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MatériaMais Notícias

Com aporte milionário da 777 Partners, o torcedor do Vasco sonhava com grandes contratações e estabilidade no retorno à Série A. Contudo, o Cruz-Maltino teve temporada conturbada e flertou até a última rodada contra o rebaixamento. Abaixo, o Lance! relembra o melhor e o pior momento do Vasco em 2023.

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➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

ELIMINAÇÃO PRECOCE NA COPA DO BRASIL

Antes da semifinal do Campeonato Carioca, o Vasco enfrentou o ABC pela segunda fase da Copa do Brasil. Em pleno São Januário, a equipe de Maurício Barbieri empatou em 0 a 0 com uma atuação tecnicamente muito ruim.

Nas penalidades, Orellano e Pedro Raul, dois dos principais e mais caros reforços da temporada, desperdiçaram suas cobranças e o Cruz-Maltino foi eliminado, protagonizando mais um vexame na competição.

NO VA A BAJAR!

A virada de chave do Vasco na temporada veio em julho, com a chegada do técnico Ramón Diaz. Com o treinador argentino, o Cruz-Maltino melhorou em campo e passou a ser um time aguerrido, mesmo sem conseguir se distanciar da zona do rebaixamento.

+ Veja como ficou a tabela do Brasileirão após a última rodada

Em 25 partidas, Ramón somou dez vitórias, seis empates e oito derrotas, com aproveitamento de 50% . A equipe vascaína não encantou, mas fez o necessário para seguir na Série A, e o mantra de Ramón Diáz, “no va a bajar”, foi o elo que uniu a torcida ao elenco na luta contra o rebaixamento.

A diretoria do Vasco decidiu renovar o contrato com o treinador, e o novo vínculo de Ramón com o Cruz-Maltino vai até dezembro de 2025.

MatériaMais Notícias

O zagueiro Mercado reconheceu a atuação ruim do Internacional no empate com o América-MG em 1 a 1 nesta quarta-feira (1º), no Beira-Rio, pela 31ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Foi o segundo jogo consecutivo do Colorado sem vencer diante de sua torcida – na última rodada, foi derrotada pelo penúltimo colocado Coritiba por 4 a 3 – o que distanciou ainda mais a equipe de Eduardo Coudet do G6. Para o argentino, o momento deveria ter sido de reação.

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➡️Veja tabela do Brasileirão

– O grupo hoje foi muito a baixo. Precisávamos reagir depois do Coritiba e hoje não apareceu. Auto críticas para todo mundo, começando comigo. Em situações difíceis a gente sai com trabalho e hombridade – disse Mercado na saída de campo após o empate no Beira-Rio.

O gol do Inter foi marcado pelo equatoriano Enner Valencia, aos 14 minutos do primeiro tempo, mas o Colorado acabou cedendo o empate aos 28′ da etapa final. Com o resultado, o Internacional foi aos 39 pontos, mas caiu para a 13ª posição, estando a 12 pontos de distância para o Flamengo, primeiro time no G6.

+ Chances de rebaixamento no Brasileirão 2023: veja situação dos clubes após a 30ª rodada

Há dois jogos sem vencer no Beira-Rio, o Colorado vê o seu sonho de conquistar uma vaga na próxima edição da Libertadores da América ainda mais distante. Na próxima rodada, a equipe de Eduardo Coudet entra em campo no domingo (5) para enfrentar o Cruzeiro, às 16h (de Brasília), no Mineirão, em Belo Horizonte (MG).

Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain was overshadowed by drama as Luis Diaz was sent off for a reckless tackle that left Achraf Hakimi injured. While coach Vincent Kompany and others showed concern, defender Josip Stanisic later joked about the red card, claiming they 'thanked' the Colombian winger for the tackle.

Bayern survive tough test despite Diaz' red card

The Bundesliga giants were cruising after taking a 2-0 lead thanks to Diaz’s first-half brace, but chaos erupted just before half-time. The Colombian winger went in for a late tackle on Hakimi, catching the Moroccan full-back on the ankle after losing possession. The PSG defender went down in visible pain and was seen in tears before being helped off the pitch by physios. Referee Maurizio Mariani initially showed a yellow card, but it was upgraded to a red following VAR's intervention.

However, even with the extra man, PSG couldn’t break through Bayern’s organised defence. Joao Neves added a late goal for the defending champions, but it wasn’t enough as Bayern held on to claim a hard-fought win.

