After joining Tottenham Hotspur as a 15-year-old, very few people would have heard of Harry Kane, but nearly two decades on, he’s now one of the most talked-about talismen in world football.

He emerged through the youth system in North London, before nailing down his place in the first team squad and subsequently breaking a whole host of long-standing club records.

There’s no doubt that the most impressive is his tally of 280 goals for the Lilywhites – a figure that makes him the highest goalscorer in the club’s 143-year history.

However, he’s since moved to Bayern Munich and carried over his incredible record to Germany, netting 103 goals in his 106 outings across all competitions after his £82m transfer in 2023.

Everyone knows Kane for his remarkable efforts in front of goal in the present day, but many aren’t aware of his tremendous rise as a youngster, which has led him to his world-class status.

Harry Kane

435

280

Jimmy Greaves

376

266

Bobby Smith

316

211

Heung-min Son

454

173

Martin Chivers

350

167

Harry Kane’s youth record at Tottenham

Unlike a lot of footballers in the present day, Kane’s journey to stardom was not a straightforward one, with numerous bumps and transitions appearing throughout his journey to professional success.

He once played for bitter rivals Arsenal as a youngster, but was released by the Gunners for being “too chubby” – but he was given a golden opportunity to further his career by Spurs at 15.

His rise was rapid for the Lilywhites, earning a scholarship just a year after his arrival – a feat that is often unheard of given the sheer competition for a career in professional football.

However, his success was all the more remarkable considering he transitioned into a centre-forward from his original central midfield role, but such a decision would prove to be an immediate success.

Tangible success was seen as a result in his first year at U18 level, as Kane netted a phenomenal return of 18 goals in just 22 outings, which in turn led to his first appearance in a first-team matchday squad in 2009/10.

There’s been no looking back for the England international since, but who will be the next player to make a name for themselves out of the Lilywhites’ impressive academy setup?

The player who could be the next Kane for Spurs

After the return of Fabio Paratici at Spurs this week, it would be a surprise to no one if the Italian tried to delve into the market to land a new talisman in the months ahead.

Richarlison has shown early glimpses of promise over recent months, scoring three times in the Premier League, but he’s struggled to meet the expectations demanded on him by Thomas Frank in recent weeks.

The Brazilian is now without a goal in his last four outings, with fellow striker Dominic Solanke also unable to make the desired effect due to his constant struggles with his ankle.

The aforementioned duo have cost the club upwards of £115m combined, but ultimately have failed to deliver the goods on a constant basis – with Paratici needing to rectify such business.

He could easily save the club millions in the years ahead should he put trust and faith in academy star Ashiah Haughton-Sinclair, with the teenager a player with a huge future in North London.

At just 14, it may appear as though he will have to wait a while for his first-team opportunity, but there’s no reason why he can’t force himself into the reckoning, given his staggering record.

It’s been claimed that the teenager has already racked up over 400 goals at various academy levels, with his name now one of the biggest talking points behind the scenes in North London.

He’s been featuring above his age group for the last few seasons, with Haughton-Sinclair often featuring for the U15 and U16 sides during the early months of 2025/26.

Last season alone, he netted 65 goals, but he’s continued his incredible goalscoring feats this time around, already finding the back of the net on 30 separate occasions.

He’s also laid on ten assists for his teenage teammates, taking his tally to 40 combined goal contributions – a simply remarkable feat given it’s only October.

As a result of his tremendous form, Haughton-Sinclair was recently named in the England U15 squad, capping off what has been a sensational few months for the youngster.

There’s little denying that he has a long way to go before making his mark in the professional game, but he’s already been handed a scholarship two years ahead of schedule, which highlights the faith shown in him by the club.

Should he continue on his current development path, there’s no reason why he can’t be the next big star to emerge out of the Lilywhites academy and potentially reach the levels achieved by Kane.

Frank has a "Harry Kane regen" who could end Richarlison's Spurs career

Tottenham Hotspur could save millions by unleashing a star who could follow in Harry Kane’s footsteps.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 16, 2025

Some of the most expensive players in European football just so happen to be some of the youngest. The next generation is officially breaking through, scrambling to take football’s crown in the Premier League, La Liga and across Europe.

