Renato Augusto será baixa mais uma vez no Corinthians. O meia segue com um edema na panturrilha esquerda e não enfrentará o Athletico-PR, neste sábado (24), pela 12ª rodada do Brasileirão.
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+ Corinthians aproveita erros do Santos, e Ruan Oliveira se destaca em vitória; veja notas
Além do camisa 8, o técnico Vanderlei Luxemburgo ganhou mais um desfalque para enfrentar o Furacão: Chrystian Barletta. O atacante sofreu um trauma no joelho direto durante o treino e fica fora da partida na Arena da Baixada. O camisa 77 não atua desde o dia 17 de maio.
Luxa também não contará com Fausto Vera, que ainda não se recuperou do trauma no tornozelo direito que o tirou do clássico contra o Santos.
+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF
Por outro lado, o treinador corintiano terá os retornos de Bruno Méndez e Murillo na defesa. O uruguaio voltou dos compromissos na Data Fifa, enquanto o garoto da base está recuperado da inflamação na garganta que o tirou do duelo contra o Peixe. Méndez deve substituir Fagner, suspenso, na lateral-direita.
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Confira a lista dos relacionados:
Goleiros: Carlos Miguel, Cássio e Matheus Donelli
Laterais: Fábio Santos, Matheus Bidu e Rafael Ramos
Zagueiros: Bruno Méndez, Caetano, Gil, Murillo e Renato
Meias: Biro, Giuliano, Matheus Araújo, Maycon, Roni e Ruan Oliveira
Atacantes: Adson, Felipe Augusto, Giovane, Pedro, Róger Guedes, Wesley e Yuri Alberto
Uma provável escalação do Corinthians conta com: Cássio; Bruno Méndez, Gil, Murillo (Caetano) e Matheus Bidu; Roni, Maycon e Ruan Oliveira; Biro, Yuri Alberto e Róger Guedes.
+ Timão se afasta do Z4? Veja tabela e os próximos jogos do Brasileirão
Nesta sexta-feira (23), Luxemburgo promoveu um treino de enfrentamento em campo reduzido, além de uma movimentação ofensiva de finalizações. A delegação alvinegra viaja para Curitiba nesta tarde.
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Com 12 pontos, o Timão está duas posições acima da zona do rebaixamento, enquanto o Furacão ocupa o nono lugar, com 16 pontos.
Vijay Shankar, Swapnil Singh, M Mohammed and C Andre Siddarth were among the major buys at the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 mega auction that was held in Chennai on Saturday.Former UAE international Karthik Meiyappan, who has now moved back to Chennai, his city of birth, headed to Madurai Panthers for INR 9.2 lakh. The wristspinner had bagged a hat-trick in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia and brings with him the experience of having played in the ILT20 and Global T20 Canada.In the lead-up to the auction, the likes of R Ashwin and Varun Chakravarthy (both Dindigul Dragons), Shahrukh Khan and Sai Sudharsan (both Lyca Kovai Kings) and Tamil Nadu captain R Sai Kishore (Tiruppur Tamizhans) were retained by the franchises.Vijay had kicked off the auction by triggering a bidding war, having at least four of the eight franchises, including Ashwin’s Dindigul, raising the paddle for his all-round skills before Chepauk Super Gillies scooped him up for INR 18 lakh. It was Mohammed who fetched the highest bid of INR 18.8 lakh, with Salem Spartans staving off competition from his former team Kovai Kings and Madurai.Mohammed hasn’t played in the IPL yet but has had a stint with Punjab Kings as a net bowler in the past. Swapnil, the UP-born left-arm fingerspinner, who often bowls in the powerplay for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), was picked by Chepauk for INR 10.8 lakh. In the IPL 2025 auction, RCB had used their right-to-match card to get Swapnil back for INR 50 lakh.Karthik Meiyappan bagged a hat-trick for UAE in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia•ICC via Getty Images
Swapnil, who had started his domestic career with Baroda, left the side during the Covid-19 pandemic after not getting regular game-time with them. He moved to Uttarakhand as an outstation player and since he has enrolled himself into TNCA’s first-division league, he is eligible to play in the TNPL.Sudharsan had returned to action from sports hernia in Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy quarter-final clash against Vidarbha recently, but his availability for the TNPL is unclear as he might be picked in the India A or India squad for the England tour. In a bid to fill that void, Kovai Kings snapped up Siddarth for INR 8.4 lakh. Siddarth, the nephew of former Tamil Nadu stalwart and current national selector S Sharath, has also broken into the IPL, earning a deal worth INR 30 lakh with Chennai Super Kings. Siddarth had also played for India Under-19s in the 50-overs Under-19 Asia Cup in late 2024.With Washington Sundar set to slot into Ashwin’s spot as the frontline offspinner in India’s Test side, and likely to miss a chunk of the TNPL, he went to Trichy Grand Cholas for a low price of INR 6 lakh.Dindigul are the defending champions of the TNPL, having won their maiden title under Ashwin’s leadership in August 2024.
