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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The last time the All-Star Game was played here, all the pregame buzz was about a rookie righthander who was starting for the National League. Twenty-nine years later, we get the remake.

Where once Hideo Nomo was the star of stars, now it is Paul Skenes. Nomo was 6–1 with a 1.99 ERA and 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings when he started the 1995 All-Star Game. Skenes is 6–0 with a 1.90 ERA and 12.1 punchouts per nine.

Nomo did not disappoint. He pitched two shutout innings. ( The past eight All-Star starters have gone just one inning.) He struck out three. He retired three future Hall of Famers: Edgar Martinez, Frank Thomas and Cal Ripken Jr.

Nomo was 26 years old and had pitched in Japan for five seasons. Skenes is 22 and was pitching for LSU last year. He signed his first pro contract a year ago Thursday. He is even more of a phenom.

This is Skenes’s national introduction. The fastest pitch he has thrown this year was 101.9 mph. He just might go beyond that tonight. To understand just how good Skenes is, I decided to ask the best experts available: some of the All-Stars who have seen Skenes’s stuff from up close.

Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers (0-for-3, 1 K vs. Skenes)

“Right now the most impressive thing about him is the command of the baseball. He can go in and out with the heater. He can throw that … whatever you call that thing … at the bottom of the zone. He doesn't really make mistakes with it. I think that's what makes the deGroms and the Scherzers and all those guys so hard to hit. It's the command. 

“You can have elite stuff, but if you miss over the plate, we're going to, at some point, hit it. So, to have the command of the baseball. That he has this early in his career, and obviously with all the hype and all that, all the fanfare, all the media attention, and to go out there and just put the ball where you want, with 100, 102, with splitters, or whatever you call that thing … that's what's special.

“The game of baseball is in good hands with these young guys coming up. There's a lot of good ones and he's obviously at the top of the list.”

Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers (0-for-3, 1 K)

“He’s got that fastball at a hundred, so you have to be aware of that. And then you get that sinker-splitter thing at 91 that’s going down. The only thing I tried to do is look for the ball up and try to hit it in the air [get under it]. And then hopefully you see the sweeper coming out of his hand.

“The fastball is firm. He’s also got that low release point, so it’s got that up-shooty action, as we hitters like to say.”

Is there any pitcher he would compare him to that might be similar?

“No. I’d say he’s a one of one.”

Highest Four-Seam Velocity with Vertical Release 5.7 and Below

Christian Yelich, Milwaukee Brewers (0-for-3, 1 K)

“He’s obviously got a great splitter or sinker or whatever he calls it, and he does a good job locating it. And he was kind of changing speeds with us. Anywhere from 91 to 95, 96. Fastball from 99 to 100. So, does a good job knowing how to use his arsenal and what angles he's kind of throwing from. At least that's what I took from the box. You have to ask him if that's what he does intentionally.

“It kind of seemed like he knew what he was doing and how he was setting it up and trying to pitch.  So, I thought he was pretty advanced.”

Does the splinker act like a split or a sinker? 

“You know, I thought it had different action every time. It's one of those things where it's just kind of hard to square up.

“Like, you could tell it was just something that’s not a fastball, right? But then you kind of just like hit the top of it. It has so much depth and movement to it where even ones that were kind of hittable that you would see you'd kind of swing over the top of them. And then once he kind of got you out there, he'd kind of angle that heater in on you as a lefty. 

“I can see how he's tough on righties. How much that ball is moving in on him. Obviously, he’s a great young pitcher and a bright pitcher as well.”

Skenes’s Pitch Speed Variance

Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers pitcher

“Watching him pitch I was probably a little bit more locked in than normal. I've seen his mechanics. They're sort of like sharp and consistent especially how young he is. He's already pitching with such good stuff at such a young age and with such a good feel for his mechanics.

“Seeing that and his composure and stuff being that young? Impressive. It was tough for me when I was 22 to be that composed. And he seems very stoked about it.”

