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Nascidos em 2001, João Gomes e Danilo carregam uma responsabilidade de gente grande em setores cruciais de Flamengo e Palmeiras, respectivamente. E as atuações da dupla têm sido dignas de elogios, tanto que terão merecidos holofotes no aguardado duelo entre os times nesta quarta-feira, às 19h30, no Maracanã e pela quarta rodada (antecipada) do Campeonato Brasileiro.

RelacionadasFlamengoMeia do Flamengo passa por cirurgia e recuperação tem prazo estimado de até quatro mesesFlamengo18/04/2022BrasileirãoEm alta no Flamengo, Gomes é eleito o Cara da Rodada do Brasileirão e vê perfil brincar sobre ‘verificado’Brasileirão18/04/2022BrasileirãoTorcida do Flamengo esgota ingressos de três setores para a partida contra o Palmeiras, no MaracanãBrasileirão18/04/2022

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Meio-campista que mais atuou sob o comando de Paulo Sousa, com 18 jogos, Gomes está cada vez mais adaptado ao estilo de jogo do Mister, sendo importante na destruição (é o líder de desarmes na temporada) e construção, com passes verticais cada vez mais precisos e até assistência, como no jogo passado, para o golaço de Isla na vitória por 3 a 1 sobre o São Paulo.

Gomes, aliás, foi eleito o melhor jogador da segunda rodada do Brasileirão em votação via redes sociais. Em evolução e elogiado pela intensidade, assim com o Fla de Paulo Sousa, o camisa 35 já sabe o que precisa fazer para se tornar ainda maisimprescindível na equipe e ter a considerável sequência de sucesso como a de Danilo no Palmeiras: na transição ofensiva, conduzir melhor a bola para espaços vazios. É o que apontou o técnico rubro-negro, recentemente:

– É um jogador que tem uma característica ímpar no nosso elenco nas disputas de bola ofensivas e defensivas. É muito forte fisicamente. Tem que associar a dinâmica com bola no transporte para espaços livres e depois tomar uma melhor decisão, com bolas mais rápidas, seja em passes curtos, médios e longos. É onde tem que melhorar para se tornar um jogador de um nível bem mais elevado e nos ajudar a vencer os jogos – disse o comandante do Fla.

Pelo lado do Palmeiras, Danilo é considerado é maior joia desta geração, o ativo mais importante do elenco alviverde. Não à toa o mercado europeu já tem sinalizado com interesse para levar o garoto na janela de transferências do meio do ano. Com menos de duas temporadas completas como profissional, o meio-campista é cada vez mais peça fundamental no time de Abel Ferreira.

Aos 20 anos, próximo de completar 21 no dia 29 de abril, o garoto já conquistou duas Libertadores, uma Recopa Sul-Americana, uma Copa do Brasil e um Campeonato Paulista. Além disso, foi eleito o terceiro melhor jogador do último Mundial de Clubes, em que o Verdão ficou com o vice-campeonato. Os feitos são notáveis, mas o desempenho pelo time tem sido cada vez melhor.

-Danilo é um moleque feliz, quando ganha e quando perde… Feliz. Ele é um jogador que tem uma maturidade competitiva muito acima da média. Os fora da caixa aparecem mais cedo. Danilo é um fora da caixa – declarou Abel Ferreira após a vitória alviverde sobre o Ituano, nas quartas de final do Paulista.

A ascensão de Danilo pode ser vista no estádio. Quando a escalação é anunciada, o nome do volante é um dos mais ovacionados pela torcida palmeirense, já comparável com nomes mais pesados, como Dudu, Weverton, Gustavo Gómez e Raphael Veiga. Ele é parte, inclusive, da espinha dorsal de Abel, daqueles jogadores que atuam tanto no titular, quanto no alternativo.

Em meio a dois elencos estrelados, dois jovens promissores formados na base dos clubes são cada vez mais importantes para seus respectivos times. Seja João Gomes, que vai ganhando seu espaço em 2022, seja Danilo, que a cada campeonato sobe mais na prateleira dos grandes nomes do Palmeiras nesta era vitoriosa. Difícil saber quem saíra vencedor nesta quarta-feira, mas certamente o futebol brasileiro ganha peças para os próximos ciclos de Copa.

As the January transfer window approaches, Newcastle United have reportedly turned their attention towards a young defender who just pocketed one of Europe’s best forwards in the Champions League.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies desperately need reinforcements amid their frustrating inconsistency throughout the current campaign. If Eddie Howe has his sights set on taking his side back into the European places then he must receive backing from those at St James’ Park in the winter window. On that front, it’s a big month for Paul Mitchell too, given how the new sporting director failed to welcome several fresh faces in the summer, resulting in Newcastle’s struggles ever since.

