Wolverhampton Wanderers bounced back from their chastening 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend to record an impressive 2-1 victory over Fulham in the Premier League this afternoon.

Considering Gary O’Neil lost both Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Pedro Neto to injury in the first half, the win was all that much sweeter, yet the Old Gold could be weaker in the long term depending on the nature of their respective issues.

Rayan Ait-Nouri opened the scoring in the second half following a solid display, while a Tom Cairney own goal meant the Molineux outfit secured all three points, despite a late goal from the Cottagers.

The goal was Ait-Nouri’s first of the season, and he delivered a wonderful performance to go along with it.

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s display against Fulham in numbers

The left-back has often been deployed slightly further forward this season, but O’Neil reverted him as part of the back four in a 4-2-3-1 formation today, and it worked a treat.

Along with his goal, Ait-Nouri also had two shots on target, made one key pass, created one big chance, and was fouled four times as he showcased his attacking intent throughout the tie.

The defender also completed 90% of his passes, won 6 of his 11 ground duels contested and made one tackle as he also contributed effectively defensively, all while impressing with his passing range.

O’Neil will be hoping for more displays like this from the youngster, and he could have a big role to play in the final few matches of the campaign.

Mario Lemina also excelled in the heart of the midfield for the Old Gold, while he was just as impressive as Ait-Nouri against Fulham.

Mario Lemina’s statistics vs Fulham

The midfielder has been a key member of O’Neil’s side this term and delivered another composed performance alongside Joao Gomes.

The midfielder finished the clash with a 90% pass success rate while also making one key pass, succeeding with 100% of his long balls and taking 48 touches as he ran the show in the middle of the park.

Lemina was given a licence to burst forward whenever possible as he created one big chance, had a shot off target and missed a big chance to round off a wonderful display for the club.

Although he lost possession ten times throughout the match, the 30-year-old made two clearances and won four duels, indicating that he was not going to be bullied in one-on-one battles easily.

The 2-1 victory means the Old Gold remain in the top half of the Premier League table, and it continues their fine form in 2024.

They have lost only three matches so far this year and they face Coventry City in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup next week.

If Lemina continues his current form into that clash, the Midlands side could reach their first semi-final of the competition since 2019, and it will further endear O’Neil to the Molineux faithful in what has been an excellent debut season in charge of the side.

James Rodriguez is reportedly set to leave Sao Paulo as he eyes a return to Europe after starring for Colombia at the Copa America.

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Rodriguez has struggled at Sao PauloPlayed just 36 minutes this season in Serie AWants to try his luck back in EuropeWHAT HAPPENED?

The former Real Madrid star showed that he still has the fire burning in his belly with several standout performances in the Copa America as he inspired his national team to a second-place finish in the continental tournament. In the process, Rodriguez also set a new Copa America record with six assists which helped him earn the award for the best player of the tournament.

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After shining with Colombia, according to journalist German Garcia Grova, Rodriguez is all set to terminate his contract with Sao Paulo and try his luck in Europe. His recent performances have proven that he still has much to offer at the highest level of competition and it is likely that several European clubs might be interested in securing his signature. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano adds that Rodriguez "would love" to head back to the continent.

DID YOU KNOW?

A few months back, Rodriguez had hinted at a possible return to his former club Everton. He responded to a social media post by Everton Hub, which suggested that he should return to the club. The post read, "Come home @jamesrodriguez10," to which Rodriguez replied, "Last dance?"

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR RODRIGUEZ?

Rodriguez’s career has been filled with notable achievements. He has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Everton. Known for his vision, creativity, and scoring ability, Rodriguez has consistently been a key player for both club and country. And a return to Europe would hand him the opportunity to compete in top-tier football once more.

علق الإسباني رودري، لاعب فريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي مانشستر سيتي، على مقاطعة ريال مدريد حفل الكرة الذهبية، التي حصل عليها اللاعب أمس.

