Nesta terça-feira (2), o São Paulo encara o Tolima pela terceira rodada válida pela fase de grupos da Copa Sul-Americana. O confronto acontecerá na cidade de Bogotá, na Colômbia. Porém, mesmo jogando fora de casa, o Tricolor pode ter algo a seu favor: a má fase que o adversário enfrenta.
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O Tolima vive tempos complicados. Recentemente, demitiu o treinador Hernán Torres, e às pressas, trouxeJuan Cruz Real para substituir. Mas acontece que a equipe atravessa um jejum complicado sem conseguir vencer.
Saiba os 20 clubes das Américas que receberam mais interações no Twitter em março
Veja tabela da Copa Sul-Americana
Até agora, são seis jogos sem vitória. Destes, um empate e cinco derrotas. Inclusive, a derrota mais recente aconteceu neste sábado (29), contra o Santa Fé, por 2 a 0. No ano todo, disputou 21 jogos. Ao todo, foram seis vitórias, oito empates e sete derrotas.
Na tabela da Copa Sul-Americana, é o penúltimo colocado do grupo D, com três pontos somados – conquistados após vencer o Puerto Cabello, por 2 a 0, no começo do mês. Já no Campeonato Colombiano, o Tolima está na 13ª posição, com 19 pontos somados.
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Este será a primeira vez que o São Paulo e a equipe colombiana se encontram em toda a história, entretanto, o Tolima já encarou alguns times grandes brasileiros nos últimos anos. Inclusive, em 2022 jogou contra o Flamengo na Copa Libertadores e foi eliminado após uma goleada da equipe carioca.
Pelas oitavas de final do continental, perdeu o primeiro jogo por 1 a 0. No duelo de volta, foi derrotado por 7 a 1 e deu adeus para a competição. Vale lembrar que o Rubro-Negro também eliminou o São Paulo no último ano, mas na semifinal da Copa do Brasil.
Embora nunca tenha encarado o Tolima, o São Paulo já jogou contra times colombianos 39 vezes. Foram 16 vitórias, 10 empates e 13 derrotas. Quanto a gols, 74 marcados e 47 sofridos. O Tricolor não viaja até o país há sete anos. A última vez foi em 2016, contra oAtlético Nacional, quando perdeu por 2 a 1 e foi eliminado na semifinal da Copa Libertadores.
Unless Bangladesh start to put together top-order partnerships, they will continue to suffer like they did in Chattogram against South Africa, according to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto. The home side sunk to an innings-and-273-run defeat, bowled out twice in a total of 89 overs. Bangladesh’s match aggregate of 302 runs is the lowest by any team at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, reputed to be the best batting pitch in the country.It played true to that reputation when South Africa posted 575 for 6 over the first two days, before Bangladesh imploded with the bat. They lost 14 wickets on the third day, ending the match bowled out for 159 and then 143 following on. Mominul Haque, who made 82 in the first innings, was out twice in one session.Related
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South Africa wrapped up a 2-0 series win, having won the first Test in Dhaka by seven wickets. Bangladesh had struggled there too, bowled out for 106 on day one.”We have been batting like this for a long time,” Shanto said. “If you don’t get top-order partnerships, the rest of the batters will find it difficult in red-ball cricket. I don’t know how our top-order batters prepare or think, but if it goes on like this, this will be the result. This was a good wicket. Even in Mirpur, the type of wicket it was, we shouldn’t have got out so quickly. Overall, we didn’t bat well in these two Tests.”While there have been individual efforts in recent Tests such as Mominul’s 82 out of Bangladesh’s first-innings total of 159, or even his century in Kanpur, these have tended not to come with sufficient top-order support. The lower order, instead, has been the source of resolute partnerships such as the 138-run seventh-wicket stand between Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Jaker Ali in the second innings in Dhaka or the 103-run ninth-wicket stand between Mominul and Taijul Islam after Bangladesh slipped to 48 for 8 in Chattogram. There was also the famous recovery from 26 for 6, courtesy Litton Das and Mehidy, that enabled Bangladesh to win the second Test in Rawalpindi two months ago, but Shanto felt these lower-order stands were only papering over the top-order cracks.”We are making runs individually,” he said. “Mominul made a century, but we couldn’t support him in Kanpur. Shadman [Islam] made 90-odd [in the first Test in Pakistan] but there was no support [from the top-order batters] at the other end. The top order can only help the team with big partnerships. We talk about winning after being 26 for 6 in Pakistan but our top order didn’t bat well. Top-order runs will ensure consistent performance from the team.”‘The worst thing is, I am getting out between 20 and 40. It is not good for the team’•Getty Images
Shanto conceded that his own lack of runs was also contributing to the top order’s collapses. He made 9 and 36 in Chattogram, as Kagiso Rabada first dismissed him with a brilliant delivery in the first innings, before he inside-edged one to Tony de Zorzi at leg slip off the left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy. Shanto has scored just a single fifty in his last 17 Test innings, 15 of which have come his appointment as full-time all-format captain in February.”I have an important role as a top-order batter. I am supposed to score runs,” Shanto said. “It is not happening, and the worst thing is, I am getting out between 20 and 40. It is not good for the team. I have to concentrate more in my batting.”Shanto however said that he continues to enjoy the Bangladesh captaincy and that it hasn’t affected his batting, although he has informed BCB president Faruque Ahmed that he doesn’t want to continue as captain. “After I speak to the president, either of us can give a clear message,” he said. “I have always said that I enjoy captaincy on the field. I never felt that I am the captain when I am batting. I didn’t think I have to do all of it on my own. I am only focused on the ball.”Shanto suggested that the team tends to suffer whenever there are distractions around it such as the discussions around his captaincy. There have been regular off-field issues since the Pakistan tour. Less than a week before this Test series against South Africa, the BCB sacked head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, while Shakib Al Hasan couldn’t fulfill his wish of playing a farewell Test in Dhaka after the government told him it couldn’t guarantee his safety due to the protests around the Shere Bangla National Stadium.”[Distractions] might have contributed, but it doesn’t mean we will play this poorly,” Shanto said. “Bowled out for 100 or 150 runs. Players have to adjust with these things, even though it is difficult. Still, it shouldn’t be this bad. We have to improve our skills and change our thinking. We have to find out specifically exactly what is happening.”