With that in mind, the rumours have already been coming thick and fast. The likes of Antoine Semenyo and Bryan Mbeumo have already been linked with a 2025 switch to Newcastle and the Magpies know all about the latter’s quality after last weekend. But it’s not just attacking reinforcements that have been mentioned, given Newcastle’s need for a central defender.

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Mitchell is now plotting a move to sign Joel Ordonez after sending scouts to watch his performance in Club Brugge’s 2-1 victory over Sporting Club in midweek Champions League action.

The 20-year-old, valued at a reported £25m, played a large part in keeping Viktor Gyokeres quiet and limited the star striker to just one shot, 0.07 expected goals and just four touches inside the area. Ordonez, meanwhile, completed nine defensive actions in an impressive display.

Newcastle must regret selling star who’s now similar to a £120m monster

The former Newcastle ace was impressive for the Magpies

By
Joe Nuttall

Dec 12, 2024

Newcastle aren’t alone in their interest, however, with Chelsea and Manchester United also in attendance and watching the young defender alongside other talents to create a hectic Premier League race for his signature. Following their recent defensive struggles, it’s a race that Newcastle ought to win.

"Complete" Ordonez can solve Newcastle's defensive problem

After failing to sign Marc Guehi last summer despite months of chasing his signature, Newcastle’s main defensive problem remains a lack of depth behind Fabian Schar and Sven Botman. With the latter still recovering from an ACL injury alongside Jamaal Lascelles, Howe has been left to shift Dan Burn into a makeshift central defender from left-back in what has undoubtedly played a part in the Magpies’ form.

Still just 20 years old, however, Ordonez can solve that problem for years to come and step in alongside either Botman or Schar when the time comes. The Club Brugge man has already shown what he can do on the European stage and has earned high praise as a result. Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig went as far as describing Ordonez as “complete” back in November.

Whether Newcastle make their move in January remains to be seen, but Ordonez should certainly be on their list of targets in 2025 as they look to bolster their defensive options.

The four midfielders are yet to make their mark in U.S. colors, but all have serious upside that could help Pochettino's World Cup plans

When Mauricio Pochettino looks at his player pool, he has plenty of questions. The USMNT are strong in one or two areas – winger, central midfield – but wide open in others. Recent losses to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League proved that, if nothing else, there is ample of room for improvement in this team.

An optimist might say this is a good thing, especially given that there are some intriguing options to work with.

And perhaps the most perplexing spot is the midfield. In Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Yunus Musah, Pochettino has three established internationals who all play regularly for top European clubs. They were excellent at the 2022 World Cup, but have barely featured together at full fitness since. Three years on from thoroughly outplaying an England midfield, that trio can't necessarily be counted on.

Of course, absence breeds opportunity, especially in international football. And the U.S. does have some intriguing backups. Johnny Cardoso, Tanner Tessmann, Aidan Morris and Gianluca Busio have a combined 52 national team appearances. None of the three have managed to hold down an extended run in the squad.

But they have shown, albeit in glimpses, that they could be in line for more minutes with this summer's Gold Cup and next year's World Cup on the horizon. And if Pochettino is to change his lineup – or has to shift things around due to injury – each could have a shot with the first team.

GOAL looks at the pros and cons of each, and asks who might be the first to break into the XI.

Getty Images SportJohnny Cardoso: Up next?

Perhaps the most obvious candidate for the XI, Cardoso could yet be the kind of defensive midfielder that national teams crave. Tall, strong, and smart on the ball, he is everything that a modern No. 6 should be. Things haven't quite panned out to date – Cardoso stalling through the 2023-24 season as Betis struggled.

This campaign, though, looks different. After an unstaeady start to the season, he has settled in of late. A fine showing – including a well-taken header – against Real Madrid on March 1 kicked things off. More recently, he was named Man of the Match in the derby against Sevilla, with Betis winning that fabled fixture for the first time in seven years.

He's a bit of a strange player, though. Cardoso's defensive numbers are elite, and he's a real expert at holding down the base of midfield while a second central player roams. What he doesn't do particularly well – which might certainly hold him back from cracking the XI – is progress the ball forward.

His passing numbers, in fact, are pretty dismal. He ranks in the 56th percentile among center midfielders in pass completion percentage, 11th in progressive passes, and 23rd in through balls. Those numbers would seem to run counter to Pochettino's preferred system of quick transitions.

AdvertisementAFPTanner Tessmann: Defensive enforcer

Tessmann is a remarkably similar profile of player to Cardoso. Both are physically imposing defensive midfielders. Both are 6-0 or taller. Both play as part of a double pivot – and function in the sitting role while a more active midfielder buzzes around them. Tessmann, though, is far more limited, a specialist rather than intriguing plug-and-play option.

He may have established himself as a regular for Lyon, but Tessmann is still a defensive midfielder who is very good at defending – and not much else. In open spaces, when snuffing out counter attacks, he might some day be elite. He is fierce in a tackle, and smart enough on the ball to recycle possession.