CIES have ranked the most valuable teenagers in world football, and some of them also feature in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings, with Lamine Yamal next in line to become football royalty. The Barcelona winger finished second behind Ousmane Dembele in the last edition and is highly-tipped to take his crown in 2026.

But he’s not entirely alone in that battle. CIES’ list also includes four Premier League talents, and as English football continues to attract some of the world’s best players, there’s no denying that it could produce its best generation yet.

Lamine Yamal

Barcelona

€349.6m

Estevao Willian

Chelsea

€118.1m

Pau Cubarsi

Barcelona

€112.7m

Franco Mastantuono

Real Madrid

€102.4m

Warren Zaire-Emery

PSG

€92.3m

Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal

€88.1m

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal

€84.8m

Geovany Quenda

Sporting CP

€80.2m

Endrick Felipe

Real Madrid

€73.2m

Lucas Bergvall

Tottenham

€68m

10 Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham): €68m

At just 19 years old, Lucas Bergvall is already an important member of Thomas Frank’s squad at Tottenham Hotspur. One of four Premier League players in the top 10, the Swede is valued at as much as €68m. The only way is up for the midfielder and that value, too. Whether that development ends in North London is the big question.

Bergvall has the talent to reach the highest heights in the Premier League – something that has not historically arrived at Spurs. Having already had a taste of trophies when winning the Europa League last season, the teenager will be one to watch in the coming years.

9 Endrick Felipe (Real Madrid): €73.2m

Although Endrick has endured a tough time under Xabi Alonso and is likely to head out on loan in the January transfer window, he remains one of the most impressive teenagers in European football. The Brazilian arrived in Spain for as much as €72m in 2022 and has since maintained that value in the last two years.

Now 19 years old, he simply needs the game time that he won’t be getting any time soon at Real Madrid. Whether that means a move to the Premier League or elsewhere remains to be seen. The likes of West Ham United and Manchester United have already been mentioned as reported suitors in what would be quite the move this winter.

8 Geovany Quenda (Sporting CP): €80.2m

Geovany Quenda’s place on this list comes as no surprise. The impressive winger is already reportedly on his way to Chelsea next summer after the Blues agreed a deal worth a combined £62.4m (€71m) to sign both him and teammate Dario Essugo in advance. Those at Stamford Bridge have made a reputation for sweeping up young players in recent years and Quenda will be next to arrive.

Chelsea should be glad that they got in when they did. According to CIES, the 18-year-old is now valued at as much as €80.2m on his own, let alone with Essugo. Set to combine with the likes of Cole Palmer and others next season, Enzo Maresca will be hoping to see a teenage star realise his potential in full at Stamford Bridge.

7 Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal): €84.2m

An England international and mainstay in the Arsenal squad, it feels absurd that Myles Lewis-Skelly is still just 19 years old. The Gunners’ famous Hale End academy has produced yet another gem and one of the most valued teenagers in European football. Although, it’s difficult to imagine the left-back being anywhere but in North London.

It’s a scary thought that the best is yet to come from Lewis-Skelly, who is already valued at as much as €84.2m by CIES and is set to play a crucial part in Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions.

6 Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal): €88.1m

Speaking of Hale End graduates, Ethan Nwaneri has been valued at a staggering €88.1m by CIES – making him the sixth most-valued teenager in European football.

Like Lewis-Skelly, the 18-year-old’s inclusion is no real surprise. The impressive attacker hasn’t been without his injury issues at times, but if any onlooker wants to discover his talent in full, then it’s worth watching his stunning goal against Manchester City last season.

That fact that Nwaneri burst onto the scene just a few years after Bukayo Saka emerged proves just how stacked Arsenal’s academy is with the next generation of stars.

5 Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG): €92.1m

Breaking into a side as dominant as PSG’s is no easy task, but Warren Zaire-Emery featured in 13 of their 15 Champions League games last season as they secured European glory as part of a historic treble.

At 19 years old, the Frenchman is only likely to play a larger part as the years tick by, taking his place alongside the likes of Joao Neves in Luis Enrique’s midfield.

