Chelsea made it an unhappy Stamford Bridge return for Jose Mourinho as the Blues picked up their first win of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign on Tuesday with a 1-0 win. Neto stole the show for Enzo Maresca’s side and picked out Alejandro Garnacho superbly to force an own goal in the first half that proved enough to secure all three points and make it a bad night for The Special One.
Benfica made the stronger start to the game and hit the post in the early exchanges. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was the busier of the two stoppers and was forced into action on several occasions to keep Benfica out and preserve his clean sheet.
Yet Chelsea grew into the game and went close on 17 minutes when the lively Neto fired an excellent effort across goal and narrowly wide. Minutes later, he picked out Garnacho with a sumptuous pass and saw the summer signing’s volley deflect off Benfica defender Richard Rios and into the visitors' net.
Chelsea's narrow lead looked precarious, and Benfica remained a threat, which saw Maresca send on Estevao Willian, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens early in the second half in search of the security of a second goal. Estevao came the closest with a header that was tipped over by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubiny, while Pedro's night ended in disaster as he was sent off in stoppage time after picking up his second yellow card of the game as Chelsea ground out a narrow 1-0 win
GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Robert Sanchez (7/10):
Fairly busy early on but dealt with everything thrown at him comfortably enough. Decent outing for the Chelsea stopper.
Malo Gusto (6/10):
Drafted back into the team by Maresca but not his greatest night's work. Caught out of position at times and hooked late on as Maresca aimed to firm things up at the back.
Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):
Was back in the team after his red card at the weekend but this was another unconvincing showing in the heart of the Chelsea backline. Looked shaky and his decision making wasn't the best.
Benoit Badiashile (6/10):
His first start for Chelsea since the Club World Cup and was solid enough.
Marc Cucurella (6/10):
Had his hands full up against Dodi Lukebakio but got better as the game wore on.
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Midfield
Facundo Buonanotte (6/10):
Made his Champions League debut and look at home in a lively showing. Picked up a booking straight after half-time which looked a harsh decision and saw him swiftly replaced by Maresca.
Moises Caicedo (7/10):
Another dominant performance in midfield from the Chelsea man. Barely put a pass astray and covered an enormous amount of ground.
Enzo Fernandez (7/10):
The former Benfica man was battered by objects thrown from visiting supporters at a corner and was subjected to a rash of fouls in the first half but shrugged it all off to put in another influential display.
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Attack
Pedro Neto (7/10):
Was described by Jose Mourinho as one "one of the best wingers in the world" before kick-off and was Chelsea's best player on the night. All of Chelsea's best moments came through the Portugal international and it was his vision that resulted in the only goal of the game.
Tyrique George (4/10)
Game really passed him by and he made little impact. Had one chance before half-time but could only hit it tamely at the goalkeeper.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):
Forced the own goal by volleying Neto's great pass into the danger area but that was about as good as it got. Tried hard but nothing else came off and he was hooked on the hour.
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Subs & Manager
Estevao Wilian (6/10):
Came off the bench early in the second half and his first few touches got the crowd going. Had a chance with a header after a cross from Enzo Fernandez but couldn't beat the goalkeeper.
Joao Pedro (3/10):
A fairly disastrous showing. Brought on to add more firepower but had no sights of goal and was then sent off in stoppage time for a high boot which brought a second yellow card.
Jamie Gittens (5/10):
Made zero impact after coming on for the last half hour. Had one late run at goal that simply fizzled out when he reached the danger zone.
Reece James (7/10)
Sent on the last 10 minutes to help Chelsea see it out and made an important late block.
Josh Acheampong (6/10)
Another late reinforcement to help Chelsea see it out.
Enzo Maresca (6/10):
Made plenty of changes to his team and was rewarded with a much-needed win, although he won't be pleased to see his team finish with 10 men yet again. Chelsea weren't at their best against Benfica, and looked toothless at times in attack, but the result means their Champions League campaign is up and running.
