O São Paulo encerrou na manhã desta quarta-feira (6), no CT da Barra Funda, a preparação para o duelo com a Universidad Católica nesta quinta-feira (7), às 21h30 (de Brasília), no Morumbi, pelas oitavas de final da Copa Sul-Americana. O Tricolor entra em campo com uma boa vantagem após ter vencido o jogo de ida, em Santiago, por 4 a 2.
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GALERIA + O vai-vem do São Paulo para a abertura da janela de transferências
Após o aquecimento, o técnico Rogério Ceni iniciou o trabalho com uma atividade técnica. Na sequência, comandou um trabalho coletivo, de 11 contra 11, com ajustes táticos. Houve ainda um complemento para aperfeiçoamento de bola parada.
O trabalho deve ter ajudado o treinador são-paulino a decidir pelo time titular que entrará em campo no Morumbi. Afinal, o Tricolor terá três desfalques certos além dos contundidos para o jogo: Calleri, Igor Vinícius e Nestor foram expulsos no Chile e cumprem suspensão automática.
O volante Talles Costa, recuperado de entorse no tornozelo direito, e o atacante Nikão, recuperado de dores no tornozelo esquerdo, trabalharam novamente com o restante do grupo durante toda a atividade, assim como o atacante Marcos Guilherme, que aprimora a forma física à espera da abertura do período de inscrições.
O volante Andrés Colorado, que se recupera de lesão no reto femoral direito, seguiu a transição com a preparação física com atividades no gramado.
Gabriel Sara (cirurgia no tornozelo direito) e o atacante Alisson (entorse no joelho direito) seguem com exercícios leves no campo sob a supervisão da fisioterapia.
O vencedor do confronto em São Paulo (SP) na quinta enfrentará Ceará ou The Strongest, da Bolívia, nas quartas de final do torneio sul-americano. Essa partida acontece logo mais, em Fortaleza (CE).
TABELA > Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22 > Confira todos os jogos da Sul-Americana-22 > Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!
The atmosphere around Arsenal at the moment is not a positive one.
Mikel Arteta’s side have come painfully close to lifting the Premier League title for the last two seasons, and it seems that, yet again, they’ll have to make do with a third-place finish.
The club have done brilliantly to build a team capable of challenging for major honours over the last few years, but to ensure they can get over the line at the fourth time of asking next season, some significant changes need to be made in the summer.
Interim Sporting Director Jason Ayto can make an impression on the fans by overseeing several game-changing signings, as well as some big exits, and making sure the club does not pursue another deal for one of their biggest disappointments this season.
The Arsenal players who look set to leave
So, with a squad wholly overhauled from the one Arteta took charge of in 2019, a few big-name players look set to leave this summer, chief among them Thomas Partey.
The former Atlético Madrid star joined the Gunners for around £45m in October 2020 and has made 153 appearances thus far, in which he’s scored eight goals and provided seven assists, and his £200k-per-week contract is set to expire on June 30th.
The Ghanaian has endured a mixed five years in the capital, as while he has been brilliant for much of his time with the club, he’s also dealt with consistent injury problems that have seen him miss 81 games for club and country, and while he’s remained relatively injury-free this season, that concern will always linger, so it remains to be seen if he’ll be offered an extension or not.
Thomas Partey
His midfield partner, Jorginho, who joined the Gunners from cross-city rivals Chelsea for just £12m in January 2023, is also set to see his £110k-per-week contract expire at the end of June.
The Italian ace has been a handy player to have in the squad and has often stepped up for the biggest games, but according to reports, it looks like he’ll also be waving goodbye to the Emirates faithful come the end of the season.
Finally, while the likes of Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko could also leave, the final permanently contracted player currently at the club this season who is sure to leave upon the expiration of their contract in the summer is Kieran Tierney.
The Scottish international has signed a pre-contract with Celtic, who he left to join the Gunners in 2019, and while his importance to the team has dramatically decreased in recent seasons, he remains a popular player among the fans for his undeniable work ethic and evident quality.
Unfortunately, there is another player in the squad who cannot be described in the same way, a player Ayto has to ensure is the first out the door this summer and not offered another deal.
The Arsenal flop who must be axed as soon as possible
With the season quickly unravelling for Arsenal, it has to be said that several first-teamers could be described as flops this year, such as Martin Odegaard or Leandro Trossard, for example.
However, when it comes to the most disappointing player of them all, it has to be Raheem Sterling.
