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“Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya knocked on my door and gave me a big hug and they asked for a big treat”

Shashank Kishore18-Feb-2021K Gowtham, the offspin-bowling allrounder, had just landed in Ahmedabad with the Indian team and had settled into his hotel room when his name came up for bidding at the IPL 2021 auction. Having been released by the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) after just the one season, he was anxious, pacing up and down as the bids kept flying. By the end of it, after a tug of war, he was with the Chennai Super Kings, for INR 9.25 crore (US$ 1,273,000 approx.).That made him the most expensive uncapped Indian cricketer at an IPL auction, surpassing Krunal Pandya’s INR 8.8 crore by the Mumbai Indians in 2018.Related

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“It was nerve-wracking, I was very anxious, watching on TV,” Gowtham told ESPNcricinfo soon after he had found a new team. “We’d just landed in Ahmedabad and I’d just switched on the TV and my name came up. Emotions were changing every minute. Then, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya knocked on my door and gave me a big hug and they asked for a big treat.”It was a very happy moment, we were all smiles, it was like having my family with me at that very moment. They were all so happy for me.”Gowtham’s base price was INR 20 lakh, and he was quickly the focus of a fierce bidding war between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, before the Super Kings swooped in with a late bid. Some 1400 kilometres away in Bengaluru, Gowtham’s parents and wife were on the other side of a video call soon after it was confirmed that he would be part of MS Dhoni’s team. “My parents had tears, happy tears,” Gowtham said. “It’s hard to describe that feeling. It’s all just sinking in. Obviously this isn’t the first time I’ve been part of the auction but every time your name comes up, the kind of butterflies in your tummy is unimaginable. So they were equally eager and anxious to see me. But I think towards the end, they were also very happy. I could see that.”

“I’ve managed to chat with him a couple of times, haven’t really had long chats, they have just been short and simple. I’m waiting to now join the set-up and have many fruitful conversations with him. It’s an exciting feeling to play for CSK”K Gowtham can’t wait to pick MS Dhoni’s brains

For Gowtham, being part of the Super Kings is thrilling enough, but playing under Dhoni “will be unbelievable”. Three years ago, he had queued up with a few other uncapped players to get his bat signed by Dhoni after an IPL game. It was somewhat like his first meeting Shane Warne, when he joined the Rajasthan Royals in 2018. When Warne linked up with the team, Gowtham expected nothing more than a few pleasantries. Instead, he was welcomed with “KG, you’re my spin project for this IPL!” With Dhoni, though, chats have so far been very limited, and he can’t wait for more.”The first time I met him, I asked MS what I needed to do to take my game to the next level,” Gowtham recalled. He can’t remember what Dhoni told him because he was so star-struck, but the autographed bat remains a prized possession. “It was a fanboy moment. After that, I’ve managed to chat with him a couple of times, haven’t really had long chats, they have just been short and simple. I’m waiting to now join the set-up and have many fruitful conversations with him. It’s an exciting feeling to play for CSK.”K Gowtham is currently with the Indian Test team as a net bowler•PTI The auction is the latest episode in what has been a massive surge in Gowtham’s career lately. At 32, he’s still uncapped, but continues to remain on the fringes of the Indian team. He’s currently a net bowler with the national team for the England Test series, and is an India A regular. At the IPL, he’s been part of the Royals for two seasons and had a very brief stint with the Punjab side – where he featured in just two games – before being released.”It was tough sitting out, yes there weren’t too many opportunities, but I tried to make the most of my time,” he said. “You’re in a bubble, you’re restricted in a way, you have just a few things to focus on and when you’re not playing it can get tough. But I worked on my fitness, worked hard on improving my skills in the nets and making the most of learning from Anil Kumble and other senior coaches so that I could be ready whenever the opportunities comes. That is the kind of person I am, you have to keep learning and improving every day.”His confidence and understanding of his game and circumstances is very different from five years ago, when he was full of self-doubt, not knowing if cricket would give him a proper chance. He had been reported for a suspect action that needed remodeling, he was not even deemed good enough to be part of his state team Karnataka when his bowling action was deemed legal. It hasn’t been easy, but he has made it work.”That’s the aim, keep giving your best. Every day is a new opportunity,” he said philosophically. “My aim is to be a better version of my previous self. Day by day, keep getting better. It’s just that simple.”