Meanwhile, if anyone wants to take the midfielder off PSG’s hands, then it could cost them as much as €92.1m. Having graduated from the French side’s academy to become one of their most promising stars, his future looks almost certain to lie at the home of the European champions.

4 Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid): €102.4m

Into three figures, Real Madrid’s Franco Mastuono is worth as much as €102.4m, according to CIES. The talented 18-year-old only arrived at Madrid in the summer in a deal worth around €45m, but is already looking like an excellent signing for the future. Unlike Endrick, he’s been thrown straight into Alonso’s plans and has even earned a number of starts at his new club.

One of the best teenagers that European football has to offer, Real Madrid have undeniably landed another gem at what should prove to be a bargain price in years to come.

3 Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona): €112.7m

The first and only defender on this list, Pau Cubarsi already plays a crucial part in Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side. It speaks volumes that the 18-year-old is often selected over the more experienced Ronald Araujo and that’s reflected in CIES’ €112.7m valuation.

Whilst the La Masia academy has produced some great attacking talents over the years, they’ll be relieved to have unearthed such an impressive defensive gem and someone who should be at the heart of their backline for years to come.

2 Estevao Willian (Chelsea): €118.1m

In years to come, many supporters around European football are going to be wondering how exactly Chelsea won the race for Estevao Willian. Whilst the likes of Florian Wirtz and Xavi Simons have struggled to adjust to life in the Premier League, the Blues’ 18-year-old Brazilian has thrived in the face of endless opportunities at Stamford Bridge.

Although those in West London have missed with a number of young signings, they’ve undoubtedly hit the mark by signing Estevao. Their teenager is destined for greatness and is already valued at €118.1m.

1 Lamine Yamal (Barcelona): €349.6m

It was always going to be him, wasn’t it? Yamal isn’t just the most valued teenager in European football, but he’s one of the most valued players in the world. He is next in line for football’s throne. This generation’s answer to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – that’s the level that Barcelona have produced once again.

Even with that pressure on his shoulders, the Spaniard has continued to thrive – becoming the main man at Barcelona in just a couple of years. Still just 18 years old but already outrageously talented, CIES value Yamal at as much as €349.6m – more than double the amount they valued second-place Estevao.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh injury update on forward Kai Havertz, with a timeline emerging on his possible return.

The Gunners, even without Havertz, have made a brilliant start to the 2025/2026 season, with their last defeat coming all the way back at Anfield against Liverpool.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Since then, Arsenal have been a force to be reckoned with, sitting firmly atop the Premier League table and showing no signs of slipping.

One of the defining features of Arsenal’s campaign so far has been their dominance from set pieces. Arteta’s side have already scored an incredible 11 goals from dead-balls, making them the undisputed set-piece kings of the league.

From pinpoint corners to clever free-kicks and long-throws, Arsenal have turned these situations into a very reliable source of goals, much to the detest of some critics.

What’s particularly impressive is that they’ve done it while missing a plethora of key stars for long periods.

Club captain Martin Odegaard, who is back on the treatment table until mid-November following a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury against West Ham, had only just come back from a shoulder problem beforehand.

Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, ruptured his ACL at the very start of 2025 and hasn’t played since Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Man United last season.

Noni Madueke, who was really impressing on-lookers with his early-season form, picked up a knee injury in their 1-1 draw at home to Man City, but the England international could apparently make a “faster-than-expected” return to the team (GiveMeSport).

With Havertz, the signs have also been pretty good.

Arteta’s versatile forward — the club’s highest earner on around £280,000-per-week — is believed to be impressing Arsenal staff with his recovery from knee damage behind-the-scenes.

As a result, Havertz is apparently ahead of schedule to return for Arsenal, but it still might not be too imminent.

Arsenal handed fresh Kai Havertz injury update

The 26-year-old, who scored 15 goals and bagged another five assists in all competitions last season, has played just half an hour so far this term and Arteta will be hoping to have him back as soon as possible.

However, according to journalist and founder of Premier Injuries, Ben Dinnery, Havertz may not be back in full match action until as far down the line as December.