The Chelsea loanee was a deadline-day addition in the summer, and while he told the fans that they would “see the best” of him, they have seen nothing but.
In all, the 82-capped Englishman has made 20 appearances for the North Londoners, in which he’s scored a single goal and provided two assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 6.66 games.
Moreover, he had to be taken off against Leicester City last week due to him being so ineffective, which, considering how poor the Foxes have been, is rather damming and supports Connor Humm’s assertion that his loan move has been an “absolute waste of time and money” for the club.
Appearances
11
4
1
4
Goals
0
0
0
1
Assists
1
0
0
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.09
0.00
0.00
0.50
Now, even though Arteta has a previous relationship with the winger and the fact it would be incredibly easy and cost-effective to bring him back for another year to fill up the squad, Ayto and Co simply cannot do that, as he’s shown he can’t hack the Premier League anymore and such a decision would cause outrage among the fanbase.
Fortunately, we imagine that even though they were foolish enough not to sign anyone last month, the board probably wouldn’t be foolish enough to do that, especially when getting rid of him as soon as possible would likely win at least some fans back onside.
Ultimately, after missing out on the title for a third season in a row, Arsenal have a considerable summer of rebuilding ahead, and alongside the likes of Partey and Jorginho, Ayto has to make sure Sterling leave the Emirates.
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Things might have been a little ropey at Chelsea over the past few months, but there are still plenty of reasons for Blues fans to be excited.
Looking at Enzo Maresca’s squad, there is ample quality to hit new heights in the coming years. While Chelsea’s sole chance of silverware this season lies in the Conference League, it’s important to remember the Blues are making incremental gains after a turbulent period while sitting fifth in the Premier League, just two points away from third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea manager EnzoMaresca
Though Maresca hasn’t enjoyed a jaw-dropping addition in the same vein as Mauricio Pochettino did with Cole Palmer, his side is still brimming with exciting attacking talent, and one or two more signings could elevate the club to the next level for 2025/26.
Where Chelsea need to strengthen
Injuries to Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu have highlighted the need for a new centre-forward this summer, one who can jockey for the No 1 spot and provide a goal source fit for a title fight against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Chelsea'sNicolasJacksonlooks dejected after AFC Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert score
A young squad assembled with comparative rapidity was always going to encounter teething problems, but it’s clear Todd Boehly and co need to acknowledge – internally, at least – their mishaps since arriving and push for fresh faces.
Both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have struggled to keep errors out of their games between the sticks, so don’t be surprised to see a new goalkeeper.
Defensive issues on the field and injury sufferings to the likes of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile may also see that area of the market perused. Indeed, according to insider Simon Phillips, a seven-man shortlist was compiled in January to improve the club’s all-round quality.
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However, Chelsea are rather well stocked on the attacking flanks. Jadon Sancho could improve but is a talented dribbler, while Noni Madueke continues to show plenty of promise.
Jadon Sancho for Chelsea
There’s another winger at Chelsea who started slow but has been enjoying an uptick in performances in recent weeks, and may yet become a bona fide star under Maresca’s wing.
Chelsea's £100m star in the making
Chelsea’s scattergun spending under the new regime has produced undesirable results over the past few years, but there’s no question the Blues are making progress and might even be playing Champions League football next season – ahead of schedule, by Maresca’s account.
Pedro Neto, 24, will be crucial in achieving this, for he is starting to impress at a time when Palmer has, for the first time, faltered.
Pedro Neto
Chelsea signed Wolverhampton Wanderers’ talented forward for £54m in August, but he struggled to acclimatise in the early knockings of the campaign, only starting two of his opening seven Premier League games.
However, with four goal involvements in his last three league starts, there’s no question the “incredible” winger, as he has been called by Gary O’Neil, is coming into his own.
Journalist Tom Overend has been impressed by Neto’s recent performances, saying: “Pedro Neto being moved to the central forward position might just have launched his career at Chelsea.
“He immediately looks more threatening, positions better and is getting more goal and assist output as well.”
Pedro Neto: Chelsea stats by position
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Right-winger
15
2
3
Left-winger
12
2
2
Centre-forward
2
1
2
Attacking midfield
1
0
0
Stats via Transfermarkt
His natural progressiveness and creativity are coming to fruition, and you can only imagine how impressive he might be with a clinical and powerful out-and-out No 9 alongside him.
As per FBref, Neto ranks among the top 26% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for assists (0.27) and the top 8% for progressive carries (5.66) per 90.
