Southampton are now thought to be on the verge of completing another late signing on deadline day, according to an encouraging update from Sky Sports.

Southampton win race for Noel Buck

Saints still just about have time to complete some last-gasp business in the summer transfer window, with New England Revolution teenager Noel Buck one reported target for them before the cutoff on Friday night. The 19-year-old would be considered one for the future for Russell Martin, but also a good squad player who can add depth straight away, in order to give his side the best possible chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League straight back down to the Championship.

The biggest news for Southampton on deadline day has been the signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal, however, with the Englishman completing a £25m move to St Mary's Stadium. It has been made clear that he is second-choice to David Raya at the Emirates, so he is no doubt excited to be a regular starter again, while Martin will no doubt be delighted to bring in an established international player.

Saints have also been pushing to complete the signing of Maxwel Cornet from West Ham and now a significant update has emerged regarding the situation.

Southampton on the verge of signing £65k-a-week ace

According to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth Cornet is now set to undergo a medical at Southampton, as he closes in on a loan move to St Mary's: "Maxwel Cornet is understood to be travelling to Southampton for a medical. They are pushing to sign him on a season-long loan from West Ham."

Cornet could be a brilliant temporary signing for Southampton, even though his time as a West Ham player has ultimately been a little underwhelming. Only one goal has come his way in 37 appearances for the Hammers – he has at least registered six assists, though – and he could be jumping at the opportunity to be a more important player for Saints.

Still only 27 years of age, the £65,000-a-week Ivory Coast international has scored six times for his country, while none other than Pep Guardiola once admitted that he was "very impressed" with him as a player, having come up against him for Lyon in a Champions League clash with his Manchester City side.

As mentioned, depth is so important for Southampton, especially as legs and minds tire as the season goes on, and Cornet could add so much quality in wide attacking areas, usually preferring to take up a left-sided role.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: summer transfer window 2024

Find every incoming and outgoing for each 2024/25 Premier League club here.

By
Stephan Georgiou

Sep 18, 2024

That being said, the Ivorian is also adept at playing on the right and in a central attacking berth, while he can even play at left-back too, showing the options he can provide Martin with. It feels like a no-brainer of a signing, and his loan switch could even be made permanent next summer if he shines for Saints.

There are many things to love in football, but watching your team concede a last-minute goal is certainly not one of them.

Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, that is precisely what they witnessed yesterday afternoon, as after nearly 60 minutes of sensational defending, Manchester City managed to put the ball in the back of the net to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Now, coming so far and still just missing out on the three points is always going to sting, but within the context of a second yellow card for Leandro Trossard, the Premier League title race and Erling Haaland opening the scoring in the first half, a point at the Etihad has to be looked at as a good result.

Moreover, while the North Londoners presented practically no attacking threat in the second half, their defensive work was exemplary, especially from one player whom former defender turned pundit Rio Ferdinand was once quite scathing of.

The beginning of Gabriel's arsenal career

Yes, the player in question is none other than Arsenal’s man mountain, Gabriel Magalhães, who has come on leaps and bounds in the four years he has been at the club.

The North Londoners paid French side LOSC Lille around £23m for his services back in the summer of 2020, and while it wasn’t the sort of transfer that garnered much attention outside the Gunners fanbase, he quickly settled into life at the Emirates.

In his first season in England, the Sao Paulo-born star made 32 appearances across all competitions, in which he scored three goals and provided one assist, meaning that as a centre-back, he maintained an average of a goal involvement once every eight games, which was a sign of things to come.

The following campaign saw the “unstoppable” 6 foot 3 ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, rack up another 39 appearances and five goals in all competitions.

However, despite now playing alongside the talented Ben White, there were still some problems at the back, which were on full display in the 4-0 defeat away to Liverpool that season.

Fortunately, 22/23 saw the introduction of William Saliba into the backline and the transformation of White from a centre-back to a right-back, which is the set-up that’s been the bedrock for much of the club’s success over the last few years.

However, despite the defence getting stronger, Gabriel was still not necessarily getting the plaudits he deserved, as mistakes against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates in October 2022 and against West Ham United at the London Stadium in April 2023 created an image of the defender as an unreliable and reckless player.

Unsurprisingly, following the penalty he gave away against the Irons, former centre-back Ferdinand criticised the Brazilian, saying: “As a defender, you’ve got to be calm. There’s no need for him to do what he did.

“It was a rush of blood, he needs to eradicate that, get that out of his game quick. But rash… and I’ve said this about Gabriel a few times. He’s rash, he makes mad, wild decisions.”

He even hinted that the defender could be someone Arteta looked to move on if he continued in that manner. “‘As a manager you don’t want to see that. Because those types of things ruin the head too many times, it starts becoming part of their make-up, and you’re going, ‘hold on, can I rely on this guy?”

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

This perspective may have held some water then, but over the last year or so, Gabriel has proven that the former Manchester United star was very wrong.