AdvertisementAFPStanisic jokes about Diaz red card

After the match, Bayern defender Stanisic said Diaz needs to be more careful in such situations. "He knows himself that he needs to handle this kind of situation with more finesse,” the 25-year-old told reporters. When asked if the ex-Liverpool winger had apologised for leaving the team short-handed, he joked: "No, we thanked him. I’m kidding! He was happy, like all of us."

While Stanisic's comment was meant in a light-hearted manner, it did not sit well on social media, with many criticising it as being in poor taste and disrespectful, considering the severity of the Moroccan's injury. The PSG full-back was seen walking on crutches after the game, and reports from claim he is expected to be out until mid-December, potentially missing the start of the 2025 AFCON.

Meanwhile, Bayern boss Kompany addressed the seriousness of Hakimi's injury, recalling a similar setback Jamal Musiala suffered against PSG in the Club World Cup. Speaking to , the Belgian manager said: “It’s a shame that the PSG player had to come off injured. At first, I didn’t think it was that dangerous. But of course, it happened, and when a player gets injured, I always think of what happened to Jamal [Musiala]. He broke his leg against PSG in the USA. Then you think: ‘Is that comparable?’ But I have to be honest: the most important thing for me is that Hakimi isn’t injured for too long. I wish him a speedy recovery.”

Diaz to miss Champions League clash against Arsenal

Following his red card, Diaz will serve at least a one-game suspension and will miss Bayern’s upcoming Champions League match against Arsenal. However, UEFA could increase the sanction to three matches, ruling him out of the games against Sporting CP and Union Saint-Gilloise. He would then return in time for the final league phase clash against PSV. The Columbian's absence will be a major test for Bayern, who are unbeaten this season and riding a 16-game winning streak under Kompany. 

They face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who have also been in tremendous form, extending their winning run to 10 games following a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday. The Colombian winger, since his arrival from England, has contributed 14 goals and assists in 16 games this season. He could have been crucial against a team that has not conceded in eight consecutive games across all competitions.

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AFPWhat's next for Bayern?

While Diaz will be unavailable for Bayern’s next three Champions League fixtures, he will be key for their domestic matches as they look to extend their winning streak. The defending Bundesliga champions are five points clear of RB Leipzig with nine wins from nine games and will visit Union Berlin on Saturday before the international break. They will then face Freiburg on November 22 in the Bundesliga before returning to European competition for the clash against the Gunners.

They might be in the relegation zone and have a single win from their last five Premier League games, but the future could be bright for West Ham United.

Granted, things off the pitch and the relationship between the ownership and fans are in a dire state, but with Nuno Espírito Santo now in the dugout, there is a feeling that he could steer the side to a respectable finish this season.

Moreover, while they have not performed well enough, there is real talent in this squad, with summer signing Soungoutou Magassa being someone who could explode with the right coaching.

On top of that, there are several truly exciting players in the academy, including one who could be unreal with the Frenchman and has been compared to former Hammer Mohamed Diamé.

Why West Ham signed Magassa

In late August, West Ham completed the £17.3m signing of Magassa, and while it was undoubtedly done with the intention of him making an impact this season, it also feels like a move that could help make the midfield so much better in the long term.

The simple reason for this is that the incredible Frenchman is brilliant when it comes to the defensive and offensive side of the game – he is someone who can shield the backline, but also spring attacks for his side.

For example, the respected analyst Ben Mattinson has claimed that the Stains-born gem has an immense ability to “spray passes wide out to the wings” but that he’s also got very “high potential” for playing as a six “due to how he reads the game and his pure athleticism.”

Likewise, U23 scout Antonio Mango has highlighted how “strong in both offensive and defensive duels” the youngster is.

This ability to excel in both parts of the game is unsurprisingly represented in his underlying numbers.

Dribbles Challenged

3.59

Top 1%

Dribblers Tackled

1.80

Top 2%

Blocks

2.07

Top 2%

Ball Recoveries

6.98

Top 3%

Passes Blocked

1.52

Top 4%

Tkl+Int

4.84

Top 4%

Tackles

3.25

Top 6%

Interceptions

1.59

Top 7%

Switches

0.76

Top 8%

Tackles (Def 3rd)

1.38

Top 8%

Through Balls

0.41

Top 11%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.48

Top 11%

Shots Blocked

0.55

Top 12%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.38

Top 14%

Touches (Def 3rd)

17.28

Top 14%

Touches (Def Pen)

3.59

Top 15%

Successful Take-On %

61.9%

Top 15%

Goals/Shot

0.13

Top 17%

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for dribblers tackled and blocks, the top 3% for ball recoveries, the top 8% for switches, the top 11% for through balls and more, all per 90.

