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Marsh returns as skipper while Cummins, Starc and Head are rested with Stoinis and Bartlett omitted

Alex Malcolm04-Jun-2025Jake Fraser-McGurk’s international career has reached an early crossroad after he was left out of Australia’s T20I squad to face West Indies in a five-match series in the Caribbean during July while Mitchell Owen’s star continues to rise after he earned his maiden national call-up.Marcus Stoinis and Xavier Bartlett have also been omitted from the 16-man squad while Cameron Green has been included as a specialist batter despite being unable to bowl until later in the year.Matthew Kuhnemann is in line to make his T20I debut as the second specialist spinner in the squad behind Adam Zampa. Cooper Connolly and Glenn Maxwell are also included in a clear sign of Australia’s planning for more spin options ahead the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. Ashton Agar was not considered due to another calf injury.Related

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Josh Hazlewood is the only one of Australia’s three-format quicks who will not be rested for the series. Despite playing in the IPL final and being part of the World Test Championship final squad then the Test squad for the West Indies, Hazlewood will stay on to play the T20Is while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc rest.Travis Head, who also plays all international formats and the IPL, will also rest for the series. All three could return for the three-match series against South Africa which starts in Darwin on August 10.Bump in the road for Fraser-McGurkFraser-McGurk, 23, was the most notable omission from the squad named for the series against West Indies that starts on July 20 in Jamaica immediately following the three-match Test series.He had played in seven of Australia’s last eight T20Is but had only passed 20 once, when he scored 50 off 31 balls against England last September batting at No. 3. In 19 T20s since then, including three T20Is against Pakistan, he has scored 290 runs at 15.26, striking at 136.15. He has two scores above 26 and one above 38, which was 95 off 46 in the final game of the BBL season. He was dropped by Delhi Capitals during the IPL season after scores of 1, 38, 0, 7, 0, and 9.Fraser-McGurk was seen as the man who would be David Warner’s immediate and permanent replacement in Australia’s T20I side but will now be asked to return to domestic and franchise cricket to work on his craft. ESPNcricinfo understands there is a hope from the CA hierarchy that he is able to play a bit more four-day cricket for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield to help him work on his all-round batting and decision-making to supplement his raw ball-striking ability.Owen, meanwhile, has been rewarded following his stunning BBL season by being named in the squad alongside T20I skipper Mitchell Marsh, who returns to captain the side after missing Australia’s last T20I series against Pakistan in November 2024 for paternity leave and Test preparation.Mitchell Owen made the equal fastest century in BBL history off 39 balls•Getty ImagesOwen scored two centuries for Hobart Hurricanes, including in the final to help them clinch their maiden title. His returns have been lean since then during stints in the SA20, PSL and IPL where he has scored just 116 runs in 11 innings with a highest score of 34.Owen’s BBL success for Hurricanes came at the top of the order but there will be a squeeze for positions, especially when Head is next in the squad. Marsh’s form while opening for Lucknow Super Giants may entice the selectors to bed him down alongside Head as the opening pair for the T20 World Cup next year with Josh Inglis looming as the obvious choice to bat at No. 3 given his impressive T20I record and his recent IPL form. Matthew Short also remains a key part of Australia’s top order plans and will return against West Indies having not played any cricket since injuring his quad in the Champions Trophy in late February.Question mark over StoinisOwen could get a chance in a finishing role given the intriguing absence of Stoinis, who has been a bedrock of Australia’s middle-order since the 2021 World Cup triumph and scored 61 not out of 27 balls in Australia’s most recent T20I against Pakistan. He also played an important role in Punjab Kings’ run to the IPL final.Stoinis retired from ODI cricket on the eve on the Champions Trophy but is still available for T20I cricket. However, he does not hold a central contract and has a deal to play in the Hundred in August which overlaps with Australia’s three T20Is against South Africa.The series in the Caribbean marks the beginning of Australia’s 2026 T20 World Cup preparation with the side set to play 16 T20Is in four series against West Indies, South Africa, New Zealand and India before the end of October.Josh Hazlewood will be part of the series while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are rested•ICC via Getty ImagesThere is a chance Stoinis remains in Australia’s T20I plans for the World Cup given they have limited seam-bowling allrounder stocks and could return for the series against New Zealand and India in October.Marsh is unlikely to bowl much if at all moving forward given his ongoing back issues while Green won’t be able to bowl in a T20 until after the Ashes series assuming his return to bowling from back surgery goes according to plan. Aaron Hardie has been included in Australia’s squad as the next seam-bowling allrounder while Owen could also be given a chance to fill a role with the ball but his experience is well shy of the other three.Bartlett has slipped down the bowling pecking order despite being centrally contracted after also being overlooked for the Champions Trophy in February. Nathan Ellis will lead the seam attack alongside Hazlewood in the absence of Cummins and Starc while Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott and Spencer Johnson are also in the squad as they were in the Champions Trophy.Chair of selectors George Bailey reiterated that a number of the omissions could still make their way back into the squad ahead of the World Cup given the number of T20Is on the schedule over the coming months.”We have a busy T20 schedule coming up through this series, followed by three against South Africa and New Zealand and five matches against India at home as we continue to refine and build a squad we think will be the right fit for the World Cup on the subcontinent,” Bailey said. “There are a number of players outside the squad who can still force their way into the mix for those upcoming [series] and through the Big Bash.”The connection, role development and combinations we will have as options are growing nicely as we build towards the World Cup. It’s an exciting time in our T20 space.”Australia T20I squad vs West IndiesMitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

