Such is the toxicity of an online fanbase that very rarely do you get a signing that unifies a bunch of supporters, particularly Arsenal.

Their fans love a vent, they love sharing their frustration but there is also an incredible collective unity. That was seen when Eberechi Eze signed for the Gunners on Saturday.

While a deal was wrapped up by Wednesday evening, this move has been in the pipeline for a couple of weeks now with reports suggeting that they had initially agreed the framework of a move back on August 10th.

After that, Spurs stole in and it looked as though Andrea Berta and Co were set to ignore their summer-long interest.

Well, an injury to Kai Havertz turned the tide. Arsenal need another body and they brought one in swiftly, spending over £60m to bring the Crystal Palace star to the north of London.

If reports are to be believed, they might not be done just yet.

Another late signing for Arsenal on the cards

With the arrival of Eze it is highly likely that Arsenal are now done the in the transfer market when it comes to incomings.

That won’t faze many fans, for this has been a cracking window.

Yet, the one player that’s continued to elude the club despite several months worth of links is Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.

Reports earlier in the window suggested that talks had been held but interest has never been followed up. Well, according to reports in Spain, a bid was actually made for the Brazilian.

Transfer Focus

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

Reportedly, Arsenal have actually submitted an offer worth £67m for the player. However, amid interest from Manchester City, Madrid are not prepared to sanction a sale unless their asking price of around £78m is met.

As a consequence, this is probably one deal too many for Berta this summer.

Why Rodrygo is as exciting as Eze

Wow, just wow. What a deal this is. The moment that Arsenal were able to steal Eze away from their biggest rivals is an event that fans won’t be forgetting in a hurry.

Eze certainly feels like the missing piece of the puzzle. Capable of playing from the left wing or behind the striker as more of a number 10, he’s a maverick, he’s a dribbler, he’s a goalscorer, he’s a creator. He’s got everything in his locker to be a success at Arsenal.

2024/25

43

14

11

2023/24

31

11

6

2022/23

40

10

4

2021/22

19

1

1

2020/21

36

3

6

What fans have perhaps bemoaned the most over the last year is the predictability of the club’s tactics but Eze will certainly help give this attack some unpredictability.

Rodrygo would help do the same and one might still argue that, despite added depth on the left wing now, they don’t have an elite option.

We’re clutching at straws here, but Noni Madueke’s favoured position is on the right and Eze’s preferred role would be more central.

Thus, signing Rodrygo, whether it be now or in the future would be the final piece of the puzzle on the left of Arteta’s forward line.

While he did go 17 games without scoring at one stage last term, the 24-year-old still netted 14 goals and supplied 11 assists. Remarkably, that is the exact same haul as Eze registered for Crystal Palace across all competitions in 2024/25.

In the words of former teammate Luka Modric, he’s a “superstar” talent. He’s also a maverick, just as Eze is, ranking among the top 20% of positionally similar players in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90 minutes and among the best 13% for progressive carries per 90, via FBref.

In the shadow of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr at Madrid, since new boss Xabi Alonso came to the club he’s not received much game time and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before Rodrygo grows frustrated and forces a move away from the Spanish capital.

This is a deal that will likely go into 2026 but there’s no doubt that he’s a fabulous player, someone boasting the same level of unpredictability and excitement in attack as Mr Eze.

He'd get Gyokeres firing: Arsenal in talks for "world-class" star after Eze

Arsenal could be about to land another top-level star after agreeing a move for Eberechi Eze.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 23, 2025

While Chelsea have made more than their fair share of transfer mistakes over the last few years, they’ve also signed several outrageously talented players.

However, while Moises Caciedo, Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto are all examples of great signings, there is one player who stands head and shoulders above the rest: Cole Palmer.

The England international joined the Blues from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, and since then has amassed a sensational tally of 72 goal involvements in 98 games for the club.

Therefore, the Stamford Bridge faithful should be very excited about reports linking them to someone who could become their next Palmer.

Chelsea target their new Palmer

While their draw to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon has put a bit of a dampener on things, Chelsea have had a brilliant summer in terms of transfers so far.

Transfer Focus

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

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The board have been able to get rid of a host of players who weren’t at the level required, while also bringing in a handful of young and hungry talents who could develop into superstars, like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jorrel Hato.