West Ham United’s pre-season schedule is now underway.
On Saturday, in a behind-closed-doors fixture in Zürich, the Hammers beat Grasshoppers 3-1; Andy Irving, Callum Marshall and Lucas Paquetá the scorers.
Next up for Graham Potter’s team, they’ve travelled stateside for the Premier League Summer Series, facing Manchester United in New Jersey this weekend, before games against Everton in Chicago and then Bournemouth in Atlanta.
With the start of the proper season fast approaching, will the Irons get their hands on a new attacking midfielder?
Latest on West Ham's transfer activity
Fair to say, West Ham supporters were not best pleased about the news that star winger Mohammed Kudus had joined fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur for £55m, the first player to make the controversial move since Scott Parker 14 years ago.
In terms of arrivals, the Hammers have bolstered their full-back options, signing El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague for a reported fee of £19m, while Kyle Walker-Peters has joined from Southampton on a free transfer.
Nevertheless, Kudus’ departure means Potter will be demanding new signings in forward areas, hence why Sébastien Vidal of Weekend Sports is reporting that West Ham “have opened initial talks” to sign Georgiy Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk.
They add that the “creative midfielder” is valued at around £30m by the 15-time Ukrainian champions, with the Hammers “looking to accelerate the deal” and finalise the move as soon as possible.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
So, could he soon become the third Ukrainian to represent West Ham United, after current national team head coach Serhii Rebrov and the country’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, Andriy Yarmolenko?
How Georgiy Sudakov would improve West Ham
After spending three years in Metalist Kharkiv’s academy, Sudakov joined Shakhtar Donetsk as a 15-year-old, before making his senior debut in 2020, this coming off the bench during a famous Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano no less.
Subsequently, the 22-year-old has accumulated 140 appearances for Shakhtar, scoring 35 goals and registering 24 assists, including netting against Barcelona, Young Boys and Stade Brestois in Champions League ties.
Despite being linked with a move away, Sudakov featured in both legs of his team’s Europa League qualifying victory over Ilves earlier this month, starting the first leg, a 6-0 demolition in Ljubljana; it’ll therefore be interesting to see if he’s involved in Thursday night’s second qualifying round match against Beşiktaş in İstanbul.
Having also already won 29 international caps, starting all three of Ukraine’s fixtures at Euro 2024, Sudakov has earned plenty of high praise.
Heorhiy Sudakov for Shakhtar
Andy Jones of the Athletic labels him one of the ‘most exciting prospects’ and ‘brightest young talents’ in Eastern Europe, adding that he is a ‘versatile midfielder’ who operates best as a number ten, given that he is ‘technically gifted’ and poses ‘creative threat’.
Meantime, Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Serhiy Palkin stated back in April that his star man “will definitely move to a top European club this summer”, with aforementioned national team manager Rebrov asserting that he has “a bright future”.
Florian Wirtz
On top of this, analyst Ben Mattinson describes him as “exciting” and “unpredictable”, tipping him to replace Florian Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen. The 22-year-old German has just joined Liverpool for £116m, a Premier League record fee, so let’s assess how the duo compare.
Appearances
8
9
Minutes
702
764
Goals
2
6
Assists
1
1
All statistics below are on a per-90 basis:
Shots
1.3
2.6
Shots on target %
40%
63.64%
Chances created
1.5
3.0
Passes
46.3
52.4
Pass completion %
83.1%
88.29%
Forward passes
11.2
9.8
Take-on success %
66.67%
46.15%
Touches
62.2
75
Of course, Wirtz does come out on top for the vast majority of statistics included, but this shouldn’t be too surprising, given that he is the one making a record-breaking move to the Premier League champions.
The caveat for the table above is of course the fact that Sudakov was playing for a Shakhtar Donetsk side who finished 27th in the gigantic Champions League table, winning only two matches, while Bayer Leverkusen ended up sixth with five victories to their name.
Georgiy Sudakov for Shakhtar Donetsk.
Nevertheless, Sudakov does have the edge when it comes to forward passes and take-on success %, and his numbers are pretty comparable to those of Wirtz across the board, especially in terms of chances created.