But he struggles when the game speeds up, and has to play under pressure. He doesn't have the instinctive "La pausa" – reading of the game – that most top quality defensive midfielders do.

For the USMNT, that makes him problematic. Pochettino has experimented with him in a number of different roles, either as a defensive or box-to-box presence. And he has never looked quite at home in either. When the game slows down, he can't pick an incisive pass. When it speeds up, he looks a bit overwhelmed.

But he might yet have a role to play. He could be vital, in fact, if the USMNT need to shut games down. Throwing an extra center back on for defensive solidity isn't as cool as it used to be – coaches instead typically opting to pack their midfield and constrict spaces. Tessmann would seem to be ideal for such a role.

Getty Images SportGianluca Busio: The outside man

Busio, for his part, is a more attack-minded player who is comfortable higher up the pitch. An all-action type capable of playing all over the middle of the park, he is perhaps the most intriguing option of the bunch – who might be more reliable on a roster in a major tournament. For Venezia, he plays in the middle of a midfield trio, serving as the all-action presence while the two beside him tend to function in more defensive roles.

It's a difficult ask of the American. Busio's legs or fight cannot be questioned, but it's tricky to operate in such a role, especially given he plays in a 19th-place side who routinely have significantly less of the ball than their opponent. Venezia, in fact, are 18th in Serie A in ball possession, and 19th in goals per 90 minutes.

In effect, Busio is charged with carrying a massive load in an outmatched team. There are, of course, many examples of athletes standing out among a poor roster. But Busio's potential feels slightly untapped – especially because he has seldom been given an opportunity to show what he might be able to do in a high-level team that has the ball more.

His MLS career, from 2018-2021, showed glimpses of what he might be. He was a classy presence for Sporting KC, and entrusted with a primary role in a competitive side. Perhaps Venezia was the wrong move for a player of his ilk. But Pochettino has already given him a look. There may yet be more to come going forward.

Getty ImagesAidan Morris: Jack of all trades

Morris, too, might be able to offer something. The least experienced of the quartet, he could certainly provide in a pinch. The former Columbus Crew midfielder earned a move to Middlesborough after establishing himself as a weaving presence in the middle of the park in MLS.

He is, in many ways, more similar to McKennie than Adams, a player who performs at a solid level in multiple areas of the game without particularly standing out anywhere. He will certainly have been battle-hardened by the English Championship – and could be a part of the Gold Cup roster.

He impressed in the dead rubber fixture against Canada last September, but is yet to make his mark under the new manager. Consider him more of an emergency option than man knocking on the door.

Yorkshire have essentially been given a free pass into the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast after Leicestershire were docked two points for ill discipline during their home match against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Friday.The sanction makes what was a winner-takes-all tie between Leicestershire and Yorkshire at Grace Road on Sunday meaningless in terms of the North Group table. Leicestershire had previously been only a point behind Yorkshire and had the chance to overhaul them with a victory.Leicestershire were on a final warning with the ECB disciplinary panel following an avalanche of fixed penalty notices and had been informed on August 2 last year that any further fixed penalty in the next 12 months could lead to a two-point penalty in whichever competition the incident took place.They incurred two fixed penalty notices against Northants – both of the incidents occurring in an impassioned finale.Northants needed four to win from two balls when Jimmy Neesham, the New Zealand allrounder, whose 22-ball half-century had taken them to the brink of victory, was run out after being forced into an impossible second run to mid-off by Tom Taylor to try to keep him on strike.As Neesham walked off, Arron Lilley ran up from the leg-side to remonstrate with him and had to be pushed away by Taylor with the umpire, Russell Warren, also intervening. The umpires, Warren and Richard Illingworth, then had further words with Leicestershire’s captain, Colin Ackermann. Leicestershire won the match by one run.Naveen-ul-Haq, the Afghanistan fast bowler, also fell foul of the disciplinary board. He was removed from the attack with one ball of his spell remaining after bowling full-tosses above waist high in the penultimate over.The playing conditions in the Blast rule that two beamers in a spell must not just bring automatic removal from the attack, but also an automatic disciplinary offence with the umpires having no discretion as to whether they are either dangerous or deliberate. There was no show of dissent after the decision. Footage of the match suggests that Leicestershire accepted the decision with good grace. With bowlers heavily reliant upon slower balls of various types to combat a batter-dominated game, the double punishment is far from universally poular.A Foxes statement said: “Leicestershire has worked tirelessly to improve on-field discipline following two previous hearings in 2021 and did not incur any fixed penalties during the first half of the current season.”It was therefore requested for the improvement in behaviour to be considered in mitigation, but based on previous stipulations the CDC has decided to apply the sanction immediately, with no right to appeal the decision.”Leicestershire appealed for the ECB to impose the points penalty deduction next season, but the ECB disciplinary committee felt that previous decisions did not allow such a leeway. Sean Jarvis, Leicestershire’s chief executive, who has worked unflaggingly to attract crowds back to the Uptonsteel ground this summer, now finds what was the most significant match of the season rendered meaningless.Harry Brook’s availability for Yorkshire’s quarter-final is in serious doubt given his England involvement•Getty Images

