Nothing in mind apart from cricket – India batting coach Kotak on playing Pakistan

India vs Pakistan matches have a lot riding on them but, two days out from their first meeting at the 2025 Asia Cup, the focus appears to be squarely on the cricket. And nothing else.”For the players and for us,” India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said, “Once the BCCI says and they are aligned with the government, we are here to prepare and we are here to play. It will be a competitive game. An India-Pakistan game is always a competitive game. So, we would rather focus on that.”Ahead of India’s training session on Friday, Kotak was asked whether it can be tough to focus on cricket amid calls from certain quarters back home to boycott matches against Pakistan. India and Pakistan share a tense political relationship that has only grown more strained in recent months, with the two countries having exchanged cross-border hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack in April.Related

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“Honestly, I don’t think so [not tough],” Kotak said. “Once we are here to play, I think players are focused on playing cricket. I personally don’t think they have anything in mind apart from playing cricket. And that’s what we focus on.”The other big point of focus was India’s batting line-up, and whether Sanju Samson can adapt to a role at No. 5 or 6, where he hasn’t had as much success as in the top order. Kotak was clear, while there was a fair degree of certainty around the openers and No. 3, that the rest of the line-up was flexible, and players were preparing themselves with this in mind.”If you look at our batting line-up, everyone is capable of going to any number and finishing the match,” Kotak explained. “Although, we have four-five aggressive players who, according to the situation, either the head coach or the captain decides where to send them. More or less everyone is prepared to bat at any number.1:48

Dube: ‘I am always prepared to bowl four overs’

“So there is nothing fixed. Everyone knows their role. So, according to the situation, they will be ready. Obviously, the openers and No. 3, we think about particular players. But after that, if required, I think all the players also now mentally and skill-wise, they are prepared to bat at any number. And I think that’s a good sign.”Kotak essentially underlined that all of Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube and Samson can finish off an innings if required. “Everyone knows their role,” he said. “One thing. Maybe we have more than one finisher. So, seriously, depending on the situation, we can go accordingly.”Because if you look at Shivam, if you look at Hardik, if you look at Axar, they all can do whatever is required depending on who is bowling, which bowler of the opposing team is left, how is the wicket. So, it is a great thing to have, where you have three [or] four guys who can go at any number.”Kotak also cleared “confusion” over the team’s workload-management policy, when asked if the prospect of playing a Test match, where he is captain, barely three days after the conclusion of the Asia Cup would impact Gill’s readiness. India host West Indies for two Tests from October 2.”I don’t know what you think about workload management. But workload management is generally done for bowlers, mainly fast bowlers,” Kotak said. “If you talk about batters, if they mentally feel that cricket is too much for them, then it is a matter of thinking. Workload is actually managed by fast bowlers. I don’t think batsmen face workload management issues.”Asked if Arshdeep Singh, India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, could sit out as he did in the opening game, Kotak said that call was made on the basis of the slow, turning conditions in Dubai. If need be, similar calls will be made again.”Everyone knows that there is no agenda,” he said. “There is no personal liking, disliking. Whatever is best for the team, the captain and head coach will decide and do that. And I don’t think there is any doubt in anybody’s mind. So, whoever is not playing, they are always trying to help the guys who are playing. And I think that’s the way the team should play.”

Newcastle racing against the clock to sign Barcelona academy graduate in cut price deal

Newcastle United have been dealt some bad luck recently under Eddie Howe, though that could all be about to change as they eye January reinforcements.

With the international break now here, it is fair to say that the Magpies have endured an underwhelming start to the Premier League campaign despite a £249 million transfer spend.

Compounding matters, Newcastle suffered a frustrating defeat to Brentford last Sunday, seeing Dan Burn sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity before an Igor Thiago double put the seal on back-to-back top-flight defeats.

Now, they sit 14th in the Premier League standings and look to be in a bit of a malaise, something that Howe put down to lapses of concentration in the second-half.

