A possibilidade de Luis Suárez deixar o Grêmio para se juntar a Lionel Messi no Inter Miami volta a ganhar força. Sendo que, desta vez, uma informação de considerável impacto foi veiculada através da versão uruguaia do portal da ‘ESPN’.
Segundo relatou o veículo da imprensa charrúa, Suárez teria tamanha convicção na ideia de rumar para a Major League Soccer (MLS) que tem a intenção de devolver todos os valores que foram recebidos até o momento provenientes do Imortal.
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Além disso, o Pistolero também arcaria com um valor adicional por quebra de acordo em quantidade que chegaria a casa dos dez milhões de dólares. Na atual cotação, esse montante equivale a R$ 48 milhões.
Apesar da intenção de Suárez ser ponto que facilitaria a liberação no aspecto financeiro, o Grêmio gostaria de uma composição onde o atleta de 36 anos de idade se comprometesse a não defender outra equipe ainda em 2023. Algo que o atleta não está de acordo.
>Mostre sua paixão pelo Imortal com produtos a partir de R$69,90!
Em adendo a relação de proximidade com Messi, o aspecto físico é apontado como ponto que estaria pesando para a decisão de Suárez. Pelo seu quadro de problemas constantes no joelho e o calendário apertado do futebol brasileiro, o artilheiro do Tricolor na temporada () entenderia que a MLS apresenta um ritmo de jogos onde poderia administrar melhor o seu quadro clínico.
Wayne Rooney has been challenged to a boxing match by former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. Manchester United and England legend Rooney is a big fight fan and has previously expressed a desire to lace up a pair of gloves. Kenny is willing to stand on the opposite side of the ring, with the ex-Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers shot-stopper preparing to step through the ropes for an exhibition bout.
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Who will Kenny fight on 'A Night to Remember'?
One-time Leeds United and Republic of Ireland custodian Kenny is due to face Curtis Davies at a charity boxing event. ‘A Night to Remember’ will take place on October 18, with David Bentley, Jody Morris, Leroy Lita and Lee Trundle among the other ex-pros to feature on the card.
It is, however, Rooney that Kenny has in his sights. He wants to square off against United’s all-time leading goalscorer after seeing his performance in the iconic clash between QPR and Manchester City – which saw Sergio Aguero score his legendary Premier League title-winning goal – called into question.
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Rooney asked questions of Aguero's iconic goal
Rooney has previously said of that contest, which saw the English top-flight crown snatched away from United in the most dramatic of circumstances: "Paddy Kenny should have done better for a couple of the goals. City get the second goal and QPR kick it straight back to them and that's never been questioned – I find that strange. Djibril Cisse celebrating after the game with the City players, but yes, listen, it's a historic moment in the Premier League so I'm sure that, if you are not involved as a Manchester United player, that's probably one of the greatest moments in the league."
Kenny responded to those quotes at the time by posting on social media, alongside an image of Aguero scoring his historic winning goal: "Wasn’t even bothered about diving to be fair." He included a laughing face emoji and a couple of fishing rods – as he waited on another bite from Rooney and Co.
Getty/GOAL
Rooney challenge: Kenny ready for a fight
Kenny has now suggested that his differences with Rooney, which remain light hearted, should be settled with a slug fest that allows both men to release some of the tension that has built up since May 2012. He told "He keeps hammering me about that Aguero goal, so I think me and him need to sort it out in the ring. 13 years on, he’s still saying I let the goals in! It might have looked like I let them in but I didn’t!"
Rooney has previously floated the idea of stepping into the ring with Misfits Boxing, with YouTube personality KSI one of their founders. He told prior to taking the reins at Plymouth Argyle in 2024: "They’ve been in touch and asked the question but I think at the minute I want to focus on getting back into management, not boxing."
That stance could be shifted in 2025, with Kenny saying of his preparations for a scrap with Davies: "For eight weeks now I’ve been training, been boxing for four or five weeks and in that time I’ve lost over two stone, which is a massive thing. That was one of the reasons I wanted to get involved, get myself back into shape. It’s for amazing charities, it’s going to be an amazing event down in London, I’m really looking forward to it."
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Rooney on punditry duty after coaching flops
There is a chance that Rooney could be talked into joining a future event. He no longer has coaching commitments to contend with after seeing his spell at Plymouth cut short after just 25 games. He previously lasted only 83 days in charge of Birmingham, having been taken to St Andrew’s by Tom Brady and Co.
