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With teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius set to open with him, Rickelton could be thrust into the senior role

Firdose Moonda06-Aug-2025There’s no Quinton de Kock, or Temba Bavuma, or Reeza Hendricks. While it has not been confirmed that the first of those has retired from the T20Is and the other two are completely out of the picture (though Bavuma probably is), South Africa will be looking at a new opening pair for the next T20 World Cup. Enter Ryan Rickelton and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.Both are left-handed and both are wicketkeepers. They have 18 T20I caps, two half-centuries and a decade in age between them. That means Rickelton, who enjoyed a breakthrough summer in Tests and ODIs for South Africa and played in his first IPL, could be thrust into the senior role even as he looks to cement himself in the side. How might that alter his usually aggressive approach to batting? Not at all, he said.”I’m still trying to establish myself in the T20 side but I don’t think there’ll be any expectation for me to change anything that I’ve been doing in these last two years,” Rickelton said from Darwin, where South Africa are set to play a three-match T20Is series against Australia starting Sunday. “It’s just an opportunity for me to hopefully claim that opening spot for this South African side, going into the World Cup and further on past that.”Related

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South Africa play three T20Is and will have the experience of regular captain Aiden Markram back in the top order and Rassie van der Dussen in the middle order, which Rickelton believes will allow him to continue to play his natural game. “The way the team is structured fits the mould of how they want me to play too, so I’m pretty comfortable with what’s required,” he said. “I am always looking to land that first punch and get the side off to a good start no matter who’s alongside me at the top.”Rickelton, Markram, as well as other returnees Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, were all rested from the tri-series tournament in Zimbabwe as South Africa gear up for eight months of almost non-stop cricket. After the Australia tour, they will play white-ball cricket in England before starting their World Test Championship defence in Pakistan. That will be followed by an all-format tour of India, the SA20, a brief home series against West Indies and the T20 World Cup. Those five, and some others, will then go on to play in the IPL which will extend their active time to ten months. For someone like Rickelton, who did not play the MLC this year, the schedule has already provided lessons in workload management which he will draw on as the next busy period looms.”This was my first IPL year and it’s long three months in India which can really stretch you, mentally more than anything,” he said. “I would still like to play leagues when the opportunity comes along and next year there’s a break after the IPL so there’s some space in between.”Once you get to the groove of playing a lot of cricket, it can be really nice when you’re playing quite well but it can also be quite dark if you’re not playing too well. It’s more trying to manage the space mentally. That’s probably the balance that I’m trying to walk at the moment.”Ryan Rickelton opened for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025•AFP/Getty ImagesRickelton can already see the challenge of that task. Since being part of the squad that won the WTC final at Lord’s in June, Rickelton has had six weeks off while Pretorius made his Test debut against Zimbabwe (and scored a century) and was moved around the T20I batting order from opening to No. 5 and back up.”I haven’t been hitting the ball too well these last couple of days but I’m not too worried. We’ve played a lot of cricket this year already and it’s not something that you just lose full stop. It will take a few more sessions for me to get going,” he said. “But I’m watching the rest of the guys, they’re really hitting the ball quite nicely and you can see the guys that have been playing are moving a lot better than a few of the guys that have taken a little bit of time off.”All of that changes from this week when South Africa press play on what is set to be an important period as they build under all-format coach Shukri Conrad, with two ICC tournaments and a new WTC cycle ahead of them.”If you look at the fixtures lined up for the T20 World Cup, we’ve got some big competition and some big rivals,” Rickelton said. “If we can put a good foot forward and play quite well and match what we want to try and replicate in a few months’ time, especially against quality opposition, that’s really important to the team and the individuals as well. We spoke about it as a group, we have an opportunity to try and win a series in Australia, which doesn’t come around that often, and we’re looking forward to obviously cementing our own places and playing well for South Africa.”