He said: “Really difficult second half for us. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong. We didn’t respond to the first goal well enough and then the second goal and the red card, which cost us the game.

“We showed a good mentality to our defending in the first half and we stood up to that task. Just that one throw-in and it cost us, and it was a big turning point in the match.”

Sven Botman and Kieran Tripper didn’t cover themselves in glory alongside Burn and contributed to a poor defensive display.

Still, once the dust settles, the Geordies will dust themselves down before planning for a busy festive period, starting with a home clash against Manchester City before a trip to face Marseille in the Champions League.

Come January, arrivals will be on their radar, and it appears that Howe is now plotting a solution to his defensive problems that could be cost-efficient.

Newcastle look to beat Premier League competition to Oscar Mingueza

According to AS, Newcastle are eyeing a cut-price deal to sign Celta Vigo defender Oscar Mingueza, who is also being targeted by Premier League pair West Ham United and Aston Villa.

Barcelona hold a 50% sell-on clause on his next move due to his time with their famous La Masia academy, which could prompt the La Liga club to push for a considerable fee to ensure all bases are covered from their end.

Oscar Mingueza in La Liga – 2025/26 (Fotmob)

Chances created

15

Successful passes

356

Duels won

30

Recoveries

30

Successful crosses

8

However, Mingueza is out of contract in the summer of 2026, potentially offering up a scenario where a cut-price deal may be conducted as Celta Vigo seize advantage of their last chance to cash in on the versatile central defender.

Making 14 appearances this season, the Spain star has registered one goal and three assists and would be a useful addition, given he can also operate on the right-hand side either in wing-back or advanced midfield role.

Newcastle have held internal talks to sign a defensive midfielder

Set to become a free agent next summer, he is inclined to pay attention to offers before coming to a final conclusion on his future, and Newcastle are racing against the clock to tempt him away from Celta Vigo.

Nepal recall Mohammad Aadil Alam and Sundeep Jora for West Indies T20Is

Lalit Rajbanshi, who missed the Top End T20 series in Australia, is also back in the side

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Sep-2025Nepal have recalled allrounder Mohammad Aadil Alam and middle-order batter Sundeep Jora for the historic three-match T20I series against West Indies in the UAE later this month. This will be Nepal’s first bilateral series against a Full Member.Alam last played for Nepal in August 2022, and Jora in June 2024. Rohit Paudel will lead the squad, which was announced last week; Dipendra Singh Airee will be his deputy. The bowling attack will revolve around legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane. Left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi, who missed the Top End T20 series in Australia last month, is also back in the side.”We are confident and positive,” Paudel said. “The last two years of exposure playing against Test nations has also brought good experience, and the team is balanced with the presence of Jora and Aadil Alam.”Related

  • Five uncapped players in Akeal Hosein-led WI squad

In April 2024, West Indies A had toured Nepal for a five-match T20 series, which they won 3-2. For the upcoming series, West Indies have included five uncapped players in their squad, and will be led by Akeal Hosein.The series starts on September 27, with all three games to be played in Sharjah. After that, Nepal will head to Oman for the Asia and East-Asia Pacific Qualifier for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Nepal squad for West Indies T20Is

Rohit Paudel (capt), Dipendra Singh Airee (vice-capt), Aasif Sheikh (wk), Sandeep Lamichhane, Kushal Bhurtel, Lokesh Bam, Kushal Malla, Mohammad Adil Alam, Aarif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Karan KC, Nandan Yadav, Gulsan Jha, Lalit Rajbanshi, Sompal Kami, Shahab Alam

Revealed: Why Arsenal pose new threat to Premier League's salary cap plans with vote in line to be scrapped

Arsenal have been named among the Premier League teams "reviewing their position" regarding a proposed salary cap that could be introduced to the competition and has been scheduled for a vote this week. But circumstances have changed for the Gunners after an executive at the Emirates Stadium who was in favour of the idea has left the club.