Over the weekend, the Light Blues confirmed the signing of teenage left-back Jayden Meghoma, arriving on a season-long loan from Brentford.
He is the tenth new player recruited by Russell Martin, with more expected to follow, as he seeks to completely overhaul the Rangers squad he inherited.
Now though, the Gers are seeking to bolster their backline even further, targeting another exciting talent…
Rangers' search for a new left-back
Ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge, Rangers submitted a squad to UEFA that featured no out-and-out left-backs.
Rıdvan Yılmaz has not featured at all under Martin, with Beşiktaş attempting to re-sign him, while Jefté, who did start both legs against Viktoria Plzeň in the previous round, has now also been excluded, reportedly close to a £6m move to Palmeiras.
Thus, Max Aarons is expected to once again fill-in at left-back, as he did for both legs against Panathinaikos, and on the opening day of the Premiership campaign at Motherwell, but this is a far from ideal solution.
Thus, according to Il Messaggero, via the Daily Record, Rangers have revived their interest in signing Anass Salah-Eddine from Roma, with the Light Blues said to be ready to make contact regarding a potential move.
They add that newly-promoted La Liga outfit Elche are among the 23-year-old’s other suitors, with the Giallorossi willing to sell.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Salah-Eddine only joined Roma from FC Twente in January for a reported fee of €8.5m plus €2m in add-ons, around £9m, but the full-back is not in new manager Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans, so could he soon swap the Eternal City for Ibrox?
What Anass Salah-Eddine would bring to Rangers
Born in Amsterdam, Salah-Eddine came through Ajax’s academy, representing the Dutch giants at multiple youth levels, before making just ten appearances for their first team.
He was loaned out to FC Twente for the 2022/23 season, before making the move to Enschede permanent, featuring 53 times for them overall.
His big breakthrough came this time last year, finally establishing himself as Twente’s first-choice left-back, notably starting all eight of their Europa League league phase fixtures, doing so against such high-calibre opponents as Manchester United, Lazio and others.
As already referenced, this earned him a move to Roma in January, the Giallorossi splashing up to £9m to secure his signature, but this certainly has not gone to plan.
Salah-Eddine featured in three of the first five Serie A fixtures following his arrival, starting against Parma and Empoli, but has not been seen since, an unused substitute for the final ten league matches, while a summer change of management at the Olimpico hasn’t improved his standing either.
While he was still in the Eredivisie, Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelled him a “technically gifted” full-back, adding that he was one of “the most talented” young Dutch talents at the time.
So, let’s assess his statistics from last season’s Europa League.
Minutes
709
6th
Assists per 90
0.25
2nd
Expected assists
2
1st
Completed passes
310
3rd
Key passes
8
4th
Shot-creating actions
23
4rd
Goal-creating actions
2
2nd
Tackles
23
2nd
Interceptions
14
1st
Ball recoveries
47
2nd
Attempted take-ons
23
2nd
Progressive carries
21
2nd
Touches
493
3rd
Average Sofascore rating
7.01
2nd
As the table outlines, when compared to his former Twente teammates in last season’s Europa League, Salah-Eddine ranks very highly for a wide variety of metrics.
The left-back was a key chance creator, as well as completing a lot of passes and accumulating a high number of touches, while also being solid defensively, ranked in the top two for tackles, interceptions, ball recoveries and more, despite having been sold by the time they faced Bodø/Glimt in the knockout stages, thereby featuring in two fewer fixtures.
So, why would he be a better signing than Meghoma?
