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BBC anchor keen to “get the balance right” between satisfying traditionalists and bringing in new audience

Matt Roller20-Jul-2021Few sporting events have split opinion in the way the Hundred has since its soft-launch in April 2018 but its loudest critics and most brazen proponents agree on one thing, at least: its dominance of the English cricketing calendar over the next month is a seminal moment for the game in this country. Between the fifth Ashes Test in 2005 and the 2019 World Cup final, live cricket was hidden behind a paywall and unavailable on free-to-air TV in England; a handful of games have been broadcast live by the BBC or Channel 4 in the last two years, but the Hundred will be freely available on television in a way not seen in this country for the past 16 years.Wednesday night’s opening match between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals sees domestic cricket broadcast live on a main BBC channel for the first time in the 21st century; the most recent is believed to be Lancashire’s nine-wicket win against Derbyshire in the NatWest Trophy final in 1998, when one-day cricket was played over 60 overs with teams wearing whites and using a red ball. The level of coverage across platforms is vast: every match in the competition – men’s and women’s – will be broadcast live by Sky, every women’s match and a “significant number” of men’s matches will be streamed on Sky’s YouTube channel, and the BBC is broadcasting 10 men’s and eight women’s fixtures.”It’s a real privilege to be involved and part of an amazing broadcast team,” Isa Guha, who will front the BBC’s coverage, tells ESPNcricinfo. “What the BBC brings is that fact that it can play out to the masses, and that is what is really exciting about our TV and radio coverage. People might be tuning in for the Olympics but then stumble across the Hundred, and I think cricket fans will tune in anyway because there will be intrigue around the new format and how it works. I think it will cut through.”There are challenges to navigate. The BBC’s coverage of recent England men’s T20Is against Sri Lanka and Pakistan was pitched mainly at existing cricket fans but with some interludes designed to make the game more simple, and there is an obvious tension between getting stuck into the game’s intricacies or the tactical nuances of the new format and trying to appeal to the new audience that the ECB is so desperate to attract. That was made particularly evident in April when the revealed a plan to replace the word “wickets” with “outs”, which sparked a backlash strong enough for the term to be dropped a week later.Related

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“It’s about getting the balance right,” Guha says. “You don’t want to offend cricket traditionalists but at the same time, you’re trying to bring a new audience in. We’ll still have the same vibe in terms of the fun we want to bring to it – the energy and banter between commentators – but we want to bring out the personalities of the domestic players who might not necessarily get much exposure on television, too.”We’ll be navigating through the new tactics with everyone else. What I found with the Big Bash in Australia last winter with the new rules that were applied was that we were working it out on commentary at the same time as the players and coaches on the ground, which is exciting and interesting for existing fans. But for the new audience, it’s a great entry-level format; it’s about educating people on things like fielding positions and cricketing lingo but not being too hard to understand.”There is a tension too between the ECB’s public commitment to present the men’s and women’s competitions as equal and the fact that only three of the eight games the BBC is broadcasting live will be available on a linear TV channel, with the other five online-only. “There are a lot of online users anyway,” Guha responds. “I think we will still get a good audience as long as people know where to find it. The biggest thing is being able to direct people towards it, but then again, there are a lot of online users that would be watching BBC Two on digital platforms anyway.”A BBC publicist jumps in at this stage, saying: “Those games will be on iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and online – and the same people who can access BBC Two can also access any of those with the touch of a button.” But realistically, the women’s competition will rely on viewers knowing where to find it; if a child with no interest in cricket stumbles across the Hundred while channel-surfing, it is highly likely that they will come across a men’s game.On the flip side, the BBC is hoping to promote the tournament through as many platforms as they can: James Anderson’s podcast with Greg James and Felix White, which has grown and nurtured a cult following in recent years, will be a key component of the broadcast coverage, and players are expected to pop up for radio and TV interviews during chat shows. A number of players involved in the tournament including Heather Knight, Tymal Mills, Alex Hartley and Carlos Brathwaite have also signed as commentators, and the live music that will be played at grounds in an attempt to create a family-friendly matchday experience has been sorted through a partnership with BBC Music Introducing.”When you’re at the ground, that partnership will help create that buzz and atmosphere that people have been starved of in the past couple of years,” Guha says. “We saw in the Euros how much excitement and energy people get from being at a stadium and to have that music around it is going to make it feel like a full day out, a full entertainment package. It should boost the coverage.”As with the tournament as a whole, it is difficult to know what will count as a success for BBC’s coverage of the Hundred: audience figures and demographics will be monitored closely but the real test will be the ability to retain new viewers in years to come, using the Hundred as a gateway to other formats. Perhaps the enthusiasm of a free-to-air broadcaster to show a significant chunk of games in primetime slots constitutes success in itself, but the English game as a whole can hardly afford the next month to go wrong.The Hundred will be on BBC Two, radio and online from Wednesday, July 21