Hosts keep slim Finals Day hopes alive by chasing down target of 104 at Chester-le-Street

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Jul-2025

(File photo) Emily Windsor got Durham over the line•Getty Images

Durham 104 for 5 (Windsor 36*) beat Hampshire 103 for 7 (Southby 25, Turner 3-17) by five wicketsDurham Women gave their slim chances of making the Vitality Blast Finals Day a timely boost with a bonus point win over Hampshire Hawks, with the five-wicket defeat ending the visitors’ own chances of qualifying.It was the host’s bowlers who put them in charge at a sun-kissed Banks Homes Riverside with seamer Phoebe Turner taking three wickets in the 12th over to turn the game Durham’s way before restricting the hosts to just 103 for 7 from their 20 overs.After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the Hawks made a decent start in reaching 30 without the loss of a wicket off four overs, with Australia star Ellyse Perry looking dangerous. But when Perry was caught at cover by Katherine Fraser in Mady Villiers’ first over for 23 off 16 balls it triggered a collapse that saw the Hawks lose five wickets for 28 runs as Durham blew away the southern outfit’s middle order.Turner was executioner in chief, removing skipper Georgia Adams for 4, opener Rhianna Southy for 25 and Naomi Dattani for 1 in a devastating over.Turner was supported by the legspin of Katie Levik who finished with 1 for 11 off her four tight overs and Villiers who took for 2 for 23.Only a seventh-wicket partnership of 35 saved the Hawks’ blushes with Freya Davies’ unbeaten 20 and 12 from Mary Taylor adding some much-needed gloss to a lethargic batting performance.New Zealand legend Suzie Bates got Durham off to a flyer but they were pegged back in the third over when Daisy Gibb had Emma Marlow caught behind without scoring.The battle of the Antipodean stars then proved a relishing prospect with Bates hitting Perry’s first ball for a boundary before the Australian had the last laugh when the batter edged her sixth ball behind to leave Durham 35 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.With Villiers brilliantly caught in the deep by Kemp off a Bex Tyson full toss for 14 the home side’s nerves were kicking in and they only increased when Bess Heath was bowled by Adams for 1 to leave Durham 49 for 4.It was left to skipper Hollie Armitage and Emily Windsor to steady the ship with three consecutive boundaries from Windsor off Adams’ 12th over proving a crucial turning point in the run chase.Armitage fell caught and bowled by Davies for 17 but the 40 run partnership for the fifth wicket meant Durham needed just 15 runs to win with Windsor finishing unbeaten on 36 off 23 balls to seal the win in the 16th over.

Aston Villa had the most difficult situation of any Premier League club going into the transfer window, as they were the side closest to a PSR breach. After losing to Manchester United on the last day of the season and missing out on Champions League football, they didn’t have the financial means to go out and spend as much as they would have liked.

The ramifications of this have been felt in the league this season, as Unai Emery’s side have struggled in their opening games and were the last team to open their scoring account.

For teams with such financial restrictions, the best way to cope is by investing in and developing youth. In recent years, Villa have produced academy products such as Jacob Ramsey and signed the likes of Morgan Rogers.

And Emery is now looking to add to the Villans’ youth system by recruiting from the academy of a club that they have worked with in the past.

New signing marks beginning of relationship with Toure club

Aston Villa have completed a deal with Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas for their youngster, Mohamed Koné.

Koné is described as “a highly-rated midfielder who has attracted plenty of admirers”. Villa had first-hand experience with the youngster prior to finalising the deal, as he “spent a number of weeks at Bodymoor Heath before joining the club officially in the summer”. He has already been playing with the Aston Villa Under-21s in recent weeks, even scoring against Peterborough United.

The ASEC Mimosas academy has yielded success in the past, having developed talents like Yaya and Kolo Touré, along with several other Ivorian stars who have made it to the ‘big five’ European leagues. The Touré brothers are their most notable graduates and are players who have found success at the highest levels of English and European football.

Intriguingly, Aston Villa describe the move as a “symbol of the close relationship between Aston Villa and ASEC” and also reveal that this will be “the start of a productive relationship”, clearly trusting the African side’s capabilities in producing a funnel of talent to supplement their academy and first team with fresh prospects.