Gabriel's recent form

Surprisingly, Gabriel started last season on the bench and didn’t start a Premier League game until the home game against United in matchweek four, which the Gunners won 3-1 in rather dramatic fashion.

However, following that match, he was once again a regular starter alongside Saliba, and while the team missed out on the title by just two points, they produced the best defence in the league.

By the end of the campaign, the perception of the former Lille ace being a potential issue for the manager had all but disappeared, and as further proof of his sensational form, the 26-year-old was named in the PFA Team of the Year, alongside four of his teammates.

Appearances

174

Goals

17

Assists

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.10

This season has seen the nine-capped international continue his incredible work at the back, and alongside the defensive solidity he brings to the team, he has kept up his habit of scoring from set-pieces and currently has two in five appearances, meaning that, across all competitions, the Gunners’ number six has scored 17 goals and provided one assist in 174 appearances.

However, it wasn’t just his goal against City that made his display yesterday afternoon so sublime; it was the fact that, alongside his teammates, he was forced to defend against arguably the best team in Europe with ten men for close to 55 minutes, and while Pep Guardiola’s juggernaut eventually scored, it shouldn’t take away from the Herculean effort from Gabriel and his teammates.

Gabriel vs Manchester City (2-2 draw).

For example, in his 99 minutes on the pitch, he made five clearances and two tackles, blocked three shots, lost the ball just four times and scored a goal for good measure, which all helps to explain why the Standard’s Simon Collings was entirely fair to award him a 9/10 on the day.

Ultimately, while some of the early criticism Gabriel faced at Arsenal was likely fair, there can be no denying that as things stand, he is one of the very best defenders in the country and has made himself utterly undroppable.

Not just Trossard: £50m ace will struggle to get back in Arsenal's best XI

Leandro Trossard had a day to forget at the Etihad Stadium.

ByMatt Dawson Sep 23, 2024

Southampton supporters will be starting to get a little tetchy about their side’s chances of beating the drop, even with the Premier League season only five games in.

Russell Martin’s Saints are yet to pick up a win in the testing division, but it could’ve been oh-so different last weekend after promising Southampton youth product Tyler Dibling opened the scoring against another relegation-threatened outfit in Ipswich Town.

However, Sam Morsy for the away side would have other ideas late on and delivered a sucker punch right at the death to deny Martin’s men an elusive three points.

At least the South Coast side managed to pick up a draw in this contest, with a recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at St Mary’s still a sore scoreline to stomach, as Jack Stephens really struggled defensively against Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils.

Stephens' performances this season

Recognised as a well-thought-of servant at Southampton, with 185 games for the Saints now under his belt and the captain’s armband on his sleeve, Stephens still hasn’t been able to cope with the step-up in quality so far.

He was notably poor against Man United, with the experienced 30-year-old even sent off late on in the one-sided affair after this poorly-timed tackle stopped Alejandro Garnacho in his tracks.

Daily Mail journalist Nathan Salt would dish out a 3/10 match rating to Stephens after this early bath, with the lacklustre centre-back not helping his side whatsoever after his dismissal, as Garnacho then ended up shaking off the cynical tackle with a late strike to make it 3-0 on the day.

Struggling away at Brentford the game prior too, with only one duel won from five attempted as Thomas Frank’s Brentford put Stephens’ side to the sword 3-1, the dismissal against United has at least given Martin food for thought as to who could replace the Saints captain moving forward.

Tyler Harwood-Bellis came into the side in Stephens’ place against Ipswich and looked solid – with 50 accurate passes tallied up playing out from defence – as the 30-year-old now worries about his standing in the main Saints lineup moving forward.

Stephens' wage at Southampton

The defender’s excessive wage also doesn’t help his cause, with Stephens raking in more than both Yukinari Sugawara and Ben Brereton-Diaz in the current Saints camp – as per Capology – despite the duo both joining as bold signings just this summer.

Sugawara has also fitted in seamlessly at Southampton so far, with his strike against Brentford actually breaking his team’s goalscoring duck in the top division. That said, he still finds himself earning less per week compared next to Stephens’ pay packet.

According to Capology, Stephens earns £45k-per-week compared to the Japanese gem’s £40k-per-week wage, with Ben Brereton-Diaz earning even less than the new standout Saints defender himsef at £35k-per-week.

1. Aaron Ramsdale

£120k-per-week

2. Joe Aribo

£70k-per-week

3. Maxwel Cornet

£65k-per-week

4. Adam Armstrong

£60k-per-week

5. Jan Bednarek

£60k-per-week

Stephens is only £15k-per-week off entering the top five highest earners at Southampton, with his recent suspension exposing the fact his hefty take home might not be warranted.

With Brereton-Diaz, there will be a hope that he does improve for the Saints moving forward away from Stephens’ woes, as the former Sheffield United man did fire home six goals last season in the division for the Blades.

Back to Stephens, however, and Martin will need to have a frank talk with the experienced defender soon about his future on the South Coast, with his current deal at the Premier League side up next summer.

He could still be important this season as Southampton aim to keep their heads above water in the challenging league, but his performances will have to drastically pick up, after his horror show display against Man United.