Yet, with just under two weeks to go until the window slams shut, the West Londoners are still keen to add to their squad, and are now moving for someone who could be the next Palmer.

At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Chelsea are very interested in signing Rico Lewis.

In fact, the report goes further than that and reveals that the Blues have already made contact with City about a deal for the youngster this summer.

It’s not clear how much the Englishman would cost, but the report has also revealed that Nottingham Forest have already made an offer of around €30m for the youngster, which is about £26m.

While it will likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line this summer, Lewis has shown enough in his short career that Chelsea should do what they can to get him, especially as he could be another Palmer.

Why Lewis would be another Palmer

The first thing to say is that, yes, Lewis and Palmer play in entirely different positions on the pitch, and, as a result, play the game in different ways.

However, that doesn’t mean the former couldn’t be a new version of the latter, as the comparison isn’t really about their position on the pitch.

Instead, if this transfer were to happen, it would be another example of City willingly selling one of their young and exciting academy graduates to the Blues.

Not only that, but one who has likely got a future in the senior England setup, as he’s already won five caps for the side at just 20 years old.

In fact, not only would Pep Guardiola and Co be allowing another talented player to move to Stamford Bridge, but they could be letting a genuine superstar in the making move to a rival.

We say this as, when you take a look under the hood, at the right-back’s underlying numbers, they are sensational.

For example, FBref rank the Bury-born gem in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 4% for through balls, the top 7% for carries, the top 2% for progressive passes, the top 9% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.

Lewis’ scout report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Pass Completion %

91.9%

Top 1%

Passes Completed

59.83

Top 4%

Pass Completion % (Long)

65.2%

Top 4%

Through Balls

0.24

Top 4%

Passes Received

53.11

Top 6%

Carries

43.58

Top 7%

Progressive Passes

6.03

Top 8%

Live-ball Passes

58.86

Top 8%

Passes into Final Third

4.88

Top 9%

Total Carrying Distance

219.04

Top 10%

Touches (Att 3rd)

24.21

Top 11%

All Stats via FBref

In other words, the “exceptional” talent, as dubbed by Guardiola, is showing serious signs that he could be a world-class player in time, much like there would have been signs that Palmer was something special before his move two years ago.

Ultimately, even if the final fee ends up substantial, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Lewis this summer, as he could be an unmissable market opportunity.

Related Fewer touches than Sanchez: 5/10 Chelsea star was even worse than Palmer

Chelsea were held to a disappointing draw by Crystal Palace in their opening game of the Premier League.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 17, 2025

West Bromwich Albion kicked off the new Ryan Mason era with a victory at the Hawthorns last time out as the former Tottenham Hotspur coach picked up a debut three points as a rookie manager.

The Baggies just about edged past opponents Blackburn Rovers on the intense opening day in the Championship, as Isaac Price proved to be the difference-maker between the two sides with an early first-half effort.

Former West Brom manager Valerien Ismael could only watch on with a grimace from the opposing dug-out as he was undone by the 33-year-old, who was helped by Aune Heggebo putting in a standout performance during his first outing donning Baggies blue and white.

Heggebo's standout debut for West Brom

While Price stole the limelight with the only goal of the day, Heggebo did play a key role in the ex-Everton youngster lapping up the plaudits.

Indeed, the Nordic attacker was alert to the action unfolding around him after a long throw-in from Darnell Furlong caused confusion, leading to West Brom’s £4.7m summer buy laying it off to Price to tap a shot home.

His efforts against the Riversiders didn’t go unnoticed, either, with Heggebo actually winning himself a place in the Championship Team of the Week off the back of the former Brann attacker also winning 11 duels in the hard-fought win, as per Sofascore.

But, there will be a worry that he won’t cut it at the intimidating level when it comes to actually picking up the goals, having only fired two weak efforts at the Blackburn goal on Saturday.

This is where Mason could dip his toes back into the market to win himself an EFL-ready goal machine, with a £7m attacker potentially on his radar.

West Brom could look at signing £3m attacker

Over-relying on Heggebo to deliver the goods does feel as if it could backfire on the Baggies, particularly if the pressure is ramped up on the Scandinavian forward’s shoulders in the intense heat of a promotion race.

This is where Wycombe Wanderers’ Richard Kone could come to the rescue, with the former non-league striker turned EFL gem piquing a lot of interest in the Championship this summer regarding his availability, having been allegedly subject to a £7m bid in recent times from Luton Town.

