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Apesar de certa inconstância na apresentação, o Fortaleza segue com desempenho intacto na Sul-Americana. Frente ao Estudiantes de Mérida, nesta quinta-feira (4), o Tricolor estabeleceu um sonoro 6 a 1 e sustentou a liderança isolada do Grupo H com nove pontos conquistados. Por sua vez, o time venezuelano segue zerado e na última posição da chave, ficando bem distante de brigar por vaga na próxima fase.

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NÃO BRILHAVA, MAS ABRIU VANTAGEM

Amplamente dominante na partida tanto em posse de bola como no caráter técnico, faltava ao Fortaleza apenas concentrar melhor o caráter de superioridade em efetivo volume de oportunidades. Mesmo assim, o marcador foi aberto quando a arbitragem de campo foi acionada pelo Árbitro de Vídeo e marcou penalidade após toque de mão dentro da grande área com 26 minutos. Na batida, Yago Pikachu mostrou sua categoria habitual ao colocar bola no lado esquerdo e ver o arqueiro Beycker Velásquez cair no canto oposto.

Pouco antes do intervalo e mesmo sem demonstrar a intensidade característica da equipe dirigida por Juan Pablo Vojvoda, uma boa movimentação ofensiva com a infiltração de José Welison foi suficiente para deixar a vantagem do Leão mais confortável. Aos 42 minutos, Guilherme serviu o meio-campista que invadiu a grande área e bateu de chapa, mandando no canto esquerdo de Velásquez.

REAÇÃO À VISTA?

Quando o compromisso parecia se encaminhar para o término da etapa inicial sem a equipe de Mérida ter sequer ameaçado a meta de Fernando Miguel, na primeira investida venezuelana, o marcador foi movimentado novamente na Arena Castelão, dessa vez pelos visitantes. Após cruzamento vindo do lado esquerdo, Medrano dominou com certa dificuldade, mas bateu alto, vendo a pelota bater no travessão antes de estufar as redes do Fortaleza.

LEÃO ‘SALVO’ PELO VAR

Logo na volta do intervalo, as alterações no time de Mérida surtiram efeito quase que imediato em lance onde o cruzamento na primeira trave foi desviado por Arenas e superou Fernando Miguel no que seria a igualdade na capital cearense. Todavia, a checagem do VAR marcou impedimento do autor do gol e o tento foi posteriormente anulado.

EMBALOU A GOLEADA

A partida se desenvolvia de maneira perigosa para a equipe brasileira já que, mesmo com mais tempo a bola nos pés, via o Estudiantes ser ousado nas saídas para o ataque e rondar de maneira perigosa as imediações da zaga tricolor.

Porém, aos 24 minutos, Calebe foi derrubado dentro da área e a arbitragem de Jhon Hinestroza marcou penalidade máxima. Na cobrança, dessa vez Thiago Galhardo assumiu a responsabilidade e mandou com força no lado esquerdo, vendo Beycker Velásquez ir para o lado oposto. Quatro minutos depois, a equipe do Pici transformou o triunfo em goleada através de jogada onde Zé Welison atacou de garçom e serviu Calebe, em cruzamento, para ver o companheiro testar pro fundo das redes venezuelanas.

Para fechar a conta, Moisés mandou um petardo, sem qualquer chance de intervenção para Velásquez, além de Silvio Romero completar escanteio com uma cabeçada certeira. 6 a 1, placar final.

FICHA TÉCNICA DA PARTIDA
FORTALEZA 6 x 1 ESTUDIANTES DE MÉRIDA – TERCEIRA RODADA NA FASE DE GRUPOS DA SUL-AMERICANA

Local: Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE)
Data e hora: 04/05/2023 – 21h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Jhon Hinestroza (COL)
Assistentes: Jhon Leon e Dionisio Ruiz (ambos COL)
VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
Cartões amarelos: Titi (FOR)
Cartões vermelhos:
GOLS: Yago Pikachu (28’/1°T) (1-0), José Welison (42’/1°T) (2-0), Medrano (49’/1°T) (2-1), Thiago Galhardo (26’/2°T) (3-1), Calebe (30’/2°T) (4-1), Moisés (40’/2°T) (5-1) e Silvio Romero (45’/2°T) (6-1).