Such qualities have seen FBref record Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon as one of his most comparable players this term, with the Three Lions star averaging 0.31 assists and 4.69 progressive carries per 90 this season.
Anthony Gordon
Like Neto, Gordon’s positional pliability has seen him play across the frontline this season, filling in up front when need be.
Chelsea were prepared to pay up to £60m for Everton’s academy star back in 2022, and given he’s now at St. James’ Park and thriving, they may kick themselves – not least because Newcastle transfer-listed their talent at a jaw-dropping £100m last summer when Liverpool were linked with him.
Neto’s got a way to go before he reaches his potential at Chelsea, but he’s making all the right moves and has the perfect playing style to do so, for he’s just like Gordon – a player the Stamford Bridge side profiled extensively
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The club leadership criticized both the Mexican top flight and its governing body following its removal from the Club World Cup
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Club León’s spot at Club World Cup will go to América or LAFCJames Rodríguez returns ahead of crucial clashLa Fiera trails 3–2 on aggregate against Cruz AzulFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
The legal battle involving Club León, FIFA, and eventually the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has become one of the most talked-about controversies in recent Mexican football history. León were excluded from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup due to violations of the tournament’s rules on multi-club ownership. The decision left León’s president, Jesús Martínez Murguía, deeply disappointed—not just with FIFA, but with Liga MX and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), who, he says, left the club to fend for itself.
“It’s clear we were left on our own—by our league and by our federation,” Martínez Murguía told Tubi in a recent interview. “CONCACAF stood by us until the end, and a few clubs publicly supported us, which we appreciate. But overall, we felt abandoned. Still, that hasn’t stopped us. We’ve always worked with the goal of building up this club with dignity.”
Martínez pointed to León’s significant investments in infrastructure, marketing, and sporting development – efforts, he stressed, made without institutional backing. “This was a chance to show unity, and we didn’t get it. I know there are eight clubs, including us, pushing to correct poor decisions made within Liga MX and the federation. We want a league where everyone has a voice – not an exclusive club. Hopefully, some real changes will come during the next owners’ assembly.”
He declined to go into specifics about whether León’s World Cup exclusion will be officially discussed during the May 27 meeting of Liga MX club owners but suggested important issues would be on the table. Martínez also hinted that his father, Jesús Martínez Patiño, would soon speak publicly to defend himself against accusations linked to the multi-ownership controversy.
“There’s been widespread abandonment, but there are some major clubs standing behind these decisions – even if they can’t say so openly. I believe two or three key issues will be addressed, and my father will definitely share his side of the story soon," he said. "He’s been unfairly targeted, and it pains me because he’s only ever given his full support to this club and its group.”
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
The long-running saga between Club León and FIFA has officially come to an end after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of the global governing body, upholding its decision to exclude the Mexican club from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The verdict marks the conclusion of one of the most high-profile legal disputes in the modern history of Mexican football.
León's exclusion from the tournament brought renewed attention to the long-standing issue of multi-club ownership within Liga MX – a practice that remains common despite efforts to eliminate it. Several ownership groups currently control multiple clubs in the league, and while authorities have pledged reforms, real change appears distant.
“This situation will go down as one of the most publicized in Mexican football,” said León president Jesús Martínez Murguía. “We’ve reached out to many local investors, but unfortunately, there hasn’t been much interest. These are companies in different industries, and we respect that. So, the most viable option now is to seek an investment fund.”
Despite the setback, Martínez emphasized the club’s continued growth. “This club has grown tremendously—we now have our stadium, La Esmeralda [our academy], which keeps producing young talent, and we’ve built a strong squad.”
Getty Images SportWHAT JESÚS MARTÍNEZ SAID
One of the major questions circulating among fans is why FIFA excluded León but not Pachuca, considering León had qualified earlier by winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Martínez Murguía acknowledged the confusion and said they’ve asked FIFA for a formal explanation.
“We’ve been clear with our fans – we always speak truthfully. We've already reached out to FIFA to ask why León was left out while Pachuca remains eligible. There are all kinds of theories floating around, but many are inaccurate,” he explained. “We’ve been part of this institution for 15 years, working hard to grow in every aspect. We never chose between León or Pachuca, and my father would never make that kind of decision. We’re still waiting on a clear answer from FIFA and will make it public as soon as we have it.”