Cameron Green is unlikely to play any Sheffield Shield cricket before his County Championship stint with Gloucestershire as he continues to recover from back surgery.Speaking at the Australian Cricket Awards last month Green had flagged that his recovery was on track to have him available for Western Australia’s final Shield match against Victoria on March 15 as a batter only. But despite returning to the nets and hitting balls regularly over recent weeks, ESPNcricinfo understands that he is unlikely to be cleared to play before the end of the Australian domestic summer. WA are not expecting him to be available for the contest with Victoria or the Shield final if they qualify.Green has to get regular scans on his back to check on his progress before returning to play, having undergone spine surgery in October. Green’s first match back is likely to be in division two of the County Championship for Gloucestershire against Kent in Canterbury on April 18.Related
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Green has signed a five-game deal with Gloucestershire thanks to the help of a “significant donation” from one of the club’s members. Those five matches are against Kent (twice), Leicestershire, Lancashire and Northamptonshire prior to the WTC final at Lord’s. However, it remains to be seen whether Cricket Australia’s medical staff allow him to play five straight first-class matches leading into the WTC final coming off no cricket since September and no first-class cricket in 13 months, despite the fact he will not be bowling in any of them.Green is in the frame to play in the WTC final in June as a batter only having played all 28 of his Tests to-date as an allrounder. Australia also have a three-Test tour of the Caribbean starting late June, but he will not be available to bowl until later in the year in the build-up to the home Ashes series which starts in late November.His availability as a batter only will create a selection squeeze in Australia’s line-up. Green made 174 not out in his second last Test match batting at No. 4 but Steven Smith’s triumphant return to that spot means Green will have to bat somewhere else if he plays in the WTC final against South Africa.Travis Head will also return to No. 5 after opening in Australia’s most recent Tests in Sri Lanka, meaning Australia will need another opener to partner Usman Khawaja. Sam Konstas is in the frame to return after missing selection in Sri Lanka and is keen to play in the County Championship but is yet to secure a deal.Green could possibly bat at No. 3 or No. 6 but that would displace either Marnus Labuschagne or Beau Webster. If the latter were to be left out, it would leave Australia without a fourth seam option, although that may not be a major consideration for a one-off Test in England in June. Josh Inglis’ recent run-spree across all formats makes him an enticing selection prospect for the final as well. Australia do not need to name a 15-man squad until May.
وجه النجم السابق لفريق مانشستر يونايتد، واين روني، انتقادات لـ المصري محمد صلاح بسبب أدائه رفقة فريق ليفربول ذلك الموسم، خاصة في مباراة يوم السبت ضد نظيره تشيلسي.
واستضاف ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وتشيلسي، في الجولة السابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي حيث خسر حامل اللقب بهدفين لهدف.
ولم يتمكن محمد صلاح من إحداث أي تأثير في تلك المباراة، ليتواصل مستواه المتواضع ذلك الموسم.
وتعرض محمد صلاح للعديد من الانتقادات مؤخرًا، ليس فقط بسبب تراجع غريزته التهديفية والهجومية، ولكن كذلك بسبب ضعف أدائه الدفاعي.
وقال واين روني، في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ديلي ميل” الإنجليزية: “مع قدوم لاعبين مثل إيزاك، إيكتيكي وفيرتز، والأموال التي أنفقها النادي، ما رأي محمد صلاح الآن؟ يتمتع اللاعبون الكبار بالغرور، وهو كان أحد أفضل اللاعبين في الدوري لفترة طويلة”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. “بي بي سي”: أزمة ثقة ورأس منحنية.. محمد صلاح تحول إلى رمز لمعاناة ليفربول
وأضاف: “أعتقد أن الأسبوع الماضي أظهر أنه عندما تسير الأمور على ما يرام، ويسجل الفريق الأهداف وتفوز بالمباريات، فهذا أمر رائع وسيتحمله الفريق، ولكن خلال الأسبوع الماضي، كنت أشكك في أساسيات عمله”.