Southampton now shortlist "solid" new manager who Martin has never beaten

Martin is under pressure…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 21, 2024

Veteran allrounder digs deep in low-scoring thriller to seal one-wicket win

ECB Reporters Network10-Jul-2021

Jenny Gunn dug deep to see her side over the line•Getty Images

Northern Diamonds 110 for 9 (Gunn 27*) beat Western Storm 106 for 9 (Macdonald 4-17) by one wicketAlex Macdonald registered career-best figures to put the skids under Western Storm and help Northern Diamonds achieve a dramatic one-wicket win at Taunton to take control of Group B in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.Diamonds skipper Holly Armitage won the toss and opted to field, a decision which reaped dividends when Macdonald took 4 for 17, eclipsing the 4 for 28 she claimed for Yorkshire women against Surrey in 2015. Undermined by poor shot selection and unable to build meaningful partnerships, Storm posted a below-par 106 for 9, Katie George top-scoring with 21 and Nat Wraith contributing 20.But the hosts came roaring back into contention, Danielle Gibson, Alex Griffiths and Nicole Harvey claiming two wickets apiece as Diamonds lurched to 96 for 9. It required all of Jenny Gunn’s vast experience to see the visitors over the line, the former England international hitting the winning four off the final ball to finish unbeaten on 27 from 21 balls.Put into bat, Storm were up against it from the outset, Linsey Smith pinning Georgia Hennessy lbw without scoring in the first over, and then holding a catch at point as Gibson succumbed to Gunn in the act of cutting. When Phoebe Graham located Sophie Luff’s outside edge and Sarah Taylor took a brilliant diving catch at the second attempt behind the stumps, Storm had lost their captain for a duck and were under duress at 28 for 3 in the fourth over.Having played second fiddle in a stand of 23 for the fourth wicket with George, opener Fi Morris fell to MacDonald, top-edging a catch behind and departing for 16.Dropped on 11 by Katie Levick at mid-on off the bowling of Graham in the sixth over, George made good her escape to accrue 21 valuable runs from 23 balls, striking a brace of fours in the process. Chancing her arm once too often though, she then hoisted a delivery from MacDonald high to Campbell at deep mid-on and exited at a crucial juncture in the innings with the score on 64-5 at the halfway stage.Former Gloucestershire bowler MacDonald struck again in her next over, inducing Griffiths to sky a catch to point and then removing Lauren Parfitt, held by Graham at mid-off, as Storm subsided further to 76 for 7 in the 13th over. Emily Edgecombe was comprehensively stumped by Taylor off the bowling of Levick, but Wraith mustered tail-end defiance, contributing a forthright 20 from 21 balls, before Smith returned to remove her off stump and complete a handy return of 2 for 15 from four overs.Edgecombe struck an early blow for Storm, having Armitage caught at the wicket for five in the first over, but Leah Dobson and Ami Campbell staged a progressive alliance of 27 in three overs to lay solid foundations.Yet Storm stuck to their task in the field and, when Griffiths removed Dobson and Campbell in the space of five balls in the fifth over and Gibson then bowled MacDonald for six, there was the merest hint of an unexpected outcome.The fight-back was well and truly underway when Griffiths performed a brilliant stop and throw from the deep square leg boundary to run out Taylor for 11, the former England star falling inches short in pursuit of a second run. Rachel Hopkins was trapped in her crease by Morris for two and Dutch international Sterre Kalis played down the wrong line and was clean bowled by the impressive Gibson, at which point Diamonds were teetering on 78 for 7 and heavily reliant upon veteran campaigner Gunn.Offspinner Harvey accounted for Smith and Graham in the penultimate over to set-up a tense finale. With 10 needed from the final over, Gunn held her nerve, lofting a length ball from Griffiths over mid-on to register her third boundary and clinch a memorable victory at the death.

He will stay with the team for the T20 matches against India which follow the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Aug-2021

Shane Bond will link up with New Zealand in the UAE•Getty Images/ICC

Shane Bond will be part of New Zealand’s coaching set-up for the T20 World Cup and T20 matches in India which follow the tournament.Bond, a former bowling coach with the national side, will be in the UAE at the IPL with Mumbai Indians prior to the World Cup and New Zealand hope he will be able to provide valuable insight along with the group of players returning to their franchises.”Shane’s been in our environment before and understands what we’re about,” head coach Gary Stead said. “Being in the UAE immediately prior to the World Cup … he’ll hopefully bring some tactical insight into what’s been happening in the competition.”He’ll be an extra set of hands especially around the bowlers, working with the spin and the pace bowlers and developing their plans in a tournament that moves pretty quick – so we need to be one step ahead of other teams.Related