For Yorkshire, a place in the quarter-finals is a relief. A reconstituted club, still seriously understaffed in places, must contend with the fallout of racism allegations by Azeem Rafiq, a former player, against the previous regime. Yorkshire have been charged by an ECB investigatory panel, and are expected to accept most of the charges, and also face action by their former coach, Andrew Gale, which is due to come before an employment tribunal in Leeds at the end of October.Although the bigger picture is a long-term commitment to diversity, Yorkshire’s chances of pushing through long-term changes will be helped if they can find success on the field – and that will not be easy with several players still mulling over their future and contractual negotiations at a delicate stage.Yorkshire will also be severely weakened in their last-eight tie. David Willey, Dawid Malan and Harry Brook have all been called up for white-ball duties by England and Finn Allen is expected to join New Zealand in Ireland. It would be quite a surprise – although, in theory perfectly possible – if Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow made themselves available after the India Test.Other counties will also face a similar draining of resources, if not to Yorkshire’s extent, and with England’s T20Is against India scheduled for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Blast last-eight ties taking place on Wednesday, Thursday (probably) and Friday, it remains to be seen if the ECB will show any flexibility on player availability. That representations will be happening behind the scenes can be taken for granted.Leicestershire had received six fixed penalties for breaches of ECB Directive 3.6 from the period August 2, 2020 and to July 1, 2021 and, after the August 2 warning, they had been called to a subsequent hearing a month later after incurring a further fixed penalty point.The disciplinary committee reiterated the warnings that had been made. “On 2 August 2021 the CDC imposed the sanction on the club as follows: Subject to the over-riding discretion of the panel, should there be one or more fixed penalty issued to a Leicestershire player within 12 months of this hearing, the Club will be deducted either 12 LV= County Championship points (or equivalent), 2 Royal London Cup points (or equivalent) or 2 Vitality Blast points (or equivalent). The more serious the breach or breaches, the more likely it is that points will be deducted.”On 3 September following the further fixed penalty the CDC decision stated ‘if there are any further breaches at any Level on or before 1 August 2022, a points deduction will almost certainly be an inevitable consequence’.”

Tottenham Hotspur extended their winless run to three games yesterday afternoon, conceding late on against Wolverhampton Wanderers, dropping yet more points in their quest for a top four spot.

The 2-2 draw against the West Midlands outfit will be all the more disappointing given the fact Ange Postecoglou’s men held the advantage with just minutes to play before Jorgen Strand Larsen fired home the equaliser.

Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson both found themselves on the scoresheet, but it wouldn’t be enough to secure all three points, with the injury-hit Lilywhites remaining in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Such a result will pile added pressure onto the shoulders of the Spurs boss, with Champions League football now looking a distant prospect given the huge gap between them and the top four places.

Undoubtedly, there’s still half a season for the club to turn around their recent fortunes, but the damage may have already been done given their recent slump in form.

Spurs’ defeat against Wolves in numbers

Yesterday’s draw with Wolves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was the sixth time this campaign that Ange’s side had dropped points on home soil, highlighting their struggles in recent months.

The clash was an even affair in terms of possession, with the visitors slightly edging the aforementioned area, having 52% of the play during the contest.

However, despite the lack of possession, Spurs had four times more big chances than Vitor Pereira’s side, with Heung-min Son missing a penalty – undoubtedly their biggest opportunity to claim all three points.

Spurs also managed to have more efforts during the encounter, managing ten shots inside the penalty area, showcasing the amount of opportunities they had to walk away from the clash victorious.

Ultimately, it was a case of missed chances that cost the Aussie all three points, with his job likely on the line after the failure to win for the third straight outing.

One player in particular failed to impress in the meeting with Wolves, leaving Postecoglou with a brutal call to make over his long-term future at the club in North London.

The player who should never feature for Spurs again after Wolves

Goalkeeper Fraser Forster has had to play his part for Spurs in recent months after the ankle injury sustained by number one shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario in the victory over Manchester City.

The 36-year-old has since made ten appearances for the Lilywhites, often coming under fire for his lack of ball-playing skills, handing the opposition the chance to fire home after his wasteful distribution.

His display against Manchester United was by far his most forgettable, being caught in possession and ultimately being punished by Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee, but Ange’s side still managed to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

In his ten matches between the sticks, he’s conceded 21 times, including games against Chelsea and Liverpool where he shipped four and six respectively.

The defeat yesterday was the fifth time he had conceded two or more goals in a game since he returned to the starting lineup due to the absence of the Italian.