Thus, it is clear that the Ukrainian international is a player of vast potential and one West Ham should do everything in their power to get their hands on, before an even bigger European juggernaut comes calling.
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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is tasked with signing a new number nine to lead Mikel Arteta’s next assault on the Premier League title, but which target would be most succesful for the Gunners?
Renowned for his methodical approach to squad building during his years with Atletico Madrid, new Arsenal transfer guru Berta has a different task at the Emirates – put the finishing touches on a sqaud teetering on the brink of the ultimate success.
To do so, the Italian simply must get his choice right in the striker market this summer, with injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz decimating the Gunners’ title chances in 2024/25.
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4
By
Charlie Smith
Jun 28, 2025
With that in mind, we’ve asked AI tool Grok to predict which of Berta’s targets would score the most goals in an Arsenal shirt next season, assuming they all stay fit and play a reasonable amount of minutes.
3
Benjamin Sesko – 15-20 Premier League goals
The latest update on Arsenal’s interest in RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko is an extremely positive one, with Berta reportedly locked in talks over a deal which could even go over the Slovenian’s £70m release clause. The player himself is said to be very keen on the move, and Grok’s prediction for his debut campaign in North London might explain why.
AI predicts Sesko’s “6 foot 5 frame, pace and aerial ability” would create a lethal combination with Arsenal’s chance creators, particularly Bukayo Saka’s left-footed crosses after cutting in from his role on the right wing.
However, while it predicts Sesko could cross the 25-goal mark in all competitions, he rates below the other options due to his “history of missing big chances in the Bundesliga”.
2
Viktor Gyokeres – 20-25 Premier League goals
Gyokeres’ links to Arsenal have taken many twists and turns, with the latest update revealing the Sporting CP superstar has actually threatened the Portuguese club that he will go public about his situation if they do not find a solution with his sutiors.
The Swede’s price has been a point of much controversy, with rumours of a broken gentleman’s agreement leading to Sporting demanding £68m for his signature.
AI predicts the former Coventry man, now bang in his prime at the age of 27, will score more than Sesko and could even reach 35 in all competitions owing to his “physicality, direct style, and ruthless finishing”, which would help him adapt quickly despite never playing in the English top flight.
1
Alexander Isak – 22-25 Premier League goals
Finally, Grok predicts Newcastle United star Alexander Isak would be the best option from a pure goals standpoint, setting the same ceiling as his countryman Gyokeres but with a higher floor of 22, perhaps thanks to his experience in the Premier League already.
Isak in the Premier League
22/23
23/24
24/25
Starts
17
27
34
Goals
10
21
23
Assists
1
2
6
Shots per game
2.3
2.6
2.9
Dribbles per game
1.5
1.4
1.2
Interestingly, the only major statistic which has declinded throughout the 25 year-old’s time in England is his dribbling, indicating the elevation in his movement and football IQ to put himself in better positions to finish Newcastle’s attacks, rather than help start them.
Recent reports claims Arsenal may move on from their interest in Isak, but Grok suggests his “elite finishing” would create a lethal combination in Arteta’s system, reaching around 33 goals in all competitions, assuming he is rested in certain domestic cup matches.
Manchester United have now opened talks to sign an “insane” £13m+ colossus, making contact with his representatives in recent days, according to a report.
Man Utd set sights on new goalkeeper
It would be fair to say that Andre Onana has flattered to deceive ever since arriving from Inter Milan, and Ruben Amorim even dropped the goalkeeper for Altay Bayindir at times during the 2024-25 season, with the Turk playing three of the final four Premier League games.
As such, it is no surprise that United are now looking to bring in a replacement for Onana, and they have set their sights on a number of ambitious targets, many of whom are vastly experienced at Champions League level.
Target
Current club
UCL appearances
Gianluigi Donnarumma
PSG
40
Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Barcelona
85
Emiliano Martinez
Aston Villa
14
Diogo Costa
FC Porto
23
That said, it could be difficult to attract some of Europe’s top goalkeepers after the Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, and the Red Devils have now joined the race for a perhaps more attainable target.
According to a report from GiveMeSport, Man United have now opened talks with the entourage of OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, although given that the two clubs are owned by INEOS, a deal may not be possible until January 2026.
United cannot do business with the French club until September, so they may wait until January before making a move for the goalkeeper, who is valued at over £13m, or failing that they could look to bring him in on a free transfer next summer.
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AC Milan and Galatasaray could provide competition for Bulka’s signature, with United yet to engage in formal club-to-club negotiations, indicating the potential move is not yet at an advanced stage.
"Insane" Bulka impressing in Ligue 1
Football scout Ben Mattinson has expressed his shock that the 25-year-old has remained at Nice for so long, given his impressive performances in France, saying: “Marcin Bułka was insane vs PSG. I’m surprised he’s still at Nice after being the best GK in Ligue 1 last season.
“The combination of his shot stopping prowess and quality both-footed distribution whilst being 6’6” makes him a great option for big teams.”
OGC Nice's Marcin Bulka.
Indeed, the Polish shot-stopper put in what could be a career-best performance against former club PSG back in April, achieving a 10 SofaScore rating after making nine saves from inside the box and preventing 2.53 goals.
