Heung-Min Son is loving life in the United States after bidding farewell to Tottenham, with the South Korean superstar netting his first MLS hat-trick for LAFC. After 10 years in north London, the 33-year-old forward now finds himself in California. He has made an immediate impact there, with another match ball being added to his collection against Real Salt Lake.
Severed ties with Spurs after trophy triumph
Son walked away from Spurs after a decade of loyal service. He signed off on a high, having captained the Premier League outfit to Europa League glory in 2024-25. Said success brought a 17-year wait for major silverware to a close.
AdvertisementSon net his first hat-trick for LAFCChasing American dream alongside Messi
A new challenge is now being embraced, with Son deciding – like Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi before him – to go chasing the American dream. He finds himself in Los Angeles, with his arrival there causing quite a stir.
While Son remains a marketing dream, he does have to deliver on the field. He has been doing just that, with a first hat-trick of his stint in the States being recorded in a 4-1 win over RSL. Two clinical finishes were produced, before sliding in his third after being teed up by Denis Bouanga.ENJOYED THIS STORY?
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GettyMLS warned: Son says he can get better
Son believes that he can get even better, telling reporters: “I think I'm still adapting [to] this league, but I think I still can play better than where I am at for sure. I think it's a lot of communication with the players, and I think I have a very, very close relationship with everyone.
“It's been five weeks, six weeks, I would say, but everybody just welcomed me so well and been communicating a lot of things. Also off the pitch, I think it's very important culture-wise. There's still other things in this league and then still understanding players each other more, but I think it quite works really well at the moment.”
Alagappan Muthu30-Nov-2024The first day of the two-day pink ball game between India and the Prime Minister’s XI was washed out due to persistent rain.Chances of play were remote with a steady drizzle bedding in from almost 10am right through to about 5.30pm during which time the covers stayed firmly on. The Indian team did come over to the ground but there wasn’t much reason for them to stick around.The rain did stop, briefly, late in the day, and there was a flurry of activity, with the covers being peeled off and members of both teams’ support staff being briefed by the two umpires. But when the groundstaff restored the covers, packed up and left at 6.30pm, it was clear that there would be no cricket. Much heavier rain came through at 7pm.The game is expected to resume as a 50-over affair starting from 2.40pm on Sunday. Tickets for Saturday’s play will be refunded.The day-night match was going to be India’s only chance of getting any game time with the pink ball under lights, especially or India captain Rohit Sharma who joined the squad after missing the first Test in Perth, which India won by 295 runs. Sunday could also be the return for Shubman Gill, who missed the first game because of a thumb injury and had returned to the nets in Canberra on Friday.The second Test is a day-night game from December 6 in Adelaide, where India were bowled out for 36 in their last outing there.
India’s hopes briefly arose. New Zealand could perhaps feel a sense of déjà vu. Pakistan themselves threatened to do the unthinkable. Only for all of it to come crashing at the end of it all.New Zealand crushed Pakistan in their final group game to qualify for the semi-final of the Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since 2016. Batting first, they could only finish on 110 for 6. India needed Pakistan to beat New Zealand for them to make the semi-final. Pakistan themselves needed to hunt down the score anywhere inside 11.3 overs to qualify for the last four at the expense of India and New Zealand. In a bid to do so, they were bowled out for 56, their lowest all-out total in T20 World Cups.Nashra Sandhu led Pakistan’s charge with the ball, picking up three wickets to pull the plug on New Zealand’s scoring. But Amelia Kerr returned with three of her own, following Eden Carson’s strikes up top as New Zealand completed a remarkable comeback having come into the competition on the back of a record ten-match losing streak.
Bates, Plimmers and a start
When Suzie Bates drove the second ball of the game down the ground to beat mid-off, it looked as if New Zealand’s decision to bat first was vindicated. An over later, both Georgia Plimmer and Bates managed to hit a four apiece off Fatima Sana before Plimmer bisected the gap at extra cover in the fourth over. By the end of five overs, New Zealand had hit five fours and looked good for more, despite a slightly higher number of dot balls faced.Only when Omaima Sohail was brought on for the final over of the powerplay, did there come a sign of what was to follow.