Celtic were in action against Hibernian on Saturday, and one star caught the eye more than most for Brendan Rodgers on an occasion that ultimately ended in frustration.

Celtic have to settle for a point against Hibernian

Despite their best efforts, Celtic had to settle for a point at home to Hibernian on Saturday in a goalless draw mired by frustration due to their lack of potency in the final third.

Statistically, the Scottish Premiership holders racked up 26 shots and an Expected Goals tally of 3.00, per Fotmob. Nevertheless, some excellent stops from Raphael Sallinger and a host of missed chances meant a share of the spoils at Parkhead.

Opting not to criticise his players too much after a day where luck wasn’t on their side, Rodgers praised Celtic for their ‘dominant’ performance, also offering credit to Hibernian for their robust display. He stated via BBC Sport:

“I was happy with the performance. I think every metric in the game, we were dominant. I thought today our football was really good, we went through the pitch well but we just lacked that killer instinct in the box. But I also think they defended the box really well so we need to credit Hibs for that.”

Kelechi Iheanacho couldn’t convert his chances against Hibernian despite being heavily involved in attacking moves, while Arne Engels and Luke McCowan didn’t do enough to convince supporters they are worthy of a regular place in the engine room after rare starts.

Perspective is needed in light of the Hoops’ opportunity creation, but they are now two points behind Heart of Midlothian in the league standings as they now focus on facing Braga in the Europa League next Thursday.

Regardless, one Celtic performer did take his chance against Hibernian, earning praise from the manager after an impactful display on an otherwise forgettable afternoon.

Brendan Rodgers delighted with Celtic left-back Marcelo Saracchi

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Rodgers made his appreciation known for loanee Marcelo Saracchi after his ‘excellent’ performance against Hibernian.

Detailing his consistency in training, he stated via The Daily Record: “Marcelo was excellent with his attitude to the game and his confidence. He’s an experienced player having played at a high level.

Marcelo Saracchi’s performance vs Hibernian

Chances created

3

Passes completed

84/90 (90%)

Shots

2

Passes into final third

17

Recoveries

6

All statistics via Fotmob

“Working with so many South American players, it’s an obligation, they’re not timid, they’re aggressive and strong and very committed and when we have the ball, he wants to play forward and come into those nice spaces.

“He’s made a really good impact coming into training. That attitude I like. You need that personality at a club like this. Some can be overawed, and you have to be patient, but he was excellent.”

Ultimately, Saracchi was a shining light for Celtic and proved his worth as an able deputy to Kieran Tierney, who is still working to reach full fitness after his summer move from Arsenal.