وواصل: “أعلم أنه (محمد صلاح) لا يعود دائمًا للدفاع بنفس القدر، ولكن في مباراة تشيلسي كان مركز الظهير في جهته يعاني بشدة، وهو يراقب”.
وعانى مركز الظهير الأيمن في ليفربول خلال مباراة تشيلسي، سواء في الشوط الأول عندما كان كونور برادلي متواجدًا، أو في الشوط الثاني عندما تولى سوبوسلاي ذلك الدور.
في حين جاء هدف إستيفاو القاتل لصالح تشيلسي من جهة محمد صلاح، حيث مرر مارك كوكوريلا الكرة إلى البرازيلي، حيث فشل المصري في تتبع الإسباني وهو يندفع بسرعة على الجهة اليمنى لـ ليفربول.
وهنا أكد روني على ضرورة تدخل قادة ليفربول لحل تلك المشكلة مع محمد صلاح، حيث قال: “لاعبون مثل فان دايك وأليسون، حيث أعرف أنهم لم يلعبا المباراة، لكن على القادة في غرفة الملابس أن يخبروه بأن الأمر يحتاج إلى مساعدة منه، بالنسبة لي كان هذا مصدر قلق”.
وأفاد:”من وجهة نظري لقد بدا محمد صلاح تائهًا بعض الشيء في تلك المباراة، كان على سلوت الدفع بـ محمد صلاح في العمق وفيرتز في الجناح، من أجل المحافظة على أخلاقيات العمل الجماعي مع الاستفادة من تألق صلاح في محاولة تسجيل الأهداف، أفضل المدربين يدركون ذلك ويتكيفون معه”.
وأوضح: “أنا لا أقول إنك ستتركه خارج الفريق، لقد حدث ذلك مع رونالدو في مانشستر يونايتد، الذي كان أيضًا لا يتراجع للخلف (من أجل الدفاع)، لذا أدخله فيرجسون إلى العمق، وهكذا يبقى الفريق متوازنًا ويواصل العمل”.
واختتم: “ادفع به إلى الداخل، لذلك يبقى في الملعب لأنه دائمًا ما تكون لديه فرصة لتسجيل الأهداف والفوز بالمباريات”.
O Botafogo atropelou o César Vallejo sem dó na noite da última quinta-feira com uma goleada por 4 a 0 no Nilton Santos. Depois de um empate amargo na estreia da Sul-Americana diante do Magallanes no Chile, os jogadores alvinegros não mediram esforços dentro de campo e conquistaram sua primeira vitória na competição.
A atuação da equipe alvinegra foi incontestável. A única fez que Lucas Perri fez uma defesa ao longa da partida foi na finalização de Mena no segundo tempo. Fora isso, os atletas botafoguenses dominaram as ações do jogo e poderiam ter vencido por até mais gols de diferença.
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– Talvez tenha sido a melhor atuação. Jogamos contra o São Paulo de uma forma diferente. Já tínhamos dado uma amostra de segurança. Mostramos grande vontade de chegar ao ataque. Nos últimos quatro jogos, fizemos 13 gols. O trabalho dos jogadores tem sido ótimo. Mesmo quando as coisas não estão acontecendo, os jogadores tentam dar seu melhor. Parabéns para equipe e para torcida – declarou Luís Castro na entrevista coletiva pós-jogo.
O Botafogo vem se mostrando um time cada vez mais equilibrado dentro de campo. Lucas Perri está cada vez mais seguro, Adryelson e Víctor Cuesta estão se entrosando novamente, Eduardo está sendo protagonista e Tiquinho Soares tendo atuações decisivas. Quando um sistema coletivo funciona, as atuações individuais aparecem. E isso tem sido visto nas últimas partidas.