Arteta will want to be careful managing the former Chelsea star’s load, especially considering how light Arsenal are going forward right now after Gabriel Martinelli was also sidelined recently.

Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres has done fairly well in Havertz’s place up front, albeit his goal return so far isn’t what most had hoped for.

The return of Havertz would give Arteta an extra option in that area, and Arsenal have already been tipped to bench Gyokeres for the attacker in big games once he makes his comeback.

Mikel Arteta's underrated Arsenal star adds something "people really don’t see"

Middlesex 217 (Geddes 48, De Caires 43, Lintott 5-37) beat Warwickshire 189 (Shaikh 42, Hollman 4-27) by 28 runsMiddlesex’s completed back-to-back Metro Bank One-Day Cup victories on the road as they beat Warwickshire by 28 runs at Rugby School.The visitors chose to bat on a turning pitch and were bowled out for 217 as Jake Lintott equalled his career-best List A figures of 5 for 37. Captain Ben Geddes struck 48 off 57 balls but while four of Middlesex’s top six passed 30, none reached 50.Warwickshire replied with 189 all out as Luke Hollman added a List A best 4 for 27 to his valuable 33 with the bat. Hamza Shaikh top-scored with 42 off 72 but in a losing cause as the game yielded no individual half-century.Fresh from chasing down a record 387 at Durham two days earlier, Middlesex chose to bat first, forcing the home side to chase on a pitch likely to turn more the longer the match went. The early loss of Joe Cracknell, bowled by Olly Hannon-Dalby, brought in Sam Robson, hero of that record runfest with 169 not out, but this time Robson reached only 17 before a Hannon-Dalby in-ducker shattered his stumps.Joshua De Caires batted fluently for 43 (59) but then lifted Adam Sylvester to deep midwicket. Geddes and Jack Davies added 50 in 11 overs to take their side to 157 for 3 in the 33rd over but attacking the spinners was a risky business and the last seven wickets fell for 60 in 16 overs.Geddes and Davies were lbw to flighted balls from Lintott and Rob Yates respectively. Nathan Fernandes also perished lbw, providing Vansh Jani with his first wicket for Warwickshire.Hollman (33, 40) struck Tazeem Ali out of the ground but skied a reverse sweep at Lintott who then wrapped up the innings with a triple-wicket maiden. With the first two balls of an over he dismissed former Bear Henry Brookes (bowled) and Bear-to-be-next-season Nathan Gilchrist (lbw). Four balls later, James Feldman became the innings’ fifth lbw victim and Lintott had his second career List A five-for.Warwickshire’s reply reached 61 for the loss of only Ed Barnard, whose off stump was disturbed by Toby Roland Jones, but Hollman then struck in successive overs. Zen Malik was bowled and Alex Davies chipped a full toss to mid-off.Brookes struck a big blow against his former club, uprooting the anchor as Yates (38, 55) played on. Hollman collected his third wicket when Kai Smith hammered to backward point. As the spinners turned the screw, Shaikh charged and missed at Fernandes and Jani pulled and missed at De Caires and was lbw.Hollman extracted bounce to find Tazeem Ali’s edge through to wicketkeeper Cracknell and when Lintott lapped Gilchrist to Cracknell, Warwickshire’s last wickets had to find 30. They found just one before De Caires bowled Hannon-Dalby.

تحدث حسام حسن المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، على مباراة فريقه أمام أوزبكستان الودية، والتي تأتي ضمن برنامج الاستعداد لبطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا 2025. 

وكان منتخب مصر قد خسر أمام أوزبكستان وديا بهدفين دون رد، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما، اليوم الجمعة، على ملعب هزاع بن زايد. 

طالع.. تعديل موعد مباراة مصر والجزائر الودية بسبب المنتخب الأول

وقال حسام حسن عبر قناة  “أون سبورت”: “ألعب بدون القوام الأساسي، بجانب محمد الشناوي وحمدي فتحي اللذين تعرضا للإصابة قبل بداية المباراة”. 