Well, the Brentford loanee is very inexperienced, making just four appearances for the Bees, totalling 174 minutes, spending the second half of last season on loan at Preston North End, but only featuring 14 times for them, an unused substitute eight times.
Salah-Eddine, on the other hand, has vastly more experience, especially at European level, so would be better equipped to come in and make an instant impact, which is what Martin surely needs, while Meghoma is more of a developmental project.
Even worse than Jefte: Euro club set for talks with Rangers to sign £4m dud
Rangers are reportedly set to hold talks with a European club over a potential deal for one of their players.
Aston Villa’s transfer activity this summer has been a careful balancing act, reflecting both ambition and necessity.
After losing academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle and contending with persistent Premier League profit and sustainability regulations (PSR), Unai Emery’s side have sought reinforcement across multiple positions.
The Midlands outfit have already added Evann Guessand from Nice, but there remains a pressing need to bolster creativity and experience in midfield, particularly in the event of Morgan Rogers’ departure.
The club’s early campaign has been patchy, with a draw against Newcastle followed by a 1-0 defeat away at Brentford.
Despite summer interest from Newcastle and Manchester United, Ollie Watkins continues to lead the line.
However, there is a growing recognition that midfield reinforcement is required to support their talismanic striker, which in turn will unlock the team’s full attacking potential.
Previously, Aston Villa have gambled on other technically gifted Brazilian midfielders, exemplified by Philippe Coutinho’s arrival after struggling for form at Barcelona.
Now, another South American talent is emerging on the radar, with the potential to recapture that same blend of flair and influence.
Villa enquire about potential Rogers replacement
According to journalist Santi Aouna, Aston Villa have opened discussions with West Ham regarding the possibility of signing Lucas Paquetá.
The 27-year-old Brazilian, who has amassed 55 caps and 11 goals for his national side, is considered one of several midfield options should Villa need to replace Morgan Rogers before the close of the transfer window.
West Ham are understood to be holding out for a fee in the region of £60m, with initial inquiries suggesting Villa would need to meet a minimum valuation of £40m before talks could commence.
Paquetá has undoubtedly experienced a turbulent period at the London Stadium, having faced betting allegations in August 2023.
Although he was cleared of all charges in 2025, the episode is reported to have affected him profoundly.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Nevertheless, he continues to be highly rated.
Former West Ham player Declan Rice praised the attacking midfielder’s abilities, describing him as “mind-boggling” in terms of quality and vision.
Clubs including Crystal Palace, Manchester City, and Tottenham have reportedly monitored the player, though news of Spurs’ recent acquisition of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons will reduce the likelihood of any continued interest.
For Villa, Paquetá represents a chance to combine proven Premier League experience with the technical finesse necessary to complement both new arrivals and established stars such as Watkins.
Why Paquetá could be Villa’s next Coutinho
Tactically, Paquetá offers Aston Villa a multifaceted solution.
Primarily an attacking midfielder, the Brazilian excels in creating and progressing offensive sequences, with metrics that underline his all-around capability.
According to FBref, last season, he ranked in the 74th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (2.89) and the 79th percentile for progressive passes (6.16), demonstrating his ability to influence both goal-scoring opportunities and build-up play.
Additionally, he boasts the 84th percentile for touches in the opposition penalty area and the 75th percentile for tackles per 90, illustrating a willingness to contribute defensively – a balance Emery prizes in transitional play.
His aerial ability is also notable, with the 89th percentile for aerial duels won per 90, making him a threat in both open play and set-piece scenarios.
The comparison with Coutinho is plain to see.
Before arriving at Villa Park, the Brazilian struggled to live up to his colossal pricetag at Barcelona before briefly flourishing on loan at Bayern Munich.
When at his best, Coutinho combined exceptional vision, dribbling, long-range shooting, and set-piece delivery, ultimately making him a dangerous attacking asset.
Paquetá, arriving at a stage in his career where his technical maturity and Premier League familiarity intersect, could offer a more immediate and sustained impact than his predecessor.
From a squad composition perspective, Paquetá could integrate seamlessly with Villa’s existing framework.
Lucas Paqueta in action for West Ham United.
He would complement Watkins in attack, add creativity in the final third, and relieve pressure on newly-signed Guessand, allowing Emery greater flexibility in rotation and tactical setups.