What does the Premier League salary cap propose?

The idea behind the salary cap in the Premier League is "anchoring" what clubs are permitted to spend on player wages to the prize money and broadcast revenue of the team that finishes bottom of the table, thereby denying the bigger sides the power to spend freely and potentially keeping things fairer and more competitive.

The proposed limit is five times what the last-place makes in the aforementioned revenue streams and gives the example of Sheffield United, 20th in 2023-24, earning £109.5 million ($144m). Therefore, the salary cap imposed on the following season would have been £550m ($723m). As it goes, Premier League clubs are not yet spending that amount on salaries, with Manchester City becoming the first break the £400m ($526m) in 2202-23 and Liverpool’s most recent set of published accounts for 2023-24 showing a wage bill rise to just shy of £373m ($490m). But the very idea threatens to take control away from the clubs themselves.

AdvertisementAFPArsenal threaten salary cap

The reason that Arsenal are specifically considered a "threat" to the plans to vote on introducing a salary cap is a potential change in stance. The same report from The Times explains that the Gunners are reconsidering, having previously been "staunch supporters" of the idea. A key change is the departure of former executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis, who was a particular advocate. But he is no longer with the club, departing the Emirates Stadium in September, and views on the proposed salary cap have since softened, to the point where Arsenal could now oppose it instead.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Salary anchoring 'absurd'

Arsenal are just the latest club who could turn against the proposed salary cap, with others having been more vocally opposed for longer. Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggested last year that it would see Premier League clubs restricted in comparison to European giants.

"[Anchoring would] inhibit the top clubs in the Premier League, and the last thing you want is for the top clubs in the Premier League not to be able to compete with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain – that's absurd," Ratcliffe said.

The PFA, the union representing players in England, has attacked the idea from a legal point of view.

"We have a tendency in football to think that we're above the law, but football is not above the law, and unfortunately the reality is you cannot artificially cap someone's ability to make a living," PFA chief executive Maheta Molango told Today programme earlier this month.

"The league knows themselves that even before the PFA does it, there will be clubs within their own room that would also legally challenge that measure, and the only ones who'll end up winning are the lawyers. There are ways to agree on things around financial sustainability, but this cannot be imposed unilaterally. This needs to be negotiated with the right people and there are some mechanisms that need to be respected."

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Getty Images SportA vote on Friday?

A vote on the Premier League salary cap is intended for Friday's shareholders' meeting, but with support waning there is no guarantee that ballot will even go ahead.

Premier League rule changes require 14 clubs to vote in favour, and while 16 showed support for the idea last year when it was beginning to be explored, the number of teams beyond just Arsenal having second thoughts could swing it well below the required threshold.

Their next Caicedo: BlueCo have signed a "world-beater" for Chelsea

They have made more than their fair share of poor signings over the last few years, but Chelsea have also got their hands on some incredible players.

One of those who falls into the latter category has to be Moises Caicedo, who has gone from up-and-coming gem to arguably the best six in the Premier League.

The Ecuadorian monster is almost unmatched when it comes to breaking up play, and with every passing game, seems to get better and better in attacking phases of play.

Therefore, Chelsea fans should be delighted about their most recent signing, as the youngster could well be their next Caicedo.

The exciting youngsters set to join up with Chelsea

Chelsea already have a squad full of exciting talents, and they are set to add even more talented youngsters in the summer.

In The Pipeline

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

For example, Brazilian left-back Denner put pen to paper on a contract with the club back in March, but due to rules regarding under-18s, he must wait until the summer to join the senior squad.

He looks like a player worth waiting for, though, as, on top of being more than capable at the defensive side of the game, he is also a “marauding LB with so much quality in the final third,” per respected analyst Ben Mattinson.

Further up the pitch, someone who could cause havoc on the opposite flank for the Blues is Portuguese wonderkid Geovany Quenda.

