“We can’t make mistakes against him tomorrow,” says Prabath Jayasuriya

Andrew Fidel Fernando22-Sep-2024If you’re a batter, your first Test at one of the most trying venues on the planet tends not to go well for you. Rachin Ravindra, though, is proving across formats, that he’s not your run-of-the-mill batter out of New Zealand.His fourth-innings vanguard, which by the end of day four has brought him 91 not out off 158, and pushed New Zealand into a spot where they still have an outside chance of victory, has been full of bravado.Sri Lanka’s offspinners attacked him outside off stump, figuring that as he likes to play shots out there, there will eventually be an edge that comes off his bat. The edge never materialised but plenty of runs did – 40 of his runs coming in the arc between backward point and cover, Ravindra’s shot-making frequent and consistent even when the pitch was spitting towards the end of the day.Related

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“I’ll be honest, the pitch isn’t easy – but there were periods there when Rachin made it look very easy,” said Ajaz Patel, who partnered Ravindra through the last few overs of the day.”He’s a phenomenal player. I think he’s world class. With his batting out there today, you saw him sticking to a solid plan for long periods, and trusting his skills. He’s got an amazing future in front of him. I’m grateful he’s on our team. He’s a headache to bowl to in first-class cricket.”When Sri Lanka switched to bowling straighter at him, Ravindra was no less proficient through the legside. He was ruthless when the bowlers erred even slightly on length, preferring the pull to the sweep as his main run-scoring option on the legside.In fact, four of his nine fours, and his one six all came through midwicket, with the six coming off a full toss.Opposition left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya had serious praise for Ravindra too.”I mostly tried to bowl into the rough to him and turn it into him. Sometimes he was very good at latching on to the short balls.”There was some little chances that came off him. But he kept his patience and batted nicely. He hit the loose balls away and kept the good ones out. He played like someone who understood his game, and was sticking to a game plan. Sometimes we tried to take his wicket and bowled aggressively, but he turned those into scoring opportunities.”Sri Lanka now need two more wickets to win, while New Zealand need 68 for victory. Ravindra has to score those runs in the company of No. 10 Patel, and No. 11 Will O’Rourke. If he gets through that challenge, it may be the finest moment of his career to date – in Tests, at least.”We can’t make mistakes against him tomorrow,” Jayasuriya said. “We have to take those two wickets.”

What was feeling like a disappointingly quiet summer for Arsenal has now burst into life.

Mikel Arteta’s side have now confirmed the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga, are close to announcing deals for Christian Norgaard and Martin Zubimendi, and appear determined to do more business.

For example, the last few days have seen links to Eberechi Eze explode, and even Ollie Watkins seems to be back in contention.

However, while the Aston Villa star would be an exciting addition to the Gunners’ squad, reports have suggested that the club are getting closer to another, better option to lead the line next season.

Arsenal's striker search

Given Arsenal’s goalscoring struggles last season, it’s not been a surprise to see them linked with a host of dangerous strikers this summer.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

For a long time, it seemed that Benjamin Sesko would be the player to come in and solve that problem, but over the last week or so, reports emerged claiming that working out a deal to sign him has proven far more challenging than anticipated.

At the same time, Watkins’ name has also been thrown back into the ring, with reports from earlier this week claiming that talks had once again been held with his camp and that he would “love” to join the Gunners this summer.

However, while the Englishman is an incredibly talented footballer and goalscorer, it appears that the North Londoners have their eyes on another striker.

At least that’s according to a recent report from BBC Sport, which claims that Arsenal are still incredibly interested in goalscoring machine Viktor Gyokeres.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that the Gunners are now making real ‘headway with a potential move’ for the Swedish international ‘in recent days.’

While it’s not clear exactly how much the Sporting CP star would cost, the report claims that the final price will likely be in excess of £70m.

It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but it’s one Arsenal should pursue as Gyokeres could be a real game-changer for them, and a better signing than Watkins.

Why Gyokeres would be a better signing than Watkins

Now, while it is somewhat simplistic, the most significant reason that Gyokeres would be a better signing for Arsenal than Watkins this summer is his exceptional level of output.