Despite breaking records and leading MLB in both home runs and RBIs during the 2025 season, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh fell short of winning the American League MVP award on Thursday night.

Raleigh finished second in the AL MVP voting to Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who had a tremendous season himself. Judge finished with 17 first-place votes and 13 second-place votes from the BBWAA as Raleigh garnered 13 first-place votes and 17 second-place votes.

While Judge’s season in itself was MVP-worthy, there’s an argument to be made that Raleigh was more deserving of the award for his campaign in 2025.

Since Judge was announced the winner, let’s break down two key reasons Raleigh was snubbed.

Cal Raleigh had a historic season at catcher

It’s not just that Cal Raleigh led the league in both home runs and RBIs, it’s that he put up historic offensive production for a catcher. Sure, Raleigh’s batting average was lower than Judge or any other catcher that’s won MVP, but he hit significantly more home runs than any catcher in league history.

With his 60 home runs this season, Raleigh shattered the previous record of 48 home runs by a catcher in a season. He also hit more than double the home runs than the two catchers that won MVP this century, Buster Posey and Joe Mauer. To top it all off, he broke Mickey Mantle’s record for the most home runs in a season by a switch-hitter as well.

Additionally, Raleigh’s 125 RBIs would have tied the third-most by an MVP-winning catcher, and both his OPS and WAR were in the upper-half of catchers that won MVP. 

The MVP award was a battle and comparison between Raleigh and Judge, but more weight should have been placed on the historic accomplishments Raleigh achieved in comparison to other catchers. 

Cal Raleigh’s defense made him the more valuable player

The MVP award is not the award for the best hitter—that’s the Hank Aaron Award. Though Judge’s hitting production dwarfs Raleigh’s, he did not have the all-around impact that Raleigh did. 

While the MVP voting rules for the BBWAA state that there is no clear-cut definition for what an MVP is, the rules from 1931 do say, “Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense.”

So sure, Judge has the edge based on pure offense, but Raleigh’s work offensively and as a catcher make him the better MVP candidate. Due to an elbow injury, Judge was a designated hitter for the Yankees in 56 games this season. In comparison, Raleigh was a DH in 38 games.

As a catcher, Raleigh has significantly more responsibility on every single pitch than Judge does in the outfield—and he handled that exceptionally through the year. He finished sixth in defensive runs saved above average and recorded all his offensive production while simultaneously catching more innings than anyone else in MLB, all without a passed ball.

To combine the physical toll of playing catcher at a high level while also achieving unprecedented production at his position should have been more than enough to make Raleigh the MVP.

Rangers are now reportedly ready to grant Danny Rohl’s transfer request after the German commenced a personal scouting mission ahead of January.

Rangers must be "ruthless", says Rohl

As Old Firm rivals Celtic closed the gap on Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Rangers stuttered for the second-consecutive outing in midweek – drawing 2-2 against Dundee United. Just when Rohl was looking for a reaction, he watched on as the Gers were forced to salvage a point courtesy of Nedim Bajrami’s late penalty.

Disappointed by yet more dropped points, the Rangers boss told reporters: “We are disappointed because it’s just one point. We put everything on the pitch until the end, that’s why we deserve a point.

“When I see how many chances we create, we should win this game. If we can bring this together in the future with a clean sheet, we win games.

“We are disappointed, but I see a step forward today from my group. We had more tempo, better decision-making, our body shape between the lines. We sped up our games in the right moment.

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“I’m not happy because you have to win, there’s no question. We have to be ruthless in both boxes. I am convinced that more goals will come. At the moment it is hard work.

“Of course, the last two results are not what we want. They are two different results. The weekend [at home to Falkirk] was a boring draw, today it was an entertaining draw, but for both you get just one point.”

