It was only the eighth such instance in the Test history and the first since 1998
Ekanth13-Sep-2024
Rain kept the ground staff busy on the fifth day too•AFP/Getty Images
The first ever Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand ended on a sad but predictable note as the game was called off without a ball being bowled. It was only the eighth such instance in the Test history and the first since 1998.There was an air of inevitability around the call after there was no play in the first four days and heavy rains ended the last two as early as 9.15am. The rain returned on the fifth morning, prompting the umpires to pull the plug at 8.45am.The clouds hung low and the covers were drenched yet again at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground. A pool of water had formed near one of the boundaries and a few puddles were scattered across the uncovered grass in the outfield.Related
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The match was subject to weather concerns even before the opening day. When there was no play on the first two days despite the weather being sunny during playing hours, the outfield and the preparedness of the venue came under the scanner.Apart from the New Zealand players getting a couple of hours of net practice next to the pitch on the second afternoon, there was no cricketing action in any form across five days. The ACB blamed the unseasonal rain for it.Afghanistan’s next assignment is the three-match ODI series against South Africa in Sharjah. New Zealand will now travel to Sri Lanka for two Tests, which are part of the World Test Championship. After that, they will face India in India in a three-Test series. The Greater Noida Test, which was not part of the WTC, was supposed to help them acclimatise to the subcontinent conditions but it was not to be.
On the hunt for a central defender after solving their striker problem with Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool are now reportedly eyeing a shock candidate this summer.
Ekitike undergoes Liverpool medical
After they broke the British transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz earlier this summer, some may have thought Liverpool were done with their big spending. As it happens, however, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are out to make a statement, and the arrival of Ekitike is only the latest part of an extensive plan.
After agreeing a deal worth an initial £69m, plus £10m in potential add-ons, Liverpool are set to welcome the Frenchman to their pre-season tour of Hong Kong once he completes his medical.
Taking their spending to almost £300m this summer, it would be easy to assume that the Reds are finally done with their spending. Once again, however, that does not seem to be the case.
Anfield chiefs are still reportedly plotting a move to sign Real Madrid’s Rodrygo if luis Diaz swaps Liverpool for Bayern Munich this summer. Meanwhile, they’re also reportedly looking to replace Federico Chiesa with Lyon’s Malick Fofana. And that’s without mentioning their desire to also sign another centre-back this summer.
A better signing than Rodrygo: Liverpool leading race to land £45m star
Liverpool are hoping to make a few more signings in the summer transfer window.
ByAngus Sinclair Jul 23, 2025
To that end, Marc Guehi has been their main target all summer long. The England international has just one year left on his Crystal Palace deal, potentially allowing Liverpool to land a cut-price deal.
Whether Crystal Palace remain stubborn on their £45m stance will be the big question in negotiations, of course, and Liverpool certainly won’t overpay for the central defender. Instead, they could yet turn their attention towards an unexpected alternative.
Liverpool eyeing shock Charlie Cresswell move
As reported by GiveMeSport, Liverpool are now eyeing a move to sign Charlie Cresswell this summer after the Toulouse defender caught the attention of their scouts.
The former Leeds United youngster has thrived in France and deservedly has the interest of the Premier League champions. Standing at 6 foot 3, Cresswell would – like Guehi – tick the homegrown box for those at Anfield and represents one for the future at just 22 years old.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref)
Cresswell
Guehi
Minutes
2,592
3,059
Progressive Passes
69
134
Tackles Won
23
34
Aerial Duels Won
98
68
Although Cresswell’s work in possession would need fine-tuning, his 6’3 stature would provide Liverpool with an undeniable asset. Winning almost 100 aerial duels last season, the 22-year-old would provide better aerial dominance than Ibrahima Konate, who won 74 duels last time out.
Praised for an “excellent” tournament with England at the U21 Euros by scout Jacek Kulig, Cresswell is now ready to step back into English football and perhaps come back to haunt former club Leeds.
If Liverpool fail in their Guehi pursuit, then the Toulouse man should be among their top alternative options this summer.
