Os confrontos das quartas de final do Brasileirão Feminino foram definidos nesta segunda-feira (12), após a rodada final da primeira fase do torneio. Dos oito classificados às quartas de final, cinco são paulistas: Corinthians, Ferroviária, Palmeiras, São Paulo e Santos.
RelacionadasCorinthiansRomero negociável? Dirigente atualiza situação do atacante paraguaio no CorinthiansCorinthians12/06/2023PalmeirasCabe no time? Saiba por que Kevin de Bruyne recebeu uma camisa do PalmeirasPalmeiras12/06/2023São PauloCalleri fora do São Paulo? Time do México assiste clássico no Morumbi e está disposto a pagar multaSão Paulo12/06/2023
+ Ruan Oliveira entra no segundo tempo e evita derrota do Corinthians contra o Cuiabá; veja notas
O grande confronto do mata-mata será o Choque-Rei entre Palmeiras e São Paulo. As Palestrinas terminaram a primeira fase em segundo lugar, atrás do Corinthians, enquanto o Tricolor do Morumbi garantiu o 7° lugar ao vencer o Grêmio por 3 a 0.
+ Todos os jogos doBrasileirãovocê encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!
VEJA OS CONFRONTOS DAS QUARTAS DE FINAL DO BRASILEIRÃO FEMININO
Corinthians (1º) x Cruzeiro (8º)
Palmeiras (2º) x São Paulo (7º)
Ferroviária (3º) x Internacional (6º)
Santos (4º) x Flamengo (5º)
A CBF ainda não definiu horários e locais dos confrontos, mas os jogos de ida serão disputados entre os dias 17 e 18 de junho, com o time melhor classificado fazendo a segunda partida em casa. Em caso de igualdade nos placares, o duelo
Na parte de baixo, Bahia, Ceará, Real Ariquemes e Athetico-PR foram rebaixados à Série B
+ Veja tabela e os próximos jogos do Brasileirão
A SEGUNDA FASE VEM AÍ! ????????
Tudo definido! Teremos clássicos estaduais e nacionais para conhecermos as classificadas para a semifinal! E aí, pra quem vai a sua torcida? pic.twitter.com/Txj1Aae9A9
— Brasileirão Feminino Neoenergia (@BRFeminino) June 12, 2023
Manchester City have now held talks with the agents of a “world-class” star, who is also being targeted by Arsenal.
Man City keen on new forward despite dominant victory over Wolves
Man City got off to a fantastic start to the new Premier League season, laying down a marker by winning 4-0 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and two of Pep Guardiola’s summer additions marked their league debuts with a goal.
Indeed, both Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders got on the scoresheet, with the latter also providing an assist for Erling Haaland’s second goal, in what was a dominant display from the Blues.
Gary Neville has even been forced to reconsider his predictions for the season, in light of City’s fantastic performance, saying: “We could look back in six months and be saying it was staring us in the face because City have got a treble-winning spine, they’ve got new players in who look outstanding and they’ve got the best forward in the league.”
Neville is correct to point out that Guardiola is blessed with some top-quality attacking options, but one forward who didn’t feature against Wolves is Savinho, as the Brazilian is being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Now, according to a report from The Boot Room, Manchester City have identified Real Madrid star Rodrygo as their ideal replacement for Savinho, and they have now made fresh contact with the Brazilian’s agents.
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Arsenal are also in the race for the Madrid forward, however, with sporting director Andrea Berta currently working on a deal, which could be on the expensive side, with a potential transfer fee of £86m recently being touted.
With Savinho keen on a move to Tottenham, it is looking more likely that City may pursue the Madrid star, but it could be difficult to win the race, given that the Gunners have a strong relationship with the Spanish side.
However, since then, Guillem Balague has stated that City, right now, are set to keep Savinho, which would rule out any move for Rodrygo in the process.
"World-class" Rodrygo could be Savinho upgrade
Not only is Rodrygo far more experienced than Savinho at the top level, having amassed 39 goal contributions in 64 Champions League appearances, but he has also outperformed his compatriot in front of goal over the past year.
Real Madrid'sRodrygoarrives at the stadium before the match
Indeed, despite a promising debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium on the assist front, with the 21-year-old setting up 10 Premier League goals, the youngster has averaged just 0.08 non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, compared to the 24-year-old’s 0.33.