Nice ran out 3-1 winners against the European champions, embarrassing them in their own backyard courtesy of their colossus between the sticks, who averaged the second-highest Ligue 1 rating in the squad last season.
As such, Bulka could be an excellent signing for Man United, and he may be a more attainable target than the likes of Donnarumma and Ter Stegen, although the fact they will have to wait until January is frustrating.
Celtic find themselves in the hunt for more forward options this summer and have received a shot in the arm regarding their pursuit of a 25-goal striker, according to a report.
Celtic looking to sign a striker this summer
Kyogo Furuhashi departed Celtic in January and there was plenty of contention surrounding the club’s decision not to replace the Japanese marksman despite a last-gasp bid to land Danny Ings from West Ham United.
In the end, Daizen Maeda moved into a central position and Adam Idah earned more seniority through the middle, leaving inexperienced forward Johnny Kenny to plug the gaps on the odd occasion.
Ending the campaign on a respectable tally of 20 goals, Celtic striker Idah is confident he can handle the scoring burden associated with being the leading number nine at Parkhead.
He stated on international duty: “The pressure is a lot and you are expected to deliver. I think with my experience now, you have to put that behind you. You know what you are good at.
“If you don’t score for a couple of games, it is not helpful to listen to an ex-player. I am not really concerned with what he thinks – I am there to do my bit.”
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Without question, Celtic will sign a striker this summer. They face more fixture congestion than most clubs around Europe due to their regular juggling act between domestic and European football.
Now, they may have received a boost regarding their pursuit of a reported target to help fill the Furuhashi-shaped void under Brendan Rodgers if recent developments are to be taken into account.
According to Kicker, Celtic target Youssef El Kachati has rejected a move to Hannover 96 as his contract at Telstar moves closer to expiring, with a decision on his next club expected very soon.
The Moroccan striker was previously thought to have found a verbal agreement over a move to Germany with their sporting director Marcus Mann, but he is now said to prefer a switch to a side that will feature in European competition next season.
Youssef El Kachati in 2024/25 – all competitions
Appearances
45
Goals
25
Assists
9
Austria Wien have also been mentioned in the race for his signature. Celtic have been watching El Kachati over several months and will have been aware of his exploits that saw Telstar promoted to the Eredivisie for the first time in almost half a century.
It is anticipated that a decision on his future could come sooner rather than later. At this point, top-flight football with the prospect of testing himself on the continent is a better career option than the German second-tier.
Celtic need to bolster their frontline to handle the strain of another jam-packed campaign of action and El Kachati could be a financially advantageous signing that would provide competition centrally and out wide.
Amid the celebrations at Anfield toward the end of April, after Liverpool had thrashed Tottenham Hotspur to seal the Premier League title, Arne Slot could be seen in deep conversation with sporting director Richard Hughes.
Hughes, who reports to Michael Edwards but wields principal transfer control for the Reds, has only overseen the signing of Federico Chiesa since Jurgen Klopp left one year ago, but who can argue this careful approach hasn’t borne dividends?
Richard Hughes and Arne Slot
Now, though, is the time for action. Strengthen while you’re on top, and all that. However, there is truth in the case for new signings, with Arsenal and Manchester City both looking to rebound from frustrating campaigns and sure to be busy across the summer months.
Slot’s title-winning side are also set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, and in spite of the season’s success, the first team bears several yawning holes that need redressing.
Liverpool's summer transfer plans
FSG have moved quickly for Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong, who is Trent’s ostensible replacement but carries a dynamic approach which will see him fill multiple roles down the right flank.
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong
A deal has yet to be finalised, but the Dutchman is in the closing stages of a transfer to Merseyside, with Liverpool ready to activate his release clause in the region of €35m (£30m).
It means Liverpool can turn toward the other defensive flank, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez at the top of the shopping list, and focus on replacing striker Darwin Nunez, who has only scored seven times this season.
Even the most ardent Nunez supporters would struggle to stake a case for a fourth term as Liverpool’s centre-forward. He needs to be sold to make way for something new.
However, the 25-year-old would be a tad frustrated if he leaves as one of the game’s highest-calibre playmakers makes their way into Slot’s squad.
Meeting slated as Liverpool chase superstar
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have scheduled a meeting to discuss signing Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, with The Athletic previously confirming the Reds have joined Manchester City and Bayern Munich in the race.
Their sources anticipate a ‘big push’ from Liverpool in the coming days, with a deal slated for around €120m (£101m), which is more affordable than previously believed.
Though it’s felt that Bayern still have the lead in the race, it’s very much open and FSG are pushing to accelerate matters, emboldened by their understanding that Die Werkself would rather sell abroad than to the Bundesliga champions, who dethroned them last week.
This suggests that Liverpool have a big advantage in the race to sign the star, because they are a more attractive destination to Leverkusen than Bayern are.
What Florian Wirtz would bring to Liverpool
Curiously, data-driven site FBref list Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal as one of Wirtz’s most comparable players. Obviously, there are patent differences between the two, but Liverpool could emulate Hansi Flick’s success in building a new era with such a poster boy who can challenge at the pinnacle for many years to come.