Martínez added that all requested documentation had been submitted to FIFA, which included evidence that León operates independently of other clubs owned by the same group. “What hurts most is that a regulation was added after we earned our spot on the field. That’s what’s difficult to accept. All the documents we’ve provided demonstrate that this club runs on its own.”
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CLUB LEÓN?
Despite the off-field turmoil, León’s focus now shifts back to the pitch. will visit Cruz Azul this Sunday for the second leg of their Liguilla quarterfinal clash. Eduardo Berizzo’s side trails 3–2 on aggregate and must win by at least two goals to advance to the semifinals.
The good news for León is the return of James Rodríguez. The Colombian star is eligible to play after serving a one-match suspension and could play a key role in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown.
Matheus Cunha has reportedly lined up a meeting with Arsenal amid interest from Manchester United and Newcastle.
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Cunha is looking at his options
Meeting with the Gunners on his agenda
Utd still lead the race for the striker
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The Wolves attacker is on the radar of several Premier League clubs, with the Gunners now joining the list of serious contenders, as revealed by However, United are reportedly prioritising Cunha as one of their top attacking targets for the upcoming window, and they are determined to close the deal before the situation spirals into a transfer tug-of-war.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Cunha is said to be particularly drawn to the Red Devils’ sporting project and has already begun discussing personal terms with the Old Trafford outfit. The forward will decide on his future before the campaign ends, but will carefully weigh his options.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cunha has found the net 15 times in 30 Premier League matches this season, placing him joint-seventh in the division’s top scorer standings. He shares this spot with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, a testament to his consistency and sharpness in front of goal.
Speculation around Cunha’s exit ramped up further last month when a controversial post appeared on his Instagram account. Though it was quickly deleted, the message hinted at a looming departure.
“Time to be happy, I will follow my dreams, not yours… So stay cool,” the post read. The cryptic message triggered a backlash among Wolves supporters and was followed by an exchange with a fan, further fuelling rumours of a summer move.
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WHAT NEXT FOR CUNHA?
Despite the mounting uncertainty surrounding his future, Cunha remains a key figure in Wolves’ final stretch of fixtures. They are set to face Brighton this weekend, and the Brazilian striker will undoubtedly look to continue his fine form. With potential suitors watching closely, every performance now serves as both an audition and a farewell.
Shaheen and Zaman continue to miss out, as the final squad will be trimmed to 16 players next week
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2022Pakistan have recalled hard-hitting batter Sharjeel Khan into the ODI fold after five years, with the team’s new chief selector Shahid Afridi naming as many as six uncapped players in the 21-man probable list for the upcoming series against New Zealand.While the final squad will be trimmed to 16 players next week, there will be no place for both Shaheen Shah Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, due to their ongoing knee rehabilitation.The 21-man list is mostly made up of younger players in the system like Qasim Akram, Ihsanullah and Tayyab Tahir, who have all made a mark in the domestic circuit. Also included is top-order batter Kamran Ghulam, who scored a record 1249 runs for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the 2020-21 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and is among the leading scorers in the ongoing Pakistan Cup with 435 runs from six matches, including two hundreds.Pakistan have also called up Shan Masood, who last played an ODI more than three years ago, against Australia. Abrar Ahmed, who recently made his Test debut against England and ended with a record-breaking seven-wicket haul in the first innings, is also on the 21-man list, as is fast-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal, who made his T20I debut in September.Pakistan’s last ODI assignment was a three-match series in Netherlands back in August; only Zahid Mehmood has been dropped from that particular squad, while both Shaheen and Zaman are expected to return to full fitness before next year’s Pakistan Super League.The upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand was originally planned to be held in September last year, but the visitors called off their limited-overs tour just minutes before the start of the first ODI, citing security concerns. The upcoming series will fully be held in Karachi, with the matches scheduled for January 9, 11 and 13.Pakistan’s probables: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Qasim Akram, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Sharjeel Khan and Tayyab Tahir
Aston Villa are now eyeing a “phenomenal” Premier League defender who they made contact about signing last summer, with it recently being revealed he has a £55m release clause in his contract.
Villa eyeing summer signings
The Villans were extremely active in the January transfer window, sealing deals to sign several high-profile players, most notably Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Asensio, who both joined on loan until the end of the campaign.
However, there is no guarantee the loan moves will turn into permanent transfers, so Unai Emery continues to assess targets in multiple positions ahead of the summer transfer window.
Moise Kean is one of the strikers currently under consideration, with the forward regularly finding the back of the net for Fiorentina in the Serie A this season, while Villarreal attacking midfielder Alex Baena is also on the list of potential targets.