Depois de um começo de temporada instável e repleto de críticas, Luís Castro conseguiu encontrar um período de paz. O Botafogo está há nove jogos sem perder e venceu pela quarta vez consecutiva, algo que não havia conseguido ainda nesta temporada. O clube agora busca manter esta regularidade para continuar vivo nas disputas da Sul-Americana, Copa do Brasil e Brasileirão.
Called up are the uncapped Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah and spinner Mehran Mumtaz, as well as seasoned spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali
Danyal Rasool13-Oct-2024Pakistan have made big changes to the squad for the second and third Tests against England. In addition to Babar Azam – whose omission ESPNcricinfo reported on Sunday – Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah are also out. A PCB statement said it had “taken into account the current form and fitness of key players” before leaving out the three players for the remaining two Tests.The decision to leave out arguably Pakistan’s three highest-profile players is little short of stunning. Pakistan’s chastening innings defeat after the first Test – following which captain Shan Masood criticised the bowling performance – was expected to result in several changes, though Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie called for continuity and asked players to be backed. However, the newly formed selection committee, announced on Friday, has gone the other way.
It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively. If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan…
— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive) October 13, 2024
Aaqib Javed, one of the new selection committee appointees, hinted at the players’ loss of form as a reason for their omission.”We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges,” he said. “They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger.”Pakistan’s squad for the second and third Tests•ESPNcricinfo LtdPakistan have called up the uncapped Kamran Ghulam, Haseebullah and spinner Mehran Mumtaz, as well as seasoned spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali to the squad. Pakistan felt the need for extra spin-bowling cover after Abrar Ahmed was taken ill during the first Test and remains in hospital. Veteran keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed has been replaced by Haseebullah.Related
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Having favoured fast-bowling-friendly conditions at the start of the season, the PCB appears to have had a change of heart; the same strip will be used for the second Test in Multan, with Pakistan set to include an extra spinner in the XI.Babar’s loss of form has been well documented, but Shaheen has also appeared a shadow of the bowler he was before his injury in 2023. Since the start of 2023, he has managed 17 wickets in 11 innings at 45.47 per wicket. His pace has dropped significantly, as has his new-ball impact. Fitness concerns have compounded his problems as this is the third consecutive series he has started but will not finish. He was largely ineffective during the first Test, registering figures of 1 for 120 in 26 overs. ESPNcricinfo had earlier reported he was not assured of a place, with selectors ultimately deciding to leave him out.Naseem, too, has struggled to reproduce the sparkling form he showed in Tests since his 2019 debut. Long considered a specialist Test bowler who did not play a white-ball international until three years later, his workload has come under increasing scrutiny. He only returned from his latest long-term injury in April 2024, having needed surgery on his shoulder after an injury picked up at the 2023 Asia Cup. His pace, too, has seen a dip, though he was the only Pakistan bowler to clear 140kph during the first Test. He threatened in patches during the first Test, but ultimately returned figures of 2 for 157 in 31 overs as England declared on 823 for 7.The omission of both seamers leaves Pakistan’s attack short of real reputational star power and limited new-ball pedigree. Pakistan have included an extra spinner, though they have struggled in that department too, with limited spin talent coming through the Quaid-e-Azam trophy. Sajid and Noman’s recalls are perhaps illustrative of that, as Pakistan grapple with finding a way to take 20 wickets, with Masood attributing Pakistan’s failure in the first Test to their limited wicket-taking potency.The second Test begins in Multan on 15 October, with the third in Rawalpindi starting on 24 October.Pakistan squad for second and third Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.
ردت محكمة التحكيم الرياضي على الطلب الذي تقدم به نادي ريال مدريد على البطاقة الحمراء التي تحصل عليها مدافع الفريق، دين هويسن، خلال مباراة ريال سوسيداد يوم السبت الماضي في بطولة الدوري الإسباني.
وتلاقى الفريقان في خضم منافسات الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم، حيث فاز ريال مدريد بهدفين لهدف.