The Sporting CP gem cost around £44m in March, and while that is an enormous sum of money, it looks like he will be more than worth it.

For example, despite still being just 18 years old, the Bissau-born dynamo has scored four goals and provided six assists, with two of those goal involvements coming against Kaira Almaty in the Champions League.

Speaking of the Kazakh side, their most exciting prospect, Dastan Satpayev, will make his way to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Described as “a future Ballon d’Or winner” and “a future rival to Lamine Yamal” by one analyst, to say there is some hype around the 17-year-old would be an understatement.

It’s easy to see why, though, as in 29 first-team appearances last season, totalling 2081 minutes, he scored 15 goals and provided seven assists.

Appearances

29

Starts

21

Minutes

2081

Goals

15

Assists

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.75

Minutes per Goal Involvement

94.59′

On top of that, he also became the youngest player to score a senior goal for the Kazakh national team last week, scoring the side’s only goal in their 1-1 draw with Belgium.

With all that said, potentially the most exciting prospect of them all isn’t going to join Chelsea next year, but could still be their next Caicedo.

Chelsea's next Caicedo

What makes Caicedo such an incredible player? Most would agree that it is a combination of his excellent reading of the game, anticipation and technique.

These three things make him exceptional at shielding the back four and brilliant at kick-starting attacking moves.

Fortunately, based on the sentiment of those in the know, those appear to be traits shared by Deinner Ordonez, who just signed a pre-agreement with the Blues.

For example, Como scout Felix Johnstone has described the youngster as “an absolute alien of a talent” who is “physically top, so good in the air” and capable of producing “excellent carries.”

Likewise, Mattinson has described him as a “pacy aggressive defender off the ball who’s able to defend big spaces with a level of dominance rare for his age.”

He’s not just a defensive powerhouse, though, as Mattinson also points out his “outstanding range of passing” and the fact that he is “completely both-footed.”

With all that, it’s not hard to see why Johnston has dubbed the teenager a future “world-beater,” nor is it hard to see the technical traits he shares with Caicedo.

In addition to these physical and technical similarities, the youngster is also Ecuadorian, becoming the youngest player to represent the side at the South American U-20 Championship earlier this year.

Moreover, while he is yet to make a first-team appearance, he is also at the midfielder’s old club, Independiente del Valle.

Ultimately, he might play in a different position, but Ordonez shares plenty of traits with Caicedo and is certainly looked at as someone who could become as important for Chelsea in the future.

Chelsea ready club-record £133m bid for "monster", Enzo Fernandez may be key

The Blues are readying an offer for a new forward.

ByDominic Lund Nov 16, 2025

Brown: Hampshire can win Championship despite 'huge' Vince hole

New captain says he will aim to continue winning mentality in absence of talismanic batter

Matt Roller31-Jan-2025Hampshire’s new captain Ben Brown believes the club’s “winning mentality” will help them overcome James Vince’s absence in the County Championship this season as they look to end a 52-year wait for the title.Vince has captained Hampshire across formats for almost a decade and led them to three consecutive top-three finishes in the Championship. But he will spend the first two months of the season at the PSL and does not intend to play in the Championship at all this year, with unexplained attacks on his home last summer prompting his family to move to Dubai.Vince will continue to lead Hampshire in the T20 Blast but Brown is taking over as four-day captain, and concedes that there is a “huge hole” to fill in their middle order. He has already spoken to director of cricket Giles White about the prospect of bringing in an overseas batter, but believes the rest of the squad have a responsibility to cover the loss of a “generational talent”.Related

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Vince quits first-class cricket to take up PSL deal