For example, it would be fair to say that the England star enjoyed a brilliant campaign with Villa last season, in which he scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists in 54 appearances, totalling 3578 minutes.

In other words, the former Exeter City gem averaged a goal involvement every 1.74 games, or every 115.41 minutes.

Gyokeres’ recent form
Season	23/24	24/25
Appearances	50	52
Minutes	4169′	4248′
Goals	43	54
Assists	15	13
Goal Involvements per Match	1.16	1.28
Minutes per Goal Involvement	71.87′	63.40′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, despite being an objectively great return, those numbers still pale in comparison to what the Sporting star was able to produce.

In his 52 appearances for the Lisbon outfit, totalling 4248 minutes, the Swedish “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, scored a mammoth 54 goals and provided 13 assists for good measure.

That means the international poacher maintained an out-of-this-world average of 1.28 goal involvements per game, or one every 63.40 minutes.

That sensational rate of return is so extraordinary that it makes it hard to recommend any striker other than the former Coventry City star, and the fact he’s two years younger than the Villa ace is just a bonus.

Ultimately, Watkins would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad this summer, but Gyokeres would be an utterly game-changing one, and therefore, Andrea Berta and Co should be doing all they can to bring him in.

Ollie Watkins will love him: Arsenal in talks to sign £85m "superstar"

The incredible international could be a total game-changer for the striker and Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 4, 2025

تستعد كرة القدم العالمية لأحد لياليها المرتقبة يوم الاثنين المقبل 22 سبتمبر، وسيستضيف مسرح شاتليه في باريس حفل الكرة الذهبية لعام 2025 وهي أكبر جائزة يمكن أن يحصل عليها لاعب كرة قدم.

وتتميز هذه النسخة من الجائزة أنها ستنتظر تنافسية بين عثمان ديمبلي لاعب باريس سان جيرمان ولامين يامال لاعب برشلونة.

وأفادت صحيفة “كادينا كوبي” الإسبانية أن الأسطورة البرازيلية رونالدينيو سيقوم بتسليم جائزة الكرة الذهبية، وسيعلن اسم الفائز بها يوم الاثنين المقبل.

وكان رونالدينيو قد ارتدى قمصان العديد من الأندية في مسيرته مثل باريس سان جيرمان وبرشلونة، وأصبح أسطورة في كلا الناديين خاصة في الفريق الفرنسي الذي افتقر للمواهب العالمية في تاريخه.

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وإلى جانب لامين يامال وعثمان ديمبلي، فإن رافينها جناح برشلونة يملك من الأرقام الكافية للتنافس على جائزة الكرة الذهبية ولكن يبدو أنه سيحتل المركز الثاني.

وعلى الرغم من أن برشلونة لم يفقد الأمل إذا كان أحد لاعبيه سينجح في خطف جائزة الكرة الذهبية، لكنه في باريس سان جيرمان أصبحوا يستعدون لحفلة كبيرة.

وينظر إلى رونالدينيو النجم البرازيلي السابق أنه اللاعب الذي قام بنقل الراية في القميص رقم 10 للفرنسي عثمان ديمبلي مع باريس سان جيرمان وكذلك الإسباني لامين يامال مع برشلونة.