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“Shane’s been working away with New Zealand players for a long time and he’s been involved in our recent camps so it’s been good for him to reacquaint himself with our guys. He’s held in high regard and I know he’ll bring a lot of knowledge and opinions to the group.”Bond, who stepped down as Sydney Thunder coach in the BBL earlier this year, has been working with both the New Zealand men’s and women’s squads at their winter camps preparing for the upcoming tours.He will join Stead, Shane Jurgensen and Luke Ronchi as the coaching staff for the World Cup and India T20s.New Zealand were the first team to confirm their World Cup squad last week and will head into the tournament with tours of Bangladesh and Pakistan although will be without their IPL players for those series. Stead will also miss those two tours with Glenn Pocknall stepping in alongside assistants Graeme Aldridge and Thilan Samaraweera.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense trabalha para trazer mais um reforço importante para a temporada 2022. O Tricolor está próximo de acertar a contratação de Nathan, do Atlético-MG, por empréstimo, e vencer aconcorrência do Santos e Fortaleza. O clube carioca avançou na negociação e fez com que o Peixe recuasse na disputa. A informação foi inicialmente divulgada pelo portal “GE”

RelacionadasFluminenseFluminense anuncia a contratação do zagueiro David Duarte: ‘Feliz de participar desse projeto’Fluminense03/01/2022FluminensePentacampeão! Relembre os títulos do Fluminense na CopinhaFluminense02/01/2022FluminenseLuiz Henrique completa 21 anos na artilharia do Fluminense e com o carinho da torcidaFluminense02/01/2022

Vale destacar queFluminense e Santos fizeramuma proposta de R$ 1 milhão para fechar com o atleta. A direção do Galo chegou a aceitar as duas ofertas, mas o Tricolor tende a levar a melhor por estar na Copa Libertadores. Além disso, apresentarum aumento de 10% em cima dos vencimentos que o meia recebe em Belo Horizonte. O Santos desistiu do negócio por não querer disputar o jogador com vários clubes, segundo informações do jornal O Dia.

+ Confira a classificação final do Campeonato Brasileiro 2021

O jogador está de férias com a famíliaem um sítio Santa Catarina e deve vir ao Rio de Janeiro ainda nesta semana para realizar os exames médicos e se acertar com o Tricolor. O início da temporada do clube acontece no dia 10 de janeiro e para a posição de meia, Nathan terácomo concorrentes Paulo Henrique Ganso e Cazares.

Nathan é reveladopelo Athletico-PR e meia de origem. Contudo, ele é polivalente e também atuou em outras posições como:ponta, volante e até centroavante. Nas últimas três temporadas em que defendeu as cores do Atlético-MG, o atletadisputou 118 partidas e marcou 14 gols. Participou ativamente das campanhas dos títulos do Brasileirão, da Copa do Brasil e do Campeonato Mineiro em 2021. O vínculo do atleta com o Galo vai até junho de 2024.

Ele surgiu como destaque do Furacão em 2014 e 2015 e foivendido para o Chelsea, da Inglaterra, por € 7 milhões de euros (R$ 23 milhões na cotação da época). Na Europa, não conseguiu se firmar e foiemprestado ao Vitesse, da Holanda, e ao Belenenses, de Portugal. Em 2018 retornou ao Brasil e desde então está no elenco do Galo.

+Fluminense anuncia a contratação do zagueiro David Duarte: ‘Feliz de participar desse projeto’

A qualidade do atleta agradou o então treinador Jorge Sampaoli, que pediu sua contratação. A transação girou em torno de € 3 milhões de euros (R$ 17,9 milhões na época).

Stoney is the new head coach of Canada's women's national team, seven months after leaving the San Diego Wave

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Canada endured Olympic drone scandal last year
• Controversy led to firing of head coach Priestman
• Ex-Man Utd & San Diego Wave boss Stoney replaces her

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The role was vacant following Bev Priestman's dismissal in November, as a result of a drone scandal at the Olympic Games. One was spotted over a training session of New Zealand, Canada's first opponent of the tournament last summer, and investigations led to Priestman being suspended, the team being docked six points at the Games and, eventually, the head coach and two other members of staff, being fired for filming an opposition training session.

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Canada have now filled the role on a permanent basis, with an impressive appointment in Stoney. After three strong years at Manchester United, the former England captain enjoyed an even more successful time in the NWSL with San Diego, leading the Wave to the playoffs in its inaugural season before winning the NWSL Shield and NWSL Challenge Cup in the following two years. That made her dismissal by the club in June quite a surprise, even though the team were enduring a rough patch of form.

• WHAT STONEY SAID

  "I am honoured to join Canada Soccer as the head coach of the women’s national team," Stoney said upon the announcement of her appointment. "Canada has a proud tradition in women’s football, and I am excited to work with such a talented group of players. Together with the federation’s new leadership, we will strive to build on past successes and continue to grow the sport in Canada on and off the field. I look forward to the journey ahead and to engaging with the incredible passion of Canadian soccer fans."