The 22-year-old Wirtz might still be young, but he’s already regarded as a “world-class” player by talent scout Jacek Kulig, something echoed by the masses, for sure.
He might even be further into his incredible development, had he not torn his anterior cruciate ligament in March 2022. Aged 18 and regarded as a prodigy, this could have been detrimental, but the German international bounced back in January 2023 and made headway before winning the Bundesliga in his first full season back, and claiming the Player of the Year award besides.
Still, it hardly matters now, for Wirtz has posted, incredibly, 68 goal contributions for Leverkusen across the past two seasons.
He’s got the talent to rival Yamal, to be sure, with the teenage sensation, still only 17, having bagged La Liga and Copa del Rey titles this year after winning the Euros with Spain last summer.
Yamal will only get better, but he has that special flair across underlying physical and athletic metrics that bespeaks his generational quality. It’s something Wirtz yields too.
Goals
0.46
0.29
Assists
0.37
0.38
Shots taken
2.88
4.24
Shot-creating actions
5.64
5.56
Pass completion
80%
75.1%
Passes attempted
64.65
47.52
Progressive passes
6.91
4.92
Progressive carries
4.55
5.88
Successful take-ons
2.88
4.82
Ball recoveries
4.26
3.81
Tackles + interceptions
1.52
1.84
Both players boast similar playmaking metrics, but it’s interesting to note that Wirtz is far more economical with his striking, far outstripping Yamal in front of goal despite taking fewer shots on average.
Moreover, he’s crisper in possession and more of a natural distributor, making a remarkable number of progressive passes per game.
There’s a very good chance these two players will be dominating European football for years to come, so why wouldn’t Liverpool want to get ahead of the curve by signing one of the generation’s superstars to Slot’s cause?. It would be a sure-fire way of consolidating this season’s triumph, no doubt.
Though Yamal would be the perfect heir to Mohamed Salah’s throne, it’s probably fair to say he’s untouchable. However, Wirtz is the most sought-after talent on the market right now, and Liverpool have a genuine chance to bring him over to Anfield in the coming months.
To say Wirtz has a high ceiling would be false; the German star has no ceiling. Like Yamal, the sky is not the limit but the expectation. At Liverpool, under Slot’s wing, he could become one of the greatest players of his generation, ensuring Anfield stays at the top of the domestic and European game for many years to come.
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Arsenal could now be handed the chance to sign yet another Bayern Munich player, following their recent talks with Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman.
Arsenal make contact with Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman
Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta are reportedly keen to bring in a new winger this summer, prompting the Gunners to reach out to Bavaria in search of quality options.
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At the beginning of April, it was reported that Arsenal held “fresh talks” with Sane over joining on a free transfer.
However, as per Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Vincent Kompany’s side have tabled a formal contract proposal to Sane, who was recently named Bayern’s Player of the Month for March amid his sensational end to the campaign, and it is highly likely the German will extend his stay – dealing a blow to Arsenal in their pursuit.
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
Newcastle United (home)
May 18th
After seemingly missing out on the 29-year-old, Arsenal then turned their attention towards Coman, who has expressed a desire to leave Bayern and is far more likely to seal a departure.
Clubs in Saudi Arabia, not to mention arch rivals Tottenham, are also believed to be expressing an interest – so it won’t be plain sailing for Berta.
Bayern Munich's KingsleyComancelebrates
“Kingsley Coman has already internally expressed his desire to leave this summer, as revealed,” wrote Plettenberg on X.
“Saudi clubs are now taking the matter seriously and are planning a visit to Munich for talks with Bayern. In England, Arsenal are currently the most concrete option – especially since Leroy Sané is about to extend his contract with Bayern. Spurs would like to sign Coman but are currently in a waiting position due to his high salary.”
Since then, Arsenal have moved to open talks with Coman’s representatives, and this communication is said to be “ongoing” as the north Londoners seek to tempt him with a move to N5.
Amid these discussions, it is now believed another Bayern ace could be on the table for Arteta – £165,000-per-week midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Arsenal likely to be offered Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha
According to CaughtOffside, Palhinha is likely to be offered to Arsenal, as his representative seeks a new landing spot just one year after he joined Kompany’s side – following a lengthy Fulham transfer saga.
The Portugal international has made just 21 appearances in all competitions, partly due to a muscle injury, with Liverpool and Man United also set to be handed an opportunity to strike a deal for the former Premier League star.
The Bundesliga frontrunners could be open to selling Palhinha, as they’re currently prioritising a contract extension for Leon Goretzka, so the 29-year-old’s availability is on the cards.
“He’s been absolutely sensational this season,” said pundit Rio Ferdinand on the midfielder in 2023.
“You need someone like that in front of you as a defender.”