Middlesex, trying to close a 15-point gap behind second-placed Yorkshire in the promotion race, utterly dominated an afternoon in Derby where the home side, attempting to overcome their own 19-point deficit to elude a first wooden spoon since 2016, lost six wickets for three runs in 43 balls.With Toby Roland-Jones returning five for 34 in all, Derbyshire ignominiously sank from 130 for two to an eventual 173. The decline set in when Harry Came fell for 66 as the Middlesex captain extended his recent superb sequence to 36 wickets at 16.92 in six matches.Led by Mark Stoneman’s rampant, unbeaten 79, Middlesex then romped through the evening, too, reaching 125 for one in reply on the first day of a vital Vitality County Championship meeting for them. No home seamer could match the accuracy and late movement on an occasionally two-paced pitch that meant “TRJ” claimed all his five scalps bowled or LBW.Belatedly exploiting conditions after Ryan Higgins’s outswing had undone Luis Reece for 20, he first removed Brooke Guest, missed by Noah Cornwell off his own bowling when three but out for seven 50 minutes from lunch, which arrived at 99 for two.Startling carnage then swept in from nowhere from the afternoon’s seventh over. Came lost his off stump and, after Wayne Madsen top-edged a cut at Ethan Bamber to first slip to go for 20, Roland-Jones knocked over two more for ducks and a then a third without score once David Lloyd had returned a catch to Bamber for two.Derisive applause greeted the single that finally took Derbyshire off 133, the score at which the last hapless trio had fallen, and the former England man’s spell ended with 8-5-6-4. It took the 17-year old bowler Harry Moore, in only his third first-class innings, and spinner Jack Morley, on loan from Lancashire, to add 35 for the ninth wicket.Having resisted 38 balls for one run, Morley unaccountably then leapt out to Luke Hollman’s leg spin and was bowled by his 39th before Moore miscued a lofted drive to deep mid-on for 32, which brought tea two overs early.In five of their last eight completed innings, Derbyshire had failed to better their 173 here. But Middlesex were aware at the interval that Yorkshire were doing well in Cardiff and that Sussex, the other side above them, already seemed well set for success in Bristol.If the obvious task was to make their own advantage now count, it didn’t help that the second ball of the reply, a half-volley from Zak Chappell, was clipped by Sam Robson low to mid-on. But their response to being one down without a run scored was full-on aggression: a dozen fours had come by the twelfth over.Chappell, who’d received his county cap in a presentation at the start, could celebrate no further as the two left-handers, Stoneman and Max Holden plundered 71 in the hour that took the former to his first fifty for eleven innings, off only 41 balls.If the tempo eased against the spinners on a surface already taking turn, Holden, the foil to Stoneman’s belligerence, moved quietly on to 44 not out by the close and the pair will resume their 125-run partnership on Wedneday with Middlesex only 48 in arrears.

It feels like a very long time ago now since Enzo Le Fee put pen to paper on a permanent stay at Sunderland.

The confirmation of the dazzling Frenchman staying put at the Stadium of Light past his standout loan spell did occur way back at the start of June, long before the Black Cats had added in the likes of Habib Diarra for a whopping £30m, on top of also boldly convincing Granit Xhaka to return to the Premier League.

Sunderland’s ninth venture into the transfer market is nearly complete as well, as Chelsea hotshot Marc Guiu set to join the building on loan very soon after passing his medical. Expect that number to soon hit double digits, too, if the ongoing Black Cats rumour mill is anything to go by.

Sunderland in the mix for £26m attacker

Every passing minute on Wearside seems to throw up another tantalising rumour.

TalkSPORT recently revealed that Sunderland had been plotting an ambitious free-agent swoop for former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, only to be met by the ex-England international keeping his options wide open, as a move further up the top-flight rankings is preferred.

Sunderland may well also face an uphill battle to land this explosive left winger off the back of new, emerging rumours coming out of Turkey.

Indeed, as per a fresh development from Turkish outlet Saba Spor – via X – Galatasaray are unwilling to let their star-man Barış Alper Yılmaz leave the Super Lig giants this summer, unless an ‘astronomical’ offer is forthcoming.

This will be a setback for those keeping an active eye on Yilmaz’s situation, with Atalanta, RB Leipzig, and West Ham United all named in the mix to pick up the exciting 25-year-old, alongside Sunderland, having been previously tipped to have a £26m price tag above his head.

It remains to be seen what amount would satisfy his current employers’ excessive wants, but if Sunderland were to win Yilmaz’s services down the line, he could go on to be viewed as another statement, Le-Fee style capture.

How Yilmaz can be another Le Fee level signing

After all, it was immediately apparent from minute one of Le Fee’s Sunderland adventure that the Frenchman had a higher pedigree about him.

Before heading to England to link up with his former Lorient boss in Regis Le Bris, the silky 25-year-old had amassed a bumper eight goals and 15 assists for the French side.

