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The India head coach said a decision on Rodrigues’ inclusion in the XI against New Zealand will be taken on match day

Sruthi Ravindranath22-Oct-20254:19

Preview: ‘Wounded’ India favourites against New Zealand?

India head coach Amol Muzumdar has said leaving Jemimah Rodrigues out of the World Cup clash against England on Sunday was “one of the toughest decisions” the team has had to make, and one dictated purely by combination and conditions.”To be fair, Jemi [Rodrigues] has been a very important player, an integral part of this side we have built,” Muzumdar said. “Sometimes you just have to take those tough calls. That game, particularly against England, required the sixth bowling option, given the ground of Indore and the [high-scoring] conditions over there, we thought six bowling options would be a better call on that particular day and for that particular match.”Rodrigues, who has managed just 65 runs from four innings this tournament, including two ducks, made way for seamer Renuka Singh in the weekend.”It was a tough call, there is no doubt about it,” Muzumdar said. “One of the toughest decisions, but sometimes tough calls do need to be taken. She took it really nicely and very sportingly.”Related

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Ahead of India’s crucial clash against New Zealand, Rodrigues had an extended net session, closely working on her drives, though Muzumdar said the decision to bring her back into the XI will be taken only on match day.India have now lost three consecutive matches, to South Africa, Australia, and England, all after getting into promising positions. Muzumdar conceded that the pressure of playing a home World Cup is being felt, but backed the squad, including young pacer Kranti Gaud, who’s gone for runs in her second spell in all three games, to bounce back.”I think a home World Cup, of course, there has to be some kind of pressure. But this side, this particular side is well-equipped to handle that. We’ve built a side around it and I think all the players are well-equipped to handle pressure.5:13

‘Fans need to temper expectations with India’

“[Gaud] had not much of experience in international cricket, but that’s the stage we are in. She’s been the spearhead of the fast bowlers in the team. And we’ve had several discussions, we’ve not left any stone unturned with regards to discussion and taking the load off her.”While six Indian batters have crossed fifty in the tournament so far, none has reached three-figures, something Muzumdar said the team is actively trying to address. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur had laid the platform in the England game with a 125-run stand but were dismissed for 88 and 70 respectively.”We are well aware that a three-figure mark hasn’t come this World Cup. But if you look at the past year-and-a-half, the 18 months that have passed before the World Cup, we’ve had definitely a lot of hundreds that we’ve seen than ever before. I don’t think there is a lot of load on anyone. But we’ve had honest discussions about it. And the players also have been honest that, ‘Yes, instead of a fifty, we could have converted that into a hundred’. They are aware of it. And I’m hopeful that it will come in the next couple of games.”Muzumdar also said there was no burden on either Harmanpreet as captain or on Richa Ghosh to finish games single-handedly.”As a batting group, we’ve discussed we need to get into a certain stage where we can have that, that kind of a liberty for Richa to go out there and play her shots.”

أعلن الجهاز الإدارة لـ نادي الزمالك، عن تطورات جديدة في أزمة استخراج تأشيرات السفر لجنوب إفريقيا لبعض لاعبي الفريق، استعدادا لمباراة كايزر تشيفز في كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة كايزر تشيفز مساء الأحد المقبل، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة المجموعات لـ كأس الكونفدرالية.

ونجح الجهاز الإداري للفريق بقيادة محمد حسن “تيتو”، في استخراج التأشيرات الخاصة باللاعبين الأجانب بالفريق بما فيهم الثنائي المغربي محمود بنتايج وعبد الحميد معالي.

طالع.. خاص | لاعب الزمالك يفسخ عقده بعد انتهاء مهلة المستحقات

يأتي ذلك بعدما سبق وتعذر سفر المغربي محمود بنتايج من قبل لجنوب إفريقيا لخوض مباراة ستيلنبوش في النسخة الماضية من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

وتغادر القاهرة في الحادية عشرة مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، بعثة الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك متجهة إلى جنوب إفريقيا، استعدادًا لخوض مباراة كايزر تشيفز الجنوب إفريقي، في بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

Leeds United will be aiming to stay put in the Premier League past the end of the 2025/26 season, but that will be easier said than done.