In short, Magassa is an excellent prospect, and in more good news, West Ham could have another gem who’d be brilliant alongside him, someone who has been compared to Diame.

West Ham's ideal teammate for Magassa

There are several exciting prospects currently plying their trade in West Ham’s academy, from Josh Landers to Preston Fearon.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

However, only one youngster has been compared to former Hammer Diame, which is Mohamadou Kanté.

The promising Frenchman joined the club from Paris FC last summer, but remained in the French capital for the season, where he made eight appearances in what turned out to be a promotion-winning campaign.

Described as having “good anticipation” and being “very calm and composed on the ball” by one analyst, another has been bolder, claiming he “moves like Mo Diame.”

The argument behind such a comparison is that, like the retired midfielder, the youngster has “long-ranging legs that eat up ground & extend to win the ball off the toes of the opposition.”

However, he’s more than just a tenacious ball-winner, with the same analyst highlighting his “nibble feet & intelligent, composed passing.”

It’s the combination of all these traits that have seen him rack up an impressive tally of two goals and two assists in just eight appearances for the U21s so far this season.

Moreover, as he’s comfortable playing in central and defensive midfield, he could end up being a brilliant partner for Magassa, with one driving forward and the other sitting back to help the defence.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his West Ham career, but Kante looks to be a real star in the making.

West Ham hope of signing "special" striker amid Nuno's damning Fullkrug update

Nuno’s fears around the German have been realised.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 17, 2025

Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo in the summer transfer window, but a swoop was believed to be contingent on one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard leaving the Emirates Stadium.

Selling one of the pair would have freed up both funds and space in Mikel Arteta’s squad for the Brazilian, but instead, Arsenal agreed a new contract with Trossard, including a bumper pay rise, but no extension.

Arsenal also didn’t end up selling Martinelli, despite reports that his or Trossard’s departure could have led to a potential Rodrygo deal (Ben Jacobs), but it is worth noting that both players have just under 24 months on their contracts.

While Andrea Berta and co have the option to extend the former’s stay by another year, Martinelli has struggled to replicate his best form on a consistent enough basis lately, whilst failing to match his stellar 2022/2023 season, when he finished the campaign with 15 Premier League goals.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

Uncertainty has surrounded the Brazilian’s future for the better part of a year, and Arsenal did seriously consider bringing in Rodrygo alongside the likes of Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke before September 1.

Arsenal held talks over signing Rodrygo as far back as May, and reports continued to link Arteta’s side long into the window before it became apparent that a move wasn’t going to happen.

Since then, Rodrygo has been in and out of Xabi Alonso’s starting eleven for Real. He was given the nod for their 3-0 win away to Real Oviedo in late August, but managed just 18 minutes off the bench against Mallorca and was an unused substitute in their opening La Liga game of the season.

A lack of guaranteed game time could force the 24-year-old to consider his options, and according to CaughtOffside, Arsenal are very much still in the frame.

Andrea Berta's "reassessed" Gabriel Martinelli stance at Arsenal amid "key" Rodrygo claim

As per their information, Arsenal wanted around £60 million to sell Martinelli in the summer, but interested suitors were only prepared to bid as high as £40 million.

However, AC Milan are believed to be targeting the winger and could move in January, as the Rossoneri see him as an ideal replacement for Rafael Leao.

Berta has “reassessed” Martinelli’s place in the Arsenal squad and a winter departure cannot be ruled out. The 24-year-old could also still come as a “key” sacrifice to make room for Rodrygo, who they are still interested in.

It is worth noting, though, that Rodrygo currently commands a price tag of around £85 million and would demand a salary of £165,000-per-week, so it may even take more than just Martinelli leaving to raise funds for such a marquee signing — especially after a summer of lavish spending already.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been defined by frustration and disappointment.

Five games in, they are rooted to the bottom of the table with zero points and a goal difference of -9.

Their attack has looked blunt, generating one of the lowest expected goals (xG) figures in the division – only Aston Villa, Burnley, and Leeds rank worse.

This stands in stark contrast to their Carabao Cup outings, where they have shown flashes of potential.

They beat West Ham in the second round with a convincing display and now have an opportunity to build momentum against Everton in the third round on Wednesday night.

For manager Pereira, this cup tie feels like more than just a fixture; it’s a chance to breathe life into a faltering season.

The departure of Matheus Cunha, who was instrumental last year, has left a void in Wolves’ attacking play.