Pakistan drop catches, NZ drop scoring
Nida Dar’s first over, the fifth of the game, gave an indication of her fortunes for the day. Bates attempted a reverse lap on the second ball against Dar, only to deflect it to the wicketkeeper. But Muneeba Ali failed to hang on. That was the first of five dropped chances Pakistan missed off Dar’s bowling alone. In the sixth, Bates pulled Sohail straight to midwicket but Sandhu could not hold on. A ball before, Plimmer had survived a run-out chance.Plimmer and Bates could not make those chances count. With New Zealand’s score on 41, the former skewed a top edge off Sandhu towards cover, where Sana fumbled before hanging on. In Sandhu’s next over, Bates hit one down long-on’s throat. Sohail had grassed a tough caught and bowled chance when Amelia Kerr was on nought but manage to have her caught at the deep midwicket ropes cheaply.Boundaries were hard to come by. Sophie Devine tried using her feet to counter spin but to no avail. She was also given a life when she was on 13. Pakistan dropped five catches in the last three overs. Despite that, New Zealand could hit only seven fours – the last two coming off Brooke Halliday’s bat – and were restricted to a total that seemed very gettable at the halfway mark. Sandhu finished with 3 for 18 while Dar, Iqbal and Sohail also picked up a wicket apiece.
Pakistan’s attacking ways play into NZ’s hands
Pakistan knew they had to hunt down the 101-run target inside 12 overs for a semi-final place. Their intentions were clear when they sent Aliya Riaz up to open the batting alongside Muneeba. It was only the second time that Riaz had walked out to open in a T20I, the first time since 2014. Her stay lasted only three balls as she miscued offspinner Carson to cover. Muneeba began solidly, first skipping down to loft Carson straight back and then pulling Lea Tahuhu through deep backward square leg – aided by a misfield. But Tahuhu got one to seam in, past the inside edge, to make a mess of Muneeba’s stumps.That was the start of a massive collapse from Pakistan. They lost five wickets inside the powerplay to be 28 for 5. A massively reworked batting order – that saw Dar bat at No. 7 – did not bear the desired result. Dar and Sana’s 24-run partnership for the sixth wicket was Pakistan’s best. But once their most experienced allrounder fell in the tenth over, Pakistan folded as quickly as New Zealand started. They lost their last five wickets for just four runs in 11.4 overs, the exact over mark by when they had to complete the chase to qualify.
Celtic have now submitted an opening bid for a forward who was regularly among the goals in the 2024-25 season, a report has revealed.
Hoops keen on new forward amid Maeda uncertainty
In Kyogo Furuhashi’s absence from January onwards, Daizen Maeda well and truly stepped up last season, providing 16 goals and seven assists in the Scottish Premiership, while also scoring seven goals en-route to the Scottish Cup Final.
As such, it is little wonder the Japanese forward is attracting attention from elsewhere, with Everton recently joining fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the race for his signature.
Brendan Rodgers recently dropped an update on the situation, in which he confirmed the 27-year-old has remained professional, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future.
As exciting as Balikwisha: Celtic contenders to sign "outstanding" star
Celtic are one of the contenders to secure a deal for a star who would be as exciting as Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
ByDan Emery Jul 23, 2025
After being impressed by Maeda’s performance in the 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle United, Rodgers said: “I don’t think there have been any developments on that, but he’s a professional and his focus is very much on here.
“Yeah, all the players, all the players had a real good focus, and I’ve always said there’s not a friendly game when you play for Celtic. There are always tests for you, but the players came through really, really well. Daizen, all the guys, they worked really well.”
Daizen Maeda in action for Celtic.
However, with the forward’s future very much up in the air, Celtic have now set their sights on a new winger, namely Go Ahead Eagles’ Jakob Breum, with a report from The National revealing they have submitted an opening offer of £1.5m for his services.