Brown told ESPNcricinfo: “The big thing here is mentality. It’s been passed down: stories of Shane Warne, who passed on a mentality of winning, right through to Vincey who has been driving that culture of trying to win every competition we play in. It’s hugely important to make sure that message continues, because there’s no doubt Vincey’s going to leave a huge hole.”He’s led the club, not just with his runs but his personality. Of course, we are going to miss him. But we have to fill that void as a collective and find a way to move forward. All of us need to step up and that’s the senior group and the young players, who are moving in the right direction as well. We have an attitude collectively to fill the gap, and there’s no reason why we can’t win it.”Hampshire announced this week that Kyle Abbott will return as one of their two overseas players in the Championship this season, with the second slot likely to be filled by a batter. “I’m sure we will get a good overseas to come in to help us out,” Brown said, “but I do think it’s on the group to make sure we’re all stepping up our performance.”Abbott is among a group of senior players who will support Brown as captain, along with Nick Gubbins, James Fuller and Liam Dawson, who signed a new three-year contract at the club on Thursday. He will also be expected to aid the development of Hampshire’s young seamers, such as Sonny Baker, who made his first-class debut for England Lions this week, and John Turner.Hampshire have an experienced core despite James Vince’s absence•Getty ImagesGubbins will continue to captain Hampshire’s 50-over side, while the formal role of club captain will be vacant in 2025. Hampshire are in a period of transition on and off the pitch: this will be their first season under the ownership of Delhi Capitals co-owners GMR Group, and their first running a fully professional women’s team in the ECB’s new domestic structure.Brown is an experienced captain who led his boyhood club Sussex in 78 matches across formats between 2016 and 2021. But he was controversially removed from the role midway through his final season with them, and negotiated an early release from his contract in order to join Hampshire after his relationship with the Sussex hierarchy declined sharply.He has never won the Championship as a player, but was breaking through as a teenager when Sussex won back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. “They were really inspiring times,” he recalled. “I was on the balcony watching, and those memories don’t go away for a young player. One of the large reasons I came here was that I wanted to win a Championship.”It would be a hugely special achievement because of the history here: it’s the one piece that’s missing, and everyone around the club knows how big it would be. Surrey have been incredible, winning three in a row so every other county has to take their hat off – but also find a way to cash in if they slip up, and to close the gap every year.”Brown is yet to play against his old county but will do so this year after their promotion back to Division One. “I’m delighted to see them back,” he said. “I was really sad to leave and I still have a lot of passion and love for Sussex. It’s a really good squad full of some really good people, and a lot of the young players that I played with are now maturing into first XI players.”For my own personal journey, you have to do what’s right for you in a relatively short career. I’ve learned a huge amount coming here and seeing a different environment. I was obviously at Sussex all the way through as a boy, and sometimes you just need to change it up. I’m delighted to take on the captaincy and to take the club forwards.”

Norwich City hold talks with detailed manager who could now join rivals

A new claim has emerged regarding who Norwich City’s next manager could be, with Kim Hellberg reportedly the subject of talks with the club recently.

The Canaries are still looking to bring in the right replacement for Liam Manning, who was relieved of his duties earlier this month, with the 40-year-old sending a classy message to the fanbase.

“I look back on being appointed head coach of my hometown club with great pride. Unfortunately, we were unable to achieve the results or fulfil the plans we set out when we took over in June.​ Although my time with the fans was brief, I want to acknowledge their outstanding support during a challenging period. They continued to show up in great numbers – unsurprising given their passion and loyalty – and displayed incredible spirit despite understandable frustrations.”

“I would like to thank the players for their efforts throughout my time at the club and wish them all the best, both personally and professionally. The club welcomed me warmly, and the dedication of everyone across all departments never went unnoticed. I am truly grateful for that and I wish everyone associated with Norwich City the very best for the future.”

A host of individuals have been linked with being Manning’s successor at Norwich, including former Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, and now a new update has thrown another name into the hat.

The latest on Jon Dahl Tomasson becoming Norwich City's next manager

Is he the right man for the job?

ByHenry Jackson Nov 16, 2025 Norwich have held talks with Kim Hellberg

According to Sky Sports, Norwich briefly spoke to Hammarby manager boss Hellebrg about taking charge at Carrow Road, but that ship appears to have sailed.