Minutes played

90

Touches

26

Saves made

1

Goals conceded

2

Goals prevented

-0.84

Passes completed

13/21 (62%)

High claims

1

Albeit, his performance against Wolves yesterday was nowhere near his worst performance since deputising, but he certainly could’ve done more to prevent Strand Larsen’s effort from finding the back of the net from close range.

Forster only managed to complete 13 of his 21 attempted passes, once again looking wasteful with the ball at his feet, costing Postecoglou’s side dearly in the long run.

He was handed a 5/10 match rating by Football London’s Alasdair Gold, highlighting how disappointing he was for Spurs once again in North London.

With January just around the corner, Ange may be tempted to look for a replacement in January – with a move reportedly a priority – or even show faith in young talent currently within the ranks to cover until Vicario returns to action.

However, given his recent displays, it’s evident that Forster simply can’t be trusted if they are to return to their best form and have any chance of qualifying for any form of European football come the end of May.

As bad as Forster: Ange simply must drop Spurs star after 4/10 performance

Tottenham Hotspur were unable to claim three points against Wolverhamtpon Wanderers this afternoon.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 29, 2024

Football is about moments, but create enough of these moments and you have something enduring that can conquer the tallest orders in a season. Liverpool have encapsulated this message under Arne Slot.

Few – if any – foresaw the Merseysiders’ success this season, effortlessly skipping into the new Jurgen Klopp-less era and assuming command in the Premier League title race, six for six in the Champions League group phase too.

And all without addressing the ostensible problems in last summer’s transfer market, Federico Chiesa being the only incoming to complete an already vibrant frontline.

It seems like FSG spin round in a perpetual cycle of signing new forwards and neglecting the more pressing concerns around defensive and central areas of the field.

Liverpool’s Frontline under Arne Slot

Player

Apps (starts)

Goals

Assists

Mohamed Salah

26 (24)

20

17

Luis Diaz

24 (17)

12

3

Cody Gakpo

27 (16)

11

4

Diogo Jota

15 (9)

6

2

Darwin Nunez

23 (13)

4

3

Federico Chiesa

4 (1)

0

1

Stats via Transfermarkt.

Without a doubt, such issues are real and need attention this year, but Liverpool would actually score a significant boost if they wrapped up a new striker this month.

Why Liverpool need a new forward

Last week, surprising news emerged that Liverpool were interested in signing Khvicha Kvaratkskhelia after Paris Saint-Germain expressed an interest in the Napoli winger.

PSG seem set to richen their ranks with the Georgia sensation, so there is a question as to why the Reds revealed their hand given that the 23-year-old was likely moving toward the French capital.

Liverpool are opportunistic, is the thing. Though Slot’s frontline carries depth and dynamism and highest-level quality, Mohamed Salah is out of contract at the end of the season and efforts are being made to sell the struggling Darwin Nunez.

Revelations on Monday claimed that Liverpool have been locked in discussions with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal for the transfer of the 25-year-old, who has largely failed to impress this season, and while The Athletic’s James Pearce has confirmed this is not the case, Gulf intrigue is very much real all the same.

If Liverpool bank a pretty for their club-record signing this month, it seems certain that a replacement would have been lined up. Maybe that’s what’s behind the links to Kvaratskhelia.

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However, Liverpool may have a different forward in mind.

Liverpool eyeing sensational hijack

For all the world, it seems like Manchester City are going to front their much-needed rebuild with the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that Pep Guardiola’s side have tabled an official offer.

However, Caught Offside have also reported that Liverpool and Arsenal have ‘interest’ in the player and are lingering in the shadows as City struggle to close the deal, with Frankfurst standing firm on their €80m (£67m) valuation.

It might feel far-fetched to imagine Liverpool could stun Man City by hijacking their deal, but stranger things have happened, and there are still more than two weeks of frenzied transfer rumours ahead of us.

Why Liverpool should sign Omar Marmoush

Marmoush has been one of Europe’s standout forwards this season, incredibly notching 31 goal contributions across 25 matches in all competitions for Frankfurt this year, thus praised as “one of the best strikers in the world” by content creator and German football expert Fiago.

He clinched a respectable tally of 17 goals and six assists over 41 appearances for Frankfurt last season, but it’s quite clear that the 25-year-old has now entered the beginnings of his prime and would be a credit to Liverpool’s frontline.

Not least because he’s only behind his countryman Salah regarding goal contributions across the 2024/25 campaign.

Though Marmoush’s positional flexibility has been a major strength across his career, the Eagles have found a new level to his attacking potency by unleashing him as their principal striker, and if Liverpool are to sell Nunez, this might be the perfect deal.

Slot employs an interchangeable attacking system, evidenced by Luis Diaz’s recent success in a creative number nine role, and this could be perfect for Marmoush’s success.

Omar Marmoush – Frankfurt Stats by Position (24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Centre-forward

20

16

9

Left winger

3

1

3

Attacking midfield

2

2

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

As per FBref, the Egypt international ranks among the top 8% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions, the top 18% for progressive passes, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, showcasing the many-layered threat that would dynamise and electrify Liverpool’s attack.