The Uruguay international has made an impressive start to life at the club and supporters will be excited to see more of the left-back in weeks to come.

Tottenham’s statement signing of the summer was undoubtedly their £52 million deal for playmaker Xavi Simons, who signed a potential seven-year contract at Spurs after joining from RB Leipzig in the final days of the window.

The deal was penned for an initial five years with the option of a further two, coming as one of the longest player contracts in Tottenham’s history, and perhaps a real indicator as to how highly they rate the Dutchman.

Daniel Levy, who has now resigned after the shocking announcement of his departure on Thursday, led a recruitment team of CEO Vinai Vinkatesham, technical director Johan Lange and unofficial advisor Fabio Paratici in pursuit of a much-needed playmaker before Monday’s transfer deadline.

After two very public and humbling failed attempts to sign one, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze rejecting moves to Tottenham in dramatic late fashion, Spurs finally landed on Simons after an impressive two years in the Bundesliga.

In doing so, the Lilywhites gazumped Chelsea’s deal for the 22-year-old, saving some face after Gibbs-White’s bizarre saga and Arsenal’s hijacking of Eze.

Simons, who came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before moving on to PSG and then Leipzig, bagged 22 goals and 24 assists in 78 total appearances for the latter side.

The Netherlands international is famed for his “silky” skills and creativity in the final third, which is exactly what Thomas Frank is crying out for after injuries to James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

The former ruptured his ACL in pre-season and won’t be back until 2026 as a result, while Kulusevski wasn’t named in Tottenham’s 22-man Champions League squad as the Swede is expected to return in December.

Tottenham dealt Xavi Simons worry as "concern" arises for Thomas Frank

Simons was unveiled before a delighted Spurs crowd before their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth prior to the international break, prompting excitement as supporters anticipate his imminent debut.

However, Bundesliga expert Kevin Hatchard has also sent a warning to Tottenham about the player.

Based off some “talk” he’s heard from German circles, Simons’ body language and attitude have sometimes come into question.

According to Mick Brown, Tottenham also spoke with Aston Villa about signing Morgan Rogers, but given just how unobtainable he proved to be with an £80 million price tag, Simons is a more-than viable alternative with a huge ceiling.

وجه المدير الفني السابق لفريق الأهلي المصري، مارسيل كولر، رسالة تهنئة إلى منتخب مصر بمناسبة تأهلهم إلى منافسات كأس العالم نسخة 2026.

وحقق منتخب مصر فوزًا أمس الأول على جيبوتي بثلاثة أهداف دون رد، في إطار الجولة التاسعة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى النسخة المقبلة من كأس العالم.

وتحصل منتخب مصر بذلك الفوز على بطاقة التأهل إلى بطولة كأس العالم، التي ستُقام الصيف المقبل في أمريكا، كندا والمكسيك.

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وكتب مارسيل كولر عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع “فيس بوك”: “تهانينا لـ منتخب مصر على تأهله لكأس العالم 2026، هذا النجاح نتاج عمل دؤوب وروح الفريق الواحد وعزيمة على مدار سنوات طويلة”.

وأضاف: “تهنئة خاصة لجميع اللاعبين، وللجهاز الفني، وللاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم ولكل من ساهم في هذا النجاح، وللجماهير المصرية، بكل تأكيد، التي تشجع فريقها دائمًا بشغف كبير”.

وواصل: “خلال فترة عملي مع الأهلي، حظيت بشرف العمل مع العديد من هؤلاء اللاعبين، لقد أبهرتني احترافيتهم وشغفهم وعقليتهم، وهم يواصلون تشكيل هذا الفريق حتى اليوم، إنها لحظة رائعة لكرة القدم المصرية”.