That’s because Middlesbrough are believed to have a verbal agreement in place with the 37-year-old, bringing him in to replace Rob Edwards, who has departed for Wolves.

Hellberg would have been a left-field choice by Norwich, given his lack of experience, but it is easy to see why they have looked at him as a potential strong choice.

The Swede has been lauded as the “brightest football mind” by assistant coach David Selini, highlighting his tactical acumen, and by IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic for the detail he goes into, and he is at an age where he is likely to bring fresh ideas.

It looks as though Norwich will have to look elsewhere, though, whether it be Tomasson, Gary O’Neil or someone else, and the Canaries will hope that Hellberg doesn’t thrive too much at Boro, assuming he does move there.

Norwich City also had talks with manager who has 100% win record vs Manning

Morley, Reece drive Derbyshire towards thumping win

Spinner’s five-for sees Kent follow on, before hosts stumble to close five down

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Sep-2025

Jack Morley claimed a five-for as Kent followed on•Getty Images

Kent 271 (Ekansh 71, Dawkins 61, Morley 5-99) and 136 for 5 (Compton 55*, Evison 53, Reece 4-33) trail Derbyshire 698 for 6 dec by 291 runsDerbyshire were closing in on a huge victory against Kent when bad light forced a premature end to day three of their Rothesay County Championship match at Canterbury.Kent were 135 for 5 in their seconds innings, still 291 behind, after Luis Reece ripped out their top order with 4 for 33.That came after Jack Morley took 5 for 99 as the visitors dismissed Kent for 271 in the first innings, a lead of 427. Ekansh Singh and Ben Dawkins both hit career-best scores of 71 and 61 respectively, but when the former was out Kent’s last four wickets went for just nine runs.Derbyshire enforced the follow on and Reece reduced them to 20 for 3 before Joey Evison and Ben Compton offered some resistance. Reece eventually got Evison for 53, but Compton was unbeaten on 55 when the light failed.The lights were on but very few people were at home when play began on time, with Kent on 117 for 2. Morley, who removed nightwatcher Michael Cohen with the final ball on day two, struck again in his first full over of the morning, getting Jaydn Denly lbw for a five-ball duck.Ekansh was given a life when Wayne Madsen couldn’t cling on to a slip catch after he flashed at Ben Aitchison, but Dawkins was strangled as soon as Zak Chappell returned from the Nackington Road End.Ollie Curtiss got his first first-class runs, but Morley had him brilliantly caught by Martin Andersson at midwicket for 14, leaving Kent on 217 for 5 at lunch.Morley claimed his fifth in style by clinging on to a violent return catch from Ekansh at the second attempt and in doing so he became the first Derbyshire spinner to claim five wickets at Canterbury since Les Townsend in 1931.There was raucous applause from the Nackington Road End when Evison hit Harry Came for successive boundaries to earn Kent a solitary bonus point, but he then slashed Reece to Aneurin Donald at first slip, before Aitchison got his second strangle of the day when Harry Finch flicked him behind for 14.Corey Flintoff went for a second-ball duck, hitting Aitchison straight to the sub fielder Nick Potts at square leg and Matt Parkinson lasted four balls before he edged Reece to Wayne Madsen, who took an outstanding one-handed grab at second slip.If that was bad, there was worse to come as Reece bowled Dawkins for nought with the second ball of the second innings and then had Denly caught behind for four in his next over. Reece got his third of the innings when Ekansh was caught behind for 4, but Compton and Evison steadied things.The latter was dropped by Amrit Basra off Chappell when he was on 28 in the final over before tea, at which point Kent were 61 for 3. He was dropped again on 52 when he drove Dal to midwicket, but Donald put him down, apparently while celebrating a catch he hadn’t actually taken.Donald’s embarrassment was fleeting as Evison chipped Reece to Andersson in the next over and Dal then bowled Curtiss for 4 but Compton swept Morley for four to pass 50 and bad light stopped play at 5.39pm, with eight overs remaining.