FORTALEZA (Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda)

Fernando Miguel; Tinga, Benevenuto (Brítez, aos 14’/2°T), Titi e Bruno Pacheco; José Welison, Caio Alexandre (Zanocello, aos 33’/2°T), Pochettino (Calebe, aos 9’/2°T) e Yago Pikachu; Guilherme (Moisés, aos 9’/2°T) e Thiago Galhardo (Silvio Romero, aos 33´/2°T).

ESTUDIANTES DE MÉRIDA (Técnico: Ali Cañas)

Velásquez; Guaramato, Anthony Matos, Penilla, Doldán e Arenas; Uzcatégui (Páez, no intervalo), Aaron Rodríguez e Jesús Gómez (Christian Flores, aos 27’/2°T); Canelón (Wilfredo Peña, aos 28’/2°T) e Medrano (Zorrilla, no intervalo).

Everton’s fourth summer signing of the 2025 window is through the door at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Toffees have brought in young Bayern Munich left-back Adam Aznou, for a fee reported by the Liverpool Echo to be in the region of £7.8m.

Indeed, the same report details that the Toffees’ summer spending is way past the £50m mark already. Charly Alcaraz made his loan move permanent, Mark Travers signed from Bournemouth as their new back-up goalkeeper, and the marquee signing so far has been Thierno Barry. The French striker joined Everton from Spanish side Villarreal.

Yet, David Moyes is not content, and reportedly wants five or six more signings this summer. Already, the Toffees have been linked with a new attacker.

Everton’s pursuit of a new attacker

It seems like Moyes wants to overhaul Everton’s attack this summer. Dominic Calvert-Lewin left the club on a free transfer, and Barry has been signed as his replacement. Now, the focus on the Blue half of Merseyside has seemingly switched to a new winger.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to a recent report from Fabrizio Romano, the Toffees have enquired about signing Como and Senegal international winger Assane Diao. He is one option on the list as Everton look to reinvent their forward line under Moyes.

However, this will not be an easy deal to do. Como, managed by Premier League legend Cesc Fabregas, have ‘already turned down a bid this summer’ for the young winger.

That club is unnamed, but perhaps it came from Everton’s Premier League rivals, Chelsea. One Spanish report said earlier in the window they were set to bid £43m for the 19-year-old.

Why Diao would be a good signing

After coming through Real Betis’ academy, Diao made the move to Italian side Como in January. Described as an “electric” winger by football scout Antonio Mango, the 19-year-old has made a huge impression in Serie A so far.

Although he is just 15 games into his Como career, Diao, already a Senegal international, has eight goals and one assist to his name. He was a key player under Fabregas, playing 1259 minutes, the equivalent of 13.9 full 90-minute games.

The former Betis star, who managed six goals and three assists for the club, showed in his short Como career that he can step up in the big games. Last season, he bagged goals against Milan, Juventus and Scudetto winners Napoli.

Moyes would surely be hoping the Senegal international could replicate the impact of his international teammate Iliamn Ndiaye. The Toffees’ attacker was described as a “superstar” by former defender-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher.

His impact last term, his debut campaign for Everton, was astronomical. He played 37 games across all competitions, scoring 11 goals. That included nine strikes in the Premier League, with this stunning effort against Tottenham Hotspur a standout.

Diao’s record at Como stands out in such a short amount of time, and he has a habit of finding the back of the net against big sides. There is reason to believe he has the talent to replicate what Nidaye has done.

He can also play on both wings. With his international teammate favouring the left, there is a chance Everton fans could see them line up on either flank.

The stats on Squawka, using Diao’s numbers from Serie A, are remarkably similar. For example, the Como star completes 1.4 take-ons and averages 0.6 chances created per 90 minutes. In contrast, Everton’s number 10 completes an average of 2.6 take-ons and creates 0.7 chances per game.

Goals and assists

0.7

0.4

Chances created

0.6

0.7

Forward passes

4.4

6.2

Take-ons completed

1.4

2.6

Duels won

7.9

6.7

Ball recoveries

3

6.4

With the Toffees looking to overhaul their attack next term, signing Diao could be the dream option. He is a direct winger with an eye for goal and has the ability to light up the Hill Dickinson Stadium with his flair.