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Not only is Emery keen to bring in new attacking options at the end of the season, but he may also be keen to strengthen his defence, with Axel Disasi currently set to return to parent club Chelsea when his loan reaches its conclusion.
According to a report from The Boot Room, one of the centre-backs Villa are eyeing is AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, who they made contact about signing before he sealed a move to high-flying AFC Bournemouth last summer.
A number of Premier League clubs are now on alert, as it has emerged Huijsen has a £55m release clause in his Bournemouth contract, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool also being named as potential suitors.
Bournemouth's DeanHuijsencelebrates after the match
The Cherries have previously been unwilling to confirm the existence of the release clause, but it has now been revealed it is set to become active in the summer, potentially opening the door for a move to a top club.
Huijsen excelling for Bournemouth
Bournemouth have been one of the surprise packages in the Premier League this season, making an unexpected push for Europe, and the 19-year-old has emerged as a key player since the beginning of December.
The Spaniard is now a regular starter for Andoni Iraola’s side, and he has caught the eye of Jacek Kulig in 2025, with the football talent scout lauding him as “phenomenal”.
Over the past year, which includes his time with AS Roma, the defender ranks extremely highly on a number of key defensive metrics, while he has also proven himself to be a threat at the opposite end of the pitch.
Statistic
Average per 90
Interceptions
1.89 (96th percentile)
Blocks
1.77 (89th percentile)
Clearances
5.67 (89th percentile)
Non-penalty goals
0.18 (99th percentile)
£55m is a lot of money to fork out on such a young player, but Huijsen is showing very promising signs in his debut Premier League season, so Villa should definitely pursue a deal this summer.
Glasgow Rangers haven’t enjoyed much success in the transfer market in recent years. Philippe Clement does appear to be adopting a new strategy which has seen the Light Blues focus on younger players. Players with huge potential that can be sold for significant profits down the line.
This has worked wonders for Celtic, who have nurtured players like Matt O’Riley, Jota, and Kieran Tierney over the previous few years, before selling them for major fees, which has enabled the club to rinse and repeat the same strategy.
Rangers managerPhilippeClementbefore the match
The Ibrox side have the likes of Nico Raskin, Mohamed Diomande, and Connor Barron, who are all aged 23 or under and yet to hit the peak years of their career. Developing this trio over the next couple of years will see the Gers rake in millions, no doubt about that.
Clement does have a rather special talent in his squad who could go on to be the next big sale at Ibrox, following in the footsteps of Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson.
Calvin Bassey
Hamza Igamane’s meteoric rise from an unknown striker last summer to the club’s main man eight months later has been remarkable.
Hamza Igamane is Rangers’ prized asset
When Clement spent £1.7m to sign Igamane last summer from Moroccan side AS FAR, it appeared as though this was a decent chunk of his transfer budget wasted on a player who wouldn’t be ready for first team football.
Indeed, suspicions were proved correct when the 22-year-old missed the first few weeks of the season, as Clement went on to say:
Hamza Igamane
“Hamza is doing parts of the training now with the group, so step by step he’s going to the physical level that we need in the training and later on in the games. He’s showing a lot of interesting things with the ball, what we saw in the images that we saw from him in the games in Morocco.”
He finally made his debut against Celtic in September and has since gone from strength to strength at the Light Blues.
Across 30 matches, Igamane has scored 13 goals while registering seven assists in all competitions as he has begun to prove his worth to Clement, most notably in the Europa League.
Indeed, the youngster has found the back of the net four times in just six European games so far this season, including a brace against Nice and a goal against Tottenham Hotspur.
Igamane scores once every 91 minutes in Europe’s second tier competition, while he also averages 1.2 key passes and succeeds with 1.7 dribbles per game.
Metric
Premiership
Europa League
Goals
9
4
Assists
1
1
Shots per game
3
1.8
Conversion rate (%)
15
36
Big chances created
5
1
Via Sofascore
He hasn’t been bad domestically either. A hat-trick against Hibs at the start of 2025 was one highlight, being able to handle the physical nature of Scottish football rather well.
These performances have seen his market value rise and if he maintains his form, it will only continue to soar.
Hamza Igamane’s market value at Rangers
At the time of writing, Igamane is currently valued at €2.5m (£2m) according to Transfermarkt. While it isn’t much of an increase on his initial £1.7m transfer fee, every goal he scores could go towards boosting his valuation.