Andy Robertson makes Celtic return decision as Parkhead chiefs plot January talks

Andy Robertson has now reportedly made his decision on returning to Celtic with Parkhead chiefs already preparing to commence talks with the Scotland captain as early as January.

The Hoops could certainly do with his experience on the European stage, having been well-beaten once again in midweek. This time, it was Midtjylland who reaped the rewards, easing to a 3-1 victory in a game that saw them take a three-goal lead before half-time. Whilst Martin O’Neill has managed to turn things around so far domestically, he could do nothing to stop the rot in the Europa League.

The defeat laid bare the task that the next permanent manager has on their hands and those at Celtic Park are yet to even discover who that will be.

O’Neill once again distanced himself from the job when questioned, telling reporters: “I will be here as long as the football board wants me, it’s as simple as that. That could be at the end of the week, it could be after the Kilmarnock game. I just don’t know.”

Celtic schedule first interview with 37 y/o manager who dreams of Hoops job

The Bhoys are still on the hunt for their Brendan Rodgers replacement.

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 6, 2025

Whoever is next in the hotseat – whether it be Nicky Hayen, Kieran McKenna or another name – must turn towards the transfer window to welcome some much-needed experience and quality.

Andy Robertson makes Celtic return decision

As reported by TeamTalk, Robertson is now open to making a return to Celtic and signing a pre-contract agreement as soon as January. Sources told TeamTalk that “it’s a move that would make total sense for him personally” and the Hoops are now ready to swoop in to strike an early deal.

If the Scottish giants are after experience and quality, then Robertson is their man. The iconic Liverpool left-back arguably still deserves the starting spot over new man Milos Kerkez at Anfield, but has less than 12 months remaining on his current contract. Given that the Reds bought Kerkez to act as Robertson’s successor last summer, a new contract seems unlikely at this stage.

That, as things stand, should allow Celtic to seal a bargain deal for a Champions League winner who, even at 31 years old, would take the Scottish Premiership by storm.

Once dubbed the “complete player” by former Liverpool left-back Fabio Aurelio, Robertson would be one of the signings of the summer if the Bhoys secured his arrival on a free deal.

Their academy graduate has won it all in English football and is now open to coming full circle and returning to end some unfinished business in Scotland.

Celtic now considering McKenna move

Invicto no Allianz Parque em 2024, Palmeiras soma segunda derrota na Arena Barueri

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras perdeu para o Athletico-PR por 2 a 0 neste domingo (12) e somou a sua segunda derrota no Brasileirão 2024, a segunda como mandante atuando na Arena Barueri.

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➡️Siga o Lance! Fora de Campo no WhatsApp e saiba o que rola fora das 4 linhas

Em três jogos como mandante neste início de Brasileirão, o Palmeiras somou apenas um ponto, no empate diante do Flamengo, e as duas vitórias que conquistou na competição foram longe de São Paulo, diante de Vitória e Cuiabá.

Com apenas 8 pontos em 18 possíveis, o início de campeonato do alviverde imponente preocupa a torcida, que terá que retornar para a Arena Barueri para o próximo jogo como mandante do Verdão no Brasileiro, diante do Vasco, pela 8ª rodada.

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Na saída de campo da Arena Barueri, Joaquín Piquerez falou sobre ter que jogar na segunda casa alviverde.

– Perdemos novamente na Arena Barueri, sabemos que o nosso forte é no Allianz Parque, não é aqui! – disse o jogador.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

Nas redes sociais, muitos torcedores se mostraram revoltado com a escolha do clube de jogar no estádio que agora é de Leila Pereira, e até Abel Ferreira esbravejou na coletiva sobre ter que atuar longe do Allianz Parque.

E Abel tem motivos para querer jogar no Allianz Parque, isso porque o Verdão está invicto dentro da Arena em 2024 e com um aproveitamento de quase 90%.

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