Roston Chase, meanwhile, was happy to say he hoped there were a few ‘scars’ left from the Gabba Test in early 2024

Andrew McGlashan24-Jun-20251:27

McGlashan: ‘No one is quite sure what to expect of the surface’

Pat Cummins has indicated that Cameron Green will be given an extended run to cement the No. 3 role in Test cricket as Australia look to bed down a batting order ahead of the Ashes later in the year.Green has been encouraged not to look too deeply at his lean returns on his comeback to the side in the World Test Championship final against South Africa, where he was dismissed twice by Kagiso Rabada across five balls for just four runs. He had come into that match on the back of three centuries for Gloucestershire.There was an opening for Green to drop back down to No. 4 for the first Test against West Indies in Barbados due to Steven Smith’s injury – the position where he made 174 not out against New Zealand last year – but Josh Inglis will take that role as part of a fresh-looking top four that includes the recalled Sam Konstas.Related

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“I always like to not have too many moving parts,” Cummins said. “We see that [Green at No. 3] as a long-term option. I think going into last week he’s hitting the ball really well, he’s moving really well. He had a Test match where it obviously didn’t go to plan. Think he only faced three or four balls, so the message is not to look into that too much. We’re really happy with where his game’s placed and I dare say we’ll get a decent run of No. 3.”Barring injury, therefore, it leaves Marnus Labuschagne likely needing substantial runs at the start of the Sheffield Shield season to push for a recall to face England.”I think him at his best is a well and truly an international standard Test batter,” Cummins said. “If there’s an opening we could see him fighting his way back into the Test team at some point. Obviously the focus now is giving a couple of other guys a go. He’s had a pretty good run and obviously didn’t make the most of it as well as he would like, so [we are] offering that opportunity to the next couple of guys.”There remains hope that Smith will be available for the second Test in Grenada, which starts on July 3, as he continues his recovery from the compound dislocation of his right little finger he suffered at Lord’s. He is due to return from New York midway through the Barbados Test. “He’s got a few return-to-play kind of protocols he’s got to tick off,” Cummins said. “I know the medical team have got a bit of a program for him.”Pat Cummins and Roston Chase with the Frank Worrell Trophy•AFP/Getty ImagesOnly three of the top six played in the Gabba Test early last year which West Indies famously won (Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green and Travis Head), but Shamar Joseph’s name has never been far from the build-up to this Test.When new captain Roston Chase, who himself wasn’t part of that Test, was asked whether there would be any lingering memories of that day in the Australia line-up, he responded with a smile and a hint of a chuckle.”I hope there are some scars,” he said. “I mean, if they’re still thinking about that going out there tomorrow, that would be very good for us. I think that that would be part of the job done for us. So, yeah, I hope they’re still hurting.”Cummins, who had spoken before Chase, said, “A couple of the West Indian guys, particularly Shamar, had a day out. I’m sure the batters [have] been talking about how to manage him and counter that.”

There is no getting away from the fact that West Ham United have not had the best of starts this season.

In fact, following their defeat at the hands of Arsenal, the club sit 19th in the Premier League, on just four points.

However, it really isn’t all doom and gloom, as Nuno Espírito Santo has already made the team far harder to break down, and there remain some incredibly talented players in the squad.

High up on that list is summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf, and in yet more good news, it looks like West Ham are brewing their own version of the Senegalese international.

Diouf's incredible start to the season

West Ham made a few signings this year who could go on to have great careers at the club, like Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa.

However, if you were to ask the fans who they consider to be the best addition, Diouf would surely be atop that list.

The former Slavia Prague gem cost the East Londoners around £19m, and while that seemed like a lot of money at the time for someone so young and from the Czech league, it now looks a bargain.

The Dakar-born titan is a maurading full-back in the very best way possible, someone capable of doing the defensive work when needed, but then an incredible outlet at the top of the pitch, thanks largely to his brilliant ability to fire in cross after cross.

The game against Everton was perhaps the best example of this, as while he didn’t get the assist, it was his cross that led to Jarrod Bowen’s goal, and on another night, the 20-year-old could have had a hat-trick of assists.

This might all sound a bit hyperbolic, but the dynamic full-back has been impressing plenty of people, with one analyst making the bold claim that he’s “one of the best full-backs in the league.”

In all, Diouf looks like one of the signings of the summer so far, and as if one of him wasn’t enough, West Ham appear to be brewing a homegrown version as well.

West Ham's homegrown Diouf

West Ham have a proud history of developing and promoting some of the most exciting youngsters in England, like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Declan Rice.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

While he might not reach the levels of those three, another exciting prospect in the club’s academy at the moment is Emeka Adiele.

The 18-year-old gem has been on fire for the Hammers’ U21 side, and looks like he could become a player in the mould of Diouf.

For example, in just eight appearances, totalling 698 minutes, the dynamic youngster has scored one goal and managed to provide six assists.