However, the bid was way below Go Ahead Eagles’ asking price of £5m, meaning it was knocked back, with club director Jan Willem van Dop saying: “There has been a bid for Jakob Breum from a foreign club,
“We are so far apart there. You have to stand your ground. He may have to realise that it could be very good to stay with us at least until the winter break, just like Oliver Edvardsen.”
Breum regularly among the goals in the Eredivisie
The 21-year-old enjoyed his best campaign to date last season, amassing a total of 17 goal contributions for Go Ahead Eagles across all competitions.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Eredivisie
26
10
5
KNVB Beker
3
1
0
UECL Qualifiers
2
0
1
As such, the versatile forward, who is capable of playing on both wings and in attacking midfield, could be an exciting signing for Celtic, although, given that the 2024-25 season was his first real eye-catching season numbers-wise, it is clear to see why they’re unwilling to pay £5m.
Consequently, it could be wise to move on to alternative targets, of which there is no shortage, with it recently being revealed the Hoops are now stepping up their pursuit of Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who has 46 goal contributions in 141 games for Royal Antwerp.
أعلن باريس سان جيرمان دخول الإسباني لويس إنريكي، المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي إلى قسم الطوارئ بعدما تعرض لحادثة أمس الجمعة.
وافتتح إنريكي الموسم بالفوز ببطولة كأس السوبر الأوروبي على حساب نظيره توتنهام هوتسبير بركلات الترجيح بعدما انتهت المباراة في الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل الإيجابي 2/2.
وشهد الموسم الماضي 2024/2025 تألقًا كبيرًا لصالح الفريق الفرنسي من خلال قدرته على التتويج ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا لأول مرة في تاريخه بعد الفوز على إنتر بخماسية نظيفة.
وأعلن النادي الفرنسي عبر حساباته الرسمية على مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي أن لويس إنريكي، تعرض لحادث دراجة هوائية مساء أمس، الجمعة.
المدرب الإسباني المتوج ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا مرتين تعرض لسقوط قوي وتم نقله إلى قسم الطوارئ حيث سيخضع لعملية جراحية خلال الساعات المقبلة.
ولم يحدد الفريق الباريسي في بيانه مدة غياب إنريكي، لكن تشخيص الإصابة التي حدثت هي كسر في عظمة الترقوة.
كما أعرب باريس سان جيرمان عن دعمه الكامل لمدربه وتمنى له الشفاء العاجل وسيقدم فريق الدوري الفرنسي المزيد من المعلومات حول الحادثة وحالة لويس إنريكي خلال الساعات المقبلة.
Following a cycling accident on Friday, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique was treated by the emergency services and will undergo surgery for a fractured collarbone. The Club expresses its full support and wishes him a swift recovery. Further updates will be shared in… — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 5, 2025
Mayers is expected to link up with the West Indies squad on Saturday
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2024West Indies opening batter Brandon King has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup 2024 due to a side strain he suffered during West Indies’ Super Eight loss against England on June 19.Left-hand opening batter Kyle Mayers will replace King in the squad for the rest of the tournament. Mayers is likely to link up with the squad on Saturday.Having been sent into bat by the England captain Jos Buttler in Gros Islet, King smashed 23 off just 12 balls, which included a 101-metre six off Reece Topley in the third over. But, on his 13th ball, King, in a bid to charge down the track to smash Sam Curran through cover, injured himself. He received treatment from the medical staff but failed to carry on and retired hurt on 23 with West Indies eventually going down by eight wickets.Related
West Indies wait on King scans after 'worrying' side strain
King did not field in the run-chase with Shimron Hetmyer filling in for him. He travelled to Barbados for West Indies’ Super Eight fixture against USA on Friday, as he awaited the results of his MRI scans, but has failed to pull through.”The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has approved left-handed batter Kyle Mayers as a replacement for Brandon King in the West Indies squad,” an ICC release read. “Mayers, who has played 37 T20Is, was named as a replacement after King was ruled out due to a side strain. Mayers is expected to join the squad on Saturday.”King’s absence is a big blow to West Indies’ fortunes. He has been the team’s leading run-scorer in T20Is since the start of 2023, with 651 runs in 23 innings, which includes four fifties. He was also the highest run-scorer in their 3-0 T20I series sweep over South Africa heading into the tournament.The 29-year-old didn’t set the T20 World Cup alight though managing just 86 runs in five innings with a highest score of 34 against Papua New Guinea.His replacement Mayers was widely considered unfortunate to miss the initial cut having had a decent 2024. In 11 T20 games this year, the left-hander has scored 367 runs, striking at 155.50. He has also picked nine wickets with his medium pace.West Indies won four out of four games in the group stage but started the Super Eight with a loss. After their USA fixture on Friday in Barbados, they will play South Africa on Sunday in North Sound, Antigua.