The offspinner had claimed five wickets then forged the match-winning stand with No. 11 Cameron Gannon after a WA collapse

AAP14-Nov-2025

Western Australia captain Sam Whiteman made the most of Queensland’s butter fingers before Corey Rocchiccioli guided the tail home in a thrilling one-wicket Sheffield Shield victory over Queensland.Set 272 for victory from 90 overs on Friday at the WACA Ground, WA went from a comfortable 155 for 2 to a shaky 249 for 9 as Queensland’s attack put the squeeze on.Related

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But Rocchiccioli (24 not out off 37 balls) and No.11 Cameron Gannon (10 not out off 13 balls) showed nerves of steel in an unbeaten 23-run final-wicket stand to guide WA to their first win of the season with 7.3 overs remaining.Whiteman, in his 100th Shield match, was the rock at the top of the order, with his knock of 81 off 170 balls helping set up victory. But he had some luck along the way.The 32-year-old was yet to score when he was dropped at second slip by substitute fielder Hugh Weibgen, who was on the field for the rested Matt Renshaw (knee).Whiteman was dropped again on 47, this time in the deep by another substitute fielder – Benji Floros.Cameron Bancroft, Hilton Cartwright and Cameron Green failed to go on with their starts, while Cooper Connolly was out for just 2 as Queensland worked their way back into the contest.Xavier Bartlett loomed as the biggest threat to WA’s victory hopes, with the home side going from slipping to 159 for 4 when he struck twice in the space of three overs by having Green caught on the pull and Connolly flashing a top edge to the keeper.Whiteman’s luck finally ran out when he hooked Gurinder Sandhu to the deep and Angus Lovell took a tumbling catch, reducing WA to 180 for 5.WA still needed 55 more runs for victory when Aaron Hardie fell for 12, and when Josh Inglis departed for 28, WA’s tail was well and truly exposed.But Rocchiccioli and Gannon stood up when counted, reviving WA’s season after they began with two losses and a draw.It wasn’t only Queensland’s dropped catches on Friday that proved costly.They were cruising at 183 for 4 in their second innings late on Thursday before a collapse struck. Player of the match Rocchiccioli snared four quick wickets as Queensland slumped to 187 for 8 by stumps.Rocchiccioli claimed another wicket on Friday morning to help dismiss Queensland for 203.

Afghanistan completed their decimation of Bangladesh, wrapping up a 3-0 ODI series win with a 200-run win in the third game in Abu Dhabi. After managing to put up 293 for 9, they shot out Bangladesh for just 93. Afghanistan’s ODI series win comes by the same margin as Bangladesh’s in the T20Is.After Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi bookended Afghanistan’s batting effort with excellent half-centuries, seamer Bilal Sami took his maiden five-wicket haul. But much of the rout came about once again due to Rashid Khan, who took three wickets in his first three overs.Bangladesh’s batters capitulated ad nauseum. They hardly any impact on the contest throughout the series, thus continuing the trend in the third game. The procession started with Mohammad Naim struggled for 23 balls before Azmatullah Omarzai had him caught at slip for 7.Leading up to his dismissal, it was only one-way traffic of runs from the other end. Bangladesh looked like they could get out of some early trouble leaning on Saif Hassan. He didn’t disappoint, scoring heavily in the powerplay with a couple of sixes and a four.However, Najmul Hossain Shanto continued his poor form in ODIs when Sami had him bowled off an inside edge. Saif tried to get Bangladesh out of trouble, but hardly had the strike.Then, as it has often happened, it was the Rashid show. Towhid Hridoy fell on his first ball, unable to read the rapid googly. In the next over, it was Saif who missed the googly by a whisker, the ball sneaking through his bat and pad. He finished as the top-scorer with 43 off 54 balls with two fours and three sixes.Ibrahim Zadran fell for 95•Afghanistan Cricket Board