That means the academy star is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.14 games, or every 99.71 minutes, which is a simply sensational rate of return for someone who spends plenty of time at left-back.

Moreover, while the rate at which he’s producing goal involvements has increased this season, the teenage sensation has been a reliable source of output for some time now.

Last season, for example, he produced nine in 25 games, and the year before that, it was another nine in 25.

25/26

8

7

24/25

25

9

23/24

25

9

22/23

4

0

Finally, in addition to already having the end product, he also appears to possess the mentality to succeed in the senior game, with one analyst claiming that he is “full of confidence & tenacity.”

Ultimately, West Ham appear to have a superstar in the making in Diouf, but if they end up losing him in a couple of years, they also appear to have the perfect replacement in Adiele.

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ByEmilio Galantini Oct 4, 2025

CSK’s head coach says they’ve had “nothing of substance” from the batting unit this season

Vishal Dikshit19-Apr-20253:05

IPL 2025 so far: CSK’s Chepauk shocker, Shreyas’ impressive captaincy

Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) performances and results in IPL 2025 have forced them to break away from their preference of fielding largely unchanged teams, and give younger talent an opportunity.CSK play Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede on Sunday in what is fast becoming a must-win situation for them. They are languishing at the bottom of the points table; they have the worst net run-rate so far; they have hit new lows such as losing five games in a row – three on the bounce at home – for the first time in a season.After bringing in 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre for the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad and 21-year-old Dewald Brevis for Gurjapneet Singh earlier this week, CSK coach Stephen Fleming said they would be playing “more players this year in the squad than what we have done before”.Related

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“Our results to date have brought all the squad members into play,” Fleming said. “It’s been our tradition in the past to stick with more experienced players and they’ve given us the results that we were after. But when you don’t get the results you’re looking for, all the squad members, their philosophies, are tested and certainly you’ve seen by the addition of players and the use of players that we will be using more players this year in the squad than what we have done before.”Again, we’re still in the mix in this tournament, but if things don’t go our way and there’s quite a lot of games that we can look at, how we move forward in a positive way, but we’re still focused very much on being part of this tournament right to the end.”CSK broke their losing streak in their last game, with a five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), and took the big call of leaving out 38-year-old R Ashwin and 33-year-old Devon Conway for the younger option of Shaik Rasheed, who is 20, at the top. It fetched them results straightaway as Rasheed took off with 27 off 19 on IPL debut in an opening stand of 52 in under five overs with Rachin Ravindra.Fleming said even though they won while chasing, batting had been their “weakest” suit and he expected them “to step up”.”We want a certain amount of runs; we need everybody to step up and they’re well aware of that and it’s a case of giving one or two [wins] underway,” he said. “So back to my answer before – we’ve had the cameos, but nothing of substance. To win the competition you need the top three or four to get 75% of the runs. And if you look at the teams at the top of the table right now, that is the case. We’re well aware as a team and as individuals what they need to do, and we’re hoping someone will grab that tomorrow.”So, look, it’s all there, we just need a little bit more. It’s middling to fair; we need good to excellent if we’re going to stay in this competition and keep getting better. We are going to miss Gaikwad – he’s a class batter at No. 3 – you need a batter in that top three. And so we are trying to fill that hole. But it’s an opportunity that the likes of Rachin needs to step up and take, or Conway if he gets the opportunity, or a couple of the young players, whoever it is, they’re well aware that we need a bit more.”Chennai Super Kings lost three consecutive matches at home for the first time in their history•BCCI

Fleming said leaving out someone like Ashwin was “always hard” and CSK were going to decide their combinations on the basis of their opponents and try and get the “right balance”.Ravindra Jadeja, 36, has also not been close to his best either with bat or ball – he has scored 92 runs off the 80 balls he has faced while averaging 18.40 from seven innings so far. He has not been impressive with the ball either, with just four wickets from 16.1 overs and an economy rate of 8.53, much higher than 20-year-old Noor Ahmad’s 7.12, who also has 12 wickets.In the last game, CSK moved Jadeja up to No. 4 and Fleming said it was to give him “more of an opportunity”. “Just having Jadeja up the order now for a little bit of time. We’ve given the opportunity to do that for a period of time,” Fleming said. “Bowling wise, last couple of games have been very good – last game was excellent – and I hope that form continues.”We need him with the bat, we need all of our players with the bat to step up, we haven’t really had any such substance so far. We’ve been doing it bits and pieces. And Jadeja being one of the senior batters, would be nice for him to do it.”