So then, are Liverpool leading the race for this player? They are not. Manchester City will be confident that they can get the deal over the line but Liverpool – and Arsenal – could pounce if further issues prevent the player from moving to the Etihad Stadium.

Nunez is a likeable Liverpool star with a frustrating amount of natural ability that hasn’t been applied in the right manner for Slot and his system.

Marmoush is at the top of his game and certainly capable of adapting to the rigours of English football. Let’s see what FSG are made of. If the Uruguayan is sold, a striker will need to replace him – and Marmoush is the gold standard on the market right now.

Related Liverpool plot move for £50m Nunez replacement who shoots more than Salah

FSG are willing to make a brazen move to get this deal over the line.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Jan 14, 2025

They play 34 Tests, 59 ODIs and 51 T20Is in the next four years; only West Indies have more games slotted in this period

Mohammad Isam18-Jul-2022

Bangladesh are ranked outside the top eight in Tests, but will play many more games in the format than the other lower-tier sides•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh have a bit of a bonanza lined up. The 2023-2027 ICC Future Tours Programme has 34 Tests marked for them, behind only England (42), Australia (41) and India (38). They have the most ODIs listed against their name – 59, with only Sri Lanka (58) above the 50 mark. Overall, too, they are behind only West Indies’ 146 international fixtures in the cycle with 144 of their own.The FTP for the next cycle, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, is subject to change, but it is a fair guideline into what the next few years of international cricket will be like.Related

Australia men's FTP takeaways: BBL window, the Afghanistan question, home Tests in March

Injured Blessing Muzarabani, Tendai Chatara ruled out of Bangladesh T20Is

Nurul Hasan, Bangladesh's new T20I captain, might only be a stop-gap arrangement

Stokes' ODI retirement should prompt change, but won't

PCB concerned over impact of T20 leagues on international cricket

Bangladesh, who have already played 28 of their 30 Tests in the ongoing FTP [two in India later in the year are left], and are ranked ninth in the ICC Test chart, have some exciting games lined up for 2023-2025, the next World Test Championship cycle. They will play Tests in India, Pakistan and the West Indies, and host New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. This is well ahead of the other Test nations outside the top eight: Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Ireland.Not just that. The BCB also has a near-consistent window for the BPL in their domestic calendar. Over the next five season, the tournament will be played in January, only occasionally starting slightly sooner, in late December.Zimbabwe, who have played 13 Tests in the last five years, are likely to play only 20 Tests in the next cycle, the same as Afghanistan, but Ireland have only 12 Tests lined up. But overall, they will all play over 100 international matches in this period, if their boards can keep the schedule intact over the next four years.Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe should feel encouraged, as they have been allocated 20 Tests in a total of 109 international matches in the next four years. Like in the last four-year period, they play most of their cricket against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Ireland, with South Africa and New Zealand playing a combined three Tests against them.They have fixtures against Pakistan and Sri Lank but only for white-ball matches, while Zimbabwe have proposed a T20I tri-series in July 2025, though the opponents’ names aren’t public.Afghanistan
Afghanistan have solitary Tests scheduled against India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the next four years. Most of their 20 Tests will, however, be against Zimbabwe and Ireland, while Bangladesh have committed to four Tests against them.Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have two series each against Afghanistan, with a mix of ODIs and T20Is, while West Indies have a solitary ODI series against them.Ireland
Ireland have reason to feel shortchanged, with the fewest Tests lined up, 12, and play most of them against Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. New Zealand and Sri Lanka have offered them solitary one-off Test series, while England and Australia are expected to play white-ball series against them in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Mark Lawrenson insists James Tarkowski should have been sent off for his lunge on Alexis Mac Allister during Everton's clash with Liverpool.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Tarkowski dived into brutal challenge
• Only handed a yellow card
• Lawrenson believes tackle belonged to a different era

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Speaking on talkSPORT, former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson slammed Tarkowski's challenge on Mac Allister during Everton's 1-0 defeat to their city rivals, labelling it a "stonewall red". The incident saw Tarkowski leave a mark on Mac Allister's shin, and PGMOL have now confirmed that he should have been sent off.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Despite referee Sam Barrott initially failing to spot the severity of the challenge, VAR reviewed the footage. To the surprise of many – including Lawrenson – it was decided that no further action was required. PGMOL's apology may come a little too late for the Reds' liking, however.

• WHAT LAWRENSON SAID

  Lawrenson said: "It was a 1980s tackle that, by the way! I think it I think it's an absolute sending-off, stonewall. Yeah."

  Asked about whether the speed of the challenge made a difference, he replied: "That's rubbish. The initial contact, he did extremely well, he knew what he was doing. I think he was very, very lucky to stay on the pitch."

• AFP
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Liverpool face Fulham on Sunday, while Everton take on Arsenal this weekend. The Reds will be hoping their bitter rivals do them a favour, as they sit 12 points clear of the Gunners at the Premier League's summit.