  Kevin Blue, CEO and General Secretary of Canada Soccer, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Casey Stoney as head coach of the women’s national team. Casey’s track record of successful leadership, her values and strength of character, and her lifelong dedication to the advancement of women’s football make her the right person to lead our national team into its next chapter."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  As Canada looks to turn the page on a bad year for its women's soccer program, it will celebrate the establishment of its first professional league in April, the creation of which has been led by former national team star Diana Matheson. Speaking to INDIVISA about the launch of the Northern Super League, Matheson stressed the importance of support for the league from the new national team coach, and confidence in Blue to find someone who would lend that. She, and the whole league, will hope Stoney fits the bill.

Ange Postecoglou has been dealt another Tottenham injury worry ahead of the north London derby, with a "world-class" Spurs player injured on international duty.

Tottenham vs Arsenal – team news and injury updates

The Lilywhites host Arsenal this weekend in what is one of their biggest games of the Premier League season, and Postecoglou will be hoping that he can help to spoil Mikel Arteta's title charge early doors.

Free agent who Paratici tried to sign in 2022 holds talks to join Tottenham

The ex-Spurs managing director is seemingly an admirer.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Sep 10, 2024

Arsenal are without summer signing Mikel Merino this weekend, with the Spaniard fracturing his shoulder in training and could be out for nearly two months. Declan Rice is also a big miss for Arteta and won't play a part after he was sent off for two bookable offences in their last game against Brighton.

Captain Martin Odegaard is a huge doubt for the clash at Tottenham as well, following the midfielder's ankle sprain, which forced him off during Norway's 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Austria on Monday.

Timo Werner

RB Leipzig (loan)

Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth

Archie Gray

Leeds

Wilson Odobert

Burnley

Lucas Bergvall

Djurgarden

Min-hyeok Yang

Gangwon FC

Riccardo Calafiori could miss the north London derby too, after suffering a freak injury on international duty for Italy, so Arteta has been dealt numerous selection headaches and concerns ahead of their face-off with Spurs.

For Tottenham, important trio Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and marquee summer signing Dominic Solanke missed their most recent 2-1 defeat away at Newcastle, but there is optimism that both van de Ven and Solanke could return against Arsenal.

"Micky was close, he trained this week, but he's not quite 100 per cent," said Postecoglou on van de Ven.

"Part of me was keen to give Radu a run as well, especially at this venue, so we've gone with Radu. It's nothing serious, we've a heavy programme after the international break. We're going to need all our back four, so getting Radu a game is positive for us."

Solanke has been absent since his sustaining an opening weekend ankle injury away to Leicester City, but Postecoglou has since revealed that the Englishman is close to returning.

“Dom is close but we're going to be a bit cautious with him," said Postecoglou in an injury update on Solanke.

"We've got a big programme post the international break, so he'll miss out on Sunday.”

Richarlison is still seen as a real doubt for Tottenham and is likely not to feature against Arsenal, with Postecoglou sharing that the Brazilian is set to be out for weeks.

“The only other one we got midweek is Richarlison," said Postecoglou on Richarlison's injury, just before Spurs faced Newcastle.

"Picked up an injury in training, so he'll probably miss the next few weeks.”

While Richarlison isn't expected to return for Tottenham until later this month, Postecoglou has been dealt another potential injury absence on top of the 27-year-old.

Yves Bissouma limps off after suffering injury against Estawini

Concerns now surround midfielder Yves Bissouma, and whether he will be able to play against Arsenal.

Bissouma was forced off with an injury during Mali's 1-0 win over Estawini in midweek, with the 28-year-old limping off in the 64th minute after a heavy challenge. He scored Mali's only goal of the game in the seventh minute, but it couldn't have been a worse end to the 90, as he now waits to discover the severity of his injury.

The £35 million ace, called "world-class" by presenter Adam Smith, has started two Premier League games under Postecoglou so far this campaign, scoring a rocket in their 4-0 win against Everton.

GOAL gets the measure of the latest from the football zeitgeist, including the Real Madrid star's shirt choice, the return of an iconic boot and more

Welcome to the Culture & Clobber Axis, where GOAL runs the rule over the latest goings-on at the intersection of football and culture – from the sublime to the ridiculous, the beautiful to the hideous, what's very hot and what's definitely not.

The New Year is gathering pace and there is plenty to catch up on, including a retro new look for Jude Bellingham, the possible return of a grailed adidas Predator and the Moyesiah's move back to Goodison Park.

But where do the week's biggest topics from the football zeitgeist place in our comprehensive axis? Let's get into it…

adidas tease golden Zidane Preds

adidas have hit the ground running in 2025 with the launch of Predator 25 and a sizzling red colourway, and there is no sign of the German sportswear behemoth slowing up.

Buried in the brilliant launch video for the new boot, adidas teased the re-release of Zinedine Zidane's gold Predator Precision from 2001 – given to him after he was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000. The French icon is seen entering a bank vault before unboxing the classic Preds and saying, "Let's go". We can't wait to see how these turn out.

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

AdvertisementArt of Football/ GilletteArt of Football x Gillette

Sure, Charli XCX's brat summer was great, but real ones know the soundtrack of those heady few months of intermittent sunshine was actually 'The Best a Man Can Get' from the Gillette adverts. Tom Grennan's reimagined version of the 1989 tune somehow became the unofficial soundtrack of England's run to the final of Euro 2024, and its impact has now been recognised.