The former Santos man has also received high praise from Real Madrid legend Luka Modric, who dubbed his former teammate as “world-class”.
As such, Rodrygo could be an upgrade on Savinho, but the reported £86m asking price is prohibitive, and rival interest from Arsenal could hamper a deal.
Jamie Carragher has poked holes in Mikel Arteta's claims that his Arsenal side are not playing with the "handbrake" on. The Gunners rescued a point in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the weekend, a result that saw them slip five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. Although Arteta has talked up his team's offensive capabilities, Carragher isn't buying what he's selling.
Arteta hits back at 'handbrake off' criticism
After Arsenal's stalemate with City at the weekend, pundit Gary Neville took aim at Arteta's tactics, which yielded just three shots on target from a dominant 67 per cent possession.
The ex-Manchester United defender said on his self-titled podcast: "Does [Arteta] know how to get the players over the line throughout the season? Did the players know how to get over the line? That's the doubt I've got about Arsenal, and it isn't going to go away until someone proves me wrong. I like watching them play, but they've got to take the handbrake off."
In response, Arsenal manager Arteta said, "How can you be so dominant against such a team if you have the handbrake on? Dominance and handbrake are two different words. Look at the players we have, starting with the most attacking 'keeper in the league by far. When I watched the game back and saw the stats, I was surprised. Because it was impossible for somebody to predict such dominance from Arsenal throughout 96 minutes. It never happened in 17 years of Pep Guardiola as a manager."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesCarragher lays into Arteta
Following the victory, Carragher said Arsenal "wasted" 45 minutes after not really laying a glove on City; plus, they had to rely on a stoppage-time equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli to get something from the game. Now, he is suggesting that Arteta's response doesn't hold up to scrutiny.
He said on the podcast: "[Arteta] started with the goalkeeper, saying 'we've got the most attacking goalkeeper in the league'. Then he mentioned something about his full-backs and I thought 'that's not right', because his full-backs are centre-backs. I played in a back four under Gerard Houllier; it was four centre-backs. That's not far away from what Arsenal have got.
"He then mentions [Martin] Zubimendi, okay, a creative player in the No. 6. He then talked about a wide player playing centre forward last season. He was almost trying to argue against it, but wasn't really making that much sense.
"I can understand him defending himself and not listening to the pundits but I thought I hope he's not doubling down on what he's said there to his coaching staff and players. Because what he was actually saying, I'm not quite sure stacked up in proving they are a really offensive team. The team is there in front of you."
Pressure on Arsenal to deliver Premier League title
Few would argue that Arteta has not improved Arsenal during six years in charge, but they have spent around £1 billion ($1.33bn) on players since they last won a trophy – an FA Cup in 2020. Some believe he is copying Jose Mourinho's pragmatic blueprint to grind out wins rather than taking it to the opposition. After a hat-trick of Premier League runner-up finishes, the Spaniard is under pressure to end thissilverware drought and win the English top-flight for the first time since 2004. But with Liverpool flying high in the league, Arsenal cannot afford too many more slip-ups.
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GettyArsenal risk falling away in title race
Arsenal sit second in the Premier League, behind Arne Slot's defending champions, and next up, they are preparing to face a foe that has bested them more often than not on their own patch.
Newcastle United lie in wait on Sunday at St James' Park, a ground the Gunners have not had much joy at in recent years. In fact, the Magpies have won four on the bounce in all competitions at home when facing the north London team, something Arteta will want to put right this weekend.
After that, they host Olympiacos in their second game of the league phase in the Champions League on Wednesday, before entertaining London neighbours West Ham on October 4. If Arsenal fail to win these next two league games, Liverpool could be out of sight before too long.
The mood around West Ham United today could not be more different to the one around the club last week.
There are still plenty of issues that need to be addressed, but a thumping 3-0 Premier League win away to Nottingham Forest, combined with some brilliant signings, has given fans plenty to be optimistic about.
It’s been a pretty good summer for the Hammers so far, with the likes of Mateus Fernandes, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Soungoutou Magassa and Kyle Walker-Peters all quality additions.