Bella James has been ruled out of New Zealand’s ODI series at home against Sri Lanka with a grade-two quadricep strain on her right leg. She is expected to require between three and six weeks of rehabilitation and has been replaced by Lauren Down. A decision on James’ availability for the T20I series that follows will be taken based on her rehabilitation.James sustained the injury during Otago’s game against Central Districts in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, New Zealand’s women’s one-day competition. James made her ODI debut against Australia in Wellington last year and scored 51 runs in two games.Head coach Ben Sawyer was disappointed that she won’t be able to build on that “strong start” against Sri Lanka.Related

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“We’re all gutted for Bella,” Sawyer said. “She had a strong start to her international cricket career in December so it’s a shame she doesn’t get the opportunity to back that up this series. But we’re hopeful she’ll be tracking to return for the T20s.”The three-match ODI series will begin on March 4 in Nelson before moving to Napier for the next two games, and will be followed by three T20Is from March 14 to March 18.Down is currently Auckland’s third-highest scorer in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, with 280 runs in ten games at an average of 31.11. The 29-year-old was part of the Australia series and has played 35 ODIs, which Sawyer said made her a “strong replacement”.”Lauren brings plenty of experience to the group,” Sawyer said. “She’s been a key contributor for the [Auckland] Hearts this season and we’re pleased she’ll get the opportunity to take that form into this series.”

أحرز النجم الدولي محمد صلاح، جناح الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول، هدف منتخب مصر الثاني في مرمى جيبوتي، في المباراة التي تجمعهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام المباراة بين مصر وجيبوتي، على ملعب استاد العربي الزاولي، في إطار منافسات الجولة التاسعة من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، رفقة بوركينا فاسو وإثيوبيا وجيبوتي وسيراليون وغينيا بيساو.

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وأحرز إبراهيم عادل الهدف الأول لصالح الفراعنة في الدقيقة 8، بعد عرضية رائعة من زيزو وضعها إبراهيم برأسه على يسار الحارس.

وسجل الملك المصري الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 15 من عمر الشوط الأول بعد تمريرة رائعة من تريزيجيه وضعها محمد صلاح في الزاوية القريبة للحارس. هدف محمد صلاح أمام جيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم

Mitchell Santner, never more than three wickets in an innings or six in a match, bowled New Zealand to a historic win in Pune with match figures of 13 for 157, the third-best by any visiting bowler in India. He bowled 29 overs on the trot for six wickets in the second innings to go with his unbroken spell of 19.3 overs in the first innings for 7 for 53 to give New Zealand their first series win in India and India their first home series defeat since 2012.Despite a sore side, Santner missed just one over from his end since he started bowling in the first innings. He was instrumental in intercepting India’s audacious bid for a chase of 359, which was fuelled by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 77 off 65 that took India to 96 for 1 at better than a run a ball. Santner had little support from the other end as Ajaz Patel’s ordinary series continued and Glenn Phillips mixed easy deliveries with good ones.Santner kept beating the batters in the air with his dip and changes in pace and angle, and registered his first ten-wicket haul in first-class cricket in the process. It was an absolutely necessary intervention because India were on an almighty roll after triggering a 5 for 24 collapse with the ball and then a sensational start to the chase by Jaiswal. Things became so desperate that New Zealand burnt two reviews on Jaiswal.In the morning, needing a perfect session to prevent the door from being slammed in their face, India started with the experienced duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin instead of the form bowler Washington Sundar, who had taken 11 of the 15 New Zealand wickets up to that point.It didn’t start well for India. The first ball from Ashwin produced an edge that Rohit Sharma didn’t go for. Tom Blundell and Phillips added a quick 33 to the overnight score. That Jadeja turned the ball big at a pace in the mid-90s was only a promising sign for New Zealand. Even full balls were difficult to hit out as Santner and Ajaz discovered with catches in the deep.Yashasvi Jaiswal pulled the second ball of the innings for six on his way to a 65-ball 77•AFP/Getty Images