The 22-year-old striker has experienced quite the rapid rise from the non-league pitches of Essex to leading the line for the Chairboys with some venom.

However, despite his form, he could be available as cheap as £3m now, according to football journalist Ron Walker, which might well even spur the Championship side into making a bid.

His explosive track record in the EFL automatically makes him an upgrade on Heggebo, who is still learning the ropes of the English game, with EFL-oriented pundit Gabriel Sutton even labelling Kone’s heroics in front of goal at Adams Park as “extraordinary.”

Kone at Wycombe vs Heggebo at Brann
Stat	Kone	Heggebo
Games played	74	146
Goals scored	25	51
Assists	9	14
Hat tricks	1x	0
Goals per game	0.33	0.34
Sourced by Transfermarkt

While the table above does look to swing initially in the favour of Heggebo, Kone is only 26 strikes shy of matching his counterpart’s goal tally for Brann, with his exploits last season for Wycombe making him look ready-made for a step-up in quality.

A blistering 21 of those efforts would come near the very top of League One last season, with the brand-new Baggies number 19 only registering 11 goals all of last year in the Nordic top-flight, on the contrary.

Further dubbed as a “mentality monster” by football writer Kai Watson, Kone should be able to take the pressures of the Championship in his stride if his League One prowess is anything to go by.

Heggebo could be forced to take a back seat if Kone were to join, however, but he shone in a more subdued role on the opening day anyway, as West Brom tries to fire in the goals no matter who scores them to seal promotion.

"Extraordinary" West Brom star's camp speaking to new club, they can afford him

Ryan Mason will be sweating over his exit.

By
Henry Jackson

Aug 8, 2025

After submitting their offer, Sunderland could now receive a major boost in pursuit of their late transfer target amid reports that the selling club are now set to discuss his departure.

Sunderland still chasing late targets

It’s already been a hectic summer for all involved at the Stadium of Light. As many as 12 fresh faces have arrived to join up with Regis Le Bris’ side, who are vying for survival at the first time of asking in the Premier League. But Sunderland aren’t done there. After suffering defeat at the hands of Burnley, a defensive reinforcement is still on the cards.

After losing Daniel Ballard to a groin injury against Burnley, it’s not a surprise that Sunderland have turned straight to the transfer market. Whilst the extent of his injury is yet to be revealed, the Black Cats will be keen to ensure that the drop-off in quality without their defensive leader isn’t so alarming.

As such, Chelsea’s Axel Disasi has reportedly emerged on their radar. The centre-back is part of the Stamford Bridge ‘bomb squad’ and doesn’t even have a place in Enzo Maresca’s dressing room as he continues to train away from the first-team. In desperate need of a move away, Sunderland would be an ideal option.

They’re not the only side interested, however. Battling alongside Sunderland, Bournemouth have also set their sights on the central defender and can offer a loan with an option to buy. Sunderland, of course, are not in a position to put a loan deal together, having already welcomed Marc Guiu on a temporary basis from the London club.

That said, Disasi is not the only name that those in Wearside have in mind. Reports are also suggesting that they’ve already tabled an offer to sign an alternative target.

Bologna now discussing Lucumi sale

According to reports in Italy, as relayed by Sport Witness, Bologna are now set to discuss the sale of Jhon Lucumi in a potential boost for Sunderland with their €30m (£26m) offer still on the table.

Although Bologna’s CEO, Claudio Fenucci, told reporters that the “timeframe for the offer didn’t materialise”, Sunderland have now been handed a glimmer of hope by reports claiming that the Italian club are already attempting to welcome Union Berlin’s Diogo Leite to replace Lucumi.

Dream Ballard alternative: Sunderland ready to make bid for £30m "monster"

Sunderland could look to sign this £30m monster to take the pressure off Daniel Ballard to perform.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 26, 2025

What’s more, the defender’s agent has been far from private when it comes to detailing his client’s desire to leave the club, saying via Fabrizio Romano: “Last year we were asked to stay and we did so with great availability. This year, however, since the beginning of the season, the message has always been clear on both sides: if the right offer had arrived, Jhon would have had the possibility of a transfer.”