WestHamUnitedplayers celebrate after the match
Moreover, with the window closing at 7pm tonight, West Ham could be closing in on another top signing, someone who could be their own Marc Guehi.
West Ham target their own Guehi
According to a recent report from Jacob Steinberg, West Ham are interested in Axel Disasi.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
More than that, Steinberg has revealed that the Hammers have already contacted the Blues over a potential loan move for the player.
However, the journalist has also stated that it “remains to be seen” whether the two sides can come to an agreement on the finances of a deal for the £80k-per-week titan.
It might not be the most exciting signing the Irons could make this summer, but Disasi could be an excellent addition to Graham Potter’s defence, and their own Guehi.
Why Disasi could be West Ham's Guehi
So, given the reputation that Disasi has cultivated in recent seasons, the comparison to Guehi might sound absurd to some of you.
Disasi
However, we aren’t really claiming that the Chelsea ace is on the same level as the soon-to-be Liverpool star, but there are some similarities between the pair, and who knows, with the proper coaching and mentoring, West Ham could be getting their hands on a gem of a player.
With that said, what are some of these similarities?
Well, first and foremost, the French defender is actually far more accomplished with the ball at his feet than people tend to give him credit for.
According to FBref, he sits in the top 5% of centre-backs across Europe’s top-five leagues for pass completion, the top 7% for successful take-on percentage, the top 10% for total carrying distance and the top 15% for live passes, all per 90.
Disasi’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Goals/Shot
0.20
Top 4%
Touches (Def 3rd)
24.70
Top 4%
Goals/Shot on Target
1.00
Top 5%
Pass Completion %
87.9%
Top 5%
% of Aerials Won
65.4%
Top 5%
Non-Penalty Goals – npxG
+0.06
Top 7%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
89.8%
Top 7%
SCA (Defensive Action)
0.09
Top 7%
Successful Take-On %
57.9%
Top 7%
Pass Completion % (Short)
93.5%
Top 8%
Touches (Mid 3rd)
35.91
Top 9%
Total Carrying Distance
219.12
Top 10%
Aerials Won
1.56
Top 11%
Passes Blocked
0.83
Top 12%
Carries
40.96
Top 13%
Progressive Carrying Distance
111.12
Top 13%
Live-ball Passes
53.27
Top 15%
All Stats via FBref
In other words, while he might not show it as much as the Palace star, the 27-year-old is more than capable of playing out from the back, baiting the press and starting attacks.
Another key similarity he shares with the Englishman is his physicality.
At 6 foot 3, the Gonesse-born “monster,” as dubbed by journalist Rahman Osman, is not someone who is easily bullied off the ball, and he puts that height to good use in the air as well, with FBref ranking him in the top 5% of centre-backs for percentage of aerial duels won, per 90.
Finally, like the Abidjan-born star, should this deal go through, the former AS Monaco gem would be another centre-back discarded by Chelsea, which could be the perfect thing for his career at this point.
Ultimately, while Disasi is not on the same level as Guehi at the moment, there are some key similarities between the two, and on loan, there isn’t much risk in West Ham bringing him to the London Stadium.
