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Eddie Howe will pray his up-and-down Newcastle United side can put their woes on the road behind them when they make the short trip to arch rivals Sunderland on Sunday.

Away from home this season in the Premier League to date, the Toon only have one win to shout about, which was an emphatic 4-1 success over Everton.

Worryingly, though, if you are remove the joy of that win on Merseyside, Newcastle have drawn three and lost three from their other six encounters away from St James’ Park, meaning Sunderland will be confident they can get one over on their hot-and-cold near neighbours tomorrow.

Howe will be pondering what changes he can make for the crunch clash at the Stadium of Light, with Joelinton looking likely to miss out, in part due to injury, but also after he looked ropey yet again this season, versus Bayer Leverkusen.

Joelinton's regression this season at Newcastle

Journalist Craig Hope has revealed that the Brazilian limped off versus Leverkusen with a groin issue and will now be assessed, as to whether he can play some role in the Tyne-Wear Derby.

A couple of seasons back, losing Joelinton for such a huge tie would have been seen as disastrous, with the 29-year-old coming into his own in Newcastle black and white during the 2022/23 season, when he collected six goals and four assists in Premier League action.

That same campaign, the vibrant number seven would also average a ridiculous seven duels won per Premier League contest, as per Sofascore, but it’s clear now – when not taking a trip down memory lane – that Joelinton has significantly regressed.

From 13 games so far in the league this season, Joelinton is yet to pick up a single goal or assist, with his duels won count also taking a beating, as seen in him averaging just 4.1 per contest.

Against Leverkusen, even if injury did bring his game to a halt, Howe would have likely taken him off, anyway, with the out-of-sorts South American only winning two of his nine duels, as he cut a lethargic figure throughout.

With Howe needing all of his players to be on their A-Game against the Black Cats, it would be an almighty risk to stick with Joelinton, with injury troubles impacting him.

Joelinton isn’t the only instantly recognisable first team face who has regressed as of late, however, as this other well-established presence fears he might be dropped for the Tyne-Wear Derby.

The "really poor" Newcastle star who could be dropped

Even if Newcastle’s away form this season was sparkling, they would find it hard to get the better of a Sunderland side surprisingly competing near the top of the division, after promotion.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The midfield battle could be crucial as Newcastle try to pick up their first win at the Stadium of Light since 2011, with the energetic Lewis Miley perhaps preferred to Joelinton as the young Englishman prepares to do battle with Granit Xhaka.

Additionally, Sandro Tonali could also potentially be chucked to one side in another bold alteration centrally, having been “really poor” last time out, in the view of journalist Luke Edwards.

While the Italian would cover a vast 11.5km during the match through runs alone, which included this fast-paced sprint back late on after he slipped, Tonali didn’t always cut an assured figure in Germany, which is unusual for a man once noted as being “world-class” for his ability on the ball by reporter Carlo Garganese.

Tonali would come off at the end of the 2-2 draw with possession given up a costly eight times, with the number eight arguably at fault for Alejandro Grimaldo’s late equaliser, as he lackadaisically went about his business, while the Spaniard found space to slot home.

Games played

21

Minutes played

1549 mins

Goals scored

0

Assists

3

Games dropped to the bench

5

The worry will be that Howe is overusing Tonali when he ought to give him a rest, much like he has done with Joelinton, who is showing clear signs of rust now in the heart of the Newcastle midfield, with the former AC Milan battler being dropped to the bench for five games already this season, subsequently.

Against Everton and Burnley when he was rested, Newcastle would still manage to come out on top and win the contests, with Howe now potentially preparing to ditch Tonali again, owing to his comments that the former Serie A star looked a “little bit tired” against Kasper Hjulmand’s hosts.

Both Joelinton and Tonali have largely been mainstays under Howe in recent seasons, but if dropping the leggy midfield duo for the game at Sunderland enhances the overall team unit, both players should miss out, as a real team effort will be key if the Toon want to gain bragging rights over the Black Cats.

Newcastle star could miss Sunderland game after new injury "issue" emerges

An ill-timed blow for the Magpies.

ByTom Cunningham 4 days ago

Liverpool head into the Champions League tonight against PSV Eindhoven looking like a bruised animal once more.

Last time out at Anfield, Arne Slot’s Reds were convincingly beaten by Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in a 3-0 loss, with the match preceding this humbling defeat on home soil also seeing the Merseyside giants lose by the same emphatic scoreline, away at Manchester City.