Unfortunately, a subsequent move to AS Roma just didn’t work out, but the Serie A outfit’s loss ended up being the Black Cats’ gigantic gain, as seen in him picking a single goal and three assists last season to steer Le Bris and Co. immediately up a division.

Yilmaz will hope he can be an instant spark, too, even as Sunderland wrestle with the difficulties of the punishing Premier League, having more than proven himself as an attacking force in his native Turkey.

He has routinely gotten the passionate Galatasaray masses out of their seats with his direct, rampaging approach in attack, with a hefty 25 goals and 20 assists next to his name from 156 appearances for the Super Lig giants.

12 of those strikes would come his way last season as his team reigned supreme again in the Turkish top-flight, with his sublime ability to carve out openings for his teammates also putting him on the same pedestal as Le Fee, as seen in him creating eight big chances in total from those 32 league encounters.

Games played

32

Goals scored

12

Assists

3

Shots*

2.4

Key passes*

1.4

Big chances missed

11

Big chances created

8

Total duels won*

6.3

Yilmaz might even find his game is elevated to that next level partnered alongside Le Fee, with the 25-year-old becoming even more of an “animal” – as he’s been dubbed by football journalist Uğur Karakullukçu – in front of goal as the French playmaker feeds him chances.

Sunderland never know when they’re beaten during this transfer window to date, with another big move in the offing if Le Bris and Co. are willing to splash the cash on another pricey buy.

Better signing than Xhaka: Sunderland make £26m "warrior" their top target

Sunderland is still interested in the prospect of landing this £26m star.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 6, 2025

Smith struck 56 while Cummins made a successful return from a lay-off but Josh Hazlewood did not play due to illness

Alex Malcolm25-Oct-2024

Steven Smith made 56 off 53•Getty Images

Steven Smith found some form while Pat Cummins made a successful return after a long layoff as New South Wales hammered Victoria in a their One-Day Cup clash at the Junction Oval after Josh Hazlewood was a late omission when he woke up ill.An early rain delay allowed both sides to attend a pre-match ceremony where Cricket Victoria unveiled the renamed Shane Warne stand on the western side of the ground. But shortly before that ceremony, Hazlewood walked out of the venue unaccompanied and headed back to the hotel on orders of the NSW team doctor having woken up feeling ill.”He looked terrible this morning,” Matthew Gilkes said post-match. “I think he had a headache and he looked like death. Feel for him. Hopefully he’s resting up and getting himself better.”He was replaced by Under-19 World Cup winner Charlie Anderson who took three wickets on his List A debut. Anderson, who was on the trip for experience only until Hazlewood was ruled out, had to wear Sam Konstas’ shirt as he did not have one made with his name on it.Related

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Smith, Nic Maddinson and player of the match Gilkes, all made brisk half-centuries as the Blues piled up 336 for 8 from 45 overs, having been sent in after 10 overs of the match were lost. Most of Victoria’s bowlers were clobbered on a good pitch, but the veteran Peter Siddle was the exception. A month shy of his 40th birthday, Siddle took his first List A five-wicket haul in an 81-game career that has remarkably spanned 19 years. He finished with 5 for 49 in nine overs including the wickets of Smith, Gilkes, Cummins, Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques.Victoria never got close, bowled out for 196 in reply despite a blistering 57-ball 80 from Matthew Short who was playing his first game since injuring his adductor in the last ODI of Australia’s UK tour. Short looked in supreme touch as he tuned up for Australia’s upcoming ODI series against Pakistan where he is set to open the batting in the absence of Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh.Glenn Maxwell’s return to the Victoria senior side was not as productive. He made a run-a-ball 21 after scores of 14 and 10 in a four-day Victoria Second XI match last week. He did strike two massive sixes before falling caught behind trying to glide Anderson fine of short third.Smith’s return to form was noteworthy after scores of 3 and 0 in the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG. He entered in the 13th over after a 73-run opening stand between Philippe and Maddinson got the Blues off to a quick start. Smith looked on-song from the outset as he struck four fours and two sixes. One was a dismissive whip off the stumps over deep midwicket. He also unfurled some brilliant lap scoops off both the quicks and the spin of Todd Murphy.He was frustrated to be judged lbw when he missed a straight delivery from Siddle trying to whip square. Maddinson had already departed for 63 off 64. But Gilkes powered the back-end of the innings with a blistering 42-ball 74 which included eight fours and four sixes. Chris Green added 25 from 18 to close out the innings.Short was imperious at the start of the chase smashing the first two balls of the innings for four off Cummins. He clubbed five fours and five sixes and looked unstoppable but he kept losing partners at the other end.Cummins trapped Sam Harper lbw with an off-cutter to claim his first wicket of the season. Marcus Harris was bizarrely stumped when he failed to realise the ball had rolled behind him after an attempted sweep. Peter Handscomb and Tom Rogers both holed out before Short and Maxwell fell in quick succession as the required run-rate spiraled out of control. Green picked up two wickets late to finish with 3 for 27.