كشف هانز فليك، مدرب نادي برشلونة، عن موقف مدافع الفريق الكتالوني من المشاركة أمام خيتافي غدًا الأحد، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.
برشلونة يستضيف خيتافي مساء غد الأحد على ملعب يوهان كرويف، ضمن منافسات الجولة الخامسة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني.
ويسعى برشلونة إلى تحقيق الفوز على خيتافي من أجل تشديد الخناق على ريال مدريد متصدر الليجا حتى الآن.
أقرأ أيضًا .. برشلونة يحدد قائمته لحضور حفل الكرة الذهبية.. غياب اسمين بارزين
وتحدث فليك خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص باللقاء والذي نقلته صحيفة سبورت عن موقف باو كوبارسي من المشاركة أمام خيتافي، حيث أصيب اللاعب الشاب خلال مواجهة نيوكاسل يونايتد يوم الخميس الماضي في دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وقال فليك عن كوبارسي: “سنرى إن كان بإمكانه اللعب غدًا، سيكون كوبارسي خيارًا متاحًا لنا سواءً على مقاعد البدلاء أو من البداية”.
وعن داني أولمو وعدم مشاركته أساسيًا، أضاف فليك في حديثه: “لدينا 25 لاعبًا وعلينا دائمًا اتخاذ القرارات، لقد بدأنا الموسم للتو وكل لاعب مهم في تشكيلة الفريق، أنا سعيد بجودة اللاعبين، ربما لا يكون بعضهم راضيًا لكن الأمر يتعلق بالفريق وإذا شاركوا فعليهم إظهار ذلك، فهذه هي مباراتهم التي يجب أن يتألقوا فيها، إنهم يدركون أهمية هذا الأمر، الفريق هو الأهم وهو أساس النجاح في هذا النادي”.
وعن سباق الكرة الذهبية وإمكانية تتويج لامين يامال بها، أوضح فليك: “لا أعرف إن كان لامين سيفوز بها، ولكن سنرى يومًا ما، أن نكون هناك يعني أن نحترم الفائز في النهاية، نحن لدينا لاعبين مرشحين للفوز بها وأي شخص موجود يستحق الجائزة، علينا أن نحترم الفائزين فهذا أمر بالغ الأهمية”.
وعن ما إذا كان التعادل أمام رايو فاليكانو نقطة تحول لمشوار برشلونة هذا الموسم أردف المدرب الألماني: “إذا نظرنا إلى الموسم الماضي سنجد أن الأمور تتغير كثيرًا في الحياة وكرة القدم، وظيفتنا هي أن نبذل قصارى جهدنا من أجل النادي وبنسبة 100%، وسأبذل قصارى جهدي أيضًا”.
وبشأن تعرض مدرب أتلتيكو مدريد، دييجو سيميوني، للسباب من قبل مشجعي ليفربول في دوري أبطال أوروبا، واصل فليك: “لا أشعر بما شعر به سيميوني، لقد مررت بمواقف مماثلة لكن هذا هو الواقع، ليس من الجيد سماع الإهانات من المدرجات، كل شخص يختلف عن الآخر وأحب أن أتحدث عن رد فعل تشولو وهو ما يعبر عن مشاعره، وأنا أتفهم ذلك لكن الوضع مختلف”.
وعن خيتافي استكمل: “ما يهمني أكثر هو فريقي، نعرف ما نتوقعه ومن المهم أن نتدرب جيدًا وأن نستعيد نشاطنا وهذا ما يجب أن نفكر فيه”.
وبشأن تصريحات مدرب خيتافي، خوسيه بوردالاس، حول اعتراضه على إقامة لقاء برشلونة وفياريال في أمريكا قال فليك: “لكل شخص رأيه الخاص في الأمور، لا يهمني ما يقوله الآخرون”.
وفيما يتعلق بمدى جاهزية ملعب كامب نو لاستقبال مباريات برشلونة استطرد: ”الأمر ليس بيدي فأنا مطلع على التطورات والوضع وأين سنلعب لكن القرار ليس بيدي، علينا التركيز على أدائنا وسنرى ما سيحدث خطوة بخطوة”.