Glasgow Celtic have made some brilliant signings during their history, with the Hoops dominating Scottish football, especially in the modern era.

The likes of Henrik Larsson and Stylian Petrov made the move to Parkhead in the late 1990s and became club legends, whereas more recently, Premier League title-winning goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel decided to head to Scotland in a transfer that caught the eye.

Some high-profile names have played in green and white, however, plenty of other iconic stars almost made the move to Glasgow down the years in cases of what could have been at Celtic Park.

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ByCharlie Smith Aug 15, 2025 10 stars who Celtic almost signed 10 David Ginola

After starring for Paris Saint-Germain in the 1990s, David Ginola was a man in demand in the UK, with Celtic battling numerous Premier League clubs for his signature in 1995.

However, the skilful winger chose to join Newcastle over the Hoops, admitting he turned down the chance to head to Celtic Park. Talking back in 2016, Ginola said:

9 Didier Drogba

Striker Didier Drogba would go on to become a Chelsea and Premier League icon after moving to the UK in 2004, however, by the sounds of things, he could have done so sooner with Celtic.

Former Celtic defender Momo Sylla played with Drogba at Le Mans and admitted that the centre-forward asked about a move to Glasgow in the early 2000s.

A case of what could have been for the Hoops, who at the time had the likes of Chris Sutton and John Hartson leading the line.

8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Another forward on Celtic’s radar in the early 2000s was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, although the club would land a Swedish star in Larsson.

Former SFA Chief Gordon Smith recommended Ibrahimovic to Martin O’Neill in 2001 when he was still a teenager, however, the Hoops stuttered which allowed Ajax to sign him for £7m from Malmo.

Games

3

Wins

2

Losses

1

Goals

0

7 Alessandro Del Piero

After spending close to 20 years as a Juventus player, Alessandro Del Piero was on the search for a new club at the age of 37 in 2012.

The Italian icon had an offer from Celtic on the table, however, instead of remaining in Europe, Del Piero would head to Australian with Sydney FC, scoring a goal every there game in just under 50 appearances.

6 Hernan Crespo

Another world-class attacker who could have ended his career in Scotland with Celtic was Hernan Crespo. The Argentine played and scored goals for the likes of Lazio, Chelsea, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Celtic wanted to secure Crespo’s services in January 2010 when Tony Mowbray was in charge, however, he snubbed the Hoops and returned to Parma.

5 Rivaldo

Five years on from winning the Ballon d’Or in 1999, Brazil legend Rivaldo was on the search for a new club after leaving AC Milan.

The forward was 32 and heading into the twilight years of his career, and instead of tabling a contract offer, Celtic and O’Neill instead offered Rivaldo a trial. The Brazilian was left puzzled and instead signed for Greek giants Olympiacos.

4 Olivier Giroud

Continuing the long list of forwards who almost moved to Scotland is Olivier Giroud, who netted an impressive 21 goals in the 2009/10 season while with Ligue 2 side Tours.

Celtic and Mowbray wanted to sign him as a result, but he chose Montpellier instead and would go on to become France’s all-time record goalscorer.

3 Sol Campbell

In what would be his final move as a player in 2010, legendary English centre-back Sol Campbell could have moved to Scotland.

In fact, the former Arsenal and Tottenham defender was even given a tour of the city centre and Celtic’s Lennoxtown training base ahead of linking up with Neil Lennon’s side.

However, he would turn down the transfer at the last minute and sign for Newcastle, where he was released a year later.

2 Alfredo Di Stefano

Way back in the 1960s, Celtic almost shocked Europe by signing Real Madrid icon Alfredo Di Stefano.

The Argentine attacker scored more than 200 goals at the Bernabeu and was into the final years of his career when leaving Madrid in 1964.

Celtic manager Jimmy McGrory flew over to Spain with defender John Cushley, who acted as an interpreter, looking to lure Di Stefano to Glasgow. However, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner decided to remain in Spain with Espanyol.

1 Ivan de la Pena

Rounding off the list of stars Celtic could have signed is former Barcelona midfielder Ivan de la Pena.

Starring under Bobby Robson at the Nou Camp, De la Pena was of interest to the Hoops and O’Neill in 2003, with the Spaniard evening training with Celtic before returning to Espanyol.