Men's grooming brand Gillette has teamed up with Nottingham-based nostalgia specialists Art of Football to create a vintage shirt to immortalise this moment in football culture. The 80s design features a nice big white collar, blue and black geometric print, embroidered crest and, of course, Gillette's branding and 'The Best a Man Can Get' tagline as the sponsor. If that wasn't already good enough, all profits will be donated to the charity Football Beyond Borders.

GOAL's shout: Maverick worldie

Getty Images SportRaya's dire diving

The FA Cup is back for 2025, and Manchester United produced some magic by overcoming Arsenal on penalties despite playing most of the second half and extra time with 10 men.

United's penalties were flawless, but Gunners stopper David Raya was called out after the game for some pretty unorthodox diving – going way too early and launching himself in the wrong direction like Superman for pretty much every kick.

GOAL's shout: Maverick own goal

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PSG x Jordan Wings

Paris Saint-Germain have done the world capital of style justice down the years with their collaborations with Nike's Jordan, and they are back with the fresh 'WINGS' collection for 2025.

The capsule will land just in time for fashion week in the city, including PSG's latest 'Jumpman' fourth kit that has been designed to have long sleeves to make space for the wing motifs that are a nod to the link between the two brands, and luxury pieces that blur the lines between sportswear and luxury. .

GOAL's shout: Blatant worldie

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Varun Shetty13-Aug-2021Stumps, Day 26.30pmRory Burns and Joe Root put on a solid partnership•PA Photos/Getty ImagesIt was more ebb and flow and less one-sided on day two as England counter-punched throughout to significantly limit India’s chances of running away with an early advantage in the second Test. Spearheading the bowling effort once again, was James Anderson, who became the oldest man in 70 years to take a Test five-for; he was aided much better on the day by the rest of the line-up, and together they made sure that India added only 88 to their overnight score of 276 for 3. By stumps, England were 246 behind with Joe Root looking solid, after he had put up an encouraging stand with Rory Burns that came just in time as a potent spell from Mohammed Siraj that had threatened to put India on top once again.England punch back again5.50pmRory Burns defends the ball•PA Photos/Getty ImagesIt’s a day on which they’ve done it consistently. Rory Burns and Joe Root have done it this time with a pretty solid partnership. It started off difficult when Siraj was in full flow, but just like last evening for India, the boundaries have started to come as we head towards the close of play. We’re about 40 minutes from close of play (light permitting) and if these two manage to get to stumps, it will truly be a day that England have won. At the very least, they have managed to stop India from running away from various positions of advantage.A word also on Rory Burns, who battles and battles to keep coming back into this England XI. A good read is George Dobell on him from a couple of months ago, when he made that impressive century against New Zealand. It hasn’t been an easy year for him – four ducks, three of them against India – but he is now pretty much the most settled of England’s wobbly top three. He seems to be bringing comfort to Root as well, by keeping the scoring going at the other end after a watchful start. He’ll be keen to stretch this innings to tomorrow. He enjoys batting at Lord’s – his last four innings here read 25, 132, 29, 53.And speaking of people who enjoy playing at Lord’s, here’s a nifty throwback list from Andrew Miller on the best of James Anderson at this venue.Siraj brings back the leg trap4.50pmMohammed Siraj got India’s first breakthrough with Dom Sibley’s wicket•AFP/Getty ImagesOne of the ways India beat Australia earlier this year was by cutting out their scoring options on the off side, they did this by subverting the traditional off-stump attacking line. It was what Sid Monga called the leg trap when he wrote about it in January. A move that involved consistently slanting the ball into batters with packed leg-side fields that eventually proved to be a viable attacking as well as defensive strategy.Siraj was a key member then, and he has brought it today as well in a fiery spell. Dom Sibley’s dismissal was straight out that playbook, and the delivery immediately after to get Haseeb Hameed was a result of that as well. In the case of the latter, India had three catchers in various orientations around midwicket and of the many things you could pick up from that wicket, the clearest sign was Hameed playing on a middle-and-leg stump line to a delivery that was straight and heading for off stump.Since then, he’s continuously tested Root’s inside edge and rapped him on the pads a few times. India are playing their top four pacers, and one of the advantages is the variety with which they can test England. On one end – at the moment – is Ishant Sharma testing Burns in the corridor, and on the other Siraj is honing in at the stumps. It’s another big tick for India’s bowling coach B Arun, who was at the centre of this new plan, that India are managing to do it in conditions where bowling attacks have consistently bowled to a slip cordon for generations.The collateral, of course, is two lost reviews for India in comical fashion. Here’s Shiva Jayaraman with the numbers:Siraj and reviews•ESPNcricinfo LtdTea, Day 23.45pmEngland went to tea unscathed•Associated PressYet another session goes to England. It’s been a disciplined attack from India so far but England have weathered the early burst. It’s not a lot of runs