وعن ماركوس راشفورد، أوضح فليك: “اكتسب ماركوس ثقة كبيرة بهدفيه في مرمى نيوكاسل وفي أسلوب لعبنا، يجب أن نلعب بأقصى قوة وهذا ما أتوقعه منه، عندما تصل إلى فريق جديد عليك أن تتكيف والآن هو الوقت المناسب”.
وأردف: “أؤمن بشدة بجودة هذا الفريق ولكن علينا العمل بجد دائمًا، علينا أن نتطور كل يوم وأن نتكيف مع كل موقف وسأواصل بذل قصارى جهدي”.
وعن إصابة جافي تابع: ”نأمل أن يعود قريبًا، إجراءه لجراحة؟ الآن ليس الوقت المناسب لاتخاذ قرار. سنتخذه في بداية الأسبوع المقبل”.
وعن موقف لامين يامال وأليخاندرو بالدي وإصابة الثنائي واصل: ”نعمل على عودة الثنائي، علينا أن نتابع حالة لامين يومًا بيوم، أما بالدي فنحن على دراية بوضعه وأعتقد أن عودته قريبة، علينا الانتظار بشأن لامين، لكنه يبذل جهدًا كبيرًا ويتلقى العلاج وتحسنه مستمر”.
With Andre Onana set to miss Manchester United’s pre-season tour through injury, INEOS are reportedly set to step up their interest in signing a £17m replacement.
Onana suffers untimely injury
In his first summer under Ruben Amorim, Onana would have been one of many players hoping to put last season behind him and finally convince the new manager that he’s good enough to keep his place. Before the former Inter Milan man has even received the opportunity to hand Amorim his verdict, however, injury has struck at the worst-possible time.
In a summer which has seen Manchester United linked with moves for the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Marco Carnesecchi, Onana could have done with some fortune on his side. Ultimately, however, his Old Trafford place is now more at risk than ever before.
In more bad news for the goalkeeper, INEOS have not hesitated to spend big so far this summer, either, and their next spending spree could be used to welcome another shot-stopper.
Before then, of course, it looks as though Bryan Mbeumo is set to finally arrive from Brentford in a deal worth as much as £70m. The impressive winger will join Matheus Cunha in an attempt to help transform a frontline which was often found wanting last season.
It’s not just the duo who could be handed the task of turning things around at Old Trafford, though. Reports are now suggesting that Manchester United are poised to intensify their move to sign Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig striker has looked destined for the Premier League for some time and could now finally get his big-money move.
The Serbian’s arrival would end United’s attacking overhaul too, allowing them to shift their attention back towards replacing Onana.
Man Utd step up interest in Lammens
According to talkSPORT, INEOS and Manchester United are set to step up their interest in signing Senne Lammens, who Royal Antwerp value at around £17m this summer. The shot-stopper, still just 23 years old, is an ideal candidate to replace Onana and has already spoken about interest from Old Trafford in the past.
Man Utd have held meeting with "exceptional" £67m star who wants to leave
He impressed at Euro 2024 last summer.
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The Belgian told reporters earlier this year: “The first time I heard I thought, ‘Wow’. Immediately a world [renowned] team that follows you. That is special. Of course, I was also spoken to about it a lot and when I made a save in training, it was United this, United that [from colleagues]… It’s only positive.
“Especially because it’s the best competition in the world and my profile, my stature and way of playing, is similar to English football. You have to physically hold your own there and that suits me.”
Lammens enjoyed a “superb season” last time out, according to scout Jacek Kulig, and if his previous interview is anything to go by, the Belgian wouldn’t need much convincing to join Manchester United this summer.