Celtic needed a late goal from substitute Luke McCowan to kick off their defence of the Scottish Premiership title with a 1-0 win over St Mirren at Parkhead on Sunday.

The Scottish midfielder came off the bench to score a deflected strike from the edge of the box in the 87th minute, after Callum McGregor had a goal disallowed for handball earlier in the half.

Brendan Rodgers will be pleased that his side were able to claim all three points, instead of failing to break the deadlock, but will be expecting more from his team as the season goes on.

The Hoops looked too blunt in the final third for much of the clash with St Mirren, as they started the match with a front three of Daizen Maeda, Adam Idah, and Hyun-jun Yang.

Celtic are yet to replace Nicolas Kuhn, who left to sign for Como, with a new right-winger, as Benjamin Nygren has been brought in to play centrally, which may be something the club look to address in the coming weeks.

The Premiership champions may also look to address the centre-forward position before the summer transfer window slams shut, due to Idah’s performances.

Why Adam Idah should not start for Celtic

The Ireland international should not be a regular starter for the Hoops this season, unless he can turn his form around and prove that he has what it takes to be the main number nine.

As you can see in the graphic above, Idah put in a dismal display against St Mirren as a starter, missing three ‘big chances’ and failing to create a single chance for his teammates in 78 minutes on the pitch.

The former Norwich City striker, simply, did not make the most of the high-quality opportunities that came his way, crashing the crossbar from close-range with his best chance of the evening.

Idah’s output as a starter for Celtic in the 2024/25 campaign also left a lot to be desired. The Hoops attacker only scored six goals in 19 starts in the Premiership in his first full season at the club.

Appearances

19

16

Minutes

1,352

357

Goals

6

7

Minutes per goal

225

51

Assists

0

1

As you can see in the table above, the Irishman scored more goals in roughly 1,000 fewer minutes as a substitute than as a starter in the Scottish top-flight.

These statistics suggest that Idah is far more suited to coming off the bench against tired defences, using his physicality and positioning to exploit defenders who are not as sharp as they were earlier in the game.

Rodgers has a problem, though, because this means that the Hoops need to sign a new starting-calibre centre-forward in order to allow Idah to play the role of super sub this season.

The Scottish Sun recently reported that Celtic sent scout Paul Tisdale to watch Hammarby against Charleroi in a Conference League qualifier, and they picked out three players who may have caught his eye.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

One of the stars The Scottish Sun suggested as a possible transfer target for the Scottish giants was Hammarby centre-forward Jusef Erabi, who they add was linked to Celtic in the January transfer window.

Why Celtic should sign Jusef Erabi

The Hoops should part ways with the reported £4m fee that it would take to snap up the Swedish marksman before the end of the summer transfer window, because it would solve Rodgers’ Idah problem.

Erabi is a promising young striker, at the age of 22, who would come in as an exciting prospect for Celtic, although he has yet to really explode as a consistent goalscorer.

Supporters may see his return of 29 goals in 93 matches for Hammarby and wonder if he would be the main number nine that the team need to send Idah to the bench.