وفاز رودري بجائزة الكرة الذهبية، متفوقًا على فينيسيوس جونيور لاعب ريال مدريد، حيث قرر النادي الإسباني مقاطعة الحفل الذي أقيم أمس في العاصمة الفرنسية باريس.

وقال رودري في تصريحات لصحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية: “لقد اتخذ ريال مدريد القرار المناسب لهم، لم يرغبوا في التواجد لأسباب خاصة بهم، وأنا أقبل ذلك”.

طالع أيضًا.. ماذا قال جوارديولا عن تتويج رودري بـ الكرة الذهبية ومقاطعة ريال مدريد بسبب فينيسيوس؟

وأضاف: “أركز فقط على فريقي وزملائي في الفريق، والأشخاص الذين تواجدوا وكانوا سعداء بتهنئتي، وهذا كل شيء”.

وأردف: “أشعر بالخوف الآن من فتح هاتفي، سأقضي شهرًا للرد على رسائل الناس. لقد تجنبت وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي بشكل عام، لم أكن بحاجة إليها”.

وأكمل: “لقد أدركت أنها قد تضيع وقتي، وأريد التركيز على كرة القدم فقط، أتفهم أن العديد من اللاعبين يستخدمونها ويحصلون على نفس النتائج ولا تؤثر عليهم، لكن بالنسبة لي لا يبدو من السهل التعامل مع الشهرة”.

وواصل: “كنت مغرمًا بدور لاعب الوسط في العمق عندما كنت طفلًا، كان هناك العديد من اللاعبين مثل بوسكيتس وتشابي ألونسو أريد أن أكون مثلهما، لهذا السبب اخترت ذلك المركز”.

وشدد: “أريد أن يشاهدونني اللاعبون الصغار ويطمحون أن يصبحوا مثلين هذا هو أهم شيء في كرة القدم، أن تتوارث الأجيال ما تقدمه على أرض الملعب، وخارجه كذلك”.

واستدرك لاعب مانشستر سيتي: “في السابعة عشرة من عمري، غادرت المنزل بحقائبي إلى فياريال لكي أعيش حلمي. أتصلت بأبي باكيًا وأخبرته أن كل شيء قد انتهى، كان لدي شعور بأن هذه هي النهاية، لكن والدي أخبرني بأنني قطعت كل هذه المسافة، وعليّ الاستكمال، وها أنا ذا، حصلت على ما أردته”.

وعن إصابته بالرباط الصليبي، قال: “هي الأولى في مسيرتي، وعلي العودة في أسرع وقت، ولكن لا بد ألا أتسرع في العودة، أعلم مدى أهمية التعافي في ظل العدد الكبير من المباريات، لكنني أثق في فريقي قبل أي شيء”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Emocionante nos seus 90 minutos. A partida entre Operário-PR e Guarani pegou fogo do início ao fim. As equipes se encontraram nesta terça-feira, no Estádio Couto Pereira, em Curitiba. O Bugre conseguiu virar o jogo e esquecer o resultado da sua estreia na Série B. com isso, goleou o Fantasma, fora de casa, por 5 a 3. A partida ainda contou com duas expulsões, uma para cada lado. O jogo foi válido pela 2ª rodada do Brasileirão Série B 2021.

Com o resultado, o Guarani ficou na ponta da tabela, sendo o grande líder. O Bugre aparece na 1ª posição, com quatro pontos somados. Enquanto isso, o Operário é o 6º colocado, tendo três pontos. Os paulistas voltam a campo na sexta-feira, 26, diante o Náutico. Já o Fantasma encara o Londrina, na segunda-feira, 7, pela semifinal do Campeonato Paranaense.

DE TIRAR O FÔLEGO
O Guarani não tomou conhecimento do seu adversário e foi com tudo logo no início do duelo. Com menos de cinco minutos de jogo, Rodrigo Andrade mandou uma bomba de muito longe. A bola subiu demais, indo por cima do gol do Operário. Contudo, aos 8, Bruno Sávio abriu o marcador. O atacante conseguiu roubar no campo de ataque, e Davó avançou com a bola. Assim, o jogador rolou de volta para o camisa 11 bater cruzado. A bola ainda teve um desvio, morrendo no fundo do gol.