Villa's poor form could be an opportunity for Kone

Normally, a 17-year-old would have a long wait before breaking into the first team. However, Villa’s poor start to the season may make Emery gamble on him. Ramsey left the club in the summer to join Newcastle United, and Rogers’ inability to find form this season has been a major contributing factor to the club languishing in a relegation battle.

This may open the door for Koné or other youngsters to break into the first team if Emery can’t turn things around with the senior pros and his job security comes into question.

Tottenham Hotspur’s spending in the transfer market has certainly had an effect on their success, with such additions helping them claim Europa League glory in 2024/25.

The board have backed numerous managers in their quest for success in recent seasons, with Ange Postecoglou managing to put it all together and end the 17-year trophy drought.

However, such a responsibility now falls to Thomas Frank, but the Dane has matched such expectations, as seen by his early form in charge of the Lilywhites.

His side has only lost one of their first nine games across all competitions in 2025/26, even remaining unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League after their first two encounters.

Despite spending over £100m during his first window in charge, the foundations were already laid before his arrival, with one summer in particular enabling the recent success.

The impact of Spurs’ additions from the summer of 2024

During the summer of 2024, Spurs forked out a fee in the region of £40m to land youngster Archie Gray from Leeds United, with such a deal unexpectedly being a superb deal in the short-term.

At just 19, he has bags of time to reach the next level in his career, but he was catapulted into the limelight last season as a result of the injury crisis in North London.

He made 46 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, many of which came at centre-back, with the teenager thriving despite operating in an unfamiliar position.

Alongside Gray, the hierarchy even forked out a club-record £65m fee for the signature of Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth to try and improve the options within the final third.

The 28-year-old ended his debut year with 16 goals across all competitions, often popping up in key moments – certainly playing a key role in their European triumph.

However, despite the big money being spent by the board, it was one of the cheaper additions from such a period that has arguably made the biggest impact on the side.

The Spurs star whose value has risen 440%

Whilst their lack of success in the Premier League has been non-existent over the last couple of years, it has enabled a memorable experience to be achieved in Europe.

The sheer volume of games across last season gave numerous players to stake their claim for regular starting roles, as seen by the numbers produced by the likes of Gray.

As previously mentioned, the injury setbacks saw square pegs often used in round holes, with the Englishman being trusted to operate within the back four.

However, it allowed Swedish star Lucas Bergvall to take advantage and often appear at the heart of the side, despite only joining as a youth prospect a few months prior.

The board paid just £8.5m for his signature from homeland club Djurgarden, with very few supporters having any idea who he was before his transfer to North London.

It’s safe to say the youngster has already exceeded all expectations over recent times, subsequently racking up 55 appearances across all competitions in the last 12 months.

Frank’s arrival has allowed the midfielder to continue his progression, featuring in every one of the club’s games since the Dane took charge during the off-season.

Bergvall, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has even had an impressive impact in the final third, scoring two goals – with the latter coming in the triumph over West Ham United.

As a result of his recent form, he’s seen his value soar to unthinkable heights – once again showcasing the excellent work done by the hierarchy in recent times.

Lucas Bergvall – PL stats (2025/26)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

6

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

84%

Dribble success

70%

Tackles won

2.2

Duels won

5.2

Recoveries made

3.9

Shots taken

1.3

Stats via FotMob

He’s now valued at a staggering £46m by FootballTransfers, a figure that has seen a 440% increase on the fee paid for his services just over 12 months ago.

Such a deal is evidence that risks do pay off in the transfer market, with such a deal saving the club millions in their attempts for added glory in the years to come.

Bergvall has been a phenomenal addition to date, with the best still to come for the youngster who has bags of time to build on his remarkable start to life in England.

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One of the recent developments at Aston Villa will have an impact on Unai Emery’s future as manager, it has been revealed.

Emery loses key ally as Monchi departs

Sporting director Monchi is known to have been a key Emery ally, which is why the 57-year-old’s recent departure has set off alarm bells, but the manager has been quick to dispel the rumours that there was a falling out.

The Villa boss said: “He was very good, but after two years he needed to have another chapter in his career. Mutual agreement with the club. I wish him the best with his new chapter.