Rooney is now back on punditry duty, with a regular role being filled on Match of the Day. He is also preparing to grace a Disney+ documentary series alongside wife Coleen and their children. Preparations for a boxing fight would deliver intriguing content for that production.
Aston Villa bumped into PSR concerns earlier in the summer window and could be about to sanction an exit that would help their cause on that front, per reports.
Aston Villa sell Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United after league opener
In an unusual turn of events, Aston Villa have sold Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United directly after playing out a goalless draw against Eddie Howe’s side in their opening day of the Premier League season.
Earning the Villans a sum of over £40 million, he posted an emotional farewell message on social media to supporters, emphasising the honour of living his ‘dream’ by being able to pull on the shirt of his boyhood club.
Jacob Ramsey in action for Aston Villa in pre-season.
He stated: “It’s impossible to put into words what playing for Aston Villa has meant to me. From being a young fan in the Holte End to living my dream and scoring in front of it, this club has been an extended family to me, and I’ve got memories for life – from making my Premier League debut, experiencing Champions League nights back at Villa Park and scoring my first goals in those competitions.”
Although a bitter pill to swallow, there is no doubt Aston Villa will benefit from the big-money sale as they look to reinvest in key targets while adhering to PSR regulations.
Encouragingly, Marco Asensio looks set to arrive at Villa Park after enjoying a fruitful time on loan at the club last season, offering Unai Emery a premium option that can cover a variety of roles within his forward line.
Aston Villa advancing talks for £120k-a-week star who Emery wants after U-turn
The Villans could sign him for a reduced fee.
ByEmilio Galantini Aug 16, 2025
Now, the Spaniard could be set to offload another first-team star that will clear valuable wage expenditure once he is officially off the books at the club.
Aston Villa set to let Leander Dendoncker depart for Real Oviedo
Taking to social media platform X, Athletic journalist Jacob Tanswell has confirmed that Leander Dendoncker is close to leaving Aston Villa to join Real Oviedo.
There will be no transfer fee involved in the deal, though being able to clear his £90,000 per week wages, per Capology, will reduce their chances of flying too close to the sun concerning PSR regulations.
Following Ramsey out of the door, the Belgium international spent time on loan at Anderlecht last campaign and it is clear he isn’t part of Emery’s plans moving forward in the West Midlands.
Scoring once in 36 appearances for the Villans, the Passendale-born midfielder has struggled to make an impact at Aston Villa due to injuries, making an exit once all parties work out the finer details an agreeable solution for everyone involved.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin still has plenty to think about before the summer transfer window officially slams shut at the start of next month.
RangersReview recently reported that Jefte is closing in on a move to Brazilian side Palmeiras for a fee of £6m, just 12 months on from his £800k transfer from Fluminense.
This means that the Light Blues are poised to make a significant profit on the 21-year-old left-back, who started 30 of the club’s 38 matches in the Scottish Premiership during the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.
It also means, though, that Rangers will be light in the left-back department, as Ridvan Yilmaz has not featured in any of the club’s matchday squads this season.
Rangers hopeful of signing new left-back
This means that Max Aarons, a right-footed left-back, will be the only senior left-back option available, given Yilmaz’s exclusion from the team, once Jefte’s move is completed.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Rangers have been linked with a loan interest in Brentford left-back Jayden Meghoma, and Russell Martin is hopeful that a deal can be done for the defender.
The Gers head coach said: “So Jay (Meghoma) is a player we know from Southampton, spent a year with us as a young boy, training every day, understands the work, top talent, plays for England at all the youth levels.”
“Brentford signed him for a lot of money for a teenager, and he went on loan last year and to the Championship did really well, so he’s a player we know and like. Hopefully, at some point, he’ll be a Rangers player and you’ll know that when he is.”
What Jayden Meghoma can bring to Rangers
The 19-year-old defender, who was signed for £10m by the Bees last year, could be a dream for Djeidi Gassama down the left flank with the way that he likes to bomb forward.
Since signing from Sheffield Wednesday, Gassama has been a hit with the Gers supporters. The 21-year-old forward has scored four goals in six matches in all competitions, per Sofascore, to prove himself to be a big threat at the top end of the pitch.