Before that, though, India needed a breakthrough, which arrived with a natural variation that went past Blundell’s inside edge. That it was Jadeja’s first wicket of the match emphasised where India lost the match: a rare outbowling of two of their greatest match-winners, who had brought them 18 consecutive series wins at home.It was no surprise that India came out swinging with the bat after they had been pinned to the crease in the first innings. Jaiswal drove at a wide length ball first up, but the edge fell just short of gully. It didn’t stop him from flicking the second ball for a six, the first of his three, which took him level on the record for most sixes in a calendar year. He employed both the sweep and the charge at the spinners to mess with the bowlers’ lengths. The margin for error was almost non-existent as he hit out at Tim Southee, Ajaz and Phillips. His extra-cover drive for a six off Phillips on this pitch was a jaw-dropping shot.It is not often that New Zealand spinners bowl them to a Test win on their own. Here Santner was being asked to do it on own having never taken more than three wickets in a Test innings before this Test. He was the only one who maintained some control during the Jaiswal onslaught.Santner got the better of Rohit first as he got the ball to dip on him and the extra bounce got the bat-pad dismissal. Shubman Gill, who had got stuck on the crease with Jaiswal in the first innings, came out attacking, and the two added 62 in under ten overs to leave New Zealand nervous.It’s not that the pitch had eased out. The intent of the batters left the bowlers under intense pressure, and every small error was being punished. In essence, though, all the spinners had to do was draw consistent forward-defensive prods from the batters without getting driven. The moment Santner started doing that, he started creating chances. Then he bowled flatter while still being full, pushing Gill back and taking the edge with the turn for the first of two sharp catches for Daryl Mitchell at slip.Rishabh Pant, attempting a non-existent single, was run out as India’s collapse gathered steam•BCCI

The next one was Jaiswal, a classic turning-pitch dismissal. The first part of it was to find a spot that Jaiswal could neither go back to nor drive from. Then the first ball turned big to beat his inside edge, and the next one went straight on to take the edge for Mitchell. Not a mean wicket to bring up your first ten-wicket haul.Rishabh Pant then paid the price for not saying no. Virat Kohli played one behind square and started running. The ball had gone to Santner’s left. Pant had every right to send Kohli back, but he ran through. Not even a dive was enough to get him in.It was like Santner didn’t have a side strain to nurse. Between overs, he would keep stretching, but swooped in on balls in his vicinity and you couldn’t take the ball away from him. He made Kohli play back to a fullish ball, which trapped him lbw. Sarfaraz Khan fell to a slow teasing ball that turned and hit off stump.Phillips finally got on the board when Will Young pulled off a stunning catch at short leg to send back India’s hero of the match, Washington. Ashwin and Jadeja looked the most comfortable batting pair as they added 39 for the eighth wicket, teasing India with the question of what if they hadn’t lost so many wickets by the time the older softer ball stopped behaving wildly.It was Santner who broke the partnership by luring Ashwin into a drive and taking the edge to Mitchell. The wait for the final wickets was frustrating but it came through outfield catches off Ajaz, who ended up protecting his record for the best match figures for a visiting bowler in India.

Bangladesh are coming off the high of beating Pakistan 2-0 but the wicketkeeper is asking people not to bring it up

Mohammad Isam10-Sep-20243:46

Isam: Bangladesh’s win in Pakistan is ‘mind boggling’

Bangladesh are about to embark on another away tour on the back of their remarkable 2-0 victory over Pakistan earlier this month and are already deep in preparation for it. They will be visiting India for two Tests starting next week and one of their heroes from Rawalpindi, Litton Das, has revealed that the team has been trying to get used to the way SG balls behave.This is a break from the norm. Bangladesh usually play with a Kookaburra ball. That is the brand they use for home internationals and it was the brand used in the Tests against Pakistan as well. India, however, use SG balls for Test cricket and there is significant difference between the two.”The ball will be a different one in India,” Litton said. “It is a little harder to play against the SG ball. The Kookaburra ball is easier to play when it gets old. It is the opposite with the SG ball. It is harder to get away against the old ball when it’s the SG.”Related