“We reacted quickly to get one person who I know personally. I have a lot of confidence with Roberto Olabe and he is going to help us.”

Indeed, the club hierarchy moved quickly to appoint Roberto Olabe, formerly of Real Sociedad, as Monchi’s successor, with the 57-year-old joining at a difficult time, given that the Villans are currently languishing in the Premier League relegation zone.

After Monchi’s exit, there were some rumours suggesting that Emery could be soon to follow, but journalist Graeme Bailey has recently suggested that Olabe’s appoitment is a clear show of faith in the Spaniard, who could now be in it for the long haul.

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Speaking to TBR Football, Bailey said: “They’re fully committed to Emery. They know they’ve got a world-class manager there.

“And I think the Olabe appointment is a clear sign that they brought him in to help Emery, to be part of the Emery project. It’s a clear sign the Emery project is still green-lit, full steam ahead. If it hadn’t been someone like Olabe, I would have had my doubts.

“But the fact it’s Olabe coming in, I think really underlines the commitment of the owners to Emery, and should give the fans who want Emery to stay some real comfort in that appointment.”

Villa must stick with Emery despite difficult spell

It is fantastic news that Aston Villa plan to stand by their manager, as it would be incredibly rash to dismiss him after going through his first difficult spell since taking over from Steven Gerrard, at which point playing in the Champions League was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Manchester United have reportedly identified Emery as a major target to replace Ruben Amorim, and it is no surprise, given the job he’s done at Villa Park, setting an impressive record last season.

That said, results and performances alike have not been good enough, with Villa recording an xG of just 3.79 across their opening five games, and the 53-year-old needs to put things right sooner rather than later to avoid further scrutiny.

كشف أسامة حسني، مذيع قناة النادي الأهلي، حقيقة تأجيل مباراة الأهلي وإيجل نوار البوروندي بعد هطول أمطار غزيرة على ملعب اللقاء، قبل انطلاق المواجهة.

الأهلي يلاقي إيجل نوار، على ملعب الأخير في بوروندي، ضمن مواجهة الذهاب لدور الـ 32 من منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.. توروب يدفع بـ القوة الضاربة

وشهدت ملعب اللقاء في مدينة بوجمبورا البوروندي، أمطار عزيزة ورياح قوية، قبل انطلاق المباراة.

وقال حسني خلال تصريحات عبر قناة الأهلي بعد التواصل مع مراسل القناة في بوروندي: “المباراة في موعدها ولا يوجد قرار بتأجيلها حتي الآن”.

وتنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 4 عصرًا بتوقيت مصر والسعودية، تذاع عبر قناة أون سبورت 1.

الأهلي يخوض مباراة إيجل نوار البوروندي، تحت قيادة فنية جديدة، للمدرب الدنماركي ييس توروب، بعد توليه المهة بشكل رسمي خلفًا للإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو، فترة مؤقته لـ عماد النحاس.

ومن المقرر، أن يستضيف النادي الأهلي، نظيره إيجل نوار، في مباراة الإياب لدور الـ 32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، يوم السبت المقبل 25 أكتوبر، على ملعب استاد القاهرة.

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Os maus resultados recentes são os motivos do fantasma da demissão rondar Luxa no Corinthians. Ainda assim, mesmo se a situação ficar insustentável e o treinador for dispensado nos próximos dias, o trabalho dele não será considerado em vão. A diretoria do clube alvinegro vê a aposta em alguns garotos como algo muito importante feito pelo técnico.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoGil é cobrado por torcedores do Corinthians em hotel, e Fagner precisa intervir; protesto divide opiniõesFora de Campo06/07/2023CorinthiansEsposa de Maycon alega salários atrasados no Corinthians; Lance! mostra cenárioCorinthians06/07/2023Atlético MineiroContra o Corinthians, Atlético-MG busca primeira vitória tendo Hulk como desfalqueAtlético Mineiro06/07/2023

Há quem acredite que nenhum outro técnico conseguisse trabalhar tão bem a entrada de revelações como Luxemburgo. O principal exemplo foi a entrada do volante Gabriel Moscardo. Com dificuldades em firmar um atleta na posição, o comandante corintiano ficou encantado com o que viu do camisa 44 nos treinos antes do jogo contra o Liverpool, do Uruguai, pela Libertadores, e também nos minutos em que colocou o atleta em campo pela competição continental. Isso foi o suficiente para credenciá-lo como titular nos jogos seguintes, já com o time principal – entre eles em um confronto de quarta de final da Copa do Brasil, contra o América-MG.