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Pakistan have, by far, the longer and more varied pace-bowling tradition. But don’t count out the Bangladesh bowlers on Thursday. It is not only the Bangladesh camp that is saying this. Pakistan’s white-ball coach Aaqib Javed, who has worked with Bangladesh quicks in the past, believes so too.Bangladesh have four big options. The tallest, fastest and youngest is Nahid Rana. They also have the experienced Taskin Ahmed, who has rejuvenated his game over the past several years. Mustafizur Rahman brings the left-arm angle and variety. And Tanzim Hasan has control and hustle. Javed is certainly not taking Bangladesh’s quicks lightly. They had already been good in Rawalpindi last year, though in a Test match. Taskin and Nahid had collectively taken nine wickets in a Bangladesh win.”I watched Bangladesh fast bowlers bowling against Pakistan here – and the way they bowled in West Indies – and I think they have very skilful fast bowlers,” Javed said. “Especially Nahid Rana. He’s got height, and he’s got pace. Taskin is a very skilful bowler. Another one is Mustafiz, who is very experienced, and he’s got all the varieties. I’m glad even the Bangladeshi fast bowlers are coming good.”Related
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Aaqib Javed's post mortem: Lack of experience hurt Pakistan
This is likely the best seam-bowling unit Bangladesh have ever brought to a tournament, though their batters have scored too few runs to really give them a chance of imposing themselves. Perhaps, rain allowing, that can change on Thursday.In fact, given Jasprit Bumrah is almost inarguably the best white-ball bowler in the world (though he is not playing this tournament), and Sri Lanka also has a pace battery that runs deeper than ever (though they are not playing in this tournament), this is the closest thing to a fast-bowling golden age South Asia has ever had.Bangladesh assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin agreed that Bangladesh’s seam stocks were strong. Some of this is down to the country having switched to the Dukes ball in their first-class cricket over the last few seasons. The Dukes ball has a prouder seam that tends to last longer through the innings, which encourages fast bowling. Salahuddin was excited about the prospect of more Bangladesh quicks coming through the system into international cricket.”We now have plenty of fast bowlers in Bangladesh who can perform at the international level,” he said. “We have youngsters coming up too. It is a good sign that our fast bowlers can dominate teams in these flat tracks. I feel Taskin, Rana and Mustafiz is our best bowling attack. They are learning, but, hopefully, one day they will dominate world cricket.”Though Bangladesh, like Pakistan, have lost both matches so far and are out of the Champions Trophy, Salahuddin said there was plenty to be gained from the match.”It is definitely a dead rubber since there’s no consequence for either team. But we are here to play a tournament, and this is our last match, so we want to see the players do well,” he said. “We have plenty of room for improvement, so we don’t want to repeat the mistakes from the previous matches. I think every match is important for the players. It might be a turning point for a particular player or even our team. This might be the end of this tournament, but the players have a future ahead of them.”
Judgement on Ruben Amorim’s spell as Manchester United manager has been held back, after the 40-year-old took the reins at Old Trafford midway through the previous campaign.
He joined the club in November 2024, leaving Sporting CP to take the reins after Erik ten Hag was dismissed from the role after a dismal start to the season.
However, this window has been the first chance for the boss to make his own stamp on the first-team squad – already spending big money in his quest for Premier League success.
Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo have all joined the Red Devils, with the attacking trio setting the hierarchy back around £200m this window.
Despite the big-money additions, other areas of the pitch are set for further investment, undoubtedly helping the manager be a success during his tenure at the club.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimapplauds fans after the match
United’s pursuit of Carlos Baleba & Adam Wharton
The midfield area of the pitch has been the latest on United’s shortlist, resulting in Brighton star Carlos Baleba being the main name touted with a move to Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old, who made 34 appearances in England’s top-flight last campaign, had previously held talks with Amorim’s side, but no deal could be completed for his signature.
The Seagulls were demanding a £100m fee to part with the Cameroonian, but changed their stance, stating the youngster wasn’t for sale at any price during the summer window.
Such a decision has seen attention being turned towards Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton, but a deal for the Englishman would also cost a pretty penny, given his tender age.
At just 21, he’s already made seismic waves in the Premier League, even being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships back in 2024.
His current employers are also demanding a fee in the region of £100m to offload the midfielder, with such a sum evidently too much, resulting in various other options being considered by the hierarchy.
The latest on United’s hunt for a new midfielder this summer
In an attempt to bolster the midfield, United have since turned their attention to Sevilla star Lucien Agoume over recent days, offering the side a cheaper alternative compared to the aforementioned targets.
Lucien Agoume in action against Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe.
It’s been reported that the LaLiga outfit are currently demanding a fee in the region of £35m for the 23-year-old, who made 37 appearances in all competitions throughout 2024/25.
However, he’s not the only Frenchman currently in their sights, with the Red Devils also closely monitoring a move for Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that Amorim’s side are preparing a £69m bid to land the 22-year-old star, who could be an immediate and long-term option at the heart of the side.
It also states that Xabi Alonso’s side could be open to allowing the former Rennes star to depart before the transfer deadline, but it’s unclear if the player would be open to a switch to Old Trafford.
Why United’s target would be a better signing than Baleba & Wharton
Given their experience in England’s top-flight, supporters may prefer any deal to land Baleba and Wharton this summer, but they could cost the hierarchy a pretty penny.
Adam Wharton in action against Chelsea.