Thankfully, the Champions League has been a temporary sanctuary for the reigning Premier League champions, as was evident in their 1-0 win against Real Madrid, the last time they did battle in the illustrious competition.

Therefore, Liverpool will be hoping they can lick their wounds again and beat their Eredivisie opponents later on this evening.

If form doesn’t pick up, though, the January transfer window will be a very apt time to try and find upgrades on the underperformers consistently letting the side down…

Transfer latest at Liverpool

Despite their poor form as of late, the Reds will still see themselves as a significant superpower in any transfer window to come.

After all, a colossal £415m was spent just this summer on a raft of new signings, with fresh rumours now indicating that the Slot and Co. could be prepared to drop another £123m on Bayern Munich ace Michael Olise.

Moreover, Antoine Semenyo remains in their sights as another attacking signing that could boost a side let down by the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to date.

On top of signings to add to their attacking arsenal, Liverpool are also allegedly looking to do battle with Real Madrid over the services of midfield talent Vitinha, according to emerging reports from Spain.

Indeed, the report elaborates that the La Liga giants are preparing a €150m (£131m) bid for Luis Enrique’s prized asset.

Yet, Liverpool are keen to accelerate a deal, as well, by matching the Los Blancos’ amount, ensuring they could actually eclipse the £125m club-record capture of Alexander Isak.

A next step to the Premier League is noted as being very appealing for the Portugal international, if a statement move were to whir into motion.

Vitinha’s arrival at Anfield might not be the news Ryan Gravenberch wants to read, however, with the classy Paris Saint-Germain number 17 a clear upgrade on the Dutchman, as the 23-year-old has noticeably struggled as of late.

Why Vitinha is a clear upgrade on Gravenberch

Alongside the vast majority of his teammates, Gravenberch has suffered from a notable dip in his performance levels in recent matches.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Once labelled as being “vital” to the way Liverpool tick earlier in the season by ex-Reds midfielder Steve McManaman, the former Ajax prodigy turned Anfield first-teamer struggled to be an influential presence in back-to-back defeats at the hands of City and Forest, with only four ground duels won in total across 14 attempts, as per Sofascore.

To make matters worse, the underperforming number 38 would also fail to notch up a single key pass, leaving him on just the one paltry assist for the campaign.

While Gravenberch has shown visible signs of decline, Vitinha has continued to stand out on some pressurised stages for Enrique’s men, with this wonderful move – which was kickstarted by the 25-year-old’s fierce burst of pace – in last year’s Champions League final, just one reason why his national team manager in Roberto Martinez has glowingly labelled him the “best midielder in the world.”

In league action for PSG, too, this season, he blows his immediate competition out of the water, with one goal and six assists from 12 games – among other numbers – sticking out immediately to Slot, as he attempts to make Liverpool a vibrant and attractive watch in attack this campaign, again, rather than sticking by their current stifled appearance.

It’s not just in the attacking department where Vitinha could improve the downbeat Reds, with the 5-foot-8 playmaker also averaging 4.9 ball recoveries so far this season in Ligue 1, next to Gravenberch’s lesser 3.5.

Of course, the Premier League is a different kettle of fish altogether from the French top division, which PSG consistently dominate.

But, Vitinha has actually shown off his swagger against Liverpool at Anfield, with the “incredible” midfield general – as Enrique has also labelled him – dictating play during PSG’s slim 1-0 away win in the Champions League last campaign when amassing a ridiculous 103 accurate passes.

Worryingly, his Dutch counterpart receded into his shell, with zero accurate dribbles registered, and possession was lost a costly 12 times.

The one-time Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee won’t be moving to England on the cheap, but it could be a splurge worth signing off on, as Slot attempts to reinvigorate his options all over the pitch.

Perfect for Isak: Liverpool make £122m sensation their "dream target"

Liverpool need to make changes in the transfer market once again.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 25, 2025

Alex Cora and Aaron Boone may be on opposite sides of baseball's most bitter rivalry, but that doesn't mean there isn't a shared respect between them. When the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees linked up for a spring-training game Tuesday, Cora had strong thoughts on criticism Boone receives.

Boone has managed the Yankees since 2018. He made his first World Series appearance as manager last year and was rewarded with a two-year extension, which keeps him in the Bronx through the 2027 season. He's still searching for his first World Series ring at the helm after the Los Angeles Dodgers took care of the Yankees in five games last fall.