King also returned to the T20I side after having recovered from the side injury that had forced him to miss chunks of the T20 World Cup
Deivarayan Muthu05-Oct-2024
Evin Lewis is back in West Indies’ white-ball sides•CPL T20/Getty Images
Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Akeal Hosein have all opted out of West Indies’ T20I squad for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka for personal reasons. Opening batter Evin Lewis, who had last played a T20I during the World Cup in 2022, returned to the side for the three T20Is in Dambulla. Lewis was also picked for the ODI leg of the Sri Lanka tour.Brandon King also returned to the T20I side after having recovered from the side injury that had forced him to miss chunks of the T20 World Cup earlier this year and CPL 2024. In the absence of Russell, West Indies called up his Trinbago Knight Riders team-mate Terrance Hinds and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons’ Shamar Springer. This was the first international call-up for both allrounders who were impressive in CPL 2024.While Hinds often fronted up to bowl at the death for TKR, Springer emerged as Falcons’ leading wicket-taker in a spin-dominated CPL with 12 strikes in nine games at an economy rate of 9.39. Springer has quite a few slower variations in his repertoire, which could suit the potentially sluggish pitches in Sri Lanka.Related
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Johnson Charles switches his T20 fortunes
Rovman Powell will continue to lead the T20I side with Roston Chase, who earned a West Indies central contract earlier this week, retained as his deputy. Lewis’ return comes after the selection system was revamped with coach Daren Sammy now leading the panel.”The tour of Sri Lanka gives us a chance to test our depth and assess players in different situations, especially with several senior players missing out for various reasons, including a need for rest and rehabilitation from injury,” Sammy said in a CWI statement. “We are confident in the squad’s ability to compete strongly against Sri Lanka.”Johnson Charles, who had reinvented himself as a 360-degree batter in St Lucia Kings’ run to the CPL 2024 final, missed the cut, with Andre Fletcher being picked as the reserve opener behind Lewis and King. Alick Athanaze is also another top-order option for West Indies. Finisher Sherfane Rutherford, though, is set to return to action after having withdrawn from CPL 2024 for personal reasons.Left-arm fingerspinner Gudakesh Motie is the only frontline spin bowler in the T20I squad. He will be assisted by offspin-bowling allrounder Chase and left-arm spin-bowling allrounder who had won the LPL earlier this year with Jaffna Kings.Alzarri Joseph, who had been rested for West Indies’ most recent T20I series, against South Africa at home, returned to the side but there was no place for left-arm seamer Obed McCoy, who often operates at the death.West Indies T20I squadRovman Powell (capt), Roston Chase (vice-capt), Fabian Allen, Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Shamar SpringerJewel Andrew could become the youngest West Indies player to make his debut in ODI cricket•CPL T20 via Getty Images
Jewel Andrew bolts into WI ODI squadSeventeen-year-old Jewel Andrew has broken into West Indies’ ODI squad for the three-match series in Pallekele. He could become the youngest West Indian to make his debut in ODI cricket; only Derek Sealy and Garry Sobers have made their international debuts for West Indies at the age of 17.Andrew has played only three List A games and seven CPL matches so far, but has already done enough to attract the attention of some West Indies greats, including Viv Richards and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, his CPL coach at Falcons, and Ian Bishop.The youngest player to ever feature in the CPL, Andrew marked his debut with an unbeaten 50 against a St Kitts & Nevis Patriots attack that included internationals like Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi. Andrew had been earmarked to become a future West Indies star right from his age-group days.”As we continue to build our ODI team, this tour offers a valuable opportunity to evaluate strategies and give opportunities to emerging talent,” Sammy said. “We are excited to see young players like Jewel Andrew, who has earned his place as an exciting prospect for the future.”Shai Hope, who won a two-year contract with CWI, will continue to captain the ODI team with Alzarri Joseph his deputy. Matthew Forde, who didn’t find a place in the T20I side, made it to the ODI side. He has had some success with Dambulla Aura in the LPL.The ODI squad has two specialist spinners, with wristspinner Hayden Walsh Jr retaining his place to complement left-arm fingerspinner Motie. Batters Athanaze and Keacy Carty, who were also part of West Indies’ most recent ODI squad, for the Australia tour earlier this year, retained their spots.Carty was also in good form for TKR in the CPL, where he scored 246 runs in ten innings at an average of 30.75 and strike rate of 125.51.West Indies’ white-ball tour of Sri Lanka will begin on October 13 and will run until October 26.West Indies ODI squadShai Hope (capt), Alzarri Joseph (vice-capt), Jewel Andrew, Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh Jr
تلقى مانشستر سيتي دفعة قوية، بعد نجاح الفريق في حجز مكان في دور الـ16 من كأس رابطة المحترفين الإنجليزية عقب الفوز على هدرسفيلد تاون، بهدفين نظيفين، وسيستأنف استعداداته لمواجهة بيرنلي السبت المقبل في الدوري الإنجليزي.