The last time the Whites managed to stay up at the first time of asking after triumphantly securing promotion to the top-flight was when the revered Marcelo Bielsa still occupied the Elland Road dug-out, with an unbelievable seventh place position somehow pulled off come the close of the memorable 2020/21 campaign.

Ever since that major high point, though, Leeds have struggled when keeping their heads above water in the elite division, having fallen back down to the Championship with a whimper in 2023.

Daniel Farke is the boss who will be aiming to rewrite the depressing script in West Yorkshire, however, with it not being all doom and gloom since the Argentine’s sombre exit, either, as several exciting stars have called Leeds home since his sacking in early 2022.

Some of Leeds' best signings since Bielsa left

Even with Championship football regularly being on the menu after the enigmatic South American’s departure, Leeds have been blessed with possessing some exceptional talents.

Georginio Rutter has to go down as one of Leeds’ best bits of business in terms of the entertainment he offered in the rebuild after Bielsa, with the £35.5m purchase from Hoffenheim tallying up a ridiculous eight goals and 18 assists for the Whites, leading to Paul Merson even comparing him to Arsenal great Dennis Bergkamp for his audacious footwork.

Amazingly, too, Wilfried Gnonto never crossed paths with Bielsa at Elland Road, with the Italian attacker a real force to be reckoned with when unleashed, as seen in him firing home 22 goals to date for the Whites.

Moving away from the attack, Ethan Ampadu has also become a mainstay in the middle of the park since joining for £7m from Chelsea in the summer of 2023, as Leeds also finally stormed back up to the Premier League.

There’s even a compelling enough argument already to suggest that Sean Longstaff joining for £12m this summer just gone is one of the best bits of business since Bielsa left the building, with five big chances created by the ex-Newcastle United man helping Leeds push up to 15th in the early league standings.

Yet, despite the Newcastle-born ace experiencing such a promising start to life in West Yorkshire, he arguably lags just behind this Farke stalwart still in this argument, who is continuing to shine very bright as one of the first names on the German’s teamsheet.

Leeds' best signing since Bielsa left

There’s no guarantee that Longstaff will be able to keep up these excellent early levels at Leeds across a full Premier League season, having been regularly injury-prone at St James’ Park.

Farke won’t have any lingering concerns about Joe Rodon pulling up with an injury anytime soon, however, with the commanding Welshman now starting a staggering 94 consecutive games for Leeds as he remains one of the vital parts of his manager’s jigsaw, even as new signings aplenty – such as Longstaff – joined this off-season.

Rodon – PL stats (25/26)
Stat – per 90 mins*	Rodon
Games played	9
Goals scored	2
Assists	0
Touches*	67.2
Accurate passes*	49.2 (91%)
Ball recoveries*	2.8
Clearances*	6.4
Total duels won*	5.2
Clean sheets	2
Stats by Sofascore

Having also collected a mammoth 48 clean sheets across his first century of appearances for Leeds, Rodon has only cemented himself as a key Whites first-teamer during the infancy of this new season.

The Swansea-born warrior has even chipped in with two goals so far this campaign to ensure the top-flight newcomers already have three league wins under their belt, the latest of which steered his side to a valuable win over struggling West Ham United.

Yet, it’s his unwavering determination for Leeds that stretches all the way back to the 2023/24 campaign, which means he is surely their best signing since Bielsa sadly left Elland Road behind, with the £10m spent on his permanent services at the close of that promotion near-miss season continuing to look like a bargain amount.

He will only be seen in an even more glowing light if his imposing displays result in Leeds beating the drop, with Farke’s “unbelievable” assessment of the 28-year-old after his debut two years ago still ringing true today.

Farke has found a new Dallas-type player in “unbelievable” Leeds star

Daniel Farke has now stumbled upon Leeds United’s next Stuart Dallas-type figure in this unbelievable star.