Instead of having a right-footed player in Aarons failing to provide much support on the overlap, the Frenchman will surely love to have a naturally left-footed, attack-minded, full-back in Meghoma to support him.
xAG
0.09
Top 27%
Assists
0.12
Top 21%
Shot-creating actions (defensive action)
0.12
Top 5%
Goal-creating actions
0.35
Top 6%
Percentage of dribblers tackled
76.9%
Top 8%
As you can see in the table above, Meghoma showed signs of promise as an attacking force on loan at Preston North End in the Championship last term, ranking highly in creating chances for his teammates.
Interestingly, he ranked highly for tackling dribblers and creating shots for his team through defensive actions. This suggests that he excels at winning the ball back on the flank and then playing the ball forward to start moves that end up with shots at goal.
Gassama could, therefore, benefit from having the aggressive full-back behind him because his pace on the counter-attack could make the most of the attacks that the teenage defender has the potential to create.
Meghoma, who was described as “fast” and “tricky” by Paul Heckingbottom, could also be a shrewd addition to the team because he worked with Martin during their time together at Southampton, which means that he already knows how the manager works and wants to play.
Lionel Messi names the top fans between Celtic and Rangers, calls them "the best"
The Argentine icon has played at both Parkhead and Ibrox.
ByCharlie Smith Aug 15, 2025
The England U19 international could use that experience to hit the ground running as a replacement for Jefte at Ibrox, whilst also having the potential to be a dream for Gassama down the left flank.
Aaqib Khan picked up three wickets before Abishek Porel’s 82 kept India C in hunt for the first-innings lead
Shashank Kishore20-Sep-2024Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar and Ishan Kishan all missed out on an opportunity to play substantial knocks as India C found themselves in a dogfight for the first-innings honours against India A in Anantapur.At stumps on day two, India C were 216 for 7, seemingly in a better position courtesy of an unbroken 49-run stand between Pulkit Narang and Vijaykumar Vyshak.The bulk of the damage was done by 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh seamer Aaqib Khan, who dismissed Gaikwad (17), Sudharsan (17) and Patidar (first-ball duck) after coming on first change. The innings was then revived by Abishek Porel, who continues to enjoy a breakout year.Porel, one of the bright performers for Delhi Capitals at IPL 2024, struck 82 off 113 balls to build on a clutch unbeaten 35 in the previous game that helped his side clinch a low-scoring thriller.Narang, who at the age of 30 is looking to make up for lost time as a first-class cricketer, will hope to score his third first-class half-century on Saturday and get his side into the lead. Narang, who bowls offspin, is currently on 99 first-class wickets.Earlier, India A managed to stretch their first-innings score from the overnight 224 for 7 to 297 courtesy of lower-order fireworks from Avesh Khan, who struck an unbeaten 51, his second first-class fifty. He was well supported by Prasidh Krishna, who made 34. A bulk of the contribution had come on the opening day courtesy of Shashwat Rawat’s 124.Vyshak, who is on the selectors’ radar after being awarded a fast-bowling contract, picked up two of the three remaining wickets; he finished with figures of 4 for 51. Anshul Kamboj, the Haryana quick fresh off an eight-for in the previous game, ended with 3 for 49.
The last time Sunderland triumphantly won promotion up to the Premier League back in 2007, the Black Cats managed to stay in the tricky division for a mammoth nine straight seasons, before falling down to the lower reaches of the EFL.
Regis Le Bris would love for the same level of stability to greet his side in 2025, with Sunderland’s standout summer business – which has included a club-record £30m being forked out to win Habib Diarra – making those on Wearside believe they can instantly secure survival and thrive back in the promised land.
The ambitious Wearaide outfit were dealt a heavy dose of realism last time out in pre-season, however, as Hearts convincingly put the top-flight newcomers to the sword in a 3-0 loss.
Still, not much can often be read from freak pre-season results, but more signings will likely be in the pipeline for Le Bris and Co. before August’s big showdown with West Ham United officially kicks off the Premier League campaign.
Sunderland manager RegisLeBrisbefore the match
Sunderland express interest in new goal machine
The Frenchman will have some concerns about how his team will initially take to the daunting step-up, worrying that the Hammers will expose the porous Sunderland defence at will, much like the heavy Hearts defeat.
This could well spur the Black Cats into snapping up one or two new defensive recruits, with Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi still on the shopping list, amid reports the Colombian might be available for around the £22m mark.
Jhon Lucumi for Bologna.
Away from chasing after defenders, however, Sunderland are also actively in the market for some fresh striker personnel, with a surprise target now appearing on the shortlist.