ATAQUE FORTE E PRESSÃO A TODO MOMENTO!
O time bugrino continuou tentando ampliar. Aos 16, Régis acionou Sávio, que mandou para Rodrigo Andrade. O jogador chegou batendo em cima do goleiro do Fantasma. Na sequência, a partida começou a ficar mais truncada no meio-campo, mas o Guarani tratou de pressionar ainda mais e ampliou – e com um golaço. Bruno Silva, aos 25, recebeu na intermediária, onde soltou uma bomba. A bola foi direto no ângulo, balançando as redes.

A resposta e primeira chegada do Operário aconteceu na sequência. Jean Carlo invadiu a área, batendo cruzado. Rafael Martins conseguiu fazer a defesa. Na sobra, Rafael Chorão tentou, mas Thales cortou em cima da linha. O gol do Fantasma se deu na sequência, pelos pés de Jean Carlo, que pegou de primeira e diminuiu o marcador. Um minuto depois, o Bugre fez o terceiro. Bidu cruzou, e Simão espalmou. Régis bateu firme, anotando mais um para os paulistas.

MAIS UM DO GUARANI E TENTATIVA DO FANTASMA
Os visitantes continuaram com a grande pressão e foram atrás de mais um gol. Aos 32, Júlio César recebeu e cruzou. A bola ficou para Bruno Sávio, que empurrou para as redes. No entanto, a arbitragem pegou impedimento na jogada. Os donos da casa surgiram já no final da etapa, em tentativas de Ricardo Bueno e Leandrinho, mas ambas sem sucesso.

MAIS UM DO BUGRE
Após o intervalo, o duelo voltou com grandes emoções. Logo no início, o Bugre conseguiu ampliar o marcador. Aos 4, após lançamento, Davó ganhou de Filemon, driblou e bateu colocado com a esquerda. A bola foi parar no fundo das redes do Operário.

RECUPERAÇÃO DO OPERÁRIO
A resposta dos mandantes, inclusive, não tardou. Seis minutos depois do quarto gol dos paulistas, Leandrinho invadiu a área e mandou uma bomba. Pablo cortou quase em cima da linha. O segundo dos paranaenses, de fato, só aconteceu aos 13. Djalma Silva cruzou na medida para Alex Silva, que cabeceou. Rafael Martins defendeu. No rebote, porém, Ricardo Bueno empurrou para o gol e diminuiu.

JOGO TRUNCADO E EXPULSÕES
Após o segundo tento do Operário, a partida caiu um pouco de rendimento. Dessa forma, as equipes pouco criaram. Perto do final da etapa, os donos da casa até chegaram a assustar. Aos 39, Djalma Silva bateu com efeito, mas Rafael Martins conseguiu defender, mandando para escanteio. Depois da cobrança, em levantamento na área, Alex Silva foi no corpo do goleiro do Bugre, que deixou o pé ao cair, atingindo o adversário. Assim, o lateral-direito do Fantasma não deixou barato, voltando e empurrando o goleiro. Cartão vermelho para os dois.

FINAL EMOCIONANTE!
Depois disso, a partida ficou ainda mais dramática. Assim, aos 44, em levantamento na área, Schumacher cabeceou sozinho na segunda trave. No entanto, a bola acabou indo para fora. Na sequência, foi a vez de Djalma assustar. O jogador cobrou escanteio, e Ricardo Bueno cabeceou. Com isso, Gabriel Mesquita defendeu. A resposta do Guarani foi com um gol de Lucão do Break. O camisa 99 recebeu, ajeitou e bateu cruzado. A bola foi direto no ângulo, e o jogador conseguiu um tento logo em sua estreia. Sem outros lances, o duelo terminou no 5 a 2.