By
Kelan Sarson

Oct 27, 2025

قضي فريق وأنصار برشلونة صباحا مليئا بالعواطف بعد العودة لملعب الكامب نو، ولم يقتصر الأمر على التدريب المفتوح للفريق الأول أمام الجماهير.

ووفقاً لصحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية فقد استقبل هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة أخبارًا سارة حيث عاد الحارس خوان جارسيا للتدريب مع المجموعة بشكل طبيعي للمرة الأولى منذ إصابته ضد أوفييدو في 25 سبتمبر.

وكان خوان جارسيا قد أدى تدريباته الفترة الماضية بالتدريج وتدرب فردياً خلال الأسبوعين الماضيين، وعاد اليوم ليكون جزءًا من الفريق حيث أكمل الجلسة التدريبية أمام 23 ألف متفرج ملؤا مدرجات كامب نو لأول مرة منذ بدء أعمال تجديده.

The first rondo at Spotify Camp Nou ✔️ pic.twitter.com/Dn7z9PQ4Ib — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 7, 2025

وبدأ جارسيا بشكل رائع مع برشلونة هذا الموسم حيث لم يستقبل سوى خمس أهداف خلال أول سبع مباريات رسمية ثم عانى من تمزق طفيف في الغضروف المفصلي في الركبة اليسرى ليبتعد عن الملاعب لستة أسابيع ولعب بدلاً منه تشيزني خلال الفترة الماضية.

أقرا أيضاً.. شقيق تشيزني يفجر مفاجأة عن حارس برشلونة بعد التعادل مع كلوب بروج

وتدرب خوان جارسيا رغم تأكيد إصابته بكسر في الأنف وقد اختبر نفسه بارتداء قناع واقي لمعرفة ما إذا كان سيشارك ضد سيلتا فيجو في بالايدوس يوم الأحد المقبل.

POV: First training at Spotify Camp Nou 👀 pic.twitter.com/UdCfG9UUpU — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 7, 2025

وأكمل الدنماركي كريستنسن جلسة تدريبات صباح اليوم مع المجموعة بعد أن تدرب يوم الخميس مع زملائه الذين تم استبعادهم من لقاء كلوب بروج.

وغاب جول كوندي عن جلسة تدريبات الفريق على ملعب كامب نو، حيث شوهد يرتدي حذاء رياضي وليس حذاء تدريبات مما يوحي أنه كان من المعروف أنه لن يشارك قبل بدء التدريبات.

“Hitting the ball felt completely fine,” Steven Smith says of the training sessions with a hard cricket ball in a baseball cage in New York

Andrew McGlashan30-Jun-2025Steven Smith got creative in his recovery from the finger injury that ruled him out of the first Test against West Indies, finding a baseball batting cage in New York where he was able to face throwdowns before rejoining the squad in Barbados.Smith suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger when he dropped Temba Bavuma at Lord’s during the World Test Championship final but, despite the gruesome nature of the injury which made Smith feel “sick” when he saw it with team-mates noting how he went pale, he avoided the need for surgery.Given he was limited in what he could do early in the recovery, and needed to be careful how much he sweated, he opted to travel the five hours to New York where he owns an apartment.Related

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Smith began facing tennis balls and soft cricket balls before moving to hard ones in his second session in the cage, sending the footage back to Barbados to the Australia medical staff, who were happy with his progress.”My mate actually told me about it, which was ideal because it was pretty warm there [in New York],” he said. “Underneath this bridge there was a batting cage, and he was able to throw me a few balls there, so it was good to be in the shade, it was pretty hot there.”After returning to the Caribbean, Smith had his stitches removed on Sunday and fitted with a thinner splint, which should make things easier when wearing batting gloves. He will have his first proper net against bowlers on Tuesday in Grenada, but was confident of being able to slot back into the side, which would mean Josh Inglis dropping out.”For me, it’ll just feel like training as normal, I think,” he said. “I don’t really feel any pain or anything. [It’s] just getting used to the splint on and the slight limited movement. It’s not too bad, I’ve got a lot of movement there now, so that feels good. Hitting the ball felt completely fine.