Tottenham Hotspur have held negotiations over signing a colossal centre-back in the last few days, according to reports, with chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange working to strengthen the squad.
Spurs win Europa League but end Premier League season in 17th
Ange Postecoglou’s future hangs in the balance after what was a very mixed season for the Lilywhites.
£165k-a-week Tottenham star has told Levy he's quitting despite Europa win
He’s informed the Spurs chairman directly.
3 ByEmilio Galantini May 25, 2025
According to reports, Tottenham chiefs are currently ’50/50′ about sacking Postecoglou, with the Australian ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy whilst also leading them to a record-breaking 22 Premier League defeats this campaign, resulting in a lowly 17th-placed finish.
The emotional high surrounding their first European triumph since 1984 in the Europa League, coupled with Postecoglou’s rousing speech at the trophy parade, will be firmly stuck in Levy’s mind – and the chairman is now faced with an almighty conundrum ahead of next season.
“As much as you try to understand what a trophy would mean to these people, seeing them out there today, is why we do what we do,” said Postecoglou after their Europa League final win.
“That’s the priceless bit, for this feeling. I’m super pleased that these boys could deliver. All good things come through hard work, toil, perseverance and belief. This group have that in spades and I’m so pleased that we could crack that stone and now everyone can enjoy it.
“We had to dig deep, for sure, but what the history books will say is that we’re the Europa Cup winners, and it doesn’t say how we did it, just that we did it. I made family a theme from when I got here because I felt that we needed something to bring us all together and look further than just what everybody wanted. We had to form some sort of unity and the lads have been brilliant. They’ve shared their stories and got closer through the tough times like all families and now they share the reward.”
A decision on Postecoglou will need to be made and quickly, with the first of two 2025 summer transfer windows set to open imminently.
Tottenham hold "negotiations" over signing Pisa defender Francesco Coppola
Tottenham’s qualification for the Champions League gives Levy and Lange an almighty boost when it comes to the club’s recruitment drive, with reports suggesting Spurs are more confident they can tempt players like Marc Guehi as a result.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehi
The Crystal Palace star isn’t their only defensive target, either, with Pisa Sporting Club’s rising star Francesco Coppola also on their radar.
The Italy Under-20 international spent 2024/2025 on loan at Serie C side Vis Pesaro, but his performances in the third tier have apparently impressed Spurs scouts – so much so that they’ve approached Pisa over signing him.
That is according to La Nazione, who write that Tottenham held “negotiations” over Coppola in the last few days, but these talks ended pretty swiftly.
Pisa are said to have rebuffed Levy’s advances for the towering 6 foot 5 defender, as they appear determined to keep hold of their highly-promising centre-back. If Spurs are to be successful in their pursuit, they may have to go back in with an offer which proves too good to resist.
Arne Slot has confirmed that he will rotate his Liverpool team in the Premier League this season (finally) after last weekend’s title triumph.
A host of players have been reduced to bit-part roles under the new management, but the Dutch coach has said that “a few players will come into the team” across the closing weeks of the campaign.
Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Federico Chiesa will be among those looking for starting berths, but at left-back, it’s more of an uncertain situation.
Liverpool player Harvey Elliott
While Andy Robertson remains Liverpool’s first-choice option to partner Virgil van Dijk on the left side of the backline, his influence has waned this season, mistakes creeping in and attacking contributions heading out.