Joining his Senegal teammate Ndiaye on Bramley Moore Dock would be an exciting move, especially if he can become the second coming of the Everton star.

Their new Gordon: Everton set to hold talks over signing big-money PL star

Everton eye sensational transfer for Manchester City’s treble-winning winger

ByWill Miller Jul 30, 2025

Birmingham City fans will now be counting down the days until their side kicks off their hotly anticipated Championship season.

Indeed, the Blues only have one friendly left until Ipswich Town come to St. Andrew’s for a Friday night kick-off to start the second-tier entertainment, before clashes against Blackburn Rovers, Oxford United, and Leicester City then round off a busy August for Chris Davies’ men in league action.

In bittersweet fashion, however, Lukas Jutkiewicz won’t be lining up for Davies’ side as they triumphantly return to the Championship, having confirmed his retirement right after Birmingham lifted the League One title.

It will be strange for die-hard supporters of the Blues not seeing Jutkiewicz line up for their beloved team in the EFL’s elite league, having often been viewed as the main marksman when Birmingham last regularly competed at the level.

How Jutkiewicz made himself a Birmingham legend

Birmingham’s previous Championship exploits haven’t always been rosy, but the 6-foot-1 striker remained as constant, even during those testing times.

The Blues will be entering back into the division hungry to compete near the top of the division, which will be some feat to pull off, considering Jutkiewicz’s days as the main source of goals at St. Andrew’s saw his lowly side be consistently plunged into a battle against the drop.

By the time the 36-year-old had called time on his playing days, the towering attacker had bagged a memorable 68 strikes for the Blues across 358 appearances, with 54 of those coming about in the notoriously punishing league.

Now, it will be up to a new face to be as impactful – away from Davies just relying on Kyogo Furuhashi and Jay Stansfield up top – with a fresh target on the Birmingham shopping list possessing the potential to become the club’s next iteration of their dominant number ten.

The "complete number 9" who could be their next Jutkiewicz

Arguably, Birmingham might not need to pursue the signature of another attacker, with both Kyogo and Stansfield sticking out as obvious choices to lead the line.

Yet, neither of those options will be able to throw themselves about with authority, which is where Blues target Bojan Miovski could come into his own if he makes the leap to join Birmingham shortly.

Coming in at a lofty 6-foot-2, Miovski is now seemingly one of the main targets Birmingham is casting their eye over to further enhance their striker personnel, with the ambitious Championship side currently in talks over a move to sign the lethal Macedonian at the expense of Celtic and Rangers, according to reports.

Whilst he has only managed to bag a middle-of-the-road four goals for Girona from 22 appearances in Spain, the 26-year-old more than proved himself when leading the line for Aberdeen that he is a worthwhile Jutkiewicz replacement in terms of his deadly finishing game when soaring into aerial duels, but also with the ball at his feet as a well-rounded presence.

Mivoski’s numbers for Aberdeen
Stat	Mivoski
Games played	98
Goals scored	44
Assists	7
Braces	8x
Fee sold for	£6.8m
Sourced by Transfermarkt

The 38-time North Macedonia international registered a blistering 44 strikes for the Dons across 98 appearances, with his ability to be powerful in the air, yet classy when running through on goal, earning him the title of being a “complete number nine” by journalist Josh Bunting.

He should, therefore, be ready for the pressures of the Championship, even if his £6.8m move out to Girona hasn’t gone completely to plan, knowing he has what it takes to be the “best centre forward in the league” in the Scottish Premiership, as he was also labelled by ex-Dons teammate Nick Devlin.

Sealing a deal for Miovski to join the building might not be as instantly eye-catching as Kyogo’s statement deal was.

But, he should be able to leave a lasting impact on the English game if he finds his Aberdeen mojo again as a battling, skilful striker built very much in the same mould as Jutkiewicz.