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Outra herança do treinador no Timão é o meia Ruan Oliveira, que era descartado e também se tornou titular nas mãos do ‘pofexô’. Após três anos sem jogar por conta de três cirurgias no joelho, o jogador foi decisivo em partidas em que nem imaginava entrar, com o contrato faltando 15 dias para o encerramento, ganhou uma sobrevida no clube até o fim do ano e deve ser adquirido de forma definitiva, graças a Vanderlei.

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Outros nomes como o zagueiro Murillo e os atacantes Biro e Wesley ganharam muito mais espaços com o técnico corintiano e, no entendimento da direção, tiveram uma evolução que não seria tão grande se continuassem no ritmo que estavam. De atletas de composição de elenco, eles passaram a ser peças importantes para o grupo.

Esse trabalho com os atletas mais jovens, no entanto, não será o suficiente para evitar uma possível demissão de Luxa no Corinthians em caso de novos placares negativos, principalmente nos próximos dois compromissos, contra o Atlético-MG, pelo Brasileirão, e América-MG, pela Copa do Brasil.

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Nem mesmo amostras de evolução do time em campo serão capazes de manter o técnico no Timão. A um ponto da zona do rebaixamento, existe internamente um temor muito grande da equipe entrar no Z4, algo que só não aconteceu em três das últimas quatro rodadas por conta de derrotas de outros times.

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Esse medo está ligado ao momento de intensa pressão vivido pelo clube, com protestos nas arquibancadas e até mesmo episódios com violência, como a recepção do ônibus que levava o elenco corintiano a Santos, há três semanas, e a agressão contra o jogador Luan em um motel, em São Paulo, na última terça-feira (4). O pensamento é que, em meio a esses episódios, se o time entrar no pelotão dos quatro piores será muito difícil de tirar. Essa ideia também é influenciada pela temporada de 2007, quando a equipe foi rebaixada à segunda divisão.

+ Transforme qualquer TV em Smart e assista aos jogos do Timão quando quiser!

O prazo limite para Luxemburgo alcançar resultados e evitar a demissão no Corinthians é o dia 15 de julho, quando o Timão enfrentará o América-MG, pelo jogo de volta das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil. A competição é vista de suma importância pela direção corintiana por dois motivos: é considerada a grande chance de conquistar um título neste ano e também é capaz de recuperar a projeção financeira do clube na temporada, já que as metas no Paulistão (chegar à semifinal) e na Libertadores (alcançar às oitavas de final) não foram atingidas. No torneio nacional, no entanto, o clube alvinegro já superou a expectativa, que era ir até as oitavas de final. E, caso avance à semi, conseguirá repor financeiramente o desfalque com as campanhas frustradas nas competições estadual e continental.

No entanto, existe a chance de Vanderlei nem chegar ao jogo contra o Coelho, em São Paulo, já que a possibilidade de desligamento em caso de derrota para o Galo neste fim de semana é considerada real, principalmente se o time entrar na zona do rebaixamento. Um revés para a equipe atleticana fora de casa é considerado dentro do normal para a diretoria corintiana, mas o histórico de derrotas pode influenciar – são nove em 17 jogos, com um aproveitamento de 31,3%. E, nesse caso, até mesmo uma atuação considerada boa pode não ser o suficiente para sustentar o emprego de Luxemburgo, diferentemente do que aconteceu contra o América-MG, nesta quarta-feira (5), quando o Timão perdeu jogando bem e isso manteve o profissional no cargo.