Several Reds stars are going to be playing for their futures over the final four fixtures, and Kostas Tsimikas is sure to be one of them, having only started seven top-flight games all term. However, four of those have come across seven recent outings.
Liverpool are in the market for a new left-back this summer, and one of the experienced duo is sure to be sold to make room for a fresh face. Milos Kerkez is at the top of the list of contenders.
Liverpool's interest in Milos Kerkez
According to The Times, Liverpool have placed Kerkez right at the top of their shortlist as FSG warm to the idea of signing a new left-back. However, Bournemouth want £45m for the 21-year-old and this is steep.
Described as a “machine” by Sky Sports’ Izzy Christensen, the Cherries defender has all the attributes to become one of Europe’s elite players, and so it’s hardly surprising that his outfit are ready to drive a hard bargain.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was the man who brought Kerkez over to England, signing the Hungarian talent from AZ Alkmaar for £15.5m in July 2023 while he was the transfer operator at the Vitality Stadium.
This season, Kerkez has been a revelation in Andoni Iraola’s system, frightening in attack and secure in defence. His completeness and athleticism have seen him emerge as one of the best young full-backs in Europe.
At £45m, Liverpool will be sure to consider their options, especially with Manchester City and Real Madrid also keen. Hughes has already lined up a potential alternative, and he’s an exciting one at that.
Liverpool chasing new left-back
Kerkez seems to be the top target for the Anfield side, but Liverpool aren’t limited in their scope. Indeed, journalist Bence Bocsak has recently reported that the Premier League champions have been extensively scouting an alternative option.
The man in question is Maxim De Cuyper, with the Club Brugge star impressing Liverpool recruiters with his performances in the Champions League this year. Arsenal are also interested.
De Cuyper, 24, is an active defender with a gas tank that refuses to be depleted. With Robertson hoping to stick around for a few more years, this could be the perfect profile to challenge the Scotland captain for a starting berth, especially since he’s got a rumoured price tag of €25m (£21m).
Why Liverpool should De Cuyper
Firstly, these reports suggest that De Cuyper could be available for less than half the price of Kerkez, and when digging into their respective skill sets, it does look as if the Belgium international has the quality to make just as much of a positive impact in Slot’s team – if not more.
Maxim de Cuyper for Club Brugge.
A fiercely creative defender, De Cuyper ranks among the top 19% of full-backs across divisions similar to the Belgian Pro League for assists, the top 1% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions and the top 4% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
FBref have also recorded that De Cuyper’s Champions League performances this season put him alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold from a statistical standpoint, only reinforcing the argument that he would be a perfect fit in Slot’s squad.
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldapplauds fans after the match
When assessing De Cuyper against Kerkez, there’s a case to be made that his playmaking and roundedness make him a better fit than Kerkez, who is a fast-rising defender but a mite expensive at £45m.
The Club Brugge man has hit 11 goal contributions across all competitions this year, notably scoring against Aston Villa in the Champions League. Arsenal want him too, remember, so he’s doing something right.
Of course, the Premier League is objectively of a higher technical calibre than the Belgian Pro League, but the defender’s success in Europe’s elite competition emphasises his chances of hitting the ground running under Slot’s wing in England.
Matches (starts)
34 (31)
34 (34)
Goals
3
2
Assists
5
5
Pass completion
83%
80%
Big chances created
22
7
Key passes*
2.5
1.0
Dribbles (%)*
0.5 (51%)
0.6 (57%)
Ball recoveries*
4.0
4.5
Tackles + interceptions*
2.3
2.6
Clearances*
2.0
2.8
Duels (%)*
3.6 (53%)
4.1 (53%)
It’s interesting that the Belgian should produce such scintillating playmaking numbers – furthering the argument that he’s Trent-like – with his underlying metrics across other areas also suggesting that he could be a more complete and effective left-back upgrade than Kerkez.
Harking back to Robertson, the 31-year-old has failed to register a single goal contribution in the Premier League this season, so it’s no wonder Slot and Hughes are determined to improve that area of the pitch. De Cuyper has the traits that suggest he is the perfect successor.