The Sweden U21 international, who was described as a “powerful and prolific” striker by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has underlying statistics that suggest that he could come in to be an upgrade on Idah as a starter for Celtic.

Since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, the former Norwich academy graduate has only scored 13 goals from 14.66 xG for Celtic in the Premiership, which shows that he has not been clinical enough in front of goal.

The three ‘big chances’ that he missed against St Mirren were further proof that Idah is not efficient enough in front of goal, and that is why Erabi could come in to solve the club’s problem with the Irish forward.

xG

10.68

Goals

12

Shots on target

27

Chances created

16

Assists

3

Successful dribbles

27

As you can see in the table above, the Swedish striker has outperformed his xG by 1.32 since the start of the 2024 Allsvenskan campaign for Hammarby.

Erabi has also averaged 1.18 successful dribbles per 90 and 1.93 fouls won per 90 in the league in 2025. Idah, meanwhile, averaged 0.53 successful dribbles per 90 and 0.63 fouls won per 90 in the Premiership last season.

These statistics suggest that the £4m-rated star has the potential to offer a bigger presence in the centre-forward role than Idah for the Hoops, as he has the mobility and strength to burst past defenders with the ball, whilst also being able to hold off players to win fouls.

Overall, the 22-year-old starlet could thrive in a Celtic team that creates enough chances to make the most of his clinical finishing, to help him finally explode as a regular goalscorer, and he has the attributes to offer more to the team as a complete number nine.

Celtic can drop Yang with move for "top-level talent" who earns £150k-p/w

Brendan Rodgers could drop Hyun-jun Yang with a move for this reported Celtic target.

1 ByDan Emery Aug 5, 2025

Therefore, Rodgers could solve his Idah problem by reigniting the club’s January interest in Erabi to bring him in as the new starting striker for the Hoops.

With just over a week to go until the Premier League kicks off, the atmosphere around Chelsea couldn’t get much better.

Fans are still basking in the Club World Cup triumph, while the board continue to make moves in the transfer market.

There is still just under a month until the window slams shut and the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, and Jorrel Hato are already through the door.

On top of that, the Blues appear to be closing in on Alejandro Garnacho, and if reports are to be believed, they’re also keen on another international who’d be an even better addition.

Chelsea target better signing than Garnacho

Chelsea have been linked with Garnacho for some time now, with reports of their interest in the Argentine first popping up as far back as the winter window, before he had his public falling out with Ruben Amorim.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

However, the links have only grown stronger this summer, and yesterday afternoon, it was reported that they’ve finally entered into talks with Manchester United over a possible move, with the player now wanting a move to Stamford Bridge or nothing.

However, the West Londoners aren’t stopping there either, as they’re now supposedly keen on another international, although this player would be a far more critical signing to make this summer.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Spain, which claims Chelsea are one of several teams interested in Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The report has revealed that, alongside the Blues, Manchester City and United are vying for the Paris Saint-Germain star, who is refusing to sign a new contract over a dispute on salary structure, with just a year remaining on his current one.

In good news for the three Premier League clubs, other reports have claimed that due to this stand-off, the Parisians would be willing to sell him for €30m, which is about £26m, and a price Chelsea can’t afford to miss, especially as he’d be an even better signing than Garnacho.

Why Donnarumma would be a better signing that Garnacho

Now, it’s important to say that, even though he’s not the most popular player, Garnacho is undeniably talented and would be a great addition to this Chelsea team.

Garnacho in 24/25

Appearances

58

Minutes

3568′

Goals

11

Assists

10

Goal Involvements per Match

0.36

Minutes per Goal Involvements

169.90′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

After all, he was able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances last season despite being just 21 years old and playing in a historically terrible United side.

However, while he would be a good addition to the West Londoners’ squad, he feels somewhat like a luxury one, as with players like Gittens, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, and more already in the squad, the team hasn’t exactly been crying out for another attacker.

In sharp contrast, fans have been asking, nay demanding, the club go out and sign a new goalkeeper for a long time now, as even if the board claims they have complete confidence in Robert Sanchez, we aren’t sure that’s an opinion shared by the supporters.