It’s become clear in the last week that those at Ibrox must back Rohl when the January transfer window swings open. Without sporting director Kevin Thelwell, there’s also every chance that the German will have greater control on arrivals and that could see Youssef Chermiti replaced.

Rangers ready to grant Rohl request

As reported by TeamTalk, Rangers are now ready to grant Rohl’s request for a new No.9 to replace summer flop Chermiti. The Gers boss has commenced a personal scouting mission in recent weeks and recruitment chiefs have held talks with agents in the Netherlands and Belgium on the hunt for a crucial addition.

Alongside a new striker, Rohl has reportedly asked the 49ers to sign a dynamic central midfielder and a versatile full-back in an attempt to add quality in depth.

It comes as no surprise that Rohl has set his sights on a striker. It would instantly make up for Thelwell’s mistake in the summer, which saw Chermiti arrive for as much as £8m to make the forward one of Rangers’ most expensive ever signings. That alone perfectly sums up the disaster that was the sporting director’s time in Scotland.

It’s also not a great shock that Rohl’s after a dynamic midfielder in 2026, given that Nicolas Raskin could still leave the club amid interest from the Premier League. Losing the Belgian would be a major blow, but the sale would also fund a much-needed overhaul when the winter window swings open.

Rohl must now ditch Rangers dud who was the "shining light" under Martin

Chelsea have become known for splashing the cash in the transfer market over recent years, even breaking the British transfer record on numerous occasions.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández both joined in deals worth over £100m, showcasing the hierarchy’s ambitions of taking the club back to Premier League glory in the years ahead.

Over the summer of 2025, the Blues spent up to £420m on new additions, including add-ons, with Enzo Maresca once again being backed to lead the club up the table.

Numerous of the recent arrivals have hit the ground running in West London, as seen with striker Joao Pedro, who has already netted four goals and laid on three assists this season.

However, the same can’t be said for another player in the first-team squad, with his start to life in the capital being nothing short of a disaster, given his constant setbacks.

Liam Delap’s disastrous start to life at Chelsea

During the summer window, Chelsea secured the £30m signing of striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town after triggering his relegation release clause in his contract.

The 22-year-old was seen as an exciting addition for the Blues, but his move has failed to take off in recent months, with injuries often plaguing his progress under Maresca.

He suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham back in August that would rule him out of action for two months, before suffering yet another issue just seven games into his return.

Delap was forced off with a shoulder injury against Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago, which is set to rule the Englishman out until the new year at the earliest.

However, despite his fitness issues, the £30m man has often struggled to deliver the goods when fit, as seen by his measly tally of just one goal in his first 11 appearances for the Blues.

His only goal came in the Champions League, but his struggles in the Premier League are there for all to see, with the talisman only posting five shots on target to date.

The Chelsea star who’s already a huge upgrade on Delap

As previously mentioned, fellow striker Pedro has already managed to outperform Delap in the Premier League, with the Brazilian a more effective option to date.

The £55m paid for the 24-year-old already appears to be excellent business, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion star having the platform to reach world-class status under Marcesa’s guidance.

However, the Blues’ recent recruitment has seen them target young talents that can gain experience elsewhere before making the jump into being a first-team regular in West London.

Estevao is a prime example of such a situation, with the teenager staying at homeland club Palmeiras for a period of time before his move to Chelsea to allow him to gain needed senior first-team minutes.

Such a situation has once unfolded in front of the supporters’ very eyes, with striker Emanuel Emgeha one of the latest players to agree to join Maresca’s men.

Back in September, it was confirmed that the Dutch striker would be joining the Blues in the summer of 2026 from sister club Strasbourg on a seven-year contract.

Whilst he may be an unknown name to many, the 22-year-old is an unbelievably talented star who could inject serious quality into the centre-forward department.

When comparing his stats to those of Delap from the ongoing campaign, the soon-to-be Chelsea star has massively dominated the Englishman in numerous key areas.

Emegha, who’s been dubbed one of the “best strikers in Europe” by his assistant boss, has also struggled with injuries this season, but it hasn’t restricted him from thriving in the final third, as seen by his incredible tally of six combined goals and assists in just seven appearances.