Bond reckons that there is a lot to with the Bangladesh bowling attack but the batting is the problem

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-20251:58

‘Disappointing to see Bangladesh’s big players go missing in a must-win game’

Bangladesh endured another dismal campaign in a global event which has placed a harsh spotlight on their batting unit. They were knocked out of the Champions Trophy after two sub-par totals – 228 all out and 236 for 9 – which, in former India batter Wasim Jaffer’s view, continued the trend of their experienced players not turning up in ICC events.Jaffer was particularly critical of Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim’s performances in the five-wicket loss to New Zealand on Tuesday. Both men were dismissed playing rash shots which left Bangladesh five down in just the 27th over. New Zealand hardly broke a sweat in chasing the eventual target down.”We’ve only seen probably Shakib [Al Hasan] with that 2019 [ODI] World Cup where he was a standout player,” Jaffer said on ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day. “But I don’t know if it’s the pressure that gets to them or they put too much pressure on themselves, they just don’t turn up.”Related

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Mahmudullah has history in performing well at ICC events, he made back-to-back hundreds in the 2015 ODI World Cup and a hundred when Bangladesh beat New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy. But here, he missed their first match with injury and self-destructed in the second.”Even the shot selection we’ve seen today was very disappointing,” Jaffer said. “Mushfiq [Mushfiqur] playing that shot, Mahmudullah playing that wild shot. And this is a must-win game. You want them to step up in these kinds of games and make themselves count. So that’s been the story in the ICC events, unfortunately.”Jaffer also felt that Bangladesh were at least “50 to 60 runs short” on a Rawalpindi surface which wasn’t offering much help for the bowlers.”They could have easily put 300-plus on that pitch,” he said. “They have got themselves to blame. It is too much to ask from the bowling unit to get a team New Zealand all out for below 240.”Shane Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, suggested that while “there is a lot to work with” Bangladesh’s bowling attack, their batting seems to be a problem. He also said the chances Bangladesh missed in the field also played a role in their five-wicket loss. Rachin Ravindra survived a run-out chance when he was on 26 and was dropped on 93 by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and then by Mahmudullah on 106.1:07

Jaffer: Bangladesh at least 50-60 runs short

“I like the look of their bowling attack,” Bond said. “They have got the heat, they have got the left-armer [Mustafizur Rahman] which New Zealand and a team like England doesn’t have. The spinners are good.”Also the fine margins… they missed chances. If you miss those run-out chances or those dropped catches, they are the difference between winning or losing a game. If they had taken those chances, this game could have been completely different. There is a lot to work with with their bowling attack. I think their batting in the end was the problem.”Bond, who coaches extensively in the franchise T20 circuit, also felt that any coach would “feel a bit grumpy” after the kind of performance Bangladesh put in as their Champions Trophy 2025 journey came to an end.”I think it’s the natural inclination as a coach to feel that way,” Bond said. “If you start talking about what you shouldn’t do and let emotion pour out as a coach, it’s a dangerous place to go. So you’re still trying to create an environment where you want guys to come out and play positively, you want them to be really clear about how you’re going to play.”And at the end of the day, if they go out and try to execute their game plans and play the way that you want and they lose, then that’s okay. If they don’t, then it makes it very difficult. So that’s what you’re looking for as a player.”You want, ‘this is how the coach wants me to play my role in the team. If I go and do that to the best of my ability, then it’s okay.’ You know, some days it’s not going to work and we’re not a fly on the wall in the Bangladesh camp, so we don’t know what those conversations are and it’s difficult to make judgments on that stuff.”

Monterrey announced the signing of former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial from AEK Athens, adding yet another big name to a blockbuster Liga MX transfer window. But reports quickly surfaced claiming that Pumas had already reached an agreement with the French striker. What really happened? Both clubs have now spoken.

AFPWhat we know

Martial was unveiled on Friday as Monterrey’s newest signing, with a deal through 2027 for a reported $1.1 million fee. 

“Physically I feel very good, I trained every day in Athens. The jet lag is tough, but I’m ready for tomorrow if the coach decides,” Martial said at his presentation.

He could make his debut on Saturday when Rayados host Club América.

AdvertisementAFPWhat really happened?

According to multiple reports, Pumas had reached a preliminary agreement with Martial and AEK Athens. The Mexico City club was set to pay $750,000 for the French forward, who had allegedly given his verbal “yes.”

But as the transfer window deadline approached, Monterrey reportedly swooped in with a higher bid and struck a deal directly with AEK.