While the defensive structure under Pereira’s three-at-the-back system has shown glimpses of resilience, the final third remains the glaring weakness.

Upcoming fixtures, including clashes with relegation rivals Sunderland and Burnley after the international break, demand fresh solutions.

Arokodare's difficult start at Wolves

When Wolves signed Tolu Arokodare from Genk for £24 million, there was genuine excitement.

The 24-year-old forward had just finished as the Belgian Pro League’s Golden Boot winner, scoring 21 goals and establishing himself as a dominant aerial threat.

In total, he netted 41 times in 113 appearances for Genk, suggesting he could be the answer to Wolves’ goalscoring problems.

So far, however, the transition has been anything but smooth.

Arokodare has featured twice in the Premier League for a combined 156 minutes, starting against Newcastle and Leeds. While his physical presence is undeniable, his output has underwhelmed.

Against Leeds, he recorded three shots, but only one was on target. His dribbling attempts yielded no success, and although he contested 13 aerial duels, he only won seven, as per Sofascore.

The numbers reflect a player still adjusting to the intensity and pace of English football.

Wolves fans were expecting a ruthless finisher; instead, they’ve seen a forward struggling to impose himself.

Pereira’s persistence with Arokodare has become synonymous with the side’s wider attacking malaise.

At a time when Wolves desperately need sharpness in the final third, he has looked like a work in progress rather than a solution.

How Pereira can get Wolves firing again

The return of Jorgen Strand Larsen could change the equation entirely.

The Norwegian striker has been Wolves’ talisman since arriving from Celta Vigo, having scored 14 league goals on loan.

That tally accounted for 22% of Wolves’ total strikes, a contribution that proved decisive in avoiding relegation last season.

His commitment was underlined this summer when he signed a new deal until 2030 despite Champions League club Newcastle United tabling bids of £50m and £55m.

Strand Larsen has already opened his account for the campaign, scoring twice in the Carabao Cup win over West Ham.

Yet an Achilles injury has sidelined him for the past two league games, leaving Wolves blunt in attack.

Now fit again, his return offers Pereira an ideal chance to reset the forward line.

The ideal partner for him is Jhon Arias, the Colombian winger-forward who joined from Fluminense for £15m.

Arias contributed four goals and 13 assists in Brazil last season, showcasing his ability to both score and create.

His versatility makes him well-suited to Pereira’s 3-5-2 system, where he could play just off Strand Larsen, stretching defences and linking midfield with attack.

Although Arias has only managed 179 league minutes so far, his technical qualities have been clear, having also been hailed for his “relentless” work off the ball by analyst Ben Mattinson.

Matches Played

12

Goals

1

Assists

4

Progressive Carries

48

Progressive Passes

55

He thrives in tight spaces, has the vision to pick progressive passes, and the pace to break lines – elements Wolves sorely lack when Arokodare leads the line.

If given a run of games, Arias could replicate the kind of strike partnerships Wolves have historically relied upon in Derek Dougan and John Richards.

Everton in the League Cup provides the perfect stage to test this combination.

Strand Larsen’s presence guarantees a focal point, while Arias’ creativity and movement would add unpredictability.

Together, they could finally give Wolves the attacking structure to match the defensive solidity that has, at times, looked promising.

Wolves' most expensive signings of all time

Football FanCast takes a detailed look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings of all time.

ByCharlie Smith Sep 5, 2025

Manchester United academy chief Luke Fedorenko, who helped sign wonderkid JJ Gabriel, will reportedly leave Old Trafford despite the Red Devils’ attempts to keep him at the club. The 35-year-old talent guru has reportedly accepted an offer to join a major football agency, marking the end of an influential nine-year spell shaping the club's youth structure.

Scouting king calls time on Old Trafford stint

According to Fedorenko’s decision has left United stunned, as he was one of the driving forces behind the resurgence of the club's youth recruitment model. His exit marks yet another behind-the-scenes shake-up at Carrington, as changes continue to ripple through the club’s football operations.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportHow Fedorenko rebuilt United’s youth network

Fedorenko arrived at United in 2017 as part of the club’s internal reform plan, known as Project Bethlehem. The initiative was designed to modernise a once-proud academy that had been criticised for falling behind Premier League rivals such as Manchester City and Chelsea. A former Barnsley youth player, Fedorenko’s rise in scouting began at Sheffield United, where he developed a reputation for identifying top young talent. When he joined United, his mission was clear: rebuild and refocus the club’s recruitment system from the ground up.