Despite the World Series drought, Boone has won three AL East titles since he took over and has gotten to 90 wins or more in all but one of the full seasons played under his leadership. And Cora made sure he got his praise, despite all the outside noise.

“That guy over there, man, gets a lot of s— from people but he’s one of the best,” Cora said of Boone via 's Chris Kirschner.

A solid stamp of approval, especially from someone who's supposed to be an arch-nemesis—at least on the surface.

Boone and the Yankees begin their season March 25 against the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees and Red Sox first play this season on June 6 in the Bronx.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense venceu o São Paulo por 1 a 0 no Maracanã, em jogo atrasado da 32ª rodada do Brasileirão. O gol do Tricolor Carioca foi marcado por Germán Cano, aos nove minutos do segundo tempo. Antes do jogo, as duas equipes trocaram faixas de campeão, em comemoração aos títulos conquistados na temporada (Copa do Brasil e Libertadores), mas o clima amistoso ficou apenas no pré-jogo: durante o jogo, muitas faltas foram marcadas e cartões aplicados.

FICHA TÉCNICA
FLUMINENSE 1 x 0 SÃO PAULO
Local:Estádio do Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Data e hora:22/11/2023 (quarta-feira), às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Andre Luiz Skettino Policarpo Bento (MG)
Assistentes:Guilherme Dias Camilo (FIFA/MG) e Felipe Alan Costa de Oliveira (MG)
VAR:Daniel Nobre Bins (VAR-Fifa/RS)
Público e renda:44.694 pessoas e R$ 1.659.302,00
Cartões amarelos:Guga (13’/1ºT, no banco de reservas), Marcelo (17’/1ºT), Ganso (20’/1ºT), Cano (28’/1ºT), Matheus Martinelli (2’/2ºT) e Alexsander (52’/2ºT) para o Fluminense; Lucas Beraldo (9’/1ºT), Diego Costa (20’/1ºT), Rafinha (28’/1ºT), David (15’/2ºT) e Nathan (51’/2ºT) para o São Paulo.
Cartões vermelhos:Gabriel Neves (29’/1ºT) para o São Paulo
Gols:Germán Cano (9’/2ºT) (1-0)

FLUMINENSE:Fábio;Samuel Xavier (Guga, aos 20’/2ºT), David Braz (Lelê, no intervalo), Thiago Santos (Diogo Barbosa, aos 36’/2ºT) e Marcelo (André, aos 36’/2ºT); Matheus Martinelli, Alexsander, Paulo Henrique Ganso e Lima; Yony González (Leonardo Fernández, aos 30’/2ºT) e Cano.Técnico:Fernando Diniz

SÃO PAULO:Rafael; Rafinha, Diego Costa, Lucas Beraldo e Welington; Pablo Maia (Talles Wander, aos 45’/2ºT), Gabriel Neves e Alisson (Talles Costa, aos 30’/2ºT); Luciano (Erison, aos 30’/2ºT), David (William Gomes, aos 15’/2ºT) e Juan (Nathan, aos 15’/2ºT).Técnico:Dorival Júnior

Jadon Sancho endured a difficult night on a rare start for Aston Villa as former player Stiliyan Petrov criticised the Manchester United loanee for failing to take his chance in Thursday's 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Sancho's subdued display left the former club captain "disappointed" with renewed doubts over his long-term Premier League future.

Sancho struggles in Europa League clash

Sancho was handed a rare starting opportunity for Aston Villa on Thursday night but failed to impress in the Europa League win over Maccabi Tel Aviv. Making just his third start of the season, the Manchester United loanee played 75 minutes before being substituted in what many saw as a make-or-break chance to convince Unai Emery he deserved a bigger role. His overall performance was criticised as ineffective and lacking intensity.

Sancho’s inclusion came as part of a rotated Villa side, with key players like Ollie Watkins rested for the European clash. Villa’s goals from Maatsen and Donyell Malen secured the three points, but the performance of the English winger again drew scrutiny from pundits and fans alike. His limited impact, despite flashes of skill, did little to dispel the growing perception that he has yet to rediscover his best form since leaving United on loan.