The midfielder’s proficiency in linking play and breaking lines would enhance Villa’s transitional play, which has been a key focus under Emery’s management.
If the deal progresses, it would also signify Villa’s commitment to international-level talent capable of impacting the Premier League immediately.
After losing Ramsey, and with ongoing interest in Rogers from external clubs, adding a player of Paquetá’s calibre would send a clear message regarding the club’s ambitions.
Aston Villa are prepared to invest in both technical skill and experience to remain competitive domestically and in this year’s edition of the Europa League.
Ultimately, a successful move for Paquetá could mirror the allure of Coutinho’s signing while avoiding the pitfalls that hindered his predecessor.
Villa would acquire a player with vision, creativity, and finishing ability, tempered by Premier League experience and tactical maturity – qualities capable of elevating both the midfield and the team’s overall attacking profile.
For supporters, it represents an opportunity to witness Brazilian flair integrated into a system designed for consistency and results, potentially bridging the gap between raw talent and polished Premier League performance.
Emery's own Grealish: Aston Villa agree terms for "magical" late signing
Aston Villa are ready to welcome one or two late signings to their squad as the transfer window draws to a close.
N'Golo Kante went viral after he appeared to snub Cristiano Ronaldo for a handshake before the start of the Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr last week. Sadio Mane and Ronaldo were on target for Jorge Jesus' side, as they maintained their 100 per cent win record in the Pro League and extended their lead to three points at the top of the table.
Did Kante snub Ronaldo for a handshake?
In a video that went viral, Ronaldo was seen greeting the players from his rival team ahead of the Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad. Ronaldo gave a warm hug to ex-Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema and then greeted former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho with a handshake. It was then that the attention shifted to Kante, who walked past the Portugal legend without even acknowledging his presence.
AdvertisementWatch the clipGetty Images SportMane rolled back the years with stunning show
Former Reds star Sadio Mane stole the limelight with an incredible performance as he guided his team to a comfortable 2-0 win over reigning champions Al-Ittihad and helped the club extend their lead to three points at the top of the table. Ronaldo too got his name on the scoresheet as Jorge Jesus' side maintained their 100 per cent win record in the Saudi Pro League after four matches.
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Getty Images SportAl-Ittihad in search of new head coach
A day after going down against Ronaldo's side, Al-Ittihad parted ways with Manchester United legend Laurent Blanc and are now in search of a new head coach. They have placed several candidates on their shortlist, including former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
علق ضياء السيد مدرب منتخب مصر الأسبق، على تولي ييس توروب تدريب الأهلي، موضحًا أن المدرب يمتلك فكرًا منظمًا ويعتمد على طاقم عمل قوي يتميز بالجدية والانضباط.
ومن المقرر أن تقام مباراة بين الأهلي وإيجل نوار بطل بوروندي يوم السبت المقبل، في افتتاح مشوار القلعة الحمراء ببطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.
وقال ضياء السيد في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “الأهلي”: “يبدو أن المدرب توروب يركّز جيدًا، وأرى أن علاقاته ستكون طيبة مع الجميع، وهذا أمر مهم، لأن وقت الأزمات يجب أن تكون تلك العلاقات مبنية على أسس قوية، وسأكون متعاونًا طالما الأمور تسير على ما يرام”.
وأكمل: “لا بد أن تأتي لحظات الشدة وهذا أمر مؤكد حيث تظهر العصبية والضغط، وهنا تبرز أهمية العلاقات الجيدة، فهي التي تساعد في مثل تلك المواقف”.
وواصل: “أعجبني فريق العمل، واضح أنهم مركزون جدًا، والسير الذاتية الخاصة بهم ممتازة للغاية، ومن الأمور المهمة أنهم عملوا في ألمانيا، وهي بلد تمتاز بالجدية والعلم والذكاء، وفضلًا عن ذلك، تمتاز بالحزم، وهنا لا يعني العنف أو القسوة، بل يعني الالتزام بتنفيذ العمل على أكمل وجه، فلا مجال لأن يُؤدى بنصف جهد، وأنا متفائل بطاقم العمل، لأنه دائمًا ما يكون العنصر الأهم في أي جهاز فني”.