“These guys are good players, there’s been a lot of talk around it but… we just need to give them an opportunity”Steven Smith on newcomers to the side, like Sam Konstas

“Fielding some balls in front of the wicket will probably be the strangest thing for me, I don’t think I’ve ever done that in a Test match. Fielding at either probably mid-on or mid-off or fine leg, is a bit different to standing at the second or first slip.”Smith watched the first Test closely and joked “there was probably a few occasions I was happy that I wasn’t out there,” given the amount the pitch was offering for the quick bowlers. He had sympathy with the challenges posed to the top order and, in a similar vein to coach Andrew McDonald, acknowledged it could take time for things to click for the likes of Sam Konstas, citing his own wait for a maiden Test century, which came in his 12th match and 23rd innings.”These guys are good players, there’s been a lot of talk around it but… we just need to give them an opportunity,” he said. “It doesn’t always come around straight away. We’ve just got to give them an opportunity and let them get used to playing in these conditions and in international cricket. These guys have some really good talent and I think they have bright futures.”The injury made Steven Smith feel “sick” when he saw it with team-mates noting how he went pale•Getty ImagesThe squad will travel to Grenada on Monday, where none of the current team has played before. The last time Australia were on the island was for a pair of ODIs in 2008. Due to the short turnaround between Tests, the incumbent fast bowlers are not expected to train much in the lead-up. Given his lack of batting in the last couple of weeks, Smith said he would likely have two sessions.The previous Test at the National Stadium was in 2022 when England toured. It was a low-scoring affair dominated by the pace bowlers. The visitors were bundled for 120 in their second innings as West Indies clinched the series 1-0 with the medium pace of Kyle Mayers claiming 5 for 18. Anything similar will leave left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann on the sidelines again. With Josh Hazlewood taking five wickets in Barbados, it would be a very tough call for the selectors should they opt to leave out a quick at any point in the series.West Indies’ former captain Kraigg Brathwaite will be playing his 100th Test, while Mitchell Starc will notch up No. 99 and could join the century club in Jamaica. Starc also needs nine more wickets to reach 400.