وشهدت المباراة حصول دين هويسن، لاعب ريال مدريد على بطاقة حمراء، عندما عرقل أحد لاعبي ريال سوسيداد، مما أثار استياء النادي الملكي.
وتقدم ريال مدريد باستئناف ضد طرد هويسن أمام لجنة الاستئناف لدى الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم، من أجل إلغاء البطاقة الحمراء، وهو ما قوبل بالرفض، حيث اُتخذ قرارًا بإيقافه لمدة مباراة، بدلًا من مباراتين.
اقرأ أيضًا.. حكم مباراة ريال مدريد وإسبانيول في الدوري الإسباني
ولم يكتفِ ريال مدريد بذلك، بل توجه إلى محكمة التحكيم الرياضي من أجل إلغاء طرد هويسن، ولكن رد الفعل كان سلبيًا بالنسبة لمسؤولي النادي الإسباني، حسبما ذكرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية.
وأوضحت أن ريال مدريد رغب في تأجيل تنفيذ عقوبة إيقاف هويسن لأطول فترة ممكنة عن طريق المضي قدمًا في اللجوء إلى كافة السبل المتاحة من أجل إلغاء الطرد، حيث يرى أن العقوبة لم تكن عادلة.
وأشارت إلى أن محكمة التحكيم الرياضي ترى أن ريال مدريد لم يبرر بشكل كاف وجود ضرر لا يمكن إصلاحه، حال غياب هويسن عن مباراة واحدة، وهو ما يجعل قبول طلب النادي غير ممكن.
علق محمد فضل، لاعب الأهلي السابق، على تعادل منتخب مصر مع بوركينا فاسو، سلبيًا، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس العالم 2026.
والتقى منتخب مصر مع بوركينا فاسو، على ملعب الأخير، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة من مباريات المجموعة الأولى لـ تصفيات كأس العالم.
طالع| ميدو مدافعا عن حسام حسن: “كفاية عقدة الخواجة”.. وهذا أفضل ما فعله التوأم
وقال محمد فضل في تصريحات لبرنامج ملعب أون على قناة أون سبورت: “كابتن حسام حسن كان مهاجم أيقوني وخطير، ومصطفى محمد مهاجم قوي، خاصة في الفترة الأخيرة مع فريقه نانت، حيث سجل هدفًا وفاز فريقه في الدوري الفرنسي”.
وتابع: “بعض اللاعبين يخطئون، والمدير الفني يغضب، لكن من المهم أن يفهم اللاعب (لازم تطبطب عليه)، خاصة أن مصطفى محمد لاعب مميز، ويواجهه ويقول له: (أنت أخطأت، أنا غاضب منك، وأنا هعمل كذا، وينهي الزعل)، لأن هذا في مصلحة منتخب مصر”.
واختتم: “مصطفى محمد لعب 8 أو 9 دقائق، صنع ثلاث فرص كان من الممكن ان تتحول إلى ثلاث أهداف، ولا يحتاج تقييما لكن عندما شارك تشعر وأنه غير سعيد، طبعا شرف لأي لاعب يلعب لمنتخب مصر، لكن على كابتن حسام التعامل معه كابنه”.