ومن المقرر أن يستعيد مانشستر سيتي لاعب خط الوسط الفرنسي ريان شرقي، والذي سيصبح لائقاً بدنياً بشكل كامل، على الرغم من التوقعات بغيابه لمدة شهرين عن الملاعب.
وأفاد الصحفي لويك تانزي من صحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية أن إصابة ريان شرقي في العضلة الرباعية قد تعافى منها تماماً.
وقد يتم استدعاء ريان شرقي لاعب الوسط لقائمة الفريق ضد برينتفورد في أوائل أكتوبر أو حتى ضد برينتفورد قبل فترة التوقف الدولي.
اقرأ أيضاً.. جوارديولا بعد التأهل في كأس الرابطة: لاعب مانشستر سيتي عاد لأفضل حالاته
ويعد بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي واحد من أكبر المعجبين بلاعب خط الوسط الفرنسي، كذلك فإن أنباء عودة اللاعب تشكل سعادة كبيرة لجماهير النادي الإنجليزي.
وكان ريان شرقي قد تعرض لإصابة عضلية أبعدته عن الملاعب منذ نهاية شهر أغسطس الماضي، وقد افتقده بيب جوارديولا للدفع به في المباريات الماضية.
يذكر أن ريان شرقي سجل هدفًا واحدًا خلال مباراتين منذ انضمامه لمانشستر سيتي قادمًا من ليون الفرنسي، في صفقة كلفت 36 مليون يورو بجانب 6 ملايين يورو إضافات في الصيف الماضي.
Não foi a primeira vez que Rogério Ceni falou sobre o caso Marcos Paulo. Mas foi a maneira mais enfática de todas, nesta terça-feira (18), após a vitória por 2 a 0 sobre o Puerto Cabello, da Venezuela, no Morumbi, pela Copa Sul-Americana. O meia, responsável por um atrito com o treinador no mês passado, foi o autor de um dos gols.
– O Marcos, eu falei, o problema foi uma postagem que ele fez. Eu conversei no meio de todos os jogadores dentro de campo, porque a postagem foi pública. E fico muito feliz que ele tenha feito gol. Uma coisa que eu aprendi é que a gente pode discutir dentro do campo, mas isso fica dentro do campo.
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+ ATUAÇÕES: Em noite ruim, Marcos Paulo salva, e Calleri mostra que faz diferença em vitória do São Paulo
Buscando encerrar de vez a questão, Ceni elogiou alguns pontos sobre seu jogador, que segundo ele ‘pode ter sido influenciado’ a fazer a postagem.
– Eu não sou hipócrita, eu falei com ele, o que ele colocou naquilo não condizia com a minha pessoa. Mas em momento algum ele faltou a treinamentos, deixou de jogar, foi premiado com o gol hoje. Ele é bom menino, às vezes influenciado, empurrado por outro que tem um desvio de conduta, mas ele é bom menino. Fico feliz por ele.
+ Confira os jogos, classificação e simule resultados da Sul-Americana-23 na tabela do LANCE!