تحدث كبير كتاب كرة القدم في شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية عن مستوى نجم فريق ليفربول، محمد صلاح، رفقة كتيبة آرني سلوت في الموسم الحالي، 2025/26.

ويعيش ليفربول فترة صعبة بعدما تعرض الفريق لثلاث هزائم متتالية، بواقع اثنتين في الدوري الإنجليزي أمام كريستال بالاس وتشيلسي، وواحدة في دوري أبطال أوروبا ضد جالطة سراي.

ويتعرض محمد صلاح للكثير من الانتقادات في الفترة الحالية، كونه لم يقدم الأداء المتوقع منه، منذ بداية الموسم في أغسطس الماضي وحتى الآن.

وسُئل كبير كتاب كرة القدم في شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية، فيل ماكنولتي، عن محمد صلاح ومستواه الحالي وما إذا كان لاعباً لا يُستغنى عنه.

ورد: “لقد شاهدت جميع مباريات ليفربول هذا الموسم، باستثناء مباراة كأس كاراباو ضد ساوثهامبتون، وعلى الرغم من جميع الانتصارات التي حققوها في البداية، لم يبدو الفريق مرضيًا منذ اليوم الأول”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديلي ميل: خصوم ليفربول فقدوا خشيتهم لـ محمد صلاح.. و”عناد” سلوت قد يضاعف مشكلته

وأضاف: “أعتقد أن ضم هذا العدد الكبير من اللاعبين يعني أن الأمر يستغرق وقتًا من أجل التأقلم، مهما كانت جودتهم، لكن التوازن لا يبدو مناسبًا مع تواجد فلوريان فيرتز خلف المهاجمين”.

وواصل: “بدا ليفربول أكثر عرضة للخطر، كما لم يساعده أداء إبراهيما كوناتي الضعيف ووجود ظهيرين جديدين ذوي نزعة هجومية قوية، وهما جيريمي فريمبونج وميلوس كيركيز”.

واسترسل: “هل محمد صلاح لا يُستغنى عنه؟ حسنًا، قليل من اللاعبين لا يمكن الاستغناء عنهم في مرحلة ما من مسيرتهم المهنية، ولا شك أنه لم يكن على طبيعته هذا الموسم، لا تنسوا أيضًا أنه في الثالثة والثلاثين من عمره، ولكن نادرًا ما يتراجع مستوى اللاعبين العالميين فجأة، كما أنني لن أعرض فكرة إنه سيقدم مساهمة كبيرة لـ ليفربول مرة أخرى هذا الموسم”.

واسترسل: “هل سيقرر سلوت إخراجه من التشكيل أحيانًا؟ نعم، أتصور ذلك، كما فعل أمام جالطة سراي الأسبوع الماضي”.

وفيما إذا كانت صفقة فلوريان فيرتز فاشلة، قال: “من المبكر للغاية الحكم على ذلك، أدائه مخيب للآمال حتى الآن، لا شك في ذلك، لكنه يلعب في فريق يمر بمرحلة انتقالية مكلفة للغاية ولم يكن في أفضل حالاته على الإطلاق، على الرغم من تصدره الدوري الإنجليزي في الأسابيع الأولى”.

واختتم: “هو يعتاد على لاعبي ليفربول وهم يعتادون عليه، من الخطأ دائمًا إصدار أحكام متسرعة كهذه، وأعتقد أن فيرتز – سواءً كان مقابل 116 مليون جنيه إسترليني أم لا – يستحق وقتًا أطول بكثير قبل إصدار أي حكم، وخاصة الحكم بأنه فاشل، لا يزال الوقت مبكرًا جدًا”.

Sheffield United are now in a transfer battle with Ipswich Town to sign a 25-year-old striker whose club are open to offers for him, according to a recent report.

Sheffield United chasing more additions after Louie Barry

The Blades have made a low-key start to the summer transfer window, with just four players arriving at Bramall Lane so far. The latest arrival is winger Louie Barry, who has joined on a season-long loan deal from Aston Villa.

Sheffield United lead charge to sign "brilliant" £45k-p/w Premier League ace

The Blades are now pushing ahead in their mission to sign another central defender.