Getty Images SportPumas’ version

UNAM’s sporting strategy director Eduardo Saracho expressed frustration over the circumstances, revealing that Pumas had already prepared a formal agreement:

“We began talks with Anthony weeks ago, negotiated with his club, and were allowed to speak with AEK," he said. "We had Zoom calls, phone meetings, and reached a written preliminary agreement. We were preparing everything, and then – just like everyone else – we suddenly saw Monterrey’s announcement.”

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AFPMonterrey’s version

Rayados sporting president José Antonio Noriega said that Martial had several offers on the table, but ultimately chose Monterrey:

“We were informed by his agents that he had many alternatives around the world and was analyzing them," he said. "The option that most attracted them was Monterrey, and that’s why he’s here. Domènec Torrent recommended we move quickly for Anthony, and once we agreed internally, we pushed hard to close the deal.”

Manchester United are expected to make an offer for a £70m star, who is now leaning towards a move to Old Trafford despite interest from another Premier League club, according to a report.

Man Utd pursuing striker amid Hojlund uncertainty

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the Premier League season, Man United are still yet to get a new centre-forward through the door, which is likely to be a concern for Ruben Amorim, given that his current options struggled last season.

Rasmus Hojlund scored just four Premier League goals in the 2024-25 campaign, and the Danish striker clearly hasn’t done enough in pre-season to convince Amorim he deserves another chance, with United now open to a departure.

Indeed, widespread reports have suggested the Red Devils would be willing to take a major loss on Hojlund by cashing in for just £30m.

In recent times, it has emerged that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is one of Amorim’s major targets to replace Hojlund, although Newcastle United are also in the picture.

In a promising update from Sky Sports, however, it has been revealed that Sesko is leaning towards a move to Old Trafford, despite rival interest from Newcastle, with Man United now expected to make a formal offer.

United have held talks with Leipzig regarding how much a deal would cost, with Newcastle also in ongoing negotiations, having already made a second bid in the region of £70m.

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Aug 4, 2025 Sesko would be statement signing for Man Utd

United would be making a major statement if they were able to secure a deal for Sesko, despite not having any European football on offer next season, and there are plenty of signs the Slovenian would be a fantastic addition to Amorim’s squad.

At 22-years-old, the centre-forward is capable of leading the line for the Red Devils for many years to come, and he has regularly been among the goals at RB Leipzig over the past two campaigns, scoring a combined 27 in the Bundesliga.

Season

Bundesliga appearances

Goals

Assists

2023-24

31

14

2

2024-25

33

13

5

It is promising news that Sesko is leaning towards a move to Old Trafford, but Man United may have to move quickly to secure his services, given Newcastle’s level of interest.

Arsenal are in talks over a move for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, according to widespread reports, but another high-profile attacker may well follow the 27-year-old to north London.

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4 ByCharlie Smith Jun 28, 2025

GiveMeSport and other reliable media outlets reported that Eze’s representatives held “positive” talks with Arsenal last weekend, and the England international is pretty keen on a switch to the potential Premier League title challengers.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£5m

Andrea Berta also possesses the option of paying his £68 million release clause in installments, which they’ll likely take up, as Arsenal look to back Mikel Arteta whilst erring on the side of caution when it comes to PSR.

The notion of spreading out Eze’s transfer fee will also be a huge help when it comes to signing another star winger, which is what Arsenal are expected to try and do (Fabrizio Romano).

It is believed that Arsenal are looking at both a right and left-winger, with Eze potentially poised to fill just one of these spots as Berta looks at signing another wide player to come in with the 27-year-old.

One of their other wide targets, alongside Chelsea forward Noni Madueke, is £206,000-per-week Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.

The Brazil international is said to be a “dream” target for Arteta’s side, and he could push to leave the Bernabeu once their Club World Cup campaign concludes.

“I think Rodrygo is quickly emerging as Arsenal’s dream target,” journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR Football this week.

“From what I’m hearing, from people close to the situation, once Real Madrid get back from the Club World Cup, Rodrygo is going to make it clear that he wants to leave.

“I think everything points towards Rodrygo leaving and my belief is that Arsenal will be towards the top of his desired places to go.”

Arsenal will move to sign Rodrygo with Eberechi Eze on one condition

Now, GiveMeSport provide another update on Arsenal’s interest in the 24-year-old – who’s bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions since the start of 2024/2025.

They report that Arsenal would love to sign Rodrygo this summer, and will move for the ex-Santos sensation with Eze on one condition.