Spirit and togetherness shine through at Lord’s in a victory that unites the past, present and future of South African cricket, and South Africa itself
Firdose Moonda16-Jun-20257:27
Bavuma: We’ve wiped all doubts with the way that we’ve played
The Lord’s air sizzled with South African spirit.I want to explain that better, but as someone who has always struggled with identity – a third-generation South African of Indian heritage and a child of the late Apartheid/early democratic era – I don’t know if it’s mine to explain.It’s a deep belief (hope is too light a word, knowledge too strong) that anything is possible.This is the blessing and the curse of being a South African of my generation: our parents and grandparents did not think they would live to see the end of segregation and we are still bungling our way through to proper unity. But we believe it’s possible because there are some things that always told us it could be. Sport, especially in the last six years since the Springboks won their third Rugby World Cup, is one of them.On the fourth morning at Lord’s, as Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram walked out down the pavillon steps, 69 runs away from history, I was on the outfield as a commentator for the BBC’s and I lingered longer than my colleagues. That’s when I felt it. And breathed it in. As the fans in the Compton and Edrich Stands drew the pair onto the pitch with their cheers, it was like a magnetic field had enveloped us. Our time was here.The next two hours and 16 minutes were fraught. The crowd roared as Bavuma blocked the first ball and then the second. I yelped when the third hit him on the pad, involuntarily and to the giggles of those around me. Behaviour like that is usually frowned upon in the press box but they let me have it, because all the world’s cricket press knows how long South Africa have waited. Mistakenly, they also thought we all wanted them to win every time. Spoiler alert: some of us didn’t, at least at first.A lot of people involved in cricket will tell you that cricket has been part of their lives for a long time, including me. I never played but grew up in a cricket-loving family and community, who saw sport as intensely political. My father and uncles (our mothers and aunts didn’t play) recognised how sport was used as a tool by the Apartheid regime to sideline people of colour. It was an act of rebellion, as well as a chance to have some fun, to stay involved. That’s what “board” cricket was about.An emotional Keshav Maharaj celebrates the win with Lungi Ngidi•ICC/Getty ImagesThe South African Cricket Board organised cricket among people of colour, as opposed to the South African Cricket Union, which was the white administrative body. Board cricket was serious and competitive but often played in substandard facilities and some records have been lost. I was a child but I remember board matches feeling like “our place”, where we could just be and not be judged. I had the opposite feeling when I first started attending matches after unity, as someone from a previously disadvantaged race group. When unity came in 1992 and the Board got swallowed by the Union, there was very little space for people like us, and it left us bitter. Many of us grew up supporting India, Pakistan and West Indies, who looked like us, and actively disliked the South Africa team.Cassim Docrat, an administrator from the Board, who did find a place in the Union, often reminds me that the decision to come together was rushed, and for the benefit of white cricket to get back to the international stage. Considering how few players of colour made it to the national team in the first 25 years of readmission, it’s difficult to disagree with him.
I’ve allowed myself to wonder if it was always supposed to take 27 years, and scolded myself for daring to compare the length of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment with South Africa’s trophy drought
I was one of those who found a place on the periphery, in what was then a white-dominated and male-dominated space. By the mid-2000s, I was a teenager and I started working in cricket, as a scorer. Shukri Conrad was the Lions coach when I made it to the Wanderers score box, where I spent a handful of happy years doing ball-by-ball commentary for Cricinfo before moving into the editorial space. So it’s not just that cricket has occupied the major part of my life, Cricinfo has too. It’s through them that I have had a front-row seat to South Africa’s performances since 2009, a close-up to some celebrations and much heartache.The 2012 tour to England is my highlight, especially as Graeme Smith won the hearts of the nation with his century in his 100th match as captain, and by bringing his new-born daughter Cadence to Lord’s, where South Africa won the mace for the first time.Smith was also part of the broadcast team for this final and we’ve been exchanging little comments throughout the Test, increasingly with more stress in our voices. For a few minutes on the fourth morning, while Tristan Stubbs battled, we tried to distract ourselves by discussing where Cadence will go to high school. That’s how much time has passed.Graeme Smith and Vernon Philander were key parts of the 2012 South Africa team that attained the No. 1 Test ranking•Getty ImagesThe 2015 World Cup semi-final is an obvious lowlight, both because of the result, and the race-based selection interference which caused a major loss of trust in the administrators, but there have been others. Waking up to see that South Africa had lost to Netherlands at the 2022 T20 World Cup, the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final and 2024 T20 World Cup final the most recent.Of those, the 2023 defeat stands out because of the controversies around Temba Bavuma. He played the match with a strained hamstring and though that didn’t have much impact on the eventual result, was made to shoulder most of the blame. Cricket clearly has a sense of humour because Bavuma also batted in this match with the same injury and is now being hailed a hero.Hearing his name, chanted to the tune of “Seven Nation Army”, around Lord’s showed how much South African cricket has changed. It helps that the expat community, especially, has fallen in love with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and embrace his black excellence. It also helps that Kolisi has won two World Cups. I’ve always felt sorry for Bavuma for being in Kolisi’s shadow and when I heard the Lord’s crowd, I could see him stepping out of it. He was ready, and I knew that from the interviews he had done pre-match, in which he spoke openly about being labelled a product of transformation (I contributed to it with the 2016 piece I