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 24, 2025

Barry worked with manager Ruben Selles last season at Hull City, and the pair have now reunited, as the winger stated he loves Selles’ system: “I love his (Rubén Sellés) style of play; it is exactly what I stand for as a player. I just want to get to the goal as quick as possible. I have got a really good relationship with the gaffer and the staff, so I can’t wait to get into training now.”

Now that a deal for Barry is completed, the Blades have turned their attention to other areas of the pitch they wish to strengthen. Indeed, Sky Sports have reported that Sheff Utd are leading the race alongside Colorado Rapids to sign Rob Holding from Crystal Palace. The centre-back is expected to leave the Premier League side after falling out of favour, and United are keen on reuniting with the player after he was on loan at the club last season.

Sheffield United face Ipswich in race to sign La Liga striker

As well as looking at strengthening the defence, Selles is also in the market for a new striker, as Kieffer Moore’s future at the club is in doubt. And according to Spanish outlet Marca, Sheffield United are interested in signing Isaac Romero from Sevilla.

Marca reports that despite not making the impact at the top end of the pitch that was expected of him last season, Romero has emerged on the radar of not just the Blades, but Ipswich Town as well.

There is no word on how much Sevilla would want for the 25-year-old, but given he is under contract until 2028, they could try and hold out for a hefty sum. Romero burst onto the scene during the 2023/24 campaign, as he scored four goals in 14 La Liga games, as well as grabbing four assists. However, he was unable to improve on those numbers last season, as he scored just four goals in 31 La Liga games this time around.

Apps

48

Goals

11

Assists

6

For Sheffield United, signing a new striker may have become somewhat of a priority in recent days, as speculation has gathered pace that Moore could be set to leave Bramall Lane. That is because Wrexham are interested in signing Moore as they look to bring in established second tier performers.

With a World Cup looming, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad are facing legitimate questions – can they answer vs Japan?

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Anyone who follows the U.S. men's national team knows the weight of this city. Columbus is the USMNT's spiritual home. There have been so many great national team nights in Columbus, so many big moments in which the USMNT defied the odds.

Perfect timing, then, for the U.S. to return to Ohio for a vital friendly. It's a friendly, yes, but an important one. For years, Columbus has seemed to be where the USMNT have gone when the program needs a win. Tuesday, surely, feels like one of those nights.

The U.S. heads into this game against Japan on a low. Losses to Panama, Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, Mexico and, most recently, South Korea – with a run to the Gold Cup final sandwiched between – have put this team's collective back against the wall. With a World Cup looming, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad are facing legitimate questions.

"It's nothing to shy away from," striker Folarin Balogun said. "America's a huge country with so many people, so many supporters and that's kind of what you sign up for by representing such a huge, huge nation. When things are going well, you know that you have millions of people behind you, so you can't take the good without the bad. We know we need the results, because that's the thing that confirms everything.

"From a psychological point of view, it's difficult to lose. It's not what I prepare for. It's not what I train for. At the end of the day, we're training to win and to give the fans something to care about. Losing is not something anyone is satisfied with, I can tell you that for sure."

How will the USMNT approach the match? How could the tearm turn the tide? Will veterans such as Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams help reverse course? Or will Pochettino, as he insisted on Monday, "stick with the plan" and continue tinkering with lineups and tactics against Japan?

GOAL looks at five keys for the USMNT against Japan.

Getty Images SportPulisic to step up?

It's not that Christian Pulisic played poorly against South Korea, his first game back with the USMNT after a summer of controversy. He was no better or worse than most of the other USMNT starters. Yet here is a different standard, particularly after his decision to skip the Gold Cup.

Even putting that aside, the South Korea game was a prime example of what a superstar presence can do. Son Heung-Min was the perfect outlet, one that allowed his side to play through him in moments of pressure. It's not just that he created the two goals, which he did, but he was also a reference point, one that clearly inspired his team while giving them much-needed moments of danger.