Birmingham could sign a bigger talent than Cashin in "dynamite" £10m star

Birmingham City could soon win themselves a bigger talent than Eiran Cashin by landing this dynamite attacker.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 25, 2025

Rain had the last word at the Gabba, as was widely expected, but only after Australia and India conjured up the most intriguing of what-ifs in the 22 overs that were possible on the fifth day of the third Border-Gavaskar Test match.After taking the final India wicket four overs into the day’s play and securing a 185-run first-innings lead, Australia made one final push for victory, going hard at India’s bowling, losing quick wickets in the process, and declaring at 89 for 7 after 18 helter-skelter third-innings overs. That left India with a target of 275 in a theoretical 54 overs. Only 2.1 were possible, as bad light drove the players off the field before rain came back down to signal an early finish.Australia’s brief innings on day five gave a glimpse of all the possible rain-free finishes this match could have had. There was pronounced seam movement and uneven bounce, and Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj ripped out five wickets in the space of 11 overs. But some of the wickets also came from Australia’s intent to score quickly. They promoted Mitchell Marsh to No. 4, batted Travis Head above Steven Smith, and kept going for their shots. The runs came at a fair rate too, with the pace of the pitch allowing Head, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins to rattle off a combined 59 off 49 balls.Related

• India and Australia take a moment to recalibrate as Gabba stalemate leaves everything up for grabs

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• Rahul chooses the less-scenic route to success

Given all the help for the new ball, Australia could have envisioned bowling India out. Given the scope for run-scoring, and the fact that Australia were without one of their three fast bowlers, India could have imagined making a bid for victory if they managed to see off the early overs relatively unscathed. As it happened, the draw may have been the best result for the series going forward, with two Tests to go and the teams locked 1-1 on Boxing Day.Australia’s declaration harked back to the 1950 Test on this same ground, when England declared at 68 for 7 and then Australia at 32 for 7 as both teams tried to make the best of a sticky pitch after a spell of rain. Such events are exceedingly rare in the days of covered pitches, but something not too dissimilar happened on this day with Australia declaring at 89 for 7.One man who may have been a touch displeased at that point was Bumrah; he had just come back for a new spell and dismissed Cummins with a clever slower ball. It was his ninth wicket of the match, and he was so close to bagging his first ten-for, one of the few feats he has yet to achieve in his remarkable career.

Manchester United have signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, with the towering Slovenian striker set to be the main centre-forward under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

Sesko snubs Newcastle move for Man Utd

After already signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, the Red Devils have also pipped Newcastle United to a big-money deal for the Bundesliga star in a transfer worth a total of €85m.

Sesko always wanted a move to Old Trafford over St James’ Park, and we could see Cunha and Mbeumo line up behind the 22-year-old as two attacking No 10’s in a 3-4-2-1 system under Amorim.

AI predicts how many goals and assists Cunha and Mbeumo will get for Man Utd in 2025/26

The pair have been backed to star at Old Trafford.

ByCharlie Smith Jul 22, 2025

The striker has already penned a five-year deal in Manchester and will arrive in similar circumstances to Rasmus Hojlund. A young and exciting forward costing mega money, pressure will be on Sesko to perform after netting 27 times and registering six assists for Leipzig in 2024/25.

Grok, the AI tool on X, has already predicted how many goals Cunha and Mbeumo will score, and it has also forecasted how Sesko will get on in his first season in England.

AI predicts how many goals Sesko will score for Man Utd

When asked how many goals Sesko will score for the Red Devils in 2025/26, Grok gave a precise prediction.

Assuming Sesko plays 32 matches (accounting for rotation or minor injuries), he could score 13 Premier League goals if he adapts quickly and maintains his Bundesliga record in the Premier League.

In cup competitions, FA Cup and League Cup as United have no European football on offer, he could score 5 more goals, providing Amorim’s side go deep into both and play 10 games.

Premier League

FA Cup/League Cup

Games

32

10

Goals

13

5

Grok adds that ‘Sesko’s physical attributes and comparisons to Erling Haaland suggest he could outperform expectations if United’s system maximises his strengths, potentially pushing him towards 20 goals in an optimistic scenario’.

An 18-goal season in all competitions, Amorim, Man Utd and the supporters would be satisfied with that figure, considering Hojlund has scored just 15 goals in domestic competitions in the last two seasons.