India captain says match simulation gives them a better chance at maximising their three days at the WACA in the lead-up to the Test series
Alagappan Muthu03-Nov-20245:43
Rohit: Not going to look beyond the Australia series
India will go from their 0-3 defeat to New Zealand to Australia in a couple of weeks’ time and they will face that challenge without the aid of any practice matches. This was their choice. They’ve scrapped a game they were supposed to play against India A at the WACA in favour of centre-wicket training with India A. This means the first game of any kind they will play during the Border-Gavaskar series is the opening Test match in Perth.India took this decision before the whitewash happened on Sunday and the captain Rohit Sharma explained why. “Look, you know, rather than practice match, we planned a very match simulation kind of a thing with India A,” he said. “I think sometimes when you play that practice match, we’re travelling with a squad of 19 players and it was only three days that were allotted to us. And I don’t know how much workload we can get done in those three days in terms of getting everyone prepared.”So we, as a management as well, we feel that rather than having that, the match simulation where the batters can spend more time in the middle, batting in the middle, and then the bowlers as well can bowl a lot of balls, so that is something that, we as a team feel more comfortable doing rather than playing a practice game because game time is not a problem. All of us have been playing a lot of cricket. So it’s just about spending time in the middle.”Related
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India A are already on site and have played a four-day game against Australia A in Mackay. That squad includes members who are part of the Test squad as well and several other leading performers in first-class cricket. So Rohit is hopeful of getting reasonably good prep, especially now with the shift from practice match to match simulation.”If a batter gets out, he has to sit in the dugout for the whole day, you know, and he doesn’t get too much of batting done,” Rohit said. “Whereas in match simulation kind of a thing, you know, the batters can go out and play 50-70 balls and then if you feel that he’s had enough, we can retire him out and then get someone else in. So that is the plan.”We want to maximise this three-day slot that we’ve got and I feel this is the best way to do it where the batters can have a lot of time in the middle and the bowlers at the same time can get their workload in terms of getting the number of balls bowled in the middle. So that was the idea and we will be.”I think we’ll be training at WACA, which is as close to Optus where you have that bounce and carry. So hopefully we can use those three days perfectly and maximise how much ever we can from our point of view.”The five Tests in Australia now assume even greater importance because India will need to win four of them to make it to the WTC final next year. They may have to start the series without Rohit, who mentioned that he “wasn’t too sure if I’ll be going to [Perth]. But let’s see. Fingers crossed.”
Manchester City may yet make some more first-team signings this summer, but Pep Guardiola will first push some of the flotsam out of the door.
The likes of Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips seemingly have no future of substance within the Etihad Stadium first-team, and will surely take their leave before the end of the month.
The Citizens have also rejected an offer from Nottingham Forest for James McAtee, though the Tricky Trees are expected to return.
Guardiola enjoys working with smaller squads; he’s been vocal on that matter. However, the Spanish tactician might be convinced to add one talented Premier League talent to his ranks before the market slams shut.
Man City considering Prem star
Manchester City’s interest in Morgan Gibbs-White this summer suggests that Pep would be interested in adding some robust technical quality to his midfield.
Morgan Gibbs-White 2024-25 stats (timeless)
Exciting French talent Rayan Cherki arrived from Lyon earlier in the summer for £34m, but the 21-year-old isn’t a player who can shuffle between offensive and deeper-lying zones with the greatest ease, his exciting qualities best served toward the attacking third of the field.
That one appears to be dead in the water, but that’s not to say City wouldn’t push ahead with another deal, should Grealish and McAtee both leave.
Indeed, according to Globo Esporte in Brazil, Man City have revived their interest in West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta after the playmaker was exonerated in his high-profile spot-fixing case, which scuppered his £80m move to the club two years ago.
The 27-year-old is not priced in the sale towering ballpark anymore, with the Hammers seeking no more than £60m for his sale this summer.
What Lucas Paqueta would bring to Man City
Once hailed as a “magician” of a midfielder by reporter Robbie Mustoe, Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon for a club-record £51m fee in 2021.
He’s since played 120 times for the Londoners, scoring 18 goals and providing 14 assists. The Brazil international played the assist into Jarrod Bowen’s path to win the Conference League in 2022.