FICHA TÉCNICA​
Operário 2 x 5 Guarani
Estádio: Couto Pereira, em Curitiba
Data: 01 de junho de 2021, às 19h (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Rodrigo Batista Raposo
Assistentes: Leila Naiara Moreira da Cruz e Lehi Sousa Silva
Cartões amarelos: Lucão do Break, Régis, Bidu e Thales (Guarani)
Cartões vermelhos: Alex Silva (Operário); Rafael Martins (Guarani)

GOL: Jean Carlo (28’/1ºT) e Ricardo Bueno (13’/2ºT); Bruno Sávio (8’/1ºT), Bruno Silva (25’/1ºT), Régis (29’/1ºT), Davó (4’/2ºT) e Lucas do Break (48’/2ºT).

OPERÁRIO (Matheus Costa)
Simão; Alex Silva, Reniê, Rodolfo Filemon e Djalma Silva; Leandro Vilela (Fábio Alemão, 6’/2°T), Rafael Chorão (Marcelo, 6’/2°T), Jean Carlo (Rafael Oller, 28’/2°T) e Leandrinho (Schumacher); Rodrigo Pimpão (Thomaz, 6’/2°T) e Ricardo Bueno.

GUARANI (Daniel Paulista)
Rafael Martins; Pablo, Thales (Índio, 27’/2°T), Carlão e Bidu; Bruno Silva, Rodrigo Andrade e Régis (Tony, 27’/2°T); Bruno Sávio (Gabriel, 43’/2ºT); Davó (Lucão do Break, 30’/2°T) e Júlio César (Matheus Souza, 31’/2°T)

Steven Croft, Lancashire’s long-serving allrounder, has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at the club until the eve of his 37th birthday.Croft’s extension was secured after a productive 2019 season in which he was the second-highest run-scorer in the Royal London One-Day Cup, with 516 runs at 73.71, and helped Lancashire secure promotion back to Specsavers County Championship Division One.In 2011, he had the honour of hitting the winning runs in Lancashire’s County Championship win and he also led the side to a maiden T20 title as captain back in 2015.He was awarded a testimonial in 2018, and was a fixture in the 2019 Vitality Blast, equalling his career-best in scoring 94 against Worcestershire Rapids at New Road.Croft will begin his 16th season at Lancashire in 2020, having made his first-class debut as a 20-year-old against Oxford University in 2005. He joined the club’s Academy in 2003 and was among the first players to graduate through to professional cricket.In all, he has amassed 168 first-class, 145 List A and 168 T20 appearances for Lancashire, and is their all-time leading appearance-maker in T20 cricket since debuting in 2006.He is also a Level 4 coach, and will continue to work with the Lancashire Academy and age-group sides in a coaching role.”I am over the moon to have signed another contract with Lancashire,” said Croft. “It is an incredibly special place for me and I can’t wait for the new season to come round, my 16th as a professional.”It means everything to represent the Red Rose. I still get a huge sense of pride whenever I play and I know I have plenty left to give on the field. The desire to perform for this Club remains as strong as ever.”At this stage of my career, whilst I feel like I’ve still got a lot to offer as a player, to have the chance to further my coaching experience by working with the Club’s Academy and age-group sides, is something that is very important to me.”Lancashire Director of Cricket, Paul Allott, said: “We are thrilled to have Steven on board for another two years. His performances last season more than merited another contract and he was a central part of our squad in all formats. He is an extremely versatile player and responded well last year when called upon in different roles within the team.””There is no one more passionate about the Red Rose, and his extensive experience will help to guide the younger lads in the changing room as well as working with our Academy and age-group players, as he continues to gain further coaching experience.”

Newcastle United are under threat of losing an "exceptional" hero in the summer transfer window, with a big club reportedly hovering to sign him.

Newcastle may need summer rebuild

The Magpies' bitterly disappointing season continued on Monday night, following a 3-2 defeat away to Chelsea in the Premier League, with their campaign threatening to completely peter out.