طالع | توروب يٌعلن قائمة الأهلي لمباراة إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا
وأردف: “وطبعًا عادل مصطفى شخصية أثق بها جدًا، وهو رجل طيب، وإن شاء الله سيستفيد كثيرًا من هذه المرحلة، ويحرص على التعلم واكتساب الخبرة كما ينبغي، وهو مؤهل لذلك بإذن الله، وفريق العمل يثير إعجابي، ويبدو أنهم يقفون بتركيز كبير، وهذا سيظهر مع الوقت والعمل بإذن الله، خصوصًا مع مجموعة اللاعبين المميزة الموجودة في فريق النادي الأهلي، وأنا أرى أن النتائج ستكون إيجابية إن شاء الله”.
وبسؤاله هل مباراة إيجل نوار ستكون تحت مسؤولية ييس توروب؟، أجاب: “من المهم جدًا أن يكون جميع أفراد الجهاز متواجدين في الملعب ومسؤولين، وبالطبع سيكون لعادل مصطفى دور كبير في الصورة التي سيظهر بها الفريق”.
وزاد: “لا أعتقد أن المدرب سيرغب في إجراء تغييرات كبيرة في الوقت الحالي، لأنه لا يستطيع تطبيق فكره الكامل الآن، وحتى إن وجدت بعض التعديلات البسيطة، فستكون مجرد توجيهات محدودة، وأرى أن الأمور ستبدأ كما هي، وسيكون لعادل دور كبير، خصوصًا في هذه المباراة والمباراة التالية، إذ سيؤدي دورًا محوريًا في عملية التعريف والتواصل”.
واستطرد: “من المؤكد أن المدرب شاهد فريق الأهلي وأخذ فكرة مبدئية، لكن الانطباع الذي تحصل عليه وأنت تشاهد اللاعبين يختلف عن الانطباع الذي تكوّنه عندما تقترب منهم في التدريبات أو على مقاعد البدلاء، حين تتعامل معهم مباشرة وتبدأ في تطبيق أفكارك، ولذلك أرى أنه سيبدأ في فهم أفكار اللاعبين وطريقتهم في اللعب وأدوارهم في المراكز المختلفة، ليكوّن صورة أوضح، وطبعًا هدفنا أن نحقق الفوز، ونتمنى بإذن الله أن ننتصر في المباراتين ونعبر الدور”.
وأشار: “وردّ الفعل هو العامل الأهم في هاتين المباراتين، والمقصود بردّ الفعل هنا هو تفاعل اللاعبين مع المدرب الجديد، فاستجابتهم لشخصه ولمجهوده ستكون عنصرًا حاسمًا، وأعتقد أن هذا الأمر في أذهان اللاعبين، لأن وجود مدرب جديد غالبًا ما يخلق طفرة في الأداء، إذ يسعى كل لاعب لإثبات نفسه، وأن يكون ضمن التشكيل الأساسي وفي فكر المدرب القادم”.
وبسؤاله متى يضع ييس توروب يده على كل التفاصيل؟، اختتم: “بعد المباراة الثانية، لأننا نتحدث عن مدرب على مستوى محترم ومتميّز، وبعد المباراة الثانية في العودة مع ايجل نوار سيبدأ بالدخول في كافة الجوانب الفنية، وتكون لديه الصورة الكاملة، ثم يبدأ العمل الفعلي وتولي المسؤولية كاملة، ومع توقف الدوري بعد ذلك، ستكون هناك فترة إعداد جيدة تمكّنه من العمل بشكل أفضل”.
It has not been easy for Everton to find a suitable replacement for Anthony Gordon. The former Toffees star was once the jewel in the crown on the Blue side of Merseyside, but after forcing through a move to Newcastle United in January 2023 for £45m, he burnt the bridges he’d built.
However, Gordon’s time at Goodison Park was a fruitful one, where he showed great promise before his move to the North East. He scored seven times and assisted eight in 78 appearances for his boyhood club, after properly breaking into the first team in 2019/20.
It took the Toffees a while to find a marquee replacement on the left wing, but in Jack Grealish, they may have landed on the perfect player.
Grealish’s stunning start at Everton
After falling out of favour at Manchester City in the last 12 months or so, it was time for Grealish to depart the club for pastures anew. His start to life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium has been simply exceptional.