With less than a week to go until the window slams shut, Sunderland’s offer remains on the table and Lucumi’s stance seemingly remains the same. But whether the defender ends the summer as a Premier League player still remains to be seen.

ESPNcricinfo has learned that Rajshahi’s overseas players have been paid one-fourth of their total payment, when that figure should be at least 75% by now

Mohammad Isam26-Jan-2025Durbar Rajshahi’s overseas players refused to play their BPL game against Rangpur Riders in Dhaka on Sunday over the franchise’s non-payment of dues. When captain Taskin Ahmed was asked about changes in the playing XI by TV commentator Danny Morrison at the toss, he confirmed their absence.”We have few changes. Four or five. Because no foreigners today. All the local players are playing today,” Taskin said.The BPL’s rules state that a team must field a minimum of two overseas players in their XI this season. The BCB put out a statement soon after the toss saying the tournament’s technical committee had granted approval for an all-local XI in this instance. “The Durbar Rajshahi team… has applied to the BPL Technical Committee for special approval to field a team consisting solely of Bangladeshi players for today’s match against Rangpur Riders due to the non-availability of overseas players,” the BCB said.Related

Rajshahi's overseas players stuck in Dhaka hotel over BPL payment issues

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WCA chief slams 'repeat offender' BPL over non-payment of dues

BCB to take legal action against Durbar Rajshahi for not paying overseas players

Durbar Rajshahi's local players skip training to protest non-payment of fees

“After a review of the request and in accordance with the provisions outlined in Clause 1.2.8 of the Match Playing Conditions of BPL 2024-25, the Technical Committee has granted approval for Durbar Rajshahi to field a team consisting of only Bangladeshi players for this match.” This was the first instance of a team playing a BPL game without overseas players in its XI.ESPNcricinfo has learned that Rajshahi’s overseas players have been paid only one-fourth of their total payment, when the BCB’s rules for the franchises stipulate that they must pay at least 75% of their total dues during the tournament. The franshise did not pay its local players anything until the players protested, skipping training in Chattogram a couple of weeks ago.The Rajshahi team owner Rahman also ran into trouble with their Chattogram hotel when he couldn’t pay that bill on time. TV reports showed a security person stationed outside his hotel room, and a car he was using was reportedly seized.The team changed hotels in Dhaka on Sunday morning. The overseas players remained at the hotel in Dhaka while Sunday’s match got underway at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.Incidentally, Rajshahi went on to win the match, a low-scorer that went into the last over with Rangpur needing an improbable 25 but almost pulling off a heist through No. 8 Mohammad Saifuddin who hit three sixes and a four for his side to fall short of the target by just three runs. That meant Rajshahi had done the double on league leaders Rangpur in the space of four days; Rangpur had won eight in a row before running into Rajshahi for back-to-back defeats.*Rajshahi’s overseas players this season are Ryan Burl, Mohammad Haris, Mark Deyal, Miguel Cummins, Aftab Alam and Lahiru Samarakoon. Burl was in the top three of both their runs and wickets charts this season going into Sunday’s match, and had starred in their previous game when they became the first side to beat Rangpur this season.*

All of India’s batters apart from their openers can expect to have flexible roles in the T20I line-up. Axar Patel, India’s newly appointed vice-captain in the format, suggested this could be the case in his press conference ahead of the five-match T20I series against England.The series is set to kick off in Kolkata on Wednesday, with Chennai, Rajkot, Pune and Mumbai to host the remaining T20Is.Related

• No issues working with 'good friend' Hardik Pandya for Suryakumar Yadav

• Sitanshu Kotak set to join India team as batting coach ahead of England T20Is

• No personal vehicles for India players as CAB enforces BCCI's new policy

• Shami puts in the hard yards at India's first training session ahead of England T20Is