Games played

7

8

Goals & assists

6

0

Shots on target

1.4

1.2

Pass accuracy

81%

64%

Passes into final third

0.4

0.2

Take-on success

1.4

0.7

Aerials won

80%

40%

Such a tally is way in excess of what Delap has been able to offer, with the Blues’ number nine unable to post a single goal or assist in more outings than the Dutchman.

Away from his goalscoring record, the Strasbourg talent has also achieved more shots on target per 90 – further showcasing his talents within the final third.

He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, with more of his efforts being made into the final third – arguably making him a more creative outlet.

Emgeha’s dominance is also reflected in his higher tally of take-ons completed and better aerial success rate – numbers which make him the perfect all-round option for Maresca.

Many fans will have hoped that Delap would have more of an impact in 2025/26, but it’s safe to say the move has failed to live up to the expectations it generated.

However, the arrival of Emegha next summer could finally end the hunt for a new talisman, with the youngster having all the tools to star at Stamford Bridge for many years.

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The hugely exciting wonderkid has been compared to two of Chelsea’s best players.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 3 days ago

Quite simply, Liverpool have been a shambles in defence this season. Arne Slot’s side have a slew of problems, mounting by the matchweek, but the crux of it comes down to disorganised, error-strewn defending.

Five defeats from six Premier League games, nine losses from 12 in all competitions, successive Anfield defeats against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, seven goals shipped, this is a crisis for the Reds.

It beggars belief. And right at the struggling heart of it is Ibrahima Konate, whose future on Merseyside is very much up in the air.

Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future

It really cannot be understated how dismal Konate has been throughout the 2025/26 campaign. He has been indescribably weak in key battles, his resolve far too brittle.

Errors have littered the France international’s campaign, and Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even suggested that it has been a “sackable offence” on Slot’s part for continuing to field the 26-year-old after such consistent inconsistency.

It’s clear that the centre-back’s contractual conundrum, out of a deal next summer, has been weighing heavily on his mind, especially since Real Madrid have made their vested interest known over the past year.

However, the £70k-per-week defender has been so unconvincing that Los Blancos have ended their pursuit. Liverpool remain committed to renewing their struggling star’s deal, even with interest from further suitors sure to intensify come January.

There is surely a way back to the ascendancy for a player who served so confidently in a title-winning campaign, but with Virgil van Dijk getting old, it’s clear that FSG need to find new defenders regardless.

There’s no doubt that sporting director Richard Hughes will feel rueful after missing out on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a deal effectively in place on deadline day and the Three Lions star ready to complete his medical before the Eagles failed to source a replacement.

However, there is another who could end up succeeding Konate, though this Liverpool prospect has endured a tough start to his career at the club.

Liverpool have a teenage Konate upgrade

Liverpool’s dearth of defensive options this season have meant that Slot has been unable to drop Konate and bring in another. However, Giovanni Leoni was slated to be that man.

Leoni, 18, joined Liverpool from Serie A side Parma this summer in a £27m deal, Hughes drawn to his potential to become one of the best in the business. The Italian is powerful, dynamic and prodigiously talented on the ball, with his long and limber frame making him the perfect fit in the Premier League.

However, disaster struck on his debut in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton, when Leoni ruptured his ACL, sidelining him until the end of the season.

It was only one fixture – and against second-tier opponents at that – but Leoni showed a lot of promise for his new club, very much at place on the ball and winning four of five contested duels, including each of his three aerial battles.

It was the kind of display that proved Leoni is “one of the best young centre-backs in the world”, something noted by Liverpool reporter James Wathland as the fanbase chews on their frustration over losing such a shrewd defensive solution for the campaign.

Giovanni Leoni vs Southampton
Match Stats	#
Minutes played	81′
Touches	102
Accurate passes	88/91 (97%)
Possession lost	3x
Recoveries	3
Tackles won	0/1
Interceptions	3
Clearances	6
Ground duels	1/2
Aerial duels	3/3
Data via Sofascore

Liverpool’s defenders are often tasked with initiating forward moves from the back, and while Leoni is not refined in this regard, there is undeniable promise that Slot and Liverpool’s coaching team will be developing even in the teenager’s period of convalescence.

Liverpool have a sensational defensive talent in their mix, and while fans won’t be able to witness him in action again until the latter months of 2026, they can rest assured that Leoni has what it takes to reach superstar status down the line.