Sami then took his first wicket by getting Mehidy Hasan Miraz caught behind for 6, before Shamim Hossain got run-out next ball. Nurul Hasan had played the Sami delivery towards point, where Nangeyalia Kharote caught Shamim fidgeting out of his crease.Rashid took his third wicket in as many overs when he had Nurul lbw in the 21st over. Bangladesh’s procession continued when Sami added his third by having Tanvir Islam caught-and-bowled in his next over. Rishad became Sami’s fourth victim when he top-edged him to mid-on. Sami took his fifth when Hasan Mahmud holed out in the 28th over.Afghanistan had earlier set themselves up nicely for a big total. Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz sped away to add 99 runs for the first wicket. Gurbaz was, as usual, the enforcer, striking five fours and a scrumptious six in his knock of 42. Zadran wasn’t going to hang back, though, after his sedate 95 in the previous game. He reached his fifty shortly after Gurbaz got out, before adding another 74 runs for the second wicket with Sediqullah Atal.The pair gave Afghanistan the perfect launching pad at 173 for 1 in the 32nd over, but Saif upended their plans at that stage. The part-time offspinner took three wickets in four overs, as Afghanistan lost four wickets for 15 runs in the space of 25 balls.Omarzai struck three fours to keep them afloat, but Afghanistan kept slipping, until they reached 249 for 9 in 48 overs. Nabi was batting at 24 off 25 balls at that stage, but no sooner had Nahid Rana left the ground suddenly after bowling two legal balls in the 49th over that Nabi sprung into action.He struck Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who stepped up to complete Rana’s over, for three sixes in four balls, before pasting Mahmud for a six and three fours in a 19-run last over. Afghanistan picked up 44 runs in the last two overs to upend Bangladesh’s recovery with the ball.

Former England star Stuart Pearce has pinpointed Tottenham Hotspur’s “weakness” after spotting what Cristian Romero did against Manchester United in a “horrific” display.

The Argentina international could only watch on with the rest of Spurs’ backline when Amad Diallo’s floated cross found the head of Bryan Mbeumo, who made no mistake. It summed up a frustrating first-half for Thomas Frank’s side, who were once again blunt going forward. Any progress made in 4-0 mauling of Copenhagen seemed to disappear on the Premier League stage.

Frank must never start £130k-per-week Spurs duo together ever again

Tottenham ended up drawing a frenetic Premier League clash against Manchester United this weekend.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 9, 2025

Unlike against Chelsea last weekend, however, Spurs fought back against Man United and substitute Mathys Tel soon had them level. Setting up a grandstand finish in the 84th minute, the young forward wheeled away in celebration before Richarlison thought he had stolen all three points seven minutes later.

In a familiar sight, the Brazilian ripped his shirt off in belief that he had headed home a dramatic winner, only for Man United’s Matthijs de Ligt to have the final say by scoring a last-gasp equaliser. From a dull first-half, North London was treated to a frantic, entertaining affair.

Whilst complaints have been made about Spurs’ attack in recent weeks, it was their defence that was found wanting this time around as they continued a run of just one win in their last four games.

Frank spoke about the dramatic draw, telling reporters: Thomas: “I saw this game as one game ahead of us, to try to do everything we could to try to win it. That was the aim. I spoke before the game about it’s clear they have improved this season.

“They look, how can you say, more in sync together, especially going forward they look like a big threat. That’s why I actually think, I know we conceded two goals, but if you said to me before the game you concede five shots, I would take that. So we’re all happy.”

The Dane chose to take the positives, but ex-England star Pearce wasn’t so kind and shared exactly where he thinks Spurs’ “weakness” is coming from after the draw.

Pearce pinpoints Tottenham "weakness" in "horrific" Romero display

Speaking on talkSPORT, Pearce told Tottenham that Romero is their biggest “weakness” after a performance against Man United that he described as “horrific”. The former England man was particularly unhappy that the Spurs defender lost possession in midfield before failing to make a recovery run on Saturday afternoon.