In recent years, India have used Axar to good effect as a floater. It’s a reflection of his improvement with the bat – having averaged 21.26 and struck at 131.25 in all T20s until the end of 2022, he has upped his performances significantly, averaging 30.32 and striking at 145.62 since the start of 2023 – and his versatility, with India, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat sending him out in a variety of situations. He has scored six half-centuries in these last two years, from Nos. 3, 4, 6 and 7.Over recent months, India have used not just Axar but also Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh as floaters with varying levels of success.”Batting wise, it’s not just with me, but we spoke in 2023-24 itself that the openers are fixed, but everyone from Nos. 3 to 7 have been told that they can come into bat anytime, in any situation. It is not just that one batter will bat at a particular position,” Axar told reporters on Monday. “Our middle order will come to bat depending on the match situation, what kind of bowlers are bowling at the time, which match-up works well.”We’ve spoken about that, how we can all be floaters, be it coming in early or obviously finishing. This is not just for me, but for everyone from No. 3 and below, especially if they are in good touch in the nets. We will adjust accordingly. In T20Is, how you use your batters is so crucial, so this is an important factor in batting.”‘As part of the leadership group, you have to learn to take harsh decisions’•Associated Press

As Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy in T20Is, Axar felt he would have to to learn to take difficult calls. It is a topic he has discussed with the support staff too.”It has just been a day, but as part of the leadership group there is an extra responsibility,” Axar said. “The T20I side is settled, so there’s not much pressure, but there are small decisions that need making and during the game I need to work closely with Suryakumar.”As part of the leadership group, you have to learn to take harsh decisions. We have spoken about sharing our genuine opinions and that will help build trust in this group.”The T20I format is such that it is so fast that you have to make decisions quickly, so the larger conversations [with the coaches] is about how to do that.”India’s immediate focus is on ODI cricket, with the Champions Trophy looming, but T20Is will assume greater significance once that tournament ends. Defending champions India and Sri Lanka are set to co-host the T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. Apart from these five matches against England, India don’t have too many T20Is lined up before they embark on their title defence: currently, they are scheduled to play three T20Is in Bangladesh in August, and five at home against South Africa later in the year.”The World Cup is coming up in a year so how we approach leading up to that, we want to try it from now itself. That’s the main target,” Axar said. “Momentum is a big thing because if you start well, you can carry it. We finished 2024 well so we want to carry the momentum into this series too.”But we’ve discussed that the past is past, however, we want to move ahead with the positives we gained from there. We have taken forward the points that brought us success.”Transition is also something happening, across all formats, but that’s a call for the selectors and captain to take.”

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras perdeu sua longa invencibilidade de 15 jogos nesta quarta-feira (31), quando foi derrotado por 1 a 0, pelo Fortaleza, fora de casa, pelas oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil. Apesar do resultado, o Verdão garantiu classificação para a próxima fase, pois venceu o primeiro jogo por 3 a 0. Depois de uma atuação ruim no Castelão, o desfecho acabou sendo ainda mais valorizado.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Palmeiras tem noite ruim e joga o suficiente para se classificar na Copa do BrasilPalmeiras31/05/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras perde invencibilidade para o Fortaleza, mas avança às quartas de final da Copa do BrasilPalmeiras31/05/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras explica por que pediu abertura de inquérito policial contra empresa da WTorrePalmeiras31/05/2023

+ Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil-2023 clicando aqui

Em entrevista ao “SporTV” na saída do gramado, Dudu reconheceu que a vaga foi confirmada graças ao ótimo jogo que o Alviverde fez no Allianz Parque. Ao mesmo tempo, o camisa 7 lembrou que em alguns momentos a equipe também pode jogar apenas pelo resultado.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

– A gente fez o resultado em São Paulo. Na Copa do Brasil, às vezes, a gente pode jogar pelo resultado. A gente não queria perder.

O atacante ainda elencou fatores que podem ter prejudicado a atuação palmeirense em Fortaleza. Mas agora, para ele, o foco é descansar e já pensar no próximo compromisso no Campeonato Brasileiro.

continua após a publicidade

+ ATUAÇÕES: Palmeiras tem noite ruim e joga o suficiente para se classificar na Copa

– A gente sabe que jogar contra o Fortaleza é difícil, o clima é muito quente, o campo não está muito legal. A equipe está de parabéns, é descansar esses dias e focar no Coritiba no domingo.

Depois de resolver sua vida na Copa do Brasil, o Palmeiras volta suas atenções para o Brasileirão. Neste domingo (4), às 18h30, o time de Abel Ferreira recebe o Coritiba, no Allianz Parque, pela nona rodada da competição. O Verdão é o vice-líder com 16 pontos, cinco atrás do líder Botafogo.

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Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal was quick to congratulate Ousmane Dembele after seeing the Paris Saint-Germain star beat him to the 2025 Ballon d’Or award. The teenager finished second in the rankings but didn’t go home empty-handed as he won the Kopa Award for a second year running, and his father is confident that it will be a different story next year.