Indeed, as per reports from Spain, Jamie Vardy is preparing for one final dance in the top-flight after waving goodbye to Leicester City, with Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunderland and even Manchester United all interested in the potent veteran’s short-term services.
In fact, it reports that the Mackems have already come forward with an attractive offer to sign the veteran attacker.
How Vardy can become Sunderland's next Defoe
With a weighty 145 Premier League goals next to his name, Vardy could be a smart pick-up by Sunderland as they navigate the choppy waters of the top-flight.
He could even go on to be the Wearside club’s second coming of Jermain Defoe, with the former forward once playing the role of seasoned old-timer to perfection during Sunderland’s Premier League heyday.
Long before Le Bris helped put Sunderland back on the footballing map, Defoe was leading the line for the Black Cats with some venom in the big time.
The well-travelled attacker would go on to amass a high 34 of his 156 Premier League goal collection at the Stadium of Light, with one of his ex-Sunderland bosses in Gustavo Poyet even hailing that his side were ‘a different team’ altogether when Defoe was strutting his stuff for fun.
Games played
480
342
Goals scored
156
145
Assists
32
50
Hat-tricks
4
3
PL title wins
0
1
Amazingly, Vardy will attempt to eclipse Defoe’s bumper 156 goals in the Premier League if he lines back up in the top division next campaign, with the 26-time England international only 11 strikes off his counterpart’s 156 goals, despite making 138 fewer appearances.
Moreover, much like Defoe managed to achieve at the Stadium of Light, Vardy was a constant livewire presence for the Foxes that ensured safety was reached time after time during his 13-year association with the club, with a jaw-dropping Premier League title success also coming his way when regularly bamboozling defences.
He was so well thought of at the King Power Stadium that he was even lauded as “world-class” by former boss Brendan Rodgers, on top of international acclaim also coming his way during his purple patch in Leicester blue when ex-Germany manager Joachim Low heralded him as “spectacular” in 2016.
It’s not all just nostalgia, however, as Vardy did try his utmost last season to help the Foxes avoid the drop, but his healthy nine strikes in Premier League action just weren’t enough.
Le Bris will hope he can chip in with a similar amount or even more donning Sunderland red and white, as a new, seasoned attacker now potentially attempts to live up to Defoe’s legendary status.
Sunderland make £13m bid to sign "goal machine" and want deal done ASAP
Hubli Tigers and Bengaluru Blasters both scored 164 in regulation time, before the game went into the first tie-breaker
ESPNcricinfo staff23-Aug-2024 Hubli Tigers won a supremely thrilling Maharaja T20 Trophy game that required three Super Overs to separate the two sides at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday.With three wickets standing, Bengaluru Blasters could manage to score just five of the six runs remaining to beat Hubli in regulation time.Gneshwar Naveen put Blasters in front with a boundary off the very first ball off the 20th over, but fell off the next delivery.LR Kumar then bowled two dot balls before Lavish Kaushal was tactically retired out on the fifth ball, even as he and his partner Kranthi Kumar sneaked in a bye. Having to defend one off the last ball, Kranthi was run out to force the game into a Super Over.First Super Over: Pandey gets luckyMayank Agarwal, the Bengaluru Blasters captain, was out first ball, but they recovered to score 10, courtesy a last-ball six from Aniruddha Joshi.Manish Pandey unlocked a big hit with Tigers needing eight of three. But with the equation down to 2 off 1, Pandey was dropped by Kaushal, the bowler, who let the ball slip through his fingers. Tigers sneaked a single to tie the Super Over.Second Super Over: Kaverappa holds his nervePandey walked out to open this time with 20-year-old allrounder Manvanth Kumar. Manvanth had played an influential role in the game until then; picking up 4 for 33 while defending 164, which incidentally had been achieved on the back of his late 15-ball 28. But in the second Super Over, he and Pandey could manage just eight.Having to defend a modest score, seamer Vidwath Kaverappa answered his team’s call. India’s selectors had seen fit to give him a fast-bowling contract earlier this year and he showcased the potential.Despite conceding a boundary early on, he held his nerve to concede just four more to force the game into a third Super Over.Third Super Over: Manvanth gets third-time luckyJoshi fell first ball to Manvanth to put Blasters in front, but it took a last-ball six over backward point by Shubhang Hegde to push Blasters up to 12 in the tie-breaker.Having failed to close out the game first in regulation time and then in the second Super Over, Manvanth had a third opportunity, and he set the ball rolling by lofting a boundary off the second ball. But Kranthi came back strongly to give up only three runs off the next three balls (one of them an extra).The Tigers now needed four off the final ball, and Manvanth broke the deadlock by heaving a full toss into the vacant square leg region to clinch a thriller as there was finally something to separate the sides.