With Arsenal up next in the North London derby, Romero must get back to his best and help Spurs end a recent run which has featured just one win in their last four games in all competitions.

Frank things two Tottenham stars are "expendable" with January exit on the cards

Maxwell was struck on the right wrist by a Mitch Owen straight drive while bowling in the nets and will likely miss the India series in late October

Alex Malcolm30-Sep-2025

Australia have suffered another injury blow with Glenn Maxwell ruled out of the T20I series against New Zealand with a fractured right wrist after being hit by a Mitchell Owen straight drive while bowling in the nets in Mount Maunganui.Maxwell has been sent home and will see a specialist in the coming days. It is understood Australia’s medical staff are expecting a relatively quick recovery but he will be in doubt for the five-match home T20I series against India which begins on October 29. He would be more likely to be fit for the start of the BBL in mid-December subject to the advice from the specialist. It adds to a wretched run of injuries for Maxwell dating back to the broken leg in 2022.Sydney Sixers and New South Wales wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe has been called up. Philippe was close to being inclided when Josh Inglis was ruled out with a calf injury but Alex Carey was selected ahead of him.Related

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Philippe is not a like for like replacement for Maxwell, but Australia needed an option to cover Carey if he got injured on the morning of the match as they had only one keeper in the original squad and Maxwell was set to be Australia’s unlikely short term fallback to keep in that scenario.Maxwell’s injury further complicates Australia’s planning towards the 2026 T20 World Cup with the next eight games seen as a key block to bed down their best XI. Australia are now missing two of their most dynamic and versatile batters in Inglis and Maxwell for the series against New Zealand. They are also missing Cameron Green who has remained home to play Sheffield Shield cricket in the lead-up to the Ashes and he will also miss the T20I series against India in order to prioritise his Ashes preparation.Pat Cummins will miss both series due to the hot spot in his back while Nathan Ellis is also missing the New Zealand series for the birth of his first child.Maxwell is also the first-choice fifth bowler in Australia’s line-up and was set to match-up against New Zealand’s left-handers. Matt Short is on return from injury having missed the past two series against West Indies and South Africa and will be needed to bowl some overs. Marcus Stoinis also returns to the squad and will be capable of bowling the overs that Green was unable to in the previous two series.Captain Mitch Marsh is unlikely to bowl again in the short term and remains an unknown as far as bowling goes for the World Cup. Australia is also keen to continue to develop Travis Head’s offspin in the shortest form. He has a decent ODI record with the ball but has only bowled six overs in T20I cricket in 41 matches and none in his last 24 dating back to April 2022.Josh Philippe last played for Australia in 2023•Associated Press

Philippe returns to Australia’s T20I set-up for the first time since 2023 having come off an impressive tour of India with Australia A where he scored 123 not out, 39 and 50 in the two unofficial Tests against India A in Lucknow. But while his red-ball form has been strong in recent years for Australia A, his T20 returns have not been as prolific for Sixers in the BBL.He has made just one half-century across the last two BBL seasons and has struck at under 130 across 24 innings in that time. He has only two scores above 13 in 12 T20Is striking at just 109.48.Australia preferred Carey because of his ability to play as a finisher in a rejigged line-up despite replacing Inglis who is the permanent No. 3. Philippe has opened in half his T20I innings and never batted lower than No. 4. He has only batted lower than No. 4 10 times in his domestic T20 career but has not done so since 2020.

United States forward Trinity Rodman’s future with the Washington Spirit is reportedly uncertain as she weighs more lucrative offers from overseas. Saturday’s NWSL semifinal win over the Portland Thorns at Audi Field may have been her final home appearance, with her contract set to expire next month and extension talks stalling.

• Imagn
  

  Contract negotiations stall

  Rodman, 23, widely regarded as one of the NWSL’s brightest stars and most recognizable American players, has attracted significant interest from European clubs since the summer. She has openly expressed her ambition to play abroad, telling ESPN’s Futbol W earlier this year that she “always thought about playing overseas at some point in my career,” adding that “it’s just a matter of when.”