AdvertisementGettyPundits criticise Sancho's 'disappointing' showing

Speaking on after the match, former Villa captain Petrov delivered a blunt assessment of Sancho’s performance. "A few of those players would have the opportunity to show the manager they should be in the starting XI," he said. "Really impressed with Maatsen — every time he’s had the chance he always performs, he always impresses. I’m not sure if I can say that for Sancho and [Evan] Guessand. I’m a bit disappointed there."

Elsewhere, Dietmar Hamann questioned whether the winger can still succeed in the Premier League, he told footballblog.co.uk: "It hasn’t really happened for Jadon Sancho at Aston Villa yet. He’s failed to settle at several English clubs – should he be looking to return to Dortmund when his loan expires and is he in danger of not realising/wasting his talent?

"He's such a good player. When he came to United, I said to everybody, what he's done in the Bundesliga was second to none. I was really surprised he struggled at United. Obviously, he didn't get on with the manager, which didn't help. I just thought he was too good not to make an impact at United. He came back, did well at Dortmund.

"I think he's got to have the belief to do it somewhere outside of Dortmund, or outside of Germany, because I think he's a player who can certainly play in the Premier League, who should be one of the better or best players in the Premier League.

"Then again he went back to Dortmund. Does he come back once more? I’m not sure. Dortmund probably has had a look at him. Usually when you do go back and do these things again, they’re not as good as they were the first or the second time.

"If Dortmund take him back, the wages might be a problem. At a reasonable price maybe it works, but I think even Dortmund might think, if you take him back a second time, for his third stint in Dortmund, we're not sure whether it's going to happen again as well as the first two times."

Emery believes Sancho is improving physically

Emery’s outlook on Sancho remains cautious yet optimistic. The Villa manager has repeatedly insisted that the winger’s limited minutes are part of a long-term plan to rebuild his fitness and confidence. "I am so happy because his impact was good, his electricity, his skill, but then to play more than now, he’s not ready to play 90 minutes," Emery explained recently. "He’s getting better and better."

The Spaniard has a strong record of rejuvenating careers. Emery believes Sancho still has the technical qualities to succeed. However, the coaching staff remain concerned by his sharpness and conditioning, often substituting him after the 70-minute mark or using him primarily in less demanding fixtures such as cup or European ties.

Sancho has made seven appearances across all competitions, registering no goals or assists, and remains without a Premier League start.

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Getty Images SportMan Utd ready to cut costs with Sanch

Sancho’s immediate focus will be regaining consistency and fitness ahead of Villa’s upcoming fixtures, but time is running short to change perceptions before his loan expires next summer. With United reportedly prepared to let him leave on a free transfer rather than pay his £200,000-a-week wages, his long-term future appears to lie away from Old Trafford.

Just when Celtic supporters thought this season couldn’t get any more miserable, the news all football fans fear during an international break filtered through to Parkhead.

According to widespread reports, striker Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad due to ‘tightness in his left foot’; the seriousness of the issue is not yet known.

Maeda didn’t actually feature as the Samurai Blue drew 2-2 with Paraguay in Suita on Friday, returning home prior to Tuesday’s clash with five-times world champions Brazil in Tokyo.

Once the international break is over, Celtic will travel to Dens Park to face Dundee on Sunday, before crucial clashes with Sturm Graz in the Europa League and then current Premiership leaders Hearts at Tynecastle the following weekend.

With Maeda potentially set to miss these important games and more thereafter, who should Brendan Rodgers choose to deputise during his absence?

Daizen Maeda's importance to Celtic

It is worth reiterating just how important a figure Maeda is to Celtic, despite his dip in form this season.

As the table below documents, not many players have scored more Celtic goals across Rodgers’ two spells in charge than the Japanese international.

Scott Sinclair

148

60

Moussa Dembélé

94

51

James Forrest

221

46

Daizen Maeda

100

46

Callum McGregor

261

37

Leigh Griffiths

96

37

Kyōgo Furuhashi

82

31

Adam Idah

76

29

Odsonne Édouard

68

27

Tom Rogic

105

24

Nicolas Kühn

69

24

As the table outlines, should Maeda score 15 more goals this season, he would become Rodgers’ leading scorer as Celtic manager, having currently played 148 fewer matches than the current leader, Scott Sinclair.

His stoppage time winner against Motherwell last time out was only his third of the season so far, but he did bag 33 during the previous campaign, four of which came in the Champions League, the first player to reach that many for the club in a single European Cup campaign since Joe Craig all the way back in 1977/78.