This isn’t to say that Kerkez is ineffective from a playmaking perspective; far from it, the Hungarian has showcased an exciting desire to advance attacking play on England’s south coast this term.
But De Cuyper has that special something that could charge Liverpool’s left lane to another level entirely. Is it any wonder that talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as “one of the best left-backs currently playing outside the (Europe’s) top five leagues.”
Transfer Focus
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Liverpool need to find a way to stay ahead in creative metrics next season, especially if Alexander-Arnold leaves for pastures new in sunny Spain. Bringing in De Cuyper would be the perfect way to enforce this; he might even prove a better signing than Kerkez, and for a portion of the price.
Outscoring Isak: Liverpool scouting £25m "nuisance" who's just like Nunez
Liverpool are ready to go shopping for new forwards this summer.
A comedy of errors littered Liverpool’s trip to Craven Cottage. That was the headline right there. The Premier League’s Champions Elect lost any semblance of defensive security as they caved in against a robust and deserving Fulham side.
But wait a minute. There’s no doubting that it was a mistake-filled match, but what about the lack of fluency and coherence that Arne Slot’s side mustered in the opening phase?
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
Sure, Alexis Mac Allister’s whomping thundercracker sparked delight from the travelling Redmen, who sang and sang and sang. We’re going to win the league.
But the champagne must be corked for a while longer; Slot, without a doubt, will have killed swiftly any giddiness or positivity around his squad’s dressing room, likely issuing a stern reminder that the day is not done and focus needs realigning ahead of the final straight.
So many players, frustratingly, failed to turn up against Marco Silva’s men, with Mohamed Salah culpable of another poor performance as uncertainty surrounding his future lingers.
Mohamed Salah's Liverpool future
On Monday afternoon, an embargoed discussion concerning Virgil van Dijk and a hive of reporters broke into the mainstream. Anfield’s skipper confirmed that there had been progress in extending his £220k-per-week contract.
While Trent Alexander-Arnold appears bound for Real Madrid, attention swivels to Salah, who, like Van Dijk, will potentially be at Anfield next season, with the reputable David Ornstein confirming talks with the 32-year-old are still very much on.
Salah has been the fulcrum of Liverpool’s attacking success this term, ridiculously chalking up 32 goals and 22 assists in all competitions. However, he’s dipped of late as the Reds’ collective form and fluidity have stifled the feel-good factor.
Liverpool's MohamedSalahreacts during the match
Some have questioned whether Slot watches his superstars through rose-tinted glasses, unwilling to enforce changes unless forced. Salah has been a part of this list of late, with his poor showings calling for the likes of Federico Chiesa, whose opportunities are nominal.
Still, he continues to show promise when called upon. Chiesa will hope for more chances over the final weeks and maybe next year too, but regardless of Salah’s contractual outcome, it’s clear that Liverpool need more quality to ease the Egyptian’s workload.
Federico Chiesa in action for Liverpool
He might principally play off the left, but FSG have found a rising star who could serve as Salah’s long-term successor while aiding him next year too.
FSG scouting Salah heir
Liverpool need to address a number of issues in the market this summer. Andy Robertson’s latest gaff illuminated the need to replace him this summer. Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez appears to be at the top of the list.
Wonky attacking output has also led to speculation pertaining to the signing of a new striker. With Darwin Nunez expected to leave at the end of the season, expect activity on this front.
However, Liverpool’s attacking ‘problems’ spread out to the wings too, and that’s why FSG have been scouting Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.
According to Fabrizio Romano – in his GIVEMESPORT newsletter – the 20-year-old Englishman is hoping to leave the Bundesliga side this summer and is eyeing a return to his homeland, having left Manchester City for the German scene back in 2020.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens in action
Back in February, the Yellow Wall put up demands worth £85m for the potential sale of their latest prize, however, it’s hard to envisage any suitors – Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest – paying such an exorbitant sum.
Still, Gittens is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game. With Salah perhaps standing on the edge of his twilight years at the top, here’s why Liverpool should make their move.