  However, efforts to retain Rodman within the Spirit or the NWSL have hit a roadblock due to the league’s salary cap restrictions. The NWSL currently enforces a $3.5 million salary cap per team for a roster of up to 26 players, limiting the financial flexibility of clubs to compete for top talent like Rodman. ESPN reported that Rodman’s agent has engaged directly with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman to explore potential solutions, but no resolution has been reached.

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• European clubs offer financial advantages

  ESPN reported Rodman has received several serious offers from clubs abroad, particularly in England, where teams are not bound by salary caps and can offer substantially higher salaries. This financial freedom abroad presents an attractive alternative for Rodman, who is entering a pivotal stage in her career and seeking both competitive growth and financial security.

  The lure of playing in Europe’s top leagues, combined with the opportunity to compete in prestigious tournaments such as the UEFA Women’s Champions League, adds to the appeal of a move overseas.

• NWSL faces challenges retaining top talent

  Rodman’s situation underscores broader challenges facing the NWSL as it seeks to retain elite American players amid increasing competition from European leagues. The league’s salary cap, designed to promote competitive balance and financial sustainability, has inadvertently constrained its ability to match offers from wealthier foreign clubs.

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  Uncertain future as Rodman weighs options

  As the clock ticks toward the expiration of her contract next month, Rodman’s next move remains uncertain. The semifinal win over Portland may serve as a poignant farewell to Spirit supporters if she opts to pursue her career abroad.

For the first time since clinching a second successive European Championship title back in July, England's Lionesses return to action this week, beginning their 'homecoming series' which will take the team around the country as they celebrate the summer's incredible triumph with as many fans as possible. It starts in Manchester on Saturday against Brazil, the South American champions, and moves onto Derby three days later, where Australia will be the visitors, before resuming in November with two more friendlies.

These final two international camps of 2025 are not just an opportunity for the Lionesses to show off that Euros trophy, though. Ahead of qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup beginning in the New Year, Sarina Wiegman can use these four friendlies to experiment a little and see some new players, with there three names in this month's squad who have accepted senior call-ups for England for the first time.

To an extent, there is a need to experiment, too, as Wiegman is missing a number of key players this month. That's particularly the case at centre-back, as Leah Williamson is still sidelined with a knee issue picked up during Euro 2025 and Millie Bright has just this month called time on her international career, and in the forward line, with Lauren James also still working her way back from an injury sustained during the Euros title run, Lauren Hemp having suffered a knock to her ankle last month that rules her out of this camp and the in-form Jess Park, who looked set to provide a solution amid those absentees, a late withdrawal from the squad.

So, what should England fans be looking out for this month? GOAL picks out six things to keep an eye on as the Lionesses return to action:

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  Centre-forward pecking order

  Going into Euro 2025, the centre-forward pecking order felt quite clear. Alessia Russo was England's starting No.9, with Aggie Beever-Jones second in line and Michelle Agyemang, something of a wildcard inclusion by Wiegman, adding to the options. However, Agyemang's impressive impact in the Lionesses' first group-stage game changed everything, with the teenager able to leapfrog Beever-Jones in the depth chart over the course of the tournament, something she justified by scoring in the quarter- and semi-finals.

  How, then, does that look as England return to action for the first time since the Euros? Russo's position will not change but, with Wiegman likely to use the friendlies to rotate and experiment, both Beever-Jones and Agyemang will be out to show what they can do and why they should be the manager's first port of call from the bench. The latter may feel like she has the edge after the Euros, but Beever-Jones is in electric form as the top-scoring Englishwoman in the Women's Super League so far this season.

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  Le Tissier's much-debated role

  Maya Le Tissier has been an unused sub in 12 of England's 13 games in 2025, and yet she comes into this camp as one of the main talking points. That's because, upon unveiling her squad for October, Wiegman once again reiterated that she sees the Manchester United captain as a right-back, not at centre-back, despite her only playing the former position once since joining the Red Devils back in 2022, as the club's social media admin, somewhat incredibly, was keen to point out shortly after those comments were made.