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The white-ball players are reportedly training with Kookaburra balls as the T20Is that follow the Tests in India will be played with the Kookaburra.Litton also warned that Bangladesh can’t rest on the laurels from their first-ever series win over Pakistan. Although he played a big part in it, his century rescuing the side from 26 for 6 in the second Test, he asked the media not to remind them of it.”We played good cricket against Pakistan but it is already in the past,” Litton said. “It is important for us to look forward. We will need your (media’s) help. It would be helpful if you don’t talk about the Pakistan series. As a player, it is already in the past for me.”Litton Das will continue backing his aggressive style of play in Test cricket•Associated PressThere is typically a lot of focus from the Bangladesh fans on matches that their team plays against India and Pakistan and these games are coming back-to-back as well. The only previous occasion when Bangladesh played back-to-back series against Pakistan and India was in 2015 but both were at home, unlike this time when both series are taking place overseas. Litton understood that fans will be watching with great expectations but he refused to see it as a burden.”It is inspiring that people will know you if you do well,” he said. “There’s nothing better than that. I don’t think it is pressure. We are improving in Tests, so we have to become more consistent in the format. That’s the main challenge.”Litton’s role in the team as a lower-middle-order batter suits his natural game, where sometimes he ends up with the tail and has no choice but to go for his shots. But he did show he had other gears as well, batting for nearly six hours to dig Bangladesh out of a hole in Rawalpindi.”I have to take responsibility now,” he said. “It is the right time. I have been playing for ten years, so there has been some experience. I try to score off deliveries that I believe are there to hit. Scoring runs is more important these days. I think I bat in the same way that most batters approach the game.Litton realises that the way he plays comes with a bit of risk but it is also how he’s found success. “If it gives me more chance to get out, it also gives me a lot of opportunities to score runs,” he said. “I usually get to bat with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz. Sometimes I bat with Shakib (Shakib Al Hasan) or Mushfiq (Mushfiqur Rahim). If I don’t play my shots, the team score won’t go anywhere. I want to play like this. I try to play the way I bat in training.”Bangladesh are scheduled to depart for India on September 15 to play two Tests in Chennai (September 19 to 23) and Kanpur (September 27 to October 1), both part of the World Test Championship. The three T20Is that follow will be held in Gwalior (October 6), Delhi (October 9) and Hyderabad (October 12).

Chelsea are now through to the Club World Cup final after brushing aside Fluminense with ease 2-0 in New Jersey.

After just about getting the better of Brazilian outfit Palmeiras 2-1 in the last round, Enzo Maresca’s Blues managed to progress through to the final stage by beating yet another South American side, as either Real Madrid or Paris St. Germain now await the West Londoners for a chance at pre-season glory.

João Pedro would steal most of the headlines from the straightforward win by popping up with both of Chelsea’s goals on the day, as the brand-new attacker looks to instantly settle into his new environment after leaving Brighton and Hove Albion behind.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Jun 13, 2025 Joao Pedro's performance in numbers

After clearly impressing Maresca with a lively 26-minute run-out against Palmeiras, the Italian would hand the exciting 23-year-old attacker the first-team reins as Chelsea’s main man up top against Fluminense.

It was an inspired decision from the former Leicester City boss to axe Liam Delap in favour of starting the fresh number 20, with Pedro only needing an hour to score a brace to hand his new employers an uncomplicated passage through to the Club World Cup final.

It was a confident and assured performance from a star who will want to make that sole striker spot his own ahead of the new Premier League season getting underway, with Pedro firing home a clinical 30 goals across his last two seasons at the Seagulls, before Chelsea came calling.

Based on Nicolas Jackson’s selfish miss in the second half, which sent Cole Palmer into a frenzy, he could well make that up-for-grabs position on the pitch his own very soon.

But, he wasn’t the only standout performer as Chelsea’s Brazilian opponents were dealt with comfortably, with this fellow attacker for the Blues sticking out once more, as some now even herald him as Chelsea’s finest player of the entire Club World Cup tournament.

The 8/10 star turning into Maresca's "best player"

Of course, those with connections to Stamford Bridge will be rightly enthused by Pedro’s flashes of excellence.

But, there have been other key individuals for Chelsea across the whole span of the tournament who have stood out even more than the much-talked-about South American, with Pedro Neto definitely fitting into this bracket.

Across his five games in the United States heat, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger has tallied up a crucial three goals, with his goal against LAFC in the middle of last month getting Maresca’s men up and running in the competition.

Whilst he didn’t collect another memorable strike against Fluminense, it wasn’t through lack of trying, with the tireless attacker seeing his only effort of the game be blocked, away from just shining as a vibrant and slick option down the Blues’ left flank when running forward with pace to burn.