Post-Brexit, he played a key role in shifting the club’s scouting priorities toward homegrown and domestic prospects, helping United adapt to the new transfer realities facing English academies. His philosophy combined traditional local scouting with modern data analytics and video recruitment, reshaping how the Red Devils identified the stars of tomorrow.

Getty Fedorenko’s youth revolution at Carrington

Fedorenko’s approach wasn’t just about signing promising teenagers; it was about building a sustainable development pipeline in line with Financial Fair Play (FFP) and Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). His work has directly influenced over £200 million ($269m) in player sales, with academy graduates moving on to bring in crucial funds for the club. On the pitch, several youngsters have flourished under his watch, including Chido Obi, who made history as the youngest academy starter, and Ayden Heaven, another standout recruit. 

Fedorenko also oversaw the arrivals of some of the most exciting names in United’s youth setup, JJ Gabriel, Bendito Mantato, and Jayden Kamason. Kamason, notably, became the first player from United’s Emerging Talent Programme to sign a professional deal with the club; a clear testament to the success of the system Fedorenko helped design.

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An era ends as Carrington undergoes more shake-ups

Fedorenko’s departure adds to a growing list of structural changes at Manchester United’s Carrington training base. His long-time ally, Nick Cox, who brought him from Sheffield United, has already left to become technical director at Everton. Cox’s replacement, Steven Torpey, recently joined from Brentford and will now have the task of assembling his own leadership team. United reportedly made a strong effort to convince Fedorenko to remain, but the lure of a new challenge outside the traditional club setup proved too strong.

The departures don’t stop there; Paul Brand, United’s head of performance analysis, has also exited after accepting a role at UEFA. He stayed on until his replacement, Ben Parker (formerly of Southampton), officially started on Monday, October 6.

Celtic find themselves in a race against time to land a new striker, though they have now made an approach to bring in a forward on the books at a Premier League club.

Celtic fail in bid to land Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg

Despite making him their top target, Celtic look to have missed out on a deal for Anderlecht striker Kasper Dolberg, who is primed to complete a move to Anderlecht before the close of play.

Taking to social media platform X, Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph reported that the Denmark international now has his set on a move to his former club after the Dutch giants sought assurances over his willingness to snub alternative interest.

He stated: “UPDATE: Ajax are now pressing ahead with their hijack of Kasper Dolberg’s move to Celtic after seeking assurances from the player that he would prefer a return to his old club. #AFCAjax now back in talks with Anderlecht over a permanet deal. This could leave Celtic scrambling.”

Elsewhere, the Bhoys have put forward a loan for Crystal Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sayki, albeit he could end up at either Rangers, Lyon, and Leicester City, who are also keen on landing the England Under-21 international.

The timing of whether Celtic manage to land a striker or not is critical, given Irishman Adam Idah is set for a move to Swansea after completing his medical, though they have held fire on relinquishing his services until a replacement is found.

Birmingham hold talks to sign "valuable" £3m ace; waiting on "green-light"

This is exactly what Chris Davies could be after.

ByHenry Jackson Sep 1, 2025

Truthfully, the late part of the window for supporters has failed to deliver in terms of excitement, but that could be about to change as they hone in on a new centre-forward.

Celtic make loan approach to sign Chelsea's David Datro Fofana

According to Sky Sports reporter Joseph on X, who was mentioned earlier, Celtic have made a loan approach to try and sign Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana before tonight’s deadline.

Intriguingly, his colleague Ron Walker eluded to the fact that is ‘looks like’ the Bhoys may land his services despite suggesting that Bristol City were in the mix, potentially suggesting that a deal is further down the line than initially thought.

Despite joining Chelsea for £10.3 million in 2022, Fofana has made only four appearances for the Premier League giants and spent time out on loan at Goztepe last term, scoring twice in nine appearances before sustaining a knee injury.

Adding Union Berlin and Burnley to his other loans, the Ivory Coast international, dubbed “aggressive” by Vincent Kompany, has never really settled since joining the Blues from Molde, where he burst on to the scene after netting 24 times in 65 outings.

Celtic appear willing to offer him an olive branch at a late stage, creating a scenario where both parties benefit while Chelsea move another player off their books.