Without truly splashing out in the summer transfer window – only welcoming Federico Chiesa in a bargain deal and one for the future in Giorgi Mamardashvili – Liverpool find themselves top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have silenced the naysayers, and as such, it would be easy to suggest that it should just be a case of the same again this month. However, cracks are beginning to appear.

Recent struggles have seen Arsenal cut the gap to four points on Liverpool – who still have a game in hand – to suddenly turn a dominant title push into one which may yet feature plenty of anxiety.

The January transfer window could ease that anxiety entirely, as we’ve highlighted with five players Liverpool should look to sign this month.

5 potential replacements for Mohamed Salah at Liverpool

Mohamed Salah has been linked with a move away from Liverpool, but who could be in line to succeed him at Anfield?

ByBarney Lane Oct 19, 2024 1 Milos Kerkez Bournemouth

There was once a time when Andrew Robertson was the best left-back in the Premier League, perhaps even in the world. But those days are behind him. The Scotland captain is suffering what every player must suffer at some stage at the top level.

Casemiro suffered it last season – dare we even mention Rio Ferdinand’s Queens Park Rangers spell? Now, Robertson has become the latest to suffer a significant fall away from his best, and Liverpool must act.

Instead of watching their left-back struggle for the rest of the campaign, the Reds must move to sign Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who is everything that Robertson once was.

An athletic, attacking threat who has little trouble going in the other direction too, Kerkez is the answer to Slot’s biggest problem, and those at Anfield should splash out to meet his reported £50m price tag this month.

2 Jonathan Tah Bayer Leverkusen

Another problem beginning to creep into Arne Slot’s squad comes in central defence. Perhaps the biggest way to highlight that problem is by looking back at Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat against Tottenham Hotspur when Wataru Endo was forced to replace the injured Jarrell Quansah.

A midfielder by nature, the Japan international completed an admirable job, but exposed exactly why Edwards and Hughes must seek reinforcements this month.

With Joe Gomez’s injury history catching up to him once again and Ibrahima Konate yet to get back to 100% following an injury of his own, Liverpool should make an early swoop to sign Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen.

Part of a historic invincible Leverkusen side in the Bundesliga last season, Tah has once again played his part in Xabi Alonso’s side, who are pushing Bayern Munich all the way to retain their title.

Yet, even with the chance to win another Bundesliga crown, the German could be available this month given that it is Leverkusen’s final chance to cash in before they potentially lose their defender for free in the summer.

An experienced leader, Tah could even replace Virgil van Dijk if the Dutchman fails to sign a new deal himself before the summer arrives.

Liverpool players out of contract in summer 2025

How many of them will leave Anfield?

ByHenry Jackson Jan 14, 2025 3 Arda Guler Real Madrid

Speaking of contracts coming to an end, Liverpool must also start thinking about players who could replace Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian also yet to secure his Anfield future – and that’s where someone like Arda Guler could come in.

Mentioned alongside a number of other Premier League clubs in reports surrounding Guler’s next destination in recent months, the Reds should make their move as early as possible.

With Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr all occupying the attacking roles for years to come at Real Madrid, Guler would be wise to seek a rise to stardom away from Spain just as an attacking spot becomes available at Anfield.

Whilst he’s a different type of talent to Salah, the 19-year-old certainly has the star power to replace the Egyptian in what will be a near-impossible job for whoever is handed the responsibility.

The best is yet to come for Guler, who should swap the Real Madrid bench for a place in the spotlight in Merseyside.

4 Carlos Baleba Brighton & Hove Albion

Although it may seem as though Ryan Gravenberch has solved all of Liverpool’s midfield problems, they still perhaps need one more player capable of thriving in that No 6 role if they want to push towards the Premier League title unchallenged.

Simply running Gravenberch into the ground will eventually come with consequences for Slot, just as Jurgen Klopp found in the case of Fabinho a few years ago – and Liverpool must avoid a repeat.

As is often the place full of answers for top Premier League sides, Liverpool could turn towards Brighton & Hove Albion for a solution. Alexis Mac Allister is already a fan favourite into his second season at Anfield and the Reds would be wise to swoop in and welcome another Seagull to join the Argentinian.

Having missed out on Moises Caicedo last season, it would be almost fitting if they swooped in for Carlos Baleba this time around.

Starts

16

20

Progressive passes

68

100

Interceptions

30

36

Ball recoveries

102

102

An impressive midfielder who is still just 21 years old, a January deal for Baleba could complete Slot’s midfield once and for all next to the equally impressive Gravenberch and help seal a dominant title win for the Reds.

5 Joao Pedro Brighton & Hove Albion

Whilst Liverpool’s left-back problem remains the biggest threat towards their title ambitions, their striker issue remains their most frustrating.