It shows that he is heading in the right direction and that there is a chance that he will eventually be at a point where the Gers could cash in on him for a profit.
Clement sold a few players last summer to raise funds for future signings, which included Igamane. However, one of these players is now currently worth more than the Moroccan centre-forward, despite being sold for peanuts.
How much Rangers sold Todd Cantwell for
Todd Cantwell was certainly a player who divided opinion at Rangers during his 18 months in Glasgow.
On his day, there was arguably no one better in the Premiership. But the Ibrox faithful didn’t see this side of the Englishman too often.
It was clear that Clement didn’t really see Cantwell as a key member of his side going forward, and his future was questioned throughout the summer transfer window.
Todd Cantwell
On deadline day, the former Norwich City starlet joined Blackburn Rovers for a fee of just £500k as Clement was keen on getting the midfielder off the wage bill.
He has since enjoyed his time back in the Championship, impressive for Rovers in the second division of English football.
Todd Cantwell’s Blackburn statistics
The Englishman has played 27 times for Blackburn this season, scoring twice while grabbing three assists.
Lauded as a ”god-given” talent by his former youth coach, Gary Cockaday, Cantwell averages 1.1 shots per game in the Championship, while he also has created nine big chances, averages 1.7 key passes and succeeds with 56% of his dribble attempts.
It has been a productive return to the second tier for the former Gers star, and it appears as though this is a division where he manages to play his best football.
Indeed, when compared to his positional peers in the Championship, Cantwell ranks in the top 9% for progressive passes (5.05) and in the top 14% for shot-creating actions (4.1) per 90, showcasing his attacking abilities.
Todd Cantwell
This has seen his market value rise, despite only joining Blackburn last summer.
Todd Cantwell’s market value at Blackburn Rovers
According to Transfermarkt, Cantwell is now valued at €3.5m (£3m) due to his impressive displays down south.
Considering they paid just £500k for the player, the club could make a decent profit should they decide to cash in on him in the near future, and it proves that the Light Blues were perhaps too hasty in moving him on.
This value is £1m more than what Igamane is currently worth, which again, shows why it was a mistake in getting rid of the attacking midfielder when they did, as he is already worth more than the Moroccan ace and significantly more than the fee they raked in for his services.
Todd Cantwell
Of course, Cantwell wasn’t perfect, and he had his flaws on the pitch. But when the Englishman was in full flow, he could terrorise defences up and down the country like no one else.
It appears as though he has rediscovered his mojo since making the move back down to England and, hopefully, this reignites a career that once saw him linked with a £40m move to Aston Villa just four years ago.
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Rangers previously showed interest in a player who is now worth £60m.
The last few years have seen seismic changes take place at Tottenham Hotspur.
The club have churned through managers who employ dramatically different tactics, signed a plethora of players with varying levels of success, and perhaps most notably, sold Harry Kane.
The former captain was the club’s all-time top goalscorer and, at the very least, the second-best striker in the Premier League, but after over a decade of service, he wanted to move on to pastures new.
Unsurprisingly, Ange Postecoglou and Co haven’t been able to replace the iconic goalscorer yet, but there is a player out on loan who could potentially be their next Kane.
How Spurs' players are doing on loan
So, while Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is out on loan this season, the deal that took him to Marseille in July included an obligation to buy at £17m, so for all intents and purposes, he is out of the picture.
Of those Spurs players in and around the first team who are still out on loan and set to return this summer, the player who’s had the most success has been Manor Solomon, who joined Leeds United in August.
Since moving to Elland Road, the 25-year-old winger has scored seven goals and provided eight assists in just 28 games, which comes out to a stellar average of a goal involvement every 1.86 games.
Bryan Gil, while not quite as prolific, is still having a decent campaign of his own away from N17, racking up a haul of four goals and three assists in 29 appearances for Girona, while Alejo Veliz and Alfie Devine have both scored four goals this season, for Espanyol and KVC Westerlo respectively.
Lastly, Ashley Phillips has become an integral player for Stoke City, starting 70% of their league games and making 25 appearances overall.
Spurs’ loanees
Player
Team
Games
Goals
Assists
Solomon
Leeds
22
7
8
Gil
Girona
29
4
3
Veliz
Espanyol
22
4
0
Devine
Westerlo
21
4
0
Yang
QPR
4
0
1
Phillips
Stoke
25
1
0
All Stats via Transfermarkt
At the same time, it’s too early to make a judgement on Min-hyeok Yang’s time with Queens Park Rangers, as he’s only made four appearances thus far.