Jonny Bairstow made a belligerent 64 not out and James Wharton an excellent 67 but Yorkshire are still facing defeat against Surrey at the Kia Oval.Surrey took three wickets late on day three to underline their complete dominance in a Rothesay County Championship match they will expect to bring them a second win of the Division One season.The champions were held up by Bairstow and Wharton’s fourth wicket stand of 84 but then Matt Fisher bowled Wharton and Tom Lawes removed George Hill and nightwatchman Jordan Buckingham in successive balls to leave Yorkshire 185 for six at stumps – still 72 runs adrift.Lawes had Hill caught at first slip and then pinned Buckingham leg-before, leaving Matt Revis to keep Bairstow – who has hit two sixes and eight fours in his 66-ball effort so far – company until the close.Nathan Smith and Jordan Clark had earlier Yorkshire up against it in their second innings at 31 for two, although Wharton and Jonny Tattersall then dug in either side of tea and put on 52 for the third wicket.Finlay Bean was the first Yorkshire wicket to fall, for seven, thin-edging a Smith outswinger through to tumbling wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, and five overs later Adam Lyth was also gone, for 16.Lyth, who had looked fortunate to survive an impassioned leg-before appeal from Smith to the second ball of the innings, had made it only to 16 when Clark’s seventh ball bounced steeply at him and he edged to third slip.Clark’s first spell was an impressive 6-5-4-1 and, on his return to the attack after tea, the big all-rounder had Tattersall caught at second slip for 12.Bairstow, however, was soon into his stride and Surrey were forced on to the defensive as he and Wharton added 84 inside 17 overs.The 24-year-old Wharton impressed with some classical strokeplay but it was Bairstow who predictably led the counter-punching as he pulled Fisher over the short long leg boundary for successive sixes on his way to a 39-ball half-century.Fisher, though, hit back by producing a magnificent inswinger to bowl Wharton between bat and pad after he had faced 135 balls and hit six fours.Surrey were already 129 runs ahead at the start of day three when they resumed on 384 for seven, and any hopes Yorkshire might have had of quickly bringing the innings to its conclusion were quashed as Clark and Smith settled in comfortably despite overcast conditions.New Zealand all-rounder Smith looked a quality player to be coming in at No 9, on-driving Jack White early on for a sumptuous boundary – although he did also nick the same bowler down into the ground and clean between keeper and first slip for another four to bring up Surrey’s 400.Smith’s 70-ball 42 was ended when Hill, Yorkshire’s stand-out bowler throughout, angled his medium-pace through a defensive push and deservedly won an lbw shout to complete an excellent five-wicket haul. Hill only bowled one more over after that, finishing with five for 66, but Smith and Clark’s eighth wicket partnership of 94 in 25 overs had taken Surrey’s lead close to 200.They were soon well beyond that, too, Lawes arriving at No 10 to showcase his own all-rounder status with a series of classy strokes against a tiring attack. The 22-year old was off the mark with a lovely lofted straight four off Revis and he also twice pulled the same bowler for further boundaries.Clark, on 41 overnight, had completed 2,000 first-class runs for Surrey before, on 69, playing on against Jordan Thompson after a determined near three-hour knock in which he had faced 147 balls and struck only five fours.Surrey’s final wicket then added 48 more, with Lawes scoring freely in an unbeaten 37 from 33 balls and last man Fisher also contributing some nice shots in 18 before flashing Thompson high to first slip.

Portugal legend Pepe has heaped praise on his former manager Jose Mourinho following his return to management with Benfica. The pair worked together at Real Madrid in what was, at times, a fractious relationship. But Pepe is delighted to see Mourinho back in his homeland, after he took his place in the dugout at the Estadio da Luz.

Pepe shows Mourinho respect

Mourinho left Fenerbahce after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League proper, but was picked up almost immediately by Benfica, a move Pepe is delighted with. The iconic former centre-back told A Bola: "We have a coach who has just arrived at Benfica and who I know well and who certainly won't give up on a game. Having a coach like Mourinho in our league is always beneficial for the way the game is played, and I think everyone is now engaged in his press conferences. It's even good for the European and international level, globally, because Mourinho attracts a lot of people who can also see the quality of Portuguese football.

"I was trained by him, I know his skills, and he's an excellent coach who will surely do everything he can to help Benfica win. I hope that doesn't happen, because as I've said, I want FC Porto to win titles again. I don't think Mourinho has lost anything; he's still Mourinho. I also speak from experience. The years teach us many things; we don't give so much to our blood or our heart, but rather to our reason, and Mourinho has been improving this. Now he's a much more… not calm, but much more thoughtful coach than he was when his club drew or lost."

AdvertisementAFPReal deal in Madrid

Mourinho's tenure in the Spanish capital included a complex relationship with Pepe, which was characterised by both reliance and friction between the pair. The Portuguese tactician utilised the player's strength and aggression as a cornerstone of his defensive tactics, sometimes even deploying him as a No.6. Pepe was a key figure in Mourinho's early successes at the Spanish giants, including winning La Liga. However, the relationship deteriorated, particularly towards the end of the head coach's spell in May 2013. Pepe expressed regret over the manager's handling of captain Iker Casillas. Mourinho, in turn, attributed the central defender's criticism to frustration over losing his starting spot to Raphael Varane. This public disagreement highlighted the tensions that arose between the two during Mourinho's final season at the club.