The pressure is undoubtedly growing on manager Eddie Howe, with numerous recent reports linking Newcastle with replacements for him, including current Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann, who is only expected to be in charge of the national team until after Euro 2024 this summer.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Howe, with the next few months potentially key in that respect, but whoever is in charge come the start of next season may need new faces added to the squad.

Wolves winger Pedro Neto has emerged as an exciting target for Newcastle, with a number of Premier League clubs believed to be eyeing him up, although another injury picked up against Fulham last weekend does further highlight his constant problems.

Highly-rated Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande has also been considered a target for the Magpies for some time and could be viewed as a younger alternative to the likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles. There is also the risk of losing certain players, however, and a worrying update has dropped regarding one star man at St James' Park.

Man City could trigger Bruno Guimaraes release clause

According to a new update from Football Transfers, Manchester City are interested in signing Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes this summer.

The report states that "sources close to the situation have told us that Man City have a huge interest in the Premier League ace", adding that "Pep Guardiola, in particular, is a big fan of the Brazil international's versatility and tenacity."

He has a release clause of £100m in his contract, with City now considering triggering that over the summer.

Losing Bruno is a nightmare for many Newcastle fans, considering what a massive impact he has made since arriving at the club in January 2022. The Brazilian is not only a supremely gifted footballer, providing so much quality in the middle of the park, but he is also a winner who adds fight. International colleague Casemiro has lauded him recently, saying:

"Recently, Bruno is a player who has been doing an exceptional job at Newcastle. With every workout and every game I’m more comfortable with him. He is a great player, who has been demonstrating this in the most difficult competition in the world."

Bruno Guimaraes' Premier League stats this season	Total
Appearances	27
Starts	27
Goals	3
Assists	5
Tackles per game	2.0
Key passes per game	1.5
Pass completion rate	86.1%

To sell Bruno to City at this point in his career could be disastrous, further strengthening Guardiola's side in the process, but after such a below-par campaign for Newcastle, there is the risk that the 26-year-old could feel that a fresh challenge is needed.

The Brazil international is one of the first names on Howe's team sheet, however, and if he does want to leave, the Magpies will surely demand his release clause is met in any possible exit.

Glasgow Rangers return to action after a two-week break following their defeat to Benfica at Ibrox in the Europa League last 16 second leg.

A trip to face Dundee was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, meaning Philippe Clement has had plenty of time to nurse his injured players back to full fitness ahead of the Premiership match against Hibs on Saturday afternoon.

Every match is now a cup final for the Light Blues as they aim to win their first title since 2021. The defeat to Benfica could be a blessing in disguise as the schedule won't be quite as hectic, but they still have to play ten matches (11 if they reach the Scottish Cup final) between now and the end of May.

Clement will be hoping his key players remain fit and healthy over the course of the next few weeks as a potential treble is within their grasp.

The defence in particular has been mightily impressive this season, especially domestically, and much of this is down to the solid partnership of John Souttar and Connor Goldson.

Goldson made his 300th appearance for the Gers in the recent win over Hearts, showing a level of consistency that often goes underappreciated by the Ibrox faithful.

Connor Goldson’s statistics for Rangers this season

After 29 Premiership matches this season, Rangers have conceded just 16 goals, the lowest in the top flight. This defensive stability has proven crucial to their recent ascent to the top of the league table, with Souttar and Goldson starring together.

There has been the odd mistake or two, however. During a tie against Aberdeen in November, Goldson was caught out by a long ball over the top, allowing Bojan Miovski to run through and score. He did win a penalty during injury time to salvage a draw, however.

Player

Position

Allan McGregor

GK

James Tavernier

RB

Nikola Katic

CB

Connor Goldson

CB

Jon Flanagan

LB

Ross McCrorie

DM

Scott Arfield

CM

Daniel Candeias

CM

Josh Windass

RW

Jamie Murphy

LW

Alfredo Morelos

ST

Among his teammates, Goldson currently ranks third for accurate passes per game (61.7), along with ranking first for accurate long balls per game (5.7) and third for clearances per game (3), fully demonstrating his passing ability throughout the course of the season.