  That United employee is not alone in thinking Wiegman's perspective is strange, though. Arsenal icon Ian Wright, a regular pundit in the women's game, described Le Tissier as the "most consistent English [centre-back] in the league" after seeing the Lionesses' boss' quotes. "I don't understand," he added.

  It's even more of a talking point this month, given the absence of Williamson and Bright's retirement. With Alex Greenwood seemingly, and deservedly, England's first-choice left-sided centre-back, there is a gap on the right to be filled in this camp, if not also in the next, depending on Williamson's recovery. Many believe Le Tissier should get the chance to play there, but it seems more likely that she adds to her eight England appearances by playing the same position she did for her sole cap in 2025, at right-back.

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  Goalkeeping inexperience

  When Mary Earps made the surprise decision to call time on her England career just a few weeks before Euro 2025 began, many wondered – and some even expected – Wiegman to give a shot-stopper other than Hannah Hampton a run out before the Lionesses headed to Switzerland. After all, neither Khiara Keating nor Anna Moorhouse, who completed the goalkeeping unit in the Euros squad, had a cap to their name. However, despite having three opportunities to do so, Wiegman didn't, with both still awaiting their senior England debuts at this point.

  It was understandable in two of those pre-tournament fixtures, as the Lionesses took on Portugal and Spain in the Nations League. The clash with the former ended 6-0, making it seem like a good chance to play Keating or Moorhouse in hindsight, but the reverse fixture saw England held to a frustrating 1-1 draw, so it was not expected to play out like that, while the latter was a meeting with the world champions. That Wiegman stuck with Hampton for the Lionesses' friendly against Jamaica at the end of June was more surprising, though it did also make some sense for consistency going into the Euros.

  These next two camps, then, really feel like the chance for Keating or Moorhouse to get out on the pitch. England have two years to build up to the next World Cup and they will not want to be in a situation for that tournament where only one of their goalkeepers is capped. The Lionesses' November fixtures are a little more favourable in terms of easing a shot-stopper in, as China and Ghana are weaker opponents than Brazil and Australia, but at the end of the day, all of these games are friendlies and Wiegman has to give games to other goalkeepers sooner rather than later.

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  Kelly's minutes

  Despite being the hero of Euro 2025 (and Euro 2022), Chloe Kelly is still trying to force her way into Wiegman's first-choice XI. Yet, it doesn't feel like she comes into this camp primed to make a statement in her quest to do so.

  Kelly ended the 2024-25 season in flying form on loan at Arsenal and looked set to continue that when she made her move to the Gunners permanent over the summer, especially after such a special Euros. However, the forward has only accumulated 234 minutes across the club's first eight games of the season.

  It appears part of the reason why could be fitness related, as Kelly has had noticeable strapping on her knee a few times in recent weeks, with her also not in the squad for Arsenal's second game of the season due to a knock. But her ability to impact games remains evident, with her providing a fantastic assist for the Gunners' last goal before the international break after a quick and clever free-kick teed up Russo against Benfica.

  Is she able to build on that during this camp? Kelly could really use the minutes, as she looks to properly get her 2025-26 season up and running, and the absences of all of James, Hemp, Park and even Grace Clinton, another player who can play out wide but withdrew after the squad announcement with injury, could pave the way for her to get quite a few.

After a dramatic victory on Saturday night for Chelsea, everyone at Stamford Bridge is feeling optimistic once again.

At the weekend, the Blues beat champions Liverpool 2-1, thanks to an absolute rocket from Moisés Caicedo, before the winner came deep in stoppage time, with Marc Cucurella’s low cross turned home at the back post by Estêvão Willian.

Enzo Maresca was shown a red card following a José Mourinho-esque dash down the touchline, but he surely won’t mind too much, given that his side had yielded just a solitary point from their previous three Premier League matches, making this a much-needed statement victory.

Plenty of Chelsea players caught the eye, but is there a future young star, currently out on loan at… yes, you guessed it, who supporters should be even more excited about?

How Estêvão Willian has announced himself at Chelsea

As has been their want, Chelsea have signed countless young attacking players in the last three seasons, but few surely boast as much potential as Estêvão Willian.