Deals in isolation could prove to be worth it, but given the money splashed elsewhere, cheaper alternatives will have to be considered if the side are to land the reinforcements they crave.
Options such as Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte have often failed to deliver when called upon, as seen by the Uruguayan’s speculative effort in the defeat against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Bruno Fernandes will operate in a deep-lying position, but he will need a partner alongside him at the heart of the side if they are to have any chance of success in 2025/26.
A deal for Camavinga would provide just that, with the Frenchman a cheaper alternative than the pair, but also a more experienced one in the club’s hunt for future success.
Despite the Frenchman’s tender age, he’s already racked up 41 Champions League appearances, having the ability to offer top-level European experience – that’s if the Red Devils manage to qualify for such a competition under Amorim.
When delving into his stats from the previous campaign, he managed to produce numerous impressive numbers that rank him among Europe’s elite.
Games played
19
Goals & assists
3
Pass accuracy
88%
Progressive passes
4.9
Progressive carries
2.2
Tackles entered
3.4
Interceptions made
1.5
Blocks made
2.1
Aerials won
1.6
According to FBref, Camavinga ranked in the 98th percentile for tackles made in LaLiga last season, whilst also in the 96th percentile for blocks made – leading to Raj Chohan labelling him a “monster”.
Such numbers are simply superb, undoubtedly handing Amorim the ball-winner he’s desperately craved, which could free up Fernandes to operate in a free role at the heart of the side.
However, in possession, the Madrid star was just as impressive, completing 88% of the passes he attempted, with 4.9 of his efforts being labelled as progressive – having the tools to provide the new additions ahead of him the chance to impress.
His talents are further reflected in his tally of 1.6 aerials won per 90, also putting him in the 87th percentile, an asset that could make him a key threat at both ends of the pitch.
£69m would be an excellent price for a young star with bags of experience at the very top of the European game, having the chance to improve further, given his tender age.
The difference between Camavinga and the likes of Baleba and Wharton is truly staggering, with United making a better addition should they land the Frenchman, given his career achievements up to now.
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Glasgow Rangers will be going in search of their first win of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season when they welcome Hearts to Ibrox on Saturday.
The Light Blues have drawn all four of their games in the division so far, the latest being the 0-0 draw with Celtic last time out, and need to get three points on the board this weekend.
Russell Martin has confirmed, though, that Nicolas Raskin will not play any part of the clash with the Jam Tarts, after he was also left out of the squad to face Celtic before the international break.
The manager explained: “Every player has a duty to earn the trust of his team-mates and coaching staff to help us win football matches. We have to be on the pitch with trust and feeling and clarity and that’s it. I think the most important thing is Nico knows why, the players know why and we all move forward.
“He’s part of the squad in training and he needs to help that and put himself back in the squad to help us win matches. It is resolved he is still here, he is training with the group now, so it’s fine.”
Supporters will surely be hoping that the Belgian talent is back on the pitch for Rangers sooner rather than later, because he has the quality to be an influential figure for the team.
Why Rangers need Nicolas Raskin back on the pitch
The Light Blues need Raskin on the pitch because he is a central midfielder who provides qualities in and out of possession as a box-to-box star.
His attributes on and off the ball mean that he can influence games at both ends of the pitch, by breaking up opposition attacks and by making an impact in the final third.
Defensively, Raskin has shown that he can provide a combative presence in the middle of the park by making tackles, interceptions, and ball recoveries on a regular basis, domestically and in Europe.
Appearances
33
12
Tackles per game
2.8
3.7
Interceptions per game
0.6
1.3
Ball recoveries per game
5.6
7.4
Ground duel success rate
57%
50%
Aerial duel success rate
56%
55%
As you can see in the table above, the Belgium international won the majority of his duels on the ground and in the air in the 2024/25 campaign, whilst making plenty of defensive interventions each game.
These statistics show that he can break up play ahead of the back four to protect the defence and Jack Butland, which is something that is needed right now after 17 goals conceded so far this season.
Raskin’s form in the 2024/25 campaign also shows that he has the quality to provide a big threat in possession as both a scorer and a creator of goals, to go along with his defensive efforts.
The Belgian star delivered five goals and 11 assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, and could provide the creativity that Rangers lacked against Celtic, as they failed to create any ‘big chances’.