For example, while he did improve towards the end of last season, he has a tendency to make mistakes, and according to FBref, he made ten mistakes that led to an opponent’s shot in the league alone last season.

In contrast, the “world-class” Italian, as dubbed by Carlo Ancelotti, didn’t make a single mistake that led to a shot.

Moreover, when it comes to playing out from the back, it’s not even a competition between the pair, as the Spaniard completed just 69.7% of his passes, while the PSG star completed 87.3%.

On top of being more trustworthy in and out of possession, the 26-year-old international also has more experience playing and thriving in the most intense games.

For example, he held his nerve in the 2021 Euros final to deny England in a penalty shoot-out at Wembley Stadium, and then against Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final last season he was utterly sensational over both legs.

Ultimately, Sanchez might not be as bad as some make out, but he’s not an elite goalkeeper either.

If Chelsea want to take that next step, they need a goalkeeper like Donnarumma, and therefore, they should be doing all they can to sign him.

Related Chelsea reach "total agreement" to sign £192k-a-week star with "deal concluded"

The Blues are closing in on their next summer signing.

Posts 3 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 7, 2025

Aymeric Laporte’s dream return to Athletic Club fell apart over paperwork, but Besiktas are now set to hand him an Al-Nassr escape route.

Besiktas reportedly agree loan deal with Laporte and Al-NassrDefender's transfer to Athletic Club was blocked by FIFA last weekThe Turkish club will pay half of the Spaniard's salaryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Spaniard's hopes of leaving Al-Nassr have been revived after Turkish giants Besiktas stepped in with a loan offer. According to , the Black Eagles’ president Serdal Adali has agreed personal terms with the 31-year-old defender and formally offered a proposal to the Saudi Pro League side on Tuesday morning.

Besiktas are ready to pay half of Laporte’s €13 million (£11m/$14m) annual salary, with no loan fee attached. The deal also includes an option to buy in May 2026 for €15m. 

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Laporte had been on the verge of sealing a return to Athletic Club for €10m, but the move fell apart at the last moment. Athletic had filed their paperwork with La Liga before the deadline, but Al-Nassr failed to submit the required documents to the Saudi federation in time. Without international clearance, FIFA blocked the transfer, ruling that the centre-back will have to wait until the winter window to get registered.

Laporte's move to Besiktas would be a major blow for Athletic, who are already short in defence. With Unai Egiluz out injured and Yeray Alvarez suspended after a positive doping test, manager Ernesto Valverde has only Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes available as experienced centre-back options.

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Laporte is no stranger to San Mames, having come through Athletic’s academy before making a move to Manchester City in 2018. In five years in England, he won multiple titles before joining Al-Nassr in 2023. After two seasons in Saudi Arabia alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he terminated his contract this summer in a bid to return to Spain, only for the move to collapse.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR AYMERIC LAPORTE AND ATHLETIC CLUB

With his Athletic return blocked, Besiktas are moving quickly to finalise a loan that would give Laporte a fresh start in Turkey. The deal could be completed within 24 hours, handing the 31-year-old an immediate escape route from Al-Nassr. At the same time, the Basque club have not given up entirely. Los Leones have reportedly appealed their case to FIFA, with a ruling expected as early as Thursday, though the chances of a decision in their favour are slim. 

تعادل فريق نادي الجونة أمام الزمالك، بهدف قاتل، في المباراة الجارية بينهما، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدروي المصري الممتاز، على ملعب استاد القاهرة.

ويتواجه الزمالك مع الجونة، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الثامنة من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وسجل هدف الجونة الأول والتعادل أمام الزمالك، لاعبه محمد عماد بتسديدة قوية من على حدود منطقة الجزاء بعد هجمة منظمة، ذلك في الدقيقة 86. هدف الجونة الأول أمام الزمالك

طالع.. فيديو | عدي الدباغ يسجل هدف الزمالك الأول أمام الجونة

وكان نادي الزمالك تقدم في الدقيقة 27 عن طريق الفلسطيني عدي الدباغ، بمتابعة لكرة عرضية مرسلة إلى داخل منطقة الجزاء.