In all, the Lilywhites’ loanees are looking quite impressive this season, although there is one more player who might be the most exciting of the lot, a player who’s mirroring a part of Kane’s early career.
Loan Watch
The Spurs loanee who's emulating Kane
Before he got the chance to show his stuff on a regular basis for the first team, Kane went out on several loan moves to varying levels of success.
He played for the likes of Leicester City, Norwich City, Millwall and Leyton Orient, where he did reasonably well, scoring five goals in 902 minutes, and it’s the League One side who currently have the Spurs player who could emulate the great number nine: Jamie Donley.
Now, we appreciate the fact that a comparison such as this is quite extreme, but like the England captain, the young Englishman is starting to show his quality with the O’s.
For example, while he’s primarily played as an attacking midfielder this season, he has played as a central and second striker in the past, and more importantly than that, he has shown himself to be a real threat this year.
In 34 games for the East London outfit, totalling just 2305 minutes, the “perfect” prospect, as dubbed by Alasdair Gold, has scored six goals and provided six assists as well as forcing Stefan Ortega into an own goal in the FA Cup thanks to a brilliant shot from the halfway line.
Donley’s 24/25
Appearances
34
Minutes
2305′
Goals
6
Assists
6
Goal Involvements per Match
0.35
Minutes per Goal Involvement
192′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That means the 20-year-old is currently averaging a goal involvement every 2.83 games, or every 192 minutes, which is seriously impressive for a youngster playing in the middle of the park.
Ultimately, there is an awful long way to go if Donley is to get anywhere near the level Kane did during his time with the North Londoners.
Still, if the Hotspur Way talent continues to progress the way he has this season, then there is no telling how good he may be in four or five years.
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Athanaze, 24, was the leading run-scorer at the Under-19 World Cup in 2018 and played for West Indies A against Bangladesh last year
Matt Roller14-Feb-2023West Indies have called up the uncapped left-hander Alick Athanaze for their upcoming Test tour of South Africa.Athanaze, 24, was the leading run-scorer at the Under-19 World Cup in 2018, just ahead of Shubman Gill, and played for West Indies A against Bangladesh last year. He has captained Windward Island Volcanoes in the four-day regional championship this season, scoring his maiden first-class hundred six days ago. If selected, he would be the first Dominican to play Test cricket since Shane Shillingford.Related
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In 2017, he survived Hurricane Maria, which claimed over 3,000 lives in Dominica. “Such situations teach you the value of one’s life,” he told ESPNcricinfo in an interview the following year.Desmond Haynes, West Indies’ lead selector, said: “Athanaze is one of the young players who we have invested in, and he played well in the A Team and CWI President’s XI.”He showed great promise in the CG United Super50 last year and then got his first hundred in the West Indies Championship last week. We believe he should be given an opportunity at this level. He has also showed leadership, as captain of the Windwards at the start of this season.”Athanaze replaces Nkrumah Bonner, who has slipped down the pecking order, in one of two changes to the squad that won 1-0 in Bangladesh. Jomel Warrican, the left-arm spinner, is replaced by another uncapped player: the Barbadian seamer Akeem Jordan.Jordan, 28, has only played five games in his first-class career but is the leading wicket-taker after two rounds of the regional championship this year, with 12 scalps at 16.58. Jayden Seales remains unavailable following knee surgery and Anderson Phillip is not yet match fit.”Jordan has been very impressive from last year,” Haynes said. “He has continued to bowl well, and has been excellent in the first two matches so far this year. He is very skillful, can bowl the new ball, and looks to put the ball in the right areas. He is also a sharp fielder and good catcher close to the wicket.”West Indies arrive in South Africa on Friday, three days after Gudakesh Motie’s 13-wicket haul helped them to an innings victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test in Bulawayo. They play a warm-up match in Benoni (February 21-24) before Tests in Centurion (February 28-March 4) and Johannesburg (March 8-12), with three ODIs and three T20Is following from March 16-28.”This will be a challenging tour,” Haynes said. “There is no easy away tour in Test cricket. South Africa have a good team, but I am sure we will be up for the task and will do well in these two Test matches.”West Indies squad to play South Africa: Kraigg Brathwaite (captain), Alick Athanaze, Jermaine Blackwood, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Akeem Jordan, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Devon Thomas.