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Whilst these statistics explain why Rangers need Raskin back in the first-team squad for matches, there is another Light Blues outcast who should be moved on by sporting director Kevin Thelwell.
Rabbi Matondo did not complete a move away from Ibrox before the end of the Scottish summer transfer window, but Thelwell must find a way to finally move on from the winger, whether that is now or in the January transfer window at the start of next year.
Why Rangers need to move on from Rabbi Matondo
Raskin and Matondo both reportedly earn £15k-per-week at Rangers, but the club have not been getting equal value out of them on the pitch in recent seasons.
In fact, the Wales international spent the 2024/25 campaign out on loan at Hannover in the 2. Bundesliga because Philippe Clement decided that he was not going to make his first-team squad.
Rangers, who signed the forward from Schalke for a fee of £2.5m in the summer of the 2022, need to finally part ways with the attacker because he has not done enough on the pitch since his move to Ibrox.
Matondo has had his moments for the Gers, including the goal against Celtic in the clip above, but he has only scored eight goals in all competitions for the first-team in the last three years.
As well as struggling for consistency on the pitch, the former Manchester City youngster has also struggled to stay fit throughout his time at Ibrox, and on loan in Germany last term.
25/26
1
3
24/25
1
23
23/24
2
19
22/23
1
20
As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old winger has not been reliable enough with his availability in recent seasons, already missing three games at the start of the current campaign.
Matondo, who Kris Boyd claimed has “blistering pace”, cannot be relied upon by Martin because of these consistent injury issues, which is why the manager should not look to reintegrate him into the team.
The Welsh international should, instead, be moved on by Thelwell, whether that is to a club whose window remains open now or to a team in January, because of his performance and injury issues.
Matondo has only scored seven goals in 44 matches in the Scottish Premiership for Rangers in his career, per Transfermarkt, and this shows that he has not been an elite talent for the team even when he has been fit.
The wide player’s underwhelming contributions in the final third and his injury problems suggest that the Gers have not got as much out of their £15k-per-week than they have for Raskin, who won the club’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards for the 2024/25 campaign.
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It is now down to the club, Martin, and Thelwell to find a solution for Matondo in the coming weeks or months, because, to this point, he has been a flop at Ibrox.
While a much-changed side slipped up in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, it was Sunderland’s wasteful finishing that cost them on the road at Burnley at the weekend.
Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats were lethal, on the contrary, when swatting West Ham United aside 3-0 to kick off the new Premier League campaign. But, at Turf Moor, nine efforts on the Clarets’ goal would go begging, with Eliezer Mayenda, in particular, guilty of fluffing his lines when failing to fire home a point-blank effort early into the first half.
The defence wasn’t without its faults in Lancashire, either, as both of Burnley’s on-target efforts on the day were tucked away, leaving Le Bris with a whole host of late targets on his shopping list to improve the Wearside outfit all across the pitch.
Sunderland pushing to sign £24m titan
The Frenchman will just pray his team can find consistent results moving forward, knowing performances such as the one dished up at Burnley could result in an instant collapse back down to the Championship.
In a bid to introduce more star quality to the ranks, Sunderland are now being tipped to make a last-ditch £30m move for RC Strasbourg attacker Dilane Bakwa, on top of also being interested in the prospect of snapping up Chelsea reserve defender Axel Disasi to add more Premier League-recognised defenders to the group.
Sunderland are also still in the hunt for long-term target Jhon Lucumi from Bologna to bolster at the back, with another twist in the tale reported by journalist Eduardo Burgos, via X.
Despite lining up for his current employers during their opening contest in Serie A, the Colombian – who looks to be available for a fee around the £24m region – is still pushing for a move at the final hour, with Sunderland even opening back up negotiations with Vincenzo Italiano’s men to finally get a deal over the line.
Jhon Lucumi for Bologna.
If the deal finally were to have legs, this would be a far more impressive purchase to seal than going after Disasi, especially if Lucumi is open to relocating to English shores for less than the Chelsea reserve centre-back’s price tag.
Why Lucumi would be a better signing than Disasi
Unfortunately, despite showing promising early signs at Stamford Bridge, Disasi has become another forgotten man in Enzo Maresca’s overloaded camp.