وأضاف: “اللاعب الذي اختاره يكون لدي ثقة فيه، وكان لا بد أن يحدث مبكرًا قبل قدومي للمنتخب الدفع بعناصر جديدة، أرى الدوري بالكامل وبقدر الإمكان نحاول نختار الأفضل والذي نحتاجه للمرحلة المقبلة سواء استعدادًا لكأس أمم إفريقيا أو لكأس العالم”

وتابع: “إصابة حمدي فتحي عبارة عن شد في السمانة أثناء الإحماء، ومحمد الشناوي اشتكى من العضلة الضامة وانضم للمنتخب وهو لديه بعض القلق منها، وأطمئن كل الجماهير المصرية أننا نسعى للأفضل”.

Arsenal are stacked in almost all areas of the pitch after a summer of lavish spending, but they could still potentially benefit from another option for the left-wing as they eye AC Milan star Rafael Leao.

Mikel Arteta’s attacking line has looked strong this season, especially with the additions of Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres, but questions remain over the depth and certainty at left-wing.

Gabriel Martinelli, who is currently out injured, has made a real impact from the bench as Arsenal’s super-sub this season, though doubts remain over the Brazilian’s long-term future.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

His contract expires in 2027 and there have been no reports of a potential extension, despite Andrea Berta moving to tie down the likes of Gabriel, William Saliba, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and actively talking to Bukayo Saka about a new long-term contract.

Leandro Trossard, who’s also contributed towards Arsenal’s brilliant run and scored the winner away to Fulham, presents some uncertainty too.

Like Martinelli, the 30-year-old’s contract runs out in 2027, with Trossard signing a new and improved deal recently which didn’t include an extension.

Eze can play on the left-wing when required, as he has done multiple times already this season in the Premier League, with the England international deployed there in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

This frees up space for teenage sensations Max Dowman – who became Arsenal’s youngest ever starter against the Seagulls – and Ethan Nwaneri to play more centrally.

Arsenal’s youngest ever starters

First start

player

opponent

competition

age

Oct 2025

Max Dowman

Brighton

League Cup

15 years 302 days

Sep 2024

Jack Porter

Bolton

League Cup

16 years 72 days

Oct 2003

Cesc Fàbregas

Rotherham

League Cup

16 years 177 days

Sep 2008

Jack Wilshere

Sheff United

League Cup

16 years 266 days

While there is a case to be made that signing another left-winger could hinder Dowman and Nwaneri’s pathway to regular first team minutes, Berta must also think about shoring up the position with outside talent, as Martinelli and Trossard near the exit door.

Rafael Leao's stance on joining Arsenal as Berta eyes left-wing upgrade

According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal’s sporting director is doing just that, and they’re real fans of Leao.

The Portugal international has scored four goals in six games already this season, despite missing the opening of Milan’s campaign with a calf injury.

The Rossoneri are contenders for this year’s Serie A title after a fine start to 25/26, losing just one league game so far, and Leao will be key to their charge as Milan look to topple Antonio Conte’s Napoli.

The £108,000-per-week forward, who has a £132 million release clause in his deal, will cost a premium for any English side in January, but Arsenal view Leao as the “ideal left-wing upgrade”.

They’re also encouraged by his stance on a potential move to north London, as it is believed that Leao is “very open” to talks if a Premier League side formally approaches.

While Leao loves Milan and is happy in his current surroundings, he’s “ready to listen” to a potential offer from England, as the Premier League holds great appeal to him.

The 26-year-old, who bagged 16 goal contributions for Milan in the top flight alone last year, was also their second-best player by average behind Christian Pulisic in 2024/2025 (WhoScored).

Leao completed more successful take-ons per 90 than any other player in Milan’s squad that campaign (WhoScored), so the appeal to Arsenal is obvious, but the question is just how much Berta would be willing to invest.

"I've said before" – Jamie Carragher admits he got one thing very wrong about Arsenal

MatériaMais Notícias

Flamengo e Santos se enfrentam em jogo válido pela 31ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro 2023. Veja a seguir as escalações e onde assistir o confronto!

+ Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro-2023 clicando aqui

O Rubro-negro busca concretizar a vaga na Libertadores do ano que vem e ainda não desistiu de uma arrancada em busca do título da competição nacional.

+ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

Do outro lado, o Peixe vive situação bem diferente. Na luta contra o Z-4, uma vitória vem em valioso momento e impede que a equipe termine a rodada na zona da degola.

No primeiro turno do Brasileirão, os clubes duelaram na Vila Belmiro. Em partida movimentada e recheada de falhas defensivas, o Flamengo venceu, por 3 a 2, o Santos.

+ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Flamengo

FICHA TÉCNICA
FLAMENGO X SANTOS
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 31ª RODADA

Data e Horário: 01/11/2023, às 20h (de Brasília)
Local: Estádio Mané Garrincha, em Brasília (DF)
Árbitro: Rafael Rodrigo Klein
Assistentes: Guilherme Dias Camilo e Jorge Eduardo Bernardi
VAR: Pablo Ramon Goncalves Pinheiro
Onde Assistir: Premiere e tempo real do Lance!

FLAMENGO

Agustín Rossi; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas; Thiago Maia, Gerson e Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique, Luiz Araújo e Pedro. Técnico: Tite.

Desfalques: Everton Ribeiro e Erick Pulgar (suspensos); David Luiz e Allan (lesão)

SANTOS

João Paulo; Lucas Braga, Joaquim, Messias e Kevyson; Tomás Rincón, Rodrigo Fernández, Jean Lucas e Nonato; Soteldo e Julio Furch. Técnico: Marcelo Fernandes.

Desfalques: Marcos Leonardo (suspenso), João Basso, Sandry, Felipe Jonatan, Alfredo Morelos, Alison, Alex Nascimento e Luan Dias (lesão)

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series last week, dispatching the New York Yankees in five games to capture the franchise's eighth championship. In an on-field interview following the title-clinching victory, Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly reveled in the Yankees' defensive miscues and suggested Fat Joe being shown on the scoreboard during Game 5 was the turning point.

Nearly a week later Kelly is still talking trash about the Yankees. Calling into his podcast, Kelly continued to rip the Yankees calling them one of the worst teams in the entire MLB postseason despite the fact that they were in the World Series.

"We were saying it every single game," Kelly said. "Just let them throw the ball to the infield, they can't make a play. I mean, you saw. Shohei got an extra base going to third on a sloppy Gleyber play. It's well known. We all knew. I mean, we're the Dodgers. We know every little detail."

"But I mean past that it was a fun series" Kelly continued. " I mean, they almost snagged a couple of wins you know what I mean? But I mean if it was like the NCAA, like basketball, baseball, hockey, or football I mean. Like it was just a mismatch from the get go. Like, we had a playoff re-ranking they might be ranked eighth or ninth best playoff team, you know what I mean? You're putting the Padres ahead of them. You're putting the Phillies ahead of 'em. You're putting the Mets ahead of 'em. You're putting the Braves ahead of 'em and the Braves just got unlucky 'cause they had to play that doubleheader. You're putting… I mean the Guardians played like crap, but the Guardians played better D, better baseball all-around."

This is where you might start to pick up some bias in Kelly's rankings as the Yankees, who had a slightly better regular season record than Cleveland, beat the Guardians in five games in the American League Championship Series.

Kelly then compared the 2024 World Series to the Boston Red Sox win over the Dodgers in 2018 when Boston won in five games.

"It was just a complete mismatch and it was kinda the same feeling from 2018 when we had to go play the Dodgers," Kelly explained. "Like the Red Sox were just the way better team. So all we knew is that we just had to play regular Dodger baseball. We didn't have to play out of our butts. We didn't have to do anything crazy and we're going to win the World Series. It's facts. Like just look at the team, look at the talent. Re-rank the teams and they're ranked eighth and they played against the number one seed."

Kelly pitched in all five games in the 2018 World Series, striking out 10 batters while scattering four hits over six innings while giving up zero runs for Boston. However, it should probably be noted that the Dodgers used 13 pitchers in the '24 World Series and Joe Kelly was not one of them.