to have after 14 overs, but going into the last session with ten wickets hand is another statement on a day that’s progressing nicely for them as they construct a comeback.More Jimmy awesomeness3.28pmJames Anderson breaks another record•ESPNcricinfo LtdRavindra Jadeja the batter2.42pmRavindra Jadeja flicks the ball away•Associated PressHere’s Shiva Jayaraman from our stats team taking a look at Jadeja’s steep improvement to become almost undroppable overseas:”Ravindra Jadeja’s selection ahead of R Ashwin in conditions where India can’t afford two spinners in their XI has become a subject of recurring debate and has polarized fans and experts. However, India’s choice to settle for their second-best spinner in such conditions is perhaps justified and here’s why.Jadeja has come into his own as a batter in Test cricket in the last few years. His upsurge arguably started with the 90 at Mohali against England in 2016-17. That was the first time his career batting average crossed 25. Before that Test, Jadeja had made 682 runs at an average of 23.51, and had just two fifties in 35 innings. However, since the Mohali Test against England Jadeja hasn’t looked back: in 41 innings since then (and before this one) he has made 1359 runs at an average of 48.53 with one hundred and 14 fifties. Only the very best of Test batters have done better than Jadeja during this period. Among batters with at least 1000 Test runs, only six other batters average higher than Jadeja.While batting lower down the order has obviously worked in propping up his average, runs haven’t been easy to score for him considering India’s long tail. Nearly 36% of those 1359 runs have come batting after India have been seven down. Among 52 batters who’ve scored at least 1000 runs since November 2016, no batter has made a higher percentage of runs batting with the tail. The next-best is Jason Holder, who has made 422 (28.4%) of his 1486 runs batting after West Indies have lost seven wickets. With Jadeja in the team, India not only have a more-than-decent bat at No. 7, they also have someone who manages to shepherd their long, frail tail to add some invaluable runs down the order.”India 364 all out2.31pmIt was another good day at the office for James Anderson•PA Photos/Getty ImagesLovely comeback from England today, led from the front again by Anderson who gets yet another five-for at Lord’s. India have managed to add only 88 to their overnight score and that is a massive win for England. These aren’t overly difficult batting conditions and to roll India out under 400 is a big step towards bringing parity to this Test. The sun’s come out as well and that should ease things somewhat for their top three. Mind you, whatever the conditions, they’re going to be up against India’s best four Test fast bowlers right now. This should be juicy.James Anderson at Lord’s•ESPNcricinfo LtdHas Sam Curran stalled as a bowler?1.20pmJoe Root has a lot of advice for Sam Curran•Associated PressHere’s Andrew Miller’s on Curran’s trajectory in Tests:”Sam Curran Makes Things Happen. That’s an article of faith that the man himself addressed (none too effusively, it has to be said) in an interview with Alan Gardner earlier this month. But all that he has made happen so far in this Test is a steady flow of runs – most especially when Rohit Sharma was carving six fours in 11 balls in the second hour of the match.He’s wicketless for the series after 37 overs of toil, while leaking his runs at nearly 3.5 an over, and notwithstanding his perpetual threat with the bat, there’s a sense that he’s been found out by this India line-up – a savvier mob than their forebears in 2018, who sized up his baby-faced offerings in that Player-of-the-Series campaign three years ago, and fell over themselves in their rush to take him apart.There’s no disputing that he’s an astounding, precocious cricketer. He’s a risen star of the IPL already, where his bustling, ballsy bowling is matched by his clean-hitting abilities at either end of an innings, and at the age of 23, his ceiling has not yet been reached. There’s every chance, in fact, that he’ll become more like Ben Stokes as his game progresses – a top six batter who bowls in the game-changing moments. But right now, at this level, he’s been rumbled, and finding a response won’t be easy.The contrast with his first bowling stint against India, at Edgbaston in 2018, is instructive. He claimed 4 for 74 in that innings, including the top three in eight balls in his very first spell. And sandwiched in the middle of that flurry was none other than KL Rahul, yesterday’s centurion, and the clearest barometer of how far India’s batting has evolved since that tour.Rahul was batting at 3 in that innings, and arrived after Murali Vijay had been “caught napping”, as ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary put it – unaware that Curran possessed a very handy inswinger, and pinned in front of leg stump for 20. Rahul’s first ball was a fat edge for four through the slips, the second was a horrendous hack onto his own stumps, as Curran floated fuller, tempting the indiscretion. One over later, Shikhar Dhawan had scuffed an outswinger to slip. Curran’s full bag of tricks had bagged a game-changing haul.Now, however, it’s not so simple. He’s still got the tools, but India have the read the manual. They’ve seen his repertoire, and sense that his quest for magic balls is now more likely to be his undoing. In essence, he needs a stock ball – or a more basic mantra on which to build his Test game – much as James Anderson acquired at a similar stage of his development from technical whizz to master craftsman, notably ahead of the 2010-11 Ashes, when his then-bowling coach David Saker implored him never to offer up width for the cut.The trouble is, how does a player in such high