Souttar has also taken his game up another level since being deployed alongside Goldson, as the duo have wonderful chemistry.

The Englishman will hope to win another league title and the Scottish Cup before the end of the season, but the question is, how long will he remain at Ibrox for?

Connor Goldson’s Rangers future

Heading into the final few weeks of the 2021/22 season, Goldson’s contract was due to expire, with the speculation that he was going to leave for nothing once the campaign had ended.

At the start of June, the defender signed a four-year extension with the club, committing his future to the Glasgow side as he aimed to win more trophies.

“Connor is an important player in our group and we are delighted that following all of our discussions, he has decided to commit his long-term future to Rangers.” Said sporting director Ross Wilson at the time, and it has proved to be a big coup keeping him at Ibrox.

The 31-year-old still has two years left on that contract, but Clement may well be looking for long-term replacements for the former Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back, especially as he seeks to lower the average age of the squad.

The Belgian shouldn’t dive into the market and splash millions on a player, however, as he has an ideal heir for Goldson already in his first-team squad – Leon King.

Leon King’s Rangers statistics

The 20-year-old displayed his impressive talents during the 2020/21 season, making his senior debut under Steven Gerrard during a League Cup clash against Falkirk.

Aged just 16 at the time, he was given 19 minutes towards the end of the match, while Gerrard also gave him his league debut against Livingston during the penultimate game of the championship-winning season.

It was clear the former Liverpool captain was all for developing youth talent and King was among one of the best in his age group.

King made six appearances in all competitions the following season, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst following Gerrard’s mantra of allowing youngsters to blossom. He even started two of the final three league matches that term, showing that the Dutchman trusted him.

This experience certainly stood him in good stead ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, as he was called into action sooner than he expected.

Injuries to Souttar and Ben Davies in the opening stages of the season saw King deployed next to Goldson in what was a baptism of fire for the youngster.

Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton hailed King as a “big Rolls Royce” during the summer of 2022 and the youngster demonstrated his qualities alongside Goldson.

Throughout the season, he made 23 appearances for the club, which included six in the Champions League, facing off against the likes of Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli.

Despite the Gers losing all six matches in the competition, King still managed to win 50% of his total duels per game, along with making 1.7 tackles and completing 25.5 passes per game, showing that while he was thrown into the deep end, he was more than capable of swimming.

With Goldson and Souttar thriving, plus Leon Balogun also starring whenever he has been awarded a start, King has found game time much harder to come by this term compared to last.

The defender has made just four appearances – totalling 14 minutes overall – during 2023/24, with a loan move perhaps being the most logical option for him next season.

Prior to signing an extended contract with the Light Blues in December 2022, Premier League clubs such as Manchester United and Newcastle United were circling around the youngster, looking to take advantage of his status.

While the previous few months have been tough, this learning process will give Clement the opportunity to find out if King has the maturity and commitment to remain at the club for the long term.

Goldson won't last forever and King may be the perfect choice to replace him when he finally departs Ibrox.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Despite David Moyes' future still being uncertain, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season, West Ham United have reportedly turned their attention towards potential incomings for whoever may be in the hot seat next season.

West Ham transfer news

The likes of Steve Cooper and Graham Potter have already been linked with the West Ham job if Moyes fails to sign a new deal this summer. Potter has of course been without a job since being sacked at Chelsea last season. Now, however, he could get the chance to step back into Premier League management at the Blues' London rivals.

He may have his critics, but Moyes will no doubt take some replacing at the London Stadium. The Scot would be leaving as a Europa Conference League champion and as the manager who took West Ham from relegation trouble and into a club competing in the Premier League's top half.

West Ham join race to sign £22m Champions League finalist fullback

They are not the only Premier League club after him.

ByTom Coates Mar 24, 2024

Whilst potentially searching for their next manager, the Hammers have still kept an eye on potential incomings, however, having seemingly turned their attention towards Nottingham Forest, who need to balance their books to avoid a second Financial Fair Play charge. And that has already seen the Hammers linked with Morgan Gibbs-White and now Taiwo Awoniyi.