This may be considered when Hughes and co weigh up Konate’s value and whether they should extend his time on Merseyside for his prime years.

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Angus Sinclair

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Max Fried has officially begun his time with the New York Yankees.

On Thursday, we got our first look at Fried in Yankees gear as pictures emerged from the team's training facility in Tampa, Florida. The 31-year-old looked right at home.

Fried was the franchise's big acquisition this offseason. After losing Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, the Yankees pivoted and inked Fried to the largest contract ever for a left-handed pitcher. They gave the two-time All-Star an eight-year deal worth $218 million.

New York's newest hurler will join a loaded rotation that features Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt and Marcus Stroman.

Fried is one of MLB's steadiest pitchers and proved that over the past eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He hasn't posted an ERA higher than 3.25 since 2019. During the 2024 campaign, he went 11–10 with a 3.25 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 166 strikeouts against 57 walks in 174 1/3 innings.

He should fit in perfectly with that Yankees starting rotation.

Lionel Messi has expressed his strong desire to compete in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina next summer, saying it would be "wonderful" to get the chance to defend his nation's title of World Champions and play in the tournament for the sixth time in his glittering career. But the Inter Miami superstar explained that he wants to feel good about himself physically if he is to take part, so that he can "contribute and be important" for Lionel Scaloni's side.

• Messi wants to play in 2026 World Cup with Argentina

  Speaking in an interview with Fabrizio Romano, Messi expressed his strong desire to go to the US, Canada and Mexico with Argentina next summer, should the circumstances be right for the 38-year-old to star for the 2022 World Cup winners.

  Messi continues to shine for his national side, scoring twice in four matches in 2025. Though he announced that September’s 3-0 qualifying victory over Venezuela was to be his final competitive fixture on home soil, he had not publicly confirmed his desire to compete in the World Cup until now.

  The Inter Miami star has been in scintillating form in the MLS this season, scoring 39 goals in 44 appearances in 2025 in all competitions. If he continues to play at such a high level for his club, Messi will hope to have a similar impact for Argentina next summer.

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  Messi has 'so much desire' to play in World Cup

  Messi said when asked by Romano about which factors will influence his decision to compete in the World Cup next summer: “Obviously, I have so much desire and excitement to be there, it is obvious, but I want to go there feeling good about myself, so that I can contribute and be important. I think it’s a bit about being physically fit and making sure I can perform at my highest level."

  Asked about the possibility of playing World Cup matches in Miami, Messi added: “[The World Cup] is always special, the best, playing with the national team, in official competitions and more so in a World Cup. With everything it means and I think it’s going to be a special World Cup. Because being in the United States, I think that on an organisational level, beyond the fact that there is a very long trip and if I have to go play in Canada or Mexico, different games, the trips will be very long and I think that on an organisational level, it will be something extraordinary.

  “But well, as I’m telling you, it would be wonderful to be able to be in another World Cup and defend the last world title that we were lucky enough to win… and to be able to participate in another one."

• Messi speaks on new Inter Miami contract and MLS Cup

  Elsewhere in the interview, Romano asked Messi about his future at Inter Miami after the Argentine recently committed to a new three-year deal with the MLS outfit.

  “The truth is that I’m happy [to sign a new contract] and it was an easy decision. Because we’re doing very well, both in the family, in the day-to-day, in the life we lead and in the club as well, you know? Enjoying myself and feeling good physically and having positive results.

  “And the truth is that being able to continue playing here, and continue to help the club grow, after everything that has happened since my arrival, and that of the other team-mates, which was a very big change, is something very nice, so I’m very happy.

  “The truth is no, it wasn’t difficult because from what I’m telling you, I’m very happy here, so we hope to continue contributing to this growth, both on and off the field.

  “Hopefully we can achieve the image of [Inter Miami with the trophy in the] MLS Cup. Because it would be great for the club to be able to achieve it, because it would help with the entire growth process that the club has undergone in recent years. Winning an important title for the club would be spectacular for the entire locker room. On a personal level, winning another title would be extraordinary. So hopefully we’ll put up a picture like that."

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  What comes next for Messi?

  If Messi's domestic form is to be a key deciding factor on if he does decide to compete in North America next summer, the Argentine will have an important period ahead of him as he attempts to continue his imperious form with Inter Miami.