The England international has only made four appearances in that famous Blue shirt, but you can already see the sort of impact he will have on the club. He’s assisted four goals already, with two each in Premier League games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Grealish played a huge part in the first competitive goal at the Toffees’ new stadium, when he set up Iliman Ndiaye to score against the Seagulls. It was a smart piece of skill from the new Everton number 18, who managed to create space for himself and whip in a pinpoint cross.
The reaction to Grealish’s start as an Everton player has been nothing but positive. Manager David Moyes said the forward is “he’s better than I thought he was”, highlighting the real impact Grealish has made already.
It is fair to say that the England international is finally proving to be the perfect replacement for Gordon after over two years. Yet, the Toffees may have sold someone long before, who is playing like both forwards.
Alex Iwobi is now shining away from Everton
So, with Gordon now plying his trade up in the North East, and Grealish enjoying his new lease of life on Merseyside, it seems like that issue is in the past. Yet, Toffees fans may look back on a player who could have slotted into their attack and wish they’d kept him.
Described as a “world-class” operator with the ball at his feet by Statman Dave, Alex Iwobi, once of Everton, is now thriving in West London for Fulham. The versatile attacker has shone under Marco Silva, just as he once did in that famous Blue shirt.
In total, the Nigerian international played 140 times for Everton, operating on both wings and as a number ten. He contributed to nine goals and 17 assists, with his final campaign on Merseyside yielding ten Premier League goal involvements.
Since his £22m move to Craven Cottage in 2023, the versatile attacker has played 81 times for the club. In that time, he’s bagged 15 goals and assisted nine, and produced an impressive 15 goals and assists last season.
The former Arsenal academy star was putting up similar numbers to Grealish and Gordon in 2024/25, while operating in that left channel, with the latter duo noted to be statistically similar players to him in the Premier League, as per FBref.
For example, Iwobi averaged 6.44 progressive passes each game. In comparison, Grealish averaged 6.5 progressive passes and Gordon far less, with just 3.63 per 90 minutes. There are several other standout numbers, too.
Goals and assists
0.45
0.25
0.41
Progressive passes
6.44
6.5
3.63
Goal-creating actions
0.48
0.25
0.44
Carries into final third
3.17
2.88
3.3
Ball recoveries
4.23
3.25
3.59
Last term’s efforts were certainly impressive from Iwobi, who has seemingly gone from strength to strength after his move back to London. It seems like, with those stats, the former Arsenal academy star could have been a key player under Moyes.
Although life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is good for the moment, perhaps Toffees fans wish they had never lost a talent like Iwobi, who could have been a vital part of the side.
Silva sold "world-class" Everton star, now he's worth more than Grealish
Everton must rue letting this top star go, who is now worth more than new Toffees ace Jack Grealish.
When Marcus Rashford was unveiled as a new Barcelona signing in August, he kept coming back to one word: discipline. For a player who had missed training after going on a drunken night out in Belfast a year ago and been forced out of Manchester United by Ruben Amorim for his lack of application, it was an intriguing theme for him to draw upon.
He appeared to be saying that he was ready for this new challenge and had put all his past misdemeanours behind him. "It's one thing to say you're motivated and determined, but these are things that you know can change day to day, depending on how you're feeling," he said.
"But really, the thing that I bring back to my life, not just the sport, is the discipline. And, you know, discipline is something that stays regardless of whether you wake up and you don't feel like it on a given day. Discipline is the thing that keeps you going."
However, little more than a month into his loan spell at Barca, Rashford has already shown a lack of discipline after arriving late for a team meeting.
He was only two minutes late and he is not the first Barca player to have been punished for tardiness by Hansi Flick but the infraction cost him a place in the starting line-up for Barca's game against Getafe, ruining the chance for him to kick on after his tremendous performance against Newcastle.
If Rashford is not careful, then, he risks blowing the incredible chance he has been given to revitalise his career at one of the greatest clubs in the world.
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Negative headlines
When most United fans read the headline 'Marcus Rashford dropped for arriving late to training', they would have reacted with a wry smile. During the previous two seasons, they grew weary of all the examples of Rashford's attitude problems.
Even when he was in his best form during the 2022-23 campaign, he arrived late for a team meeting before facing Wolves and was dropped from the starting line-up, only to come off the bench and score the only goal.
He had prepared for that season, in which he scored 30 goals, by going on an intense strengthening and conditioning course at Nike's headquarters in Oregon. But after demonstrating that he was capable of being one of the best forwards in the world and earning one of the most lucrative contracts in United's history, he rested on his laurels again.