Neto’s performance in numbers vs Fluminense

Stat

Neto

Minutes played

68

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Shots

1

Touches

34

Accurate passes

18/18 (100%)

Successful dribbles

4/6

Total duels won

5/8

Stats by Sofascore

Amazingly, Neto would complete four successful dribbles across his standout 68-minute spell, with his surges up the field constantly allowing for openings to happen, with Neto also accurately completing every single pass that came his way when feeding the likes of Pedro to shine.

Whilst the former Brighton striker did snatch most of the plaudits come the full-time whistle, Neto wasn’t short of admirers himself either, with journalist Zach Lowy taking to X to declare the Portuguese entertainer as Chelsea’s “best attacker” this tournament and “arguably their best player” full stop.

That is quite the call to make, but it was backed up by The Standard’s Sam Tabuteau post-match, who also declared him ‘Chelsea’s best performer’ in America, amidst a high 8/10 rating for his efforts against Fluminense.

It will be intriguing to see if Neto can kick on after all this pre-season praise when Premier League football returns to West London, with the Club World Cup trophy also perhaps making the trip back to England very soon if all goes to plan.

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With Estêvão Willian set to arrive from Palmeiras, could Chelsea actually sign a bigger talent by snapping up a “gifted” superstar worth £78m?

Posts ByBen Gray Jul 8, 2025

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is very keen to land one of his transfer targets before July 23, with a report this week sharing exactly why and lifting the lid on their plans to submit a new bid for the player.

He's more exciting than Zubimendi: Arsenal looking to sign £70m "superstar"

Arsenal could make an even more exciting signing than Martin Zubimendi.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 24, 2025

The Gunners will confirm their first signing of the summer very soon.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi travelled to London last week as he finalised a switch to Arsenal and put the finishing touches on his contract, while fellow Spaniard and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is also poised to join Arteta after being deemed surplus by Chelsea.

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

Both men are set to be followed by a striker too, but debate still surrounds who that might be.

Arsenal have been working on deals for both RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, as per numerous reports, including the BBC, but there is a growing belief among some media outlets that the latter is currently in pole position to join Arteta’s side.

“Sporting are going to play hardball, there’s been a fallout between Gyokeres and the club because his agent has suggested that they had a gentleman’s agreement he could leave for £60million, I think they’re looking for nearer £80m,” said talkSPORT’s Alex Crook last week.

“Arsenal are juggling both him and Benjamin Sesko, they’ve opened talks with Leipzig as well but at the moment, I would say Gyokeres looks the more likely.”

Reports in Portugal have claimed that Arsenal saw a £55 million bid rejected for Gyokeres turned down recently. However, they’re expected to go back in with another offer closer to Sporting’s valuation.

Arsenal prepare new Viktor Gyokeres bid as Mikel Arteta pushes

As per another Portuguese source, the newspaper Correio de Manha, Arsenal are “prepared to make another offer” for Gyokeres, with Arteta pushing to sign the prolific 27-year-old in time for their pre-season tour of Asia – which kicks off in Singapore against AC Milan on July 23.

So, in short, if Arsenal decide to go all in for the Sweden international over Sesko, Arteta is keen for Gyokeres to be signed within the next month, and it isn’t exactly hard to see why Coventry City’s ex-star is high on the Gunners’ transfer shortlist.

He spearheaded Rui Borges’ side to their first domestic double in two decades with an outstanding 54 goals in all competitions last season, but they face stiff competition from Man United.

Gyokeres would prefer Arsenal ahead of a move to Old Trafford, as confirmed by the likes of Fabrizio Romano, but he still hasn’t completely snubbed United either.

“Gyökeres would be open to Manchester United. There has been no formal rejection, but a deal to date has also never been at an advanced stage, despite suggestions,” said reliable journalist Ben Jacobs on X in the last 10 days.

“United have not made any formal approach to Sporting. Swedish striker one of several striker options discussed for #MUFC. Gyökeres believes he’ll still be allowed to leave Sporting for €70m.”