The USMNT didn't have any that on Saturday. Pulisic was active, but never dangerous. He didn't complete a single dribble, none of his four shots hit the target and his passing was mediocre, at best. He got on the ball plenty, but didn't  assert himself. Given everything, it was fair to expect more.

It's not that the USMNT definitively needs Pulisic to be "the guy" every game, even if it certainly helps. There are moments, though, in which players of quality need to go above and beyond – that's in part what makes them players of quality in the first place. This Japan game seems one of those occasions, a game in which Pulisic can both silence his doubters and help lift the USMNT out of its current state.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesFolarin Balogun or Josh Sargent?

To be fair, striker Josh Sargent wasn't really put in a position to thrive against South Korea. The style of play and the flow of the game just didn't suit him. It happens. It did, however, suit Folarin Balogun, so that brings us to the question: who starts?

Pochettino and his staff have a lot to balance with that decision. Does benching Sargent hurt his confidence amid his ongoing USMNT goal drought? Is Balogun fit enough to play extended minutes? Will this game resemble the South Korea game, or will it be one that allows Sargent to play more with the ball on his feet?

"Just coming on in that sort of game against such a good opponent, I noticed when I was on the bench that there was space to run in behind, and I just thought that's maybe what the team needed," Balogun said on Monday. "I wouldn't say it was instructions to go forward and get in behind, it's just how the game was going. There were opportunities to try and look for spaces."

Balogun, of course, is very good at running into those spaces. Sargent, meanwhile, has generally been good at making the most of them when he finds them. Both players might be necessary at some point at the World Cup, but who is the best fit for the Japan match?

Getty ImagesThe importance of Chris Richards

It was night and day, wasn't it? You can acknowledge that the state of the game had changed or that South Korea had taken their foot off the pedal, but you also have to address the impact that Chris Richards' arrival had on the second half of Saturday's match.

Richards, by any measure, is among the USMNT's best players. In fact, you could argue that he is the team's best right now. He really took a leap forward at the Gold Cup and has continued to build momentum since winning a trophy with Crystal Palace. All good teams start from defense, of course, and Richards is far and away this team's best defender.

Pochettino said postgame that the staff was simply taking precautions with Richards, who was dealing with "some issues" from recent games with Palace. The aim was to protect him and limit him to just 45 minutes.

Fair enough. Now, a few days later, Richards seems more necessary than ever as the U.S. look to step up against a talented Japan attack that includes top players such as Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and Takefusa Kubo.

Richards should almost certainly be in the XI. The question is what it looks like around him.

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Getty Images SportA potential tactical tweak

Richards can admit it: he prefers playing in a back three. He's used to it on the club level. After several years of playing in that system for Crystal Palace, he's entirely comfortable as a wide centerback.

Could that be a tactic Pochettino embraces? It's been a talking point and, if the manager does go that route, it would be easy to see why. With more attack-minded fullbacks such as Sergino Dest and Max Arfsten, or perhaps even a wingback in Tim Weah, the USMNT could consider a system that would allow those players to go forward with more defensive stability behind them.

"I think some people look at it as a bit more defensive," Richards said, "but, if you play it right, it's more attacking than anything. It's about winning the ball in our half of the pitch, but also allowing your wingbacks to be creative and to do what they do best – which is run up and down the pitch and serve the ball in or, in Sergino's case, take people one-on-one. Max is the same way. He's really good offensively, going forward in a one-on-one situation."

Arfsten is comfortable with the formation. He's played in a similar setup with the Crew, having made the transition from winger to wingback to fullback.

"In the Gold Cup, I played as a standard fullback in a four the entire time, so I feel I've adjusted," Arfsten said. "Whatever the coach wants. If he wants me to play higher up as a wingback or play a bit further back and more defensive responsibility, no matter what he wants me to do, I'm going to embrace it."

There's no guarantee a back five is the right way to go. Maybe this team does end up being best equipped to play a back four by the World Cup. At the very least, though, it's a good option to have.

"I personally like playing the five in the back, and I think we could benefit from it," Richards said, "but I think, playing a four, we had some success this summer, too. Whatever system they put us in, we're ready for it."