Manchester City have now opened talks over a deal for a £86m star, with Pep Guardiola considered a big fan, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

Man City eyeing new forward amid Savinho uncertainty

Jack Grealish is set to leave Man City imminently, with Everton agreeing to sign the England international on a season-long loan deal, and the 29-year-old is not the only winger who could be on the move before the transfer window closes.

Indeed, Tottenham Hotspur are now ramping up their pursuit of Savinho, with the Brazilian thought to be willing to make the move to north London, if a suitable transfer fee can be negotiated by the two clubs.

As a result, Guardiola may be keen to bolster his wide options prior to the September 1st deadline, and Romano has revealed that Man City have opened talks over a deal for Real Madrid star Rodrygo, with the Brazilian now right at the top of their shortlist (via City Xtra).

In an update on X, Romano also added that the 24-year-old is City’s “dream target”, given that Guardiola is known to be a “big fan”, with Madrid willing to sanction a departure for a fee of around €100m (£86m) if the player himself makes it clear he wants to leave.

However, a deal may have to wait until the Blues finalise some departures of their own, with the likes of Savinho and James McAtee also in line to leave after Grealish.

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Aug 11, 2025 Rodrygo could take Man City's attack to next level

Savinho impressed at times during his debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium, picking up ten assists in the Premier League, but the Madrid forward could be a real upgrade on City’s current options, given his vast experience at the top level.

Indeed, the Brazil international has demonstrated an ability to take big matches by the scruff of the neck in the past, most notably scoring a brace against Guardiola’s side in the second leg of the 2021-22 Champions League semi-final.

In total, the Madrid star has amassed 25 goals and 14 assists in 64 Champions League matches, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level, and the Osasco-born forward has played a part in his side winning 13 major honours.

After enduring a rare trophyless campaign last season, Man City may be keen to bring in proven top-level players, who know what it takes to win trophies, and Rodrygo would certainly fit the bill.

Arsenal chiefs are currently attempting to get a few players off Mikel Arteta’s books right now after a summer of serious spending.

The Gunners have maintained their real interest in Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze following extensive talks with his representatives (Fabrizio Romano), amid serious competition from Tottenham, and Arteta has confirmed that they’re still looking to strengthen before the transfer deadline on September 1.

However, the Spaniard is also clear that Arsenal need to sell.

“Let’s see what happens, in terms of where the squad is in the next few weeks,” said Arteta last week.

“But we are actively looking at options. As well, there are a few players that, maybe, they have to leave as well. So, we will be open to see what happens.”

Arsenal have enjoyed a very productive summer window, investing north of £200 million on six major signings in Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and star striker Viktor Gyokeres.

To balance out the squad, reports claim that Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all players who could leave Arsenal in the next fortnight, while uncertainty also surrounds the future of defender Jakub Kiwior.

The Poland international impressed alongside William Saliba towards the back end of 2024/2025 when Gabriel was out injured, but he isn’t exactly guaranteed consistent playing time, with Kiwior reportedly open to exploring opportunities away from Arsenal.

Several clubs are apparently keen on signing the defender, as reported by Fabrizio Romano earlier this month.

Now, according to a fresh update from TUTTOmercatoWEB, AC Milan are one of the sides considering a potential deal.

Mikel Arteta stance on selling Jakub Kiwior as Milan open talks

TMW report that the Rossoneri have opened discussions with Arsenal over Kiwior, who the north Londoners value up to £26 million.

Arsenal are also unwilling to agree any kind of loan for the 25-year-old, which makes this operation a pretty pricey one from Milan’s perspective, while it is also believed that Kiwior is considered an important player by Arteta – so he’s not keen on letting the ex-Spezia man return to Italy.

While the player wants to feature more regularly, whether that be at the Emirates Stadium or a new club, none of his suitors are prepared to meet Arsenal’s demands right now – including Crystal Palace – who also made a recent approach for him.

This isn’t the first time Kiwior has attracted interest from Serie A, as it has been a reoccurring theme ever since he joined Arsenal over two years ago.