white-ball demand find the time, or the patience, or frankly the will, to put in the hours needed to take his medium-paced game to the next level. He’s got time on his side, but the circumstances of his career are hardly designed to help him.”Lunch, Day 21pmOllie Robinson struck in the first over of the day•Getty ImagesMuch better from England today, a real collective bowling effort. India’s best in this innings has come when at least one opener has been at the crease, and the dismissal of KL Rahul off the second ball of the day was a godsend. A lot was contingent on how India’s two most experienced batters remaining would go today, and with Rahul out of the way, the tails were up. They’ve generally been much better after taking the second new ball and had really worked Rahane up last evening. It only took one ball to finish that job today – surprise, surprise, it was Anderson – and barring a short burst from Rishabh Pant, they’ve bowled with serious control and also made much better use of the conditions than they did in the early parts of Day 1. Step one after a first day like that is always damage control, and they did that inside the opening ten minutes to make sure India didn’t run away with the game. They’ll be breathing a lot easier right now, particularly at the prospect of batting on what could be a lovely sunny afternoon. Things pretty even at lunch, I’d say.What to make of India’s middle-order troubles12.13pmIndia’s big three this year•ESPNcricinfo LtdVarun Shetty: Short batting line-up with a shaky middle-order. Did India heap too much pressure on Pujara and Rahane when they are clearly not at their best?Nagraj Gollapudi: They were already under pressure from Trent Bridge especially Pujara who has very weak numbers in England despite his abundant county experience. The trouble for Pujara is he keeps getting unplayable balls, so that pressure swells from ball one. But you would have noticed that he has been ticked off the team management  to look for runs straightaway. Remember that four off the last ball of the fourth evening where he lunged into a full delivery for a square drive.But the trouble is Pujara looks unsettled and his balance against the fourth stump line is vulnerable as his right hip keeps opening. This morning, too, India batting coach Vikram Rathour was working hard on that point asking Pujara to flex his knees and not slide his right foot too early in his trigger movement. But, yes, Pujara’s weak numbers are adding to his woes and he has one more innings at Lord’s to prove he is worth clinging on to as No. 3.Varun Shetty: And Rahane? Is he potentially in danger of being dropped too?Nagraj Gollapudi: Not yet, but he is not generating any confidence in the middle order. He keeps getting the starts as he did against New Zealand in the WTC final. I think what is helping both Pujara and Rahane is Kohli’s form, which is nowhere near the impervious self he was in 2018.Varun Shetty: Could you elaborate on that? Kohli’s pretty much on par with the other two on stats since 2020 – why do you think they’ve been given a longer rope because Kohli himself isn’t performing?Nagraj Gollapudi: On the eve of this match the first question Kohli was asked was whether there is pressure on Pujara and Rahane. Kohli said more than individuals, it is all about “collective” contributions and whether batters are standing up to combat match situations. So, yes, Kohli cannot just press the foot on the other two, who have actually done well recently in Australia. Can I just share a lovely observation from Deep Dasgupta – who is here doing punditry for BBC Test Match Special – on Kohli?Varun Shetty: Of course.Nagraj Gollapudi: Did you notice Kohli was uncomfortable defending on the off stump on Thursday? Two days before the match, he asked coach Ravi Shastri to observe his trigger movement and his head position. I was uncertain as to what was happening so I asked Deep, who seems to have worked out the issue. According to Deep, it is Kohli’s front foot which is now straighter, pointing to the bowler, which is affecting his balance and the head falling sideways and his right hip and shoulder opening up in the process – something we did observe at times yesterday. Deep points out that previously, that front toe would move towards mid-off and cover. As an example, the cover drives Kohli hit on Thursday came more with the horizontal bat, Deep pointed out. So the trouble for Shastri and Rathour is the three main batters are all facing technical issues. Obviously the easiest to drop is Pujara, but then who replaces him at No. 3?Varun Shetty: I suppose that is the next big question – India haven’t really had the opportunity to test someone else at No. 3 all these years. Vihari bats 3 in all red-ball cricket outside of the national team. Mayank Agarwal could maybe come back in and Rahul could slot in at 3 as well. But even that would involve shuffling India’s best opener on the tour so far. It will be a massive shift in team structure, wouldn’t it, to leave Pujara out? Is it then fair to say that if he does get left out, it will be the end of an era?Nagraj Gollapudi: I suspect based on the result here, Pujara will get an extended rope, at least one more Test. Yes, Vihari has been waiting in the wings patiently and this series is a good opportunity for India to give him the exposure in the top order. Is this the end of the road for Pujara? That call is not the team management’s – that lies with the selectors. Also remember Shastri’s term is coming to a close post the T20 World Cup and this is his last series.

Rahane, Ganguly, and VVS Laxman after 75 Tests•ESPNcricinfo LtdThere’s two ways of looking at this…11.42am

Bad news for England. It's #InternationalLefthandersDay… #ENGvIND

— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) August 13, 2021