Paqueta’s contentious reputation following the events of recent years, partnered with the fact that his departure wouldn’t carry the same poignancy for those of an Irons persuasion as with two years ago, could lead him to become Man City’s own version of Eric Cantona, whose finest days as a footballer were found on the red side of Manchester.
Cantona is considered one of the most notorious and talented players to have competed in the Premier League, joining the Red Devils from Leeds United for just north of £1m in 1992.
Though the move was met with fury from the Whites fanbase, it was maybe an astute piece of business given that he was a turbulent part of the squad.
Eric Cantona – in-article
Hailed as being “the catalyst that really galvanised the team for the next 25 years” at Man United by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Frenchman was the real deal, posting 145 goal contributions from 185 matches in the nineties.
Could the £150k-per-week Paqueta have a similarly talismanic effect on this City side? They are hardly in disarray, but perhaps in need of some added inspiration and creative flair across the coming terms to reinstate this outfit as the indomitable force at the pinnacle.
Paqueta is confident and mature at 27. Likewise, Cantona was in the senior stage of his professional career when he made his big move, at 26 years old.
Paqueta lacks the same invincibility he might have felt when he wrapped up the 2023/24 season under David Moyes’ wing, having stumbled and fallen to the wayside over the past year.
But he’s now picked himself back up, absolved of wrongdoing in his recently closed court case. It means that Paqueta can focus solely on his football across the next few years of his prime, and where better to see those terms out than at Man City?
He remains one of the most talented and well-rounded midfielders in the Premier League, and a player who City could utilise to restore some of their former strength over the coming year – he’s proven in England’s top flight, as was Cantona, after all.
Lucas Paqueta’s Last Two Prem Campaigns
Stats* * (per game)
23/24
24/25
Matches (starts)
31 (31)
33 (27)
Goals
4
4
Assists
6
0
Touches*
65.7
58.6
Pass completion
75%
79%
Big chances created
12
4
Key passes*
1.4
1.1
Dribble success
59%
50%
Tackles + interceptions*
3.0
2.5
Duels (won)*
7.6 (50%)
6.0 (48%
Data via Sofascore
Perhaps Paqueta lacked fluency and focus last season, but he didn’t endure a drastic drop-off, retaining the core elements of his skill set, which Pep could surely bring back to the fore. At his best, the one-time Flamengo man is Cantona-esque, with a certain Paul Scholes having even made that comparison:
As per FBref, Paqueta ranked among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last season for passes attempted, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 3% for tackles, and the top 3% for ball recoveries per 90, highlighting the wide breadth of skill and style that would be woven into the City fold.
Ultimately, Man City have so much quality in their ranks, and they would enrich that quality further still by signing Paqueta. However, Guardiola would also add a player with a combative mindset whose signature comes attached with more than a measure of controversy.
Cantona and Berbatov
But, with Kevin De Bruyne having departed at the end of his contract, this might be a fantastic move to make for City as they gear up to reclaim their Premier League title.
After all, Paqueta was profiled comprehensively two years ago, and he could be a fantastic addition to a team in transition.
Bigger English talent than Trafford: Man City still pursuing £50m sensation
Man City are hoping to sign more players after Trafford
Glasgow Rangers will play Club Brugge in the play-off round of the Champions League qualifiers with a chance to reach the league phase of the competition.
The Gers booked their place in the play-off round with a 4-2 aggregate win over Viktoria Plzen in the last eight days, which was largely thanks to their 3-0 win at Ibrox last week.
Despite a 2-1 defeat away to the Czechia-based outfit on Tuesday night, Russell Martin will be delighted that his team have navigated two Champions League qualifying ties already.
What the former Southampton boss will not be best pleased with, though, is that one of his star players could be facing a significant period on the sidelines.
Cyriel Dessers hobbled off the pitch with an injury against Viktoria Plzen and Martin confirmed after the game that the forward has suffered a “nasty” injury to his ankle.
It now remains to be seen how long the Nigeria international will be out of action for, as the Scottish giants need to wait on the results of a medical scan.