  Messi has made a massive 195 appearances for Argentina, scoring 114 goals, and will hope to see his total number of caps surpass 200 if Scaloni's side go far in the tournament next summer. The 38-year-old's influence remains undeniable, and from these latest words it appears as though the great man is not done on the international stage just yet.

Marcus Rashford gave Barcelona another reason to sign him permanently with a goal in his side's 3-1 win over Elche on Sunday. After early strikes from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, the England forward smashed in an impressive effort to put pay to the away team's comeback. Rafa Mir had given the underdogs hope in a very competitive La Liga fixture.

The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute when Alejandro Balde intercepted a wayward pass, before setting up Yamal, who curled in a super finish from 10 yards out. It was 2-0 three minutes later when Torres tapped in Fermin Lopez's inch-perfect pass as Barca scored from both of their shots on target.

Elche, who were indebted to on loan Barca keeper Inaki Pena for keeping them in the contest, reduced their arrears in the 42nd minute when Rafa Mir rifled in a delightful shot into the corner. Mir then fizzed an excellent effort off the crossbar early in the second half as the Blaugrana held a slender lead.

But Rashford, who wants to turn his loan into a permanent move, eased Barcelona's nerves when he walloped a shot in off the bar just after the hour mark for his second La Liga goal. The result saw the Catalan outfit cut table-toppers Real Madrid's lead to five points after 11 games.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Wojciech Szczesny (7/10):

  Continues to impress in goal in place of the injured Joan Garcia. Made some good reflex saves at important moments of the match.

  Jules Kounde (6/10):

  The Frenchman had his hands full with Mir but pulled off some important interceptions at the back when required.

  Ronald Araujo (5/10):

  Question marks have to be asked over his role in Elche's goal. He played Mir onside on the halfway line and then didn't close him down quickly enough as Barca's lead was cut. 

  Eric Garcia (6/10):

  Some of his covering work got his side out of trouble on a couple of occasions. But was also caught out of position on occasion.

  Alejandro Balde (7/10):

  Showed a tremendous burst of pace to pounce on a loose ball and then drive at the Elche defence, before perfectly setting up team-mate Yamal for Barcelona's opener. He does rely on his pace to get him out of trouble when out of position, though.

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  Midfield

  Frenkie de Jong (6/10):

  The Dutchman didn't quite show the quality he displayed earlier on this season but helped keep Barca's midfield ticking along.

  Marc Casado (6/10):

  Worked hard but doesn't provide the zip and swagger that the injured Pedri does.

  Fermin Lopez (8/10):

  The in-form attacking midfielder was instrumental in Barca's second as he burned past Elche's defence before firing a slide-rule pass across the six-yard box for Torres. Pulled off another brilliant assist for Rashford in the second half.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Lamine Yamal (7/10):

  The teenager, who confirmed his split from girlfriend Nicki Nicole this week, took his goal brilliantly and while he showed flashes of quality, the winger had a fairly quiet outing for his team.

  Ferran Torres (7/10):

  Was in the right place at the right time for his fifth La Liga goal of the season. Could have had more but stopper Pena was equal to the former Manchester City man.

  Marcus Rashford (7/10):

  The Manchester United loanee is worthy of a place in the Barca starting XI at present, especially with Raphinha out injured. While sometimes he took a touch too many, he smashed in a classy goal to make it 3-1.

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  Subs & Manager

  Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

  The veteran didn't do a great deal when he replaced Rashford.

  Gerard Martin (6/10):

  Solid if unspectacular when called upon.

  Dani Olmo (6/10):

  Will have to do a great deal to usurp Lopez at the moment.

  Dro Fernandez (N/A):

  Too little time to make an impact

  Roony Bardghji (N/A):

  Came on in the game's dying embers.

  Hansi Flick (7/10):

  His side deserved the win but they did not have it all their own way against the spirited away team. His starting players got the job done but his subs didn't do a great deal.

As Ibrahima Konate’s contract continues to tick down, Liverpool are reportedly ready to make formal contact with an impressive defender who could replace the Frenchman.

Update on Konate's Liverpool contract

As things stand, Konate will follow in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s footsteps by leaving Liverpool as a free agent in less than nine months. Whether the defender also joins the right-back at Real Madrid is another question. The Spaniards are reportedly on the hunt for a centre-back and Konate is on their list in what should spark major concern at Anfield.