He made headlines for partying in Miami during the summer of 2023. Everyone obviously deserves a holiday but it was his attitude once the season had started again that caused concern. He lacked the same explosiveness as before and often seemed to lack desire.
He continued to provoke bad press, going to a nightclub after the derby defeat by Manchester City – which Erik ten Hag called "unacceptable". His two-night stint in Belfast in January, when he lied to the club about his whereabouts, was the nadir, provoking justifiable outrage from fans and his team-mates.
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Can't perform if lifestyle not right
He was expected to turn a corner the following season and Ten Hag referenced his not-always-professional attitude in September 2024, while expressing his belief that he was on the right path again.
He said: "I think he is on the way back. He always knew, and every player knows, when your lifestyle is not right, you can't perform. You don't get the right levels when you don't have a good and disciplined life away from Carrington.
"He has to set his life right, his training attitude right, he has to set his match attitude right. When he sets his professionalism, he will perform because he's a class player."
Rashford should have been looking to make a big impression on Ruben Amorim when he succeeded Ten Hag in November, but despite scoring the first goal of the Portuguese's new era against Ipswich, he struggled for the rest of the game. And the coach, who had only been working with him for a couple of weeks, did not take long to hint at his attitude problem.
"We'll try to find the right solution for him but he has to be Marcus, first of all, to try to return to that moment," said Amorim. "Then he will have all the help of the staff, the club and the fans because he is a Manchester United boy. But he has to be the first one to want it."
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Amorim tried something different
Rashford scored two more goals the following week against Everton but Amorim learned he had gone on a night out two nights previously, something he was very concerned about.
When he took him off after a disappointing display against Viktoria Plzen, the coach and player barely acknowledged each other. Amorim sensationally dropped Rashford altogether for the next game, the derby at Manchester City.
Explaining his thinking a few days later, the coach appeared to say that other coaches had been too lenient with Rashford. "For so long, for example with Rash, you try a thing, it doesn't work," he said. "Let's continue to do the same thing? Or something different?"
If Amorim was hoping that making an example of Rashford would spring him back to life, he was mistaken. He said in January: "Our team should be so much better with Rashford. But he has to change. If he changes, we are more than welcome to put in a talent like Rashford and we need it.
"In this moment, I think it’s really clear that we have to set some certain standards. We are waiting for Marcus, if he wants it really, really bad."
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An undeserved move
Rashford did get his career back on track during his loan at Aston Villa but it ended on a bad note when he got injured against Manchester City in April, missing the remainder of the season. While it was not his fault that he got injured, him going to a boxing match the very same day as Villa's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Crystal Palace did not go down well.
Given the downward trajectory his career was on, Rashford's ambition to join Barcelona was mocked.
"I hope Rashford doesn’t get the move he’s hankering for," said former United forward Teddy Sheringham. "If you’re going from Man United to Barca, that’s a step up. But he doesn’t deserve it! You can’t deserve it if you haven’t put the hard work in."
Barcelona were initially lukewarm about signing Rashford and talks in May between sporting director Deco and the player's brother and agent Dwaine Maynard went nowhere. Barca president Joan Laporta made Nico Williams his top target, only to be let down when the Spain forward chose to sign a new contract with Athletic Club.
With the summer transfer window now closed, Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank now knows the players he will be reliant upon for the next stage of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Dane has been handed a little over £100m to splash on new additions, in an attempt to bolster various areas of his first-team squad during his maiden campaign in the role.
Mohammed Kudus was the most expensive addition made by the hierarchy, costing around £55m from Premier League rivals West Ham United – with the player already making an immediate impact in North London.
The Ghanaian international has registered two assists in his first three league outings for the Lilywhites, helping Frank’s side sit fourth going into the international break.
However, the 25-year-old could be aided in his attempts at the club in the coming months, especially after the late business conducted by the hierarchy in the market.
Xavi Simons’ move to join Spurs this summer
Throughout the summer transfer window, Spurs made signing a new attacking midfielder a priority – especially after the long-term injury suffered by James Maddison.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze were the two main targets, but the Lilywhites failed to complete deals for the pair – with the latter joining arch rivals, Arsenal.