Maeda has also previously netted four times against Rangers too, converting the winning spot-kick in December’s League Cup Final, so Rodgers will be desperate for his star attacker to be available for the next Glasgow derby between the two at Hampden on 2 November.

For now, who is best suited to fill his void in the forward line?

The Celtic star who should replace Maeda

Considering Kyōgo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah have all been sold throughout 2025, reinforcing the attacking department was a priority for Celtic this summer.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Supporters would argue this happened too late, with an entirely new front three arriving in the final hours of the window, after they’d been eliminated from Champions League qualifying by Kairat.

Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho have both got off the mark in hoops, establishing themselves as part of the first-choice front three alongside Maeda, but we’re yet to see much from Michel-Ange Balikwisha, so is this now his time to shine?

The Scottish champions had attempted to sign a winger 12 months earlier, only for him to suffer an injury, belatedly joining from Royal Antwerp for around £5m in late August.

Upon his arrival, manager Rodgers labelled him a “really talented, exciting player” noting that he “can play both sides of the pitch”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout asserts that “pace, dribbling and finishing” are his primary attributes.

The Belgian was thrown in for his debut during the dire Old Firm at Ibrox at the end of August, making six appearances for the club so far, four of which have come off the bench.

Balikwisha made his most telling contribution for the Celts to date during that aforementioned comeback 3-2 home win over Motherwell last time out, teeing up Maeda to nod in the last-gasp winner with an inch-perfect cross.

Unlike many of his teammates, Balikwisha has not been on international duty, yet to receive his first senior Belgian call-up, so has spent the last fortnight at Lennoxtown working with Rodgers and getting up to speed, which can only be beneficial.

Assuming Tounekti and Iheanacho keep their places at Dens on Sunday, Rodgers’ attacking alternatives are Yang Hyun-jun​​​​​​​, James Forrest or youngsters Johnny Kenny​​​​​​​, Shin Yamada or Callum Osmand; the latter is yet to even make his senior debut for the club.

Thus, starting Balikwisha​​​​​​​ appears to be a no-brainer, giving him the clash with Dundee as an opportunity to stake a claim, with huge games against Sturm Graz, Hearts, Rangers and Midtjylland all on the horizon in the coming weeks.

Rodgers made to sweat over two Celtic stars amid international break injury scares

A potential blow for the Bhoys.

ByTom Cunningham Oct 12, 2025

The latest he can link up with RCB is on May 26 in Lucknow, a day prior to their final league fixture against LSG

Shashank Kishore22-May-2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed New Zealand wicketkeeper Tim Seifert as a temporary replacement for England’s Jacob Bethell. Seifert is currently playing for Karachi Kings in the PSL and his arrival into India will depend on how his team progresses. He’s available to be picked from May 24, the IPL said in a press release.Kings are set to play the PSL Eliminator against Lahore Qalandars on Thursday night, while the PSL final is slated for May 25 in Lahore. This means the latest he can link up with RCB is on May 26 in Lucknow, a day prior to their final league fixture against Lucknow Super Giants.Opening the innings with David Warner at Kings, Seifert has so far scored 226 runs in nine innings as an opener at a strike rate of 145.80 with a best of 47. Seifert has previously featured in the IPL, all too briefly, for Delhi Capitals (two matches in 2022) and Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL 2021).Related

RCB-SRH moved to Lucknow; IPL playoffs in Mullanpur and Ahmedabad

RCB bring in Muzarabani as Ngidi's temporary replacement

Seifert’s signing comes on the back of Bethell’s unavailability due to national commitments. Bethell is set to leave for England after Friday’s fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which was moved from Bengaluru to Lucknow owing to adverse weather conditions in south India.Bethell has so far featured in two matches for RCB in his maiden IPL season. Replacing an unwell Phil Salt in the line-up, Bethell struck a 33-ball 55 in his previous innings against Chennai Super Kings on May 3. That, incidentally, remains RCB’s most-recent outing in the tournament too; their home fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders upon IPL’s resumption following a ten-day break was abandoned in Bengaluru last Saturday.Bethell aside, RCB are uncertain over the availability of Australia quick Josh Hazlewood, who is currently in Brisbane at CA’s High-Performance Centre in preparation for next month’s World Test Championship final.Last Friday, RCB director Mo Bobat said they’d been in touch with CA over Hazlewood, but that they were adopting a wait-and-watch approach as he recovers from a shoulder niggle that he picked up ahead of RCB’s fixture against CSK.Meanwhile, South Africa quick Lungi Ngidi too will miss the playoffs for RCB as he prepares for the WTC final. Last week, Ngidi was replaced by Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani as a short-term replacement.RCB are currently chasing a top-two spot, having won eight out of their 11 matches in the league phase. They next play on Friday against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow before rounding off their league stages by playing Lucknow Super Giants.