Alas, there is still time for things to change. The Reds waited until the second-half of last season to tie Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah down to new deals and may need similar patience with Konate.

All hope isn’t lost just yet, either.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, talks are ongoing, and both parties have found themselves at a stalemate rather than any point of rejection at this stage.

Those at Anfield are understandably still preparing for a world in which Konate does leave the club.

The likes of Marc Guehi have been mentioned again as a potential replacement on that front. The Crystal Palace man came within hours of joining Liverpool in the summer, before the South London club pulled the plug on deadline day.

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He’s still very much on their radar, but as competition begins to arrive for his signature, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes may have to turn towards an alternative contract rebel in 2026.

Liverpool readying formal contact with Upamecano

As reported by TeamTalk, Liverpool are now readying formal contact with Dayot Upamecano in January, when he will be able to seal a pre-contract agreement if he is yet to put pen to paper on a new Bayern Munich deal at that stage.

The £9m-a-year (£167,000-per-week) France international is in the same boat as Konate.

Both former RB Leipzig defenders are yet to sign new contracts at their respective clubs and both are attracting plenty of interest as a result. For Liverpool, swapping one imperious centre-back for another without spending a single penny would likely be an ideal scenario.

Minutes

427

562

Progressive Passes

4.04

6.28

Tackles Won

0.64

1.29

Ball Recoveries

6.38

2.58

Whilst Konate has so far edged Upamecano in possession, and when asked to win his tackles, the latter’s ball recovery rate has certainly been impressive.

As Van Dijk enters the later stages of his career, that aggression from someone like Upamencano would be a vital trait. It would allow the Dutchman to control play from afar whilst his partner steps out.

Described as a “fantastic” player by France teammate Lucas Hernandez, the Bayern contract rebel is someone to watch if Konate leaves Liverpool as a free agent next summer.

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O zagueiro Bruno Méndez, do Corinthians, foi convocado por Marcelo Bielsa para defender a seleção do Uruguai na Data Fifa. A Celeste estreia nas Eliminatórias diante do Chile, em Montevidéu, na sexta-feira (8), e depois encara a Colômbia, na terça-feira (12).

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+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

A convocação de Méndez vai adiar a conversa entre o staff do atleta e o Timão pela renovação contratual do zagueiro de 23 anos. As partes devem se reunir para selar o acordo após a Data Fifa. Com o vínculo terminando em dezembro, o defensor pode assinar um pré-contrato com outro time desde junho. 

O Corinthians conversa com os agentes do jogador há, pelo menos, três meses, na tentativa de fechar a renovação. Porém, a situação não tinha evoluído porque existia a expectativa por parte do atleta e dos seus representantes de que uma proposta do futebol europeu chegasse, o que não aconteceu. A janela de transferências das principais ligas europeias fechou na última sexta-feira (1º).

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Há um compromisso verbal por parte do grupo que cuida da carreira de Méndez de que na ausência de ofertas do Velho Continente, seria dada prioridade para a renovação com o Timão. As partes até divergem em relação ao aumento salarial que será dado para a formalização de um novo contrato, mas com uma diferença de valores que não é tão grande e é vista como facilmente negociável.

Atlético-MG, Flamengo e Internacional monitoram a situação do jogador e podem atrapalhar o negócio corintiano a qualquer momento. Por parte do clube alvinegro, o maior temor são os cariocas, que possuem um bom poderio financeiro e podem tentar convencer o atleta e o seu estafe através das cifras atreladas ao salário.

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+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão

Na primeira convocação de Marcelo Bielsa pela seleção uruguaia, Bruno Méndez atuou nos minutos finais da vitória sobre Nicarágua e foi titular no amistoso contra Cuba, em junho. A lista do Uruguai ainda conta com três nomes conhecidos do torcedor brasileiro: Sergio Rochet (Internacional), Piquerez (Palmeiras) e Cannobio (Athletico-PR).

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Lista de jugadores citados por Marcelo Bielsa para las dos primeras fechas de las Eliminatorias rumbo a la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 26™#ElEquipoQueNosUne pic.twitter.com/vFDeaJTeQ4

— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) September 4, 2023