Why Liverpool should sign Jamie Gittens
Gittens has stepped up from the academy scene and made real headway at the top level over the past few years. After breaking through in 2022/23, he started to showcase genuine quality last term before becoming a key feature of Nuri Sahin and now Niko Kovac’s first team.
Jamie Gittens for Borussia Dortmund.
Indeed, across 42 matches in all competitions this season, Gittens has scored 12 goals and laid on four assists, with his shift to the left flank unlocking a goalscoring touch that could be perfect for Slot’s Liverpool side.
But that’s not all, Gittens is also one of the most electric attackers in the game right now, ranking among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, perfectly illustrating that point.
In this manner, he bears a likeness to a younger version of Salah, who lacks his one-time pace and jet-like bursts but has redefined his game to stay at the highest level as his 33rd birthday looms.
Looking at Gittens’ statistics in the Bundesliga this season, when compared with Salah’s during his incredible debut campaign at Anfield, you perhaps see that this is a rising talent who Slot could shape into a superstar.
Matches (starts)
28 (19)
36 (34)
Goals
8
32
Assists
3
10
Shots (on target)*
1.8 (0.8)
4.0 (1.9)
Big chances missed
4
23
Pass completion
82%
77%
Big chances created
6
12
Dribbles*
2.7
2.2
Duels won*
5.1
3.7
While Gittens, who has been hailed for his “special” performances by Romano, still has much to learn, you can see that the blueprint is there. Like Salah, he’s proving to be clinical in front of goal – converting eight of his 12 big chances this term – while also proving relentless in his dribbling and most eager to win a duel too.
The similarities don’t stop there, though. Gittens was discarded by Man City when he was in his formative years, forced to find a home elsewhere given the bloated nature of the Sky Blues’ youth scene.
Likewise, Salah was once a talented prospect in the Premier League, with Chelsea, before moving to Italy and making his name, earning that historic £34m transfer to Liverpool.
Different circumstances, sure, but the signs are right there for Slot to make his move and strengthen Liverpool’s frontline with his very own Salah signing this summer.
Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley remarked a few months back that Gittens has been “England’s best left winger in 2024/25.” He’s only going to improve, and Liverpool need to make sure he rises to the fore in red.
Better than Diaz & Gakpo: "Perfect" £62m star wants to sign for Liverpool
Arne Slot is hoping to make a range of signings this summer to improve Liverpool’s starting 11.
Ever since the WTC final, the fast bowler has gone from strength to strength under a management that has emboldened him to unleash his skills as he sees fit
Firdose Moonda22-Aug-20252:16
Ngidi: Always a test of character against Australia
When cricketers are encouraged to express themselves, we usually know what that looks like for batters: play your shots, innovate, entertain. But how do bowlers interpret that instruction?”It’s pretty much about giving you the freedom to bowl what you want to bowl,” Lungi Ngidi said, after claiming his second ODI five-for during South Africa’s 84-run win in the second ODI against Australia in Mackay. “We’ve been playing international cricket for a couple of years now, so we kind of know what we’re good at and what we need to do. Set your field and bowl what you want to bowl according to whatever you see in front of you. Play the conditions in front of you and don’t be scared to try things.”Like offering one of the opposition’s most dangerous batters a little bit of width, in the belief he would nick off. Or dropping your pace down to just over 100kph because you’d seen the efficacy of the slower ball in the first innings.Related
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Ngidi did both those things as he bowled South Africa to a series-winning victory, and he did them because he had the confidence to make bold decisions about how he wanted to go about his business.His strategy against Marnus Labuschagne was informed by what Ngidi saw in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, when Labuschagne was dismissed in both innings driving loosely at Marco Jansen. Ngidi, of course, is not the same type of bowler as Jansen, but he believed he could exact similar results.Marnus Labuschagne fell into Lungi Ngidi’s deliberately laid trap•Getty Images”We do our video analysis and we’ve seen, even from the Test Championship, outside off with the ball shaping away seems to be effective. He leaves very well, but you need to score runs at some point in ODI cricket so you’re probably going to feel outside off,” Ngidi explained. “I just tried to keep