Dembele beats Yamal to 2025 Ballon d'Or

Dembele has been crowned the best male player in the world after winning the 2025 Ballon d'Or award. The PSG star pipped Yamal to top spot after inspiring Luis Enrique's side to a quadruple last season. The campaign also brought a first Champions League title for the French giants after a 5-0 victory over Inter in the final.

AdvertisementYamal congratulates Dembele on Ballon d'Or win

Yamal may have tasted disappointment in Paris but he was spotted congratulating Dembele on his win with a handshake, a warm hug and a few words. The teenager also did not go home empty-handed as he won the Kopa Trophy for the second year in a row.

Warning fired out by Yamal's father

Yamal's father, Mounir Nasraoui, was at the ceremony and fired out a warning after seeing Dembele beat his son to the top prize. "Next year is ours," he told COPE after the awards had been handed out in Paris.

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Getty Images SportBarcelona hoping for Yamal return

Yamal will now return to Barcelona and hope to return to action with Hansi Flick's side soon. The teenager is currently sidelined with injury and it's not clear yet when he will be available again. Barcelona take on Real Oviedo next in La Liga on Thursday and then face Real Sociedad on Sunday.

سخر ديديه ديشامب المدير الفني لمنتخب فرنسا، من مستوى الدوري السعودي، ممازحًا لاعب الفريق كينجسلي كومان، خلال المعسكر التدريبي.

ويتواجد كومان رفقة منتخب بلاده فرنسا، حيث يخوض الفريق مباراتين في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم 2026.

وكان كومان قد غادر صفوف فريق بايرن ميونخ الألماني وانضم إلى نادي النصر السعودي، بعد 8 سنوات قضاها مع الفريق الألماني.

اقرأ أيضًا | لاعب فرنسا يعود للمنتخب بعد 6 سنوات لإصابة باركولا.. وباريس سان جيرمان يرد ببيان رسمي

وبحسب ما نشرت شبكة “RMC sport” الفرنسية، رحب ديشامب باللاعبين في مركز التدريبات، وأثناء تحيته لكينجسلي كومان، قال له: “كيف حالك في العطلة؟”.

وبدا على كومان الدهشة من هذا التلميح إلى مستوى الدوري السعودي، وأجاب: “علينا أن نلعب في بغداد!” في إشارة إلى مباراة النصر ونادي الزوراء العراقي بدوري أبطال آسيا.

وتواصل فرنسا مشوارها في تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لكأس العالم، بمباراة على “حديقة الأمراء” يوم الجمعة  ضد أذربيجان، ثم تلتقي يوم الاثنين، مع منتخب آيسلندا.

وتخوض فرنسا مباراتين أخريين في نوفمبر المقبل، ضد أوكرانيا وأذربيجان، وذلك أيضًا ضمن مواجهات تصفيات أوروبا المؤهلة لمونديال 2026.

Series all square heading into the deciding fixture in Stellenbosch

ECB Reporters Network19-Jan-2025

South Africa responded well after defeat in the first ODI•Getty Images

South Africa Under-19 164 for 5 (Rowles 33, Ahmed 2-24) beat England Under-19 161 (Dawkins 59, Moores 59, Daniels 4-25)South Africa Men U19s levelled their series against England Men U19s with a five-wicket win in the second Youth ODI in Cape Town.Raeeq Daniels did the damage on his home ground, with 4 for 24, as the tourists were bowled out for 168. South Africa opener Jason Rowles top scored with 33, as the target was knocked off in 30.1 overs.Ben Dawkins and Joe Moores both posted half-centuries, but were the only Young Lions batters to reach double figures.Kent opener Dawkins reached his fifty from 74 balls but lacked support until Moores joined him in a 41-run stand for the sixth wicket. The Lancashire left-hander expertly counter-attacked and his fourth six, an effortless pull off Daniels, helped him to a half-century from 58 balls.It was not enough, however, as opener Rowles shared a 46-run second-wicket partnership with captain Bennie Hansen before Paul James and Bandile Mbatha added 30 each. Farhan Ahmed claimed 2 for 24.The series is set to be decided in Stellenbosch on Wednesday before the two-match Youth Test series begins on January 26.