Mourinho’s history of falling out with players

Mourinho has had several well-documented fallouts with players throughout his managerial career, often stemming from his direct and demanding management style. These disputes often revolved around perceived lack of effort, tactical disagreements, or poor performances. One of the most notable examples is the strained relationship with Paul Pogba during his time as boss of Manchester United. Mourinho publicly criticised Pogba's attitude and leadership, once reportedly telling him he was "like a person with a flu, with a virus in a closed room – you pass that virus to the others". Their disagreements escalated, culminating in a training ground confrontation captured on camera. Other players who have experienced Mourinho's wrath include Luke Shaw, who received repeated public criticism regarding his fitness and professionalism, Eden Hazard due to his defensive work-rate at Chelsea, and Casillas was dropped during the prickly coach's time in Madrid.

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AFPPepe’s twilight years

Pepe enjoyed a remarkable twilight to his career with Porto and the Portugal national team before retiring in 2024 at age 41. He showcased incredible longevity and elite performance, culminating in significant records and tournament appearances. He played a key role for Porto, captaining the side and helping them win the Portuguese Cup in 2023. That year, he became the oldest outfield player to compete in and score in the Champions League. He was already the oldest player to score in a knockout stage match at the 2022 World Cup. His final match was Portugal's quarter-final defeat at Euro 2024, and he officially announced his retirement in August of that year.

Barcelona’s hopes of returning to Camp Nou this weekend have been dashed once again as the City Council refused to grant the licence needed to reopen the stadium. Hansi Flick’s side, amid ongoing renovations, were aiming to host Real Sociedad at a reduced capacity of 27,000 at Spotify Camp Nou, but security concerns have forced the club to look elsewhere.

• Blaugrana blocked from home turf

  President Joan Laporta and Institutional Vice-President Elena Fort had voiced optimism on Tuesday that approval would come through, but their expectations were left unmet. According to , the council cited safety measures as the primary reason for the denial. 

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• Getty Images
  

  Safety first, council insists

  Deputy Mayor Laia Bonet told local media that while the stadium’s renovation is near completion, officials cannot allow fans in without full compliance with safety standards.  

  "We are at the end of the first phase, which will culminate in the licensing process, but we need to ensure that all safety conditions are met,” Bonet said. "We share Barça’s desire for a successful and swift return. But this City Council must guarantee the safety of fans. This is our priority. We must ensure that the technicians can work rigorously.”

  An unnamed council source further detailed the issues preventing the green light.

  “We’re in the verification phase," the source said. "These are mainly deficiencies in the evacuation exits and the clearing of the camp. There’s a failure to comply with regulations. There are also accessibility issues that affect the safety of evacuation traffic: poor signage, handrails, poorly finished stairs. Vehicle accessibility… but there’s a lot of work done, and we don’t expect it to be a lengthy process. It’s not a huge amount, but we think we can resolve them quickly.”

• Next stop: Montjuic

  With Camp Nou off-limits, Barcelona confirmed their next fixtures will be staged at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys at Montjuïc. The Catalan giants will host Real Sociedad on Sunday night at the Montjuïc venue, with UEFA already confirming that the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on 1 October will also take place there.    

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  Countdown to Camp Nou return

  While the exact reopening date remains uncertain, both the club and council are eager for a resolution. Barcelona are determined to return to their historic home as soon as the final safety inspections are cleared, but until then, Montjuic will act as a stopgap for domestic and continental fixtures.   

Liverpool have made an approach for a Premier League player and Marc Guehi alternative – one who has been hailed for his “ambitious” nature.

Guehi "extremely unhappy" after failed Liverpool move

The Reds completed a superb summer transfer window by signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for a British record fee of £125m, but it could have been even better.

It looked as though Liverpool would also snap up Guehi, agreeing a long-term move with the Englishman, only to see Crystal Palace deny him his move at the eleventh hour. Manager Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to quit if the 25-year-old was sold to the Reds, with the Eagles not having enough centre-back depth without him.

It has made for an ugly situation, with Guehi thought to be “extremely unhappy” at the situation, according to journalist Ed Aarons, and he is now unlikely to sign a new deal ahead of his current contract expiring next summer. That will then allow him to depart on a free transfer.