However, the club managed to complete a £52m deal for the signature of Xavi Simons from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig – securing the player’s services until the summer of 2030 with a two-year option to extend.
Such a move has undoubtedly generated excitement among the fan base and understandably so, given his tally of 11 goals and eight assists in Germany’s top-flight last campaign.
At just 22 years of age, the Dutchman has bags of time to try and build on the impressive start to his career, potentially being Frank’s key man in such a role for the foreseeable future.
The Spurs player who’s worth more than Simons
Despite Spurs’ measly 17th-placed finish in the Premier League, the club’s frontline managed to impress throughout 2024/25 – racking up 64 goals in their 38 outings.
Dominic Solanke celebrates for Tottenham
Such a record saw the Lilywhites average 1.7 goals scored per 90, with their tally of goals the seventh highest of all sides within England’s top-flight throughout last campaign.
Winger Brennan Johnson finished the season as their top scorer, netting 11 times in the league, even scoring the winner in the Europa League final against fellow English side Manchester United.
After the recent summer window, the addition of Kudus and Simons has added further depth and quality to the attacking department – helping the likes of Dejan Kulusevski reach the next level.
The Swedish international joined the club originally on loan for an 18-month spell in 2022-2023, racking up 57 appearances in all competitions – before subsequently completing a permanent transfer.
The hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £29m for the 25-year-old’s signature – a fee that now appears to be a bargain given his form over the last couple of years.
He’s racked up 89 appearances across the last two seasons in all competitions – with last year being his best to date, notching 10 goals and 11 assists under Ange Postecoglou’s reign.
Combined goals & assists (Spurs PL 24/25)
Player
Tally
1. James Maddison
16
= Heung-min Son
16
2. Brennan Johnson
14
3. Dominic Solanke
12
4. Dejan Kulusevski
11
5. Pedro Porro
8
6. Pape Sarr
5
= Richarlison
5
Stats via FotMob
Kulusevski, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by Rio Ferdinand, managed a run of five games in a row in which he scored – which has certainly bolstered his price tag in recent months.
As a result of his performances in North London, the Swedish star is now valued at £58.6m by FootballTransfers – a figure that is £6.6m higher than the fee paid for Simons.
Both players have showcased their talents over recent months, potentially having a huge part to play in any of the success endured during the Frank era in North London.
If the duo can operate alongside one another, it’s a prospect for the fanbase to be excited about, with their versatility and consistent quality potentially able to help the side build on their recent European triumph.
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Phillips explains what’s going right with his batting after yet another key knock in what has been a fruitful couple of weeks in Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2025Since landing in Pakistan a couple of weeks ago, Glenn Phillips has played four ODIs, scored 215 runs off 162 balls, and been dismissed only once. That dismissal came today, in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy opener against the hosts, but not before Phillips has thumped 61 from 39 to take his side well past 300 on a tricky pitch where run-scoring was hard especially early on.What’s his secret? “I’m just really clear at the moment, I’m seeing the ball really well and I guess being still at the point of contact and I think that goes a long way in being able to be a hitter,” Phillips said after New Zealand’s 60-run win in Karachi. “I haven’t always got it right in the past, but I’ve got a little bit of a feel for it for the moment.”He had scores of 106 not out, 28 not out and 20 not out in the preceding tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa that served as final preparation for the Champions Trophy. Today, he came in at 191 for 4 in the 38th over, joining a well-set Tom Latham, with New Zealand’s run rate at that point hovering at around five to the over. The pair went on to ransack 125 from 74, New Zealand finishing with 113 from the last 10 which was the second-most by any team in the last ten overs (41-50) of a Champions Trophy innings.Related
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What was it that held batters back before this partnership? “I think we’ve played a different pitch and it’s played a different way every time we’ve been here [Karachi].”The pacers I think were definitely harder to play in the day when the ball was going up and down a lot. The way Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke bowled [in the chase], it was a testament to how good they did but I think during the day the way the Pakistan boys bowled, especially at the top, made it quite tough for us to get away early on.”I think we’ve been really adaptable to different styles of pitches, and it was nice to see some turn out there in the evening.”New Zealand’s next game is against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 24, before they fly to Dubai to take on India on March 2. They will have to keep adapting for a while more to make the semi-finals and beyond, but this was a fine start in that direction.