did on his century) had been a handbrake on his career. I was sorry for the crudeness, but I also had a job to do, and I know we can’t escape race. Bavuma also now knows that. He understands his role in the bigger picture, as does that squad as a whole, and there are some very sombre reasons why.On the final morning of the victory over Pakistan that secured South Africa’s qualification for this final, batting coach Ashwell Prince lost his wife Melissa to cancer. She was 40 years old and beloved in South African cricket circles. Her death provided a completely different perspective to what was happening in front of us: just a game, with consequences, but clearly nothing as serious as what was happening in Prince’s life. It’s not that we stopped caring about the result, but we understood that there were important things going on. Three months later, Conrad lost his father, a former cricketer.A delighted Shukri Conrad and Kagiso Rabada after the win•ICC/Getty ImagesWhen Prince gave his batting talk to the team ahead of the final, he referenced those losses. Real, raw, heart-shattering losses. A game of cricket? He can get over that. But raising his three young sons alone, wishing for Melissa’s presence at every milestone and even every ordinary moment? There’s no getting over that. So, though the match matters and everyone is expected to do everything they can to win it, other things matter far more. It’s with that in mind that South Africa approached the final.Still, it can be difficult in the moment not to think winning is all that matters, both as a professional sportsperson and, by the looks of it, as a diehard fan. I’m not quite that (and I can’t be as a journalist) but I also wanted the win badly, partly so I’d have something different to write but mostly because I had that feeling all Test; that belief that this was it.When Bavuma was dismissed my heart sank. Not another mess-up for him to explain. I couldn’t watch Stubbs bat. He seemed so out of his depth. He’s a kid. He’ll get there. With 20 runs to get, I started to get serious about what was about to happen, what I’d need to say, what I’d need to write. I didn’t even realise when Markram was dismissed because of the non-reaction from the Australians. Kyle Verreynne’s awkward ramp made me grimace, and he told us afterwards he didn’t know what he’d been thinking, but by then they were on the verge. On screen, I saw Smith, barely able to contain himself as the winning runs loomed.They came with a drive and a wave of emotion like nothing I’ve experienced at a sporting venue. South Africa, rejoice!Related
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On air, I tried to remember all the names I wanted to mention, to pay homage to the generations of cricketers that wanted this victory deeply: Barlow and Procter; Pollock and Kallis; Amla and Philander. Bacher’s came out easily. A divisive figure among people of my parents’ generation, for his role in supporting rebel tours, he has become a dear friend and his recent, severe illness has been on my mind for months. Not everyone approves of my relationship with Bacher. To me, it’s proof that we are not our parents, and that there is a space to see someone as a human first. I look forward to explaining how the WTC works to him. He’d asked me a few months ago and we didn’t have the time, but now I’ll just say South Africa won and I don’t think he’ll have too many more questions.Most of the rest of the names were more recent, men whose careers I had covered and some of whose struggles I’d seen. Makhaya Ntini stands out. He retired a few years after my career began and was always reluctant to talk about the experience of being the only black African in the squad until just before the Social Justice and Nation Building hearings of 2021, when he found his voice and told his story.The hearings had their flaws but they cracked South African cricket open and let the light in. We gave ourselves the space to talk about our experiences. Personally, covering the SJN gave me an agency I was too scared to take hold of before. It reassured me that my community’s story, however small in cricket, also mattered, that the things I had endured, as a woman of colour in the press box, also mattered and that all the attempts I’d made to amplify the voices of players of colour were worth it.One of my earlier pieces was about the two men of colour, Hussein Manack and Faiek Davids, who travelled with South Africa’s first post-readmission side to India. Manack’s father, Aboo, has collected and kept a meticulous history of cricket among our people, the Johannesburg-based South Africans of Indian heritage. I will stop putting off plans to go and see it, and maybe even digitise it. When I thought of who the Lord’s victory was for, I also thought of Aboo Manack, a contemporary of my late father.Aiden Markram gets the party started with a friend in the stands•PA Images via Getty ImagesThen I looked around and I saw little Milan Maharaj running in the opposite direction from where her father, Keshav, was calling her and I smiled through the tears I was also trying to hide. I saw what you saw as Bavuma held his son Lihle in one arm and the mace in the other. As Ian Smith put it, “The two most important things in his life.” And it felt right. It felt like South African spirit.I’ve allowed myself to wonder if it was always supposed to take 27 years, and scolded myself for daring to compare the length of Nelson Mandela’s imprisonment with South Africa’s trophy drought. I remember, very vaguely, February 11, 1990 when Mandela was released and addressed the world from the Cape Town city hall and I know, from many readings of his speech, that what stuck with me was that he said we had reached a point on the march to freedom that was “irreversible”. He was right. Here we are. Six democratic elections later, and we have also ended the rule of Mandela’s former party in what is hailed as a triumph for peaceful power transition.South African cricket feels like it reached that same point on June 14, 2025. It’s not that they overturned three decades of near-misses or proved themselves under pressure. It’s that they did it together. Or as we would say, “together-together”.Those who know South Africans know we like to repeat words when we’re trying to emphasise them. “Now-now”, which is more now than now; “sure-sure”, when we want to be, well, sure of something. “Together-together” is not just the together of the squad and the support staff and the spectators, but the together that includes the past, the present and the future. The together that my generation believes is possible, even though there are still so many things that divide us.Breathe Mzansi. We’re all right.