يواصل الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، تدريباته اليوم الأربعاء على ستاد الكلية الحربية، استعدادًا لمواجهة ديكاداها الصومالي في كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويلتقي الزمالك، مع ديكاداها الصومالي الجمعة المقبل، في إياب دور الـ32 لبطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الأفريقية.

طالع.. خاص | 3 أسباب وراء رفض الزمالك عودة طارق حامد

وخاض اللاعبون تحت إشراف البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني والجهاز المعاون، فقرات بدنية مكثفة قادها الإسباني راؤول لوبيز مدرب الأحمال.

وأدى اللاعبون تدريبات فنية وخططية، تضمنت تقسيمة في منتصف الملعب لتطبيق الجوانب التكتيكية التي ركز عليها الجهاز الفني.

وشهدت التدريبات انتظام محمد شحاتة لاعب وسط الفريق، بعد تعافيه من الإصابة التي لحقت به بالعضلة الخلفية، فيما بدأ ناصر منسي مهاجم الفريق المرحلة الأخيرة من برنامجه التأهيلي، تمهيدًا للعودة إلى التدريبات الجماعية.

وكان الزمالك قد حقق الفوز في مباراة الذهاب بسداسية دون رد على استاد القاهرة الدولي.

The international break will have come at a welcome time for Rangers and under-fire boss, Russell Martin, with the former Scotland defender having endured a miserable start to life at Ibrox.

Four points from four in the Premiership, alongside a Champions League qualifying embarrassment, has already plunged the ex-Southampton boss into crisis. Can he turn it around?

There’s no hiding from what was a miserable August, although nothing has been decided yet. The season is only in its infancy.

With 14 new signings needing to properly bed in to life in Glasgow, it may still be too soon to properly judge Martin’s tenure, albeit with the pressure on considering the nature of their summer outlay.

Roughly £30m was reportedly spent by the Gers during the most recent window, with the most notable investment having been the £8m that was splashed out on goal-shy Everton youngster, Youssef Chermiti.

That eye-watering fee – which could rise to £10m with add-ons – will bring with it a lefty weight of expectation. Is the Portuguese striker worth the risk?

Youssef Chermiti's record pre-Rangers

Three goals in 22 games for Sporting Lisbon. No goals in 24 senior outings for the Toffees. A record that points to Rangers – and former Everton chief Kevin Thelwell – gambling on potential rather than proven quality.

It is a “heck of a gamble” at that, in the words of club legend Ally McCoist, with there little evidence to suggest that Chermiti will prove to be a success in Scottish football, amid his recent woes on Merseyside.

Signed on a £15m deal by the Premier League side back in the summer of 2023, the 21-year-old has been reduced to bit-part status since then, albeit with then-boss Sean Dyche admitting in 2024 that he was recruited as a “development player” who would have fared better with a loan move.

Rather than a temporary exit, Chermiti has now secured a permanent switch to Scotland, thus marking the club’s most expensive outlay since the £12m capture of Tore Andre Flo back in 2000.

The merits of such a deal can be debated long into the night, with the Portugal youth international – who has scored seven times in 75 recorded games at academy and senior level, as per Transfermarkt – in need of a positive start to try and win over an expectant fanbase.

That said, the Light Blues’ extensive recruitment can help ease the burden on the marquee new addition, with Bojan Miovski likely to be the main man in attack for Martin and co instead.

Bojan Miovski's market value

If Chermiti is the long-term expensive gamble, then Miovski appears to be the perfect alternative, providing an experienced, ‘proven’ option who has already delivered the goods in the Premiership.

Market Movers

Described as a player who “does everything” during his time at Aberdeen by Billy Dodds, due to his impressive scoring rate and link-up play, the Macedonian marksman could prove a real coup following his £2.6m switch.