Liverpool may need to look at different defenders looking ahead, should they feel that their chance of signing Guehi has been and gone, and another Premier League player has been linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool make approach for Nathan Collins

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have made an approach for Brentford captain Nathan Collins, potentially seeing him as a different option to Guehi moving forward. It’s worth stressing that a formal offer hasn’t been lodged, but the Premier League champions do see the £43m-rated Irishman as “on their shortlist of defensive targets”.

Collins would be a solid signing for Liverpool, having impressed as both a performer and a leader for Brentford, being hailed by Thomas Frank during their time working together.

“He can carry the ball out of defence and also has the composure to find the right pass during build-up play. His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that. I see leadership potential in Nathan. He’s a perfect Brentford player – hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn.”

With all due respect to the Brentford skipper, though, Guehi still stands out as the leading option for Liverpool, whether that be in January or beyond. He has become one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders, and has every chance of starting for England at next summer’s World Cup, and they shouldn’t give up on signing him after one hiccup.

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But Collins could be a shrewd alternative, and he is a year younger than Guehi, allowing Arne Slot to bring him in at a good age and turn him into an even more formidable all-round defender.

Manchester United failed to get their first win of the Premier League season on the board as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Leny Yoro’s header, which was later decided to be an own goal from Rodrigo Muniz, gave the Red Devils the lead in the second half, and they appeared to be on course for all three points.

Unfortunately, a lapse in concentration at the back for United allowed Emile Smith Rowe to ghost in and knock the ball past Altay Bayindir to seal a point for the home side.

There was also a missed penalty amongst it all, as Bruno Fernandes skied his effort over the bar in the first-half before the own goal from Muniz put United ahead anyway.

Bruno Fernandes' performance against Fulham

The Portugal international had the perfect chance to open the scoring when a penalty was awarded for Calvin Bassey’s foul on Mason Mount in the box, but blazed his effort well over the bar.

Fernandes was unhappy with the fact that the referee interrupted his run-up, which he did start again, but that was not enough to excuse how poor the strike was.

The United skipper did, however, enjoy a very solid game aside from that penalty miss. Per Sofascore, the central midfielder won eight of his ten duels, completed both of his attempted dribbles, and created one chance.

Fernandes tried to get on the ball to make things happen, whilst being combative and strong out of possession, but let himself down in unusual fashion from the penalty spot.

Meanwhile, Patrick Dorgu’s overall performance was worse than the captain’s on the left and Ruben Amorim should consider ruthlessly dropping him from the side.

Why Patrick Dorgu should be dropped

The Danish full-back is in the side to provide dynamism and an attacking outlet down the left as a wing-back, but did not show anywhere near enough quality against the Cottagers.

Dorgu’s performance left far too much to be desired. Whilst Fernandes was, at least, strong defensively, the wing-back lost six of his eight ground duels and was dribbled past twice without making a single tackle, per Sofascore.

This shows that it was far too easy for Fulham attackers to get the better of him in one-on-one battles, and that he did not provide Luke Shaw with enough protection down the left flank.

Unfortunately, the 20-year-old flop’s use of the ball did not make up for his lack of defensive quality, as the former Serie A starlet failed to deliver quality in possession.

Minutes

90

Key passes

0

Big chances created

0

Crosses completed

0/2

Dribbles completed

0/1

Shots

0

Possession lost

18x

As you can see in the table above, Dorgu lost possession a whopping 18 times without creating a single chance or having a shot on goal to test Bernd Leno.

The one time that the Danish whiz did make a perfect run to break the last line of Fulham’s defence, his stretched attempt to cross the ball hit the side netting without troubling anyone in Fulham white.

This is why Amorim must ruthlessly ditch the young defender from the starting XI for the clash with Burnley in the Premier League next weekend, after the League Cup game against Burnley.

In an ideal world, that would include a change of shape to a back four with Luke Shaw in his more natural position, but it could see Shaw or Diogo Dalot play as the left wing-back instead.

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Aug 23, 2025