According to Soccer Net, West Ham have emerged as a potential destination for Awoniyi, as the London club possibly look to replace the ageing Michail Antonio ahead of next season. The defenders at the London Stadium certainly know all about the Forest striker, that's for sure, given that he netted in both fixtures against them this season.

"Excellent" Awoniyi is better than Antonio

Whilst there was a stage in which Antonio was the main man in West Ham's attack, that stage has passed. The 33-year-old is beginning to show his age, handing Moyes a problem that he may need to solve if he is still at the club this summer. And in the face of that problem, Awoniyi makes perfect sense when it comes to finding an upgrade and replacement for the current Hammers forward.

Starts

12

13

Goals

6

3

Assists

3

2

Expected Goals

4.7

2.5

It's also worth noting that Awoniyi managed 10 goals in his debut campaign in the Premier League last season, making the praise of former boss Steve Cooper no surprise. Cooper previously said to the media:

"You always want your number nine scoring goals. I’ve said before that we missed him a lot when he got injured and he missed three months. He was doing well just before that and so to get him back in the form he has shown has been excellent."

With that said, West Ham could be hoping to be the ones benefitting from Awoniyi's goalscoring talent, rather than the side on the receiving end next season, making this one to watch alongside Gibbs-White.

Pakistan head into the first Test in Brisbane having only claimed seven wickets against an inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in their final two-day tour match in Perth which ended in a draw.Just four days after bowling out some of Australia’s leading first-class players for just 122 at Perth Stadium, the bowlers struggled to make significant inroads against a very young CA XI batting line-up in 40 plus degree heat on a flat WACA surface. CA XI did slump to 2 for 6 early but half-centuries to Victorian Jonathan Merlo and West Australians Matthew Spoors and Bradley Hope ensured the youngsters survived 79.5 overs before the players shook hands. Merlo and Spoors put on 122 in nearly a session and a half of batting while Hope finished unbeaten on 50.Back after missing the Australia A game, Mohammad Abbas bowled with typical frugalness taking 2 for 22 from 14 overs, including CA XI’s most credentialed player Jake Doran. Muhammad Musa also bowled tidily claiming 2 for 32 from 14 overs.But after Naseem Shah created a flurry of excitement with his burst against Australia A, he found the going much tougher at the WACA. He went wicketless in 12 overs and conceded 58 runs to be Pakistan’s most expensive bowler in terms of economy rate. Spinners Kashif Bhatti, Yasir Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed each claimed a wicket but unsurprisingly did not find much purchase on the day two WACA strip.Imran Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi did not bowl after their strong performances against Australia A.

Lionel Messi has been wearing a protective boot while holidaying with wife Antonela Roccuzzo and team-mate Luis Suarez after Copa America injury.

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Article continues below

Article continues below

• Messi on holiday with wife & Suarez
• Foot still in a protective boot
• No estimation on his return from injury

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In a vacataion picture from a boat posted by Antonela, Messi's protective boot could clearly be seen. The couple hadn't gone away alone, with Inter Miami colleague Suarez and his wife also appearing in a later snap. The pair of forwards first became firm friends during their time at Barcelona and were reunited in Miami for the 2024 MLS season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Messi suffered a painful ankle injury during the recent Copa America final, forced out of the game 66 minutes in – despite his desire to play on – as Argentina eventually beat Colombia.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Inter Miami are top of the Eastern Confernce, even in Messi's absence. The Herons lost top spot earlier this month after a shock record defeat at the hands of challengers FC Cincinnati, but have won back-to-back games since to reclaim first place. Messi hasn't played for the team since June 2.

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• Lionel Messi Instagram/GOAL/GETTY
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Given that Messi was reduced to a slow limp when he was being honoured at Miami's MLS clash with Chicago Fire over the weekend, it may be some time before he is back playing. At present, there is no timeline on his recovery beyond "indefinite".