Into his third season at the club, it’s clearer than ever that Darwin Nunez is not the answer to Liverpool’s problems, and at this stage, he is destined to become one of the rare big-money transfer flops during a period of otherwise excellent additions during Klopp’s reign.

Recent reports suggested that the Reds rejected a £70m proposal from Saudi Arabia to cut ties with their forward, but it’s an offer they’d be wise to accept should they get a second chance – especially if they want to sell before they can buy.

Suddenly, that £70m would leave those at Anfield perfectly placed to sign the ideal replacement in Joao Pedro. Showing shades of Roberto Firmino at Brighton, Pedro looks like a player destined for the top.

What’s more, the fact that Slot has used Luis Diaz as a false nine in recent weeks suggests that Pedro is the type of player he is looking for to complete his Liverpool frontline.

“One of my goals and dreams the last year was to break into England’s top four”

Valkerie Baynes14-Jul-2022No sooner had Sophia Dunkley established herself in England’s middle order, she set her sights on making a place in the top-four her own. No sooner had England switched focus to the next Women’s World Cup cycle, she is doing just that.In her first international outing at No. 3, Dunkley scored 22 from 24 balls as England convincingly beat South Africa in their first of three ODIs at Northampton. The knock was in keeping with her proactive batting style, which Dunkley said she was reluctant to give up heading into the second match at Bristol on Friday. It was also a key part of England’s bid to shake up their batting line-up, with the successful addition of new opener Emma Lamb and Danni Wyatt shuffling back down into the middle order.”One of my goals and dreams the last year was to break into England’s top four,” Dunkley said. “So the fact that I have an opportunity now to bat at three, it’s an amazing feeling. It’s something I’ve done in regional cricket for the last two years, so not completely new, but obviously a different level in internationals.”Naturally the bowling’s a little bit tighter, you don’t get as many bad balls, and you get a lot of pressure built on you in the powerplay, so it’s about learning how to deal with that and how I want to go about it. It’s probably not going to come overnight, and the next two games might not go as well as I’d like, but it’s about building for the future, how I see myself doing that role in the long term.”Dunkley’s first knock as England’s No. 3 included three powerful fours, driven through cover and twice hammered past long-on before she fell lbw to Nadine de Klerk.”I don’t want to take away too much of my natural aggression and intent because I think that’s still really important to push us on as a team,” she added. “So it’s finding the balance really and just doing the low-risk things for longer. I’ve had some good practice in the nets so I’m feeling good.”Related

Sophia Dunkley sets sights on top-four batting spot for England

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Nadine de Klerk: Ismail available, South Africa must up intensity

When opener Tammy Beaumont fell in just the third over of the match, Dunkley had the best view in the house as Lamb carved out a maiden century in just her fourth international appearance.Lamb had opened alongside Beaumont in the drawn Test which kicked of the multi-format series between the sides in Taunton last month and took a massive step towards establishing herself at the very top of the order in the ODI format with her knock.”Emma batted outstanding in the last game,” Dunkley said. “I’m so pleased for her. I’ve played a lot of cricket with her growing up, and grown up with her in the academy, so when we were batting together we were joking about how it was like the old times and it was nice that we could do that in an England shirt together.”It was amazing to watch her do her thing and show the world that she deserves to be an England opener, so I’m sure it’s the first of many for Emma.”It will be one day shy of 13 months since Dunkley made her Test debut against India – also in Bristol – where she notched up an unbeaten 74 in a keenly contested draw.She went on to play an important part in the white-ball part of India’s tour before finishing the English summer playing in all five ODIs against New Zealand. A trip to Australia as part of England’s ill-fated Ashes tour was followed by the World Cup, where she made a couple of half-centuries, including in England’s semi-final defeat of South Africa.”Personally it’s been a pretty crazy year and there’s been a lot of different cricket, playing in an Ashes and a World Cup was a surreal experience,” she said. “Now coming in batting at three is something different so yeah, it’s been lots of experiences, ups and downs, but a great year of cricket all round.”And she was expecting South Africa to come back fighting after a muted display in the first ODI, when their batting failed to fire. Katherine Brunt returned to international action with an imposing first spell and figures of 3 for 18 from nine overs before Chloe Tryon’s 88 gave the tourists some hope. Then their bowlers struggled against Lamb’s accomplished display and a brutal 55 off just 36 balls from Nat Sciver, who had also taken four wickets.South Africa’s bowling could be boosted by the return of Shabnim Ismail, who is available for selection in what would be her first appearance of the tour after recovering from a calf strain, with England leading four points to two.”We bowled really well in the first innings last game and it made it really hard for them to get a big score on the board,” Dunkley said. “Credit to our bowlers and Katherine up front bowling in that amazing spell, five overs for five runs.”We’re just really clear as a batting unit that we want to go out and be positive, so it was a great to be able to put that into practice and we definitely put pressure on their bowlers so I’m sure they’re going to come back hard at us in the next game.”