“The interest in Jakub Kiwior from Italy is not surprising, He is a sensational talent, who can play across multiple positions,” said podcaster Adam Keys on X in 2023.

“Arsenal should, and most likely will, be shunning any offers that come through. He will get plenty of minutes here, and the potential is sky high.”

Arne Slot has a wealth of quality at his disposal, having overseen – alongside sporting director Richard Hughes – a series of exciting signings at Liverpool this summer.

While there have been departures from last season’s Premier League-winning squad, FSG have green-lit a flurry of activity over the past several months that has seen the British record broken upon the completion of the £116m deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

Hugo Ekitike has also joined for £79m, starting strongly with goals in both of his opening fixtures in Red. The full-backs have shown promise, and Giorgi Mamardashvili could star between the sticks when the fateful day of Alisson’s departure does come.

But Liverpool lacked something across the first week of the campaign, failing to muster the elegant coherence that defined their maiden term in Slot’s system. The attack is yet to click, while Virgil van Dijk’s defence looks light even with the £26m signing of Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, 18.

Of course, Ryan Gravenberch is in contention after missing the first couple of games this season due to suspension and the birth of his first child, and his return will solve the central imbalance.

The importance of an elite deep-lying midfielder cannot be understated. Slot knows this, but his two most notable targets as the market enters the final stretch are located in other areas of the field.

The latest Liverpool transfer news

Sadly, not much has changed on the Alexander Isak front. Newcastle United haven’t signed one striker, let alone two, and that needs to happen if they are to allow their wantaway talisman to leave Anfield, as is his desire.

Who knows what will happen across the closing week of the transfer window? Isak is Liverpool’s top target, but it’s crucial that the Reds aren’t blinkered in their chase, for if they don’t land the Sweden international, it’s crucial that they sign an alternative.

Equally, a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi must be wrapped up before the end of the month. Ibrahima Konate has entered the final year of his contract and has looked shaky so far this term.

The Selhurst Park side are tricky negotiators, it must be said, but FSG are confident that they will get it done: Guehi wants the move to Anfield, and the £40m price tag has dipped to £35m, though that is still above Liverpool’s valuation.

So then, a striker and a centre-back. That would tie the bow on a sensational transfer window, just so. However, there’s yet another earmarked man who would make this a transcendental window for Slot’s project.

Liverpool ready late-window transfer move

According to Spanish outlet AS, via Sport Witness, Real Madrid’s interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is getting stronger.

However, Los Blancos aren’t alone in the race, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all keen too.

The Red Devils are felt to have the strongest intrigue at this stage, having failed in their bid to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

The Eagles would demand €80m (£69m) if they were to part with their young maestro, and it would seem that all four European giants are not deterred by the lofty price tag.

Why Liverpool want to sign Wharton

Wharton is but a hatchling on the Premier League scene, but he’s belied his youth and inexperience right from the get-go, starring across the latter half of 2023/24 before playing his part in winning last season’s FA Cup, then, of course, the Community Shield against Liverpool.

Found in the anchoring area of the midfield, Wharton has a natural ease on the ball and an eye for a far-flung pass that invariably finds its man. He’s been described as a “passing machine” by journalist Henry Winter.

Thanks to data from FBref, we can record that Wharton ranks among the top 6% of centre-midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 9% for progressive passes and the top 5% for ball recoveries per 90.

That last statistic is particularly striking. The 21-year-old is not just a ball-playing expert, albeit in his infancy, but he’s a high-level athlete too, covering plenty of ground and chipping in with iron-solid defensive contributions too.

Wharton could revolutionise Slot’s Liverpool, his skill set aligning perfectly with the way the boss wants to play. Fluency would be threaded back into a firm ball at the heart of the system, and Liverpool’s transitional play would improve.

The success of striking a massive package for the one-time Blackburn Rovers prospect might even prove to be a more exciting deal than the arrival of Ekitike, even after the French forward’s resounding start.

Wharton, even at this stage of his career, is shining, and though injuries had an adverse effect on his recent Premier League campaign, his initial foray into the top flight the year before showcases how he could become the cream of Slot’s crop, even rivalling Gravenberch’s triumph as the nucleus for last year’s title winners.