The tour includes three T20s, three one-day games and a four-day match on the Gold Coast
ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jul-2024Australia A will take on India A in a multi-format series in Queensland during August with the home side featuring Tahlia McGrath, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt and Tayla Vlaeminck across the limited-overs matches.The tour involves three T20s in Brisbane, three 50-over games in Mackay and a four-day match on the Gold Coast.McGrath, Australia’s vice-captain, will captain the T20 and 50-over squads while Queensland allrounder Charli Knott will lead the four-day side. All three squads feature leading domestic players who will look to push their claims for higher honours.The four-day game will give players from both countries a rare chance to play long-form cricket.”I’m really looking forward to being a part of this series and for the challenge that India A will pose,” McGrath said. “It presents those of us not playing in the Hundred with the chance to prepare for a huge summer against a strong opposition.”Shawn Flegler, the national selector, said: “This series will allow us to take a closer look at some of the players who have impressed at domestic level while giving the nationally contracted players the chance to fine tune their preparations ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.”Australia will return to action with a three-match T20I series against New Zealand in mid-September before heading to Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup. That begins another hectic season with the WBBL set to start shortly after the World Cup followed by an ODI series against India, a short tour of New Zealand in December then the multi-format Ashes in January.Australia A T20 squadMaddy Darke, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Charli Knott, Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Grace Parsons, Megan Schutt, Courtney Sippel, Tayla Vlaeminck, Tahlia WilsonAustralia A one-day squadMaitlan Brown (2nd & 3rd matches only), Maddy Darke, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Charli Knott, Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath (capt), Grace Parsons, Megan Schutt (1st match only), Courtney Sippel, Tayla Vlaeminck, Tahlia WilsonAustralia four-day squadMaitlan Brown, Maddy Darke, Sophie Day, Emma de Broughe, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Charli Knott, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Grace Parsons, Kate Peterson, Courtney Sippel, Georgia VollAustralia A vs India A women’s series7 August: 1st T20, Allan Border Field 9 August: 2nd T20, Allan Border Field 11 August: 3rd T20, Allan Border Field 14 August: 1st 50-over match, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay 16 August: 2nd 50-over match, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay 18 August: 3rd 50-over match, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay 22-25 August: Four-day match, Gold Coast District Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) will let its members vote on the club’s growing involvement in the Hundred at a special general meeting in September. MCC plans to accept the ECB’s proposed gift of 51% of the shares in London Spirit and intends to retain its position as majority shareholder, but has asked members for their approval.The ECB publicly confirmed last week its intention to attract private investment in the Hundred’s eight teams and the appointments of the Raine Group and Deloitte as advisors. Under a proposed model, the eight Hundred ‘hosts’ – seven counties plus MCC – will be given majority stakes in their respective teams, with the ECB selling the remaining 49% to interested parties.Guy Lavender, MCC’s chief executive, wrote to the club’s members on Thursday outlining the committee’s support. “Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations between the various parties, we are firmly of the view that MCC should accept ECB’s offer of the 51% equity share in the London Spirit franchise and participate fully in a tournament which will grow the men’s and women’s game,” Lavender wrote.While some hosts may sell part or all of their stake, Lavender said the committee’s “initial thinking” is that MCC should retain its 51%. “We wish to retain control of the franchise and believe the tournament will grow over time,” he wrote. “Pragmatically, we will need to keep that position under review both through the initial sales phase and in the future.”Related
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But MCC has made clear that, despite the club’s support for the ECB’s proposals, it will not move forward without member approval. It will continue to consult with members over the coming weeks and will hold an SGM on the week starting September 9, at which members will vote on the club’s acceptance of a 51% equity share in London Spirit. The results will be announced the following week.MCC will “retain the right of veto” on any bidder to become the minority shareholder in London Spirit. “This decision is not about accepting the highest bidder,” Lavender wrote. “It is about finding the right partner who has the skills and expertise to help us grow the franchise, whilst also recognising and understanding the history, values and uniqueness of MCC.”Lavender said MCC are “unclear” whether it is practical for members to vote on the identity of a potential partnership, but suggested that the prospect of them voting to reject a proposed investment partner could be “hugely damaging” to the ECB and the counties’ plans to generate revenues to support English cricket as a collective.London Spirit is expected to be the most valuable Hundred franchise due to its association with Lord’s. “Those MCC members are sitting on a bit of a goldmine,” Andrew Umbers, the co-founder of Oakwell Sports Advisory told the podcast. “With the scarcity premium of the two London teams, jeez, it’s [worth] a lot. I’m sure Reliance and the Ambani family are going to be really interested in one of the big two in London.”The seven other Hundred-hosting counties are evaluating their own positions on the competition’s future. They are: Surrey (Oval Invincibles), Hampshire (Southern Brave), Glamorgan (Welsh Fire), Warwickshire (Birmingham Phoenix), Nottinghamshire (Trent Rockets), Lancashire (Manchester Originals) and Yorkshire (Northern Superchargers).Hampshire is a private club rather than member-owned but the other six counties have not publicly committed to giving members a direct vote on the Hundred’s privatisation and it remains to be seen if MCC’s decision has set a precedent. At Surrey, for example, members are represented on the general committee which in turn advises the club’s board on their stance.”This shows that the MCC recognises the significance of the decision not just for the club but the game as a whole, and was sincere in its recent promise to listen to and respect members’ views,” Alan Higham, the coordinator of the County Cricket Members Group, told ESPNcricinfo. “We expect all well-run boards of member-owned counties to want their members’ approval before agreeing to such seismic changes.”