If they get clear signals from the South American that he’s willing to leave Real and make a Premier League move, then Arsenal will make an approach, but until that point, they’re still waiting for his green-light.

Considering the other reports that he’s likely to request a transfer from Real, Arteta might not be waiting too long for Rodrygo’s approval, so this could be one to keep an eye on.

Los Blancos legend, Luka Modrić, has already stated that Rodrygo is a “world class superstar” – partly highlighting why Arsenal are so keen on him.

Ed Pollock leads charge in simple chase after inexperienced attack thrives once again

ECB Reporters Network11-Aug-2024

Worcestershire took another significant step towards the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One Day Cup as they overcame Hampshire by eight wickets at New Road.An excellent all-round performance with ball and then bat secured a fifth win in seven games for the second-placed Rapids. It keeps them on course to clinch the top three spot needed to go through to the next stage of the 50-over tournament. Victory also maintained their 100 percent home record in the competition after previous victories over Middlesex, Durham and Kent.With eight senior players sidelined through injury, Worcestershire’s inexperienced and young attack again performed admirably to dismiss Hampshire for 164 in 47.4 overs.Academy player Jack Home continued his impressive form since his promotion with another three wickets to take his tally to 15 in four One Day Cup games with some more pacey and threatening bowling.Ethan Brookes also maintained his excellent run with the ball and spinners Fateh Singh and Tom Hinley had such a grip on proceedings that they returned combined figures of 20-1-59-1.Gareth Roderick and Ed Pollock then ensured that there would be no alarms for the Rapids in reaching their modest target with a spendlid century opening stand.Pollock was the dominant partner in racing to his half century off just 44 balls with one six and 10 fours. But Roderick was the perfect foil and his 47 took his run tally to 385 – the third-highest overall in this year’s competition.Hampshire will console themselves with the fact they are still in contention themselves to qualify despite a below-par performance and a third setback of the campaign.Worcestershire made two changes with Home and Hishaam Khan replacing the rested Tom Taylor and Harry Darley. Hampshire also made changes with Joe Weatherley, released to play by Southern Brave, and Mohammad Abbas coming in for Joseph Eckland and Eddie Jack.Hampshire captain Nick Gubbins opted to bat on winning the toss on the same wicket used for Wednesday’s encounter against Kent. Tommy Sturgess took the new ball and struck in his second over when Weatherley (10) attempted a cut and edged through to keeper Roderick.Fletcha Middleton and Gubbins scored freely during the powerplay but in the 10th and final over the former went to pull Khan and fell to a good catch by Singh running back to backward square leg.Home came into the attack and claimed the wicket of Gubbins and Ben Brown in the space of three deliveries during his first over. Gubbins tried to leave a shortish ball but the ball hit the back of his bat and went through to Roderick. Brown then nicked a delivery which moved away from him and Roderick pouched his third catch of the innings.Brookes, Worcestershire most economical bowler in this year’s tournament, also enjoyed success in his first over as Tom Prest mistimed a pull to mid on where Khan took a fine low catch.Toby Albert (26) was fortunate to inside edge Home for a boundary but the introduction of Singh led to his downfall as he was trapped lbw after sweeping.There was another scalp for Singh as Organ, having struggled for 35 balls in making nine, picked out Rob Jones at short cover. Brookes kept the pressure on the Hampshire batters from the New Road during a frugal spell of 7-1-12-1. And there was no let-up for the visitors, with Kyle Abbott then pushing forward to Hinley to be neatly stumped by Roderick at 113 for 8.The ninth-wicket pair of Dominic Kelly and Brad Wheal batted sensibly in adding 36 before Home returned to the attack and bowled the latter after he went for an expansive drive. Some late blows from Kelly (45) lifted the final total before he tried to sweep Brookes and the ball ballooned up for Roderick to complete another dismissal.The Rapids were given a positive start to their reply by Pollock and Roderick and negotiated their way through the initial powerplay against the new ball threat posed by Abbott and Abbas. Roderick straight drove Abbott to the boundary and turned the same bowler through mid wicket to the ropes while Pollock collected three boundaries in an over from Abbas.Pollock greeted Wheal’s introduction into the attack with a maximum over midwicket and successive boundaries off the same bowler carried him to his half century. His fine knock ended on 67 out of 104 in the 23rd over when he sliced Prest to backward point.Roderick fell at extra cover off Gubbins but Rob Jones and Jake Libby quickly saw their side over the finishing line with 13.4 overs to spare.