All-round contributions from Luke Wells, George Balderson see Foxes well beaten
ECB Reporters Network14-Jun-2024Lancashire 162 (Wells 35, Currie 4-25) beat Leicestershire 137 for 9 (Patel 43, Balderson 2-15) by 25 runsLancashire Lightning continued their strong start to the North Group by making it five wins from six matches, overcoming Leicestershire Foxes by 25 runs in their Vitality Blast clash at the Uptonsteel County Ground.The group leaders failed to bat out their full 20 overs, dismissed for 162 in 18.5 by a Foxes bowling attack led by seamer Scott Currie’s 4 for 25 and on-loan left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy’s 2 for 25.It was a total that looked potentially a little below par after Lightning’s Luke Wells (35 off 18 balls), Matty Hurst (32 from 24) and veteran Steven Croft (29 from 20) had all been dismissed when threatening to inflict major damage but, in the face of some disciplined Lancashire bowling, Foxes were always behind the required rate.Rishi Patel hit 43 from 31 balls including two sixes, and skipper Peter Handscomb 33 from 26, but only two other batters made it into double figures as Wells (2 for 24 from four overs), George Balderson (2 for 15 from two on his Blast debut) and Luke Wood (1 for 20 from four) returned some mean bowling figures as Foxes were restricted to 137 for 9.Asked to bat first, Lightning had built their innings on the foundation of 65 runs in the powerplay, a decent return even at the cost of three wickets. Josh Hull was involved in all three, holding a good, low catch at short fine leg as Josh Bohannon fell to Wiaan Mulder in the opening over before knocking out Keaton Jennings’s off stump and Tom Bruce’s middle in two superb overs of his own.Wells and Hurst combined to take 23 off Ben Mike’s second over. The pair added 57 in 32 deliveries but Lancashire lost both in close succession as Wells holed out to long-off for 35 of 18 balls and Currie bowled Hurst for 32 off 24.Croft brought Hull back to earth with 19 off an over that cost 24 in total, including a six crashed over cover from a free hit, but another promising Lightning partnership was broken when Balderson (22 from 18), having cleared the long-on boundary off Goldsworthy, attempted a repeat and was caught by Currie, who picked up his second wicket as Croft was leg before.Lancashire needed a big finish but suffered the opposite, failing to bat out their full allocation as their last three wickets fell for 10 runs in 11 deliveries.After Leicestershire’s batting powerplay, though, Lightning were squarely back in the game, pace bowlers Saqib Mahmood and Wood combining to restrict the home side to 31 runs, with Harry Swindells, making his first appearance since his heroic match-winning hundred in last summer’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup final, run out for a somewhat tortured 4 from 11 balls.Patel raised the scoring rate with a couple of big sixes against Wells and Blatherwick but his departure via an uppercut to backward point left the Foxes 66 for 2 at halfway, needing 97 and 13 off the pace according to the Duckworth Lewis Stern calculation.As scoreboard pressure built, Handscomb – dropped on 26 – and then Louis Kimber fell trying to clear the boundary off Balderson, Mulder falling in similar fashion off Wood.Ben Cox was bowled with a swing and a miss off Green, Rehan Ahmed likewise off the spin of Wells, who found a way past Mike’s attempted sweep two balls later. A requirement of 59 from the last five overs had turned into 43 off 12 deliveries when Goldworthy top-edged Mahmood to be ninth out and an impossible 32 off the last over.
Being a Leeds United supporter has certainly been somewhat of a rollercoaster over the last couple of years, with the club always in the middle of some form of drama on or off the pitch.
From big-money departures to Wembley defeats and title victories, the fans have truly been through it all, with another new chapter appearing on the horizon in the coming months.
After promotion from the Championship back to the Premier League, it hands the Whites a fresh opportunity to create new history and cement themselves as one of England’s greats.
Leeds United manager DanielFarkebefore the match
They will face a huge task to beat the drop, given the gap between the two divisions, but after their ninth-placed finish back in their previous return to the top flight is evidence that they can defy the odds.
If they are to break the mould, investment is needed, but it’s also pivotal that players who are not required are moved on to provide boss Daniel Farke with added funds to make changes.