Manchester City might win the FA Cup next week, but it won’t be a consolation for the dismal season they have endured in the Premier League and Champions League.
Knocked out of the latter by Real Madrid in February, City’s title challenge was effectively over by the turn of the year.
Pep Guardiola made key signings in January, although he will be keen on adding a few more players to his squad in the summer.
Could he be set to raid the Bundesliga once again?
Man City's search for a striker
As reported earlier this week by German news outlet Bild, City have now joined the race for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké this summer.
They signed Omar Marmoush in January from the same club and it appears as though they are looking to raid them once more.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool and Arsenal have been heavily linked with the Frenchman of late, but Guardiola looks ready to make his move.
Due to the clubs chasing him, Frankfurt have placed a price tag of €100m (£85m) on his head, which might deter a few potential bids.
City have made their fair share of signings from the German top flight over the years, but it was their capture of Edin Dzeko which set the club up for their first Premier League title.
Hugo Ekitike could be City’s next Edin Dzeko
Dzeko joined City midway through the 2010/11 campaign – following his own prolific stint in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg – and enjoyed a solid first few months, scoring six times for the club.
The 2011/12 season saw the Etihad side claim their first ever Premier League crown and Dzeko netted 19 times in all competitions under Roberto Mancini.
A pure out-and-out striker, the Bosnian ended his spell at the club by scoring 72 goals across 198 matches, a more than respectable outlay. That followed the 85 goals he had scored in just 142 games during his time in Germany.
A potential German import like Dzeko, Ekitike certainly has his own qualities in front of goal. That much is known. For Frankfurt this season, he has found the back of the net on 15 occasions in the Bundesliga.
Furthermore, he has also created 12 big chances and succeeds with 1.6 dribbles per game, indicating that he offers more than just a clinical nature in front of goal.
Hugo Ekitike’s stats for Frankfurt this season
Metric
Bundesliga
Europa League
Goals
15
4
Assists
7
3
Big chances created
12
6
Shots per game
3.5
2.2
Total duels won per game
4.2
4.3
Via Sofascore
During the formative years of his career, many expected him to go on to achieve big things, with sections of the media believing he “could be the next Mbappe” after he was linked with a move to Newcastle in 2022.
The youngster might not have hit the highs of the current Real Madrid sensation, but optimism is there that his career has been revived at Frankfurt following a disappointing spell with PSG.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
Compared to his peers in the Bundesliga, Ekitike ranks in the top 9% for total shots (3.82), assists (0.29), shot-creating actions (3.52) and successful take-ons (1.9) per 90 over the previous 365 days.
Not merely content with being a pure striker, the Frenchman offers plenty in the final third. While £85m might put City off, if they can bring this price down, a move could be on the cards.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
While Guardiola does already boast a Sergio Aguero-esque talisman in Erling Haaland, Ekitike could represent the perfect understudy – just as Dzeko was all those years ago.
Instant Marmoush upgrade: Man City targeting "world class" £85m star