Indeed, while Chermiti is yet to flourish at first-team level, the 26-year-old has more than proven his worth in recent years, having notably scored 44 times in 98 games during his time at Pittodrie.

That impressive haul included a fine record on the big occasion, with Miovski scoring four times from just nine meetings with Rangers in all competitions, alongside netting three times in eight games against Celtic.

Livingston

7

5

Rangers

9

4

Hibs

9

4

Ross County

8

4

St Mirren

7

4

Motherwell

7

4

Celtic

8

3

While a return of four goals in 23 games for Girona last term is hardly the most eye-catching, the clinical number nine has already been there and done it for the Dons, a fact that pundit Andy Walker believes will make him a “better signing” than his new teammate:

That fact is also reinforced when considering what Miovski’s actual market value is, with the Gers having seemingly secured a bargain when considering their £2.6m investment.

As per the great minds at CIES Football Observatory, the 33-cap international has a peak value of as much as €16m (£14m), eclipsing the figure that was dished out on Chermiti.

While Rangers won’t be looking to cash in on their new addition any time soon, that valuation does point to them striking a significant profit in the years to come.

Better than Chermiti: Rangers must regret selling "rapid" star for just £4m

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Embora Dorival Júnior tenha desconversado sobre um possível interesse do São Paulo em Erick, um dos destaques do Ceará, conforme o Lance! apurou, o treinador teria indicado o nome do atleta, como uma opção para uma posição carente no clube. No caso, um atacante de velocidade e versátil.

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Revelado pelo Náutico, o jogador de 25 anos teve passagem pelo futebol português antes de chegar ao clube alvinegro, com o qual possui contrato até o final do ano. Devido à curta duração do contrato, o São Paulo acredita que possa chegar a um acordo vantajoso para a liberação antecipada do jogador.

Além disso, é importante ressaltar que o treinador e o ponta tiveram uma breve passagem juntos pela equipe nordestina.

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Dorival Júnior assumiu o comando do Ceará no final de março de 2022, sendo oficialmente anunciado no dia 28 daquele mês. Após 73 dias à frente da equipe, ele deixou o cargo em junho, acumulando um total de onze vitórias, quatro empates e três derrotas durante o período.

Durante o período em que Dorival Júnior esteve no comando, Erick teve uma das sequências mais consistentes. Sob a orientação de Dorival, Erick disputou 15 jogos, conquistando dez vitórias, dois empates e três derrotas, marcando dois gols e fornecendo duas assistências. Vale ressaltar que Erick teve uma sequência de três vitórias consecutivas, uma das maiores da temporada.

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De fato, Erick enfrentou uma lesão complicada no segundo semestre, ocorrida durante uma partida contra o Internacional em julho, o que exigiu um procedimento cirúrgico. É verdade que no primeiro semestre ele teve uma boa regularidade, muito disso devido à sua atuação ao lado de Dorival Júnior. Após a saída de Dorival, Erick disputou 19 jogos até o final da temporada, incluindo o período em que estava lesionado. Isso significa que ele teve mais consistência durante os 73 dias em que Dorival esteve no comando do time do que no restante da temporada após sua saída.

Erick despertou o interesse do São Paulo nos últimos dias, principalmente devido ao pedido de Dorival Júnior por conta do trabalho com o ponta no último ano. No entanto, Erick é um dos principais destaques do Ceará atualmente. Na presente temporada, ele participou de 32 partidas, anotando 12 gols e fornecendo dez assistências, vivenciando um de seus melhores momentos na carreira.

O Ceará teria apresentado uma proposta de renovação de contrato a Erick. Segundo informações apuradas pela reportagem doLance!, membros do clube nordestino revelaram que, considerando que o atual vínculo do jogador expira no final do ano, uma nova oferta foi feita, oferecendo uma valorização salarial e um contrato mais longo. No entanto, até o momento, nenhuma decisão foi tomada. Conforme divulgado pelo Lance! em 21 de junho, Erick chama a atenção por sua versatilidade, sendo frequente vê-lo atuando pelo lado direito no clube cearense.

Devido às suas características, Erick seria uma ótima opção para reforçar o ataque do São Paulo, especialmente considerando a ausência de um atacante de velocidade. No início do ano, o clube contratou Pedrinho para desempenhar essa função, mas seu contrato foi rescindido devido a acusações de ameaça e violência doméstica feitas por sua namorada.