Why Rangers would need to replace Cyriel Dessers
The Light Blues would need to replace the former Cremonese centre-forward in the summer transfer window if this injury is as ‘nasty’ as Martin suggests, and he is out for a significant period of time.
This is because, as it stands, Danilo is the only fit senior number nine in the squad, with Dessers and Hamza Igamane currently sidelined. That is a concern because the Brazilian forward has a worrying fitness record of his own.
The ex-Feyenoord attacker has missed 53 matches through injury in the last two seasons, per Transfermarkt. This means that Martin cannot rely on him to be available week-in-week-out, as the striker has not proven that he has the durability to be consistently available for the Light Blues over the course of an entire campaign.
Therefore, a potentially long-term injury to Dessers, who scored against Viktoria Plzen in the first leg at Ibrox, would result in the Gers needing to find a new centre-forward to lead the line.
Cyriel Dessers (24/25)
Premiership
Appearances
35
Goals
18
Big chances missed
21
Duels won per game
2.0
Ground duel success rate
34%
Aerial duel success rate
31%
Duel success rate
33%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Nigerian forward was not perfect in the Scottish Premiership last term, as he missed 21 ‘big chances’ and lost the majority of his duels on the ground and in the air.
What you cannot dispute with Dessers, though, is that he does score goals. 18 goals in 35 appearances, despite not being very clinical with the chances that came his way, is not a horrendous return for the attacker.
This is why Rangers will need to sign a new striker to ensure that they carry enough of a threat at the top end of the pitch if it turns out that the 30-year-old marksman is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
With this in mind, the Light Blues must react to his ‘nasty’ injury blow by swooping to sign one of their reported transfer targets before the end of the window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Last month, it was reported that Rangers were interested in a deal to bring Girona centre-forward Bojan Miovski back to Scotland, 12 months on from his move to Spain from Aberdeen.
Why Rangers should sign Bojan Miovski
The Light Blues must swoop to sign the striker, who was signed for £7m last summer, as a reaction to the injury to Dessers, as he is a proven Premiership striker who would be the perfect addition for this situation.
Estadio Deportivo reported earlier this week that Miovski is likely to move on from Girona, in order for them to sign another number nine, which suggests that the door is open for the Gers to bring him to Ibrox.
Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski.
With this in mind, Rangers should move to bring him in to ensure that Martin has a striker whom he can rely on to score goals on a regular basis in the Premiership if Dessers, who scored 18 in the league last term, is not going to be available for the foreseeable future.
Danilo, who also has his aforementioned injury issues, has only scored nine Premiership goals in just over two seasons with the Light Blues, per Sofascore, which does not suggest that he is likely to step up and be the main man for goals for the manager.
Miovski, who has scored against Rangers in the past for Aberdeen, is a striker who would be able to come in and hit the ground running as someone who has already shown that he can score goals on a consistent basis in the Scottish top-flight.
Miovski (Premiership)
22/23
23/24
xG
15.60
17.08
xG on target
18.36
17.60
Goals
16
16
Shots on target
36
44
Chances created
27
23
Assists
2
2
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed attacker enjoyed two very impressive seasons in the Premiership during his time with the Dons, scoring 32 goals.
Whilst he ‘underperformed’ against his xG in the 2023/24 campaign, his xG on target (the quality of his shots) suggests that it was more down to high-quality goalkeeping than poor finishing.
Bojan Miovski for North Macedonia.
The Macedonia international, who was described as a “complete number 9” by journalist Josh Bunting, has shown that he can perform well against his xG, given the quality of his shots across both seasons, and score goals at an impressive rate in the division.
That is why, given the recent update on his availability, Rangers should be making a move to formalise their interest in him as a reaction to the injury to Dessers, as he would be a perfect replacement for the Nigeria international.
Worse than Gassama: Martin must axe Rangers dud who lost 83% duels in UCL
Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin must drop this flop who was even worse than Djeidi Gassama.
1 ByDan Emery Aug 13, 2025
It is now down to the board, though, to back Martin with a move for the £7m-rated marksman to truly bolster the team’s attack before the end of the window.