Despite only celebrating his 18th birthday as recently as March, he has already earned seven senior caps for Brazil, scoring against Chile at the Maracanã last month, making 83 appearances for Palmeiras, scoring 27 goals and registering 15 assists.

With the Verdão, he won a Brasileirão title as well as firing the São Paulo-based side to the quarter-finals of last summer’s Club World Cup, on target against his future employers in defeat in Philadelphia in July, giving Chelsea fans an amuse-bouche of what he would bring.

Thus, by the time he arrived in West London, he did so with sky-high expectations; former Chelsea player and manager Roberto Di Matteo for one asserted that he will become one of the best players in the world.

Well, having been somewhat in and out of the team to date, Saturday’s last-gasp winner against Liverpool could be the moment Estêvão announces himself to the world, but do Chelsea have an even bigger talent waiting in the wings?

Chelsea's next Eden Hazard could rival Estêvão

Chelsea acquire so many attacking teenagers that one often wonders if they remember they’ve signed them all, but in Kendry Páez, they may have stumbled across a future world-beater.

In a deal agreed over two years ago, the 18-year-old arrived from Independiente del Valle this summer for a reported fee of £17.27m, before being immediately loaned out to Strasbourg; must’ve been some tough negotiations.

Despite his youthful age, he has already accumulated 20 caps for World Cup-bound Ecuador, scoring during just his second appearance for la Tricolor against Bolivia in La Paz, before also converting a Copa América penalty as his side beat Jamaica 3-1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

His club performances in Ecuador, as well as in the Copa Libertadores, certainly caught the eye, with Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labelling him a “pure quality talent”, while Jack Manship of Total Football Analysis praised his ‘remarkable feat’ and ‘dazzling’ dribbling ability, outlining how he can be both deployed centrally or on either flank.

Páez has adapted quickly to life at BlueCo’s other club, Strasbourg, scoring his first Ligue 1 goal last month, heading home at Stade Jean-Bouin as Liam Rosenior’s side beat Paris FC 3-2 in the capital.

So, let’s assess his statistics in France so far this season.

Minutes

355

10th

Goals

1

4th

Shots

7

4th

Shots on target

3

2nd

Passes into box

10

3rd

Progressive carries

13

2nd

Carries into box

7

1st

Attempted take-ons

12

5th

Touches in box

15

2nd

As the table documents, it is early in both Páez career in general but also his time at Stade de la Meinau, how ever long that may be, but he is already having an impact for les Bleu et Blanc.

His numbers in terms of progressive carries and carries into the opposition’s penalty area are both particularly eye-catching, reminiscent of, arguably, Chelsea’s greatest ever attacker, another winger who made his name in Ligue 1.

Before moving to West London in 2013, Eden Hazard featured 194 times for Lille, scoring 50 goals and registering 53 assists, winning both the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France with les Dogues in 2011.

He would go on to star for Chelsea, scoring 110 goals in total, many of which were spectacular and mesmerising, none more so than this solo effort against West Ham in 2019, his best and final season for the Blues, scoring 21 times as Maurizio Sarri’s side picked up the Europa League trophy in Baku.

Well, if Páez turns out to be half the player Hazard was, the £17m paid to secure the teenager’s signature will prove to be money well spent.

In wide attacking areas, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto and match-winner Estêvão all featured during the victory over Liverpool, not forgetting the injured talisman Cole Palmer, but Páez could prove to be the best of the lot.

83 touches, 8 duels won: Chelsea star is even more undroppable than Caicedo

Estêvão Willian’s stoppage time winner saw Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday, but another star in Blue impressed even more than Moisés Caicedo.

ByBen Gray Oct 5, 2025

علّق الإعلامي أحمد شوبير على تطورات أزمة مباراة الأهلي أمام إيجل نوار البوروندي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، وتقدّم القلعة الحمراء بتظلم رسمي إلى الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف” ضد قرارات الحكم السنغالي عيسى سي التي أثارت الجدل.