Allrounders Aaron Hardie and Matt Short have also been named alongside Alex Carey

Andrew McGlashan12-Jan-2025 • Updated on 13-Jan-2025Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been named in Australia’s squad for the Champions Trophy after been ruled out of the upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka.Cummins, who will captain the team, is on paternity leave for the birth of his second child, but it was also revealed last week that he was to undergo scans on a troublesome ankle he carried through the India Test series. George Bailey, the chair of selectors, said they were awaiting the outcome of the scans but with the ability to freely amend the squad for the next four weeks there was no imminent rush to make a final call.Related

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“I want to give him a little bit of space at the back end of the Border-Gavaskar; obviously baby pending,” Bailey said. “We’ll work through that with Pat and obviously the selection panel and the medical team…but I know he’s very keen.”Hazlewood, meanwhile, hadn’t quite recovered in time from the calf injury that ended his series but should be able to take his place in the one-day side.Allrounders Aaron Hardie and Matthew Short, the latter who scored a 54-ball 109 for Adelaide Strikers two days ago, have also been included in the 15-player squad.Hardie is not currently bowling for Perth Scorchers in the BBL due to injury while Josh Inglis is also recovering from a calf strain he picked up while sub fielding during the Test series.Nathan Ellis has tipped out the likes of Sean Abbott and Xavier Bartlett to be the fourth pace bowler behind the big three.”This is a balanced and experienced squad with the core having been involved in the previous one-day World Cup, the West Indies series, last year’s successful tour of the UK and the more recent Pakistan home series,” Bailey said. “It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”Alex Carey also finds a spot after making a successful return to the ODI side against England last year with scores of 74 and 77 not out having previously lost his place after one game of the 2023 World Cup. He could play as a specialist batter, as he did once in the England series, but also provides wicketkeeping back-up for Inglis.Adam Zampa is the one frontline spinner but will be supported by Short and Glenn Maxwell.Among younger players who featured against Pakistan earlier in the series, where Australia lost 2-1, Jake Fraser-McGurk has not made the cut amid an extended lean run which has included a top score of 26 in eight innings for Melbourne Renegades. Cooper Connolly, who was selected for the Sri Lanka Test tour, also can’t find a space.Australia will play a one-off ODI against Sri Lanka on February 13 before heading to Pakistan and discussions remain ongoing as to whether there will be another warm-up game. They are grouped with England (February 22), South Africa (February 25) and Afghanistan (February 28).The first semi-final will take place in Dubai on March 4 with the second in Lahore on March 5 following confirmation of the hybrid model due to India not traveling to Pakistan. The final will be on March 9, in either Dubai or Lahore depending on whether India qualify.Australia squad for Champions TrophyPat Cummins (capt), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Aston Villa have been handed a golden opportunity to sign a “prolific” striker, with his club now open to sanctioning a departure this summer, according to a report.

Villa set sights on new striker amid Watkins uncertainty

Widespread reports have suggested that Villa have no interest in allowing Ollie Watkins to leave this summer, but they may find it difficult to hold onto the striker, given that he is thought to be really keen on a move to Old Trafford.

At the moment, Manchester United are battling Newcastle United for the services of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but there is a feeling that Ruben Amorim’s side may not be able to match the Magpies’ offer, which would force them to move on to alternative options.

Should that happen, the Red Devils could pursue a move for Watkins, with the 29-year-old of the belief that now is the right time to leave Villa Park, and Unai Emery’s side have now started running the rule over potential replacements.

Aston Villa in pole position to sign £35m Brazilian ahead of Man City and Leeds

The Villans desperately need to get moving this summer.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 2, 2025

Last week, it was revealed that RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda has been identified as a key target, should Watkins leave, but the 25-year-old is not the only striker on Emery’s shortlist.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now assessing a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos, and they have been handed a golden opportunity to get a deal done, given that the French club are now open to a sale.

Ramos is looking to leave PSG this summer, given that he is no longer a regular starter, and there are plenty of potential suitors waiting in the wings, with Newcastle, Man United, Liverpool, Napoli and Juventus all named as interested parties.

However, Villa may have to spend big if they are to get a deal over the line, as PSG are looking to recoup as much of the €65m (£56m) fee they forked out to sign the centre-forward as possible.

"Prolific" Ramos could be ideal Watkins replacement

The 24-year-old may be finding it difficult to force his way into Luis Enrique’s plans, but he still managed to amass 19 goals in all competitions in the 2024-25 season, and football talent scout Jacek Kulig has praised the striker for his performances at international level.

Luis Enrique has also singled the Portuguese striker out for praise in the past, saying: “If I have to talk to you about Ramos, I can only say that he has an iron spirit. He has a faultless ambition and he’s a very interesting player.”

That said, Villa’s number one priority this summer should be to keep hold of Watkins, given that the Englishman has already proven himself in the Premier League over a number of years.