Premier League – Wharton (23/24) vs Gravenberch (24/25)

Stats (* per game)

Wharton

Gravenberch

Matches (starts)

16 (15)

37 (37)

Goals

0

0

Assists

3

4

Touches*

49.6

66.5

Pass completion

81%

89%

Big chances created

5

3

Key passes*

1.3

0.9

Dribble success

60%

1.0

Ball recoveries*

5.3

5.2

Tackles + interceptions*

4.3

3.5

Duels (won)*

4.9 (54%)

5.0 (57%)

Data via Sofascore

It’s not unjust to claim that Wharton’s first steps in the Premier League echo the success of 2024/25 Young Player of the Year Gravenberch.

How exciting is that? Slot could bring the Englishman to a level that is higher still, maybe even seeing him play a role more influential and captivating than Ekitike, who, for all his brilliance, may well play second fiddle to Isak in a few weeks.

It might also be worth noting that, after two matches in a Liverpool shirt, Ekitike boasts an identical record to Darwin Nunez after his big-money signing: two games, two goals, one assist.

Perhaps bringing both Isak and Wharton over to Merseyside in the closing weeks of the transfer window is a little too much. In all likelihood, Palace chairman Steve Parish will fight tooth and nail to resist official approaches for his silky midfielder.

But Liverpool’s interest is real, and if Wharton does end up in Liverpool colours, he could become a superstar under Slot’s wing, heading to the top of the game and maybe even leapfrogging Ekitike as the club’s most exciting up-and-comer.

Related He'd have a bigger impact than Wirtz: Liverpool in talks for PL "monster"

Liverpool are looking to close a deal for this long-targeted Premier League star.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 23, 2025

In a summer full of additions, Glasgow Rangers reportedly approached a former Premier League winger with the chance to reunite with Ibrox boss Russell Martin earlier this summer.

Antman "ready" for Rangers move

The latest in a long line of Gers incomings came in the form of Oliver Antman earlier this week. The former Go Ahead Eagles winger has put pen to paper on a deal worth around £4m, according to reports, and has instantly set his sights on making an immediate impact.

Speaking to Rangers’ official website, the new winger said: “When I first heard Rangers were interested, I was excited because it is a huge club, and you don’t get these kinds of opportunities many times in your life. The last couple of days have been really busy and stressful but now I am ready to settle in.

“I am excited for tomorrow, the first match at Ibrox. I have heard it is a special place, but I haven’t even seen it yet, so I am excited for everything that is to come. “I have trained with Go Ahead Eagles now for over a month, I have had five training matches and also a 90-minute game, so I’m fully fit and ready.

Bigger signing than Antman: Rangers must swoop for "complete" £7m star

Rangers could land an even bigger signing than Oliver Antman in a swoop for this star.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 5, 2025

“I think Scottish football is going to be a lot more physical but that is definitely something I can learn. To play for Rangers you have to win every single game, that is expected. You cannot skip a game, every single game is a must win. I am expecting a lot of wins and a lot of good times.”

After scoring seven goals and assisting another 17 in impressive fashion last season, those at Ibrox should have high expectations for Antman from the very off.

In an alternate reality, however, those in Glasgow could be preparing to welcome a winger who has already worked with Martin in the past.

Rangers made contact to sign Djenepo

According to Africa Foot, Rangers made contact to sign Moussa Djenepo from Standard Liege earlier in the transfer window, approaching the winger over a summer switch. Ultimately, the deal didn’t progress, however, and the Gers have seemingly since turned towards Antman. But it is still worth pondering how much of an impact the former Southampton man could have made.

Interestingly, Djenepo is also a player that Martin is already familiar with. The winger appeared once for the Rangers boss during his time at Southampton before moving on to Standard Liege. Now, it seems as though the pair could have enjoyed a second chance to make up for lost time in the Scottish Premiership.

At just 27 years old, Djenepo is still very much capable of making his mark again. At his very best, former Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl praised the Belgian for his “fantastic” work, as he starred in the Premier League for the Saints. Now looking to return to that level, reports suggest that Rangers and a reunion with Martin was an option for Djenepo this summer.