وقال شوبير خلال برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الإثنين: “النادي الأهلي أعلن رسميًا تقدمه بتظلم إلى الاتحاد الإفريقي ضد قرارات الحكم عيسى سي، وطالب برفع الإيقاف عن جراديشار، لو حدث هذا الموقف في أوروبا، لتم رفع الإيقاف فورًا، وتوقيف الحكم أيضًا، لكن في إفريقيا لا يمكن ضمان أي رد فعل واضح”.

وأضاف: “التحكيم الإفريقي في منتهى السوء، وهذا ليس أمرًا جديدًا، شاهدوا ما حدث أمس في مباراة الاتحاد الليبي، حين اعتدى حارس المرمى على صلاح محسن، ولم يرد اللاعب بنفس القوة، ومع ذلك أنذر الحكم الحارس وطرد صلاح! نفس السيناريو يتكرر دائمًا في مباريات الأندية المصرية”.

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وتابع: “نصيحتي لصلاح محسن: أنت لاعب مهم للغاية في الوقت الحالي، لذا ابتعد عن الاحتكاكات والمشادات غير الضرورية، تجنّب المشاكل، فمثل هذه المواقف لا فائدة منها وغالبًا ما تكون نتائجها سلبية”.

وواصل: “في رأيي، سيكتفي الاتحاد الإفريقي بإيقاف جراديشار مباراة واحدة فقط في دور المجموعات، وسيتعرض الحكم أيضًا لعقوبة الإيقاف، خاصة بعد التغييرات الأخيرة في لجنة الحكام داخل (كاف)، التي لم تستقر بعد على نهج واضح في قراراتها”.

واختتم شوبير تصريحاته قائلاً: “أتمنى أن تنضبط الأمور قريبًا، لأن الوضع الحالي أصبح مزعجًا للغاية، والتحكيم الإفريقي يحتاج إلى وقفة جادة لإصلاحه”.

The Mumbai captain also explained that the decision to retire out Tilak Varma in the previous match was a “tactical” one

Shashank Kishore07-Apr-2025Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians (MI) captain, explained that the decision to retire Tilak Varma out during their previous match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was a “tactical” move, though an injury also played a role.Tilak, who was called back with MI needing 24 off seven against LSG, contributed 56 off 29 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Monday, his 89-run stand off just 34 balls with Hardik (42 off 15) setting the stage for a thrilling finish, before RCB fought back to seal the game.”Tilak was fantastic,” Hardik said at the post-match presentation. “Last game, a lot of things happened. People made [up] a lot of things about it, but people don’t know he had a nasty hit the previous day [in the nets]. It was a tactical call, but because of the finger injury the coach felt someone fresh can do it. But he was fantastic today.”Related

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Hardik also explained the rationale behind moving Naman Dhir down the order. Dhir made 46 off 24 from No. 3 in their previous game to set the tone for the chase of 204. On Monday at Wankhede, he was pushed to No. 7. By the time he came into bat in the 18th over, MI needed 34 off 14.”In the original skeleton of our team, Naman was always batting down the order. Last game Ro [Rohit Sharma] wasn’t available [knee injury] and we had to push someone up. He has the multi-dimensional game where he can come up and play at death as well. But once Ro was back, we knew Naman had to come down.”Hardik didn’t want to pin the blame for MI’s third loss in four games on his bowlers, especially in conditions he felt were unforgiving. “I think the way the wicket was, the bowlers didn’t have anywhere to hide,” he said. “It came down to execution. If someone executed well, you couldn’t stop the batters, but I don’t want to be harsh on the bowlers, it was a tough track, they didn’t have many options.”Hardik expressed delight at having Jasprit Bumrah back from a long injury layoff. Bumrah was MI’s most economical bowler, conceding just 29 off his four overs, while every other bowler went at over 10 an over. “Very good, having him makes the team, any team really special,” Hardik said. “He came and did his job. Having him is good, very happy.”Asked where this defeat put his team as far as the season goes, Hardik had a simple message: “In life, never back down. Always see the positive side of it. The message is clear: go out, play the best cricket of your life, back yourself. We are all backing them. The team knows that, hope for result to come our way.”