it simple and just plug away at that length and that line and it seemed to come off. It went according to plan.”Pace-off is Ngidi’s speciality but he used it more after getting confirmation that it worked during South Africa’s innings, in which Nathan Ellis was the stand-out seamer. Ellis started with a 110kph back-of-the-hand slower ball and delivered at least two an over among his pace-on, short-ball change-ups, which got him both his wickets. Ngidi was taking notes.”The beautiful thing about bowling second is I get to sit there and watch what works. And I saw Ellis’ plan and he was pretty successful with that,” he said. “It just gives you an idea of what’s going to work later on in the innings. Also Watching [Xavier] Bartlett up front, it seemed to be swinging or nipping around so it pretty much gives you a blueprint of how to go about things.”Both Ngidi and Nandre Burger found movement early on and made the initial breakthroughs but it was Ngidi’s second spell that earned him his first Player-of-the-Match award, in any format, in nearly three years. He ripped through Australia’s lower order and took four wickets for eight runs in 14 balls. The first was a signature Ngidi delivery, a slower offbreak that Aaron Hardie chipped back to him. But it was Ngidi’s quick reaction to get across and take the catch low to the ground that showed how committed he was to the contest against an opposition he loves playing against.’The beautiful thing about bowling second is I get to sit there and watch what works’•Getty ImagesHis career-best, of 6 for 58, also came against Australia and he has taken more wickets against them in ODIs – 26 at an average of 16.96 – than any other opposition (and he has only played against them once more than he has England, India or Sri Lanka) and it’s fair to say they bring out the best in him.”It’s always a battle against Australia. It’s always competitive,” he said. “It’s a test of character because we were put under pressure from the T20s, and we had the opportunity to win a series tonight so just mentally stepping up and finishing it off. It’s just a great rivalry that’s always been there. And it’s going to continue for many, many years.”Ngidi emphasised “staying strong mentally” both to the broadcasters and at his press conference, and it may apply to more than just the ongoing series. His career to date is perhaps best described as stop-start, with injuries and indifferent form often interrupting a good run. The last time he played all matches in a multi-format tour was in 2018, when he played in four of South Africa’s four games in Australia.Currently, Ngidi is on a five-match streak in Australia, and he also played in four of South Africa’s five T20Is last month in Zimbabwe and made a Test comeback the month before that at the WTC final at Lord’s. It was in that game, where his selection raised eyebrows because he had not played a Test in 10 months, that Ngidi showed the value of being backed by the coaching staff and being given freedom by them.Ngidi picked up the second five-wicket haul of his ODI career•AFP/Getty ImagesCoach Shukri Conrad picked Ngidi even after dropping him from the 2024 tour to Bangladesh and, after a rusty start, Ngidi delivered a match-changing second-innings performance when he took 3 for 38. Conrad has since picked Ngidi across all formats, and the returns have only been getting better. Ngidi iced the cake when he became the first South Africa seamer since Kagiso Rabada in July 2015 to take an ODI five-for away from home.Because they came up in the same Under-19 group and are at similar ages, the two are often spoken about in parallel terms, Rabada’s stardust usually leaving Ngidi in the shadows. That was the case in this game too. Ngidi told the broadcasters that when he knew Rabada would be unavailable for this series because of injury, he would “have big shoes to fill.”It’s easy to assume that means he needs to take on Rabada’s role but that only applies to seniority and experience, not style of bowling. While Rabada’s game is based on pace and accuracy, Ngidi’s is on variation and movement and he had the perfect stage to show that in Mackay. That he performed to expectation and beyond is an example of South Africa’s new way, which is as much about staying true to their identity as it is about getting the results they want.”The most important thing is how we played. Are we playing our brand of cricket? Are we playing the way we want to play? When we lose and we’re not playing our way or with the freedom that the coach has given us, then it’s a problem. But when we execute and we play the way we want to play, that’s the beautiful thing,” Ngidi said. “We have lots of white-ball cricket to come. So this is good momentum to kick us off for the rest of the season.”