Manchester Originals miss chance to close gap on table-toppers as they slump to 16-run loss

ECB Media24-Aug-2025Manchester Originals missed the chance to take a big leap towards qualifying for The Hundred Eliminator next Saturday after falling to a 16-run defeat to lowly Birmingham Phoenix at Emirates Old Trafford and slipping out of the top three.The Originals, who have never progressed beyond the group phase of the women’s competition, looked strong favourites after restricting the visitors to 111 for 3 but Aussie seamer Megan Schutt (3 for 14) spearheaded an inspired performance with the ball after Ellyse Perry’s second successive half-century and a sparky knock from Sterre Kalis had given them something to defend.Both Originals openers were dismissed for ducks, Kathyrn Bryce run out by Emma Lamb and Beth Mooney falling to a superb running catch by Marie Kelly off Schutt, before Em Arlott snared Alice Monaghan to leave the hosts 14 for 3.That became 14 for 4 two balls later when 19-year-old off-spinner Phoebe Brett had Amelia Kerr caught at mid-on by Arlott. Deandra Dottin and Seren Smale steadied the ship somewhat before Hannah Baker snared the former, caught at long-off as she tried to up the ante.Smale dug deep for her 34-ball 29, eventually caught at short fine-leg by Brett to give Schutt her third wicket, and Lauren Filer struck three boundaries in her unbeaten 19, but the Originals were eventually dismissed for 95 from the final ball of their innings.Earlier, Phoenix skipper Perry had chosen to bat after winning the toss but her team were soon in trouble, Georgia Voll falling for a four-ball duck after picking out Monaghan at deep square-leg off Mahika Gaur.The Originals’ high-class bowling attack was relentless, the visitors crawling to 15 in 24 balls when Lamb offered a simple chance to Dottin off Sophie Ecclestone before Amy Jones succumbed to Dottin to leave the score 17 for 3.Perry (55 not out from 48) and Kalis mounted a rescue operation, the Aussie legend reaching her half-century by dispatching Bryce for six over mid-wicket and Kalis unbeaten on 43 from 39 when the innings concluded on 111 for 3.It didn’t look like being enough against an Originals side which had won their three previous matches but Phoenix prevailed to move up to seventh in the table and push their opponents down to fourth, behind London Spirit on net run rate.The Originals now face a crucial final group match against Northern Superchargers on Tuesday, with the Spirit visiting Oval Invincibles tomorrow.Kalis, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “It was obviously a tough start; the pitch was doing quite a bit. When I got in, it was a tough situation because we’d lost some early wickets. But Perry and I rebuilt, and I thought it was a good score on that pitch. It was definitely the kind of surface where, once you got in, it became a bit easier to score.”In the end, it was a brilliant win. We had to play really good cricket to defend a low-ish total, and we knew early wickets were going to be key and we got them. Obviously it’s been a bit of a tough campaign for us but what we can do now is play our best cricket and today, we showed what kind of team we are. It was a brilliant effort.”

As the New York Yankees continue to upgrade their club after losing the Juan Soto sweepstakes to the New York Mets, one move could lead to another.

The Yankees on Saturday agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $12.5 million with 2022 National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt, filling a void at first base—and potentially bringing the team closer to filling another infield vacancy.

Sources told Mark Feinsand, Bryan Hoch and John Denton of MLB.com that Goldschmidt's presence in New York could have a "strong influence" on Arenado potentially waiving his no-trade clause should the Yankees pursue a deal for him. The two spent four seasons together with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Arenado reportedly has a preference of six teams he'd approve a trade to—and the Yankees were not among them. Feinsand, Hoch and Denton go on to note that New York did approach St. Louis earlier this offseason proposing a trade of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman for Arenado, which was rebuffed by the Cardinals.

Would Arenado, who has already blocked a trade to the Houston Astros, do the same if the Yankees pursue him, or would his desires to win and reunite with Goldschmidt win out?

The Yankees moved deadline-acquisition Jazz Chisholm Jr. to third base, a position he had never played before, but held his own at. However, acquiring Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove award winner, would allow New York to move Chisholm back to second base, a position he's played for much of his five-year MLB career.

New York has thus far imported two-time All-Star Max Fried, one of the best closers in the game in Devin Williams, the 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger and now Goldschmidt. It remains to be seen if the team will approach the Cardinals once again about an Arenado deal.