there.Amla averaged 49.95 in that position, and scored 25 hundreds. He was inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening, alongside former captain Graeme Smith, and his first tip to Mulder was to make sure he was ready to bat as early as possible.”You have to be able to handle a new ball. That’s because most of the time at No. 3, you end up coming in pretty early – so you’re always prepping for that,” Amla said. “You’ve got to have a good technique, and you’ve got to have the experience of batting in the top order for a long time. That makes the quality of a good No. 3 batsman for a long period of time.”

“He’s technically sound, and the style of cricket that South Africa look to be playing is a little bit more attacking. So in many ways, your technique is not tested as much”Amla on Mulder batting at No. 3

Like Mulder, Amla was not a natural No. 3, but thinks it’s a role players can grow into.”When I first started at three, I was not a No. 3 batter. I actually preferred [batting at] four and five, and batting at three for South Africa was the only gap at that stage,” Amla said. “They asked me to do it, and I did it. I had a season of doing it with the Dolphins, and then going to the national team. In this current team, you may not have guys who have batted [at] three domestically, but there’s a time for them to start. And if Wiaan bats at three, it might be his time.”You have to be real that you need time to learn the position, and although it’s a big final, it’s tough to be in the deep end like that. But he can make it work. He’s technically sound, and the style of cricket that South Africa look to be playing is a little bit more attacking. So in many ways, your technique is not tested as much. You’re playing a bit more shots than normal, so it might fit into the way that South Africa are playing.”Of the two contenders for No. 3, Stubbs could be considered the more aggressive. But after trying him at No. 3 for five Tests in which he averaged 44.71, albeit on fairly flat tracks, South Africa decided to move him down, where he can play with more flair. Bavuma will bat at No. 4, between Mulder and Stubbs.With Bavuma as South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer in the last five years, Mulder and Stubbs’ fortunes are as, if not more, reliant on their captain’s performance.