The latest on Leeds players who could leave Elland Road this summer
Striker Patrick Bamford has failed to deliver throughout 2024/25, not scoring a single goal across all competitions, leading to rumours about his future in Yorkshire.
He’s been linked with a move to newly promoted Championship side Wrexham, which could lead to a permanent move away, looking to cash in given the fact he has just one year left on his current deal.
The 31-year-old won’t be the last player to depart Elland Road this window, with full-back Junior Firpo also touted with an exit, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
He confirmed that the Dominican international has been approached by his former side, Real Betis, over a return to the LaLiga outfit, with his contract set to expire in just over two weeks.
The Whites have made an offer to extend his stay in Yorkshire, but as of yet, no agreement has been reached, with the defender looking more likely to leave given the time remaining on his deal.
Why Leeds’ £60k-p/w star could be a repeat of Summerville
Crysencio Summerville captured the hearts of the Leeds fanbase during his spell at Elland Road, producing numerous moments of magic after breaking into the first team setup.
Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville
His first major moment came back in October 2022, coming off the bench to score the winner against Liverpool at Anfield – in a game which was undoubtedly the highlight of the 2022/23 campaign.
The Dutchman would become a key member of the side after relegation to the Championship, scoring 20 times and registering nine assists, but it wasn’t enough as the club lost in the play-off final against Southampton.
He would subsequently depart and join West Ham United in a £25m deal last summer, banking a huge profit but losing one of their shining lights in the process.
Whilst Firpo would be leaving for nothing, it could see a repeat of a deal for Summerville, with both players moving on after impressive years in the second tier, with the defender notching 14 goal contributions this season.
Leeds United's JuniorFirpoin action with Bristol City's Max Bird
The defender, who also earns £60k-per-week, has matched the Dutchman in struggling in the top flight previously in Yorkshire, leading to many fans previously voicing their displeasure over his performances, with such a move freeing up money off the wage bill.
The winger has struggled with injuries since his subsequent move to the top tier, starting just seven league games this season, with the deal now favouring the Whites despite the disappointment at the time.
Games played
32
Goals & assists
14
Pass accuracy
83%
Chances created
1.7
Touches in opposition box
4.1
Duels won
6.3
Tackle success rate
52%
Such a deal allowed for Manor Solomon to move to the club, handing Farke an added talent whilst banking good money, something which could replicate itself with Firpo this summer.
Understandably, given his form at Elland Road, no fan would want to lose the defender, with continuity crucial if the side are to beat the drop throughout 2025/26.
However, if the full-back doesn’t want to stay, it would be best to part ways this month and make a move for a player who could fill the void in Yorkshire.
Should he struggle to make an impact away from the club like Summerville, it would be a good decision to allow him to depart, putting trust in the hierarchy to recruit a suitable replacement in the coming months.
Their new Klich: Leeds submit offer to sign £22m star with a "huge future"
Leeds United have reportedly made an official offer to sign a star who could be Mateusz Klich 2.0.
Ever since the WTC final, the fast bowler has gone from strength to strength under a management that has emboldened him to unleash his skills as he sees fit
Firdose Moonda22-Aug-20252:16
Ngidi: Always a test of character against Australia
When cricketers are encouraged to express themselves, we usually know what that looks like for batters: play your shots, innovate, entertain. But how do bowlers interpret that instruction?”It’s pretty much about giving you the freedom to bowl what you want to bowl,” Lungi Ngidi said, after claiming his second ODI five-for during South Africa’s 84-run win in the second ODI against Australia in Mackay. “We’ve been playing international cricket for a couple of years now, so we kind of know what we’re good at and what we need to do. Set your field and bowl what you want to bowl according to whatever you see in front of you. Play the conditions in front of you and don’t be scared to try things.”Like offering one of the opposition’s most dangerous batters a little bit of width, in the belief he would nick off. Or dropping your pace down to just over 100kph because you’d seen the efficacy of the slower ball in the first innings.Related
Green, Head and Marsh flay centuries as Australia put on a show
Ngidi takes five, Breetzke, Stubbs shine as South Africa win series