The former AS Monaco colossus would shine in spurts for Chelsea when used frequently during the 2023/24 season, with an unerring 91% pass accuracy averaged across his 31 Blues league encounters, as per Sofascore.
However, he has also been prone to a lackadaisical error on the ball in the first team picture at Chelsea, as seen in this costly moment last season that saw now Chelsea attacker Liam Delap run away with confidence, before teeing up Omari Hutchinson to gift Ipswich Town a shock 2-0 lead.
The same lax errors seeping into his game on Wearside would be potentially detrimental to Sunderland’s survival chances, with Lucumi far more well-versed in what it takes to be a success at a challenging top-flight level in the Serie A, away from Disasi, who has largely flattered to deceive at Stamford Bridge.
Lucumi vs Disasi (League – 24/25)
Stat – per 90*
Lucumi
Disasi
Games
33
13
Goals
0
1
Assists
1
0
Touches*
73.2
52.2
Accurate passes*
57.9 (92%)
37.7 (90%)
Tackles
1.7
1.2
Total duels won*
3.9
3.1
Clean sheets
10
2
Stats by Sofascore
Indeed, last season saw Lucumi solidify his position as one of Bologna’s main starters, with a formidable ten clean sheets picked up as Italiano’s men finished in a comfortable ninth final spot.
Le Bris will be dreaming of similar secure finishes down the line at the Black Cats, with Lucumi actually trumping Disasi’s assured passing numbers at his Chelsea peak when also averaging a 92% pass accuracy last campaign, leading to analyst Ben Mattinson hailing the South American as “ice-cold” for his composure with the ball at his feet.
Bologna's Jhon Lucumi in action against Angel Di Maria in the Champions League.
The towering 6-foot-2 titan can also put his lofty frame to good use with 3.9 duels won on average, meaning he might well prove to be an ideal replacement for Daniel Ballard, too, if the Northern Irishman is resigned to another stay in the Stadium of Light treatment room after coming off injured at Burnley.
While Disasi was once previously dubbed a “monster” for his heroics at Chelsea by journalist Rahman Osman, it’s clear now that his stock has worryingly declined in West London.
On the other hand, for roughly £6m less than the Frenchman, Sunderland might well be able to poach a stronger alternative target in Lucumi, who is still very much stuck in his Bologna prime.
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Ashleigh Gardner’s right index finger injury has been confirmed to be a fracture, and she has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series between New Zealand and Australia as a result. “She will have further scans and seek specialist advice on return to Sydney,” a Cricket Australia statement on Saturday said.Ellyse Perry will stand in as deputy to captain Tahlia McGrath in Gardner’s absence, while Charli Knott, the 22-year-old uncapped batting allrounder from Queensland, has been brought into the squad as a replacement for the two remaining matches in the series. The second game will be played on Sunday and the last one on Wednesday.Australia lead the series 1-0 after winning the first game in Auckland on Friday, and they pulled off the comprehensive eight-wicket win, with 39 balls in hand chasing 138 for victory, with just 2.2 overs of bowling from star allrounder Gardner.Bowling the 17th over of the New Zealand innings – her third – after New Zealand had opted to bat, Gardner sent in a flighted delivery to Sophie Devine, who went down the track and hit the ball back hard towards Gardner. Gardner got both her hands on the ball attempting the catch, but spilled it and it was immediately clear that she had hurt herself. The physio was out, and Gardner went off the field soon after.The update after the New Zealand innings was that Gardner had been taken for scans and wouldn’t bat in Australia’s chase. That wasn’t required anyway, as Beth Mooney (75 not out in 42 balls) and Georgia Voll (50 in 31) took care of the runs Australia required.
Glasgow Rangers have not won the Scottish Premiership title in over four years and they have not won any trophy since they lifted the League Cup in 2023.
It is no secret that Russell Martin needs to bring glory back to Ibrox, by winning trophies, but it is a collective effort that starts from the ownership and goes down through Kevin Thelwell, Martin, to the players on the pitch.
Ultimately, there needs to be a strong footballing model in place that creates a squad that is good enough for the manager, whomever that may be, to get results on the pitch.