Cold swims and close family, complemented by a happy dressing room on the same page, have seen 36-year old Sean Williams hit a purple patch
Firdose Moonda23-Jun-2023With midday temperatures in the upper 20s, Zimbabwe in June is no-one’s idea of winter. But when Sean Williams gets into the swimming pool at 6am each morning, that’s the season he experiences, all year round.”A lot of people don’t like the cold but once you get in it and you’ve done it for a while, it’s almost something you can’t do without,” Williams told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s basically about learning not to fight the situation. If you fight the cold water, you are going to feel the cold. But if you keep still, concentrate on your breathing and just relax and take it easy, you can be there for a while.”This has been Williams’ approach to life over the last 18 months, a period of time in which he lost his father Ray to cancer and welcomed his second daughter, Rylee-Rae (named in honour of her grandfather) into the world. The juxtaposition of these two life-altering events made Williams realise the importance of persistence in moments when things get tough. “Quite often I will get agitated and frustrated and a situation will get the better of me. Learning how to breathe and control and just be calm is something I have been practicing quite a bit of,” he said.Related
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As it happens, the ability to show staying power is what Zimbabwe’s coach Dave Houghton identified as the main thing for Williams to focus on ahead of the Qualifiers. Houghton called Williams “the most talented” batter in his squad because of the ease at which he gets starts but also the one who could then play a rash stroke and be dismissed. So far, not so.Williams scored what was then the fastest hundred for Zimbabwe, off 70 balls, in their chase of 291 against Nepal in their tournament opener last Sunday and followed it up with 91 in their third-highest successful chase of all time, against Netherlands. He still doesn’t waste time when he gets to the crease: he was 15 off 13 balls against Nepal and 17 off 10 against Netherlands, but he picks his shots with more precision.”We are trying to be a lot more positive and a lot less reckless. There’s quite a big difference between the two,” Williams said.The proof is in the game plans. Against Nepal, he watched offspinner Rohit Paudel’s flight before he judged that he could take it on; against Netherlands, he worked left-arm spinner Clayton Floyd around before going for the big shot. In both instances, he could rely on a middle and lower order that are in form, equally unafraid and have been empowered to handle tricky match situations.”Sometimes, previously, we were told what to do. Now, we’ve been taught how to think for ourselves and make decisions. We don’t have to send a message out onto the field anymore because the guys are seeing for themselves what to do,” Williams said.That’s all part of a culture of change that has come under Houghton, who has championed a more mature style of player management. “There’s a lot of thought that goes in and measured decisions made for the players around family time or taking a break,” Williams said. “For example, Sikandar Raza had come back from the IPL and management said you’re important to us so you should go home for a few days before the qualifiers. We’d rather see you not tired because you are valuable. That makes a huge difference.”Sean Williams walks out with his daughter, Charlotte, ahead of his 150th ODI game•ICC/Getty ImagesAnd it paid off. Against Netherlands, Raza broke the record Williams set in the previous game and smashed a century off 54 balls. Was Williams, who was dismissed for 91 off 58 balls, a little annoyed that Raza had broken his record? “No, not at all.””I had an opportunity to do it myself and if I had, Raza might not have had the opportunity to do so. The biggest thing for me at the end of the day is all as we are winning.”For now, Zimbabwe are doing exactly that. With two big wins from their opening two games, they are all but into the Super Sixes. Three teams from each group advances and carries the points and the net run-rate from the teams who progress with them from the first round.That makes Zimbabwe’s match against West Indies on Saturday vitally important. The winner of that game will likely take the most points into the next stage, where they are highly likely to face a clinical Sri Lankan side, a plucky Scotland team – who Zimbabwe tied with in the 2018 edition – and one of Oman, Ireland or the UAE and Williams is wary of them all.”Every team in the tournament has got a very good squad but those you have to watch out for are the ones who have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I find those teams dangerous,” he said.Williams has first hand experience of what teams like that can do. He was part of the XI that lost to UAE five years ago and that slip up cost them their World Cup place. After that heartbreak, reaching the World Cup this time would be both a balm and a boon for this Zimbabwean side.It would show they have properly moved on from the team they were five years ago and the World Cup participation fee is substantial, especially for players living through some of the worst hyperinflation in the world. But Williams will not allow himself to look that far ahead right now.”We can’t do that,” he said. “We’re focusing on our environment right now. It’s relaxed, which gives us freedom to play but that freedom also gives you responsibility – that responsibility of being professional, doing the right things and staying in the moment. If we can continue doing the things we are doing now well, and improve in certain areas, we can do well in this tournament.”For Williams, the memories he has made so far at this competition could well be career-defining. His century came in his 150th ODI with his mom Patricia, his wife Chantelle and his daughters Charlotte and Rylee-Rae in attendance. “It was just wow. One hell of a day. The perfect day,” he said.It was also Father’s Day and he dedicated the hundred to Ray, and celebrated it with his children. “It went from being an emotional day to a happy day and if there was one day of cricket I will remember, it will be that one,” he said. “Having my kids here has been helpful for me because I am not on my phone as much. I am trying to spend more time with them and they take me away from things I don’t need to worry about. They help me to stay in the moment.”Them, and the cold water, has got Williams, who is now 36, thinking about the cricketing legacy he’d want to leave behind. “I’d like to leave the Zimbabwe Cricket shirt in a better place than what I found it. And that’s something you can’t do alone. We are all contributing, and learning and growing along the way.”