Ngidi did both those things as he bowled South Africa to a series-winning victory, and he did them because he had the confidence to make bold decisions about how he wanted to go about his business.His strategy against Marnus Labuschagne was informed by what Ngidi saw in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, when Labuschagne was dismissed in both innings driving loosely at Marco Jansen. Ngidi, of course, is not the same type of bowler as Jansen, but he believed he could exact similar results.Marnus Labuschagne fell into Lungi Ngidi’s deliberately laid trap•Getty Images”We do our video analysis and we’ve seen, even from the Test Championship, outside off with the ball shaping away seems to be effective. He leaves very well, but you need to score runs at some point in ODI cricket so you’re probably going to feel outside off,” Ngidi explained. “I just tried to keep it simple and just plug away at that length and that line and it seemed to come off. It went according to plan.”Pace-off is Ngidi’s speciality but he used it more after getting confirmation that it worked during South Africa’s innings, in which Nathan Ellis was the stand-out seamer. Ellis started with a 110kph back-of-the-hand slower ball and delivered at least two an over among his pace-on, short-ball change-ups, which got him both his wickets. Ngidi was taking notes.”The beautiful thing about bowling second is I get to sit there and watch what works. And I saw Ellis’ plan and he was pretty successful with that,” he said. “It just gives you an idea of what’s going to work later on in the innings. Also Watching [Xavier] Bartlett up front, it seemed to be swinging or nipping around so it pretty much gives you a blueprint of how to go about things.”Both Ngidi and Nandre Burger found movement early on and made the initial breakthroughs but it was Ngidi’s second spell that earned him his first Player-of-the-Match award, in any format, in nearly three years. He ripped through Australia’s lower order and took four wickets for eight runs in 14 balls. The first was a signature Ngidi delivery, a slower offbreak that Aaron Hardie chipped back to him. But it was Ngidi’s quick reaction to get across and take the catch low to the ground that showed how committed he was to the contest against an opposition he loves playing against.’The beautiful thing about bowling second is I get to sit there and watch what works’•Getty ImagesHis career-best, of 6 for 58, also came against Australia and he has taken more wickets against them in ODIs – 26 at an average of 16.96 – than any other opposition (and he has only played against them once more than he has England, India or Sri Lanka) and it’s fair to say they bring out the best in him.”It’s always a battle against Australia. It’s always competitive,” he said. “It’s a test of character because we were put under pressure from the T20s, and we had the opportunity to win a series tonight so just mentally stepping up and finishing it off. It’s just a great rivalry that’s always been there. And it’s going to continue for many, many years.”Ngidi emphasised “staying strong mentally” both to the broadcasters and at his press conference, and it may apply to more than just the ongoing series. His career to date is perhaps best described as stop-start, with injuries and indifferent form often interrupting a good run. The last time he played all matches in a multi-format tour was in 2018, when he played in four of South Africa’s four games in Australia.Currently, Ngidi is on a five-match streak in Australia, and he also played in four of South Africa’s five T20Is last month in Zimbabwe and made a Test comeback the month before that at the WTC final at Lord’s. It was in that game, where his selection raised eyebrows because he had not played a Test in 10 months, that Ngidi showed the value of being backed by the coaching staff and being given freedom by them.Ngidi picked up the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career•AFP/Getty ImagesCoach Shukri Conrad picked Ngidi even after dropping him from the 2024 tour to Bangladesh and, after a rusty start, Ngidi delivered a match-changing second-innings performance when he took 3 for 38. Conrad has since picked Ngidi across all formats, and the returns have only been getting better. Ngidi iced the cake when he became the first South Africa seamer since Kagiso Rabada in July 2015 to take an ODI five-for away from home.Because they came up in the same Under-19 group and are at similar ages, the two are often spoken about in parallel terms, Rabada’s stardust usually leaving Ngidi in the shadows. That was the case in this game too. Ngidi told the broadcasters that when he knew Rabada would be unavailable for this series because of injury, he would “have big shoes to fill.”It’s easy to assume that means he needs to take on Rabada’s role but that only applies to seniority and experience, not style of bowling. While Rabada’s game is based on pace and accuracy, Ngidi’s is on variation and movement and he had the perfect stage to show that in Mackay. That he performed to expectation and beyond is an example of South Africa’s new way, which is as much about staying true to their identity as it is about getting the results they want.”The most important thing is how we played. Are we playing our brand of cricket? Are we playing the way we want to play? When we lose and we’re not playing our way or with the freedom that the coach has given us, then it’s a problem. But when we execute and we play the way we want to play, that’s the beautiful thing,” Ngidi said. “We have lots of white-ball cricket to come. So this is good momentum to kick us off for the rest of the season.”