Whilst supporters may not want to hear it, one thing Rangers can learn from their city rivals is how they develop and sell young talent for profit. They have made millions over the years by selling the likes of Jota, Kyogo, Virgil van Dijk, Odsonne Edouard, Matt O’Riley, and many, many more.
The Light Blues, however, have not had as much success in the department, as Calvin Bassey is the only player to have been sold for more than £20m in the club’s history, per Transfermarkt.
Rangers signed Youssef Chermiti from Everton in a deal worth up to £10m on deadline day. For that outlay, the Gers will surely be hoping that he joins that exclusive £20m+ club with Bassey.
Why Youssef Chermiti needs to be a success at Rangers
The Light Blues really need the Portugal U21 international to be a success at Ibrox because of the fee that was splashed out for him and because of what his success could mean for the club.
From the financial perspective, the Gers need Chermiti to be a big player for the team because the £10m deal to bring him to Glasgow is the most expensive deal sanctioned by the club since the club-record £12m move for Tore Andre Flo from Chelsea in 2000.
That places pressure on the centre-forward to perform and pressure on Thelwell for the signing to work out, because his judgement may get called into question if it does not work.
Appearances
20
4
Minutes
287
49
Shots
8
3
Goals
0
0
Key passes
5
0
Assists
0
0
As you can see in the table above, Chermiti did not enjoy a good time with Everton over the last two seasons in England after his £15m move from Sporting in 2023.
This shows that Rangers have not signed a ready-made superstar for Scottish football, which is why it is even more important for him to be a success because they have taken a huge financial gamble on a player who has yet to prove himself at senior level.
Another reason why Chermiti needs to be a success at Ibrox is because it would provide the Gers with an example to show other promising young talents in the future that they can provide a platform for young talent.
Celtic can point to van Dijk, O’Riley, Dembele, Edouard, and Kieran Tierney, among others, and show potential signings that there is a clear pathway to major clubs across Europe.
This is merely a theory, but it does make you wonder if Rangers have ever missed out on any promising young talents because they did not see enough of a pathway to a bigger move in the future.
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In fact, the Scottish giants had one such promising young talent on trial with the B team in 2023, Yan Diomande, but he ultimately did not decide to sign for the club. He is now playing in one of Europe’s major leagues and is worth millions more than any current Rangers player.
Rangers missed out on Yan Diomande
In October 2023, the 16-year-old winger played for the Rangers B team against Monaco, whilst Steven Davis was the interim manager of the first-team, in a 3-1 loss to the French side.
Football Scotland confirmed that Diomande was on trial for the Scottish giants from American side AS Frenzi, who were in the fourth tier in the USA, for the game.
Rangers Youth Blog on X noted at the time that the Ivorian starlet was arguably the best player on the pitch for the club in that clash with Monaco, but, for reasons unknown, the attacker did not sign a contract with the Gers.
It is unclear if Diomande opted against a move to Glasgow or if the club decided not to offer him a deal, although the latter seems unlikely if he did impress in the game against Monaco as Rangers Youth Blog suggested.
Either way, the Light Blues will now look back on their failure to bring him to the club as a mistake because he sealed a £17m move to RB Leipzig from Leganes this summer.
Appearances
10
Starts
6
xG
1.72
Goals
2
Key passes
14
Assists
1
Dribbles completed per game
2.3
Dribble success rate
62%
As you can see in the table above, Diomande caught the eye for Leganes with 1.4 key passes per game and 2.3 completed dribbles per game across ten appearances in LaLiga in the second half of last season.
After his trial with Rangers, the teenage talent went back to the DME academy in Florida and stayed there until his move to Leganes in January, which led to his impressive performances in the Spanish top-flight.
Diomande, who was described as an “athletic beast” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, then made the move to Leipzig for a fee of £17m this summer, which means that he is worth £7m more than Chermiti, who signed for Rangers in a £10m deal.
It also means that he is worth more than any current Gers player, excluding loanees, because no player in the squad is worth more than £10m, per Transfermarkt, and that is why the club will surely regret not landing his services back in 2023.
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Rangers must now hope that Chermiti is a big success at Ibrox because he can set the blueprint for other players to see that there is a pathway for young talent in Glasgow, a pathway that could convince the next Yan Diomande that a move to Ibrox is the best next step for them.