Rahmat became Afghanistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests with an unbeaten 231 while Shahidi struck his second Test ton

Sreshth Shah28-Dec-2024

Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi put on a mammoth third-wicket stand•Zimbabwe Cricket

Almost exactly 100 years since Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe became the first pair to achieve it in Test cricket, the Afghanistan pair of Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi batted out a full day of a Test match without being dismissed. In the process, Rahmat became the holder of Afghanistan’s highest Test score (231*), Shahidi struck his second Test ton (141*), and the pair comfortably broke the record for Afghanistan’s best Test partnership (361). All in all, their addition of 330 runs across 95 overs on the third day has taken Afghanistan to 425 for 2, now only 161 behind Zimbabwe’s 586.Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo ranks among one of the best places to bat among Test venues, and Zimbabwe’s first-innings score across the first two days suggested a placid third-day surface, which it was, barring the occasional ball that stayed low.The Zimbabwe bowlers were made to grind by the strong defensive game showed by Rahmat and Shahidi, but they were also let down by their fielding. There were atleast four catches dropped, all off Rahmat, along with a few half-chances. Both spin and pace proved ineffective to get a breakthrough, and the set batters pounced on the loose deliveries from the inexperienced bowlers, a regular occurrence through the day.Starting the day afresh from an overnight partnership of 31 and staring at a mammoth 491-run deficit, Rahmat took a single in the first over of the day to bring up his fifty. But some disciplined bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu kept the run-scoring in check. It took 12 overs for the day’s first boundary when Rahmat picked up one, by cutting left-arm spinner Sean Williams for four, and it would be a ploy he would use against all three Zimbabwe spinners. With no variable turn off the pitch, the pair could also trust their game when coming down the track against the spinners, something Shahidi did often against the part-timers Brandon Mavuta and Brian Bennett. Five overs before lunch, Shahidi brought up his half-century, and two overs later, Rahmat had completed his second Test ton.Rahmat Shah claimed the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score•Zimbabwe Cricket

Then came the first big chance in the 69th over with Afghanistan at 198 for 2 and Rahmat on 107. Bennett got a length ball to turn lesser than expected, Rahmat’s prod brought an outside edge, and the ball flew past Craig Ervine’s left at first slip. On 134, Rahmat survived a dropped chance at long-on, and on 152, escaped two catching opportunities in one Muzarabani over. In between, the pair brought up their 200 stand by finding the fence through midwicket or cover when Muzarabani and Gwandu overpitched their deliveries. And going into tea, Afghanistan were 298 for 2, with 203 runs collected in the first two sessions.Fresh off the two dropped chances in the penultimate over of the second session, Zimbabwe were further deflated at the start of the post-tea session when Rahmat struck three fours off Nyamhuri in the first over after resumption. In the same Nyamhuri spell, Shahidi cut him for four to move to 99 and next ball, picked up a single to claim his second Test ton.As the second new ball also turned old, the boundaries dried up again, but a four through cover from Rahmat to start the 108th over brought up the 300-run stand. When Rahmat moved to 199 with a single soon after, the partnership ticked over to 308, a new record for Afghanistan.Shahidi, the only double-centurion for Afghanistan previously, then watched on from the other end as Rahmat joined him on that list, and it came not in the form of a circumspect single but a full-blooded drive through mid-on. As the ball trickled to the boundary, Rahmat was applauded by his team-mates and by the sparse home crowd as he also went past Shahidi’s score of 200* from 2021 to claim the Afghanistan record for the highest individual score.As the final hour of the day began, and it dawned on Zimbabwe that they might have their first-ever day of Test cricket without a single wicket, Ervine tempted the two batters with some unusual fielding positions – perhaps to buy a wicket or force them to do something different – but there was no budging.If anything, Rahmat and Shahidi reined in their strokes. Only three boundaries were scored in the final 13 overs – only three fours and one six – as it was clear their aim was to finish the day unbeaten. As Williams bowled the final over of the day without much drama, Rahmat and Shahidi walked back with smiles, were congratulated by a few Zimbabwe fielders, and were welcomed with a standing ovation by their team-mates and support staff.